bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anthropogenically enhanced chemical weathering and carbon evasion in the Yangtze Basin
Authors: Guo Jingheng , Wang Fushun , Vogt Rolf David , Zhang Yuhang , Liu Cong-Qiang 
Published: July 2015

AbstractChemical weathering is a fundamental geochemical process regulating the atmosphere-land-ocean fluxes and earth’s climate. It is under natural conditions driven primarily by weak carbonic acid that originates from atmosphere CO2 or soil respiration. Chemical weathering is therefore assumed as positively coupled with its CO2 consumption in contemporary geochemistry. Strong acids (i.e. sulfuric- and nitric acid) from anthropogenic sources have been found to influence the weathering rate and CO2 consumption, but their integrated effects remain absent in the world largest river basins. By interpreting the water chemistry and overall proton budget in the Yangtze Basin, we found that anthropogenic acidification had enhanced the chemical weathering by 40% during the past three decades, leading to an increase of 30% in solute discharged to the ocean. Moreover, substitution of carbonic acid by strong acids increased inorganic carbon evasion, offsetting 30% of the CO2 consumption by carbonic weathering. Our assessments show that anthropogenic loadings of sulfuric and nitrogen compounds accelerate chemical weathering but lower its CO2 sequestration. These findings have significant relevance to improving our contemporary global biogeochemical budgets.
Increased RIPK4 expression is associated with progression and poor prognosis in cervical squamous cell carcinoma patients
Authors: Liu De-Qing , Li Fang-Fang , Zhang Jiang-Bo , Zhou Tie-Jun , Xue Wen-Qiong , Zheng Xiao-Hui , Chen Yuan-Bin , Liao Xiao-Yu , Zhang Lan , Zhang Shao-Dan , Hu Ye-Zhu , Jia Wei-Hua 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAberrant expression of receptor interacting protein kinase 4 (RIPK4), a crucial regulatory protein of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, has recently been reported to be involved in several cancers. Here, we report the potential clinical implication and biological functions of RIPK4 in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). One hundred and ninety-eight CSCC cases, 109 low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSILs), 141 high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs) and 63 chronic cervicitis were collected. The expression of RIPK4 was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and its clinical value and oncogenic functions were further assessed. RIPK4 expression increased significantly with disease progression from 3.2% in chronic cervicitis, 19.3% in LSILs and 85.1% in HSILs to 94.4% in CSCCs (P < 0.001). Moreover, RIPK4 may serve as a useful biomarker to distinguish HSIL from chronic cervicitis/LSIL, which are two different clinical types for therapeutic procedures, with a high sensitivity and specificity (85.1% and 86.6%, respectively) and the performance improved when combined with p16INK4a. Further, RIPK4 overexpression was associated with overall (HR = 2.085, P = 0.038) and disease-free survival (HR = 1.742, P = 0.037). Knockdown of RIPK4 reduced cell migration and invasion via inhibition of Vimentin, MMP2 and Fibronectin expression in cervical cancer cells. RIPK4 might act as a potential diagnostic and independent prognostic biomarker for CSCC patients.
Graphene wrapped ordered LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 nanorods as promising cathode material for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Tang Xiao , Jan S. Savut , Qian Yanyan , Xia Hui , Ni Jiangfeng , Savilov Serguei V. , Aldoshin Serguei M. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractLiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 nanorods wrapped with graphene nanosheets have been prepared and investigated as high energy and high power cathode material for lithium-ion batteries. The structural characterization by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicates the LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 nanorods prepared from β-MnO2 nanowires have ordered spinel structure with P4332 space group. The morphological characterization by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy reveals that the LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 nanorods of 100–200 nm in diameter are well dispersed and wrapped in the graphene nanosheets for the composite. Benefiting from the highly conductive matrix provided by graphene nanosheets and one-dimensional nanostructure of the ordered spinel, the composite electrode exhibits superior rate capability and cycling stability. As a result, the LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4-graphene composite electrode delivers reversible capacities of 127.6 and 80.8 mAh g−1 at 0.1 and 10 C, respectively and shows 94% capacity retention after 200 cycles at 1 C, greatly outperforming the bare LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 nanorod cathode. The outstanding performance of the LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4-graphene composite makes it promising as cathode material for developing high energy and high power lithium-ion batteries.
Synchronization to a bouncing ball with a realistic motion trajectory
Authors: Gan Lingyu , Huang Yingyu , Zhou Liang , Qian Cheng , Wu Xiang 
Published: July 2015

