bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diving into the redox properties of Geobacter sulfurreducens cytochromes: a model for extracellular electron transfer
Authors: Santos Telma C. , Silva Marta A. , Morgado Leonor , Dantas Joana M. , Salgueiro Carlos A.
Published: April 2015

The redox properties of key cytochromes from Geobacter sulfurreducens are used to present an overview for extracellular electron transfer pathways.
Ratiometric and colorimetric “naked eye” selective detection of CN−ions by electron deficient Ni(ii) porphyrins and their reversibility studies
Authors: Kumar Ravi , Chaudhri Nivedita , Sankar Muniappan
Published: April 2015

Highly electron deficient β-substituted Ni(ii) porphyrins (1–5) were synthesized and utilized as novel sensors for selective rapid visual detection of CN−ions.
Surface modification of La0.8Sr0.2CrO3−δ–YSZ dual-phase membranes for syngas production
Authors: Yu Anthony S. , Oh Tae-Sik , Zhu Ran , Gallegos Alexa , Gorte Raymond J. , Vohs John M.
Published: April 2015

Oxygen permeation fluxes were studied in Mixed Ionic and Electronic Conducting (MIEC) membranes based on composites of 40 vol% La0.8Sr0.2CrO3 (LSCr) and 60 vol% yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), using ambient air and flowing CO to establish a P(O2) gradient. The ambipolar conductivity of the dense LSCr–YSZ composite was determined for membranes with dense layers that were 115 μm and 650 μm thick. Other parts of the investigation focused on how modifications to the surface on the CO side affected the fluxes. Using a porous LSCr–YSZ composite on the surface as the base case, oxygen fluxes were shown to increase dramatically upon addition of 5 wt% CeO2 as a catalyst and an additional increase was observed with 1 wt% Pt. Changes in the structure of the porous composite LSCr–YSZ surface to improve connectivity of the YSZ phase also led to large increases in the oxygen fluxes.
Copper(i) targeting in the Alzheimer's disease context: a first example using the biocompatible PTA ligand
Authors: Atrián-Blasco E , Cerrada E , Conte-Daban A , Testemale D , Faller P , Laguna M , Hureau C
Published: April 2015

Copper(i) coordinating ligands in the Alzheimer's disease context have remained unexplored, despite the biological relevance of this redox state of the copper ion. Here, we show that the PTA ligand can remove copper from Aβ, prevent reactive oxygen species production and oligomer formation, two deleterious events in the disease's etiology.
Synthesis-atomic structure-properties relationships in metallic nanoparticles by total scattering experiments and 3D computer simulations: case of Pt–Ru nanoalloy catalysts
Authors: Prasai Binay , Ren Yang , Shan Shiyao , Zhao Yinguang , Cronk Hannah , Luo Jin , Zhong Chuan-Jian , Petkov Valeri
Published: April 2015

Total scattering coupled to 3D modeling resolves 3D atomic structure of metallic NPs providing clues to optimizing their functional properties.
Synergistic effects from graphene and carbon nanotubes endow ordered hierarchical structure foams with a combination of compressibility, super-elasticity and stability and potential application as pressure sensors
Authors: Kuang Jun , Dai Zhaohe , Liu Luqi , Yang Zhou , Jin Ming , Zhang Zhong
Published: April 2015

Multi-scaled hierarchical architectures of graphene/CNT cellular solids endow materials with super elasticity, compressibility, stability and high specific strength.
Facile production of stable silicon nanoparticles: laser chemistry coupled to in situ stabilization via room temperature hydrosilylation
Authors: Malumbres A. , Martínez G. , Hueso J. L. , Gracia J. , Mallada R. , Ibarra A. , Santamaría J.
Published: April 2015

In situ stabilization via fluoride-mediated room-temperature hydrosilylation of silicon nanocrystals synthesized by laser-enhanced reaction.
Surface-enhanced Raman imaging of cell membrane by a highly homogeneous and isotropic silver nanostructure
Authors: Zito Gianluigi , Rusciano Giulia , Pesce Giuseppe , Dochshanov Alden , Sasso Antonio
Published: April 2015

Label-free, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic imaging of the challenging red blood cell membrane is achieved by using a near-hyperuniform disordered plasmonic nanostructure of silver nanoparticles.
Morphology dependent nanosecond and ultrafast optical power limiting of CdO nanomorphotypes
Authors: Thomas Paulose , Sreekanth P. , Philip Reji , Abraham K. E.
Published: April 2015

Morphology dependent nonlinear optical power limiting of CdO nanomorphotypes.
Efficiency of biochar and compost (or composting) combined amendments for reducing Cd, Cu, Zn and Pb bioavailability, mobility and ecological risk in wetland soil
Authors: Zeng Guangming , Wu Haipeng , Liang Jie , Guo Shenglian , Huang Lu , Xu Piao , Liu Yuanyuan , Yuan Yujie , He Xiaoxiao , He Yan
Published: April 2015

Biochar and compost (or composting) combined amendments had higher efficiency for remediation of heavy metals polluted soils.
Selective capture of CO2 by poly(amido amine) dendrimer-loaded organoclays
Authors: Shah Kinjal J. , Imae Toyoko , Shukla Atindra
Published: April 2015

