The effect of splanchnic viscera removal upon canine liver regeneration

The influence of portal blood factors on canine liver regeneration was studied with graded nonhepatic splanchnic evisceration, coupled with 44 and 72 per cent hepatectomies. In one type of experiment, the pancreas was retained while the rest of the intra-abdominal gastrointestinal tract was removed. In a second variety, total pancreatectomy was performed with preservation of the intra-abdominal organs. In a third kind of experiment, total nonhepatic splanchnic evisceration was performed. Liver regeneration after hepatectomy was decreased by all three kinds of viscera removed as judged by deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis, autoradiography and mitotic index. Pancreatectomy and nonpancreatic splanchnic evisceration caused almost equal decreases in the regenerative response. Total nonhepatic splanchnic evisceration essentially halted regeneration during the first three postoperative days and intraportal infusions of insulin or glucagon, or both together, did not reverse this effect. The decrease in liver membrane bound adenyl cyclase activity and biphasic change in liver cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate concentrations normally seen partial hepatectomy was disrupted after the various eviscerations. Adenyl cyclase activity and cyclic monophosphate concentrations tended to be higher than normal in the eviscerated dogs. These observations provide more support for our previously proposed hypothesis that control of liver regeneration is by multiple factors. Pancreatic hormones are important modifiers of this response but by no means exercise exclusive control. Other substances of gastrointestinal origin, presumably including hormones and nutrient supply apparently play important specific roles. The volume of portal flow is a secondary and nonspecific, but possibly significant, factor

Rapid precipitation in an Al<inf>0.5</inf>CrFeCoNiCu high entropy alloy

The effect of cooling rate on the microstructural evolution of Al0.5CrFeCoNiCu has been studied using differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy. As-cast Al0.5CrFeCoNiCu contained three phases; Cr-Fe-Co-Ni solid solution dendrites, Cu-rich interdendritic material and L12 precipitates. During cooling at rates between 10 and 50˚C.min-1 , an additional exothermic event, at ~1010˚C, was observed in the heat flow curves. Microstructural examination after cooling revealed the presence of two distinct populations of intragranular precipitates not present in the as-cast material. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy indicated that Cu-rich precipitates formed within the dendrites, whilst a Cr-Fe-Co rich phase formed in the interdendritic constituent. Precipitation during cooling at rates approaching 1˚C.s-1 indicates that the diffusion kinetics of Al0.5CrFeCoNiCu are not, as previously suggested, sluggish.authors would like to acknowledge support from the EPSRC / Rolls-Royce Strategic Partnership under EP/H500375/1, EP/M005607/1 (NGJ & HJS) and EP/H022309/1 (KAC).This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from Maney via http://dx.doi.org/10.1179/1743284715Y.000000000

Visual learning and graphic design : a cooperative strategy

Abstract. The article discusses an exploratory study implemented at three campuses of the Vaal University of Technology, Vanderbijlpark, in response to weak examination results in one of the subjects in the graphic design curriculum. The aim of the study was to investigate the feasibility of utilising a combination of visual learning and cooperative learning strategies in this setting. A comparative assessment methodologies framework was utilised to measure how graphic design first-year learners experience these. The results suggest that although the learners enjoyed and saw value in some aspects of the visual learning and cooperative learning strategies, a combination was seen as disruptive to the learning environment and is thus unlikely to lead to a significant improvement in examination results in the long term

Game-play characteristics differ between the European Super League and National Rugby League: Implications for coaching and talent recruitment

Objectives: To compare the game-play characteristics between the European Super League (ESL) and the National Rugby League (NRL) competitions. Methods: Eleven team performance indicators were extracted from each match played by every ESL and NRL team over their respective 2016 season. Data was averaged, classified according to competition (Two levels: ESL and NRL), and modelled using univariate and multivariate techniques. Specifically, effect size statistics enabled between group comparisons, while non-metric multidimensional scaling enabled multivariate insights into competition dissimilarity. Results: Seven of the 11 performance indicators showed ‘large’ to ‘very large’ effects. Notably, NRL game-play generated fewer ‘line breaks’, ‘errors’, ‘tackles’ and ‘dummy half runs’ relative to ESL game-play (d >1.2). Despite the NRL generating fewer ‘all runs’ (d = 1.27 [0.57-1.95]), game-play in this competition generated greater ‘all run distances’ relative to the ESL (d = 1.78 [1.02-2.51]). Non-metric multidimensional scaling revealed clear multivariate competition dissimilarity, with ESL and NRL teams orienting distinctive positions on the ordination surface. Further, there was a greater spread in the relative positioning of NRL teams compared to ESL teams, indicating greater team dissimilarity within the NRL. Conclusions: Our observations may be explained by differing competition rule interpretations, in addition to differing game strategies and player skill capabilities. Both coaches and talent recruitment managers associated with these competitions may consider our data to assist with the identification and recruitment of suitable players from these respective competitions

Minimising Risks in Research-informed Teaching

Reported benefits of research-informed teaching include enhanced student engagement and graduates that are better prepared for employment in an uncertain world. However, there are a number of academic risks that can have both positive and negative impacts on staff and students when implementing research-informed teaching. Mitigating such risks could smooth the way for, or even encourage, wider exploration of innovative teaching methods with associated benefits. This paper presents findings of an empirical study that identifies what risks were encountered or perceived from both student and staff perspectives when adopting a research-informed teaching approach. Risks were identified through semi-structured interviews with multi-disciplinary staff and a questionnaire survey with students. Two risk categories were revealed as particularly significant for student learning: curriculum bias and how research engagement impacts on student experience. Staff reported considerable positive impacts on well-being and motivation when adopting research-informed teaching. In light of this, the frequently encountered strategies for staff to reduce risks and negative impacts are presented, including raising awareness of key teaching styles or methods and fostering a sense of wider cultural support for innovative pedagogies within and between disciplines and departments. More could be gained by acknowledging and managing the risks associated with research-informed teaching than by strategically avoiding this type of activity

Anthropometric, speed and endurance characteristics of English academy soccer players: Do they influence obtaining a professional contract at 18 years of age

This study evaluated the anthropometric, speed and endurance characteristics of English academy soccer players, comparing players who obtained a ‘professional’ contract at 18 years old with those that did not (‘academy’); 443 male academy soccer players from an English professional club undertook anthropometric (height and body mass), speed (10 and 20 m sprint) and endurance (Yo-Yo intermittent endurance test level 2 [Yo-Yo]) assessments between 2005 and 2012. Significant improvements with age were found for speed and endurance at each annual age group up until U18 age category. Significant differences were only observed between ‘professional’ and ‘academy’ players for 10 m (p = 0.003, η2 = 0.01) and 20 m (p = 0.001, η2 = 0.01) speed at U16 and U18 and Yo-Yo performance (p = 0.001, η2 = 0.12) at U18 age category. Practitioners should use speed and endurance assessments for monitoring physical development of players rather than for talent identification purposes

Phase evolution in an Al<inf>0.5</inf>CrFeCoNiCu High Entropy Alloy

The phase evolution of an Al₀.₅CrFeCoNiCu High Entropy Alloy has been characterised following isothermal exposures between 0.1 and 1000 hours at temperatures of 700, 800 and 900˚C. The NiAl based B2 phase formed extremely quickly, within 0.1 hours at the higher exposure temperatures, whilst the Cr-rich σ phase formed more slowly. The solvus temperatures of these two phases were found to be ~ 975 and ~ 875˚C respectively. Compilation of the data presented here with results previously reported in the literature enabled the production of a time-temperature-transformation diagram, which clearly indicates that the diffusion kinetics of this material cannot be considered sluggish.The authors would like to thank K. Roberts and S. Rhodes for their assistance, and the EPSRC/Rolls-Royce Strategic Partnership (EP/M005607/1 and EP/H022309/1) for funding.This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from Elsevier via http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.intermet.2015.12.00

Distribution and gene-flow in a hybridising population of Pterodroma petrels

Albatrosses and petrels (Order Procellariiformes) are renowned for the huge distances they can cover at sea, and since the advent of tracking technology their pelagic lifestyles are generally well studied. However, tropical species are under-represented in the literature, and may be particularly flexible in their behaviour since tropical oceans are oligotrophic and prey availability is often patchily distributed. Round Island petrels breed in such an environment off the coast of Mauritius in the south-western Indian Ocean. Whilst originally identified as Trindade petrels (Pteromdroma arminjoniana), it has recently been revealed that this population is in fact a mixed, hybridizing population with at least two additional species, namely the Kermadec and Herald petrels (P. neglecta and P. heraldica). However, to date no research has been conducted on the colony-based at-sea distribution of these petrels, or how their mixed ancestry may influence their distribution at sea. In this thesis I firstly explore the possibility that Round Island may not be the only point of contact between these species and find that migration and introgression between wide-ranging Pterodroma may be more common than previously thought. I go on to develop a novel data cleaning method to enable the analysis of geolocation data from Round Island petrels, and use that data to describe for the first time their at-sea distribution and the extensive within-population variation in these patterns. Finally, I use a combination of tracking and microsatellite genotype data to ultimately weigh the influence of individual genetic background and the wider seasonal environment on distribution variability around the breeding colony. The Round Island petrel population is a stronghold where seabird populations globally are in decline. This thesis adds to the limited literature on ecology of tropical petrel species, and highlights the importance of considering behavioural and genetic diversity in future conservation plans

Unanticipated regulatory roles for Arabidopsis phytochromes revealed by null mutant analysis

In view of the extensive literature on phytochrome mutants in the Ler accession of Arabidopsis, we sought to secure a phytochrome-null line in the same genetic background for comparative studies. Here we report the isolation and phenotypic characterization of phyABCDE quintuple and phyABDE quadruple mutants in the Ler background. Unlike earlier studies, these lines possess a functional allele of FT permitting measurements of photoperiod-dependent flowering behavior. Comparative studies of both classes of mutants establish that phytochromes are dispensable for completion of the Arabidopsis life cycle under red light, despite the lack of a transcriptomic response, and also indicate that phyC is nonfunctional in the absence of other phytochromes. Phytochrome-less plants can produce chlorophyll for photosynthesis under continuous red light, yet require elevated fluence rates for survival. Unexpectedly, our analyses reveal both light-dependent and -independent roles for phytochromes to regulate the Arabidopsis circadian clock. The rapid transition of these mutants from vegetative to reproductive growth, as well as their insensitivity to photoperiod, establish a dual role for phytochromes to arrest and to promote progression of plant development in response to the prevailing light environment