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Strategic management of Welsh language training on a macro and micro level
Get PDFThis paper presents a detailed analysis of how Welsh language training in the public sector workplace in north Wales is planned and delivered. Specific attention is given to the effectiveness of strategic management on both the macro level (Welsh Government, Welsh Language Board/Welsh Language Commissioner) and the micro level (individual public sector organisations) of language planning respectively. In doing so, key aspects of language training preparation, implementation and management are evaluated. This includes both qualitative and quantitative data collected from the language learners themselves. This data provides a unique picture – never seen before in Wales – of Welsh language training on an operational and strategic level in three different organisations in terms of size, sector, and geographical location. At a time when a new national body has been established by the Welsh Government to offer strategic guidance and management of Welsh language training for adults the findings throw new, and timely, light on the strategic planning and implementation of Welsh language training. Clear weaknesses are identified both within workplaces in the way in which language training is planned at a micro level, but also at a macro level in terms of how legislation and national policy is implemented and monitored.This paper presents a detailed analysis of how Welsh language training in the public sector workplace in north Wales is planned and delivered. Specific attention is given to the effectiveness of strategic management on both the macro level (Welsh Government, Welsh Language Board/Welsh Language Commissioner) and the micro level (individual public sector organisations) of language planning respectively. In doing so, key aspects of language training preparation, implementation and management are evaluated. This includes both qualitative and quantitative data collected from the language learners themselves. This data provides a unique picture – never seen before in Wales – of Welsh language training on an operational and strategic level in three different organisations in terms of size, sector, and geographical location. At a time when a new national body has been established by the Welsh Government to offer strategic guidance and management of Welsh language training for adults the findings throw new, and timely, light on the strategic planning and implementation of Welsh language training. Clear weaknesses are identified both within workplaces in the way in which language training is planned at a micro level, but also at a macro level in terms of how legislation and national policy is implemented and monitored
The Mobility of the Cap Domain Is Essential for the Substrate Promiscuity of a Family IV Esterase from Sorghum Rhizosphere Microbiome
Get PDFMetagenomics offers the possibility to screen for versatile biocatalysts. In this study, the microbial community of the Sorghum bicolor rhizosphere was spiked with technical cashew nut shell liquid, and after incubation, the environmental DNA (eDNA) was extracted and subsequently used to build a metagenomic library. We report the biochemical features and crystal structure of a novel esterase from the family IV, EH 0, retrieved from an uncultured sphingomonad after a functional screen in tributyrin agar plates. EH 0 (optimum temperature [ T opt], 50°C; melting temperature [ T m ], 55.7°C; optimum pH [pH opt], 9.5) was stable in the presence of 10 to 20% (vol/vol) organic solvents and exhibited hydrolytic activity against p-nitrophenyl esters from acetate to palmitate, preferably butyrate (496 U mg -1), and a large battery of 69 structurally different esters (up to 30.2 U mg -1), including bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-terephthalate (0.16 ± 0.06 U mg -1). This broad substrate specificity contrasts with the fact that EH 0 showed a long and narrow catalytic tunnel, whose access appears to be hindered by a tight folding of its cap domain. We propose that this cap domain is a highly flexible structure whose opening is mediated by unique structural elements, one of which is the presence of two contiguous proline residues likely acting as possible hinges, which together allow for the entrance of the substrates. Therefore, this work provides a new role for the cap domain, which until now was thought to be an immobile element that contained hydrophobic patches involved in substrate prerecognition and in turn substrate specificity within family IV esterases. IMPORTANCE A better understanding of structure-function relationships of enzymes allows revelation of key structural motifs or elements. Here, we studied the structural basis of the substrate promiscuity of EH 0, a family IV esterase, isolated from a sample of the Sorghum bicolor rhizosphere microbiome exposed to technical cashew nut shell liquid. The analysis of EH 0 revealed the potential of the sorghum rhizosphere microbiome as a source of enzymes with interesting properties, such as pH and solvent tolerance and remarkably broad substrate promiscuity. Its structure resembled those of homologous proteins from mesophilic Parvibaculum and Erythrobacter spp. and hyperthermophilic Pyrobaculum and Sulfolobus spp. and had a very narrow, single-entry access tunnel to the active site, with access controlled by a capping domain that includes a number of nonconserved proline residues. These structural markers, distinct from those of other substrate-promiscuous esterases, can help in tuning substrate profiles beyond tunnel and active site engineering. </p
