bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bendable ZnO thin film surface acoustic wave devices on polyethylene terephthalate substrate
Authors: He Xingli , Guo Hongwei , Chen Jinkai , Wang Wenbo , Xuan Weipeng , Xu Yang , Luo Jikui
Published: May 2014

Bendable surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices were fabricated using high quality c-axis orientation ZnO films deposited on flexible polyethylene terephthalate substrates at 120 °C. Dual resonance modes, namely, the zero order pseudo asymmetric (A0) and symmetric (S0) Lamb wave modes, have been obtained from the SAW devices. The SAW devices perform well even after repeated flexion up to 2500 με for 100 times, demonstrating its suitability for flexible electronics application. The SAW devices are also highly sensitive to compressive and tensile strains, exhibiting excellent anti-strain deterioration property, thus, they are particularly suitable for sensing large strains.
Luminescence thermometry below room temperature via up-conversion emission of Y2O3:Yb3+,Er3+ nanophosphors
Authors: Lojpur V. , Nikolić G. , Dramićanin M. D.
Published: May 2014

This study explores potential of Er3+-Yb3+ doped phosphors for up-conversion luminescence thermometry in the temperature range from 10 K to 300 K. Yttrium oxide nanopowder doped with trivalent ytterbium and erbium ions (Y1.97Yb0.02Er0.01O3) was prepared by hydrothermal synthesis as an example. The intensity ratios of up-conversion emissions from thermally coupled 2H11/2 and 4S3/2 levels of Er3+ show strong temperature dependence (in the range 150 K–300 K) with much higher relative sensitivity than those reported for thermometry above room temperature with Er3+-Yb3+ based up-conversion materials. The maximal value of relative sensitivity is 5.28%K−1 at 150 K, with temperature resolution ranging from 0.81 K to 0.06 K. In addition, the intensity ratios of emission from thermally non-coupled Er3+ levels (2H9/2 and 4F9/2) and from 4S3/2 also show temperature dependence that can be approximated with an exponential function. With these up-conversion emission ratios, it is possible measure temperature in the range of 10 K to 300 K with excellent sensitivity and resolution.
Room temperature multiferroic properties and magnetoelectric coupling in Sm and Ni substituted Bi4−xSmxTi3−xNixO12±δ (x = 0, 0.02, 0.05, 0.07) ceramics
Authors: Paul Joginder , Bhardwaj Sumit , Sharma K. K. , Kotnala R. K. , Kumar Ravi
Published: May 2014

Lead free multiferroic Bi4−xSmxTi3−xNixO12±δ (x = 0.02, 0.05, and 0.07) samples have been synthesized by conventional solid state route. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals single phase up to x = 0.07, and a secondary phase appears at x > 0.07. Raman spectroscopy confirms the local distortions in the crystal. Field emission scanning electron microscopy shows plate like grains. Substitution has increased the orthorhombic distortion, grain size, and hence the ferroelectric transition temperature (Tc). A significant reduction in the values of dielectric constant (ε′) and loss tangent (tan δ) has been observed with the increase of Sm and Ni ions. The increase in dc resistivity at room temperature has been found with substitution. Enhancement in the values of remnant polarization (2Pr) and magnetization (2Mr) is observed. Magnetoelectric coupling coefficient (α) values of 0.60 mV/cm/Oe are achieved in Bi4−xSmxTi3−xNixO12±δ ceramic samples. Hence, we have successfully converted the ferroelectric Bi4Ti3O12 into a multiferroic, which is a new lead free multiferroic material, can be useful for future electromagnetic devices.
Film thickness mediated transition in the kinetics of electric current induced flow of thin liquid metal films
Authors: Talukder Santanu , Kumar Praveen , Pratap Rudra
Published: May 2014

Application of high electric-field between two points in a thin metallic film results in liquefaction and subsequent flow of the liquid-film from one electrode to another in a radially symmetric fashion. Here, we report the transition of the flow kinetics driven by the liquid film thickness varying from 3 to 100 nm. The mechanism of the flow behavior is observed to be independent of the film thickness; however, the kinetics of the flow depends on the film thickness and the applied voltage. An analytical model, incorporating viscosity and varying electrical resistivity with film thickness, is developed to explain the experimental observations.
Detection of relative [Na+] and [K+] levels in sweat with optical measurements
Authors: Al-omari Mahmoud , Sel Kivanc , Mueller Anja , Edwards Jeffery , Kaya Tolga
Published: May 2014

We describe the use of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (HNQ, Lawsone) as a potential sweat electrolyte measurement marker. We use ultraviolet-visible absorbance measurements to determine the absorbance energy in a particular wavelength range (400 nm–500 nm). This novel approach allows us to eliminate the importance of the exact wavelength of the absorbance peak but find the integral of the range of interest. Although we numerically calculate the absorbance energy, it is imperative to use photodiodes to measure the intensity of the transmitted light that is fabricated particularly for the range of interest for future device implementations. We explored various mixing ratios of water and acetone to find the optimum solvent that would give the most sensitive and accurate relative electrolyte sensing. The pH value was also modified to see the effect on the absorbance energy and intensity. A representative group of subjects were used to collect sweat from the dehydration and hyperhydration cases. The results are convincing that HNQ solutions can be used as a wearable, continuous sweat sensor.
Electrical properties of BaTiO3 based – MFIS heterostructure: Role of semiconductor channel carrier concentration
Authors: Vagadia Megha , Ravalia Ashish , Solanki P. S. , Pandey Parul , Asokan K. , Kuberkar D. G.
Published: May 2014

