bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Radiant energy required for infrared neural stimulation
Authors: Tan Xiaodong , Rajguru Suhrud , Young Hunter , Xia Nan , Stock Stuart R. , Xiao Xianghui , Richter Claus-Peter 
Published: August 2015

AbstractInfrared neural stimulation (INS) has been proposed as an alternative method to electrical stimulation because of its spatial selective stimulation. Independent of the mechanism for INS, to translate the method into a device it is important to determine the energy for stimulation required at the target structure. Custom-designed, flat and angle polished fibers, were used to deliver the photons. By rotating the angle polished fibers, the orientation of the radiation beam in the cochlea could be changed. INS-evoked compound action potentials and single unit responses in the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus (ICC) were recorded. X-ray computed tomography was used to determine the orientation of the optical fiber. Maximum responses were observed when the radiation beam was directed towards the spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs), whereas little responses were seen when the beam was directed towards the basilar membrane. The radiant exposure required at the SGNs to evoke compound action potentials (CAPs) or ICC responses was on average 18.9 ± 12.2 or 10.3 ± 4.9 mJ/cm2, respectively. For cochlear INS it has been debated whether the radiation directly stimulates the SGNs or evokes a photoacoustic effect. The results support the view that a direct interaction between neurons and radiation dominates the response to INS.
Geometric discord: A resource for increments of quantum key generation through twirling
Authors: Wu Xiaohua , Zhou Tao 
Published: August 2015

AbstractIn the present work, we consider a scenario where an arbitrary two-qubit pure state is applied for the quantum key generation (QKG). Using the twirling procedure to convert the pure state into a Werner state, the error rate of the key can be reduced by a factor of 2/3. This effect indicates that entanglement is not the sufficient resource of QKG protocol since it is not increased in the twirling procedure. Based on the fact that the geometric discord is increased in the twirling procedure, we argue that the geometric discord should be taken as a necessary resource for the QKG task. Besides the pure state, we also give other two types of mixtures where twirling may increase the discord and reduce the error rate of the generated key.
Marine amoebae with cytoplasmic and perinuclear symbionts deeply branching in the Gammaproteobacteria
Authors: Schulz Frederik , Tyml Tomáš , Pizzetti Ilaria , Dyková Iva , Fazi Stefano , Kostka Martin , Horn Matthias 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAmoebae play an important ecological role as predators in microbial communities. They also serve as niche for bacterial replication, harbor endosymbiotic bacteria and have contributed to the evolution of major human pathogens. Despite their high diversity, marine amoebae and their association with bacteria are poorly understood. Here we describe the isolation and characterization of two novel marine amoebae together with their bacterial endosymbionts, tentatively named ‘Candidatus Occultobacter vannellae’ and ‘Candidatus Nucleophilum amoebae’. While one amoeba strain is related to Vannella, a genus common in marine habitats, the other represents a novel lineage in the Amoebozoa. The endosymbionts showed only low similarity to known bacteria (85–88% 16S rRNA sequence similarity) but together with other uncultured marine bacteria form a sister clade to the Coxiellaceae. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization and transmission electron microscopy, identity and intracellular location of both symbionts were confirmed; one was replicating in host-derived vacuoles, whereas the other was located in the perinuclear space of its amoeba host. This study sheds for the first time light on a so far neglected group of protists and their bacterial symbionts. The newly isolated strains represent easily maintainable model systems and pave the way for further studies on marine associations between amoebae and bacterial symbionts.
Behavioural innovation and cultural transmission of communication signal in black howler monkeys
Authors: Briseño-Jaramillo M. , Estrada A. , Lemasson A. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractSocial traditions based on communication signals are widespread in birds, cetaceans and humans, but surprisingly rare in nonhuman primates known for having genetically-determined vocal repertoires. This study presents the first description of a singular case of behaviour associated with calling (placing a hand in front of the mouth while vocalizing: HFM) in black howler monkeys. We showed, first, that HFM was found only in a subset of the groups observed, at the same geographical location and was age- and sex-specific. There was an audience effect on HFM, with highest rates when a neighbouring group was visible. HFM was non-randomly combined with audio-visual signals and always performed while roaring. High HFM rates triggered more vocal responses from group members and male neighbours and HFM signalers temporally synchronized their behaviour in a predictable way. Finally, the positioning of the hand systematically modified the call’s auditory structure. Altogether these results support the idea that HFM is an innovated, culturally transmitted communication signal that may play a role in inter-group competition and intra-group cohesion. This study opens new lines of research about how nonhuman primates developed strategies to overcome their constraints in acoustic plasticity very early in the primate lineage.
Controlling wave-vector of propagating surface plasmon polaritons on single-crystalline gold nanoplates
Authors: Luo Si , Yang Hangbo , Yang Yuanqing , Zhao Ding , Chen Xingxing , Qiu Min , Li Qiang 
Published: August 2015

