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Recent high-profile incidents involving the deadly application of force in the United States sparked worldwide protests and renewed scrutiny of police practices as well as scrutiny of relations between police officers and minoritized communities. In this report, we consider the inappropriate use of force by police from the perspective of behavioral and social science inquiry related to aggression, violence, and intergroup relations. We examine the inappropriate use of force by police in the context of research on modern policing as well as critical race theory and offer five recommendations suggested by contemporary theory and research. Our recommendations are aimed at policymakers, law enforcement administrators, and scholars and are as follows: (1) Implement public policies that can reduce inappropriate use of force directly and through the reduction of broader burdens on the routine activities of police officers. (2) For officers frequently engaged in use-of-force incidents, ensure that best practice, evidence-based treatments are available and required. (3) Improve and increase the quality and delivery of noncoercive conflict resolution training for all officers, along with police administrative policies and supervision that support alternatives to the use of force, both while scaling back the militarization of police departments. (4) Continue the development and evaluation of multicomponent interventions for police departments, but ensure they incorporate evidence-based, field-tested components. (5) Expand research in the behavioral and social sciences aimed at understanding and managing use-of-force by police and reducing its disproportionate impact on minoritized communities, and expand funding for these lines of inquiry.

Legacy for Children™ (Legacy) is an evidence-based program focused on promoting sensitive, responsive parenting for socioeconomically disadvantaged families. Legacy has recently been culturally and linguistically adapted for Spanish-monolingual Latino families and is being piloted in partnership with an early childhood education program. We conducted a mixed methods study to identify barriers and facilitators to engagement, using program monitoring data sources from both participant and group leader perspectives. We conducted qualitative analyses of open-ended data to identify distinct barriers (e.g., employment challenges, health-related challenges and appointments) and facilitators (e.g., other mothers in group, interest in program topics) to engagement that emerged across English and Spanish language curriculum versions; curriculum-specific barriers and facilitators were also documented. We interpret these findings in light of quantitative data on measures of engagement, showing that participants in the Spanish curriculum evidenced comparable levels of parent-group leader relationship quality relative to the English group, and higher levels of parent's group support/connectedness and overall satisfaction. These results offer promising considerations for optimizing families' engagement in parenting programs in the context of early care and education settings.Legado para los Niños™ (Legado) es un programa basado en la evidencia que se centra en promover una crianza sensible y susceptible para familias con desventajas socioeconómicas. Recientemente, Legado se ha adaptado cultural y lingüísticamente para familias Latinas en las que sólo se habla español, y está siendo puesto en práctica experimental en asociación con un programa de educación en la temprana niñez. Llevamos a cabo un estudio con una variedad mixta de métodos para identificar obstáculos y promotores para ser incluidos usando recursos de información de la supervisión del programa provenientes de las perspectivas tanto de participantes como de líderes de grupo. Realizamos análisis cuantitativos de información no limitada de antemano para identificar diferentes obstáculos (v.g. dificultades de empleo, dificultades y citas relacionadas con la salud) y promotores (v.g. otras madres en el grupo, interés en los temas del programa) para ser incluidos los cuales surgieron a lo largo de las versiones curriculares del inglés y del español; también se documentaron los obstáculos y promotores relacionados con el currículo específico. Interpretamos estos resultados a la luz de la información cuantitativa sobre medidas de participación, mostrando que los participantes en el currículo