Seasonal cycle and regulation by temperature of antifreeze protein mRNA in a Long Island population of winter flounder

The seasonal cycle and regulation by temperature of antifreeze protein mRNA (AF mRNA) were investigated in a Long Island population of winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) by Northern blot hybridization and by in vitro translation of liver RNA. AF mRNA was expressed at high levels in the fall and winter (Nov.–Feb.) and at low or undetectable levels in the summer. The time of accumulation of AF mRNA coincides with the time during which water temperature and photoperiod decrease to 4°C and 9 h of light per day, respectively. A temperature and photoperiod decrease in the laboratory during this time also resulted in high levels of AF mRNA. The levels of other mRNAs, as assayed by in vitro translation, were relatively constant during both seasonal acclimation and laboratory acclimation. The seasonal cycle of AF mRNA in Long Island winter flounder is similar to that of a more northern, Newfoundland population of winter flounder and different from that of an intermediate, New Brunswick population. These similarities and dissimilarities are discussed in light of potentially different exogenous and endogenous regulatory cues in the different populations.     

Voyager radio science observations of neptune and triton

The Voyager 2 encounter with the Neptune system included radio science investigations of the masses and densities of Neptune and Triton, the low-order gravitational harmonics of Neptune, the vertical structures of the atmospheres and ionospheres of Neptune and Triton, the composition of the atmosphere of Neptune, and characteristics of ring material. Demanding experimental requirements were met successfully, and study of the large store of collected data has begun. The initial search of the data revealed no detectable effects of ring material with optical depth tau [unknown] 0.01. Preliminary representative results include the following: 1.0243 x 10(26) and 2.141 x 10(22) kilograms for the masses of Neptune and Triton; 1640 and 2054 kilograms per cubic meter for their respective densities; 1355 +/- 7 kilometers, provisionally, for the radius of Triton; and J(2) = 3411 +/- 10(x 10(-6)) and J(4) = -26(+12)(-20)(x10(-6)) for Neptune's gravity field (J>(2) and J(4) are harmonic coefficients of the gravity field). The equatorial and polar radii of Neptune are 24,764 +/- 20 and 24,340 +/- 30 kllometers, respectively, at the 10(5)-pascal (1 bar) pressure level. Neptune's atmosphere was probed to a pressure level of about 5 x 10(5) pascals, and effects of a methane cloud region and probable ammonia absorption below the cloud are evident in the data. Results for the mixing ratios of helium and ammonia are still being investigated; the methane abundance below the clouds is at least 1 percent by volume. Derived temperature-pressure profiles to 1.2 x 10(5) pascals and 78 kelvins (K) show a lapse rate corresponding to "frozen" equilibrium of the para- and ortho-hydrogen states. Neptune's ionosphere exhibits an extended topside at a temperature of 950 +/- 160 K if H(+) is the dominant ion, and narrow ionization layers of the type previously seen at the other three giant planets. Triton has a dense ionosphere with a peak electron concentration of 46 x 10(9) per cubic meter at an altitude of 340 kilometers measured during occultation egress. Its topside plasma temperature is about 80 +/- 16 K if N(2)(+) is the principal ion. The tenuous neutral atmosphere of Triton produced distinct signatures in the occultation data; however, the accuracy of the measurements is limited by uncertainties in the frequency of the spacecraft reference oscillator. Preliminary values for the surface pressure of 1.6 +/- 0.3 pascals and an equivalent isothermal temperature of 48 +/- 5 K are suggested, on the assumption that molecular nitrogen dominates the atmosphere. The radio data may be showing the effects of a thermal inversion near the surface; this and other evidence imply that the Triton atmosphere is controlled by vapor-pressure equilibrium with surface ices, at a temperature of 38 K and a methane mixing ratio of about 10(-4).     

The Seismic Structure of the Sun

Global Oscillation Network Group data reveal that the internal structure of the sun can be well represented by a calibrated standard model. However, immediately beneath the convection zone and at the edge of the energy-generating core, the sound-speed variation is somewhat smoother in the sun than it is in the model. This could be a consequence of chemical inhomogeneity that is too severe in the model, perhaps owing to inaccurate modeling of gravitational settling or to neglected macroscopic motion that may be present in the sun. Accurate knowledge of the sun's structure enables inferences to be made about the physics that controls the sun; for example, through the opacity, the equation of state, or wave motion. Those inferences can then be used elsewhere in astrophysics.     

Resection and anastomosis of the small colon in four horses

Resection and anastomosis of the small colon was performed on 4 horses with vascular lesions (strangulating lipoma, mesenteric tear, dissecting haematoma) or functional obstruction (stricture) of this area of the bowel. The anastomoses were performed using a variety of suture materials in 2 layers. An appositional, full-thickness, simple, interrupted pattern was used in the first layer in all cases and oversewn with either a Cushing pattern (3 cases) or a Utrecht pattern (1 case). Post-operative complications associated with suture material and surgical technique were not seen. All horses were discharged from the hospital and all were alive more than one year after discharge.     

