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An epidemiological investigation was conducted in an unvaccinated dairy farming enterprise in which three workers on one of the milking herds (Herd 1) were diagnosed with leptospirosis due to serovars Hardjo (H) (n = 2) and Pomona (P) (n = 1) between January and March 2015. Blood and urine samples were collected from milking cows in Herd 1 (N = 230) and Herd 2 (N = 400), rising one‐ (R1, N = 125) and rising two‐year‐old (R2, N = 130) replacement heifers, and four pigs associated with Herd 1, in March 2015. Sera were tested using the MAT for serovars H, P, Copenhageni (C), Ballum (B) and Tarassovi (T), and urine samples were tested by qPCR. Seventy‐five per cent of 109 cows in Herd 1 and 36% of 121 in Herd 2 were seropositive (≥48), predominantly to H and P, and 23% of 74 cows in Herd 1 and 1% of 90 cows in Herd 2 were qPCR positive. Fifty‐five per cent of 42 R2 heifers were seropositive to T. No R1 and 17% of 42 R2 heifers were qPCR positive. Subsequently, all cattle were vaccinated for H and P, and Herds 1 and 2 were given amoxicillin. After the booster vaccination, 7% of 91 in Herd 1, 2% of 82 in Herd 2 and 11% of 38 R1 heifers (sampled as R2) were PCR positive. After the amoxicillin treatment, no cows in Herd 1 and 5% of 62 cows in Herd 2 were urine PCR positive. Calves and pigs were seropositive to H, P, C and B. Vaccination and antibiotic treatment appeared effective in reducing the risk of exposure of workers to vaccine serovars. However, evidence of non‐vaccine serovars indicated that workers likely remain at risk of exposure to Leptospira. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a lack of information about how elevation affects the distribution of ship rats in New Zealand. In this study, ship rats (Rattus rattus) were captured in traps set along a 2 km elevational transect (455-1585 m a.s.l.) in beech (Nothofagaceae) forest and adjacent alpine tussock at Mt Misery, in Nelson Lakes National Park, from 1974 to 1993. A total of 118 rats were captured. In years with beech seed fall, upper range limits corresponded with the red beech forest (Fuscospora fusca) limit (~1030 m a.s.l.), with no rats caught above this line in the silver (Lophozonia menziesii) and mountain (F. cliffortioides) beech forest (1050-1408 m a.s.l.) or alpine zone (1425-1585 m a.s.l.). Binary generalised linear models indicated there is an indirect relationship between ship rat capture and temperature, as beech seed production, as well as decreasing elevation, were important predictors of rat capture. There was some evidence to suggest decreasing winter temperature and increasing annual precipitation also influenced ship rat capture and warrants further investigation. Our analyses provide an important insight into the drivers of ship rat elevational distribution, as well as providing a benchmark for comparing both current and future ship rat elevational distributions. Interrogation of more recent rat monitoring data from a range of beech forest types and sites is needed to test hypotheses around how warming temperatures, as predicted with climate change, will both directly and indirectly effect ship rat distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a novel system for producing the optimum power output from photovoltaic (PV) arrays using dynamic cell reconfiguration. The proposed approach is the first in the literature that creates strings using individual substrings that have been characterized and categorized ensuring maximum power extraction for a given irradiance profile. This optimized and decentralized PV architecture can produce significantly more power than a static equivalent (by an average of 22.6%) and also outperforms the sophisticated alternative known as an irradiance equalized dynamic photovoltaic array (IEq-DPVA) by an average of 13.7% for the relevant tests carried out. This paper identifies the hardware requirements to produce such a system and it describes an algorithm that performs the optimized-string reconfiguration strategy. Finally, a simulator programmed in MATLAB is used to compare the performance of the optimized-string DPVA against an IEq-DPVA in a series of flexibility tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes an improved strategy for the optimization of dynamic photovoltaic arrays (DPVAs) utilizing the “irradiance equalization” (IEq) reconfiguration strategy. This type of reconfigurable array is already very robust as it amalgamates the flexibility of dynamic reconfiguration with the averaging ability of total cross-tied array architecture. This paper identifies four areas to further increase the power yield and significantly reduce the time for a return on investment. Results indicate potential efficiency improvements of more than 10% in some cases, and between 4% and 10% across a number of random and abrupt shading conditions. As in any DPVA system, the proposed approaches require additional hardware and advanced control algorithms compared to a static PV array, but anyone implementing a dynamic array has already committed themselves to including the majority of this infrastructure. This investigation supports the idea of a fully dynamic IEq-DPVA with the ability to resize its array dimensions while implementing a rapid sorting algorithm