Economic impact of frost in the Australian wheatbelt

[Introduction]: Extreme temperatures can cause severe reductions in wheat yield, including in Australia where temperatures are highly variable within and across growing seasons. A single post head-emergence frost (PHEF) event has the potential to devastate individual wheat crop by damaging stems and killing whole head. Management of crop phenology to avoid PHEF is very important in many parts of the world where frost risk is high. Breeding for improved reproductive frost tolerance could allow greater yield and economic benefits to be achieved, by (i) reducing direct frost damage and (ii) allowing earlier sowing to reduce risks of late-season drought and/or heat stresses (Fig. 1). This study aims to provides insights into the frost impact and economic benefits of different improved frost tolerance levels across the Australian wheatbelt

Thalamocortical Connectivity Correlates with Phenotypic Variability in Dystonia

Dystonia is a brain disorder characterized by abnormal involuntary movements without defining neuropathological changes. The disease is often inherited as an autosomal-dominant trait with incomplete penetrance. Individuals with dystonia, whether inherited or sporadic, exhibit striking phenotypic variability, with marked differences in the somatic distribution and severity of clinical manifestations. In the current study, we used magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging to identify microstructural changes associated with specific limb manifestations. Functional MRI was used to localize specific limb regions within the somatosensory cortex. Microstructural integrity was preserved when assessed in subrolandic white matter regions somatotopically related to the clinically involved limbs, but was reduced in regions linked to clinically uninvolved (asymptomatic) body areas. Clinical manifestations were greatest in subjects with relatively intact microstructure in somatotopically relevant white matter regions. Tractography revealed significant phenotype-related differences in the visualized thalamocortical tracts while corticostriatal and corticospinal pathways did not differ between groups. Cerebellothalamic microstructural abnormalities were also seen in the dystonia subjects, but these changes were associated with genotype, rather than with phenotypic variation. The findings suggest that the thalamocortical motor system is a major determinant of dystonia phenotype. This pathway may represent a novel therapeutic target for individuals with refractory limb dystonia

ADI method based on C2-continuous two-node integrated-RBF elements for viscous flows

We propose a C2-continuous alternating direction implicit (ADI) method for the solution of the streamfunction-vorticity equations governing steady 2D incompressible viscous fluid flows. Discretisation is simply achieved with Cartesian grids. Local two-node integrated radial basis function elements (IRBFEs) [D.-A. An-Vo, N. Mai-Duy, T. Tran-Cong, A C2-continuous control-volume technique based on Cartesian grids and two-node integrated-RBF elements for second-order elliptic problems, CMES: Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences 72 (2011) 299-334] are used for the discretisation of the diffusion terms, and then the convection terms are incorporated into system matrices by treating nodal derivatives as unknowns. ADI procedure is applied for the time integration. Following ADI factorisation, the two-dimensional problem becomes a sequence of one-dimensional problems. The solution strategy consists of multiple use of a one-dimensional sparse matrix algorithm that helps saving the computational cost. High levels of accuracy and efficiency of the present methods are demonstrated with solutions of several benchmark problems defined on rectangular and non-rectangular domains

Exploring Profitable, Sustainable Livestock Businesses in an Increasingly Variable Climate

Livestock production systems will need to change in many regions of the world to meet the dual challenges of adaptation to a changing climate and reducing net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The ‘Nexus project’ is exploring these options using seven case studies in eastern Australia spanning a range of production systems from semi-arid beef production in northern Australia to mixed beef and sheep production in cool temperate climates of southern Australia. Regional reference groups, made up of 4-6 local farmers and advisers, identified a series of farm systems changes that could be made to meet these challenges. Options were categorised under four themes: feedbase, animal genetics and management, management and technology, and transformational options. More options for adaptation were identified compared to options to mitigate greenhouse gas emission of sequestered carbon. Adaptation options focussed on maximising pasture production in variable climates, and having efficient and flexible animal production systems. A focus on infrastructure for water and feed storage and use was also observed. Options to reduce GHG emissions focussed on reducing feed demand and sequestering carbon in soils and trees, and limited possibilities for feed additives were noted in these pasture-based systems. Further work will explore how combinations of these options will impact production, profit and greenhouse gas emissions from these production systems in current and future climate scenarios

Development of an Alumni Feedback System for Curriculum Improvement in Building Technology Courses

In this fast-paced world, the needs of the world of work and the global market is changing at an unprecedented speed. Therefore, institutions of higher learning need to constantly adjust their programs to fit into these needs. The study aimed to develop an alumni feedback system for curriculum improvement in Building Technology courses. The study highlighted the benefits of an alumni feedback system compared to a manual questionnaire method or other methods of curriculum improvement. The web-based system was designed through use case and system block diagrams. Thereafter, the webbased system was programmed using HTML, CSS, MySQL and PHP. Screenshots of the web-based system was presented. The alumni feedback system comprises of background information of the alumni, perception test on the impact of the course content and a review of the course content for curriculum improvement. Since this is a preliminary study, future studies would be based on analyzing data obtained in the database in terms of the numerical and text data. This study can be adapted for other programmes for the purpose of curriculum improvement