The cation-exchange organo LAPONITE® loaded amine-terminated dendrimer was a valuable solid adsorbent with a highly selective capture capacity for CO2.
Linking morphology with activity through the lifetime of pretreated PtNi nanostructured thin film catalysts
Authors: Cullen D. A. , Lopez-Haro M. , Bayle-Guillemaud P. , Guetaz L. , Debe M. K. , Steinbach A. J.
Published: April 2015

High resolution imaging and electron tomography are used to link nanoscale morphology with electrochemical activity in highly active Pt3Ni7nanostructured thin film catalysts, revealing the critical role of catalyst conditioning.
Word-Finding Support From Mobile Technology Benefits a Woman With Aphasia
Authors: Gillette Yvonne
Published: April 2015

Mobile technology provides a solution for individuals who require augmentative and alternative intervention. Principles of augmentative and alternative communication assessment and intervention, such as feature matching and the participation model, developed with dedicated speech-generating devices can be applied to these generic mobile technologies with success. This article presents a clinical review of an adult with aphasia who reached her goals for greater communicative participation through mobile technology. Details presented include device selection, sequence of intervention, and funding issues related to device purchase and intervention costs. Issues related to graduate student clinical education are addressed. The purpose of the article is to encourage clinicians to consider mobile technology when intervening with an individual diagnosed with mild receptive and moderate expressive aphasia featuring word-finding difficulties.
On the weighting optimisation of the antenna with overlapped subarrays architecture
Authors: Xiong Zi‐Yuan , Xu Zhen‐Hai , Song Dan , Xiao Shun‐Ping
Published: April 2015

In large array radars, subarray technology can be used to reduce the complexity and cost of system under the restriction of freedom degree. The overlapped subarray, which has high application value, is investigated in this study. For the array antenna with overlapped suabarrays architecture, the traditional weighting methods (such as the two staged tapering method) optimise the subarray pattern and subarray array factor independently, which cannot directly control the final pattern. Based on the analysis of the pattern and the application of overlapped subarrays, a new weighting optimisation method is proposed in this study. By optimising the final antenna pattern directly, the proposed method can obtain the high performance pattern with the lower sidelobe level, the higher taper efficient and the higher gain flatness in the field of view. Moreover, the computation complexity of the new method is very low since its basic algorithm is the linear programming. A set of representative numerical results are reported to validate the effectiveness and potentiality of the proposed method.
Focusing one‐stationary bistatic forward‐looking synthetic aperture radar with squint minimisation method
Authors: Ma Chao , Gu Hong , Su Weimin , Zhang Xiaohu , Li Chuanzhong
Published: April 2015

This study deals with the imaging problem of one‐stationary bistatic forward‐looking synthetic aperture radar (BFSAR). This BFSAR has extensive potential applications, such as self‐navigation and self‐landing in the airport. However, the forward‐looking (or squint) angle is usually large in one‐stationary BFSAR. It causes large range migration and strong range dependence on the secondary range compression term. Therefore it is difficult to use traditional imaging algorithms to focus one‐stationary BFSAR. To solve this problem, an imaging algorithm based on squint minimisation method is proposed in this study. The squint minimisation operation can shear the high forward‐looking angle data spectrum and decrease the coupling between range and azimuth. Then, the authors derive a modified range Doppler algorithm (RDA) to focus the sheared data. Numerical simulations show that by combining squint minimisation method and modified RDA, the raw data of one‐stationary BFSAR can be well imaged.
Data communication through distribution networks for smart grid applications
Authors: El Haj Yousef , Albasha Lutfi , El‐Hag Ayman , Mir Hasan
Published: April 2015

In this study, a novel solution is introduced to deal with excessive signal attenuation in distribution transformers for power line communication in smart grids. The results presented were not achievable before proposing this solution because of the filtering action of transformer. The solution is based on exploiting a unique frequency resonance spotted in transformer windings at 490 kHz with an amplifying gain (∼2 V/V) and a bandwidth about 40 kHz. It was successfully investigated to transmit a communication signal through 15 kVA distribution transformer. The 40 kHz bandwidth and the associated amplifying gain allowed fast and efficient transmission of data, which was not feasible before. The error of a coded binary phase shift keying signal propagating through a distribution transformer was measured in the laboratory. This simple and effective solution avoids costly hardware, such as bypassing circuits, and does not require sophisticated communication modulation schemes such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing. A full model was developed for system simulations. The work evaluated factors that may influence the resonance frequency such as distribution cables and transformer ageing. All the simulated results were verified experimentally and met the expectations of the presented solution.
Determination of surge arrester discharge energy using finite element analysis method
Authors: Illias Hazlee Azil , Abd Halim Syahirah , Abu Bakar Ab Halim , Mokhlis Hazlie
Published: April 2015

