Search

One of the most prevalent symbioses on Earth is that formed between the majority of land plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. Through these intimate associations, AM fungi transfer soil nutrients to their plant hosts in exchange for photosynthetically fixed carbon resources. It has been hypothesised that this nutritional mutualism is evolutionarily stable because both partners are in control of the exchange of resources and can discriminate between partners according to whichever offers the highest returns. However, in nature, plant–AM symbioses are exposed to a wealth of additional biotic and abiotic interactions which can affect the regulation of carbon‐for‐nutrient exchange between symbionts. Moreover, the extraradical hyphae of AM fungi make up underground networks that may be interactive or physically connected, known as common mycorrhizal networks (CMNs). These can link neighbouring plants, potentially further influencing resource distribution across the network. How these layers of complexity interact to influence resource regulation and allocation between plants and AM fungi is not often considered by experimental designs. Here, we review resource allocation in AM symbioses, scaling up from evidence from reductionist experimental systems using axenic root organ cultures to complex systems incorporating multiple neighbouring plants dealing with other, co‐occurring symbionts. As experimental designs increase in scale and ecologically relevant complexity, the carbon‐for‐nutrient exchange between plants and their AM symbionts is increasingly subject to disruption associated with the wider ecological context, such as the intricacies of the plant‐fungal interactions in a CMN or the presence of co‐occurring organisms. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants typically interact with multiple, co‐occurring symbionts, including arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi which can form networks, connecting neighbouring plants. A characteristic aspect of the mycorrhizal symbiosis is the bidirectional exchange of nutrients between host plants and fungal partners. Concurrent interactions with competing organisms such as aphids or potato cyst nematodes (PCN) can disrupt the carbon‐for‐nutrient exchange between plants and AM fungi. However, the role of mycorrhizal networks (MNs) in mediating these interactions remains unclear. Using isotope tracing in multi‐plant experimental systems, we investigated the movement of plant photosynthates and fungal‐acquired soil phosphorus through MNs and the interactive effects of PCN infection on this. We found evidence of preferential allocation of fungal‐acquired phosphorus to plants that were not infected by PCN compared with infected neighbours. Contrary to previous findings using single plants, we did not detect a PCN‐induced reduction in the amounts of plant carbon delivered to AM fungi in multi‐plant systems. However, the MN(s) moved plant‐fixed carbon away from PCN‐infected host plants, regardless of the PCN infection status of the neighbouring plant host. Our work highlights the responsiveness of MNs to interactions with below‐ground organisms. It also strengthens the argument for a more mycocentric view of AM–plant symbioses. Experimental designs of increasing ecological complexity are needed for a more comprehensive understanding of the carbon‐for‐nutrient dynamics in AM fungi–plant networks. This will, in turn, elucidate the role of AM fungi in terrestrial carbon cycling and their function in agricultural systems. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel thin films have been deposited on silicon (100) substrates by pulsed laser deposition at various substrate temperatures, Ts, in the range 100 - 700 °C. X-ray diffraction analysis confirms nickel phases are present for Ts in the range 100 - 300 °C, while above 500 °C Ni-Si phases were observed. The grain size and roughness of thin films were in the range 30 nm - 590 nm and 4.3 - 15.7 nm respectively for thickness of the films is in the range 45 nm - 100 nm. Systematic variation with Ts was found for these morphological parameters, as well as the ratio of the remnant to saturation magnetic moment, magnetic coercivity and magnetoresistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Evoked tympanic membrane displacement (TMD) measurements show a correlation with intracranial pressure (ICP). Attempts to use these measurements for non-invasive monitoring of ICP in patients have been limited by high measurement variability. Pulsing of the tympanic membrane at the cardiac frequency has been shown to be a significant source of the variability. In this study we describe a post processing method to remove the cardiac pulse waveform and assess the impact of this on the measurement and its repeatability. Approach. Three-hundred and sixteen healthy volunteers were recruited for evoked TMD measurements. The measurements were quantified by Vm, defined as the mean displacement between the point of maximum inward displacement and the end of the stimulus. A sample of spontaneously pulsing TMDs was measured immediately before the evoked measurements. Simultaneous recording of the ECG allowed a heartbeat template to be extracted from the spontaneous data and subtracted from the evoked data. Intra-subject repeatability of Vm was assessed from 20 repeats of the evoked measurement. Results with and without subtraction of the heartbeat template were compared. The difference was tested for significance using the Wilcoxon sign rank test. Main results. In left and right ears, both sitting and supine, application of the pulse correction significantly reduced the intra-subject variability of Vm (p value range 4.0 × 10−27 to 2.0 × 10−31). The average improvement was from 98 ± 6 nl to 56 ± 4 nl. Significance. The pulse subtraction technique substantially improves the repeatability of evoked TMD measurements. This justifies further investigations to assess the use of TMD measurements in clinical applications where non-invasive tracking of changes in ICP would be useful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) was studied at low temperature (T=30 K) in dc-magnetron sputtered Ni60Cu40/Cu multilayers. PMA has been observed in many multilayer structures for ferromagnetic layer thicknesses less than a certain thickness t⊥. In general cases t⊥ is less than a few nanometers, making such structures unsuitable for low-cost