Regional brain metabolism in a murine systemic lupus erythematosus model

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by multiorgan inflammation, neuropsychiatric disorders (NPSLE), and antinuclear antibodies. We previously identified a subset of anti-DNA antibodies (DNRAb) cross-reactive with the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, present in 30% to 40% of patients, able to enhance excitatory post-synaptic potentials and trigger neuronal apoptosis. DNRAb + mice exhibit memory impairment or altered fear response, depending on whether the antibody penetrates the hippocampus or amygdala. Here, we used 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) microPET to plot changes in brain metabolism after regional blood-brain barrier (BBB) breach. In DNRAb + mice, metabolism declined at the site of BBB breach in the first 2 weeks and increased over the next 2 weeks. In contrast, DNRAb mice exhibited metabolic increases in these regions over the 4 weeks after the insult. Memory impairment was present in DNRAb + animals with hippocampal BBB breach and altered fear conditioning in DNRAb + mice with amygdala BBB breach. In DNRAb + mice, we observed an inverse relationship between neuron number and regional metabolism, while a positive correlation was observed in DNRAb mice. These findings suggest that local metabolic alterations in this model take place through different mechanisms with distinct time courses, with important implications for the interpretation of imaging data in SLE subjects

Signal Evolution and Infarction Risk for Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Lesions in Acute Ischemic Stroke Are Both Time- and Perfusion-Dependent

This study aimed to examine the temporal relationship between tissue perfusion and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) changes within 6 hours of ischemic stroke onset and how different reperfusion patterns may affect tissue outcome in ADC lesion

A pathogenic PSEN1 Trp165Cys mutation associated with early-onset Alzheimers disease

Background Presenilin-1 (PSEN1) is one of the causative genes for early onset Alzheimers disease (EOAD). Recently, emerging studies reported several novel PSEN1 mutations among Asian. We describe a male with EOAD had a pathogenic PSEN1 mutation. Case presentation A 53-year-old male presented with memory decline, followed by difficulty in finding ways. Patient had positive family history, since his mother and one of his brother was also affected with dementia. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showed mild degree of atrophy of bilateral hippocampus and parietal lobe. 18F-Florbetaben-PET (FBB-PET) revealed increased amyloid deposition in bilateral frontal, parietal, temporal lobe and precuneus. Whole exome analysis revealed a heterozygous, probably pathogenic PSEN1 (c.695G > T, p.W165C) mutation. Interestingly, Trp165Cys mutation is located in trans membrane (TM)-III region, which is conserved between PSEN1/PSEN2. In vitro studies revealed that PSEN1 Trp165Cys could result in disturbances in amyloid metabolism. This prediction was confirmed by structure predictions and previous in vitro studies that the p.Trp165Cys could result in decreased Aβ42/Aβ40 ratios. Conclusion We report a case of EOAD having a pathogenic PSEN1 (Trp165Cys) confirmed with in silico and in vitro predictions.This work was supported by a National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) Grants, awarded by the Korean government (MEST, No. 2017R1A2B4012636 & 2017R1C1B5017807). Dr. An SS receives the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MEST, No. 2017R1A2B4012636). Dr. Eva Bagyinszky receives the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MEST, No. 2017R1C1B5017807). Dr. Giau VV reports no disclosure. Dr. Pyun JM reports no disclosure. Dr. Suh J reports no disclosure. Dr. Kim SY reports no disclosure

MR Imaging of Oxygen Extraction and Neurovascular Coupling

Since the approval of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke by the Food and Drug Administration,1 the search for means to identify patients who may benefit from this treatment beyond the approved therapeutic window has been actively pursued. One of the most successful examples is the European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study III (ECASS III) trial,2,3 which demonstrated that efficacy of tPA treatment could be extended from the original 3 hours to 4.5 hours from onset. In addition, with an accumulating arsenal of mechanical clot retrieval devices, promising to achieve more effective reperfusion than intravenous-tPA,4–6 it is likely that the therapeutic windows for these retrieval devices will differ from that of intravenous-tPA. Different collateral flow patterns, comorbidities, and intrinsic tissue vulnerabilities among individual patients further complicate the use of a fixed therapeutic time-window for all patients and different treatments. Therefore, insights into brain tissue viability at the time of presentation may aid in the management of acute stroke. Toward this end, imaging approaches have been actively sought to provide a potential signature for tissue viability.7 Specifically, the diffusion/perfusion mismatch (DPM) concept has been widely advocated as a potential approach to depict the presence or absence of ischemic penumbra.8–10 The underlying hypothesis is that lesions defined by abnormal diffusion most likely reflect irreversible injury, whereas regions defined by abnormal perfusion represent critically hypoperfused tissue. The region of DPM with normal diffusion but abnormal perfusion is, in theory, the region at risk of evolving to infarction if reperfusion-promoting therapies are not administered. Although the overall hypothesis of DPM is straightforward and diffusion weighted images (DWI) and perfusion-weighted images (PWI) are readily available, the means by which DWI and PWI lesions are defined vary widely, leading to, potentially,

K 1-6: an asymmetric planetary nebula with a binary central star

We present new imaging data and archival multiwavelength observations of the little studied emission nebula K 1-6 and its central star. Narrow-band images in H-alpha (+ [NII]) and [OIII] taken with the Faulkes Telescope North reveal a stratified, asymmetric, elliptical nebula surrounding a central star which has the colours of a late G- or early K-type subgiant or giant. GALEX ultraviolet images reveal a very hot subdwarf or white dwarf coincident in position with this star. The cooler, optically dominant star is strongly variable with a period of 21.312 +/- 0.008 days, and is possibly a high amplitude member of the RS CVn class, although an FK Com classification is also possible. Archival ROSAT data provide good evidence that the cool star has an active corona. We conclude that K 1-6 is most likely an old bona fide planetary nebula at a distance of ~1.0 kpc, interacting with the interstellar medium, and containing a binary or ternary central star. The observations and data analyses reported in this paper were conducted in conjunction with Year 11 high school students as part of an Australian Research Council Linkage Grant science education project, denoted Space To Grow, conducted jointly by professional astronomers, educational researchers, teachers, and high-school students.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures, accepted by the Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia (PASA