A gender identity development service

We work in the UK service based at the Tavistock Centre in London, offering assessment and intervention for children and adolescents experiencing difficulties with their gender identity development. In addition, we work with children with a transgendered parent. The multidisciplinary team includes clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and child psychotherapists, working in association with two consultant paediatric and adolescent endocrinologists at UCLH who provide regular adolescent liaison clinics. Our assessments consider the holistic context of such a presentation, including the history of the gender dysphoria, the family history and young person’s developmental and medical history, the attitudes of the family and school, and sources of stress and supports. We particularly focus on areas of gender identity such as the young person’s identity statements, cross-dressing, toy and role-play, peer relations, mannerisms and voice, anatomic dysphoria, and rough-and-tumble play (Zucker &?Bradley, 1995). We also include risk assessments around any self-harm and possible suicidal ideation and, with the family’s permission, liaise with any local services and the school. The service operates a network model of care, and team members regularly convene and attend local meetings to discuss the needs of the young person in relation to their gender identity development, and agree roles with all involved professionals. Following our assessment, we might recommend family and/or individual work to monitor the gender dysphoria and address associated difficulties, such as low mood and distress and problems with bullying and stigma in the family, local community or school. We also work closely with schools and local services in order to reduce shame and secrecy, consider the boundaries between what is public and private with regard to information sharing and to manage risk and promote support and coping. Our interventions involve a staged model of care, which include: Stage 1: Following assessment, further therapeutic exploration of the nature of gender identity. In adolescents, reversible physical interventions are considered if their gender identity disorder (GID) persists and shows a high level of consistency. Stage 2: Includes wholly reversible intervention to produce a state of biological neutrality – known as hormone-blocking treatment. This occurs alongside continued psychological exploration, support and physical monitoring by a consultant paediatric endocrinologist.I Stage 3: Is considered if the GID persists during Stage 2. Includes partially reversible interventions, e.g. the administration of cross-sex hormone that masculinises or feminises the body. Stage 4: Includes irreversible interventions, such as surgical procedures. This is not considered before the age of 18, and so the Gender Identity Development Service would facilitate a smooth transition to the adult Gender Identity Service who are able to provide these interventions. Transfer to adult services would usually happen prior to the introduction of cross-sex hormones. The figures usually quoted suggest that for individuals presenting with GID prior to adolescence about 80 per cent do not persist and find a solution other than gender transition. The most common outcome in this group is homosexuality and bisexuality. Conversely for those who present to the service in adolescence the figures are reversed and about 80 per cent pursue physical sex re-assignment. The recent newspaper articles assume that allowing the young person to live in a role of their perceived identity necessarily leads to gender reassignment. Our experience shows that some young people who lived in role from the age of nine or ten changed during their pubertal development. There is currently much debate around the timing of physical interventions. In a number of countries in Europe and America the hormone blocker is being offered in earlier stages of puberty. If the young person decides not to pursue physical gender reassignment the blocker is stopped, and their own sex hormones resume. But the debate revolves around the reversibility of this intervention – physical and also psychological, in terms of the possible influence of sex hormones on brain and identity development. Zucker, K.J. & Bradley, S.J. (1995). Gender identity disorder and psychosexual problems in children and adolescents. New York: Plenum Press

Signalling Molecule Production by Escherichia coli and Campylobacter jejuni

Quorum sensing (QS) is a density-dependent gene regulation signalling mechanism utilized by bacteria to enable the simultaneous expression of bacterial phenotypes in a given population. Several QS mechanisms and different classes of signalling molecules, including acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs), have now been identified in numerous bacterial species. AHL production by clinical and laboratory isolates of Escherichia coli and Campylobacter jejuni has been investigated in this study. Laboratory, blood and urine E.coli isolates were analysed via three reporter strain bioassays for putative AHL production. The initial results indicated that the E.coli blood isolates produced a compound(s) capable of activating one of the bioassays. Subsequent analysis by thin layer chromatography and mass spectroscopy suggested that this active compound may have been a cyclic dipeptide, although the apparent inability to isolate subsequent samples of this active compound has prevented confirmation of this finding. All of the C. jejuni isolates tested induced activity in the Agrobacterium liquid culture bioassay, in a growth-dependant manner, indicating the possible presence of an exogenous AHL. Comparative analysis of the genome sequenced C. jejuni strain, NCTC 11 168-GS and its clinical counterpart, C. jejuni NCTC 11168-0, has indicated that these variants respond differently to changes in the levels of dissolved oxygen and toxic oxygen derivatives and as a consequence produce different levels of the active compound. FIPLC separation and HPLC-mass spectroscopy has indicated that this active compound may be N-hexadecanoylhomoserine lactone, providing preliminary evidence of a previously unidentified AHL-mediated QS mechanism within the Epsilon Prozeobacteria class

Mn(II)-oxidizing Bacteria are Abundant and Environmentally Relevant Members of Ferromanganese Deposits in Caves of the Upper Tennessee River Basin

The upper Tennessee River Basin contains the highest density of our nation's caves; yet, little is known regarding speleogenesis or Fe and Mn biomineralization in these predominantly epigenic systems. Mn:Fe ratios of Mn and Fe oxide-rich biofilms, coatings, and mineral crusts that were abundant in several different caves ranged from ca. 0.1 to 1.0 as measured using ICP-OES. At sites where the Mn:Fe ratio approached 1.0 this represented an order of magnitude increase above the bulk bedrock ratio, suggesting that biomineralization processes play an important role in the formation of these cave ferromanganese deposits. Estimates of total bacterial SSU rRNA genes in ferromanganese biofilms, coatings, and crusts measured approximately 7×107–9×109 cells/g wet weight sample. A SSU-rRNA based molecular survey of biofilm material revealed that 21% of the 34 recovered dominant (non-singleton) OTUs were closely related to known metal-oxidizing bacteria or clones isolated from oxidized metal deposits. Several different isolates that promote the oxidation of Mn(II) compounds were obtained in this study, some from high dilutions (10–8–10–10) of deposit material. In contrast to studies of caves in other regions, SSU rRNA sequences of Mn-oxidizing bacterial isolates in this study most closely matched those of Pseudomonas, Leptothrix, Flavobacterium, and Janthinobacterium. Combined data from geochemical analyses, molecular surveys, and culture-based experiments suggest that a unique consortia of Mn(II)-oxidizing bacteria are abundant and promoting biomineralization processes within the caves of the upper Tennessee River Basin

Sustained Anthropogenic Impact in Carter Saltpeter Cave, Carter County, Tennessee and the Potential Effects On Manganese Cycling

Anthropogenic impact is a pervasive problem in heavily trafficked cave systems and fecal contamination is equally problematic in many cave and karst waters worldwide. Carter Saltpeter Cave in Carter County, Tennessee exhibits Mn(III/IV) oxide coatings associated with groundwater seeps, as well as manganese oxide growth on litter. Culturing results revealed that Mn(III/IV) oxide production on litter was associated with Mn(II)-oxidizing fungi. Immediately prior to this study, a massive Mn(II)-oxidizing biofilm bloomed at a cave seep. During the course of this study from 2009–2011, the seep exhibited a dramatic visual reduction in Mn(III/IV) oxide production, which was hypothesized to correlate with a decrease in fecal nutrient input. Molecular methods (16S rRNA gene sequencing) confirmed the presence of Bacteroides-Prevotella human fecal indicators in this seep, and most probable number assays and ion chromatography of the associated seep water confirmed nutrient loading at the site. Further, phylogenetic analysis from clone sequences suggested a strong initial human-specific fecal signature (50% of the sequences clustering with human feces sequences) in July 2009, and a weaker human signature (20% clustering) by June 2011. Most Probable Number (MPN) analyses of heterotrophic bacteria at this site suggested that Mn(II) oxidation was correlated with heterotrophic activity, due to point source exogenous nutrient loading

FORMATION OF REPLACEMENT DOLOMITE BY INFILTRATION OF DIFFUSE EFFLUENT: LATEMAR CARBONATE BUILDUP, DOLOMITES, NORTHERN ITALY

