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This paper introduces an original application on reconstruction strategies for X-ray computed microtomography, enabling the observation of time-dependent changes that occur during multiphase flow. In general, by sparsely collecting radiographs, the reconstruction of the object is compromised. Optimizations can be achieved by combining specific characteristics of the dynamics with the acquisition. Herein, the proposed method relies on short random intervals in which no drastic changes occur in the sample to acquire as many radiographs as possible that constitute a reconstructible data set. As these intervals are unpredictable, the method tries to guarantee that the collected radiograph data during these specific intervals are enough to recover useful information about the dynamics. Simulations of a percolating fluid in a digital rock are used to replicate an X-ray computed microtomography experiment to test the proposed method. The results demonstrate the potential of the proposed strategy for imaging multiphase flow in porous media and how data collected during distinct events can be combined to enhance the reconstruction of frames of the percolation process.

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Capillary desaturation experiments produce disconnected (trapped) ganglia of mesoscopic sizes intermediate between pore size and system size. Experimental evidence for interactions between these mesoscale clusters during desaturation is analyzed and discussed within the established microscopic and macroscopic laws of Newton, Young-Laplace, and Darcy. A theoretical expression for capillary number correlations is introduced that seems to have remained unnoticed. It expresses capillary desaturation curves in terms of stationary capillary pressures and relative permeabilities. The theoretical expression shows that the plateau saturation in capillary desaturation curves may in general differ from the residual nonwetting saturation defined through the saturation limit of the main hysteresis loop. Hysteresis effects as well as the difference between wetting and nonwetting fluids are introduced into the analysis of capillary desaturation experiments. The article examines experiments with different desaturation protocols and discusses the existence of a mesoscopic length scale intermediate between pore scale and sample scale. The theoretical expression is derived entirely within the existing traditional theory of two-phase flow in porous media and compared to a recent experiment.

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OBJECTIVE: To measure the amounts of pesticide residue in wool grown in Queensland between 1997 and 1999, and to describe the use of pesticides for the control of lice infestations and blowfly strike in Queensland sheep flocks. DESIGN: Pesticide residues were measured in a random sample of wool from Queensland clips offered for sale during 1998 and 1999. Information on pesticide use was obtained from a trace-back postal survey. PROCEDURE: Samples taken from wool lots were tested for the presence and amount of organophosphorus (OP), synthetic pyrethroid (SP) and insect growth regulator pesticides. A questionnaire seeking information on flock characteristics and pesticide use was sent to the manager of each flock from which a wool sample was tested. RESULTS: The mean amount of OP and SP residue was 2.0 and 0.8 mg/kg, respectively. Ninety-five and 98% of wool samples contained < 9 mg/kg and 7 mg/kg of OP and SP residues, respectively. The mean amount of cyromazine, diflubenzuron and triflumuron was 12.7, 5.8 and 13.0 mg/kg, respectively. The amounts of OP, cyromazine and triflumuron residues were greater in wool from flocks located in southern Queensland. CONCLUSION: Most (95%; 95% CI, 92-97%) Queensland wool clips grown between 1997 and 1999 meet the suggested Australian maximum acceptable residue amounts for OP and SP pesticides.

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Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored influenza hemagglutinin (GPI-HA) mediates hemifusion, whereas chimeras with foreign transmembrane (TM) domains mediate full fusion. A possible explanation for these observations is that the TM domain must be a critical length in order for HA to promote full fusion. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed biochemical properties and fusion phenotypes of HA with alterations in its 27-amino acid TM domain. Our mutants included sequential 2-amino acid (Delta2-Delta14) and an 11-amino acid deletion from the COOH-terminal end, deletions of 6 or 8 amino acids from the NH(2)-terminal and middle regions, and a deletion of 12 amino acids from the NH(2)-terminal end of the TM domain. We also made several point mutations in the TM domain. All of the mutants except Delta14 were expressed at the cell surface and displayed biochemical properties virtually identical to wild-type HA. All the mutants that were expressed at the cell surface promoted full fusion, with the notable exception of deletions of >10 amino acids. A mutant in which 11 amino acids were deleted was severely impaired in promoting full fusion. Mutants in which 12 amino acids were deleted (from either end) mediated only hemifusion. Hence, a TM domain of 17 amino acids is needed to efficiently promote full fusion. Addition of either the hydrophilic HA cytoplasmic tail sequence or a single arginine to Delta12 HA, the hemifusion mutant that terminates with 15 (hydrophobic) amino acids of the HA TM domain, restored full fusion activity. Our data support a model in which the TM domain must span the bilayer to promote full fusion.

