Belowground plant communities: seed bank dynamics and relationship to aboveground vegetation in grazing allotment of Klamath County, Oregon

Seed banks are valuable resources for restoration but are understudied. The species present in the aboveground composition influence the seed bank through seed inputs. Land managers utilize herbicides to selectively reduce certain species in the above- and belowground composition. The aim of this paper is to observe and assess the species present in a seed bank post-herbicide application, and to discuss the seed bank potential for future restoration at the specific site in Klamath County, Oregon. Soil core samples were collected in the field and brought to the lab where they were processed and prepared for germination. We watered and monitored propagation trays in a greenhouse for emerging species that were then pulled, transplanted, and identified. We found that a total of 284 seeds germinated, representing 20 species. In contrast, there were 8 species present in the aboveground plant community. Belowground seed bank composition and aboveground species composition were on average 84% dissimilar. Lastly, we found a negative relationship between seed density and litter depth. Management actions, such as herbicide application and targeted grazing, have the potential to reduce exotic aboveground species, and allow for native species in the seed bank to passively join the aboveground composition. This study highlights the need for future management of aboveground undesired species to allow competitive release of seed bank species to emerge

A comprehensive study of a versatile magnetic refrigeration demonstrator

A versatile room temperature reciprocating magnetic refrigeration demonstrator has been designed, built and tested in order to evaluate the influence of different running parameters and to check suitable magnetocaloric materials for cooling at room temperature. A comprehensive study has been done with Gd spheres of 0.2-0.4 mm diameter arranged as a double regenerator with 15 g each. A Halbach Nd2e14B permanent magnet with a slot of 10 mm width has been used to generate the magnetic field with a maximum value of 1.4 T. The heat transfer fluid is a mixture of water and ethylene glycol in a 75-25 percentage. The demonstrator achieves a maximum no-load temperature span close to 20 K, with a regeneration ratio of ¿ = 4.1, and a maximum cooling power Qc=6 W at zero temperature span. COP values have been shown and different thermodynamic AMR cycles have been studied looking for the best parameters

A versatile magnetic refrigeration demonstrator

Trabajo presentado a la "6th International Conference on Magnetic Refrigeration at Room Temperature" celebrada en Victoria (Canadá) del 7 al 10 de septiembre de 2014.A versatile room temperature reciprocating magnetic refrigeration demonstrator has been designed, built and tested in order to check suitable magnetocaloric materials for magnetic refrigeration. Test experiments have been done with 31 g of Gd spheres of 0.2 – 0.4 mm diameter as refrigerant material, because it is a well-known benchmark material for magnetic refrigeration. The magnetic field is provided by a Halbach Nd2Fe14B permanent magnet with a slot of 10 mm width and a maximum field of 1.4 T. At optimized values of frequency (f = 0.7 Hz) and utilization factor (U = 0.19), the demonstrator achieves a maximum no load temperature span of 19.3 K. A maximum cooling power of 6 W at zero temperature span was obtained at optimized values f = 0.31 Hz and U = 1.1. Different thermodynamic cycles have been studied looking for the optimized parameters.Peer Reviewe

Ultrafine and nanoparticle formation and emission mechanisms during laser processing of ceramic materials

The use of laser technology in the ceramic industry is undergoing an increasing trend, as it improves surface properties. The present work aimed to assess ultrafine and nanoparticle emissions from two different types of laser treatments (tile sintering and ablation) applied to two types of tiles. New particle formation mechanisms were identified, as well as primary nanoparticle emissions, with concentrations reaching up to 6.7 x 10(6) particles Cm-3 and a mean diameter of 18 nm. Nanoparticle emission patterns were strongly dependent on temperature and raw tile chemical composition. Nucleation events were detected during the thermal treatment independently of the laser application. TOM images evidenced spherical ultrafine particles, originating from the tile melting processes. When transported across the indoor environment, particles increased in size (up to 38 nm) with concentrations remaining high (2.3 x 10(6) particles cm(-3)), Concentrations of metals such as Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr, As and al were found in particles < 250 nm

