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Atypical analgesics include antiepileptics and other membrane stabilizers (lidocaine and mexilitine), antidepressants, alpha-2-noradrenergic agonists, N-methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) antagonists, corticosteroids and cannabinoids. This review will focus on three drugs commonly infused as intravenous co-analgesics. We will review the theoretical mechanisms of action, efficacy and clinical effectiveness of lidocaine, ketamine and magnesium. The evidence base supporting their use has expanded in recent years and is discussed below. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted shipboard microcosm experiments at both off-shore (SEATS) and near-shore (D001) stations in the northern South China Sea (NSCS) under three treatments, low temperature and low p CO 2 (LTLC), high temperature and low p CO 2 (HTLC), and high temperature and high p CO 2 (HTHC). Biomass of phytoplankton at both stations were enhanced by HT. HTHC did not affect phytoplankton biomass at station D001 but decreased it at station SEATS. HT alone increased net primary productivity by 234% at station SEATS and by 67% at station D001 but the stimulating effect disappeared when HC was combined. HT also increased respiration rate by 236% at station SEATS and by 87% at station D001 whereas HTHC reduced it by 61% at station SEATS and did not affect it at station D001. Overall, our findings indicate that the positive effect of ocean warming on phytoplankton assemblages in NSCS could be damped or offset by ocean acidification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Positive associations between medication adherence and beneficial outcomes primarily come from studying filling/consumption behaviors after therapy initiation. Few studies have focused on what happens before initiation, the point from prescribing to dispensing of an initial prescription. Objective Our objective was to provide guidance and encourage high-quality research on the relationship between beneficial outcomes and initial medication adherence (IMA), the rate initially prescribed medication is dispensed. Methods Using generic adherence terms, an international research panel identified IMA publications from 1966 to 2014. Their data sources were classified as to whether the primary source reflected the perspective of a prescriber, patient, or pharmacist or a combined perspective. Terminology and methodological differences were documented among core (essential elements of presented and unpresented prescribing events and claimed and unclaimed dispensing events regardless of setting), supplemental (refined for accuracy), and contextual (setting-specific) design parameters. Recommendations were made to encourage and guide future research. Results The 45 IMA studies identified used multiple terms for IMA and operationalized measurements differently. Primary data sources reflecting a prescriber’s and pharmacist’s perspective potentially misclassified core parameters more often with shorter/nonexistent pre- and postperiods (1–14 days) than did a combined perspective. Only a few studies addressed supplemental issues, and minimal contextual information was provided. Conclusions General recommendations are to use IMA as the standard nomenclature, rigorously identify all data sources, and delineate all design parameters. Specific methodological recommendations include providing convincing evidence that initial prescribing and dispensing events are identified, supplemental parameters incorporating perspective and substitution biases are addressed, and contextual parameters are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper demonstrates a methodology for the automatic joint interpretation of high resolution airborne geophysical and space-borne remote sensing data to support geological mapping in a largely automated, fast and objective manner. At the request of the Geological Survey of Namibia (GSN), part of the Gordonia Subprovince of the Namaqua Metamorphic Belt situated in southern Namibia was selected for this study. All data – covering an area of 120 km by 100 km in size – were gridded, with a spacing of adjacent data points of only 200 m. The data points were coincident for all data sets. Published criteria were used to characterize the airborne magnetic data and to establish a set of attributes suitable for the recognition of linear features and their pattern within the study area. This multi-attribute analysis of the airborne magnetic data provided the magnetic lineament pattern of the study area. To obtain a (pseudo-) lithology map of the area, the high resolution airborne gamma-ray data were integrated with selected Landsat band data using unsupervised fuzzy partitioning clustering. The outcome of this unsupervised clustering is a classified (zonal) map which in terms of the power of spatial resolution is superior to any regional geological mapping. The classified zones are then assigned geological/geophysical parameters and attributes known from the study area, e.g. lithology, physical rock properties, age, chemical composition, geophysical field characteristics, etc. This information is obtained from the examination of archived geological reports, borehole logs, any kind of existing geological/geophysical data and maps as well as ground truth controls where deemed necessary. To obtain a confidence