fabrication techniques. Our results show a strong perpendicular easy direction of magnetization for NiCu layer thickness between 4.2 nm and 34 nm. The thickness t⊥ at which the multilayers change the preferential orientation from perpendicular to in-plane is estimated to be 55 nm. Structural studies show that the low magnetostatic energy density is likely to be the main reason for the large t⊥ value obtained in this system. © 2004 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Recent studies have revealed distinct thanatomicrobiome (microbiome of death) signatures in human body sites after death. Thanatomicrobiome studies suggest that microbial succession after death may have the potential to reveal important postmortem biomarkers for the identification of time of death. We surveyed the postmortem microbiomes of cardiac tissues from 10 corpses with varying times of death (6–58 h) using amplicon‐based sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene’ V1‐2 and V4 hypervariable regions. The results demonstrated that amplicons had statistically significant (P < 0·05) sex‐dependent changes. Clostridium sp., Pseudomonas sp., Pantoea sp. and Streptococcus sp. had the highest enrichment for both V1‐2 and V4 regions. Interestingly, the results also show that V4 amplicons had higher abundance of Clostridium sp. and Pseudomonas sp. in female hearts compared to males. In addition, Streptococcus sp. was solely found in male heart samples. The distinction between sexes was further supported by principle coordinate analysis, which revealed microbes in female hearts formed a distinctive cluster separate from male cadavers for both hypervariable regions. This study provides data that demonstrates that two hypervariable regions show discriminatory power for sex differences in postmortem heart samples. Significance and Impact of the Study: The findings represent preliminary data of the first thanatomicrobiome investigation of a comparison between 16S rRNA gene V1‐2 and V4 amplicon signatures in corpse heart tissues. The results demonstrated that V4 hypervariable region amplicons had statistically significant (P < 0·05) sex‐dependent microbial diversity. For example, Streptococcus sp. was solely found in male postmortem heart tissues. Interestingly, the results also show that V4 amplicons had higher abundance of Clostridium sp. and Pseudomonas sp. in female heart tissues compared to males. The finding of Clostridium sp. supports the postmortem clostridium effect in corpse heart tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This case report describes a technique for repair of medial collateral ligament avulsions in two horses. Both horses sustained traumatic injuries resulting in avulsion fractures at the origin of their medial tarsal and carpal collateral ligaments. This report describes the use of a knotless suture anchor to mechanically reconstruct medial collateral ligament avulsion injuries in two horses. The first horse, a 9‐year‐old Hannovarian Warmblood gelding presented for an acute nonweightbearing lameness in the right hindlimb. The injury was localised to the medial malleolus of the tibia and an avulsion fracture of the origin of the short medial collateral ligament of the tibiotarsal joint with disruption of the ligament was found on radiographs and ultrasound. The horse was taken to surgery and a reconstruction of the short medial collateral ligament was performed with a modified single row construct using a biocompatible, multistrand, long chain ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene braided composite suture tape (2 mm Fibertape) and a single knotless suture anchor (5.5 × 19.1 mm PEEK SwivelLock C). The second horse, a 5‐year‐old Thoroughbred gelding presented for an acute nonweightbearing lameness in the left forelimb. The injury was localised to the medial styloid process of the radius and an avulsion fracture of the origin of the medial collateral ligament of the antebrachial carpal joint was found on radiographs and ultrasound. The horse was taken to surgery and a similar reconstruction procedure was performed to the collateral ligament. Both horses were recovered in a Robert Jones bandage without the use of casts or splints and recovered without incident. Both horses are sound and returned to previous level of athletic performance at 18 months and 8 months, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scalable and coherent shared memory has been a long-sought-after but elusive goal. In contrast to today’s popular distributed-computing models, the authors present a software-defined server architecture that is a scale-up shared-memory multiprocessor, yet uses ubiquitous commodity scale-out clusters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2002 paper "Does 5-HT restrain panic? A tryptophan depletion study in panic disorder patients recovered on paroxetine" by Bell and colleagues - reprinted in this issue of the Journal - reports on a study undertaken in the halcyon days of David Nutt's Psychopharmacology Unit at the University of Bristol, England. In this invited commentary authors of the original work discuss the impact of this paper on the field of acute tryptophan depletion research (especially in the field of clinical anxiety disorders) and the development of disorder-specific anxiogenic provocations over the past decade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. We aim to test the hypothesis that college students provide Democratic candidates with greater electoral support and whether this varies among federal, state, and local elections.We also test whether college students mobilized by presidential campaigns are more likely to abstain from voting for state and local elections. Methods. To examine these questions, we employedOLS and difference-of-means tests to analyze the distribution of votes cast in competitive elections for the November 2008 elections in 86 precincts located on 42 college campuses across five states as compared to the distribution of votes cast in noncollege precincts. College precincts were identified by representatives from each community's local Board of Elections. Results. In line with conventional wisdom, the results of the analyses indicate Democratic candidates for federal offices do consistently receive greater electoral support from precincts located on college campuses as compared to noncollege precincts. However, the analyses of state and local elections highlight substantial variation in the level of support that Democratic candidates receive from precincts located on college campuses. Moreover, we found many college students in 2008 cast their ballots for Obama, but chose not to participate in lower-level elections. Conclusion. Republican fears regarding college students turning small towns on their heads via the ballot box are not supported by our analyses.On average, students vote more democratically than nonstudents but they are also more likely to simply choose not to vote for local candidates. By and large, they come to the polls to vote for national offices, not local ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scanning superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) measurements recently revealed enhanced channels of conductivity at the conducting LaAlO/SrTiO (LAO/STO) interface (Kalisky et al. Nat. Mater. 