bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The efficacy of feeding a live probiotic yeast, Yea-Sacc®, on the performance of lactating dairy cows
Authors: Tristant D. , Moran C. A.
Published: October 2015

The following trial was conducted to evaluate the impact of feeding Yea-Sacc® (YS; Alltech Inc, USA), a zootechnical feed additive based on a live probiotic strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, to lactating dairy cows over a 12 week period. Sixty-four primiparous and multiparous Holstein dairy cows, grouped to give similar range of parity, physiological and milk production stages, were selected for the study. Cows were equally allocated to either a control feed group or a diet supplemented with YS (32 cows per treatment). The test diet was formulated to include YS (Yea-Sacc® Farm Pak) incorporated in the total mixed ration (TMR), supplying a target dose of 5 × 107 CFU/kg feed dry matter (DM). This target dose delivered 1 × 109 CFU/cow/day, for a cow consuming 20 kg feed (DM basis) daily. Each cow was considered a replicate unit. Cows were fed a nutritionally adequate total TMR plus hay and a supplementary protein/energy concentrate (calculated according to milk yield) for 12 weeks, supplied once a day after the morning milking. Weigh backs of feed were recorded daily, with refusals being maintained at 3% of the total intake. During the 12 week study period, YS had significant beneficial effects on milk production (+0.8 kg/day; P = 0.003), energy corrected milk production (+1.4 kg/day; P < 0.0001), synthesis of milk protein (+36 g/day; P = 0.001), milk protein content (+0.3 g/kg; P = 0.009), and milk urea content (−0.09 mg/l; P = 0.004). The synthesis of milk fat was similar between treatments but milk fat content was lower for the YS group compared to the control group (−1.1 g/kg; P = 0.0002). Lactose content was always higher (+0.8 g/kg; P < 0.0001) for the YS group, indicating enhanced energy utilisation. In general, the effect of YS was higher during the first study period (one to seven weeks), when cows were in early lactation and the production potential was higher. YS cows produced significantly more milk during the study, and an additional 220 kg milk per cow was sold from this group from the output measured from the beginning of the study to two weeks post-trial. However, the statistical analysis including the post-study period did not show a significant effect. The 305-day simulated milk production was higher for the YS group (+400 kg/cow) but again the difference was not significant. In conclusion, YS at a target dose of 5 × 107 CFU/kg DM improved milk production and milk quality in healthy dairy cows. In addition, when the data were included in a whole-farm model, feeding YS reduced methane emissions by 4%, reduced the number of animals required for the desired milk production by 4% and increased overall farm margins by 1.4%.
JOHN STUART MILL, VICTORIAN LIBERALISM, AND THE FAILURE OF CO-OPERATIVE PRODUCTION
Authors: BETTS JOCELYN PAUL
Published: October 2015

John Stuart Mill's support for, and predictions of, co-operative production have been taken as a coherent wedding of liberal and socialist concerns, and as drawing together later nineteenth-century political economy and working-class radicalism. Despite its evident significance, the alliance of political economy and co-operative production was, however, highly conflicted, contested, and short-lived, in ways that help to shed light on the construction of knowledge of society in nineteenth-century Britain. Mill's vision should be seen as developed in contrast to the sociological and historical perspectives of Auguste Comte and Thomas Carlyle, as an attempt to hold together political economy as a valid form of knowledge with the hope of a new social stage in which commerce would be imbued with public spirit. This ideal thus involved debate about competing social futures and the tools of prediction, as well as entering debates within political economy where it was equally embattled. Even Mill's own economic logic tended more towards support of profit-sharing than co-operative production, and hopes for the latter became significantly less persuasive with the introduction of the concept of the entrepreneur into mainstream British economics during the 1870s and 1880s.
The beginning of Melissus' On Nature or On What-Is: a reconstruction
Authors: Harriman Benjamin
Published: October 2015

The philosophical treatise of Melissus of Samos is often maintained to have a strictly deductive argumentative structure. This article attempts to confirm this thesis by establishing that such a structure is instituted beginning from its title and introductory sphragis. Extant paraphrases of Melissus’ treatise are examined and are argued (in line with some previous treatments) to provide a highly illuminating indication that the work began from the hypothesis that something is. Next, an account of how the first verbatim fragment (DK30B1) takes up this prefatory material is given along with a reconstructed text and translation of the title, preface and argument for the sempiternity of what-is.
Shepherds beating the bounds? Territorial identity at a dependent community (IPriene 361–63)
Authors: Mack William
Published: October 2015

In this article, I re-examine a little-studied stele from Thebes on Mount Mykale in Asia Minor for the light which it sheds on the position this minor community occupied as a territorial possession of Miletus. Two texts were inscribed on this stele in the early fourth century BC, on its front and back. Both are exceptional: IPriene 363 in delineating the territorial boundaries of Thebes for an internal audience; IPriene 362 in setting out an onerous schedule of sacrificial offerings which those who pastured sheep or goats were obliged to observe. After identifying another inscription, IPriene 361, as an additional fragment of the same stele, and presenting photographs, texts, translations and commentaries, I argue that the stele functioned as a coherent monument regulating the activities of pastoral producers and that it was probably erected by the Thebans themselves in order to reinforce their territorial integrity. As such it represents a unique case study for exploring issues of territoriality and communal dependence in the Greek world.
Stones, wood and woven papyrus: Porphyry’s On Statues
Authors: Miles Graeme
Published: October 2015

