The parent programme implementation checklist (PPIC): the development and testing of an objective measure of skills and fidelity for the delivery of parent programmes

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Taylor & Francis via the DOI in this recordBackground: Group-based parent programmes demonstrate positive benefits for adult and child mental health, and child behaviour outcomes. Greater fidelity to the programme delivery model equates to better outcomes for families attending, however, fidelity is typically self-monitored using programme specific checklists. Self-completed measures are open to bias, and it is difficult to know if positive outcomes found from research studies will be maintained when delivered in regular services. Currently, ongoing objective monitoring of quality is not conducted during usual service delivery. This is odd given that quality of other services is assessed objectively, for example by the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (OFSTED). Independent observations of programme delivery are needed to assess fidelity and quality of delivery to ensure positive outcomes, and therefore justify the expense of programme delivery. Methods: This paper outlines the initial development and reliability of a tool, the Parent Programme Implementation Checklist (PPIC), which was originally developed as a simple, brief and generic observational tool for independent assessment of implementation fidelity of group-based parent programmes. PPIC does not require intensive observer training before application/use. This paper presents initial data obtained during delivery of the Incredible Years BASIC programme across nine localities in England and Wales, United Kingdom (UK). Results: Reasonable levels of inter-rater reliability were achieved across each of the three subscales (Adherence, Quality and Participant Responsiveness) and the overall total score when applying percentage agreements (>70%) and intra-class correlations (ICC) (ICC range between 0.404 and 0.730). Intra-rater reliability (n = 6) was acceptable at the subscale level. Conclusions: We conclude that the PPIC has promise, and with further development could be utilised to assess fidelity of parent group delivery during research trials and standard service delivery. Further development would need to include data from other parent programmes, and testing by non-research staff. The objective assessment of quality of delivery would inform services where improvements could be made.This research was supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care – Yorkshire and Humber, and South West Peninsula

The Nrarp Gene Encodes an Ankyrin-Repeat Protein That Is Transcriptionally Regulated by the Notch Signaling Pathway

AbstractWe have identified a gene encoding a novel protein that is transcriptionally regulated by the Notch signaling pathway in mammals. This gene, named Nrarp (for Notch-regulated ankyrin-repeat protein), encodes a 114 amino acid protein that has a unique amino-terminus and a carboxy-terminal domain containing two ankyrin-repeat motifs. A Xenopus homolog of the Nrarp gene was previously identified in a large-scale in situ hybridization screen of randomly isolated cDNA clones. We demonstrate that in T-cell and myoblast cell lines expression of the Nrarp gene is induced by the intracellular domain of the Notch1 protein, and that this induction is mediated by a CBF1/Su(H)/Lag-1 (CSL)-dependent pathway. During mouse embryogenesis, the Nrarp gene is expressed in several tissues in which cellular differentiation is regulated by the Notch signaling pathway. Expression of the Nrarp gene is downregulated in Notch1 null mutant mouse embryos, indicating that expression of the Nrarp gene is regulated by the Notch pathway in vivo. Thus, Nrarp transcript levels are regulated by the level of Notch1 signaling in both cultured cell lines and mouse embryos. During somitogenesis, the Nrarp gene is expressed in a pattern that suggests that Nrarp expression may play a role in the formation of somites, and Nrarp expression in the paraxial mesoderm is altered in several Notch pathway mutants that exhibit defects in somite formation. These observations demonstrate that the Nrarp gene is an evolutionarily conserved transcriptional target of the Notch signaling pathway

Hybridization in bottlenose dolphins—A case study of Tursiops aduncus × T. truncatus hybrids and successful backcross hybridization events

The bottlenose dolphin, genus Tursiops is one of the best studied of all the Cetacea with a minimum of two species widely recognised. Common bottlenose dolphins (T. truncatus), are the cetacean species most frequently held in captivity and are known to hybridize with species from at least 6 different genera. In this study, we document several intra-generic hybridization events between T. truncatus and T. aduncus held in captivity. We demonstrate that the F1 hybrids are fertile and can backcross producing apparently healthy offspring, thereby showing introgressive inter-specific hybridization within the genus. We document that female F1 hybrids can reach sexual maturity at 4 yr and 3 mo of age, and can become pregnant and give birth before being fully weaned. The information presented has implications for understanding hybrid reticulation among cetacean species and practical implications for captive facilities housing either Tursiops species or hybrids thereof

Identification of potential signature whistles from free-ranging common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in South Africa

Conveying identity is important for social animals to maintain individually based relationships. Communication of identity information relies on both signal encoding and perception. Several delphinid species use individually distinctive signature whistles to transmit identity information, best described for the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). In this study, we investigate signature whistle use in wild common dolphins (Delphinus delphis). Acoustic recordings were analysed from 11 encounters from three locations in South Africa (Hout Bay, False Bay, and Plettenberg Bay) during 2009, 2016 and 2017. The frequency contours of whistles were visually categorised, with 29 signature whistle types (SWTs) identified through contour categorisation and a bout analysis approach developed specifically to identify signature whistles in bottlenose dolphins (SIGID). Categorisation verification was conducted using an unsupervised neural network (ARTwarp) at both a 91% and 96% vigilance parameter. For this, individual SWTs were analysed type by type and then in a ‘global’ analysis whereby all 497 whistle contours were categorised simultaneously. Overall the analysis demonstrated high stereotypy in the structure and temporal production of whistles, consistent with signature whistle use. We suggest that individual identity information may be encoded in these whistle contours. However, the large group sizes and high degree of vocal activity characteristic of this dolphin species generate a cluttered acoustic environment with high potential for masking from conspecific vocalisations. Therefore, further investigation into the mechanisms of identity perception in such acoustically cluttered environments is required to demonstrate the function of these stereotyped whistle types in common dolphins.This research (2014–2018) was supported by Sea Search Research and Conservation NPO and Grant 93689 to Simon Elwen from the South African National Research Foundation. For the data collected in Plettenberg Bay in 2009, funding was provided by the Russel Trust.http://link.springer.com/journal/100712020-06-08hj2019Mammal Research InstituteZoology and Entomolog

