bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neuromodulation accompanying focused ultrasound-induced blood-brain barrier opening
Authors: Chu Po-Chun , Liu Hao-Li , Lai Hsin-Yi , Lin Chung-Yin , Tsai Hong-Chieh , Pei Yu-Cheng 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBurst-mode focused ultrasound (FUS) induces microbubble cavitation in the vasculature and temporarily disrupts the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to enable therapeutic agent delivery. However, it remains unclear whether FUS-induced BBB opening is accompanied by neuromodulation. Here we characterized the functional effects of FUS-induced BBB opening by measuring changes in somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) and blood-oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) responses. Rats underwent burst-mode FUS (mechanical index (MI) of 0.3, 0.55 or 0.8) to the forelimb region in the left primary somatosensory cortex to induce BBB opening. Longitudinal measurements were followed for up to 1 week to characterize the temporal dynamics of neuromodulation. We observed that 0.8-MI FUS profoundly suppressed SSEP amplitude and prolonged latency and this effect lasted 7 days. 0.55-MI FUS resulted in minimal and short-term suppression of SSEP for less than 60 minutes and didn’t affect latency. BOLD responses were also suppressed in an MI-dependent manner, mirroring the effect on SSEPs. Furthermore, repetitive delivery of 0.55-MI FUS every 3 days elicited no accumulative effects on SSEPs or tissue integrity. This is the first evidence that FUS-induced BBB opening is accompanied by reversible changes in neuron responses and may provide valuable insight toward the development of FUS-induced BBB opening for clinical applications.
Biplot evaluation of test environments and identification of mega-environment for sugarcane cultivars in China
Authors: Luo Jun , Pan Yong-Bao , Que Youxiong , Zhang Hua , Grisham Michael Paul , Xu Liping 
Published: October 2015

AbstractTest environments and classification of regional ecological zones into mega environments are the two key components in regional testing of sugarcane cultivars. This study aims to provide the theoretical basis for test environment evaluation and ecological zone division for sugarcane cultivars. In the present study, sugarcane yield data from a three-year nationwide field trial involving 21 cultivars and 14 pilot test locations were analysed using both analysis of variance (ANOVA) and heritability adjusted-genotype main effect plus genotype-environment interaction (HA-GGE) biplot. The results showed that among the interactive factors, the GE interaction had the greatest impact, while the genotype and year interaction showed the lowest impact. Kaiyuan, Lincang and Baoshan of Yunnan, Zhangzhou and Fuzhou of Fujian and Hechi, Liuzhou and Chongzuo of Guangxi and Lingao of Hainan were ideal test environments with a demonstrated high efficiency in selecting new cultivars with a wide adaptability, whereas Baise of Guangxi was not. Based on HA-GGE biplot analysis, there are three ecological sugarcane production zones in China, the Southern China Inland Zone, the Southwestern Plateau Zone and the Southern Coastal Zone. The HA-GGE biplot analysis here presents the ideal test environments and also identifies the mega-environment for sugarcane cultivars in China.
Principal nonlinear dynamical modes of climate variability
Authors: Mukhin Dmitry , Gavrilov Andrey , Feigin Alexander , Loskutov Evgeny , Kurths Juergen 
Published: October 2015

AbstractWe suggest a new nonlinear expansion of space-distributed observational time series. The expansion allows constructing principal nonlinear manifolds holding essential part of observed variability. It yields low-dimensional hidden time series interpreted as internal modes driving observed multivariate dynamics as well as their mapping to a geographic grid. Bayesian optimality is used for selecting relevant structure of nonlinear transformation, including both the number of principal modes and degree of nonlinearity. Furthermore, the optimal characteristic time scale of the reconstructed modes is also found. The technique is applied to monthly sea surface temperature (SST) time series having a duration of 33 years and covering the globe. Three dominant nonlinear modes were extracted from the time series: the first efficiently separates the annual cycle, the second is responsible for ENSO variability and combinations of the second and the third modes explain substantial parts of Pacific and Atlantic dynamics. A relation of the obtained modes to decadal natural climate variability including current hiatus in global warming is exhibited and discussed.
Fluorine doping: a feasible solution to enhancing the conductivity of high-resistance wide bandgap Mg0.51Zn0.49O active components
Authors: Liu Lishu , Mei Zengxia , Hou Yaonan , Liang Huili , Azarov Alexander , Venkatachalapathy Vishnukanthan , Kuznetsov Andrej , Du Xiaolong 
Published: October 2015