AbstractSurface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) propagating at metal nanostructures play an important role in breaking the diffraction limit. Chemically synthesized single-crystalline metal nanoplates with atomically flat surfaces provide favorable features compared with traditional polycrystalline metal films. The excitation and propagation of leaky SPPs on micrometer sized (10–20 μm) and thin (30 nm) gold nanoplates are investigated utilizing leakage radiation microscopy. By varying polarization and excitation positions of incident light on apexes of nanoplates, wave-vector (including propagation constant and propagation direction) distributions of leaky SPPs in Fourier planes can be controlled, indicating tunable SPP propagation. These results hold promise for potential development of chemically synthesized single-crystalline metal nanoplates as plasmonic platforms in future applications.
Negative linear compressibility in a crystal of α-BiB3O6
Authors: Kang Lei , Jiang Xingxing , Luo Siyang , Gong Pifu , Li Wei , Wu Xiang , Li Yanchun , Li Xiaodong , Chen Chuangtian , Lin Zheshuai 
Published: August 2015

AbstractNegative linear compressibility (NLC), a rare and important mechanical effect with many application potentials, in a crystal of α-BiB3O6 (BIBO) is comprehensively investigated using first-principles calculations and high-pressure synchrotron X-ray diffraction experiments. The results indicate that the BIBO crystal exhibits the second largest NLC among all known inorganic materials over a broad pressure range. This unusual NLC behaviour is due to the rotation and displacement of the rigid [BO3] and [BO4] building units that result in hinge motion in an umbrella-like topology. More importantly, the parallel-polar lone-pair electrons on the Bi3+ cations act as “umbrella stands” to withstand the B-O hinges, thus significantly enhancing the NLC effect. BIBO presents a unique example of a “collapsible umbrella” mechanism for achieving NLC, which could be applied to other framework materials with lone-pair electrons.
Hybrid surgery versus anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for multilevel cervical degenerative disc diseases: a meta-analysis
Authors: Tian Peng , Fu Xin , Li Zhi-Jun , Sun Xiao-Lei , Ma Xin-Long 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe objective of this meta-analysis is to compare hybrid surgery (HS) and cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for multilevel cervical degenerative disc diseases (DDD). Systematic searches of all published studies through March 2015 were identified from Cochrane Library, Medline, PubMed, Embase, ScienceDirect, CNKI, WANFANG DATA and CQVIP. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs involving HS and ACDF for multilevel DDD were included. All literature was searched and assessed by two independent reviewers according to the standard of Cochrane systematic review. Data of functional and radiological outcomes in two groups were pooled, which was then analyzed by RevMan 5.2 software. One RCT and four non-RCTs encompassing 160 patients met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis revealed significant differences in blood loss (p = 0.005), postoperative C2–C7 ROM (p = 0.002), ROM of superior adjacent segment (p < 0.00001) and ROM of inferior adjacent segment (p = 0.0007) between the HS group and the ACDF group. No significant differences were found regarding operation time (p = 0.75), postoperative VAS (p = 0.18) and complications (p = 0.73) between the groups. Hybrid surgery demonstrated excellent clinical efficacy and radiological results. Postoperative C2–C7 ROM was closer to the physiological status. No decrease in the ROM of the adjacent segment was noted in the hybrid surgery group.
TRIM32 modulates pluripotency entry and exit by directly regulating Oct4 stability
Authors: Bahnassawy Lamia’a , Perumal Thanneer M. , Gonzalez-Cano Laura , Hillje Anna-Lena , Taher Leila , Makalowski Wojciech , Suzuki Yutaka , Fuellen Georg , Sol Antonio del , Schwamborn Jens Christian 
Published: August 2015

