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We present a genome assembly from an individual male Pungitius pungitius (the nine-spined stickleback; Chordata; Actinopteri; Gasterosteiformes; Gasterosteidae). The genome sequence is 480.4 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 21 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 16.57 kilobases in length.

Introduction: High mammographic breast density (MBD) is an independent breast cancer risk factor. In organised breast screening settings, discussions are ongoing regarding the optimal clinical role of MBD to help guide screening decisions. The aim of this scoping review was to provide an overview of current practices incorporating MBD within population-based breast screening programmes and from professional organisations internationally. Methods: This scoping review was conducted in accordance with the framework proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. The electronic databases, MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, CINAHL Plus, Scopus, and Web of Science were systematically searched. Grey literature sources, websites of international breast screening programmes, and relevant government organisations were searched to identify further relevant literature. Data from identified materials were extracted and presented as a narrative summary. Results: The search identified 78 relevant documents. Documents were identified for breast screening programmes in 18 countries relating to screening intervals for women with dense breasts, MBD measurement, reporting, notification, and guiding supplemental screening. Documents were identified from 18 international professional organisations with the majority of material relating to supplemental screening guidance for women with dense breasts. Key factors collated during the data extraction process as relevant considerations for MBD practices included the evidence base needed to inform decision-making processes and resources (healthcare system costs, radiology equipment, and workforce planning). Conclusions: This scoping review summarises current practices and guidelines incorporating MBD in international population-based breast screening settings and highlights the absence of consensus between organised breast screening programmes incorporating MBD in current breast screening protocols.

Plain English summary This commentary describes how patient public involvement has been used to adapt a website called ExerciseGuide UK. This website provides a personalised physical activity program and education to those diagnosed with lung cancer. The programme is altered to allow for each patient’s capabilities. Reflections on how the study affected both the researcher and the PPI members are discussed. The commentary gives the patient and public involvement members a voice in their involvement experience. It highlights the difference that their sustained involvement made to the study, the doctoral researcher, and those who were involved. Globally, lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death and remains one of the most common types of cancer. Digital technology, such as websites, mobile applications, and smart wearable devices (e.g., Apple Watch and Fitbits), have increasingly been used in health research over the last few decades. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, research into digital technology has increased rapidly. Individuals diagnosed with lung cancer may experience a large number of physically and emotionally limiting symptoms, such as a higher risk of severe illness due to infections. With the large symptom burden they experience, digital technology may provide alternative and more accessible methods which can be altered to suit and help their specific needs. The patient and public involvement group members had all either been diagnosed with lung cancer, cared for someone with lung cancer, or experienced lung cancer in their family.

Measuring the Sun’s magnetic field is a key component of monitoring solar activity and forecasting space weather. The main goal of the research presented in this paper is to investigate the possibility of reducing the dimensions and weight of a solar magnetograph while preserving its optical quality. This article presents a range of different designs, along with their advantages and disadvantages, and an analysis of the optical performance of each. All proposed designs are based on the magneto-optical filter (MOF) technique. As a result of the design study, a miniaturised solar magnetograph is proposed with an ultra-compact layout. The dimensions are 345 mm × 54 mm × 54 mm, and the optical quality is almost at the diffraction limit. The design has an entrance focal ratio of F/17.65, with a plate scale of 83.58 arcsec/mm at the telescope image focal plane, and produces a magnification of 0.79. The field of view is 1920 arcsec in diameter, equivalent to ±0.27 degrees, sufficient to cover the entire solar disk.

