bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural Dynamics of GaN Microcrystals in Evolutionary Selection Selective Area Growth probed by X-ray Microdiffraction
Authors: Kachkanov V. , Leung B. , Song J. , Zhang Y. , Tsai M.-C. , Yuan G. , Han J. , O'Donnell K. P.
Published: April 2014

A method to grow high quality, single crystalline semiconductor material irrespective of the substrate would allow a cost-effective improvement to functionality and performance of optoelectronic devices. Recently, a novel type of substrate-insensitive growth process called Evolutionary Selection Selective Area Growth (ES-SAG) has been proposed. Here we report the use of X-ray microdiffraction to study the structural properties of GaN microcrystals grown by ES-SAG. Utilizing high resolution in both direct and reciprocal spaces, we have unraveled structural dynamics of GaN microcrystals in growth structures of different dimensions. It has been found that the geometric proportions of the growth constrictions play an important role: 2.6 μm and 4.5 μm wide growth tunnels favor the evolutionary selection mechanism, contrary to the case of 8.6 μm growth tunnels. It was also found that GaN microcrystal ensembles are dominated by slight tensile strain irrespective of growth tunnel shape.
Graphene as an atomically thin barrier to Cu diffusion into Si
Authors: Hong Juree , Lee Sanggeun , Lee Seulah , Han Heetak , Mahata Chandreswar , Yeon Han-Wool , Koo Bonwoong , Kim Seong-Il , Nam Taewook , Byun Kisik , Min Byung-Wook , Kim Young-Woon , Kim Hyungjun , Joo Young-Chang , Lee Taeyoon
Published: April 2014

We investigate the ability of both single-layer and multilayer graphene grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) to act as Cu diffusion barriers.
Switching an O2 sensitive glucose oxidase bioelectrode into an almost insensitive one by cofactor redesign
Authors: Tremey Emilie , Suraniti Emmanuel , Courjean Olivier , Gounel Sébastien , Stines-Chaumeil Claire , Louerat Frédéric , Mano Nicolas
Published: April 2014

We switched an O2 sensitive glucose oxidase bioelectrode into an almost insensitive one by cofactor redesign.
Performance of a mixing entropy battery alternately flushed with wastewater effluent and seawater for recovery of salinity-gradient energy
Authors: Ye Meng , Pasta Mauro , Xie Xing , Cui Yi , Criddle Craig S.
Published: April 2014

Salinity-gradient energy can be recovered (68% efficiency) with a mixing entropy battery alternately flushed with wastewater effluent and seawater.
Electrochemical characterisation of graphene nanoflakes with functionalised edges
Authors: Lounasvuori Mailis M. , Rosillo-Lopez Martin , Salzmann Christoph G. , Caruana Daren J. , Holt Katherine B.
Published: April 2014

Graphene nanoflakes (GNF) of diameter ca. 30 nm and edge-terminated with carboxylic acid (COOH) or amide functionalities were characterised electrochemically after drop-coating onto a boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode. In the presence of the outer-sphere redox probe ferrocenemethanol there was no discernible difference in electrochemical response between the clean BDD and GNF-modified electrodes. When ferricyanide or hydroquinone were used as redox probes there was a marked difference in response at the electrode modified with COOH-terminated GNF in comparison to the unmodified BDD and amide-terminated GNF electrode. The response of the COOH-terminated GNF electrode was highly pH dependent, with the most dramatic differences in response noted at pH < 8. This pH range coincides with partial protonation of the carboxylic acid groups as determined by titration. The acid edge groups occupy a range of bonding environments and are observed to undergo deprotonation over a pH range ca. 3.7 to 8.3. The protonation state of the GNF influences the oxidation mechanism of hydroquinone and in particular the number of solution protons involved in the reaction mechanism. The voltammetric response of ferricyanide is very inhibited by the presence of COOH-terminated GNF at pH < 8, especially in low ionic strength solution. While the protonation state of the GNF is clearly a major factor in the observed response, the exact role of the acid group in the redox process has not been firmly established. It may be that the ferricyanide species is unstable in the solution environment surrounding the GNF, where dynamic protonation equilibria are at play, perhaps through disruption to ion pairing.
Self-assembly of crown ether-based amphiphiles for constructing synthetic ion channels: the relationship between structure and transport activity
Authors: Liu Tao , Bao Chunyan , Wang Haiyan , Fei Linbo , Yang Rongyan , Long Yitao , Zhu Linyong
Published: April 2014

Efficient ion transport was achieved from crown ether amphiphile-based ion channels by simply regulating the molecular structures.
A universal approach to the synthesis of nanodendrites of noble metals
Authors: Feng Yan , Ma Xiaohong , Han Lin , Peng Zhijian , Yang Jun
Published: April 2014

A universal approach was demonstrated for the synthesis of noble metal nanoparticles with dendritic structures.
Extraction of light trapped due to total internal reflection using porous high refractive index nanoparticle films
Authors: Mao Peng , Sun Fangfang , Yao Hanchao , Chen Jing , Zhao Bo , Xie Bo , Han Min , Wang Guanghou
Published: April 2014

Porous TiO2nanoparticle layers are fabricated by gas phase cluster beam deposition at glancing incidence.
In vivo delivery of bovine viral diahorrea virus, E2 protein using hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles
Authors: Mahony D. , Cavallaro A. S. , Mody K. T. , Xiong L. , Mahony T. J. , Qiao S. Z. , Mitter N.
Published: April 2014

Immunisation studies in mice show that hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles act as both a delivery vehicle and adjuvant for the viral protein E2 from bovine viral diahorrea virus.
Solvatochromic properties of 3,6-di-tert-butyl-8H-indolo[3,2,1-de]acridin-8-one
Authors: Czerwińska Marlena , Wierzbicka Małgorzata , Guzow Katarzyna , Bylińska Irena , Wiczk Wiesław
Published: April 2014

The spectral and photophysical properties of newly synthesized 3,6-di-tert-butyl-8H-indolo[3,2,1-de]acridin-8-one were studied.
Thermally tunable amplified spontaneous emission from Cu2ZnSnS4 quantum dot doped photonic cavity by a soft solvothermal route
Authors: Chen L. J. , Chuang Y. J. , Chen C.
Published: April 2014

In this article, non-toxic Cu2ZnSnS4 quantum dots (CZTSQDs) were synthesized by the solvothermal method and then embedded into a photonic cavity to tune the amplified spontaneous emission.
The diverse pharmacology and medicinal chemistry of phosphoramidates – a review
Authors: Oliveira Fabrício M. , Barbosa Luiz C. A. , Ismail Fyaz M. D.
Published: April 2014

Promising examples of the phosphoramidates, which possess antiviral, antitumor, antibacterial, antimalarial and anti-protozoal as well as enzyme inhibitor activity are reviewed.
Synthesis, structure, photocatalytic and magnetic properties of an oxo-bridged copper dimer
Authors: Ghosh Raja , K. S. Asha , Pratik Saied Md. , Datta Ayan , Nath Ramesh , Mandal Sukhendu
Published: April 2014

A new paramagnetic and semiconductor copper citrate dimer exhibits photocatalytic behaviour towards organic dye degradation.
Unusual IR ring mode splittings for pyridinium species in H3PW12O40 heteropolyacid: involvement of the δNH internal mode
Authors: Binet Claude , Travert Arnaud , Daturi Marco , Lavalley Jean-Claude , Vimont Alexandre
Published: April 2014

This study aimed at investigating the well-known infrared band splitting affecting the ν8b and ν19b modes of pyridinium species formed by pyridine absorption in tungsten heteropolyacid H3PW12O40, first reported 30 years ago but the origin of which has not yet been satisfactorily explained.
Electrochemical synthesis of ammonia from wet nitrogen using La0.6Sr0.4FeO3−δ–Ce0.8Gd0.18Ca0.02O2−δcomposite cathode
Authors: Amar Ibrahim A. , Petit Christophe T. G. , Lan Rong , Mann Gregory , Tao Shanwen
Published: April 2014

Ammonia was successfully synthesised directly from wet N2at ∼400 °C based on an O2−ion conducting electrolyte.
Tetrahydropyranyl ether (THPE) formation in hydroxyl group protection and conversion to other useful functionalities
Authors: Kumar Brijesh , Aga Mushtaq A. , Rouf Abdul , Shah Bhahwal A. , Taneja Subhash C.
Published: April 2014

This short review highlights the various methods of formation of tetrahydropyranyl ethers (THPEs) as a method for the protection of simple alcohols as well as a diverse range of complex molecules, using a variety of reagents and reaction conditions including their direct conversion to other useful functionalities.
Glaser–Eglinton–Hay sp–sp coupling and macrocyclization: construction of a new class of polyether macrocycles having a 1,3-diyne unit
Authors: Naveen Naveen , Babu Srinivasarao Arulananda , Kaur Gurpreet , Aslam Nayyar Ahmad , Karanam Maheswararao
Published: April 2014

Glaser–Eglinton–Hay-type sp–sp coupling, macrocyclization and assembly of skeletally interesting 1,3-diyne unit-based crown ether/polyether macrocycles are presented.
A regioselective synthesis of the dephospho ditholene protected molybdopterin
Authors: Pimkov Igor V. , Peterson Antoinette A. , Vaccarello David N. , Basu Partha
Published: April 2014

Regioselective condensation.
Construction and adsorption properties of porous aromatic frameworks via AlCl3-triggered coupling polymerization
Authors: Li Lina , Ren Hao , Yuan Ye , Yu Guangli , Zhu Guangshan
Published: April 2014

A low-cost and straightforward synthetic strategy is exploited for synthesis of porous aromatic frameworks. With AlCl3 as the catalyst, the Scholl coupling reaction could occur between the phenyl rings of aromatic compounds. This introduction greatly reduces the cost of POFs, when bringing new materials and properties.
A high-performance solution-processed small molecule: alkylselenophene-substituted benzodithiophene organic solar cell
Authors: Kim Yu Jin , Baek Jang Yeol , Ha Jong-jin , Chung Dae Sung , Kwon Soon-Ki , Park Chan Eon , Kim Yun-Hi
Published: April 2014