A framework for understanding sources of bias in medication adherence research
Get PDFThe sources of bias in medication adherence research have not been comprehensively explored. We aimed to identify biases expected to affect adherence research and to develop a framework for mapping these onto the phases of adherence (initiation, implementation and discontinuation). A literature search was conducted, key papers were reviewed and a Catalogue of Bias was consulted. The specific biases related to adherence measurement and metrics were mapped onto the phases of adherence using a tabular matrix. Twenty-three biases were identified, of which 11 were specifically relevant to adherence measures and metrics. The mapping framework showed differences in the numbers and types of biases associated with each measure and metric while highlighting those common to many adherence study designs (e.g., unacceptability bias and apprehension bias). The framework will inform the design of adherence studies and the development of risk of bias tools for adherence research.<br/
Social causes and outcomes of Acute Transient Psychotic Disorder: a review of recent evidence
Get PDFBackground:Reports of increasing presentations of new cases of acute psychosis both locally, nationally and internationally during the COVID-19 pandemic, warranted further investigation. International case reports almost exclusively reported only clinical outcome (e.g. remission of psychotic symptoms), and fail to report on social precipitants or social outcomes. This is a common omission when investigating new psychosis cases such as acute and transient psychotic disorder (ATPD). In order to assess social impacts and outcomes, we conducted a rapid review of recent evidence.Aims:To conduct a rapid review of the recent evidence of social outcomes on new cases of psychosis emerging during the COVID-19 pandemic.Method:Four databases (Medline, Embase, Psychinfo and Cochrane COVID-19) were searched for ATPD, psychosis and social outcomes in adults aged 18+. Duplicates were removed. There were no language limitations. Results: There were 24 papers consisting of 18 original data research papers and 6 reviews. Additionally, 33 papers/letters, reporting on 60 individual cases of psychosis emerging during the COVID-19 pandemic. These two sets of papers were reviewed separately. Many original data research papers and reviews were sub optimal in their quality, with 44% online surveys, with the remainder being routinely collected data.Conclusion:There is a consensus that clinical outcomes of ATPD and other brief psychotic disorders (BPD) are good in the short term. The focus only on symptomatic clinical presentation and outcomes, leaves a gap in our understanding regarding social stressors and longer term social outcomes. ATPD and BPD often may not come to the attention of Early Intervention in Psychosis services, and if they do, are discharged following symptomatic remission. Without an understanding of the social stress factors and social outcomes, opportunities may be missed to prevent increased social disability and future relapse with these presentations
Bank funding constraints and stock liquidity
Get PDFThis paper examines the relationship between bank marginal funding constraints and stock liquidity. Using bank credit default swap (CDS) spreads we show that increased funding constraints weaken bank stock liquidity (as measured by liquidity tightness, depth, and resilience). This effect strengthens during crises periods. Deteriorating bank stock liquidity is in turn priced into excess stock returns. In addition, we find that during liquidity crises, monetary expansion can break the relationship between funding costs and stock liquidity. Heightened monetary policy uncertainty, however, strengthens this relation
Mate today, gone tomorrow: male-on-female cannibalism in Zamenis longissimus (Laurenti, 1768) in North Wales
Get PDFDistinctive physical insights driven from machine learning modelling of nuclear power plant severe accident scenario propagation