Background: Anti-HCV immunoassays remain the primary serologic test for HCV screening among blood donors. Since 1990s, Anti-HCV assays have evolved and those currently available detect infection earlier and have improved sensitivity and specificity compared with older generation assays. The new Alinity s Anti-HCV II assay, with its innovative design, has improved sensitivity, which shall further enhance safety of blood. Methods: Alinity s Anti-HCV II assay was evaluated at 2 blood services (HKRCBTS & SNBTS). The overall sensitivity was evaluated using known positive samples (n = 5 at HKRCBTS; 50 at SNBTS) and 3 seroconversion panels (panel members =14 at each site). A total of 7,532 blood donor samples were tested to determine the clinical specificity. Results: The clinical sensitivity of the new assay was found to be 100% at both sites. HCV seroconversion panel detection rates were 57.1% (8/14) and 14.3% (2/14) for the Alinity s Anti-HCV II and Anti-HCV assays respectively, resulting in an improvement in seroconversion sensitivity of 42.8% for the Anti-HCV II assay over the Anti-HCV assay. The specificity of the Anti-HCV II assay was 100% at HKRCBTS, and 99.95% at SNBTS. Conclusions: The Anti-HCV II assay detected all known positive specimens and was able to detect samples in seroconversion panels earlier compared to the Anti-HCV assay. The assay showed excellent clinical specificity and generated fewer false-reactive results and was found to be suitable for routine blood donor screening.

The lateral line system of fishes provides cues for collective behaviour, such as shoaling, but it remains unclear how anatomical lateral line variation leads to behavioural differences among species. Here we studied associations between lateral line morphology and collective behaviour using two morphologically divergent species and their second-generation hybrids. We identify collective behaviours associated with variation in canal and superficial lateral line morphology, with closer proximities to neighbouring fish associated with larger canal pore sizes and fewer superficial neuromasts. A mechanistic understanding of the observed associations was provided by hydrodynamic modelling of an artificial lateral line sensor, which showed that simulated canal-based neuromasts were less susceptible to saturation during unidirectional movement than simulated superficial neuromasts, while increasing the canal pore size of the simulated lateral line sensor elevated sensitivity to vortices shed by neighbouring fish. Our results propose a mechanism behind lateral line flow sensing during collective behaviour in fishes.

Cysteine-rich knob domains can be isolated from the ultralong heavy-chain complementarity-determining region (CDR) 3, which are unique to a subset of bovine antibodies, to create antibody fragments of ~4 kDa. Advantageously, the N- and C- termini of these small binding domains are in close proximity, and we propose that this may offer a practical route to engineer extrinsic binding specificity into proteins. To test this, we transplanted knob domains into various loops of rat serum albumin, targeting sites that were distal to the interface with the neonatal Fc receptor. Using knob domains raised against the clinically validated drug target complement component C5, we produced potent inhibitors, which exhibit an extended plasma half-life in vivo via attenuated renal clearance and neonatal Fc receptor-mediated avoidance of lysosomal catabolism. The same approach was also used to modify a Camelid VHH, targeting a framework loop situated at the opposing end of the domain to the CDRs, to produce a small, single-chain bispecific antibody and a dual inhibitor of Complement C3 and C5. This study presents new protein inhibitors of the complement cascade and demonstrates a broadly applicable method to engineer target specificity within polypeptide chains, using bovine knob domains.

Background: The lenvatinib (LEN) plus everolimus (EVE) combination demonstrated improved progression-free survival over everolimus alone in a phase 2 trial (Study-205). Objective: To compare quality-adjusted time without symptoms of disease progression or toxicity (Q-TWiST) between LEN + EVE and EVE alone among patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) following one prior antiangiogenic therapy. Design, setting, and participants: This was a post hoc analysis of Study-205. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Survival time was partitioned into three mutually exclusive health states: time with grade 3/4 toxicity (TOX); time before disease progression and without grade 3/4 toxicity (TWiST); and time after disease progression (REL). The mean time in each state was weighted by utility measures and summed to calculate Q-TWiST. Nonparametric bootstrapping generated 95% confidence intervals (CIs). In the base case, utility for TWiST, TOX, and REL was assigned as 1.0, 0.5, and 0.5, respectively. Sensitivity analyses applied alternative utility values for REL, TOX, and TWiST. A relative gain in Q-TWiST of ≥10% and ≥15% has been established as clinically important and clearly clinically important, respectively. Results and limitations: Patients receiving LEN + EVE (n = 51) had a significant mean Q-TWiST gain of 3.7 mo (14.7 vs 11.0 mo; 95% CI for difference 1.3–6.3), with a relative gain of 24% compared to EVE alone. In a sensitivity analysis using alternative utility values for TWiST (varied from 0.55 to 0.9) with utility set to 0.5 for both TOX and REL, the relative Q-TWiST gain was maintained (ranging from 11.0% to 21.2%; all significant) across varying utility values. Limitations include the sample size, the absence of utility estimates, and the length of adverse events from the trial. Conclusions: LEN + EVE showed a significant and clearly clinically important improvement in quality-adjusted survival time versus EVE alone. Patient summary: Patients with advanced kidney cancer who had received other previous treatments experienced a clearly clinically important improvement in quality survival time when treated with lenvatinib plus everolimus compared to everolimus alone.

