Directed delivery of terahertz frequency radiation from quantum cascade lasers within a dry 3He dilution refrigerator.

We present a scheme for the full integration of terahertz (THz) frequency quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) within a dilution refrigerator in order to provide a directed delivery of THz power into the sample space. We describe a successful operation of a 2.68 THz QCL located on the pulse tube cooler stage of the refrigerator, with its output coupled onto a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) located on a milli-kelvin sample stage via hollow metal waveguides and Hysol thermal isolators, achieving a total loss from QCL to the sample of ∼-9 dB. The thermal isolators limit heat leaks to the sample space, with a base temperature of ∼210 mK being achieved. We observe cyclotron resonance (CR) induced in the 2DEG by the QCL and explore the heating impact of the QCL on all stages of the refrigerator. The CR effect induced by the THz QCL is observable at electron temperatures as low as ∼430 mK. The results show a viable route for the exploitation of THz QCLs within the environment of a dilution refrigerator and for the THz power delivery in very low-temperature (<0.5 K) condensed matter experiments.

***ECD*** maternal C-reactive protein as a predictor of neonatal sepsis.

Systemic bacterial infection in the newborn has a significant impact on neonatal mortality and morbidity. Non-invasive prenatal markers of risk could be useful in the prediction and prevention of neonatal sepsis. We evaluated the association of maternal third-trimester serum level of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) with neonatal sepsis in a sample of infants in the JAKids pregnancy and birth cohort study. A population-based nested case-control design was used to identify cases and controls of neonatal sepsis from the subset of infants in the JAKids study whose mothers had serum archived in the early third trimester and who were admitted to newborn intensive care. Cases were 25 neonates with neonatal sepsis identified from hospital records. Controls were a random sample of 62 sepsis-free neonates matched to cases within three gestational age strata - ≤32 weeks, 33-36 weeks, and ≥37 weeks.Mothers of neonatal sepsis cases ≥37 weeks had significantly higher mean levels of maternal CRP protein than mothers of controls (11.0 mg/dL ± 3.0 vs. 8.7 mg/dL ± 5.9; p < .05). Differences in maternal CRP were not found in sepsis cases born ≤32 weeks (9.5 mg/dL ± 4.2 vs 5.8 mg/dL ± 4.0, p = .23) nor in sepsis cases born at 33-36 weeks (9.0 mg/dL ± 3.6 vs 11.9 mg/dL ± 7.8, p = .34). Maternal third-trimester C-reactive protein levels were elevated in mothers of term-born neonates with sepsis, but not in the mothers of preterm neonates with sepsis.

The decreased PG content of pgp1 inhibits PSI photochemistry and limits reaction center and light-harvesting polypeptide accumulation in response to cold acclimation.

MAIN CONCLUSION: Decreased PG constrains PSI activity due to inhibition of transcript and polypeptide abundance of light-harvesting and reaction center polypeptides generating a reversible, yellow phenotype during cold acclimation of pgp1. Cold acclimation of the Arabidopsis pgp1 mutant at 5 °C resulted in a pale-yellow phenotype with abnormal chloroplast ultrastructure compared to its green phenotype upon growth at 20 °C despite a normal cold-acclimation response at the transcript level. In contrast, wild type maintained its normal green phenotype and chloroplast ultrastructure irrespective of growth temperature. In contrast to cold acclimation of WT, growth of pgp1 at 5 °C limited the accumulation of Lhcbs and Lhcas assessed by immunoblotting. However, a novel 43 kD polypeptide of Lhcb1 as well as a 29 kD polypeptide of Lhcb3 accumulated in the soluble fraction which was absent in the thylakoid membrane fraction of cold-acclimated pgp1 which was not observed in WT. Cold acclimation of pgp1 destabilized the Chl-protein complexes associated with PSI and predisposed energy distribution in favor of PSII rather than PSI compared to the WT. Functionally, in vivo PSI versus PSII photochemistry was inhibited in cold-acclimated pgp1 to a greater extent than in WT relative to controls. Greening of the pale-yellow pgp1 was induced when cold-acclimated pgp1 was shifted from 5 to 20 °C which resulted in a marked decrease in excitation pressure to a level comparable to WT. Concomitantly, Lhcbs and Lhcas accumulated with a simultaneous decrease in the novel 43 and 29kD polypeptides. We conclude that the reduced levels of phosphatidyldiacylglycerol in the pgp1 limit the capacity of the mutant to maintain the structure and function of its photosynthetic apparatus during cold acclimation. Thus, maintenance of normal thylakoid phosphatidyldiacylglycerol levels is essential to stabilize the photosynthetic apparatus during cold acclimation.

