Intra-nasal inoculation of American bison (Bison bison) with ovine herpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2) reliably reproduces malignant catarrhal fever

Sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) due to infection with ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2) is common in commercial herds of American bison ( Bison bison). Inability to propagate OvHV-2 in vitro has been a constraint on experimental studies of the disease. We sought to establish whether nasal secretions from sheep that shed OvHV-2 might induce the disease in bison and to define a minimum challenge dose. Fourteen bison were nebulized with sheep nasal sections containing 10(3)-10(7) OvHV-2 deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) copies. Most challenged bison (11/14, 78.6%) developed clinical signs at 29-52 days postnebulization (DPN). The mean incubation time was 42.18 (+/-7.33 SD) DPN. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction, we detected OvHV-2 DNA in peripheral blood leukocytes at 21-31 DPN. All bison that developed MCF had antibodies against the MCF group viruses. Gross and histologic lesions were typical of the acute disease. There was no morphologic evidence of a dose-related difference in the severity or distribution of lesions. This is the first successful reproduction of MCF in bison using a nasal route of exposure. Experimentally challenged bison are more susceptible to MCF, compared with experimentally challenged domestic cattle in a previous experiment. Bison are a pertinent ruminant species in which the pathogenesis of the disease can be investigated.     

Dimensionality-driven insulator-to-metal transition in the bechgaard salts

Optical experiments were conducted on a series of organic linear chain conductors with different values of the interchain single-electron transfer integral tb, which quantifies the degree of anisotropy. Electron-electron interactions together with Umklapp scattering resulted in a correlation gap and an insulating state for small tb. An insulator-to-metal transition was observed when tb exceeded a critical value, on the order of the correlation gap Egap. The absence of a plasma edge on the insulator side of the transition for polarization perpendicular to the chains suggests that the electrons are confined to the chains. The optical features of the metallic state, when contrasted with the magnetic properties, are suggestive of spin-charge separation.     

Development of an ELISA to detect antibodies to a protective lipopolysaccharide fraction of Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar hardjo in cattle.

Monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) were produced against Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar hardjo-type Bovis antigens. A panel of 28 Mabs were characterised. Only the nine Mabs toward a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) fraction of 18, 24 kDa bands and a 26-28 kDa smear showed agglutinating, leptospiricidal and growth-inhibition activities, and passively protected hamsters against renal infection with hardjo. They also reacted strongly in the CH-ELISA, captured killed whole hardjo leptospires, gave good fluorescence in indirect FAT against smears of hardjo culture and exhibited no cross reactivity with strains in heterologous serogroups. On the basis of optimal activity in a range of tests, one IgG class Mab (designated 25) was selected for use in an antibody-capture ELISA system for the detection of bovine anti-hardjo antibodies. The system gave a wide separation of absorbance values between positive and negative sera at a 1:10 dilution. The antibodies detected by this assay are believed to be protective anti-LPS IgG.     

Stability in reproductive timing and habitat usage of Chinook salmon across six years of varying environmental conditions and abundance

The spatial and temporal distribution of spawning activity by autumn‐run Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum) was examined across multiple years. The study period included two years of extreme drought conditions when water temperatures in the spawning reach of the Stanislaus River were considered sub‐optimal for spawning and egg incubation. Despite varying levels of superimposition, redd counts and densities remained stable and positively associated with river location, indicating that superimposition may be driven by habitat preference rather than the absence of suitable spawning locations. Spawning occurred slightly later during drought years (6–10 days later compared with wetter years). This delay was attributable to deferred migration instead of deferred spawning, and the majority of redds were constructed at water temperatures exceeding the optimal temperature range. As a consequence, estimates of juvenile production during 2014 and 2015 were among the lowest on record. These findings may be related in part to the high hatchery contribution to the population, above‐average temperatures during spawning and incubation, and superimposition rates. Management recommendations include adequate cold‐water storage in the upstream reservoir, refined spawning habitat restoration techniques in the light of superimposition rates and, on a broader system scale, actions that reduce the amount of stray hatchery Chinook salmon.     

