bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving upon CCSD(TQf) for potential energy surfaces: ΛCCSD(TQf) models
Authors: Musial Monika , Bartlett Rodney J.
Published: September 2010

We consider classes of noniterative (∼n7) ΛCCSD(TQf) (coupled cluster singles and doubles with noniterative triples and quadruples) for bond breaking including approximations based on Λ2CCSD(TQf). All methods are applied to the standard tests for the treatment of potential energy curves for small molecules (HF, F2, H2O, N2, and C2) where unambiguous comparison to full configuration interaction exists. Depending on the nature of the electron correlation substantial improvements are obtained at the same ∼n7 cost over CCSD(T).
Band hybridization and spin-splitting in InAs/AlSb/GaSb type II and broken-gap quantum wells
Authors: Xu W. , Li L. L. , Dong H. M. , Gumbs G. , Folkes P. A.
Published: September 2010

We present a detailed theoretical study on the features of band hybridization and zero-field spin-splitting in InAs/AlSb/GaSb quantum wells (QWs). An eight-band k⋅p approach is developed to calculate the electronic subband structure in such structures. In the absence of the AlSb layer, the hybridized energy gaps can be observed at the anticrossing points between the lowest electron subband and the highest heavy-hole subband in the InAs and GaSb layers respectively. In such a case, the position and magnitude of the gaps are spin-dependent. When a thin AlSb layer is inserted between the InAs and GaSb layers, we find that the lowest electron subband in the InAs layer is only hybridized with the highest light-hole subband which is also hybridized with the highest heavy-hole subband in the GaSb layer. The hybridized energy gaps and spin-splitting in the InAs/AlSb/GaSb QWs are reduced significantly. These results can be used to understand why electrons and holes can be well separated and why relatively high mobilities for electrons and holes can be achieved in InAs/AlSb/GaSb type II and broken-gap QWs. The present study is relevant to the applications of InAs/GaSb based QW structures as new generation of high-density and high-mobility electronic devices.
Stability of active magnetoinductive metamaterials
Authors: Rajab Khalid Z. , Hao Yang , Bao Di , Parini Clive G. , Vazquez Javier , Philippakis Mike
Published: September 2010

Passive metamaterials suffer from narrow bandwidths and high losses due to limits imposed by causality. Actively loaded metamaterials on the other hand may be designed to overcome these limitations, with the caveat that stability may be difficult to ensure. In this letter, loops with active non-Foster loads, in which resistance, capacitance, and inductance are negative, are arranged in a periodic lattice to form an effective medium with either negative-Re μ or μ-near-zero magnetic properties over a broad range of frequencies. The stability and effective magnetic properties are examined analytically, as well as with numerical simulations. Furthermore, the tradeoffs between stability, bandwidth, and the lower bounds of the permeability are detailed.
Electromagnetic wave absorption properties of carbon nanotubes-epoxy composites at microwave frequencies
Authors: Ye Z. , Li Z. , Roberts J. A. , Zhang P. , Wang J. T. , Zhao G. L.
Published: September 2010

This paper focuses on the absorption properties of electromagnetic waves, both electric and magnetic, from multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)-epoxy composites. A microwave resonant cavity was utilized as a probe. Six groups of MWCNT-epoxy composite samples with different MWCNT outside diameters (ODs) were fabricated and tested. The weight percentages of MWCNTs in each sample group were in the range of 1%–10%. The line widths at half-power-maxima, the shifts in resonant frequency under load, and the amplitudes of the absorption profiles for the six groups of composite samples were compared. In general, the MWCNTs with smaller ODs had higher microwave absorption efficiency at 9.968 GHz than the large diameter ones. However, the sample group M5 (OD<8 nm) showed unusual results, a lower microwave absorption than other sample groups, even though the OD of the MWCNTs in the sample group M5 was smaller than those of other groups. The scanning electron microscope analysis and microwave absorption measurements showed that the microwave absorption efficiency of the CNTs was strongly affected by the morphologies of MWCNTs in individual bundles. It was found that a higher density of MWCNTs in the CNT bundles results in relatively lower efficiency in absorbing the microwave fields at the central frequency of 9.968 GHz.
Multiple growths of epitaxial lift-off solar cells from a single InP substrate
Authors: Lee Kyusang , Shiu Kuen-Ting , Zimmerman Jeramy D. , Renshaw Christopher K. , Forrest Stephen R.
Published: September 2010

We demonstrate multiple growths of flexible, thin-film indium tin oxide-InP Schottky-barrier solar cells on a single InP wafer via epitaxial lift-off (ELO). Layers that protect the InP parent wafer surface during the ELO process are subsequently removed by selective wet-chemical etching, with the active solar cell layers transferred to a thin, flexible plastic host substrate by cold welding at room temperature. The first- and second-growth solar cells exhibit no performance degradation under simulated Atmospheric Mass 1.5 Global (AM 1.5G) illumination, and have a power conversion efficiency of ηp=14.4±0.4% and ηp=14.8±0.2%, respectively. The current-voltage characteristics for the solar cells and atomic force microscope images of the substrate indicate that the parent wafer is undamaged, and is suitable for reuse after ELO and the protection-layer removal processes. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, reflection high-energy electron diffraction observation, and three-dimensional surface profiling show a surface that is comparable or improved to the original epiready wafer following ELO. Wafer reuse over multiple cycles suggests that high-efficiency; single-crystal thin-film solar cells may provide a practical path to low-cost solar-to-electrical energy conversion.
Counting metastable states within the adsorption/desorption hysteresis loop: A molecular simulation study of confinement in heterogeneous pores
Authors: Puibasset Joël
Published: September 2010

