bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of steeping on soluble phosphorus levels in wheat, wheatfeed and soyabean meal
Authors: Beal J.D. , Niven S.J. , Brooks P.H. , Gill B.P.
Published: June 2019

Much of the phosphorus in feed ingredients is unavailable to the pig because it is locked up in phytic acid and phytates, which the pig cannot digest. Raw ingredients that have not been heat-treated contain endogenous phytases which can be activated by steeping in water prior to inclusion in liquid feed for pigs. This results in an increase in soluble phosphorus due to the hydrolysis of phytic acid and phytates, and hence an increase in the phosphorus available to the pig. However, with heat-treated ingredients such as soyabean meal (SBM) endogenous enzymes are destroyed during processing. In liquid feed systems steeping combinations of raw materials may have an advantageous affect on the availability of phosphorus as the endogenous phytases of the cereal component of the diet may hyrolyse phytates present in SBM. In wheat the phytate phosphorus and phytase is concentrated in the aleurone layer of the grain (Eeckhout and De Paepe 1994). Therefore, the addition of wheatfeed to liquid feed may increase the amount of endogenous wheat phytase present and hence the amount of soluble P released during steeping. The amount of phosphorus that is available to the pig from these raw ingredients is 30%, 42% and 66% of the total phosphorus for SBM, wheat and wheatfeed respectively (Ewing 1997). The objective of this study was to determine the effect of steeping SBM with wheat, wheatfeed or a combination of the two on the release of soluble phosphorus.
The effect of pre-weaning mixing and vitamin C supplementation on piglet performance
Authors: Blaken C. , Allen M.J. , Stewart A. H. , Mackenzie A. M.
Published: June 2019

It is well established that the weaning process is one of the most stressful periods for a piglet, which can alter its immune function and performance. Pigs have no specified dietary requirement for vitamin C with it being provided via colostrum and endogenous production. However, during stressful periods, physiological requirements increase, and supplementation may be required. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of vitamin C supplementation in high and low stress weaning systems on performance and immune function of weaner pigs.
Improvement of the growth and performance of Holstein neonatal calves receiving the microbial additive Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Saremi B. , Naserian A.A.
Published: June 2019

Yeasts such as strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) are now widely used as additives in ruminant nutrition to improve animal performance, health and utilization of nutritional components of their diet while at the same time avoiding nutritional disorders. Although evidence for a positive effect on animal performance has existed for many years, adoption has been slow. This is probably due to the lack of performance data indicating in which specific production situations the various products are or are not effective. Some studies indicated that the feeding of a yeast strain specifically selected to compliment high grain diets (Yea-Sacc, Alltech, Inc., USA) was effective in improving gain of yearling steers fed a 90% concentrate, 10% roughage diet once daily. So the objective of this study was to determine if this Bakery’s yeast product could positively affect Holstein neonatal calves growth and performance.
Effect of weaning at 6 or 8 weeks old on the performance of dairy-bred beef calves
Authors: Marsh S. P , Mackenzie A. M. , James E. L.
Published: June 2019

Artificial rearing is a common practice for rearing calves from the dairy herd destined for beef production. In commercial practice calves are typically weaned from 5 to 9 weeks old. There are four criteria that can be used to determine weaning time: - age, compound feed intake, liveweight, and, milk price and quota policy. Late weaning systems are based on the theory of giving the calf the best possible start in life, but are costly with high milk intakes (Davis and Drackley, 1998). Hence emphasis is usually placed on early weaning of the calf and encouraging concentrate intake. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of weaning at either 6 or 8 weeks old on the performance dairy-bred beef calves.
Relationships among udder type traits and milk yield of Iranian Holstein-Friesian cattle
Authors: Sanjabi M. R. , Govindaiah M. G. , Moeini M. M.
Published: June 2019

Correlation among type traits and with milk production has been investigated by Brotherstone (1994) and Misztal et al (1992). One of the primary reasons for collecting and utilizing information on type traits is to aid breeders in selecting profitable functional cows for high production and suitable herd life. The objectives of this study were to estimate phenotypic and genetic correlations among milk production and with udder traits.
Evaluation of the lamb and feed-lot performances of three crossbred and one purebred genotypes of Iranian fat-tailed sheep
Authors: Miraei-Ashtiani S. R. , Noshary A. R. , Shahrbabak M. Moradi
Published: June 2019

Sheep growers in Iran who raise breeds with light body weight, most often are interested to use rams of the heavier breeds to inseminate their ewes in order to obtain heavier lambs at sale. However, this practice may or may not be supported with enough scientific evaluations, on which only the results of very few studies are available (Kiyanzad, 2001; Farid, 1991; Makarechian et al 1978). The objective of this work was to declare the growth and feedlot performances of crossbred lambs, resulted from Afshari, Moghani and Shal (three heavy breeds) rams and Varamini (a light breed) ewes. The perfrormance of pure Varamini lambs was also adopted as a comparison benchmark.
Chemical composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility of parasitic plants reflect that of indigenous browse trees
Authors: Madibela O. R. , Letso M. , Makoba B. , Seitshiro O.
Published: June 2019

