Agglutinated foraminifera from neritic to bathyal facies in the Palaeogene of Spitsbergen and the Barents Sea

Late Palaeocene to Early Eocene foraminiferal assemblages have been analysed from an exploratory well (7119/7-1) drilled in the Tromsø Basin (southwestern Barents Sea) and from two onshore sections, Basilikaelva and Kovalskifjella, exposed in the Central Tertiary Basin of Spitsbergen. The assemblages reveal marked differences in taxonomic composition and diversity, reflecting inner neritic to middle bathyal conditions. Within this depth range, four foraminiferal biofacies (FB) are distinguished: FB 1 occurs in the Kolthoffberget Member (of the Firkanten Formation, Late Palaeocene) sampled in the Basilikaelva section. The member consists of interbedded shales, siltstones and sandstones deposited in a transitional delta front - prodelta environment, according to current sedimentological interpretation. The foraminiferal assemblages are entirely agglutinated, show extremely low species diversities and strong dominance of Reticulophragmium arcticum followed by Labrospira aff. turbida. FB 2 is recognised in the Basilika Formation (Late Palaeocene) exposed in the Kovalskifjella section. The formation consists of silty claystones deposited in a prodelta shelf setting. The foraminiferal assemblages show an increased species diversity, and consist mainly of agglutinated taxa with a strongly subordinate calcareous component. The two most abundant species are R. arcticum and L. aff. turbida. Species of Verneuilinoides and Trochammina occur in significant numbers while tubular taxa are rare. FB 3 is found in the Lower Eocene clay interval composing the upper part of the Torsk Formation in well 7119/7-1. It contains entirely agglutinated assemblages with comparatively high diversities. The dominant species are Recurvoides aff. turbinatus and Budashevaella multicamerata, while Reticulophragmium amplectens is typical and common in these strata. Tubular forms referred to Rhizammina occur locally in significant quantities. The diversity and composition of the assemblages suggest an outer neritic to upper bathyal environment. FB 4 is developed in Palaeocene claystones comprising the lower part of the Torsk Formation in well 7119/7-1. In this interval the species diversity, as well as the frequency of tubular forms (referred to Rhizammina, Bathysiphon and Hyperammina) attains maximum values. Other common to dominant taxa include Spiroplectammina spectabilis, Haplophragmoides walteri, Ammosphaeroidina pseudopauciloculata, and Recurvoides sp. These wholly agglutinated assemblages are interpreted as reflecting upper to middle bathyal conditions

The Outcomes of Endoanal Ultrasound and Three-Dimensional, High-Resolution Anorectal Manometry do not Predict Fecal Incontinence

Endoanal ultrasound (EUS) is the gold standard for diagnosing anal sphincter defects often seen in patients with fecal incontinence (FI). Threedimensional, high-resolution anorectal manometry (3D-HRARM) is a newer technique that might also be used to diagnose sphincter defects. We aimed to investigate whether FI is associated with anal sphincter defects detected by EUS and 3D-HRARM. Retrospectively, we included all adult patients who had undergone EUS and 3D-HRARM for FI, between January 2012 and February 2015 (N = 37). During 3D-HRARM, the presence of sphincter defects was examined in rest and during maximal anal sphincter contraction. All patients also underwent a balloon retention test to objectively determine whether they suffered from FI for solid stool. Of the 37 patients, 12 patients (32%) suffered from FI. The presence of a sphincter defect detected with EUS, and with 3D-HRARM during contraction, was not associated with the prevalence of FI and no significant correlations were found between these variables. The presence of a sphincter defect, detected by 3D-HRARM in rest, was negatively correlated with the presence of FI (rs -.372, P = .024). Moreover, the prevalence of sphincter defects was lower in patients with FI, detected by 3D-HRARM in rest, than in patients without FI (13% versus 88%, P = .035). FI is not associated with anal sphincter defects detected by EUS and 3D-HRARM. The outcomes of EUS and 3D-HRARM do not thus predict the presence of FI. Instead, extensive anorectal function tests should be performed to form a complete picture of a patient’s anorectal functions and to determine the underlying causes of FI

