Tularemia - possible increase and new risk factors

Purpose: Tularemia is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. In Europe each year approximately 1200 human cases are reported. Four subspecies are currently known: tularensis (the most virulent form), holarctica (the most widespread form), mediasiatic, and novicida. In Austria Francisella tularensis supsp. holarctica is endemic in the eastern part of the country (Lower Austria and Burgenland), and is known to have a 5-year cycle. Zoonotic transmission from pet species in Europe has only been described in Norway due to a cat bite, as well as after an accidental exposure to the disease while spaying a cat. In 2014 first reports of clinically ill dogs were reported from Norway. Methods & Materials: As hunting with dogs has a long tradition in Austria, and as there are endemic areas for the disease a first serological screening of 80 hunting dogs used in the hunt for European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) was conducted. Results: Of these 80 dogs 5 tested positive for tularemia (6.25%, CI 2.1% - 14%). One positive dog had shown some clinical symptoms, however this female dog also tested positive for Brucella canis. Conclusion: This result shows that dogs not only have contact to the pathogen, but also seroconvert. The occurrence of the disease is thought to increase in the next years due to our changing climate, and this year there is a new hotspot of the disease in Austria (i.e. Salzburg). These changes, as well as the result of this study highlight the need to raise the awareness level of the disease, its possible increase and new risk factors

First estimation of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) abundance and density using digital cameras and capture–recapture techniques in a German national park

Primera estima de la abundancia y de la densidad del lince euroasiático (Lynx lynx) utilizando cámaras digitales y técnicas de captura–recaptura en un parque nacional alemán Al lince euroasiático se le puede identificar individualmente mediante las marcas de su pelaje, que son únicas, lo que le convierte en un candidato ideal para los estudios de captura–recaptura (CMR). Hemos evaluado el uso de la fotografía digital para estimar la abundancia y la densidad de la población del lince euroasiático en el Parque Nacional Forestal Bávaro. Desde noviembre del 2008 a enero del 2009 establecimos 24 lugares de trampeo, cada uno de ellos provisto de dos cámaras encaradas entre sí, en lugares de paso frecuentados. Colocamos las unidades basándonos en una cuadrícula sistemática de 2,7 km. Capturamos cinco linces independientes y tres jóvenes, y calculamos las estimas de abundancia utilizando el programa Mark. También comparamos las estimas de densidad mediante el método MMDM (distancia media máxima recorrida) de datos telemétricos (½MMDMGPS) y de datos de las cámaras trampa (½MMDMCAM). Hallamos que en un área muestreada eficazmente de 664 km2 la densidad del lince euroasiático era de 0,9 individuos/100 km2 mediante ½MMDMCAM. La densidad del lince euroasiático calculada mediante el método ½MMDMGPS fue de 0,4 individuos/100 km2 en una zona muestreada eficazmente de 1.381 km2. Nuestros resultados sugieren que un muestreo fotográfico CMR a largo plazo y a gran escala puede ser una herramienta muy útil para monitorizar las tendencias poblacionales del lince euroasiático, según la Directiva de Hábitat, Flora y Fauna de la Unión Europea.Primera estima de la abundancia y de la densidad del lince euroasiático (Lynx lynx) utilizando cámaras digitales y técnicas de captura–recaptura en un parque nacional alemán Al lince euroasiático se le puede identificar individualmente mediante las marcas de su pelaje, que son únicas, lo que le convierte en un candidato ideal para los estudios de captura–recaptura (CMR). Hemos evaluado el uso de la fotografía digital para estimar la abundancia y la densidad de la población del lince euroasiático en el Parque Nacional Forestal Bávaro. Desde noviembre del 2008 a enero del 2009 establecimos 24 lugares de trampeo, cada uno de ellos provisto de dos cámaras encaradas entre sí, en lugares de paso frecuentados. Colocamos las unidades basándonos en una cuadrícula sistemática de 2,7 km. Capturamos cinco linces independientes y tres jóvenes, y calculamos las estimas de abundancia utilizando el programa Mark. También comparamos las estimas de densidad mediante el método MMDM (distancia media máxima recorrida) de datos telemétricos (½MMDMGPS) y de datos de las cámaras trampa (½MMDMCAM). Hallamos que en un área muestreada eficazmente de 664 km2 la densidad del lince euroasiático era de 0,9 individuos/100 km2 mediante ½MMDMCAM. La densidad del lince euroasiático calculada mediante el método ½MMDMGPS fue de 0,4 individuos/100 km2 en una zona muestreada eficazmente de 1.381 km2. Nuestros resultados sugieren que un muestreo fotográfico CMR a largo plazo y a gran escala puede ser una herramienta muy útil para monitorizar las tendencias poblacionales del lince euroasiático, según la Directiva de Hábitat, Flora y Fauna de la Unión Europea.ABC_35-2_2012 First estimation of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) abundance and density using digital cameras and capture–recapture techniques in a German national park Weingarth, K., Heibl, C., Knauer, F., Zimmermann, F., Bufka, L., Heurich, M. Abstract Eurasian lynx are individually identifiable by their unique coat markings, making them ideal candidates for capture–recapture (CMR) surveys. We evaluated the use of digital photography to estimate Eurasian lynx population abundance and density within the Bavarian Forest National Park. From November 2008 to January 2009 we placed 24 camera trap sites, each with two cameras facing each other on well–used walking tracks). The units were placed based on a systematic grid of 2.7 km. We captured five independent and three juvenile lynx and calculated abundance estimates using Program Mark. We also compared density estimates based on the MMDM method (Mean Maximum Distance Moved) from telemetry data (½MMDMGPS) and from camera trapping data (½MMDMCAM). We estimated that in an effectively sampled area of 664 km2 the Eurasian lynx density was 0.9 individuals/100 km2 with ½MMDMCAM. The Eurasian lynx density calculated with ½MMDMGPS was 0.4 individuals/100 km2 in an effectively sampled area of 1,381 km2. Our results suggest that long–term photographic CMR sampling on a large scale may be a useful tool to monitor population trends of Eurasian lynx in accordance with the Fauna–Flora–Habitat Directive of the European Union