Surge arrester is widely used as a protective device to reduce possibility of flashover during transient overvoltage event. The device needs to withstand high energy discharged by the overvoltage which may increase the degradation rate of its characteristics. In this study, a set of transmission line surge arresters with different dimensions and ratings was simulated to investigate their discharge energy capabilities during fast‐front surge events using the finite element analysis method. To validate the accuracy of the method, the arrester models were also simulated by the use of PSCAD/EMTDC and EMTP‐RV software and compared with the specifications provided by the manufacturer. In spite of distinctive representations of the arrester models in COMSOL Multiphysics, EMTP‐RV and PSCAD, the comparison made between the simulation results indicates a satisfactory agreement. The manufacturers’ data were used to validate that the proposed simulation model is acceptable. It was found that the simulation results were comparable with the manufacturer's test data of the discharge voltages and energy withstand capability, thus proving that all studied cases were adequately modelled. Parametric analyses were also conducted using finite element method to study the effects of varying the design geometry of the ZnO blocks and the arrester's housing on the energy absorption, which cannot be evaluated using PSCAD and EMTP‐RV software.
Fasciolosis
Authors: Dietrich C. , Kabaalioglu A. , Brunetti E. , Richter J.
Published: April 2015

Fasciolosis is a zoonosis affecting ruminants, caused by the liver flukes Fasciola (F.) hepatica, and F. gigantica, which infect at least 2.4 million people worldwide. This disease may occur in cluster or family infections or after travel in high-risk areas such as the Nile Delta in Egypt, Iran, Turkey, South-East Asia, Mexico, the Caribbean and the Andean Altiplano. In Europe, fasciolosis occurs more frequently in Portugal, Spain and France, although autochthonous infections have also been reported from Ireland and Germany. Infectious metacercariae are ingested with contaminated water or raw or undercooked vegetables. During their larval stage immature flukes migrate through the liver producing an acute febrile syndrome some weeks after infection, followed by a chronic-latent stage which may last for years or decades. Acute fasciolosis is characterized by fever, high eosinophilia and hepatosplenomegaly. At this stage ova are usually not yet produced. Diagnosis relies on the detection of specific antibodies and/or antigens in serum. Typical imaging features include multiple, ill-defined, fleeting hypodense or hypoechoic areas in the liver. Intraabdominal bleeding due to fluke’s penetration of the bowel wall or liver capsule, may occur. In chronic latent fasciolosis the diagnosis is achieved by specific serology tests, detection of eggs in bile and parasitological examinations of multiple enriched stools samples. Ultrasonography may sometimes reveal a dilated and thickened common bile duct or crescent-like parasites in the gallbladder or bile ducts. Some patients exhibit sludge which typically does not sediment. Triclabendazole at a single dose of 10 mg/kg body weight is the treatment of choice.
Modulating the fixed charge density in silicon nitride films while monitoring the surface recombination velocity by photoluminescence imaging
Authors: Bazilchuk Molly , Haug Halvard , Marstein Erik Stensrud
Published: April 2015

Several important semiconductor devices such as solar cells and photodetectors may be fabricated based on surface inversion layer junctions induced by fixed charge in a dielectric layer. Inversion layer junctions can easily be fabricated by depositing layers with a high density of fixed charge on a semiconducting substrate. Increasing the fixed charge improves such devices; for instance, the efficiency of a solar cell can be substantially increased by reducing the surface recombination velocity, which is a function of the fixed charge density. Methods for increasing the charge density are therefore of interest. In this work, the fixed charge density in silicon nitride layers deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition is increased to very high values above 1 × 1013 cm−2 after the application of an external voltage to a gate electrode. The effect of the fixed charge density on the surface recombination velocity was experimentally observed using the combination of capacitance-voltage characterization and photoluminescence imaging, showing a significant reduction in the surface recombination velocity for increasing charge density. The surface recombination velocity vs. charge density data was analyzed using a numerical device model, which indicated the presence of a sub-surface damage region formed during deposition of the layers. Finally, we have demonstrated that the aluminum electrodes used for charge injection may be chemically removed in phosphoric acid without loss of the underlying charge. The injected charge was shown to be stable for a prolonged time period, leading us to propose charge injection in silicon nitride films by application of soaking voltage as a viable method for fabricating inversion layer devices.
Proximate composition and variation in colour, drip loss and pH of breast meat from broilers supplemented with Moringa oleifera leaf meal over time
Authors: Nkukwana T. T. , Muchenje V. , Masika P. J. , Pieterse E. , Hoffman L. C. , Dzama K.
Published: April 2015

This study investigated the breast meat proximate composition and quality indicators in relation to response of broilers to the following dietary treatments (T): positive control (+C; with 668 mg salinomycin and 500 mg zinc bacitracin per kg of feed); Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) was fed at a low level (ML; 1–5 g/kg feed, depending on growth stage), a medium level (MM, 3 times the low level) or a high level (MH, 5 times the low level); and a negative control (–C; without supplementation) for 35 days. At postmortem, the carcass weight, and breast muscle pH at 45 min (pH45) and 24 h (pH24) were recorded. At 36 h postmortem, breast muscles were excised, weighed and stored in a refrigerator at 4°C to measure pH, colour (CIE-L*, lightness; a*, redness; and b*, yellowness) and cumulative drip loss over eight consecutive days. Chroma (C*) and hue angle (h) were calculated. The –C had the highest (P > 0.05) dressing percentage and chilled carcass weight, and ML had the lowest. Breast meat fat and energy contents were highest (P < 0.05) in +C and MOLM supplemented diets, and lowest in -C. Dietary treatments had no effect on pH at postmortem and during storage over time. Cumulative drip loss increased with each day of storage, and it was highest (P < 0.05) in +C and lowest in MH. Dietary supplementation of MOLM significantly (P < 0.05) reduced lightness, but increased redness, yellowness, chroma and the hue angle during storage over time. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of M. oleifera leaf meal had positive effects on proximate composition and shelf-life quality indicators of broiler breast meat.
Environmental and genetic factors influence the liveweight of adult Merino and Border Leicester × Merino ewes across multiple sites and years
Authors: Blumer S. E. , Gardner G. E. , Ferguson M. B. , Thompson A. N.
Published: April 2015

