Review of foundational concepts and emerging directions in metamaterial research: Design, phenomena, and applications

In the past two decades, artificial structures known as metamaterials have been found to exhibit extraordinary material properties that enable the unprecedented manipulation of electromagnetic waves, elastic waves, molecules, and particles. Phenomena such as negative refraction, bandgaps, near perfect wave absorption, wave focusing, negative Poissons ratio, negative thermal conductivity, etc., all are possible with these materials. Metamaterials were originally theorized and fabricated in electrodynamics, but research into their applications has expanded into acoustics, thermodynamics, seismology, classical mechanics, and mass transport. In this Research Update we summarize the history, current state of progress, and emerging directions of metamaterials by field, focusing the unifying principles at the foundation of each discipline. We discuss the different designs and mechanisms behind metamaterials as well as the governing equations and effective material parameters for each field. Also, current and potential applications for metamaterials are discussed. Finally, we provide an outlook on future progress in the emerging field of metamaterials.Comment: 22 pages, 3 figures, 1 tabl

Lean meat yield estimation using a prototype 3D imaging approach.

Lean Meat Yield (LMY, %) of carcass is an important industry trait, which currently is not routinely measured in Australian beef abattoirs. Objective on-line technology to determine LMY is key for wider adoption. This paper presents a proof-of-concept approach for estimating the LMY of beef carcasses from the 3D information provided by RGB-D cameras. Moreover, a specifically designed on-line data acquisition system for abattoir applications is presented, consisting of three cameras moving on a scanning rig to generate 3D carcass side reconstructions. The hindquarter is then segmented consistently across all the 3D models to extract curvature information and LMY estimated via non-linear regression based on Gaussian Process models. Sides from 119 carcasses at two different commercial abattoirs were used to evaluate this approach. Results from this preliminary study (RMSE = 3.91%, R2 = 0.69) using curvature, P8 fat and HSCW indicate that 3D imaging of beef carcasses is a viable and relatively accurate technology to estimate LMY

Genome of Diaporthe sp. provides insights into the potential inter-phylum transfer of a fungal sesquiterpenoid biosynthetic pathway.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-22T09:28:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Genome.pdf: 1649894 bytes, checksum: 15ed2d80128563978cbd38ead7301c5c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-0

On the discovery of genes involved in metabolism-based resistance to herbicides using RNA-Seq transcriptome analysis in Lolium rigidum