Among the fragmentary works of the Neoplatonist philosopher Porphyry of Tyre are some reasonably substantial remains of his essay on the interpretation of cult images, On Statues (περì Ἀγαλμάτων). My study falls into two parts. Firstly, I assess the major source of our fragments, Eusebius of Caesarea’s Praeparatio Evangelica, and argue that the full text of On Statues would have looked quite different, and in particular much less Stoic, than the surviving fragments would suggest. Secondly, I turn to consider what these fragments tell us about Porphyry’s thoughts on the interpretation of images and the place of these thoughts in the wider history of viewing.
Late Neoplatonic discourses on suicide and the question of Christian philosophy professors at Alexandria
Authors: Papazian Michael
Published: October 2015

The later Neoplatonic commentaries attributed to David and Elias are considered by many scholars to be the work of Christians who dominated the Alexandrian school in the latter half of the sixth century. Christian Wildberg has challenged this prevailing view: he argues that the commentaries are more likely the work of pagan philosophers. Scholars who support Christian authorship have appealed to the strict prohibition against suicide expressed in the parts of the commentaries that discuss Socrates’ characterization in the Phaedo of philosophy as the practice of death. But the proscription of suicide that the commentators read into the Phaedo is consistent with the teachings of pagan Neoplatonists and thus provides no basis for a rejection of Wildberg’s thesis. I discuss the literary and historical exempla that the commentators use and propose that these are drawn in part from Gregory of Nazianzus’ Invective against Julian. The connection between the discourses and Gregory’s text suggests that the commentators may have been deliberately responding to his accusations of pagan hypocrisy.
Son Preference Reconfigured? A Qualitative Study of Migration and Social Change in Four Chinese Villages
Authors: Eklund Lisa
Published: October 2015

Drawing from ethnographic data from 48 households in four villages in rural Anhui, this study explores how two practices known for upholding son preference are affected by rural–urban out-migration, with a particular focus on the division of labour in agricultural work and patrilocality. The study deploys the concepts of an intergenerational contract and the “unsubstitutability” of sons and finds that a weakening of the intergenerational contract can take place without substantially challenging the unsubstitutability of sons. The study concludes that although male out-migration undermines the argument that sons are needed to secure male manual labour in family farming, the vital role of male labour as a rural livelihood strategy largely persists. Moreover, although the study identifies migration-induced exceptions, patrilocality remains the main organizing principle for social and economic life for both male and female migrants. Hence, the study finds little support for the prospect that migration is attenuating son preference in rural China.
Selection of population controls for aSalmonellacase-control study in the UK using a market research panel and web-survey provides time and resource savings
Authors: MOOK P. , KANAGARAJAH S. , MAGUIRE H. , ADAK G. K. , DABRERA G. , WALDRAM A. , FREEMAN R. , CHARLETT A. , OLIVER I.
Published: October 2015

Timely recruitment of population controls in infectious disease outbreak investigations is challenging. We evaluated the timeliness and cost of using a market research panel as a sampling frame for recruiting controls in a case-control study during an outbreak ofSalmonellaMikawasima in the UK in 2013. We deployed a web-survey by email to targeted members of a market research panel (panel controls) in parallel to the outbreak control team interviewing randomly selected public health staff by telephone and completing paper-based questionnaires (staff controls). Recruitment and completion of exposure history web-surveys for panel controls (n= 123) took 14 h compared to 15 days for staff controls (n= 82). The average staff-time cost per questionnaire for staff controls was £13·13 compared to an invoiced cost of £3·60 per panel control. Differences in the distribution of some exposures existed between these control groups but case-control studies using each group found that illness was associated with consumption of chicken outside of the home and chicken from local butchers. Recruiting market research panel controls offers time and resource savings. More rapid investigations would enable more prompt implementation of control measures. We recommend that this method of recruiting controls is considered in future investigations and assessed further to better understand strengths and limitations.
Experimental infection of rock pigeons (Columba livia) with three West Nile virus lineage 1 strains isolated in Italy between 2009 and 2012
Authors: SPEDICATO M. , CARMINE I. , BELLACICCO A. L. , MARRUCHELLA G. , MARINI V. , PISCIELLA M. , DI FRANCESCO G. , LORUSSO A. , MONACO F. , SAVINI G.
Published: October 2015

West Nile virus (WNV) circulation dynamics in the context of the urban environment is not yet elucidated. In this perspective, three groups of eight rock pigeons (Columbia livia) were inoculated with three WNV lineage 1 strains isolated in Italy between 2009 and 2012. The pigeons did not develop any clinical signs consistent with WNV acute infection. All animals seroconverted and shed virus up to 15 days post-infection by the oral or cloacal routes. In all infected groups viraemia lasted for 4 days post-infection. No WNV-specific gross or histological lesions were found in infected birds compared to control birds and immunohistochemistry remained constantly negative from all tissues. The reservoir competence index was also assessed and it ranged between 0·11 and 0·14. This study demonstrates that pigeons are competent reservoir hosts for Italian WNV lineage 1 circulating strains thus potentially posing a risk to the public health system.
Effects of nutrient profiling and price changes based on NuVal®scores on food purchasing in an online experimental supermarket
Authors: Epstein Leonard H , Finkelstein Eric A , Katz David L , Jankowiak Noelle , Pudlewski Corrin , Paluch Rocco A
Published: October 2015

Objective

The goal of the present study was to apply experimental economic methods in an online supermarket to examine the effects of nutrient profiling, and differential pricing based on the nutrient profile, on the overall diet quality, energy and macronutrients of the foods purchased, and diet cost.