AbstractN-type doping of high-resistance wide bandgap semiconductors, wurtzite high-Mg-content MgxZn1–xO for instance, has always been a fundamental application-motivated research issue. Herein, we report a solution to enhancing the conductivity of high-resistance Mg0.51Zn0.49O active components, which has been reliably achieved by fluorine doping via radio-frequency plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxial growth. Fluorine dopants were demonstrated to be effective donors in Mg0.51Zn0.49O single crystal film having a solar-blind 4.43 eV bandgap, with an average concentration of 1.0 × 1019 F/cm3.The dramatically increased carrier concentration (2.85 × 1017 cm−3 vs ~1014 cm−3) and decreased resistivity (129 Ω · cm vs ~106 Ω cm) indicate that the electrical properties of semi-insulating Mg0.51Zn0.49O film can be delicately regulated by F doping. Interestingly, two donor levels (17 meV and 74 meV) associated with F were revealed by temperature-dependent Hall measurements. A Schottky type metal-semiconductor-metal ultraviolet photodetector manifests a remarkably enhanced photocurrent, two orders of magnitude higher than that of the undoped counterpart. The responsivity is greatly enhanced from 0.34 mA/W to 52 mA/W under 10 V bias. The detectivity increases from 1.89 × 109 cm Hz1/2/W to 3.58 × 1010 cm Hz1/2/W under 10 V bias at room temperature.These results exhibit F doping serves as a promising pathway for improving the performance of high-Mg-content MgxZn1-xO-based devices.
Sculpting the band gap: a computational approach
Authors: Prasai Kiran , Biswas Parthapratim , Drabold D. A. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractMaterials with optimized band gap are needed in many specialized applications. In this work, we demonstrate that Hellmann-Feynman forces associated with the gap states can be used to find atomic coordinates that yield desired electronic density of states. Using tight-binding models, we show that this approach may be used to arrive at electronically designed models of amorphous silicon and carbon. We provide a simple recipe to include a priori electronic information in the formation of computer models of materials and prove that this information may have profound structural consequences. The models are validated with plane-wave density functional calculations.
Biconnectivity of the cellular metabolism: A cross-species study and its implication for human diseases
Authors: Kim P. , Lee D.-S. , Kahng B. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe maintenance of stability during perturbations is essential for living organisms and cellular networks organize multiple pathways to enable elements to remain connected and communicate, even when some pathways are broken. Here, we evaluated the biconnectivity of the metabolic networks of 506 species in terms of the clustering coefficients and the largest biconnected components (LBCs), wherein a biconnected component (BC) indicates a set of nodes in which every pair is connected by more than one path. Via comparison with the rewired networks, we illustrated how biconnectivity in cellular metabolism is achieved on small and large scales. Defining the biconnectivity of individual metabolic compounds by counting the number of species in which the compound belonged to the LBC, we demonstrated that biconnectivity is significantly correlated with the evolutionary age and functional importance of a compound. The prevalence of diseases associated with each metabolic compound quantifies the compounds vulnerability, i.e., the likelihood that it will cause a metabolic disorder. Moreover, the vulnerability depends on both the biconnectivity and the lethality of the compound. This fact can be used in drug discovery and medical treatments.
High-level production of violacein by the newly isolated Duganella violaceinigra str. NI28 and its impact on Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Choi Seong Yeol , Kim Sooyeon , Lyuck Sungsoo , Kim Seung Bum , Mitchell Robert J. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractA violacein-producing bacterial strain was isolated and identified as a relative of Duganella violaceinigra YIM 31327 based upon phylogenetic analyses using the 16S rRNA, gyrB and vioA gene sequences and a fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis. This new strain was designated D. violaceinigra str. NI28. Although these two strains appear related based upon these analyses, the new isolate was phenotypically different from the type strain as it grew 25% faster on nutrient media and produced 45-fold more violacein. When compared with several other violacein producing strains, including Janthinobacterium lividum, D. violaceinigra str. NI28 was the best violacein producer. For instance, the crude violacein yield with D. violaceinigra str. NI28 was 6.0 mg/OD at 24 hours, a value that was more than two-fold higher than all the other strains. Finally, the antibacterial activity of D. violaceinigra str. NI28 crude violacein was assayed using several multidrug resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Addition of 30 μM crude violacein led to a 96% loss in the initial S. aureus population while the minimum inhibitory concentration was 1.8 μM. Consequently, this novel isolate represents a phenotypic variant of D. violaceinigra capable of producing much greater quantities of crude violacein, an antibiotic effective against multidrug resistant S. aureus.
Are invasive plants more competitive than native conspecifics? Patterns vary with competitors
Authors: Zheng Yulong , Feng Yulong , Valiente-Banuet Alfonso , Li Yangping , Liao Zhiyong , Zhang Jiaolin , Chen Yajun 
Published: October 2015