Weed control failures due to herbicide resistance are an increasing and worldwide problem significantly impacting crop yields. Herbicide resistance due to increased herbicide metabolism in weeds is not well characterized at the genetic level. An RNA-Seq transcriptome analysis was used to identify genes conferring metabolism-based herbicide resistance (MBHR) in a population (R) of a major global weed (Lolium rigidum), in which resistance to the herbicide diclofop-methyl was experimentally evolved through recurrent selection from a susceptible (S) progenitor population. A reference transcriptome of 19,623 contigs was assembled using 454 sequencing technology on a cDNA library and annotated using UniProt and Pfam databases. Transcriptomic-level gene expression was measured using Illumina 100 bp reads from untreated control, mock, and diclofop-methyl treatments of R and S. Due to the established importance of cytochrome P450 (CytP450), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and glucosyltransferase (GT) genes in MBHR, 11 contigs with these annotations and higher constitutive expression in untreated R than in untreated S were selected as candidate genes for hypothesis testing, along with 17 additional differentially expressed contigs with annotations related to metabolism or signal transduction. In a forward genetics validation experiment, higher constitutive expression of nine contigs co-segregated with the resistance phenotype in an F2 population, including 3 CytP450, 3 GST, and 1 GT. At least nine genes with heritable increased constitutive expression are associated with MBHR trait. In a physiological validation experiment where 2, 4-D pre-treatment induced diclofop-methyl protection in S individuals due to increased metabolism, seven of the nine genetically-validated contigs were significantly induced. These data help explain accumulation of resistance-endowing genes and rapid evolution of MBHR, and provide the opportunity to improve diagnostics of MBHR using molecular tools such as transcriptional markers. Keywords: 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), diclofop-methyl, evolution, herbicide metabolism, herbicide resistance, next-generation sequencing, transcriptional markers Zur Entdeckung der beteiligten Gene an der metabolischen Herbizidresistenz in Lolium rigidum durch RNA-Seq Transkriptom Analyse. Zusammenfassung Herbizidresistenz ist weltweit ein zunehmendes Problem in der Landwirtschaft, vor allem der enzymatische Abbau von Wirkstoffen bzw. die metabolische Herbizidresistenz (MBHR) ist bislang noch weitgehend unbekannt, besonders auf genetischer Ebene. Um die an einer MBHR beteiligten Gene zu identifizieren wurde das Transkriptom von Herbizid-resistenten und sensitiven Weidelgräsern (Lolium rigidum) in einem RNA-Seq-Ansatz verglichen. Die verwendete Diclofop-Methyl herbizidresistente Population wurde experimentell aus einer sensitiven Population rekurrent selektiert. Ein 19623 Contig umfassendes Referenztranskriptom wurde aus einer cDNA Bibliothek der resistenten Pflanzen durch 454 Sequenzierung erstellt und mit Hilfe von UniProt und Pfam annotiert. Mit 100 bp Illumina-Reads wurde die Genexpression in unbehandelten, mit Blindformulierung und mit formuliertem Herbizid Diclofop-methyl behandelten resistenten und sensitiven Pflanzen untersucht. Es ist bekannt, dass Cytochrom P450 (CytP450), Glutathion-S-transferasen (GST) oder Glycosyltransferasen (GT) eine wichtige Rolle in der MBHR spielen. Elf Contigs, die als solche annotiert und in unbehandelten resistenten Pflanzen konstitutiv höher exprimiert sind als in Sensitiven, wurden als Kandidatengene ausgewählt und getestet. Zusätzlich wurden 17 weitere Contigs untersucht, die zwischen resistenten und sensitiven Pflanzen unterschiedlich exprimiert und durch ihre Annotation in Metabolismus oder Signaltransduktion eingebunden sind. Eine höhere konstitutive Expression konnte in neun selektierten Contigs (u.a. 3 CytP450, 3 GST, 1 GT) auch in der F2 Generation bestätigt werden, cosegregierend mit den resistenten Phänotypen. Daher ist die Expression von mindestens neun Genen mit metabolischer Diclofop-methyl Herbizidresistenz gekoppelt und vererbbar. Eine Vorbehandlung sensitiver Weidelgras-Pflanzen mit 2,4-D induziert metabolische Resistenz gegenüber dem ACCase Inhibitor Diclofop-methyl. Dies wurde verwendet, um die Expression der 28 selektierten Contigs zusätzlich physiologisch zu validieren. Sieben der neun zuvor beschriebenen Contigs sind in der physiologischen Validierung auch in sensitiven Pflanzen durch 2, 4-D induziert. Diese Ergebnisse bieten neue Diagnosemöglichkeiten und verdeutlichen den Zusammenhang zwischen einer vererbbaren Expressionsregulierung von Resistenz vermittelnden Genen und der schnellen Entwicklung von MBHR. Stichwörter: 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyessig Säure (2, 4-D), Diclofop-Methyl, Evolution, Herbizidmetabolisierung, Herbizidresistenz, Next-Generation Sequenzierung, transkriptionelle Marker, Transkriptomi

CO2 Utilization and Storage in Shale Gas Reservoirs: Experimental Results and Economic Impacts

