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Ocular conditions have historically proven difficult to treat. Topical eye drops are the primary method of anterior ocular drug delivery but have demonstrated low effectiveness as they require perpetual administration to achieve adequate doses of drug in the target tissue. This can lower patient compliance and increase the risk of side effects, such as systemic toxicity as most of the drug is absorbed through the eye’s natural clearance pathways. Considering this, further development of alternate anterior delivery methods has the potential to improve drug effectiveness, residence times, and bioavailability, as well as reduce systemic toxicity. To this end, the ongoing development of contact lenses, thermogels, nanoparticle delivery systems, as well as mucoadhesive and mucopenetrative properties are being explored. This paper will discuss these developments, as well as their implications in ocular treatment.

The monitoring of grape quality parameters within viticulture using airborne remote sensing is an increasingly important aspect of precision viticulture. Airborne remote sensing allows high volumes of spatial consistent data to be collected with improved efficiency over ground-based surveys. Spectral data can be used to understand the characteristics of vineyards, including the characteristics and health of the vines. Within viticultural remote sensing, the use of cover-crop spectra for monitoring is often overlooked due to the perceived noise it generates within imagery. However, within viticulture, the cover crop is a widely used and important management tool. This study uses multispectral data acquired by a high-resolution uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) and Sentinel-2 MSI to explore the benefit that cover-crop pixels could have for grape yield and quality monitoring. This study was undertaken across three growing seasons in the southeast of England, at a large commercial wine producer. The site was split into a number of vineyards, with sub-blocks for different vine varieties and rootstocks. Pre-harvest multispectral UAV imagery was collected across three vineyard parcels. UAV imagery was radiometrically corrected and stitched to create orthomosaics (red, green, and near-infrared) for each vineyard and survey date. Orthomosaics were segmented into pure cover-cropuav and pure vineuav pixels, removing the impact that mixed pixels could have upon analysis, with three vegetation indices (VIs) constructed from the segmented imagery. Sentinel-2 Level 2a bottom of atmosphere scenes were also acquired as close to UAV surveys as possible. In parallel, the yield and quality surveys were undertaken one to two weeks prior to harvest. Laboratory refractometry was performed to determine the grape total acid, total soluble solids, alpha amino acids, and berry weight. Extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost v2.1.1) was used to determine the ability of remote sensing data to predict the grape yield and quality parameters. Results suggested that pure cover-cropuav was a successful predictor of grape yield and quality parameters (range of R2 = 0.37–0.45), with model evaluation results comparable to pure vineuav and Sentinel-2 models. The analysis also showed that, whilst the structural similarity between the both UAV and Sentinel-2 data was high, the cover crop is the most influential spectral component within the Sentinel-2 data. This research presents novel evidence for the ability of cover-cropuav to predict grape yield and quality. Moreover, this finding then provides a mechanism which explains the success of the Sentinel-2 modelling of grape yield and quality. For growers and wine producers, creating grape yield and quality prediction models through moderate-resolution satellite imagery would be a significant innovation. Proving more cost-effective than UAV monitoring for large vineyards, such methodologies could also act to bring substantial cost savings to vineyard management.

Mature radio galaxies such as M87 belong to a specific subclass of active galaxies (AGN) whose evolution in time endows them with five distinguishing characteristics, including (1) low excitation emission, (2) low star formation rates, (3) high bulge stellar-velocity dispersion, (4) bright stellar nuclei, and (5) weak or nonexistent merger signatures. We show how to understand these seemingly disparate characteristics as originating from the time evolution of powerful radio quasars and describe a new model prediction that tilted accretion disks in AGN are expected to occur in bright quasars but not in other subclasses of AGN. The picture we present should be understood as the most compelling evidence for counter-rotation as a key element in feedback from accreting black holes.

Mid-infrared (MIR) reflectance spectroscopy is a promising and rapid technology to accurately infer soil properties from a single scan. Fine-grinding is an expensive and time-consuming sample processing step in soil MIR spectroscopy that can have a major impact on spectral features and subsequent multivariate model calibrations. The use of existing fine-ground spectral libraries to predict soil properties of new samples (without fine-grinding) can reduce the cost and time in soil analysis. Calibration transfer studies between different grinding states of soil samples (using existing fine-ground spectral libraries to predict non-fine-ground spectra) are not available to the best of our knowledge. To address this research gap, this study investigated different calibration transfer and pre-processing techniques to link the MIR fine-ground spectral models and non-fine-ground soil spectra. Four calibration transfer techniques (direct standardization, external parameter orthogonalization, slope/bias correction, and spiking with extra weight) and four pre-processing techniques (first derivative, detrending, multiplicative signal correction, and standard normal variate) were investigated in this study. The United States Department of Agriculture National Soil Survey Center Kellogg Soil Survey Laboratory’s MIR spectral library (n > 72,000) and a randomly selected subset from the library (n = 519) were used as spectral datasets. Spiking (with extra weight) calibration transfer technique performed well for pH, clay, and sand when using the library (mean R2 = 0.70) and for organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, pH, clay, and sand when using the subset from the library (mean R2 = 0.66). Standard normal variate pre-processing technique performed well with organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, and sand when using the library (mean R2 = 0.67). Overall, spiking (with extra weight) enables the use of existing MIR fine-ground soil spectral libraries to predict those soil properties of new samples without fine-grinding, saving the cost and time.

