Building the genomic base-layer of the oral “omic” world

With the shift of molecular technologies directed toward the understanding of greater biological complexity of the oral cavity, a knowledge gap was created by the lack of genomic data from the diverse oral microorganisms. To facilitate and enable the interpretation of metagenomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data generated or soon to be generated from oral biofilms, we are providing reference genomic information from phylogenetically diverse oral bacterial isolates. This work, initiated by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research as an isolated effort, is now part of the Human Microbiome Project. The goal of this effort is the public release of genomic data in support of functional and phylogenetic analyses of the complex oral microbiome. The genomic information acquired will be a key component in understanding the interaction of the oral biofilms with the human host and in developing novel healthcare strategies to prevent and treat oral diseases

Maintaining employment and improving health: a qualitative exploration of a job retention programme for employees with mental health conditions

Purpose: A proportion of the working age population in the UK experience mental health conditions, with this group often facing significant challenges to retain their employment. As part of a broader political commitment to health and well-being at work, the use of job retention services have become part of a suite of interventions designed to support both employers and employees. While rigorous assessment of job retention programmes are lacking, this paper examines the success of, and distils learning from, a job retention service in England. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative methodology was adopted for this research with semi-structured interviews considered an appropriate method to illuminate key issues. Twenty eight individuals were interviewed, including current and former service users, referrers, employers and job retention staff. Findings Without the support of the job retention service, employees with mental health conditions were reported to have been unlikely to have maintained their employment status. Additional benefits were also reported, including improved mental health outcomes and impacts on individuals’ personal life. Employers also reported positive benefits in engaging with the job retention service, including feeling better able to offer appropriate solutions that were mutually accepted to the employee and the organisation. Originality/value Job retention programmes are under researched and little is known about their effectiveness and the mechanisms that support individuals at work with mental health conditions. This study adds to the existing evidence and suggests that such interventions are promising in supporting employees and employers

Impaired cardiac autonomic nervous control after cardiac bypass surgery for congenital heart disease

We undertook a study to describe changes in heart rate variability (HRV) postoperatively in children undergoing cardiac bypass surgery for congenital heart disease (CHD). HRV was recorded for a 1-h period preoperatively and a 24-h period postoperatively in 20 children with CHD. We found a highly significant reduction in HRV in both time and frequency domain indices compared to preoperative values, which was sustained throughout the 24-h study period. There was a negative correlation between both time and frequency domain HRV measurements and length of cardiac bypass. HRV is reduced postoperatively and correlates with cardiac bypass time. Length of cardiac bypass time may be one mechanism whereby HRV is reduced following surgery

First-Year Success Program: Faculty Support/Development

Student success is central to UMaine\u27s mission, values, reputation and fiscal health. Improving first-year student success is a major focus for Academic Affairs and Student Affairs in 2018-2019. The goal is to develop an integrated plan of actions that will result in improved first year student success as defined by first year retention. Faculty Support/Development There is considerable evidence that quality of instruction is a significant factor in student success. This group\u27s charge is to develop a set of recommendations for ways to support faculty success in first year courses. Academic Affairs will provide a list showing the success rates in the most common courses taken by first year students. Please consider the following: 1. Who are the faculty who teach these courses? 2. What can be done to help prepare faculty for teaching these courses? 3. What ongoing professional development can be made available for faculty who teach these courses? 4. What resources (i.e., technical, human) are needed to support teaching in these courses

First-Year Success Program: Academic Support Services

Student success is central to UMaine\u27s mission, values, reputation and fiscal health. Improving first-year student success is a major focus for Academic Affairs and Student Affairs in 2018-2019. The goal is to develop an integrated plan of actions that will result in improved first year student success as defined by first year retention. Academic Support Services Charge Develop a set of recommendations about ways that our student academic support services can better serve first year students. Existing services include the Writing Center, Math Den, Academic Support Services for Student Athletes, the Tutor Program, and our three TRIO programs. As you carry out this work, please consider the following questions: 1. How do academic support services currently serve first year students? 2. What factors limit the services that are provided to first year students? 3. What are ways that services can be targeted to students who are most likely to benefit from them? 4. How can networking among academic support services be improved to better serve first year students? 5. How can Navigate, the new student success management system being piloted in the spring, be used as an aid in providing academic support services? 6. What essential services do not exist on campus

The difficult road to truth and reconciliation – the health sector takes its first steps

No Abstract

Honduras agricultural sector

IDRC document. Report on agriculture in Honduras - discusses agricultural production, land tenure and agricultural research policy; includes agricultural statistics and bibliography

Briefing of the Andean Pact : origins and evolution

IDRC document. Report on the history, objectives, and perspectives for economic integration of the Andean Group - discusses the economic conditions and economic policys of the six member states; statistical data, bibliography