Investigating how bat ectoparasites influence the skin microbiome diversity and composition in Washingto State bats

White-Nose Syndrome (WNS), caused by the psychrophilic pathogenic fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), has killed millions of bats in the eastern United States since its initial introduction in 2006 and recent expansion into the western U.S. Understanding factors that contribute to the spread of Pd and risk of infection is crucial for management of WNS. Bat ectoparasites, including bat mites and bat flies, are omnipresent in bat populations, yet the relationship between these ectoparasites and bat health is still unknown. We examined the relationship between bat ectoparasites and the skin microbiome in relation to WNS infection risk in Washington State bats. We hypothesized that bats with ectoparasites would have a decreased skin microbiome diversity thus increasing their susceptibility to Pd infection. We collaborated with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife during Spring 2021, sampling 147 bats representing five different species across 10 bat roosts in Washington State. We found that certain bat species were more likely to be infested with ectoparasites than others, especially Eptesicus fuscus (p = 0.0429) and Myotis volans (p = 0.0094). Using next-gen sequencing techniques, we found that ectoparasite infestation did not decrease the skin microbiome diversity of Washington bats (p = 0.965), although bat species (p = 0.006) and roost location (p = 0.001) significantly influenced the skin microbiome diversity. Using culturing methods, we identified 20 species of culturable bacteria from bat skin with four isolates belonging to genera known to possess antifungal properties. These isolates could be used to develop probiotic therapies for local colonies to prevent and treat WNS in the future

Hourly Variability in Q0957+561

We have continued our effort to re-reduce archival Q0957+561 brightness monitoring data and present results for 1629 R-band images using the methods for galaxy subtraction and seeing correction reported previously. The new dataset comes from 4 observing runs, several nights apiece, with sampling of typically 5 minutes, which allows the first measurement of the structure function for variations in the R-band from timescales of hours to years. Comparison of our reductions to previous reductions of the same data, and to r-band photometry produced at Apache Point Observatory shows good overall agreement. Two of the data runs, separated by 417 days, permit a sharpened value for the time delay of 417.4 days, valid only if the time delay is close to the now-fashionable 417-day value; our data do not constrain a delay if it is more than three days from this 417-day estimate. Our present results show no unambiguous signature of the daily microlensing, though a suggestive feature is found in the data. Both time delay measurement and microlensing searches suffer from from the lack of sampling at half-day offsets, inevitable at a single observatory, hence the need for round-the-clock monitoring with participation by multiple observatories.Comment: AASTeX 4.0 preprint style, 21 pages, 8 EPS figure

Dynamics of ``Small Galaxies'' in the Hubble Deep Field

We have previously found in the Hubble Deep Field a significant angular correlation of faint, high color-redshift objects on scales below one arcsecond, or several kiloparsecs in metric size. We examine the correlation and nearest neighbor statistics to conclude that 38% of these objects in the HDF have a companion within one arcsecond, three times the number expected in a random distribution with the same number of objects. We examine three dynamical scenarios for these object multiplets: 1) the objects are star-forming regions within normal galaxies, whose disks have been relatively dimmed by K-correction and surface brightness dimming; 2) they are fragments merging into large galaxies; 3) they are satellites accreting onto normal L_* galaxies. We find that hypothesis 1 is most tenable. First, large galaxies in the process of a merger formation would have accumulated too much mass in their centers (5e12 M_sun inside 2 kpc) to correspond to present day objects. Second, accretion by dynamical friction occurs with a predictable density vs. radius slope, not seen among the faint HDF objects. Since the dynamical friction time is roughly (1 Gyr), a steady-state should have been reached by redshift z < 5. Star-forming regions within galaxies clearly present no dynamical problems. Since large spirals would still appear as such in the HDF, we favor a scenario in which the faint compact sources in the HDF are giant starforming regions within small normal galaxies, such as Magellanic irregulars. Finally we checked that reduction in mass-to-light from induced star-formation cannot alone explain the luminosity overdensity.Comment: AASTeX 4.0 (preprint), 4 PostScript figure

Formality and informality in the summative assessment of motor vehicle apprentices: a case study

This article explores the interaction of formal and informal attributes of competence‐based assessment. Specifically, it presents evidence from a small qualitative case study of summative assessment practices for competence‐based qualifications within apprenticeships in the motor industry in England. The data are analysed through applying an adaptation of a framework for exploring the interplay of formality and informality in learning. This analysis reveals informal mentoring as a significant element which influences not only the process of assessment, but also its outcomes. We offer different possible interpretations of the data and their analysis, and conclude that, whichever interpretation is adopted, there appears to be a need for greater capacity‐building for assessors at a local level. This could acknowledge a more holistic role for assessors; recognise the importance of assessors’ informal practices in the formal retention and achievement of apprentices; and enhance awareness of inequalities that may be reinforced by both informal and formal attributes of assessment practices

HOW DOES NETWORK IMPROVEMENT SCIENCE (NIS) IMPACT THE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF BLACK AND LATINO MALE TEACHERS?

