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Dominance often indicates one or a few species being best suited for resource capture and retention in a given environment. Press perturbations that change availability of limiting resources can restructure competitive hierarchies, allowing new species to capture or retain resources and leaving once dominant species fated to decline. However, dominant species may maintain high abundances even when their new environments no longer favour them due to stochastic processes associated with their high abundance, impeding deterministic processes that would otherwise diminish them.Here, we quantify the persistence of dominance by tracking the rate of decline in dominant species at 90 globally distributed grassland sites under experimentally elevated soil nutrient supply and reduced vertebrate consumer pressure.We found that chronic experimental nutrient addition and vertebrate exclusion caused certain subsets of species to lose dominance more quickly than in control plots. In control plots, perennial species and species with high initial cover maintained dominance for longer than annual species and those with low initial cover respectively. In fertilized plots, species with high initial cover maintained dominance at similar rates to control plots, while those with lower initial cover lost dominance even faster than similar species in controls. High initial cover increased the estimated time to dominance loss more strongly in plots with vertebrate exclosures than in controls. Vertebrate exclosures caused a slight decrease in the persistence of dominance for perennials, while fertilization brought perennials' rate of dominance loss in line with those of annuals. Annual species lost dominance at similar rates regardless of treatments.Synthesis. Collectively, these results point to a strong role of a species' historical abundance in maintaining dominance following environmental perturbations. Because dominant species play an outsized role in driving ecosystem processes, their a

OBJECTIVES: Serogroup W and Y invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) increased globally from 2000 onwards. Responding to a rapid increase in serogroup W clonal complex 11 (W:cc11) IMD, the UK replaced an adolescent booster dose of meningococcal C conjugate vaccine with quadrivalent MenACWY conjugate vaccine in 2015. By 2018, vaccine coverage in the eligible school cohorts aged 14-19 years-old was 84%. We assessed the impact of the MenACWY vaccination programme on meningococcal carriage. METHOD(S): An observational study of culture-defined oropharyngeal meningococcal carriage prevalence before and after the start of the MenACWY vaccination programme in UK school students, aged 15-19 years, using two cross-sectional studies: 2014-15 "UKMenCar4" and 2018 "Be on the TEAM" (ISRCTN75858406). RESULT(S): A total of 10625 participants pre-implementation and 13434 post-implementation were included. Carriage of genogroups C, W, and Y (combined) decreased from 2.03% to 0.71% (OR 0.34 [95% CI 0.27-0.44] p<0.001). Carriage of genogroup B meningococci did not change (1.26% vs 1.23% [95% CI 0.77-1.22] p=0.80) and genogroup C remained rare (n = 7/10625 vs 17/13488, p=0.135). The proportion of serogroup positive isolates, i.e., those expressing capsule, decreased for genogroup W by 53.8% (95% CI -5.0%-79.8%, p=0.016) and for genogroup Y by 30.1% (95% CI 8.9%-46.3%, p=0.0025). CONCLUSION(S): The UK MenACWY vaccination programme reduced carriage acquisition of genogroup and serogroup Y and W meningococci and sustained low levels of genogroup C carriage. These data support the use of quadrivalent MenACWY conjugate vaccine for indirect (herd) protection.Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Contains fulltext : 221539.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access), Cardiac output during cardiac catheterization is often estimated using the modified Fick method (CO(Fick)). In this proof-of-concept, prospective non-randomized study carried out in a single academic healthcare centre, we examined whether replacing CO(Fick) in the Gorlin formula with Cheetah-NICOM monitor cardiac output (CO(Cheetah)) could produce an accurate and precise estimate of aortic valve area in patients with severe aortic stenosis. In twenty-six subjects, CO(Fick) and CO(Cheetah) were obtained concurrently. A spot and 3-minute running average of CO(Cheetah) was used. Bland and Altman analysis was used to derive bias, 95% limits of agreement (LOA) and confidence intervals (CI). The mean difference (bias) between AVA(Cheetah) (average) and AVA(Fick) was 0.11 cm(2) and the 95% LOA were ±0.42 cm(2). The 95% CI of the bias was 0.02-0.2 cm(2). The bias and 95% LOA of AVA(Cheetah) (spot value) were 0.14 ± 0.42cm(2), with a 95% CI of 0.06-0.23 cm(2). No proportional bias was present. AVA(Cheetah) thus appears to be a reasonably accurate measure of AVA in patients with severe aortic stenosis compared to AVA(Fick) measured using a modified Fick CO. However, the limits of agreement were not narrow enough to consider AVA(Cheetah) and AVA(Fick) interchangeable.

