Using quantitative wastewater analysis to measure daily usage of conventional and emerging illicit drugs at an annual music festival

Introduction and Aims: Wastewater analysis provides a non-intrusive way of measuring drug use within a population. We used this approach to determine daily use of conventional illicit drugs [cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)] and emerging illicit psychostimulants (benzylpiperazine, mephedrone and methylone) in two consecutive years (2010 and 2011) at an annual music festival. Design and Methods: Daily composite wastewater samples, representative of the festival, were collected from the on-site wastewater treatment plant and analysed for drug metabolites. Data over 2 years were compared using Wilcoxon matched-pair test. Data from 2010 festival were compared with data collected at the same time from a nearby urban community using equivalent methods. Results: Conventional illicit drugs were detected in all samples whereas emerging illicit psychostimulants were found only on specific days. The estimated per capita consumption of MDMA, cocaine and cannabis was similar between the two festival years. Statistically significant (

Repair of gaps opposite lesions by homologous recombination in mammalian cells

Damages in the DNA template inhibit the progression of replication, which may cause single-stranded gaps. Such situations can be tolerated by translesion DNA synthesis (TLS), or by homology-dependent repair (HDR), which is based on transfer or copying of the missing information from the replicated sister chromatid. Whereas it is well established that TLS plays an important role in DNA damage tolerance in mammalian cells, it is unknown whether HDR operates in this process. Using a newly developed plasmid-based assay that distinguishes between the three mechanisms of DNA damage tolerance, we found that mammalian cells can efficiently utilize HDR to repair DNA gaps opposite an abasic site or benzo[a]pyrene adduct. The majority of these events occurred by a physical strand transfer (homologous recombination repair; HRR), rather than a template switch mechanism. Furthermore, cells deficient in either the human RAD51 recombination protein or NBS1, but not Rad18, exhibited decreased gap repair through HDR, indicating a role for these proteins in DNA damage tolerance. To our knowledge, this is the first direct evidence of gap-lesion repair via HDR in mammalian cells, providing further molecular insight into the potential activity of HDR in overcoming replication obstacles and maintaining genome stability

The relation of man to nature through the ages

Volume: 69Start Page: 71End Page: 7

On the Occurrence of the Clay-coloured Sparrow (Spizella pallida) at Toronto

Volume: 46Start Page: 67End Page: 6

Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility in The Meetings and Events Industry

Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility in The Meetings and Events Industry is comprehensive roadmap that prepares event professionals for the economic, enviromental, and social challenges ahead, and transforms the industry for teh long run. This timely text inspires us to view CSR, ethics, and sustainability as no longer just best practices, but as business standards. With its pratical tools and insight, readers are compeleed to build an industry where meetings and events contribute positively and ethically to communities and cultures.Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility in The Meetings and Events Industry present a wide range of topics, bringing insight from enviromental science to corporate responsibility. Intended to build sustainable leaders in the industry, this book offers the knowledge to get started and the momentum to continue. In addition to group projects, activities, recommended readings, and resources, hallmark features include :- Backcasting menthodologies and scenario planning to envision the steps to develop a sustainable future- An overview of environmental impacts and strategies to measure, reduce, eliminate, or mitigate these- Strategies for sustainable and ethical promotion, marketing,and communication- Measurements, evaluation techniques, and reporting methodologies to improve and track performanceConnecting long-term enviromental and economic accountability to day to day operating practices, Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility in The Meetings and Events Industry makes the hopes of a sustainable future in this industry a promising reality.xxi+300hlm.;19,5x24c