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Majid Moshirfar,1– 3 Alex H Brown,4 Garrett N Manion,5 Kayvon A Moin,1 Phillip C Hoopes1 1Hoopes Vision Research Center, Hoopes Vision, Draper, UT, USA; 2John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; 3Utah Lions Eye Bank, Murray, UT, USA; 4Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA; 5Department of Ophthalmology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, USACorrespondence: Majid Moshirfar, Hoopes Vision Research Center, 11820 S State St #200, Draper, UT, 84020, USA, Tel +1 801-568-0200, Fax +1 801-563-0200, Email cornea2020@me.comAbstract: Posterior capsular opacification (PCO), also known as “secondary cataract”, is a common complication following cataract surgery that can significantly impair visual acuity. The incidence of PCO varies widely in the literature, influenced by intraocular lens (IOL) type and patient risk factors. Neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy is the standard treatment for PCO-related visual impairment. Recurrence of PCO after initial treatment with YAG capsulotomy, though more common in children, is rare in adults. Its underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are similar to that of primary PCO, which includes proliferation, migration, and/or clustering of lens epithelial cells (LECs), with subsequent reclosure of the posterior aperture. Potential risk factors for PCO recurrence that have been speculated through a comprehensive search of the current literature include younger age, female sex, high myopia, diabetes, vitrectomized status, uveitis, low-diopter IOLs, and certain IOL types with higher water content. We present a case of recurrent PCO in a highly myopic 48-year-old male following cataract surgery and implantable collamer lens (ICL) explantation who received a hydrophobic acrylic lens with 4% water content. Surgical techniques that may reduce recurrent PCO occurrence and appropriate postoperative care are emphasized to assist surgeons in their approach to patients at high-risk for this complication.Keywords: recurrent posterior capsule opacification, recurrent PCO, implantable collamer lens, ICL, repeat neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet, repeat Nd:YAG, cataract surgery, posterior capsule reclosure, posterior capsule re-opacification, intraocular lens water content, IOL water content

Majid Moshirfar,1– 3,&ast; Christian A Sulit,4,&ast; Alex H Brown,4,&ast; Chase Irwin,4,5 Yasmyne C Ronquillo,1,&ast; Phillip C Hoopes1,&ast; 1Hoopes Vision Research Center, Hoopes Vision, Draper, UT, USA; 2John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; 3Utah Lions Eye Bank, Murray, UT, USA; 4University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA; 5Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Phoenix, AZ, USA&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Majid Moshirfar, Hoopes Vision Research Center, 11820 S. State St. &num;200, Draper, UT, 84020, USA, Tel +1 801-568-0200, Fax +1 801-563-0200, Email cornea2020@me.comPurpose: To assess the accuracy of five new-generation intraocular lens (IOL) power formulas: Barrett Universal II (BUII), Emmetropia Verifying Optical (EVO) Formula, Hill-Radial Basis Function (Hill-RBF), Kane Formula, and Ladas Super Formula (LSF).Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective single-surgeon study from a refractive clinic and clinical research center in Draper, UT, USA. The primary outcome measures were mean absolute error (MAE) and median absolute error (MedAE). Secondary outcome measures were the standard deviation (SD) of each formula’s refractive prediction errors (RPE) and the percentage of eyes within ± 0.50D. Refractive predictions were compared to the postoperative spherical equivalent to determine the RPE for each formula. RPEs were optimized, and MAE, MedAE, SD of the AME, and percent of eyes achieving RPEs within the specified ranges of ± 0.125 D, ± 0.25 D, ± 0.50 D, ± 0.75 D, ± 1.0 D were calculated. Subgroup analysis between different axial lengths was attempted but yielded insufficient statistical power to draw meaningful conclusions.Results: A total of 103 eyes of 103 patients were included in our study after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria to 606 eyes from 2019 to 2021. Formulas ranked in ascending order by MAE were Kane, EVO, BUII, Hill-RBF, and LSF. The ascending rankings of MedAE were Kane, BUII, Hill-RBF, EVO, Ladas. Kane had a significantly lower MAE than Hill-RBF (p< 0.001). EVO had the lowest SD of AMEs and the highest percentage of eyes within ± 0.50 D. According to heteroscedastic testing, EVO also had a statistically significant lower SD than Hill-RBF.Conclusion: Kane was the most accurate formula in terms of MAE and MedAE. EVO and BUII achieved marginally higher MAEs than Kane, suggesting these three formulas are comparable in performance. With the exception EVO and Hill-RBF, the heteroscedastic test yielded no significant differences in SD between the formulas. Although there were multiple statistically significant differences between the formulas in terms of MAE, MedAE, and SD, these differences may not be appreciable clinically. Lastly, there were no statistically significant differences in the percent of eyes with RPEs within ± 0.50 D, suggesting similar clinical performance between formulas.Keywords: cataract surgery, refractive surgery, IOL power formulas, new generation IOL formulas, refractive lens exchange, clear lens extraction, RLE, CLE

Majid Moshirfar,1– 3 Alex H Brown,4 Christian A Sulit,4 Wyatt M Corbin,5 Yasmyne C Ronquillo,1 Phillip C Hoopes1 1Hoopes Vision Research Center, Hoopes Vision, Draper, UT, USA; 2John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; 3Utah Lions Eye Bank, Murray, UT, USA; 4University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA; 5Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USACorrespondence: Majid Moshirfar, Hoopes Vision Research Center, 11820 S. State St. &num;200, Draper, UT, 84020, USA, Tel +1 801-568-0200, Fax +1 801-563-0200, Email cornea2020@me.comAbstract: This article discusses common ocular manifestations of cystic fibrosis (CF) and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator-related disorders (CFTR-RD). A structured approach for assessing and treating patients with CF/CFTR-RD seeking corneal refractive surgery is proposed, as well as a novel surgical risk scoring system. We also report two patients with various manifestations of CFTR dysfunction who presented for refractive surgery and the outcomes of the procedures. Surgeons seeking to perform refractive surgery on patients with CF/CFTR-RD should be aware of mild to severe clinical manifestations of CFTR dysfunction. Specific systemic and ocular manifestations of CF include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis, recurrent pulmonary infections, CF-related diabetes and liver disease, pancreatic insufficiency, conjunctival xerosis, night blindness, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), and blepharitis. Corneal manifestations include dry eye disease (DED), punctate keratitis (PK), filamentary keratitis (FK), xerophthalmia, and decreased endothelial cell density and central corneal thickness. Utilization of the appropriate review of systems (ROS) and screening tests will assist in determining if the patient is a suitable candidate for refractive surgery, as CF/CFTR-RD can impact the health of the cornea. Collaboration with other medical professionals who care for these patients is encouraged to ensure that their CF/CFTR-RD symptoms are best controlled via systemic and other treatment options. This will assist in reducing the severity of their ocular manifestations before and after surgery.Keywords: cystic fibrosis, CF, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, CFTR, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator-related disorder, CFTR-RD, cornea, refractive surgery

