bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of colorectal dysplasia using fluorescently labelled lectins
Authors: Kuo Joe Chin-Hun , Ibrahim Ashraf E. K. , Dawson Sarah , Parashar Deepak , Howat William J. , Guttula Kiran , Miller Richard , Fearnhead Nicola S. , Winton Douglas J. , Neves André A. , Brindle Kevin M.
Published: April 2016

Colorectal cancer screening using conventional colonoscopy lacks molecular information and can miss dysplastic lesions. We tested here the ability of fluorescently labelled lectins to distinguish dysplasia from normal tissue when sprayed on to the luminal surface epithelium of freshly resected colon tissue from the Apcmin mouse and when applied to fixed human colorectal tissue sections. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) showed significantly decreased binding to adenomas in the mouse tissue and in sections of human colon from 47 patients. Changes in WGA binding to the human surface epithelium allowed regions containing normal epithelium (NE) or hyperplastic polyps (HP) to be distinguished from regions containing low-grade dysplasia (LGD), high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or carcinoma (C), with 81% sensitivity, 87% specificity and 93% positive predictive value (PPV). Helix pomatia agglutinin (HGA) distinguished epithelial regions containing NE from regions containing HP, LGD, HGD or C, with 89% sensitivity, 87% specificity and 97% PPV. The decreased binding of WGA and HPA to the luminal surface epithelium in human dysplasia suggests that these lectins may enable more sensitive detection of disease in the clinic using fluorescence colonoscopy.
Mapping polyclonal antibody responses to bacterial infection using next generation phage display
Authors: Naqid Ibrahim A. , Owen Jonathan P. , Maddison Ben C. , Spiliotopoulos Anastasios , Emes Richard D. , Warry Andrew , Tchórzewska Monika A. , Martelli Francesca , Gosling Rebecca J. , Davies Robert H. , La Ragione Roberto M. , Gough Kevin C.
Published: April 2016

Mapping polyclonal antibody responses to infectious diseases to identify individual epitopes has the potential to underpin the development of novel serological assays and vaccines. Here, phage-peptide library panning coupled with screening using next generation sequencing was used to map antibody responses to bacterial infections. In the first instance, pigs experimentally infected with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium was investigated. IgG samples from twelve infected pigs were probed in parallel and phage binding compared to that with equivalent IgG from pre-infected animals. Seventy-seven peptide mimotopes were enriched specifically against sera from multiple infected animals. Twenty-seven of these peptides were tested in ELISA and twenty-two were highly discriminatory for sera taken from pigs post-infection (P < 0.05) indicating that these peptides are mimicking epitopes from the bacteria. In order to further test this methodology, it was applied to differentiate antibody responses in poultry to infections with distinct serovars of Salmonella enterica. Twenty-seven peptides were identified as being enriched specifically against IgY from multiple animals infected with S. Enteritidis compared to those infected with S. Hadar. Nine of fifteen peptides tested in ELISA were highly discriminatory for IgY following S. Enteritidis infection (p < 0.05) compared to infections with S. Hadar or S. Typhimurium.
Genome-wide identification, structural analysis and new insights into late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) gene family formation pattern in Brassica napus
Authors: Liang Yu , Xiong Ziyi , Zheng Jianxiao , Xu Dongyang , Zhu Zeyang , Xiang Jun , Gan Jianping , Raboanatahiry Nadia , Yin Yongtai , Li Maoteng
Published: April 2016

Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are a diverse and large group of polypeptides that play important roles in desiccation and freezing tolerance in plants. The LEA family has been systematically characterized in some plants but notBrassica napus. In this study, 108BnLEAgenes were identified in theB. napusgenome and classified into eight families based on their conserved domains. Protein sequence alignments revealed an abundance of alanine, lysine and glutamic acid residues in BnLEA proteins. TheBnLEAgene structure has few introns (<3) and they are distributed unevenly across all 19 chromosomes inB. napus, occurring as gene clusters in chromosomes A9, C2, C4 and C5. More than two-thirds of theBnLEAgenes are associated with segmental duplication. Synteny analysis revealed that mostLEAgenes are conserved, although gene losses or gains were also identified. These results suggest that segmental duplication and whole-genome duplication played a major role in the expansion of theBnLEAgene family. Expression profiles analysis indicated that expression of mostBnLEAs was increased in leaves and late stage seeds. This study presents a comprehensive overview of theLEAgene family inB. napusand provides new insights into the formation of this family.
A glimpse into evolution and dissemination of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolates in East Asia: a comparative genomics study
Authors: Feng Ye , Ruan Zhi , Shu Jianfeng , Chen Chyi-Liang , Chiu Cheng-Hsun
Published: April 2016

Clonal dissemination is characteristic of the important nosocomial pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii, as revealed by previous multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) studies. However, the disseminated phyletic unit is actually MLST sequence type instead of real bacterial clone. Here we sequenced the genomes of 13 multidrug-resistant (MDR) A. baumannii strains from Taiwan and compared them with that of A. baumannii from other East Asian countries. Core-genome phylogenetic tree divided the analyzed strains into three major clades. Among them, one ST455 clade was a hybrid between the ST208 clade and the other ST455 clade. Several strains showed nearly identical genome sequence, but their isolation sources differed by over 2,500 km and 10 years apart, suggesting a wide dissemination of the phyletic units, which were much smaller than the sequence type. Frequent structural variation was detected even between the closely related strains in antimicrobial resistance elements such as AbaRI, class I integron, indicating strong selection pressure brought by antimicrobial use. In conclusion, wide clonal dissemination and frequent genomic variation simultaneously characterize the clinical MDR A. baumannii in East Asia.
Long-Lasting Cross-Protection Against Influenza A by Neuraminidase and M2e-based immunization strategies
Authors: Schotsaert Michael , Ysenbaert Tine , Smet Anouk , Schepens Bert , Vanderschaeghe Dieter , Stegalkina Svetlana , Vogel Thorsten U. , Callewaert Nico , Fiers Walter , Saelens Xavier
Published: April 2016

