Representative Portion Research Articles

Densities of Eggs and Nymphs and Percent Parasitism of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on Common Weeds in West Central Florida.

The density of eggs and nymphs of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biotype B and the percent parasitism of the nymphs were measured from specimens collected on nine species of weeds, commonly found in west central Florida during the spring and summer of 2012 and 2013. The weeds were direct seeded in 2012 and grown as transplants in 2013 for Randomized Complete Block design experiments. The leaf area of each whole-plant sample was measured and the B. tabaci density parameters were converted to numbers per 100 cm2. In June and July, 2013, whole-plant samples became too large to examine entirely, thus a representative portion of a plant totaling about 1000 cm2 was sampled. Egg and nymph densities and percent parasitism varied greatly among weed species, and were higher overall in 2012 than in 2013. The highest densities of eggs and nymphs were measured on Abutilon theophrasti, Cassia obtusifolia and Emilia fosbergii each year. Lower densities of immature B. tabaci were measured on most dates for Amaranthus retroflexus, Bidens alba, Ipomoea lacunosa, Sesbania exaltata and Sida acuta. Nymph to egg ratios of 1:4 were observed on A. theophrasti and S. exaltata in 2012, while less than one nymph per ten eggs was observed overall on A. retroflexus, E. fosbergii and I. lacunosa. In 2012, parasitism rates of 32.3% were measured for B. alba, 23.4% for C. obtusifolia and 17.5% for S. acuta. Of the 206 parasitoids reared out over two seasons, 96.6% were Encarsia spp. and the remainder Eretmocerus spp. The role of weeds in managing B. tabaci is discussed.

Evolving California genotypes of Avena barbata are derived from multiple introductions but still maintain substantial population structure.

Multiple introductions are thought to enhance the chance of successful colonization, in part because recombination may generate adaptive variation to a new environment. Avena barbata (slender wild oat) is a successful colonist in California, historically noted for striking genetic divergence into two multilocus genotypes, but is still undergoing adaptive change. We sought to understand whether multiple introductions might be contributing to this change. We used cpDNA phylogeography of A. barbata within its home range and in its invaded range in California to determine the minimum number of separate introductions, and the spatial distribution of these introduced lineages. We collected from sites throughout the state of California, where it is an invasive species. Accessions from a representative portion of A. barbata’s full native range were obtained from germplasm repositories. We sequenced seven intergenic chloroplast DNA loci for A. barbata individuals both in California (novel geographic range) and its ancestral range. 204 individuals were assayed for chloroplast haplotype within California using single strand conformational polymorphism SSCPs. Genome size was determined by flow cytometry. Californian accessions are tetraploid as expected, but their genome sizes were smaller than the Old World accessions. There were three haplotypes present in California that were identical to haplotypes in the native range. Within California, the presence of multiple haplotypes at a site was observed primarily in Northern and Central populations. Between populations there was still substantial structure with FST ∼ 0.33, due to a shallow latitudinal cline caused by a preponderance of xeric haplotypes in Southern California. There was a minimum of three seed introductions to California. Recombination is thus likely to occur, and contribute to adaptation in new range in this highly-selfing, invader.

A new upper jurassic ophthalmosaurid ichthyosaur from the Slottsmøya Member, Agardhfjellet formation of central Spitsbergen.

Abundant new ichthyosaur material has recently been documented in the Slottsmøya Member of the Agardhfjellet Formation from the Svalbard archipelago of Norway. Here we describe a partial skeleton of a new taxon, Janusaurus lundi, that includes much of the skull and representative portions of the postcranium. The new taxon is diagnosed by a suite of cranial character states including a very gracile stapedial shaft, the presence of a dorsal process on the prearticular and autapomorphic postcranial features such as the presence of an interclavicular trough and a conspicuous anterodorsal process of the ilium. The peculiar morphology of the ilia indicates a previously unrecognized degree of morphological variation in the pelvic girdle of ophthalmosaurids. We also present a large species level phylogenetic analysis of ophthalmosaurids including new and undescribed ichthyosaur material from the Upper Jurassic of Svalbard. Our results recover all Svalbard taxa in a single unresolved polytomy nested within Ophthalmosaurinae, which considerably increases the taxonomic composition of this clade. The paleobiogeographical implications of this result suggest the presence of a single clade of Boreal ophthalmosaurid ichthyosaurs that existed during the latest Jurassic, a pattern also reflected in the high degree of endemicity among some Boreal invertebrates, particularly ammonoids. Recent and ongoing descriptions of marine reptiles from the Slottsmøya Member Lagerstätte provide important new data to test hypotheses of marine amniote faunal turnover at the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary.

