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The world has focused on carbon mitigation as the only solution for climate change. This discussion paper considers how marine biodiversity regulates the climate, and the factors that control marine biodiversity. The main Greenhouse Gas (GHG) is water vapor, which accounts for 75% of all GHGs; the second most important is carbon dioxide, followed by methane and particulates such as black carbon (BC) soot. The concentration of water vapor in the atmosphere is regulated by air temperature; warmer conditions lead to higher evaporation, which in turn increases the concentration of water vapor, the Clausius-Clapeyron relation. This means that as the oceans and atmosphere warm, a self-reinforcing feedback loop accelerates the evaporation process to cause further warming. It is not considered possible to directly regulate atmospheric water vapor. This explains why climate change mitigation strategies have focussed primarily on reducing carbon dioxide emissions as the means to reduce water vapor. This report concludes that the current climate change mitigation strategy will not work on its own because it depends on decreasing the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide and on the assumption that water vapor is only regulated by temperature. 71% of planet Earth is covered by an ocean that has a surface microlayer (SML) between 1 µm and 1000µm deep, composed of lipids and surfactants produced by marine phytoplankton. This SML layer is known to promote the formation of aerosols and clouds; it also reduces the escape of water molecules and slows the transfer of thermal energy to the atmosphere. The concentration of water vapor is increasing in our atmosphere, and 100% of this increase is evaporation from the ocean surface; water vapour from land systems is decreasing. This means that the oceans are almost entirely responsible for climate change. The SML layer attracts toxic forever, lipophilic chemicals, microplastics and hydrophobic black carbon soot from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. Concentrations of toxic chemicals are 500 times higher in this SML layer than in the underlying water. Toxic forever chemicals combined with submicron and microplastic particles and black carbon particulates are known to be toxic to plankton. Marine primary productivity or phytoplankton photosynthesis may have declined by as much as 50% since the 1950s. Reduced phytoplankton plant growth equates to a degraded SML membrane, reduced carbon assimilation, and higher concentrations of dissolved carbon dioxide in ocean surface water, which accelerates the decline in ocean pH. The key phytoplankton species responsible for the production of the SML layer are the first to suffer from pH decline, a process called “ocean acidification”. Ocean acidification will lead to a regime shift away from the key carbonate-based species and diatoms below pH 7.95 which will be reached by 2045. The SML layer will decrease, allowing evaporation and atmospheric water vapor concentrations to increase. A reduced SML layer will lead to fewer aerosols, cloud formation and precipitation, as well as increased humidity and temperature. When clouds form under these conditions, the higher humidity will cause torrential downpours and flooding. The result could be catastrophic climate change, even if we achieve net zero by 2050. In parallel, ocean acidification and the collapse of the marine ecosystem could also lead to the loss of most seals, birds, whales, fish, and food supply for 3 billion people.

BackgroundLow-value use of laboratory tests is a global challenge. Our objective was to evaluate an intervention bundle to reduce repetitive use of routine laboratory testing in hospitalised patients.MethodsWe used a stepped-wedge design to implement an intervention bundle across eight medical units. Our intervention included educational tools and social comparison reports followed by peer-facilitated report discussion sessions. The study spanned October 2020–June 2021, divided into control, feasibility testing, intervention and a follow-up period. The primary outcomes were the number and costs of routine laboratory tests ordered per patient-day. We used generalised linear mixed models, and analyses were by intention to treat.ResultsWe included a total of 125 854 patient-days. Patient groups were similar in age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index and length of stay during the control, intervention and follow-up periods. From the control to the follow-up period, there was a 14% (incidence rate ratio (IRR)=0.86, 95% CI 0.79 to 0.92) overall reduction in ordering of routine tests with the intervention, along with a 14% (β coefficient=−0.14, 95% CI −0.07 to –0.21) reduction in costs of routine testing. This amounted to a total cost savings of $C1.15 per patient-day. There was also a 15% (IRR=0.85, 95% CI 0.79, 0.92) reduction in ordering of all common tests with the intervention and a 20% (IRR=1.20, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.30) increase in routine test-free patient-days. No worsening was noted in patient safety endpoints with the intervention.ConclusionsA multifaceted intervention bundle using education and facilitated multilevel social comparison was associated with a safe and effective reduction in use of routine daily laboratory testing in hospitals. Further research is needed to understand how system-level interventions may increase this effect and which intervention elements are necessary to sustain results.

