A transient radio jet in an erupting dwarf nova

Astrophysical jets seem to occur in nearly all types of accreting objects, from supermassive black holes to young stellar objects. On the basis of x-ray binaries, a unified scenario describing the disc/jet coupling has evolved and been extended to many accreting objects. The only major exceptions are thought to be cataclysmic variables: Dwarf novae, weakly accreting white dwarfs, show similar outburst behavior to x-ray binaries, but no jet has yet been detected. Here we present radio observations of a dwarf nova in outburst showing variable flat-spectrum radio emission that is best explained as synchrotron emission originating in a transient jet. Both the inferred jet power and the relation to the outburst cycle are analogous to those seen in x-ray binaries, suggesting that the disc/jet coupling mechanism is ubiquitous.     

Ion neutral mass spectrometer results from the first flyby of Titan

The Cassini Ion Neutral Mass Spectrometer (INMS) has obtained the first in situ composition measurements of the neutral densities of molecular nitrogen, methane, molecular hydrogen, argon, and a host of stable carbon-nitrile compounds in Titan's upper atmosphere. INMS in situ mass spectrometry has also provided evidence for atmospheric waves in the upper atmosphere and the first direct measurements of isotopes of nitrogen, carbon, and argon, which reveal interesting clues about the evolution of the atmosphere. The bulk composition and thermal structure of the moon's upper atmosphere do not appear to have changed considerably since the Voyager 1 flyby.     

Linking long-term dietary patterns with gut microbial enterotypes

Diet strongly affects human health, partly by modulating gut microbiome composition. We used diet inventories and 16S rDNA sequencing to characterize fecal samples from 98 individuals. Fecal communities clustered into enterotypes distinguished primarily by levels of Bacteroides and Prevotella. Enterotypes were strongly associated with long-term diets, particularly protein and animal fat (Bacteroides) versus carbohydrates (Prevotella). A controlled-feeding study of 10 subjects showed that microbiome composition changed detectably within 24 hours of initiating a high-fat/low-fiber or low-fat/high-fiber diet, but that enterotype identity remained stable during the 10-day study. Thus, alternative enterotype states are associated with long-term diet.     

Metagenomic discovery of biomass-degrading genes and genomes from cow rumen

The paucity of enzymes that efficiently deconstruct plant polysaccharides represents a major bottleneck for industrial-scale conversion of cellulosic biomass into biofuels. Cow rumen microbes specialize in degradation of cellulosic plant material, but most members of this complex community resist cultivation. To characterize biomass-degrading genes and genomes, we sequenced and analyzed 268 gigabases of metagenomic DNA from microbes adherent to plant fiber incubated in cow rumen. From these data, we identified 27,755 putative carbohydrate-active genes and expressed 90 candidate proteins, of which 57% were enzymatically active against cellulosic substrates. We also assembled 15 uncultured microbial genomes, which were validated by complementary methods including single-cell genome sequencing. These data sets provide a substantially expanded catalog of genes and genomes participating in the deconstruction of cellulosic biomass.     

Serologic Responses of West Nile Virus Seronegative Mature Horses to West Nile Virus Vaccines

A 42-day study was conducted to assess the impact of three West Nile virus vaccines given either as separate injections or incorporated with their counterpart equine encephalitis and tetanus vaccines on serological responses under field use conditions. Two hundred forty mature, West Nile virus seronegative (<4) horses were followed serologically pre- and postprimary and secondary vaccination with six different vaccination programs, all including West Nile virus antigens. Forty horses were unvaccinated sentinel horses. All vaccines stimulated both a primary and secondary (booster) response to vaccination that was significantly higher than that of seronegative controls. However, inclusion of West Nile virus with equine encephalitis viruses and tetanus toxoid in vaccines had a significant detrimental impact on West Nile virus serum neutralization antibody production to both the primary and secondary vaccinations.     

Acid‐base and electrolyte balance following administration of three crystalloid solutions in dogs undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery

ObjectiveTo compare acid–base balance and incidence of hyperchloraemic metabolic acidosis following administration of three crystalloid solutions to dogs undergoing anaesthesia for orthopaedic surgery.Study designProspective, randomised, clinical study.AnimalsSixty dogs.MethodsDuring a non–standardised anaesthetic, 0.9% saline (S), Hartmann's solution (H) or a polyionic glucose–free maintenance solution (M) was administered IV at 10 mL kg^?1 hour^?1. Venous blood pH, PCO₂, PCV, total protein, urea, sodium, potassium and chloride concentrations were measured at induction of anaesthesia (T0) and after 2 hours of fluid therapy (T2). Base excess (BE), bicarbonate, corrected chloride concentration (corrCl), osmolality, change in plasma volume (PV) and strong ion gap (SIG) were calculated. Changes in variables within groups (1–sample Student's t–test/Wilcoxon signed rank test) and between groups (1–way anova/Kruskal–Wallis) were assessed. Data are presented as median (interquartile range). Significance was set at p < 0.05.ResultsNo significant differences existed between groups for pH, PCO₂, PCV, total protein, urea, potassium, corrCl, PV and SIG. Potassium significantly increased in all groups. Significant differences existed between groups S and M for BE, sodium, chloride, bicarbonate and osmolality, and between groups H and M for sodium and osmolality. Chloride concentration significantly changed from 116 (114–117) to 117 (116–119) mmol L^?1 in group S, 116 (115–118) to 115 (113–117) mmol L^?1 in group H and 116 (115–118) to 114 (113–118) mmol L^?1 in group M. In groups H and M, sodium and osmolality decreased, and BE and bicarbonate concentration increased significantly. Plasma volume increased by 28 (14–44)%, 25 (5–40)% and 24 (13–33)% in groups S, H and M, respectively.Conclusion and clinical relevanceHyperchloraemic metabolic acidosis did not develop after intraoperative 0.9% saline, Hartmann's solution or maintenance solution at 10 mL kg^?1 hour^?1 for 2 hours in dogs undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery. Bicarbonate and BE increased after Hartmann's and maintenance solutions. Increases in potassium concentration were unexplained.     

Cracks in bread crust cause longer crispness retention

Crispness is among the most important factors that the consumer uses to assess the quality of crispy bread. However, this quality attribute is rapidly lost after baking. It is known that crispness retention can be increased more than eight times by enhancing the water vapor permeability of the crust. Current methods to achieve this, i.e., puncturing the bread before baking, require an extra process step. We hypothesize that cracks that appear spontaneously on the crust surface after baking can also enhance water vapor permeability and therefore improve crispness retention. We were able to confirm this hypothesis by preparing composite breads containing the same crumb but different crusts, with crust recipes of varying starch/protein ratios. Crusts systems that were generally high in gelatinized starch content and poor in evenly distributed gluten were more prone to crack after the whole process of part-baking, freezing, and baking off. These cracks led to an increased water vapor permeability of the crust and an eight times longer instrumental crispness retention compared to standard bread. In this paper we also discuss possible causes for crack formation in the crust. We hypothesize that effective cracks are caused by thermal shock in materials with a low ability to dissipate energy.     

Genetic inheritance of resistance to cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus in cowpea

Cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus (CABMV) is a major virus disease in Uganda that causes substantial loss of the cowpea crop especially in growth and yield. The mode of gene action conferring resistance to the virus is not well understood. The objective of the study was to determine the genetic inheritance of resistance in cowpea crosses. Three susceptible (S) cowpea landraces that are commonly grown by farmers were crossed with five introduced resistant cowpea varieties in accordance with a North Carolina mating design II scheme. The F₁, F₂ and BC₁F₁ progenies generated were evaluated in the field together with their parents. They were then infected with two infection methods namely: by spreader-rows of S cultivar (Ebelat) and artificial inoculation of virus extracts. The results obtained showed that general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) effects were significant, indicating that both additive and non-additive gene effects controlled virus infection. The results further demonstrated that the GCA effects (59.8?%) were more important than SCA effects (40.2?%) in determining virus resistance in the cowpea varieties. Utilisation of good general combiners of the varieties MU-93, IT82D-516-2, SECOW-2W and IT85F-2841 in hybridisation to improve virus resistance in cowpea crosses would be recommended. The result of this study provided an indication that CABMV resistance was conditioned by more than one recessive gene in eight populations, but also revealed resistance to be conditioned by a single recessive gene in the other seven populations. Observation of continuous distribution of progenies for severity data in the F₂ populations also confirmed significance of quantitative inheritance for CABMV resistance. Therefore, the significance of GCA effects suggests that recurrent selection could be applied to accumulate the additive genes for resistance in F₂ populations.     

On ethics,the pursuit of knowledge,truth and status in the hallowed halls of academe

Advancement in academe is largely on the basis of research output; that is, refereed journal papers. This paper first explores pressures on academics, especially emerging researchers, when English is not a first language. We assess why, when faculty members rush to improve their station that they may elect to circumvent ethical protocols to accelerate their promotion and status. The resulting unethical behavior includes plagiarism and forms of duplication such as co‐submission. Consideration is then given to the wider implications of both plagiarism and the theft of intellectual property, and the role these have played in the development of individuals, the university and society.