bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Captures of MFO-resistantCydia pomonellaadults as affected by lure, crop management system and flight
Authors: Bosch D. , Rodríguez M.A. , Avilla J.
Published: October 2015

The main resistance mechanism of codling moth (Cydia pomonella) in the tree fruit area of Lleida (NE Spain) is multifunction oxidases (MFO). We studied the frequency of MFO-resistant adults captured by different lures, with and without pear ester, and flights in orchards under different crop management systems. The factor year affected codling moth MFO-resistance level, particularly in the untreated orchards, highlighting the great influence of codling moth migration on the spread of resistance in field populations. Chemical treatments and adult flight were also very important but mating disruption technique showed no influence. The second adult flight showed the highest frequency, followed by the first flight and the third flight. In untreated orchards, there were no significant differences in the frequency of MFO-resistant individuals attracted by Combo and BioLure. Red septa lures baited with pear ester (DA) captured sufficient insects only in the first generation of 2010, obtaining a significantly lower proportion of MFO-resistant adults than Combo and BioLure. In the chemically treated orchards, in 2009 BioLure caught a significantly lower proportion of MFO-resistant adults than Combo during the first and third flight, and also than DA during the first flight. No significant differences were found between the lures or flights in 2010. These results cannot support the idea of a higher attractiveness of the pear ester for MFO-resistant adults in the field but do suggest a high influence of the response to the attractant depending on the management of the orchard, particularly with regard to the use of chemical insecticides.
Ramanujan's Radial Limits and Mixed Mock Modular Bilateralq-Hypergeometric Series
Authors: Mortenson Eric
Published: October 2015

Using results from Ramanujan's lost notebook, Zudilin recently gave an insightful proof of a radial limit result of Folsomet al.for mock theta functions. Here we see that Mortenson's previous work on the dual nature of Appell–Lerch sums and partial theta functions and on constructing bilateralq-series with mixed mock modular behaviour is well suited for such radial limits. We present five more radial limit results, which follow from mixed mock modular bilateralq-hypergeometric series. We also obtain the mixed mock modular bilateral series for a universal mock theta function of Gordon and McIntosh. The later bilateral series can be used to compute radial limits for many classical second-, sixth-, eighth- and tenth-order mock theta functions.
A tale of two extinctions: converging end-Permian and end-Triassic scenarios
Authors: VAN DE SCHOOTBRUGGE BAS , WIGNALL PAUL B.
Published: October 2015

The end-Permian (c.252 Ma) and end-Triassic (c.201 Ma) mass-extinction events are commonly linked to the emplacement of the large igneous provinces of the Siberia Traps and Central Atlantic Magmatic Province, respectively. Accordingly, scenarios for both extinctions are increasingly convergent and cross-fertilization of ideas has become important. Here, we present a synthesis of extinction scenarios based on a critical assessment of the available palaeontological, sedimentological, geochemical and geophysical evidence. How similar were the extinction events, what gaps exist in our understanding and how can a comparison of the events enhance our understanding of each event individually? Our focus is on the most important proximate kill mechanisms including: climate change and atmospheric pollution; increased soil erosion, weathering and runoff; forest dieback and the spread of pathogens; and ocean temperature changes, anoxia and acidification. There is substantial evidence to suggest that very similar kill mechanisms acted upon late Permian as well as Late Triassic ecosystems, strengthening the hypothesis that the ultimate causes of the mass-extinction events were similar.
Roads in China's Borderlands: Interfaces of spatial representations, perceptions, practices, and knowledges
Authors: JONIAK-LÜTHI AGNIESZKA
Published: October 2015

Since the beginning of the twenty-first century, the tarmac road network in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in northwest China has been greatly expanded. The total length of roads increased from about 30,000 kilometres in 1999 to more than 146,000 kilometres in 2008. Though roads are considered by the state to be instruments of economic development, in multi-ethnic border regions like Xinjiang, the role of an efficient road network in the construction of the Chinese state's imaginary ‘bounded space’ is arguably just as crucial. With the help of Lefebvre's (1991) and Soja's (1999) conceptualization of space, this article explores the multiple spatial figurations of which roads are a part in Xinjiang. The article starts from ‘the mappable’ dimension of the expanding road network, and moves on to discuss perceptions and representations related to this expansion, before finally discussing how individuals creatively explore its fissures and hidden pockets.
Review Article: Beyond the polis? New approaches to Greek religion
Authors: Harrison Thomas
Published: October 2015

This article reviews a range of important recent work on Greek religion. It looks first at the critique (common to a number of the books under review) of the polis-religion model associated with Christiane Sourvinou-Inwood and then attempts to draw out a number of emerging themes: a comparative approach, a focus on the gods or on individual worshippers and a cognitive perspective. It then examines in more detail the application of the terms ‘belief’ or ‘theology’ to the field of Greek religion and the extent to which any picture of Greek religious experience may be said to be logically coherent, before looking forward to possible future directions of study.
Becoming a Young Breadwinner? The Education, Employment and Training Trajectories of Young Fathers
Authors: Neale Bren , Davies Laura
Published: October 2015

