The calculation of structural,elastic and phase stability properties of minerals using first principles techniques: A comparison of HF,DFT and Hybrid functional treatments of exchange and correlation

We benchmark the performance of four treatments of electron exchange and correlation in the prediction of structural and elastic properties of a range of minerals. The treatments used are the Hartree-Fock (HF) theory, the local density approximation (LDA) and the generalised gradient approximation (GGA) to the density functional theory (DFT) and Becke's three parameter hybrid functional (B3LYP). We find that the hybrid functional, B3LYP method yields computed elastic properties in significantly better agreement to experiment than HF or DFT-LDA and performs at least as well, if not better than the most successful DFT-GGA functionals. We suggest that B3LYP is a simple, reliable and computationally efficient tool for the ab initio simulation of mineral systems.     

International Society of Chronobiology: Membership Information

Most variables of interest in laboratory medicine show predictable changes with several frequencies in the span of time investigated. The waveform of such nonsinusoidal rhythms can be well described by the use of multiple components rhythmometry, a method that allows fitting a linear model with several cosine functions. The method, originally described for analysis of longitudinal time series, is here extended to allow analysis of hybrid data (time series sampled from a group of subjects, each represented by an individual series). Given k individual series, we can fit the same linear model with m different frequencies (harmonics or not from one fundamental period) to each series. This fit will provide estimations for 2m + 1 parameters, namely, the amplitude and acrophase of each component, as well as the rhythm-adjusted mean. Assuming that the set of parameters obtained for each individual is a random sample from a multivariate normal population, the corresponding population parameter estimates can be based on the means of estimates obtained from individuals in the sample. Their confidence intervals depend on the variability among individual parameter estimates. The vari-ance-covariance matrix can then be estimated on the basis of the sample covariances. Confidence intervals for the rhythm-adjusted mean, as well as for the amplitude-acrophase pair, of each component can then be computed using the estimated covariance matrix. The p-values for testing the zero-amplitude assumption for each component, as well as for the global model, can finally be derived using those confidence intervals and the t and F distributions. The method, validated by a simulation study and illustrated by an example of modeling the circadian variation of heart rate, represents a new step in the development of statistical procedures in chronobiology.     

Towards a hybrid anaerobic digester-microbial fuel cell integrated energy recovery system: An overview of the development of an electrogenic biofilm

An electrogenic biofilm was developed on a macroporous chitosan-carbon nanotube (CHIT-CNT) electrode under constant poised potential (?0.25 V versus Ag/AgCl reference electrode) and flow through conditions utilizing the effluent of an anaerobic digester as both the inoculant and substrate for the electrogenic biofilm. After 125 days of inoculation the bioelectrode demonstrated an open circuit potential of ?0.62 V and a current density of 9.43 μA cm^?3 (at ?0.25 V). Scanning electron microscopy images indicate thorough surface coverage of the biofilm with a high density of bacterial nanowires physically connecting bacteria to bacteria and bacteria to carbon nanotube (electrode surface) suggesting the nanowires are electrically conductive. DGGE was used to identify the major bacterial and archaeal populations.     

CHROMOSOMAL REARRANGEMENTS AND THE GENETICS OF REPRODUCTIVE BARRIERS IN MIMULUS (MONKEY FLOWERS)

Chromosomal rearrangements may directly cause hybrid sterility and can facilitate speciation by preserving local adaptation in the face of gene flow. We used comparative linkage mapping with shared gene‐based markers to identify potential chromosomal rearrangements between the sister monkeyflowers Mimulus lewisii and Mimulus cardinalis, which are textbook examples of ecological speciation. We then remapped quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for floral traits and flowering time (premating isolation) and hybrid sterility (postzygotic isolation). We identified three major regions of recombination suppression in the M. lewisii × M. cardinalis hybrid map compared to a relatively collinear Mimulus parishii × M. lewisii map, consistent with a reciprocal translocation and two inversions specific to M. cardinalis. These inferences were supported by targeted intraspecific mapping, which also implied a M. lewisii‐specific reciprocal translocation causing chromosomal pseudo‐linkage in both hybrid mapping populations. Floral QTLs mapped in this study, along with previously mapped adaptive QTLs, were clustered in putatively rearranged regions. All QTLs for male sterility, including two underdominant loci, mapped to regions of recombination suppression. We argue that chromosomal rearrangements may have played an important role in generating and consolidating barriers to gene flow as natural selection drove the dramatic ecological and morphological divergence of these species.     

The discovery of colchicine-SAHA hybrids as a new class of antitumor agents

A novel class of colchicine-SAHA hybrids were designed and synthesised based on the synergistic antitumor effect of tubulin inhibitors and histone deacetylases (HDAC) inhibitors. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first design of molecules that are dual inhibitors of tubulin and HDAC. Biological evaluations of these compounds included the inhibitory activity of HDAC, in vitro cell cycle analysis in BEL-7402 cells as well as cytotoxicity in five cancer cell lines.     

