Spatial Grazing Land Management Land Types of Queensland: Review and amendments

The Grazing Land Management (GLM) land type spatial layer is the spatial representation of Land types of Queensland as described by the Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries (DAF) (https://futurebeef.com.au/knowledge-centre/land-types-of-queensland/). The spatial land type layer is a key input for property mapping and modelling of pasture growth across Queensland by the DAF and the Department of Environment and Science (DES). The spatial layer was first constructed by the ex-Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) as a part of the former Delbessie Agreement (State Rural Leasehold Land Strategy (SRLLS)). Whilst the SRLLS program concluded in 2014, the project legacy has been managed by the Queensland Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy (DNRME). This technical report relates a collaborative multiple departmental approach between (DAF, DES and DNRME) to create the best land type spatial layer for government and public use. This report provides the method, process and outcomes applied to the land type spatial layer as a working account (including Version log) for open reference

Body Weight Support on Anti-Gravity Treadmill Induces Less Physiological Strain While Running

The anti-gravity treadmill developed by AlterG® can be used as an alternative to traditional treadmill running. The AlterG® unloads an individual’s body weight through lower body positive pressure (LBPP) and can support up to 80% of an individual’s body weight. The cardiorespiratory response resulting from a bout of exercise on an AlterG® treadmill may be attenuated compared to similar exercise on a traditional treadmill. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the physiological responses of running at 0%, 15%, 30%, and 45% of body weight support (BWS) on the AlterG® to a traditional treadmill. METHODS: Ten healthy, active males (n = 3) and females (n = 7) (mean ± SD; age 23 ± 3 yrs, weight 60 ± 9.4 kg, height 167.6 ± 6.4 cm) completed two separate treadmill sessions in a randomized order. The exercise sessions included running on an AlterG® treadmill at 6 mph and 1% grade with 0%, 15%, 30% and 45% BWS for 8 min each. The other exercise session included running on a traditional treadmill (TT) at 6 mph and 1% grade for 8 min. Oxygen consumption (VO2) and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) were measured every minute through indirect calorimetry. Heart rate (HR) was measured every minute with a heart rate monitor and values were averaged during the last five minutes of each exercise trial. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was measured every other minute. Multivariate ANOVA was used for statistical analysis for each dependent variable (p \u3c 0.05). RESULTS: BWS at 15%, 30% and 45% on the AlterG® treadmill significantly reduced VO2 18.5%, 28.3 and 33.7% compared to TT and 0%. Additionally, HR with BWS at 15%, 30% and 45% was significantly reduced 8.9%, 13.1% and 17.9% compared to TT and 0%. RER during 30% and 45% was significantly different (-8.6% and -7.4%) from TT. Perceived exertion during 45% BWS was significantly lower (10-20%) than all protocols. There was no significant difference in VO2 or HR reported between 30% and 45%. 0% BWS displayed no significant difference in VO2 or HR when compared to the traditional treadmill. CONCLUSION: Increasing the percentage of BWS while running on the AlterG® treadmill reduced VO2 and HR compared to TT and 0%. Greater levels of BWS (30% and 45%) resulted in lowered RER and perceived exertion (45% only). The AlterG® treadmill appears to lessen the physiological demands of running compared to a traditional treadmill

Sulfur isotopes in otoliths allow discrimination of anadromous and non-anadromous ecotypes of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)

Oncorhynchus nerka occur both as anadromous sockeye salmon that spend most of their life in the ocean, and as non-anadromous kokanee salmon that remain in fresh water their entire lives. We assessed whether stable isotopes of sulfur (δ34S) in otoliths could be used to distinguish sockeye salmon and kokanee ecotypes that are otherwise difficult to identify when they share a common freshwater rearing environment. We also investigated the chemical link between salmon and their diet by measuring δ34S in various fish tissues (eggs, muscle, scales) and zooplankton. δ34S (mean±SE) in sockeye salmon eggs (18.7 ± 0.4‰) and marine zooplankton (20.5 ± 0.1‰) were enriched by 10–14‰ compared with kokanee eggs and freshwater zooplankton. δ34S in the otolith cores of sockeye salmon (19.2 ± 0.7‰) and kokanee salmon (5.3 ± 1.1‰) were similar to δ34S in marine and freshwater zooplankton, respectively, indicating that the core is derived from maternal yolk tissue and reflects the maternal diet. δ34S in the freshwater growth zone of otoliths did not differ significantly between sockeye (5.9 ± 1.1‰) and kokanee salmon (4.4 ± 1.2‰), and was similar to freshwater zooplankton. The mean difference between δ34S in the otolith core and first year of growth was 13.3 ± 1.4‰ for sockeye and 0.65 ± 1.3‰ for kokanee salmon. A quadratic discriminant function developed from measurements of δ34S in otoliths of known maternal origin provided perfect classification rates in cross-validation tests. Thus, sulfur isotope ratios in otoliths are effective in discriminating between anadromous and non-anadromous ecotypes of O. nerka

