bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Technological Advances in the Hemostasis Laboratory
Authors: Lippi Giuseppe , Plebani Mario , Favaloro Emmanuel
Published: January 2014

Automation is conventionally defined as the use of machines, control systems, and information technologies to optimize productivity. Although automation is now commonplace in several areas of diagnostic testing, especially in clinical chemistry and immunochemistry, the concept of extending this process to hemostasis testing has only recently been advanced. The leading drawbacks are still represented by the almost unique biological matrix because citrated plasma can only be used for clotting assays and few other notable exceptions, and by the highly specific pretreatment of samples, which is particularly distinct to other test systems. Despite these important limitations, a certain degree of automation is also now embracing hemostasis testing. The more relevant developments include the growing integration of routine hemostasis analyzers with track line systems and workcells, the development of specific instrumentation tools to enhance reliability of testing (i.e., signal detection with different technologies to increase test panels, plasma indices for preanalytical check of interfering substances, failure patterns sensors for identifying insufficient volume, clots or bubbles, cap-piercing for enhancing operator safety, automatic reflex testing, automatic redilution of samples, and laser barcode readers), preanalytical features (e.g., positive identification, automatic systems for tube(s) labeling, transillumination devices), and postphlebotomy tools (pneumatic tube systems for reducing turnaround time, sample transport boxes for ensuring stability of specimens, monitoring systems for identifying unsuitable conditions of transport). Regardless of these important innovations, coagulation/hemostasis testing still requires specific technical and clinical expertise, not only in terms of measurement procedures but also for interpreting and then appropriately utilizing the derived information. Thus, additional and special caution has to be used when designing projects of automation that include coagulation/hemostasis testing because peculiar and particular requirements must be taken into account.
Cross Sections for Inner-Shell Ionization by Electron Impact
Authors: Llovet Xavier , Powell Cedric J. , Salvat Francesc , Jablonski Aleksander
Published: January 2014

An analysis is presented of measured and calculated cross sections for inner-shell ionization by electron impact. We describe the essentials of classical and semiclassical models and of quantum approximations for computing ionization cross sections. The emphasis is on the recent formulation of the distorted-wave Born approximation by Bote and Salvat [Phys. Rev. A 77, 042701 (2008)] that has been used to generate an extensive database of cross sections for the ionization of the K shell and the L and M subshells of all elements from hydrogen to einsteinium (Z = 1 to Z = 99) by electrons and positrons with kinetic energies up to 1 GeV. We describe a systematic method for evaluating cross sections for emission of x rays and Auger electrons based on atomic transition probabilities from the Evaluated Atomic Data Library of Perkins et al. [Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, UCRL-ID-50400, 1991]. We made an extensive comparison of measured K-shell, L-subshell, and M-subshell ionization cross sections and of Lα x-ray production cross sections with the corresponding calculated cross sections. We identified elements for which there were at least three (for K shells) or two (for L and M subshells) mutually consistent sets of cross-section measurements and for which the cross sections varied with energy as expected by theory. The overall average root-mean-square deviation between the measured and calculated cross sections was 10.9% and the overall average deviation was −2.5%. This degree of agreement between measured and calculated ionization and x-ray production cross sections was considered to be very satisfactory given the difficulties of these measurements.
High repetition rate plasma mirror device for attosecond science
Authors: Borot A. , Douillet D. , Iaquaniello G. , Lefrou T. , Audebert P. , Geindre J.-P. , Lopez-Martens R.
Published: January 2014

This report describes an active solid target positioning device for driving plasma mirrors with high repetition rate ultra-high intensity lasers. The position of the solid target surface with respect to the laser focus is optically monitored and mechanically controlled on the nm scale to ensure reproducible interaction conditions for each shot at arbitrary repetition rate. We demonstrate the target capabilities by driving high-order harmonic generation from plasma mirrors produced on glass targets with a near-relativistic intensity few-cycle pulse laser system operating at 1 kHz. During experiments, residual target surface motion can be actively stabilized down to 47 nm (root mean square), which ensures sub-300-as relative temporal stability of the plasma mirror as a secondary source of coherent attosecond extreme ultraviolet radiation in pump-probe experiments.
More light on the 2ν5 Raman overtone of SF6: Can a weak anisotropic spectrum be due to a strong transition anisotropy?
Authors: Kremer D. , Rachet F. , Chrysos M.
Published: January 2014

Long known as a fully polarized band with a near vanishing depolarization ratio [ηs = 0.05, W. Holzer and R. Ouillon, Chem. Phys. Lett. 24, 589 (1974)], the 2ν5 Raman overtone of SF6 has so far been considered as of having a prohibitively weak anisotropic spectrum [D. P. Shelton and L. Ulivi, J. Chem. Phys. 89, 149 (1988)]. Here, we report the first anisotropic spectrum of this overtone, at room temperature and for 13 gas densities ranging between 2 and 27 amagat. This spectrum is 10 times broader and 50 times weaker than the isotropic counterpart of the overtone [D. Kremer, F. Rachet, and M. Chrysos, J. Chem. Phys. 138, 174308 (2013)] and its profile much more sensitive to pressure effects than the profile of the isotropic spectrum. From our measurements an accurate value for the anisotropy matrix-element |⟨000020|Δα|000000⟩| was derived and this value was found to be comparable to that of the mean-polarizability \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$\left|\left\langle 000020\right|\bar{ \alpha }\left|000000\right\rangle \right|$\end{document}000020α¯000000. Among other conclusions our study offers compelling evidence that, in Raman spectroscopy, highly polarized bands or tiny depolarization ratios are not necessarily incompatible with large polarizability anisotropy transition matrix-elements. Our findings and the way to analyze them suggest that new strategies should be developed on the basis of the complementarity inherent in independent incoherent Raman experiments that run with two different incident-beam polarizations, and on concerted efforts to ab initiocalculate accurate data for first and second polarizability derivatives. Values for these derivatives are still rarities in the literature of SF6.
Thermal shallow water models of geostrophic turbulence in Jovian atmospheres
Authors: Warneford Emma S. , Dellar Paul J.
Published: January 2014

