Degradation of pesticides by the ligninolytic enzyme Laccase : optimisation of in vitro conditions, immobilisation and screening for natural mediators

Pesticides are widely used in many industries but the majority reaches non-target organisms or locations through point or diffuse sources. Understanding conditions for their degradation is therefore important. The degradation of glyphosate, its metabolite AMPA and isoproturon using the ligninolytic enzyme laccase was studied. Optimisation of in vitro conditions were tested with findings indicating that factors such as altering pH and the concentrations of both manganese and redox mediators can impact degradation giving insight into optimal conditions. A method of encapsulation was used showing it is possible to immobilise laccase suggesting a possibility of its suitability as a co-formulation agent in pesticide applications. The immobilised laccase was applied in a laboratory scale experiment to investigate degradation of glyphosate and AMPA in soil and sand. The findings showed an apparent ability of the encapsulated laccase to be liberated and have an effect on glyphosate degradation, although much work still remains in this area. In the final part of this project ligninolytic substrates were screened for natural and easily extractable mediators. Extracts were used to check enzymatic activity and degradation potential. Candidates that showed promising results included extracts from hemp and wheat

Dominican Republic: Classroom Behavior & Management

Behavior and Classroom Management strategies are very impactful educational tools that teachers can use to promote a safe, healthy, and well-rounded classroom environment. When teachers are properly trained to carry out these strategies, they are more likely to have better responses with student engagement and a better ability to deliver appropriate positive or negative consequences. A short-term study regarding teacher and administration perspectives on Behavior and Classroom Management strategies was conducted in schools in Cabarete, Dominican Republic. After interviewing the teachers and administrators, a questionnaire was given to participants asking questions about training, preferences, and strengths and weaknesses in a teacher’s classroom and behavior management strategies. I also conducted observation in the classrooms. The findings of these data will be summarized and will focus on understanding the classroom behavior and management strengths and weaknesses in the Dominican Republic.https://digitalcommons.buffalostate.edu/ipds_research/1006/thumbnail.jp

Green Home- An Ecological Community for Special Needs

The development site is situated on the South East corner of Edenbridge in Kent , approximately 20 km from London in the South East of the United Kingdom. The development provides independent living for young adults with Learning Difficulties and Mental and Physical Disabilities so that they can live a sustainable and self –sufficient life. The ecological and renewable energy technologies within the buildings provides a way that helps the residents achieve this goal: namely by the reduction of fuel poverty. The facilities provided within the development also encourage this sustainable life-style because here is an emphasis on workshop provision and community interaction by the inclusion of a café and retails area that is open to the public. The crafts and food that are made within the development can be sold to the Edenbridge public and thus forms a avenue for income for the residents

Spatial epidemiology of indicators of male reproductive health in Scotland

BACKGROUND In recent years there are a number of reports showing a deterioration in male reproductive health, i.e. diminished semen quality and increases in the incidence of testicular cancer and the congenital malformations cryptorchidism and hypospadias. It is hypothesised that these changes have been caused by increasing in utero exposure to environmental oestrogens and/or anti-androgensOBJECTIVES (i) Describe the geographical distributions of three indicators of male reproductive health in Scotland (i.e. testicular cancer, cryptorchidism and hypospadias). (ii) Describe the conjoint geographical distribution of the three indicators specified in (i). (iii) Identify explanatory factors that might account for the geographical distribution of male reproductive health in Scotland.METHODS An epidemiology study modelling the geographical distributions using routinely collected data of the three indicators. The primary assessment of the geographical distribution of the indicators was by means of the relative risks at postcode sector level. If geographically varying risk factors (environmental or not) are associated with these conditions then would expect to see clustering of relative risks. Bayesian methods were used to estimate the relative risks so as to account for their variability due to areas with small number of cases. These Bayesian models were developed further by including potential covariates to assess if these area specific factors explain the spatial variation of the three indicators. In addition, Bayesian modelling of individual data pertaining to the cryptorchidism cases was also carried out to explore whether the spatial variation in risk might also be explained by the nature of the cases within each postcode sector rather than area specific covariates. Finally, a Bayesian model which combined all three indicators was developed to examine the spatial relationships between the three disease/conditions.RESULTS There are similarities in the spatial pattern of the cryptorchidism and hypospadias relative risks, with both conditions having clusters of high relative risks in the East and South-West of Scotland. The spatial variation of the testicular cancer relative risks is not similar to the other two conditions nor is it conclusive that it has a distinct spatial pattern. The relative risks of the postcode sectors for all the indicators are associated with radon measurements and the rural/urban indicator. The spatial analysis of individual information concerning the cryptorchidism cases indicate that the spatial variation of the relative risks might also be explained by individual information; namely maternal age and co-morbidity with hypospadias.CONCLUSIONS There does appear to be geographically varying risk factors associated with these three conditions. Furthermore, as the spatial variation of cryptorchidism and hypospadias is similar it is likely that they have some common aetiology. As the same risk factors were found to be associated with testicular cancer and the congenital malformations, then this carcinoma appears to share some aetiology with cryptorchidism and hypospadias. Therefore there are geographically varying risk factors whose exposure occurs in utero, that are associated with all three conditions, providing some evidence to support the proposed hypothesis. Flowever, the common aetiology of these conditions could not only to be environmental but also due to genetic and life-style factors, that could pertain to the individual cases rather than the specific area. Therefore, further studies are required to investigate the associations between all the disease/conditions of male reproductive heath and the various potential risk factors

