Neurobehavioral plasticity in the rodent gustatory system induced by regular consumption of a low-calorie sweetener during adolescence.

Habitual consumption of low-calorie sweeteners (LCS) during juvenile-adolescence can lead to greater sugar intake later in life. Here, we investigated if exposure to the LCS Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K) during this critical period of development reprograms the taste system in a way that would alter hedonic responding for common dietary compounds. Results revealed that early-life LCS intake not only enhanced the avidity for a caloric sugar (fructose) when rats were in a state of caloric need, it increased acceptance of a bitterant (quinine) in Ace-K-exposed rats tested when middle-aged.

Proton and Carbon Ion Beam Spot Size Measurement Using 5 Different Detector Types.

Purpose: The spot size of scanned particle beams is of crucial importance for the correct dose delivery and, therefore, plays a significant role in the quality assurance (QA) of pencil beam scanning ion beam therapy.

Materials And Methods: This study compares 5 detector types-radiochromic film, ionization chamber (IC) array, flat panel detector, multiwire chamber, and IC-for measuring the spot size of proton and carbon ion beams.

Results: Variations of up to 30% were found between detectors, underscoring the impact of detector choice on QA outcomes.

Nanoarchitectonics for Advancing Bone Graft Technology: Integration of Silver Nanoparticles Against Bacteria and Fungi.

Silver nanoparticles have garnered significant attention for their antimicrobial applications. The aim of this study was to develop and characterize a silver nanoparticle-enhanced bone graft and assess its antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities. Bone granules from bovine cancellous femur were impregnated with silver nanoparticles (50 nm).

Annual migrations, vertical habitat use and fidelity of Atlantic bluefin tuna tracked from waters off the United Kingdom.

Understanding the spatial ecology of commercially exploited species is vital for their conservation. Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus, ABT) are increasingly observed in northeast Atlantic waters, yet knowledge of these individuals' spatial ecology remains limited. We investigate the horizontal and vertical habitat use of ABT (158 to 241 cm curved fork length; CFL) tracked from waters off the United Kingdom (UK) using pop-up satellite archival tags (n = 63).