Grazing and control of coral reef community structure by Diadema antillarum Philippi (Echinodermata: Echinoidea): A preliminary study

The grazing activities of the tropical echinoid Diadema antillarum Philippi can markedly influence the structure of the shallow-water epibenthic coral reef community. The elimination of an entire Diadema population from a patch reef in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands resulted in a great increase in macro-algal biomass, alterations in species composition, shifts in dominance, an increase in species numbers, and a decrease in equitability...

Chronic bilateral heel pain in a child with Sever disease: case report and review of literature

We are presenting a case report of a 10-year-old male with a 1 year history of bilateral heel pain. Sever disease is self limiting condition of calcaneal apophysis. It is the most common cause of heel pain in the growing child. There is no documented case of this condition in this region. This case highlights the clinical features of this self limiting disorder as seen in this patient and reviews the current literature

Splitting or Lumping? A Conservation Dilemma Exemplified by the Critically Endangered Dama Gazelle (Nanger dama)

Managers of threatened species often face the dilemma of whether to keep populations separate to conserve local adaptations and minimize the risk of outbreeding, or whether to manage populations jointly to reduce loss of genetic diversity and minimise inbreeding. In this study we examine genetic relatedness and diversity in three of the five last remaining wild populations of dama gazelle and a number of captive populations, using mtDNA control region and cytochrome b data. Despite the sampled populations belonging to the three putative subspecies, which are delineated according to phenotypes and geographical location, we find limited evidence for phylogeographical structure within the data and no genetic support for the putative subspecies. In the light of these data we discuss the relevance of inbreeding depression, outbreeding depression, adaptive variation, genetic drift, and phenotypic variation to the conservation of the dama gazelle and make some recommendations for its future conservation management. The genetic data suggest that the best conservation approach is to view the dama gazelle as a single species without subspecific divisions

Evolution of an Agriculture-Associated Disease Causing Campylobacter coli Clade: Evidence from National Surveillance Data in Scotland

The common zoonotic pathogen Campylobacter coli is an important cause of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide but its evolution is incompletely understood. Using multilocus sequence type (MLST) data of 7 housekeeping genes from a national survey of Campylobacter in Scotland (2005/6), and a combined population genetic-phylogenetics approach, we investigated the evolutionary history of C. coli. Genealogical reconstruction of isolates from clinical infection, farm animals and the environment, revealed a three-clade genetic structure. The majority of farm animal, and all disease causing genotypes belonged to a single clade (clade 1) which had comparatively low synonymous sequence diversity, little deep branching genetic structure, and a higher number of shared alleles providing evidence of recent clonal decent. Calibration of the rate of molecular evolution, based on within-species genetic variation, estimated a more rapid rate of evolution than in traditional estimates. This placed the divergence of the clades at less than 2500 years ago, consistent with the introduction of an agricultural niche having had an effect upon the evolution of the C. coli clades. Attribution of clinical isolate genotypes to source, using an asymmetric island model, confirmed that strains from chicken and ruminants, and not pigs or turkeys, are the principal source of human C. coli infection. Taken together these analyses are consistent with an evolutionary scenario describing the emergence of agriculture-associated C. coli lineage that is an important human pathogen

Elucidating the aetiology of human Campylobacter coli infections

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Learning to mark: a qualitative study of the experiences and concerns of medical markers

BACKGROUND: Although there is published research on the methods markers use in marking various types of assessment, there is relatively little information on the processes markers use in approaching a marking exercise. This qualitative paper describes the preparation and experiences of general practice (GP) teachers who undertake marking a written assessment in an undergraduate medical course. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven of the 16 GP tutors on an undergraduate course. The purposive sample comprised two new markers, two who had marked for a couple of years and three experienced markers. Each respondent was interviewed twice, once following a formative assessment of a written case study, and again after a summative assessment. All interviews were audio-taped and analysed for emerging themes. A respondent validation exercise was conducted with all 16 GP tutors. RESULTS: Markers had internal concerns about their ability to mark fairly and made considerable efforts to calibrate their marking. They needed guidance and coaching when marking for the first time and adopted a variety of marking styles, reaching a decision through a number of routes. Dealing with pass/fail borderline scripts and the consequences of the mark on the student were particular concerns. Even experienced markers felt the need to calibrate their marks both internally and externally CONCLUSION: Previous experience of marking appears to improve markers' confidence and is a factor in determining the role which markers adopt. Confidence can be improved by giving clear instructions, along with examples of marking. The authors propose that one method of providing this support and coaching could be by a process of peer review of a selection of papers prior to the main marking. New markers in particular would benefit from further guidance, however they are influenced by others early on in their marking career and course organisers should be mindful of this when arranging double marking

The predictive moment: reverie, connection and predictive processing

According to the theory of predictive processing, understanding in the present involves non-consciously representing the immediate future, based on probabilistic inference shaped by learning from the past. This paper suggests links between this neuroscientific theory and the psychoanalytic concept of reverie – an empathic, containing attentional state – and considers implications for the ways therapists intuit implicit material in their clients. Using findings from a study about therapists’ experiences of this state, we propose that reverie can offer practitioners from diverse theoretical backgrounds a means to enter the predictive moment deeply, making use of its subtle contents to connect with clients

