We found that the binding energies of the ground and excited states, the absorption coefficients, and the refractive index changes of 0s-1p and 1p-2d transitions

depend on the applied electric field. The results show that the existence of the electric field has great influence on the optical absorption coefficients and the refractive index changes. Also, we have found that the magnitudes of the absorption coefficient and the refractive index change of the spherical quantum dot increase for transitions between higher levels. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3582137]“
“Cuticular waxes are involved in the regulation of the exchange of gases and water in plants and can impact tolerance to drought. However, the molecular mechanisms of the relationship between wax accumulation and drought tolerance are largely unknown. We applied the methoxyfenozide gene switching system to regulate expression of the WIN1/SHN1 gene Poziotinib (WAX INDUCER 1/SHINE1; At1G15360), a transcriptional activator, to regulate production of cuticular waxes and cutin and followed changes of gene expression, metabolites, and drought tolerance. Treatment with the inducer resulted in expression of the target

gene and specific downstream genes, and gradually increased cuticular waxes. Induction of cuticular wax conferred tolerance to drought JQ1 in vitro and recovery from drought, and was correlated with reduced numbers of stomata. Quantitative RT-PCR assays using RNAs from transgenic plants revealed that when expression of the WIN1/SHN1 gene was induced there was increased expression of genes involved in wax development, and reduced expression of selected genes, including SPCH (At5g53210); MUTE (At3g06120); and FAMA (At3g241400); and YODA (At1g63700), each of which is involved in stomatal development. These studies suggest that drought tolerance caused by the induction

of WIN1/SHIN gene may be due to reduced numbers of stomata as well as to cuticular wax accumulation. (C) 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All GANT61 rights reserved.”
“Large amounts of respiratory viruses are shed in nasal secretions by children. Nasal mucus was compared with nasopharyngeal swabs as a source for respiratory virus testing. Multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction detected virus in nasal mucus specimens in 73% (11/15) of positive cases, demonstrating the potential utility of less invasive specimens when a highly sensitive method is used for respiratory virus detection.”
“Thin Co films of different thickness deposited on glass are investigated by magnetooptic Kerr effect to study the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy of these films. The direction of the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy is determined from the azimuthal dependence of the magnetic remanence and differs with increasing thickness of the Co film investigated by x-ray reflectivity.