bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Core-like groups result in invalidation of identifying super-spreader by k-shell decomposition
Authors: Liu Ying , Tang Ming , Zhou Tao , Younghae Do  
Published: May 2015

AbstractIdentifying the most influential spreaders is an important issue in understanding and controlling spreading processes on complex networks. Recent studies showed that nodes located in the core of a network as identified by thek-shell decomposition are the most influential spreaders. However, through a great deal of numerical simulations, we observe that not in all real networks do nodes in high shells are very influential: in some networks the core nodes are the most influential which we call true core, while in others nodes in high shells, even the innermost core, are not good spreaders which we call core-like group. By analyzing thek-core structure of the networks, we find that the true core of a network links diversely to the shells of the network, while the core-like group links very locally within the group. For nodes in the core-like group, thek-shell index cannot reflect their location importance in the network. We further introduce a measure based on the link diversity of shells to effectively distinguish the true core and core-like group and identify core-like groups throughout the networks. Our findings help to better understand the structural features of real networks and influential nodes.
A versatile clearing agent for multi-modal brain imaging
Authors: Costantini Irene , Ghobril Jean-Pierre , Di Giovanna Antonino Paolo , Mascaro Anna Letizia Allegra , Silvestri Ludovico , Müllenbroich Marie Caroline , Onofri Leonardo , Conti Valerio , Vanzi Francesco , Sacconi Leonardo , Guerrini Renzo , Markram Henry , Iannello Giulio , Pavone Francesco Saverio 
Published: May 2015

AbstractExtensive mapping of neuronal connections in the central nervous system requires high-throughput µm-scale imaging of large volumes. In recent years, different approaches have been developed to overcome the limitations due to tissue light scattering. These methods are generally developed to improve the performance of a specific imaging modality, thus limiting comprehensive neuroanatomical exploration by multi-modal optical techniques. Here, we introduce a versatile brain clearing agent (2,2′-thiodiethanol; TDE) suitable for various applications and imaging techniques. TDE is cost-efficient, water-soluble and low-viscous and, more importantly, it preserves fluorescence, is compatible with immunostaining and does not cause deformations at sub-cellular level. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this method in different applications: in fixed samples by imaging a whole mouse hippocampus with serial two-photon tomography; in combination with CLARITY by reconstructing an entire mouse brain with light sheet microscopy and in translational research by imaging immunostained human dysplastic brain tissue.
Generalized quantum interference of correlated photon pairs
Authors: Kim Heonoh , Lee Sang Min , Moon Han Seb 
Published: May 2015

AbstractSuperposition and indistinguishablility between probability amplitudes have played an essential role in observing quantum interference effects of correlated photons. The Hong-Ou-Mandel interference and interferences of the path-entangled photon number state are of special interest in the field of quantum information technologies. However, a fully generalized two-photon quantum interferometric scheme accounting for the Hong-Ou-Mandel scheme and path-entangled photon number states has not yet been proposed. Here we report the experimental demonstrations of the generalized two-photon interferometry with both the interferometric properties of the Hong-Ou-Mandel effect and the fully unfolded version of the path-entangled photon number state using photon-pair sources, which are independently generated by spontaneous parametric down-conversion. Our experimental scheme explains two-photon interference fringes revealing single- and two-photon coherence properties in a single interferometer setup. Using the proposed interferometric measurement, it is possible to directly estimate the joint spectral intensity of a photon pair source.
New Ti-decorated B40 fullerene as a promising hydrogen storage material
Authors: Dong Huilong , Hou Tingjun , Lee Shuit-Tong , Li Youyong 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe newly found B40 is the first experimentally observed all-boron fullerene and has potential applications in hydrogen storage. Here we investigate the binding ability and hydrogen storage capacity of Ti-decorated B40 fullerene based on DFT calculations. Our results indicate that Ti shows excellent binding capability to B40 compared with other transition metals. The B40 fullerene coated by 6 Ti atoms (Ti6B40) can store up to 34 H2 molecules, corresponding to a maximum gravimetric density of 8.7 wt%. It takes 0.2-0.4 eV/H2 to add one H2 molecule, which assures reversible storage of H2 molecules under ambient conditions. The evaluated reversible storage capacity is 6.1 wt%. Our results demonstrate that the new Ti-decorated B40 fullerene is a promising hydrogen storage material with high capacity.
Homozygosity mapping reveals novel and known mutations in Pakistani families with inherited retinal dystrophies
Authors: Saqib Muhammad Arif Nadeem , Nikopoulos Konstantinos , Ullah Ehsan , Sher Khan Falak , Iqbal Jamila , Bibi Rabia , Jarral Afeefa , Sajid Sundus , Nishiguchi Koji M. , Venturini Giulia , Ansar Muhammad , Rivolta Carlo 
Published: May 2015

