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Populations of harbor seal Phoca vitulina in the Gulf of Alaska have dramatically declined during the past 4 decades. Numbers of seals in Glacier Bay, in southeast Alaska, USA, have also declined despite extensive protection. Causes of the declines and slow recovery are poorly understood. Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease that adversely affects reproduction in many domestic species. We measured the seroprevalence of Brucella antibodies in 554 harbor seals in 3 Alaska locations: Prince William Sound (PWS), Glacier Bay (GB), and Tracy Arm Fords Terror (TAFT) Wilderness Area. Objectives included testing for regional, sex, age, and female reproductive state differences in Brucella antibody seroprevalence, persistence in titers in recaptured seals, and differences in titers between mother seals and their pups. Overall, 52% of adults (AD), 53% of subadults (SA), 77% of yearlings (YRL), and 26% of

The canine variant of the rabies virus has been eliminated in the United States. Among the public and many healthcare providers, however, dog bites are still associated with risk for rabies transmission. This study examined the risk of rabies in biting dogs and the use of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (rPEP) for dog bite victims in Tennessee. The study included a retrospective analysis of laboratory testing requisitions for dogs from 2002 to 2016, collection of clinical data on confirmed rabies-positive dogs from 2008 to 2016 and analysis of hospital discharge data for rPEP from 2007 to 2014. Among dogs submitted for rabies testing, those having a recent history of biting were significantly less likely to test positive for rabies than dogs with no reported bite (OR = 0.01; 95% CI [0.003-0.04]). The most common clinical signs reported among rabies-positive dogs were anorexia, dysphagia, ataxia, limb paresis or paralysis, and lethargy; aggressiveness was uncommon. Among hospital patients with an animal-related injury who received rPEP, more than half (52%) presented with dog bites. These data show that laboratory submissions for rabies testing and prescriptions for rPEP do not reflect the epidemiology of rabies in Tennessee. Education and outreach targeting the public and healthcare providers should emphasize the animal species and situations associated with a greater risk for rabies transmission, such as bites from rabies reservoir species or animals exhibiting signs of neurologic disease.

We compare the latest observational land-surface humidity dataset, HadISDH, with the latest generation of climate models extracted from the CMIP5 archive and the ERA-Interim reanalysis over the period 1973 to present. The globally averaged behaviour of HadISDH and ERA-Interim are very similar in both humidity measures and air temperature, at decadal and interannual timescales. The global average relative humidity shows a gradual increase from 1973 to 2000, followed by a steep decline in recent years. The observed specific humidity shows a steady increase in the global average during the early period but in the later period it remains approximately constant. None of the CMIP5 models or experiments capture the observed behaviour of the relative or specific humidity over the entire study period. When using an atmosphere-only model, driven by observed sea-surface temperatures and radiative forcing changes, the behaviour of regional average temperature and specific humidity are better captured, but there is little improvement in the relative humidity. Comparing the observed and historical model climatologies show that the models are generally cooler everywhere, are drier and less saturated in the tropics and extra tropics, and have comparable moisture levels but are more saturated in the high latitudes. The spatial pattern of linear trends are relatively similar between the models and HadISDH for temperature and specific humidity, but there are large differences for relative humidity, with less moistening shown in the models over the Tropics, and very little at high latitudes. The observed drying in mid-latitudes is present at a much lower magnitudes. Relationships between temperature and humidity anomalies (T–q and T–rh) show good agreement for specific humidity between models and observations, and between the models themselves, but much poorer for relative humidity. The T–q correlation from the models is more steeply positive in all regions than the observations, and this over-correlation may be due to missing processes in the models. The observed temporal behaviour appears to be a robust climate feature rather than observational error. It has been previously documented and is theoretically consistent with faster warming rates over land compared to oceans. Thus, the poor replication in the models, especially in the atmosphere only model, leads to questions over future projections of impacts related to changes in surface relative humidity. It also precludes any formal detection and attribution assessment.

Surveys to estimate walrus abundance at terrestrial haulout sites in the Penny Strait-Lancaster Sound (PS-LS) and West Jones Sound (WJS) stocks were conducted in 1977 and 1998-2009. The Minimum Counted Population (MCP) was similar in 1977 (565) to recent years (557) for the PS-LS stock. The MCP for the WJS stock was higher in recent surveys (404) than in 1977 (290). Regression analysis of MCP and density (number of walrus divided by number of haulouts surveyed) showed no significant trends over time. We also calculated bounded count estimates for comparison. Finally, we used broad-scale behavioural data to estimate the proportion of the total stock that could be considered countable, to produce two adjusted estimates. We selected recent surveys with good coverage and ignored adjusted estimates that were lower than MCP. For the PS-LS stock, the adjusted MCP (with 95% CL) was 672 (575-768) and 727 (623-831) walrus in 2007 and 2009, respectively. For WJS, the best estimates were the adjusted MCP of 503 (473-534) in 2008 and the adjusted bounded count of 470 (297-1732) in 2009. While both stocks appear to have remained stable over three decades, differences in survey coverage and possible differences in walrus distribution make precise population estimation difficult.