Intersectionality is a widely adopted theoretical orientation in the field of women and gender studies. Intersectionality comes from the work of black feminist scholars and activists. Intersectionality argues identities such as gender, race, sexuality, and other markers of difference intersect and reflect large social structures of oppression and privilege, such as sexism, racism, and heteronormativity. The reach of intersectionality now extends to the fields of public health and knowledge translation. Knowledge translation (KT) is a field of study and practice that aims to synthesize and evaluate research into an evidence base and move that evidence into health care practice. There have been increasing calls to bring gender and other social issues into the field of KT. Yet, as scholars outline, there are few guidelines for incorporating the principles of intersectionality into empirical research. An interdisciplinary, team-based, national health research project in Canada aimed to bring an intersectional lens to the field of knowledge translation. This paper reports on key moments and resulting tensions we experienced through the project, which reflect debates in intersectionality: discomfort with social justice, disciplinary divides, and tokenism. We consider how our project advances intersectionality practice and suggests recommendations for using intersectionality in health research contexts. We argue that while we encountered many challenges, our process and the resulting co-created tools can serve as a valuable starting point and example of how intersectionality can transform fields and practices.

The HIFEM procedure demonstrates positive outcomes on abdomen and buttock. This multi-center study aims to investigate its effect on adipose tissue and muscle mass located in upper arms and calves.Twenty subjects (45.10plusmn;15.19 years, 24.44plusmn;3.22 kg/m2) who underwent a HIFEM procedure (4 sessions; 20 minutes per muscle group) on arms and calves were evaluated. Overall, 7 patients were treated over biceps and triceps, 4 patients over calves, and 9 patients underwent treatment of both upper arms and calves. The changes in adipose and muscle tissue of musculus biceps brachii, triceps brachii, and gastrocnemius were evaluated by using ultrasound. The results from a 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month follow-up were compared to the baseline. Digital photographs, weight measurements, satisfaction, and comfort questionnaires were assessed at baseline and follow-ups.Ultrasound images revealed a significant (Plt;0.05) increase in the muscle mass of all studied muscles, with the most noticeable improvement in biceps brachii (+16.13% at 3 months). The fat deposits over arms and calves showed significant improvement (Plt;0.05), reaching -15.12% at 3 months. The results peaked at 3 months and were sustained up to 6 months with a slight but insignificant decline. Aesthetic enhancement of treated areas was documented while patients were highly satisfied.The achieved outcomes showed that the HIFEM procedure is effective for muscle toning and fat reduction in arms and calves. The results suggest that the use of the HIFEM procedure is not limited only to abdominal and buttock shaping but is also effective for toning of arms and calves. J Drugs Dermatol. 2021;20(7):755-759. doi:10.36849/JDD.5878.

The focus of climate change research has been with the anthropogenic production of carbon dioxide and the impact of increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide on the climate. But climate change is an equation, what goes into the atmosphere must be removed, unfortunately we have totally neglected NATURE and the biological mechanisms for regulating our environment. Humanity has been systematically destroying terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems for the last 70 years since the chemical revolution and the invention of plastic and toxic-for-ever chemicals such as DDT. The very essence of humanity and life support system for the planet is intrinsically connected to nature, and most especially with all life unseen, below the surface of our oceans. The science is now telling us that we are too late to prevent the cascade destabilization of the marine ecosystem by 2045, even if the world became carbon neutral tomorrow, we are still too late to prevent the loss of most marine life through ocean acidification. The oceans represent our greatest carbon bank with a potential to sequester most of the carbon generated from the burning of fossil fuels, but productivity and biodiversity in the oceans has dropped by 50% and is currently declining at a rate of 1% year on year. This is not sustainable, there is an end point, which we are fast approaching. This report details the sequence of events that are likely to occur and the actions that need to happen to prevent the collapse of the marine ecosystem and to avoid the worst of climate change.

