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In light of recent political events in the United States, and with the urging to consider Noddings' care ethics in early childhood education, this conceptual piece considers an often-overlooked question in political discourse: what are the rights of the child, and how might these be centered in discussions of pedagogy, curricula, and legislation? Through an examination of two influential documents, the United Nations' Declaration on the Rights of the Child in 1989 and the Parental Rights in Education Act passed in Florida in 2022, the authors analyze the positioning of children in relation to parents and teachers and discuss the affordances and limitations of this positioning. In sum, authors find an overarching theme of growth in the former and a prominent theme of control in the latter. Implications for early childhood education are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae), is an invasive insect that was first detected in the United States in 2014 and feeds on a wide variety of plants, with economic impacts on the agricultural, ornamental, and timber industries. Part of what likely contributes to the success of L. delicatula in its invaded range is that it appears to be chemically defended by sequestering toxins from its host plant(s), which may deter predators in the introduced range. To determine the identity and behavior of North American predators that feed on spotted lanternfly, we performed a community science study in which we asked members of the public to contribute reports of animals feeding on spotted lanternfly through a Facebook page. The largest group of reported predators was arthropods followed by birds. Araneae was the arthropod order with the most reports and Phasianidae was the most frequently reported bird family. Using Pearson's χ 2 tests, we also identified significant relationships between predator behavior and (1) taxonomic group of the predator, (2) L. delicatula life stage, and (3) host plant L. delicatula was observed on. These results can help to guide future research on predator host shifting to spotted lanternfly and potential for biocontrol as a management tactic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author outlines legacies from the HIV pandemic that have influenced not only the control of HIV itself, but also broader aspects of medicine. Topics discussed include brief background of the 'Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome' (AIDS) published in the CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report in 1981, explanation on the transmission of HIV, and information on the development of antiretrovirals.

In this paper, drawn from anthropological research done for a project on Mexican imaginaries of outer space, I consider the role of the AEM, or Mexican Space Agency, in space education and outreach in Mexico, focusing on the ways in which the AEM engages with different sectors and social groups, including elementary age children, college students undertaking STEM careers and artists who use space imagery and technology in their work. The research undertaken for this project consists primarily of formal and informal interviews with key actors engaged with outer space who project space into Mexican futures from different perspectives, from enthusiastic involvement in technological advancement as a means of fomenting social and economic progress, to the artistic uses of space and technology as a means of critically reflecting on earthly issues of human relationality and geopolitical power. In addition to interviews, I draw on information gathered from documents, works of art, online discussion groups and attendance at events sponsored by the Mexican Space Agency. I am particularly interested in exploring the implications of the agency's mission to "promote space culture", as I critically confront anthropological notions of "culture" with the uses of this concept in the public sphere. I am also interested in understanding what is "Mexican" about Mexican space culture, and how national institutions and actors relate to their international counterparts. • Mexico has a nascent space program, but a millennial tradition of stargazing. • The AEM has a strong outreach program, although its public visibility could improve. • Importance of creation of a network of space entrepreneurs, scientists and artists. • Mexicans' outer space imaginaries are diverse, often critical of space exploration. • Anthropology can contribute to the dialogue on the promotion of "space culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • We outline the principals and complexity of conservation biological control, the challenges of economic evaluation, and the perceptions and communication impediments which restrict its uptake by end users. • Developing and demonstrating conservation biological control programs that deliver multiple ecosystem services through appropriate service providing protocols can increase value and adoption potential. • Climate change is a further challenge to conservation biological control that will demand the development of flexible strategies that can respond to changes in pest distributions or food-web structure. Abstract Meeting the growing global demand for agricultural products requires the development and use of ecologically-based strategies that will allow sustainable intensification based on ecosystem services. An important component of this approach is conservation biological control. This approach encompasses a variety of management practices that protect natural enemy populations in the agro-ecosystem and enhance their fitness and ultimate impact on pests. It represents an alternative to dependence on pesticides which is associated with environmental damage and risks to human health. The interventions used to achieve conservation biological control are commonly based on managing vegetation patterns at the local scale (e.g. flowering strips that promote parasitoids by supplying nectar) or at wider scale (e.g., woodland to serve as donor habitat for natural enemies). Importantly, such vegetation management also offers scope to provide agriculture with additional ecosystem services as diverse as pollination and carbon sequestration. Despite these attractive features and the success of a small number of conservation biological control strategies, it remains underutilized. We identify as barriers to adoption the relative complexity of conservation biological control and challenges with economic evaluation, as well as perceptions and communication. Climate change is a challenge that will demand the development of flexible strategies that can respond to changes in pest distributions and/or food web structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the frequency, time to flare, and predictors of disease flare upon withdrawal of anti–tumor necrosis factor (anti‐TNF) therapy in children with polyarticular forms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) who demonstrated ≥6 months of continuous clinically inactive disease. Methods: In 16 centers 137 patients with clinically inactive JIA who were receiving anti‐TNF therapy (42% of whom were also receiving methotrexate [MTX]) were prospectively followed up. If the disease remained clinically inactive for the initial 6 months of the study, anti‐TNF was stopped and patients were assessed for flare at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 months. Life‐table analysis, t‐tests, chi‐square test, and Cox regression analysis were used to identify independent variables that could significantly predict flare by 8 months or time to flare. Results: Of 137 patients, 106 (77%) maintained clinically inactive disease while receiving anti‐TNF therapy for the initial 6 months and were included in the phase of the study in which anti‐TNF therapy was stopped. Stopping anti‐TNF resulted in disease flare in 39 (37%) of 106 patients by 8 months. The mean/median ± SEM time to flare was 212/250 ± 9.77 days. Patients with shorter disease duration at enrollment, older age at onset and diagnosis, shorter disease duration prior to experiencing clinically inactive disease, and shorter time from onset of clinically inactive disease to enrollment were found to have significantly lower hazard ratios for likelihood of flare by 8 months (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Over one‐third of patients with polyarticular JIA with sustained clinically inactive disease will experience a flare by 8 months after discontinuation of anti‐TNF therapy. Several predictors of lower likelihood of flare were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Exposure to stressful events is associated with both occurrence of depression and also vascular disease. The objective of this study was to determine whether higher levels of stress exposure was related to measures of pathological brain aging, specifically white matter hyperintensity volumes, in older adults with and without depression.Methods: The sample included 130 depressed and 110 never-depressed older adults aged 60 years or older enrolled in a longitudinal study at an academic medical center. Participants completed clinical assessments, assessment of stressful event exposure and perceived stress, and magnetic resonance imaging at baseline and after 2 years. Analyses examined both cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between stress measures and white matter hyperintensity volumes.Results: There were no statistically significant relationships observed between cross-sectional baseline stress measures and either baseline hyperintensity volume or 2-year change in hyperintensity volume. However, after controlling for demographic variables and baseline measures, change in stressor exposure was associated with change in hyperintensity volumes. In this analysis, increased stressor exposure was associated with greater increases in white matter hyperintensity volume, while reductions in stressor exposure were associated with less increase in hyperintensity volume. This relationship did not significantly differ based on the presence of either depression or medical comorbidities.Conclusions: This work adds to a growing literature associating exposure to stressful events in later life with more rapid pathological brain aging. Work is needed to understand the physiological mechanisms by which stress exposure has this effect and examine whether stress reduction techniques may modify these observed outcomes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines experiences and perceptions related to the September 11, 2001, attacks among members of two immigrant groups (Spanish-speaking and Mandarin-speaking) in New York City. Focus groups were conducted 1–2 years after the attacks. Qualitative analysis was conducted using ATLAS.ti. Three major themes emerged: (a) Immediate Experience of the Attacks, (b) Evolving Psychological Adjustment, and (c) Long-Term Issues of Public Concern. The groups’ discussions diverged with temporal progression across these themes, reflecting increasing congruence with broad conceptualizations of their respective cultures. The findings suggest that, over time, culture increasingly influenced the meaning these people made of the disaster. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article reports on the Optical Society and its provision of knowledge on light. It mentions its composition of a global community of photonic and optical students and professionals who contributed to the expansion of optic-based science and technology as well as modern physics. An overview of the utilization of solid-state detectors for scientific imaging is also presented.

