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Background Isoprene accounts for about half of total biogenic volatile organic compound emissions globally, and as a climate active gas it plays a significant and varied role in atmospheric chemistry. Terrestrial plants are the largest source of isoprene, with willow (Salix) making up one of the most active groups of isoprene producing trees. Bacteria act as a biological sink for isoprene and those bacteria associated with high isoprene-emitting trees may provide further insight into its biodegradation. Results A DNA-SIP experiment incubating willow (Salix fragilis) leaves with 13C-labelled isoprene revealed an abundance of Comamonadaceae, Methylobacterium, Mycobacterium and Polaromonas in the isoprene degrading community when analysed by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Metagenomic analysis of 13C-enriched samples confirmed the abundance of Comamonadaceae, Acidovorax, Polaromonas, Variovorax and Ramlibacter. Mycobacterium and Methylobacterium were also identified after metagenomic analysis and a Mycobacterium metagenome-assembled genome (MAG) was recovered. This contained two complete isoprene degradation metabolic gene clusters, along with a propane monooxygenase gene cluster. Analysis of the abundance of the alpha subunit of the isoprene monooxygenase, isoA, in unenriched DNA samples revealed that isoprene degraders associated with willow leaves are abundant, making up nearly 0.2% of the natural bacterial community. Conclusions Analysis of the isoprene degrading community associated with willow leaves using DNA-SIP and focused metagenomics techniques enabled recovery of the genome of an active isoprene-degrading Mycobacterium species and provided valuable insight into bacteria involved in degradation of isoprene on the leaves of a key species of isoprene-emitting tree in the northern hemisphere.

Early psychosocial adversities exist at many levels, including caregiving-related, extrafamilial, and sociodemographic, which despite their high interrelatedness may have unique impacts on development. In this paper, we focus on caregiving-related early adversities (crEAs) and parse the heterogeneity of crEAs via data reduction techniques that identify experiential cooccurrences. Using network science, we characterized crEA cooccurrences to represent the comorbidity of crEA experiences across a sample of school-age children (n = 258; 6–12 years old) with a history of crEAs. crEA dimensions (variable level) and crEA subtypes (subject level) were identified using parallel factor analysis/principal component analysis and graph-based Louvain community detection. Bagging enhancement with cross-validation provided estimates of robustness. These data-driven dimensions/subtypes showed evidence of stability, transcended traditional sociolegally defined groups, were more homogenous than sociolegally defined groups, and reduced statistical correlations with sociodemographic factors. Finally, random forests showed both unique and common predictive importance of the crEA dimensions/subtypes for childhood mental health symptoms and academic skills. These data-driven outcomes provide additional tools and recommendations for crEA data reduction to inform precision medicine efforts in this area.

(1) Background: The transition to motherhood can be challenging, especially for first-time mothers, and can accompany maternal distress. Social support—such as that offered by peers—can be important in assisting mothers to manage such distress. Although primiparous mothers often seek out and value peer support programs, few researchers have investigated factors that may influence the strength of relationships in non-professional maternal peer support programs. Insight into these factors can be key to enhancing the success of future peer support interventions. (2) Methods: Reflexive thematic analysis was applied to data gathered from 36 semi-structured interviews conducted with 14 primiparous mothers and 17 peer mentors in a peer support program. (3) Results: Four themes related to successful mentorship were identified: expectations of peer relationship, independence of peer mentor, contact, and similarities. (4) Conclusions: For primiparous mothers who are developing their support network, these factors appear important for promoting close and effective peer support relationships. Interventions that harness the dynamics between these factors may contribute to more successful peer support relationships and mental health outcomes for participants.

The paper explores the extent to which citizen apologies and forgiveness are important tools of citizen diplomacy and peace-making efforts. In recent years, there has been an increase in the frequency of apologies by state leaders and research into the reasons for these apologies. However, there has been little research into apologies by citizens in citizen diplomacy efforts. This paper seeks to fill a gap in research by exploring the role of citizen apologies and forgiveness in citizen diplomacy efforts in transnational conflicts. Conflicts are no longer just state-to-state, but instead involve a whole host of state and non-state actors alike both in perpetrating conflicts and in peacemaking efforts. As such, there is a need to explore the diplomatic tools needed in building dialogue and improving relations between states that have a history of conflict. This research looks at case studies of conflicts involving Bosnia/Serbia and Libya/America. It can be concluded that citizens, as members of a collective, have the right and moral responsibility to apologise for offences of their states. These apologies do not serve as official legal acts of contrition, but as helpful diplomatic gestures of good will used to improve relations between states that have a history of conflict.