Even as progress has been made in extending access to safe water and sanitation under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), substantial disparities in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services persist in high-income countries around the world. These gaps in service occur disproportionately among historically marginalized, rural, informal, and Indigenous communities. This paper synthesizes results from a side session convened at the 2020 University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Water and Health conference focused on knowledge gaps, challenges, and approaches to achieve SDG 6 among marginalized communities in high-income countries. We provide approaches and next steps to advance sustainable WASH services in communities that have often been overlooked. HIGHLIGHTS HICs face similar challenges to LMICs in access to WASH, including reaching rural communities, building capacity, maintaining infrastructure, and improving water quality.; Historically marginalized communities are heavily impacted and massive socio-political change is needed to eliminate inequities.; HICs must improve access to services by filling data gaps, changing policies, and removing unjust social structures.;

Un cotejo de siete poemas de Los Heraldos Negros de César Vallejo, con primeras versio­nes publicadas en revistas y periódicos: “Los heraldos negros”, “Nochebuena”, “Avestruz”, “El poeta a su amada”, “La copa negra”, “Yeso”, y “Hojas de ébano”. A la vez, una explo­ración detenida de algunos aspectos de cada poema.

Abstract Background We believe junior doctors are in a unique position in relation to reporting of incidents and safety culture. They are still in training and are also ‘fresh eyes’ on the system providing valuable insights into what they perceive as safe and unsafe behaviour. The aim of this study was to co-design and implement an embedded learning intervention – a serious board game – to educate junior doctors about patient safety and the importance of reporting safety concerns, while at the same time shaping a culture of responsiveness from senior medical staff. Methods A serious game based on the PlayDecide framework was co-designed and implemented in two large urban acute teaching hospitals. To evaluate the educational value of the game voting on the position statements was recorded at the end of each game by a facilitator who also took notes after the game of key themes that emerged from the discussion. A sample of players were invited on a voluntary basis to take part in semi-structured interviews after playing the game using Flanagan’s Critical Incident Technique. A paper-based questionnaire on ‘Safety Concerns’ was developed and administered to assess pre-and post-playing the game reporting behaviour. Dissemination workshops were held with senior clinicians to promote more inclusive leadership behaviours and responsiveness to junior doctors raising of safety concerns from senior clinicians. Results The game proved to be a valuable patient safety educational tool and proved effective in encouraging deep discussion on patient safety. There was a significant change in the reporting behaviour of junior doctors in one of the hospitals following the intervention. Conclusion In healthcare, limited exposure to patient safety training and narrow understanding of safety compromise patients lives. The existing healthcare system needs to value the role that junior doctors and others could play in shaping a positive safety culture where reporting of all safety concerns is encouraged. Greater efforts need to be made at hospital level to develop a more pro-active safe and just culture that supports and encourages junior doctors and ultimately all doctors to understand and speak up about safety concerns.

With the ever-growing number of options available for publishing research, it is fantastic to see the growth of the British Journal of Pharmacy over the past few years. In this issue, we have six papers submitted by groups across four continents, and as the journal, grows we are continuing to see a diverse and cosmopolitan range of submissions. Like the previous issues of BJPharm, this issue is assembled from articles that span a variety of pharmacy topics, with articles on Interprofessional education of prescription safety for Non-medical prescribers and pharmacists, through to an article on the physicochemical and rheological properties of modified starches from novel sustainable sources. In my opinion, this breadth of topics covered by BJPharm and potential board readership, sets the journal apart from others in the field, with articles of interest to those working in all areas of the Pharmacy profession.

