bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Studies of the oxidation states of phosphorus gettered silicon substrates using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy
Authors: Thøgersen Annett , Syre Marie , Retterstol Olaisen Birger , Diplas Spyros
Published: January 2013

Phosphorus diffusion in p-type silicon wafers with Fe or Cr impurities has been investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and transmission electron microscopy. Silicon wafers doped with phosphorous are heavily used in semiconductor devices. It is, therefore, of crucial importance to determine their compositions profile. The XPS P2p spectra revealed presence of elemental phosphorus (P0), donor ion (P+), and interstitial or substitutional diffused P− from phosphorus oxides P2O5 and P4O10 as residues of the diffusion process. The surface of the Si wafers was oxidized during the deposition of P2O5 and SiO2 (with a subsequent heating). This resulted in the formation of a 1.3–1.4 nm thick SiOx layer. Pile-up of elemental P was found near the surface of the wafer. This pile-up was larger for Fe contaminated samples compared to Cr contaminated ones. The pile-up may have been caused by a decrease in the diffusion length of P+ donor ions, which could only be found in the first few nm near the surface of the silicon wafer. The observed diffusion length was DLP+<DLP0<DLP−.
Reactive scattering of H2 from Cu(100): Comparison of dynamics calculations based on the specific reaction parameter approach to density functional theory with experiment
Authors: Sementa L. , Wijzenbroek M. , van Kolck B. J. , Somers M. F. , Al-Halabi A. , Busnengo H. F. , Olsen R. A. , Kroes G. J. , Rutkowski M. , Thewes C. , Kleimeier N. F. , Zacharias H.
Published: January 2013

We present new experimental and theoretical results for reactive scattering of dihydrogen from Cu(100). In the new experiments, the associative desorption of H2 is studied in a velocity resolved and final rovibrational state selected manner, using time-of-flight techniques in combination with resonance-enhanced multi-photon ionization laser detection. Average desorption energies and rotational quadrupole alignment parameters were obtained in this way for a number of (v = 0, 1) rotational states, v being the vibrational quantum number. Results of quantum dynamics calculations based on a potential energy surface computed with a specific reaction parameter (SRP) density functional, which was derived earlier for dihydrogen interacting with Cu(111), are compared with the results of the new experiments and with the results of previous molecular beam experiments on sticking of H2 and on rovibrationally elastic and inelastic scattering of H2 and D2 from Cu(100). The calculations use the Born-Oppenheimer and static surface approximations. With the functional derived semi-empirically for dihydrogen + Cu(111), a chemically accurate description is obtained of the molecular beam experiments on sticking of H2 on Cu(100), and a highly accurate description is obtained of rovibrationally elastic and inelastic scattering of D2 from Cu(100) and of the orientational dependence of the reaction of (v = 1, j = 2 − 4) H2 on Cu(100). This suggests that a SRP density functional derived for H2 interacting with a specific low index face of a metal will yield accurate results for H2 reactively scattering from another low index face of the same metal, and that it may also yield accurate results for H2 interacting with a defected (e.g., stepped) surface of that same metal, in a system of catalytic interest. However, the description that was obtained of the average desorption energies, of rovibrationally elastic and inelastic scattering of H2 from Cu(100), and of the orientational dependence of reaction of (v = 0, j = 3 − 5, 8) H2 on Cu(100) compares less well with the available experiments. More research is needed to establish whether more accurate SRP-density functional theory dynamics results can be obtained for these observables if surface atom motion is added to the dynamical model. The experimentally and theoretically found dependence of the rotational quadrupole alignment parameter on the rotational quantum number provides evidence for rotational enhancement of reaction at low translational energies.
Photofragmentations, state interactions, and energetics of Rydberg and ion-pair states: Resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization via E and V (B) states of HCl and HBr
Authors: Long Jingming , Wang Huasheng , Kvaran Ágúst
Published: January 2013

(2 + n) resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization mass spectra for resonance excitations to diabatic E1Σ+ (v′) Rydberg and V 1Σ+ (v′) ion-pair states (adiabatic B1Σ+(v′) states) of HiCl (i = 35,37) and HiBr (i = 79,81) were recorded as a function of excitation wavenumber (two-dimensional REMPI). Simulation analyses of ion signal intensities, deperturbation analysis of line shifts and interpretations of line-widths are used to derive qualitative and quantitative information concerning the energetics of the states, off-resonance interactions between the E states and V states, closest in energy as well as on predissociation channels. Spectroscopic parameters for the E1Σ+ (v′)(v′ = 1) for H35Cl and v′ = 0 for H79Br states, interaction strengths for E − V state interactions and parameters relevant to dissociation of the E states are derived. An overall interaction and dynamical scheme, to describe the observations for HBr, is proposed.
Nuclear-orbital/configuration-interaction study of coupled translation-rotation states in (H2)2@C70
Authors: Felker Peter M.
Published: January 2013