AbstractInduced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have revolutionized the world of regenerative medicine; nevertheless, the exact molecular mechanisms underlying their generation and differentiation remain elusive. Here, we investigated the role of the cell fate determinant TRIM32 in modulating such processes. TRIM32 is essential for the induction of neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells by poly-ubiquitinating cMyc to target it for degradation resulting in inhibition of cell proliferation. To elucidate the role of TRIM32 in regulating somatic cell reprogramming we analysed the capacity of TRIM32-knock-out mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) in generating iPSC colonies. TRIM32 knock-out MEFs produced a higher number of iPSC colonies indicating a role for TRIM32 in inhibiting this cellular transition. Further characterization of the generated iPSCs indicated that the TRIM32 knock-out iPSCs show perturbed differentiation kinetics. Additionally, mathematical modelling of global gene expression data revealed that during differentiation an Oct4 centred network in the wild-type cells is replaced by an E2F1 centred network in the TRIM32 deficient cells. We show here that this might be caused by a TRIM32-dependent downregulation of Oct4. In summary, the data presented here reveal that TRIM32 directly regulates at least two of the four Yamanaka Factors (cMyc and Oct4), to modulate cell fate transitions.
Functional Identification of a Novel Gene, moaE, for 3-Succinoylpyridine Degradation in Pseudomonas putida S16
Authors: Jiang Yi , Tang Hongzhi , Wu Geng , Xu Ping 
Published: August 2015

AbstractMicrobial degradation of N-heterocyclic compounds, including xanthine, quinoline, nicotinate and nicotine, frequently requires molybdenum hydroxylases. The intramolecular electron transfer chain of molybdenum hydroxylases consists of a molybdenum cofactor, two distinct [2Fe-2S] clusters and flavin adenine dinucleotide. 3-Succinoylpyridine monooxygenase (Spm), responsible for the transformation from 3-succinoylpyridine to 6-hydroxy-3-succinoylpyridine, is a crucial enzyme in the pyrrolidine pathway of nicotine degradation in Pseudomonas. Our previous work revealed that the heterotrimeric enzyme (SpmA, SpmB and SpmC) requires molybdopterin cytosine dinucleotide as a cofactor for their activities. In this study, we knocked out four genes, including PPS_1556, PPS_2936, PPS_4063 and PPS_4397 and found that a novel gene, PPS_4397 encoding moaE, is necessary for molybdopterin cytosine dinucleotide biosynthesis. Resting cell reactions of the moaE deletion mutant incubated with 3 g l−1 nicotine at 30 °C resulted in accumulation of 3-succinoylpyridine and the strain complemented by the moaE gene regained the ability to convert 3-succinoylpyridine. In addition, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis indicated that the transcriptional levels of the genes of moaE, spmA, and spmC of Pseudomonas putida S16 were distinctly higher when grown in nicotine medium than in glycerol medium.
Free-Space Nanometer Wiring via Nanotip Manipulation
Authors: Kizuka Tokushi , Ashida Shin 
Published: August 2015

AbstractRelentless efforts in semiconductor technology have driven nanometer-scale miniaturization of transistors, diodes and interconnections in electronic chips. Free-space writing enables interconnections of stacked modules separated by an arbitrary distance, leading to ultimate integration of electronics. We have developed a free-space method for nanometer-scale wiring on the basis of manipulating a metallic nanotip while applying a bias voltage without radiative heating, lithography, etching, or electrodeposition. The method is capable of fabricating wires with widths as low as 1–6 nm and lengths exceeding 200 nm with a breakdown current density of 8 TA/m2. Structural evolution and conduction during wire formation were analyzed by direct atomistic visualization using in situ high-resolution transmission electron microscopy.
Epigenetic and genetic variation at SKA2 predict suicidal behavior and post-traumatic stress disorder
Authors: Kaminsky Z , Wilcox H C , Eaton W W , Van Eck K , Kilaru V , Jovanovic T , Klengel T , Bradley B , Binder E B , Ressler K J , Smith A K 
Published: August 2015

