The nuclear spectrum of the radio galaxy NGC 5128 (Centaurus A)

We present near-infrared spectra of the nuclear disk in the nearby radio galaxy NGC 5128 (Centaurus A). On the basis of the observed strengths of the [S III] 0.9532um and [Fe II] 1.2567um lines, we classify NGC 5128 as a LINER. Modeling of the strengths of these and additional lines suggests that the nuclear region is powered by shocks rather than photoionization.Comment: 12 pages including 2 figures, accepted by ApJ Letter

Cytochrome B5 Protects Photoreceptors from Light Stress-Induced Lipid Peroxidation and Retinal Degeneration

Lipid peroxides are generated by oxidative stress in cells, and contribute to ageing and neurodegenerative disease. The eye is at special risk for lipid peroxidation because photoreceptors possess amplified sensory membranes rich in peroxidation-susceptible polyunsaturated fatty acids. Light-induced lipid peroxidation in the retina contributes to retinal degeneration, and lipid peroxidation has been implicated in the progression of age-associated ocular diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Here, we show that exposing Drosophila melanogaster to strong blue light induces oxidative stress including lipid peroxidation that results in retinal degeneration. Surprisingly, very young flies are resilient to this acute light stress, suggesting they possess endogenous neuroprotective mechanisms. While lipophilic antioxidants partially suppressed blue light-induced retinal degeneration in older flies, we find that overexpression of cytochrome b5 (Cyt-b5) completely suppressed both blue light-induced lipid peroxidation and retinal degeneration. Our data identify Cyt-b5 as a neuroprotective factor that targets light-induced oxidative damage, particularly lipid peroxidation. Cyt-b5 may function via supporting antioxidant recycling, thereby providing a strategy to prevent oxidative stress in ageing photoreceptors that would be synergistic with dietary antioxidant supplementation

Evaluating pain and analgesia effectiveness following routine castration in rabbits using behaviour and facial expressions

Prevention of pain in rabbits is a priority for both welfare and validity of scientific data. We aimed to determine if the rabbit grimace scale (RbtGS) could be used as a viable, rapid assessment tool in two breeds of rabbit, Dutch belted (DB) and New Zealand white (NZW), following orchidectomy, as an adjunct to behavioral analysis. All animals received analgesia. Rabbits were filmed and their behavior was recorded at multiple time points pre- and post-orchidectomy. Observers then scored specific pain associated behaviors for analysis. Time matched footage was also scored using the rabbit grimace scale (RbtGS). Following surgery, rabbits showed significant increases in the duration spent displaying key pain associated behaviors at 1 and 5 h post-surgery. DB rabbits that received low dose meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg) showed significantly more pain behaviors at 1 and 5 h post-surgery compared to those administered a combination of higher dose meloxicam (0.6 mg/kg) and a lidocaine/bupivacaine local infusion. DB rabbits showed an increase in RbtGS score at both 1 and 5 h post-surgery. In the NZW rabbits, an increase in RbtGS score was only observed at 1 h post-surgery. Using behavioral analysis as the gold standard for comparison, the RbtGS was an effective means of determining when rabbits are painful following orchidectomy. Higher dose meloxicam (0.6 mg/kg) combined with local anesthetic was a more effective method of reducing pain, compared to lower dose meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg) alone

Major subpopulations of Plasmodium falciparum in sub-Saharan Africa.

Understanding genomic variation and population structure of Plasmodium falciparum across Africa is necessary to sustain progress toward malaria elimination. Genome clustering of 2263 P. falciparum isolates from 24 malaria-endemic settings in 15 African countries identified major western, central, and eastern ancestries, plus a highly divergent Ethiopian population. Ancestry aligned to these regional blocs, overlapping with both the parasite's origin and with historical human migration. The parasite populations are interbred and shared genomic haplotypes, especially across drug resistance loci, which showed the strongest recent identity-by-descent between populations. A recent signature of selection on chromosome 12 with candidate resistance loci against artemisinin derivatives was evident in Ghana and Malawi. Such selection and the emerging substructure may affect treatment-based intervention strategies against P. falciparum malaria

