bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Social Comparison Manifests in Event-related Potentials
Authors: Luo Yi , Feng Chunliang , Wu Tingting , Broster Lucas S. , Cai Huajian , Gu Ruolei , Luo Yue-jia 
Published: July 2015

AbstractSocial comparison, a widespread phenomenon in human society, has been found to affect outcome evaluation. The need to belong to a social group may result in distinct neural responses to diverse social comparison outcomes. To extend previous studies by examining how social comparison with hierarchical characteristics is temporally processed, electroencephalography responses were recorded in the current study. Participants played a lottery game with two pseudo-players simultaneously and received both their own and the other two players’ outcomes. Results of three event-related potential components, including the P2, the feedback-related negativity (FRN) and the late positive component (LPC), indicate that social comparison manifests in three stages. First, outcomes indicating a different performance from others elicited a larger P2 than evenness. Second, the FRN showed hierarchical sensitivity to social comparison outcomes. This effect manifested asymmetrically. Finally, large difference between the participant’s outcome and the other two players’ evoked a larger LPC than the medium difference and the even condition. We suggest that during social comparison, people detect if there is any difference between self and others and then evaluate the information of this difference hierarchically and finally interpret the situations in which oneself deviates from the group as most motivationally salient.
Diversity and distribution of 16S rRNA and phenol monooxygenase genes in the rhizosphere and endophytic bacteria isolated from PAH-contaminated sites
Authors: Peng Anping , Liu Juan , Ling Wanting , Chen Zeyou , Gao Yanzheng 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThis is the first investigation of the diversity and distribution of 16S rRNA and phenol monooxygenase (PHE) genes in endophytic and rhizosphere bacteria of plants at sites contaminated with different levels of PAHs. Ten PAHs at concentrations from 34.22 to 55.29 and 45.79 to 97.81 mg·kg−1 were measured in rhizosphere soils of Alopecurus aequalis Sobol and Oxalis corniculata L., respectively. The diversity of 16S rRNA and PHE genes in rhizosphere soils or plants changed with varying PAH pollution levels, as shown based on PCR-DGGE data. Generally, higher Shannon-Weiner indexes were found in mild or moderate contaminated areas. A total of 82 different bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequences belonging to five phyla; namely, Acfinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Cyanophyta and Bacteroidetes, were obtained from rhizosphere soils. For the 57 identified PHE gene sequences, 18 were excised from rhizosphere bacteria and 39 from endophytic bacteria. The copy numbers of 16S rRNA and PHE genes in rhizosphere and endophytic bacteria varied from 3.83 × 103 to 2.28 × 106 and 4.17 × 102 to 1.99 × 105, respectively. The copy numbers of PHE genes in rhizosphere bacteria were significantly higher than in endophytic bacteria. Results increase our understanding of the diversity of rhizosphere and endophytic bacteria from plants grown in PAH-contaminated sites.
The tetraspanin web revisited by super-resolution microscopy
Authors: Zuidscherwoude Malou , Göttfert Fabian , Dunlock Vera Marie E. , Figdor Carl G. , van den Bogaart Geert , Spriel Annemiek B. van 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe spatial organization of membrane proteins in the plasma membrane is critical for signal transduction, cell communication and membrane trafficking. Tetraspanins organize functional higher-order protein complexes called ‘tetraspanin-enriched microdomains (TEMs)’ via interactions with partner molecules and other tetraspanins. Still, the nanoscale organization of TEMs in native plasma membranes has not been resolved. Here, we elucidated the size, density and distribution of TEMs in the plasma membrane of human B cells and dendritic cells using dual color stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy. We demonstrate that tetraspanins form individual nanoclusters smaller than 120 nm and quantified that a single tetraspanin CD53 cluster contains less than ten CD53 molecules. CD53 and CD37 domains were adjacent to and displayed only minor overlap with clusters containing tetraspanins CD81 or CD82. Moreover, CD53 and CD81 were found in closer proximity to their partners MHC class II and CD19 than to other tetraspanins. Although these results indicate that tetraspanin domains are adjacently positioned in the plasma membrane, they challenge the current view of the tetraspanin web of multiple tetraspanin species organized into a single domain. This study increases the molecular understanding of TEMs at the nanoscale level which is essential for comprehending tetraspanin function in cell biology.