斑点叉尾和杂交鲟幼鱼昼夜摄食节律和胃肠排空时间的研究

采用一次饱食投喂(将一昼夜分为8个时间段,每个时间段作为一个处理组,每天每个处理组饱食投喂一次)和分段式连续投喂(将一昼夜分为8个时间段,每天每个实验缸连续投喂8次)两种方法研究斑点叉尾和杂交鲟幼鱼的昼夜摄食节律,同时研究它们在摄食后24h内胃和全肠的排空时间。结果显示,在两种投喂方式下,斑点叉尾均表现出24h 一周期的摄食节律,两个日摄食率高峰值均出现在06：00和18：00(P<0.05)。杂交鲟在一次饱食投喂下表现出24h一周期的摄食节律,高峰值分别出现在11：00、17：00和05：00,在分段式连续投喂时表现出48h 一周期的摄食节律,高峰值分别出现在11：00、17：00和36：00。在摄食后1-9h 内,斑点叉尾的胃内含物比率急剧降低(P<0.05),并在24h 时出现极低值(P<0.05),而1-9h 内全肠内含物比率迅速升高(P<0.05),在9h时达到最大(P<0.05),在24h出现极低值(P<0.05)。在摄食后1-7h内,杂交鲟的胃内含物比率迅速下降(P<0.05),在24h 时出现极低值(P<0.05),1-7h 内肠内含物比率迅速升高(P<0.05),24h 时呈现极低值(P<0.05)。结果表明,两种实验鱼表现出不同的昼夜摄食节律,该节律受各自胃肠排空时间的影响,也受投喂时间的影响。研究建议,在斑点叉尾和杂交鲟幼鱼的养殖中宜在光线较弱的清晨(05：00-06：00)和黄昏(17：00-18：00)进行投喂。     

Evidence of gene flow between sympatric populations of the Middle East‐Asia Minor 1 and Mediterranean putative species of Bemisia tabaci

Bemisia tabaci is a complex of putative species that exhibit a strong geographical pattern. Crossing experiments have revealed various degrees of reproductive isolation between these nascent species, ranging between fertile first‐generation hybrids (F1) and no F1 at all. However, the relevance of these results under natural conditions is generally not known. The worldwide invasion of the putative species Middle East‐Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) has caused secondary contacts between allopatric species, which in turn provide an opportunity to detect potential hybrids in nature. A total of 346 female B. tabaci were collected in 2003 and 2005 in the North East of Morocco and assigned to MEAM1 (119), Mediterranean (Med) (225) and a new putative species (2) using mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase (mtCOI) gene sequences. MEAM1 and Med individuals were characterized at seven microsatellite loci. MEAM1 and Med were found to be sympatric in 11 of 12 samples (6 fields/year). As previously reported from Spain, MEAM1 frequency decreased over time. The genetic data are consistent with a recent introduction of MEAM1. A Bayesian clustering analysis (Structure ) distinguished two groups, which were 100% consistent with the mtCOI groups. From several lines of evidence, two individuals were identified as hybrids. Assignment profiles using NewHybrids and allele composition indicated that they were not F1 hybrids. The results are discussed in relation to the secondary endosymbiont infection status determined on a sample of individuals, and the contrasting outcomes of the reported crossing experiments between MEAM1 and Med.     

Testing parasite ‘intimacy’: the whipworm Trichuris muris in the European house mouse hybrid zone

Host‐parasite interaction studies across hybrid zones often focus on host genetic variation, treating parasites as homogeneous. ‘Intimately’ associated hosts and parasites might be expected to show similar patterns of genetic structure. In the literature, factors such as no intermediate host and no free‐living stage have been proposed as ‘intimacy’ factors likely constraining parasites to closely follow the evolutionary history of their hosts. To test whether the whipworm, Trichuris muris, is intimately associated with its house mouse host, we studied its population genetics across the European house mouse hybrid zone (HMHZ) which has a strong central barrier to gene flow between mouse taxa. T. muris has a direct life cycle and nonmobile free stage: if these traits constrain the parasite to an intimate association with its host we expect a geographic break in the parasite genetic structure across the HMHZ. We genotyped 205 worms from 56 localities across the HMHZ and additionally T. muris collected from sympatric woodmice (Apodemus spp.) and allopatric murine species, using mt‐COX1, ITS1‐5.8S‐ITS2 rDNA and 10 microsatellites. We show four haplogroups of mt‐COX1 and three clear ITS1‐5.8S‐ITS2 clades in the HMHZ suggesting a complex demographic/phylogeographic history. Microsatellites show strong structure between groups of localities. However, no marker type shows a break across the HMHZ. Whipworms from Apodemus in the HMHZ cluster, and share mitochondrial haplotypes, with those from house mice. We conclude Trichuris should not be regarded as an ‘intimate’ parasite of the house mouse: while its life history might suggest intimacy, passage through alternate hosts is sufficiently common to erase signal of genetic structure associated with any particular host taxon.     

天蚕素A-马盖宁杂合肽对耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌抑菌机制的研究

【目的】研究天蚕素A-马盖宁杂合肽对耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA)DNA作用的抑菌机制。【方法】利用激光扫描共聚焦显微镜(CLSM)、凝胶阻滞分析、紫外光谱分析、荧光光谱分析的方法。【结果】天蚕素A-马盖宁杂合肽对MRSA的最小抑菌浓度(MIC)为64 mg/L,杂合肽可以在细菌胞内形成累积,并能与体外基因组DNA发生结合作用。同时杂合肽可以引起DNA构象的改变,荧光光谱分析结果表明杂合肽能与溴化乙锭(EB)竞争性地嵌入基因组DNA中,作用方式类似于EB与DNA的结合方式,杂合肽与DNA的结合表现为混合式作用方式。【结论】天蚕素A-马盖宁进入细菌胞内,与MRSA基因组DNA结合,并以混合式作用方式与DNA发生了结合,通过胞内靶向机制发挥抑菌作用。