en español demostraron comparables niveles de calidad de la relación progenitor-líder de grupo en relación con el grupo de inglés, y más altos niveles de apoyo del grupo a los progenitores y satisfacción en general. Estos resultados ofrecen consideraciones prometedoras para lograr una óptima participación de las familias en programas de crianza en el contexto de escenarios de cuidado y educación tempranos.Le programme Legacy for ChildrenTeilnahme von Eltern an einem originalen und einem kulturell adaptierten, evidenzbasierten Elternprogramm: "Vermächtnis für Kinder“ „Vermächtnis für Kinder“ (Legacy) ist ein evidenzbasiertes Programm zur Förderung sensibler, responsiver Erziehung für sozioökonomisch benachteiligte Familien. Legacy wurde vor kurzem kulturell und sprachlich für einsprachig-spanische Latino-Familien angepasst und wird in Zusammenarbeit mit einem frühkindlichen Bildungsprogramm pilotiert. Wir haben eine gemischte Methodenstudie durchgeführt, um Barrieren und vereinfachende Faktoren für eine Teilnahme zu identifizieren. Dafür haben wir zur Programmüberwachung Datenquellen sowohl aus Sicht der Teilnehmenden als auch der Gruppenleitenden verwendet. Wir haben qualitative Analysen offener Daten durchgeführt, um bestimmte Barrieren (z. B. berufliche Schwierigkeiten, gesundheitliche Probleme und Terminierung) und vereinfachende Faktoren (z. B. andere Mütter in der Gruppe, Interesse an Programmthemen) für eine Teilnahme zu identifizieren, die sich in der englischen und der spanischen Version des Curriculums abzeichneten. Curriculumsspezifische Barrieren und vereinfachende Faktoren wurden ebenfalls dokumentiert. Wir interpretieren diese Ergebnisse angesichts quantitativer Daten zur Teilnahme und zeigen, dass die Teilnehmenden am spanischen Curriculum im Vergleich zur englischen Gruppe eine vergleichbare Qualität der Beziehung zwischen Eltern und Gruppenleitenden sowie eine höhere Unterstützung / Verbundenheit und allgemeine Zufriedenheit unter den Eltern aufweisen. Diese Ergebnisse bieten vielversprechende Überlegungen zur Optimierung der Beteiligung von Familien an Erziehungsprogrammen im Kontext von Frühförderung und Bildung.オリジナルで、文化的に改変されたエビデンスに基づく子育てプログラム−レガ シー・フォー・チルドレンTM−に対する親の関与度 レガシー・フォー・チルドレンTM(Legacy)は、 社会経済的に恵まれない家族の ための繊細で応答的な子育てを促進することに焦点を置いたエビデンスに基づく プログラムである。Legacyは最近、スペイン語だけを使用するラテンアメリカ系 の家族のために、文化的言語的に改変され、幼児教育プログラムと共に試験的に 実施された。我々は、参加者とグループリーダーのそれぞれの視点からの、プロ グラムをモニタリングしたデータソースを使って、関与度に関しての障壁要素と 促進要素を同定するために混合研究法を使った。英語版とスペイン語版のカリキ ュラムにまたがって表れた関与度に関する明確な障壁要素 (例:雇用の課題、健 康の課題と予約に関する課題) と促進要素 (例:グループの中の他の母親達、プ ログラムのテーマに対する興味) を同定するために、自由回答のデータの定性分 析を行った。それぞれのカリキュラムに特有の障壁要素と促進要素も記録された。 これらの結果を、関与度を測定した定量データに照らして解釈した。その結果、 スペイン語のカリキュラムへの参加者は、英語のグループと比較して、親とグル ープリーダーの関係性の質は同等レベルであり、親のグループのサポート／つな がりと全体的な満足度はより高いレベルであることが証明されたことを示した。 これらの結果は、幼児教育・保育の設定の文脈において子育てプログラムにおけ る家族の関与度を最適化するための有望な考慮事項を提供している。.“儿童传承”是一项循证项目, 致力于推动社会经济上处于弱势的家庭开展体贴的、积极的育儿方式。该项目最近在文化和语言上适合了西班牙语单语的拉丁裔家庭, 并且正在与一个幼儿教育计划合作进行试点。我们进行了一项混合方法研究, 从参与者和小组负责人的角度, 利用项目监控数据源, 确定参与的障碍和促进因素。我们对开放式数据进行了定性分析, 以确定英语和西班牙语课程版本中明显的参与障碍 (例如, 就业挑战, 与健康相关的挑战和任命) 和促进 (例如, 小组中的其他母亲, 对项目主题感兴趣) 因素;课程特定的障碍和促进因素也被记录在案。我们根据参与度的量化数据来解释这些发现。结果表明, 西班牙语课程的参与者在育儿小组的领导关系质量方面与英语组的参与者水平相当, 并且其育儿的小组支持、沟通以及整体满意度更高。这些结果为儿童早期看护和教育机构优化家庭参与育儿计划提供了可能的参考。.مشاركة الوالدين في برنامج أصلي معدل ثقافيا قائم على الأدلة (برنامج إرث للأطفال: Legacy) برنامج إرث للأطفال (Legacy) هو برنامج قائم علي الادله يرتكز علي تعزيز الرعاية الوالدية الحساسة وسريعة الاستجابة عند العائلات المحرومة اجتماعيا. وقد تم مؤخرا تطويع برنامج (Legacy) ثقافيا ولغويا للأسر الاسبانيه اللاتينية أحاديه اللغة ويجري تجريبه بالشراكة مع برنامج تعليمي للطفولة المبكرة. وقد أجرينا دراسة مختلطة المنهج لتحديد العوائق والعوامل الميسرة للمشاركة ، وذلك باستخدام مصادر بيانات رصد البرامج من منظور كل من المشاركين وقادة المجموعات. وأجرينا تحليلات وصفية للبيانات لتحديد العوائق البارزة (مثل تحديات العمالة ، والتحديات الصحية ومشاكل المواعيد) والعوامل الميسرة (مثل الأمهات الأخريات في المجموعات ، والاهتمام بمواضيع البرنامج) للمشاركة التي برزت من خلال الإصدارات الإنجليزية والأسبانية للمنهج. وتم أيضا توثيق العوائق والعوامل الميسرة الخاصة بالمناهج. ونحن نفسر هذه النتائج في ضوء البيانات الكمية المتعلقة بمقاييس المشاركة ، والتي تبين ان المشاركين في المنهج الاسباني اثبتوا مستويات مماثله من جوده علاقة الآباء بقائد المجموعة بالمقارنة مع المجموعة الانجليزيه ، ومستويات اعلي من دعم/ترابط مجموعة الآباء والرضا العام. وتقدم هذه النتائج اعتبارات واعدة لتحسين مشاركه الأسر في برامج الرعاية الوالدية في سياق الرعاية المبكرة وسياقات التعليم.

