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Summary: White spotting phenotypes in horses may be caused by developmental alterations impairing melanoblast differentiation, survival, migration and/or proliferation. Candidate genes for white‐spotting phenotypes in horses include EDNRB, KIT, MITF, PAX3 and TRPM1. We investigated a German Riding Pony with a sabino‐like phenotype involving extensive white spots on the body together with large white markings on the head and almost completely white legs. We obtained whole genome sequence data from this horse. The analysis revealed a heterozygous 1273‐bp deletion spanning parts of intron 2 and exon 3 of the equine KIT gene (Chr3: 79 579 925–79 581 197). We confirmed the breakpoints of the deletion by PCR and Sanger sequencing. Knowledge of the functional impact of similar KIT variants in horses and other species suggests that this deletion represents a plausible candidate causative variant for the white‐spotting phenotype. We propose the designation W28 for the mutant allele. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White spotting phenotypes in horses can range in severity from the common white markings up to completely white horses. EDNRB, KIT, MITF, PAX3 and TRPM1 represent known candidate genes for such phenotypes in horses. For the present study, we re-investigated a large horse family segregating a variable white spotting phenotype, for which conventional Sanger sequencing of the candidate genes' individual exons had failed to reveal the causative variant. We obtained whole genome sequence data from an affected horse and specifically searched for structural variants in the known candidate genes. This analysis revealed a heterozygous ~1.9-kb deletion spanning exons 10-13 of the KIT gene (chr3:77,740,239_77,742,136del1898ins TATAT). In continuity with previously named equine KIT variants we propose to designate the newly identified deletion variant W22. We had access to 21 horses carrying the W22 allele. Four of them were compound heterozygous W20/W22 and had a completely white phenotype. Our data suggest that W22 represents a true null allele of the KIT gene, whereas the previously identified W20 leads to a partial loss of function. These findings will enable more precise genetic testing for depigmentation phenotypes in horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy episodic or "binge" drinking is commonly defined as drinking 4-5 drinks per occasion (5/4 definition) or drinking that results in a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08%. The present study compared the validity of each binge definition as an indicator of at-risk, problem drinking. Two hundred and fifty-one college students were classified as nonbinge drinkers or as binge drinkers based on the 5/4 definition or the .08% BAC definition. The two definitions of binge drinking were examined in terms of their sensitivity and specificity as indicators of alcohol-related problems as determined by scores on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Over half the sample (56%) were at-risk drinkers according to the AUDIT. The .08% definition detected only one-half of these individuals. Gender differences were also evident. Female binge drinkers actually achieved significantly higher estimated BACs per episode than their male binge drinking counterparts. The findings suggest that drinking to a subthreshold BAC (ie, <.08%) is not sufficient to avoid alcohol-related problems, and that total quantity (ie, total standard drinks) per occasion might contribute to risk independent of the BAC achieved during drinking episodes. The findings also highlight the importance of considering frequency of consumption in determining risky drinking versus relying solely on quantity measures.  [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tobiano white-spotting pattern is one of several known depigmentation phenotypes in horses and is desired by many horse breeders and owners. The tobiano spotting phenotype is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. Horses that are heterozygous or homozygous for the tobiano allele ( To) are phenotypically indistinguishable. A SNP associated with To had previously been identified in intron 13 of the equine KIT gene and was used for an indirect gene test. The test was useful in several horse breeds. However, genotyping this sequence variant in the Lewitzer horse breed revealed that 14% of horses with the tobiano pattern did not show the polymorphism in intron 13 and consequently the test was not useful to identify putative homozygotes for To within this breed. Speculations were raised that an independent mutation might cause the tobiano spotting pattern in this breed. Recently, the putative causative mutation for To was described as a large chromosomal inversion on equine chromosome 3. One of the inversion breakpoints is approximately 70 kb downstream of the KIT gene and probably disrupts a regulatory element of the KIT gene. We obtained genotypes for the intron 13 SNP and the chromosomal inversion for 204 tobiano spotted horses and 24 control animals of several breeds. The genotyping data confirmed that the chromosomal inversion was perfectly associated with the To allele in all investigated horses. Therefore, the new test is suitable to discriminate heterozygous To/+ and homozygous To/To horses in the investigated breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fertility of stallions is of high economic importance, especially for large breeding organisations and studs. Breeding schemes with respect to fertility traits and selection of stallions at an early stage may be improved by including molecular genetic markers associated with traits. The genes coding for equine cysteine-rich secretory proteins (CRISPs) are promising candidate genes because previous studies have shown that CRISPs play a role in the fertilising ability of male animals. We have previously characterised the three equine CRISP genes and identified a non-synonymous polymorphism in the CRISP1 gene. In this study, we report one non-synonymous polymorphism in the CRISP2 gene and four non-synonymous polymorphisms in the CRISP3 gene. All six CRISP polymorphisms were genotyped in 107 Hanoverian breeding stallions. Insemination records of stallions were used to analyse the association between CRISP polymorphisms and fertility traits. Three statistical models were used to evaluate the influence of single mutations, genotypes and haplotypes of the polymorphisms. The CRISP3 AJ459965:c.+622G>A SNP leading to the amino acid substitution E208K was significantly associated with the fertility of stallions. Stallions heterozygous for the CRISP3 c.+622G>A SNP had lower fertility than homozygous stallions ( P = 0.0234). The pregnancy rate per cycle in these stallions was estimated to be ∼7% lower than in stallions homozygous at this position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explores Irish patriarchy in the play "The Steward of Christendom," by Sebastian Barry. Formulation of sectarian mythologies; Emphasis on Ireland's unwritten histories; Interrogation of history through his choice of protagonists for Barry's plays.

