A high resolution search for the tensor glueball candidate [xi] (2230) Crystal Barrel Collaboration

We report results of a high resolution search for the tensor glueball candidate ξ(2230) in a p̄p formation experiment. π0π0 and ηη decay channels were measured in a scan of the mass region 2220 MeV to 2240 MeV. No evidence for the existence of ξ(2230) was found. 95% confidence upper limits for the possible existence of ξ are presented

Mink Farms Predict Aleutian Disease Exposure in Wild American Mink

BACKGROUND: Infectious diseases can often be of conservation importance for wildlife. Spillover, when infectious disease is transmitted from a reservoir population to sympatric wildlife, is a particular threat. American mink (Neovison vison) populations across Canada appear to be declining, but factors thus far explored have not fully explained this population trend. Recent research has shown, however, that domestic mink are escaping from mink farms and hybridizing with wild mink. Domestic mink may also be spreading Aleutian disease (AD), a highly pathogenic parvovirus prevalent in mink farms, to wild mink populations. AD could reduce fitness in wild mink by reducing both the productivity of adult females and survivorship of juveniles and adults. METHODS: To assess the seroprevalence and geographic distribution of AD infection in free-ranging mink in relation to the presence of mink farms, we conducted both a large-scale serological survey, across the province of Ontario, and a smaller-scale survey, at the interface between a mink farm and wild mink. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Antibodies to AD were detected in 29% of mink (60 of 208 mink sampled); however, seroprevalence was significantly higher in areas closer to mink farms than in areas farther from farms, at both large and small spatial scales. Our results indicate that mink farms act as sources of AD transmission to the wild. As such, it is likely that wild mink across North America may be experiencing increased exposure to AD, via disease transmission from mink farms, which may be affecting wild mink demographics across their range. In light of declining mink populations, high AD seroprevalence within some mink farms, and the large number of mink farms situated across North America, improved biosecurity measures on farms are warranted to prevent continued disease transmission at the interface between mink farms and wild mink populations

Erratum to: 36th International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13054-016-1208-6.]

Additive effects of high growth rate and low transpiration rate drive differences in whole plant transpiration efficiency among black poplar genotypes

Poplar plantations, widely used for the production of woody biomass, might be at high risk from the climate change-induced increase in the frequency of drought periods. Therefore, selecting improved genotypes, which are highly productive but with a high water use efficiency (WUE), is becoming a major target. The use of automated weighing systems in controlled environments facilitates the estimation of cumulated water loss and whole plant transpiration efficiency (TE). Differences in TE and leaf level intrinsic WUE as well as the contribution of underlying ecophysiological traits were determined in three contrasting P. nigra genotypes. Strong differences in TE among the selected genotypes were congruent with differences in leaf level intrinsic WUE. Our data show that a high total leaf area was overcompensated by a low per leaf area transpiration rate, leading to higher TE in highly productive genotypes originating from cool locations. Nocturnal water loss was relatively low but contributed to variations in TE among genotypes. In response to drought, leaf level WUE increased but not TE, suggesting that carbon losses due to whole plant respiration could offset the drought-induced increase in intrinsic WUE.</p