Marine plants and animals should be thriving in ocean waters because of the current high concentrations of carbon dioxide and nutrients along with slightly elevated temperatures - but they are not. We have lost 50% of all marine life over the last 70 years; this decline is continuing today at a rate of 1% year on year. The GOES team has used its collective professional and academic experience to undertake analysis of peer- reviewed and published data to explore the reasons for this decline and its implications for climate and humanity. In our view, this loss of marine life is directly related to the presence of toxic chemicals and plastic which started to appear with the ‘chemical revolution’ in the1950’s. There is no doubt that tiny ocean planktonic plants and animals are key to regulating our climate, but this keystone of the planet’s largest ecosystem seems to be ignored as one of the tools to address climate change. Every second breath we take comes from marine photosynthesis, a process which also uses 60-90% of our carbon dioxide. Now that we have lost 50% of a key climate regulator, surely it is time to stop, take a fresh look at ocean chemistry and biodiversity and ask ourselves some fundamental questions: Why have we lost this level of marine life? Why is the decline continuing? What does this mean for our climate and humanity? Of particular concern from a climate change perspective is the level of carbonic acid in the oceans. This carbonic acid is created when atmospheric carbon dioxide dissolves into the oceans. In the 1940’s, ocean pH was 8.2, but in 2020, pH had dropped to 8.04, indicating that the oceans are becoming more acidic. If there are not enough plants to use up carbon, the unused carbonic acid moves the pH downwards. Reports from respected institutes around the globe flag an acceleration of the ocean acidification process. This decline will result in the loss of more marine plants and animals, especially those that have carbonate shells and body structures (aragonite) based. These same reports forecast that in 25 years (by 2045), pH will drop to 7.95, and estimate that with this, 80% to 90% of all remaining marine life will be lost. The GOES team’s opinion is that this is a tipping point: a planetary boundary which must not be exceeded if humanity is to survive. No ecosystem can survive a 90% loss; the result is a trophic cascade collapse. We will lose all the corals, whales, seals, birds, fish and food supply for 2 billion people – an outcome worse than climate change. Let’s be clear: If by some miracle the world achieves net zero by 2045, evidence from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) BIOACID report [1] demonstrates that this reduction will not be enough to stop a drop in ocean pH to 7.95. If the level of marine life (both plant and animal) is reduced, then the oceans’ ability to lockout carbon into the abyss is depleted. It is clear to the GOES team that if we only pursue carbon mitigation strategies and don’t do more to regenerate plant and animal life in oceans, we will reach a tipping point: a planetary boundary from which there will be no return, because all life on Earth depends upon the largest ecosystem on the planet. Humanity will suffer terribly from global warming, but it must be understood that the oceans are already showing signs of instability today at pH 8.04, (the start of the tipping point) and in 25 years when the pH has dropped to pH 7.95 represents the end point, the point of no return.

