Full linear perturbations and localization of gravity on f(R,T)f(R,T) brane

We study the thick brane world system constructed in the recently proposed $f(R,T)$ theories of gravity, with $R$ the Ricci scalar and $T$ the trace of the energy-momentum tensor. We try to get the analytic background solutions and discuss the full linear perturbations, especially the scalar perturbations. We compare how the brane world model is modified with that of general relativity coupled to a canonical scalar field. It is found that some more interesting background solutions are allowed, and only the scalar perturbation mode is modified. There is no tachyon state exists in this model and only the massless tensor mode can be localized on the brane, which recovers the effective four-dimensional gravity. These conclusions hold provided that two constraints on the original formalism of the action are satisfied.Comment: v3: 8 pages, 2 figures, improved version with minor corrections, accepted by EPJ

Facile synthesis and enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity of N and Zr co-doped TiO2 nanostructures from nanotubular titanic acid precursors

Zr/N co-doped TiO2 nanostructures were successfully synthesized using nanotubular titanic acid (NTA) as precursors by a facile wet chemical route and subsequent calcination. These Zr/N-doped TiO2 nanostructures made by NTA precursors show significantly enhanced visible light absorption and much higher photocatalytic performance than the Zr/N-doped P25 TiO2 nanoparticles. Impacts of Zr/N co-doping on the morphologies, optical properties, and photocatalytic activities of the NTA precursor-based TiO2 were thoroughly investigated. The origin of the enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity is discussed in detail.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figure

Microbial diversity and biogenic methane potential of a thermogenic-gas coal mine

The microbial communities and biogenic methane potential of a gas coal mine were investigated by cultivation-independent and cultivation-dependent approaches. Stable carbon isotopic analysis indicated that in situ methane in the coal mine was dominantly of a thermogenic origin. However, a high level of diversity of bacteria and methanogens that were present in the coal mine was revealed by 454 pyrosequencing, and included various fermentative bacteria in the phyla of Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria, and acetotrophic, hydrogenotrophic, and methylotrophic methanogens. Methane was produced in enrichments of mine water samples supplemented with acetate under laboratory conditions. The microbial flora obtained from the enrichments could stimulate methane formation from coal samples. 16S rRNA gene clone library analysis indicated that the microbial community from coal cultivation samples supplemented with the enriched microbial consortium was dominated by the anaerobic fermentative Clostridiales and facultative acetoclastic Methanosarcina. This study suggests that the biogenic methane potential in the thermogenic-gas coal mine could be stimulated by the indigenous microorganisms

The Crystal Structure of Monovalent Streptavidin.

The strong interaction between streptavidin (SA) and biotin is widely utilized in biotechnological applications. A SA variant, monovalent SA, was developed with a single and high affinity biotin-binding site within the intact tetramer. However, its structural characterization remains undetermined. Here, we seek to determine the crystal structure of monovalent SA at 1.7-Å resolution. We show that, in contrast to its 'close-state' in the only wild-type subunit, the L3,4 loops of three Dead SA subunits are free from crystal packing and remain in an 'open state', stabilized by a consistent H-bonding network involving S52. This H-bonding network also applies to the previously reported open state of the wild-type apo-SA. These results suggest that specific substitutions (N23A/S27D/S45A) at biotin-binding sites stabilize the open state of SA L3,4 loop, thereby further reducing biotin-binding affinity. The general features of the 'open state' SA among different SA variants may facilitate its rational design. The structural information of monovalent SA will be valuable for its applications across a wide range of biotechnological areas