A pilot study examining garment severance damage caused by a trained sharp-weapon user

The pilot study summarized in this paper aimed to raise awareness of a gap that exists in the forensic textile science literature about damage caused to clothing by trained sharp-weapon users. A male trained in the Filipino martial arts discipline of Eskrima performed attack techniques on a physical model of a male torso covered with a 97% cotton/3% elastane knitted T-shirt, that is, a garment commonly worn by males. Fabric severance appearance created by three different, but commonly available, knives was evaluated. High-speed video was used to capture each attack. After each attack the resulting damage to the garment was assessed. This pilot study highlighted differences in severances associated with weapon selection, that is, not all knives resulted in similar patterns of textile damage. In addition, a mixture of stab and slash severances were observed. The findings demonstrated the possible misinterpretation of textile damage under these circumstances compared to damage patterns reported in the existing forensic textile science literature for more commonly occurring knife attacks (i.e. stabbings)

Evaluación de los efectos genotóxicos del herbicida 2,4-D en Piaractus mesopotamicus a través del test de micronúcleos

The herbicide 2,4-D is currently one of the most used agrochemicals in agriculture. The fish are target of contamination, these when being in contact with toxics develop later alterations that can be studied, reason why they are used as models in the evaluation of aquatic ecosystems. There is scarce information about the effects of these pesticides in fish. Because of this, the objective of this work was to evaluate the possible impact of a contamination with 2,4-D, in sub-lethal concentrations in Piaractus mesopotamicus, through the frequency of micronuclei (MN) and alterations in the shape of the nuclei (NMA) in peripheral blood erythrocytes in chronic conditions (70 days). Two trials were conducted, one with the herbicide 2,4-D pure (P) and another with a commercial formulation (2,4-D bitter amine) (FC). Each experience was composed of five aquariums with two specimens in each, where different concentrations of the pesticide were administered (1 ppm, 1.8 ppm, 3.2 ppm, 5.6 ppm and 10 ppm), and in another with well water (control). A total of 4000 cells per individual were analyzed. Through the test MN and NMA the presence of diverse nuclear alterations was evidenced. The mentioned test for P and dilutions 1 ppm, 1.8 ppm, 3.2 ppm, 5.6 ppm of FC did not show significant differences with the control, while the concentration of 10 ppm of FC differed statistically from its control, this could be due to additional components in FC.Los herbicidas están siendo abundantemente utilizados haciendo que los mismos no solo lleguen al organismo específico sino también contaminen el medio ambiente donde son empleados. El herbicida 2,4-D es en la actualidad uno de los agroquímicos más utilizado en la agricultura. Los peces son blanco de la contaminación, éstos al estar en contacto con tóxicos desarrollan posteriormente alteraciones que pueden ser estudiadas, por lo cual son utilizados como modelos en la evaluacion de ecosistemas acuáticos. Existe escasa información acerca de los efectos de estos pesticidas en peces, siendo el actual trabajo el primero en evaluar efectos crónicos. El objetivo de la presente investigación fue evaluar el posible impacto de una contaminación con 2,4-D en concentraciones subletales en Piaractus mesopotamicus, a través de la frecuencia de micronúcleos (MN) y de las alteraciones en la forma de los núcleos (NMA) en eritrocitos de sangre periférica en condiciones crónicas (70 días). Se realizaron dos ensayos, uno con el herbicida 2,4-D puro (P) y otro con una formulación comercial (2,4-D amina Sumargo) (FC). Cada experiencia estuvo compuesta por cinco acuarios con dos ejemplares en cada uno, donde se administraron difererentes concentraciones del plaguicida (1 ppm, 1,8 ppm, 3,2 ppm, 5,6 ppm y 10 ppm), y en otra con agua de pozo (control). Se analizó un total de 4000 células por individuo. A través del test MN y NMA se evidenció la presencia de diversas alteraciones nucleares. El mencionado test para P y las diluciones 1 ppm, 1,8 ppm, 3,2 ppm, 5,6 ppm de FC no mostraron diferencias significativas con el control, mientras que la concentración de 10 ppm de FC se diferenció estadísticamente de su control. El presente trabajo aporta luz de los potenciales efectos nocivos del 2,4-D en el medio ambiente y posibilita nuevos estudios prospectivos y retrospectivos

