bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Drosera-bioinspired hydrogel for catching and killing cancer cells
Authors: Li Shihui , Chen Niancao , Gaddes Erin R. , Zhang Xiaolong , Dong Cheng , Wang Yong 
Published: September 2015

AbstractA variety of bioinspired materials have been successfully synthesized to mimic the sophisticated structures or functions of biological systems. However, it is still challenging to develop materials with multiple functions that can be performed synergistically or sequentially. The purpose of this work was to demonstrate a novel bioinspired hydrogel that can interact with cancer cells, functionally similar to Drosera in catching and killing prey. This hydrogel had two layers with the top one functionalized with oligonucleotide aptamers and the bottom one functionalized with double-stranded DNA. The results show that the top hydrogel layer was able to catch target cells with high efficiency and specificity and that the bottom hydrogel layer could sequester doxorubicin (Dox) for sustained drug release. Importantly, the released Dox could kill 90% of the cells after 1-h residence of the cells on the hydrogel. After the cell release, this bifunctional hydrogel could be regenerated for continuous cell catching and killing. Therefore, the data presented in this study has successfully demonstrated the potential of developing a material system with the functions of attracting, catching and killing diseased cells (e.g., circulating tumor cells) or even invading microorganisms (e.g., bacteria).
Coupling Single Giant Nanocrystal Quantum Dots to the Fundamental Mode of Patch Nanoantennas through Fringe Field
Authors: Wang Feng , Karan Niladri S. , Minh Nguyen Hue , Ghosh Yagnaseni , Hollingsworth Jennifer A. , Htoon Han 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThrough single dot spectroscopy and numerical simulation studies, we demonstrate that the fundamental mode of gold patch nanoantennas have fringe-field resonance capable of enhancing the nano-emitters coupled around the edge of the patch antenna. This fringe-field coupling is used to enhance the radiative rates of core/thick-shell nanocrystal quantum dots (g-NQDs) that cannot be embedded into the ultra-thin dielectric gap of patch nanoantennas due to their large sizes. We attain 14 and 3 times enhancements in single exciton radiative decay rate and bi-exciton emission efficiencies of g-NQDs respectively, with no detectable metal quenching. Our numerical studies confirmed our experimental results and further reveal that patch nanoantennas can provide strong emission enhancement for dipoles lying not only in radial direction of the circular patches but also in the direction normal to the antennas surface. This provides a distinct advantage over the parallel gap-bar antennas that can provide enhancement only for the dipoles oriented across the gap.
Electrospun SF/PLCL nanofibrous membrane: a potential scaffold for retinal progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation
Authors: Zhang Dandan , Ni Ni , Chen Junzhao , Yao Qinke , Shen Bingqiao , Zhang Yi , Zhu Mengyu , Wang Zi , Ruan Jing , Wang Jing , Mo Xiumei , Shi Wodong , Ji Jing , Fan Xianqun , Gu Ping 
Published: September 2015

AbstractBiocompatible polymer scaffolds are promising as potential carriers for the delivery of retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) in cell replacement therapy for the repair of damaged or diseased retinas. The primary goal of the present study was to investigate the effects of blended electrospun nanofibrous membranes of silk fibroin (SF) and poly(L-lactic acid-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL), a novel scaffold, on the biological behaviour of RPCs in vitro. To assess the cell-scaffold interaction, RPCs were cultured on SF/PLCL scaffolds for indicated durations. Our data revealed that all the SF/PLCL scaffolds were thoroughly cytocompatible and the SF:PLCL (1:1) scaffolds yielded the best RPC growth. The in vitro proliferation assays showed that RPCs proliferated more quickly on the SF:PLCL (1:1) than on the other scaffolds and the control. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunocytochemistry analyses demonstrated that RPCs grown on the SF:PLCL (1:1) scaffolds preferentially differentiated toward retinal neurons, including, most interestingly, photoreceptors. In summary, we demonstrated that the SF:PLCL (1:1) scaffolds can not only markedly promote RPC proliferation with cytocompatibility for RPC growth but also robustly enhance RPCs’ differentiation toward specific retinal neurons of interest in vitro, suggesting that SF:PLCL (1:1) scaffolds may have potential applications in retinal cell replacement therapy in the future.
Community Detection in Signed Networks: the Role of Negative ties in Different Scales
Authors: Esmailian Pouya , Jalili Mahdi 
Published: September 2015