There is mounting evidence that in the absence of neutralizing antibodies cross-reactive T cells provide protection against pandemic influenza viruses. Here, we compared protection and CD8+ T cell responses following challenge with H1N1 2009 pandemic and H3N2 viruses of mice that had been immunized with hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA) and the extracellular domain of matrix protein 2 (M2e) fused to a virus-like particle (VLP). Mice were challenged a first time with a sublethal dose of H1N1 2009 pandemic virus and, four weeks later, challenged again with an H3N2 virus. Mice that had been vaccinated with HA, NA, NA + M2e-VLP and HA + NA + M2e-VLP were protected against homologous H1N1 virus challenge. Challenged NA and NA + M2e-VLP vaccinated mice mounted CD8+ T cell responses that correlated with protection against secondary H3N2 challenge. HA-vaccinated mice were fully protected against challenge with homologous H1N1 2009 virus, failed to mount cross-reactive CD8+ T cells and succumbed to the second challenge with heterologous H3N2 virus. In summary, NA- and M2e-based immunity can protect against challenge with (homologous) virus without compromising the induction of robust cross-reactive CD8+ T cell responses upon exposure to virus.
Application of Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons olefination for the synthesis of granulatamide A, its E isomer and other amides of tryptamine
Authors: Pakhare Deepali , Kusurkar Radhika
Published: April 2016

Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons (HWE) Z-selective olefination was used for the first synthesis of a naturally occurring cytotoxic tryptamine derivative, granulatamide A. The E-isomer of granulatamide A and two other tryptamine derived amides were synthesized by E-selective HWE olefination.
Study of filiform corrosion inhibition by a compact plasma electrolytic oxidation film on a AZ31 Mg alloy
Authors: Guo Xinghua , Guo Quanzhong , Du Keqin , Wang Yong , Wang Fuhui
Published: April 2016

This work reports that the filiform corrosion of a AZ31B Mg alloy can be inhibited by compact plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) under a transient self-feedback control mode.
Self-assembly of nitrogen-doped carbon nanoparticles: a new ratiometric UV-vis optical sensor for the highly sensitive and selective detection of Hg2+ in aqueous solution
Authors: Ruan Yudi , Wu Lie , Jiang Xiue
Published: April 2016

A novel ratiometric UV-vis optical sensor for Hg2+ was developed based on the self-assembly of nitrogen-doped carbon nanoparticles.
Correction: Mesoporous hybrid material composed of Mn3O4 nanoparticles on nitrogen-doped graphene for highly efficient oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Duan Jingjing , Zheng Yao , Chen Sheng , Tang Youhong , Jaroniec Mietek , Qiao Shizhang
Published: April 2016

Correction for ‘Mesoporous hybrid material composed of Mn3O4 nanoparticles on nitrogen-doped graphene for highly efficient oxygen reduction reaction’ by Jingjing Duan et al., Chem. Commun., 2013, 49, 7705–7707.
Island shape and electronic structure in diindenoperylene thin films deposited on Au(110) single crystals
Authors: Ciccullo Francesca , Savu Sabine A. , Glaser Mathias , Rocco Maria Luiza M. , Chassé Thomas , Casu M. Benedetta
Published: April 2016

Island aggregation is geometry-dependent. The anisotropy can be a tool for molecular patterning of surfaces, keeping the electronic structure preserved.
A symbiotic view of the origin of life at hydrothermal impact crater-lakes
Authors: Chatterjee Sankar
Published: April 2016

Submarine hydrothermal vents are generally considered as the likely habitats for the origin and evolution of early life on Earth.
Study of the binding mechanism between aptamer GO18-T-d and gonyautoxin 1/4 by molecular simulation
Authors: Gao Shunxiang , Hu Bo , Zheng Xin , Liu Dejing , Sun Mingjuan , Qin Jiaxiang , Zhou Hao , Jiao Binghua , Wang Lianghua
Published: April 2016

GTX1/4 can induce the formation of an antiparallel G-quadruplex structure in aptamer GO18-T-d and combine steadily in the groove at the top of the G-quadruplex structure. The complex structures and special induced fit mechanism between aptamer and small molecules provide a reference for aptamer development in molecular diagnostics and therapeutic application.
The removal of disulfide bonds in amylin oligomers leads to the conformational change of the ‘native’ amylin oligomers
Authors: Wineman-Fisher Vered , Tudorachi Lucia , Nissim Einav , Miller Yifat
Published: April 2016

Removal of the Cys2–Cys7 disulfide bonds in amylin oligomers decreases polymorphism and induces cross-β structures in the N-termini.
Temperature and pressure effects on GFP mutants: explaining spectral changes by molecular dynamics simulations and TD-DFT calculations
Authors: Jacchetti Emanuela , Gabellieri Edi , Cioni Patrizia , Bizzarri Ranieri , Nifosì Riccardo
Published: April 2016

By combining spectroscopic measurements under high pressure with molecular dynamics simulations and quantum mechanics calculations we investigate how sub-angstrom structural perturbations are able to tune protein function.
UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS based serum metabonomics revealed the metabolic perturbations of ischemic stroke and the protective effect of RKIP in rat models
Authors: Su Li , Zhao Hongxia , Zhang Xiuhua , Lou Ziyang , Dong Xin
Published: April 2016

