Blood and bones: the influence of the mass media on Australian primary school children’s understandings of genes and DNA

Previous research showed that primary school children held several misconceptions about genetics of concern for their future lives. Included were beliefs that genes and DNA are separate substances, with genes causing family resemblance and DNA identifying suspects at crime scenes. Responses to this work ‘blamed’ the mass media for these misunderstandings. This study aimed to determine whether that blame had any foundation by examining the media habits and conceptions about genes and DNA of Australian children. With little prior research considering the influence of entertainment mass media on children’s academically relevant knowledge, this was an exploratory study with a mixed modes design. Data were collected by detailed media questionnaires and face-to-face interviews with 62 children aged 10–12 years, and subjected to content and thematic analysis. Specific mass media examples children reported using were examined for genetics content. Results indicate 5 h/day of media use, mostly television including crime shows, and that children perceived television to be their main source of information about genetics. Most children (89 %) knew DNA, 60 % knew genes, and more was known about uses of DNA outside the body such as crime solving or resolving family relationships than about its biological nature and function. Half believed DNA is only in blood and body parts used for forensics. These concepts paralleled the themes emerging from the media examples. The results indicate that the mass media is a pervasive teacher of children, and that fundamental concepts could be introduced earlier in schools to establish scientific concepts before misconceptions arise

Annual Survey of Virginia Law: Criminal Law

This article summarizes most published criminal law decisions of the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Virginia Court ofAppeals sitting en banc, issued between July 1, 1998 and July 1, 1999. This article also includes selected published panel opinions oftheVirginia Court of Appeals and a summary of the most significant criminal law enactments from the 1999 session of the Virginia General Assembly

Corrected QT Interval in Children With Brain Death

Prolongation of the QT interval is a well-documented finding in adults with severe brain injury. However, QT prolongation has not been well documented in the pediatric population with brain injury. Our objective was to determine the range of QT intervals in children with the diagnosis of brain death, hypothesizing that the QT interval corrected for heart rate (QTc) is longer in this population than in a normal population. All previously healthy children (<18 years) dying in our hospital from 1995 to 2007 with a diagnosis of brain death and at least one electrocardiogram (ECG) with normal anatomy by echocardiogram were included. Admission details, past medical and family history, demographic data, and laboratory data were collected. The QT and preceding RR intervals from three sinus beats on a standard 12-lead ECG were measured. The QTc was calculated with the Bazett method, and the values were averaged. Thirty-seven patients met inclusion criteria. Five had event histories concerning for possible underlying rhythm disturbances; data analysis was performed with and without these patients. The QTc data were normally distributed. The mean (SD) QTc for the entire cohort was 452 (61) ms. Excluding the five patients, it was 449 (62) ms. On multivariate analysis, sex (QTc female < male) and hypokalemia were associated with QTc prolongation. QTc in children with brain death is normally distributed but significantly longer than QTc in normal children. Until rapid genetic testing for channelopathies is universally available, our findings suggest that potential pediatric cardiac donors with isolated prolongation of the QTc in this setting may be acceptable in the absence of other exclusionary criteria

Do marine protected areas affect emerging fisheries population density?

Kellet’s whelk, Kelletia kelletii, were observed at sample sites throughout their range from Baja California, Mexico, to Monterey, CA to determine patterns of population density. Sample sites in each region were either located within California marine protected areas where take of the Kellet’s whelk in prohibited, or in non-protected areas where the whelks can be fished both commercially and recreationally. Kellet’s whelk population density was compared between all MPA and non-MPA sample sites. These mean densities were also found for sites in Santa Barbara and San Diego near active fishing ports and compared to data from the same sites collected in 2004. Whelk density was significantly greater in MPAs than in non-MPA sample sites. Moreover, the comparison of MPA and non-MPA sites near fishing ports between 2004 and 2015 data showed non-significant changes in density over the 11 years, but there were noticeable trends in decreasing density in the fished areas while the density in the MPAs remained fairly constant. Our results suggest that fishing pressure has caused a decreased density of Kellet’s whelk in fished areas, while these effects have been mitigated in protected areas. Significant decreases in density of the Kellet’s whelk could alter kelp forest population dynamics, and although the overall population is currently stable, consumers must be aware of overfishing

Heat/mortality sensitivities in Los Angeles during winter: A unique phenomenon in the United States

Background: Extreme heat is often associated with elevated levels of human mortality, particularly across the mid-latitudes. Los Angeles, CA exhibits a unique, highly variable winter climate, with brief periods of intense heat caused by downsloping winds commonly known as Santa Ana winds. The goal is to determine if Los Angeles County is susceptible to heat-related mortality during the winter season. This is the first study to specifically evaluate heat-related mortality during the winter for a U.S. city. Methods: Utilizing the Spatial Synoptic Classification system in Los Angeles County from 1979 through 2010, we first relate daily human mortality to synoptic air mass type during the winter season (December, January, February) using Welch\u27s t-tests. However, this methodology is only somewhat effective at controlling for important inter- and intra-annual trends in human mortality unrelated to heat such as influenza outbreaks. As a result, we use distributed lag nonlinear modeling (DLNM) to evaluate if the relative risk of human mortality increases during higher temperatures in Los Angeles, as the DLNM is more effective at controlling for variability at multiple temporal scales within the human mortality dataset. Results: Significantly higher human mortality is uncovered in winter when dry tropical air is present in Los Angeles, particularly among those 65 years and older (p \u3c 0.001). The DLNM reveals the relative risk of human mortality increases when above average temperatures are present. Results are especially pronounced for maximum and mean temperatures, along with total mortality and those 65 +. Conclusions: The discovery of heat-related mortality in winter is a unique finding in the United States, and we recommend stakeholders consider warning and intervention techniques to mitigate the role of winter heat on human health in the County

