Artificial light and sun compass orientation in the sandhopper Talitrus saltator (Crustacea, Amphipoda)

Experiments on compass orientation under artificial light were conducted with adult individuals of Talitrus saltator. The aim was to reproduce in the laboratory an orientation based on the sun compass corresponding to that recorded in conditions of the true sun and sky. This was obtained by the creation within an opaque Plexiglas dome of a scenario that permitted variation of the brightness of the artificial sky and sun. The results show that it is possible to obtain sun compass orientation corresponding to the natural situation even in an artificial environment. It can be concluded that sandhoppers identify an artificial light source as the sun if the artificial sky is also illuminated and if the intensities of the artificial sun and sky exceed certain threshold values (1.13 and 10 μW cm⁻², respectively). The results of other experiments under the natural blue sky with an artificial sun and with the real sun attenuated are discussed. Accepted: 23 May 1997     

Integration of multi-objective structural optimization into cementless hip prosthesis design: Improved Austin-Moore model

A new strategy of multi-objective structural optimization is integrated into Austin-Moore prosthesis in order to improve its performance. The new resulting model is so-called Improved Austin-Moore. The topology optimization is considered as a conceptual design stage to sketch several kinds of hollow stems according to the daily loading cases. The shape optimization presents the detailed design stage considering several objectives. Here, A new multiplicative formulation is proposed as a performance scale in order to define the best compromise between several requirements. Numerical applications on 2D and 3D problems are carried out to show the advantages of the proposed model.     

Successful disinfection of trumpet mouthpieces using domestic steam disinfection

There have been numerous reports in the literature describing the diversity of microbial flora isolated from woodwind and brass instruments, with potential infection risks for players, especially when such instruments are shared. Steam disinfection has become established as a trusted method of decontamination; however, there have been no reports on the employment of this technology to disinfect parts of musical instruments, hence it was the aim of this study to examine the fate of bacterial and yeast pathogens on artificially contaminated trumpet mouthpieces and to evaluate whether such disinfection is an effective method of disinfection for such instrument parts. Trumpet mouthpieces were artificially contaminated with 18 microbial strains (17 bacteria from four genera (Enterococcus, Escherichia, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus) and one yeast (Candida)), each at an inoculum density of approximately 1·5 × 10⁷ colony forming units and subjected to a disinfection cycle. The experiment was repeated including 50% (v/v) sterile sputum as soil. No bacteria or yeast organisms were recovered post disinfection, including following recovery and with nonselective cultural enrichment techniques.     

A structured decision making analysis to increase a Red-cockaded Woodpecker population and balance stakeholder objectives for a National Forest

Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) savanna is a biodiverse ecosystem native to the southeastern United States. Due to fire suppression and timber harvest, longleaf pine has declined to 3% of its original range. The extant forest provides habitat for many threatened and endangered species, including the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis; RCW), a cavity-nesting bird that co-evolved with fire-maintained forest, resulting in savanna-like old-growth forest as the bird’s preferred habitat. Our study site, the Oakmulgee Ranger District of the Talladega National Forest, harbors the largest RCW population in Alabama and is managed with an emphasis on RCW conservation. The United States Forest Service (USFS) also manages the Oakmulgee for uses such as wildlife conservation, recreation, and timber harvest. Despite efforts to restore RCW habitat and install artificial cavities in the Oakmulgee, the number of RCW groups has not exceeded 123, although the Recovery Plan objective is 394 groups. Our project was motivated by the USFS expressing interest in determining why the RCW population has not exceeded 123 groups. We proposed using structured decision making (SDM) with the USFS and other stakeholders to address this problem. Our goals were to explicitly define management objectives, build a Bayesian belief network with a model of how decision alternatives are believed to affect management objectives, and use a sensitivity analysis to determine the part of the model to which RCW population growth was most sensitive. Therefore, results from the analysis were expected to give insights into 1) ecological factors limiting RCW population growth, 2) how management can overcome these limits, plus 3) the relative expected ability of different decision alternatives to satisfy multiple objectives in addition to increasing RCW group number. We held four SDM workshops with representatives from the USFS, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the Longleaf Alliance, the Birmingham Audubon Society, and local residents. Stakeholder objectives consisted of maximizing the following: RCW group number, forest health, recreational enjoyment, community economic health, and aesthetics. Cavity insert installation had the greatest probability of increasing the number of RCW groups. The number of RCW groups was most affected by cavity availability, adult survival, reproductive output, food availability, and herbaceous understory. Prescribed burning was most likely to meet the combination of stakeholder objectives, followed by midstory removal. Our findings suggest that cavity installation efforts may need to be increased in the Oakmulgee to increase RCW group number. Also it could be beneficial to investigate how RCWs select cavity tree locations with the goal of increasing the chance that RCWs use artificial cavities to form new groups. The Bayesian belief network provided insights into factors limiting RCW population growth and how management can overcome these limits. The Bayesian belief network also can be used to prioritize management methods in the Oakmulgee given stakeholder objectives and time constraints.     