Cediranib in addition to chemotherapy for women with relapsed platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer (ICON6): overall survival results of a phase III randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Cediranib, an oral anti-angiogenic VEGFR 1-3 inhibitor, was studied at a daily dose of 20 mg in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy and as maintenance in a randomised trial in patients with first relapse of 'platinum-sensitive' ovarian cancer and has been shown to improve progression-free survival (PFS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: ICON6 (NCT00532194) was an international three-arm, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised trial. Between December 2007 and December 2011, 456 women were randomised, using stratification, to receive either chemotherapy with placebo throughout (arm A, reference); chemotherapy with concurrent cediranib, followed by maintenance placebo (arm B, concurrent); or chemotherapy with concurrent cediranib, followed by maintenance cediranib (arm C, maintenance). Due to an enforced redesign of the trial in September 2011, the primary endpoint became PFS between arms A and C which we have previously published, and the overall survival (OS) was defined as a secondary endpoint, which is reported here. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 25.6 months, strong evidence of an effect of concurrent plus maintenance cediranib on PFS was observed [hazard ratio (HR) 0.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.44-0.72, P < 0.0001]. In this final update of the survival analysis, 90% of patients have died. There was a 7.4-month difference in median survival and an HR of 0.86 (95% CI: 0.67-1.11, P = 0.24) in favour of arm C. There was strong evidence of a departure from the assumption of non-proportionality using the Grambsch-Therneau test (P = 0.0031), making the HR difficult to interpret. Consequently, the restricted mean survival time (RMST) was used and the estimated difference over 6 years by the RMST was 4.8 months (95% CI: -0.09 to 9.74 months). CONCLUSIONS: Although a statistically significant difference in time to progression was seen, the enforced curtailment in recruitment meant that the secondary analysis of OS was underpowered. The relative reduction in the risk of death of 14% risk of death was not conventionally statistically significant, but this improvement and the increase in the mean survival time in this analysis suggest that cediranib may have worthwhile activity in the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer and that further research should be undertaken.

The effects of severe plastic deformation on the mechanical and corrosion characteristics of a bioresorbable Mg-ZKQX6000 alloy.

In this work, a bioresorbable Mg-ZKQX6000 (Mg-6Zn-0.6Zr-0.4Ag-0.2Ca (wt%)) alloy was severely plastically deformed via equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) according to three unique hybrid routes at low temperatures (200 °C to 125 °C). The roles of ECAP processing on microstructure, and ensuing mechanical properties and corrosion rates, are assessed. Microstructurally, ECAP induces a complex plethora of features, especially variations in grain sizes and precipitates' sizes, distributions, and morphologies for individual cases. Mechanically, ECAP generally refined grain size, resulting in ultra-high strength levels of about 400 MPa in ultimate tensile strength for several cases; however, deformation via ECAP of precipitates induced embrittlement and low elongation to failure levels. Corrosion testing, conducted in simulated bodily fluid at bodily pH levels to mimic conditions in the human body, revealed consistent corrosion rates across several techniques (mass loss, hydrogen evolution, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)), showing that severe plastic deformation deteriorates corrosion resistance for this material. In-situ corrosion monitoring explained that corrosion accelerated after ECAP due to the creation of heterogeneous, anodic shear zones, which exhibited dense regions of refined grains and fine precipitates. Suggestions for future design and thermomechanical processing of Mg alloys for bioresorbable orthopedic implants are provided.

Sediment metal enrichment and ecological risk assessment of ten ports and estuaries in the World Harbours Project.