Conventional shallow water theory successfully reproduces many key features of the Jovian atmosphere: a mixture of coherent vortices and stable, large-scale, zonal jets whose amplitude decreases with distance from the equator. However, both freely decaying and forced-dissipative simulations of the shallow water equations in Jovian parameter regimes invariably yield retrograde equatorial jets, while Jupiter itself has a strong prograde equatorial jet. Simulations by Scott and Polvani [“Equatorial superrotation in shallow atmospheres,” Geophys. Res. Lett. 35, L24202 (2008)] have produced prograde equatorial jets through the addition of a model for radiative relaxation in the shallow water height equation. However, their model does not conserve mass or momentum in the active layer, and produces mid-latitude jets much weaker than the equatorial jet. We present the thermal shallow water equations as an alternative model for Jovian atmospheres. These equations permit horizontal variations in the thermodynamic properties of the fluid within the active layer. We incorporate a radiative relaxation term in the separate temperature equation, leaving the mass and momentum conservation equations untouched. Simulations of this model in the Jovian regime yield a strong prograde equatorial jet, and larger amplitude mid-latitude jets than the Scott and Polvani model. For both models, the slope of the non-zonal energy spectra is consistent with the classic Kolmogorov scaling, and the slope of the zonal energy spectra is consistent with the much steeper spectrum observed for Jupiter. We also perform simulations of the thermal shallow water equations for Neptunian parameter values, with a radiative relaxation time scale calculated for the same 25 mbar pressure level we used for Jupiter. These Neptunian simulations reproduce the broad, retrograde equatorial jet and prograde mid-latitude jets seen in observations. The much longer radiative time scale for the colder planet Neptune explains the transition from a prograde to a retrograde equatorial jet, while the broader jets are due to the deformation radius being a larger fraction of the planetary radius.
Array detector for high energy laser based on diffuse transmission sampling
Authors: Pang Miao , Rong Jian , Zhou Shan , Wu Juan , Fan Guobin , Zhang Wei , Hu Xiaoyang
Published: January 2014

In order to improve the ability and accuracy of measuring the temporal–spatial distribution of the intensity of a large-size, high-energy laser beam, a novel array detecting method based on diffuse transmission sampling is proposed. The measurement principle and the design of the sampling and attenuating unit are presented. High-temperature-resistant diffuse transmission material is used to sample and attenuate a high energy laser beam. Pure copper, whose surface is first sand-blasted and then gold-plated, is applied to scatter the incident high-energy laser beam. The formula for the attenuation ratio was derived in detail. We developed two large-aperture array detectors with spatial resolution of 5 mm, spatial duty ratio of 20%, and useable angle range of ±30° without varying the responsivity, the non-uniformity in the laser profile measurement is below 1%, and the repeatability error in the laser power measurement is approximately 1%. The maximal energy density that the array detector can endure is more than 10 kJ/cm2.
Vibronic phenomena and exciton–vibrational interference in two-dimensional spectra of molecular aggregates
Authors: Butkus Vytautas , Valkunas Leonas , Abramavicius Darius
Published: January 2014

A general theory of electronic excitations in aggregates of molecules coupled to intramolecular vibrations and the harmonic environment is developed for simulation of the third-order nonlinear spectroscopy signals. It is applied in studies of the time-resolved two-dimensional coherent spectra of four characteristic model systems: weakly/strongly vibronically coupled molecular dimers interacting with high/low frequency intramolecular vibrations. The results allow us to (i) classify and define the typical spectroscopic features of vibronically coupled molecules, (ii) separate the cases, when the long-lived quantum coherences due to vibrational lifetime borrowing should be expected, (iii) define when the complete exciton–vibrational mixing occurs, and (iv) when separation of excitonic and vibrational coherences is possible.
Pairwise hydrodynamic interactions and diffusion in a vesicle suspension
Authors: Gires Pierre-Yves , Srivastav Aparna , Misbah Chaouqi , Podgorski Thomas , Coupier Gwennou
Published: January 2014

The hydrodynamic interaction of two deformable vesicles in shear flow induces a net displacement, in most cases an increase of their distance in the transverse direction. The statistical average of these interactions leads to shear-induced diffusion in the suspension, both at the level of individual particles which experience a random walk made of successive interactions, and at the level of suspension where a nonlinear down-gradient diffusion takes place, an important ingredient in the structuring of suspension flows. We make an experimental and computational study of the interaction of a pair of lipid vesicles in shear flow by varying physical parameters, and investigate the decay of the net lateral displacement with the distance between the streamlines on which the vesicles are initially located. This decay and its dependency upon vesicle properties can be accounted for by a simple model based on the well established law for the lateral drift of a vesicle in the vicinity of a wall. In the semi-dilute regime, a determination of self-diffusion coefficients is presented.
Diffusion-driven and excitation-dependent recombination rate in blue InGaN/GaN quantum well structures
Authors: Aleksiejūnas R. , Gelžinytė K. , Nargelas S. , Jarašiūnas K. , Vengris M. , Armour E. A. , Byrnes D. P. , Arif R. A. , Lee S. M. , Papasouliotis G. D.
Published: January 2014