Deliberately infecting healthy volunteers with malaria parasites: Perceptions and experiences of participants and other stakeholders in a Kenyan-based malaria infection study

Controlled human malaria infection (CHMI) studies involve the deliberate infection of healthy volunteers with malaria parasites under controlled conditions to study immune responses and/or test drug or vaccine efficacy. An empirical ethics study was embedded in a CHMI study at a Kenyan research programme to explore stakeholders’ perceptions and experiences of deliberate infection and moral implications of these. Data for this qualitative study were collected through focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and non-participant observation. Sixty-nine participants were involved, including CHMI study volunteers, community representatives and research staff. Data were managed using QSR Nvivo 10 and analysed using an inductive-deductive approach, guided by ethics literature. CHMI volunteers had reasonable understanding of the study procedures. Decisions to join were influenced by study incentives, trust in the research institution, their assessment of associated burdens and motivation to support malaria vaccine development. However, deliberate malaria infection was a highly unusual research strategy for volunteers, community representatives and some study staff. Volunteers’ experiences of physical, emotional and social burdens or harms were often greater than anticipated initially, and fluctuated over time, related to specific procedures and events. Although unlikely to deter volunteers' participation in similar studies in furture, we argue that the dissonance between level of understanding of the burdens involved and actual experiences are morally relevant in relation to community engagement, informed consent processes, and ongoing support for volunteers and research staff. We further argue that ethics oversight of CHMI studies should take account of these issues in deciding whether consent, engagement and the balance of benefits and harms are reasonable in a given context.     

Do soft drinks affect metal ions release from orthodontic appliances?

ObjectiveThe effect of orange juice and Coca Cola^® on the release of metal ions from fixed orthodontic appliances.Materials and methodsA continuous flow system designed for in vitro testing of orthodontic appliances was used. Orange juice/Coca Cola^® was flowing through the system alternately with artificial saliva for 5.5 and 18.5 h, respectively. The collected samples underwent a multielemental ICP-OES analysis in order to determine the metal ions release pattern in time.ResultsThe total mass of ions released from the appliance into orange juice and Coca Cola^® (respectively) during the experiment was calculated (μg): Ni (15.33; 37.75), Cr (3.604; 1.052), Fe (48.42; ≥156.1), Cu (57.87, 32.91), Mn (9.164; 41.16), Mo (9.999; 30.12), and Cd (0.5967; 2.173).ConclusionsIt was found that orange juice did not intensify the release of metal ions from orthodontic appliances, whereas Coca Cola^® caused increased release of Ni ions.     

