Structural Characterization of Zn(II)-, Co(II)-, and Mn(II)-loaded Forms of the argE-encoded \u3cem\u3eN\u3c/em\u3e-acetyl-L-ornithine Deacetylase from \u3cem\u3eEscherichia coli\u3c/em\u3e

The Zn, Co, and Mn K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra of the N-acetyl-l-ornithine deacetylase (ArgE) from Escherichia coli, loaded with one or two equivalents of divalent metal ions (i.e., [Zn(II)_(ArgE)], [Zn(II)Zn(II)(ArgE)], [Co(II)_(ArgE)], [Co(II)Co(II)(ArgE)], [Mn(II)_(ArgE)], and [Mn(II)Mn(II)(ArgE)]), were recorded. The Fourier transformed data (FT) for [Zn(II)_(ArgE)], [Zn(II)Zn(II)(ArgE)], [Co(II)_(ArgE)] and [Co(II)Co(II)(ArgE)] are dominated by a peak at 2.05 Å, that can be fit assuming five or six light atom (N,O) scatterers. Inclusion of multiple-scattering contributions from the outer-shell atoms of a histidine-imidazole ring resulted in reasonable Debye–Waller factors for these contributions and a slight reduction in the goodness-of-fit value (f′). Furthermore, the data best fit a model that included a M–M vector at 3.3 and 3.4 Å for Zn(II) and Co(II), respectively, suggesting the formation of a dinuclear site. Multiple scattering contributions from the outer-shell atoms of a histidine-imidazole rings are observed at ~ 3 and 4 Å for Zn(II)- and Co(II)-loaded ArgE suggesting at least one histidine ligand at each metal binding site. Likewise, EXAFS data for Mn(II)-loaded ArgE are dominated by a peak at 2.19 Å that was best fit assuming six light atom (N,O) scatterers. Due to poor signal to noise ratios for the Mn EXAFS spectra, no Mn–Mn vector could be modeled. Peak intensities for [M(II)_(ArgE)] vs. [M(II)M(II)(ArgE)] suggest the Zn(II), Co(II), and Mn(II) bind to ArgE in a cooperative manner. Since no structural data has been reported for any ArgE enzyme, the EXAFS data reported herein represent the first structural glimpse for ArgE enzymes. These data also provide a structural foundation for the future design of small molecules that function as inhibitors of ArgE and may potentially function as a new class of antibiotics

Introduction: Social Protection for Social Justice

The articles in this IDS Bulletin are drawn from a conference hosted by the Centre for Social Protection at the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), Brighton, UK, in April 2011. The conference brought together academics and practitioners who understand social protection to be more than a palliative agenda for alleviating poverty and vulnerability, believing instead that social protection should be fundamentally interested in realising economic and social rights for all. This alternative agenda is one grounded in social justice, and it opens space for understanding how issues of rights, governance, distribution and access are critical for breaking the production and reproduction of vulnerability over time. The selection of articles in this IDS Bulletin aims to elaborate the linkages between social protection and social justice, to identify opportunities for operationalising the ‘transformative’ aspects of social protection and to strengthen the case for integrating social protection into broader social policy

A Method to Visualize Patient Flow Using Virtual Reality and Serious Gaming Techniques

This paper proposes a method to visualize Emergency Department patient flow data in a Virtual Reality (VR) Serious Game (SG) environment. Visualizing the patient flow data will allow patterns and trends that hospitals can use to reduce alternative level of care (ALC) days and increase the acute capacity of the hospital. The method proposes to use Unity to develop two VR visualisations of patient flow to a hospital ED such that hospital staff can determine which of the two visualizations will be the most usable, immersive, and playable. This paper also presents future work that will look at the whole system of a hospital using one years’ worth of patient flow data to develop a usable, immersive and playable Virtual Environment (VE)

The uptake and extraction of heavy metals from contaminated soil by coppice woodland

The research undertaken was designed to investigate the potential use of coppice woodland for the clean up and remediation of heavy metal contaminated soil. Particular attention was given to high yielding coppice woodland species, especially willow and poplar. This was because breeding and field trials have reported that some hybrid willow clones can produce biomass yields of up to 60 t ha-1 y-1. The experimental works undertaken comprised three experiments which have been referred to as the 'Field Studies', 'Pot Studies' and 'Hydroponic Studies' and describes the medium in which the trees were grown and studied. The experiments were devised to study the variation in the uptake of metals between different tree species growing in different environments. The findings of the studies generally indicate that metal uptake rates determined in the field were lower that the uptake levels recorded in the pot and hydroponic studies. These differences were attributed to the increased availability of the study metals in the pot and hydroponic studies. Zinc concentrations in the above ground tissue of willow determined from the three experiments ranged from 159 to 223 mg kg-1 in the field study, 281 to 2995mg kg-1 in the pot study and 40 to 5530 mg kg-1 in the hydroponic study. Zinc was the only metal accumulated to significant concentration within the biomass of fields samples. Zinc, copper, cadmium, nickel and chromium were accumulated in the biomass of seedlings grown in the pot studies and zinc, copper, cadmium, nickel, chromium and to a lesser extent lead were accumulated by some of the hydroponic study trees. Some of the uptake levels recorded were not dissimilar from accumulation levels reported in hyperaccumulater species and highlights the potential of some tree species to accumulate metals in above ground tissues (leaves, twigs and stem). The pot and hydroponic studies suffered high seedling fatality rates which were attributed to metal toxicity and/or salinity. These findings could indicate possible establishment problems when trying to plant trees on contaminated sites

