bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
cGMP production of patient-specific iPSCs and photoreceptor precursor cells to treat retinal degenerative blindness
Authors: Wiley Luke A. , Burnight Erin R. , DeLuca Adam P. , Anfinson Kristin R. , Cranston Cathryn M. , Kaalberg Emily E. , Penticoff Jessica A. , Affatigato Louisa M. , Mullins Robert F. , Stone Edwin M. , Tucker Budd A.
Published: July 2016

Immunologically-matched, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived photoreceptor precursor cells have the potential to restore vision to patients with retinal degenerative diseases like retinitis pigmentosa. The purpose of this study was to develop clinically-compatible methods for manufacturing photoreceptor precursor cells from adult skin in a non-profit cGMP environment. Biopsies were obtained from 35 adult patients with inherited retinal degeneration and fibroblast lines were established under ISO class 5 cGMP conditions. Patient-specific iPSCs were then generated, clonally expanded and validated. Post-mitotic photoreceptor precursor cells were generated using a stepwise cGMP-compliant 3D differentiation protocol. The recapitulation of the enhanced S-cone phenotype in retinal organoids generated from a patient with NR2E3 mutations demonstrated the fidelity of these protocols. Transplantation into immune compromised animals revealed no evidence of abnormal proliferation or tumor formation. These studies will enable clinical trials to test the safety and efficiency of patient-specific photoreceptor cell replacement in humans.
Chronic Repression of mTOR Complex 2 Induces Changes in the Gut Microbiota of Diet-induced Obese Mice
Authors: Jung Mi-Ja , Lee Jina , Shin Na-Ri , Kim Min-Soo , Hyun Dong-Wook , Yun Ji-Hyun , Kim Pil Soo , Whon Tae Woong , Bae Jin-Woo
Published: July 2016

Alterations in the gut microbiota play a crucial role in host physiology and metabolism; however, the molecular pathways underlying these changes in diet-induced obesity are unclear. Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway is associated with metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Therefore, we examined whether changes in the regulation of mTOR signaling induced by diet (a high-fat diet [HFD] or normal-chow diet) and/or therapeutics (resveratrol [a specific inhibitor of mTOR complex 1] or rapamycin [an inhibitor of both mTOR complex 1 and 2]) altered the composition of the gut microbiota in mice. Oral administration of resveratrol prevented glucose intolerance and fat accumulation in HFD-fed mice, whereas rapamycin significantly impaired glucose tolerance and exacerbated intestinal inflammation. The abundance of Lactococcus, Clostridium XI, Oscillibacter, and Hydrogenoanaerobacterium increased under the HFD condition; however, the abundance of these species declined after resveratrol treatment. Conversely, the abundance of unclassified Marinilabiliaceae and Turicibacter decreased in response to a HFD or rapamycin. Taken together, these results demonstrated that changes in the composition of intestinal microbiota induced by changes in mTOR activity correlate with obese and diabetic phenotypes.
Dyneon THV, a fluorinated thermoplastic as a novel material for microchip capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Aboud Nacéra , Ferraro Davide , Taverna Myriam , Descroix Stéphanie , Smadja Claire , Thuy Tran N.
Published: July 2016

In this work, we have investigated Dyneon THV, a fluorinated material, as a new material to afford electrokinetic separations in microfluidic devices.
Fast voltammetry of metals at carbon-fiber microelectrodes: rapid determination of solution formation constants
Authors: Pathirathna Pavithra , Siriwardhane Thushani , Morgan Stephen L. , McElmurry Shawn P. , Hashemi Parastoo
Published: July 2016

FSCV can be utilized to predict solution formation constants.
Unique molecular geometries of reduced 4- and 5-coordinate zinc complexes stabilised by diiminopyridine ligand
Authors: Chu Terry , Belding Lee , Poddutoori Prashanth K. , van der Est Art , Dudding Travis , Korobkov Ilia , Nikonov Georgii I.
Published: July 2016

Stepwise reduction of the diiminopyridine complex dimpyrZnCl2 by KC8 leads to compounds dimpyrZnCl (2), dimpyrZnCl(DMAP) (3) and dimpyrZn(DMAP)2 (4) having unusual square-planar and see-saw geometries.
Synthesis and isolation of non-chromophore cage-rearranged silsesquioxanes from base-catalyzed reactions
Authors: Hanprasit Sasikarn , Tungkijanansin Nuttanee , Prompawilai Arisa , Eangpayung Supattra , Ervithayasuporn Vuthichai
Published: July 2016

Carbonate (CO32−) anion as a stronger base but poorer in nucleophilicity gives rise exclusively to a cage expansion of unsubstituted products.
Effects of easily ionisable elements on copper and zinc lines excited in a plasma pencil
Authors: Dvořáková Magda , Hrdlička Aleš , Slavíček Pavel , Kanický Viktor , Otruba Vítězslav
Published: July 2016

The influence of Easily Ionizable Elements (EIE) (chlorides of Na, K, Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba) on the measured spectral lines intensities of copper and zinc excited in a capacitively coupled tubular discharge, known as a plasma pencil, is described.
Graphene-mediated microfluidic transport and nebulization via high frequency Rayleigh wave substrate excitation
Authors: Ang Kar M. , Yeo Leslie Y. , Hung Yew M. , Tan Ming K.
Published: July 2016

The addition of a graphene film onto a SAW device is shown to be a simple yet effective way to extract additional efficiency gains that can be exploited for a variety of on-chip microfluidic operations.
Selenazolidine: a selenium containing proline surrogate in peptide science
Authors: Cordeau E. , Cantel S. , Gagne D. , Lebrun A. , Martinez J. , Subra G. , Enjalbal C.
Published: July 2016