A novel small molecule with alkylselenophene-substituted benzodithiophene unit,BDTSe-TTPD, showed strong light absorption, low HOMO level and photovoltaic characteristics with power conversion efficiency as high as 4.37%.
Flash grafting of functional random copolymers for surface neutralization
Authors: Lupi F. Ferrarese , Giammaria T. J. , Seguini G. , Ceresoli M. , Perego M. , Antonioli D. , Gianotti V. , Sparnacci K. , Laus M.
Published: April 2014

Rapid Thermal Processing (RTP) technology was employed to perform flash grafting reactions of a hydroxyl terminated poly(styrene-r-methylmethacrylate) random copolymer to a silicon surface.
Determination of noise figure of differential circuits using correlation of output noise waves
Authors: Andee Y. , Prouvée J. , Graux F. , Danneville F.
Published: April 2014

The noise characterisation of differential circuits is considered. A new method for the determination of the differential mode noise power at the output of these circuits is presented. It is demonstrated that this differential noise power depends not only on the output noise powers but also on the correlation of the output noise waves. An analytical expression of this correlation in terms of the S‐parameters and the output noise powers is determined. Based on the presented theory, a fast and simple technique is developed for the noise figure measurement of differential circuits.
Season and reproductive status rather than genetics factors influence change in ewe weight and fat over time. 1. Analysis of crossbred ewes
Authors: Walkom S. F. , Brien F. D. , Hebart M. L. , Fogarty N. M. , Hatcher S. , Pitchford W. S.
Published: April 2014

The Australian sheep industry has historically made rapid advances in the quality and quantity of meat and wool through genetic improvement, but unfortunately, maternal performance, i.e. number of lambs weaned, is well below desired levels. The aim of the present paper is to investigate the potential to select for increased weight and fat across the production cycle to improve maternal performance. The analysis explores the potential to improve the weight and fat score of breeding ewes during ‘tough’ periods (i.e. when nutrient requirements are not met by the pasture), preparing the breeding ewe for the upcoming mating without an increase in overall ewe size. The 2846 ewes within the maternal central progeny test were weighed and scored for fatness 12 times across three production cycles. Low to moderate heritability estimates for weight (0.04–0.23) and fat (0.02–0.06) changes across the production cycle provide little hope for selection against weight loss during tough periods. The analysis showed very strong genetic correlations between time-points across multiple production cycles for both weight (0.99–0.93) and fat score (0.88–0.98). The very strong correlations between measurements suggest that weight and fat score are genetically the same trait throughout the ewe’s adult life. With 74% and 77% of the genetic variation in weight and fat, respectively, constant across the production cycle, there is little opportunity to select against the natural fluctuations in weight and fat reserves. In conclusion, selection for increased fat can be made at any time and it will result in more fat during tough times.
The influence of particle size and structure on the sorption and oxidation behaviour of birnessite: II. Adsorption and oxidation of four polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Authors: Villalobos Mario , Carrillo-Cárdenas Manuel , Gibson Richard , López-Santiago N. Ruth , Morales Jimmy A.
Published: April 2014

Environmental context
Sorption and oxidation reactions at mineral surfaces can substantially influence the mobility and toxicity of environmental contaminants. An understanding of the factors that control these reactions is crucial for predicting the fate of contaminant species. We investigate the reactivity of manganese oxides towards polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, persistent organic compounds of environmental concern.

Abstract
Birnessites are ubiquitous components of natural systems and may exert a significant influence on the mobility and toxicity of different types of contaminants, including organic species. Their small particle sizes and internal structure provide them with high sorption capacities and oxidising abilities for redox sensitive species. In the present work, the interactions of two MnIV birnessites (δ-MnO2 and acid birnessite) of different particle sizes and layer vacancy contents were investigated with four hydrophobic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) of three and four rings. Fluorene and anthracene were oxidised to produce the corresponding and less toxic quinones by both birnessites, but at a higher rate and extent by δ-MnO2. Phenanthrene and fluoranthene only adsorbed to δ-MnO2 but not to acid birnessite. The higher reactivity of δ-MnO2 is only partly explained by its higher specific surface area (114 v. 39m2g–1), i.e. by its smaller particle size. The repulsive effect of water molecules from hydrated cations sorbed on layer vacant sites is most likely decisive, because acid birnessite shows a considerably larger content of these vacancies. The results presented provide a fundamental understanding of the potential influence of birnessite minerals on the attenuation of low molecular weight PAHs in environments with low organic matter content, such as deep aquifers.
Dynamics of moisture content in spruce–feather moss and spruce–Sphagnum organic layers during an extreme fire season and implications for future depths of burn in Clay Belt black spruce forests
Authors: Terrier Aurélie , de Groot William J. , Girardin Martin P. , Bergeron Yves
Published: April 2014