Objective To be a call to action to nurses and all health professionals to implement proven effective evidence based strategies that can decrease health literacy demands on health consumers, and improve health outcomes and the provision of safe person-centred health care. Primary argument Health professionals, specifically nurses, are important providers of health information to health consumers. They influence the health literacy demands placed on health consumers through the way they organise, present and communicate information (Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, 2014). All health professionals need to be cognisant of the range of effective strategies they can implement to reduce the health literacy demands on health consumers through effective interpersonal communication, health materials in the written and visual formats and the creation of health literate environments to improve health outcomes and the provision of safe care. Population measurements of functional health literacy levels (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008) indicate that 59 per cent of the Australian population aged 15 to 74 years did not achieve an adequate health literacy skill level to meet the complex demands of everyday life and work in a knowledge-based economy. Conclusion An understanding by all health professionals of the concept of health literacy, and the evidence based strategies they can implement to decrease health literacy demands on health consumers is imperative to enhancing the involvement of health consumers in their care, improving health outcomes and in the provision of safe health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ebola causes severe illness in humans and has epidemic potential. How to deploy vaccines most effectively is a central policy question since different strategies have implications for ideal vaccine profile. More than one vaccine may be needed. A vaccine optimised for prophylactic vaccination in high-risk areas but when the virus is not actively circulating should be safe, well tolerated, and provide long-lasting protection; a two- or three-dose strategy would be realistic. Conversely, a reactive vaccine deployed in an outbreak context for ring-vaccination strategies should have rapid onset of protection with one dose, but longevity of protection is less important. In initial cases, before an outbreak is recognised, healthcare workers (HCWs) are at particular risk of acquiring and transmitting infection, thus potentially augmenting early epidemics. We hypothesise that many early outbreak cases could be averted, or epidemics aborted, by prophylactic vaccination of HCWs. This paper explores the potential impact of prophylactic versus reactive vaccination strategies of HCWs in preventing early epidemic transmissions. To do this, we use the limited data available from Ebola epidemics (current and historic) to reconstruct transmission trees and illustrate the theoretical impact of these vaccination strategies. Our data suggest a substantial potential benefit of prophylactic versus reactive vaccination of HCWs in preventing early transmissions. We estimate that prophylactic vaccination with a coverage >99% and theoretical 100% efficacy could avert nearly two-thirds of cases studied; 75% coverage would still confer clear benefit (40% cases averted), but reactive vaccination would be of less value in the early epidemic. A prophylactic vaccination campaign for front-line HCWs is not a trivial undertaking; whether to prioritise long-lasting vaccines and provide prophylaxis to HCWs is a live policy question. Prophylactic vaccination is likely to have a greater impact on the mitigation of future epidemics than reactive strategies and, in some cases, might prevent them. However, in a confirmed outbreak, reactive vaccination would be an essential humanitarian priority. The value of HCW Ebola vaccination is often only seen in terms of personal protection of the HCW workforce. A prophylactic vaccination strategy is likely to bring substantial additional benefit by preventing early transmission and might abort some epidemics. This has implications both for policy and for the optimum product profile for vaccines currently in development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Including questions about sexual health in the annual Health Survey for England (HSE) provides opportunities for regular measurement of key public health indicators, augmenting Britain's decennial National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal). However, contextual and methodological differences may limit comparability of the findings. We examine the extent of these differences between HSE 2010 and Natsal-3 and investigate their impact on parameter estimates. Methods: Complex survey analyses of data from men and women in the 2010 HSE (n = 2,782 men and 3,588 women) and Natsal-3 undertaken 2010–2012 (n = 4,882 men and 6,869 women) aged 16-69y and resident in England, both using probability sampling, compared their characteristics, the amount of non-response to, and estimates from, sexual health questions. Both surveys used self-completion for the sexual behaviour questions but this was via computer-assisted self-interview (CASI) in Natsal-3 and a pen-and-paper questionnaire in HSE 2010. Results: The surveys achieved similar response rates, both around 60%, and demographic profiles largely consistent with the census, although HSE participants tended to be less educated, and reported worse general health, than Natsal-3 participants. Item non-response to the sexual health questions was typically higher in HSE 2010 (range: 9–18%) relative to Natsal-3 (all <5%). Prevalence estimates for sexual risk behaviours and STI-related indicators were generally slightly lower in HSE 2010 than Natsal-3. Conclusions: While a relatively high response to sexual health questions in HSE 2010 demonstrates the feasibility of asking such questions in a general health survey, differences with Natsal-3 do exist. These are likely due to the HSE’s context as a general health survey and methodological limitations such as its current use of pen-and-paper questionnaires. Methodological developments to the HSE should be considered so that its data can be interpreted in combination with those from dedicated sexual health surveys, thus improving our ability to monitor trends in sexual health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Men who pay for sex (MPS) are considered a bridging population for sexually transmitted infections (STI). However, the extent, characteristics and role of MPS in transmission is poorly understood. We investigate these questions using data from Britain's third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal-3). Methods We performed complex survey analyses of data from 6293 men aged 16--74 years resident in Britain who completed Natsal-3, a probability sample survey undertaken during 2010--2012, using computerassisted personal interviewing and computer-assisted self-interview. Results 11.0% (95% CI10.1% to 11.9%) of all men reported ever paying for sex. Among MPS, 18.4% (95% CI 18.2% to 18.7%) of their lifetime sexual partners were paid. 3.6% (95% CI 3.1% to 4.2%) of men had paid for sex in the past 5 years. Partners of MPS constitute 14.7% of all reported partners and MPS report 15.6% of all reported STI diagnoses in the past 5 years. Paying for sex in the past 5 years was strongly associated with reporting larger numbers of sexual partners (adjusted OR, AOR for 5+ partners, past 5 years, 31.50, 95% CI 18.69 to 53.09). After adjusting for partner numbers, paying for sex remained strongly associated with reporting new foreign partners outside the UK (AOR 7.96; 95% CI 4.97 to 12.73) and STI diagnosis/es (AOR 2.34; 95% CI 1.44 to 3.81), all in the past 5 years. Among men ever paying for sex, 62.6% (95% CI 58.3% to 66.8%) reported paying for sex outside the UK, most often in Europe and Asia. Conclusions MPS in Britain remain at greater risk of STI acquisition and onward transmission than men who do not. They report high numbers of partners, but the minority are paid partners. They are an important core group in STI transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fern from the French Pyrenees—×Cystocarpium roskamianum— is a recently formed intergeneric hybrid between parental lineages that diverged from each other approximately 60 million years ago (mya; 95% highest posterior density: 40.2–76.2 mya). This is an extraordinarily deep hybridization event, roughly akin to an elephant hybridizing with a manatee or a human with a lemur. In the context of other reported deep hybrids, this finding suggests that populations of ferns, and other plants with abiotically mediated fertilization, may evolve reproductive incompatibilities more slowly, perhaps because they lack many of the premating isolation mechanisms that characterize most other groups of organisms. This conclusion implies that major features of Earth's biodiversity—such as the relatively small number of species of ferns compared to those of angiosperms—may be, in part, an indirect by-product of this slower "speciation clock" rather than a direct consequence of adaptive innovations by the more diverse lineages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence for seed transmission of phytoplasmas has grown in several pathosystems including coconut (Cocos nucifera). Bogia coconut syndrome (BCS) is a disease associated with the lethal yellowing syndrome associated with the presence of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma noviguineense' that affects coconut, betel nut (Areca catechu) and bananas (Musa spp.) in Papua New Guinea. Coconut and betel nut drupes were sampled from BCS-infected areas in Papua New Guinea, dissected, the extracted nucleic acid was used in polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) used to check for presence of phytoplasma DNA. In a second study, drupes of both plant species were collected from multiple field sites and grown in insect-proof cages. Leaf samples taken at 6 months were also tested with PCR and LAMP. The studies of dissected coconut drupes detected phytoplasma DNA in several tissues including the embryo. Drupes from betel nut tested negative. Among the seedlings, evidence of possible seed transmission was found in both plant species. The results demonstrate the presence of 'Ca. P. noviguineense' in coconut drupes and seedlings, and in seedlings of betel nut; factors that need to be considered in ongoing management and containment efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 'health-literate organisation' recognises that miscommunication is very common and can negatively affect consumer care and outcomes, and makes it easier for people to navigate, understand, and use health information and services. This paper reports on the First Impressions Activities conducted by consumers to assess aspects of the literacy environment of a rural health service. The First Impressions Activities consists of three tools to assist health services to begin to consider some of the characteristics of their organisation that help and hinder a consumer's ability to physically navigate their way to and about the health service. The results show that navigation to and within the rural health service was made more complex due to lack of information, difficulty finding information, inconsistent terminology used in signage, missing signage, signage obscured by foliage, and incorrect signage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article introduces health literacy and provides key literature on understanding health literacy as a concept and the importance of health literacy to health care. It refers to health literacy as the junction between general literacy, health and health care that can incorporate aspects of other types of literacies like media, computer and scientific to varying degrees. It cites the need for nurses to fully understand health literacy to boost involvement of health consumers in their care.

In this article, the author expresses his views on the issue of sexual health research in Great Britain in 2013. He offers information on the results of a British National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles that could improve sexual health and the public's understanding of sexual lifestyles. He also talks about infection and fertility control.

Ecological engineering for pest suppression aimed at promoting ecosystem services of biological control, involves a range of environmentally-benign approaches to conserve and promote arthropod natural enemies and suppress pest populations, and thus reduce the need for insecticide use. Major components in rice pest management involve providing vegetation that favors parasitoid overwintering during the fallow seasons, growing nectar-producing flowering plants on the rice bunds to enhance the biocontrol function, and planting trap plants around rice fields to minimize the initial populations of pests. Complementary tactics involve using sex pheromone traps and mass-releasing Trichogramma spp. parasitoids to reduce the densities of Lepidoptera pests, and synergistically culturing ducks or fish to reduce other planthoppers. After a decade of laboratory and field research accompanied by on-farm demonstrations, ecological engineering for rice pest management has shown growth in both the underlying body of theory and practical adoption, especially in China. Ecological engineering approaches have been listed as a China National Recommendation by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China (MARA) since 2014. We feel this is worth documenting, especially because only a portion of that work has been reported in English-language journals so would otherwise remain "invisible" to the international scientific community. This study is the first time to systematically review the research that has allowed this rapid development and uptake in China, highlighting priorities for future research that will enhance the prospects for ecological engineering in this and other agricultural systems internationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The past decade has seen tremendous expansion in the production and application of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs). The unique properties that make ENMs useful in the marketplace also make their interactions with biological systems difficult to anticipate and critically important to explore. Currently, little is known about the health effects of human exposure to these materials. Objectives: As part of its role in supporting the National Nanotechnology Initiative, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) has developed an integrated, strategic research program-"ONE Nano"-to increase our fundamental understanding of how ENMs interact with living systems, to develop predictive models for quantifying ENM exposure and assessing ENM health impacts, and to guide the design of second-generation ENMs to minimize adverse health effects. Discussion: The NIEHS's research investments in ENM health and safety include extramural grants and grantee consortia, intramural research activities, and toxicological studies being conducted by the National Toxicology Program (NTP). These efforts have enhanced collaboration within the nanotechnology research community and produced toxicological profiles for selected ENMs, as well as improved methods and protocols for conducting in vitro and in vivo studies to assess ENM health effects. Conclusion: By drawing upon the strengths of the NIEHS's intramural, extramural, and NTP programs and establishing productive partnerships with other institutes and agencies across the federal government, the NIEHS's strategic ONE Nano program is working toward new advances to improve our understanding of the health impacts of engineered nanomaterials and support the goals of the National Nanotechnology Initiative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