A molecular simulation approach has been used to model simple fluid adsorption in heterogeneous tubular pores mimicking mesoporous materials such as MCM-41 or porous silicon, allowing to determine the amount adsorbed ρ as a function of the chemical potential μ. A hysteresis loop is observed in adsorption/desorption cycles, which is closely connected to the appearance of many metastable states. The density of these metastable states is studied in the μ-ρ plane. Experimentally, the accessible metastable states are those that can be attained by the μ-path, i.e., a series of increasing or decreasing μ steps. One could also imagine using a quench from high temperature. Although the total density of metastable states is not directly accessible to experiments, it is of primary theoretical importance to understand the structure of metastable states in the hysteresis as determined experimentally. The disorder associated with the porous material realizations is accurately taken into account, and a systematic system size analysis is also performed in order to study the thermodynamic limit. It is shown that the quenched complexity is the relevant quantity to understand the hysteresis structure in the thermodynamic limit. It clearly exhibits a distinctive behavior depending on the distribution of heterogeneities characterizing the disorder in the pore. Some analogies can be found with the situation where an out-of-equilibrium transition appears, but careful examination of the data suggests another interpretation.
Virial coefficients of model alkanes
Authors: Schultz Andrew J. , Kofke David A.
Published: September 2010

We report the results from Mayer-sampling Monte Carlo calculations of the virial coefficients of the united-atom TraPPE-UA model of normal alkanes. For alkane chain lengths from n=2 to 20 (where n is the number of carbon atoms), results are given for the virial coefficients B2, B3, and B4; results for B5 are given for chains up to length n=12; and results for B6 are given for chains of length n=2, 3, and 4. In all cases, values are given for temperatures ranging from 200 K to 2000 K in 20–50 K increments. The values are used to calculate the equation of state for butane and the pressure-density behavior is compared to experimental data at 350 and 550 K. Critical points are calculated for all systems and compared to simulation data previously taken for the same molecular model, and to experiment. The comparison with temperature is very good (within 1.5% for all chain lengths up to n=12), while the critical density is underestimated by about 5%–15% and the critical pressure is given within about 10%. The convergence behavior of the virial equation of state as applied across the n-alkane series is well characterized by corresponding states, meaning that the accuracy at a given density relative to the critical density does not deteriorate with increasing chain length.
Multiply-resonant nonlinear optical processes in doped polythiophenes
Authors: Kishida Hideo , Hibino Kenichi , Nakamura Arao
Published: September 2010

We investigated the third-order optical nonlinearity in chemically doped poly(3-hexylthiophenes) by the third-harmonic generation (THG) method. The THG spectra reveal that the third-order optical nonlinearity is governed by the polaron states. The spectral analysis clarified the occurrence of multiple resonance related to transitions to the polaron states and the π-π∗ transition.
Diameter dependence of SiGe nanowire thermal conductivity
Authors: Wang Zhao , Mingo Natalio
Published: September 2010

We theoretically compute the thermal conductivity of SiGe alloy nanowires as a function of nanowire diameter, alloy concentration, and temperature, obtaining a satisfactory quantitative agreement with experimental results. Our results account for the weaker diameter dependence of the thermal conductivity recently observed in Si1−xGex nanowires (x<0.1), as compared to pure Si nanowires. We also present calculations in the full range of alloy concentrations, 0≤x≤1, which may serve as a basis for comparison with future experiments on high alloy concentration nanowires.
Charge-assisted Hydrogen-bonded Linear Second-sphere Assemblies MII(DABP)3]3[Cr(C2O4)3]2·14H2O (M=Cu, Ni, Fe, Zn, and Mn) with a Discrete (H2O)14 Cluster of S6 Symmetry
Authors: Zhuge Fuyu , Wu Biao , Dong Lihuan , Yang Jin , Janiak Christoph , Tang Ning , Yang Xiao-Juan
Published: September 2010

A series of isomorphous second-sphere coordination compounds [MII(DABP)3]3[Cr(C2O4)3]2·14H2O (DABP = 5,5′-diamino-2,2′-bipyridine; M = Cu (1), Ni (2), Fe (3), Zn (4), and Mn (5)) have been constructed through multiple charge-assisted N–H‐–O hydrogen-bonding interactions between the oxalate ligands in [Cr(C2O4)3]3– (unit B) and the NH2 groups in the [M(DABP)3]2+ complex (unit A). The chiral [M(DABP)3]2+ cations and [Cr(C2O4)3]3– anions with the same Λ (or Δ) configuration interdigitate alternately, affording linear A3B2 secondary building units. Two adjacent A3B2 units adopting opposite configurations are linked by a six-cornered star-shaped 14-water cluster of S
6 symmetry (unit C) to form a racemic 1D linear chain –A3B2(Λ)–C–A3B2(Δ)–C–. The microstructure of compound 1 shows a 3D flower-like morphology.
Synthesis, X-ray Crystal Studies and Metal Picrates Extraction Properties of Lipophilic Benzocrown Ethers
Authors: Kowalska Ewa , Phopase Jaywant , Gathergood Nicholas
Published: September 2010