In March 2020, a significant amount of education moved online because of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Due to these restrictions, Durham College offered an alternative online synchronous option (virtual lab delivery) in September 2021 and students were given an option to select their preferred lab option for one course, Fitness Assessment 1. While online delivery has advantages (accessibility, convenience, and reduced costs), student success requires elevated levels of motivation and the capacity to self-direct learning. It is important to ensure the quality of online synchronous delivery in post-secondary education and investigate how a virtual lab option (online synchronous delivery) impacts self-directed learning (SDL), motivation, self-regulated learning (SRL), and academic success. Students were recruited from the virtual lab group (n = 13) and the in-person lab group (n = 10) and completed questionnaires at baseline (week 1) and following the course (week 14). The effect of SRL and motivation was measured by the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) and the effects of SDL was measured by the Self-directed Learning Readiness Scale (SDLRS). This study also investigated the impact of delivery method on academic success (as measured by final calculated grade). Both delivery groups scored >150 on the SDLRS at both timepoints indicating a high readiness for self-directed learning. There was a significant effect of delivery method for the overall MSLQ score (p = 0.009) as well as the MSLQ learning domain (p = 0.005) with higher scores achieved by the virtual learning group. There was a trend towards higher final calculated grade for the in-person delivery group (84.3%) as compared to the virtual group (80.1%). These findings suggest that the students who selected the virtual learning option possessed a greater capacity to self-regulate their learning process using metacognitive and behavioral strategies. This has implications for post-secondary education design and implementation as certain predispositions may make some students more likely to engage in self-directed learning and students may require differential educational approaches based on these differences.

Abstract Introduction Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is a common tachyarrhythmia affecting 33 million people worldwide. Hybrid AF ablation utilises a surgical (epicardial) ablation followed by an endocardial catheter-based ablation. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to summarize the literature reporting mid-term freedom from AF following hybrid ablation. Methods An electronic search of databases was performed to identify all relevant studies providing mid-term (2 year) outcomes following hybrid ablation for AF. The primary study outcome was to assess the mid-term freedom from AF following hybrid ablation, utilising the metaprop function on Stata® (Version 17.0, StataCorp, Texas, USA). Subgroup analysis was performed to assess the impact of various operative characteristics on mid-term freedom from AF. The secondary outcomes assessed mortality and procedural complication rate. Results The search strategy identified 16 studies qualifying for inclusion in this meta-analysis, with 1242 patients in total. The majority of papers were retrospective cohort studies (15) and one study was a randomized control trial (RCT). The mean follow up was 31.5 ± 8.4 months. Following hybrid ablation, the overall mid-term freedom from AF was 74.6% and 65.4% for patients off antiarrhythmic drugs (AAD). Actuarial freedom from AF was 78.2%, 74.2% and 73.6% at 1, 2 and 3 years respectively. No significant differences in mid-term freedom from AF based epicardial lesion set (box vs pulmonary vein isolation) or Left atrial appendage/Ganglionated Plexus/Ligament of Marshall ablation or staged vs concomitant procedures. There were 12 deaths overall following the hybrid procedure with a pooled complication rate of 5.53%. Conclusion Hybrid AF ablation offers promising mid-term freedom from AF reported at a mean follow-up of 31.5 months. The overall complication rate remains low. Further analysis of high-quality studies with randomized data and long-term follow up will help verify these results.