measure validating the unsupervised fuzzy clustering results and receive a quality criterion of the classified zones, stepwise linear discriminant analysis was chosen. Only a small percentage (8%) of the samples was misclassified by discriminant analysis when compared to the result obtained from unsupervised fuzzy clustering. Furthermore, a comparison of the aposterior probability of class assignment with the trustworthiness values provided by fuzzy clustering also indicates only slight differences. These observed differences can be explained by the exponential class probability term which tends to deliver either fairly high or low probability values. The methodology and results presented here demonstrate that automated objective pattern recognition can essentially contribute to geological mapping of large study areas and mineral exploration target generation. This methodology is considered well suited to a number of African countries whose large territories have recently been covered by high resolution airborne geophysical data, but where existing geological mapping is poor, incomplete or outdated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The capacitive imaging (CI) technique has been successfully used in many NDE applications. Previous work of the CI technique has been focused on exploring the application range of this technique, and the factors that may affect the imaging performance have never been studied systematically. In this work, the factors influencing the imaging performance of the CI technique on both non-conducting and conducting specimens are discussed and studied experimentally. The studies of the factors are helpful for understanding the relationship between the experiment conditions and the CI performance and may provide indications on how to improve the CI performance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, the measurement sensitivity distributions of coplanar capacitive imaging probes are studied. An equation to calculate measurement sensitivity distribution of a coplanar capacitive sensor was derived. The measurement sensitivity distribution of a coplanar capacitive imaging (CI) probe with two back-to-back triangular electrodes was obtained both from finite element (FE) models and experiment. The effects of specimen under test on the measurement sensitivity distribution were discussed. The measurement sensitivity distribution is useful to evaluate the imaging ability of coplanar capacitive probes with different design parameters and to retrieve the actual shape of the targeted feature. The concept of negative sensitivity has also been introduced, and experiments were also performed so as to verify the existence of negative sensitivity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper introduces an improved image processing method useable in capacitive imaging applications. Standard capacitive imaging tends to prefer amplitude-based images over the use of phase due to better signal-to-noise ratios. The new approach exploits the best features of both types of information by combining them to form clearer images, hence improving both defect detection and characterization in non-destructive evaluation. The methodology is demonstrated and optimized using a benchmark sample. Additional experiments on glass fibre composite sample illustrate the advantages of the technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper describes the application of the capacitive imaging (CI) technique to the detection of surface features on conducting specimens. The fundamental theory of the CI technique was briefly described. Comparison was made between the CI technique and the eddy current approach. A two-dimensional finite-element method was employed to model the electric field distribution from the CI probe, and how it interacts with conducting specimens through an insulation layer. Experiments using prototype CI probes were carried out. Effects of electrical conditions of the conducting specimen, lift-off distances and thicknesses of insulation between the CI probe and the conducting specimen were studied. The proof-of-concept results indicated that the CI technique is sensitive to surface features on conducting specimens through a significant air gap and/or insulation layer, thus could be used to detect Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To determine revealed pharmacy preference and predictors among patients enrolled in a pharmacy benefit that offered a 90-day supply of prescriptions via mail service and community pharmacy channels, with no differences in out-of-pocket costs. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: United States in 2008-09. Patients: 324,968 commercially insured participants enrolled in plans that required use of mail service pharmacy for maintenance medications. Intervention: Implementation of a pharmacy benefit design with optional use of either mail service or community pharmacy for 90-day supply prescriptions. Main outcome measures: Selection rates of mail service and community pharmacy and adjusted odds ratios for predicting community pharmacy for selected characteristics. Results: In the first 4 months of the benefit design, 31.8% of participants previously mandated to use mail service pharmacy elected to fill 90-day prescriptions at community pharmacies. Selection of community pharmacy ranged from a low of 23.7% (previous mail service