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The 2 mol% Mn-doped Bi1.05FeO3 (abbreviated as BFOMn, S0), BFOMn composited films with TiO2 layer at the surface of BFOMn (S1), and on the interface between BFOMn film and substrate (S2), as well as at the both sides of the BFOMn film (S3) were prepared on indium tin oxide (ITO)/glass substrates through a chemical solution deposition process. The effects of TiO2 layers deposited at different positions on microstructure, insulating, ferroelectric and dielectric performances are fully investigated. The crystallized perovskite structures without any secondary phases are well maintained in all samples. Increased grain sizes can be achieved with the introduction of TiO2. Among these films, S3 has large average grain size and possesses decreased leakage current density of 7.2 × 10−5 A/cm2 under 400 kV/cm, relatively large remanent polarization (Pr) value of 82.3 μC/cm2 under 3333 kV/cm at 10 kHz, larger dielectric constant (∼ 330) and smaller dissipation factor (∼ 0.04) at 100 kHz. These results demonstrate that introducing TiO2 layers into appropriate positions can be a feasible way to improve the microstructure and enhance the electrical properties of BFO-based films.

AerMet 100 exhibits excellent mechanical properties with both high yield strength and excellent ductility. Understanding the dynamic mechanical behavior of the material should clear the road for wider application of AerMet 100 as critical mechanical parts serving in extreme mechanical conditions. In this paper, the strain rate dependency of AerMet 100 is investigated by using Split-Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) and also compared with its quasi-static counterpart. Based on the experiment results, a simplified Johnson–Cook model is established to describe the strain rate dependent behaviors and is proved to perform better than Cowper–Symonds model. The validation of the suggested constitutive model is embedded in the finite element analysis and can well repeat the strain wave observed from experiment results. Furthermore, the impact fracture toughness of AerMet 100 is also studied both numerically and experimentally. Finally, a thin-walled tube made of AerMet 100 is numerically simulated and the excellent crashworthiness is proven. Results may enlighten the understanding of dynamic mechanical behavior of AerMet 100 and provide fundamental experiment data for its future engineering applications. Keywords: AerMet 100, Strain rate effect, Constitutive behavior, SHPB method, Numerical simulation

This study aimed to screen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the chicken gap junction protein alpha 1 (GJA1) gene, and to investigate their association with five growth traits measured in 269 chickens encompassing Chinese indigenous Beijing-You (BJY) and commercial Cobb broiler (CB) populations. Four variants were detected in the chicken GJA1 gene, in which one synonymous mutation was located in an exon (C61223231T or c.-1110 C>T), two in an intron (A61229799C or c.5460 A>C, T61229928A or c.5589 T>A) and one in the promoter (A61230599C or c. 6260 A>C) regions. Genotyping was performed by high-resolution melting analysis (SNP in an exon) and DNA sequencing (SNP in the introns and promoter). Association analysis revealed that each SNP had a significant effect on growth traits in chicken. A higher level of genetic diversity was observed in the indigenous BJY breed than in the commercial CB breed. Strong linkage disequilibrium was observed between the C61223231T and A61229799C polymorphisms, and four previously undiscovered haplotypes (CA, TC, CC, TA) were constructed from those two mutations. Association analysis between haplotype combinations (diplotypes) and growth traits was highly significant where diplotype CC + CC was dominant for all traits. We speculated that GJA1 either is a major gene, or is associated with a major gene, affecting chicken growth traits. Therefore, further studies are needed in large populations to evaluate polymorphisms located in different regions of this gene, as well as its functional study, to better understand its role in muscle development in chicken.

