Characteristics of modern atmospheric dust deposition in snow on the Penny Ice Cap, Baffin Island, Arctic Canada

We evaluated the concentration, size and distribution of insoluble dust microparticles in snowpits on the Penny Ice Cap (PIC), Baffin Island, to define (1) the characteristics of modern atmospheric dust deposition at the site, (2) the relative contributions of proximal and distal dust sources, and (3) the effects of summer melting on depositional signals in snow. The mean concentration (143 mg kg−1), flux (4.8 mg cm2 yr−1) and diameter (2.3 mm) of dust deposited on the PIC are similar to those observed in remote Arctic sites such as central Greenland, implying that dust is primarily supplied through long-range transport from far-removed source regions (at least 102–103 km distant). There is evidence for two seasonal maxima of dust deposition, one in late winter-early spring and one in late summer-early fall, although seasonal signals can not always be resolved in the snowpack due to some post-depositional particle migration with summer melt. However, ice layers appear to limit the mobility of particles, thereby preserving valuable paleoclimatic information in the PIC ice core dust record at a multi-annual to decadal temporal resolution

Ice Cores from the St. Elias Mountains, Yukon, Canada: Their Significance for Climate, Atmospheric Composition and Volcanism in the North Pacific Region

A major achievement in research supported by the Kluane Lake Research Station was the recovery, in 2001 –02, of a suite of cores from the icefields of the central St. Elias Mountains, Yukon, by teams of researchers from Canada, the United States, and Japan. This project led to the development of parallel, long (103 – 104 year) ice-core records of climate and atmospheric change over an altitudinal range of more than 2 km, from the Eclipse Icefield (3017 m) to the ice-covered plateau of Mt. Logan (5340 m). These efforts built on earlier work recovering single ice cores in this region. Comparison of these records has allowed for variations in climate and atmospheric composition to be linked with changes in the vertical structure and dynamics of the North Pacific atmosphere, providing a unique perspective on these changes over the Holocene. Owing to their privileged location, cores from the St. Elias Icefields also contain a remarkably detailed record of aerosols from various sources around or across the North Pacific. In this paper we review major scientific findings from the study of St. Elias Mountain ice cores, focusing on five main themes: (1) The record of stable water isotopes (δ18O, δD), which has unique characteristics that differ from those of Greenland, other Arctic ice cores, and even among sites in the St. Elias; (2) the snow accumulation history; (3) the record of pollen, biomass burning aerosol, and desert dust deposition; (4) the record of long-range air pollutant deposition (sulphate and lead); and (5) the record of paleo-volcanism. Our discussion draws on studies published since 2000, but based on older ice cores from the St. Elias Mountains obtained in 1980 and 1996

Predictors of Bulimia Nervosa Symptoms

Bulimia nervosa (BN) symptoms involve binge eating, compensatory behaviors, and preoccupation with food and body image. A wealth of research has linked factors such as impulsivity and obsessive-compulsive behaviors to BN. In contrast, social appearance anxiety has not been frequently studied, as it is a new concept, especially as it relates to BN symptoms. This study will examine the links of BN symptoms to social appearance anxiety, impulsivity, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Specifically, it was predicted that social appearance anxiety, impulsivity, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors will positively predict symptoms of BN. The main model in this study found that social appearance anxiety predicts symptoms of BN over and above impulsivity and obsessive-compulsive behaviors

Predictors of Bulimia Nervosa Symptoms

Bulimia nervosa (BN) symptoms involve binge eating, compensatory behaviors, and preoccupation with food and body image. A wealth of research has linked factors such as impulsivity and obsessive-compulsive behaviors to BN. In contrast, social appearance anxiety has not been frequently studied, as it is a new concept, especially as it relates to BN symptoms. This study will examine the links of BN symptoms to social appearance anxiety, impulsivity, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Specifically, it was predicted that social appearance anxiety, impulsivity, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors will positively predict symptoms of BN. The main model in this study found that social appearance anxiety predicts symptoms of BN over and above impulsivity and obsessive-compulsive behaviors

Stable Isotope Records from Mount Logan, Eclipse Ice Cores and Nearby Jellybean Lake. Water Cycle of the North Pacific Over 2000 Years and Over Five Vertical Kilometres: Sudden Shifts and Tropical Connections

