LYNDS 379 - a new source of bipolar molecular flow

A study has been made incorporating molecular line CO J = 2-1 and optical star counting techniques of the sharp-edged Lynds dark cloud 379. It is found to lie at a distance of 200 pc, and to have an average extinction, AB, of <2 mag. Molecular mapping has revealed the presence of a new bipolar molecular flow source coincident with a strong IRAS far infrared peak. This indicates the presence of active star formation at the edge of the cloud - possibly as a consequence of the mechanism (such as an interstellar shock) which has led to compression of the edge of L379

Building audiences: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts

Building Audiences examines the barriers to and the strategies for increasing audiences in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts sector. This research investigates the attitudes, beliefs and behaviours of current and potential audiences. What is in the report? The findings reveal the key barriers facing audience attendance include: uncertainty about how to behave at cultural events and fear of offending lack of awareness with audiences not actively seeking information about Indigenous arts and outdated perceptions of the sector – that it is only perceived as ‘serious or educational’. Building Audiences also considered several strategies to build audiences for Indigenous arts: providing skills development, advice and resourcing to Indigenous practitioners within the arts sector; increasing representation of Indigenous artists in the main programing of arts companies by including more Indigenous people in decision making roles; promoting relationships between Indigenous arts and non-Indigenous companies to present their work to wider audiences; introducing children and young people to Indigenous arts through schools and extracurricular activities; allowing audiences to feel comfortable engaging by creating accessible experiences; implementing long-term strategies to change negative perceptions of Indigenous arts. The project was commissioned by the Australia Council for the Arts and funding partners include Australia Council for the Arts; Faculty of Business and Law and Institute of Koorie Education, Deakin University; Melbourne Business School, The University of Melbourne

A Molecular Toolbox for Rapid Generation of Viral Vectors to Up- or Down-Regulate Neuronal Gene Expression in vivo

We introduce a molecular toolbox for manipulation of neuronal gene expression in vivo. The toolbox includes promoters, ion channels, optogenetic tools, fluorescent proteins, and intronic artificial microRNAs. The components are easily assembled into adeno-associated virus (AAV) or lentivirus vectors using recombination cloning. We demonstrate assembly of toolbox components into lentivirus and AAV vectors and use these vectors for in vivo expression of inwardly rectifying potassium channels (Kir2.1, Kir3.1, and Kir3.2) and an artificial microRNA targeted against the ion channel HCN1 (HCN1 miRNA). We show that AAV assembled to express HCN1 miRNA produces efficacious and specific in vivo knockdown of HCN1 channels. Comparison of in vivo viral transduction using HCN1 miRNA with mice containing a germ line deletion of HCN1 reveals similar physiological phenotypes in cerebellar Purkinje cells. The easy assembly and re-usability of the toolbox components, together with the ability to up- or down-regulate neuronal gene expression in vivo, may be useful for applications in many areas of neuroscience

Molecular line observations of IC 443 - the interaction of a molecular cloud and an interstellar shock

The supernova remnant IC 443 is colliding with several molecular clouds which are now situated close to the expanding rim. Observations of CO, 13CO, HCO+, and HCN at frequencies between 88 and 356 GHz have been obtained toward several of these molecular clouds to examine the effects of the strong shock with the neutral gas in the clouds. The spatial distributions of CO, HCN and HCO+ are found to be very similar, and well correlated with that of shocked molecular hydrogen. The molecular lines observed from this area are very broad, having line-widths of up to 90 km s-1. The effect of the shock has been to cause extensive fragmentation of the cloud into dynamically unstable systems of fragments having typical size scales of 0.1-0.3 pc. A spectral line survey between 84 and 104 GHz has been carried out, which includes a number of molecular species which have been chosen as diagnostics of shock chemistry. Modeling carried out for several molecular species shows that CO emission from the high-velocity gas is usually optically thin, but for other species, the lines may be optically thick and subthermally excited