We report a methodology for the determination of the stable carbon absolute isotope ratio of a glycine candidate reference material with natural carbon isotopic composition using EA-IRMS. For the first time, stable carbon absolute isotope ratios have been reported using continuous flow rather than dual inlet isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Also for the first time, a calibration strategy based on the use of synthetic mixtures gravimetrically prepared from well characterised, highly (13)C-enriched and (13)C-depleted glycines was developed for EA-IRMS calibration and generation of absolute carbon isotope ratio values traceable to the SI through calibration standards of known purity. A second calibration strategy based on converting the more typically determined delta values on the Vienna PeeDee Belemnite (VPDB) scale using literature values for the absolute carbon isotope ratio of VPDB itself was used for comparison. Both calibration approaches provided results consistent with those previously reported for the same natural glycine using MC-ICP-MS; absolute carbon ratios of 10,649 × 10(-6) with an expanded uncertainty (k = 2) of 24 × 10(-6) and 10,646 × 10(-6) with an expanded uncertainty (k = 2) of 88 × 10(-6) were obtained, respectively. The absolute carbon isotope ratio of the VPDB standard was found to be 11,115 × 10(-6) with an expanded uncertainty (k = 2) of 27 × 10(-6), which is in excellent agreement with previously published values.

The decidability of the logic of pure ticket entailment means that the problem of inhabitation of simple types by combinators over the base { B, B′, I, W } is decidable too. Type-assignment systems are often formulated as natural deduction systems. However, our decision procedure for this logic, which we presented in earlier papers, relies on two sequent calculi and it does not yield directly a combinator for a theorem of $${T_\to}$$ . Here we describe an algorithm to extract an inhabitant from a sequent calculus proof—without translating the proof into another proof system.

Large wood and boulder placement projects have become common in the Pacific Northwest to restore complex stream habitat for juvenile Coho Salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch and other salmonids. We evaluated habitat responses at 91 large wood restoration projects in western Oregon from pretreatment to 1 year and 6 years after treatment. Large logs were arranged in jams without cabling or burial in the bottom or banks of the stream. Projects commonly treated 0.5–1 km of stream, but some extended up to 2.3 km. Significant changes in the amounts of large wood, complex pools, and predicted Coho Salmon rearing capacity were observed within 1 year of treatment. Six years after treatment, the amount of large wood, complex pools, and Coho Salmon rearing capacity remained significantly higher than pretreatment levels by 100, 800, and 32%, respectively, and the surface area of pools and gravel increased significantly over pretreatment levels by 15% and 8%, respectively. However, the amount of large wood decreased i...

Objective: The largest outbreak of Legionnaires Disease (LD) in the UK for a decade occurred in Edinburgh in June 2012. We describe the clinical and public health management of the outbreak. Setting: Three acute hospitals covering an urban area of ∼480 000. Methods: Data were collected on confirmed and suspected cases and minutes of the Incident Management Team meetings were reviewed to identify key actions. Results: Over 1600 urine samples and over 600 sputum samples were tested during the outbreak. 61 patients with pneumonia tested positive for Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 by urinary antigen detection, culture, respiratory PCR or serology. A further 23 patients with pneumonia were treated as suspected cases on clinical and epidemiological grounds but had no microbiological diagnosis. 36% of confirmed and probable cases required critical care admission. Mean ICU length of stay was 11.3 (±7.6) days and mean hospital length of stay for those who were admitted to ICU was 23.0 (±17.2) days. For all hospitalized patients the mean length of stay was 15.7 (±14) days. In total there were four deaths associated with this outbreak giving an overall case fatality of 6.5%. Hospital and critical care mortality was 6.1% and 9.1%, respectively. Conclusions: A significant proportion of patients required prolonged multiple organ support or complex ventilation. Case fatality compared favourably to other recent outbreaks in Europe. Access to rapid diagnostic tests and prompt antibiotic therapy may have mitigated the impact of pre-existing poor health among those affected.

When used to pollinate flowers of diploid Actinidia chinensis ‘Hort16A’, pollen from tetraploid A. chinensis or hexaploid A. deliciosa males produced fruit with higher fresh weight than did pollen from a diploid A. chinensis male. The dry matter content of the fruit was also increased once differences in the dry matter content of the seed were taken into account. These increases occurred despite slightly delayed harvest maturity and fewer well-formed seed in fruit following pollination by the higher ploidy males. Variation in seed development following different pollen treatments could be explained largely by the genomic ratios expected in the endosperm, and the tendency of ‘Hort16A’ to produce a proportion of 2n gametes. The results suggest that, in contrast to many other diploid A. chinensis genotypes, pollination of ‘Hort16A’ by males of higher ploidy may be beneficial in terms of fresh fruit weight.

Flowers of diploid Actinidia chinensis (kiwifruit) were hand-pollinated with pollen from either hexaploid A. deliciosa or diploid A. chinensis males and the subsequent fruit were evaluated. Following pollination with A. deliciosa pollen, fruit set, fresh weight, dry matter content, and seed weight and number were reduced. However, the most striking effect was on fruit flesh colour: the proportion of seedlings expressing red pigmentation, the intensity of pigmentation and the anthocyanin concentration were greatly reduced. The effects on maternal fruit tissues were probably indirect consequences of a reduction in the number of fertilized ovules due to partial pollen incompatibility. Effects on seed development could be explained largely by the ploidy difference between the seed and pollen parents. Growers should be cautious about using A. deliciosa pollen to pollinate diploid A. chinensis females, especially red-fleshed cultivars.

