Quantifying the abundance of four large epiphytic fern species in remnant complex notophyll vine forest on the Atherton Tableland, north Queensland, Australia

Epiphytes are generally considered rare in complex forests on the western edge of the Atherton Tablelands, north Queensland. This assertion is based on comparisons with wetter forests in the Wet Tropics bioregion, but is of limited use in restoration projects where targets need to be quantified. We quantified ‘rarity’ for a subset of the epiphyte community in one of the largest remaining patches of Type 5b rainforest at Wongabel State Forest(17°18' S, 145°28' E). The bundance of large individuals of the epiphytic fern species Asplenium australasicum, Drynaria rigidula, Platycerium bifurcatum, and Platycerium superbum were recorded from 100 identified midstorey or canopy trees. Epiphytes were less rare than the canopy trees sampled, averaging 1.7 individuals per tree. A clumped distribution was suggested with large epiphytes only occurring on 57 of the 100 trees. As tree size increased so did the number of individuals and species of large epiphytes recorded; only trees taller than 20 m yielded more than one epiphyte. Trees from the Meliaceae and Rutaceae hosted the most epiphytes, but host tree specificity patterns were not conclusive. Techniques for including epiphytes in restoration planning and projects are considered, and a quantified restoration target for epiphyte communities in Type 5b plantings is outlined

Understanding How Vulnerable Populations Use Common Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) to Access Health Care Information

The goal of this study is to investigate patterns of internet access via computers and cellular telephones among the population being served by the Drexel University Eleventh (11th) Street Health Center (Here after, the Center) and to determine which Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) will be most appropriate for delivering health care information to this population. This two-part study examines 2 concepts: 1). Which ICTs do patients at the11th Street center use to connect to the internet; 2) How these patients use the internet through the identified ICTs. Results of the project will be used to improve the ways the Center communicates with its patients by developing new approaches for using ICTs that better reflect the existing patterns of use in the population. The study will also provide researchers with a better understanding of the barriers and facilitators to internet access in this vulnerable population

Novel cruzain inhibitors for the treatment of Chagas' disease.

The protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas' disease, affects millions of individuals and continues to be an important global health concern. The poor efficacy and unfavorable side effects of current treatments necessitate novel therapeutics. Cruzain, the major cysteine protease of T. cruzi, is one potential novel target. Recent advances in a class of vinyl sulfone inhibitors are encouraging; however, as most potential therapeutics fail in clinical trials and both disease progression and resistance call for combination therapy with several drugs, the identification of additional classes of inhibitory molecules is essential. Using an exhaustive virtual-screening and experimental validation approach, we identify several additional small-molecule cruzain inhibitors. Further optimization of these chemical scaffolds could lead to the development of novel drugs useful in the treatment of Chagas' disease

Enabling patients with respiratory symptoms to access chest X-rays on demand: the experience of the walk-in service in Corby, UK

BACKGROUND: UK clinical guidance for lung cancer (NICE 141) includes pathways for chest X-rays (CXRs). Many patients fulfilling the criteria do not receive one, either because they do not consult their doctor or because their doctor does not refer them. The town of Corby, UK, has particularly high incidence and mortality rates for lung cancer and was chosen as a pilot site for a new, patient-requested X-ray service. METHODS: The number of community-initiated CXRs were compared before and after the introduction of the service and between similar geographical areas. Clinical data and patient questionnaires were analysed for those attending the service. RESULTS: There was a 63% increase in the total number of community-initiated CXRs in Corby for the year following the introduction of the service, compared with the year before. This was statistically greater than in surrounding geographical areas. Corby General Practitioners also requested 47% more CXRs than in the previous year. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of the service was associated with a significant increase in the numbers of clinically indicated CXRs in an area of high lung cancer incidence and mortality. The service attracted a clinically appropriate population. The numbers of cancers detected were in line with statistical expectations

The Relationship Between Body Temperature, Heart Rate, Breathing Rate, and Rate of Oxygen Consumption, in the Tegu Lizard (Tupinambis merianae) at Various Levels of Activity

The present study determined whether EEG and/or EMG recordings could be used to reliably define activity states in the Brazilian black and white tegu lizard (Tupinambis merianae) and then examined the interactive effects of temperature and activity states on strategies for matching O2 supply and demand. In a first series of experiments, the rate of oxygen consumption (V˙O2), breathing frequency (f R), heart rate (f H), and EEG and EMG (neck muscle) activity were measured in different sleep/wake states (sleeping, awake but quiet, alert, or moving). In general, metabolic and cardio-respiratory changes were better indictors of the transition from sleep to wake than were changes in the EEG and EMG. In a second series of experiments, the interactive effects of temperature (17, 27 and 37 °C) and activity states on f R, tidal volume (V T), the fraction of oxygen extracted from the lung per breath (FIO2–FEO2), f H, and the cardiac O2 pulse were quantified to determine the relative roles of each of these variables in accommodating changes in V˙O2. The increases in oxygen supply to meet temperature- and activity-induced increases in oxygen demand were produced almost exclusively by increases in f H and f R. Regression analysis showed that the effects of temperature and activity state on the relationships between f H, f R and V˙O2 was to extend a common relationship along a single curve, rather than separate relationships for each metabolic state. For these lizards, the predictive powers of f R and f H were maximized when the effects of changes in temperature, digestive state and activity were pooled. However, the best r 2 values obtained were 0.63 and 0.74 using f R and f H as predictors of met abolic rate, respectively

Non-pharmacological interventions for ADHD in school settings: an overarching synthesis of systematic reviews

OBJECTIVE: This overarching synthesis brings together the findings of four systematic reviews including 138 studies focused on non-pharmacological interventions for ADHD used in school settings. These reviews considered the effectiveness of school-based interventions for ADHD, attitudes toward and experience of school-based interventions for ADHD, and the experience of ADHD in school settings. METHOD: We developed novel methods to compare the findings across these reviews inductively and deductively. RESULTS: Key contextual issues that may influence the effectiveness and implementation of interventions include the relationships that pupils with ADHD have with their teachers and peers, the attributions individuals make about the etiology of ADHD, and stigma related to ADHD or intervention attendance. CONCLUSION: Although we found some positive effects for some outcomes and intervention categories, heterogeneity in effect size estimates and research evidence suggests a range of diverse contextual factors potentially moderate the implementation and effectiveness of school-based interventions for ADHD.National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment (NIHR HTA) programNIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied HealthResearch and Care South West Peninsula (PenCLAHRC