Thermoelectrical detection of Majorana states

Ló,pez, Rosa,Lee, Minchul,Serra, Llorenç,Lim, Jong Soo American Physical Society 2014 Physical review. B, Condensed matter and materials Vol.89 No.20

We discuss the thermoelectrical properties of nanowires hosting Majorana states. For a Majorana nanowire directly coupled to two normal reservoirs the thermopower always vanishes regardless of the value of the Majorana overlap parameter epsilon(M), due to the particle-hole symmetric nature of the Majorana states. This situation changes drastically if a quantum dot (QD) is inserted to break the particle-hole symmetry. Then, the Majorana-side-coupled QD system exhibits a different behavior for the thermopower depending on the value of epsilon(M). The thermopower globally reverses its sign when the half-fermionic nature of the Majorana state is relevant, i.e., for epsilon(M) less than or similar to k(B)T(b), where T-b is the background temperature. For large overlap, epsilon(M) greater than or similar to k(B)T(b), on the other hand, the Seebeck coefficient behaves similarly to that in a resonant level system. The sign change of the thermopower and the fact that both the electrical and thermal conductances reach their half-fermionic value when Majorana physics are maximal could serve as a proof of the existence of Majorana states in nanowires.

Mineral Concentration in Blood of Grazing Goats and Some Forage in Lahar-Laden Area of Central Luzon, Philippines

Orden, E.A.,Serra, A.B.,Serra, S.D.,Aganon, C.P.,Cruz, E.M.,Cruz, L.C.,Fujihara, T. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 1999 Animal Bioscience Vol.12 No.3

The mineral status of native goats and forage species, namely; Cynodon plectostachyus, Pennisetum purpureum. Eleusine indica, Cynodon dactylon, Calopogonium muconoides, Centrosema pubescens, Leucaena leococephala, and Mimosa pudica in lahar affected areas of Concepcion, Tarlac, Philippines were determined. Forage and blood samples were collected six times in 1996-97, and analyzed for calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sulfur, copper, iron, molybdenum, selenium, and zinc. Forage calcium and sulfur are non-limiting. Most species had low phosphorus, copper and selenium, while some had magnesium and zinc levels lower than the critical limit because of low mineral content and high percolation rate of lahar deposits. Iron and molybdenum were in excess. The effect of seasonal variation was observed only in copper, sulfur and iron. Average blood mineral concentration of the animals was above critical limit, but there were no significant differences between seasons. All the animals had plasma phosphorus and magnesium above critical level; but 20 % had low copper, zinc and selenium especially in dry season possibly due to insufficient amount of these elements and excessive molybdenum and iron in most forage. Conversely, calcium in forage was high; but 40 % of the animals had low plasma calcium concentration. Although no clinical signs of mineral deficiencies were observed, supplemental feeding would be important since the condition of the pasture in lahar-laden areas is not expected to improve in the next five years. Intensified use of L. leucocephala with better mineral profile would be ideal.

Conductance of tubular nanowires with disorder

Serra, L.,Choi, M.-S. Springer-Verlag 2009 The European physical journal. B Vol.71 No.1

Teratogenicity of Antiepileptic Drugs

Betül Tekin Güveli,Rasim Özgür Rosti,Alper Güzeltaş,Elif Bahar Tuna,Dilek Ataklı,Serra Sencer,Ensar Yekeler,Hülya Kayserili,Ahmet Dirican,Nerses Bebek,Betül Baykan,Ayşen Gökyiğit,Candan Gürses 대한정신약물학회 2017 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.15 No.1

Objective: Antiepileptic drugs (AED) have chronic teratogenic effects, the most common of which are congenital heart disease, cleft lip/palate, urogenital and neural tube defects. The aim of our study is to examine teratogenic effects of AED and the correlation between these malformations and AED in single or multiple pregnancies. Methods: This is a retrospective study of malformations in children born to mothers currently followed up by our outpatient clinics who used or discontinued AED during their pregnancy. Their children were then investigated using echocardiography, urinary ultrasound, cranial magnetic resonance image, and examined by geneticists and pediatric dentists. Results: One hundred and seventeen children were included in the study. Ninety one of these children were exposed to AED during pregnancy. The most commonly used AED were valproic acid and carbamazepine in monotherapy. The percentage of major anomaly was 6.8% in all children. Dysmorphic features and dental anomalies were observed more in children exposed especially to valproic acid. There were 26 mothers with two and four mothers with three pregnancies from the same fathers. No correlation was found between the distribution of malformations in recurring pregnancies and AED usage. Conclusion: Our study has the highest number of dysmorphism examined in literature, found in all the children exposed to valproic acid, which may account for the higher rate of facial dysmorphism and dental anomalies. On lower doses of valproic acid, major malformations are not seen, although the risk increases with polytherapy. Our data also indicate possible effects of genetic and environmental factors on malformations.

