The Earth Microbiome Project: Meeting report of the "1 EMP meeting on sample selection and acquisition" at Argonne National Laboratory October 6 2010.

This report details the outcome the first meeting of the Earth Microbiome Project to discuss sample selection and acquisition. The meeting, held at the Argonne National Laboratory on Wednesday October 6(th) 2010, focused on discussion of how to prioritize environmental samples for sequencing and metagenomic analysis as part of the global effort of the EMP to systematically determine the functional and phylogenetic diversity of microbial communities across the world

Asymmetric organocatalysis of the addition of acetone to 2-nitrostyrene using N-diphenylphosphinyl-1,2-diphenylethane-1,2-diamine (PODPEN)

The highly enantioselective addition of acetone to 2-nitrostyrene, using N–diphenylphosphinyl-trans-1,2-diphenylethane-1,2-diamine (PODPEN) as catalyst, is described

Role of Ca2+-activated K+ channels and Na+-K+-ATPase in prostaglandin E1- and E2-induced inhibition of the adrenergic response in human vas deferens

We studied the role of K+ channels and Na+,K+-ATPase in the presynaptic inhibitory effects of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and PGE2 on the adrenergic responses of human vas deferens. Furthermore, we determined the effects of increasing extracellular K+ concentrations ([K+]o) and inhibition of Na+,K+- ATPase on neurogenic and norepinephrine-induced contractile responses. Ring segments of the epididymal part of the vas deferens were taken from 45 elective vasectomies and mounted in organ baths for isometric recording of tension. The neuromodulatory effects of PGEs were tested in the presence of K+ channel blockers. PGE1 and PGE2 (10_8 to 10_6 M) induced inhibition of adrenergic contractions. The presence of tetraethylammonium (10_3 M), charybdotoxin (10_7 M), or iberiotoxin(10_7 M), prevented the inhibitory effects of PGE1 and PGE2 on the adrenergic contraction. Botx glibenclamide (10_5 M) and apamin (10_6 M) failed to antagonize PGE1 and PGE2 effects. Raising the [K+]o from 15.8 mM to 25.8 mM caused inhibition of the neurogenic contractions. Ouabain at a concentration insufficient to alter the resting tension (10_6 M) increased contractions induced by electrical stimulation but did not alter the contractions to norepinephrine. The inhibition of neurogenic responses induced PGE1, PGE2 and increased extracellular concentration of K+ was almost completely prevented by ouabain (10_6 M). The results demonstrate that PGE1 and PGE2 inhibit adrenergic responses by a prejunctional mechanism that involves the activation of large-conductance Ca2+- activated K+ channels and Na+,K+-ATPas

Association studies of up to 1.2 million individuals yield new insights into the genetic etiology of tobacco and alcohol use.

Tobacco and alcohol use are leading causes of mortality that influence risk for many complex diseases and disorders1. They are heritable2,3 and etiologically related4,5 behaviors that have been resistant to gene discovery efforts6-11. In sample sizes up to 1.2 million individuals, we discovered 566 genetic variants in 406 loci associated with multiple stages of tobacco use (initiation, cessation, and heaviness) as well as alcohol use, with 150 loci evidencing pleiotropic association. Smoking phenotypes were positively genetically correlated with many health conditions, whereas alcohol use was negatively correlated with these conditions, such that increased genetic risk for alcohol use is associated with lower disease risk. We report evidence for the involvement of many systems in tobacco and alcohol use, including genes involved in nicotinic, dopaminergic, and glutamatergic neurotransmission. The results provide a solid starting point to evaluate the effects of these loci in model organisms and more precise substance use measures

Social class inequalities in graduates’ labour market outcomes:The role of spatial job opportunities

This paper provides new important evidence on the spatial dimension of social class inequalities in graduates’ labour market outcomes, an aspect largely overlooked within the existing literature. Using data from the HESA Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Early and Longitudinal Survey (DLHE) for the 2008/09 graduate cohort and applying multilevel logistic regression models, we investigate whether and the extent to which social class inequalities in graduates’ occupational outcomes vary depending on the job opportunities in the geographical area where they find employment. By examining different macro-level indicators, we find wider social inequalities by parental social class in areas with fewer opportunities in high professional and managerial occupations and smaller inequalities in areas with more opportunities. Interestingly, this pattern applies only to graduates who moved away from their place of origin. We interpret this finding as the result of selective migration, that is, areas with more opportunities attract the better-qualified graduates irrespective of their social origin. Finally, graduates’ HE experiences—in particular, their field of study—and sector of employment explain most of the social class gap in areas with fewer job opportunities