The preparation of 16 macrocycles based on 2-(2-hydroxyethoxy) phenol with both aliphatic and aromatic linkers has been achieved. Macrocycles varying in ring sizes (23–28 atoms), number of aromatic groups (2–4), and donor atoms (6–10 including oxygen and nitrogen) were synthesized. Binding affinities were also assessed by extraction studies against a series of metal picrates. X-ray crystal structures were solved for four macrocycles.
Regional differences in tree - crop competition due to soil, climate and management
Authors: Huth Neil I. , Robertson Michael J. , Poulton Perry L.
Published: September 2010

Large areas of trees are being planted in Australian agricultural lands for a range of environmental, ecological and economic reasons. In the medium to low rainfall zones, these plantings can negatively impact upon adjacent agricultural production through competition for soil moisture. The nature of the tree–crop competition zone and the means of managing it have been studied in the main southern cropping zones. However, the differences in soil, climate and agronomic systems in Australia’s northern dryland cropping zones could lead to differences in the competition processes and the management options needed to minimise them. In this study, the competition for soil moisture and resultant impacts on crop production were studied for a Eucalyptus argophloia windbreak on a farm near Warra, Queensland (26.93°S, 150.93°E). The results indicate well defined inner and outer competition zones, the extents of which agree with those found elsewhere in Australia and overseas. However, while the extent of the competition is comparable with other regions, local agronomic practices developed for variable climatic conditions and deep clay soils allow trees to extract soil water stored during fallow periods resulting in relatively higher production losses.
Biplot analysis for multi-environment trials of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids in Iran
Authors: Dolatabad Saeed Safari , Choukan Rajab , Hervan Eslam Majidi , Dehghani Hamid
Published: September 2010

Adapted maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids should be identified and chosen based on multi-environment trials analysing several traits. The objectives of this study were to identify mega-environments and suitable adapted maize hybrids based on both mean grain yield and grain yield stability and were to evaluate the 14 maize hybrids based on several desirable traits. Biplot analysis determined one mega-environment and two sectors that consist of one location in each sector for maize in Iran. The mega-environment included Kerman (KRM), Kermanshah (KSH), Moghan (MGN), Dezfol A (DZF A), Karaj (KRJ), Darab (DRB), Dezfol B (DZF B), Shiraz B (SHZ B), and Esfahan (ESF), where hybrid OSSK 602 was the best performing hybrid. The first sector included Khoramabad (KHM) where BC 678 was the best hybrid, and the second sector included Shiraz A (SHZ A) where ZP 599 was the hybrid with the highest performance. OSSK 602 was the best hybrid among all of the studied hybrids followed by ZP 677 and ZP 684. The genotype × trait biplot indicated that ZP 677 and OSSK 602 had greater thousand-kernel weight and grain number, whereas ZP 684 had longer day to maturity and larger cob diameter. KSC 700, KSC 704, and BC 678 had higher ear height and more days to tasseling than other hybrids. The genotype × trait biplot graphically displayed the interrelationships among traits and it was used in identifying hybrids that are good for some particular traits.
Pulse crops in rotation with cereals can be a profitable alternative to nitrogen fertiliser in central Queensland
Authors: Cox H. W. , Kelly R. M. , Strong W. M.
Published: September 2010

Empirical and simulation results from three crop rotations incorporating cereals, pulses and nitrogen (N) fertiliser application were examined over 4 years in a subtropical environment, central Queensland, Australia. The hypothesis was that pulse crops in rotation with cereals would be a viable alternative to applying N fertilisers and would improve farm business economic performance provided the yield potential of pulses were not compromised by planting into very low soil water situations. Empirical data and simulations with the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator model were used to give insights into the N contribution, yield benefit to cereals and overall economic performance of the inclusion of pulses into the rotation. The field trial rotations included: rotation 1: sorghum and wheat in an opportunity crop rotation (called cereals-only), rotation 2; cereals grown following a fallow with a pulse crop immediately after (called cereal double-cropped pulse) and rotation 3, pulses grown following a fallow with a cereal crop immediately after (called pulse double-cropped cereal).
Empirical and simulated results indicated that the cereal double-cropped pulse rotation produced the highest average annual gross margins using prices at that time. In the simulations, when pulse crops were included in the rotation, no additional N fertiliser was required and the lowest chance of negative gross margins was obtained. The cereal double-cropped pulse rotation produced the largest trial and simulated gross margins. The pulse double-cropped cereal rotation produced greater gross margins than the N-deficient cereals-only rotation but significantly lower than the cereal double-cropped pulse rotation. Simulations indicated that the cereals-only rotation could be made profitable when the soil was ‘topped-up’ to 100 kg available N/ha before planting, or by 40 kg N/ha to each cereal crop. Chickpea and mungbean contributed an average of 35 and 29 kg N/ha, respectively, in the field trial.
A minimum of 100 mm of the stored soil water at planting was needed to reduce the risk of negative returns. By planting only when the soil contained adequate water, the cereal double-cropped pulse rotation may provide a valuable supplement to farm income while simultaneously reducing the need for N fertilisers on the cereals. Alternatively, in a rotation with cereals only, modest amounts of fertiliser N will maintain profitability with minimal levels of financial risk.
Progress and perspectives for carotenoid accumulation in selected Triticeae species
Authors: Rodríguez-Suárez C. , Giménez M. J. , Atienza S. G.
Published: September 2010

