New Member Of Group Research Articles

Passively Q-switched and femtosecond mode-locked erbium-doped fiber laser based on a 2D palladium disulfide (PdS2) saturable absorber

Stable Q -switched and mode-locked erbium-doped fiber lasers (EDFLs) are first demonstrated by using the novel layered palladium disulfide ( PdS 2 ), a new member of group 10 transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs)-based saturable absorbers (SAs). Self-started Q -switched operation at 1567 nm was achieved with a threshold pump power of 50.6 mW. The modulation ranges of pulse duration and repetition rate were characterized as 12.6–4.5 μs and 17.2–26.0 kHz, respectively. Meanwhile, a mode-locked EDFL was also obtained with a pump power threshold of 106.4 mW. The achieved pulse duration is 803 fs, corresponding to a center wavelength of 1565.8 nm and 4.48 nm 3 dB bandwidth. To the best of our knowledge, the achieved pulse duration of the mode-locked EDFL in this work is the narrowest compared with all other group 10 TMD SA-based lasers.

Photoluminescence quantum yields for atomically thin-layered ReS2: Identification of indirect-bandgap semiconductors

Rhenium dichalcogenides have attracted considerable attention as new members of group VII layered semiconductor transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) with respect to fundamental physics and potential applications. In this study, room-temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectra, as well as PL quantum yields (QYs) of thin-layer rhenium disulfide (ReS2), were evaluated. Low PL QYs of ∼10–4 were determined from a monolayer thickness to seven layers (1–7L) of ReS2 regardless of the layer number. These low PL QYs strongly suggest that the ReS2 is an indirect-bandgap semiconductor from a monolayer limit to the bulk, which is in contrast to those observed for group VI TMDs (MX2: M = Mo and W; X = S and Se). Our experimental findings will provide valuable information for the electronic and optical device applications in atomically thin-layered ReS2.

Revalidation and genetic characterization of new members of Group C (Orthobunyavirus genus, Peribunyaviridae family) isolated in the Americas

Group C serogroup includes members of the Orthobunyavirus genus (family Peribunyaviridae) and comprises 15 arboviruses that can be associated with febrile illness in humans. Although previous studies described the genome characterization of Group C orthobunyavirus, there is a gap in genomic information about the other viruses in this group. Therefore, in this study, complete genomes of members of Group C serogroup were sequenced or re-sequenced and used for genetic characterization, as well as to understand their phylogenetic and evolutionary aspects. Thus, our study reported the genomes of three new members in Group C virus (Apeu strain BeAn848, Itaqui strain BeAn12797 and Nepuyo strain BeAn10709), as well as re-sequencing of original strains of five members: Caraparu (strain BeAn3994), Madrid (strain BT4075), Murucutu (strain BeAn974), Oriboca (strain BeAn17), and Marituba (strain BeAn15). These viruses presented a typical genomic organization related to members of the Orthobunyavirus genus. Interestingly, all viruses of this serogroup showed an open reading frame (ORF) that encodes the putative nonstructural NSs protein that precedes the nucleoprotein ORF, an unprecedented fact in Group C virus. Also, we confirmed the presence of natural reassortment events. This study expands the genomic information of Group C viruses, as well as revalidates the genomic organization of viruses that were previously reported.

Isolation of dehydration-responsive genes in a drought tolerant common bean cultivar and expression of a group 3 late embryogenesis abundant mRNA in tolerant and susceptible bean cultivars.

Drought is one of the main constraints for common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production in Latin America. The aim of this work was to identify upregulated genes in the drought-tolerant common bean cv. Pinto Villa, grown under water-deficit conditions. Twenty-eight cDNAs representing differentially-expressed mRNAs in roots and/or leaves were isolated via suppression subtractive hybridisation. Their expression profiles in plants under intermediate and severe dehydration stress were tested. Three cDNAs corresponded to genes already described as associated to drought stress in P. vulgaris, 12 were known P. vulgaris sequences without previous association with drought response, and 13 were new P. vulgaris sequences. Analysis of the deduced proteins encoded by the cDNAs revealed putative functions in cellular protection, sugar metabolism, and protein synthesis, folding and turnover. Additionally, a new member of group 3 late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) genes (PvLEA3) was cloned and its complete sequence was obtained. Given the lack of reports comparing expression of dehydration-responsive genes in bean cultivars with different response to drought, the expression of PvLEA3 transcript in five bean cultivars from different origin was analysed. The induction of PvLEA3 was directly associated with the level of drought tolerance in the cultivars studied.

Restriction site polymorphisms in the genes encoding new members of group 3 outer membrane protein family of Brucella spp.