based on information gathered using a novel precision irradiance profiling technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Embedding a micro-machined sensing element in a closed loop, force feedback system is a technique commonly used to realize high performance MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) sensors due to the advantages of better linearity, increased dynamic range and reduced parameter sensitivity. Electro-mechanical sigma delta modulators (EMΣΔ) have been proposed for this reason and high order loops have been shown to enjoy a good signal to noise ratio (SNR) of more than 100dB. It is also well known that achieving stability in high order EMΣΔs is a challenging task and in practice stability can be lost with large input signals or due to non-ideal effects in the circuits implemented. In this work we propose a novel differential frequency domain technique for closed loop control of micro-machined sensors. This method, called the electro-mechanical phase locked loop (EMPLL), uses a differential electro-mechanical phase locked loop to control and measure the deflection of micro-machined sensors. We believe that EMPLLs have the potential to have significant advantages over EMΣΔs for high performance MEMS sensors. Preliminary research suggests that this novel approach will lead to significant benefits in signal to noise ratio, parameter sensitivity, and input signal range. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Common, widespread species are important for ecosystem structure and function. Although such species have declined in some parts of the world, for most ecosystems there is a lack of information about changes in the population status of common species. We studied the abundance of common, widespread forest birds in Nelson Lakes National Park, New Zealand using standardised 5-min bird counts, carried out over a 30-year time span. There was a significant change in the bird community structure during this period. Five native species (bellbird, rifleman, grey warbler, New Zealand tomtit and tui) declined in abundance during the 30years. All of these declined in abundance at low but not high altitudes, and the decline was substantial for all but New Zealand tomtit and tui. Three other native species increased in abundance (silvereye, yellow-crowned parakeet and New Zealand robin). There was no change in the abundance of introduced blackbirds. We suggest that invasive alien species are the most likely cause of the ongoing declines in common native species. A peak in brushtail possum abundance and the arrival of a new species of Vespula wasp were two large changes in Nelson Lakes forests that occurred during this study. Both are likely to have added to the ongoing impacts of predation by introduced rats and stoats. We suggest that it is necessary to actively manage introduced species in order to maintain populations of widespread, common native bird species in New Zealand. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper describes how an intelligent chip architecture has allowed a large cohort of undergraduate (UG) students to be given effective practical insight into integrated circuit (IC) design by designing and manufacturing their own ICs. To achieve this, an efficient chip architecture, the "Superchip," was developed, which allows multiple student designs to be fabricated on a single IC, and encapsulated in a standard package without excessive cost in terms of time or resources. This paper demonstrates how the practical process has been tightly coupled with theoretical aspects of the degree course and how transferable skills are incorporated into the design exercise. Furthermore, the students are introduced at an early stage to the key concepts of teamwork, exposure to real deadlines, and collaborative report writing. This paper provides details of the teaching rationale, design exercise overview, design process, chip architecture, and test regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Purpose:: To determine whether transducers could provide a convenient method of measuring dentine permeability and to investigate the effects of removal of pulp tissue and perfusion time on the pressure increase across human dentine after low-pressure perfusion. Method:: Human premolar teeth that had been stored for 1–2 months were prepared for full crown preparations. The pulp tissue was removed from half the samples and all the coronal segments perfused with saline at 1.3kPa for varying times. An external pressure was then applied and the response within the pulp chambers recorded with transducers. Results:: Extirpation of pulp tissue reduced the rate of rise of pressure inside the pulp chamber by approximately 50%. Perfusion at 1.3kPa for up to 1h had no effect on pressure rise, but 6h of perfusion produced a very significant increase. Conclusion:: Transducers can provide a relatively simple, convenient and clinically relevant measurement of dentine permeability. For stored coronal segments that have been perfused at physiological pressures, extirpation of pulp tissue and perfusion time have significant effects on pressure transmission across dentine. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To provide evidence for an analgesic effect of antler pedicle compression or lidocaine‘ring block’ by comparing changes in median and spectral edge frequencies and total electroencephalographic (EEG) power during the application of each technique followed by antler removal.Twenty-nine 2-year-old red deer (Cervus elaphus) stags weighing 106–131 kg each were used in this study. Stags were carrying immature growing antler suitable for commercial harvest.Anaesthesia was induced using propofol (8.25 ± 1.28 mg kg−1) and ketamine (2.18 ± 0.15 mg kg−1) and maintained with halothane in oxygen. End-tidal halothane (Fe′HAL), expired CO2 tension (Pe′CO2), SpO2, EEG, ECG, and direct arterial blood pressures were recorded continuously. Respiratory rate and somatic responses were recorded at specific time points. After stabilization of anaesthesia (Fe′HAL was approximately 0.8%) baseline data were recorded. Stags were randomly allocated to one of three treatment groups; control, local anaesthesia, or compression band. One antler was removed 4 minutes after the application of treatment. Electroencephalographic responses to application of treatment and antler removal were analysed using area under the curve (AUC) analysis. Mean AUC was compared between groups usinganova, and when significant differences were found, groups were comparedpost hocwith two-tailedt-tests. Significance levels were set atp ≤ 0.05.Median frequency (F50) was increased during antler removal in the control group and during both application and antler removal in the compression group. In the lidocaine group,F50 was decreased during both application and antler removal. Spectral edge frequency (F95) was increased during the antler removal period in the control group and during both application and antler removal in the compression group. In the lidocaine group,F95 was decreased in the application time period. Total EEG power (Ptot) was decreased in the removal period in the control group. In the compression group,Ptot was decreased in the removal period. In the lidocaine group,Ptot was decreased in the application period. There were no significant differences in EEG variables between antler removal in the control group and application of compression (p = 0.19–0.96).These data suggest that lidocaine‘ring block’ of the antler pedicle provides adequate analgesia for velvet antler removal. The use of antler pedicle compression bands represents a noxious stimulus in its own right and is not as protective as lidocaine‘ring block’ against the noxious stimulus of surgical antler removal.Compression of the antler pedicle has been recommended as an alternative to lidocaine‘ring block’ for velvet antler removal. The results of this study suggest that antler pedicle compression is noxious. In addition, antler pedicle compression offers less effective analgesia than lidocaine‘ring block’. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a design application, the asymmetric digital sub- scriber line (ADSL) broad-band line transformer offers somewhat different challenges than those in power supply design. In this paper, we use simulation to analyze total harmonic distortion (THD) as affected by the nonlinear behavior of the magnetic material in a line transformer. We use a mixed-technology model of the line transformer and circuit simulation to predict the level of THD for a variety of core types and configurations. A comparison of the simulation results with measured THD figures demonstrates the accuracy of the models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We suggest a practical approach for modeling frequency-dependent losses in ferrite cores for circuit simulation. Previous work has concentrated on the effect of eddy-current losses on the shape of the B-H loop, but in this paper we look at the problem from the perspective of energy loss and propose a different network for accurately modeling power loss in ferrite cores. In power applications, the energy loss across the frequency range can have a profound effect on the efficiency of the system, and a simple ladder network in the magnetic domain is not always adequate for this task. Simulations and measurements demonstrate the difference in this approach from the ill ladder network models both in the small-signal and large-signal contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of the undergraduate courses in electronics and computer engineering in the School of Electronics and Computer Science at the University of Southampton, a significant proportion of laboratory time is devoted to a complete integrated circuit (IC) design from concept to fabrication and testing. An integral part of this work is the microscopy laboratory devoted to this design exercise. In this paper we show how microscopes are integrated into the wafer testing phase of the exercise and how the equipment has been customized to provide an effective introduction to the practical use of optical microscopes in electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on a study which described a computer software that integrates the optimization and parameter extraction methods, goal function, and modeling techniques involving magnetic materials. Description of the software structure; Discussion on software implementation; Optimization results for a toroid made of Philips 343 material; Modification to improve minor loop modeling.

