Myths of a Near Past: Envisioning Finance Capitalism anno 2007

This paper seeks to extend earlier work on particular features and manifestations of capitalism (De Cock et al., 2001). Our 2001 Myths of a Near Future paper offered ephemera readers a large depository of images concerning the New Economy. Eight years later our focus has shifted to Finance Capitalism. Over the course of the year 2007 we cut out and scanned 81 ads placed by financial institutions in the Financial Times. Our analysis of these aims to provide a sense of how the financial world ?showed up? in this pivotal year, whilst illustrating how its representations were interwoven with fantasy throughout. We also hope that the ensemble of images associated with the paper will be creatively reassembled by its readers and possibly provide a useful teaching aid

High resolution MFM: Simulation of tip sharpening

The transfer functions of tips with various sharpened tip ends were calculated and the resolution of these tips was estimated by considering the resolution limit due to thermal noise at room temperature. The tip having an ellipsoidal tip end (ellipsoidal tip) is found to be a suitable candidate for high-resolution magnetic force microscopy. Sharpening of the flat tip end makes zero signal frequencies disappear for tips with ellipticities larger than tan45/spl deg/. The sensitivity shows a maximum around an ellipticity of tan80/spl deg/. The ellipsoidal tip shows a much smaller tip thickness dependence compared to the tip having a flat tip end because only the tip end mainly contributes to signals in case of the ellipsoidal tip

A preliminary catalogue of the moths (Lepidoptera except Papilionoidea) of Tobago, West Indies

This catalogue comprises records of 355 species of moths (non-papilionoid Lepidoptera) from Tobago, of which 15 are partially identified. Of this total, all except 17 (5%) are known from Trinidad, although not all these records from Trinidad are published yet. Of these 17, eleven are expected to occur in Trinidad as they also occur on the mainland of South America and two are only known from Tobago but will probably also occur in Trinidad. This leaves just four species (1% of the total) that are known from the Lesser Antilles and are currently not known from further south than Tobago. The families represented by the most species are Erebidae, Crambidae, Geometridae, Noctuidae and Sphingidae, which between them account for 73% of records. Taxonomic changes are made as follows. Podalia farmbri (Kaye, 1925) sp. rev. (Megalopygidae) is removed from the synonymy of P. nigrescens Schaus, 1905. Podalia walkeri Hopp, 1935 and P. dimidiata (Walker, 1865) are syn. nov. of P. farmbri Kaye, 1925. Renia bipunctata (Kaye, 1901) (Erebidae) is a comb. nov. for Zanclognatha bipunctata. Aristaria trinitalis Schaus, 1906 (Erebidae) is a syn. nov. of Renia bipunctata Kaye, 1901. Aglaonice deldonalis Walker, 1859 sp. rev. (Erebidae) is removed from the synonymy of A. hirtipalpis Walker, [1859]. Plusiodonta cupristria Kaye, 1923 (Erebidae) is a syn. nov. of Oraesia excitans Walker [1858]. Oroscopa abluta (Schaus, 1912) (Erebidae) is a comb. nov. for Freilla abluta Schaus, 1912, which is a new combination in common use, but not previously published. Ptichodis dorsalis (Fabricius, 1797) (Erebidae) is a comb. nov. for Noctua auct. dorsalis Fabricius, a new combination already in use, but not formally published. I endorse the unpublished conclusion of I.W.B. Nye that Ptichodis basilans (Guenée, 1852) is a syn. nov. of Ptichodis dorsalis (Fabricius, 1797). Ptichodis agrapta Hampson, 1913 is also a syn. nov. of Ptichodis dorsalis (Fabricius, 1797). Este catálogo incluye registros de 355 especies de polillas de Tobago, de las cuales 15 han sido parcialmente identificadas. Del total de especies, sólo 17 (5%) no se han identificado en Trinidad, aunque no todos estos registros han sido publicados todavía. De estas 17 especies, once se espera que estén presentes en Trinidad ya que también ocurren en tierra firme en Sudamérica y tan sólo dos se ha identificado en Tobago pero es probable que también esté presente en Trinidad. De tal modo, tan sólo cuatro especies (1% del total) que ocurren en las Antillas Menores no se han identificado más al sur de Tobago. Las familias más representadas son Erebidae, Crambidae, Geometridae, Noctuidae and Sphingidae, correspondiendo al 73% de los registros. Se realizan los siguientes cambios taxonómicos. Podalia farmbri (Kaye, 1925) sp. rev. (Megalopygidae) se elimna como sinónimo de P. nigrescens Schaus, 1905. Podalia walkeri Hopp, 1935 y P. dimidiata (Walker, 1865) son syn. nov. de P. farmbri Kaye, 1925. Renia bipunctata (Kaye, 1901) (Erebidae) es una comb. nov. para Zanclognatha bipunctata. Aristaria trinitalis Schaus, 1906 (Erebidae) es un syn. nov. de Renia bipunctata Kaye, 1901. Aglaonice deldonalis Walker, 1859 sp. rev. (Erebidae) se elimina como sinónimo de A. hirtipalpis Walker, [1859]. Plusiodonta cupristria Kaye, 1923 (Erebidae) es un syn. nov. de Oraesia excitans Walker [1858]. Oroscopa abluta (Schaus, 1912) (Erebidae) es un comb. nov. para Freilla abluta Schaus, 1912, la cual es una combinación nueva de uso común, pero que no ha sido publicada anteriormente. Ptichodis dorsalis (Fabricius, 1797) (Erebidae) es una comb. nov. para Noctua auct. dorsalis Fabricius, una nueva combinación ya en uso pero que no se ha publicado formalmente. Apoyo la conclusion no publicada de I.W.B. Nye afirmando que Ptichodis basilans (Guenée, 1852) es un syn. nov. de Ptichodis dorsalis (Fabricius, 1797). Ptichodis agrapta Hampson, 1913 es también un syn. nov. de Ptichodis dorsalis (Fabricius, 1797)

