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This present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing fish meal with maggot culture, on growth performance, body composition, and antioxidant enzyme activity in hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × O. aureus). Five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated to contain graded levels of maggot culture (0%, 1%, 2%, 4% and 5%), which replaced 0% (the control), 20%, 40%, 80% and 100% fish meal, respectively. Each diet was randomly fed to triplicate groups of 30 hybrid tilapia (initial mean body weight: 2.12 ± 0.01g) per tank for 8 weeks. Fish were fed to satiation twice daily (08:00 and 16:00). Results showed that the inclusion of maggot culture did not significantly influence survival, weight gain, feed conversion rate, and morphological parameters of tilapia. Catalase and superoxide dismutase activity were not significantly affected by the supplementation of maggot culture. Also, the inclusion of maggot culture did not significantly influence moisture, protein, lipid, and ash contents of whole body and muscle. Based on these above observations, fish meal could be totally replaced by maggot culture without a negative influence on growth performance, body composition, and antioxidant capability in hybrid tilapia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Putatively benign copy number variants (bCNVs) can be broadly defined as DNA copy number gains or losses that do not lead to a recognizable clinical phenotype. Detection of bCNVs in genomes of clinically healthy individuals is increasing with the widespread use of whole genome arrays of different resolutions and the use of sequence comparison methods. However, the role of bCNVs in human disease susceptibility and phenotype diversity is mostly unknown. In order to explore a potential role of bCNVs in the susceptibility to and/or pathogenesis of human neurodevelopmental disorders we examined the frequency and type of common bCNVs (detected in ≥2 independent control studies) amongst 221 subjects with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or intellectual disability (ID) in comparison to 40 controls using three array platforms of increasing resolution (Spectral Genomics (1 Mb), Agilent (0.03 Mb) and NimbleGen (0.01 Mb)). We determined that the number of bCNVs/subject, type and frequency of most common bCNVs were similar for both the test and control cohorts when the same array platform was used. The comparison of the ‘load’ of bCNVs (i.e. number/subject) to a standardized metric of phenotypic features (see de Vries et al., 2001) in 91 ASD subjects revealed that a phenotype score ≥4 is significantly more common (P < 0.05) in persons with an ASD having one or more bCNVs via 1 Mb array-CGH, whereas individuals without any recognizable bCNVs are significantly more likely to have a less complex phenotype and a score ≤3. Finally, we report 14 CNVs found amongst our ASD and ID cohorts that are infrequent in neurodevelopmentally normal controls and are of familial origin, thus comprising rare CNVs of unknown significance. Two of these rare familial bCNVs revealed variation in size when transmitted from parent to child, indicating genomic instability. The ongoing discovery and correlation of the pathogenic versus putatively benign underpinnings of the human genome, its inherent variability and potential gene, positional and epigenetic influences will continue to improve our understanding of genome plasticity and its influences on human neurodevelopmental disorders. Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  Roots of six Cucurbitaceae species were exposed to low (14 °C), middle (24 °C), and high (34 °C) temperatures while aerial parts of plants were maintained at ambient temperatures between 23 and 33 °C. The highest dry mass (DM), photon-saturated rate of net photosynthesis (P Nsat), and stomatal conductance (g s) were found at 14 °C in figleaf gourd and turban squash plants, at 24 °C in cucumber and melon plants, while bitter melon and wax gourd plants had lower DM, P Nsat, and g s at 14 °C than at 24 or 34 °C. Sub-or supra-optimum root temperatures did not induce photoinhibition but induced slight changes in the quantum efficiency of photosystem 2, PS2 (ΦPS2) and photochemical quenching (qp). Meanwhile, xylem sap abscisic acid (ABA) concentration followed a contrasting change pattern to that of g s. Thus the change in P Nsat was mainly due to the change in g s and roots played an important role in the regulation of stomatal behaviour by delivering increased amount of ABA to shoots at sub-or supra-optimum root temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  The combined effects of water stress (WS) and low irradiance (LI) on growth, photosynthesis, osmotic adjustment, and lipid peroxidation were studied in dragon spruce (Picea asperata Mast.) seedlings grown under two water treatments (well watered, 100 % of field capacity, and water stressed, 30 % of field capacity) and two irradiances (HI, 100 % of full sunlight and LI, 15 % of full sunlight). WS reduced growth, chlorophyll (Chl) a and b contents, net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, and effective quantum yield of photosystem 2 (Y) but increased free proline and malondialdehyde contents. LI increased Chl contents and decreased Y, photochemical quenching (qP), and non-photochemical quenching (qN) under both water treatments. Hence the seedlings in the understory were more sensitive to drought than to LI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To apply mobile crystalline material 41 (MCM-41), which has a larger specific surface area than many other nanoporous silicas, for energy absorption, chlorotrimethylsilane treatment is performed to adjust the structure of inner surfaces of nanopores. As the treatment time is sufficiently long, the pore