Design

Participants were provided nutrient profiling scores or price adjustments based on nutrient profile scores while completing a hypothetical grocery shopping task. Prices of foods in the top 20 % of nutrient profiling scores were reduced (subsidized) by 25 % while those in the bottom 20 % of scores were increased (taxed) by 25 %. We evaluated the independent and interactive effects of nutrient profiling or price adjustments on overall diet quality of foods purchased as assessed by the NuVal®score, energy and macronutrients purchased and diet cost in a 2×2 factorial design.

Setting

A large (>10 000 food items) online experimental supermarket in the USA.

Subjects

Seven hundred and eighty-one women.

Results

Providing nutrient profiling scores improved overall diet quality of foods purchased. Price changes were associated with an increase in protein purchased, an increase in energy cost, and reduced carbohydrate and protein costs. Price changes and nutrient profiling combined were associated with no unique benefits beyond price changes or nutrient profiling alone.

Conclusions

Providing nutrient profile score increased overall NuVal®score without a reduction in energy purchased. Combining nutrient profiling and price changes did not show an overall benefit to diet quality and may be less useful than nutrient profiling alone to consumers who want to increase overall diet quality of foods purchased.
Effects of Long-Term Aging in Arsenical Copper Alloys
Authors: Pereira Filipa , Silva Rui J. C. , Monge Soares António M. , Araújo Maria F. , Oliveira Maria J. , Martins Rui M. S. , Schell Norberth
Published: October 2015

Archaeological materials present unique records on natural processes allowing the study of long-term material behaviors such as structural modifications and degradation mechanisms. The present work is focused on the chemical and microstructural characterization of four prehistoric arsenical copper artifacts. These artifacts were characterized by micro-energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with X-ray microanalysis, micro-X-ray diffraction and synchrotron radiation micro-X-ray diffraction. Cu3As is the expected intermetallic arsenide in arsenical copper alloys, reported in the literature as exhibiting a hexagonal crystallographic structure. However, a cubic Cu3As phase was identified by X-ray diffraction in all of our analyzed archaeological artifacts, while the hexagonal Cu3As phase was clearly identified only in the artifact with higher arsenic content. Occurrence of the cubic arsenide in these particular objects, suggests that it was precipitated due to long-term aging at room temperature, which points to the need of a redefinition of the Cu-As equilibrium phase constitution. These results highlight the importance of understanding the impact of structural aging for the assessment of original properties of archaeological arsenical copper artifacts, such as hardness or color.
NASA Selects Launch Vehicles for Small Satellites
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: October 2015

Miniature satellites offer new opportunities for science, commerce, and education. With new launch vehicles, these satellites will fly as primary payloads rather than hitchhiking on bigger missions.
Positron emission tomography-computed tomography in the diagnostic evaluation of smoldering multiple myeloma: identification of patients needing therapy
Authors: Siontis B , Kumar S , Dispenzieri A , Drake M T , Lacy M Q , Buadi F , Dingli D , Kapoor P , Gonsalves W , Gertz M A , Rajkumar S V
Published: October 2015

We studied 188 patients with a suspected smoldering multiple myeloma (MM) who had undergone a positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) scan as part of their clinical evaluation. PET-CT was positive (clinical radiologist interpretation of increased bone uptake and/or evidence of lytic bone destruction) in 74 patients and negative in 114 patients. Of these, 25 patients with a positive PET-CT and 97 patients with a negative PET-CT were observed without therapy and formed the study cohort (n=122). The probability of progression to MM within 2 years was 75% in patients with a positive PET-CT observed without therapy compared with 30% in patients with a negative PET-CT; median time to progression was 21 months versus 60 months, respectively, P=0.0008. Of 25 patients with a positive PET-CT, the probability of progression was 87% at 2 years in those with evidence of underlying osteolysis (n=16) and 61% in patients with abnormal PET-CT uptake but no evidence of osteolysis (n=9). Patients with positive PET-CT and evidence of underlying osteolysis have a high risk of progression to MM within 2 years when observed without therapy. These observations support recent changes to imaging requirements in the International Myeloma Working Group updated diagnostic criteria for MM.
Cyanobacterial reuse of extracellular organic carbon in microbial mats
Authors: Stuart Rhona K , Mayali Xavier , Lee Jackson Z , Craig Everroad R , Hwang Mona , Bebout Brad M , Weber Peter K , Pett-Ridge Jennifer , Thelen Michael P
Published: October 2015

