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• Trauma-informed care decreases the impact of psychological trauma across the healthcare system. • National dialogue around trauma-informed care has surged in the last few months, and a concept analysis of trauma-informed care is needed to fill gaps in knowledge in relation to nursing science and clinical practice. • Care which occurs in a trauma informed environment where universal trauma precautions exist, and where the trauma aware nurse, displaying empathy and strength-based actions, delivers care resulting in empowerment, relationship-building, and resilience in the form of reductions in trauma triggers. Pandemic-related community-wide trauma on have forced examination of chronic stress exposure response. The aim of this concept analysis was to provide definition and framework for the conceptual meaning of trauma-informed care as foundation for all nursing professionals as we together meet the needs for a changing patient population in a post-pandemic world. Using Walker and Avant's (2019) concept analysis method, exhaustive multidisciplinary and ancestry searches were conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, ERIC, and PsychINFO with 15 relevant manuscripts that were evaluated for relevance to the concept analysis in the context of nursing. This analysis proposes a working definition of trauma-informed care in nursing to provide framework for clinical care and research inquiry. Trauma-informed care decreases the impact of psychological trauma for individuals within the healthcare system. A comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to trauma through trauma-informed care requires universal recognition and screening. Targeted interventions create a system of healing through empowerment, relationship building, and reduction in trauma triggers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of agriculture in Mainland Southeast Asia appears to have resulted in a subsistence shift from hunting terrestrial and arboreal game to a combined hunting/animal management subsistence regime focused on the maintenance of pigs and dogs. These conclusions are currently based on nominal differences in vertebrate taxonomic composition observed at different archaeological sites. In this paper, we take a statistical approach to test whether hunter-gather and early agricultural subsistence economies really can be confidently distinguished based on the relative taxonomic composition of the recovered animal bone assemblages. A regional database of terrestrial and arboreal vertebrate faunas was created for 32 archaeological sites across Southeast Asia from the Terminal Pleistocene to the Late Holocene, and principal component analysis was performed. The resultant data indicates that terrestrial vertebrate taxonomic composition is a relatively strong indicator of the general subsistence base for the various archaeological sites studied and can be used to determine whether the inhabitants subsisted purely from hunting, or from a mixture hunting and animal management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Inflammation is an important cause of placental dysfunction often associated with pregnancy complications. One well-known cause of inflammation is infection, through conserved "pathogen-associated molecular patterns" (PAMPs). Endogenous inducers of inflammation, known as "damage-associated molecular patterns" (DAMPs), have also been associated with pathological pregnancies and could contribute to the observed placental inflammation. Although both stimuli (i.e. PAMPs/DAMPs) can induce inflammation, they have yet to be studied together to compare their inflammatory effects on the placenta.Methods: We used a model of term placental explants to compare the effects of a classical PAMP, bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and a DAMP, the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1. Gene and protein expression of several cytokines were analysed by qPCR and ELISAs and immunohistochemistry performed to study placental resident immune cells and apoptosis.Results: LPS induced pro-inflammatory mediators (IL-6, IL-1β/α, TNF-α) whereas IL-1β induced only IL-6. Furthermore, LPS but not IL-1 exposure, led to elevated IL-10 and IL-1Ra secretion. Blocking the IL-1 signalling pathway abrogated the pro-inflammatory actions of LPS, whilst anti-inflammatory effects were preserved. The number of CD45 + immune cells was elevated in explants treated with LPS only. A subpopulation of CD45 + cells were positive for PCNA indicating proliferation of tissue resident macrophages.Discussion: We conclude that LPS, a classical PAMP, and IL-1, a DAMP, have shared and distinct actions with pro-inflammatory effects mediated through IL-1 but anti-inflammatory actions having a distinct pathway. Identification of an inflammatory mediator (i.e. IL-1) common to multiple stimuli could be a therapeutic target to preserve the placenta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical gerontologists have called for more diverse and inclusive visions of a good old age, and especially for imaginings that do not depend on health, wealth and heterosexuality. They have suggested that LGBTQ people, alongside other marginalized groups, may have particular contributions to make to the project of reimagining ageing. In this paper, we bring together this work with Jose Muñoz's concept of 'cruising utopia' to examine possibilities for imagining a more utopian, queer life course. We present findings from a narrative analysis of Bi Women Quarterly, a grassroots online bi community newsletter with an international readership, analyzing three issues published between 2014 and 2019 that focused on the intersection of ageing and bisexuality. We found several ways in which the authors told counter-narratives that queered normative visions of successful ageing. They queered norms around the stability