We report on diffusion-driven and excitation-dependent carrier recombination rate in multiple InGaN/GaN quantum wells by using photoluminescence, light-induced absorption, and diffraction techniques. We demonstrate gradually increasing with excitation carrier diffusivity and its correlation with the recombination rate. At low carrier densities, an increase in radiative emission and carrier lifetime was observed due to partial saturation of non-radiative recombination centers. However, at carrier densities above ∼5 × 1018 cm−3, a typical value of photoluminescence efficiency droop, a further increase of diffusivity forces the delocalized carriers to face higher number of fast non-radiative recombination centers leading to an increase of non-radiative losses.
Effects of pressure anisotropy on magnetospheric magnetohydrodynamics equilibrium of an internal ring current system
Authors: Furukawa M.
Published: January 2014

Effects of pressure anisotropy on magnetospheric magnetohydrodynamics equilibrium are studied analytically and numerically, where the plasma is confined by only poloidal magnetic field generated by an internal ring current. The plasma current due to finite pressure can be divided into two components; one remains at isotropic pressure and the other arises from pressure anisotropy. When p⊥, the pressure perpendicular to the magnetic field, is larger than p∥, the pressure parallel to the magnetic field, those two components of plasma current tend to cancel each other to reduce the total amount of plasma current. Equilibrium beta limit is also examined, where the beta is a ratio of the plasma pressure to the magnetic pressure. The equilibrium beta limit decreases as the pressure anisotropy becomes strong. The beta value is strictly limited by ellipticity of the equilibrium equation when p∥>p⊥. On the other hand, when p⊥>p∥, although the tendency of the beta limit agrees with the ellipticity condition of the equilibrium equation, equilibria with a hyperbolic region can be obtained by iterative procedure with practically reasonable convergence criteria.
Evidence for photo-induced monoclinic metallic VO2 under high pressure
Authors: Hsieh Wen-Pin , Trigo Mariano , Reis David A. , Andrea Artioli Gianluca , Malavasi Lorenzo , Mao Wendy L.
Published: January 2014

We combine ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy with a diamond-anvil cell to decouple the insulator-metal electronic transition from the lattice symmetry changing structural transition in the archetypal strongly correlated material vanadium dioxide. Coherent phonon spectroscopy enables tracking of the photo-excited phonon vibrational frequencies of the low temperature, monoclinic (M1)-insulating phase that transforms into the metallic, tetragonal rutile structured phase at high temperature or via non-thermal photo-excitations. We find that in contrast with ambient pressure experiments where strong photo-excitation promptly induces the electronic transition along with changes in the lattice symmetry, at high pressure, the coherent phonons of the monoclinic (M1) phase are still clearly observed upon the photo-driven phase transition to a metallic state. These results demonstrate the possibility of synthesizing and studying transient phases under extreme conditions.
Enhanced near infrared emission from the partially vitrified Nd3+ and silver co-doped zeolite Y
Authors: Lin Hui , Chu Rong Gui Sa , Imakita Kenji , Fujii Minoru
Published: January 2014

Near infrared (NIR) emission from the Nd3+ doped zeolite Y was strongly enhanced by partially vitrifying the zeolite structure via extra loading silver ions and post annealing. Under the low annealing temperatures at 450 °C and 650 °C, the states of the loaded silver were determined to be the co-existence of the isolated Ag0 atoms, the Ag+ ions, and the Ag2+ dimers. However, there was no enhancement in the NIR emission by the introduction of these small silver clusters. Under higher annealing temperature at 900 °C where the lattice of the zeolite Y was partially collapsed into the amorphous phase, strong NIR emission enhancement at 1064 nm with a factor of 6.8 was observed. The partial vitrification process by the co-loading of silver and post heat-treatment had strong effect on eliminating the H2O molecules, which can greatly enhance the NIR emission.
Comparative study of laminar and turbulent flow model with different operating parameters for radio frequency-inductively coupled plasma torch working at 3  MHz frequency at atmospheric pressure
Authors: Punjabi Sangeeta B. , Sahasrabudhe S. N. , Joshi N. K. , Mangalvedekar H. A. , Das A. K. , Kothari D. C.
Published: January 2014

This paper provides 2D comparative study of results obtained using laminar and turbulent flow model for RF (radio frequency) Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) torch. The study was done for the RF-ICP torch operating at 50 kW DC power and 3 MHz frequency located at BARC. The numerical modeling for this RF-ICP torch is done using ANSYS software with the developed User Defined Function. A comparative study is done between laminar and turbulent flow model to investigate how temperature and flow fields change when using different operating conditions such as (a) swirl and no swirl velocity for sheath gas flow rate, (b) variation in sheath gas flow rate, and (c) variation in plasma gas flow rate. These studies will be useful for different material processing applications.
Two-stage magnetic orientation of uric acid crystals as gout initiators
Authors: Takeuchi Y. , Miyashita Y. , Mizukawa Y. , Iwasaka M.
Published: January 2014

The present study focuses on the magnetic behavior of uric acid crystals, which are responsible for gout. Under a sub-Tesla (T)-level magnetic field, rotational motion of the crystals, which were caused by diamagnetic torque, was observed. We used horizontal magnetic fields with a maximum magnitude of 500 mT generated by an electromagnet to observe the magnetic orientation of the uric acid microcrystals by a microscope. The uric acid crystals showed a perpendicular magnetic field orientation with a minimum threshold of 130 mT. We speculate that the distinct diamagnetic anisotropy in the uric acid crystals resulted in their rotational responses.
Effect of nanofiber proximity on the mechanical behavior of high volume fraction aligned carbon nanotube arrays
Authors: Cebeci Hülya , Stein Itai Y. , Wardle Brian L.
Published: January 2014

The effect of nanofiber proximity on the mechanical behavior of nanofiber arrays with volume fractions (Vf) from 1% to 20% was quantified via nanoindentation of an aligned carbon nanotube (A-CNT) array. The experimental results show that the indentation modulus for A-CNT arrays has a highly non-linear scaling with the CNT Vf, leading to modulus enhancements of up to ∼600× at Vf = 20%. Modeling illustrates that the origin of the highly non-linear trend with Vf is due to the minimum inter-CNT spacing, which is shown to be more than an order of magnitude larger than the graphitic spacing.
Fermi-level shifts in graphene transistors with dual-cut channels scraped by atomic force microscope tips
Authors: Lin Meng-Yu , Chen Yen-Hao , Su Chen-Fung , Chang Shu-Wei , Lee Si-Chen , Lin Shih-Yen
Published: January 2014

We investigate the electronic properties of p-type graphene transistors on silicon dioxide with dual-cut channels that were scraped using atomic force microscope tips. In these devices, the current is forced to squeeze into the path between the two cuts rather than flow directly through the graphene sheet. We observe that the gate voltages with minimum current shift toward zero bias as the sizes of the dual-cut regions increase. These phenomena suggest that the Fermi levels in the dual-cut regions are shifted toward the Dirac points after the mechanical scraping process.
Optimized electrode placement along the channel of a Hall thruster for ion focusing
Authors: Qing Shaowei , E Peng , Xia Guangqing , Tang Ming-Chun , Duan Ping
Published: January 2014

An optimal placement of the segmented electrode for increasing the lifetime of the Aton-type Hall thruster, i.e., reducing the plume divergence, is demonstrated using a 2D3V fully kinetic Particle-in-Cell method. Segmented electrodes, embedded near the ionization region of non-segmented case and biased above anode potential, lead to an increased separation between the ionization and acceleration regions and the formation of an efficient acceleration electric field configuration as potential lens. Due to this electrode placement, the sheath near the ceramic walls of the acceleration region is collapsed and an excellent ion beam focusing is demonstrated. The potential contour pockets around the electrodes and the sheath collapse phenomenon are also discussed.
Study of mechanical and dielectric spectrum in YFe1-xMnxO3 ceramics
Authors: Zhu Weili , He Ju , Jin Yaming , Ti Ruixia , Xu Tingting , Yue Chen , Huang Fengzhen , Lu Xiaomei , Yan Feng , Zhu Jinsong
Published: January 2014

The mechanical spectra of Mn-substituted yttrium orthoferrite YFe1-xMnxO3 (x = 0, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4) ceramics were performed at kilohertz from 100 to 360 K. Two internal friction (IF) peaks are observed around 150 K and 230 K, respectively, and both the IF peaks exhibit frequency dispersion behavior. The IF peak around 150 K is associated with a step increase in the modulus and its mechanical relaxation rate follows the Vogel-Fulcher relation with τ0 = 4.45 × 10−11s, Eα = 0.03 eV, and TVF = 155 K. This IF peak can be explained in terms of a freezing of oxygen vacancies after excluding the possible magnetic spin glass transition. Another IF peak around 230 K presents a relaxation behavior and it follows Arrhenius law. Furthermore, the relaxation behavior was verified by the dielectric spectrum and it can be ascribed to the charge carrier hopping between Fe2+ and Fe3+.
Room-temperature ferromagnetism in hydrogenated ZnO nanoparticles
Authors: Xue Xudong , Liu Liangliang , Wang Zhu , Wu Yichu
Published: January 2014

The effect of hydrogen doping on the magnetic properties of ZnO nanoparticles was investigated. Hydrogen was incorporated by annealing under 5% H2 in Ar ambient at 700 °C. Room-temperature ferromagnetism was induced in hydrogenated ZnO nanoparticles, and the observed ferromagnetism could be switched between “on” and “off” states through hydrogen annealing and oxygen annealing process, respectively. It was found that Zn vacancy and OH bonding complex (VZn + OH) was crucial to the observed ferromagnetism by using the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and positron annihilation spectroscopy analysis. Based on first-principles calculations, VZn + OH was favorable to be presented due to the low formation energy. Meanwhile, this configuration could lead to a magnetic moment of 0.57 μB. The Raman and photoluminescence measurements excluded the possibility of oxygen vacancy as the origin of the ferromagnetism.
The effect of Au and Ni doping on the heavy fermion state of the Kondo lattice antiferromagnet CePtZn
Authors: Dhar S. K. , Aoki Y. , Suemitsu B. , Miyazaki R. , Provino A. , Manfrinetti P.
Published: January 2014

