title: Problems and possibilities: Exploring paradigms for mixed methods research

authors: McChesney, Katrina

abstract: Presented online at the Cancelled Conference Conversations on August 11, 2020

text: Problems and possibilities: Exploring paradigms for mixed methods research Presented online at the Cancelled Conference Conversations on August 11, 2020

year: 2020

title: Metagenome analysis of an extreme microbial symbiosis reveals eurythermal adaptation and metabolic flexibility

authors: Grzymski, Joseph J.

subjects: Epsilonproteobacteria

abstract: Hydrothermal vent ecosystems support diverse life forms, many of which rely on symbiotic associations to perform functions integral to survival in these extreme physicochemical environments. Epsilonproteobacteria, found free-living and in intimate associations with vent invertebrates, are the predominant vent-associated microorganisms. The vent-associated polychaete worm, Alvinella pompejana, is host to a visibly dense fleece of episymbionts on its dorsal surface. The episymbionts are a multispecies consortium of Epsilonproteobacteria present as a biofilm. We unraveled details of these enigmatic, uncultivated episymbionts using environmental genome sequencing. They harbor wide-ranging adaptive traits that include high levels of strain variability analogous to Epsilonproteobacteria pathogens such as Helicobacter pylori, metabolic diversity of free-living bacteria, and numerous orthologs of proteins that we hypothesize are each optimally adapted to specific temperature ranges within the 10–65 °C fluctuations characteristic of the A. pompejana habitat. This strategic combination enables the consortium to thrive under diverse thermal and chemical regimes. The episymbionts are metabolically tuned for growth in hydrothermal vent ecosystems with genes encoding the complete rTCA cycle, sulfur oxidation, and denitrification; in addition, the episymbiont metagenome also encodes capacity for heterotrophic and aerobic metabolisms. Analysis of the environmental genome suggests that A. pompejana may benefit from the episymbionts serving as a stable source of food and vitamins. The success of Epsilonproteobacteria as episymbionts in hydrothermal vent ecosystems is a product of adaptive capabilities, broad metabolic capacity, strain variance, and virulent traits in common with pathogens.

text: Metagenome analysis of an extreme microbial symbiosis reveals eurythermal adaptation and metabolic flexibility Hydrothermal vent ecosystems support diverse life forms, many of which rely on symbiotic associations to perform functions integral to survival in these extreme physicochemical environments. Epsilonproteobacteria, found free-living and in intimate associations with vent invertebrates, are the predominant vent-associated microorganisms. The vent-associated polychaete worm, Alvinella pompejana, is host to a visibly dense fleece of episymbionts on its dorsal surface. The episymbionts are a multispecies consortium of Epsilonproteobacteria present as a biofilm. We unraveled details of these enigmatic, uncultivated episymbionts using environmental genome sequencing. They harbor wide-ranging adaptive traits that include high levels of strain variability analogous to Epsilonproteobacteria pathogens such as Helicobacter pylori, metabolic diversity of free-living bacteria, and numerous orthologs of proteins that we hypothesize are each optimally adapted to specific temperature ranges within the 10–65 °C fluctuations characteristic of the A. pompejana habitat. This strategic combination enables the consortium to thrive under diverse thermal and chemical regimes. The episymbionts are metabolically tuned for growth in hydrothermal vent ecosystems with genes encoding the complete rTCA cycle, sulfur oxidation, and denitrification; in addition, the episymbiont metagenome also encodes capacity for heterotrophic and aerobic metabolisms. Analysis of the environmental genome suggests that A. pompejana may benefit from the episymbionts serving as a stable source of food and vitamins. The success of Epsilonproteobacteria as episymbionts in hydrothermal vent ecosystems is a product of adaptive capabilities, broad metabolic capacity, strain variance, and virulent traits in common with pathogens.

year: 2008

title: Ethnicity and deliberate self-injury: A review of the literature

authors: Wilson, Cate

subjects: Maori

abstract: Deliberate self-injury is a significant social problem affecting youth in New Zealand. Rates of
hospitalisation for youth (aged 15 to 19) from deliberate self-injury approximate 225 per
100,000. It appears that the rates for Maori and women are significantly higher. From 1987 to
1993, an average of 488 Maori women per 100 000 population have been hospitalised each
year (Ministry of Health: Manatu Hauora, 1996). This paper draws upon both local and
international literature to examine factors underlying this ethnic disparity.
There is a wealth of literature examining risk factors underlying suicidal behaviour as a whole.
Deliberate self-injury is usually assumed to be an adjunct of youth suicide; prevention
strategies are conflated. This paper argues that this assumption is untenable, and in particular,
that prevention strategies designed for youth suicide are problematic in terms of deliberate selfinjury.
While prevention strategies are based upon studies that do not differentiate between
these groups, results will be compromised.

text: Ethnicity and deliberate self-injury: A review of the literature Deliberate self-injury is a significant social problem affecting youth in New Zealand. Rates of
hospitalisation for youth (aged 15 to 19) from deliberate self-injury approximate 225 per
100,000. It appears that the rates for Maori and women are significantly higher. From 1987 to
1993, an average of 488 Maori women per 100 000 population have been hospitalised each
year (Ministry of Health: Manatu Hauora, 1996). This paper draws upon both local and
international literature to examine factors underlying this ethnic disparity.
There is a wealth of literature examining risk factors underlying suicidal behaviour as a whole.
Deliberate self-injury is usually assumed to be an adjunct of youth suicide; prevention
strategies are conflated. This paper argues that this assumption is untenable, and in particular,
that prevention strategies designed for youth suicide are problematic in terms of deliberate selfinjury.
While prevention strategies are based upon studies that do not differentiate between
these groups, results will be compromised.

year: 1999