Contains fulltext : 221539.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access), Cardiac output during cardiac catheterization is often estimated using the modified Fick method (CO(Fick)). In this proof-of-concept, prospective non-randomized study carried out in a single academic healthcare centre, we examined whether replacing CO(Fick) in the Gorlin formula with Cheetah-NICOM monitor cardiac output (CO(Cheetah)) could produce an accurate and precise estimate of aortic valve area in patients with severe aortic stenosis. In twenty-six subjects, CO(Fick) and CO(Cheetah) were obtained concurrently. A spot and 3-minute running average of CO(Cheetah) was used. Bland and Altman analysis was used to derive bias, 95% limits of agreement (LOA) and confidence intervals (CI). The mean difference (bias) between AVA(Cheetah) (average) and AVA(Fick) was 0.11 cm(2) and the 95% LOA were ±0.42 cm(2). The 95% CI of the bias was 0.02-0.2 cm(2). The bias and 95% LOA of AVA(Cheetah) (spot value) were 0.14 ± 0.42cm(2), with a 95% CI of 0.06-0.23 cm(2). No proportional bias was present. AVA(Cheetah) thus appears to be a reasonably accurate measure of AVA in patients with severe aortic stenosis compared to AVA(Fick) measured using a modified Fick CO. However, the limits of agreement were not narrow enough to consider AVA(Cheetah) and AVA(Fick) interchangeable.

Contains fulltext : 221539.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access), Cardiac output during cardiac catheterization is often estimated using the modified Fick method (CO(Fick)). In this proof-of-concept, prospective non-randomized study carried out in a single academic healthcare centre, we examined whether replacing CO(Fick) in the Gorlin formula with Cheetah-NICOM monitor cardiac output (CO(Cheetah)) could produce an accurate and precise estimate of aortic valve area in patients with severe aortic stenosis. In twenty-six subjects, CO(Fick) and CO(Cheetah) were obtained concurrently. A spot and 3-minute running average of CO(Cheetah) was used. Bland and Altman analysis was used to derive bias, 95% limits of agreement (LOA) and confidence intervals (CI). The mean difference (bias) between AVA(Cheetah) (average) and AVA(Fick) was 0.11 cm(2) and the 95% LOA were ±0.42 cm(2). The 95% CI of the bias was 0.02-0.2 cm(2). The bias and 95% LOA of AVA(Cheetah) (spot value) were 0.14 ± 0.42cm(2), with a 95% CI of 0.06-0.23 cm(2). No proportional bias was present. AVA(Cheetah) thus appears to be a reasonably accurate measure of AVA in patients with severe aortic stenosis compared to AVA(Fick) measured using a modified Fick CO. However, the limits of agreement were not narrow enough to consider AVA(Cheetah) and AVA(Fick) interchangeable.

A rickettsia‐like organism, designated NZ‐RLO2, was isolated from Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) farmed in the South Island, New Zealand. In vivo growth showed NZ‐RLO2 was able to grow in CHSE‐214, EPC, BHK‐21, C6/36 and Sf21 cell lines, while Piscirickettsia salmonis LF‐89T grew in all but BHK‐21 and Sf21. NZ‐RLO2 grew optimally in EPC at 15°C, CHSE‐214 and EPC at 18°C. The growth of LF‐89 T was optimal at 15°C, 18°C and 22°C in CHSE‐24, but appeared less efficient in EPC cells at all temperatures. Pan‐genome comparison of predicted proteomes shows that available Chilean strains of P. salmonis grouped into two clusters (p‐value = 94%). NZ‐RLO2 was genetically different from previously described NZ‐RLO1, and both strains grouped separately from the Chilean strains in one of the two clusters (p‐value = 88%), but were closely related to each other. TaqMan and Sybr Green real‐time PCR targeting RNA polymerase (rpoB) and DNA primase (dnaG), respectively, were developed to detect NZ‐RLO2. This study indicates that the New Zealand strains showed a closer genetic relationship to one of the Chilean P. salmonis clusters; however, more Piscirickettsia genomes from wider geographical regions and diverse hosts are needed to better understand the classification within this genus.

