Vegetation composition and soil microbial community structural changes along a wetland hydrological gradient

Fluctuations in wetland hydrology create an interplay between aerobic and anaerobic conditions, controlling vegetation composition and microbial community structure and activity in wetland soils. In this study, we investigated the vegetation composition and microbial community structural and functional changes along a wetland hydrological gradient. Two different vegetation communities were distinguished along the hydrological gradient; <i>Caricetum gracilis</i> at the wet depression and <i>Arrhenatheretum elatioris</i> at the drier upper site. Microbial community structural changes were studied by a combined in situ <sup>13</sup>CO<sub>2</sub> pulse labeling and phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) based stable isotope probing approach, which identifies the microbial groups actively involved in assimilation of newly photosynthesized, root-derived C in the rhizosphere soils. Gram negative bacterial communities were relatively more abundant in the surface soils of the drier upper site than in the surface soils of the wetter lower site, while the lower site and the deeper soil layers were relatively more inhabited by gram positive bacterial communities. Despite their large abundance, the metabolically active proportion of gram positive bacterial and actinomycetes communities was much smaller at both sites, compared to that of the gram negative bacterial and fungal communities. This suggests much slower assimilation of root-derived C by gram positive and actinomycetes communities than by gram negative bacteria and fungi at both sites. Ground water depth showed a significant effect on the relative abundance of several microbial communities. Relative abundance of gram negative bacteria significantly decreased with increasing ground water depth while the relative abundance of gram positive bacteria and actinomycetes at the surface layer increased with increasing ground water depth

Ethnic differences in cancer symptom awareness and barriers to seeking medical help in England

Background: Ethnic differences in cancer symptom awareness and barriers to seeking medical help in the English population are not fully understood. We aimed to quantify these differences, to help develop more effective health campaigns, tailored to the needs of different ethnic groups. Methods: Using a large national data set (n=38492) of cross-sectional surveys that used the Cancer Research UK Cancer Awareness Measure, we examined how cancer symptom awareness and barriers varied by ethnicity, controlling for socio-economic position, age and gender. Data were analysed using multivariable logistic regression. Results: Awareness of cancer symptoms was lower in minority ethnic groups than White participants, with the lowest awareness observed among Bangladeshis and Black Africans. Ethnic minorities were more likely than White British to report barriers to helpseeking. South Asians reported the highest emotional barriers, such as lack of confidence to talk to the doctor, and practical barriers, such as worry about many other things. The Irish were more likely than the White British to report practical barriers, such as being too busy to visit a doctor. White British participants were more likely than any other ethnic group to report that they would feel worried about wasting the doctor’s time. Overall, Black Africans had the lowest barriers. All differences were statistically significant (P<0.01 level), after controlling for confounders. Conclusions: Our findings suggest the need for culturally sensitive and targeted health campaigns, focused on improving recognition of cancer symptoms among ethnic minorities. Campaigns should tackle the specific barriers prevalent in each ethnic group

Surface modification of natural vein graphite for the anode application in Li-ion rechargeable batteries

Natural vein graphite with high purity and crystallinity is seldom used as anode material in lithium-ion rechargeable batteries (LIB) due to impurities and inherent surface structure. This study focuses on improving the surface properties of purified natural vein graphite surface by employing mild chemical oxidation. Needle-platy graphite sample with initial average carbon percentage of 99.83% was improved to 99.98% after treatment with 5 vol.% HCl. Surface modification of purified graphite was done by chemical oxidation with (NH4)(2)S2O8 and HNO3. Fourier-transform infrared spectra of graphite after chemical indicating surface oxidation of graphite surface. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopic studies show the improvement of graphite structure without modification of crystalline structure. Electrochemical performance of lithium-ion cell assembled with developed anode material shows noticeable improvement of the reversible capacity and coulombic efficiency in the first cycle and cycling behavior after surface modification