bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Competing magnetic interactions and interfacial frozen-spins in Ni-NiO core-shell nano-rods
Authors: Hsu Hao-Chun , Lo Chih-Chieh , Tseng Yuan-Chieh
Published: March 2012

This paper investigates the subtle interfacial magnetism of highly-aligned, free-standing Ni-NiO core-shell rods on a Si substrate, fabricated by electroless-plating and an anodic aluminum oxide template. Transmission electron microscopy found that the NiO shell was uniformly present along the entire rod. Vertical magnetization shift, arising from opposite field cooling conditions, suggests frozen spins (FS) at the Ni-NiO interface. The FS were related to the pinning effects of the NiO on the Ni. The pinning strength depended on the NiO thickness, displaying a tunable fashion from 6 to 10 nano-meters with thermal annealing. The FS mediated the antiferromagnetic (AFM)-ferromagnetic (FM) interfacial coupling, leading to the temperature-dependent properties of the rods. FS were evident below 100 K, at which the NiO-AFM dominated the properties with a suppressed coercive field and non-saturated magnetization. At 100 K, however, the Ni-FM was superior to the NiO-AFM with a restored FM phase. Meanwhile, the interfacial magnetic frustration occurred due to the disappearance of FS. These two factors resulted in the coercivity enhancement at 100 K. The uniqueness of the structure opens opportunities to tailoring the properties of the rods by manipulating the core-shell inter-dependency, as well as inspiring further researches concerning its applications in spintronics.
Investigation of low loss Z-type hexaferrites for antenna applications
Authors: Xia Qi , Su Hua , Shen Guoce , Pan Taisong , Zhang Tianshui , Zhang Huaiwu , Tang Xiaoli
Published: March 2012

Z-type hexaferrites in series (Ba0.5Sr0.5)3Co2Fe24O41 + xWO3 (where x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 wt. %) were prepared by a conventional ceramic technique. The addition of WO3 has been used to enhance sintering density and magneto-dielectric properties of low loss Co2Z ferrites. A second phase of BaWO4 can be found in the XRD patterns. The replacements of hexagonal phase by high valence W6+ ions improved sintering and accelerated density of the ferrites, which resulted in the increase of real permeability. Due to the formation of Fe2+, excessive WO3 resulted in undesired high permittivity and dielectric loss tangent. Comparatively, a ferrite sample with 0.2 wt. % WO3 gave the best performances in terms of density, microstructure, magneto-dielectric property, and loss tangent. Since loss tangent was kept low with the frequency ranging from 10 to 300 MHz, such magneto-dielectric material could be used in this frequency range for antenna applications.
Hybrid neural network–particle swarm method to predict global radiation over the Norte Chico (Chile)
Authors: Pérez Ponce Alejandro A. , Lazzús Juan A. , Palma-Chilla L.
Published: March 2012

Solar energy estimation procedures are very important in the renewable energy field for development of mathematical models, optimization, and advanced control of processes. Solar radiation data provide information on how much of the sun’s energy strikes a surface at a location on earth during a particular time period. These data are needed for effective research into solar-energy utilization. Due to the cost and difficulty in measurement, these data are not readily available. Therefore, there is the need to develop alternative ways of generating these data. In this study, an artificial neural network (ANN) was used for the estimation of daily global solar radiation (RG) over the Norte Chico using 17 552 data measured from 21 meteorological stations (years 2004–2010) located in the south area of the Atacama Desert. The ANN was developed with particle swarm optimization. Six input parameters were used to train the network. These parameters were elevation, longitude, latitude, air temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed. The network that obtained the lowest deviation during the training was one with 6 neurons in the input layer, 18 and 6 neurons in the hidden layers, and one neuron in the output layer. The results show that the ANN can be accurately trained and that the chosen architecture can estimate the RG with acceptable accuracy: average absolute relative deviation less than 10% for the training and for the validation step. The low deviations found with the proposed method indicate that it can estimate RG with better accuracy than other methods available in the literature.
Low-loss meta-atom for improved resonance response
Authors: Langley Derrick , Coutu Ronald A. , Collins Peter J.
Published: March 2012

Measurements of a meta-atom integrated with a low noise amplifier into the split-ring resonator are presented. A comparison is made between baseline meta-atoms and one integrated with a GaAs low noise amplifier. S-parameter measurements in a RF strip-line show the resonant frequency location. The resonance null is more prominent for the integrated meta-atom. Biasing the low noise amplifier from 0 to 7 VDC showed that the resonant null improved with biasing voltage. As the biasing voltage increases, the transmission null reduced from -11.82 to -23.21 dB for biases from 0 to 7 VDC at resonant frequency.
Clients' views on a piloted telemedicine sexual health service for rural youth
Authors: Garrett Cameryn C. , Kirkman Maggie , Chen Marcus Y. , Cummings Rosey , Fuller Candice , Hocking Jane , Tomnay Jane E. , Fairley Christopher K.
Published: March 2012

Background
Given the high rate of sexually transmissible infections among young people and limited rural access to specialist healthcare, an Australian telemedicine service was piloted. Clients’ views were investigated. Methods: All clients aged 15–24 were given a questionnaire. A sub-sample was interviewed. Results: The service was used by 25 rural youths aged 15–24; 18 returned the questionnaire, 4 were interviewed. All had a telephone consultation. They reported being satisfied with the service; most preferred the telemedicine service to consulting a doctor in person. Conclusions: Online video consultations for sexual health may not yet be accep to young people in Australia.
HIV/AIDS related knowledge among school-going adolescents from the Middle East and North Africa
Authors: Boneberger Anja , Rückinger Simon , Guthold Regina , Kann Laura , Riley Leanne
Published: March 2012