Effect of semiconductor channel carrier concentration on the modifications in the electrical properties of Ag/BaTiO3/SrTiO3/ZnO Metal-Ferroelectric-Insulator-Semiconductor (MFIS) heterostructure has been investigated. Under 4 V applied voltage, low leakage current density ∼3.2 × 10−6 A/cm2, has been observed in ZnO based MFIS heterostructure, which becomes ∼5.0 × 10−6 A/cm2 for MFIS with Al:ZnO channel. Observation of counterclockwise butterfly shaped C-V behavior confirms that, hysteresis in C-V is due to spontaneous ferroelectric polarization and field effect. A device with ZnO semiconductor exhibit ∼2700% modulation which decreases to ∼800% for Al: ZnO channel with good retention behavior. Pulse induced write/erase repeatability of source/drain current confirms the usefulness of the presently studied devices for non-volatile switching memory application.
A plateau in the sensitivity of a compact optically pumped atomic magnetometer
Authors: Mizutani Natsuhiko , Okano Kazuhisa , Ban Kazuhiro , Ichihara Sunao , Terao Akira , Kobayashi Tetsuo
Published: May 2014

In a compact optically pumped atomic magnetometer (OPAM), there is a plateau in the sensitivity where the dependence of the sensitivity on pumping power is small compared with that predicted by the uniform polarization model. The mechanism that generates this plateau was explained by numerical analysis. The distribution of spin polarization in the alkali metal cell of an OPAM was modeled using the Bloch equation incorporating a diffusion term and an equation for the attenuation of the pump beam. The model was well-fitted to the experimental results for a module with a cubic cell with 20 mm sides and pump and probe beams with 8 mm diameter. On the plateau, strong magnetic response was generated at the regions that were not illuminated directly by the intense pump beam, while at the same time spin polarization as large as 0.5 was maintained due to diffusion of the spin-polarized atoms. Thus, the sensitivity of the magnetometer monitored with a probe beam decreases only slightly with increasing pump beam intensity because the spin polarization under an intense pump beam is saturated. This plateau, which is characteristic of this type of magnetometer using a narrow pump and probe beams, can be used in arrays of magnetometers because it enables stable operation with little sensitivity fluctuation from changes in pump beam power.
Practice nurse involvement in general practice clinical care: policy and funding issues need resolution
Authors: Afzali Hossein Haji Ali , Karnon Jonathan , Beilby Justin , Gray Jodi , Holton Christine , Banham David
Published: May 2014

In Australia, primary care-based funding initiatives have been implemented to encourage general practices to employ practice nurses. The aim of this paper is to discuss limitations of the current funding and policy arrangements in enhancing the clinical role of practice nurses in the management of chronic conditions. This paper draws on the results of a real-world economic evaluation, the Primary Care Services Improvement Project (PCSIP). The PCSIP linked routinely collected clinical and resource use data to undertake a risk-adjusted cost-effectiveness analysis of increased practice nurse involvement in clinical-based activities for the management of diabetes and obesity. The findings of the PCSIP suggested that the active involvement of practice nurses in collaborative clinical-based activities is cost-effective, as well as addressing general practice workforce issues. Although primary healthcare organisations (e.g. Medicare Locals) can play a key role in supporting enhanced practice nurse roles, improvements to practice nurse funding models could further encourage more efficient use of an important resource. What is known about the topic? There is evidence that the increased involvement of practice nurses in clinical-based activities in the management of patients with chronic conditions (e.g. diabetes and obesity) is cost-effective. The Australian Government has implemented financial incentives to encourage general practices to recruit nurses and to expand nursing roles within collaborative models of care. There is currently insufficient engagement of practice nurses in clinical care. What does this paper add? This paper summarises evidence regarding the value of an enhanced practice nurse role in Australian general practice, and discusses refinements to current funding arrangements for practice nurses. What are the implications for practitioners? Delegating clinical role (e.g. patient education and monitoring clinical progress) to practice nurses in the management of patients with chronic conditions can improve clinical outcomes without adversely affecting general practice business models.
Development of nutrition standards and therapeutic diet specifications for public hospitals in New South Wales
Authors: Williams Peter , Hazlewood Tanya , Pang Glen
Published: May 2014

In New South Wales (NSW), a new suite of nutrition standards for menus and specifications for therapeutic diets to be used in hospitals has been developed. These standards were required to facilitate centralised menu planning and food production, with the move to management of most hospital food services by HealthShare NSW, a state-wide business unit of NSW Health. The standards also aim to improve communication between health professionals, particularly with the increasing use of computerised meal-ordering systems. Nutrition standards have been developed for adult, paediatric and mental health inpatients, and specifications for 147 different adult and paediatric therapeutic diets. There is still significant variation in the nutrition standards for nutrition and therapeutic diets in hospitals across the Australian states, and a move to a more nationally harmonised approach would be welcome. Further research is required to examine the impact of these standards on operating efficiency and patient care outcomes.