Particulated fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite pipes encompass unidirectional continuous glass fibers (hoop glass), resin (thermoset polymer vinylester) matrix, chop glass (discontinuous short fibers), and particulate reinforcement (sand) impregnated into resin. They are categorized based on their nominal diameter, pressure class, and stiffness class. Mechanical characteristics of this class of composite materials have not, to date, been comprehensively studied. As such, this paper presents a systematic approach toward comprehensive experimental investigation into their mechanical characterizations in terms of the axial and hoop tensile strengths. The particulated FRP composite pipes used in the current study have glass fibers reinforced along the hoop direction at approximately 89° angle. To assure the experimental data accuracy and reliability, three batches associated with each pipe category were selected which slightly differ in the composition of their constituents. Three specimens per batch were selected and two types of tests were conducted on each specimen. 18 tests (2 × 3 batches × 3 specimens)) were conducted per pipe category (9 tests for hoop and 9 tests for axial). Therefore, 648 tests were conducted in total on 36 pipe categories. Instron 5569A and Instron 8801 universal testing machines were utilized for the axial tensile tests and a split disc hydraulic testing machine for the hoop tensile tests. The mean tensile and the hoop axial stresses and their associated standard deviations were calculated based on the Population Standard Deviation (PSD) equation and then plotted against the material constituents. The results demonstrated that an increase in the composition of particulate reinforcement results in a decrease in the axial and the hoop tensile strengths. However, increasing the ratio of resin, chop glass, and glass fibers contributes to the enhancement of the axial and the hoop tensile strengths. This study provides comprehensive design guidelines for engineers and manufacturing industries.

The aqueous dispersion of the polysaccharide isolated from the inner bark of the stem of Grewiamollis exhibits a relatively high viscosity at low concentrations. Two extraction methods were adopted to isolate two different polysaccharide fractions from the plant – the native grewia polysaccharide gum (GPG) and the starch-free grewia polysaccharide (SFGP). The influence of these polysaccharides on the stability of oil – in – water emulsions was investigated at three concentrations – 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% w/v. The formulated emulsions were evaluated using parameters such as emulsion stability, storage stability, creaming index, heat stability, globule size and size distribution, and emulsion rheology. The results show that the GPG formulated emulsions were more stable than the SFGP emulsions at each parity level of concentration, exhibiting better emulsion/storage stability, lower creaming index and finer microstructure which were concentration dependent. The higher degree of esterification of SFGP did not result in corresponding improvement in emulsion stability over GPG-containing emulsions. GPG may be preferable to SFGP when stabilization of oil-in-water emulsions is indicated.

Background The Brain Trauma Foundation recommends intracranial pressure (ICP) monitor placement for patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Adherence with these guidelines in elderly patients is unknown. We hypothesized that disparities in ICP monitor placement would exist based on patient age.Methods Using the National Trauma Data Bank (2010–2014), we identified patients admitted for blunt TBI with admission Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores of 3–8. Patients were excluded if they had a non-Head Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) score ≥3, hospital length of stay

This review explores how critical pedagogy, often cited by educators of informal educators as a key influence, actually informs teaching of informal educators in higher education and assesses its potential to do so. It explores the background to critical pedagogy, its principles, aims and approaches and examines its worldwide influence on the teaching of informal educators. The authors argue that critical pedagogy is crucial for the teaching of informal educators, enabling lecturer and practitioners to interrupt the hegemony of neo-liberal and neo-managerial thinking in their practice and in higher education, and re-orientate themselves and examine their positionality within their institutions. It will focus on practical examples of enabling critical pedagogy in the teaching of informal education in higher education institutions.

The search for non-toxic and cost effective carriers for solid dispersion formulations has increased the focus of researchers on renewable resources. In this study, gum was extracted from the leaves of Sesamum radiatum (SRG) and its role in solid dispersion formulations of Ibuprofen (IBU) investigated. Physical mixing and comilling using different ratios of IBU to SRG (4:1, 1:1, 1:4) and milling times of 1 min, 5 min, and 10 min was employed. Solid state of these formulations was characterized using DSC, FT-IR and XRPD. The effect of the co-milling ratio and time on drug dissolution was also studied. Solid state characterization showed that SRG does not interact with IBU in the solid dispersion formulations. However, SRG retarded the release of IBU from all the formulations. Although the co-milled solid dispersions gave a higher dissolution than the physical mixes (PM), with the dissolution rate increasing as the ratio of SRG decreases, the technique did not result in appreciable improvement in the dissolution of IBU. The gel layer that surrounded the formulations suggest SRG may prove useful as a hydrophilic carrier in matrices for extended release and perhaps a modified form of the gum could be used in solid dispersions.

