bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wrinkles of magnetoelectric composite thin films bonded on compliant buffer-layers
Authors: Ma Jing , Pei Yongmao , Sun Youyi , Li Faxin , Fang Daining
Published: March 2014

Laminated magnetoelectric (LME) thin films have the ability of conversion between electric and magnetic energies. However, when coated on stiff substrates, their magnetoelectric (ME) effect will be suppressed evidently due to the clamping effect of substrates. In order to reduce the clamping effect, a compliant buffer layer method is proposed in this paper which can help in inducing wrinkles of LME thin films and effectively enhance the ME effect of clamped ones. A LME wrinkling model which is a combination of LME plate theory and energy analysis method is proposed to predict the wrinkling behaviours of LME thin films bonded on compliant buffer-layers with finite thickness. The theoretical results show that the wrinkled state is one of necessary conditions of ME effect of such LME thin film/buffer-layer/substrate system and the ME effect of this system can be evidently influenced by several factors: the pre-strain in the laminated thin film, the thickness and stiffness of buffer layer. Finite element method (FEM) simulations are also conducted to verify the proposed model. Both theoretical and numerical results show that the thin films bonded on more compliant or thicker buffer layer have better ME effect, and the compressive pre-strain in LME thin films can also help in inducing wrinkles and enhancing the ME effect.
Monte Carlo configuration interaction with perturbation corrections for dissociation energies of first row diatomic molecules: C2, N2, O2, CO, and NO
Authors: Kelly Thomas P. , Perera Ajith , Bartlett Rodney J. , Greer James C.
Published: March 2014

Dissociation energies for the diatomic molecules C2, N2, O2, CO, and NO are estimated using the Monte Carlo configuration interaction (MCCI) and augmented by a second order perturbation theory correction. The calculations are performed using the correlation consistent polarized valence “triple zeta” atomic orbital basis and resulting dissociation energies are compared to coupled cluster calculations including up to triple excitations (CCSDT) and Full Configuration Interaction Quantum Monte Carlo (FCIQMC) estimates. It is found that the MCCI method readily describes the correct behavior for dissociation for the diatomics even when capturing only a relatively small fraction (∼80%) of the correlation energy. At this level only a small number of configurations, typically O(103) from a FCI space of dimension O(1014), are required to describe dissociation. Including the perturbation correction to the MCCI estimates, the difference in dissociation energies with respect to CCSDT ranges between 1.2 and 3.1 kcal/mol, and the difference when comparing to FCIQMC estimates narrows to between 0.5 and 1.9 kcal/mol. Discussions on MCCI's ability to recover static and dynamic correlations and on the form of correlations in the electronic configuration space are presented.
Yttrium-dispersed C60 fullerenes as high-capacity hydrogen storage medium
Authors: Tian Zi-Ya , Dong Shun-Le
Published: March 2014

Interaction between hydrogen molecules and functionalized C60 is investigated using density functional theory method. Unlike transition metal atoms that tend to cluster on the surface, C60 decorated with 12 Yttrium atoms on each of its 12 pentagons is extremely stable and remarkably enhances the hydrogen adsorption capacity. Four H2 molecules can be chemisorbed on a single Y atom through well-known Dewar-Chatt-Duncanson interaction. The nature of bonding is a weak physisorption for the fifth adsorbed H2 molecule. Consequently, the C60Y12 complex with 60 hydrogen molecules has been demonstrated to lead to a hydrogen storage capacity of ∼6.30 wt. %.
Ion transport in sub-5-nm graphene nanopores
Authors: Suk Myung E. , Aluru N. R.
Published: March 2014

Graphene nanopore is a promising device for single molecule sensing, including DNA bases, as its single atom thickness provides high spatial resolution. To attain high sensitivity, the size of the molecule should be comparable to the pore diameter. However, when the pore diameter approaches the size of the molecule, ion properties and dynamics may deviate from the bulk values and continuum analysis may not be accurate. In this paper, we investigate the static and dynamic properties of ions with and without an external voltage drop in sub-5-nm graphene nanopores using molecular dynamics simulations. Ion concentration in graphene nanopores sharply drops from the bulk concentration when the pore radius is smaller than 0.9 nm. Ion mobility in the pore is also smaller than bulk ion mobility due to the layered liquid structure in the pore-axial direction. Our results show that a continuum analysis can be appropriate when the pore radius is larger than 0.9 nm if pore conductivity is properly defined. Since many applications of graphene nanopores, such as DNA and protein sensing, involve ion transport, the results presented here will be useful not only in understanding the behavior of ion transport but also in designing bio-molecular sensors.
A fast microchannel plate-scintillator detector for velocity map imaging and imaging mass spectrometry
Authors: Winter B. , King S. J. , Brouard M. , Vallance C.
Published: March 2014