The entry into fatherhood is a major life course transition involving the acquisition of new adult roles and responsibilities. This transition is rarely planned for young fathers, and may involve a range of challenges, not least their capacity to provide materially and financially for their child. Drawing on a Qualitative Longitudinal study of young fathers in the UK, this article charts their very different pathways through education, training and employment, showing how these are shaped by a constellation of life circumstances. The implications for policy are considered in the light of a shifting landscape of welfare reform and ‘austerity’ measures.
North to South: A Reappraisal of Anglican Communion Membership Figures
Authors: Muñoz Daniel
Published: October 2015

In recent decades Anglicans have developed a largely unquestioned and unchallenged narrative of global growth and decline. This narrative tells a story of Anglicanism’s success being largely due to growth in developing, postcolonial nations which, according to the narrators, is ongoing and unstoppable. At the same time, first-world, mostly postmodern nations have seen a steep decline in church membership and attendance. Numeric growth and strength have been used to define ecclesial identity and to legitimate understandings of ‘Anglican orthodoxy’. This article offers an up-to-date reappraisal of Anglican Communion membership and, in that process, challenges many of the premises of such a narrative.
The international rule of law and the domestic analogy
Authors: HURD IAN
Published: October 2015

A surge in academic interest in the interaction of international law with international politics has recently raised the profile of the rule of law in global politics. The idea of an ‘international rule of law’ is central to many accounts of international order, and to both political science and legal scholarship. Despite its popularity, the concept is rarely defined or examined. This article considers the theory and practice of the international rule of law. It shows first that the international rule of law cannot be deduced from the conventional Anglo-American version of the rule of law in domestic legal theory, as sketched by Joseph Raz and others. It then considers two competing versions of a distinctly international concept of the rule of law, one based on a positivist theory of compliance and the other on a structurationist theory of practice. The former is more common in legal and political scholarship but the latter accounts better for the political power of international law in relation to states.
Improving Electoral Integrity with Information and Communications Technology
Authors: Callen Michael , Gibson Clark C. , Jung Danielle F. , Long James D.
Published: October 2015

Irregularities plague elections in developing democracies. The international community spends hundreds of millions of dollars on election observation, with little robust evidence that it consistently improves electoral integrity. We conducted a randomized control trial to measure the effect of an intervention to detect and deter electoral irregularities employing a nation-wide sample of polling stations in Uganda using scalable information and communications technology (ICT). In treatment stations, researchers delivered letters to polling officials stating that tallies would be photographed using smartphones and compared against official results. Compared to stations with no letters, the letters increased the frequency of posted tallies by polling center managers in compliance with the law; decreased the number of sequential digits found on tallies – a fraud indicator; and decreased the vote share for the incumbent president in some specifications. Our results demonstrate that a cost-effective citizen and ICT intervention can improve electoral integrity in emerging democracies.
Award for Distinguished Contributions to Diversity in Pediatric Psychology: Reflections on Diversity as the Spice of Life (and Work)
Authors: Lescano Celia M.
Published: October 2015

Diversity is broadly defined to include the variety that can be found within gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geographic location, sexual orientation, religion, and ability/disability. In line with having received the inaugural 2015 Award for Distinguished Contributions to Diversity in Pediatric Psychology, the objective of this article is to share some reflections on the diversity of experience I have encountered in my work as a clinician, researcher, mentor, and advocate. Within each section, I share a few experiences that have affected and shaped me and then attempt to connect the overarching theme of those experiences with recent, related literature. The article concludes with a reflection on the status of diversity within the Society of Pediatric Psychology (SPP) and its publications ( Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology and Journal of Pediatric Psychology) and some future considerations for SPP as an organization in search of advancing diversity in all aspects of its mission and vision.
Society of Pediatric Psychology Distinguished Mentorship Award: What My Mentors Taught Me About Mentoring
Authors: Stark Lori J.
Published: October 2015

The most rewarding aspect of mentoring is the opportunity to work with exceptional trainees and junior faculty. The objective of this article is to share the lessons I learned from my mentors, how these mentors influenced my development and approach to mentorship, and key aspects of the mentoring relationship. I have valued and tried to emulate mentors who shared their enthusiasm and joy of the work they do, who by example shared not only their successes but resilience in the face of setbacks, and who were generous in sharing credit and promoted the careers and successes of their mentees.
Transient thermal response of micro-thermal conductivity detector (µTCD) for the identification of gas mixtures: An ultra-fast and low power method
Authors: Mahdavifar Alireza , Navaei Milad , Hesketh Peter J. , Findlay Melvin , Stetter Joseph R. , Hunter Gary W.
Published: October 2015

