The roles of the formal and informal sectors in the provision of effective science education

For many years, formal school science education has been criticised by students, teachers, parents and employers throughout the world. This article presents an argument that a greater collaboration between the formal and the informal sector could address some of these criticisms. The causes for concern about formal science education are summarised and the major approaches being taken to address them are outlined. The contributions that the informal sector currently makes to science education are identified. It is suggested that the provision of an effective science education entails an enhanced complementarity between the two sectors. Finally, there is a brief discussion of the collaboration and communication still needed if this is to be effective

Identification of regulatory variants associated with genetic susceptibility to meningococcal disease

Non-coding genetic variants play an important role in driving susceptibility to complex diseases but their characterization remains challenging. Here, we employed a novel approach to interrogate the genetic risk of such polymorphisms in a more systematic way by targeting specific regulatory regions relevant for the phenotype studied. We applied this method to meningococcal disease susceptibility, using the DNA binding pattern of RELA - a NF-kB subunit, master regulator of the response to infection - under bacterial stimuli in nasopharyngeal epithelial cells. We designed a custom panel to cover these RELA binding sites and used it for targeted sequencing in cases and controls. Variant calling and association analysis were performed followed by validation of candidate polymorphisms by genotyping in three independent cohorts. We identified two new polymorphisms, rs4823231 and rs11913168, showing signs of association with meningococcal disease susceptibility. In addition, using our genomic data as well as publicly available resources, we found evidences for these SNPs to have potential regulatory effects on ATXN10 and LIF genes respectively. The variants and related candidate genes are relevant for infectious diseases and may have important contribution for meningococcal disease pathology. Finally, we described a novel genetic association approach that could be applied to other phenotypes

Identification of regulatory variants associated with genetic susceptibility to meningococcal disease.

Non-coding genetic variants play an important role in driving susceptibility to complex diseases but their characterization remains challenging. Here, we employed a novel approach to interrogate the genetic risk of such polymorphisms in a more systematic way by targeting specific regulatory regions relevant for the phenotype studied. We applied this method to meningococcal disease susceptibility, using the DNA binding pattern of RELA - a NF-kB subunit, master regulator of the response to infection - under bacterial stimuli in nasopharyngeal epithelial cells. We designed a custom panel to cover these RELA binding sites and used it for targeted sequencing in cases and controls. Variant calling and association analysis were performed followed by validation of candidate polymorphisms by genotyping in three independent cohorts. We identified two new polymorphisms, rs4823231 and rs11913168, showing signs of association with meningococcal disease susceptibility. In addition, using our genomic data as well as publicly available resources, we found evidences for these SNPs to have potential regulatory effects on ATXN10 and LIF genes respectively. The variants and related candidate genes are relevant for infectious diseases and may have important contribution for meningococcal disease pathology. Finally, we described a novel genetic association approach that could be applied to other phenotypes

Plasma lipid profiles discriminate bacterial from viral infection in febrile children

Fever is the most common reason that children present to Emergency Departments. Clinical signs and symptoms suggestive of bacterial infection ar

Review of the Asiatic freshwater puffers of the genus Tetraodon Linnaeus, 1758 (Pisces, Tetraodontiformes, Tetraodontidae)

The present review of the Asiatic freshwater puffers of the genus Tetraodon was thought necessary because the only preceding review (Le Danois, 1959) disregards some major taxonomic rules and methods. The material studied originates from existing museum collections and comprises type material of most of the species concerned. The concept of the genus Tetraodon is adapted after Fraser- Brunner (1943) with exclusion of T. (Chelonodon) patoca, which is not considered. Marion de Procé, 1822) are designated, and one lectotype One new subspecies ( T. fluviatilis sabahensis) is described, one new name ( T. steindachneri) is introduced, two neotypes (T. fluviatilis fluviatilis Hamilton, 1822 and T. nigroviridis (T. lorteti Tirant, 1885) is selected. For the sake of convenience in discussing the taxonomic value of the characters used the species are grouped in five species-groups: cutcutia-group (T. cutcutia Hamilton, 1822, T. lorteti Tirant, 1885, T. travancorius Hora & Nair, 1941) leiurus-group (T. palembangensis Bleeker, 1852, T. leiurus Bleeker, 1851, T. fangi Pellegrin & Chevey, 1940) erythrotaenia-group (T. erythrotaenia Bleeker, 1853) fluviatilis-group (T. kretamensis Inger, 1953, T. nigroviridis Marion de Procé, 1822, T. fluviatilis fluviatilis Hamilton, 1822, T. fluviatilis sabahensis nov. subsp., T. steindachneri nom. nov.) waandersii-group (T. waandersii Bleeker, 1853)

Hormonal and psychological factors in nausea and vomiting during pregnancy

Background The aetiology of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (NVP) is multifactorial, but the relative contribution of biological and psychological determinants is insufficiently understood. We examined the association of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), thyroid hormones (thyroid-stimulating hormone and thyroxin) and psychological factors with NVP. Methods Blood chemistry and psychological measures were obtained in 1682 pregnant women participating in the Holistic Approach to Pregnancy and the first Postpartum Year (HAPPY) study between 12 and 14 weeks of gestation. The presence of NVP was measured using the Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis scale. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Edinburgh Depression Scale. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the independent role of hCG, thyroid hormones and depression as related to NVP, adjusting for age, body mass index, education, parity, smoking status, unplanned pregnancy and history of depression. Results Elevated levels of NVP were observed in 318 (18.9%) participants. High hCG levels [odds ratio (OR) = 1.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.11–1.95], elevated depressive symptoms in the first trimester (OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.15–2.43) and a history of depression (OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.11–2.11) were independently related to high NVP. Multiparity (OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.12–1.92) and younger age (OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.87–0.94) were also associated with high NVP, whereas (sub)clinical hyperthyroidism was not related to high NVP. Conclusions The current study is the first to demonstrate that a combination of hCG hormone and psychological factors are independently related to nausea and vomiting during early pregnanc

DESA1002 'Continuous City' Elias Elias

The purpose of my design is to restore the liveliness of the existing Old Post Office building, today known as the ‘Magna Plaza,’ by building three separate night clubs within the existing void areas of the plaza, which attracts youth allowing them to appreciate previous era architecture. I have named my design the ‘Ge-Metria,’ the Latin term for ‘geometry,’ since each building is comprised with its own geometrical theme: 1. Driehoek (Triangles), 2. De-Bol (Circles), and 3. Cubus (Squares). Entry to each club is via a lift located on the ground floor of the plaza. The bridge connecting Driehoek and Cubus purposely takes the individual a greater distance then required to connect the two buildings, in order for them to appreciate the architecture and views during their journey across. De-Bol is the more exclusive club emphasised with its greater height, and the use of stairs forcing the individual to go up in order to enter. The size of each club are relatively small, which purposely forces social interactivity with others

Involvement of reperfusion injury salvage Kinases in preconditioning depends critically on the preconditioning stimulus

Different preconditioning stimuli can activate divergent signaling pathways. In rats, adenosine-independent pathways (triple 3-min coronary artery occlusion [3CAO3]) and adenosine-dependent pathways (one 15-min coronar