Confirmation of the presence of Mycobacterium-tuberculosis complex-specific DNA in three archaeological specimens

This journal published the first reported identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTE) DNA in ancient human remains but CONCERNS were raised about the article two years after publication. These were based on methodology which, in the field of ancient DNA, was still developing. Here we present a re-examination of the 1993 research conducted on three specimens which exhibited palaeopathologies indicative of tuberculosis. The specimens were: an ulna from pre-European-contact Borneo, a spine from Byzantine Turkey, and a lumbar-sacral spine from 17th century Scotland. There was insufficient material to permit re-examination of all of the original samples. The earlier results were confirmed in two independent laboratories using different methodologies. MTB DNA complex-specific Dna amplicons were obtained, and sequenced in both laboratories, in a re-analysis of samples which supported the earlier findings

Probing the Geometry of Supernovae with Spectropolarimetry

We present results from a spectropolarimetric survey of young supernovae completed at the Keck Observatory, including at least one example from each of the major supernova types: Ia (1997dt), Ib (1998T, 1997dq), Ib/c-pec (1997ef), IIn (1997eg), and II-P (1997ds). All objects show evidence for intrinsic polarization, suggesting that asphericity may be a common feature in young supernova atmospheres.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures. To appear in the Proceedings of the 10th Annual October Astrophysics Conference in Maryland: Cosmic Explosion

Letter from A. C. Matheson

Letter concerning expenses from attending the meetings of the State Board of Education

DIR Floortime Therapy

DIR Floortime Therapy is a social pragmatic approach used to help children with autism develop stronger verbal and social skills. Dr. Stanley Greenspan determined there were six milestones all children must master in order to develop appropriate language and social skills. DIR Floortime Therapy engages with the child through play in order to create a naturalistic environment that helps children achieve these milestones. While the approach is not evidence based, several studies have been conducted using DIR Floortime Therapy to strengthen language and social skills in young children with autism. The majority of these studies found a greater increase in the participants’ language and social skills. The study that did not find an increase in language, did see greater joint attention and enjoyment in social interactions. These two factors are predictors of language which possibly points to the assumption that with a longer period of DIR Floortime Therapy, these children would eventually improve their language skills. Moreover, while DIR Floortime is not evidence-based, the Early Start Denver Model, whose foundation is based on DIR Floortime, was deemed evidence-based. This model targets mostly toddlers in hopes that intensive early intervention of this therapy could significantly decrease autism symptoms, enabling these children to progress socially and verbally at a similar rate to their typically developing peers. Perhaps with further research DIR Floortime therapy will be found as an evidence-based practice to increase positive social interactions and language skills in young children diagnosed with autism

Ovarian and cervical cancer awareness: development of two validated measurement tools.

The aim of the study was to develop and validate measures of awareness of symptoms and risk factors for ovarian and cervical cancer (Ovarian and Cervical Cancer Awareness Measures)

Reducing drug related deaths : a pre-implementation assessment of knowledge,barriers and enablers for naloxone distribution through general practice

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

The Deepest Radio Study of the Pulsar Wind Nebula G21.5-0.9: Still No Evidence for the Supernova Shell

We report on sensitive new 1.4-GHz VLA radio observations of the pulsar wind nebula G21.5-0.9, powered by PSR J1833-1034, and its environs. Our observations were targeted at searching for the radio counterpart of the shell-like structure seen surrounding the pulsar wind nebula in X-rays. Some such radio emission might be expected as the ejecta from the <~ 1000 yr old supernova expand and interact with the surrounding medium. We find, however, no radio emission from the shell, and can place a conservative 3-sigma upper limit on its 1-GHz surface brightness of 7 x 10^-22 W/m^2/Hz/sr, comparable to the lowest limits obtained for radio emission from shells around other pulsar-wind nebulae. Our widefield radio image also shows the presence of two extended objects of low-surface brightness. We re-examine previous 327-MHz images, on which both the new objects are visible. We identify the first, G21.64-0.84, as a new shell-type supernova remnant, with a diameter of ~13' and an unusual double-shell structure. The second, G21.45-0.59, ~1' in diameter, is likely an HII region.Comment: 8 Pages, submitted to MNRA