A change in temperature modulates defence to yellow (stripe) rust in wheat line UC1041 independently of resistance gene Yr36

Background Rust diseases are of major importance in wheat production worldwide. With the constant evolution of new rust strains and their adaptation to higher temperatures, consistent and durable disease resistance is a key challenge. Environmental conditions affect resistance gene performance, but the basis for this is poorly understood. Results Here we show that a change in day temperature affects wheat resistance to Puccinia striiformis f. sp tritici (Pst), the causal agent of yellow (or stripe) rust. Using adult plants of near-isogenic lines UC1041 +/- Yr36, there was no significant difference between Pst percentage uredia coverage in plants grown at day temperatures of 18°C or 25°C in adult UC1041 + Yr36 plants. However, when plants were transferred to the lower day temperature at the time of Pst inoculation, infection increased up to two fold. Interestingly, this response was independent of Yr36, which has previously been reported as a temperature-responsive resistance gene as Pst development in adult UC1041 -Yr36 plants was similarly affected by the plants experiencing a temperature reduction. In addition, UC1041 -Yr36 plants grown at the lower temperature then transferred to the higher temperature were effectively resistant and a temperature change in either direction was shown to affect Pst development up to 8 days prior to inoculation. Results for seedlings were similar, but more variable compared to adult plants. Enhanced resistance to Pst was observed in seedlings of UC1041 and the cultivar Shamrock when transferred to the higher temperature. Resistance was not affected in seedlings of cultivar Solstice by a temperature change in either direction. Conclusions Yr36 is effective at 18°C, refining the lower range of temperature at which resistance against Pst is conferred compared to previous studies. Results reveal previously uncharacterised defence temperature sensitivity in the UC1041 background which is caused by a change in temperature and independently of Yr36. This novel phenotype is present in some cultivars but absent in others, suggesting that Pst defence may be more stable in some cultivars than others when plants are exposed to varying temperatures

The economics of safety : a case study of the UK offshore helicopter industry

The International Civil Aviation Organisation maintains that future viability of air transportation may well be predicated on perception of safety rather than any more tangible measures. In order to keep safety risks at an acceptable level it advocates a change of fundamental approach to the system of safety management, one that is more proactive. This study examines the causes of such a requirement for change, and the scope for improving the efficiency of what Calabresi refers to as the second principal goal of accident law, namely accident cost reduction. First, testing the validity of the traditional approach to safety analysis and management, as stated in regulatory guidelines. Secondly, examining the possibility that the efficiency of safety cost-benefit analysis can be practicably improved. A subsequent aim is to find an empirically based proxy measure for the acceptability of risk by examining the outcomes to potential safety related risk scenarios. Such a measure, if validated, may convert many existing intangible assessments concerning safety management into more transparent and reliable judgements. The offshore helicopter industry has many unique characteristics, some of which derive from the fact that the customers, the oil & gas companies, are more powerful than the operators. Others relate to the absence of any intermodal competition, and passengers who are specially trained to be properly aware of their safety. As choice is severely limited, this population is also likely to reflect a much broader range of risk preference. A carefully structured questionnaire was presented to a sample of these passengers, and the responses analysed in depth. The conclusions of this study are that choice is driven by the perceptions of safety, and that market stability is only maintained with the pre-condition that safety is deemed acceptable. Further, the failure of this pre-condition will follow a predictable pattern, based on a normal distribution for the population. The recommendation of this study is that such reactions to perceptions of safety risk are given due consideration alongside traditional costbenefit analysis, and in so doing it is likely that more secondary and tertiary accident cost factors will be more fully addressed. This will improve the overall efficiency of accident costs reduction, and make a significant contribution to the aim of proactive safety management.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Sexual function in 16- to 21-year-olds in Britain

Purpose: Concern about young people's sexuality is focused on the need to prevent harmful outcomes such as sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancy. Although the benefit of a broader perspective is recognized, data on other aspects of sexuality, particularly sexual function, are scant. We sought to address this gap by measuring the population prevalence of sexual function problems, help seeking, and avoidance of sex in young people. Methods: A cross-sectional stratified probability sample survey (Natsal-3) of 15,162 women and men in Britain (response rate: 57.7%), using computer-assisted self-interviews. Data come from 1875 (71.9%) sexually active, and 517 sexually inactive (18.7%), participants aged 16–21 years. Measures were single items from a validated measure of sexual function (the Natsal-SF). Results: Among sexually active 16- to 21-year-old participants, 9.1% of men and 13.4% of women reported a distressing sexual problem lasting 3 months or more in the last year. Most common among men was reaching a climax too quickly (4.5%), and among women was difficulty in reaching climax (6.3%). Just over a third (35.5%) of men and 42.3% of women reporting a problem had sought help, but rarely from professional sources. Among those who had not had sex in the last year, just >10% of young men and women said they had avoided sex because of sexual difficulties. Conclusions: Distressing sexual function problems are reported by a sizeable minority of sexually active young people. Education is required, and counseling should be available, to prevent lack of knowledge, anxiety, and shame progressing into lifelong sexual difficulties

