Community scientists produce open data for understanding insects and climate change.

Insect species are responding to human-caused global changes, sparking an urgent need for more conservation and management. Recent publications indicate the speed and scale of these changes to be both fast and large, impacting ecosystem function and human health. Community scientists are contributing vast amounts of data on insect occurrence and abundance to publicly available biodiversity platforms. These data are then used by ecologists to estimate insect diversity and distributions and forecast species' responses to the stressors of the Anthropocene. Yet, challenges remain with taxonomy, species identification, and sampling, some of which can be improved by new tools and approaches. Here we review the open, global community science programs providing the majority of publicly available insect data. We explore the advantages, challenges, and next steps with these large-scale community science ventures, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between professionals and community scientists to jointly address the conservation of insects.

Intravenous antibiotics in preterm infants have a negative effect upon microbiome development throughout preterm life.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal dysbiosis is implicated in the origins of necrotising enterocolitis and late-onset sepsis in preterm babies. However, the effect of modulators of bacterial growth (e.g. antibiotics) upon the developing microbiome is not well-characterised. In this prospectively-recruited, retrospectively-classified, case-control study, high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing was combined with contemporaneous clinical data collection, to assess the within-subject relationship between antibiotic administration and microbiome development, in comparison to preterm infants with minimal antibiotic exposure. RESULTS: During courses of antibiotics, diversity progression fell in comparison to that seen outside periods of antibiotic use (-0.71units/week vs. + 0.63units/week, p < 0.01); Enterobacteriaceae relative abundance progression conversely rose (+ 10.6%/week vs. -8.9%/week, p < 0.01). After antibiotic cessation, diversity progression remained suppressed (+ 0.2units/week, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotic use has an acute and longer-lasting impact on the developing preterm intestinal microbiome. This has clinical implications with regard to the contribution of antibiotic use to evolving dysbiosis, and affects the interpretation of existing microbiome studies where this effect modulator is rarely accounted for.

Modification of anodised aluminium surfaces using a picosecond fibre laser for printing applications.

The use of an ultrafast fibre laser at a wavelength of 1064 nm has allowed the surface modification of anodised aluminium plates coated with a 2 micron thick anodised layer for potential industrial applications. The micro- and nano-scale structuring of the anodised aluminium using picosecond pulses of approximately 25 ps duration at 200 kHz repetition rate was investigated. The interaction of the laser with the substrate created a hydrophilic surface, giving a contact angle of less than 10 degrees. On examination under a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), a morphology created due to laser induced spallation was observed. It has been found that these laser processed hydrophilic surfaces revert to a hydrophobic state with time. This has potential for application in the printing industry and offers reusability and sustainability of the process materials. This has been confirmed in initial trials.

Surface modification of anodised aluminium using a femtosecond laser.

Femtosecond laser pulses at 775 nm, combined with a scanning galvonometer system, have allowed the micro scale structuring of an aluminium plate coated with a 2 micron thick anodised aluminium layer for potential industrial applications. The micro-scale structuring of aluminium was investigated using ultrafast pulses of 180 fs duration at a repetition rate of 1 kHz. Under suitably optimised conditions, the interaction of the laser pulses with the substrate created a hydrophilic surface with a contact angle of less than 10 degrees. These surfaces revealed a 'lotus-leaf' like morphology when examined under a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). It has been found that these laser processed hydrophilic surfaces revert with time and they undergo this cycle of alternate hydrophilic/hydrophobic behaviour several times upon exposure to the laser pulses. Their potential application in the printing industries is strong due to their reusability and sustainability; initial trials on printing confirm this. This technology would offer extra advantages as a non-chemical process without the need for developer, thereby reducing the overall cost and time of printing.

Suitability of two carbon dioxide-baited traps for mosquito surveillance in the United Kingdom.