What is known about the topic?
The development of nutrition standards for Australian hospitals is a new process and has not been described in the literature previously.

What does this paper add?
This paper provides a description of the process used in NSW to develop nutrition and diet standards, and citations of the key new documents, which could inform practitioners and policy makers in other states.

What are the implications for practitioners?
Hospital managers, foodservice staff, dietitians and other clinicians in NSW will need to be aware of the requirement in the new standards to ensure best practice care. Those in other jurisdictions should try to ensure movement towards more nationally consistent guidelines and standards.
Use of transmission electron microscopy to identify nanocrystals of challenging protein targets
Authors: Stevenson Hilary P. , Makhov Alexander M. , Calero Monica , Edwards Andrea L. , Zeldin Oliver B. , Mathews Irimpan I. , Lin Guowu , Barnes Christopher O. , Santamaria Hugo , Ross Ted M. , Soltis S. Michael , Khosla Chaitan , Nagarajan V. , Conway James F. , Cohen Aina E. , Calero Guillermo
Published: May 2014

Significance

X-ray crystallography is the primary technique used to obtain high-resolution structures of proteins. This method relies on diffracting large crystals that are identified by bright-field microscopy and usually optimized from an initial smaller and lower quality crystalline hit. Because of the limits of the optical methods used to visualize and identify these crystals, smaller nanometer crystals are excluded from the results of typical evaluations. However, the field of nanocrystallography, which utilizes a free electron laser to solve structures from nanocrystal (NC) slurries, makes these unidentified crystals highly useful. This paper presents a method, relying on transmission electron microscopy, to identify NCs, determine if they are protein, and evaluate their quality.
Functional magnetic resonance microscopy at single-cell resolution in
Aplysia californica
Authors: Radecki Guillaume , Nargeot Romuald , Jelescu Ileana Ozana , Le Bihan Denis , Ciobanu Luisa
Published: May 2014

Significance

The direct observation with MRI of neuronal activity at single-neuron resolution represents a significant advancement in magnetic resonance (MR) microscopy and functional neuroimaging. The vast majority of high-resolution MR microscopy studies remain restricted to the generation of static images. This study shifts the focus of MR microscopy from noninvasive static imaging to dynamic investigations of activity in single cells and neuronal networks. Although most functional neuroimaging investigations are limited to averaging the signal from clusters of hundreds of neurons, we show that we are able to record the activity coming from individual neurons and their responses to sensory stimuli.
Functional expression of recombinant human macrophage β-glucan receptor dectin-1 using baculovirus–silkworm expression system
Authors: Ujita Minoru , Koike Shota , Yamauchi Yosuke , Kiochi Noburo , Yura Hiroki , Yamanaka Mayumi , Okumura Hiroki
Published: May 2014

Human macrophage dectin-1, a type II transmembrane β-glucan receptor, was expressed as a fusion protein with an N-terminal hexahistidine tag in a baculovirus–silkworm expression system and assayed for binding activity. Recombinant dectin-1 specifically bound to some β-glucans, and the neck domain and N-linked oligosaccharide chains of human dectin-1 did not affect the ligand binding activity and specificity of the receptor.
Distinct effects of positive and negative music on older adults’ auditory target identification performances
Authors: Vieillard Sandrine , Bigand Emmanuel
Published: May 2014

Older adults, compared to younger adults, are more likely to attend to pleasant situations and avoid unpleasant ones. Yet, it is unclear whether such a phenomenon may be generalized to musical emotions. In this study, we investigated whether there is an age-related difference in how musical emotions are experienced and how positive and negative music influences attention performances in a target identification task. Thirty-one young and twenty-eight older adults were presented with 40 musical excerpts conveying happiness, peacefulness, sadness, and threat. While listening to music, participants were asked to rate their feelings and monitor each excerpt for the occurrence of an auditory target. Compared to younger adults, older adults reported experiencing weaker emotional activation when listening to threatening music and showed higher level of liking for happy music. Correct reaction times (RTs) for target identification were longer for threatening than for happy music in older adults but not in younger adults. This suggests that older adults benefit from a positive musical context and can regulate emotion elicited by negative music by decreasing attention towards it (and therefore towards the auditory target).
Cost-Effectiveness of Ensuring Hepatitis B Protection for Previously Vaccinated Healthcare Personnel
Authors: Hoerger Thomas J. , Bradley Christina , Schillie Sarah F. , Reilly Meredith , Murphy Trudy V.
Published: May 2014

Objective

To examine the cost-effectiveness of pre- and postexposure approaches for ensuring hepatitis B protection among previously vaccinated healthcare personnel (HCP).

Design

A decision-analytic model was developed for alternative strategies of ensuring hepatitis B protection under assumptions of 68% and 95% long-term protection after a primary vaccination series. Costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) lost from infections were estimated, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated relative to a no intervention alternative over 10 years of intervention. Separate analyses were performed for trainees and nontrainees, using the healthcare system perspective. Trainees face higher risk of exposure and likely received primary vaccination as infants.

Setting

General healthcare settings.

Participants

Trainee and nontrainee HCP.

