Some serological studies in the horse in relation to the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

The study described in this thesis was designed to examine some serological factors which may be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (C.O.P.D.) of horses.In the first section, zone electrophoresis of normal horse serum on agarose gels (pH 8.6) was studied and the serum electrophoretic profiles of normal and C.O.P.D. affected horses and ponies were compared. No differences between the serum electrophoretic profiles of healthy and C.O.P.D. affected horses and ponies were observed which could be attributed to the presence of the disease.In the second section, the nature of the two major, electrophoretically distinct antiproteases in horse serum was investigated prior to examining the possible association of antiprotease deficiency with the onset of C.O.P.D. in the horse, analogous to the association of the inherited dysproteinaemia of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and chronic lung disease in man. The electrophoretically faster antiprotease, a functional homologue of human alpha-1 antitrypsin, was shown to appear in the prealbumin region of horse serum after acidic starch gel electrophoresis (pH 4.3). This polymorphic antiprotease corresponded to the allele products of the Pr locus of horse serum described by Braend (1970). The genetically determined polymorphism of the Pr antiprotease was examined by acid starch gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing and immunofixation electrophoresis. The occurrence of a second antiprotease in the acidic prealbumin region of horse serum was postulated, although its nature remains to be established.The electrophoretically slower antiprotease of horse serum was identified as alpha-2 macroglobulin, and was shown to contribute 48 percent of the total serum antiproteolytic activity. As in man, horse alpha-2 macroglobulin is able to inhibit the proteolytic activity of trypsin, but has only limited inhibitory activity on its esterolytic activity. Native alpha-2 macroglobulin was shown to possess esterase activity and the possible association of the macroglobulin and plasma pseudocholinesterase is discussed. No inherited polymorphism of horse alpha-2 macroglobulin was observed.The Pr antiprotease allele frequencies in healthy and C.O.P.D. affected Thoroughbred horses were compared and no significant differences were observed. There was however an apparently increased frequency of the PrW allele amongst C.O.P.D. affected horses and ponies of mixed breeding, although the significance of this observation could not be established. Significantly increased levels of immunochemically measured circulating Pr protein were observed in a C.O.P.D. affected population, although no corresponding increase in biochemically measured serum trypsin inhibitory capacity (STIC) was observed in this same population.It was concluded that serum antiprotease deficiency and consequent predisposition to the development of C.O.P.D. was unlikely to occur in the horse, although a possible deficiency of local bronchiolar antiproteases, resulting in an increased chance of hypersensitization to the protease antigens of the fungi commonly incriminated in C .0 .P .D ., could not be excluded.In the third section the occurrence of a serum homocytotropic antibody in the horse, homologous to human IgE, was investigated. A passively transferable homocytotropic antibody against Culicoides pulicaris was demonstrated in the serum of horses and ponies affected with recurrent seasonal dermatitis. Like human IgE, this antibody is heat-labile, susceptible to thiol reducing agents and persists for long periods in homologous skin. The elution characteristics of the horse antibody on DEAE-anion exchange chromatography are similar to those of human IgE. Anti-human IgE was shown to induce reversed anaphylaxis-like reactions in horse skin and immunfluorescent studies provided preliminary evidence of the binding of antihuman IgE to horse mast cells. These observations on the equine homocytotropic antibody satisfy Vaerman's (1970) criteria of interspecies protein homology suggesting that the antibody is homologue of human IgE

Impact of a high-involvement approach to customer satisfaction on employees and organizational performance

This study examined the impacts of high-involvement approaches to enhancing customer satisfaction within a professional services firm. The study identified supportive organizational factors and employee attitudes and behaviors. Employee, customer, and organizational impacts associated with the initiative also were identified. Ten employees were surveyed and six were interviewed. Survey data were neutral, meaning that the respondents neither agreed nor disagreed with the items. Empowerment measures however, were significantly and positively correlated to organizational commitment, job satisfaction, and engagement. Organizational supports include direction, vision, allowance and recognition for these customer-focused behaviors, and having a return on investment from customer orientation. Supportive employee attitudes include valuing strong customer relationships and active involvement. Supportive behaviors include team-wide customer orientation, immersion with customers, follow through, and consistency. Employee outcomes include self-efficacy, ownership, and a sense of reward and contribution. Customer outcomes include superior value and connection. Organizational outcomes include business health and return customers

A compact to revitalise large-scale irrigation systems using a leadership-partnership-ownership ‘theory of change’

