bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of dietary probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotic supplementation on performance, immune responses, intestinal morphology and bacterial populations in broilers
Authors: Salehimanesh A. , Mohammadi M. , Roostaei‐Ali Mehr M.
Published: February 2016

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of probiotic (Primalac), prebiotic (TechnoMos) and synbiotic (Primalac + TechnoMos) supplementation on performance, immune responses, intestinal morphology and bacterial populations of ileum in broilers. A total of 240 one‐day‐old broiler chicks were randomly divided into four treatment groups which included 60 birds. Control group did not receive any treatment. The chicks in the second, third and fourth groups were fed probiotic (0.9 g/kg), prebiotic (0.9 g/kg) and probiotic (0.9 g/kg) plus probiotic (0.9 g/kg; synbiotic), respectively, at entire period. Daily feed intake, daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio were evaluated. The birds were immunized by sheep red blood cell (SRBC) on days 12 and 29 of age and serum antibody titres were measured on days 28, 35 and 42. Newcastle vaccines administered on days 9, 18 and 27 to chicks and blood samples were collected on day 42. Intestinal morphometric assessment and enumeration of intestinal bacterial populations were performed on day 42. The results indicated that consumption of probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotic had no significant effect on daily feed intake, daily body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, carcass traits, intestinal morphology and bacterial populations of ileum (p > 0.05). Consumption of prebiotic increased total and IgM anti‐SRBC titres on days 28 and 42 and antibody titre against Newcastle virus disease on day 42 (p < 0.05). Synbiotic increased only total anti‐SRBC on day 28 (p < 0.05). It is concluded that consumption of prebiotic increased humoral immunity in broilers. Therefore, supplementation of diet with prebiotic for improvement of humoral immune responses is superior to synbiotic supplementation.
Effects of dietary resistant starch content on metabolic status, milk composition, and microbial profiling in lactating sows and on offspring performance
Authors: Yan H. , Lu H. , Almeida V. V. , Ward M. G. , Adeola O. , Nakatsu C. H. , Ajuwon K. M.
Published: February 2016

In the present study, the effects of dietary resistant starch (RS) content on serum metabolite and hormone concentrations, milk composition, and faecal microbial profiling in lactating sows, as well as on offspring performance was investigated. Sixteen sows were randomly allotted at breeding to two treatments containing low‐ and high‐RS contents from normal and high‐amylose corn varieties, respectively, and each treatment had eight replicates (sows). Individual piglet body weight (BW) and litter size were recorded at birth and weaning. Milk samples were obtained on day 10 after farrowing for composition analysis. On day 2 before weaning, blood and faecal samples were collected to determine serum metabolite and hormone concentrations and faecal microbial populations, respectively. Litter size at birth and weaning were not influenced (p > 0.05) by the sow dietary treatments. Although feeding the RS‐rich diet to sows reduced (p = 0.004) offspring birth BW, there was no difference in piglet BW at weaning (p > 0.05). High‐RS diet increased (p < 0.05) serum triacylglycerol and nonesterified fatty acid concentrations and milk total solid content, and tended (p = 0.09) to increase milk fat content in lactating sows. Feeding the RS‐rich diet to sows increased (p < 0.01) faecal bacterial population diversity. These results indicate that high‐RS diets induce fatty acid mobilization and a greater intestinal bacterial richness in lactating sows, as well as a greater nutrient density in maternal milk, without affecting offspring performance at weaning.
Cognitive Distortions of Child Molesters on Probation or Parole in Japan
Authors: Katsuta Satoshi , Hazama Kyoko
Published: February 2016

The present study examined cognitive distortions of child molesters on probation or parole in Japan utilizing an 18‐item questionnaire administered in a treatment program conducted by the probation officers. This study analyzed the responses of child molesters (n = 51), non‐child‐molesting sexual offenders (n = 65), and non‐offenders (n = 64). Factor analysis of the responses showed three types of cognitive distortions: Rationalization of Offending Behavior, Minimization of Responsibility for Offending, and Minimization of Victim Harm. Welch's analysis of variance followed by Games‐Howell post hoc tests revealed that the child molesters scored significantly higher than the non‐offender group on the Rationalization of Offending Behavior subscale and the Minimization of Responsibility for Offending subscale, and significantly higher than the non‐child‐molesting sexual offender group on the Minimization of Responsibility for Offending subscale. The authors discuss the meanings of these three types of cognitive distortions and future research issues.
Chinese‐Speaking Adults' Understanding of Argument Structure
Authors: Jiang Lu , Haryu Etsuko
Published: February 2016

Syntactic constructions roughly correspond to sentence meanings. Jiang and Haryu (2014) found that Chinese children can associate subject‐verb‐object (SVO) constructions with causative events at age 2, but do not always map subject‐verb (SV) constructions to noncausative events, even after reaching 5 years of age. The latter results may be attributed to the fact that Chinese allows argument‐dropping. That is, an SV sentence in Chinese sometimes includes an intransitive verb, but other times includes a transitive verb with the object dropped. This paper investigated Chinese adults' knowledge of syntax‐semantics correspondence. Experiment 1 found that Chinese adults did not always map SV sentences to noncausative events, while they almost always mapped SVO sentences to causative events. Experiment 2 found that they preferred to use SV and SVO constructions to describe noncausative and causative events, respectively. Chinese adults understand that causative and noncausative events should typically be described using transitive and intransitive constructions, respectively. However, when inferring to which event (causative or noncausative) the given sentence should be mapped, their performance seems to be regulated by actual SV sentence usage in Chinese.
A National Survey of Psychology Education Programs and Their Content in Japan
Authors: Kusumi Takashi , Yama Hiroshi , Okada Kensuke , Kikuchi Satoru , Hoshino Takahiro
Published: February 2016