AbstractNatural gas is considered a cleaner and lower-emission fuel than coal, and its high abundance from advanced drilling techniques has positioned natural gas as a major alternative energy source for the U.S. However, each ton of CO2 emitted from any type of fossil fuel combustion will continue to increase global atmospheric concentrations. One unique approach to reducing anthropogenic CO2 emissions involves coupling CO2 based enhanced gas recovery (EGR) operations in depleted shale gas reservoirs with long-term CO2 storage operations. In this paper, we report unique findings about the interactions between important shale minerals and sorbing gases (CH4 and CO2) and associated economic consequences. Where enhanced condensation of CO2 followed by desorption on clay surface is observed under supercritical conditions, a linear sorption profile emerges for CH4. Volumetric changes to montmorillonites occur during exposure to CO2. Theory-based simulations identify interactions with interlayer cations as energetically favorable for CO2 intercalation. In contrast, experimental evidence suggests CH4 does not occupy the interlayer and has only the propensity for surface adsorption. Mixed CH4:CO2 gas systems, where CH4 concentrations prevail, indicate preferential CO2 sorption as determined by in situ infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques. Collectively, these laboratory studies combined with a cost-based economic analysis provide a basis for identifying favorable CO2-EOR opportunities in previously fractured shale gas reservoirs approaching final stages of primary gas production. Moreover, utilization of site-specific laboratory measurements in reservoir simulators provides insight into optimum injection strategies for maximizing CH4/CO2 exchange rates to obtain peak natural gas production

The human renal lymphatics under normal and pathological conditions

Ishikawa Y, Akasaka Y, Kiguchi H, Akishima-Fukasawa Y, Hasegawa T, Ito K, Kimura-Matsumoto M, Ishiguro S, Morita H, Sato S, Soh S & Ishii T (2006) Histopathology 49, 265–273 The human renal lymphatics under normal and pathological conditions AIMS: The renal lymphatics have not been fully documented in humans. The aim of this study was to clarify the morphology of the human renal lymphatic system under normal and pathological conditions by immunohistochemistry using anti-D2-40 antibody. METHODS AND RESULTS: Normal and pathological renal tissues obtained at autopsy as well as nephrectomy specimens with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were used. Thin sections were immunostained with antibodies against D2-40 and CD31. In normal kidney, D2-40+ lymphatics were abundant in the interstitium around the interlobar and arcuate arteries/veins but sporadic in those around the glomeruli or between the tubules in the cortex. A few lymphatics contained erythrocytes in their lumina. Lymphatics were seldom present in the medulla. In RCC cases, lymphatics were evident at the tumour margin, whereas CD31+ capillaries were abundant throughout the tumour and lymphatics were increased in the fibrous interstitium around the tumour. Lymphatic invasion by RCC cells was also detectable. D2-40+ lymphatics were evident in other pathological conditions and end-stage kidney had a denser lymphatic distribution than normal kidney. CONCLUSIONS: Lymphatics are abundant around the arteries/veins and are also present in the renal cortex and medulla. D2-40 immunostaining is helpful for investigating the pathophysiological role of renal lymphatics

Selective Uncoupling of Individual Mitochondria within a Cell Using a Mitochondria-Targeted Photoactivated Protonophore

Depolarization of an individual mitochondrion or small clusters of mitochondria within cells has been achieved using a photoactivatable probe. The probe is targeted to the matrix of the mitochondrion by an alkyltriphenylphosphonium lipophilic cation and releases the protonophore 2,4-dinitrophenol locally in predetermined regions in response to directed irradiation with UV light via a local photolysis system. This also provides a proof of principle for the general temporally and spatially controlled release of bioactive molecules, pharmacophores, or toxins to mitochondria with tissue, cell, or mitochondrion specificity

Longitudinal Proton Polarization in the Cooler

This research was sponsored by the National Science Foundation Grant NSF PHY-931478

The bacterial stressosome:a modular system that has been adapted to control secondary messenger signaling

SummaryThe stressosome complex regulates downstream effectors in response to environmental signals. In Bacillus subtilis, it activates the alternative sigma factor σB, leading to the upregulation of the general stress regulon. Herein, we characterize a stressosome-regulated biochemical pathway in Moorella thermoacetica. We show that the presumed sensor, MtR, and the scaffold, MtS, form a pseudo-icosahedral structure like that observed in B. subtilis. The N-terminal domain of MtR is structurally homologous to B. subtilis RsbR, despite low sequence identity. The affinity of the switch kinase, MtT, for MtS decreases following MtS phosphorylation and not because of structural reorganization. Dephosphorylation of MtS by the PP2C type phosphatase MtX permits the switch kinase to rebind the stressosome to reset the response. We also show that MtT regulates cyclic di-GMP biosynthesis through inhibition of a GG(D/E)EF-type diguanylate cyclase, demonstrating that secondary messenger levels are regulated by the stressosome