12, 1091 2013). The orientation of the channels and their thermal behavior suggest that they originate as a consequence of the STO tetragonal domain formation which sets in below ∼105 K. In this work, we use polarized light microscopy to acquire images of the tetragonal domains in the same group of LAO/STO samples. We looked at the configuration of the domains (orientation and spacing) and followed their behavior as a function of temperature and back-gate voltage. The optical data agrees with the electrical behavior mapped magnetically. This direct and independent study of the domain structure confirms that the channel-like conductivity in LAO/STO is due to the STO tetragonal domain structure and emphasizes the importance of STO physics to the interfacial properties. These results demonstrate how small structural changes in perovskite crystals strongly influence the electronic characteristics of heterostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracellular enzymes produced by heterotrophic microbial communities are major drivers of carbon and nutrient cycling in terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments. Although carbon and nutrient cycles are coupled on global scales, studies of extracellular enzymes associated with terrestrial, freshwater, and marine microbial communities are not often compared across ecosystems. In part, this disconnect arises because the environmental parameters that control enzyme activities in terrestrial and freshwater systems, such as temperature, pH, and moisture content, have little explanatory power for patterns of enzyme activities in marine systems. Instead, factors such as the functional diversity of microbial communities may explain varying patterns of enzyme activities observed in the ocean to date. In any case, many studies across systems focus on similar issues that highlight the commonalities of microbial community organization. Examples include the effective lifetime of enzymes released into the environment; the extent to which microbial communities coordinate enzyme expression to decompose complex organic substrates; and the influence of microbial community composition on enzyme activities and kinetics. Here we review the often-disparate research foci in terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments. We consider the extent to which environmental factors may regulate extracellular enzyme activities within each ecosystem, and highlight commonalities and current methodological challenges to identify research questions that may aid in integrating cross-system perspectives in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report electron doping in the surface vicinity of KTaO3 by inducing oxygen vacancies via Ar+ irradiation. The doped electrons have high mobility (>104 cm2/V s) at low temperatures, and exhibit Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations with both two- and three-dimensional components. A disparity of the extracted in-plane effective mass, compared to the bulk values, suggests mixing of the orbital characters. Our observations demonstrate that Ar+ irradiation serves as a flexible tool to study low-dimensional quantum transport in 5d semiconducting oxides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the effect of the laser parameters of pulsed laser deposition on the film stoichiometry and electronic properties of LaAlO3/SrTiO3 (001) heterostructures. The La/Al ratio in the LaAlO3 films was varied widely from 0.88 to 1.15, and was found to have a strong effect on the interface conductivity. In particular, the carrier density is modulated over more than two orders of magnitude. The film lattice expansion, caused by cation vacancies, is found to be the important functional parameter. These results can be understood to arise from the variations in the electrostatic boundary conditions, and their resolution, with stoichiometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bulk magnetoresistance quantum oscillations are observed in high quality single crystal samples of BiTel. This compound shows an extremely large internal spin-orbit coupling, associated with the polarity of the alternating Bi, Te, and I layers perpendicular to the c axis. The corresponding areas of the inner and outer Fermi surfaces around the A point show good agreement with theoretical calculations, demonstrating that the intrinsic bulk Rashba-type splitting is nearly 360 meV, comparable to the largest spin-orbit coupling generated in heterostructures and at surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the results of a study on the effect of the level of lysine and dietary ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) on the growth, feed efficiency and carcass responses in finisher boars and gilts. The study reveals that 0.56 gram of lysine is sufficient to maximize average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and carcass weight in gilts while ADG and FCR in boars were not limited by the lysine energy ratios. It also explains the responses of dietary RAC in ADG and FCR.

The article discusses the results of a study on the maximum level of dietary lysine needed by finisher pigs to improve their response to ractopamine (RAC). The study explains that the interactions between dietary RAC and lysine resulted to an improvement in average daily gain (ADG) and carcass weight but not in feed efficiency of pigs. The findings suggest that 0.56 gram of lysine is not sufficient to produce response to dietary RAC in growth or feed efficiency in the first seven days of pigs.