The time resolution achievable using standard position-sensitive ion detectors, consisting of a chevron pair of microchannel plates coupled to a phosphor screen, is primarily limited by the emission lifetime of the phosphor, around 70 ns for the most commonly used P47 phosphor. We demonstrate that poly-para-phenylene laser dyes may be employed extremely effectively as scintillators, exhibiting higher brightness and much shorter decay lifetimes than P47. We provide an extensive characterisation of the properties of such scintillators, with a particular emphasis on applications in velocity-map imaging and microscope-mode imaging mass spectrometry. The most promising of the new scintillators exhibits an electron-to-photon conversion efficiency double that of P47, with an emission lifetime an order of magnitude shorter. The new scintillator screens are vacuum stable and show no signs of signal degradation even over longer periods of operation.
System efficiency analysis for high power solid state radio frequency transmitter
Authors: Jain Akhilesh , Sharma D. K. , Gupta A. K. , Lad M. R. , Hannurkar P. R. , Pathak S. K.
Published: March 2014

This paper examines some important relationships, related with the system efficiency, for very high power, radio frequency solid-state transmitter; incorporating multiple solid-state power amplifier modules, power combiners, dividers, couplers, and control/interlock hardware. In particular, the characterization of such transmitters, at the component as well as the system level, is discussed. The analysis for studying the influence of the amplitude and phase imbalance, on useful performance parameters like system efficiency and power distribution is performed. This analysis is based on a scattering parameter model. This model serves as a template for fine-tuning the results, with the help of a system level simulator. For experimental study, this approach is applied to a recently designed modular and scalable solid-state transmitter, operating at the centre frequency of 505.8 MHz and capable of delivering a continuous power of 75 kW. Such first time presented, system level study and experimental characterization for the real time operation will be useful for the high power solid-state amplifier designs, deployed in particle accelerators.
Emittance of short-pulsed high-current ion beams formed from the plasma of the electron cyclotron resonance discharge sustained by high-power millimeter-wave gyrotron radiation
Authors: Razin S. , Zorin V. , Izotov I. , Sidorov A. , Skalyga V.
Published: March 2014

We present experimental results on measuring the emittance of short-pulsed (≤100 μs) high-current (80–100 mA) ion beams of heavy gases (Nitrogen, Argon) formed from a dense plasma of an ECR source of multiply charged ions (MCI) with quasi-gas-dynamic mode of plasma confinement in a magnetic trap of simple mirror configuration. The discharge was created by a high-power (90 kW) pulsed radiation of a 37.5-GHz gyrotron. The normalized emittance of generated ion beams of 100 mA current was (1.2–1.3) π mm mrad (70% of ions in the beams). Comparing these results with those obtained using a cusp magnetic trap, it was concluded that the structure of the trap magnetic field lines does not exert a decisive influence on the emittance of ion beams in the gas-dynamic ECR source of MCI.
Axisymmetric flow within a torsionally oscillating sphere
Authors: Colombini Marco
Published: March 2014

The flow of an incompressible Newtonian fluid inside a torsionally oscillating spherical cavity is considered. The three-dimensional Navier-Stokes and continuity equations are solved by means of a Galerkin projection spectral method, based on a second-order incremental fractional-step approach. Legendre and Jacobi polynomial expansions are used in the zenithal and radial directions, respectively. Axisymmetric solutions are sought for a relatively wide set of the parameters controlling the flow, namely, the Rossby and the Womersley numbers. In particular, the behaviour of the flow for relatively large amplitudes of oscillation is studied, with emphasis on the generation of centrifugal instabilities. Numerical results are compared with experimental observations and semi-analytical solutions in the small-amplitude regime, showing good agreement.
Depinning assisted by domain wall deformation in cylindrical NiFe nanowires
Authors: Chandra Sekhar M. , Goolaup S. , Purnama I. , Lew W. S.
Published: March 2014

We report on transverse domain wall (DW) depinning mechanisms at the geometrical modulations in NiFe cylindrical nanowires. The DW depinning field and current density always follow opposite trends with diameter modulation. For current driven DW, the depinning current density decreases with increasing notch depth. This interesting behavior arises due to a combination of DW deformation and rotation at the pinning site. With increasing anti-notch height, two distinct depinning mechanisms are observed for both field and current driven DW. Above a critical height, the DW transformation from transverse to vortex configuration leads to a change in the potential barrier. For field-driven, the barrier is lowered, whereas for current-driven, the barrier increases. The increase in the potential barrier for the current driven DW is due to the appearance of an intrinsic pinning within the anti-notch.
Quantifying the volume of single cells continuously using a microfluidic pressure-driven trap with media exchange
Authors: Riordon Jason , Nash Michael , Jing Wenyang , Godin Michel
Published: March 2014

We demonstrate a microfluidic device capable of tracking the volume of individual cells by integrating an on-chip volume sensor with pressure-activated cell trapping capabilities. The device creates a dynamic trap by operating in feedback; a cell is periodically redirected back and forth through a microfluidic volume sensor (Coulter principle). Sieve valves are positioned on both ends of the sensing channel, creating a physical barrier which enables media to be quickly exchanged while keeping a cell firmly in place. The volume of individual Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells was tracked over entire growth cycles, and the ability to quickly exchange media was demonstrated.
Electromigration induced Kirkendall void growth in Sn-3.5Ag/Cu solder joints
Authors: Jung Yong , Yu Jin
Published: March 2014