The aim of this secondary analysis was to present cross-national data about HIV/AIDS related knowledge among 13- to 15-year-old school-going adolescents from the Middle East and North Africa. Data from 23 673 school-going adolescents from seven countries (Jordan, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Morocco, Oman, Tunisia and United Arab Emirates) that undertook the Global School-Based Student Health Survey between 2004 and 2008 were analysed. HIV/AIDS related knowledge varied significantly between countries and gender. Research for this sensitive topic is scarce in this region. In addition, schools could be among the many key players for HIV/AIDS education.
'Yes wee can' - a nurse-driven asymptomatic screening program for chlamydia and gonorrhoea in a remote emergency department
Authors: Mossenson Adam , Algie Kathryn , Olding Melanie , Garton Linda , Reeve Carole
Published: March 2012

Background
A nurse-driven, urine-based screening program for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamyida trachomatis was conducted in a remote emergency department targeting asymptomatic youth. Methods: Individuals who presented to the Emergency Department with non-genitourinary complaints between the ages of 16 and 34 were offered free opportunistic urinary testing for gonorrhoea and chlamydia. Results: In total, 178 eligible patients were offered screening, 65% consented for testing and 14 patients (12%) returned positive results, with 10 diagnoses of chlamydia, 9 of gonorrhoea and 5 with both. Discussion: Emergency departments are an underutilised interface between difficult to reach at risk youth populations and public health services.
Game-powered machine learning
Authors: Barrington Luke , Turnbull Douglas , Lanckriet Gert
Published: March 2012

Searching for relevant content in a massive amount of multimedia information is facilitated by accurately annotating each image, video, or song with a large number of relevant semantic keywords, or
tags
. We introduce game-powered machine learning, an integrated approach to annotating multimedia content that combines the effectiveness of
human computation
, through online games, with the scalability of
machine learning
. We investigate this framework for labeling music. First, a socially-oriented music annotation game called
Herd It
collects reliable music annotations based on the “wisdom of the crowds.” Second, these annotated examples are used to train a supervised machine learning system. Third, the machine learning system
actively
directs the annotation games to collect new data that will most benefit future model iterations. Once trained, the system can automatically annotate a corpus of music much larger than what could be labeled using human computation alone. Automatically annotated songs can be retrieved based on their semantic relevance to text-based queries (e.g., “funky jazz with saxophone,” “spooky electronica,” etc.). Based on the results presented in this paper, we find that actively coupling annotation games with machine learning provides a reliable and scalable approach to making searchable massive amounts of multimedia data.
Crystal structure of the S100A4–nonmuscle myosin IIA tail fragment complex reveals an asymmetric target binding mechanism
Authors: Kiss Bence , Duelli Annette , Radnai László , Kékesi Katalin A. , Katona Gergely , Nyitray László
Published: March 2012

S100A4 is a member of the S100 family of calcium-binding proteins that is directly involved in tumor metastasis. It binds to the nonmuscle myosin IIA (NMIIA) tail near the assembly competence domain (ACD) promoting filament disassembly, which could be associated with increasing metastatic potential of tumor cells. Here, we investigate the mechanism of S100A4–NMIIA interaction based on binding studies and the crystal structure of S100A4 in complex with a 45-residue-long myosin heavy chain fragment. Interestingly, we also find that S100A4 binds as strongly to a homologous heavy chain fragment of nonmuscle myosin IIC as to NMIIA. The structure of the S100A4–NMIIA complex reveals a unique mode of interaction in the S100 family: A single, predominantly α-helical myosin chain is wrapped around the Ca
2+
-bound S100A4 dimer occupying both hydrophobic binding pockets. Thermal denaturation experiments of coiled-coil forming NMIIA fragments indicate that the coiled-coil partially unwinds upon S100A4 binding. Based on these results, we propose a model for NMIIA filament disassembly: Part of the random coil tailpiece and the C-terminal residues of the coiled-coil are wrapped around an S100A4 dimer disrupting the ACD and resulting in filament dissociation. The description of the complex will facilitate the design of specific drugs that interfere with the S100A4–NMIIA interaction.
Seventeen-gene signature from enriched Her2/Neu mammary tumor-initiating cells predicts clinical outcome for human HER2
+
:ERα
−
breast cancer
Authors: Liu Jeff C. , Voisin Veronique , Bader Gary D. , Deng Tao , Pusztai Lajos , Symmans William Fraser , Esteva Francisco J. , Egan Sean E. , Zacksenhaus Eldad
Published: March 2012

Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-positive (HER2
+
) breast cancer (BC) is a highly aggressive disease commonly treated with chemotherapy and anti-HER2 drugs, including trastuzumab. There is currently no way to predict which HER2
+
BC patients will benefit from these treatments. Previous prognostic signatures for HER2
+
BC were developed irrespective of the subtype or the hierarchical organization of cancer in which only a fraction of cells, tumor-initiating cells (TICs), can sustain tumor growth. Here, we used serial dilution and single-cell transplantation assays to identify MMTV-Her2/Neu mouse mammary TICs as CD24
+
:JAG1
−
at a frequency of 2–4.5%. A 17-gene Her2-TIC-enriched signature (HTICS), generated on the basis of differentially expressed genes in TIC versus non-TIC fractions and trained on one HER2
+
BC cohort, predicted clinical outcome on multiple independent HER2
+
cohorts. HTICS included up-regulated genes involved in S/G2/M transition and down-regulated genes involved in immune response. Its prognostic power was independent of other predictors, stratified lymph node
+
HER2
+
BC into low and high-risk subgroups, and was specific for HER2
+
:estrogen receptor alpha-negative (ERα
−
) patients (10-y overall survival of 83.6% for HTICS
−
and 24.0% for HTICS
+
tumors; hazard ratio = 5.57;
P
= 0.002). Whereas HTICS was specific to HER2
+
:ERα
−
tumors, a previously reported stroma-derived signature was predictive for HER2
+
:ERα
+
BC. Retrospective analyses revealed that patients with HTICS
+
HER2
+
:ERα
−
tumors resisted chemotherapy but responded to chemotherapy plus trastuzumab. HTICS is, therefore, a powerful prognostic signature for HER2
+
:ERα
−
BC that can be used to identify high risk patients that would benefit from anti-HER2 therapy.
Unification of reaction pathway and kinetic scheme for N
2
reduction catalyzed by nitrogenase
Authors: Lukoyanov Dmitriy , Yang Zhi-Yong , Barney Brett M. , Dean Dennis R. , Seefeldt Lance C. , Hoffman Brian M.
Published: March 2012

Nitrogenase catalyzes the reduction of N
2
and protons to yield two NH
3
and one H
2
. Substrate binding occurs at a complex organo-metallocluster called FeMo-cofactor (FeMo-co). Each catalytic cycle involves the sequential delivery of eight electrons/protons to this cluster, and this process has been framed within a kinetic scheme developed by Lowe and Thorneley. Rapid freezing of a modified nitrogenase under turnover conditions using diazene, methyldiazene (HN = N-CH
3
), or hydrazine as substrate recently was shown to trap a common

intermediate, designated

I

. It was further concluded that the two N-atoms of N
2
are hydrogenated alternately (“Alternating” (

A

) pathway). In the present work, Q-band CW EPR and
95
Mo ESEEM spectroscopy reveal such samples also contain a common intermediate with FeMo-co in an integer-spin state having a ground-state “non-Kramers” doublet. This species, designated

H

, has been characterized by ESEEM spectroscopy using a combination of
14,15
N isotopologs plus
1,2
H isotopologs of methyldiazene. It is concluded that:

H

has NH
2
bound to FeMo-co and corresponds to the penultimate intermediate of N
2
hydrogenation, the state formed after the accumulation of seven electrons/protons and the release of the first NH
3
;

I

corresponds to the final intermediate in N
2
reduction, the state formed after accumulation of eight electrons/protons, with NH
3
still bound to FeMo-co prior to release and regeneration of resting-state FeMo-co. A proposed unification of the Lowe-Thorneley kinetic model with the “prompt” alternating reaction pathway represents a draft mechanism for N
2
reduction by nitrogenase.
TLS/FUS (translocated in liposarcoma/fused in sarcoma) regulates target gene transcription via single-stranded DNA response elements
Authors: Tan Adelene Y. , Riley Todd R. , Coady Tristan , Bussemaker Harmen J. , Manley James L.
Published: March 2012

TLS/FUS (TLS) is a multifunctional protein implicated in a wide range of cellular processes, including transcription and mRNA processing, as well as in both cancer and neurological disease. However, little is currently known about TLS target genes and how they are recognized. Here, we used ChIP and promoter microarrays to identify genes potentially regulated by TLS. Among these genes, we detected a number that correlate with previously known functions of TLS, and confirmed TLS occupancy at several of them by ChIP. We also detected changes in mRNA levels of these target genes in cells where TLS levels were altered, indicative of both activation and repression. Next, we used data from the microarray and computational methods to determine whether specific sequences were enriched in DNA fragments bound by TLS. This analysis suggested the existence of TLS response elements, and we show that purified TLS indeed binds these sequences with specificity in vitro. Remarkably, however, TLS binds only single-strand versions of the sequences. Taken together, our results indicate that TLS regulates expression of specific target genes, likely via recognition of specific single-stranded DNA sequences located within their promoter regions.
Identification and validation of a gene causing cross-resistance between insecticide classes inAnopheles gambiaefrom Ghana
Authors: Mitchell Sara N. , Stevenson Bradley J. , Müller Pie , Wilding Craig S. , Egyir-Yawson Alexander , Field Stuart G. , Hemingway Janet , Paine Mark J. I. , Ranson Hilary , Donnelly Martin James
Published: March 2012

In the last decade there have been marked reductions in malaria incidence in sub-Saharan Africa. Sustaining these reductions will rely upon insecticides to control the mosquito malaria vectors. We report that in the primary African malaria vector,Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto, a single enzyme, CYP6M2, confers resistance to two classes of insecticide. This is unique evidence in a disease vector of cross-resistance associated with a single metabolic gene that simultaneously reduces the efficacy of two of the four classes of insecticide routinely used for malaria control. The gene-expression profile of a highly DDT-resistant population ofA. gambiae s.s.from Ghana was characterized using a unique whole-genome microarray. A number of genes were significantly overexpressed compared with two susceptible West African colonies, including genes from metabolic families previously linked to insecticide resistance. One of the most significantly overexpressed probe groups (false-discovery rate-adjustedP< 0.0001) belonged to the cytochrome P450 geneCYP6M2. This gene is associated with pyrethroid resistance in wildA. gambiae s.s.populations) and can metabolize both type I and type II pyrethroids in recombinant protein assays. Using in vitro assays we show that recombinant CYP6M2 is also capable of metabolizing the organochlorine insecticide DDT in the presence of solubilizing factor sodium cholate.
Managing invasive species in heterogeneous ecosystems.
Authors: Brown J. R. , Bestelmeyer B. T.
Published: March 2012