AbstractExtracting community structure of complex network systems has many applications from engineering to biology and social sciences. There exist many algorithms to discover community structure of networks. However, it has been significantly under-explored for networks with positive and negative links as compared to unsigned ones. Trying to fill this gap, we measured the quality of partitions by introducing a Map Equation for signed networks. It is based on the assumption that negative relations weaken positive flow from a node towards a community and thus, external (internal) negative ties increase the probability of staying inside (escaping from) a community. We further extended the Constant Potts Model, providing a map spectrum for signed networks. Accordingly, a partition is selected through balancing between abridgment and expatiation of a signed network. Most importantly, multi-scale spectrum of signed networks revealed how informative are negative ties in different scales and quantified the topological placement of negative ties between dense positive ones. Moreover, an inconsistency was found in the signed Modularity: as the number of negative ties increases, the density of positive ties is neglected more. These results shed lights on the community structure of signed networks.
A New Silicon Phase with Direct Band Gap and Novel Optoelectronic Properties
Authors: Guo Yaguang , Wang Qian , Kawazoe Yoshiyuki , Jena Puru 
Published: September 2015

AbstractDue to the compatibility with the well-developed Si-based semiconductor industry, there is considerable interest in developing silicon structures with direct energy band gaps for effective sunlight harvesting. In this paper, using silicon triangles as the building block, we propose a new silicon allotrope with a direct band gap of 0.61 eV, which is dynamically, thermally and mechanically stable. Symmetry group analysis further suggests that dipole transition at the direct band gap is allowed. In addition, this new allotrope displays large carrier mobility (~104 cm/V · s) at room temperature and a low mass density (1.71 g/cm3), making it a promising material for optoelectronic applications.
Parameterization of clear-sky surface irradiance and its implications for estimation of aerosol direct radiative effect and aerosol optical depth
Authors: Xia Xiangao 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAerosols impact clear-sky surface irradiance ("Equation missing") through the effects of scattering and absorption. Linear or nonlinear relationships between aerosol optical depth (τa) and "Equation missing" have been established to describe the aerosol direct radiative effect on "Equation missing" (ADRE). However, considerable uncertainties remain associated with ADRE due to the incorrect estimation of "Equation missing" (τa in the absence of aerosols). Based on data from the Aerosol Robotic Network, the effects of τa, water vapor content (w) and the cosine of the solar zenith angle (μ) on "Equation missing" are thoroughly considered, leading to an effective parameterization of "Equation missing" as a nonlinear function of these three quantities. The parameterization is proven able to estimate "Equation missing" with a mean bias error of 0.32 W m−2, which is one order of magnitude smaller than that derived using earlier linear or nonlinear functions. Applications of this new parameterization to estimate τa from "Equation missing", or vice versa, show that the root-mean-square errors were 0.08 and 10.0 Wm−2, respectively. Therefore, this study establishes a straightforward method to derive "Equation missing" from τa or estimate τa from "Equation missing" measurements if water vapor measurements are available.
Continuous Reduction of Protein-Bound Uraemic Toxins with Improved Oxidative Stress by Using the Oral Charcoal Adsorbent AST-120 in Haemodialysis Patients
Authors: Yamamoto Suguru , Kazama Junichiro J. , Omori Kentaro , Matsuo Koji , Takahashi Yoshimitsu , Kawamura Kazuko , Matsuto Takayuki , Watanabe Hiroshi , Maruyama Toru , Narita Ichiei 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAccumulation of protein-bound uraemic toxins (PBUTs) is one of the reasons for the development of uraemia-related complications including cardiovascular disease; however, conventional haemodialysis is limited in its ability to remove PBUTs. We aimed to examine whether the oral charcoal adsorbent AST-120 has an additive effect on PBUT removal in haemodialysis patients. During the 4-week study, anuric patients undergoing haemodialysis received AST-120 (6 g/day) in the last 2 weeks (n = 10) or the first 2 weeks (n = 10). Serum levels of total and free PBUTs such as indoxyl sulfate, p-cresyl sulfate and phenyl sulfate at the pre- and postdialysis sessions were measured before and after AST-120 use and after discontinuation. Levels of the oxidative stress markers oxidized albumin and 8-isoprostane were also measured. AST-120 use induced dramatic reduction of indoxyl sulfate (total, 45.7% [33.2–50.5%]; free, 70.4% [44.8–79.8%]), p-cresyl sulfate (total, 31.1% [25.0–48.0%]; free, 63.5% [49.3–70.9%]) and phenyl sulfate (free, 50.6% [32.3–71.2%]) levels; however, this effect disappeared after the discontinuation of AST-120. AST-120 use also induced substantial reduction of the oxidized albumin and 8-isoprostane levels. In conclusion, oral administration of AST-120 had additive effects on the continuous reduction of some PBUTs in anuric patients undergoing haemodialysis.
Mid-infrared Photoconductive Response in AlGaN/GaN Step Quantum Wells
Authors: Rong X. , Wang X. Q. , Chen G. , Zheng X. T. , Wang P. , Xu F. J. , Qin Z. X. , Tang N. , Chen Y. H. , Sang L. W. , Sumiya M. , Ge W. K. , Shen B. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAlGaN/GaN quantum structure is an excellent candidate for high speed infrared detectors based on intersubband transitions. However, fabrication of AlGaN/GaN quantum well infrared detectors suffers from polarization-induced internal electric field, which greatly limits the carrier vertical transport. In this article, a step quantum well is proposed to attempt solving this problem, in which a novel spacer barrier layer is used to balance the internal electric field. As a result, a nearly flat band potential profile is obtained in the step barrier layers of the AlGaN/GaN step quantum wells and a bound-to-quasi-continuum (B-to-QC) type intersubband prototype device with detectable photocurrent at atmosphere window (3–5 μm) is achieved in such nitride semiconductors.
Comparative quantitative trait loci for silique length and seed weight in Brassica napus
Authors: Fu Ying , Wei Dayong , Dong Hongli , He Yajun , Cui Yixin , Mei Jiaqin , Wan Huafang , Li Jiana , Snowdon Rod , Friedt Wolfgang , Li Xiaorong , Qian Wei 
Published: September 2015