In the search for new peptide ligands containing selenium in their sequences, we investigatedl-4-selenazolidine-carboxylic acid (selenazolidine, Sez) as a proline analog with the chalcogen atom in the γ-position of the ring.
Aluminium ion-promoted radical-scavenging reaction of methylated hydroquinone derivatives
Authors: Nakanishi Ikuo , Ohkubo Kei , Ogawa Yukihiro , Matsumoto Ken-ichiro , Ozawa Toshihiko , Fukuzumi Shunichi
Published: July 2016

The aluminium ion (Al3+) acts as a radical-scavenging promoter by stabilising the one-electron reduced species of the radical.
Self-healing alginate–gelatin biohydrogels based on dynamic covalent chemistry: elucidation of key parameters
Authors: Pettignano Asja , Häring Marleen , Bernardi Luca , Tanchoux Nathalie , Quignard Françoise , Díaz Díaz David
Published: July 2016

Key parameters that govern the self-healing character of alginate–gelatin biohydrogels based on dynamic covalent chemistry have been elucidated.
A high-performance BaTiO3-grafted-GO-laden poly(ethylene oxide)-based membrane as an electrolyte for all-solid lithium-batteries
Authors: Angulakshmi N. , Kar Goutam Prasanna , Bose Suryasarathi , Gowd E. Bhoje , Thomas Sabu , Stephan A. Manuel
Published: July 2016

Nanocomposite polymer membrane comprising poly(ethylene oxide), barium titanate-grafted-graphene oxide and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl imide) as an electrolyte for all-solid lithium batteries were prepared by a simple hot-press technique.
One-step synthesis of amikacin modified fluorescent carbon dots for the detection of Gram-negative bacteria like Escherichia coli
Authors: Chandra Soumen , Chowdhuri Angshuman Ray , Mahto Triveni Kumar , Samui Arpita , Sahu Sumanta kumar
Published: July 2016

In this paper, we report a one-step strategy to synthesize amikacin modified fluorescent carbon dots (CDs@amikacin) for assaying pathogenic bacteria, Escherichia coli.
Aligned 2D CuSCN nanosheets: a high performance field emitter
Authors: Patil Girish P. , Baviskar Prashant K. , Bagal Vivekanand S. , Ladhe Ravindra D. , Deore Amol B. , More Mahendra A. , Sankapal Babasaheb R. , Chavan Padmakar G.
Published: July 2016

Aligned 2D CuSCN nanosheets were grown by a simple, low cost and room temperature SILAR technique. The field emission properties of aligned 2D CuSCN nanosheets were studied in detail.
Synthesis and anti-proliferative activity evaluation of novel 1,4-naphthoquinones possessing pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine scaffolds
Authors: Zhang Chong , Sun Guangfei , Peng Qiujv , Zhu Shiwei , Ni Dongxuan
Published: July 2016

A series of novel 1,4-naphthoquinones possessing pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine scaffolds were synthesized and most of the compounds exhibited excellent anti-proliferative activities.
Dioxygen insertion into the gold(i)–hydride bond: spin orbit coupling effects in the spotlight for oxidative addition
Authors: Gaggioli Carlo Alberto , Belpassi Leonardo , Tarantelli Francesco , Zuccaccia Daniele , Harvey Jeremy N. , Belanzoni Paola
Published: July 2016

O2 insertion into a Au(i)–H bond occurs through an oxidative addition/recombination mechanism that can only be described accurately by inclusion of spin orbit coupling (SOC) effects.
A study on utilizing different metals as the back contact of CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite solar cells
Authors: Behrouznejad F. , Shahbazi S. , Taghavinia N. , Wu Hui-Ping , Wei-Guang Diau Eric
Published: July 2016

Ag, Au, Pt prove best metal-contacts for perovskite solar cells. Ag and Cu are chemically unstable. Ni and Cr show low performance.
0.012 mm2 800 µW 0.1–6.4 GHz multi‐protocol PLL with 14 psrms integrated jitter in 28 nm FD‐SOI
Authors: Gupta N. , Lahiri A. , Kumar A.
Published: July 2016

A multi‐protocol PLL suitable for different wireline standards namely HDMI1.4, USB2.0, DDR4, DisplayPort1.2 and for host clock generation for low‐power system‐on‐chips is presented. The PLL employs automatic VCO gain and charge‐pump current calibration circuits to provide a near constant PLL bandwidth which enables a robust jitter performance across process, voltage, temperature. Without increasing the loop‐filter capacitor, dual‐path loop‐filter technique is employed to reduce output jitter due to thermal noise of loop‐filter resistor. The PLL designed in 28 nm fully depleted silicon on insulator (FD‐SOI) process has an output frequency range from 0.1 to 6.4 GHz, total rms integrated jitter of 14 ps at 21.25 MHz reference frequency, consumes 800 µW at 3.4 GHz VCO frequency and occupies an area of 0.012 mm2.
3D velocity estimation based on FrFT for multi‐static SAR
Authors: Liu Mei , Wang Pengfei , Wang Zhigui
Published: July 2016

The problem of estimating 3D velocity for slowly moving target in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images is addressed. To solve this task, a new scheme based on multi‐static SAR is presented. The developed scheme first estimates all values of the Doppler centroid and Doppler frequency rate in multi‐static SAR by fractional Fourier transform method. Then, a Doppler frequency rate is used to estimate the cross‐range velocity of the moving target. The Doppler centroids are used to estimate the range velocity and height velocity. Simulation results are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the scheme.
ArcSAR for detecting target elevation
Authors: Pieraccini M. , Miccinesi L.
Published: July 2016