Variation in liveweight change in the ewe flock during periods of poor nutrition can affect farm profitability through the effects of liveweight loss on potential stocking rate, management interventions including supplementary feeding, and ewe and lamb survival and productivity. There is variation between individual animals in their ability to manage periods of poor nutrition, but the links between liveweight change and breeding values in the adult ewe flock have not been quantified. We analysed 5216 liveweight profiles for 2772 ewes managed over 3 years at eight sites across Australia, to define the relative effects of environment, reproductive performance and breeding values on liveweight change. The range in liveweight loss varied from 1.3 kg to 21.6 kg, and for liveweight gain from 0.4 kg to 28.1 kg. Site and year had the largest influence on liveweight change, which demonstrates that seasonal conditions and management were the most important factors influencing liveweight change. Liveweight loss was influenced by previous and current reproductive performance but these effects were small in comparison to the effects of site and year. There were mixed associations with sire breeding values for growth, fat and muscle depending on site. An increase in sire breeding values for fat by 1 mm was associated with a reduction in liveweight loss by up to 1.3 kg regardless of ewe breed, and this was more evident at sites where ewes lost a greater proportion of their liveweight. While management had the greatest effect on liveweight change, there appears to be scope to use breeding values to select sheep that will lose less weight during periods of poor nutrition in some environments.
Modelling the egg components and laying patterns of broiler breeder hens
Authors: Ferreira Nayara T. , Sakomura Nilva K. , Dorigam Juliano César de Paula , Pereira da Silva Edney , Gous Robert M.
Published: April 2015

There is scant information about the reproductive process in broiler breeders, with which to develop a feeding strategy that will be economically optimal for these birds. This study aimed to model the egg production of a flock of broiler breeder hens, using non-isometric equations. The number of eggs produced by 60 broiler breeder hens aged 24–60 weeks was monitored, as was the weight of these eggs and the weights of the components, yolk, albumen and shell. Oviposition sequences and the number and length of pauses between sequences were analysed. Non-isometric functions were applied to predict the weight of the egg; yolk weight was predicted from the age of the hen, while albumen and shell weights were predicted from yolk weight; and egg weight was obtained by summing the component weights. The incidence of soft-shelled and double-yolk eggs was also determined. Yolk weight (YW, g) can be described as YW = 18.03 × (1 – e–0.015 × (t – 103.4)) × e(0.001 × t), where t is the age of the bird (days). The weights of albumen (AW) and shell (SW) were based on YW predictions as follows: AW = 14.38 × YW0.375 and SW = 0.358 × (YW + AW)0.687. The rate of double-yolk egg (DY) production is described by DY = 2.28 × e(0.209 × TFE), and the rate of soft-shelled egg (SS) production by SS = 1.126 + 0.148/(1 – 0.024 × TFE) – 0.056 × TFE, as a function of time from first egg (TFE). On the basis of the results obtained, the model developed here is an accurate reflection of the changes that occur in the number of eggs produced by broiler breeders, as well as in the egg itself and in its components over the entire laying period. This model can thus be used in predicting the nutrient requirements of individual broiler breeder hens, which, when combined with simulated data from a large number of individuals, will accurately describe the laying performance of a flock of broiler breeders.
Singlet fission in pentacene dimers
Authors: Zirzlmeier Johannes , Lehnherr Dan , Coto Pedro B. , Chernick Erin T. , Casillas Rubén , Basel Bettina S. , Thoss Michael , Tykwinski Rik R. , Guldi Dirk M.
Published: April 2015

Significance

In the present work, we show compelling evidence for the unprecedented intramolecular singlet fission at room temperature and in dilute solutions within a set of three different regioisomeric pentacene dimers. Pump–probe experiments, which were complemented by theoretical calculations using high-level ab initio multireference perturbation theory methods, corroborate triplet quantum yields as high as 156 ± 5%. To this end, electronic couplings between the two pentacenes in the dimers, by virtue of through-bond or through-space interactions, are decisive in tuning the rates of singlet fission.
Porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus in the USA: lessons learned from the 2013 outbreak.
Authors: Lowe J. F.
Published: April 2015

Porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV) was detected in the USA in May of 2013 and is believed to have come from China. During the US outbreak, signs began with lethargy, vomiting and 12-36 h later a profuse watery diarrhoea in affected herds. Mortality is effectively 100% within 72 h in pigs less than 7 days of age. In pigs greater than 30 kg or 10 weeks of age, only transient diarrhoea, develops with a minor reduction in feed intake but there is a subsequent reduction in feed conversion. In one study median losses from PEDV were 2403 pigs per 1000 sows which represented an approximately 9% reduction of the total annual output of the farm. It appears that the development of lactogenic immunity takes approximately 14 days reach levels to afford protection to piglets. Control methods have focused on rapid exposure of all animals in infected herds and dramatically increasing hygiene. Spread between herds has been by trucks, people, equipment and supplies. Industry structure likely played a key role in the rapid spread of PEDV in the USA.
Equine endocrinology.
Authors: Menzies-Gow N. J.
Published: April 2015