AbstractInherited retinal dystrophies are phenotypically and genetically heterogeneous. This extensive heterogeneity poses a challenge when performing molecular diagnosis of patients, especially in developing countries. In this study, we applied homozygosity mapping as a tool to reduce the complexity given by genetic heterogeneity and identify disease-causing variants in consanguineous Pakistani pedigrees. DNA samples from eight families with autosomal recessive retinal dystrophies were subjected to genome wide homozygosity mapping (seven by SNP arrays and one by STR markers) and genes comprised within the detected homozygous regions were analyzed by Sanger sequencing. All families displayed consistent autozygous genomic regions. Sequence analysis of candidate genes identified four previously-reported mutations in CNGB3, CNGA3, RHO and PDE6A, as well as three novel mutations: c.2656C > T (p.L886F) in RPGRIP1, c.991G > C (p.G331R) in CNGA3, and c.413-1G > A (IVS6-1G > A) in CNGB1. This latter mutation impacted pre-mRNA splicing of CNGB1 by creating a -1 frameshift leading to a premature termination codon. In addition to better delineating the genetic landscape of inherited retinal dystrophies in Pakistan, our data confirm that combining homozygosity mapping and candidate gene sequencing is a powerful approach for mutation identification in populations where consanguineous unions are common.
The Rebirth of Waste Cooking Oil to Novel Bio-based Surfactants
Authors: Zhang Qi-Qi , Cai Bang-Xin , Xu Wen-Jie , Gang Hong-Ze , Liu Jin-Feng , Yang Shi-Zhong , Mu Bo-Zhong 
Published: May 2015

AbstractWaste cooking oil (WCO) is a kind of non-edible oil with enormous quantities and its unreasonable dispose may generate negative impact on human life and environment. However, WCO is certainly a renewable feedstock of bio-based materials. To get the rebirth of WCO, we have established a facile and high-yield method to convert WCO to bio-based zwitterionic surfactants with excellent surface and interfacial properties. The interfacial tension between crude oil and water could reach ultra-low value as 0.0016 mN m−1 at a low dosage as 0.100 g L−1 of this bio-based surfactant without the aid of extra alkali, which shows a strong interfacial activity and the great potential application in many industrial fields, in particular, the application in enhanced oil recovery in oilfields in place of petroleum-based surfactants.
Clathrin inhibitor Pitstop-2 disrupts the nuclear pore complex permeability barrier
Authors: Liashkovich Ivan , Pasrednik Dzmitry , Prystopiuk Valeria , Rosso Gonzalo , Oberleithner Hans , Shahin Victor 
Published: May 2015