This study reports the results of a national survey of psychology programs in Japan, conducted by the Committee on the Education and Research of the Japanese Psychological Association, based on 443 responses from program heads of 378 colleges, universities, and graduate schools. We analyzed the data by institution and type of degree program. The results indicated that: (a) undergraduate‐level psychological education in Japan is mainly provided by private universities (which account for 71% of all psychology graduates at this level), while Master's (60%) and Ph.D. (83%) programs are mainly provided by national and public universities; (b) the largest groups of faculty members by specialization are in clinical psychology and in developmental and educational psychology; (c) the dominant forms of teaching are lectures and seminars; and (d) most psychology major programs in Japan aim to improve students' academic and generic skills. Finally, we suggest how psychology programs in Japan can reform curriculum and better improve students' academic skills on the basis of their generic skills.
Sexual and parent–offspring dietary segregation in a colonial raptor as revealed by stable isotopes
Authors: Catry I. , Catry T. , Alho M. , Franco A. M. A. , Moreira F.
Published: February 2016

Diet composition and foraging behaviour may show considerable variation among population groups (such as sex and age classes), with potentially important consequences for population dynamics. Thus, failure to account for intra‐specific differences in trophic ecology can bias our understanding of different aspects of population ecology and limit the implementation of effective management and conservation strategies. Although countless studies have investigated the diet of birds, comparatively few have tried to describe intra‐specific sources of dietary variation. Here, we used stable isotope analysis (SIA) to investigate sex‐ and age‐related dietary segregation in the lesser kestrel Falco naumanni breeding in South Iberia and to discuss potential mechanisms involved in such segregation. Females had a narrower isotopic niche width and significantly more depleted δ13C signatures than males during the courtship period, likely due to a higher consumption of energetically rich mole crickets. Our results suggest that sex‐specific differences in the diet of lesser kestrels do not result from intra‐specific competition and are unlikely to be explained by sexual size dimorphism alone. Instead, the main driving force of observed sexual segregation appears to be the different energetic requirements of males and females before laying, when females need a higher allocation of resources to egg production. δ15N isotopic signatures differed significantly between adults and chicks and niche overlap between these age classes was low. Stable isotopic mixing models showed that, compared to adults, the diet of chicks was less diverse and mainly dominated by grasshoppers. Different resource allocation between chicks and adults might also result from different energy requirements, as rapidly growing chicks require more energy than adults, ultimately leading to a parent–offspring dietary segregation. Finally, overall agreement between pellet analysis and SIA methods highlight the potential of SIA for assessing intra‐specific variation in dietary regimes which is often unfeasible through conventional approaches of diet assessment.
Chromosome pairing and fertility of interspecific hybrids between Trifolium repens L. and T. occidentale Coombe
Authors: Hussain Syed Wajid , Williams Warren Mervyn
Published: February 2016

Trifolium occidentale is a diploid wild relative with the potential to improve the drought and salt tolerances of white clover (Trifolium repens). Previous work has shown that it is possible to efficiently produce large T. repens × T. occidentale breeding populations using colchicine‐doubled (4×) T. occidentale. For effective introgression (backcross) breeding, it is also essential that interspecific chromosome pairing and recombination occur. In this study, it was apparent that chromosome pairing was occurring not only between T. occidentale and T. repens subgenomes, but also between the ancestral subgenomes of T. repens. Thus, interspecific hybridization has the potential for major genome recombination and opens the way for introgression of traits from T. occidentale into white clover.
Leaf gas films, underwater photosynthesis and plant species distributions in a flood gradient
Authors: Winkel Anders , Visser Eric J. W. , Colmer Timothy D. , Brodersen Klaus P. , Voesenek Laurentius A. C. J. , Sand‐Jensen Kaj , Pedersen Ole
Published: February 2016

Traits for survival during flooding of terrestrial plants include stimulation or inhibition of shoot elongation, aerenchyma formation and efficient gas exchange. Leaf gas films form on superhydrophobic cuticles during submergence and enhance underwater gas exchange. The main hypothesis tested was that the presence of leaf gas films influences the distribution of plant species along a natural flood gradient. We conducted laboratory experiments and field observations on species distributed along a natural flood gradient. We measured presence or absence of leaf gas films and specific leaf area of 95 species. We also measured, gas film retention time during submergence and underwater net photosynthesis and dark respiration of 25 target species. The presence of a leaf gas film was inversely correlated to flood frequency and duration and reached a maximum value of 80% of the species in the rarely flooded locations. This relationship was primarily driven by grasses that all, independently of their field location along the flood gradient, possess gas films when submerged. Although the present study and earlier experiments have shown that leaf gas films enhance gas exchange of submerged plants, the ability of species to form leaf gas films did not show the hypothesized relationship with species composition along the flood gradient.
Ignored no more: Within‐Person variability enables better understanding of training transfer
Authors: Huang Jason L. , Ford J. Kevin , Ryan Ann Marie
Published: February 2016