Lincoln Heights, Chatham County : a community diagnosis including secondary data analysis and qualitative data collection

This document is a result of a community diagnosis of Lincoln Heights, a community in Siler City, North Carolina. The diagnosis was completed by four graduate students from the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Community diagnosis is a process to understand what it is like to live in a given community. The process involves examining the culture and functioning of a community, exploring its strengths and assets, and discovering issues of concern to the community members. To gain a better understanding of Lincoln Heights, the first part of the project involved gathering census data for the community, county, and state. Secondary data was collected on the neighborhood's economics, history, environment, housing, education, health concerns, and other social issues, and then compared to county and state figures. There were limitations to these methods of data collection. Wherever possible, data was collected on a community or town level. However, most of the health and community profile data was available only on a county-wide basis or by block group and may not be representative of the Lincoln Heights community, a very small neighborhood within the county. Data that is representative of Chatham County, and not necessarily Lincoln Heights, is so identified in the community profile and health sections of the document. Limitations to collecting secondary data included a lack of current information, especially with regard to immigration statistics and demographic characteristics. Another problem encountered was the lack of identification of statistics for Latinos within the specified census race categories, resulting in difficulty in distinguishing various racial indicators. To obtain a more accurate picture of the community, the second portion of the project focused on a qualitative assessment of community members' opinions on the quality of life in Lincoln Heights. Interviews contained personal background questions as well as questions about life in the Lincoln Heights community. Questions were asked about the strengths and weaknesses of the community to determine what issues could be addressed in the future. Service provider questions focused on the type of services provided as well as the provider’s perspective on the competence of the Lincoln Heights community. The interview process was approved by the University of North Carolina School of Public Health Institutional Review Board (IRB), which must approve all requests from School of Public Health students or faculty to conduct research on human subjects. Interviews began in November 1997 and concluded in January 1998. Members of the community diagnosis team interviewed 23 community members and eight service providers. In addition, 46 community members completed short surveys on two separate occasions, and two focus groups were held in the community. Interviews focused primarily on the strengths of the community, as well as issues of concern, including housing, recreation, substance abuse, and the growth of the Latino population in the neighborhood. The community diagnosis process concluded in February with a community forum. A comprehensive report on the Forum is included in Appendix E of this document. Limitations in the qualitative data collection process included time constraints imposed by the IRB process. The “snowball” sampling process of obtaining referrals yielded a homogeneous group, and difficulties in gaining entree to other, less accessible, community members. These two things were a barrier to gaining the perspective of a more representative sample. Finally, building the trust necessary to gain full disclosure about sensitive issues in a community is a long, ongoing process and takes more time than the community diagnosis process allows. This document was produced to present back to the community the comprehensive findings of the team about the Lincoln Heights community. The first half of the document includes sections representing our secondary data collection and analysis. Chapters include: Geography, History, Economic Outlook, Community Profile, and Health. The second half contains a review of qualitative data collected from interviews and is divided into chapters representing the salient issues facing the community, including: Community Assets and Resources, Education, Politics and Government, Immigration, Crime and Safety, Drugs, Housing, Recreation, and A Changing Climate. During the interview process, community members shared with us many of their views, experiences, and concerns about life in Lincoln Heights. Some of the strengths and challenges that were identified as most important to the community are: Commitment to Community: Members of the community are very active in the community and committed to Lincoln Heights. They also belong to, and take pride in, several strong local associations and organizations. Their affiliation with church and religious organizations is an important part of their lives. Family Ties: The Lincoln Heights neighborhood has an extensive history, with multiple generation families still living there. There are bonds and family ties that run deep in the community. Community Involvement: The strengths of commitment and roots in Lincoln Heights have led to several successful endeavors and achievements. Growth of Latino Population: Over the past several years, the size of the Latino population has grown significantly in Lincoln Heights. This growth has impacted community resources, schools, and community services, as well as introduced difficulties in communication due to a language barrier. Housing: The community continues to experience a shortage of affordable housing and expressed concerns about the condition of some of the homes and trailers in the neighborhood. Youth Recreation: Community members expressed concerns about a lack of recreation for the youth of the neighborhood. Crime and Drugs: Substance abuse was also indicated as a problem, both with the use and sale of illegal drugs occurring within the neighborhood. Future Directions and Conclusions Although numerous issues still exist in Lincoln Heights, much has changed since the last community diagnosis was completed there in 1994. Concerned citizens from the neighborhood have worked hard to build a healthier community and throughout this document we have tried to highlight their successes. Two organizations in particular have impacted the quality of life for residents, the Lincoln Heights Improvement Association and the Chatham Alumni Advancement Association. As was mentioned previously, the Lincoln Heights Improvement Association has played a vital role in the neighborhood by building Washington Park and also by demonstrating that a small group of concerned residents could affect change. The Chatham Alumni Advancement Association also showed that strength in numbers could work when they pressured the local government to give them part of the old Chatham Middle School for use as a cultural center. Both of these groups have proved themselves capable of taking on the issues that face the neighborhood, and winning. It is our hope that these groups will continue to thrive and that they will be able to use this document to steer their course of action in the future.Master of Public Healt

