Studies on resistance to mildew (Erysiphe graminis) and leaf blotch (Rhynchosporium secalis) in barley

A major consideration in the use of genetical resistance against infection of crop plants is the ability of the pathogen concerned to evolve genotypes with virulence to overcome such resistance. This applies particularly to oligogenic forms of resistance with major effects and it is Dossible that forms of partial resistance may be durable and have economic benefit. This study was concerned with the development of screening methods and identifying possible sources of partial resistance in barley to two fungal foliar pathogens, Evysiphe gvaminis f.sp. hovdei3 causal agent of mildew and Rhynahospovium seoalis causing leaf blotch.With respect to barley mildew, lines from Ethiopia, Turkey and Israel, as well as lines and cultivars from two European Barley Disease Nurseries, were found in preliminary work to exhibit a wide range of response when exposed to natural inocula of E. gvaminis. A screening procedure was adopted to favour the selection of virulences, from the pathogen population, for particular host genotypes and indicated those lines which gave consistently low disease levels. When these lines were tested in conjunction with commercial cultivars against known isolates of E. gvaminis with various virulence combinations, different patterns of resistance response were evidenced. Firstly, vertical resistance was associated with commercial cultivars but not lines; secondly, consistently high resistance was shown by some lines indicating resistance factors other than those apparently present in most existing commercial cultivars and thirdly, some lines consistently showed intermediate levels of horizontal resistance. In tests on commercial cultivars grouped according to their barley mildew resistance categories, both intra- and inter-group differences were recorded. Variations in group characteristics between years was attributable to changing virulence combinations in the pathogen population. Variations within groups were low and inconsistent between assessments: in some cases adult plant resistance may have been important. The reported tolerance of Proctor may be associated with delayed infection of emerging leaves and little necrosis resulting from infection. Microscopic assessments indicated that leaf position and plant age may influence fungal development, although there were no apparent qualitative differences in pathogen behaviour on cultivars evidencing varying degrees of partial resistance.Studies on R. secalis were hampered by difficulties in ensuring epidemic development in screening tests, although the development of a system, based on automatic misting equipment eventually overcame these and susceptible cultivars became rapidly infected. In glasshouse trials on a range of lines and cultivars, infection above a threshold level did not lead to increased impairment of leaf functioning: growth habit may be of some importance in determining cultivar susceptibility to this disease. It was demonstrated that lesion development and level of spore production for different cultivars may not be correlated, the level of spore production being epidemiologically significant in the field

The biogeography of the magnesian limestone grassland flora of east Durham and Tyne & Wear

1. The remaining fragments of Magnesian Limestone Grassland (MLG) in East Durham and Tyne & Wear were surveyed. Biogeographical theory and climate modelling techniques are applied in order to provide insights for conservation policy 2. Either Area or Perimeter is the most important variable in predicting species richness at all three scales. The Degree of isolation of a habitat isolate from other MLG habitat is also a significant predictor. Micro-habitat variation is of most importance at the smallest scale.3. A Schematic model is presented which summarises the main processes determining MLG species richness at three interconnecting scales. 4. There is an exponential Species/Area relationship across the studied MLG fragments. It is very difficult to specify the exact mechanisms underlying this relationship however it appears that random and biological processes play a role. 5. Habitat sub-division appears not to depress species richness of MLG fragments. However this may be a result of smaller fragments supporting higher percentages of ecotonal species and also that these patches may be in historical disequilibrium. 6. There is a high degree of heterogeneity within the overall dataset. As different combinations of variables predict species richness within species' subsets representing different dispersal mechanisms. 7. There is a moderate nested structure across all studied MLG fragments 8. Few species occur in a high proportion of fragments and those that do tend to be non-characteristic MLG species. Conservation policy should focus on maximising the amount of habitat which is managed and protected, as opposed to saving specific species. Self-supporting metapopulations should be encouraged by viewing individual fragments as part of a wider network. 9. The distributional ranges of Bromus erectus and Thesium humifusum are highly correlated with three bioclimatic variables: MTCO, GDD5 and AET/PET. Sesleria albicans' distribution is also correlated with these bioclimatic variables but other non- climatic may also be important. 10. The distributional ranges of all three species change dramatically under the two future climate scenarios. There is a general pattern that the climate optimum for any species migrates in Northwards and Eastwards. 11. The present MLG community will disintegrate as species respond individualistically to climate change. It is likely that Sesleria albicans will no longer be the dominant grassland specie

The Incarcerated Pregnancy: an Ethnographic Study of Perinatal Women in English Prisons

The UK has the highest incarceration rate in Western Europe, with pregnant women making up around 6% of the female prison population. There are limited qualitative studies published that document the experiences of pregnancy whilst serving a prison sentence. This doctoral thesis presents a qualitative, ethnographic interpretation of the pregnancy experience in three English prisons. The study took place during 2015-2016 and involved semi-structured interviews with 28 female prisoners in England who were pregnant, or had recently given birth whilst imprisoned, ten members of staff, and ten months of non-participant observation. Follow-up interviews with five women were undertaken as their pregnancies progressed to birth and the post-natal phase. Using a sociological framework of Sykes’ (1958) ‘pains of imprisonment’, this study builds upon existing knowledge and highlights the institutional responses to the pregnant prisoner. My original contribution to knowledge focuses on the fact that pregnancy is an anomaly within the patriarchal prison system. The main findings of the study can be divided into four broad concepts, namely: (a) ‘institutional thoughtlessness’, whereby prison life continues with little thought for those with unique physical needs, such as pregnant women; and (b) ‘institutional ignominy’ where the women experience ‘shaming’ as a result of institutional practices which entail their being displayed in public and characterised with institutional symbols of imprisonment. The study also reveals new information about the (c) coping strategies adopted by pregnant prisoners; and (d) elucidates how the women navigate the system to negotiate entitlements and seek information about their rights. Additionally, a new typology of prison officer has emerged from this study: the ‘maternal’ is a member of prison staff who accompanies pregnant, labouring women to hospital where the role of ‘bed watch officer’ can become that of a birth supporter. This research has tried to give voice to pregnant imprisoned women and to highlight gaps in existing policy guidelines and occasional blatant disregard for them. In this sense, the study has the potential to springboard future inquiry and to be a vehicle for positive reform for pregnant women across the prison estate

Campus Journalism- 50 Years Old

An enterprising Scotlander, a Mr. Ogilvie, and his successors get a proud salute from campus journalists and alumni during Homecoming, October 21 and 22. Ogilvie began 50 years of journalism for the college as Iowa State\u27s first teacher of journalism for credit

"A roller coaster of emotions": a qualitative study of parents very first experiences with their preterm baby

Objectives: To assess parents 19 first experiences of their very preterm babies and the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Design: Qualitative study using semistructured interviews. Participants: 32 mothers and 7 fathers of very preterm babies (<32 weeks gestation). Setting: Three neonatal units in tertiary care hospitals in South East England. Results: Five themes were identified. The first describes parents 19 blurred recall of the birth. The second shows the anticipation of seeing and touching their baby for the first time was characterised by contrasting emotions, with some parents feeling scared and others excited about the event. The third theme describes parents 19 first sight and touch of their babies and their 18rollercoaster 19 of emotions during this time. It also highlights the importance of touch to trigger and strengthen the parent 13baby bond. However, some parents were worried that touching or holding the baby might transmit infection or interfere with care. The fourth theme captures parents 19 impressions of NICU and how overwhelming this was particularly for parents who had not toured NICU beforehand or whose first sight of their baby was on NICU. The final theme captures unique experiences of fathers, in particular that many felt excluded and confused about their role. Conclusions: This study informs family-centred care by providing insight into the experiences of parents of very preterm infants at a time when they are most in need of support. Clinical implications include the importance of offering parents preparatory tours of the NICU and including fathers

Polysaccharide Content and Growth Rate of Lessonia Variegata J. Agardh: Investigating its Potential as a Commercial Species

The endemic brown alga Lessonia variegata has recently been shown to be four separate lineages. To determine differences between the four morphologically similar lineages, the economically valuable polysaccharides alginate and fucoidan were extracted and yields from each of the lineages were compared. In order to determine seasonal patterns in the yield of alginate and fucoidan, and the growth rate within L.variegata, polysaccharides were extracted and the growth rate measured on a monthly basis from March 2010 until February 2011 on plants from the Wellington lineage. The alginate and fucoidan yields were obtained via stepwise extraction with dilute acid and sodium carbonate as per the previously published methods of Usov et al. (1985). The growth rate of L. variegata from the Wellington lineage was assayed using the hole punch technique first described by Parke (1948). The yield of alginate within the Wellington lineage of L. variegata fluctuated seasonally with the highest percent occurring in spring and summer 2010. The yield of fucoidan in the Wellington lineage was at its highest in mid-autumn and late spring 2010. Two different growth rates were detected for the Wellington lineage of L. variegata. There was a period of significantly high growth from late winter 2010 until late summer 2011.The Wellington lineage had the lowest yield of alginate and the highest yield of fucoidan compared to the Northern lineage, the Kaikoura lineage and the Southern lineage. Based on the findings of this study, an appropriate harvest period for the Wellington lineage of L. variegata would be in early to mid-summer when polysaccharide yields and growth rates are high and the alga is vegetative

Evidence-based primary health care and local research: a necessary but problematic partnership

Background Front-line NHS staff undertake small research projects to answer questions about local patients and services, but these projects often face considerable challenges. This paper reports on one such project. Aims and methods of study The study used structured interviews in order to find out about the knowledge of nutrition among Bangladeshis using an NHS Walk-in Centre. Development of the study Time constraints posed considerable difficulties in progressing and completing the study; flaws in the methodology emerged; and underpinning assumptions about health promotion and ethnic minority health beliefs were open to challenge. Learning from the study Despite this, some findings were valuable and have considerable potential as a stimulus to critical thinking among practitioners about their own attitudes, as well as raising issues that future research would find it useful to addres

Initial development of the Psychopathic Processing and Personality Assessment (PAPA) across populations

Three studies describe development of the Psychopathic Processing and Personality Assessment (PAPA). Study one outlines a literature review and Expert Delphi (n = 32) to develop the initial PAPA. Study two validates the PAPA with 431 participants (121 male prisoners and 310 university students: 154 men, 156 women), also using the Levenson Self Report Psychopathy scale and a measure of cognitive schema and affect. Study three refined the PAPA, employing it with 50 male students and 40 male forensic psychiatric patients using clinical (interview) assessments of psychopathy: the Psychopathy Checklist – Screening Version and the Affect, Cognitive and Lifestyle assessment. The PAPA comprised four factors; dissocial tendencies; emotional detachment; disregard for others; and lack of sensitivity to emotion. It positively correlated with existing psychopathy measures. Variations across PAPA subscales were noted across samples when associated with clinical measures of psychopathy. Support for the validity of the PAPA was indicated across samples. Directions for research and application are outlined

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Depressed Subjects Treated With Electroconvulsive Therapy—A Systematic Review of Literature

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is considered to be the most effective acute treatment for otherwise treatment resistant major depressive episodes, and has been used for over 80 years. Still, the underlying mechanism of action is largely unknow. Several studies suggest that ECT affects the cerebral neurotransmitters, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) allows investigators to study neurotransmitters in vivo, and has been used to study neurochemical changes in the brain of patients treated with ECT. Several investigations have been performed on ECT-patients; however, no systematic review has yet summarized these findings. A systematic literature search based on the Prisma guidelines was performed. PubMed (Medline) was used in order to find investigations studying patients that had been treated with ECT and had undergone an MRS examination. A search in the databases Embase, PsycInfo, and Web of Science was also performed, leading to no additional records. A total of 30 records were identified and screened which resulted in 16 original investigations for review. The total number of patients that was included in these studies, ignoring potential overlap of samples in some investigations, was 325. The metabolites reported were N-acetyl aspartate, Choline, Myoinositol, Glutamate and Glutamine, GABA and Creatine. The strongest evidence for neurochemical change related to ECT, was found for N-acetyl aspartate (reduction), which is a marker of neuronal integrity. Increased choline and glutamate following treatment was also commonly reported.publishedVersio

Evidence-based primary health care and local research: a necessary but problematic partnership

Background: Front-line NHS staff undertake small research projects to answer questions about local patients and services, but these projects often face considerable challenges. This paper reports on one such project. Aims and methods of study:The study used structured interviews in order to find out about the knowledge of nutrition among Bangladeshis using an NHS Walk-in Centre. Development of the study: Time constraints posed considerable difficulties in progressing and completing the study; flaws in the methodology emerged; and underpinning assumptions about health promotion and ethnic minority health beliefs were open to challenge. Learning from the study: Despite this, some findings were valuable and have considerable potential as a stimulus to critical thinking among practitioners about their own attitudes, as well as raising issues that future research would find it useful to address