In countries with transitional economies such as those found in South Asia, large-scale irrigation systems (LSIS) with a history of public ownership account for about 115 million ha (Mha) or approximately 45% of their total area under irrigation. In terms of the global area of irrigation (320 Mha) for all countries, LSIS are estimated at 130 Mha or 40% of irrigated land. These systems can potentially deliver significant local, regional and global benefits in terms of food, water and energy security, employment, economic growth and ecosystem services. For example, primary crop production is conservatively valued at about US$355 billion. However, efforts to enhance these benefits and reform the sector have been costly and outcomes have been underwhelming and short-lived. We propose the application of a 'theory of change' (ToC) as a foundation for promoting transformational change in large-scale irrigation centred upon a 'global irrigation compact' that promotes new forms of leadership, partnership and ownership (LPO). The compact argues that LSIS can change by switching away from the current channelling of aid finances controlled by government irrigation agencies. Instead it is for irrigators, closely partnered by private, public and NGO advisory and regulatory services, to develop strong leadership models and to find new compensatory partnerships with cities and other river basin neighbours. The paper summarises key assumptions for change in the LSIS sector including the need to initially test this change via a handful of volunteer systems. Our other key purpose is to demonstrate a ToC template by which large-scale irrigation policy can be better elaborated and discussed

Meter- to Millimeter Emission from Cool Stellar Systems : Latest Results, Synergies Across the Spectrum, and Outlook for the Next Decade

Splinter session summary, to appear in the proceedings of the 20th Cambridge Workshop on Cool Stars, Stellar Systems, and the Sun (ed. S. J. Wolk)Radio observations of cool stellar systems provide unique information on their magnetic fields, high-energy processes, and chemistry. Buoyed by powerful new instruments (e.g. ALMA, JVLA, LOFAR), advances in related fields (e.g., the Gaia astrometric revolution), and above all a renewed interest in the relevant stellar astrophysics, stellar radio astronomy is experiencing a renaissance. In this splinter session, participants took stock of the present state of stellar radio astronomy to chart a course for the field's future

Golf and Skin Health: A Narrative Review

OBJECTIVES Recent studies have reported that playing golf has overall physical and mental health benefits. Through being placed in the sun for extended periods of time, the golfing population faces an increased risk of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) associated skin problems, most importantly skin cancer. Our aim was to collate and summarise current literature on the relationship between golf and skin cancer. METHODS We searched multiple web-based, health-focused databases (Medline, Embase, Cinahl, Web of science, Scopus, Sportdiscus, UK clinical trials, Current controlled trials and Prospero) to identify records. Relevant papers were critically appraised and reported using a descriptive analysis. RESULTS A total of 11 studies are included in the review. Golf is associated with relatively more UVR exposure than other outdoor activities such as fishing, tennis, pool swimming, cricket, gardening, ‘sun-worshipping’ and sailing. Calculated relative risk of non- melanoma skin cancer, based on cumulative UV exposure, is higher in golfers than non-golfers. Mid morning tee-times or playing golf between 11am -3pm associated with highest UVR exposures. Golfers can be exposed to potentially harmful levels of UVR during play in winter at some latitudes. Vertex (scalp), shoulders, back, back of neck and posterior arms exposed to more UVR than front of body during play. Common golf attire is of limited value in protecting the neck. Targeted skin cancer skin cancer prevention and early detection campaigns are well received among the golfing population. CONCLUSIONS Overall, playing golf is associated with longevity and both physical and mental health benefits. Studies to date indicate that golfers (professionals > recreational players) are exposed to potentially harmful levels of UVR during play, but the true morbidity/mortality associated with this exposure is not known. Playing golf should be encouraged in all age groups, though golfers, the golf industry and policy makers should act to minimize the harmful effects of UVR exposure, and have they have ability to also be hugely influential on an important public health message