Human populations are not static or uniformly distributed across space and time. This consideration has a notable impact on natural hazard analyses which seek to determine population exposure and risk. This paper focuses on the coupling of population and environmental models to address the effect of seasonally varying populations on exposure to flood risk. A spatiotemporal population modelling tool, SurfaceBuilder247, has been combined with LISFLOOD-FP flood inundation model outputs for a study area centred on the coastal resort town of St Austell, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK). Results indicate strong seasonal cycles in populations and their exposure to flood hazard which are not accounted for in traditional population datasets and flood hazard assessments. Therefore, this paper identifies and demonstrates considerable enhancements to the current handling of spatiotemporal population variation within hazard exposure assessment and disaster risk management.

Most wear testing of orthopedic implant materials is undertaken with dilute bovine serum used as the lubricant. However, dilute bovine serum is different to the synovial fluid in which natural and artificial joints must operate. As part of a search for a lubricant which more closely resembles synovial fluid, a lubricant based on a mixture of sodium alginate and gellan gum, and which aimed to match the rheology of synovial fluid, was produced. It was employed in a wear test of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene pins rubbing against a metallic counterface. The test rig applied multidirectional motion to the test pins and had previously been shown to reproduce clinically relevant wear factors for ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. After 2.4 million cycles (125 km) of sliding in the presence of the new lubricant, a mean wear factor of 0.099 × 10−6 mm3/Nm was measured for the ultra high molecular weight polyethylene pins. This was over an order of magnitude less than when bovine serum was used as a lubricant. In addition, there was evidence of a transfer film on the test plates. Such transfer films are not seen clinically. The search for a lubricant more closely matching synovial fluid continues.

The later artistic work of Salvador Dali demonstrates a dialogue involving new developments in science in the 1940s and 1950s as metaphysical clues to inform his religious imagination and inspire a new era in Dali’s art: nuclear mysticism.

Compared with other phylogenetic groups, self-fertilization (selfing) is exceedingly rare in vertebrates and is known to occur only in one small clade of fishes. Here we report observing one F1-hybrid individual that developed into a functional hermaphrodite after crossing two closely-related sexually reproducing species of cichlids. Microsatellite alleles segregated consistent with selfing and Mendelian inheritance and we could rule out different modes of parthenogenesis including automixis. We discuss why selfing is not more commonly observed in vertebrates in nature, and the role of hybridization in the evolution of novel traits.

Intensive botanical exploration of the Marquesas Islands (French Polynesia) for the Vascular Flora of the Marquesas Islands and Flore de la Polynésie française projects has resulted in numerous additional new collections from these islands. Study of these collections has brought to light 11 new species of pteridophytes (ferns and lycophytes) which are described herein: Blechnum pacificum Lorence & A. R. Sm., sp. nov., Cyclosorus castaneus A. R. Sm. & Lorence, sp. nov., Cyclosorus florencei A. R. Sm. & Lorence, sp. nov., Dryopteris macropholis Lorence & W. L. Wagner, sp. nov., Dryopteris sweetorum Lorence & W. L. Wagner, sp. nov., Polystichum kenwoodii Lorence & W. L. Wagner, sp. nov., Polystichum uahukaense Lorence & W. L. Wagner, sp. nov., Pteris hivaoaensis Lorence & K. Wood, sp. nov., Pteris marquesensis Lorence & K. R. Wood, sp. nov., Pteris tahuataensis Lorence & K. R. Wood, sp. nov., and Thelypteris marquesensis Lorence & K. R. Wood, sp. nov. One new combination is made: Cyclosorus marquesicus (Holttum) Lorence & A. R. Sm., comb. nov. (based on Plesioneuron marquesicum Holttum). An analysis of the conservation status of these new Marquesas Islands taxa reveals they are in need of inclusion in the IUCN Red List with conservation status ranging from vulnerable (one species), and endangered (four species), to critically endangered (five species).