Effects of electric current flow on the Kirkendall void formation at solder joints were investigated using Sn-3.5Ag/Cu joints specially designed to have localized nucleation of Kirkendall voids at the Cu3Sn/Cu interface. Under the current density of 1 × 104 A/cm2, kinetics of Kirkendall void growth and intermetallic compound thickening were affected by the electromigration (EM), and both showed the polarity effect. Cu6Sn5 showed a strong susceptibility to the polarity effect, while Cu3Sn did not. The electromigration force induced additional tensile (or compressive) stress at the cathode (or anode), which accelerated (or decelerated) the void growth. From the measurements of the fraction of void at the Cu3Sn/Cu interface on SEM micrographs and analysis of the kinetics of void growth, the magnitude of the local stress induced by EM was estimated to be 9 MPa at the anode and −7 MPa at the cathode.
Ferromagnetic response of multiferroic TbMnO3 films mediated by epitaxial strain and chemical pressure
Authors: Izquierdo J. , Astudillo A. , Bolaños G. , Arnache O. , Morán O.
Published: March 2014

High quality Tb1−xAlxMnO3 (x = 0, 0.3) films have been grown under different values of compressive/tensile strain using (001)-oriented SrTiO3 and MgO substrates. The films were grown by means of rf sputtering at substrate temperature of 800  °C. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that films are single phase, preferentially oriented in the (111) and (122) directions for films deposited on SrTiO3 and MgO substrates, respectively. Although the TbMnO3 target shows antiferromagnetic order, the films deposited on both substrates show weak ferromagnetic phase at low temperature coexisting with the antiferromagnetic phase. The introduction of Al in the films clearly enhances their ferromagnetic behavior, improving the magnetic performance of this material. Indeed, M(H) measurements at 5 K show a well-defined hysteresis for films grown on both substrates. However, a stronger magnetic signal (larger values of remanence and coercive field) is observed for films deposited on MgO substrates. The chemical pressure generated by Al doping together with the substrate-induced strain seem to modify the subtle competition between magnetic interactions in the system. It is speculated that such modification could lead to a non-collinear magnetic state that may be tuned by strain modifications. This may be performed by varying the thickness of the films and/or considering other substrate materials.
Passive tailoring of laser-accelerated ion beam cut-off energy by using double foil assembly
Authors: Chen S. N. , Robinson A. P. L. , Antici P. , Brambrink E. , d'Humières E. , Gaillard S. , Grismayer T. , Mancic A. , Mora P. , Romagnani L. , Audebert P. , Pépin H. , Fuchs J.
Published: March 2014

A double foil assembly is shown to be effective in tailoring the maximum energy produced by a laser-accelerated proton beam. The measurements compare favorably with adiabatic expansion simulations, and particle-in-cell simulations. The arrangement proposed here offers for some applications a simple and passive way to utilize simultaneously highest irradiance lasers that have best laser-to-ion conversion efficiency while avoiding the production of undesired high-energy ions.
Memory functions of nanocrystalline cadmium selenide embedded ZrHfO high-k dielectric stack
Authors: Lin Chi-Chou , Kuo Yue
Published: March 2014

Metal-oxide-semiconductor capacitors made of the nanocrystalline cadmium selenide nc-CdSe embedded Zr-doped HfO2 high-k stack on the p-type silicon wafer have been fabricated and studied for their charge trapping, detrapping, and retention characteristics. Both holes and electrons can be trapped to the nanocrystal-embedded dielectric stack depending on the polarity of the applied gate voltage. With the same magnitude of applied gate voltage, the sample can trap more holes than electrons. A small amount of holes are loosely trapped at the nc-CdSe/high-k interface and the remaining holes are strongly trapped to the bulk nanocrystalline CdSe site. Charges trapped to the nanocrystals caused the Coulomb blockade effect in the leakage current vs. voltage curve, which is not observed in the control sample. The addition of the nanocrystals to the dielectric film changed the defect density and the physical thickness, which are reflected on the leakage current and the breakdown voltage. More than half of the originally trapped holes can be retained in the embedded nanocrystals for more than 10 yr. The nanocrystalline CdSe embedded high-k stack is a useful gate dielectric for this nonvolatile memory device.
Tomographic image of prompt gamma ray from boron neutron capture therapy: A Monte Carlo simulation study
Authors: Yoon Do-Kun , Jung Joo-Young , Jo Hong Key , Suk Suh Tae
Published: March 2014

Purpose of paper is to confirm the feasibility of acquisition of three dimensional single photon emission computed tomography image from boron neutron capture therapy using Monte Carlo simulation. Prompt gamma ray (478 keV) was used to reconstruct image with ordered subsets expectation maximization method. From analysis of receiver operating characteristic curve, area under curve values of three boron regions were 0.738, 0.623, and 0.817. The differences between length of centers of two boron regions and distance of maximum count points were 0.3 cm, 1.6 cm, and 1.4 cm.
Field evaluation of the effects of cotton variety and GM status on rhizosphere microbial diversity and function in Australian soils
Authors: Knox Oliver G. G. , Gupta Vadakattu V. S. R. , Lardner Richard
Published: March 2014