Variability in Ash, Crude Protein, Detergent Fiber and Mineral Content of Some Minor Plant Species Collected From Pastures Grazed by Goats

Serra, A.B.,Serra, S.D.,Orden, E.A.,Cruz, L.C.,Nakamura, K.,Fujihara, T. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 1997 Animal Bioscience Vol.10 No.1

This study was conducted to determine the protein content, cell wall fractions, and mineral concentrations of some minor plant species collected for one year in pastures grazed by goats in the Philippines. An assessment of nutrient variability and a comparison of forage protein and mineral concentrations to the critical value of protein and minerals based on animal needs were also studied. The plant species were the following: grasses(Axonopus compressus, Eleusine indica, Rottboellia exaltata); legumes (Aeschynomene indica, Calopogonium muconoides, Desmodium tortousum); and herbs (Corchorus olitorius, Ipomea aquatica, Sida acuta, Synedrella nodiflora). The two seasons (dry and wet) were subdivided into Dry-1 (December to February, 132 mm total rainfall), Dry-2 (March to May, 25 mm total rainfall), Wet-1 (June to August, 1,138 mm total rainfall), and Wet-2 (September to November, 1,118 mm total rainfall). Results showed that significant differences were obtained on various nutrient fractions including those mineral concentrations across species. Across season, acid detergent lignin (ADL) had higher (p < 0.05) value at Dry-1. Legumes and herbs were higher in crude protein (CP) especially Sida acuta. Grasses showed the highest neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) with the addition of Sida nodiflora (herb) for it contained high NDF. Aeschynomene indica contained the highest amount of ADL and the herbs (Ipomea aquatica and Sida acuta) had exceptionally high concentration of minerals. Coefficient variation of the various nutrient values ranged from 27.3 to 136.7%. Some forage minerals appeared to be deficient (sodium, phosphorus and copper) or excess (molybdenum) for the whole or part of the year. This study shows that some minor plant species could extend the range of concentration of some nutrients (i.e., CP and minerals) beyond that normally found in conventional pasture species.

MONTHLY NUTRIENT VARIATION OF PARAGRASS (Brachiaria mutica) AND STARGRASS (Cynodon plectostachyum) COLLECTED FROM PASTURES GRAZED BY GOATS

Serra, A.B.,Serra, S.D.,Fujihara, M.,Orden, E.A.,Cruz, L.C.,Ichinohe, T.,Fujihara, T. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 1996 Animal Bioscience Vol.9 No.2

A 13-month study was conducted to determine the monthly variation of crude protein(CP), cell contents(CC), fiber fractions and mineral concentrations of paragrass [Brachiaria mutica (Forsk.) Stapf.] and stargrass (Cynodon plectostachyum Pilger) and to estimate the correlations among the nutrient fractions and climatic factors. The forage samples collected by hand plucking were found to contain CP and mineral concentrations. i.e. calcium(Ca), magnesium(Mg), potassium(K) and zinc(Zn) above the critical levels based on ruminant veeds. Monthly differences(p<0.05) were observed in all CP, CC, neutral detergent fiber(NDF), acid detergent fiber(ADF), hemicellulose(HE), cellulose(CE) and acid detergent lignin(ADL) between the two grass species. Monthly differences(p<0.05) were also observed in all concentrations of forage Ca, K, phosphorus(P), copper(Cu) and Zn except in Mg of both grasses and K of stargrass. Species differences(p<0.05) were observed in all nutrient fractions except Mg and K concentrations. Rainfall had positive correlations to CP, P(p<0.01) and CC(p<0.05); it had negative correlations to NDF(p<0.05). ADF, CE, Ca, Cu and Zn(p<0.01). Temperature, humidity and daylength had also some correlations to various nutrient fractions.

DIETS OF THE PHILIPPINE INDIGENOUS SHEEP : ITS COMPARISON TO INDIGENOUS GOATS DIETS AND INFLUENCE OF SAMPLING METHODS

Serra, A.B.,Serra, S.D.,Serra, F.B.,Domingo, I.J.,Cruz, L.C.,Fujihara, T. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 1995 Animal Bioscience Vol.8 No.2