Mistletoes are common parasitic plants that attach on branches of Acacia species, Boscia albitrunca, Ziziphus mucronata and other trees of semi-arid Botswana. These plants form an interesting alternative and additional feed resource, which could increase both mineral and protein intake of ruminants. Previous studies (Madibela et al., 2000, 2002) have shown that these parasitic plants have high crude protein and mineral levels than what is expected of natural grasses. The hypothesis is that the higher the nutritive value of host browse trees the higher it is in the parasitic plants.
The effect of dietary molybdenum or iron on copper status and trace element accumulation in the pituitary and ovary of growing lambs
Authors: Williams C. L. , Haywood S. , Loughran M. , Wilkinson R. G. , Illingworth D. V. , Mackenzie A. M.
Published: June 2019

Secondary copper deficiency in ruminant animals is induced by high dietary levels of molybdenum (Mo), iron (Fe) or sulphur (S). Within the rumen, sulphur reacts with Mo to form a series of thiomolybdate molecules (TM) which may chelate copper. This reduces copper absorption or if TM is absorbed, inhibits copper metallo-enzyme activities. Parental administration of TM has resulted in an increase in Cu to the brain and an increase in Mo to the pituitaries (Haywood et al., 1998). This redistribution may alter neurological, endocrine and reproductive function. However, there are no reports on effects of endogenously produced TM on brain or pituitary trace element accumulation. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of dietary Mo or Fe on copper status and mineral retention in the pituitary gland and ovary of growing lambs.
Sustainable breeding objectives in developing countries
Authors: Cunningham E. P.
Published: June 2019

In the developed world, the last fifty years has seen a great convergence of breeding objectives and strategies in all farmed species. This is part of the effects of globalisation, which has led to ever increasing specialisation of livestock producers. A general consequence is that breeding goals and structures of dairy, beef, pig and poultry production are now very similar throughout the developed world.

After some decades of successful concentration on narrow breeding goals (yield of milk solids in the dairy sector, growth, feed conversion and lean yield in meat animals) objectives have now broadened to take in product quality, reproduction and disease traits.
Non-domesticated animals as pets
Authors: Kirkwood James K.
Published: June 2019

Humans have kept animals for companionship for thousands of years. Developments during the twentieth century in intercontinental transport, especially air travel, in the husbandry of animals, and in the technology for their housing; combined with widespread availability of electricity to power environment control systems (water filtration, oxygenation, heat lamps, humidifiers, photoperiod control etc), have made it possible to obtain and maintain a very much wider range of species of wild animals in captivity than ever before. Associated with this, there has been a huge increase in interest in keeping ornamental fish, amphibians, and reptiles, and the range of species of birds and mammals kept as pets has increased markedly also.
Dietary manipulation of conjugated linoleic acid in ruminant products
Authors: Lock Adam L. , Garnsworthy Phil C. , Corl Benjamin A. , Bauman Dale E.
Published: June 2019

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a collective term used to represent positional and geometric isomers of linoleic acid with conjugated double bonds. CLAs have been reported to have a wide range of beneficial effects, including: anticarcinogenic, antiatherogenic, antidiabetic and immune stimulatory. They have been shown to alter nutrient partitioning and lipid metabolism, and reduce body fat in a number of different animal species.
PCV2/PMWS field studies, experimental infections and immunological parameters
Authors: Allan G.M. , McNeilly F. , Meehan B. , Krakowka S. , Ellis J. , Nauwynck H. , Botner A. , McCullough K. , Charreyre C.
Published: June 2019

The Virology Department, VSD, DARDNI, in collaboration with colleagues in Europe and N America has had an active research programme on porcine circovirus-related diseases, including PMWS, for the last 5 years. This presentation will highlight some of our on-going research in this area.
Microbial community analysis and its application in gastrointestinal health
Authors: Apajalahti J.H.A.
Published: June 2019

The intestinal microflora are an integral part of the digestive system of all animals. Bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract derive most of their energy for reproduction and growth from dietary compounds, which are either resistant to attack by digestive fluids or absorbed so slowly that bacteria can successfully compete for them. Since bacterial species differ from each other in relation to their substrate preferences and growth requirements, the chemical composition and structure of the digesta largely determines the species distribution of the microbial community in the gastrointestinal tract. As a consequence, bacterial community structure is very much dependent upon the diet as the ultimate source of substrates for metabolism.
Kiobel and the New Battle Over Congressional Intent
Authors: Moore David H.
Published: June 2019

Transnational human rights litigation under the Alien Tort Statute (ATS) has been plagued by the overarching question of the domestic legal status of customary international law (CIL). Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum Co. is the Supreme Court's second installment on the ATS. Like Sosa v. Alvarez-Machainbefore it, Kiobel does not expressly address the domestic legal status of CIL, but it does provide clues. Those clues suggest two insights: the Court views CIL as external to U.S. law, rather than as part of federal common law, and the role of CIL in future cases may be affected less by arguments about CIL's status as federal common law than by arguments about congressional intent.
The Nature of the Fossil Record
Authors: Kidwell Susan , Sepkoski J. John
Published: June 2019

The term “fossil record” is used in two ways: either the totality of fossils preserved in all rocks or the sum of human knowledge of those fossils. In either case, the term carries the connotation also of the geologic context of the fossils–their distribution in time and space and their relationship to the enclosing rock. One of the primary scientific interests in the fossil record is learning about the history of life and the processes of large-scale transformation, or evolution, in the forms, diversities, and biological interactions of life.
Religious Faith and the Geological Sciences
Authors: Benjamini Chaim
Published: June 2019