In this chapter, we first discuss the challenge of managing invasive species in complex landscapes. In particular, how managing invasive species in wildland environments differs from more intensively managed systems, such as croplands, where the spatiotemporal relationships are much more clearly defined. Then we present and demonstrate the use of ecological sites (soil-based landscape subunits) and state-and-transition models (graphic and text descriptions of soil: vegetation dynamics) as a means of organizing and synthesizing information about plant community and landscape susceptibility to invasion. Managing invasive plants in complex landscapes, ecological sites and state and transition models, and applying ecological site information to invasive species management are also discussed.
Resource pool dynamics: conditions that regulate species interactions and dominance.
Authors: Leffler A. J. , Ryel R. J.
Published: March 2012

In this chapter we detail resource pools as a common currency for species interactions and demonstrate that under standing how plants modify resource availability for other species can lead to an improved framework for making decisions to manage invasive species. The resource pools and fluxes, plant modification of resource pools, modification of a resource pool by one species, species in a community that do not rely on identical resource pools, interactions among species mediated by resource pools, resource pool dynamics and invasive species, managing resource pools to influence invasive plant abundance, and management scenarios are discussed.
The effects of plant-soil feedbacks on invasive plants: mechanisms and potential management options.
Authors: Eviner V. T. , Hawkes C. V.
Published: March 2012

In this chapter, we explore the mechanisms driving plant-soil feedbacks in invaded systems, and potential management tools to alter these feedbacks to be more beneficial to natives over invasive species. The role of plant-soil feedbacks in shaping plant communities and plant invasions, invader plant-soil feedbacks enhance resilience of invaded state, mechanisms of feedbacks, and potential management tools (litter, allelochemicals, soil microbial community, nitrogen, and soil salinity), disturbance as an important feedback pathway, and the challenges in understanding and managing feedbacks are discussed.
Revegetation: using current technologies and ecological knowledge to manage site availability, species availability, and species performance.
Authors: Mangold J. M.
Published: March 2012

This chapter briefly discusses the ecological theory for revegetation. Then, current revegetation strategies, limitations of those strategies, and new approaches for revegetation will be described in the context of site availability, species availability, and species performance. The ecological theory behind the necessity for revegetation, current strategies for revegetating invasive-plant dominated plant communities, limitations of current strategies and application of ecological understanding, new approaches for revegetation that integrate our best understanding of ecological processes are also discussed.
The effects of alternative systems on disease and health of poultry.
Authors: Lister S. , Nijhuis B. van
Published: March 2012

Poultry health management is a pivotal component of successful poultry production. Disease and its effects on poultry health can damage productive performance and have an adverse effect on bird welfare and food safety. A whole host of factors can affect disease incidence and its impact on poultry health. These include the prevalence and interaction of many pathogens, availability and use of vaccines and medicines, standards of husbandry and management and levels of stockmanship. One area with potential to have the most dramatic influence is the birds' environment and how the birds respond to it. This impact has been well known throughout the development of the global poultry industry as it adapted to varying climates and market requirements. This involved considerable advances in technology and husbandry techniques. The first major changes tended to intensify poultry production. As such systems became the norm, they have often been described as 'conventional'. Key drivers in poultry production have changed in recent years including a re-evaluation of the welfare impact of such production systems for both egg laying and meat birds. Part of this has been some move away from conventional systems and a re-introduction of more traditional systems or the development of novel alternative systems. The list of diseases that can affect poultry is the same regardless of the system of production. However, the clinical effects of those disease challenges and impacts on health, performance and welfare can be specific to a particular system. In order to ensure health and welfare is maintained, the interaction of the bird with the environment and the effect this can have on poultry health and the bird's response to disease challenges must be understood.
Production systems for laying hens and broilers and risk of human pathogens.
Authors: Hoorebeke S. van , Dewulf J. , Immerseel F. van , Jorgensen F.
Published: March 2012

There is evidence that the type of production systems used for laying hens and broilers can affect the likelihood of the chickens being colonized by human pathogens. The most significant public health risk associated with layers is transmission of Salmonella to humans via eggs. Based on experimental and epidemiological data, however, it seems unlikely that the move from conventional cages to enriched cages and non-cage systems will result in an increase in the prevalence and/or shedding of Salmonella in laying hen flocks. Studies on broiler chickens suggest that free range and organic flocks are significantly more likely to be positive for Campylobacter at slaughter in comparison with first depopulated batches of conventionally reared broilers. Data in relation to broiler rearing system and the likelihood of birds being infected by other pathogens including Salmonella are scarce but there is no significant evidence to suggest that organic and free range broilers are more likely to be infected with Salmonella than are conventionally reared ones. There is some evidence for a higher level of antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter strains in conventional broilers compared with those found in organic ones and other antibiotic-resistant human pathogens are also more commonly isolated from conventionally reared broilers.
Technology and programmes for sustainable improvement of village poultry production.
Authors: Besbes B. , Thieme O. , Rota A. , Guèye E. F. , Alders R. G.
Published: March 2012