A role for random, humidity-dependent epiphytic growth prior to invasion of wheat by Zymoseptoria tritici

This is the final version of the article.Available from Elsevier via the doi in this record.Zymoseptoria tritici causes Septoria leaf blotch of wheat. The prevailing paradigm of the Z. tritici-wheat interaction assumes fungal ingress through stomata within 24–48 h, followed by days of symptomless infection. This is extrapolated from studies testing the mode of fungal ingress under optimal infection conditions. Here, we explicitly assess the timing of entry, using GFP-tagged Z. tritici. We show that early entry is comparatively rare, and extended epiphytic growth possible. We test the hypotheses that our data diverge from earlier studies due to: i. random ingress of Z. tritici into the leaf, with some early entry events; ii. previous reliance upon fungal stains, combined with poor attachment of Z. tritici to the leaf, leading to increased likelihood of observing internal versus external growth, compared to using GFP; iii. use of exceptionally high humidity to promote entry in previous studies. We combine computer simulation of leaf-surface growth with thousands of in planta observations to demonstrate that while spores germinate rapidly on the leaf, over 95% of fungi remain epiphytic, growing randomly over the leaf for ten days or more. We show that epiphytic fungi are easily detached from leaves by rinsing and that humidity promotes epiphytic growth, increasing infection rates. Together, these results explain why epiphytic growth has been dismissed and early ingress assumed. The prolonged epiphytic phase should inform studies of pathogenicity and virulence mutants, disease control strategies, and interpretation of the observed low in planta growth, metabolic quiescence and evasion of plant defences by Zymoseptoria during symptomless infection.HF, CE, WK and SG were funded by BBSRC grant: and JC by a BSPP summer studentship

A copper-catalyzed asymmetric oxime propargylation enables the synthesis of the gliovirin tetrahydro-1,2-oxazine core

The bicyclic tetrahydro-1,2-oxazine subunit of gliovirin is synthesized through a diastereoselective copper-catalyzed cyclization of an N-hydroxyamino ester. Oxidative elaboration to the fully functionalized bicycle was achieved through a series of mild transformations. Central to this approach was the development of the first catalytic, enantioselective propargylation of an oxime to furnish a key N-hydroyxamino ester intermediate

Avian mycobacteriosis in chickens from a rural area of Argentina

An outbreak of avian tuberculosis was detected in chickens from a rural area of Chaco Province, northeastern Argentina. The hens were emaciated and presented granulomatous lesions of various sizes throughout the internal organs. The lesions observed in three necropsied birds consisted of granulomas containing alcohol/acid-fast bacilli. All the lesions found were diagnosed histopathologically as tuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium were isolated from the cultures and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction techniques

Diagnostics and data fusion of robotic sensors

Robotic systems for remediation of hazardous waste sites must be highly reliable to avoid equipment failures and subsequent possible exposure of personnel to hazardous environments. Safe, efficient cleanup operations also require accurate, complete knowledge of the task space. This paper presents progress made on a 18 month program to meet these needs. To enhance robot reliability, a conceptual design of a monitoring and diagnostic system is being developed to predict the onset of mechanical failure modes, provide maximum lead time to make operational changes or repairs, and minimize the occurrence of on-site breakdowns. To ensure safe operation, a comprehensive software package is being developed that will fuse data from multiple surface mapping sensors and poses so as to reduce the error effects in individual data points and provide accurate 3-D maps of a work space

Anormalidades morfológicas nucleares en hematíes del pez Prochilodus linneatus expuesto al clorpirifos