Tragopogon comprises approximately 150 described species distributed throughout Eurasia from Ireland and the UK to India and China with a few species in North Africa. Most of the species diversity is found in Eastern Europe to Western Asia. Previous phylogenetic analyses identified several major clades, generally corresponding to recognized taxonomic sections, although relationships both among these clades and among species within clades remain largely unresolved. These patterns are consistent with rapid diversification following the origin of Tragopogon, and this study addresses the timing and rate of diversification in Tragopogon. Using BEAST to simultaneously estimate a phylogeny and divergence times, we estimate the age of a major split and subsequent rapid divergence within Tragopogon to be ~2.6 Ma (and 1.7-5.4 Ma using various clock estimates). Based on the age estimates obtained with BEAST ( HPD 1.7-5.4 Ma) for the origin of crown group Tragopogon and 200 estimated species (to accommodate a large number of cryptic species), the diversification rate of Tragopogon is approximately 0.84-2.71 species/Myr for the crown group, assuming low levels of extinction. This estimate is comparable in rate to a rapid Eurasian radiation in Dianthus (0.66-3.89 species/Myr), which occurs in the same or similar habitats. Using available data, we show that subclades of various plant taxa that occur in the same semi-arid habitats of Eurasia also represent rapid radiations occurring during roughly the same window of time (1.7-5.4 Ma), suggesting similar causal events. However, not all species-rich plant genera from the same habitats diverged at the same time, or at the same tempo. Radiations of several other clades in this same habitat (e.g. Campanula, Knautia, Scabiosa) occurred at earlier dates (45-4.28 Ma). Existing phylogenetic data and diversification estimates therefore indicate that, although some elements of these semi-arid communities radiated during the Plio- Pleistocene period, other clades sharing the same habitat appear to have diversified earlier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the effect of discarded chickpea cooking on the productive response and carcass yield of the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) at the fattening stage, 300 animals (1 d of age and 9.92 ± 0.05 g) were used. The control diet was elaborated with soybean meal and ground corn grain. The discarded chickpea, raw and cooked, replaced at 60 % the soybean meal and the ground corn grain. For the discarded raw chickpea, the feed intake was 77.9 % higher (P < 0.01) than for the cooked. It improved (P < 0.01) the weight gain (220.10 vs 203.56 and 204.40 g), the slaughter weight (229.85 vs 212.49 and 214.36 g), and the carcass weight (135.77 vs 128.97 and 129.74 g), as compared with the control diet and the diet with discarded cooked chickpea, respectively. There were not differences between the discarded raw chickpea and the cooked chickpea for the feed efficiency and the carcass yield. It was concluded that the inclusion of 60 % of discarded raw chickpea in the diet, as compared with the cooked, enhances the productive response and the carcass weight, not modifying the yield in the Japanese quail at the fattening stage; thus, its boiling is not recommended in this animal category. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Para estudiar el efecto de la cocción del garbanzo de descarte en la respuesta productiva y rendimiento en canal de la codorniz japonesa en engorde (Coturnix coturnix jponica), se utilizaron 300 animales (1 d de edad y 9.92 ± 0.05 g). La dieta testigo se elaboró con harina de soya y grano de maíz molido. El garbanzo de descarte, crudo y cocido, sustituyó en proporción de 60 % a la harina de soya y al grano de maíz molido. Con garbanzo de descarte crudo, el consumo de alimento fue 77.9 % superior (P < 0.01) con respecto al cocido. Mejoró (P < 0.01) la ganancia de peso (220.10 vs 203.56 y 204.40 g), peso al sacrificio (229.85 vs 212.49 y 214.36 g) y peso de canal (135.77 vs 128.97 y 129.74 g) con respecto a la dieta testigo y a la dieta con garbanzo de descarte cocido, respectivamente. No hubo diferencias entre el garbanzo de descarte crudo y el garbanzo de descarte cocido para la eficiencia alimentaria y el rendimiento de la canal. Se concluye que la inclusión en la dieta de 60 % de garbanzo de descarte crudo con respecto al cocido, mejora la respuesta productiva y el peso de la canal, sin modificar el rendimiento en codorniz japonesa en engorde, por lo que no se recomienda la cocción por ebullición para su utilización en esta categoría animal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Port of Gippsland Lakes is one of five regional ports operated by Gippsland Ports Committee of Management. Lakes Entrance is home to Victoria's largest commercial fishing fleet and is a popular recreational boating and tourist destination. Sand accretion at the lake's entrance has been problematic since its construction in 1889, and after many years of constant dredging, still challenges navigation. In 2005, the Victorian State Government announced funding for the Lakes Entrance Sand Management Program (LESMP). The LESMP aims to improve all aspects of sand management to ensure the entrance to Gippsland Lakes remains safe and navigable in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electronic structure of low-density n-type SrTiO3 δ-doped heterostructures is investigated by angular dependent Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations. In addition to a controllable crossover from a threeto two-dimensional Fermi surface, clear beating patterns for decreasing dopant layer thicknesses arc found. These indicate the lifting of the degeneracy of the conduction band due to subband quantization in the two-dimensional limit. Analysis of the temperature-dependent oscillations shows that similar effective masses are found for all components, associated with the splitting of the light electron pocket. The dimensionality crossover in the superconducting state is found to he distinct from the normal state. resulting in a rich phase diagram as a function of dopant layer thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeTo assess the effectiveness of anti-tuberculous treatment in patients with chronic uveitis and either active systemic or latent tuberculosis (TB) in a non-endemic community.MethodsRetrospective study of patients with chronic uveitis, non-ocular evidence of latent or active TB and no other identified cause of uveitis who underwent a 6-month course of standard anti-tuberculous chemotherapy. Response to treatment was assessed at 6 and 12 months after initiation of treatment.ResultsA total of 27 patients were included of whom 59% were female. In all, 19 were Asian, 4 Caucasian, and 4 Black. More than half of patients had a history of contact with another person treated for TB. Inflammation resolved after chemotherapy in 70.3% of patients, 18.5% had a change