The purpose of this study was to answer the following question: How does network improvement science (NIS) impact the recruitment and retention of Black and Latino male teachers? Using multiple sources of data such as Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) documents, video recordings of focus group interviews, self-reflections, informal and formal meetings notes and minutes, our preliminary results revealed that recruitment and retention of Black and Latino male teachers is a complex process that require cross campus collaboration of all stakeholders, the challenging of structures of power, and overcoming institutional and professional barriers. This study is situated within the broader context of the national debate on diversifying the teaching force

Working Memory and Auditory Imagery Predict Sensorimotor Synchronisation With Expressively Timed Music

Sensorimotor synchronisation (SMS) is prevalent and readily studied in musical settings, as most people are able to perceive and synchronise with a beat (e.g., by finger tapping). We took an individual differences approach to understanding SMS to real music characterised by expressive timing (i.e., fluctuating beat regularity). Given the dynamic nature of SMS, we hypothesised that individual differences in working memory and auditory imagery—both fluid cognitive processes—would predict SMS at two levels: (1) mean absolute asynchrony (a measure of synchronisation error) and (2) anticipatory timing (i.e., predicting, rather than reacting to beat intervals). In Experiment 1, participants completed two working memory tasks, four auditory imagery tasks, and an SMS-tapping task. Hierarchical regression models were used to predict SMS performance, with results showing dissociations among imagery types in relation to mean absolute asynchrony, and evidence of a role for working memory in anticipatory timing. In Experiment 2, a new sample of participants completed an expressive timing perception task to examine the role of imagery in perception without action. Results suggest that imagery vividness is important for perceiving and control is important for synchronising with irregular but ecologically valid musical time series. Working memory is implicated in synchronising by anticipating events in the series

INFRARED PHOTODISSOCIATION SPECTROSCOPY OF PROTONATED AMMONIA CLUSTERS IN THE GAS PHASE

The clustering of protonated ammonia clusters, a known interstellar ion, are studied with infrared photodissociation spectroscopy in the region of 4700 to 7200 cm$^{-1}$. H$^{+}$(NH$_{3}$)$_{n}$ clusters up to n=8 are produced using a pulsed electrical discharge in a supersonic expansion. Mass-selected ions are investigated using tunable infrared laser photodissociation in the turning region of a reflectron time of flight mass spectrometer. Clusters of protonated ammonia are probed through the dissociative elimination of an ammonia. The spectra gathered were assigned by comparing to B2PLYP/def2-TZVP computations. Two bands are consistently observed for the studied protonated ammonia clusters. A band at around 5000 cm$^{-1}$ is attributed to a combination of the N-H stretching and bending modes. Another band at around 6500 cm$^{-1}$ is assigned to either an overtone or a combination of the N-H stretching modes

Active Response to the Past Imperfect: Elizabeth Spencer’s Starting Over

Starting Over (2014), le plus récent recueil de nouvelles d’Elizabeth Spencer, présente des personnages qui font face aux éléments tenaces de leur passé. Les nouvelles montrent que bien qu’il soit bon de prendre des décisions qui mènent à établir des relations, il est aussi important de mettre fin à une relation malsaine ou de refuser un conflit. Dans certains cas, les connections sont plus personnelles qu’interpersonnelles et les personnages utilisent leur imagination afin de définir leurs relations passées. Les nouvelles de Spencer contenues dans Starting Over suggèrent que les personnages ont la possibilité de réagir différemment dans les conflits intérieurs ou au sein de leurs relations

A Rapid Microlensing Event in the Q0957+561 A,B Gravitational Lens System

We re-analyze brightness data sampled intensively over 5 nights at two epochs separated by the quasar lens time delay, to examine the nature of the observed microlensing. We find strong evidence for a microlensing event with an amplitude of 1% and a time scale of twelve hours. The existence of such rapid microlensing, albeit at low amplitude, imposes constraints on the nature of the quasar and of the baryonic dark matter