High moisture levels and low frequency of wildfires have contributed to the accumulation of the organic layer in open black spruce (Picea mariana)–Sphagnum dominated stands of eastern boreal North America. The anticipated increase in drought frequency with climate change could lead to moisture losses and a transfer of the stored carbon back into the atmosphere due to increased fire disturbance and decomposition. Here we studied the dynamics of soil moisture content and weather conditions in spruce–feather moss and spruce–Sphagnum dominated stands of the boreal Clay Belt of eastern Canada during particularly dry conditions. A linear mixed model was developed to predict the moisture content of the organic material according to weather, depth and site conditions. This model was then used to calculate potential depth of burn and applied to climate model projections to determine the sensitivity of depth of burn to future fire hazards. Our results suggest that depth of burn varies only slightly in response to changes in weather conditions in spruce–Sphagnum stands. The reverse holds true in spruce–feather moss stands. In conclusion, our results suggest that spruce–Sphagnum stands in the boreal Clay Belt may be resistant to an increase in the depth of burn risk under climate change.
Implementing the optimal provision of ecosystem services
Authors: Polasky Stephen , Lewis David J. , Plantinga Andrew J. , Nelson Erik
Published: April 2014

Significance

Many ecosystem services are public goods available to everyone without charge, but the provision of these services often depends on the actions of private landowners who may bear cost to provide services. How to design incentives when the provision of services depends on the landscape pattern of conservation and where landowners have private information about costs presents a difficult challenge. Here we apply results from auction theory to design a payments scheme that achieves optimal provision of ecosystem services with spatially dependent benefits and asymmetric information. The auction mechanism works equally well whether property rights reside with the landowners so that the regulator pays landowners to conserve, or with the regulator so that landowners pay the regulator to develop.
Chapter 1. Disembodied words
Authors: Marinelli Maurizio
Published: April 2014

This chapter addresses the topic of the political use of formalized language, through the analysis of crucial political documents selected from the numerous speeches that former Chinese Communist Party’s Secretary and President of the People’s Republic of China Jiang Zemin delivered on the Party’s policy towards the intellectuals in the period 1990–1999. The analysis of the specific forms of power embodied in the properties and functions of language practices and discursive formations illuminates various possibilities for normalization and inculcation of formalized language in the understudied decade of the 1990s, when the mantra ‘Without stability, nothing can be achieved’ became a tautology. The internal constitution of the selected texts is examined with an eye to the dialogic interaction with the production and reception of Mao Zedong’s and Deng Xiaoping’s political discourses on intellectuals. The analysis of language practices and discursive formations in a comparative perspective sheds light on the respective socio-political and historical contexts. It also reveals the extreme involution-devolution of formalized language in the Jiang Zemin era, when ‘preserving stability’ was reaffirmed as a crucial concern of the Party leadership with the ultimate aim to preserve its monopoly of power. Keywords: Jiang Zemin; intellectuals; formalized language; zhengming ; discursive formations; speech; reality
Chapter 3. A decade of change in China
Authors: Qian Yufang , Tian Hailong
Published: April 2014

The Government Work Reports (GWRs) of China are important documents conveying the government’s voice and publicising the tasks they set for the country, and they attract much attention from diverse sectors of the community. Merging corpus methodology and critical discourse analysis, this study* focuses on 10 years of GWRs to observe the dialectical relationship between discourse and social change. It shows that the discourses represented in the GWRs result in new concerns, which in turn affect the recipients of the discourse and their actions and create new discourses. Keywords: Social change; government work report; corpus-based discourse analysis
Chapter 5. Discourse of journalism and legitimacy in post-reform China
Authors: Tong Jingrong
Published: April 2014

This chapter discusses how Chinese journalism defends and maintains its legitimacy through the construction and contestation of discourses of journalism after the 1980s. Three types of journalism discourse have emerged alongside social and ideological shifts in Chinese society since the 1980s reform. Their appearance has accompanied the declining legitimacy of Party journalism. Journalistic discursive practices, such as new genres of reporting and self-reflexive writing about journalism, have been invented and developed by journalistic practitioners and news organisations. Through discursive practices of this kind, discursive statements of journalism have been forged, redefining the practices, roles, and values of Chinese journalism. These new sets of journalism discourse distinguish journalism first from propaganda and later from amateur citizen writing. In doing so, the boundaries of Chinese journalism are constructed and maintained, which are often thought of as important for retaining journalism’s legitimacy. Key words: Chinese journalism; journalism legitimacy; journalism discourse
Auxiliary Selection in Spanish
Authors: Rosemeyer Malte
Published: April 2014

Although usage-based linguistics emphasises the need for studies of language change to take frequency effects into account, there is a lack of research that tries to systematically model frequency effects and their relation to diffusion processes in language change. This monograph offers a diachronic study of the change in Spanish perfect auxiliary selection between Old and Early Modern Spanish that led to the gradual replacement of the auxiliary ser ‘be’ with the auxiliary haber ‘have’. It analyses this process in terms of the interaction between gradience, gradualness, and the conserving effects of frequency and persistence in language change. The study contributes to the theory and methodology of diachronic linguistics, additionally offering insights on how to explain synchronic grammatical variation both within a language and between languages. The book is of interest to the fields of Spanish and Romance linguistics, syntax, as well as historical and variationist linguistics.
Rgb: a scriptable genome browser for R
Authors: Mareschal Sylvain , Dubois Sydney , Lecroq Thierry , Jardin Fabrice
Published: April 2014

Summary: Thanks to its free licensing and the development of initiatives like Bioconductor, R has become an essential part of the bioinformatics toolbox in the past years and is more and more confronted with genomically located data. While separate solutions are available to manipulate and visualize such data, no R package currently offers the efficiency required for computationally intensive tasks such as interactive genome browsing. The package proposed here fulfills this specific need, providing a multilevel interface suitable for most needs, from a completely interfaced genome browser to low-level classes and methods. Its time and memory efficiency have been challenged in a human dataset, where it outperformed existing solutions by several orders of magnitude.