Ten global harbours were assessed for sediment quality by quantifying the magnitude of anthropogenic change and ecological risk. Anthropogenic change (enrichment) was high for Derwent River and Sydney estuary, moderate for Santander Harbour, Rio de Janeiro and Dublin Port, slight for Hong Kong, minimal for Darwin. All 10 enrichment indices used showed similar results. Derwent River sediment was rated at high ecological risk, followed by Sydney and Santander estuaries with moderate risk. Auckland and Darwin sediments exhibited minimal ecological risk and sediment in the remaining harbours (Dublin, Hong Kong, Ravenna, Ria de Vigo and Rio de Janeiro) were assessed at slight ecological risk. The extraordinary variety of environments and types/quantities/qualities of data investigated resulted in as much a critique and development of methodology, as an assessment of human impact, including unique techniques for elemental normalisation and contaminant classification. Recommendations for an improved technical framework for sediment quality assessment are provided.

Medical emergencies in dental practice - management requirements and international practitioner proficiency. A scoping review.

The management of medical emergencies is widely considered a requisite skill for all dentists. Timely intervention of an emergency can significantly alter the outcome for a patient's morbidity and possible mortality. This scoping review examines the prevalence of medical emergencies in dental practice, as well as dentists' attitude, confidence, and competence, of medical emergency management within a dental setting. Key findings include a lack of preparedness towards medical emergencies, despite a universal recognition of the importance and desire to improve key medical skills.

Swelling of Transported Smoke from Savanna fires over the Southeast Atlantic Ocean.

We use the recently released Cloud Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) Version 4.1 (V4) lidar data to study the smoke plumes transported from Southern African biomass burning areas. Significant improvements in the CALIPSO V4 Level 1 calibration and V4 Level 2 algorithms lead to a better representation of their optical properties, with the aerosol subtype improvements being particularly relevant to smoke over this area. For the first time, we show evidence of smoke particles increasing in size, evidenced in their particulate color ratios, as they are transported over the South Atlantic Ocean from the source regions over Southern Africa. We hypothesize that this is due to hygroscopic swelling of the smoke particles and is reflected in the higher relative humidity in the middle troposphere for profiles with smoke. This finding may have implications for radiative forcing estimates over this area and is also relevant to the ORACLES field mission.

From Paediatrics to Child and Adolescent Health: A History of the Development of a Department / De la pediatría a la Salud del Niño y el Adolescente: Historia del Desarrollo de un Departamento

ABSTRACT The University of the West Indies (UWI) Faculty of Medical Sciences (FMS) at Mona, established in 1948, has had a long history of improving the lives of Caribbean people, including its children, through teaching and training of medical staff, research and intellectual leadership and public service. Similar to the history of child health development worldwide, the most rapid advances occurred subsequent to the establishment and development of a Department focussed on the needs of children. The FMS staff were initially expatriate lecturers and general paediatricians who trained Jamaican and Caribbean graduates. In 1972, 24 years after the establishment of the UWI and the FMS, the Paediatric Department was fully staffed by Caribbean nationals for the first time. Today, the Department of Child and Adolescent Health at the Mona Campus has almost every recognized paediatric subspecialty among its current staff of Caribbean nationals. The intake of undergraduate medical students moved from 33 in 1948 to 380 in 2013. Undergraduate training was the initial focus of the new university, but when the need for postgraduate training was, the UWI responded and postgraduate training commenced in 1969, some 21 years into the life of the Faculty. Postgraduate medical training was pioneered by the Department of Paediatrics. Postgraduate paediatric training, initially only available at the Mona Campus, was later extended to other Caribbean countries. This paper reports on the development of a Department of Child and Adolescent Health, with a focus on the development of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and training programmes and their impact. Departmental successes and challenges in this area are also discussed.

RESUMEN Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (FCM) de la Universidad de West Indies (UWI) en Mona, establecida en 1948, ha tenido una larga historia en su empeño por mejorar la vida de la gente del Caribe - incluidos sus hijos -, a través de la enseñanza y formación del personal médico, la investigación y el liderazgo intelectual, y el servicio público. De manera similar a la historia del desarrollo de la salud infantil a nivel mundial, los avances más rápidos ocurrieron tras el establecimiento y desarrollo de un departamento destinado a la atención de las necesidades de los niños. El personal de la FCM estuvo inicialmente constituido por profesores expatriados y pediatras generales que tuvieron a cargo la formación de graduados jamaicanos y caribeños. En 1972 - veinticuatro años después del establecimiento de UWI y la FMS -- el Departamento de Pediatría estaba ya completamente formado por personal de nacionales del Caribe. En la actualidad, el Departamento de Salud del Niño y del Adolescente del Campus Mona, tiene ya entre su personal actual de nacionales del Caribe, casi todas las subespecialidades pediátricas reconocidas. El ingreso de estudiantes de medicina de pregrado pasó de 33 en 1948 a 380 en 2013. La formación de pregrado fue el enfoque inicial de la nueva universidad. Pero cuando se produjo la necesidad de la formación de posgrado, UWI respondió y la formación de posgrado comenzó en 1969, tras unos 21 años de vida de la Facultad. La formación médica de posgrado fue lidereada por el Departamento de Pediatría. La formación pediátrica de posgrado, inicialmente sólo disponible en el campus de Mona, se extendió posteriormente a otros países del Caribe. El presente trabajo informa sobre el desarrollo de un departamento - el Departamento de Salud del Niño y el Adolescente - enfocado al desarrollo de programas de enseñanza y formación de pregrado y posgrado, y su consiguiente impacto. Asimismo, se examinan los éxitos y desafíos en esta área departamental.

Making EBSD on water ice routine.

Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) on ice is a decade old. We have built upon previous work to select and develop methods of sample preparation and analysis that give >90% success rate in obtaining high-quality EBSD maps, for the whole surface area (potentially) of low porosity (<15%) water ice samples, including very fine-grained (<10 µm) and very large (up to 70 mm by 30 mm) samples. We present and explain two new methods of removing frost and providing a damage-free surface for EBSD: pressure cycle sublimation and 'ironing'. In general, the pressure cycle sublimation method is preferred as it is easier, faster and does not generate significant artefacts. We measure the thermal effects of sample preparation, transfer and storage procedures and model the likelihood of these modifying sample microstructures. We show results from laboratory ice samples, with a wide range of microstructures, to illustrate effectiveness and limitations of EBSD on ice and its potential applications. The methods we present can be implemented, with a modest investment, on any scanning electron microscope system with EBSD, a cryostage and a variable pressure capability.

Perinatal factors in students admitted to the university of the West Indies data from the jamaican perinatal study / Factores perinatales en estudiantes de nuevo ingreso en la Universidad de West Indies datos del estudio perinatal de Jamaica

OBJECTIVE: To compare perinatal and social factors in students admitted to The University of the West Indies (UWI), Kingston, Jamaica, at age 18 years with those in the rest of the Jamaican Perinatal Cohort. METHODS: The Jamaican Perinatal Survey recorded demographic and perinatal details in 10 527 or 97% of births in Jamaica in September and October 1986. Eighteen years later, 140 of these were admitted to the UWI in Kingston, Jamaica. The perinatal features of these UWI students have been compared with the rest ofthe Perinatal Survey Cohort. RESULTS: Mothers of UWI students were older (p < 0.001), more likely to be married at the time of birth (p < 0.001), had earlier and more complete antenatal care (p < 0.05) and greater educational achievement at time of pregnancy (p < 0.001). These mothers of UWI students were also more likely to have diabetes (p < 0.01), operative deliveries (p < 0.01) and to attend private hospitals (p < 0.01). The UWI students had fewer siblings by their mothers (p < 0.05), were less likely to be low birthweight babies (p = 0.035) and more likely to be full term (37-42 weeks) than lower gestational age (p = 0.005). Differences in Apgar scores did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: The students of the University of the West Indies were more likely to come from smaller families with features indicative of a better quality of life. They were also of higher birthweight and tended to be full term. The lack of association of Apgar scores with educational attainment is noteworthy.