* Premise of the study: Not all ferns grow in moist, shaded habitats; some lineages thrive in exposed, seasonally dry environments. Notholaenids are a clade of xeric-adapted ferns commonly characterized by the presence of a waxy exudate, called farina, on the undersides of their leaves. Although some other lineages of cheilanthoid ferns also have farinose sporophytes, previous studies suggested that notholaenids are unique in also producing farina on their gametophytes. For this reason, consistent farina expression across life cycle phases has been proposed as a potential synapomorphy for the genus Notholaena. Recent phylogenetic studies have shown two species with nonfarinose sporophytes to be nested within Notholaena , with a third nonfarinose species well supported as sister to all other notholaenids. This finding raises the question: are the gametophytes of these three species farinose like those of their close relatives, or are they glabrous, consistent with their sporophytes? * Methods: We sowed spores of a diversity of cheilanthoid ferns onto culture media to observe and document whether their gametophytes produced farina. To place these species within a phylogenetic context, we extracted genomic DNA, then amplified and sequenced three plastid loci. The aligned data were analyzed using maximum likelihood to generate a phylogenetic tree. * Key results: Here we show that notholaenids lacking sporophytic farina also lack farina in the gametophytic phase, and notholaenids with sporophytic farina always display gametophytic farina (with a single exception). Outgroup taxa never displayed gametophytic farina, regardless of whether they displayed farina on their sporophytes. * Conclusions: Notholaenids are unique among ferns in consistently expressing farina across both phases of the life cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Persistent infection with high-risk sexually transmitted human papillomaviruses (HR-HPVs) can lead to development of cervical and other cancers, while lowrisk types (low-risk HPV) may cause genital warts. We explored the epidemiology of different HPV types in men and women and their association with demographic and behavioural variables. Methods We analysed data collected for the British National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles, a cross-sectional survey undertaken in 1999e2001. Half of all sexually experienced male and female respondents aged 18e44 years were invited to provide a urine sample. We tested 3123 stored urine samples using an in-house Luminex-based HPV genotyping system. Results HPV DNA was detected in 29.0% (95% CI 26.7% to 31.3%) of samples from women and 17.4% (95% CI 15.1% to 19.8%) from men. Any of 13 HR-HPV types was detected in 15.9% (95% CI 14.1% to 17.8%) of women and 9.6% (95% CI 8.0% to 11.6%) of men. HPV types 16/18 were found in 5.5% (95% CI 4.5% to 6.8%) of women and 3.0% (95% CI 2.1% to 4.3%) of men; and types 6/11 in 4.7% (95% CI 1.8% to 5.9%) of women and 2.2% (95% CI 1.5% to 3.1%) of men. In multivariate analysis, HR-HPV was associated with new partner numbers, in women with younger age, single status and partner concurrency, and in men with number of partners without using condom(s) and age at first intercourse. Conclusions HPV DNA was detectable in urine of a high proportion of the sexually active British population. In both genders, HR-HPV was strongly associated with risky sexual behaviour. The minority of HPV infections were of vaccine types. It is important to monitor HPV prevalence and type distribution following the introduction of vaccination of girls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared the three most commonly used assays for detecting Cryptosporidium sp. infections in cell culture: immunofluorescent antibody and microscopy assay (IFA), PCR targeting Cryptosporidium sp.-specific DNA, and reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) targeting Cryptosporidium sp.-specific mRNA. Monolayers of HCT-8 cells, grown in 8-well chamber slides or 96-well plates, were inoculated with a variety of viable and inactivated oocysts to assess assay performance. All assays detected infection with low doses of flow cytometry-enumerated Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts, including infection with one oocyst and three oocysts. All methods also detected infection with Cryptosporidium hominis. The RT-PCR assay, IFA, and PCR assay detected infection in 23%, 25%, and 51% of monolayers inoculated with three C. parvum oocysts and 10%, 9%, and 16% of monolayers inoculated with one oocyst, respectively. The PCR assay was the most sensitive, but it had the highest frequency of false positives with mock-infected cells and inactivated oocysts. IFA was the only infection detection assay that did not produce false positives with mock-infected monolayers. IFA was also the only assay that detected infections in all experiments with spiked oocysts recovered from Envirochek capsules following filtration of 1,000 liters of treated water. Consequently, cell culture with IFA detection is the most appropriate method for routine and sensitive detection of infectious Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis in drinking water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the symposium titled "A Worldwide Response: An Examination of International Law Frameworks in the Aftermath of Natural Disasters" that was held in the U.S. on January 27, 2011. It states that the symposium highlighted the importance of international law in the management of natural disaster crises. It further states that scholars at the symposium also discussed the conflicts between existing legal frameworks and issues that arises during disaster crises.

Background: The os peroneum is a sesamoid bone in the peroneus longus tendon. Fractures of the os peroneum are rare. Some authors recommend surgery for active patients. Case Description: A 41-year-old male professional tennis coach sustained a minimally displaced fracture of the os peroneum. He was treated with restricted weightbearing for 2 weeks, followed by physical therapy and gradual return to activities. He returned to tennis 8 weeks after injury. Followup 7 years after the injury showed he had full strength, full motion, and a radiographically healed os peroneum. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale score was 100 and Ankle Activity Score and Tegner Activity Level Scale were unchanged from those before injury. Literature Review: Fracture of the os peroneum is a rare injury and treatment recommendations are based largely on very small series and case reports. Proposed treatment strategies for fracture of the os peroneum include nonoperative treatment, fixation of the fracture, excision of the bone with direct repair of the tendon, and tenodesis of the peroneus longus to the peroneus brevis. Purposes and Clinical Relevance: Although some surgeons suggest fracture of the os peroneum should be treated operatively in active patients, this case shows nonoperative treatment allowed pain-free return to activities in a high-level athlete with a minimally-displaced fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on a case study which examined mental health service users and carers, public housing tenants and non-government organisations' (NGO) participation and representation within policy processes. A particular focus was influence upon policies aimed at achieving housing outcomes for people with a psychiatric disability. The research was a case study of a period of mental health system reform in South Australia (2000–2005) and involved primarily qualitative research; interviews, focus groups and participant observation, as well as document analysis. Participants (n = 92) included service user and carer representatives, public servants from across the health, housing and disability sectors, and NGO professionals from across sectors. The study found that the community participation that existed during the reform period was largely an end in itself rather than a means for groups to shape policy processes, including housing policy. A number of barriers to service users and NGOs influencing policy agenda setting and implementation were determined and described. A range of strategies and processes to enhance community participation, representation and accountability in policy processes are recommended. These include cross-sectoral policy development and accountability mechanisms, advocacy coalitions across sectors for policy agenda setting, public forums involving both service users and professionals, and challenging ‘consumerist’ discourses on participation. Such strategies could facilitate policy debates on housing for people with a psychiatric disability, counter dominant professional interests within policy networks, and help to address community stigma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To examine the geographical variations in HIV prevalence (diagnosed and undiagnosed), use of sexual health services, sexually transmitted infections and sexual behaviour in a community sample of men who have sex with men in three cities in England, specifically London, Brighton and Manchester.Methods: Cross-sectional surveys of men visiting gay community venues in three large cities in England. Men self-completed a questionnaire and provided an anonymous oral fluid sample for HIV antibody testing.Results: HIV prevalence ranged from 8.6% to 13.7% in the three cities. Over one-third of HIV infection remained undiagnosed in all sites despite 69% of HIV-positive men reporting attending a genitourinary medicine clinic in the last year. Similar and high levels of risk behaviour were reported in all three cities. 18% of HIV-negative men and 37% of HIV-positive men reported unprotected anal intercourse with more than one partner in the last year. 20% of negative men and 41% of positive men reported an STI in the last year.Conclusions: Across all cities, despite widespread availability of anti-retroviral treatment and national policy to promote HIV testing, many HIV infections remain undiagnosed. Data from this community sample demonstrate high levels of risk behaviour and STI incidence, especially among those who are HIV positive. Renewed efforts are needed to increase diagnosis and to reduce risk behaviour to stem the continuing transmission of HIV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community and consumer participation is strongly advocated as a way to help shape health systems and health services to become more inclusive, accountable, responsive to community and consumer needs, and to improve health outcomes. Involving consumer representatives on committees is one partnership-style method of bringing a consumer perspective into health system and health services decision-making processes. Many consumer organisations are invited to provide consumer representatives to be members of committees. A study was conducted to identify the concerns of health consumers when they are required to take on the role of being a consumer representative on committees. Focus group interviews were conducted using a series' of scenarios and questions as a discussion guide. Forty-eight participants were involved in eight focus group interviews in metropolitan and regional South Australia. General concerns covering seven key areas emerged, as well as more specific concerns relating to particular roles representatives may be required to undertake. This study highlighted particular areas of concern for consumer representatives that can be utilised in developing supports to increase consumers' effectiveness, capacity and confidence to fulfil the representative role. It also highlighted that the capacity building process for consumer participation needs to be a joint partnership between the health sector and consumer organisations, rather than be seen as solely the responsibility of individual consumer representatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