We begin by discussing the history of quantum logic, dividing it into three eras or "lives." The first life has to do with Birkhoff and von Neumann's algebraic approach in the 1930's. The second life has to do with attempt to understand quan- tum logic as logic that began in the late 1950's and blossomed in the 1970's. And the third life has to do with recent developments in quantum logic coming from its connections to quantum computation. We discuss our own work connecting quantum logic to quantum computation (viewing quantum logic as the logic of quantum reg- isters storing qubits), make some speculations about mathematics based on quantum principles, and end by quickly describing the papers by the other authors contribut- ing to this special issue on "Quantum Logic Inspired by Quantum Computing." The overall aim of this issue is to show how work on this topic is leading to interesting new areas of logic.

As there can be small but measureable differences in isotope ratios between different sources of the same element/compound/material, isotope ratio measurements are applied in a number of different fields including archaeology, environmental science, geochemistry, forensic science and ecology. Isotope ratios for the light elements (H, C, N, O and S) are typically reported as δ-values which are isotope ratios expressed relative to an internationally agreed standard (this standard is the zero-point on the scale), although absolute isotope ratios which are traceable to the SI have also been reported. The IAWG has been granted a traceability exception for the use of arbitrary delta scales until SI traceability can be established at the required level of uncertainty but this goal is some years away. While the CCQM IAWG has previously organised several pilot studies on isotope ratio determination (CCQM-P75: Stable isotope delta values in methionine, 2006; CCQM-P105: Sr isotope ratios in wine, 2008; CCQM-K98: Pb isotope ratios in bronze with additional delta values in CCQM-P134, 2011), it has been a number of years since delta values of light elements have been considered and there has been no key comparison (KC). Therefore, the IAWG has included the need for a KC (CCQM-K140) based on an arbitrary delta scale in its program to support ongoing requirements to demonstrate core capabilities as well as specific claims of measurement capability (CMCs) in this area. The performance of all five of the CCQM-K140 participants was very good, illustrating their ability to obtain accurate results for carbon isotope ratios, within the calibration range afforded by internationally agreed reference materials (δ13CVPDB-LSVEC between −47.32 % and +535.3 %) with measurement uncertainties of between 0.08 and 0.28 %. This was despite the fact that no two participants used exactly the same approach in terms of instrumentation or data treatment. Main text To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/. The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

Intracellular pH, ratios of phosphocreatine (PCr) to ATP and PCr to inorganic phosphate (Pi) as well as isometric tension were measured during 1 Hz sciatic nerve stimulation and during recovery in the calf muscles of mdx (a model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy) and control mice. Tension did not decline significantly in either strain. The ratio of PCr/(PCr + Pi) was significantly reduced in mdx as against control muscle during exercise and recovery, but the ratio of PCr/ATP and the half-time for PCr recovery were similar in both strains. A reduction in the maximal activities of succinate dehydrogenase and succinate-cytochrome c reductase suggests that mitochondrial metabolism may be impaired. The similarity in PCr recovery times suggests that the muscle has adapted, making any impairment of oxidative metabolism negligible in the intact system. The rate of pH recovery is prolonged in mdx muscle and provides strong evidence for a decline in the capacity of dystrophic muscle to extrude proton equivalents. These data are compared with a previous study which used 10 Hz stimulation and also observed a slow pH recovery. The slow pH recovery could be explained by an elevation in intracellular sodium.

Marine-origin Brucella infections and serologic evidence of exposure have been doc- umented in multiple cetacean species. A dolphin-specific indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to screen bottlenose dolphin sera for anti-Brucella antibodies. A total of 131 serum samples collected over a 2 to 18 yr period from 6 bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus with confirmed Brucella infections were analyzed for the presence and magnitude of antibody titers against marine-origin Brucella to compare individual antibody responses to various disease manifestations. Additionally, an epidemiologic serologic survey of a managed population of 64 bottlenose dolphins was performed to evaluate for the presence of antibodies and to deter- mine whether there were any clinical pathology predictors for exposure or infection. The serologic results revealed that the dolphins with Brucella-associated abortions were seronegative for 7 to 18 yr until after the abortion and maintained positive titers for several years, with 2 of 3 animals returning to seronegative status. In contrast, the dolphins with Brucella-associated pulmonary or bone lesions maintained persistent positive titers for 2 to 18 yr. The population serosurvey revealed no significant differences in antibody levels among males and females, and dolphins between the ages of 17 and 25 yr were 6.8 times more likely to be Brucella antibody positive com- pared to those that were younger or older. Seropositive dolphins did not have significant inflam- mation compared to seronegative dolphins but were more likely to have higher levels of aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. Among 16 dolphins that tested seroposi- tive, 13 (81.3%) had previously been seropositive for at least 3 to 5 yr.