AbstractDaily music experience involves synchronizing movements in time with a perceived periodic beat. It has been established for over a century that beat synchronization is less stable for the visual than for the auditory modality. This auditory advantage of beat synchronization gives rise to the hypotheses that the neural and evolutionary mechanisms underlying beat synchronization are modality-specific. Here, however, we found that synchronization to a periodically bouncing ball with a realistic motion trajectory was not less stable than synchronization to an auditory metronome. This finding challenges the auditory advantage of beat synchronization and has important implications for the understanding of the biological substrates of beat synchronization.
Global optimization and oxygen dissociation on polyicosahedral Ag32Cu6 core-shell cluster for alkaline fuel cells
Authors: Zhang N. , Chen F. Y. , Wu X.Q. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe structure of 38 atoms Ag-Cu cluster is studied by using a combination of a genetic algorithm global optimization technique and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. It is demonstrated that the truncated octahedral (TO) Ag32Cu6 core-shell cluster is less stable than the polyicosahedral (pIh) Ag32Cu6 core-shell cluster from the atomistic models and the DFT calculation shows an agreeable result, so the newfound pIh Ag32Cu6 core-shell cluster is further investigated for potential application for O2 dissociation in oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The activation energy barrier for the O2 dissociation on pIh Ag32Cu6 core-shell cluster is 0.715 eV, where the d-band center is −3.395 eV and the density of states at the Fermi energy level is maximal for the favorable absorption site, indicating that the catalytic activity is attributed to a maximal charge transfer between an oxygen molecule and the pIh Ag32Cu6 core-shell cluster. This work revises the earlier idea that Ag32Cu6 core-shell nanoparticles are not suitable as ORR catalysts and confirms that Ag-Cu nanoalloy is a potential candidate to substitute noble Pt-based catalyst in alkaline fuel cells.
Primary microRNA processing is functionally coupled to RNAP II transcription in vitro
Authors: Yin Shanye , Yu Yong , Reed Robin 
Published: July 2015

AbstractPrevious studies in vivo reported that processing of primary microRNA (pri-miRNA) is coupled to transcription by RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) and can occur co-transcriptionally. Here we have established a robust in vivo system in which pri-miRNA is transcribed by RNAP II and processed to pre-miRNA in HeLa cell nuclear extracts. We show that both the kinetics and efficiency of pri-miRNA processing are dramatically enhanced in this system compared to that of the corresponding naked pri-miRNA. Moreover, this enhancement is general as it occurs with multiple pri-miRNAs. We also show that nascent pri-miRNA is efficiently processed before it is released from the DNA template. Together, our work directly demonstrates that transcription and pri-miRNA processing are functionally coupled and establishes the first in vivo model systems for this functional coupling and for co-transcriptional processing.
Transcriptome analysis of the biofilm formed by methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Tan Xiaojuan , Qin Nan , Wu Chunyan , Sheng Jiyang , Yang Rui , Zheng Beiwen , Ma Zhanshan , Liu Lin , Peng Xinhua , Jia Aiqun 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBiofilm formation is regarded as one of the major determinants in the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as pathogens of medical device-related infection. However, methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) can also form biofilm in vitro and such biofilms are resistant to vancomycin. Hence, researching the possible mechanisms of MSSA biofilm formation is urgent and necessary. Here, we used S. aureus ATCC25923 as the model strain and studied gene expression profiles in biofilms after the treatment of ursolic acid and resveratrol using RNA-seq technology. The results showed that only ursolic acid could inhibit biofilm formation, which differed from their applied on the multiple clinical drugs resistant MRSA biofilm. RNA-seq data was validated by examining the expression of six genes involved in biofilm formation by qRT-PCR. These data analysis indicated that the mechanism of the MSSA biofilm formation was different from that of the MRSA, due to absence of accessory gene regulator (agr) function. These findings suggest that biofilms of S. aureus with agr dysfunction may be more resistant than those with agr function. Therefore, the infection from clinical MSSA may be recalcitrant once forming biofilm. Further study is necessary to uncover the mechanisms of biofilm formation in other clinical S. aureus.
Genetics of rapid eye movement sleep in humans
Authors: Adamczyk M , Ambrosius U , Lietzenmaier S , Wichniak A , Holsboer F , Friess E 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe trait-like nature of electroencephalogram (EEG) is well established. Furthermore, EEG of wake and non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep has been shown to be highly heritable. However, the genetic effects on REM sleep EEG microstructure are as yet unknown. REM sleep is of special interest since animal and human data suggest a connection between REM sleep abnormalities and the pathophysiology of psychiatric and neurological diseases. Here we report the results of a study in monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins examining the heritability of REM sleep EEG. We studied the architecture, spectral composition and phasic parameters of REM sleep and identified genetic effects on whole investigated EEG frequency spectrum as well as phasic REM parameters (REM density, REM activity and organization of REMs in bursts). In addition, cluster analysis based on the morphology of the EEG frequency spectrum revealed that the similarity among MZ twins is close to intra-individual stability. The observed strong genetic effects on REM sleep characteristics establish REM sleep as an important source of endophenotypes for psychiatric and neurological diseases.
Modifications of the endosomal compartment in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and fibroblasts from Alzheimer’s disease patients
Authors: Corlier F , Rivals I , Lagarde J , Hamelin L , Corne H , Dauphinot L , Ando K , Cossec J-C , Fontaine G , Dorothée G , Malaplate-Armand C , Olivier J-L , Dubois B , Bottlaender M , Duyckaerts C , Sarazin M , Potier M-C ,   Clinical ImaBio3 team, Alnajjar-Carpentier Dr Amer , Logak Dr Michel , Leder Dr Sara , Marchal Dr Dominique , Pitti-Ferandi Dr Hélène , Brugeilles Dr Hélene , Roualdes Dr Brigitte , Michon Dr Agnes 
Published: July 2015

