bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Orbital-selective pairing and superconductivity in iron selenides
Authors: Nica Emilian M. , Yu Rong , Si Qimiao 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAn important challenge in condensed matter physics is understanding iron-based superconductors. Among these systems, the iron selenides hold the record for highest superconducting transition temperature and pose especially striking puzzles regarding the nature of superconductivity. The pairing state of the alkaline iron selenides appears to be of d-wave type based on the observation of a resonance mode in neutron scattering, while it seems to be of s-wave type from the nodeless gaps observed everywhere on the Fermi surface. Here we propose an orbital-selective pairing state, dubbed sτ3, as a natural explanation of these disparate properties. The pairing function, containing a matrix τ3 in the basis of 3d-electron orbitals, does not commute with the kinetic part of the Hamiltonian. This dictates the existence of both intraband and interband pairing terms in the band basis. A spin resonance arises from a d-wave-type sign change in the intraband pairing component, whereas the quasiparticle excitation is fully gapped on the FS due to an s-wave-like form factor associated with the addition in quadrature of the intraband and interband pairing terms. We demonstrate that this pairing state is energetically favored when the electron correlation effects are orbitally selective. More generally, our results illustrate how the multiband nature of correlated electrons affords unusual types of superconducting states, thereby shedding new light not only on the iron-based materials but also on a broad range of other unconventional superconductors such as heavy fermion and organic systems.
Involvement of FAK-ERK2 signaling pathway in CKAP2-induced proliferation and motility in cervical carcinoma cell lines
Authors: Guo Qi-sang , Song Yu , Hua Ke-qin , Gao Shu-jun 
Published: May 2017

AbstractCervical carcinoma is the fourth most common cause of death in woman, caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and arising from the cervix. Cytoskeleton-associated protein 2 (CKAP2), also known as tumor-associated microtubule-associated protein, has been linked to tumorigenic effects. In the present study, we screened CKAP2 as a new candidate gene which promotes development of cervical carcinoma, in two independent datasets (TCGA and GSE27678). Results showed that CKAP2 expression was significantly up-regulated in cervical cancerous tissues compared with normal counterparts. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) showed that metastasis, cell cycle and FAK pathways were related with elevated CKAP2 expression. Knockdown of CKAP2 expression significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion both in HeLa and C-33A cells. And depletion of CKAP2 down-regulated the expression of metastasis and cell cycle related proteins as well as the phosphorylation of ERK2 (p-ERK2), except E-cadherin. In vivo experiment revealed that knockdown of CKAP2 inhibited C-33A cells proliferation. However, FAK inhibitor PF-562271 and ERK2 inhibitor VX-11e treatment significantly inhibited CKAP2 overexpression-induced cell proliferation, migration and invasion in SiHa cells. In conclusion, our study suggests that CKAP2 acts as a functional oncogene in cervical carcinoma development and may exert its function by targeting FAK-ERK2 signaling pathway.
Precise genome-wide base editing by the CRISPR Nickase system in yeast
Authors: Satomura Atsushi , Nishioka Ryosuke , Mori Hitoshi , Sato Kosuke , Kuroda Kouichi , Ueda Mitsuyoshi 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe CRISPR/Cas9 system has been applied to efficient genome editing in many eukaryotic cells. However, the bases that can be edited by this system have been limited to those within the protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) and guide RNA-targeting sequences. In this study, we developed a genome-wide base editing technology, “CRISPR Nickase system” that utilizes a single Cas9 nickase. This system was free from the limitation of editable bases that was observed in the CRISPR/Cas9 system, and was able to precisely edit bases up to 53 bp from the nicking site. In addition, this system showed no off-target editing, in contrast to the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Coupling the CRISPR Nickase system with yeast gap repair cloning enabled the construction of yeast mutants within only five days. The CRISPR Nickase system provides a versatile and powerful technology for rapid, site-specific, and precise base editing in yeast.