Postoperative radiotherapy is routinely used in early breast cancer employing either 50 Gy in 25 daily fractions (long course) or 40 Gy in 15 daily fractions (short course). The role of radiotherapy and shorter fractionation regimens require validation.Patients with clinical stage I and II disease were randomised to receive immediate radiotherapy or delayed salvage treatment (no radiotherapy). Patients receiving radiotherapy were further randomised between long (50 Gy in 25 daily fractions) or short (40 Gy in 15 daily fractions) regimens. The primary outcome measure was time to first locoregional relapse. Reported results are at a median follow-up of 16.9 years (interquartile range 15.4-18.8).In total, 707 women were recruited between 1985 and 1992: median age 59 years (range 28-80), 68% postmenopausal, median tumour size 2.0 cm (range 0.12-8.0); 271 patients have relapsed: 110 radiotherapy, 161 no radiotherapy. The site of first relapse was locoregional158 (64%) and distant 87 (36%). There was an estimated 24% reduction in the risk of any competing event (local relapse, distant relapse or death) with radiotherapy (hazard ratio = 0.76; 95% confidence interval 0.65, 0.88). The benefit of radiotherapy treatment for all competing event types was statistically significant (X(Wald)(2) = 36.04, P0.001). Immediate radiotherapy reduced the risk of locoregional relapse by 62% (hazard ratio = 0.38; 95% confidence interval 0.27, 0.53), consistent across prognostic subgroups. No differences were seen between either radiotherapy fractionation schedules.This study confirmed better locoregional control for patients with early breast cancer receiving radiotherapy. A radiotherapy schedule of 40 Gy in 15 daily fractions is an efficient and effective regimen that is at least as good as the international conventional regimen of 50 Gy in 25 daily fractions.

A 6-yr-old, intact male California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) with a systemic mycosis died after 5 wk of antifungal drug therapy. Antemortem clinical findings included hind flipper swelling, ring-lesions on skin of the flippers, and dermal nodules that increased in size and number spreading from the hind flippers and ventral abdomen to the foreflippers and muzzle. Lesions were accompanied by severe lymphadenopathy and development of systemic clinical signs despite therapy using itraconazole and later voriconazole. Histopathologic evaluation of biopsies revealed granulomatous dermatitis due to infection by fungus-producing yeast cells in tissue. Isolation attempts, using biopsied skin and tissue samples collected at necropsy, failed to yield growth of a fungus producing yeast cells like those in histologic section. Consensus polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests of biopsied skin for fungal DNA produced an amplicon having significant sequence identity with a Cystofilobasidiales, a fungus belonging to a subclade that includes several Cryptococcus spp. Histopathologic evaluation of necropsy tissues revealed a systemic mycosis with yeast cells disseminated throughout subcutis, lymph nodes, and viscera. Hepatic necrosis was identified associated with acute liver failure, possibly from the voriconazole administration. This is the first report documenting the clinical presentation, treatment, and pathologic findings of infection associated with Cystofilobasidiales in a marine mammal and serves to expand the understanding of mycoses in pinnipeds.

Northern sea otter (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) abundance has decreased dramatically over portions of southwest Alaska, USA, since the mid-1980s, and this stock is currently listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. In contrast, adjacent populations in south central Alaska, USA, and Russia have been stable to increasing during the same period. Sea otters bordering the area classified in the recent decline were live-captured during 2004-2006 at Bering Island, Russia, and the Kodiak Archipelago, Alaska, USA, to evaluate differences in general health and current exposure status to marine and terrestrial pathogens. Although body condition was lower in animals captured at Bering Island, Russia, than it was at Kodiak, USA, clinical pathology values did not reveal differences in general health between the two regions. Low prevalences of antibodies (5%) were found in Kodiak, USA, and on Bering Island, Russia, to Toxoplasma gondii, Sarcocystis neurona, and Leptospira interrogans. Exposure to phocine herpesvirus-1 was found in both Kodiak, USA (15.2%), and Bering Island, Russia (2.3%). Antibodies to Brucella spp. were found in 28% of the otters tested on Bering Island, Russia, compared with only 2.7% of the samples from Kodiak, USA. Prevalence of exposure to Phocine distemper virus (PDV) was 41% in Kodiak, USA, but 0% on Bering Island, Russia. Archived sera from southwest and south-central Alaska dating back to 1989 were negative for PDV, indicating exposure occurred in sea otters in Kodiak, USA, in recent years. Because PDV can be highly pathogenic in naïve and susceptible marine mammal populations, tissues should be examined to explore the contribution of this virus to otter deaths. Our results reveal an increase in exposure to pathogens in sea otters in Kodiak, Alaska, USA, since the 1990 s.

A previously beach-stranded, juvenile, male, bottlenose dolphin ( Tursiops truncatus) was diagnosed with vertebral osteomyelitis of unknown etiology. Antemortem serological testing suggested past or current Brucella sp. infection; however, this could not be confirmed prior to death despite multiple isolation attempts from aspirates, blood, and biopsies. Systemic antibiotics were administered for over a year to control the suspected infection; however, the animal succumbed peracutely to infection by a highly pathogenic, enterotoxin-secreting Staphylococcus sp. Gross necropsy findings included a fistulous tract leading to locally extensive osteomyelitis of a coccygeal vertebra with sequestra and osteophytes from which a Brucella species was isolated. Histopathological examination of intestine revealed pseudomembranous enteritis with a uniform population of intraluminal Gram-positive cocci. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in pure culture from the intestine and tested positive for the staphylococcal enterotoxin A gene by polymerase chain reaction analysis. Serum taken shortly before death had endotoxin and elevated antibody titers to staphylococcal enterotoxin A when compared to samples collected during a period of apparent good health 18 months earlier. The isolation of a pyrogenic toxin superantigen-producing staphylococcal isolate, clinical signs, and diagnostic findings in this animal resembled some of those noted in human toxic shock syndrome. The present case highlights the clinical challenges of treating chronic illnesses, complications of long-term antibiotic use, and promotion of pathogenic strains in cases of prolonged rehabilitation of marine mammals.

