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Since the emergence of graphene, we have seen several proposals for the realization of Landau lasers tunable over the terahertz frequency range. The hope was that the non-equidistance of the Landau levels from Dirac fermions would suppress the harmful non-radiative Auger recombination. Unfortunately, even with this non-equidistance an unfavorable non-radiative process persists in Landau-quantized graphene, and so far no cyclotron emission from Dirac fermions has been reported. One way to eliminate this last non-radiative process is to sufficiently modify the dispersion of the Landau levels by opening a small gap in the linear band structure. A proven example of such gapped graphene-like materials are HgTe quantum wells close to the topological phase transition. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate Landau emission from Dirac fermions in such HgTe quantum wells, where the emission is tunable by both the magnetic field and the carrier concentration. Consequently, these results represent an advance in the realization of terahertz Landau lasers tunable by magnetic field and gate-voltage., Main text with the figures of the published version

Graphene is a quantum spin Hall insulator with a 45 $\mu$eV wide non-trivial topological gap induced by the intrinsic spin-orbit coupling. Even though this zero-field spin splitting is weak, it makes graphene an attractive candidate for applications in quantum technologies, given the resulting long spin relaxation time. On the other side, the staggered sub-lattice potential, resulting from the coupling of graphene with its boron nitride substrate, compensates intrinsic spin-orbit coupling and decreases the non-trivial topological gap, which may lead to the phase transition into trivial band insulator state. In this work, we present extensive experimental studies of the zero-field splittings in monolayer and bilayer graphene in a temperature range 2K-12K by means of sub-Terahertz photoconductivity-based electron spin resonance technique. Surprisingly, we observe a decrease of the spin splittings with increasing temperature. We discuss the origin of this phenomenon by considering possible physical mechanisms likely to induce a temperature dependence of the spin-orbit coupling. These include the difference in the expansion coefficients between the graphene and the boron nitride substrate or the metal contacts, the electron-phonon interactions, and the presence of a magnetic order at low temperature. Our experimental observation expands knowledge about the non-trivial topological gap in graphene., Comment: Main text with figures (20 pages) and Supplementary Information (14 pages) Accepted in Phys. Rev. B

We investigated quantum Hall states in an inverted HgTe quantum well (QW) close to the critical thickness using transconductance fluctuation (TF) measurements. In the conduction band, several integer quantum Hall states were observed, corresponding to filling factors ν=1,2,3,4. For magnetic fields above 2 T, quantum Hall states ν=0 were observed in the normal gap. These observations agreed well with the previous studies of quantum Hall states on GaAs QWs and graphene. Interestingly, TFs corresponding to anomalous positive filling factor ν were clearly observed in the valence band. We attribute the emergence of those TFs to the localization and charging of the heavy holes located in the side maxima of the valence band.

We report on a strong nonlinear behavior of the photogalvanics and photoconductivity under excitation of HgTe quantum wells (QWs) by intense terahertz (THz) radiation. The increasing radiation intensity causes an inversion of the sign of the photocurrent and transition to its superlinear dependence on the intensity. The photoconductivity also shows a superlinear raise with the intensity. We show that the observed photoresponse nonlinearities are caused by the band-to-band light impact ionization under conditions of a photon energy less than the forbidden gap. The signature of this kind of impact ionization is that the angular radiation frequency $\ensuremath{\omega}=2\ensuremath{\pi}f$ is much higher than the reciprocal momentum relaxation time. Thus the impact ionization takes place solely because of collisions in the presence of a high-frequency electric field. The effect has been measured on narrow HgTe/CdTe QWs of 5.7 nm width; the nonlinearity is detected for linearly and circularly polarized THz radiation with different frequencies ranging from $f=0.6$ to 1.07 THz and intensities up to hundreds of kW/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. We demonstrate that the probability of the impact ionization is proportional to the exponential function, $exp(\ensuremath{-}{E}_{0}^{2}/{E}^{2})$, of the radiation electric field amplitude $E$ and the characteristic field parameter ${E}_{0}$. The effect is observable in a wide temperature range from 4.2 to 90 K, with the characteristic field increasing with rising temperature.

We report on the far-infrared magnetospectroscopy of HgTe quantum wells with inverted band ordering at different electron concentrations. We particularly focus on optical transitions from zero-mode Landau levels, which split from the edges of electron-like and hole-like bands. We observe a pronounced dependence of the transition energies on the electron concentration varied by persistent photoconductivity effect. This is striking evidence that in addition to the already well-documented crystalline and interface asymmetries, electron-electron interactions also have a significant impact on the usual behavior of the optical transitions from zero mode Landau levels., Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures and supplemental materials

We report on the systematic study of infrared/terahertz spectra of photocurrents in (Bi, Sb) Te based three-dimensional topological insulators. We demonstrate that in a wide range of frequencies, ranging from fractions up to tens of terahertz, the photocurrent is caused by the linear photogalvanic effect (LPGE) excited in the surface states. The photocurrent spectra reveal that at low frequencies the LPGE emerges due to free carrier Drude-like absorption. The spectra allow us to determine the room temperature carrier mobilities in the surface states despite the presence of thermally activated residual impurities in the material bulk. In a number of samples we observed an enhancement of the linear photogalvanic effect at frequencies between 30 and 60 THz, which is attributed to the excitation of electrons from helical surface to bulk conduction band states. Under this condition and applying oblique incidence we also observed the circular photogalvanic effect driven by the radiation helicity.