Thirty-seven Brucella reference and field strains representing all the species and their biovars were analysed by PCR–RFLP to determine the degree of variation in the genes encoding the new members of group 3 outer membrane protein (Omp) family. Analysis of the omp22 and omp25c/ omp25d genes indicated that the restriction patterns were identical for all species and biovars with all restriction enzymes tested, except for Brucella ovis that showed a short 30 bp deletion close to omp22 gene, and for B. abortus biovar 6 and B. ovis that lacked a DdeI site and a HinfI site, respectively, in the omp25c/ omp25d genes. Analysis of PCR products of the omp31b gene digested with 20 restriction enzymes revealed that this gene has a greater level of DNA polymorphism than the other genes encoding the new members of group 3 Omp family. A deletion of 232 bp was detected in fourteen B melitensis strains from different hosts and from different geographic origins, confirming that this feature is indeed a hallmark of B. melitensis. PCR–RFLP analysis of omp31b with DdeI allowed us to identify species-specific markers for B. abortus, B. melitensis, and B. ovis. Finally, by PCR analysis, Southern blot hybridization and DNA sequencing we showed that a large deletion of 15 kb, comprising the entire omp25b gene and 21 more genes, is present in all B. ovis strains, thus confirming previous observations from other authors.

Mutual Relationships between Buddhist Facilities and Social Groups and Their Changes in the Northern Part of Fukui Prefecture

With the rise of the “new” cultural geography since the late 1980s, human geographers have recently focused on the processes by which religious facilities and sacred places have been produced by social groups. However, few have studied the mutual relationships between such facilities/places and social groups dynamically. In this paper, the author analyzes a series of mutual relationships through which Buddhist facilities are constructed and given deep significance by social groups, and their influence on groups of villages in Japan. Then, the common structure of and differences in the mutual relationships are examined, based on the influences of the specific contexts of the villages and those of the general trends beyond them. Few geographers have paid attention to the “unofficially sacred” spaces utilizing secular ones rather than “officially sacred” spaces like churches and temples. Therefore the author focuses not only on official temples but also on unofficial Buddhist facilities called dojos. Three villages, Kanamata, Kuratsukuri, and Shigedate, in the northern part of Fukui Prefecture were selected as cases. Generally, this area is regarded as part of the “Shin Buddhism region.” In Kanamata there are three temples, in Kuratsukuri there is one temple, and in Shigedate there are no official temples but a dojo. The mutual relationships between Buddhist facilities and social groups in the three villages have a common structure. First, social groups such as local communities and supporters' groups construct and give deep significance to these facilities. Second, the existence of these facilities strengthens the ties among the members of those groups. Then, interdependent relations between the facilities and groups become fixed. However, when internal changes within the villages and external trends such as secularization and propagation policies decided by the head offices of denominations influence the groups supporting the facilities, transformed groups often reconstruct these facilities and reevaluate them. Then the existence of such new facilities strengthens the ties among the members of new groups. Thus the forms and significance of Buddhist facilities have changed frequently. Comparing the changes in Buddhist facilities in the three villages, the dojo in Shigedate has been transformed more drastically than the temples in Kanamata and Kuratsukuri. This results partly from the unofficial nature of the dojo. The forms and significance of unofficial religious facilities like dojos are more changeable than those of official facilities like temples. The status of caretakers and managers of functions of the dojo in Shigedate are insufficiently institutionalized and unstable. Thus, when one analyzes the transforming processes of religious facilities in relation to social groups, it is effective to focus on unofficial facilities such as dojos.

Isolation of a new member of group 3 late embryogenesis abundant protein gene from a halotorelant green alga by a functional expression screening with cyanobacterial cells

By a functional expression screening with cyanobacterial cells, a new member of group 3 late embryogenesis abundant protein genes (designated cw80lea3) was isolated from the cDNA library of halotolerant green alga Chlamydomonas sp. strain W80. The principle of the screening method was based on the acquisition of NaCl salt-tolerance of the fresh water cyanobacterial cells carrying the halotolerant algal gene. The expression of cw80lea3 gene in the C. W80 cells was induced by salt- and cold-stresses, but not by abscisic acid treatment.

Isolation of a new member of group 3 late embryogenesis abundant protein gene from a halotorelant green alga by a functional expression screening with cyanobacterial cells

By a functional expression screening with cyanobacterial cells, a new member of group 3 late embryogenesis abundant protein genes (designated cw80lea3) was isolated from the cDNA library of halotolerant green alga Chlamydomonas sp. strain W80. The principle of the screening method was based on the acquisition of NaCl salt-tolerance of the fresh water cyanobacterial cells carrying the halotolerant algal gene. The expression of cw80lea3 gene in the C. W80 cells was induced by salt- and cold-stresses, but not by abscisic acid treatment.

Isolation of a new member of group 3 late embryogenesis abundant protein gene from a halotorelant green alga by a functional expression screening with cyanobacterial cells

By a functional expression screening with cyanobacterial cells, a new member of group 3 late embryogenesis abundant protein genes (designated cw80lea3) was isolated from the cDNA library of halotolerant green alga Chlamydomonas sp. strain W80. The principle of the screening method was based on the acquisition of NaCl salt-tolerance of the fresh water cyanobacterial cells carrying the halotolerant algal gene. The expression of cw80lea3 gene in the C. W80 cells was induced by salt- and cold-stresses, but not by abscisic acid treatment.