Bumblefoot (pododermatitis), often described as the most significant environmental disease of captive penguins, is commonly due to excessive pressure or trauma on the plantar surface of the avian foot, resulting in inflammation or necrosis and causing severe swelling, abrasions, or cracks in the skin. Although not formally evaluated in penguins, contributing factors for bumblefoot are thought to be similar to those initiating the condition in raptors and poultry. These factors include substrate, body weight, and lack of exercise. The primary purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate variables potentially contributing to the development and duration of plantar lesions in aquarium-maintained African penguins (Spheniscus demersus), including sex, weight, age, season, exhibit activity, and territory substrate. Results indicate that males develop significantly more plantar lesions than females. Penguins weighing between 3.51 and 4.0 kg develop plantar lesions significantly more often than penguins weighing between 2.5 and 3.5 kg, and because male African penguins ordinarily weigh significantly more than females, weight is likely a contributing factor in the development of lesions in males compared with females. Significantly more plantar lesions were observed in penguins standing for greater than 50% of their time on exhibit than swimming. Penguins occupying smooth concrete territories developed more plantar lesions compared with penguins occupying grate territories. Recommendations for minimizing bumblefoot in African penguins include training penguins for monthly foot examinations for early detection of plantar lesions predisposing for the disease, encouraging swimming activity, and replacing smooth surfaces on exhibit with surfaces providing variable degrees of pressure and texture on the feet.

One of the most dominant approaches to semantics for relevant (and many paraconsistent) logics is the Routley–Meyer semantics involving a ternary relation on points. To some (many?), this ternary relation has seemed like a technical trick devoid of an intuitively appealing philosophical story that connects it up with conditionality in general. In this paper, we respond to this worry by providing three different philosophical accounts of the ternary relation that correspond to three conceptions of conditionality. We close by briefly discussing a general conception of conditionality that may unify the three given conceptions.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of colony-stimulating factor (CSF) on incidence of febrile neutropenia, infection, and survival in older people with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) treated with chemotherapy. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results–Medicare database. PARTICIPANTS: Thirteen thousand two hundred twenty-three people diagnosed with NHL at age 65 and older (mean age 74.9, range 65–102) in 1992 to 2002 who received chemotherapy within 12 months of diagnosis. MEASUREMENTS: Primary prophylaxis was defined as CSF administered at the start of chemotherapy before febrile neutropenia or infection; secondary prophylaxis was defined as CSF use after febrile neutropenia or infection. RESULTS: Participants with five to nine administrations of primary prophylactic CSF had a 42% lower risk of febrile neutropenia (odds ratio (OR)=0.58, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.41–0.83), and participants with 10 or more administrations had a 48% lower risk (OR=0.52, 95% CI=0.36–0.76) after adjusting for age, stage, histology, and comorbidity. Results did not differ significantly after adjusting for propensity score of receiving CSF. There was no significant association between primary prophylactic CSF and overall survival, but secondary prophylactic CSF was significantly associated with better survival. Four to 10 administrations of secondary prophylactic CSF was associated with 9% lower mortality risk (hazard ratio (HR)=0.91, 95% CI=0.84–0.99), 11 to 23 administrations was associated with 23% lower mortality risk (HR=0.77, 95% CI=0.71–0.84) and 24 or more administrations was associated with 13% lower mortality risk (HR=0.87, 95% CI+0.79–0.95) than in participants not receiving CSF after neutropenia or infection. CONCLUSION: Primary prophylactic CSF was observed to be effective in reducing the incidence of neutropenia and infection. These findings substantiate the clinical guidelines for recommending prophylactic CSF in older people with NHL receiving chemotherapy.

We present the ultraviolet (UV) and X-ray spectra observed with the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) and the XMM-Newton satellite, respectively, of the low-z Seyfert 1 galaxy IRAS F22456 – 5125. This object shows absorption from five distinct, narrow kinematic components that span a significant range in velocity (~0 to –700 km s–1) and ionization (Lyman series, C III, N III, and O VI). We also show that three of the five kinematic components in these lines appear to be saturated in Lyβ λ1026 and that all five components show evidence of saturation in the O VI doublet lines λλ1032, 1038. Further, all five components show evidence for partial covering due to the absorption seen in the O VI doublet. This object is peculiar because it shows no evidence for corresponding X-ray absorption to the UV absorption in the X-ray spectrum, which violates the 1:1 correlation known for low-z active galactic nuclei (AGNs). We perform photoionization modeling of the UV absorption lines and predict that the O VII column density should be small, which would produce little to no absorption in agreement with the X-ray observation. We also examine the UV variability of the continuum flux for this object (an increase of a factor of 6). As the absorption components lack variability, we find a lower limit of ~20 kpc for the distance for the absorbers from the central AGN.