We report on the observation of a circular photogalvanic current excited by terahertz laser radiation in helical edge channels of two-dimensional (2D) HgTe topological insulators (TIs). The direction of the photocurrent reverses by switching the radiation polarization from a right-handed to a left-handed one and, for fixed photon helicity, is opposite for the opposite edges. The photocurrent is detected in a wide range of gate voltages. With decreasing the Fermi level below the conduction band bottom, the current emerges, reaches a maximum, decreases, changes its sign close to the charge neutrality point (CNP), and again rises. Conductance measured over a approximate to 3 mu m distance at CNP approaches 2e(2)/ h, the value characteristic for ballistic transport in 2D TIs. The data reveal that the photocurrent is caused by photoionization of helical edge electrons to the conduction band. We discuss the microscopic model of this phenomenon and compare calculations with experimental data.

Piglets are born with reduced plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D(3)) and are thus highly predisposed to vitamin D deficiency. Furthermore, sow milk contains little vitamin D, and the slow intestinal vitamin D absorption of sows limits the efficacy of dietary vitamin D supplementation. Hence, the neonate depends, to a large extent, on the vitamin D stores built up in fetal tissues from maternal sources. The current study was undertaken to evaluate whether the source and quantity of dietary vitamin D provided to the gestating and lactating sow, and also directly in the form of creep feed to the piglet, would influence the vitamin D status, growth performance, and skeletal development of piglets. A total of 39 primiparous and multiparous sows were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments (13 in each treatment), supplemented with either 5 or 50 μg of the commonly used cholecalciferol (vitamin D(3)) or 50 μg of 25-OH-D(3) per kilogram of feed. By wk 3 of lactation, piglets were offered a creep diet with vitamin D supplementation according to the treatment of the dam, and they were offered the same creep diets after weaning at d 35 of age until they reached a BW of approximately 20 kg. When dietary 25-OH-D(3) was provided, circulating concentrations of 25-OH-D(3) in piglet serum increased (P 0.05) were observed between the 2 other groups. After weaning, ADFI was greater (P < 0.05) and growth performance tended (P = 0.08) to improve when doses of 50 μg/kg were administered, regardless of the vitamin D source. In conclusion, supplementation of the diet with 50 μg/kg of either source of vitamin D was proved to be adequate in meeting the needs of gestating sows and in permitting the accumulation of vitamin D in fetal tissues, as well as for normal skeletal mineralization and growth in the offspring. Furthermore, the markedly improved vitamin D status of piglets whose mothers received 25-OH-D(3) possibly resulted from greater tissue reserves present at birth and a greater availability of vitamin D when released from those stores.

We prospectively evaluated a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approach for the rapid diagnosis of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia and presence of the mecA gene in 902 blood samples from 468 infectious episodes of 384 patients. Eight of 12 blood culture (BC)-confirmed samples were positive by the S. aureus-specific PCR. In addition, the mecA gene PCR correctly detected all cases of BC-confirmed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. A positive PCR result was also obtained in ten of 462 BC-negative infectious episodes, including three patients with culture-confirmed S. aureus infection at other body sites.

Self-management is a vital element in the care of type 2diabetes patients. In turn, self-efficacy plays a major role in patients’ self-management. Self-efficacy is the patient’s personal judgement of his/herconfidence in performing aspects of diabetes self-management. This study investigated the level of self-efficacy of patients attending the Pretoria Academic Hospital Diabetes Clinic, in the light of high levels ofre-admission due to complications, suggesting low self-efficacy levels. Eighty type 2 diabetes patients, mean age of 59 years, completed thepublished IDEA LL baseline questionnaire, to establish a self-efficacyscore. Relationships between self-efficacy and demographic factors wereinvestigated using the chi-square test. The mean self-efficacy level of thesample population is excellent (mean = 85.44%).A lthough self-reported self-efficacy levels are excellent, in comparison to the Sarkar study (2006) in which participants only scored “fair”, it is speculated that self-efficacy is not transferred to self-management behaviour in thispopulation. Afrikaans and English speaking participants score significantly better than those from other language categories. There is a positive relationship between self-efficacy and level of education and employment status (tendedtowards significance with p values of 0.06 and 0.07 respectively). A lthough self-efficacy scores of clients at this tertiary level outpatient clinic are excellent, further research is necessary to quantify self-management strategies andto correlate these with self-efficacy levels.

Summary Measurements of nitrogen, carbon and energy balances were done on eight female adult cats aged approximately 1.5 years with the help of respiration chambers. The cats were fed with a marked dry food for kittens (Biomill® kitten). Faeces and urine samples were collected with the help of a special cat toilet that allows the single collection of both materials. The calculated energy requirement of these eight female cats was 239.6 kJ ME/kg BW/day (R2 = 0.98). Including the data, on 12 young male adult cats, of Lauger, (2001), an energy requirement of 238 kJ ME/kg BW/day (R2 = 0.95) could be calculated. From these data, it can be followed that the energy requirements of young, active cats are higher than that of the older cats. The method of indirect calorimetry does not necessarily lead to lower energy requirements.

An experiment was conducted to examine the effect of benzoic acid and two dietary protein levels on pig performance, nitrogen balance and urinary pH. A total of 24 crossbred barrows (26 kg to 106 kg BW) received one of four diets: low protein level with and without 1% benzoic acid (LP- and LP+, respectively) and high protein level with and without 1% benzoic acid (HP- and HP+, respectively). The animals were fed restrictively grower and finisher diets and were kept in metabolic cages in weeks 3, 6, 9, and 12 of the experiment. The addition of benzoic acid did not improve weight gain and feed conversion ratio. N-intake and digested N were only influenced by dietary protein level (p0.01), while N-balance was similar in all four diets. Dietary benzoic acid improved N-digestibility in the grower period (p0.01) but not in the finisher period. The addition of benzoic acid reduced urinary pH by about one pH-unit in both feeding periods independent of the protein level of the diet (p0.01) and increased the concentration of urinary hippuric acid markedly (p0.01). The results of this study indicate a positive influence of dietary benzoic acid on pigs especially in case of feeding a low protein diet in the grower period.