ArcSAR is a Synthetic Aperture Radar which recently has been receiving increasing interest in scientific literature. It operates exploiting the spatial diversity of the data acquired by an antenna fixed to a rotating arm. Its great advantage is its capability to synthesise images at 360° with constant resolution in azimuth. The ArcSAR, in addition to operate as interferometric differential radar, can detect the elevation of the targets, i.e. it is potentially able to generate digital elevation models of the surrounding field of view.
Design of compact frequency reconfigurable planar invert‐F antenna for green wireless communications
Authors: Thi Phuong Thao Hoang , Thanh Luan Vu , Yem Vu Van
Published: July 2016

This study proposes a single frequency reconfigurable planar invert‐F antenna (FRPIFA) using PIN diodes based on the changes of shorting pin positions. The single FRPIFA operates in four configurations which cover the bands of GSM 900/GSM 850, GPS 1575, GSM 1800/GSM 1900 and UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System) with peak gains of −7.24, 2.30, 2.98 and 3.53 dBi, respectively. Furthermore, a frequency reconfigurable multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) antenna consisting of two single reconfigurable ones with a distance of half‐wavelength is presented. By switching the PIN diodes, the reconfigurable MIMO antenna obtains four different configurations. For MIMO antenna, results of the operating bands, gains, radiation patterns are similar to those of the reconfigurable single one. The MIMO antenna achieves a high isolation with |S21| less than −20 dB in all operating bands. The simulated results of S‐parameters of the antennas are in good agreement with measurements. The proposed compact single and MIMO antennas are suitable for green smart wireless communication systems.
Water cycle algorithm‐based load frequency controller for interconnected power systems comprising non‐linearity
Authors: El‐Hameed Mohammed A. , El‐Fergany Attia A.
Published: July 2016

This study addresses proportional–integral–derivative (PID) optimal fine tuning of load frequency controllers for multi‐area interconnected power systems. For realistic study, generation rate constraints are considered to increase system non‐linearity. The proposed method is applied to equal and unequal multi‐area interconnected power systems. A methodology based on water cycle algorithm (WCA) is proposed. WCA is applied to generate optimal fine settings for the four parameters of the PID. A constrained optimisation problem with relevant integral of time multiplied by summation of absolute errors as an objective function is established. The time‐domain dynamic performances using the generated optimal PID parameters are demonstrated under disturbed load conditions. At this moment, to show the robustness of the cropped optimised PID parameters, sensitivity analysis under uncertainty conditions is made by varying the system parameters from their nominal values. Specifications of time‐domain dynamic performances are compared with other competing and Ziegler–Nichols PID tuning techniques which attest the significance of the proposed WCA‐based LFC. Finally, the proposed WCA‐based PID controllers are verified against random step load perturbations with different sampling times.
Ellipse fitting model for improving the effectiveness of life‐logging physical activity measures in an Internet of Things environment
Authors: Qi Jun , Yang Po , Hanneghan Martin , Fan Dina , Deng Zhikun , Dong Feng
Published: July 2016

The popular use of wearable devices and mobile phones makes the effective capture of life‐logging physical activity (PA) data in an Internet of Things (IoT) environment possible. The effective collection of measures of PA in the long term is beneficial to interdisciplinary healthcare research and collaboration from clinicians, researchers and patients. However, due to heterogeneity of connected devices and rapid change of diverse life patterns in an IoT environment, life‐logging PA information captured by mobile devices usually contains much uncertainty. In this study, the authors project the distribution of irregular uncertainty by defining a walking speed related score named as daily activity in physical space and present an ellipse‐fitting model‐based validity improvement method for reducing uncertainties of life‐logging PA measures in an IoT environment. The experimental results reflect that the proposed method remarkably improves the validity of PA measures in a healthcare platform.
Wearable indoor localisation approach in Internet of Things
Authors: Huang Haojun , Zhou Jianguo , Li Wei , Zhang Juanbao , Zhang Xu , Hou Guolin
Published: July 2016

Localisation is an essential and important research issue in Internet of Things (IoT). Most localisation schemes focus on outdoor IoT. However, indoor IoT is required in some applications such as target detection and tracking, and emerging smarter healthcare. As such, localisation approaches designed for indoor IoT are necessary. Note that the smarter healthcare emerges at an unprecedented speed while few localisation schemes can be directly exploited for them with accuracy guarantee. In this study, the authors propose a wearable indoor localisation approach to improve the localisation accuracy of previous work. In this approach, the wearable devices embedded into person are used to realise their displacement vector in mobile environments, thus estimating their own locations. In addition, the authors propose a walking prediction mechanism to increase localisation accuracy. The real‐world experiment results demonstrate that the proposed approach achieves lower localisation error in various moving speeds.
Condition assessment of outdoor porcelain insulator based on dielectric dissipation factor evaluated from non‐linear equivalent circuit
Authors: Pradhan Arpan Kumar , Chatterjee Soumya , Banik Apu , Dalai Sovan , Chatterjee Biswendu
Published: July 2016

