bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spin-glass-like freezing of inner and outer surface layers in hollow γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles
Authors: Khurshid Hafsa , Lampen-Kelley Paula , Iglesias Òscar , Alonso Javier , Phan Manh-Huong , Sun Cheng-Jun , Saboungi Marie-Louise , Srikanth Hariharan 
Published: October 2015

AbstractDisorder among surface spins is a dominant factor in the magnetic response of magnetic nanoparticle systems. In this work, we examine time-dependent magnetization in high-quality, monodisperse hollow maghemite nanoparticles (NPs) with a 14.8 ± 0.5 nm outer diameter and enhanced surface-to-volume ratio. The nanoparticle ensemble exhibits spin-glass-like signatures in dc magnetic aging and memory protocols and ac magnetic susceptibility. The dynamics of the system slow near 50 K and become frozen on experimental time scales below 20 K. Remanence curves indicate the development of magnetic irreversibility concurrent with the freezing of the spin dynamics. A strong exchange-bias effect and its training behavior point to highly frustrated surface spins that rearrange much more slowly than interior spins. Monte Carlo simulations of a hollow particle corroborate strongly disordered surface layers with complex energy landscapes that underlie both glass-like dynamics and magnetic irreversibility. Calculated hysteresis loops reveal that magnetic behavior is not identical at the inner and outer surfaces, with spins at the outer surface layer of the 15 nm hollow particles exhibiting a higher degree of frustration. Our combined experimental and simulated results shed light on the origin of spin-glass-like phenomena and the important role played by the surface spins in magnetic hollow nanostructures.
A new nanoscale metastable iron phase in carbon steels
Authors: Liu Tianwei , Zhang Danxia , Liu Qing , Zheng Yanjun , Su Yanjing , Zhao Xinqing , Yin Jiang , Song Minghui , Ping Dehai 
Published: October 2015

AbstractMetastable ω phase is common in body-centred cubic (bcc) metals and alloys, including high-alloying steels. Recent theoretical calculations also suggest that the ω structure may act as an intermediate phase for face-centred cubic (fcc)-to-bcc transformation. Thus far, the role of the ω phase played in fcc-bcc martensitic transformation in carbon steels has not been reported. In previous investigations on martensitic carbon steels, extra electron diffraction spots were frequently observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and these spots were historically ascribed to the diffraction arising from either internal twins or carbides. In this paper, an intensive TEM investigation revealed that the extra spots are in fact attributed to the metastable ω phase in particle-like morphology with an overall size of several or dozens of nanometres. The strict orientation relationships between the ω phase and the ferrite matrix are in good agreement with those of the hexagonal (P6/mmm) ω phase in other bcc metals and alloys. The identification of the ω phase as well as the extra diffraction spots might provide a clue to help understand the physical mechanism of martensitic transformation in steels.
Soil restoration with organic amendments: linking cellular functionality and ecosystem processes
Authors: Bastida F. , Selevsek N. , Torres I. F. , Hernández T. , García C. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractA hot topic in recent decades, the application of organic amendments to arid-degraded soils has been shown to benefit microbially-mediated processes. However, despite the importance of soils for global sustainability, a gap has not been addressed yet in soil science: is there any connection between ecosystem-community processes, cellular functionality and microbial lifestyles (i.e. oligotrophy-copiotrophy) in restored soils? Together with classical ecosystem indicators (fatty-acids, extracellular-enzyme activities, basal respiration), state-of-the-art metaproteomics was applied to fill this gap in a model-restoration experiment initiated 10-years ago by the addition of sewage-sludge and compost. Organic amendment strongly impacted ecosystem processes. Furthermore, the type of material used induced differences in the cellular functionalities through variations in the percentages of proteins involved in translation, transcription, energy production and C-fixation. We conclude that the long-term impact of organic restoration goes beyond ecosystem processes and affects cellular functionalities and phyla-lifestyles coupled with differences in microbial-community structures.