Using high-resolution Very Large Telescope spectra, we study the multi-component outflow systems of two quasars exhibiting intrinsic Fe II absorption (QSO 2359-1241 and SDSS J0318-0600). From the extracted ionic column densities and using photoionization modeling, we determine the gas density, total column density, and ionization parameter for several of the components. For each object, the largest column density component is also the densest, and all other components have densities of roughly 1/4 of that of the main component. We demonstrate that all the absorbers lie roughly at the same distance from the source. Further, we calculate the total kinetic luminosities and mass outflow rates of all components and show that these quantities are dominated by the main absorption component.

The primary objectives of this study were to validate a canine relaxin RIA for use in otariids and phocids and consider practical applications. For 6 captive Northern fur seal females, serum samples were grouped and examined according to pregnancy (n=13), post-partum (n=8) and non-pregnancy (n=6), and, for 2 captive Northern fur seal males, serum samples were grouped and examined together regardless of age (2 mo-15 yrs, n=6). Placental tissue was available for examination from one Northern fur seal, Steller sea lion and harbor seal. The validation process involved several steps using an acid-acetone extraction process to isolate a relaxin-containing fraction in pools of serum from each group of fur seals and placental tissue from each seal species. A relaxin-like substance was detected in extracts of pregnant, non-pregnant and male serum and placental tissue in a dose-responsive manner as increasing volumes of respective extracts or amounts of canine relaxin were introduced into the assay. In raw serum samples, mean immuno-reactive relaxin concentrations were higher (P

We present a study of the radial velocity offsets between AGN-related narrow emission lines and host-galaxy emission and absorption lines in Seyfert galaxies with observed redshifts less than 0.043. We find that 35% of the Seyferts in the sample show [O iii] emission lines with blueshifts with respect to their host galaxies exceeding 50 km s−1, whereas only 6% show redshifts this large, in qualitative agreement with most previous studies. We also find that a greater percentage of Seyfert 1 galaxies show blueshifts than Seyfert 2 galaxies. Using HST/STIS spatially-resolved spectra of the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 1068 and the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 4151, we generate geometric models of their narrow-line regions (NLRs) and inner galactic disks and show how these models can explain the blueshifted [O iii] emission lines in collapsed STIS spectra of these two Seyferts. We conclude that the combination of mass outflow of ionized gas in the NLR and extinction by dust in the inner disk (primarily in the form of dust spirals) is primarily responsible for the velocity offsets in Seyfert galaxies.

The use of satellite tags to monitor pinnipeds in their natural habitats has become a common practice. However, near-continuous long-term observations of the behavior of tagged ani- mals, the process of tag detachment, and regular close examination of the tagging site to detect any development of tag-induced lesions have not been reported. The present study investigated these issues. Dummy satellite tags were glued to two captive male Pacific harbor seals Phoca vitulina richardsi using mesh or no mesh attachment. Tag attachment and animal health and behavior were monitored during the 8 mo attachment period. No tag-associated changes in animal health or behav- ior were noted until the tags started to loosen a few days before detachment. We found no differences in the strength or length of attachment associated with mesh or no mesh attachment. There was a small area of superficial skin irritation associated with the mesh attachment due to cracked epoxy rubbing against the seal. Although this was a small pilot study, we concluded that the satellite tag attachment and detachment processes were without significant adverse effect, that the tagged seals' behavior was not significantly altered, and that it is likely that these findings will hold true for other small phocid seals.

Relevance logicsare known to be sound and complete for relational semantics with a ternary accessibility relation. This paper investigates the problem of adequacy with respect to special kinds ofdynamic semantics(i.e., proper relation algebras and relevant families of relations). We prove severalsoundnessresults here. We also prove thecompletenessof a certain positive fragment ofRas well as of the first-degree fragment of relevance logics. These results show that some core ideas are shared between relevance logics and relation algebras. Some details of certain incompleteness results, however, pinpoint where relevance logics and relation algebras diverge. To carry out these semantic investigations, we define anew tableauxformalization and newsequent calculi(with the single cut rule admissible) for various relevance logics.

Domoic acid is a glutaminergic neurotoxin produced by marine algae such as Pseudo-nitzschia australis. California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) ingest the toxin when foraging on planktivorous fish. Adult females comprise 60% of stranded animals admitted for rehabilitation due to acute domoic acid toxicosis and commonly suffer from reproductive failure, including abortions and premature live births. Domoic acid has been shown to cross the placenta exposing the fetus to the toxin. To determine whether domoic acid was playing a role in reproductive failure in sea lion rookeries, 67 aborted and live-born premature pups were sampled on San Miguel Island in 2005 and 2006 to investigate the causes for reproductive failure. Analyses included domoic acid, contaminant and infectious disease testing, and histologic examination. Pseudo-nitzschia spp. were present both in the environment and in sea lion feces, and domoic acid was detected in the sea lion feces and in 17% of pup samples tested. Histopathologic findings included systemic and localized inflammation and bacterial infections of amniotic origin, placental abruption, and brain edema. The primary lesion in five animals with measurable domoic acid concentrations was brain edema, a common finding and, in some cases, the only lesion observed in aborted premature pups born to domoic acid-intoxicated females in rehabilitation. Blubber organochlorine concentrations were lower than those measured previously in premature sea lion pups collected in the 1970s. While the etiology of abortion and premature parturition was varied in this study, these results suggest that domoic acid contributes to reproductive failure on California sea lion rookeries.

