41 research outputs found
Noncontact atomic force microscopy and density functional theory studies of the (2Ă2) reconstructions of the polar AlN(0001) surface
Combined experimental and theoretical studies permit us to determine new protocols for growing by molecular beam epitaxy the technologically interesting N-rich aluminum nitride (AlN) surfaces. This is achieved by dosing the precursor gases at unusually low rates. With the help of calculated structures by using density functional theory and Boltzmann distribution of the reconstructed cells, we proposed to assign the measured surface obtained with a growth rate of 10 nm/h to a (2Ă2) reconstructed surface involving one additional N atom per unit cell. These N-rich AlN surfaces could open new routes to dope AlN layers with important implications in high-power and temperature technological applications
Optimal and Anti-Predator Foraging in the Sand Bubbler Crab Scopimera inflata (Decapoda: Ocypodidae)
Leptonotus vincentae, a new pipefish species (Syngnathidae: Syngnathinae) from the south-west Atlantic Ocean near northern Patagonia
A new species of pipefish Leptonotus vincentae sp. nov. (Syngnathidae) is described on the basis of 12 specimens found in shallow waters (<2 m depth) of San Antonio Bay, Patagonia, Argentina, in the south-west Atlantic Ocean. The species is distinguished from congeners by the combination of: dorsal-fin rays 30â33, pectoral-fin rays 12â13, trunk rings 18â19, tail rings 43â46, subdorsal rings (2â4) + (5.5â8) = (8.5â10), head length 13â14% standard length, snout length 35â55% head length and snout depth 21â30% in snout length. Although this species has often been mistaken for Leptonotus blainvilleanus, most diagnostic characters of the two species differ. Both species are clearly distinguished by their snout length. L. blainvilleanus has a relatively longer snout than L. vincentae sp. nov. The new species is similar to a south-west Pacific species, Leptonotus elevatus. However, L. vincentae sp. nov. differs from this species in that it exhibits a lower number of dorsal-fin rays and a relatively longer head.Fil: Luzzatto, Diego. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Estalles, MarĂa Lourdes. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentina. Instituto de FormaciĂłn Docente y Continua San Antonio O; Argentin
Noncontact atomic force microscopy and density functional theory studies of the (2Ă2) reconstructions of the polar AlN(0001) surface
Combined experimental and theoretical studies permit us to determine new protocols for growing by molecular beam epitaxy the technologically interesting N-rich aluminum nitride (AlN) surfaces. This is achieved by dosing the precursor gases at unusually low rates. With the help of calculated structures by using density functional theory and Boltzmann distribution of the reconstructed cells, we proposed to assign the measured surface obtained with a growth rate of 10 nm/h to a (2Ă2) reconstructed surface involving one additional N atom per unit cell. These N-rich AlN surfaces could open new routes to dope AlN layers with important implications in high-power and temperature technological applications
Complex translocation disrupting TCF4 and altering TCF4 isoform expression segregates as mild autosomal dominant intellectual disability
Background:
Mutations of TCF4, which encodes a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, cause Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) via multiple genetic mechanisms. TCF4 is a complex locus expressing multiple transcripts by alternative splicing and use of multiple promoters. To address the relationship between mutation of these transcripts and phenotype, we report a three-generation family segregating mild intellectual disability with a chromosomal translocation disrupting TCF4.
Results:
Using whole genome sequencing, we detected a complex unbalanced karyotype disrupting TCF4 (46,XY,del(14)(q23.3q23.3)del(18)(q21.2q21.2)del(18)(q21.2q21.2)inv(18)(q21.2q21.2)t(14;18)(q23.3;q21.2)(14pterÂź14q23.3::18q21.2Âź18q21.2::18q21.1Âź18qter;18pterÂź18q21.2::14q23.3Âź14qter). Subsequent transcriptome sequencing, qRT-PCR and nCounter analyses revealed that cultured skin fibroblasts and peripheral blood had normal expression of genes along chromosomes 14 or 18 and no marked changes in expression of genes other than TCF4. Affected individuals had 12â33 fold higher mRNA levels of TCF4 than did unaffected controls or individuals with PTHS. Although the derivative chromosome generated a PLEKHG3-TCF4 fusion transcript, the increased levels of TCF4 mRNA arose from transcript variants originating distal to the translocation breakpoint, not from the fusion transcript.
Conclusions:
Although validation in additional patients is required, our findings suggest that the dysmorphic features and severe intellectual disability characteristic of PTHS are partially rescued by overexpression of those short TCF4 transcripts encoding a nuclear localization signal, a transcription activation domain, and the basic helix-loop-helix domain.Medicine, Faculty ofOther UBCNon UBCFamily Practice, Department ofMedical Genetics, Department ofPathology and Laboratory Medicine, Department ofReviewedFacult