Phenology of the Diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) in the UK and provision of decision support for brassica growers

In the UK, severe infestations by Plutella xylostella occur sporadically and are due mainly to the immigration of moths. The aim of this study was to develop a more detailed understanding of the phenology of P. xylostella in the UK and investigate methods of monitoring moth activity, with the aim of providing warnings to growers. Plutella xylostella was monitored using pheromone traps, by counting immature stages on plants, and by accessing citizen science data (records of sightings of moths) from websites and Twitter. The likely origin of migrant moths was investigated by analysing historical weather data. The study confirmed that P. xylostella is a sporadic but important pest, and that very large numbers of moths can arrive suddenly, most often in early summer. Their immediate sources are countries in the western part of continental Europe. A network of pheromone traps, each containing a small camera sending images to a website, to monitor P. xylostella remotely provided accessible and timely information, but the particular system tested did not appear to catch many moths. In another approach, sightings by citizen scientists were summarised on a web page. These were accessed regularly by growers and, at present, this approach appears to be the most effective way of providing timely warnings

Does Spiritual Care Really Help? A Study of Patient’s Perceptions

Microwaves, drive-through windows, cell phones, e-mail, Internet high-ways- fast, faster, fastest. These gadgets reflect the world of the 21st century in which we live. Nursing, too, has moved with these changing cultural norms, becoming compressed and high speed. However, the essence of people, the clients we care for, has remained that of heart-felt needs and a thirst for spiritual peace. How do we as nurses meet the demands of today’s increased patient care loads, unending paperwork and longer hours, yet still meet our clients’ spiritual needs

FK506 regulates IP3 evoked Ca2+ release independently of FKBP in endothelial cells

Background and Purpose FK506 and rapamycin are modulators of FK-binding proteins (FKBP) that are used to suppress immune function after organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantations. The drugs share the unwanted side-effect of evoking hypertension that is associated with reduced endothelial function and nitric oxide production. The underlying mechanisms are not understood. FKBP may regulate IP3 and ryanodine receptors to alter Ca2+ signalling in endothelial cells. Experimental Approach We investigated the effects of FK506 and rapamycin on Ca2+ release via IP3 and ryanodine receptors in large numbers of endothelial cells in intact arteries. Key Results While confirmed to be present, FKBP modulation with rapamycin did not alter IP3-evoked Ca2+ release. Conversely, FK506, which modulates FKBP and additionally blocks calcineurin, increased IP3-evoked Ca2+ release. Inhibition of calcineurin (using okadiac acid or cypermethrin) also increased IP3-evoked Ca2+ release and blocked FK506 effects. Indeed, when calcineurin was inhibited with okadiac acid, FK506 reduced IP3-evoked Ca2+ release. These findings suggest that FKBP does not modulate IP3-evoked Ca2+ release and FK506 increased IP3-evoked Ca2+ release by calcineurin inhibition. FK506 and rapamycin are also unlikely to mediate their effects via RyR. The RyR activator caffeine and ryanodine itself failed to evoke Ca2+ changes suggesting that RyR is not functional in native endothelium. Conclusion and Implications The hypertensive effects of the immunosuppressant drugs FK506 and rapamycin, while mediated by endothelial cells, do not appear to be exerted at documented cellular targets of the drugs on Ca2+ release and altered FKBP binding to IP3 and RyR

IS OESTROGEN NEUROPROTECTIVE?

Neuro-protection in this context is an important concept in the treatment of patients in the early, prodromal phase of psychosis, otherwise known as the ‘At Ultra High Risk Mental State’. Neuro-protection as described here refers to the use of agents to control the process of apoptosis, which occurs more rapidly in the earliest phases of schizophrenia. There is a need to identify medications with fewer side effects than anti-psychotics in order to treat at risk mental states, or prodromal psychosis. Studies have shown that schizophrenia occurs in males at an earlier age than females. Later, at about the time of the menopause, there is a second peak in the incidence of psychosis (schizophrenia) in women. Hence it has been suggested that Oestrogen may be neuroprotective. Studies have shown that the addition of oestradiol to anti-psychotics in the treatment of schizophrenia in females increased the efficacy of the treatment, which suggests that oestrogen does indeed have a neuroprotective action. However oestrogen has never been used in ‘at ultra high risk mental states’, perhaps because of concern regarding side effects

Can a targeted intervention programme promote change in the educational aspirations, attitudes and beliefs of a group of underachieving white British disadvantaged girls?

The gaps in academic standards between students receiving free school meals and their peers is significant. By the end of secondary school, the most disadvantaged students are on average two years of learning behind their better-off peers. Among girls, the difference is even more stark. These students often demonstrate weaker character/essential life skills such as a general lack of motivation, resilience and determination and have low attendance. The research centres on closing the attainment gaps for disadvantaged girls. The purpose is to investigate whether an intervention programme based upon research in the field of resilience could affect positive change in female students in order to impact upon their levels of achievement as well as their possible future aspirations, their resilience factors and retention at Sixth Form or College post Year 11. The thesis looks at the intrinsic factors that impact upon female students, such as values, motivations, aspirations and resilience, as well as extrinsic factors such as exam results, school, community and family. The research uses the Child and Youth Resilience Measure - 28 (CYRM28) and qualitative interviews to measure students’ resilience levels and attitudes to school, achieving and aspiration before and after an intervention programme. The intervention programme focuses on developing qualities and the protective factors that contribute to resilience such as developing problem solving skills, having at least one supportive adult they can turn to within school, helping students to formulate plans for the future and supporting others through volunteering and developing selfsoothing techniques. The findings from this research suggest that academic resilience does impact both positively and negatively upon academic achievement, attitudes to learning and as a result future life chances and aspirations. They also show that resilience is complex and can be developed given the right conditions but is also something that can decrease depending on situations, experiences and interactions which happen both in and out of school. It opens up possibilities for future research such as how schools could consider developing strategies to build resilience and develop students’ sense of identity and feelings of self-worth for a particular demographic who do not necessarily identify with a culture or belief system

You tell me what we can do after this : findings and recommendations for the participation of young people with learning disabilities

In recent years the participation of children has been highlighted with ever increasing importance, due to a raft of inquiry reports and legislation. In spite of this, and the increasing number of children defined as 'disabled', the participation of children with learning disabilities has been marginalised and is often described as 'tokenistic'. This article reports on a research project which explored the factors which impact on levels of participation, for children and young people with learning disabilities in a residential short breaks setting

A brief history of secure care in Scotland

In undertaking a doctoral research project looking at the impact of Scottish secure care experience on the identity constructions of autistic young people, I began by carrying out an extensive literature review. This was to inform the research, by understanding what was already known about this topic, and where the gaps were. The literature review covered a number of areas, one of these being the history of secure care. To align with the theme of this special issue considering historical perspectives, the findings of this section of the literature review will be presented here. The paper begins by defining secure care, and the numbers of children this is relevant for. It provides a very brief summary of the history of residential childcare, before moving on to consider in some detail the main policy drivers which have influenced the direction of travel in secure care over the years. The paper concludes by suggesting future considerations for research

Book review : Autism and Personality: Findings from the Tavistock Autism Workshop by Anne Alvarez and Susan Reid, Eds. London, Routledge, 1999. 273 pp, ISBN 0-415-14601-1

This collection of essays considers autism from a psychodynamic perspective, and makes a rare but welcome link between ideas around attachment and resilience and autistic spectrum disorder. It does this through the authors' reflections on their work in the Autism Workshop of the Tavistock Clinic, provided through numerous case vignettes