Availability and implementation: R sources and packages are freely available at the CRAN repository and dedicated Web site: http://bioinformatics.ovsa.fr/Rgb . Distributed under the GPL 3 license, compatible with most operating systems (Windows, Linux, Mac OS) and architectures.

Contact:  maressyl@gmail.com or fabrice.jardin@chb.unicancer.fr

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A fast and powerful tree-based association test for detecting complex joint effects in case–control studies
Authors: Zhang Han , Wheeler William , Wang Zhaoming , Taylor Philip R. , Yu Kai
Published: April 2014

Motivation:  Multivariate tests derived from the logistic regression model are widely used to assess the joint effect of multiple predictors on a disease outcome in case–control studies. These tests become less optimal if the joint effect cannot be approximated adequately by the additive model. The tree-structure model is an attractive alternative, as it is more apt to capture non-additive effects. However, the tree model is used most commonly for prediction and seldom for hypothesis testing, mainly because of the computational burden associated with the resampling-based procedure required for estimating the significance level.

Results:  We designed a fast algorithm for building the tree-structure model and proposed a robust TREe-based Association Test (TREAT) that incorporates an adaptive model selection procedure to identify the optimal tree model representing the joint effect. We applied TREAT as a multilocus association test on >20 000 genes/regions in a study of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and detected a highly significant novel association between the gene CDKN2B and ESCC ( ). We also demonstrated, through simulation studies, the power advantage of TREAT over other commonly used tests.

Availability and implementation:  The package TREAT is freely available for download at http://www.hanzhang.name/softwares/treat , implemented in C++ and R and supported on 64-bit Linux and 64-bit MS Windows.

Contact:   yuka@mail.nih.gov

Supplementary information:   Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The Endo-Arabinanase BcAra1 Is a Novel Host-Specific Virulence Factor of the Necrotic Fungal Phytopathogen Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Nafisi Majse , Stranne Maria , Zhang Lisha , van Kan Jan A. L. , Sakuragi Yumiko
Published: April 2014

The plant cell wall is one of the first physical interfaces encountered by plant pathogens and consists of polysaccharides, of which arabinan is an important constituent. During infection, the necrotrophic plant pathogen Botrytis cinerea secretes a cocktail of plant cell-wall-degrading enzymes, including endo-arabinanase activity, which carries out the breakdown of arabinan. The roles of arabinan and endo-arabinanases during microbial infection were thus far elusive. In this study, the gene Bcara1 encoding for a novel α-1,5-L-endo-arabinanase was identified and the heterologously expressed BcAra1 protein was shown to hydrolyze linear arabinan with high efficiency whereas little or no activity was observed against the other oligo- and polysaccharides tested. The Bcara1 knockout mutants displayed reduced arabinanase activity in vitro and severe retardation in secondary lesion formation during infection of Arabidopsis leaves. These results indicate that BcAra1 is a novel endo-arabinanase and plays an important role during the infection of Arabidopsis. Interestingly, the level of Bcara1 transcript was considerably lower during the infection of Nicotiana benthamiana compared with Arabidopsis and, consequently, the ΔBcara1 mutants showed the wild-type level of virulence on N. benthamiana leaves. These results support the conclusion that the expression of Bcara1 is host dependent and is a key determinant of the disease outcome.
First Report of Xanthomonas fragariae Causing Angular Leaf Spot on Strawberry Plants in México
Authors: Fernández-Pavía S. P. , Rodríguez-Alvarado G. , Garay-Serrano E. , Cárdenas-Navarro R.
Published: April 2014

The state of Michoacán is the most important strawberry producer in México. During January 2007, field-grown strawberry plants cv. Aromas showing vein necrosis were observed in 3 ha in Zamora County, in fruit production fields. The average disease incidence in the field was 80%. Infected plants presented water-soaked lesions limited by veins on the lower leaf surfaces, which enlarged to form angular spots (1). Additionally, most affected plants presented severe necrosis in the main veins and reddish to necrotic lesions on the upper leaf surfaces. Gram-negative bacteria were consistently isolated from leaves with water-soaked lesions. Isolated bacteria produced mucoid, yellow colonies on YDC, grew on tween and nutrient agar (NA), but not on SX media. Strains produced non-fluorescent colonies on King's B media, were positive starch hydrolysis, negative esculin hydrolysis; and produced acid from fructose but not from arabinose, galactose, celobiose, and trehalose. Growth was inhibited by 2% NaCl (3). Indirect ELISA analysis (NEOGEN, Lansing, MI) was conducted using antibodies specific for Xanthomonas fragariae. Conventional PCR assay using the primer pairs 241A/241B was performed (2). The ELISA test was positive. The expected 300- and 550-bp bands were observed in the PCR analysis. The bacteria was identified as X. fragariae Kennedy and King. Pathogenicity tests were conducted twice in a greenhouse (24 ± 4°C) on a total of five strawberry cv. Aromas plants. The main vein of each of three leaves per plant were punctured using sterile needles. Pathogen inoculum was obtained from 6- to 8-day-old NA cultures. Bacteria were applied onto the wounds with a sterile cotton swab dipped into the bacterial suspension (105 CFU/ml). Inoculated plants were covered with plastic bags for 48 h. Symptoms resembling those seen in the field developed on all inoculated plants after 9 days. X. fragariae was re-isolated from the necrotic lesions and identified by PCR. Control plants were similarly inoculated with water but did not develop symptoms. To our knowledge, this is the first report of X. fragariae causing angular leaf spot in strawberry in Michoacán, México.

