Reliability of Three Landmarking Methods for Dual Inclinometry Measurements of Lumbar Flexion and Extension

Background To examine the intra and inter-rater reliability of lumbar flexion and extension measurements attained using three landmarking methods for dual inclinometry. Methods This was a repeated measures reliability study. Convenience sampling was used to obtain forty volunteer subjects. Two assessors measured a series of lumbar flexion and extension movements using the J-Tech™ dual inclinometer. Three different landmarking methods were used: 1) straight palpation of PSIS and L1, 2) palpation of PSIS and the site of the nearest 5 cm interval point closest to L1 and 3) location of PSIS and 15 cm cephalad. Upon landmarking, adhesive tape was used to mark landmarks and the inclinometer was placed on sites for three trials of flexion and extension. Tape was removed and landmarks were relocated by the same assessor (intra-rater) for an additional three trials; and this process was repeated by a second assessor (inter-rater). Reliability was determined using intra-class correlation coefficients. Results Reliability within a set of three repetitions was very high (ICCs \u3e 0.90); intra-rater reliability after relocating landmarks was high (ICCs \u3e 0.80); reliability between therapists was moderate to high (0.60 \u3e ICCs \u3c 0.76). Assessment of flexion and extension movements by straight palpation of bony landmarks as in the Straight palpation of PSIS and L1 method (ICC: Flexion 0.60; Extension 0.74) was found to be marginally less reliable than the other two landmarking measurement strategies (ICC: Flexion 0.66; Extension 0.76). Conclusion All three methods of land marking are reliable. We recommend the use of the PSIS to 15 cm cephalad method as used in the modified-modified Schobers test as it is the simplest to perform and aligns with current clinical practice

Anaerobic nitrogen cycling on a Neoarchean ocean margin

This study was supported financially by NERC Fellowship NE/H016805/2 (to AZ), NERC Standard Grant NE/J023485/2 (to AZ and MC), NSF EAR-1455258 (to CKJ).A persistently aerobic marine nitrogen cycle featuring the biologically mediated oxidation of ammonium to nitrate has likely been in place since the Great Oxidation Event (GOE) some 2.3 billion years ago. Although nitrogen isotope data from some Neoarchaean sediments suggests transient nitrate availability prior to the GOE, these data are open to other interpretations. This is especially so as these data come from relatively deep-water environments that were spatially divorced from shallow-water settings that were the most likely sites for the accumulation of oxygen and the generation of nitrate. Here we present the first nitrogen isotope data from contemporaneous shallow-water sediments to constrain the nitrogen cycle in shallow Late Archaean settings. The BH-1 Sacha core through the Campbellrand-Malmani carbonate platform records a transition from a shallow siliciclastic/carbonate ramp to a rimmed carbonate shelf with the potential for reduced communication with the open ocean. In these settings nitrogen isotope δ15N data from sub- to peri-tidal and lagoonal settings are close to 0‰, indicating diazotrophy or the complete utilization of remineralised ammonium with an isotopic composition of near 0‰. Our dataset also includes negative δ15N values that suggest the presence of an ammonium pool of concentrations sufficient to have allowed for non-quantitative assimilation. We suggest that this condition may have been the result of upwelling of phosphorus-rich deep waters into the photic zone, stimulating primary productivity and creating an enhanced flux of organic matter that was subsequently remineralised and persisted in the dominantly anoxic Neoarchaean marine environment. Notably, we find only limited evidence of coupled nitrification/denitrification, even in these shallow water environments, calling into question previous suggestions that the Late Archaean nitrogen cycle was characterized by widespread aerobic nitrogen cycling. Rather, aerobic nitrogen cycling was likely spatially heterogeneous and tied to loci of high oxygen production while zones of shallow water anoxia persisted.PostprintPeer reviewe

Maternal Responses in the Face of Infection Risk

When animals are sick, their physiology and behavior change in ways that can impact their offspring. Research is emerging showing that infection risk alone can also modify the physiology and behavior of healthy animals. If physiological responses to environments with high infection risk take place during reproduction, it is possible that they lead to maternal effects. Understanding whether and how high infection risk triggers maternal effects is important to elucidate how the impacts of infectious agents extend beyond infected individuals and how, in this way, they are even stronger evolutionary forces than already considered. Here, to evaluate the effects of infection risk on maternal responses, we exposed healthy female Japanese quail to either an immune-challenged (lipopolysaccharide [LPS] treated) mate or to a healthy (control) mate. We first assessed how females responded behaviorally to these treatments. Exposure to an immune-challenged or control male was immediately followed by exposure to a healthy male, to determine whether treatment affected paternity allocation. We predicted that females paired with immune-challenged males would avoid and show aggression towards those males, and that paternity would be skewed towards the healthy male. After mating, we collected eggs over a 5-day period. As an additional control, we collected eggs from immune-challenged females mated to healthy males. We tested eggs for fertilization status, embryo sex ratio, as well as albumen corticosterone, lysozyme activity, and ovotransferrin, and yolk antioxidant capacity. We predicted that immune-challenged females would show the strongest changes in the egg and embryo metrics, and that females exposed to immune-challenged males would show intermediate responses. Contrary to our predictions, we found no avoidance of immune-challenged males and no differences in terms of paternity allocation. Immune-challenged females laid fewer eggs, with an almost bimodal distribution of sex ratio for embryos. In this group, albumen ovotransferrin was the lowest, and yolk antioxidant capacity decreased over time, while it increased in the other treatments. No differences in albumen lysozyme were found. Both females that were immune-challenged and those exposed to immune-challenged males deposited progressively more corticosterone in their eggs over time, a pattern opposed to that shown by females exposed to control males. Our results suggest that egg-laying Japanese quail may be able to respond to infection risk, but that additional or prolonged sickness symptoms may be needed for more extensive maternal responses

The Slottsmøya marine reptile Lagerstätte: depositional environments, taphonomy and diagenesis

The Late Jurassic Slottsmøya Member Lagerstätte on Spitsbergen offers a unique opportunity to study the relationships between vertebrate fossil preservation, invertebrate occurrences and depositional environment. In this study, 21 plesiosaurian and 17 ichthyosaur specimens are described with respect to articulation, landing mode, preservation, and possible predation and scavenging. The stratigraphic distribution of marine reptiles in the Slottsmøya Member is analysed, and a correlation between high total organic content, low oxygen levels, few benthic invertebrates and optimal reptile preservation is observed. A new model for 3D preservation of vertebrates in highly compacted organic shales is explained

Applications and limitations of regulatory RNA elements in synthetic biology and biotechnology

This is the peer reviewed version of this article. It may be used for non-commercial purposed in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.Synthetic biology requires the design and implementation of novel enzymes, genetic circuits or even entire cells, which can be controlled by the user. RNA‐based regulatory elements have many important functional properties in this regard, such as their modular nature and their ability to respond to specific external stimuli. These properties have led to the widespread exploration of their use as gene regulation devices in synthetic biology. In this review, we focus on two major types of RNA elements: riboswitches and RNA thermometers (RNATs). We describe their general structure and function, before discussing their potential uses in synthetic biology (e.g. in the production of biofuels and biodegradable plastics). We also discuss their limitations, and novel strategies to implement RNA‐based regulatory devices in biotechnological applications. We close with a description of some common model organisms used in synthetic biology, with a focus on the current applications and limitations of RNA‐based regulation.Ye

Challenges of Early Years leadership preparation: a comparison between early and experienced Early Years practitioners in England

Leadership has been under-researched in the Early Years (EY) sector of primary schools in England, especially in leading change for professional development. The aim of this paper is to theorise what the leadership culture for EY practitioners looks like, and how Initial Teacher Training providers and schools are preparing practitioners for leadership. Using case studies of EY practitioners in different stages of their career in primary schools, we offer an insight into their preparedness for leadership in EY, the implication being that leadership training requires an understanding and embedding of the EY culture and context. Interviews with both sample groups allowed for deeper insight into the lived world. Interviews were also conducted with the head teachers to gain an overview of the leadership preparation they provided. The main findings suggest that newer EY practitioners are better prepared for leadership from their university training in comparison to more experienced EY practitioners

The Static and Dynamic Lattice Changes Induced by Hydrogen Adsorption on NiAl(110)

Static and dynamic changes induced by adsorption of atomic hydrogen on the NiAl(110) lattice at 130 K have been examined as a function of adsorbate coverage. Adsorbed hydrogen exists in three distinct phases. At low coverages the hydrogen is itinerant because of quantum tunneling between sites and exhibits no observable vibrational modes. Between 0.4 ML and 0.6 ML, substrate mediated interactions produce an ordered superstructure with c(2x2) symmetry, and at higher coverages, hydrogen exists as a disordered lattice gas. This picture of how hydrogen interacts with NiAl(110) is developed from our data and compared to current theoretical predictions.Comment: 36 pages, including 12 figures, 2 tables and 58 reference

Microwave and Millimeter Wave Techniques

Contains reports on three research projects.Joint Services Electronics Program (Contract DAAB07-75-C-1346

Examining the role of parental self-regulation in family physical activity: a mixed-methods approach.

Physical activity (PA) is essential for good health. However, parents risk becoming less active because of the demands of parenting. This has consequences for children as parents are role models. The present study used a mixed-methods approach to explore parental self-regulation associated with PA. Data were collected from 36 parents with preschool-aged children. They were interviewed about their PA and their family's PA. Parents also completed PA and self-regulation questionnaires and wore an accelerometer for five days. Qualitative data were examined using an inductive approach to thematic analysis. It showed that parents felt that they had limited time for personal PA. Mothers' self-regulation was driven by an ethic of care and subjective norms, whereas fathers' self-regulation was driven by beliefs about the importance of autonomy. Nevertheless, both parents saw caring for their children as the main priority. Quantitative data were examined using multiple regression analyses. Results showed that different self-regulatory behaviours predicted the PA of mothers and fathers. Which predictors were significant depended on the type of activity and how it was measured. The findings warrant longitudinal research that would enable the effect of family dynamics on self-regulation associated with PA to be assessed

Microwave and Millimeter Wave Techniques

Contains research objectives and summary of research on four research projects.Joint Services Electronics Program (Contract DAAB07-74-C-0630)National Science Foundation (Grant GP-40485X)National Science Foundation (Grant MPS73-05043-A01