A standardized and reproducible protocol for serum-free monolayer culturing of primary paediatric brain tumours to be utilized for therapeutic assays
Authors: Sandén Emma , Eberstål Sofia , Visse Edward , Siesjö Peter , Darabi Anna 
Published: July 2015

AbstractIn vitro cultured brain tumour cells are indispensable tools for drug screening and therapeutic development. Serum-free culture conditions tentatively preserve the features of the original tumour, but commonly comprise neurosphere propagation, which is a technically challenging procedure. Here, we define a simple, non-expensive and reproducible serum-free cell culture protocol for establishment and propagation of primary paediatric brain tumour cultures as adherent monolayers. The success rates for establishment of primary cultures (including medulloblastomas, atypical rhabdoid tumour, ependymomas and astrocytomas) were 65% (11/17) and 78% (14/18) for sphere cultures and monolayers respectively. Monolayer culturing was particularly feasible for less aggressive tumour subsets, where neurosphere cultures could not be generated. We show by immunofluorescent labelling that monolayers display phenotypic similarities with corresponding sphere cultures and primary tumours and secrete clinically relevant inflammatory factors, including PGE2, VEGF, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-15. Moreover, secretion of PGE2 was considerably reduced by treatment with the COX-2 inhibitor Valdecoxib, demonstrating the functional utility of our newly established monolayer for preclinical therapeutic assays. Our findings suggest that this culture method could increase the availability and comparability of clinically representative in vitro models of paediatric brain tumours and encourages further molecular evaluation of serum-free monolayer cultures.
Two-dimensional van der Waals C60 molecular crystal
Authors: Reddy C. D. , Gen Yu Zhi , Zhang Yong-Wei 
Published: July 2015

AbstractTwo-dimensional (2D) atomic crystals, such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides et al. have drawn extraordinary attention recently. For these 2D materials, atoms within their monolayer are covalently bonded. An interesting question arises: Can molecules form a 2D monolayer crystal via van der Waals interactions? Here, we first study the structural stability of a free-standing infinite C60 molecular monolayer using molecular dynamic simulations and find that the monolayer is stable up to 600 K. We further study the mechanical properties of the monolayer and find that the elastic modulus, ultimate tensile stress and failure strain are 55–100 GPa, 90–155 MPa and 1.5–2.3%, respectively, depending on the stretching orientation. The monolayer fails due to shearing and cavitation under uniaxial tensile loading. The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of the monolayer are found to be delocalized and as a result, the band gap is reduced to only 60% of the isolated C60 molecule. Interestingly, this band gap can be tuned up to ±30% using strain engineering. Owing to its thermal stability, low density, strain-tunable semi-conducting characteristics and large bending flexibility, this van der Waals molecular monolayer crystal presents aplenty opportunities for developing novel applications in nanoelectronics.
Selective targeting of PPARγ by the natural product chelerythrine with a unique binding mode and improved antidiabetic potency
Authors: Zheng Weili , Qiu Lin , Wang Rui , Feng Xuhui , Han Yaping , Zhu Yanlin , Chen Dezhou , Liu Yijie , Jin Lihua , Li Yong 
Published: July 2015

AbstractType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a pervasive metabolic syndrome that is characterized by insulin resistance, hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia. As full agonists of PPARγ, thiazolidinedione (TZD) drugs elicit antidiabetic effects by targeting PPARγ but is accompanied by weight gain, fluid retention and cardiovascular risk associated with their transcriptional agonism potency. We here identify a natural product chelerythrine as a unique selective PPAR modulator (SPPARM) with a potent PPARγ binding activity but much less classical receptor transcriptional agonism. Structural analysis reveals that chelerythrine exhibits unique binding in parallel with H3 of PPARγ. Unlike TZDs, chelerythrine destabilizes helix 12, especially residue tyrosine 473, resulting in a loose configuration of AF-2 and a selective cofactor profile distinct from TZDs, leading to a differential target gene profile in adipogenesis in db/db diabetic mice. Moreover, chelerythrine improved insulin sensitivity by more potently blocking the phosphorylation of PPARγ by CDK5 compared to TZDs. These data fundamentally elucidate the mechanism by which chelerythrine retains the benefits of improving insulin sensitivity while reducing the adverse effects of TZDs, suggesting that the natural product chelerythrine is a very promising pharmacological agent by selectively targeting PPARγ for further development in the clinical treatment of insulin resistance.