A rickettsia‐like organism, designated NZ‐RLO2, was isolated from Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) farmed in the South Island, New Zealand. In vivo growth showed NZ‐RLO2 was able to grow in CHSE‐214, EPC, BHK‐21, C6/36 and Sf21 cell lines, while Piscirickettsia salmonis LF‐89T grew in all but BHK‐21 and Sf21. NZ‐RLO2 grew optimally in EPC at 15°C, CHSE‐214 and EPC at 18°C. The growth of LF‐89 T was optimal at 15°C, 18°C and 22°C in CHSE‐24, but appeared less efficient in EPC cells at all temperatures. Pan‐genome comparison of predicted proteomes shows that available Chilean strains of P. salmonis grouped into two clusters (p‐value = 94%). NZ‐RLO2 was genetically different from previously described NZ‐RLO1, and both strains grouped separately from the Chilean strains in one of the two clusters (p‐value = 88%), but were closely related to each other. TaqMan and Sybr Green real‐time PCR targeting RNA polymerase (rpoB) and DNA primase (dnaG), respectively, were developed to detect NZ‐RLO2. This study indicates that the New Zealand strains showed a closer genetic relationship to one of the Chilean P. salmonis clusters; however, more Piscirickettsia genomes from wider geographical regions and diverse hosts are needed to better understand the classification within this genus.

BACKGROUND: People with psychosis have a reduced life expectancy of 10-20 years, largely due to cardiovascular disease. This trial aimed to determine the effectiveness of a modular health promotion intervention (IMPaCT Therapy) in improving health and reducing cardiovascular risk in psychosis. METHODS: A multicentre, two arm, parallel cluster RCT was conducted across five UK mental health NHS trusts. Community care coordinators (CC) were randomly assigned to training and supervision in delivering IMPaCT Therapy or treatment as usual (TAU) to current patients with psychosis (cluster). The primary outcome was the physical and mental health subscales of the Short form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire. RESULTS: Of 104 care coordinators recruited, 52 (with 213 patients) were randomised to deliver IMPaCT therapy and 52 (with 193 patients) randomised to TAU. Of 406 patients, 318 (78%) and 301 (74%) attended 12- and 15-month follow-up respectively. IMPaCT therapy showed no significant effect on the physical or mental health component SF-36 scores versus TAU at 12 or 15 months. No effect was observed for cardiovascular risk indicators, except for HDL cholesterol, which improved more with IMPACT therapy than TAU (Treatment effect (95% CI); 0.085 (0.007 to 0.16); p = 0.034). The 22% of patients who received >180 min of IMPACT Therapy in addition to usual care achieved a greater reduction in waist circumference than did controls, which was clinically significant. CONCLUSION: Training and supervising community care coordinators to use IMPaCT therapy in patients with psychosis is insufficient to significantly improve physical or mental health quality of life. The search for effective, pragmatic interventions deliverable in health care services continues. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was retrospectively registered with ISRCTN registry on 23/4/2010 at ISRCTN58667926 ; recruitment started on 01/03/2010 with first randomization on 09.08.2010 ISRCTN58667926 .

We report here the draft genome sequence of a rickettsia-like organism, isolated from a New Zealand Chinook salmon farm experiencing high mortality. The genome is approximately 3 Mb in size, has a G+C content of approximately 39.2%, and is predicted to contain 2,870 coding sequences.