We have probed the effect of doping CePtZn with Au and Ni and also investigated in detail the magnetic behavior of the iso-structural CeAuZn. A magnetic ground state is observed in both CePt0.9Au0.1Zn and CePt0.9Ni0.1Zn with TN = 2.1 and 1.1 K and the coefficient of the linear term of electronic heat capacity γ = 0.34 and 0.9 J/mol K2, respectively. The corresponding values for CePtZn are 1.7 K and 0.6 J/mol K2. The altered values of TN and γ show that the electronic correlations in CePtZn are affected by doping with Au and Ni. CeAuZn orders magnetically near 1.7 K and its electrical resistivity shows a normal metallic behavior. Together with a γ of 0.022 J/mol K2 the data indicate a weak 4f-conduction electron hybridization in CeAuZn characteristic of normal trivalent cerium based systems.
Mutual control of magnetization and electrical polarization by electric and magnetic fields at room temperature in Y-type BaSrCo2−xZnxFe11AlO22 ceramics
Authors: Hirose Sakyo , Haruki Kohei , Ando Akira , Kimura Tsuyoshi
Published: January 2014

Magnetoelectric (ME) properties were investigated for BaSrCo2−xZnxFe11AlO22 ceramics with the Y-type hexaferrite structure. This system exhibits a magnetic ordering above room temperature (RT) and high electrical resistivity exceeding 500 MΩ·cm by annealing under 10 atm O2. It is found that the samples with x ≤ 0.4 exhibit the robust ME effect with a reversal of electrical polarization induced by a low magnetic field at RT. Moreover, the electric-field-induced magnetization switching is also observed at RT. These results clearly demonstrate the mutual control of magnetization and electrical polarization at RT in the Y-type hexaferrite system.
Analysis of muon radiography of the Toshiba nuclear critical assembly reactor
Authors: Morris C. L. , Bacon Jeffery , Ban Yuichiro , Borozdin Konstantin , Fabritius J. M. , Izumi Mikio , Miyadera Haruo , Mizokami Shinya , Otsuka Yasuyuki , Perry John , Ramsey John , Sano Yuji , Sugita Tsukasa , Yamada Daichi , Yoshida Noriyuki , Yoshioka Kenichi
Published: January 2014

A 1.2 × 1.2 m2 muon tracker was moved from Los Alamos to the Toshiba facility at Kawasaki, Japan, where it was used to take ∼4 weeks of data radiographing the Toshiba Critical Assembly Reactor with cosmic ray muons. In this paper, we describe the analysis procedure, show results of this experiment, and compare the results to Monte Carlo predictions. The results validate the concept of using cosmic rays to image the damaged cores of the Fukushima Daiichi reactors.
Above-bandgap optical properties of biaxially strained GeSn alloys grown by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Richard D’Costa Vijay , Wang Wei , Zhou Qian , Soon Tok Eng , Yeo Yee-Chia
Published: January 2014

The complex dielectric function of biaxially strained Ge1−xSnx (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.17) alloys grown on Ge (100) has been determined by spectroscopic ellipsometry from 1.2 to 4.7 eV. The effect of substitutional Sn incorporation and the epitaxial strain on the energy transitions E1, E1 + Δ1, E0′, and E2 of GeSn alloys is investigated. Our results indicate that the strained GeSn alloys show Ge-like electronic bandstructure with all the transitions shifted downward due to the alloying of Sn. The strain dependence of E1 and E1 + Δ1 transitions is explained using the deformation potential theory, and values of −5.4 ± 0.4 eV and 3.8 ± 0.5 eV are obtained for the hydrostatic and shear deformation potentials, respectively.
Tunnel magnetoresistance effect in magnetic tunnel junctions using Fermi-level-tuned epitaxial Fe2Cr1−xCoxSi Heusler alloy
Authors: Wang Yu-Pu , Han Gu-Chang , Lu Hui , Qiu Jinjun , Yap Qi-Jia , Teo Kie-Leong
Published: January 2014

This paper reports a systematic investigation on the structural and magnetic properties of Fe2Cr1−xCoxSi Heusler alloys with various compositions of x by co-sputtering Fe2CrSi and Fe2CoSi targets and their applications in magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs). Fe2Cr1−xCoxSi films of high crystalline quality have been epitaxially grown on MgO substrate using Cr as a buffer layer. The L21 phase can be obtained at x = 0.3 and 0.5, while B2 phase for the rest compositions. A tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) ratio of 19.3% at room temperature is achieved for MTJs using Fe2Cr0.3Co0.7Si as the bottom electrode with 350 °C post-annealing. This suggests that the Fermi level in Fe2Cr1−xCoxSi has been successfully tuned close to the center of band gap of minority spin with x = 0.7 and therefore better thermal stability and higher spin polarization are achieved in Fe2Cr0.3Co0.7Si. The post-annealing effect for MTJs is also studied in details. The removal of the oxidized Fe2Cr0.3Co0.7Si at the interface with MgO barrier is found to be the key to improve the TMR ratio. When the thickness of the inserted Mg layer increases from 0.3 to 0.4 nm, the TMR ratio is greatly enhanced from 19.3% to 28%.
Inhibition of master transcription factors in pluripotent cells induces early stage differentiation
Authors: De Debojyoti , Jeong Myong-Ho , Leem Young-Eun , Svergun Dmitri I. , Wemmer David E. , Kang Jong-Sun , Kim Kyeong Kyu , Kim Sung-Hou
Published: January 2014

