The influence of the strength of bone on the deformation of acetabular shells : a laboratory experiment in cadavers

Date of Acceptance: 24/08/2014 ©2015 The British Editorial Society of Bone & Joint Surgery. The authors would like to thank N. Taylor (3D Measurement Company) for his work with regard to data acquisition and processing of experimental data. We would also like to thank Dr A. Blain of Newcastle University for performing the statistical analysis The research was supported by the NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre. The authors P. Dold, M. Flohr and R. Preuss are employed by Ceramtec GmbH. Martin Bone received a salary from the joint fund. The author or one or more of the authors have received or will receive benefits for personal or professional use from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article. This article was primary edited by G. Scott and first proof edited by J. Scott.Peer reviewedPostprin

Stable isotope values in modern bryozoan carbonate from New Zealand and implications for paleoenvironmental interpretation

Bryozoan carbonate contains useful geochemical evidence of temperate shelf paleoenvironments. Stable isotope values were determined for 103 modern marine bryozoan skeletons representing 30 species from New Zealand. δ18O values range from -1.4 to 2.8 VPDB, while δ13C range from -4.5 to 2.8 VPDB (values uncorrected for mineralogical variation). These values are distinct from those of both tropical marine skeletons and New Zealand Tertiary fossils. Most bryozoans secrete carbonate in or near isotopic equilibrium with sea water, except for Celleporina and Steginoporella. The complex and variable mineralogies of the bryozoans reported here make correction for mineralogical effects problematic. Nevertheless, mainly aragonitic forms display higher isotope values, as anticipated. Both temperature and salinity constrain δ18O and δ13C values, and vary with latitude and water depth. Ten samples from a single branch of Cinctipora elegans from the Otago shelf cover a narrow range, although the striking difference in carbon isotope values between the endozone and exozone probably reflects different mineralisation histories. Our stable isotope results from three different laboratories on a single population from a single location are encouragingly consistent. Monomineralic bryozoans, when carefully chosen to avoid species suspected of vital fractionation, have considerable potential as geochemical paleoenvironmental indicators, particularly in temperate marine environments where bryozoans are dominant sediment producers

Pruritus is a common feature in sheep infected with the BSE agent.

BACKGROUND: The variability in the clinical or pathological presentation of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) in sheep, such as scrapie and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), has been attributed to prion protein genotype, strain, breed, clinical duration, dose, route and type of inoculum and the age at infection. The study aimed to describe the clinical signs in sheep infected with the BSE agent throughout its clinical course to determine whether the clinical signs were as variable as described for classical scrapie in sheep. The clinical signs were compared to BSE-negative sheep to assess if disease-specific clinical markers exist. RESULTS: Forty-seven (34%) of 139 sheep, which comprised 123 challenged sheep and 16 undosed controls, were positive for BSE. Affected sheep belonged to five different breeds and three different genotypes (ARQ/ARQ, VRQ/VRQ and AHQ/AHQ). None of the controls or BSE exposed sheep with ARR alleles were positive. Pruritus was present in 41 (87%) BSE positive sheep; the remaining six were judged to be pre-clinically infected. Testing of the response to scratching along the dorsum of a sheep proved to be a good indicator of clinical disease with a test sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 98% and usually coincided with weight loss. Clinical signs that were displayed significantly earlier in BSE positive cases compared to negative cases were behavioural changes, pruritic behaviour, a positive scratch test, alopecia, skin lesions, teeth grinding, tremor, ataxia, loss of weight and loss of body condition. The frequency and severity of each specific clinical sign usually increased with the progression of disease over a period of 16-20 weeks. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that BSE in sheep presents with relatively uniform clinical signs, with pruritus of increased severity and abnormalities in behaviour or movement as the disease progressed. Based on the studied sheep, these clinical features appear to be independent of breed, affected genotype, dose, route of inoculation and whether BSE was passed into sheep from cattle or from other sheep, suggesting that the clinical phenotype of BSE is influenced by the TSE strain more than by other factors. The clinical phenotype of BSE in the genotypes and breed studied was indistinguishable from that described for classical scrapie cases

