Heterologous Expression of Secreted Proteins from Phytophthora in Pichia pastoris Followed by Protein Purification by Immobilized Metal Ion Affinity (IMAC).

This chapter describes the protocol for heterologous expression of Phytophthora proteins in the yeast Pichia pastoris. Two methods to prepare the constructs for expression are described, using two different strains of P. pastoris, as well as methods for protein expression and purification by immobilized metal ion affinity (IMAC).

A Method for the Separation of Phytophthora Oosporesfrom Soil for DNA-Based Detection.

Here, we present a protocol for the isolation and detection of Phytophthora oospores directly from soil samples. Our method incorporates a novel technique for isolating Phytophthora oospores using filter pouches and an improved DNA extraction procedure specifically designed for oospores. While we have primarily developed this protocol for detecting P.

Rapid and Robust Monitoring of Phytophthora Infectivity Through Detached Leaf Assays with Automated Image Analysis.

The detached leaf assay is a valuable method for studying plant-pathogen interactions, enabling the assessment of pathogenicity, plant resistance, and treatment effects. In this protocol, we outline how to set up a Phytophthora detached leaf assay and use non-expert machine learning tools to increase the reliability and throughput of the image analysis. Utilizing ilastik for pixel classification and Python scripts for segmentation, manual correction, and temporal linking, the pipeline provides objective and quantitative data over time.

Arbitrary Optics for Gaussian Splatting Using Space Warping.

Due to recent advances in 3D reconstruction from RGB images, it is now possible to create photorealistic representations of real-world scenes that only require minutes to be reconstructed and can be rendered in real time. In particular, 3D Gaussian splatting shows promising results, outperforming preceding reconstruction methods while simultaneously reducing the overall computational requirements. The main success of 3D Gaussian splatting relies on the efficient use of a differentiable rasterizer to render the Gaussian scene representation.

Ethics, One Health approaches, and SDGs: conference lessons for an emerging field.

One Health ethics is an emerging field that has gained traction since its origin in approximately 2015. This article builds upon the insights shared during a panel discussion on at the 28th Annual International Sustainable Development Research Society Conference. The conference, themed aimed to advance and expand recent knowledge in the field.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy: a half-century historical perspective.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has evolved significantly over fifty years into a powerful analytical technique. This review aims to achieve five main goals. (1) Providing a comprehensive history of SERS's discovery, its experimental and theoretical foundations, its connections to advances in nanoscience and plasmonics, and highlighting collective contributions of key pioneers.

Natural and Semisynthetic Immunomodulatory Luakuliide Labdane Diterpenoids.

Spectroscopy-guided isolation of extracts of the Tongan marine sponge cf. (Lamarck, 1814) has resulted in the reisolation of the labdane diterpenoid luakuliide A () and one new congener, luakulialactam A (). In addition to establishing the absolute configuration of , synthetic modifications to the luakuliide framework at key positions has created a set of six derivatives (-) which were used to interrogate a structure-activity relationship relating to the immunomodulatory effects of luakuliide A.

Rethinking Biomedical Titanium Alloy Design: A Review of Challenges from Biological and Manufacturing Perspectives.

Current biomedical titanium alloys have been repurposed from other industries, which has contributed to several biologically driven implant failure mechanisms. This review highlights the added value that may be gained by building an appreciation of implant biological responses at the onset of alloy design. Specifically, the fundamental mechanisms associated with immune response, angiogenesis, osseointegration and the potential threat of infection are discussed, including how elemental selection can modulate these pivotal systems.

Practice pharmacists in the primary healthcare team in Aotearoa New Zealand: a national survey.

Introduction The integration of pharmacists into general practice settings is increasingly common internationally. Within Aotearoa New Zealand, the role has evolved variably in different regions. Recent health policy and professional guidance support further development.

Struggling to afford medicines: a qualitative exploration of the experiences of participants in the FreeMeds study.

Introduction Existing research has established that some people struggle with prescription charges. This paper reports on the experiences of a sub-sample of people who participated in the FreeMeds study (a randomised controlled trial of prescription charges) about their problems paying for medicines. Aim The aim of this study was to explore participants' previous experiences with paying for medicines, and the impact of receiving free medicines through the Free Meds study.

EXPRESS: An Exploration of Relationships between Associative and Non-Associative Measures of Inhibition.

Conditioned inhibition and occasion setting are two examples of inhibitory associative phenomena that have traditionally been studied in isolation from non-associative inhibition. Non-associative inhibition has been assessed using a variety of measures (e.g.

Challenges and consensus: A survey of the management of neonatal hypoglycaemia within the Pacific Islands.

Aim: To describe the management of neonatal hypoglycaemia within Pacific Island countries and territories by surveying practising clinicians.

Methods: Survey questions were adapted from a similar survey conducted across Australian and New Zealand neonatal nurseries. An anonymous, electronic survey link and QR code were disseminated to clinicians via our partner organisations, Facebook and direct email.

Methods in causal inference. Part 4: confounding in experiments.