Interventions

Preexposure testing for antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen followed by additional vaccination for HCP without protective antibody levels; postexposure evaluation and management for HCP reporting blood or body fluid exposures

Results

The preexposure strategy prevents more infections and has higher costs than the postexposure strategy or no intervention. For trainees, 10-year preexposure evaluation ICERs are $832,875 and $144,457 per QALY for 95% and 68% long-term vaccine protection, respectively. Trainee 10-year postexposure evaluation ICERs are $1,146,660 and $191,579 per QALY under the 95% and 68% long-term protection assumptions, respectively. For nontrainees, 10-year ICERs are $745,739 and $1,129,286 per QALY for the preexposure and postexposure evaluation strategies, respectively.

Conclusions

ICERs may inform decision makers as they decide whether the added cost of the preexposure strategy provides sufficient value in preventing infections.
Solvability of commutative automorphic loops
Authors: Grishkov Alexander , Kinyon Michael , Nagy Gábor
Published: May 2014

We prove that every finite, commutative automorphic loop is solvable. We also prove that every finite, automorphic

2
2

-loop is solvable. The main idea of the proof is to associate a simple Lie algebra of characteristic

2
2

to a hypothetical finite simple commutative automorphic loop. The “crust of a thin sandwich” theorem of Zel’manov and Kostrikin leads to a contradiction.
A new proof of the bilinear T(1) Theorem
Authors: Hart Jarod
Published: May 2014

A new simple proof of the bilinear T(1) Theorem in the spirit of the proof of Coifman-Meyer of the celebrated result of David and Journé in the linear case is presented. This new proof is obtained independently of the linear T(1) Theorem by combining recent bilinear square function bounds and a paraproduct construction.
AlphaMPSim: flexible simulation of multi-parent crosses
Authors: Hickey John M. , Gorjanc Gregor , Hearne Sarah , Huang Bevan E.
Published: May 2014

Summary: Multi-parent crosses of recombinant inbred lines exist in many species for fine-scale analysis of genome structure and marker–trait association. These populations encompass a wide range of crossing designs with varying potential. AlphaMPSim is a flexible simulation program that is efficiently designed for comparison of alternative designs for traits with varying genetic architectures and biallelic markers with densities up to full sequence. A large pool of founder haplotypes can be supplied by the user, or generated via integration with external coalescent simulation programs such as MaCS. From these, diverse founders for multi-parent designs can be generated automatically, and users can compare designs generated from diverse pedigrees. Full tracking of identity by descent status of alleles within the pedigree is undertaken, and output files are compatible with commonly available analysis packages in R.

Availability and implementation: Executable versions of AlphaMPSim for Mac and Linux and a user manual are available at http://www.roslin.ed.ac.uk/john-hickey/software-packages/ .

Contact:  john.hickey@roslin.ed.ac.uk

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
CODOC: efficient access, analysis and compression of depth of coverage signals
Authors: Popitsch Niko
Published: May 2014

Summary : Current data formats for the representation of depth of coverage data (DOC), a central resource for interpreting, filtering or detecting novel features in high-throughput sequencing datasets, were primarily designed for visualization purposes. This limits their applicability in stand-alone analyses of these data, mainly owing to inaccurate representation or mediocre data compression. CODOC is a novel data format and comprehensive application programming interface for efficient representation, access and analysis of DOC data. CODOC compresses these data ∼4–32× better than the best current comparable method by exploiting specific data characteristics while at the same time enabling more-exact signal recovery for lossy compression and very fast query answering times.

Availability and implementation: Java source code and binaries are freely available for non-commercial use at http://purl.org/bgraph/codoc .

Contact:  niko.popitsch@univie.ac.at

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data and usage examples are available at Bioinformatics online.
Does Survey Mode Still Matter? Findings from a 2010 Multi-Mode Comparison
Authors: Ansolabehere Stephen , Schaffner Brian F.
Published: May 2014

In this article, we present data from a three-mode survey comparison study carried out in 2010. National surveys were fielded at the same time over the Internet (using an opt-in Internet panel), by telephone with live interviews (using a national Random Digit Dialing (RDD) sample of landlines and cell phones), and by mail (using a national sample of residential addresses). Each survey utilized a nearly identical questionnaire soliciting information across a range of political and social indicators, many of which can be validated with government data. Comparing the findings from the modes using a Total Survey Error approach, we demonstrate that a carefully executed opt-in Internet panel produces estimates that are as accurate as a telephone survey and that the two modes differ little in their estimates of other political indicators and their correlates.
Recessive Mutation Identifies Auxin-Repressed Protein ARP1, Which Regulates Growth and Disease Resistance in Tobacco
Authors: Zhao Yanying , Li Cheng , Ge Jun , Xu Manyu , Zhu Qian , Wu Tingquan , Guo An , Xie Junyi , Dong Hansong
Published: May 2014