Limited research has been conducted on the needs and concerns of older lesbians in the American population. The purpose of this paper is to present findings from a qualitative study of older (aged 55 and older) lesbians' experiences of and perspectives on aging, with a focus on their discussions of social support. Through an in-depth qualitative study with 25 older lesbians, we found that aging lesbians may be less likely to access formal social services due to perceptions of bias within the services and a potential lack of connection with those who do use services. However, participants were creative at formulating informal networks of support. Four heuristic categories (empowered, secure, independent, and precarious) of informal social support were developed to characterize the various ways in which participants configured their support systems. Social support within each category was conceptualized both in terms of intentionality and degree of connectedness. Being partnered did not necessarily equate with a strong sense of social support. Further research needs to be conducted on older lesbians in order to better characterize and respond to their needs as they age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives : This retrospective case series analyzed visual outcomes in patients with a prior history of implantable collamer lens (ICL) implantation who underwent cataract extraction (CE). A secondary aim was to investigate the relationship between vault height and the rate of cataract development. Methods : Visual acuity and refraction measurements were collected after CE at one week, one month and six months. Vault height measurements were correlated to the time until symptomatic cataracts were removed. Results : A total of 44 eyes were analyzed at six months after CE with efficacy and safety indexes of 1.20 ± 1.11 and 1.50 ± 1.06, respectively. In addition, 70% of eyes had a post-operative uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) within one line of pre-operative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA). Refractive predictability at six months demonstrated that 43% and 69% of eyes were within ±0.25 D and ±0.50 D of SEQ target, respectively. Astigmatism measured by refractive cylinder was ≤0.25 D in 17% and ≤0.50 D in 34% of eyes pre-operatively compared to 40% and 60% of eyes, respectively, at six months post-operatively. Vault heights one week after ICL ( p < 0.0081) and one week before CE ( p < 0.0154) demonstrated a positive linear regression with the time until CE. Conclusions : This sample population achieved favorable visual outcomes six months after CE, similar to six months after ICL implantation. Patients with a history of ICL implantation will similarly have a good visual prognosis after CE.

Sodium chloride (NaCl) deicers contaminate bioretention and influence effluent water quality, the effects of which are not yet fully understood. We tested this by constructing 48 mesocosms in a greenhouse, each having Panicum virgatum , Eutrochium purpureum , or no vegetation; having an internal water storage (IWS) zone or not; and being exposed to high or low NaCl doses in the late winters of 2022 and 2023. Synthetic stormwater was applied and effluent was monitored through May 2023 with an end-of-experiment analysis of soil and plant biomass for nitrogen, phosphorus, copper, zinc, and total suspended solids (TSS). Average effluent loads increased in spring, after NaCl application, for total phosphorus (+61%), copper (+61%), zinc (+88%), and TSS (+66%). These four analytes recovered by summer, with average annual percent removals >85%. Vegetation and IWS reduced annual phosphorus (by -33 and -70%, respectively) and copper (by -24 and -40%) loads, while higher NaCl concentrations increased annual phosphorus (+107%), copper (+22%), and TSS (+51%) loads. Nitrogen removal was not linked with NaCl but was dependent upon the presence of IWS or vegetation. Post-NaCl effluent spikes pose seasonal risks to aquatic ecosystems, emphasizing the need for active maintenance, redundant removal mechanisms, and minimized exposure to NaCl., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Various etiologies, including diabetic keratopathy (DK), dry eye disease (DED), and neurotrophic keratopathy (NK), can disrupt corneal homeostasis, exacerbating corneal epithelial defects. Topical insulin has emerged as a promising therapy for promoting corneal wound healing and addressing underlying pathologies. This review systematically evaluates the efficacy of topical insulin across different corneal disorders. A literature review was conducted across the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus research databases. The search resulted in a total of 19 articles, consisting of clinical trials, retrospective studies, and case reports. In DK, topical insulin accelerates corneal wound healing post-vitreoretinal surgery with lower concentrations showing higher outcomes when compared to conventional therapy, possibly due to improved epithelial stem cell migration. In comparison, the dry-eye disease results are inconclusive regarding patient-reported outcomes and corneal staining. For NK, topical insulin accelerates corneal wound healing and restores corneal nerve sensation. Other persistent epithelial defect (PED) etiologies that have been treated with topical insulin are infection, immune-mediated, mechanical and chemical trauma, and chronic ocular surface alterations. Although individual mechanisms for the benefits of topical insulin for each of these etiologies have not been studied, the literature demonstrates that topical insulin is efficacious for PEDs regardless of etiology. Future clinical trials need to be conducted to further evaluate optimal dosing, duration, and use of topical insulin for the restoration of the corneal surface., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Moin et al.)

Emmanuel-Joseph Sieyès's 1795 proposal for a Constitutional Jury is usually portrayed as the first proposal for an institution to control the constitutionality of laws, and thus the ancestor of the modern constitutional court. Challenging this view, this article resituates the Constitutional Jury in a broader transatlantic tradition concerned with creating a conservative power, a non-judicial and explicitly political constitutional guardian, and demonstrates the influence of the 1776 Pennsylvania Council of Censors on Sieyès's Constitutional Jury. Drawing upon the insights provided by this tradition, it then reevaluates the history of constitutionalism and the contemporary crisis of constitutional guardianship.