The quantal translation-rotation states of two endohedral H2 moieties in C70 are computed by means of a nuclear-orbital/configuration-interaction method. H2 “nuclear orbitals” are calculated as the translation-rotation eigenfunctions of one H2 molecule interacting with C70 and the mean field of the second H2 molecule. Configurations are constructed as symmetrized bilinear products of these orbitals. These configurations are employed as the basis in which the matrix of the translation-rotation Hamiltonian of the cluster is computed and diagonalized. We show that this scheme allows for an efficient means to calculate the Hamiltonian matrix elements. We show that the configuration basis states represent excellent first approximations to the eigenstates of the species. Finally, we present results pertaining to the (H2)2@C70 low-energy translation-rotation level structure that can be understood in terms of a small number of H2 excitation types.
Design and experimental research of a novel inchworm type piezo-driven rotary actuator with the changeable clamping radius
Authors: Zhao Hongwei , Fu Lu , Ren Luquan , Huang Hu , Fan Zunqiang , Li Jianping , Qu Han
Published: January 2013

In this paper, a novel piezo-driven rotary actuator with the changeable clamping radius is developed based on the inchworm principle. This actuator mainly utilizes three piezoelectric actuators, a flexible gripper, a clamping block, and a rotor to achieve large stroke rotation with high resolution. The design process of the flexible gripper consisting of the driving unit and the clamping unit is described. Lever-type mechanisms were used to amplify the micro clamping displacements. The amplifying factor and parasitic displacement of the lever-type mechanism in the clamping unit was analyzed theoretically and experimentally. In order to investigate the rotation characteristics of the actuator, a series of experiments was carried out. Experimental results indicate that the actuator can rotate at a speed of 77 488 μrad/s with a driving frequency of 167 Hz. The rotation resolution and maximum load torque of the actuator are 0.25 μrad and 37 N mm, respectively. The gripper is movable along the z direction based on an elevating platform, and the clamping radius can change from 10.6 mm to 25 mm. Experimental results confirm that the actuator can achieve different rotation speeds by changing the clamping radius.
Influence of strong anisotropy of CoFe layer on the reversal asymmetry and training effect in Ir22Mn78/Co60Fe40 bilayers
Authors: Fulara Himanshu , Chaudhary Sujeet , Kashyap Subhash C.
Published: January 2013

In this work, we report a study of the influence of large anisotropy of CoFe layer on the reversal asymmetry and training effect in exchange biased IrMn/CoFe bilayers. The existence of a strong single cycle training effect and an accompanying distinct reversal asymmetry at 15 K have been demonstrated using magnetoresistance as a probe. The temperature dependent change in the symmetry (uniaxial to biaxial) of IrMn anisotropy has been proposed as the primary cause of the occurrence of pronounced reversal asymmetry and large training effect below 50 K. In particular, the present findings indicate that the observed differences between IrMn/CoFe and IrMn/NiFe [Fulara et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 101, 142408 (2012)] systems in their asymmetric behaviour of magnetization reversal and training effect are linked with the interplay between the interfacial spin frustration and the intrinsic ferromagnetic anisotropy.
New exploration on phase transition and structure of PbS under high pressure and temperature
Authors: Zhou Xiaoling , He Duanwei , Wang Shanmin , Wang Haikuo , Zhang Jianzhong , Zhao Yusheng
Published: January 2013

In-situ time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction and electrical resistance measurements are performed to determine the behaviors of PbS under pressure and temperature up to 5 GPa and 773 K. The phase diagram in our experimental range is shown based on electrical resistance measurements. Both the two approaches indicate that only the starting cubic PbS phase remains stable when the temperature reaches above 573 K. The Rietveld refinements of the neutron diffraction patterns verify that the orthorhombic (ortho) PbS phase has a Cmcm space group. The fitting of experimental data with the Birch–Murnaghan equation of state at 300 K, yields the bulk modulus of the cubic phase as K0T = 60.0 ± 0.5 GPa with its pressure derivative K0′ fixed to 4.2.
Hidden relationship between the electrical conductivity and the Mn 2p core-level photoemission spectra in La1−xSrxMnO3
Authors: Hishida T. , Ohbayashi K. , Saitoh T.
Published: January 2013

Core-level electronic structure of La1−xSrxMnO3 has been studied by x-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). We first report, by the conventional XPS, the well-screened shoulder structure in Mn 2p3∕2 peak, which had been observed only by hard x-ray photoemission spectroscopy so far. Multiple-peak analysis revealed that the Mn4+ spectral weight was not proportional to the nominal hole concentration x, indicating that a simple Mn3+/Mn4+ intensity ratio analysis may result in a wrong quantitative elemental analysis. Considerable weight of the shoulder at x = 0.0 and the fact that the shoulder weight was even slightly going down from x = 0.2 to 0.4 were not compatible with the idea that this weight simply represents the metallic behavior. Further analysis found that the whole Mn 2p3∕2 peak can be decomposed into four portions, the Mn4+, the (nominal) Mn3+, the shoulder, and the other spectral weight located almost at the Mn3+ location. We concluded that this weight represents the well-screened final state at Mn4+ sites, whereas the shoulder is known as that of the Mn3+ states. We found that the sum of these two spectral weight has an empirical relationship to the conductivity evolution with x.
Formation of spatially periodic fronts of high-energy electrons in a radio-frequency driven surface microdischarge
Authors: Dedrick J. , O'Connell D. , Gans T. , Boswell R. W. , Charles C.
Published: January 2013

The generation of spatially periodic fronts of high-energy electrons (>13.48 eV) has been investigated in a radio-frequency surface microdischarge in atmospheric-pressure argon. Optical emission spectroscopy is used to study the Ar I 2p1−1s2 transition surrounding a filamentary microdischarge, both spatially and with respect to the phase of the applied voltage. The formation of excitation fronts, which remain at a constant propagation distance throughout the RF cycle and for the duration of the pulse, may be explained by a localized increase in the electric field at the tip of surface-charge layers that are deposited during the extension phase.
Impact of intermediate localized states on nonlinear optical absorption of Ga-Ge-Se nanocolloidal solutions
Authors: Sebastian Indu , Divya S. , Nampoori V. P. N. , Radhakrishnan P. , Thomas Sheenu
Published: January 2013

We present the linear and nonlinear optical studies on nanocolloidal solutions of Ga9Ge27Se64 glass with varying concentrations. Optical bandgap of the material is found to vary with respect to the concentration of the solute in the solution. An intermediate peak in the band tail of the absorption spectra is observed due to the presence of energy band in the forbidden gap. The existence of fluorescence emission confirms the above argument. Nonlinear absorption is studied using open aperture Z-scan technique. The mechanism behind nonlinear absorption is predicted as two photon as well as two step photon absorption. Nonlinearity increases with decrease in optical bandgap which in turn depends on the concentration of the nanocolloidal solutions.
Modulation of NiGe/Ge Schottky barrier height by S and P co-introduction
Authors: Koike Masahiro , Kamimuta Yuuichi , Tezuka Tsutomu
Published: January 2013

The profiles and current-voltage characteristics of phosphorus (P)- and/or sulfur (S)-introduced Ge and NiGe/Ge have been investigated to clarify the mechanism of Schottky barrier height (SBH) modulation. For NiGe/nGe (NiGe/pGe), the introduction of P and the co-introduction of P and S effectively reduced (increased) SBH, which is explained by the properties of S acting as an n-type dopant with deep donor levels in Ge. In modulating the SBH, the co-introduction was the most effective. It is probably related to the fact that a higher increase in electron concentrations was observed in S and P co-introduced Ge than in P-introduced Ge.
Subwavelength guiding of channel plasmon polaritons by textured metallic grooves at telecom wavelengths
Authors: Li Xiaoer , Jiang Tao , Shen Linfang , Deng Xiaohua
Published: January 2013

It is demonstrated that by texturing metallic grooves, the characteristics of channel plasmon polaritons (CPPs) can be remarkably improved and thus subwavelength localization becomes available for them at telecom wavelengths. Like visible CPPs in uniform grooves, these CPPs in the textured grooves can exhibit relatively low propagation losses under tight field confinements in the telecom range, while single-mode propagation is still available there. Moreover, gradually texturing the groove waveguide may introduce effective mechanisms to manipulate the transmission behaviors of CPPs, opening the way to interesting applications such as energy concentration.
Closely spaced SiGe barns as stressor structures for strain-enhancement in silicon
Authors: Hrauda N. , Zhang J. J. , Groiss H. , Gerharz J. C. , Etzelstorfer T. , Stangl J. , Holý V. , Deiter C. , Seeck O. H. , Bauer G.
Published: January 2013

We present tensile and compressive strains realized within the same Si capping layer on an array of SiGe islands grown on pit-patterned (001) Si substrates. The strain distributions are obtained from synchrotron X-ray diffraction studies in combination with three-dimensional finite element calculations and simulations of the diffracted intensities. For barn-shaped islands grown at 720 °C with average Ge contents of 30%, the Si cap layer is misfit- and threading-dislocation free and exhibits compressive strains as high as 0.8% in positions between the islands and tensile strains of up to 1% on top of the islands.
Engineering the composition, morphology, and optical properties of InAsSb nanostructures via graded growth technique
Authors: Lei W. , Tan H. H. , Jagadish C.
Published: January 2013

Graded growth technique is utilized to realize the control over the composition, morphology, and optical properties of self-assembled InAsSb/InGaAs/InP nanostructures. By increasing the initial mole fraction of the Sb precursor during the graded growth of InAsSb, more Sb atoms can be incorporated into the InAsSb nanostructures despite the same Sb mole fraction averaged over the graded growth. This leads to a shape change from dots to dashes/wires for the InAsSb nanostructures. As a result of the composition and morphology change, photoluminescence from the InAsSb nanostructures shows different polarization and temperature characteristics. This work demonstrates a technologically important technique—graded growth, to control the growth and the resultant physical properties of self-assembled semiconductor nanostructures.
Peculiarity of magnetoresistance in high pressure annealed Ni43Mn41Co5Sn11 alloy
Authors: Ma S. C. , Wang D. H. , Zhong Z. C. , Luo J. M. , Xu J. L. , Du Y. W.
Published: January 2013

Magnetic and resistance measurements have been carried out on a Ni43Mn41Co5Sn11 alloy annealed under high-pressure. Due to the existence of the intermediate phase, a change of slope in the temperature dependence of resistivity curves has been observed prior to the martensitic transformation for the high-pressure annealed alloy. As a consequence, two successive magnetoresistance peaks with the same sign are achieved around room-temperature, corresponding to the martensitic transformation and intermediate phase transition, respectively. The origin of the peculiarity of magnetoresistance properties in high-pressure annealed Ni43Mn41Co5Sn11 alloy is discussed.
InAlAs solar cell on a GaAs substrate employing a graded InxGa1−xAs–InP metamorphic buffer layer
Authors: Mathews Ian , O'Mahony Donagh , Gocalinska Agnieszka , Manganaro Marina , Pelucchi Emanuele , Schmidt Michael , Morrison Alan P. , Corbett Brian
Published: January 2013

Single junction In0.52Al0.48As solar cells have been grown on a (100) GaAs substrate by employing a 1 μm thick compositionally graded InxGa1−xAs/InP metamorphic buffer layer to accommodate the 3.9% mismatch. Cells processed from the 0.8 μm thick InAlAs layers had photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 5% with an open circuit voltage of 0.72 V, short-circuit current density of 9.3 mA/cm2, and a fill factor of 74.5% under standard air mass 1.5 illumination. The threading dislocation density was estimated to be 3 × 108 cm−2.
Effective attenuation length for lanthanum lutetium oxide between 7 and 13 keV
Authors: Nichau A. , Rubio-Zuazo J. , Schnee M. , Castro G. R. , Schubert J. , Mantl S.
Published: January 2013

To obtain quantitative depth information from hard X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, the effective attenuation length (EAL) is required. In this paper, the EAL was determined for LaLuO3 for electron kinetic energies between 7 and 13 keV. As a result, the EAL is in the range of 100–150 Å for the investigated photon energies. In addition, higher binding energy orbitals of La and Lu were measured and are discussed. LaLuO3 is a promising high-k dielectric for future nano-scaled MOS devices.
A light emitting device made from thin zirconium-doped hafnium oxide high-k dielectric film with or without an embedded nanocrystal layer
Authors: Kuo Yue , Lin Chi-Chou
Published: January 2013

A solid state light emitting device composed of the 10 nm thickness zirconium-doped hafnium oxide high-k gate dielectric with or without an embedded nanocrystalline ZnO layer has been fabricated and studied. The emission spectrum, which extended from visible light to IR, was broadened and the intensity was increased with the embedding of a nanocrystalline ZnO layer. The mechanisms of light emission and enhancement were investigated and explained with defect generation process in the film. This kind of device is easily prepared by the IC compatible process. There are many potential applications of this kind of device.
Low-voltage electro-absorption optical modulator based on slow-light Bragg reflector waveguide
Authors: Gu Xiaodong , Shimizu Shoki , Shimada Toshikazu , Matsutani Akihiro , Koyama Fumio
Published: January 2013

We report on slow-light GaInAs/GaAs electro-absorption modulators with a Bragg reflector waveguide. We fabricated 20∼100 μm long compact modulators composed of triple GaInAs/GaAs quantum wells sandwiched by highly reflective Bragg reflectors. A large group index of 20 enables us to reduce the size of the modulators. We demonstrated 6 dB intensity modulation with a voltage swing Vpp below 0.5 V for 50 μm long devices. Shorter devices, for example with a length of only 20 μm, also showed an extinction ratio over 4 dB for sub-volt driving. Characterizations on wavelength dependence were also carried out experimentally.
Blazed phononic crystal grating
Authors: Moiseyenko Rayisa P. , Liu Jingfei , Declercq Nico F. , Laude Vincent
Published: January 2013

It is well known that blazed optical diffraction gratings can significantly increase the diffraction efficiency of plane waves for a selected angle of incidence. We show that by combining blazing with a phononic band gap, diffraction efficiency approaching 100% can be achieved for acoustic waves. We obtain experimentally 98% diffraction efficiency with a two-dimensional phononic crystal of rotated steel rods of square cross-section immersed in water. This result opens the way toward the design of efficient phononic crystal gratings.
Carbohydrate-based vaccines with a glycolipid adjuvant for breast cancer
Authors: Huang Yen-Lin , Hung Jung-Tung , Cheung Sarah K. C. , Lee Hsin-Yu , Chu Kuo-Ching , Li Shiou-Ting , Lin Yu-Chen , Ren Chien-Tai , Cheng Ting-Jen R. , Hsu Tsui-Ling , Yu Alice L. , Wu Chung-Yi , Wong Chi-Huey
Published: January 2013

Globo H (GH) is a hexasaccharide specifically overexpressed on a variety of cancer cells and therefore, a good candidate for cancer vaccine development. To identify the optimal carrier and adjuvant combination, we chemically synthesized and linked GH to a carrier protein, including keyhole limpet hemocyanion, diphtheria toxoid cross-reactive material (CRM) 197 (DT), tetanus toxoid, and BSA, and combined with an adjuvant, and it was administered to mice for the study of immune response. Glycan microarray analysis of the antiserum obtained indicated that the combination of GH-DT adjuvanted with the α-galactosylceramide C34 has the highest enhancement of anti-GH IgG. Compared with the phase III clinical trial vaccine, GH–keyhole limpet hemocyanion/QS21, the GH-DT/C34 vaccine elicited more IgG antibodies, which are more selective for GH and the GH-related epitopes, stage-specific embryonic antigen 3 (SSEA3) and SSEA4, all of which were specifically overexpressed on breast cancer cells and breast cancer stem cells with SSEA4 at the highest level (>90%). We, therefore, further developed SSEA4-DT/C34 as a vaccine candidate, and after immunization, it was found that the elicited antibodies are also IgG-dominant and very specific for SSEA4.
Contingency Bias in Probability Judgement May Arise from Ambiguity regarding Additional Causes
Authors: Mitchell Chris J. , Griffiths Oren , More Pranjal , Lovibond Peter F.
Published: January 2013

