Estimation of the size of onset of sexual maturity in Nephrops norvegicus (L.).

Size at onset of maturity (SOM) was estimated for both male and female Nephrops from primary sexual characteristics and morphometric traits. SOM estimated from primary sexual characteristics based on histological examination of the gonad ranged from 15.1 mm carapace length (CL) in males to 22.9 mm CL in females. Nephrops morphometric maturity, or change in allometric growth of body parts, was estimated from appendix masculina and cutter claw lengths in males and abdomen width in females from two sites in the Irish Sea. Two regression techniques were used to estimate morphometric maturity. Estimated SOM from morphometric characteristics ranged from 23.2 to 27.6 mm CL in females and from 25.9 to 31.0 mm CL in males. Spatial variation in SOM was observed in Nephrops from different parts of the Irish Sea.

Fasciola hepatica: Histology of the testis in egg-producing adults of several laboratory-maintained isolates of flukes grown to maturity in cattle and sheep and in flukes from naturally infected hosts

A total of 8 calves approximately 6 months old and 22 lambs of similar age were infected with metacercariae of Fasciola hepatica of various laboratory-maintained isolates including: Cullompton (sensitive to triclabendazole) and Sligo, Oberon and Leon (reported as resistant to triclabendazole). Ten to 16 weeks after infection, flukes were harvested from these experimental animals and the histology of the testis tissue was examined in a representative sample of flukes from each population. Adult wild-type flukes were also collected from 5 chronically infected cattle and 7 chronically infected sheep identified at post-mortem inspection. The testis tissue of these flukes was compared with that of the various laboratory-maintained isolates. Whilst the testes of the wild-type, Oberon and Leon flukes displayed all the usual cell types associated with spermatogenesis in Fasciola hepatica (spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids and mature sperm), the Cullompton flukes from both cattle and sheep showed arrested spermatogenesis, with no stages later than primary spermatocytes represented in the testis profiles. The presence of numerous eosinophilic apoptotic bodies and nuclear fragments suggested that meiotic division was anomalous and incomplete. In contrast to the wild-type flukes, no mature spermatozoa were present in the testes or amongst the shelled eggs in the uterus. A high proportion of the eggs collected from these flukes hatched to release normal-appearing miracidia after an appropriate incubation period, as indeed was the case with all isolates examined and the wild-type flukes. It is concluded that the eggs of Cullompton flukes are capable of development without fertilization, i.e. are parthenogenetic. The implications of this for rapid evolution of resistant clones following an anthelmintic selection event are discussed. Amongst the Sligo flukes examined, two subtypes were recognised, namely, those flukes with all stages of spermatogenesis and mature spermatozoa present in the testes (type 1), and those flukes with all stages of spermatogenesis up to spermatids present, but no maturing spermatozoa in the testes (type 2). Each sheep infected with the Sligo isolate had both type 1 (approximately 60%) and type 2 (approximately 40%) flukes present in the population. Spermatozoa were found amongst the eggs in the uterus in 64% of flukes and this did not necessarily reflect the occurrence of spermatozoa in the testis profiles of particular flukes, suggesting that cross-fertilization had occurred. The apparent disruption of meiosis in the spermatocytes of the Cullompton flukes is consistent with reports that Cullompton flukes are triploid (3n = 30), whereas the Sligo and wild-type flukes are diploid (2n = 20). In the Sligo flukes the populations are apparently genetically heterogenous, with a proportion of the flukes unable to produce fully formed spermatozoa perhaps because of a failure in spermiogenesis involving elongation of the nucleus during morphogenesis. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Maturity Model for Supply Chain Relationships in Construction

This study explores the special characteristics of the construction industry and develops a maturity model for measuring and improving the relationships between the key players of a construction supply chain. The model adopts the capability maturity methodology and defines four maturity levels of construction supply chain relationships. It is in a matrix format, consisting of 24 assessment criteria in eight categories at each maturity level. It also provides three different ways of using the model. The model is evaluated through a series of expert interviews. A case study is also presented to demonstrate the application of this model in practice.

Japan’s Blair Witch: Restraint, Maturity, and Generic Canons in the British Critical Reception of Ring

This essay examines the British critical reception of the Japanese horror ? lm Ring. Critics claimed that Ring was representative of a non-graphic, suggestive tradition in horror, and used the ?lm rhetorically to present a sense of difference from teen horror ?lms such as Scream.

Psychosocial impact of breast/ovarian (BRCA 1/2) cancer-predictive genetic testing in a UK multi-centre clinical cohort

This multi-centre UK study assesses the impact of predictive testing for breast and ovarian cancer predisposition genes (BRCA 1/2) in the clinical context. In the year following predictive testing, 261 adults (59 male) from nine UK genetics centres participated; 9 I gene mutation carriers and 170 noncarriers. Self-report questionnaires were completed at baseline (pre-genetic testing) and 1, 4 and 12 months following the genetic test result. Men were assessed for general mental health (by general health questionnaire (GHQ)) and women for general mental health, cancer-related worry, intrusive and avoidant thoughts, perception of risk and risk management behaviour. Main comparisons were between female carriers and noncarriers on all measures and men and women for general mental health. Female noncarriers benefited psychologically, with significant reductions in cancer-related worry following testing (P

Do psychosocial factors moderate the association of fixed-term employment with work interference with family and sleeping problems in registered nurses: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey

Background: The use affixed-term employment has increased lately, particularly in Europe and in the health care sector. Previous studies have shown that especially among the health care sector employee's organizational justice perceptions and job control are important factors that are directly related to the welfare and attitudes of employees and may also help to buffer the negative impacts of many detrimental factors.

Health, psychosocial factors and retirement intentions among Finnish physicians

Background Early retirement among physicians is a worldwide problem and all efforts to try to minimize it are of importance.