Stroke is one of the most fatal diseases in the world, which is seriously threatening human life.
Structural identification of an HER2 receptor model binding pocket to optimize lead compounds: a combined experimental and computational approach
Authors: Langella Emma , Calce Enrica , Saviano Michele , De Luca Stefania
Published: April 2016

In silico methods and experimental data obtained from fluorescence studies allowed the identification of a new binding pocket for the HER2-DIVMP receptor model.
Pickering polymerization of styrene stabilized by starch-based nanospheres
Authors: Pei Xiaopeng , Tan Ying , Xu Kun , Liu Chang , Lu Cuige , Wang Pixin
Published: April 2016

Pickering polymerization of styrene stabilized by starch-based nanospheres to synthesize composite particles with different morphologies is reported.
In situ measurement of the dispersion coefficient of liquid/supercritical CO2–CH4 in a sandpack using CT
Authors: Zhang Yi , Liu Shuyang , Wang Lulu , Song Yongchen , Yang Mingjun , Zhao Jiafei , Zhao Yuechao , Chi Yuan
Published: April 2016

The dispersion coefficient decreases while the tortuosity increases due to CO2 dissolution in residual water.
Anti-convulsant potential of quinazolinones
Authors: Patel Harun M. , Noolvi Malleshappa N. , Shirkhedkar Atul A. , Kulkarni Abhijeet D. , Pardeshi Chandrakantsing V. , Surana Sanjay J.
Published: April 2016

A series of novel quinazoline derivatives were virtually screened through different filters and evaluated for their anticonvulsant activity against electrically and chemically induced seizures.
Metabolic profile of Cortex Fraxini in rats using UHPLC combined with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry
Authors: Wang Yinan , Zhao Min , Yu Yongbo , Wang Miao , Zhao Chunjie
Published: April 2016

29 prototype compounds and 52 metabolites of Cortex Fraxini are identified in by FT-ICR-MS.
Effects of zinc and manganese ions in aqueous electrolytes on structure and electrochemical performance of Na0.44MnO2 cathode material
Authors: Bai Shouli , Song Jingli , Wen Yuehua , Cheng Jie , Cao Gaoping , Yang Yusheng , Li Dianqing
Published: April 2016

The capacity of Na0.44MnO2 initially increased and then remained steady after a certain period of time with increase of cycling number at current density of 100 mA g−1.
Electropolymerization of cobalt tetraamino-phthalocyanine at reduced graphene oxide for electrochemical determination of cysteine and hydrazine
Authors: Mani Veerappan , Huang Sheng-Tung , Devasenathipathy Rajkumar , Yang Thomas C. K.
Published: April 2016

A simple electrodeposition route to prepare tetraamino phthalocyanine polymers on reduced graphene oxide for electrochemical determination of cysteine and hydrazine.
Molecular design of a novel ligand for Menshutkin complexation of Bi(iii) from aqueous acidic copper sulfate electrolyte solutions and experimental investigations
Authors: Arora Jyotsna S. , Gaikar Vilas G.
Published: April 2016

A novel silica functionalised phen–arene adsorbent exhibits reversible and highly selective adsorption of Bi(iii) over Cu(ii) ions by Menshutkin complexation from an aqueous acidic copper electrolyte solution.
Highly stable aqueous foams generated by fumed silica particles hydrophobised in situ with a quaternary ammonium gemini surfactant
Authors: Sun Xiaoxiang , Chen Yu , Zhao Jianxi
Published: April 2016

Fumed silica hydrophobisedin situwith a quaternary ammonium gemini surfactant was an excellent stabiliser for aqueous foams.
Affinity-based fluorescence polarization assay for screening molecules acting on insect ryanodine receptors
Authors: Liu Kechang , Li Qingyang , Wang Yi , Liu Ruiquan , Li Qibo , Liu Shangzhong
Published: April 2016

A fluorescence polarization assay was developed for studying affinity binding of active molecules to specific binding site on insect ryanodine receptor.
A single-phase heteroatom doped carbon dot phosphor toward white light-emitting diodes
Authors: Wang Y. L. , Zhao Y. Q. , Zhang Y. , Zhang F. , Feng X. T. , Chen L. , Yang Y. Z. , Liu X. G.
Published: April 2016

Single-phase heteroatom doped carbon dots were prepared using citric acid monohydrate and ethylenediamine toward white light-emitting diodes.
From spent dye-loaded palygorskite to a multifunctional palygorskite/carbon/Ag nanocomposite
Authors: Tian Guangyan , Wang Wenbo , Zong Li , Kang Yuru , Wang Aiqin
Published: April 2016

Palygorskite (PAL) has been widely used for adsorption removal of dyes from wastewater, but the dye-loaded PAL is usually discharged as solid waste because it is hardly regeneratable by conventional elution processes.
Fabricating a g-C3N4/CuOx heterostructure with tunable valence transition for enhanced photocatalytic activity
Authors: Shi Yanbiao , Yang Zhanxue , Liu Yan , Yu Jie , Wang Fangping , Tong Jinhui , Su Bitao , Wang Qizhao
Published: April 2016

Heterostructured g-C3N4/CuOx nanocomposites were successfully prepared with varying the content of g-C3N4via a mixed solvent-thermal method.
Core/shell iron/iron oxide nanoparticles: are they promising for magnetic hyperthermia?
Authors: Nemati Z. , Alonso J. , Khurshid H. , Phan M. H. , Srikanth H.
Published: April 2016

Core/shell iron/iron oxide nanoparticles are promising for magnetic hyperthermia provided their size is big enough (>14 nm) in order to minimize surface disorder and hollowing effects that seriously deteriorate their heating efficiency.
Density functional theory study on the thermodynamics and mechanism of carbon dioxide capture by CaO and CaO regeneration
Authors: Sun Ze , Wang Jia , Du Wei , Lu Guimin , Li Ping , Song Xingfu , Yu Jianguo
Published: April 2016