Organosilica sol−gels functionalized with amino groups are used for the controlled release of encapsulated molecules including biomolecules. These gels prepared by hydrolysis of aminosilane precursors are characterized by water-induced changes in network formation and dissolution and as a result can be used as controlled release matrixes on the basis of the water content of the medium. The gels were initially evaluated for release of simple organic dyes such as Congo red as a result of the water-induced dissolution of gels. These gels can also be used as a means for controlled release of encapsulated entities including enzymes such as proteases that are used in fabric care applications. The rapid dissolution of these gels when placed in water-rich media provides an effective strategy for release and/or delivery of actives with potential utility in fabric care applications. The encapsulated enzymes are able to retain their activity and remain stable for extended periods. The gels were characterized by FTIR...

Both vitamin E and C have antioxidative properties and may act synergistically. To examine a possible interaction between vitamin E, C and oxidative stability in various tissues, 40 barrows (25–105 kg body weight) were allocated to four cereal-based diets (13.4 MJ digestible energy/kg, 168 g crude protein/kg, 140 mg dietary dl -α-tocopheryl acetate) which were supplemented with 0 (B), 150 (C100), 300 (C200) or 600 (C400) mg/kg crystalline ascorbic acid. The influence of storage time on these factors in m. longissimus dorsi samples (LD) was investigated. Samples of liver (LI), heart (HT), spleen (SP), backfat outer layer (BF) and LD were obtained. Dry matter, vitamin E, vitamin C and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were analyzed in all investigated tissues and in addition color ( L ∗ , a ∗ , b ∗ values) and drip loss measurements in LD at day 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 were collected. The treatments did not influence growth performance and slaughter data of the pigs. Neither the vitamin E nor the vitamin C content of investigated tissues showed differences due to feeding treatments. There was also a lack of response to the amount in TBARS. Parameters in LD samples were only affected by storage time and not by diets. The results show that dietary use of both vitamins simultaneously did not further improve qualitative characteristics of the investigated pork tissues.

Forty Swiss Large White piglets of 4 weeks of age were used to determine the effect of dietary Chinese rhubarb on growth performance, as well as on energy and nitrogen metabolism by means of indirect respiration calorimetry studies. A cereal-based diet, supplemented with four different dosages of Chinese rhubarb (0.0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%), was offered ad libitum to the piglets. Gaseous exchange was measured, and urine, faeces, and blood samples were taken. The addition of 0.25% dietary rhubarb increased feed intake (+32%) and daily weight gain (+67%) compared to the diet containing the greatest amount of rhubarb (1%). The piglets fed diet supplemented with 0.25% rhubarb digested and metabolised more energy and nitrogen relative to the animals of treatment 1%. As a consequence, the same group (0.25%) converted more energy and nitrogen into body protein than piglets receiving diet supplemented with 1% rhubarb. However, compared to the control group, the addition of 0.25% rhubarb to the diet resulted in not significantly alter growth performance, energy, and nitrogen metabolism of the animals. Blood parameters were not affected by the rhubarb supplementation. The dose-responding effect of Chinese rhubarb was reflected by the dry matter content of faecal samples. According to the laxative effect of higher doses of rhubarb, the addition of 1% rhubarb to the diet reduced dry matter content of faeces. This effect was well visible in practice, although not relevant in statistical terms. The addition of 0.5% dietary rhubarb had no relevant effect on growth performance or on energy and nitrogen metabolism of treated animals.

To investigate the influence and possible interactions of dietary vitamin E and C supplementation on vitamin content of both vitamins and oxidative stability of different pork tissues 40 Large White barrows from 25 kg to 106 kg were allocated to four different cereal based diets: Basal diet (B), dl-alpha-tocopherylacetate + 200 mg/kg (E), crystalline ascorbic acid + 300 mg/kg (C) or both vitamins (EC). At slaughtering samples of liver, spleen, heart, kidney, backfat outer layer, ham and M. tongissimus dorsi were obtained. Growth performance of the pigs and carcass characteristics were not influenced by feeding treatments. Dietary vitamin E supplementation had a significant effect on the vitamin E and alpha-tocopherol concentration in all investigated tissues. Backfat outer layer, liver, spleen, kidney and heart had higher vitamin E concentrations than ham and M. longissimus dorsi. Dietary vitamin C supplementation tended towards enhanced vitamin E levels except for ham samples. Therefore, some synergistic actions without dietary vitamin E supplementation between the two vitamins could be shown. The vitamin C concentration and TBARS were increased or at least equal in all tissues due to vitamin C supplementation. Dietary alpha-tocopherol supplementation resulted in lower TBARS in backfat outer layer (malondialdehyde 0.35 mg/kg in B vs. 0.28 mg/kg in E), but increased in heart and ham. When both vitamins were supplemented (EC) TBARS were lower in M. longissimus dorsi and backfat outer layer, equal in heart and higher in liver and ham compared to a single vitamin C supplementation. Rancimat induction time of backfat outer layer was 0.3 h higher in C compared to B and 0.17 h higher in EC than in E. Correlations between levels of both vitamins were positive for kidney (r = 0.169), M. longissimus dorsi (r = 0.499) and ham (r = 0.361) and negative for heart (r = -0.350). In liver and spleen no interaction could be found. In backfat outer layer vitamin E was positively correlated with rancimat induction time (r = 0.550) and negatively with TBARS (r = -0.202), but provided no evidence that dietary vitamin E supply led to better oxidative stability.