surface can be changed from hydrophilic to hydrophobic, leading to an energy absorption efficiency a few times higher than previously developed nanoporous-material-functionalized liquids. A strong effect of addition of electrolyte on infiltration pressure is observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding nanofluidic behaviours in energetically unfavourable confining environments is essential for the development of high-performance nanoporous energy absorption systems. In the current study, the effect of liquid composition on defiltration in a hydrophobic nanoporous silica gel is investigated experimentally using two types of admixtures: carbamide of a relatively small molecular size and sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate of a relatively large molecular size. By adding carbamide in the liquid phase, while the change in the solid-liquid interfacial tension is secondary, the defiltration volume can be lowered significantly, which can be related to the difficulties in gas phase formation and growth in nanopores. The factor of sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate comes in mostly by affecting the liquid motions in relatively small nanopores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: During whole genome microarray-based comparative genomic hybridisation (array CGH) screening of subjects with idiopathic intellectual disability, we identified two unrelated individuals with a similar de nova interstitial microdeletion at 2p15-2p16.1. Both individuals share a similar clinical phenotype including moderate to severe intellectual disability, autism/autistic features, microcephaly, structural brain anomalies including cortical dysplasia/pachygyria, renal anomalies (multicystic kidney, hydronephrosis), digital camptodactyly, visual impairment, strabismus, neuromotor deficits, communication and attention impairments, and a distinctive pattern of craniofacial features. Dysmorphic craniofacial features include progressive microcephaly, flat occiput, widened inner canthal distance, small palpebral fissures, ptosis, long and straight eyelashes, broad and high nasal root extending to a widened, prominent nasal tip with elongated, smooth philtrum, rounding of the upper vermillion border and everted lower lips. Methods: Clinical assessments, and cytogenetic, array CGH and fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) analyses were performed. Results: The microdeletions discovered in each individual measured 4.5 Mb and 5.7 Mb, spanning the chromosome 2p region from 57.2 to 61.7 Mb and from 56 to 61.7 Mb, respectively. Each deleted clone in this range demonstrated a dosage reduction from two to one copy in each proband except for clone RP11-79K21, which was present in three copies in each proband and in four copies in their respective parents (two per each chromosome 2 homologue). Discussion: The common constellation of features found in the two affected subjects indicates that they have a newly recognised microdeletion syndrome involving haploinsufficiency of one or more genes deleted within at least a 4.5-Mb segment of the 2p15-16.1 region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

These studies were conducted to determine whether dietary homoarginine, derived from guanidination of synthetic lysine, affects the measurement of apparent and true ileal amino acid digestibility in the pig and to determine the optimal ratio of o-methylisourea (OMIU) to free synthetic lysine in the guanidination reaction that produces homoarginine. In two preliminary experiments, specific amounts of lysine were weighed and added to a solution of 0·6 mol/l OMIU to produce OMIU to free synthetic lysine ratios of 2:1, 1·5:1, 1·4:1, 1·3:1, 1·2:1, 1·1:1 and 1·0:1. The mixture was incubated at a pH of 10·5 and a temperature of 20±1°C for 6 days. The highest yield of homoarginine (proportionately 0·995) was produced with an OMIU to free synthetic lysine ratio of 1·5:1. The serum concentrations of homoarginine and lysine were measured in two test pigs at various times after consuming a single meal containing either homoarginine or lysine. Blood samples were taken before and 0·5, 1·5, 2·5, 4·5, 6·0, 7·5, and 11·5 h after feeding. Thirty minutes after feeding the homoarginine-containing diet, the homoarginine concentration in serum was 0·013 mmol/dl, and increased to a maximum of 0·031 mmol/dl 1·5 h after feeding. Thirty minutes after feeding the lysine-containing diet, the serum lysine concentration was 0·011 mmol/dl and also reached its maximum concentration of 0·025 mmol/dl 1·5 h after feeding. The timing of the changes in concentration of homoarginine and lysine related to feeding were similar, which suggests that homoarginine is absorbed and metabolized in a similar manner to lysine. Six Large White×Landrace barrows, weighing 68·5±3·5 kg and fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum as well as a jugular vein catheter, were used to determine the effects of homoarginine on endogenous amino acid flows and apparent and true ileal amino acid digestibility. The experimental design was a doubly replicated 3×3 Latin-square design with the three treatments consisting of a lysine-free, zein-based diet and jugular infusion of a lysine solution; a lysine-free, zein-based diet supplemented with homoarginine; and a lysine-free, zein-based diet supplemented with l-lysine. There were no significant differences in endogenous ileal lysine flow for pigs receiving the different treatments (396·6, 407·6, and 360·4 mg/kg DMI, respectively, P=0·71). In addition, with the exception of phenylalanine (P=0·04), there were no significant differences (P>0·10) in the apparent and true ileal digestibility of crude protein and amino acids among the three treatments. Therefore, it would appear that the presence of dietary homoarginine, derived from guanidination of synthetic lysine, does not affect endogenous amino acid losses or the digestibility of crude protein as well as most amino acids. These results are therefore supportive of the use of the homoarginine method as a means of measuring true ileal lysine digestibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

