The Effects of Ultraviolet Light on Anthocyanin Accumulation in the Adventitious Roots of Sedum wrightii (Crassulaceae)

Several studies have supported the idea that anthocyanin accumulation may be a possible protection mechanism in plants against DNA damage caused by ultraviolet radiation (UV). This study explored the accumulation of anthocyanins in the adventitious root tips of Sedum wrightii using the following treatments: UVA, UVA+low UVB, and UVA+high UVB. Following exposure to UV radiation, samples were analyzed for anthocyanin accumulation using an ethanol extraction procedure. Using ELISA, additional root samples were analyzed for indicators of DNA damage: cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and pyrimidine (6-4) pyrimidone dimers (6-4 PPs). The anthocyanin concentrations were significantly higher in the UVA + high UVB treatment than the other groups. The ELISA resultsshowed that a difference occurred between the control and the treatments of UVA, UVA+low UVB and UVA+high UVB for CPDs and between the control and the UVB treatments for 6-4 PPs. Anthocyanins accumulated with increased UV exposure. However, additional research is needed to determine the significance of anthocyanins in the adventitious root tips of S. wrightii

Numerical model of the Tikitere geothermal system

The Tikitere geothermal field is one of the 21 high-enthalpy geothermal fields in the Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ) in New Zealand. The field is renowned for the tourist attraction Hell’s Gate, which consists of many natural geothermal surface features. Based on geoscientific data from the open-source literature, a conceptual model was set up in Leapfrog Geothermal. A corresponding natural state reservoir model was then set up and calibrated using temperature and heat flux data from fourteen thermal areas. The calibrated numerical model matches the higher temperatures at the locations of some of the surface thermal features but does not match the estimated heat flows

Numerical model of the Tikitere geothermal system

The Tikitere geothermal field is one of the 21 high-enthalpy geothermal fields in the Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ) in New Zealand. The field is renowned for the tourist attraction Hell’s Gate, which consists of many natural geothermal surface features. Based on geoscientific data from the open-source literature, a conceptual model was set up in Leapfrog Geothermal. A corresponding natural state reservoir model was then set up and calibrated using temperature and heat flux data from fourteen thermal areas. The calibrated numerical model matches the higher temperatures at the locations of some of the surface thermal features but does not match the estimated heat flows

Globalisation, neo-liberalism and vocational learning: the case of English further education colleges

Further education (FE) has traditionally been a rather unspectacular activity. Lacking the visibility of schools or the prestige of universities, for the vast majority of its existence FE has had a relatively low profile on the margins of English education. Over recent years this situation has altered significantly and further education has undergone profound change. This paper argues that a combination of related factors – neo-liberalism, globalisation, and dominant discourses of the knowledge economy – has acted in synergy to transform FE into a highly performative and marketised sector. Against this backdrop, further education has been assigned a particular role based upon certain narrow and instrumental understandings of skill, employment and economic competitiveness. The paper argues that, although it has always been predominantly working class in nature, FE is now, more than ever, positioned firmly at the lower end of the institutional hierarchy in the highly class-stratified terrain of English education

1,3-Bis(prop-2-yn­yl)-1H-1,3-benzimid­azol-2(3H)-one

In the title compound, C13H10N2O, the fused-ring system is essentially planar, the largest deviation from the mean plane being 0.015 (1) Å. The two propynyl groups are nearly perpendicular to the benzimidazole plane, making dihedral angles of 85 (3) and 80 (2) °, and point in opposite directions. There are two short inter­molecular C—H⋯O contacts to the carbonyl O atom, one involving the acetyl­enic H atom and the other a H atom of the methyl­ene group

Adherence to the updated guidelines for the prevention of perinatal Group B streptococcal disease

In 2010, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated the Guidelines for the Prevention of Perinatal Group B Streptococcal (GBS) Disease. Previous studies of adherence to GBS guidelines have focused on the treatment of carriers of GBS. Our objective was to determine whether there was any difference in adherence to the guidelines for screening and treatment of women who delivered at our institution between the beginning of 2011 and the end of 2011 as the revised guidelines were published in November 2010. Our secondary outcome was to determine whether any differences in adherence occurred between prenatal provider types (OB/Gyn, Certified Nurse Midwives, and Family Practice)

The application of foraging theory to the information searching behaviour of general practitioners

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>General Practitioners (GPs) employ strategies to identify and retrieve medical evidence for clinical decision making which take workload and time constraints into account. Optimal Foraging Theory (OFT) initially developed to study animal foraging for food is used to explore the information searching behaviour of General Practitioners. This study is the first to apply foraging theory within this context.</p> <p>Study objectives were:</p> <p>1. To identify the sequence and steps deployed in identifiying and retrieving evidence for clinical decision making.</p> <p>2. To utilise Optimal Foraging Theory to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of General Practitioner information searching.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>GPs from the Wellington region of New Zealand were asked to document in a pre-formatted logbook the steps and outcomes of an information search linked to their clinical decision making, and fill in a questionnaire about their personal, practice and information-searching backgrounds.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 115/155 eligible GPs returned a background questionnaire, and 71 completed their information search logbook.</p> <p>GPs spent an average of 17.7 minutes addressing their search for clinical information. Their preferred information sources were discussions with colleagues (38% of sources) and books (22%). These were the two most profitable information foraging sources (15.9 min and 9.5 min search time per answer, compared to 34.3 minutes in databases). GPs nearly always accessed another source when unsuccessful (95% after 1^stsource), and frequently when successful (43% after 2^ndsource). Use of multiple sources accounted for 41% of searches, and increased search success from 70% to 89%.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>By consulting in foraging terms the most 'profitable' sources of information (colleagues, books), rapidly switching sources when unsuccessful, and frequently double checking, GPs achieve an efficient trade-off between maximizing search success and information reliability, and minimizing searching time. As predicted by foraging theory, GPs trade time-consuming evidence-based (electronic) information sources for sources with a higher information reward per unit time searched. Evidence-based practice must accommodate these 'real world' foraging pressures, and Internet resources should evolve to deliver information as effectively as traditional methods of information gathering.</p

Aspects of habitat use by new zealand honeyeaters, with reference to other forest species

Gravatt, D. J. Aspects of habitat use by New Zealand honeyeaters, with reference to other forest species. Emu 71: 65-72. Division of resources and use of habitat by some New Zealand forest birds is discussed. A measurement is made of the importance of nectar, fruit and insect foods in the diet of the honeyeaters (Meliphagidae). The honeyeaters show seasonal variation in their diet, and the Bellbird is found to be more insectivorous than either the Tui or the Stitchbird, especially during winter. Morphological differences probably play a major role in precluding competition for food between honeyeaters during periods of coarse-grained foraging, e.g. at times of seasonal nectar ‘booms’. Separation between habitats is most evident during winter when food is less abundant. Also, for all species investigated, habitat separation is evident during finegrained foraging. Niches appear to be ‘broad’ and it is suggested that this may be because diversity of species within the habitat is low

Following the money FE funding in 1999/2000

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:99/37290 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo