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The information landscape of the 21st century demands that students are prepared to be responsible information users and creators, which requires information literacy (IL) proficiency. Underlying conceptualisations of IL influence instructional practices and students' learning of these skills within primary, secondary, and higher education contexts. Responsive to the variation in approaches to conceptualisations of IL in the digital age, this article examines contemporary scholarly articles that conceptualise IL in these formal learning environments. Through a qualitative systematic literature review, 38 articles were examined with an inductive analytical method to understand how current conceptualisations of IL are approached within these educational settings. Analysis of results yielded five primary approaches to IL conceptualisation: (1) developing contextual frameworks, (2) comparing recognised models, (3) evaluating stakeholders' perceptions, (4) considering academic disciplines' information principles, and (5) advocating for information practice to inform frameworks. Collectively, this study points to an evident but necessary dynamism of IL conceptualisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smartphones have many characteristics that make them attractive to adolescents. Recent work, however, has established a link between smartphone-related problems and self-esteem (self-worth) and social anxiety (fear of social relations). To date, little is known about the characteristics underpinning these relationships in combination. Driven by theory, the present study examined the association between self-esteem, social anxiety, and nomophobia (fear of being without access to a smartphone) and problem smartphone use (PSU) in a sample of early adolescents (N = 254). Self-esteem (Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale), social anxiety (Social Avoidance and Distress Scale) and their combined contribution (self-esteem × social anxiety) served as predictor variables of nomophobia (Nomophobia Questionnaire) and PSU (Mobile Phone Problem Usage Scale – Adolescent version) in separate moderated regression analyses. We found that lower self-esteem was associated with higher nomophobia and PSU, and that higher self-esteem may be a protective factor in those lower in social anxiety, such that they are not prone to excessive smartphone use. Our findings offer preliminary markers for psychologists addressing the challenges related to excessive smartphone use in this age group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A growing body of research has linked social media use to negative body image. Aims: The present research aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Digital Bodies, a brief classroom‐based intervention that aims to improve adolescents' body image. Methods: British adolescents (N = 290; Age M = 12.81; SD = 0.40; Range = 12–13; Female = 151) were cluster randomized to intervention or waiting list control groups. Measures of body satisfaction, appearance ideal internalization (thin and athletic ideal internalization) and self‐objectification were completed at baseline (T1), 1‐week post‐intervention (T2) and 8‐week follow‐up (T3). Results: Multi‐level modelling showed adolescents in the intervention group reported improved body satisfaction at T2, in comparison to the control, and crucially this effect was sustained at T3. Additionally, girls reported less thin ideal internalization at T2 relative to the control, but this effect was not sustained at T3. No other intervention effects were found. Conclusions: Overall, the findings provide initial support for the efficacy of Digital Bodies as an intervention for improving adolescents' body satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the time of a diagnosis with breast cancer, many women under the age of 45 years may not have completed family planning. Fertility‐related concerns can affect treatment decision‐making and adherence, and this study by Sella et al highlights the need to incorporate fertility into the conversation early and over time so that patients′ quality of life and cancer outcomes can be optimized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined neurotypical university students' (n = 116) perceptions of and behavior toward student confederates they believed to have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or not. Confederates were labeled by membership in an ASD student organization, behavior stereotypical of ASD, both, or neither. Perceptions of the confederate, verbal and non-verbal behavior toward the confederate, and explicit and implicit attitudes toward individuals with autism were measured. Confederates depicting ASD behaviors were perceived more negatively than confederates who depicted neurotypical behaviors. Participants smiled less at confederates who depicted ASD behaviors than those who did not. Explicit attitudes toward autism were not associated with verbal or non-verbal behavior while implicit attitudes predicted some non-verbal behavior but only in specific combinations of labels and behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii Cano (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is an important pest of peppers (Capsicum spp.) in the southern United States, Mexico, and Central America. Current management practices rely on chemical control of adults although grower options are limited. A more integrated strategy to manage the pepper weevil infestations may benefit from measures that can control this pest specifically such as RNA interference (RNAi). We cloned and sequenced transcript fragments of two possible essential genes of the pepper weevil, Snf7 and V‐ATPase‐A. We treated pepper weevil females with the double‐stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) of these genes and found that orally delivered dsRNA of either gene was not effective in eliciting strong RNAi response or causing mortality. In contrast, Snf7 and V‐ATPase‐A dsRNAs delivered through injections produced robust gene silencing and led to more than 90% mortality within 12 days. Our results suggest that the pepper weevil possesses the molecular machinery needed for a robust RNAi response and that Snf7 and V‐ATPase‐A genes likely encode essential functions in this insect. Moreover, RNAi‐mediated silencing of essential genes can potentially be used to control this pest if strong RNAi response can be induced by orally delivered dsRNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The association between obesity and an increased risk of several cancers, including postmenopausal breast cancer, is well established. In this issue of Cancer, Nyrop et al evaluate disparities in obesity and the possible treatment implications of such disparities among Black and White women with early‐stage, hormone receptor–positive breast cancer. The authors highlight the importance of recognizing racial disparities among obesity trends and emphasize the need to address comorbidities early in breast cancer management for patients of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined whether a structured cycle-based SIT intervention could improve psychological (symptom severity) and physiological (aerobic/anaerobic performance) health outcomes in adolescents with serious mental illness. Participants were 30 age-matched adolescents (M = 16.00 ± 1.17 years) from Australia who completed an 8-week bicycle-based sprint interval training (SIT) program (3 days/week) or were recruited to a comparison group alongside normative care. SIT sessions consisted of 4 × 30-s maximum-effort intervals split by 4-min recovery. Primary measures examined pre–post were Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), World Health Organization–5 Questionnaire (WHO-5), and aerobic/anaerobic performance. Secondary outcomes were also considered (e.g., weight). Between-within analysis of variance's identified Group × Time interaction effects with moderate-to-strong effects sizes for psychological well-being (WHO-5 intervention group – Mchange = + 13.06, Benjamini–Hochberg