Cyanobacterial organic matter excretion is crucial to carbon cycling in many microbial communities, but the nature and bioavailability of this C depend on unknown physiological functions. Cyanobacteria-dominated hypersaline laminated mats are a useful model ecosystem for the study of C flow in complex communities, as they use photosynthesis to sustain a more or less closed system. Although such mats have a large C reservoir in the extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs), the production and degradation of organic carbon is not well defined. To identify extracellular processes in cyanobacterial mats, we examined mats collected from Elkhorn Slough (ES) at Monterey Bay, California, for glycosyl and protein composition of the EPS. We found a prevalence of simple glucose polysaccharides containing either α or β (1,4) linkages, indicating distinct sources of glucose with differing enzymatic accessibility. Using proteomics, we identified cyanobacterial extracellular enzymes, and also detected activities that indicate a capacity for EPS degradation. In a less complex system, we characterized the EPS of a cyanobacterial isolate from ES, ESFC-1, and found the extracellular composition of biofilms produced by this unicyanobacterial culture were similar to that of natural mats. By tracing isotopically labeled EPS into single cells of ESFC-1, we demonstrated rapid incorporation of extracellular-derived carbon. Taken together, these results indicate cyanobacteria reuse excess organic carbon, constituting a dynamic pool of extracellular resources in these mats.
Coral record of southeast Indian Ocean marine heatwaves with intensified Western Pacific temperature gradient
Authors: Zinke J. , Hoell A. , Lough J. M. , Feng M. , Kuret A. J. , Clarke H. , Ricca V. , Rankenburg K. , McCulloch M. T.
Published: October 2015

Increasing intensity of marine heatwaves has caused widespread mass coral bleaching events, threatening the integrity and functional diversity of coral reefs. Here we demonstrate the role of inter-ocean coupling in amplifying thermal stress on reefs in the poorly studied southeast Indian Ocean (SEIO), through a robust 215-year (1795–2010) geochemical coral proxy sea surface temperature (SST) record. We show that marine heatwaves affecting the SEIO are linked to the behaviour of the Western Pacific Warm Pool on decadal to centennial timescales, and are most pronounced when an anomalously strong zonal SST gradient between the western and central Pacific co-occurs with strong La Niña's. This SST gradient forces large-scale changes in heat flux that exacerbate SEIO heatwaves. Better understanding of the zonal SST gradient in the Western Pacific is expected to improve projections of the frequency of extreme SEIO heatwaves and their ecological impacts on the important coral reef ecosystems off Western Australia.
Erratum: Reward feedback stimuli elicit high-beta EEG oscillations in human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
Authors: HajiHosseini Azadeh , Holroyd Clay B.
Published: October 2015

Reward-related feedback stimuli have been observed to elicit a burst of power in the beta frequency range over frontal areas of the human scalp. Recent discussions have suggested possible neural sources for this activity but there is a paucity of empirical evidence on the question. Here we recorded EEG from participants while they navigated a virtual T-maze to find monetary rewards. Consistent with previous studies, we found that the reward feedback stimuli elicited an increase in beta power (20–30 Hz) over a right-frontal area of the scalp. Source analysis indicated that this signal was produced in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). These findings align with previous observations of reward-related beta oscillations in the DLPFC in non-human primates. We speculate that increased power in the beta frequency range following reward receipt reflects the activation of task-related neural assemblies that encode the stimulus-response mapping in working memory.
A Versatile Microarray Platform for Capturing Rare Cells
Authors: Brinkmann Falko , Hirtz Michael , Haller Anna , Gorges Tobias M. , Vellekoop Michael J. , Riethdorf Sabine , Müller Volkmar , Pantel Klaus , Fuchs Harald
Published: October 2015

Analyses of rare events occurring at extremely low frequencies in body fluids are still challenging. We established a versatile microarray-based platform able to capture single target cells from large background populations. As use case we chose the challenging application of detecting circulating tumor cells (CTCs) – about one cell in a billion normal blood cells. After incubation with an antibody cocktail, targeted cells are extracted on a microarray in a microfluidic chip. The accessibility of our platform allows for subsequent recovery of targets for further analysis. The microarray facilitates exclusion of false positive capture events by co-localization allowing for detection without fluorescent labelling. Analyzing blood samples from cancer patients with our platform reached and partly outreached gold standard performance, demonstrating feasibility for clinical application. Clinical researchers free choice of antibody cocktail without need for altered chip manufacturing or incubation protocol, allows virtual arbitrary targeting of capture species and therefore wide spread applications in biomedical sciences.
Genetic and functional characterization of HIV-1 Vif on APOBEC3G degradation: First report of emergence of B/C recombinants from North India
Authors: Ronsard Larance , Raja Rameez , Panwar Vaishali , Saini Sanjesh , Mohankumar Kumaravel , Sridharan Subhashree , Padmapriya Ramamoorthy , Chaudhuri Suhnrita , Ramachandran Vishnampettai G , Banerjea Akhil C
Published: October 2015

