bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pre-Yield Non-Affine Fluctuations and A Hidden Critical Point in Strained Crystals
Authors: Das Tamoghna , Ganguly Saswati , Sengupta Surajit , Rao Madan 
Published: June 2015

AbstractA crystalline solid exhibits thermally induced localised non-affine droplets in the absence of external stress. Here we show that upon an imposed shear, the size of these droplets grow until they percolate at a critical strain, well below the value at which the solid begins to yield. This critical point does not manifest in most thermodynamic or mechanical properties, but is hidden and reveals itself in the onset of inhomogeneities in elastic moduli, marked changes in the appearance and local properties of non-affine droplets and a sudden enhancement in defect pair concentration. Slow relaxation of stress and an-elasticity appear as observable dynamical consequences of this hidden criticality. Our results may be directly verified in colloidal crystals with video microscopy techniques but are expected to have more general validity.
CD38-mediated Ca2+ signaling contributes to glucagon-induced hepatic gluconeogenesis
Authors: Rah So-Young , Kim Uh-Hyun 
Published: June 2015

AbstractCD38 is a multifunctional enzyme for the synthesis of Ca2+ second messengers. Glucagon promotes hepatic glucose production through Ca2+ signaling in the fasting condition. In this study, we investigated the role of CD38 in the glucagon signaling of hepatocytes. Here, we show that glucagon induces cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) production and sustained Ca2+ increases via CD38 in hepatocytes. 8-Br-cADPR, an antagonistic cADPR analog, completely blocked glucagon-induced Ca2+ increases and phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB). Moreover, glucagon-induced sustained Ca2+ signals and translocation of CREB-regulated transcription coactivator 2 to the nucleus were absent and glucagon-induced glucose production and expression of glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (Pck1) are remarkably reduced in hepatocytes from CD38−/− mice. Furthermore, in the fasting condition, CD38−/− mice have decreased blood glucose and hepatic expression of G6Pase and Pck1 compared to wild type mice. Our data suggest that CD38/cADPR-mediated Ca2+ signals play a key role in glucagon-induced gluconeogenesis in hepatocytes and that the signal pathway has significant clinical implications in metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes.
Suppressing of slow magnetic relaxation in tetracoordinate Co(II) field-induced single-molecule magnet in hybrid material with ferromagnetic barium ferrite
Authors: Nemec Ivan , Herchel Radovan , Trávníček Zdeněk 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe novel field-induced single-molecule magnet based on a tetracoordinate mononuclear heteroleptic Co(II) complex involving two heterocyclic benzimidazole (bzi) and two thiocyanido ligands, [Co(bzi)2(NSC)2], (CoL4), was prepared and thoroughly characterized. The analysis of AC susceptibility data resulted in the spin reversal energy barrier U = 14.7 cm−1, which is in good agreement with theoretical prediction, Utheor. = 20.2 cm−1, based on axial zero-field splitting parameter D = −10.1 cm−1 fitted from DC magnetic data. Furthermore, mutual interactions between CoL4 and ferromagnetic barium ferrite BaFe12O19 (BaFeO) in hybrid materials resulted in suppressing of slow relaxation of magnetization in CoL4 for 1:2, 1:1 and 2:1 mass ratios of CoL4 and BaFeO despite the lack of strong magnetic interactions between two magnetic phases.
Relative contribution of maize and external manure amendment to soil carbon sequestration in a long-term intensive maize cropping system