AbstractIdentification of blood-based biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains a challenge. Neuropathological studies have identified enlarged endosomes in post-mortem brains as the earliest cellular change associated to AD. Here the presence of enlarged endosomes was investigated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 48 biologically defined AD patients (25 with mild cognitive impairment and 23 with dementia (AD-D)), and 23 age-matched healthy controls using immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy. The volume and number of endosomes were not significantly different between AD and controls. However, the percentage of cells containing enlarged endosomes was significantly higher in the AD-D group as compared with controls. Furthermore, endosomal volumes significantly correlated to [C11]PiB cortical index measured by positron emission tomography in the AD group, independently of the APOE genotype, but not to the levels of amyloid-beta, tau and phosphorylated tau measured in the cerebrospinal fluid. Importantly, we confirmed the presence of enlarged endosomes in fibroblasts from six unrelated AD-D patients as compared with five cognitively normal controls. This study is the first, to our knowledge, to report morphological alterations of the endosomal compartment in peripheral cells from AD patients correlated to amyloid load that will now be evaluated as a possible biomarker.
Low‐loss compact MEMS phase shifter for phased array antennas
Authors: Abdellatif A.S. , Abdel Aziz A. , Mansour R.R. , Safavi‐Naeini S. 
Published: July 2015

A compact and low‐loss MEMS‐based phase shifter is proposed for microwave/millimetre‐wave phased array antenna systems. The proposed phase shifter is an alumina‐based CPW line, loaded with a variable series capacitor. The phase shifter uses an electromagnetic MEMS actuator to change the capacitor value. A simple three‐mask surface micromachining process has been developed for device fabrication. The measurements at 26 GHz show a phase shift of 20°. The overall size of the phase shifter (including the actuator) is 0.5 × 1.5 mm. The measured average insertion loss is 0.75 dB with a variation of 0.4 dB for different phase shifts across the band from 24.5 to 26.5 GHz.
Compact broadband circular polariser based on two‐layer frequency‐selective surfaces
Authors: Hou Jian‐Qiang , Shi Ling‐Feng , Chen Sen , Gou Zhong‐Rong 
Published: July 2015

