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Breeding ospreys are now found in England, Scotland and Wales, but once upon a time the birds were locally extinct in all three regions. Thankfully, they returned to Scotland of [...]

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This article from Photography Week features wildlife photographer Gary Jones sharing his tips for capturing action shots of birds, specifically ospreys. Jones runs workshops at Horn Mill Trout Farm in England, where ospreys can be observed and photographed. The article follows Jones and his apprentice, Leigh Pugh, as they set up in a photography hide and wait for opportunities to photograph ospreys in flight. They discuss camera settings, techniques, and the behavior of the birds. The article also mentions the presence of red kites and their scavenging behavior. Overall, it provides insights into the process of photographing birds in action. [Extracted from the article]

EAGLE-EYED ATTACK This encounter left me amazed at the lengths birds will go to protect their young. The golden eagle was happily feeding, but a pair of jays--nestingclose by--kept dive-bombing [...]

A personal narrative is presented which discusses the author's journey to the Shiant Isles to observe seabird breeding and climate change effects on Scotland's West Coast.

The article focuses on wildlife photographers Gary Jones and Rebecca Elliott as they venture to the Gigrin Farm in Wales to capture stunning images of red kites and other birds of prey using Nikon cameras and share their expertise on camera settings and techniques. Topics include camera setup for bird photography, capturing birds in flight, and the thrill of photographing rare and elusive avian subjects like leucistic red kites.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global problem and threat to humanity. The search for new antibiotics is directed towards targeting of novel microbial systems and enzymes, as well as augmenting the activity of pre-existing antimicrobials. Sulphur-containing metabolites (e.g., auranofin and bacterial dithiolopyrrolones [e.g., holomycin]) and Zn2+-chelating ionophores (PBT2) have emerged as important antimicrobial classes. The sulphur-containing, non-ribosomal peptide gliotoxin, biosynthesised by Aspergillus fumigatus and other fungi exhibits potent antimicrobial activity, especially in the dithiol form (dithiol gliotoxin; DTG). Specifically, it has been revealed that deletion of the enzymes gliotoxin oxidoreductase GliT, bis-thiomethyltransferase GtmA or the transporter GliA dramatically sensitise A. fumigatus to gliotoxin presence. Indeed, the double deletion strain A. fumigatus ΔgliTΔgtmA is especially sensitive to gliotoxin-mediated growth inhibition, which can be reversed by Zn2+ presence. Moreover, DTG is a Zn2+ chelator which can eject zinc from enzymes and inhibit activity. Although multiple studies have demonstrated the potent antibacterial effect of gliotoxin, no mechanistic details are available. Interestingly, reduced holomycin can inhibit metallo-β-lactamases. Since holomycin and gliotoxin can chelate Zn2+, resulting in metalloenzyme inhibition, we propose that this metal-chelating characteristic of these metabolites requires immediate investigation to identify new antibacterial drug targets or to augment the activity of existing antimicrobials. Given that (i) gliotoxin has been shown in vitro to significantly enhance vancomycin activity against Staphylococcus aureus, and (ii) that it has been independently proposed as an ideal probe to dissect the central ‘Integrator’ role of Zn2+ in bacteria – we contend such studies are immediately undertaken to help address AMR.

The subject of bilingualism is especially important in Bruni, a country with a multilingual population and a bilingual education policy, and it was felt that an international conference which examined bilingualism and bilingual education in a variety of 'development' contexts would be useful in reviewing and fine tuning of Bruneis' already existing policies. Accordingly, the special theme issue of a journal on multilingual issues focuses on the conference theme of the relationship between bilingualism and national economic development. They include: "An Overview of Language and Development" (Andrew Gonzalez); "Implementing Bilingualism: Brunei in Perspective" (John Edwards); "Multilingualism and Bilingual Education in Brunei Darussalam" (Gary Jones, Peter W. Martin, A. Conrad K. Ozog); "Bilingualism and National Development in Malaysia" (Ozog); "Two Tongue Tied: Bilingualism in Singapore" (Anne Pakir); "How Not To Embark on a Bilingual Education Policy in a Developing Nation: The Case of Nigeria" (J. A. Oladejo); "European Models of Bilingual Education: Practice, Theory, and Development" (Hugo Baetens Beardsmore); "Fostering Bilingualism and National Development through School Second Language Study" (Richard B. Baldauf, Jr.); "Planning English Language Acquisition in ESL and EFL Societies: Development and Maintenance of Languages and Cultures" (Bjorn H. Jernudd); and "The Hegemony of English in Science and Technology" (Robert B. Kaplan). (MSE)

GARY JONES, OF SOUTHEASTERN Music Gallery in Tuscaloosa, Alabama describes himself as an 'eternal optimist who always sees the glass as half full.' But on April 28, the day after [...]