The Creationist/ Scientist conflict, centering on the teaching of evolution in public, has become an ideological battleground in some parts of the U.S. The constitutional requirement for separation of Church and State is being countered by sophisticated maneuvering that attempts to present Creationism as an alternate, non-religious, legitimate scientific paradigm (model). On the other hand, the counter-claim that a religion-free approach is itself an alternative belief system, and therefore should also be prohibited by the Constitution, is not satisfactorily resolved. Left in the middle are children, students and lay people for whom not the constitutional issue, but the actual out-of-court resolution of the conflict between science and religion, is of considerable importance.
Biogeochemical Dynamics in a Eutrophic Tidal Estuary Revealed by Isotopic Compositions of Multiple Nitrogen Species
Authors: Yan Xiuli , Wan Xianhui Sean , Liu Li , Xu Min Nina , Tan Ehui , Zheng Zhenzhen , Zou Wenbin , Tian Li , Li Da‐Wei , Trull Thomas W. , Kao Shuh‐Ji
Published: June 2019

Estuaries sit at the land‐ocean boundary and act as natural reactors for nitrogen (N) transformations among numerous forms. Superimposing onto physical mixing, biological processes lead to nonconservative N behavior in estuaries. Under the coinfluences of biological alteration and multiple end‐members, however, some N species can exhibit apparent conservation. To explore N dynamics and potential mechanisms that modulate the mixing behaviors, we measured concentrations and natural isotopic compositions of multiple N species (nitrate: NO3−, nitrite: NO2−, ammonium: NH4+, and particulate nitrogen) in a typical eutrophic estuary in southern China. Additionally, N uptake and oxidation rates were measured by using isotope labelling techniques to evaluate processes potentially offsetting the conservative mixing of specific N pools. We found that NO3− followed conservative two end‐member mixing with dual isotopes varying in a narrow range (<1–2‰) due to low microbial preferences. Moreover, δ15N‐NO2− revealed a nonconservative pattern with an involvement of multiple end‐members. The dominant N transformation processes shifted downstream. In the upper estuary, ammonia oxidation (~20 μmol L−1 day−1) dominated NH4+ removal and was accompanied by NO2− accumulation. In the middle‐lower estuary, NH4+ uptake became dominant, with phytoplankton showing strong preference for it over NO3− and NO2−. Based on measured NH4+ uptake rates (9.1–12.5 μmol L−1 day−1 in the light and 0.9 μmol L−1 day−1 in the dark), short water residence time (<1 day) was required to maintain the conservative mixing. Coupling N isotopes in multiple nitrogen species with measurements of N uptake and nitrification, we successfully uncovered N dynamics and distinguished biological processes from physical mixing.
Seismic Waves Could Decrease the Permeability of the Shallow Crust
Authors: Shi Yun , Liao Xin , Zhang Da , Liu Chun‐ping
Published: June 2019

Several experiments and field observations have demonstrated seismic waves‐induced permeability increases. However, a few experiments have revealed significant decreases in the permeability of fractured sandstone after shaking produced by dynamic stresses. In this paper, we analyze the tidal responses of the water level in two wells (Junan and Dingyuan) situated on and near, respectively, the Tan‐Lu fault in China. The results sampled by a single well indicate that seismic waves could both increase and decrease the permeability. In addition, our results indicate that the earthquakes that decreased the permeability in a single well were distributed in certain azimuthal zones. Given the azimuthal distribution of distant earthquakes, the observed permeability decrease could be attributed to the seismic wave‐induced clogging of fractures that compose the flow paths in the shallow crust. Our research contributes to an enhanced overall understanding of the effects of earthquakes on the permeability of the shallow crust.
Disconnect Between Hadley Cell and Subtropical Jet Variability and Response to Increased CO2
Authors: Menzel Molly E. , Waugh Darryn , Grise Kevin
Published: June 2019

The subtropical jet (STJ) is thought to coexist with the edge of the Hadley cell (HC). However, recent studies reveal that the location of the STJ is poorly correlated with the latitude of the poleward edge of the HC. Here we use output from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 to show that a weaker STJ is associated with a more poleward HC edge interannually, but there is a strengthening of the STJ and expansion of the HC in response to increased CO2. The HC expansion caused by increased CO2 is much more rapid than the strengthening of the STJ. It is suggested that the differing response times and relationships between interannual variations and increased CO2 are due to differing sensitivities of the HC and STJ to shifts in the eddy momentum fluxes.
A Global Assessment of Added Value in the SMAP Level 4 Soil Moisture Product Relative to Its Baseline Land Surface Model
Authors: Dong Jianzhi , Crow Wade , Reichle Rolf , Liu Qing , Lei Fangni , Cosh Michael H.
Published: June 2019

The Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) level 4 product provides enhanced soil moisture estimates by assimilating SMAP brightness temperature observations into a land surface model. Here, a quantitative estimate of the relative skill of SMAP Level‐4 and model‐only surface soil moisture (vs. true soil moisture) is derived using only one additional noisy (but independent) soil moisture product. The method is applied globally and verified using high‐quality, ground‐based measurements where available. Results demonstrate that assimilating SMAP brightness temperature has relatively little impact in data‐rich areas like the United States and Europe. In contrast, much larger improvement is observed in data‐sparse regions, including much of Africa and central Australia, where model‐only simulations are disproportionately impacted by low‐quality model forcing. Therefore, ground validation conducted in data‐rich areas does not adequately sample the added value of SMAP data assimilation for data‐sparse regions and substantially underestimates the added skill provided by the SMAP level 4 system.
Estimating Recharge From Recirculated Groundwater With Dissolved Gases: An End‐Member Mixing Analysis
Authors: Cook P.G. , Dogramaci S.
Published: June 2019

