We present a new compilation of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), a new data set of low-redshift nearby-Hubble-flow SNe, and new analysis procedures to work with these heterogeneous compilations. This ...'Union' compilation of 414 SNe Ia, which reduces to 307 SNe after selection cuts, includes the recent large samples of SNe Ia from the Supernova Legacy Survey and ESSENCE Survey, the older data sets, as well as the recently extended data set of distant supernovae observed with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). A single, consistent, and blind analysis procedure is used for all the various SN Ia subsamples, and a new procedure is implemented that consistently weights the heterogeneous data sets and rejects outliers. We present the latest results from this Union compilation and discuss the cosmological constraints from this new compilation and its combination with other cosmological measurements (CMB and BAO). The constraint we obtain from supernovae on the dark energy density is image, for a flat, Lambda CDM universe. Assuming a constant equation of state parameter, w, the combined constraints from SNe, BAO, and CMB give image. While our results are consistent with a cosmological constant, we obtain only relatively weak constraints on a w that varies with redshift. In particular, the current SN data do not yet significantly constrain w at image. With the addition of our new nearby Hubble-flow SNe Ia, these resulting cosmological constraints are currently the tightest available.
This study characterized the mineral composition of 15 common Portuguese seaweed (green, brown, and red) species. Total measured mineral content ranged from 10.9 g kg
−1
dry matter (DM) in
Gracilaria ...vermiculophylla
to 71.0 g kg
−1
DM in
Codium adhaerens
, calcium being the mineral generally found in higher amounts. Overall, the results suggest that seaweeds have great potential as mineral sources for animal feeding, but a great variability between species was observed regarding their mineral profile. Compared to common animal feed ingredients, the studied seaweeds can be considered as good sources of calcium, magnesium, iron, iodine, copper, manganese, and selenium but are poor sources of phosphorous and zinc. The maximum level of dietary inclusion will be strongly dependent on the mineral profile of the seaweeds. Depending on the seaweed, the upper level of inclusion in poultry and swine diets may reach more than 40 %. The high iodine content of studied seaweeds limits their use in diets for horses, and, to a lesser extent, for ruminants. This work constitutes a paramount contribution regarding the use of seaweeds as mineral sources in animal diets, allowing a more precise choice of the algae species and level of inclusion to be used, thus assuring animal health and strengthening the seaweed industry through this underexploited application field.
This work proposes a simple and easy-to-use flow-through system for the implementation of dynamic extractions, aiming at the evaluation of bioaccessible zinc and the characterization of leaching ...kinetics in dry dog food samples. The kinetic profile of Zn extraction was determined by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy and the results were fitted in an exponential function (R
> 0.960) compatible with a two first-order reactions model. Values of fast leachable Zn ranged from 83 ± 1 to 313 ± 5 mg of Zn per kg of sample, with associated rate constants ranging from 0.162 ± 0.004 to 0.290 ± 0.014 min
. Similar results were observed compared to the static batch extraction. The percentage of bioaccessible Zn ranged from 49.0 to 70.0%, with an average value of 58.2% in relation to total Zn content. Principal component analysis regarding the variables fast leachable Zn, associated rate constant, total Zn, and market segment, has shown that 84.6% of variance is explained by two components, where the second component (24.0%) presented loadings only for the fast leachable Zn and associated rate constant. The proposed method is suitable for the fast evaluation (<1 h) of leaching kinetics and bioaccessibility in dry dog food.
Abstract
A previously unreported tetragonal phase has been discovered in a epitaxially strained GdMnO
3
thin films deposited on (001)-oriented SrTiO
3
substrates by radio frequency (RF) magnetron ...sputtering. The tetragonal axis of the films grown up to a 35 nm thickness is perpendicular to the film surface and the basal lattice parameters are imposed by the cubic structure of the substrate. Furthermore, the emergence of a spontaneous electric polarization below ~32 K points to the stabilization of an improper ferroelectric phase at low temperatures, which is not observed in bulk GdMnO
3
. This work shows how strain engineering can be used to tailor the structure and properties of strongly correlated oxides.
The present work makes a comparison between the two most used environmental sustainability indices of nations: “ecological footprint” and “environmental sustainability index”, with two emergy ratios ...(renewability and emergy sustainability index). All of them are gaining space within the scientific community and government officials. Despite the efforts for obtaining an index that adequately represents the sustainability of a region, according to the result of this research, nowadays there is not yet a completely satisfactory index. We consider that all of them need to be improved, but the results point out the possibility of obtaining one better index of sustainability through the junction of ecological footprint with renewability emergy index.
Detailed mineral profile of a selection of commercially available complete dry dog foods was determined using ICP-MS (Se, Cu, Mn, Zn, and nonessential trace elements), flame photometry (Na and K) and ...atomic and molecular spectrophotometry (Ca, P, Mg, and Fe). The contribution of ingredients to the mineral composition was correlated to the food market segment. Results showed an oversupply of essential elements due to the energy density effect on feed intake. Additives contributed from 40.8 to 55.1% to the total trace elements contents. With the exception of Se, all trace elements were supplied above the nutritional requirements of adult dogs. Legal limits of Cu, Se, and Zn were surpassed. The content of nonessential trace elements included values in the range of nanograms to micrograms per kg, without surpassing safe upper limits. This work brings awareness to the need to find supplementation strategies that ensure nutritional adequacy and avoid waste.
