bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Representation of the Numerosity ‘zero’ in the Parietal Cortex of the Monkey
Authors: Okuyama Sumito , Kuki Toshinobu , Mushiake Hajime 
Published: May 2015

AbstractZero is a fundamental concept in mathematics and modern science. Empty sets are considered a precursor of the concept of numerosity zero and a part of numerical continuum. How is numerosity zero (the absence of visual items) represented in the primate cortex? To address this question, we trained monkeys to perform numerical operations including numerosity zero. Here we show a group of neurons in the posterior parietal cortex of the monkey activated in response to numerosity ‘zero’. ‘Zero’ neurons are classified into exclusive and continuous types; the exclusive type discretely encodes numerical absence and the continuous type encodes numerical absence as a part of a numerical continuum. “Numerosity-zero” neurons enhance behavioral discrimination of not only zero numerosity but also non-zero numerosities. Representation of numerosity zero in the parietal cortex may be a precursor of non-verbal concept of zero in primates.
ASIC-dependent LTP at multiple glutamatergic synapses in amygdala network is required for fear memory
Authors: Chiang Po-Han , Chien Ta-Chun , Chen Chih-Cheng , Yanagawa Yuchio , Lien Cheng-Chang 
Published: May 2015

AbstractGenetic variants in the human ortholog of acid-sensing ion channel-1a subunit (ASIC1a) gene are associated with panic disorder and amygdala dysfunction. Both fear learning and activity-induced long-term potentiation (LTP) of cortico-basolateral amygdala (BLA) synapses are impaired in ASIC1a-null mice, suggesting a critical role of ASICs in fear memory formation. In this study, we found that ASICs were differentially expressed within the amygdala neuronal population and the extent of LTP at various glutamatergic synapses correlated with the level of ASIC expression in postsynaptic neurons. Importantly, selective deletion of ASIC1a in GABAergic cells, including amygdala output neurons, eliminated LTP in these cells and reduced fear learning to the same extent as that found when ASIC1a was selectively abolished in BLA glutamatergic neurons. Thus, fear learning requires ASIC-dependent LTP at multiple amygdala synapses, including both cortico-BLA input synapses and intra-amygdala synapses on output neurons.
Land use change influences soil C, N and P stoichiometry under ‘Grain-to-Green Program’ in China
Authors: Fazhu Zhao , Jiao Sun , Chengjie Ren , Di Kang , Jian Deng , Xinhui Han , Gaihe Yang , Yongzhong Feng , Guangxin Ren 
Published: May 2015

AbstractChanges in land use might affect the combined C, N and P stoichiometry in soil. The Grain-to-Green Program (GTGP), which converts low-yield croplands or abandoned lands into forest, shrub, and/or grassland, was the largest land reforestation project in China. This study collected the reported C, N and P contents of soil in GTGP zones to achieve the factors driving the changes in the C:N, C:P and N:P values. The results showed that the annual average precipitation exerted significant effects on the C:P value and on the N:P value became significant 20 years after the change in land use. The annual average temperature was the main factor affecting the C:N value during the first 10 years, while the annual average precipitation strongly affected this value afterwards. In addition, “Redfield-like” interactions between C, N and P in the soil may exist. A linear regression revealed significant positive correlations between the C:N, C:P and N:P values and the restoration age, temperature and precipitation after a change in land use. Therefore large-scale changes in land use under the ‘GTGP’ program might significantly affect the C:N, C:P and N:P ratios in soil.
Longitudinal in vivo evaluation of bone regeneration by combined measurement of multi-pinhole SPECT and micro-CT for tissue engineering
Authors: Lienemann Philipp S. , Metzger Stéphanie , Kiveliö Anna-Sofia , Blanc Alain , Papageorgiou Panagiota , Astolfo Alberto , Pinzer Bernd R. , Cinelli Paolo , Weber Franz E. , Schibli Roger , Béhé Martin , Ehrbar Martin 
Published: May 2015