Micro-thermal conductivity detector (µTCD) gas sensors work by detecting changes in the thermal conductivity of the surrounding medium and are used as detectors in many applications such as gas chromatography systems. Conventional TCDs use steady-state resistance (i.e., temperature) measurements of a micro-heater. In this work, we developed a new measurement method and hardware configuration based on the processing of the transient response of a low thermal mass TCD to an electric current step. The method was implemented for a 100-µm-long and 1-µm-thick micro-fabricated bridge that consisted of doped polysilicon conductive film passivated with a 200-nm silicon nitride layer. Transient resistance variations of the µTCD in response to a square current pulse were studied in multiple mixtures of dilute gases in nitrogen. Simulations and experimental results are presented and compared for the time resolved and steady-state regime of the sensor response. Thermal analysis and simulation show that the sensor response is exponential in the transient state, that the time constant of this exponential variation was a linear function of the thermal conductivity of the gas ambient, and that the sensor was able to quantify the mixture composition. The level of detection in nitrogen was estimated to be from 25 ppm for helium to 178 ppm for carbon dioxide. With this novel approach, the sensor requires approximately 3.6 nJ for a single measurement and needs only 300 µs of sampling time. This is less than the energy and time required for steady-state DC measurements.
Inhibition of DYRK1A and GSK3B induces human β-cell proliferation
Authors: Shen Weijun , Taylor Brandon , Jin Qihui , Nguyen-Tran Van , Meeusen Shelly , Zhang You-Qing , Kamireddy Anwesh , Swafford Austin , Powers Andrew F. , Walker John , Lamb John , Bursalaya Badry , DiDonato Michael , Harb George , Qiu Minhua , Filippi Christophe M. , Deaton Lisa , Turk Carolina N. , Suarez-Pinzon Wilma L. , Liu Yahu , Hao Xueshi , Mo Tingting , Yan Shanshan , Li Jing , Herman Ann E. , Hering Bernhard J. , Wu Tom , Martin Seidel H. , McNamara Peter , Glynne Richard , Laffitte Bryan
Published: October 2015

Insufficient pancreatic β-cell mass or function results in diabetes mellitus. While significant progress has been made in regulating insulin secretion from β-cells in diabetic patients, no pharmacological agents have been described that increase β-cell replication in humans. Here we report aminopyrazine compounds that stimulate robust β-cell proliferation in adult primary islets, most likely as a result of combined inhibition of DYRK1A and GSK3B. Aminopyrazine-treated human islets retain functionality in vitro and after transplantation into diabetic mice. Oral dosing of these compounds in diabetic mice induces β-cell proliferation, increases β-cell mass and insulin content, and improves glycaemic control. Biochemical, genetic and cell biology data point to Dyrk1a as the key molecular target. This study supports the feasibility of treating diabetes with an oral therapy to restore β-cell mass, and highlights a tractable pathway for future drug discovery efforts.
Quantum Hall states stabilized in semi-magnetic bilayers of topological insulators
Authors: Yoshimi R. , Yasuda K. , Tsukazaki A. , Takahashi K. S. , Nagaosa N. , Kawasaki M. , Tokura Y.
Published: October 2015

By breaking the time-reversal symmetry in three-dimensional topological insulators with the introduction of spontaneous magnetization or application of magnetic field, the surface states become gapped, leading to quantum anomalous Hall effect or quantum Hall effect, when the chemical potential locates inside the gap. Further breaking of inversion symmetry is possible by employing magnetic topological insulator heterostructures that host non-degenerate top and bottom surface states. Here we demonstrate the tailored-material approach for the realization of robust quantum Hall states in the bilayer system, in which the cooperative or cancelling combination of the anomalous and ordinary Hall responses from the respective magnetic and non-magnetic layers is exemplified. The appearance of quantum Hall states at filling factor 0 and +1 can be understood by the relationship of energy band diagrams for the two independent surface states. The designable heterostructures of magnetic topological insulator may explore a new arena for intriguing topological transport and functionality.
Evidence of covalent synergy in silicon–sulfur–graphene yielding highly efficient and long-life lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Hassan Fathy M. , Batmaz Rasim , Li Jingde , Wang Xiaolei , Xiao Xingcheng , Yu Aiping , Chen Zhongwei
Published: October 2015

Silicon has the potential to revolutionize the energy storage capacities of lithium-ion batteries to meet the ever increasing power demands of next generation technologies. To avoid the operational stability problems of silicon-based anodes, we propose synergistic physicochemical alteration of electrode structures during their design. This capitalizes on covalent interaction of Si nanoparticles with sulfur-doped graphene and with cyclized polyacrylonitrile to provide a robust nanoarchitecture. This hierarchical structure stabilized the solid electrolyte interphase leading to superior reversible capacity of over 1,000 mAh g−1 for 2,275 cycles at 2 A g−1. Furthermore, the nanoarchitectured design lowered the contact of the electrolyte to the electrode leading to not only high coulombic efficiency of 99.9% but also maintaining high stability even with high electrode loading associated with 3.4 mAh cm−2. The excellent performance combined with the simplistic, scalable and non-hazardous approach render the process as a very promising candidate for Li-ion battery technology.
Quasiparticle spin resonance and coherence in superconducting aluminium
Authors: Quay C. H. L. , Weideneder M. , Chiffaudel Y. , Strunk C. , Aprili M.
Published: October 2015

Conventional superconductors were long thought to be spin inert; however, there is now increasing interest in both (the manipulation of) the internal spin structure of the ground-state condensate, as well as recently observed long-lived, spin-polarized excitations (quasiparticles). We demonstrate spin resonance in the quasiparticle population of a mesoscopic superconductor (aluminium) using novel on-chip microwave detection techniques. The spin decoherence time obtained (∼100 ps), and its dependence on the sample thickness are consistent with Elliott–Yafet spin–orbit scattering as the main decoherence mechanism. The striking divergence between the spin coherence time and the previously measured spin imbalance relaxation time (∼10 ns) suggests that the latter is limited instead by inelastic processes. This work stakes out new ground for the nascent field of spin-based electronics with superconductors or superconducting spintronics.
An orphan gene is necessary for preaxial digit formation during salamander limb development
Authors: Kumar Anoop , Gates Phillip B. , Czarkwiani Anna , Brockes Jeremy P.
Published: October 2015

