The role of H2D+ in the deuteration of interstellar molecules

Collisions between H-3(+) and HD in molecular clouds lead to the fractionation of deuterium in H2D+ at temperatures below 20 K. In this article, we describe the chemistry of H2D+ and discuss how variations in temperature and elemental abundances affect the level of fractionation in H2D+ and other species. We describe how accretion of gas-phase molecules on to cold dust grains enhances the deuteration in several molecules including doubly deuterated molecules. Mie show that the ion-neutral drift velocities attained in slow Alfven waves can destroy H2D+ in non-thermal reactions. As a result, the degree of fractionation can be reduced and we discuss observational consequences of such a model for the dark dust cloud TMC-1.

The impact of adversity in childhood on outcomes in adulthood: research lessons and limitations

Summary: Current UK Government policy is concerned with the possible connections between childhood adversity, social exclusion and negative outcomes in adulthood. Understanding the impact of adverse childhood experiences on outcomes in adulthood is therefore key to informing effective policy and practice. In this article, the research on the impact of childhood adversity on outcomes in adulthood is reviewed in the broad categories of: mental health and social functioning; physical health; offending; service use; and economic impact. The literature on resilience that focuses on those who experience adversity, but do not have associated negative outcomes is also briefly considered. The strengths and limitations of the range of research methods used are then examined. Findings: Previous studies have tended to focus on specific forms of adversity, predominantly abuse and neglect, and either: specific populations and specific outcomes; specific populations and general outcomes; or general populations and specific outcomes. This means there may be incomplete understanding of the inputs (the range of adverse experiences in childhood), the processes (how these may affect people) and the outcomes (across domains in adulthood). Applications: It is concluded that it is important for social work researchers to engage in the current debate about how to prevent harmful childhood adversity and there is an important gap in the research for more interdisciplinary large-scale general population studies that consider the full range of childhood adversity and associated impacts across time and the possible processes involved.

Effectiveness of filters in reducing consolidation time in routine laboratory testing

The research reported here is based on the standard laboratory experiments routinely performed in order to measure various geotechnical parameters. These experiments require consolidation of fine-grained samples in triaxial or stress path apparatus. The time required for the consolidation is dependent on the permeability of the soil and the length of the drainage path. The consolidation time is often of the order of several weeks in large clay-dominated samples. Long testing periods can be problematic, as they can delay decisions on design and construction methods. Acceleration of the consolidation process would require a reduction in effective drainage length and this is usually achieved by placing filter drains around the sample. The purpose of the research reported in this paper is to assess if these filter drains work effectively and, if not, to determine what modifications to the filter drains are needed. The findings have shown that use of a double filter reduces the consolidation time several fold.

Development and validation of a dried blood spot-LC-APCI-MS assay for estimation of canrenone in paediatric samples

A selective and sensitive liquid chromatography (LC)-atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation (APCI)-mass spectroscopic (MS) assay of canrenone has been developed and validated employing Dried Blood Spots (DBS) as the sample collection medium. DBS samples were prepared by applying 30 mu l of spiked whole blood onto Guthrie cards. A 6 mm disc was punched from the each DBS and extracted with 2 ml of methanolic solution of 17 alpha-methyltestosterone (Internal Standard). The methanolic extract was evaporated to dryness and reconstituted in acetonitrile:water (1:9, v/v). The reconstituted solution was further subjected to solid phase extraction using HLB cartridges. Chromatographic separation was achieved using Waters Sunfire C18 reversed-phase column using isocratic elution, followed by a high organic wash to clear late eluting/highly retained components. The mobile phase consisted of methanol:water (60:40, v/v) pumped at a flow rate of 0.3 ml/min. LC-APCI-MS detection was performed in the selected-ion monitoring (SIM) mode using target ions at m/z 341.1 and 303.3 for canrenone and internal standard respectively. The selectivity of the method was established by analysing DBS samples from 6 different sources (individuals). The calibration curve for canrenone was found to be linear over 25-1000 ng/ml (r >0.994). Accuracy (% RE) and precision (% CV) values for within and between day were

Further reflections on Habermas's contribution to discourse in child protection: An examination of power in social life

Hayes and Houston's positive review of Habermas's contribution to discourse in family group conferences (in this journal) has been challenged by Garrett. In this paper, one of the authors replies to Garrett but extends the analysis through a more considered, developed and detailed examination of Habermas's thoughts on power in social life. This leads to a conceptual framework that enables the participants in the conference to exercise power in a positive manner. In developing this earlier analysis, the paper also acknowledges Garrett's argument that Bourdieu helps us to understand the nature of constraining social structures in child protection. However, Bourdieu's ideas are subsequently challenged on the grounds that they lack a competent formulation on human agency - a faculty that Habermas cogently elucidates. This enlarged understanding of agency, it is argued, offers a theoretical resource that fits better with the ethos of emancipatory social work.

Rapid Surface Plasmon Resonance Immunoassay for the Determination of Deoxynivalenol in Wheat, Wheat Products, and Maize-Based Baby Food

A rapid screening assay (9 min/sample) has been developed and validated for the detection of deoxynivalenol in durum wheat, wheat products, and maize-based baby foods using an SPA biosensor. Through a single laboratory validation, the limits of detection (LOD) for wheat, wheat-based breakfast cereal, and maize-based baby food were 57, 9, and 6 mu g/kg, respectively. Intra-assay and interassay precisions were calculated for each matrix at the maximum and half-maximum European Union regulatory limits and expressed as the coefficient of variation (CV). All CVs fell below 10% with the exception of the between-run CV for breakfast cereal. Recoveries at the concentrations tested ranged from 92 to 115% for all matrices. Action limits of 161, 348, and 1378 mu g/kg were calculated for baby food, wheat-based breakfast cereal, and wheat, respectively, and the linear range of the assay was determined as 250-2000 mu g/kg.