Plant carotenoids are C40 isoprenoids with multiple biological roles. Breeding for carotenoid content in rice, maize and wheat is a relevant issue, both for their importance in human health and nutrition and for their influence in food colouration in products such as pasta from durum wheat. Regarding human health, vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is one of the major causes of malnutrition in the world. As many as 500 000 children become blind due to VAD each year with many of them dying from VAD-related illness within 1 year. This review presents the main results in the improvement of endosperm carotenoid levels in rice, maize and wheat considering the methodology used, either transgenic or non-transgenic; the breeding target, such as provitamin A or total carotenoid content; the identification of new carotenogenic genes/alleles related to the available variation for this trait; and the development of new functional markers for marker-assisted selection. A comparative overview among these species and key areas for further improvement are also identified. Carotenoid enhancement in grasses would benefit from comparative studies among Triticeae species since they allow the understanding of the diversity basis. Therefore, the comparative overview given in this work will be relevant not only to rice, maize and wheat but also to other Triticeae species.
Perennial wheat: a review of environmental and agronomic prospects for development in Australia
Authors: Bell Lindsay W. , Wade Len J. , Ewing Mike A.
Published: September 2010

Perennial wheat could improve grain production systems in Australia by rectifying many environmental problems such as hydrological imbalance, nutrient losses, soil erosion, and declining soil carbon and soil health. There are also potential direct production benefits from reduced external inputs, providing extra grazing for livestock in mixed farming systems, as well as benefits for whole-farm management which may offset lower grain yields. In addition to universal issues of domestication and breeding of perennial wheat, specific challenges for perennial wheat in Australia’s dryland systems will include tolerance of water deficit and poor soil environments, and the risks of hosting foliar pathogens over summer. Temperate perennial forage grasses could indicate the potential distribution and traits required in perennial wheat adapted to more arid environments (e.g. summer dormancy). Several Australian native and exotic perennial relatives of wheat could also provide sources of disease resistance, and tolerance of soil acidity, drought, salinity and waterlogging. Still, several farming systems could accommodate perennial wheat with inconsistent persistence in some environments. While developing perennial wheat will be challenging, there is significant opportunity in Australia for perennial wheat to diversify current cropping options. The risks may be minimised by staged investment and interim products with some immediate applications could be produced along the way.
Epithelial crosstalk at the microbiota–mucosal interface
Authors: Wells Jerry M. , Rossi Oriana , Meijerink Marjolein , van Baarlen Peter
Published: September 2010

This article provides an overview of how intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) recognize commensals and how they maintain host-bacterial symbiosis. Endocrine, goblet cells, and enterocytes of the intestinal epithelium express a range of pattern recognition receptors (PRR) to sense the presence of microbes. The best characterized are the Toll-like receptors (TLR) and nucleotide oligomerization domain-like receptors (NLR), which play a key role in pathogen recognition and the induction of innate effectors and inflammation. Several adaptations of PRR signaling have evolved in the gut to avoid uncontrolled and potentially destructive inflammatory responses toward the resident microbiota. PRR signaling in IEC serve to maintain the barrier functions of the epithelium, including the production of secretory IgA (sIgA). Additionally, IECs play a cardinal role in setting the immunosuppressive tone of the mucosa to inhibit overreaction against innocuous luminal antigens. This includes regulation of dendritic cells (DC), macrophage and lymphocyte functions by epithelial secreted cytokines. These immune mechanisms depend heavily on IEC recognition of microbes and are consistent with several studies in knockout mice that demonstrate TLR signaling in the epithelium has a profoundly beneficial role in maintaining homeostasis.
Protein-induced photophysical changes to the amyloid indicator dye thioflavin T
Authors: Wolfe Leslie S. , Calabrese Matthew F. , Nath Abhinav , Blaho Dorottya V. , Miranker Andrew D. , Xiong Yong
Published: September 2010

