Genome reduction in the mosquito symbiont Asaia

Symbiosis is now recognized as a driving force in evolution, a role that finds its ultimate expression in the variety of associations bonding insects with microbial symbionts. These associations have contributed to the evolutionary success of insects, with the hosts acquiring the capacity to exploit novel ecological niches, and the symbionts passing from facultative associations to obligate, mutualistic symbioses. In bacterial symbiont of insects, the transition from the free-living life style to mutualistic symbiosis often resulted in a reduction in the genome size, with the generation of the smallest bacterial genomes thus far described. Here, we show that the process of genome reduction is still occurring in Asaia, a group of bacterial symbionts associated with a variety of insects. Indeed, comparative genomics of Asaia isolated from different mosquito species revealed a substantial genome size and gene content reduction in Asaia from Anopheles darlingi, a South-American malaria vector. We thus propose Asaia as a novel model to study genome reduction dynamics, within a single bacterial taxon, evolving in a common biological niche

Hybrid Catalysts Comprised of Graphene Modified with Rhodium-Based N-Heterocyclic Carbenes for Alkyne Hydrosilylation

Thermally partially reduced graphene oxide has been covalently modified with 3-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3-triazolium salts making use of the epoxy functionalities on the carbon nanomaterial. Characterization of the functionalized materials through adequate solid characterization techniques, particularly X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), allows one to follow the stepwise building up of the triazolium fragments on the graphene oxide attached to the wall via covalent C-N linkage. The hydroxyl-triazolium-functionalized materials have been used to prepare rhodium hybrid materials containing either alkoxo or triazolylidene molecular rhodium(I) complexes depending on the protection of the hydroxyl groups present in the material. Characterization of the heterogeneous systems, especially by means of XPS and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy, has evidenced the coordination sphere of the supported rhodium(I) complexes in both rhodium hybrid materials. The graphene-oxide-supported rhodium triazolylidene hybrid catalysts show excellent activity, comparable to that of the homogeneous [RhI(cod)(Triaz)] (Triaz = 1, 4-diphenyl-3-methyl-1, 2, 3-triazol-5-ylidene) catalyst, for the hydrosilylation of terminal and internal alkynes. In addition, these catalysts have shown good selectivity to the beta-(Z) vinylsilane isomers (for the not hindered terminal substrates) or syn-additions (for the internal substrates). In contrast to the rhodium(I)-alkoxo-based hybrid material, the silyl-protected rhodium(I)-triazolylidene-based hybrid catalyst can be reused in consecutive cycles without loss of activity maintaining the selectivity. The lack of leaching of active rhodium species demonstrates the strength of the C-N covalent bond of the triazolylidene linker to the graphitic wall

Noncommutative Quantum Mechanics and rotating frames

We study the effect of noncommutativity of space on the physics of a quantum interferometer located in a rotating disk in a gauge field background. To this end, we develop a path-integral approach which allows defining an effective action from which relevant physical quantities can be computed as in the usual commutative case. For the specific case of a constant magnetic field, we are able to compute, exactly, the noncommutative Lagrangian and the associated shift on the interference pattern for any value of $\theta$.Comment: 17 pages, presentation improved, references added. To appear in Physical Review

Giant Shapiro steps for two-dimensional Josephson-junction arrays with time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau dynamics

Two-dimensional Josephson junction arrays at zero temperature are investigated numerically within the resistively shunted junction (RSJ) model and the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau (TDGL) model with global conservation of current implemented through the fluctuating twist boundary condition (FTBC). Fractional giant Shapiro steps are found for {\em both} the RSJ and TDGL cases. This implies that the local current conservation, on which the RSJ model is based, can be relaxed to the TDGL dynamics with only global current conservation, without changing the sequence of Shapiro steps. However, when the maximum widths of the steps are compared for the two models some qualitative differences are found at higher frequencies. The critical current is also calculated and comparisons with earlier results are made. It is found that the FTBC is a more adequate boundary condition than the conventional uniform current injection method because it minimizes the influence of the boundary.Comment: 6 pages including 4 figures in two columns, final versio

Efficacy, safety and patient reported outcomes (PROS) in adult patients with atopic dermatitis treated with dupilumab at week-52 in usual clinical practice