Performance Evaluation of Road Traffic Control Using a Fuzzy Cellular Model

In this paper a method is proposed for performance evaluation of road traffic control systems. The method is designed to be implemented in an on-line simulation environment, which enables optimisation of adaptive traffic control strategies. Performance measures are computed using a fuzzy cellular traffic model, formulated as a hybrid system combining cellular automata and fuzzy calculus. Experimental results show that the introduced method allows the performance to be evaluated using imprecise traffic measurements. Moreover, the fuzzy definitions of performance measures are convenient for uncertainty determination in traffic control decisions.Comment: The final publication is available at http://www.springerlink.co

Isolation and Characterization Endophytic Fungal Isolate from Peronema canescens Jack Leaf and Coptosapelta tomentosa Val. K. Heyne Root

Has been done Isolation, Characterization and Secondary Metabolite Endophytic Fungal Isolate from Peronema canescens Jack Leave and Coptosapelta tomentosa Valeton K. Heyne Root. The aim of this research is to know the number of fungal isolates, chromatogram profile and secondary metabolite group of endophytic fungal isolates from P. canencens leaves and C. tomentosa root. Characterization of endophytic fungal isolates was done macroscopically and microscopically. Identification of secondary metabolites endophytic fungal isolates were performed by chemical reaction test and TLC (Thin Layer Chromatography) method with specific spray reagents. The data of this study were obtained based on the number of endophytic fungal that can be isolated, observing macroscopic and microscopic morphological profiles, chromatogram profile and secondary metabolites of each endophytic fungal isolated. The results showed that endophytic fungal that can be isolated from P. canencens leaves four isolates, and two isolates from C. tomentosa root. Morphological profile macroscopic endophytic fungal of the six isolates showed a greenish-colored colony, white gray, clear black. Microscopic profile of each fungal isolate having spores, sprangiosphora, sporangium, conidia, hyphae and stolon. The identified secondary metabolites are: alkaloids, terpenoids, and flavonoids, and polyphenols

HUBUNGAN ANTARA CURAH HUJAN, SUHU UDARA DAN KELEMBABAN DENGAN KEJADIAN DEMAM BERDARAH DENGUE DI KOTA MANADO TAHUN 2015-2020

Kasus demam berdarah dengue (DBD) masih tinggi di Manado. Kondisi lingkungan diduga berpengaruh pada angka kejadian DBD tersebut. Tujuan penelitian ini yaitu untuk mengetahui hubungan curah hujan, suhu udara, dan kelembaban dengan kejadian Demam Berdarah Dengue di Kota Manado tahun 2015-2020. Penelitian ini adalah studi korelasional menggunakan data kejadian DBD, curah hujan, suhu udara dan kelembaban di Manado dari Januari 2015 – Desember 2020. Hubungan faktor-faktor lingkungan ini dengan angka kejadian DBD dianalisis menggunakan grafik dan analisis korelasi Spearman. Hasil analisis menunjukkan adanya hubungan antara curah hujan (rho = 0,32; p = 0,006) dan suhu udara (rho = -0,41; p < 0,001) dengan angka kejadian DBD. Namun demikian, hubungan kelembaban dengan kejadian DBD tidak signifikan (rho = 0,12; p = 0,299). Penduduk Manado di daerah dengan curah hujan relatif tinggi dan suhu udara cenderung lebih rendah dari wilayah lain di Manado perlu meningkatkan kewaspadaan terhadap perjangkitan DBD. Penelitian ini memperlihatkan adanya hubungan antara faktor-faktor lingkungan tersebut dengan kejadian DBD di Manado. Kata Kunci: Kejadian DBD, Curah Hujan, Suhu Udara, Kelembaban ABSTRACTThe prevalence of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) remains high in Manado. It has been suggested that certain environmental factors play a role in the number of cases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship of precipitation, ambient temperature, and humidity with the prevalence of DHF in Manado. This was a correlational study using the data on rainfall rate, ambient temperature, and humidity in Manado recorded between January 2015 and December 2020 by the local department of meteorology and geophysics, as well as the information about DHF number of cases at the same period as published by the Health Department of Manado. The relationship between these environmental factors and DHF prevalence was analyzed using graphs and Spearman correlation. The results of the analysis showed a significant relationship between precipitation (rho = 0.32; p = 0.006) and air temperature (rho = -0.41; p < 0.001) with the prevalence of DHF. However, there was no significant relationship found between humidity and DHF prevalence (rho = 0.12; p = 0.299). Manado residents in areas with relatively high rainfall and air temperatures tend to be lower than other areas in Manado need to increase vigilance against DHF infection. This study shows a link between these environmental factors and the incidence of DHF in Manado. Keyword: DHF Prevalence, Precipitation, Ambient Temperature, Humidit