The perpetual agricultural policy crisis in the European community

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the European Community (EC) has been criticized for causing a misallocation of resources, inequitable income transfers, and enormous budgetary costs. The purpose of this paper is to examine the political economy of agriculture and agricultural policy in the EC. The results of the analysis indicate that conflicts between national political objectives and broader, community-wide concerns are important factors in the performance of EC agriculture. The pressures for reform of the CAP will lead to modification of the system, but changes in EC agricultural policy are likely to be moderate because of the inherent inertia of the policy-making process. As a result, the agricultural system in the EC will probably continue to evolve in an atmosphere of crisis with most reforms directed at symptoms rather than fundamental problems.     

The structure of the upper atmosphere of mars: In situ accelerometer measurements from mars global surveyor

The Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) z-axis accelerometer has obtained over 200 vertical structures of thermospheric density, temperature, and pressure, ranging from 110 to 170 kilometers, compared to only three previous such vertical structures. In November 1997, a regional dust storm in the Southern Hemisphere triggered an unexpectedly large thermospheric response at mid-northern latitudes, increasing the altitude of thermospheric pressure surfaces there by as much as 8 kilometers and indicating a strong global thermospheric response to a regional dust storm. Throughout the MGS mission, thermospheric density bulges have been detected on opposite sides of the planet near 90 degreesE and 90 degreesW, in the vicinity of maximum terrain heights. This wave 2 pattern may be caused by topographically-forced planetary waves propagating up from the lower atmosphere.     

Pharmacokinetics of cephalexin in cats after oral administration of the antibiotic in tablet and paste preparations

Objective To determine the bioequivalence of a paste formulation of cephalexin with that of the tablet form.
Design A two-way cross-over study.
Animals Ten adult cats of mixed breed.
Procedure The cats, randomly allocated to two groups, received either the paste preparation or the tablet orally at 12-hour intervals for 48 h before a 12-hour blood collection period. Two weeks later the treatments were reversed and the blood sampling repeated. The serum concentrations of the antibiotic were determined. The pharmacokinetic factors were analysed using a computer.
Results There were no significant differences between the peak concentration of cephalexin, or the other pharmacokinetic factors obtained from the tablet and paste formulations. The serum profiles of cephalexin following four 12-hourly doses of each formulation were similar with the peak serum values occurring at approximately 2 h after administration.
Conclusion The paste formulation and the tablet form are bioequivalent.     

Social and financial aspects of the artisanal fisheries of Middle São Francisco River, Minas Gerais, Brazil

The presence or absence of motorized boats, partnerships and multispecies catches characterize the fisheries of São Francisco River, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Fishing activity based on 109 interviews, carried out in the wet (high water: February and March) and dry (low water: July and August) seasons, with professional fishermen are described. Aiming to identify the fishery income components, a covariance model was proposed, with the income as the response variable, related to the factors: fishing ground; use of motorized or paddle boat; seasonality; presence of fishing assistant; and the following covariates: capture in weight in the week prior to the interview; fisherman experience in yrs; and distance (km) travelled for fishing. The results indicated that the main contributions to income were the absence of an engine (because of high price of the fuel), the absence of a partner (because of low capture) and the amount of fish caught by the fishermen.     

Precision Medicine in Cats: Novel Niemann‐Pick Type C1 Diagnosed by Whole‐Genome Sequencing

State‐of‐the‐art health care includes genome sequencing of the patient to identify genetic variants that contribute to either the cause of their malady or variants that can be targeted to improve treatment. The goal was to introduce state‐of‐the‐art health care to cats using genomics and a precision medicine approach. To test the feasibility of a precision medicine approach in domestic cats, a single cat that presented to the University of Missouri, Veterinary Health Center with an undiagnosed neurologic disease was whole‐genome sequenced. The DNA variants from the cat were compared to the DNA variant database produced by the 99 Lives Cat Genome Sequencing Consortium. Approximately 25× genomic coverage was produced for the cat. A predicted p.H441P missense mutation was identified in NPC1, the gene causing Niemann‐Pick type C1 on cat chromosome D3.47456793 caused by an adenine‐to‐cytosine transversion, c.1322A>C. The cat was homozygous for the variant. The variant was not identified in any other 73 domestic and 9 wild felids in the sequence database or 190 additionally genotyped cats of various breeds. The successful effort suggested precision medicine is feasible for cats and other undiagnosed cats may benefit from a genomic analysis approach. The 99 Lives DNA variant database was sufficient but would benefit from additional cat sequences. Other cats with the mutation may be identified and could be introduced as a new biomedical model for NPC1. A genetic test could eliminate the disease variant from the population.