Molecular First Hyperpolarizabilities of a New Class of Asymmetric Squaraine Dyes

The molecular first hyperpolarizabilities (β) of a series of asymmetric squaraine dyes have been measured by electric-field-induced second harmonic generation; the dyes have negative β-values whose magnitudes are comparable to 4-N,N-dimethylamino-4′-nitrostilbene (DANS)

The molecular evolution of PL10 homologs

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>PL10 </it>homologs exist in a wide range of eukaryotes from yeast, plants to animals. They share a DEAD motif and belong to the DEAD-box polypeptide 3 (<it>DDX3</it>) subfamily with a major role in RNA metabolism. The lineage-specific expression patterns and various genomic structures and locations of <it>PL10 </it>homologs indicate these homologs have an interesting evolutionary history.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Phylogenetic analyses revealed that, in addition to the sex chromosome-linked <it>PL10 </it>homologs, <it>DDX3X </it>and <it>DDX3Y</it>, a single autosomal <it>PL10 </it>putative homologous sequence is present in each genome of the studied non-rodent eutheria. These autosomal homologous sequences originated from the retroposition of <it>DDX3X </it>but were pseudogenized during the evolution. In rodents, besides <it>Ddx3x </it>and <it>Ddx3y</it>, we found not only <it>Pl10 </it>but another autosomal homologous region, both of which also originated from the <it>Ddx3x </it>retroposition. These retropositions occurred after the divergence of eutheria and opossum. In contrast, an additional X putative homologous sequence was detected in primates and originated from the transposition of <it>DDX3Y</it>. The evolution of <it>PL10 </it>homologs was under positive selection and the elevated Ka/Ks ratios were observed in the eutherian lineages for <it>DDX3Y </it>but not <it>PL10 </it>and <it>DDX3X</it>, suggesting relaxed selective constraints on <it>DDX3Y</it>. Contrary to the highly conserved domains, several sites with relaxed selective constraints flanking the domains in the mammalian <it>PL10 </it>homologs may play roles in enhancing the gene function in a lineage-specific manner.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The eutherian <it>DDX3X/DDX3Y </it>in the X/Y-added region originated from the translocation of the ancient <it>PL10 </it>ortholog on the ancestral autosome, whereas the eutherian <it>PL10 </it>was retroposed from <it>DDX3X</it>. In addition to the functional <it>PL10</it>/<it>DDX3X</it>/<it>DDX3Y</it>, conserved homologous regions on the autosomes and X chromosome are present. The autosomal homologs were also derived from <it>DDX3X</it>, whereas the additional X-homologs were derived from <it>DDX3Y</it>. These homologs were apparently pseudogenized but may still be active transcriptionally. The evolution of <it>PL10 </it>homologs was positively selected.</p

Unsymmetrical squaraines for nonlinear optical materials

Compositions for use in non-linear optical devices. The compositions have first molecular electronic hyperpolarizability (.beta.) either positive or negative in sign and therefore display second order non-linear optical properties when incorporated into non-linear optical devices

From Teachers’ Views to Explore the Implementation of Energy Education in Taiwan’s Elementary Schools

This study intended to explore the implementation of promoting “energy education” in Taiwan’s elementary schools. The research adopted a questionnaire (Likert five-point scale) from teachers’ view in three dimensions to construct examination. The 45 participants come from 10 different primary schools distributed across Taiwan, which participate in energy education program in the second period (2015-2017). The data was analyzed by ANOVA, mean and standard deviations of the viewpoints of the participants in the energy education learning achievement of the primary schools. The first findings in this research is, the program of energy education was most effective in “energy attitude” (M=4.282, SD=0.814), followed by “energy awareness” (M=4.049, SD=0.720) and “energy behavior” (M=3.983, SD=0.875). It shows that students have positive energy attitude, but they were relatively weak at energy saving behavior. Secondly, there is statistically significant difference in overall students learning performance with urban areas are higher than rural areas. Finally, it is suggested that in addition to strengthen energy attitudes and energy awareness, we should encourage students to take action in save energy in their daily life. Furthermore, we should invest more resources to rural areas to balance the students’ performances between urban and rural areas

Syntheses and Linear and Nonlinear Optical Properties of Unsymmetrical Squaraines with Extended Conjugation

[no abstract

Production and purification of the phosphoprotein of Nipah virus in Escherichia coli for use in diagnostic assays.