Despite the high level of adoption of genetically modified (GM) cultivars in the Australian cotton production system, concerns remain over the use of GM technology, particularly with regard to potential non-target effects. To address the hypothesis that GM cotton causes shifts in rhizosphere microbial diversity or function, we assessed rhizosphere soil samples from a range of conventional and GM cotton cultivars for diversity of bacteria and fungi, populations of ammonium oxidisers, rhizosphere basal and selective substrate-induced respiration, and non-symbiotic N2 fixation and nitrification. Comparison of results for GM and conventional cotton cultivars, both between and within seasons, indicated that the cotton rhizosphere plant–microbial interactions are variable in nature and significantly influenced by cultivar type. The GM status of the plant did not result in rhizosphere bacterial or fungal DNA-based grouping, but MicroResp data did show some grouping based on GM status, although this was not consistent by trait, suggesting that the GM trait is not greater than cultivar selection in causing rhizosphere change, especially when measured in the field environment with all the associative management practices.
G-protein–coupled receptor GPR161 is overexpressed in breast cancer and is a promoter of cell proliferation and invasion
Authors: Feigin Michael E. , Xue Bin , Hammell Molly C. , Muthuswamy Senthil K.
Published: March 2014

Significance

Recent advances in DNA sequencing and bioinformatics tools have allowed the large-scale characterization of genetic alterations in human tumors. We exploited genomics data to identify commonly occurring alterations in G-protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a subset of breast cancer with poor prognosis and lacking effective targeted therapy. We have discovered that the orphan GPCR, G-protein–coupled receptor 161 (GPR161), is overexpressed specifically in TNBC and correlates with poor prognosis. We identify GPR161 as a regulator of mammary epithelial cell proliferation and invasion in a mammalian target of rapamycin signaling-pathway–dependent manner. Down-regulation of GPR161 in a TNBC-derived cell line impairs cell growth, suggesting that GPR161 is a drug target for breast cancer.
Interpersonal Guilt and Substance Use in College Students
Authors: Locke Geoffrey W. , Shilkret Robert , Everett Joyce E. , Petry Nancy M.
Published: March 2014

Background

The college years are a time for developing independence and separating from one's family, and they are also a time in which substance use often escalates. This study examined the relationships between use of substances and interpersonal guilt, an emotion that can arise from feelings about separation among college students.

Methods

In total, 1865 college students completed a survey evaluating substance use and interpersonal guilt. Regular users of alcohol, cigarettes, cannabis, and other illicit drugs were compared with nonregular users of each substance. Sequential linear regression, controlling for confounding variables, examined relationships between regular use of each substance and scores on a guilt index.

Results

Risky drinkers and daily smokers had significantly more interpersonal guilt than their peers who did not regularly use these substances. In contrast, regular cannabis users had significantly less guilt than nonregular cannabis users.

Conclusions

These data suggest that substance use among college students may be related to interpersonal guilt and family separation issues, and this relationship may vary across substances.
Article Commentary: Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) as an Integral Part of Nursing Practice
Authors: Finnell Deborah S. , Nowzari Shahrzad , Reimann Brie , Fischer Leigh , Pace Elizabeth , Goplerud Eric
Published: March 2014

Substance use screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) should be an integral part of the scope of nursing practice. This commentary is an appeal for nurses to advance their knowledge and competencies related to SBIRT. The question of how to move SBIRT into the mainstream of nursing practice was posed to several leaders of federal agencies, health care and nursing organizations, nurse educators, and nurse leaders. The authors provide recommendations for moving this set of clinical strategies (i.e., SBIRT) into day-to-day nursing practice.
Richness–abundance relationships for zooplankton in ballast water: temperate versus Arctic comparisons
Authors: Chan Farrah T. , Briski Elizabeta , Bailey Sarah A. , MacIsaac Hugh J.
Published: March 2014

Species richness and abundance are two commonly measured parameters used to characterize invasion risk associated with transport vectors, especially those capable of transferring large species assemblages. Understanding the relationship between these two variables can further improve our ability to predict future invasions by identifying conditions where high-risk (i.e. species-rich or high abundance or both) and low-risk (i.e. species-poor and low abundance) introduction events are expected. While ballast water is one of the best characterized transport vectors of aquatic non-indigenous species, very few studies have assessed its magnitude at high latitudes. We assessed the arrival potential of zooplankton via ballast water in the Canadian Arctic by examining species richness, total abundance, and the relationship between the two parameters for zooplankton in ships from Europe destined for the Arctic, in comparison with the same parameters for ships bound for Atlantic Canada and the Great Lakes. In addition, we examined whether species richness and/or total abundance were influenced by temperature change and/or ballast water age for each shipping route. We found that species richness and total abundance for Arctic and Great Lakes ships were significantly lower than those for Atlantic ships. Differences in species richness and total abundance for ships utilizing different shipping routes were mostly related to ballast water age. A significant species richness–total abundance relationship for Arctic and Great Lakes ships suggests that these parameters decreased proportionately as ballast water aged. In contrast, the absence of such a relationship for Atlantic ships suggests that decreases in total abundance were accompanied by little to no reduction in species richness. Collectively, our results indicate that the arrival potential of zooplankton in ballast water of Arctic ships may be lower than or similar to that of Atlantic and Great Lakes ships, respectively.
X-rays from the redshift 7.1 quasar ULAS J1120+0641
Authors: Page M. J. , Simpson C. , Mortlock D. J. , Warren S. J. , Hewett P. C. , Venemans B. P. , McMahon R. G.
Published: March 2014