Report on the 2013 Rapid Assessment Survey of Marine Species at New England Bays and Harbors

Introduced species (i.e., non-native species that have become established in a new location) have increasingly been recognized as a concern as they have become more prevalent in marine and terrestrial environments (Mooney and Cleland 2001; Simberloff et al. 2005). The ability of introduced species to alter population, community, and ecosystem structure and function, as well as cause significant economic damage is well documented (Carlton 1989, 1996b, 2000; Cohen and Carlton 1995; Cohen et al. 1995; Elton 1958; Meinesz et al. 1993; Occhipinti-Ambrogi and Sheppard 2007; Pimentel et al. 2005; Thresher 2000). The annual economic costs incurred from managing the approximately 50,000 introduced species in the United States alone are estimated to be over $120 billion (Pimentel et al. 2005). Having a monitoring network in place to track new introductions and distributional changes of introduced species is critical for effective management, as these efforts may be more successful when species are detected before they have the chance to become established. A rapid assessment survey is one such method for early detection of introduced species. With rapid assessment surveys, a team of taxonomic experts record and monitor marine species–providing a baseline inventory of native, introduced, and cryptogenic (i.e., unknown origin) species (as defined by Carlton 1996a)–and document range expansions of previously identified species. Since 2000, five rapid assessment surveys have been conducted in New England. These surveys focus on recording species at marinas, which often are in close proximity to transportation vectors (i.e., recreational boats). Species are collected from floating docks and piers because these structures are accessible regardless of the tidal cycle. Another reason for sampling floating docks and other floating structures is that marine introduced species are often found to be more prevalent on artificial surfaces than natural surfaces (Glasby and Connell 2001; Paulay et al. 2002). The primary objectives of these surveys are to: (1) identify native, introduced, and cryptogenic marine species, (2) expand on data collected in past surveys, (3) assess the introduction status and range extensions of documented introduced species, and (4) detect new introductions. This report presents the introduced, cryptogenic, and native species recorded during the 2013 survey

SB04-22/23: Resolution Authorizing Approval of Staff Senate Signature of Bear Necessities Statement to University Administration

Passed during May 10, 2023 Staff Senate meeting. Documents from the May 10, 2023 meeting of the University of Montana S by University of Montana--Missoula. Staff Senate (umt.edu) Resolution authorizing approval of Staff Senate to sign support to the ASUM Bear Necessities statement to the University of Montana Administration. Resolution Authored by Kat Cowley. Additional Authors, including Cowley, listed for letter. Letter discusses concerns regarding the status of marginalized and vulnerable student populations and offers suggestions on some ways the University of Montana can support students at a basic human level. These include continued advocacy for increase support from the State of Montana, increased housing availability, meal plan affordability, open education resources, campus accessibility, and addressing staffing issues

Towards connecting biodiversity and geodiversity across scales with satellite remote sensing

Issue Geodiversity (i.e., the variation in Earth\u27s abiotic processes and features) has strong effects on biodiversity patterns. However, major gaps remain in our understanding of how relationships between biodiversity and geodiversity vary over space and time. Biodiversity data are globally sparse and concentrated in particular regions. In contrast, many forms of geodiversity can be measured continuously across the globe with satellite remote sensing. Satellite remote sensing directly measures environmental variables with grain sizes as small as tens of metres and can therefore elucidate biodiversity–geodiversity relationships across scales. Evidence We show how one important geodiversity variable, elevation, relates to alpha, beta and gamma taxonomic diversity of trees across spatial scales. We use elevation from NASA\u27s Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) and c. 16,000 Forest Inventory and Analysis plots to quantify spatial scaling relationships between biodiversity and geodiversity with generalized linear models (for alpha and gamma diversity) and beta regression (for beta diversity) across five spatial grains ranging from 5 to 100 km. We illustrate different relationships depending on the form of diversity; beta and gamma diversity show the strongest relationship with variation in elevation. Conclusion With the onset of climate change, it is more important than ever to examine geodiversity for its potential to foster biodiversity. Widely available satellite remotely sensed geodiversity data offer an important and expanding suite of measurements for understanding and predicting changes in different forms of biodiversity across scales. Interdisciplinary research teams spanning biodiversity, geoscience and remote sensing are well poised to advance understanding of biodiversity–geodiversity relationships across scales and guide the conservation of nature