In recent years, the monitoring of xenobiotics (chemicals such as pesticides) in the environment has been very important, as the persistence of the biological activity of many of these compounds has been recognized. Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphorus insecticide of broad spectrum, used in agricultural and domestic activities. This pesticide as well as other chemicals may accidentally reach the aquatic ecosystem and the ictic fauna. Fish ingesting contaminated substances subsequently develop alterations due to bioaccumulation, becoming effective indicators of environmental pollution. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the genotoxicity of chlorpyrifos in P. linneatus (Pisces, Prochilodontidae) through the frequency of micronuclei (MN) and nuclear morphology alterations (AMN) in peripheral blood erythrocytes. After acclimatization the fish were divided into two control (C) and treated groups (T1 = 10 μg/l, T2 = 30 μg/l and T3 = 90 μg/l). Three replicates per group (C, T) were performed with a total of 3 animals per fishbowl. The animals remained in the aquariums for a period of 7 days. After this time they were sacrificed with an overdose of anaesthetic to extract blood from the caudal vein. Smears were stained with Giemsa. In the samples analyzed, the number of MN and AMN was determined after observation of 2000 cells per animal. Cells with intact cytoplasmic membrane were considered for the study. The analysis of blood smears in both groups revealed the presence of micronuclei and the following nuclear morphology alterations; notches, lobulated, evaginations, eigth shaped, segmentations and vacuolization nuclei. Individuals T3 showed significant variations in the frequency of MN and AMN with respect to the controls (p<0.05), but not the T1 and T2 specimens. We conclude that chlorpyrifos at a dose of 90 μg/l could be harmful to the environment.Recientemente adquirió importancia el monitoreo de xenobióticos (como pesticidas) en el medio ambiente, debido a la persistencia de la actividad biológica de muchos de ellos. Clorpirifos es un insecticida organofosforado empleado a nivel agrícola y doméstico. Este plaguicida puede alcanzar accidentalmente el ecosistema acuático y la fauna íctica. Al ingerir sustancias contaminadas, los peces desarrollan alteraciones debidas a la bioacumulación, constituyéndose en eficaces indicadores de polución ambiental. El propósito del estudio fue evaluar la genotoxicidad del clorpirifos en P. linneatus (Pisces, Prochilodontidae) a través de la frecuencia de micronúcleos (MN) y de alteraciones de la morfología nuclear (AMN) en eritrocitos de sangre periférica. Los ensayos se realizaron con clorpirifos en su forma pura (Sigma Aldrich). Los peces se dividieron en grupos control (C) y tratados (T1 = 10 μg/l; T2 = 30 μg/l y T3 = 90 μg/l). Se realizaron tres replicas por grupo, con un total de 3 animales por pecera, los cuales permanecieron allí durante 7 días, tras lo cual fueron sacrificados con sobredosis de anestésico. Se extrajo sangre de la vena caudal, realizándose frotis que se colorearon con Giemsa, determinándose el número de MN y AMN luego de la observación de 2000 células por animal. Para el estudio se consideraron las células con sus membranas citoplasmáticas intactas. En ambos grupos, los frotis sanguíneos revelaron la presencia de micronúcleos, así como algunas de las siguientes alteraciones de la morfología nuclear: muesca, lobulación, evaginación, forma de ocho, segmentación y vacuolización nuclear. Los individuos del grupo T3 mostraron variaciones significativas en la frecuencia de MN y AMN respecto a los controles (p<0,05), no así los ejemplares de los tratamientos T1 y T2. Por lo expuesto, surge que el clorpirifos a la dosis de 90 μg/l podría ser nocivo para el medio ambiente

Long-Term Changes in Physical Activity Following a One-Year Home-Based Physical Activity Counseling Program in Older Adults with Multiple Morbidities

This study assessed the sustained effect of a physical activity (PA) counseling intervention on PA one year after intervention, predictors of sustained PA participation, and three classes of post-intervention PA trajectories (improvers, maintainers, and decliners) in 238 older Veterans. Declines in minutes of PA from 12 to 24 months were observed for both the treatment and control arms of the study. PA at 12 months was the strongest predictor of post-intervention changes in PA. To our surprise, those who took up the intervention and increased PA levels the most, had significant declines in post-intervention PA. Analysis of the three post-intervention PA trajectories demonstrated that the maintenance group actually reflected a group of nonresponders to the intervention who had more comorbidities, lower self-efficacy, and worse physical function than the improvers or decliners. Results suggest that behavioral counseling/support must be ongoing to promote maintenance. Strategies to promote PA appropriately to subgroups of individuals are needed