The empirical findings from training transfer research rest on a rather static view of the transfer phenomenon, ignoring potential within‐person change in transfer over time. This study investigates within‐person variability in mastery goal orientation together with variability over time in the application of newly acquired knowledge and skills to the job context. Data from longitudinal surveys of trainees voluntarily attending statistical workshops revealed that trainees varied significantly in 2 characteristics of transfer trajectory: (a) initial attempts to transfer and (b) subsequent rate of change in transfer. Two affective learning outcomes showed differential relationships with transfer trajectories: Whereas posttraining self‐efficacy predicted initial attempt of transfer, motivation to transfer assessed at the end of training predicted subsequent rate of change in transfer. Furthermore, level and variability of trainees’ mastery orientation interacted to influence posttraining self‐efficacy and motivation to transfer, and subsequently transfer trajectories. Specifically, a trainee's mastery orientation level had stronger prediction of these outcomes when his/her mastery orientation distribution was less variable across situations. These findings highlight the importance of attending to within‐person variability in the study of training transfer by (a) considering training transfer as trajectories over time and (b) understanding trainee traits as frequency distributions.
Same sibling marrow following cord allogeneic transplantation as therapy for second relapse acute promyelocytic leukemia in a pediatric patient
Authors: De Oliveira Satiro N. , Kao Roy L. , Pham Andrew , Smith LaMarr Taylor , Kempert Pamela , Moore Theodore B.
Published: February 2016

Optimal therapy for relapsed APL in pediatric patients is controversial. Allogeneic HSCT is an alternative, with event‐free survival of 70–75%. We report a pediatric patient with APL who relapsed 28 months after CBT from her sibling and then was treated with BMT from the same donor. Bone marrow was selected for higher cell dose, donor availability, and partial donor chimerism. Persistent molecular remission was achieved, currently at 65 months after BMT. This case suggests the potential role of GVL activity in APL and illustrates the use of different cell sources from the same donor in allogeneic transplantation for pediatric patients.
Vitamin D Status and Gestational Diabetes: Effect of Smoking Status during Pregnancy
Authors: Dodds Linda , Woolcott Christy G. , Weiler Hope , Spencer Anne , Forest Jean‐Claude , Armson B. Anthony , Giguère Yves
Published: February 2016

Background

Vitamin D status, as measured by serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), has been shown in some studies to be inversely associated with gestational diabetes risk. Recently, it has been suggested that maternal smoking status may modify this relationship. We explored the association between 25(OH)D concentration and gestational diabetes and determined if there was an interaction between smoking and 25(OH)D.

Methods

A nested case–control study was conducted in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Quebec City, Quebec. Women were recruited before 20 weeks gestation and 25(OH)D was measured. Cases were women who developed gestational diabetes and controls were frequency matched to cases on study site, gestational age at blood draw, and season and year of blood draw. Logistic regression models estimated adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Models were tested for multiplicative and additive interaction, which was estimated by relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI).

Results

The study included 395 gestational diabetes cases and 1925 controls. Women who smoked during pregnancy and had 25(OH)D concentrations <30 nmol/L had an aOR = 3.73 [95% CI 1.95, 7.14] compared to non‐smokers with 25(OH)D concentrations ≥50 nmol/L. Additive interaction was detected between smoking status and 25(OH)D [RERI = 2.44, 95% CI 0.03, 4.85].

Conclusion

Our study supports the inverse association of vitamin D status with gestational diabetes risk, particularly among women who smoke during pregnancy. More research is needed to confirm this finding and, if confirmed, to determine the mechanism by which the combined effect of smoking and low vitamin D status increases the risk of developing gestational diabetes.
Seminal Plasma Characteristics and Expression of ATP‐binding Cassette Transporter A1 (ABCA1) in Canine Spermatozoa from Ejaculates with Good and Bad Freezability
Authors: Schäfer‐Somi S , Palme N
Published: February 2016

Contents

The composition of seminal plasma and the localization of the ATP‐binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) in spermatozoa from good and bad freezers were compared to frozen–thawed spermatozoa from the same dog. Ejaculates were obtained from 31 stud dogs, and the sperm‐rich fraction (SRF) was kept for analysis. One aliquot was used for the analysis of concentration, progressive motility (P; CASA), viability (V; CASA) and leucocyte count, and the analysis was performed by flow cytometry (FITC‐PNA/PI), SCSA and HOST. In seminal plasma, concentration of albumin, cholesterol, calcium, inorganic phosphate, sodium, potassium, zinc and copper was measured. Semen smears were prepared and evaluated for the expression of ABCA1. The remainder of each ejaculate was frozen. After thawing, the quality assessment was repeated and further smears were prepared. According to post‐thaw semen quality, dogs were assigned to good freezers (n = 20) or bad freezers (n = 11), the latter were defined as < 50% progressive motility and/or > 40% morphologically abnormal sperm and/or < 50% viability. Bad freezers were older than good freezers (5.3 vs 3.4 years, p < 0.05). In bad freezers, the percentage of sperm with ABCA1 signal in the acrosome was lower (26.3% vs 35.7%, p < 0.01) and the percentage of sperm with complete loss of ABCA1 signal higher (46.7% vs 30%, p < 0.01); the percentage of dead spermatozoa was higher (36.1% vs 25.5%, p < 0.05), and the concentration of cholesterol and sodium in seminal plasma was lower than in good freezers (p < 0.05). We conclude that in thawed bad freezer sperm, an increase in acrosome damages coincided with an increased loss of cholesterol transporters and cell death, and a lower cholesterol concentration in seminal plasma. Follow‐up studies revealed whether a relation exists between these findings.
The S1–S2 linker determines the distinct pH sensitivity between ZmK2.1 and KAT1
Authors: Wang Li , Yang Shun–Ying , Guo Man–Yuan , Huang Ya–Nan , Sentenac Hervé , Véry Anne–Aliénor , Su Yan–Hua
Published: February 2016