Confounding bias arises when a treatment and outcome share a common cause. In randomised controlled experiments (trials), treatment assignment is random, ostensibly eliminating confounding bias. Here, we use causal directed acyclic graphs to unveil eight structural sources of bias that nevertheless persist in these trials.

Oxylipin Receptors and Their Role in Inter-Partner Signalling in a Model Cnidarian-Dinoflagellate Symbiosis.

Oxylipin signalling is central in biology, mediating processes such as cellular homeostasis, inflammation and molecular signalling. It may also facilitate inter-partner communication in the cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis, though this aspect remains understudied. In this study, four oxylipin receptors were characterised using immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting in the sea anemone Exaiptasia diaphana ('Aiptasia'): Prostaglandin E2 receptor 2 (EP2) and 4 (EP4), Transient Receptor Potential cation channel A1 (TRPA1) and Glutamate Receptor Ionotropic, Kainate 2 (GRIK2).

Ngā Māuiui Kai: creating Indigenous Māori terms for eating disorders in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Background: Māori (the Indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand) report higher rates of eating disorders than non-Māori, but access treatment at lower rates. Diagnostic terms lacking in cultural relevance likely contribute to Māori exclusion in eating disorder spaces. Developing terms in te reo Māori (the Māori language) presents an opportunity to challenge eating disorder stereotypes and increase cultural safety in the eating disorder workforce.

Changes in provision of extended community pharmacy services in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2018 to 2022.

Background: Recognition is growing of the contributions community pharmacists make to the primary health care team, as their role shifts from a traditional dispensing focus to greater emphasis on fully applying their clinical skills. Some extended pharmacist services (e.g.

Recent trends and biases in mesophotic ecosystem research.

Mesophotic ecosystems (approx. 30-150 m) represent a significant proportion of the world's oceans yet have long remained understudied due to challenges in accessing these deeper depths. Owing to advances in underwater technologies and a growing scientific and management interest, there has been a major expansion in research of both (sub)tropical mesophotic coral ecosystems and temperate mesophotic ecosystems.

A novel three-dimensional model of Infantile Haemangioma.

Infantile Haemangioma (IH) is vascular tumour in infants exhibiting rapid proliferation and angiogenesis followed by gradual involution.10% of cases are associated with disfiguring complications and requires medical interventions with β-blockers such as propranolol, surgery, or laser therapy. An in vitro IH three-dimensional (3D) model will improve our understanding of the disease mechanism(s).

Estimating the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in New Zealand border arrivals.

Background: Travel restrictions and border controls were used extensively during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the processes for making robust evidence-based risk assessments of source countries to inform border control policies was in many cases very limited.

Methods: Between April 2020 and February 2022, all international arrivals to New Zealand were required to spend 14 days in government-managed quarantine facilities and were tested at least twice.

Excitonic Dark States in Molecular Monolayer Crystals.

The tightly bound excitons and strong dipole-dipole interactions in two-dimensional molecular crystals enable rich physics. Among them, superradiance (SR), the spontaneous coherent emission from bright excitons, has sparked considerable interest in quantum-information applications. In addition, optically forbidden states (dark exciton states) have potential to both achieve Bose-Einstein condensation and modulate exciton dynamics.

Health prediction for king salmon via evolutionary machine learning with genetic programming.

King (Chinook) salmon is the only salmon species farmed in Aotearoa New Zealand and accounts for over half of the world's production of king salmon. Determining the health status of king salmon effectively is important for farming. However, it is a challenging task due to the complex biotic and abiotic factors that influence health.

Immune stress and diet influence reproductive fitness in male tuatara ().

The theoretical trade-off between immune and endocrine investment in mating animals has received mixed empirical support, particularly in reptiles. We investigated the relationship between male sexual characteristics, diet, and immune response to stress in an island population of tuatara () across two mating seasons. Tuatara are promiscuous, with a highly skewed mating system where males face significant competition for access to mates and postcopulatory competition for fertilization success.

Single versus multiple firesetting: an examination of demographic, behavioural and psychological factors.

Deliberate firesetting is a prevalent issue. While a number of psychological treatment needs have been identified for adults who set fires, their association with multiple firesetting has received limited attention. This study examined whether demographics, offence histories, firesetting behaviours and psychometric assessments of psychological vulnerabilities hypothesised to be associated with firesetting discriminate between adults who have set only one fire and those who have set multiple fires.

Identifying climate refugia for vulnerable marine ecosystem indicator taxa under future climate change scenarios.

Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) are recognised as having high ecological significance and susceptibility to disturbances, including climate change. One approach to providing information on the location and biological composition of these ecosystems, especially in difficult-to-reach environments such as the deep sea, is to generate spatial predictions for VME indicator taxa. In this study, the Random Forest algorithm was used to model the spatial distribution of density for 14 deep-water VME indicator taxa under current environmental conditions and future climate change scenarios (SSP2-4.

Identity categories and the dilemma of calling police about family violence.

The under-reporting of family violence is a global problem. Multiple barriers to help-seeking have been identified, including some associated with social identities like race, age and gender. This discursive psychology study examines identity and help-seeking in social interaction.