Applicability of Ammonia Sensors for Controlling Environmental Parameters in Accommodations for Lamb Fattening

Electrochemical ammonia sensors were used to analyse the existing relationship between the ammonia concentration and ambient levels of both temperature and relative humidity in commercial lamb fattening housing equipped with mechanical ventilation and straw-bedded pens. In the first stage of the experiment, sensors were placed over straw beds covered in lamb urine and analysed under laboratory conditions in order to determine ammonia emission evolution over time; three control temperatures (25, 35, and 50 degrees C) were used. A HOBO H8 temperature and relative humidity logger and a Drager NH3LC-6809680 electrochemical ammonia sensor placed in a Drager Polytron 7000 gas detector were utilized as sensors. A positive correlation was established between both ammonia emission time and emitted amount with temperature. Additionally, tests were performed in a commercial lamb housing to determine ammonia concentration variation with respect to height from the ground; three ammonia sensors placed at 50, 90, and 135 cm above the ground were used simultaneously. The ammonia concentration significantly decreased as height increased. A 90 cm height was selected, and three ammonia probes were placed in three different pens inside the livestock housing, along with temperature and relative humidity sensors; four different housing ventilation rates were then tested under real conditions over a time period of 4 months. An adjustment polynomial equation between the housing ambient temperature and the ammonia concentration was obtained with R-2 = 0.632. In conclusion, a relationship can be established between temperature and ammonia concentration in commercial lamb housing under certain handling conditions, which in turn allows for estimating the ammonia concentration adequately based on the ambient internal temperature

The autophagy protein ATG16L1 is required for Sindbis virus-induced eIF2α phosphorylation and stress granule formation

Sindbis virus (SINV) infection induces eIF2α phosphorylation, which leads to stress granule (SG) assembly. SINV infection also stimulates autophagy, which has an important role in controlling the innate immune response. The importance of autophagy to virus-induced translation arrest is not well understood. In this study, we show that the autophagy protein ATG16L1 not only regulates eIF2α phosphorylation and the translation of viral and antiviral proteins, but also controls SG assembly. Early in infection (2hpi), capsids were recruited by host factors Cytotoxic Granule-Associated RNA Binding Protein (TIA1), Y-box binding protein 1 (YBX1), and vasolin-containing protein 1 (VCP), to a single perinuclear body, which co-localized with the viral pattern recognition sensors, double stranded RNA-activated protein-kinase R (PKR) and RIG-I. By 6hpi, there was increased eIF2α phosphorylation and viral protein synthesis. However, in cells lacking the autophagy protein ATG16L1, SG assembly was inhibited and capsid remained in numerous small foci in the cytoplasm containing YBX1, TIA1 with RIG-I, and these persisted for over 8hpi. In the absence of ATG16L1, there was little phosphorylation of eIF2α and low levels of viral protein synthesis. Compared to wild type cells, there was potentiated interferon protein and interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) mRNA expression. These results show that ATG16L1 is required for maximum eIF2α phosphorylation, proper SG assembly into a single perinuclear focus, and for attenuating the innate immune response. Therefore, this study shows that, in the case of SINV, ATG16L1 is pro-viral, required for SG assembly and virus replication

Options for modulating intra-specific competition in colonial pinnipeds: the case of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) in the Wadden Sea

Colonial pinnipeds may be subject to substantial consumptive competition because they are large, slow-moving central place foragers. We examined possible mechanisms for reducing this competition by examining the diving behaviour of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) after equipping 34 seals (11 females, 23 males) foraging from three locations; Romo, Denmark and Lorenzenplate and Helgoland, Germany, in the Wadden Sea area with time-depth recorders. Analysis of 319,021 dives revealed little between-colony variation but appreciable inter-sex differences, with males diving deeper than females, but for shorter periods. Males also had higher vertical descent rates. This result suggests that males may have higher overall swim speeds, which would increase higher oxygen consumption, and may explain the shorter dive durations compared to females. Intersex variation in swim speed alone is predicted to lead to fundamental differences in the time use of three-dimensional space, which may help reduce consumptive competition in harbour seals and other colonial pinnipeds