We present X-ray imaging and spectroscopy of the redshift z = 7.084 radio-quiet quasar ULAS J112001.48+064124.3 obtained with Chandra and XMM–Newton. The quasar is detected as a point source with both observatories. The Chandra observation provides a precise position, confirming the association of the X-ray source and the quasar, while a sufficient number of photons is detected in the XMM–Newton observation to yield a meaningful X-ray spectrum. In the XMM–Newton observation, the quasar has a 2–10 keV luminosity of 4.7 ± 0.9 × 1044 erg s−1 and a spectral slope $\alpha = 1.6^{+0.4}_{-0.3}$ (where fν ∝ ν−α). The quasar appears to have dimmed in the 15 months between the two observations, with a 2–10 keV luminosity of $1.8^{+1.0}_{-0.7}\times 10^{45}$ erg s−1 during the Chandra observation. We derive optical-to-X-ray spectral slopes αOX of 1.76 ± 0.07 and $1.54^{+0.09}_{-0.08}$ at the times of the XMM–Newton and Chandra observations, respectively, consistent with the range of αOX found in other quasars of comparable ultraviolet luminosity. The very soft X-ray spectrum suggests that the quasar is accreting above the Eddington rate, $L/L_{\rm Edd} = 5^{+15}_{-4}$, compared to $L/L_{\rm Edd} = 1.2^{+0.6}_{-0.5}$ derived from the rest-frame ultraviolet. Super-Eddington accretion would help to reduce the discrepancy between the age of the quasar implied by the small size of the ionized near-zone in which it sits (<107 yr) and the characteristic e-folding time (2.5 × 107 yr if L/LEdd = 2). Such super-Eddington accretion would also alleviate the challenging constraints on the seed black hole mass provided that the quasar has been rapidly accreting throughout its history. The remnant of an individual Population III star is a plausible progenitor if an average L/LEdd > 1.46 has been maintained over the quasar's lifetime.
Description of Helicobacter valdiviensis sp. nov., an Epsilonproteobacteria isolated from wild bird faecal samples
Authors: Collado Luis , Jara Ronald , González Susana
Published: March 2014

Two Gram-stain-negative, gently curved rod-shaped isolates (WBE14T and WBE19), recovered from wild bird faecal samples in the city of Valdivia (Southern Chile) were subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Results of a genus-specific PCR indicated that these isolates belonged to the genus

Helicobacter

. This was further confirmed by a phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA, 60 kDa heat-shock protein (cpn60) and gyrase subunit B (gyrB) genes, where both strains formed a novel phylogenetic line within this genus. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of strain WBE14T to the type strains of all other species of the genus

Helicobacter

examined ranged from 89.4 to 97.0 %;

Helicobacter brantae

and

Helicobacter pametensis

were the most closely related species. However, on the basis of the protein-coding genes

Helicobacter pullorum

and

Helicobacter canadensis

are the most closely related species. These data, together with their different morphological and biochemical characteristics, revealed that these strains represent a novel species, for which the name Helicobacter valdiviensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain WBE14T ( = CECT 8410T = LMG 27920T).
Eoetvoesia caeni gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from an activated sludge system treating coke plant effluent
Authors: Felföldi Tamás , Vengring Anita , Kéki Zsuzsa , Márialigeti Károly , Schumann Peter , Tóth Erika M.
Published: March 2014

A novel bacterium, PB3-7BT, was isolated on phenol-supplemented inorganic growth medium from a laboratory-scale wastewater purification system that treated coke plant effluent. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain PB3-7BT belonged to the family

Alcaligenaceae

and showed the highest pairwise sequence similarity to

Parapusillimonas granuli

Ch07T (97.5 %),

Candidimonas bauzanensis

BZ59T (97.3 %) and

Pusillimonas noertemannii

BN9T (97.2 %). Strain PB3-7BT was rod-shaped, motile and oxidase- and catalase-positive. The predominant fatty acids were C16 : 0, C17 : 0 cyclo, C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c and C14 : 0 3-OH, and the major respiratory quinone was Q-8. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain PB3-7BT was 59.7 mol%. The novel bacterium can be distinguished from closely related type strains based on its urease activity and the capacity for assimilation of glycerol and amygdalin. On the basis of the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular data, strain PB3-7BT is considered to represent a new genus and species, for which the name Eoetvoesia caeni gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Eoetvoesia caeni is PB3-7BT ( = DSM 25520T = NCAIM B 02512T).
Analysis of gene expression changes in Trichophyton rubrum after skin interaction
Authors: Liu Tao , Xu Xingye , Leng Wenchuan , Xue Ying , Dong Jie , Jin Qi
Published: March 2014