Cognitive control is typically described as disrupted following exposure to early caregiving instability. While much of the work within this field has approached cognitive control broadly, evidence from adults retrospectively reporting early-life instability has shown more nuanced effects on cognitive control, even demonstrating enhancements in certain subdomains. That is, exposure to unstable caregiving may disrupt some areas of cognitive control, yet promote adaptation in others. Here, we investigated three domains of cognitive control in a sample of school-age children (N = 275, Age = 6-12 years) as a function of early caregiving instability, defined as the total number of caregiving switches. Results demonstrated that caregiving instability was associated with reduced response inhibition (Go/No-Go) and attentional control (Flanker), but enhanced cognitive flexibility (Dimensional Change Card Sort Task Switching). Conversely, there were no statistically significant associations with group (i.e., institutional care versus foster care) or maltreatment exposure and these patterns. These findings build on the specialization framework, suggesting that caregiving instability results in both decrements and enhancements in children's cognitive control, consistent with the hypothesis that cognitive control development is scaffolded by early environmental pressures.

This contribution describes maps of the Copper Cliff Embayment (CCE) and Offset (CCO) dyke. The associated study attempts to unravel the mode of melt emplacement and the role of pre-impact faults in the deformation of the southern part of the Sudbury Igneous Complex (SIC). This contribution summarizes field observations (maps and images) and structural measurements. In addition, perspective views of the 3D Move model of the CCE and CCO dyke are provided. This data can be used by researchers and exploration geologists working in the Sudbury mining camp as a basis for future mapping, research and exploration efforts in the Copper Cliff area. This article is a co-submission to the following article: L. Mathieu, U. Riller, L. Gibson, P. Lightfoot (2021) Structural controls on the localization of the mineralized Copper Cliff embayment and the Copper Cliff offset dyke, Sudbury Igneous Complex, Canada, Ore Geol. Rev., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2021.104071

Isoprene is the most abundant biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) on Earth, with annual global emissions almost equal to those from methane. Due to its volatile nature and high reactivity, isoprene plays a complex role in atmospheric chemistry and hence, climate. However, very little is known about its biological degradation in the environment. The vast majority of isoprene (500 Tg ·y-1) is produced by terrestrial plants and oil palm is considered one of the highest isoprene-producing trees, with estimated emissions of 175 μg·g-1 dry leaves ·h-1. Oil palm is also a heavily cultivated crop since it is the source of 30% of the vegetable oil in the world and in countries such as Malaysia represents >85% of total agricultural land. The vast expansion of a single crop that emits such high amounts of isoprene have raised serious concerns about its impact on air quality and climate change. We performed DNA Stable Isotope Probing (DNA-SIP) to study the isoprene-degrading community of oil palm trees in a Malaysian plantation and identified novel genera of isoprene-utilising bacteria in both oil palm soils and leaves. isoA amplicon sequencing data also confirmed that oil palm trees harbour a novel diversity of isoA genes, which encode the alpha subunit of the isoprene monooxygenase, a key enzyme in isoprene metabolism. In addition, metagenome assembled genomes (MAGs) were reconstructed from metagenomes from oil palm soil and leaf incubations and analysed to identify isoprene degradation gene clusters in these microorganisms. Finally, analysis of unenriched metagenomes showed that isoA-containing bacteria are more abundant in soils than in the oil palm phyllosphere.

As policy responses to cannabis use and availability change internationally, the prevalence of cannabis use disorder (CUD) and the number of individuals seeking treatment for cannabis-related problems may increase. Our aim was to provide a narrative review of developments in the treatment of CUD over the past 5 years, including findings of a recent meta-analysis on psychosocial interventions and adjunctive pharmacotherapies for the management of cannabis withdrawal and CUD. Identification of key knowledge gaps and recommendations for further studies will also be addressed. Multiple behavioral interventions, particularly those involving motivational enhancement and cognitive behavioral therapies and their combination, appear helpful for CUD. As yet, there is no evidence-based pharmacotherapy in treating cannabis withdrawal and CUD. Preliminary results for some drugs, particularly agonists, are promising but require further extensive investigation. Despite the prevalence and impact of CUD, the evidence base for treatments is not strong, and standardization of measures and endpoints in future randomized controlled trials of psychosocial and pharmacological agents is needed.