Background: Children do not eat the recommended amounts of vegetables, and school-based nutrition education has not been found to impact this behavior. Cooking education is associated with improved children's culinary literacy (CL) and eating behaviors. This study investigated the impact of a culinary literacy (CL) curriculum on children's acceptance of vegetable-added (mushrooms) recipes, CL, self-efficacy to cook (SE), and willingness to try vegetables (WV)., Methods: A convenience sample of 39 fourth and fifth graders were exposed to a six-lesson virtual CL curriculum that taught basic cooking skills and how to prepare six recipes, including three traditional recipes and the same recipes with added vegetables., Results: Children who participated in the CL curriculum accepted vegetables added to pizza pockets, but vegetables added to macaroni and cheese and fajitas negatively affected the acceptance of recipes. Children improved their CL and SE but did not show a significant change in their WV., Conclusion: Findings suggest that CL programs focusing on vegetables may drive factors associated with dietary behavior change, SE, and acceptance of vegetables. Future studies should consider CL as a potential method to improve vegetable intake in children in tandem with nutrition education or as a sole intervention. The study was limited by its small sample size, the virtual setting, and the use of mushrooms as the primary vegetable source. Future studies should be conducted with a larger sample size, in a traditional classroom setting, use a variety of vegetables, and collect qualitative data on the sensory characteristics affecting children's WV., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Policastro, Brown and Comollo.)

Abstract: We report a case series of biopsy-proven reactive axillary lymph nodes, which were avid on FDG PET/CT in breast cancer patients post COVID-19 vaccination. With 4 cases presenting in a consecutive 10-day period, it became apparent that metabolically active axillary lymphadenopathy is an adverse effect of COVID-19 vaccines, currently being deployed worldwide. This may lead to patients undergoing unnecessary biopsy. We have started taking a COVID-19 vaccine status history before PET/CT. If enlarged/metabolically active axillary nodes are identified in the ipsilateral vaccinated arm, then axillary ultrasound at 4 weeks is suggested., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest and sources of funding: This project was supported by the NIHR UCLH Biomedical Research Centre. None declared to all authors., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

The loss and abandonment of fishing gear has resulted in one of the most visible signs of growing pollution in the marine environment. The entanglement of whales in fishing gear has been the subject of increasing documentation. The interpretation of the documented incidents to address the risk of whale entanglement is presented. An initial risk-based model is derived that reflects published information on multi-year fishing gear accumulation rates and entanglement data. A fault tree framework is adopted to organize the data, allowing for the continual improvement of the risk-based model predictions through the incorporation of new data and inclusion of additional sub-events. Analytic distribution functions are introduced to augment incomplete data and explore hypothetical scenarios. Data reported for the US Atlantic and Pacific coastlines are used in illustrative examples, that address both regional and multi-regional applications, and the sensitivity of the risk-based predictions to the reported field data., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Chitin is a naturally abundant biopolymer with low cytotoxicity offering substantial promise in biomedical applications. An enhanced understanding of the polymorph-selective interactions between proteins and chitin surfaces would enable targeted advances in tissue engineering, antimicrobial surfaces, sensing, and drug delivery. This fundamental understanding is scarce and is challenging to obtain via experimental approaches alone. Molecular simulation approaches can offer complementary insights. Here, we use umbrella sampling molecular dynamics simulations to predict the adsorption free energies of nine representative amino acids at four aqueous chitin interfaces, comprising two chitin polymorphs and two different crystal surfaces. Our results demonstrate a clear selectivity for one polymorph over the other at the amino acid level. From these findings we provide a fundamental basis for explaining the polymorph selectivity exhibited by some chitin binding proteins. Our outcomes offer a platform for the future rational design of polymorph-selective chitin binding motifs.

Nuclear and chloroplast markers and phenotypic characters were integrated to analyse the population genetic structure of wild cardoon, Cynara cardunculus var. sylvestris, the ancestor of cultivated globe artichoke, Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus on the island of Sardinia, Italy. The spatial scale ranged from a few metres to ∼200km. Wild cardoon appears to be genetically fragmented, with significant genetic divergence at various scales, indicating that gene flow is insufficient to counterbalance the effects of genetic drift or founder effects. Divergence between populations was higher for chloroplast (40%) than for nuclear markers (15%), suggesting that gene flow via seed was lower than via pollen. Two main genetic groups were detected; these correlated with differences in flowering time, capitula size, glossiness, and anthocyanin pigmentation. A complex population structure of wild cardoon emerged over small spatial scales, likely resulting from the interplay between gene dispersal, colonisation history and selective forces. Indeed, Sardinia appears to be a 'hybrid zone' of different gene pools. The island has unique diverse germplasm that has originated from hybridisation among different gene pools. The sampling of seeds from a few plants but from many sites is suggested as the best strategy to harvest the genetic diversity of wild cardoon., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Interfacial solvent structuring is thought to be influential in mediating the adsorption of biomolecules at aqueous materials interfaces. However, despite the enormous potential for exploitation of aqueous chitin interfaces in industrial, medical and drug-delivery applications, little is known at the molecular-level about such interfacial solvent structuring for chitin. Here we use molecular simulation to predict the structure of the [100] and [010] interfaces of α-chitin and β-chitin dihydrate in contact with liquid water and saline solution. We find the α-chitin [100] interface supports lateral high-density regions in the first water layer at the interface, which are also present, but not as pronounced, for β-chitin. The lateral structuring of interfacial ions at the saline/chitin interface is also more pronounced for α-chitin compared with β-chitin. Our findings provide a foundation for the systematic design of biomolecules with selective binding affinity for different chitin polymorphs., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The intermediate-resolution coarse-grained protein model PLUM [T. Bereau and M. Deserno, J. Chem. Phys., 2009, 130, 235106] is used to simulate small systems of intrinsically disordered proteins involved in biomineralisation. With minor adjustments to reduce bias toward stable secondary structure, the model generates conformational ensembles conforming to structural predictions from atomistic simulation. Without additional structural information as input, the model distinguishes regions of the chain by predicted degree of disorder, manifestation of structure, and involvement in chain dimerisation. The model is also able to distinguish dimerisation behaviour between one intrinsically disordered peptide and a closely related mutant. We contrast this against the poor ability of PLUM to model the S1 quartz-binding peptide.