pharmacy users) to 66.3% (previous community pharmacy users). Among those initiating therapy, 44.3% selected community pharmacy for their new prescriptions, and among those with no previous mail use, 68% selected community pharmacy for new prescriptions. Preference for community/mail service pharmacy was dependent on numerous characteristics, including age, gender, household income, region, driving distance (time), and concomitant medication use. Conclusion: Patient behavior indicates that certain patients prefer to access prescription medications via mail service and others through community pharmacy channels. Restrictive benefit designs that incentivize patients to use less preferable pharmacy channels may adversely affect patient convenience, which could have the unintended consequence of reducing medication use and adherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulse-compression infrared thermography is an emerging nondestructive testing and evaluation technique. An analysis of the main issues hampering the full exploitation of this technique is presented from both theoretical and experimental point of view and various strategies are introduced to overcome these problems and optimize the defect detection performance. A comparison between conventional pulse-compression thermography procedures and the proposed one is reported, using an LED modulated with a Barker sequence as coded excitation, and a carbon fibre composite benchmark sample containing artificial defects at different depths. The experimental results show that the suggested signal processing procedure assures a higher SNR and hence an improved defect detection capability. In addition, a time-analysis of such signals allows the correlation between the depth of defects and heat diffusion time to be more clearly identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An acoustic resonator system has been investigated for the manipulation and entrapment of micron-sized particles in air. Careful consideration of the effect of the thickness and properties of the materials used in the design of the resonator was needed to ensure an optimised resonator. This was achieved using both analytical and finite-element modelling, as well as predictions of acoustic attenuation in air as a function of frequency over the 0.8 to 2.0 MHz frequency range. This resulted in a prediction of the likely operational frequency range to obtain particle manipulation. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate good capture of particles as small as 15 μm in diameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Delaware Inland Bays (DIB) have experienced harmful algal blooms of dinoflagellates and raphidophytes in recent years. We used quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) techniques to investigate the community dynamics of three DIB dinoflagellates (Karlodinium veneficum, Gyrodinium instriatum, and Prorocentrum minimum) and one raphidophyte (Heterosigma akashiwo) at a single site in the DIB (IR-32) in summer 2006 relative to salinity, temperature and nutrient concentrations. We also carried out complementary laboratory culture studies. New primers and probes were developed and validated for the 18S rRNA genes in the three dinoflagellates. K. veneficum, H. akashiwo, and G. instriatum were present in almost all samples throughout the summer of 2006. In contrast, P. minimum was undetectable in late June through September, when temperatures ranged from 20 to 30°C (average 25.7°C). Dissolved nutrients ranged from 0.1 to 2.8μM PO4 3− (median=0.3μM), 0.7–30.2μM NO x (median=12.9μM), and 0–19.4μM NH4 + (median=0.7μM). Dissolved N:P ratios covered a wide range from 2.6 to 177, with a median of 40. There was considerable variability in occurrence of the four species versus nutrients, but in general P. minimum and H. akashiwo were most abundant at higher (>40) N:P ratios and dissolved nitrogen concentrations, while K. veneficum and G. instriatum were most abundant at low dissolved N:P ratios (<20) and dissolved nitrogen concentrations<10μM. The semi-continuous laboratory competition experiment used mixed cultures of K. veneficum, P. minimum, and H. akashiwo grown at dissolved N:P ratios of 5, 16, and 25. At an N:P of 16 and 25 P. minimum was the dominant alga at the end of the experiment, even at a temperature that was much higher than that at which this alga was found to bloom in the field (27°C). P. minimum and H. akashiwo had highest densities in the N:P of 25. K. veneficum grew equally well at all three N:P ratios, and was co-dominant at times at an N:P of 5. H. akashiwo had the lowest densities of the three algae in the laboratory experiment. Laboratory and field results showed both interesting similarities and significant differences in the influences of important environmental factors on competition between these harmful algal species, suggesting the need for more work to fully understand HAB dynamics in the DIB. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper describes the application of a non-contact ultrasonic system to food inspection, using electrostatic transducers and signal processing techniques. The system, which operates in through-transmission mode, is used to detect physiochemical changes and density variations in food. One application is to monitor coagulation processes, caused by destabilization in milk-based products. It is shown that the amplitude of the signal varies with time after the pH of such samples was lowered, resulting in destabilisation. Various types of samples of different pH values were used in order to illustrate that the air-coupled system was sensitive to such changes. Non-contact imaging has also been performed to follow this process, during which gel formation could be identified. In addition, changes in oil properties due to temperature variations have also been measured using the non-contact system. The measurements can be achieved without contact to the test samples, and thus has the potential for the rapid inspection of various types of food products. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: A broad literature base exists for measuring medication adherence to monotherapeutic regimens, but publications are less extensive for measuring adherence to multiple medications.Objectives: To identify and characterize the multiple medication adherence (MMA) methods used in the literature.Methods: A literature search was conducted using PubMed, PsycINFO, the International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and the Cochrane Library databases on methods used to measure MMA published between January 1973 and May 2015. A two-step screening process was used; all abstracts were screened by pairs of researchers independently, followed by a full-text review identifying the method for calculating MMA. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed to conduct this systematic review. For studies that met the eligibility criteria, general study and adherence-specific characteristics and the number and type of MMA measurement methods were summarized.Results: The 147 studies that were included originated from 32 countries, in 13 disease states. Of these studies, 26 used proportion of days covered, 23 used medication possession ratio, and 72 used self-reported questionnaires (e.g., the Morisky Scale) to assess MMA. About 50% of the studies included more than one method for measuring MMA, and different variations of medication possession ratio and proportion of days covered were used for measuring MMA.Conclusions: There appears to be no standardized method to measure MMA. With an increasing prevalence of polypharmacy, more efforts should be directed toward constructing robust measures suitable to evaluate adherence to complex regimens. Future research to understand the validity and reliability of MMA measures and their effects on objective clinical outcomes is also needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mesocosm experiment was conducted in Wuyuan Bay (Xiamen), China, to investigate the effects of elevated p CO 2 on bloom formation by phytoplankton species previously studied in laboratory-based ocean acidification experiments, to determine if the indoor-grown species performed similarly in mesocosms under more realistic environmental conditions. We measured biomass, primary productivity and particulate organic carbon (POC) as well as particulate organic nitrogen (PON). Phaeodactylum tricornutum outcompeted Thalassiosira weissflogii and Emiliania huxleyi, comprising more than 99% of the final biomass. Mainly through a capacity to tolerate nutrient-limited situations, P. tricornutum showed a powerful sustained presence during the plateau phase of growth. Significant differences between high and low CO 2 treatments were found in cell concentration, cumulative primary productivity and POC in the plateau phase but not during the exponential phase of growth. Compared to the low p CO 2 (LC) treatment, POC increased by 45.8–101.9% in the high p CO 2 (HC) treated cells during the bloom period. Furthermore, respiratory carbon losses of gross primary productivity were found to comprise 39–64% for the LC and 31–41% for the HC mesocosms (daytime C fixation) in phase II. Our results suggest that the duration and characteristics of a diatom bloom can be affected by elevated p CO 2 . Effects of elevated p CO 2 observed in the laboratory cannot be reliably extrapolated to large scale mesocosms with multiple influencing factors, especially during intense algal blooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The toxic diatom genus Pseudo-nitzschia produces environmentally damaging harmful algal blooms (HABs) along the U.S. west coast and elsewhere, and a recent ocean warming event coincided with toxic blooms of record extent. This study examined the effects of temperature on growth, domoic acid toxin production, and competitive dominance of two Pseudo-nitzschia species from Southern California. Growth rates of cultured P. australis were maximal at 23 °C (∼0.8 d −1 ), similar to the maximum temperature recorded during the 2014–2015 warming anomaly, and decreased to ∼0.1 d −1 by 30 °C. In contrast, cellular domoic acid concentrations only became detectable at 23 °C, and increased to maximum levels at 30 °C. In two incubation experiments using natural Southern California phytoplankton communities, warming also increased the relative abundance of another potentially toxic local species, P . delicatissima. These results suggest that both the toxicity and the competitive success of particular Pseudo-nitzschia spp. can be positively correlated with temperature, and therefore there is a need to determine whether harmful blooms of this diatom genus may be increasingly prevalent in a warmer future coastal ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Conditioning of a clonal culture of Alexandrium catenella to a factorial combination of environmental change variables; CO2, temperature, phosphorus. [•] Measurements of growth and cellular toxins after eight months of conditioning. [•] Increased CO2 led to enhanced cellular toxicity. [•] Combined high CO2, low temperature and phosphate-limitation were the ‘most toxic’. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: During two cruises to the Ross Sea, Antarctica in austral spring and summer, fast repetition rate fluorometry was used to investigate the relationship between phytoplankton photophysiology and water mass characteristics, micronutrient availability, and composition. Particulate organic matter proxies for phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll a, particulate organic carbon and nitrogen, and biogenic silica) were all elevated in the photic zone during spring and summer. Biogenic silica concentrations were an order of magnitude higher in summer relative to spring, reflecting a shift in composition from Phaoecystis antarctica to diatoms. Quantum yields of PS II (F v /F m ) were generally higher in spring relative to summer, coincident with weaker vertical and horizontal gradients in hydrographic properties. Reduced F v /F m values (<0.4) were observed in the upper 30m in both seasons, with maximum values (ca. 0.55) observed near base and below the euphotic zone. No significant relationship between F v /F m values and dissolved Fe could be identified in the merged spring/summer data set. Functional absorption cross sections were significantly higher in spring than summer, presumably reflecting adaptations to lower irradiance in spring; little variation with depth was observed. Phytoplankton composition did not appear to be a major determinant of bulk quantum yield, although diatom-dominated waters exhibited significantly higher functional absorption cross sections when compared to waters dominated by P. antarctica. Dominance of P. antarctica appears to be related to greater photophysiological resilience and faster photoacclimation to changing light conditions, whereas diatoms were prevalent in shallow summer mixed layers, which likely reflects their enhanced photosynthetic capacity at high irradiance levels. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

ABSTRACT: Objectives: Numerous factors influencing medication adherence in chronically ill patients are well documented, but the paucity of studies concerning initial treatment course experiences represents a significant knowledge gap. As interventions targeting this crucial first phase can affect long-term adherence and outcomes, an international panel conducted a systematic literature review targeting behavioral or psychosocial risk factors. Methods: Eligible published articles presenting primary data from 1966 to 2011 were abstracted by independent reviewers through a validated quality instrument, documenting terminology, methodological approaches, and factors associated with initial adherence problems. Results: We identified 865 potentially relevant publications; on full review, 24 met eligibility criteria. The mean Nichol quality score was 47.2 (range 19–74), with excellent reviewer concordance (0.966, P < 0.01). The most prevalent pharmacotherapy terminology was initial, primary, or first-fill adherence. Articles described the following factors commonly associated with initial nonadherence: patient characteristics (n = 16), medication class (n = 12), physical comorbidities (n = 12), pharmacy co-payments or medication costs (n = 12), health beliefs and provider communication (n = 5), and other issues. Few studies reported health system factors, such as pharmacy information, prescribing provider licensure, or nonpatient dynamics. Conclusions: Several methodological challenges synthesizing the findings were observed. Despite implications for continued medication adherence and clinical outcomes, relatively few articles directly examined issues associated with initial adherence. Notwithstanding this lack of information, many observed factors associated with nonadherence are amenable to potential interventions, establishing a solid foundation for appropriate ongoing behaviors. Besides clarifying definitions and methodology, future research should continue investigating initial prescriptions, treatment barriers, and organizational efforts to promote better long-term adherence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Very little is known about how global anthropogenic changes will affect major harmful algal bloom groups. Shifts in the growth and physiology of HAB species like the raphidophyte Heterosigma akashiwo and the dinoflagellate Prorocentrum minimum due to rising CO2 and temperature could alter their relative abundance and environmental impacts in estuaries where both form blooms, such as the Delaware Inland Bays (DIB). We grew semi-continuous cultures of sympatric DIB isolates of these two species under four conditions: (1) 20°C and 375ppm CO2 (ambient control), (2) 20°C and 750ppm CO2 (high CO2), (3) 24°C and 375ppm CO2 (high temperature), and (4) 24°C and 750ppm CO2 (combined). Elevated CO2 alone or in concert with temperature stimulated Heterosigma growth, but had no significant effect on Prorocentrum growth. P Bmax (the maximum biomass-normalized light-saturated carbon fixation