Song recorded near a super-group of humpback whales on a mid-latitude feeding ground off South Africa

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are well known for their complex song which is culturally transmitted and produced by males. However, the function of singing behavior remains poorly understood. Song was observed from 57 min of acoustic recording in the presence of feeding humpback whales aggregated in the near-shore waters on the west coast of South Africa. The structural organization of the song components, lack of overlap between song units, and consistency in relative received level suggest the song was produced by one "singer." The unusual timing and location of song production adds further evidence of plasticity in song production

Mutagenic screening of diamine monomers

The effects of phenyl ring coupling moieties, of isomeric amine positions relative to the coupling groups, and of insertion of other coupling groups on the mutagenic response of a series of dianilines were investigated using the Ames Salmonella assay. Generally, S-9 metabolic activation from Aroclor-induced rat liver was required for mutagenic expression. The range of mutagenicity of steric isomers of several dianiline series was also investigated. No mutagenicity was found for purified samples of o,o' and m,p' isomers of methylene dianiline (MDA) and diaminobenzophenone, while varying degrees of mutagenicity were found for other isomers. The mutagenicity of "benzylogs" of MDA decreased as the degree of linear separation of the m,m' anilino groups by aromatic rings increased. Methylation and two-year storage increased mutagenic response in certain isomers of MDA. However, high performance liquid chromatography indicated there was no discernible change in m,p'-MDA samples aged under varied conditions over four months. Likewise, no change in mutagenicity was found

Song recorded near a super-group of humpback whales on a mid-latitude feeding ground off South Africa

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are well known for their complex song which is culturally transmitted and produced by males. However, the function of singing behavior remains poorly understood. Song was observed from 57 min of acoustic recording in the presence of feeding humpback whales aggregated in the nearshore waters on the west coast of South Africa. The structural organization of the song components, lack of overlap between song units, and consistency in relative received level suggest the song was produced by one “singer.” The unusual timing and location of song production adds further evidence of plasticity in song production.In part by the Claude Leon Foundation (T.G.) and the National Research Foundation (S.E.).http://asa.scitation.org/journal/jas2018-10-30am2018Zoology and Entomolog

Cetacean diversity of the eastern South Atlantic Ocean and Vema Seamount detected during a visual and passive acoustic survey, 2019

This is the final version. Available from Cambridge University Press via the DOI in this record. Cetaceans in the eastern South Atlantic Ocean are poorly studied. We present results from a 2 week ship-based survey from Cape Town to Vema Seamount (980 km to the west) during October–November 2019, including visual and towed-hydrophone observations from the vessel, and 10 days of acoustic monitoring on the seamount. Fifty-two hours of visual surveys resulted in 39 encounters of whale groups including seven of humpback, six of fin and one sei whale, as well as four unidentified baleen whales, 18 unidentified balaenopterid whales and four unidentified odontocetes. Two humpback whales at the seamount were engaged in possible feeding behaviour. A large aggregation of mostly fin whales was observed near the continental shelf edge (22 encounters over a 70 × 50 km2 area, six fin, one sei whale, 15 not confirmed to species), an historic whaling ground for both fin and sei whales. Towed-hydrophone data (78.7 h) detected five groups of sperm whales, 45 of delphinids, one beaked whale and no Kogiids. Acoustic data from the seamount detected calls from several baleen whale species including humpback whale non-song calls, Antarctic minke ‘bioduck’ calls, sei whale down-sweep calls and a likely Bryde's whale call. Two call types could not be assigned to species, including the most detected – a simple frequency-modulated call with peak power around 130 Hz. This study contributes to an improved understanding of cetacean occurrence in the eastern South Atlantic Ocean and highlights the need for more research to improve identification of cetacean vocalizations in the region.Umweltstiftung Greenpeace Foundation, Hambur

Critical role of endothelial Notch1 signaling in postnatal angiogenesis

Notch receptors are important mediators of cell fate during embryogenesis, but their role in adult physiology, particularly in postnatal angiogenesis, remains unknown. Of the Notch receptors, only Notch1 and Notch4 are expressed in vascular endothelial cells. Here we show that blood flow recovery and postnatal neovascularization in response to hindlimb ischemia in haploinsufficient global or endothelial-specific Notch1(+/-) mice, but not Notch4(-/-) mice, were impaired compared with wild-type mice. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in response to ischemia was comparable between wild-type and Notch mutant mice, suggesting that Notch1 is downstream of VEGF signaling. Treatment of endothelial cells with VEGF increases presenilin proteolytic processing, gamma-secretase activity, Notch1 cleavage, and Hes-1 (hairy enhancer of split homolog-1) expression, all of which were blocked by treating endothelial cells with inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase Akt or infecting endothelial cells with a dominant-negative Akt mutant. Indeed, inhibition of gamma-secretase activity leads to decreased angiogenesis and inhibits VEGF-induced endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and survival. Overexpression of the active Notch1 intercellular domain rescued the inhibitory effects of gamma-secretase inhibitors on VEGF-induced angiogenesis. These findings indicate that the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway mediates gamma-secretase and Notch1 activation by VEGF and that Notch1 is critical for VEGF-induced postnatal angiogenesis. These results suggest that Notch1 may be a novel therapeutic target for improving angiogenic response and blood flow recovery in ischemic limbs