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Marine sponges have recently been recognized as natural samplers of environmental DNA (eDNA) due to their effective water filtration and their ubiquitous, sessile, and regenerative nature. However, laboratory workflows for metabarcoding of sponge tissue have not been optimized to ensure that these natural samplers achieve their full potential for community survey. We used a phased approach to investigate the influence of DNA isolation procedures on the biodiversity information recovered from sponges. In Phase 1, we compared three treatments of residual ethanol preservative in sponge tissue alongside five DNA extraction protocols. The results of Phase 1 informed which ethanol treatment and DNA extraction protocol should be used in Phase 2, where we assessed the effect of starting tissue mass on extraction success and whether homogenization of sponge tissue is required. Phase 1 results indicated that ethanol preservative may contain unique and/or additional biodiversity information to that present in sponge tissue, but blotting tissue dry generally recovered more taxa and generated more sequence reads from the wild sponge species. Tissue extraction protocols performed best in terms of DNA concentration, taxon richness, and proportional read counts, but the non-commercial tissue protocol was selected for Phase 2 due to cost-efficiency and greater recovery of target taxa. In Phase 2 overall, we found that homogenization may not be required for sponge tissue and more starting material does not necessarily improve taxon detection. These results combined provide an optimized DNA isolation procedure for sponges to enhance marine biodiversity assessment using natural sampler DNA metabarcoding., This study was funded by the UK Natural Environment Research Council grant NE/T007028/1. A.R. was also supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation grant (RYC2018-024247-I) and CSIC intramural grant (202030E006). M.B.A. was supported by the National Agency for Research and Development (ANID), fellowship program Postdoctorado en el extranjero/2019-74200143.

Using family systems theory, this longitudinal study of middle school youth examined the effects of abuse, family conflict, and sibling aggression on sexual harassment perpetration (N = 1563; M

Ethical, environmental and health concerns around dairy products are driving a fast-growing industry for plant-based dairy alternatives, but undesirable flavours and textures in available products are limiting their uptake into the mainstream. The molecular processes initiated during fermentation by lactic acid bacteria in dairy products is well understood, such as proteolysis of caseins into peptides and amino acids, and the utilisation of carbohydrates to form lactic acid and exopolysaccharides. These processes are fundamental to developing the flavour and texture of fermented dairy products like cheese and yoghurt, yet how these processes work in plant-based alternatives is poorly understood. With this knowledge, bespoke fermentative processes could be engineered for specific food qualities in plant-based foods. This review will provide an overview of recent research that reveals how fermentation occurs in plant-based milk, with a focus on how differences in plant proteins and carbohydrate structure affect how they undergo the fermentation process. The practical aspects of how this knowledge has been used to develop plant-based cheeses and yoghurts is also discussed.

Successful conservation of rare, threatened, or endangered (RTE) species is dependent upon rapid and accurate assessment of their distribution and abundance. However, assessments are challenging as RTE species typically exist as numerically small populations in often fragmented habitats and can possess complex natural histories. Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis may provide a rapid, cost‐effective means of assessing RTE species presence/absence in viable habitat patches. We evaluated the efficacy of eDNA surveillance for the Louisiana Pinesnake (Pituophis ruthveni), an elusive, semi‐fossorial, nonvenomous colubroid snake endemic to Louisiana and Texas, USA, that has dramatically declined in both distribution and abundance. We developed two quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays that target the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and mitochondrially encoded ATP synthase membrane subunit 6 (ATP6) genes. We validated each assay in silico, in vitro, and in situ, and investigated the influence of eDNA extraction method and genetic marker on assay performance. Both assays were highly sensitive and successfully detected the Louisiana Pinesnake under artificial and field conditions, including bedding samples collected from captive snake enclosures (100%), soil samples from Louisiana Pinesnake release sites (100%), and soil samples from sites where Louisiana Pinesnakes were documented via radio telemetry (45%). Although differences between genetic markers were negligible, assay performance was strongly influenced by eDNA extraction method. Informed by our results, we discuss methodological and environmental factors influencing Louisiana Pinesnake eDNA detection and quantification, broader implications for management and conservation of the Louisiana Pinesnake and other terrestrial reptiles and provide recommendations for future research. We suggest that eDNA surveys can more effectively assess Louisiana Pinesnake occupancy than conventional sampling, highlighting the need for comprehensive eDNA monitoring initiatives to better identify suitable habitat that will promote persistence of this imperiled species going forward.

Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is revolutionising biodiversity monitoring, but has unrealised potential for ecological hypothesis generation and testing. Here, we validate this potential in a large-scale analysis of vertebrate community data generated by eDNA metabarcoding of 532 UK ponds. We test biotic associations between the threatened great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) and other vertebrates as well as abiotic factors influencing T. cristatus detection at the pondscape. Furthermore, we test the status of T. cristatus as an umbrella species for pond conservation by assessing whether vertebrate species richness is greater in ponds with T. cristatus and higher T. cristatus Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) scores. T. cristatus detection was positively correlated with amphibian and waterfowl species richness. Specifically, T. cristatus was positively associated with smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris), common coot (Fulica atra), and common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus), but negatively associated with common toad (Bufo bufo). T. cristatus detection did not significantly decrease as fish species richness increased, but negative associations with common carp (Cyprinus carpio), three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) and ninespine stickleback (Pungitius pungitius) were identified. T. cristatus detection was negatively correlated with mammal species richness, and T. cristatus was negatively associated with grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis). T. cristatus detection was negatively correlated with larger pond area, presence of inflow, and higher percentage of shading, but positively correlated with HSI score, supporting its application to T. cristatus survey. Vertebrate species richness was significantly higher in T. cristatus ponds and broadly increased as T. cristatus HSI scores increased. We reaffirm reported associations (e.g. T. cristatus preference for smaller ponds) but also provide novel insights, including a negative effect of pond inflow on T. cristatus. Our findings demonstrate the prospects of eDNA metabarcoding for ecological hypothesis generation and testing at landscape scale, and dramatic enhancement of freshwater conservation, management, monitoring and research.

3D objects with integrated electronics are produced using an additive manufacturing approach relying on multiphoton fabrication (direct laser writing, (DLW)). Conducting polymer-based structures (with micrometer-millimeter scale features) are printed within exemplar matrices, including an elastomer (polydimethylsiloxane, (PDMS)) have been widely investigated for biomedical applications. The fidelity of the printing process in PDMS is assessed by optical coherence tomography, and the conducting polymer structures are demonstrated to be capable of stimulating mouse brain tissue in vitro. Furthermore, the applicability of the approach to printing structures in vivo is demonstrated in live nematodes (Caenorhabditis elegans). These results highlight the potential for such additive manufacturing approaches to produce next-generation advanced material technologies, notably integrated electronics for technical and medical applications (e.g., human-computer interfaces).

Ponds are among the most biodiverse and ecologically important freshwater habitats globally and may provide a significant opportunity to mitigate anthropogenic pressures and reverse the decline of aquatic biodiversity. Ponds also provide important contributions to society through the provision of ecosystem services. Despite the ecological and societal importance of ponds, freshwater research, policy, and conservation have historically focused on larger water bodies, with significant gaps remaining in our understanding and conservation of pond ecosystems. In May 2019, pond researchers and practitioners participated in a workshop to tackle several pond ecology, conservation, and management issues. Nine research themes and 30 research questions were identified during and following the workshop to address knowledge gaps around: (1) pond habitat definition; (2) global and long‐term data availability; (3) anthropogenic stressors; (4) aquatic–terrestrial interactions; (5) succession and disturbance; (6) freshwater connectivity; (7) pond monitoring and technological advances; (8) socio‐economic factors; and (9) conservation, management, and policy. Key areas for the future inclusion of ponds in environmental and conservation policy were also discussed. Addressing gaps in our fundamental understanding of pond ecosystems will facilitate more effective research‐led conservation and management of pondscapes, their inclusion in environmental policy, support the sustainability of ecosystem services, and help address many of the global threats driving the decline in freshwater biodiversity.

