Serological markers of gluten sensitivity in Border terriers with gall bladder mucocoeles

Objectives To evaluate serological markers of gluten sensitivity in conjunction with cholecystokinin measurement in Border terriers with gall bladder mucocoeles. Materials and Methods Medical records from two referral hospitals were obtained between 2011 and 2019 to identify Border terriers with gall bladder mucocoeles, non‐Border terriers with gall bladder mucocoeles and control Border terriers with non‐biliary diseases. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays were performed on stored fasted serum samples for anti‐gliadin IgG, anti‐canine transglutaminase‐2‐IgA autoantibodies and cholecystokinin. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskall‐Wallis test to identify differences between the groups. Results Fifteen Border terriers with gall bladder mucocoeles, 17 non‐Border terriers with gall bladder mucocoeles and 14 control Border terriers with non‐biliary diseases were recruited. Median transglutaminase‐2‐IgA autoantibodies in Border terriers with gall bladder mucocoeles was 0.73 (range: 0.18 to 1.67), which was significantly greater than in control Border terriers at 0.41 (0.07 to 1.14). Median cholecystokinin concentration in Border terriers with gall bladder mucocoeles was 13 pg/mL (6 to 45 pg/mL), which was significantly lower than in control Border terriers at 103 pg/mL (9 to 397 pg/mL). There was no difference in the anti‐gliadin IgG between these groups. There was no difference observed in the non‐Border terriers with gall bladder mucocoeles with either of the other groups. Clinical Significance Reduced cholecystokinin and increased transglutaminase‐2‐IgA autoantibodies was detected in Border terriers with gall bladder mucocoeles; which is in part homologous to gall bladder disease identified in human coeliac disease. The results suggest an immunological disease with impaired cholecystokinin release may be affecting gall bladder motility and possibly contributing to mucocoele formation in Border terriers

0111i I ll III ACTUATOR PLACEMENT FOR ACTIVE SURGE CONTROL IN A MULTI-STAGE AXIAL COMPRESSOR

ABSTRACT. This paper describes an actuator placement methodology for the active control of purely onedimensional instabilities of a seven-stage axial compressor using an air bleeding strategy. In this theoretical study, using stage-by-stage non-linear modelling based on the conservation equations of mass, momentum, and energy, a scheduling LQR (Linear Quadratic Regulator) controller is designed for several actuator locations in a compressor from the first stage to the plenum. In this controller design, the LQR weighting matrices are selected so that the associated cost function includes only air bleeding mass flow leading to the minimisation of the air bleed. The LQR cost function represents a measure of the consumption of air bleeding and can be calculated analytically using the solution of an Algebraic Riccati Equation. From analysis of the cost at different compressor stages, the location of an air bleeding actuator is selected at the stage with the minimum cost. Finally, using an ACSL simulation program, the scheduling controller has been integrated with a non-lineat stage-by-stage model and the time response of the air bleeding mass flow at different locations has been obtained to confirm the results from the analytical approach. Results are presented to show actively stabilised compressor flow beyond the surge point where the air bleed is minimised. These results also indicate the preferred location of the actuator at the compressor downstream stages for both low and high compressor speeds

Asymmetric generation of oceanic crust at the ultra-slow spreading Southwest Indian Ridge, 64ºE

We describe topographic, gravity, magnetic, and sonar data from a Southwest Indian Ridge spreading segment near 64E, 28S. We interpret these to reveal crustal structure, spreading history, and volcanic and tectonic processes over the last 12 Myr. We confirm that the crust is some 2 km thicker north of the ridge axis, though it varies along and across axis on scales of 10 km and 4 Myr. The plate separation rate remained approximately constant at 13 ± 1 km Myr1, but half-spreading rates were up to 40% asymmetric, varying between faster-to-the-north and faster-to-the-south on a 4 Myr timescale. Topography shows a dominant E–W lineation normal to the N–S spreading direction. This is superficially similar to faulted abyssal hill terrain of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR), but inferred fault scarps are 3–4 times more widely spaced and have greater offsets. Conjugate pairs of massifs on either plate are interpreted as volcanic constructions similar to the large volcano currently filling the median valley at the segment center. They have temporal spacings of 4 Myr and are thought to reflect episodic melt focusing along an otherwise melt-poor ridge. Additionally, there are places, mainly on the southern plate, where lineated topography is replaced by a much blockier topography and embryonic ocean core complexes similar to those recently reported on the MAR near 13N. There is generally more extrusive volcanism on the northern plate and more tectonism on the southern one. Extrusive volcanism has propagated westward from the segment center since 2 Ma. The FUJI Dome core complex and adjacent seafloor to its east and west appear to be part of a single coherent block, capped by extrusive rock near the segment center, exposing gabbro via a detachment fault over the Dome and probably exposing deeper crust or upper mantle farther west near the segment end. Magnetic anomalies are continuous along this block. We suggest that at its eastern boundary the detachment is simply welded onto magmatically emplaced crust to the east in a similar way to young crust being welded to the old plate at ridge-transform intersections