Efficient stomatal opening requires activation of KAT‐type K+ channels, which mediate K+ influx into guard cells. Most KAT‐type channels are functionally facilitated by extracellular acidification. However, despite sequence and structural homologies, the maize counterpart of Arabidopsis KAT1 (ZmK2.1) is resistant to pH activation. To understand the structural determinant that results in the differential pH activation of these counterparts, we analysed chimeric channels and channels with point mutations for ZmK2.1 and its closest Arabidopsis homologue KAT1. Exchange of the S1–S2 linkers altered the pH sensitivity between the two channels, suggesting that the S1–S2 linker is essentially involved in the pH sensitivity. The effects of D92 mutation within the linker motif together with substitution of the first half of the linker largely resemble the effects of substitution of the complete linker. Topological modelling predicts that one of the two cysteines located on the outer face section of the S5 domain may serve as a potential titratable group that interacts with the S1–S2 linker. The difference between ZmK2.1 and KAT1 is predicted to be the result of the distance of the stabilized linkers from the titratable group. In KAT1, residue K85 within the linker forms a hydrogen bond with C211 that enables the pH activation; conversely, the linker of ZmK2.1 is distantly located and thus does not interact with the equivalent titration group (C208). Thus, in addition to the known structural contributors to the proton activation of KAT channels, we have uncovered a previously unidentified component that is strongly involved in this complex proton activation network.
Establishment of a proficiency panel for an external quality assessment programme for the detection of bacterial contamination in platelet concentrates using rapid and cultural detection methods
Authors: Vollmer T. , Schmidt M. , Hourfar K. , Schottstedt V. , Pichl L. , Gubbe K. , Knabbe C. , Dreier J.
Published: February 2016

Background

Platelet concentrates (PCs) are the main focus regarding the residual risk of transfusion‐transmitted bacterial infections. Rapid screening methods for bacterial detection in platelets have been optimized over the last decade, but their external evaluation represents a complicated process. We developed a new type of proficiency panel for bacterial detection in PCs using currently available screening methods (especially rapid methods) suitable for external quality assessment programmes (EQAP).

Methods

PC samples were inoculated with different bacteria at two concentrations (10E+03 CFU/ml, 10E+05 CFU/ml) and stored under temperature‐controlled conditions (1–5 days). Bacterial growth was further prevented by the addition of 0–20 μg/ml cotrimoxazole. Samples were analysed prior to and after storage using rapid detection methods (Bactiflow (BF), bacteria‐generic NAT) and cultural methods to determine the influence of storage and antibiotic treatment on bacterial counts and the result outcome. A pilot EQAP was performed with four participants.

Results

Testing under the evaluated conditions demonstrated that bacterial counts remained constant prior to and after storage. The supplementation of 10 μg/ml cotrimoxazole did not influence bacterial detection using the two rapid detection methods BF and NAT. Furthermore, the detection of bacteria using cultural methods is still possible despite of antibiotic supplementation. The pilot EQAP confirmed these results. A storage time of up to 3 days proved practicable, showing no considerable influence on bacterial count and outcome of test results.

Conclusion

The established proficiency panel provided PC matrix‐conform samples with stabilized bacterial counts which can be analysed in parallel by rapid and cultural detection methods.
Physiological signalling to myosin phosphatase targeting subunit‐1 phosphorylation in ileal smooth muscle
Authors: Gao Ning , Chang Audrey N. , He Weiqi , Chen Cai‐Ping , Qiao Yan‐Ning , Zhu Minsheng , Kamm Kristine E. , Stull James T.
Published: February 2016

Key points

The extent of myosin regulatory light chain phosphorylation (RLC) necessary for smooth muscle contraction depends on the respective activities of Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent myosin light chain kinase and myosin light chain phosphatase (MLCP), which contains a regulatory subunit MYPT1 bound to the phosphatase catalytic subunit and myosin.

MYPT1 showed significant constitutive T696 and T853 phosphorylation, which is predicted to inhibit MLCP activity in isolated ileal smooth muscle tissues, with additional phosphorylation upon pharmacological treatment with the muscarinic agonist carbachol.

Electrical field stimulation (EFS), which releases ACh from nerves, increased force and RLC phosphorylation but not MYPT1 T696 or T853 phosphorylation.

The conditional knockout of MYPT1 or the knockin mutation T853A in mice had no effect on the frequency‐maximal force responses to EFS in isolated ileal tissues.