AbstractOver the last decades, great strides were made in the development of novel implants for the treatment of bone defects. The increasing versatility and complexity of these implant designs request for concurrent advances in means to assess in vivo the course of induced bone formation in preclinical models. Since its discovery, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) has excelled as powerful high-resolution technique for non-invasive assessment of newly formed bone tissue. However, micro-CT fails to provide spatiotemporal information on biological processes ongoing during bone regeneration. Conversely, due to the versatile applicability and cost-effectiveness, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) would be an ideal technique for assessing such biological processes with high sensitivity and for nuclear imaging comparably high resolution (<1 mm). Herein, we employ modular designed poly(ethylene glycol)-based hydrogels that release bone morphogenetic protein to guide the healing of critical sized calvarial bone defects. By combined in vivo longitudinal multi-pinhole SPECT and micro-CT evaluations we determine the spatiotemporal course of bone formation and remodeling within this synthetic hydrogel implant. End point evaluations by high resolution micro-CT and histological evaluation confirm the value of this approach to follow and optimize bone-inducing biomaterials.
An embryo of protocells: The capsule of graphene with selective ion channels
Authors: Li Zhan , Wang Chunmei , Tian Longlong , Bai Jing , Yao Huijun , Zhao Yang , Zhang Xin , Cao Shiwei , Qi Wei , Wang Suomin , Shi Keliang , Xu Youwen , Mingliang Zhang , Liu Bo , Qiu Hongdeng , Liu Jie , Wu Wangsuo , Wang Xiaoli , Wenzhen An 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe synthesis of artificial cell is a route for searching the origin of protocell. Here, we create a novel cell model of graphene capsules with selective ion channels, indicating that graphene might be an embryo of protocell membrane. Firstly, we found that the highly oxidized graphene and phospholipid-graphene oxide composite would curl into capsules under a strongly acidic saturated solution of heavy metallic salt solution at low temperature. Secondly, L-amino acids exhibited higher reactivity than D-amino acids on graphene oxides to form peptides and the formed peptides in the influence of graphene would be transformed into a secondary structure, promoting the formation of left-handed proteins. Lastly, monolayer nanoporous graphene, prepared by unfocused 84Kr25+, has a high selectivity for permeation of the monovalent metal ions ( Rb+ > K+ > Cs+ > Na+ > Li+, based on permeation concentration), but does not allow Cl- go through. It is similar to K+ channels, which would cause an influx of K+ into capsule of graphene with the increase of pH in the primitive ocean, creating a suitable inner condition for the origin of life. Therefore, we built a model cell of graphene, which would provide a route for reproducing the origin of life.
Digital Ecology: Coexistence and Domination among Interacting Networks
Authors: Kleineberg Kaj-Kolja , Boguñá Marián 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe overwhelming success of Web 2.0, within which online social networks are key actors, has induced a paradigm shift in the nature of human interactions. The user-driven character of Web 2.0 services has allowed researchers to quantify large-scale social patterns for the first time. However, the mechanisms that determine the fate of networks at the system level are still poorly understood. For instance, the simultaneous existence of multiple digital services naturally raises questions concerning which conditions these services can coexist under. Analogously to the case of population dynamics, the digital world forms a complex ecosystem of interacting networks. The fitness of each network depends on its capacity to attract and maintain users’ attention, which constitutes a limited resource. In this paper, we introduce an ecological theory of the digital world which exhibits stable coexistence of several networks as well as the dominance of an individual one, in contrast to the competitive exclusion principle. Interestingly, our theory also predicts that the most probable outcome is the coexistence of a moderate number of services, in agreement with empirical observations.
Intrathecal curcumin attenuates pain hypersensitivity and decreases spinal neuroinflammation in rat model of monoarthritis
Authors: Chen Jun-Jie , Dai Lin , Zhao Lin-Xia , Zhu Xiang , Cao Su , Gao Yong-Jing 
Published: May 2015