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The accuracy of visual inspection of wool lots for lice as a test for louse infestation was estimated using information provided by 178 woolgrowers in Queensland, Australia. The estimated sensitivity of inspection was 36% (95% confidence interval, 19-58%) and the specificity was 95% (95% CI, 88-98%). Accuracy was influenced by timing, after shearing, of pesticide application for louse control and by class of pesticide last applied after shearing. Visual inspection was less sensitive (29%) if pesticides were applied >3 months after shearing and less sensitive (21%) if an insect growth regulator was the class of pesticide last used after shearing. Based on 36% sensitivity, it was estimated that 16 inspections would have to be conducted to reduce the false negative test rate to <20% in the study population. We suggest that visual inspection of wool lots could be used to efficiently monitor the prevalence of louse infestations in Queensland sheep flocks. Positive inspection results are more likely to represent real louse infestations, rather than a false test result, in flocks grazed in the more extensive regions of Queensland.

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The reported occurrence of blowfly strike in 57 sheep flocks in Queensland, Australia, was investigated for time-space clustering in an exploratory study using Knox's method. Flystrike occurrence peaked in late spring and early summer, with an additional late-autumn peak in southern-Queensland flocks. A total of 1596 case-pairs was examined. Significant clustering (P = 0.07) was only detected for case-pairs occurring within 3 months and 150 km of each other; 164 case-pairs were declared close compared to an expectation of 151. We suggest that factors common to a district (such as rainfall and temperature) are responsible for clustering of flystrike in Queensland.

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We showed previously that substitution of the first residue of the influenza hemagglutinin (HA) fusion peptide Gly1 with Glu abolishes fusion activity. In the present study we asked whether this striking phenotype was due to the charge or side-chain volume of the substituted Glu. To do this we generated and characterized six mutants with substitutions at position 1: Gly1 to Ala, Ser, Val, Glu, Gln, or Lys. We found the following. All mutants were expressed at the cell surface, could be cleaved from the precursor (HA0) to the fusion permissive form (HA1-S-S-HA2), bound antibodies against the major antigenic site, bound red blood cells, and changed conformation at low pH. Only Gly, Ala, and Ser supported lipid mixing during fusion with red blood cells. Only Gly and Ala supported content mixing. Ser HA, therefore, displayed a hemifusion phenotype. The hemifusion phenotype of Ser HA was confirmed by electrophysiological studies. Our findings indicate that the first residue of the HA fusion peptide must be small (e.g., Gly, Ala, or Ser) to promote lipid mixing and must be small and apolar (e.g., Gly or Ala) to support both lipid and content mixing. The finding that Val HA displays no fusion activity underscores the idea that hydrophobicity is not the sole factor dictating fusion peptide function. The surprising finding that Ser HA displays hemifusion suggests that the HA ectodomain functions not only in the first stage of fusion, lipid mixing, but also, either directly or indirectly, in the second stage of fusion, content mixing.

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Information provided by wool growers in Queensland, Australia between 1995 and 1997 was used to assess the prevalence and spatial distribution of louse (Bovicola ovis) infestation in sheep flocks. The estimated prevalence of louse-infested flocks was 40% (95% confidence interval, 35-46%). Although the prevalence of infestation was higher in western regions (41-50%) compared to the south region of Queensland (31%), the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Significant (P = 0.02) clustering of infested flocks was detected in the south region where two foci were apparent. We conclude that Queensland sheep flocks have a moderate prevalence of louse infestation, and that clustering of infestation is not strong. The control of lice is an industry-wide issue that needs to be addressed by most wool growers in Queensland.