Physiological RLC phosphorylation and force development in ileal smooth muscle depend on myosin light chain kinase and MLCP activities without changes in constitutive MYPT1 phosphorylation.

Smooth muscle contraction initiated by myosin regulatory light chain (RLC) phosphorylation is dependent on the relative activities of Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) and myosin light chain phosphatase (MLCP). We have investigated the physiological role of the MLCP regulatory subunit MYPT1 in ileal smooth muscle in adult mice with (1) smooth muscle‐specific deletion of MYPT1; (2) non‐phosphorylatable MYPT1 containing a T853A knockin mutation; and (3) measurements of force and protein phosphorylation responses to cholinergic neurostimulation initiated by electric field stimulation. Isolated MYPT1‐deficient tissues from MYPT1SM−/− mice contracted and relaxed rapidly with moderate differences in sustained responses to KCl and carbachol treatments and washouts, respectively. Similarly, measurements of regulatory proteins responsible for RLC phosphorylation during contractions also revealed moderate changes. There were no differences in contractile or RLC phosphorylation responses to carbachol between tissues from normal mice vs. MYPT1 T853A knockin mice. Quantitatively, there was substantial MYPT1 T696 and T853 phosphorylation in wild‐type tissues under resting conditions, predicting a high extent of MLCP phosphatase inhibition. Reduced PP1cδ activity in MYPT1‐deficient tissues may be similar to attenuated MLCP activity in wild‐type tissues resulting from constitutively phosphorylated MYPT1. Electric field stimulation increased RLC phosphorylation and force development in tissues from wild‐type mice without an increase in MYPT1 phosphorylation. Thus, physiological RLC phosphorylation and force development in ileal smooth muscle appear to be dependent on MLCK and MLCP activities without changes in constitutive MYPT1 phosphorylation.
On the mechanism of gating defects caused by the R117H mutation in cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator
Authors: Yu Ying‐Chun , Sohma Yoshiro , Hwang Tzyh‐Chang
Published: February 2016

Key points

Two functional abnormalities of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a 25% reduction of the single‐channel conductance (g) and a ∼13‐fold lower open probability (Po), were found with the R117H mutation that is associated with mild forms of cystic fibrosis.

Characterizations of the gating defects of R117H‐CFTR led to the conclusion that the mutation decreases Po by perturbing the gating conformational changes in CFTR's transmembrane domains (TMDs) without altering the function of the nucleotide binding domains (NBDs).

Nonetheless, gating of the R117H‐CFTR can be improved by a variety of pharmacological reagents supposedly acting on NBDs such as ATP analogues, or TMDs (e.g. VX‐770 or nitrate). These reagents potentiate synergistically R117H‐CFTR gating to a level that allows accurate assessments of its gating deficits.

Our studies not only elucidate the mechanism underpinning gating dysfunction of R117H‐CFTR, but also provide a mechanistic understanding of how VX‐770 ameliorates the gating defects in the R117H mutant.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by loss‐of‐function mutations of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene encoding a phosphorylation‐activated, but ATP‐gated chloride channel. In the current study, we investigated the mechanism responsible for the gating defects manifested in R117H‐CFTR, an arginine‐to‐histidine substitution at position 117 of CFTR that is associated with mild forms of CF. We confirmed previous findings of a 25% decrease of the single‐channel conductance (g) in R117H‐CFTR, but found a ∼13‐fold lower open probability (Po). This dramatic gating deficit is not due to dysfunctional nucleotide binding domains (NBDs) as the mutation does not alter the apparent affinity for ATP, and the mutant channels respond to ATP analogues in a similar manner as wild‐type CFTR. Furthermore, once ATP hydrolysis is abolished, the R117H mutant can be trapped in a prolonged ‘burst opening’ conformation that is proposed to be equipped with a stable NBD dimer. On the other hand, our results support the conclusion that the R117H mutation decreases Po by perturbing the gating conformational changes in CFTR's transmembrane domains as even when NBDs are kept at a dimerized configuration, Po is reduced by ∼10‐fold. Moreover, our data demonstrate that a synergistic improvement of R117H‐CFTR function can be accomplished with a combined regiment of VX‐770 (Ivacaftor), nitrate ion (NO3−) and N6‐(2‐phenylethyl)‐2′‐deoxy‐ATP (d‐PATP), which almost completely rectifies the gating defect of R117H‐CFTR. Clinical implications of our results are discussed.
CAE—The Spanish Emergency Support Center: A Centralized and Shared Emergency Support Service for Beyond Design Basis Events
Authors: Caro Rafael J.
Published: February 2016

The Spanish nuclear power generation industry proposed the development of an external Emergency Support Center as one of the measures to strengthen the nuclear safety and Emergency Preparedness and Response, as a consequence of the stress test developed after the Fukushima accident. The CAE project was carried out to define and establish a centralized service composed of intervention equipment and specialized personnel in the framework of an Emergency Support Center shared among all the Spanish nuclear power plants (NPPs). The emergency support service aims to strengthen the NPP emergency capabilities, by integrating with the Emergency Response Organization (ERO) of plants. This service successfully developed preoperational tests at each one of the Spanish NPPs in 2014. With these tests, the development of the different aspects that make up the Emergency Support Center service, at every Spanish NPP, was validated in four stages: (1) CAE mobilization in less than 24 hrs, (2) equipment deployment to its final location in the plant, (3) checking the connections with NPP’s interfaces, and (4) functionality of the equipment. The CAE proved in this way its capability to provide support to the Spanish NPPs, to strengthen their already strong characteristics in EP&R, to face these new extended damage/beyond design basis scenarios.
Measurements of Densities of Propylene Glycol-Based Nanofluids and Comparison With Theory
Authors: Satti Jagannadha R. , Das Debendra K. , Ray Dustin R.
Published: February 2016