We report here the draft genome sequence of a rickettsia-like organism, isolated from a New Zealand Chinook salmon farm experiencing high mortality. The genome is approximately 3 Mb in size, has a G+C content of approximately 39.2%, and is predicted to contain 2,870 coding sequences.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is increased in individuals with severe mental illnesses.We set out to establish a multicentre, two arm, parallel cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a health promotion intervention (HPI), IMPACT Therapy. The patient-tailored IMPACT Therapy aims to target one or more health behaviours from a pre-defined list that includes cannabis use; alcohol use; other substance use; cigarette smoking; exercise; diet and diabetic control, prioritising those identified as problematic by the patient, taking a motivational interviewing and CBT approach. METHODS: Impact therapy will be delivered by care coordinators in the community to the treatment group and will be compared to treatment as usual (TAU). The main hypothesis is that the addition of IMPACT Therapy (HPI) to TAU will be more effective than TAU alone in improving patients' quality of life as measured by the Short Form-36, including mental health and physical health subscales on completion of the intervention at 12 months post randomisation. A subsidiary hypothesis will be that addition of IMPACT Therapy (HPI) will be more cost-effective than TAU alone in improving health in people with SMI 12 months from baseline. The IMPACT therapy patient groups' improvement in quality of life, as well as its cost effectiveness, is hypothesised to be maintained at 15 months. Outcomes will be analyzed on an intention-to-treat (ITT) basis. DISCUSSION: The results of the trial will provide information about the effectiveness of the IMPACT therapy programme in supporting community mental health teams to address physical comorbidity in severe mental illness. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN58667926.

The standard approach for norovirus control in hospitals in the UK, as outlined by the Health Protection Agency guidance and implemented previously by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, involves the early closure of affected wards. However, this has a major impact on bed-days lost and cancelled admissions. In 2008, a new strategy was introduced in the study hospital, key elements of which included closure of affected ward bays (rather than wards), installation of bay doors, enhanced cleaning, a rapid in-house molecular test and an enlarged infection control team. The impact of these changes was assessed by comparing two norovirus seasons (2007-08 and 2009-10) before and after implementation of the new strategy, expressing the contrast between seasons as a ratio (r) of expected counts in the two seasons. There was a significant decrease in the ratio of confirmed hospital outbreaks to community outbreaks (r = 0.317, P = 0.025), the number of days of restricted admissions on hospital wards per outbreak (r = 0.742, P = 0.041), and the number of hospital bed-days lost per outbreak (r = 0.344, P < 0.001). However, there was no significant change in the number of patients affected per hospital outbreak (r = 1.080, P = 0.517), or the number of hospital staff affected per outbreak (r = 0.651, P = 0.105). Closure of entire wards during norovirus outbreaks is not always necessary. The changes implemented at the study hospital resulted in a significant reduction in the number of bed-days lost per outbreak, and this, together with a reduction in outbreak frequency, resulted in considerable cost savings. (C) 2011 The Healthcare Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The standard approach for norovirus control in hospitals in the UK, as outlined by the Health Protection Agency guidance and implemented previously by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, involves the early closure of affected wards. However, this has a major impact on bed-days lost and cancelled admissions. In 2008, a new strategy was introduced in the study hospital, key elements of which included closure of affected ward bays (rather than wards), installation of bay doors, enhanced cleaning, a rapid in-house molecular test and an enlarged infection control team. The impact of these changes was assessed by comparing two norovirus seasons (2007-08 and 2009-10) before and after implementation of the new strategy, expressing the contrast between seasons as a ratio (r) of expected counts in the two seasons. There was a significant decrease in the ratio of confirmed hospital outbreaks to community outbreaks (r = 0.317, P = 0.025), the number of days of restricted admissions on hospital wards per outbreak (r = 0.742, P = 0.041), and the number of hospital bed-days lost per outbreak (r = 0.344, P < 0.001). However, there was no significant change in the number of patients affected per hospital outbreak (r = 1.080, P = 0.517), or the number of hospital staff affected per outbreak (r = 0.651, P = 0.105). Closure of entire wards during norovirus outbreaks is not always necessary. The changes implemented at the study hospital resulted in a significant reduction in the number of bed-days lost per outbreak, and this, together with a reduction in outbreak frequency, resulted in considerable cost savings. (C) 2011 The Healthcare Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Rainfall variability remains a major challenge to sustainable grazing management in northern Australia with perennial grasses the key to the stability of the resources that maintain a sustainable grazing industry. This paper describes the dynamics of five perennial grasses - Bothriochloa ewartiana (Domin) C.E. Hubb., Chrysopogon fallax S.T. Blake, Aristida spp., Panicum effusum R. Br. and Heteropogon contortus (L.) P. Beauv. ex Roem. & Schult. in relation to three grazing strategies - moderate stocking at long-term carrying capacity, heavy stocking and rotational wet season spelling. The research was conducted in permanent quadrats on the predominant land type in an extensive grazing study in an Aristida-Bothriochloa pasture in north Australia between 1998 and 2010. Summer rainfall was above average for two periods - 1998-2001 and 2008-2010 with drought and below-average rainfall from 2002 to 2007. Low rainfall affected the dynamics of all grasses by reducing survival and basal area through its effect on plant size; this impact was most noticeable for the shorter-lived Aristida spp., P. effusum and H. contortus. The impact of grazing was greatest on the long-lived B. ewartiana and C. fallax; this effect was accentuated by the 2002-07 drought. Heavy grazing during this period further reduced the survival and size of B. ewartiana in comparison with the moderate stocking and rotational spell treatments. In contrast, the survival of C. fallax was reduced in the moderate stocking and rotational spelling treatment during drought, relative to that under heavy grazing. The density of B. ewartiana declined even under moderate grazing and despite two sequences of above-average rainfall because seedling recruitment failed to offset mature plant death. Results from this study emphasised the importance of maintaining the existing populations of key long-lived species such as B. ewartiana through good management. These results also supported the overall findings from the grazing

