bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimized cloaks made of near-zero materials for different-sized concealed targets
Authors: Yu Zhenzhong , Yang Zhong , Wang Yuehong , Si Haifei , Zhao Guoshu 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe optimized cloaking design for conducting cylinders of different sizes is studied based on the Mie scattering theory. We construct a concentric multi-layered cloak made of alternating materials with isotropic dielectrics and epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) material, the thickness of which can be determined through genetic algorithm. As the radius of the conducting cylinder increases, high order scattering contributions are becoming evident, and more layers are needed. The scattering cross sections of three different radii of PEC cylinders are minimized by utilizing different numbers of multi-layers respectively. We find that eight or less optimized layers can cancel most of the scattering from a conducting cylinder with its dimension compared to wavelength, and more effectively when taking the ENZ material as the inner starting shell. The frequency dependence of total scattering is also studied, leading to the result that the bandwidth decreases as the size of concealed PEC cylinder increases. Furthermore, it is shown that the cloaking efficiency is less sensitive to the permittivity and thickness of the ENZ material, due to the small phase variation in the ENZ material. The multi-layered cloak designed for a PEC target can also be used to evidently reduce the scattering of a dielectric core and design a multi-layered elliptical cloak.
AP endonuclease EXO-3 deficiency causes developmental delay and abnormal vulval organogenesis, Pvl, through DNA glycosylase-initiated checkpoint activation in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Miyaji Masahiro , Hayashi Yuichiro , Funakoshi Masafumi , Tanaka Akihiro , Zhang-Akiyama Qiu-Mei 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAP endonuclease deficiency causes cell death and embryonic lethality in mammals. However, the physiological roles of AP endonucleases in multicellular organisms remain unclear, especially after embryogenesis. Here, we report novel physiological roles of the AP endonuclease EXO-3 from larval to adult stages in Caenorhabditis elegans, and elucidated the mechanism of the observed phenotypes due to EXO-3 deficiency. The exo-3 mutants exhibited developmental delay, whereas the apn-1 mutants did not. The delay depended on the DNA glycosylase NTH-1 and checkpoint kinase CHK-2. The exo-3 mutants had further developmental delay when treated with AP site-generating agents such as methyl methane sulfonate and sodium bisulfite. The further delay due to sodium bisulfite was dependent on the DNA glycosylase UNG-1. The exo-3 mutants also demonstrated an increase in dut-1 (RNAi)-induced abnormal vulval organogenesis protruding vulva (Pvl), whereas the apn-1 mutants did not. The increase in Pvl was dependent on UNG-1 and CHK-2. Methyl viologen, ndx-1 (RNAi) and ndx-2 (RNAi) enhanced the incidence of Pvl among exo-3 mutants only when combined with dut-1 (RNAi). This further increase in Pvl incidence was independent of NTH-1. These results indicate that EXO-3 prevents developmental delay and Pvl in C. elegans, which are induced via DNA glycosylase-initiated checkpoint activation.
Co-extinctions annihilate planetary life during extreme environmental change
Authors: Strona Giovanni , Bradshaw Corey J. A. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractClimate change and human activity are dooming species at an unprecedented rate via a plethora of direct and indirect, often synergic, mechanisms. Among these, primary extinctions driven by environmental change could be just the tip of an enormous extinction iceberg. As our understanding of the importance of ecological interactions in shaping ecosystem identity advances, it is becoming clearer how the disappearance of consumers following the depletion of their resources — a process known as ‘co-extinction’ — is more likely the major driver of biodiversity loss. Although the general relevance of co-extinctions is supported by a sound and robust theoretical background, the challenges in obtaining empirical information about ongoing (and past) co-extinction events complicate the assessment of their relative contributions to the rapid decline of species diversity even in well-known systems, let alone at the global scale. By subjecting a large set of virtual Earths to different trajectories of extreme environmental change (global heating and cooling), and by tracking species loss up to the complete annihilation of all life either accounting or not for co-extinction processes, we show how ecological dependencies amplify the direct effects of environmental change on the collapse of planetary diversity by up to ten times.
Haematological analysis of Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) in the area affected by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident
Authors: Urushihara Yusuke , Suzuki Toshihiko , Shimizu Yoshinaka , Ohtaki Megu , Kuwahara Yoshikazu , Suzuki Masatoshi , Uno Takeharu , Fujita Shiori , Saito Akira , Yamashiro Hideaki , Kino Yasushi , Sekine Tsutomu , Shinoda Hisashi , Fukumoto Manabu 
Published: November 2018