and reification of sexual and gender identities. They challenged current forms of LGBTQ activism. They embraced and celebrated ageing, through such activities as croning ceremonies, and directly addressed and contemplated death. Finally, they queered the narrative form, by giving accounts of personal experience that were dreamlike, poetic or inconclusive. We conclude that counter-normative spaces, such as activist newsletters, offer valuable resources to progress the wider project of reimagining successful ageing more inclusively. • Muñoz ' s concept of 'cruising utopia ' suggests possibilities for imagining a more utopian, queer old age. • Grassroots activist newsletters create a space where counter-normative accounts of later life can more easily be told. • Accounts of ageing produced in activist spaces can progress the project of reimagining successful ageing more inclusively [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirty-to-forty percent of patients with primary biliary cholangitis inadequately respond to ursodeoxycholic acid. Our aim was to assemble national, real-world data on the effectiveness of obeticholic acid (OCA) as a second-line treatment, alongside non-licensed therapy with fibric acid derivatives (bezafibrate or fenofibrate). This was a nationwide observational cohort study conducted from August 2017 until June 2021. We accrued data from 457 patients; 349 treated with OCA and 108 with fibric acid derivatives. At baseline/pre-treatment, individuals in the OCA group manifest higher risk features compared with those taking fibric acid derivatives, evidenced by more elevated alkaline phosphatase values, and a larger proportion of individuals with cirrhosis, abnormal bilirubin, prior non-response to ursodeoxycholic acid, and elastography readings >9.6kPa (P <.05 for all). Overall, 259 patients (OCA) and 80 patients (fibric acid derivatives) completed 12 months of second-line therapy, yielding a dropout rate of 25.7% and 25.9%, respectively. At 12 months, the magnitude of alkaline phosphatase reduction was 29.5% and 56.7% in OCA and fibric acid groups (P <.001). Conversely, 55.9% and 36.4% of patients normalized serum alanine transaminase and bilirubin in the OCA group (P <.001). The proportion with normal alanine transaminase or bilirubin values in the fibric acid group was no different at 12 months compared with baseline. Twelve-month biochemical response rates were 70.6% with OCA and 80% under fibric acid treatment (P =.121). Response rates between treatment groups were no different on propensity-score matching or on sub-analysis of high-risk groups defined at baseline. Across the population of patients with primary biliary cholangitis in the United Kingdom, rates of biochemical response and drug discontinuation appear similar under fibric acid and OCA treatment. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of gaze fixation on head stabilization and gait during straight over ground walking in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Eight individuals with PD (Age: 62.3 ± 8.1 years) volunteered for the study. Full body kinematic data were collected at 120 Hz using a Vicon motion capture system. Two visual conditions were used to determine the effects of gaze fixation: FREE gaze and FIXED gaze. During FIXED gaze, participants were required to fixate on a still target 13 m ahead. During FREE gaze, participants were free to visually scan the environment. Five straight walking trials were performed in each experimental condition for a total of ten walking trials. Head segment stabilization strategies as well as gait parameters were compared between conditions. Step width, step length, stride time, cadence, double support time, centre of mass (CoM) velocity and CoM medial-lateral deviation were calculated for two strides of each over ground walking trial. Comparisons of mean values and variability were made using repeated measures ANOVAs. Results revealed that maintaining a FIXED gaze had no significant effect on head stabilization strategies or gait parameters with the exception of a significant increase in step width variability (p = 0.003). CoM velocity was not significantly different between FREE and FIXED gaze conditions (FREE: 1.17 ± 0.20 m/s; FIXED: 1.16 ± 0.19 m/s). CoM medial-lateral deviation was observed to be greater in FIXED (47.1 ± 36.9 cm) compared to FREE (26.9 ± 15.1 cm), though not significantly. These results suggest that gaze fixation to a target in front while walking increases step width variability and CoM M-L deviations indicative of reduced postural stability. This is an important consideration for use of visual cues to promote gait in PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinical course of cirrhosis does not follow a predictable trajectory. Transient elastography (TE) is commonly used in clinical practice to diagnose liver fibrosis and increasingly to risk stratify patients. The aim of this study was to assess the natural history of advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) defined by TE using electronic health record (EHR) data in a multistate framework. TE data were collected between 2008 and 2019. Patients with a liver stiffness measurement (LSM) >10 kPa were included. Disease and procedure code information held in EHR was analyzed. Clinical events including decompensation, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and death were identified. Outcomes were described in a multistate model using flexible parametric survival methods including LSM and the albumin bilirubin (ALBI) score. Three thousand and twenty eight patients were included. Median follow up was 3.1 years. LSM and ALBI were associated with the development of varices and decompensation, and ALBI, age, sex, and viral liver disease were associated with the development of HCC from the compensated state. The cumulative incidence of HCC before decompensation was low for patients with alcohol-related liver disease (3.8%) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (1.3%) at 5 years after TE. Importantly, death was predicted to occur before decompensation or HCC in most cases. Liver stiffness, ALBI score, and disease etiology are each associated with outcomes in a large contemporary cohort with ACLD. EHR data can be used to define clinical progression in these patients, facilitating large clinical effectiveness trials and cost-effectiveness analyses. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports findings from a project that aimed to generate new feminist visions of later life, inspired directly by Sandberg and Marshall's paper 'Queering Aging Futures' (Sandberg & Marshall, 2017). Creative workshops with groups of self-identified feminists led to the generation of a range of artefacts exploring personal visions of a good feminist old age. This paper firstly considers the features that participants most frequently imagined – which were independence, social connection, pleasurable encounters with water, and good health – here treating feminism as a participants' resource explored through inductive analysis. The paper then explores the extent to which participants were able to imagine good feminist old age beyond the normativities of 'successful ageing', using a more deductive style of analysis drawing on feminist theory and feminist gerontology. Several participants imagined powerful and agentic old women who resisted the idea of older women's powerlessness. Some imagined new emotional and psychological foci for later life, clearly distinct from those of mid-life. Others imagined future physical decline and ways of embracing or overcoming it. Finally, drawing on feminist theory about the need to be reflexive and accountable in knowledge production, the paper concludes with consideration of the researcher's own imagined feminist old age and feminist history, and the implications this might have for the analysis presented. • Ordinary people can use the idea of feminism to imagine better old age. • Feminist theory helps us to move beyond the normativities of successful ageing. • Creative methods help people to think about old age in new ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung cancer is often missed on chest radiographs, despite chest radiography typically being the first imaging modality in the diagnosis pathway. We present a 46 year-old male with chest pain referred for chest X-ray, and initial interpretation reported no abnormality within the patient's lungs. The patient was discharged but returned 4 months later with persistent and worsening symptoms. At this time, chest X-ray was again performed and revealed an enlarging left perihilar mass with post-obstructive atelectasis in the left lower lobe. Follow-up chest computerized tomography scan confirmed lung cancer with post-obstructive atelectasis, and subsequent bronchoscopy-assisted biopsy confirmed squamous cell carcinoma. Retrospective analysis of the initial chest radiograph, which had reported normal findings, was performed with Chest-CAD, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared computer-assisted detection (CAD) software device that analyzes chest radiograph studies using artificial intelligence. The device highlighted the perihilar region of the left lung as suspicious. Additional information provided by artificial intelligence software holds promise to prevent missed detection of lung cancer on chest radiographs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [ • ] Examined the effects of posture on useful field of view (UFOV). [ • ] UFOV was measured while seated, standing and stepping in place. [ • ] Divided-attention performance significantly reduced while stepping in place. [ • ] Results suggest size of UFOV declines with postural demand. [•] Important practical implications for testing UFOV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preparing healthcare students for quality and service improvement is important internationally. A United Kingdom (UK) initiative aims to embed service improvement in pre-registration education. A UK university implemented service improvement teaching for all nursing students. In addition, the degree pathway students conducted service improvement projects as the basis for their dissertations. Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the implementation of service improvement projects within a pre- registration nursing curriculum. Method: A multi-method case study was conducted, using student questionnaires, focus groups with students and academic staff, and observation of action learning sets. Questionnaire data were analysed using SPSS v19. Qualitative data were analysed using Ritchie and Spencer's (1994) Framework Approach. Results: Students were very positive about service improvement. The degree students, who conducted service improvement projects in practice, felt more knowledgeable than advanced diploma students. Selecting the project focus was a key issue and students encountered some challenges inpractice. Support for student service improvement projects came from action learning sets, placement staff, and academic staff. Conclusion: Service improvement projects had a positive effect on students' learning. An effective partnership between the university and partner healthcare organisations, and support for students inpractice, is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Young infants preferentially attend to their mother's face. [•] We examine maternal factors and the mother-face preference at 3.5-months. [•] 57% of mothers in this community sample exhibited some symptoms of emotional distress. [•] Infants’ mother-face interest is associated with maternal psychological health. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is by definition a complex and heterogeneous disorder. Variation in factors such as developmental level, language ability and IQ further complicate the presentation of symptoms. Clinical research and basic science must continue to inform each other's questions to help address the heterogeneity inherent to the disorder. This review uses a clinical perspective to outline the common tools and best practices for diagnosing and characterizing ASD in a research setting. We discuss considerations for classifying research populations, including language ability and IQ and examine the advantages and disadvantages of different psychometric measurements. Ultimately, the contribution of multiple sources of data representing different perspectives is crucial for interpreting and understanding the ASD phenotype. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Rrp6 is a key catalytic subunit of the nuclear RNA exosome that plays a pivotal role in the processing, degradation, and quality control of a wide range of cellular RNAs. Here we report our findings on the assembly of the complex involving Rrp6 and its associated protein Rrp47, which is required for many Rrp6-mediated RNA processes. Recombinant Rrp47 is expressed as a non-globular homodimer. Analysis of the purified recombinant Rrp6·Rrp47 complex revealed a heterodimer, suggesting that Rrp47 undergoes a structural reconfiguration upon interaction with Rrp6. Studies using GFP fusion proteins show that Rrp6 and Rrp47 are localized to the yeast cell nucleus independently of one another. Consistent with this data, Rrp6, but not Rrp47, is found associated with the nuclear import adaptor protein Srp1. We show that the interaction with Rrp6 is critical for Rrp47 stability in vivo; in the absence of Rrp6, newly synthesized Rrp47 is rapidly degraded in a proteasome-dependent manner. These data resolve independent nuclear import routes for Rrp6 and Rrp47, reveal a structural reorganization of Rrp47 upon its interaction with Rrp6, and demonstrate a proteasome-dependent mechanism that efficiently suppresses the expression of Rrp47 in the absence of Rrp6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Facial emotion recognition impairments have been reported in Huntington's disease (HD). However, the nature of the impairments across the spectrum of HD remains unclear. We report on emotion recognition data from 344 participants comprising premanifest HD (PreHD) and early HD patients, and controls. In a test of recognition of facial emotions, we examined responses to six basic emotional expressions and neutral expressions. In addition, and within the early HD sample, we tested for differences on emotion recognition performance between those ‘on’ vs. ‘off’ neuroleptic or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medications. The PreHD groups showed significant (p<0.05) impaired recognition, compared to controls, on fearful, angry and surprised faces; whereas the early HD groups were significantly impaired across all emotions including neutral expressions. In early HD, neuroleptic use was associated with worse facial emotion recognition, whereas SSRI use was associated with better facial emotion recognition. The findings suggest that emotion recognition impairments exist across the HD spectrum, but are relatively more widespread in manifest HD than in the premanifest period. Commonly prescribed medications to treat HD-related symptoms also appear to affect emotion recognition. These findings have important implications for interpersonal communication and medication usage in HD. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Falls are a leading cause of mortality among older adults worldwide. With the increasing aging population, falls are rapidly becoming a public health concern. Numerous internal and external factors have been associated with an older adult''s increased risk of falling. Most notably visual impairments are gaining recognition for their critical role in fall events, particularly related to trips, slips and falls due to environmental hazards. This review presents the issue of vision and falls from a multidisciplinary health professional perspective. Discussions include the influence of visual impairment on mobility and activities of daily living, the effects of medications on vision, visual cognitive factors on falls risk and visual training interventions. Finally, implications for multidisciplinary health professional practice and suggestions for future research are offered. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: An assay for detection of antibodies to bovine herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1) was developed by combining a commercial low cost, disposable biosensor system (Vantix™) and reagents from an established Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The biosensor assay produced equivalent results to ELISA within 15min when testing 194 bovine serum and 50 bulk milk samples submitted for routine testing. The biosensor assay can provide quantitative analysis demonstrated by measuring the level of antibody in milk samples. The results of this study suggest that Vantix™ is a promising platform for routine immunological testing. The technology may be particularly useful for low to medium throughput tests where rapid results are required. The biosensors could also form the basis of a future point-of-care test platform. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the last 3 years, most basic anaesthesia equipment has remained unchanged, but several new developments in airway and monitoring equipment have particular benefits for paediatric anaesthesia. In this review, we outline these developments and indicate the evidence for these developments, where it exists. We discuss methods of distraction and introduce a range of distraction devices coupled with an overview of devices to help with venous cannulation. For many years, we have been using disposable equipment, and a plethora of new equipment of varying quality and reliability continues to appear. This is the most obvious in the sphere of airway management with the appearance of multiple new supraglottic airway devices and laryngoscopic equipment. The International Organization for Standardization has sought to exert some level of quality control with respect to disposable laryngoscope blades, but much airway equipment becomes available before relevant comparative studies with existing gold standards. The role of video laryngoscopes is becoming more evident as we become familiar with these devices, though only a few of these have a role in paediatric anaesthesia. A number of innovative changes have been incorporated into routine non-invasive monitoring systems and these are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Introduction: The introduction of an HPV immunisation programme in England should result in a significant reduction in the prevalence of vaccine type infections in young women. Here we describe type-specific HPV prevalence in three samples of the young female population in England, prior to the beginning of mass immunisation in 2008. Methods: Residual vulva-vaginal swab samples from females aged under 25 years undergoing chlamydia testing as part of the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) or Prevention of Pelvic Infection (POPI) trial were collected from sites across England, together with available demographic and sexual behaviour data. Residual samples were screened for HPV infection using the Hybrid Capture 2 (hc2) HPV DNA Test, including the high-risk (HR) and low-risk (LR) probes. Hc2 positive samples were genotyped using the Roche Linear Array (LA) HPV Genotyping Test. Results: A total of 3829 samples were included: 2369 from 16 to 24 year old NCSP participants, 275 from 13 to 15 year old NCSP participants and 1185 from 16 to 24 year old POPI participants. Variations in HPV prevalence between and within the different samples followed a pattern largely consistent with differences in sexual behaviour. The prevalence of total HR HPV infection, of HPV 16 and/or 18 (16/18) infection and of five HR HPV types closely related to HPV 16/18 (HPV 31, 33, 45, 52 or 58) amongst 16–24 year old NCSP participants was 35% (95% CI 33–37%), 18% (95% CI 16–19%), and 16% (95% CI 14–18%), respectively. Risk of HR HPV infection increased with age during the teen years and was higher in women who reported two or more sexual partners in the last year and in women with chlamydia infection. Approximately half of women with HPV 16/18 infection also had another non-vaccine HR HPV type present. Conclusions: Prior to HPV immunisation, there was a high prevalence of HPV infections in the lower genital tract of young, sexually active females in England. The overall, type-specific, and multiple infection prevalence closely reflected age and sexual activity. These data provide a baseline against which the early impact of HPV immunisation on the prevalence of HPV 16/18 and closely related types in young women can be measured, in order to inform immunisation and cervical screening policies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objectives: Visuomotor integration deficits have been documented in Huntington disease (HD), with disproportionately more impairment when direct visual feedback is unavailable. Visuomotor integration under direct and indirect visual feedback conditions has not been investigated in the stage before clinical onset (‘premanifest’). However, given evidence of posterior cortical atrophy in premanifest HD, we predicted visuomotor integration would be adversely affected, with greater impairment under conditions of indirect visual feedback. Methods: 239 subjects with the HD CAG expansion, ranging from more than a decade before predicted clinical onset until early stage disease, and 122 controls, completed a circle-tracing task, which included both direct and indirect visual feedback conditions. Measures included accuracy, speed, and speed of error detection and correction. Using brain images acquired with 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we generated grey and white matter volumes with voxel-based morphometry, and analyzed correlations with circle-tracing performance. Results: Compared with controls, early HD was associated with lower accuracy and slower performance in both circle-tracing conditions. Premanifest HD was associated with lower accuracy in both conditions and fewer rotations in the direct condition. Comparing performance in the indirect condition with the direct condition, HD gene expansion-carriers exhibited a disproportionate increase in errors relative to controls. Premanifest and early HD groups required longer to detect and correct errors, especially in the indirect condition. Slower performance in the indirect condition was associated with lower grey matter volumes in the left somatosensory cortex in VBM analyses. Conclusions: Visuomotor integration deficits are evident many years before the clinical onset of HD, with deficits in speed, accuracy, and speed of error detection and correction. The visuomotor transformation demands of the indirect condition result in a disproportionate decrease in accuracy in the HD groups. Slower performance under indirect visual feedback was associated with atrophy of the left-hemisphere somatosensory cortex, which may reflect the proprioceptive demands of the task. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents a study on the implications for substance use disorders in adolescent. Behavioral, neurobiological, and clinical evidences are reported for dissociating the "bottom-up" and "top-down" developmentally and research on the effects of alcohol and its beneficial attributes in the brain is also discussed. The study demonstrate curvilinear development of motivational attitude and the fundamental subcortical brain regions, with a maximum inflection on 13-17 years.