This study presents a novel technique for estimation of contamination level as well as flashover voltage of outdoor insulators based on dielectric dissipation factor evaluated from the applied sinusoidal excitation and corresponding surface leakage current. Existing literature shows that surface leakage current of insulator is infested with odd harmonics though the applied voltage is sinusoidal in nature. The presence of harmonic contents in leakage current is due to non‐linear characteristics of the insulator surface owing to formation of dry bands. The nonlinear characteristic of the insulator surface depends on its contamination level which in turn affects the corresponding flashover voltage. Therefore, the harmonic configuration in leakage current can be correlated with the contamination level on insulator surface and corresponding flashover voltage. Considering the fact, in this contribution, a non‐linear equivalent circuit of insulator has been proposed based on harmonic components of the leakage current. For each harmonic component of the leakage current flowing through the insulator system, energy lost and energy stored in the system is calculated, which eventually enables to calculate dielectric dissipation factor. The proposed technique is applied for experimental investigation on 11 kV disc porcelain insulator artificially contaminated in the laboratory under controlled environmental conditions.
Mixed cerium-platinum oxides: Electronic structure of [CeO]Ptn (n = 1, 2) and [CeO2]Pt complex anions and neutrals
Authors: Ray Manisha , Kafader Jared O. , Topolski Josey E. , Jarrold Caroline Chick
Published: July 2016

The electronic structures of several small Ce–Pt oxide complexes were explored using a combination of anion photoelectron (PE) spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. Pt and Pt2 both accept electron density from CeO diatomic molecules, in which the cerium atom is in a lower-than-bulk oxidation state (+2 versus bulk +4). Neutral [CeO]Pt and [CeO]Pt2 complexes are therefore ionic, with electronic structures described qualitatively as [CeO+2]Pt−2 and [CeO+]Pt2−, respectively. The associated anions are described qualitatively as [CeO+]Pt−2 and [CeO+]Pt2−2, respectively. In both neutrals and anions, the most stable molecular structures determined by calculations feature a distinct CeO moiety, with the positively charged Ce center pointing toward the electron rich Pt or Pt2 moiety. Spectral simulations based on calculated spectroscopic parameters are in fair agreement with the spectra, validating the computationally determined structures. In contrast, when Pt is coupled with CeO2, which has no Ce-localized electrons that can readily be donated to Pt, the anion is described as [CeO2]Pt−. The molecular structure predicted computationally suggests that it is governed by charge-dipole interactions. The neutral [CeO2]Pt complex lacks charge-dipole stabilizing interactions, and is predicted to be structurally very different from the anion, featuring a single Pt–O–Ce bridge bond. The PE spectra of several of the complexes exhibit evidence of photodissociation with Pt− daughter ion formation. The electronic structures of these complexes are related to local interactions in Pt-ceria catalyst-support systems.
Measurement of the internal magnetic fluctuation by the transport of runaways on J-TEXT
Authors: Chen Z. Y. , Huang D. W. , Tong R. H. , Yan W. , Wei Y. N. , Ma T. K. , Jiang Z. H. , Zhang X. Q. , Chen Z. P. , Yang Z. J. , Zhuang G.
Published: July 2016

The measurement of internal magnetic fluctuation is important for the study of transport in tokamak plasmas. The runaway electron transport induced by the sawtooth crash can be used to obtain the internal magnetic fluctuation. Inversed sawtooth-like activities on hard x-ray (HXR) fluxes following sawtooth activities were observed after the application of electrode biasing on J-TEXT tokamak. The runaway diffusion coefficient Dr is deduced to be about 30 m2/s according to the time delay of HXR flux peaks to the sawtooth crashes. The averaged value of normalized magnetic fluctuation in the discharges with electrode biasing was increased to the order of 1 × 10−4.
High resolution spectrometer for extended x-ray absorption fine structure measurements in the 6 keV to 15 keV energy range
Authors: Seely J. F. , Hudson L. T. , Henins Albert , Feldman U.
Published: July 2016

A Cauchois transmission-crystal spectrometer has been developed with high crystal resolving power in the 6 keV–15 keV energy range and sufficient sensitivity to record single-shot spectra from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) Titan laser and other comparable or more energetic lasers. The spectrometer capabilities were tested by recording the W L transitions from a laboratory source and the extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectrum through a Cu foil.
Dynamics and relaxation of charge carriers in poly(methylmethacrylate)-lithium salt based polymer electrolytes plasticized with ethylene carbonate
Authors: Pal P. , Ghosh A.
Published: July 2016

In this paper, we have studied the dynamics and relaxation of charge carriers in poly(methylmethacrylate)-lithium salt based polymer electrolytes plasticized with ethylene carbonate. Structural and thermal properties have been examined using X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry, respectively. We have analyzed the complex conductivity spectra by using power law model coupled with the contribution of electrode polarization at low frequencies and high temperatures. The temperature dependence of the ionic conductivity and crossover frequency exhibits Vogel-Tammann-Fulcher type behavior indicating a strong coupling between the ionic and the polymer chain segmental motions. The scaling of the ac conductivity indicates that relaxation dynamics of charge carriers follows a common mechanism for all temperatures and ethylene carbonate concentrations. The analysis of the ac conductivity also shows the existence of a nearly constant loss in these polymer electrolytes at low temperatures and high frequencies. The fraction of free anions and ion pairs in polymer electrolyte have been obtained from the analysis of Fourier transform infrared spectra. It is observed that these quantities influence the behavior of the composition dependence of the ionic conductivity.
Electrothermal energy conversion using electron gas volumetric change inside semiconductors
Authors: Yazawa K. , Shakouri A.
Published: July 2016