Although the commercial poultry sub-sector has reached a dominating position globally during the last three decades, village poultry production is still very important in most developing countries. Village poultry makes up more than 80% of the poultry stocks in many of the countries of Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America. The village poultry sub-sector contributes significantly to food self-sufficiency, poverty alleviation and gender empowerment. It is a noticeable source of employment and well-being, especially for disadvantaged groups and in less-favoured areas. Despite many constraints, including high mortality from diseases and poor nutrition, significant improvements can be achieved through well-designed development programmes that endow the different actors dealing with village poultry with the necessary knowledge, skills and resources. Beyond this need for substantial improvement in human and institutional capacity building, planners and policy makers should be sensitized to recognize the significance and potentials of village poultry production. This chapter highlights the importance of village poultry production as a tool for poverty reduction, food security and gender empowerment in developing countries. It identifies the development objectives for such production systems and their contributions to meeting the Millennium Development Goals. It reviews the options, strategies and technologies that have been used to achieve these objectives and draws a few lessons.
Production systems for waterfowl.
Authors: Guémené D. , Shi Z. D. , Guy G.
Published: March 2012

Ducks and geese, which represent up to 7% of world poultry production, are raised for meat production, eggs, foie gras, down and feathers. Asia represents more than 80% of total waterfowl production, with China being the most important, and Europe accounting for around 13%. Traditional rearing conditions differ widely across the world, due to various species and breeds, environmental, cultural backgrounds and production conditions and objectives. Nevertheless, due to growing involvement of Western duck breeding companies, the demand for good production performances and high economic returns, more uniformity has been observed in recent years. However, demands for alternative rearing systems are emerging although, depending upon the country, the significance of alternative systems differs. Indeed, while this trend is exemplified by the ban of some cage systems and the development of free range systems in Europe, it is illustrated by the recent placement of duck layers for table eggs in conventional cages and the placement of an increasing number of geese in lightproof barns under a control photoperiod to get out-of-season production in China. These few examples illustrate the different uses and meanings of the term 'alternative system' in Eastern and Western countries.
Furnished cages for laying hens.
Authors: Elson H. A. , Tauson R.
Published: March 2012

Furnished cages (FCs) were conceived over 30 years ago when the welfare deficiencies of barren conventional ones were realized. Their use was intended to enhance hens' behavioural repertoire and welfare without the disadvantages of non-cage and extensive housing. Since then their design has been refined and improved, resulting in much improved performance and hen welfare. Group size has been an important consideration, especially in relation to variation in damaging pecking in differing genotypes with or without beak treatment. Regulations on the latter vary from country to country and have affected design, group size and management. The trend has been to move from furnished cages for small groups of hens (FCSs), used mainly in Scandinavia, to furnished cages for medium/large groups (FCMs/FCLs) subsequently developed in other countries. The three group sizes have generally performed well under good management. Interventions such as beak trimming and controlled light intensity are most often applied in FCLs and to brown genotypes. Large-scale studies, in which performance and welfare have been compared across all currently available systems, show that they are at least as good in FCs as in any other system, and probably superior. Council Directive 1999/74/EC, which required the demise of all conventional cages in the European Union by 2012, has accelerated the move into FCs and it seems likely that the majority of laying hens in Europe will be housed in them for the foreseeable future, with the aim of enhancing laying hen welfare. However, FCs have potential for further improvement; this chapter suggests some possible developments.
Is there a future for alternative production systems?
Authors: Sandilands V. , Hocking P. M.
Published: March 2012

The trend towards alternative systems of production for poultry meat and eggs in the developed economies is paralleled by moves to increase intensification in the developing world. Alongside these changes is the clearly identified imperative to feed an increasingly large and affluent human population in a sustainable manner. Pressure to intensify from the economics of production continue to favour intensive systems but legislation to ban the most intensive systems of production for animal welfare concerns will have a major effect on the way poultry are kept. The least intensive of alternative systems may be associated with greater behavioural freedom for the animals, but can have a significantly greater environmental impact than intensive systems, higher mortality and possibly reduced product quality. In general there is a need for more evidence on all of the inputs and outputs from different systems and economic conditions. Such analyses will allow policy makers to identify areas that need to be changed or modified by appropriate action and by suitably targeted research.
Antioxidant properties
in vitro
and
in vivo
: realistic assessments of efficacy of plant extracts.
Authors: Tsao Rong Tsao Rong , Li HongYan Li HongYan
Published: March 2012

Diets or plant extracts (food supplements) rich in phytochemical antioxidants are able to reduce the incidence of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, stroke and different types of cancer. Antioxidant properties are key criteria for the evaluation of the health-beneficial potential of a food, as a consequence, accurately assessing the antioxidant properties becomes critical. The various
in vitro
assay methods are important tools available for evaluating the antioxidant potential of foods. They are simple and can provide highly reproducible results for comparison of the different foods. A brief summary of the
in vitro
assay methods and
in vivo
commonly agreed key biomarkers and evidences is presented in this review. However, high antioxidant properties
in vitro
does not always lead to increased antioxidant values
ex vivo
or
in vivo
. Many factors can affect this, among them stability to stand the physicochemical and enzymatic degradation in the gastrointestinal tract, and bioavailability to the various tissues or organs of these phytochemicals are perhaps most important.
Effects of Media Ingredient Substitution and Comparison of Growth of Flavobacterium psychrophilum among Four Media
Authors: Oplinger Randall W. , Wagner Eric J.
Published: March 2012