Background: Glaucoma is an optic neuropathy which causes irreversible vision loss. Standard perimetry, which is essential for glaucoma diagnosis, can only detect glaucomatous visual filed loss when considerable structural damage has occurred. Contrast sensitivity is one of the visual function tests that is reduced in eyes with glaucoma. It is known to be affected in pre-perimetric stages of glaucoma. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the discriminating ability of central contrast sensitivity perimetry in eyes with and without glaucoma. Design: The study employed a cross-sectional study design. Methods: The study participants were made of two groups; eyes diagnosed with glaucoma by an ophthalmologist based on visual field test and optical coherence tomography (OCT) and age- and sex-matched controls who were declared free from glaucoma. Static contrast sensitivity (CS) was measured in the central 10° of visual field using a custom psychophysical test. Results: There were 45 eyes with glaucoma and 45 age- and sex-matched controls in this study. The static CS in the glaucoma group was significantly reduced in 9 out of the 13 tested locations in the central 10° of the visual field. The mean static CS at 5°, 10°, superior hemifield and inferior hemifield were all significantly reduced in the glaucoma patients compared to the controls. Conclusion: Static CS measurement is a sensitive approach that can be utilized to aid in the detection of glaucoma. The use of static CS can be adopted in the development of a cost-effective yet sensitive screening tool for the detection of glaucoma.

Research of immersive technology in education is rapidly expanding with potential to educate future students in healthcare disciplines. Despite increasing literature there is a lack of validated instruments to investigate the effects of these technologies. Cognitive interviewing is a valuable evaluation method to check comprehension of a measure and was applied to a new measure of user experience of immersive technology for healthcare education (ITEM). A 5 domain self-reported measure of: immersion, intrinsic motivation, cognitive load, system usability, and debrief. Prior to the interview 9 participants were allocated to augmented reality and virtual reality educational activities. Verbal probing and think aloud techniques through semi-structured cognitive interviews were conducted. The ITEM was found to have high content validity index scores and relationships between domains were further explored through qualitative analysis. The results indicate high clarity of understanding for those completing the ITEM and supports future research as part of an ongoing validation process.

We present a 4-year-old who suffered blunt abdominal trauma leading to Chance fractures to the lumbar spine, bucket-handle injuries to the ileum and descending colon, and an aortic intimal injury leading to occlusion of the infrarenal aorta with extension to the bifurcation. Her vascular injuries were managed by endarterectomy of the intimal injury, thrombectomy of the distal aorta and bilateral iliac arteries using a Fogarty catheter, and patch angioplasty of the infrarenal aorta using bovine pericardium secured by a combination of interrupted and running sutures to optimize elasticity and operative time.

This systematic review assessed the long-term outcomes for patients treated with intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor or dexamethasone for macular oedema (MO) secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Studies investigating patients of all ages with MO due to RVO only were included. The review was deliberately broad in scope, including comparative and non-comparative studies to ensure inclusion of real-world type evidence. Risk of bias was assessed. In total, 76 data sets were included (10 775 participants). Overall, mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved from baseline to 5 years by 16.1 letters (p

Background: Quality of life (QOL) is an important outcome in patients with heart valve disease, in cohorts that have received a valve replacement as well as those that have not. Existing reviews on this topic, however, focus primarily on the effect of valve intervention. This systematic review was conducted to provide an overview of non-procedural predictors of QOL in multiple forms of heart valve disease. Measures of QOL can compare outcomes between populations (‘generic’ measures) or within a specific disease state or population (‘specific’). Methods: Pubmed was searched in July 2021 for papers reporting associations of non-procedural factors with QOL. Results: 14 papers with 8433 participants in total were included in the final selection, most of which were aortic valve intervention cohorts. Studies using both generic and specific measures of QOL were included. Sex and body mass index had minimal association with QOL in HVD, while ejection fraction displayed no association. In longitudinal studies, more severe cardiac symptoms before valve intervention were associated with worse QOL after valve intervention. Conclusion: There is limited information on non-procedural contributions to QOL in patients with heart valve disease. Sex, BMI, age, and ejection fraction appear to have little effect. The association of worse long term QOL post-intervention in those with worse pre-intervention symptoms raises the possibility that earlier intervention may be beneficial. Variability of results in different cohorts and between measures of quality of life indicate the need for a disease-specific measure of QOL in heart valve disease.

Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) Executive Global Studies 2020–2022 cohort members share the challenges, fears, and pride experienced while exploring the future of policing…for police.