The small molecule thioflavin T (ThT) is a defining probe for the identification and mechanistic study of amyloid fiber formation. As such, ThT is fundamental to investigations of serious diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson disease, and type II diabetes. For each disease, a different protein undergoes conformational conversion to a β-sheet rich fiber. The fluorescence of ThT exhibits an increase in quantum yield upon binding these fibers. Despite its widespread use, the structural basis for binding specificity and for the changes to the photophysical properties of ThT remain poorly understood. Here, we report the co-crystal structures of ThT with two alternative states of β-2 microglobulin (β2m); one monomeric, the other an amyloid-like oligomer. In the latter, the dye intercalates between β-sheets orthogonal to the β-strands. Importantly, the fluorophore is bound in such a manner that a photophysically relevant torsion is limited to a range of angles generally associated with low, not high, quantum yield. Quantum mechanical assessment of the fluorophore shows the electronic distribution to be strongly stabilized by aromatic interactions with the protein. Monomeric β2m gives little increase in ThT fluorescence despite showing three fluorophores, at two binding sites, in configurations generally associated with high quantum yield. Our efforts fundamentally extend existing understanding about the origins of amyloid-induced photophysical changes. Specifically, the β-sheet interface that characterizes amyloid acts both sterically and electronically to stabilize the fluorophore’s ground state electronic distribution. By preventing the fluorophore from adopting its preferred excited state configuration, nonradiative relaxation pathways are minimized and quantum yield is increased.
Demonstration of rapid shutdown using large shattered deuterium pellet injection in DIII-D
Authors: Commaux N. , Baylor L.R. , Jernigan T.C. , Hollmann E.M. , Parks P.B. , Humphreys D.A. , Wesley J.C. , Yu J.H.
Published: September 2010

A severe consequence of a disruption on large tokamaks such as ITER could be the generation of multi-megaelectronvolt electron beams that could damage the vacuum vessel and the structures of the machine if they hit the wall unmitigated. The mitigation of runaway electron beams is thus a key requirement for reliable operation of ITER. In order to achieve reliable disruption mitigation, a new fast shutdown technique has been developed: the injection of a large shattered cryogenic pellet in the plasma, which is expected to increase the electron density up to levels where the beam generation processes are mitigated by collisional losses. This technique has been implemented and tested for the first time ever on DIII-D. The first tests show evidence of an almost instantaneous deposition of more than 260 Pa m3 of deuterium deep in the core. Record local densities during the thermal quench were observed for each injection with a very high reliability. Pellet mass and plasma energy content scans show an improvement of the assimilation of the particles for higher plasma energy and larger pellet mass.
Plasma internal inductance dynamics in a tokamak
Authors: Romero J.A.
Published: September 2010

A lumped parameter model for tokamak plasma current and inductance time evolution as a function of plasma resistance, non-inductive current drive sources and boundary voltage or poloidal field coil current drive is presented. The model includes a novel formulation leading to exact equations for internal inductance and plasma current dynamics. Having in mind its application in a tokamak inductive control system, the model is expressed in state space form, the preferred choice for the design of control systems using modern control systems theory. The choice of system states allows many interesting physical quantities such as plasma current, inductance, magnetic energy, and resistive and inductive fluxes be made available as output equations.

The model is derived from energy conservation theorem, and flux balance theorems, together with a first order approximation for flux diffusion dynamics. The validity of this approximation has been checked using experimental data from JET showing an excellent agreement.
High-Resolution Whole-Genome Sequencing Reveals That Specific Chromatin Domains from Most Human Chromosomes Associate with Nucleoli
Authors: van Koningsbruggen Silvana , Gierliński Marek , Schofield Pietá , Martin David , Barton Geoffey J. , Ariyurek Yavuz , den Dunnen Johan T. , Lamond Angus I.
Published: September 2010

The nuclear space is mostly occupied by chromosome territories and nuclear bodies. Although this organization of chromosomes affects gene function, relatively little is known about the role of nuclear bodies in the organization of chromosomal regions. The nucleolus is the best-studied subnuclear structure and forms around the rRNA repeat gene clusters on the acrocentric chromosomes. In addition to rDNA, other chromatin sequences also surround the nucleolar surface and may even loop into the nucleolus. These additional nucleolar-associated domains (NADs) have not been well characterized. We present here a whole-genome, high-resolution analysis of chromatin endogenously associated with nucleoli. We have used a combination of three complementary approaches, namely fluorescence comparative genome hybridization, high-throughput deep DNA sequencing and photoactivation combined with time-lapse fluorescence microscopy. The data show that specific sequences from most human chromosomes, in addition to the rDNA repeat units, associate with nucleoli in a reproducible and heritable manner. NADs have in common a high density of AT-rich sequence elements, low gene density and a statistically significant enrichment in transcriptionally repressed genes. Unexpectedly, both the direct DNA sequencing and fluorescence photoactivation data show that certain chromatin loci can specifically associate with either the nucleolus, or the nuclear envelope.
Male dance moves that catch a woman's eye
Authors: Neave Nick , McCarty Kristofor , Freynik Jeanette , Caplan Nicholas , Hönekopp Johannes , Fink Bernhard
Published: September 2010

Male movements serve as courtship signals in many animal species, and may honestly reflect the genotypic and/or phenotypic quality of the individual. Attractive human dance moves, particularly those of males, have been reported to show associations with measures of physical strength, prenatal androgenization and symmetry. Here we use advanced three-dimensional motion-capture technology to identify possible biomechanical differences between women's perceptions of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ male dancers. Nineteen males were recorded using the ‘Vicon’ motion-capture system while dancing to a basic rhythm; controlled stimuli in the form of avatars were then created in the form of 15 s video clips, and rated by 39 females for dance quality. Initial analyses showed that 11 movement variables were significantly positively correlated with perceived dance quality. Linear regression subsequently revealed that three movement measures were key predictors of dance quality; these were variability and amplitude of movements of the neck and trunk, and speed of movements of the right knee. In summary, we have identified specific movements within men's dance that influence women's perceptions of dancing ability. We suggest that such movements may form honest signals of male quality in terms of health, vigour or strength, though this remains to be confirmed.
Hearing in the African lungfish (
Protopterus annectens
): pre-adaptation to pressure hearing in tetrapods?
Authors: Christensen-Dalsgaard Jakob , Brandt Christian , Wilson Maria , Wahlberg Magnus , Madsen Peter T.
Published: September 2010