Density measurements were performed on several nanofluids containing nanoscale particles of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), zinc oxide (ZnO), copper oxide (CuO), titanium oxide (TiO2), and silicon dioxide (SiO2). These particles were individually dispersed in a base fluid of 60:40 propylene glycol and water (PG/W) by volume. Additionally, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) dispersed in de-ionized water (DI) was also tested. Initially, a benchmark test was performed on the density of the base fluid in the temperature range of 0–90 °C. The measured data agreed within a maximum error of 1.6% with the values presented in the handbook of American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). After this validation run, the density measurements of various nanofluids with nanoparticle volumetric concentrations from 0 to 6% and nanoparticle sizes ranging from 10 to 76 nm were performed. The temperature range of the measurements was from 0 to 90 °C. These results were compared with the values predicted by a currently acceptable theoretical equation for nanofluids. The experimental results showed good agreement with the theoretical equation with a maximum deviation of −3.8% for copper oxide nanofluid and average deviation of −0.1% for all the nanofluids tested.
Erosion behavior of composite Al-Cr cathodes in cathodic arc plasmas in inert and reactive atmospheres
Authors: Franz Robert , Mendez Martin Francisca , Hawranek Gerhard , Polcik Peter
Published: February 2016

AlxCr1−x composite cathodes with Al contents of x = 0.75, 0.5, and 0.25 were exposed to cathodic arc plasmas in Ar, N2, and O2 atmospheres and their erosion behavior was studied. Cross-sectional analysis of the elemental distribution of the near-surface zone in the cathodes by scanning electron microscopy revealed the formation of a modified layer for all cathodes and atmospheres. Due to intermixing of Al and Cr in the heat-affected zone, intermetallic Al-Cr phases formed as evidenced by x-ray diffraction analysis. Cathode poisoning effects in the reactive N2 and O2 atmospheres were nonuniform as a result of the applied magnetic field configuration. With the exception of oxide islands on Al-rich cathodes, reactive layers were absent in the circular erosion zone, while nitrides and oxides formed in the less eroded center region of the cathodes.
Why do batteries fail?
Authors: Palacín M. R. , de Guibert A.
Published: February 2016

Why batteries go bad

Rechargeable batteries are found in a range of everyday devices, from shavers and laptops to cars and airplanes. Over time, these batteries can fail, either through a gradual loss of charge or through the inability to work under tough environmental conditions, leading to more catastrophic failures that cause fires or explosions. Palacin and de Guibert review such failures and suggest that, although often chemistry-specific, common causes can be found. They also look at ways to enhance battery lifetime, such as through improved battery management systems, which are needed for advanced rechargeable batteries.

Science
, this issue p.
10.1126/science.1253292
Japanese satellite targets the x-ray universe
Authors: Normile Dennis
Published: February 2016

Galaxy cluster gases, active galactic nuclei, and supernova remnants on ASTRO-H agenda.
Diamond family of nanoparticle superlattices
Authors: Liu Wenyan , Tagawa Miho , Xin Huolin L. , Wang Tong , Emamy Hamed , Li Huilin , Yager Kevin G. , Starr Francis W. , Tkachenko Alexei V. , Gang Oleg
Published: February 2016

Controlled colloid bonding using DNA

Colloidal particles can act as analogs of atoms for studying crystallization and packing behavior, but they don't naturally bond together the way atoms do. Short strands of DNA are one versatile way to link together colloidal particles (see the Perspective by Tao). Kim
et al.
designed a series of gold colloids with DNA ligands that reversibly bound to or released neighboring particles via DNA strands that opened or closed hairpin loops. Liu
et al.
devised a set of DNA strands that pack into origami structures. Inside each structure were strands that cage a gold nanoparticle. These were further linked to other uncaged nanoparticles to assemble a diamond-like structure. Changing the strand design yielded a wide range of sparsely packed colloidal crystals.

Science
, this issue p.
561
, p.
579
; see also p.
582
Public enemy
The Most Wanted Man in China My Journey from Scientist to Enemy of the State
Fang Lizhi; translation and afterword by Perry Link
Henry Holt, 2016. 352 pp.
Authors: Lerch Irving A.
Published: February 2016

Physicist Fang Lizhi recounts his clashes with the Chinese regime and his role in the Tiananmen Square protests
Europe’s forest management did not mitigate climate warming
Authors: Naudts Kim , Chen Yiying , McGrath Matthew J. , Ryder James , Valade Aude , Otto Juliane , Luyssaert Sebastiaan
Published: February 2016

Europe's managed forests contribute to warming

For most of the past 250 years, surprisingly it seems that Europe's managed forests have been a net source of carbon, contributing to climate warming rather than mitigating it. Naudts
et al.
reconstructed the history of forest management in Europe in the context of a land-atmosphere model. The release of carbon otherwise stored in litter, dead wood, and soil carbon pools in managed forests was one key factor contributing to climate warming. Second, the conversion of broadleaved forests to coniferous forests has changed the albedo and evapotranspiration of those forests, also leading to warming. Thus, climate change mitigation policies in Europe and elsewhere may need to consider changes in forest management.