In many hydrological systems, groundwater is pumped from the aquifer onto the land surface, and a fraction of this water subsequently infiltrates to recharge the groundwater system (recirculated groundwater). Tracers that undergo different degrees of reequilibration with the atmosphere during this recirculation process can enable ambient groundwater and recirculated groundwater to be differentiated. In this paper, the recirculated groundwater has been pumped to dewater open pit mines and discharged into ephemeral creeks. Some of this water subsequently recharged back into the aquifer. Chlorofluorocarbon‐12 (CFC‐12), 14C, and 3H are used in a four end‐member mixing analysis to differentiate between (1) ambient groundwater, (2) recirculated groundwater, (3) river recharge from natural flows prior to commencement of mining operations (in 2007), and (4) natural river recharge post‐2007. Sampling of the surface water when discharge of mine water was the only source of river flow enabled the extent of reequilibration of both CFC‐12 and 14C to be accurately determined. Since CFC‐12 reequilibrates more rapidly than 14C, recirculating groundwater had a CFC‐12 concentration that was close to modern, but a 14C activity that was higher than the original groundwater, but less than modern recharge. As 3H does not reequilibrate, it enabled easy differentiation between recirculated groundwater and infiltration of natural creek flows. Uncertainty of end‐member compositions is due to changes in the end‐member concentrations over time in the case of natural river flows, uncertainty in the extent of tracer reequilibration for the groundwater recirculation end‐member, and spatial variations in the composition of the ambient groundwater end‐member.
Testosterone imbalance may link depression and increased body weight in premenopausal women
Authors: Stanikova Daniela , Zsido Rachel G. , Luck Tobias , Pabst Alexander , Enzenbach Cornelia , Bae Yoon Ju , Thiery Joachim , Ceglarek Uta , Engel Christoph , Wirkner Kerstin , Stanik Juraj , Kratzsch Juergen , Villringer Arno , Riedel-Heller Steffi G. , Sacher Julia
Published: June 2019

Accumulating evidence supports a link between depression and being overweight in women. Given previously reported sex differences in fat accumulation and depression prevalence, as well as the likely role of sex hormones in both overweight and mood disorders, we hypothesised that the depression-overweight association may be mediated by sex hormones. To this end, we investigated the association of being overweight with depression, and then considered the role of sex hormones in relation to being overweight and depression in a large population-based cohort. We included a total of 3124 women, 970 premenopausal and 2154 postmenopausal from the LIFE-Adult cohort study in our analyses. We evaluated associations between being overweight (BMI >25 kg/m2), sex hormone levels, and depressive symptomatology according to Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scores, and explored mediation of depression in a mediation model. Being overweight was significantly associated with depressive symptoms in premenopausal but not postmenopausal women. Both premenopausal and postmenopausal overweight women had higher free testosterone levels compared with normal weight women. Premenopausal women with depressive symptomatology had higher free testosterone levels compared to women without. We found a significant mediation effect of depressive symptomatology in overweight premenopausal women through free testosterone level. These findings highlight the association between being overweight and depressed, and suggest that high free testosterone levels may play a significant role in depression of overweight premenopausal women. Based on this, pharmacological approaches targeting androgen levels in overweight depressed females, in particular when standard anti-depressive treatments fail, could be of specific clinical relevance.
A novel YAP1/SLC35B4 regulatory axis contributes to proliferation and progression of gastric carcinoma
Authors: Liu Jun , Zhao Xinhui , Wang Ke , Zhang Xiang , Yu Yanping , Lv Yongzhi , Zhang Shun , Zhang Long , Guo Yuan , Li Yunlong , Yang Angang , Zhang Rui , Li Jipeng
Published: June 2019

Solute carrier family 35 member B4 (SLC35B4), a nucleotide sugar transporter, is capable of transporting UDP-xylose and UDP-GlcNAc from the cytoplasm to the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi. SLC35B4 has a pivotal role in glycosylation of biological macromolecules. However, its functional roles and regulatory mechanisms in malignant diseases remain unknown. Here, using the cDNA arrays, promoter reporter assays, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we demonstrated that SLC35B4 is directly transactivated by YAP1–TEADs complex in gastric cancer (GC) cells. CCK-8, plate colony formation and soft agar assays revealed that SLC35B4 is essential for survival and proliferation in GC cells and nude mice models. SLC35B4 expression is markedly higher in GC tissues compared with control noncancerous tissues. Immunohistochemistry revealed that SLC35B4 expression is positively correlated with YAP1 expression in human GC tissues, and this correlation is also confirmed in the GC TCGA data set. GC patients with high levels of SLC35B4 expression have poorer prognosis than those with low levels of SLC35B4 expression. Collectively, our findings defined SLC35B4 as an important downstream oncogenic target of YAP1, suggesting that dysregulated signaling of a novel YAP1/SLC35B4 axis promotes GC development and progression, and this axis could be a potential candidate for prognosis and therapeutics in GC.
Selective recruitment of different Ca2+-dependent transcription factors by STIM1-Orai1 channel clusters
Authors: Lin Yu-Ping , Bakowski Daniel , Mirams Gary R. , Parekh Anant B.
Published: June 2019