Background Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is a promising tool for rapid, non‐invasive biodiversity monitoring.\ud Aims In this study, eDNA metabarcoding is applied to explore the spatial and temporal distribution of fish communities in two aquaculture ponds and to evaluate the detection sensitivity of this tool for low‐density species alongside highly abundant species.\ud Materials & Methods This study was carried out at two artificially stocked ponds with a high fish density following the introduction and removal of two rare fish species.\ud Results & Discussion When two rare species were introduced and kept at a fixed location in the ponds, eDNA concentration (i.e., proportional read counts abundance) of the introduced species typically peaked after two days. The increase in eDNA concentration of the introduced fish after 43 hrs may have been caused by increased eDNA shedding rates as a result of fish being stressed by handling, as observed in other studies. Thereafter, it gradually declined and stabilised after six days. These findings are supported by the highest community dissimilarity of different sampling positions being observed on the second day after introduction, which then gradually decreased over time. On the sixth day, there was no longer a significant difference in community dissimilarity between sampling days. The introduced species were no longer detected at any sampling positions on 48 hrs after removal from the ponds. eDNA is found to decay faster in the field than in controlled conditions, which can be attributed to the complex effects of environmental conditions on eDNA persistence or resulting in the vertical transport of intracellular DNA and the extracellular DNA absorbed by particles in the sediment. The eDNA signal and detection probability of the introduced species were strongest near the keepnets, resulting in the highest community variance of different sampling events at this position. Thereafter, the eDNA signal significantly decreased with increasing distance, although the signal increased slightly again at 85 m position away from the keepnets.\ud Conclusions Collectively, these findings reveal that eDNA distribution in lentic ecosystems is highly localised in space and time, which adds to the growing weight of evidence that eDNA signal provides a good approximation of the presence and distribution of species in ponds. Moreover, eDNA metabarcoding is a powerful tool for detection of rare species alongside more abundant species due to the use of generic PCR primers, and can enable monitoring of spatial and temporal community variance.

Crop breeding programmes generally select for traits for improved yield and human consumption preferences. Yet, they often overlook one fundamental trait essential for insect-pollinated crops: pollinator attraction. This is even more critical for hybrid plants that rely on cross-pollination between the male-fertile line and the male-sterile line to set seeds. This study investigated the role of floral odours for honey bee pollination that could explain the poor seed yield in hybrid crops.; Results: The key floral bioactive compounds that honey bees detect were identified for three vegetable hybrid crops. It was found that 30% of the variation in bioactive compound quantities was explained by variety. Differences in quantities of the bioactive compounds triggered different degrees of olfactory response and were also associated with varied appetitive response. Correlating the abundance of each bioactive compound with seed yield, it was found that aldehydes such as nonanal and decanal can have a strong negative influence on seed yield with increasing quantity.; Conclusion: Using these methodologies to identify relevant bioactive compounds associated with honey bee pollination, plant breeding programmes should also consider selecting for floral traits attractive to honey bees to improve crop pollination for enhanced seed yield. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.; © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

BACKGROUND Endemic New Zealand grass grub Costelytra zealandica is a pest of introduced pasture that uses phenol as a sex pheromone. The pheromone could be used to monitor and manage grass grub populations, but the irritating properties and toxicity of phenol for human handlers, as well as the possible ecotoxicological effects, pose obstacles to the deployment of the pheromone. This study aimed to limit the use of phenol by dose-response studies and investigation into alternative attractants and synergists to phenol. RESULTS No difference in trap catch was seen across the range of 1-100 mg of phenol, while rates below this (0.001-0.1 mg) caused a large drop in catches. Our results indicated that 1 mg loading in lures was enough to indicate beetle presence over 1 week. 4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde and p-cresol proved unattractive in this study, both as single attractants and as synergists with phenol. Phenyl acetate, phenyl benzoate and diphenyl carbonate all formed phenol under hydrolytic conditions to act as successful propheromones, while phenyl acetate was found to be as attractive as phenol on its own. CONCLUSION This study described several ways to reduce or avoid the use of phenol in the field while maintaining lure effectiveness. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Background Subcutaneous methylnaltrexone, a peripherally acting μ-opioid receptor antagonist, improves opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in patients with chronic noncancer pain. An oral methylnaltrexone formulation has been developed. Methods In this phase 3, double-blind trial, adults with chronic noncancer pain receiving opioid doses of ≥ 50 mg/day oral morphine equivalents with OIC were randomly assigned to oral methylnaltrexone (150, 300, or 450 mg) or placebo once daily (QD) for 4 weeks followed by as-needed dosing for 8 weeks. Patients who had ≥ 3 rescue-free bowel movements (RFBMs)/week, with an increase of ≥ 1 RFBM/week from baseline for ≥ 3 of 4 weeks during the QD period, were responders. Results Overall, 803 patients were included in the analyses. A significantly greater percentage of patients had an increase in mean percentage of dosing days resulting in an RFBM within 4 hours of dosing during weeks 1 through 4 (QD period; primary endpoint) with methylnaltrexone (300 mg/day [24.6%; P = 0.002] and 450 mg/day [27.4%; P < 0.0001]) vs. placebo (18.2%). The percentage of responders (49.3% for 300 mg [P = 0.03] and 51.5% for 450 mg [P = 0.005] vs. 38.3% with placebo) and change from baseline in mean number of weekly RFBMs (difference vs. placebo, 0.5 for 300 mg [P = 0.03] and 0.5 for 450 mg [P = 0.02]) was significantly greater with methylnaltrexone 300 and 450 mg/day vs. placebo during the QD period. All dosages of oral methylnaltrexone were well tolerated. Conclusions Oral methylnaltrexone was efficacious and well tolerated for OIC in patients with chronic noncancer pain, particularly the 450-mg dose.

