Evaluation of passive transfer immunity and predicting survivability in newborn white-tailed deer fawns

Industry standards for successful passive transfer have been established for major livestock species; however, benchmarks have yet to be determined for pen-raised white-tailed deer fawns (Odocoileus virginianus). The objectives of this study were to determine an on-farm methodology to indicate successful passive transfer of immunity and to identify physical characteristics that may be used to predict the survivability of pen-raised white-tailed deer fawns. Fawns (n = 153) born to 88 white-tailed does (1.5 to 7.5 yr; 40-80 kg) from an established herd were utilized in this study. Measurements including BW, body length, and cannon bone length were obtained biweekly from birth to six wk of age. At 24 h of age, blood samples were obtained via jugular venipuncture. Blood was analyzed on-farm using a handheld digital refractometer. Both whole blood and serum were analyzed for total protein concentration, IgG concentration, and a Brix value that was determined using a scale adapted for on-farm use on dairies. Serum IgG concentration was also quantified by radial immunodiffusion (RID). Data were analyzed using the LOGISTIC, MIXED, and CORR procedures of SAS. During the trial, fawn mortality rate was 21.6%. The logistic procedure indicated that serum Brix values (P < 0.01) and serum IgG concentration (P < 0.02) at birth were useful for predicting survivability of fawns. Fawns that survived had greater serum Brix values (8.93 ± 0.17 vs 7.55 ± 0.35 °Brix) and serum IgG concentrations (9.51 ± 0.66 vs 6.80 ± 1.40 g/L) than fawns that died. In addition, there was a strong positive relationship (P < 0.01) between all on-farm serum measurements and results of the RID (r = 0.87). Body measurements obtained were not predictors of survivability (P ≥ 0.12), however, there were differences between fawns that survived and those that died. Fawns that survived had a greater (P < 0.02) cannon length (18.39 ± 0.10 vs 17.79 ± 0.23 cm) and BW (2.74 ± 0.05 vs 2.33 ± 0.12 kg) at birth than fawns that died. These results indicate that on-farm measurements to estimate successful passive transfer immunity may be used to help predict survivability in white-tailed deer fawns

Parenting strategies used by caregivers of children with ASD: Differential links with child problem behaviour

Here, we explored the structure of the ‘Parenting Strategies Questionnaire’, a new scale designed to measure parenting strategies for problem behaviour in ASD. We then examined links between child behaviour and parenting in a sample of 222 predominantly-UK parents of ASD children exhibiting behaviour found difficult or challenging. Analysis revealed three parenting subscales: Accommodation, Reinforcement Approaches and Reducing Uncertainty. Both Accommodation and Reducing Uncertainty were linked to child problem behaviour. Child factors explained up to 29% of the variance in Accommodation, with Socially Inflexible Non-compliance the strongest predictor, and up to 24% of the variance in Reducing Uncertainty, with Intolerance of Uncertainty the strongest predictor. Child factors were not related to Reinforcement Approaches. Longitudinal studies investigating these relationships are needed

Determination of the angular distribution of evaporation residues following transmission through the superconducting solenoidal separator SOLITAIRE

A highly efficient superconducting solenoidal fusion product separator has been developed at the Australian National University in order to enable separation and detection of evaporation residues following heavy-ion collisions. The determination of absol

Mapping quasifission characteristics and timescales in heavy element formation reactions

Background: The formation of superheavy elements by fusion of two massive nuclei is severely inhibited by the competing quasifission process. Purpose: Through extensive mass-angle distribution measurements, we map out the systematic dependence of quasifi

Development of Halofluorochromic Polymer Nanoassemblies for the Potential Detection of Liver Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Tumors Using Experimental and Computational Approaches

Purpose—To develop polymer nanoassemblies (PNAs) modified with halofluorochromic dyes to allow for the detection of liver metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) to improve therapeutic outcomes. Methods—We combine experimental and computational approaches to evaluate macroscopic and microscopic PNA distributions in patient-derived xenograft primary and orthotropic liver metastatic CRC tumors. Halofluorochromic and non-halofluorochromic PNAs (hfPNAs and n-hfPNAs) were prepared from poly(ethylene glycol), fluorescent dyes (Nile blue, Alexa546, and IR820), and hydrophobic groups (palmitate), all of which were covalently tethered to a cationic polymer scaffold [poly(ethylene imine) or poly(lysine)] forming particles with an average diameter \u3c 30 nm. Results—Dye-conjugated PNAs showed no aggregation under opsonizing conditions for 24 h and displayed low tissue diffusion and cellular uptake. Both hfPNAs and n-hfPNAs accumulated in primary and liver metastatic CRC tumors within 12 h post intravenous injection. In comparison to n-hfPNAs, hfPNAs fluoresced strongly only in the acidic tumor microenvironment (pH \u3c 7.0) and distinguished small metastatic CRC tumors from healthy liver stroma. Computational simulations revealed that PNAs would steadily accumulate mainly in acidic (hypoxic) interstitium of metastatic tumors, independently of the vascularization degree of the tissue surrounding the lesions. Conclusion—The combined experimental and computational data confirms that hfPNAs detecting acidic tumor tissue can be used to identify small liver metastatic CRC tumors with improved accuracy