Road deicing operations have raised chloride (Cl) levels in many temperate lakes in Europe and North America. These lakes vary widely in trophic status, but to date, no one has quantified the interaction between food quantity and road salt toxicity. We examined the effects of food quantity (particulate algal C concentration (C)) on the chronic toxicity of Cl to Daphnia in soft-water bioassays. There was a strong positive linear relationship (r(2) = 0.92 for NaCl and r(2) = 0.96 for CaCl2) between food quantity and Cl LC50. As food quantity increased from 0.2 to 1.0 mg C/L (levels characteristic of oligotrophic to eutrophic lakes, respectively), the chronic Cl LC50 increased from 55.7 to 284.8 mg Cl/L. Salt type (NaCl or CaCl2) did not affect the Cl LC50, Daphnia life history parameters, or the intrinsic rate of population increase (r). The life history parameter most sensitive to Cl was neonate production. Cl did not inhibit egg production, nor was the maternal lipid investment in eggs changed, but egg viability and the subsequent release of live neonates decreased as Cl levels increased and food decreased. Our results suggest the trophic status of lakes should be considered when assessing ecological threat from Cl.

n16 is a framework protein family associated with biogenic mineral stabilization, thought to operate at three key interfaces in nacre: protein/β-chitin, protein/protein, and protein/CaCO3. The N-terminal half of this protein, n16N, is known to be active in conferring this mineral stabilization and organization. While some details relating to the stabilization and organization of the mineral are known, the molecular mechanisms that underpin these processes are not yet established. To provide these molecular-scale details, here we explore current hypotheses regarding the possible subdomain organization of n16N, as related to these three interfaces in nacre, by combining outcomes of Replica Exchange with Solute Tempering molecular dynamics simulations with NMR experiments, to investigate the conformational ensemble of n16N in solution. We verify that n16N lacks a well-defined secondary structure, both with and without the presence of Ca(2+) ions, as identified from previous experiments. Our data support the presence of three different, functional subdomains within n16N. Our results reveal that tyrosine, chiefly located in the center of the peptide, plays a multifunctional role in stabilizing conformations of n16N, for intrapeptide and possibly interpeptide interactions. Complementary NMR spectroscopy data confirm the participation of tyrosine in this stabilization. The C-terminal half of n16N, lacking in tyrosine and highly charged, shows substantive conformational diversity and is proposed as a likely site for nucleation of calcium carbonate. Finally, dominant structures from our predicted conformational ensemble suggest the presentation of key residues thought to be critical to the selective binding to β-chitin surfaces.

Premise of Study: Polyploid plants, when compared with diploids, show similar molecular, morphological, physiological, and ecological tendencies across unrelated groups, but the degree to which these form "rules" of polyploid evolution are unclear. The Glycine (Leguminosae) allopolyploid complex affords the opportunity to test whether polyploidy in similar genetic backgrounds produces similar effects on geographical range or climatic space., Methods: We used information on locality presence of four closely related Glycine allopolyploid species and their diploid progenitors to build models of the potentially available Australian ranges based on climate using Maxent3.3.3k. Principal coordinate analysis was used to characterize the multidimensional climate space occupied by each species., Key Results: Each of the four Glycine allopolyploids showed intermediacy in potential geographical space and in ecological space, relative to its diploid progenitors. The four allopolyploids did not have consistently larger ranges than their progenitors, though all four occupied a portion of climate niche space not available to its progenitors. The polyploids also differed in their exploitation of potentially available geographical range. Australian ranges and environmental space did not correlate with greater colonizing ability in these polyploids., Conclusions: The four Glycine allopolyploids do not show many common range- or climate-related features, other than intermediacy. Thus, despite their similar genetic and evolutionary backgrounds, polyploidy has not produced convergent ecological effects.

Materials capable of dynamically controlling surface chemistry and topography are highly desirable. We have designed a system that is uniquely able to remotely control the presented functionality and geometry at a given time by using a functionalizable shape memory material. This was accomplished by incorporating controlled amounts of an azide-containing monomer into a shape memory polymeric material. These materials are capable of physically changing surface geometry over a broad range of length scales from >1 mm to 100 nm. Using copper-assisted click chemistry, they can be functionalized with a variety of molecules to yield different surfaces. Combining these features gave materials that can change both the presented geometry and functionality at tunable transition temperatures.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the coding sequence of cytochrome p450 (CYP3A28) have been associated with milk yield and composition, and calving traits in cows. In this study, we aimed to determine whether (i) the CYP3A28 regulatory region was polymorphic and (ii) SNP genotype, forage type, body condition and their interactions affect cow productivity. Primers for CYP3A28 promoter were designed to amplify a 483-bp segment by PCR. Amplicon sequences revealed seven SNP (T-318C, T-113A, C-189T, T-78G, A6G, G17A and T21C) in Brahman (38 cows), Brahman x Angus reciprocal crosses (47 cows) and crossbreds (98 cows). Angus cows (n = 41) appeared to be fixed at those SNP locations. Genotype and forage {endophyte-infected tall fescue [KY+; Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) S. J. Darbyshire] vs. bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.]} effects on lifetime (8-years) calving rate, and calf weaning weights and heights were determined in Herd 1 (126 cows); genotype and BC (low vs. moderate) effects on calving date and calving percent were determined in Herd 2 (98 cows). Four SNP (T-318C, T-113A, A06G and T21C) appeared to be related to cattle productivity, CC cows at T-318C having a lower (p < 0.05) lifetime calving rate than TC or TT cows (65%, 85% and 81% respectively). Cows that grazed KY+ and were TT at T-318C produced calves that tended (p < 0.07) to weigh less than their contemporaries. Moreover, calves of TT cows were shorter (p < 0.05) at weaning than calves of CC or TC cows. In Herd 2, moderate-BC cows that were TT or AA at T-318C, T-113A, T-78G, A6G and T21C had greater (p < 0.05) calving rates (74-80%) than heterozygous cows (46-60%), and low-BC cows that were AA at G17A calved at least 6 days earlier (p < 0.05) than heterozygous cows. Our findings suggest that SNP in the CYP3A28 regulatory region of Brahman-influenced cows are associated with cattle productivity., (© 2011 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