Deoxyguanosine kinase (DGUOK) deficiency is the commonest type of mitochondrial DNA depletion associated with a hepatocerebral phenotype. In this article, we evaluate predictors of survival and therapeutic options in patients with DGUOK deficiency. A systematic search of MEDLINE, LILAC, and SCIELO was carried out to identify peer-reviewed clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and other studies with clinical pertinence. DGUOK deficiency was searched with the terms dGK, DGUOK, mitochondrial DNA depletion, mtDNA, and hepatocerebral. Bibliographies of identified articles were reviewed for additional references. Thirteen identified studies met the inclusion criteria and were used in this study. The analysis revealed that DGUOK deficiency is associated with a variable clinical phenotype. Long-term survival is best predicted by the absence of profound hypotonia, significant psychomotor retardation, or nystagmus. In the presence of these features, there is increased mortality, and liver transplantation does not confer increased survival. In summary, liver transplantation appears to be futile in the presence of specific neurological signs or symptoms in patients affected with DGUOK deficiency. Conversely, in the absence of these neurological features, liver transplantation may be considered a potential treatment.

tAnGo is a large randomised trial assessing the addition of gemcitabine(G) to paclitaxel(T), following epirubicin(E) and cyclophosphamide(C) in women with invasive higher risk early breast cancer. To assess the safety and tolerability of adding G, a detailed safety substudy was undertaken. A total of 135 patients had cardiac, pulmonary and hepatic function assessed at (i) randomisation, (ii) mid-chemotherapy, (iii) immediately post-chemotherapy and (iv) 6 months post-chemotherapy. Skin toxicity was assessed during radiotherapy. No differences were detected in FEV1 or FVC levels between treatment arms or time points. Diffusion capacity (TLCO) reduced during treatment (P < 0.0001), with a significantly lower drop in EC-GT patients (P=0.02). Most of the reduction occurred during EC and recovered by 6-months post treatment. There was no difference in cardiac function between treatment arms. Only 11 patients had echocardiography/MUGA results change from normal to abnormal during treatment, with only five having LVEF < 50%. Transient transaminitis occurred in both treatment arms with significantly more in EC-GT patients post-chemotherapy (AST P=0.03, ALT P=0.003), although the majority was low grade. There was no correlation between transaminitis and other toxicities. Both treatment regimens reported temporary reductions in pulmonary functions and transient transaminitis levels. Despite these being greater with EC-GT, both regimens appear well tolerated.

This paper describes two cases of metaphyseal osteomyelitis in young dogs. The condition was characterised by generalised stiffness, muscle atrophy and reluctance to stand. Pain was evident on deep palpation of the distal extremities of long bones. Radiographic lesions, consisting of diffuse areas of bone lysis and pronounced periosteal reaction, were demonstrated in the metaphyseal regions of multiple long bones, particularly the distal radii and ulnae. Growth plates appeared unaffected and remained open. Biochemical abnormalities included significant increases in the plasma concentrations of fibrinogen and alkaline phosphatase. A pronounced neutrophilia and absolute monocytosis were noted in one dog. A six week course of amoxycil-lin/clavulanic acid in combination with metronidazole resulted in complete resolution of clinical and radiographic signs in each case. Growth disturbances were not observed.

Finger ring avulsion injuries can be functionally, cosmetically and emotionally devastating for the patient. This cadaveric study assessed a simple way to prevent ring avulsion injuries. Fresh cadaver fingers were used to test the incidence of avulsion injury with ordinary rings and when a single slot was cut in the ring. Intact rings mostly produced significant digital injuries, while the rings with slots did not.

Case Description—A 21-year-old neutered male captive California sea lion developed chronic polyuria; polydipsia; polyphagia; accelerated development of existing cataracts; and frequent episodes of gastrointestinal upset including anorexia, signs of abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and vomiting. Clinical Findings—Chronic hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperglycemia, and glucosuria were identified. During episodes of gastrointestinal abnormalities, transient hyperbilirubinemia and increased serum γ-glutamyltransferase activities developed. Clinical findings strongly suggested chronic pancreatitis with secondary diabetes mellitus and intermittent cholestasis. Multiple diagnostic tests, including abdominal ultrasonography, serial hematologic and serum biochemical analyses, fecal examinations, urinalyses and bacteriologic culture of urine, measurement of serum fructosamine and insulin concentrations, and evaluation of thyroid and adrenal function, did not reveal any specific parasitic, endocrine, hepatic, or neoplastic etiologies. Treatment and Outcome—For 1.5 years, the sea lion received once-daily administration of glargine insulin, gastrointestinal protectants, and a strict high-protein, low-fat diet. Daily monitoring of glucose regulation was achieved by training the sea lion to submit to blood and urine sampling. Glucose regulation ranged from fair to good, and clinical signs of diabetes mellitus lessened. Episodes of gastrointestinal upset still occurred, although the frequency and severity decreased. Ultimately, a severe episode developed, associated with diabetic ketoacidosis and sepsis, and the sea lion died. Severe fibrosing pancreatitis with exocrine and endocrine atrophy and abscesses arising from ectatic pancreatic ducts were found. Peripancreatic fibrosis caused stricture of the common bile duct, resulting in gallbladder distension without cholecystitis. Clinical Relevance—Diabetes mellitus can occur secondary to chronic pancreatitis in California sea lions and insulin therapy should be considered.