The effects of marine heatwaves on acute heat tolerance in corals

Scleractinian coral populations are increasingly exposed to conditions above their upper thermal limits due to marine heatwaves, contributing to global declines of coral reef ecosystem health. However, historic mass bleaching events indicate there is considerable inter- and intra-specific variation in thermal tolerance whereby species, individual coral colonies and populations show differential susceptibility to exposure to elevated temperatures. Despite this, we lack a clear understanding of how heat tolerance varies across large contemporary and historical environmental gradients, or the selective pressures that underpin this variation. Here we conducted standardised acute heat stress experiments to identify variation in heat tolerance among species and isolated reefs spanning a large environmental gradient across the Coral Sea Marine Park. We quantified the photochemical yield (F-v/F-m) of coral samples in three coral species, Acropora cf humilis, Pocillopora meandrina, and Pocillopora verrucosa, following exposure to four temperature treatments (local ambient temperatures, and + 3 degrees C, +6 degrees C and + 9 degrees C above local maximum monthly mean). We quantified the temperature at which F-v/F-m decreased by 50% (termed ED50) and used derived values to directly compare acute heat tolerance across reefs and species. The ED50 for Acropora was 0.4-0.7 degrees C lower than either Pocillopora species, with a 0.3 degrees C difference between the two Pocillopora species. We also recorded 0.9 degrees C to 1.9 degrees C phenotypic variation in heat tolerance among reefs within species, indicating spatial heterogeneity in heat tolerance across broad environmental gradients. Acute heat tolerance had a strong positive relationship to mild heatwave exposure over the past 35 years (since 1986) but was negatively related to recent severe heatwaves (2016-2020). Phenotypic variation associated with mild thermal history in local environments provides supportive evidence that marine heatwaves are selecting for tolerant individuals and populations; however, this adaptive potential may be compromised by the exposure to recent severe heatwaves

Investigating participation in Advanced level mathematics: a study of student drop out

There has for some years been a growing concern about participation in university-entrance level mathematics in England and across the developed world. Extensive statistical analyses present the decline but offer little to help us understand the causes. In this paper we explore a concern which cannot be explored through national datasets, namely the retention of mathematics students on Advanced level mathematics courses. Drawing on survey data from fifteen secondary schools in the Midlands of England, we examine subject differences in decisions to study, withdraw from, and continue in a range of A level subjects. Not only is the rate of attrition from mathematics higher than most other subjects, but there are substantial differences between schools. In order to explore this high rate of attrition further we consider one school – Queensbury Park - in which a large proportion of students decided not to continue with their study of mathematics from year 12 to 13. Drawing on performance data and focus group interviews we explore some of the reasons for the students’ decisions

Is late-life dependency increasing or not? A comparison of the Cognitive Function and Ageing Studies (CFAS)

Background: Little is known about how dependency levels have changed between generational cohorts of older people. We estimated years lived in different care states at age 65 in 1991 and 2011 and new projections of future demand for care. Methods: Two population-based studies of older people in defined geographical areas conducted two decades apart (the Cognitive Function and Ageing Studies) provided prevalence estimates of dependency in four states: high (24-hour care); medium (daily care); low (less than daily); independent. Years in each dependency state were calculated by Sullivan’s method. To project future demand, the proportions in each dependency state (by age group and sex) were applied to the 2014 England population projections. Findings: Between 1991 and 2011 there were significant increases in years lived from age 65 with low (men:1·7 years, 95%CI 1·0-2·4; women:2·4 years, 95%CI 1·8-3·1) and high dependency (men:0·9 years, 95%CI 0·2-1·7; women:1·3 years, 95%CI 0·5-2·1). The majority of men’s extra years of life were independent (36%) or with low dependency (36%) whilst for women the majority were spent with low dependency (58%), only 5% being independent. There were substantial reductions in the proportions with medium and high dependency who lived in care homes, although, if these dependency and care home proportions remain constant in the future, further population ageing will require an extra 71,000 care home places by 2025. Interpretation: On average older men now spend 2.4 years and women 3.0 years with substantial care needs (medium or high dependency), and most will live in the community. These findings have considerable implications for older people’s families who provide the majority of unpaid care, but the findings also supply valuable new information for governments and care providers planning the resources and funding required for the care of their future ageing populations

Selective lability of ruthenium(II) arene amino acid complexes.

A series of organometallic complexes of the form [(PhH)Ru(amino acid)](+) have been synthesized using amino acids able to act as tridentate ligands. The straightforward syntheses gave enantiomerically pure complexes with two stereogenic centers due to the enantiopurity of the chelating ligands. Complexes were characterized in the solid-state and/or solution-state where the stability of the complex allowed. The propensity toward labilization of the coordinatively saturated complexes was investigated. The links between complex stability and structural features are very subtle. Nonetheless, H/D exchange rates of coordinated amino groups reveal more significant differences in reactivity linked to metallocycle ring size resulting in decreasing stability of the metallocycle as the amino acid side-chain length increases. The behavior of these systems in acid is unusual, apparently labilizing the carboxylate residue of the amino acid. This acid-catalyzed hemilability in an organometallic is relevant to the use of Ru(II) arenes in medicinal contexts due to the relatively low pH of cancerous cells.TGS and MO thank the EPSRC for Studentships EP/P505445/1 and EP/K503/009/1, respectively.This is the final version of the article. It was first published by ACS at http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ic502051