Characterization of Mauritius parakeet (Psittacula eques) microsatellite loci and their cross-utility in other parrots (Psittacidae, Aves).

We characterized 21 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the endangered Mauritius parakeet (Psittacula eques). Loci were isolated from a Mauritius parakeet genomic library that had been enriched separately for eight different repeat motifs. Loci were characterized in up to 43 putatively unrelated Mauritius parakeets from a single population inhabiting the Black River Gorges National Park, Mauritius. Each locus displayed between three and nine alleles, with the observed heterozygosity ranging between 0.39 and 0.96. All loci were tested in 10 other parrot species. Despite testing few individuals, between seven and 21 loci were polymorphic in each of seven species tested

Barriers to Oral Healthcare for Transgender and Gender Nonbinary Populations

Despite health disparities and barriers to medical care being well documented in the literature, the oral health status and barriers to dental care for transgender and gender nonbinary (TGNB) individuals remain understudied. This study sought out to examine their perceived oral health, as well as their expectations, experiences, and gender identity-related factors influencing their acceptance or avoidance of dental care. 118 TGNB participants completed a 32-item questionnaire designed for this study. Data analysis relied on descriptive methods and bivariate comparisons using a conventional statistical significance criterion. Although over half of respondents had a dental visit in the last 12 months, participants’ avoidance due to gender identity was significantly associated with measures of self-reported sub-optimal oral health. One-third reported being addressed by their incorrect name and pronouns. While these results need to be verified in larger and more diverse samples, they provide actionable information regarding this population’s oral health and management.Master of Scienc

The Relationship Between Sleep Quality and Memory

Sleep quality and memory are both relevant topics in today’s society, especially among college students. Purpose: To determine if there is a correlation between sleep quality and short-term memory including objective and subjective measures. Methods: This study consisted of 25 participants, 6 males and 19 females, ages ranging from 19 to 22 (20.8±0.8 years), who avoided stimulants, caffeine or other sleep altering drugs for at least eight hours. Our participants were recruited via word of mouth, poster, and discussions in classroom settings. Participants memorized a list of 30 words for two minutes and then had two minutes to recall and write as many words as possible. Sleep quality was measured with the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index and then scored using the official Pittsburg Index score sheet, and perceived memory was scored at face value. An independent t-test was used to determine if there was a significant difference between genders on their sleep quality, Memory Functioning Questionnaire scores, and their ability to recall words. Results: The test revealed no significant difference (p=0.68) between the sleep quality of males (7±3) and females (7±3). There was also no significant difference (p=0.16) between the number of words recalled by males (14±4 words) and females (11±3 words). The difference between the Memory Functioning Questionnaire scores of males (318±37) and females (282±55) was not significant (p=0.10). No significant difference (p=0.45) was found between science majors (8±4) and non-science majors (8±3) on sleep quality. Similarly, Memory Functioning Questionnaire scores were not significantly different (p=0.73) for science majors (285±52) and non-science majors (293±55). The test for recalled words also showed no significant difference (p=0.99) between science majors (12±3 words) and non-science majors (12±3 words)

Design and realisation of leakage channel fibres by the powder-in-tube method

The applications of fibre lasers demand for increasing power. Limits are set by various nonlinear effects. Leakage channel fibres (LCF) are one approach to this problem. With this type of fibre, most nonlinear effects can, in principle, be mitigated simultaneously by increasing the mode field area and by maintaining the single mode regime. For its implementation, we propose to use the powder-in-tube preform technique. While the microstructure consists of commercial pure silica rods, the surrounding is filled with index-raised aluminum-doped silica oxide granulate. For the fabrication of the latter, we tested two different methods. For the first one, the oxide precursors were mixed in pure powder form. In the other method, the material was produced with the helps of the sol-gel process, where the mixing takes place in liquid phase, thus resulting in an expected improved homogeneity. Prior to the fabrication of a prototype, their feasibility has been tested with the help of a finite-difference method simulation tool (Lumerical MODE Solutions). Two such fibres have been fabricated according to this results. The influence of the granulate mixing method and of the grain size on the homogeneity in refractive index has been tested. Although the produced fibres do not yet show the desired performance, the produced prototypes prove that LCFs can indeed be realised with this approach