A compact two‐layer frequency‐selective surface is presented to design circular polarisers for broadband applications. By optimising the parameters of the semi‐circle metal strip element, an excellent simulated bandwidth of axial ratio (AR) (lower than 3 dB) is achieved from 10.02 to 11.09 GHz, while the amplitude of the transmission coefficient is higher than 0.8. Furthermore, the polariser unit cell is less sensitive to the range of oblique incidence angles. To verify the proposed design, an X‐band circular polariser prototype is fabricated and measured. The results show that excellent AR performance can be achieved; the measured AR of the transmission wave is lower than 3 dB in the band from 9 to 12 GHz.
V–I converter‐based voltage‐controlled oscillator with improved linear gain characteristic
Authors: Ko Jaehong , An Chang‐Ho , Kim Chulwoo , Kim Soo‐Won 
Published: July 2015

A voltage–current (V–I) converter‐based voltage‐controlled oscillator (VCO) is adapted to generate multiple‐phase clocks for clock and data recovery for a display driver IC. The proposed V–I converter changed the second‐order current equation of the VCO to a first‐order current equation of the VCO, to achieve a wide operating frequency range, a linear gain (KVCO) within a wide control voltage, low power, and a small area without any extra circuits, such as a low‐to‐full amplifier. Owing to the V–I converter, KVCO is changed from 8.43 to 2.05 MHz/mV with a wider Vctrl range, and its tuning range is changed from 114 to 452 MHz with a linear gain characteristic. The proposed VCO is implemented in a 1P6M 1.8 V technology and is suitable for the phase‐locked loop used in flat‐panel display interfaces that operate from 0.3 to 2 Gbit/s.
Drivers for the renaissance of coal
Authors: Steckel Jan Christoph , Edenhofer Ottmar , Jakob Michael 
Published: July 2015

Significance
The current carbonization of the global energy system poses a severe challenge for efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Here we show that the increase in the carbon intensity of energy production is caused mainly by the increased use of coal, not only in China and India but also across a broad range of developing countries, especially poor, fast-growing countries mainly in Asia. The (relatively) low coal prices are an important reason countries choose coal to satisfy their energy needs. This result underlines the importance of cheaply available energy for economic growth and suggests that viable alternatives to cheap coal will be required to ensure the participation of developing countries in global climate change mitigation.
In vitro modeling of hyperpigmentation associated to neurofibromatosis type 1 using melanocytes derived from human embryonic stem cells
Authors: Allouche Jennifer , Bellon Nathalia , Saidani Manoubia , Stanchina-Chatrousse Laure , Masson Yolande , Patwardhan Anand , Gilles-Marsens Floriane , Delevoye Cédric , Domingues Sophie , Nissan Xavier , Martinat Cécile , Lemaitre Gilles , Peschanski Marc , Baldeschi Christine 
Published: July 2015

Significance
There are few suitable laboratory models for human pigmentation disease. Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common neurocutaneous disease whose initial symptoms in all patients are “café-au-lait” macules and overall skin hyperpigmentation. To analyze the molecular mechanisms associated with this phenotype, we have developed an in vitro model of NF1 based on human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Melanocytes derived from NF1 hESCs reproduced the hyperpigmentation phenotype in vitro and were characterized by deregulation of melanogenesis factors. The model allowed us to identify the cellular pathways involved in this phenotype. The hyperpigmentation phenotype could be rescued by small molecules, demonstrating the potential of pluripotent stem cells as models for pigmentation disorders.
PDGFB-based stem cell gene therapy increases bone strength in the mouse
Authors: Chen Wanqiu , Baylink David J. , Brier-Jones Justin , Neises Amanda , Kiroyan Jason B. , Rundle Charles H. , Lau Kin-Hing William , Zhang Xiao-Bing 
Published: July 2015

Significance
Osteoporosis is a morbid disease afflicting millions of people worldwide. To unlock the unique regenerative powers of the skeleton that have not yet been exploited, we used stem cell gene therapy to dramatically increase bone formation at sites where bone is lost during osteoporosis. Our therapy tremendously increased de novo trabecular bone formation and trabecular connections, resulting in a large increase in bone strength. Our therapy has clinical potential, may serve as a prototype for future skeletal stem cell gene therapies, and is a model for mechanistic studies of de novo trabecular bone formation.
Anomalous scaling law of strength and toughness of cellulose nanopaper
Authors: Zhu Hongli , Zhu Shuze , Jia Zheng , Parvinian Sepideh , Li Yuanyuan , Vaaland Oeyvind , Hu Liangbing , Li Teng 
Published: July 2015