Rapidly changing environments and an increase in human movement around the globe have contributed to a rise in new and emerging diseases, many of which are arthropod borne. The threat posed to the United Kingdom by such diseases is uncertain, and there is a real need to understand the distribution, seasonality and behaviour of potential vectors in the country. At present, there is no standard method for routine mosquito surveillance in the UK. Here we compared the catching efficiency of two carbon dioxide-baited traps, the CDC light trap and the MosquitoMagnet Pro trap, for collecting British mosquitoes. Two of each type of trap were operated at four sites in central and southern England from June to September, 2003. To determine whether trap height affected collections, three light traps were operated at 1, 2.5 and 5 m above the ground in one site in 2004. Both types of trap were efficient at catching mosquitoes, collecting 5414 mosquitoes of 16 species. MosquitoMagnet traps caught 2.7 times more mosquitoes than CDC light traps (P<0.001) and a wider range of species (16 species vs 11) than CDC light traps. Four to six times more female Culex pipiens s.l. were collected in light traps at 5 m (P<0.001) compared with traps at lower heights. MosquitoMagnet traps ran continuously for up to 8 weeks, whilst the battery of a CDC light trap had to be replaced every 24 hrs. Although MosquitoMagnets collected more specimens and a greater range of mosquito species, they were considerably more expensive, prone to breakdown and incurred higher running costs than the CDC light traps. MosquitoMagnets are useful tools for collecting mosquitoes during longitudinal surveys during the summer months, whilst CDC light traps are to be preferred for rapid assessments of the presence or absence of mosquitoes, particularly the important species Culex pipiens.

Experimental hut comparisons of nets treated with carbamate or pyrethroid insecticides, washed or unwashed, against pyrethroid-resistant mosquitoes.

The efficacy against mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) of a bednet treated with carbamate insecticide [carbosulfan capsule suspension (CS) 200 mg/m(2)] was compared with four types of pyrethroid-treated nets in veranda-trap huts at Yaokoffikro near Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire, where the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae Giles carries the kdr gene (conferring pyrethroid resistance) at high frequency and Culex quinquefasciatus Say is also pyrethroid resistant. Pyrethroids compared were lambdacyhalothrin CS 18 mg/m(2), alphacypermethrin water dispersible granules (WG) 20 mg/m(2), deltamethrin 50 mg/m(2) (Permanet) and permethrin emulsifiable concentrate (EC) 500 mg/m(2). Insecticidal power and personal protection from mosquito bites were assessed before and after the nets were used for 8 months and hand washed five times in cold soapy water. Before washing, all treatments except permethrin significantly reduced blood-feeding and all had significant insecticidal activity against An. gambiae. The carbosulfan net gave significantly higher killing of An. gambiae than all pyrethroid treatments except the Permanet. Against Culex spp., carbosulfan was more insecticidal and gave a significantly better protective effect than any of the pyrethroid treatments. After washing, treated nets retained various degrees of efficacy against both mosquito genera - but least for the carbosulfan net. Washed nets with three types of pyrethroid treatment (alphacypermethrin, lambdacyhalothrin, permethrin) gave significantly higher mortality rates of Culex than in huts with the same pyrethroid-treated nets before washing. After five washes, the Permanet, which is sold as a long-lasting insecticidal product, performed no better than the other nets in our experimental conditions.

A comparison of Lucitraps and sticky targets for sampling the blowfly Lucilia sericata.