In the search for antitack additives for Kollicoat EMM 30 D (ethyl acrylate-methyl methacrylate 30% dispersion, Ph. Eur.) film coatings, various possibilities were investigated. The best results were obtained using a combination of simethicone and talc. This mixture was tested on propranolol, theophylline, and verapamil HCl blank pellets in a previously developed Kollicoat EMM 30 D basic formulation. Almost any desired drug release rate can be obtained with all three pellet formulations by varying the two pore formers hypromellose 3mPas and microcrystalline cellulose type 105. A thin application of colloidal silica onto the coated pellets additionally prevents them from sticking together during storage.

Forty Large White barrows were used to determine whether the effects of dietary fat source (tallow or soy oil at 5% of the diet) on lipogenesis and fatty acid profile of porcine adipose and lean tissue were dependent on dietary digestible energy density (8.8 vs 14.0 MJ DE/kg). Barrows were allocated to one of four groups and offered a fixed amount of feed (170 g x BW0.569/d) from 27 to 105 kg BW. The fatty acid composition of the backfat layers (BF), omental fat (OF), and i.m. adipose tissue of longissimus muscle as well as the activity of lipogenic enzymes of the adipose tissues were determined. Growth performance and carcass characteristics were affected by the dietary energy level (P < 0.01) but not by fat source. In accordance with the lower carcass fat deposition, the activity of lipogenic enzymes were decreased in the low-energy groups (P < 0.01). Within dietary energy level, inclusion of soy oil resulted in increased proportion of PUFA that was compensated by decreased saturated (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) proportions (P < 0.01). The SFA changes accounted for 23 (BF) and 24% (OF) of the PUFA changes in the high-energy and 31 (BF) and 39% (OF) in the low-energy diets. The differences in the fatty acid proportions between the soy oil and tallow group were more pronounced in the low-energy groups (fat source x energy density interactions: P < 0.01). Pigs fed the soy oil, low-energy diet had decreased SFA (BF: 28%; OF: 30%) and MUFA (BF: 13%; OF: 19%) concentration, whereas PUFA concentration was increased (BF: 59%; OF: 88%) compared with pigs fed the soy oil, high-energy diet. However, in the tallow groups, pigs fed the low-energy diets had slightly decreased SFA (BF: 14%; OF: 12%) and relatively constant MUFA (BF: 3%; OF: 1%), whereas PUFA concentration increased (BF: 39%; OF: 62%) relative to pigs fed the tallow high-energy diet. Lipid content of the i.m. adipose tissue was decreased in the low-energy groups (P < 0.05). Contrary to what was observed in the adipose tissues, increased PUFA concentration in the neutral and polar lipid fractions of the longissimus muscle was predominantly compensated by reduced MUFA deposition. In the polar lipid fraction, the proportions of both SFA and MUFA were decreased by the low-energy diet. Thus, the extent to which tissue concentration of fatty acids are altered from dietary fats differing in the degree of unsaturation depends on the dietary energy level.

The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between high and low digestible energy levels (9.5 vs. 15.4 MJ ME/kg) and either tallow or soy oil supplementation (5%rpar; on lipogenic activities and fatty acid profile of the backfat tissue outer layer and liver tissue in finishing pigs. Twenty Large White pigs averaging 30 (initial) to 106 kg (final) live weight were allocated into four dietary groups and fed the diets ad libitum. The lipid content and fatty acid composition of the tissues were determined and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), malic enzyme (ME), and fatty acid synthase (FAS) activity were measured. Growth performance and carcass measurements were affected by the dietary energy levels but not by the fat sources. Lipid deposition rate of animals fed the low energy diets was lowered regardless whether tallow or soy oil was supplemented. Unlike lipid deposition, fatty acid profile was influenced by both dietary factors. Pigs fed the low energy diet supplemented with soy oil exhibited the lowest level of saturated (P

In-vitro/in-vivo correlations (IVIVC) are useful for predicting in-vivo results from in-vitro data. An IVIVC has been used to optimize a hydrocolloidal-based matrix tablet designed to be bioequivalent to an existing once-daily diltiazem HCl*** product (Dilacor XR 240 mg; Rhone-Poulenc Rorer). Data from a preliminary formulation dosed to fasted and fed subjects were used to establish the IVIVC. The correlation was then used during reformulation of the dosage forms to predict changes in the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and the area under the plasma-concentration-time curve (AUC) for fasted and fed subjects using in-vitro dissolution data. The IVIVC adequately predicted plasma profiles of two optimized formulations in studies with fasted and fed subjects.

Near edge x-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy has been used to study benzene adsorbed on several close-packed metal surfaces [Au(111), Rh(111), Pt(111), and Ru(0001)] under the same experimental conditions. The NEXAFS spectra reveal significant differences with regard to the shapes and positions of resonances and the dichroism observed for the resonance intensities. These differences correlate directly with the binding energy and can be attributed to differences in the electronic coupling of the benzene molecule to the substrate and to adsorption in- duced changes in the molecular structure of the benzene molecule. A comparison to the NEXAFS spectra recorded for the benzene metal cluster complexes [Ru(η6–C6H6)(CH3CN)3]2+ and Ru3(CO)9(μ3:η2:η2:η2–C6H6) indicates that the μ3-arene complex, where the benzene ring is bonded to three metal atoms, can be regarded as a reasonable cluster analog for the adsorption of benzene on the Ru(0001) transition metal surface.

