Mutual information between geomagnetic indices and the solar wind as seen by WIND : implications for propagation time estimates

The determination of delay times of solar wind conditions at the sunward libration point to effects on Earth is investigated using mutual information. This measures the amount of information shared between two timeseries. We consider the mutual information content of solar wind observations, from WIND, and the geomagnetic indices. The success of five commonly used schemes for estimating interplanetary propagation times is examined. Propagation assuming a fixed plane normal at 45 degrees to the GSE x-axis (i.e. the Parker Spiral estimate) is found to give optimal mutual information. The mutual information depends on the point in space chosen as the target for the propagation estimate, and we find that it is maximized by choosing a point in the nightside rather than dayside magnetosphere. In addition, we employ recurrence plot analysis to visualize contributions to the mutual information, this suggests that it appears on timescales of hours rather than minutes

PCR and microarray analysis of AmpC and ESBLs producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from intensive care units

Detection of AmpC and ESBL producing P. aeruginosa by phenotypic methods is challenging, especially in low-income countries such as Pakistan. Therefore, a molecular method was developed for rapid detection of these resistance markers. A total of 303 clinical samples were collected from intensive care units (ICUs) of the Jinnah postgraduate medical centre (JPMC) Karachi, Pakistan. The isolates were identified by traditional and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Isolates were phenotypically analyzed for AmpCs and ESBL by D-test and by double disc synergy, respectively. The Check MDR CT103 XL and PCR techniques were used for the detection AmpCs and ESBLs. Out of 303 isolates, 148 (48.8%) were P. aeruginosa. The resistance pattern of P. aeruginosa against piperacillin, cefatizidime and cefepime was 59.4%, 64.8% and 59.4% respectively. More than 60% isolates were resistant to aminoglycosides and ciprofloxacin. All (148) strains were found sensitive to colistin. Phenotypic ESBL prevalence was 8.8% whereas genotypic resistance was 29.1%. bla was the most prevalent ESBL. Although 25.67% of P. aeruginosa isolates were positive phenotypically for AmpC, microarray (Check-MDR) analysis did not detect chromosomally located AmpC in any of the isolates. VE

Bacteremia in a human caused by an XDR strain of Pseudomonas fulva

This is the first report from Pakistan of a case of bacteremia in a human due to P. fulva, an opportunistic infection with increased risk of a drug resistant phenotype. P. fulva was isolated from blood of a 45 years male admitted in surgical ICU. Isolate was identified by the MALDI-TOF-MS and was extensively drug resistant (XDR) strain. Isolate was found negative for metallo β lactamase (MBL) and extended spectrum β lactamase (ESBL) types by phenotypic and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. It was concluded that P. fulva is an emerging opportunistic pathogen

Assessment of pollen rewards by foraging bees

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Wiley via the DOI in this record.The removal of pollen by flower-visiting insects is costly to plants, not only in terms of production, but also via lost reproductive potential. Modern angiosperms have evolved various reward strategies to limit these costs, yet many plant species still offer pollen as a sole or major reward for pollinating insects. 2. The benefits plants gain by offering pollen as a reward for pollinating are defined by the behaviour of their pollinators, some of which feed on the pollen at the flower, while others collect pollen to provision offspring. 3. We explore how pollen impacts on the behaviour and foraging decisions of pollen-collecting bees, drawing comparisons with what is known for nectar rewards. This question is of particular interest since foraging bees typically do not ingest pollen during collection, meaning the sensory pathways involved in evaluating this resource are not immediately obvious. 4. Previous research focussed on whether foraging bees can determine the quality of pollen sources offered by different plant species, and attempted to infer the mechanisms underpinning such evaluations, mainly through observations of collection preferences in the field 5. More recent experimental research has started to focus on if pollen itself can mediate the detection of, and learning about, pollen sources and associated floral cues. 6. We review advancements in the understanding of how bees forage for pollen and respond to variation in pollen quality, and discuss future directions for studying how this ancestral floral food reward shapes the behaviour of pollinating insects

Outstanding Questions in Flower Metabolism

The great diversity of flowers, their color, odor, taste, and shape, is mostly a result of the metabolic processes that occur in this reproductive organ when the flower and its tissues develop, grow, and finally die. Some of these metabolites serve to advertise flowers to animal pollinators, other confer protection towards abiotic stresses, and a large proportion of the molecules of the central metabolic pathways have bioenergetic and signaling functions that support growth and the transition to fruits and seeds. Although recent studies have advanced our general understanding of flower metabolism, several questions still await an answer. Here, we have compiled a list of open questions on flower metabolism encompassing molecular aspects, as well as topics of relevance for agriculture and the ecosystem. These questions include the study of flower metabolism through development, the biochemistry of nectar and its relevance to promoting plant‐pollinator interaction, recycling of metabolic resources after flowers whiter and die, as well as the manipulation of flower metabolism by pathogens. We hope with this review to stimulate discussion on the topic of flower metabolism and set a reference point to return to in the future when assessing progress in the field