The etiological agent of bacterial cold-water disease, Flavobacterium psychrophilum, can cause significant losses of salmonid fishes in aquaculture facilities. Few studies describing the value of media components on the growth of F. psychrophilum are available in the literature. We therefore conducted a study that began with the standard enriched Anacker-Ordal broth (EAO) and over the course of multiple iterations evaluated the effects of various media supplements by adding or subtracting them from the base EAO medium. Different media formulations were made, and samples were removed from each broth formulation every 24 h for 72 h. From those samples we determined bacterial density by measuring absorbance values with a spectrophotometer. The medium with the highest absorbance value from one iteration was used as the base medium in the next iteration. Using this iterative approach, we determined that sodium acetate, calcium chloride, and magnesium sulfate inhibit growth and that maltose has no effect on the proliferation of the bacterium. The addition of skimmed milk (0.2%) and horse serum (1%) appears to provide a slight improvement in bacterial proliferation. Variations in agar concentration had no effect on the growth of the bacterium. Even though the addition and removal of some ingredients increased the mean absorbance values, the benefit of these substitutions was not significant. Even so, we found that the growth of F. psychrophilum in EAO was better than that in two other widely used media: tryptone-yeast extract salts and maltose infused tryptone-yeast extract salts.

Received August 1, 2011; accepted December 6, 2011
Resonant x-ray diffraction: multipole interpretation
Authors: Matteo Sergio Di
Published: March 2012

The aim of this work is to provide a critical review of the multipole interpretation of resonant x-ray diffraction. After a brief historical introduction, we focus on the general formalism of electromagnetic multipole expansion in condensed matter. We then introduce the anomalous scattering amplitude from perturbation theory in the low-energy limit of the Dirac Hamiltonian. Finally, we merge the two previous sections by showing how the anomalous scattering amplitude can be interpreted in terms of electric and magnetic multipoles.

Some examples are then discussed, concerning the electric quadrupole in manganites, ‘exotic’ polar and axial toroidal multipoles in transition-metal oxides and polarization analysis allowing the disentanglement of nearby-lying multipoles in the energy spectrum.
Photoluminescence quantum efficiency and energy transfer of ErRE silicate (RE = Y, Yb) thin films
Authors: Wang B , Wang X J , Dood M J A de , Guo R M , Wang L , Vanhoutte M , Michel J , Kimerling L C , Zhou Z
Published: March 2012

Photoluminescence quantum efficiency and energy transfer were studied in ErRE (RE = Y, Yb) silicate thin films. For the first time, we experimentally determined the radiative/non-radiative decay rates of ErYb and ErY silicates and obtained photoluminescence quantum efficiencies of 0.28 ± 0.08 and 0.39 ± 0.13, respectively. Energy transfer between Yb and Er in ErYb silicate was investigated by comparing the effective excitation cross sections of ErYb and ErY silicate. At different pumping wavelengths, forward and backward energy transfer caused by the presence of Yb was experimentally demonstrated.
Thermodynamic and transport properties of two-temperature lithium plasmas
Authors: Wang Hai-Xing , Chen Shi-Qiang , Chen Xi
Published: March 2012

Thermodynamic and transport properties of two-temperature lithium plasmas are calculated for the pressure range from 0.0001 to 1 atm, electron temperatures from 1000 to 40 000 K and the electron/heavy particle ratio from 1 to 5. The calculated results are presented concerning the variation with the electron temperature of the plasma composition, specific enthalpy, specific heat, viscosity, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity and diffusion coefficient with the gas pressure and electron/heavy-particle temperature ratio as the parameters. The effects of gas pressure and electron/heavy-particle temperature ratio on lithium plasma properties are discussed in terms of the variation of gas ionization degree with gas pressure and temperature. For the special case with gas temperature below 10 000 K and without accounting for gas ionization, the present calculated results about lithium viscosity and thermal conductivity at atmospheric pressure are consistent with those reported in the literature.
4,4′-(4,5-Dimethyl-1,2-phenylene)bis(2-methylbut-3-yn-2-ol): structural variation in vicinal dialkynols
Authors: Bond Marcus R. , Hathaway Bruce A. , Kilgore Uriah J.
Published: March 2012

The structure of the title compound, C18H22O2, contains two non-equivalent molecules which differ primarily in the location of the –OH groups on opposite sides or on the same side of the molecular plane. Inversion-symmetric pairs of molecules form intermolecular O—H...O hydrogen-bonded tetrameric synthons that link non-equivalent molecules into an approximately square double layer parallel to (\overline{1}02). Recently reported fluorinated analogues [Kane, Meyers, Yu, Gerken & Etzkorn (2011).Eur. J. Org. Chem.pp. 2969–2980] have significantly different structures of varying complexity that incorporate intramolecular hydrogen bonding and suggest that further study of structureversussubstituents in vicinal dialkynols could be fruitful.
Bis(acetato-κO)(di-2-pyridylamine-κ2N2,N2′)palladium(II)
Authors: Ha Kwang
Published: March 2012

In the title complex, [Pd(CH3COO)2(C10H9N3)], the PdIIion is four-coordinated in a slightly distorted square-planar environment by two pyridine N atoms of the chelating di-2-pyridylamine (dpa) ligand and two O atoms from two anionic acetate ligands. The dpa ligand coordinates the PdIIatom in a boat conformation of the resulting chelate ring; the dihedral angle between the pyridine rings is 39.3 (2)°. The two acetate anions coordinate the PdIIatom as monodentate ligands and are located on the same sides of the PdN2O2unit plane. The carboxylate groups of the anionic ligands appear to be delocalized on the basis of the C—O bond lengths. Two complex molecules are assembled through intermolecular N—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming a dimer-type species. Intermolecular C—H...O hydrogen bonds further stabilize the crystal structure.
Disorder in the anionic part ofcatena-poly[[(pyrazine-2-carboxylato)copper(II)]-μ-pyrazine-2-carboxylato]
Authors: Albanez Joselyn , Brito Iván , Cárdenas Alejandro , López-Rodríguez Matías
Published: March 2012

The title compound, [Cu(C5H3N2O2)0.88(C6H4NO2)1.12]n, is characterized by disorder of the anion, resulting from a statistical occupation in a 0.44 (3):0.56 (3) ratio of pyrazine-2-carboxylate and pyridine-2-carboxylate. The compound was isolated during attempts to synthesize a mixed-ligand coordination polymer by solvothermal reaction between copper(II) nitrate and equimolar mixtures of pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid and pyridine-2-carboxylic acid in a mixture of water and EtOH. The difference in the two components of the compound is due to substitutional disorder of a CH group for one of the N atoms of the pyrazine ring which share the same site in the structure. In the crystal structure, the CuIIatom lies on an inversion centre and is six-coordinated in a distorted N2O4geometry. The carboxylate group carbonyl O atoms are weakly coordinated to an equivalent CuIIatom that is translated one unit cell in thea-axis direction, thus forming a polymeric chain through carboxylate bridges.
Di-μ-methanolato-κ4O:O-bis[bis(3-methyl-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-κN2)(nitrato-κO)copper(II)]
Authors: Li Xu-Guang , Gao Meng-Meng , Ng Seik Weng
Published: March 2012

Copper nitrate in methanol solution cleaves the N—Cmethanolbond when reacted with 3-methyl-5-phenylpyrazole-1-methanol to yield the centrosymmetric dinuclear title compound, [Cu2(CH3O)2(NO3)2(C10H10N2)4], in which the CuIIatom is linked to a nitrate ion, two methanolate ions and two pyrazole ligands in a distorted square-pyramidal environment. The O atom of the nitrate anion occupies the apical site. The crystal structure features intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bonds.
4,4-Dimethyl-2-[3-nitro-2-phenyl-1-(phenylsulfanyl)propyl]-4,5-dihydro-1,3-oxazole
Authors: Caracelli Ignez , Zukerman-Schpector Julio , Villar José A. F. P. , Oliveira Alfredo R. M. , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: March 2012

In the title compound, C20H22N2O3S, the oxazoline ring is planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.045 Å) and forms dihedral angles of 47.24 (8) and 10.11 (8)° with the S- and C-bound phenyl rings, respectively. The nitro group lies to the same side of the molecule as the oxazoline ring but is orientated so as not to interact with the ring. Linear supramolecular chains along [010] are formedviaC—H...O and C—H...S contacts. Chains are consolidated into a three-dimensional architecture by C—H...π and van der Waals interactions.
(Acetylacetonato-κ2O,O′)carbonyl[tris(4-chlorophenyl)phosphane-κP]rhodium(I)
Authors: Antonels Nathan C. , Meijboom Reinout
Published: March 2012

The title compound, [Rh(C5H7O2)(C18H12Cl3P)(CO)], contains the bidentate acetylacetonate ligand coordinated to the RhIatom, forming a chelate ring [Rh—O = 2.0327 (15) and 2.0613 (14) Å]. The RhIatom is additionally coordinated by one P [Rh—P = 2.2281 (6) Å] and one carbonyl C [Rh—C = 1.812 (2) Å] atom, resulting in a slightly distorted square-planar geometry. The molecules are packed to minimize steric hindrance with the phosphanes positioned above and below the slightly distorted square geometrical plane.
2-Chlorobenzohydrazide
Authors: Ahmad Shakeel , Jabbar Abdul , Hussain Muhammad Tahir , Tahir M. Nawaz
Published: March 2012

The asymmetric unit of the the title compound, C7H7ClN2O, contains two molecules in which the chlorophenyl and the formic hydrazide units are almost planar (r.m.s. deviations of 0.0081 and 0.0100 Å, respectively, in one molecule and 0.0069 and 0.0150 Å in the other) and are oriented with respect to each other at dihedral angles of 56.8 (2) and 56.9 (2)°. In the crystal, the molecules are consolidated in the form of polymeric chains extending along [010].R33(10) ring motifs exist due to N—H...O and N—H...N hydrogen bonds.
1,4-Phenylenebis(methylene) dicarbamate
Authors: Li Zhi
Published: March 2012

The title compound, C10H12N2O4, is a phenyl dicarbamate with crystallographically imposed inversion symmetry. The dihedral angle between the carbamoyloxy plane [i.e. the plane of the N—C(O)—O fragment; r.m.s. deviation = 0.002 (3) Å] and the plane of the aryl ring is 29.2 (1)°. In the crystal, two different centrosymmetric N—H...O hydrogen-bond interactions are observed; these are described asR22(8) andR24(8) in graph-set notation. The rings form an alternating sequence, linking the molecules into a sheet structure parallel to (011).
Oosporein fromTremella fuciformis
Authors: He Gang , Yan Jun , Wu Xiao-Yong , Gou Xiao-Jun , Li Wan-Chen
Published: March 2012

The title compound [systematic name: 3,3′,6,6′-tetrahydroxy-4,4′-dimethyl-1,1′-bi(cyclohexa-3,6-diene)-2,2′,5,5′-tetraone], C14H10O8, was isolated fromTremella fuciformis. The molecule has 2 symmetry, with the mid-point of the C—C bond linking the cyclohexadienedione rings located on a twofold rotation axis. In the molecule, the ring is approximately planar, with an r.m.s. deviation of 0.0093 Å, and the two rings make a dihedral angle of 67.89 (5)°. Intermolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonding occurs in the crystal structure.
2-(4-Fluorophenyl)-5-iodo-3-phenylsulfinyl-1-benzofuran
Authors: Choi Hong Dae , Seo Pil Ja , Lee Uk
Published: March 2012

In the title compound, C20H12FIO2S, the dihedral angles between the mean plane [r.m.s. deviation = 0.014 (1) Å] of the benzofuran fragment and the pendant 4-fluorophenyl and phenyl rings are 8.0 (1) and 86.06 (6)°, respectively. In the crystal, molecules are linked by weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds. The crystal structure also exhibits weak π–π interactions between the furan and benzene rings of neighbouring molecules [centroid–centroid distance = 3.547 (2) Å, interplanar distance = 3.397 (2) Å and slippage = 1.021 (2) Å].
1-(1,3-Benzothiazol-2-yl)-3-phenyl-2-pyrazoline
Authors: Li Dong-Feng , Zhu Xiao-Fei , Guan Shuang , Hou Rui-Bin
Published: March 2012

In the title compound, C16H13N3S, the pyrazoline ring forms dihedral angles of 6.89 (14) and 4.96 (11)° with the benzene ring and the benzothiazole group, respectively. In the crystal, weak C—H...N interactions link the molecules into chains extending along theb-axis direction.
Dibromidobis(pyrazine-2-carboxamide-κN4)zinc
Authors: Shirvan Sadif A. , Haydari Dezfuli Sara
Published: March 2012

The title complex, [ZnBr2(C5H5N3O)2], shows crystallographic mirror symmetry with the Zn atom and the two bromine ligands located on the mirror plane. The Zn atom is four-coordinated in a distorted tetrahedral fashion by two N atoms from two pyrazine-2-carboxamide ligands and two Br atoms. Only one of the amino H atoms is involved in an N—H...O hydrogen bond. The crystal packing is further stabilized by weak N—H...N and C—H...O interactions.
2-Cyano-2-methylpropanamide
Authors: Xu Jia-Ying , Cheng Wei-Hua
Published: March 2012

In the crystal structure of the title compound, C5H8N2O, molecules are linkedviapairs of N—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers. These dimers are linkedviapairs of N—H...H hydrogen bonds into zigzag chains propagating along [101].
4-Bromo-N-phenylbenzamide
Authors: Fun Hoong-Kun , Chantrapromma Suchada , Sripet Weerawat , Ruanwas Pumsak , Boonnak Nawong
Published: March 2012

The molecule of the title benzamide derivative, C13H10BrNO, is twisted with the dihedral angle between the phenyl and 4-bromophenyl rings being 58.63 (9)°. The central N—C=O plane makes dihedral angles of 30.2 (2) and 29.2 (2)° with the phenyl and 4-bromophenyl rings, respectively. In the crystal, molecules are linked by N—H...O hydrogen bonds into chains along [100]. C—H...π contacts combine with the N—H...O hydrogen bonds, to form a three-dimensional network.
The novel virulence‐related gene nlxA in the lipopolysaccharide cluster of Xanthomonas citri ssp. citri is involved in the production of lipopolysaccharide and extracellular polysaccharide, motility, biofilm formation and stress resistance
Authors: YAN QING , HU XIUFANG , WANG NIAN
Published: March 2012

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is an important virulence factor of Xanthomonas citri ssp. citri, the causative agent of citrus canker disease. In this research, a novel gene, designated as nlxA (novel LPS cluster gene of X. citri ssp. citri), in the LPS cluster of X. citri ssp. citri 306, was characterized. Our results indicate that nlxA is required for O‐polysaccharide biosynthesis by encoding a putative rhamnosyltransferase. This is supported by several lines of evidence: (i) NlxA shares 40.14% identity with WsaF, which acts as a rhamnosyltransferase; (ii) sodium dodecylsulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis showed that four bands of the O‐antigen part of LPS were missing in the LPS production of the nlxA mutant; this is also consistent with a previous report that the O‐antigen moiety of LPS of X. citri ssp. citri is composed of a rhamnose homo‐oligosaccharide; (iii) mutation of nlxA resulted in a significant reduction in the resistance of X. citri ssp. citri to different stresses, including sodium dodecylsulphate, polymyxin B, H2O2, phenol, CuSO4 and ZnSO4. In addition, our results indicate that nlxA plays an important role in extracellular polysaccharide production, biofilm formation, stress resistance, motility on semi‐solid plates, virulence and in planta growth in the host plant grapefruit.