Effect of compressibility and non-uniformity in flow on the scattering pattern of acoustic cloak
Authors: Ryoo Hyeonbin , Jeon Wonju 
Published: May 2017

AbstractDuring the last decade, most of acoustic cloak research has been done within a theoretical framework in which the medium is at rest. However, such an acoustic cloak cannot preserve its unique properties or functions to make an object acoustically invisible in the presence of flow. In this study, we propose a theoretical framework to accurately investigate the effect of compressibility and non-uniformity in flow on the scattering pattern of acoustic cloak. In the formulation, the wave operator is coupled with the non-uniform velocity vector, and the equivalent source terms due to mean flow are divided into the compressibility effect and the non-uniformity effect with their own physical meanings. Numerical simulation shows the difference in far-field directivity between previous and present formulations. The polarity of the equivale﻿nt s﻿ources ﻿in the present formulation shows hexapole and skewed quadrupole patterns for non-uniformity and compressibility effects, respectively, and their magnitudes increase with power laws of ﻿Mach ﻿number as the Mach number increas﻿es. As an application, we make use of the present formulation for predicting the acoustic scattering from newly designed convective cloaks. The simulation results show better performance compared to the existing convective cloak.
Disruption of melatonin synthesis is associated with impaired 14-3-3 and miR-451 levels in patients with autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Pagan Cécile , Goubran-Botros Hany , Delorme Richard , Benabou Marion , Lemière Nathalie , Murray Kerren , Amsellem Frédérique , Callebert Jacques , Chaste Pauline , Jamain Stéphane , Fauchereau Fabien , Huguet Guillaume , Maronde Erik , Leboyer Marion , Launay Jean-Marie , Bourgeron Thomas 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAutism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by a wide genetic and clinical heterogeneity. However, some biochemical impairments, including decreased melatonin (crucial for circadian regulation) and elevated platelet N-acetylserotonin (the precursor of melatonin) have been reported as very frequent features in individuals with ASD. To address the mechanisms of these dysfunctions, we investigated melatonin synthesis in post-mortem pineal glands - the main source of melatonin (9 patients and 22 controls) - and gut samples - the main source of serotonin (11 patients and 13 controls), and in blood platelets from 239 individuals with ASD, their first-degree relatives and 278 controls. Our results elucidate the enzymatic mechanism for melatonin deficit in ASD, involving a reduction of both enzyme activities contributing to melatonin synthesis (AANAT and ASMT), observed in the pineal gland as well as in gut and platelets of patients. Further investigations suggest new, post-translational (reduced levels of 14-3-3 proteins which regulate AANAT and ASMT activities) and post-transcriptional (increased levels of miR-451, targeting 14-3-3ζ) mechanisms to these impairments. This study thus gives insights into the pathophysiological pathways involved in ASD.
Efficient Wideband Numerical Simulations for Nanostructures Employing a Drude-Critical Points (DCP) Dispersive Model
Authors: Ren Qiang , Nagar Jogender , Kang Lei , Bian Yusheng , Werner Ping , Werner Douglas H. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractA highly efficient numerical approach for simulating the wideband optical response of nano-architectures comprised of Drude-Critical Points (DCP) media (e.g., gold and silver) is proposed and validated through comparing with commercial computational software. The kernel of this algorithm is the subdomain level discontinuous Galerkin time domain (DGTD) method, which can be viewed as a hybrid of the spectral-element time-domain method (SETD) and the finite-element time-domain (FETD) method. An hp-refinement technique is applied to decrease the Degrees-of-Freedom (DoFs) and computational requirements. The collocated E-J scheme facilitates solving the auxiliary equations by converting the inversions of matrices to simpler vector manipulations. A new hybrid time stepping approach, which couples the Runge-Kutta and Newmark methods, is proposed to solve the temporal auxiliary differential equations (ADEs) with a high degree of efficiency. The advantages of this new approach, in terms of computational resource overhead and accuracy, are validated through comparison with well-known commercial software for three diverse cases, which cover both near-field and far-field properties with plane wave and lumped port sources. The presented work provides the missing link between DCP dispersive models and FETD and/or SETD based algorithms. It is a competitive candidate for numerically studying the wideband plasmonic properties of DCP media.