Rainfall variability remains a major challenge to sustainable grazing management in northern Australia with perennial grasses the key to the stability of the resources that maintain a sustainable grazing industry. This paper describes the dynamics of five perennial grasses - Bothriochloa ewartiana (Domin) C.E. Hubb., Chrysopogon fallax S.T. Blake, Aristida spp., Panicum effusum R. Br. and Heteropogon contortus (L.) P. Beauv. ex Roem. & Schult. in relation to three grazing strategies - moderate stocking at long-term carrying capacity, heavy stocking and rotational wet season spelling. The research was conducted in permanent quadrats on the predominant land type in an extensive grazing study in an Aristida-Bothriochloa pasture in north Australia between 1998 and 2010. Summer rainfall was above average for two periods - 1998-2001 and 2008-2010 with drought and below-average rainfall from 2002 to 2007. Low rainfall affected the dynamics of all grasses by reducing survival and basal area through its effect on plant size; this impact was most noticeable for the shorter-lived Aristida spp., P. effusum and H. contortus. The impact of grazing was greatest on the long-lived B. ewartiana and C. fallax; this effect was accentuated by the 2002-07 drought. Heavy grazing during this period further reduced the survival and size of B. ewartiana in comparison with the moderate stocking and rotational spell treatments. In contrast, the survival of C. fallax was reduced in the moderate stocking and rotational spelling treatment during drought, relative to that under heavy grazing. The density of B. ewartiana declined even under moderate grazing and despite two sequences of above-average rainfall because seedling recruitment failed to offset mature plant death. Results from this study emphasised the importance of maintaining the existing populations of key long-lived species such as B. ewartiana through good management. These results also supported the overall findings from the grazing

Rainfall variability remains a major challenge to sustainable grazing management in northern Australia with perennial grasses the key to the stability of the resources that maintain a sustainable grazing industry. This paper describes the dynamics of five perennial grasses - Bothriochloa ewartiana (Domin) C.E. Hubb., Chrysopogon fallax S.T. Blake, Aristida spp., Panicum effusum R. Br. and Heteropogon contortus (L.) P. Beauv. ex Roem. & Schult. in relation to three grazing strategies - moderate stocking at long-term carrying capacity, heavy stocking and rotational wet season spelling. The research was conducted in permanent quadrats on the predominant land type in an extensive grazing study in an Aristida-Bothriochloa pasture in north Australia between 1998 and 2010. Summer rainfall was above average for two periods - 1998-2001 and 2008-2010 with drought and below-average rainfall from 2002 to 2007. Low rainfall affected the dynamics of all grasses by reducing survival and basal area through its effect on plant size; this impact was most noticeable for the shorter-lived Aristida spp., P. effusum and H. contortus. The impact of grazing was greatest on the long-lived B. ewartiana and C. fallax; this effect was accentuated by the 2002-07 drought. Heavy grazing during this period further reduced the survival and size of B. ewartiana in comparison with the moderate stocking and rotational spell treatments. In contrast, the survival of C. fallax was reduced in the moderate stocking and rotational spelling treatment during drought, relative to that under heavy grazing. The density of B. ewartiana declined even under moderate grazing and despite two sequences of above-average rainfall because seedling recruitment failed to offset mature plant death. Results from this study emphasised the importance of maintaining the existing populations of key long-lived species such as B. ewartiana through good management. These results also supported the overall findings from the grazing