statistical procedure [BH] confirmed p =.01, n2 = 0.24) and physiological indices (aerobic performance – est.VO2max – intervention group – Mchange = + 5.79 ml.kg−1.min−1, BH p =.03, n2 = 0.18; anaerobic performance – intervention group Mchange = + 49.93 watts, BH p <.01, n2 = 0.48). A significant three-way Group × Sex × Time (p =.02, n2 = 0.18) and Group × Time effects was apparent for Total PANSS (Mchange SIT = −10.80 points, BH p =.03, n2 = 0.17). Significant Group × Time interactions in secondary anthropometrics were also apparent (e.g., intervention group – Mchange weight = −0.73kg, BH p <.01, n2 = 0.25). Findings identified that an 8-week SIT intervention improved key physiological and psychological health indices. Findings suggest that SIT can help protect and potentially improve multiple health indices in adolescents affected by serious mental illness. Abbreviations: Aerobic performance = est. VO2max; anaerobic performance = Wingate sprint; BH = Benjamini-Hochberg statistical procedure; BW-ANOVA = Between Within - Analysis of Variance; Mchange = Mean change from pre-post intervention; PANSS = Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale; SMI = Serious Mental Illness; WHO-5 = World Health Organisation-5 Questionnaire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract RNA interference (RNAi) has proven effective for controlling pest insects such as western corn rootworm (WCR), Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Previous studies have shown that WCR adults display a robust RNAi response to orally-administered double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). However, it is unclear how quickly the response occurs after ingestion or how long RNAi effect lasts after WCR stop ingesting diet containing dsRNA. In the current study, WCR adult females were provided with diet treated with dsRNAs of Laccase 2 and Argonaute 2 , two nonessential genes, for 8 days. RNAi response in WCR females commenced as early as 10 h after exposure to dsRNA and lasted up to 40 days after exposure to dsRNA ended. Our results show that dsRNA-mediated RNAi response in WCR females is rapid and long-lasting. These findings suggest that even a short-term ingestion of transgenic plants expressing dsRNA by WCR may have a sustained impact on this insect. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • dsRNA induced rapid gene knockdown in western corn rootworm females. • RNAi response in WCR females lasted up to 40 days after exposure to dsRNA ended. • Results suggest that RNAi-based WCR control approaches may have long-term effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Materials designed for nuclear reactors undergo microstructural changes resulting from a combination of several environmental factors, including neutron irradiation damage, gas accumulation and elevated temperatures. Typical ion beam irradiation experiments designed for simulating a neutron irradiation environment involve irradiating the sample with a single ion beam and subsequent characterization of the resulting microstructure, often by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). This method does not allow for examination of microstructural effects due to simultaneous gas accumulation and displacement cascade damage, which occurs in a reactor. Sandia's in situ ion irradiation TEM (I³TEM) offers the unique ability to observe microstructural changes due to irradiation damage caused by concurrent multi-beam ion irradiation in real time. This allows for time-dependent microstructure analysis. A plethora of additional in situ stages can be coupled with these experiments, e.g., for more accurately simulating defect kinetics at elevated reactor temperatures. This work outlines experiments showing synergistic effects in Au using in situ ion irradiation with various combinations of helium, deuterium and Au ions, as well as some initial work on materials utilized in tritium-producing burnable absorber rods (TPBARs): zirconium alloys and LiAlO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mosquitoes have a wide range of digestive enzymes that enable them to utilize requisite blood and sugar meals for survival and reproduction. Sugar meals, typically derived from plant sources, are critical to maintain energy in both male and female mosquitoes, whereas blood meals are taken only by females to complete oogenesis. Enzymes involved in sugar digestion have been the subject of study for decades but have been limited to a relatively narrow range of mosquito species. The southern house mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus, is of public health importance and seldom considered in these types of studies outside of topics related to Bacillus sphaericus, a biocontrol agent that requires interaction with a specific gut-associated α-glucosidase. Here we sought to describe the nature of α-glucosidases and unexplored β-glucosidases that may aid Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae in acquiring nutrients from cellulosic sources in their aquatic habitats. Consistent with our hypothesis, we found both α- and β-glucosidase activity in larvae. Interestingly, β-glucosidase activity all but disappeared at the pupal stage and remained low in adults, while α-glucosidase activity remained in the pupal stage and then exceeded larval activity by approximately 1.5-fold. The expression patterns of the putative α- and β-glucosidase genes chosen did not consistently align with observed enzyme activities. When the α-glucosidase inhibitor acarbose was administered to adults, mortality was seen especially in males but also in females after two days of exposure and key energetic storage molecules, glycogen and lipids, were significantly lower than controls. In contrast, administering the β-glucosidase inhibitor conduritol β-epoxide to larvae did not produce mortality even at the highest soluble concentration. Here we provide insights into the importance of α- and β-glucosidases on the survival of Cx. quinquefasciatus in their three mobile life stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficiency of host-seeking behavior is crucial to the reproductive performance of female parasitoids. Initially, parasitoids may use chemical information garnered from the microhabitat in which they emerge to locate hosts. Spalangia cameroni and Muscidifurax raptor are commercially available parasitoids of filth flies. Postemergence exposure to a specific manure may provide a way to increase parasitism in specific microhabitats found at livestock facilities upon release. In this study, female parasitoids of both species were exposed to equine manure, bovine manure, or clean pupae. Females from each emergence exposure were tested in a two-choice arena (house fly hosts in bovine manure versus clean pupae, equine manure versus clean pupae, and equine manure versus bovine manure) for progeny production. There was a detectable but small effect of postemergence exposure on S. cameroni, but it was not sufficient to reverse innate preferences. Females consistently produced more progeny in hosts found in any manure over clean pupae, and in equine manure over bovine manure. The effect of postemergence exposure on M. raptor was also detectable but small. Females produced equal numbers of progeny in bovine manure versus clean pupae, as opposed to preferring to oviposit in clean pupae as with all other treatments. Preferences by M. raptor were overall less marked than for S. cameroni; indeed most of the variability observed for this species did not result from the treatment design. Residual host mortality was also detectably altered by exposure in both species, but the effect was small. Thus, postemergence exposure did not consistently and effectively manipulate these parasitoids to producing progeny in different exposure manures, suggesting that microhabitat preferences are largely determined by other factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyrochlores have long been considered as host phases for long-term immobilization of radioactive waste nuclides that would undergo α-decay for hundreds of thousands of years. This work utilizes ion-beam irradiations to examine the combined effects of radiation damage and He accumulation on bubble formation in Gd 2 Ti 2 O 7 over relevant waste-form timescales. Helium bubbles are not observed in pre-damaged Gd 2 Ti 2 O 7 implanted with 2 × 10 16 He/cm 2 , even after post-implantation irradiations with 7 MeV Au 3+ at 300, 500, and 700 K. However, He bubbles with average diameters of 1.5 nm and 2.1 nm are observed in pre-damaged (amorphous) Gd 2 Ti 2 O 7 and pristine Gd 2 Ti 2 O 7 , respectively, after implantation of 2 × 10 17 He/cm 2 . The critical He concentration for bubble nucleation in Gd 2 Ti 2 O 7 is estimated to be 6 at.