A preliminary catalogue of the moths (Lepidoptera except Papilionoidea) of Tobago, West Indies

This catalogue comprises records of 355 species of moths (non-papilionoid Lepidoptera) from Tobago, of which 15 are partially identified. Of this total, all except 17 (5%) are known from Trinidad, although not all these records from Trinidad are published yet. Of these 17, eleven are expected to occur in Trinidad as they also occur on the mainland of South America and two are only known from Tobago but will probably also occur in Trinidad. This leaves just four species (1% of the total) that are known from the Lesser Antilles and are currently not known from further south than Tobago. The families represented by the most species are Erebidae, Crambidae, Geometridae, Noctuidae and Sphingidae, which between them account for 73% of records. Taxonomic changes are made as follows. Podalia farmbri (Kaye, 1925) sp. rev. (Megalopygidae) is removed from the synonymy of P. nigrescens Schaus, 1905. Podalia walkeri Hopp, 1935 and P. dimidiata (Walker, 1865) are syn. nov. of P. farmbri Kaye, 1925. Renia bipunctata (Kaye, 1901) (Erebidae) is a comb. nov. for Zanclognatha bipunctata. Aristaria trinitalis Schaus, 1906 (Erebidae) is a syn. nov. of Renia bipunctata Kaye, 1901. Aglaonice deldonalis Walker, 1859 sp. rev. (Erebidae) is removed from the synonymy of A. hirtipalpis Walker, [1859]. Plusiodonta cupristria Kaye, 1923 (Erebidae) is a syn. nov. of Oraesia excitans Walker [1858]. Oroscopa abluta (Schaus, 1912) (Erebidae) is a comb. nov. for Freilla abluta Schaus, 1912, which is a new combination in common use, but not previously published. Ptichodis dorsalis (Fabricius, 1797) (Erebidae) is a comb. nov. for Noctua auct. dorsalis Fabricius, a new combination already in use, but not formally published. I endorse the unpublished conclusion of I.W.B. Nye that Ptichodis basilans (Guenée, 1852) is a syn. nov. of Ptichodis dorsalis (Fabricius, 1797). Ptichodis agrapta Hampson, 1913 is also a syn. nov. of Ptichodis dorsalis (Fabricius, 1797). Este catálogo incluye registros de 355 especies de polillas de Tobago, de las cuales 15 han sido parcialmente identificadas. Del total de especies, sólo 17 (5%) no se han identificado en Trinidad, aunque no todos estos registros han sido publicados todavía. De estas 17 especies, once se espera que estén presentes en Trinidad ya que también ocurren en tierra firme en Sudamérica y tan sólo dos se ha identificado en Tobago pero es probable que también esté presente en Trinidad. De tal modo, tan sólo cuatro especies (1% del total) que ocurren en las Antillas Menores no se han identificado más al sur de Tobago. Las familias más representadas son Erebidae, Crambidae, Geometridae, Noctuidae and Sphingidae, correspondiendo al 73% de los registros. Se realizan los siguientes cambios taxonómicos. Podalia farmbri (Kaye, 1925) sp. rev. (Megalopygidae) se elimna como sinónimo de P. nigrescens Schaus, 1905. Podalia walkeri Hopp, 1935 y P. dimidiata (Walker, 1865) son syn. nov. de P. farmbri Kaye, 1925. Renia bipunctata (Kaye, 1901) (Erebidae) es una comb. nov. para Zanclognatha