PROBLEM Treatment recidivism, described as frequent unplanned relapse readmissions, is a national problem predominant in adolescents with mental illness. Because the main triggers of treatment recidivism are not fully understood, the purpose of this study was to explore treatment recidivism (i) to better understand treatment recidivism from the perspectives of recidivist adolescents with mental illness, (ii) to describe major factors that contribute to treatment recidivism and how best to minimize them from the perspectives of these adolescents, and (iii) to describe their interaction with the medical culture. METHODS A focused applied medical ethnography was used to study 16 purposively selected adolescents. Interviews were conducted together with unobtrusive unit observation of the participants and collection of demographic and clinical information. FINDINGS The participants were nearly unanimous in identifying the "additional stressors" of problematic parental relations and school bullying as the main triggers of treatment recidivism over and above their "routine stressors" of adolescence and mental illness. They had mixed perceptions of treatment recidivism and described their interaction with the medical culture as positive. CONCLUSION Further research is needed to determine the impact of parental relations and school bullying on recidivism in adolescents with mental illness.

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Sales NG, McKenzie, Drake, Harper, Browett SS, Coscia I, Wangensteen Fuentes OS, Baillie C, Bryce E, Dawson DA, Ochu, Hänfling B, Lawson Handley L, Mariani S, Lambin X, Sutherland, McDevitt AD. Fishing for mammals: Landscape‐level monitoring of terrestrial and semi‐aquatic communities using eDNA from riverine systems. Journal of Applied Ecology, 57, 707-716, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13592. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. 1: Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding has revolutionized biomonitoring in both marine and freshwater ecosystems. However, for semi‐aquatic and terrestrial animals, the application of this technique remains relatively untested. 2: We first assess the efficiency of eDNA metabarcoding in detecting semi‐aquatic and terrestrial mammals in natural lotic ecosystems in the UK by comparing sequence data recovered from water and sediment samples to the mammalian communities expected from historical data. Secondly, using occupancy modelling we compared the detection efficiency of eDNA metabarcoding to multiple conventional non‐invasive survey methods (latrine surveys and camera trapping). 3: eDNA metabarcoding detected a large proportion of the expected mammalian community within each area. Common species in the areas were detected at the majority of sites. Several key species of conservation concern in the UK were detected by eDNA sampling in areas where authenticated records do not currently exist, but potential false positives were also identified. 4: Water‐based eDNA metabarcoding provided comparable results to conventional survey methods in per unit of survey effort for three species (water vole, field vole and red deer) using occupancy models. The comparison between survey ‘effort’ to reach a detection probability of ≥.95 revealed that 3–6 water replicates would be equivalent to 3–5 latrine surveys and 5–30 weeks of single camera deployment, depending on the species. 5: Synthesis and applications: eDNA metabarcoding can be used to generate an initial ‘distribution map’ of mammalian diversity at the landscape level. If conducted during times of peak abundance, carefully chosen sampling points along multiple river courses provide a reliable snapshot of the species that are present in a catchment area. In order to fully capture solitary, rare and invasive species, we would currently recommend the use of eDNA metabarcoding alongside other non‐invasive surveying methods (i.e. camera traps) to maximize monitoring efforts.

Background and objective Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) continues to be a fatal disease and is associated with downregulation of bone morphogenetic protein receptor type-2 (BMPR2). Our approach is to upregulate BMPR2 in the pulmonary vasculature allowing us to examine the changes in endothelial cell signalling and better understand what pathways are altered when disease is attenuated using this treatment approach. Methods We used gene delivery of BMPR2 to human pulmonary endothelial cells to investigate downstream signalling, then assessed the impact of this approach on downstream signalling in vivo in rats with PAH using the monocrotaline (MCT) model. Results Gene delivery of BMPR2 leads to an increase in BMPR2 protein expression, and this is associated with increased Smad1/5/8 and reduced Smad2/3 signalling. Additionally, we have found that BMPR2 modulation has effects on non-Smad signalling with increases found in phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) and a decrease in phosphorylated-p38-mitogen activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK) in vivo. These findings are associated with amelioration of PAH (reduced right ventricular, mean pulmonary artery pressures and Fulton Index). Conclusion These results indicate that the therapeutic effect of BMPR2 gene delivery on PAH is associated with a switch between TGF-β-Smad2/3 signalling to BMPR2-Smad1/5/8 signalling. This supports the further development of this treatment approach.