Genome-wide association study of 29 morphological traits in Aegilops tauschii
Authors: Liu Yaxi , Wang Lang , Mao Shuangshuang , Liu Kun , Lu Yanli , Wang Jirui , Wei Yuming , Zheng Youliang 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAegilops tauschii is the D-genome progenitor of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum). It is considered to be an important source of genetic variation for wheat breeding and its genome is an invaluable reference for wheat genomics. We conducted a genome-wide association study using 7,185 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers across 322 diverse accessions of Ae. tauschii that were systematically phenotyped for 29 morphological traits in order to identify marker-trait associations and candidate genes, assess genetic diversity and classify the accessions based on phenotypic data and genotypic comparison. Using the general linear model and mixed linear model, we identified a total of 18 SNPs significantly associated with 10 morphological traits. Systematic search of the flanking sequences of trait-associated SNPs in public databases identified several genes that may be linked to variations in phenotypes. Cluster analysis using phenotypic data grouped accessions into four clusters, while accessions in the same cluster were not from the same Ae. tauschii subspecies or from the same area of origin. This work establishes a fundamental research platform for association studies in Ae. tauschii and also provides useful information for understanding the genetic mechanism of agronomic traits in wheat.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Enhancement of the blue photoluminescence intensity for the porous silicon with HfO2 filling into microcavities
Authors: Jiang Ran , Du Xianghao , Sun Weideng , Han Zuyin , Wu Zhengran 
Published: October 2015

AbstractWith HfO2 filled into the microcavities of the porous single-crystal silicon, the blue photoluminescence was greatly enhanced at room temperature. On one hand, HfO2 contributes to the light emission with the transitions of the defect levels for oxygen vacancy. On the other hand, the special filling-into-microcavities structure of HfO2 leads to the presence of ferroelectricity, which greatly enhances the blue emission from porous silicon. Since both HfO2 and Si are highly compatible with Si-based electronic industry, combined the low-cost and convenient process, the HfO2-filled porous Si shows a promising application prospect.
A Non-sulfided flower-like Ni-PTA Catalyst that Enhances the Hydrotreatment Efficiency of Plant Oil to Produce Green Diesel
Authors: Liu Jing , Chen Pan , Deng Lihong , He Jing , Wang Luying , Rong Long , Lei Jiandu 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe development of a novel non-sulfided catalyst with high activity for the hydrotreatment processing of plant oils, is of high interest as a way to improve the efficient production of renewable diesel. To attempt to develop such a catalyst, we first synthesized a high activity flower-like Ni-PTA catalyst used in the hydrotreatment processes of plant oils. The obtained catalyst was characterized with SEM, EDX, HRTEM, BET, XRD, H2-TPR, XPS and TGA. A probable formation mechanism of flower-like Ni(OH)2 is proposed on the basis of a range of contrasting experiments. The results of GC showed that the conversion yield of Jatropha oil was 98.95% and the selectivity of C11-C18 alkanes was 70.93% at 360 °C, 3 MPa and 15 h−1. The activity of this flower-like Ni-PTA catalyst was more than 15 times higher than those of the conventional Ni-PTA/Al2O3 catalysts. Additionally, the flower-like Ni-PTA catalyst exhibited good stability during the process of plant oil hydrotreatment.
Quantitative iTRAQ-based proteomic analysis of phosphoproteins and ABA-regulated phosphoproteins in maize leaves under osmotic stress
Authors: Hu Xiuli , Li Nana , Wu Liuji , Li Chunqi , Li Chaohai , Zhang Li , Liu Tianxue , Wang Wei 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAbscisic acid (ABA) regulates various developmental processes and stress responses in plants. Protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation is a central post-translational modification (PTM) in ABA signaling. However, the phosphoproteins regulated by ABA under osmotic stress remain unknown in maize. In this study, maize mutant vp5 (deficient in ABA biosynthesis) and wild-type Vp5 were used to identify leaf phosphoproteins regulated by ABA under osmotic stress. Up to 4052 phosphopeptides, corresponding to 3017 phosphoproteins, were identified by Multiplex run iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic and LC-MS/MS methods. The 4052 phosphopeptides contained 5723 non-redundant phosphosites; 512 phosphopeptides (379 in Vp5, 133 in vp5) displayed at least a 1.5-fold change of phosphorylation level under osmotic stress, of which 40 shared common in both genotypes and were differentially regulated by ABA. Comparing the signaling pathways involved in vp5 response to osmotic stress and those that in Vp5, indicated that ABA played a vital role in regulating these pathways related to mRNA synthesis, protein synthesis and photosynthesis. Our results provide a comprehensive dataset of phosphopeptides and phosphorylation sites regulated by ABA in maize adaptation to osmotic stress. This will be helpful to elucidate the ABA-mediate mechanism of maize endurance to drought by triggering phosphorylation or dephosphorylation cascades.