Deforestation, drained wetlands, destroyed mangroves and polluted oceans have eroded the ability of nature to use the carbon and recycle nutrients. Climate change is caused by more carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere than is being removed by plants on land and under water by photosynthesis. We need to reduce carbon emissions from the burning of fossil fuels, but it will be in vain unless we can also regenerate nature on land and in the oceans. Carbon dioxide dissolves into the oceans, and marine plants turn it into food for microscopic plankton, fish and whales. When the plants and animals die, they sink to the abyss, and this represents 90% of the world's carbon bank. Over the last 70 years we have lost more than 50% of all marine life due to pollution, and it has gone largely unnoticed because most of it is under 1 mm in size. The microscopic marine life is hugely important, but it has been decimated to such an extent that it can no longer keep pace with the carbon dioxide entering the seawater, and for this reason the oceans are becoming less alkaline. Less alkaline means more acidic, hence the reason why it is called Ocean Acidification or the evil twin of climate change because the consequences to humanity are far more catastrophic than climate change, and they are happening now. More than 50% of the remaining marine life is made from aragonite, a mineral of calcium carbonate that will dissolve by the time the acidity drops to pH7.95, that is in 25 to 30 years. The survival of humanity depends upon the oceans and nature living below the surface, but it will simply dissolve over the next three decades, and the consequences will be catastrophic.

Antipsychotic medication use has steadily increased in Canada, with an expansion in the profile of users and the diagnoses for which they are used. The use of antipsychotics is associated with a number of adverse effects for which routine monitoring is recommended. The objectives of this study were to determine the most common diagnoses associated with antipsychotic use in children in Alberta, Canada and the proportion who receive recommended laboratory tests for adverse effects. Data on dispensed antipsychotics, diagnoses, prescribers, and laboratory testing were obtained from provincial data sources. To assess the frequency of metabolic and hormonal laboratory baseline and/or follow-up testing, the sample was divided into an antipsychotic-naive cohort and an antipsychotic non-naive cohort. In 2014, 6916 children were dispensed at least one second- or third-generation antipsychotic. The most frequently dispensed antipsychotics were risperidone (3908 children), quetiapine (2140 children), and aripiprazole (1302 children). The majority of children prescribed risperidone were diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or conduct disorder. Quetiapine was mainly prescribed for neurotic disorder or depression, while aripiprazole was prescribed most frequently for conduct disorder or neurotic disorders. Among antipsychotic-naive patients, 17% had at least one laboratory test done at baseline, and 35% had at least one laboratory test done at follow-up. In the non-naive patients, 42% had at least one follow-up laboratory test. Lipid and glucose testing were done in less than 5% of the naive cohort at baseline, and in less than 15% at follow-up. In the non-naive cohort, less than 22% received lipid or glucose testing during the year 2014. The majority of antipsychotic use in children in Alberta is off-label and associated with disruptive behavior disorders, depression, and anxiety disorders. The vast majority of children prescribed antipsychotic medications do not undergo recommended laboratory tests.

Background Audit and feedback interventions may be strengthened using social interaction. With this in mind, the Calgary office of the Alberta Physician Learning Program developed a process for audit and group feedback for physician groups. As a part of a larger project to develop a practical approach to the design and implementation of audit and group feedback projects, we explored patterns of physician behavior during facilitated audit and group feedback sessions. Methods Six audit and group feedback sessions were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically to derive a conceptual model of physicians’ behaviors during audit and group feedback sessions. Results A predictable cycle of behaviors emerged from audit and group feedback sessions. This cycle would repeat with discussion of each new data element: reacting to the data, questioning and understanding the data, justifying and contextualizing, sharing and reflecting on the data and relevant guidelines, and planning for change. “Change cues” that emerged within groups reliably pivoted the discussion towards action planning. Conclusions In audit and group feedback sessions, physicians display a predictable series of behaviors as they move towards commitment to change. Establishing the meaning and credibility of the data is a necessary precursor to reflection. Group reflection leads to “change cues” triggered by group members, which stimulate action planning.