The Lucitrap (Miazma Pty Ltd, Queensland, Australia) combined with a synthetic odour bait, Lucilure (Miazma Pty Ltd, Queensland, Australia), is a commercially available trap for sampling and control of Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann) in Australia. It was tested in Hungary against Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), a cause of sheep strike throughout temperate Europe. The standard Lucitrap was tested against black or yellow sticky target traps. Both trap types were baited with either Lucilure or liver and 10% w/v sodium sulphide solution. With Lucilure as bait, L. sericata were caught on sticky traps but not in Lucitraps. With liver and sodium sulphide as bait, sticky traps caught 500-1500 times more L. sericata than Lucitraps. An adhesive sheet fitted to the top of a Lucitrap captured 30-300 times more L. sericata then were captured inside an unaltered Lucitrap. Direct observation of metallic green calliphorids (92.1% L. sericata) alighting on Lucitraps indicated that most flies stayed for a short while (modal class 2-4 s) and only a few stayed longer, to an observed maximum of 28 s. Flies explored a mean of 1.5 entry holes (range 0-7) during a visit but only 6% entered the trap. Size of L. sericata was not a physical barrier to Lucitrap entry, because many larger species were captured. However, L. sericata captured inside Lucitraps were significantly smaller than those captured on sticky traps, demonstrating that size was of behavioural importance. The data demonstrate that the Lucitrap is not effective as a trap for L. sericata in Hungary, due mainly to a failure of flies to enter the trap in large numbers. In Australia and South Africa, L. sericata is commonly caught in Lucitraps baited with Lucilure, although L. cuprina is more numerous. Our study highlights the potential for diversity of fly behaviour between different geographical populations of the same species. Such diversity can have a significant effect on the functioning of systems for fly sampling and control, when these systems depend for their success on certain behavioural responses of the target species.

Equivalent inbreeding depression under laboratory and field conditions in a tree-hole-breeding mosquito.

Understanding the consequences of inbreeding has important implications for a wide variety of topics in population biology. However, most studies quantifying the effects of inbreeding are performed under artificial farm, greenhouse, laboratory or zoo conditions. Although several authors have argued that the deleterious effects of inbreeding (inbreeding depression) are likely to be more severe under natural field conditions than in artificial experimental environments, these arguments are usually speculative or based on indirect comparisons. We quantified the effects of inbreeding on fitness traits in a tree-hole-breeding mosquito Aedes geniculatus) under near-optimal laboratory conditions and in three natural tree holes. Our index of fitness (Ro) was lower in the field than in the laboratory and declined due to inbreeding in both However, environments, we found no significant interactions between inbreeding depression and environmental conditions. In both the field and laboratory a 10% increase in the inbreeding coefflicient (F) led to a 12-15) decline in fitness (Ro) These results suggest that inbreeding depression will not necessarily be more extreme under natural field conditions than in the laboratory.

An association perspective: responding to the American Dental Association's future of dentistry project.

In response to the American Dental Association's (ADA) Future of Dentistry Project, the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) provided its perspective on the most critical issues facing the dental profession. ADEA responded in six areas, each corresponding to the areas of focus in the ADA project. The comments in this Association Report reflect those provided to the six panels conducting the project.

Report of the ADEA president's task force on the Surgeon General's report on oral health. American Dental Education Association.

In response to the first-ever Surgeon General's report on oral health, released on May 25, 2000, ADEA President Rowland A. Hutchinson, D.D.S., M.S., appointed a task force to study the report from the perspective of dental education. The task force was charged with making recommendations to the ADEA Board of Directors as to the Association's message to members and the general public, the Association's role in addressing oral health disparities, the legislative and policy implications of the report, and areas of collaboration between ADEA and others in the dental and health professions. The task force reviewed the report and made five recommendations, including increasing public awareness of the report's messages, promoting collaborative activities with a goal of improving America's oral health, and providing leadership in the drive to promote the incorporation of new science in dental education. The task force also identified numerous ADEA initiatives that address issues related to the Surgeon General's report.

A comparative profile of clinical pharmacy activities for pharmacotherapists and residents in a university hospital.

Due to increasing financial pressure on maintaining and improving pharmacy services, there is a need for productivity data and time distribution among different activities for pharmacy practice residents and their faculty preceptors (pharmacotherapists). This study measured the clinical productivity of 13 residents and 25 pharmacotherapists for a 14-day period. The study identified the average time (minutes) and frequency spent each day on categories of activities, which included direct patient care, chart use, rounds, professional encounter, teaching, research, and administration. Results showed that the productivity profiles for residents and pharmacotherapists were comparable. Findings were utilized to defend the educational programs for the department and as a baseline for periodic monitoring of the productivity of these programs.

