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The shape of the lactation curve is linked to an animal's health, feed requirements, and milk production throughout the year. Random regression models (RRM) are widely used for genetic evaluation of total milk production throughout the lactation and for milk yield persistency. Genomic information used with the single-step genomic BLUP method (ssGBLUP) substantially improves the accuracy of genomic prediction of breeding values in the main dairy cattle breeds. The aim of this study was to implement an RRM using ssGBLUP for milk yield in Saanen dairy goats in France. The data set consisted of 7,904,246 test-day records from 1,308,307 lactations of Saanen goats collected in France between 2000 and 2017. The performance of this type of evaluation was assessed by applying a validation step with data targeting candidate bucks. The model was compared with a nongenomic evaluation and a traditional evaluation that use cumulated performance throughout the lactation model (LM). The incorporation of genomic information increased correlations between daughter yield deviations (DYD) and estimated breeding values (EBV) obtained with a partial data set for candidate bucks. The LM and the RRM had similar correlation between DYD and EBV. However, the RRM reduced overestimation of EBV and improved the slope of the regression of DYD on EBV obtained at birth. This study shows that a genomic evaluation from a ssGBLUP RRM is possible in dairy goats in France and that RRM performance is comparable to a LM but with the additional benefit of a genomic evaluation of persistency. Variance of adjacent SNPs was studied with LM and RRM following the ssGBLUP. Both approaches converged on approximately the same regions explaining more than 1% of total variance. Regions associated with persistency were also found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The study aimed to determine the influence of drug treatments (proton pump inhibitors [PPIs] combined with other drugs) on the false-positive (FP) rate in the fecal immunochemical test (FIT). Methods: Patients undergoing colonoscopy in the setting of a CRC screening program due to a positive FIT result were included prospectively. Demographic data and drug intake of PPIs, antiplatelet therapy (APA), anticoagulants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were collected. An FP FIT result was considered normal colonoscopy or with nonneoplastic pathology (NNP). Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the effect of these drugs on the rate of FP FIT results. Results: We included 515 patients, and 59% (304/515) were males. The rate of FP FIT results was 48% (249/515). Study drug use was higher in patients > 60 years old and females than in those < 60 years old and males (p < 0.001 and p = 0.049, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that female sex (OR = 2.7 95% CI 1.9–3.9), NNP (OR = 1.5 95% CI 1.1–2.2), and the use of any of the study drugs (OR = 1.4 95% CI 0.9–2.0) were independent risk factors for FP FIT results. The risk of FP FIT results was significantly higher in PPI users than in nonusers (OR = 1.8 95% CI 1.1–2.9), specifically when PPIs were combined with other drugs (OR = 2.01 95% CI 1.1–3.6) only in men. Conclusion: Female sex, NNP, and PPIs combined with other drugs in males were identified as independent risk factors for FP FIT results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the field of quantum simulation, which aims at using a tunable quantum system to simulate another, has been developing fast in the past years as an alternative to the all-purpose quantum computer. It mentions about the intermediate regime, where regular orbits are surrounded by a large sea of chaotic trajectories. It also mentions about quantum chaos transport mechanism that translates in sharp resonances of the tunneling rate.