Mimicry technology : a versatile tool for small RNA suppression

A decade ago the discovery of the target mimicry regulatory process on the activity of a mature microRNA (miRNA) enabled for the first time the customized attenuation of miRNA activity in plants. That powerful technology was named MIMIC and was based on engineering the IPS1 long noncoding transcript to become complementary to the miRNA under study. In order to avoid IPS1 degradation, the predicted miRNA-mediated cleavage site was interrupted by three additional nucleotides giving rise to the so-called MIMIC decoy. Since then, MIMIC technology has been used in several plant species and in basic and translational research. We here provide a detailed guide to produce custom-designed MIMIC decoys to facilitate the study of sRNA functions in plants

The role of landscape history in determining allelic richness of European ground squirrels (Spermophilus citellus) in Central Europe

Genetic diversity is of paramount importance for individual fitness and evolutionary potential of populations. For conservation planning it is crucial to know how genetically diverse a species is and what factors may explain variation of genetic diversity among populations. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of landscape history, ecological isolation, and local population size on allelic richness of local populations in European ground squirrels (Spermophiluscitellus). We genotyped 144 individuals from nine local populations collected in two neighbouring regions with decades of different landscape history. We assessed allelic richness, ecological isolation and local population size by eleven polymorphic microsatellites, the isolation index of Rodríguez and Delibes,and standardised counts of burrows openings, respectively. Statistical models indicated a strong effect of landscape history on allelic richness of local populations. Ecological isolation of local populations apparently played only a marginal role, and local population size was an unimportant factor. Our modelling results highlight the dominant role of landscape history for the genetic diversity of S. citellus. The strong landscape history effect encountered presently includes a different region-specific socio-economic development due to distinct agricultural systems in the two regions, especially after World War II. Levels of ecological isolation of local populations have diverged in an extent too small to explain variation of local allelic richness. The lack of significant effect of local population size suggests that census sizes of the populations studied are all not critically low. Moreover,census and estimated effective population sizes were not closely related. Establishing corridors or translocating S. citellus in the species’ historical range should be encouraged to promote gene flow between local populations and counteract the loss of genetic diversity by drift, provided that no conflicting factors (ecological, epidemiological, etc.) exist

Normally-off GaN transistors for power applications

Normally-off high voltage GaN-HFETs for switching applications are presented. Normally-off operation with threshold voltages of 1 V and more and with 5 V gate swing has been obtained by using p-type GaN as gate. Different GaN-based buffer types using doping and backside potential barriers have been used to obtain blocking strengths up to 1000 V. The increase of the dynamic on-state resistance is analyzed for the different buffer types. The best trade-off between low dispersion and high blocking strength was obtained for a modified carbon-doped GaN-buffer that showed a 2.6x increase of the dynamic on-state resistance for 500 V switching as compared to switching from 20 V off-state drain bias. Device operation up to 200 °C ambient temperature without any threshold voltage shift is demonstrated

On a Linear Program for Minimum-Weight Triangulation

Minimum-weight triangulation (MWT) is NP-hard. It has a polynomial-time constant-factor approximation algorithm, and a variety of effective polynomial- time heuristics that, for many instances, can find the exact MWT. Linear programs (LPs) for MWT are well-studied, but previously no connection was known between any LP and any approximation algorithm or heuristic for MWT. Here we show the first such connections: for an LP formulation due to Dantzig et al. (1985): (i) the integrality gap is bounded by a constant; (ii) given any instance, if the aforementioned heuristics find the MWT, then so does the LP.Comment: To appear in SICOMP. Extended abstract appeared in SODA 201