HIV-1 is characterized by high genetic heterogeneity which is a challenge for developing therapeutics. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the extent of genetic variations that HIV is undergoing in North India. The objective of this study was to determine the role of genetic and functional role of Vif on APOBEC3G degradation. Vif is an accessory protein involved in counteracting APOBEC3/F proteins. Genetic analysis of Vif variants revealed that Vif C variants were closely related to South African Vif C whereas Vif B variants and Vif B/C showed distinct geographic locations. This is the first report to show the emergence of Vif B/C in our population. The functional domains, motifs and phosphorylation sites were well conserved. Vif C variants differed in APOBEC3G degradation from Vif B variants. Vif B/C revealed similar levels of APOBEC3G degradation to Vif C confirming the presence of genetic determinants in C-terminal region. High genetic diversity was observed in Vif variants which may cause the emergence of more complex and divergent strains. These results reveal the genetic determinants of Vif in mediating APOBEC3G degradation and highlight the genetic information for the development of anti-viral drugs against HIV. Importance: Vif is an accessory HIV-1 protein which plays significant role in the degradation of human DNA-editing factor APOBEC3G, thereby impeding the antiretroviral activity of APOBEC3G. It is known that certain natural polymorphisms in Vif could degrade APOBEC3G relatively higher rate, suggesting its role in HIV-1 pathogenesis. This is the first report from North India showcasing genetic variations and novel polymorphisms in Vif gene. Subtype C is prevalent in India, but for the first time we observed putative B/C recombinants with a little high ability to degrade APOBEC3G indicating adaptation and evolving nature of virus in our population. Indian Vif C variants were able to degrade APOBEC3G well in comparison to Vif B variants. These genetic changes were most likely selected during adaptation of HIV to our population. These results elucidate that the genetic determinants of Vif and highlights the potential targets for therapeutics.
Neural tube opening and abnormal extraembryonic membrane development in SEC23A deficient mice
Authors: Zhu Min , Tao Jiayi , Vasievich Matthew P. , Wei Wei , Zhu Guojing , Khoriaty Rami N. , Zhang Bin
Published: October 2015

COPII (coat protein complex-II) vesicles transport proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi. Higher eukaryotes have two or more paralogs of most COPII components. Here we characterize mice deficient for SEC23A and studied interactions of Sec23a null allele with the previously reported Sec23b null allele. SEC23A deficiency leads to mid-embryonic lethality associated with defective development of extraembryonic membranes and neural tube opening in midbrain. Secretion defects of multiple collagen types are observed in different connective tissues, suggesting that collagens are primarily transported in SEC23A-containing vesicles in these cells. Other extracellular matrix proteins, such as fibronectin, are not affected by SEC23A deficiency. Intracellular accumulation of unsecreted proteins leads to strong induction of the unfolded protein response in collagen-producing cells. No collagen secretion defects are observed in SEC23B deficient embryos. We report that E-cadherin is a cargo that accumulates in acini of SEC23B deficient pancreas and salivary glands. Compensatory increase of one paralog is observed in the absence of the second paralog. Haploinsufficiency of the remaining Sec23 paralog on top of homozygous inactivation of the first paralog leads to earlier lethality of embryos. Our results suggest that mammalian SEC23A and SEC23B transport overlapping yet distinct spectra of cargo in vivo.
Identification of a phosphinothricin-resistant mutant of rice glutamine synthetase using DNA shuffling
Authors: Tian Yong-Sheng , Xu Jing , Zhao Wei , Xing Xiao-Juan , Fu Xiao-Yan , Peng Ri-He , Yao Quan-Hong
Published: October 2015

To date, only bar/pat gene derived from Streptomyces has been used to generate the commercial PPT-resistant crops currently available in the market. The limited source of bar/pat gene is probably what has caused the decrease in PPT-tolerance, which has become the main concern of those involved in field management programs. Although glutamine synthetase (GS) is the target enzyme of PPT, little study has been reported about engineering PPT-resisitant plants with GS gene. Then, the plant-optimized GS gene from Oryza sativa (OsGS1S) was chemically synthesized in the present study by PTDS to identify a GS gene for developing PPT-tolerant plants. However, OsGS1S cannot be directly used for developing PPT-tolerant plants because of its poor PPT-resistance. Thus, we performed DNA shuffling on OsGS1S and one highly PPT-resistant mutant with mutations in four amino acids (A63E, V193A, T293A and R295K) was isolated after three rounds of DNA shuffling and screening. Among the four amino acids substitutions, only R295K was identified as essential in altering PPT resistance. The R295K mutation has also never been previously reported as an important residue for PPT resistance. Furthermore, the mutant gene has been transformed into Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Arabidopsis to confirm its potential in developing PPT-resistant crops.
Ba(Zn1−2xMnxCux)2As2: A Bulk Form Diluted Ferromagnetic Semiconductor with Mn and Cu Codoping at Zn Sites
Authors: Man Huiyuan , Guo Shengli , Sui Yu , Guo Yang , Chen Bin , Wang Hangdong , Ding Cui , Ning F.L.
Published: October 2015

We report the synthesis and characterization of a bulk form diluted magnetic semiconductor Ba(Zn1−2xMnxCux)2As2"Equation missing" with the crystal structure identical to that of “122” family iron based superconductors and the antiferromagnet BaMn2As2. No ferromagnetic order occurs with (Zn, Mn) or (Zn, Cu) substitution in the parent compound BaZn2As2. Only when Zn is substituted by both Mn and Cu simultaneously, can the system undergo a ferromagnetic transition below TC ~ 70 K, followed by a magnetic glassy transition at Tf  ~ 35 K. AC susceptibility measurements for Ba(Zn0.75Mn0.125Cu0.125)2As2 reveal that Tf strongly depends on the applied frequency with "Equation missing" and a DC magnetic field dependence of "Equation missing", demonstrating that a spin glass transition takes place at Tf. As large as −53% negative magnetoresistance has been observed in Ba(Zn1−2xMnxCux)2As2, enabling its possible application in memory devices.
Size does matter: crocodile mothers react more to the voice of smaller offspring
Authors: Chabert T. , Colin A. , Aubin T. , Shacks V. , Bourquin S. L. , Elsey R. M. , Acosta J. G. , Mathevon N.
Published: October 2015