Store-operated Ca2+ entry, involving endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ sensing STIM proteins and plasma membrane Orai1 channels, is a widespread and evolutionary conserved Ca2+ influx pathway. This form of Ca2+ influx occurs at discrete loci where peripheral endoplasmic reticulum juxtaposes the plasma membrane. Stimulation evokes numerous STIM1-Orai1 clusters but whether distinct signal transduction pathways require different cluster numbers is unknown. Here, we show that two Ca2+-dependent transcription factors, NFAT1 and c-fos, have different requirements for the number of STIM1-Orai1 clusters and on the Ca2+ flux through them. NFAT activation requires fewer clusters and is more robustly activated than c-fos by low concentrations of agonist. For similar cluster numbers, transcription factor recruitment occurs sequentially, arising from intrinsic differences in Ca2+ sensitivities. Variations in the number of STIM1-Orai1 clusters and Ca2+ flux through them regulate the robustness of signalling to the nucleus whilst imparting a mechanism for selective recruitment of different Ca2+-dependent transcription factors.
Over 16% efficiency organic photovoltaic cells enabled by a chlorinated acceptor with increased open-circuit voltages
Authors: Cui Yong , Yao Huifeng , Zhang Jianqi , Zhang Tao , Wang Yuming , Hong Ling , Xian Kaihu , Xu Bowei , Zhang Shaoqing , Peng Jing , Wei Zhixiang , Gao Feng , Hou Jianhui
Published: June 2019

Broadening the optical absorption of organic photovoltaic (OPV) materials by enhancing the intramolecular push-pull effect is a general and effective method to improve the power conversion efficiencies of OPV cells. However, in terms of the electron acceptors, the most common molecular design strategy of halogenation usually results in down-shifted molecular energy levels, thereby leading to decreased open-circuit voltages in the devices. Herein, we report a chlorinated non-fullerene acceptor, which exhibits an extended optical absorption and meanwhile displays a higher voltage than its fluorinated counterpart in the devices. This unexpected phenomenon can be ascribed to the reduced non-radiative energy loss (0.206 eV). Due to the simultaneously improved short-circuit current density and open-circuit voltage, a high efficiency of 16.5% is achieved. This study demonstrates that finely tuning the OPV materials to reduce the bandgap-voltage offset has great potential for boosting the efficiency.
Trilobite compound eyes with crystalline cones and rhabdoms show mandibulate affinities
Authors: Scholtz Gerhard , Staude Andreas , Dunlop Jason A.
Published: June 2019

Most knowledge about the structure, function, and evolution of early compound eyes is based on investigations in trilobites. However, these studies dealt mainly with the cuticular lenses and little was known about internal anatomy. Only recently some data on crystalline cones and retinula cells were reported for a Cambrian trilobite species. Here, we describe internal eye structures of two other trilobite genera. The Ordovician Asaphus sp. reveals preserved crystalline cones situated underneath the cuticular lenses. The same is true for the Devonian species Archegonus (Waribole) warsteinensis, which in addition shows the fine structure of the rhabdom in the retinula cells. These results suggest that an apposition eye with a crystalline cone is ancestral for Trilobita. The overall similarity of trilobite eyes to those of myriapods, crustaceans, and hexapods corroborates views of a phylogenetic position of trilobites in the stem lineage of Mandibulata.
Polymorph selection towards photocatalytic gaseous CO2 hydrogenation
Authors: Yan Tingjiang , Wang Lu , Liang Yan , Makaremi Meysam , Wood Thomas E. , Dai Ying , Huang Baibiao , Ali Feysal M. , Dong Yuchan , Ozin Geoffrey A.
Published: June 2019

Titanium dioxide is the only known material that can enable gas-phase CO2 photocatalysis in its anatase and rutile polymorphic forms. Materials engineering of polymorphism provides a useful strategy for optimizing the performance metrics of a photocatalyst. In this paper, it is shown that the less well known rhombohedral polymorph of indium sesquioxide, like its well-documented cubic polymorph, is a CO2 hydrogenation photocatalyst for the production of CH3OH and CO. Significantly, the rhombohedral polymorph exhibits higher activity, superior stability and improved selectivity towards CH3OH over CO. These gains in catalyst performance originate in the enhanced acidity and basicity of surface frustrated Lewis pairs in the rhombohedral form.
Full-field structured-illumination super-resolution X-ray transmission microscopy
Authors: Günther Benedikt , Hehn Lorenz , Jud Christoph , Hipp Alexander , Dierolf Martin , Pfeiffer Franz
Published: June 2019