Definition and origin of the dune-field pattern at White Sands, New Mexico

Abstract A LiDAR-derived digital elevation model (DEM) of a representative portion of the White Sands Dune Field, New Mexico, allows for characterization of an unprecedented range of dune-field parameters and serves as a basis for pattern analysis. Dune-field parameters were measured and statistically analyzed for populations of dunes selected at random and occurring along transects. Populations sampled by these two different methods are comparable, but highlight the sensitivity of transect placement in a dune field that has pattern heterogeneity. Based upon coefficients of variation, pattern emerges at White Sands primarily because of a strong fabric of crestline orientation, and secondarily because of the regularity of spacing between dunes of similar shape as defined by sinuosity, height and length. Linear regression of dune parameters shows that dune geometric relationships vary primarily with crestline length, but there is little correlation between other parameters, including dune spacing and height. This result highlights the sensitivity of identifying topographic heterogeneity in a LiDAR-derived DEM, given that mean ratios conform to global averages. Stripping off the dunes in Matlab shows a terraced surface, which is interpreted to represent paleo-shorelines formed during relative still stands in the overall retreat of Lake Otero. Elevated bands of higher, more closely spaced dunes occur just leeward of the paleo-shorelines. A revised model for the White Sands Dune Field consists of the basinward progradation of successive dune-field segments. Each segment is associated with a paleo-shoreline, and consists of an upwind dune ridge, represented by the elevated bands, and a leeward dune field.

Effect of microbiological testing on subsequent mid-infrared milk component analysis of the same milk sample

Our objectives were to determine if mixing and sampling of a raw milk sample at 4°C for determination of total bacteria count (TBC) and if incubation at 14°C for 18h and sampling for a preliminary incubation (PI) count influenced the accuracy of subsequent fat, protein, or lactose measurement by mid-infrared (IR) analysis of milk from the same sample container due to either nonrepresentative sampling or the presence of microbial metabolites produced by microbial growth in the milk from the incubation. Milks of 4 fat levels (2.2, 3, 4, and 5%) reflected the range of fat levels encountered in producer milks. If the portion of milk removed from a cold sample was not representative, then the effect on a milk component test would likely be larger as fat content increases. Within the milks at each fat level, 3 treatments were used: (1) 20 vials of the same milk sampled for testing TBC using a BactoScan FC and then used for a milk component test; (2) 20 vials for testing TBC plus PI count followed by component test; and (3) 20 vials to run for IR component test without a prior micro sampling and testing. This was repeated in 3 different weeks using a different batch of milk each week. No large effect on the accuracy of component milk testing [IR fat B (carbon hydrogen stretch) and fat A (carbonyl stretch)] due to the cold milk sample handling and mixing procedures used for TBC was detected, confirming the fact that the physical removal of milk from the vial by the BactoScan FC (Foss Electric, Hillerød, Denmark) was a representative portion of the milk. However, the representativeness of any other sampling procedure (manual or automated) of a cold milk sample before running milk component testing on the same container of milk should be demonstrated and verified periodically as a matter of routine laboratory quality assurance. Running TBC with a BactoScan FC first and then IR milk analysis after had a minimal effect on milk component tests by IR when milk bacteria counts were within pasteurized milk ordinance limits of <100,000 cfu/mL. Running raw milk PI counts (18h of incubation at 13–14°C) with the BactoScan FC before milk component testing by IR milk analysis had an effect on component tests. The effect was largest on fat test results and would decrease the accuracy of milk payment testing on individual producer milks. The effect was most likely due to the absorption of light by bacterial metabolites resulting from microbial growth or other chemical degradation processes occurring in the milk during the PI count incubation, not by the sampling procedure of the BactoScan. The direction of the effect on component test results will vary depending on the bacteria count and the type of bacteria that grew in the milk, and this could be different in every individual producer milk sample.