De novo dominant mutations in the GFAP gene have recently been associated with nearly all cases of Alexander disease, a rare but devastating neurological disorder. These heterozygous mutations must occur very early in development and be present in nearly all cells in order to be detected by the sequencing methods used. To investigate whether the mutations may have arisen in the parental germ lines, we determined the parental chromosome bearing the mutations for 28 independent Alexander disease cases. These cases included 17 different missense mutations and one insertion mutation. To enable assignment of the chromosomal origin of the mutations, six new single nucleotide polymorphisms in the GFAP gene were identified, bringing the known total to 26. In 24 of the 28 cases analyzed, the paternal chromosome carried the GFAP mutation ( P<0.001), suggesting that they predominantly arose in the parental germ line, with most occurring during spermatogenesis. No effect of paternal age was observed. There has been considerable debate about the magnitude of the male to female germ line mutation rate; our ratio of 6:1 is consistent with indirect estimates based on the rate of evolution of the sex chromosome relative to the autosomic chromosomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (the "IDEA") is a broad federal mandate intended to make a "free appropriate public education" available to all disabled students. More importantly, however, the IDEA encourages schools to enable parents to collaborate with their child's educators. In the event that parents and educators disagree about a child's educational plan, the IDEA channels this conflict through an administrative appeals process. But despite the fact that the IDEA's due process hearing is one of its most prominent procedural safeguards, the IDEA fails to specify which party bears the burden of proof during the proceedings. The existing conflict of authority regarding the allocation of the burden of proof at due process hearings must be resolved in order achieve the IDEA's mandate. A modified burden-shifting scheme would best mirror the IDEA's delicate balancing of the rights of disabled children and the need to impose a realistic mandate on school districts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alexander's disease, a rare and fatal disorder of the central nervous system, most commonly affects infants and young children but can also occur in older children and sometimes adults. In infants and young children, it causes developmental delay, psychomotor retardation, paraparesis, feeding problems, usually megalencephaly, often seizures, and sometimes hydrocephalus. Juvenile cases often do not have megalencephaly and tend to have predominant pseudobulbar and bulbar signs. In both groups, characteristic magnetic resonance imaging findings have been described. In adult cases, the signs are variable, can resemble multiple sclerosis, and might include palatal myoclonus. In all cases, the examination of brain tissue shows the presence of widely distributed Rosenthal fibers. Almost all cases have recently been found to have a heterozygous, missense, point mutation in the gene for glial fibrillary acidic protein, which provides a new diagnostic tool. In most cases, the mutation appears to occur de novo, not being present in either parent, but some adult cases are familial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review presents historical and clinical information on the rare human brain disorder known as Alexander disease (ALX), and reports on the recent discovery of the gene that appears to be causative. The disease is a fatal, white matter disorder (leukodystrophy) of childhood. Adult onset cases also have been described, but it has not been clear whether they represent the same disease. Until recently the diagnosis was made by the pathological examination of brain tissue, in which abundant Rosenthal fibers were found. These abnormal structures occurred within astrocytes, but their composition was unclear. In 1985, a child underwent a diagnostic brain biopsy at this institution, which established the diagnosis of ALX. Ultrastructural immunocytochemistry revealed that the Rosenthal fibers contained abundant amounts of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a normal component of astocytic intermediate filaments. Thus, the gene for this filament protein was considered a candidate gene for the cause of ALX, and DNA samples from children presumed or proven to have this disorder were banked for future study. Other work on the same brain biopsy showed that Rosenthal fibers also contained abundant αB-crystallin, a heat shock protein, but no defect was found in its gene. A decade after the biopsy, a transgenic mouse with an extra copy of the gene for GFAP was produced. These mice died early and their brains contained Rosenthal fibers. Although not an exact model for ALX, this also suggested that the gene for GFAP should be considered a candidate gene for ALX. Subsequent research has demonstrated that the great majority of childhood ALX cases contain mutations in the gene for GFAP. This work is now being extended as a diagnostic test, as well as to seek understanding of the pathogenesis of ALX and possible approaches for treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Background: Sexual behaviour is a major determinant of sexual and reproductive health. We did a National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal 2000) in 1999-2001 to provide population estimates of behaviour patterns and to compare them with estimates from 1990-91 (Natsal 1990). Methods: We did a probability sample survey of men and women aged 16-44 years who were resident in Britain, using computer-assisted interviews. Results were compared with data from respondents in Natsal 1990. Findings: We interviewed 11 161 respondents (4762 men, 6399 women). Patterns of heterosexual and homosexual partnership varied substantially by age, residence in Greater London, and marital status. In the past 5 years, mean numbers of heterosexual partners were 3.8 (SD 8.2) for men, and 2.4 (SD 4.6) for women; 2.6% (95% CI 2.2-3.1) of both men and women reported homosexual partnerships; and 4.3% (95% CI 3.7-5.0) of men reported paying for sex. In the past year, mean number of new partners varied from 2.04 (SD 8.4) for single men aged 25-34 years to 0.05 (SD 0.3) for married women aged 35-44 years. Prevalence of many reported behaviours had risen compared with data from Natsal 1990. Benefits of greater condom use were offset by increases in reported partners. Changes between surveys were generally greater for women than men and for respondents outside London. Interpretation: Our study provides updated estimates of sexual behaviour patterns. The increased reporting of risky sexual behaviours is consistent with changing cohabitation patterns and rising incidence of sexually transmitted infections. Observed differences between Natsal 1990 and Natsal 2000 are likely to result from a combination of true change and greater willingness to report sensitive behaviours in Natsal 2000 due to improved survey methodology and more tolerant social attitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper draws on a review of the literature about the types of health promotion activities conducted by health promoting hospitals and an observation of how some Australian hospitals have structured the organizational arrangements to be more health promoting. This paper also draws on the experiences of one of the authors (A.J) in managing and evaluating an organizational change process a: a major specialist hospital in Adelaide, South Australia, that sought to re-orientate the hospital towards placing more emphasis on health promotion. From these three sources, a typology of four approaches of organizational arrangement to health promotion is presented. These approaches are. doing a health promotion project, delegating it to the role of a specific division, department or staff'; being a health promotion setting'; and 'being a health promotion setting and improving the health of the community'. For the re-orientation of the specialist hospital to occur and be sustainable, the research indicated that over the case study period of 1994-1998 there had to be strong organizational commitment to change, supported at multiple levels of the organization, and reflected in policy and practice change. The paper concludes that more evaluative research of this type will be important if the rhetoric of healthy settings is to become a reality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reliable data on sexual behavior remain difficult to collect. Nevertheless, many of the methodological challenges of sexual behavior research are common to other areas of self reported behavior including diet, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Improvements in social research methods provide a number of strategies for reducing measurement error. Computer assisted techniques, by improving internal consistency and increasing privacy and interviewee control, offer exciting possibilities for improving survey validity.