A Chinese cave links climate change, social impacts and human adaptation over the last 500 years
Authors: Tan Liangcheng , Cai Yanjun , An Zhisheng , Cheng Hai , Shen Chuan-Chou , Breitenbach Sebastian F. M. , Gao Yongli , Edwards R. Lawrence , Zhang Haiwei , Du Yajuan 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe collapse of some pre-historical and historical cultures, including Chinese dynasties were presumably linked to widespread droughts, on the basis of synchronicities of societal crises and proxy-based climate events. Here, we present a comparison of ancient inscriptions in Dayu Cave from Qinling Mountains, central China, which described accurate times and detailed impacts of seven drought events during the period of 1520–1920 CE, with high-resolution speleothem records from the same cave. The comparable results provide unique and robust tests on relationships among speleothem δ18O changes, drought events and societal unrest. With direct historical evidences, our results suggest that droughts and even modest events interrupting otherwise wet intervals can cause serious social crises. Modeling results of speleothem δ18O series suggest that future precipitation in central China may be below the average of the past 500 years. As Qinling Mountain is the main recharge area of two large water transfer projects and habitats of many endangered species, it is imperative to explore an adaptive strategy for the decline in precipitation and/or drought events.
Oxidative stress induces early-onset apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells and neointima formation in response to injury
Authors: Gomez Camilo , Martinez Laisel , Mesa Annia , Duque Juan C. , Escobar Luis A. , Pham Si M. , Vazquez-Padron Roberto I. 
Published: July 2015

The present study dissects the mechanisms underlying the rapid onset of apoptosis that precedes post injury vascular remodelling. Using the rat balloon injury model, we demonstrated that a significant number of arterial vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) undergo apoptosis at 90 min after the procedure. This apoptotic wave caused significant loss in media cellularity (&gt;90%) over the next 3 h and was accompanied by a marked accumulation of oxidative stress by-products in the vascular wall. Early apoptotic VSMC were rich in p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and the transcription factor c-Jun and secreted IL-6 and GRO/KC into the milieu as determined using multiplex bead assays. Neointima thickness increased steadily starting on day 3 as a result of pronounced repopulation of the media. A second apoptotic wave that was detected at 14 days after injury affected mostly the neointima and was insufficient to control hyperplasia. Suppression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production using either the NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor VAS2870 or pegylated superoxide dismutase (PEG-SOD) significantly decreased the number of apoptotic cells during the first apoptotic wave and showed a trend towards reduction in the neointima-to-media thickness ratio at 30 days post injury. These results indicate that oxidative stress in response to injury induces early-onset apoptosis of VSMC through the activation of redox-sensible MAPK pro-apoptotic pathways. This remodelling process leads to the local accumulation of inflammatory cytokines and repopulation of the media, which ultimately contribute to neointima formation.