0386 Exposure Registries as a Tool for Epidemiology

ObjectivesIn Canada, there is growing interest in the use of registries for hazard and disease surveillance because they provide an opportunity for primary prevention. Registry data can also be a...

Properties of galaxies reproduced by a hydrodynamic simulation.

Previous simulations of the growth of cosmic structures have broadly reproduced the 'cosmic web' of galaxies that we see in the Universe, but failed to create a mixed population of elliptical and spiral galaxies, because of numerical inaccuracies and incomplete physical models. Moreover, they were unable to track the small-scale evolution of gas and stars to the present epoch within a representative portion of the Universe. Here we report a simulation that starts 12 million years after the Big Bang, and traces 13 billion years of cosmic evolution with 12 billion resolution elements in a cube of 106.5 megaparsecs a side. It yields a reasonable population of ellipticals and spirals, reproduces the observed distribution of galaxies in clusters and characteristics of hydrogen on large scales, and at the same time matches the 'metal' and hydrogen content of galaxies on small scales.

Second-order homogenization of periodic materials based on asymptotic approximation of the strain energy: formulation and validity limits

In this paper a second-order homogenization approach for periodic material is derived from an appropriate representation of the down-scaling that correlates the micro-displacement field to the macro-displacement field and the macro-strain tensors involving unknown perturbation functions. These functions take into account of the effects of the heterogeneities and are obtained by the solution of properly defined recursive cell problems. Moreover, the perturbation functions and therefore the micro-displacement fields result to be sufficiently regular to guarantee the anti-periodicity of the traction on the periodic unit cell. A generalization of the macro-homogeneity condition is obtained through an asymptotic expansion of the mean strain energy at the micro-scale in terms of the microstructural characteristic size ɛ; the obtained overall elastic moduli result to be not affected by the choice of periodic cell. The coupling between the macro- and micro-stress tensor in the periodic cell is deduced from an application of the generalised macro-homogeneity condition applied to a representative portion of the heterogeneous material (cluster of periodic cell). The correlation between the proposed asymptotic homogenization approach and the computational second-order homogenization methods (which are based on the so called quadratic ansätze) is obtained through an approximation of the macro-displacement field based on a second-order Taylor expansion. The form of the overall elastic moduli obtained through the two homogenization approaches, here proposed, is analyzed and the differences are highlighted. An evaluation of the developed method in comparison with other recently proposed in literature is carried out in the example where a three-phase orthotropic material is considered. The characteristic lengths of the second-order equivalent continuum are obtained by both the asymptotic and the computational procedures here analyzed. The reliability of the proposed approach is evaluated for the case of shear and extensional deformation of the considered two-dimensional infinite elastic medium subjected to periodic body forces; the results from the second-order model are compared with those of the heterogeneous continuum.

The district of North Vancouver’s landslide management strategy: role of public involvement for determining tolerable risk and increasing community resilience

This paper examines the public involvement processes contained within the Landslide Management Strategy for the District of North Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. Following a fatal landslide in the Berkley neighborhood in 2005, the District of North Vancouver convened a community-based Natural Hazards task force to establish risk-tolerance criteria for natural hazards. This paper describes the community task force approach and evaluates it against four criteria for successful public involvement: representative participation; early involvement; information availability; and impact on policy. It is identified that the District could have incorporated a broader understanding of risk, allowing public perspectives to influence the initial framing of the risk issue before charging the Natural Hazards task force to arrive at quantitative risk-tolerance criteria. The District could also have sought to engage a somewhat more representative portion of the population to serve on the Natural Hazards task force, seeking to incorporate a broader set of public values and types of knowledge. Notwithstanding, the Natural Hazards task force successfully utilized social, legal, and scientific information for informed decision-making, and their recommended risk-tolerance criteria were enacted into policy by the District of North Vancouver as a result of the process. The paper also investigates the District’s ongoing public involvement and education efforts with respect to landslide risks, considering information accessibility and its usefulness for increasing individual capacity and community resilience. Overall, the District’s ongoing, dynamic approach to risk management promises to empower individuals and foster resilient communities in the aftermath of the tragic Berkley landslide.