The 86-kilodalton immediate-early (IE) 2 protein (IE2-p86) of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a multifunctional regulator of HCMV gene expression which appears to be essential for triggering the lytic replicative cycle. IE2-p86 functions as a promiscuous transactivator of both viral and cellular gene expression and can repress transcription from its own promoter. In this study we demonstrate that a viral early protein, termed pUL84, which is able to interact with IE2-p86 both in vivo and in vitro, modulates IE2-p86 in a specific manner. First, pUL84 acts as a transdominant inhibitor of IE2-p86-mediated transactivation of both homologous and heterologous promoters. Second, negative autoregulation by IE2-p86 is augmented in the presence of pUL84. Using two in vivo assays, we obtained evidence that expression of pUL84 during the IE phase of the viral replicative cycle leads to an inhibition of viral early gene expression which prevents replication of HCMV and results in a persistent infection of UL84-positive cell lines. Transdominant inhibition of a viral IE function by a protein expressed during the later phases of replication appears to be a novel principle used by herpesviruses which could account for the slow replication of HCMV and may be useful in the development of new antiviral strategies.

Zusammenfassung: In der vorliegenden Studie wurde der α-Tocopherolgehalt verschiedener Fleischstücke untersucht. Hähnchenschenkel hatte den höchsten α-Tocopherolgehalt, gefolgt von Hähnchenbrust und Schweineschulter (p Leber > Fettgewebe >Musculus longissimus dorsi. Die Nährstoffdichten betrugen 28.8, 7.3, 0.9 und 1.2 mg α-Tocopherol/MJ für Eigelb, Leber, Fettgewebe und Musculus longissimus dorsi der jeweiligen mit Vitamin E supplementierten Gruppe. Diese Ergebnisse zeigen, daß Fleisch, mit Ausnahme des Hähnchenschenkels, von Tieren mit supplementierten Diäten kein bedeutender Vitamin E-Lieferant ist. Hingegen wurde Eigelb durch fütterungsbedingte Modifikation zu einer guten Vitamin E-Quelle

An experiment with 40 female growing pigs from 27.4 to 106.5 kg body weight (BW) in individual pens was conducted to evaluate the effect of different chromium supplements (Cr‐chloride, Cr‐yeast and Cr‐picoli‐nate) according to 0.5 ppm Cr in the diet compared with a control diet without any additional chromium. The influence on growth performance and carcass as well as meat composition was studied. In comparison with the control diet body weight gain and feed conversion ratio in the finishing period (60 to 106.5 kg BW) were significant increased and lowered respectively in the treatment with Cr‐chloride and with the other Cr supplements tendentially. The results of the carcass composition as well as the fatty acid profile of neutral and complex lipids in the muscle (M. longissimus dorsi) at the 10th rib did not indicate a statistically significant effect of the Cr supplements. Furthermore energy utilization on the base of digestibility was not affected. Concerning the Longissimus muscle area and the intram...

Piglets are born with reduced plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D(3)) and are thus highly predisposed to vitamin D deficiency. Furthermore, sow milk contains little vitamin D, and the slow intestinal vitamin D absorption of sows limits the efficacy of dietary vitamin D supplementation. Hence, the neonate depends, to a large extent, on the vitamin D stores built up in fetal tissues from maternal sources. The current study was undertaken to evaluate whether the source and quantity of dietary vitamin D provided to the gestating and lactating sow, and also directly in the form of creep feed to the piglet, would influence the vitamin D status, growth performance, and skeletal development of piglets. A total of 39 primiparous and multiparous sows were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments (13 in each treatment), supplemented with either 5 or 50 μg of the commonly used cholecalciferol (vitamin D(3)) or 50 μg of 25-OH-D(3) per kilogram of feed. By wk 3 of lactation, piglets were offered a creep diet with vitamin D supplementation according to the treatment of the dam, and they were offered the same creep diets after weaning at d 35 of age until they reached a BW of approximately 20 kg. When dietary 25-OH-D(3) was provided, circulating concentrations of 25-OH-D(3) in piglet serum increased (P0.05) as early as d 21 and later at d 33 and 77, indicating greater body stores in those animals. Bone-breaking strength and cortical bone mineral content and density at the tibial midshaft of piglets were reduced (P0.05) when vitamin D(3) was supplemented at 5 μg/kg compared with the bone traits of other groups, but no differences (P0.05) were observed between the 2 other groups. After weaning, ADFI was greater (P0.05) and growth performance tended (P = 0.08) to improve when doses of 50 μg/kg were administered, regardless of the vitamin D source. In conclusion, supplementation of the diet with 50 μg/kg of either source of vitamin D was proved to be adequate in meeting the needs of gestating sows and in permitting the accumulation of vitamin D in fetal tissues, as well as for normal skeletal mineralization and growth in the offspring. Furthermore, the markedly improved vitamin D status of piglets whose mothers received 25-OH-D(3) possibly resulted from greater tissue reserves present at birth and a greater availability of vitamin D when released from those stores.

Diffusion-limited interactions between benzil- (RAPS) and anthracene-labeled polystyrene (TAPS) were studied by phosphorescence quenching in polystyrene-toluene solutions. For both RAPS and TAPS the quenching rate constant was found to decrease with increasing polymer concentration according to Vrentas-Duda free volume theory. The quenching rate constant was independent of polymer molecular weight both in magnitude and behavior over a wide range of concentration. The quenching rate constants obtained for the TAPS systems are slightly larger than those obtained for the RAPS system