YBa2Cu3Ox (YBCO) coated conductors have been produced in 100 m lengths in pilot scale facilities established at SuperPower. In addition to scaling up coated conductors to long lengths with high critical current, we have modified the basic conductor for enhanced in-field performance and low ac losses. In addition, our coated conductors have been produced in practical configurations in 4 mm widths and with a surround topper stabilizer. The conductors were slit first to a 4 mm width and then subjected to electroplating to apply the copper stabilizer. Mechanical and electrical properties of the complete conductor have been elaborately tested. 61 m of 4 mm wide, surround copper stabilized conductor was provided to Sumitomo Electric Industries who fabricated a 1 m cable using the conductor. The cable exhibited the lowest ac losses reported with HTS conductors. SuperPower also fabricated a pancake coil with 7.4 m of coated conductor, which generated a maximum magnetic field of 0.28 T at 77 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Typically, in vitro methods used for estimating the amount of ileal digestible AA do not exhaustively digest samples, and arbitrary methods for separating digestible from indigestible protein are used. This may lead to over or underestimation of digestibility coefficients. A method that exhaustively digests proteins using pepsin and pancreatin was developed, and the first objective of this research was to confirm that exhaustive digestion was indeed appropriate and to determine the fractionation method for separating digestible from indigestible proteins. For this, three homoarginine-labeled animal proteins were prepared. Samples were subsequently digested in vivo and in vitro to determine which fraction should be considered indigestible, and in vitro followed by in vivo to determine whether the extent of digestion in vivo was improved by predigestion. In vivo, soluble but unabsorbed peptides were smaller than 1 kDa, suggesting that the size of soluble peptides is not what prevents their absorption. Thus, all in vitro-soluble proteins should be considered digestible. In vitro, 88 ± 3% of the soluble peptides were smaller than 1 kDa, with the remainder between 1 and 5 kDa, suggesting that in vitro digestion is less complete. Predigested samples were digested in vivo to the same size distribution as the nonpredigested samples. The second objective was to test whether in vitro digestibility assays based on these principles equaled in vivo digestibility. For this, digestibility data for 25 animal proteins were compared. Results showed a lack of correlation between lysine digestibility coefficients; however, across samples, the extent of digestion did not differ for lysine (P = 0.71), threonine (P = 0.26), methionine (P = 0.18), or valine (P = 0.66), whereas in vitro digestibility coefficients were lower for (the less water-soluble) histidine (P = 0.05), isoleucine (P < 0.01), leucine (P < 0.01), and phenylalanine (P = 0.05). In conclusion, in vitro digestibility assays should exhaustively digest proteins to mimic in vivo digestibility. All in vitro-soluble peptides could be considered digestible, because in vivo, no large soluble peptides were observed whose size prevented them from being absorbed. However, an in vitro assay based on these principles lacked precision for highly water-soluble AA, and underestimated digestibility for other AA. Better solubilization of the digesta and more replicates may improve the in vitro assay further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For cable stayed bridges rain-wind induced vibrations of stay cables are probably one of the most widespread phenomenon. Aerodynamic countermeasures have been implemented to tackle such vibrations, but there is still not sufficient insight on the inherent mitigation mechanisms. To this goal, a numerical model, based on lubrication theory, was employed in order to study the coupled cable vibration response, aerodynamic forces, and formation and oscillation of rivulets for stay cables equipped with longitudinal ribs. Coupled equations governing the synchronous cable motion and water film evolution were established in order to understand the effects of several key parameters associated with the vibration mitigation performance of the ribs. Such parameters include the cable inclination angle, the wind yaw angle, the number and the height of the ribs. Computed results were successfully validated against experimental data. For the various studied cases, it was apparent that the ribs did not stop the formation of rivulets, but they could affect both their position and oscillation ranges. Through such a control action they could further affect the oscillation range and frequency content of aerodynamic forces, mitigating or not cable vibrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Stochastic characteristics prevail in the process of short fatigue crack progression. This paper presents a method taking into account the balance of crack number density to describe the stochastic behaviour of short crack collective evolution. The results from the simulation illustrate the stochastic development of short cracks. The experiments on two types of steels show the random distribution for collective short cracks with the number of cracks and the maximum crack length as a function of different locations on specimen surface. The experiments also give the variation of total number of short cracks with fatigue cycles. The test results are consistent with numerical simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]