Demonstrates how self-heating and dynamic thermal effects can be implemented in magnetic component models for application in circuit simulators. Simulation software used to analyze and refine the behavior of the circuit design; Proposed magnetic component model including dynamic thermal behavior; Spice listing of Jiles-Atherton model extended to include parameter variations with temperature.

Shows how to extract optimal parameters for the Jiles-Atherton model of hysteresis by the genetic algorithm approach. Outline of the genetic algorithm method; Discussion on optimizing the Jiles-Atherton model of hysteresis; Conclusion.

To meet sustainability objectives in the transport sector, natural fiber (NF) and recycled carbon fiber (RCF) have been developed, although they have been typically limited to low to medium performance components. This work has considered the effect of interlayer hybridization of woven NF and non-woven RCF with woven virgin carbon fibers (VCF) on the mechanical and damping performance of hybrid laminates, produced using double bag vacuum infusion (DBVI). The mean damping ratio of the pure laminates showed a trend of NF>RCF>VCF, which was inversely proportional to their modulus. The tensile, flexural and damping properties of hybrid laminates were dominated by the outermost ply. The VCF-RCF and VCF-NF hybrid laminates showed a comparatively greater mean damping ratio. The results of this work demonstrate a method for the uptake of alternative materials with a minimal impact on the mechanical properties and improved damping performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the literature on the diagnosis and management of acute pain conditions. Topics include the distinction of being case-based, with each of twenty-three clinical examples of acute pain leading to extensive evidence-based discussion, and the volume is then supplemented in the second half with a discussion on military has advanced regional anesthesia and analgesia.

An introduction to the journal is presented in which the author discusses an article on complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), the objectification of the diagnostic criteria for CRPS, and chronic post-ischemic pain.

An introductions is presented in which discusses several articles on topics including the overlap between chronic pain and mental health; the emphasis of the biomedical treatment for pain; and lack of psychologists and mental health professionals.

• Most sub-Saharan African countries have low and unequal access to electricity. • Multi-objective optimisation model integrates grid and off-grid electrification. • Solar energy is the cost-minimal strategy to minimise electrification inequality. • Off-grid electrification is a crucial component of all optimal solutions in Uganda. • Uganda's current official expansion plan is infeasible and would be sub-optimal. While electricity access is lowest in developing countries, the academic literature on generation expansion planning (GEP) has been informed almost exclusively by challenges in industrialised countries. This paper presents the first multi-objective, long-term energy planning optimisation model tailored towards national power systems with little existing power infrastructure. It determines the location, type, capacity and timing of power system infrastructure additions. Specifically, three novel generalisations of standard generation planning are introduced: (1) an expansion of the demand constraints to allow for industrial and household electrification rates below 100%, (2) a minimisation of sub-national energy access inequality in conjunction with minimising system costs considering environmental constraints, and (3) an integration of distribution infrastructure, explicitly including both on-grid and off-grid electrification. Using a specifically designed solution algorithm based on the ε-constraint method, the model was successfully applied to the previously unexplored Ugandan national power system case. The results suggest that while it is cost-optimal to maintain highly unequal sub-national access patterns to meet Uganda's official 80% electrification target in 2040, equal access rates across all districts can be achieved by increasing discounted system cost by only 3%. High optimal shares of locationally flexible on-grid and off-grid solar energy enable cheap sub-national shifts of generation capapcity. This paper strongly challenges the Ugandan government's nuclear energy and largely grid-based electrification expansion plans. Instead, it calls for solar concentrated power as a baseload option in the future and a focus on off-grid electrification which the model selects for the majority of household connections in 2040, even in a high-demand scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: Casein phosphopeptide–amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP–ACP) is a milk derivative which holds nanoclusters of calcium and phosphate ions. The presence of CPP–ACP has been found to reduce demineralization and enhance remineralization in subsurface enamel and in dentin. Incorporation of CPP–ACP into luting cements has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the effect on the physical properties of two commercially available zinc oxide non-eugenol temporary luting cements with