AbstractExistence of a selective nucleocytoplasmic permeability barrier is attributed to Phenylalanine-Glycine rich proteins (FG-nups) within the central channel of the nuclear pore complex (NPC). Limited understanding of the FG-nup structural arrangement hinders development of strategies directed at disrupting the NPC permeability barrier. In this report we explore an alternative approach to enhancing the NPC permeability for exogenous macromolecules. We demonstrate that the recently discovered inhibitor of clathrin coat assembly Pitstop-2 compromises the NPC permeability barrier in a rapid and effective manner. Treatment with Pitstop-2 causes a collapse of the NPC permeability barrier and a reduction of Importin β binding accompanied by alteration of the NPC ultrastructure. Interestingly, the effects are induced by the same chemical agent that is capable of inhibiting clathrin-mediated endocytosis. To our knowledge, this is the first functional indication of the previously postulated evolutionary relation between clathrin and NPC scaffold proteins.
Analyses of soil microbial community compositions and functional genes reveal potential consequences of natural forest succession
Authors: Cong Jing , Yang Yunfeng , Liu Xueduan , Lu Hui , Liu Xiao , Zhou Jizhong , Li Diqiang , Yin Huaqun , Ding Junjun , Zhang Yuguang 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe succession of microbial community structure and function is a central ecological topic, as microbes drive the Earth’s biogeochemical cycles. To elucidate the response and mechanistic underpinnings of soil microbial community structure and metabolic potential relevant to natural forest succession, we compared soil microbial communities from three adjacent natural forests: a coniferous forest (CF), a mixed broadleaf forest (MBF) and a deciduous broadleaf forest (DBF) on Shennongjia Mountain in central China. In contrary to plant communities, the microbial taxonomic diversity of the DBF was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of CF and MBF, rendering their microbial community compositions markedly different. Consistently, microbial functional diversity was also highest in the DBF. Furthermore, a network analysis of microbial carbon and nitrogen cycling genes showed the network for the DBF samples was relatively large and tight, revealing strong couplings between microbes. Soil temperature, reflective of climate regimes, was important in shaping microbial communities at both taxonomic and functional gene levels. As a first glimpse of both the taxonomic and functional compositions of soil microbial communities, our results suggest that microbial community structure and function potentials will be altered by future environmental changes, which have implications for forest succession.
Natural carbon-based dots from humic substances
Authors: Dong Yongqiang , Wan Lisi , Cai Jianhua , Fang Qingqing , Chi Yuwu , Chen Guonan 
Published: May 2015

AbstractFor the first time, abundant natural carbon-based dots were found and studied in humic substances (HS). Four soluble HS including three humic acids (HA) from different sources and one fulvic acids (FA) were synthetically studied. Investigation results indicate that all the four HS contain large quantities of Carbon-based dots. Carbon-based dots are mainly small-sized graphene oxide nano-sheets or oxygen-containing functional group-modified graphene nano-sheets with heights less than 1 nm and lateral sizes less than 100 nm. Carbon-based nanomaterials not only contain abundant sp2-clusters but also a large quantity of surface states, exhibiting unique optical and electric properties, such as excitation-dependent fluorescence, surface states-originated electrochemiluminescence and strong electron paramagnetic resonance. Optical and electric properties of these natural carbon-based dots have no obvious relationship to their morphologies, but affected greatly by their surface states. Carbon-based dots in the three HS have relative high densities of surface states whereas the FA has the lowest density of surface states, resulting in their different fluorescence properties. The finding of carbon-based dots in HS provides us new insight into HS and the unique optical properties of these natural carbon-based dots may give HS potential applications in areas such as bio-imaging, bio-medicine, sensing and optoelectronics.
Niche divergence accelerates evolution in Asian endemic Procapra gazelles
Authors: Hu Junhua , Jiang Zhigang , Chen Jing , Qiao Huijie 
Published: May 2015

AbstractEcological niche divergence and adaptation to new environments are thought to play important roles in driving speciation. Whether recently evolved species show evidence for niche divergence or conservation is vital towards understanding the role of ecology in the process of speciation. The genus Procapra is an ancient, monophyletic lineage endemic to Asia that contains three extant species (P. gutturosa, P. przewalskii and P. picticaudata). These species mainly inhabit the Qinghai-Tibetan and Mongolian Plateaus and today have primarily allopatric distributions. We applied a series of geographic information system–based analyses to test for environmental variation and niche divergence among these three species. We found substantial evidence for niche divergence in species’ bioclimatic preferences, which supports the hypothesis that niche divergence accelerates diversification in Procapra. Our results provide important insight into the evolutionary history of ungulates in Asia and help to elucidate how environmental changes accelerate lineage diversification.
Effects of zinc transporters on Cryptococcus gattii virulence
Authors: Schneider Rafael de Oliveira , Diehl Camila , dos Santos Francine Melise , Piffer Alícia Corbellini , Garcia Ane Wichine Acosta , Kulmann Marcos Iuri Roos , Schrank Augusto , Kmetzsch Lívia , Vainstein Marilene Henning , Staats Charley C. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractZinc is an essential nutrient for all living organisms because it is a co-factor of several important proteins. Furthermore, zinc may play an essential role in the infectiousness of microorganisms. Previously, we determined that functional zinc metabolism is associated with Cryptococcus gattii virulence. Here, we characterized the ZIP zinc transporters in this human pathogen. Transcriptional profiling revealed that zinc levels regulated the expression of the ZIP1, ZIP2 and ZIP3 genes, although only the C. gattii zinc transporter Zip1 was required for yeast growth under zinc-limiting conditions. To associate zinc uptake defects with virulence, the most studied cryptococcal virulence factors (i.e., capsule, melanin and growth at 37 °C) were assessed in ZIP mutant strains; however, no differences were detected in these classical virulence-associated traits among the mutant and WT strains. Interestingly, higher levels of reactive oxygen species were detected in the zip1Δ and in the zip1Δ zip2Δ double mutants. In line with these phenotypic alterations, the zip1Δ zip2Δ double mutant displayed attenuated virulence in a murine model of cryptococcosis. Together, these results indicate that adequate zinc uptake is necessary for cryptococcal fitness and virulence.
BET inhibitors induce apoptosis through a MYC independent mechanism and synergise with CDK inhibitors to kill osteosarcoma cells
Authors: Baker Emma K , Taylor Scott , Gupte Ankita , Sharp Phillip P , Walia Mannu , Walsh Nicole C , Zannettino Andrew CW , Chalk Alistair M , Burns Christopher J , Walkley Carl R 
Published: May 2015