This work examines two different types of myoelectric control schemes for the purpose of rehabilitation robot applications. The first is a commonly used technique based on a Gaussian classifier. It is implemented in real time for healthy subjects in addition to a subject with Central Cord Syndrome (CCS). The myoelectric control scheme is used to control three degrees of freedom (DOF) on a robot manipulator which corresponded to the robot's elbow joint, wrist joint, and gripper. The classes of motion controlled include elbow flexion and extension, wrist pronation and supination, hand grasping and releasing, and rest. Healthy subjects were able to achieve 90% accuracy. Single DOF controllers were first tested on the subject with CCS and he achieved 100%, 96%, and 85% accuracy for the elbow, gripper, and wrist controllers respectively. Secondly, he was able to control the three DOF controller at 68% accuracy. The potential applications for this scheme are rehabilitation and teleoperation. To overcome limitations in the pattern recognition based scheme, a second myoelectric control scheme is also presented which is trained using electromyographic (EMG) data derived from natural reaching motions in the sagittal plane. This second scheme is based on a time delayed neural network (TDNN) which has the ability to control multiple DOF at once. The controller tracked a subject's elbow and shoulder joints in the sagittal plane. Results showed an average error of 19° for the two joints. This myoelectric control scheme has the potential of being used in the development of exoskeleton and orthotic rehabilitation applications.

Recent evidence from morphological, cytological, and gene sequencing studies has provided much additional evidence that the genus Pleopeltis (Polypodiaceae) requires redefinition to include other polypod genera and species with peltate scales on the leaf blades. Groups to be included are Polypodium subg. Marginaria (species treated in the group of Polypodium polypodioides (L.) Watt by Moran), and also including the Polypodium squamatum and Polypodium plebeium groups, Dicranoglossum, Microphlebodium, Neurodium, and Pseudocolysis. In this paper, we review all species of Polypodiaceae that we believe belong to Pleopeltis and make 35 species combinations, one varietal combination, and six hybrid combinations. In addition, three new names are necessary for species prevented from transfer because to do so results in homonymy. As redefined, Pleopeltis comprises ca. 90 species, mainly in the New World, but with two species and one hybrid in Africa, India, and Sri Lanka; it excludes Lepisorus in Asia and Africa, as well as many other especially simple-bladed Old World species once placed in Pleopeltis but now included in other Paleotropical genera, e.g., Lemmaphyllum, Leptochilus, and Selliguea. We provide a key to separate the American polypod genera, and address biogeographical data that derive from. In two appendices, we list previously accepted taxa of Pleopeltis for which combinations are already available, as well as salient synonymy

We investigated the protective efficacy of two intranasal chitosan (CSN and TM-CSN) adjuvanted H5N1 Influenza vaccines against highly pathogenic avian Influenza (HPAI) intratracheal and intranasal challenge in a ferret model. Six groups of 6 ferrets were intranasally vaccinated twice, 21 days apart, with either placebo, antigen alone, CSN adjuvanted antigen, or TM-CSN adjuvanted antigen. Homologous and intra-subtypic antibody cross-reacting responses were assessed. Ferrets were inoculated intratracheally (all treatments) or intranasally (CSN adjuvanted and placebo treatments only) with clade 1 HPAI A/Vietnam/1194/2004 (H5N1) virus 28 days after the second vaccination and subsequently monitored for morbidity and mortality outcomes. Clinical signs were assessed and nasal as well as throat swabs were taken daily for virology. Samples of lung tissue, nasal turbinates, brain, and olfactory bulb were analysed for the presence of virus and examined for histolopathological findings. In contrast to animals vaccinated with antigen alone, the CSN and TM-CSN adjuvanted vaccines induced high levels of antibodies, protected ferrets from death, reduced viral replication and abrogated disease after intratracheal challenge, and in the case of CSN after intranasal challenge. In particular, the TM-CSN adjuvanted vaccine was highly effective at eliciting protective immunity from intratracheal challenge; serologically, protective titres were demonstrable after one vaccination. The 2-dose schedule with TM-CSN vaccine also induced cross-reactive antibodies to clade 2.1 and 2.2 H5N1 viruses. Furthermore ferrets immunised with TM-CSN had no detectable virus in the respiratory tract or brain, whereas there were signs of virus in the throat and lungs, albeit at significantly reduced levels, in CSN vaccinated animals. This study demonstrated for the first time that CSN and in particular TM-CSN adjuvanted intranasal vaccines have the potential to protect against significant mortality and morbidity arising from infection with HPAI H5N1 virus.