in the nature of their inflammation and 11.1% had no benefit.ConclusionsThere were no uveitis features characteristic of TB uveitis and a wide range of manifestations was seen ranging from non-granulomatous anterior uveitis to occlusive retinal vasculitis. TB is not endemic in the United Kingdom, therefore consideration of ethnicity, immigration, and history of TB contact remain important to direct investigations. In a patient with uveitis and latent TB, a full 6-month course of anti-tuberculous chemotherapy is recommended although it may not be curative of the uveitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate facial expression recognition (FER) accuracy in social phobia and in particular to explore how facial expressions of emotion were misclassified. We hypothesised that compared with healthy controls, subjects with social phobia would be no less accurate in their identification of facial emotions (as reported in previous studies) but that they would misclassify facial expressions as expressing threatening emotions (anger, fear or disgust). Thirty individuals with social phobia and twenty-seven healthy controls completed a FER task which featured six basic emotions morphed using computer techniques between 0 percent (neutral) and 100 percent intensity (full emotion). Supporting our hypotheses we found no differences between the groups on measures of the accuracy of emotion recognition but that compared with healthy controls the social phobia group were more likely both to misclassify facial expressions as angry and to interpret neutral facial expressions as angry. The healthy control group were more likely to misclassify neutral expressions as sad. The importance of the role of these biases in social phobia needs further replication but may help in understanding the disorder and provide an interesting area for future research and therapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Where mechanisms inherent within the biology of a species affect individual fitness at low density, demographic-scale depensation may occur, hastening further decline and leading ultimately to population extirpation and species extinction. Reduction in fertility at low population densities has been identified in marine and terrestrial species. Using data on hatch success and hatchling-emergence success as proxies for fertilization success, we conducted a global meta-analysis of data from breeding aggregations of green turtles (Chelonia mydas ) and loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta ). We found that there has been no reduction in fertility in small nesting aggregations in either of these species worldwide. We considered mechanisms within the mating strategies and reproductive biology of marine turtles that may allow for novel genetic input and facilitate enhanced gene flow among rookeries. Behavioral reproductive mechanisms, such as natal philopatry and polyandry, may mitigate potential impacts of depensation and contribute to the resilience of these species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 3-agonist ractopamine is a dietary ingredient that improves growth and increases the lean mass with little change in fat mass in gilts and harrows. Limited data in boars indicate that dietary ractopamine may increase lean tissue and decrease fat deposition, whereas there are no data for immunocastrated boars. The aims of this investigation were 1) to assess whether the growth performance of all sexes could be maintained over 31 d by using a step-up dietary ractopamine feeding program of 5 mg/kg of ractopamine for the first 14 d, then increasing the dose to 10 mg/kg for a further 17 d, and 2) to determine if dietary ractopamine would increase lean mass in all sexes and decrease fat mass in boars and immunocastrated boars. The study involved 286 pigs randomized and proportionally allocated by breed into 24 groups of 11 or 12 pigs at 17 wk of age, with equal groups of boars, immunocastrated boars, and gilts. Dietary ractopamine decreased (P = 0.005) ADFI during the first 2 wk, particularly in the intact and immunocastrated boars, with the reduction in ADFI being maintained in the immunocastrated boars after the increment in dietary ractopamine. Daily BW gain was not altered by dietary ractopamine during the first 2 wk, but was increased (P < 0.001) after the increment in dietary ractopamine. Dietary ractopamine decreased (P < 0.033) feed conversion ratio in all sexes with the response being greater after the increase in dietary ractopamine. Carcass weight was increased (P < 0.001) by dietary ractopamine in all sexes, whereas back fat tended (P 0.076) to be reduced in the immunocastrated boars. Dietary ractopamine increased (P = 0.018) lean tissue mass by 4.0, 4.8, and 6.5 kg in the intact boars, gilts, and immunocastrated boars, respectively. In the entire and immunocastrated boars, the increase in lean tissue was accompanied with a decrease (P = 0.004) in fat mass. There was little effect of dietary ractopamine on fat mass in gilts. However, carcass percent fat was decreased (P = 0.004) and percent lean increased (P = 0.006) in all sexes. Immunocastration caused a decrease in lean tissue mass and an increase in fat mass and an increase in ADFI in the last one-half of the study. Dietary ractopamine may decrease fat mass in intact and immunocastrated boars and offers an excellent means of maximizing the effects of immunocastration and minimizing the increase in fat mass sometimes observed in immunocastrated boars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Congruence between preferred and actual place of death is an important palliative care outcome reported in the literature. We examined methods of measuring and reporting congruence to highlight variations impairing cross-study comparisons. Medline, PsychInfo, CINAHL, and Web of Science were systematically searched for clinical research studies examining patient preference and congruence as an outcome. Data were extracted into amatrix, including purpose, reported congruence, and method for eliciting preference. Studies were graded for quality. Using tables of preferred versus actual places of death, an overall congruence (total met preferences out of total preferences) and a kappa statistic of agreement were determined for each study. Twelve studies were identified. Percentage of congruence was reported using four different definitions. Ten studies provided a table or partial table of preferred versus actual deaths for each place. Three studies provided kappa statistics. No study achieved better than moderate agreement when analysed using kappa statistics. A study which elicited ideal preference reported the lowest agreement, while longitudinal studies reporting final preferred place of death yielded the highest agreement (moderate agreement). Two other studies of select populations also yielded moderate agreement. There is marked variation in methods of eliciting and reporting congruence, even among studies