The two common endocrine disorders of the horse are pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) and equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). PPID is a neurodegenerative disorder of the pituitary pars intermedia characterized by loss of dopaminergic (inhibitory) input. The exact cause remains unknown, but the pathogenesis is associated with oxidative damage, mitochondrial dysfunction and protein misfolding. PPID is more common in ponies compared with horses and the risk increases with age such that the mean age of affected animals in retrospective case series is 18-23 years. Common clinical signs include hypertrichosis, muscle atrophy, recurrent laminitis, polyuria and polydipsia, hyperhidrosis, lethargy and secondary infections. Diagnosis is based on the signalment, clinical signs and further diagnostic test results. The currently recommended further diagnostic tests are basal adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentration and ACTH response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation. Not all owners will elect to treat the disease specifically and instead manage the individual clinical signs, but the dopamine agonist pergolide is the pharmacologic treatment of choice. If the animal fails to respond, the serotonin antagonist cyproheptadine or the Cortisol synthesis inhibitor trilostane can be considered. Either the clinical response or repeating the further diagnostic tests can be used to monitor the response to therapy. EMS is a collection of endocrine and metabolic abnormalities, including insulin dysregulation, hyperleptinaemia, increased adiposity and hypertriglyceridaemia, which are associated with an increased susceptibility to laminitis in affected individual animals. EMS first develops in horses <15 years of age and diagnosis is based on clinical signs including obesity or regional adiposity and recurrent laminitis; demonstration of fasting hyperinsulinaemia; demonstration of insulin dysregulation; and demonstration of peripheral insulin resistance. EMS should be managed with exercise and diet changes to induce weight loss and improve insulin sensitivity and pharmacological intervention should be used only in the short term and reserved for cases refractory to management changes alone. It should be noted that PPID and EMS can occur concurrently and a subset of animals with PPID also have insulin dysregulation.
Fault-Tolerant Quantum Dialogue Without Information Leakage Based on Entanglement Swapping between Two Logical Bell States*
Authors: Ye Tian-Yu
Published: April 2015

At present, the anti-noise property and the information leakage resistant property are two great concerns for quantum dialogue (QD). In this paper, two anti-noise QD protocols without information leakage are presented by using the entanglement swapping technology for two logical Bell states. One works well over a collective-dephasing noise channel, while the other takes effect over a collective-rotation noise channel. The negative influence of noise is erased by using logical Bell states as the traveling quantum states. The problem of information leakage is avoided by swapping entanglement between two logical Bell states. In addition, only Bell state measurements are used for decoding, rather than four-qubit joint measurements.
Spin-Orbit Coupled s-Wave Superconductor in One-Dimensional Optical Lattice*
Authors: Yang Li-Jun , Lang Li-Jun , Lü Rong , Hu Hai-Ping
Published: April 2015

We study the topological properties of spin-orbit coupled s-wave superconductor in one-dimensional optical lattice. Compared to its corresponding continuum model, the single particle spectrum is modified by the optical lattice and the topological phase which is characterized by the Majorana edge modes can survive in two regions of the single-particle spectrum. With the help of the self-consistent Bogoliubov-de Gennes calculation in the harmonic trap, we find that the existence of an upper critical magnetic field removes the topological superconductor phase to the trap wings. We also study the effects of nonmagnetic and magnetic impurity on the topological properties, and find the universal behavior of the mid-gap state induced by impurity in the topological superconductor phase in strong scattering limit.
Auxiliary Lagrangian and Conservation Laws for a Wave Equation Incorporating Dissipation*
Authors: Wang Yang , Wei Long
Published: April 2015

In this work we study the Lagrangian and the conservation laws for a wave equation with a dissipative source. Using semi-inverse method, we show that the equation possesses a nonlocal Lagrangian with an auxiliary function. As a result, from a modified Noether's theorem and the nonclassical Noether symmetry generators, we construct some conservation laws for this equation, which are different from the ones obtained by Ibragimov's theorem in [Y. Wang and L. Wei, Abstr. App. Anal. 2013 (2013) 407908]. The results show that our method work for arbitrary functions f(u) and g(u) rather than special ones.
Construction of AFLT States for W

N
⊗ ℋ Symmetry, Analytic Continuation and Integrability on AGT Relation*
Authors: Liu Zhi-Sheng , Shou Bao , Wu Jian-Feng , Xu Ying-Ying , Yu Ming
Published: April 2015

We propose a Hamiltonian to the construction of the AFLT states for WN symmetry. We generalize the AGT relation to generic (extended) conformal field theory with 1 ≤ c < ∞. We analyze the triangular structure hidden in the AGT relation with WN symmetry in detail and the triangular structure implies the integrability.
CTMC Investigation of Capture and Ionization Processes in P + H(1s) Collisions in Strong Transverse Magnetic Fields*
Authors: He Bin , Wang Jian-Guo , Janev R.K.
Published: April 2015