A Theory of a Spot

We present a simple inflationary scenario that can produce arbitrarily large spherical underdense or overdense regions embedded in a standard Lambda cold dark matter paradigm, which we refer to as bubbles. We analyze the effect such bubbles would have on the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). For super-horizon sized bubble in the vicinity of the last scattering surface, a signal is imprinted onto CMB via a combination of Sach-Wolfe and an early integrated Sach-Wolfe (ISW) effects. Smaller, sub-horizon sized bubbles at lower redshifts (during matter domination and later) can imprint secondary anisotropies on the CMB via Rees-Sciama, late-time ISW and Ostriker-Vishniac effects. Our scenario, and arguably most similar inflationary models, produce bubbles which are over/underdense in potential: in density such bubbles are characterized by having a distinct wall with the interior staying at the cosmic mean density. We show that such models can potentially, with only moderate fine tuning, explain the \emph{cold spot}, a non-Gaussian feature identified in the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) data by several authors. However, more detailed comparisons with current and future CMB data are necessary to confirm (or rule out) this scenario.Comment: 19 pages, 19 figures, added references and explanations, JCAP in pres

Measurement of distal intramural spread and the optimal distal resection by naked eyes after neoadjuvant radiation for rectal cancers

BACKGROUND: The safe distance between the intraoperative resection line and the visible margin of the distal rectal tumor after preoperative radiotherapy is unclear. We aimed to investigate the furthest tumor intramural spread distance in fresh tissue to determine a safe distal intraoperative resection margin length. METHODS: Twenty rectal cancer specimens were collected after preoperative radiotherapy. Tumor intramural spread distances were defined as the distance between the tumor’s visible and microscopic margins. Visible tumor margins in fresh specimens were identified during the operation and were labeled with 5 - 0 sutures under the naked eye at the distal 5, 6, and 7 o’clock directions of visible margins immediately after removal of the tumor. After fixation with formalin, the sutures were injected with nanocarbon particles. Longitudinal tissues were collected along three labels and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The spread distance after formalin fixation was measured between the furthest intramural spread of tumor cells and the nanocarbon under a microscope. A positive intramural spread distance indicated that the furthest tumor cell was distal to the nanocarbon, and a negative value indicated that the tumor cell was proximal to the nanocarbon. The tumor intramural spread distance in fresh tissue during the operation was 1.75 times the tumor intramural spread distance after formalin fixation according to the literature. RESULTS: At the distal 5, 6, and 7 o’clock direction, seven (35%), five (25%), and six (30%) patients, respectively, had distal tumor cell intramural spread distance > 0 mm. The mean and 95% confidence interval of tumor cell intramural spread distance in fresh tissue during operation was − 0.3 (95%CI − 4.0 ~ 3.4) mm, − 0.9 (95%CI − 3.4 ~ 1.7) mm, and − 0.4 (95%CI − 3.5 ~ 2.8) mm, respectively. The maximal intraoperative intramural spread distances in fresh tissue were 8.8, 7, and 7 mm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The intraoperative distance between the distal resection line and the visible margin of the rectal tumor after radiotherapy should not be less than 1 cm to ensure oncological safety

An environmental justice perspective on ecosystem services

Mainstreaming of ecosystem service approaches has been proposed as one path toward sustainable development. Meanwhile, critics of ecosystem services question if the approach can account for the multiple values of ecosystems to diverse groups of people, or for aspects of inter- and intra-generational justice. In particular, an ecosystem service approach often overlooks power dimensions and capabilities that are core to environmental justice. This article addresses the need for greater guidance on incorporating justice into ecosystem services research and practice. We point to the importance of deep engagement with stakeholders and rights holders to disentangle contextual factors that moderate justice outcomes on ecosystem service attribution and appropriation in socio-political interventions. Such a holistic perspective enables the integration of values and knowledge plurality for enhancing justice in ecosystem services research. This broadened perspective paves a way for transformative ecosystem service assessments, management, and research, which can help inform and design governance structures that nourish human agency to sustainably identify, manage, and enjoy ecosystem services for human wellbeing

Herschel*-ATLAS: correlations between dust and gas in local submm-selected galaxies

We present an analysis of CO molecular gas tracers in a sample of 500 μ m-selected Herschel -ATLAS galaxies at z < 0 . 05 ( cz < 14990 km s − 1 ). Using 22 − 500 μ m photom- etry from WISE , IRAS and Herschel , with H i data from the literature, we investigate correlations between warm and cold dust, and tracers of the gas in different phases. The correlation between global CO(3–2) line fluxes and FIR–submm fl uxes weakens with increasing IR wavelength ( λ & 60 μ m), as a result of colder dust being less strongly associated with dense gas. Conversely, CO(2–1) and H i line fluxes both ap- pear to be better correlated with longer wavelengths, suggesting that cold dust is more strongly associated with diffuse atomic and molecular gas phases, co nsistent with it being at least partially heated by radiation from old stellar populations . The increased scatter at long wavelengths implies that sub-millimetre fluxes are a po orer tracer of SFR. Fluxes at 22 and 60 μ m are also better correlated with diffuse gas tracers than dense CO(3–2), probably due to very-small-grain emission in the diffu se interstellar medium, which is not correlated with SFR. The FIR/CO luminosity ratio a nd the dust mass/CO luminosity ratio both decrease with increasing luminosit y, as a result of either correlations between mass and metallicity (changing CO/H 2 ) or between CO luminosity and excitation [changing CO(3–2)/CO(1–0)].Web of Scienc