Dual, orthogonal, backlit pinhole radiography in OMEGA experiments

Backlit pinhole radiography used with ungated film as a detector creates x-ray radiographs with increased resolution and contrast. Current hydrodynamics experiments on the OMEGA Laser use a three-dimensional sinusoidal pattern as a seed perturbation for the study of instabilities. The structure of this perturbation makes it highly desirable to obtain two simultaneous orthogonal backlighting views. We accomplished this using two backlit pinholes each mounted 12 mm12mm from the target. The pinholes, of varying size and shape, were centered on 5 mm5mm square foils of 50 μm50μm thick Ta. The backlighting is by KK-alpha emission from a 500 μm500μm square Ti or Sc foil mounted 500 μm500μm from the Ta on a plastic substrate. Four laser beams overfill the metal foil, so that the expanding plastic provides radial tamping of the expanding metal plasma. The resulting x-rays pass through the target onto (ungated) direct exposure film (DEF). Interference between the two views is reduced by using a nose cone in front of the DEF, typically with a 9 mm9mm Ta aperture and with magnets to deflect electrons. Comparison of varying types of pinholes and film exposures will be presented from recent experiments as well as an analysis of the background noise created using this experimental technique.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/87894/2/10E327_1.pd

Bioassays to Monitor Taspase1 Function for the Identification of Pharmacogenetic Inhibitors

Background: Threonine Aspartase 1 (Taspase1) mediates cleavage of the mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) protein and leukemia provoking MLL-fusions. In contrast to other proteases, the understanding of Taspase1's (patho)biological relevance and function is limited, since neither small molecule inhibitors nor cell based functional assays for Taspase1 are currently available. Methodology/Findings: Efficient cell-based assays to probe Taspase1 function in vivo are presented here. These are composed of glutathione S-transferase, autofluorescent protein variants, Taspase1 cleavage sites and rational combinations of nuclear import and export signals. The biosensors localize predominantly to the cytoplasm, whereas expression of biologically active Taspase1 but not of inactive Taspase1 mutants or of the protease Caspase3 triggers their proteolytic cleavage and nuclear accumulation. Compared to in vitro assays using recombinant components the in vivo assay was highly efficient. Employing an optimized nuclear translocation algorithm, the triple-color assay could be adapted to a high-throughput microscopy platform (Z'factor = 0.63). Automated high-content data analysis was used to screen a focused compound library, selected by an in silico pharmacophor screening approach, as well as a collection of fungal extracts. Screening identified two compounds, N-[2-[(4-amino-6-oxo-3H-pyrimidin-2-yl)sulfanyl]ethyl]benzenesulfonamideand 2-benzyltriazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid, which partially inhibited Taspase1 cleavage in living cells. Additionally, the assay was exploited to probe endogenous Taspase1 in solid tumor cell models and to identify an improved consensus sequence for efficient Taspase1 cleavage. This allowed the in silico identification of novel putative Taspase1 targets. Those include the FERM Domain-Containing Protein 4B, the Tyrosine-Protein Phosphatase Zeta, and DNA Polymerase Zeta. Cleavage site recognition and proteolytic processing of these substrates were verified in the context of the biosensor. Conclusions: The assay not only allows to genetically probe Taspase1 structure function in vivo, but is also applicable for high-content screening to identify Taspase1 inhibitors. Such tools will provide novel insights into Taspase1's function and its potential therapeutic relevance

Multilingual assessment of early child development: Analyses from repeated observations of children in Kenya.

In many low- and middle-income countries, young children learn a mother tongue or indigenous language at home before entering the formal education system where they will need to understand and speak a countrys official language(s). Thus, assessments of children before school age, conducted in a nations official language, may not fully reflect a childs development, underscoring the importance of test translation and adaptation. To examine differences in vocabulary development by language of assessment, we adapted and validated instruments to measure developmental outcomes, including expressive and receptive vocabulary. We assessed 505 2-to-6-year-old children in rural communities in Western Kenya with comparable vocabulary tests in three languages: Luo (the local language or mother tongue), Swahili, and English (official languages) at two time points, 5-6 weeks apart, between September 2015 and October 2016. Younger children responded to the expressive vocabulary measure exclusively in Luo (44%-59% of 2-to-4-year-olds) much more frequently than did older children (20%-21% of 5-to-6-year-olds). Baseline receptive vocabulary scores in Luo (β = 0.26, SE = 0.05, p < 0.001) and Swahili (β = 0.10, SE = 0.05, p = 0.032) were strongly associated with receptive vocabulary in English at follow-up, even after controlling for English vocabulary at baseline. Parental Luo literacy at baseline (β = 0.11, SE = 0.05, p = 0.045) was associated with child English vocabulary at follow-up, while parental English literacy at baseline was not. Our findings suggest that multilingual testing is essential to understanding the developmental environment and cognitive growth of multilingual children