Modern transmission X-ray microscopy techniques provide very high resolution at low and medium X-ray energies, but suffer from a limited field-of-view. If sub-micrometre resolution is desired, their field-of-view is typically limited to less than one millimetre. Although the field-of-view increases through combining multiple images from adjacent regions of the specimen, so does the required data acquisition time. Here, we present a method for fast full-field super-resolution transmission microscopy by structured illumination of the specimen. This technique is well-suited even for hard X-ray energies above 30 keV, where efficient optics are hard to obtain. Accordingly, investigation of optically thick specimen becomes possible with our method combining a wide field-of-view spanning multiple millimetres, or even centimetres, with sub-micron resolution and hard X-ray energies.
Chirality invertible superstructure mediated active planar optics
Authors: Chen Peng , Ma Ling-Ling , Hu Wei , Shen Zhi-Xiong , Bisoyi Hari Krishna , Wu Sai-Bo , Ge Shi-Jun , Li Quan , Lu Yan-Qing
Published: June 2019

Active planar optical devices that can dynamically manipulate light are highly sought after in modern optics and nanophotonics. The geometric phase derived from the photonic spin-orbit interaction provides an integrated strategy. Corresponding elements usually suffer from static functions. Here, we introduce an inhomogeneously self-organized anisotropic medium featured by photo-invertible chiral superstructure to realize geometric phase elements with continuously tunable working spectrum and light-flipped phase profile. Via preprograming the alignment of a cholesteric liquid crystal mixed with a photo-responsive chiral dopant, we demonstrate light-activated deflector, lens, Airy beam and optical vortex generators. Their polychromatic working bands are reversibly tuned in an ultra-broadband over 1000 nm covering green to telecomm region. The chirality inversion triggers facile switching of functionalities, such as beam steering, focusing/defocusing and spin-to-orbital angular momentum conversion. This work offers a platform for advanced adaptive and multifunctional flat optics with merits of high compactness, low loss and broad bandwidth.
Correlations as a resource in quantum thermodynamics
Authors: Sapienza Facundo , Cerisola Federico , Roncaglia Augusto J.
Published: June 2019

The presence of correlations in physical systems can be a valuable resource for many quantum information tasks. They are also relevant in thermodynamic transformations, and their creation is usually associated to some energetic cost. In this work, we study the role of correlations in the thermodynamic process of state formation in the single-shot regime, and find that correlations can also be viewed as a resource. First, we show that the energetic cost of creating multiple copies of a given state can be reduced by allowing correlations in the final state. We obtain the minimum cost for every finite number of subsystems, and then we show that this feature is not restricted to the case of copies. More generally, we demonstrate that in the asymptotic limit, by allowing a logarithmic amount of correlations, we can recover standard results where the free energy quantifies this minimum cost.
YSTAFDB, a unified database of material stocks and flows for sustainability science
Authors: Myers Rupert J. , Reck Barbara K. , Graedel T. E.
Published: June 2019

We present the Yale Stocks and Flows Database (YSTAFDB), which comprises most of the material stocks and flows (STAF) data generated at the Center for Industrial Ecology at Yale University since the early 2000s. These data describe material cycles, criticality, and recycling in terms of 62 elements and various engineering materials, e.g., steel, on spatial scales and timeframes ranging from cities to global and the 1800s to ca. 2013. YSTAFDB integrates this diverse collection of STAF data, previously scattered across various non-uniformly formatted electronic files, into a single data structure and file format. Here, we discuss this data structure as well as the usage and formatting of data records in YSTAFDB. YSTAFDB contains 100,000+ data records that are all situated in their systems contexts, with additional metadata included as available. YSTAFDB offers a comprehensive basis upon which STAF data can be accumulated, integrated, and exchanged, and thereby improves their accessibility. Therefore, YSTAFDB facilitates deeper understanding of sustainable materials use and management, which are key goals of contemporary sustainability science.
The pre-hatching bovine embryo transforms the uterine luminal metabolite composition in vivo
Authors: Sponchiado Mariana , Gonella-Diaza Angela M. , Rocha Cecília C. , Turco Edson G. Lo , Pugliesi Guilherme , Leroy Jo L. M. R. , Binelli Mario
Published: June 2019

In cattle, conceptus development after elongation relies on well-characterized, paracrine interactions with the hosting maternal reproductive tract. However, it was unrecognized previously that the pre-hatching, pre-implantation bovine embryo also engages in biochemical signalling with the maternal uterus. Our recent work showed that the embryo modified the endometrial transcriptome in vivo. Here, we hypothesized that the embryo modulates the biochemical composition of the uterine luminal fluid (ULF) in the most cranial portion of the uterine horn ipsilateral to the corpus luteum. Endometrial samples and ULF were collected post-mortem from sham-inseminated cows and from cows inseminated and detected pregnant 7 days after oestrus. We used quantitative mass spectrometry to demonstrate that the pre-hatching embryo changes ULF composition in vivo. Embryo-induced modulation included an increase in concentrations of lipoxygenase-derived metabolites [12(S)-HETE, 15(S)-HETE] and a decrease in the concentrations of amino acids (glycine), biogenic amines (sarcosine), acylcarnitines and phospholipids. The changed composition of the ULF could be due to secretion or depletion of specific molecules, executed by either the embryo or the endometrium, but initiated by signals coming from the embryo. This study provides the basis for further understanding embryo-initiated modulation of the uterine milieu. Early embryonic signalling may be necessary to guarantee optimal development and successful establishment of pregnancy in cattle.
Nectar robbing in bellflower (Sesamum radiatum) benefited pollinators but unaffected maternal function of plant reproduction
Authors: Varma Sangeetha , Sinu Palatty Allesh
Published: June 2019