The bond length between the C atom in CO2 and O atom in CaO was about 1.39–1.42 Å, and the bond length of C–O in adsorbed CO2 was prolonged to 1.26–1.27 Å, while the O–C–O angle of adsorbed CO2 was about 129°.
Simultaneous regulation of morphology, crystallization, thermal stability and adsorbability of electrospun polyamide 6 nanofibers via graphene oxide and chemically reduced graphene oxide
Authors: Xiao Jianliang , Tan Yeqiang , Song Yihu , Zheng Qiang
Published: April 2016

The spinnable concentration range, crystalline structure and performance of polyamide 6 nanofibers were modulated simultaneouslyviaGO and RGO.
Influence of a surface modified Li anode on the electrochemical performance of Li–S batteries
Authors: Wu Meifen , Jin Jun , Wen Zhaoyin
Published: April 2016

A bifunctional protective film was coated on modified Li surface by (CH3)3SnSn(CH3)3modification to improve electrochemical performance of Li–S cells.
Naphthalene diimide-based non-fullerene acceptors for simple, efficient, and solution-processable bulk-heterojunction devices
Authors: Srivani Doli , Gupta Akhil , Raynor Aaron M. , Bilic Ante , Li Jingliang , Bhosale Sheshanath V. , Bhosale Sidhanath V.
Published: April 2016

A novel, NDI-based non-fullerene electron acceptors (R1, R2) for solution-processable bulk-heterojunction, displayed good thermal stability and afforded 2.24% power conversion efficiency.
Two-phase oxidation of toluene derivatives by dioxygen using the 3-cyano-1-decylquinolinium ion as a photocatalyst
Authors: Ohkubo Kei , Hirose Kensaku , Fukuzumi Shunichi
Published: April 2016

The two-phase photocatalytic oxidation of toluene by O2 occurred efficiently using the 3-cyano-1-decylquinolinium ion in toluene with H2O to produce the oxygenated products in the organic phase and H2O2 in the aqueous phase.
Synthesis and catalytic applications of ruthenium(ii)–phosphino-oxime complexes
Authors: Francos Javier , Menéndez-Rodríguez Lucía , Tomás-Mendivil Eder , Crochet Pascale , Cadierno Victorio
Published: April 2016

Ruthenium complexes containing a phosphino-oxime ligand have been synthesized, and their catalytic utility for the rearrangement of aldoximes, as well as for the α-alkylation/reduction of acetophenones with primary alcohols, demonstrated.
Investigating students' engagement in epistemic and narrative practices of chemistry in the context of a story on gas behavior
Authors: Pabuccu A. , Erduran S.
Published: April 2016

This study investigated secondary school students' engagement in epistemic and narrative practices of chemistry in the context of a chemistry story on gas behavior. Argumentation is an example of an epistemic practice in science and stories are one kind of narrative (Ricoeur, 1981). By using a chemistry story, the authors hoped to engage students in the argumentation processes by linking chemistry knowledge to everyday contexts (Erduran and Pabuccu, 2012). Student group discussions and written frames during the activity were used as data sources. Analysis of these student outcomes concentrated on (a) the nature of the students' discourse; (b) the quality of students' argumentation; and (c) students' conceptual understanding of gas behaviors. The authors categorized the nature of group discourse using five different codes, determined the quality of student argumentation by counting the number of rebuttals, and measured conceptual understanding through students' answers in the writing frames. The results of this study add to the literature seeking to understand how to develop students' engagement in the argumentation process, how to enhance the quality of students' argumentations, and how to improve their conceptual understanding of gas behaviors.
Understanding static, dynamic and cooperative porosity in molecular materials
Authors: Holden Daniel , Chong Samantha Y. , Chen Linjiang , Jelfs Kim E. , Hasell Tom , Cooper Andrew I.
Published: April 2016

The practical adsorption properties of molecular porous solids can be dominated by dynamic flexibility but these effects are still poorly understood. Here, we combine molecular simulations and experiments to rationalize the adsorption behavior of a flexible porous organic cage.
Control of chemical reactivity by transition-state and beyond
Authors: Guo Hua , Liu Kopin
Published: April 2016

State-specific reaction dynamics is largely controlled by transition state.
Unveiling iodine-based electrolytes chemistry in aqueous dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Bella F. , Galliano S. , Falco M. , Viscardi G. , Barolo C. , Grätzel M. , Gerbaldi C.
Published: April 2016

The chemistry behind the I−/I3−redox couple is thoroughly investigated in 100% aqueous dye-sensitized solar cells, paving the way to this emerging green PV technology.
Mesoporous Cr2O3 nanotubes as an efficient catalyst for Li–O2 batteries with low charge potential and enhanced cyclic performance
Authors: Zhang Xin-Zhen , Han Da , He Yan-Bing , Zhai Deng-Yun , Liu Dongqing , Du Hongda , Li Baohua , Kang Feiyu
Published: April 2016

Hexagonal close packed Cr2O3, fabricated by an electrospinning technique combined with a heating method, is adopted for the first time as a catalyst for non-aqueous lithium–oxygen (Li–O2) batteries.
Charge‐mode interfacing of piezoelectric interdigital Lamb wave transducers
Authors: Giannelli P. , Bulletti A. , Capineri L.
Published: April 2016