AbstractInvasive plants are sometimes considered to be more competitive than their native conspecifics, according to the prediction that the invader reallocates resources from defense to growth due to liberation of natural enemies [‘Evolution of Increased Competitive Ability’ (EICA) hypothesis]. However, the differences in competitive ability may depend on the identity of competitors. In order to test the effects of competitors, Ageratina adenophora plants from both native and invasive ranges competed directly and competed with native residents from both invasive (China) and native (Mexico) ranges respectively. Invasive A. adenophora plants were more competitive than their conspecifics from native populations when competing with natives from China (interspecific competition), but not when competing with natives from Mexico. Invasive A. adenophora plants also showed higher competitive ability when grown in high-density monoculture communities of plants from the same population (intrapopulation competition). In contrast, invasive A. adenophora plants showed lower competitive ability when competing with plants from native populations (intraspecific competition). Our results indicated that in the invasive range A. adenophora has evolved to effectively cope with co-occurring natives and high density environments, contributing to invasion success. Here, we showed the significant effects of competitors, which should be considered carefully when testing the EICA hypothesis.
Auditory Sensory Substitution is Intuitive and Automatic with Texture Stimuli
Authors: Stiles Noelle R. B. , Shimojo Shinsuke 
Published: October 2015

AbstractMillions of people are blind worldwide. Sensory substitution (SS) devices (e.g., vOICe) can assist the blind by encoding a video stream into a sound pattern, recruiting visual brain areas for auditory analysis via crossmodal interactions and plasticity. SS devices often require extensive training to attain limited functionality. In contrast to conventional attention-intensive SS training that starts with visual primitives (e.g., geometrical shapes), we argue that sensory substitution can be engaged efficiently by using stimuli (such as textures) associated with intrinsic crossmodal mappings. Crossmodal mappings link images with sounds and tactile patterns. We show that intuitive SS sounds can be matched to the correct images by naive sighted participants just as well as by intensively-trained participants. This result indicates that existing crossmodal interactions and amodal sensory cortical processing may be as important in the interpretation of patterns by SS as crossmodal plasticity (e.g., the strengthening of existing connections or the formation of new ones), especially at the earlier stages of SS usage. An SS training procedure based on crossmodal mappings could both considerably improve participant performance and shorten training times, thereby enabling SS devices to significantly expand blind capabilities.
Programmable gradational micropatterning of functional materials using maskless lithography controlling absorption
Authors: Jung Yushin , Lee Howon , Park Tae-Joon , Kim Sungsik , Kwon Sunghoon 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe demand for patterning functional materials precisely on surfaces of stimuli-responsive devices has increased in many research fields. In situ polymerization technology is one of the most convenient ways to place the functional materials on a desired location with micron-scale accuracy. To fabricate stimuli-responsive surfaces, controlling concentration of the functional material is much as important as micropatterning them. However, patterning and controlling concentration of the functional materials simultaneously requires an additional process, such as preparing multiple co-flow microfluidic structures and numbers of solutions with various concentrations. Despite applying these processes, fabricating heterogeneous patterns in large scale (millimeter scale) is still impossible. In this study, we propose an advanced in situ polymerization technique to pattern the surface in micron scale in a concentration-controlled manner. Because the concentration of the functional materials is manipulated by self-assembly on the surface, a complex pattern could be easily fabricated without any additional procedure. The complex pattern is pre-designed with absorption amount of the functional material, which is pre-determined by the duration of UV exposure. We show that the resolution reaches up to 2.5 μm and demonstrate mm-scale objects, maintaining the same resolution. We also fabricated Multi-bit barcoded micro particles verify the flexibility of our system.
Engineering a pyridoxal 5’-phosphate supply for cadaverine production by using Escherichia coli whole-cell biocatalysis