AbstractSeveral populations of wild Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) inhabit the area around Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FNPP). To measure and control the size of these populations, macaques are captured annually. Between May 2013 and December 2014, we performed a haematological analysis of Japanese macaques captured within a 40-km radius of FNPP, the location of a nuclear disaster two years post-accident. The dose-rate of radiocaesium was estimated using the ERICA Tool. The median internal dose-rate was 7.6 μGy/day (ranging from 1.8 to 219 μGy/day) and the external dose-rate was 13.9 μGy/day (ranging from 6.7 to 35.1 μGy/day). We performed multiple regression analyses to estimate the dose-rate effects on haematological values in peripheral blood and bone marrow. The white blood cell and platelet counts showed an inverse correlation with the internal dose-rate in mature macaques. Furthermore, the myeloid cell, megakaryocyte, and haematopoietic cell counts were inversely correlated and the occupancy of adipose tissue was positively correlated with internal dose-rate in femoral bone marrow of mature macaques. These relationships suggest that persistent whole body exposure to low-dose-rate radiation affects haematopoiesis in Japanese macaques.
Structural basis for dimerization of the death effector domain of the F122A mutant of Caspase-8
Authors: Shen Chen , Pei Jianwen , Guo Xiaomin , Zhou Lu , Li Qinkai , Quan Junmin 
Published: November 2018

AbstractCaspase-8 is an apoptotic protease that is activated by a proximity-induced dimerization mechanism within the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC). The death effector domain (DED) of caspase-8 is involved in protein-protein interactions and is essential for the activation. Here, we report two crystal structures of the dimeric DEDs of the F122A mutant of caspase-8, both of which illustrate a novel domain-swapped dimerization, while differ in the relative orientation of the two subunits and the solvent exposure of the conserved hydrophobic patch Phe122/Leu123. We demonstrate that mutations disrupting the dimerization of the DEDs abrogate the formation of cellular death effector filaments (DEFs) and the induced apoptosis by overexpressed DEDs. Furthermore, such dimerization-disrupting mutations also impair the activation of the full-length caspase-8 and the downstream apoptosis cascade. The structures provide new insights into understanding the mechanism underlying the activation of procaspase-8 within the DISC and DEFs.
IL-17A expression in the adenoid tissue from children with sleep disordered breathing and its association with pneumococcal carriage
Authors: Huang Chien-Chia , Wu Pei-Wen , Chen Chyi-Liang , Wang Chun-Hua , Lee Ta-Jen , Tsai Chi-Neu , Chiu Cheng-Hsun 
Published: November 2018

AbstractTonsil and adenoid-tissue hypertrophy (AH) is the most common cause of pediatric sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), with AH possibly initiated by repeated exposure to infectious agents or allergens. Here, we evaluated IL-17A activity in adenoid tissue from children with SDB and its association with AH and pneumococcal carriage. Thirty-five children (aged 3–12 years) with SDB and receiving adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy were enrolled. During surgery, nasopharyngeal carriage was determined by bacterial culture and multiplex PCR via nasopharyngeal swab, and adenoid samples were collected. IL-17A and associated cytokine expression was evaluated by real-time PCR and western blotting. The mRNA analysis showed thatIL-17Alevel,IL-17A:IL-10ratio, andRAR-related orphan receptor-γt:forkhead box P3ratio were significantly higher in adenoid tissues with AH, as wereIL-17Alevel andIL-17A:IL-10ratio in adenoid tissues with pneumococcal carriage. Additionally, pneumococcal carriage was more common in nasopharyngeal adenoids from patients without AH than those with AH. IL-17A was upregulated in adenoid tissues from patients with AH and with pneumococcal carriage. These results suggested that pneumococcal carriage initiates an IL-17A-mediated immune response in nasopharyngeal adenoids, which might be associated with AH in patients with SDB.
Multifunctional self-assembled monolayers via microcontact printing and degas-driven flow guided patterning
Authors: Lee Sang Hun , Rho Won-Yeop , Park Seon Joo , Kim Jinyeong , Kwon Oh Seok , Jun Bong-Hyun 
Published: November 2018