KEYWORD: bisphenol A; immune-affinity column; high-performance liquid chromatography ABSTRACT: A rapid and sensitive method using immuno-affinity columns (IACs) as sample purifi- cation procedure and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) tandem fluorescence detec- tor (FLD) for detection has been developed for the determination of bisphenol A (BPA) in beer. The limit of detection (LOD) is 0.28 ng/ml (S/N=3) and the limit of quantity (LOQ) is 0.95 ng/ml (S/N=10). For standard adding and recovery experiments toward beer sample with addition of four- level bisphenol A, the average recovery ratio range from 74.56% to 97.60%, and the relative stan- dard deviations (RSD) range 1.04% to 9.77%. In conclusion, this method is an appropriate way for detection of BPA. For the detection of canned beer samples of various brands, the detection rate is as high as 100%.

The production of new neurons continues throughout adulthood in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampal formation, and is believed to play a role in hippocampus-dependent learning and memory. Seizure-induced changes in adult neurogenesis have been examined primarily in convulsive rodent seizure models, but not in models of nonconvulsive absence seizures. This study examined progenitor cell proliferation in the gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) model of typical absence seizures and the AY-9944 model of atypical absence seizures, and compared these results with changes seen in the rat amygdala kindling model. Kindled subjects were found to have 189% more proliferating cells than sham-kindled control subjects, whereas no significant difference was found between the GHB or AY-9944 model and control subjects. These results suggest that changes in adult neurogenesis in models of absence seizures do not occur, and that seizure-induced enhancement of neurogenesis could depend on the characteristics of the seizure discharge.

Background Survey data provide important information on the prevalence of chronic conditions across different areas and population groups. In Canada, large national surveys routinely ask about physician-diagnosed arthritis. However, population data on osteoarthritis (OA) are limited, and there is virtually no information on self-reported, physician-diagnosed osteoarthritis of specific joints. Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of joint symptoms and self-reported, health professional diagnosed OA of different joints in a representative community sample of adults in the province of British Columbia (BC), Canada. Methods We carried out a mixed-method (mail and online) survey. A random sample of households was selected from a list of all residential addresses in BC. A variety of incentives were used to maximize response rates. One randomly selected person age 18+ per household was asked to complete the survey. We asked about joint pain or discomfort (using a homunculus) and a health professional diagnosis of OA in the knee, hip, hand, foot/ankle, lower back, and neck. In addition, demographic, general health, and healthcare utilization information was collected. Results Survey invitation letters were mailed to 7759 households and 2233 individuals completed an online (1778, 79.6%) or mailed (455, 20.4%) questionnaire. Of those, 45.8% were men, 38.8% were age 60+ and 19.9% were obese (BMI 30+). Joint pain/discomfort was reported by the following proportions of respondents: lower back - 48.8%, neck - 38.7%, knee - 34.7%, foot/ankle - 30.8%, hand - 30.5%, and hip - 24.2%. Joint pain/discomfort in the hand, hip and knee was more common on the right side, while foot pain was symmetrically distributed. Both sides were most often affected in the hands (51%) and least often in the hips (39%) and knees (40%). The most common site of OA was the knee - 10.1%, followed by lower back - 8.5%, neck - 5.5%, hand - 5.4%, hip - 4.2%, and foot - 3.1%. OA prevalence in any joint was 20.9% (15.7% if back/neck is excluded). OA prevalence was 12.2% when the diagnosis was restricted to those reporting any arthritis diagnosed by a health professional. The average age of OA diagnosis ranged from 52.4 years for the neck to 56.6 for the hip. Among those with OA, 43.4% (9.1% of all respondents) reported OA in multiple joint sites; 4.9% had OA in two sites, 2.4% in 3, and 1.7% in 4 or more. OA in one site was a strong predictor of OA in other sites. The strongest relationship was between hand and foot OA (odds ratio 25). In a multivariable logistic model older age and female sex were associated with higher OA prevalence, while education and income were not. Conclusions This is one of the first population surveys in Canada to report joint-specific prevalence of pain and self-reported health professional diagnosed OA in a large, geographically defined population. The most common OA site was the knee, but OA in the hand, hip and foot/ankle was also common. More than 40% had OA in multiple sites. Prevalence of OA in population surveys may be underestimated if the question about OA is asked only of those who report any arthritis. Disclosure of Interest : None declared DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.2300