Previous studies have shown brief online self-help interventions to be a useful method of treating cannabis use and related problems; however, no studies have compared the effects of brief versus extended feedback for online brief intervention programs. Objectives The current study was a two arm randomised trial aimed at testing the short term effectiveness of a brief and extended feedback version of Grassessment , a brief online intervention for cannabis users that provides individualised feedback regarding use, motives, and harms. Methods Participants ( n =287) reporting at least one symptom of DSM IV cannabis abuse or dependence were recruited using online and offline advertising methods. Participants were randomised to receive either a brief or extended feedback version of the Grassessment program and were required to complete a one month follow up questionnaire. Results One hundred and ninety four participants completed the one month follow up. Wilcoxon analyses showed a significant decrease in past month quantity and frequency of cannabis use ( ps r =−0.41 and −0.40 respectively) and lower severity of dependence scores ( p =0.002; r =−0.31) among those in the brief feedback condition. Participants in the extended feedback group also demonstrated significant decreases in patterns of use ( ps r =−0.39 and −0.33) but not severity of dependence ( p =0.09; r =0.18). A Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) analysis showed no significant interaction between length of feedback received and past month cannabis use frequency ( p =0.78), quantity ( p =0.73), or severity of dependence ( p =0.47). Conclusion This study adds support for the use of brief online self-complete interventions to reduce cannabis use and related problems in the short term. The findings suggest that in the case of the brief online screening and feedback program Grassessment , extended feedback does not lead to superior outcomes over brief feedback.

Background Smartphone applications (apps) offer a promising alternative to face-to-face treatment due to their ease of access and convenience. However, there is a lack of evidence-based apps for cannabis users wishing to reduce their use. Objectives The current study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a smartphone app intervention (called Assess, Plan, Track, and Tips [APTT]) for cannabis users wanting to reduce their use. Method The current study included 111 cannabis users (68% male, aged 18–50 yrs) who had used cannabis in the past month, were not currently in treatment, and who wanted to reduce/quit their use. Participants were given access to APTT for 1 month. Participants reported on their cannabis use and related problems, confidence in resisting use, severity of dependence, and stage of change at baseline, post-intervention (4 weeks), and at 1-month follow-up. At post-intervention, participants also reported on their usage and satisfaction with the app. Results The current study found that APTT was acceptable, with over 40% of participants using the app over 20 times over the course of a month. Participants showed a reduction in dependence and cannabis related problems over the course of the study. Further, participants’ stage of change at baseline predicted changes in cannabis use. Conclusions/importance These findings support the feasibility and acceptability of APTT as an engaging app for cannabis users wishing to better manage their use and support the need for future RCTs to assess the efficacy of mobile-based interventions for cannabis users. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s42238-019-0009-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The Main Mass of the Sudbury Igneous Complex (SIC) is a 1.5–5 km thick, layered sheet of impact melt rocks, intensely studied because of the magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE sulfide deposits associated with the base of the Main Mass and connected dykes, known as the Sublayer and Offset dykes, respectively. The mode of emplacement of the mineralized Offset dykes that connect to the Main Mass through morphologic crater-floor irregularities (embayments) and the style of post-cratering deformation that affected the Offset dykes is not fully understood. This field-based study of the Copper Cliff Embayment (CCE) and Offset (CCO) dyke contributes to unraveling the mode of melt emplacement and the role of pre-impact faults in the deformation of the southern SIC. Field relationships indicate that the CCO dyke formed before the CCE and Sublayer were chemically fully evolved. Respective melts were injected into footwall rocks weakened by pre-impact deformation and cratering as a protracted event, with barren quartz diorite (QD) emplaced prior to mineralized, inclusion-bearing quartz diorite (IQD). Massive sulfide ore bodies appear to have formed late in the evolution of the dyke and physical separation (decoupling) of silicate magma and sulfide melt is required. NW-SE-shortening folded and faulted the strata hosting the CCO dyke and deformation was facilitated through re-activated E-W-striking, pre-impact faults. Restoring the initial geometry of the dyke and embayment, using 3D modelling and field constraints, helped to refine total slip estimates along major faults and confirmed that melts migrated gravitationally downward into the CCO dyke.