Authors: Ma Weichao , Cao Weijia , Zhang Bowen , Chen Kequan , Liu Quanzhen , Li Yan , Ouyang Pingkai 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAlthough the routes of de novo pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) biosynthesis have been well described, studies of the engineering of an intracellular PLP supply are limited and the effects of cellular PLP levels on PLP-dependent enzyme-based whole-cell biocatalyst activity have not been described. To investigate the effects of PLP cofactor availability on whole-cell biocatalysis, the ribose 5-phosphate (R5P)-dependent pathway genes pdxS and pdxT of Bacillus subtilis were introduced into the lysine decarboxylase (CadA)-overexpressing Escherichia coli strain BL-CadA. This strain was then used as a whole-cell biocatalyst for cadaverine production from L-lysine. Co-expression strategies were evaluated and the culture medium was optimised to improve the biocatalyst performance. As a result, the intracellular PLP concentration reached 1144 nmol/gDCW and a specific cadaverine productivity of 25 g/gDCW/h was achieved; these values were 2.4-fold and 2.9-fold higher than those of unmodified BL-CadA, respectively. Additionally, the resulting strain AST3 showed a cadaverine titre (p = 0.143, α = 0.05) similar to that of the BL-CadA strain with the addition of 0.1 mM PLP. These approaches for improving intracellular PLP levels to enhance whole-cell lysine bioconversion activity show great promise for the engineering of a PLP cofactor to optimise whole-cell biocatalysis.
MR diffusion-weighted imaging-based subcutaneous tumour volumetry in a xenografted nude mouse model using 3D Slicer: an accurate and repeatable method
Authors: Ma Zelan , Chen Xin , Huang Yanqi , He Lan , Liang Cuishan , Liang Changhong , Liu Zaiyi 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAccurate and repeatable measurement of the gross tumour volume(GTV) of subcutaneous xenografts is crucial in the evaluation of anti-tumour therapy. Formula and image-based manual segmentation methods are commonly used for GTV measurement but are hindered by low accuracy and reproducibility. 3D Slicer is open-source software that provides semiautomatic segmentation for GTV measurements. In our study, subcutaneous GTVs from nude mouse xenografts were measured by semiautomatic segmentation with 3D Slicer based on morphological magnetic resonance imaging(mMRI) or diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI)(b = 0,20,800 s/mm2) . These GTVs were then compared with those obtained via the formula and image-based manual segmentation methods with ITK software using the true tumour volume as the standard reference. The effects of tumour size and shape on GTVs measurements were also investigated. Our results showed that, when compared with the true tumour volume, segmentation for DWI(P = 0.060–0.671) resulted in better accuracy than that mMRI(P < 0.001) and the formula method(P < 0.001). Furthermore, semiautomatic segmentation for DWI(intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC = 0.9999) resulted in higher reliability than manual segmentation(ICC = 0.9996–0.9998). Tumour size and shape had no effects on GTV measurement across all methods. Therefore, DWI-based semiautomatic segmentation, which is accurate and reproducible and also provides biological information, is the optimal GTV measurement method in the assessment of anti-tumour treatments.
Runx2 contributes to the regenerative potential of the mammary epithelium
Authors: Ferrari Nicola , Riggio Alessandra I. , Mason Susan , McDonald Laura , King Ayala , Higgins Theresa , Rosewell Ian , Neil James C. , Smalley Matthew J. , Sansom Owen J. , Morris Joanna , Cameron Ewan R. , Blyth Karen 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAlthough best known for its role in bone development and associated structures the transcription factor RUNX2 is expressed in a wide range of lineages, including those of the mammary gland. Previous studies have indicated that Runx2 can regulate aspects of mammary cell function and influence the properties of cancer cells. In this study we investigate the role of Runx2 in the mammary stem/progenitor population and its relationship with WNT signalling. Results show that RUNX2 protein is differentially expressed throughout embryonic and adult development of the murine mammary gland with high levels of expression in mammary stem-cell enriched cultures. Importantly, functional analysis reveals a role for Runx2 in mammary stem/progenitor cell function in in vitro and in vivo regenerative assays. Furthermore, RUNX2 appears to be associated with WNT signalling in the mammary epithelium and is specifically upregulated in mouse models of WNT-driven breast cancer. Overall our studies reveal a novel function for Runx2 in regulating mammary epithelial cell regenerative potential, possibly acting as a downstream target of WNT signalling.
Gene Expression Profiling Identifies Interferon Signalling Molecules and IGFBP3 in Human Degenerative Annulus Fibrosus
Authors: Kazezian Zepur , Gawri Rahul , Haglund Lisbet , Ouellet Jean , Mwale Fackson , Tarrant Finbarr , O’Gaora Peadar , Pandit Abhay , Alini Mauro , Grad Sibylle 
Published: October 2015