Chemical Characterizations of PM10 Profiles for Major Emission Sources in Xining, Northwestern China

The chemical profiles of emission sources are indispensable for source apportionment using receptor models. To develop current knowledge of PM10 profiles, the chemical composition of major emission sources were analyzed in Xining. Samples of geological sources (soil dust, road dust and construction derived dust) and industrial fly ash were collected from representative portions using a plastic dustpan and brush and sampled on filters through a re-suspension chamber. Samples of coal combustion source and vehicle exhaust were collected directly on the filters using a dilution stack sampler. Chemical analysis included inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for 19 elements (Na, P, K, As, Rb, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, La, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, T1, and Pb), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry for 7 elements (Al, Sr, Mg, Ti, Ca, Fe, and Si), ion chromatography for water-soluble ions (Na + , K + , Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , F – , Cl – , NO3 – and SO4 2– ) and thermal/optical reflectance analysis for carbonaceous species. Crustal elements (Si, Al, Ca, Fe) predominated in geological sources, whereas trace elements (Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn and Ni) were predominant in industrial fly ash. An abundance of carbon and SO4 2– was present in coal-combustion source and vehicle exhaust. The coal-combustion boilers were a source of trace elements (Ti, Co, Sr, Sb, Tl). High concentrations of Pb and OC in soil indicated the strong influence of agriculture activities in Xining. Comparison of vehicle exhaust profiles indicated that natural gas was high environmental friendliness in comparison with petroleum products used as motor vehicles fuel. Differences in EC, Cd and NO3 – between natural gas-powered and gasoline- or diesel-powered vehicle exhaust can be used to differentiate the two types of vehicle emission sources. Differences in source profiles and indicator species between Xining and other cities suggest that source profiles should be developed locally and updated frequently.

Analysis and Review of Different Tools to Calculate the Production Economics in Injection Molding

The purpose of this work is to make a small review of computer-aided software based mainly on the calculation of the injection molding cost. Only a representative portion will be discussed in this paper. An injection molding machine can produce thousands of pieces per day, depending on many factors. A small improvement in the cost per piece can have a significant impact on the industry. These factors have to be carefully considered by the software in order to make accurate estimations. A total of 5 programs are fully analyzed in this contribution, and this is useful to achieve good cost estimation for the injection molding process. The main characteristics and/or features of each of them are also described.

Vineyards genetic monitoring and Vernaccia di San Gimignano wine molecular fingerprinting

The definition of the genetic profile of Vernaccia di San Gimignano (VSG) in the areas of production is an essential step for both the implementation of a plan of analytical traceability and the evaluation of the biological future potential of the same grape variety in relation to any environmental change. The genetic variability of the VSG was monitored by use of SSRs genotyping of a representative portion of individuals belonging to both the productive vineyards and the germplasm collections that represent the “mother plants” reservoir for future vineyards. 74% of the individuals have been shown to be identical to the grapevine genotype reported in databases as VSG truetype. In order to determine the wine varietal composition by DNA analysis, four wine types commercialized as VSG were DNA-tested at 14 loci SSRs. The molecular data obtained demonstrate the presence as prevalent component of the VSG in the four wine types. All the wines revealed the presence of minor varieties, whose presence/absence was estimated by extrapolating the allele configuration that best matched to a standard genotype. Molecular data allow us to exclude the presence of three aromatic white grapevines that are not allowed by the actual production rules (Disciplinare di Produzione).