To study the molecular mechanism that underpins crosstalk between plant growth and disease resistance, we performed a mutant screening on tobacco and created a recessive mutation that caused the phenotype of growth enhancement and resistance impairment (geri1). In the geri1 mutant, growth enhancement accompanies promoted expression of growth-promoting genes, whereas repressed expression of defense response genes is consistent with impaired resistance to diseases caused by viral, bacterial, and oomycete pathogens. The geri1 allele identifies a single genetic locus hypothetically containing the tagged GERI1 gene. The isolated GERI1 gene was predicted to encode auxin-repressed protein ARP1, which was determined to be 13.5 kDa in size. The ARP1/GERI1 gene was further characterized as a repressor of plant growth and an activator of disease resistance based on genetic complementation, gene silencing, and overexpression analyses. ARP1/GERI1 resembles pathogen-associated molecular patterns and is required for them to repress plant growth and activate plant immunity responses. ARP1/GERI1 represses growth by inhibiting the expression of AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR gene ARF8, and ARP1/GERI1 recruits the NPR1 gene, which is essential for the salicylic-acid-mediated defense, to coregulate disease resistance. In conclusion, ARP1/GERI1 is an integral regulator for crosstalk between growth and disease resistance in the plant.
First Report of Colletotrichum truncatum Causing Stem Cankers on Jatropha curcas in Burkina Faso
Authors: Ellison C. A. , Sawadogo A. , Braman S. , Nacro S.
Published: May 2014

A new disease was identified on the biofuel crop Jatropha curcas in 2012 in Burkina Faso that is causing serious yield losses. The disease was found to be widespread in both Sissili and Comoé Provinces. It causes characteristic leaf lesions, fruit necrosis, and cankers on young stems and branches. There was evidence of multiple infections on plants over the growing season, with regrowth evident from below old cankers, but there was little fruit production from infected branches. A detailed monitoring and assessment was undertaken of the disease progress in a severely infected field, over a 7-week period. The disease symptoms progressed from chlorosis through a necrotic phase and, in approximately 83% of replicates, stem cankers developed that resulted in dieback and lodging of branches. Colletotrichum truncatum and a member of the species complex C. gloeosporioides sensu lato were consistently isolated from fresh stem samples showing early symptoms (chlorosis). Koch's postulates were undertaken, to establish the pathogenicity of the two species. No symptoms were observed on plants inoculated with C. gloeosporioides; however, leaf and stem lesions developed after inoculation with C. truncatum, which was reisolated from the diseased tissue, confirming it as the disease-causing agent. Preliminary management practices for the disease are proposed.
Characterization of theColletotrichumSpecies Causing Anthracnose in Andean Blackberry in Colombia
Authors: Afanador-Kafuri Lucía , González Alonso , Gañán Lederson , Mejía Juan Fernando , Cardona Nadya , Alvarez Elizabeth
Published: May 2014

Since 1992, anthracnose of Andean blackberry (Rubus glaucus) has generated losses as high as 40% for farmers in Colombia. In this study, our goal was to characterize 240 Colletotrichum isolates from Andean blackberry in eight areas of Colombia. These isolates were evaluated according to morphological characteristics, sensitivity to benomyl, pathogenicity, and genetic variability. Identification of the genus Colletotrichum was achieved by using species complex-specific polymerase chain reaction primers. A multilocus phylogeny approach was used to identify isolates to the species level with sequences from the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region and partial sequences of the actin, β-tubulin 2, calmodulin, chitin synthase 1, glutamine synthetase, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase genes. Most of the isolates were identified as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides sensu lato, were associated with the Castilla ecotype, showed high sensitivity to benomyl, and were highly aggressive. Isolates identified as C. acutatum sensu lato were found mainly on the Thornless ecotype, were highly resistant to benomyl, and showed intermediate aggressiveness. Only three isolates were identified as C. boninense sensu lato. The species identified included C. fructicola, C. kahawae subsp. ciggaro, C. godetiae, C. karstii, C. brassicicola, and undetermined Colletotrichum spp. This study is the first report of these species associated with anthracnose in Andean blackberry.
Paenibacillus dongdonensis sp. nov., isolated from rhizospheric soil of Elymus tsukushiensis
Authors: Son Jin-Soo , Kang Hyun-Uk , Ghim Sa-Youl
Published: May 2014

A Gram-staining-positive, endospore-forming and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated KUDC0114T, was isolated from rhizospheric soil of Elymus tsukushiensis from Dongdo Island, one of the largest of the Dokdo Islands, South Korea. The strain displayed optimal growth at 37 °C, pH 8.5 in the absence of NaCl. Based on phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain KUDC0114T represented a member of the genus

Paenibacillus

and was most closely related to

Paenibacillus taichungensis

BCRC 17757T (98.46 %). The cell-wall peptidoglycan was A1γ type, and the predominant quinone was menaquinone-7 (MK-7). The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 0. The DNA–DNA hybridization of strain KUDC0114T with nine other strains indicated less than 23 % relatedness, and its DNA G+C content was 44.30 mol%. Based on genomic, phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses, KUDC0114T should be classified as representing novel species within the genus

Paenibacillus

. The name Paenibacillus dongdonensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KUDC0114T ( = DSM27607T = KCTC33221T).
Bacillus fengqiuensis sp. nov., isolated from a typical sandy loam soil under long-term fertilization
Authors: Zhao Fei , Feng You-zhi , Chen Rui-rui , Zhang Hua-yong , Wang Jun-hua , Lin Xian-gui
Published: May 2014

A Gram-staining-positive, endospore-forming, moderately alkaliphilic bacterium, strain NPK15T, was isolated from a typical sandy loam soil under long-term NPK fertilization in northern China and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The diamino acid of the cell-wall peptidoglycan of strain NPK15T was found to be meso-diaminopimelic acid and the cell-wall sugars were xylose, glucose and traces of mannose. The only respiratory quinone found in strain NPK15T was menaquinone 7 (MK-7). The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0 and C16 : 1ω6c/C16 : 1ω7c. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. Phylogenetic analysis of the strain based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that it was related most closely to ‘