Grazing plays an important role in milk production in most regions of the world. In this review, some challenges to the grazing cow are discussed together with opportunities for future improvement. We focus on daily feed intake, efficiency of pasture utilization, output of milk per head, environmental impact of grazing and the nutritional quality to humans of milk produced from dairy cows in contrasting production systems. Challenges are discussed in the context of a trend towards increased size of individual herds and include limited and variable levels of daily herbage consumption, lower levels of milk output per cow, excessive excretion of nitrogenous compounds and requirements for minimal periods of grazing regardless of production system. A major challenge is to engage more farmers in making appropriate adjustments to their grazing management. In relation to product quality, the main challenge is to demonstrate enhanced nutritional/processing benefits of milk from grazed cows. Opportunities include more accurate diet formulations, supplementation of grazed pasture to match macro‐ and micronutrient supply with animal requirement and plant breeding. The application of robotics and artificial intelligence to pasture management will assist in matching daily supply to animal requirement. Wider consumer recognition of the perceived enhanced nutritional value of milk from grazed cows, together with greater appreciation of the animal health, welfare and behavioural benefits of grazing should contribute to the future sustainability of demand for milk from dairy cows on pasture.

Aim The Australian Coptotermes (Family: Rhinotermitidae) are a small monophyletic group of termites, some of which build mounds. In this study, we construct predicted distributions based on environmental data (niche models) for all Australian species of Coptotermes to test whether specific environmental factors have contributed to the evolution of mound-building behaviour and whether the degree of niche similarity and degree of phylogenetic similarity are correlated. Location The Australian mainland, including the known native ranges of all Australian species of Coptotermes. Methods We estimated the phylogenetic relationships between the species of Australian Coptotermes. We then generated and compared environmental niche models in a phylogenetic framework for all study species to test niche conservation. Our analyses were based on location data from our own sampling and from the Atlas of Living Australia, genetic data from a previous study of Australian Coptotermes, and environmental data from WorldClim and ASRIS. Results We found that no environmental variable differed consistently between mound-building and non-mound-building taxa and that the differences in niches between pairs of Australian species of Coptotermes are uncorrelated with time since divergence. The environmental tolerances of the Australian Coptotermes termites are more restricted by rainfall than they are by soil or temperature. Main conclusions Our results show that mound-building behaviour has not necessarily evolved in response to similar abiotic conditions. Our results are consistent with ecological speciation leading to niche divergence since Coptotermes first arrived in Australia ~12.5 million years ago.

Summary The North Wyke Farm Platform was established as a United Kingdom national capability for collaborative research, training and knowledge exchange in agro-environmental sciences. Its remit is to research agricultural productivity and ecosystem responses to different management practices for beef and sheep production in lowland grasslands. A system based on permanent pasture was implemented on three 21-ha farmlets to obtain baseline data on hydrology, nutrient cycling and productivity for 2 years. Since then two farmlets have been modified by either (i) planned reseeding with grasses that have been bred for enhanced sugar content or deep-rooting traits or (ii) sowing grass and legume mixtures to reduce nitrogen fertilizer inputs. The quantities of nutrients that enter, cycle within and leave the farmlets were evaluated with data recorded from sensor technologies coupled with more traditional field study methods. We demonstrate the potential of the farm platform approach with a case study in which we investigate the effects of the weather, field topography and farm management activity on surface runoff and associated pollutant or nutrient loss from soil. We have the opportunity to do a full nutrient cycling analysis, taking account of nutrient transformations in soil, and flows to water and losses to air. The NWFP monitoring system is unique in both scale and scope for a managed land-based capability that brings together several technologies that allow the effect of temperate grassland farming systems on soil moisture levels, runoff and associated water quality dynamics to be studied in detail. Highlights Can meat production systems be developed that are productive yet minimize losses to the environment? The data are from an intensively instrumented capability, which is globally unique and topical. We use sensing technologies and surveys to show the effect of pasture renewal on nutrient losses. Platforms provide evidence of the effect of meteorology, topography and farm activity on nutrient loss.

The objective was to evaluate water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) and crude protein (CP) concentration of perennial ryegrass (PRG) cultivars with different genetic potential for producing WSC under two contrasting agronomic managements in temperate climate (southern Chile). A 4 × 2 factorial design was randomly allocated to 24 plots (31 m2 each, three blocks): four PRG cultivars (diploid standard cultivar, “2nSt”; tetraploid standard cultivar, “4nSt”; diploid high sugar cultivar developed in New Zealand, “2nHSNZ”; and tetraploid high sugar cultivar developed in Europe, “4nHSEU”) and two agronomic managements (“favourable,” defoliations at three leaves per tiller and nitrogen (N) fertilization rate of 83.3 kg N ha−1year−1; “unfavourable,” defoliations at two leaves per tiller and N fertilization rate of 250 kg N ha−1year−1). Herbage samples were collected in early spring, spring, summer and autumn. Concentration of WSC did not differ among cultivars in spring and summer, averaging 194 and 251 g/kg DM, respectively. The cultivar 4nHSEU had the greatest WSC concentration in early spring and autumn (187 and 266 g/kg DM, respectively) and the greatest CP concentration across samplings (average 230 g/kg DM). Favourable management improved WSC concentrations in early spring and summer and decreased CP in spring, summer and autumn. Annual DM yield did not vary with cultivar or management, averaging 8.43 t/ha. Within a 12-month study at one site in a temperate environment in southern Chile, PRG cultivars have not shown a consistent expression of the “high sugar” trait, where a genetic × environment interaction might be operating.

Purpose To assess the interrater reliability and test characteristics of lower limb sonographic examination for the diagnosis of deep venous and proximal great saphenous vein thrombosis when performed by Emergency Physicians (EPs) as compared to that by the Department of Radiology (Radiology). The secondary objective was to assess the effects of patient body mass index and EP satisfaction with bedside ultrasound on sensitivity and specificity. Methods A prospective study was conducted for patients with clinical suspicion for lower extremity thrombus. EPs evaluated for venous thrombosis in the common femoral vein, femoral vein of the thigh, popliteal vein, and proximal great saphenous vein. Subsequently, all patients received ultrasounds by Radiology, the criterion standard. Results One hundred ninety-seven patients (257 individual legs) were evaluated. There was 90–95% agreement between EP and Radiology, moderate kappa agreement for common femoral vein, and femoral vein of the thigh and fair kappa agreement for great saphenous vein and popliteal vein. The sensitivity and specificity of EP ultrasounds compared with criterion standard were lower than previously reported. There was no trend in patient body mass index or provider satisfaction influencing the test characteristics. Conclusions Our study suggests that point-of-care sonography should not replace Radiology-performed scans. The required amount of training for EPs to be competent in this examination needs further investigation. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 44:360–367, 2016

Coptotermes Wasmann (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) is one of the most economically important subterranean termite genera and some species are successful invaders. However, despite its important pest status, the taxonomic validity of many named Coptotermes species remains unclear. In this study, we reviewed all named species within the genus and investigated evidence supporting the validity of each named species. Species were systematically scrutinized according to the region of their original description: Southeast Asia, India, China, Africa, the Neotropics, and Australia. We estimate that of the currently 69 named species described by accepted nomenclatural rules, only 21 taxa have solid evidence for validity, 44 names have uncertain status, and the remaining species names should be synonymized or were made unavailable. Species with high degrees of invasiveness may be known under additional junior synonyms due to independent parochial descriptions. Molecular data for a vast majority of species are scarce and significant effort is needed to complete the taxonomic and phylogenetic revision of the genus. Because of the wide distribution of Coptotermes, we advocate for an integrative taxonomic effort to establish the distribution of each putative species, provide specimens and corresponding molecular data, check original descriptions and type specimens (if available), and provide evidence for a more robust phylogenetic position of each species. This study embodies both consensus and contention of those studying Coptotermes and thus pinpoints the current uncertainty of many species. This project is intended to be a roadmap for identifying those Coptotermes species names that need to be more thoroughly investigated, as an incentive to complete a necessary revision process.