Trichophyton rubrum, an anthropophilic and cosmopolitan fungus, is the most common agent of superficial mycoses. In this study, T. rubrum infection was modelled by adding human skin sections to a limited medium containing glucose and cDNA microarrays were used to monitor T. rubrum gene expression patterns on a global level. We observed that exposure to human skin resulted in upregulation of the expression levels of T. rubrum genes related to many cellular and biological processes, including transcription and translation, metabolism and secondary transport, the stress response, and signalling pathways. These results provide a reference set of T. rubrum genes whose expression patterns change upon infection and reveal previously unknown genes that most likely correspond to proteins that should be considered as virulence factor candidates and potential new drug targets for T. rubrum infection.
A novel inference of the fundamental biodiversity number for multiple immigration-limited communities
Authors: Beeravolu Reddy Champak , Couteron Pierre , Munoz François
Published: March 2014

Neutral community theory postulates a fundamental quantity, θ, which reflects the species diversity on a regional scale. While the recent genealogical formulation of community dynamics has considerably enhanced quantitative neutral ecology, its inferential aspects have remained computationally prohibitive. Here, we make use of a generalized version of the original two-level hierarchical framework in order to define a novel estimator forθ;, which proves to be computationally efficient and robust when tested on a wide range of simulated neutral communities. Estimatingθ; from field data is also illustrated using two tropical forest datasets consisting of spatially separated permanent field plots. Preliminary results also reveal that our inferred regional diversity parameter based on community dynamics may be linked to widely used ordination techniques in ecology. This paper essentially paves the way for future work dealing with the parameter inference of neutral communities with respect to their spatial scale and structure.
The Leucine-Rich Repeat Receptor-Like Kinase BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE1-ASSOCIATED KINASE1 and the Cytochrome P450 PHYTOALEXIN DEFICIENT3 Contribute to Innate Immunity to Aphids in Arabidopsis
Authors: Prince David C. , Drurey Claire , Zipfel Cyril , Hogenhout Saskia A.
Published: March 2014

The importance of pathogen-associated molecular pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) against microbial pathogens has been recently demonstrated. However, it is currently unclear if this layer of immunity mediated by surface-localized pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) also plays a role in basal resistance to insects, such as aphids. Here, we show that PTI is an important component of plant innate immunity to insects. Extract of the green peach aphid (GPA; Myzus persicae) triggers responses characteristic of PTI in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Two separate eliciting GPA-derived fractions trigger induced resistance to GPA that is dependent on the leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE1-ASSOCIATED KINASE1 (BAK1)/SOMATIC-EMBRYOGENESIS RECEPTOR-LIKE KINASE3, which is a key regulator of several leucine-rich repeat-containing PRRs. BAK1 is required for GPA elicitor-mediated induction of reactive oxygen species and callose deposition. Arabidopsis bak1 mutant plants are also compromised in immunity to the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum), for which Arabidopsis is normally a nonhost. Aphid-derived elicitors induce expression of PHYTOALEXIN DEFICIENT3 (PAD3), a key cytochrome P450 involved in the biosynthesis of camalexin, which is a major Arabidopsis phytoalexin that is toxic to GPA. PAD3 is also required for induced resistance to GPA, independently of BAK1 and reactive oxygen species production. Our results reveal that plant innate immunity to insects may involve early perception of elicitors by cell surface-localized PRRs, leading to subsequent downstream immune signaling.
STENOFOLIA Recruits TOPLESS to RepressASYMMETRIC LEAVES2at the Leaf Margin and Promote Leaf Blade Outgrowth inMedicago truncatula
Authors: Zhang Fei , Wang Yewei , Li Guifen , Tang Yuhong , Kramer Elena M. , Tadege Million
Published: March 2014

The Medicago truncatula WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) gene, STENOFOLIA (STF), plays a key role in leaf blade outgrowth by promoting cell proliferation at the adaxial-abaxial junction. STF functions primarily as a transcriptional repressor, but the underlying molecular mechanism is unknown. Here, we report the identification of a protein interaction partner and a direct target, shedding light on the mechanism of STF function. Two highly conserved motifs in the C-terminal domain of STF, the WUSCHEL (WUS) box and the STF box, cooperatively recruit TOPLESS (Mt-TPL) family corepressors, and this recruitment is required for STF function, as deletion of these two domains (STFdel) impaired blade outgrowth whereas fusing Mt-TPL to STFdel restored function. The homeodomain motif is required for direct repression of ASYMMETRIC LEAVES2 (Mt-AS2), silencing of which partially rescues the stf mutant phenotype. STF and LAMINALESS1 (LAM1) are functional orthologs. A single amino acid (Asn to Ile) substitution in the homeodomain abolished the repression of Mt-AS2 and STF's ability to complement the lam1 mutant of Nicotiana sylvestris. Our data together support a model in which STF recruits corepressors to transcriptionally repress its targets during leaf blade morphogenesis. We propose that recruitment of TPL/TPL-related proteins may be a common mechanism in the repressive function of modern/WUS clade WOX genes.
RAP, the Sole Octotricopeptide Repeat Protein in Arabidopsis, Is Required for Chloroplast 16S rRNA Maturation
Authors: Kleinknecht Laura , Wang Fei , Stübe Roland , Philippar Katrin , Nickelsen Jörg , Bohne Alexandra-Viola
Published: March 2014