Authors: Zhang Wenju , Liu Kailou , Wang Jinzhou , Shao Xingfang , Xu Minggang , Li Jianwei , Wang Xiujun , Murphy Daniel V. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractWe aimed to quantify the relative contributions of plant residue and organic manure to soil carbon sequestration. Using a 27-year-long inorganic fertilizer and manure amendment experiment in a maize (Zea mays L.) double-cropping system, we quantified changes in harvestable maize biomass and soil organic carbon stocks (0–20 cm depth) between 1986-2012. By employing natural 13C tracing techniques, we derived the proportional contributions of below-ground crop biomass return (maize-derived carbon) and external manure amendment (manure-derived carbon) to the total soil organic carbon stock. The average retention of maize-derived carbon plus manure-derived carbon during the early period of the trial (up to 11 years) was relatively high (10%) compared to the later period (22 to 27 years, 5.1–6.3%). About 11% of maize-derived carbon was converted to soil organic carbon, which was double the retention of manure-derived carbon (4.4–5.1%). This result emphasized that organic amendments were necessary to a win-win strategy for both SOC sequestration and maize production.
Insecticide resistance in the bed bug comes with a cost
Authors: Gordon Jennifer R. , Potter Michael F. , Haynes Kenneth F. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractAdaptation to new environmental stress is often associated with an alteration of one or more life history parameters. Insecticide resistant populations of insects often have reduced fitness relative to susceptible populations in insecticide free environments. Our previous work showed that three populations of bed bugs,Cimex lectulariusL., evolved significantly increased levels of resistance to one product containing both β-cyfluthrin and imidacloprid insecticides with only one generation of selection, which gave us an opportunity to explore potential tradeoffs between life history parameters and resistance using susceptible and resistant strains of the same populations. Life history tables were compiled by collecting weekly data on mortality and fecundity of bugs from each strain and treatment throughout their lives. Selection led to a male-biased sex ratio, shortened oviposition period and decreased life-time reproductive rate. Generation time was shortened by selection, a change that represents a benefit rather than a cost. Using these life history characteristics we calculated that there would be a 90% return to pre-selection levels of susceptibility within 2- 6.5 generations depending on strain. The significant fitness costs associated with resistance suggest that insecticide rotation or utilization of non-insecticidal control tactics could be part of an effective resistance management strategy.
Characterizations of individual mouse red blood cells parasitized by Babesia microti using 3-D holographic microscopy
Authors: Park HyunJoo , Hong Sung-Hee , Kim Kyoohyun , Cho Shin-Hyeong , Lee Won-Ja , Kim Youngchan , Lee Sang-Eun , Park YongKeun 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBabesia microti causes “emergency” human babesiosis. However, little is known about the alterations in B. microti invaded red blood cells (Bm-RBCs) at the individual cell level. Through quantitative phase imaging techniques based on laser interferometry, we present the simultaneous measurements of structural, chemical and mechanical modifications in individual mouse Bm-RBCs. 3-D refractive index maps of individual RBCs and in situ parasite vacuoles are imaged, from which total contents and concentration of dry mass are also precisely quantified. In addition, we examine the dynamic membrane fluctuation of Bm-RBCs, which provide information on cell membrane deformability.
A Phytophthora sojae cytoplasmic effector mediates disease resistance and abiotic stress tolerance in Nicotiana benthamiana
Authors: Zhang Meixiang , Ahmed Rajput Nasir , Shen Danyu , Sun Peng , Zeng Wentao , Liu Tingli , Juma Mafurah Joseph , Dou Daolong 
Published: June 2015