Published research relevant to the UK dairy goat industry is scarce. Current practices and concerns within the UK dairy goat industry must be better understood if research is to have optimal value. A postal survey was conducted of the farmer membership of the Milking Goat Association as a first step in addressing gaps in knowledge. Questions were asked about husbandry practices, farmer observations of their goats and their priorities for further research. Seventy-three per cent of Milking Goat Association members responded, representing 38 per cent of commercial dairy goat farms and 53 per cent of the commercial dairy goat population in England and Wales. Findings were comprehensive and showed extensive variation in farm practices. Farmers reported pneumonia and scours (diarrhoea) as the most prevalent illnesses of their kids. Pneumonia, diarrhoea, failure to conceive and poor growth were the most prevalent observations of youngstock. Overly fat body condition, assisted kidding, failure to conceive and difficulty drying off were the most prevalent observations of adult milking goats. Farmers' top priorities for further research were kid health (79.5 per cent of farmers), Johne's disease (69.5 per cent of farmers), tuberculosis (59 per cent of farmers) and nutrition (47.7 per cent of farmers).

Termite soldiers have species-specific defensive morphologies. High juvenile hormone (JH) titre is required for workers to moult into presoldiers (intermediates between workers and soldiers). Artificial inductions of presoldiers using JH or JH analogues (JHAs) have been conducted in many species, but levels of intergeneric and species-specific JH sensitivity are not clear. Here, we investigated mortality and presoldier induction rates after the same JHA treatments in three Australian termites: the rhinotermitids Coptotermes lacteus and Schedorhinotermes intermedius, and the early branching termite species Mastotermes darwiniensis. Induced presoldiers, especially in S. intermedius (soldiers with labral brush-like weapons), were used for the observation of outer morphologies using scanning electron microscopy. In C. lacteus, large numbers of presoldiers were induced by all JHAs examined, and the mortality rate of workers was quite high. On the other hand, presoldier induction rates were very low in S. intermedius and zero in M. darwiniensis. However, mortality rates of these two species were quite different. In M. darwiniensis, the numbers of dead individuals in almost all JHA-treated dishes were not significantly different from those of an acetone control. These results suggest that JHA sensitivity might be quite different among the three species, although further analyses using multiple colonies are needed to confirm this possibility. Scanning electron microscopy observation in S. intermedius showed that soldier-specific formations of frontal pores in the heads, including a median furrow running from the frontal pore to the apical part of the labrum, and many campaniform sensillae and short bristles at the end of the labrum were all initiated at the presoldier stage.

在与有一致基因背景的植物的一个玉米领域里的黄麴毒素污染的关系的昆虫损坏的空间、时间的模式很好没被理解。在昆虫损坏和黄麴毒素在的空间模式的以前的考试以后预先收获玉米地，我们进一步与二采样检验了喂圆块、喂核的昆虫损坏，和黄麴毒素水平的空间、时间的模式在在 2008 和 2009 预先收获。由每 ear/kernel-feeding 昆虫的喂的损坏(即，丝绸 / 圆块上的玉米一种有害幼虫 / 秋天粟蚕损坏，和玉米核由的褪色坏透臭虫) 并且玉米象鼻虫人口用五只耳朵在每个格子点被估计。采样数据在两年里处于昆虫损坏和黄麴毒素污染显示出域边效果。玉米象鼻虫比任何一个玉米一种有害幼虫更经常向聚集的分布趋于或坏透两年里的臭虫损坏。为黄麴毒素水平检测聚集的分发的频率是昆虫损坏评价的不到任何东西。坏透臭虫损坏和玉米象鼻虫数字更仔细比是玉米一种有害幼虫的与黄麴毒素水平被联系损坏。另外，空间时间的协会(χ ) 的索引证明玉米象鼻虫的数字被联系在之间第一(4 个星期预先收获) 并且秒(1 个星期预先收获) 所有地上的两年里的采样。相反，在来自 Belflower 农场上的地的第一和第二采样之间的玉米一种有害幼虫损坏，和黄麴毒素水平和玉米一种有害幼虫在 Lang 农场上从这块地损坏在 2009 被分裂。

A thorough understanding of the relationships between plants and pathogens is essential if we are to continue to meet the agricultural needs of the world's growing population. The identification of genes underlying important quantitative trait loci is extremely challenging in complex genomes such as Brassica napus (canola, oilseed rape or rapeseed). However, recent advances in next-generation sequencing (NGS) enable much quicker identification of candidate genes for traits of interest. Here, we demonstrate this with the identification of candidate disease resistance genes from B. napus for its most devastating fungal pathogen, Leptosphaeria maculans (blackleg fungus). These two species are locked in an evolutionary arms race whereby a gene-for-gene interaction confers either resistance or susceptibility in the plant depending on the genotype of the plant and pathogen. Preliminary analysis of the complete genome sequence of Brassica rapa, the diploid progenitor of B. napus, identified numerous candidate genes with disease resistance characteristics, several of which were clustered around a region syntenic with a major locus (Rlm4) for blackleg resistance on A7 of B. napus. Molecular analyses of the candidate genes using B. napus NGS data are presented, and the difficulties associated with identifying functional gene copies within the highly duplicated Brassica genome are discussed.

Lee, M. R. F., Tweed, J. K. S., Sullivan, M. L. (2012). Oxidation of ortho-diphenols in red clover with and without polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity and their role in PPO activation and inactivation. Grass and Forage Science, 68 (1), 83-92.

