Global spatial risk assessment of sharks under the footprint of fisheries.

Effective ocean management and the conservation of highly migratory species depend on resolving the overlap between animal movements and distributions, and fishing effort. However, this information is lacking at a global scale. Here we show, using a big-data approach that combines satellite-tracked movements of pelagic sharks and global fishing fleets, that 24% of the mean monthly space used by sharks falls under the footprint of pelagic longline fisheries.

Blood plasma levels of heavy metals and trace elements in white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) and potential health consequences.

Heavy metals may adversely affect health in marine organisms. As top predators, sharks may be especially vulnerable to exposure over long lifespans. Here we evaluate plasma levels of 14 heavy metals and 12 trace elements in white sharks, Carcharodon carcharias, in South Africa to determine whether they are related to sex, body size, and/or body condition and other health parameters.

Description of an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in domestic ostriches (Struthio camelus) in South Africa in 2011.

In 2011, the commercial ostrich production industry of South Africa experienced an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), subtype H5N2. Surveillance using antibody and antigen detection revealed 42 infected farms with a between-farm prevalence in the affected area of 16%. The outbreak was controlled using depopulation of infected farms, resulting in the direct loss of 10% of the country's domestic ostrich population.

Emerging biomedical and advanced applications of time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy.

Time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy is presently regarded as a research tool in biochemistry, biophysics, and chemical physics. Advances in laser technology, the development of long-wavelength probes, and the use of lifetime-based methods, are resulting in the rapid migration of timeresolved fluorescence to the clinical chemistry lab, the patient's bedside, and even to the doctor's office and home health care. Additionally, time-resolved imaging is now a reality in fluorescence microscopy and will provide chemical imaging of a variety of intracellular analytes and/or cellular phenomena.

Homogeneous model immunoassay of thyroxine by phase-modulation fluorescence spectroscopy.

We describe a homogeneous competitive model immunoassay for determination of thyroxine by multifrequency phase-modulation fluorescence. Using a nonradiative energy transfer transduction mechanism, B-phycoerythrin conjugated to thyroxine is the energy donor and a carboxymethylindocyanine dye conjugated to anti-thyroxine antibody is the energy acceptor. Energy transfer from B-phycoerythrin to the acceptor results in a decreased lifetime and/or phase angle.

Fluorocarbon ventilation: maximal expiratory flows and CO2 elimination.

Elimination of CO2 during liquid ventilation is dependent on flow, diffusion, and the liquid's capacitance for CO2. Maximum expiratory flow (Vmax) and diffusion dead space were measured in vivo in 12 young cats during liquid fluorocarbon (FC-80) ventilation to determine the effect of breathing frequency on maximum CO2 elimination. All animals were maintained (PaO2 = 255 +/- 19 SEM mm Hg, PaCO2 = 35 +/- 1 SEM mm Hg, pH = 7.

Diaphragmatic pressures: transvenous vs. direct phrenic nerve stimulation.

Diaphragmatic force, determined by stimulating the phrenic nerve while simultaneously measuring the pressures in a closed respiratory system, was assessed in five anesthetized dogs over a 5-h period to evaluate the inherent variability of this technique. Transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) was measured at functional residual capacity during stimulation (120 Hz, 0.2-ms duration) of one phrenic nerve by either direct phrenic nerve stimulation (DPNS) or transvenous phrenic nerve stimulation (TPNS).

Proliferation of thymic stem cells with and without receptors for interleukin 2. Implications for intrathymic antigen recognition.

We have tested the dividing cells in the mouse thymus for expression of interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptors (IL-2-R) using the rat monoclonal antibody 7D4. A discrete subpopulation of the lymphoblasts clearly expressed IL-2-R at levels comparable to those on mitogen-activated peripheral T cells. This subpopulation, however, represented a small minority of the proliferating cells.

Pulmonary lavage in preterm lambs.

Pulmonary function was studied before and after bilateral lung lavage with oxygenated FC-80 fluorocarbon liquid in seven perterm lambs, 134 days of gestation. Measurements of transpulmoary pressure, airflow, tidal volume, and functional residual capacity (FRC) enabled calculation of lung resistance and compliance, specific compliance, and work of breathing. Immediately postlavage, arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) decreased significantly (P less than 0.

Positive end expiratory pressure: effects on lung mechanics of premature lambs.

Pulmonary mechanics were determined at 0, 3, 6, and 10 cm H2O positive and expiratory pressure (PEEP) in premature lambs at a mean gestational age of 134 days. Functional residual capacity increased (p less than 0.005) by 7% (1.

Instrumentation for measuring functional residual capacity in small animals.

A system for measuring functional residual capacity (FRC) by the dilution method was evaluated to determine its suitability for use in neonates and small animals. The system makes use of rapid, automatically triggered valves for precise closure at end expiration. Results of a theoretical error analysis and experimental in vitro tests are presented and indicate that the measuring error in FRC is related to the FRC-to-initial rebreathing bag volume ratio.