The collision processes of proton with H(1s) atoms, which is embedded in strong transverse magnetic fields perpendicular to the initial velocity of the projectile, are studied with the classical trajectory Monte Carlo method in the energy range 25 keV/u–2000 keV/u and B ∼ 104 T. It is found that the charge exchange cross section is decreased while the ionization cross section is increased significantly. The physics of magnetic field effects is analyzed by the time evolution of electron energy and trajectories, and it is found that these effects are induced by the diamagnetic term in the interaction, continuum electron trapping in the target regions and the Lorentz force. The velocity distributions of the ionized electrons, significantly influenced by the applied fields, are also presented.
Parity Symmetry and Parity Breaking in the Quantum Rabi Model with Addition of Ising Interaction*
Authors: Wang Qiong , He Zhi , Yao Chun-Mei
Published: April 2015

We explore the possibility to generate new parity symmetry in the quantum Rabi model after a bias is introduced. In contrast to a mathematical treatment in a previous publication [J. Phys. A 46 (2013) 265302], we consider a physically realistic method by involving an additional spin into the quantum Rabi model to couple with the original spin by an Ising interaction, and then the parity symmetry is broken as well as the scaling behavior of the ground state by introducing a bias. The rule can be found that the parity symmetry is broken by introducing a bias and then restored by adding new degrees of freedom. Experimental feasibility of realizing the models under discussion is investigated.
MetaSV: an accurate and integrative structural-variant caller for next generation sequencing
Authors: Mohiyuddin Marghoob , Mu John C. , Li Jian , Bani Asadi Narges , Gerstein Mark B. , Abyzov Alexej , Wong Wing H. , Lam Hugo Y.K.
Published: April 2015

Summary: Structural variations (SVs) are large genomic rearrangements that vary significantly in size, making them challenging to detect with the relatively short reads from next-generation sequencing (NGS). Different SV detection methods have been developed; however, each is limited to specific kinds of SVs with varying accuracy and resolution. Previous works have attempted to combine different methods, but they still suffer from poor accuracy particularly for insertions. We propose MetaSV, an integrated SV caller which leverages multiple orthogonal SV signals for high accuracy and resolution. MetaSV proceeds by merging SVs from multiple tools for all types of SVs. It also analyzes soft-clipped reads from alignment to detect insertions accurately since existing tools underestimate insertion SVs. Local assembly in combination with dynamic programming is used to improve breakpoint resolution. Paired-end and coverage information is used to predict SV genotypes. Using simulation and experimental data, we demonstrate the effectiveness of MetaSV across various SV types and sizes.

Availability and implementation: Code in Python is at http://bioinform.github.io/metasv/.

Contact:  rd@bina.com

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A novel small-molecule inhibitor of hepatitis C virus replication acts by suppressing signal transducer and activator of transcription 3
Authors: Niu Yuqiang , Si Youhui , Li Yan , Chi Xiaojing , Li Xiang , Liu Xiuying , Li Duan , Cheng Min , Fan Jingjing , Si Shuyi , Yang Wei
Published: April 2015

Objectives

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects hepatocytes and causes liver damage. The aim of this study was to identify new classes of host-targeting anti-HCV compounds that may provide novel approaches for antiviral treatment regimens.

Methods

Cell culture-derived HCV (HCVcc), replicons and pseudoparticles were used in combination with high-throughput screening, reporter gene assays and cytotoxicity and signalling pathway analyses.

Results

A small-molecule inhibitor of HCV, N-(cyclopropyl(phenyl)methyl)thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-amine, designated IB-32, was identified by screening a compound library with a Jc1-luc HCVcc assay. By using various virus models, HCV replication was identified as the predominant step of IB-32's action. IB-32 inhibited HCVcc (genotype 2a) and HCV replicons (genotype 1b) at low nanomolar ranges (with IC50s of 40 ± 8 and 100 ± 15 nM, respectively). IB-32 was found to be non-toxic when tested against a panel of human cell lines in vitro at the effective antiviral dose. Mechanistically, IB-32 strongly inhibited STAT3 (Tyr705) phosphorylation, a necessary cellular factor for HCV replication and a pivotal therapeutic target for multiple cancers. Furthermore, the inhibition of HCV replication by IB-32 was augmented in cells with STAT3 knockdown. In contrast, the inhibitory effect of IB-32 was attenuated in cells overexpressing a constitutively active form of STAT3.

Conclusion

The results presented here identify a promising STAT3-targeting anti-HCV therapeutic candidate. This novel small molecule could be further optimized and developed for use as both an antiviral and an anti-cancer drug.
Targeting p38 Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase to Reduce the Impact of Neonatal Microglial Priming on Incision-induced Hyperalgesia in the Adult Rat
Authors: Schwaller Fred , Beggs Simon , Walker Suellen M.
Published: April 2015

AbstractAbstract

In rats, incisional surgery in adulthood resulted in greater phosphorylation of the signaling enzyme, p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase in spinal cord microglia of animals which had received incisional surgery in the neonatal period. A p38 MAP kinase inhibitor reduced pain behaviors after surgery in adults with previous neonatal surgery, suggesting this enzyme may be a target to reduce exaggerated pain responses after surgery in individuals with a history of neonatal surgery.

Background:

Neonatal surgical injury triggers developmentally regulated long-term changes that include enhanced hyperalgesia and spinal microglial reactivity after reinjury. To further evaluate priming of response by neonatal hindpaw incision, the authors investigated the functional role of spinal microglial p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase after reincision in adult rodents.

Methods:

Plantar hindpaw incision was performed in anesthetized adult rats, with or without previous incision on postnatal day 3. Numbers and distribution of phosphorylated-p38 (1, 3, 24 h) and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (15 min, 24 h) immunoreactive cells in the lumbar dorsal horn were compared after adult or neonatal plus adult incision. Withdrawal thresholds evaluated reversal of incision-induced hyperalgesia by p38 inhibition with intrathecal SB203850.

Results:

Neonatal injury significantly increased phosphorylated-p38 expression 3 h after adult incision (55 ± 4 vs. 35 ± 4 cells per section, mean ± SEM, n = 6 to 7, P < 0.01). Increased expression was restricted to microglia, maintained across lumbar segments, and also apparent at 1 and 24 h. Preincision intrathecal SB203850 prevented the enhanced mechanical hyperalgesia in adults with previous neonatal injury and was effective at a lower dose (0.2 vs. 1 mg/kg, n = 8, P < 0.05) and for a longer duration (10 vs. 3 days). Lumbar neuronal phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase expression reflected the distribution of hindpaw primary afferents, but was not significantly altered by previous incision.

Conclusions:

Neonatal incision primes spinal neuroglial signaling, and reincision in adult rats unmasks centrally mediated increases in functional microglial reactivity and persistent hyperalgesia. After early life injury, p38 inhibitors may have specific benefit as part of multimodal analgesic regimes to reduce the risk of persistent postsurgical pain.
Tumebacillus algifaecis sp. nov., isolated from decomposing algal scum
Authors: Wu Yu-Fan , Zhang Bo , Xing Peng , Wu Qing-Long , Liu Shuang-Jiang
Published: April 2015

Bacterial strain THMBR28T was isolated from decomposing algal scum that was collected during an algal bloom in Taihu lake, China. Cells of strain THMBR28T were Gram-staining-positive, facultatively anaerobic and rod-shaped. Growth was observed at 20–45 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 5.0–9.5 (optimum, pH 6.5–7.5), and in the presence of 0–1.0  % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0.5  %). Strain THMBR28T contained MK-7 as the major menaquinone and iso-C15 : 0 as the major cellular fatty acid. The polar lipid profile contained phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine and six unidentified polar lipids. The diamino acid found in the cell-wall peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The DNA G+C content was 57.6 mol% (T

m
). Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain THMBR28T belonged to the genus Tumebacillus, most closely related to Tumebacillus ginsengisoli DSM 18389T (95.0  %) and Tumebacillus permanentifrigoris Eur1 9.5T (93.4  %). Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic characterization, it is concluded that strain THMBR28T represents a novel species of the genus Tumebacillus, for which the name Tumebacillus algifaecis sp. nov. is proposed, with THMBR28T ( = CGMCC 1.10949T = NBRC 108765T) as the type strain.
Pontibacter chinhatensis sp. nov., isolated from pond sediment containing discarded hexachlorocyclohexane isomer waste
Authors: Singh Amit Kumar , Garg Nidhi , Lal Rup
Published: April 2015

A halotolerant, Gram-negative, rod-shaped and light-red-pigmented bacterium, designated LP51T, was isolated from pond sediment near a hexachlorocyclohexane dumpsite located at Chinhat, Lucknow, India. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain LP51T formed a distinct phyletic clade along with the members of the genus Pontibacter. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to members of the genus Pontibacter ranged from 94.2 to 99.4  %. The cells were motile, aerobic and catalase- and oxidase-positive. The major fatty acids were iso-C15  :  0 (17.8  %), iso-C15  :  0 3-OH (8.8  %), iso-C17  :  0 3-OH (5.7  %), summed feature 3 (C16  :  1ω7c and/or C16  :  1ω6c; 6.5  %) and summed feature 4 (iso-C17  :  1 I and/or anteiso-C17  :  1 B; 30.7  %). The polar lipid profile of strain LP51T showed the presence of phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminophospholipid, unknown aminolipids, unknown polar lipids and unknown glycolipids. DNA–DNA relatedness of strain LP51T with respect to the most closely related type strain, Pontibacter korlensis X14-1T, was 47.2  %. On the basis of this information, it is proposed that the isolate be assigned to a novel species of the genus Pontibacter, for which the name Pontibacter chinhatensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LP51T ( = CCM 8436T = MCC 2070T).
SOS2-LIKE PROTEIN KINASE5, an SNF1-RELATED PROTEIN KINASE3-Type Protein Kinase, Is Important for Abscisic Acid Responses in Arabidopsis through Phosphorylation of ABSCISIC ACID-INSENSITIVE5
Authors: Zhou Xiaona , Hao Hongmei , Zhang Yuguo , Bai Yili , Zhu Wenbo , Qin Yunxia , Yuan Feifei , Zhao Feiyi , Wang Mengyao , Hu Jingjiang , Xu Hong , Guo Aiguang , Zhao Huixian , Zhao Yang , Cao Cuiling , Yang Yongqing , Schumaker Karen S. , Guo Yan , Xie Chang Gen
Published: April 2015

