Electronic structure of mott insulators studied by inelastic X-ray scattering

The electronic structure of Mott insulators continues to be a major unsolved problem in physics despite more than 50 years of research. Well-developed momentum-resolved spectroscopies such as photoemission or neutron scattering cannot probe the full Mott gap. High-resolution resonant inelastic x-ray scattering revealed dispersive charge excitations across the Mott gap in a high-critical temperature parent cuprate (Ca(2)CuO(2)Cl(2)), shedding light on the anisotropy of the Mott gap. These charge excitations across the Mott gap can be described within the framework of the Hubbard model.     

Radioreceptor assay of human chorionic gonadotropin: detection of early pregnancy

A rapid, sensitive, and specific radioreceptor assay for the determination of human chorionic gonadotropin and luteinizing hormone in plasma is described. Plasma membranes of bovine corpora lutea of early pregnancy, which bind biologically active labeled human chorionic gonadotropin, have been used as receptor. Pregnancy could be detected by assaying the gonadotropin in plasma samples obtained from day 6 to 8 after conception.     

Improving the Quality of Silver Carp Fish Fillets by Gamma Irradiation and Coatings Containing Rosemary Oil

The objective of this work was to study the combined effect of gamma irradiation and coatings containing 0.5% rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) essential oil (RO) on the chemical, microbiological, and sensorial qualities of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) fish fillets (SFF) during cold storage (4°C). SFF were divided into three groups: uncoated (control), coated with edible coating (without additives), and γ-irradiated (0, 1, 3, and 5 kGy) coated with coating containing 0.5% rosemary. Gamma irradiation at 1, 3, and 5 kGy with coating reduced the initial total bacterial count, psychrophilic bacteria, and lactic acid bacteria and prolonged shelf life of the samples. Coated samples irradiated at 1 kGy reduced the counts of Enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus, as well as eliminating Vibrio spp. and Salmonella spp., while coated samples irradiated at 3 and 5 kGy completely eliminated these bacteria. Combined treatment showed a slight increase in thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances postirradiation during cold storage but had no effect on the total volatile basic nitrogen and trimethylamine contents, while a gradual increase in these chemical quality indices was observed during cold storage. Combined treatment had no adverse effects on the sensory properties of SFF. The increase in the bacterial inhibitory effect is caused by both rosemary oil and irradiation.     

Clinical,virological, imaging and pathological findings in a SARS CoV-2 antibody positive cat

This paper reports a presumptive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in a cat. A cat with respiratory disease living with three individuals with coronavirus disease 2019 showed bilateral ground-glass opacities in the lung on X-ray and computed tomography. The clinical swabs were negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, but the serum was positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Interstitial pneumonia and prominent type 2 pneumocyte hyperplasia were noted on histopathology. Respiratory tissues were negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA or antigen, but the cat was positive for feline parvovirus DNA. In conclusion, the respiratory disease and associated pathology in this cat could have been due to exposure to SARS-CoV-2.     

Functional Properties of Rice Bran Protein Isolate at Different pH Levels

The functional properties of proteins from Tarom and Shiroodi cultivars were determined and compared with technological aspects of food and nutraceutical applications. Shiroodi has higher protein content than Tarom, and the yields of protein obtained were 72.88 and 66.36%, respectively. Nitrogen solubilities of rice bran protein of Tarom were more than Shiroodi at all pH levels. In addition, higher solubility was found in acidic or alkaline conditions. Although the rice bran proteins had lower emulsifying properties than bovine serum albumin, they had similar foaming properties in comparison with egg white. Tarom isolates had a significantly higher solubility, emulsifying property, and foaming stability and greater surface properties than Shiroodi isolates. The results showed the surface hydrophobicities of rice bran protein were greater than casein and ovalbumin and lower than other proteins such as bovine serum albumin. Water and oil absorption capacities were 1.03 and 1.66 for Tarom and 87.3 and 75.3 for Shiroodi, respectively. The bulk densities of Tarom and Shiroodi were also 0.55 and 0.53 g/mL, which make them suitable for weaning food and other industrial applications. As a result, these rice bran proteins showed higher hydrophobicity than that of other rice bran protein varieties as well as more functionality. Thus, they have good potential in the food and pharmaceutical industries.