A professor describes his teaching experience working at Sadat University in Cairo, Egypt. He vividly describes the perception of Egyptian students towards education. He also stresses the value of cultural acceptance by shedding any preconceptions in order to truly be an effective teacher.

'The point is, ladies and gentlemen, that greed, for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right; greed works; greed clarifies ...' SO DECLARES Gordon Gekko, the steely [...]

The factors affecting foreign R&D location decisions, which are of vital importance to technology managers and potential host countries, are studied. It was found that firms locate foreign R&D capabilities in the primary markets for the products produced by their overseas affiliate and value the availability of highly qualified staffs in their overseas operations and do not consider cost as an important factor driving location decisions.

Abstract * As multinational corporations internationalize their R&D function, location decisions become vital to the success of the firm. One input to the location decision process that has received little [...]

There are substantial sex differences in drug abuse, and a key feature of cocaine addiction is pathologically high motivation for drug. We investigated the role of ovarian hormones on cocaine demand in female rats using a within-session threshold behavioral economics (BE) procedure, which allows us to compare motivation for drug across hormonal states and sex while controlling for differences in dose and intake. This approach quantifies demand elasticity (α) and free consumption (Q0, consumption at null effort) to determine motivation for cocaine. Overall, female rats showed greater motivation for cocaine compared to males. However, this difference was cycle phase-dependent - motivation for cocaine when females were in proestrus was lower compared to the same animals across cycle phases, and overall similar to that of males. Hormonal cycle phase accounted for 70% of the within-subject variance in demand elasticity, obscuring other individual differences in female demand. High serum progesterone (P4; e.g., in proestrus) predicted decreased cocaine motivation (high demand elasticity), whereas serum estradiol (E2) correlated to greater intake at null effort (Q0). However, individual differences were revealed across OVX females, who displayed a range of demand elasticity, as seen in males. E2 replacement in OVX females increased motivation for cocaine, whereas P4 replacement decreased motivation. We also found that as few as 4 weeks of cocaine self-administration accelerated estropause in female rats as young as 12 weeks old. By 13 weeks of self-administration, proestrus epochs were no longer observed, and cocaine demand was potentiated by persistent estrus in all females. Thus, P4 signaling is a key modulator of cocaine demand in females that may underlie previously observed sex differences in addiction phenotypes.

ObjectivesTo assess to which extent the COVID-19 pandemic affected corneal transplantation by virtue of donor selection algorithms in different European countries.DesignSurvey.Setting110 eye banks in 26 European countries.Participants64 eye banks covering 95% of European corneal transplantation activity.InterventionsA questionnaire listing the number of corneas procured and distributed from February to May 2018–2020 was circulated to eye banks.Main outcome measuresThe primary outcome was the number of corneal procurements. Additional outcomes were national algorithms for donor selection, classified according to their stringency (donors with COVID-19 history, suspected for COVID-19, asymptomatic, PCR testing) and the pandemic severity in each country. We calculated Spearman’s correlation coefficient to determine, two by two, the relationship between the 3-month decline in eye banking activity (procurement), the stringency of donor selection algorithm and the grading of pandemic severity (cases and deaths). A partial correlation was run to determine the relationship between decline and stringency while controlling for pandemic severity.ResultsProcurements decreased by 38%, 68% and 41%, respectively, in March, April and May 2020 compared with the mean of the previous 2 years, while grafts decreased, respectively, by 28%, 68% and 56% corresponding to 3866 untreated patients in 3 months. Significant disparities between countries and the decrease in activity correlated with stringency in donor selection independent of pandemic severity.ConclusionsOur data demonstrate significant differences between countries regarding donor screening algorithms based on precautionary principles and, consequently, a decrease in the donor pool, already constrained by a long list of contraindications. Fundamental studies are needed to determine the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission by corneal transplantation and guide evidence-based recommendations for donor selection to justify their substantial medical and economic impact.