Probabilistic Common Stock Analysis

Edward J . Farragher is an Associate Professor of Finance, Department of Accounting and Finance, University of Detroit

Led by the Spirit: The Life and Work of Claude Poullart des Places, Founder of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit

Contents Preface (p.XI) Chapter One: Early Years, 1679-1688 (p.1) Illustrations p. 3,8,13 Chapter Two: Secondary Education, 1688-1695 (p.15) Illustrations p. 18 Chapter Three: Third Level Student, 1695-1698 (p.27) Illustrations p. 30, 39 Chapter Four: A Hectic Summer - An Appointment at Versailles (p.41) Illustrations p. 47 Chapter Five: Nantes, Law Student, 1698-1701 (p.51) Illustrations p. 61 Chapter Six: A Crucial Retreat (p.62) Illustration p. 84 Chapter Seven: Paris - Collège Louis Le Grand (p.85) Illustrations p. 86 Chapter Eight: Founder, 1703 (p.109) Illustrations p. 124, 129 Chapter Nine: Progress and Crisis, 1703-1704 (p.130) Illustrations p. 150 Chapter Ten: Caught in Crossfire (p.151) Illustrations p. 156 Chapter Eleven: A Caring Community (p.165) Illustrations p. 168, 176, 182 Chapter Twelve: A Model Seminary (p.183) Illustrations p. 193, 215 Chapter Thirteen: The End of the Beginning, 1709 (p.216) Illustrations p. 227, 233, 237 Chapter Fourteen: From Des Places to Libermann, 1709-1848 (p.238) Illustrations p. 239, 255, 262, 269, 274 References (p.275) Main sources (p.281)https://dsc.duq.edu/spiritan-books/1033/thumbnail.jp

Persistence and attrition among college students facing similar challenges : an analysis of the choice to stay or leave.

As the number of students entering college declines, or levels off, and competition for these students intensifies, retaining the students they recruit will be the path to survival for many schools. When the retention effort is not successful with individual students, they withdraw from college and become an attrition statistic. This represents a cost to the institution (resources allocated to recruit that student) and lost revenue (tuition and fees). Many withdrawing students, maybe because of the emotional stress of the situation, cite reasons that will make the exit interview process as short and painless as possible. This leaves the institution in possession of withdrawal data that may not be entirely accurate or complete. Many decisions are made by institutions, particularly operational changes, relying on this data. There are two main avenues to sustaining adequate enrollments: recruit a larger class every year to compensate for those who leave; or, concentrate on retaining those recruited. At four-year institutions, retention activities benefit three classes of students, whereas recruitment efforts affect only one (Astin, 1975). Given the reality of declining enrollments and increasing competition, the greatest influence colleges and universities have over enrollment patterns is internal in nature. If the admissions effort has failed to accurately portray the institution\u27s educational and social environment, those responsible for retaining students--in many cases, all non-admissions personnel--start from a negative position. This study will involve five phases. Phase One, already completed and presented in chapter Two, involved reviewing relevant dropout and retention literature. Phase Two will involve the proposal of an enrollment enhancement plan designed to increase retention. Phase Three will involve an interview with the Dean of Students at each institution to obtain an institutional perspective on the reasons they feel students leave their institution, establish a profile of the type(s) of student(s) they feel their institution serves best, and review current retention practices. This information will be used to frame an additional question to be asked each group of interviewees. Phase Four will involve the interviews mentioned above. Phase Five will involve the analysis of the data