Purpose: Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is commonly used for various causes of androgen deficiency and subsidized by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in Australia when appropriate. In response to a sharp increase in the prescribing of subsidized TRT, the Australian government instituted new, stricter prescription criteria in April 2015. We aim to demonstrate longitudinal changes in the prescription patterns of subsidized TRT over time. Materials and Methods: The publicly available PBS database was accessed for TRT prescription data between 1992–2018. Population estimate data was collected from the Australian Bureau of Statistics for population-adjustment. Data analysis was performed according to class and specific formulation of TRT. Total and population-adjusted trends were considered, as was indexation to 2015 when restrictions were implemented. Results: Longitudinal trends in subsidized TRT prescription demonstrated a progressive overall increase since 2000, according to total prescriptions and population-adjusted estimates, with greater use of topical formulations (gel, patch, cream/spray) and injections. Since 2015, a 37% decline in total population-adjusted prescriptions was observed (1,399–883 per 100,000 persons). Since 2015, relatively increased use of injections (50%) and 1% gel (30%) comprise the majority of contemporary TRT. Annual financial burden due to TRT was $AU16,768 per 100,000 persons prior to 2000 (mean cost 1992–2000), increasing to $AU112,539 in 2018 (due to use of injections). The rate of change in costs slowed after the restrictions were introduced in 2015. Conclusions: The restrictions in subsidized TRT eligibility enforced by the PBS have reduced overall TRT prescriptions and slowed the cumulative financial burden.

Purpose: To describe the surgical technique and examine the feasibility and outcomes following robotic pelvic exenteration and extended pelvic resection for rectal and/or urological malignancy. Materials and Methods: We present a case series of seven patients with locally advanced or synchronous urological and/or rectal malignancy who underwent robotic total or posterior pelvic exenteration between 2012–2016. Results: In total, we included seven patients undergoing pelvic exenteration or extended pelvic resection. The mean operative time was 485±157 minutes and median length of stay was 9 days (6–34 days). There was only one Clavien–Dindo complication grade 3 which was a vesicourethral anastomotic leak requiring rigid cystoscopy and bilateral ureteric catheter insertion. Eighty-five percent of patients had clear colorectal margins with a median margin of 3.5 mm (0.7–8.0 mm) while all urological margins were clear. Six out of seven patients had complete (grade 3) total mesorectal excision. Three patients experienced recurrence at a median of 22 months (21–24 months) post-operatively. Of the three recurrences, one was systemic only whilst two were both local and systemic. One patient died from complications of dual rectal and prostate cancer 31 months after the surgery. Conclusions: We report a large series examining robotic pelvic exenteration or extended pelvic resection and describe the surgical technique involved. The robotic approach to pelvic exenteration is highly feasible and demonstrates acceptable peri-operative and oncological outcomes. It has the potential to benefit patients undergoing this highly complex and morbid procedure.

Background: Quality of life is a key outcome after coronary revascularization for ischemic heart disease in the modern era. 6–12 months after coronary revascularization, recovery from the intervention itself, especially coronary artery bypass grafting, is no longer the key determinant of quality of life, while the benefits (or lack thereof) of revascularization become more apparent. Potential determinants of quality of life that are not directly related to the form of intervention have been less frequently examined in this group of patients. Methods: This systematic review examined the association of published contributors to quality of life in patients following coronary revascularization for ischemic heart disease 6–12 months post intervention. Studies that reported such associations were identified and assessed for quality. 11 were included in this review. Quality of life was measured by the Short Forms 36 and 12, and the Seattle Angina Questionnaire. Results: Of potentially modifiable factors, current smoking and hypertension displayed the most consistent associations with reduced quality of life after intervention. Quality of life was positively associated with baseline quality of life and being partnered/married, and negatively associated with female sex, diabetes, and lung or renal disease, and only minimally associated with ejection fraction. Age and prior myocardial infarction displayed conflicting associations. Conclusion: To improve patient outcomes following coronary revascularization, other potentially modifiable non-procedural factors that affect quality of life could be targeted for more intensive management. Smoking cessation and anti-hypertensive therapies treat the most consistent factors associated with reduced quality of life after revascularization.

This study aims to explore the psychosocial factors and challenges affecting the lives of those who wear an ocular prosthesis following a traumatic eye injury. Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with eight individuals resulted in five themes: emotional devastation in the aftermath; moving forward; fear of negative social evaluation; keeping it normal - protecting self and close others; and threat of injury & blindness. Enucleation or evisceration of an eye causes significant emotional stress. Despite successful prosthetic restoration, many individuals continue to experience ongoing psychosocial challenges, as a consequence of their experiences of visible difference and visual impairment.