An increasing number of companies are relying on financial electronic data interchange as they establish electronic business relationships with their trading partners. These electronic processes offer many benefits, but they also give rise to new risks such as fraudulent transactions. To minimize these risks, companies should carefully review their control procedures., Consider vendor bank account and ABA numbers as simply electronic addresses and you open the door to fraudulent diversion. Financial electronic data interchange (EDI) is growing as corporations form electronic [...]

The oil and gas industries in Latin America are benefiting from the new technologies that have made exploration and similar activities easier. One of the most popular techniques is three-dimensional seismic mapping which was first used in the region by Petrobas. Another useful technique is wireline well logging whose procedures have greatly improved. More technological innovations are underway such as 4-D mapping and advanced depth imaging., The application of advanced oil and gas exploration and production technologies is increasing rapidly throughout Latin America, affecting all countries and almost all oil companies whether state-owned, privately owned, or [...]

A 59-year-old woman with a 21-year history of epilepsy was hospitalized because of a prolonged period of confusion following a seizure. Her epilepsy had been controlled well by a drug regimen which included phenytoin (Dilantin), a conventional anti-convulsant; she had only experienced four episodes of seizures in the past 20 years. Following the seizure, which was witnessed, she remained confused for approximately two hours. In the two months before this admission she had been seen at least twice for difficulties, but had been considered to be in a nonconvulsive state. She subsequently received an additional neurological examination which included another electroencephalogram (EEG), and her anti-convulsant therapy was changed. Valproic acid was added to her therapy, and the level of phenobarbital was decreased. After admission to the hospital, her blood levels of drugs were checked and found to be within normal therapeutic ranges. She again experienced seizures and remained confused and stuporous for many hours. Because of the continuing difficulties she was transferred to a major teaching hospital with a diagnosis of encephalopathy (brain damage). Her EEG showed an abnormal pattern. Because of her recent change in medication, she was taken off both valproic acid and phenobarbital, and her EEG returned to normal. Valproic acid has been used increasingly for general seizure disorders. The toxic effects of the drug include anorexia (loss of appetite), nausea, and vomiting, which can usually be controlled by altering the dose. Far more serious is the possibility of liver failure which has been seen with valproic acid. There have been numerous reports of nervous system toxicity which include symptoms ranging from drowsiness to coma. The underlying mechanism of nervous system problems with valproic acid has been linked to hyperammonemia, or increased levels of ammonia in the blood. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Various devices used in hospitals for short-term oxygen therapy are evaluated. Different types of devices reviewed include low-flow devices, such as simple masks and nasal prongs, and high-flow devices, such as the Venturi mask.

Drug-associated sensory cues increase motivation for drug and the orexin system is importantly involved in this stimulus-enhanced motivation. Ventral tegmental area (VTA) is a major target by which orexin signaling modulates reward behaviors, but it is unknown whether this circuit is necessary for cue-driven motivation for cocaine. Here, we investigated the role of VTA orexin signaling in cue-driven motivation for cocaine using a behavioral economics (BE) paradigm. We found that infusion of the orexin-1 receptor (Ox1R) antagonist SB-334867 (SB) into VTA prior to BE testing reduced motivation when animals were trained to self-administer cocaine with discrete cues and tested on BE with those cues. SB had no effect when animals were trained to self-administer cocaine without cues or tested on BE without cues, indicating that learning to associate cues with drug delivery during self-administration training was necessary for cues to recruit orexin signaling in VTA. These effects were specific to VTA, as injections of SB immediately dorsal had no effect. Moreover, intra-VTA SB did not have an impact on locomotor activity, or low- or high-effort consumption of sucrose. Finally, we microinjected a novel retrograde adeno-associated virus (AAVretro) containing an orexin-specific short hairpin RNA (OxshRNA) into VTA to knock down orexin in the hypothalamus-VTA circuit. These injections significantly reduced orexin expression in lateral hypothalamus (LH) and decreased cue-driven motivation. These studies demonstrate a role for orexin signaling in VTA, specifically when cues predict drug reward.

The locus coeruleus (LC), or ‘blue spot’, is a small nucleus located deep in the brainstem that provides the far-reaching noradrenergic neurotransmitter system of the brain. This phylogenetically conserved nucleus has proved relatively intractable to full characterization, despite more than 60 years of concerted efforts by investigators. Recently, an array of powerful new neuroscience tools have provided unprecedented access to this elusive nucleus, revealing new levels of organization and function. We are currently at the threshold of major discoveries regarding how this tiny brainstem structure exerts such varied and significant influences over brain function and behaviour. All LC neurons receive inputs related to autonomic arousal, but distinct subpopulations of those neurons can encode specific cognitive processes, presumably through more specific inputs from the forebrain areas. This ability, combined with specific patterns of innervation of target areas and heterogeneity in receptor distributions, suggests that activation of the LC has more specific influences on target networks than had initially been imagined.