% He. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyrochlores have long been considered as potential candidates for advanced ceramic waste-forms for the immobilization of radioactive waste nuclides. This work provides evidence that Gd 2 Zr 2 O 7 , often considered the most radiation tolerant pyrochlore, could be susceptible to radiation damage in the form of bubble nucleation at the highest He doses expected over geological time. Ion irradiations were utilized to experimentally simulate the radiation damage and He accumulation produced by α-decay. Samples were pre-damaged using 7 MeV Au 3+ to induce the pyrochlore to defect-fluorite phase transformation, which would occur due to α-recoil damage within several hundred years of storage in a Gd 2 Zr 2 O 7 waste-form. These samples were then implanted to various He concentrations in order to study the long-term effects of He accumulation. Helium bubbles 1–3 nm in diameter were observed in TEM at a concentration of 4.6 at.% He. Some bubbles remained isolated, while others formed chains 10–30 nm in length parallel to the surface. GIXRD measurements showed lattice swelling after irradiating pristine Gd 2 Zr 2 O 7 with 7 MeV Au 3+ to a fluence of 2.2 × 10 15 Au/cm 2 . An increase in lattice swelling was also measured after 2.2 × 10 15 Au/cm 2 + 2 × 10 15 He/cm 2 and 2.2 × 10 15 Au/cm 2 + 2 × 10 16 He/cm 2 . A decrease in lattice swelling was measured after irradiation with 2.2 × 10 15 Au/cm 2 + 2 × 10 17 He/cm 2 , the fluence where bubbles and bubble chains were observed in TEM. Bubble chains are thought to form in order to reduce lattice strain normal to the surface, which is produced by the Au and He irradiation damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using data from the Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative evaluation, this study measures the effects of perceived levels of emotional and instrumental family support on the likelihood of self-reported criminal activity and new arrests in the 15 months following release from state prison. Logistic regression models using both listwise deletion and multiple imputation are employed. Findings indicate that higher levels of emotional support are associated with a significant reduction in reoffending. Higher levels of instrumental support do not significantly predict reoffending. The findings have implications for policies and practices within the corrections system as well as post-release supervision agencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of a large dendritic arbor requires robust growth and the precise delivery of membrane and protein cargoes to specific subcellular regions of the developing dendrite. How the microtubule-based vesicular trafficking and sorting systems are regulated to distribute these dendritic development factors throughout the dendrite is not well understood. Here we identify the small GTPase RAB-10 and the exocyst complex as critical regulators of dendrite morphogenesis and patterning in the C. elegans sensory neuron PVD. In rab-10 mutants, PVD dendritic branches are reduced in the posterior region of the cell but are excessive in the distal anterior region of the cell. We also demonstrate that the dendritic branch distribution within PVD depends on the balance between the molecular motors kinesin-1/UNC-116 and dynein, and we propose that RAB-10 regulates dendrite morphology by balancing the activity of these motors to appropriately distribute branching factors, including the transmembrane receptor DMA-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A reconceptualization of the idea of “community justice” is framed in the logic of the social contract and emphasizes the responsibility of the justice system for the provision of public safety. First, we illustrate the ways in which the criminal justice system has hindered the efforts of community residents to participate in the production of public safety by disrupting informal social networks. Then we turn to an examination of the compositional dynamics of California prison populations over time to demonstrate that the American justice system has failed to meet their obligations to provide public safety by incapacitating dangerous offenders. We argue that these policy failures represent a breach of the social contract and advocate for more effective collaboration between communities and the formal criminal justice system so that all parties can fulfill their obligations under the contract. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Foot patrol work is rarely described in relation to public health, even though police routinely encounter health risk behaviors and environments. Through a qualitative study of foot patrol policing in violent ‘hotspots’ of Philadelphia, we explore some prospects and challenges associated with bridging security and public health considerations in law enforcement. Noting existing efforts to help advance police officer knowledge of, and attitudes toward health vulnerabilities, we incorporate perspectives from environmental criminology to help advance this bridging agenda. Extending the notion ofcapable guardianshipto understand foot patrol work, we suggest that the way forward for theory, policy, and practice is not solely to rely on changing officer culture and behavior, but rather to advance a wider agenda for enhancing collective guardianship, and especially ‘place management’ for harm reduction in the city. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Effects of He irradiation on polycrystalline yttria-stabilized zirconia ( YSZ) are studied with the focus on irradiation-induced damage buildup, He behavior, and volume swelling. The evolution of irradiation-induced structural damage in polycrystalline YSZ, which is independent of grain orientation, is described by a multistep damage accumulation model. A three-step damage evolution process was found, and different types of defects were observed in the different damage steps. Compared with single-crystal YSZ, the second damage step occurs at a lower dose in polycrystalline YSZ due to the initial defects and strain. The implanted He ions are readily trapped along the grain boundaries and the mobility of He ions is greatly increased. The enhanced He mobility along the grain boundary leads to a lower threshold irradiation dose and a larger penetration depth for bubble formation. Similar morphologies are observed for the He bubbles in the polycrystalline YSZ and in single-crystal YSZ, and the formation of He bubbles in polycrystalline YSZ is not influenced by grain orientation. As both the extended defects and He bubbles can induce volume swelling, the variation in volume swelling as a function of dose can be divided into a two stage process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper reports a comprehensive investigation of structural damage in yttria-stabilized zirconia irradiated with different ions over a wide fluence range. A similar multistep damage accumulation exists for the irradiations of different ions, but the critical doses for occurrence of second damage step, characterized by a faster increase in damage fraction, and the maximum elastic strain at the first damage step are varied and depend on ion mass. For irradiations of heavier ions, the second damage step occurs at a higher dose with a lower critical elastic strain. Furthermore, larger extended defects were observed in the irradiations of heavy ions at the second damage step. Associated with other experiment results and multistep damage accumulation model, the distinct discrepancies in the damage buildup under irradiations of different ions were interpreted by the effects of electronic excitation, energy of primary knock-on atom and chemistry contributions of deposited ions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