Understanding strategies used by animals to explore their landscape is essential to predict how they exploit patchy resources, and consequently how they are likely to respond to changes in resource distribution. Social bees provide a good model for this and, whilst there are published descriptions of their behaviour on initial learning flights close to the colony, it is still unclear how bees find floral resources over hundreds of metres and how these flights become directed foraging trips. We investigated the spatial ecology of exploration by radar tracking bumblebees, and comparing the flight trajectories of bees with differing experience. The bees left the colony within a day or two of eclosion and flew in complex loops of ever-increasing size around the colony, exhibiting Lévy-flight characteristics constituting an optimal searching strategy. This mathematical pattern can be used to predict how animals exploring individually might exploit a patchy landscape. The bees' groundspeed, maximum displacement from the nest and total distance travelled on a trip increased significantly with experience. More experienced bees flew direct paths, predominantly flying upwind on their outward trips although forage was available in all directions. The flights differed from those of naïve honeybees: they occurred at an earlier age, showed more complex looping, and resulted in earlier returns of pollen to the colony. In summary bumblebees learn to find home and food rapidly, though phases of orientation, learning and searching were not easily separable, suggesting some multi-tasking.

In a society emerging from decades of political conflict, the role of human rights education in Northern Ireland is of particular importance as a tool to preventing violent conflict and to promoting a culture of peace. More generally, a rights-based approach to education might refer to three dimensions; access to education, educational content and educational processes. This article aims to explore the effectiveness of a specific human rights education project that has been piloted in Northern Ireland's post-primary schools as an example of a project that addresses educational content and processes in a flexible manner. Conclusions are drawn relating to factors facilitating the successful development of a rights-based approach to education and of human rights education projects.

Since 1999, the University of Southern Queensland has embarked on a range of initiatives designed to improve the infrastructure and systems used to support its widely ranging activities in teaching and learning and research and its expansion into new international markets. This has involved the careful selection and implementation of various enterprise systems, together with the use of horizontal process teams. The results of this approach are now being realized, with demonstrable improvements to many university services, together with significant cost efficiencies. This paper discusses the reasons for the changes, the processes used to drive the changes through the various university committee structures, and the outcomes of the implementation of the enterprise systems.

Severe coastal erosion occurred along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline between mid-May and November 2011. Analysis of this erosion event and comparison with previous coastal erosion events in 2006/2007 offered the opportunity to extend the understanding of the time and place of coastal erosion strikes. The swells that drove the erosion hotspots of the 2011 erosion season were relatively low (significant wave heights were between 2 m and 4.5 m) but of long duration. Although swell height was important, swell-propagation direction and particularly swell duration played a dominant role in driving the 2011 erosion event. Two erosion hotspot types were noted: sandy beaches underlain by shallow bedrock and thick sandy beaches. The former are triggered by high swells (as in March 2007) and austral winter erosion events (such as in 2006, 2007 and 2011). The latter become evident later in the austral winter erosion cycle. Both types were associated with subtidal shore-normal channels seaward of megacusps, themselves linked to megarip current heads. This 2011 coastal erosion event occurred during a year in which the lunar perigee sub-harmonic cycle (a ±4.4-year cycle) peaked, a pattern which appears to have recurred on the KwaZulu-Natal coast. If this pattern proves true, severe coastal erosion may be expected in 2015. Evidence indicates that coastal erosion is driven by the lunar nodal cycle peak but that adjacent lunar perigee sub-harmonic peaks can also cause severe coastal erosion. Knowing where and when coastal erosion may occur is vital for coastal managers and planners.