focused on congruence as an outcome. Cross-study comparison would be enhanced by the use of similar questions to elicit preference, tables of preferred versus actual places of death, and kappa statistics of agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stratospheric role in the European winter surface climate response to El Niño–Southern Oscillation sea surface temperature forcing is investigated using an intermediate general circulation model with a well-resolved stratosphere. Under El Niño conditions, both the modeled tropospheric and stratospheric mean-state circulation changes correspond well to the observed “canonical” responses of a late winter negative North Atlantic Oscillation and a strongly weakened polar vortex, respectively. The variability of the polar vortex is modulated by an increase in frequency of stratospheric sudden warming events throughout all winter months. The potential role of this stratospheric response in the tropical Pacific–European teleconnection is investigated by sensitivity experiments in which the mean state and variability of the stratosphere are degraded. As a result, the observed stratospheric response to El Niño is suppressed and the mean sea level pressure response fails to resemble the temporal and spatial evolution of the observations. The results suggest that the stratosphere plays an active role in the European response to El Niño. A saturation mechanism whereby for the strongest El Niño events tropospheric forcing dominates the European response is suggested. This is examined by means of a sensitivity test and it is shown that under large El Niño forcing the European response is insensitive to stratospheric representation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We interviewed 1038 HIV-positive inpatients in public hospitals in Miami, Florida, and Atlanta, Georgia, to examine patient factors associated with use of HIV care, use of antiretroviral therapy, and unprotected sexual intercourse. Multivariate analyses and multiple logistic regression models showed that use of crack cocaine and heavy drinking were associated with never having had an HIV-care provider, high-risk sexual behavior, and not receiving antiretroviral therapy. Inpatient interventions that link and retain HIV-positive persons in primary care services could prevent HIV transmission and unnecessary hospitalizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the search for new physical properties of S/F structures, we have found that the superconductor critical current can be controlled by the domain state of the neighboring ferromagnet. The superconductor is a thin wire of thickness ds ≈2ξS. Nb/Co and Nb/Py (Permalloy Ni80Fe20) bilayer structures were grown with a significant magnetic anisotropy. Critical current measurements of Nb/Co structures with ferromagnet thickness dF > 30 nm show sudden drops in two very defined steps when the measurements are made along the hard axes direction (i.e. current track parallel to hard anisotropy axes direction). These drops disappear when they are made along the easy axis direction or when the ferromagnet thickness is below 30 nm. The drops are accompanied by vortex flux flow. In addition magnetorestistance measurements close to TC show a sharp increase near saturation fields of the ferromagnet. Similar results are reproduced in Nb/Py bilayer structure with the ferromagnet thickness dF ~ 50 nm along the easy anisotropy axes. These results are explained as being due to spontaneous vortex formation and flow induced by Bloch domain walls of the ferromagnet underneath. We argue these Bloch domain walls produce a 2D vortex-antivortex lattice structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vivo bioluminescence imaging of reporter enzymes has proven to be a uniquely powerful tool that allows the study of the biology of viral and nonviral gene transfer agents. Cost-effective, noninvasive, longitudinal gene transfer studies in individual animals yield important information, which can influence the design of subsequent preclinical studies. The broad and expanding use of luciferase transgenes, specifically firefly luciferase, has prompted the study of luciferase-specific T-cell activation following in vivo gene transfer. Herein, we report the mapping of the dominant T cell epitope in C57BL/6 mice (LMYRFEEEL) and the mapping of the dominant and minor T-cell epitopes in BALB/c mice (GFQSMYTFV and VPFHHGFGM, VALPHRTAC, respectively). These CD8 T-cell epitopes can be used to monitor cellular responses in vivo as well as be important tools in studies designed to suppress transgene-specific T cells.Gene Therapy (2009) 16, 441–447; doi:10.1038/gt.2008.177; published online 8 January 2009 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To prospectively determine the effect of prostate volume on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in terms of changes in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and to determine whether prostate volume affects the retention rate after brachytherapy, as there is concern that patients with larger prostates might develop more troublesome LUTS after brachytherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS We prospectively identified 100 consecutive patients who had brachytherapy for prostate cancer, using a real-time three-dimensional seed implantation technique, at one institution. At each follow-up review the IPSS was recorded. To determine the effect of prostate volume on the IPSS after treatment the patients were divided into two groups according to prostate volume at brachytherapy (<50 and ≥50 mL). RESULTS The median patient age was 62 years, the overall median prostate volume was 42 mL and the median intraoperative D90 was 190 Gy. The pretreatment IPSS was 4 and 8 for the <50 and ≥50 mL groups, respectively, and at 3 months after brachytherapy the median IPSS increased to 18 and 20 for the two groups, respectively. Eleven patients went into acute retention of urine after brachytherapy (six in the ≥50 mL group). CONCLUSIONS This study shows that patients with prostates of ≥50 mL have an IPSS comparable with those who have prostates of <50 mL. Large prostates should not be considered an exclusion criterion when an intraoperative planning technique is used for brachytherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A chain of east-west elongated lakes fringes the eastern flank of the Andes Mountains between 39 and 52°S in southern Chile and Argentina. These deep lakes fill valleys left by the retreat of outlet glaciers of the Patagonian Icefield about 16000 years ago. Two of the lakes, Lago General Carrera/Buenos Aires and Lago Cochrane, represent the shrunken remnants of a much larger lake (called here the predecessor lake) that developed in a moat alongside the icefield. A series of seven stepped lacustrine braid deltas on the southeastern shore of Lago General Carrera/Buenos Aires mark the progressive, punctuated drainage of the predecessor lake. The deltas