P15 Background: Dupilumab, an anti-interleikin-4-receptor-a monoclonal antibody, is a new treatment for atopic dermatitis in adults. Objective: To evaluate – at week 52 – patient reported outcomes, satisfaction, efficacy and safety, with dupilumab in adult patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis refractory to the usual treatments previously performed under conditions of usual clinical practice. Methods: Twelve patients were enrolled. Patients from our hospital, under routine clinical practice, were treated with subcutaneous dupilumab 300 mg every 2 weeks. The outcomes were evaluated at baseline, week 4, 8, 12, 16, 28 , 40 and week 52. The variables evaluated were: itch, difficulty to sleep, previous stressful life events, severity (SCORAD), anxiety and depression symptoms (HADS), quality of life (DLQI, EQ5D3L), satisfaction, adherence to the treatment, efficacy and safety. Results: At week 52 significant improvement was observed in severity, itch, difficulty to sleep, anxiety and depression symptoms, and quality of life. Satisfaction with dupilumab compared to previous treatments was significantly higher in all aspects assessed. No significant dupilumab-induced laboratory abnormalities were noted, and adverse events were mild and transient. Conclusions: Dupilumab used under routine clinical practice for 52 weeks improved atopic dermatitis signs and symptoms, with a good safety profile and patient satisfaction

Galaxy rotation curves: the effect of j x B force

Using the Galaxy as an example, we study the effect of j x B force on the rotational curves of gas and plasma in galaxies. Acceptable model for the galactic magnetic field and plausible physical parameters are used to fit the flat rotational curve for gas and plasma based on the observed baryonic (visible) matter distribution and j x B force term in the static MHD equation of motion. We also study the effects of varied strength of the magnetic field, its pitch angle and length scale on the rotational curves. We show that j x B force does not play an important role on the plasma dynamics in the intermediate range of distances 6-12 kpc from the centre, whilst the effect is sizable for larger r (r > 15 kpc), where it is the most crucial.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astrophysics & Space Science (final printed version, typos in proofs corrected

Long range absorption in the scattering of 6He on 208Pb and 197Au at 27 MeV

Quasi-elastic scattering of 6He at E_lab=27 MeV from 197Au has been measured in the angular range of 6-72 degrees in the laboratory system employing LEDA and LAMP detection systems. These data, along with previously analysed data of 6He + 208Pb at the same energy, are analyzed using Optical Model calculations. The role of Coulomb dipole polarizability has been investigated. Large imaginary diffuseness parameters are required to fit the data. This result is an evidence for long range absorption mechanisms in 6He induced reactions.Comment: 10 pages, 10 figures, minor corrections. To appear in Nucl. Phys.

Superscaling predictions for neutrino-induced charged-current charged pion production at MiniBooNE

Superscaling approximation (SuSA) predictions to neutrino-induced charged-current charged pion production in the \Delta-resonance region are explored under MiniBooNE experimental conditions. The results obtained within SuSA for the flux-averaged double-differential cross sections of the \pi+ production for the \nu_\mu+CH_2 reaction as a function of the muon kinetic energy and of the scattering angle, the cross sections averaged over the angle, the total cross section for the \pi+ production, as well as CC1\pi+ to CCQE cross section ratio are compared with the corresponding MiniBooNE experimental data. The SuSA predictions are in good agreement with data on neutrino flux average cross-sections, but a somewhat different dependence on the neutrino energy is predicted than the one resulting from the experimental analysis.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in Physics Letters

Direct and sequential radiative three-body reaction rates at low temperatures

We investigate the low-temperature reaction rates for radiative capture processes of three particles. We compare direct and sequential capture mechanisms and rates using realistic phenomenological parametrizations of the corresponding photodissociation cross sections.Energy conservation prohibits sequential capture for energies smaller than that of the intermediate two-body structure. A finite width or a finite temperature allows this capture mechanism. We study generic effects of positions and widths of two- and three-body resonances for very low temperatures. We focus on nuclear reactions relevant for astrophysics, and we illustrate with realistic estimates for the $\alpha$-$\alpha$-$\alpha$ and $\alpha$-$\alpha$-$n$ radiative capture processes. The direct capture mechanism leads to reaction rates which for temperatures smaller than 0.1 GK can be several orders of magnitude larger than those of the NACRE compilation.Comment: To be published in European Physical Journal

Bosonic D-branes at finite temperature with an external field

Bosonic boundary states at finite temperature are constructed as solutions of boundary conditions at $T\neq 0$ for bosonic open strings with a constant gauge field $F_{ab}$ coupled to the boundary. The construction is done in the framework of thermo field dynamics where a thermal Bogoliubov transformation maps states and operators to finite temperature. Boundary states are given in terms of states from the direct product space between the Fock space of the closed string and another identical copy of it. By analogy with zero temperature, the boundary states heve the interpretation of $Dp$-brane at finite temperature. The boundary conditions admit two different solutions. The entropy of the closed string in a $Dp$-brane state is computed and analysed. It is interpreted as the entropy of the $Dp$-brane at finite temperature.Comment: 21 pages, Latex, revised version with minor corrections and references added, to be published in Phys. Rev.