Presents information on dramas by Vaclav Havel, focusing on the female victims and male protagonist roles in his dramas. Criticisms leveled at Havel's dramatic works; Detailed information on some of Havel's dramas.

We intensively sampled fishes from two reaches of the Rio Grande within the Albuquerque Basin (Albuquerque and Belen valleys) during 1998-2001, compared our findings with those from 1984, and compiled a list of all fishes known from the two reaches. Structure of assemblages (richness, diversity, abundance distributions-taxon dominance versus rank abundance) was similar between reaches in 1998-2001, but the faunas had low taxonomic similarity. The nonnative white sucker (Catostomus commersonii), western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis), and native red shiner (Cyprinella lutrensis) dominated the Albuquerque Valley. Faunal change in the Albuquerque Valley between 1984 and 1998-2001 indicated all native fishes besides the red shiner declined, particularly the Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus) and longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae). In contrast, the red shiner alone dominated the Belen Valley, nonnative fishes were less dominant, and aside from the Rio Grande silvery minnow and longnose dace, native species did not decline. Environmental differences provide a potential explanation for divergence of faunas between valleys, i.e., discharge in spring and summer is higher and substrate is coarser in the Albuquerque Valley. Dewatering, fragmentation by dams, and modifications of the river channel correspond to historical losses of fishes that require fluvial conditions. With the exception of the red shiner and, possibly, the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) and slender carpsucker (Carpiodes carpio), native fishes appear to be succumbing to combined stressors of change in habitat, intermittence of streamflow, and interactions with nonnative taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linear -olefins (LAOs) find industrial use as high-value chemical intermediates. Most of the LAO production is based on ethylene oligomerization and does not yield a market-related product distribution. Various non-ethylene-based LAO production routes have been evaluated and it was found that a process based on boron chemistry was the most likely to be successfully commercialized. Process flow diagrams for a low-temperature (150−200 °C) continuous boron-based process to produce LAOs from linear internal olefins are presented, showing that it can be designed with or without a solvent in the boron cycle. Experimental data are presented to illustrate progress made in understanding the chemistry associated with such a process. It is shown that (a) solvent exchange competes with hydroboration and is rate-controlling by regulating borane availability, (b) reactivity of substituted boranes is determined by the availability of the empty pzorbital of boron, (c) steric effects influence the rate of hydroboration and isomerization, (d) alkylborane isomer distribution is temperature-dependent and back-isomerization of terminally bonded alkylboranes is possible, and (e) thermal dehydroboration is more efficient than olefin liberation by displacement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: For emerging adults with chronic medical diseases, the transition from pediatric to adult health care is often a time of great upheaval, commonly associated with unhealthy selfmanagement choices, loss to follow-up, and adverse outcomes. We conducted a systematic review to examine the use of incentive strategies to promote positive health-related behaviors in young adults with chronic medical diseases. Methods: The Medline, CINAHL, Embase, PsycInfo, and Cochrane databases were searched through June 2014. Studies of any design where an incentive was used to achieve a target behavior or outcome in a pediatric or emerging adult population (age <30 years) with chronic medical conditions including addictions, were included. Results: A total of 26 studies comprising 10,880 patients met our inclusion criteria after screening 10,305 abstracts and 301 full-text articles. Of these studies, 20 examined the effects of behavioral incentives on cigarette smoking or substance abuse, including alcohol; four studies explored behavioral incentives in the setting of HIV or sexual health; and two articles studied individuals with other chronic medical conditions. Seventeen articles reported a statistically significant benefit of the behavioral incentive on one or more outcomes, although only half reported follow-up after the incentive period was terminated. Conclusion: While the majority of studies reported positive outcomes, these studies focused on promoting the cessation of adverse behaviors rather than promoting positive behaviors. In addition, conclusions were limited by the high risk of bias present in the majority of studies, as well as lack of follow-up after the incentive period. Whether behavioral incentives facilitate the adoption of positive health choices in this population remains to be determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examines the mutations of dominant KIT alleles in horses with white coat color phenotypes. The study analyzed the isolated genomic DNA from peripheral blood of 16 horses representing six different horse breeds and compared sequences of all 21 exons to the sequences of more than 100 horses. Results confirm that independent mutations in the KIT gene caused white and/or white spotting phenotypes occur in many different horse breeds.

An abstract of the article "Biomarker Studies of Interferon-Beta in Mice Following Gene Based Delivery," by Harald Petry and colleagues is presented.