Relating single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) to cows with acceptable productivity could benefit cattle breeders in areas where tall fescue is the predominant forage. This study aimed to (i) identify SNPs in bovine cytochrome P450 3A28 (CYP3A28) and (ii) determine the associations between SNP genotype, forage and cow body condition (BC). Genotype (CC, CG or GG) and forage [Kentucky-31 wild-type endophyte-infected tall fescue (KY+) vs. bermudagrass] effects on milk volume and quality were determined in Herd 1 cows (123 cows); in Herd 2 (99 cows), genotype and BC (low vs. moderate) effects on ovarian follicle size, calving date and calving per cent were determined; and in Herd 3 (114 cows), effects of genotype and fescue cultivar [KY+ vs. non-toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue (HiMag4)] were related to calving per cent, calving date and weaning weights of both cow and her calf. A cytosine (C) to guanine (G) transversion at base 994 (C994G) in CYP3A28 was identified. There was a genotype × forage type interaction (p < 0.05) on milk protein in Herd 1 cows; CC cows grazing bermudagrass had greater milk protein percentage in relation to other cows in the herd. In Herd 2, BC and genotype × BC tended (p < 0.10) to influence follicle size and Julian calving date respectively. Diameter of the largest follicle tended to be larger in moderate BC than in low-BC cows; whereas, CC and CG cows in moderate BC and homozygous (CC and GG) cows in low BC tended to calve 14 days earlier in relation to CG cows in low BC. In Herd 3, there was a genotype × forage type interaction (p < 0.05) on calving per cent, Julian calving date and calf weaning weight. In this study, genetic alterations (G allele at C994G) coupled with nutritional factors (low BC and toxic tall fescue) resulted in overall lower productivity in cows., (© 2011 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

Multilocus digenic linkage disequilibria (LD) and their population structure were investigated in eleven landrace populations of barley (Hordeum vulgare ssp. vulgare L.) in Sardinia, using 134 dominant simple-sequence amplified polymorphism markers. The analysis of molecular variance for these markers indicated that the populations were partially differentiated (F(ST) = 0.18), and clustered into three geographic areas. Consistent with this population pattern, STRUCTURE analysis allocated individuals from a bulk of all populations into four genetic groups, and these groups also showed geographic patterns. In agreement with other molecular studies in barley, the general level of LD was low (13% of locus pairs, with P < 0.01) in the bulk of 337 lines, and decayed steeply with map distance between markers. The partitioning of multilocus associations into various components indicated that genetic drift and founder effects played a major role in determining the overall genetic makeup of the diversity in these landrace populations, but that epistatic homogenising or diversifying selection was also present. Notably, the variance of the disequilibrium component was relatively high, which implies caution in the pooling of barley lines for association studies. Finally, we compared the analyses of multilocus structure in barley landrace populations with parallel analyses in both composite crosses of barley on the one hand and in natural populations of wild barley on the other. Neither of these serves as suitable mimics of landraces in barley, which require their own study. Overall, the results suggest that these populations can be exploited for LD mapping if population structure is controlled.

The focus of the present study was to define the human plasma lipidome and to establish novel analytical methodologies to quantify the large spectrum of plasma lipids. Partial lipid analysis is now a regular part of every patient's blood test and physicians readily and regularly prescribe drugs that alter the levels of major plasma lipids such as cholesterol and triglycerides. Plasma contains many thousands of distinct lipid molecular species that fall into six main categories including fatty acyls, glycerolipids, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, sterols, and prenols. The physiological contributions of these diverse lipids and how their levels change in response to therapy remain largely unknown. As a first step toward answering these questions, we provide herein an in-depth lipidomics analysis of a pooled human plasma obtained from healthy individuals after overnight fasting and with a gender balance and an ethnic distribution that is representative of the US population. In total, we quantitatively assessed the levels of over 500 distinct molecular species distributed among the main lipid categories. As more information is obtained regarding the roles of individual lipids in health and disease, it seems likely that future blood tests will include an ever increasing number of these lipid molecules.

Charles Darwin began The Origin of Species with a chapter entitled variation under domestication, which encapsulated decades of his research on a diverse array of animal and plant domesticated species. Variation in these species compared with that in their wild relatives, their origins and their selection by humans, formed a paradigm for his theory of the evolutionary origin of species by means of natural selection. This chapter, its subsequent expansion into a two-volume monograph, together with the rediscovery of Mendel's laws, later became the foundation of scientific plant breeding. In the period up to the present, several advances in genetics (such as artificial mutation, polyploidy, adaptation and genetic markers) have amplified the discipline with concepts and questions, the seeds of which are in Darwin's original words. Today, we are witnessing a flowering of genomic research into the process of domestication itself, particularly the specific major and minor genes involved. In one striking way, our view of domestic diversity contrasts with that in Darwin's writing. He stressed the abundance of diversity and the diversifying power of artificial selection, whereas we are concerned about dwindling genetic diversity that attends modern agriculture and development. In this context, it is paramount to strive for a deeper understanding of how farmer selection including both deliberate selection and unconscious selection, might generate and retain diversity. This knowledge is essential for devising in situ conservation measures.

Effectiveness of multiple antimicrobial interventions on ground beef microbial, instrumental color and sensory attributes through display was evaluated. Beef trimmings were inoculated with Escherichia coli (EC) and Salmonella typhimurium (ST) then treated with either: (1) 3% potassium lactate followed by 4% sodium metasilicate (KN); (2) 4% sodium metasilicate followed by 3% potassium lactate (NK); (3) 200-ppm peroxyacetic acid followed by 3% potassium lactate (PK); (4) 200-ppm peroxyacetic acid followed by 4% sodium metasilicate (PN); or control (CON). Trimmings were ground, packaged and sampled on days 0-7 of display for EC, ST, coliforms, aerobic plate count, instrumental color and sensory characteristics. Only PK reduced (P<0.05) all bacterial types evaluated. The PN treatment remained (P<0.05) redder (a*), contained more (P<0.05) oxymyoglobin and had less (P<0.05) discoloration than CON by days 3-7 of display. All treatments maintained or improved odor attributes., (Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Thirteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed for the closely related and reproductively compatible species comprising the A-genome perennial group of the legume genus Glycine. Primers developed from the widespread and isozymically differentiated G. canescens amplified successfully across G. clandestina and four other species within the complex. Species were highly polymorphic, and observed heterozygosities were extremely low for all loci, as expected for these predominantly autogamous taxa. These markers will be useful in studying genetic variation, population structure, gene flow, and polyploidy within the A-genome group., (© 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.)