Parental care is widespread in Archosaurs (birds, crocodilians, dinosaurs and pterosaurs) and this group provides a useful model for the evolution of parent-offspring interactions. While offspring signalling has been well-studied in birds, the modulation of parental care in crocodilians remains an open question. Here we show that acoustic communication has a key role in the dynamics of crocodilian’ mother-offspring relationships. We found embedded information about the emitter’s size in juvenile calls of several species and experimentally demonstrated that Nile crocodile mothers breeding in the wild are less receptive to the calls of larger juveniles. Using synthetized sounds, we further showed that female’ reaction depends on call pitch, an important cue bearing size information. Changes in acoustic interactions may thus go with the break of maternal care as well as dispersal of juvenile crocodilians. This process could have characterized other archosaurs displaying rapid early growth such as dinosaurs and pterosaurs.
Chronic Activation of the Renin-Angiotensin System Induces Lung Fibrosis
Authors: Wang Jiaolong , Chen Li , Chen Bohao , Meliton Angelo , Liu Shu Q. , Shi Yongyan , Liu Tianjing , Deb Dilip K. , Solway Julian , Chun Li Yan
Published: October 2015

Pulmonary fibrosis is a serious lung disorder that can lead to respiratory failure. Here we show that transgenic mice expressing active renin from the liver (RenTgMK) developed progressive pulmonary fibrosis leading to impaired pulmonary function. Histological analyses revealed a marked increase in extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and decrease in alveolar size in the lungs of RenTgMK mice compared to wild-type (WT) littermates, accompanied with increased expression of ECM proteins and fibrogenic factors. The increase in lung fibrosis led to a substantial decrease in respiratory system compliance. Two-week treatment with aliskiren (renin inhibitor) or losartan (AT1 antagonist) ameliorated pulmonary ECM deposition, blocked the induction of ECM proteins and fibrogenic factors and improved respiratory compliance in RenTgMK mice, confirming a critical role of the renin-Ang II-AT1 cascade in promoting pulmonary fibrogenesis. However, when RenTgMK mice were treated with hydralazine (a smooth muscle relaxant), the blood pressure was normalized but the lung fibrotic abnormalities, fibrogenic gene induction and pulmonary elasticity were not corrected. Moreover, intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide induced more severe lung injury in RenTgMK mice compared to WT littermates. These observations demonstrate that the renin-angiotensin system is a key mediator of lung fibrosis and its pro-fibrotic effect is independent of blood pressure.
Light exposure before learning improves memory consolidation at night
Authors: Shan Li-Li , Guo Hao , Song Ning-Ning , Jia Zheng-Ping , Hu Xin-Tian , Huang Jing-Fei , Ding Yu-Qiang , Richter-Levin Gal , Zhou Qi-Xin , Xu Lin
Published: October 2015

Light is recently recognized as a modulator able to activate the hippocampus and modulate memory processing, but little is known about the molecular mechanisms. Here, we report that in mice, a short pulse of white light before learning dramatically improves consolidation of contextual fear memory during the night. The light exposure increases hippocampal active p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) and CA1 long-term potentiation (LTP). These light effects are abolished in PAK1 knockout and dominant-negative transgenic mice, but preserved by expression of constitutively active PAK1 in the hippocampus. Our results indicate that light can act as a switch of PAK1 activity that modulate CA1 LTP and thereby memory consolidation without affecting learning and short-term memory.
First discovery of Holocene cryptotephra in Amazonia
Authors: Watson Elizabeth J. , Swindles Graeme T. , Savov Ivan P. , Bacon Karen L.
Published: October 2015

The use of volcanic ash layers for dating and correlation (tephrochronology) is widely applied in the study of past environmental changes. We describe the first cryptotephra (non-visible volcanic ash horizon) to be identified in the Amazon basin, which is tentatively attributed to a source in the Ecuadorian Eastern Cordillera (0–1°S, 78-79°W), some 500-600 km away from our field site in the Peruvian Amazon. Our discovery 1) indicates that the Amazon basin has been subject to volcanic ash fallout during the recent past; 2) highlights the opportunities for using cryptotephras to date palaeoenvironmental records in the Amazon basin and 3) indicates that cryptotephra layers are preserved in a dynamic Amazonian peatland, suggesting that similar layers are likely to be present in other peat sequences that are important for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. The discovery of cryptotephra in an Amazonian peatland provides a baseline for further investigation of Amazonian tephrochronology and the potential impacts of volcanism on vegetation.
Silencing NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase results in reduced acaricide resistance in Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval)
Authors: Shi Li , Zhang Jiao , Shen Guangmao , Xu Zhifeng , Wei Peng , Zhang Yichao , Xu Qiang , He Lin
Published: October 2015