The adoption of charge‐mode amplification, rather than the classical voltage‐mode, to interface piezoelectric interdigital transducers made of polymer film to the data acquisition electronics is described. The circuit and operating principles of a charge amplifier are briefly explained, followed by the experimental comparison of a charge amplifier implementation with a solution based on an instrumentation amplifier. The experiments, based on A0‐mode Lamb wave transmission over an aluminium plate, demonstrate the effectiveness of charge‐mode interfacing and its insensitivity to cable loading.
The fine structure of electron irradiation induced EL2-like defects in n-GaAs
Authors: Tunhuma S. M. , Auret F. D. , Legodi M. J. , Diale M.
Published: April 2016

Defects induced by electron irradiation in n-GaAs have been studied using deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) and Laplace DLTS (L-DLTS). The E0.83 (EL2) is the only defect observed prior to irradiation. Ru/n-GaAs Schottky diodes were irradiated with high energy electrons from a Sr-90 radionuclide up to a fluence of 2.45 × 1013 cm−2. The prominent electron irradiation induced defects, E0.04, E0.14, E0.38, and E0.63, were observed together with the metastable E0.17. Using L-DLTS, we observed the fine structure of a broad base EL2-like defect peak. This was found to be made up of the E0.75, E0.83, and E0.85 defects. Our study reveals that high energy electron irradiation increases the concentration of the E0.83 defect and introduces a family of defects with electronic properties similar to those of the EL2.
Vortex pinning and dynamics in high performance Sr0.6K0.4Fe2As2 superconductor
Authors: Dong Chiheng , Lin He , Huang He , Yao Chao , Zhang Xianping , Wang Dongliang , Zhang Qianjun , Ma Yanwei , Awaji Satoshi , Watanabe Kazuo
Published: April 2016

We have studied vortex pinning and dynamics in a Sr0.6K0.4Fe2As2 superconducting tape with critical current density Jc ∼ 0.1 MA/cm2 at 4.2 K and 10 T. It is found that grain boundary pinning is dominant in the vortex pinning mechanism. Furthermore, we observe large density of dislocations which can also serve as effective pinning centers. We find that the temperature dependence of critical current density is in agreement with the model of vortices pinned via spatial fluctuation of charge carrier mean free path. Magnetic relaxation measurement indicates that the magnetization depends on time in a logarithmic way. The relaxation rate in the low and intermediate temperature region is small, and it exhibits a weak temperature and field dependence. A crossover from elastic creep to plastic creep regime is observed. Finally, we conclude a vortex phase diagram for the high performance Sr0.6K0.4Fe2As2 superconducting tape.
Energy boost in laser wakefield accelerators using sharp density transitions
Authors: Döpp A. , Guillaume E. , Thaury C. , Lifschitz A. , Ta Phuoc K. , Malka V.
Published: April 2016

The energy gain in laser wakefield accelerators is limited by dephasing between the driving laser pulse and the highly relativistic electrons in its wake. Since this phase depends on both the driver and the cavity length, the effects of dephasing can be mitigated with appropriate tailoring of the plasma density along propagation. Preceding studies have discussed the prospects of continuous phase-locking in the linear wakefield regime. However, most experiments are performed in the highly non-linear regime and rely on self-guiding of the laser pulse. Due to the complexity of the driver evolution in this regime, it is much more difficult to achieve phase locking. As an alternative, we study the scenario of rapid rephasing in sharp density transitions, as was recently demonstrated experimentally. Starting from a phenomenological model, we deduce expressions for the electron energy gain in such density profiles. The results are in accordance with particle-in-cell simulations, and we present gain estimations for single and multiple stages of rephasing.
A kinetic model for stress generation in thin films grown from energetic vapor fluxes
Authors: Chason E. , Karlson M. , Colin J. J. , Magnfält D. , Sarakinos K. , Abadias G.
Published: April 2016

We have developed a kinetic model for residual stress generation in thin films grown from energetic vapor fluxes, encountered, e.g., during sputter deposition. The new analytical model considers sub-surface point defects created by atomic peening, along with processes treated in already existing stress models for non-energetic deposition, i.e., thermally activated diffusion processes at the surface and the grain boundary. According to the new model, ballistically induced sub-surface defects can get incorporated as excess atoms at the grain boundary, remain trapped in the bulk, or annihilate at the free surface, resulting in a complex dependence of the steady-state stress on the grain size, the growth rate, as well as the energetics of the incoming particle flux. We compare calculations from the model with in situ stress measurements performed on a series of Mo films sputter-deposited at different conditions and having different grain sizes. The model is able to reproduce the observed increase of compressive stress with increasing growth rate, behavior that is the opposite of what is typically seen under non-energetic growth conditions. On a grander scale, this study is a step towards obtaining a comprehensive understanding of stress generation and evolution in vapor deposited polycrystalline thin films.
Emission of CO2 from tropical riparian forest soil is controlled by soil temperature, soil water content and depth to water table
Authors: Goodrick I. , Connor S. , Bird M. I. , Nelson P. N.
Published: April 2016

Tropical forests play a key role in the global carbon cycle. However, little is known about carbon cycling in the substantial portion of tropical forests that are low-lying, with shallow and fluctuating water tables. This study aimed to determine what factors control emissions of CO2 from soil in a riparian rainforest in Queensland, Australia. Emissions were measured over the course of 1 year, using static chambers. Emission rates were significantly related to soil temperature (0–0.1 m depth), soil water content (0–0.12 m depth) and depth to water table. The most efficient linear model of emissions as a function of measured parameters, which also included soil pH (0–0.1 m depth), had r2 = 0.355. CO2 emissions were highest (5.2–7.5 μmol m–2 s–1) at moderate soil temperature (24−28°C), water table depth (0.2–1.5 m) and soil water-filled porosity (0.25–0.79). They were lowest (<0.5 μmol m–2 s–1) at low soil temperature (<22°C) or when the water table was within 0.15 m of the surface. An additional interaction between temperature and soil water was determined in the laboratory. Incubation of soil cores showed that temperature sensitivity of the heterotrophic component of respiration increased as the soil dried. It is clear that models of soil respiration in lowland tropical forests should take into account depth to water table, which is a key, but hitherto unreported, controller of CO2 emissions in tropical forests.
Piscivory by alien redfin perch (Perca fluviatilis) begins earlier than anticipated in two contrasting habitats of Lake Alexandrina, South Australia
Authors: Wedderburn S. D. , Barnes T. C.
Published: April 2016