Significance

Though the potential of stem cells to differentiate into diverse specialized cell types has given much hope to the field of regenerative medicine, low efficiency of commitment is still a major obstacle to practical application. We hypothesized that initial differentiation can be enhanced if the transcriptional activity of core stemness regulators is suppressed. By taking advantage of a sex determining region Y-box 2 (Sox2) interacting protein from heterologous origin, we proved that the inhibition of transcriptional activity of Sox2 resulted in the expression of early differentiation markers and appearance of early neuronal and cardiac progenitors. This strategy can possibly be applied to induce efficient differentiation of stem cells and provide a clue to understanding the mechanism of early differentiation.
Prevalence of Rectal Colonization with Multidrug-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae among International Patients Hospitalized at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
Authors: Vasoo Shawn , Madigan Theresa , Cunningham Scott A. , Mandrekar Jayawant N. , Porter Stephen B. , Johnston Brian , Sampathkumar Priya , Tosh Pritish K. , Johnson James R. , Patel Robin , Banerjee Ritu
Published: January 2014

Rectal colonization with multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae was found in 23 of 94 consecutively enrolled international patients hospitalized at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. No carbapenemase producers were detected. Twenty-one isolates were extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli. Colonization was associated with gastrointestinal disease and central venous catheter placement within the antecedent year.
An 𝐿(1/3) algorithm for ideal class group and regulator computation in certain number fields
Authors: Biasse Jean-François
Published: January 2014

We analyze the complexity of the computation of the class group structure, regulator, and a system of fundamental units of an order in a certain class of number fields. Our approach differs from Buchmann’s, who proved a complexity bound under the generalized Riemann hypothesis of

L
(
1

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2
,
O
(
1
)
)

L(1/2,O(1))

when the discriminant tends to infinity with fixed degree. We achieve a heuristic subexponential complexity in

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(
L
(
1

/

3
,
O
(
1
)
)
)

O(L(1/3,O(1)))

under the generalized Riemann hypothesis when both the discriminant and the degree of the extension tend to infinity by using techniques due to Enge, Gaudry and Thomé in the context of algebraic curves over finite fields. We also address rigorously the problem of the precision of the computation of the regulator.
Are the Laurentian Great Lakes great enough for Hjort?
Authors: Janssen John , Marsden J. Ellen , Hrabik Thomas R. , Stockwell Jason D.
Published: January 2014

Hjort's insights on marine fish recruitment and larval fish advection are presumed not applicable to freshwater lakes because most freshwater lakes are small. The Laurentian Great Lakes (LGL), however, are large enough for certain oceanic-type hydrodynamics, such as strong currents and upwelling, to affect the distribution and survival of larval fish and thus fall under Hjort's purview. However, there are evolutionary constraints because LGL species underwent an evolutionary bottleneck during glaciation, ∼10 000 years BP. We consider three narratives pertinent to both the spatial scale and the evolutionary time-scale of the LGL. The first reviews recent evidence of offshore advection and subsequent cross-lake dispersal of larval and juvenile yellow perch, a coastal demersal species in Lake Michigan. The second narrative suggests that biotic interactions, rather than spatial scale itself, could account for the transition in the critical period of Lake Michigan yellow perch period from a juvenile to a larval critical period. In the third narrative, we consider whether the deep LGL lack a significant native pelagic larval fish predator. We propose that the LGL, in combination with the older World's Great Lakes, present an opportunity to explore evolution and adaptation of fish to oceanic type physical conditions.
Some explorations of the life history ratios to describe length composition, spawning-per-recruit, and the spawning potential ratio
Authors: Hordyk Adrian , Ono Kotaro , Sainsbury Keith , Loneragan Neil , Prince Jeremy
Published: January 2014

Evaluating the status of data-poor fish stocks is often limited by incomplete knowledge of the basic life history parameters: the natural mortality rate (M), the von Bertalanffy growth parameters (L∞ and k), and the length at maturity (Lm). A common approach to estimate these individual parameters has been to use the Beverton–Holt life history invariants, the ratios M/k and Lm/L∞, especially for estimating M. In this study, we assumed no knowledge of the individual parameters, and explored how the information on life history strategy contained in these ratios can be applied to assessing data-poor stocks. We developed analytical models to develop a relationship between M/k and the von Bertalanffy growth curve, and demonstrate the link between the life history ratios and yield- and spawning-per-recruit. We further developed the previously recognized relationship between M/k and yield- and spawning-per-recruit by using information on Lm/L∞, knife-edge selectivity (Lc/L∞), and the ratio of fishing to natural mortality (F/M), to demonstrate the link between an exploited stock's expected length composition, and its spawning potential ratio (SPR), an internationally recognized measurement of stock status. Variation in length-at-age and logistic selectivity patterns were incorporated in the model to demonstrate how SPR can be calculated from the observed size composition of the catch; an advance which has potential as a cost-effective method for assessing data-poor stocks. A companion paper investigates the effects of deviations in the main assumptions of the model on the application of the analytical models developed in this study as a cost-effective method for stock assessment [Hordyk, A. R., Ono, K., Valencia, S., Loneragan, N. R., and Prince, J. D. 2015. A novel length based empirical estimation method of spawning potential ratio (SPR), and tests of its performance, for small-scale, data-poor fisheries. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 72: 217–231].
Carboxylicivirga gen. nov. in the family Marinilabiliaceae with two novel species, Carboxylicivirga mesophila sp. nov. and Carboxylicivirga taeanensis sp. nov., and reclassification of Cytophaga fermentans as Saccharicrinis fermentans gen. nov., comb. nov.
Authors: Yang Sung-Hyun , Seo Hyun-Seok , Woo Jung-Hee , Oh Hyun-Myung , Jang Hani , Lee Jung-Hyun , Kim Sang-Jin , Kwon Kae Kyoung
Published: January 2014

