A Multinational Analysis of Mutations and Heterogeneity in PZase, RpsA, and PanD Associated with Pyrazinamide Resistance in M/XDR Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Pyrazinamide (PZA) is an important first-line drug in all existing and new tuberculosis (TB) treatment regimens. PZA-resistance in M. tuberculosis is increasing, especially among M/XDR cases. Noted issues with PZA Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) have driven the search for alternative tests. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of PZA molecular diagnostics in M/XDR TB cases. A set of 296, mostly XDR, clinical M. tuberculosis isolates from four countries were subjected to DST for eight drugs, confirmatory Wayne's assay, and whole-genome sequencing. Three genes implicated in PZA resistance, pncA, rpsA, and panD were investigated. Assuming all non-synonymous mutations cause resistance, we report 90% sensitivity and 65% specificity for a pncA-based molecular test. The addition of rpsA and panD potentially provides 2% increase in sensitivity. Molecular heterogeneity in pncA was associated with resistance and should be evaluated as a diagnostic tool. Mutations near the N-terminus and C-terminus of PZase were associated with East-Asian and Euro-American lineages, respectively. Finally, Euro-American isolates are most likely to have a wild-type PZase and escape molecular detection. Overall, the 8-10% resistance without markers may point to alternative mechanisms of resistance. Confirmatory mutagenesis may improve the disconcertingly low specificity but reduce sensitivity since not all mutations may cause resistance

I wish he'd listen: Client-centered interviewing approaches are associated with higher compliance with behavioral modification advice in pet dog owners

In the UK, over 40,000 dogs are given up annually to shelters or euthanized due to problem behaviors. It may be possible to reduce these numbers through behavior counseling and development of a behavior modification plan (BMP) by a canine professional (CP). However, if the client does not or cannot adhere to the BMP the dog's prospects may be compromised. This study explored the experience of the initial behavior consultation and possible reasons for adhering to (or not) the BMP from the client's perspective. An online survey solicited the opinions of canine behavior clients who had sought professional help in the UK for their dog's unwanted behavior within the last 2 years. Principal Component Analysis of Likert scale statements revealed one significant PC (P < 0.001) that explained 57% of the variation in the data and was significantly correlated with BMP compliance (r = 0.567, P < 0.001). Specifically, believing the plan was right for their dog and having CP support throughout to achieve behavior improvement through the implementation of a mutually agreed BMP were important. Qualitative thematic analysis of free text responses regarding motivation for future client BMP compliance echoed these factors. Conversely, a negative consultation experience was created by CPs adopting an authoritarian or ‘telling’ approach with their clients for example, making them feel judged. This was associated with a lack of BMP compliance. Essentially, CPs who involved their clients in BMP development were perceived as creating a positive experience of the initial behavior consultation and as a result were able to promote client BMP adherence and improvement in unwanted behavior improvement. This CP approach, which adopts a nurturing rather than an authoritarian strategy, has been termed Client-Centered Interviewing (CCI). The main thing about CCI is the client is an equal partner in the process. The core conditions are as per Rogers and Egan of empathy, congruence and unconditional positive regard. CCI builds on empathy with the client, avoids inappropriately challenging client beliefs by gently exploring options without being judgemental, clearly explains the likely cause of the behavior and the plan to resolve it, and provides a BMP that is bespoke and flexible. Future research is required to validate the findings, for example through a prospective comparison of Client-Centered Interviewing versus an instructional (authoritarian) approach. Crucially, the impact of Client-Centered Interviewing on canine welfare must also be evaluated

Symmetry breaking in the female germline cyst.

In mammals and flies, only one cell in a multicellular female germline cyst becomes an oocyte, but how symmetry is broken to select the oocyte is unknown. Here, we show that the microtubule (MT) minus end-stabilizing protein Patronin/CAMSAP marks the future Drosophila oocyte and is required for oocyte specification. The spectraplakin Shot recruits Patronin to the fusome, a branched structure extending into all cyst cells. Patronin stabilizes more MTs in the cell with the most fusome material. Our data suggest that this weak asymmetry is amplified by Dynein-dependent transport of Patronin-stabilized MTs. This forms a polarized MT network, along which Dynein transports oocyte determinants into the presumptive oocyte. Thus, Patronin amplifies a weak fusome anisotropy to break symmetry and select one cell to become the oocyte