The effect of using potassium lactate, sodium metasilicate, acidified sodium chlorite, or peroxyacetic acid as a single antimicrobial intervention on ground beef instrumental color, sensory color and odor characteristics, and lipid oxidation was evaluated. Prior to grinding, beef trimmings (90/10) were treated with 3% potassium lactate (KL), 4% sodium metasilicate (NMS), 200-ppm peroxyacetic acid (PAA), 1000-ppm acidified sodium chlorite (ASC), or left untreated (CON). Ground beef under simulated retail display was measured at 0, 1, 2, 3, and 7 of display for instrumental color, sensory characteristics, TBARS values, and pH to evaluate the impact of the treatments. The KL, NMS, PAA, and ASC were redder (a(∗); P<0.05) than CON. All treatments were scored by sensory panelists to have a brighter (P<0.05) red color than CON during days 1-3 of display. All treatments had less (P<0.05) lipid oxidation than CON on days 0, 3, and 7 of display. These results suggest that the use of these antimicrobial compounds on beef trimmings prior to grinding may not adversely affect, and may improve bulk packaged ground beef quality characteristics.

USDA Select striploins (n = 20) were cut into thirds (anterior, medial, and posterior) and randomly assigned to 1 of 6 treatments. Treatments included: (1) control (C); (2) 0.006% BHA (butylated hydroxyl anisole)/BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) (70%/30%) (BB); (3) 0.4% trisodiumphosphate (CT); (4) 0.4% sodiumtripolyphosphate with 0.5% salt (BH); (5) sodiumtripolyphosphate, 0.5% salt, and 0.006% BHA/BHT (70%/30%) (SB); (6) 0.2% sodiumtripolyphosphate, 0.2% trisodiumphosphate, and 0.5% salt (STB). Muscle sections were injected to 110% (10% pump) of their weight with their respective treatments. Inclusion of BHA/BHT allowed for lower mean oxidation values. Regardless of phosphate type, muscles treated with both phosphate and salt had lower retail purge (P < 0.05). Sensory panelists rated (P < 0.05) STB, SB, and BH to be juicier than all other treatments. These data suggest that inclusion of both salt and phosphate can enhance palatability, lower cook loss, and retail purge.

Beef trimmings were treated with 3% potassium lactate (KL), 4% sodium metasilicate (NMS), 0.02% peroxyacetic acid (PAA) or 0.1% acidified sodium chlorite (ASC) or left untreated (CON). Beef trimmings were ground, pattied, and sampled for 7 days. Under simulated retail display, instrumental color, sensory characteristics, TBARS, pH, and Lee-Kramer shear force were measured to evaluate the impact of the treatments on the quality attributes. The NMS and PAA patties were redder (a(∗), P<0.05) than CON on days 0-3. Panelists found KL, NMS, PAA, and ASC patties to have less (P<0.05) or similar (P>0.05) off odor to CON on days 0-3. The NMS and PAA treated patties had lower (P<0.05) lipid oxidation than the CON at days 0, 3, and 7. Therefore, KL, NMS, PAA, and ASC treatments on beef trimmings can potentially improve or maintain quality attributes of beef patties.

USDA Select striploins (IMPS 180; n= 24) were cut into thirds (anterior, medial, and posterior) and assigned to 1 of 8 treatments utilizing a randomized incomplete block design. Treatments included (1) control (C); (2) 1.5% conjugated linoleic acid (conjugated linoleic acid = CLA) (CGA); (3) 0.4% sodium tripolyphosphate (PHO); (4) 0.5% salt (SAL); (5) 0.4% sodium tripolyphosphate, 0.5% salt (SPH); (6) 0.4% sodium tripolyphosphate, 1.5% CLA (PCL); (7) 0.5% salt, 1.5% CLA (SCL); and (8) 0.4% sodium tripolyphosphate, 0.5% salt, 1.5% CLA (SPC). Treatments were injected with solutions to 110% (10% pump) of their original weight. Treatments with CLA had higher (P < 0.05) marbling scores than treatments that did not. Not including SAL, treatments with salt, or phosphate or a combination of the two had higher tenderness values when sampled by panelists. Fresh steaks with inclusion of CLA had greater amounts (P < 0.05) of the CLA isomers than steaks not having CLA. Cooked steaks having CLA also had greater amounts (P < 0.05) of CLA, except for SCL, which were not different (P > 0.05) from the non-CLA treatments. Day was a significant source of variability for a*, b*, and saturation index. Treatment x day interactions were significant (P < 0.05) for hue angle and L* values. These data suggest that inclusion of CLA can increase amounts of CLA isomers without major deleterious effects to instrumental, physical, and quality characteristics of beef striploin steaks.

Varietal data from 27 crop species from five continents were drawn together to determine overall trends in crop varietal diversity on farm. Measurements of richness, evenness, and divergence showed that considerable crop genetic diversity continues to be maintained on farm, in the form of traditional crop varieties. Major staples had higher richness and evenness than nonstaples. Variety richness for clonal species was much higher than that of other breeding systems. A close linear relationship between traditional variety richness and evenness (both transformed), empirically derived from data spanning a wide range of crops and countries, was found both at household and community levels. Fitting a neutral "function" to traditional variety diversity relationships, comparable to a species abundance distribution of "neutral ecology," provided a benchmark to assess the standing diversity on farm. In some cases, high dominance occurred, with much of the variety richness held at low frequencies. This suggested that diversity may be maintained as an insurance to meet future environmental changes or social and economic needs. In other cases, a more even frequency distribution of varieties was found, possibly implying that farmers are selecting varieties to service a diversity of current needs and purposes. Divergence estimates, measured as the proportion of community evenness displayed among farmers, underscore the importance of a large number of small farms adopting distinctly diverse varietal strategies as a major force that maintains crop genetic diversity on farm.