Background and objective Idiopathic, familial and secondary pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are associated with reduced bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 2 (BMPR2) expression, and in some contexts, TGF-β upregulation. Our aims were to assess BMPR2 gene therapy in a PAH mouse model and to assess the impact on TGF-β signalling. Methods Using a targeted in vivo gene delivery approach, we assessed the impact of BMPR2 gene delivery in a transgenic mouse model in which PAH was first induced by doxycycline driven expression of a dominant negative BMPR2 mutant (R899X). We also assessed the impact of BMPR2 gene delivery on TGF-β-induced changes in cell signalling in human pulmonary vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Results In the mouse model, changes in TGF-β levels were not detected, but BMPR2 gene delivery reversed the increase in right ventricle systolic pressure (RVSP) and Fulton Index (FI), associated with a trend to increased pulmonary endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene expression. In vitro, BMPR2 gene transfer reduced TGF-β effects on Smad2, Smad1/5/8 and Erk1/2 phosphorylation in human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (HPASMC). BMPR2 was also found to upregulate nitric oxide (NO) production in lung derived human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC-L). Conclusion This study provides further evidence that BMPR2 modulation may have therapeutic potential.

BACKGROUND In 2012, 9.3 million head of dairy cows in the USA produced an estimated 20 million metric tons of manure solids, but little value was gained from this manure. There is a pressing need to enhance manure resource recovery efforts, as dairy manure has potentially significant environmental impacts. This study evaluated components of an integrated suite of biological processes designed to maximize resource recovery from dairy manure, in which algae grown on polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production effluent (PHA-algae) were fermented and anaerobically digested to determine process impacts. RESULTS A 10% PHA-algae supplement produced 11% more volatile fatty acids (VFA) during fermentation and 11% more methane during anaerobic digestion (AD) (vs. dairy manure); the PHA-algae biogas also contained a higher percentage (62.7 vs. 59.1%) of methane than manure biogas. Algal augmentation exhibited no negative effect on fermenter or AD operation. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed that the ADs contained substantial populations of both acetoclastic and hydrogenotrophic methanogens, which, given the heterogeneous substrate, enhanced process stability. There were significant differences between PHA-algae batches, and large quantities of COD were released during algae freezing. CONCLUSION PHA-algae yielded more VFA during fermentation, and a more methane-rich biogas following AD than dairy manure. A 10% PHA-algae supplement caused no process disturbance in normal manure flora. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry

Four Zn-II 5,10,15-triphenylporphyrin (TriPP) complexes meso-meso linked by two-atom bridges, namely, C2H2 (2), C-2 (3), CH= N (4), and N-2 (5), were prepared, for comparison of ground-state inter-porphyrin conjugation. The X-ray crystal structure of azoporphyrin 5 center dot py(2) (py = pyridine) was determined: it exhibits a stepped-offset shape and a porphyrin- azo torsion angle of 34.8 degrees. Some new monoporphyrin starting materials were prepared, and ZnTriPPNH(2) (27), ZnTriPPCHO (23), NiTriPPCHO (7), and ZnTriPPCH(2)CH(2)Ph (18), as well as the byproduct butadiyne-linked dimer 26 were characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The conjugation in the dimers was assessed by electronic absorption and steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy. All show variously split B bands: azoporphyrin 5 clearly has the strongest ground-state inter-porphyrin interactions. Imine 4 and azo 5 show strongly quenched fluorescence emission, which indicates the presence of efficient relaxation pathways afforded by the N-containing linkers.

Most models of community collaboration emphasize the ability of diverse partners to come together to enact systematic changes that improve the health of individuals and communities. The ability of these groups to leverage resources is thought to be an important marker of successful collaboration and eventual improvements in community health. However, there is a paucity of research addressing linkages between systems change activities and leveraged resources. This study used a sample of collaboratives (N = 157) that received technical assistance and funding through the Georgia Family Connection Partnership (GaFCP) between 2006 and 2007. Data were collected from collaborative report of activities and funding, member ratings of collaborative functioning, and characteristics of the communities served by the collaboratives drawn from US Census data. Cross-lagged regression models tested longitudinal associations between systems change activities and leveraged dollars. The results indicated that systems change activities predict increased leveraging of resources from state/federal and private partners. However, there was no evidence that systems changes were linked with leveraging resources from local groups and agencies. These findings have important implications for providing technical assistance and training to health partnerships. Furthermore, future research should consider the relative strength of different systems change activities in relation to the ability of coalitions to leverage resources.