Modelling fungal colonies and communities:challenges and opportunities

This contribution, based on a Special Interest Group session held during IMC9, focuses on physiological based models of filamentous fungal colony growth and interactions. Fungi are known to be an important component of ecosystems, in terms of colony dynamics and interactions within and between trophic levels. We outline some of the essential components necessary to develop a fungal ecology: a mechanistic model of fungal colony growth and interactions, where observed behaviour can be linked to underlying function; a model of how fungi can cooperate at larger scales; and novel techniques for both exploring quantitatively the scales at which fungi operate; and addressing the computational challenges arising from this highly detailed quantification. We also propose a novel application area for fungi which may provide alternate routes for supporting scientific study of colony behaviour. This synthesis offers new potential to explore fungal community dynamics and the impact on ecosystem functioning

Millimetre and submillimetre molecular line observations of the southwest lobe of L 1551 - evidence of a shell structure

Observations have been made of the southwest outflow lobe of L 1551 in several millimetre and submillimetre molecular lines. Maps have been made in the J = 3-2 and J = 2-1 transitions of CO over areas of 7.5 by 2.5 arcmin and 5 by 5 arcmin respectively, using the 3.8 m United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT). Higher angular resolution maps have also been made in the J = 2-1 CO transition over an area of about 6 by 3.5 arcmin with the NRAO 12 m telescope, and additional observations of the J = 4-3 transitions of HCN, HCO+, and H13CO+ were obtained towards selected positions. The observations, showing a shell structure, an accelerating outflow and possible rotation of the outflowing gas, suggest that the Sweeping-Magnetic-Twist model of Uchida and Shibata is the most appropriate of currently available models of bipolar sources, to explain the L 1551 bipolar outflow

Volatile organic compounds in northern New England marine and continental environments during the ICARTT 2004 campaign

Volatile organic compound (VOC) measurements were made during the summer 2004 International Consortium for Atmospheric Research on Transport and Transformation (ICARTT) at Thompson Farm (TF), a continental site 25 km from the New Hampshire coast, and Appledore Island (AI), a marine site 10 km off the Maine coast. The 24 h mean total hydroxyl radical (OH) reactivity (±1σ) for the suite of VOCs was 4.15 (±2.64) s−1 at TF and 2.57 (±1.10) s−1 at AI. The larger range of reactivity at TF was dominated by isoprene and the monoterpenes (mean combined reactivity = 2.01 (±2.57) s−1). The impact of local anthropogenic hydrocarbon sources such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) leakage and fossil fuel evaporation was evident at both sites. During the campaign, a propane flux of 9 (±2) × 109 molecules cm−2 s−1 was calculated from the linear regression of the mean 0100–0400 local time mixing ratios at TF. This is consistent with fluxes observed in 2003 at sites spread throughout the coastal area of New Hampshire indicating that LPG tank leakage is a major hydrocarbon source throughout the region. Net monoterpene fluxes during ICARTT at TF were 6 (±2), 1.8 (±0.4), 1.2 (±0.6), and 0.4 (±0.5) × 109 molecules cm−2 s−1 for α‐pinene, β‐pinene, camphene, and limonene, respectively. Comparison to estimated NO3 and O3 loss rates indicate that gross monoterpene emission rates were approximately double the observed net fluxes at TF and comparable to current monoterpene nighttime emission inventory estimates for the northeast

Advancing the Microbiome Research Community

The human microbiome has become a recognized factor in promoting and maintaining health. We outline opportunities in interdisciplinary research, analytical rigor, standardization, and policy development for this relatively new and rapidly developing field. Advances in these aspects of the research community may in turn advance our understanding of human microbiome biology. It is now widely recognized that disturbances in our normal microbial populations may be linked to acute infections such as Clostridium difficile and to chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, obesity, and autoimmune disorders (Clemente et al., 2012). This has prompted substantial interest in the microbiome from both basic and clinical perspectives. Although our genome is relatively static throughout life, each of our microbial communities changes profoundly from infancy through adulthood, continuing to adapt through ongoing exposures to diet, drugs and environment. Understanding the microbiome and its dynamic nature may be critical for diagnostics and, eventually, interventions based on the microbiome itself. However, several important challenges limit the ability of researchers to enter the microbiome field and/or conduct research most effectively