AbstractSoft lithography-based patterning techniques have been developed to investigate biological and chemical phenomena. Until now, micropatterning with various materials required multiple procedural steps such as repeating layer-by-layer patterning, aligning of stamps, and incubating printed inks. Herein, we describe a facile micropatterning method for producing chemically well-defined surface architectures by combining microcontact (µCP) and microfluidic vacuum-assisted degas-driven flow guided patterning (DFGP) with a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) stamp. To demonstrate our concept, we fabricated a bi-composite micropatterned surface with different functional molecular inks such as fluorescein isothiocyanate labelled bovine serum albumin (FITC-BSA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-silane for a biomolecule array, and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and PEG-silane pattern for a self-assembled colloid gold nanoparticle monolayer. With a certain composition of molecular inks for the patterning, bi-composite surface patterns could be produced by this µCP-DFGP approach without any supplementary process. This patterning approach can be used in microfabrication and highly applicable to biomolecules and nanoparticles that spread as a monolayer.
Expression profiling of lncRNAs and mRNAs reveals regulation of muscle growth in the Pacific abalone, Haliotis discus hannai
Authors: Huang Jianfang , Luo Xuan , Zeng Liting , Huang Zekun , Huang Miaoqin , You Weiwei , Ke Caihuan 
Published: November 2018

AbstractLong non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are known to play a major role in the epigenetic regulation of muscle development. Unfortunately there is little understanding of the mechanisms with which they regulate muscle growth in abalone. Therefore, we used RNA-seq to study the muscle transcriptomes of six Haliotis discus hannai specimens: three large (L_HD group) and three small (S_HD group). We identified 2463 lncRNAs in abalone muscle belonging to two subtypes: 160 anti-sense lncRNAs and 2303 intergenic lncRNAs (lincRNAs). In the L_HD group, we identified 204 significantly differentially expressed lncRNAs (55 upregulated and 149 downregulated), and 2268 significantly differentially expressed mRNAs (994 upregulated and 1274 downregulated), as compared to the S_HD group. The bioinformatics analysis indicated that lncRNAs were relate to cell growth, regulation of growth, MAPK signaling pathway, TGF-β signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt and insulin signaling pathway, which involved in regulating muscle growth. These findings contribute to understanding the possible regulatory mechanisms of muscle growth in Pacific abalone.
Calpain-10 regulates actin dynamics by proteolysis of microtubule-associated protein 1B
Authors: Hatta Tomohisa , Iemura Shun-ichiro , Ohishi Tomokazu , Nakayama Hiroshi , Seimiya Hiroyuki , Yasuda Takao , Iizuka Katsumi , Fukuda Mitsunori , Takeda Jun , Natsume Tohru , Horikawa Yukio 
Published: November 2018