AbstractCurcumin is a major component of turmeric and reportedly has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. Neuroinflammation has been recognized to play an important role in the pathogenesis of various diseases in the central nervous system. Here we investigated the anti-nociceptive and anti-neuroinflammatory effect of curcumin on arthritic pain in rats. We found that repeated oral treatment with curcumin, either before or after complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) injection, dose-dependently attenuated CFA-induced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia, but had no effect on joint edema. Repeated intrathecal injection of curcumin reversed CFA-induced pain hypersensitivity. Furthermore, such a curcumin treatment reduced CFA-induced activation of glial cells and production of inflammatory mediators [interleukin-1β (IL-1β), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and monocyte inflammatory protein-1 (MIP-1α)] in the spinal cord. Curcumin also decreased lipopolysaccharide-induced production of IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, MCP-1 and MIP-1α in cultured astrocytes and microglia. Our results suggest that intrathecal curcumin attenuates arthritic pain by inhibiting glial activation and the production of inflammatory mediators in the spinal cord, suggesting a new application of curcumin for the treatment of arthritic pain.
Pre-diagnostic cruciferous vegetables intake and lung cancer survival among Chinese women
Authors: Wu Qi-Jun , Yang Gong , Zheng Wei , Li Hong-Lan , Gao Jing , Wang Jing , Gao Yu-Tang , Shu Xiao-Ou , Xiang Yong-Bing 
Published: May 2015

AbstractNo study to date has prospectively evaluated the association between pre-diagnostic cruciferous vegetables intake and lung cancer survival among women. This analysis included 547 incident lung cancer cases identified from the Shanghai Women’s Health Study (SWHS) during the follow-up period of 1997-2011. Dietary intake was assessed for all SWHS participants at enrollment and reassessed 2-3 years later. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) with adjustment for potential confounders. Of the 547 lung cancer patients, 412 patients died during the follow-up. A total of 393 (95.4%) deaths from lung cancer were documented with median survival time of 10.3 months (interquartile range, 3.6-21.1 months). High cruciferous vegetables intake was significantly associated with improved lung cancer-specific survival after adjusting for all nonclinical prognostic factors (n = 547, HR = 0.69; 95%CI = 0.49-0.95;Ptrend = 0.02) for the highestversuslowest quartile. A slightly stronger association of cruciferous vegetables intake with lung cancer-specific survival was observed in analyses restricted to patients with known clinical prognostic factors (n = 331, HR = 0.63; 95%CI = 0.41-0.97;Ptrend = 0.03) or never smokers (n = 308, HR = 0.58; 95%CI = 0.37-0.91;Ptrend = 0.02). In conclusion, pre-diagnostic cruciferous vegetables intake is associated with better survival of lung cancer in Chinese women.
Effect of Surface States on Terahertz Emission from the Bi2Se3 Surface
Authors: Zhu Li-Guo , Kubera Brian , Fai Mak Kin , Shan Jie 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThree-dimensional topological insulators are materials that behave as an insulator in the interior, but as a metal on the surface with Dirac surface states protected by the topological properties of the bulk wavefunctions. The newly discovered second surface state, located about 1.5 eV above the conduction band in Bi2Se3 allows direct photoexcitation of the surface electrons in n-doped samples with a Ti:sapphire femtosecond laser. We have observed efficient THz generation from the Bi2Se3 basal plane upon femtosecond optical excitation. By performing polarization-resolved studies on the emitted THz spectrum, two emission mechanisms have been identified, namely, emission generated from the transient photocurrent under the influence of the surface depletion field and from nonlinear optical rectification. The two types of emission are governed by distinct selection rules. And while the former is characterized by a narrow-band spectrum, the latter, involving almost instantaneous optical transitions, has a broad bandwidth and is enhanced by the presence of resonant transitions. These two emission mechanisms are further separated by their distinct doping dependence upon exposure to ambient air. With surface selectivity, THz emission spectroscopy thus provides a valuable spectroscopic tool for studies of the optical conductivity and dynamics of the surface state in centrosymmetric Bi2Se3.
Application of high-dimensional feature selection: evaluation for genomic prediction in man
Authors: Bermingham M. L. , Pong-Wong R. , Spiliopoulou A. , Hayward C. , Rudan I. , Campbell H. , Wright A. F. , Wilson J. F. , Agakov F. , Navarro P. , Haley C. S. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractIn this study, we investigated the effect of five feature selection approaches on the performance of a mixed model (G-BLUP) and a Bayesian (Bayes C) prediction method. We predicted height, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and body mass index (BMI) within 2,186 Croatian and into 810 UK individuals using genome-wide SNP data. Using all SNP information Bayes C and G-BLUP had similar predictive performance across all traits within the Croatian data and for the highly polygenic traits height and BMI when predicting into the UK data. Bayes C outperformed G-BLUP in the prediction of HDL, which is influenced by loci of moderate size, in the UK data. Supervised feature selection of a SNP subset in the G-BLUP framework provided a flexible, generalisable and computationally efficient alternative to Bayes C; but careful evaluation of predictive performance is required when supervised feature selection has been used.
Investigation of Second- and Third-Harmonic Generation in Few-Layer Gallium Selenide by Multiphoton Microscopy
Authors: Karvonen Lasse , Säynätjoki Antti , Mehravar Soroush , Rodriguez Raul D. , Hartmann Susanne , Zahn Dietrich R. T. , Honkanen Seppo , Norwood Robert A. , Peyghambarian N. , Kieu Khanh , Lipsanen Harri , Riikonen Juha 
Published: May 2015