Two facultatively anaerobic mesophilic bacteria, strains MEBiC 07026T and MEBiC 08903T, were isolated from two different tidal flat sediments and both strains showed approximately 92.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with
[Cytophaga] fermentans

DSM 9555T. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between the two new isolates was 97.5 % but levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between the two were 31.3–31.8 %. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the two isolates and
[Cytophaga] fermentans

DSM 9555T were affiliated with the family

Marinilabiliaceae

in the class

Bacteroidia

. The dominant fatty acids of strains MEBiC 07026T, MEBiC 08903T and
[Cytophaga] fermentans

DSM 9555T were branched-type or hydroxylated C15 : 0, but
[Cytophaga] fermentans

DSM 9555T contained a higher proportion of anteiso-branched fatty acids. The two new isolates contained a markedly higher proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids than other members of the family

Marinilabiliaceae

. The major respiratory quinone of the strains was MK-7. Strains MEBiC07026T and MEBiC08903T utilized a wide range of carboxylic acids whereas
[Cytophaga] fermentans

DSM 9555T utilized carbohydrates rather than carboxylic acids. The DNA G+C content of the novel strains was about 44 mol% but that of
[Cytophaga] fermentans

DSM 9555T revealed from the genome sequence was 37.6 mol%. Based on evidence from this polyphasic taxonomic study, a novel genus, Carboxylicivirga gen. nov., is proposed in the family

Marinilabiliaceae

with two novel species, Carboxylicivirga
mesophila sp. nov. with type strain MEBiC 07026T ( = KCCM 42978T = JCM 18290T) and Carboxylicivirga
taeanensis sp. nov. with type strain MEBiC 08903T ( = KCCM 43024T = JCM 19490T). Additionally,
[Cytophaga] fermentans

DSM 9555T ( = ATCC 19072T) is reclassified as Saccharicrinis fermentans gen. nov., comb. nov.
Streptomyces barkulensis sp. nov., isolated from an estuarine lake
Authors: Ray Lopamudra , Mishra Samir Ranjan , Panda Ananta Narayan , Rastogi Gurdeep , Pattanaik Ajit Kumar , Adhya Tapan Kumar , Suar Mrutyunjay , Raina Vishakha
Published: January 2014

The taxonomic position of a novel actinomycete, strain RC 1831T, isolated from the sediment of a fish dumping yard at Barkul village near Chilika Lake, Odisha, India, was determined by a polyphasic approach. Based on morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics the isolate was determined to belong to the genus

Streptomyces

. The phylogenetic tree based on its nearly complete 16S rRNA gene sequence (1428 nt) with representative strains showed that the strain consistently falls into a distinct phyletic line together with

Streptomyces glaucosporus

DSM 41689T (98.22 % similarity) and a subclade consisting of

Streptomyces atacamensis

DSM 42065T (98.40 %),

Streptomyces radiopugnans

R97 DSM 41901T (98.27 %),

Streptomyces fenghuangensis

GIMN4.003T (98.33 %),

Streptomyces nanhaiensis

DSM 41926T (98.13 %),

Streptomyces megasporus

NBRC 14749T (97.37 %) and

Streptomyces macrosporus

NBRC 14748T (98.22 %). However, the levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain RC 1831T and phylogenetically related strains

Streptomyces atacamensis

DSM 42065T (28.75±3.25 %) and

Streptomyces glaucosporus

DSM 41689T (15±2.40 %) were significantly lower than the 70 % threshold value for delineation of genomic species. Furthermore, the isolate could be distinguished phenotypically on the basis of physiological, morphological and biochemical differences from its closest phylogenetic neighbours and other related reference strains. Strain RC 1831T is therefore considered to represent a novel species of the genus

Streptomyces

, for which the name Streptomyces barkulensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RC 1831T ( = JCM 18754T = DSM 42082T).
Crenotalea thermophila gen. nov., sp. nov., a member of the family Chitinophagaceae isolated from a hot spring
Authors: Hanada Satoshi , Tamaki Hideyuki , Nakamura Kazunori , Kamagata Yoichi
Published: January 2014

A thermophilic aerobic bacterium designated strain STH-1-Y1T was isolated from sulfur-turf in a Japanese hot spring (Okuhodaka hot spring, Gifu Pref.). Colonies of strain STH-1-Y1T were yellow and low convex morphology with a slightly irregular fringe. Cells were slender long rods, 0.4–0.6 µm wide and 1.2–3.0 µm long. The isolate was an obligate aerophilic organism, and could not grow by fermentation or nitrate respiration. The isolate had a thermophilic trait, and could grow at 35–60 °C and pH 5.5–7.5; maximum growth occurred at 55 °C and pH 7.0 with a doubling time of 1.9 h. The Biolog and API tests suggested that strain STH-1-Y1T was able to use various sugars such as glucose, lactose, mannose, maltose, trehalose, cellobiose and sucrose, but could not use sugar alcohols other than glycerol, i.e. adonitol, arabitol, erythritol, inositol, mannitol, sorbitol and xylitol. Lactate and glutamate could be used, but other fatty acids, i.e. acetate, citrate, propionate and succinate could not. Gelatin, casein, starch and glycogen were hydrolysed, but neither chitin nor agar was degraded. Cells lacked flexirubin and showed oxidase and catalase activities. The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7 (MK-7), and major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, iso-C17 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. No unsaturated fatty acids were detected. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain STH-1-Y1T was closely related to the family