Norepinephrine (NE) plays a central role in the acquisition of aversive learning via actions in the lateral nucleus of the amygdala (LA) [1, 2]. However, the function of NE in expression of aversively-conditioned responses has not been established. Given the role of the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) in the expression of such behaviors [3–5], and the presence of NE axons projections in this brain nucleus [6], we assessed the effects of NE activity in the CeA on behavioral expression using receptor-specific pharmacology and cell- and projection-specific chemogenetic manipulations. We found that inhibition and activation of locus coeruleus (LC) neurons decreases and increases freezing to aversively conditioned cues, respectively. We then show that locally inhibiting or activating LC terminals in CeA is sufficient to achieve this bidirectional modulation of defensive reactions. These findings support the hypothesis that LC projections to CeA are critical for the expression of defensive responses elicited by conditioned threats.

By Gary Jones The demand for green is an overnight sensation that's been 20 years in the making. Arguably, the green or sustainable movement is the most important issue to [...]

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first description of the use of induced hyperkalemic arrest in the perfused heart to achieve cardioplegia for Minimally Invasive Mitral [...]

Are bloodless cardiac surgery programs a fallacy? For the most part, the simple answer is yes they are; unless of course, your cardiac surgery program exists only on the healthiest [...]

VR and AR near‐to‐eye (NTE) technologies offer the potential for an ultimate large display experience with extreme portability at low‐cost for medical, workstation, entertainment, and communications applications, among others. However, AR and VR have yet to achieve even a small fraction of this potential to date. Seven recent technical advances are among key developments that may finally bring virtual imaging to the display market forefront.

The orexin system is a potential treatment target for drug addiction. Orexin-1 receptor (OxR1) antagonism reduces demand for cocaine and remifentanil, indicating that orexin-based therapies may reduce demand for many classes of abused drugs. However, pharmacokinetics vary greatly among opioids and it is unclear if OxR1 antagonism would reduce demand for all opioids, particularly ones with high abuse liability. Here, we established a behavioral economics (BE) procedure to assess the effects of OxR1 antagonism on demand for the highly abused opioid fentanyl. We also investigated the utility of our procedure to predict OxR1 antagonism efficacy and relapse propensity. Demand parameters α(demand elasticity or price sensitivity of consumption, an inverse measure of drug motivation) and Qo(drug consumption at null cost) were assessed. The OxR1 antagonist SB-334867 (SB) decreased motivation (increased α) for fentanyl without affecting Qo. Baseline αvalues predicted SB efficacy, such that SB was most effective at reducing motivation (increasing α) in highly motivated rats. Baseline αvalues predicted the amount of cued reinstatement of fentanyl seeking; this reinstatement behavior was attenuated by SB administration. These results highlight the promise of the orexin system as a treatment target for opioid addiction and emphasize the usefulness of BE procedures in the study of opioid abuse.

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this article is to explore the insights of an elite sport coach living with comorbid depression and alcohol misuse. Such consideration is necessary because as coaching is increasingly repositioned as a caring activity the wellbeing of coaches themselves has rarely been considered. To address this gap, a narrative analysis methodology and a story telling approach was used to present the experiences of a case study coach (Steve). The story is derived from Steve’s own perspective and the perspective of his wife, Jane. This novel multi-voiced approach reveals the complex interplay between the sporting environment, Steve’s depression and his alcohol-related problems. In doing so, Steve’s story makes an original contribution by unveiling the issue of mental health in elite sport coaching. Steve’s story depicts the significant impact of depressive symptoms, coupled by excessive alcohol use on a coach, their personal life and their career. Using the work of Goffman and Sartre, the story alludes to how such symptoms can be hidden, to greater and lesser extents, from professional colleagues. This is an important theoretical contribution, because to care for coaches, colleagues, employers and health professionals will need to understand the needs of individuals such as Steve. Developing an open and supportive culture, which accepts that coaches are fallible, may however be a challenge within professional sport contexts.

'Reservoir management of the future will depend on geophysics,' said Gustavo Inciarte, past president of SPE. This statement is remarkable, considering that just a decade ago, most reservoir engineers did [...]