Background Modern video laryngoscopes (VLSs) provide a superior view of the glottis, facilitating easier intubations. This study evaluates the forces applied to the maxillary incisors when using various VLSs and a Macintosh blade. Methods Fifty consecutive surgery patients were randomly assigned to receive laryngoscopy from a pair of four blades investigated in the study – the VLSGlideScope® (Verathon Inc., Bothell, WA, USA), V-Mac™ Storz® (Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany), and McGrath™ (Aircraft Medical, Edinburgh, United Kingdom); and the classic Macintosh blade also from Storz® (Karl Storz). An endotracheal tube (ETT) was brought into position anterior to the vocal cords, with actual intubation carried out only with the second of the laryngoscopes. Sensors measured the forces directly applied to the patient's maxillary incisors while inserting the ETT. Other common metrics of intubation difficulty (e.g. Mallampati grade, Cormack–Lehane grade, and time) were also recorded. Results Only one patient was not intubated within the standard study parameters and was converted to the hospital protocols for difficult intubations. The forces applied to the maxillary incisors were significantly greater with the Macintosh blade compared with all VLSs. There were no differences between the VLSs with regard to the forces. Patient characteristics, including Mallampati grade, were not predictive of the forces applied. Conclusions All VLSs considered were safer for the patient than was the Macintosh blade in terms of the forces applied to the maxillary teeth, time, number of insertion attempts, and view achieved of the glottic arch. There is a small, but significant, difference in the time and number of insertion attempts required during laryngoscopy with the different VLSs. There was no difference in the forces applied. The geometry of the respective blades may be an important component in the ease of laryngoscopy.

GT603 (Reg. No. GP-577, PI 659665) is an inbred line of yellow dent maize ( Zea mays L.) developed and released in 2010 by the USDA-ARS Crop Protection and Management Research Unit in cooperation with the University of Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station. GT603 was developed through seven generations of self-pollination from the maize population GT-MAS:gk (PI 561859), which was released as a source of resistance to Aspergillus fl avus Link:Fr. GT603 was initially selected from early self-pollinated lines under the experimental name GT-P50. Laboratory and fi eld studies demonstrated that GT603 had afl atoxin levels similar to or lower than the related inbred lines GT601 (PI 644026) and GT602 (PI 644027) and the controls Mp313E (PI539859) and Mp715 (PI614819), but it matured earlier than Mp313E and Mp715. The line GT603 is phenotypically different (darker cob and kernel colors and better agronomic traits) from the related lines GT601 and GT602 although the source of resistance may be the same. In hybrid performance tests in 2005 and 2009, GT603 exhibited better combining ability and heterosis with the Stiff Stalk Synthetic (SSS) inbred (B73) than with the non-SSS inbred (Mo17) for afl atoxin level and grain yield.

Lee, M. R. F., Cabiddu, A., Niderkorn, V., Kim. E. J., Fychan, A. R., Scollan, N. D. (2011). In vitro rumen simulated (RUSITEC) metabolism of freshly cut or wilted grasses with contrasting polyphenol oxidase activities. Grass and Forage Science, 66 (2), 196-205. IMPF: 01.09 RONO: 05262

Preharvest aflatoxin contamination of grain grown on the US southeastern Coast Plain is provoked and aggravated by abiotic stress. The primary abiotic stress is drought along with high temperatures. The objectives of the present study were to monitor gene expression in developing kernels in response to drought stress and to identify drought-responsive genes for possible use in germplasm assessment. The maize breeding line Tex6 was used, and gene expression profiles were analyzed in developing kernels under drought stress verses well-watered conditions at the stages of 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 d after pollination (DAP) using the 70 mer maize oligo-arrays. A total of 9 573 positive array spots were detected with unique gene IDs, and 7 988 were common in both stressed and well-watered samples. Expression patterns of some genes in several stress response-associated pathways, including abscisic acid, jasmonic acid and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, were examined, and these specific genes were responsive to drought stress positively. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction validated microarray expression data. The comparison between Tex6 and B73 revealed that there were significant differences in specific gene expression, patterns and levels. Several defense-related genes had been downregulated, even though some defense-related or drought responsive genes were upregulated at the later stages.

Pyrolysis is the anaerobic thermal conversion of biomass for energy production. It offers an option of returning carbon and nutrients to the soil while producing energy. The Ultisols in the southeastern United States have inherently low soil organic carbon and fertility, and may benefit from the addition ofbiochar from pyrolysis. Our objectives were to evaluate the effect ofpeanut hull and pine chip biochars on soil nutrients, corn (Zea mays L.) nutrient status and yield in a Kandiudult for two growing seasons (2006 and 2007). Experiments for each biochar source were conducted as completely randomized designs with the biochar applied at 0, 11, and 22 Mg ha -1 with and without N fertilizer. Nitrogen in the peanut hull biochar (209 kg ha -1 at 11 Mg ha -1 rate) was not available during the study based on corn tissue concentrations. The peanut hull biochar linearly increased Mehlich I K, Ca, and Mg in the surface soil (0-15 cm). The increased available K was reflected in the plant tissue analysis at corn stage R1 in 2006, but not in 2007. Pine chip biochar decreased soil pH, but had no effect on other nutrients except Mehlich I Ca. In the peanut hull biochar experiment, grain yields decreased at the 22 Mg ha -1 rate in the fertilized treatments. In the pine chip biochar experiment, grain yields decreased linearly with application rate in 2006, but this did not persist in 2007. Overall yield responses to biochar were smaller than expected based on previous studies.