rate) in Heterosigma was increased only by simultaneous CO2 and temperature increases, whereas P Bmax in Prorocentrum responded significantly to CO2 enrichment, with or without increased temperature. CO2 and temperature affected photosynthetic parameters α, Φ max, E k, and in both species. Increased temperature decreased and increased the Chl a content of Heterosigma and Prorocentrum, respectively. CO2 availability and temperature had pronounced effects on cellular quotas of C and N in Heterosigma, but not in Prorocentrum. Ratios of C:P and N:P increased with elevated carbon dioxide in Heterosigma but not in Prorocentrum. These changes in cellular nutrient quotas and ratios imply that Heterosigma could be more vulnerable to N limitation but less vulnerable to P-limitation than Prorocentrum under future environmental conditions. In general, Heterosigma growth and physiology showed a much greater positive response to elevated CO2 and temperature compared to Prorocentrum, consistent with what is known about their respective carbon acquisition mechanisms. Hence, rising temperature and CO2 either alone or in combination with other limiting factors could significantly alter the relative dominance of these two co-existing HAB species over the next century. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We thank the editor for giving us the opportunity to respond to the letter to the editor regarding our recent publication on multiple medication adherence (MMA).[1] We also thank the authors of the letter to the editor for their interest in our paper and for providing their comments, as it validates the timeliness and importance of this topic and offers the opportunity for an ardent discussion, which we believe is a hallmark of good science. Although we firmly agree with this argument, we would like to highlight that our systematic literature review was aimed at identifying and characterizing the MMA methods currently being utilized by adherence researchers; we did not seek to identify the perfect method for measuring MMA.[1] Nevertheless, documentation of the current methods provides a source for future studies to draw upon when determining the best measure of MMA for their situation and simultaneously considering methodological variations. 1 P. Pednekar, T. Ágh, M. Malmenäs, Methods for measuring multiple medication adherence: a systematic review-report of the ISPOR medication adherence and persistence special interest group. [Extracted from the article]

Abstract: The toxic dinoflagellate, Pfiesteria piscicida, is a common constituent of the phytoplankton community in the Delaware Inland Bays, USA. In this study, molecular methods were used to investigate the distributions of benthic stages (cysts) of P. piscicida in sediment cores from the Delaware Inland Bays. Cores from 35 sites were partitioned into nephloid and anoxic layers and analyzed for P. piscicida by nested amplification of the 18S rDNA gene using P. piscicida-specific primers. The presence of inhibitory substances in the PCR reaction was evaluated by inclusion of an exogenous control DNA in the extraction buffer, thus eliminating samples that may yield false-negative results. Our results indicate a patchy distribution of P. piscicida in sediments of the Delaware Inland Bays, with distinct differences between each of the three bays. Overall, P. piscicida was found more frequently in sediments from Rehoboth Bay compared to Indian River and Little Assawoman Bays. These differences suggest (i) that populations of P. piscicida may be more widely distributed in Rehoboth Bay, (ii) that populations of P. piscicida may have been introduced to Rehoboth Bay at an earlier time, (iii) that past blooms of P. piscicida in Rehoboth Bay estuaries may have seeded the sediments with higher numbers of cysts, and/or (iv) that Rehoboth Bay sediments may be more resistant to clearing due to storm turbulence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Recent novel mixed blooms of several species of toxic raphidophytes have caused fish kills and raised health concerns in the highly eutrophic Inland Bays of Delaware, USA. The factors that control their growth and dominance are not clear, including how these multi-species HAB events can persist without competitive exclusion occurring. We compared and contrasted the relative environmental niches of sympatric Chattonella subsalsa and Heterosigma akashiwo isolates from the bays using classic Monod-type experiments. C. subsalsa grew over a temperature range from 10 to 30°C and a salinity range of 5–30psu, with optimal growth occurring from 20 to 30°C and 15 to 25psu. H. akashiwo had similar upper temperature and salinity tolerances but also lower limits, with growth occurring from 4 to 30°C and 5 to 30psu and optimal growth between 16 and 30°C and 10 and 30psu. These culture results were confirmed by field observations of bloom occurrences in the Inland Bays. Maximum nutrient-saturated growth rates (μ max) for C. subsalsa were ∼0.6d−1 and half-saturation concentrations for growth (K s) were 9μM for nitrate, 1.5μM for ammonium, and 0.8μM for phosphate. μ max of H. akashiwo (∼0.7d−1) was slightly higher than C. subsalsa, but K s values were nearly an order of magnitude lower at 0.3μM for nitrate, 0.3μM for ammonium, and 0.2μM for phosphate. H. akashiwo is able to grow on urea but C. subsalsa cannot, while both can use glutamic acid. Cell