DNA barcoding as new diagnostic tool to lethal plant poisoning in herbivorous mammals

Reliable identification of plant species in the digestive tract of a deceased animal often represents the major key to diagnose a lethal intoxication with poisonous plants in veterinary pathology. In many cases, identification of the species is challenging or even impossible because the diagnostic morphological features have been degraded, and because the interpretation of such features requires a considerable expertise in plant anatomy and biodiversity. The use of DNA barcoding markers can support or even replace classical morphological assessment. While these markers have been widely used for plant taxonomy, their forensic application to clarify causes of animal poisoning is novel. In addition, we use specific single-nucleotide polymorphisms as fingerprints. This allows for a clear decision even in cases, where the conventionally used statistical e-values remain ambiguous. In the current work, we explore the feasibility of this strategy in a couple of exemplary cases, either in concert with anatomical diagnostics, or in cases where visual species identification is not possible, or where chemical toxin detection methods are not well established, complex, time consuming and expensive

Electrostatic phase separation: a review

The current understanding and developments in the electrostatic phase separation are reviewed. The literature covers predominantly two immiscible and inter-dispersed liquids following the last review on the topic some 15 years. Electrocoalescence kinetics and governing parameters, such as the applied field, liquid properties, drop shape and flow, are considered. The unfavorable effects, such as chain formation and partial coalescence, are discussed in detail. Moreover, the prospects of microfluidics platforms, non-uniform fields, coalescence on the dielectric surfaces to enhance the electrocoalescence rate are also considered. In addition to the electrocoalescence in water-in-oil emulsions the research in oil-in-oil coalescence is also discussed. Finally the studies in electrocoalescer development and commercial devices are also surveyed. The analysis of the literature reveals that the use of pulsed DC and AC electric fields is preferred over constant DC fields for efficient coalescence; but the selection of the optimum field frequency a priori is still not possible and requires further research. Some recent studies have helped to clarify important aspects of the process such as partial coalescence and drop–drop non-coalescence. On the other hand, some key phenomena such as thin film breakup and chain formation are still unclear. Some designs of inline electrocoalescers have recently been proposed; however with limited success: the inadequate knowledge of the underlying physics still prevents this technology from leaving the realm of empiricism and fully developing in one based on rigorous scientific methodology

Home range of echidnas in the snowy mountains

Radio tracked echidnas in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales had a mean home range plus or minus SD of 42 plus or minus 20 ha, n=11, determined by direct plotting of multiple data points. Using this large data base, various statistical techniques for the estimation of home range were compared. Within the home range there were no fixed nest sites and a variety of site types were used as retreats. Sites used as hibernacula provided more secure shelter and burrows were only constructed for use as maternity sites. Several animals shared overlapping home ranges. All but one echidna remained within the observed home range throughout the course of the study

Structural insight into how the human helicase subunit MCM2 may act as a histone chaperone together with ASF1 at the replication fork

International audienceMCM2 is a subunit of the replicative helicase machinery shown to interact with histones H3 and H4 during the replication process through its N-terminal domain. During replication, this interaction has been proposed to assist disassembly and assembly of nu-cleosomes on DNA. However, how this interaction participates in crosstalk with histone chaperones at the replication fork remains to be elucidated. Here, we solved the crystal structure of the ternary complex between the histone-binding domain of Mcm2 and the histones H3-H4 at 2.9 ˚ A resolution. Histones H3 and H4 assemble as a tetramer in the crystal structure , but MCM2 interacts only with a single molecule of H3-H4. The latter interaction exploits binding surfaces that contact either DNA or H2B when H3-H4 dimers are incorporated in the nucleosome core particle. Upon binding of the ternary complex with the histone chaperone ASF1, the histone tetramer dissociates and both MCM2 and ASF1 interact simultaneously with the histones forming a 1:1:1:1 het-eromeric complex. Thermodynamic analysis of the quaternary complex together with structural model-ing support that ASF1 and MCM2 could form a chaperoning module for histones H3 and H4 protecting them from promiscuous interactions. This suggests an additional function for MCM2 outside its helicase function as a proper histone chaperone connected to the replication pathway