Mammalian Bcnt/Cfdp1, a potential epigenetic factor characterized by an acidic stretch in the disordered N-terminal and Ser250 phosphorylation in the conserved C-terminal regions
Authors: Iwashita Shintaro , Suzuki Takehiro , Yasuda Takeshi , Nakashima Kentaro , Sakamoto Taiichi , Kohno Toshiyuki , Takahashi Ichiro , Kobayashi Takayasu , Ohno-Iwashita Yoshiko , Imajoh-Ohmi Shinobu , Song Si-Young , Dohmae Naoshi 
Published: July 2015

The BCNT (Bucentaur) superfamily is classified by an uncharacteristic conserved sequence of ∼80 amino acids (aa) at the C-terminus, BCNT-C (the conserved C-terminal region of Bcnt/Cfdp1). Whereas the yeast Swc5 and Drosophila Yeti homologues play crucial roles in chromatin remodelling organization, mammalian Bcnt/Cfdp1 (craniofacial developmental protein 1) remains poorly understood. The protein, which lacks cysteine, is largely disordered and comprises an acidic N-terminal region, a lysine/glutamic acid/proline-rich 40 aa sequence and BCNT-C. It shows complex mobility on SDS/PAGE at ∼50 kDa, whereas its calculated molecular mass is ∼33 kDa. To characterize this mobility discrepancy and the effects of post-translational modifications (PTMs), we expressed various deleted His–Bcnt in E. coli and HEK cells and found that an acidic stretch in the N-terminal region is a main cause of the gel shift. Exogenous BCNT/CFDP1 constitutively expressed in HEK clones appears as a doublet at 49 and 47 kDa, slower than the protein expressed in Escherichia coli but faster than the endogenous protein on SDS/PAGE. Among seven in vivo phosphorylation sites, Ser250, which resides in a region between disordered and ordered regions in BCNT-C, is heavily phosphorylated and detected predominantly in the 49 kDa band. Together with experiments involving treatment with phosphatases and Ser250 substitutions, the results indicate that the complex behaviour of Bcnt/Cfdp1 on SDS/PAGE is caused mainly by an acidic stretch in the N-terminal region and Ser250 phosphorylation in BCNT-C. Furthermore, Bcnt/Cfdp1 is acetylated in vitro by CREB-binding protein (CBP) and four lysine residues including Lys268 in BCNT-C are also acetylated in vivo, revealing a protein regulated at multiple levels.
Optically transparent frequency‐agile antenna for X‐band applications
Authors: Martin A. , Castel X. , Lafond O. , Himdi M. 
Published: July 2015

The performance of an optically transparent and frequency‐agile antenna operating from 8.8 to 9.8 GHz is reported. The transparent square‐loop coplanar antenna is made of a mesh silver film printed onto a glass substrate. A high level of transparency (T > 80%) and low sheet resistance (Rs < 0.2 Ω/sq) are achieved from such a material. Antenna tunability is provided by a surface mounted beam‐lead varactor which is invisible to the naked eye. The microwave performance of such an antenna is reported, discussed and compared with that of a reference counterpart made of a continuous silver layer (and thus totally opaque). The optically transparent frequency‐agile antenna exhibits gain values ranging from 1 to 3.5 dBi with 10.8% of frequency tunability.
Amplitude jitter of waveforms generated via spectral line‐by‐line pulse shaping due to CW laser linewidth
Authors: Yan Juanjuan , Bai Ming , Zheng Zheng 
Published: July 2015

The system model of spectral line‐by‐line pulse shaping on an optical frequency comb produced by electro‐optical modulation of a continuous‐wave (CW) laser is presented, and the effect of the laser linewidth on the generated waveforms is investigated through system simulation. Three kinds of phasing‐only line‐by‐line filter are considered. The results show that amplitude jitter is induced by CW laser linewidth, and it becomes prominent when the phase control applied to spectral lines varies rapidly. To keep the induced jitter lower than −20 dB, a CW laser with a linewidth narrower than 100 kHz can be safely employed.
Accelerated plant breeding.
Authors: Forster B. P. , Till B. J. , Ghanim A. M. A. , Huynh H. O. A. , Burstmayr H. , Caligari P. D. S. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
The time to develop new cultivars and introduce them into cultivation is an issue of major importance in plant breeding. This is because plant breeders have an urgent need to help provide solutions to feed a growing world population, while in parallel, time savings are linked to profitability. Plant breeding processes may in general be broken down into the following five key elements: (1) germplasm variation; (2) crossing; (3) generation of new genetic combinations; (4) screening and selection (identification and subsequent fixation of desired allelic combinations); and (5) line/cultivar development. Each of these has implications in relation to the time taken to breed a new cultivar; a brief introduction is given for each to highlight the obstacles that may be targeted in accelerating the breeding process. Specific techniques that provide a time advantage for these elements are then discussed. Some targets for enhancing the efficiency of plant breeding, e.g., the manipulation of meiotic recombination, have proven to be recalcitrant. However, other methods that create new genetic variation along with improvements in selection efficiency compensate to a large extent for this limitation. Progress in accelerating the plant breeding process continues by exploiting new emerging ideas in science and technology.