Massive dolomite typically forms at depth and elevated temperature through replacement of limestone by its reaction with flowing dolomitizing fluid. Analysis of the spatial distribution of elements, isotopes, and heat with transport theory leads to insights into the flow system that produced dolomite in the Latemar carbonate buildup. Dolomitization was arrested, and both dolomite and unreacted limestone well-exposed in three dimensions. Boundaries between the dolomitized and undolomitized regions were mapped on meter to kilometer-scales. The distribution of dolomite directly images an orthogonal lattice of interconnected vertical tube-like and bedding-parallel sheet-like fluid flow channels. The 87Sr/86Sr of Latemar dolomite and the salinity of fluid inclusions in dolomite, previously measured by others, imply that a seawater-derived fluid was the dolomitizing fluid. Dolomite has δ18O = 21.5-27.4‰ (VSMOW), corresponding to temperatures of 50-90°C (assuming equilibration with fluid of δ18O = 0). Electron microprobe and LA-ICPMS data for the dolomite show enrichment in Fe (1,600-19,000 ppm), Mn (66-430 ppm), and Zn (1.7-16 ppm) relative to unreacted limestone. The concentrations of Fe and Zn in dolomite display a positive linear correlation with that of Mn; concentrations of other transition metals show no correlation with Mn. These data suggest that the dolomitizing fluid is analogous to modern diffuse effluent at mid-ocean ridges, and was a mixture of seawater and hydrothermal fluid produced by reaction between seawater and rocks of the adjacent Predazzo igneous complex that was the driving mechanism for ii dolomitization. The distribution of dolomite and its variability in δ18O at the outcrop scale (23-28‰) indicate that fluid flow occurred in multiple, spatially restricted pulses. The time-integrated fluid flux, q, can be estimated from mass balance using the spatial extent of dolomitization in the field and the Ca/Mg of the dolomitizing fluid. Assuming diffuse effluent as the dolomitizing fluid, and temperatures of 50-90°C, and ≈ 1 km of dolomite along the flow path, q = 1.9·107 - 1.6·108 cm3 fluid/cm2 rock. Quantitative analysis of outcrop-scale temperature gradients (T ≈10-25°C/m) with heat transport theory suggests that dolomitization occurred in a minimum of ~400 fluid pulses over a total duration of flow and reaction possibly as short as ~30 years

Mn(II)-Oxidizing Bacteria Are Abundant And Environmentally Relevant Members Of Ferromanganese Deposits In Caves Of The Upper Tennessee River Basin

The upper Tennessee River Basin contains the highest density of our nation’s caves; yet, little is known regarding speleogenesis or Fe and Mn biomineralization in these predominantly epigenic systems. Mn:Fe ratios of Mn and Fe oxide-rich bio?lms, coatings, and mineral crusts that were abundant in several different caves ranged from ca. 0.1 to 1.0 as measured using ICP-OES. At sites where the Mn:Fe ratio approached 1.0 this represented an order of magnitude increase above the bulk bedrock ratio, suggesting that biomineralization processes play an important role in the formation of these cave ferromanganese deposits. Estimates of total bacterial SSU rRNA genes in ferromanganese bio?lms, coatings, and crusts measured approximately 7×107–9×109 cells/g wet weight sample. A SSU-rRNA based molecular survey of bio?lm material revealed that 21% of the 34 recovered dominant (non-singleton) OTUs were closely related to known metal-oxidizing bacteria or clones isolated from oxidized metal deposits. Several different isolates that promote the oxidation of Mn(II) compounds were obtained in this study, some from high dilutions (10–8–10–10) of deposit material. In contrast to studies of caves in other regions, SSU rRNA sequences of Mn-oxidizing bacterial isolates in this study most closely matched those of Pseudomonas, Leptothrix, Flavobacterium, and Janthinobacterium. Combined data from geochemical analyses, molecular surveys, and culture-based experiments suggest that a unique consortia of Mn(II)-oxidizing bacteria are abundant and promoting biomineralization processes within the caves of the upper Tennessee River Basin

Signalling molecule production by Escherichia coli and Campylobacter jejuni

Quorum sensing (QS) is a density-dependent gene regulation signalling mechanism utilized by bacteria to enable the simultaneous expression of bacterial phenotypes in a given population. Several QS mechanisms and different classes of signalling molecules, including acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs), have now been identified in numerous bacterial species. AHL production by clinical and laboratory isolates of Escherichia coli and Campylobacter jejuni has been investigated in this study. Laboratory, blood and urine E.coli isolates were analysed via three reporter strain bioassays for putative AHL production. The initial results indicated that the E.coli blood isolates produced a compound(s) capable of activating one of the bioassays. Subsequent analysis by thin layer chromatography and mass spectroscopy suggested that this active compound may have been a cyclic dipeptide, although the apparent inability to isolate subsequent samples of this active compound has prevented confirmation of this finding. All of the C. jejuni isolates tested induced activity in the Agrobacterium liquid culture bioassay, in a growth-dependant manner, indicating the possible presence of an exogenous AHL. Comparative analysis of the genome sequenced C. jejuni strain, NCTC 11 168-GS and its clinical counterpart, C. jejuni NCTC 11168-0, has indicated that these variants respond differently to changes in the levels of dissolved oxygen and toxic oxygen derivatives and as a consequence produce different levels of the active compound. FIPLC separation and HPLC-mass spectroscopy has indicated that this active compound may be N-hexadecanoylhomoserine lactone, providing preliminary evidence of a previously unidentified AHL-mediated QS mechanism within the Epsilon Prozeobacteria class.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Formation of Replacement Dolomite in the Latemar Carbonate Buildup, Dolomites, Northern Italy: Part 1. Field Relations, Mineralogy, and Geochemistry