AbstractLow back pain is a major cause of disability especially for people between 20 and 50 years of age. As a costly healthcare problem, it imposes a serious socio-economic burden. Current surgical therapies fail to replace the normal disc in facilitating spinal movements and absorbing load. The focus of regenerative medicine is on identifying biomarkers and signalling pathways to improve our understanding about cascades of disc degeneration and allow for the design of specific therapies. We hypothesized that comparing microarray profiles from degenerative and non-degenerative discs will lead to the identification of dysregulated signalling and pathophysiological targets. Microarray data sets were generated from human annulus fibrosus cells and analysed using IPA ingenuity pathway analysis. Gene expression values were validated by qRT-PCR and respective proteins were identified by immunohistochemistry. Microarray analysis revealed 238 differentially expressed genes in the degenerative annulus fibrosus. Seventeen of the dysregulated molecular markers showed log2-fold changes greater than ±1.5. Various dysregulated cellular functions, including cell proliferation and inflammatory response, were identified. The most significant canonical pathway induced in degenerative annulus fibrosus was found to be the interferon pathway. This study indicates interferon-alpha signalling pathway activation with IFIT3 and IGFBP3 up-regulation, which may affect cellular function in human degenerative disc.
Distortionless segmentation image fusion and coordinate system transformation for 3D scene reconstruction on fibre‐to‐chip coupling
Authors: Liu Xu , Sun Xiaohan 
Published: October 2015

A three‐dimensional (3D) scene of fibre‐to‐chip coupling is reconstructed from three captured 2D graphics in which coordinate system transformation and distortionless segmentation image fusion algorithm are presented to visually guide precise alignment and nanopositioning procedures based on the established single lens photometric machine vision system. As an instance, the 3D scene on wedge‐shaped fibre (WSF) coupling with indium phosphide (InP) photonic integrated circuit (PIC) chip is demonstrated, where the wedged angle is calculated to be 46.5°, differing from the nominal value of 45° with the error <3.5%, and for the longitudinal displacement, the computation of 94 μm has the error within 7% compared with the measurement of 88 μm. Under the guidance of 3D scene reconstruction on WSF‐InP PIC, the coupling efficiency is 2 dB higher than that without such stereoscopic image.
Dispersion insensitive demodulation using spectral symmetry of real‐valued signals
Authors: Yoshida M. , Yonenaga K. , Hirano A. 
Published: October 2015

A chromatic dispersion insensitive demodulation for real‐valued signals (e.g. binary shift keying and 4 amplitude shift keying) is proposed. This method utilises the symmetric spectrum of the signals and can be implemented simply in feed‐forward manner. Its feasibility is confirmed by simulations and experiments.
Poly‐Si TFTs with bottom‐gate structure using excimer laser crystallisation for AMOLED displays
Authors: Oh K. , Yang S. , Lee J. , Park K. , Sung M.Y. 
Published: October 2015

An n‐type polycrystalline silicon thin‐film transistor (poly‐Si TFT) with a bottom‐gate structure using excimer laser annealing (ELA) for active matrix organic light‐emitting diode displays is proposed. A problem with bottom‐gate poly‐Si TFTs (BGPs) using ELA, namely, the disconnection of poly‐Si at the boundary of the gate metal during the ELA crystallisation, was solved by developing a novel process to control the slope of the gate metal. We realised ELA BGPs with pure‐Mo gate having a thickness of more than 150 nm. The BGPs have better breakdown voltage characteristics compared with the conventional top‐gate poly‐Si TFTs because of its flat channel region and homogeneous electric field distribution in the gate insulator.