Significance
A long-standing challenge in material design is to overcome the conflict between strength and toughness, because they are generally mutually exclusive. To address this challenge, we rationally design cellulose-based nanopaper and investigate the dependence of their mechanical properties on constituent cellulose fiber size. Surprisingly, we find that both the strength and toughness of the nanopaper increase simultaneously (40 and 130 times, respectively) as the average diameter of constituent cellulose fibers decreases from 27 μm to 11 nm, suggesting the promising potential toward an anomalous but highly desirable scaling law: the smaller, the stronger and the tougher. There are abundant opportunities to use the fundamental bottom-up strategy to design a novel class of functional materials that are both strong and tough.
Identification of divergent type VI secretion effectors using a conserved chaperone domain
Authors: Liang Xiaoye , Moore Richard , Wilton Mike , Wong Megan J. Q. , Lam Linh , Dong Tao G. 
Published: July 2015

Significance
How different microbial species compete for specific niches is not fully understood. Here, we focus on the type VI secretion system (T6SS), a specialized protein delivery system, which many Gram-negative bacteria use to kill eukaryotic and prokaryotic competitors by translocating toxic protein molecules to target cells. Identification of effectors is required for understanding the pivotal role that the T6SS plays in dictating interbacterial and bacterial–host dynamics. In this study, we describe a new approach to systematically identify T6SS effectors. We also demonstrate that secretion of effectors requires interaction with a set of cognate effector-binding chaperone proteins that we define in this study, providing important insights for understanding the mechanism of T6SS effector delivery.
Vacuolar ATPase depletion affects mitochondrial ATPase function, kinetoplast dependency, and drug sensitivity in trypanosomes
Authors: Baker Nicola , Hamilton Graham , Wilkes Jonathan M. , Hutchinson Sebastian , Barrett Michael P. , Horn David 
Published: July 2015

Significance
Anti-trypanosomal drugs, used to tackle lethal human and animal diseases, target an unusual parasite DNA structure in a cellular compartment known as the mitochondrion. Using a high-throughput genetic approach to study drug resistance, we identified every component of a molecular rotor that couples ATP hydrolysis to proton transport across non-mitochondrial membranes. Surprisingly, this molecular machine was found to communicate with a related mitochondrial rotor and, when defective, rendered the mitochondrial DNA structure obsolete. Our findings reveal new potential mechanisms of multidrug resistance in trypanosomes. They also suggest that communication between these rotors in two separate cellular compartments could be conserved through evolution, reflecting an unanticipated and important aspect of environmental sensing and metabolic control in nucleated cells.
Graphene electrostatic microphone and ultrasonic radio
Authors: Zhou Qin , Zheng Jinglin , Onishi Seita , Crommie M. F. , Zettl Alex K. 
Published: July 2015

Significance
Humans and other animals effectively use acoustic waves to communicate with each other. Ultrasonic acoustic waves are intriguing because they do not interfere with normal voice communication and can be highly directional with long range. Therefore, wireless ultrasonic radio is a useful communications method. Here we find that graphene has mechanical properties that make it ideally suited for wide-band ultrasonic transduction. Using simple and low-cost fabrication methods we have produced an ultrasonic microphone and ultrasonic radio prototypes. When acting as loudspeaker/microphone alone, the graphene-based acoustic devices also show ideal flat-band frequency response spanning the whole audible region as well as ultrasonic region to at least 0.5 MHz; such flat frequency response has significant acoustic applications implications.
Endoplasmic reticulum stress in the peripheral nervous system is a significant driver of neuropathic pain
Authors: Inceoglu Bora , Bettaieb Ahmed , Trindade da Silva Carlos A. , Lee Kin Sing Stephen , Haj Fawaz G. , Hammock Bruce D. 
Published: July 2015

Significance
Here we define the causative role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress on selective modulation of pain signaling. High levels of ER stress and neuropathic pain in diabetic animals are reduced using ER stress blockers. In healthy animals, turning on the ER stress signal transduction cascade generates an immediate but lasting and site restricted painful phenotype, which is reversible by ER stress blockers. This previously unnoticed mechanism explains the broad lack of efficacy of available analgesics and should ignite the discovery of a new generation of therapeutics that do not directly quell ion channel or neurotransmitter activity.