were formed by the build-out of fans of sand and gravel into the lake. They have the form of Gilbert deltas, with virtually flat subaerial topset beds and steeply inclined subaqueous foreset beds. The exposed delta fronts are marked by a series of small terraces produced by wave erosion during falling lake levels. On either side of the fans are embayments with beaches formed by deposition in the lee of the pro-grading fans. These embayments are filled with ridges of well-sorted gravel deposited by wave-driven long-shore drift. About 13 000 years ago the regional drainage underwent a remarkable change. Rivers flowing eastwards into the Atlantic reversed their direction to flow westwards through the Andes Mountains and into the Pacific Ocean. The watershed moved some 200 km to the east. The cause of this change, and the falling lake levels, was melting of the Patagonian Icefield. As the ice retreated the icefield split into north and south components. This broke the ice dam that impounded the western end of the predecessor lake. The stepped, progressive fall of the lake level suggests that as the ice melted a series of lower overflow sills of hard rock were exposed. Each of the major episodes of sudden drop in lake level was followed by a long period of up to thousands of years when lake level remained constant. Terraces on the delta fronts indicate that each major episode of fall in the lake level was punctuated by up to ten minor episodes possibly representing major storm events or annual cycles of freezing and melting, blocking the overflow sills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the relationships between the time spent in specific intensities of activity and inactivity, cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition in children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a random sample of schools. Height, weight and waist circumference were measured in 224 children aged 7-10 years. Cardiorespiratory fitness was estimated by the 20 m multistage running test, and physical activity was measured over 4 days by the RT3 (a triaxial accelerometer). Time each day spent in moderate and vigorous intensities of activity was calculated. Results: Twelve schools agreed to participate in the study. Body composition and fitness data were obtained for 224 children and activity data for 152 children. Boys were found to take part in about twice as much vigorous and hard activity as girls (mean (95% confidence interval) 64.3 (53.2 to 75.4) mm in boys compared with 37 (33.1 to 40.9) mm in girls; p<0.001). In boys there was significant difference between those defined as normal, overweight and obese in the time spent in vigorous activity (p<0.05), but no such difference was found in girls. A significant negative correlation between waist circumference and time spent in vigorous activity (r=-0.31, p<0.05) was found in boys but not in girls. Time spent sedentary was positively correlated with waist circumference in boys (r=0.33, p<0.01) but not in girls. In both boys and girls there were significant negative correlations between fitness and both body mass index (r=-0.274, p<0.001) and waist circumference (boys: r=-0.503, p<0.01; girls: r=-0.286, p<0.01). Conclusion: In boys, body composition was inversely related to fitness and to vigorous activity and was positively related to inactivity. In girls, body composition was related to fitness but not to specific components of physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a need to measure physical activity in children accurately, as low levels of activity may be related to risk factors for acquired diseases. The cost of observational studies may be prohibitive in epidemiological or large-scale studies where the use of questionnaires may be more appropriate. While information on non-planned activities may be difficult to capture, questionnaires in children can provide data on sedentary activities, the energy expended in regular activities, and method of transport to and from school. Heart-rate monitoring is an indirect objective measure of physical activity and present-day monitors can store data for a number of days. Accelerometry is an objective and reliable method for assessment of activity and inactivity, and can be used over representative time periods with minimal discomfort to individuals. The advent of small activity monitors has led to a major improvement in the ability to monitor children's activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historically, nesting marine turtles were abundant in the Cayman Islands and were an integral part of the economy and culture. Today, nesting of loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta and green turtles Chelonia mydas takes place at very low levels. Hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata nesting has not been recorded since 1999. We overview highly detailed monitoring data gathered over a 6-year period allowing insight into the magnitude and spatial and temporal patterns of marine turtle nesting, cost-effectiveness of monitoring such reduced populations, impacts of development on reproductive success and current threats to the recovery of the population. Nesting is diffuse and widely distributed for both nesting species on Grand and Little Cayman. Modelled nesting detection profiles for Grand Cayman show that in order to maintain data resolution, most sandy coastline must be surveyed throughout each season. However, in Little Cayman it may be possible to reduce effort. Legal take of adults and illegal take of eggs may be significantly impacting the remaining population. Surprisingly, we observed no significant correlation between density of coastal development and clutch density, adult emergence success or hatching success for either species. A significant relationship exists however, between density of coastal development and incidence of misorientation events in loggerhead hatchlings but not in green turtle hatchlings. Effective protection of known nesting habitat and the elimination of exploitation of remaining adults and eggs within the population are critical to its recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: A monoclonal antibody (Mab 2F3)-based sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (sELISA) format for the detection of Escherichia coli O26 that improves the sensitivity of the assay by combining enrichment with the capture stage has been developed. Culture of the enriched contents of wells before completion of the sELISA was compared with immunomagnetic bead separation (IMS) as a means of specific isolation of the target organism. Methods and Results: Bovine faecal samples, c. 10% in buffered peptone water (BPW), were pre-enriched for 6 h before testing by capture/enrichment sELISA and by IMS. The sELISA consisted of a 1–2 h capture stage followed by addition of BPW to the wells and an overnight enrichment stage before completion of the assay. The capture/enrichment stage of the assay was repeated