We propose and analyze an electrothermal energy converter using volumetric changes in non-equilibrium electron gas inside semiconductors. The geometric concentration of electron gas under an electric field increases the effective pressure of the electrons, and then a barrier filters out cold electrons, acting like a valve. Nano- and micro-scale features enable hot electrons to arrive at the contact in a short enough time to avoid thermalization with the lattice. Key length and time scales, preliminary device geometry, and anticipated efficiency are estimated for electronic analogs of Otto and Brayton power generators and Joule-Thomson micro refrigerators on a chip. The power generators convert the energy of incident photons from the heat source to electrical current, and the refrigerator can reduce the temperature of electrons in a semiconductor device. The analytic calculations show that a large energy conversion efficiency or coefficient of performance may be possible.
Insights into gold-catalyzed plasma-assisted CVD growth of silicon nanowires
Authors: Chen Wanghua , Roca i Cabarrocas Pere
Published: July 2016

Understanding and controlling effectively the behavior of metal catalyst droplets during the Vapor-Liquid-Solid growth of nanowires are crucial for their applications. In this work, silicon nanowires are produced by plasma-assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition using gold as a catalyst. The influence of hydrogen plasma on nanowire growth is investigated experimentally and theoretically. Interestingly, in contrast to conventional chemical vapor deposition, the growth rate of silicon nanowires shows a decrease as a function of their diameters, which is consistent with the incorporation of silicon via sidewall diffusion. We show that Ostwald ripening of catalyst droplets during nanowire growth is inhibited in the presence of a hydrogen plasma. However, when the plasma is off, the diffusion of Au atoms on the nanowire sidewall can take place. Based on this observation, we have developed a convenient method to grow silicon nanotrees.
Theoretical investigation of geometries, stabilities, electronic and optical properties for advanced Agn@(ZnO)42 (n=6-18) hetero-nanostructure
Authors: Cheng Hai-Xia , Wang Xiao-Xu , Hu Yao-Wen , Huo Jin-Rong , Li Lu , Qian Ping , Wang Rong-Ming
Published: July 2016

The structural properties of Agn@(ZnO)42 (n=6-18) core-shell nanoparticles have been investigated by the first principles calculations, and the core-shell nanostructure with n=13 is proved to be the most stable one for the first time. Ag13@(ZnO)42 core-shell nanostructure possesses higher chemistry activity and shows a red shift phenomenon in the light of the absorption spectrum compare to the (ZnO)48, this can be confirmed by the calculated electron structure. The visible-light could be absorbed by Ag13@(ZnO)42 to improve the photo-catalysis of (ZnO)48 nanostructure. Our results show good agreement with experiments.
Effect of a dietary probiotic, Lactobacillus johnsonii BS15, on growth performance, quality traits, antioxidant ability, and nutritional and flavour substances of chicken meat
Authors: Liu Lei , Ni Xueqin , Zeng Dong , Wang Hesong , Jing Bo , Yin Zhongqiong , Pan Kangcheng
Published: July 2016

To determine whether Lactobacillus johnsonii BS15 supplementation improves the growth performance and meat quality of broilers, 450 1-day-old male chicks (Cobb 500) were randomly divided into three groups: control group (basal corn-soybean diet), L-BS15 group (basal diet + 1 × 105 colony-forming unit BS15/g as feed), and H-BS15 group (basal diet + 1 × 106 colony-forming unit BS15/g as feed). These diets were fed for 42 days. Abdominal fat decreased (P < 0.05) as the concentration of BS15 increased. BS15 supplementation significantly increased the pH at 24 h after sacrifice and decreased drip loss and shearing force (P < 0.05), although meat colour and pH at 40 min after sacrifice remained unchanged. Antioxidant capacity and total protein and intramuscular fat levels were unchanged by the treatments, but BS15 supplementation significantly increased inosine monophosphate level and decreased total cholesterol and triglyceride levels (P < 0.05). The levels of proline, total amino acids, and flavour-related amino acids were increased (P < 0.05) by BS15 supplementation, but the levels of other amino acids did not change significantly. BS15 supplementation significantly decreased (P < 0.05) C16:0, C22:4n-6, and n-6 :  n-3 ratio and increased (P < 0.05) C18:3n-3, C20:5n-3,C22:6n-3, total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), n-3 PUFA and PUFA : saturated fatty acid ratio. These findings suggest that L. johnsonii BS15 supplementation improves the meat quality of broilers by increasing the shelf life and flavour and nutritional substances. In addition, BS15 supplementation can induce changes in fat deposits and fatty acid composition.
Interpretation of Double Reciprocal Plots Used to Determine the Spectroscopic Parameters of Bound Ligand for Binding Assays
Authors: A Haigh E , Sawyer WH
Published: July 2016

The spectroscopic determination of binding data usually requires measurement of the spectral characteristics of the chromophore when all sites on the acceptor are occupied by the ligand. The double reciprocal plot employed for this purpose has been interpreted in diverse ways. This paper examines the theoretical and practical limitations which must be considered in making such interpretations, and shows that the linear extrapolation of the double reciprocal plot which is normally practised cannot be justified.
A Spectrophotometric Assay of ATP Synthesized by Sarcoplasmic Reticulum
Authors: J Horgan Douglas
Published: July 2016

The problems encountered with a coupled enzyme assay for ATP using glucose, hexokinase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase are discussed and a modification where fructose and glucosephosphate isomerase were substituted for glucose is described. This modified assay was used successful1y to measure the ATP synthesized by reversal of the sarcoplasmic reticulum ATPase. ATP synthesized by adenylate kinase contaminating the sarcoplasmic reticulum was easily corrected for by a subtraction procedure.
Plasma Thyroxine Concentrations in Grazing Sheep in Several Areas of Australia
Authors: Wallace ALC , Gfeeson AR , Hopkins PS , Mason RW , White RR
Published: July 2016