BACKGROUND This study integrated criminological and public health perspectives to examine the influence of bullying victimization and the school environment on physical activity (PA). METHODS We used a weighted sample of 7786 US middle school students surveyed as part of the Health Behavior in School-Aged Children study to conduct a multilevel analysis of bullying victimization as a predictor of self-reported PA and number of days attending physical education ( PE) classes. Hierarchical models assessed the contribution of school climate and anti-crime programs. RESULTS Results indicated that bullying victimization was associated with fewer days in PE and lower odds of reporting at least 60 minutes of PA more than once a week. Although one of the school crime prevention policies examined was associated with more days in PE, the school-level factors did not account for a large portion of the variance in the 2-level models for either days in PE or PA. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that reduced levels of PA can be added to the growing list of health issues associated with bullying victimization and provide support for the importance of bullying prevention efforts in conjunction with health promotion programs targeted to middle school students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Federal Probation Office and the Board of Judges for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania initiated a pilot reentry court program, called the Supervision to Aid Reentry (STAR) program in 2007. The impact evaluation used a quasi-experimental research design to compare the reentry success of the first 60 STAR participants to a matched comparison group of 60 probationers in the 18 months postrelease. While logistic regression results indicated that STAR participants were no less likely to be arrested than the comparison group, STAR participation was associated with a significant reduction in the likelihood of supervision revocation. With insight from a previous process evaluation of the STAR program, implications of these findings for the STAR program and other reentry programs are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Helium is insoluble in most metals and precipitates out to form nanoscale bubbles when the concentration is greater than 1 at.%, which can alter the material properties. Introducing controlled defects such as multilayer interfaces may offer some level of helium bubble management. This study investigates the effects of multilayered composites on helium behavior in ion-implanted, multilayered ErD2/Mo thin film composites. Following in-situ and ex-situ helium implantation, scanning and transmission electron microscopy showed the development of spherical helium bubbles within the matrix, but primarily at the layer interfaces. Bubble linkage and surface blistering is observed after high fluence ex-situ helium implantation. These results show the ability of metallic multilayers to alter helium bubble distributions even in the presence of a hydride layer, increasing the lifetime of materials in helium environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Sex hormones are powerful neuromodulators that shape brain structure and function. • Yet only 0.5% of neuroimaging articles consider endocrine-related health factors. • This oversight obscures basic knowledge and limits progress in women's brain health. • 100 M women use oral contraception, yet we lack knowledge of its effects in the CNS. • The brain imaging community should prioritize women's health research. Women constitute half of the world's population, yet neuroscience research does not serve the sexes equally. Fifty years of preclinical animal evidence documents the tightly-coupled relationship between our endocrine and nervous systems, yet human neuroimaging studies rarely consider how endocrine factors shape the structural and functional architecture of the human brain. Here, we quantify several blind spots in neuroimaging research, which overlooks aspects of the human condition that impact women's health (e.g. the menstrual cycle, hormonal contraceptives, pregnancy, menopause). Next, we illuminate potential consequences of this oversight: today over 100 million women use oral hormonal contraceptives, yet relatively few investigations have systematically examined whether disrupting endogenous hormone production impacts the brain. We close by presenting a roadmap for progress, highlighting the University of California Women's Brain Initiative which is addressing unmet needs in women's health research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rhythmic production of sex steroid hormones is a central feature of the mammalian endocrine system. In rodents and nonhuman primates, sex hormones are powerful regulators of hippocampal subfield morphology. However, it remains unknown whether intrinsic fluctuations in sex hormones alter hippocampal morphology in the human brain. In a series of dense-sampling studies, we used high-resolution imaging of the medial temporal lobe (MTL) to determine whether endogenous fluctuations (Study 1) and exogenous manipulation (Study 2) of sex hormones alter MTL volume over time. Across the menstrual cycle, intrinsic fluctuations in progesterone were associated with volumetric changes in CA2/3, entorhinal, perirhinal, and parahippocampal cortex. Chronic progesterone suppression abolished these cycle-dependent effects and led to pronounced volumetric changes in entorhinal cortex and CA2/3 relative to freely cycling conditions. No associations with estradiol were observed. These results establish progesterone's ability to rapidly and dynamically shape MTL morphology across the human menstrual cycle. • Sex hormones are powerful regulators of hippocampal plasticity in mammals. • The impact of hormone fluctuations on hippocampal morphology in humans is unknown. • High resolution imaging of the MTL was conducted across two 30-day periods. • Progesterone dynamically shapes MTL volume across the human menstrual cycle. • Chronic progesterone suppression abolishes cycle-dependent changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-treatment annealing and oxygen-saturated environments enhance the photo-corrosion resistance of ZnO nanowire films in batch and continuous flow reactors. • ZnO nanowires produced via anodization for photocatalytic degradation of phenol. • Achieved enhanced photo-corrosion resistance using oxygen plasma post-annealing. • Developed novel ZnO nanowire / Zn wire tubular flow reactor. Zinc oxide (ZnO) displays superior properties as a photocatalyst, compared to the more widely used TiO 2. However, widespread application of ZnO is hampered by its high photo-corrosion in aqueous environments under UV irradiation. A systematic investigation of the effect of (i) post-production annealing, (ii) dissolved oxygen levels during photocatalysis and (iii) reactor configuration on the stability and photocatalytic activity (PCA) of ZnO nanowires, grown on either flat or circular supports, was conducted. Results show, for the first time, that it is possible to significantly enhance the photo-corrosion resistance of ZnO in water under UV irradiation while also increasing PCA. Oxygen plasma post-annealing of ZnO nanowire films led to a 46% higher photocatalytic degradation of phenol compared to as-produced films. In oxygen-saturated solutions, both thermally and oxygen plasma annealed ZnO revealed similar photo-corrosion resistance. Switching from a batch to a flow-through reactor, tripled phenol photodegradation under the same irradiation conditions from 19 to 57% due to enhanced mass transfer, while significantly increasing the stability and re-usability of the ZnO, with 5 repeat uses over 3 days showing no decrease in PCA. These results pave the way to more widespread use of photo-corrosion