Mycobiome of the Bat White Nose Syndrome (WNS) Affected Caves and Mines reveals High Diversity of Fungi and Local Adaptation by the Fungal Pathogen Pseudogymnoascus (Geomyces) destructans

The investigations of the bat White Nose Syndrome (WNS) have yet to provide answers as to how the causative fungus Pseudogymnoascus (Geomyces) destructans (Pd) first appeared in the Northeast and how a single clone has spread rapidly in the US and Canada. We aimed to catalogue Pd and all other fungi (mycobiome) by the culture-dependent (CD) and culture-independent (CI) methods in four Mines and two Caves from the epicenter of WNS zoonotic. Six hundred sixty-five fungal isolates were obtained by CD method including the live recovery of Pd. Seven hundred three nucleotide sequences that met the definition of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were recovered by CI methods. Most OTUs belonged to unidentified clones deposited in the databases as environmental nucleic acid sequences (ENAS). The core mycobiome of WNS affected sites comprised of 46 species of fungi from 31 genera recovered in culture, and 17 fungal genera and 31 ENAS identified from clone libraries. Fungi such as Arthroderma spp., Geomyces spp., Kernia spp., Mortierella spp., Penicillium spp., and Verticillium spp. were predominant in culture while Ganoderma spp., Geomyces spp., Mortierella spp., Penicillium spp. and Trichosporon spp. were abundant is clone libraries. Alpha diversity analyses from CI data revealed that fungal community structure was highly diverse. However, the true species diversity remains undetermined due to under sampling. The frequent recovery of Pd indicated that the pathogen has adapted to WNS-afflicted habitats. Further, this study supports the hypothesis that Pd is an introduced species. These findings underscore the need for integrated WNS control measures that target both bats and the fungal pathogen.Comment: 59 pages, 7figure

A Generalized Hamiltonian-Based Algorithm for Rigorous Nonequilibrium Molecular Dynamics Simulation in the NVT Ensemble

Using a recently developed, methodical, Hamiltonian-based procedure, we derive rigorous algorithms for nonequilibrium molecular dynamic (NEMD) simulation in the NVE and NVT ensembles. We demonstrate that the equivalence of the kinetic temperature and configurational temperatures that exists at equilibrium is maintained in nonequilibrium states, given the proper nonequilibrium expression (in the microcanonical ensemble). Specifically, we apply the procedure to the p-SLLOD algorithm, which allows for rigorous NEMD simulation in the presence of an arbitrary, externally imposed flow field. The resulting algorithms are general in that they apply in the presence or absence of external fields in addition to the imposed flow field. Of particular note is the resulting algorithm for the canonical ensemble. The use of the Nosé-Hoover thermostat in the SLLOD and p-SLLOD algorithms has not been rigorously correct to date. We follow a methodical procedure to obtain a rigorous Hamiltonian-based NEMD algorithm using a reformulated Nosé-Hoover and Nosé-Poincaré thermostat. Although the resulting algorithms were unstable, it provided proof that it is the boundary conditions that drive the flow, contrary to the conventional belief that an external flow field has to be introduced into the equations of motion to simulate nonequilbrium flows

Mission At and From the Margins Patterns, Protagonists and Perspectives

It is our hope that these chapters, though fragmentary in nature, will provide glimpses of how the ‘margins’ can both inform and re-form missiological thought as we build further upon what has happened since Edinburgh 1910. These fragments are offered with the hope that they will not only feed and nourish but also provoke hunger for working towards God’s kingdom of justice and righteousness.https://scholar.csl.edu/edinburghcentenary/1016/thumbnail.jp

Evaluation of biorationals against thrips (Sdothrips cardamomi Ramk.) and shoot and capsule borer (Conogethes punctiferalis Guen.) in cardamom

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of biorationals in the management of thrips and shoot and capsule borer of cardamom. Among the biorationals evaluated, fish oil insecticidal soap (FOIS) (Na) 2.5% + tobacco extract 2.5% significantly reduced the damage caused by thrips. None of the treatments is effective for the control of shoot and capsule borer infestation on the capsules and all the treatments were on par with the control. Spraying quinalphos (0.05%) reduced the damage caused by thrips (6%) and increased the yield (391 g plant-1). Foraging activity of honey bees was highest in control plots. &nbsp