Well-managed legume-based food systems are uniquely positioned to curtail the existential challenge posed by climate change through the significant contribution that legumes can make toward limiting Green House Gas (GHG) emissions. This potential is enabled by the specific functional attributes offered only by legumes, which deliver multiple co-benefits through improved ecosystem functions, including reduced farmland biodiversity loss, and better human-health and -nutrition provisioning. These three critical societal challenges are referred to collectively here as the “climate-biodiversity-nutrition nexus.” Despite the unparalleled potential of the provisions offered by legumes, this diverse crop group remains characterized as underutilized throughout Europe, and in many regions world-wide. This commentary highlights that integrated, diverse, legume-based, regenerative agricultural practices should be allied with more-concerted action on ex-farm gate factors at appropriate bioregional scales. Also, that this can be achieved whilst optimizing production, safeguarding food-security, and minimizing additional land-use requirements. To help avoid forfeiting the benefits of legume cultivation for system function, a specific and practical methodological and decision-aid framework is offered. This is based upon the identification and management of sustainable-development indicators for legume-based value chains, to help manage the key facilitative capacities and dependencies. Solving the wicked problems of the climate-biodiversity-nutrition nexus demands complex solutions and multiple benefits and this legume-focus must be allied with more-concerted policy action, including improved facilitation of the catalytic provisions provided by collaborative capacity builders—to ensure that the knowledge networks are established, that there is unhindered information flow, and that new transformative value-chain capacities and business models are established.

Introducing legumes to crop rotations could contribute toward healthy and sustainable diet transitions, but the current evidence base is fragmented across studies that evaluate specific aspects of sustainability and nutrition in isolation. Few previous studies have accounted for interactions among crops, or the aggregate nutritional output of rotations, to benchmark the efficiency of modified cropping sequences. We applied life cycle assessment to compare the environmental efficiency of ten rotations across three European climatic zones in terms of delivery of human and livestock nutrition. The introduction of grain legumes into conventional cereal and oilseed rotations delivered human nutrition at lower environmental cost for most of the 16 impact categories studied. In Scotland, the introduction of a legume crop into the typical rotation reduced external nitrogen requirements by almost half to achieve the same human nutrition potential. In terms of livestock nutrition, legume-modified rotations also delivered more digestible protein at lower environmental cost compared with conventional rotations. However, legume-modified rotations delivered less metabolisable energy for livestock per hectare-year in two out of the three zones, and at intermediate environmental cost for one zone. Our results show that choice of functional unit has an important influence on the apparent efficiency of different crop rotations, and highlight a need for more research to develop functional units representing multiple nutritional attributes of crops for livestock feed. Nonetheless, results point to an important role for increased legume cultivation in Europe to contribute to the farm and diet sustainability goals of the European Union's Farm to Fork strategy.

The sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-type lectin Siglec-15 is a promising target to cancer immunotherapy in several tumor types. The present study aimed to investigate Siglec-15 expression in gastric cancer (GC) patient tissue and to evaluate its clinical value. Siglec-15 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry with 71 patients. Siglec-15 staining was observed in tumor cells of 53 (74.64%) patients, with significant association with histologic classification and angiolymphatic invasion (p

Plasmablastic lymphomas and plasmablastic myelomas are malignancies with overlapping clinical and pathological features which pose a diagnostic dilemma and are known to be aggressive with a poor outcome. CD38 is a common immunophenotypic maker for both these malignancies and provides a rationale for using daratumumab-based regimes. We describe a 57-year-old male with a history of end-stage renal disease who underwent a deceased-donor renal transplant maintained on chronic immunosuppression who presented with ascites and was found to have abdominal adenopathy and a lytic lesion in the humerus and diagnosed with a post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder with features intermediate between plasmablastic lymphoma and plasmablastic myeloma. The patient was subsequently treated with a daratumumab-based regime with an excellent response. This case highlights a rare scenario that poses a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. As there is no standard of care for the treatment of both these malignancies, this case report also describes the use of daratumumab with a good long-term outcome, especially when the pathological distinction between the two entities is difficult.

Precision medicine holds great promise for improving health and reducing health disparities that can be most fully realized by advancing diversity and inclusion in research participants. Without engaging underrepresented groups, precision medicine could not only fail to achieve its promise but also further exacerbate the health disparities already burdening the most vulnerable. Yet underrepresentation by people of non-European ancestry continues in precision medicine research and there are disparities across racial groups in the uptake of precision medicine applications and services. Studies have explored possible explanations for population differences in precision medicine participation, but full appreciation of the factors involved is still developing. To better inform the potential for addressing health disparities through PM, we assessed the relationship of precision medicine knowledge and trust in biomedical research with sociodemographic variables. Using a series of linear regression models applied to survey data collected in a diverse sample, we analyzed variation in both precision medicine knowledge and trust in biomedical research with socioeconomic factors as a way to understand the range of precision medicine knowledge (PMK) in a broadly representative group and its relationship to trust in research and demographic characteristics. Our results demonstrate that identifying as Black, while significantly PMK, explains only 1.5% of the PMK variance in unadjusted models and 7% of overall variance in models adjusted for meaningful covariates such as age, marital status, employment, and education. We also found a positive association between PMK and trust in biomedical research. These results indicate that race is a factor affecting PMK, even after accounting for differences in sociodemographic variables. Additional work is needed, however, to identify other factors contributing to variation in PMK as we work to increase diversity and inclusion in precision medicine applications.