Science
, this issue p.
597
Losing our taste for diversity
Bread Wine Chocolate The Slow Loss of Foods We Love
Simran Sethi
HarperOne, 2015. 352 pp.
Authors: Kemp Christopher
Published: February 2016

An emphasis on consistency and durability over variety and flavor has left many of our favorite foods in peril
Nanoparticles meet their sticky ends
Authors: Tao Andrea R.
Published: February 2016

Hierarchical DNA structures direct the crystallization of gold nanoparticles

[Also see Reports by

Kim
et al.

and

Liu
et al.

]
Strength in members
Authors: Holt Rush
Published: February 2016

A year ago on this page, I described some of the challenges that science faces in cultivating support from the society it serves. Stepping in as the new Chief Executive Officer of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS, the publisher of
Science
), my editorial asked, “Why science? Why AAAS?” My thoughts about the nature and service of science and the mission and goals of AAAS—the world's largest general science membership organization—have since been focusing on new and revitalized efforts that will continue to make AAAS the principal voice for science. A great example of this will be the AAAS Annual Meeting next week in Washington, DC (11 to 16 February), where we will bring together diverse leading voices from around the world to discuss how “Global Science Engagement” can move society toward a secure future.
Draft Genome Sequence of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strain Able To Decompose
N
,
N
-Dimethyl Formamide
Authors: Yan Lingyue , Yan Ming , Xu Lin , Wei Li , Zhang Liting
Published: February 2016

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is a Gram-negative bacterium, which uses a variety of organic chemicals as carbon sources. Here, we report the genome sequence of the Cu1510 isolate from wastewater containing a high concentration of
N
,
N
-dimethyl formamide.
Genome Sequence of Acidovorax avenae Strain T10_61 Associated with Sugarcane Red Stripe in Argentina
Authors: Fontana Paola D. , Fontana Cecilia A. , Bassi Daniela , Puglisi Edoardo , Salazar Sergio M. , Vignolo Graciela M. , Coccocelli Pier S.
Published: February 2016

Red stripe of sugarcane in Argentina is a bacterial disease caused by
Acidovorax avenae
. The genome sequence from the first isolate of this bacterium in Argentina is presented here. The draft genome of the
A. avenae
T10_61 strain contains 5,646,552 bp and has a G+C content of 68.6 mol%.
Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus humi LMG 22167
T
(DSM 16318), an Endospore-Forming Bacterium Isolated from Soil
Authors: Wang Jie-ping , Liu Bo , Liu Guo-hong , Pan Zhizhen , Xiao Rong-feng , Chen Meichun , Chen De-ju
Published: February 2016

Bacillus humi
LMG 22167
T
is a Gram-positive, aerobic, and spore-forming bacterium Here, we report the 4.80-Mb draft genome sequence of
B. humi
LMG 22167
T
, which is the first genome sequence of this species and will promote its fundamental research.
Antibiotic Resistance in Animal and Environmental Samples Associated with Small-Scale Poultry Farming in Northwestern Ecuador
Authors: Braykov Nikolay P. , Eisenberg Joseph N. S. , Grossman Marissa , Zhang Lixin , Vasco Karla , Cevallos William , Muñoz Diana , Acevedo Andrés , Moser Kara A. , Marrs Carl F. , Foxman Betsy , Trostle James , Trueba Gabriel , Levy Karen
Published: February 2016

In developing countries, small-scale poultry farming employing antibiotics as growth promoters is being advanced as an inexpensive source of protein and income. Here, we present the results of a large ecoepidemiological study examining patterns of antibiotic resistance (AR) in
E. coli
isolates from small-scale poultry production environments versus domestic environments in rural Ecuador, where such backyard poultry operations have become established over the past decade. Our previous research in the region suggests that introduction of AR bacteria through travel and commerce may be an important source of AR in villages of this region. This report extends the prior analysis by examining small-scale production chicken farming as a potential source of resistant strains. Our results suggest that AR strains associated with poultry production likely originate from sources outside the study area and that these outside sources might be a better place to target control efforts than local management practices.
HandiVIH—A population-based survey to understand the vulnerability of people with disabilities to HIV and other sexual and reproductive health problems in Cameroon: protocol and methodological considerations
Authors: De Beaudrap Pierre , Pasquier Estelle , Tchoumkeu Alice , Touko Adonis , Essomba Frida , Brus Aude , Desgrées du Loû Annabel , Aderemi Toyin Janet , Hanass-Hancock Jill , Eide Arne Henning , Mont Daniel , Mac-Seing Muriel , Beninguisse Gervais
Published: February 2016

Introduction

In resource-limited countries, people with disabilities seem to be particularly vulnerable to HIV infection due to barriers to accessing information and services, frequent exposure to sexual violence and social exclusion. However, they have often been left behind in the HIV response, probably because of the lack of reliable epidemiological data measuring this vulnerability. Multiple challenges in conducting good quality epidemiological surveys on people with disabilities require innovative methods to better understand the link between disability and HIV. This paper describes how the design and methods of the HandiVIH study were adapted to document the vulnerability of people with disabilities to HIV, and to compare their situation with that of people without disabilities.