AbstractCalpain-10 (CAPN10) is the calpain family protease identified as the first candidate susceptibility gene for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the detailed molecular mechanism has not yet been elucidated. Here we report that CAPN10 processes microtubule associated protein 1 (MAP1) family proteins into heavy and light chains and regulates their binding activities to microtubules and actin filaments. Immunofluorescent analysis of Capn10−/− mouse embryonic fibroblasts shows that MAP1B, a member of the MAP1 family of proteins, is localized at actin filaments rather than at microtubules. Furthermore, fluorescence recovery after photo-bleaching analysis shows that calpain-10 regulates actin dynamics via MAP1B cleavage. Moreover, in pancreatic islets from CAPN10 knockout mice, insulin secretion was significantly increased both at the high and low glucose levels. These findings indicate that deficiency of calpain-10 expression may affect insulin secretion by abnormal actin reorganization, coordination and dynamics through MAP1 family processing.
Tensilely Strained Ge Films on Si Substrates Created by Physical Vapor Deposition of Solid Sources
Authors: Li Yize Stephanie , Nguyen John 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe development of Si-compatible active photonic devices is a high priority in computer and modern electronics industry. Ge is compatible with Si and is a promising light emission material. Nearly all Ge-on-Si materials reported so far were grown using toxic precursor gases. Here we demonstrate the creation of Ge films on Si substrates through physical vapor deposition of toxin-free solid Ge sources. Structural characterization indicates that a high tensile strain is introduced in the Ge film during the deposition process. We attribute the presence of such a tensile strain to the difference in thermal expansion coefficient between Si and Ge. A Ge peak, centered at ~2100 nm, is evident in the photoluminescence spectra of these materials, which might result from direct band gap photoluminescence alone, or from superposition of direct band gap and indirect band gap photoluminescence. These Ge-on-Si materials are therefore promising in light emission applications.
Radon emission from soil gases in the active fault zones in the Capital of China and its environmental effects
Authors: Chen Zhi , Li Ying , Liu Zhaofei , Wang Jiang , Zhou Xiaocheng , Du Jianguo 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe release of radon in active fault zones is a sustained radioactive pollution source of the atmospheric environment. The species, concentration and flux of radon emitted in soil gas in active fault zones in the Capital of China were investigated by in-situ field measurements. Two main species of radon discharging from soil gas in active fault zones were identified, including radon diffused and dispersed from permeable soil, and upwelling from faults. Higher concentrations and flux of radon from faults were observed in the Bohai Bay Basin due to the accumulated uranium in the sandstone reservoirs and higher permeability of the strata and bed rocks. Increased radon released by strong earthquakes persists, with the max flux of 334.56 mBq m−2 s−1 observed in FN (Fengnan district) located at the epicenter of the 28 July, 1976 Tangshan MS 7.8 earthquake. The level of radon released in 8 of 22 locations within the Basin and Range Province (to the west of Taihangshan piedmont fault Zone) reached level 2, and 13 of 14 locations within the Bohai Bay Basin reached levels 2–4, according to the Chinese Code (GB 50325–2001, 2006). Corresponding protective and safety measures should be in place to protect the health of nearby residents, due to their exposure to radon emitted from the faults. Also, the concentration of radon in active fault zones should be investigated to assess the possible risk, before land-use is planned.
High-throughput first-principles-calculations based estimation of lithium ion storage in monolayer rhenium disulfide
Authors: Kabiraj Arnab , Mahapatra Santanu 
Published: November 2018

AbstractTwo-dimensional materials are promising candidates for lithium ion battery anodes due to their large surface to volume ratio. The distorted T′ phase of the rhenium disulfide crystal makes the study of lithium binding more complex than for other two-dimensional materials with symmetric crystal structures. Here we explore the lithium ion storage capacity of monolayer rhenium disulfide by first-principles based calculations. We employ hardware-accelerator-assisted high-throughput calculations, using a van der Waals density-functional-theory based ‘structure search’ technique, to emulate the lithiation process. Exploring 2000 structures, each containing 49 to 98 atoms, we find the most stable lithiated structures for various lithium concentrations. We then design a delithiation algorithm and apply it to those lithiated structures for the estimation of the reversible specific capacity. Despite possessing high molar mass, a reasonably high specific capacity (214.13 mAh/g) and open-circuit voltage (0.8 V), in agreement with experimental results, make rhenium disulfide a promising alternative anode material.
Extremely reduced dielectric confinement in two-dimensional hybrid perovskites with large polar organics
Authors: Cheng Bin , Li Ting-You , Maity Partha , Wei Pai-Chun , Nordlund Dennis , Ho Kang-Ting , Lien Der-Hsien , Lin Chun-Ho , Liang Ru-Ze , Miao Xiaohe , Ajia Idris A. , Yin Jun , Sokaras Dimosthenis , Javey Ali , Roqan Iman S. , Mohammed Omar F. , He Jr-Hau 
Published: November 2018

AbstractTwo dimensional inorganic–organic hybrid perovskites (2D perovskites) suffer from not only quantum confinement, but also dielectric confinement, hindering their application perspective in devices involving the conversion of an optical input into current. In this report, we theoretically predict that an extremely low exciton binding energy can be achieved in 2D perovskites by using high dielectric-constant organic components. We demonstrate that in (HOCH2CH2NH3)2PbI4, whose organic material has a high dielectric constant of 37, the dielectric confinement is largely reduced, and the exciton binding energy is 20-times smaller than that in conventional 2D perovskites. As a result, the photo-induced excitons can be thermally dissociated efficiently at room temperature, as clearly indicated from femtosecond transient absorption measurements. In addition, the mobility is largely improved due to the strong screening effect on charge impurities. Such low dielectric-confined 2D perovskites show excellent carrier extraction efficiency, and outstanding humidity resistance compared to conventional 2D perovskites.
Inner disk structure of the classical T Tauri star LkCa 15
Authors: Alencar S. H. P. , Bouvier J. , Donati J.-F. , Alecian E. , Folsom C. P. , Grankin K. , Hussain G. A. J. , Hill C. , Cody A.-M. , Carmona A. , Dougados C. , Gregory S. G. , Herczeg G. , Ménard F. , Moutou C. , Malo L. , Takami M. ,   the MaTYSSE Collaboration
Published: November 2018

