Improved detection of Rhodococcus coprophilus with a new quantitative PCR assay

Agricultural practices, such as spreading liquid manure or the utilisation of land as animal pastures, can result in faecal contamination of water resources. Rhodococcus coprophilus is used in microbial source tracking to indicate animal faecal contamination in water. Methods previously described for detecting of R. coprophilus in water were neither sensitive nor specific. Therefore, the aim of this study was to design and validate a new quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to improve the detection of R. coprophilus in water. The new PCR assay was based on the R. coprophilus 16S rRNA gene. The validation showed that the new approach was specific and sensitive for deoxyribunucleic acid from target host species. Compared with other PCR assays tested in this study, the detection limit of the new qPCR was between 1 and 3 log lower. The method, including a filtration step, was further validated and successfully used in a field investigation in Switzerland. Our work demonstrated that the new detection method is sensitive and robust to detect R. coprophilus in surface and spring water. Compared with PCR assays that are available in the literature or to the culture-dependent method, the new molecular approach improves the detection of R. coprophilu

Universal relationship between the penetration depth and the normal-state conductivity in YBaCuO

The absolute values of the conductivity in the normal state sigma_n and of the low temperature penetration depths lambda(0) were measured for a number of different samples of the YBaCuO family. We found a striking correlation between sigma_n and 1/lambda^2, regardless of doping, oxygen reduction or defects, thus providing a simple method to predict the superconducting penetration depth and to have an estimate of the sample quality by measuring the normal-state conductivity.Comment: 7 pages, 1 figure, Europhys. Lett., accepte

Human susceptibility to Schistosoma japonicum in China correlates with antibody isotypes to native antigens

Antibody isotypic responses (IgE, IgA, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4) to Schistosoma japonicum antigens—adult worm (AWA), soluble egg (SEA) and the recombinant proteins TEG (22·6-kDa tegumental antigen, Sj22) and PMY (paramyosin, Sj97)—were measured (in 1998) in a cohort of 179 Chinese subjects 2 years post-treatment. Subjects in the highest intensity re-infection group (>100 eggs per gram faeces) had significantly higher levels of IgG1 and IgG4 against AWA. Analysis of IgG4/IgE ratios for AWA and SEA linked IgG4 excess to re-infection and IgE excess to non-re-infection. Two years after chemotherapeutic cure, 29 subjects, who were re-infected or never infected but highly water-exposed, were classified as epidemiologically susceptible (n = 15) or epidemiologically insusceptible to infection (n = 14). IgG4 levels against native antigens (AWA and SEA) were higher in susceptibles and IgE levels were higher in insusceptibles but antibody responses to the recombinant proteins (PMY and TEG) showed no clear pattern or difference between susceptibility groups. These and earlier findings provide evidence that immunity develops against schistosomiasis japonica in China and that susceptibility/resistance correlates with antibody isotypes against native schistosome antigen

Frequency dependent relaxation rate in the superconducting YBa2Cu3O{6+delta}

The submillimeter-wave 3 cm{-1} < nu < 35 cm{-1} complex conductivity of the reduced YBa2Cu3O{6+delta} film (Tc=56.5 K) was investigated for temperatures 4 K < T < 300 K and compared to the properties of the same film in the optimally doped state. The frequency dependence of the effective quasiparticle scattering rate 1/tau*(nu) was extracted from the spectra. 1/tau*(nu) is shown to be frequency independent at low frequencies and high temperatures. A gradual change to 1/tau*~nu^{1.5} law is observed as temperature decreases. In order to explain the observed temperature dependence of the low frequency spectral weight above Tc, the quasiparticle effective mass is supposed to be temperature dependent for T>Tc.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

College - Western Oregon Style

Student assignment: Create a board or video game which enhances or improves student engagement and success. Projects must include a visual component (working prototype) and four components of a game (voluntary participation, rules, goal, and feedback)

An embarrassment of riches: the ontological aspect of meat and fat harvesting among subarctic hunters

If we hypothesize that Pleistocene hunters un- derstood animals to be self-aware other-than-hu- man persons, as contemporary hunter-gatherers tend to do, what evidence of this kind of rela- tionship might appear the material record? While the “turn to ontology” within anthropology has mainly used, as evidence, a group’s consciously held ideas, part of a people’s assumptions about reality are unconscious, and revealed only in be- havior. The chapter examines the potential of the ethnographic analogy, using the example of some contemporary North American subarctic hunters. In particular, I look at how their ontological as- sumptions are reflected in their material culture, such as in their treatment of animal bones, their pictographs and other decorations, their venera- tion of particular rocks, and the significance they attach to certain colors.The symposium and the volume "Human-elephant interactions: from past to present" were funded by the Volkswagen Foundation