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OBJECTIVE: To determine practices for control of louse infestation and blowfly strike in Queensland sheep flocks that are associated with organophosphorous and synthetic pyrethroid residues on wool. DESIGN: Information on residues was obtained from a survey of Queensland wool clips. Information on pesticide use was obtained from a trace-back postal survey. The association between pesticide use and residues was assessed using generalised linear models, controlling for potential confounding by flock location. PROCEDURE: Between 1995 and 1997 Queensland wool clips were randomly sampled. Samples were tested for the presence and amount (mg per kg of greasy wool) of organophosphorous and synthetic pyrethroid pesticides. A questionnaire seeking information on flock characteristics and pesticide use was sent to the manager of each flock from which a wool sample was tested. RESULTS: The median amount of OP and SP residue was 0.8 and 0.25 mg/kg, respectively, and 91 and 95% of wool samples contained < 8 mg/kg of OP and SP residues, respectively. The frequency of OP pesticide use for louse control was significantly (P = 0.005) associated with mean OP residue amount, and the timing of SP use for louse control, in relation to shearing, was significantly (P < 0.001) associated with mean SP residue amount. CONCLUSION: Most Queensland wool clips have acceptable amounts of residues after the use of OP and SP pesticides, but wool growers can further reduce residues by effectively controlling louse infestation with pesticide applications early after shearing and the use of non-chemical methods of ectoparasite control.

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OBJECTIVE: To determine the amounts of organophosphorous and synthetic pyrethroid residues on Queensland wool sampled between 1995 and 1997, and to study if pesticide use changed during the period. DESIGN: Estimated amounts of residues were obtained from a survey of Queensland wool clips and information on pesticide use was obtained from a trace-back postal survey of flock managers. PROCEDURE: Trends in amounts of residues over time were assessed using analysis of variance and simple linear regression models, and changes in pesticide use was assessed using chi 2 tests. RESULTS: Significant linear reductions in organophosphorous (P = 0.0012), synthetic pyrethroid (P = 0.0044) and total (P = 0.0002) residues were detected. The proportion of wool-growers treating for louse infestation (P = 0.0046) treating twice or more (P = 0.0006) and treating more than 4 months after shearing (P = 0.0001) decreased between 1994 and 1997. However, the proportion of growers who treated for blowfly strike (P = 0.0124) and used insect growth regulator pesticides increased (P < 0.0001). The use of handjetting to apply pesticides for blowfly strike control increased and the use of dips decreased (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Residues of organophosphorous compounds and synthetic pyrethroids reduced in Queensland wool between 1994 and 1997. Although woolgrowers treated for louse infestation less, pesticide use to control blowfly strike increased. The increasing use of insect growth regulators in the industry needs to be monitored.

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We tested the role of the "spring-loaded" conformational change in the fusion mechanism of the influenza hemagglutinin (HA) by assessing the effects of 10 point mutants in the region of high coiled-coil propensity, HA2 54-81. The mutants included proline substitutions at HA2 55, 71, and 80, as well as a double proline substitution at residues 55 and 71. Mutants were expressed in COS or 293T cells and assayed for cell surface expression and structural features as well as for their ability to change conformation and induce fusion at low pH. We found the following: Specific mutations affected the precise carbohydrate structure and folding of the HA trimer. All of the mutants, however, formed trimers that could be expressed at the cell surface in a form that could be proteolytically cleaved from the precursor, HA0, to the fusion-permissive form, HA1-S-S-HA2. All mutants reacted with an antibody against the major antigenic site and bound red blood cells. Seven out of ten mutants displayed a wild-type (wt) or moderately elevated pH dependence for the conformational change. V55P displayed a substantial reduction (approximately 60- 80%) in the initial rate of lipid mixing. The other single mutants displayed efficient fusion with the same pH dependence as wt-HA. The double proline mutant V55P/ S71P displayed no fusion activity despite being well expressed at the cell surface as a proteolytically cleaved trimer that could bind red blood cells and change conformation at low pH. The impairment in fusion for both V55P and V55P/S71P was at the level of outer leaflet lipid mixing. We interpret our results in support of the hypothesis that the spring-loaded conformational change is required for fusion. An alternate model is discussed.

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