Allobaculum stercoricanis gen. nov., sp nov., isolated from canine feces

Morphological, biochemical, and molecular genetic studies were performed on an unknown anaerobic, catalase-negative, nonspore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium isolated from dog feces. The unknown bacterium was tentatively identified as a Eubacterium species, based on cellular morphological and biochemical tests. 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies, however, revealed that it was phylogenetically distant from Eubacterium limosum, the type species of the genus Eubacterium. Phylogenetically, the unknown species forms a hitherto unknown sub-line proximal to the base of a cluster of organisms (designated rRNA cluster XVI), which includes Clostridium innocuum, Streptococcus pleomorphus, and some Eubacterium species. Based on both phenotypic and phylogenetic criteria, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium be classified as a new genus and species, Allobaculum stercoricanis. Using a specific rRNA-targeted probe designed to identify Allobacultan stercoricanis, in situ hybridisation showed this novel species represents a significant organism in canine feces comprising between 0.1% and 3.7% of total cells stained with DAPI (21 dog fecal samples). The type strain of Allobaculum stereoricanis is DSM 13633(T) = CCUG 45212(T). (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Corynebacterium spheniscorum sp nov., isolated from the cloacae of wild penguins

Twenty unidentified Gram-positive, rod-shaped organisms were recovered from the cloacae of apparently healthy wild penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic analysis. On the basis of cellular morphology and biochemical criteria, the isolates were tentatively assigned to the genus Corynebacterium, although the organisms did not appear to correspond to any recognized species. Lipid studies confirmed this generic placement, and comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the unidentified organisms represent a hitherto unknown subline, associated with a small subcluster of species that includes Corynebacterium diphtheriae and its close relatives. On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown isolates from penguins be classified in the genus Corynebacterium, as Corynebacterium spheniscorum sp. nov. The type strain is strain PG 39(T) (=CCUG 45512(T) =CECT 5986(T)).

Corynebacterium sphenisci sp nov., isolated from wild penguins

Six unidentified Gram-positive, rod-shaped organisms recovered from the cloacae of apparently healthy wild penguins were characterized by phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. Chemotaxonomic investigations revealed the presence of a cell wall based on meso-diaminopimelic acid and long-chain cellular fatty acids of the straight-chain saturated and monounsaturated types, consistent with the genus Corynebacterium. Corynomycolic acids, which are characteristic of the genus, were also detected, albeit in small amounts. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies showed that the unidentified organisms were phylogenetically related to corynebacteria and represent a novel subline associated with a small subcluster of species that includes Corynebacterium xerosis, Corynebacterium amycolatum and Corynebacterium freneyi. The unknown isolates were readily distinguished from their closest phylogenetic relatives and all other Corynebacterium species with validly published names by using a combination of biochemical and chemotaxonomic criteria. Based on both phenotypic and 16S rRNA gene sequence considerations, it is proposed that the unknown isolates recovered from penguins be classified as a novel species in the genus Corynebacterium, Corynebacterium sphenisci sp. nov. The type strain is CECT 5990(T) (= CCUG 46398(T)).

Corynebacterium ciconiae sp. nov., isolated from the trachea of black storks (Ciconia nigra)

SEight unidentified Gram-positive, rod-shaped organisms were recovered from the tracheas of apparently healthy black storks (Ciconia nigra) and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic analysis. Based on cellular morphology and biochemical criteria the isolates were tentatively assigned to the genus Corynebacterium, although three of the organisms did not appear to correspond to any recognized species. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies demonstrated that all of the isolates were phylogenetically members of the genus Corynebacterium. Five strains were genotypically identified as representing Corynebacterium falsenii, whereas the remaining three strains represented a hitherto unknown subline, associated with a small subcluster of species that includes Corynebacterium mastitidis and its close relatives. On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown isolates from black storks represent a novel species within the genus Corynebacterium, for which the Corynebacterium ciconiae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CECT 5779(T) (= BS13(T) =CCILIG 47525(T)).

