WormBase: A Model Organism Database

WormBase is an open-access model-organism database that provides current and accurate genetic information of C. elegans and related nematodes. Users can search WormBase by several fields, including a gene or human disease. A special feature of the database is the inclusion of micropublications, peer-reviewed data that may go unpublished in traditional venues.     

Implications of membrane fouling toward the removal of the pharmaceutical sulfamethoxazole by nanofiltration processes

The influence of membrane fouling on the retention of the trace organic contaminant sulfamethoxazole by a nanofiltration (NF) process was investigated. Organic fouling caused a severe flux decline possibly due to pore blocking and adsorption directly after the commencement of the fouling layer development. Such membrane-foulant interactions were absent for colloidal fouling, which resulted in a more gradual flux decline. Membrane charge played a significant role in the separation process of inorganic salts, where the retention was the highest in a caustic environment (high pH) due to more swollen membrane material caused by the higher negative charge on the membrane. Organic fouling and a combination of colloidal and organic fouling led to a significant increase in the membrane negative charge. The influence of membrane fouling on solute retention was dependent on the fouling behaviour and the physicochemical properties of the model foulants, where the model foulants probably contributed to an increase in the retention of charged solutes due to enhanced electrostatic interactions. Organic fouling caused an increase in the retention of inorganic salts and sulfamethoxazole due to pore blocking. In contrast, colloidal fouling caused a decrease in the retention of inorganic salts due to cake-enhanced concentration polarisation. However, the presence of a colloidal fouling layer did not reduce the retention of sulfamethoxazole. A mixture of colloidal and organic matter improved the retention of inorganic salts. A similar conclusion can be inferred for sulfamethoxazole at pH 4 when the compound exists in a neutral form.     

定量分析能源效率以及温室气体减排项目和政策中的协同效益方面的国际经验

提高能效和燃料转换效率是温室气体减排战略的一部分。过去二十年,很多研究显示这两方面带来气候变化以外的好处,多半介于这些政策方案实施成本的30%到超过100%。国际上,政策制定者对于分析能效政策和燃料转换效率政策同时纳入对温室气体和非温室气体两方面影响的探讨愈来愈感兴趣。欧盟、美国与日本已开发出一套相当成熟的方法。通常,协同效益的定量工作可分为三类:(1)协同效益模型;(2)事前的政策评估方法;(3)由学者建立的框架,意在改善这方面的研究,并将协同效益应用到更多的地区和政策方案上。 表ES-1将协同效益定量方面的几个重点模型、指南和框架做了摘要。     

Comparison of Self-Reported and Objectively Measured Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity in Undergraduate Students

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to investigate differences between estimates of sedentary behavior and physical activity (PA) from the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and accelerometry in undergraduate students. 91 students participated in the study. Sedentary behavior and PA were objectively measured by an accelerometer for 7 days and then self-reported with the IPAQ. Partial correlations were used to assess associations among PA variables and participant characteristics between the methods. Agreement was assessed via the Bland–Altman method. Correlation coefficients between self-reported and objectively measured PA ranged from 0.21 to 0.38 (p≤ 0.05 for all). A higher proportion of students were classified as meeting PA guidelines via self-report compared to objective measurements. Bland–Altman plots revealed acceptable agreement between methods, however, bias was evident for all PA intensities. Sex and lean body mass impacted these differences. Researchers should exercise caution when interpreting PA assessed via the IPAQ in undergraduate students.     

Sport development and physical activity promotion: An integrated model to enhance collaboration and understanding

As inactivity and obesity levels continue to rise, calls are being made for sport development action to be further directed towards capitalising on the value of community participation for health and social benefits. This paper seeks to highlight a current disconnect between physical activity and sport management research, and identify opportunities for collaboration. To date, the sport management literature has predominantly focused on sport as a form of entertainment with spectatorship outcomes, where professional codes are a commonly used setting of research inquiry. There has been less focus on organisational issues related to participation in sport and recreation. This is identified as a gap, given the current push towards increasing focus on sport and recreation promotion for community wellbeing. The present paper sought to examine physical activity and sport management research, to identify commonalities and potential for integration and co-operation. The outcome of this review is a conceptual framework, integrating socio-ecological models, taken from physical activity research, and sport development concepts derived from sport management theory. The proposed conceptual framework seeks to provide sport management researchers with direction in their efforts to promote participation in sport, recreation and physically active leisure domains, particularly for community wellbeing purposes. Furthermore, such direction may also enhance the capacity of researchers to capitalise on opportunities for collaboration and integration across domains of inquiry.     