AbstractSilique length (SL) and seed weight (SW) are important yield-associated traits in rapeseed (Brassica napus). Although many quantitative trait loci (QTL) for SL and SW have been identified in B. napus, comparative analysis for those QTL is seldom performed. In the present study, 20 and 21 QTL for SL and SW were identified in doubled haploid (DH) and DH-derived reconstructed F2 populations in rapeseed, explaining 55.1–74.3% and 24.4–62.9% of the phenotypic variation across three years, respectively. Of which, 17 QTL with partially or completely overlapped confidence interval on chromosome A09, were homologous with two overlapped QTL on chromosome C08 by aligning QTL confidence intervals with the reference genomes of Brassica crops. By high density selective genotyping of DH lines with extreme phenotypes, using a Brassica single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array, the QTL on chromosome A09 was narrowed and aligned into 1.14-Mb region from 30.84 to 31.98 Mb on chromosome R09 of B. rapa and 1.05-Mb region from 27.21 to 28.26 Mb on chromosome A09 of B. napus. The alignment of QTL with Brassica reference genomes revealed homologous QTL on A09 and C08 for SL. The narrowed QTL region provides clues for gene cloning and breeding cultivars by marker-assisted selection.
Enzyme renaturation to higher activity driven by the sol-gel transition: Carbonic anhydrase
Authors: Vinogradov Vladimir V. , Avnir David 
Published: September 2015

AbstractWe describe a so-far unknown route for renaturing denatured enzymes, namely subjecting the denatured enzyme to an oxide sol-gel transition. The phenomenon was revealed in a detailed study of denatured carbonic anhydrase which was subjected to an alumina sol-gel transition, up to the thermally stabilizing entrapment in the final xerogel. Remarkably, not only that the killed enzyme regained its activity during the sol-gel process, but its activity increased to 180% of the native enzyme. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of enhanced activity following by renaturing (a “Phoenix effect”). Kinetic study which revealed a five-orders of magnitude (!) increase in the Arrhenius prefactor upon entrapment compared to solution. Circular dichroism analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, zeta potential analyses as well as synchronous fluorescence measurements, all of which were used to characterize the phenomenon, are consistent with a proposed mechanism which is based on the specific orienting interactions of the active site of the enzyme with respect to the alumina interface and its pores network.
Power enhancement of heat engines via correlated thermalization in a three-level “working fluid”
Authors: Gelbwaser-Klimovsky David , Niedenzu Wolfgang , Brumer Paul , Kurizki Gershon 
Published: September 2015