Background: This paper presents a case study that demonstrates the evolution of a project entitled "Enhancing QUality-of-care In Psychosis" (EQUIP) that began approximately when the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI), and implementation science were emerging. EQUIP developed methods and tools to implement chronic illness care principles in the treatment of schizophrenia, and evaluated this implementation using a small-scale controlled trial. The next iteration of the project, EQUIP-2, was further informed by implementation science and the use of QUERI tools., Methods: This paper reports the background, development, results and implications of EQUIP, and also describes ongoing work in the second phase of the project (EQUIP-2). The EQUIP intervention uses implementation strategies and tools to increase the adoption and implementation of chronic illness care principles. In EQUIP-2, these strategies and tools are conceptually grounded in a stages-of-change model, and include clinical and delivery system interventions and adoption/implementation tools. Formative evaluation occurs in conjunction with the intervention, and includes developmental, progress-focused, implementation-focused, and interpretive evaluation., Results: Evaluation of EQUIP provided an understanding of quality gaps and how to address related problems in schizophrenia. EQUIP showed that solutions to quality problems in schizophrenia differ by treatment domain and are exacerbated by a lack of awareness of evidence-based practices. EQUIP also showed that improving care requires creating resources for physicians to help them easily implement practice changes, plus intensive education as well as product champions who help physicians use these resources. Organizational changes, such as the addition of care managers and informatics systems, were shown to help physicians with identifying problems, making referrals, and monitoring follow-up. In EQUIP-2, which is currently in progress, these initial findings were used to develop a more comprehensive approach to implementing and evaluating the chronic illness care model., Discussion: In QUERI, small-scale projects contribute to the development and enhancement of hands-on, action-oriented service-directed projects that are grounded in current implementation science. This project supports the concept that QUERI tools can be useful in implementing complex care models oriented toward evidence-based improvement of clinical care.

The main aim of this study was to test the patterns of sequence divergence and haplotype structure at the MAT locus of Pyrenophora teres, the causal agent of barley 'net blotch' disease. P. teres is a heterothallic ascomycete that co-occurs in two symptomatological forms, the net form (NF) and the spot form (SF). The mating-type genes MAT1-1-1 and MAT1-2-1 were sequenced from 22 NF isolates (12 MAT1-1-1 and 10 MAT1-2-1 sequences) and 17 SF isolates (10 MAT1-1-1 and seven MAT1-2-1 sequences) collected from Sardinian barley landrace populations and worldwide. On the basis of a parsimony network analysis, the two forms of P. teres are phylogenetically separated. More than 85% of the total nucleotide variation was found between formae speciales. The two forms do not share any polymorphisms. Six diagnostic nucleotide polymorphisms were found in the MAT1-1-1 intron (1) and in the MAT1-1-1 (3) and MAT1-2-1 (2) exons. Three diagnostic non-synonymous mutations were found, one in MAT1-1-1 and two in MAT1-2-1. For comparison with P. teres sequence data, the mating-type genes from Pyrenophora graminea were also isolated and sequenced. Divergence between P. graminea and P. teres is of a similar magnitude to that between NF and SF of P. teres. The MAT genes of P. graminea were closer to those of SF than to NF, with the MAT1-2-1 SF peptide not different from the MAT1-2-1 peptide of P. graminea. Overall, these data suggest long genetic isolation between the two forms of P. teres and that hybridization is rare or absent under field conditions, with each form having some particular niche specialization. This indicates that research on resistance to P. teres should consider the two forms separately, as different species.

Beef strip loins (IMPS 180; n=15) were sectioned in thirds and sections (n=45) were left untreated (CNT) or injected with either a commercial powder conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) source (Powder) or a commercial oil CLA source (Oil), whose major isomers were 18:2cis-9, trans-11 and 18:2trans-10, cis-12 CLA isomers. Fresh Oil steaks had 3.20 and 3.15, Powder steaks had 4.67 and 4.62, and CNT steaks had 0.19 and 0.02mg/g muscle tissue (wet basis) of the cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 CLA isomers, respectively. TBARS were similar (Oil) and lower (Powder), compared to CNT. Powder steaks had similar instrumental color, and beef and off flavor characteristics as CNT. Artificial marbling was created with Oil steaks having USDA Small(79) and Powder steaks having USDA Modest(86) marbling scores, while CNT steaks had USDA Slight(94) marbling scores. Injection of CLA can be effective in significantly increasing CLA and potentially creating artificial marbling.

Objectives: California's Proposition 36 offers nonviolent drug offenders community-based treatment as an alternative to incarceration or probation without treatment. We examined how treatment capacity changed to accommodate Proposition 36 clients and whether displacement of other clients was an unintended consequence., Methods: Treatment admissions were compared for the year before and 2 years after the law was enacted. Surveys of county administrators and treatment providers were conducted in Kern, Riverside, Sacramento, San Diego, and San Francisco counties., Results: The number of Proposition 36 offenders admitted to treatment continued to increase in the state (approximately 32000 in Year 1 and 48000 in Year 2) and in the 5 counties; total treatment admissions stabilized in Year 2 after increasing in Year 1. Voluntary clients decreased by 8000 each year statewide, but the change varied across counties. One third of treatment providers reported decreased treatment availability for non-Proposition 36 clients in Year 2., Conclusion: Despite expanded treatment capacity (mostly in outpatient treatment), indirect evidence suggests that displacement of voluntary clients may have occurred in part because of the demand for treatment by Proposition 36 clients.

Beef biceps femoris (n=10; muscle sections, n=20; BF), infraspinatus (n=10; muscle sections, n=20; IS), and longissimus (n=10; muscle sections, n=20; LM) muscles were utilized to evaluate the effect of enhancement with phosphate and varying levels of sodium chloride in beef muscles differing in composition and palatability. Muscles were untreated or solution enhanced to 112% of raw product weight with sodium tripolyphosphate at 0.4% of product weight (STPP), or STPP and sodium chloride (NaCl) at 0.5%, 1.0% or 1.5% of product weight. There was a quadratic relationship (P=0.04) for percent free water to decrease and a linear relationship (P<0.01) for cook yield to increase as the level of NaCl increased. The IS steaks required less (P<0.05) shear force than either the BF or LM, with the BF and LM having similar (P>0.05) shear force values. There was a linear relationship (P<0.01) for shear force values to decrease with increasing salt concentration. Steaks from all four enhancement treatments had lower (P<0.05) shear force values than untreated steaks. Sensory overall tenderness ratings revealed that the IS and LM were similar (P>0.05) and superior (P<0.05) to the BF in tenderness. Steaks enhanced with STPP and 0.5%, 1.0%, or 1.5% NaCl all were rated more tender (P<0.05) than untreated or STPP-only treated steaks. The BF exhibited the lowest (P<0.05) L* (lightness) and a* (redness) values, as well as decreased (P<0.05) vividness. The LM generally exhibited superior color to the other two muscle types. There was a linear relationship (P<0.01) for L*, a*, b* (yellowness) values, and vividness to decline with increasing salt concentration, but steaks enhanced with STPP and 0.5% NaCl were similar (P>0.05) in a* values and vividness to untreated steaks. These results suggest that across three different muscles varying in composition and palatability, enhancement with 0.4% STPP and 0.5% NaCl allowed for improvements in palatability while minimizing the color deterioration associated with phosphate/salt enhancement.

