How do students in enabling programs cope when the paper study materials are no longer readily available?

Students studying enabling programs are now expected to learn from the electronic medium rather than from paper study materials. Most universities have budgeting constraints that impact on the production and provision of the traditional paper study materials. As a result of the Bradley Report, universities are increasing the participation rates in their enabling programs (Bradley, et al., 2008) by accepting new students who have low academic skills and often lack confidence to succeed in higher education. Together with increased student numbers in enabling courses and tighter budgeting constraints, electronic resources are seen by universities as being more cost effective. Many students may be computer literate but do they manage to learn effectively or as well as students who studied using traditional methods

Enhanced production of a recombinant, thermostable [alpha]-amylase in streptomyces lividans: Effects of plasmid construction and culture condition

Members of the genus Streptomyces are well known for their ability to produce a wide range of antibiotics. In addition to this valuable attribute, many of these bacteria also secrete a variety of proteins. This has led to their being considered as alternative host organisms for the production of heterologous gene products. This work examines the potential of Streptomyces lividans as a host for the secretion of recombinant proteins using the production of a thermostable a-amylase as a model system. Two new streptomycete expression vectors were constructed. Incorporation of the sti region from pIJ101, which carries a site for second strand initiation of plasmid replication, was found to increase levels of a-amylase production by over 1000-fold. This was likely due to improvements in plasmid copy number and form. The study confirmed that use of promoter arrays to drive recombinant gene expression can be an effective way to achieve high level protein production. Over one and a half times more a-amylase was produced when Pmel was placed in tandem with Pamy in front of the a- amylase gene. As expected, medium composition also played an important role in determining the behaviour of the system. The most favourable condition for high level enzyme production was found to be minimal medium lacking rapidly metabolisable sugars. Glucose was found to repress production of the a-amylase in the S. lividans system, likely through the action of the Reg1 protein. A statistical experimental approach allowed the identification of other influential medium variables, with succinate, calcium and phosphate levels proving key. Unexpectedly, above optimal growth temperatures were found to significantly boost levels of a-amylase production from the S. lividans host. Possible reasons for this phenomenon are explored and discussed. In summary, this work highlights the strong potential of the Streptomyces system. It demonstrates that S. lividans can provide a viable, and competitive, alternative to E. coli as a host for the production of heterologous proteins

Evaluating multiagency interventions for children living with intimate partner violence in Birmingham

This research endeavour was born out of the need for a systematic evaluation of the efficacy of the multiagency Domestic Abuse Risk Assessment tool, which necessitates that all incidents of ‘domestic abuse’ (any incident within the family domain) reported to West Midlands Police, where a child or unborn child resides within that home, are scrutinised by Police and Social Care (and partners from Health, Education and the voluntary sector where possible) using a joint protocol. The primary purpose of the protocol is to promote safeguarding and provide a timely and appropriate response to children at risk following domestic abuse. The protocol incorporates the Banardos’ Multiagency Domestic Violence Risk Identification Threshold Scales (MDVRITS), which aids decision making about appropriate interventions based on predicted risk to children using a four level scale

Evaluating the impact of the Alcohol Act on off-trade alcohol sales: a natural experiment in Scotland

<b>Background and aims</b> A ban on multi-buy discounts of off-trade alcohol was introduced as part of the Alcohol Act in Scotland in October 2011. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of this legislation on alcohol sales, which provide the best indicator of population consumption.<p></p> <b>Design Setting and Participants</b> Interrupted time-series regression was used to assess the impact of the Alcohol Act on alcohol sales among off-trade retailers in Scotland. Models accounted for underlying seasonal and secular trends and were adjusted for disposable income, alcohol prices and substitution effects. Data for off-trade retailers in England and Wales combined (EW) provided a control group.<p></p> <b>Measurements</b> Weekly data on the volume of pure alcohol sold by off-trade retailers in Scotland and EW between January 2009 and September 2012.<p></p> <b>Findings</b> The introduction of the legislation was associated with a 2.6% (95% CI -5.3 to 0.2%, P = 0.07) decrease in off-trade alcohol sales in Scotland, but not in EW (-0.5%, -4.6 to 3.9%, P = 0.83). A statistically significant reduction was observed in Scotland when EW sales were adjusted for in the analysis (-1.7%, -3.1 to -0.3%, P = 0.02). The decline in Scotland was driven by reduced off-trade sales of wine (-4.0%, -5.4 to -2.6%, P < 0.001) and pre-mixed beverages (-8.5%, -12.7 to -4.1%, P < 0.001). There were no associated changes in other drink types in Scotland, or in sales of any drink type in EW.<p></p> <b>Conclusions</b> The introduction of the Alcohol Act in Scotland in 2011 was associated with a decrease in total off-trade alcohol sales in Scotland, largely driven by reduced off-trade wine sales

Pyrrhotite and associated sulphides and their relationship to acid rock drainage in the Halifax Formation, Meguma Group, Nova Scotia

