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The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of the job satisfaction of middle school teachers to the implementation of middle school practices in their schools: advisory programs, teaching teams, flexible scheduling, exploratory courses, extracurricular activities, and the heterogeneous grouping of students. The study also investigated differences in job satisfaction due to the student enrollment size of the teachers' schools and teacher demographic data: gender, age, total number of years of teaching experience, number of years of middle school teaching experience, highest academic degree earned, grade(s) currently taught, preferred grade level to teach, and current certification held. The data were collected via a mail survey of 536 Ohio middle school teachers who completed the Teacher Job Satisfaction Questionnaire (TJSQ) (Lester, 1982), a modified version of the Middle School Programs Indicator (Connors & Irwin, 1989), and a demographic data section. Five null hypotheses were tested with either the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient, the Spearman rho correlation coefficient, or a one-way ANOVA with statistical significance established at the p < .01 and p < .05 levels. Analyses of the data revealed statistically significant relationships between job satisfaction and the implementation of middle school practices. Also, statistically significant differences in job satisfaction for the implementation level of middle school practices, school student enrollment size, and the demographic data were found. The results suggested three important implications for middle childhood education. First, the data indicated that middle school practices have not been implemented consistently throughout Ohio's middle schools. Second, teacher job satisfaction was lower in schools that had a lower implementation level of middle school practices. Third, it is recommended that middle school educators make every effort to implement middle school practices to positively affect teacher job satisfaction and retention. For those who are responsible for the preparation of middle childhood teachers, it is recommended that the middle school practices be studied and practiced, so that those who enter middle childhood teaching are equipped to implement these practices.

Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging was used to determine quantitatively the water distribution of saline-filled and normal rat lungs in both isolated lung and in situ preparations. Regional lung edema was easily detected. Studies of an isolated lung fragment indicate an accuracy of better than 1 percent and images of H$_{2}$O/D$_{2}$O phantoms indicate an average error of 2.7 percent.

SIRT1, the founding member of the mammalian family of seven NAD + -dependent sirtuins, is composed of 747 amino acids forming a catalytic domain and extended N- and C-terminal regions. We report the design and characterization of an engineered human SIRT1 construct (mini-hSIRT1) containing the minimal structural elements required for lysine deacetylation and catalytic activation by small molecule sirtuin-activating compounds (STACs). Using this construct, we solved the crystal structure of a mini-hSIRT1-STAC complex, which revealed the STAC-binding site within the N-terminal domain of hSIRT1. Together with hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) and site-directed mutagenesis using full-length hSIRT1, these data establish a specific STAC-binding site and identify key intermolecular interactions with hSIRT1. The determination of the interface governing the binding of STACs with human SIRT1 facilitates greater understanding of STAC activation of this enzyme, which holds significant promise as a therapeutic target for multiple human diseases. Sirtuins are NAD + -dependent deacylases implicated in the regulation of stress responses, bioenergetics and epigenetic control. Here the authors describe the crystal structure of a sirtuin-activating compounds (STAC)-sirtuin complex and begin to elucidate the mechanism of sirtuins activation by STACs.

A molecule that treats multiple age-related diseases would have a major impact on global health and economics. The SIRT1 deacetylase has drawn attention in this regard as a target for drug design. Yet controversy exists around the mechanism of sirtuin-activating compounds (STACs). We found that specific hydrophobic motifs found in SIRT1 substrates such as PGC-1α and FOXO3a facilitate SIRT1 activation by STACs. A single amino acid in SIRT1, Glu 230 , located in a structured N-terminal domain, was critical for activation by all previously reported STAC scaffolds and a new class of chemically distinct activators. In primary cells reconstituted with activation-defective SIRT1, the metabolic effects of STACs were blocked. Thus, SIRT1 can be directly activated through an allosteric mechanism common to chemically diverse STACs.

Anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) impacts carbon cycling by acting as a methane sink and by sequestering inorganic carbon via AOM-induced carbonate precipitation. These precipitates commonly take the form of carbonate nodules that form within methane seep sediments. The timing and sequence of nodule formation within methane seep sediments are not well understood. Further, the microbial diversity associated with sediment-hosted nodules has not been well characterized and the degree to which nodules reflect the microbial assemblage in surrounding sediments is unknown. Here, we conducted a comparative study of microbial assemblages in methane-derived authigenic carbonate nodules and their host sediments using molecular, mineralogical, and geochemical methods. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene diversity from paired carbonate nodules and sediments revealed that both sample types contained methanotrophic archaea (ANME-1 and ANME-2) and syntrophic sulfate-reducing bacteria (Desulfobacteraceae and Desulfobulbaceae), as well as other microbial community members. The combination of geochemical and molecular data from Eel River Basin and Hydrate Ridge suggested that some nodules formed in situ and captured the local sediment-hosted microbial community, while other nodules may have been translocated or may represent a record of conditions prior to the contemporary environment. Taken together, this comparative analysis offers clues to the formation regimes and mechanisms of sediment-hosted carbonate nodules.