Alexander disease is a rare disorder of the central nervous system of unknown etiology. Infants with Alexander disease develop a leukoencephalopathy with macrocephaly, seizures and psychomotor retardation, leading to death usually within the first decade; patients with juvenile or adult forms typically experience ataxia, bulbar signs and spasticity, and a more slowly progressive course. The pathological hallmark of all forms of Alexander disease is the presence of Rosenthal fibers, cytoplasmic inclusions in astrocytes that contain the intermediate filament protein GFAP in association with small heat-shock proteins. We previously found that overexpression of human GFAP in astrocytes of transgenic mice is fatal and accompanied by the presence of inclusion bodies indistinguishable from human Rosenthal fibers. These results suggested that a primary alteration in GFAP may be responsible for Alexander disease. Sequence analysis of DNA samples from patients representing different Alexander disease phenotypes revealed that most cases are associated with non-conservative mutations in the coding region of GFAP. Alexander disease therefore represents the first example of a primary genetic disorder of astrocytes, one of the major cell types in the vertebrate CNS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the heterosexual transmission of the HIV. Manifestation of patterns of sexual and needle sharing behavior as factors for the spread of the virus; Epidemiology of the heterosexual acquisition of the virus; Identification of the process of heterosexual transmission.

Reports ways to reduce the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Great Britain. Epidemiology of HIV infection; Suggestions to use condoms properly; Importance of assuring and maintaining confidentiality in testing patients for HIV.

Evaluates the cause and prevention of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and epidemic of infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Great Britain. Resources used by AIDS patient; Preparation for the impact of HIV infection on health services; Suggestions on the poor outcome for patient admitted to intensive care units.

Presents a paper which describes the overexpression of L-ribulose-5-phosphate 4-epimerase at a very high level, its purification, and the preparation of site-directed mutants in which the putative metal ion ligands are modified. Observation of low levels of aldolase activity; Indepth look at the experimental procedures conducted in the study; Preparation and characterization of mutant enzymes; Results of the study.

Assesses the suitability of herpes simplex virus types 2 as a serological marker of sexual behavior in London population in England. Epidemiology of antibody to herpes simplex virus type 2; Association of antibody with sexual orientation and years of sexual activity of population; Prevalence of antibodies in herpes simplex virus type 2 among respondents. INSET: Epidemiological implications.

Focuses on the epidemiology of HIV and AIDS in Great Britain. Percentage of HIV infection acquired through sexual intercourse; Importance of education in HIV prevention; Recognition of HIV and AIDS as greatest threat to public health.

This article examines the relation between men's exposure to pornography and their beliefs about men and women, Study 1 presents an individual difference measure for assessing exposure to pornography that was then used in six subsequent studies. In Study 2, high exposure scores predicted being male, having a sexual partner, and the reasons for viewing sexual materials. In Studies 3 and 4, high exposure men were more likely than low exposure men to think that most men perform masculine behaviors. In Studies 5 and 6. high exposure men were also more likely to generate sexual descriptions of women spontaneously. Finally, in Study 7, high exposure men perceived the most gender differences after viewing sexual or sexual/violent music videos; low exposure men perceived the most differences after viewing sexual or romantic ones. These studies suggest that exposure to pornography is related to broad and fundamental ways of understanding men, women, and gender relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Argues that earlier and more widespread diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is needed for therapeutic interventions to full their potential. Discussion of the strategy term HIV/AIDS exceptionalism; Scientific advances concerning HIV/AIDS with major implications for practice; Impact which increased HIV testing is expected to have on public health.

Aims: To investigate whether the introduction of minimum unit pricing (MUP) in Scotland on 1 May 2018 was reflected in changes in the likelihood of alcohol‐related queries submitted to an internet search engine, and in particular whether there was any evidence of increased interest in purchasing of alcohol from outside Scotland. Design Observational study in which individual queries to the internet Bing search engine for 2018 in Scotland and England were captured and analysed. Fluctuations over time in the likelihood of specific topic searches were examined. The patterns seen in Scotland were contrasted with those in England. Setting: Scotland and England. Participants: People who used the Bing search engine during 2018. Measurements Numbers of daily queries submitted to Bing in 2018 on eight alcohol‐related topics expressed as a proportion of queries on that day on any topic. These daily likelihoods were smoothed using a 14‐day moving average for Scotland and England separately. Findings There were substantial peaks in queries about MUP itself, cheap sources of alcohol and online alcohol outlets at the time of introduction of MUP in May 2018 in Scotland, but not England. These were relatively short‐lived. Queries related to intoxication and alcohol problems did not show a MUP peak, but were appreciably higher in Scotland than in England throughout 2018. Conclusions: Analysis of internet search engine queries appears to show that a fraction of people in Scotland may have considered circumventing minimum unit pricing in 2018 by looking for on‐line alcohol retailers. The overall higher levels of queries related to alcohol problems in Scotland compared with England mirrors the corresponding differences in alcohol consumption and harms between the countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]