The physical disruption of sulphide-bearing metasedimentary rocks of the Halifax Formation leads to oxidation of iron-sulphide minerals and the generation of acid rock drainage (ARD). Although pyrrhotite occurs in many places throughout the Halifax Formation, previous ARD studies have not considered in detail the mineral chemistry, texture, and distribution of this mineral nor how these factors may potentially influence the development of ARD. For this study, pyrrhotite-bearing samples of the Halifax Formation were collected in the field and from drill core at four locations in southwestern Nova Scotia. Samples were taken from different geological settings, such as proximal and distal to granitic intrusions and from different stratigraphic positions, to obtain a variety of mineral assemblages. Petrographic, microprobe and X-ray diffraction work indicate that the pyrrhotite in all samples is mainly monoclinic Fe7Sg, and its composition is relatively homogeneous regardless of geological environment. Inclusions of chalcopyrite and detectable quantities of As, Co and Ni are common. In regionally metamorphosed, grecnschist-facies areas, pyrrhotite is preferentially aligned along cleavage planes and thus is easily accessible to oxidizing air and fluids. Because pyrrhotite is regionally developed, contains potentially toxic trace elements, and occurs along cleavage planes, it is considered to play a significant role in ARD development in the Halifax Formation. Also, pyrrhotite oxidizes substantially faster than many other sulphide minerals and may be especially significant in the early stages of ARD. RÉSUMÉ La dislocation physique des roches métasédimentaires sulfuriféres de la Formation d'Halifax mène à une oxydation des minéraux renfermant du sulfure de fer ainsi qu'à la production d'exhaures de roches acide (ERA). Même si on relève la présence de pyrrhotine en de nombreux endroits partout à l'intérieur de la Formation d'Halifax, les études antérieures des ERA ne se sont pas attardées de fa÷on approfondie sur la nature chimique minérale, la texture et la répartition de ce minéral ni sur la manière dont ces facteurs peuvent éventuellemcnt influer sur l'apparition des ERA. Les chercheurs ont, aux fins de cette étude, prélevé sur le terrain ainsi que sur des carottes de sondage à quatre emplacements dans le sud-ouest de la Nouvelle-Écosse, des échantillons de la Formation d'Halifax renfermant de la pyrrhotine. On a prélevé les échantillons de différents cadres géologiques stratigraphiques, comme des intrusions proximales et distalcs à granitiques et différentes positions stratigraphiques, afin d'obtenir toute une variété d’associations minérialogiques. Des travaux à la microsonde, de diffraction aux rayons X et pétrographiques révèlent que la pyrrhotine de tous les échantillons est essentiellement du F7Sg monoclinique et qu'elle est d'une composition relativement homogene, peu importe I'environnement géologique. Les inclusions de chalcopyrite et de quantités détectablcs d'As, de Co et de Ni sont courantes. Dans les secteurs des faciès des schistes verts régionalement métamorphisés, la pyrrhotine est principalement alignée le long de plans de clivage et elle est ainsi facilement accessible aux fluides et à l'air oxydants. Vu la présence régionale de la pyrrhotine, vu qu'elle renferme des éléments traces pouvant être toxiques et vu qu'elle sc trouve le long de plans de clivage, on considère qu'elle joue un rôle prépondérant dans la production des ERA à l'intérieur de la Formation d'Halifax. La pyrrhotine s'oxyde par ailleurs bcaucoup plus rapidement que de nombreux autres minéraux sulfurls et ce facteur peut être particulièrement déterminant dans les premiers stades de la production des ERA. [Traduit par la rédaction

Emigdiano Blues: The California Indigenous Pigment Palette and an In Situ Analysis of an Exotic Colour

The Native inhabitants of South Central California produced rock art containing red, orange, black, white, green and blue colours using a range of mineral and organic materials. Many of these same colours were used on material culture and body painting. This paper focuses on a sub-group of the Chumash, called the Emigdiano, who produced an enigmatic blue colour used in the creation of rock art. Here, we focus on the blue pigment at the rock shelter site of Three Springs in the Wind Wolves Preserve in South Central California. The composition of blue pigments has previously been the focus of discussion with suggestions that they were produced either using European pigments taken from Spanish missions, or that azurite from a local quarry was the source. Previous experimental work had demonstrated that it was possible for the blue to be produced from locally available azurite. Here we present the in situ analyses of these enigmatic blue pigments using handheld X-ray Fluorescence (pXRF). Results from pXRF analysis of rock art, quarried azurite samples and experimental rock art reconstructions showed that the Emigdiano Blue at Three Springs were not azurite based and was composed of optical blue (a mixture of black and white or grey materials which mimic the appearance of blue). This paper discusses the surprising implications of the use, given the availability of a ‘true’ blue pigment, and the wider ontological importance of combining multiple colours to produce the effect of blue in a rock art panel

Current Problems & Methods in Dance Reconstruction: Focus on Cross-Cultural and Social Dance Reconstruction

This roundtable began with presentations by the three conveners describing their own experience with reconstruction of social dance and/or dance in a cross-cultural context, including the French cancan of the 1820s and 1830s, American dances of the ragtime era, and New York mambo of the 1950s. Each presented methodological problems encountered and strategies employed in the face of those issues. The floor was then opened to all participants to dialogue about their own experiences in and questions about dance reconstruction in these varied contexts. Included here are summaries of each presenter’s remarks, followed by their recollections of and reactions to the discussion

Is the perception of time pressure a barrier to healthy eating and physical activity among women?

