Ultrathin films of a polyelectrolyte with layered architecture

Posttransfer modification of preformed Langmuir-Blodgett films of poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) and poly(tert-butyl acrylate) by gaseous hydrochloric acid yields films with layered architecture of poly(methacrylic acid) and poly(acrylic acid), respectively. X-ray reflectivity and infrared spectroscopy confirm monolayer by monolayer transfer of the source polymers and their transformation to acid multilayer assemblies with retention of low surface roughnesses. The incorporation of cross-linking groups into the system offers the possibility for further chemical modification to produce ultrathin films of model networks desirable for bioadsorption studies and as hydrophilic spacing layers for tethered membranes.     

Reconstructing past ocean pH-depth profiles

Measurement of boron isotope compositions in species of planktonic foraminifera that calcified their tests at different depths in the water column are used to reconstruct the pH profile of the upper water column of the tropical ocean. Results for five time windows from the middle Miocene to the late Pleistocene indicate pH-depth profiles similar to that of the modern ocean in this area, which suggests that this method may greatly aid in our understanding of the global carbon cycle.     

Effects of increasing days of exposure to prepartum diets on the concentration of certain blood metabolites in dairy cows

Objective To evaluate the effect of the number of days exposure to a prepartum transition diet on mineral, energy and protein metabolism in dairy cows. Design A prospective cohort study. Procedures The prepartum transition diet consisted of ryegrass pasture, cereal hay, grain, grain by-product, protein meals, BioChlor®, rumen modifiers, minerals and vitamins and contained 13.9% crude protein, 10.0 MJ metabolisable energy/kg and a dietary cation anion difference of −35 meq/kg dry matter. Forty cows were bled bi-weekly from their introduction to the prepartum transition diet until day 35 of lactation. Blood samples were submitted for estimation of a range of metabolites. Cubic smoothed splines were fitted to scatterplots of metabolite concentration as a function of day relative to calving and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. Linear regression modelling determined the effect of days exposed, age, body condition score (BSC) and calving day on AUC. Results The prepartum AUC of blood phosphorus and beta-hydroxybutyrate increased and the AUC of blood calcium and cholesterol decreased with increasing days exposed to the diet. The postpartum AUC of beta-hydroxybutyrate and non-esterified fatty acids decreased with increasing days exposed but increased with days exposed × age and days exposed × BCS, respectively. The AUC of other metabolites did not vary significantly with number of days exposed. Conclusions Increasing exposure to the prepartum diet significantly altered the AUC of blood metabolites associated with mineral, energy and protein metabolism in ways consistent with improvements in production and reproduction previously reported and the result suggests links between energy, protein and skeletal metabolism.     

Effect of aerated compost tea on grapevine powdery mildew, botrytis bunch rot and microbial abundance on leaves

Aerated compost tea (ACT), prepared from immature compost, was applied to foliage and fruit of grapevines (Vitis vinifera) to assess its potential for suppressing two important diseases: botrytis bunch rot, caused by Botrytis cinerea, and powdery mildew, caused by Erysiphe necator. An ACT applied to leaves of Cabernet Sauvignon vines in pots 7 days before inoculation with E. necator conidia reduced mean powdery mildew severity on the three youngest expanded leaves (at inoculation) to less than 1 %; mean severity on non-treated, inoculated leaves was 15 %. Multiple applications of ACTs at two vineyards in different growing seasons suppressed powdery mildew to <1 % mean severity on Chardonnay leaves (non-treated 79 % severity) and bunches (non-treated 77 % severity), and on Riesling leaves (non-treated 24 % severity). The same treatments reduced the incidence of Chardonnay bunches with latent B. cinerea and Riesling bunches with sporulating B. cinerea, although the level of botrytis bunch rot in both experiments was not economically damaging. The numbers of culturable bacteria, fungi and yeasts on Chardonnay leaves were higher than pre-treatment levels 10 days after ACT application, as were fungal numbers on Riesling leaves 21 days after treatment. Suppression by ACTs of two fruit and foliar pathogens of grapevine with different biology and epidemiology indicated potential for their use as a tactic in integrated disease management. Further testing of ACTs in a range of viticultural environments and application regimes will contribute to a better understanding of the impact of this tactic on disease, grape and wine quality.     