This article provides the final report on a research project that investigated the ways in which curriculum innovation can be led successfully in primary schools. Data gathering included 40 semi-structured interviews in 10 successful primary schools in England of varying sizes and types and in a range of geographical and social locations. Findings suggest that in order for curriculum innovation to be successful, school leaders need to create an ethos for change that empowers teachers to experiment with the curriculum through the adoption of distributed forms of leadership, and that in-school and between-school cooperation is a key mechanism for change.

pWhile the field of noninvasive body contouring is booming, many patients still note a lesser result than they might achieve with a single session of liposuction or dermolipectomy. The duration of a noninvasive fat reduction treatment series can be daunting. Patients have questioned the worth of these procedures when the expected benefit is modest and the time they devote to the project is significant. An eight-patient mini-study was performed to see if two or three "megasessions" could be substituted for eight weekly sessions of bipolar radiofrequency based fat reduction treatments. Patients were randomized into a two session or three session group by drawing straws. The device used was the BodyFX bipolar RF device by InMode. This device employs a suction coupled vacuum that heats a section of skin and soft tissue in the treatment region and delivers a high voltage pulse. Each patient was treated for 2 hours per session, using the Body FX, more superficial Mini FX, and the Deep FX device in an effort to treat on a multilevel basis. Preoperative 2D and 3D Vectra photos were taken, and were repeated at 1 month and 3 months post-treatment. Volumetric analysis and patient assessment showed similar results with a two or three treatment "megasession" protocol when compared with the traditional protocol of eight weekly sessions. While the cohort number was not statistically significant, the photographs and measurements are compelling enough to warrant further investigation into this treatment protocol./ppemJ Drugs Dermatol. 2017;16(5):478-480./em/p.

This review presents mechanisms of action and a review of the clinical applications of injections currently in development for localized fat reduction. After being received with initial enthusiasm earlier in the decade, mesotherapy and other injectable methods for fat loss (Lipodissolve, PC/DC, DC, injection lipolysis, adipolysis) have been subjects of critical scrutiny by the media and the US Food and Drug Administration. Several medications with novel detergent and lipolytic activity are in development and have demonstrated potential as minimally invasive fat reducing treatments.

This article reports on a study of 40 primary school leaders from ten very successful primary schools who were interviewed in order to find out the skills, processes and practices that are required for the leadership of successful curriculum innovation in primary schools. Findings suggest that school leaders need to create an ‘ethos for change’ if successful innovation is to take place. A new four-stage model of curriculum innovation is offered.

42 patients with broad age and ethnic demographics where treated with a novel, non-excisional, minimally invasive device to coagulate a very thin layer of sub-dermal septo-fascial fat, denature the deep reticular dermis and tighten the skin and sub-dermal matrix of connective tissue. The detailed treatment protocol and results are presented. Patients were observed for up to 6 month following the procedure. No major side effects were observed. The aesthetic outcome of this non-excisional procedure includes improvement of the position and shape of the cheek, lower lid-cheek junction, jawline and neck. The overall aesthetic results deliver a noticeable and impressive tightening of the soft-tissue and may be compared with a conservative, small excisional procedure. The authors propose this versatile device and treatment as a non-excisional, moderate facial rejuvenation procedure on its own, or as an adjunct to open procedures performed simultaneously, or as a simplified treatment for secondary skin laxity in combination with a lift procedure.

This article offers a critical appraisal of some of the Rose Report's recommendations for the primary English curriculum. It is divided into two parts. The first discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the recommendations whilst raising questions about their potential to bring about urgently needed curriculum renewal. The second is a reflective study of a short, intensive teaching programme recently conducted with a Year 6 class which used a children's story to improve writing performance. Dramatic activities and a progressive model for questioning texts made use of pedagogical strategies which were designed to engage children's enjoyment and motivation whilst also ensuring that developmental gains were made in spoken language, thinking and writing. The head teacher who initiated the project had already embarked on a series of new approaches to the curriculum which happened to coincide with Rose's recommendations to make greater use of spoken language and drama in reading and writing development. It is ...

This article provides an interim report on a two-phase study of curriculum innovation in primary schools in England during one of the most significant periods of change for the last two decades. More specifically, the study addresses the challenges to school leaders created by the Rose Review of the primary curriculum. This article presents and analyses the data from Phase 1 of the project and is based on 12 interviews conducted in three successful primary schools. The main finding of Phase 1 of the study was that in order to be successful in curriculum innovation school leaders need to create a clear ethos for change.