Antenatal screening and the gendering of genetic responsibility

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The objective of this study is to explore men's and women's perceptions of antenatal blood screening. The study will assess the impact of these perceptions on decision-making regarding diagnostic testing and selective abortion, and on parental feelings of genetic responsibility. By exploring gender and antenatal screening in this way, the research aims to contribute to our understanding of lay perceptions of genetic screening and increase our knowledge of the decision-making process in screening.</p> <p>Research design</p> <p>This qualitative study will be based on semi-structured interviews with twenty pregnant women and twenty male partners in the post-industrial city of Sheffield, UK. All interviews will be taped, transcribed and analysed thematically using NVIVO, a qualitative software package.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The findings of this study have relevance to existing debates on the social and ethical implications of reproductive genetics. A better understanding of male and female perceptions of the screening process could improve guidance and practice in antenatal screening and genetic counselling. It will also inform and contribute to the development of theory on gender and genetic screening.</p

Music therapy for supporting informal carers of adults with life-threatening illness pre- and post-bereavement; a mixed-methods systematic review

Funding Information: This systematic review is funded by the Music Therapy Charity Scoping Project Competition (UK), grant funding awarded from 2021–2022. The funder had no role in the design of the study, data collection, analysis, and interpretation of data and in writing the manuscript.Peer reviewe

Can public spaces effectively be used as cleaner indoor air shelters during extreme smoke events?

During extreme air pollution events, such as bushfires, public health agencies oftenrecommend that vulnerable individuals visit a nearby public building with central air conditioningto reduce their exposure to smoke. However, there is limited evidence that these “cleaner indoorair shelters” reduce exposure or health risks. We quantified the impact of a “cleaner indoor airshelter” in a public library in Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia when concentrations of fine particulatematter (PM2.5) were elevated during a local peat fire and nearby bushfires. Specifically, we evaluatedthe air quality improvements with central air conditioning only and with the use of portable highefficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter air cleaners. We measured PM2.5 from August 2019 untilFebruary 2020 by deploying pairs of low-cost PM2.5 sensors (i) inside the main library, (ii) in asmaller media room inside the library, (iii) outside the library, and (iv) co-located with regulatorymonitors located in the town. We operated two HEPA cleaners in the media room from August untilOctober 2019. We quantified the infiltration efficiency of outdoor PM2.5concentrations, defined asthe fraction of the outdoor PM2.5 concentration that penetrates indoors and remains suspended, aswell as the additional effect of HEPA cleaners on PM2.5 concentrations. The infiltration efficiency ofoutdoor PM2.5 into the air-conditioned main library was 30%, meaning that compared to the PM2.5concentration outdoors, the concentrations of outdoor-generated PM2.5 indoors were reduced by 70%.In the media room, when the HEPA cleaners were operating, PM2.5 concentrations were reducedfurther with a PM2.5 infiltration efficiency of 17%. A carefully selected air-conditioned public buildingcould be used as a cleaner indoor air shelter during episodes of elevated smoke emissions. Furtherimprovements in indoor air quality within the building can be achieved by operating appropriatelysized HEPA cleaners

Potential effects of oilseed rape expressing oryzacystatin-1 (OC-1) and of purified insecticidal proteins on larvae of the solitary bee Osmia bicornis

Despite their importance as pollinators in crops and wild plants, solitary bees have not previously been included in non-target testing of insect-resistant transgenic crop plants. Larvae of many solitary bees feed almost exclusively on pollen and thus could be highly exposed to transgene products expressed in the pollen. The potential effects of pollen from oilseed rape expressing the cysteine protease inhibitor oryzacystatin-1 (OC-1) were investigated on larvae of the solitary bee Osmia bicornis (= O. rufa). Furthermore, recombinant OC-1 (rOC-1), the Bt toxin Cry1Ab and the snowdrop lectin Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA) were evaluated for effects on the life history parameters of this important pollinator. Pollen provisions from transgenic OC-1 oilseed rape did not affect overall development. Similarly, high doses of rOC-1 and Cry1Ab as well as a low dose of GNA failed to cause any significant effects. However, a high dose of GNA (0.1%) in the larval diet resulted in significantly increased development time and reduced efficiency in conversion of pollen food into larval body weight. Our results suggest that OC-1 and Cry1Ab expressing transgenic crops would pose a negligible risk for O. bicornis larvae, whereas GNA expressing plants could cause detrimental effects, but only if bees were exposed to high levels of the protein. The described bioassay with bee brood is not only suitable for early tier non-target tests of transgenic plants, but also has broader applicability to other crop protection products