Genetic tools to study juvenile hormone action in Drosophila
Authors: Baumann A. A. , Texada M. J. , Chen H. M. , Etheredge J. N. , Miller D. L. , Picard S. , Warner R. , Truman J. W. , Riddiford L. M. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe insect juvenile hormone receptor is a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH), Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS) domain protein, a novel type of hormone receptor. In higher flies like Drosophila, the ancestral receptor germ cell-expressed (gce) gene has duplicated to yield the paralog Methoprene-tolerant (Met). These paralogous receptors share redundant function during development but play unique roles in adults. Some aspects of JH function apparently require one receptor or the other. To provide a foundation for studying JH receptor function, we have recapitulated endogenous JH receptor expression with single cell resolution. Using Bacteria Artificial Chromosome (BAC) recombineering and a transgenic knock-in, we have generated a spatiotemporal expressional atlas of Met and gce throughout development. We demonstrate JH receptor expression in known JH target tissues, in which temporal expression corresponds with periods of hormone sensitivity. Larval expression largely supports the notion of functional redundancy. Furthermore, we provide the neuroanatomical distribution of JH receptors in both the larval and adult central nervous system, which will serve as a platform for future studies regarding JH action on insect behavior.
In situ assembly of Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) on porous silkworm cocoon-based wound film: enhanced antimicrobial and wound healing activity
Authors: Yu Kun , Lu Fei , Li Qing , Chen Honglei , Lu Bitao , Liu Jiawei , Li Zhiquan , Dai Fangying , Wu Dayang , Lan Guangqian 
Published: May 2017

AbstractPreventing wound infection and retaining an appropriate level of moisture around wounds represent the most critical issues in wound treatment. Towards these ends, special focus has been placed on Bombyx mori cocoons because the protective function of the silkworm cocoon resembles the manner in which the skin protects the human body. We have designed a facile technique to develop a novel silkworm cocoon-based wound film (SCWF) wound dressing utilizing a CaCl2-ethanol-H2O solution. To improve the anti-bacterial performance of SCWF, we have incorporated the ability of silk sericin to act as a reducing agent for the conversion of Ag+ to Ag, yielding nanoparticles (AgNPs) linked together by peptide bonds of silkworm cocoon wound film (SCWF-AgNPs). SCWF-AgNP dressing exhibited excellent biocompatibility, anti-bacterial performance, and good extensibility. Furthermore, in vivo experiments indicated that SCWF-AgNP dressing was able to significantly accelerate the healing rate of infected wounds in New Zealand White rabbits and histological examination revealed that it aided in the successful reconstruction of intact and thickened epidermis during 14 days of healing of impaired wound tissue. These results demonstrate that the present approach might shed new light on the design of anti-bacterial materials such as SCWF-AgNPs with promising applications in wound dressing.
Daily corticosterone rhythm modulates pineal function through NFκB-related gene transcriptional program
Authors: da Silveira Cruz-Machado Sanseray , Tamura Eduardo K. , Carvalho-Sousa Claudia E. , Rocha Vanderlei Amadeu , Pinato Luciana , Fernandes Pedro A. C. , Markus Regina P. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractMelatonin and glucocorticoids are key hormones in determining daily rhythmicity and modulating defense responses. In nocturnal animals, corticosterone peaks at light/dark transition,while melatonin peaks at the middle of the night in both nocturnal and diurnal animals. The crosstalk between adrenal and pineal glands under inflammatory conditions indicates that corticosterone potentiates nocturnal melatonin synthesis by reducing the activity of NFκB. This transcription factor, which modulates the expression of a key enzyme in melatonin synthesis, is sharply reduced at the entrance of darkness in the rat pineal gland. In this study, we established the basis for understanding the crosstalk between adrenal and pineal glands in physiological conditions. Here we show that the expression of 70 out of 84 genes implied in defense responses exhibit a sharp reduction exactly at the entrance of darkness. Mifepristone impair the changes of 13 out of 84 genes, suggesting that the rhythm of corticosterone modulates pineal phenotype, as mifepristone also reduces the expression of Aanat and the nocturnal synthesis of melatonin. Therefore, darkness-induced synthesis of the pineal hormone, besides being controlled by the central clock located in the hypothalamus, is also influencedby glucocorticoids through the regulation of NFκB transcriptional program.
