Selecting phthalocyanine polymorphs using local chemical termination variations in copper iodide

Copper(I) iodide (CuI) thin films are employed as a structural templating layer for the growth of metal-free phthalocyanine (H2Pc) thin films. Structural polymorphs are observed in X-ray diffraction patterns when microcrystalline CuI films exhibiting copper and iodine terminated grains are used. Each polymorph is nucleated from a single termination, and distinctive crystallite morphologies are observed for each

Identification of a novel variant of LMP-1 of EBV in patients with endemic Burkitt lymphoma in western Kenya

BACKGROUND: Epstein Barr virus (EBV) is a gammaherpesvirus that is associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and endemic Burkitt lymphoma (eBL). EBV carries several latent genes that contribute to oncogenesis including the latent membrane protein 1 (LMP-1), a known oncogene and constitutively active CD40 homolog. Variation in the C terminal region of LMP-1 has been linked to NPC pathogenesis, but little is known regarding LMP-1 variation and eBL. RESULTS: In the present study, peripheral blood samples were obtained from 38 eBL patients and 22 healthy controls in western Kenya, where the disease is endemic. The LMP-1 C-terminal region from these samples was sequenced and analyzed. The frequency of a 30 base pair deletion of LMP-1 previously linked to NPC was not associated with eBL compared to healthy controls. However a novel LMP-1 variant was identified, called K for Kenya and for the G318K mutation that characterizes it. The K variant LMP-1 was found in 40.5% of eBL sequences and 25.0% of healthy controls. All K variant sequences contained mutations in both of the previously described minimal T cell epitopes in the C terminal end of LMP-1. These mutations occurred in the anchor residue at the C-terminal binding groove of both epitopes, a pocket necessary for MHC loading. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our results suggest that there is a novel K variant of LMP-1 in Kenya that may be associated with eBL. Further studies are necessary to determine the functional implications of the LMP-1 variant on early events in eBL genesis

Conceptual design of a nonscaling fixed field alternating gradient accelerator for protons and carbon ions for charged particle therapy

Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article’s title, journal citation, and DOI.The conceptual design for a nonscaling fixed field alternating gradient accelerator suitable for charged particle therapy (the use of protons and other light ions to treat some forms of cancer) is described.EPSR

Platforms to differentiate exotic pathovars of plant bacteria

Many of the EPPs that pose the biggest threat to the biosecurity of Australia’s plant industries are bacterial, but difficulties in identification to the subspecific or ‘ pathovar ’ level can seriously delay incursion management and affect market access. Pathovars are defined by host specificity so bio assays remain the definitive means of identification, but these require high level physical containment and can be slow and subjective , delaying diagnosis . Some pathovar - specific serological and molecular tests are available but better diagnostic methods are often required. This project used proteomics and metabolomics, platforms that identify functional molecules potentially associated with plant - pathogen interactions, to identify biomarkers that differentiate pathovars in species of Xanthomonas . Membrane - associated proteins from a collection of bacterial isolates were compared on 2Dimensional gels. Proteins that were found to be differentially expressed between distinct pathovars may be important modulators of host specificity so they were identified and the genes that encode them located by reference to genomic sequences . DNA - based assays targeting these genes were designed and validated for their specificity to the pathovar level . We have developed two new assays that provide levels of specificity not reported elsewhere in the literature. These assays specifically target the bacteria causing the different forms of citrus canker, but without cross - reaction to the closely - related organisms causing bacterial blight on cotton and Citrus Bacterial Spot. The molecular assays will be incorporated into the National Diagnostic Protocol for citrus canker through the SPHDS process. The metabolomics component has analysed metabolite expression in selected bacterial pathovars. Results showed separation between the different pathovars based on differential levels of expression of particular metabolites. These metabolites may be important determinants of pathogenicity. Neither proteomics nor metabolomics had been implemented before in the study of phytopathogenic bacteria and whilst both proved to be technically demanding, each delivered new biomarkers that differentiate phytopathogenic bacteria to a subspecific level . This confirmed the viability of these approaches as platforms to discover novel diagnostic targets. The new methods developed will be implemented into the national incursion response capability , improving the specificity of diagnostic testing available and reducing the possibility of false positive diagnosis . The project has fostered new collaborative partnerships both nationally (NSW, Victoria, WA) and internationally (to Thailand and the USA). The next phase of this work will provide a strong start - up project to the Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre ( PBCRC ) . This project has directly enhanced the plant bacteriology capacity of NSW and Australia trough the recruitment and training of science professionals and an undergraduate student , and supported the specialist training of a Thai scientist through allied project CRC20093

