Isolation of 39 polymorphic microsatellite loci and the development of a fluorescently labelled marker set for the Eurasian badger

We have isolated 78 microsatellite loci from the Eurasian badger (Meles meles). Of the 52 loci characterized, 39 were found to be polymorphic. A fluorescently labelled primer set was developed to enable individual-specific 17-locus genotypes to be obtained efficiently

These crystals will make your crystallographer happy

These crystals will make your crystallographer happ

Re-investigating the structures of [Cu(NO3)2(en)2] and [Cu(NO3)2(pn)2]: tales of twinning and a reversible phase change

Re-investigating the structures of [Cu(NO3)2(en)2] and [Cu(NO3)2(pn)2]: tales of twinning and a reversible phase chang

A new NiCe complex derived from ortho-vanillin: Structural characterization and luminescence properties

In this study, a new heteronuclear NiCe complex [NiL2Ce(NO3)2(OAc)(H2O)(X)]·1.25H2O (where L = ortovanillinato; X: H2O or CH3OH) was prepared and characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods. Molecular structure of the complex was further characterised by single crystal X-ray diffraction study. In the structure of the complex, there are two geometrical isomers with only water as coordinated solvent at the Ni(II) centre, and two others with part water and part methanol at this site. In the structure of the complex, a NiL2 moiety is bound to the Ce(III) ion via two phenolic and two methoxy oxygen atoms of two ligands L. The coordination sphere of the Ce(III) ion is completed by the coordination of oxygen atoms of two bidentate nitrate anions, an acetate which bridges the two metal ions, and a water ligand. Hirshfeld surface analysis was performed to investigate the intermolecular contacts and their percentage contributions within the crystal packing. The complex molecules are linked by hydrogen bond contacts. The complex shows an emission band at 656 nm when excited at 317 nm with large stokes shift. The complex exhibits a reversible redox potential at –0.36 V due to the cerium-based oxidation/reduction process

Synthesis and structural characterization of Zn2+, Cd2+ and Hg2+ complexes with tripyrrolidinophosphine chalcogenides

Authors are grateful to the Tunisian Ministry of High Education and Scientific Research for support [grant number: LR99ES14] and to the French Service for Cooperation and Cultural Action (SCAC) in Nouakchott, Mauritania for a scholarship to KE.Six new complexes of zinc(II), cadmium(II) and mercury(II) chlorides with tripyrrolidinophosphine chalcogenides of the types [MCl2(Pyrr3PE)2] (M = Zn, E = S (1) or E = Se (2); M = Cd, E = S (3) or E = Se (4)) and [{HgCl(Pyrr3PE)}2(µ-Cl)2] (E = S (5) or Se (6)) have been prepared in yields of 66-92% by reaction of the ligands with metal chloride in ethanol and characterized by 1H and 31P NMR, IR, elemental analysis, conductivity, and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The results show that the complexes are pseudo-tetrahedral containing coordinated chloride ions. Interestingly, the X-ray studies reveal that while the title ligands produce dinuclear complexes with Hg, their Cd and Zn complexes are mononuclear. The tetrahedral bond angles vary from 85.69(5)° to 126.25(4)° in dinuclear complexes 5 and 6 and from 93.51(3)° to 117.38(3)° in mononuclear species 2-4. The E = S bond lengths are in the range 1.999(9)-2.198(2) Å. The coordination properties of the title ligands are discussed and compared to those obtained for their bulkier counterparts.PostprintPeer reviewe

Implementing a small media intervention to increase colorectal cancer screening in primary care clinics

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers in the USA. In 2017, an estimated 135,420 people were diagnosed with CRC and 50,260 people died from CRC. Several screening modalities are recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), including annual stool tests that are usually completed at home and under-used compared with colonoscopy despite stated patient preferences for an alternative to colonoscopy. The Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends use of small media interventions (SMIs) to increase CRC screening and calls for a greater understanding of its independent impact on screening participation. This study tested whether a SMI increased the likelihood of participant return of a USPSTF recommended Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT). In total, 804 individuals participated in a two-group, prospective randomized controlled trial. Descriptive statistics with chi-square tests compared differences in participant characteristics and return rates. Multivariable log-binomial modeling estimated combined effects of patient characteristics with FIT return rates. No differences in return rates were observed overall or by participant characteristics other than the year of enrollment. A multivariable model controlling for all covariates, found gender, insurance type, and regular place for healthcare to be significantly associated with return rates. Receipt of the SMI did not independently increase overall return rates but it may have improved the ease of completing the FIT by some participants, particularly women, those with insurance, and those with a regular place for healthcare