AIMS To investigate the efficacy and safety of linagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients for whom metformin was inappropriate. METHODS This 1-year double-blind study (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00740051) enrolled T2DM patients with inadequate glycaemic control, treatment-naive [glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) 7.0-10.0%] or previously treated with one oral antidiabetes drug (HbA1c 6.5-9.0% before washout), ineligible for metformin because of contraindications (e.g. renal impairment) or previous intolerable side effects. Patients were randomized to monotherapy with linagliptin 5 mg once daily (n = 151) or placebo (n = 76) for 18 weeks, after which placebo patients switched to glimepiride 1-4 mg once daily and treatments continued for another 34 weeks. The primary endpoint was change from baseline in HbA1c after 18 weeks (full-analysis set, last observation carried forward). RESULTS At week 18, adjusted mean difference in change from baseline HbA1c (8.1%) was -0.60% (95% confidence interval -0.88, -0.32; p

A framework adapted from the National Black Male College Achievement Study is introduced in this chapter as a lens through which to explore the enablers of student achievement in STEM. The chapter places an emphasis on reframing deficit-oriented research questions regarding students of color and their trajectories in STEM fields.

Critical Race Theory is used to consider the educational outcomes that could accrue when the interests of black male student athletes converge productively with the interests of community college administrators, faculty, and coaches.

A total of 300 children aged five years and under, referred for routine EEG investigations, were included in this study. It was possible to obtain recordings during natural sleep in 250 of the 300 children, using stick-on electrodes. Of the 250 with natural-sleep recordings, 110 children had normal records both awake and asleep. In 73 cases the awake record was normal but the asleep record showed abnormalities, the most common being spike discharges (60 children). Of these 60 children, 52 had a history suggestive of epilepsy or of febrile convulsions. A further 27 children had recordings which were equally abnormal awake and asleep, and 37 showed abnormalities while awake but greater abnormalities while asleep. It is concluded that useful additional information can be obtained from the EEG if young children are encouraged to sleep naturally during the recording, and that this can be done without sedation, even in a busy, routine EEG department.

Previous research has neglected to explore identities and development among male students at community colleges. This chapter provides some insight into who these men are, their precollege gender socialization experiences, and conflicts that impede the development of productive masculinities.

A protein solubilization method has been developed to directly solubilize protein clusters into organic solvents containing small quantities of surfactant and trace amounts of water. Termed “direct solubilization,” this technique was shown to solubilize three distinct proteins—subtilisin Carlsberg, lipase B from Candida antarctica, and soybean peroxidase—with much greater efficiencies than extraction of the protein from aqueous solution into surfactant-containing organic solvents (referred to as extraction). More significant, however, was the dramatic increase in directly solubilized enzyme activity relative to extracted enzyme activity, particularly for subtilisin and lipase in polar organic solvents. For example, in THF the initial rate towards bergenin transesterification was ca. 70 times higher for directly solubilized subtilisin than for the extracted enzyme. Furthermore, unlike their extracted counterparts, the directly solubilized enzymes yielded high product conversions across a spectrum of non-polar and polar solvents. Structural characterization of the solubilized enzymes via light scattering and atomic force microscopy revealed soluble proteins consisting of active enzyme aggregates containing approximately 60 and 100 protein molecules, respectively, for subtilisin and lipase. Formation of such clusters appears to provide a microenvironment conducive to catalysis and, in polar organic solvents at least, may protect the enzyme from solvent-induced inactivation. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;96:1030–1039. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Faulty assumptions explain, at least in part, why qualitative approaches are underused in institutional research. Some of the most complex assessment questions could be answered with greater clarity if these fallacies were explicated and dispelled.

Understanding how students navigate their ways to and through higher education could be instructive for those seeking to wisely invest institutional and public resources, foster supportive environments for student development, and cultivate worthwhile partnerships to improve access and enhance student success.

This chapter synthesizes fifteen years of published research on campus racial climates. It also presents nine themes that emerged from a qualitative study of campus racial climates at five predominantly White universities.

Student engagement represents a critical benchmark of educational effectiveness for graduate as well as undergraduate students. This chapter presents seven principles for good practice in engaging and connecting graduate and professional students to the larger campus community and provides examples of exemplary programs.