Summary: Publication rates are a vital measure of individual and institutional performance, yet many nurse academics publish rarely or not at all. Despite widespread acceptance of the need to increase academic publication rates and the pressure university faculty may experience to fulfil this obligation, little is known about the effectiveness of practical strategies to support academic writing. In this small cohort study (n=8) comprising nurses and other professionals involved in university education, a questionnaire survey was used to evaluate the effectiveness of a one-week ¿Writing for Publication¿ course combined with a monthly writers support group to increase publication rates. Two year pre and post submissions increased from 9 to 33 articles in peer-reviewed journals. Publications (in print) per person increased from a baseline of 0.5¿1.2 per year. Participants reported increased writing confidence and greater satisfaction with the publishing process. Peer support and receiving recognition and encouragement from line managers were also cited as incentives to publish. Writing for publication is a skill that can be learned. The evaluated model of a formal writing course, followed by informal monthly group support meetings, can effectively increase publication rates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Currently little is known about how adaptive responses to virtual environments are different between individuals who experience sickness related symptoms and those who do not. It is believed that sensory interactions between visually perceived self-motion and static inertial cues from vestibular and/or proprioceptive sensory systems contribute to the development of adaptation symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between adaptation symptoms and postural stability in a virtual environment (VE) driving simulator. In addition, the role of sensory interaction was assessed using direct electrical stimulation techniques of the vestibular and cutaneous sensory systems. Posture performance was measured using centre of pressure measures of single leg stance tests during eyes open and eyes closed conditions. Correlation analysis of postural measures and symptom scores were conducted, as well as analysis of variance of posture performance between SICK and WELL individuals. Results indicate that posture stability is negatively correlated to symptom reporting. WELL individuals displayed the greatest decrease in postural stability during eyes open single leg stance following VE simulation. Application of a secondary sensory stimulation (vestibular or cutaneous) resulted in increased visual dependency for postural control following simulation. Combined, these results suggest that sensory interactions drive postural changes that are observed following VE simulation and are related to how visual information is used to control posture. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A series of nickel tris(oxime)amine complexes, including Ni(TRISOXH3)Br2 (2), [Ni(TRISOXH3)(MeOH)I]I (3), and [Ni(TRISOXH3)(H2O)2]F2 ·2H2O (4), was studied using modern density functional theory in combination with experimental methods (X-ray crystallography, Raman, and infrared spectroscopy). The series was compared to Ni(TRISOXH3)Cl2 (1), for which a detailed evaluation of theoretical models has been previously reported [R.M. Jones, M.J. Baldwin, J. Phys. Chem. 108 (2004) 3537]. The application of the theoretical model and the influence of changing the secondary ligands on nickel–TRISOXH3 interactions are evaluated. The crystal structures of 2, 3, and 4 show similar coordination geometries with some noted differences attributed to the different ligands. Unrestricted optimized geometry and frequency calculations were performed with the hybrid density functional B3LYP and split basis sets. Optimized geometries show small average absolute deviations for intraligand (0.016Å) and metal–ligand bonds (0.042Å) when compared to experimental crystal structures. The most intense vibrational modes of 2, 3, and 4 were assigned with the aid of a modified wavenumber linear scaling procedure, which resulted in 2- to 3-fold improvement in the agreement between experimental and theoretical wavenumbers. Derived linear scale functions for 1 can be successfully applied to theoretical frequencies of 2 and 3, but yield minimal improvement in the agreement between experimental and theoretical frequencies when applied to the frequencies of 4. Natural charge and unpaired spin distribution are evaluated for comparison of electronic influences of the varied ligands on metal–oxime interactions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: With the Australian national Eucalyptus globulus breeding program entering its third generation, monitoring of genetic diversity is becoming increasingly important due to selection having the potential to reduce genetic diversity over time. To provide a baseline estimate of genetic diversity within the Australian national E. globulus breeding program, microsatellite markers were used to quantify and compare the genetic diversity of 140 first-generation selections to that observed in a sample of 340 mature individuals collected from throughout the native distribution of the species. While expected heterozygosity was high in the breeding population sample, and similar to that displayed in the native sample, allelic richness was lower, suggesting a loss of rare alleles during selection. Observed heterozygosity (individual heterozygosity), however, was consistently higher in breeding population samples than that seen in native samples, suggesting that heterozygotes have been preferentially selected within the program. The importance of maintaining genetic diversity in breeding programs and the benefit of conserving native populations as a resource of genetic diversity is discussed in relation to the long-term management of tree breeding programs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]