Life History Diversity of Snake River Finespotted Cutthroat Trout: Managing for Persistence in a Rapidly Changing Environment
Authors: Homel K. M. , Gresswell R. E. , Kershner J. L. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
Over the last century, native trout have experienced dramatic population declines, particularly in larger river systems where habitats associated with different spawning life history forms have been lost through habitat degradation and fragmentation. The resulting decrease in life history diversity has affected the capacity of populations to respond to environmental variability and disturbance. Unfortunately, because few large rivers are intact enough to permit full expression of life history diversity, it is unclear what patterns of diversity should be a conservation target. In this study, radiotelemetry was used to identify spawning and migration patterns of Snake River Finespotted Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii behnkei in the upper Snake River. Individuals were implanted with radio tags in October 2007 and 2008, and monitored through October 2009. Radio-tagged cutthroat trout in the upper Snake River exhibited variation in spawning habitat type and location, migration distance, spawn timing, postspawning behavior, and susceptibility to mortality sources. Between May and July, Cutthroat Trout spawned in runoff-dominated tributaries, groundwater-dominated spring creeks, and side channels of the Snake River. Individuals migrated up to 101 km from tagging locations in the upper Snake River to access spawning habitats, indicating that the upper Snake River provided seasonal habitat for spawners originating throughout the watershed. Postspawning behavior also varied; by August each year, 28% of spring-creek spawners remained in their spawning location, compared with 0% of side-channel spawners and 7% of tributary spawners. These spawning and migration patterns reflect the connectivity, habitat diversity, and dynamic template of the Snake River. Ultimately, promoting life history diversity through restoration of complex habitats may provide the most opportunities for cutthroat trout persistence in an environment likely to experience increased variability from climate change and disturbance from invasive species.
Received June 26, 2014; accepted April 21, 2015
Experimental Determination of the Limits of Using Stable Isotopes to Distinguish Steelhead and Rainbow Trout Offspring
Authors: Thornton Emily J. , Hardy Ronald W. , Quinn Thomas P. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
Salmonid ecology and conservation projects often necessitate distinguishing the offspring from anadromous or nonanadromous mothers, but the forms are often physically and genetically similar. We reared Oncorhynchus mykiss fry produced by anadromous mothers on one of two diets: one rich in and the other depleted in marine nutrients. We then sampled and analyzed fin and muscle tissues from fish fed both diets for nitrogen stable isotopes over time. Tissue nitrogen values from fish on the marine-nutrient-depleted diet indicated the size and time cutoffs at which offspring of anadromous O. mykiss no longer reflected a marine origin (muscle tissue cutoff: 0.81 g, 50.8 mm, and 29.4 d postfeeding; fin tissue cutoff: 0.65 g, 45.9 mm, and 35.3 d). Salmonids smaller than 50 mm cannot provide a sufficiently large fin sample for isotopic analysis without significant risk of mortality. Therefore, our experiment did not reveal a period when fish were large enough to provide a nonlethal fin clip but still maintain their maternal nitrogen isotope signature. However, fish growing slower than those we examined would likely be distinguishable for a longer period of time than our data indicated.
Received December 21, 2014; accepted May 2, 2015
Strongly lensed neutral hydrogen emission: detection predictions with current and future radio interferometers
Authors: Deane R. P. , Obreschkow D. , Heywood I. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
Strong gravitational lensing provides some of the deepest views of the Universe, enabling studies of high-redshift galaxies only possible with next-generation facilities without the lensing phenomenon. To date, 21-cm radio emission from neutral hydrogen has only been detected directly out to z ∼ 0.2, limited by the sensitivity and instantaneous bandwidth of current radio telescopes. We discuss how current and future radio interferometers such as the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) will detect lensed H i emission in individual galaxies at high redshift. Our calculations rely on a semi-analytic galaxy simulation with realistic H i discs (by size, density profile and rotation), in a cosmological context, combined with general relativistic ray tracing. Wide-field, blind H i surveys with the SKA are predicted to be efficient at discovering lensed H i systems, increasingly so at z ≳ 2. This will be enabled by the combination of the magnification boosts, the steepness of the H i luminosity function at the high-mass end, and the fact that the H i spectral line is relatively isolated in frequency. These surveys will simultaneously provide a new technique for foreground lens selection and yield the highest redshift H i emission detections. More near term (and existing) cm-wave facilities will push the high-redshift H i envelope through targeted surveys of known lenses.