Get PDFThe severe accident scenario propagation studies of nuclear power plants (NPPs) have been one of the most critical factors in deploying nuclear power for decades. During an NPP accident, the accident scenario can change during its propagation from the initiating event to a series of accident sub-scenarios. Hence, having time-wise updated information about the current type of accident sub-scenario can help plant operators mitigate the accident propagation and underlying consequences. In this work, we demonstrate the capability of machine learning (Decision Tree) to help researchers and design engineers in finding distinctive physical insights between four different types of accident scenarios based on the pressure vessel's maximum external surface temperature at a particular time. Although the four accidents we included in this study are considered some of the most extensively studied NPPs accident scenarios for decades, our findings shows that decision tree classification could define remarkable distinct differences between them with reliable statistical confidence
Wood modification with phenol urea formaldehyde (PUF) resin: the influence of wood species selection on the dimensional stability
Get PDFWood modification is an excellent way to improve material properties, prolong service life, and pave the way for new applications for timber in the built environment. The aim of this study is to establish the influence of wood species in the modification process with phenol urea formaldehyde resin. Seven hardwoods and four softwoods were compared in an identical treatment. Since the wood species is the main variable, the study provides a clear insight as to its influence on modification—something not previously investigated. Small wood blocks of all eleven species were impregnated with low-molecular weight phenol urea formaldehyde resin and were subsequently heat-cured at 150 °C. Mass and dimensions of specimens were carefully monitored throughout three cycles of oven-drying and water-soaking to determine anti-swelling efficiency, bulking coefficient, and swelling coefficient. The results showed a clear relationship between density, bulking-, and swelling coefficients. Beyond this well-known relationship it was observed that species with similar density (e.g., lime and sycamore) had significantly different bulking coefficients and anti-swelling efficiencies. Reasons for these differences, which are independent of density, are discussed. The soaking solution was analysed to determine the nature of leached substances showing a correlation between the amount of leachate and the UV-absorbance (272 nm) of the solution
Five days of tart cherry supplementation improves exercise performance in normobaric hypoxia
Get PDFPrevious studies have shown tart cherry (TC) to improve exercise performance in normoxia. The effect of TC on hypoxic exercise performance is unknown. This study investigated the effects of 5 days of tart cherry (TC) or placebo (PL) supplementation on hypoxic exercise performance. Thirteen healthy participants completed an incremental cycle exercise test to exhaustion (TTE) under two conditions: (i) hypoxia (13% O2) with PL and (ii) hypoxia with TC (200 mg anthocyanin per day for 4 days and 100 mg on day 5). Pulmonary gas exchange variables, peripheral arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2), deoxygenated hemoglobin (HHb), and tissue oxygen saturation (StO2) assessed by near-infrared spectroscopy in the vastus lateralis muscle were measured at rest and during exercise. Urinary 8-hydro-2′ deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) excretion was evaluated pre-exercise and 1 and 5 h post-exercise. The TTE after TC (940 ± 84 s, mean ± standard deviation) was longer than after PL (912 ± 63 s, p < 0.05). During submaximal hypoxic exercise, HHb was lower and StO2 and SpO2 were higher after TC than PL. Moreover, a significant interaction (supplements × time) in urinary 8-OHdG excretion was found (p < 0.05), whereby 1 h post-exercise increases in urinary 8-OHdG excretion tended to be attenuated after TC. These findings indicate that short-term dietary TC supplementation improved hypoxic exercise tolerance, perhaps due to lower HHb and higher StO2 in the working muscles during submaximal exercise.</p
Sense of doubt: Inaccurate and alternate locations of virtual magnetic displacements may give a distorted view of animal magnetoreception ability
Get PDFVirtual magnetic displacements are used to examine the magnetoreceptive ability of animals by changing the local magnetic field to emulate one that exists elsewhere. This technique can be used to test whether animals use a magnetic map. The viability of a magnetic map is dependant upon which magnetic parameters an animal’s coordinate system is composed of, and how sensitive they are to those parameters. Previous research has not considered the degree to which sensitivity can change an animal’s impression of where a virtual magnetic displacement is located. We re-assessed all published studies that use virtual magnetic displacements assuming the highest likely level of sensitivity to magnetic parameters in animals. The vast majority are susceptible to the existence of alternate possible virtual locations. In some cases, this can cause results to become ambiguous. We present a tool for visualising all possible virtual magnetic displacement alternative locations (ViMDAL) and propose changes to how further research on animal magnetoreception is conducted and reported