The growing pet population is questioning the sustainability of the pet food system. Although microalgae may constitute a more sustainable food resource, the assessment of their potential for canine ...diets is almost non-existent. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential of three microalgae species (Tetradesmus obliquus, Chlorella vulgaris and Nannochloropsis oceanica) grown locally in industrial photobioreactors as alternative food resources for dogs. A detailed characterization of their nutritional composition and metabolomic profile was carried out and related to the nutritional requirements of dogs. Overall, the essential amino acid content exceeded the amounts required for dogs at all life stages, except methionine and cysteine. The three microalgae were deficient in linoleic acid, N. oceanica presented a linolenic acid content below requirements and T. obliquus and C. vulgaris were deficient in arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids. The fiber was mainly composed of insoluble dietary fiber. The mineral profile varied greatly with the microalgae species, demonstrating their different potential for dog feeding. Untargeted metabolomics highlighted glycolipids, glycerolipids and phospholipids as the most discriminating compounds between microalgae species. Overall, the results support the potential of T. obliquus, C. vulgaris and N. oceanica as valuable macro- and micro-nutrients sources for dog feeding.
Algae can leverage aquaculture sustainability and improve the nutritional and functional value of fish for human consumption, but may pose challenges to carnivorous fish. This study aimed to evaluate ...the potential of a commercial blend of macroalgae (
sp. and
) and microalgae (
and
) in a plant-based diet up to 6% (dry matter basis) on digestibility, gut integrity, nutrient utilization, growth performance, and muscle nutritional value of European seabass juveniles. Fish (11.3 ± 2.70 g) were fed with isoproteic, isolipidic, and isoenergetic diets: (i) a commercial-type plant-based diet with moderate fishmeal (125 g kg
DM basis) and without algae blend (control diet; Algae0), (ii) the control diet with 2% algae blend (Algae2), (iii) the control diet with 4% algae blend (Algae4), and (iv) the control diet with 6% algae blend (Algae6) for 12 weeks. The digestibility of experimental diets was assessed in a parallel study after 20 days. Results showed that most nutrients and energy apparent digestibility coefficients were promoted by algae blend supplementation, with a concomitant increase in lipid and energy retention efficiencies. Growth performance was significantly promoted by the algae blend, the final body weight of fish fed Algae6 being 70% higher than that of fish fed Algae0 after 12 weeks, reflecting up to 20% higher feed intake of algae-fed fish and the enhanced anterior intestinal absorption area (up to 45%). Whole-body and muscle lipid contents were increased with dietary algae supplementation levels by up to 1.79 and 1.74 folds in Algae 6 compared to Algae0, respectively. Even though the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids was reduced, the content of EPA and DHA in the muscle of algae-fed fish increased by nearly 43% compared to Algae0. The skin and filet color of juvenile European seabass were significantly affected by the dietary inclusion of the algae blend, but changes were small in the case of muscle, meeting the preference of consumers. Overall results highlight the beneficial effects of the commercial algae blend (Algaessence
) supplementation in plant-based diets for European seabass juveniles, but feeding trials up to commercial-size fish are needed to fully assess its potential.
This work aims at studying the effect of La and Mn substituents on the structural, electrical and magnetic properties of Bi1-xLaxFe1-yMnyO3 (0≤x≤0.30; 0≤y≤0.20) at room temperature, in order to find ...out the optimal compositions that provide both high resistivity and remnant magnetization. The analysis of the XRD patterns and Raman spectra suggest a progressive transition from a rhombohedral for x<0.15 with y = 0, and x = 0 with y≤0.20 to an orthorhombic structure for x + y>0.20. Moreover, we observe satellite peaks associated with an incommensurate modulated (IM) orthorhombic structure for x≥0.15 with y = 0, and x = 0.20 with y = 0.10. We were able to achieve a decrease by several orders of magnitude of the leakage current density and the emergence of a weak ferromagnetic response in the range of compositions 0.10<x≤0.3 and 0<y<0.1. These improved physical properties are a consequence of the absence of secondary phases and the breaking of the spiral cycloid spin structure. In particular, the compositions within 0.18≤x≤0.30 and 0.01<y<0.05 with IM orthorhombic structure exhibit the lowest conductivity and highest remnant magnetization. The outcome of this work suggests an alternative route to enhance multiferroic properties of BiFeO3, with simultaneous La (0.10≤x≤0.30) and moderate Mn (0.01<y<0.1) substitution.
Display omitted
•Structural, magnetic, and leakage current studies of Bi1-xLaxFe1-yMnyO3.•Rhombohedral to orthorhombic structural transformation at x + y ≈0.2 with mixed phase at the intermediate compositions.•Incommensurate modulated orthorhombic structures for compositions within 0.18≤x≤0.30 and 0.01<y<0.05•0.10≤x≤0.30 and 0.01<y<0.1 compositions exhibit higher remnant magnetization and lower leakage currents.
The present work explores the processing conditions of Bi
0.9
La
0.1
Fe
0.9
Mn
0.1
O
3
(BLFM) thin films, grown by RF sputtering on platinum metalized silicon substrates, and its impact on the ...structural and ferroelectric properties. The optimized processing conditions were found to be a combination of deposition of an amorphous film at low substrate temperature (≤550 °C), followed by a thermal treatment at 550 °C during 30 min, in order to prevent bismuth volatilization. This procedure leads to the formation of high-quality monophasic crystalline films with well-defined piezoelectric response exhibiting micron size domains.
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