Replacement dolomite in the Latemar carbonate buildup, northern Italy, formed when limestone was infiltrated by and reacted with Mg-rich fluid. It occurs in discrete bodies in sharp contact with unreacted limestone. The dolomite developed in a nearly orthogonal lattice of vertical columns (replacement of limestone breccia pipes) and sheets (replacement along fractures and limestone-dike contacts) and of nearly horizontal bedding-parallel sheets and tubes. Mapped patterns of replacement dolomite directly image that part of the plumbing system in which the amount of fluid flow was sufficient to form dolomite. Decreases in the proportion of dolomite relative to limestone and in the proportion of vertical relative to horizontal dolomite-limestone contacts with increasing elevation indicate that the overall direction of fluid flow was upward and then outward along more permeable bedding horizons. Dolomite is significantly enriched in Fe, Mn, and Zn, as well as in Mg, relative to calcite in precursor limestone but not in Cu, Ni, Co, Cr, Ba, or Pb. The Fe, Mn, and Zn content of dolomite varies spatially within outcrops from the scale of meters down to the micron scale of oscillatory growth zoning in individual dolomite crystals. The variation is interpreted in terms of a dolomitizing fluid that, unlike unmodified seawater, contained significant amounts of Fe, Mn, and Zn, as well as of Mg, and whose composition varied in space at a range of scales and in time at the site of growth of individual dolomite crystals... [See article for complete abstract]]]> 2008 English http://libres.uncg.edu/ir/asu/f/Carmichael_Sarah_2008_Formation_Pt1.pdf oai:libres.uncg.edu/4532 2014-02-15T06:02:02Z UNCG Information Systems Management Issues: Reporting and Relevance NC DOCKS at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro Palvia, Prashant <![CDATA[Reports of key information systems issues have been published over the last two decades in many journals. Leading IS journals (e.g., MIS Quarterly, Information &amp; Management, among others) have published key IS management issue reports every three or four years over the last 15 years, and will probably continue to provide such reports in the future. Although these reports claim to provide decisional guidance to practitioners, researchers, consultants, etc., the authors in their experience have noted concerns about their usefulness. While not questioning the validity of the methods and analysis conducted in these studies, we address two important questions in this article: the manner of reporting of the key issue results (which might be misleading), and the relevance of the results (are they providing what they intended to?). We hope that our discussion will provide new perspectives in making resource allocation decisions to both readers and authors of key issue articles

Paleogeography And Paleoenvironments Of The Late Devonian Kellwasser Event: A Review Of Its Sedimentological And Geochemical Expression

The Late Devonian (383-359 Ma) was a time of prolonged climate instability with catastrophic perturbation of global marine ecosystems at the Frasnian-Famennian (F-F) and the Devonian-Carboniferous (D-C) boundaries. The causes and mechanisms of anoxia and extinction at the F-F interval are not clearly delineated, and alternative explanations for virtually every aspect of this interval are still intensely debated. In many (but not all) locations, the F-F interval is characterized by two dark, organic-rich lithologies: the Lower and Upper Kellwasser beds (as originally described in Germany) that represent a stepwise ocean anoxia and extinction sequence. The Upper and Lower Kellwasser anoxia event beds are often collectively termed the Kellwasser Event, and the termination of this sequence is within the Upper Kellwasser Event at the F-F boundary. Current knowledge is limited by significant sampling bias, as most previous studies sampled epicontinental seaways or passive continental shelves, primarily from localities across Europe and North America. Together these formed a single equatorial continent with a rising mountain chain during the Late Devonian. Our understanding of the Kellwasser Event is thus based on data and observations from a restricted set of paleoenvironments that may not represent the complete range of Late Devonian environments and oceanic conditions. In the last decade, new methodologies and research in additional paleoenvironments around the world confirm that the Kellwasser Event was global in scope, but also that its expression varies with both paleoenvironment and paleogeography. Studying the many differing geochemical and lithological expressions of the Kellwasser Event using a) a wide variety of paleoenvironments, b) a multiproxy approach, and c) placement of results into the broader context of Late Devonian marine biodiversity patterns is vital for understanding the true scope of ocean anoxia, and determining the causes of the marine biodiversity crisis at the F-F boundary