Optimization of a high work function solution processed vanadium oxide hole-extracting layer for small molecule and polymer organic photovoltaic cells

We report a method of fabricating a high work function, solution processable vanadium oxide (V2Ox(sol)) hole-extracting layer. The atmospheric processing conditions of film preparation have a critical influence on the electronic structure and stoichiometry of the V2Ox(sol), with a direct impact on organic photovoltaic (OPV) cell performance. Combined Kelvin probe (KP) and ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (UPS) measurements reveal a high work function, n-type character for the thin films, analogous to previously reported thermally evaporated transition metal oxides. Additional states within the band gap of V2Ox(sol) are observed in the UPS spectra and are demonstrated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to be due to the substoichiometric nature of V2Ox(sol). The optimized V2Ox(sol) layer performance is compared directly to bare indium–tin oxide (ITO), poly(ethyleneoxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), and thermally evaporated molybdenum oxide (MoOx) interfaces in both small molecule/fullerene and polymer/fullerene structures. OPV cells incorporating V2Ox(sol) are reported to achieve favorable initial cell performance and cell stability attributes

SU(3) symmetry breaking in lower fp-shell nuclei

Results of shell-model calculations for lower fp-shell nuclei show that SU(3) symmetry breaking in this region is driven by the single-particle spin-orbit splitting. However, even though states of the yrast band exhibit SU(3) symmetry breaking, the results also show that the yrast band B(E2) values are insensitive to this fragmentation of the SU(3) symmetry; specifically, the quadrupole collectivity as measured by B(E2) transition strengths between low lying members of the yrast band remain high even though SU(3) appears to be broken. Results for $^{44,46,48}Ti$ and $^{48}Cr$ using the Kuo-Brown-3 two-body interaction are given to illustrate these observations.Comment: Updated to the published versio

Dementia as a disability: Implications for ethics, policy and practice. A Discussion Paper.

noPeople experience dementia in different ways, not just in terms of the type and severity of symptoms, but also in terms of how they react to and manage living with dementia. Increasingly, people with dementia are expressing a desire to get on with their everyday lives. They want to avoid being defined solely in relation to dementia and to continue to be considered as valued members of society. This is particularly important as the term dementia often has negative connotations. It is widely considered as a stigma. Neurological impairment may interfere with people’s ability to get on with their lives, as may differences in coping skills, financial resources, the emotional and psychological impact of dementia, and access to timely and good quality support. Reactions of relatives, friends and fellow citizens are also important, as well as society’s response to dementia. This was highlighted by Kitwood in the 1990s when he outlined what came to be known as the biopsychosocial model of dementia . There are also differences at the level of society, reflected in practices, attitudes and structures. These may, on the surface, seem fair or neutral (i.e. “that’s just the way it is”). In many cases, however, they reflect a lack of consideration and failure to act in a responsible, ethical and even legal way towards people with dementia... In this report, we focus on the possible implications for ethics, policy and practice of raising awareness about the potential of framing dementia as a potential disability

Academic freedom in Europe: time for a Magna Charta?

This paper is a preliminary attempt to establish a working definition of academic freedom for the European Union states. The paper details why such a definition is required for the European Union and then examines some of the difficulties of defining academic freedom. By drawing upon experience of the legal difficulties beset by the concept in the USA and building on previous analyses of constitutional and legislative protection for academic freedom, and of legal regulations concerning institutional governance and academic tenure, a working definition of academic freedom is then derived. The resultant definition which, it is suggested, could form the basis for a European Magna Charta Libertatis Academicae, goes beyond traditional discussions of academic freedom by specifying not only the rights inherent in the concept but also its accompanying duties, necessary limitations and safeguards. The paper concludes with proposals for how the definition might be tested and carried forward