Objectives To describe the proportion of women reporting time is a barrier to healthy eating and physical activity, the characteristics of these women and the perceived causes of time pressure, and to examine associations between perceptions of time as a barrier and consumption of fruit, vegetables and fast food, and physical activity.Design A cross-sectional survey of food intake, physical activity and perceived causes of time pressure.Setting A randomly selected community sample.Subjects A sample of 1580 women self-reported their food intake and their perceptions of the causes of time pressure in relation to healthy eating. An additional 1521 women self-reported their leisure-time physical activity and their perceptions of the causes of time pressure in relation to physical activity.Results Time pressure was reported as a barrier to healthy eating by 41 % of the women and as a barrier to physical activity by 73 %. Those who reported time pressure as a barrier to healthy eating were significantly less likely to meet fruit, vegetable and physical activity recommendations, and more likely to eat fast food more frequently.Conclusions Women reporting time pressure as a barrier to healthy eating and physical activity are less likely to meet recommendations than are women who do not see time pressure as a barrier. Further research is required to understand the perception of time pressure issues among women and devise strategies to improve women’s food and physical activity behaviours

Monocyte dynamics in breast cancer

Work in mouse models has highlighted a role for classical monocytes in promoting cancer. Furthermore, recent human studies show that blood monocytes in a variety of cancers exhibit transcriptional shifts from steadystate. However, it remains unclear exactly how cancer affects monocyte homeostasis and function. To study monocyte regulation in cancer, blood was analysed over the course of tumour progression in mice that develop spontaneous mammary cancers (MMTV-PyMT). Monocyte production, release and turnover were investigated by colony forming unit assays and BrdU tracing. RNA extracted from blood and bone marrow (BM) monocytes was sequenced. Next, gene expression was compared with monocytes in human breast cancer patients. Finally, Accessibility of Transposase Assay (ATAC) sequencing was used to investigate chromatin conformation of monocytes in human breast cancer. In mice, blood monocyte numbers were significantly increased in late cancer compared with controls. This increase was equivalent in both classical and non-classical monocytic populations. The proliferation of classical monocytes in the BM was increased in cancer, whereas monocyte release and half-life in the circulation were unaltered. Classical monocytes in mice with late stage cancer featured down-regulation of genes involved in interferon response, cytokine stimulus, and antigen-cross-presentation. These changes were conserved across cells in the BM and blood and across two mice strains. There were no orthologous genes or functional pathways with humans whom had early stage cancer. In patients with early breast cancer, there was an upregulation of NFKB pathway signalling in circulating monocytes. Findings by ATACseq were inconclusive but established the use of this technique in this context. This study suggests that the cancer manipulates the transcriptional landscape of monocytes. The effects in mice may be secondary to haematopoietic stress. This contrasts with humans, where it seems that conditioning of circulating monocytes results in a pro-tumoural phenotype. Due to the lack of orthologous changes in mice, further work needs to be undertaken in humans. To this end, the use of ATAC sequencing of human circulating monocytes has been optimised. These findings lay the foundation from which to understand the transcriptional regulation of monocytes in breast cancer

Sample size calculations for cluster randomised trials, with a focus on ordinal outcomes.

PhDBackground A common approach to sample size calculation for cluster randomised trials (CRTs) is to calculate the sample size assuming individual randomisation and multiply it by an inflation factor, the design effect. This approach is well established for binary and continuous outcomes, but less so for ordinal. As the variety in trial design increases alternative or more complex methods are required. There is currently no single resource that provides a comprehensive summary of methods. This thesis aims to provide a unique contribution towards the review and development of sample size methods for CRTs, with a focus on ordinal outcomes. Methods I provide a comprehensive review of sample size methods for CRTs and summarise the methodological gaps that remain. Through simulation I evaluate the power performance, under realistic trial scenarios, of the design effect for ordinal outcomes calculated using a kappa-type intracluster correlation coefficient (ICC), the ICC on an assumed underlying variable and an ANOVA ICC. I provide practical guidance for sample size calculation for ordinal outcomes in CRTs. Results Simulation results showed when the number of clusters was large the ANOVA and kappa-type estimates were equivalent, and smaller than the latent variable ICC. Use of the ANOVA ICC in the design effect produced adequately powered trials and power was marginally reduced under a minor deviation from the common assumption of proportional odds used in ordered regression. Conclusions For outcomes with three to five categories the ANOVA ICC, calculated by assigning numerical equally spaced scores to the ordinal categories, can be used in the simple design effect to produce an adequately powered trial. The method assumes an analysis by random effects ordered regression with proportional odds, a reasonable number of clusters, and clusters of the same size.Medical Research Counci