bipunctata. Aristaria trinitalis Schaus, 1906 (Erebidae) es un syn. nov. de Renia bipunctata Kaye, 1901. Aglaonice deldonalis Walker, 1859 sp. rev. (Erebidae) se elimina como sinónimo de A. hirtipalpis Walker, [1859]. Plusiodonta cupristria Kaye, 1923 (Erebidae) es un syn. nov. de Oraesia excitans Walker [1858]. Oroscopa abluta (Schaus, 1912) (Erebidae) es un comb. nov. para Freilla abluta Schaus, 1912, la cual es una combinación nueva de uso común, pero que no ha sido publicada anteriormente. Ptichodis dorsalis (Fabricius, 1797) (Erebidae) es una comb. nov. para Noctua auct. dorsalis Fabricius, una nueva combinación ya en uso pero que no se ha publicado formalmente. Apoyo la conclusion no publicada de I.W.B. Nye afirmando que Ptichodis basilans (Guenée, 1852) es un syn. nov. de Ptichodis dorsalis (Fabricius, 1797). Ptichodis agrapta Hampson, 1913 es también un syn. nov. de Ptichodis dorsalis (Fabricius, 1797)

Evidence for cryptic speciation in directly transmitted Gyrodactylid parasites of Trinidadian guppies

Cryptic species complexes are common among parasites, which tend to have large populations and are subject to rapid evolution. Such complexes may arise through host-parasite co-evolution and/or host switching. For parasites that reproduce directly on their host, there might be increased opportunities for sympatric speciation, either by exploiting different hosts or different micro-habitats within the same host. The genus Gyrodactylus is a specious group of viviparous monogeneans. These ectoparasites transfer between teleosts during social contact and cause significant host mortality. Their impact on the guppy (Poecilia reticulata), an iconic evolutionary and ecological model species, is well established and yet the population genetics and phylogenetics of these parasites remains understudied. Using mtDNA sequencing of the host and its parasites, we provide evidence of cryptic speciation in Gyrodactylus bullatarudis, G. poeciliae and G. turnbulli. For the COII gene, genetic divergence of lineages within each parasite species ranged between 5.7 and 17.2%, which is typical of the divergence observed between described species in this genus. Different lineages of G. turnbulli and G. poeciliae appear geographically isolated, which could imply allopatric speciation. In addition, for G. poeciliae, co-evolution with a different host species cannot be discarded due to its host range. This parasite was originally described on P. caucana, but for the first time here it is also recorded on the guppy. The two cryptic lineages of G. bullatarudis showed considerable geographic overlap. G. bullatarudis has a known wide host range and it can also utilize a killifish (Anablepsoides hartii) as a temporary host. This killifish is capable of migrating overland and it could act as a transmission vector between otherwise isolated populations. Additional genetic markers are needed to confirm the presence of these cryptic Gyrodactylus species complexes, potentially leading to more in-depth genetic, ecological and evolutionary analyses on this multi-host-parasite system

Implementing clinical guidelines.

