Genome sequence of the squalene-degrading bacterium Corynebacterium terpenotabidum type strain Y-11T (= DSM 44721T)

Rückert C, Albersmeier A, Al-Dilaimi A, et al. Genome sequence of the squalene-degrading bacterium Corynebacterium terpenotabidum type strain Y-11T (= DSM 44721T). Standards in Genomic Sciences. 2013;9(3):505-513.Corynebacterium terpenotabidum Takeuchi et. al 1999 is a member of the genus Corynebacterium, which contains Gram-positive and non-spore forming bacteria with a high G+C content. C. terpenotabidum was isolated from soil based on its ability to degrade squalene and belongs to the aerobic and non-hemolytic Corynebacteria. It displays tolerance to salts (up to 8%) and is related to Corynebacterium variabile involved in cheese ripening. As this is a type strain of Corynebacterium, this project describing the 2.75 Mbp long chromosome with its 2,369 protein-coding and 72 RNA genes will aid the Genomic Encyclopedia of Bacteria and Archaea project

Energy price shocks, conflict inflation, and income distribution in a three-sector model

The paper presents a model of conflict inflation to investigate the distributional effects of energy price shocks. We argue that periods of high inflation are always periods of significant redistribution of income. We analyse how such redistribution occurs along two dimensions: between workers and firms and between sectors of the economy. To study the distributional outcomes of the recent inflationary episode, we build a three-sector model comprising a domestic energy sector which provides inputs for a goods and a services sector. The model is calibrated to US sectoral data with the Method of Simulated Moments. While energy prices are set internationally, non-energy prices and nominal wages are set by firms and workers, giving rise to conflicting claims over the distribution of income. We consider three shocks that trigger inflationary distributional conflict: an energy price shock combined with demand and supply shocks to the goods sector. We find that the recent inflationary episode constitutes a price-wage rather than a wage-price spiral. The combined shocks induce non-energy firms to raise prices, which undermines real wages, and redistributes income towards firms. The sectoral demand shift towards goods in combination with pandemic-related supply bottlenecks further raises mark-ups, accelerating inflation and leading to divergence in sectoral profit margins. We compare three anti-inflationary policies: redistributing windfall profits to workers, nominal wage restraint, and aggregate demand contraction through monetary or fiscal policy. The redistribution of profits via a windfall tax is most effective in reducing inflation without reinforcing reductions in employment and labour shares

Asteroseismology of the Hyades red giant and planet host epsilon Tauri

Asteroseismic analysis of solar-like stars allows us to determine physical parameters such as stellar mass, with a higher precision compared to most other methods. Even in a well-studied cluster such as the Hyades, the masses of the red giant stars are not well known, and previous mass estimates are based on model calculations (isochrones). The four known red giants in the Hyades are assumed to be clump (core-helium-burning) stars based on their positions in colour-magnitude diagrams, however asteroseismology offers an opportunity to test this assumption. Using asteroseismic techniques combined with other methods, we aim to derive physical parameters and the evolutionary stage for the planet hosting star epsilon Tau, which is one of the four red giants located in the Hyades. We analysed time-series data from both ground and space to perform the asteroseismic analysis. By combining high signal-to-noise (S/N) radial-velocity data from the ground-based SONG network with continuous space-based data from the revised Kepler mission K2, we derive and characterize 27 individual oscillation modes for epsilon Tau, along with global oscillation parameters such as the large frequency separation and the ratio between the amplitude of the oscillations measured in radial velocity and intensity as a function of frequency. The latter has been measured previously for only two stars, the Sun and Procyon. Combining the seismic analysis with interferometric and spectroscopic measurements, we derive physical parameters for epsilon Tau, and discuss its evolutionary status.Comment: 13 pages, 13 figures, 4 tables, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic

An asteroseismic membership study of the red giants in three open clusters observed by Kepler: NGC6791, NGC6819, and NGC6811

Studying star clusters offers significant advances in stellar astrophysics due to the combined power of having many stars with essentially the same distance, age, and initial composition. This makes clusters excellent test benches for verification of stellar evolution theory. To fully exploit this potential, it is vital that the star sample is uncontaminated by stars that are not members of the cluster. Techniques for determining cluster membership therefore play a key role in the investigation of clusters. We present results on three clusters in the Kepler field of view based on a newly established technique that uses asteroseismology to identify fore- or background stars in the field, which demonstrates advantages over classical methods such as kinematic and photometry measurements. Four previously identified seismic non-members in NGC6819 are confirmed in this study, and three additional non-members are found -- two in NGC6819 and one in NGC6791. We further highlight which stars are, or might be, affected by blending, which needs to be taken into account when analysing these Kepler data.Comment: 12 pages, 9 figures, 5 tables, accepted by Ap

Development of a Quantitative Assay for the Characterization of Human Collectin-11 (CL-11, CL-K1)