AbstractGallium selenide (GaSe) is a layered semiconductor and a well-known nonlinear optical crystal. The discovery of graphene has created a new vast research field focusing on two-dimensional materials. We report on the nonlinear optical properties of few-layer GaSe using multiphoton microscopy. Both second- and third-harmonic generation from few-layer GaSe flakes were observed. Unexpectedly, even the peak at the wavelength of 390 nm, corresponding to the fourth-harmonic generation or the sum frequency generation from third-harmonic generation and pump light, was detected during the spectral measurements in thin GaSe flakes.
Super-long life time for 2D cyclotron spin-flip excitons
Authors: Kulik L. V. , Gorbunov A. V. , Zhuravlev A. S. , Timofeev V. B. , Dickmann S. , Kukushkin I. V. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractAn experimental technique for the indirect manipulation and detection of electron spins entangled in two-dimensional magnetoexcitons has been developed. The kinetics of the spin relaxation has been investigated. Photoexcited spin-magnetoexcitons were found to exhibit extremely slow relaxation in specific quantum Hall systems, fabricated in high mobility GaAs/AlGaAs structures; namely, the relaxation time reaches values over one hundred microseconds. A qualitative explanation of this spin-relaxation kinetics is presented. Its temperature and magnetic field dependencies are discussed within the available theoretical framework.
ImmuSort, a database on gene plasticity and electronic sorting for immune cells
Authors: Wang Pingzhang , Yang Yehong , Han Wenling , Ma Dalong 
Published: May 2015

AbstractGene expression is highly dynamic and plastic. We present a new immunological database, ImmuSort. Unlike other gene expression databases, ImmuSort provides a convenient way to view global differential gene expression data across thousands of experimental conditions in immune cells. It enables electronic sorting, which is a bioinformatics process to retrieve cell states associated with specific experimental conditions that are mainly based on gene expression intensity. A comparison of gene expression profiles reveals other applications, such as the evaluation of immune cell biomarkers and cell subsets, identification of cell specific and/or disease-associated genes or transcripts, comparison of gene expression in different transcript variants and probe set quality evaluation. A plasticity score is introduced to measure gene plasticity. Average rank and marker evaluation scores are used to evaluate biomarkers. The current version includes 31 human and 17 mouse immune cell groups, comprising 10,422 and 3,929 microarrays derived from public databases, respectively. A total of 20,283 human and 20,963 mouse genes are available to query in the database. Examples show the distinct advantages of the database. The database URL is http://immusort.bjmu.edu.cn/.
Combined Optical Coherence and Fluorescence Microscopy to assess dynamics and specificity of pancreatic beta-cell tracers
Authors: Berclaz Corinne , Pache Christophe , Bouwens Arno , Szlag Daniel , Lopez Antonio , Joosten Lieke , Ekim Selen , Brom Maarten , Gotthardt Martin , Grapin-Botton Anne , Lasser Theo 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe identification of a beta-cell tracer is a major quest in diabetes research. However, since MRI, PET and SPECT cannot resolve individual islets, optical techniques are required to assess the specificity of these tracers. We propose to combine Optical Coherence Microscopy (OCM) with fluorescence detection in a single optical platform to facilitate these initial screening steps from cell culture up to living rodents. OCM can image islets and vascularization without any labeling. Thereby, it alleviates the need of both genetically modified mice to detect islets and injection of external dye to reveal vascularization. We characterized Cy5.5-exendin-3, an agonist of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP1R), for which other imaging modalities have been used and can serve as a reference. Cultured cells transfected with GLP1R and incubated with Cy5.5-exendin-3 show full tracer internalization. We determined that a dose of 1 μg of Cy5.5-exendin-3 is sufficient to optically detect in vivo the tracer in islets with a high specificity. In a next step, time-lapse OCM imaging was used to monitor the rapid and specific tracer accumulation in murine islets and its persistence over hours. This optical platform represents a versatile toolbox for selecting beta-cell specific markers for diabetes research and future clinical diagnosis.
Altered functional brain network connectivity and glutamate system function in transgenic mice expressing truncated Disrupted-in-Schizophrenia 1
Authors: Dawson N , Kurihara M , Thomson D M , Winchester C L , McVie A , Hedde J R , Randall A D , Shen S , Seymour P A , Hughes Z A , Dunlop J , Brown J T , Brandon N J , Morris B J , Pratt J A 
Published: May 2015