This article is an analysis of data drawn from semi-structured, taperecorded interviews with five female primary school headteachers. The research focused on their perceptions of their management role. One significant and unexpected finding was that these women not only denied feeling stressed but were deriving immense satisfaction from their work. It is suggested that much of their enjoyment comes from the high degree of emotional intelligence they display in managing people, time and resources and which also partly accounts for their success and managerial confidence. The degree of power, control and choice which these women exercise in their work lends support to the claim that there is an emerging group of managers in primary education who may represent the ‘new women of power’.

The editorial for this special issue was written towards the end of 2009 shortly after the publication of the final reports and recommendations of Rose (2009) and Alexander (2009). At the time, man...

Drawing on a series of recently conducted classroom workshops and live interviews with the authors, this inspiring book examines five popular children’s authors: Philip Pullman, J.K. Rowling, Michael Morpurgo, Anthony Browne, Jacqueline Wilson and the genre of comic books. Four genres are explored in detail: the picture book, written narrative, film narrative and comic books. Teaching Children’s Literature provides detailed literary knowledge about the chosen authors and genres alongside clear, structured guidelines and creative ideas to help teachers, student teachers and classroom assistants make some immensely popular children’s books come alive in the classroom. This accessible and inspiring text for teachers, parents, student teachers and students of children’s literature: includes a variety of discussion, drama, writing and drawing activities, with ideas for Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning which can be used to plan a unit of work or series of interrelated lessons for pupils aged between seven and fourteen years provides detailed, literary knowledge about the authors, their works, language, plot and characterisation, including exclusive transcripts of interviews with three contemporary children’s book authors shows teachers how pupils can be encouraged to become more critical and knowledgeable about screen, picture and comic narratives as well as written narratives demonstrates how reading stories can help connect pupils and teachers to a broader pedagogy in ways which promote deeper thinking, learning and engagement. This lively, informative and practical book will enable teachers, students and classroom assistants to plan inspiring and enjoyable lessons which will encourage them to teach children’s literature in an entirely different and inventive way.

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate trends in prescribing of the second-generation antipsychotic medication quetiapine to adults in the province of Alberta from 2008 to 2013 through examination of dispensed prescriptions, and diagnoses associated with users of quetiapine in 2013. Methods We analysed administrative data from Alberta Health; the Alberta Pharmaceutical Information Network (PIN) Dispenses health data set, the Practitioner Payments (Fee-For-Service claims) health data set and the Population Registry health data set. These data sets allowed us to identify discrete quetiapine recipients for each calendar year from 2008 to 2013. To evaluate diagnoses associated with users of quetiapine, we evaluated diagnostic codes used by physicians in billings claims in 2013. Results Quetiapine use increased over the 6-year time period studied. In 2008, there were 16 087 unique quetiapine recipients in Alberta (7.2 per 1000). By 2013, there were 35 314 unique quetiapine recipients (13.3 per 1000). Use by women was higher than men at all time points. Depression was most common diagnosis associated with quetiapine recipients, which was present in 56% of users of quetiapine. Other common diagnoses associated with quetiapine use included neurotic disorders, bipolar disorder and sleep disturbances. Conclusions The current study of quetiapine use in the province of Alberta provides confirmatory data of the increasing use of quetiapine for the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. Safe and rational prescribing practices must be encouraged in light of the modest advantages of quetiapine over no treatment as an adjunctive treatment of major depression, and the known harms of this medication.

The topic of injection lipolysis remains controversial even 5 years after of becoming a popular treatment for reducing localized fat deposits with injections rather than surgery. The technique was invented by Rittes who had studied mesotherapy with Lecoz in France. A patient, knowing of Rittes skill with injections, requested an injectable fat reduction for her lower lid bags. The patient persisted despite the absence of an injectable technique for localized fat reduction at that time. Rittes researched the pharmaceutical and clinical literature for a solution. She found Bobkova’s article describing the endovenous plaque reducing qualities in Lipostabil, a Sanofi Aventis drug containing phosphatidylcholine (PC) made from soy lecithin [1]. Rittes’ paper, published in 2001 [2], is often quoted as the origin of the injection lipolysis procedure.