Energy-aware simulation with DVFS

International audienceIn recent years, research has been conducted in the area of large systems models, especially distributed systems, to analyze and understand their behavior. Simulators are now commonly used in this area and are becoming more complex. Most of them provide frameworks for simulating application scheduling in various Grid infrastructures, others are specifically developed for modeling networks, but only a few of them simulate energy-efficient algorithms. This article describes which tools need to be implemented in a simulator in order to support energy-aware experimentation. The emphasis is on DVFS simulation, from its implementation in the simulator CloudSim to the whole methodology adopted to validate its functioning. In addition, a scientific application is used as a use case in both experiments and simulations, where the close relationship between DVFS efficiency and hardware architecture is highlighted. A second use case using Cloud applications represented by DAGs, which is also a new functionality of CloudSim, demonstrates that the DVFS efficiency also depends on the intrinsic middleware behavior

Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial

Background Findings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy

Clonal Genotype of Geomyces destructans among Bats with White Nose Syndrome, New York, USA

The dispersal mechanism of Geomyces destructans, which causes geomycosis (white nose syndrome) in hibernating bats, remains unknown. Multiple gene genealogic analyses were conducted on 16 fungal isolates from diverse sites in New York State during 2008–2010. The results are consistent with the clonal dispersal of a single G. destructans genotype

In Support of a Patient-Driven Initiative and Petition to Lower the High Price of Cancer Drugs

Comment in Lowering the High Cost of Cancer Drugs--III. [Mayo Clin Proc. 2016] Lowering the High Cost of Cancer Drugs--I. [Mayo Clin Proc. 2016] Lowering the High Cost of Cancer Drugs--IV. [Mayo Clin Proc. 2016] In Reply--Lowering the High Cost of Cancer Drugs. [Mayo Clin Proc. 2016] US oncologists call for government regulation to curb drug price rises. [BMJ. 2015

Conversion of mini trawls (Thallumadi) into light fishing craft targeting belonids and hemiramphids along palk bay, southeast coast of India

The needlefish both full beak and halfbeaks support a good fishery in Tamil Nadu and exploited by drift gillnet (Mural valai). In this study, we were focused to document the conversion of Mini trawls (Thallumadi) into light fishing craft targeting Belonids and Hemiramphids along Palk Bay. The detailed survey was conducted in the six landing centres along Palk Bay. The fishing was mainly targeted to catch Tylosurus crocodilus from 2000 to 0300 hrs at the distance of 3-4 NM in the depth of 5 m. After reaching the fishing ground, the fishes are usually aggregated using LED lights. The fishermen use the scoop net to collect the fishes. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) ranged from 36 to 40 kg/Unit and the fishery was dominated by T. crocodilus (85%) followed by Hemiramphus far (9%) and Ablennes hians (6%). The net operating income for this fishery is higher than the mini trawl fishery

Lenalidomide and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma and impaired renal function: PrE1003, a PrECOG study

Renal insufficiency is common in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma and can often limit choice of therapy. Lenalidomide, a critical agent in the treatment of relapsed multiple myeloma, is renally cleared., This phase I/II trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of lenalidomide with dexamethasone in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma and renal insufficiency. Three groups were treated, with creatinine clearance 30–60 cc/hr (group A), CrCl \u3c 30 not on dialysis (group B), and patients on dialysis (group C) at escalating doses of lenalidomide. A total of 63 patients were treated and no DLTs were observed in phase I. All three groups were able to escalate to full dose lenalidomide 25 mg daily 21/28 days, although due to reduced accrual the phase II component was not entirely completed for groups B and C. Adverse events were as expected, including anemia, diarrhea and fatigue. Ten patients experienced grade 3–4 pneumonia. Overall response rate was 54% across all groups. PFS was 7.5 months and OS was 19.7 months. Lenalidomide can be given at full dose 25 mg daily 21/28 in patients with a CrCl \u3e 30, and can be given daily to those with CrCl \u3c 30, even when on dialysis, at doses of at least 15 mg daily