Collectin-11 (CL-11) is a pattern recognition molecule of the lectin pathway of complement with diverse functions spanning from host defense to embryonic development. CL-11 is found in the circulation in heterocomplexes with the homologous collectin-10 (CL-10). Abnormal CL-11 plasma levels are associated with the presence of disseminated intravascular coagulation, urinary schistosomiasis, and congenital disorders. Although there has been a marked development in the characterization of CL-11 there is still a scarcity of clinical tools for its analysis. Thus, we generated monoclonal antibodies and developed a quantitative ELISA to measure CL-11 in the circulation. The antibodies were screened against recombinant CL-11 and validated by ELISA and immunoprecipitation of serum and plasma. The best candidates were pairwise compared to develop a quantitative ELISA. The assay was validated regarding its sensitivity, reproducibility, and dilution linearity, demonstrating a satisfactory variability over a working range of 0.29–18.75 ng/ml. The mean plasma concentration of CL-11 in healthy controls was determined to be 289.4 ng/ml (range 143.2–459.4 ng/ml), highly correlated to the levels of CL/10/11 complexes (r = 0.729). Plasma CL-11 and CL-10/11 co-migrated in size exclusion chromatography as two major complexes of ~400 and >600 kDa. Furthermore, we observed a significant decrease at admission in CL-11 plasma levels in patients admitted to intensive care with systemic inflammatory response syndrome. By using the in-house antibodies and recombinant CL-11, we found that CL-11 can bind to zymosan independently of calcium by a separate site from the carbohydrate-binding region. Finally, we showed that CL-11/MASP-2 complexes trigger C4b deposition on zymosan. In conclusion, we have developed a specific and sensitive ELISA to investigate the ever-expanding roles of CL-11 in health and disease and shown a novel interaction between CL-11 and zymosan

Asteroseismology of the open clusters NGC 6791, NGC 6811, and NGC 6819 from nineteen months of Kepler photometry

We studied solar-like oscillations in 115 red giants in the three open clusters NGC 6791, NGC 6811, and NGC 6819, based on photometric data covering more than 19 months with NASA's Kepler space telescope. We present the asteroseismic diagrams of the asymptotic parameters \delta\nu_02, \delta\nu_01 and \epsilon, which show clear correlation with fundamental stellar parameters such as mass and radius. When the stellar populations from the clusters are compared, we see evidence for a difference in mass of the red giant branch stars, and possibly a difference in structure of the red clump stars, from our measurements of the small separations \delta\nu_02 and \delta\nu_01. Ensemble \'{e}chelle diagrams and upper limits to the linewidths of l = 0 modes as a function of \Delta\nu of the clusters NGC 6791 and NGC 6819 are also shown, together with the correlation between the l = 0 ridge width and the T_eff of the stars. Lastly, we distinguish between red giant branch and red clump stars through the measurement of the period spacing of mixed dipole modes in 53 stars among all the three clusters to verify the stellar classification from the color-magnitude diagram. These seismic results also allow us to identify a number of special cases, including evolved blue stragglers and binaries, as well as stars in late He-core burning phases, which can be potentially interesting targets for detailed theoretical modeling.Comment: 30 pages, 15 figures, 1 table, accepted to Ap

Cause and Effect Analysis between Influencing Factors Related to Environmental Conditions, Hunting and Handling Practices and the Initial Microbial Load of Game Carcasses

Environmental, hunting and handling factors affect the microbial load of hunted game and the resulting meat products. The aim of this study was to systematically investigate the influence of several factors on the initial microbial load (IML) of game carcasses during the early hunting chain. Eviscerated roe deer body cavities (n = 24) were investigated in terms of total viable count and the levels of Pseudomonas spp., Lactobacillus spp., Enterobacteriaceae and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Furthermore, a risk analysis based on the obtained original IML data, literature search and a Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) was performed. The IML could be explained in a regression model by factors including the higher body weight (BW), damaged gastrointestinal tract by the shot, ambient temperature or rain. The levels of Lactobacillus spp. (p = 0.0472), Enterobacteriaceae (p = 0.0070) and E. coli (p = 0.0015) were lower on the belly flap surface when gloves were used during evisceration. The literature search revealed that studies examining influencing factors (IF) on the IML of game carcasses found contradictory effects of the comparable IF on IML. Potential handling failures may lead to a higher IML of game carcasses during the early hunting chain ranked by FMEA. Several handling practices for game carcasses are recommended, such as ensuring efficient cooling of heavier BW carcasses to limit bacterial growth or eviscerating heavier carcasses before lighter ones