Characterization of new members of the group 3 outer membrane protein family of Brucella spp.

Impairment of the omp25 gene in Brucella spp. leads to attenuated strains and confers protection to the host. Omp25 and Omp31, whose functions remain unknown, were the first characterized members of group 3 outer membrane proteins (Omps) (25 to 34 kDa). Recently, genomic and proteomic approaches identified five new putative members of this family, some of which are produced in B. melitensis or B. abortus. In the present study, using protein microsequencing, we identified new members of group 3 Omps proteins produced in B. suis. Since several monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against Omp25 cross-reacted with other members of group 3 Omps, we also performed Western immunoblotting to compare wild-type B. suis with mutants systematically having B. suis omp25-related genes knocked out. We demonstrate the production of three paralogs of Omp31 and/or Omp25 in B. suis, and the existence of a common site of signal peptide cleavage (AXAAD), which is very similar to that present in the five homologous Omps of Bartonella quintana. The seven group 3 Omps were classified in four-subgroups on the basis of percentage amino acid sequence identities: Omp25 alone, the Omp25b-Omp25c-Omp25d cluster, the Omp31/31b subgroup, and the less related Omp22 protein (also called Omp3b). Together with previous data, our results demonstrate that all new members of group 3 Omps are produced in B. suis or in other Brucella species and we propose a nomenclature that integrates all of these proteins to facilitate the understanding of future Brucella interspecies study results.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel human STE20-like kinase, hSLK

We have cloned a human counterpart to a guinea pig STE20-like kinase cDNA, designated human SLK (hSLK), from a human lung carcinomatous cell line A549 cDNA library. hSLK cDNA encodes a novel 1204 amino acid serine/threonine kinase for which the kinase domain located at the N-terminus shares considerable homology to that of the STE20-like kinase family. The C-terminal domain of hSLK includes both the coiled-coil structure and four Pro/Glu/Ser/Thr-rich (PEST) sequences, but not the GTPase-binding domain (GBD) that is characteristic of the p21-activated kinase (PAK) family, polyproline consensus binding sites, or the Leu-rich domain seen in the group I germinal center kinases (GCKs). Northern blot analysis indicated that hSLK was ubiquitously expressed. hSLK overexpressed in COS-7 cells phosphorylates itself as well as myelin basic protein used as a substrate. On the other hand, hSLK cannot activate any of the three well-characterized mitogen-activated protein kinase MAPK (ERK, JNK/SAPK and p38) pathways. Moreover, hSLK kinase activity is not upregulated by constitutive active forms of GTPases (RasV12, RacV12 and Cdc42V12). These structural and functional properties indicate that hSLK should be considered to be a new member of group II GCKs.

The Development of an Intragroup Norm and the Effects of Interpersonal and Structural Challenges

Portions of this paper were written while the second author was a Fellow at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences. We are grateful for the financial support provided by the National Science Foundation (#BNS87-00864 and SES88-15566) and the Russell Sage Foundation. The authors thank Max Bazerman, Connie Gersick, Marya Leatherwood, Huseyin Leblebici, Greg Oldham, three anonymous reviewers, and especially Gerald Salancik for their comments on earlier versions of this paper. Portions of this paper were presented at the 1988 National Academy of Management Meetings in Anaheim, CA. This study manipulated the norm-formation process and investigated how members of new groups respond to challenges to their newly developed norm. Bargaining pairs composed of individuals who each had repeated cooperative experiences formed implicit cooperative norms, expecting cooperation and acting cooperatively in a subsequent, similar task. Alternatively, pairs with repeated competitive experiences formed competitive norms for the same tasks. Some pairs' norms were challenged interpersonally when the members of a new pair had opposite prior experiences but needed to take joint action. Pairs were also challenged structurally, when the new task altered their incentives for cooperation. The study not only manipulated different norms in the same task, but its results indicate that interpersonal challenges are more successful when they are cooperative; structural challenges are more successful when they are strong and competitive.'

New Polyindolenine Alkaloids fromCalycodendron milnei

Four new alkaloids, representing the first members of new groups of polyindolinic alkaloids, have been isolated from the aerial parts of CALYCODENDRON MILNEI along with other alkaloids. The names vatine, its stereoisomer vatine A, vatamine, and vatamidine are proposed. They are polymers of six, seven, and eight N(b)-methyltryptamine units, respectively.

New Member of the Herpesvirus Group Isolated from Wild Cottontail Rabbits

A viral agent has been isolated from naturally infected wild cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus). The virus appears to have the general physical, chemical, and biological properties of the herpesvirus group. It differs significantly in host range and antigenic structure from the previously recognized herpesviruses and is proposed as a new member of this group of viruses. The name of Herpesvirus sylvilagus is suggested for the agent.