The biogenesis and activity of chloroplasts in both vascular plants and algae depends on an intracellular network of nucleus-encoded, trans-acting factors that control almost all aspects of organellar gene expression. Most of these regulatory factors belong to the helical repeat protein superfamily, which includes tetratricopeptide repeat, pentatricopeptide repeat, and the recently identified octotricopeptide repeat (OPR) proteins. Whereas green algae express many different OPR proteins, only a single orthologous OPR protein is encoded in the genomes of most land plants. Here, we report the characterization of the only OPR protein in Arabidopsis thaliana, RAP, which has previously been implicated in plant pathogen defense. Loss of RAP led to a severe defect in processing of chloroplast 16S rRNA resulting in impaired chloroplast translation and photosynthesis. In vitro RNA binding and RNase protection assays revealed that RAP has an intrinsic and specific RNA binding capacity, and the RAP binding site was mapped to the 5′ region of the 16S rRNA precursor. Nucleoid localization of RAP was shown by transient green fluorescent protein import assays, implicating the nucleoid as the site of chloroplast rRNA processing. Taken together, our data indicate that the single OPR protein in Arabidopsis is important for a basic process of chloroplast biogenesis.
Time buying and time saving: effects on service convenience and the shopping experience at the mall
Authors: Elizabeth Lloyd Alison , Y.K. Chan Ricky , S.C. Yip Leslie , Chan Andrew
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The domain of service convenience remains relatively unexplored. However, as time pervades all aspects of consumption, the value placed on time is likely to influence the importance of convenience. Prior studies call for the investigation of convenience beyond the store context; and malls being a one-stop shopping destination, present an ideal environment for investigation.

Design/methodology/approach

– A conceptual model delineating the relationships between service convenience, shopping trip value, customer satisfaction and several retail outcomes is developed. This model is empirically tested using survey data collected from 619 mall shoppers; and analyzed using structural equation modelling.

Findings

– For shoppers who place high economic value on time, the effects of service convenience are greater on hedonic value. Conversely, those who place low economic value on time, effects of service convenience are greater on utilitarian value. Effects of shopping value on retail outcomes also vary according to value placed on time.

Research limitations/implications

– Further investigation utilizing full convenience scale and more elaborate time style measures encouraged.

Practical implications

– Results signal the importance of enhancing the experiential aspects of the mall for high economic time value shoppers. Conversely, for low economic time value shoppers, findings suggest the importance of boosting the visual distinctiveness and ease of mall navigation.

Originality/value

– This study sheds light on research gaps by examining the link between service convenience and its effects on retail evaluation in the mall. It also considers how the economic value placed on time impact perceptions of convenience and the shopping experience.
High glucose improves healing of periodontal wound by inhibiting proliferation and osteogenetic differentiation of human PDL cells
Authors: Li Min , Li Cheng‐Zhang
Published: March 2014

Periodontal ligament (PDL) cells play an important role in wound healing of periodontal tissues. Response of PDL cells' cellular activity to high‐glucose concentration levels may be the key in understanding the relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes mellitus. We studied the effect of high‐glucose medium on proliferation of PDL cells in vitro. PDL cells were cultured for 1, 4, 7, 10, 14 and 17 days in normal (1100 mg/l) glucose or in high (4500 mg/l) glucose medium. The 3‐(4,5‐dimethylithiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay for proliferation was performed. In order to evaluate the osteogenetic differentiation of human PDL cells, the cells were induced with normal‐ or high‐glucose medium for 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. The results indicated that high glucose significantly inhibited proliferation of PDL cells. Concerning the mineralised nodule formation, the percentage of calcified area to total culture dish of PDL cells in high glucose level was lower than that in normal glucose medium. The increase in alkaline phosphatase activity and collagen expression could be observed in high‐glucose‐containing osteogenetic factor. In conclusion, high glucose improves healing of periodontal wound by inhibiting proliferation and differentiation of PDL cells, which could explain for delayed periodontal regeneration and healing in diabetic patients.
The use of keratin‐based wound products on refractory wounds
Authors: Batzer Annette T , Marsh Clive , Kirsner Robert S
Published: March 2014