Redfin perch (Perca fluviatilis) introduced to the Southern Hemisphere has contributed to the decline or localised extirpations of native fishes, principally due to predation. It has been widely recorded in the Murray–Darling Basin, south-eastern Australia, since the 1920s but the ecological consequences are largely undetermined. The purpose of this study was to examine the diet of juvenile redfin perch in Lake Alexandrina to assess its potential impacts on native biota in two distinct habitats (channel and lake). We proposed that the broad dietary composition of juvenile redfin perch matches that of its natural range (small decapods and insects). Most juvenile redfin perch with prey items in their guts, however, had consumed native fish. There was variability in the diet of redfin perch between the channel and lake where gudgeons and gobies, respectively, were targeted. Unexpectedly, otolith ageing revealed that the redfin perch were larger and shifted to piscivory at a much younger age compared with populations in its native range. Among other ecological issues, the findings are pertinent to threatened small-bodied fish populations in the Murray–Darling Basin. More broadly, they suggest that a generalist feeding behaviour can lead to the early onset of piscivory in alien fish populations.
Further Study on the Relation of Polyoxin Structure to Chitin Synthetase Inhibition
Authors: Hori Masahiro , Kakiki Kazuo , Misato Tomomasa
Published: April 2016

As a part of studies on the mechanism of action of antibiotics polyoxins, effects of various N-aminoacyl derivatives of polyoxin C and other polyoxins on chitin-UDP acetylglucosaminyl-transferase (EC 2.4.1.16, chitin synthetase) prepared from phytopathogenic fungus Piricularia oryzae were investigated. It was found that they inhibited the enzyme in competition with the substrate UDP-N-acetylglucosamine, Inhibitor constants, Ki, for these polyoxins were determined and the values of binding affinity, −ΔGbind of the inhibitors to the enzyme were calculated from the Ki values. In addition, by using these −ΔGbind values the values of partial binding affinity, −Δg for the several atoms and atomic groups or the several moieties contained in the polyoxin J molecule were estimated. From the results obtained, it was concluded that the carbamoylpolyoxamic acid moiety of polyoxins helps to stabilize the polyoxin-enzyme complex through the contributions of its oxygen atom at C−1″, amino group at C−2″, hydroxyl groups at C−3″ and C−4″, aliphatic carbon chain and terminal carbamoyloxy group.

The results obtained by the kinetic investigation using various nucleotides and nucleotide sugars suggested that there was a specific binding site on the enzyme corresponding to the uridine moiety of UDP-N-acetylglucosamine, and that the pyrimidine nucleoside moiety of polyoxins was also bound to this site.
Studies of the Effect of Tenuazonic Acid on Plant Cells and Seedlings
Authors: Umetsu Noriharu , Muramatsu Takeharu , Honda Hiroshi , Tamari Kinjiro
Published: April 2016

The biological and biochemical studies of the effect of tenuazonic acid on plant cells and seedlings were carried out. Tenuazonic acid exhibited a conspicuous stunting effect on the seedling-growth of rice plant, mung bean, radish and turnip, and on the growth of suspension cultured cells of soybean and rice plants. Tenuazonic acid exhibited no effect on the O2-uptake and the activity of SH-enzyme of the plant, but inhibited the incorporation of 14C-Ieucine into the protein fraction and that of 14C-adenine into nucleic acid fraction of suspension cultured soybean cells as well as these uptake into the cells. And then it has been proved that these incorporation-inhibitions were not merely due to the inhibition of 14C-leucine and 14C-adenine uptake into the cells but based on the intrinsic inhibition of protein and nucleic acid syntheses, respectively.
Conversion of ( + )-Carvone by Pseudomonas ovalis, Strain 6-1 (1)
Authors: Noma Yoshiaki , Nonomura Seiichi , Ueda Hiroo , Tatsumi Chuji
Published: April 2016

The conversion of (+)-carvone by Pseudomonas ovalis, strain 6-1, was investigated. (+)-Carvone was found to be reduced to (−)-isodihydrocarvone, (−)-isodihydrocarveol, (−)-neoisodihydrocarveol, (−)-dihydrocarvone, (−)-neodihydrocarveol, and (+)-dihydrocarveol, of which the former three were the major products.

From these results, it was postulated that Pseudomonas ovalis, strain 6-1, has different pathways for (+)-carvone and (−)-carvone, respectively; (+)-carvone is converted via (−)- isodihydrocarvone to (−)-isodihydrocarveol and (−)-neoisodihydrocarveol, whereas (−)- carvone is converted via (+)-dihydrocarvone to (−)-dihydrocarveol.