AbstractEach oomycete pathogen encodes a large number of effectors. Some effectors can be used in crop disease resistance breeding, such as to accelerate R gene cloning and utilisation. Since cytoplasmic effectors may cause acute physiological changes in host cells at very low concentrations, we assume that some of these effectors can serve as functional genes for transgenic plants. Here, we generated transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana plants that express a Phytophthora sojae CRN (crinkling and necrosis) effector, PsCRN115. We showed that its expression did not significantly affect the growth and development of N. benthamiana, but significantly improved disease resistance and tolerance to salt and drought stresses. Furthermore, we found that expression of heat-shock-protein and cytochrome-P450 encoding genes were unregulated in PsCRN115-transgenic N. benthamiana based on digital gene expression profiling analyses, suggesting the increased plant defence may be achieved by upregulation of these stress-related genes in transgenic plants. Thus, PsCRN115 may be used to improve plant tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses.
Experiment and Optimization for Simultaneous Carbonation of Ca2+ and Mg2+ in A Two-phase System of Insoluble Diisobutylamine and Aqueous Solution
Authors: Wang Wenlong , Wang Man , Liu Xin , Wang Peng , Xi Zhenqian 
Published: June 2015

AbstractAn optimized approach of CO2 fixation in Ca2+/Mg2+-rich aqueous solutions using insoluble amine as an enhancing medium was reported. Apparent basicity was verified to be an effective indicator for the selection and optimization of organic amine systems and finally the diisobutylamine + n-octanol system was selected to enhance the carbonation reactions of CO2 in an artificial Ca2+/Mg2+-rich solution. In our experiments, when the volume ratio of insoluble organic phase to aqueous one was 2:1 and the reaction temperature was 28 °C, 92% of Ca2+ and 80% of Mg2+ could be converted to calcium and magnesium carbonate precipitates within 5 min of reaction with the bubbling-in of CO2. The organic amine system could be regenerated by using carbide slag as the regeneration agent and could still show attractive enhancement performances after 7 rounds of carbonation-regeneration experiments. In this way, the CO2 capture and sequestration was realized within one single process, with value-added Ca/Mg carbonates being the byproducts. In view of the vast availability of Ca2+/Mg2+-rich aqueous solutions and the feasible technical coordination with desalination industry, this novel process may have a good application potential in the future.
Pupal melanization is associated with higher fitness in Spodoptera exigua
Authors: Liu Sisi , Wang Mo , Li Xianchun 
Published: June 2015

AbstractMelanism has long been thought to be a habitat adaptation with a fitness cost. Here we reported a homozygous melanic strain (SEM) ofSpodoptera exigua(Hübner) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) established with black pupae spontaneously occurring within a typical laboratory population (SEW). The melanization is expressed globally and only in the pupal stage. After pupation, the melanic SEM pupae gradually accumulate melanin to become completely black within 6 hours, whereas the wild-type SEW pupae gradually turn yellow-brown. The melanic SEM strain exhibits faster development in all life stages, heavier pupa weight, more mating time, higher fecundity and accordingly, higher net reproductive rate and population trend index. While no reproductive isolation was observed between the SEM and SEW strains, the mating times per female of the reciprocal crosses and the SEM intracrosses were significantly higher than those of the SEW intracrosses. This represents a rare case of melanization that has fitness gains, rather than costs. Analysis of the life-history traits of this case and 14 previously reported cases of insect melanism indicate that none of melanization origin, stage, space and variation type determining whether melanism will cause fitness gain or cost.
Regulation of growth hormone secretion by (pro)renin receptor
Authors: Tani Yuji , Yamada Shozo , Inoshita Naoko , Hirata Yukio , Shichiri Masayoshi 
Published: June 2015

Abstract(Pro)renin receptor (PRR) has a single transmembrane domain that co-purifies with the vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase). In addition to its role in cellular acidification, V-ATPase has been implicated in membrane fusion and exocytosis via its Vo domain. Results from the present study show that PRR is expressed in pituitary adenoma cells and regulates growth hormone (GH) release via V-ATPase-induced cellular acidification. Positive PRR immunoreactivity was detected more often in surgically resected, growth hormone-producing adenomas (GHomas) than in nonfunctional pituitary adenomas. GHomas strongly expressing PRR showed excess GH secretion, as evidenced by distinctly high plasma GH and insulin-like growth factor-1 levels, as well as an elevated nadir GH in response to the oral glucose tolerance test. Suppression of PRR expression in rat GHoma-derived GH3 cells using PRR siRNA resulted in reduced GH secretion and significantly enhanced intracellular GH accumulation. GH3 treatment with bafilomycin A1, a V-ATPase inhibitor, also blocked GH release, indicating mediation via impaired cellular acidification of V-ATPase. PRR knockdown decreased Atp6l, a subunit of the Vo domain that destabilizes V-ATPase assembly, increased intracellular GH and decreased GH release. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating a pivotal role for PRR in a pituitary hormone release mechanism.
Acoustic asymmetric transmission based on time-dependent dynamical scattering
Authors: Wang Qing , Yang Yang , Ni Xu , Xu Ye-Long , Sun Xiao-Chen , Chen Ze-Guo , Feng Liang , Liu Xiao-ping , Lu Ming-Hui , Chen Yan-Feng 
Published: June 2015