A review of the changing culture and social context relating to forensic facial depiction of the dead

The recognition of a decedent by a family member is commonplace in forensic investigation and is often employed as identity confirmation. However, it is recognised that misidentification from facial recognition is also common and faces of the dead may be extremely difficult to recognise due to decomposition or external damage, and even immediate post-mortem changes may be significant enough to confuse an observer. The depiction of faces of the dead can be a useful tool for promoting recognition leading to identification and post-mortem facial depiction is described as the interpretation of human remains in order to suggest the living appearance of an individual. This paper provides an historical context relating to the changing view of society to the presentation and publication of post-mortem facial depictions and discusses the current ethical, practical and academic challenges associated with these images

Erratum to: 36th International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13054-016-1208-6.]

Large Area Metasurface Lenses in the NIR Region

Metasurfaces have revolutionized the definition of compact optics. Using subwavelength periodic structures of nanostructured dielectrics, the refractive index and absorption properties of metasurfaces – which are 2D metamaterials – can manipulate light to a degree not possible with conventional bulk glasses and crystals. The phase, polarization, spin (for circularly polarized light), amplitude and wavelength of light can all be manipulated and crafted to user-specified values to mimic the action of a lens, which we refer to as a metalens (ML). MLs have four major advantages over traditional refractive lenses – superior resolution, lighter weight, miniaturization and cost. Many metasurfaces with useful functionalities have been proposed in recent years, yet although novel in their approach have few real-world applications. One such market is the use within infrared laser systems, such as laser designators. In this work, we demonstrate metasurface lenses working at a wavelength of λ = 1064 nm, with aperture d = 1 mm and four different Fnumbers (focal length f = 0.5, 1, 2 and 5 mm). The lenses are composed of 700nm high a-Si pillars – ranging from 70- 360 nm diameter – which are fabricated using electron beam lithography (EBL) and reactive ion etching processes, on top of a fused silica substrate. Such lenses are shown to have diffraction-limited performance, with focal spot-size agreeing with theoretical values of λ‧f/d. Furthermore, we have designed large area lenses with aperture d = 10 mm, where the number of pillars per lens exceeds 550 million. By using an efficient Python script, we are able to produce these 100 mm2 samples with just 14 hours of EBL writing time

Maximising the translation potential of electrochemical biosensors

Extensive academic attention has been given to showcasing the potential high-level analytical performance of electrochemical and microfluidic diagnostic platforms across a range of target analytes and disease areas. Despite this high volume of research and proof of concept demonstrations for feasible technology platforms, electrochemical biosensors have not yet realised their full commercial potential, given the well-known advantages of low cost, high analytical sensitivity, ease of multiplexing, compatibility with mass manufacturing techniques and seamless connection to smartphones. This is often not because of limitations in analytical performance, but due to challenges in translating laboratory devices into usable, scalable, and accessible systems. Many commercialised point of care (POC) platforms have struggled to integrate effectively into real-world, low-resource clinical environments, underscoring the need for more holistic development strategies. After providing some background on state-of-the-art developments, this article offers a perspective on the major barriers to successful translation for academic research teams through a discussion of the key elements of the biosensor development and translation process. This feature article highlights the importance of the voice of the user, and the iterative research and development process which cycles through stages of innovation, user requirement consideration, analytical performance determination and ensuring the platform is accessible in a POC format. Recent advances in electrode fabrication, 3D printing, and laser ablation empower academic teams to rapidly prototype for practical application. The article intends to serve as a useful guide for those initiating new fundamental electrochemical sensing studies, highlighting recent literature and recommending steps that academic teams can take at the beginning of projects to maximise the chances of future translational success

The Rise of Adaptive Platform Trials in Critical Care

As durable learning research systems, adaptive platform trials represent a transformative new approach to accelerating clinical evaluation and discovery in critical care. This Perspective provides a brief introduction to the concept of adaptive platform trials, describes several established and emerging platforms in critical care, and surveys some opportunities and challenges for their implementation and impact.<br/