The post-impact orogenic evolution of the world-class Ni-Cu-PGE Sudbury mining camp in Ontario remains poorly understood. New temporal constraints from ore-controlling, epidote-amphibolite facies shear zones in the heavily mineralised Creighton Mine (Sudbury, South Range) illuminate the complex orogenic history of the Sudbury structure. In situ U-Pb dating of shear-hosted titanite grains by LA-ICP-MS reveals new evidence for crustal-scale reworking during the Yavapai (ca. 1.77 – 1.7 Ga), Mazatzalian - Labradorian (1.7 – 1.6 Ga), and Chieflakian - Pinwarian (1.5 – 1.4 Ga) accretionary events. The new age data show that the effects of the Penokean orogeny (1.9 – 1.8 Ga) on the structural architecture of the Sudbury structure have been overestimated. At a regional scale, the new titanite age populations corroborate that the Southern Province of the Canadian Shield document the same tectonothermal episodes that are recorded along orogenic strike within the accretionary provinces of the southwestern United States.

Background Approximately 500 Tg of isoprene are emitted to the atmosphere annually, an amount similar to that of methane, and despite its significant effects on the climate, very little is known about the biological degradation of isoprene in the environment. Isolation and characterisation of isoprene degraders at the molecular level has allowed the development of probes targeting isoA encoding the α-subunit of the isoprene monooxygenase. This enzyme belongs to the soluble diiron centre monooxygenase family and catalyses the first step in the isoprene degradation pathway. The use of probes targeting key metabolic genes is a successful approach in molecular ecology to study specific groups of bacteria in complex environments. Here, we developed and tested a novel isoA PCR primer set to study the distribution, abundance, and diversity of isoprene degraders in a wide range of environments. Results The new isoA probes specifically amplified isoA genes from taxonomically diverse isoprene-degrading bacteria including members of the genera Rhodococcus, Variovorax, and Sphingopyxis. There was no cross-reactivity with genes encoding related oxygenases from non-isoprene degraders. Sequencing of isoA amplicons from DNA extracted from environmental samples enriched with isoprene revealed that most environments tested harboured a considerable variety of isoA sequences, with poplar leaf enrichments containing more phylogenetically diverse isoA genes. Quantification by qPCR using these isoA probes revealed that isoprene degraders are widespread in the phyllosphere, terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments. Specifically, soils in the vicinity of high isoprene-emitting trees contained the highest number of isoprene-degrading bacteria. Conclusion This study provides the molecular ecology tools to broaden our knowledge of the distribution, abundance and diversity of isoprene degraders in the environment, which is a fundamental step necessary to assess the impact that microbes have in mitigating the effects of this important climate-active gas. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40168-018-0607-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

This lesson can be used in World Geography and United States History classes, grades 6 through 12. Students will explore how the values and institutions of European economic and political life took...

In this article we provide a brief overview of the March 2014 workshop that we organized with approximately thirty pre- and in-service teachers from around the state of Virginia. Our broad focus in...

This lesson can be used in a United States History or Geography elementary class in grades 4 and 5. Students will investigate pictures of present and past public pools and create maps of pools in t...

The first workshop in this series of institutes exploring the legacies of slavery in Virginia sponsored by the Virginia Geographic Alliance took place in Richmond, Virginia, and explored Africanist...

This lesson can be used in a World Geography, Music, or United States History class in grades 6 through 12. Students will research songs sung during American slavery and decode the hidden geographi...

The National VOICES survey of bereaved people told us that for many people in Lincolnshire palliative and end-of-life care was not meeting expectations. In 2012 a bereaved person began conversation with Lincolnshire West Clinical Commissioning Group about the care his wife had received. His insight highlighted how vital a good understanding of patient experience is to informing and influencing system wide change. An earlier study using St Barnabas volunteers evidenced that the use of volunteers in collecting data, in a peer to peer exchange, provides unprecedentedly rich information. In November 2014 we drew this learning together to launch the Public and Patient Participation Project, latterly referred to as “Talk to Us”. Since this time two further CCGs have joined the project. The principle behind Talk to Us is very simple, patients or bereaved carers who have self-nominated talk to volunteers who record their experiences. The conversation is led by the participant; it really is about their experience. Once the conversation has been concluded the volunteers think about what they have heard and how it relates to the Quality Standards for end of life care for adults (QS13). The role of the volunteers should not be underestimated as it is their careful support that draws out the experiences without the use of questions that might risk influencing the direction of the conversation. The written account is used by the CCG Quality Lead to inform and influence system wide improvement. The challenge has been to retain the narrative as this is where the impact lies. Sharing the narratives has ignited change where data would have had little impact. 29 recorded experiences which have resulted in action will be discussed at a Stakeholder event in June 2016 prior to the publication of an impact report.

The nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling heterogeneous nuclear RNA-binding protein (hnRNP) Squid (Sqd) is required during Drosophila melanogaster oogenesis, where it plays a critical role in the regulation of the TGFalpha-like molecule Gurken (Grk). Three Sqd isoforms have been described, SqdA, S and B, and two of these, SqdA and SqdS, differentially function in grk mRNA nuclear export, cytoplasmic transport and translational control during oogenesis. Here, we report that Sqd is also required for the regulation of oskar (osk) mRNA, functioning in the cytoplasmic localization of the osk transcript. In oocytes from sqd females, osk mRNA is not efficiently localized to the posterior pole, but rather accumulates at the anterior cortex. Furthermore, anterior patterning defects observed in embryos from sqd females expressing only the SqdS protein isoform suggest that Sqd may also play a role in the translational regulation of the mislocalized osk mRNA. These findings provide additional support for models of mRNA regulation in which cytoplasmic events, such as localization and translational regulation, are coupled. These results also place Sqd among an emerging class of proteins, including such other members as Bruno (Bru) and Hrb27C/Hrp48, which function in multiple aspects of both grk and osk mRNA regulation during Drosophila oogenesis.

A structure analysis of the borosilicate zeolite MCM-70, whose synthesis had been patented in 2003, was reported in 2005. Unfortunately, that structure analysis was somewhat ambiguous. Anisotropic line broadening made it difficult to model the peak shape, some peaks in the electron density map could not be interpreted satisfactorily, the framework geometry was distorted, and MAS NMR results were partially contradictory. In an attempt to resolve some of these points, an optimization of the synthesis was undertaken, and the structure was reinvestigated. The structure was solved from synchrotron powder diffraction data collected on an as-synthesized sample (Pmn2_1, a = 13.3167(1) A, b = 4.6604(1) A, c = 8.7000(1) A) using a powder charge-flipping algorithm. The framework topology, with a 1-dimensional, 10-ring channel system, is identical to the one previously reported. However, the B in this new sample was found to be ordered in the framework, fully occupying one of the four tetrahedral sites. Two extra-framework K^+ ion positions, each coordinated to five framework O atoms and one water molecule, were also found. The solid state ^(29)Si, ^(11)B and ^1H NMR results are fully consistent with this ordered structure.

CCR5-utilizing (R5) and CXCR4-utilizing (X4) strains of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) have been studied intensively in vitro, but the pathologic correlates of such differential tropism in vivo remain incompletely defined. In this study, X4 and R5 strains of HIV-1 were compared for tropism and pathogenesis in SCID-hu Thy/Liv mice, an in vivo model of human thymopoiesis. The X4 strain NL4-3 replicates quickly and extensively in thymocytes in the cortex and medulla, causing significant depletion. In contrast, the R5 strain Ba-L initially infects stromal cells including macrophages in the thymic medulla, without any obvious pathologic consequence. After a period of 3 to 4 weeks, Ba-L infection slowly spreads through the thymocyte populations, occasionally culminating in thymocyte depletion after week 6 of infection. During the entire time of infection, Ba-L did not mutate into variants capable of utilizing CXCR4. Therefore, X4 strains are highly cytopathic after infection of the human thymus. In contrast, infection with R5 strains of HIV-1 can result in a two-phase process in vivo, involving apparently nonpathogenic replication in medullary stromal cells followed by cytopathic replication in thymocytes.

Isoprene is a climate-active gas whose wide-spread global production stems mostly from terrestrial plant emissions. The biodegradation of isoprene is carried out by a number of different bacteria from a wide range of environments. This study investigates the genome of a novel isoprene degrading bacterium Nocardioides sp. WS12, isolated from soil associated with Salix alba (Willow), a tree known to produce high amounts of isoprene. The Nocardioides sp. WS12 genome was fully sequenced, revealing the presence of a complete isoprene monooxygenase gene cluster, along with associated isoprene degradation pathway genes. Genes associated with rubber degradation were also present, suggesting that Nocardioides sp. WS12 may also have the capacity to degrade poly-cis-1,4-isoprene.