AbstractAn acoustic asymmetric transmission device exhibiting unidirectional transmission property for acoustic waves is extremely desirable in many practical scenarios. Such a unique property may be realized in various configurations utilizing acoustic Zeeman effects in moving media as well as frequency-conversion in passive nonlinear acoustic systems and in active acoustic systems. Here we demonstrate a new acoustic frequency conversion process in a time-varying system, consisting of a rotating blade and the surrounding air. The scattered acoustic waves from this time-varying system experience frequency shifts, which are linearly dependent on the blade’s rotating frequency. Such scattering mechanism can be well described theoretically by an acoustic linear time-varying perturbation theory. Combining such time-varying scattering effects with highly efficient acoustic filtering, we successfully develop a tunable acoustic unidirectional device with 20 dB power transmission contrast ratio between two counter propagation directions at audible frequencies.
Extracellular Matrix can Recover the Downregulation of Adhesion Molecules after Cell Detachment and Enhance Endothelial Cell Engraftment
Authors: He Ningning , Xu Yang , Du Wei , Qi Xin , Liang Lu , Wang Yuebing , Feng Guowei , Fan Yan , Han Zhongchao , Kong Deling , Cheng Zhen , Wu Joseph C. , He Zuoxiang , Li Zongjin 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe low cell engraftment after transplantation limits the successful application of stem cell therapy and the exact pathway leading to acute donor cell death following transplantation is still unknown. Here we investigated if processes involved in cell preparation could initiate downregulation of adhesion-related survival signals and further affect cell engraftment after transplantation. Human embryonic stem cell-derived endothelial cells (hESC-ECs) were suspended in PBS or Matrigel and kept at 4 °C. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis was used to test the adhesion and apoptosis genes’ expression of hESC-ECs. We demonstrated that cell detachment can cause downregulation of cell adhesion and extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, but no obvious cell anoikis, a form of apoptosis after cell detachment, was observed. The downregulation of adhesion and ECM molecules could be regained in the presence of Matrigel. Finally, we transplanted hESC-ECs into a mouse myocardial ischemia model. When transplanted with Matrigel, the long-term engraftment of hESC-ECs was increased through promoting angiogenesis and inhibiting apoptosis and this was confirmed by bioluminescence imaging. In conclusion, ECM could rescue the functional genes expression after cell detached from culture dish and this finding highlights the importance of increasing stem cell engraftment by mimicking stem cell niches through ECM application.
Opioid Exacerbation of Gram-positive sepsis, induced by Gut Microbial Modulation, is Rescued by IL-17A Neutralization
Authors: Meng Jingjing , Banerjee Santanu , Li Dan , Sindberg Gregory M. , Wang Fuyuan , Ma Jing , Roy Sabita 
Published: June 2015

AbstractSepsis is the predominant cause of mortality in ICUs and opioids are the preferred analgesic in this setting. However, the role of opioids in sepsis progression has not been well characterized. The present study demonstrated that morphine alone altered the gut microbiome and selectively induced the translocation of Gram-positive gut bacteria in mice. Using a murine model of poly-microbial sepsis, we further demonstrated that morphine treatment led to predominantly Gram-positive bacterial dissemination. Activation of TLR2 by disseminated Gram-positive bacteria induced sustained up-regulation of IL-17A and IL-6. We subsequently showed that overexpression of IL-17A compromised intestinal epithelial barrier function, sustained bacterial dissemination and elevated systemic inflammation. IL-17A neutralization protected barrier integrity and improved survival in morphine-treated animals. We further demonstrated that TLR2 expressed on both dendritic cells and T cells play essential roles in IL-17A production. Additionally, intestinal sections from sepsis patients on opioids exhibit similar disruption in gut epithelial integrity, thus establishing the clinical relevance of this study. This is the first study to provide a mechanistic insight into the opioid exacerbation of sepsis and show that neutralization of IL-17A might be an effective therapeutic strategy to manage Gram-positive sepsis in patients on an opioid regimen.
A Comparision of Nalbuphine with Morphine for Analgesic Effects and Safety : Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Zeng Zheng , Lu Jianhua , Shu Chang , Chen Yuanli , Guo Tong , Wu Qing-ping , Yao Shang-long , Yin Ping 
Published: June 2015