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) are involved in metabolic resistance to insecticides and require NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) to transfer electrons when they catalyze oxidation reactions. The carmine spider mite, Tetranychus cinnabarinus is an important pest mite of crop and vegetable plants worldwide and its resistance to acaricides has quickly developed. However, the role of CPR on the formation of acaricide-resistance in T. cinnabarinus is still unclear. In this study, a full-length cDNA encoding CPR was cloned and characterized from T. cinnabarinus (designated TcCPR). TcCPR expression was detectable in all developmental stages of T. cinnabarinus, but it’s much lower in eggs. TcCPR was up-regulated and more inducible with fenpropathrin treatment in the fenpropathrin-resistant (FeR) strain compared with the susceptible SS strain. Feeding of double-strand RNA was effective in silencing the transcription of TcCPR in T. cinnabarinus, which resulted in decreasing the activity of P450s and increasing the susceptibility to fenpropathrin in the FeR strain but not in the susceptible strain. The current results provide first evidence that the down-regulation of TcCPR contributed to an increase of the susceptibility to fenpropathrin in resistant mites. TcCPR could be considered as a novel target for the development of new pesticides.
A load of mice to hypergravity causes AMPKα repression with liver injury, which is overcome by preconditioning loads via Nrf2
Authors: Lee Sang Gil , Lee Chan Gyu , Wu Hong Min , Oh Choong Sik , Chung So Won , Kim Sang Geon
Published: October 2015

An understanding of the effects of hypergravity on energy homeostasis is necessary in managing proper physiological countermeasures for aerospace missions. This study investigated whether a single or multiple load(s) of mice to hypergravity has an effect on molecules associated with energy metabolism. In the liver, AMPKα level and its signaling were repressed 6 h after a load to +9 Gz hypergravity for 1 h and then gradually returned toward normal. AMPKα level was restored after 3 loads to +9 Gz, suggestive of preconditioning adaptation. In cDNA microarray analyses, 221 genes were differentially expressed by +9 Gz and the down-regulated genes included Nrf2 targets. Nrf2 gene knockout abrogated the recovery of AMPKα elicited by 3 loads to +9 Gz, indicating that Nrf2 plays a role in the adaptive increase of AMPKα. In addition, +9 Gz stress decreased STAT3, FOXO1/3 and CREB levels, which was attenuated during the resting time. Similarly, apoptotic markers were enhanced in the liver, indicating that the liver may be vulnerable to hypergravity stress. Preconditioning loads prevented hepatocyte apoptosis. Overall, a load of mice to +9 Gz hypergravity causes AMPKα repression with liver injury, which may be overcome by multiple loads to hypergravity as mediated by Nrf2.
Right handed chiral superstructures from achiral molecules: self-assembly with a twist
Authors: Anuradha  , La Duong Duc , Al Kobaisi Mohammad , Bhosale Sheshanath V.
Published: October 2015

The induction and development of chiral supramolecular structures from hierarchical self-assembly of achiral compounds is closely related to the evolution of life and the chiral amplification found in nature. Here we show that the combination of achiral tetraphenylethene (TPE) an AIE-active luminophore bearing four long alkyl chains via amide linkage allows the entire process of induction and control of supramolecular chirality into well-defined uniform right-handed twisted superstructures via solvent composition and polarity, i.e. solvophobic effect. We showed that the degree of twist and the pitch of the ribbons can be controlled to one-handed helical structure via solvophobic effects. The twisted superstructure assembly was visualised by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), furthermore, circular dichroism (CD) confirms used to determine controlled right-handed assembly. This controlled assembly of an AIE-active molecule can be of practical value; for example, as templates for helical crystallisation, catalysis and a chiral mechanochromic luminescent superstructure formation.
Optically secured information retrieval using two authenticated phase-only masks
Authors: Wang Xiaogang , Chen Wen , Mei Shengtao , Chen Xudong
Published: October 2015

We propose an algorithm for jointly designing two phase-only masks (POMs) that allow for the encryption and noise-free retrieval of triple images. The images required for optical retrieval are first stored in quick-response (QR) codes for noise-free retrieval and flexible readout. Two sparse POMs are respectively calculated from two different images used as references for authentication based on modified Gerchberg-Saxton algorithm (GSA) and pixel extraction and are then used as support constraints in a modified double-phase retrieval algorithm (MPRA), together with the above-mentioned QR codes. No visible information about the target images or the reference images can be obtained from each of these authenticated POMs. This approach allows users to authenticate the two POMs used for image reconstruction without visual observation of the reference images. It also allows user to friendly access and readout with mobile devices.
Association study of BCL9 gene polymorphism rs583583 with schizophrenia and negative symptoms in Japanese population
Authors: Kimura Hiroki , Tanaka Satoshi , Kushima Itaru , Koide Takayoshi , Banno Masahiro , Kikuchi Tsutomu , Nakamura Yukako , Shiino Tomoko , Yoshimi Akira , Oya-Ito Tomoko , Xing Jingrui , Wang Chenyao , Takasaki Yuto , Aleksic Branko , Okada Takashi , Ikeda Masashi , Inada Toshiya , Iidaka Tetsuya , Iwata Nakao , Ozaki Norio
Published: October 2015