Bifidobacterium scardovii sp. nov., from human sources

Five strains of an unusual catalase-negative Gram-positive asporogenous rod-shaped bacterium from human sources were subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The presence of fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase, a key enzyme of bifidobacterial hexose metabolism, indicated the strains were members of the genus Bifidobacterium but they did not correspond to any of the recognized species of this genus on the basis of biochemical profiles and whole-cell protein analyses. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing confirmed the placement of the isolates in the genus Bifidobacterium, and demonstrated they represent a hitherto unknown subline within the genus displaying > 5% sequence divergence with recognized species. Based on both phenotypic and phylogenetic criteria, it is proposed that the isolates recovered from human sources be classified as a new species, Bifidobacterium scardovii sp. nov.; the type strain is CCUG 13008T (= DSM 13734T).

Actinomyces catuli sp. nov., from dogs

An Actinomyces-like bacterium was recovered from two dogs. Based on cellular morphology and biochemical criteria, the unknown bacterium resembled the genus Actinomyces but it did not appear to correspond to any of the currently recognized species of this genus. PAGE analysis of whole-cell proteins confirmed that the strain was phenotypically distinct from all other Actinomyces species and comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the bacterium represents an unknown sub-line within the genus. Based on phenotypic and phylogenetic evidence, it is proposed that the bacterium from dogs be classified as a new species of the genus Actinomyces, Actinomyces catuli. The type strain of Actinomyces catuli is CCUG 41709T (= CIP 106507T).

The impact of Group Intelligence software on enquiry-based learning

Despite the increasing use of groupware technologies in education, there is little evidence of their impact, especially within an enquiry-based learning (EBL) context. In this paper, we examine the use of a commercial standard Group Intelligence software called GroupSystems®ThinkTank. To date, ThinkTank has been adopted mainly in the USA and supports teams in generating ideas, categorising, prioritising, voting and multi-criteria decision-making and automatically generates a report at the end of each session. The software was used by students carrying out an EBL project, set by employers, for a full academic year. The criteria for assessing the impact of ThinkTank on student learning were those of creativity, participation, productivity, engagement and understanding. Data was collected throughout the year using a combination of interviews and questionnaires, and written feedback from employers. The overall findings show an increase in levels of productivity and creativity, evidence of a deeper understanding of their work but some variation in attitudes towards participation in the early stages of the project.

Environmental effects of Deccan volcanism across the Cretaceous-Tertiary transition in Meghalaya, India

The Um Sohryngkew section of Meghalaya, NE India, located 800–1000 km from the Deccan volcanic province, is one of the most complete Cretaceous–Tertiary boundary (KTB) transitions worldwide with all defining and supporting criteria present: mass extinction of planktic foraminifera, first appearance of Danian species, δ13C shift, Ir anomaly (12 ppb) and KTB red layer. The geochemical signature of the KTB layer indicates not only an extraterrestrial signal (Ni and all Platinum Group Elements (PGEs)) of a second impact that postdates Chicxulub, but also a significant component resulting from condensed sedimentation (P), redox fluctuations (As, Co, Fe, Pb, Zn, and to a lesser extent Ni and Cu) and volcanism. From the late Maastrichtian C29r into the early Danian, a humid climate prevailed (kaolinite: 40–60%, detrital minerals: 50–80%). During the latest Maastrichtian, periodic acid rains (carbonate dissolution; CIA index: 70–80) associated with pulsed Deccan eruptions and strong continental weathering resulted in mesotrophic waters. The resulting super-stressed environmental conditions led to the demise of nearly all planktic foraminiferal species and blooms (> 95%) of the disaster opportunist Guembelitria cretacea. These data reveal that detrimental marine conditions prevailed surrounding the Deccan volcanic province during the main phase of eruptions in C29r below the KTB. Ultimately these environmental conditions led to regionally early extinctions followed by global extinctions at the KTB.