Lungfishes are the closest living relatives of the tetrapods, and the ear of recent lungfishes resembles the tetrapod ear more than the ear of ray-finned fishes and is therefore of interest for understanding the evolution of hearing in the early tetrapods. The water-to-land transition resulted in major changes in the tetrapod ear associated with the detection of air-borne sound pressure, as evidenced by the late and independent origins of tympanic ears in all of the major tetrapod groups. To investigate lungfish pressure and vibration detection, we measured the sensitivity and frequency responses of five West African lungfish (
Protopterus annectens
) using brainstem potentials evoked by calibrated sound and vibration stimuli in air and water. We find that the lungfish ear has good low-frequency vibration sensitivity, like recent amphibians, but poor sensitivity to air-borne sound. The skull shows measurable vibrations above 100 Hz when stimulated by air-borne sound, but the ear is apparently insensitive at these frequencies, suggesting that the lungfish ear is neither adapted nor pre-adapted for aerial hearing. Thus, if the lungfish ear is a model of the ear of early tetrapods, their auditory sensitivity was limited to very low frequencies on land, mostly mediated by substrate-borne vibrations.
Regenerative medicine. Opportunities and challenges: a brief overview
Authors: Polak Dame Julia
Published: September 2010

Regenerative medicine is a new multi-disciplinary field aiming at the repair or replacement of disease body parts. The field is progressing at an unprecedented pace and although the opportunities are immense, many hurdles lie ahead. This brief review analyses the opportunities and challenges faced by regenerative medicine.
Limited interactions in flocks: relating model simulations to empirical data
Authors: Bode Nikolai W. F. , Franks Daniel W. , Wood A. Jamie
Published: September 2010

The mechanism of self-organization resulting in coordinated collective motion has received wide attention from a range of scientists interested in both its technical and biological relevance. Models have been highly influential in highlighting how collective motion can be produced from purely local interactions between individuals. Typical models in this field are termed ‘metric’ because each individual only reacts to conspecifics within a fixed distance. A recent large-scale study has, however, provided evidence that interactions ruling collective behaviour occur between a fixed number of nearest neighbours (‘topological’ framework). Despite their importance in clarifying the nature of the mechanism underlying animal interactions, these findings have yet to be produced by either metric or topological models. Here, we present an original individual-based model of collective animal motion that reproduces the previous findings. Our approach bridges the current gap between previous model analysis and recent evidence, and presents a framework for further study.
Absence of mammals and the evolution of New Zealand grasses
Authors: Antonelli Alexandre , Humphreys Aelys M. , Lee William G. , Linder H. Peter
Published: September 2010

Anthropogenic alteration of biotic distributions and disturbance regimes has dramatically changed the evolutionary context for the differentiation of species traits. Some of the most striking examples in recent centuries have been on islands where flightless birds, which evolved in the absence of mammalian carnivores, have been decimated following the widespread introduction of exotic predators. Until now, no equivalent case has been reported for plants. Here, we make use of robust analytical tools and an exceptionally well-sampled molecular phylogeny to show that a majority of New Zealand danthonioid grasses (Poaceae) may have adapted to the relaxed vertebrate herbivore pressure during the late Cenozoic through the development of a distinctive and unusual habit: abscission of old leaves. This feature occurs in only about 3 per cent of the world's roughly 11 000 grass species and has been empirically shown to increase plant productivity but to reduce protection against mammal grazing. This result suggests that release from a selective pressure can lead to species radiations. This seemingly anachronistic adaptation may represent an overlooked factor contributing to the severe decline in the geographical extent and species diversity of New Zealand's indigenous grasslands following the introduction of herbivorous terrestrial mammals in the 19th century.
Phylogeography of microbial phototrophs in the dry valleys of the high Himalayas and Antarctica
Authors: Schmidt S. K. , Lynch R. C. , King A. J. , Karki D. , Robeson M. S. , Nagy L. , Williams M. W. , Mitter M. S. , Freeman K. R.
Published: September 2010

High-elevation valleys in dry areas of the Himalayas are among the most extreme, yet least explored environments on Earth. These barren, rocky valleys are subjected to year-round temperature fluctuations across the freezing point and very low availability of water and nutrients, causing previous workers to hypothesize that no photoautotrophic life (primary producers) exists in these locations. However, there has been no work using modern biogeochemical or culture-independent molecular methods to test the hypothesis that photoautotrophs are absent from high Himalayan soil systems. Here, we show that although microbial biomass levels are as low as those of the Dry Valleys of Antarctica, there are abundant microbial photoautotrophs, displaying unexpected phylogenetic diversity, in barren soils from just below the permanent ice line of the central Himalayas. Furthermore, we discovered that one of the dominant algal clades from the high Himalayas also contains the dominant algae in culture-independent surveys of both soil and ice samples from the Dry Valleys of Antarctica, revealing an unexpected link between these environmentally similar but geographically very distant systems. Phylogenetic and biogeographic analyses demonstrated that although this algal clade is globally distributed to other high-altitude and high-latitude soils, it shows significant genetic isolation by geographical distance patterns, indicating local adaptation and perhaps speciation in each region. Our results are the first to demonstrate the remarkable similarities of microbial life of arid soils of Antarctica and the high Himalayas. Our findings are a starting point for future comparative studies of the dry valleys of the Himalayas and Antarctica that will yield new insights into the cold and dry limits to life on Earth.
Evolutionary inheritance of elemental stoichiometry in phytoplankton
Authors: Quigg Antonietta , Irwin Andrew J. , Finkel Zoe V.
Published: September 2010

