An overview of mechanisms of desiccation tolerance in selected angiosperm resurrection plants

The vegetative tissues of resurrection plants, like seeds, can tolerate desiccation to 5% relative water content (RWC) for extended periods and yet resume full metabolic activity on re-watering. In this review we will illustrate how this is achieved in a variety of angiosperm resurrection plants, our studies ranging from the ecophysiological to the biochemical level. At the whole plant level, leaf folding and other anatomical changes serve to minimise light and mechanical stress associated with drying and rehydration. The mechanisms of cell wall folding are described for Craterostigma wilmsii and Myrothanmus flabellifolia. Free radicals, radical oxygen species (ROS) usually generated under water-deficit stress by photosynthesis, are minimised by either homoiochlorophylly (e.g. C. wilmsii and M. flabellifolia) or poikilochlorophylly (e.g. Xerophyta sp.). The antioxidant systems of these plants effectively deal with ROS generated by other metabolic processes. In addition to antioxidants common to most plants, resurrection plants also accumulate polyphenols such as 3, 4, 5 tri-O-galloylquinic acid in M. flabellifolia, and seed-associated antioxidants (e.g. 1-cys-peroxiredoxin and metallothionines) as effective ROS scavengers. Sucrose accumulates at low RWC, presumably protecting the sub-cellular milieu against desiccation-induced macromolecular denaturation

Calf pre-weaning traits and immunoglobulin response to bovine viral diarrhea virus vaccination

Calfhood vaccination for bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a relatively new concept, and protocols are evolving. Our objective was to determine effects of BVDV type I vaccination protocol, calf behavior (chute score, and chute exit velocity), and gender on calf gain and immunoglobulin (Ig) response. Crossbred calves (n = 64) were randomly allotted to one of two vaccination protocols. In protocol 1, calves were vaccinated at 60 d of age (d 0) and at weaning (d 147). Calves assigned to protocol 2 were vaccinated against BVDV type I at 21 d prior to (d 126) and at weaning (d 147). Blood samples were collected from half of the calves in each protocol group on d 0 (60 days of age), d 21, d 126 (21 days prior to weaning), and d 147 (at weaning); serum was harvested and Ig titers were determined. Titers for BVDV type I were transformed (log base 2) and analyzed using a mixed model procedure. Calves vaccinated at d 0 and weaning had larger (P \u3c 0.0001) titers than calves vaccinated at d 126 and weaning (7.5 ± 0.36 and 5.1 ± 0.36, respectively). Mean BVDV titers were larger (P \u3c 0.0001) on d 147 when compared with d 126, d 21, and d 0 (8.3 ± 0.39, 5.1 ± 0.40, 5.9 ± 0.39 and 5.7 ± 0.39, respectively). A treatment × day interaction (P \u3c 0.0001) also affected BVDV titers. However, BVDV titers were not affected (P \u3e 0.05) by calf gender, chute score, or chute exit velocity. Weaning weight and pre-weaning average daily gain (ADG) were not related to BVDV type I titers. This study indicated that vaccinating beef calves against BVDV was effective in triggering an Ig response. Furthermore, our results suggest that calves should be vaccinated against BVDV type I at 60 d of age for greater disease resistance

Effects of Intermittent Suckling on Sow and Piglet Performance

The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of intermittent suckling on sow and litter performance. Seventeen crossbred sows and litters were randomly assigned to treatment groups seven days prior to weaning: continuous suckling (CS) and intermittent suckling (IS; litters removed for 6 hr each from day 21 to 28). Litters were weaned at 28 days of age. Feed and water were available to litters and sows at all times. Feed intake was recorded. Body condition scores were collected on sows before farrowing and at weaning. Number of days to return-to-estrus for the sows was also recorded. Litters were weighed at birth and on days 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 of age. Litter weights were not different (P \u3e 0.15) between CS and IS pigs before or after weaning. No difference (P \u3e 0.10) was observed for feed intake between CS and IS litters before or after weaning. Body condition score at weaning was not different (P = 0.30) between CS and IS sows. Intermittent suckled sows returned-to-estrus in fewer days than CS sows (P \u3c 0.05). Results suggest that intermittent suckling did not alter average daily gain in litters, but reduced the number of days to return-to-estrus in sows