Nectar robbing – foraging nectar illegitimately – has negative, neutral, or positive effects on maternal function of plant reproduction and/or on pollinators. It has been suggested that nectar robbing has a non-negative effect on maternal function of plant reproduction in autogamous and mixed breeding plants; however this hypothesis requires deeper understanding with more studies. We investigated the impact of natural nectar robbing on maternal function of plant reproduction and visitation characteristics of pollinators in Sesamum radiatum, an autogamous plant. Pollinators were observed on unrobbed open flowers and robbed open flowers. In robbed flowers, pollinators’ visit type and foraging time were examined. The seed sets of these flower types were examined. Xylocopa latipes was both a primary robber and a legitimate pollinator, X. bryorum was an exclusive primary robber, and Megachile disjuncta was a cosmopolitan pollinator. In robbed flowers, most of the pollinators foraged mostly as secondary nectar robbers. The foraging time shortened considerably when pollinators robbed nectar – a positive effect on pollinators’ foraging efficiency. Robbing did not negatively affect seed set – a neutral effect on the plant’s reproduction. Our study agrees that nectar robbing might have a non-negative effect on reproduction in autogamous and mixed breeding plants.
Fast and reliable advanced two-step pore-size analysis of biomimetic 3D extracellular matrix scaffolds
Authors: Fischer Tony , Hayn Alexander , Mierke Claudia Tanja
Published: June 2019

The tissue microenvironment is a major contributor to cellular functions, such as cell adhesion, migration and invasion. A critical physical parameter for determining the effect of the microenvironment on cellular functions is the average pore-size of filamentous scaffolds, such as 3D collagen fiber matrices, which are assembled by the polymerization of biopolymers. The scaffolds of these matrices can be analyzed easily by using state-of-the-art laser scanning confocal imaging. However, the generation of a quantitative estimate of the pore-size in a 3D microenvironment is not trivial. In this study, we present a reliable and fast analytical method, which relies on a two-step 3D pore-size analysis utilizing several state-of-the-art image analysis methods, such as total variation (TV) denoising and adaptive local thresholds, and another crucial parameter, such as pore-coverage. We propose an iterative approach of pore-size analysis to determine even the smallest and obscure pores in a collagen scaffold. Additionally, we propose a novel parameter, the pseudo-pore-size, which describes a virtual scaffold porosity. In order to validate the advanced two-step pore-size analysis different types of artificial collagens, such as a rat and bovine mixture with two different collagen concentrations have been utilized. Additionally, we compare a traditional approach with our method using an artificially generated network with predefined pore-size distributions. Indeed, our analytical method provides a precise, fast and parameter-free, user-independent and automatic analysis of 3D pore topology, such as pore-sizes and pore-coverage. Additionally, we are able to determine non-physiological network topologies by taking the pore-coverage as a goodness-of-fit parameter.
Delayed feedback control of active particles: a controlled journey towards the destination
Authors: Khadem S. M. J. , Klapp Sabine H. L.
Published: June 2019

Orientation of an active particle could be estimated by comparing its delayed position with the actual one. Therefore, steering process does not require any real-time monitoring of the particle orientation.
Quantum dynamics study of kinetic isotope effects of OD with HBr and DBr
Authors: Wang Yuping , Wang Dunyou
Published: June 2019

Comparison of kinetic isotope effects between quantum dynamics calculations and experiments shows that they agree well with each other both qualitatively and quantitatively.
Rare-earth/zinc heterometallic complexes containing both alkoxy-amino-bis(phenolato) and chiral salen ligands: synthesis and catalytic application for copolymerization of CO2 with cyclohexene oxide
Authors: Xu Ruoyu , Hua Linyan , Li Xiang , Yao Yingming , Leng Xuebing , Chen Yaofeng
Published: June 2019

Ten rare-earth/zinc heterometallic complexes were synthesized and their catalytic application for copolymerization of CO2 with cyclohexene oxide was explored.
Reducing the thermal conductivity of La2Mo2O9 with a trivalent praseodymium substitution for its potential use as a thermal barrier coating
Authors: Sabarthes Etienne , Delorme Fabian , Tezyk Vladyslav , Autret Cécile , Corbel Gwenaël , Lacorre Philippe , Giovannelli Fabien
Published: June 2019

(La1−xPrx)2Mo2O9 powders were synthesized by solid state reaction where x = 0.00, 0.10, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00.
Mesityl(amidinato)tetrylenes as ligands in iridium(i) and iridium(iii) complexes: siliconversusgermanium and simple κ1-coordinationversuscyclometallation
Authors: Cabeza Javier A. , Fernández-Colinas José M. , García-Álvarez Pablo , González-Álvarez Laura , Pérez-Carreño Enrique
Published: June 2019

The reactivity of the germylene Ge(tBu2bzam)Mes with [Ir2(μ-Cl)2(η4-cod)2] and [Ir2Cl2(μ-Cl)2(η5-Cp*)2] differs considerably from that previously communicated for the isostructural silylene Si(tBu2bzam)Mes.
Effect of a proanthocyanidin-rich polyphenol extract from avocado on the production of amino acid-derived bacterial metabolites and the microbiota composition in rats fed a high-protein diet
Authors: Cires María José , Navarrete Paola , Pastene Edgar , Carrasco-Pozo Catalina , Valenzuela Rodrigo , Medina Daniel A. , Andriamihaja Mireille , Beaumont Martin , Blachier François , Gotteland Martin
Published: June 2019

