Superconductivity and the d-Shell

The various isotope effects on the superconducting transition temperature of Mo(2)B and W(2)B have been measured. Together with resistivity data they indicate that the d-shell forms a highly stable electron configuration for molybdenum and tungsten. This leads to an understanding of high superconducting transition temperatures.     

Plant circadian clocks increase photosynthesis, growth, survival, and competitive advantage

Circadian clocks are believed to confer an advantage to plants, but the nature of that advantage has been unknown. We show that a substantial photosynthetic advantage is conferred by correct matching of the circadian clock period with that of the external light-dark cycle. In wild type and in long- and short-circadian period mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana, plants with a clock period matched to the environment contain more chlorophyll, fix more carbon, grow faster, and survive better than plants with circadian periods differing from their environment. This explains why plants gain advantage from circadian control.     

Evaluation of intrarenal mesenchymal stem cell injection for treatment of chronic kidney disease in cats: a pilot study

The feasibility of autologous intrarenal mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy in cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) was investigated. Six cats (two healthy, four with CKD) received a single unilateral intrarenal injection of autologous bone marrow-derived or adipose tissue-derived MSC (bmMSC or aMSC) via ultrasound guidance. Minimum database and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) via nuclear scintigraphy were determined pre-injection, at 7 days and at 30 days post-injection. Intrarenal injection did not induce immediate or long-term adverse effects. Two cats with CKD that received aMSC experienced modest improvement in GFR and a mild decrease in serum creatinine concentration. Despite the possible benefits of intrarenal MSC injections for CKD cats, the number of sedations and interventions required to implement this approach would likely preclude widespread clinical application. We concluded that MSC could be transferred safely by ultrasound-guided intrarenal injection in cats, but that alternative sources and routes of MSC therapy should be investigated.     

IT—Information Technology and the Human Interface: A Review of the Environmental Effects of Different Livestock Manure Storage Systems, and a Suggested Procedure for Assigning Environmental Ratings

There are concerns over a range of adverse environmental effects resulting from the storage of livestock manures on farms. The objectives of this study were to examine all the likely environmental effects of different storage methods, and to recommend which were the most desirable options.Literature reviews were undertaken to identify the likely environmental consequences of each commonly used storage method, in terms of water pollution risks, odour and ammonia emissions, greenhouse gas emissions and survival of microorganisms during storage. Planning and landscape aspects were considered and the most feasible options for abatement of ammonia emissions were identified. An ‘environmental rating’ for different storage systems was then devised, with the aim of obtaining a balance between water pollution, aerial emissions and other concerns.The environmental rating exercise favoured the more sophisticated and hence most expensive storage methods. No large differences emerged between ratings for slurry systems and solid systems when ease of adding ammonia control measures was excluded. For pigs, slurry systems appear to have a slight advantage, because of the greater ammonia emissions from the solid pig manure. The use of such a rating system could be developed further as more data become available. Whilst the method indicates the relative desirability of systems at a national scale it could be adapted to take account of local considerations or those of individual farm sites.