Context. Magnetospheric accretion has been thoroughly studied in young stellar systems with full non-evolved accretion disks, but it is poorly documented for transition disk objects with large inner cavities.
Aims. We aim at characterizing the star-disk interaction and the accretion process onto the central star of LkCa 15, a prototypical transition disk system with an inner dust cavity that is 50 au wide.
Methods. We obtained quasi-simultaneous photometric and spectropolarimetric observations of the system over several rotational periods. We analyzed the system light curve and associated color variations, as well as changes in spectral continuum and line profile to derive the properties of the accretion flow from the edge of the inner disk to the central star. We also derived magnetic field measurements at the stellar surface.
Results. We find that the system exhibits magnetic, photometric, and spectroscopic variability with a period of about 5.70 days. The light curve reveals a periodic dip, which suggests the presence of an inner disk warp that is located at the corotation radius at about 0.06 au from the star. Line profile variations and veiling variability are consistent with a magnetospheric accretion model where the funnel flows reach the star at high latitudes. This leads to the development of an accretion shock close to the magnetic poles. All diagnostics point to a highly inclined inner disk that interacts with the stellar magnetosphere.
Conclusions. The spectroscopic and photometric variability on a timescale of days to weeks of LkCa 15 is remarkably similar to that of AA Tau, the prototype of periodic dippers. We therefore suggest that the origin of the variability is a rotating disk warp that is located at the inner edge of a highly inclined disk close to the star. This contrasts with the moderate inclination of the outer transition disk seen on the large scale and thus provides evidence for a significant misalignment between the inner and outer disks of this planet-forming transition disk system.
The mass of Albireo Aa and the nature of Albireo AB
Authors: Bastian U. , Anton R. 
Published: November 2018

Aims. We aim to clarify the nature of Albireo AB and specifically to decipher whether it is an optical or physical pair. We also try to determine the mass of Albireo Aa.
Methods. We scrutinize and compare the available absolute astrometric data (from HIPPARCOS and Gaia DR2) of Albireo A and B, and we investigate the relative orbit of the pair Albireo Aa,Ac using orbit solutions based on ground-based interferometric measurements.
Results. The mass of Albireo Aa (K3 II) is surprisingly small; only an upper limit of about 0.7 M⊙ could be derived. The systemic proper motion of Aa,Ac differs from that of component B by about 10 mas year−1 with an uncertainty of less than 2 mas year−1. Albireo AB is therefore most probably an optical double.
Conclusions. Specific astrometric and spectroscopic follow-up observations clarifying the surprising mass estimate for Albireo Aa are recommended.
Sexual dimorphism in immune function: The role of sex steroid hormones
Authors: Mihailova Anna , Krams Indrikis 
Published: November 2018

There is evidence of the relation of sex steroid hormones and sexual dimorphism in immune system response to infectious diseases. The aim of this review was to identify the role of sex hormones in immune function and sexual dimorphism of immune reactions. Gonadal hormones together with the immune system play an important role in process of immune responses to the disease [1]. Estrogens, progesterone and testosterone have different impacts on immune cells and different gonadal hormones are of high importance for responses of innate and adaptive immunity [1, 2]. Estrogens mainly enhance immune function while testosterone has a suppressive role. Higher progesterone during pregnancy leads to autoimmune disease remission and an elevated susceptibility toward certain infectious diseases [2, 3, 4]. The intensity and prevalence of viral infections are typically higher in males, whereas disease outcome could be worse for females [5]. Sexual dimorphism of immune function is based on different concentrations of sex hormones in males and females and on a specific mediating role of these hormones in immune function and response along with differences in innate and adaptive immunity.