Stereochemical structures of four isomers of dihydrocarveols were also discussed on the basis of PMR results.
Mode of Action of Clostridium Phage HM 7-Induced Lytic Enzyme on Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum Cell Wall Peptidoglycan
Authors: Ogata Seiya , Tahara Yasutaka , Hongo Motoyoshi
Published: April 2016

The action of Clostridium phage HM 7-induced lytic enzyme on the cell wall peptidoglycan of Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum was investigated. The cell wall peptidoglycan of this strain contained glutamic acid, alanine, diaminopimelic acid, glucosamine and muramic acid in the molar ratios of 1.00: 2.08: 0.97; 0.92: 0.68. It was strongly digested when incubated with the lytic enzyme. This digestion was accompanied by the release of NH2-terminal l-alanine without a concomitant release of COOH-terminal amino acids and reducing groups. Chromatography of the lytic enzyme digest resulted in only two fractions, each of which was chromatographically homogeneous. One was a polysaccharide consisting of glucosamine and muramic acid in molar ratios 1.00: 0.78, and other was a peptide composed of glutamic acid, alanine and diaminopimelic acid in molar ratios of 1.00: 2.09: 1.05. These results indicate that phage HM 7-induced lytic enzyme is N-acetylmuramyl-l-alanine amidase, which cleaves the linkage between N-acetylmuramic acid and l-alanine.

A possible structure for the cell wall peptidoglycan was also proposed.
Antifeeding Active Substances for Insect in Caryopteris divaricata Maxim.
Authors: Hosozawa Shigeki , Kato Natsuki , Munakata Katsura
Published: April 2016

Six antifeeding active diterpenes having a clerodane skeleton, clerodin (I), caryoptin (II), dihydrocĩerodin-I (V), dihydrocaryoptin (VI), clerodin hemiacetal (VII), and caryoptin hemi- acetal (VIII), were isolated from Caryopteris divaricata Maxim. Antifeeding activities of six compounds and these derivatives against the 3rd instar larvae of Spodoptera litura F. were tested by the leaf disk method. In addition, the terms of “relative antifeedant” and “absolute antifeedant” were proposed for the antifeeding substances, and the latter term was used to the above six diterpenes.
Effect of post-encoding emotion on recollection and familiarity for pictures
Authors: Wang Bo , Ren Yanju
Published: April 2016

Although prior studies have examined the effect of post-encoding emotional arousal on recognition memory for words, it is unknown whether the enhancement effect observed on words generalizes to pictures. Furthermore, prior studies using words have showed that the effect of emotional arousal can be modulated by stimuli valence and delay in emotion induction, but it is unclear whether such modulation can extend to pictures and whether other factors such as encoding method (incidental vs. intentional encoding) can be modulatory. Five experiments were conducted to answer these questions. In Experiment 1, participants encoded a list of neutral and negative pictures and then watched a 3-min neutral or negative video. The delayed test showed that negative arousal impaired recollection regardless of picture valence but had no effect on familiarity. Experiment 2 replicated the above findings. Experiment 3 was similar to Experiment 1 except that participants watched a 3-min neutral, negative, or positive video and conducted free recall before the recognition test. Unlike the prior two experiments, the impairment effect of negative arousal disappeared. Experiment 4, where the free recall task was eliminated, replicated the results from Experiment 3. Experiment 5 replicated Experiments 1 and 2 and further showed that the impairment effects of negative arousal could be modulated by delay in emotion induction but not by encoding method or stimuli valence. Taken together, the current study suggests that the enhancement effect observed on words may not generalize to pictures.
Five new fast radio bursts from the HTRU high-latitude survey at Parkes: first evidence for two-component bursts
Authors: Champion D. J. , Petroff E. , Kramer M. , Keith M. J. , Bailes M. , Barr E. D. , Bates S. D. , Bhat N. D. R. , Burgay M. , Burke-Spolaor S. , Flynn C. M. L. , Jameson A. , Johnston S. , Ng C. , Levin L. , Possenti A. , Stappers B. W. , van Straten W. , Thornton D. , Tiburzi C. , Lyne A. G.
Published: April 2016

The detection of five new fast radio bursts (FRBs) found in the 1.4-GHz High Time Resolution Universe high-latitude survey at Parkes, is presented. The rate implied is 7$^{+5}_{-3}\times 10^3$ (95 per cent) FRBs sky−1 d−1 above a fluence of 0.13 Jy ms for an FRB of 0.128 ms duration to 1.5 Jy ms for 16 ms duration. One of these FRBs has a two-component profile, in which each component is similar to the known population of single component FRBs and the two components are separated by 2.4 ± 0.4 ms. All the FRB components appear to be unresolved following deconvolution with a scattering tail and accounting for intrachannel smearing. The two-component burst, FRB 121002, also has the highest dispersion measure (1629 pc cm−3) of any FRB to-date. Many of the proposed models to explain FRBs use a single high-energy event involving compact objects (such as neutron-star mergers) and therefore cannot easily explain a two-component FRB. Models that are based on extreme versions of flaring, pulsing, or orbital events, however, could produce multiple component profiles. The compatibility of these models and the FRB rate implied by these detections is discussed.
Functional morphology of suction discs and attachment performance of the Mediterranean medicinal leech (Hirudo verbanaCarena)
Authors: Kampowski Tim , Eberhard Laura , Gallenmüller Friederike , Speck Thomas , Poppinga Simon
Published: April 2016

Medicinal leeches use their suction discs for locomotion, adhesion to the host and, in the case of the anterior disc, also for blood ingestion. The biomechanics of their suction-based adhesion systems has been little understood until now. We investigated the functional morphology of the anterior and posterior suckers ofHirudo verbanaby using light and scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, we analysed the adhesion qualitatively and quantitatively by conducting behavioural and mechanical experiments. Our high-speed video analyses provide new insights into the attachment and detachment processes and we present a detailed description of the leech locomotion cycle. Pull-off force measurements of the anterior and posterior suction organs on seven different substrates under both aerial and water-submersed conditions reveal a significant influence of the surrounding medium, the substrate surface roughness and the tested organ on attachment forces and tenacities.
Compacton formation under Allen–Cahn dynamics
Authors: Cirillo E. N. M. , Ianiro N. , Sciarra G.
Published: April 2016