Tropical savannas have been increasingly targeted for carbon sequestration by afforestation, assuming large gains in soil organic carbon (SOC) with increasing tree cover. Because savanna SOC is also derived from grasses, this assumption may not reflect real changes in SOC under afforestation. However, the exact contribution of grasses to SOC and the changes in SOC with increasing tree cover remain poorly understood. Here we combine a case study from Kruger National Park, South Africa, with data synthesized from tropical savannas globally to show that grass-derived carbon constitutes more than half of total SOC to a soil depth of 1 m, even in soils directly under trees. The largest SOC concentrations were associated with the largest grass contributions (>70% of total SOC). Across the tropics, SOC concentration was not explained by tree cover. Both SOC gain and loss were observed following increasing tree cover, and on average SOC storage within a 1-m profile only increased by 6% (s.e. = 4%, n = 44). These results underscore the substantial contribution of grasses to SOC and the considerable uncertainty in SOC responses to increasing tree cover across tropical savannas.Grasses contribute more than half of the soil organic carbon across tropical savannas, according to a case study in South Africa combined with a synthesis of data from tropical savannas globally.

IntroductionRecent estimates suggest one in five hospital inpatients drink at harmful levels and one in ten may be alcohol dependent. Alcohol-related admissions continue to increase in England and are estimated to cost the NHS £3.5bn per year. Alcohol Care Teams (ACTs) were set up to address this issue, by training non-specialist staff, developing system-level protocols and delivering patient-level interventions. Existing evidence of effectiveness is limited. This study was the first in a programme of research evaluating ACTs and sought to identify the components of care offered by ACTs in England.MethodsAll acute hospitals with emergency departments (EDs) in England (n=195) were approached to complete a survey of alcohol care provision. Surveys were completed online, with an appropriate staff member guided by a researcher. Questions were framed in terms of an ‘average month’ in the past year.Results122 hospitals with EDs participated in the survey; 80 (66%) reported having an ACT, 20 (16%) a minimal service, 12 (10%) an in-reach service and one (1%) ‘other’ model. Nine (7%) hospitals reported no provision of alcohol care. Twenty one hospitals reported no alcohol care provision and 52 hospitals did not respond.The majority of ACTs (61%) were led by gastroenterology or ED leads. The largest workforce within ACTs was nursing (n=232) and ACTs had an average of 3.6 clinical staff per team. On average, ACTs operated 58 hours per week.The most common screening tool used by ACTs was the AUDIT-C; however, the cut-points used to initiate alcohol pathways varied widely across teams, ranging from 5+ to 11+. ACTs conducted an average of 138 assessments per month. The average number of assessments per member of clinical staff was similar across types of service (~40).53% of medically assisted alcohol withdrawals (MAAWs) supported by ACTs used a symptom triggered protocol and the average number of interactions with the ACT during MAAW (all types) was 4. One in four patients commenced on MAAW by an ACT did not complete withdrawal in hospital, or transfer to complete withdrawal in another setting. 68% of ACTs initiated relapse prevention medication.ConclusionsACTs tend to be led by gastroenterology and ED specialists, but less is known about the specialism, training and experience of the nursing workforce.There is significant variation in the identification of patients with alcohol use disorders in acute hospitals, even where ACTs are in place. A high proportion of patients in ACTs are starting, but not completing, MAAW; and a high proportion of MAAWs use a symptom triggered protocol, yet uncertainty remains about the ability of ACTs or ward staff to effectively monitor a symptom-triggered protocol.The variability of care offered across ACTs will be examined in the ProACTIVE quasi-experimental naturalistic study, which selected hospital sites from this survey to examine the clinical and cost effectiveness of ACTs.

Responses to affect include cognitive processes (i.e., perseverative vs. non-perseverative) and valence (i.e., modulation of positive vs. negative affect). However, little research has examined how the factor structure of responses to affect is defined along one or both of these dimensions. The present study conducted an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) of items from assessments of repetitive negative thinking, rumination on positive affect (PA), and dampening. We also examined the associations between emergent factors and measures of depressive symptoms, social anxiety symptoms, and non-social state anxiety. EFA results suggested a three-factor model of repetitive negative thinking, dampening, and rumination on PA. There was a significant association between repetitive negative thinking and dampening factors, but not between other factors. Repetitive negative thinking and dampening were associated with greater internalizing symptoms, whereas rumination on PA was associated with fewer internalizing symptoms. These findings clarify the structure of these responses to affect and their differential associations with symptoms, which may be used to tailor cognitive interventions for anxiety and/or depression.

Morphology of keratinised toe pads and foot scales, hinging of foot joints and claw shape and size all inform the grasping ability, cursoriality and feeding mode of living birds. Presented here is morphological evidence from the fossil feet of early theropod flyers. Foot soft tissues and joint articulations are qualitatively assessed using laser-stimulated fluorescence. Pedal claw shape and size are quantitatively analysed using traditional morphometrics. We interpret these foot data among existing evidence to better understand the evolutionary ecology of early theropod flyers. Jurassic flyers like Anchiornis and Archaeopteryx show adaptations suggestive of relatively ground-dwelling lifestyles. Early Cretaceous flyers then diversify into more aerial lifestyles, including generalists like Confuciusornis and specialists like the climbing Fortunguavis . Some early birds, like the Late Jurassic Berlin Archaeopteryx and Early Cretaceous Sapeornis , show complex ecologies seemingly unique among sampled modern birds. As a non-bird flyer, finding affinities of Microraptor to a more specialised raptorial lifestyle is unexpected. Its hawk-like characteristics are rare among known theropod flyers of the time suggesting that some non-bird flyers perform specialised roles filled by birds today. We demonstrate diverse ecological profiles among early theropod flyers, changing as flight developed, and some non-bird flyers have more complex ecological roles. The shape of bird toe pads and foot scales can be used to infer their behaviour. Here, the authors examine fossil evidence of toe pads and scales, in addition to claws and bones, from birds and close relatives, illustrating diverse lifestyles and ecological roles among early theropod flyers.