AbstractAlthough morphine is the standard opioid analgesic for pain control and has been widely used, certain drug-induced adverse effects have been reported as intolerable and need to be addressed. Nalbuphine may have a few advantages over morphine in this respect. We aimed to describe the effect of nalbuphine as well as its saftey compared to morphine by analyzing published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with meta-analysis approach. We analysed 15 trials (820 patients). Overall, there was no evidence to show that the effect of pain relief had any difference between nalbuphine and morphine (pooled relative risks [RRs], 1.01; 95% CI, 0.91 to 1.11; P = 0.90). On the other hand, the incidences of pruritus, nausea, vomiting, respiratory depression were significantly lower in nalbuphine group compared with morphine group and the pooled RRs were 0.78(95%CI, 0.602–0.997; P = 0.048) for nausea, 0.65(95%CI, 0.50–0.85; P = 0.001) for vomiting, 0.17(95%CI, 0.09–0.34; P < 0.0001) for pruritus and 0.27(95%CI, 0.12–0.57; P = 0.0007) for respiratory depression. The analgesic efficacy of nalbuphine is comparable to morphine, but nalbuphine provides a better safety profile than morphine in the aspect of certain side-effects, especially related to pruritus and respiratory depression.
Musical Theater(s)
Authors: Scott Derek B. 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
It is not structural features, but the presence of styles associated with commerce or entertainment that play the crucial role in separating musical theater from opera. In this chapter, three stage works from the late twentieth century are examined in order to compare what distinguishes opera from musical in finer detail. Each of these works, Sweeney Todd, Les Misérables, and Phantom of the Opera, may be regarded as having operatic aspirations, yet it is argued that they remain firmly within a musical-theatrical tradition that has embraced popular styles of music, characterized by features and techniques that frequently jar with those of the operatic tradition.
Musical Dramaturgy
Authors: Colas Damien 
Published: June 2015

AbstractTo some students, it is obvious that the libretto is the main structure of an opera and music illustrates it. Addressing this intuitive principle, unfounded and easily shown to be false, Carl Dahlhaus opposed the idea that music is at the origin of the drama in opera. This new paradigm, called the “fundamental proposition of musical dramaturgy,” makes it possible to avoid the dramaturgical contradictions of the libretto as it provides a more satisfactory analytical perspective. This essay compares the two approaches in two case studies, the musical representation of madness and of a scandal. It shows that the invention of new tools of musical dramaturgy always proceeded, throughout the history of opera, from a greater exploration of the particular resources of musical language and an a posteriori rationalization within the theory of imitation. Wagner’s combination of several dramaturgical functions in the leitmotif is an important case.
Versification
Authors: Giger Andreas 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
To a nineteenth-century opera composer, the related terms of versification and prosody implied not only a set of rules to which to adhere but a set of rhetorical choices with distinct dramatic consequences. This chapter discusses samples from the French, German, and Italian repertory, focusing on Verdi’s I due Foscari, Les vêpres siciliennes, and Don Carlos; Adam’s Le brasseur de Preston; Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg; and Weber’s Der Freischütz, interpreting the choices at a composer’s disposal. It shows that these choices can underscore the rhetoric of an aria or phrase, contribute to the caricature of a character, play a role in determining what version of a particular text should be the principal one, and contribute to an understanding of the reasons that an opera is more effective in its original language than in translation.
The German Libretto of the Early Nineteenth Century
Authors: Warrack John 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThis chapter discusses the attempts by German composers in the early nineteenth century to create a distinctively German form of opera, in particular by the closer association of words and music in the goal of forming a unified work of art through the emergence and increasing importance of motive as a creative tool. The discussion will address works by composers, critics, and librettists such as E.T.A. Hoffmann, Johann Nepomuk Poissl, Carl Maria von Weber, and Helmina von Chezy. Specific topics to be addressed include the libretto, versification, and musical motive.
Opera between the Ancients and the Moderns
Authors: Heller Wendy 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThis chapter situates opera in the context of the battle between the ancients and the moderns that was waged particularly in the realm of literature during the critical years of the genre’s development in Italy. Taking into account the writings of such champions of modernity as Tassoni, Lancellotti, and Boccalini, as well as examples from mid-seventeenth-century Venice, the chapter proposes that opera’s expressive power is a result not so much of its relative success or failure in adhering to the humanist ideals of its Florentine creators, so embedded in operatic historiography, but rather in the perennial tension between ancient precepts and modern fantasies, manifest in the genre’s often playful engagement with anachronism. The chapter concludes with a glimpse at the complex and often contradictory treatment of the ancients in the twentieth century, exemplified by Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos and Henze’s The Bassarids.