This study was conducted 1) to compare the nutrient content and mineral composition of the Philoppine indigenous sheep and goats diets when grazed in common pasture during rainy season, 2) to determine the influence of sampling methods on nutrient content and mineral composition of upland (UP) and lowland (LP) native pastures, and 3) to compare these two pasture types in terms of nutrient and mineral composition. Experiment 1 used sis esophageally fistulated animals, three each for sheep and goats. Weekly extrusa collection was done for a period of three months. Experiment 2 was conducted in UP and LP; these were sampled thrice by three methods, plucking, clipping and use of three esophageally fistulated sheep. Results of Experiment 1 indicated that the diets of sheep were greater in crude protein(CP; p < 0.01) and ether extract(EE; p < 0.05) but lower in crude fiber (CF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL; p < 0.05) than that of goat diets. All other nutrient fractions including mineral composition were not significantly different from each other. Significant findings of Experiment 2 were: CP content of UP was in the order fistulated > plucked > clipped (p < 0.05); CP content of LP was greater (p <0 .05) in fistulated and plucked samples; and ash content was greater (p < 0.05) in fistulated samples of both pastures. The CP of UP was different (p < 0.05) from each sampling method but the CP of LP and ADL of both pastures were greater (p < 0.05) in clipped samples. Most minerals either macro or microminerals were greater in fistulated samples of both pastures. Pooled data of the two pastures showed that LP had better nutrient characteristics and greater mineral composition. Based from this study, there were few differences between the diets of indigenous sheep and goats when grazed in common pasture. Also, sampling methods influenced the nutrient composition of indigenous sheep diets.

AmpFlSTR⁽R) MiniFiler(TM) PCR amplification kit: The new miniSTR multiplex kit

Andrade, L.,Bento, A.M.,Serra, A.,Carvalho, M.,Gamero, J.J.,Oliveira, C.,Batista, L.,Lopes, V.,Balsa, F.,Corte-Real, F.,Anjos, M.J. Elsevier 2008 Forensic science international. Genetics. Suppleme Vol.1 No.1

The AmpFlSTR<SUP>(</SUP>R) MiniFiler(TM) PCR amplification kit (Applied Biosystems), a new available 8-miniSTR and the sex determining marker Amelogenin multiplex, includes the most common problematic loci (above 200bp) of the AmpFlSTR<SUP>(</SUP>R) Identifiler(TM) PCR amplification kit: FGA, D21S11, D18S51, D13S317, D7S820, D16S539, CSF1PO and D2S1338. Several casework samples with different DNA contents were tested. Results allowed to complete partial Identifiler(TM) profiles and additional information was achieved in low copy number (LCN) samples, revealing that this miniSTR kit can improve identification of compromised samples.

MINERAL STATUS OF GRAZING PHILIPPINE GOATS II. THE NUTRITION OF SELENIUM, COPPER AND ZINC OF GOATS IN LUZON ISLAND

Fujihara, T.,Matsui, T.,Hayashi, S.,Robles, A.Y.,Serra, A.B.,Cruz, L.C.,Shimizu, H. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 1992 Animal Bioscience Vol.5 No.2

Nutritional status of trace minerals (Se, Cu and Zn) in goats grazed on the native pasture was investigated during 2 years in Luzon Island, Republic of the Philippines. Three regions (South, Central and North) were objected to collect the samples of blood of goats and forages on the pasture. Se content of major species forages in the pasture was $24.7{\mu}g/kg$ DM, and was clearly lower than the value ($200{\mu}g/kg$ DM) required commonly for ruminant feed. The Cu and Zn contents of all forage samples ranged from 7.6 to 24.3 and 11.4 to 50.6 mg/kg DM, respectively, and these values almost exceeded the dietary level required for sheep. The blood Se levels in about 55% of goats grazed alone were under the normal range ($20{\mu}g/l$), but it in goats fed some concentrates as a supplement were almost within a normal ranges ($20-200{\mu}g/l$), though the Cu content of forages almost exceeded the dietary level required commonly. The 4-13% of plasma samples of goats without supplement showed the Zn level below the lower limit (0.6 mg/l) of normal range. The Zn deficiency was mostly improved by the addition of a small amount of concentrates. From these results, it will be necessary to study about unstable Cu status of grazed goats in Luzon Island regarding an interaction of Cu and other elements known to relate to the malabsorption of dietary Cu.

Direct Effects of Copper and Selenium Supplementation and Its Subsequent Effects on Other Plasma Minerals, Body Weight and Hematocrit Count of Grazing Philippine Goats

Orden, E.A.,Serra, A.B.,Serra, S.D.,Nakamura, K.,Cruz, L.C.,Fujihara, T. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2000 Animal Bioscience Vol.13 No.3

The administration of soluble glass bolus (SGB) with cobalt (Co), selenium (Se) and copper (Cu), among 50 upgraded does in the farm of Central Luzon State University, Philippines, was effective in improving the mineral status of the animals. After one year, blood Se and plasma Cu had been significantly increased; subsequently plasma molybdenum (Mo) level had been reduced, but other macro-minerals were not affected. Soluble glass bolus supplementation did not affect plasma calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sodium (Na), although the treated does had higher plasma phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and zinc (Zn) in some parts of the year. Hematocrit count of the animals was also improved reaching 32% level after 9 months; although it was still 6% below the lower limit of a normal range of 38 to 45%. The desired improvement in Se, Cu and Mo was not able to influence live weight among the animals. After one year, body weight was not significantly different from the control group of animals. Nevertheless, the study showed the effectiveness of SGB in improving Cu and Se levels, and subsequently reducing the plasma Mo levels of grazing goats in a typical Philippine farm.