Bacillus thaonhiensis

’ KACC 17216 (99.59 %),

B. songklensis

KCTC 13881T (99.52 %) and

B. abyssalis

CCTCC AB 2012074T (99.00 %). DNA–DNA hybridization results indicated that the strain was distinct from other species of the genus

Bacillus

, the degree of relatedness being 35.4 % with

B. abyssalis

CCTCC AB 2012074T, 39.7 % with

B. songklensis

KCTC 13881T and 51.2 % with ‘

B. thaonhiensis

’ KACC 17216. The DNA G+C content of strain NPK15T was 45.5 mol%. Phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular analyses identified strain NPK15T as a member of a novel species of the genus

Bacillus

, for which the name Bacillus fengqiuensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NPK15T ( = DSM 26745T = CCTCC AB 2013156T).
Leiothecium cristatum sp. nov. and Aspergillus posadasensis sp. nov., two species of Eurotiales from rainforest soils in South America
Authors: Marin-Felix Yasmina , Cano-Lira José Francisco , Guarro Josep , Stchigel Alberto Miguel
Published: May 2014

We describe two novel fungi isolated from soil samples collected in Northern Argentina and belonging to the family Aspergillaceae of the order Eurotiales: Leiothecium cristatum sp. nov. and Aspergillus posadasensis sp. nov. Leiothecium cristatum sp. nov., represented by the ex-type strain FMR 11998T ( = CBS 134260T = NBRC 109843T), is distinguishable morphologically from the type species of the genus, Leiothecium ellipsoideum, by the presence of irregular reticulate ascospores with two prominent equatorial crests, and Aspergillus posadasensis sp. nov., represented by the ex-type strain FMR 12168T ( = CBS 134259T = NBRC 109845T), is differentiated from Aspergillus acanthosporus, the nearest species phylogenetically, by its non-sclerotioid ascomata and a lack of an asexual stage on all culture media tested. The taxonomic proposals are supported by the analysis of the sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region, the D1–D2 domains of the 28S rRNA gene, the fragments of the RNA polymerase II largest subunit, and the putative chaperonin complex related to TCP-1, β-tubulin and calmodulin genes.
O6-Carboxymethylguanine in DNA forms a sequence context-dependent wobble base-pair structure with thymine
Authors: Zhang Fang , Tsunoda Masaru , Kikuchi Yuji , Wilkinson Oliver , Millington Christopher L. , Margison Geoffrey P. , Williams David M. , Takénaka Akio
Published: May 2014

N-Nitrosation of glycine and its derivatives generates potent alkylating agents that can lead to the formation ofO6-carboxymethylguanine (O6-CMG) in DNA.O6-CMG has been identified in DNA derived from human colon tissue and its occurrence has been linked to diets high in red and processed meats, implying an association with the induction of colorectal cancer. By analogy toO6-methylguanine,O6-CMG is expected to be mutagenic, inducing G-to-A mutations that may be the molecular basis of increased cancer risk. Previously, the crystal structure of the DNA dodecamer d(CGCG[O6-CMG]ATTCGCG) has been reported, in whichO6-CMG forms a Watson–Crick-type pair with thymine similar to the canonical A:T pair. In order to further investigate the versatility ofO6-CMG in base-pair formation, the structure of the DNA dodecamer d(CGC[O6-CMG]AATTTGCG) containingO6-CMG at a different position has been determined by X-ray crystallography using four crystal forms obtained under conditions containing different solvent ions (Sr2+, Ba2+, Mg2+, K+or Na+) with and without Hoechst 33258. The most striking finding is that the pairing modes ofO6-CMG with T are quite different from those previously reported. In the present dodecamer, the T bases are displaced (wobbled) into the major groove to form a hydrogen bond between the thymine N3N—H and the carboxyl group ofO6-CMG. In addition, a water molecule is bridged through two hydrogen bonds between the thymine O2atom and the 2-amino group ofO6-CMG to stabilize the pairing. These interaction modes commonly occur in the four crystal forms, regardless of the differences in crystallization conditions. The previous and the present results show thatO6-CMG can form a base pair with T in two alternative modes: the Watson–Crick type and a high-wobble type, the nature of which may depend on the DNA-sequence context.
Structural features underlying the selective cleavage of a novel exo-type maltose-forming amylase fromPyrococcussp. ST04
Authors: Park Kwang-Hyun , Jung Jong-Hyun , Park Sung-Goo , Lee Myeong-Eun , Holden James F. , Park Cheon-Seok , Woo Eui-Jeon
Published: May 2014