incorporation of up to 8% (w/w) CPP–ACP. Methods: Setting time, compressive strength, diametral tensile strength, film thickness and solubility tests were investigated for 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 8.0% (w/w) CPP–ACP incorporated into Freegenol™ and Temp-Bond® NE. Tests were carried out based on ISO 3107 requirements. Results: Compressive and diametral tensile strengths progressively decreased with increasing concentrations of up to 8.0% (w/w) CPP–ACP incorporated into both Freegenol™ and Temp-Bond® NE. Setting time was delayed beyond ISO requirements. Film thickness was not adversely affected. Increased solubility of Temp-Bond® NE with 8.0% (w/w) CPP–ACP incorporation suggested an effect of the CPP–ACP on this property for this cement. Significance: The incorporation of up to 8.0% (w/w) CPP–ACP into two zinc oxide non-eugenol luting cements has no adverse effects on the film thickness, compressive strength and diametral tensile strength of the cements investigated. Solubility investigations suggest that CPP–ACP leaches out of the zinc oxide non-eugenol luting cements into an aqueous environment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A new methodology is presented to assure numerically reliable integration of the magnetization slope in the Jiles-Atherton model of ferromagnetic core hysteresis. Two hardware description language (HDL) implementations of the technique are presented: one in SystemC and the other in very-high-speed integrated circuit (VHSIC) HDL (VHDL) analog and mixed signal (AMS). The new model uses timeless discretization of the magnetization slope equation and provides superior accuracy and numerical stability especially at the discontinuity points that occur in hysteresis. Numerical integration of the magnetization slope is carried out by the model itself rather than by the underlying analog solver. The robustness of the model is demonstrated by practical simulations of examples involving both major and minor hysteresis loops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age‐related variation in reproductive performance in long‐lived iteroparous vertebrate species is common, with performance being influenced by within‐individual processes, such as improvement and senescence, in combination with among‐individual processes, such as selective appearance and disappearance. Few studies of age‐related reproductive performance have compared the role of these drivers within a metapopulation, subject to varying degrees of resource competition.We accounted for within‐ and among‐individual changes among known‐aged Adélie penguins Pygoscelis adeliae during 17 years (1997–2013), at three clustered colonies of disparate size, to understand patterns in age‐related reproductive success during early and late adulthood.Age at first reproduction (AFR) was lowest, and number of breeding attempts highest, at the largest colony. Regardless of AFR, success improved with early post‐recruitment experience. For both oldest and youngest recruitment groups, peak performance occurred at the end of their reproductive life span indicating a possible cost of reproduction. Intermediate recruitment groups reached peak performance in their mid‐reproductive life span and with intermediate breeding experience, before decreasing. Breeding success was lowest for the initial breeding attempt regardless of AFR, but we observed subsequent variation relative to recruitment age. Gaining experience by delaying recruitment positively influenced reproductive performance early in the reproductive life span and was most evident for the youngest breeders. Oldest recruits had the highest initial and peak breeding success. Differences in AFR resulted in trade‐offs in reproductive life span or timing of senescence but not in the overall number of breeding attempts.Patterns differed as a function of colony size, and thus competition for resources. Early life improvement in performance at the larger colonies was primarily due to within‐individual factors and at the largest colony, AFR. Regardless of colony size late‐life performance was positively related to the age at last reproduction, indicating selective disappearance of lower performing individuals.These results highlight that different life‐history strategies were equally successful, indicating that individuals can overcome potential trade‐offs associated with early‐ and late‐life performance. These results have important implications for understanding the evolution of life‐history strategies responsible for driving population change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human leptospirosis mainly affects people in close occupational contact with domestic livestock and their products in New Zealand. The disease has an unquantified impact on both human health and animal production in the country. This study aimed to estimate the burden of leptospirosis in terms of disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs) and cost associated with loss due to absence from work, treatment of disease, animal production loss and cost of vaccination. Methods: Previously published studies of abattoir workers farmers, and veterinarians, reporting annual risks of influenza‐like illness attributable to Leptospira infection, were used to estimate the expected number of cases in