ABSTRACT Nipah Virus (NiV) is an emerging zoonotic paramyxovirus that can be fatal in humans and various types of animals. The phospho (P) protein of NiV plays an important role in RNA synthesis, replication, and genome synthesis. In this study, the NiV P gene was cloned into a pTrcHis2-TOPO vector and the recombinant protein containing a His-tag was produced in Escherichia coli. SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis using the anti-His antibody confirmed the protein expression. An optimization study of E. coli fermentation showed that the optimal cultivation temperature was 37°C, while the optimal induction time for P protein expression was at 9 h with 1 mM IPTG. Solubility analysis showed that E. coli cultivated at 37°C produced the highest fraction (70%) of soluble P protein. The recombinant P protein was purified from clarified E. coli lysate using an immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) technique to a purity of 92.67%, with a purification factor of 11.58. The purified P protein strongly reacted with the anti-NiV swine sera collected during a NiV outbreak, suggesting its potential as a diagnostic reagent

Integral and Rxte/Asm Observations on Igr J17098-3628

To probe further the possible nature of the unidentified source IGR J17098-3628, we have carried out a detailed analysis of its long-term time variability as monitored by RXTE/ASM, and of its hard X-ray properties as observed by INTEGRAL. INTEGRAL has monitored this sky region over years and significantly detected IGR J17098-3628 only when the source was in this dubbed active state. In particular, at $\ge$ 20 keV, IBIS/ISGRI caught an outburst in March 2005, lasting for $\sim$5 days with detection significance of 73$\sigma$ (20-40 keV) and with the emission at $<$200 keV. The ASM observations reveal that the soft X-ray lightcurve shows a similar outburst to that detected by INTEGRAL, however the peak of the soft X-ray lightcurve either lags, or is preceded by, the hard X-ray ($>$20 keV) outburst by $\sim$2 days. This resembles the behavior of X-ray novae like XN 1124-683, hence it further suggests a LMXB nature for IGR J17098-3628. While the quality of the ASM data prevents us from drawing any definite conclusions, these discoveries are important clues that, coupled with future observations, will help to resolve the as yet unknown nature of IGR J17098-3628.Comment: 15 pages, 7 figure, accepted in PAS

MOS2, a Protein Containing G-Patch and KOW Motifs, Is Essential for Innate Immunity in Arabidopsis thaliana

SummaryInnate immunity is critical for sensing and defending against microbial infections in multicellular organisms. In plants, disease resistance genes (R genes) play central roles in recognizing pathogens and initiating downstream defense cascades [1]. Arabidopsis SNC1 encodes a TIR-NBS-LRR-type R protein with a similar structure to nucleotide binding oligomerization domain (Nod) proteins in animals [2, 3]. A point mutation in the region between the NBS and LRR of SNC1 results in constitutive activation of defense responses in the snc1 mutant. Here, we report the identification and characterization of mos2-1, a mutant suppressing the constitutive defense responses in snc1. Analysis of mos2 single mutants indicated that it is not only required for resistance specified by multiple R genes, but also for basal resistance. Map-based cloning of MOS2 revealed that it encodes a novel nuclear protein that contains one G-patch and two KOW domains and has homologs across the animal kingdom. The presence of both G-patch and KOW domains in the MOS2 protein suggests that it probably functions as an RNA binding protein critical for plant innate immunity [4, 5]. Our discovery on the biological functions of MOS2 will shed light on functions of the MOS2 homologs in animals, where they may also play important roles in innate immunity

Target Nanodiamonds as Phenotype Specific Photoacoustic Contrast Agents for Breast Cancer

AIM: The aim is to develop irradiated nanodiamonds (INDs) as a molecularly-targeted contrast agent for high resolution and phenotype-specific detection of breast cancer with photoacoustic (PA) imaging. MATERIALS & METHODS: The surface of acid treated radiation-damaged nanodiamonds was grafted with polyethylene glycol (PEG) to improve its stability and circulation time in blood, followed by conjugation to an anti-Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) peptide (KCCYSL) with a final nanoparticle size of ca. 92 nm. Immunocompetent mice bearing orthotopic HER2 positive or negative tumors were administered INDs and PA imaged using an 820-nm near infrared laser. RESULTS: PA images demonstrated that INDs accumulate in tumors and completely delineated the entire tumor within 10 hours. HER2 targeting significantly enhanced imaging of HER2-positive tumors. Pathological examination demonstrated INDs are non-toxic. CONCLUSIONS: PA technology is adaptable to low-cost bedside medicine, and with new contrast agents described herein, PA can achieve high resolution (sub-mm) and phenotype specific monitoring of cancer growth