Structure-Based Mutational Analysis of eIF4E in Relation to sbm1 Resistance to Pea Seed-Borne Mosaic Virus in Pea

Background: Pea encodes eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF4E (eIF4E(S)), which supports the multiplication of Pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV). In common with hosts for other potyviruses, some pea lines contain a recessive allele (sbm1) encoding a mutant eIF4E (eIF4E(R)) that fails to interact functionally with the PSbMV avirulence protein, VPg, giving genetic resistance to infection.

Systemic psychotherapy as an intervention for post-traumatic stress responses: an introduction, theoretical rationale and overview of developments in an emerging field of interest

The purpose of this article is to critically examine the literature to provide a rationale for including systemic family therapy (SFT) in the psycho-social treatment of people suffering the impact of post-traumatic stress (PTS). Attention is drawn to the relatively underdeveloped academic literature on PTS and the family. The impact of PTS is conceptualized within a psycho-social framework and the current evidence base for psycho-social interventions for PTS responses is described, highlighting the opportunity and need to undergird this area of daily practice. The impact of PTS on the family at multiple levels is identified, emphasizing its recursive nature. The case for SFT is articulated and a range of models of family intervention for PTS briefly reviewed, concluding with an emphasis on Walsh's key processes in family resilience as a framework for practice.

Evidence for repeated independent evolution of migration in the largest family of bats

Background: How migration evolved represents one of the most poignant questions in evolutionary biology. While studies on the evolution of migration in birds are well represented in the literature, migration in bats has received relatively little attention. Yet, more than 30 species of bats are known to migrate annually from breeding to non-breeding locations. Our study is the first to test hypotheses on the evolutionary history of migration in bats using a phylogenetic framework. Methods and Principal Findings: In addition to providing a review of bat migration in relation to existing hypotheses on the evolution of migration in birds, we use a previously published supertree to formulate and test hypotheses on the evolutionary history of migration in bats. Our results suggest that migration in bats has evolved independently in several lineages potentially as the need arises to track resources (food, roosting site) but not through a series of steps from short- to long-distance migrants, as has been suggested for birds. Moreover, our analyses do not indicate that migration is an ancestral state but has relatively recently evolved in bats. Our results also show that migration is significantly less likely to evolve in cave roosting bats than in tree roosting species. Conclusions and Significance: This is the first study to provide evidence that migration has evolved independently in bat lineages that are not closely related. If migration evolved as a need to track seasonal resources or seek adequate roosting sites, climate change may have a pivotal impact on bat migratory habits. Our study provides a strong framework for future research on the evolution of migration in chiropterans. © 2009 Bisson et al.

The effects of job demands and low job control on work-family conflict: The role of fairness in decision making and management

The present study examined whether Perceptions of organizational fairness (the procedural and interactional components) were able to diminish the negative effects of high job demands and low job control on the balance between work and family. The study participants were 713 women working in long-term care for elderly people in Finland. The results showed that high job demands, low job control, and unfair decision making were associated with high levels of time-based work interference with family (WIF). Perceptions of organizational fairness were found to partially mediate the association between Job control and WIF In addition, fair treatment and management protected against WIF when demands were low but were unable to bluffer against the negative effects of high job demands. (C) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Development and validation of a method for the confirmation of halofuginone in chicken liver and eggs using electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

A method is described for the quantitative confirmation of halofuginone (HFG) residues in chicken liver and eggs. This method is based on LC coupled to positive ion electrospray MS-MS of the tissue extracts, prepared by trypsin digestion of the tissues followed by liquid-liquid extraction and final clean-up using Solid Phase Extraction (SPE). The [M+H](+) ion at m/z 416 is monitored along with four transitions at m/z 398, 138, 120 and 100. The method has been validated according to the draft EU criteria for the analysis of veterinary drug residues at 15, 30 and 45 mug kg (-1) in liver and 5, 15 and 50 mug kg (-1) in eggs. The new analytical limits, CCalpha and CCbeta were calculated for liver and were 35.4 and 43.6 mug kg (-1), respectively. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

In vitro modeling of respiratory syncytial virus infection of pediatric bronchial epithelium, the primary target of infection in vivo

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the major viral cause of severe pulmonary disease in young infants worldwide. However, the mechanisms by which RSV causes disease in humans remain poorly understood. To help bridge this gap, we developed an ex vivo/in vitro model of RSV infection based on well-differentiated primary pediatric bronchial epithelial cells (WD-PBECs), the primary targets of RSV infection in vivo. Our RSV/WD-PBEC model demonstrated remarkable similarities to hallmarks of RSV infection in infant lungs. These hallmarks included restriction of infection to noncontiguous or small clumps of apical ciliated and occasional nonciliated epithelial cells, apoptosis and sloughing of apical epithelial cells, occasional syncytium formation, goblet cell hyperplasia/metaplasia, and mucus hypersecretion. RSV was shed exclusively from the apical surface at titers consistent with those in airway aspirates from hospitalized infants. Furthermore, secretion of proinflammatory chemokines such as CXCL10, CCL5, IL-6, and CXCL8 reflected those chemokines present in airway aspirates. Interestingly, a recent RSV clinical isolate induced more cytopathogenesis than the prototypic A2 strain. Our findings indicate that this RSV/WD-PBEC model provides an authentic surrogate for RSV infection of airway epithelium in vivo. As such, this model may provide insights into RSV pathogenesis in humans that ultimately lead to successful RSV vaccines or therapeutics.