Limb development in salamanders differs from other tetrapods in that the first digits to form are the two most anterior (preaxial dominance). This has been proposed as a salamander novelty and its mechanistic basis is unknown. Salamanders are the only adult tetrapods able to regenerate the limb, and the contribution of preaxial dominance to limb regeneration is unclear. Here we show that during early outgrowth of the limb bud, a small cohort of cells express the orphan geneProd1together withBmp2, a critical player in digit condensation in amniotes. Disruption ofProd1with a gene-editing nuclease abrogates these cells, and blocks formation of the radius and ulna, and outgrowth of the anterior digits. Preaxial dominance is a notable feature of limb regeneration in the larval newt, but this changes abruptly after metamorphosis so that the formation of anterior and posterior digits occurs together within the autopodium resembling an amniote-like pattern.
Zinc regulates a key transcriptional pathway for epileptogenesis via metal-regulatory transcription factor 1
Authors: van Loo Karen M. J. , Schaub Christina , Pitsch Julika , Kulbida Rebecca , Opitz Thoralf , Ekstein Dana , Dalal Adam , Urbach Horst , Beck Heinz , Yaari Yoel , Schoch Susanne , Becker Albert J.
Published: October 2015

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common focal seizure disorder in adults. In many patients, transient brain insults, including status epilepticus (SE), are followed by a latent period of epileptogenesis, preceding the emergence of clinical seizures. In experimental animals, transcriptional upregulation of CaV3.2 T-type Ca2+-channels, resulting in an increased propensity for burst discharges of hippocampal neurons, is an important trigger for epileptogenesis. Here we provide evidence that the metal-regulatory transcription factor 1 (MTF1) mediates the increase of CaV3.2 mRNA and intrinsic excitability consequent to a rise in intracellular Zn2+ that is associated with SE. Adeno-associated viral (rAAV) transfer of MTF1 into murine hippocampi leads to increased CaV3.2 mRNA. Conversely, rAAV-mediated expression of a dominant-negative MTF1 abolishes SE-induced CaV3.2 mRNA upregulation and attenuates epileptogenesis. Finally, data from resected human hippocampi surgically treated for pharmacoresistant TLE support the Zn2+-MTF1-CaV3.2 cascade, thus providing new vistas for preventing and treating TLE.
Correction: Corrigendum: Identification of a novel actin-dependent signal transducing module allows for the targeted degradation of GLI1
Authors: Schneider Philipp , Bayo-Fina Juan Miguel , Singh Rajeev , Dhanyamraju Pavan Kumar , Holz Philipp , Baier Aninja , Fendrich Volker , Ramaswamy Annette , Baumeister Stefan , Martinez Elisabeth D. , Lauth Matthias
Published: October 2015

Nature Communications 6: Article number:8023 (2015); Published: 27 August 2015; Updated: 26 October 2015 In Fig. 2j of this Article, the image in the lower left panel was inadvertently duplicated from the upper left panel during the final stages of manuscript preparation. The correct version of the figure appears below.
Simultaneous enhancements in photon absorption and charge transport of bismuth vanadate photoanodes for solar water splitting
Authors: Kim Tae Woo , Ping Yuan , Galli Giulia A. , Choi Kyoung-Shin
Published: October 2015

n-Type bismuth vanadate has been identified as one of the most promising photoanodes for use in a water-splitting photoelectrochemical cell. The major limitation of BiVO4 is its relatively wide bandgap (∼2.5 eV), which fundamentally limits its solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency. Here we show that annealing nanoporous bismuth vanadate electrodes at 350 °C under nitrogen flow can result in nitrogen doping and generation of oxygen vacancies. This gentle nitrogen treatment not only effectively reduces the bandgap by ∼0.2 eV but also increases the majority carrier density and mobility, enhancing electron–hole separation. The effect of nitrogen incorporation and oxygen vacancies on the electronic band structure and charge transport of bismuth vanadate are systematically elucidated by ab initio calculations. Owing to simultaneous enhancements in photon absorption and charge transport, the applied bias photon-to-current efficiency of nitrogen-treated BiVO4 for solar water splitting exceeds 2%, a record for a single oxide photon absorber, to the best of our knowledge.
Erratum: STAT3 regulated ARF expression suppresses prostate cancer metastasis
Authors: Pencik Jan , Schlederer Michaela , Gruber Wolfgang , Unger Christine , Walker Steven M. , Chalaris Athena , Marié Isabelle J. , Hassler Melanie R. , Javaheri Tahereh , Aksoy Osman , Blayney Jaine K. , Prutsch Nicole , Skucha Anna , Herac Merima , Krämer Oliver H. , Mazal Peter , Grebien Florian , Egger Gerda , Poli Valeria , Mikulits Wolfgang , Eferl Robert , Esterbauer Harald , Kennedy Richard , Fend Falko , Scharpf Marcus , Braun Martin , Perner Sven , Levy David E. , Malcolm Tim , Turner Suzanne D. , Haitel Andrea , Susani Martin , Moazzami Ali , Rose-John Stefan , Aberger Fritz , Merkel Olaf , Moriggl Richard , Culig Zoran , Dolznig Helmut , Kenner Lukas
Published: October 2015