Not just for romance: applications of speed dating in social work education

In this article we address how a contemporary adaptation of the \u27speed dating\u27 model was used for educational purposes with two cohorts of social work students. We outline the dimensions of \u27speed dating\u27 as a contemporary social phenomenon, then address how this model relates specifically to groupwork process, and can be used to facilitate social work student learning. The curriculum for two classroom group activities using the \u27speed dating\u27 model are outlined, the first to develop university level study skills, the second for debriefing field placement learning experiences. Finally we examine why the \u27speed dating\u27 metaphor was successful in provoking a playful yet constructively creative space for students to engage in groupwork process.<br /

Is a cooperative approach to seaweed farming effectual? An analysis of the seaweed cluster project (SCP), Malaysia

Seaweed (Kappaphycus spp.) farming has been practised in Malaysia since the late 1970s following government policy incentives (training and farming inputs). However, numerous governance, economic, environmental, technological and sociocultural challenges have limited the industry from achieving its full potential. The Seaweed Cluster Project (SCP) was introduced in 2012 to address some of these challenges. We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of the SCP in delivering its central objectives of increasing seaweed production, optimising the farming area, improving seaweed quality and farming efficiency, raising farmers’ income, and reducing the environmental impact of seaweed farming. Community and industry perceptions of the SCP were obtained from seven communities using a mixed-methods approach based on face-to-face semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, household surveys, observation and secondary data. Views on the SCP outcomes were generally negative, including low take-up rates by indigenous people, poor stakeholder participation in decision-making, limited acceptance of new technologies, economic vulnerability, a complex marketing system, and low social cohesion of seaweed farming communities. Positive perceptions included recognition that the SCP confers high social status upon a community, reduces operating costs, and facilitates the production of certified seaweed. The SCP’s problems are linked to poor multi-level governance, weak market mechanisms and unintegrated community development. The study concludes with five recommendations to improve the SCP: promote the participation of indigenous people; legalise existing migrant farmers; strengthen local seaweed cooperative organisations; provide entrepreneurship skills to farmers; and fully integrate stakeholders into decision-making

Simulation Training in U.K. General Aviation: An Undervalued Aid to Reducing Loss of Control Accidents

Analysis of data from 1,007 U.K. general aviation (GA) accidents demonstrates the predominant cause of accidents is loss of control, exacerbated by a lack of recent flying experience. These are long-standing problems that can be targeted effectively with simulation training. Discussion on training strategies in commercial aviation reinforces the logic of introducing simulation training for the GA pilot. Conclusions drawn affirm the notion that GA safety would benefit from implementation of regulated simulation training

From Model Specification to Simulation of Biologically Constrained Networks of Spiking Neurons.

A declarative extensible markup language (SpineML) for describing the dynamics, network and experiments of large-scale spiking neural network simulations is described which builds upon the NineML standard. It utilises a level of abstraction which targets point neuron representation but addresses the limitations of existing tools by allowing arbitrary dynamics to be expressed. The use of XML promotes model sharing, is human readable and allows collaborative working. The syntax uses a high-level self explanatory format which allows straight forward code generation or translation of a model description to a native simulator format. This paper demonstrates the use of code generation in order to translate, simulate and reproduce the results of a benchmark model across a range of simulators. The flexibility of the SpineML syntax is highlighted by reproducing a pre-existing, biologically constrained model of a neural microcircuit (the striatum). The SpineML code is open source and is available at http://bimpa.group.shef.ac.uk/SpineML