AbstractWe explore means of maximizing the power output of a heat engine based on a periodically-driven quantum system that is constantly coupled to hot and cold baths. It is shown that the maximal power output of such a heat engine whose “working fluid” is a degenerate V-type three-level system is that generated by two independent two-level systems. Hence, level degeneracy is a thermodynamic resource that may effectively double the power output. The efficiency, however, is not affected. We find that coherence is not an essential asset in such multilevel-based heat engines. The existence of two thermalization pathways sharing a common ground state suffices for power enhancement.
The C-terminus hot spot region helps in the fibril formation of bacteriophage-associated hyaluronate lyase (HylP2)
Authors: Shukla Harish , Singh Sudhir Kumar , Singh Amit Kumar , Mitra Kalyan , Akhtar Md. Sohail 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe bacteriophage encoded hyaluronate lyases (HylP and HylP2) degrade hyaluronan and other glycosaminoglycans. HylP2 forms a functional fibril under acidic conditions in which its N-terminus is proposed to form the fibrillar core, leading to nucleation and acceleration of fibril formation. Here we report the presence of a hot spot region (A144GVVVY149) towards the carboxy terminus of HylP2, essential for the acceleration of fibril formation. The ‘hot spot’ is observed to be inherently mutated for valines (A178AMVMY183) in case of HylP. The N- terminal swapped chimeras between these phage HLs (NHylP2CHylP and NHylPCHylP2) or HylP did not form fibrils at acidic pH. However, seeding of prefibrils of HylP2 recompensed nucleation and led to fibrillation in NHylPCHylP2. The V147A mutation in the ‘hot spot’ region abolished fibril formation in HylP2. The M179V and M181V double mutations in the ‘hot spot’ region of HylP led to fibrillation with the seeding of prefibrils. It appears that fibrillation in HylP2 even though is initiated by the N-terminus, is accelerated by the conserved ‘hot spot’ region in the C-terminus. A collagenous (Gly-X-Y)10 motif in the N-terminus and a mutated ‘hot spot’ region in the C-terminus of HylP affect fibrillar nucleation and acceleration respectively.
Hyperactivation and in situ recruitment of inflammatory Vδ2 T cells contributes to disease pathogenesis in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Yin Shanshan , Mao Yujia , Li Xuemei , Yue Cai , Zhou Chen , Huang Linfang , Mo Wenxiu , Liang Di , Zhang Jianmin , He Wei , Zhang Xuan 
Published: September 2015

AbstractIn this study, we measured the proportion of peripheral Vδ2 T cells as well as the status and chemokine receptor expression profiles in SLE patients and healthy control (HC). In addition, Vδ2 T cell infiltration in the kidneys of patients with lupus nephritis was examined. The results showed that the percentage of peripheral Vδ2 T cells in new-onset SLE was decreased and negatively correlated with the SLE Disease Activity Index score and the severity of proteinuria. These cells had a decreased apoptosis but an increased proliferation and they showed increased accumulation in SLE kidneys. Moreover, IL-21 production and CD40L, CCR4, CCR7, CCR8, CXCR1 and CX3CR1 expression in Vδ2 T cells from SLE patients was significantly higher than from HC (p < 0.05) and these factors were downregulated in association with the repopulation of peripheral Vδ2 T cells in patients who were in remission (p < 0.05). In addition, anti-TCR Vδ2 antibodies activation significantly upregulated these chemokine receptors on Vδ2 T cells from HC and this effect was blocked by inhibitors of PLC-γ1, MAPK/Erk and PI3K signaling pathways. Our findings demonstrate that the distribution and function status of Vδ2 T cells from SLE patients are abnormal and these aberrations may contribute to disease pathogenesis.
Effects of concurrent caffeine and mobile phone exposure on local target probability processing in the human brain
Authors: Trunk Attila , Stefanics Gábor , Zentai Norbert , Bacskay Ivett , Felinger Attila , Thuróczy György , Hernádi István 
Published: September 2015