A recombinant foot-and-mouth disease virus antigen inhibits DNA replication and triggers the SOS response in Escherichia coli

Abstract The 3D gene of foot-and-mouth disease virus encodes the viral RNA dependent RNA polymerase, also called virus infection associated (VIA) antigen, which is the most important serological marker of virus infection. This 3D gene from a serotype Cl virus has been cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli under the control of the strong lambda lytic promoters. The resulting 51 kDa recombinant protein has been shown to be immunoreactive with sera from infected animals. After induction of gene expression, an immediate and dramatic arrest of cell DNA synthesis occurs, similar to that produced by genotoxic doses of the drug mitomycin C. This effect does not occur during the production of either a truncated VIA antigen or other related and non-related viral proteins. The inhibition of DNA replication results in a subsequent induction of the host SOS DNA-repair response and in an increase of the mutation frequency in the surviving cells.     

Natural antibodies to interferon-gamma

Natural antibodies to interferon (IFN)-γ were detected in the serum of virus-infected patients and also, at a low titre, in the serum of healthy subjects. The increased titre of antibodies to IFN-γ in the sera of virus-infected patients, and its decrease with clinical resolution, indicate that these antibodies are related to viral infection and probably reflect IFN-γ production as a result of antigenic stimulationin vivo. Natural antibodies to IFN-γ were affinity purified and studied for their capability to interferein vitro with the multiple activities of the lymphokine. Data obtained show that these human anti-IFN-γ antibodies have no inhibitory effect on the antiviral and antiproliferative activity of IFN-γ and do not interfere with the binding of the lymphokine to its specific cell receptor. Instead, they can inhibit the expression of HLA-DR antigens induced by IFN-γ on U937 cells and interfere, in mixed lymphocyte culture, with the proliferation of lymphocytes and the generation of cytotoxic lymphocytes. Experiments in animal models suggest that natural antibodies to IFN-γ may have a role in the immunoregulatory process limiting the intensity and/or duration of immune response. As they can interfere only with the immunomodulating activities of IFN-γ, these antibodies might open up new therapeutic approaches to diseases with evidence of activated cell-mediated immunity.     

Artificial cultivation of true morels: current state,issues and perspectives

Morels (Morchella, Ascomycota), which are some of the most highly prized edible and medicinal mushrooms, are of great economic and scientific value. Morel cultivation has been a research focus worldwide for more than 100 years, and the outdoor cultivation of morels has succeeded and expanded to a large scale in China in recent years. In this study, we review the progress in recent research regarding the life cycle and reproductive systems in the genus Morchella and the current state of outdoor cultivation. Sclerotia formation and conidia production are two important phases during the life cycle. The morel species cultivated commercially in America is M. rufobrunnea based on molecular phylogenetic analysis. The species currently cultivated in China are black morels, including M. importuna, M. sextalata and M. eximia. The field cultivation of morels expanded in the majority of the provinces in China with a yield of fresh morels of 0–7620?kg per ha. The key techniques include spawn production, land preparation and spawning, the addition of exogenous nutrition, fruiting management and harvesting. The application of exogenous nutrition is the most important breakthrough in the field of morel cultivation, but the mechanism remains unclear. It was estimated that the total amount of field cultivated fresh morels was ～500 t in 2015–2016. We also discuss the potential issues remaining in the current literature and suggest directions for future studies.     

Water current velocity as an environmental factor regulating the distribution of amphipod species in Gamo lagoon, Japan

The role of current velocity as an environmental factor affecting the distribution of amphipod species was investigated in the brackish Gamo lagoon, Japan. Two gammaridean amphipod species, Eogammarus possjeticus and Melita setiflagella, were found inhabiting stations of different water current with same substrates. E. possjeticus and M. setiflagella selected substrates at low and high water current, respectively. The lifestyles and anatomical features of these two free-living amphipods contributed to their adaptation to habitats with different water currents. The results of field and experimental observations suggest the existence of some type of interspecific competition between the two species. The presence of E. possjeticus caused a displacement of the fundamental niche of M. setiflagella. Received: October 10, 2000 / Accepted: August 17, 2001