Nature Communications 6: Article number:7736 (2015); Published: 22 July 2015; Updated: 26 October 2015 The affiliation details for Jan Pencik are incorrect in this Article. The correct affiliation details for this author are given below: Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Waehringerstrasse 13A, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
Correction: Corrigendum: Macroscopic ordering of helical pores for arraying guest molecules noncentrosymmetrically
Authors: Li Chunji , Cho Joonil , Yamada Kuniyo , Hashizume Daisuke , Araoka Fumito , Takezoe Hideo , Aida Takuzo , Ishida Yasuhiro
Published: October 2015

Nature Communications 6: Article number:8418 (2015); Published: 29 September 2015; Updated: 26 October 2015 The Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre (CCDC) accession code provided in this article is incorrect; the correct deposition number is 1059112.
Improving the gate fidelity of capacitively coupled spin qubits
Authors: Wang Xin , Barnes Edwin , Sarma S Das
Published: October 2015

Capacitively coupled semiconductor spin qubits hold promise as the building blocks of a scalable quantum computing architecture with long-range coupling between distant qubits. However, the two-qubit gate fidelities achieved in experiments to date have been severely limited by decoherence originating from charge noise and hyperfine interactions with nuclear spins, and are currently unacceptably low for any conceivable multi-qubit gate operations. Here, we present control protocols that implement two-qubit entangling gates while substantially suppressing errors due to both types of noise. These protocols are obtained by making simple modifications to control sequences already used in the laboratory and should thus be easy enough for immediate experimental realisation. Together with existing control protocols for robust single-qubit gates, our results constitute an important step toward scalable quantum computation using spin qubits in semiconductor platforms.
Blood-Brain Barrier Opening in Behaving Non-Human Primates via Focused Ultrasound with Systemically Administered Microbubbles
Authors: Downs Matthew E. , Buch Amanda , Karakatsani Maria Eleni , Konofagou Elisa E. , Ferrera Vincent P.
Published: October 2015

Over the past fifteen years, focused ultrasound coupled with intravenously administered microbubbles (FUS) has been proven an effective, non-invasive technique to open the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in vivo. Here we show that FUS can safely and effectively open the BBB at the basal ganglia and thalamus in alert non-human primates (NHP) while they perform a behavioral task. The BBB was successfully opened in 89% of cases at the targeted brain regions of alert NHP with an average volume of opening 28% larger than prior anesthetized FUS procedures. Safety (lack of edema or microhemorrhage) of FUS was also improved during alert compared to anesthetized procedures. No physiological effects (change in heart rate, motor evoked potentials) were observed during any of the procedures. Furthermore, the application of FUS did not disrupt reaching behavior, but in fact improved performance by decreasing reaction times by 23 ms and significantly decreasing touch error by 0.76 mm on average.
Highly selective detection of individual nuclear spins with rotary echo on an electron spin probe
Authors: Mkhitaryan V. V. , Jelezko F. , Dobrovitski V. V.
Published: October 2015

We consider an electronic spin, such as a nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond, weakly coupled to a large number of nuclear spins and subjected to the Rabi driving with a periodically alternating phase. We show that by switching the driving phase synchronously with the precession of a given nuclear spin, the interaction to this spin is selectively enhanced, while the rest of the bath remains decoupled. The enhancement is of resonant character. The key feature of the suggested scheme is that the width of the resonance is adjustable and can be greatly decreased by increasing the driving strength. Thus, the resonance can be significantly narrowed, by a factor of 10–100 in comparison with the existing detection methods. Significant improvement in selectivity is explained analytically and confirmed by direct numerical many-spin simulations. The method can be applied to a wide range of solid-state systems.
Five-wave-packet quantum error correction based on continuous-variable cluster entanglement
Authors: Hao Shuhong , Su Xiaolong , Tian Caixing , Xie Changde , Peng Kunchi
Published: October 2015

Quantum error correction protects the quantum state against noise and decoherence in quantum communication and quantum computation, which enables one to perform fault-torrent quantum information processing. We experimentally demonstrate a quantum error correction scheme with a five-wave-packet code against a single stochastic error, the original theoretical model of which was firstly proposed by S. L. Braunstein and T. A. Walker. Five submodes of a continuous variable cluster entangled state of light are used for five encoding channels. Especially, in our encoding scheme the information of the input state is only distributed on three of the five channels and thus any error appearing in the remained two channels never affects the output state, i.e. the output quantum state is immune from the error in the two channels. The stochastic error on a single channel is corrected for both vacuum and squeezed input states and the achieved fidelities of the output states are beyond the corresponding classical limit.
Use of ordinal information by fish
Authors: Petrazzini Maria Elena Miletto , Lucon-Xiccato Tyrone , Agrillo Christian , Bisazza Angelo
Published: October 2015

Mammals and birds can process ordinal numerical information which can be used, for instance, for recognising an object on the basis of its position in a sequence of similar objects. Recent studies have shown that teleost fish possess numerical abilities comparable to those of other vertebrates, but it is unknown if they can also learn ordinal numerical relations. Guppies (Poecilia reticulata) learned to recognise the 3rd feeder in a row of 8 identical ones even when inter-feeder distance and feeder positions were varied among trials to prevent the use of any spatial information. To assess whether guppies spontaneously use ordinal or spatial information when both are simultaneously available, fish were then trained with constant feeder positions and inter-feeder distance. In probe trials where these two sources of information were contrasted, the subjects selected the correct ordinal position significantly more often than the original spatial position, indicating that the former was preferentially encoded during training. Finally, a comparison between subjects trained on the 3rd and the 5th position revealed that guppies can also learn the latter discrimination, but the larger error rate observed in this case suggests that 5 is close to the upper limit of discrimination in guppies.
Thermodynamics of protein denaturation at temperatures over 100 °C: CutA1 mutant proteins substituted with hydrophobic and charged residues
Authors: Matsuura Yoshinori , Takehira Michiyo , Joti Yasumasa , Ogasahara Kyoko , Tanaka Tomoyuki , Ono Naoko , Kunishima Naoki , Yutani Katsuhide
Published: October 2015

Although the thermodynamics of protein denaturation at temperatures over 100 °C is essential for the rational design of highly stable proteins, it is not understood well because of the associated technical difficulties. We designed certain hydrophobic mutant proteins of CutA1 from Escherichia coli, which have denaturation temperatures (Td) ranging from 101 to 113 °C and show a reversible heat denaturation. Using a hydrophobic mutant as a template, we successfully designed a hyperthermostable mutant protein (Td = 137 °C) by substituting six residues with charged ones. Thermodynamic analyses of these mutant proteins indicated that the hydrophobic mutants were stabilized by the accumulation of denaturation enthalpy (ΔH) with no entropic gain from hydrophobic solvation around 100 °C and that the stabilization due to salt bridges resulted from both the increase in ΔH from ion-ion interactions and the entropic effect of the electrostatic solvation over 113 °C. This is the first experimental evidence that has successfully overcome the typical technical difficulties.
The nasopharyngeal microbiota of feedlot cattle
Authors: Holman Devin B. , Timsit Edouard , Alexander Trevor W.
Published: October 2015

The bovine nasopharyngeal tract plays an important role in animal health and welfare by acting as a site for the carriage of pathogens causing bovine respiratory disease, a condition which results in significant morbidity and mortality in feedlot cattle. We characterized the bacterial nasopharyngeal microbiota in cattle at feedlot entry (day 0) and day 60 using 454 pyrosequencing. We also identified the most frequently isolated aerobic bacteria from nasopharyngeal swabs after plating onto three types of media. The cattle nasopharyngeal microbiota was composed primarily of Proteobacteria (68.9%) and Firmicutes (19.2%). At the genus-level, there was more inter-individual variability and a total of 55 genera were identified. The genera Pseudomonas (23.7%), Shewanella (23.5%), Acinetobacter (17.5%) and Carnobacterium (12.2%) were most prevalent at entry, while after 60 days in the feedlot, Staphylococcus (20.8%), Mycoplasma (14.9%), Mannheimia (10.4%) and Moraxella (9.4%) were dominant. The nasopharyngeal microbiota also became more homogenous after 60 days in the feedlot and differed in structure at day 0 and 60. Using culture-based methods, the most frequently isolated bacteria from nasopharyngeal swabs were Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Moraxella, Pasteurella and Mannheimia. These results provide insight into the nasopharyngeal microbiota of cattle and demonstrate that specific changes take place during feedlot production.
Transverse Anderson localization of light near Dirac points of photonic nanostructures
Authors: Deng Hanying , Chen Xianfeng , Malomed Boris A. , Panoiu Nicolae C. , Ye Fangwei
Published: October 2015

We perform a comparative study of the Anderson localization of light beams in disordered layered photonic nanostructures that, in the limit of periodic layer distribution, possess either a Dirac point or a Bragg gap in the spectrum of the wavevectors. In particular, we demonstrate that the localization length of the Anderson modes increases when the width of the Bragg gap decreases, such that in the vanishingly small bandgap limit, namely when a Dirac point is formed, even extremely high levels of disorder are unable to localize the optical modes residing near the Dirac point. A comparative analysis of the key features of the propagation of Anderson modes formed in the Bragg gap or near the Dirac point is also presented. Our findings could provide valuable guidelines in assessing the influence of structural disorder on the functionality of a broad array of optical nanodevices.
The dynamic process and microscopic mechanism of extraordinary terahertz transmission through perforated superconducting films
Authors: Wu J. B. , Zhang X. , Jin B. B. , Liu H. T. , Chen Y. H. , Li Z. Y. , Zhang C. H. , Kang L. , Xu W. W. , Chen J. , Wang H. B. , Tonouchi M. , Wu P. H.
Published: October 2015