OBJETIVO: Comparar los factores perinatales y sociales en estudiantes aceptados para sus estudios en la Universidad de West Indies (UWI), Kingston, Jamaica, a la edad 18 años, con los del resto de la Cohorte Perinatal de Jamaica. . MÉTODO: El Estudio Perinatal de Jamaica registró los detalles demográficos y perinatales en el caso de 10 527 o 97% de nacimientos en Jamaica en septiembre y octubre de 1986. Dieciocho años después, 140 de ellos ingresaron a UWI en Kingston, Jamaica. Las características perinatales de estos estudiantes de UWI con el resto de la Cohorte del Estudio Perinatal. RESULTADOS: Las madres de los estudiantes de UWI eran de mayor edad (p < 0.001), presentaban una mayor probabilidad de estar casadas al momento del nacimiento (p < 0.001), tuvieron cuidados prenatales más completos y más tempranos (p < 0.05), así como mayores logros en su educación al momento del embarazo (p < 0.001). Estas madres de estudiantes de UWI presentaban también una probabilidad mayor de diabetes (p < 0.01), partos operativos (p < 0.01) y asistencia a hospitales privados (p < 0.01). Los estudiantes de UWI tenían menos hermanos y hermanas por parte de sus madres (p < 0.05), tenían una menor probabilidad de ser bebés de bajo peso al nacer (p = 0.035) y una mayor probabilidad de ser bebés de término completo (37-42 semanas) que tener una edad gestacional menor (p = 0.005). Las diferencias en puntuación de Apgar no alcanzaron a tener importancia estadística. CONCLUSIONES: Los estudiantes de la Universidad de West Indies, presentaban una mayor probabilidad de provenir de familias más pequeñas con rasgos que indicaban una mayor calidad de vida. También poseían mayor peso al nacer y tendencia a término completo. La falta de correspondencia entre la puntuación de Apgar con los logros educacionales, fue cuestión de interés.

An immunohistochemical study of vitamin D receptor expression in canine cutaneous mast cell tumours.

The active form of vitamin D (1alpha, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol; calcitriol) has potent anti-neoplastic activity in the management of a number of human malignancies. Despite promising data to suggest that calcitriol is an effective adjunct to current chemotherapy modalities, the role of calcitriol in animal neoplasia is poorly understood. Vitamin D inhibits growth of canine mast cell tumours (MCTs) in vitro, presumably due to ligand-mediated activation of the vitamin D receptor (VDR). The aim of the present study was to examine immunohistochemically the expression of the VDR by reactive and neoplastic canine cutaneous mast cells. Expression was graded according to frequency, intensity and score (frequency x intensity). VDR expression was found in all samples containing reactive mast cells (n=9), and in 67 of 69 (97%) MCTs selected from each of the three Patnaik grades. The frequency and score of VDR labelling was greater in MCTs compared with reactive mast cells (P=0.0005 and 0.001, respectively). There was no difference in VDR frequency between the MCT grades, but the frequency of labelling in grade 3 MCTs was higher than for reactive mast cells (P=0.001). There was no association between tumour mitotic index and any of the three VDR variables (all P>0.16). VDR is widely expressed by reactive and neoplastic canine mast cells in vivo. VDR expression is unlikely to represent an independent prognostic factor, but its presence within biopsy specimens might be used to identify patients that are suited to high-dose vitamin D therapeutic trials.

Impact of the Jamaican birth cohort study on maternal, child and adolescent health policy and practice.

The Jamaica Perinatal Morbidity and Mortality Survey (JPMMS) was a national study designed to identify modifiable risk factors associated with poor maternal and perinatal outcome. Needing to better understand factors that promote or retard child development, behaviour and academic achievement, we conducted follow-up studies of the birth cohort. The paper describes the policy developments from the JPMMS and two follow-up rounds. The initial study (1986-87) documented 94% of all births and their outcomes on the island over 2 months (n = 10 508), and perinatal (n = 2175) and maternal deaths (n = 62) for a further 10 months. A subset of the birth cohort, identified by their date of birth through school records, was seen at ages 11-12 (n = 1715) and 15-16 years (n = 1563). Findings from the initial survey led to, inter alia, clinic-based screening for syphilis, referral high-risk clinics run by visiting obstetricians, and the redesign and construction of new labour wards at referral hospitals. The follow-up studies documented inadequate academic achievement among boys and children attending public schools, and associations between under- and over-nutrition, excessive television viewing (>20 h/week), inadequate parental supervision and behavioural problems. These contributed to the development of a television programming code for children, a National Parenting Policy, policies aimed at improving inter-sectoral services to children from birth to 5 years (Early Childhood Commission) and behavioural interventions of the Violence Prevention Alliance (an inter-sectoral NGO) and the Healthy Lifestyles project (Ministry of Health). Indigenous maternal and child health research provided a local evidence base that informed public policy. Collaboration, good communication, being vigilant to opportunities to influence policy, and patience has contributed to our success.

Perinatal factors in students admitted to the University of the West Indies data from the Jamaican Perinatal Study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare perinatal and social factors in students admitted to The University of the West Indies (UWI), Kingston, Jamaica, at age 18 years with those in the rest of the Jamaican Perinatal Cohort. METHOD: The Jamaican Perinatal Survey recorded demographic and perinatal details in 10 527 or 97% of births in Jamaica in September and October 1986. Eighteen years later 140 of these were admitted to the UWI in Kingston, Jamaica. The perinatal features of these UWI students have been compared with the rest of the Perinatal Survey Cohort. RESULTS: Mothers of UWI students were older (p < 0.001), more likely to be married at the time of birth (p < 0.001), had earlier and more complete antenatal care (p < 0.05) and greater educational achievement at time of pregnancy (p < 0.001). These mothers of UWI students were also more likely to have diabetes (p < 0.01), operative deliveries (p < 0.01) and to attend private hospitals (p < 0.01). The UWI students had fewer siblings by their mothers (p < 0.05), were less likely to be low birthweight babies (p = 0.035) and more likely to be full-term (37-42 weeks) than lower gestational age (p = 0.005). Differences in Apgar scores did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: The students of the University of the West Indies were more likely to come from smaller families with features indicative of a better quality of life. They were also of higher birthweight and tended to be full-term. The lack of association of Apgar scores with educational attainment is noteworthy.

Comparative analysis of IR and vibrational circular dichroism spectra for a series of camphor-related molecules.

The absorption spectra and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra in the mid-IR range 1600-950 cm(-1) of 10 camphor-related compounds have been recorded and compared to DFT calculated spectra at the B3PW91/TZ2P level and have been examined together with the corresponding data of the parent molecules. The rigidity of the bridged structure common to all compounds investigated permits (a) identification of three spectroscopic regions in the mid-IR range that can be "used" separately by the interested stereochemist for structural diagnosis and assignment of some major characteristics of the VCD spectra in these regions to what we call "skeletal chiral sense" and (b) recognition of possible conformers for flexible substituent groups, when present. VCD spectra of the 10 molecules have been recorded and analyzed also in the CH-stretching region, 3100-2800 cm(-1). Here, we have been able to identify and characterize features of vibrational excitons by comparison of data within the 10-molecule class. To find a theoretical justification of result (a), we have examined the potential energy distribution of the normal modes in the mid-IR range, the partitioning of the calculated rotational strengths in terms of contributions from all couples of internal coordinates, the angle formed by the two vectors, the electric dipole transition moment and the magnetic dipole transition moment, and finally the overlap of normal modes of different molecules. A discussion is provided as to the usability of the introduced algorithms.

A complex Enrichment Diet improves growth and health in the endangered Wyoming toad (Bufo baxteri).

The endangered Wyoming toad (Bufo baxteri) suffers nutrition related pathologies including poor growth and feeding difficulties from squamous metaplasia. Juvenile B. baxteri were each fed three supplemented feeder diets over 22 weeks and their growth, strike rate, and ingestion success measured. Diet (1) Enrichment Diet: feeder crickets fed fish oil, spirulina, and ground turtle feed; (2) Vitamin Diet: feeder crickets dusted heavily with Reptivite multi-vitamin/mineral powder; and (3) Control Diet: feeder crickets dusted with calcium and Vitamin D powder. The Enrichment Diet produced faster growth in length (P<0.05) than those fed the Vitamin Diet, and at 22 weeks either the Enrichment Diet or Control Diet produced greater weight (P<0.05) than those on the Vitamin Diet. Toads fed the Vitamin Diet ingested significantly (P<0.01) less crickets (approximately 105 g/toad) compared with those fed the Enrichment Diet or Control Diet (approximately 121 g/toad). Approximately 50% of either Reptivite multi-vitamin/mineral or calcium/vitamin D powder was lost within 90 sec of dusting. The Enrichment Diet produced the same strike rate (approximately 25 strikes in 5 min.) but higher (P<0.01) IS (38.3+/-4.2%) than those fed the Vitamin Diet (24.2+/-1.8%) or Control Diet (20.1+/-1.5). 1)Results showed that the Enrichment Diet provided superior growth, enrichment of feeder crickets provides an attractive alternative to the use of topical powders alone, and crickets lose approximately 50% of topical powders within minutes. Feeding a diet highly enriched in retinol and unsaturated fatty acids resulted in improved growth and health for young Wyoming toads.