Abscisic acid (ABA) plays an essential role in seed germination. In this study, we demonstrate that one SNF1-RELATED PROTEIN KINASE3-type protein kinase, SOS2-LIKE PROTEIN KINASE5 (PKS5), is involved in ABA signal transduction via the phosphorylation of an interacting protein, ABSCISIC ACID-INSENSITIVE5 (ABI5). We found that pks5-3 and pks5-4, two previously identified PKS5 superactive kinase mutants with point mutations in the PKS5 FISL/NAF (a conserved peptide that is necessary for interaction with SOS3 or SOS3-LIKE CALCIUM BINDING PROTEINs) motif and the kinase domain, respectively, are hypersensitive to ABA during seed germination. PKS5 was found to interact with ABI5 in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and this interaction was further confirmed in planta using bimolecular fluorescence complementation. Genetic studies revealed that ABI5 is epistatic to PKS5. PKS5 phosphorylates a serine (Ser) residue at position 42 in ABI5 and regulates ABA-responsive gene expression. This phosphorylation was induced by ABA in vivo and transactivated ABI5. Expression of ABI5, in which Ser-42 was mutated to alanine, could not fully rescue the ABA-insensitive phenotypes of the abi5-8 and pks5-4abi5-8 mutants. In contrast, mutating Ser-42 to aspartate rescued the ABA insensitivity of these mutants. These data demonstrate that PKS5-mediated phosphorylation of ABI5 at Ser-42 is critical for the ABA regulation of seed germination and gene expression in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana).
STATE TRANSITION7-Dependent Phosphorylation Is Modulated by Changing Environmental Conditions, and Its Absence Triggers Remodeling of Photosynthetic Protein Complexes
Authors: Bergner Sonja Verena , Scholz Martin , Trompelt Kerstin , Barth Johannes , Gäbelein Philipp , Steinbeck Janina , Xue Huidan , Clowez Sophie , Fucile Geoffrey , Goldschmidt-Clermont Michel , Fufezan Christian , Hippler Michael
Published: April 2015

In plants and algae, the serine/threonine kinase STN7/STT7, orthologous protein kinases in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), respectively, is an important regulator in acclimation to changing light environments. In this work, we assessed STT7-dependent protein phosphorylation under high light in C. reinhardtii, known to fully induce the expression of LIGHT-HARVESTING COMPLEX STRESS-RELATED PROTEIN3 (LHCSR3) and a nonphotochemical quenching mechanism, in relationship to anoxia where the activity of cyclic electron flow is stimulated. Our quantitative proteomics data revealed numerous unique STT7 protein substrates and STT7-dependent protein phosphorylation variations that were reliant on the environmental condition. These results indicate that STT7-dependent phosphorylation is modulated by the environment and point to an intricate chloroplast phosphorylation network responding in a highly sensitive and dynamic manner to environmental cues and alterations in kinase function. Functionally, the absence of the STT7 kinase triggered changes in protein expression and photoinhibition of photosystem I (PSI) and resulted in the remodeling of photosynthetic complexes. This remodeling initiated a pronounced association of LHCSR3 with PSI-LIGHT HARVESTING COMPLEX I (LHCI)-ferredoxin-NADPH oxidoreductase supercomplexes. Lack of STT7 kinase strongly diminished PSII-LHCII supercomplexes, while PSII core complex phosphorylation and accumulation were significantly enhanced. In conclusion, our study provides strong evidence that the regulation of protein phosphorylation is critical for driving successful acclimation to high light and anoxic growth environments and gives new insights into acclimation strategies to these environmental conditions.
Does sustained involvement in a quality network lead to improved performance?
Authors: Solomon Jane , Day Crispin , Worrall Adrian , Thompson Peter
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the effects of prolonged investment in one quality improvement method, which are uncertain. The authors aim to examine the extent to which sustained involvement in a quality network over five years led to improved performance against standards, and whether improvement was achieved in areas where service staff could exercise direct control.

Design/methodology/approach

– A prospective cohort design was used to examine data from 48 UK inpatient child and adolescent mental health units between 2005/2006 and 2009/2010, which had been Quality Network for In-patient CAMHS members for two years. These were selected to remove the initial marked increase in compliance identified in an earlier study. The main outcome measure was compliance with organisation process standards.

Findings

– Units meeting “excellent” quality status across all standards rose from seven (14.6 per cent) to 18 (37.5 per cent). Standards for Environment and Facilities and Access, Admission and Discharge improved the most. Units meeting the “excellent” quality status for criteria over which staff had direct control criteria rose from 17 (35.4 per cent) to 29 (60.4 per cent) over the five-year period. The unit modal quality status categorisation for criteria where staff had no direct control in 2005/2006 was “poor” (n=25; 52.1 per cent) but had progressed to “good” in 2009/2010 (n=24; 50.0 per cent).

Originality/value

– The authors provide evidence that sustained investment in one QI method raises service compliance against standards. Trends showed improvement for direct control standards from “good” to “excellent” levels and improvement for no direct control from “poor” to “good”.