Superconductor is a compelling plasmonic medium at terahertz frequencies owing to its intrinsic low Ohmic loss and good tuning property. However, the microscopic physics of the interaction between terahertz wave and superconducting plasmonic structures is still unknown. In this paper, we conducted experiments of the enhanced terahertz transmission through a series of superconducting NbN subwavelength hole arrays and employed microscopic hybrid wave model in theoretical analysis of the role of hybrid waves in the enhanced transmission. The theoretical calculation provided a good match of experimental data. In particular, we obtained the following results. When the width of the holes is far below wavelength, the enhanced transmission is mainly caused by localized resonance around individual holes. On the contrary, when the holes are large, hybrid waves scattered by the array of holes dominate the extraordinary transmission. The surface plasmon polaritions are proved to be launched on the surface of superconducting film and the excitation efficiency increases when the temperature approaches critical temperature and the working frequency goes near energy gap frequency. This work will enrich our knowledge on the microscopic physics of extraordinary optical transmission at terahertz frequencies and contribute to developing terahertz plasmonic devices.
Niche differentiation of bacterial communities at a millimeter scale in Shark Bay microbial mats
Authors: Wong Hon Lun , Smith Daniela-Lee , Visscher Pieter T. , Burns Brendan P.
Published: October 2015

Modern microbial mats can provide key insights into early Earth ecosystems and Shark Bay, Australia, holds one of the best examples of these systems. Identifying the spatial distribution of microorganisms with mat depth facilitates a greater understanding of specific niches and potentially novel microbial interactions. High throughput sequencing coupled with elemental analyses and biogeochemical measurements of two distinct mat types (smooth and pustular) at a millimeter scale were undertaken in the present study. A total of 8,263,982 16S rRNA gene sequences were obtained, which were affiliated to 58 bacterial and candidate phyla. The surface of both mats were dominated by Cyanobacteria, accompanied with known or putative members of Alphaproteobacteria and Bacteroidetes. The deeper anoxic layers of smooth mats were dominated by Chloroflexi, while Alphaproteobacteria dominated the lower layers of pustular mats. In situ microelectrode measurements revealed smooth mats have a steeper profile of O2 and H2S concentrations, as well as higher oxygen production, consumption and sulfate reduction rates. Specific elements (Mo, Mg, Mn, Fe, V, P) could be correlated with specific mat types and putative phylogenetic groups. Models are proposed for these systems suggesting putative surface anoxic niches, differential nitrogen fixing niches and those coupled with methane metabolism.
Chelating effect in short polymers for the design of bidentate binders of increased affinity and selectivity
Authors: Fortuna Sara , Fogolari Federico , Scoles Giacinto
Published: October 2015

The design of new strong and selective binders is a key step towards the development of new sensing devices and effective drugs. Both affinity and selectivity can be increased through chelation and here we theoretically explore the possibility of coupling two binders through a flexible linker. We prove the enhanced ability of double binders of keeping their target with a simple model where a polymer composed by hard spheres interacts with a spherical macromolecule, such as a protein, through two sticky spots. By Monte Carlo simulations and thermodynamic integration we show the chelating effect to hold for coupling polymers whose radius of gyration is comparable to size of the chelated particle. We show the binding free energy of flexible double binders to be higher than that of two single binders and to be maximized when the binding sites are at distances comparable to the mean free polymer end-to-end distance. The affinity of two coupled binders is therefore predicted to increase non linearly and in turn, by targeting two non-equivalent binding sites, this will lead to higher selectivity.
Identification of novel alleles of the rice blast resistance gene Pi54
Authors: Vasudevan Kumar , Gruissem Wilhelm , Bhullar Navreet K.
Published: October 2015

Rice blast is one of the most devastating rice diseases and continuous resistance breeding is required to control the disease. The rice blast resistance genePi54initially identified in an Indian cultivar confers broad-spectrum resistance in India. We explored the allelic diversity of thePi54gene among 885 Indian rice genotypes that were found resistant in our screening against field mixture of naturally existingM. oryzaestrains as well as against five unique strains. These genotypes are also annotated as rice blast resistant in the International Rice Genebank database. Sequence-based allele mining was used to amplify and clone thePi54allelic variants. Nine new alleles ofPi54were identified based on the nucleotide sequence comparison to thePi54reference sequence as well as to already knownPi54alleles. DNA sequence analysis of the newly identifiedPi54alleles revealed several single polymorphic sites, three double deletions and an eight base pair deletion. A SNP-rich region was found between a tyrosine kinase phosphorylation site and the nucleotide binding site (NBS) domain. Together, the newly identifiedPi54alleles expand the allelic series and are candidates for rice blast resistance breeding programs.
Carbon Nanotubes Act as Contaminant Carriers and Translocate within Plants
Authors: Chen Guosheng , Qiu Junlang , Liu Yan , Jiang Ruifen , Cai Siying , Liu Yuan , Zhu Fang , Zeng Feng , Luan Tiangang , Ouyang Gangfeng
Published: October 2015

Nanotechnology permits broad advances in agriculture. However, as it is still at a relatively early stage of development, the potential risks remain unclear. Herein, for the first time, we reveal the following: 1) the impact of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the accumulation/depuration behaviors of contaminants in crop, mustard (Brassica juncea) and 2) the permeability and transportability of MWCNTs in intact mature mustard plants. Using an in vivo sampling technique, the kinetic accumulation/depuration processes of several contaminants in mustard plans exposed to MWCNTs were traced and an enhancement of contaminant accumulation in living plants was observed. Meanwhile, we observed that the MWCNTs permeated into the roots of intact living plants (three months old) and were then transported to the upper organs under the force of transpiration steam. This study demonstrated that MWCNTs can act as contaminant carriers and be transported to the edible parts of crops.
Electron microscopic recording of myosin head power stroke in hydrated myosin filaments
Authors: Sugi Haruo , Chaen Shigeru , Akimoto Tsuyoshi , Minoda Hiroki , Miyakawa Takuya , Miyauchi Yumiko , Tanokura Masaru , Sugiura Seiryo
Published: October 2015