Crop Updates 2006 - Katanning

This session covers sixteen papers from different authors 2006 SEASONAL OUTLOOK, David Stephens and Michael Meuleners, Department of Agriculture Review of climate model summaries reported in the Department of Agriculture’s growing season outlooks, Meredith Fairbanks, Department of Agriculture Farmers commodity outlook 2006, Thomas Schulz, Department of Agriculture Why is salinity such a difficult problem for plant breeders? T J Flowers, TD Colmer, University of Western Australia Matching nitrogen supply to wheat demand in 2005, Narelle Simpson, Ron McTaggart, Wal Anderson, Lionel Martin and Dave Allen, Department of Agriculture Wheat varieties in 2006, Brenda Shackley, Department of Agriculture Performance of dwarf potential milling oat varieties in Western Australian environments, Raj Malik and Kellie Winfield, Department of Agriculture Field pea lessons for 2006, Rodger Beermir, Department of Agriculture Better returns from Durum wheat, Shahahan Miyan, Department of Agriculture Summer weeds can reduce grain yield and protein, Dr. Abul Hashem, Department of Agriculture, Dr Shahab Pathan, Department of Agriculture, Vikki Osten, Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Management of Summer Weeds, Alex Douglas, Department of Agriculture Frost or Friction, Garren Knell, Steve Curtin, Wade Longmuir, Consult Ag Pty Ltd PROFITING FROM MARGINAL LAND SEMINAR Producing Bio-Diesel and rubber from marginal land?? Dr Henry Brockman, Department of Agriculture SGSL Producer network – on ground implementation of saltbush based pastures, Justin Hardy, Arjen Ryder, John Paul Collins and Jessica Johns, Department of Agriculture Enhancing the profitability of “Edenia” using saltbush and perenials, SGSL Producer case study, John Pepall, Jinka’s Hill LCDC Investment in saltland pastures, Allan Herbert, Department of Agricultur

mSep: investigating physiological and immune-metabolic biomarkers in septic and healthy pregnant women to predict feto-maternal immune health – a prospective observational cohort study protocol

Introduction: Maternal sepsis remains a leading cause of death in pregnancy. Physiological adaptations to pregnancy obscure early signs of sepsis and can result in delays in recognition and treatment. Identifying biomarkers that can reliably diagnose sepsis will reduce morbidity and mortality and antibiotic overuse. We have previously identified an immune-metabolic biomarker network comprising three pathways with a >99% accuracy for detecting bacterial neonatal sepsis. In this prospective study, we will describe physiological parameters and novel biomarkers in two cohorts—healthy pregnant women and pregnant women with suspected sepsis—with the aim of mapping pathophysiological drivers and evaluating predictive biomarkers for diagnosing maternal sepsis. Methods and analysis: Women aged over 18 with an ultrasound-confirmed pregnancy will be recruited to a pilot and two main study cohorts. The pilot will involve blood sample collection from 30 pregnant women undergoing an elective caesarean section. Cohort A will follow 100 healthy pregnant women throughout their pregnancy journey, with collection of blood samples from participants at routine time points in their pregnancy: week 12 ‘booking’, week 28 and during labour. Cohort B will follow 100 pregnant women who present with suspected sepsis in pregnancy or labour and will have at least two blood samples taken during their care pathway. Study blood samples will be collected during routine clinical blood sampling. Detailed medical history and physiological parameters at the time of blood sampling will be recorded, along with the results of routine biochemical tests, including C reactive protein, lactate and white blood cell count. In addition, study blood samples will be processed and analysed for transcriptomic, lipidomic and metabolomic analyses and both qualitative and functional immunophenotyping. Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval has been obtained from the Wales Research Ethics Committee 2 (SPON1752-19, 30 October 2019). Trial registration number: NCT05023954

Bias in Arts HE

UAL Creative Mindsets (developed from the OfS-funded, Catalyst research intervention Changing Mindsets piloted in 2017) aims to close attainment differentials by developing growth mindsets (Dweck, 2000) in both students and staff and reducing stereotype threat (Steele & Aronson, 1995) and implicit bias (Staats, 2014) as barriers to learning. Avoiding a student deficit model (Solorzano & Yosso, 2001); UAL Creative Mindsets consists of 2 workshops – one that focuses on mindsets, failure and challenge and the other on implicit bias and stereotype threat. In the bias workshops, we draw upon Devine’s (2012) bias habit-breaking strategies and apply these to different contexts, such as curriculum design, creative practice and inclusive pedagogy. From October to December 2019, over 2,100 Year 1 students and 40 staff attended a workshop and we are working to embed this across the university within the curriculum and attainment-focused staff development offers. We have positioned this work as trans-disciplinary drawing upon educational theory and psychology, but contextualizing it within the wider, social science discourse of structural and systemic inequality including decolonizing, social justice and anti-racist approaches. Furthermore, the sessions we have delivered are bespoke to the creative discipline – such as Illustration; Media and Communications; Costume for Performance, Graphic Design and Fine Art

Creative Mindsets – bias and belonging in the creative arts studio

Vikki Hill - ORCID: 0000-0002-9277-2715 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9277-2715pubThis episode of interrogating spaces brings together the organisers and student and alumni facilitators of the Creative Mindsets initiative that has been running at UAL since 2017. Creative Mindsets works to improve attainment by developing growth mindsets to address stereotype threat and bias. It has delivered over 150 workshops with both staff and students in the last two years. The podcast presents a focused discussion of different aspects and occurrences of bias within the UAL learning environment and beyond. The recording gave space for honest feedback and a chance to discuss real-life experiences on the phenomenon of bias at a range of levels, from the personal to the systemic. Through this, the discussion can inform a way forward for a more empathetic teaching practice that incorporates a sense of belonging within the studio environmenthttps://interrogatingspaces.buzzsprout.com/683798/3045604-creative-mindsets-bias-and-belonging-in-the-creative-arts-studiopubItem is not available in this repository