Obestatin controls skeletal muscle fiber-type determination
Authors: Santos-Zas Icía , Cid-Díaz Tania , González-Sánchez Jessica , Gurriarán-Rodriguez Uxía , Seoane-Mosteiro Carlos , Porteiro Begoña , Nogueiras Rubén , Casabiell Xesús , Relova José Luis , Gallego Rosalía , Mouly Vincent , Pazos Yolanda , Camiña Jesus P. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractObestatin/GPR39 signaling stimulates skeletal muscle growth and repair by inducing both G-protein-dependent and -independent mechanisms linking the activated GPR39 receptor with distinct sets of accessory and effector proteins. In this work, we describe a new level of activity where obestatin signaling plays a role in the formation, contractile properties and metabolic profile of skeletal muscle through determination of oxidative fiber type. Our data indicate that obestatin regulates Mef2 activity and PGC-1α expression. Both mechanisms result in a shift in muscle metabolism and function. The increase in Mef2 and PGC-1α signaling activates oxidative capacity, whereas Akt/mTOR signaling positively regulates myofiber growth. Taken together, these data indicate that the obestatin signaling acts on muscle fiber-type program in skeletal muscle.
Integrated multi-port circulators for unidirectional optical information transport
Authors: Aleahmad Parinaz , Khajavikhan Mercedeh , Christodoulides Demetrios , LiKamWa Patrick 
Published: May 2017

AbstractOn-chip photonic networks hold great promise for enabling next-generation high speed computation and communication systems. It is currently envisioned that future integrated photonic networks will be capable of processing dense digital information on a single monolithic platform by involving a multitude of optical components ranging from lasers to modulators, to routers, interconnects and detectors. Among the possible functionalities to be incorporated in such arrangements is the ability to route information in a unidirectional way among N-ports - a capability typically afforded through the use of optical circulators. Yet, in many settings, what is basically needed is re-routing information in a unidirectional fashion without necessarily invoking optical isolation. Of interest would be to devise strategies through which miniaturized optical devices can be monolithically fabricated on light-emitting semiconductors by solely relying on physical properties that are indigenous to the material itself. By exploiting the interplay between non-Hermiticity and nonlinearity, here we demonstrate a new class of chip-scale information transport devices on spatially modified III-V quantum well systems. These unidirectional structures are broadband (over 2.5 THz) at 1550 nm, effectively loss-free, color-preserving, and in proof-of-principle demonstrations have provided 23 dB isolation when used under pulsed-mode conditions at milliwatt (mW) power levels.
Serum Uric Acid Is Associated with Erectile Dysfunction: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Chinese Men
Authors: Gao Fengbin , Jiang Boren , Cang Zhen , Wang Ningjian , Han Bing , Li Qin , Chen Yi , Chen Yingchao , Xia Fangzhen , Zhai Hualing , Chen Chi , Lu Meng , Meng Ying , Lu Yingli , Shen Zhoujun 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe role that serum uric acid (UA) plays in the pathophysiological development of erectile dysfunction (ED) is controversial. We aimed to screen the factors related with ED, and to examine the association between serum UA and ED. Our data were derived from a cross-sectional Survey on Prevalence in East China for Metabolic Diseases and Risk Factors study in 2014–2015. Questionnaire of International Index of Erectile Dysfunction-5 was used for assessment of ED. Data were collected in three general communities respectively. A total of 1365 men were enrolled with an overall mean age 55.5 ± 10.8 years (range: 20–83 years). The prevalence of ED was 62.4% (51.4% standardized) in the population. Males with ED were older, and more prone to have a higher follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, sex hormone-binding globulin, glycated hemoglobin, fasting plasma glucose levels and lower free androgen index (FAI), UA levels, and more likely to have diabetes and elevated blood pressure compared with those without ED. Age and UA were independent influencing factors for ED. Besides, UA was positively correlated with FAI after adjustment for age. In conclusion, our study demonstrated the protective role that UA might play in development of ED.