Long-term Effects of Adolescent Smoking on Depression and Socioeconomic Status in Adulthood in an Urban African American Cohort

Despite known adverse causal effects of cigarette smoking on mental health, findings for the effects of adolescent cigarette smoking on later depression and socioeconomic status remain inconclusive. Previous studies have had shorter follow-up periods and did not have a representative portion of the African American population. Using an analytical method that matches adolescent smokers with nonsmokers on childhood and background variables, this study aims to provide evidence on the effects of adolescent regular smoking on adult depression and socioeconomic status. Our longitudinal study is from the Woodlawn Study that followed 1,242 African Americans in Chicago from 1966-1967 (at age 6-7) through 2002-2003 (at age 42-43). We used a propensity score matching method to find a regular and a non-regular adolescent smoking group with similar childhood socioeconomic and family background and first grade academic and behavioral performance. We compared the matched samples to assess the longitudinal effects of adolescent smoking on adult outcomes. Comparing the matched 199 adolescent regular smokers and 199 non-regular smokers, we found statistical support for the effects of adolescent cigarette smoking on later educational attainment (OR, 2.13; 95 % CI, 1.34, 3.39) and long-term unemployment (OR, 1.74; 95 % CI, 1.11, 2.75), but did not find support for the effects on adulthood major depressive disorders. With a community population of urban African Americans followed for 40 years, our study contributes to the understanding of the relationships between adolescent smoking and later educational attainment and employment.

Comparative evaluation of a two-reagent cold stain method with Ziehl-Nelseen method for pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosis

BackgroundBacteriological examination of sputum is the cornerstone in diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in developing world, which is usually done using a Ziehl-Nelseen (ZN) method. However, due to limited laboratory facilities that can satisfy the procedure, applicability of this procedure appears to be adversely affected in field conditions and at peripheral health institutions. Hence, it has become necessary to look for a procedure which can be used as alternative in such conditions.In a cross-sectional study, using convenient sampling technique 362 pulmonary tuberculosis suspected patients who attended at Mekelle University Hospital (MUH) between November 2011 and February 2012 were included. After obtaining an informed consent, spot- morning-spot sputum samples were collected from suspected patients. Then a set of duplicate slides, of which one was allocated to a two-reagent cold method (a method of staining which requires carbol fuchsine as a primary stain and Gabbet’s methylene blue both as a decolorizer and counter stain) and the other to the Zeihl-Nelseen method were smeared evenly from representative portion of each specimen using the protocol for duplicate smear preparation. Stained smears were read blindly by two technologists at different occasions. Finally to assure quality, all positive smears and 25% of the negative smears were cross checked by senior experienced examiner.FindingsOverall concordance between the two methods was 99.7% (kappa (κ) = 0.98; 95%, confidence interval 0.93-1.00), and the observed agreement was statistically significant (p<0.001). When evaluated against Ziehl-Nelseen method, sensitivity and specificity of the two-reagent cold staining method were 95.8% (95% confidence interval 93.7-97.9) and 100% respectively. Positive and negative predictive values of the two-reagent cold staining method were respectively 100% and 99.7%. Positive and negative agreements between the two techniques were respectively 97.9% and 99.9%.ConclusionThe two-reagent cold staining method was found to be a suitable alternative to the conventional Ziehl-Nelseen method; it was at least as specific as Ziehl-Neelsen method although somewhat less sensitive. However, large scale multicentric studies need to be performed for further evaluation of this cold staining method.

Establishing and maintaining biobanks: experience of Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, (RGCB) Trivandrum