Military targeting in the context of self-defence actions

In order to bring conceptual clarity to a particular dimension of the relationship between the jus ad bellum and the jus in bello regimes, this article explores the independent sources of a military targeting rule in both branches of international law. The aim is not to displace the jus in bello as the ‘lead’ regime on how targeting decisions must be made, or to undermine the traditional separation between these regimes. Rather, conceptual light is shed on a sometimes assumed but generally neglected dimension of the jus ad bellum’s necessity and proportionality criteria that may, in limited circumstances, have significance for our understanding of human protection during war, by covering possible gaps in the jus in bello targeting rules.

Death of the high street: identification, prevention, reinvention

Location is of paramount importance within the retail sector, yet defining locational obsolescence remains overlooked, despite significant concerns over the viability of parts of the complex sector. This paper reviews the existing literature and, through this, explores retail locational obsolescence, including the multi-spatial nature of the driving forces that range from the global economy, local markets and submarkets, to individual property-specific factors; and, crucially, the need to disentangle locational obsolescence from other important concepts such as depreciation and functional obsolescence that are often mistakenly used. Through this, a conceptual model, definition and diagnostic criteria are presented to guide future studies, policy development and the allocation of resources. Importantly, three stages are presented to enable the operationalization of the model, essential to future academic and industry studies as well as the ongoing development of policy in this economically important, complex and contentious area.

TOWARD UNDERSTANDING THE B[e] PHENOMENON. III. PROPERTIES OF THE OPTICAL COUNTERPART OF IRAS 00470+6429

FS CMa type stars are a group of Galactic objects with the B[e] phenomenon. They exhibit strong emission-line spectra and infrared excesses, which are most likely due to recently formed circumstellar dust. The group content and identification criteria were described in the first two papers of the series. In this paper we report our spectroscopic and photometric observations of the optical counterpart of IRAS 00470+6429 obtained in 2003-2008. The optical spectrum is dominated by emission lines, most of which have P Cyg type profiles. We detected significant brightness variations, which may include a regular component, and variable spectral line profiles in both shape and position. The presence of a weak Li I 6708 angstrom line in the spectrum suggests that the object is most likely a binary system with a B2-B3 spectral-type primary companion of a luminosity log L/L(circle dot) = 3.9 +/- 0.3 and a late-type secondary companion. We estimate a distance toward the object to be 2.0 +/- 0.3 kpc from the Sun.

Architectonic subdivisions of the amygdalar complex of a primitive marsupial (Didelphis aurita)

The architecture of the amygdaloid complex of a marsupial, the opossum Didelphis aurita, was analyzed using classical stains like Nissl staining and myelin (Gallyas) staining, and enzyme histochemistry for acetylcholinesterase and NADPH-diaphorase. Most of the subdivisions of the amygdaloid complex described in eutherian mammals were identified in the opossum brain. NADPH-diaphorase revealed reactivity in the neuropil of nearly all amygdaloid subdivisions with different intensities, allowing the identification of the medial and lateral subdivisions of the cortical posterior nucleus and the lateral subdivision of the lateral nucleus. The lateral, central, basolateral and basomedial nuclei exhibited acetylcholinesterase positivity, which provided a useful chemoarchitectural criterion for the identification of the anterior basolateral nucleus. Myelin stain allowed the identification of the medial subdivision of the lateral nucleus, and resulted in intense staining of the medial subdivisions of the central nucleus. The medial, posterior, and cortical nuclei, as well as the amygdalopiriform area did not exhibit positivity for myelin staining. On the basis of cyto- and chemoarchitectural criteria, the present study highlights that the opossum amygdaloid complex shares similarities with that of other species, thus supporting the idea that the organization of the amygdala is part of a basic plan conserved through mammalian evolution. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemostratigraphy of the Tamengo Formation (Corumba Group, Brazil) A contribution to the calibration of the Ediacaran carbon-isotope curve

