Comparison of bacterioneuston and bacterioplankton dynamics during a phytoplankton bloom in a fjord mesocosm

The bacterioneuston is the community of Bacteria present in surface microlayers, the thin surface film that forms the interface between aquatic environments and the atmosphere. In this study we compared bacterial cell abundance and bacterial community structure of the bacterioneuston and the bacterioplankton (from the subsurface water column) during a phytoplankton bloom mesocosm experiment. Bacterial cell abundance, determined by flow cytometry, followed a typical bacterioplankton response to a phytoplankton bloom, with Synechococcus and high nucleic acid (HNA) bacterial cell numbers initially falling, probably due to selective protist grazing. Subsequently HNA and low nucleic acid (LNA) bacterial cells increased in abundance but Synechococcus did not. There was no significant difference between bacterioneuston and bacterioplankton cell abundances during the experiment. Conversely, distinct and consistent differences between the bacterioneuston and the bacterioplankton community structure were observed. This was monitored simultaneously by Bacteria 16S rRNA gene terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The conserved patterns of community structure observed in all of the mesocosms indicate that the bacterioneuston is distinctive and non-random

A second independent audit of electroconvulsive therapy in England, 2019: Usage, demographics, consent, and adherence to guidelines and legislation

Objectives. To assess progress towards improving the administering of Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in England since an audit covering 2011, 2013 and 2015. The same information was gathered, for 2019, on usage, demographics, consent, and adherence to national guidelines and the Mental Health Act. Design and Methods. Freedom of Information Act requests were sent to 56 National Health Service Trusts. Results. Thirty-seven trusts (66%) provided data. The gradual decline in the use of ECT in England has levelled off at about 2,500 people per year. There was a 47-fold difference between the Trusts with the highest and lowest rates per capita. Most recipients are still women (67%), and over 60 (58%). Only one Trust could report how many people received psychological therapy prior to ECT, as required by government (N.I.C.E.) guidelines. More than a third of ECT (37%) is still given without consent, with 18% of Trusts non-compliant with legislation concerning second opinions. There were slight declines, compared to a previous audit, in the use of standardised depression scales, down to 30%, and standardised measures of cognitive dysfunction, down to 24%. Only six Trusts provided any data for positive outcomes; seven for adverse effects. None provided data on efficacy or adverse effects beyond end of treatment. Twelve used identical sentences to each other, verbatim, in response to one or more questions. Conclusions. Given the apparent failure of current monitoring and accrediting ECT clinics in England, by the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ ECT Accreditation Service (ECTAS), an independent government sponsored review is urgently needed

Comparison of methods for evaluating the suitability of Vertisols for Gossypium hirsutum (Bt cotton) in two contrasting agro-ecological regions

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Taylor and Francis (Routledge) via the DOI in this record.Cotton (Gossypium sp.) is a major crop grown under rainfed conditions in Vertisols and associated soils in semi-arid tropical (SAT) regions of Peninsular India. In recent years, cotton productivity has declined due to various biophysical factors including pest and diseases, seasonal water stress soil degradation and poor crop management practices. In this study, we compare two methods for evaluating the suitability of Vertisols for cotton in contrasting two agro-ecological regions viz., sub-humid moist (SHM) region and semi-arid dry(SAD) were characterized. Twelve cotton growing Vertisols (seven from SHM and five from SAD) were evaluated for their suitability for cotton cultivation using soil quality index (SQI) and modified Sys-FAO method. SQIs were calculated using the weighted additive index from transformed scores of selected indicators by principal component analysis. For Sys-FAO method both biophysical and soil characteristics were considered for suitability evaluation. We found that the soils of SHM region were moderately suitable for cotton cultivation with soil moisture as the major limiting factor, whereas the soils of SAD region are marginally suitable due to high exchangeable sodium percentage and poor hydraulic conductivity. From this, it may be concluded that the weighted SQI has better agreement with the cotton yield

Cyber-enabled tradecraft and contemporary espionage: assessing the implications of the tradecraft paradox on agent recruitment in Russia and China

The acquisition of clandestine human sources – or agents – inside Russia and China likely remains the key priority for Western HUMINT agencies, and yet their ability to do this safely is quickly waning. This paper considers the utility of cyberspace for espionage recruitment in these two hard target states, and assesses its value as a potential solution to emerging surveillance threats. With the aid of history, this paper proposes that hard target espionage is fundamentally afflicted by a tradecraft paradox, one that will severely curtail the utility of cyberspace to agent recruitment