The consumption of an avocado peel polyphenol extract rich in proanthocyanidins increased the production of indole, and normalized the increase in H2S and Lactobacillus and the decrease in Prevotella induced by a high-protein diet in rats.
Biocompatibility of artificial micro/nanomotors for use in biomedicine
Authors: Wang Shengnan , Liu Xiaojia , Wang Yong , Xu Dandan , Liang Chunyan , Guo Jinhong , Ma Xing
Published: June 2019

This review focuses on the biocompatibility of micro/nano-motors (MNMs) with regard to the fabrication materials and propulsion mechanisms. The future prospective and suggestions on the development of MNMs towards practical biomedical applications are also proposed.
Ferritin variants: inspirations for rationally designing protein nanocarriers
Authors: Jin Yiliang , He Jiuyang , Fan Kelong , Yan Xiyun
Published: June 2019

Ferritin is endowed with a unique structure and the ability to self-assemble. Besides, genetic manipulation can easily tune the structure and functions of ferritin nanocages, which further expands the biomedical applications of ferritin.
On the nature of organic electron density transfer complexes within molecular electron density theory
Authors: Domingo Luis R. , Ríos-Gutiérrez Mar
Published: June 2019

The global electron density transfer taking place from the nucleophile to the electrophile controls the formation and physical properties of electron density transfer complexes.
Hetero-bimetallic cooperative catalysis for the synthesis of heteroarenes
Authors: Gupta Gaurav R. , Shah Jagrut , Vadagaonkar Kamlesh S. , Lavekar Aditya G. , Kapdi Anant R.
Published: June 2019

Review covering the synthesis of 5- and 6-membered as well as condensed heteroarenes, focussing on the combinations in cooperative catalytic systems in strategies used to achieve selectivity and also highlights the mode of action for the cooperative catalysis leading to the synthesis of commercially and biologically relevant heteroarenes.
Naphthalimide-based optical turn-on sensor for monosaccharide recognition using boronic acid receptor
Authors: Seraj Sanaz , Rouhani Shohre , Faridbod Farnoush
Published: June 2019

A fluorogenic receptor/GO nano-platform. PET developed using a new designed functional gives amplified (OFF–ON) fructose sensing with a 35-fold response. Enhancement takes place during a fast selective GO desorption.
Gut microbiota: a new angle for traditional herbal medicine research
Authors: Lin Longfei , Luo Liyu , Zhong Ming , Xie Tanggui , Liu Yuling , Li Hui , Ni Jian
Published: June 2019

Traditional Herbal Medicine (THM) has been used for thousands of years, and is popular worldwide due to its effectiveness in a variety of diseases.
Biochemistry instructors’ use of intentions for student learning to evaluate and select external representations of protein translation
Authors: Bussey Thomas J. , Orgill MaryKay
Published: June 2019

Instructors draw on their intentions for student learning in the enactment of curriculum, particularly in the selection and presentation of external representation of scientific phenomena. These representations both create opportunities for students to experience non-experiential biochemical phenomena, such as protein translation, and constrain the possibilities for student learning based on the limited number of features depicted and the visual cues used to draw viewers attention to those features. In this study, we explore biochemistry instructors’ intentions for student learning about protein translation and how those intentions influence their selection of external representations for instruction. A series of instructor interviews were used to identify information that students need to know in order to develop a biochemically accurate understanding of protein translation. We refer to this information as the “critical features” of protein translation. Two dominant themes of critical features were identified: (1) components/structures of protein translation and (2) interactions/chemistry of protein translation. Three general components (the ribosome, the mRNA, and the tRNA) and two primary interactions (base pairing and peptide bond formation) were described by all instructors. Instructors tended to favor simpler, stylized representations that closely aligned with their stated critical features of translation for instructional purposes.
Concentration dependence of the dynamics of microgel suspensions investigated by dynamic light scattering
Authors: Kureha Takuma , Minato Haruka , Suzuki Daisuke , Urayama Kenji , Shibayama Mitsuhiro
Published: June 2019

The dynamics of microgel suspensions has been investigated by dynamic light scattering over a wide concentration range. A mode transition from translational to cooperative diffusions was observed due to the soft nature of the microgels.
Development and implementation of control of stand‐alone PMSG‐based distributed energy system with variation in input and output parameters
Authors: Mishra Rupa , Banerjee Udayan , Sekhar Thotakura N.S.C. , Kumar Saha Tapas
Published: June 2019

This work develops a combined control for a stand‐alone permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) working with variable source and output demand. The power circuit consists of one PMSG, driven by uncontrolled prime mover supplying load through two voltage source converter (VSC) connected through a dc link capacitor. The main objective of the control is to supply load at constant voltage and frequency, even with variation in source speed and power, and also to accommodate the change in load transients. The generator side converter control is developed in rotor flux oriented synchronously rotating reference frame, to keep the dc link voltage, of the back to back VSC, constant. The load side converter control is also developed in the synchronously rotating reference frame to supply load at constant voltage and frequency. The developed combined control strategy is implemented in MATLAB/SIMULINK environment and found to be successful under all considered operating conditions. The theoretical findings are experimentally verified with a real‐time prototype.