The elemental composition of phytoplankton is a fusion of the evolutionary history of the host and plastid, resulting in differences in genetic constraints and selection pressures associated with environmental conditions. The evolutionary inheritance hypothesis predicts similarities in elemental composition within related taxonomic lineages of phytoplankton. To test this hypothesis, we measured the elemental composition (C, N, P, S, K, Mg, Ca, Sr, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, Cd and Mo) of 14 phytoplankton species and combined these with published data from 15 more species from both marine and freshwater environments grown under nutrient-replete conditions. The largest differences in the elemental profiles of the species distinguish between the prokaryotic Cyanophyta and primary endosymbiotic events that resulted in the green and red plastid lineages. Smaller differences in trace element stoichiometry within the red and green plastid lineages are consistent with changes in trace elemental stoichiometry owing to the processes associated with secondary endosymbioses and inheritance by descent with modification.
MORPHEUS’ MOLECULE1 Is Required to Prevent Aberrant RNA Transcriptional Read-Through in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhou Yue , Zhang Jun , Lin Huixin , Guo Guangqin , Guo Yan
Published: September 2010

Several pathways function to remove aberrant mRNA in eukaryotic cells; however, the exact mechanisms underlying the restriction of aberrant mRNA transcription are poorly understood. In this study, we found that MORPHEUS’ MOLECULE1 (MOM1) is a key component of this regulatory machinery. The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mom1-44 mutation was identified by luciferase imaging in transgenic plants harboring a cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter-LUCIFERASE transgene lacking the 3′-untranslated region. In the mom1-44 mutant, transcriptional read-though occurred in genes with an aberrant RNA structure. Analysis of an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase2 mom1 double mutant revealed that the RNA-directed DNA methylation pathway is not involved in this regulatory process. Moreover, the prevention of aberrant mRNA transcriptional read-through by MOM1 is gene locus and transgene copy number independent.
Auxin Carriers Localization Drives Auxin Accumulation in Plant Cells Infected byFrankiainCasuarina glaucaActinorhizal Nodules
Authors: Perrine-Walker Francine , Doumas Patrick , Lucas Mikael , Vaissayre Virginie , Beauchemin Nicholas J. , Band Leah R. , Chopard Jérome , Crabos Amandine , Conejero Geneviève , Péret Benjamin , King John R. , Verdeil Jean-Luc , Hocher Valérie , Franche Claudine , Bennett Malcolm J. , Tisa Louis S. , Laplaze Laurent
Published: September 2010

Actinorhizal symbioses are mutualistic interactions between plants and the soil bacteria Frankia that lead to the formation of nitrogen-fixing root nodules. Little is known about the signaling mechanisms controlling the different steps of the establishment of the symbiosis. The plant hormone auxin has been suggested to play a role. Here we report that auxin accumulates within Frankia-infected cells in actinorhizal nodules of Casuarina glauca. Using a combination of computational modeling and experimental approaches, we establish that this localized auxin accumulation is driven by the cell-specific expression of auxin transporters and by Frankia auxin biosynthesis in planta. Our results indicate that the plant actively restricts auxin accumulation to Frankia-infected cells during the symbiotic interaction.
Notes on the order-of-reflection dependence of microstrain broadening
Authors: Leineweber A. , Mittemeijer E. J.
Published: September 2010

In order to obtain systematic insight into the different manifestations of microstrain broadening in powder diffraction patterns, the consequences of the breakdown of the Stokes–Wilson approximation (negligible strain gradient in a stack of lattice planes) were investigated. To this end, a phenomenological approach for the decay of the variance of the microstrain with increasing correlation distanceL, 〈∊L2〉, was adopted, as well as a Gaussian microstrain distribution for eachL. For the case of anL-independent 〈∊L2〉 (i.e.the Stokes–Wilson approximation) the (Gaussian) microstrain distribution directly shows up (is affinely mapped) on the diffraction angle scale as well as on the length of the diffraction vector scale. Furthermore, the integral breadth (on the length of the diffraction vector scale) then increases linearly with the order of reflection or, expressed another way, with the length of the diffraction vector (i.e.the integral breadth increases with tanθ on the diffraction angle 2θ scale). For the case of a decay of 〈∊L2〉 withL, deviations from such simple behaviour of the integral breadth occur. In particular, Lorentzian line broadening and nonlinear dependence of the integral breadth on the length of the diffraction vector scale (i.e.non-tanθ dependence on the 2θ scale) are induced. It is argued that the approaches used for the description of microstrain broadening in many procedures (integral breadth and Rietveld refinement) are of limited validity,i.e.they do not warrant general unverified application.
Diltiazem‐associated photodistributed hyperpigmentation: Report of two Japanese cases and published work review
Authors: KUBO Yoshiaki , FUKUMOTO Daisuke , ISHIGAMI Takeshi , HIDA Yasutoshi , ARASE Seiji
Published: September 2010