Molecular Characterization of Rotavirus Gastroenteritis Strains, Iraqi Kurdistan

Of 260 children with acute diarrhea in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, 96 (37%) were infected with rotavirus. Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction identified G1, G4, G2, G9, P[8], P[6], and P[4] as the most common genotypes. Eight G/P combinations were found, but P[8]G1 and P[4]G2 accounted for >50% of the strains

Application of the Ceditest FMDV type O and FMDV-NS enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for detection of antibodies against Foot-and-mouth disease virus in selected livestock and wildlife species in Uganda

Diagnosis and control of Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) requires rapid and sensitive diagnostic tests. Two antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits, Ceditest® FMDV-NS for the detection of antibodies against the nonstructural proteins of all FMDV serotypes and Ceditest® FMDV type O for the detection of antibodies against serotype O, were evaluated under African endemic conditions where the presence of multiple serotypes and the use of nonpurified vaccines complicate serological diagnosis. Serum samples from 218 African buffalo, 758 cattle, 304 goats, and 88 sheep were tested using both kits, and selected samples were tested not only in serotype-specific ELISAs for antibodies against primarily FMDV serotype O, but also against other serotypes. The FMDV-NS assay detected far more positive samples (93%) than the FMDV type O assay (30%) in buffalo (P < 0.05), with predominant antibodies against the South African Territories (SAT) serotypes, while the seroprevalence was generally comparable in cattle with antibodies against serotype O elicited by infection and/or vaccination. However, some districts had higher seroprevalence using the FMDV type O assay indicating vaccination without infection, while 1 cattle herd with antibodies against the SAT serotypes had far more positive samples (85%) using the FMDV-NS versus the FMDV type O (10%), consistent with the latter test\u27s lower sensitivity for antibodies against SAT serotypes. Based on the current investigation, the FMDV type O ELISA may be limited by the presence of SAT serotypes. The FMD NS assay worked well as a screening test for antibodies against all FMDV serotypes present in Uganda; however, as long as nonpurified vaccines are applied in the region, this test cannot be used to differentiate between vaccinated and infected animals

Transition experiences in HE: the role of expectations, social identity and personal growth

Transitions refer to periods when people experience a change in their everyday routine (Zittoun et al., 2003). In the course of education, such transitions occur as people move into different stages of their learning (Hviid & Zittoun, 2008). Previous investigations of transition in higher education have highlighted aspects such as perceived academic competence, motivation and social and personal identity as important in the process (Fazey & Fazey, 2001; Maunder et al, 2010). Understanding students‟ higher education transition experiences can 1) provide insight into how learners experience their educational journey and 2) benefit institutions in their induction and support processes. The aim of this investigation therefore was to explore how undergraduate psychology students talk about their experiences of transition in higher education

An assessment of the strength of knots and splices used as eye terminations in a sailing environment

Research into knots, splices and other methods of forming an eye termination has been limited, despite the fact that they are essential and strongly affect the performance of a rope. The aim of this study was to carry out a comprehensive initial assessment of the breaking strength of eye terminations commonly used in a sailing environment, thereby providing direction for further work in the field. Supports for use in a regular tensile testing machine were specially developed to allow individual testing of each sample and a realistic spread of statistical data to be obtained. Over 180 break tests were carried out on four knots (the bowline, double bowline, figure-of-eight loop and perfection loop) and two splices (three-strand eye splice and braid-on-braid splice). The factors affecting their strength were investigated. A statistical approach to the analysis of the results was adopted. The type of knot was found to have a significant effect on the strength. This same effect was seen in both types of rope construction (three-strand and braid-on-braid). Conclusions were also drawn as to the effect of splice length, eye size, manufacturer and rope diameter on the breaking strength of splices. Areas of development and further investigation were identified

Individual leader to interdependent leadership: A case study in leadership development and tripartite evaluation

This article is available open access through the publisher’s website at the link below. Copyright @ 2013 Sage Publications.The Problem - In this case study we see a move away from orthodox views of school leadership as “headship” to a more contemporary model of educational leadership wherein we note a departure from functional, curricula-based school leadership toward more human resource development (HRD) approaches. The aim of this study was to consider the effectiveness of an educational development program for middle leaders within an educational establishment. The Solution - We examined the impact of a bespoke higher education leadership development intervention in Leadership (and Change) on the formation and cohesiveness of a newly formed innovative leadership structure. The Stakeholders - The leadership development intervention was designed through a tripartite collaboration including a university, senior school leaders, and staff. The intervention was designed to shift leadership from individual leader agency to interdependent human leadership agency. Through tripartite evaluation we uncover leadership development praxis that transcends the boundaries of conventional educational leadership and reemphasizes the benefits of bridging the academic/practitioner divide and the application of theory to praxis