The caribbean coastal marine productivity program (CARICOMP)

CARICOMP is a regional scientific program to study land-sea interaction processes in the Caribbean coastal zone. It has been collecting data since 1992, when a Data Management Centre was established at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica. Initially it focuses on documenting the structure and productivity of major coastal communities (mangrove forests, seagrass meadows and coral reefs) at relatively undisturbed sites in diverse physical settings. Second, by regular recording of physical and biological parameters, it monitors for change, seeking to distinguish natural from anthropogenic disturbance. Third, it constitutes a regional network of observers, able to collaborate on studies of region-wide events. Examples are presented of the diverse data sets collected by the Program.Fil: Alcolado, Pedro M.. Instituto de Oceanología; CubaFil: Alleng, Gerard. No especifíca;Fil: Bonair, Kurt. No especifíca;Fil: Bone, David. Universidad Simón Bolívar; VenezuelaFil: Buchan, Kenneth. No especifíca;Fil: Bush, Phillippe G.. Protection and Conservation Unit; Islas CaimánFil: De Meyer, Kalli. No especifíca;Fil: Garcia, Jorge R.. Universidad de Puerto Rico; Puerto RicoFil: Garzón Ferreira, Jaime. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ColombiaFil: Gayle, Peter M. H.. Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory; JamaicaFil: Gerace, Donald T.. Bahamian Field Station; BahamasFil: Geraldes, Francisco X.. Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo.; República DominicanaFil: Dahlgren, Eric Jordán. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; MéxicoFil: Kjferve, Björn. University of South Carolina; Estados UnidosFil: Klein, Eduardo. Universidad Simón Bolívar; VenezuelaFil: Koltes, Karen. Smithsonian Institution; Estados UnidosFil: Laydoo, Richard S.. No especifíca;Fil: Linton, Dulcie M.. University of the West Indies ; JamaicaFil: Ogden, John C.. Florida Institute of Oceanography; Estados UnidosFil: Oxenford, Hazel A.. McGill University; BarbadosFil: Parker, Christoph. McGill University; BarbadosFil: Penchaszadeh, Pablo Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; ArgentinaFil: Pors, Leon P. P. J.. Universidad Simón Bolívar; VenezuelaFil: Ramírez Ramírez, Javier. Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados. Departamento de Física; MéxicoFil: Ruiz Rentería, Francisco. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; MéxicoFil: Ryan, Joseph D.. Centro de Investigación y Documentación de la Costa Atlántica; NicaraguaFil: Smith, Struan R.. Bermuda Biological Station for Research; BermudasFil: Tschirky, John. Latin American and Caribbean Division; Estados UnidosFil: Varela, Ramon. Estación de Investigaciones Marinas de Margarita; VenezuelaFil: Walker, Susan. No especifíca;Fil: Weil, Ernesto. Universidad de Puerto Rico; Puerto RicoFil: Wiebe, William J.. University of Georgia; Estados UnidosFil: Woodley, Jeremy D.. University of the West Indies; JamaicaFil: Zieman, Joseph C.. University of Virginia; Estados Unido

Relative fat oxidation is higher in children than adults

Background: Prepubescent children may oxidize fatty acids more readily than adults. Therefore, dietary fat needs would be higher for children compared with adults. The dietary fat recommendations are higher for children 4 to 18 yrs (i.e., 25 to 35% of energy) compared with adults (i.e., 20 to 35% of energy). Despite this, many parents and children restrict dietary fat for health reasons. Methods: This study assessed whether rates of fat oxidation are similar between prepubescent children and adults. Ten children (8.7 ± 1.4 yr, 33 ± 13 kg mean ± SD) in Tanner stage 1 and 10 adults (41.6 ± 8 yr, 74 ± 13 kg) were fed a weight maintenance diet for three days to maintain body weight and to establish a consistent background for metabolic rate measurements (all foods provided). Metabolic rate was measured on three separate occasions before and immediately after breakfast and for 9 hrs using a hood system (twice) or a room calorimeter (once) where continuous metabolic measurements were taken. Results: During all three sessions whole body fat oxidation was higher in children (lower RQ) compared to adults (mean RQ= 0.84 ± .016 for children and 0.87 ± .02, for adults, p < 0.02). Although, total grams of fat oxidized was similar in children (62.7 ± 20 g/24 hrs) compared to adults (51.4 ± 19 g/24 hrs), the grams of fat oxidized relative to calorie expenditure was higher in children (0.047 ± .01 g/kcal, compared to adults (0.032 ± .01 p < 0.02). Females oxidized more fat relative to calorie expenditure than males of a similar age. A two way ANOVA showed no interaction between gender and age in terms of fax oxidation. Conclusion: These data suggest that fat oxidation relative to total calorie expenditure is higher in prepubescent children than in adults. Consistent with current dietary guidelines, a moderate fat diet is appropriate for children within the context of a diet that meets their energy and nutrient needs. Originally published Nutrition Journal, Vol. 6, No. 19, Aug 200