Lactation curve shape can affect an animal's health, feed requirements, and milk production throughout the year. We implemented a random regression model for the genetic evaluation of lactation curve shapes of dairy traits in French Alpine goats for their first 3 parities. Milk, fat, and protein yields, fat and protein contents, somatic cell score, and fat/protein ratio were considered. The data consisted of test-day records from 49,849 first lactation Alpine goats during their first 3 lactations. The reference model used a Legendre polynomial of order 2 for each parity to describe the genetic and permanent environmental effects, and was compared with a model that combined the second and third parities. A rank reduction of the variance-covariance matrix was also performed using an eigenvalue decomposition for each parity from the 2 models. Genetic parameters were consistent between the models tested. With a reduction to rank 2 and combining the second and third parities, the first 2 principal components correctly summarized the genetic variability of milk yield level and persistency, with a near-nil correlation between the 2, and with a much shorter computation time than the reference model. A favorable correlation of +0.43 between milk yield persistency and fat/protein ratio persistency at the beginning of the lactation was found from buck estimated breeding values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high level of production at the peak of lactation may be associated with animal health disorders, high feeding costs, and reduced milk supply throughout the year. The objective of this study was to typologize the lactation curves in French dairy goats and analyze the influence of environmental and genetic factors on these curves. The data set consisted of 2,231,720 monthly test-day records of 213,534 French Saanen and Alpine goats recorded between September 2008 and June 2012. First, principal component analysis classified the shape of the lactation curves into 3 principal components: the first component accounted for milk yield level throughout lactation, the second component accounted for lactation persistency, and the third component accounted for milk yield in mid-lactation. Then, from the principal component scores, the lactations were clustered into 5 different groups. Most lactations had a similar shape to the mean curve, except 30% of the lactations that fell into 3 clusters that had a high production level at the peak and then a different persistency according to cluster. Estimated breeding value for milk yield and home region of breeding were the factors most related to lactation production level. Month of kidding, breed, and gestation stage had the biggest effect on persistency. Month of kidding was the factor most strongly linked to mid-lactation production. A herd effect was observed on all 3 principal components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we report the first incidence of systemic besnoitiosis in a male juvenile roe deer Capreolus capreolus. The animal was found dead in an area where bovine besnoitiosis is endemic and showed cachexia and multiple skin erosions in the metacarpal and metatarsal areas. Moreover, round and elevated white structures suggestive of Besnoitia spp. tissue cysts were also present. Twenty-eight tissue samples from different anatomical locations were collected for microscopic lesion and parasite detection through histopathology and PCR. Immunohistochemistry was performed to confirm Besnoitia-positive reaction in the tissue cysts. In addition, the identity of Besnoitia spp. in PCR-positive tissue samples was also investigated using microsatellite ( MS) markers, and the comparison of protein disulphide isomerase gene sequences (Bb PDI) of B. besnoiti and B. tarandi isolated from cattle and reindeer, respectively. Besnoitia cysts were detected in the skin (several parts), respiratory and upper digestive tracts, eyes, kidney, liver, testicle, cardiac muscle and lymphoid tissue. Remarkably, the presence of tissue cysts in the brain confirmed the capacity of Besnoitia spp. to form tissue cysts in the central nervous system ( CNS). Finally, the Besnoitia species detected showed the same MS genotype as B. besnoiti, and Bb PDI sequences from roe deer and two B. besnoiti isolates were genetically identical throughout multiple sequence alignment. Thus, for the first time, there is evidence that roe deer might act as an intermediate host of B. besnoiti. Further molecular analyses and parasite isolations are needed to corroborate these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of composition and crystallization conditions on the behavior of double crystalline poly (ethylene oxide-b-l-lactide) (PEO-b-PLLA) diblock copolymers is investigated. Poly(l-lactide) contents in the synthesized copolymers vary from 50 to 91%, and the molecular weight of the PLLA block ranges from 2 to 20 kg mol−1, while that of the PEO block is kept constant at 2 kg mol−1. In bulk samples, DSC results show a synergistic interaction between the crystallization processes of the two blocks. The PEO block provides heterogeneities and exerts a plasticizing action which favors the crystallization of the PLLA block with a nucleation efficiency of 30%. In contrast, the subsequent crystallization of the PEO block is subject to two opposing effects: (a) the nucleating action of PLLA crystals and (b) the topological and geometrical constraints imposed by PLLA crystals, especially when the PEO content is 20 wt% or less. In the case of ultra thin films, block copolymers with PEO contents equal or smaller than 20 wt% form distorted PLLA single crystals when crystallized from the melt. However, upon increasing the PEO content in the system to 33 wt% (by blending or copolymerization), the distortions disappear and the angle between the {110} growth faces changes from 140° to 121°, since the PEO block acts as a solvent or plasticizer for the PLLA block during the crystallization process. PEO incorporation can therefore tailor the rate and morphology of PLLA block crystallization. TEM and AFM studies allowed direct observation of the PEO block dendritic crystals on the surface of lozenge-shaped PLLA crystals previously formed during cooling from the melt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within South American rodents, the Acaremyidae is an independent fossil lineage of octodontoids represented in the late Oligocene–middle Miocene of Patagonia.Acaremysis represented by six species recorded in the early Miocene, which have not been re-studied since their original description. Morphological and phylogenetic analyses suggest thatAcaremysis paraphyletic. Three species are valid,Acaremysmurinus,Acaremysmajor, andAcaremysmessor.Acaremyskaraikensisis a junior synonym ofAcaremysmurinus. ‘Acaremys’tricarinatusis excluded from the genus being closely related toSciamys. The new species,Pseudoacaremys kramarzi, is closely related to ‘Acaremys’tricarinatusandSciamys. ‘Acaremys’preminutusis excluded from the family being closely related to the early MioceneProtacaremys prior, or living octodontoids. The phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that Acaremyidae includesPlatypittamys,Galileomys,Acaremys,PseudoacaremysandSciamys. The new acaremyid increases the diversity of extinct octodontoids and added a new evolutionary lineage within Acaremyidae. The evolutionary history of the superfamily suggests that the hypsodonty and the consequently occlusal simplification evolved twice within Octodontoidea: in Acaremyidae and in Octodontidae. In addition, the cladistic analysis confirmed that most character ambiguities are due to missing data, and hence, it is essential to find better remains to elucidate the relationships among acaremyids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The removal of heavy metals from wastewater by using activated alumina or chitosan as adsorbers was evaluated. Cd(II) and Cr(III) were employed as models of the behaviour of divalent and trivalent metal ions. The adsorption of Cd(II) and Cr(III) onto the adsorbers evaluated was studied as a function of pH, time, amount of adsorber, concentration of metal ions and sample volume. A 0.4-g portion of activated alumina can retain 0.6 mg Cr(III) and 0.2 mg Cd(II) from 20 mL sample adjusted at pH 4 and stirred for 30 min. It is therefore possible to totally decontaminate 500 mL of a waste containing 5 mg L-1 Cd(II) and Cr(III) with 10 g alumina. On the other hand, 0.4 g chitosan can totally decontaminate 20 mL of a pH 5 solution containing up to 50 mg L-1 Cd(II) and Cr(III). A 99.2±0.1% retention of Cd(II) and 83±1% retention of Cr(III) was obtained from 500 mL of a laboratory waste. The aforementioned strategies were applied for the minimization of analytical chemistry teaching laboratories and atomic spectrometry laboratory wastes. On comparing both adsorbers it can be concluded that chitosan is more preferable than alumina due to the reduced price of chitosan and the absence of side-pollution effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-021-03947-1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ces dernières années, de plus en plus de recherches ont étudié les troubles du comportement alimentaire (TCA) chez les sportifs. Selon plusieurs études