James Blair Historical Review

The mission of the James Blair Historical Review is to publish the College of William and Mary’s best undergraduate history research papers, and thereby showcase the talent of the College’s history students and the strength of her Department of History. The Historical Review seeks to provide a professional platform through which students can explore historically significant themes and issues.The Field of Cloth of Gold: Henry VIII’s Display of Princely Magnificence -Ami Limoncelli Sacrifice and Salvation: Religious Drama in Colonial Mexico -Andrew DiAntonio Insurrections and Independence: How the Gunpowder Incident Thrust British and Afro-Virginians into the American Revolution -Nicole Lidstrom “Black as an Indian and Dirty as a Pig” The Unexpected Perseverance of Female Hospital Workers during America’s Civil War -Anna Storm Australian Aboriginal Rights The 1967 Referendum -Lisa Keppl

Dynamical approach to heavy ion-induced fission

Deep inelastic collisions (DICs) can compete strongly with fusion in collisions of heavy nuclei. However, standard coupled-channels calculations do not take DIC processes into account. As a result, calculations have been shown to overestimate the fusion cross-sections, resulting in a discrepancy between experimental data and theoretical calculations, particularly at energies above the fusion barrier. To investigate this discrepancy, we conducted a series of experiments using the ANU 14UD tandem accelerator and the CUBE 2-body fission spectrometer to examine the competition between transfer/DIC and fusion. In particular, fusion-fission and 3-body fission yields have been extracted for 34S + 232Th and 40Ca + 232Th systems. This work shows that the transfer-fission probability is enhanced relative to fusion-fission for 40Ca + 232Th, when compared to 34S+ 232Th. It is suggested that the enhancement of this DIC process in 40Ca + 232Th is linked to an increase in the density overlap of the colliding nuclei as a function of the charge product and contributes to fusion hindrance

Evolution of signatures of quasifission in reactions forming curium

Background: Quasifission, a fission-like reaction outcome in which no compound nucleus forms, is an important competitor to fusion in reactions leading to superheavy elements. The precise mechanisms driving the competition between quasifission and fusio

How signatures of quasifission evolve in reactions forming Curium

Quasifission, a fission-like reaction outcome in which no compound nucleus forms, is an important competitor to fusion in reactions used for super-heavy element formation. The precise mechanisms driving the competition between quasifission and fusion are poorly understood. To explore the influence reaction parameters have on quasifission probabilities, an investigation into the evolution of quasifission signatures as a function of entrance channel parameters is required. Using the Australian National University’s 14UD tandem accelerator and CUBE detector for two-body fission studies, measurements were made for a diverse range of reactions forming isotopes of Curium. Observables known to reveal signs of quasifission—namely mass ratio spectra, mass-angle distributions, and angular anisotropies—were extracted. Evidence of quasifission was observed in all reactions, but the observables showing evidence of quasifission were not the same for all reactions. A link between this evolution and reaction timescales will be discusse

Pharmacological conditioning for juvenile idiopathic arthritis:a potential solution to reduce methotrexate intolerance

Background: Methotrexate (MTX) therapy has proven to be a successful and safe treatment for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). Despite the high efficacy rates of MTX, treatment outcomes are often complicated by burdensome gastro-intestinal side effects. Intolerance rates for MTX in children are high (approximately 50%) and thus far no conclusive effective treatment strategies to control for side effects have been found. To address this need, this article proposes an innovative research approach based on pharmacological conditioning, to reduce MTX intolerance. Presentation of the hypothesis: A collaboration between medical psychologists, pediatric rheumatologists, pharmacologists and patient groups was set up to develop an innovative research design that may be implemented to study potential improved control of side effects in JIA, by making use of the psychobiological principles of pharmacological conditioning. In pharmacological conditioning designs, learned positive associations from drug therapies (conditioning effects) are integrated in regular treatment regimens to maximize treatment outcomes. Medication regimens with immunosuppressant drugs that made use of pharmacological conditioning principles have been shown to lead to optimized therapeutic effects with reduced drug dosing, which might ultimately cause a reduction in side effects. Testing the hypothesis: This research design is tailored to serve the needs of the JIA patient group. We developed a research design in collaboration with an interdisciplinary research group consisting of patient representatives, pediatric rheumatologists, pharmacologists, and medical psychologists. Implications of the hypothesis: Based on previous experimental and clinical findings of pharmacological conditioning with immune responses, we propose that the JIA patient group is particularly suited to benefit from a pharmacological conditioning design. Moreover, findings from this study may potentially also be promising for other patient groups that endure long-lasting drug therapies