An extensive grazing study was conducted between 1988 and 2001 in a Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass) pasture in central Queensland. The study was designed to measure the effects of stocking rate on native pasture, native pasture with legume oversown, and native pasture with animal diet supplement/spring burning on pasture and animal production. Summer rainfall throughout the study was below the long-term mean. Mean annual pasture utilisation ranged from 13% at 8ha/steer up to 61% at 2ha/steer. Increasing stocking rate treatments reduced total pasture yields while total yields in legume oversown treatments were similar to those in native pasture at the same stocking rate. When spring burning was possible, total yields were reduced in the subsequent autumn. Increasing stocking rate in native pasture tended to reduce H. contortus and Bothriochloa bladhii, increased the composition of intermediate species, such as B. decipiens and Chloris divaricata, and also changed the frequencies of a range of minor species. Oversowing legumes resulted in Stylosanthes scabra cv. Seca increasing from 1% of pasture composition in 1988 to 50% in 2000 and was associated with a reduction in H. contortus and changes in the frequencies of some minor species. Stocking rates heavier than 4ha/steer resulted in annual pasture utilisation greater than 30% and were unsustainable because they reduced total yield and resulted in undesirable changes in species composition. It was concluded that pasture production was sustainable when stocking rates were maintained at 4ha/steer, which equates to 30% annual pasture utilisation, and through the judicious use of spring burning.

Aims: To identify if culture conditions affect the chemical composition of exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced by Aureobasidium pullulans. Methods and Results: In batch airlift and continuously stirred tank (CSTR) reactors the EPS produced with low (0.13 g l)1 N) initial NaNO3 or (NH4)2SO4 levels contained pullulan, with maltotriose as its major component, similar to that synthesized in the airlift reactor with high (0.78 g l)1 N) initial NaNO3 levels. EPS produced by CSTR grown cultures with high (NH4)2SO4 levels contained little pullulan, possibly because of a population shift from unicells to mycelium. This chemical difference may explain why total EPS yields did not fall as they did with cultures grown under identical conditions with high NaNO3 levels, where the pullulan component of the EPS disappeared. EPS synthesized in N-limiting chemostat cultures of A. pullulans changed little with growth rate or N source, being predominantly pullulan consisting of maltotriose units. Conclusions: While the EPS chemical composition changed little under N-limiting conditions, high initial medium N levels determined maltotriose content and / or pullulan content possibly by dictating culture morphology. Significance and Impact of the Study: These results emphasize the requirement of all studies to determine EPS chemical composition when examining the influence of culture conditions on EPS yields.

Aims: To identify if culture conditions affect the chemical composition of exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced by Aureobasidium pullulans. Methods and Results: In batch airlift and continuously stirred tank (CSTR) reactors the EPS produced with low (0.13 g l)1 N) initial NaNO3 or (NH4)2SO4 levels contained pullulan, with maltotriose as its major component, similar to that synthesized in the airlift reactor with high (0.78 g l)1 N) initial NaNO3 levels. EPS produced by CSTR grown cultures with high (NH4)2SO4 levels contained little pullulan, possibly because of a population shift from unicells to mycelium. This chemical difference may explain why total EPS yields did not fall as they did with cultures grown under identical conditions with high NaNO3 levels, where the pullulan component of the EPS disappeared. EPS synthesized in N-limiting chemostat cultures of A. pullulans changed little with growth rate or N source, being predominantly pullulan consisting of maltotriose units. Conclusions: While the EPS chemical composition changed little under N-limiting conditions, high initial medium N levels determined maltotriose content and / or pullulan content possibly by dictating culture morphology. Significance and Impact of the Study: These results emphasize the requirement of all studies to determine EPS chemical composition when examining the influence of culture conditions on EPS yields.

Reflection helps us make sense of our daily lives. It underpins lifelong learning, enhances professional practice and can play an important role in research. In this paper I draw on my current research experiences to illustrate the various ways in which reflection can support the development and implementation of a research study. I also explain how critical incidents can provide a reflective focus. This paper is in three main parts. The first part outlines my study12 and defines the key concepts reflection and critical incidents. The second part offers the researcher perspective, showing how reflection on my own experiences as an international student, and on my professional interactions with international students,influenced the development of the study. The third part offers the participant perspective: it presents an international student’s reflective responses to his learning- related online information use, indicating their contribution to the study’s findings and outcomes. In this way the paper both reflects the progress of my research and signals outcomes of potential interest to information literacy educators and educators.

Unlearning is of increasing interest to educators and human resource development professionals alike. Whilst recognition of prior learning is widely accepted, it is less likely that development programs acknowledge this prior knowledge as a potential block to the acquisition of new knowledge and behaviours. A paper presented at the 2004 International Lifelong Learning Conference Windeknecht and Hyland, 2004) proposed a model of unlearning. As a result of subsequent research, the model has been further developed. This paper shows the evolution of the model and presents initial findings from a range of case-study individuals.

The speed of change in organisations is now so fast that the normal human forgetting processes cannot cope. Writers in the areas of adult learning and human resource development are therefore showing increasing interest in the need for unlearning. This paper examines two contemporary learning theories, as well as traditional principles of learning, to examine how these theories need to be re-interpreted to help understand unlearning.

Information literacy programs must emphasise that the key to effective searching lies in four basic processes, planning, acting, recording, and critically reflecting. Importantly this includes reflecting on what has been retrieved and the searching steps undertaken. It is this reflection that is the key to information literacy development and maturity.

In response to evident limitations in university students’ use of online information for learning this paper proposes a reflective, holistic approach - with potential for higher education and wider lifelong learning contexts - based on a model that combines principles of reflective practice, action research and Bruce’s Seven faces of information literacy.

As organisations increasingly strive to maximise the utility of their human capital, many encourage lifelong learning and some have adopted formal knowledge management strategies. There is an ever-growing body of research relating to organisational learning and knowledge management (Easterby-Smith, Burgoyne, & Araujo, 1999; Markoczy, 1994; Nonaka, 1994; Starbuck, 1996), particularly since the transition to the “knowledge era”. There has been more recent focus on the topic of unlearning both at an individual and organisational level. It is proposed in this paper that these four concepts are interrelated and a model for linking these is put forward.

Research into the experience of international students presents a variety of challenges and lifelong learning opportunities, but scarce information is available on designing and conducting projects with this population. This paper focuses on higher education international students in Australia. It draws on cross-cultural research literature, plus the author’s research experience and anecdotal observations of students completing 2 Rodski library surveys. It emphasises the need for cross-cultural and second-language awareness throughout the research process and offers strategies for overcoming difficulties. It demonstrates the teaching and learning benefits that can flow from culturally sensitive project design and data collection.

Exploring essential differences between four categories of variation in student experiences of information searching, this paper outlines each category’s structure of awareness. This structure reveals the way in which variation influences learning design to bring about the ways of experiencing searching we want students to engage in.

As higher educators strengthen curricular attention to graduate capabilities, it becomes important to understand what students are experiencing as they engage with learning these capabilities. Using an Information Technology unit as a focus, we report preliminary findings from an investigation of the different ways in which students experience information searching.

It is well known that the resonant frequency of geomagnetic field lines is determined by the magnetic field and plasma density. We used cross-phase and related methods to determine the field line resonance frequency across 2.4≤

It is well known that the resonant frequency of geomagnetic field lines is determined by the magnetic field and plasma density. We used cross-phase and related methods to determine the field line resonance frequency across 2.4≤