Muscle contraction results from cyclic attachment and detachment between myosin heads and actin filaments, coupled with ATP hydrolysis. Despite extensive studies, however, the amplitude of myosin head power stroke still remains to be a mystery. Using the gas environmental chamber, we have succeeded in recording the power stroke of position-marked myosin heads in hydrated mixture of actin and myosin filaments in a nearly isometric condition, in which myosin heads do not produce gross myofilament sliding, but only stretch adjacent elastic structures. On application of ATP, individual myosin heads move by ~3.3 nm at the distal region and by ~2.5 nm at the proximal region of myosin head catalytic domain. After exhaustion of applied ATP, individual myosin heads return towards their initial position. At low ionic strength, the amplitude of myosin head power stroke increases to >4 nm at both distal and proximal regions of myosin heads catalytic domain, being consistent with the report that the force generated by individual myosin heads in muscle fibers is enhanced at low ionic strength. The advantages of the present study over otherin vitromotility assay systems, using myosin heads detached from myosin filaments, are discussed.
Term rules for simple metal clusters
Authors: Yoshida Daisuke , Raebiger Hannes
Published: October 2015

Hund’s term rules are only valid for isolated atoms, but have no generalization for molecules or clusters of several atoms. We present a benchmark calculation of Al2 and Al3, for which we find the high and low-spin ground states 3Πu and "Equation missing", respectively. We show that the relative stabilities of all the molecular terms of Al2 and Al3 can be described by simple rules pertaining to bonding structures and symmetries, which serve as guiding principles to determine ground state terms of arbitrary multi-atom clusters.
Structural and Functional Properties of Heme-containing Peroxidases: a Resonance Raman Perspective for the Superfamily of Plant, Fungal and Bacterial Peroxidases
Authors: Smulevich Giulietta , Howes Barry D. , Droghetti Enrica
Published: October 2015

The heme-containing peroxidases of the plant peroxidase superfamily have been the subject of extensive studies to gain a complete understanding of their structure and function properties. Spectroscopic techniques have been fundamental to the comprehension of peroxidase function under physiological conditions. Resonance Raman spectroscopy has assumed a particularly important role due to its extreme sensitivity to alterations in the surroundings of the heme, which makes it an ideal tool for studying molecular interactions at the peroxidase active sites. In combination with site-directed mutagenesis and X-ray structural data, it has given insight into the influence exerted on protein architecture in the vicinity of the active site by key amino acids and furnished critical information on subtle structural features important for protein flexibility, functionality and stability. The mutation of key catalytic residues on both the distal and proximal sides of the heme cavity not only revealed their roles in the reaction mechanism of peroxidases, but also demonstrated that in peroxidases there are common structural mechanisms which facilitate communication between the two sides of the heme cavity and highlighted the importance of long range interactions in maintaining the functional properties of the heme. The overwhelming success of this approach using the combination of site-directed mutagenesis together with spectroscopic techniques and X-ray structural data to unveil detailed aspects of the structure–function relationships of heme peroxidases, firstly in the pioneering studies on yeast cytochrome c peroxidase then for other peroxidases, has led to its subsequent widespread general application in the characterization of heme proteins.
Microfluidics for the detection of minimal residual disease in acute myeloid leukemia patients using circulating leukemic cells selected from blood
Authors: Jackson Joshua M. , Taylor James B. , Witek Małgorzata A. , Hunsucker Sally A. , Waugh Jennifer P. , Fedoriw Yuri , Shea Thomas C. , Soper Steven A. , Armistead Paul M.
Published: October 2015

Microfluidic assay for the selection of circulating leukemic cells from peripheral blood for the early detection of minimal residual disease in acute myeloid leukemia patients.
Direct analysis of herbicides by paper spray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Reeber Steven L. , Gadi Sneha , Huang Sung-Ben , Glish Gary L.
Published: October 2015

Paper spray ionization enables the rapid mass spectrometric analysis of environmental samples without the use of chromatography or sample cleanup techniques.
Determination of hydrazine at Ontario nuclear power plants
Authors: Jovanovic Slobodan V. , Zakharov Thomas , Mulye Hemendra , Kim Duck , Fagan Kelly-Anne
Published: October 2015

In this study, we developed and validated a sensitive method for the determination of hydrazine in water samples using ion chromatography coupled with an amperometric detector (limit of detection (LOD) = 0.02 μg L−1 and limit of quantification (LOQ) = 0.1 μg L−1).
Synthesis of Au@UiO-66(NH2) structures by small molecule-assisted nucleation for plasmon-enhanced photocatalytic activity
Authors: Gu Zhizhi , Chen Liyong , Duan Binhua , Luo Qiong , Liu Jing , Duan Chunying
Published: October 2015

Au@UiO-66(NH2) core/shell heterostructures were synthesized via an acetic acid/carbon dioxide-assisted solution-encapsulation process. Excited electrons, produced by photo-adsorption of UiO-66(NH2) and plasmonic sensitization with Au NPs, at the LUMO level with a localized electronic state were transferred to O2 for the enhancement of photocatalytic activity of alcohol oxidation.