Evidence from epidemiologic and clinical secondary prevention trials suggest that the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) may have a significant role in the prevention of coronary heart disease. Dietary sources of n-3 PUFAs include fish oils, rich in eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, along with plants rich in a-linolenic acid. Randomized secondary prevention clinical trials with fish oils (eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid) and a-linolenic acid have demonstrated reductions in risk that compare favorably to those seen in landmark secondary prevention trials with lipid-lowering drugs. Several mechanisms explaining the cardioprotective effect of the n-3 PUFA have been suggested including antiarrhythmic and antithrombotic roles. Although official US guidelines for the dietary intake of n-3 PUFA are not available, several international guidelines have been published. Fish is an important source of the n-3 PUFA in the US diet; however, vegetable sources including grains and oils offer an alternative source for those who are unable to regularly consume fish.

A statistical approach to calculating the proportion of the mark that is due to guessing is presented. The use of this statistical approach using formulae in a spreadsheet to calculate the contribution to the assessment mark from guessing is demonstrated. The relationship between the learning objectives and multiple-choice assessments is considered. It is identified that in some cases maximum performance should not be set at a mark of 100% but that an allowance should be made for the maximum expected performance based on the learning objectives. The use of formulae in a spreadsheet to convert the raw assessment marks into marks or grades corrected for guessing or additionally allowing for the maximum expected mark is demonstrated.

The value of mentoring relationships among African American women in postbaccalaureate degree programs is emphasized and coupled with a discussion of the current shortage of same-race, same-sex mentors for African American female graduate and professional students.

Bacteriophages are viruses that grow within bacteria. Almost all bacteriophages can destroy (lyse) their bacterial host, although many are ‘temperate’ and can insert their genome into that of their bacterial host, a state referred to as lysogeny. Those that can only kill their host bacteria are termed ‘virulent’ and are preferred for therapeutic use. Lysis kills the bacterial host and releases the next generation of bacteriophages. This unique property allows localised amplification of a bacteriophage therapeutic, but only where its specific bacterial host is present. Bacteriophages are also able to target bacteria living within biofilms that can make them highly refractory to conventional antibiotics. Since their discovery in 1915, bacteriophages have been identified as having potential for the control of bacterial disease. Following the widespread appearance of resistance to conventional antibiotics, interest in this area has revived and the results of clinical trials of bacteriophage therapeutics are now being reported. Key Concepts: Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria. Lytic bacteriophages kill their bacterial host rapidly, taking over host metabolism and producing a new generation of bacteriophages soon after infection. Newly produced bacteriophages can infect new host bacteria locally and can also spread to other sites of infection. This ability to kill bacteria led to their therapeutic use against bacterial infection in the pre-antibiotic era. In most of the world, bacteriophages have been superseded since the 1940s by chemical antibiotics due to a combination of factors, including the limited understanding of basic bacteriophage biology and the far broader host ranges of chemical antibiotics. Despite many years of extensive clinical study in Eastern Europe and in earlier work in Europe and the United States, a lack of clinical trials meeting current regulatory requirements has limited the development of bacteriophage therapeutics. Interest in bacteriophages as therapeutics has been revived by the looming antibiotic resistance crisis, in an era when much more information is available about the older work and when phage biology is far better understood. Bacteriophage products for agricultural and food use are currently being marketed. Keywords: bacteriophage; therapeutic; phage therapy; antibiotic; antibiotic resistance; biofilm; clinical trials

Yeast Ty virus-like particles (VLPs) containing viral protein inserts have previously been shown to be potent immunogens, inducing both humoral and cell mediated immunity (CMI). The antigenicity of hybrid VLPs containing fragments of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) gE protein or the assembly protein (AP) was assessed by lymphocyte proliferation. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with a recent natural VZV infection were stimulated in vitro with VZV-VLPs together with control antigens. PBMC samples from both varicella (85%) and zoster (75%) patients proliferated in responses to at least one of the gE VZV-VLPs. As reported for the first time, VZV specific lymphocyte responses were also identified towards the VZV AP in two varicella and two zoster patient samples. The results demonstrate specific CMI recognition of the VZV gE fragments tested and the VZV AP delivered in the form of recombinant Ty-VLPs, and highlights their potential use as a recombinant antigen delivery system for vaccination.

Herpesviruses produce assembly proteins (AP) that act as scaffolding proteins for the assembly of the viral capsids. The products of the assemblin gene, which encodes both maturational protease and AP, have been established for herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and human cytomegalovirus (CMV). We cloned an inframe ORF (encoding amino acids 304-605), found within the ORF 33 assemblin gene of VZV, into a yeast expression vector. The 34-kDa AP was expressed as a fusion protein with the particle-forming Ty p1 protein, resulting in high-level production of hybrid AP-virus-like particles (AP-VLPs). When AP-VLPs were injected into mice and rabbits, antibodies were produced that reacted with, but that did not neutralise, native VZV. Three of four inbred strains of mice immunised with AP-VLPs produced a VZV-specific T-cell response. The mouse and rabbit sera reacted with six bands on native VZV by Western blot analysis. The dominant bands were found at 34 and 38 kDa. Bands were also seen at 66, 63, 41, and 31 kDa. The 38-kDa protein may represent the mature AP derived from the 41-kDa precursor AP, itself the release product from the full-length 66-kDa assemblin. The 34-kDa protein probably represents the product of the inframe co-translational gene within ORF 33 encoding amino acids 304-605. The genetic organisation and proteolytic maturation of VZV assemblin are, therefore, analogous to those of other herpesviruses.

Manipulation of the wound healing process and the manner in which tissues interact with inert biomaterials were both made possible with the discovery of arginine-glycine-aspartic (RGD) acid as a major cell recognition signal in the extracellular matrix. Whether promoting cell adhesion or selectively inhibiting cell-cell aggregation mediated by integrin cell surface receptors, RGD-containing peptides can be rationally designed to incorporate both stability and integrin specificity. Synthetic peptides containing this sequence have been linked to biodegradable biopolymers and introduced for the enhancement of dermal and corneal would healing. By accelerating the healing reaction using RGD-containing peptides, the quality of regenerated tissue seems to be improved, the extent of fibrosis restricted, and the risk of microbial infection may be reduced. Controlling the degree of fibrosis that often accompanies the healing of wounds and the reaction of tissue to foreign materials can also be achieved by natural antagonists of fibrogenic activity of TGF-beta animal models of kidney fibrosis. These advances in the biotechnology of wound healing and tissue regeneration eventually will have an overall impact on the quality of health care.

Three regulatory incentive systems that may induce farmers to protect farmworkers from pesticide-related harm are modeled: ex post regulation via tort liability and workers' compensation systems, respectively. and ex ante regulation (fines) by administrative agencies. An empirical application examines the farmer's decision whether to comply with required precautions as well as penalties for noncompliance. Results indicate tort liability and administrative agency regulation, as practiced, provide relatively insignificant incentives, while a workers' compensation system, if fully experiencerated, may offer a more effective incentive. Nevertheless, penalties in all cases may be too small overall to have much influence on farmers' compliance decisions.

The use of arsenic in agriculture, industry, and domestic endeavors since the last century has increased the concentration of arsenic in the environment. During cleanup activities at a former pesticide facility, water that was collected during various operations was contaminated with arsenic and required treatment before discharge. Chemical precipitation was identified as being the most effective means of treatment. Bench-scale treatability testing was completed to determine the effectiveness of various coagulants, including ferric chloride, hydrated lime, sodium sulfide, and alum. A combination of hydrated lime and ferric chloride was able to remove more than 99% of the original arsenic concentration

Dual chamber pacemaker programmability allows the possibility of atrially-tracked ventricular pacing in patients who would otherwise have intrinsic atrioventricular (AV) conduction. Thirteen patients with permanent AV sequential pacemakers (ages 50-79) were evaluated with paired exercise tests to determine the cardiopulmonary effects of pacemaker induced right ventricular activation compared with normal AV and intraventricular conduction. Peak oxygen uptake (VO2), oxygen pulse (O2P), respiratory rate (RR), and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) were determined using breath-by-breath analysis of expired gases. Patients exercised to fatigue and exercise tests were performed in random sequence. For patients with intrinsic AV conduction (group I, n = 8) the AV delay was programmed to preserve intrinsic conduction during one study; the alternate test used AV delay programming to produce ventricular pacing. Five patients with chronic AV block (group II) acted as a control for the effects of a rate adaptive AV delay compared to a fixed AV delay. Paired t-testing showed a significantly lower peak VO2 (P less than 0.015) and O2P (P less than 0.01) in patients with atrially-tracked ventricular pacing compared to intrinsic conduction. In contrast, group II showed a significant improvement in peak VO2 with rate adaptive AV delay compared to fixed AV delay programming (P less than 0.05). In conclusion, intrinsic conduction should be preserved in patients with dual chamber pacemakers whenever possible.