A biobank is a depository for biomaterials from a representative portion of a human population and acts as a vault with intricate detailed information pertaining to the individuals from whom biological materials have been collected. Biobanks can be classified into population biobanks, biobanks for molecular epidemiology and biobanks for disease biology. RGCB has been involved in biobanking with respect to three large studies in India namely i)Molecular Epidemiology of HPV in India, ii) A Randomized 2 versus 3 dose HPV Vaccination Clinical trial and iii) HPV AHEAD- : Role of Human Papilloma Virus Infection and other co-factors in the aetiology of Head & Neck Cancer. A cervical cytology biobank has been established at the centre which is an almost inexhaustible resource for fundamental and applied biological research. It helps to understand the natural history of HPV infection and HPV induced lesions and cancers, screening effectiveness, exploration of new biomarkers, surveillance of the short- and long-term effects of the introduction of HPV vaccination. However legal and ethical principles concerning personal integrity and data safety must be respected strictly and biobank based studies require approval of ethical review boards. The HPV vaccination study involves 10 different sites & different collaborating institutes across the country and all samples are shipped to RGCB, Trivandrum, which acts as a Central storage facility/ biobank. Sample shipment was an important procedure involving communication between base laboratory and biobank, import of registration database, strict temperature control, tracking of shipment and ready storage freezers on arrival. The sample verification process involves a temperature logger, freeze control tubes and bar code verification. The amount of clinical data linked to the samples determinate the availability and biological value of the sample. Thus acquiring the background information of each sample and cataloguing the available information systematically and meticulously is a must. The major problems faced in the management of cervical cytology biobanks have been reclassification of smears before entry into database, failure of temperature logger, bar codes slipping off and maintaining uninterrupted power supply. Publicly funded biobanks aim to promote the development of new knowledge by giving the research community access to data and samples. The most efficient way to acquire these benefits is to first maximize the use of biobanks in research and, second, to maximize the dissemination of knowledge developed by the research projects that used the biobanks. However there are issues with regard to the use of such stored materials especially when the demand occurs from the private sector. The decision is finally made by a scientific management committee consisting of members of World Health Organization (WHO) and the international agency for research on cancer (IARC).

Monitoring of Fusarium Trichothecenes in Canadian Cereal Grain Shipments from 2010 to 2012

A method involving dry grinding, rotary sample dividing, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was evaluated for the analysis of eight Fusarium trichothecenes in cereal grains. Processing of whole cereal grains by the method produced representative test portions for the analysis of deoxynivalenol (DON). Method validation data, as well as the successful participation in various international proficiency tests, demonstrated the analytical method produced accurate and precise results. The evaluated method was used to monitor DON, 3- and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol, nivalenol (NIV), T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol, and fusarenon-X in shipments of Canadian wheat, durum, barley, corn, rye, and oats transported between August 1, 2010, and July 31, 2012. DON was the most frequently measured trichothecene, found in 231 of the 303 samples at concentrations up to 2.34 mg/kg; NIV was the next most frequently observed trichothecene, but its occurrence was limited to barley. Concentrations of DON were significantly associated with wheat class and grade. The median DON concentration in durum (0.09 mg/kg) was lower than that for hard red spring (0.21 mg/kg). Lower grades of wheat also contained higher median concentrations of DON than higher grades, supporting the current use of Fusarium damaged kernels as a grading factor to manage DON.

An Optimized Approach of Modified BAT Algorithm to Record Deduplication

task of recognizing, in a data warehouse, records that pass on to the identical real world entity despite misspelling words, kinds, special writing styles or even unusual schema versions or data types is called as the record deduplication. In existing research they offered a genetic programming (GP) approach to record deduplication. Their approach combines several different parts of substantiation extracted from the data content to generate a deduplication purpose that is capable to recognize whether two or more entries in a depository are duplications or not. Because record deduplication is a time intense task even for undersized repositories, their aspire is to promote a method that discovers a proper arrangement of the best pieces of confirmation, consequently compliant a deduplication function that maximizes performance using a small representative portion of the corresponding data for preparation purposes also the optimization of process is less. Our research deals these issues with a novel technique called modified bat algorithm for record duplication. The incentive behind is to generate a flexible and effective method that employs Data Mining algorithms. The structure distributes many similarities with evolutionary computation techniques such as Genetic programming approach. This scheme is initialized with an inhabitant of random solutions and explores for optima by updating bat inventions. Nevertheless, disparate GP, modified bat has no development operators such as crossover and mutation. We also compare the proposed algorithm with other existing algorithms, including GP from the experimental results.