In laboratory contingency learning tasks, people usually give accurate estimates of the degree of contingency between a cue and an outcome. However, if they are asked to estimate the probability of the outcome in the presence of the cue, they tend to be biased by the probability of the outcome in the absence of the cue. This bias is often attributed to an automatic contingency detection mechanism, which is said to act via an excitatory associative link to activate the outcome representation at the time of testing. We conducted 3 experiments to test alternative accounts of contingency bias. Participants were exposed to the same outcome probability in the presence of the cue, but different outcome probabilities in the absence of the cue. Phrasing the test question in terms of frequency rather than probability and clarifying the test instructions reduced but did not eliminate contingency bias. However, removal of ambiguity regarding the presence of additional causes during the test phase did eliminate contingency bias. We conclude that contingency bias may be due to ambiguity in the test question, and therefore it does not require postulation of a separate associative link-based mechanism.
mRNAStab—a web application for mRNA stability analysis
Authors: Alic Andrei , Pérez-Ortín José E. , Moreno Joaquín , Arnau Vicente
Published: January 2013

Eukaryotic gene expression is regulated both at the transcription and the mRNA degradation levels. The implementation of functional genomics methods that allow the simultaneous measurement of transcription (TR) and degradation (DR) rates for thousands of mRNAs is a huge improvement in this field. One of the best established methods for mRNA stability determination is genomic run-on (GRO). It allows the measurement of DR, TR and mRNA levels during cell dynamic responses. Here, we offer a software package that provides improved algorithms for determination of mRNA stability during dynamic GRO experiments.

Availability and implementation: The program mRNAStab is freely accessible at http://mRNAStab.uv.es/. mRNAStab is written in C, PHP and R.

Contact:  vicente.arnau@uv.es

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Military Anesthesia Trainees in WWII at the University of Wisconsin
Authors: Parks Colby L. , Schroeder Mark E.
Published: January 2013

The emerging medical specialty of anesthesiology experienced significant advances in the decade prior to World War II but had limited numbers of formally trained practitioners. With war looming, a subcommittee of the National Research Council, chaired by Ralph M. Waters, MD., was charged with ensuring sufficient numbers of anesthesiologists for military service. A 12-week course was developed to train military physicians at academic institutions across the country, including the Wisconsin General Hospital. A total of 17 officers were trained in Madison between September 1942 and December 1943. Notably, Virgil K. Stoelting, the future chair of anesthesiology at Indiana University, was a member of this group.

A rigorous schedule of study and clinical work ensured the officers learned to administer anesthesia safely while using a variety of techniques. Their leadership and contributions in the military and after the war contributed significantly to the further growth of anesthesiology.
Thermococcus

prieurii sp. nov., a hyperthermophilic archaeon isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent
Authors: Gorlas Aurore , Alain Karine , Bienvenu Nadège , Geslin Claire
Published: January 2013

A novel hyperthermophilic, anaerobic archaeon, strain Bio-pl-0405IT2T, was isolated from a hydrothermal chimney sample collected from the East Pacific Rise at 2700 m depth in the ‘Sarah Spring’ area (7° 25′ 24″ S 107° 47′ 66″ W). Cells were irregular, motile cocci (0.8–1.5 µm in diameter) and divided by constriction. Growth was observed at temperatures between 60 °C and 95 °C with an optimum at 80 °C. The pH range for growth was between pH 4.0 and pH 8.0 with an optimum around pH 7.0. Strain Bio-pl-0405IT2T grew at salt concentrations of 1–5 % (w/v) NaCl with an optimum at 2 %. The novel isolate grew by fermentation or sulphur respiration on a variety of organic compounds. It was a chemoorganoheterotrophic archaeon growing preferentially with yeast extract, peptone and tryptone as carbon and energy sources and sulphur and organic compounds as electron acceptors; it also grew on maltose and starch. Sulphur or l-cystine were required for growth and were reduced to hydrogen sulfide. The strain was resistant to rifampicin, chloramphenicol, vancomycin and kanamycin (all at 100 µg ml−1) but was sensitive to tetracycline. The G+C content of its genomic DNA was 53.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of the almost complete 16S rRNA gene sequence (1450 bp) of strain Bio-pl-0405IT2T showed that the novel isolate belonged to the genus

Thermococcus

. DNA–DNA hybridization values with the two closest relatives

Thermococcus hydrothermalis

AL662T and

Thermococcus celer

JCM 8558T were below the threshold value of 70 %. On the basis of the physiological and genotypic distinctness, we propose a novel species,

Thermococcus

prieurii sp. nov. The type strain is Bio-pl-0405IT2T ( = CSUR P577T = JCM 16307T).
Streptomyces

wuyuanensis sp. nov., an actinomycete from soil
Authors: Zhang Xuefang , Zhang Jianli , Zheng Jimei , Xin Di , Xin Yuhua , Pang Huancheng
Published: January 2013

A novel actinomycete, strain FX61T, was isolated from a saline sample collected from the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region in China and subjected to a taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H6), MK-9(H8) and MK-9(H4). The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 1 H, C16 : 0, iso-C14 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. The phospholipid profile contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, two phosphatidylinositol mannosides and an unidentified phospholipid. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 72 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of the isolate had greater than 98 % similarity with those of

Streptomyces griseoincarnatus

ATCC 23623T (98.2 %),

Streptomyces labedae

DSM 41446T (98.2 %),

Streptomyces variabilis

ATCC 19815T (98.2 %),

Streptomyces erythrogriseus

ATCC 27427T (98.2 %),

Streptomyces matensis

ATCC 23935T (98.2 %),

Streptomyces althioticus

ATCC 19724T (98.2 %) and

Streptomyces luteosporeus

ATCC 33049T (98.0 %), showing that the novel strain should be assigned to the genus