In the present investigation, data on the energy intakes and energy needs, as well as protein and fat accretion, of queens during pregnancy, during lactation and after lactation are given. Eleven adult cats were used as experimental animals. Data were collected during the fourth and seventh week of pregnancy, the second and sixth week of lactation and the second and sixth week after lactation. The cats were fed dry kitten food. During gestation and after lactation, all measurements were performed with respiration chambers. During lactation, balance trials without respiration chambers were performed. Body weight was measured and nitrogen, carbon and energy balances were calculated. From these, protein and fat accretion, as well as the metabolisable energy intake, was calculated. The weight gain during gestation was linearly independent of the number of kittens. During lactation, all cats lost weight; nevertheless, all cats except one were heavier 2 weeks after lactation than at mating. The energy intake of the cats during gestation was 1.8 times the maintenance requirement in the fourth week and two times maintenance requirement in the seventh week, and these energy intakes differed greatly among individuals. The energy intake of the cats during lactation was clearly higher than that recommended by National Research Council (NRC)1, whereas the recommended protein intake in the second week of lactation was met. As the calculated protein balance was negative, the NRC recommendation for protein intake seems to be too low. In comparison to previous data, the cats showed a higher energy intake during lactation (median 502 kJ/kgBW/d, second week lactation), and the weight loss was much lower. Further investigations on pregnant and lactating cats are necessary to complete the database.

U–Pb ages for six felsic samples from the dominantly mafic Hope Bay and Elu Inlet metavolcanic belts of the Bathurst Block provide the first constraints on the timing of felsic volcanism (2685–2677 Ma) and plutonism (2672–2608 Ma) in the northeastern corner of the Slave Structural Province. Gold veins that cut a pluton in the eastern Hope Bay belt are younger than 2672 Ma. Early Proterozoic magmatic activity is recorded in a pegmatite dyke that crosscuts metavolcanic rocks of the northern Hope Bay belt. Initial Nd and Sr isotopic ratios from the Hope Bay and Elu Inlet belts indicate a juvenile source for the magmas.

A new technique for synthesizing benzil-labelled polystyrenes has been developed. This new procedure has advantages over an older synthesis by Horie and Mita in that it involves fewer and less complicated synthetic steps. In addition, the new synthetic pathway should allow for labelling of different sites on the polymer chain and for labelling of different polymers such as poly(methyl methacrylate). The phosphorescence lifetime of terminally benzil-labelled polystyrenes in cyclohexane was found to be approximately 85–90 μs at 25°C with the concentration of benzil at 10 −5 M and was independent of labelled polystyrene molecular weight and polystyrene concentration up to 150gl −1 . When used in phosphorescence quenching studies, these materials were found to exhibit non-single-exponential lifetimes in the presence of anthracene and azulene quenchers for a concentration of benzil label ⩽10 −4 M. An explanation for this anomalous behaviour and a technique for decoupling these decays into two lifetimes has been proposed. This technique should allow for the study of diffusion-limited interactions occurring in higher-molecular-weight polymer systems where the label concentration ⩽ 10 −4 M.

We report the chromosomal assignment of 18 porcine genes to human homologues using the INRA-Minnesota swine radiation hybrid panel (IMpRH). These genes (CACNA1C, COL2A1, CPNE8, C3F, C12ORF4, DDX11, GDF11, HOXC8, KCNA1, MDS028, TMEM106C, NR4A1, PHB2, PRICKLE1, Q6ZUQ4, SCN8A, TUBA8 and USP18) are located on porcine chromosome 5 (SSC5) and represent positional and functional candidates for arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC), which maps to SSC5. CPNE8, PRICKLE1, Q6ZUQ4 and TUBA8 were mapped to the interval for pig AMC between microsatellites SW152 and SW904. Three SNPs in TUBA8 co-segregated with the AMC phenotype in 230 pigs of our research population without recombination and could be used as a genetic marker test for AMC. In addition, we provide evidence that a small chromosomal region of HSA22q11.2 evolutionarily corresponds to SSC5q12-q22 (and contains the human homologues of porcine SW152, Q6ZUQ4, TUBA8 and USP18), while the regions flanking HSA22q11.2 on SSC5 correspond to HSA12p13 and HSA12q12. We identified seven distinct chromosomal blocks, further supporting extensive rearrangements between genes on HSA12 and HSA22 in the AMC region on SSC5.

BACKGROUND: Infertility may considerably reduce quality-of-life. Many of the existing generic quality-of-life measures, which often focus on physical impairments, do not represent the specific complaints of infertile patients. In this article, we report on the development and validatio n of the TLMK (Tubinger Lebensqualitatsfragebogen fur Manner mit Kinderwunsch), an instrument for measuring quality-of-life in male patients with involuntary childlessness. METHODS: The first version of the questionnaire, which consisted of 91 items, was administered to 275 men who attended andrology and gynaecology clinics for fertility evaluations. After the qu estionnaires were scored, item analysis and reduction, principal component analysis and internal consistency analyses were conducted. RESULTS: The final version of the TLMK consists of 35 items in four scales and provides an internally consistent quality-of-life profile for men experiencing involuntary childlessness. Convergent and discrimi nant validity was supported through the correlation of the TLMK scales with established questionnaires on life sati sfaction (FLZ) and partnership (PFB). CONCLUSION: The TLMK provides information about the quality-of-life in men experiencing involuntary childlessness and was found to be easy to administer and acceptable to patients. It may be used to assess patients’ baseline and ongoing quality-oflife during fertility treatment and as an outcome variable in the evaluation of integrated psychological counselling.

Association of extracellular protein product with flocculated cells reduces product yield. Here, partitioning of the enzyme subtilisin between the liquid and polyelectrolyte-flocculated and sedimented Bacillus increased as the polymer dosage was increased beyond that necessary to obtain optimum floc character (brain floc) for cell removal by centrifugation. Partitioning to the cell floc is partly physical entrapment at all polymer dosages; however, at higher levels there is also direct interaction between the polyelectrolyte and enzyme. Enzyme loss was not likely due to pH denaturation during the flocculation process because conditions were within the stable pH range of the enzyme. The direct interaction between polyelectrolyte and enzyme was characterized through turbidimetric titrations and partitioning studies. Neither changes in the polymer feed concentration nor the method of polymer addition reduced the enzyme loss at dosages optimal for cell removal.