Methods and analysis

The HandiVIH project aims to combine quantitative and qualitative data. The quantitative component is a cross-sectional survey with a control group conducted in Yaoundé (Cameroon). A two-phase random sampling is used (1) to screen people with disabilities from the general population using the Washington Group questionnaire and, (2) to create a matched control group. An HIV test is proposed to each study participant. Additionally, a questionnaire including a life-event interview is used to collect data on respondents’ life-course history of social isolation, employment, sexual partnership, HIV risk factors and fertility. Before the cross-sectional survey, a qualitative exploratory study was implemented to identify challenges in conducting the survey and possible solutions. Information on people with disabilities begging in the streets and members of disabled people's organisations is collected separately.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has been approved by the two ethical committees. Special attention has been paid on how to adapt the consenting process to persons with intellectual disabilities. The methodological considerations discussed in this paper may contribute to the development of good practices for conducting quantitative health surveys on people with disabilities.

Trial registration number

NCT02192658.
Surgical trainee research collaboratives in the UK: an observational study of research activity and publication productivity
Authors: Jamjoom Aimun A B , Phan Pho N H , Hutchinson Peter J , Kolias Angelos G
Published: February 2016

Objectives

To analyse the research activity and publication output of surgical trainee research collaboratives in the UK.

Setting

Surgical trainee research collaboratives in the UK.

Participants

A total of 24 collaboratives were included in this study from 33 identified organisations. We excluded one group that focused purely on systematic review of the literature and eight groups for which we could not identify suitable data sources (website or trainee committee contact).

Primary and secondary outcome

Primary data-points were identified for each collaborative including surgical subspeciality, numbers and types of projects. For published articles, secondary outcomes including study population size, journal impact factor, number of citations and evidence level were collected.

Results

A total of 24 collaboratives met our inclusion criteria with a portfolio of 80 projects. The project types included audit (46%), randomised clinical trial (16%), surveys (16%), cohort studies (10%), systematic reviews (2.5%) and other or unidentifiable (9.5%). A total of 35 publications were identified of which just over half (54%) were original research articles. The median size of studied population was 540 patients with a range from 108 to 3138. The published works provided a varied compilation of evidence levels ranging from 1b (individual RCT) to 5 (expert opinion) with a median level of 2b (individual cohort study). The West Midlands Research Collaborative had the highest number of publications (13), citations (130) and h-index (5).

Conclusions

The experience of UK-based trainee research collaboratives provides useful insights for trainees and policymakers in global healthcare systems on the value and feasibility of trainee-driven high quality surgical research.
Masterclass in veterinary public health
Authors: Clifford Hannah
Published: February 2016

Each summer, one student from each vet school in the British Isles gets the chance to attend a week‐long masterclass to learn more about veterinary public health. Last year, Hannah Clifford was one of them. Here she explains how her understanding of the relevance and responsibility of vets working in public health has changed
Ten‐minute chat
Authors: Chamings Richard
Published: February 2016

Richard Chamings stood as a parliamentary candidate for the UK Independence Party in the general election last May. Born in Devon, he graduated from Edinburgh, and is a companion animal vet at White House Vets in Malvern, which he established in 1985.
Yang–Mills gauge theory and the Higgs boson family
Authors: Chang Ngee-Pong
Published: February 2016

The gauge symmetry principles of the Yang–Mills field of 1954 provide the solid rock foundation for the Standard Model of particle physics. To give masses to the quarks and leptons, however, SM calls on the solitary Higgs field using a set of mysterious complex Yukawa coupling matrices.

We enrich the SM by reducing the Yukawa coupling matrices to a single Yukawa coupling constant, and endowing it with a family of Higgs fields that are degenerate in mass.

The recent experimental discovery of the Higgs resonance at 125.09 ± 0.21 GeV does not preclude this possibility. Instead, it presents an opportunity to explore the interference effects in background events at the LHC.

We present a study based on the maximally symmetric Higgs potential in a leading hierarchy scenario.
THE EVALUATION OF MULTIPLE YEAR GAS SALES AGREEMENT WITH REGIME SWITCHING
Authors: CHIARELLA CARL , CLEWLOW LES , KANG BODA
Published: February 2016

A typical gas sales agreement (GSA), also called a gas swing contract, is an agreement between a supplier and a purchaser for the delivery of variable daily quantities of gas, between specified minimum and maximum daily limits, over a certain number of years at a specified set of contract prices. The main constraint of such an agreement that makes them difficult to value is that in each gas year there is a minimum volume of gas (termed take-or-pay or minimum bill) for which the buyer will be charged at the end of the year (or penalty date), regardless of the actual quantity of gas taken. We propose a framework for pricing such swing contracts for an underlying gas forward price curve that follows a regime switching process in order to better capture the volatility behavior in such markets. With the help of a recombining pentanomial tree, we are able to efficiently evaluate the prices of the swing contracts, find optimal daily decisions and optimal yearly use of both the make-up bank and the carry forward bank at different regimes. We also show how the change of regime will affect the decisions.