Le pouvoir et les peuples du quart monde

Le pouvoir et les peuples du quart mondeCet article examine le concept de pouvoir dans sa version sociologique classique en le confrontant à la situation des minorités indigènes enserrées dans les États postcoloniaux. Ce pouvoir défini par les concepts d' «indigénéité » et d' « autochtonéité » est devenu une ressource symbolique après avoir été tramé par une longue histoire de subordination. Il est exercé au travers des frontières culturelles qui sont redéfinies constamment. L'article note l'usage de ce pouvoir dans les revendications d'identité ethnique et de droits.Power and the Peoples of the Fourth WorldThis paper examines the classic sociological concept of power. in the context of indigenous minorities encapsulated within postcolonial nation-states. This power. based on the concepts of aboriginality and indigenousness. and coming oui of a history of subordination, is now used as a symbolic resource. It is exercised across cultural boundaries which are continually being called into question. The paper traces the use of this power in claims over ethnie identity and rights

Gather, Educate, Prepare: Libraries as Champions to Build Informed and Climate-Resilient Communities

The past few years have witnessed increasing numbers of discussions and programs about the impacts of climate change, addressing topics from the devastating wildfires in California, relentless heat waves in Europe, to the accelerating thaw of the ice sheet in Greenland. The media has described the social atmosphere using such terms as climate angst, ecological grief, and existential crisis. Weighed down by a steady stream of climate news, some people have sought professional help for guidance on tackling emotional responses to natural disasters and climate trauma. Meanwhile, many of us are wondering what can be done. As a central player to build vibrant communities, libraries can assume an active role in educating people about climate change, its ramifications, and practical counteractions. Doing so is especially fitting given that ALA has added sustainability as a core value of librarianship. This presentation aims to inform the audience of how public and academic libraries have organized outreach events to raise their user communities’ understanding of climate and related issues in terms of sustainability, resilience, and regeneration. Presenters will identify resources and potential partners that libraries can consider when planning such events and relevant services. Examples and information provided by this presentation will illuminate how libraries can actively contribute to the well-being of their user communities by serving as catalysts, connectors, and conveners. They will also demonstrate how librarians can put the core value of sustainability into practice and help users prepare for the consequences of climate change

Evaluation of the current knowledge limitations in breast cancer research: a gap analysis

BACKGROUND A gap analysis was conducted to determine which areas of breast cancer research, if targeted by researchers and funding bodies, could produce the greatest impact on patients. METHODS Fifty-six Breast Cancer Campaign grant holders and prominent UK breast cancer researchers participated in a gap analysis of current breast cancer research. Before, during and following the meeting, groups in seven key research areas participated in cycles of presentation, literature review and discussion. Summary papers were prepared by each group and collated into this position paper highlighting the research gaps, with recommendations for action. RESULTS Gaps were identified in all seven themes. General barriers to progress were lack of financial and practical resources, and poor collaboration between disciplines. Critical gaps in each theme included: (1) genetics (knowledge of genetic changes, their effects and interactions); (2) initiation of breast cancer (how developmental signalling pathways cause ductal elongation and branching at the cellular level and influence stem cell dynamics, and how their disruption initiates tumour formation); (3) progression of breast cancer (deciphering the intracellular and extracellular regulators of early progression, tumour growth, angiogenesis and metastasis); (4) therapies and targets (understanding who develops advanced disease); (5) disease markers (incorporating intelligent trial design into all studies to ensure new treatments are tested in patient groups stratified using biomarkers); (6) prevention (strategies to prevent oestrogen-receptor negative tumours and the long-term effects of chemoprevention for oestrogen-receptor positive tumours); (7) psychosocial aspects of cancer (the use of appropriate psychosocial interventions, and the personal impact of all stages of the disease among patients from a range of ethnic and demographic backgrounds). CONCLUSION Through recommendations to address these gaps with future research, the long-term benefits to patients will include: better estimation of risk in families with breast cancer and strategies to reduce risk; better prediction of drug response and patient prognosis; improved tailoring of treatments to patient subgroups and development of new therapeutic approaches; earlier initiation of treatment; more effective use of resources for screening populations; and an enhanced experience for people with or at risk of breast cancer and their families. The challenge to funding bodies and researchers in all disciplines is to focus on these gaps and to drive advances in knowledge into improvements in patient care