Industrialised agriculture is heavily reliant upon synthetic nitrogen fertilisers and imported protein feeds, posing environmental and food security challenges. Increasing the cultivation of leguminous crops that biologically fix nitrogen and provide high protein feed and food could help to address these challenges. We report on the innovative use of an important leguminous crop, pea (Pisum sativum L.), as a source of starch for alcohol (gin) production, yielding protein-rich animal feed as a co-product. We undertook life cycle assessment (LCA) to compare the environmental footprint of 1 L of packaged gin produced from either 1.43 kg of wheat grain or 2.42 kg of peas via fermentation and distillation into neutral spirit. Allocated environmental footprints for pea-gin were smaller than for wheat-gin across 12 of 14 environmental impact categories considered. Global warming, resource depletion, human toxicity, acidification and terrestrial eutrophication footprints were, respectively, 12%, 15%, 15%, 48% and 68% smaller, but direct land occupation was 112% greater, for pea-gin versus wheat-gin. Expansion of LCA boundaries indicated that co-products arising from the production of 1 L of wheat- or pea-gin could substitute up to 0.33 or 0.66 kg soybean animal feed, respectively, mitigating considerable greenhouse gas emissions associated with land clearing, cultivation, processing and transport of such feed. For pea-gin, this mitigation effect exceeds emissions from gin production and packaging, so that each L of bottled pea gin avoids 2.2 kg CO2 eq. There is great potential to scale the use of legume starches in production of alcoholic beverages and biofuels, reducing dependence on Latin American soybean associated with deforestation and offering considerable global mitigation potential in terms of climate change and nutrient leakage — estimated at circa 439 Tg CO2 eq. and 8.45 Tg N eq. annually. Keywords: Pea, Legumes, Life cycle assessment, LCA, Animal feed, DDGS, Distillation, Ethanol

Benchmarking the environmental sustainability of alcohol produced from legume starch against alcohol produced from cereal grains requires considering of crop production, nutrient cycling and use of protein-rich co-products via life cycle assessment. This article describes the mass balance flows behind the life cycle inventories for gin produced from wheat and peas (Pisum sativum L.) in an associated article summarising the environmental footprints of wheat- and pea-gin [1], and also presents detailed supplementary results. Activity data were collected from interviews with actors along the entire gin value chain including a distillery manager and ingredient and packaging suppliers. Important fertiliser and animal-feed substitution effects of co-product use were derived using detailed information and models on nutrient flows and animal feed composition, along with linear optimisation modelling. Secondary data on environmental burdens of specific materials and processes were obtained from the Ecoinvent v3.4 life cycle assessment database. This article provides a basis for further quantitative evaluation of the environmental sustainability of legume-alcohol value chains. Keywords: Pea, Legumes, Life cycle assessment, LCA, Animal feed, DDGS, Distillation, Ethanol

New Zealand (NZ) is an island nation with stewardship of an ocean twenty times larger than its land area. While the challenges facing NZ’s ocean are similar to other maritime countries, no coherent national plan exists that meets the needs of scientists, stakeholders or kaitiakitanga (guardianship) of NZ’s ocean in a changing climate. The NZ marine science community used the OceanObs’19 white paper to establish a framework and implementation plan for a collaborative NZ ocean observing system (NZ-OOS). Co-production of ocean knowledge with Māori will be embedded in this national strategy for growing a sustainable, blue economy for NZ. The strengths of an observing system for a relatively small nation come from direct connections between the science impetus through to users and stakeholders of an NZ-OOS. The community will leverage off existing ocean observations to optimize effort and resources in a system that has historically made limited investment in ocean observing. The goal of the community paper will be achieved by bringing together oceanographers, data scientists and marine stakeholders to develop an NZ-OOS that provides best knowledge and tools to the sectors of society that use or are influenced by the ocean.

An analysis of archival data retrieved from a school counselor’s careful recording of student responses during the conducting of 35 “undercover anti-bullying teams” reveals a highly positive qualitative account of the success of these teams. A targeted, non-punitive, restorative process calls forth peer influence to transform the bullying relation in a short time-frame. The bullies are involved in the transformation and the victim is never required to confront the bullies. Student responses show that participants value the chance to help a peer, take up the responsibility of stopping bullying responsibly, and victims are happy with the results.