SURTO DE INTOXICAÇÃO POR MONENSINA E MORTALIDADE DE BOVINOS EM MUNICÍPIO DA REGIÃO DA AMAI

Os antimicrobianos ionóforos são utilizados na nutrição animal como aditivos que auxiliam no combate à coccidiose, regulação do pH ruminal e promotores do crescimento. Embora benéficas, superdosagens para qualquer espécie animal podem acarretar intoxicação e mortalidade. Esse relato apresenta aspectos clínicos e patológicos de um caso de intoxicação por monensina em bovinos em um município da região da Associação Municípios Alto Irani (AMAI). O surto ocorreu após o fornecimento de ração com adição de monensina a nove bovinos que estavam em piquete de azevém, dos quais sete morreram, um bovino morreu após uma única ingestão de ração. Transcorridos 10 dias da mudança alimentar, os animais reduziram o consumo de alimento e apresentavam dificuldade de locomoção com rigidez de membros posteriores, que progrediu para o decúbito. Alguns animais apresentaram diarreia transitória de coloração verde-escura e timpanismo. Foi realizada necropsia em dois bovinos; o animal A morreu de forma aguda e o animal B apresentou sintomatologia clínica. Os animais apresentavam edema de subcutâneo, hidrotórax, hidropericárdio e hidroperitônio, e no esôfago, linha do timpanismo. Áreas pálidas multifocais na musculatura intercaladas com áreas normais foram observadas no coração e na musculatura esquelética dos membros. O animal A apresentou dilatação cardíaca e hiperplasia de polpa vermelha no baço, o animal B apresentou deposição de fibrina nas cavidades torácica e abdominal. O pulmão apresentava edema interlobular difuso e áreas de consolidação sugestivas de broncopneumonia. O fígado era de coloração vermelho-escuro e ao corte, aspecto de noz-moscada. Em ambos os animais, as lesões histológicas de coração e musculatura esquelética consistiam em tumefação e necrose de miofibras multifocal acompanhadas de infiltrado mononuclear moderado, proliferação de fibroblastos e deposição de tecido conjuntivo (fibrose) entre fibras. No animal B, o fígado apresentava congestão centrolobular acentuada e necrose de coagulação multifocal associada a infiltrado de macrófagos. Essa lesão, associada ao edema em cavidades, e a lesão cardíaca são compatíveis com a insuficiência cardíaca congestiva (ICC). Nos dois animais necropsiados, com as lesões macroscópicas e histológicas da musculatura esquelética e miocárdio com dados do histórico, pode ter ocorrido intoxicação por monensina. Essas lesões se explicam em razão do efeito tóxico dos ionóforos, que em superdosagens alteram a permeabilidade da membrana celular, comprometendo o equilíbrio hidroeletrolítico. No caso do animal B, a lesão de miocárdio induzida pela monensina e a evolução subaguda do caso acarretou um quadro de ICC com alteração hepática evidente. Fatores que favorecem a intoxicação incluem: ingestão de doses maiores que as preconizadas para a espécie em decorrência de erro de dosagem ou na mistura do fármaco à ração; utilização de produtos para espécies diferentes das indicadas no rótulo; e, uso em associação com fármacos que potencializam seus efeitos.Palavras-chave: Bovino. Intoxicação. Monensina. Insuficiência cardíaca. Necrose

Sources of skill in lake temperature, discharge and ice-off seasonal forecasting tools

Despite high potential benefits, the development of seasonal forecasting tools in the water sector has been slower than in other sectors. Here we assess the skill of seasonal forecasting tools for lakes and reservoirs set up at four sites in Australia and Europe. These tools consist of coupled hydrological catchment and lake models forced with seasonal meteorological forecast ensembles to provide probabilistic predictions of seasonal anomalies in water discharge, temperature and ice-off. Successful implementation requires a rigorous assessment of the tools' predictive skill and an apportionment of the predictability between legacy effects and input forcing data. To this end, models were forced with two meteorological datasets from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), the seasonal forecasting system, SEAS5, with 3-month lead times and the ERA5 reanalysis. Historical skill was assessed by comparing both model outputs, i.e. seasonal lake hindcasts (forced with SEAS5), and pseudo-observations (forced with ERA5). The skill of the seasonal lake hindcasts was generally low although higher than the reference hindcasts, i.e. pseudo-observations, at some sites for certain combinations of season and variable. The SEAS5 meteorological predictions showed less skill than the lake hindcasts. In fact, skilful lake hindcasts identified for selected seasons and variables were not always synchronous with skilful SEAS5 meteorological hindcasts, raising questions on the source of the predictability. A set of sensitivity analyses showed that most of the forecasting skill originates from legacy effects, although during winter and spring in Norway some skill was coming from SEAS5 over the 3-month target season. When SEAS5 hindcasts were skilful, additional predictive skill originates from the interaction between legacy and SEAS5 skill. We conclude that lake forecasts forced with an ensemble of boundary conditions resampled from historical meteorology are currently likely to yield higher-quality forecasts in most cases.publishedVersio