The immunogenicity of viral haemorragic septicaemia rhabdovirus (VHSV) DNA vaccines can depend on plasmid regulatory sequences

A plasmid DNA encoding the viral hemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV)-G glycoprotein under the control of 5′ upstream sequences (enhancer/promoter sequence plus both non-coding 1st exon and 1st intron sequences) from carp β-actin gene (pAE6-GVHSV) was compared to the vaccine plasmid usually described the gene expression is regulated by the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) immediate-early promoter (pMCV1.4-GVHSV). We observed that these two plasmids produced a markedly different profile in the level and time of expression of the encoded-antigen, and this may have a direct effect upon the intensity and suitability of the in vivo immune response. Thus, fish genetic immunisation assays were carried out to study the immune response of both plasmids. A significantly enhanced specific-antibody response against the viral glycoprotein was found in the fish immunised with pAE6-GVHSV. However, the protective efficacy against VHSV challenge conferred by both plasmids was similar. Later analysis of the transcription profile of a set of representative immune-related genes in the DNA immunized fish suggested that depending on the plasmid-related regulatory sequences controlling its expression, the plasmid might activate distinct patterns of the immune system. All together, the results from this study mainly point out that the selection of a determinate encoded-antigen/vector combination for genetic immunisation is of extraordinary importance in designing optimised DNA vaccines that, when required for inducing protective immune response, could elicit responses biased to antigen-specific antibodies or cytotoxic T cells generation

Cardiac risk factors and risk scores vs cardiac computed tomography angiography: a prospective cohort study for triage of ED patients with acute chest pain.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to evaluate cardiac risk factors and risk scores for prediction of coronary artery disease (CAD) and adverse outcomes in an emergency department (ED) population judged to be at low to intermediate risk for acute coronary syndrome. METHODS: Informed consent was obtained from consecutive ED patients who presented with chest pain and were evaluated with coronary computed tomography angiography (cCTA). Cardiac risk factors, clinical presentation, electrocardiogram, and laboratory studies were recorded; the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) and Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) scores were tabulated. Coronary computed tomography angiography findings were rated on a 6-level plaque burden scale and classified for significant CAD (stenosis ≥50%). Adverse cardiovascular outcomes were recorded at 30 days. RESULTS: Among 250 patients evaluated by cCTA, 143 (57%) had no CAD, 64 (26%) demonstrated minimal plaque (70% stenosis). Six patients developed adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Among traditional cardiac risk factors, only age (older) and sex (male) were significant independent predictors of CAD. Correlation with CAD was poor for the TIMI (r = 0.12) and GRACE (r = 0.09-0.23) scores. The TIMI and GRACE scores were not useful to predict adverse outcomes. Coronary computed tomography angiography identified severe CAD in all subjects with adverse outcomes. CONCLUSION: Among ED patients who present with chest pain judged to be at low to intermediate risk for acute coronary syndrome, traditional risk factors are not useful to stratify risk for CAD and adverse outcomes. Coronary computed tomography angiography is an excellent predictor of CAD and outcome

Process-generated nanoparticles from ceramic tile sintering : Emissions, exposure and environmental release

The ceramic industry is an industrial sector in need of significant process changes, which may benefit from innovative technologies such as laser sintering of ceramic tiles. Such innovations result in a considerable research gap within exposure assessment studies for process-generated ultrafine and nanoparticles. This study addresses this issue aiming to characterise particle formation, release mechanisms and their impact on personal exposure during a tile sintering activity in an industrial-scale pilot plant, as a follow-up of a previous study in a laboratory-scale plant. In addition, possible particle transformations in the exhaust system, the potential for particle release to the outdoor environment, and the effectiveness of the filtration system were also assessed. For this purpose, a tiered measurement strategy was conducted. The main findings evidence that nanoparticle emission patterns were strongly linked to temperature and tile chemical composition, and mainly independent of the laser treatment. Also, new particle formation (from gaseous precursors) events were detected, with nanoparticles A potential risk for nanoparticle and ultrafine particle release to the environment was also identified, despite the fact that the efficiency of the filtration system was successfully tested and evidenced a >87% efficiency in particle number concentrations removal. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.Peer reviewe