Streptomyces

. DNA–DNA hybridizations with the seven above-mentioned members of the genus

Streptomyces

showed 29.8, 28.5, 27.0, 25.5, 25.0, 23.5 and 22.0 % relatedness, respectively. On the basis of the phenotypic characteristics and genotypic distinctiveness, strain FX61T should be classified as a novel species of the genus

Streptomyces

, for which the name

Streptomyces

wuyuanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is FX61T ( = CGMCC 4.7042T = KCTC 29112T).
Morphology and phylogenies of two hypotrichous brackish-water ciliates from China, Neourostylopsis orientalis n. sp. and Protogastrostyla sterkii (Wallengren, 1900) n. comb., with establishment of a new genus Neourostylopsis n. gen. (Protista, Ciliophora, Hypotrichia)
Authors: Chen Xiangrui , Shao Chen , Liu Xihan , Huang Jie , Al-Rasheid Khaled A. S.
Published: January 2013

This paper investigates the morphology, infraciliature and small-subunit (SSU) rRNA gene sequences of two hypotrichous ciliates,Neourostylopsis orientalisn. sp., andProtogastrostyla sterkii(Wallengren, 1900) n. comb. (basionymGastrostyla sterkii), collected from coastal waters in southern China.Neourostylopsis orientalisn. sp. is diagnosed mainly by the arrangement of brownish cortical granules, the numbers of adoral membranelles and frontal and transverse cirri and the characteristics of its midventral cirral pairs. The SSU rRNA gene phylogeny strongly supports the establishment of the new genusNeourostylopsisn. gen., which is characterized mainly by the following features: frontal and transverse cirri clearly differentiated, buccal cirri present, two frontoterminal cirri, midventral complex composed of midventral pairs only and not exceeding the halfway point of the cell, more than one row of marginal cirri on each side which derive from individual anlagen within each parental row, caudal cirri lacking. Thus, two new combinations are required:Neourostylopsis songi(Leiet al., 2005) n. comb., andNeourostylopsis flavicana(Wanget al., 2011) n. comb. Additionally, improved diagnoses for bothMetaurostylopsisandApourostylopsisare supplied in this study.Protogastrostyla sterkii(Wallengren, 1900) n. comb. differs from the similar congenerProtogastrostyla pulchramainly in body shape, ratio of buccal field to body lengthin vivoand molecular data. Based on the present studies, we conclude that the estuarine population ofP. pulchracollected by J. Gong and others [Gonget al.,J Eukaryot Microbiol(2007)54, 468–478] is a population ofP. sterkii.
A Robust and Sensitive Synthetic Sensor to Monitor the Transcriptional Output of the Cytokinin Signaling Network in Planta
Authors: Zürcher Evelyne , Tavor-Deslex Deborah , Lituiev Dmytro , Enkerli Katalin , Tarr Paul T. , Müller Bruno
Published: January 2013

Cytokinins are classic plant hormones that orchestrate plant growth, development, and physiology. They affect gene expression in target cells by activating a multistep phosphorelay network. Type-B response regulators, acting as transcriptional activators, mediate the final step in the signaling cascade. Previously, we have introduced a synthetic reporter, Two Component signaling Sensor (TCS)::green fluorescent protein (GFP), which reflects the transcriptional activity of type-B response regulators. TCS::GFP was instrumental in uncovering roles of cytokinin and deepening our understanding of existing functions. However, TCS-mediated expression of reporters is weak in some developmental contexts where cytokinin signaling has a documented role, such as in the shoot apical meristem or in the vasculature of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). We also observed that GFP expression becomes rapidly silenced in TCS::GFP transgenic plants. Here, we present an improved version of the reporter, TCS new (TCSn), which, compared with TCS, is more sensitive to phosphorelay signaling in Arabidopsis and maize (Zea mays) cellular assays while retaining its specificity. Transgenic Arabidopsis TCSn::GFP plants exhibit strong and dynamic GFP expression patterns consistent with known cytokinin functions. In addition, GFP expression has been stable over generations, allowing for crosses with different genetic backgrounds. Thus, TCSn represents a significant improvement to report the transcriptional output profile of phosphorelay signaling networks in Arabidopsis, maize, and likely other plants that display common response regulator DNA-binding specificities.
Excess nutrient supply in early life and its later metabolic consequences
Authors: Ojha Shalini , Saroha Vivek , Symonds Michael E. , Budge Helen
Published: January 2013

Suboptimal nutrition in early life, both in utero and during infancy, is linked to increased risk of adult obesity and its associated adverse metabolic health problems.

Excess nutrient supply during early life can lead to metabolic programming in the offspring. Such overnutrition can occur in the offspring of obese mothers, the offspring of mothers who gain excess weight during gestation, infants of diabetic mothers and infants who undergo rapid growth, particularly weight gain, during early infancy. Postnatal overnutrition is particularly detrimental for infants who are born small for gestational age, who are overfed to attain ‘catch‐up growth’.

Potential mechanisms underlying metabolic programming that results from excess nutrition during early life include resetting of hypothalamic energy sensing and appetite regulation, altered adipose tissue insulin sensitivity and impaired brown adipose tissue function.