Cabiddu, A., Sallis, L., Tweed, J. K. S., Molle, G., Decandia, M., Lee, M. R. F. (2010). The influence of plant polyphenols on lipolysis and biohydrogenation in dried forages at different phenological stages in vitro. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 90, (5), 829-835 Sponsorship: University Research Fund; Makira Fund; Livery Guild IMPF: 01.36

BACKGROUND: The enzyme polyphenol oxidase (PPO) reduces the extent of proteolysis and lipolysis within red clover fed to ruminants. PPO catalyses the conversion of phenols to quinones, which can react with nucleophilic cellular constituents (e.g. proteins) forming protein–phenol complexes that may reduce protein solubility, bioavailability to rumen microbes and deactivate plant enzymes. In this study, we localized PPO in red clover leaf tissue by immunogold labelling and investigated whether red clover lipid was protected in the absence of PPO-induced protein–phenol complexes and plant enzymes (lipases). RESULTS: PPO protein was detected to a greater extent (P < 0.001) within the chloroplasts of mesophyll cells in stressed (cut/crushed and wilted for 1 h) than freshly cut leaves for both palisade (61.6 and 25.6 Au label per chloroplast, respectively) and spongy mesophyll cells (94.5 and 40.6 Au label per chloroplast, respectively). Hydrolysis of lipid and C18 polyunsaturated fatty acid biohydrogenation during in vitro batch culture was lower (P < 0.05) for wild-type red clover than for red clover with PPO expression reduced to undetectable levels but only when cellular matrices containing protein–phenol complexes were present. CONCLUSION: Damaging of the leaves resulted in over a doubling of PPO detected within mesophyll cells, potentially as a consequence of conversion of the enzyme from latent to active form. PPO reduction of microbial lipolysis was apparent in macerated red clover tissue but not in the absence of the proteinaceous cellular matrix, suggesting that the PPO mechanism for reducing lipolysis may be primarily through the entrapment of lipid within protein–phenol complexes. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry

Synopsis An account is given of the general anatomy, histology and physiology of the anterior mid-gut of Periplaneta americana and of the formation of the peritrophic membrane.

SUMMARY Ten patients aged from nine months to 24 years with severe physical and intellectual impairments who had feeding difficulties were investigated by videofluoroscopy of repeated modified barium swallows. In all but one case the swallow reflex was delayed, and seven had poor and inefficient pharyngeal peristalsis. Four aspirated large amounts and three small amounts, all tending to do so with pastes rather than liquids. Recommendations, based on the videofluoroscopic findings, included changes in body and head position and consistency of food and of feeding technique. There were noticeable improvements in meal-time behaviour and reduced coughing and choking. RESUME Investigations videofluoroscopiques des troubles alimentaires chez les polyhandicapes Dix patients âges de neuf mois a 24 ans, presentant des troubles graves physiques et intellectuels et ayant des difficultes d'alimentation ont eteetudies par videofluoroscopie de bouchees de baryte, repetees et modifiees. Dans tous les cas sauf un, le reflexe de deglutition etait retarde et dans sept cas, le peristaltisme pharyngeetait pauvre et inefficace. Quatre sujets absorbaient de larges bouchees, trois de petites quantites, tous faisant mieux avec une consistance pâteuse plutot que liquide. Les conseils, etablis a partir des donnees de la videofluoroscopie, comprennent un changement de la position du corps et de la tete, un controle de la consistence de la nourriture et de la technique alimentaire. Des progres notables furent obtenus dans le comportement aux repas, une reduction de la toux et des fausses routes. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Videofluoroskopische Untersuchungen bei Futterungsschwierigkeiten von Kindern mit multiplen Behinderungen Bei 10 Patienten im Alter zwischen neun Monaten und 24 Jahren mit schweren physikalischen und intellektuellen Behinderungen wurden wegen bestehender Futterungsschwierigkeiten wiederholte modifizierte Bariumschlucke videoskopisch untersucht. Bei alien auser einem war der Schluckreflex verzogert und sieben hatten eine schlechte und ineffektive pharyngeale Peristaltik. Vier aspirierten grose Mengen und drei kleine Mengen, alle tendierten jedoch eher bei Breien als bei Flussigkeiten zur Aspiration Aufgrund der videofluoroskopischen Befunde wurde empfohlen, die Korper- und Kopfhaltung, die Konsistenz der Nahrung und die Futterungsmethoden zu verandern. Es resultierten ein deutlich besseres Esverhalten und weniger Husten- und Erstickungsanfalle. RESUMEN Investigacion videofluoroscopica de las alteraciones de la alimentacion en ninos con diversas invalideces Diez pacientes de nueve meses a 24 anos con graves alteraciones fisicas e intelectuales fueron investigados por medio de la videofluoroscopia de la deglucion, repetidamente modificada, de papilla de bario. En todos los casos menos uno el reflejo de deglucion estaba retrasado y siete tenian una paristalsis faringea pobre e ineficaz. Cuatro aspiraban mucho y otros poco, y todos tendian a hacerlo con papillas mas que con liquidos. Las recomendaciones basadas en los hallazgos videofluoroscopicos incluian cambios en la posicion del cuerpo y la cabeza, en la consistencia del alimento y en la tenica de la alimentacion. Se observo una notable mejoria en el comportamiento en las comidas y se redujeron la tos y el atragantamiento.

An input system is presented which has been tailored for engineering data. The system makes use of a problem-oriented language organized as a tree structure. Input data is parsed line by line and placed in appropriate queues. The application program then extracts this queued data using logical functions. A sample finite element problem is included to demonstrate the use of the input system. The input system requires only 17 Kb of memory and operates very efficiently. The system is ideal for microcomputer applications and provides input methods that were once only available in extremely large applications programs.

Lee, M. R. F., Tweed, J. K. S., Scollan, N. D., Sullivan, M. L. (2008). Ruminal micro-organisms do not adapt to increase utilization of polyphenol oxidase protected red clover protein and glycerol-based lipid. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 88 (14), 2479-2485. Sponsorship: EU(PROSAFEBEEF)FOOD-CT-2006-36241:DEFRA IMPF: 01.33 RONO: 1920 6624 Sponsorship: BBSRC RONO: BBS/E/W/00003135A; BBS/E/W/00003135B

Seven methods of water activity (aw) measurement were tested in a collaborative study between three laboratories. These methods included the direct measurement of vapor pressure, an isopiestic technique and several electronic devices. Both saturated salt solutions and foods were measured. When compared to standards, the vapor pressure manometric (VPM) technique gave the best results. However, the absolute values of the standards are questionable. The results of the comparison of the values for foods showed a range of ##0.02 aW units. Thus, one can question the validity of literature values reported to three decimal places or the absolute values for limits on microbial growth. This research suggests that some standards must be set for all research groups and shows that overall, the VPM is probably the best and most accurate method

On the basis of case records, the injuries of a female and a male university basketball team were examined over a 5-year period. The female team had more clinic visits, physiotherapy and rechecks. Men sustained more new injuries. The body part most frequently injured on both teams was the foot/ankle, followed by the knee. Women had more injuries and rechecks of the knee than men, while foot/ankle injuries required more rechecks among men. It is suggested that women had more rechecks due to more severe injuries, greater anxiety and greater acceptance of rechecks offered. Possible explanations for the greater number of new injuries in men could be greater body mass, a higher degree of contact and lesser flexibility.