Keratin proteins have been shown to play a key role in wound healing. Controlled keratin gene (KRT) expression promotes cell growth, migration and differentiation, and as an example of the importance of keratin proteins, absence of KRT17 has been shown to delay wound closure. In addition, downregulation of KRT6 and KRT16 in non‐healing chronic venous ulcers suggests that deregulation of keratin expression contributes to non‐healing phenotype. A sample of 45 chronic wounds of mixed aetiologies presenting in 31 patients were treated with keratin‐based novel topical wound healing products. Thirty‐seven wounds or 82% of wounds were either healed or reduced in size of >50% during treatment, with 29 (64%) healing completely and an additional 8 wounds experiencing 50% wound size reduction or greater. Of the wounds that responded, 15 required antimicrobial treatment during their course of treatment, suggesting that keratin dressing treatment should be interrupted briefly and then restarted when wound infection occur.
Brain imaging of affective disorders and schizophrenia
Authors: KISHIMOTO H. , YAMADA K. , ISEKI E. , KOSAKA K. , OKOSHI T.
Published: March 2014

We review recent findings in human brain imaging, for example, which brain areas are used during perception of colors, moving objects, human faces, facial expressions, sadness and happiness etc. One study used fluorine‐18‐labeled deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) in patients with unipolar depression and bipolar depression, and found hypometabolism in the left anterolateral prefrontal cortex. Another study reported increased regional cerebral blood flow in the amygdala in familial pure depressive disease. Using 11C‐glucose PET, we reported that the glutamic acid pool was reduced in cortical areas of the brain in patients with major depression. We also found that the thalamic and cingulate areas were hyperactive in drug‐naive (never medicated) acute schizophrenics, while the associative frontal, parietal, temporal gyri were hypoactive in drug‐naive chronic schizophrenics. Drain biochemical disturbances of schizophrenic patients involved glutamic acid, N‐acetyl aspartic acid, phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin which are important chemical substances in the working brain. The areas of the thalamus and the cingulate which become hyperactive in acute schizophrenic patients are important brain areas for perception and communication. The association areas of the cortex which become disturbed in chronic schizophrenia are essential brain areas in human creativity (language, concepts, formation of cultures and societies) and exist only in human beings.
Post‐traumatic stress disorder in Asian refugees
Authors: TON‐THAT NIEM
Published: March 2014

This study profiles 127 cases of Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian and Chinese refugee outpatients diagnosed with post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Traumatic etiologies included victims of wars such as political refugees, concentration camp prisoners and victims of rape, severe personal losses (property or human lives). These traumata were experienced by our subjects during the period between the end of the Vietnam war in April 1975 and recent times, when they finally arrived in the USA. Clinical symptoms of these subjects reflected many influences of their oriental culture background and are characterized by internalization that needs to be overcome for assessment as well as for therapy. Symptomatic treatment with psychopharmacology and supportive therapy are helpful while cultural approaches have been adopted by many patients to reach the inner self pathology that could be of both mental and organic in nature. These facts need to be taken into consideration in the future description of the PTSD clinical picture. Recommendations are made for future PTSD studies in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, and to promote a global movement for prevention of any socio‐political situation that may generate PTSD.
Population displacement after the 2007 floods in Kingston upon Hull, England
Authors: Milojevic A. , Kovats S. , Leonardi G. , Murray V. , Nye M. , Wilkinson P.
Published: March 2014

Flooding can result in the temporary or permanent displacement of affected populations from their homes. This displacement is not only an important factor determining health and social impacts, but it also has bearing on the monitoring of such impacts. We present descriptive analyses of data from the 2007 floods of Kingston‐upon‐Hull, UK, which quantify the frequency, timing and duration of household displacements. Very high proportions (59%) of flooded households were displaced, though many displacements did not begin until several months after flooding. Twelve per cent of displaced households remained out of their homes for longer than a year, a further 5% for more than 2 years. These figures suggest that linkages between a flood incident, flood impacts and then recovery might not always follow a neat linear progression, which has important implications for epidemiological research design as well as flood risk management plans. This is the first reported investigation on population displacement after the flood event in the UK.
Bilateral Control and Stabilization of Asymmetric Teleoperators With Bounded Time-Varying Delays
Authors: Hilliard Trent , Pan Ya-Jun
Published: March 2014

A novel control scheme for asymmetric bilateral teleoperation systems is developed based on linear models of the hardware, with considerations in the existence of communication time delays. The master and slave manipulators were modeled as linear single degree of freedom systems. The human user force was modeled based on the band limited availability of human motion, and the environmental force was modeled as a spring and damper combination based on the slave position. The configuration of the whole system represents a relatively general framework for the teleoperation systems. The main contribution of the work can be concluded as follows. First to deal with asymmetric systems in teleoperation, an impedance matching approach was applied to the master side dynamics, while a static error feedback gain was used to stabilize the slave side dynamics. Second, in the existence of bounded random time-varying delays, approaches and techniques based on the Lyapunov method proposed for network controlled systems are now proposed for bilateral teleoperation systems. Specifically, a Lyapunov functional is proposed with consideration for the upper and lower bound of random delays. Linear matrix inequality (LMI) techniques are used with rigorous stability proof to design the slave side controller control gains. Furthermore, the cone complementarity algorithm is used to deal with nonlinear terms within the LMI under the new formulation. Finally, the applications of the proposed algorithm to haptic devices are described thoroughly, and experimental results with comparisons to simulation results are demonstrated to show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.