AbstractMillions of people use mobile phones (MP) while drinking coffee or other caffeine containing beverages. Little is known about the potential combined effects of MP irradiation and caffeine on cognitive functions. Here we investigated whether caffeine intake and concurrent exposure to Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) MP-like irradiation may interactively influence neuro-cognitive function in an active visual oddball paradigm. In a full factorial experimental design, 25 participants performed a simple visual target detection task while reaction time (RT) and electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded. Target trials were divided into Low and High probability sets based on target-to-target distance. We analyzed single trial RT and alpha-band power (amplitude) in the pre-target interval. We found that RT was shorter in High vs. Low local probability trials and caffeine further shortened RT in High probability trials relative to the baseline condition suggesting that caffeine improves the efficiency of implicit short-term memory. Caffeine also decreased pre-target alpha amplitude resulting in higher arousal level. Furthermore, pre-target gamma power positively correlated with RT, which may have facilitated target detection. However, in the present pharmacologically validated study UMTS exposure either alone or in combination with caffeine did not alter RT or pre-stimulus oscillatory brain activity.
Far-field characterization of the thermal dynamics in lasing microspheres
Authors: Ramírez J. M. , Navarro-Urrios D. , Capuj N. E. , Berencén Y. , Pitanti A. , Garrido B. , Tredicucci A. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThis work reports the dynamical thermal behavior of lasing microspheres placed on a dielectric substrate while they are homogeneously heated-up by the top-pump laser used to excite the active medium. The lasing modes are collected in the far-field and their temporal spectral traces show characteristic lifetimes of about 2 ms. The latter values scale with the microsphere radius and are independent of the pump power in the studied range. Finite-Element Method simulations reproduce the experimental results, revealing that thermal dynamics is dominated by heat dissipated towards the substrate through the medium surrounding the contact point. The characteristic system scale regarding thermal transport is of few hundreds of nanometers, thus enabling an effective toy model for investigating heat conduction in non-continuum gaseous media and near-field radiative energy transfer.
Histone acetylation regulates orphan nuclear receptor NR4A1 expression in hypercholesterolaemia
Authors: Xie Xina , Song Xuhong , Yuan Song , Cai Haitao , Chen Yequn , Chang Xiaolan , Liang Bin , Huang Dongyang 
Published: September 2015

Hypercholesterolaemia and inflammation are correlated with atherogenesis. Orphan nuclear receptor NR4A1, as a key regulator of inflammation, is closely associated with lipid levels in vivo. However, the mechanism by which lipids regulate NR4A1 expression remains unknown. We aimed to elucidate the underlying mechanism of NR4A1 expression in monocytes during hypercholesterolaemia, and reveal the potential role of NR4A1 in hypercholesterolaemia-induced circulating inflammation. Circulating leucocytes were collected from blood samples of 139 patients with hypercholesterolaemia and 139 sex- and age-matched healthy subjects. We found that there was a low-grade inflammatory state and higher expression of NR4A1 in patients. Both total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in plasma were positively correlated with NR4A1 mRNA level. ChIP revealed that acetylation of histone H3 was enriched in the NR4A1 promoter region in patients. Human mononuclear cell lines THP-1 and U937 were treated with cholesterol. Supporting our clinical observations, cholesterol enhanced p300 acetyltransferase and decreased HDAC7 (histone deacetylase 7) recruitment to the NR4A1 promoter region, resulting in histone H3 hyperacetylation and further contributing to NR4A1 up-regulation in monocytes. Moreover, cytosporone B, an NR4A1 agonist, completely reversed cholesterol-induced IL-6 (interleukin 6) and MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein 1) expression to below basal levels, and knockdown of NR4A1 expression by siRNA not only mimicked, but also exaggerated the effects of cholesterol on inflammatory biomarker up-regulation. Thus we conclude that histone acetylation contributes to the regulation of NR4A1 expression in hypercholesterolaemia, and that NR4A1 expression reduces hypercholesterolaemia-induced inflammation.
UPML‐ABC and TF/SF boundary for unconditionally stable AH‐FDTD method in conductive medium
Authors: Huang Zheng‐Yu , Shi Li‐Hua , Zhou Yinghui , Chen Bin 
Published: September 2015

For analysing the scattering problem in conductive medium with the new unconditionally stable associated Hermite (AH) finite‐difference time‐domain (FDTD) method, the formulation of uniaxial anisotropic perfectly matched layer absorbing boundary condition (UPML‐ABC) and the total‐field/scattered‐field (TF/SF) implementation scheme are deduced. By virtue of AH differential transformation matrix and the eigenvalue transformation, frequency‐dependent parameters of the lossy medium can be well treated in AH‐UPML, without using any additional auxiliary variables. Numerical verification for the scattering of buried conductor in lossy half‐space is performed. Compared with Mur's ABC, UPML increases the absorbing performance by more than 80 dB in AH‐FDTD analysis.