Biofunctional block copolymers are becoming increasingly attractive materials as active components in biosensors and other nanoscale electronic devices. We have described two different classes of block copolymers with biofuctional properties. Biofunctionality for block copolymers is achieved through functionalization with appropriate biospecific ligands. We have synthesized block copolymers of electroactive poly(3-decylthiophene) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate by atom transfer radical polymerization. The block copolymers were functionalized with the dinitrophenyl (DNP) groups, which are capable of binding to Immunoglobulin E (IgE) on cell surfaces. The block copolymers were shown to be redox active. Additionally, the triblock copolymer of α, ω-bi-biotin (poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly (styrene)-b-poly(ethylene oxide)) was also synthesized to study their capacity to bind fluorescently tagged avidin. The surface-active property of the poly(ethylene oxide) block improved the availability of the biotin functional groups on the polymer surfaces. Fluorescence microscopy observations confirm the specific binding of biotin with avidin.

When used in educational settings, simulations utilizing virtual reality (VR) technologies can reduce training costs while providing a safe and effective learning environment. Tasks can be easily modified to maximize learning objectives of different levels of trainees (e.g., novice, intermediate, expert), and can be repeated for the development of psychomotor skills. VR offers a multisensory experience, providing visual, auditory, and haptic sensations with varying levels of fidelity. While simulating visual and auditory stimuli is relatively easy and cost-effective, similar representations of haptic sensation still require further development. Evidence suggests that mixing high- and low-fidelity realistic sensations (e.g., audition and haptic) can improve the overall perception of realism, however, whether this also leads to improved performance has not been examined. The current study examined whether audiohaptic stimuli presented in a virtual drilling task can lead to improved motor performance and subjective realism, compared to auditory stimuli alone. Right-handed participants (n = 16) completed 100 drilling trials of each stimulus type. Performance measures indicated that participants overshot the target during auditory trials, and undershot the target during audiohaptic trials. Undershooting is thought to be indicative of improved performance, optimizing both time and energy requirements.

A one year field trial was carried out on three adjacent unfertilised plots; an 18 year old grassland, a 14 year old established Miscanthus crop, and a 7 month old newly planted Miscanthus crop. Measurements of N2O, soil temperature, water filled pore space (WFPS), and inorganic nitrogen concentrations, were made every one to two weeks. Soil temperature, WFPS and NO3− and NH4+ concentrations were all found to be significantly affected by land use. Temporal crop effects were also observed in soil inorganic nitrogen dynamics, due in part to C4 litter incorporation into the soil under Miscanthus. Nonetheless, soil N2O fluxes were not significantly affected by land use. Cumulative yearly N2O fluxes were relatively low, 216 ± 163, 613 ± 294, and 377 ± 132 g·N·ha−1·yr−1 from the grassland, newly planted Miscanthus, and established Miscanthus plots respectively, and fell within the range commonly observed for unfertilised grasslands dominated by perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). Higher mean cumulative fluxes were measured in the newly planted Miscanthus, which may be linked to a possible unobserved increase immediately after establishment. However, these differences were not statistically significant. Based on the results of this experiment, land-use change from grassland to Miscanthus will have a neutral impact on medium to long-term N2O emissions.

The François’ langur is an endangered primate species endemic to Asia, found in the karst mountain regions of China and Vietnam. These langurs are distributed across isolated locations, where habitat loss and fragmentation pose significant threats to their survival. The Mayanghe National Nature Reserve (MNNR) is home to the largest population of wild François' langurs in the world, estimated at 500–600 individuals. To understand the habitat selection of François’ langurs in the MNNR, a survey was conducted from September 2017 to August 2019. Using species presence data and environmental variables, we analyzed habitat selection through a resource selection function (RSF). Significant habitat differences were found between distribution and control sites. The best model included slope, distance to river, distance to road, vegetation type, and tree height. The distribution of François’ langur is primarily influenced by its reliance on specific vegetation types, sensitivity to human disturbance, and geographical factors. This study clarifies the ecological requirements of wild François’ langurs by analyzing their habitat selection and highlights the importance of understanding these factors to inform conservation efforts.

We describe a model of instruction in mathematics which combines the traditional university lecture with computer aided delivery of homework and testing. While this model of emporium instruction was developed at Virginia Tech to deal with the burden of increased class sizes and increasing demands on faculty time, it has, in fact, proven to be an effective pedagogical method with advantages as compared to traditional lecture style instruction. We will argue that it also provides an economic alternative for less developed nations, with partiuclar benefits for the special problems faced by these universities.