Process-generated nanoparticles from ceramic tile sintering: Emissions, exposure and environmental release

Under a Creative Commons license.-- et al.The ceramic industry is an industrial sector in need of significant process changes, which may benefit from innovative technologies such as laser sintering of ceramic tiles. Such innovations result in a considerable research gap within exposure assessment studies for process-generated ultrafine and nanoparticles. This study addresses this issue aiming to characterise particle formation, release mechanisms and their impact on personal exposure during a tile sintering activity in an industrial-scale pilot plant, as a follow-up of a previous study in a laboratory-scale plant. In addition, possible particle transformations in the exhaust system, the potential for particle release to the outdoor environment, and the effectiveness of the filtration system were also assessed. For this purpose, a tiered measurement strategy was conducted. The main findings evidence that nanoparticle emission patterns were strongly linked to temperature and tile chemical composition, and mainly independent of the laser treatment. Also, new particle formation (from gaseous precursors) events were detected, with nanoparticles  87% efficiency in particle number concentrations removal.This work was supported by the European Commission FP7 (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-ITN) Marie Curie ITN project no. 315760 (HEXACOMM) and by the Spanish MINECO (PCIN-2015-173-C02-01) under the frame of SIINN, the ERA-NET for a Safe Implementation of Innovative Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, through SIINN-ERANET project CERASAFE (id.:16). Additional support was provided by LIFE projects AIRUSE (LIFE11 ENV/ES/584), CERAMGLASS (LIFE11 ENV/ES/560) and LASERFIRING (LIFE09 ENV/ES/435).Peer Reviewe

Antibody recognition of the glycoprotein g of viral haemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) purified in large amounts from insect larvae

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There are currently no purification methods capable of producing the large amounts of fish rhabdoviral glycoprotein G (gpG) required for diagnosis and immunisation purposes or for studying structure and molecular mechanisms of action of this molecule (ie. pH-dependent membrane fusion). As a result of the unavailability of large amounts of the gpG from viral haemorrhagic septicaemia rhabdovirus (VHSV), one of the most dangerous viruses affecting cultured salmonid species, research interests in this field are severely hampered. Previous purification methods to obtain recombinant gpG from VHSV in <it>E. coli</it>, yeast and baculovirus grown in insect cells have not produced soluble conformations or acceptable yields. The development of large-scale purification methods for gpGs will also further research into other fish rhabdoviruses, such as infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV), spring carp viremia virus (SVCV), hirame rhabdovirus (HIRRV) and snakehead rhabdovirus (SHRV).</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Here we designed a method to produce milligram amounts of soluble VHSV gpG. Only the transmembrane and carboxy terminal-deleted (amino acid 21 to 465) gpG was efficiently expressed in insect larvae. Recognition of G21-465 by ß-mercaptoethanol-dependent neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (N-MAbs) and pH-dependent recognition by sera from VHSV-hyperimmunized or VHSV-infected rainbow trout (<it>Oncorhynchus mykiss</it>) was demonstrated.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Given that the purified G21-465 conserved some of its most important properties, this method might be suitable for the large-scale production of fish rhabdoviral gpGs for use in diagnosis, fusion and antigenicity studies.</p

A Marketing Plan for Ground Up, Inc.

Marketing Plan is set for motion in the first quarter of 2022. The core objectives are aimed towards increasing the sales and market share of GUP, supplemented further by initiatives that are designed to increase their brand awareness, client acquisition and retention, and website traffic. The strategies presented herewith propose executions supported with key messages that highlight their brand image, their services, and the kind of client servicing they can deliver. More than simply promoting the agency and its services, this plan also puts forward other strategies geared towards strengthening the workforce of GUP in order to further their ability to achieve their objectives