yield experiments at environmentally relevant levels suggested an apparent preference by C. subsalsa for ammonium as a nitrogen source, while H. akashiwo produced more biomass on nitrate. Light intensity affected both species similarly, with the same growth responses for each over a range from 100 to 600μmolphotonsm−2 s−1. Factors not examined here may allow C. subsalsa to persist during multi-species blooms in the bays, despite being competitively inferior to H. akashiwo under most conditions of nutrient availability, temperature, and salinity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Toxic dinoflagellate blooms have increased in estuaries of the east coast of the United States in recent years, and the discovery of Pfiesteria piscicida has brought renewed attention to the problem of harmful algal blooms (HAB) in general. Many bacteria and viruses have been isolated that have algicidal or algistatic effects on phytoplankton, including HAB species. Twenty-two bacterial isolates from the Delaware Inland Bays were screened for algicidal activity. One isolate (Shewanella IRI-160) had a growth-inhibiting effect on all three dinoflagellate species tested, including P. piscicida (potentially toxic zoospores), Prorocentrum minimum, and Gyrodinium uncatenum. This bacterium did not have a negative effect on the growth of any of the other four common estuarine non-dinoflagellate species tested, and in fact had a slight stimulatory effect on a diatom, a prasinophyte, a cryptophyte, and a raphidophyte. Shewanella IRI-160 is the first non-microzooplankton example of a microbe with the ability to control and inhibit the growth of P. piscicida, suggesting that bacteria in the natural environment could play a role in controlling the growth and abundance of P. piscicida and other dinoflagellates. Such bacteria could also potentially be used as management tools to prevent the proliferation of potentially harmful dinoflagellates in estuaries and coastal waters. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

High ratios of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) to dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) have been suggested to favor the growth of the brown tide alga Aureococcus anophagefferens. DON could provide a particular advantage in low light levels, as occur when blooms induce self-shading. We examined the effects of varying DON:DIN ratios on the photosynthetic abilities of cultured Aureococcus at two light intensities, 93 and 17 μmol photons m-2 s-1. Glutamic acid and urea were used as DON sources, and the remainder of the nitrogen was added as nitrate.In experiments examining Aureococcus growth with varying ratios of DONGlu:DINNitrate at two light intensities in batch culture, higher growth rates and biomass were observed in treatments containing DIN than in those with DON only, which contrasts with the results of previous studies. In semi-continuous growth experiments with varying DONUrea:DINNitrate ratios, low light cultures with urea had higher growth rates than those without urea. Also, the effective target area for light absorption per cell and photosystem II efficiency were greater for the low light cultures of each nutrient treatment, particularly when DON:DIN mixtures (33 and 67% NUrea) were used. The same pattern was seen in the maximum photosynthetic rates per cell in the light-saturated (Pmcell) and in the initial slope (αcell) of the PE (photosynthesis versus irradiance) curve, and in PON, POC and chlorophyll a cell-1. This indicates that the ability of Aureococcus to acclimate to low light conditions may be enhanced by the presence of both organic and inorganic nitrogen sources. These results suggest that Aureococcus physiology and photosynthesis are different during growth on a mixture of urea-N and nitrate than when either nitrogen source is present alone. Results of this study suggest that Aureococcus may not respond to all DON substrates in the same way, and that mixtures of DON and DIN may provide for higher photosynthetic rates, especially at low light. Our results did not, however, support earlier suggestions that growth on DON alone provides the brown tide alga with a large advantage at low light levels. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Treatment-emergent diabetes mellitus (DM) has been described for conventional and atypical antipsychotics. In our study, antipsychotic prescription claims from AdvancePCS''s database were used to identify patients starting antipsychotic monotherapy. The relative risk of developing DM was determined using prescription claims for antidiabetic agents in the following cohorts: AdvancePCS general patient population, combined conventional antipsychotics, and combined atypical antipsychotics. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to adjust for differences in age, gender, and duration of antipsychotic exposure between cohorts in the estimation of risk of developing diabetes. Hazard ratios for developing DM in the combined conventional, combined atypical, and individual conventional and atypical antipsychotic treatment cohorts were greater than the AdvancePCS general patient population cohort. An increased risk of developing diabetes compared with the AdvancePCS general patient population was observed during treatment with conventional or atypical antipsychotics. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]