AbstractOsteosarcoma (OS) survival rates have plateaued in part due to a lack of new therapeutic options. Here we demonstrate that bromodomain inhibitors (BETi), JQ1, I-BET151, I-BET762, exert potent anti-tumour activity against primary and established OS cell lines, mediated by inhibition of BRD4. Strikingly, unlike previous observations in long-term established human OS cell lines, the antiproliferative activity of JQ1 in primary OS cells was driven by the induction of apoptosis, not cell cycle arrest. In further contrast, JQ1 activity in OS was mediated independently of MYC downregulation. We identified that JQ1 suppresses the transcription factor FOSL1 by displacement of BRD4 from its locus. Loss of FOSL1 phenocopied the antiproliferative effects of JQ1, identifying FOSL1 suppression as a potential novel therapeutic approach for OS. As a monotherapy JQ1 demonstrated significant anti-tumour activity in vivo in an OS graft model. Further, combinatorial treatment approaches showed that JQ1 increased the sensitivity of OS cells to doxorubicin and induced potent synergistic activity when rationally combined with CDK inhibitors. The greater level of activity achieved with the combination of BETi with CDK inhibitors demonstrates the efficacy of this combination therapy. Taken together, our studies show that BET inhibitors are a promising new therapeutic for OS.
Gate Modulation of Graphene-ZnO Nanowire Schottky Diode
Authors: Liu Ren , You Xu-Chen , Fu Xue-Wen , Lin Fang , Meng Jie , Yu Da-Peng , Liao Zhi-Min 
Published: May 2015

AbstractGraphene-semiconductor interface is important for the applications in electronic and optoelectronic devices. Here we report the modulation of the electric transport properties of graphene/ZnO nanowire Schottky diode by gate voltage (Vg). The ideality factor of the graphene/ZnO nanowire Schottky diode is ~1.7 and the Schottky barrier height is ~0.28 eV without external Vg. The Schottky barrier height is sensitive to Vg due to the variation of Fermi level of graphene. The barrier height increases quickly with sweeping Vg towards the negative value, while decreases slowly towards the positive Vg. Our results are helpful to understand the fundamental mechanism of the electric transport in graphene-semiconductor Schottky diode.
An automated microfluidic platform for C. elegans embryo arraying, phenotyping, and long-term live imaging
Authors: Cornaglia Matteo , Mouchiroud Laurent , Marette Alexis , Narasimhan Shreya , Lehnert Thomas , Jovaisaite Virginija , Auwerx Johan , Gijs Martin A. M. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractStudies of the real-time dynamics of embryonic development require a gentle embryo handling method, the possibility of long-term live imaging during the complete embryogenesis, as well as of parallelization providing a population’s statistics, while keeping single embryo resolution. We describe an automated approach that fully accomplishes these requirements for embryos of Caenorhabditis elegans, one of the most employed model organisms in biomedical research. We developed a microfluidic platform which makes use of pure passive hydrodynamics to run on-chip worm cultures, from which we obtain synchronized embryo populations, and to immobilize these embryos in incubator microarrays for long-term high-resolution optical imaging. We successfully employ our platform to investigate morphogenesis and mitochondrial biogenesis during the full embryonic development and elucidate the role of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) within C. elegans embryogenesis. Our method can be generally used for protein expression and developmental studies at the embryonic level, but can also provide clues to understand the aging process and age-related diseases in particular.
Oral Articulatory Control in Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Authors: Grigos Maria I. , Moss Aviva , Lu Ying 
Published: May 2015