Yield and Production Costs for Three Potential Dedicated Energy Crops in Mississippi and Oklahoma Environments

The objective of this paper is to determine production costs of switchgrass, eastern gammagrass, and giant miscanthus using Mississippi and Oklahoma data. Production costs were computed using a standard enterprise budgeting approach by species and method of harvest. Results indicate cost difference across species and method of harvest.Yield and Cost, biomass species, Crop Production/Industries, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Frequency and surface dependence of the mechanical loss in fused silica

We have compiled measurements of the mechanical loss in fused silica from samples spanning a wide range of geometries and resonant frequency in order to model the known variation of the loss with frequency and surface-to-volume ratio. This improved understanding of the mechanical loss has contributed significantly to the design of advanced interferometric gravitational wave detectors, which require ultra-low loss materials for their test mass mirrors.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure but 5 figure file

Comparison of steer behavior when housed in a deep-bedded hoop barn versus an open feedlot with shelter

The use of hoop barns as an alternative housing system for beef cattle has not been widely researched. The objectives of this study were to determine the main effects of behavior of steers 1) over winter and summer, 2) when housed in either a hoop barn or a conventional feedlot, and 3) interactions between season and housing system. A total of 960 crossbredBos taurus steers were used [August 2006 to April 2008 (2 winter and 2 summer trials)]. Steers were housed in either 1 deep-bedded hoop barn (n = 12 pens; 4.65 m2/steer) or 1 open feedlot with shelter (n = 12 pens; 14.7 m2/steer). Steers were ear tagged, implanted, and weighed (414 ± 36 kg) on arrival and allotted to treatments that were balanced for source, BW, and hide color. Behavioral data (3 postures and 2 behaviors) were collected using a 10-min live scan. The experimental unit for behavior was a pen of steers. Behavioral data were arcsine transformed to achieve a normal distribution. There were no (P \u3e 0.05) differences for time spent at bunk or waterer for steers between housing treatments. Steers housed in an open feedlot with shelter spent less time lying and more time standing and walking (P \u3c 0.05) compared with steers housed in a hoop barn. There were no (P = 0.32) differences between seasons for standing. Steers spent more time at the bunk (P \u3c 0.0001) and waterer (P \u3c 0.0001) in the summer compared with the winter. In the winter, steers engaged in more lying (P = 0.0002) and walking (P \u3c 0.0001). Overall, steers stood less (P = 0.006) and spent more time lying (P = 0.024) when housed in a hoop barn than in the open feedlot with shelter regardless of season. Steers housed in the open feedlot with shelter walked more (P \u3c 0.0001) than steers housed in the hoop barn and walked more (P \u3c 0.0001) in winter than in summer months (6 vs. 3%). There were no (P \u3e 0.05) differences in time spent at bunk and waterer between housing systems within season, but time spent at the waterer and bunk decreased (P \u3c 0.05) for both housing systems during the winter. In conclusion, housing 40 steers per pen in a cornstalk-bedded hoop barn at 4.65m2/steer does not result in adverse behavioral alterations and can be considered as a housing alternative for finishing steers in the Midwestern United States when compared with steers fed in an open feedlot with shelter provided

Uncivilized behaviors: How humans wield “feral” to assert power (and control) over other species

This is the final version. Available from Brill via the DOI in this record. This paper examines the use of the term “feral” as a form of control over other animals. The concept of this “power word” is explored within the context of what it means for those who find themselves labelled as such. As a prefix, “feral” is used by various interest groups to justify the treatment of subpopulations of species, particularly with regards to wildlife conservation. The “feral” label differentiates animals that are perceived as being out of place or out of control from those who are kept as companions or commodities. “Feral” is most often used to describe an unwelcome presence or noise, and can be contrasted to alternative words, such as “wild” or “free-living” that control how these presences are perceived by humans

Covariance systems

We introduce new definitions of states and of representations of covariance systems. The GNS-construction is generalized to this context. It associates a representation with each state of the covariance system. Next, states are extended to states of an appropriate covariance algebra. Two applications are given. We describe a nonrelativistic quantum particle, and we give a simple description of the quantum spacetime model introduced by Doplicher et al.Comment: latex with ams-latex, 23 page