AbstractConsiderable evidence implicates DISC1 as a susceptibility gene for multiple psychiatric diseases. DISC1 has been intensively studied at the molecular, cellular and behavioral level, but its role in regulating brain connectivity and brain network function remains unknown. Here, we utilize a set of complementary approaches to assess the functional brain network abnormalities present in mice expressing a truncated Disc1 gene (Disc1tr Hemi mice). Disc1tr Hemi mice exhibited hypometabolism in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and reticular thalamus along with a reorganization of functional brain network connectivity that included compromised hippocampal–PFC connectivity. Altered hippocampal–PFC connectivity in Disc1tr Hemi mice was confirmed by electrophysiological analysis, with Disc1tr Hemi mice showing a reduced probability of presynaptic neurotransmitter release in the monosynaptic glutamatergic hippocampal CA1–PFC projection. Glutamate system dysfunction in Disc1tr Hemi mice was further supported by the attenuated cerebral metabolic response to the NMDA receptor (NMDAR) antagonist ketamine and decreased hippocampal expression of NMDAR subunits 2A and 2B in these animals. These data show that the Disc1 truncation in Disc1tr Hemi mice induces a range of translationally relevant endophenotypes underpinned by glutamate system dysfunction and altered brain connectivity.
Effect of an obesity pamphlet on parental perception and knowledge of excess weight in their children: results of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Rune Karina T. , Mulgrew Kate , Sharman Rachael , Lovell Geoff P. 
Published: May 2015

Issues addressedThis study examined the effectiveness of a brief educational intervention in increasing parental knowledge of childhood obesity risk factors and ability to correctly identify their child's weight status.MethodsEighty parents were randomly allocated to an experimental group given an obesity pamphlet or a control group given a stress management pamphlet. A survey measured parents' knowledge about risk factors, cause and consequences of childhood obesity, and perception of their child's weight.ResultsParents with overweight or obese children increased their understanding of childhood obesity immediately after receiving the intervention, but did not differ significantly on perception of their child's weight.ConclusionThe experimental intervention increased knowledge of health risks associated with childhood obesity in parents of overweight or obese children. Parental perception of their child's weight status did not improve, suggesting that other factors have a role to play.
Evaluating taboo trade-offs in ecosystems services and human well-being
Authors: Daw Tim M. , Coulthard Sarah , Cheung William W. L. , Brown Katrina , Abunge Caroline , Galafassi Diego , Peterson Garry D. , McClanahan Tim R. , Omukoto Johnstone O. , Munyi Lydiah 
Published: May 2015

Significance
Environmental management inevitably involves trade-offs among different objectives, values, and stakeholders. Most evaluations of such trade-offs involve monetary valuation or calculation of aggregate production of ecosystem services, which can mask individual winners and losers. We combine a participatory, modeling, and scenarios approach to identify social–ecological trade-offs in a tropical fishery and the implications on well-being of different stakeholders. Such trade-offs are often ignored because losers are marginalized or not represented by quantification, and because the nature of underlying values may result in socially “taboo” trade-offs that pit incommensurable values against one another. A participatory modeling and scenarios approach can increase awareness of such trade-offs, promote discussion of what is socially acceptable, and potentially identify and reduce obstacles to compliance.