Characterization of flocculation for cell removal from fermentation broth via polyelectrolyte addition is commonly based on qualitative methods such as physical appearance of the floc. The use of zeta potential as a quantitative measure of floc character was evaluated as an indicator of optimal polymer addition. Zeta potential was found to increase with increasing cationic polyelectrolyte dosage, but never reached zero regardless of the total amount of polymer added, indicating flocculation occurs at least partially through a bridging type mechanism. Experiments were conducted using various polymer concentrations (25-75 g/L) and dosing methods (batch, incremental and continuous addition) that resulted in variable overall polymer requirements to achieve optimum flocculation. Zeta potential was found to be constant at optimal floc character regardless of the total amount of polymer added, polymer concentration, or method of polymer addition. Experiments with two additional types of fermentation broth also showed characteristic zeta potentials at optimal flocculation. Polymer requirements to achieve a particular floc character can vary greatly, depending on polymer dosing conditions and fermentation batch. The effect of polymer dosing conditions on the polymer requirement to obtain optimal floc character was evaluated. Polymer dosing method and calcium concentration were both found to have a significant effect (P < 0.0001) with continuous polymer addition and high calcium concentration requiring less polymer than did batch polymer addition and low calcium concentration, respectively. Polymer dosing concentration did not significantly affect polymer requirement for optimal flocculation.

Forty Large White barrows were used to determine whether the effects of dietary fat source (tallow or soy oil at 5% of the diet) on lipogenesis and fatty acid profile of porcine adipose and lean tissue were dependent on dietary digestible energy density (8.8 vs 14.0 MJ DE/kg). Barrows were allocated to one of four groups and offered a fixed amount of feed (170 g x BW0.569/d) from 27 to 105 kg BW. The fatty acid composition of the backfat layers (BF), omental fat (OF), and i.m. adipose tissue of longissimus muscle as well as the activity of lipogenic enzymes of the adipose tissues were determined. Growth performance and carcass characteristics were affected by the dietary energy level (P0.01) but not by fat source. In accordance with the lower carcass fat deposition, the activity of lipogenic enzymes were decreased in the low-energy groups (P0.01). Within dietary energy level, inclusion of soy oil resulted in increased proportion of PUFA that was compensated by decreased saturated (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) proportions (P0.01). The SFA changes accounted for 23 (BF) and 24% (OF) of the PUFA changes in the high-energy and 31 (BF) and 39% (OF) in the low-energy diets. The differences in the fatty acid proportions between the soy oil and tallow group were more pronounced in the low-energy groups (fat source x energy density interactions: P0.01). Pigs fed the soy oil, low-energy diet had decreased SFA (BF: 28%; OF: 30%) and MUFA (BF: 13%; OF: 19%) concentration, whereas PUFA concentration was increased (BF: 59%; OF: 88%) compared with pigs fed the soy oil, high-energy diet. However, in the tallow groups, pigs fed the low-energy diets had slightly decreased SFA (BF: 14%; OF: 12%) and relatively constant MUFA (BF: 3%; OF: 1%), whereas PUFA concentration increased (BF: 39%; OF: 62%) relative to pigs fed the tallow high-energy diet. Lipid content of the i.m. adipose tissue was decreased in the low-energy groups (P0.05). Contrary to what was observed in the adipose tissues, increased PUFA concentration in the neutral and polar lipid fractions of the longissimus muscle was predominantly compensated by reduced MUFA deposition. In the polar lipid fraction, the proportions of both SFA and MUFA were decreased by the low-energy diet. Thus, the extent to which tissue concentration of fatty acids are altered from dietary fats differing in the degree of unsaturation depends on the dietary energy level.

Poly(vinyl alcohol) has not previously been examined in much detail as a controlled release polymer for use in pharmaceutical formulations. However, this food grade polymer has barrier and tensile properties which make it attractive for such applications. The effects of several diluents and fillers on Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVAL) coatings have been determined using both mechanical property and water vapor permeability measurements. It has been found that the alcohol ethoxylate Neodol 23-6.5 (CH3(CH2)11-O-(CH2-CH2-O)6-H) acts as a plasticizer for PVAL only up to 15-20 wt% in contrast to 600 molecular weight Polyethylene Glycol (PEG 600), which continuously plasticizes PVAL. The effects of Neodol on PVAL mechanical properties and water vapor permeability at higher concentrations can be explained in terms of Neodol phase separation and has been confirmed with DSC. The inert filler and whitener titanium dioxide (TiO2) monotonically degrades film mechanical properties and increases water vapor permeability of the coating. Attempts to correlate coating dust generated during particle attrition tests with mechanical property measurements were unsuccessful. A correlation between accelerated granule stability and water vapor permeability of the PVAL coating was established.