Purpose
The purpose of this research was to examine spatial and temporal aspects of articulatory control in children with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), children with speech delay characterized by an articulation/phonological impairment (SD), and controls with typical development (TD) during speech tasks that increased in word length.

Method
The participants included 33 children (11 CAS, 11 SD, and 11 TD) between 3 and 7 years of age. A motion capture system was used to track jaw, lower lip, and upper lip movement during a naming task. Movement duration, velocity, displacement, and variability were measured from accurate word productions.

Results
Movement variability was significantly higher in the children with CAS compared with participants in the SD and TD groups. Differences in temporal control were seen between both groups of children with speech impairment and the controls with TD during accurate word productions. As word length increased, movement duration and variability differed between the children with CAS and those with SD.

Conclusions
These findings provide evidence that movement variability distinguishes children with CAS from speakers with SD. Kinematic differences between the participants with CAS and those with SD suggest that these groups respond differently to linguistic challenges.
Multiple multicore fibre connector with physical‐contact connection
Authors: Shikama K. , Asakawa S. , Abe Y. , Takahashi T. 
Published: May 2015

A new multiple multicore fibre (MCF) connector is presented that employs the compressive deformation of the fibre in a multiple ferrule. This connector enables a physical‐contact connection for all the fibre cores including the outer ones with a small compression force even if the connector end has manufacturing errors. The connector has been designed and fabricated for a 7‐core single‐mode MCF connector taking account of the relationship between the connector end structure and compression force, and it achieves physical contact connection with a connection loss below 0.7 dB and a return loss exceeding 54 dB.
The natural yeast extract isolated by ethanol precipitation inhibits melanin synthesis by modulating tyrosinase activity and downregulating melanosome transfer
Authors: Lee Woo Jin , Rhee Do Young , Bang Seung Hyun , Kim Su Yeon , Won Chong Hyun , Lee Mi Woo , Choi Jee Ho , Chang Sung Eun 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
This study was conducted to examine the effects of EP-2, a natural yeast extract isolated by ethanol precipitation from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, on melanogenesis and to determine its underlying mechanism of action. Our results show that although EP-2 is not a direct tyrosinase inhibitor, when EP-2 was added to the culture media of B16F10 melanoma cells, intracellular tyrosinase activity was decreased. However, EP-2 had no effect on the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor or tyrosinase. EP-2 was found to inhibit melanogenesis and melanosome transfer when it was added to melanocytes and keratinocytes in coculture. In addition, protease-activated receptor 2, a key protein associated with melanosome transfer from melanocytes to keratinocytes, was downregulated in the presence of EP-2. In conclusion, EP-2 is a potent inhibitor of melanogenesis and its hypomelanogenic effect is related to the inhibition of tyrosinase activity and transfer of melanosomes.
The Early Chinese Endeavor to Interpret Early Chinese Religions
Authors: Brashier K.E. 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Early Chinese writers rose above particular descriptions of spirits and sacrifices to a meta-discourse about the nature of spirits and the meaning of sacrifices. That is, they themselves mused about the broader meaning of religious phenomena. They recognized diverse ideas about spirits (e.g. whether they possessed agency); they theorized on dependency relationships between spirits and humans (e.g. the nature of reciprocity); they identified secular justifications behind religious discourses (e.g. the orthopraxy of affirming community or sanctioning ethics); they justified religious pluralism (e.g. by recognizing one’s own tradition as the trunk tradition and others as merely branch traditions); and they even permitted personal religious diversity (e.g. the same person could explain away immortals in one setting and yet glorify them in another). Because they themselves theorized about the nature of religious phenomena, we should become cognizant of those theories before projecting our own understandings of religion onto their spirits and sacrifices.