B-cell CLL/lymphoma 9 (BCL9) is located within the schizophrenia (SCZ) suspected locus chr1q21.1. A recent study reported that a single nucleotide polyphormism (SNP) within BCL9 (rs583583) is associated with negative symptoms of Schizophrenia, as measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), in the Caucasian population. We therefore investigated genetic association of rs583583 and its effect on negative symptoms in the Japanese patients. For association analysis, we used a Japanese sample set comprising 1089 SCZ and 950 controls (CON). Analysis of the effect of rs586586 on negative symptoms as examined by PANSS was investigated using 280 SCZ. Furthermore, for analysis of cognitive performance, we investigated 90 SCZ and 51 CON using the Continuous Performance Test (CPT-IP) and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) Keio version. We did not detect association between rs583583 and SCZ. Furthermore, rs583583 was not associated with PANSS negative scores or with CPT-IT or WCST cognitive tests. Considering the results of our previous study, combined with the results of the current study of rs583583, we argue that BCL9 most likely does not harbor a common genetic variant that can increase the risk for SCZ in the Japanese population.
Non-mercury catalytic acetylene hydrochlorination over activated carbon-supported Au catalysts promoted by CeO2
Authors: Li Guangbi , Li Wei , Zhang Jinli
Published: October 2015

Gold–cerium oxide catalysts were prepared to study the effects of cerium oxide additives on the catalytic performance of gold catalysts for acetylene hydrochlorination, using activated carbon as the support.
One-pot synthesis of Pt catalysts based on layered double hydroxides: an application in propane dehydrogenation
Authors: Filez M. , Redekop E. A. , Poelman H. , Galvita V. V. , Meledina M. , Turner S. , Van Tendeloo G. , Detavernier C. , Marin G. B.
Published: October 2015

One-pot synthesis of Mg,Al,Pt,In–layered double hydroxides (LDHs) yields well-dispersed Pt–In NPs. These nanocatalysts display high propane dehydrogenation activity and display the potential for deriving a broad class of Pt catalysts from LDHs.
Kinetic regimes in the tandem reactions of H-BEA catalyzed formation of p-xylene from dimethylfuran
Authors: Williams C. Luke , Vinter Katherine P. , Chang Chun-Chih , Xiong Ruichang , Green Sara K. , Sandler Stanley I. , Vlachos Dionisios G. , Fan Wei , Dauenhauer Paul J.
Published: October 2015

Tandem Diels–Alder cycloaddition and subsequent dehydration of dimethylfuran and ethylene produces renewablep-xylene with an H-BEA zeolite catalyst.
An unprecedented gas-phase condensation reaction mediated by a bissilylated chloronium ion intermediate
Authors: Firmino Thiago R. , Riveros José M.
Published: October 2015

Gas phase Cl2Si(OH)+ ions undergo an unusual condensation reaction with SiCl4 to yield Cl3SiOSiCl2+ ions that by progressive hydrolysis or solvolysis give rise to a large variety of siloxane type moieties.
Novel dithienosilole-based conjugated copolymers and their application in bulk heterojunction solar cells
Authors: Liu Lijie , Song Jinsheng , Lu Heng , Wang Hua , Bo Zhishan
Published: October 2015

A series of silicon containing conjugated polymers were prepared from the novel asymmetrical dithienosilole.
Preparation and hydrophobicity failure behavior of two kinds of fluorine-containing acrylic polyurethane coatings
Authors: Yang Fei , Zhu Liqun , Han Dongxiao , Li Weiping , Chen Yichi , Wang Xianming , Ning Liang
Published: October 2015

Two kinds of fluorine-containing acrylic copolymers, prepared following an in situ radical polymerization fluorine modification method and a post-polymerization fluorine modification route, respectively, achieved different failure behaviors and hydrophobicities.
The new dicyanoruthenium(iii) building block with 2′-hydroxyacetophenone imine for heterobimetallic complexes
Authors: Ru Jing , Zong Tian-Xiang , Ge Jing-Yuan , Yao Min-Xia , Zuo Jing-Lin
Published: October 2015

Five one-dimensional heterobimetallic chains based on the new dicyanoruthenium(iii) complex, trans-(Ph4P)[Ru(L)2(CN)2] (L = 2′-hydroxyacetophenone imine), are synthesized and structurally characterized. Magnetostructural correlation for these compounds is discussed.
3-Hydroxypropionaldehyde (3-HPA) quantification by HPLC using a synthetic acrolein-free 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde system as analytical standard
Authors: Burgé G. , Flourat A. L. , Pollet B. , Spinnler H. E. , Allais F.
Published: October 2015

HPLC-based quantification of 3-HPA using a synthetic acrolein-free 3-HPA standard obtained from commercially available 1,2,4-butanetriol through a straightforward and easy synthetic process.
Self-assembled asymmetric membrane containing micron-size germanium for high capacity lithium ion batteries
Authors: Byrd Ian , Chen Hao , Webber Theron , Li Jianlin , Wu Ji
Published: October 2015

Asymmetric porous structure formedviaa self-assembly phase inversion method can significantly improve the cycling performance of lithium ion anodes made of micron-size germanium powders.
Local zincblende coordination in heteroepitaxial wurtzite Zn1−xMgxO:Mn thin films with 0.01 ≤ x ≤ 0.04 identified by electron paramagnetic resonance
Authors: Böttcher Rolf , Lorenz Michael , Pöppl Andreas , Spemann Daniel , Grundmann Marius
Published: October 2015

Heteroepitaxial Zn1−xMgxO:Mn thin films show already atx= 0.01 a local cubic zincblende coordination attributed to stacking faults.