Early nasogastric tube feeding in optimising treatment for hyperemesis gravidarum: The MOTHER randomised controlled trial (Maternal and Offspring outcomes after Treatment of HyperEmesis by Refeeding)

Background: Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), or intractable vomiting during pregnancy, is the single most frequent cause of hospital admission in early pregnancy. HG has a major impact on maternal quality of life and has repeatedly been associated with poor pregnancy outcome such as low birth weight. Currently, women with HG are admitted to hospital for intravenous fluid replacement, without receiving specific nutritional attention. Nasogastric tube feeding is sometimes used as last resort treatment. At present no randomised trials on dietary or rehydration interventions have been performed. Small observational studies indicate that enteral tube feeding may have the ability to effectively treat dehydration and malnutrition and alleviate nausea and vomiting symptoms. We aim to evaluate the effectiveness of early enteral tube feeding in addition to standard care on nausea and vomiting symptoms and pregnancy outcomes in HG patients. Methods/Design: The MOTHER trial is a multicentre open label randomised controlled trial ( www.studies-obsgyn.nl/mother ). Women ≥ 18 years hospitalised for HG between 5 + 0 and 19 + 6 weeks gestation are eligible for participation. After informed consent participants are randomly allocated to standard care with intravenous rehydration or early enteral tube feeding in addition to standard care. All women keep a weekly diary to record symptoms and dietary intake until 20 weeks gestation. The primary outcome will be neonatal birth weight. Secondary outcomes will be the 24-h Pregnancy Unique Quantification of Emesis and nausea score (PUQE-24), maternal weight gain, dietary intake, duration of hospital stay, number of readmissions, quality of life and side-effects. Also gestational age at birth, placental weight, umbilical cord plasma lipid concentration and neonatal morbidity will be evaluated. Analysis will be according to the intention to treat principle. Discussion: With this trial we aim to clarify whether early enteral tube feeding is more effective in treating HG than intravenous rehydration alone and improves pregnancy outcome. Trial registration: Trial registration number: NTR4197. Date of registration: October 2nd 2013

A new measurement of direct CP violation in two pion decays of the neutral kaon

The NA48 experiment at CERN has performed a new measurement of direct CP violation, based on data taken in 1997 by simultaneously collecting K_L and K_S decays into pi0pi0 and pi+pi-. The result for the CP violating parameter Re(epsilon'/epsilon) is (18.5 +/- 4.5(stat)} +/- 5.8 (syst))x10^{-4}.Comment: 18 pages, 6 figure

A Galaxy-scale Fountain of Cold Molecular Gas Pumped by a Black Hole

We present Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array and Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer observations of the brightest cluster galaxy in Abell 2597, a nearby (z = 0.0821) cool core cluster of galaxies. The data map the kinematics of a three billion solar mass filamentary nebula that spans the innermost 30 kpc of the galaxy's core. Its warm ionized and cold molecular components are both cospatial and comoving, consistent with the hypothesis that the optical nebula traces the warm envelopes of many cold molecular clouds that drift in the velocity field of the hot X-ray atmosphere. The clouds are not in dynamical equilibrium, and instead show evidence for inflow toward the central supermassive black hole, outflow along the jets it launches, and uplift by the buoyant hot bubbles those jets inflate. The entire scenario is therefore consistent with a galaxy-spanning "fountain," wherein cold gas clouds drain into the black hole accretion reservoir, powering jets and bubbles that uplift a cooling plume of low-entropy multiphase gas, which may stimulate additional cooling and accretion as part of a self-regulating feedback loop. All velocities are below the escape speed from the galaxy, and so these clouds should rain back toward the galaxy center from which they came, keeping the fountain long lived. The data are consistent with major predictions of chaotic cold accretion, precipitation, and stimulated feedback models, and may trace processes fundamental to galaxy evolution at effectively all mass scales