Measuring the Effects of Narrative and Analytical Messages in Video Production

Communication practitioners in the agriculture industry have the challenge of identifying the best way to educate consumers, and they have experienced challenges in consumer engagement. Additionally, food safety issues have continued to rise with a trend of recalls and foodborne illnesses. While the rhetoric in the agriculture industry is pointing to the need for agricultural issues to be addressed from an agriculturist sharing their stories and perspectives, there is limited research on the impact of personal narratives on attitude change and message elaboration. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of narrative and analytical practices on elaboration, attitude, and transportation in order to better communicate about food safety practices. The researcher used Elaboration Likelihood Model, cognitive theory of multimedia learning, and narrative transportation as the theoretical framework. To test the objectives, a two (type of media: narrative and analytical) x three (length of media: short, medium and long) between-subjects factorial design was implemented. Respondents were randomly assigned to one of the experimental treatments. The respondents in this study were comprised of a non-probability sample of 712 [State] residents over the age of 18 years. Usable responses were received from 507 (71%) respondents. This study found that all videos resulted in positive attitudes toward the information and practices on the farm. Further research into narrative transportation, length of videos, and type of videos may provide an efficient approach to developing communication that narrows the educational disconnect between consumers, producers, and the production practices on the farm

State transition of a non-Ohmic damping system in a corrugated plane

Anomalous transport of a particle subjected to non-Ohmic damping of the power $\delta$ in a tilted periodic potential is investigated via Monte Carlo simulation of generalized Langevin equation. It is found that the system exhibits two relative motion modes: the locking state and the running state. Under the surrounding of sub-Ohmic damping ($0<\delta<1$), the particle should transfer into a running state from a locking state only when local minima of the potential vanish; hence the particle occurs a synchronization oscillation in its mean displacement and mean square displacement (MSD). In particular, the two motion modes are allowed to coexist in the case of super-Ohmic damping ($1<\delta<2$) for moderate driving forces, namely, where exists double centers in the velocity distribution. This induces the particle having faster diffusion, i.e., its MSD reads $= 2D^{(\delta)}_{eff} t^{\delta_{eff}}$. Our result shows that the effective power index $\delta_{\textmd{eff}}$ can be enhanced and is a nonmonotonic function of the temperature and the driving force. The mixture effect of the two motion modes also leads to a breakdown of hysteresis loop of the mobility.Comment: 7 pages,7 figure

Creation and internal validation of a clinical predictive model for fluconazole resistance in patients with Candida bloodstream infection

BACKGROUND: Fluconazole is recommended as first-line therapy for candidemia when risk of fluconazole resistance (fluc-R) is low. Lack of methods to estimate resistance risk results in extended use of echinocandins and prolonged hospitalization. This study aimed to develop a clinical predictive model to identify patients at low risk for fluc-R where initial or early step-down fluconazole would be appropriate. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of hospitalized adult patients with positive blood culture for RESULTS: We identified 539 adults with candidemia and 72 CONCLUSIONS: This model is a potential tool for identifying patients at low risk for fluc-R candidemia to receive first-line or early step-down fluconazole

Potential missed opportunities for diagnosis of cryptococcosis and the association with mortality: A cohort study

BACKGROUND: Cryptococcosis is one of the most common life-threatening opportunistic mycoses worldwide. Insidious presentation and slow onset of symptoms make it difficult to recognize, complicating the diagnostic process. Delays in diagnosis may lead to increased mortality. We aim to determine the frequency of missed opportunities for diagnosis of cryptococcosis and its effects on mortality. METHODS: To estimate the proportion of individuals with a potentially missed diagnosis for cryptococcosis in hospitalized patients, we conducted a retrospective cohort study using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Databases from 2005 to 2015 from eight states. All hospitalized adult patients diagnosed with cryptococcal infection or cryptococcal meningitis were included. Potentially missed diagnoses were defined as admissions coded for a procedure or diagnosis suggestive of cryptococcosis in the 90-days prior to the initial cryptococcosis admission. Generalized estimating equations models were used to evaluate the association between underlying comorbidities and potential missed diagnosis of cryptococcosis and 90-day all-cause in-hospital mortality. FINDINGS: Of 5,354 patients with cryptococcosis, 2,445 (45·7%) were people living with HIV (PLWH). Among PLWH, 493/2,445 (20·2%) had a potentially missed diagnosis, of which 83/493 (16·8%) died while hospitalized compared with 265/1,952 (13·6%) of those without a potentially missed diagnosis (relative risk [RR] 1·04, 95% CI 0·99-1·09). Among HIV-negative patients, 977/2,909 (33·6%) had a potentially missed diagnosis, of which 236/977 (24·2%) died while hospitalized compared with 298/1,932 (15·4%) of those not missed (RR 1·12, 95% CI 1·07-1·16). INTERPRETATION: Missed opportunities to diagnose cryptococcosis are common despite highly efficacious diagnostic tests and are associated with increased risk of 90-day mortality in HIV-negative patients. A high index of clinical suspicion is paramount to promptly diagnose, treat, and improve cryptococcosis-related mortality. FUNDING: National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Washington University Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality