Virus-like particles associated with marine mussel mortalities in New Zealand

Green-lip mussel Pema canaliculus spat (15 to 30 mm length) in the outer Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand, suffered 50 to 100% mortality during January to April 1994 (summer/autumn) following thinning and reseeding of the mussel lines by farmers. Adult mussel mortalities of 2 to 5 % continued from February to early May 1994. Histological examination showed extensive haemocytosis and multifocal liquefaction necrosis of interstitial cells, basal cells and digestive tubule epithelial cells. Sloughed pyknotic or karyolytic digestive tubule epithelial cells formed characteristic rounded granular bodies 10 to 15 μm diameter both in digestive tubules and free in lesions . No viral inclusion bodies were observed. Ultrastructural examination showed highly modified rough endoplasmic reticulum associated with small, 25 to 45 nm diameter, electron- dense uncoated virus-like particles Identical cell damage and virus-like particles were subsequently found in monbund adult (75 to 110 mm length) P canaliculus and stunted (25 to 4 7 mm length) subt1dal Mvtilus galloprovincialis from the same area. Following purfication of extracts of the moribund spat by isopycnic centrifugation in CsCJ, large numbers of 25 nm diameter, unenveloped, virus particles were seen by electron microscopy. These particles had a density of 1.364 g cm- 3 A broad band at a density expected for enveloped particles (1.21to1.24 g cm 1 ) was also observed but contained few virus-like particles. Cell damage and mussel mortalities are thus likely due to a small unenveloped virus

Too early for early education? Effects on parenting for mothers and fathers

Objective: To estimate the effect of children's age of entry into early childhood education and care (ECEC) on parenting quality of mothers and fathers in a context of universal access to subsidized ECEC following a 1 year paid parental leave. Background: Children entering non-parental care settings in early childhood may have negative consequences for parenting quality. Yet, current evidence supporting this claim is predominantly from the United States, is focused almost exclusively on mothers, and is predominantly based on statistical approaches that are vulnerable to unobserved selection bias. Method: Data are from a Norwegian longitudinal study, including ratings of observed mother–child (n = 901) and father–child (n = 621) interactions, and children's age of entry into ECEC. Multivariate regression models and instrumental variable models were used to estimate the causal effect of age of entry on parenting quality. Results: There was no support for the hypothesis that an earlier age of entry into ECEC negatively affects parenting quality, for either fathers or mothers. This was true for the sample as a whole, and for different sociodemographic subgroups. Conclusion: In a Norwegian context in which families have universal access to subsidized ECEC from the time their child is 1 year of age, and most children enter ECEC in their second year, there is no evidence that an earlier age of entry in ECEC harms parenting quality.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

An Integrative, Multilevel, and Transdisciplinary Research Approach to Challenges of Work, Family, and Health

Recognizing a need for rigorous, experimental research to support the efforts of workplaces and policymakers in improving the health and wellbeing of employees and their families, the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention formed the Work, Family & Health Network (WFHN). The WFHN is implementing an innovative multisite study with a rigorous experimental design (adaptive randomization, control groups), comprehensive multilevel measures, a novel and theoretically based intervention targeting the psychosocial work environment, and translational activities. This paper describes challenges and benefits of designing a multilevel and transdisciplinary research network that includes an effectiveness study to assess intervention effects on employees, families, and managers; a daily diary study to examine effects on family functioning and daily stress; a process study to understand intervention implementation; and translational research to understand and inform diffusion of innovation. Challenges were both conceptual and logistical, spanning all aspects of study design and implementation. In dealing with these challenges, however, the WFHN developed innovative, transdisciplinary, multi-method approaches to conducting workplace research that will benefit both the research and business communities

E-learning as a tool for knowledge transfer through traditional and independent study at two UK higher educational institutes: a case study

Much has been made of the advances in computer aided learning activities. Websites, virtual campus, the increased use of Web CT and chat rooms and further advances in the use of WebCT are becoming more commonplace in UK universities. This paper looks for ways of changing higher education students’ perception of the usefulness of recommended internet web sites for learning purposes, with the intention of increasing the usage rate of recommended module web-sites. The change could represent an adaptation of the existing, well-known technology to change students’ perception regarding its potentially formative role. Subsequently, the outcomes from this preliminary research could be used in order to enhance the quality of the Internet use for teaching and learning purposes

Diversity and novelty of the gut microbial community of an herbivorous rodent (neotoma bryanti

Abstract Mammalian herbivores host diverse microbial communities to aid in fermentation and potentially detoxification of dietary compounds. However, the microbial ecology of herbivorous rodents, especially within the largest superfamily of mammals (Muroidea) has received little attention. We conducted a preliminary inventory of the intestinal microbial community of Bryant's woodrat (Neotoma bryanti), an herbivorous Muroidea rodent. We collected woodrat feces, generated 16S rDNA clone libraries, and obtained sequences from 171 clones. Our results demonstrate that the woodrat gut hosts a large number of novel microorganisms, with 96% of the total microbial sequences representing novel species. These include several microbial genera that have previously been implicated in the metabolism of plant toxins. Interestingly, a comparison of the community structure of the woodrat gut with that of other mammals revealed that woodrats have a microbial community more similar to foregut rather than hindgut fermenters. Moreover, their microbial community was different to that of previously studied herbivorous rodents. Therefore, the woodrat gut may represent a useful resource for the identification of novel microbial genes involved in cellulolytic or detoxification processes

Bostonia: The Boston University Alumni Magazine. Volume 12

Founded in 1900, Bostonia magazine is Boston University’s main alumni publication

Overt and relational aggression and victimization: Multiple perspectives within the school setting

The current study involved a comprehensive comparative examination of overt and relational aggression and victimization across multiple perspectives in the school setting (peers, teachers, observers in the lunchroom, self-report). Patterns of results involving sociometic status, ethnicity and gender were explored among 4th graders, with particular emphasis on girls. Controversial and rejected children were perceived as higher on both forms of aggression than other status groups, but only rejected children were reported as victims. Both European American and African American girls showed a greater tendency toward relational aggression and victimization than overt aggression or victimization. Results indicated negative outcomes associated with both relational and overt victimization and especially overt aggression for the target girl sample. Poorer adjustment and a socially unskillful behavioral profile were found to be associated with these three behaviors. However, relational aggression did not evidence a similar negative relation to adjustment nor was it related to many of the behaviors examined in the current study. Implications of these results are discussed