les sportifs de haut niveau (SHN) seraient plus vulnérables aux TCA. Le dépistage des TCA peut se faire à l'aide du questionnaire SCOFF-Fde façon simple et rapide.L'objectif de l'étude était i) de dépister les TCA chez les SHN en Nouvelle-Aquitaine à l'aide du SCOFF-F par rapport à une population témoin, ii) de rechercher les facteurs associés à un SCOFF-F positif. Une étude prospectivea été menée pendant 6 semaines avec un auto-questionnaire sur internet. Il a été administré de façon anonyme aux 458 SHN de plus de 18 ans de Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Les données socio-démographiques, les informations sur la pratique sportive et l'Indice de Masse Corporelle (IMC) et SCOFF-F (positif si 2 réponses positives sur 5)étaient recueillies. Le risque d'addiction au sport était évalué par l'Exercise Addiction Inventory (EAI, positif si plus de 24 points sur 30). Les résultats étaient comparés à ceux d'une population témoin en population générale de 964 étudiants et actifs de Haute-Vienne. L'analyse statistique comprenait les tests t de Student, du Chi2 et la régression linéaire. Cent vingt-sept SHN ont participé à notre étude (taux de réponse 27,7 %).Un sport de balle était pratiqué dans 48,4 %des cas. L'âge moyen des SHN était de 25,0 ± 6,9 ans, inférieur à la population témoin (p < 0,0001). 59,1 % des SHN étaient des hommes, plus que chez les témoins (p = 0,037).L'IMC moyen des SHN était de 22,5 ± 4,5 kg/m2, inférieur aux témoins (p = 0,009). 4,7 %des SHN avaient un SCOFF-F positif, contre 13,7 % des témoins(p = 0,014). Un total de 49,6 % des SHN considéraient le contrôle du poids comme nécessaire. L'EAI était positif chez 15,0 % des SHN. L'EAI était positif chez 50,0 % des SHN avec un SCOFF-F positif vs 13,6 % chez les SCOFF-F négatifs (p = 0,047). La régression linéaire retrouvait que pour une augmentation d'un point de l'EAI, il y avait une augmentation du SCOFF-F de 0,06 points (p = 0,009). Contrairement aux données de la littérature, nous avons dépisté moins de TCA à l'aide du SCOFF-F chez les SHN par rapport à des témoinsen population générale. Ceci pourraits'expliquer par la surreprésentation des sports de balles, considérés comme peu pourvoyeurs de TCA, mais aussi par une plus grande proportion d'hommes. Par ailleurs ces résultats encouragent à un dépistage attentif desTCA chez les SHN, qui de pluspeuvent présenter un risque d'addiction au sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caviomorph rodents, the New World Hystricognathi, are one of the most characteristic groups of South American mammals. Although they have been in the continent at least since the middle Eocene, those of the Deseadan Land mammal Age (early–late Oligocene) are the best source to understanding their early history due of their good record, large geographic distribution and good temporal calibration of many of the local faunas. Here, we describe the following new taxa from the classical locality of Cabeza Blanca: Octodontoidea AcaremyidaeGalileomys baiosn. sp., Octodontoidea incertae sedisEthelomys loomisin. gen.,n. comb.,Acarechimys leucotheaen. sp.,Protacaremys? adilosn. sp., Chinchilloidea incertae sedisLoncolicu tretosn. gen., n. sp.,Incamys menniorumn. sp., Caviomorpha incertae sedisLlitun notucan. gen., n. sp.,Leucokephalos zeffiaen. gen., n. sp.and CephalomyidaeCephalomys ceciaen. sp. The DP4 of an ‘eocardiid’,Asteromys punctus? is described for the first time. These new taxa allow us to reinterpret the relationships of some of the previously known Deseadan species and genera. They show a great early diversification at least for extra Andean Patagonia, involving at least three of the main caviomorph lineages: octodontoids, chinchilloids and cavioids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chamois Rupicapra spp. is the most abundant mountain ungulate of Europe and the Near East, where it occurs as two species, the northern chamois R. rupicapra and the southern chamois R. pyrenaica. Here, we provide a state‐of‐the‐art overview of research trends and the most challenging issues in chamois research and conservation, focusing on taxonomy and systematics, genetics, life history, ecology and behavior, physiology and disease, management and conservation. Research on Rupicapra has a longstanding history and has contributed substantially to the biological and ecological knowledge of mountain ungulates. Although the number