References: (1) J. L. Maas, ed. Compendium of Strawberry Diseases. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN, 1998. (2) M. R. Pooler et al. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 62:3121, 1996. (3) N. W. Schaad et al. Laboratory Guide for Identification of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria. 3rd ed. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN, 2001.
Anthracnose Disease on Annual Bluegrass as Affected by Foot Traffic and Sand Topdressing
Authors: Roberts Joseph A. , Murphy James A.
Published: April 2014

Sand topdressing is applied to maintain or enhance playability of the turf surface of putting greens. Anthracnose is a devastating disease of annual bluegrass (ABG; Poa annua) putting green turf, caused by Colletotrichum cereale. The disease is more severe on weakened turf and reputed to be exacerbated by management practices that wound turf. A 2-year field study was initiated in 2007 to evaluate the effects of foot traffic (0 versus 327 footsteps m−2, equivalent to 200 rounds day−1) and sand topdressing (0 and 0.3 liter m−2 every week) on anthracnose severity of ABG mowed at 3.2 mm. Surprisingly, foot traffic reduced anthracnose severity as much as 28%, regardless of sand topdressing, during both years. Although sand topdressing initially increased disease severity (up to 7%) in 2007, continued applications decreased severity by 9% later in August 2007 and again in 2008. The treatment combination of foot traffic 5 days week−1 and weekly sand topdressing resulted in the best turf quality by the end of both seasons. Results indicate that the practice of sand topdressing can be continued even under conditions of intense foot traffic and anthracnose disease development on ABG putting greens.
High burden of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-positive Escherichia coli in geriatric patients
Authors: Ho Pak-Leung , Chau Pui-Hing , Yan Mei-Kum , Chow Kin-Hung , Chen Jonathan H. K. , Wong Sally C. Y. , Cheng Vincent C. C.
Published: April 2014

Few studies have described how an expanding elderly population influences the burden of antimicrobial resistance in micro-organisms. This study aimed to investigate trends in age-stratified extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-positive Escherichia coli metrics in relation to an ageing population. The antimicrobial resistance database of E. coli from a healthcare region in Hong Kong from 2003 to 2012 was retrospectively reviewed. Future trends in age-stratified ESBL metrics were predicted up to 2022. Susceptibility results of clinical E. coli isolates from patients aged 0–74 years (n = 17 853) and aged ≥75 years (n = 17 047) were analysed. For the period 2003–2012, 23.7 % of the hospital admissions were of patients aged ≥75 years. However, approximately half of the annual ESBL-positive E. coli isolates were recovered from patients aged ≥75 years, being 55.0 % (233/424) in 2003 and 56.0 % (639/1142) in 2012. During this period of time, the annual prevalence and cumulative incidence of ESBL-positive E. coli in patients aged ≥75 years were significantly higher than in patients aged 0–74 years. From 2012–2022, it is predicted that ESBL-positive E. coli prevalence among patients aged 0–74 years and ≥75 years would increase from 25.4 % to 50.2 % and from 30.8 % to 70.0 %, respectively. In 2022, the predicted ESBL-positive E. coli cumulative incidence would be 63.7 per 10 000 admissions and 178.7 per 10 000 admissions among patients aged 0–74 years and ≥75 years, respectively. In conclusion, a rapidly expanding elderly population would substantially add to the burden of ESBL.
Differential restriction patterns of mRNA decay factor AUF1 during picornavirus infections
Authors: Cathcart Andrea L. , Semler Bert L.
Published: April 2014

During infection by picornaviruses, the cellular environment is modified to favour virus replication. This includes the modification of specific host proteins, including the recently discovered viral proteinase cleavage of mRNA decay factor AU-rich binding factor 1 (AUF1). This cellular RNA-binding protein was shown previously to act as a restriction factor during poliovirus, rhinovirus and coxsackievirus infection. During infection by these viruses, AUF1 relocalizes to the cytoplasm and is cleaved by the viral 3C/3CD proteinase. In this study, we demonstrated that replication of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), a picornavirus belonging to the genus Cardiovirus, is AUF1 independent. During EMCV infection, AUF1 relocalized to the cytoplasm; however, unlike what is seen during enterovirus infections, AUF1 was not cleaved to detectable levels, even at late times after infection. This suggests that AUF1 does not act broadly as an inhibitor of picornavirus infections but may instead act as a selective restriction factor targeting members of the genus Enterovirus.
Equid herpesvirus type 4 uses a restricted set of equine major histocompatibility complex class I proteins as entry receptors
Authors: Azab Walid , Harman Rebecca , Miller Donald , Tallmadge Rebecca , Frampton Arthur R. , Antczak Douglas F. , Osterrieder Nikolaus
Published: April 2014

