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A DNA template containing a single ethyl phosphotriester was replicated in vitro by the bacteriophage T4 DNA polymerase and by Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I (DNA pol I). Escherichia coli DNA pol I bypassed the lesion ef®ciently, but partial inhibition was observed for T4 DNA polymerase. The replication block produced by the ethyl phosphotriester was increased at low dNTP concentrations and for a mutant T4 DNA polymerase with an antimutator phenotype, increased proofreading activity, and reduced ability to bind DNA in the polymerase active center. These observations support a model in which an ethyl phosphotriester impedes primer elongation by T4 DNA polymerase by decreasing formation of the ternary DNA polymerase±DNA± dNTP complex. When primer elongation is not possible, proofreading becomes the favored reaction. Apparent futile cycles of nucleotide incorporation and proofreading, the idling reaction, were observed at the site of the lesion. The replication block was overcome by higher dNTP concentrations. Thus, ethyl phosphotriesters may be tolerated in vivo by the up-regulation of dNTP biosynthesis that occurs during the cellular checkpoint response to blocked DNA replication forks.

Aim Predictions of spread of non-indigenous species allow for greater efficiency in managing invasions by targeting areas for preventative measures. The invasion sequence is a useful concept in predictions of spread, as it allows us to test hypotheses about the transport and establishment of propagules in novel habitats. Our aims are twofold: (1) to develop and validate multi-stage invasion models for the introduced fishhook waterflea, Cercopagis pengoi, and (2) to assess how variability in the transport patterns of the propagules influences the accuracy and spatial extent for predictions of spread. Location New York State, USA. Methods We developed a two-stage model for the spread of C. pengoi. First, we developed a stochastic gravity model for dispersal based on surveys of recreational boat traffic in New York State as a proxy for propagule pressure. We then modelled the probability of establishment based on predicted levels of propagule pressure and measures of lakes’ physicochemistry. In addition, we used Monte Carlo simulations based on the gravity model to propagate variability in boater traffic through the establishment model to assess how uncertainty in dispersal influenced predictions of spread. Results The amount recreationalists were willing to spend, lake area and population size of the city nearest to the destination lake were significant factors affecting boater traffic. In turn, boater traffic, lake area, specific conductance and turbidity were significant predictors of establishment. The inclusion of stochastic dispersal reduced the rate of false positives (i.e. incorrect prediction of an invasion) in detecting invasions at the upper 95% prediction interval for the probability of establishment. Main conclusions Combinations of measures of propagule pressure, habitat suitability and stochastic dispersal allow for the most accurate predictions of spread. Further, multi-stage spread models may overestimate the extent of spread if stochasticity in early stages of the models is not considered.

Window Dressing is an exhibition that makes a public display of systemic privilege with a particularly careful eye to the way privilege is constructed, maintained and perpetuated by systems. Privilege is made material in the space of the gallery through the use of 'display' as a controlling metaphor. Systemic privilege is difficult to conceptualize for a number of reasons. Perhaps the most significant struggle is in coming to terms with the ways individuals are affected by privilege, and, what is more, benefit from it. Likely these benefits come in subtle ways that are uncomfortable to reconcile to perceptions of the self. Privilege is the product of an individual’s situatedness in race, class, gender, ability . It is a series of power dynamics that intermingle and cumulatively affect the lived experience. Consistently having conversations about privilege means coming to terms with questions such as: “How do you benefit from privilege? What does it look like in your life?” These are, in some ways impossible questions. As privilege is systemic, many of its damaging features are invisible, affecting everyday lived experiences in very subtle ways. I could, of course, look to Peggy McIntosh’s writing and understand manifestations of privilege in the ways “I can easily find academic courses and institutions which give attention only to people of my race,” or “I am never asked to speak for all the people of my racial group" . But what is more significant is recognizing that the systemic is enmeshed in society. Privilege is not a separate thing, outside of culture and norms. Privilege is an everyday process.

"Objectives: To examine if Aboriginal health research conducted within the field of social sciences reflects the population and geographic diversity of the Aboriginal population. Study design: Review. Methods: We searched the Web of Science Social Science Citation Index, the Arts and Humanities Citation Index and Scholars Portal for the time period 1995–2005 using search terms to reflect different names used to refer to Canada’s Aboriginal peoples. Citations that did not focus on health or Canada were eliminated. Each paper was coded according to 7 broad categories: Aboriginal identity group; geography; age; health status; health determinants; health services; and methods." (as cited in abstract)

Ran Tao, Renz Ocampo, Jason Fong, Abed Soleymani, and Mahdi Tavakoli

Abstract: The forest tent caterpillar, Malacosoma disstria Hubner (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae), and large aspen tortrix, Choristoneura conflictana (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), are important pests of trembling aspen, Populus tremuloides Michx. (Salicaceae), in western Canada. Populations of both species can be monitored with sex pheromone-baited traps as part of an integrated pest management program. Moths captured in pheromone traps can also be used for ecological Studies. Captured males of each species were examined to test the effect of population density, geographic region, and collection date oil moth quality. Moth quality was assessed on the basis of wing area and level of infection with microsporidian parasites. The level of microsporidian infection of M. disstria was strongly dependent on geographic region but not on population density. Male M. disstria from high-density populations had smaller wings than males from endemic populations. Wing area of male All. disstria decreased throughout the flight period. Neither collection date nor microsporidian infection level affected wing area of male C. conflictana. Collection date also did not affect the level of microsporidian infection of C. conflictana. These data Support pheromone trapping as a tool to detect microsporidian infections and examine their temporal and density-dependent effects on wing size in M. disstria and C. conflictana Populations.

This paper explores how to apply the principles of accommodations and universal design (UD) in research methods involved in quantitative research (e.g. questionnaires). In particular, we focus on how to make research more accessible for individuals with Learning Disabilities (LD), while also providing suggestions for potential participants of research more generally. This paper first reviews accommodations provided to students within an educational setting, focusing on the components of setting, timing, presentation and response format. Following this discussion, we discuss UD and how it can be adapted to the research process (e.g. the creation of surveys, and data collection). Next, we draw on components of accommodations and universal design to offer suggestions for those conducting research with individuals with LD. In closing, we provide a table with key UD and accommodation questions that researchers can use to guide questionnaire design thereby advancing the field when it comes to accessible research design

Wug Tests can be used to probe morphological knowledge, from the stages of morphological development in the classic Wug Test [1], to the productivity of morphemes in a human language [6, 21], to testing the acquisition of an artificial grammar [7, 9, 22]. The present study tested three speaker groups with an artificial grammar learning task, and an error analysis provided further evidence for the storage and processing of abstract morphemes in speakers of Maltese and Arabic. Errors from the three groups seem to be based on acceptable abstract morphemes and/or phonological structures found in the native language of participants.