of publications on this genus has markedly increased over the past two decades, major differences persist with respect to knowledge of species and subspecies, with research mostly focusing on the Alpine chamois R. r. rupicapra and, to a lesser extent, the Pyrenean chamois R. p. pyrenaica. In addition, a scarcity of replicate studies of populations of different subspecies and/or geographic areas limits the advancement of chamois science. Since environmental heterogeneity impacts behavioral, physiological and life history traits, understanding the underlying processes would be of great value from both an evolutionary and conservation/management standpoint, especially in the light of ongoing climatic change. Substantial contributions to this challenge may derive from a quantitative assessment of reproductive success, investigation of fine‐scale foraging patterns, and a mechanistic understanding of disease outbreak and resilience. For improving conservation status, resolving taxonomic disputes, identifying subspecies hybridization, assessing the impact of hunting and establishing reliable methods of abundance estimation are of primary concern. Despite being one of the most well‐known mountain ungulates, substantial field efforts to collect paleontological, behavioral, ecological, morphological, physiological and genetic data on different populations and subspecies are still needed to ensure a successful future for chamois research and conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was undertaken to determine whether a pulse protein feeding pattern was more efficient than a spread pattern to improve protein anabolism in young women as was already shown in elderly women. After a 15-d adaptive period [1.2 g protein/(kg fat-free mass. d)], 16 young women (age 26 +/- 1 y) were given a 14-d diet providing 1.7 g protein/(kg fat-free mass. d), using either a pulse pattern (protein consumed mainly in one meal, n = 8), or a spread pattern (spreading daily protein intake over four meals, n = 8). Nitrogen balance was determined at the end of both the 15-d adaptive and the 14-d experimental periods. Whole-body protein turnover was determined at the end of the 14-d experimental period using [(15)N]glycine as an oral tracer. Nitrogen balance was 17 +/- 5 mg N/(kg fat-free mass. d) during the adaptive period. It was higher during the experimental period, but not significantly different in the women fed the spread or the pulse patterns [59 +/- 12 and 36 +/- 8 mg N/(kg fat-free mass. d) respectively]. No significant effects of the protein feeding pattern were detected on either whole-body protein turnover [5.5 +/- 0.2 vs. 6.1 +/- 0.3 g protein/(kg fat-free mass. d) for spread and pulse pattern, respectively] or whole-body protein synthesis and protein breakdown. Thus, in young women, these protein feeding patterns did not have significantly different effects on protein retention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To study the phenotype characteristics of the largest to date cohort of patients with pediatric granulomatous arthritis (PGA) and documented mutations in the NOD2 gene. METHODS: We analyzed merged data from 2 prospective cohorts of PGA patients, the International PGA Registry and a Spanish cohort. A systematic review of the medical records of interest was performed to identify phenotype characteristics. RESULTS: Forty-five patients with PGA (23 sporadic cases and 22 from familial pedigrees) and documented NOD2 mutations were identified and formed the basis of the study. Of these 45 patients, 18 had the R334W-encoding mutation, 18 had R334Q, 4 had E383K, 3 had R587C, 1 had C495Y, and 1 had W490L. The majority of patients manifested the typical triad of dermatitis, uveitis, and arthritis. In contrast, in 13 patients, the following 'atypical' manifestations were noted: fever, sialadenitis, lymphadenopathy, erythema nodosum, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, transient neuropathy, granulomatous glomerular and interstitial nephritis, interstitial lung disease, arterial hypertension, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, pericarditis, pulmonary embolism, hepatic granulomatous infiltration, splenic involvement, and chronic renal failure. In addition, 4 individuals who were asymptomatic carriers of a disease-causing mutation were documented. CONCLUSION: NOD2-associated PGA can be a multisystem disorder