Equid herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) was shown to use an unusual receptor for cellular entry – MHC-I molecules. Here, we demonstrated that the closely related EHV, EHV-4, also uses this strategy for cellular invasion, both in equine cells in culture and in the heterologous, non-permissive murine mastocytoma cell line (P815) after stable transfection with horse MHC-I genes. Using a panel of P815 cell lines transfected with individual horse MHC-I genes, we provided support for the hypothesis that EHV-1 and EHV-4 target classical polymorphic MHC-I molecules as viral entry receptors. All known equine MHC-I molecules from the two principal classical polymorphic loci specify alanine at position 173 (A173), whilst other MHC-I loci encoded different amino acids at this position and did not permit viral entry. Site-directed mutagenesis of position 173 diminished or enhanced viral entry, depending upon the initial amino acid. However, there were other, as yet undefined, constraints to this process: MHC-I genes from two non-classical loci carried A173 but did not enable viral entry in P815 transfectants. Our study suggested that the capacity to bind MHC-I molecules arose in the common ancestor of EHV-1 and EHV-4. The widespread occurrence of A173 in classical polymorphic horse MHC-I molecules indicated that horses of most MHC haplotypes should be susceptible to infection via this entry portal.
6,8-Diiodo-4-oxo-4H-chromene-3-carbaldehyde
Authors: Ishikawa Yoshinobu
Published: April 2014

The title compound, C10H4I2O3, is an iodinated 3-formylchromone derivative, and the atoms are essentially coplanar [r.m.s. deviation = 0.049 Å, largest deviation from the least-squares plane = 0.111 (9) Å for the CH(=O) C atom]. In the crystal, molecules are linked into a three-dimensional network through halogen bonds [I...O = 3.352 (5) and 3.405 (7) Å, C—I...O = 144.2 (3) and 154.5 (3)°, and C=O...I = 134.9 (6) and 146.0 (6)°], and π–π stacking interactions [centroid–centroid distance = 3.527 (6) Å].
1′-Allyl-1-(3,4-dimethylbenzoyl)-2-(4-methyl-1,3-thiazol-5-yl)-1,2,5,6,7,7a-hexahydrospiro[pyrrolizine-3,3′-indolin]-2′-one
Authors: Karthikeyan V. , Ramkumar V. , Karunakaran R. Joel
Published: April 2014

In the title compound, C30H31N3O2S, the fused pyrrolidine ring bearing three substituents adopts an envelope conformation with the C atom bearing the benzoyl group as the flap. The other fused pyrrolidine ring adopts a twisted conformation about one of its C—C bonds. The dihedral angle between the isatin ring system and the methylthiazole ring is 25.95 (8)°. An intramolecular C—H...O interaction closes anS(8) ring. In the crystal, molecules are linked by C—H...O interactions, generatingC(11) chains propagating in [001].
(3-Methyl-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-5H-4,7-methanoisoxazolo[4,5-d][1,2]oxazin-5-yl)(phenyl)methanone
Authors: Lough Alan J. , Nagireddy Jaipal R. , Tam William
Published: April 2014

The title compound, C14H14N2O3, is theexoisomer with asynarrangement of two O atoms in the isoxazole and oxazine rings. The dihedral angle between the isoxazole and phenyl rings is 60.38 (4)°. In the crystal, weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules, forming a three-dimensional network. The isoxazole O atom is an acceptor for three of these hydrogen bonds.
6-Chloro-8-nitro-4-oxo-4H-chromene-3-carbaldehyde
Authors: Ishikawa Yoshinobu
Published: April 2014

In the title compound, C10H4ClNO5, the non-H atoms of the 6-chlorochromone unit are coplanar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.017 Å) with the largest deviation from the mean plane [0.031 (2) Å] being found for the C=O C atom. The nitro group (NO2) is inclined to the chromone unit mean plane by 13.3 (2) °. The formyl group is also twisted with respect to the attached ring [C—C—C—O torsion angles = 10.8 (4) and −171.8 (2)°]. In the crystal, molecules are linked via C-H...O hydrogen bonds forming slab-like networks lying parallel to (-301). The slabs are linked by π–π interactions involving the benzene rings of the chromone units [centroid–centroid distance = 3.770 (3) Å].
Bis{μ-cis-1,3-bis[(di-tert-butylphosphanyl)oxy]cyclohexane-κ2P:P′}bis[carbonylnickel(0)] including an unknown solvent molecule
Authors: Jonasson Klara J. , Wendt Ola F.
Published: April 2014