The economics of safety : a case study of the UK offshore helicopter industry

The International Civil Aviation Organisation maintains that future viability of air transportation may well be predicated on perception of safety rather than any more tangible measures. In order to keep safety risks at an acceptable level it advocates a change of fundamental approach to the system of safety management, one that is more proactive. This study examines the causes of such a requirement for change, and the scope for improving the efficiency of what Calabresi refers to as the second principal goal of accident law, namely accident cost reduction. First, testing the validity of the traditional approach to safety analysis and management, as stated in regulatory guidelines. Secondly, examining the possibility that the efficiency of safety cost-benefit analysis can be practicably improved. A subsequent aim is to find an empirically based proxy measure for the acceptability of risk by examining the outcomes to potential safety related risk scenarios. Such a measure, if validated, may convert many existing intangible assessments concerning safety management into more transparent and reliable judgements. The offshore helicopter industry has many unique characteristics, some of which derive from the fact that the customers, the oil & gas companies, are more powerful than the operators. Others relate to the absence of any intermodal competition, and passengers who are specially trained to be properly aware of their safety. As choice is severely limited, this population is also likely to reflect a much broader range of risk preference. A carefully structured questionnaire was presented to a sample of these passengers, and the responses analysed in depth. The conclusions of this study are that choice is driven by the perceptions of safety, and that market stability is only maintained with the pre-condition that safety is deemed acceptable. Further, the failure of this pre-condition will follow a predictable pattern, based on a normal distribution for the population. The recommendation of this study is that such reactions to perceptions of safety risk are given due consideration alongside traditional costbenefit analysis, and in so doing it is likely that more secondary and tertiary accident cost factors will be more fully addressed. This will improve the overall efficiency of accident costs reduction, and make a significant contribution to the aim of proactive safety management.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Protein kinase C theta is required for efficient induction of IL-10-secreting T cells

<div><p>Secretion of interleukin-10 (IL-10) by CD4⁺ T cells is an essential immunoregulatory mechanism. The work presented here assesses the role of the signaling molecule protein kinase C theta (PKCθ) in the induction of IL-10 expression in CD4⁺ T cells. Using wildtype and PKCθ-deficient Tg4 T cell receptor transgenic mice, we implemented a well-described protocol of repeated doses of myelin basic protein (MBP)Ac1-9[4Y] antigen to induce Tr1-like IL-10⁺ T cells. We find that PKCθ is required for the efficient induction of IL-10 following antigen administration. Both serum concentrations of IL-10 and the proportion of IL-10⁺ T cells were reduced in PKCθ-deficient mice relative to wildtype mice following [4Y] treatment. We further characterized the T cells of [4Y] treated PKCθ-deficient Tg4 mice and found reduced expression of the transcription factors cMaf, Nfil3 and FoxP3 and the surface receptors PD-1 and Tim3, all of which have been associated with the differentiation or function of IL-10⁺ T cells. Finally, we demonstrated that, unlike [4Y] treated wildtype Tg4 T cells, cells from PKCθ-deficient mice were unable to suppress the priming of naïve T cells <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i>. In summary, we present data demonstrating a role for PKCθ in the induction of suppressive, IL-10-secreting T cells induced in TCR-transgenic mice following chronic antigen administration. This should be considered when contemplating PKCθ as a suitable drug target for inducing immune suppression and graft tolerance.</p></div