Recruitment and funding for clinical pharmacy residency and fellowship programs.

A survey was conducted to determine if a shortage exists of graduates interested in residency and fellowship training, and whether program preceptors experience difficulty maintaining funding. Questionnaires were mailed to 195 preceptors listed in the American College of Clinical Pharmacy Directory of Residencies and Fellowships, and responses from 143 (73%) were compiled. Average numbers of applicants interviewed per available position were 3.1, 3.3, and 2.6 for general clinical residency, specialized residency, and fellowship positions, respectively. Approximately 20% of specialty residency and fellowship positions were reported to be unfilled, and 70% of preceptors of these programs expressed the opinion that a shortage of interested graduates exists. Difficulty maintaining funding was most frequently reported by fellowship preceptors (54%), and several sources of funding were required to maintain such programs.

Comprehensive services in an ambulatory care pharmacy.

The development of a comprehensive model of pharmacy practice in an ambulatory care setting is described. From 1991 to 1994, the department of ambulatory care pharmacy services at The University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center converted its main outpatient pharmacy into a Pharmaceutical Care Center to serve as a model for community and hospital-based ambulatory care pharmacy services. The Pharmaceutical Care Center includes a waiting area, five private patient-assessment rooms, an examination room, a place for reviewing patient profiles and reference materials, space for storage and automation, an i.v. admixture area, a conference room, and office space. It serves 120-150 patients per day (10% just discharged from the hospital, 90% seen in the clinic system). Pharmacy clerkship students and residents, under the oversight of faculty, conduct patient assessments, educate patients and family, monitor outcomes, and intervene when drug-related problems are detected. Patient assessments and therapeutic interventions are documented in the patient's medical record. Computers, automated medication filling, and technical support are used to enable pharmacists to concentrate on patient care. A model ambulatory care pharmacy provides both drug distribution and direct patient care services.

Evaluating the performance of clinical pharmacy faculty: putting the ACCP template to use.

The responsibilities of clinical faculty members are often multifaceted and may include direct patient care, didactic and experiential teaching, research, and administrative duties. Specialization, poorly defined standards of care, and lack of direct supervision have traditionally made performance evaluation difficult. We implemented a method to evaluate clinical faculty as they carried out patient care activities using a revised template for the evaluation of a clinical pharmacist developed by the American College of Clinical Pharmacy Clinical Practice Affairs Committee. In addition, it allows individuals to report and evaluate their own performance in the areas of patient care, instructional activity, university and public service, research and scholarly activities, and administrative duties. Teaching evaluations from clerkship students and residents are also submitted and assessed during the annual interview. To determine the usefulness of the evaluation, including the template, we surveyed the opinions of clinical faculty (nontenured) at four primary practice sites (response rate 92%). Mean scores for responses suggested agreement with statements as to the merits of the evaluation system; however, there was some variation among practice sites. Incorporating the template into a broad evaluation system was effective in facilitating improved job performance and career development. Adaptation of the template may be practice site dependent and should be coordinated by a participative approach. Additional assessment may be facilitated by physician, nurse, or peer evaluation.

Pharmacy agenda for change: the time is now.

In the midst of society's debate and focus on patient care and outcome, healthcare providers must articulate their strategic positioning to be part of the collective societal drive. Pharmacy as an integral component of healthcare provided, must also take the opportunity to create its own agenda for change. This agenda revolves around pharmacists agreeing on aspects of pharmaceutical care for which they are legally and ethically responsible. Pharmacists must also strive to gain social and cultural authority for those aspects for which the profession has accepted responsibility. Pharmacist action is needed to ensure appropriate drug therapy to the public.