The title compound, [Ni2(C22H46P2O2)2(CO)2], is located about a centre of inversion with the Ni0atom within a distorted trigonal–planar geometry. The cyclohexyl rings are in the usual chair conformation with the 1,3-cissubstituents equatorially oriented. No specific intermolecular interactions are noted in the crystal packing. A region of disordered electron density, most probably a disordered deuterobenzene solvent molecule, was treated using the SQUEEZE routine inPLATON[Spek (2009).Acta Cryst.D65, 148–155]. Its formula mass and unit-cell characteristics were not taken into account during refinement.
Experimental study on micro-drills wear during high speed of drilling IC substrate
Authors: Wang Linfang , Zheng Lijuan , yong Wang Cheng , Li Shan , Song Yuexian , Zhang Lunqiang , Sun Peng
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– Compared with the traditional printed circuit board (PCB) drilling process, the technology of drilling IC substrate is facing more problems, such as much smaller hole diameter, more intensive hole space, thinner sheet and more complicated materials are drilled in process. Moreover, the base material of IC substrate is different from traditional PCB, more kinds of fillers added in IC substrate which make the drill worn seriously during drilling process. Micro-drills wear and micro holes quality are the most important questions when drilling IC substrate so far. Wear morphology of micro-drill, holes wall roughness and hole location accuracy are researched in this paper. The influence factors of micro-drills wear and micro holes quality are also studied in this drilling process. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Two drills with same structure and different diameter are used to drill different stacks of IC substrate and drill different holes in this paper. There are four experiments made and the drilling parameters including spindle speed (n), feed rate (vf) and retraction speed (vr) are recommended by drill manufacturing company. Wear morphologies of drill are observed, holes wall roughness (Rmax) and holes location accuracy (Cpk) are measured in this paper. Analyzing the main factors influence on drill wear, holes wall roughness and holes location accuracy through these experiments.

Findings

– The micro-drills of IC substrate wear more severely compared with other material of PCB through the experimental results in this paper. Drill diameter has influence on micro-drill wear when drilling IC substrate, the smaller of drill is, the more severely of micro-drill wears. Drill diameter affect the holes wall roughness too, the holes wall roughness of larger holes is better than smaller one in a certain range. The drilled holes number also has influence on micro-drills wear, holes wall roughness and holes location accuracy. The more drilled holes, the seriously of micro-drills wear, and the worn drill would destroy the hole quality. Therefore, the more drilled holes lead the bad holes wall roughness and holes location accuracy in this paper. In addition, stacks of IC substrate affect much on the holes location accuracy, the more stacks, the worse holes location accuracy.

Originality/value

– Chinese Mainland is obviously lagging behind in technology and manufacturer of IC substrate which is incompatible with the nation circumstances. There is few research of drilling IC substrate in China and research data are lacking so far. It is most necessary to improve the technology level of drilling IC substrate in China. In order to reduce the wear of micro-drills and improve the quality of micro-holes, many experimental tests about drilling IC substrate are researched in this paper.
Evaluation of the peel strength in Cu/epoxy thin film using a novel interfacial cutting method
Authors: Huh Seok-Hwan , Kim Kang-Dong , Kim Keun-Soo
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the relationship between the Cu trace and epoxy resin and to check the validity of surface and interfacial cutting analysis system (SAICAS) by comparing its results to those of the 90° peel test.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this study, the effects of surface morphology on the adhesion strength were studied for a Cu/epoxy resin system using a SAICAS. In order to evaluate the peel strength of the sample, the curing degree and surface morphology of the epoxy resin were varied in the Cu/epoxy resin system.

Findings

– The results indicated that the peel strength is strongly affected by the curing degree and the surface morphology of the epoxy layer. As the pre-cure time increased, the interactions between the epoxy resin and permanganate during the adhesion promotion process decreased, which decreased the surface roughness (Ra) of the resin. Therefore, the surface roughness of the epoxy resin decreased with increasing pre-cure time. The curing degree was calculated with the FTIR absorption peak (910 cm−1) of the epoxy groups. The high curing degree for the epoxy resin results in a coral-like morphology that provides a better anchoring effect for the Cu trace and a higher interfacial strength.

Research limitations/implications

– It is necessary to study the further adhesion strength, i.e. the friction energy, the plastic deformation energy, and the interfacial fracture energy, in micro- and nanoscale areas using SAICAS owing to insufficient data regarding the effects of size and electroplating materials.

Originality/value

– From findings, it is found that measuring the peel strength using SAICAS is particularly useful because it makes the assessment of the peel strength in the Cu/epoxy resin system of electronic packages possible.
Consumer attitudes toward dietary supplements consumption
Authors: Azila Mohd Noor Nor , Yap Sheau-Fen , Liew Kok-Hong , Rajah Edwin
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– Drawing on a socio-cognitive model, the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), the aim of this paper is to investigate whether the effects of social cognition on intention to consume dietary supplements moderate by health motivation.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study was carried out using a cross-sectional survey approach. Subjects comprised 438 undergraduate students from six universities in Malaysia.

Findings

– Given strong support for the extended TPB's application to dietary supplements consumption provided by the study, it seems feasible that desirable changes in attitude, social norms, and perceptions of control might lead to corresponding changes in behavioural intention. The empirical findings, which are based on multi-group analysis, show that the strength of the relationships between informational influence, consumer attitude, and their intention to consume dietary supplements are strongly influenced by health motivation.

Practical implications

– This research sets the ground for stakeholders in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors to improve their understanding of what drives dietary supplements consumption. Armed with this knowledge, marketers and health professionals could plan and execute their marketing strategies and health interventions more effectively.

Originality/value

– The core contribution lies in an important extension of social cognitive model by incorporating the moderating effect of health motivation. This study demonstrates the measurement validity and predictive efficacy of the proposed integrative model which can be used as a promising framework to examine other preventive health behaviours.