How reliable are Malaise traps for biomonitoring? – A bivariate species abundance model evaluation using alpine Chironomidae (Diptera)

Abstract In this study, the potential of Malaise traps to collect representative portions of an insect community was investigated. To do so, the complete catch (nearly 22 000 specimens) of male Chironomidae (Diptera) from five parallel Malaise traps along an alpine stream was identified and assigned to 108 different species. The traps were run for 4 weeks in June and July, 2008. The similarity in community composition between parallel samples, that is, from different traps the same week, was evaluated by fitting a bivariate Poisson‐lognormal species abundance model. The estimated correlation in this bivariate distribution was used as a measure of similarity since this approach is utilising all the available species abundance information and accounts for the sampling process. Estimated similarities showed non‐significant differences in chironomid community structure between parallel samples. The five Malaise traps sampled equally representative portions of the Chironomidae community present at the site, so the traps were found to be very reliable in the monitoring of Chironomidae community structure. Application of the bivariate correlation as a similarity measure offers advantages over traditional measures because it takes account of the complete species abundance distributions. This approach provides an approximately unbiased estimate of similarity despite varying sample sizes and detection/non‐detection of species that are present, but rare.

In-depth analysis of the Magnaporthe oryzae conidial proteome.

The filamentous fungus Magnaporthe oryzae (M. oryzae) is the causative agent of rice blast disease and presents a significant threat to worldwide rice production. To establish the groundwork for future research on the pathogenic development of M. oryzae, a global proteomic study of conidia was performed. The filter aided sample preparation method (FASP) and anion StageTip fractionation combined with long, optimized shallow 210 min nanoLC gradients prior to mass spectrometry analysis on an Orbitrap XL was applied, which resulted in a doubling of protein identifications in comparison to our previous GeLC analysis. Herein, we report the identification of 2912 conidial proteins at a 1% protein false discovery rate (FDR) and we present the most extensive study performed on M. oryzae conidia to date. A similar distribution between identified proteins and the predicted proteome was observed when subcellular localization analysis was performed, suggesting the detected proteins build a representative portion of the predicted proteome. A higher percentage of cytoplasmic proteins (associated with translation, energy, and metabolism) were observed in the conidial proteome relative to the whole predicted proteome. Conversely, nuclear and extracellular proteins were less well represented in the conidial proteome. Further analysis by gene ontology revealed biological insights into identified proteins important for central metabolic processes and the physiology of conidia.

Impact of the Serogroup A Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine, MenAfriVac, on Carriage and Herd Immunity

The conjugate vaccine against serogroup A Neisseria meningitidis (NmA), MenAfriVac, was first introduced in mass vaccination campaigns of 1-29-year-olds in Burkina Faso in 2010. It is not known whether MenAfriVac has an impact on NmA carriage. We conducted a repeated cross-sectional meningococcal carriage study in a representative portion of the 1-29-year-old population in 3 districts in Burkina Faso before and up to 13 months after vaccination. One district was vaccinated in September 2010, and the other 2 were vaccinated in December 2010. We analyzed 25 521 oropharyngeal samples, of which 22 093 were obtained after vaccination. In October-November 2010, NmA carriage prevalence in the unvaccinated districts was comparable to the baseline established in 2009, but absent in the vaccinated district. Serogroup X N. meningitidis (NmX) dominated in both vaccinated and unvaccinated districts. With 4 additional sampling campaigns performed throughout 2011 in the 3 districts, overall postvaccination meningococcal carriage prevalence was 6.95%, with NmX dominating but declining for each campaign (from 8.66% to 1.97%). Compared with a baseline NmA carriage prevalence of 0.39%, no NmA was identified after vaccination. Overall vaccination coverage in the population sampled was 89.7%, declining over time in 1-year-olds (from 87.1% to 26.5%), as unvaccinated infants reached 1 year of age. NmA carriage was eliminated in both the vaccinated and unvaccinated population from 3 weeks up to 13 months after mass vaccination (P = .003). The disappearance of NmA carriage among both vaccinated and unvaccinated populations is consistent with a vaccine-induced herd immunity effect.