Insensitivity of visual short-term memory to irrelevant visual information

Several authors have hypothesised that visuo-spatial working memory is functionally analogous to verbal working memory. Irrelevant background speech impairs verbal short-term memory. We investigated whether irrelevant visual information has an analogous effect on visual short-term memory, using a dynamic visual noise (DVN) technique known to disrupt visual imagery (Quinn & McConnell, 1996a). Experiment 1 replicated the effect of DVN on pegword imagery. Experiments 2 and 3 showed no effect of DVN on recall of static matrix patterns, despite a significant effect of a concurrent spatial tapping task. Experiment 4 showed no effect of DVN on encoding or maintenance of arrays of matrix patterns, despite testing memory by a recognition procedure to encourage visual rather than spatial processing. Serial position curves showed a one-item recency effect typical of visual short-term memory. Experiment 5 showed no effect of DVN on short-term recognition of Chinese characters, despite effects of visual similarity and a concurrent colour memory task that confirmed visual processing of the characters. We conclude that irrelevant visual noise does not impair visual short-term memory. Visual working memory may not be functionally analogous to verbal working memory, and different cognitive processes may underlie visual short-term memory and visual imagery

Sequence Ontology terminology for gene regulation

The Sequence Ontology (SO) is a structured, controlled vocabulary that provides terms and definitions for genomic annotation. The Gene Regulation Ensemble Effort for the Knowledge Commons (GREEKC) initiative has gathered input from many groups of researchers, including the SO, the Gene Ontology (GO), and gene regulation experts, with the goal of curating information about how gene expression is regulated at the molecular level. Here we discuss recent updates to the SO reflecting current knowledge. We have developed more accurate human-readable terms (also known as classes), including new definitions, and relationships related to the expression of genes. New findings continue to give us insight into the biology of gene regulation, including the order of events, and participants in those events. These updates to the SO support logical reasoning with the current understanding of gene expression regulation at the molecular level

Squirrelpox in a red squirrel in Fife

SQUIRRELPOX has been identified as a key factor in red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) decline in the UK.1 Grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) are thought to act as reservoir hosts for squirrelpox virus (SQPV), the causative agent of squirrelpox, with a reported asymptomatic seroprevalence of 61 per cent.2SQPV is implicated in the complete replacement of red squirrels by grey squirrels throughout mainland England and Wales,1 and poses a major threat to Scottish red squirrel populations since being first detected in 2007.3 To combat this threat, an mortality surveillance programme has been established at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, using opportunistic sampling of red squirrel carcases. This has been ongoing for several years, including a summary publication covering 262 cases submitted from 2005 to 2009.4As part of this monitoring programme, an adult female red squirrel carcase was submitted by a member of the public, after having been found in Townhall Wood (NT110894), on the outskirts of Dunfermline, Fife, in March 2024. Postmortem examination identified multiple lesions typically associated with squirrelpox, including ulcerative and exudative dermatitis of the periocular and perioral skin (Fig 1). Histopathology of the affected skin identified extensive ulceration alongside remnant areas of epithelium with marked ballooning degeneration and eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies. Transmission electron microscopy of the affected tissue also identified numerous pox virions within the affected tissue, which through their size, shape and available surface morphology (Fig 2), were consistent with those of SQPV. In Britain there have been no additional identified diseases in red squirrels that present with periocular or perioral, ulcerative to exudative dermatitis due to a poxvirus,5indicating this case is highly likely due to SQPV.This finding represents the first identification of squirrelpox north of the central belt and is consistent with the predictions of previous modelling, which identified a high risk of northern SQPV spread from 2023 onwards.6 This modelling also suggests a rapid increase and spread of squirrelpox into more northerly and naive red squirrel populations is likely following establishment north of the central belt in central Scotland.6This case and modelling supports an increased requirement for targeted investigations, ongoing monitoring and grey squirrel interventions both around Dunfermline itself and within adjacent areas to establish the disease burden in this locality and limit further northerly squirrelpox spread.LA Wilson, veterinary pathology lecturer, M Marr, postdoctoral research fellow, C Logie, postmortem room technician, K Beckmann, conservation medicine lecturer, PWW Lurz, squirrel ecologist, R Ogden, director of conservation science, E Milne, professor emerita of veterinary clinical pathology Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG email: [email protected] DJ Everest, pathology scientist APHA Weybridge, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NBReferences1 Tompkins DM, White AR, Boots M. Ecological replacement of native red squirrels by invasive greys driven by disease. Ecol Lett2003;6:189–962 Sainsbury AW, Nettleton P, Gilray J, et al. Grey squirrels have high seroprevalence to a parapoxvirus associated with deaths in red squirrels. Anim Conserv2000;3:229–33 3 Mclnnes CJ, Coulter L, Dagleish MP, et al. First cases of squirrelpox in red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in Scotland. Vet Rec2009;164:528–314 LaRose JP, Meredith AL, Everest DJ, et al. Epidemiological and postmortem findings in 262 red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in Scotland, 2005 to 2009. Vet Rec2010;167:297–3025 Everest DJ, Tolhurst-Cherriman DAR, Davies H, et al. Assessing a potential non-invasive method for viral diagnostic purposes in European squirrels. Hystrix 2019;30:44–506 White A, Lurz PWW. A modelling assessment of control strategies to prevent/reduce squirrelpox spread. 2014. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No 627. https://bit.ly/441TOgM (accessed 8 April 2024)PROFESSIONHistory of the veterinary professionI WRITE in response to the debate article by Bruce Vivash Jones (VR, 16/23 March 2024, vol 194, p 236). As a PhD researcher on the history of the RCVS and veterinary regulation, and a veterinary nurse, I would like to raise some issues with Vivash Jones’ historical evidence. He states that changes to the council structure would create an oligarchy. From his interpretation of an oligarchy I can assure him and our profession that the first RCVS council did work as This finding represents the first identification of squirrelpox north of the central belt20/27 April 2024 | VET RECORD312Fig 2: Squirrelpox virus virions detected in the affected tissue. Bar = 200 nmFig 1: Macroscopic lesions of ulcerative and exudative dermatitis surrounding the eye in a red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)Letters 20 April.indd 312Letters 20 April.indd 31216/04/2024 12:4816/04/2024 12:4

CARMENES input catalogue of M dwarfs IV. New rotation periods from photometric time series

Aims. The main goal of this work is to measure rotation periods of the M-type dwarf stars being observed by the CARMENES exoplanet survey to help distinguish radial-velocity signals produced by magnetic activity from those produced by exoplanets. Rotation periods are also fundamental for a detailed study of the relation between activity and rotation in late-type stars. Methods. We look for significant periodic signals in 622 photometric time series of 337 bright, nearby M dwarfs obtained by long-time baseline, automated surveys (MEarth, ASAS, SuperWASP, NSVS, Catalina, ASAS-SN, K2, and HATNet) and for 20 stars which we obtained with four 0.2-0.8 m telescopes at high geographical latitudes. Results. We present 142 rotation periods (73 new) from 0.12 d to 133 d and ten long-term activity cycles (six new) from 3.0 a to 11.5 a. We compare our determinations with those in the existing literature; we investigate the distribution of P rot in the CARMENES input catalogue,the amplitude of photometric variability, and their relation to vsin i and pEW(Halfa); and we identify three very active stars with new rotation periods between 0.34 d and 23.6 d.Comment: 34 pages, 43 figures, 2 appendix table