Deux essais ont ete realises avec des porcs en fin de croissance : dans le premier essai quarante porcs castres ont ete eleves de 25 a 104 kg de poids vif (PV) ; dans le second, vingt-quatre castrats de 75 a 104 kg de PV. L'alimentation des porcs consistait soit en une ration a base d'orge et de mais C), soit en la meme ration supplementee avec de la phytase a 1 200 U.P. (Ph) ou 200 mg d'acetate d'α-tocopherol (E) ou les deux (PhE), afin de determiner les effets de la phytase microbienne et de la vitamine E sur les performances de croissance (essai 1), ainsi que sur la digestibilite precaecale du P, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, de la matiere grasse et des acides gras (essai 2). Le gain journalier moyen a ete plus eleve (p < 0,05) et l'indice de consommation a ete plus faible (p

The purpose of this study was to assess certain pharmaceutical attributes of guar galactomannan, a hydrocolloid polysaccharide obtained from the endosperm of the leguminous plant Cyamopsis tetragonolobus (L.), following purification using both literature procedures and new processes. Experiments were performed to measure viscosity, hydration rate, tablet hardness, and dissolution profiles of guar galactomannan both before and after purification. The viscosity of an aqueous 1% purified galactomannan solution is typically 40-50% higher than its unpurified guar galactomannan precursor. The hydration rate of an aqueous 1% purified galactomannan solution increases by 100% after purification. These physicochemical changes resulted in improvements in pharmaceutical properties such as better stir speed independence in both tablet and capsule dissolution profiles and improved tablet hardness. For instance, time to 50% dissolution of ranitidine HCl from capsules containing unpurified guar gum was 0.4 and 1.8 hr at 20 and 40 rpm, respectively, using USP Apparatus II. Using the same amount of purified guar gum and the same conditions (20 and 40 rpm), these values were increased to 2.9 and 3.8 hr, respectively. These data demonstrate a reduced effect of changing agitation conditions and the need for less guar gum to sustain the release of a water-soluble drug. Tablet hardness of purified guar gum (particle size75 microns) was about 7 kP and the same unpurified guar gum of equal particle size and hydration gave a hardness of less than 1 kP.

The 86-kDa IE2 protein (IE86) of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has been described as a promiscuous transactivator of viral, as well as cellular, gene expression. Investigation of the mechanism used by IE86 to activate gene expression from the early UL112/113 promoter of HCMV revealed the existence of three binding sites for IE86 located between nucleotides -290 and -120 relative to the transcriptional start site (H. Arlt, D. Lang, S. Gebert, and T. Stamminger, J. Virol. 68:4117-4125, 1994). As shown previously, deletion of these target sites resulted in a reduction of IE86-mediated transactivation by approximately 70%. The remaining promoter, however, could still be stimulated about 40-fold, indicating the presence of an additional responsive element within these sequences. Here, we provide evidence that a binding site for the cellular transcription factor CREB can also act as a target for IE86 transactivation. By DNase I protection analysis, a binding sequence for CREB could be detected between nucleotides -78 and -56 within the respective promoter region. After in vitro mutagenesis of this CREB-binding site within the context of the entire UL112/113 promoter, a marked reduction in transactivation levels was evident. Moreover, when individual CREB-binding sites were positioned upstream of a minimal, TATA box-containing UL112/113 promoter, they were able to confer strong IE86 responsiveness, whereas a mutated sequence did not exert any effect. In far Western blot and pull-down experiments, a direct interaction of IE86 with the cellular transcription factor CREB could be observed. The in vivo relevance of this in vitro interaction was confirmed by using various GAL4 fusion proteins in the presence or absence of IE86 which revealed a strong activation only in the presence of both a GAL4-CREB fusion and IE86. This shows that at least one specific member of the ATF/CREB family of transcription factors is involved in mediating transactivation by the HCMV IE86 protein.

An experiment with 40 female growing pigs from 27.4 to 106.5 kg body weight (BW) in individual pens was conducted to evaluate the effect of different chromium supplements (Cr-chloride, Cr-yeast and Cr-picolinate) according to 0.5 ppm Cr in the diet compared with a control diet without any additional chromium. The influence on growth performance and carcass as well as meat composition was studied. In comparison with the control diet body weight gain and feed conversion ratio in the finishing period (60 to 106.5 kg BW) were significant increased and lowered respectively in the treatment with Cr-chloride and with the other Cr supplements tendentially. The results of the carcass composition as well as the fatty acid profile of neutral and complex lipids in the muscle (M. longissimus dorsi) at the 10th rib did not indicate a statistically significant effect of the Cr supplements. Furthermore energy utilization on the base of digestibility was not affected. Concerning the Longissimus muscle area and the intramuscular fat content there were positive tendencies of the investigated Cr supplements.

The 86-kDa IE2 protein (IE86) of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) can act as both an activator and a repressor of gene expression. The mechanisms for both of these functions are not well defined. It has recently been demonstrated that this protein has sequence-specific DNA binding properties: it interacts directly with a target sequence that is located between the TATA box and the cap site of its own promoter. This sequence, termed the CRS (cis repression signal) element, is required for negative autoregulation of the IE1/IE2 enhancer/promoter by IE2. We demonstrate now that binding of this protein to DNA is not confined to this site but occurs also within an early promoter of HCMV that has previously been shown to be strongly IE2 responsive. By DNase I protection analysis using a purified, procaryotically expressed IE2 protein, we could identify three binding sites within the region of -290 to -120 of the UL112 promoter of HCMV. Competition in DNase I protection experiments as well as gel retardation experiments showed that the identified binding sites are specific and have high affinity. Deletion of IE2 binding sites from this promoter reduced the level of transactivation; however, the remaining promoter could still be stimulated about 40-fold. Constructs in which IE2 binding sites were fused directly to the TATA box of the UL112 promoter did not reveal a significant contribution of these sequences to transactivation. However, if an IE2 binding site was reinserted upstream of nucleotide -117 of the UL112 promoter, an increase in transactivation by IE2 was obvious, whereas a mutated sequence could not mediate this effect. This finding suggests that DNA-bound IE2 can contribute to transactivation but seems to require the presence of additional transcription factors. Moreover, a comparison of the detected IE2 binding sites could not detect a strong homology, suggesting that this protein may be able to interact with a broad spectrum of different target sequences.