AbstractTraumatic stress results in hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis abnormalities and an increased risk to both suicidal behaviors and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previous work out of our laboratory identified SKA2 DNA methylation associations with suicidal behavior in the blood and brain of multiple cohorts. Interaction of SKA2 with stress predicted suicidal behavior with ~80% accuracy. SKA2 is hypothesized to reduce the ability to suppress cortisol following stress, which is of potentially high relevance in traumatized populations. Our objective was to investigate the interaction of SKA2 and trauma exposure on HPA axis function, suicide attempt and PTSD. SKA2 DNA methylation at Illumina HM450 probe cg13989295 was assessed for association with suicidal behavior and PTSD metrics in the context of Child Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) scores in 421 blood and 61 saliva samples from the Grady Trauma Project (GTP) cohort. Dexamethasone suppression test (DST) data were evaluated for a subset of 209 GTP subjects. SKA2 methylation interacted with CTQ scores to predict lifetime suicide attempt in saliva and blood with areas under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUCs) of 0.76 and 0.73 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.6–0.92, P=0.003, and CI: 0.65–0.78, P<0.0001) and to mediate the suppression of cortisol following DST (β=0.5±0.19, F=1.51, degrees of freedom (df)=12/167, P=0.0096). Cumulatively, the data suggest that epigenetic variation at SKA2 mediates vulnerability to suicidal behaviors and PTSD through dysregulation of the HPA axis in response to stress.
Apoptotic markers in cultured fibroblasts correlate with brain metabolites and regional brain volume in antipsychotic-naive first-episode schizophrenia and healthy controls
Authors: Batalla A , Bargalló N , Gassó P , Molina O , Pareto D , Mas S , Roca J M , Bernardo M , Lafuente A , Parellada E 
Published: August 2015

AbstractCultured fibroblasts from first-episode schizophrenia patients (FES) have shown increased susceptibility to apoptosis, which may be related to glutamate dysfunction and progressive neuroanatomical changes. Here we determine whether apoptotic markers obtained from cultured fibroblasts in FES and controls correlate with changes in brain glutamate and N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and regional brain volumes. Eleven antipsychotic-naive FES and seven age- and gender-matched controls underwent 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging scanning. Glutamate plus glutamine (Glx) and NAA levels were measured in the anterior cingulate (AC) and the left thalamus (LT). Hallmarks of apoptotic susceptibility (caspase-3-baseline activity, phosphatidylserine externalization and chromatin condensation) were measured in fibroblast cultures obtained from skin biopsies after inducing apoptosis with staurosporine (STS) at doses of 0.25 and 0.5 μM. Apoptotic biomarkers were correlated to brain metabolites and regional brain volume. FES and controls showed a negative correlation in the AC between Glx levels and percentages of cells with condensed chromatin (CC) after both apoptosis inductions (STS 0.5 μM: r=−0.90; P=0.001; STS 0.25 μM: r=−0.73; P=0.003), and between NAA and cells with CC (STS 0.5 μM induction r=−0.76; P=0.002; STS 0.25 μMr=−0.62; P=0.01). In addition, we found a negative correlation between percentages of cells with CC and regional brain volume in the right supratemporal cortex and post-central region (STS 0.25 and 0.5 μM; P<0.05 family-wise error corrected (FWEc)). We reveal for the first time that peripheral markers of apoptotic susceptibility may correlate with brain metabolites, Glx and NAA, and regional brain volume in FES and controls, which is consistent with the neuroprogressive theories around the onset of the schizophrenia illness.
High‐step‐up single‐switch DC–DC converter with low voltage spike
Authors: Hwu Kuo‐Ing , Jiang Wen‐Zhuang , Yang Li‐Ching 
Published: August 2015

DC–DC converters using coupled inductors have been developed for many years. However, to prevent the high voltage spikes across main switches and diodes, the leakage inductance energy recycling will be an important issue. Consequently, a high‐step‐up single‐switch DC–DC converter with low voltage stress is presented herein. The proposed converter integrates a coupled inductor and switched capacitors not only to realise a high voltage gain but also to recycle the leakage inductance energy. Accordingly, the voltage spikes on the switch and diodes can be clamped at some values as low as possible. Moreover, similar to the traditional boost converter, the source terminal of the MOSFET is connected to the ground. Therefore, no isolated driver is required. Eventually, the detailed analysis of the proposed converter and an experimental prototype with 12 V input voltage, 200 V output voltage and 100 W output power are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed converter.
Electromagnetic interference noise suppression of writing/reading flash memory with multiple‐execution control program
Authors: Lin Han‐Nien , Kuo Chung‐Wei , Chen Hung‐Chi 
Published: August 2015