Clinical guidelines that support practice and improve care are essential in this era of evidence-based medicine. However, implementing this guidance often falls short in practice. Sharing knowledge and auditing practice are important, but not sufficient to implement change. This article brings together evidence from the study of behaviour, education and clinical practice and offers practical tips on how practising neurologists might bring about change in the healthcare environment. Common themes include the importance of team working, multidisciplinary engagement, taking time to identify who and what needs changing, and selecting the most appropriate tool(s) for the job. Engaging with the challenge is generally more rewarding than resisting and is important for the effective provision of care

Stable incidence rates of tuberculosis (TB) among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative South African gold miners during a decade of epidemic HIV-associated TB.

During the last decade, annual tuberculosis (TB) case-notification rates increased 4-fold, to >4000 cases/100000 person-years, in the study workforce, among whom prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was 30% in 2000. Three separate cohort studies, totalling 6454 HIV-negative participants, were combined and analyzed for time trends. Observed incidence of TB varied between 962 (1991-1994) and 1589 (1999-2000) cases/100000 person-years (P=.17, test for trend). There was, however, a progressive increase in age, and, for each period, older age was associated with increased incidence rates of TB (P<.001). Having adjusted for age differences, there was no significant association between incidence of TB and calendar period (P=.81, test for trend). Relative to 1991-1994, multivariate-adjusted incidence-rate ratios were 0.94, for 1995-1997, 0.96, for 1998-1999, and 1.05, for 1999-2000. Preventing a secondary epidemic of TB among HIV-negative individuals may be achievable with conventional means, even in settings with a high burden of HIV-associated TB

Two-component regulation: modelling, predicting & identifying protein-protein interactions & assessing signalling networks of bacteria

Two-component signalling systems (TCSs) are found in most prokaryotic genomes. They typically comprise of two proteins, a histidine (or sensor) kinase (HK) and an associated response regulator (RR), containing transmitter and receiver domains respectively, which interact to achieve transfer of a phosphoryl group from a histidine residue (of the transmitter domain in the HK) to an aspartate residue (of the partner RR’s receiver domain). An automated analysis pipeline using the NCBI’s RPS-BLAST tool was developed to identify and classify all TCS genes from completed prokaryotic genomes using the PFAM and CDD protein domain databases. A large proportion of TCS genes were found to be simple hybrid kinases (HYs) containing both a transmitter domain and a receiver domain within a single protein, presumably the result of the fusion or combination of separate HK and RR genes. This propensity to consolidate functionality into a single protein was found to be limited in the presence of either a transmembrane sensory/input domain or a DNA binding domain – two spatially separated functions. While HK and RR genes are usually found together in the genome, in some species a large proportion of TCS domains are found as part of complex hybrid kinases (genes containing multiple TCS domains), in isolated or orphaned genes, or in complex gene clusters. In such organisms the lack of paired HK and RR genes makes it difficult to define genome-encoded signalling networks. Identifying paired transmitter and receiver domains from a pan-genomic survey of prokaryotes gives a database of amino acid sequences for thousands of interacting protein-protein complexes. Covariation between columns of multiple sequence alignments (MSAs) identifies particular pairs of residues representing interactions within the docked complex. Using numerical scores, these amino acids pairs were successfully used as explanatory variables in a generalised linear model (GLM) to predict the probabilities of interaction between transmitter and receiver domains