\u3cem\u3eSarcocystis Neurona\u3c/em\u3e Diagnostic Primer and Its Use in Methods of Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis Diagnosis

An amplification primer and probe which can be used in an in vitro diagnostic test for the presence of S. neurona in equine blood or cerebrospinal fluid. Sarcocystis neurona is responsible for the equine condition of protozoal myelitis. The amplification primer is seventeen nucleotides in length and complementary to a unique section of the small ribosomal subunit of Sarcocystis neurona. The primer encompasses nucleotide positions 1470-1487 of the small ribosomal subunit of S. neurona. The primer has the sequence 5\u27 CCATTCCGGACGCGGGT SEQ ID NO:1

Multi-Pollutant Emissions Control: Pilot Plant Study of Technologies for Reducing Hg, SO3, NOx and CO2 Emissions

A slipstream pilot plant was built and operated to investigate technology to adsorb mercury (Hg) onto the existing particulate (i.e., fly ash) by cooling flue gas to 200-240 F with a Ljungstrom-type air heater or with water spray. The mercury on the fly ash was then captured in an electrostatic precipitator (ESP). An alkaline material, magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH){sub 2}), is injected into flue gas upstream of the air heater to control sulfur trioxide (SO{sub 3}), which prevents acid condensation and corrosion of the air heater and ductwork. The slipstream was taken from a bituminous coal-fired power plant. During this contract, Plant Design and Construction (Task 1), Start Up and Maintenance (Task 2), Baseline Testing (Task 3), Sorbent Testing (Task 4), Parametric Testing (Task 5), Humidification Tests (Task 6), Long-Term Testing (Task 7), and a Corrosion Study (Task 8) were completed. The Mercury Stability Study (Task 9), ESP Report (Task 11), Air Heater Report (Task 12) and Final Report (Task 14) were completed. These aspects of the project, as well as progress on Public Outreach (Task 15), are discussed in detail in this final report. Over 90% mercury removal was demonstrated by cooling the flue gas to 200-210 F at the ESP inlet; baseline conditions with 290 F flue gas gave about 26% removal. Mercury removal is sensitive to flue gas temperature and carbon content of fly ash. At 200-210 F, both elemental and oxidized mercury were effectively captured at the ESP. Mg(OH){sub 2} injection proved effective for removal of SO{sub 3} and eliminated rapid fouling of the air heater. The pilot ESP performed satisfactorily at low temperature conditions. Mercury volatility and leaching tests did not show any stability problems. No significant corrosion was detected at the air heater or on corrosion coupons at the ESP. The results justify larger-scale testing/demonstration of the technology. These conclusions are presented and discussed in two presentations given in July and September of 2005 and are included in Appendices E and F

Bovine Colostrum Supplementation Optimises Earnings, Performance and Recovery in Racing Thoroughbreds

Bovine colostrum (BC) is the first milk produced by cows after calving and contains numerous beneficial substances for the immunity and development of the newborn calf. Because of the growth and immune factors in BC, it has become an attractive supplement for use by athletes to support immunity and health during athletic performance. In order to evaluate the effects of oral BC supplementation on equine athletes, this study evaluated the earnings, performance, recovery and incidence of upper respiratory infections (URTI) in racing horses. The study design was a randomized cross-over racing performance study. 21 horses in race training were randomly assigned to train and compete with or without BC supplementation. After each horse competed in three races, it was crossed over to the other group, allowed a three week washout period, and then competed in three additional races. Horses in public training stables of 3 participating trainers were used. Race performance as determined by earnings, Bloodstock Research Information System (BRIS) speed figures, recovery as determined by number of days between races and incidence of upper respiratory tract disease was recorded. 11 horses completed the study. There was no effect of the order of BC supplementation on the measured variables. Horses on BC supplementation earned $ 2,088 more purse money per race, than when unsupplemented (P = 0.016), and ran an average of 5 BRIS speed points higher (P = 0.03). Horses returned to racing on average 7.5 days faster (16.9 days vs 24.4 days, P = 0.048). There were no URTI among the horses on BC supplementation and two infections while not on BC supplementation (z-test, P = 0.11). Statistical analysis showed that horses recovered more quickly, earned three times more money and raced better as judged by BRIS scores while competing with BC supplementation. BC supplemented horses also experienced fewer URTI, although this effect was not significant

Using stable isotopes and continuous meltwater river monitoring to investigate the hydrology of a rapidly retreating Icelandic outlet glacier

Virkisjökull is a rapidly retreating outlet glacier draining the western flanks of Öræfajökull in SE Iceland. Since 2011 there have been continuous measurements of flow in the proglacial meltwater channel and regular campaigns to sample stable isotopes δ2H and δ18O from the river, ice, moraine springs and groundwater. The stable isotopes provide reliable end members for glacial ice and shallow groundwater. Analysis of data from 2011 to 2014 indicates that although ice and snowmelt dominate summer riverflow (mean 5.3–7.9 m3 s−1), significant flow is also observed in winter (mean 1.6–2.4 m3 s−1) due primarily to ongoing glacier icemelt. The stable isotope data demonstrate that the influence of groundwater discharge from moraines and the sandur aquifer increases during winter and forms a small (15–20%) consistent source of baseflow to the river. The similarity of hydrological response across seasons reflects a highly efficient glacial drainage system, which makes use of a series of permanent englacial channels within active and buried ice throughout the year. The study has shown that the development of an efficient year round drainage network within the lower part of the glacier has been coincident with the stagnation and subsequent rapid retreat of the glacier

Rewarding work : cross-national differences in benefits, volunteering during unemployment, well-being and mental health

Due to increasing labour market flexibilisation a growing number of people are likely to experience unemployment and, as a consequence, lower mental health and well-being. This article examines cross-national differences in well-being and mental health between unemployed people who engage in voluntary work and those who do not, using multilevel data from the European Quality of Life Survey on unemployed individuals in 29 European countries and other external sources. This article finds that, regardless of their voluntary activity, unemployed people have higher levels of well-being and mental health in countries with more generous unemployment benefits. Unexpectedly, the results also suggest that regular volunteering can actually be detrimental for mental health in countries with less generous unemployment benefits. This article concludes that individual agency exercised through voluntary work can partially improve well-being but the generosity of unemployment benefits is vital for alleviating the negative mental health effects of unemployment