CS–US interval determines the transition from overshadowing to potentiation with flavor compounds

The present series of five flavor aversion experiments with rat subjects examined compound conditioning at varying CS-US intervals. Using a taste-taste design, Experiments 1A and 1B demonstrated overshadowing at a 0-min CS-US interval and potentiation at a 120-min CS-US interval, and these effects occurred with both tastes of the compound. Experiment 2 showed that the aversion to a single element is reduced when the CS-US interval is increased to 120 min, but the aversion for a compound taste is not. Experiments 3A and 3B explored odor + taste compound conditioning; the results demonstrated odor potentiation across the trace interval and a transition from taste overshadowing to taste potentiation. Collectively, the data show that the change from overshadowing to potentiation was not due to changes in the aversions produced by compound conditioning but, instead, was due to a more rapid loss of conditionability across a trace interval prior to the US in single-element conditioning. These experiments suggest that following compound conditioning, the aversion to each element represents generalization decrement from the configured compound, but the designation of overshadowing or potentiation actually depends on the status of conditioning in the single-element control.     

Interplay between childhood maltreatment, parental bonding, and gender effects: impact on quality of life

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine associations between childhood adversity, parental bonding, gender, depressive symptoms, and quality of life in non-treatment-seeking adults from the community. METHOD: Effects of differential parental rearing were compared in adults who reported a high degree of childhood maltreatment (n=72) and those who reported no significant adverse events in childhood (n=69). Subjects completed retrospective measures of childhood maltreatment and perceived parenting style, as well as measures of current depressive symptoms and quality of life. RESULTS: The subjects without childhood maltreatment were younger and endorsed less current depressive symptomatology than did subjects with childhood maltreatment. While the subjects without a history of maltreatment reported more "optimal" bonding experiences with their parents, the maltreatment group members were more likely to characterize their early parental bonding experiences in terms of "affectionless control" (p<.001 for both maternal and paternal parenting), "affectionate constraint" (p=.025 for maternal parenting and p=.004 for paternal parenting), or "weak or absent" bonding (p<.001 for both maternal and paternal parenting). Results of a multiple regression analysis revealed that overall quality of paternal care (p=.015) and current level of depressive symptoms (p<.001) were significant independent predictors of adult quality of life. Gender effects between subjects providing parental bonding data were limited to the group with childhood maltreatment. CONCLUSION: These findings extend previous work documenting a relationship between early life maltreatment and suboptimal parental bonding, suggesting gender-specific effects of maternal and paternal care. Effects of childhood maltreatment on quality of life in adulthood appear to be linked with the quality of childhood paternal care and the occurrence of depressive symptomatology in adulthood, suggesting possible targets for primary or secondary prevention.     

Further Examination of a Curriculum-Based Value-Added Model for Teacher Preparation: Exploring the Role of Teachers’ Behavior on K–12 Student Learning

Multiple threats to validity and reliability exist when value-added models (VAMs) rely wholly on standardized assessments to measure the relationship between teachers and their K–12 students’ learning gains. Research on a curriculum-based VAM, built on evidence-based practices, continues to establish an explicit link between teacher candidates’ instruction and their K–12 students’ learning gains. Statistical tests of association were used to analyze measures of student learning and university supervisors’ ratings during classroom observations with a department instrument, the Narrative Observation Scale. Results from a sample of 23 teacher candidates revealed that (a) two measures of student learning were related and attributed to candidates’ instruction, and (b) 67.6% of the variance in the percentage of K–12 students meeting their specific learning objectives was accounted for by the teacher candidates’ mastery of specific classroom management behaviors. Limitations and directions for future research are discussed regarding continued efforts to refine a rational, curriculum-based VAM.     

Remote electronic examinations: student experiences

This paper presents the findings from a small–scale experiment investigating the presentation of a synchronous remote electronic examination. It discusses the students' experiences of taking such an examination. The study confirms that the majority of participants found the experience at least as good as a conventional written examination. In addition, typing answers does not prevent students from producing answers in the time available. However, the pressure of time continues to be a major cause of anxiety for students. The paper discusses technical issues, particularly those related to the loss of communications during the 3–hour duration of the exam. Although software processes were available to save and restore students' answers throughout the examination, problems still occurred and more robust software is required.