with significant visceral involvement. Treating physicians should be aware of the systemic nature of this condition, since some of these manifestations may entail long-term morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present Ca ii K and Ti ii optical spectra of early-type stars taken mainly from the ultraviolet and visual echelle spectrograph (UVES) Paranal Observatory Project, plus H i 21-cm spectra, from the Vila-Elisa and Leiden-Dwingeloo Surveys, which are employed to obtain distances to intermediate- and high-velocity clouds (IHVCs). H i emission at a velocity of −117 km s−1 towards the sightline HD 30677 ( ) with column density has no corresponding Ca ii K absorption in the UVES spectrum, which has a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of 610 per resolution element. The star has a spectroscopically determined distance of 2.7 kpc, and hence sets this as a firm lower distance limit towards Anti-Centre cloud ACII. Towards another sightline (HD 46185 with ), H i at a velocity of +122 km s−1 and column density of is seen. The corresponding Ca ii K spectrum has a S/N of 780, although no absorption is observed at the cloud velocity. This similarly places a firm lower distance limit of 2.9 kpc towards this parcel of gas that may be an intermediate-velocity (IV) cloud. The lack of IV Ca ii absorption towards HD 196426 ( ) at a S/N of 500 reinforces a lower distance limit of ∼700 pc towards this part of complex gp, where the H i column density is and velocity is +78 km s−1. Additionally, no IV Ca ii is seen in absorption in the spectrum of HD 19445, which is strong in H i with a column density of at a velocity of ∼−42 km s−1, placing a firm although uninteresting lower distance limit of 39 pc to this part of IV South. Finally, no high-velocity Ca ii K absorption is seen towards HD 115363 ( ) at a S/N of 410, placing a lower distance of ∼3.2 kpc towards the HVC gas at velocity of ∼+224 km s−1 and H i column density of . This gas is in the same region of the sky as complex WE ( Wakker 2001 ), but at higher velocities. The non-detection of Ca ii K absorption sets a lower distance of ∼3.2 kpc towards the HVC, which is unsurprising if this feature is indeed related to the Magellanic System. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depuis décembre 2015, le CHU de Limoges a reçu une approbation de la SFNCM pour poursuivre l'activité d'encadrements des patients sous nutrition parentérale à domicile de longue durée (NPLD). L'objectif de ce travail était de décrire l'activité de suivi des patients en NPLD de ce centre en 2016, 2017 et 2018. L'étude prospective portait sur les patients reçus au CHU de Limoges pour initiation ou suivi de NPLD entre janvier 2016 et décembre 2018. L'étude relevait des données concernant l'activité de consultation, les patients, les modalités de réalisation de la NPLD, et les complications en rapport. L'analyse statistique utilisait les tests du Chi2 ou de Fisher, de Mann Whitney, ANOVA et une régression logistique pour recherche des facteurs liés à la survenue d'épisodes infectieux liées au cathéter veineux central (ILCVC). Trent six patients entraient dans la file active sur les 3 années, avec une hausse de la file active annuelle de 15 à 26 patients et du nombre de consultations dédiées de 83 à 159 par an. Le suivi médian depuis le début de la prise en charge était de 7,0 mois (extrêmes = 1-99,5 mois), concernant des adultes majoritairement âgés de plus de 55 ans (extrêmes = 19–88 ans), principalement issus du Limousin et des départements limitrophes. Les syndromes du grêle court de type 1 (31 à 46 % selon l'année) et 2 (15 à 20 %) étaient les causes les plus fréquentes de mise sous NPLD. Les accès vasculaires les plus utilisés étaient le cathéter tunnelisé manchonné (19 à 47 %), le cathéter à chambre implantable (29 à 42 %) et le cathéter central à insertion périphérique (20 à 50 %). Près d'un patient sur deux était encadré par un service d'hospitalisation à domicile et peu d'entre eux étaient en auto-soin. 73 à 88 % des patients bénéficiaient de poches industrielles. Selon l'année étudiée, le taux d'incidence d'ILCVC variait de 0,67 à 1,16 pour 1000 jours de NPLD et 26 à 50 % des patients présentaient une complication aigue autre qu'infectieuse. L'activité, les caractéristiques des patients, les modalités de réalisation de la NPLD et la survenue de complications n'étaient pas