a year. The cost of lost animal production was based on results of observational studies in beef cattle, sheep and deer conducted in New Zealand. Results: Expected median annual number of severe and mild cases of human leptospirosis was 2,025 (95% probability interval [95% PI] 1,138–3,422). Median annual DALYs were 0.42 (95% PI: 0.06–2.40) per 100,000 people for the entire population, and 15.82 (95% PI: 2.09–90.80) per 100,000 people working in at‐risk occupations (i.e. abattoir workers, farmers and veterinarians). Human infection resulted in a median cost of 4.42 (95% PI: 2.04–8.62) million US dollars (USD) due to absence from work and disease treatment. Median production loss cost in beef cattle, sheep and deer was USD 7.92 (95% PI: 3.75–15.48) million, while median vaccination cost in cattle, (including dairy), sheep and deer was USD 6.15 (95% PI: 5.30–7.03) million. Total annual cost of leptospirosis plus vaccination was USD 18.80 (95% PI: 13.47–27.15) million, equivalent to USD 440,000 (95% PI: 320,000–640,000) per 100,000 people. Conclusion: This study provides an estimate of the disease burden and cost of leptospirosis in New Zealand that could support occupational health authorities and livestock industries in assessing interventions for this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors describe a component of Babson College's master of science in accounting program that links a technical analysis course with writing and oral communication courses to provide students with skills necessary to efficiently manage group-centered projects and effectively communicate technical information. Initial quantitative and qualitative results suggest that student outcomes are positive. The authors believe that their pedagogy can also be applied in other technical fields such as economics, engineering, statistics, and other quantitative disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In New Zealand, up to 97% of NZ sheep flocks are seropositive to Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Hardjo and/or Leptospira interrogans Pomona, yet vaccination is rare. This study evaluated the impact of exposure to these serovars and of vaccination on sheep growth. One third of 2260 ewe lambs on eight farms were randomly selected and vaccinated with a primary and booster bivalent Hardjo and Pomona vaccine starting at one month of age on seven farms and at around five months of age on one farm. Repeated blood samples were taken over one (n = 6 farms, bred as ewe lambs at 7–8 months of age) or two (n = 2 farms, bred as rising 2-year-old ewes) years and tested by microscopic agglutination test to assess exposure to Hardjo and Pomona. Individual weights were recorded at the same time and modelled using a multilevel linear model accounting for within-farm clustering and repeated measures. Predicted average weights were computed and compared based on the vaccination status and within the control group based on exposure status (positive for Hardjo only, Pomona only, Hardjo and Pomona and negative) for each combination of farm and weighing episode. Statistical significance of the comparison was evaluated after adjustment for multiple comparisons. There was no difference in average weight between vaccinated and control sheep before or after vaccination in any of the flocks. The comparison between sheep seropositive for either or both serovars and seronegative sheep was inconclusive, with variations of direction and magnitude of the difference between farms and weighing episodes. In the absence of an overall growth response to vaccination, widespread adoption of vaccination would unlikely yield an economic response at the industry level. However, the inconsistency observed when comparing animals based on their exposure status suggests that the actual effect of leptospirosis on growth is difficult to predict. A study of the effect on sheep reproduction is needed to fully assess the effect of vaccination on sheep production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most New Zealand sheep flocks are seropositive to Leptospira serovars Hardjo and/or Pomona, yet vaccination is rare. This study evaluated the impact of exposure to these serovars and of vaccination, on primiparous one- (P1) and two-year-old (P2) sheep reproduction outcomes. The study was designed as a split-flock vaccination trial, with a third of the animals vaccinated starting at one month of age. Reproduction outcomes were the proportion of bred P1 (7 months old) and as P2 (19 months old) scanned pregnant, the proportion of pregnant ewes rearing a lamb to tail docking and the proportion of docked lambs that were weaned. Odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated to compare reproductive performance between vaccinated and control sheep, and within the control group, between seropositive and seronegative sheep. Odds ratios (OR) were also calculated to assess the relationship between vaccination and loss to follow-up. There was no difference in pregnancy and docking rates between vaccinated and control sheep, or between seropositive and seronegative sheep. P1 with a Hardjo titre ≥1536 were significantly less likely (OR = 0.41, 95%CI = 0.19–0.93) to keep a lamb between docking and weaning than P1 with both Hardjo and Pomona titres <1536, for an observed difference in