Sexual function in 16- to 21-year-olds in Britain

Purpose: Concern about young people's sexuality is focused on the need to prevent harmful outcomes such as sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancy. Although the benefit of a broader perspective is recognized, data on other aspects of sexuality, particularly sexual function, are scant. We sought to address this gap by measuring the population prevalence of sexual function problems, help seeking, and avoidance of sex in young people. Methods: A cross-sectional stratified probability sample survey (Natsal-3) of 15,162 women and men in Britain (response rate: 57.7%), using computer-assisted self-interviews. Data come from 1875 (71.9%) sexually active, and 517 sexually inactive (18.7%), participants aged 16–21 years. Measures were single items from a validated measure of sexual function (the Natsal-SF). Results: Among sexually active 16- to 21-year-old participants, 9.1% of men and 13.4% of women reported a distressing sexual problem lasting 3 months or more in the last year. Most common among men was reaching a climax too quickly (4.5%), and among women was difficulty in reaching climax (6.3%). Just over a third (35.5%) of men and 42.3% of women reporting a problem had sought help, but rarely from professional sources. Among those who had not had sex in the last year, just &gt;10% of young men and women said they had avoided sex because of sexual difficulties. Conclusions: Distressing sexual function problems are reported by a sizeable minority of sexually active young people. Education is required, and counseling should be available, to prevent lack of knowledge, anxiety, and shame progressing into lifelong sexual difficulties

The discomforting rise of ' public geographies': a 'public' conversation.

In this innovative and provocative intervention, the authors explore the burgeoning ‘public turn’ visible across the social sciences to espouse the need to radically challenge and reshape dominant and orthodox visions of ‘the academy’, academic life, and the role and purpose of the academic

Informing investment to reduce inequalities: a modelling approach

Background: Reducing health inequalities is an important policy objective but there is limited quantitative information about the impact of specific interventions. Objectives: To provide estimates of the impact of a range of interventions on health and health inequalities. Materials and methods: Literature reviews were conducted to identify the best evidence linking interventions to mortality and hospital admissions. We examined interventions across the determinants of health: a ‘living wage’; changes to benefits, taxation and employment; active travel; tobacco taxation; smoking cessation, alcohol brief interventions, and weight management services. A model was developed to estimate mortality and years of life lost (YLL) in intervention and comparison populations over a 20-year time period following interventions delivered only in the first year. We estimated changes in inequalities using the relative index of inequality (RII). Results: Introduction of a ‘living wage’ generated the largest beneficial health impact, with modest reductions in health inequalities. Benefits increases had modest positive impacts on health and health inequalities. Income tax increases had negative impacts on population health but reduced inequalities, while council tax increases worsened both health and health inequalities. Active travel increases had minimally positive effects on population health but widened health inequalities. Increases in employment reduced inequalities only when targeted to the most deprived groups. Tobacco taxation had modestly positive impacts on health but little impact on health inequalities. Alcohol brief interventions had modestly positive impacts on health and health inequalities only when strongly socially targeted, while smoking cessation and weight-reduction programmes had minimal impacts on health and health inequalities even when socially targeted. Conclusions: Interventions have markedly different effects on mortality, hospitalisations and inequalities. The most effective (and likely cost-effective) interventions for reducing inequalities were regulatory and tax options. Interventions focused on individual agency were much less likely to impact on inequalities, even when targeted at the most deprived communities

Solvent inhibition in the liquid-phase catalytic oxidation of 1,4-butanediol: understanding the catalyst behaviour from NMR relaxation time measurements

Catalytic reaction studies and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) relaxation time measurements have been compared to study the influence of competitive adsorption of reactant and solvent on catalytic conversion. The reaction chosen is the aerobic catalytic oxidation of 1,4-butanediol in methanol over different supported-metal catalysts. From the NMR T1/T2 ratio, where T1 is the longitudinal and T2 the transverse spin relaxation time, the relative affinity of reactant and solvent for different catalytic surfaces is determined. The catalysts with the lowest activity show a preferential surface affinity for the solvent compared to the reactant. Conversely, the catalyst with the highest activity shows a preferential surface affinity for the reactant compared to the solvent. Significantly, Ru/SiO2, which is totally inactive for the oxidation of 1,4-butanediol, exhibited a lower T1/T2 ratio (surface affinity) for 1,4-butanediol (reactant) than for a “weakly-interacting” alkane, indicating a very poor surface affinity for the diol functionality. The results provide direct evidence of the importance of the adsorbate-adsorbent interactions on catalyst activity in liquid-phase oxidations and indicate that the competitive adsorption of the solvent plays an important role in these reactions. This work demonstrates that NMR relaxation time analysis is a powerful method for comparing adsorption of liquids in porous catalysts, providing valuable information on the affinity of different chemical species for a catalyst surface. Moreover, the results demonstrate that NMR relaxation time measurements can be used not only to guide selection of solvent for use with a specific catalyst, but also selection of the catalyst itself. The results suggest that this method may be used to predict catalyst behaviour, enabling improved design and optimisation of heterogeneous catalytic processes