Introduction. Streptococcus constellatus collectively with Streptococcus anginosus and Streptococcus intermedius constitute the Streptococcus anginosus (formerly Streptococcus milleri) group. Though they are commonly associated with abscesses, bacteremia with subsequent septic thrombophlebitis is extremely rare, and resulting mortality is infrequent. Case Presentation. We report a case of a previously healthy 60-year-old African American female who presented with Streptococcus constellatus bacteremia associated with septic thrombophlebitis to the right ovarian vein extending into the inferior vena cava. She was urgently treated with antibiotics and anticoagulation. Conclusion. Septic thrombophlebitis has a clinical presentation that is often misleading. Therefore, a high clinical index of suspicion and the use of appropriate imaging modalities (computed tomography) are essential in recognizing and confirming this diagnosis. Prompt treatment is warranted. Surgical thrombectomies have been successfully replaced by a combination of antibiotics and anticoagulation therapy.

>OBJECTIVE: In the absence of a proven medical explanation for the chronic pain syndrome Complex Regional Pain Syndrome type I (CRPS I), this study explored a hypothetical link between childhood physical and sexual abuse, and the subsequent development of CRPS I. The hypothesis predicts the existence of a subpopulation of CRPS I patients with a high frequency of dissociative experiences corresponding to a history of childhood trauma.

The Math Emporium, opened in 1997, is an open 7000-squaremeter facility with 550+ workstations arranged in an array of widely spaced hexagonal "pods", designed to support group work at the same time maintaining an academic air. We operate it 24/7 with math support personnel in attendance 12 hours per day. Students have access to online course resources at all times, from anywhere. We have used this unique asset to transform traditional classroom-based courses into technology based learning programs that have no class meetings at all. The structure of the program is very different from the conventional one, having a new set of expectations and motivations. The results include: more effective students, substantial cost savings, economies of scale and scope and a stream-lined process for creating new on-line courses.

Introduction. Wernicke’s encephalopathy is a well-described syndrome characterized by the classic triad of confusion, ataxia, and ophthalmoplegia. Wernicke’s encephalopathy results from thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. Common causes include alcoholism and gastric disorders. Wernicke’s has been described in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS); however, given these patients’ immunosuppressed state, the diagnosis of Wernicke’s encephalopathy is not apparent. Case Presentation. A 31-year-old previously healthy male presented to the ER complaining of progressive dyspnea. Workup revealed HIV/AIDS and PCP pneumonia. He was treated and improved. On day 14 he became confused and developed nystagmus and ataxia. Considering his immunocompromised state, infectious and neoplastic etiologies topped the differential diagnosis. CT head was negative. Lumbar puncture was unremarkable. Brain MRI revealed increased T2 signal in the medial thalamus bilaterally. Intravenous thiamine was administered resulting in resolution of symptoms. Discussion. The classic triad of Wernicke’s encephalopathy occurs in 10% of cases. When immunosuppressed patients develop acute neurologic symptoms infectious or neoplastic etiologies must be excluded. However, given the relative safety of thiamine supplementation, there should be a low threshold for initiating therapy in order to reverse the symptoms and prevent progression to Korsakoff dementia, which is permanent.

The importance of honey bees to the world economy far surpasses their contribution in terms of honey production; they are responsible for up to 30% of the world's food production through pollination of crops. Since fall 2006, honey bees in the U.S. have faced a serious population decline, due in part to a phenomenon called Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), which is a disease syndrome that is likely caused by several factors. Data from an initial study in which investigators compared pathogens in honey bees affected by CCD suggested a putative role for Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus, IAPV. This is a single stranded RNA virus with no DNA stage placed taxonomically within the family Dicistroviridae. Although subsequent studies have failed to find IAPV in all CCD diagnosed colonies, IAPV has been shown to cause honey bee mortality. RNA interference technology (RNAi) has been used successfully to silence endogenous insect (including honey bee) genes both by injection and feeding. Moreover, RNAi was shown to prevent bees from succumbing to infection from IAPV under laboratory conditions. In the current study IAPV specific homologous dsRNA was used in the field, under natural beekeeping conditions in order to prevent mortality and improve the overall health of bees infected with IAPV. This controlled study included a total of 160 honey bee hives in two discrete climates, seasons and geographical locations (Florida and Pennsylvania). To our knowledge, this is the first successful large-scale real world use of RNAi for disease control.

The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education in the next two editions will feature specialised subjects in matters of teaching and learning in the area of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education. This edition is featuring music - a rich and vital component of Indigenous cultures around the world.