The Corumba Group cropping out in the southern Paraguay Belt in Brazil is one of the most complete Ediacaran sedimentary archives of palaeogeographic climatic biogeochemical and biotic evolution in southwestern Gondwana The unit hosts a rich fossil record including acritarchs vendotaenids (Vendo taenia Eoholynia) soft-bodied metazoans (Corumbella) and skeletal fossils (Cloudina Titanotheca) The Tamengo Formation made up mainly of limestones and marls provides a rich bio- and chemostratigraphic record Several outcrops formerly assigned to the Cuiaba Group are here included in the Tamengo Formation on the basis of lithological and chemostratigraphical criteria High-resolution carbon isotopic analyses are reported for the Tamengo Formation showing (from base to top) (1) a positive delta(13)C excursion to +4 parts per thousand PDB above post-glacial negative values (2) a negative excursion to -3 5 parts per thousand associated with a marked regression and subsequent transgression (3) a positive excursion to +5 5 parts per thousand and (4) a plateau characterized by delta(13)C around +3 parts per thousand A U-Pb SHRIMP zircon age of an ash bed Interbedded in the upper part of the delta(13)C positive plateau yielded 543 +/- 3 Ma which is considered as the depositional age (Babinski et al 2008a) The positive plateau in the upper Tamengo Formation and the preceding positive excursion are ubiquitous features in several successions worldwide including the Nama Group (Namibia) the Dengying Formation (South China) and the Nafun and Ara groups (Oman) This plateau is constrained between 542 and 551 Ma thus consistent with the age of the upper Tamengo Formation The negative excursion of the lower Tamengo Formation may be correlated to the Shuram-Wonoka negative anomaly although delta(13)C values do not fall beyond -3 5 parts per thousand in the Brazilian sections Sedimentary breccias occur just beneath this negative excursion in the lower Tamengo Formation One possible interpretation of the origin of these breccias is a glacioeustatic sea-level fall but a tectonic interpretation cannot be completely ruled out Published by Elsevier B V

Bayesian Analysis for Nonlinear Regression Model Under Skewed Errors, with Application in Growth Curves

We have considered a Bayesian approach for the nonlinear regression model by replacing the normal distribution on the error term by some skewed distributions, which account for both skewness and heavy tails or skewness alone. The type of data considered in this paper concerns repeated measurements taken in time on a set of individuals. Such multiple observations on the same individual generally produce serially correlated outcomes. Thus, additionally, our model does allow for a correlation between observations made from the same individual. We have illustrated the procedure using a data set to study the growth curves of a clinic measurement of a group of pregnant women from an obstetrics clinic in Santiago, Chile. Parameter estimation and prediction were carried out using appropriate posterior simulation schemes based in Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods. Besides the deviance information criterion (DIC) and the conditional predictive ordinate (CPO), we suggest the use of proper scoring rules based on the posterior predictive distribution for comparing models. For our data set, all these criteria chose the skew-t model as the best model for the errors. These DIC and CPO criteria are also validated, for the model proposed here, through a simulation study. As a conclusion of this study, the DIC criterion is not trustful for this kind of complex model.

Åtgärdsprogram för elever i behov av särskilt stöd : Pedagogers förhållningssätt gentemot hantering av elever som saknar diagnos men har ett åtgärdsprogram

Syftet med denna studie har varit att ta reda på lärares och specialpedagogers förhållningssätt gentemot pedagogisk hantering av elever som saknar diagnos men har ett åtgärdsprogram. För att besvara studiens frågeställningar har både kvalitativ och kvantitativ metodansats valts samt kombinerats. Resultatet bygger på frågeställningarnas tre teman: åtgärdsprogrammets nytta, undervisningens utformning samt kriterier för utvärdering och revidering. Resultatet visar att dessa frågor är komplexa dilemman bestående av flera beståndsdelar, dels på grund av spänningen mellan målstyrning och enskilda skolors specifika omständigheter och dels utifrån pedagogernas skilda uppfattningar om pedagogik och specialpedagogik.