Currently flash memory is widely used for data storage of mobile communication and automobile electronics. In this study the control program of multiple‐execution has been designed to suppress the components and level of electromagnetic interference (EMI) noise generated during the data writing/reading of flash memory. The method designed by us can reduce the EMI noise levels of writing and reading operations by 4.39 dB and 2.91 dB respectively, while reducing the EMI noise components by 58.3% and 54.5% respectively, such that the noise interference by flash memory can be effectively reduced when it is used for various electronic devices. Especially for the automobile electronic systems, where the reduction of EMI noise interference can assure driving safety, and the reception sensitivity can be enhanced by suppressing the interference of RF module resulted from platform noise.
An architecture for encoding sentence meaning in left mid-superior temporal cortex
Authors: Frankland Steven M. , Greene Joshua D. 
Published: August 2015

Significance
The 18th-century Prussian philosopher Wilhelm von Humbolt famously noted that natural language makes “infinite use of finite means.” By this, he meant that language deploys a finite set of words to express an effectively infinite set of ideas. As the seat of both language and thought, the human brain must be capable of rapidly encoding the multitude of thoughts that a sentence could convey. How does this work? Here, we find evidence supporting a long-standing conjecture of cognitive science: that the human brain encodes the meanings of simple sentences much like a computer, with distinct neural populations representing answers to basic questions of meaning such as “Who did it?” and “To whom was it done?”
Neural coding underlying the cue preference for celestial orientation
Authors: el Jundi Basil , Warrant Eric J. , Byrne Marcus J. , Khaldy Lana , Baird Emily , Smolka Jochen , Dacke Marie 
Published: August 2015

Significance
Many animals use the sun or moon and the polarization pattern for navigation. We combined behavioral experiments with physiological measurements of brain activity to reveal which celestial cue dominates the orientation compass of diurnal and nocturnal dung beetles. The preference found behaviorally precisely matches the preference encoded neurally and shows how the brain dynamically controls the cue preference for orientation at different levels: The sun or moon always dominates the orientation behavior and neural tuning of diurnal beetles, whereas in nocturnal beetles, celestial bodies dominate tuning only in bright light, with a switch to polarized light at night. This flexible neural tuning in the nocturnal species provides a simple mechanism that allows it to use the most reliable available orientation cue.
Telomerase RNA stem terminus element affects template boundary element function, telomere sequence, and shelterin binding
Authors: Webb Christopher J. , Zakian Virginia A. 
Published: August 2015

Significance
We demonstrate that the fission yeast telomerase RNA has a stem terminus element (STE) that it is essential for telomerase action in vivo and in vitro. Using a partial loss-of-function STE allele, we show that the STE is required for wild-type telomeric sequence. This is the first example, to our knowledge, of a sequence that is not part of the telomerase RNA core region that affects the sequence of telomeric DNA. Because mutating the STE has the same phenotypes as mutating the template boundary element (TBE), the STE promotes TBE function. The association of two sequence-specific telomere binding proteins is impaired in the STE mutant. Thus, the STE is critical to assemble the normal sequence and chromatin structure of fission yeast telomeres.
Genome-wide RNAi screening identifies host restriction factors critical for in vivo AAV transduction
Authors: Mano Miguel , Ippodrino Rudy , Zentilin Lorena , Zacchigna Serena , Giacca Mauro 
Published: August 2015

Significance
Viral vectors based on the adeno-associated virus (AAV) are at the forefront of human gene therapy; yet, the molecular biology of these vectors is largely unexplored. The aim of this work was to unravel, in a systematic manner, the effect of the individual knockdown of over 18,000 human genes on the efficiency of AAV-mediated transduction. The results obtained connect AAV biology to the processing of cellular DNA damage and pave the way to practical applications to improve therapeutic gene transfer.