Pelvic lymphoma as a cause of urethral compression in a mare

A 6-year-old mare was presented for evaluation of dysuria and pollakiuria. A pelvic mass, which caused obstruction of urinary outflow, was identified. Evidence of renal failure was also present. Due to poor prognosis the mare was euthanized. A postmortem examination revealed a pelvic lymphoma that surrounded and compressed the urethra.     

Estimating rates of mortality in stocks of Metapenaeus macleayi in estuaries of eastern Australia

Estimating rates of mortality is important for assessing stocks and for effectively managing seafood resources. This study reports the first estimates of rates of instantaneous fishing mortality (F) and natural mortality (M) for the commercially important school prawn, Metapenaeus macleayi. Replicated tag-recapture experiments were conducted on two stocks (Clarence River and Wallis Lake) to estimate the catchability coefficient (q) and F, whilst M was estimated from meta-analyses. Experiments were conducted across spatial and temporal scales to consider variability between stocks and variability between fisheries targeting this resource. The catchability coefficient was fitted to tag-recapture data in a population model across a range of M values (0.001-0.025 per day) and average daily F values were calculated. Values of q ranged between 2.03E−04 and 5.43E−02 and, 1.29E−04 and 3.41E−03 for the Clarence River and Wallis Lake stocks, respectively. Average daily F ranged between 2.86E−03 and 1.69 for the Clarence stock and 1.71E−03 and 3.44E−02 for the Wallis stock. With one exception (the November 2004 experiment) there were no differences in q and F values between experiments conducted on the Wallis Lake stock. For the Clarence stock values of q and F varied between years and within years. Factors thought to contribute to this variability were changes in prawn behaviour, differences in sizes of prawns tagged between experiments and differences in the survival of tagged prawns. The catchability coefficient for the Clarence River stock was weakly correlated to greater rates of river discharge. Estimates of F for the Wallis stock, the Clarence stock in 2004-05 and estimates of M were comparable to those reported for other penaeid fisheries world wide. There was no consistent pattern in comparisons of q and F values between the predominantly trawling operation of the Clarence River fishery and the seine netting of the fishery in Wallis Lake.     

Examining the Effect of Billboards in Shaping the Great Wolf Debate of the American West

Large carnivore reintroductions have become commonplace in modern conservation. Despite the benefits of such initiatives, conflict with humans can jeopardize their success. Reintroductions of grey wolves (Canis lupus) in the American West are particularly polarizing, and opposing views are often popularized through visual media. We examined public billboards, both for and against wolves, in eastern Washington State. We used social science concepts—framing, affect, and the psychology of advertising—to assess the billboards’ role in the wolf debate. We analyzed visual imagery, traced frames in newspaper articles, and conducted interviews with local stakeholders. Our results showed that the billboards attracted attention to the issue and increased tension within the debate. However, they were limited in their ability to stimulate engagement due to a discrepancy between their structure and intended impacts. Results suggested the necessity for careful selection of campaign techniques and focused alignment of imagery and frames.     

Effect of avian reoviruses on lymphoid organ weights and antibody response in chickens

Several avian reoviruses were screened to determine their effects on the immune system by inoculating them subcutaneously (SQ) into day-old chicks. For comparison, infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) was similarly evaluated. The response of the immune system was measured functionally by the hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) response to Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and structurally by changes in the organ-to-body-weight ratios of the bursa of Fabricius, thymus, and spleen. When inoculated SQ, most of the reoviruses caused transient alterations in lymphoid organ weights, decreasing the bursa weight and increasing the spleen weight. Of those reoviruses tested, only one--a commercial vaccine based on the isolate S-1133--demonstrated the ability to interfere significantly with NDV-HI responses, although several had numerically lower titers. Two of the isolates were also evaluated by oral inoculation. Giving the viruses orally did not cause any alterations in organ weights; however, both isolates depressed the HI response of chicks to NDV. Compared with reoviruses, IBDV significantly depressed NDV-HI titers. The structural responses to IBDV differed, however: IBDV significantly depressed bursa weights for all 3 weeks of the test period without affecting spleen weights. Some of the reovirus isolates inoculated SQ were lethal for day-old chicks. This, and their ability to alter the lymphoid-to-body-weight ratios of the spleen and bursa, could be considered valid criteria by which to study the pathogenesis of these agents.