Phonon-Metamorphosis in Ferromagnetic Manganite Films: Probing the Evolution of an Inhomogeneous State

The analysis of phonon anomalies provides valuable information about the cooperative dynamics of lattice, spin and charge degrees of freedom. Significant is the anomalous temperature dependence of the external modes observed in La$_{2/3}$Sr$_{1/3}$MnO$_{3}$ (LSMO) films. The two external modes merge close to the ferromagnetic to paramagnetic transition at $T_C$ and, moreover, two new modes evolve in this temperature range with strong resonances at slightly higher frequencies. We propose that this observed phonon metamorphosis probes the inhomogeneous Jahn-Teller distortion, manifest on the temperature scale $T_C$. The analysis is based on the first observation of all eight phonon modes in the metallic phase of LSMO and on susceptibility measurements which identify a Griffiths-like phase.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Grasses as Biofactories: Scoping out the Opportunities

Key points 1. Plant biopharming is set to dominate commercial recombinant protein expression for specific proteins. 2. The choice of plant species depends on a multitude of factors and is determined on a caseby- case basis. 3. As a leaf based expression system grasses would have to compete predominantly with tobacco and alfalfa. 4. The grass-endophyte symbiosis offers a number of unique possibilities for biopharming

Grasses as Biofactories: Scoping out the Opportunities

Plant biopharming is set to dominate commercial recombinant protein expression for specific proteins. The choice of plant species depends on a multitude of factors and is determined on a case- by-case basis. As a leaf based expression system grasses would have to compete predominantly with tobacco and alfalfa. The grass-endophyte symbiosis offers a number of unique possibilities for biopharming

Polaronic excitations in CMR manganite films

In the colossal magnetoresistance manganites polarons have been proposed as the charge carrier state which localizes across the metal-insulator transition. The character of the polarons is still under debate. We present an assessment of measurements which identify polarons in the metallic state of La{2/3}Sr{1/3}MnO{3} (LSMO) and La{2/3}Ca{1/3}MnO{3} (LCMO) thin films. We focus on optical spectroscopy in these films which displays a pronounced resonance in the mid-infrared. The temperature dependent resonance has been previously assigned to polaron excitations. These polaronic resonances are qualitatively distinct in LSMO and LCMO and we discuss large and small polaron scenarios which have been proposed so far. There is evidence for a large polaron excitation in LSMO and small polarons in LCMO. These scenarios are examined with respect to further experimental probes, specifically charge carrier mobility (Hall-effect measurements) and high-temperature dc-resistivity.Comment: 16 pages, 10 figure

Outcome and quality of life after surgically treated ankle fractures in patients 65 years or older

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Despite high incidence of ankle fractures in the elderly, studies evaluating outcome and impact of quality of life in this age group specifically are sparse. The aim of this study was to evaluate outcome and quality of life 6 and 12 months after injury in patients 65 years or older who had been operated on due to an ankle fracture.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sixty patients 65 years or older were invited to participate in the study. 6 and 12 months after the injury a questionnaire including inquiry to participate, the Olerud-Molander Ankle Score (OMAS), Short-Form 36 (SF-36), Linear Analogue Scale (LAS), Self-rated Ankle Function and some supplementary questions was sent home to the patients. The supplementary questions concerned subjective experience of ankle instability, sporting and physical activity level before injury and recaptured activity level at follow-ups, need of walking aid before injury, state of living before injury and at follow-ups and co-morbidities. After the 12-month follow-up the patients were also called for a radiological examination.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Fifty patients (83%) answered the questionnaire at 6-month and 46 (77%) at the 12-month follow-up. Although, 45 (90%) fractures were low-energy trauma 44 (88%) were bi- or trimalleolar and post-operative reduction results were complete in 23 (46%) ankles. The median OMAS improved from 60 (Interquartile range (IQR) 36) at 6-month to 70 (IQR 35) at 12-month (p = 0.002), but at 12-month still sixty percent or more of the patients reported pain, swelling, problems when stair-climbing and reduced activities of daily life. Twenty (40%) rated their ankle function as 'good' or 'very good' at 6-month and 30 (60%) at 12-month. Forty-one (82%) were physically active before injury but still one year after only 18/41 had returned to their pre-injury physical activity level. According to SF-36 four dimensions differed from the age- and gender matched normative data of the Swedish population, 'physical function', 'role physical' and 'role emotional' were below norms at 6-month for women (p = 0.010, p = 0.024 and 0.031) and 'general health' was above norms at 12-month for men (p = 0.044).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>One year after surgically treated ankle fractures a majority of patients continue to have symptoms and reported functional limitations. However, SF-36 scores indicate that only females had functional status below the age- and gender matched normative data of the Swedish population.</p