More detailed understanding of the mechanisms involved in metabolic programming could enable the development of therapeutic strategies for ameliorating its ill effects. Research in this field could potentially identify optimal and appropriate preventative interventions for a burgeoning population at risk of increased mortality and morbidity from obesity and its concomitant metabolic conditions.
Childhood catatonia, autism and psychosis past and present: is there an ‘iron triangle’?
Authors: Shorter E. , Wachtel L. E.
Published: January 2013

Objective

To explore the possibility that autism, catatonia and psychoses in children are different manifestations of a single underlying form of brain pathology – a kind of ‘Iron Triangle’ of symptomatology – rather than three separate illnesses.

Method

Systematic evaluation of historical case literature on autism to determine if catatonic and psychotic symptoms accompanied the diagnosis, as is found in some challenging present‐day cases.

Results

It is clear from the historical literature that by the 1920s all three diagnoses in the Iron Triangle – catatonia, autism and childhood schizophrenia – were being routinely applied to children and adolescents. Furthermore, it is apparent that children diagnosed with one of these conditions often qualified for the other two as well. Although conventional thinking today regards these diagnoses as separate entities, the presence of catatonia in a variety of conditions is being increasingly recognized, and there is also growing evidence of connections between childhood‐onset psychoses and autism.

Conclusion

Recognition of a mixed form of catatonia, autism and psychosis has important implications for both diagnosis and treatment. None of the separate diagnoses provides an accurate picture in these complex cases, and when given single diagnoses such as ‘schizophrenia’, the standard treatment options may prove markedly ineffective.
Colonic inflammatory myofibroblastic tumours: an institutional review
Authors: Gupta R. K. , Samalavicius N. E. , Sapkota S. , Sah P. L. , Kafle S. U.
Published: January 2013

Aim

The aim of the study was to present the largest series of colonic inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour (C‐IMFT) in the literature so far and to provide a review of this condition.

Method

A retrospective review was carried out of a consecutive series of patients diagnosed with a C‐IMFT at a community‐based hospital with a specialized gastrointestinal unit between 2002 and 2011. The main outcome measures were success rate and postoperative complications. Using a set of terms we searched the PubMed database for papers published on C‐IMFT. We reviewed the data from these studies and case reports.

Results

There were seven patients with a histopathologically proven C‐IMFT. The patients' mean age was 39 ± 11.3 years. Four presented with clinical features of intestinal obstruction of varying severity and three with symptoms of anaemia. Complete surgical resection with end‐to‐end anastomosis was performed. The gross morphology included polypoidal myxoid tumours that served as a lead point for intussusception in two cases, a whorled mass in two and a circumferential infiltrative tumour in three. Microscopically, all tumours had typical features of IMFT with a variable expression of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK‐1) and tumour‐free resection margins. All patients were well without local recurrence or metastasis at a mean follow‐up of 46.8  ± 11.9 months.

Conclusion

Surgical resection is effective for this rare tumour which mostly behaves in a benign manner. Our review supports the need for patients to be followed up for long periods because of the possibility of metastasis or late recurrence.
Effect of the approach to insulin therapy on glycaemic fluctuations and autonomic tone in hospitalized patients with diabetes
Authors: Dungan K. M. , Osei K. , Sagrilla C. , Binkley P.
Published: January 2013

Aims

Glycaemic variability (GV) is associated with mortality in acutely ill patients, but the mechanism is unknown. The objective of this study is to determine whether common approaches to insulin therapy have distinct effects on GV and autonomic tone.

Methods

Hospitalized patients with diabetes were randomized to short‐term intravenous (IV) or physiologic subcutaneous (SQ) insulin. Heart rate variability (HRV) and cardiac impedance (pre‐ejection period, PEP) were used to estimate parasympathetic and sympathetic tone, respectively. GV was measured using a continuous glucose monitor.

Results

Mean glucose tended to be lower initially in the SQ group (N = 16) compared with the IV group (N = 17) on day 1 (10.5 vs. 8.6 mmol/l, p = 0.05), but became non‐significant during the transition off of the infusion. There was no difference in glycaemic lability index (GLI), continuous overlapping net glycaemic action (CONGA) or coefficient of variation (CV) on day 1, but by day 2, these measures were higher in the IV group (p < 0.05 for all). PEP was higher in the SQ group during (110 vs. 123 ms, p = 0.02) and after the intervention (104 vs. 126 ms, p = 0.004). Hypoglycaemia was similar in both groups. There were only small differences in HRV. Post‐treatment PEP was inversely correlated with log GLI (r = −0.41, p = 0.03) but not other measures.

Conclusions

Short‐term IV insulin is associated with an increase in multiple GV measures compared with optimal SQ insulin. However, GLI was the only predictor of PEP. Further research is needed to determine if interventions that minimize GV improve outcomes in the hospital.
A nine country study of the burden of non‐severe nocturnal hypoglycaemic events on diabetes management and daily function
Authors: Brod M. , Wolden M. , Christensen T. , Bushnell D. M.
Published: January 2013

Aims

The purpose of this study was to explore the burden and impact of non‐severe nocturnal hypoglycaemic events (NSNHEs) on diabetes management, patient functioning and well‐being in order to better understand the role that NSNHEs play in caring for persons with diabetes and facilitate optimal diabetes treatment management strategies.