This article extends the composition of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) resins to that containing 1-decene comonomer units, and examines the effects of comonomer (type and concentration) to copolymerization and physical properties of LLDPE resins. CGC metallocene technology, under high temperature and high pressure (industrial reaction condition), was used to prepare three types of well-defined LLDPE copolymers containing 1-hexene, 1-octene, and 1-decene units. They show high molecular weight with narrow molecular weight and composition distributions, comparative catalyst activities, and similar comonomer effects. However, 1-decene seems to exhibit significantly higher comonomer incorporation than 1-hexene and 1-octene, which may be associated with its high boiling point, maintaining liquid phase during the polymerization. The resulting LLDPE copolymers show a clear structure–property relationship. Melting temperature and crystallinity of the copolymer are governed by mole % of comonomer. The increase of branch density linearly decreases the LLDPE melting point and exponential reduction of its crystallinity. On the other hand, the density of the copolymer decreases with the increase of comonomer weight %, which shows a sharp linear relationship in the low comonomer content. The tensile properties of 1-decene-based LLDPE are very comparative with those of the commercial LLDPE resins with similar compositions. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 639–649, 2007

This experiment aims to determine whether polyphenol oxidase (PPO) can reduce the extent of lipolysis and the consequent polyunsaturated fatty acid loss through microbial biohydrogenation in red clover when incubated in the presence of rumen fluid. PPO is involved in the browning reaction of red clover leaves when cut or crushed and exposed to air. It starts the browning process by oxidizing endogenous phenols to quinones, which contain electrophilic sites. These sites react with nucleophilic sites of other compounds such as proteins and have been shown to reduce proteolysis and lipolysis in silo. Two lines of red clover (cv. Milvus), a genotypic mutant with reduced PPO activity (L) and the wild type (H) with a high level of PPO activity, were cut 3 cm above soil level, crushed and cut into 1 cm strips before being loaded into incubation bottles. These were then incubated in anaerobic buffer at 39 °C in either the absence (−) or the presence (+) of rumen microorganisms. The incubations were then compared over a 24 h time course in terms of lipolytic activity. Characterization of the tissues showed PPO activities of 25.3 and 5.13 U g−1 fresh weight for H and L, respectively. Lipolysis, measured as the proportional decline in the membrane lipid, was reduced (P < 0.001) with increasing PPO activity in both the presence (+) and absence (−) of rumen microorganisms. However, values were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the presence of rumen microorganisms, with values after the 24 h incubation of 0.28, 0.42, 0.72 and 0.82 for H−, L−, H+ and L+, respectively. Biohydrogenation of C18:2 and C18:3 polyunsaturated fatty acids were significantly lower in the H+ treatment than the L+ treatment, with mean values after 24 h incubation of 53% and 57% (P < 0.05) for C18:2 and 65% and 74% (P < 0.01) for C18:3, respectively. Changes that occurred in the lipid fractions (membrane lipid, diacylglycerol, triacylglycerol and free fatty acids) during the incubations are also reported and discussed. These results support the selection of forages high in PPO activity to reduce polyunsaturated fatty acid loses in the rumen.

Hot-spot models of initiation and detonation show that voids or porosity ranging from nanometer to micrometer in size within highly insensitive energetic materials affect initiability and detonation properties. Thus, the knowledge of the void size distribution, and how it changes with the volume expansion seen with temperature cycling, are important to understanding the properties of the insensitive explosive 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB). In this paper, void size distributions in the 2 nm to 2 μm regime, obtained from small-angle X-ray scattering measurements, are presented for LX-17-1, PBX-9502, and ultra-fine TATB formulations, both as processed and after thermal cycling. Two peaks were observed in the void size distribution: a narrow peak between 7–10 nm and a broad peak between 20 nm and about 1 mm. The first peak was attributed to porosity intrinsic to the TATB crystallites. The larger pores were believed to be intercrystalline, a result of incomplete consolidation during processing and pressing. After thermal cycling, these specimens showed an increase in both the number and size of these larger pores. These results illuminate the nature of the void distributions in these TATB-based explosives from 2 nm to 2 μm and provide empirical experimental input for computational models of initiation and detonation.

We demonstrate the localization of chemical functionality at the entrance of single nanopores for the first time by using the controlled growth of an oxide ring. Nanopores were fabricated by Focused Ion Beam machining on silicon platforms, locally derivatized by ion beam assisted oxide deposition, and further functionalized with DNA probes via silane chemistry. Ionic current recorded through single nanopores at various stages of the fabrication process demonstrated that the apertures can be locally functionalized with DNA probes. Future applications for this functional platform include the selective detection of biological organisms and molecules by ionic current blockade measurements.

Neutrophils are involved in the initial host response to influenza A virus (IAV) infection and exhibit both activation and depressed function after exposure to the virus. We demonstrate that IAV causes rapid upregulation of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) expression on neutrophils. The neutrophil agonists, formyl-methylpleucyl-alanine (fMLP), C5a and lipopolysaccharide did not alter neutrophil TLR2 expression, whereas PMA and the microbial TLR2 ligands, peptidoglycan (PGN) and zymosan, reduced it. To determine the functional significance of IAV-induced increase in TLR2 expression, IAV-treated neutrophils were exposed to PGN, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and zymosan. Pretreatment with IAV resulted in significantly increased uptake of S. aureus and zymosan and accelerated neutrophil apoptosis when combined with S. aureus. IAV-treated cells generated significantly more H(2)O(2) in response to PGN. These results indicate that IAV increases neutrophil surface expression of TLR2 and modulates functional responses to ligands that bind TLR2. These findings may clarify IAV-induced perturbation of neutrophil functions in vivo.

