Phocine distemper Virus: Current knowledge and future directions

Phocine distemper virus (PDV) was first recognized in 1988 following a massive epidemic in harbor and grey seals in north-western Europe. Since then, the epidemiology of infection in North Atlantic and Arctic pinnipeds has been investigated. In the western North Atlantic endemic infection in harp and grey seals predates the European epidemic, with relatively small, localized mortality events occurring primarily in harbor seals. By contrast, PDV seems not to have become established in European harbor seals following the 1988 epidemic and a second event of similar magnitude and extent occurred in 2002. PDV is a distinct species within the Morbillivirus genus with minor sequence variation between outbreaks over time. There is now mounting evidence of PDV-like viruses in the North Pacific/Western Arctic with serological and molecular evidence of infection in pinnipeds and sea otters. However, despite the absence of associated mortality in the region, there is concern that the virus may infect the large Pacific harbor seal and northern elephant seal populations or the endangered Hawaiian monk seals. Here, we review the current state of knowledge on PDV with particular focus on developments in diagnostics, pathogenesis, immune response, vaccine development, phylogenetics and modeling over the past 20 years

Engineering of microfabricated ion traps and integration of advanced on-chip features

Atomic ions trapped in electromagnetic potentials have long been used for fundamental studies in quantum physics. Over the past two decades, trapped ions have been successfully used to implement technologies such as quantum computing, quantum simulation, atomic clocks, mass spectrometers and quantum sensors. Advanced fabrication techniques, taken from other established or emerging disciplines, are used to create new, reliable ion-trap devices aimed at large-scale integration and compatibility with commercial fabrication. This Technical Review covers the fundamentals of ion trapping before discussing the design of ion traps for the aforementioned applications. We overview the current microfabrication techniques and the various considerations behind the choice of materials and processes. Finally, we discuss current efforts to include advanced, on-chip features in next-generation ion traps

The effect of stocking density in transit on the carcass quality and welfare of slaughter pigs: 2. Results from the analysis of blood and meat samples

In a trial involving 2496 pigs, the influences on blood profile and pork quality of stocking densities ranging from 201 to 321 kg m−2 were examined. The pigs came from four different farms and were killed in 16 weekly batches. They were transported for on average 3 hr and held in lairage for 1 hr. Higher stocking densities resulted in more physical stress to the pigs based on the activity of the enzyme CPK in the blood. Stocking density did not apparently affect psychological stress and high densities did not result in dehydration. The colour, water holding capacity and instrumentally-determined texture of the pork from the carcasses of the pigs were not affected by stocking density. The experimental design and precision of the measurements were sufficient to detect numerous differences in blood profile and pork quality between pigs from the four source farms. These differences probably related to different degrees of stress-susceptibility. The results suggest that the highest stocking density examined (321 kg m−2) is unacceptable for the transport of pigs. The second highest density (281 kg m−2) produced relatively little evidence of an adverse effect on the welfare of pigs. It may be scientifically acceptable for short journeys (≤3 hr) but not for longer ones where pigs need more space to lie down

Cetacean Morbillivirus: Current Knowledge and Future Directions

We review the molecular and epidemiological characteristics of cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) and the diagnosis and pathogenesis of sociated disease, with six different strains detected in cetaceans worldwide. CeMV has caused epidemics with high mortality in odontocetes in Europe, the USA and Australia. It represents a distinct species within the Morbillivirus genus. Although most CeMV strains are phylogenetically closely related, recent data indicate that morbilliviruses recovered from Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus), from Western Australia, and a Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis), from Brazil, are divergent. The signaling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM) cell receptor for CeMV has been characterized in cetaceans. It shares higher amino acid identity with the ruminant SLAM than with the receptors of carnivores or humans, reflecting the evolutionary history of these mammalian taxa. In Delphinidae, three amino acid substitutions may result in a higher affinity for the virus. Infection is diagnosed by histology, immunohistochemistry, virus isolation, RT-PCR, and serology. Classical CeMV-associated lesions include bronchointerstitial pneumonia, encephalitis, syncytia, and lymphoid depletion associated with immunosuppression. Cetaceans that survive the acute disease may develop fatal secondary infections and chronic encephalitis. Endemically infected, gregarious odontocetes probably serve as reservoirs and vectors. Transmission likely occurs through the inhalation of aerosolized virus but mother to fetus transmission was also reported

Povorot k intertekstual’nosti: razvenčanie ili ritorizacija vlijanija

Università degli Studi di Trieste - Scuola Superiore di Lingue Moderne per Interpreti e Traduttor

An analysis of Leonardo Boff’s social thought in the heyday of the theology of liberation

El artículo trata de aclarar la forma de aprehensión de la realidad presente en los escritos del principal representante de la teología de la liberación en Brasil, durante el período donde desempeñó un importante papel en los movimientos sociales en América Latina. Tratamos de mostrar cómo la lectura sociológica de Boff gira básicamente en torno al concepto de subdesarrollo y como la teoría de la dependencia sea para él una referencia para la comprensión de la realidad de América Latina. Se trata también el tema de la liberación y de la emancipación social, cuyos puntos principales son la auto-determinación, la participación política, los derechos humanos y el ideal de justicia social.L’articolo cerca di considerare la realtà presente negli scritti del principale rappresen-tante della teologia della liberazione in Brasile, nel periodo in cui assunse un ruolo importante nei movimenti sociali dell’America Latina. Cerca di mostrare come la lettura sociologica di Boff giri fondamentalmente intorno al concetto di sottosviluppo e come la teoria della dipendenza sia per lui un riferimento per la comprensione della realtà latino-americana. Viene altresì affrontato il tema della liberazione o emancipazione sociale, i cui cardini sono l’auto-determinazione, la partecipazione politica, i diritti umani e l’ideale di giustizia sociale.The article looks at reality according to the writings of the chief representative of liberation theology in Brazil during the period it played an important role in social movements in Latin America. We try to show how Leonardo Boff’s sociological reading basically revolves around the concept of underdevelopment and how to him the dependency theory is the main reference for the understanding of Latin American reality. Moreover, the article addresses the theme of liberation and social emancipation, whose foundations are self-determination, political participation, human rights and the ideal of social justice