Molecular Characterisation of a Novel and Highly Divergent Passerine Adenovirus 1

Wild birds harbour a large number of adenoviruses that remain uncharacterised with respect to their genomic organisation, diversity, and evolution within complex ecosystems. Here, we present the first complete genome sequence of an atadenovirus from a passerine bird that is tentatively named Passerine adenovirus 1 (PaAdV-1). The PaAdV-1 genome is 39,664 bp in length, which was the longest atadenovirus to be sequenced, to the best of our knowledge, and contained 42 putative genes. Its genome organisation was characteristic of the members of genus Atadenovirus; however, the novel PaAdV-1 genome was highly divergent and showed the highest sequence similarity with psittacine adenovirus-3 (55.58%). Importantly, PaAdV-1 complete genome was deemed to contain 17 predicted novel genes that were not present in any other adenoviruses sequenced to date, with several of these predicted novel genes encoding proteins that harbour transmembrane helices. Subsequent analysis of the novel PaAdV-1 genome positioned phylogenetically to a distinct sub-clade with all others sequenced atadenoviruses and did not show any obvious close evolutionary relationship. This study concluded that the PaAdV-1 complete genome described here is not closely related to any other adenovirus isolated from avian or other natural host species and that it should be considered a separate species

Identification of a lipolytic <em>Trichoderma</em> sp. and characterization of its extracellular lipase

Lipases are abundantly used in a wide range of industries. Currently, microbial lipases are the most popular source of industrial lipases, of which fungal lipases stand out due to their low cost of production, catalytic activity, and extracellular nature. The demand for lipases has kept researchers exploring new lipolytic fungi. However, the success of such studies lies in the optimization of the growth medium to maximize lipase secretion and the characterization of the enzyme to achieve its highest activity. Therefore, this research was undertaken to identify a lipolytic fungus that was isolated from soil, optimize its lipase secretion, and characterize it. Based on the results of the current study, the lipolytic fungus was identified as Trichoderma longibrachiatum. Its lipase secretion was maximal when it was cultured in a medium containing olive oil and ammonium sulfate as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively, at a pH of 7.0. Further, the Trichoderma lipase showed its highest activity at a pH of 6.0 and 40 °C. Moreover, preincubation of the lipase with Ca2+ increased its activity. The enzyme characterization revealed that the extracted Trichoderma lipase has industrially desirable properties. The research results showed that the lipolytic Trichoderma longibrachiatum could be focused on industrial applications

Interactive Content-Based Image Retrieval with Deep Neural Networks

Peer reviewe

Influence of reactive ion etching on the minority carrier lifetime in P-type Si

Quasi-steady-state photoconductance (QSSPC) and deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) were used to characterize the recombination properties of reactive ion etched p-type Si. The effective lifetime of the plasma-processed samples degraded after etching, with the densities of recombination centers increasing linearly with etch time, before reaching a plateau. Evidence is provided for the long-range (> 2 µm) migration of defects in the samples plasma-etched at room temperature. The relationship between rf power and lifetime degradation is also discussed. A defect with energy position at (0.31 ± 0.02) eV was detected by DLTS in RIE p-Si, whereas no defect level was measured in n-type Si. We demonstrate that this energy level could be used to adequately model the injection-dependence of the measured carrier lifetimes using the Shockley-Read-Hall model

Adenoviruses in Avian Hosts: Recent Discoveries Shed New Light on Adenovirus Diversity and Evolution

While adenoviruses cause infections in a wide range of vertebrates, members of the genus Atadenovirus, Siadenovirus, and Aviadenovirus predominantly infect avian hosts. Several recent studies on avian adenoviruses have encouraged us to re-visit previously proposed adenovirus evolutionary concepts. Complete genomes and partial DNA polymerase sequences of avian adenoviruses were extracted from NCBI and analysed using various software. Genomic analyses and constructed phylogenetic trees identified the atadenovirus origin from an Australian native passerine bird in contrast to the previously established reptilian origin. In addition, we demonstrated that the theories on higher AT content in atadenoviruses are no longer accurate and cannot be considered as a species demarcation criterion for the genus Atadenovirus. Phylogenetic reconstruction further emphasised the need to reconsider siadenovirus origin, and we recommend extended studies on avian adenoviruses in wild birds to provide finer evolutionary resolution

Main group tellurium heterocycles anchored by a P2VN2 scaffold and their sulfur/selenium analogues

The authors are grateful to the EPSRC, the EPSRC National Mass Spectrometry Service Centre (NMSSC) Swansea, the School of Chemistry St. Andrews, EaStCHEM, and NSERC Canada for financial support.A comprehensive investigation of reactions of alkali-metal derivatives of the ditelluro dianion [TePV(NtBu)(μ-NtBu)]22– (L2–, E = Te) with p-block element halides produced a series of novel heterocycles incorporating P2VN2 rings, tellurium, and group 13–16 elements. The dianion engages in Te,Te′-chelation to the metal center in Ph2Ge and R2Sn (R = tBu, nBu, Ph) derivatives; similar behavior was noted for group 14 derivatives of L2– (E = S, Se). In the case of group 13 trihalides MCl3 (M = Ga, In), neutral spirocyclic complexes (L)M[NtBu(Te)PV(μ-NtBu)2PIIIN(H)tBu)] (M = Ga, In) comprised of a Te,Te′-chelated ligand L2– and a N,Te-bonded ligand resulting from loss of Te and monoprotonation were obtained. In reactions with RPCl2 (R = tBu, Ad, iPr2N) a significant difference was observed between Se- and S-containing systems. In the former case, Se,Se′-chelated derivatives were formed in high yields, whereas the N,S-chelated isomers predominated for sulfur. All complexes were characterized by multinuclear (1H, 31P, 77Se, 119Sn, and 125Te) NMR spectroscopy; this technique was especially useful in the analysis of the mixture of (L)(Se) and (L)(SeSe) obtained from the reaction of Se2Cl2 with L2– (E = Te). Single-crystal X-ray structures were obtained for the spirocyclic In complex (9), (L)GePh2 (E = Te, 10), (L)SntBu2 (E = Te, 12a); E = Se, 12aSe, E = S, 12aS) and (L)(μ-SeSe) (E = Te, 16).PostprintPostprintPeer reviewe

Highly linear microstrip wideband bandpass filter with switchable notched band for wireless applications

This article presents a highly linear reconfigurable bandpass filter embedded with a switchable notch structure to get a band-notched characteristic at a specified frequency.A single PIN diode (BAP65-02) is used for the purpose of switching the notch. An optical switch, comprised of a silicon dice activated using near infrared light is also investigated as an alternative to the PIN diode. While the PIN diode or the optical switch is in the ON state this reconfigurable filter behaves as a bandpass filter with a notch at 2.4 GHz in order to reject WLAN interference while a full band response is obtained in the OFF state. The proposed filter is able to achieve good linearity using PIN diode with IIP3 of 47 dBm and there is no significant loss. A prototype is fabricated, and measured results are compared to simulations. A good agreement has been achieved between simulated and measured results

Compact UWB bandpass filter with reconfigurable notched band

A compact bandpass filter is presented for ultra-wideband (UWB) applications with a reconfigurable notched band to reject unwanted signals from the WiMAX systems. A single pin diode is used for the purpose of switching the notch. An optical switch, comprised of a silicon dice activated using near infrared light is also investigated as an alternative to the pin diode. While the switch is in the ON state this reconfigurable filter behaves as a bandpass filter with a notch at 3.5 GHz and a full band response is obtained in the OFF state. The filter offers excellent performance for the lower-band frequency of a UWB system, ranging from 3.1 to 5.0 GHz and exhibits very low passband insertion loss. Also, transmission zeros are generated at the passband edges to enhance the signal selectivity. A filter sample has been designed and fabricated to provide experimental verification on the proposed filter. A good agreement has been achieved between simulated and measured results with both the pin diode as well as the optical switch. The proposed reconfigurable filter with notched band was able to achieve 40% size reduction as compared to an embedded open-circuited stub

Optically reconfigurable microstrip UWB bandpass filters

This paper presents an optically reconfigurable microstrip ultra-wideband filter. A single optical switch comprised of a silicon wafer is activated using near infra-red light to select between either a bandpass or bandstop response. With the switch in the ON state, the circuit behaves as a bandpass filter while in the OFF state, the circuit behaves as a bandstop filter in the same frequency band. The proposed filter was designed, fabricated and tested. Its performance was evaluated through simulation and measurements

Resolution of the phylogenetic relationship of the vulnerable flesh-footed shearwater (Ardenna carneipes) seabird using a complete mitochondrial genome

Flesh-footed shearwater (Ardenna carneipes) is recognized as vulnerable seabird species in Western Australia and New South Wales, Australia, and its genetic variability and a well-resolved phylogeny is imperative for the species’ conservation. Here, we report the first sequenced mitogenome of the Australian A. carneipes. The mitogenome of A. carneipes was 16,370 bp in total length and encompassed 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNAs, 22 transfer RNAs, and one non-coding region (D-loop). All of the genes were encoded on the H-strand with the exception of ND6 and eight tRNAs, which is a conserved pattern of the mitogenome for other vertebrates. The mitogenome of A. carneipes was dominated by higher AT (56.5%) than GC (43.5%) content. In the resulting phylogenetic tree using complete mitogenome sequences, flesh-footed shearwater and gray petrel (Procellaria cinerea) grouped together despite the high genetic distance (11.0%) between them, belonging to family Procellariidae. However, the phylogenetic tree was consistent with a previous study using partial nucleotide sequences of the cytochrome b gene. These results highlight that further mitogenome sequences will be required from the closely related species under the genus Ardenna to delineate well-resolved phylogenetic classification at the genus and or species level. The present study provides a reference mitochondrial genome of flesh-footed shearwater for further molecular studies