The Neural Circuitry of Autism

Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder, characterized by deficits in social emotional, and language domains, as well as repetitive restrictive behaviors. The vast heterogeneity of the clinical and behavioral symptoms has made it rather difficult to delineate the neural circuitry affiliated with these domains of dysfunction. The current review aims at broadly outlining the latest research into the neurobiology and neural circuitry underlying the core domains of deficits in autism. We further discuss new avenues of research that can further our understanding of the dimensions of this complex disorder

γ -ray spectroscopy of astrophysically important states in Ca 39

Background: Nova explosions synthesize elements up to A≃40, and discrepancies exist between calculated and observed abundances of Ar and Ca created in the explosion. The K38(p,γ)Ca39 reaction rate has been shown to be influential on these isotopic abundances at the endpoint of nova nucleosynthesis. The energies of the three most important resonances, corresponding to Jπ=5/2+ excited states in the Ca39 nucleus above the proton separation threshold, are uncertain and one has been measured with conflicting values [Er=679(2) versus Er=701(2) keV] in previous experiments. Purpose: Reducing the uncertainties on the resonance energies would allow for a better understanding of the reaction rate. To improve these uncertainties, we searched for γ rays from the depopulation of the corresponding excited states in Ca39. Methods: We report a new measurement of these resonance energies via the observation of previously unobserved γ-ray transitions. These transitions were observed by studying the Ca40(3He,αγ)Ca39 reaction with Gammasphere ORRUBA Dual Detectors for Experimental Structure Studies (GODDESS). The updated resonance energies were then used to calculate the K38(p,γ)Ca39 reaction rate and assess its uncertainties. Results: In total, 23 new transitions were found, including three γ-ray transitions corresponding to the three Jπ=5/2+ states of astrophysical interest at energies of 6156.2(16), 6268.8(22), and 6470.8(19) keV. These correspond to resonance energies in the K38(p,γ)Ca39 reaction of 386(2), 498(2), and 701(2) keV. Conclusions: Updated K38(p,γ)Ca39 reaction rate calculations show a reduced upper limit at nova temperatures. However, the lower-than-previously-measured energy of the 498-keV resonance and uncertainty in its resonance strength increases the upper limit of the rate close to previous estimates at 0.4 GK

New γ -ray transitions observed in Ne 19 with implications for the O 15 (α,γ) Ne 19 reaction rate

The O15(α,γ)Ne19 reaction is responsible for breakout from the hot CNO cycle in type I x-ray bursts. Understanding the properties of resonances between Ex=4 and 5 MeV in Ne19 is crucial in the calculation of this reaction rate. The spins and parities of these states are well known, with the exception of the 4.14- and 4.20-MeV states, which have adopted spin-parities of 9/2- and 7/2-, respectively. γ-ray transitions from these states were studied using triton-γ-γ coincidences from the F19(He3,tγ)Ne19 reaction measured with the GODDESS (Gammasphere ORRUBA Dual Detectors for Experimental Structure Studies) at Argonne National Laboratory. The observed transitions from the 4.14- and 4.20-MeV states provide strong evidence that the Jπ values are actually 7/2- and 9/2-, respectively. These assignments are consistent with the values in the F19 mirror nucleus and in contrast to previously accepted assignments

Reaction rate for carbon burning in massive stars

Carbon burning is a critical phase for nucleosynthesis in massive stars. The conditions for igniting this burning stage, and the subsequent isotope composition of the resulting ashes, depend strongly on the reaction rate for C12+C12 fusion at very low energies. Results for the cross sections for this reaction are influenced by various backgrounds encountered in measurements at such energies. In this paper, we report on a new measurement of C12+C12 fusion cross sections where these backgrounds have been minimized. It is found that the astrophysical S factor exhibits a maximum around Ecm=3.5-4.0 MeV, which leads to a reduction of the previously predicted astrophysical reaction rate