A novel maltose-forming α-amylase (PSMA) was recently found in the hyperthermophilic archaeonPyrococcussp. ST04. This enzyme shows <13% amino-acid sequence identity to other known α-amylases and displays a unique enzymatic property in that it hydrolyzes both α-1,4-glucosidic and α-1,6-glucosidic linkages of substrates, recognizing only maltose units, in an exo-type manner. Here, the crystal structure of PSMA at a resolution of 1.8 Å is reported, showing a tight ring-shaped tetramer with monomers composed of two domains: an N-domain (amino acids 1–341) with a typical GH57 family (β/α)7-barrel fold and a C-domain (amino acids 342–597) composed of α-helical bundles. A small closed cavity observed in proximity to the catalytic residues Glu153 and Asp253 at the domain interface has the appropriate volume and geometry to bind a maltose unit, accounting for the selective exo-type maltose hydrolysis of the enzyme. A narrow gate at the putative subsite +1 formed by residue Phe218 and Phe452 is essential for specific cleavage of glucosidic bonds. The closed cavity at the active site is connected to a short substrate-binding channel that extends to the central hole of the tetramer, exhibiting a geometry that is significantly different from classical maltogenic amylases or β-amylases. The structural features of this novel exo-type maltose-forming α-amylase provide a molecular basis for its unique enzymatic characteristics and for its potential use in industrial applications and protein engineering.
Crystal structure of human CRMP-4: correction of intensities for lattice-translocation disorder
Authors: Ponnusamy Rajesh , Lebedev Andrey A. , Pahlow Steffen , Lohkamp Bernhard
Published: May 2014

Collapsin response mediator proteins (CRMPs) are cytosolic phosphoproteins that are mainly involved in neuronal cell development. In humans, the CRMP family comprises five members. Here, crystal structures of human CRMP-4 in a truncated and a full-length version are presented. The latter was determined from two types of crystals, which were either twinned or partially disordered. The crystal disorder was coupled with translational NCS in ordered domains and manifested itself with a rather sophisticated modulation of intensities. The data were demodulated using either the two-lattice treatment of lattice-translocation effects or a novel method in which demodulation was achieved by independent scaling of several groups of intensities. This iterative protocol does not rely on any particular parameterization of the modulation coefficients, but uses the current refined structure as a reference. The best results in terms ofRfactors and map correlation coefficients were obtained using this new method. The determined structures of CRMP-4 are similar to those of other CRMPs. Structural comparison allowed the confirmation of known residues, as well as the identification of new residues, that are important for the homo- and hetero-oligomerization of these proteins, which are critical to nerve-cell development. The structures provide further insight into the effects of medically relevant mutations of theDPYSL-3gene encoding CRMP-4 and the putative enzymatic activities of CRMPs.
Structure solution of DNA-binding proteins and complexes withARCIMBOLDOlibraries
Authors: Pröpper Kevin , Meindl Kathrin , Sammito Massimo , Dittrich Birger , Sheldrick George M. , Pohl Ehmke , Usón Isabel
Published: May 2014

Protein–DNA interactions play a major role in all aspects of genetic activity within an organism, such as transcription, packaging, rearrangement, replication and repair. The molecular detail of protein–DNA interactions can be best visualized through crystallography, and structures emphasizing insight into the principles of binding and base-sequence recognition are essential to understanding the subtleties of the underlying mechanisms. An increasing number of high-quality DNA-binding protein structure determinations have been witnessed despite the fact that the crystallographic particularities of nucleic acids tend to pose specific challenges to methods primarily developed for proteins. Crystallographic structure solution of protein–DNA complexes therefore remains a challenging area that is in need of optimized experimental and computational methods. The potential of the structure-solution programARCIMBOLDOfor the solution of protein–DNA complexes has therefore been assessed. The method is based on the combination of locating small, very accurate fragments using the programPhaserand density modification with the programSHELXE. Whereas for typical proteins main-chain α-helices provide the ideal, almost ubiquitous, small fragments to start searches, in the case of DNA complexes the binding motifs and DNA double helix constitute suitable search fragments. The aim of this work is to provide an effective library of search fragments as well as to determine the optimalARCIMBOLDOstrategy for the solution of this class of structures.
Investigation of some parameters affecting the cathodic protection of steel pipelines
Authors: S. Jabur Adnan
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– This work aimed to study the effect of environment resistivity and distance between cathode and anode on the required cathodic protection current density of buried carbon steel pipes and determine the impressed current that gives full protection to bare and coated pipes by two different coatings.

Design/methodology/approach

– The experimental apparatus is an electrochemical cell composed of carbon steel pipe of 10 cm in length as a working electrode in addition to reference and auxiliary electrodes and direct current power supply. The cathodic protection tests were carried out in five solutions of different concentrations of sodium chloride and distilled water with different resistivities.

Findings

– It was found that the cathodic protection current density increased with a decrease in environment resistivity and increase in the distance between cathode and anode. Additionally, the cathodic protection current density of coated pipes by two different polymers increased with a decrease in the environment resistivity and increasing number of coating defects.

Originality/value

– icp = D/A + B?2, where: icp = cathodic protection current density; D = distance between anode and cathode; ? = environment resistivity; A = constant (0.2104); and B = constant (0.864 × 10−6).
Use of Opuntia ficus extract as a corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel in acidic media
Authors: Suarez-Hernandez Ruben , G. Gonzalez-Rodriguez Jose , F. Dominguez-Patiño Gloria , Martinez-Villafañe Alberto
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this investigation is to study the corrosion inhibition of carbon steel (CS) using a “green” inhibitor, Opuntia ficus-indica, in an aerated, 0.5 M H2SO4 solution at different concentrations and temperatures.

