Avian H5N1 influenza in cats

During the 2003 to 2004 outbreak of avian influenza A (H5N1) virus in Asia, there were anecdotal reports of fatal infection in domestic cats, although this species is considered resistant to influenza. We experimentally inoculated cats with H5N1 virus intratracheally and by feeding them virus-infected chickens. The cats excreted virus, developed severe diffuse alveolar damage, and transmitted virus to sentinel cats. These results show that domestic cats are at risk of disease or death from H5N1 virus, can be infected by horizontal transmission, and may play a role in the epidemiology of this virus.     

Complex patterns in a simple system

Numerical simulations of a simple reaction-diffusion model reveal a surprising variety of irregular spatiotemporal patterns. These patterns arise in response to finite-amplitude perturbations. Some of them resemble the steady irregular patterns recently observed in thin gel reactor experiments. Others consist of spots that grow until they reach a critical size, at which time they divide in two. If in some region the spots become overcrowded, all of the spots in that region decay into the uniform background.     

Longitudinal trends in pH and aluminum chemistry of the Coxing Kill,Ulster County,New York

The purpose of this work was to characterize the Al chemistry along the longitudinal pH gradient of the Coxing Kill and thereby provide a basis for an in depth study of aluminum chemistry and transport as a function of pH. Water samples were collected along the pH gradient and analyzed for monomeric Al species, strong acid anions, base cations, ammonium, dissolved organic C and dissolved silica. Inorganic monomeric Al, organic momonmeric Al and dissolved organic C decreased in concentration as the stream's drainage area and pH increased. The ratio of organic to inorganic monomeric Al and the concentration of all other species increased with increasing pH. An abrupt change in stream chemistry occurred in conjunction with the gradual changes expected for a low order stream draining an acid sensitive watershed impacted by acid deposition. This abrupt change partially resulted from geological characteristics of the watershed.