Plasmonics Enhanced Smartphone Fluorescence Microscopy
Authors: Wei Qingshan , Acuna Guillermo , Kim Seungkyeum , Vietz Carolin , Tseng Derek , Chae Jongjae , Shir Daniel , Luo Wei , Tinnefeld Philip , Ozcan Aydogan 
Published: May 2017

AbstractSmartphone fluorescence microscopy has various applications in point-of-care (POC) testing and diagnostics, ranging from e.g., quantification of immunoassays, detection of microorganisms, to sensing of viruses. An important need in smartphone-based microscopy and sensing techniques is to improve the detection sensitivity to enable quantification of extremely low concentrations of target molecules. Here, we demonstrate a general strategy to enhance the detection sensitivity of a smartphone-based fluorescence microscope by using surface-enhanced fluorescence (SEF) created by a thin metal-film. In this plasmonic design, the samples are placed on a silver-coated glass slide with a thin spacer, and excited by a laser-diode from the backside through a glass hemisphere, generating surface plasmon polaritons. We optimized this mobile SEF system by tuning the metal-film thickness, spacer distance, excitation angle and polarization, and achieved ~10-fold enhancement in fluorescence intensity compared to a bare glass substrate, which enabled us to image single fluorescent particles as small as 50 nm in diameter and single quantum-dots. Furthermore, we quantified the detection limit of this platform by using DNA origami-based brightness standards, demonstrating that ~80 fluorophores per diffraction-limited spot can be readily detected by our mobile microscope, which opens up new opportunities for POC diagnostics and sensing applications in resource-limited-settings.
Design of a rectenna system for GSM‐900 band using novel broadside 2 × 1 array antenna
Authors: Singh Manish , Agrawal Sachin , Parihar Manoj Singh 
Published: May 2017

In this study, a rectenna operating at the GSM‐900 frequency band has been fabricated and tested. This rectenna composed of a 2 × 1 T‐shaped monopole array antenna and an energy processing circuit. In order to reduce the gap between adjacent antenna elements in the array structure, the proposed array antenna uses a ground stub. Compared with other array antennas, the proposed array antenna with the ground stub reduces the size up to 50% without affecting the gain and bandwidth. An antenna prototype is fabricated and experimentally tested. The measured antenna's gain and bandwidth are 3.2 and 152 MHz, respectively, hence showing its suitability for radio‐frequency (RF) energy harvesting application. For this to be feasible, the developed array antenna is matched with the rectifier at GSM‐900 using a single stub matching network. The measured result demonstrates that the proposed rectifier circuit offers the conversion efficiency of 21.2 and 63.6% for an input power of −20 and 0 dBm, respectively. Finally, the rectifier performance is attested experimentally with the developed array antenna. The rectenna's measured RF‐to‐dc conversion efficiency was found to be 60% at the far‐field distance from the transmitting antenna.
Early esophagogastroduodenoscopy is associated with better Outcomes in upper gastrointestinal bleeding: a nationwide study
Authors: Garg Sushil , Anugwom Chimaobi , Campbell James , Wadhwa Vaibhav , Gupta Nancy , Lopez Rocio , Shergill Sukhman , Sanaka Madhusudhan 
Published: May 2017

Abstract
Background and study aims We analyzed NIS (National Inpatient Sample) database from 2007 – 2013 to determine if early esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) (24 hours) for upper gastrointestinal bleeding improved the outcomes in terms of mortality, length of stay and costs.

Patients and methods Patients were classified as having upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage by querying all diagnostic codes for the ICD-9-CM codes corresponding to upper gastrointestinal bleeding. For these patients, performance of EGD during admission was determined by querying all procedural codes for the ICD-9-CM codes corresponding to EGD; early EGD was defined as having EGD performed within 24 hours of admission and late EGD was defined as having EGD performed after 24 hours of admission.
Results A total of 1,789,532 subjects with UGIH were identified. Subjects who had an early EGD were less likely to have hypovolemia, acute renal failure and acute respiratory failure. On multivariable analysis, we found that subjects without EGD were 3 times more likely to die during the admission than those with early EGD. In addition, those with late EGD had 50 % higher odds of dying than those with an early EGD. Also, after adjusting for all factors in the model, hospital stay was on average 3 and 3.7 days longer for subjects with no or late EGD, respectively, then for subjects with early EGD.
Conclusion Early EGD (within 24 hours) is associated with lower in-hospital mortality, morbidity, shorter length of stay and lower total hospital costs.