Little is known about the level or activity of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in grasses and its potential impact on proteolysis and lipolysis. Six grass species were initially screened for PPO activity (740.6, 291.9, 213.6, 119.0, 16.3 and 6.5 U g(-1) fresh weight (FW) for cocksfoot, hybrid ryegrass, Italian ryegrass, perennial ryegrass, timothy and tall fescue respectively). Cocksfoot, which expressed the highest activity, was then used to determine the effect of PPO on plant-mediated proteolysis and lipolysis in a simulated rumen environment. Sourced cocksfoot was macerated and incubated in an antibiotic-containing anaerobic medium with or without ascorbate to deactivate PPO in the dark at 39 degrees C over five time points. At each time point (0, 1, 2, 6 and 24h), six replicate samples were destructively harvested; three of the replicates were used for lipid analysis and the other three for protein, free amino acid and bound phenol determination. Characterisation of the herbage showed PPO activities of 649.6 and 0 U g(-1) FW, which were reflected in the extent of phenol (derived from quinones) binding to protein after 24h of incubation, namely 65.1 and 29.6mg bound phenol g(-1) protein (P

We study energy transfer in a “resonant duet” — a resonant quartet where symmetries support a reduced subsystem with only two degrees of freedom — where one mode is forced by white noise and the other is damped. We consider a physically motivated family of nonlinear damping forms, and investigate their effect on the dynamics of the system. A variety of statistical steady-states arise in different parameter regimes, including intermittent bursting phases, non–equilibrium states highly constrained by slaving among amplitudes and phases, and Gaussian and non-Gaussian quasi–equilibrium regimes. All of this can be understood analytically using asymptotic techniques for stochastic differential equations.

A straightforward, conceptually simple technique is presented for incorporating periodic boundary conditions into the FDTD method. The method is valid over a wide range of angles of incidence (for the scattering case) or angles of scan (for the antenna case). The method is verified through comparison with results calculated using a frequency-domain, mode-matching method. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 45: 472–476, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20856

Expressed sequence tag (EST) libraries for cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) were developed from two cDNA libraries constructed by means of mRNA prepared from leaves of peanut line C34-24 (resistant to leaf spots and Tomato spotted wilt virus) and immature pods of peanut line A13 (tolerant to drought stress and preharvest aflatoxin contamination). Randomly selected cDNA clones were partially sequenced to generate a total of 1825 ESTs, 769 from the C34-24 cDNA library and 1056 from the A13 cDNA library, in which 536 and 769 unique ESTs were identified, respectively. Results of BLASTx search showed that 52.8% of the ESTs from leaf tissue and 78.6% of the ESTs from the pod tissue have homology to genes of known function. Approximately 27.3 and 22.1% of ESTs matching homologous sequences in dbEST of GenBank on the basis of BLASTn algorithm have unknown functions. The ESTs were queried against MIPS functional catalog criteria and sorted according to putative function into 15 categories. A total of 1345 ESTs have been released to GenBank'. Four hundred unigenes have been selected from these ESTs and arrayed on glass slides for gene expression analysis, and 44 EST-derived simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers have been characterized for cultivated peanut, in which over 20% of the SSRs produced polymorphic markers among 24 cultivated peanut genotypes. This is the first report of ESTs in cultivated peanut, and further characterization of resistance and stress genes may explain mechanisms functioning in these two peanut lines.

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) is an enzyme involved in the browning reaction of red clover leaves, when cut or crushed and exposed to air. PPO starts the browning process by oxidizing endogenous phenols to quinones, which contain electrophilic sites. These sites react with nucleophilic sites of other compounds such as proteins. The leaf tissue of two lines of red clover (cv. Milvus, a genotypic mutant with reduced PPO activity (LowPPO) and the wild-type, NormalPPO) were extracted in phosphate-citrate buffer, and a third treatment was prepared by extracting the LowPPO leaves in phosphate-citrate buffer plus 50 mm ascorbate to inhibit PPO activity (AscPPO). These extracts were compared over a 12 h time course in terms of proteolytic and lipolytic activity. Characterization of the tissues showed PPO activities of 9.11, 1.85 and 0 Delta optical density g(-1) fresh weight min(-1), which were reflected in the extent of phenol (derived from quinones) binding to protein after 12 h incubation 102.3, 83.2 and 45.8 mg bound phenol g(-1) protein (p

Removal of underarm hair is an intrinsic part of the care regimen for the majority of female consumers, with most using a wet shave with a disposable razor. However, little is known of the impact of shaving on axillary skin, and it is a particularly neglected area of research. To investigate this, we have studied the acute and chronic effects of shaving ultrastructurally, biochemically and functionally. A forearm patch test protocol was devised for antiperspirant (AP) product screening, which involved a pre-shave of the test site with a dry razor just prior to patching. Comparison of the irritation caused by a series of AP products confirmed that shaving leads to increased irritation consistent with enhanced sensitivity. The effect of regular shaving in the axilla was assessed in a 4-week in-use study with shaving either once a week or once a day, both combined with the application of an AP. Expert visual assessment of skin condition showed that more frequent shaving promoted a higher level of visible irritation. However, indirect measurement using corneosurfametry indicated no significant changes to the lipid barrier over the study period irrespective of shaving frequency. Nevertheless, digital images of the axillary skin after dry shaving show distinct opaque lines because of uplifting skin flakes with a corresponding increase in scaliness parameter. Moreover, histamine iontophoresis to assess skin sensitivity demonstrated a significant enhancement of histamine-induced itch and neurogenic flare.