We study the solutions of a generalized Allen–Cahn equation deduced from a Landau energy functional, endowed with a non–constant higher order stiffness. We analytically solve the stationary problem and deduce the existence of so-called compactons, namely, connections on a finite interval between the two phases. The dynamics problem is numerically solved and compacton formation is described.
On the interaction of uni-directional and bi-directional buckling of a plate supported by an elastic foundation
Authors: Wadee M. Khurram , Lloyd David J. B. , Bassom Andrew P.
Published: April 2016

A thin flat rectangular plate supported on its edges and subjected to in-plane loading exhibits stable post-buckling behaviour. However, the introduction of a nonlinear (softening) elastic foundation may cause the response to become unstable. Here, the post-buckling of such a structure is investigated and several important phenomena are identified, including the transition of patterns from stripes to spots and back again. The interaction between these forms is of importance for understanding the possible post-buckling behaviours of this structural system. In addition, both periodic and some localized responses are found to exist as the dimensions of the plate are increased and this becomes relevant when the characteristic wavelengths of the buckle pattern are small compared with the size of the plate. Potential applications of the model range from macroscopic industrial manufacturing of structural elements to the understanding of micro- and nanoscale deformations in materials.
Producers and scroungers: feeding-type composition changes with group size in a socially foraging spider
Authors: Dumke Marlis , Herberstein Marie E. , Schneider Jutta M.
Published: April 2016

In groups of socially foraging animals, feeding behaviour may change with group size in response to varying cost–benefit trade-offs. Numerous studies have described group-size effects on group-average feeding behaviour, particularly emphasizing an increase in scrounging incidence for larger groups, where individuals (scroungers) feed from the food sources others (producers) discovered. However, individual variation in feeding behaviour remains unconsidered in the vast majority of these studies even though theoretical models predict individuals to specialize in feeding tactic and anticipate higher scrounger-type frequencies in larger groups. We combined group-level and individual-level analyses of group-size effects on social foraging in the subsocial spiderAustralomisidia ergandros. Lending novel experimental support to model predictions, we found that individuals specialize in feeding tactic and that higher scrounging and lower producing incidence in larger groups were mediated through shifts in the ratio of feeding types. Further, feeding-type specialization was not explained by innate individual differences in hunting ability as all feeding types were equally efficient in prey capture when foraging alone. Context adaptivity of feeding behaviour might allow this subsocial species to succeed under varying socioecological conditions.
Microevolution of bank voles (Myodes glareolus) at neutral and immune-related genes during multiannual dynamic cycles: Consequences for Puumala hantavirus epidemiology
Authors: Adelaïde Dubois , Galan Maxime , Cosson Jean-François , Gauffre Bertrand , Henttonen Heikki , Niemimaa Jukka , Razzauti Maria , Voutilainen Liina , Vitalis Renaud , Guivier Emmanuel , Charbonnel Nathalie
Published: April 2016

Understanding how host dynamics, including variations of population size and dispersal, may affect the epidemiology of infectious diseases through ecological and evolutionary processes is an active research area. Here we focus on a bank vole (Myodes glareolus) metapopulation surveyed in Finland between 2005 and 2009. Bank vole is the reservoir of Puumala hantavirus (PUUV), the agent of nephropathia epidemica (NE, a mild form of hemorrhagic fever with renal symptom) in humans.M glareoluspopulations experience multiannual density fluctuations that may influence the level of genetic diversity maintained in bank voles, PUUV prevalence and NE occurrence. We examine bank vole metapopulation genetics at presumably neutral markers and immune-related genes involved in susceptibility to PUUV (Tnf-promoter,Mhc-Drb, Tlr4,Tlr7andMx2gene) to investigate the links between population dynamics, microevolutionary processes and PUUV epidemiology. We show that genetic drift slightly and transiently affects neutral and adaptive genetic variability within the metapopulation. Gene flow seems to counterbalance its effects during the multiannual density fluctuations. The low abundance phase may therefore be too short to impact genetic variation in the host, and consequently viral genetic diversity. Environmental heterogeneity does not seem to affect vole gene flow, which might explain the absence of spatial structure previously detected in PUUV in this area. Besides, our results suggest the role of vole dispersal on PUUV circulation through sex-specific and density-dependent movements. We find little evidence of selection acting on immune-related genes within this metapopulation. Footprint of positive selection is detected atTlr-4gene in 2008 only. We observe marginally significant associations betweenMhc-Drbhaplotypes and PUUV serology, and betweenMx2genotype and PUUV genogroups. These results show that microevolutionary changes and PUUV epidemiology in this metapopulation are mainly driven by neutral processes, although the relative effects of neutral and adaptive forces could vary temporally with density fluctuations.
MMX-I: data-processing software for multimodal X-ray imaging and tomography
Authors: Bergamaschi Antoine , Medjoubi Kadda , Messaoudi Cédric , Marco Sergio , Somogyi Andrea
Published: April 2016

A new multi-platform freeware has been developed for the processing and reconstruction of scanning multi-technique X-ray imaging and tomography datasets. The software platform aims to treat different scanning imaging techniques: X-ray fluorescence, phase, absorption and dark field and any of their combinations, thus providing an easy-to-use data processing tool for the X-ray imaging user community. A dedicated data input stream copes with the input and management of large datasets (several hundred GB) collected during a typical multi-technique fast scan at the Nanoscopium beamline and even on a standard PC. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first software tool that aims at treating all of the modalities of scanning multi-technique imaging and tomography experiments.