New approaches to the alleviation of barewood in young apple trees

Summary

Precocity is particularly important for the economic production of intensively planted apple trees. Unfortunately some cultivars show a propensity for barewood on young trees, which limits early production on 2 year-old spur sites. The new cultivar, ‘Scifresh’ (Jazz?) has shown serious problems of barewood under New Zealand conditions on M.9 and M.26 rootstocks. Barewood has been associated with excessive flowering on feathers and 1 year-old wood. Weak flower clusters develop towards the base of the shoots which do not set fruit and drop off, leaving blind buds. Although there are larger, more well-developed flower clusters on the distal parts of the 1 year-old shoots, cropping these can result in spur extinction. Therefore, in both cases, there is a lack of spur development for the following season resulting in barewood. Experimental treatments have focused on: 1) the effect of timing (January-May) and concentration (400 and 133 mg l^–1 gibberellic acid GA₃) sprays in the nursery to reduce flowering on 1 year-old wood; and 2) the effect of concentration and timing of localised cytokinin applications in the Spring to re-invigorate blind buds. Two applications of 400 mg l^–1 GA₃ in late January and late February in the first year in the nursery were effective in eliminating flowering on “knip boom” trees in the following Spring after cutting back. Two applications of 400 mg l^–1 GA₃, in early and late January, to “knip boom” trees in their second year in the nursery reduced flowering by over 40% when the trees were planted in the orchard. Twelve months later these trees showed an increased density of spur flowers on the original feathers. Aqueous solutions of the cytokinins benzyladenine and thidiazuron, at 500 mg l^–1 or 2500 mg l^–1 respectively, were applied by brush, prior to, during and post-budbreak, to sections of barewood on 2 year-old or 3 year-old wood on main branches of ‘Scifresh’/M.9 trees. Thidiazuron (at 2500 mg l^–1) was far more effective than benzyladenine at inducing growth of dormant buds, even resulting in multiple bud-breaks at individual sites.     

Mechanical comparison of two suture constructs for extra-capsular stifle stabilization

Objective: Mechanical evaluation of 2 suture constructs for extracapsular stifle stabilization. Study Design: In vitro study. Sample Population: Crimped interlocking loop constructs (ILC) of 45 kg nylon leader line (NLL) and Orthofiber^® (OF). Methods: ILC were tightened to 100 N, then crimp secured. Ramp to failure (n=10/group)—Data were derived from force/displacement plots. Stress–relaxation testing (n=10/group)—ILC's were nondestructively loaded and held at resultant displacement as force data were recorded. Incremental, cyclic loading (n=10/group)—ILC's were loaded (5 cycles/set) starting at 100 N and incrementally increased by 50 N (1 and 3 Hz protocols). Loop tension and elongation were recorded after each set. Results: Ramp to failure—initial loop tension was similar (NLL 75.5 ± 9.5 N; OF 68.7 ± 10.4 N, P=.140). Tested OF constructs were stiffer (NLL 125.7 ± 4.0; OF 234.6 ± 25.0 N/mm, P≤.001), had lower yield load (NLL 193.6 ± 13.8; OF 137.3 ± 94.3 N, P≤.001), lower peak load (NLL 873.7 ± 68.6; OF 653.6 ± 80.2 N, P≤.001), and lower elongation at failure (NLL 19.1 ± 1.4; OF 5.2 ± 1.0 mm, P≤.001) and at yield (NLL 1.52 ± 0.2; OF 0.3 ± 0.6 mm, P=.003) than NLL constructs. Yield in NLL ILC's was variable knot tightening/crimp slippage, but only crimp‐suture slippage in OF. Stress–relaxation testing—OF demonstrated greater relaxation. Incremental, cyclic loading—induced ILC elongation and tension loss in both groups, independent of loading frequency. NLL lost tension at lower rate, but elongated more than OF. Conclusions: NLL construct is mechanically superior to OF construct.     

Treatment of cattle with DNA-encoded Flt3L and GM-CSF prior to immunization with Theileria parva candidate vaccine antigens induces CD4 and CD8 T cell IFN-γ responses but not CTL responses

Theileria parva antigens recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are prime vaccine candidates against East Coast fever in cattle. A strategy for enhancing induction of parasite-specific T cell responses by increasing recruitment and activation of dendritic cells (DCs) at the immunization site by administration of bovine Flt3L and GM-CSF prior to inoculation with DNA vaccine constructs and MVA boost was evaluated. Analysis of immune responses showed induction of significant T. parva-specific proliferation, and IFN-γ-secreting CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell responses in immunized cattle. However, antigen-specific CTLs were not detected. Following lethal challenge, 5/12 immunized cattle survived by day 21, whereas all the negative controls had to be euthanized due to severe disease, indicating a protective effect of the vaccine (p<0.05). The study demonstrated the potential of this technology to elicit significant MHC class II and class I restricted IFN-γ-secreting CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells to defined vaccine candidate antigens in a natural host, but also underscores the need to improve strategies for eliciting protective CTL responses.