The unusual evolution of the practice of injection lipolysis has generated doubt regarding its safety and efficacy among many physicians. During the early years of this decade, mesotherapy was practiced by a few physicians, but the practice was not widespread. Paramedical practitioners and business developers saw the market potential for nonsurgical fat reduction, and the practice of injection lipolysis was packaged and sold before the mechanism of action was understood. Because of the early lack of scientific research and understanding of the limitations of injection lipolysis, many unsuitable patients were treated with this modality. To better understand the way injection lipolysis works, the inclusion and exclusion criteria for patients desiring treatment, and an accurate clinical evaluation format for potential treatment regions, a series of scientific studies was performed in 2007 and early 2008. These studies included a serial histopathology evaluation of treated patients over time, a stem cell study performed with the McGowan Research Institute in Pittsburgh, an animal study performed in conjunction with the Colorado State University veterinary school, and a prospective multicenter clinical trial using injection lipolysis in the back roll region. The purpose of these studies was to determine the way injection lipolysis works, how modifications of the formula and technique change the outcome, the role of each constituent component of various formulas, and the degree of fat reduction and skin retraction that is attainable with these treatments. The influence of depth of injection, distance between injection points, volume of injection, and ratios of constituent components was studied. The degree of topographic contour correction and the amount of volume reduction were evaluated. Following a review of these recent studies, an updated recommendation for the clinical practice of injection lipolysis was formulated.

Rudbeckia hirta is a tender perennial or self-sowing annual which is becoming increasingly popular as a garden flower and a component of wildflower meadow mixes. It may also have -considerable potential for use as a potted crop. R. hirta has a defined juvenility period but preliminary unpublished results suggested that plants originating from different latitudes may possess unequal juvenile periods and exhibit dissimilar sensitivities to photoperiod. Seven R. hirta ecotypes originating from latitudes ranging from 30.l0oN to 45.l0oN were exposed to long days (LD) at different leaf numbers to determine juvenile phase length and speed of floral initiation. Ecotypes from northern latitudes had fewer leaves at maturity and, overall, there was a quadratic relationship between latitude of origin and number of days to first flower from start of LD. Once plants were mature, the speed of floral initiation and development also varied among ecotypes. Master of Science

Macrophages and their precursors, monocytes, are key cells involved in the innate immune response. Although both monocytes and macrophages produce caspase-1, the key enzyme responsible for the processing of proIL-1β; macrophages are limited in their ability to process and release functional IL-1β. In this context, since mutations in the pyrin gene (MEFV) cause the inflammatory disorder familial Mediterranean fever, the protein pyrin is believed to regulate IL-1β. To determine whether variations in pyrin levels explain the difference between monocyte and macrophages in IL-1β processing and release, pyrin was studied in fresh human monocytes and monocyte derived macrophages. While fresh monocytes express pyrin protein and MEFV mRNA, monocyte derived macrophages have significantly less pyrin mRNA and protein. Since pyrin levels correlated with IL-1β processing, we asked whether pyrin may promote IL-1β processing and release. Pyrin induced IL-1β processing and release in a dose dependent fashion in HEK293 cells and pyrin overexpression in THP-1 cells confirmed the effect. Conversely, pyrin siRNA suppressed proIL-1β processing in both THP-1 cells and fresh human monocytes. In summary, pyrin expression and IL-1β processing and release is diminished upon the maturation of monocytes to macrophages. In the setting of endotoxin induced activation of mononuclear phagocytes, pyrin appears to augment IL-1β processing and release. Supported by grant NIH-NHLBI-HL40871 to MDW