Binding site residues control inhibitor selectivity in the human norepinephrine transporter but not in the human dopamine transporter
Authors: Andersen Jacob , Ringsted Kristoffer B. , Bang-Andersen Benny , Strømgaard Kristian , Kristensen Anders S. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe transporters for norepinephrine and dopamine (NET and DAT, respectively) constitute the molecular targets for recreational drugs and therapeutics used in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Despite a strikingly similar amino acid sequence and predicted topology between these transporters, some inhibitors display a high degree of selectivity between NET and DAT. Here, a systematic mutational analysis of non-conserved residues within the extracellular entry pathway and the high affinity binding site in NET and DAT was performed to examine their role for selective inhibitor recognition. Changing the six diverging residues in the central binding site of NET to the complementary residues in DAT transferred a DAT-like pharmacology to NET, showing that non-conserved binding site residues in NET are critical determinants for inhibitor selectivity. In contrast, changing the equivalent residues in the central site of DAT to the corresponding residues in NET had modest effects on the same inhibitors, suggesting that non-conserved binding site residues in DAT play a minor role for selective inhibitor recognition. Our data points towards distinct structural determinants governing inhibitor selectivity in NET and DAT and provide important new insight into the molecular basis for NET/DAT selectivity of therapeutic and recreational drugs.
Secreted Factors from Colorectal and Prostate Cancer Cells Skew the Immune Response in Opposite Directions
Authors: Lundholm Marie , Hägglöf Christina , Wikberg Maria L. , Stattin Pär , Egevad Lars , Bergh Anders , Wikström Pernilla , Palmqvist Richard , Edin Sofia 
Published: October 2015

AbstractMacrophage infiltration has been associated with an improved prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), but a poor prognosis in prostate cancer (PC) patients. In this study, the distribution and prognostic value of proinflammatory M1 macrophages (NOS2+) and immunosuppressive M2 macrophages (CD163+) was evaluated in a cohort of 234 PC patients. We found that macrophages infiltrating PC were mainly of an M2 type and correlated with a more aggressive tumor and poor patient prognosis. Furthermore, the M1/M2 ratio was significantly decreased in PC compared to CRC. Usingin vitrocell culture experiments, we could show that factors secreted from CRC and PC cells induced macrophages of a proinflammatory or immunosuppressive phenotype, respectively. These macrophages differentially affected autologous T lymphocyte proliferation and activation. Consistent with this, CRC specimens were found to have higher degrees of infiltrating T-helper 1 cells and active cytotoxic T lymphocytes, while PC specimens displayed functionally inactive T cells. In conclusion, our results imply that tumour-secreted factors from cancers of different origin can drive macrophage differentiation in opposite directions and thereby regulate the organization of the anti-tumour immune response. Our findings suggest that reprogramming of macrophages could be an important tool in the development of new immunotherapeutic strategies.
Strongly-coupled plasmas formed from laser-heated solids
Authors: Lyon M. , Bergeson S. D. , Hart G. , Murillo M. S. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractWe present an analysis of ion temperatures in laser-produced plasmas formed from solids with different initial lattice structures. We show that the equilibrium ion temperature is limited by a mismatch between the initial crystallographic configuration and the close-packed configuration of a strongly-coupled plasma, similar to experiments in ultracold neutral plasmas. We propose experiments to demonstrate and exploit this crystallographic heating in order to produce a strongly coupled plasma with a coupling parameter of several hundred.