Chitinophagaceae

within the phylum

Bacteroidetes

. However, the isolate was evenly distant from all members in this family with sequence similarities of 87–89 %. These significantly low sequence similarities strongly suggested that strain STH-1-Y1T represents a novel species in a new genus of the family

Chitinophagaceae

within the phylum

Bacteroidetes

. Based on phenotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, the name Crenotalea thermophila gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is STH-1-Y1T ( = JCM 11541T = DSM 14807T).
Reclassification of rhizosphere bacteria including strains causing corky root of lettuce and proposal of Rhizorhapis suberifaciens gen. nov., comb. nov., Sphingobium
mellinum sp. nov., Sphingobium
xanthum sp. nov. and Rhizorhabdus argentea gen. nov., sp. nov.
Authors: Francis Isolde M. , Jochimsen Kenneth N. , De Vos Paul , van Bruggen Ariena H. C.
Published: January 2014

The genus Rhizorhapis gen. nov. (to replace the illegitimate genus name

Rhizomonas

) is proposed for strains of Gram-negative bacteria causing corky root of lettuce, a widespread and important lettuce disease worldwide. Only one species of the genus

Rhizomonas

was described,

Rhizomonas suberifaciens

, which was subsequently reclassified as

Sphingomonas suberifaciens

based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and the presence of sphingoglycolipid in the cell envelope. However, the genus

Sphingomonas

is so diverse that further reclassification was deemed necessary. Twenty new Rhizorhapis gen. nov.- and

Sphingomonas

-like isolates were obtained from lettuce or sow thistle roots, or from soil using lettuce seedlings as bait. These and previously reported isolates were characterized in a polyphasic study including 16S rRNA gene sequencing, DNA–DNA hybridization, DNA G+C content, whole-cell fatty acid composition, morphology, substrate oxidation, temperature and pH sensitivity, and pathogenicity to lettuce. The isolates causing lettuce corky root belonged to the genera Rhizorhapis gen. nov.,

Sphingobium

,

Sphingopyxis

and Rhizorhabdus gen. nov. More specifically, we propose to reclassify

Rhizomonas suberifaciens

as Rhizorhapis suberifaciens gen. nov., comb. nov. (type strain, CA1T = LMG 17323T = ATCC 49355T), and also propose the novel species Sphingobium xanthum sp. nov., Sphingobium mellinum sp. nov. and Rhizorhabdus argentea gen. nov., sp. nov. with the type strains NL9T ( = LMG 12560T = ATCC 51296T), WI4T ( = LMG 11032T = ATCC 51292T) and SP1T ( = LMG 12581T = ATCC 51289T), respectively. Several strains isolated from lettuce roots belonged to the genus

Sphingomonas

, but none of them were pathogenic.
Description of Pelistega indica sp. nov., isolated from human gut
Authors: Prakash Om , Munot Hitendra , Nimonkar Yogesh , Sharma Madhu , Kumbhare Shreyas , Shouche Yogesh S.
Published: January 2014

A Gram-stain-negative, motile, non-spore-forming, coccoid bacterium was isolated from a stool sample of a healthy human subject and formed cream colour colonies on tryptic soy agar. Almost full-length (1500 bp) small subunit rRNA (16S rRNA) gene sequences were generated and a similarity search was conducted by blast. The results of the similarity search indicated that the bacterium belongs to the class
Betaproteobacteria
, family

Alcaligenaceae

. It showed maximum sequence similarity (96.5 %) with

Pelistega europaea

CCUG 39967T followed by

Advenella mimigardefordensis

DSM 17166T (96.1 %) and

Taylorella asinigenitalis

LMG 19572T (95.3 %). The DNA G+C content of strain HM-7T was 42 mol%. Strain HM-7T contained C14 : 0, C16 : 0, C16 : 0 3-OH and C18 : 0 as the dominant fatty acids. Morphological, physiological and biochemical data also indicated that strain HM-7T represents a member of the genus

Pelistega

, but at the same time distinguished it from

Pelistega europaea

CCUG 39967T, the only species of the genus with a validly published name. Based on polyphasic characterization we conclude that the bacterium represents a novel species of the genus

Pelistega

and propose the name Pelistega indica sp. nov., with strain HM-7T ( = MCC 2185T = DSM 27484T) as the type strain of the species.
Activity-dependent changes in MAPK activation in the Angelman Syndrome mouse model
Authors: Filonova Irina , Trotter Justin H. , Banko Jessica L. , Weeber Edwin J.
Published: January 2014

Angelman Syndrome (AS) is a devastating neurological disorder caused by disruption of the maternalUBE3Agene. Ube3a protein is identified as an E3 ubiquitin ligase that shows neuron-specific imprinting. Despite extensive research evaluating the localization and basal expression profiles of Ube3a in mouse models, the molecular mechanisms whereby Ube3a deficiency results in AS are enigmatic. Using in vitro and in vivo systems we show dramatic changes in the expression of Ube3a following synaptic activation. In primary neuronal culture, neuronal depolarization was found to increase both nuclear and cytoplasmic Ube3a levels. Analogous up-regulation in maternal and paternal Ube3a expression was observed in Ube3a-YFP reporter mice following fear conditioning. Absence of Ube3a led to deficits in the activity-dependent increases in ERK1/2 phosphorylation, which may contribute to reported deficits in synaptic plasticity and cognitive function in AS mice. Taken together, our findings provide novel insight into the regulation of Ube3a by synaptic activity and its potential role in kinase regulation.