a second time on the enriched contents removed from the wells before completion of the first sELISA. From 204 cattle faeces samples, 30× O26 strains [20× attachment effacement Escherichia coli (AEEC) and 10× non-AEEC] were isolated from the enriched wells of the sELISA, in comparison with 11 (9× AEEC and 2× non-AEEC) that were isolated by IMS. Examination of the use of enterohaemolysin activity and rhamnose utilization on 1% rhamnose McConkey's (RMAC) agar with or without cefixime and potassium tellurite demonstrated that the selection based on enterohaemolysin production and growth on RMAC with cefixime and potassium tellurite would largely differentiate the AEEC strains from the non-AEEC strains. Conclusions: The capture/enrichment sELISA protocol used compared favourably with the IMS for the isolation of E. coli O26 from faeces samples. The ELISA optical density readings obtained in the procedure were used as a screening indicator for selection of samples for further culture examination, and the selective culture methods examined to assist strain isolation did have potential. Significance and Impact of the Study: The capture/enrichment format of an Mab-based sELISA protocol has the potential to provide a suitable screening assay for the specific detection of pathogenic strains from mixed culture samples like faeces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: La0.7Ca0.3MnO3/YBa2Cu3O7−δ /La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 heterostructural devices with double coercivity have been fabricated. The superconducting critical current and critical temperature in both parallel (P) and antiparallel (AP) magnetic configurations remained unchanged within our measurement limits. This observation is contrary to results obtained elsewhere using similar metallic systems. A pseudo spin-valve magnetoresistive (MR) characteristic was observed at bias current at temperatures below the onset of superconductivity. The effect increased with decreasing temperature and and can be explained using the assumption of the electron spin-charge separation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

e. neely, c. bell, d. finlay, j. mccappin, i. wilson and h.j. ball. 2004.To improve the sensitivity of a monoclonal antibody (MAb 2F3) based enteropathogenicEscherichia coli(EPEC)/enterohaemorrhagicE. coli(EHEC) serogroup O26-specific sandwich ELISA (sELISA), using a capture/enrichment format of the assay.The sELISA utilized an EPEC/EHEC O26-specific MAb 2F3 as the capture reagent and anE. coliserogroup O26 lipopolysaccharide-specific polyclonal antibody in the development stage. Wells containing faeces test samples from bovine enteritis cases and agar colony sweep cultures from human diarrhoea cases, after a 2-h capture stage, were washed and enrichment of the captured cells was encouraged by addition of tryptone soya broth. After overnight incubation, the contents of each well were transferred to sterile wells and the sELISA completed. Any sELISA positive samples were then subcultured onto blood agar to recover and further characterize the positive cultures. The assay had a sensitivity of 103 CFU ml−1. ELISA positive samples consisted of 21 (4·8%) of the 442 bovine and 19 (3·7%) of the 519 human samples tested, and ELISA positive EPEC/EHEC O26 strains were isolated from 11 and three of these samples respectively.The capture/enrichment method improved the sensitivity of a MAb-based sELISA for the detection of EPEC/EHEC O26 strains, and also contributed to an improved isolation rate of the organism from field samples.The application of a specific MAb in a capture/enrichment format of the sELISA, provides a prospectively suitable screening method for the detection of pathogenic bacteria from mixed culture samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the fabrication of sub-micron cross-bridge Kelvin resistors from planar device heterostructures, utilizing a three-dimensional focused ion beam etching technique. By means of a conventional spin valve multilayer, we demonstrate that this geometry eliminates the parasitic resistances of the interconnects, permitting direct probing of device resistances in nanoscale dimensions. It is anticipated that such a technique can be applied to resistance measurements with current-perpendicular-to-plane device geometry in various material systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abundant asterozoan trace fossils in the Lower Cretaceous Apeleg Formation of southern Chile were produced by the infilling of traces made by asteroids and ophiuroids on a muddy surface. Most are preserved as hypichnial ridges formed as casts on the bottom of fine-grained sandstone laminae. Star-shaped Asteriacites lumbricalis are interpreted as the infillings of shallow excavations made by asteroids. Hook-shaped and sinuous ridges of the newly defined ichnogenus and ichnospecies Ophioichnus aysenensis are interpreted as the casts of imprints made by the walking action of the arms of ophiuroids. Deposition probably took place in an offshore tide-swept marine shelf environment. In life the animals formed an assemblage equivalent to echinoderm aggregations on the modern sea floor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND:: ß-Adrenergic receptor sympathetic nervous system (ß-AR SNS) support of resting metabolic rate (RMR) is attenuated with older age, female sex, and a sedentary lifestyle. Total and abdominal adiposity and/or body fat pattern modulate some SNS-mediated physiological functions. OBJECTIVE:: To determine if total and abdominal adiposity and/or body fat distribution are independently related to SNS support of RMR. DESIGN:: Cross-sectional comparison of ß-AR SNS support of RMR. SUBJECTS:: A total of 54 healthy male and female subjects aged 18-75?y. MEASUREMENTS:: RMR (ventilated hood, indirect calorimetry) before (baseline) and during complete ß-AR blockade; body composition by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS:: Forward stepwise multiple regression analysis using sex, exercise status, age group, %body fat, total adiposity, abdominal adiposity, and the ratio of abdominal adiposity to hip adiposity as variables revealed sex to be the strongest predictor, explaining 21% of the variability in ß-AR SNS support of RMR (P=0.0006). Age group explained an additional 4% and exercise status a further 4% (both P=0.10). %Body fat, total adiposity, abdominal adiposity, and the ratio of abdominal adiposity to hip adiposity did not enter the equation. CONCLUSION:: Total and abdominal adiposity and body fat pattern are not independent physiological determinants of ß-AR SNS support of RMR among healthy men and women. Moreover, further support is provided for our previous finding of attenuated ß-AR SNS support of RMR with age, female sex, and sedentary lifestyle.International Journal of Obesity (2003) 27, 1315-1318. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0802413 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]