CETP/LPL/LIPC gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Wang Ya-Feng , Han Yue , Zhang Rui , Qin Li , Wang Ming-Xu , Ma Le 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThree high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-related loci have been reported to be associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but the results were inconsistent. In this study, the cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) rs3764261 variant was significantly associated with an increased risk of AMD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05–1.21, P < 0.001) and the hepatic lipase (LIPC) rs10468017 variant was associated with a significantly decreased risk of AMD (OR = 0.81, CI: 0.76–0.86, P < 0.001). Individuals carrying the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) rs12678919 polymorphism (A → G) had no significant change in the risk of developing AMD (OR = 1.01, CI: 0.92–1.10, P = 0.17). After adjusting for the complement factor H (CFH) gene, both CETP and LPL conferred a significantly increased AMD risk (ORCETP = 1.17, CI: 1.08–1.26, P < 0.001; ORLPL = 1.11, CI: 1.01–1.22, P = 0.02). Subgroup analysis based on ethnicity revealed a significant association between the CETP variant and AMD in both Americans (OR = 1.12, CI: 1.02–1.23, P = 0.01) and Europeans (OR = 1.10, CI: 1.01–1.19, P = 0.011). This meta-analysis revealed that both CETP rs3764261 and LIPC rs10468017 polymorphisms were significantly associated with AMD risk. After adjustment for the CFH gene, CETP/LPL conferred a significantly increased susceptibility to the disease, indicating potential interactions among genes in the complement system and the lipid metabolism pathway.
Increases in both temperature means and extremes likely facilitate invasive herbivore outbreaks
Authors: Ju Rui-Ting , Zhu Hai-Yan , Gao Lei , Zhou Xu-Hui , Li Bo 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAlthough increases in mean temperature (MT) and extreme high temperature (EHT) can greatly affect population dynamics of insects under global warming, how concurrent changes in both MT and EHT affect invasive species is largely unknown. We used four thermal regimes to simulate the increases in summer temperature and compared their effects on the life-history traits of three geographical populations (Chongqing, Wuhan and Shanghai) of an invasive insect, Corythucha ciliata, in China. The four thermal regimes were control (i.e., natural or ambient), an increase in MT (IMT), an increase in EHT and a combination of IMT + EHT. We found that the three warming regimes significantly increased the developmental rate but did not affect the survival, sex ratio, longevity, or fecundity of C. ciliata. Consequently, the intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) was enhanced and the number of days required for population doubling (t) was reduced by the warming regimes. The demographic parameters did not significantly differ among the three populations. These results indicate that population size of C. ciliata may be enhanced by increases in both temperature means and extremes. The increases in summer temperature associated with climate change, therefore, would likely facilitate population outbreaks of some thermophilic invasive insects.
Aroused with heart: Modulation of heartbeat evoked potential by arousal induction and its oscillatory correlates
Authors: Luft Caroline Di Bernardi , Bhattacharya Joydeep 
Published: October 2015

AbstractRecent studies showed that the visceral information is constantly processed by the brain, thereby potentially influencing cognition. One index of such process is the heartbeat evoked potential (HEP), an ERP component related to the cortical processing of the heartbeat. The HEP is sensitive to a number of factors such as motivation, attention, pain, which are associated with higher levels of arousal. However, the role of arousal and its associated brain oscillations on the HEP has not been characterized, yet it could underlie the previous findings. Here we analysed the effects of high- (HA) and low-arousal (LA) induction on the HEP. Further, we investigated the brain oscillations and their role in the HEP in response to HA and LA inductions. As compared to LA, HA was associated with a higher HEP and lower alpha oscillations. Interestingly, individual differences in the HEP modulation by arousal induction were correlated with alpha oscillations. In particular, participants with higher alpha power during the arousal inductions showed a larger HEP in response to HA compared to LA. In summary, we demonstrated that arousal induction affects the cortical processing of heartbeats; and that the alpha oscillations may modulate this effect.