significativement différentes selon les années étudiées. Les patients suivis depuis le plus longtemps (p = 0,01) et bénéficiant de consultations plus rapprochées (p = 0,02) présentaient significativement moins d'ILCVC. La FA de patients en NPLD de ce centre est modeste, mais ce bilan objective un besoin croissant d'offre de soins sur un territoire vaste. Les caractéristiques des patients suivis et les pratiques semblaient proches de celles d'autres centres. L'étude confirmait l'importance du suivi rapproché et des mesures éducatives en prévention des complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present high-resolution Ca ii K interstellar observations towards 88 mainly B-type stars, of which 74 are taken from the Edinburgh–Cape or Palomar–Green surveys, and 81 have . The majority of the data come from previously existing spectroscopy, although also included are 18 new observations of stars with echelle spectra taken with UVES on the Very Large Telescope UT2 (Kueyen). Some 49 of the sample stars have distance estimates above the Galactic plane , and are thus good probes of the halo interstellar medium. Of the 362 interstellar Ca K components that we detect, 75 (21 per cent) have absolute values of their LSR velocity values exceeding 40 km s−1. In terms of the deviation velocity for the sightlines with distance estimates, 46/273 (17 per cent) of components have velocity values exceeding those predicted by standard Galactic rotation by more than 40 km s−1. Combining this data set with previous observations, we find that the median value of the reduced equivalent width (REW) of stars with is ∼ , similar to that observed in extragalactic sightlines by Bowen. Using data of all z distances, the REW at infinity is found to be ∼ , with the scaleheight ( l) of the Ca ii K column density distribution being ≈ and reduced column density at infinity of log[ N(Ca ii K) cm−2]∼12.24. This implies that ∼30 per cent of Ca ii K absorption occurs at distances exceeding ∼1 kpc. For nine sightlines with distance exceeding 1 kpc and with a companion object within 5°, we find that all but two have values of Ca ii reduced equivalent width the same to within ∼20 per cent, when the REW of the nearest object is extrapolated to the distance of the further of the pair, and assuming . For 29 of our sightlines with and a H i detection from the Leiden–Dwingeloo survey (beamsize of 0.5°), we find log( N(Ca ii K)/ N(H i)) ranging from −7.4 to −8.4. Values of the Ca ii K abundance relative to neutral hydrogen (log[ N(Ca ii K) cm−2] – log[ N(H i) cm−2]) are found to be more than ∼0.5 dex higher in stars with distances exceeding ≈100 pc, when compared with the (log[ N(Ca ii K) cm−2]– log[ N(Htot) cm−2]) values found in nearby sightlines such as those in . Finally, stellar Ca ii K equivalent widths of the sample are determined for 26 objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine whether exogenous glucose metabolism influences the pH in superfused EDL muscle from growing rats fed or starved for 48 h (body weight 55 and 45 g, respectively). Energy state and intracellular pH of muscle were repeatedly monitored by 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-NMRS); glycogen and other energy metabolites were assayed enzymatically in muscle extracts at the end of the experiment. In EDL muscles from starved rats superfused with glucose for 4 h, intracellular pH was elevated (7-7.3), lactate concentration low, glycogen repletion very intense and citrate synthase activity high. We conclude that glucose was routed mainly toward both oxidative phosphorylation and glycogen synthesis in EDL muscles after food deprivation of rats. In contrast, the major pathway in muscles from fed rats may be glycolysis because the glycogen pool remained constant throughout the experiment. The additional and minor pH component (in the range of 6.5 to 6.8) seen in muscles from fed rats, even in the presence of exogenous glucose, might be due to impaired glucose utilization because this component appears also in muscles from starved rats superfused without glucose or with a nonmetabolizable analog of glucose. Consequently, direct pH measurement by 31P-NMR may be considered to be a precise criterion for evaluation of differences in metabolic potentialities of muscle studied ex vivo in relation to the nutritional state of rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]