Objective:To identify the nature of Woodruff's plexus, which has been frequently mentioned in the rhinological literature but has never been properly characterised.Study design and setting:A study using 21 cadaveric specimens, combining microdissection of the mucosa of the posterior part of the inferior meatus, Spalteholz ‘clearing’ of specimens injected with latex ink, and histological analysis of sections of the inferior meatal mucosa.Results:Microdissection revealed a superficial plexus of thin walled vessels in the inferior meatus, which were also seen in cleared, injected specimens. Histological sections showed these vessels to be large, thin walled veins with very little muscle or fibrous tissue, within a thin mucosa relatively devoid of other structures.Conclusion:Woodruff's plexus is a venous plexus in the posterior part of the inferior meatus.Significance:This is the first time Woodruff's plexus has been properly characterised. Whilst the significance of the plexus itself is uncertain, its long overdue identification as a venous plexus provides a platform for further study and discussion.

This paper describes the development of rapid immunodiagnostic tests for the detection of storage mite infestations in cereals and cereal products. The study's first phase (proof of concept) involved the production of a species-specific enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) for the flour mite, Acarus siro (L.), a major pest of stored commodities. The specificity of this new assay was assessed against key stored product contaminants (13 species of mites of which three were predatory, five species of insects and five species of fungi) in the presence and absence of grain. The assay was species-specific (no cross-reactivity to other storage contaminants) and was unaffected by the presence of cereal antigens in the extract. In the study's second phase, species- and genera-specific ELISAs were developed for a range of key storage mite pests: the cosmopolitan food mite (Lepidoglyphus destructor), the grocers' itch mite (Glycyphagus domesticus), the grainstack mite (Tyrophagus longior), mites of the Tyrophagus and Glycyphagus generas, and all storage mites. All tests were demonstrably specific to target species or genera, with no cross-reactions observed to other storage pest contaminants or cereals. The final, validation phase, involved a comparative assessment of the species-specific A. siro and the genus-specific Tyrophagus ELISAs with the flotation technique using laboratory and field samples. Both ELISAs were quantitative (0–30 mites per 10 g wheat) and produced good comparative data with the flotation technique (A. siro r2=0.91, Tyrophagus spp. r2=0.99).

Aquatic monitoring programs vary widely in objectives and design. However, each program faces the unifying challenge of assessing conditions and quantifying reasonable expectations for measured indicators. A common approach for setting resource expectations is to define reference conditions that represent areas of least human disturbance or most natural state of a resource characterized by the range of natural variability across a region of interest. Identification of reference sites often relies heavily on professional judgment, resulting in varying and unrepeatable methods. Standardized methods for data collection, site characterization, and reference site selection facilitate greater cooperation among assessment programs and development of assessment tools that are readily shareable and comparable. We illustrate an example that can serve the broader global monitoring community on how to create a consistent and transparent reference network for multiple stream resource agencies. We provide a case study that offers a simple example of how reference sites can be used, at the landscape level, to link upslope management practices to a specific in-channel response. We found management practices, particularly areas with high road densities, have more fine sediments than areas with fewer roads. While this example uses data from only one of the partner agencies, if data were collected in a similar manner they can be combined and create a larger, more robust dataset. We hope that this starts a dialog regarding more standardized ways through inter-agency collaborations to evaluate data. Creating more consistency in physical and biological field protocols will increase the ability to share data.

A high-resolution imaging system, consisting of megapixel mid-IR and visible cameras along the same line of sight, has been prepared for the new W7-X stellarator and was operated during Operational Period 1.1 to view one of the five inboard graphite limiters. The radial line of sight, through a large diameter (184 mm clear aperture) uncoated sapphire window, couples a direct viewing 1344 × 784 pixel FLIR SC8303HD camera. A germanium beam-splitter sends visible light to a 1024 × 1024 pixel Allied Vision Technologies Prosilica GX1050 color camera. Both achieve sub-millimeter resolution on the 161 mm wide, inertially cooled, segmented graphite tiles. The IR and visible cameras are controlled via optical fibers over full Camera Link and dual GigE Ethernet (2 Gbit/s data rates) interfaces, respectively. While they are mounted outside the cryostat at a distance of 3.2 m from the limiter, they are close to a large magnetic trim coil and require soft iron shielding. We have taken IR data at 125 Hz to 1.25 kHz frame rates and seen that surface temperature increases in excess of 350 °C, especially on leading edges or defect hot spots. The IR camera sees heat-load stripe patterns on the limiter and has been used to infer limiter power fluxes (∼1-4.5 MW/m