resistant ZnO in the degradation of organic pollutants in water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palladium can readily dissociate molecular hydrogen at its surface, and rapidly accept it onto the octahedral sites of its face-centered cubic crystal structure. This can include radioactive tritium. As tritium β-decays with a half-life of 12.3 years, He-3 is generated in the metal lattice, causing significant degradation of the material. Helium bubble evolution at high concentrations can result in blister formation or exfoliation and must therefore be well understood to predict the longevity of materials that absorb tritium. A hydrogen over-pressure must be applied to palladium hydride to prevent hydrogen from desorbing from the metal, making it difficult to study tritium in palladium by methods that involve vacuum, such as electron microscopy. Recent improvements in in-situ ion implantation Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) allow for the direct observation of He bubble nucleation and growth in materials. In this work, we present results from preliminary experiments using the new ion implantation Environmental TEM (ETEM) at the University of Huddersfield to observe He bubble nucleation and growth, in-situ, in palladium at cryogenic temperatures in a hydrogen environment. After the initial nucleation phase, bubble diameter remained constant throughout the implantation, but bubble density increased with implantation time. β-phase palladium hydride was not observed to form during the experiments, likely indicating that the cryogenic implantation temperature played a dominating role in the bubble nucleation and growth behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methionine is a naturally occurring amino acid that has demonstrated toxic properties for control of larval mosquitoes in laboratory experiments. Methionine offers many desirable qualities for an effective, biorational pesticide, including its minimal effects on non-target species. Because previous studies regarding this amino acid's toxicity were laboratory based, the next step is to establish if methionine is likely to have similar effects in natural water bodies before attempting costly field trials. Therefore, the goal of this study was to test the effectiveness of DL-methionine applied to various water sources. Concentration response experiments conducted in glass jars used larval Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) as a model organism. Well, deionized, and pond water were evaluated in the study. In general, increased mortality of Ae. aegypti larvae occurred with increasing concentrations of DL-methionine at 48 h. However, larval DL-methionine LC50 values were not different between water sources. This study has shown that DL-methionine can be added to various water sources as a possible biorational larvicide when applied to natural water sources such as ponds or water-holding containers that often are preferred larval developmental sites for a variety of mosquito disease vectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last few decades, treatment-oriented court judges have moved away from being neutral arbitrators in an adversarial court process to treatment facilitators. In the problem-solving court model, judges are part of a more therapeutic treatment process with program participants and a courtroom work group. The shift from the use of the traditional criminal justice process toward the use of more treatment-oriented models for some populations highlights the need to systematically document key elements of treatment court models. In particular, it is important to clearly document the role of Reentry Court Judges because they are a key component of the Reentry Court model. The current study used interviews with members of the courtroom work group, as well as a focus group interview of former participants in the program, to help identify the role of the judge and activities the judge engages. Findings revealed that the judges played a supportive, informal role, balanced with a more formal, authoritarian role, and the judges engaged participants in pre-court meetings, as well as courtroom sessions. Further, the judges facilitated interactions with program participants outside the courtroom, demonstrating that the judge is a core component of success for participants in Reentry Court. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), is an important pest of maize in the Americas and has recently been introduced into Africa. Fall armyworm populations have developed resistance to control strategies that depend on insecticides and transgenic plants expressing Bacillus thuringiensis toxins. The study of various resistance mechanisms at the molecular level and the development novel control strategies have been hampered by a lack of functional genomic tools such as gene editing in this pest. In the current study, we explored the possibility of using the CRISPR/Cas9 system to modify the genome of FAW. We first identified and characterized the abdominal-A (Sfabd-A) gene of FAW. Sfabd-A single guide RNA (sgRNA) and Cas9 protein were then injected into 244 embryos of FAW. Sixty-two embryos injected with Sfabd-A sgRNA hatched. Of these hatched embryos, twelve developed into larvae that displayed typical aba-A mutant phenotypes such as fused segments. Of the twelve mutant larvae, three and five eventually developed into female and male moths, respectively. Most mutant moths were sterile, and one female produced a few unviable eggs when it was outcrossed to a wild-type male. Genotyping of 20 unhatched Sfabd-A sgRNA-injected embryos and 42 moths that developed from Sfabd-A sgRNA-injected embryos showed that 100% of the unhatched embryos and 50% of the moths contained indel mutations at the Sfabd-A genomic locus near the guide RNA target site. These results suggest that the CRISPR/Cas9 system is highly efficient in editing FAW genome. Importantly, this gene editing technology can be used to validate gene function to facilitate an understanding of the resistance mechanism and lead to the development of novel pest management approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Occupational therapy plays an important role in fostering community participation in areas such as education, employment, leisure, and social relationships, yet its added value within early intervention in psychosis services, especially in the United States, remains poorly understood. The purpose of this research was to conduct a national survey of early intervention in psychosis programs to: (1) understand the role and unique contributions of occupational therapists to early intervention teams, and (2) identify barriers and supports to the implementation of occupational therapy services within these programs. Methods: Fifty‐one senior leaders from U.S.‐based early intervention in psychosis programs participated in the national survey. The survey consisted of a series of closed and open‐ended questions related to program staffing, the presence of specific services that fall within the occupational therapy scope of practice, and implementation barriers and supports. Results: Despite there being strong interest in employing occupational therapists, a small proportion of programs (31%) reported having them on staff. Occupational therapists supported clients across multiple life areas and were significantly more likely than other team members to promote daily living activities (e.g., cooking) and to address sensory processing needs and challenges. Implementation was influenced by environmental/organizational and staff factors; the primary barrier was funding. Conclusions: Findings support the role occupational therapists may play in facilitating the community participation of clients of early intervention services, but significant barriers to implementation of occupational therapy services remain. Additional research is needed to further identify the impact of occupational therapy services within the early intervention model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fundamental movement skills (FMS) are assumed to be the basic prerequisite motor movements underpinning coordination of more integrated and advanced movement capabilities. FMS development and interventions have been associated with several beneficial health outcomes in individual studies. Objective: The primary aim of this review was to identify FMS intervention characteristics that could be optimised to attain beneficial outcomes in children and adolescents, while the secondary aim was to update the evidence as to the efficacy of FMS interventions on physiological, psychological and behavioural health outcomes. Methods: A systematic search [adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines] was conducted in seven databases. Studies were included if they conducted an FMS intervention and targeted at least one physiological, behavioural or psychological outcome in school-aged children (5-18 years). Results: Twenty-nine studies examining the effect of FMS interventions relative to controls were identified. Specialist-led interventions, taught in conjunction with at-home practice and parent involvement, appeared more efficacious in enhancing FMS proficiency than school physical education alone. Intervention environments encouraging psychological autonomy were likely to enhance perceived and actual competence in FMS alongside physical activity. FMS interventions had little influence on overweight/obesity reduction, strength or flexibility. In 93% of studies, evidence indicated interventions improved FMS motor proficiency. Favourable specific physiological, psychological and behavioural outcomes were also identified across a variety of interventions. Conclusion: With reference to clinical and normative school-age populations, future studies should be directed toward determining validated standard FMS assessments to enable accurate effect estimates, permit intervention comparisons and improve the efficacy of FMS development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pteromalid pupal parasitoids Muscidifurax raptor Girault & Sanders and Spalangia cameroni Perkins (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) are commonly released on livestock farms for management of house flies, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae). To be effective, parasitoids must be able to locate live host puparia in complex environments that may include dead or formerly parasitized hosts and non-host physical objects. In this study, both species of parasitoids were examined for their ability to kill and parasitize live house fly puparia either alone or in mixtures with formerly parasitized (dead) hosts or similarly sized acrylic beads. Muscidifurax raptor killed significantly fewer hosts and produced fewer progeny when the parasitoids were provided with hosts that were mixed with formerly parasitized puparia. Spalangia cameroni was unaffected by the presence of formerly parasitized puparia for any of the measured variables. When beads were used as a decoy instead of formerly parasitized puparia, high bead-to-live-host ratios (90% decoys) resulted in significantly fewer numbers of hosts killed by M. raptor compared with the other treatments (50% and no decoys). Residual host mortality at the high bead-to-live-host ratio (90% decoys) was lower (31.2%) than in ratios of 50:50 and with no decoys (51.6 and 59.3%, respectively), so that progeny production by M. raptor was unaffected by the presence of beads. Spalangia cameroni killed over twice as many hosts and produced twice as many progeny in the absence of bead decoys than when beads made up 90% of the decoy-host mixture. The results support the scatter method for deploying parasitized puparia during releases, because the presence of formerly parasitized hosts did not interfere substantially with the ability of S. cameroni and M. raptor to locate and parasitize live pupae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ticks vector a greater variety of pathogens than any other arthropod group, making them a significant threat to the public, companion animals and wildlife. Surveying wildlife habitats and areas commonly used for recreation for the presence of ticks and the pathogens that they carry is essential to the prevention of tick-borne diseases. Tick behaviour also plays an active role in transmission dynamics. We set out to study the host-seeking behaviour of Amblyomma americanum , the lone star tick, at the population level and at the individual level by collecting ticks in public parks in Gainesville, Florida, U.S.A., and by conducting behavioural assays on host-seeking behaviour (questing). We assayed a subset of the collected ticks for 3 consecutive days to determine whether ticks displayed repeatable, individual level differences in questing behaviour. Afterward, we screened ticks for two human pathogens, Rickettsia spp. and Ehrlichia spp. While we did not find differences in pathogen prevalence among the populations, we found that nymphal ticks infected with Rickettsia amblyommatis spent less time questing than uninfected nymphs. However, across all populations, we found a greater prevalence of R. amblyommatis in adult ticks. Additionally, nymphs were more likely to engage in questing behaviours than adults. Lastly, we found significant repeatability in the average height that a tick quests and the questing likelihood of a tick. These findings could fill a gap in the knowledge about trends in disease dynamics. • Ticks displayed repeatability in average heights quested and the likelihood to quest. • Infected nymphal ticks spent less time questing than uninfected nymphs. • Nymphs were more likely to engage in questing behaviours than adult ticks. • Ticks from rural sites quested higher on average compared to ticks from city parks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The structural transitions of Ti3AlC2 induced by ion irradiation were investigated over a wide fluence range by transmission electron microscopy. No amorphization occurs even at the highest dose of 31dpa, indicating a great tolerance to irradiation-induced amorphization. Dynamic electron diffraction simulations and high-resolution observations indicate that the nanolamellar structure of Ti3AlC2 is readily destroyed through the formation of antisite defects and a phase transformation from α-Ti3AlC2 to β-Ti3AlC2 occurs at 2.61dpa. A great number of stacking faults in basal planes are formed with increasing fluence, leading to the formation of nano Ti3AlC2 grains with different stacking sequences at 10.45dpa. Serious structural damage and polygonization are observed at the highest dose of 31dpa. Due to the similar structural transition process with some complex oxides (pyrochlore and murataite), it is assumed that the great irradiation tolerance of Ti3AlC2 results from the low formation energy of antisite defects. These findings first clarify the structural transition mechanism of Ti3AlC2 under ion irradiation and its relationship with irradiation tolerance, which is of vital importance in understanding the irradiation response of MAX phases and provides a clue in searching for materials with higher irradiation tolerance from MAX phases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We examined the expression of candidate sex-determining genes in the red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta) during the temperature-sensitive period (TSP). Aromatase and Rspo1 were used as markers of ovarian differentiation and Sox9 was used as a marker of testicular differentiation. Eggs were incubated at a male-producing temperature (26 8C or MPT) and a female-producing temperature (31 8C or FPT). First, eggs at the beginning of the TSP (stage 16) were topically treated with the steroid hormones 17b-estradiol (E2), testosterone in combination with aromatase inhibitor (AICT), the E2 antagonist (ICI 182 780), and the androgen antagonist (flutamide). Secondly, gonads were removed at stage 16 and treated in vitro with E2, AICT, or hormone antagonists. At the FPT, AICT in ovo suppressed aromatase and Rspo1, while activating Sox9. At the MPT, E2 treatment rapidly increased aromatase and Rspo1, while suppressing Sox9. Treatment with the E2 antagonist in ovo decreased aromatase at the FPT. Treatment with the androgen antagonist in ovo increased aromatase and Rspo1 at early time points at MPT and decreased Sox9 at MPT at later developmental stages. Treatment of isolated gonads cultured in vitro with AICT at FPT decreased aromatase and Rspo1 and E2 increased the expression of these genes at MPT. In vitro treatment with E2 antagonist suppressed aromatase and Rspo1 expression at FPT. Overall, our results suggest that exogenous ligands dictate gonadal development by redirecting the expression of candidate sex-determining genes within the genetic cascades induced by temperature [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: With the increasing threat that mosquito borne diseases pose to public health, the demand for environmentally sustainable pesticides has been increasing in recent years. Pesticides that target the larval stage (i.e., larvicides) are particularly useful for controlling mosquito populations as they strike at the source. Currently, Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis (BTI) is a commonly used mosquito larvicide but some studies show signs of resistance development. DL-methionine is an essential amino acid that has mosquito larvicidal capabilities, while also having minimal negative effects on non-target organisms in laboratory experiments. In this study, our objective was to evaluate the effect of these two larvicides individually and together at reducing mosquito survival. We found that while DL-methionine was more toxic to Anopheles quadrimaculatus than Aedes aegypti, the opposite was true for BTI. Additionally, when the combination was tested against An. quadrimaculatus larvae at higher concentrations the active ingredients were complementary and the effect was equal to both ingredients alone. However, the active ingredients were antagonistic when tested against Ae. aegypti larvae. These findings are important as they show the potential for DL-methionine and the combination of DL-methionine with BTI to be used as a larvicide against Anopheles mosquitoes, which are responsible for transmitting malaria. Mosquito larvicides can reduce mosquito populations at the source, potentially decreasing biting rates and pathogen transmission. However, there is a growing need for mosquito larvicides that are environmentally sustainable. Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis (BTI) is a naturally occurring bacterium commonly used as a larvicide to manage mosquito populations. Methionine is an essential amino acid that has demonstrated toxic properties against larval mosquitoes in laboratory experiments, while having minimal effects on non-target organisms. The goal of this study was to evaluate the potential for a novel combination larvicide by testing for compatibility between these two active ingredients. We began by determining the lethal concentration values (LCs) of BTI and DL-methionine against Anopheles quadrimaculatus Say and Aedes aegypti Linnaeus (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae. These bioassays were conducted in glass jars and mortality was observed 48 h post-treatment. We found that while DL-methionine was more toxic to An. quadrimaculatus than Ae. aegypti, the opposite was true for BTI. Then, we used these LCs to conduct bioassays with a combination of BTI and DL-methionine to determine the relationship between the two active ingredients when used against An. quadrimaculatus and Ae. aegypti larvae. The findings of this study demonstrate that BTI and DL-methionine have the potential to be complementary due to their additive properties at higher concentrations and effect levels when tested against An. quadrimaculatus. However, an antagonistic relationship was detected at the concentrations tested with Ae. aegypti. These results are encouraging and imply that a DL-methionine or BTI/DL-methionine combination larvicide could be used in management of Anopheles species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In-situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) provides an avenue to explore time-dependent nanoscale material changes induced by a wide range of environmental conditions that govern material performance and degradation. The In-situ Ion Irradiation TEM (I3TEM) at Sandia National Laboratories is a JEOL 2100 microscope that has been highly modified with an array of hardware and software that makes it particularly well suited to explore fundamental mechanisms that arise from coupled extreme conditions. Examples pertaining to multibeam ion irradiation, rapid thermal cycling, and nanomechanical testing on the I3TEM are highlighted, along with prospective advancements in the field of in-situ microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The brain is an endocrine organ, sensitive to the rhythmic changes in sex hormone production that occurs in most mammalian species. In rodents and nonhuman primates, estrogen and progesterone's impact on the brain is evident across a range of spatiotemporal scales. Yet, the influence of sex hormones on the functional architecture of the human brain is largely unknown. In this dense-sampling, deep phenotyping study, we examine the extent to which endogenous fluctuations in sex hormones alter intrinsic brain networks at rest in a woman who underwent brain imaging and venipuncture for 30 consecutive days. Standardized regression analyses illustrate estrogen and progesterone's widespread associations with functional connectivity. Time-lagged analyses examined the temporal directionality of these relationships and suggest that cortical network dynamics (particularly in the Default Mode and Dorsal Attention Networks, whose hubs are densely populated with estrogen receptors) are preceded—and perhaps driven—by hormonal fluctuations. A similar pattern of associations was observed in a follow-up study one year later. Together, these results reveal the rhythmic nature in which brain networks reorganize across the human menstrual cycle. Neuroimaging studies that densely sample the individual connectome have begun to transform our understanding of the brain's functional organization. As these results indicate, taking endocrine factors into account is critical for fully understanding the intrinsic dynamics of the human brain. • Intrinsic fluctuations in sex hormones shape the brain's functional architecture. • Estradiol facilitates tighter coherence within whole-brain functional networks. • Progesterone has the opposite, reductive effect. • Ovulation (via estradiol) modulates variation in topological network states. • Effects are pronounced in network hubs densely populated with estrogen receptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Specialized primary care internal medicine (PC IM) residency programs and tracks aim to provide dedicated PC training. How programs deliver this is unclear. We explored how PC IM programs and tracks provide ambulatory training. We conducted a cross-sectional survey from 2012 to 2013 of PC IM program and track leaders via a search of national databases and program websites. We reported PC IM curricular content, clinical experiences, and graduate career pursuits, and assessed correlation between career pursuits and curricular content and clinical experiences. Forty-five of 70 (64%) identified PC IM programs and tracks completed the survey. PC IM programs provide a breadth of curricular content and clinical experiences, including a mean 22.8 weeks ambulatory training and a mean 69.4 continuity clinics per year. Of PC IM graduates within 5 years, 55.8% pursue PC or general internal medicine (GIM) careers and 23.1% pursue traditional subspecialty fellowship training. Curricular content and clinical experiences correlate weakly with career choices. PC IM graduates pursuing PC or GIM careers correlated with ambulatory rotation in women's health (correlation coefficient [rho] = 0.36, P =.034) and mental health (rho = 0.38, P =.023) and curricular content in teaching and medical education (rho = 0.35, P =.035). PC IM graduates pursuing subspecialty fellowship negatively correlated with curricular content in leadership and teams (rho = -0.48, P =.003) and ambulatory training time (rho = -0.38, P =.024). PC IM programs and tracks largely deliver on the promise to provide PC training and education and produce graduates engaged in PC and GIM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RNA interference (RNAi) based approaches can potentially be used to control insect pests. These approaches may depend on the usage of microRNA (miRNA) or double stranded RNA (dsRNA) mediated gene knockdown, which likely involves proteins that regulate these pathways, such as Argonaute 1 (Ago1), Argonaute 2 (Ago2), Dicer 1 (Dcr1), Dicer 2 (Dcr2), and Drosha in insects. We previously performed functional characterization of Ago2 and Dcr2 of western corn rootworm (WCR), Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and observed that knockdown of Ago2 and Dcr2 ameliorated the lethal effect induced by the dsRNA-mediated knockdown of an essential gene in WCR, thereby confirming the involvement of Ago2 and Dcr2 in the dsRNA pathway. In the current study, we identified and characterized additional members of the Argonaute and Dicer gene families, namely Ago1, Ago3, Aubergine, and Dcr1, in a previously developed WCR transcriptome. We also identified a Drosha homolog in the same transcriptome. We evaluated the impacts on WCR adult fitness associated with the dsRNA-mediated knockdown of Ago1, Ago2, Dcr1, Dcr2, and Drosha genes. Among these putative RNAi pathway genes, only the knockdown of Ago1 incurred significant fitness costs such as reduced survival and oviposition rate, as well as decreased egg viability. The present study, to our knowledge, represents the first report showing that Ago1 is critical to the survival of insect adults. Our findings suggest that Ago1 plays an essential role in broader life stages of an insect than previously thought. Importantly, since fitness costs were not observed, downregulation or loss of function of RNAi pathway genes such as Ago2 or Dcr2 may confer resistance to pest control measures that rely on the normal functions of these genes. However, the precise roles of these genes under field conditions (i.e., in the presence of possible viral pathogens) requires further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salt marshes play a key role in removing excess anthropogenic nitrogen (N) loads to nearshore marine ecosystems through sediment microbial processes such as denitrification. However, in the Gulf of Mexico, the loss of marsh vegetation because of human-driven disturbances such as sea level rise and oil spills can potentially reduce marsh capacity for N removal. To investigate the effect of vegetation loss on ecosystem N removal, we contrasted denitrification capacity in marsh and subtidal sediments impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill using a combination of 29N2 and 30N2 production (isotope pairing), denitrification potential measurements (acetylene block), and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) of functional genes in the denitrification pathway. We found that, on average, denitrification capacity was 4 times higher in vegetated sediments because of a combination of enhanced nitrification and higher organic carbon availability. The abundance of nirS-type denitrifers indicated that marsh vegetation regulates the activity, rather than the abundance, of denitrifier communities. We estimated that marsh sediments remove an average of 3.6 t N km-2 y-1 compared to 0.9 t N km-2 y-1 in unvegetated sediments. Overall, our findings indicate that marsh loss results in a substantial loss of N removal capacity in coastal ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study that investigates the physiological unfolded protein response (UPR) in the Caenorhabditis elegans sensory neuron PVD during dendrite morphogenesis.

Experimental research on policing is inspired by the public health analogy of officers as treatment providers. A randomised violence reduction experiment in Philadelphia recently used foot patrols as place-based interventions in violent city spaces during a hot spots policing experiment, and a 23% reduction in violent crime was observed. This paper reports on field observations of foot patrol officers involved in this experiment, which were designed to capture officers' perceptions of, and experiences with the foot patrol function. While the findings resonate with Bittner's depiction of policing on ‘skid row’, they illuminated the importance of ‘territoriality’ in a place-based intervention. Officers developed extensive local knowledge of their beat areas, which allowed them to draw from a repertoire of techniques to exert spatial control in the management of disorder. The choice of techniques depended in part on officer style, and the ways in which individual police negotiated the tensions between ‘reassurance policing’ and the crime fighting demands of ‘real police work’. Perhaps most importantly, officers felt constrained by the (artificial) parameters of an experiment that did not allow for the incorporation of local knowledge. This research helps to highlight the value of qualitative research for experimental designs, and reinforces the need to acknowledge and integrate officer knowledge in the design of sustainable interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Not all hair pullers improve acutely with cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) and few maintain their gains over time. Methods: We conducted an open clinical trial of a new treatment that addresses affectively triggered pulling and emphasizes relapse prevention in addition to standard CBT approaches. Ten female participants satisfying DSM-IV criteria for trichotillomania (TTM) at two study sites received Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)-enhanced CBT consisting of 11 weekly sessions and 4 maintenance sessions over the following 3 months. Independent assessors rated hair pulling impairment and global improvement at several study time points. Participants completed self-report measures of hair pulling severity and emotion regulation. Results: Significant improvement in hair pulling severity and emotion regulation, as well as hair pulling impairment and anxiety and depressive symptoms, occurred during acute treatment and were maintained during the subsequent 3 months. Significant correlations were reported between changes in emotion regulation and hair pulling severity during both the acute treatment and maintenance phases. Conclusions: This study offers preliminary evidence for the efficacy of DBT-enhanced CBT for TTM and suggests the importance of addressing emotion regulation during TTM treatment. Depression and Anxiety, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are common in glioma. The most frequent mutation, de2-7 EGFR/EGFRvIII, occurs in approximately 40% of high-grade gliomas and confers resistance to ionizing radiation (IR). We have previously shown that mAb 806, a novel EGFR-specific antibody, is able to inhibit the growth of U87MG.Δ2-7 glioma xenografts expressing the de2-7 EGFR and may have potential as a therapeutic. Methods and Materials: Nude mice bearing U87MG.Δ2-7 xenografts were treated with mAb 806 and/or IR. Comparison of tumor volumes, the effect of treatment on angiogenesis as determined by mean vessel density, and expression changes in prosurvival protein pAkt between treatment groups were undertaken. Results: Treatment of mice bearing U87MG.Δ2-7 xenografts with mAb 806 and IR resulted in schedule-dependent radiosensitization. Maximal benefit was obtained when antibody treatment was given before irradiation, with the greatest inhibition of both tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth. Combination treatment mediated radiosensitization by selectively blocking the phosphorylation of the prosurvival protein Akt at serine 473, a process that is independent of DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit. Conclusions: Our results provide a rationale for the use of mAb 806 in combination with IR for the treatment of glioma and potentially other solid tumors bearing the de2-7 EGFR. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]