Enhancement of beef biceps femoris muscles (n=45) with solutions comprising sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP), sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), or tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP) at either 0.2% or 0.4% of product weight, with the exclusion of sodium chloride, was performed to observe the independent phosphate effects on instrumental color during simulated retail display. All solutions were injected into muscle samples at either 112% (12% pump) or 118% (18% pump) of raw product weight. All three phosphate types maintained higher (P<0.05) L* values than untreated steaks (CNT) through 5 days-of-display, and SHMP had higher (P<0.05) L* values than STPP and TSPP through 7 days-of-display. Additionally, steaks with 0.2% phosphate inclusion were lighter (L*; P<0.05) than CNT throughout display, and were lighter (P<0.05) than steaks enhanced with 0.4% phosphates through 7 days of display. Steaks enhanced with TSPP had higher (P<0.05) a* values than CNT on days 5 and 7 of display, whereas SHMP- or STPP-enhanced steaks generally had similar (P>0.05) a* values as CNT after 3d of display. Direct comparison of phosphate concentrations revealed no differences (P>0.05) in a* values. Only steaks enhanced with TSPP were more vivid (P<0.05) and had higher (P<0.05) proportions of oxymyoglobin than CNT on days 5 and 7 of display. However, direct comparison of phosphate types indicated that TSPP- and STPP-enhanced steaks had similar (P>0.05) oxymyoglobin proportions during display. Phosphate inclusion at 0.4% maintained higher (P<0.05) oxymyoglobin proportions than 0.2% phosphate inclusion through 5 days-of-display. These results indicate that while 0.2% phosphate concentrations maintain lighter color, 0.4% concentrations can more effectively retain oxymyoglobin during display. Additionally, only steaks enhanced with TSPP were redder, more vivid, and had higher oxymyoglobin proportions than untreated steaks during the latter stages of display.

Beef biceps femoris muscles (n=45) were used to evaluate the effect of enhancement with solutions containing sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP), sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), or tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP) at either 0.2% or 0.4% of product weight, without sodium chloride. All solutions were injected into muscle samples at either 112% (12% pump) or 118% (18% pump) of raw product weight. Muscles enhanced with STPP or TSPP had a higher (P<0.05) pH than SHMP or untreated muscles (CNT), whereas there was no difference (P>0.05) in pH between SHMP and CNT. Muscles enhanced with STPP had less (P<0.05) free water than CNT, whereas SHMP and TSPP did not differ from CNT. However, direct comparison of phosphate types revealed no difference (P>0.05) in free water. Steaks enhanced with SHMP had greater (P<0.05) cooking losses than CNT, whereas steaks treated with STPP or TSPP did not differ (P>0.05) from CNT. Phosphate inclusion at 0.2% allowed for greater (P<0.05) cooking losses than CNT, whereas 0.4% phosphate inclusion exhibited similar (P>0.05) cooking losses as CNT. Although there were no differences (P>0.05) in cooking loss between pump rates, steaks enhanced at an 18% pump rate had greater (P<0.05) cooking losses than CNT, whereas those enhanced at 12% had similar (P>0.05) cooking losses as CNT. Enhancement with any of the three phosphate types or either concentration did not improve (P>0.05) sensory tenderness or juiciness characteristics compared to CNT, but enhancement at an 18% pump rate allowed for improved (P<0.05) overall tenderness, compared to a 12% pump rate. These results suggest that while phosphate enhancement independent of sodium chloride generally did not improve water retention, cooked yields and palatability compared to untreated samples, utilizing higher phosphate concentrations or utilizing STPP or TSPP effectively retained the additional water associated with solution enhancement, allowing for similar free water and cook yields as untreated samples.

Over two consecutive years, the effects of allocating divergent biological types of cattle (n=107) to fescue pasture without supplementation, or fescue or orchardgrass pasture with soyhull supplementation on chemical, fatty acid and sensory characteristics were investigated. Cattle from the two supplemented treatments produced beef that had increased (P<0.05) percentage lipid and decreased (P<0.05) polyunsaturated and n-3 fatty acids compared to the control. However, the n-6 to n-3 ratio was still less than four in beef from the supplemented cattle. Additionally, supplementation did not decrease (P>0.05) the CLA present in the longissimus, which can commonly occur when forage-fed cattle are supplemented concentrates. Although supplementation did not impact (P>0.05) Warner-Bratzler shear force or tenderness, supplementation of soyhulls reduced (P<0.05) the grassy flavor intensity of rib steaks when compared to the control. Biological type did not have a significant influence on most traits analyzed in this study. These results suggest that supplementation of soyhulls to cattle grazing forage can reduce grassy flavor intensity without decreasing CLA proportions, but can reduce the n-3 fatty acid proportions present in the longissimus.

This article discusses the implementation of the Drug Evaluation Network System (DENS) version of the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) among substance abuse treatment providers in Los Angeles County. Thirty-two trained and certified treatment professionals from 14 programs participated in focus group interviews about their use of and experiences with the ASI. All 14 programs were currently administering the ASI at the time of the study. Qualitative interviews revealed variation among the programs in terms of when staff administered the ASI and how they used it in clinical care. Although the ASI creates a comprehensive picture of substance-abusing patients and their functioning, the timing of its administration seems to significantly affect the usefulness of the information. The findings illustrate the importance of practicality, flexibility, and ongoing training for the successful implementation of evidence-based practices.