Three ice cores recovered on or near Mount Logan, together with a nearby lake record (Jellybean Lake), cover variously 500 to 30 000 years. This suite of records offers a unique view of the lapse rate in stable isotopes from the lower to upper troposphere. The region is climatologically important, being beside the Cordilleran pinning-point of the Rossby Wave system and the Aleutian Low. Comparison of stable isotope series over the last 2000 years and model simulations suggest sudden and persistent shifts between modern (mixed) and zonal flow regimes of water vapour transport to the Pacific Northwest. The last such shift was in A.D. 1840. Model simulations for modern and “pure” zonal flow suggest that these shifts are consistent regime changes between these flow types, with predominantly zonal flow prior to ca. A.D. 1840 and modern thereafter. The 5.4 and 0.8 km asl records show a shift at A.D. 1840 and another at A.D. 800. It is speculated that the A.D. 1840 regime shift coincided with the end of the Little Ice Age and the A.D. 800 shift with the beginning of the European Medieval Warm Period. The shifts are very abrupt, taking only a few years at most.Trois carottes de glace prélevées à proximité du mont Logan, combinées à une coupe stratigraphique du lac Jellybean, couvrent une période comprise entre 500 et 30 000 ans. Elles renseignent sur les taux de changement de la composition isotopique de la troposphère. La région étudiée est importante au niveau climatologique puisqu’elle est au point de convergence des ondes de Rossby et de la dépression des Aléoutiennes. La comparaison entre la composition isotopique depuis 2000 ans et les résultats des simulations suggère des changements brusques et persistants entre les régimes de transport de vapeur d’eau modernes et zonaux dans le nord-est du Pacifique, où le dernier changement s’est produit en 1840 de notre ère. Les simulations indiquent que les changements de flux correspondent aux changements de régime, avec un flux zonal avant ca 1840 pour passer au type moderne ensuite. Les forages à 5,4 et 0,8 km d’altitude montrent un changement en A.D. 1840 et un autre en l’an 800. On présume que ces changements de régime coïncident respectivement avec la fin du Petit Âge Glaciaire et le début de la période médiévale chaude, ces changements s’étant produits en quelques années seulement

Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) and their applications [forthcoming]

Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) and Their Application

Exploring the mycobacteriophage metaproteome: Phage genomics as an educational platform

Bacteriophages are the most abundant forms of life in the biosphere and carry genomes characterized by high genetic diversity and mosaic architectures. The complete sequences of 30 mycobacteriophage genomes show them collectively to encode 101 tRNAs, three tmRNAs, and 3,357 proteins belonging to 1,536 "phamilies" of related sequences, and a statistical analysis predicts that these represent approximately 50% of the total number of phamilies in the mycobacteriophage population. These phamilies contain 2.19 proteins on average; more than half (774) of them contain just a single protein sequence. Only six phamilies have representatives in more than half of the 30 genomes, and only three - encoding tape-measure proteins, lysins, and minor tail proteins - are present in all 30 phages, although these phamilies are themselves highly modular, such that no single amino acid sequence element is present in all 30 mycobacteriophage genomes. Of the 1,536 phamilies, only 230 (15%) have amino acid sequence similarity to previously reported proteins, reflecting the enormous genetic diversity of the entire phage population. The abundance and diversity of phages, the simplicity of phage isolation, and the relatively small size of phage genomes support bacteriophage isolation and comparative genomic analysis as a highly suitable platform for discovery-based education. © 2006 Hatfull et al

Recycling manure as cow bedding: potential benefits and risks for UK dairy farms

Material obtained from physical separation of slurry (recycled manure solids; RMS) has been used as bedding for dairy cows in dry climates in the US since the 1970s. Relatively recently, the technical ability to produce drier material has led to adoption of the practice in Europe under different climatic conditions. This review collates the evidence available on benefits and risks of using RMS bedding on dairy farms, with a European context in mind. There was less evidence than expected for anecdotal claims of improved cow comfort. Among animal health risks, only udder health has received appreciable attention. There are some circumstantial reports of difficulties of maintaining udder health on RMS, but no large scale or long term studies of effects on clinical and subclinical mastitis have been published. Existing reports do not give consistent evidence of inevitable problems, nor is there any information on clinical implications for other diseases. The scientific basis for guidelines on management of RMS bedding is limited. Decisions on optimum treatment and management may present conflicts between control of different groups of organisms. There is no information on the influence that such 'recycling' of manure may have on pathogen virulence. The possibility of influence on genetic material conveying antimicrobial resistance is a concern, but little understood. Should UK or other non-US farmers adopt RMS, they are advised to do so with caution, apply the required strategies for risk mitigation, maintain strict hygiene of bed management and milking practices and closely monitor the effects on herd health

Obstetrical and Fertility Outcomes Following Transcatheter Pelvic Arterial Embolization for Postpartum Hemorrhage: A Cohort Follow-Up Study.

Objectives: Management of severe postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) includes transcatheter pelvic arterial embolization (TAE). Data regarding subsequent fertility and obstetrical outcomes is limited, as most fertility outcomes derive from TAE in uterine fibroma. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of patients undergoing TAE, particularly concerning subsequent fertility and following pregnancies. Material and methods: We included 28 patients who underwent TAE for PPH at our institution between 2009 and 2018 in a retrospective cohort study. Data were assessed by reviewing patients' charts and by contacting the patients. Results: Ten patients had prophylactic balloon occlusion before cesarean section because of anticipated PPH, with planned hysterectomy by placenta increta/percreta. All these patients were excluded from the analysis regarding fertility. 16 (73%) patients reported having regular menstruation after TAE. In total, 11 women had no desire for subsequent pregnancy. Seven of the remaining 11 patients (63.6%) had a total of 13 spontaneous pregnancies, nine of these resulted in miscarriages. Four patients delivered a live baby (36.4%). Two of these (50%) had recurrent PPH and treatment was conservative. Of the patients with infertility (n = 4, 36.4%), two (18.1%) underwent assisted infertility treatment without success. Conclusion: Our study suggests that the fertility of patients undergoing TAE due to PPH is limited. In women who conceive, the risk for first trimester miscarriage as well as recurrent PPH seems to be increased. If this is a consequence of the underlying cause of PPH or the TAE remains unknown. Larger follow-up cohorts are needed. In the meantime, patients who desire pregnancy after TAE should be counseled accordingly