Reconstruction of Current Flow and Imaging of Current-Limiting Defects in Polycrystalline Superconducting Films

Magneto-optical imaging was used to visualize the inhomogeneous penetration of magnetic flux into polycrystalline TlBa2Ca2Cu3Ox films with high critical current densities, to reconstruct the local two-dimensional supercurrent flow patterns and to correlate inhomogeneities in this flow with the local crystallographic misorientation. The films have almost perfect c-axis alignment and considerable local a- and b-axis texture because the grains tend to form colonies with only slightly misaligned a and b axes. Current flows freely over these low-angle grain boundaries but is strongly reduced at intermittent colony boundaries of high misorientation. The local (<10-micrometer scale) critical current density Jc varies widely, being up to 10 times as great as the transport Jc (scale of approximately 1 millimeter), which itself varies by a factor of about 5 in different sections of the film. The combined experiments show that the magnitude of the transport Jc is largely determined by a few high-angle boundaries.     

Induced responses to herbivory and increased plant performance

Plant resistance to herbivores was induced in a field experiment to evaluate the consequences of induced responses for subsequent herbivory and plant fitness. Induction early in the season resulted in halving of herbivory by chewing herbivores and a reduction in the abundance of phloem-feeding aphids when compared with controls. A correlate of lifetime plant fitness, seed mass, was enhanced by over 60 percent for individuals that were induced.     

Application of the log-linear and logistic regression models in the prediction of systemic lupus erythematosus in the dog

This study sought to mathematically define canine systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by unifying diagnostic criteria proposed by others. Thirty-one cases of canine SLE were selected for modeling when 4 different published schemes agreed on the diagnosis, and 122 controls were selected when a patient's status met no scheme's criteria. The log-linear method showed an association between SLE and polyarthritis, hematologic abnormalities, renal damage, dermatologic disorders, and antinuclear antibody test response (positive). Logistic regression was then used to derive a predictive algorithm that could identify cases and controls with which all published criteria would be in accordance. The final equation correctly classified 93.5% of the affected dogs and 98.4% of the controls. It was concluded that the log-linear and logistic regression models are useful for the diagnosis of clinically similar, but distinguishable, disease states.     

Comparison of worm control strategies in grazing sheep in Denmark.

Control of nematode parasites with reduced reliance on the use of anthelmintics was studied in 16 ewes with suckling twin lambs on contaminated pasture in Denmark. Ewes and lambs were treated with albendazole at turn-out 3 May. Ewes were removed from the groups on 26 July, and lambs were slaughtered on 11 October. The animals were allocated to 4 groups of 8 lambs and their 4 ewes. Group TS was treated with albendazole at weeks 3, 6 and 8 after turnout and set-stocked; group TM was similarly treated but moved to clean pasture in conjunction with the last drenching; group US was untreated and set-stocked, and group UM was left untreated but moved to clean pasture week 8 after turn-out. Supplementary feed was offered in June and August due to scarcity of pasture. Strategic treatments of ewes and lambs weeks 3, 6 and 8 after turn-out, with or without a move to clean pasture, were highly effective in controlling nematode infections for most of the season. This was reflected in better weight gains and carcass characteristics in the treated compared to untreated lambs, resulting in an average increase in the value of the product by 36%. The effect of moving without treatment (UM) on faecal egg counts was limited but peak pasture infectivity was reduced to less than 10% compared to the set-stocked group and weight gains of lambs were significantly better despite poor feed availability in late season. The study showed that under set-stocked conditions repeated anthelmintic treatments of both ewes and lambs in early season may ensure sufficient nematode control whereas moving animals to clean pasture without dosing was less efficient. The latter may, however, still be a viable option in organic and other production systems where routine use of anthelmintics is banned, particularly if weaning and moving are combined or a second move is performed.     

Canine discoid lupus erythematosus

Two dogs were found to have clinical, histopathological and immunofluorescent findings compatible with a diagnosis of canine discoid lupus erythematosus. The primary lesions included erythema and depigmentation of the nasal planum. Both dogs responded favorably to systemic corticosteroid therapy.     

Enhancement of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis by modified-live infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus vaccine

The effects of a modified-live infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus vaccine (administered ocularly or intranasally) on experimentally induced infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis were evaluated. The modified-live infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus vaccine was administered to 13 male Holstein calves (intranasally in 4 and ocularly in 9; day 0). Five calves were not vaccinated and served as controls. Calves were examined daily and, starting on day 4, Moraxella bovis was administered ocularly to all 18 calves once daily for 4 days. The eyes of all calves were assigned a clinical score, and the ocular secretions were evaluated for presence of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus and M bovis daily until day 19. The severity of the ocular lesions was estimated by scoring the lesions clinically and by determining the protein concentration, myeloperoxidase activity, and WBC count in the tears. By day 5, conjunctivitis, chemosis, and epiphora were observed in all of the calves vaccinated ocularly. The calves vaccinated intranasally developed conjunctival plaques, but did not develop chemosis or photophobia. All of the calves developed keratitis after inoculation with M bovis. The median lesion scores were greater in both groups of vaccinated calves than in the controls. Corneal perforations developed exclusively in the vaccinated calves. The frequency of M bovis isolation from ocular secretions was significantly (P less than 0.05) greater in the vaccinated calves than in the controls. The tears from the intranasally vaccinated calves contained the highest myeloperoxidase activity and WBC count. The mean protein concentration in the tears of vaccinated calves was not significantly different from that in tears of controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)