Protoplast isolation from shoots of asparagus cultures

Experiments to maximize the isolation and purification of viable protoplasts from shoot cultures of asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) were conducted. Important factors for high yield of viable protoplasts included: the use of in vitro etiolated shoots as source material; 0.6 M glucose as an osmoticum in a modified KM medium; a combination of pectinase, cellulase, and hemicellulase, each at 1% (w/v) for enzymatic digestion of cell walls; and physical factors such as the volume of enzyme solution and speed of gyratory shaking. Protoplasts were purified by suspending digested etiolated shoot tissue in 0.6 M sucrose, overlaid with KMG medium and centrifugation at 650 g. The asparagus genotype had a marked influence on protoplast yield, with some genotypes yielding up to 18.4 x 10⁶ protoplasts/g fresh etiolated shoot tissue with 90% viability

Culture and regeneration of protoplasts from shoots of asparagus cultures

A reliable culture and regeneration protocol has been established for asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) protoplasts isolated from shoots of in vitro plants. Studies focused on factors to maximize plating efficiency, colony formation, and plant regeneration. The optimized protocol involved the culture of asparagus protoplasts embedded in agarose beads through a series of defined media. Etiolated shoot cultures were a superior source for protoplasts than green shoot cultures, and growing feeder cells were critical for high plating efficiency and colony formation. In the presence of growing asparagus feeder cells, asparagus protoplasts initiated cell divisions within 2 d of plating in agarose with plating efficiencies up to 20%. About 80% of the protoplasts initiating cell divisions developed into colonies of at least 25-30 cells, of which 25% initiated somatic embryos. Complete plants were regenerated from the embryos at a frequency over 20%. Overall, ca. 0.8% of the initially isolated protoplasts regenerated into complete plants with this protocol. Plants regenerated from protoplasts have been transferred to soil and maintained phenotypically normal morphology for over 2 yr. Chromosome counts confirmed the diploid status (2n=20) of plants regenerated by somatic embryogenesis

Virulence of the plant-associated endophytic fungus Lecanicillium muscarium to diamondback moth larvae

Plutella xylostella (diamondback moth) is a prominent pest of brassicas which is now resistant to most insecticides. Despite years of research, the range of available products used in biological control of diamondback moth is still somewhat limited. We isolated putative endophytic fungi from New Zealand cabbage plants to search for unique biological control agents of diamondback moth larvae. The larvae were fed leaf discs from commercially grown cabbage covered in spores from endophytic fungal isolates to test the insecticidal properties of these fungi. Twenty of the 52 fungal isolates tested failed to kill any diamondback moth larvae. However, three isolates of Lecanicillium muscarium induced mortality greater than 80%. While these isolates have potential for use in biological control applications, further research into propagation, formulation, and method, rate and timing of application is needed

Draft genome sequences of two New Zealand Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris isolates, ICMP 4013 and ICMP 21080

Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris is a necrotrophic bacterial pathogen of crucifers. We report here the draft genome sequences of isolates ICMP 4013 and ICMP 21080 from New Zealand. These sequences will facilitate the identification of race-specific factors in X. campestris pv. campestris