weaning rate of up to 22.6% points on one farm. A reduction of weaning rates in 2-tooths seropositive for Pomona alone and both Hardjo and Pomona was observed but this was non-significant, possibly because of a lack of power. No difference in weaning rate was observed between vaccinated and control P1 or P2. On one farm vaccinated P1 were less likely to be lost to follow-up (OR = 0.27, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.95) between breeding and weaning. Comparing reproductive performance of vaccinated and control sheep revealed no significant difference. However, comparing exposed and non-exposed ewes revealed a possible adverse effect of Leptospira on weaning rates. This suggests that a full vaccination program may result in an improvement of reproductive outcomes, possibly by providing herd immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L. borgpetersenii serovar Hardjo and L. interrogans serovar Pomona are endemic in New Zealand sheep. An effective vaccine and vaccination strategy would protect both humans and livestock. Four to 12 lambs were selected from each of eight farms (total = 84, vaccinated group), while four to 16 lambs (total = 98) served as unvaccinated controls. A commercial Hardjo/Pomona vaccine was given at 1–6 weeks of age, 5–11 weeks later and 33–67 weeks later on seven farms and at 18 weeks of age and 5 weeks later on the eighth farm. Vaccinates and controls were grazed together. Blood was regularly collected from the control group to assess flock exposure. Urine was collected from both groups 26–82 weeks after the second vaccination and tested by quantitative PCR. Seroprevalence in controls at the time of urine sampling ranged from 2.7 to 98.2% for Hardjo and from 0 to 54.1% for Pomona with seroconversion occurring 13 to 67 weeks after the second vaccination in all but one farm where exposure had happened by the time of vaccination. The shedding prevalence adjusted for clustering in farms was 45.1% [95% CI 17.6–72.7] (for an observed number of 50/98) in the control animals and 1.8% [95% CI 0.0–10.1] (for an observed number of 5/84) in the vaccinated animals. The vaccine was 100% effective on five farms where animals were vaccinated before 12 weeks of age and before natural exposure occurred, but the effectiveness was 80% [0–97] on one farm where the lambs were exposed before vaccination and 65% [9–87] to 80% [0–97] on one farm where the animals were fully vaccinated by 24 weeks of age. The overall vaccine effectiveness was 86.3% [63.6–94.8%] despite maternal antibodies in some flocks at first vaccination. Vaccination timing seemed to be crucial in achieving optimum reduction in shedding in urine in vaccinated sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurements of the size of Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) colonies of the southern Ross Sea are among the longest biologic time series in the Antarctic. We present an assessment of recent annual variation and trends in abundance and growth rates of these colonies, adding to the published record not updated for more than two decades. High angle oblique aerial photographic surveys of colonies were acquired and penguins counted for the breeding seasons 1981–2012. In the last four years the numbers of Adélie penguins in the Ross and Beaufort Island colonies (southern Ross Sea metapopulation) reached their highest levels since aerial counts began in 1981. Results indicated that 855,625 pairs of Adélie penguins established breeding territories in the western Ross Sea, with just over a quarter (28%) of those in the southern portion, constituting a semi-isolated metapopulation (three colonies on Ross Island, one on nearby Beaufort Island). The southern population had a negative per capita growth rate of −0.019 during 1981–2000, followed by a positive per capita growth rate of 0.067 for 2001–2012. Colony growth rates for this metapopulation showed striking synchrony through time, indicating that large-scale factors influenced their annual growth. In contrast to the increased colony sizes in the southern population, the patterns of change among colonies of the northern Ross Sea were difficult to characterize. Trends were similar to southern colonies until the mid-1990s, after which the signal was lost owing to significantly reduced frequency of surveys. Both climate factors and recovery of whale populations likely played roles in the trends among southern colonies until 2000, after which depletion of another trophic competitor, the Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni), may explain the sharp increasing trend evident since then. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mast-seeding plants often produce high seed crops the year after a warm spring or summer, but the warm-temperature model has inconsistent predictive ability. Here, we show for 26 long-term data sets from five plant families that the temperature difference between the two previous summers (ΔT) better predicts seed crops. This discovery explains how masting species tailor their flowering patterns to sites across altitudinal temperature gradients; predicts that masting will be unaffected by increasing mean temperatures under climate change; improves prediction of impacts on seed consumers; demonstrates that strongly masting species are hypersensitive to climate; explains the rarity of consecutive high-seed years without invoking resource constraints; and generates hypotheses about physiological mechanisms in plants and insect seed predators. For plants, ΔT has many attributes of an ideal cue. This temperature-difference model clarifies our understanding of mast seeding under environmental change, and could also be applied to other cues, such as rainfall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The role of preoperative gabapentin in postoperative pain management is not clear, particularly in patients receiving regional blockade. Patients undergoing thoracotomy benefit from epidural analgesia but still may experience significant postoperative pain. We examined the effect of preoperative gabapentin in thoracotomy patients. Methods: Adults undergoing elective thoracotomy were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study, and randomly assigned to receive 600 mg gabapentin or active placebo (12.5 mg diphenhydramine) orally within 2 hours preoperatively. Standardized management included thoracic epidural infusion, intravenous patient-controlled opioid analgesia, acetaminophen and ketorolac. Pain scores, opioid use and side effects were recorded for 48 hours. Pain was also assessed at 3 months. Results: One hundred twenty patients (63 placebo and 57 gabapentin) were studied. Pain scores did not significantly differ at any time point ( P = 0.53). Parenteral and oral opioid consumption was not significantly different between groups on postoperative day 1 or 2 ( P > 0.05 in both cases). The frequency of side effects such as nausea and vomiting or respiratory depression was not significantly different between groups, but gabapentin was associated with decreased frequency of pruritus requiring nalbuphine (14% gabapentin vs. 43% control group, P < 0.001). The frequency of patients experiencing pain at 3 months post-thoracotomy was also comparable between groups (70% gabapentin vs. 66% placebo group, P = 0.72). Conclusions: A single preoperative oral dose of gabapentin (600 mg) did not reduce pain scores or opioid consumption following elective thoracotomy, and did not confer any analgesic benefit in the setting of effective multimodal analgesia that included thoracic epidural infusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In animal populations, a minority of individuals consistently achieves the highest breeding success and therefore contributes the most recruits to future generations. On average, foraging performance is important in determining breeding success at the population level, but evidence is scarce to show that more successful breeders (better breeders) forage differently than less successful ones (poorer breeders). To test this hypothesis, we used a 10-year, three-colony, individual-based longitudinal data set on breeding success and foraging parameters of a long-lived bird, the Adélie Penguin, Pygoscelis adeliae. Better breeders foraged more efficiently than poorer breeders under harsh environmental conditions and when offspring needs were higher, therefore gaining higher net energy profit to be allocated to reproduction and survival. These results imply that adverse "extrinsic" conditions might select breeding individuals on the basis of their foraging ability. Adélie Penguins show sufficient phenotypic plasticity that at least a portion of the population is capable of surviving and successfully reproducing despite extreme variability in their physical and biological environment, variability that is likely to be associated with climate change and, ultimately, with the species' evolution. This study is the first to demonstrate the importance of "extrinsic" conditions (in terms of environmental conditions and offspring needs) on the relationship between foraging behavior and individual quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New technologies enable tracking of the route, duration, and destination of previously unassessed long-distance movements. Fledgling Australasian Gannets Morus serrator from breeding populations in New Zealand had been reported to fly across the Tasman Sea to Australia, with this historic knowledge derived from the recovery of banded carcasses and from observations of initial flight direction. We deployed Argos satellite devices on ten M. serrator fledglings at Cape Kidnappers Gannetry, North Island, New Zealand, across 2 years. Birds that were tracked leaving the colony initially appeared to have landed on the sea. A male bird and two female birds were tracked moving along the east coast to the south tip of New Zealand. The two females then crossed the Tasman Sea to eastern Australian coastal waters in 4 and 5 days, respectively. We suggest that, contrary to historic reports, the route via Stewart Island constitutes a realized migration path for fledglings from Cape Kidnappers, which might minimize the distance traveled across the open sea to southeastern Australia or Tasmania. Our results further imply that initial direction of flight needs not be indicative of the subsequent migration route taken by M. serrator. This highlights the importance of direct tracking technology for adequate assessment of dispersal and migration in seabirds and other highly mobile species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]