Design/methodology/approach

– Weight loss determinations, surface studies, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization were applied during the investigation.

Findings

– It was observed that Opuntia ficus-indica extract can decrease the corrosion rate of CS, and its efficiency increases with increasing concentration up to 1,000 ppm and with time, but decreases with increasing the temperature from 25 to 600C. The inhibitory activity is due to the presence of phenolic compounds in its chemical structure.

Research limitations/implications

– The work was done under static conditions, whereas in acid cleaning conditions, there is a dynamic system. However, the findings may apply to both the systems.

Practical implications

– CS is used in acidic environments in the acid cleaning industry.

Social implications

– Results of this work show that it is possible to reduce the cost of repair of equipment and the environmental impact of corrosion.

Originality/value

– There are very few investigations on the study of Opuntia ficus-indica leaf extract as a green inhibitor in an acidic environment.
Electrochemical study on the corrosion of rusted carbon steel in dilute NaCl solutions
Authors: Hu Jiayuan , Cao Shun-an , Yin Li , Gao Yang
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study was to investigate the corrosion of rusted carbon steel in dilute NaCl solution, with the purpose of exploring the effect of the rust layer on metal corrosion and establishing a corrosion model for rusted iron.

Design/methodology/approach

– The corrosion behavior of rusted carbon steel in dilute NaCl solution was studied by means of weight-loss determinations, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectrometry and electrochemical techniques.

Findings

– The results indicated that carbon steel had a similar corrosion behavior in all three NaCl solutions. The iron rust, which consisted of a thin γ-FeOOH layer and a thick Fe3O4 layer, can facilitate the corrosion process of carbon steel via reduction of γ-FeOOH and the large area cathode of Fe3O4. Hence, the corrosion rate of carbon steel was accelerated significantly and finally was determined by the limiting diffusion rate of oxygen.

Originality/value

– A corrosion model of rusted carbon steel was established, suggesting that iron rust formed in all slightly acidic waters with low alkalinity probably promotes the corrosion of carbon steel. Anti-corrosion measures for iron in this type of solution, such as desalination water, should be aimed to reduce the promotional effect of the rust layer on metal corrosion.
Electroplating and characterization of Cr–Al2O3 nanocomposite film from a trivalent chromium bath
Authors: Salehi Doolabi Mohsen , Khatiboleslam Sadrnezhaad Sayed , Salehi Doolabi Davood
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The main aim of this study was to improve current efficiency and to obtain thicker coatings via aluminum oxide (Al2O3) addition to the chromium (Cr) (III) bath.

Design/methodology/approach

– Pure Cr and nanocomposite Cr–Al2O3 coatings were electrodeposited from Cr (III) bath onto cathode copper substrates by conventional method. Dependence of current efficiency to current density, Al2O3 content and particle size were investigated.

Findings

– Current efficiency increased with Al2O3 amount and decreased with Al2O3 particle size. Maximum current efficiency was achieved at 25 A/dm2 for pure Cr and 30 A/dm2 for composite coatings. Al2O3 bath content, current density and stirring rate increased the coating Al2O3 weight per cent significantly. Addition of Al3+ bath composition inhibited nanoparticle agglomeration, increasing film homogeneity. Cr–Al2O3 nanocomposites showed higher microhardness and better corrosion resistance than pure Cr layer.

Originality/value

– Cr (III) is not as toxic and as carcinogenic as Cr (VI) which is widely used for Cr electroplating these days. Low current efficiency and poor product quality are, however, major drawbacks of the former. This paper describes significant improvements obtainable by addition of Al2O3 nanoparticles to the Cr (III) bath for increasing the microhardness, the corrosion resistance and the current efficiency of the deposition.
Corrosion inhibition of aluminum type 6061 Al-15 vol. pct. SiC(p) composite in 0.5-M sodium hydroxide solution by 4-amino-5-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol
Authors: Kumari P.D. Reena , Nayak Jagannath , Nityananda Shetty A.
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to report the studies on the corrosion inhibition property of 4-amino-5-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol (APTT) for the corrosion of 6061 Al-15 vol. pct. SiC(p) composite.

Design/methodology/approach

– The corrosion behavior of 6061 Al-15 vol. pct. SiC(p) composite was studied at different temperatures in 0.5-M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution in the presence of APTT by potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic techniques. The effect of inhibitor concentration and temperature on the inhibitor effect of APTT was studied. The surface morphology of the metal surface was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The activation parameters for the corrosion of the composite and base alloy, as well as the thermodynamic parameters for the adsorption of APTT on the composite and alloy surfaces, were calculated.

Findings

– The inhibition efficiency of APTT increases with the increase in the concentration of the inhibitor and decreases with the increase in temperature. The adsorption of APTT on the composite was found to be through physisorption, obeying Langmuir’s adsorption isotherm. APTT acts as a mixed inhibitor with predominant cathodic action on the composite.

Practical implications

– APTT can be used as an inhibitor for the corrosion of 6061 Al-15 vol. pct. SiC(p) composite in the NaOH medium.

Originality/value

– This paper provides information regarding the corrosion inhibition property of APTT on 6061 Al-15 vol. pct. SiC(p) composite. An attempt was made to explain the mechanism of the inhibition action by APTT.