Plasma thyroxine concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay in plasma samples from 691 lactating ewes in 26 areas of New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania. Sheep sampled in New South Wales and Tasmania had significantly lower plasma thyroxine values (4�0 and 4�3 Ilg/100ml respectively) than those sampled in Queensland and Western Australia (5�4 and 5�3 Ilg/1OO mI respectively). However, sheep in some districts in southern Queensland also had low plasma thyroxine values.
Characterization of a Temperature-Sensitive Female Sterile Mutant (l(1)1074TS) in Drosophila Melanogaster
Authors: Datson CR , Brink NG
Published: July 2016

A new X-linked temperature-sensitive female sterile mutant (/(1)1074") is described. The nonpermissive temperature for this mutant is 29�C. There are two temperature-sensitive periods during development-one between the 6th and 12th hours of embryogenesis and a second commencing during the first larval instar and terminating at mid pupation. Embryological abnormalities first become apparent during gastrulation and eventually these result in the breakdown of organogenesis and the complete absence of normal muscular contractions. Preconditioning mutant females at the nonpermissive temperature for up to 48 h enhances the abnormal embryological effects produced by the mutant.
Seed-germination responses of Calotropis procera (Asclepiadaceae) to temperature and water stress in northern Australia
Authors: Menge E. O. , Bellairs S. M. , Lawes M. J.
Published: July 2016

Understanding the seed biology of the introduced weed rubber bush (Calotropis procera (Aiton, W.T.Aiton)) is critical to its management in northern Australia. We examined the numbers of seeds produced and the effects of environmental temperature and water stress on germination performance (germinability G; mean germination time MGT) of rubber bush seeds from across northern Australia. Germination trials were conducted using seeds from wild populations monitored for 3 years. Seed numbers per fruit did not vary significantly among the six populations studied (mean ± s.e. = 433.2 ± 19.0), but seed mass did (range from 8.32 ± 0.24 to 5.24 ± 0.06 mg), with no negative correlation between the measures. Maximum seed germination (68–100%) occurred at 30°C, associated with a mean germination time of 2.58 days. Under water stress, the proportion of germinated seeds declined significantly with increasing temperature from 92.5 ± 1.1% at 20°C and 0 MPa to 2.8 ± 1.7% at 40°C and –0.4 MPa respectively. Seeds were unable to germinate at ambient temperatures ≥40°C, but remained quiescent and hence viable. Planting depth influenced seedling emergence, with minimal germination of seeds on the surface (5.8%) but 88.5% germination at 3-cm depth. The effect of water stress was dependent on temperature, with water stress inducing a reduction in optimum germination temperature from 30°C to 20°C. Phenotypic plasticity in G and MGT did not show clear patterns among populations or years. Short MGTs increase seedling survival by rapid transition from endosperm resources to photosynthesis, whereas seed quiescence (cf. dormancy) optimises germination opportunities in a semiarid environment. Thus, the germination traits reported in the present study are likely to promote seedling survival and potential spread of rubber bush in semiarid Australia.
Feeling the cold in a warming climate: differential effects of low temperatures on co-occurring eucalypts
Authors: Matusick George , Ruthrof Katinka X. , Pitman Jason , Hardy Giles E. St. J.
Published: July 2016

Climate change is altering extreme temperature events, and is expected to drive changes in species composition as a result. To assess the potential for compositional shifts from low-temperature events, the effects of repeated events in 2010 and 2012 on three co-occurring eucalypts were determined in south-western Australia. To examine the climatic conditions that led to tree damage, and the long-term pattern of low-temperature events, temperatures were monitored on affected sites, and modelled from climate-station data. The three species varied considerably in their susceptibility to low temperatures. Corymbia calophylla K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson was most affected (crown-damage index (CDI) = 47), followed by Eucalyptus marginata Sm. (CDI = 17) and E. wandoo Blakely (CDI = 3), which was comparatively tolerant. The temperatures leading to damage in 2010 and 2012 were –3.4°C and –2.1°C respectively. The frequency of low-temperature events (days below 0°C) have been steadily increasing in the study area since the mid-1990s. Because minimal tree mortality was observed, species composition is unlikely to change as a result of low temperatures in the short term. However, continued dieback from repeated events may disrupt regenerative processes, and cause long-term compositional shifts.
Atomic-resolution structure of a disease-relevant Aβ(1–42) amyloid fibril
Authors: Wälti Marielle Aulikki , Ravotti Francesco , Arai Hiromi , Glabe Charles G. , Wall Joseph S. , Böckmann Anja , Güntert Peter , Meier Beat H. , Riek Roland
Published: July 2016

Significance

Alzheimer’s disease is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disease still with no known cure. The disease is characterized by the development of extracellular plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. The senile plaques consist mainly of the peptide amyloid-β (Aβ) in aggregated form, called amyloid fibrils. It is believed that the Aβ amyloid fibrils play an important role in disease progression and cell-to-cell transmissibility, and small Aβ oligomers are often assumed to be the most neurotoxic species. Here, we determined the 3D structure of a disease-relevant Aβ(1–42) fibril polymorph combining data from solid-state NMR spectroscopy and mass-per-length measurements from EM. The 3D structure is composed of two molecules per fibril layer, forming a double-horseshoe–like cross–β-sheet entity with maximally buried hydrophobic side chains.
Low Annual Fidelity and Early Upstream Migration of Anadromous Arctic Char in a Variable Environment
Authors: Gilbert Matthew J. H. , Donadt Caitlyn R. , Swanson Heidi K. , Tierney Keith B.
Published: July 2016