Impact of Nurse Residency Programs on Retention and Job Satisfaction: An Integrative Review

Retention of new nurses is vital within the context of the nursing shortage Canada is currently facing. Nurse residency programs need to be explored to better understand their role in combating the nursing shortage. The study utilized Whittemore and Knafl’s integrative review methodology to review current literature on nurse residency programs in The United States of America and focuses on retention rates, job satisfaction and intent to leave as a means for understanding the role of nursing residency programs within the Canadian nursing context. The literature review found that Nurse Residency Programs (NRP) can improve retention and job satisfaction for newly licensed registered nurses (NLRNs), but their impact on reducing turnover intention is unclear and needs further study

Impact of Nurse Residency Programs on Retention and Job Satisfaction: An Integrative Review

Objects: Retention of new nurses is vital within the context of the nursing shortage Canada is currently facing. Nurse residency programs (NRP) need to be explored to better understand their role in combating the nursing shortage. The aim of this study is to explore current nurse residency programs and their impacts on retention and job satisfaction with the aim to inform development of similar programs in Canada.  Methods: The study utilized Whittemore and Knafl’s integrative review methodology to review current literature on nurse residency programs in The United States of America with focuses on retention rates, job satisfaction and intent to leave. Overall, this article drew on seven distinct research studies. Findings: The literature review found that Nurse Residency Programs (NRP) can improve retention rates however, this may be due to contracts signed upon beginning of NRP. Job satisfaction for newly licensed registered nurses (NLRNs) participating in NRP also showed improvements but their impact on reducing turnover intention is unclear and needs further study. Conclusion: The impact of nurse residency programs on retention and job satisfaction has some positive effects, but the strength of this relationship remains unclear and would benefit from further research

Opportunities for Public Aquariums to Increase the Sustainability of the Aquatic Animal Trade

The global aquatic pet trade encompasses a wide diversity of freshwater and marine organisms. While relying on a continual supply of healthy, vibrant aquatic animals, few sustainability initiatives exist within this sector. Public aquariums overlap this industry by acquiring many of the same species through the same sources. End users are also similar, as many aquarium visitors are home aquarists. Here we posit that this overlap with the pet trade gives aquariums significant opportunity to increase the sustainability of the trade in aquarium fishes and invertebrates. Improving the sustainability ethos and practices of the aquatic pet trade can carry a conservation benefit in terms of less waste, and protection of intact functioning ecosystems, at the same time as maintaining its economic and educational benefits and impacts. The relationship would also move forward the goal of public aquariums to advance aquatic conservation in a broad sense. For example, many public aquariums in North America have been instrumental in working with the seafood industry to enact positive change toward increased sustainability. The actions include being good consumers themselves, providing technical knowledge, and providing educational and outreach opportunities. These same opportunities exist for public aquariums to partner with the ornamental fish trade, which will serve to improve business, create new, more ethical and more dependable sources of aquatic animals for public aquariums, and perhaps most important, possibly transform the home aquarium industry from a threat, into a positive force for aquatic conservation. Zoo Biol. 32:1-12, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Make Art Real

The Make Art Real project aims to introduce new audiences to the arts. It supports Theme II of VCU’s Quest for Distinction by promoting and fostering creative expression through innovative collaborations. The project involves displaying existing connections between art and non-art disciplines, as well as making new connections. These unusual pairings are then placed on exhibition through a lunch-time lecture series named “Unexpected_Connections,” which allow faculty, staff, and students to lead and participate in discussions about the reality of art. The lecture series is the first sustainable and reoccurring program to be held in the Depot building, a multidisciplinary facility which is intended to foster interdisciplinary collaborations. The targeted audience includes faculty, staff, students, and members of the greater VCU community

A scoping review of websites for forensic odontology training programmes

Background: Forensic Odontology developed as a discipline in 1898 with the publication of its first textbook; however, 126 years later, a standardised core curriculum for formal training in Forensic Odontology has yet to be decided. This website scoping review aims to provide information on three main distinct categories (and 17 subcategories): Availability, Content, and Quality of Forensic Odontology education globally. The information on formal education programmes was gathered by conducting a web search using ‘Google Search’ in English, Arabic, Spanish, and French languages between June and July 2022.Highlights: Fifty-six programmes from 18 countries met the inclusion criteria. Of the 14 master's and 42 diploma programmes, only 7.14% provided information on their websites from all the subcategories investigated. The highest numbers of master's and postgraduate diploma programmes were identified in Europe (18 programmes), South America (15), North America (11) and Asia (7). A practical aspect was included by 10 master’s and 12 diploma programmes’ websites. Research integration in various forms was included by 11 master’s and seven diploma programmes.Conclusion: Programme providers and applicants must critically consider the quality of the programme being designed or applied to as there are currently no international training standards in Forensic Odontology. This study has developed an ‘International Database of Forensic Odontology Programmes’ (IDFOP).<br/