Eco-friendly synthesis of metal dichalcogenides nanosheets and their environmental remediation potential driven by visible light
Authors: Mishra Ashish Kumar , Lakshmi K. V. , Huang Liping 
Published: October 2015

AbstractExfoliated transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) such as WS2 and MoS2 have shown exciting potential for energy storage, catalysis and optoelectronics. So far, solution based methods for scalable production of few-layer TMDs usually involve the use of organic solvents or dangerous chemicals. Here, we report an eco-friendly method for facile synthesis of few-layer WS2 and MoS2 nanosheets using dilute aqueous solution of household detergent. Short time sonication of varying amount of bulk samples in soapy water was used to scale up the production of nanosheets. Thermal stability, optical absorption and Raman spectra of as-synthesized WS2 and MoS2 nanosheets are in close agreement with those from other synthesis techniques. Efficient photocatalytic activity of TMDs nanosheets was demonstrated by decomposing Brilliant Green dye in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation. Our study shows the great potential of TMDs nanosheets for environmental remediation by degrading toxic industrial chemicals in wastewater using sunlight.
Novel Self-driven Microbial Nutrient Recovery Cell with Simultaneous Wastewater Purification
Authors: Chen Xi , Sun Dongya , Zhang Xiaoyuan , Liang Peng , Huang Xia 
Published: October 2015

AbstractConventional wastewater purification technologies consume large amounts of energy, while the abundant chemical energy and nutrient resources contained in sewage are wasted in such treatment processes. A microbial nutrient recovery cell (MNRC) has been developed to take advantage of the energy contained in wastewater, in order to simultaneously purify wastewater and recover nutrient ions. When wastewater was circulated between the anode and cathode chambers of the MNRC, the organics (COD) were removed by bacteria while ammonium and phosphate (NH4+-N and PO43−-P) were recovered by the electrical field that was produced using in situ energy in the wastewater without additional energy input. The removal efficiencies from wastewater were >82% for COD, >96% for NH4+-N and >64% for PO43−-P in all the operational cycles. Simultaneously, the concentrations of NH4+ and PO43− in the recovery chamber increased to more than 1.5 and 2.2 times, respectively, compared with the initial concentrations in wastewater. The MNRC provides proof-of-concept as a sustainable, self-driven approach to efficient wastewater purification and nutrient recovery in a comprehensive bioelectrochemical system.
Molecular architecture of the Ub-PCNA/Pol η complex bound to DNA
Authors: Lau Wilson C. Y. , Li Yinyin , Zhang Qinfen , Huen Michael S. Y. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractTranslesion synthesis (TLS) is the mechanism by which DNA polymerases replicate through unrepaired DNA lesions. TLS is activated by monoubiquitination of the homotrimeric proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) at lysine-164, followed by the switch from replicative to specialized polymerases at DNA damage sites. Pol η belongs to the Y-Family of specialized polymerases that can efficiently bypass UV-induced lesions. Like other members of the Y-Family polymerases, its recruitment to the damaged sites is mediated by the interaction with monoubiquitinated PCNA (Ub-PCNA) via its ubiquitin-binding domain and non-canonical PCNA-interacting motif in the C-terminal region. The structural determinants underlying the direct recognition of Ub-PCNA by Pol η, or Y-Family polymerases in general, remain largely unknown. Here we report a structure of the Ub-PCNA/Pol η complex bound to DNA determined by single-particle electron microscopy (EM). The overall obtained structure resembles that of the editing PCNA/PolB complex. Analysis of the map revealed the conformation of ubiquitin that binds the C-terminal domain of Pol η. Our present study suggests that the Ub-PCNA/Pol η interaction requires the formation of a structured binding interface, which is dictated by the inherent flexibility of Ub-PCNA.
Sintering boron carbide ceramics without grain growth by plastic deformation as the dominant densification mechanism
Authors: Ji Wei , Rehman Sahibzada Shakir , Wang Weimin , Wang Hao , Wang Yucheng , Zhang Jinyong , Zhang Fan , Fu Zhengyi 
Published: October 2015

AbstractA new ceramic sintering approach employing plastic deformation as the dominant mechanism is proposed, at low temperature close to the onset point of grain growth and under high pressure. Based on this route, fully dense boron carbide without grain growth can be prepared at 1,675–1,700 °C and under pressure of (≥) 80 MPa in 5 minutes. The dense boron carbide shows excellent mechanical properties, including Vickers hardness of 37.8 GPa, flexural strength of 445.3 MPa and fracture toughness of 4.7 MPa•m0.5. Such a process should also facilitate the cost-effective preparation of other advanced ceramics for practical applications.