Methods

A 20‐min survey assessing the impact of NSNHEs was administered to patients with self‐reported diabetes age 18 or older via the Internet in nine countries (USA, UK, Germany, Canada, France, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands and Sweden) who experienced an NSNHE in the last month. Questions captured reasons for and length of the event, and impacts on diabetes management, daily function, sleep and well‐being.

Results

A total of 20 212 persons with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were screened of which 2108 respondents were eligible. Respondents initiated, on average, an additional 3.6 glucose monitoring tests, and did not resume usual functioning for an average of 3.4 hours after the NSNHE. Of the respondents using insulin, 15.8% decreased their insulin dose over an average of 3.6 days. NSNHEs also impacted sleep, with 10.4% not returning to sleep that night. Next day functioning was affected with 60.3% (n = 1273) feeling the need to take a nap and/or rest (with 65.5% of those actually taking a nap/rest) and 40.2% (n = 848) wanting to go to bed earlier than usual. A total of 21.4% were restricted in their driving the next day. These events also resulted in decreased well‐being with 39.6% of respondents feeling ‘emotional low’ the following day.

Conclusions

NSNHEs have serious consequences for patients. Greater attention to patient and physician education regarding the burden of NSNHEs and incorporation of corrective actions in treatment plans is needed to facilitate patients reaching optimal glycaemic control.
Diabetes and driving
Authors: Inkster B. , Frier B. M.
Published: January 2013

The principal safety concern for driving for people treated with insulin or insulin secretagogues is hypoglycaemia, which impairs driving performance. Other complications, such as those causing visual impairment and peripheral neuropathy, are also relevant to medical fitness to drive. Case control studies have suggested that drivers with diabetes pose a modestly increased but acceptable and measurable risk of motor vehicle accidents compared to non‐diabetic drivers, but many studies are limited and of poor quality. Factors which have been shown to increase driving risk include previous episodes of severe hypoglycaemia, previous hypoglycaemia while driving, strict glycaemic control (lower HbA1c) and absence of blood glucose monitoring before driving. Impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia may be counteracted by frequent blood glucose testing. The European Union Third directive on driving (2006) has necessitated changes in statutory regulations for driving licences for people with diabetes in all European States, including the UK. Stricter criteria have been introduced for Group 1 vehicle licences while those for Group 2 licences have been relaxed. Insulin‐treated drivers can now apply to drive Group 2 vehicles, but in the UK must meet very strict criteria and be assessed by an independent specialist to be issued with a 1‐year licence.
Nominal association with CHRNA4 variants and nicotine dependence
Authors: Kamens H. M. , Corley R. P. , McQueen M. B. , Stallings M. C. , Hopfer C. J. , Crowley T. J. , Brown S. A. , Hewitt J. K. , Ehringer M. A.
Published: January 2013

Nicotine binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and studies in animal models have shown that α4β2 receptors mediate many behavioral effects of nicotine. Human genetics studies have provided support that variation in the gene that codes for the α4 subunit influences nicotine dependence (ND), but the evidence for the involvement of the β2 subunit gene is less convincing. In this study, we examined the genetic association between variation in the genes that code for the α4 (CHRNA4) and β2 (CHRNB2) subunits of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and a quantitative measure of lifetime DSM‐IV ND symptom counts. We performed this analysis in two longitudinal family‐based studies focused on adolescent antisocial drug abuse: the Center on Antisocial Drug Dependence (CADD, N = 313 families) and Genetics of Antisocial Drug Dependence (GADD, N = 111 families). Family‐based association tests were used to examine associations between 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CHRNA4 and CHRNB2 and ND symptoms. Symptom counts were corrected for age, sex and clinical status prior to the association analysis. Results, when the samples were combined, provided modest evidence that SNPs in CHRNA4 are associated with ND. The minor allele at both rs1044394 (A; Z = 1.988, P = 0.047, unadjusted P‐value) and rs1044396 (G; Z = 2.398, P = 0.017, unadjusted P‐value) was associated with increased risk of ND symptoms. These data provide suggestive evidence that variation in the α4 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor may influence ND liability.
Prognostic significance of patterns of seminal vesicle invasion in prostate cancer
Authors: Kristiansen Anna , Wiklund Fredrik , Wiklund Peter , Egevad Lars
Published: January 2013

Aims

We aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of histopathological patterns of seminal vesicle invasion (SVI) after radical prostatectomy.

Methods and results

Seminal vesicles of 1050 radical prostatectomy specimens from the Karolinska Hospital, from 1998 to 2005, were reviewed. Extraprostatic SVI was found in 60 cases (5.7%). Associations between histopathological characteristics of SVI and biochemical recurrence were analysed. The SVI component of the tumour always had a Gleason score of 7 or higher. Invasion of seminal vesicle (SV) mucosa was seen in 68.3%, and was always accompanied by muscle wall invasion. SVI was associated with biochemical recurrence [HR 1.7 (95% CI 1.1–2.6), P = 0.015], while intraprostatic SVI was not. SV mucosal invasion was associated with adverse outcome [HR 4.2 (95% CI 1.2–14.2), P = 0.021], while only 15.8% of tumours with muscle wall invasion alone recurred. Other features of SVI such as the Gleason score of the SV component, laterality, invasion route, measures of extent and local margin status in the SV did not predict outcome.

Conclusions

The prognosis of patients with SVI is not uniformly poor. Invasion of the SV mucosa portends a higher risk of recurrence than invasion of the muscle wall alone. There is no evidence that other histopathological features of SVI need to be reported.