The life histories of anadromous Arctic Char Salvelinus alpinus are complex and vary greatly between populations and environments. Here, we detail key aspects of the physical environment and life history of a population of Arctic Char from Nulahugyuk Creek, Nunavut, Canada, to characterize migration traits in a highly variable environment. Over the course of this migration, creek discharge declined precipitously, forcing Arctic Char to migrate through shallow water with large diel temperature fluctuations (>10°C) and high temperature extremes (>21°C). The downstream migration of adults (>55 cm) began in mid‐June and continued into early July, while the downstream migration of smolts (<30 cm) began in late June and continued until late July. The upstream adult migration began in late June and ended in late July, far earlier than most upstream migrations in the region. There was no appreciable upstream migration of juveniles, and Arctic Char 30 to 55 cm in length were absent from the up‐ and downstream migrations. The average age at first migration was 4 years, and the youngest adult Arctic Char migrating upstream were 8 and 9 years old. The missing size‐ and age‐classes, and the fact that most upstream migrants were near reproductive maturity, indicate that Arctic Char in this system typically leave at a length of 19 cm and an age of 4 years and do not return for 4 to 5 years, when they are ready to reproduce. Anadromous Nulahugyuk Creek Arctic Char appear to employ strategies that limit their exposure to restrictive migratory conditions and facilitate their existence in an otherwise uninhabitable system. Understanding such population‐specific migratory strategies is critical to the management of Arctic Char fisheries, which are comprised of populations with highly diverse life histories, and to our understanding of how these life histories may contribute to the adaptability and persistence of the species as climate change progresses.

Received November 24, 2015; accepted March 23, 2016 Published online July 28, 2016
Non-Intercourse and Intercourse Hookup Intentions, Drinking Expectancies, and College Students’ Heavy Drinking
Authors: Beckmeyer Jonathon J.
Published: July 2016

Background

The current study tested the associations between college students’ intentions to hookup (i.e., specifically intending to go out and engage in sexual behavior with a non-romantic partner) and self-reported heavy drinking. Further, social and sexual enhancement drinking expectancies were tested as moderators of those associations.

Methods

College students ( N = 235) reported (a) if they had specifically intended to hookup (reported separately for non-intercourse and intercourse hookup intentions) in the past 6 months; (b) social and sexual enhancement drinking expectancies; and (c) heavy drinking (a composite of past-30-day drinking frequency, typical amount consumed per drinking occasion, and how many times they got drunk). Data were analyzed using a hierarchical multiple regression (HMR), controlling for demographic variables.

Results

Non-intercourse hookup intentions were positively associated with heavy drinking, but intercourse hookup intentions were not. Sexual but not social enhancement drinking expectancies moderated the associations between both types of hookup intentions and heavy drinking. Among those who had intended a non-intercourse hookup, heavy drinking was greater when they also reported high (+1 SD) sexual enhancement drinking expectancies. For intercourse hookup intentions, higher (+1 SD) sexual enhancement drinking expectancies were associated with less heavy drinking.

Conclusions

Pursuing non-intercourse hookups appears to be associated with heavy drinking, but intercourse hookup intention is not. Sexual enhancement drinking expectancies moderated those associations. Thus, an interest in some types of casual sexual experiences may promote heavy drinking among college students.
Multiple toroidal Alfven eigenmodes with a single toroidal mode number in KSTAR plasmas
Authors: Rizvi H. , Ryu C.M. , Lin Z.
Published: July 2016

Simultaneous excitation of multiple discrete toroidal Alfven eigenmodes (TAEs) for a single toroidal mode number have been observed in KSTAR plasmas. Excitation and characteristics of these modes are studied by using a global gyrokinetic particle-in-cell simulation code. It is shown that compared to a single core-localized mode, excitation of two modes is difficult. The frequency difference between the double TAEs studied from simulation seems to agree well with the experimental value. Details of studies on the frequency, growth rate, mode structures, etc, using the GTC simulation are presented.
Bifurcation physics of magnetic islands and stochasticity explored by heat pulse propagation studies in toroidal plasmas
Authors: Ida K. , Kobayashi T. , Yoshinuma M. , Suzuki Y. , Narushima Y. , Evans T.E. , Ohdachi S. , Tsuchiya H. , Inagaki S. , Itoh K.
Published: July 2016

Bifurcation physics of a magnetic island was investigated using the heat pulse propagation technique produced by the modulation of electron cyclotron heating. There are two types of bifurcation phenomena observed in a large helical device (LHD) and DIII-D. One is a bifurcation of the magnetic topology between nested and stochastic fields. The nested state is characterized by the bi-directional (inward and outward) propagation of the heat pulse with slow propagation speed. The stochastic state is characterized by the fast propagation of the heat pulse with electron temperature flattening. The other bifurcation is between the magnetic island with larger thermal diffusivity and that with smaller thermal diffusivity. The damping of toroidal flow is observed at the O-point of the magnetic island both in helical plasmas and in tokamak plasmas during a mode locking phase with strong flow shears at the boundary of the magnetic island. Associated with the stochastization of the magnetic field, the abrupt damping of toroidal flow is observed in LHD. The toroidal flow shear shows a linear decay, while the ion temperature gradient shows an exponential decay. This observation suggests that this flow damping is due to the change in the non-diffusive term of momentum transport.
Direct effects of the resonant magnetic perturbation on turbulent transport
Authors: Vlad M. , Spineanu F.
Published: July 2016

The effects of the resonant magnetic perturbations (RMPs) on the turbulent transport are analyzed in the framework of the test particle approach using a semi-analytical method. The model includes particle collisions. The influence of the RMPs on plasma confinement is determined as function turbulence parameters and of collisionality. A synergy of the turbulent transport and RMPs is found. The increase of the turbulent diffusion is much larger than the diffusion directly produced by the RMPs.
Screening of external magnetic perturbation fields due to sheared plasma flow
Authors: Li L. , Liu Y.Q. , Liang Y. , Wang N. , Luan Q. , Zhong F.C. , Liu Y.
Published: July 2016

Within the single fluid resistive magnetohydrodynamic model, systematic toroidal modelling efforts are devoted to investigate the plasma response induced screening of the applied external 3D magnetic field perturbations in the presence of sheared toroidal flow. One particular issue of interest is addressed, when the local flow speed approaches zero at the perturbation rational surface inside the plasma. Subtle screening physics, associated with the favourable averaged toroidal curvature effect (the GGJ effect (Glasser et al 1975 Phys. Fluids
7 875)), is found to play an essential role during slow flow near the rational surface by enhancing the screening at reduced flow. A strong cancellation effect between different terms of Ohm’s law is discovered, leading to different screening physics in the GGJ regime, as compared to that of conventional screening of the typical resistive-inertial regime occurring at faster flow. These modelling results may be applicable to interpret certain mode locking experiments, as well as type-I edge localized mode suppression experiments, with resonant magnetic field perturbations being applied to tokamak plasmas at low input toroidal torque.
Characteristics of pre-ELM structures during ELM control experiment on JET with n  =  2 magnetic perturbations
Authors: Gao Y. , Rack M. , Liang Y. , Sieglin B. , Denner P.
Published: July 2016

Radially propagating pre-ELM (edge localized mode) structures in the heat flux profile on the outer divertor have been observed both with and without magnetic perturbations on Joint European Torus. Recently pre-ELM structures over 80% of the ELM cycle are observed. The effects of n  =  2 fields on pre-ELM structures are presented and analysed in detail. Redistribution of the inter-ELM heat load with the appearances of pre-ELM structures suggest that a wider energy wetted area could be achieved by the application of n  =  2 fields. The influences of q
95 and gas puffing position on the change of pre-ELM structures are studied. Pre-ELM structures are normally long lived (several milliseconds) and appear consecutively with n  =  2 fields, but do not necessarily lead to an ELM crash. The experimental observations suggest that the changed magnetic topology might be a possible explanation for the propagating structures.
Simulation of runaway electrons, transport affected by J-TEXT resonant magnetic perturbation
Authors: Jiang Z.H. , Wang X.H. , Chen Z.Y. , Huang D.W. , Sun X.F. , Xu T. , Zhuang G.
Published: July 2016

The topology of a magnetic field and transport properties of runaway electrons can be changed by a resonant magnetic perturbation field. The J-TEXT magnetic topology can be effectively altered via static resonant magnetic perturbation (SRMP) and dynamic resonant magnetic perturbation (DRMP). This paper studies the effect of resonant magnetic perturbation (RMP) on the confinement of runaway electrons via simulating their drift orbits in the magnetic perturbation field and calculating the orbit losses for different runaway initial energies and different runaway electrons, initial locations. The model adopted is based on Hamiltonian guiding center equations for runaway electrons, and the J-TEXT magnetic turbulences and RMP are taken into account. The simulation indicates that the loss rate of runaway electrons is sensitive to the radial position of electrons. The loss of energetic runaway beam is dominated by the shrinkage of the confinement region. Outside the shrinkage region of the runaway electrons are lost rapidly. Inside the shrinkage region the runaway beam is confined very well and is less sensitive to the magnetic perturbation. The experimental result on the response of runaway transport to the application RMP indicates that the loss of runaway electrons is dominated by the shrinkage of the confinement region, other than the external magnetic perturbation.
2016 Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Coccidioidomycosis
Authors: Galgiani John N. , Ampel Neil M. , Blair Janis E. , Catanzaro Antonino , Geertsma Francesca , Hoover Susan E. , Johnson Royce H. , Kusne Shimon , Lisse Jeffrey , MacDonald Joel D. , Meyerson Shari L. , Raksin Patricia B. , Siever John , Stevens David A. , Sunenshine Rebecca , Theodore Nicholas
Published: July 2016

It is important to realize that guidelines cannot always account for individual variation among patients. They are not intended to supplant physician judgment with respect to particular patients or special clinical situations. Infectious Diseases Society of America considers adherence to these guidelines to be voluntary, with the ultimate determination regarding their application to be made by the physician in the light of each patient's individual circumstances.

Coccidioidomycosis, also known as San Joaquin Valley fever, is a systemic infection endemic to parts of the southwestern United States and elsewhere in the Western Hemisphere. Residence in and recent travel to these areas are critical elements for the accurate recognition of patients who develop this infection. In this practice guideline, we have organized our recommendations to address actionable questions concerning the entire spectrum of clinical syndromes. These can range from initial pulmonary infection, which eventually resolves whether or not antifungal therapy is administered, to a variety of pulmonary and extrapulmonary complications. Additional recommendations address management of coccidioidomycosis occurring for special at-risk populations. Finally, preemptive management strategies are outlined in certain at-risk populations and after unintentional laboratory exposure.