Scherschum et al. proposed diltiazem‐associated photodistributed hyperpigmentation as a novel type of drug‐induced photosensitive lichenoid eruption. The characteristic clinical features were slate‐gray reticulated hyperpigmentation on sun‐exposed areas, while lichenoid dermatitis with prominent pigmentary incontinence was noted histologically. Although the clinical and histological features were similar to those of lichen planus pigmentosus, the histological features did not show either compact hyperkeratosis or wedge‐shaped hypergranulosis, which are typical histological features of lichen planus. We describe two Japanese cases of diltiazem‐associated photodistributed hyperpigmentation, who were successfully treated with topical tacrolimus, and review the published work.
Erythema nodosum associated with Yersinia enterocolitica infection
Authors: YOTSU Rie , MII Sumiyuki , HAYASHI Rika , HARADA Harumi , FURUKAWA Keiichi , ETO Hikaru
Published: September 2010

We report a 74‐year‐old woman who presented to hospital with fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and 2 weeks later developed erythema nodosum (EN) on the legs, and was diagnosed with Yersinia enterocolitica infection based on her clinical course and microbiological examination of the stool. She also had a complication of pancreatitis, which made the diagnosis challenging. We should suspect infection by Y. enterocolitica when diagnosing cases of EN with gastrointestinal symptoms. We assume EN is likely to appear 2 weeks after the onset of gastrointestinal symptoms from our case and other case reports.
Lupus pernio with multiple bone cysts in the fingers
Authors: NAGAI Yayoi , IGARASHI Naoya , ISHIKAWA Osamu
Published: September 2010

A 32‐year‐old Japanese man presented with a 3‐year history of purple reddish, and painful swelling of his fingers along with indurated erythema on his nose and ears. He was diagnosed as having sarcoidosis 8 years prior because of uveitis and bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy. X‐rays of the hands revealed multiple cystic lesions in the phalanges. Histological examination of the ear revealed epithelioid cell granulomas in the dermis. Oral prednisolone 20 mg/day improved his finger swelling and pain; however, his finger deformities and erythema remain unchanged. Bone involvement is sometimes seen in sarcoidosis and the hands are the most frequently affected areas. The frequency of bone involvement is higher in lupus pernio in comparison with other types of skin sarcoidosis. Systemic corticosteroids could be the first choice of treatment to relieve the symptoms.
Original article: Gel properties of red tilapia surimi: effects of setting condition, fish freshness and frozen storage
Authors: Mahawanich Thanachan , Lekhavichitr Jirachai , Duangmal Kiattisak
Published: September 2010

This study aimed to determine effects of setting condition, fish freshness and storage time of frozen surimi on properties of red tilapia surimi gel. To investigate the effect of setting condition, a combination of eight setting temperatures (35–70 °C) and four setting times (30–120 min) was used. Maximum breaking force, deformation and gel strength were obtained after the gel had been set at 40 °C for 90 or 120 min. Setting at 65 °C resulted in the lowest obtained gel strength, because of proteolytic degradation of myosin heavy chain. Increasing storage time of raw fish material in ice caused a significant decrease in gel strength of the resultant surimi gel (P < 0.05). Gels produced from surimi kept in frozen storage for up to 9 months also exhibited reduced gel strength, with a concomitant increase in the expressible drip, with increasing storage time (P < 0.05).
Original article: Characterisation of water species revealed in the drying operation of Todarodes pacificus Steenstrup using water proton NMR analysis
Authors: Konishi Yasuyuki , Kobayashi Masayoshi , Miura Kou‐ichi
Published: September 2010

For the discrimination of water molecules during the squid‐drying process, the water distribution was characterised by water proton NMR and moisture diffusivity (De) analysis methods as a function of the water content (W0). The proton NMR spectrum showed three peaks indicating three different species (species‐A, ‐B, and ‐C) distributed in the squid muscle, each of which had a characteristic behaviour of the relaxation time (T2) as a function of the W0. The 1/T2 of species‐A was drastically varied at W0 = 120%‐d.b., indicating two further categories, i.e., species‐A1 and ‐A2. Species‐A1 is available at W0 > 120%‐d.b. and was characterised as having De = 5.1 × 10−10 m2 s−1, activation energy of moisture diffusivity (ED) = 17 kJ mol−1, and relaxation rate 1/T2 = 74 s−1, as evaluated by the proton NMR spectrum without depending on W0. Species‐A2 is available at W0 < 120%‐d.b., indicating a distribution of De = 4.8 × 10−10–1.7 × 10−10 m2 s−1, ED = 25–35 kJ mol−1 and 1/T2 = 1.8 × 103–1.5 × 102 s−1 with increasing W0. Species‐A1 and ‐A2 were assigned as weakly restricted water and strongly restricted water, respectively.