Capacity challenges in water quality monitoring: understanding the role of human development

Monitoring the qualitative status of freshwaters is an important goal of the international community, as stated in the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) indicator 6.3.2 on good ambient water quality. Monitoring data are, however, lacking in many countries, allegedly because of capacity challenges of less-developed countries. So far, however, the relationship between human development and capacity challenges for water quality monitoring have not been analysed systematically. This hinders the implementation of fine-tuned capacity development programmes for water quality monitoring. Against this background, this study takes a global perspective in analysing the link between human development and the capacity challenges countries face in their national water quality monitoring programmes. The analysis is based on the latest data on the human development index and an international online survey amongst experts from science and practice. Results provide evidence of a negative relationship between human development and the capacity challenges to meet SDG 6.3.2 monitoring requirements. This negative relationship increases along the course of the monitoring process, from defining the enabling environment, choosing parameters for the collection of field data, to the analytics and analysis of five commonly used parameters (DO, EC, pH, TP and TN). Our assessment can be used to help practitioners improve technical capacity development activities and to identify and target investment in capacity development for monitoring

3D printing of tablets using inkjet with UV photoinitiation

Additive manufacturing (AM) offers significant potential benefits in the field of drug delivery and pharmaceutical/medical device manufacture. Of AM processes, 3D inkjet printing enables precise deposition of a formulation, whilst offering the potential for significant scale up or scale out as a manufacturing platform. This work hypothesizes that suitable solvent based ink formulations can be developed that allow the production of solid dosage forms that meet the standards required for pharmaceutical tablets, whilst offering a platform for flexible and personalised manufacture. We demonstrate this using piezo-activated inkjetting to 3D print ropinirole hydrochloride. The tablets produced consist of a cross-linked poly(ethylene glycol diacrylate) (PEGDA) hydrogel matrix containing the drug, photoinitiated in a low oxygen environment using an aqueous solution of Irgacure 2959. At a Ropinirole HCl loading of 0.41 mg, drug release from the tablet is shown to be Fickian. Raman and IR spectroscopy indicate a high degree of cross-linking and formation of an amorphous solid dispersion. This is the first publication of a UV inkjet 3D printed tablet. Consequently, this work opens the possibility for the translation of scalable, high precision and bespoke ink-jet based additive manufacturing to the pharmaceutical sector

Cost-effectiveness of screening for HIV in primary care: a health economics modelling analysis.

BACKGROUND: Early HIV diagnosis reduces morbidity, mortality, the probability of onward transmission, and their associated costs, but might increase cost because of earlier initiation of antiretroviral treatment (ART). We investigated this trade-off by estimating the cost-effectiveness of HIV screening in primary care. METHODS: We modelled the effect of the four-times higher diagnosis rate observed in the intervention arm of the RHIVA2 randomised controlled trial done in Hackney, London (UK), a borough with high HIV prevalence (≥0·2% adult prevalence). We constructed a dynamic, compartmental model representing incidence of infection and the effect of screening for HIV in general practices in Hackney. We assessed cost-effectiveness of the RHIVA2 trial by fitting model diagnosis rates to the trial data, parameterising with epidemiological and behavioural data from the literature when required, using trial testing costs and projecting future costs of treatment. FINDINGS: Over a 40 year time horizon, incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were £22 201 (95% credible interval 12 662-132 452) per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained, £372 207 (268 162-1 903 385) per death averted, and £628 874 (434 902-4 740 724) per HIV transmission averted. Under this model scenario, with UK cost data, RHIVA2 would reach the upper National Institute for Health and Care Excellence cost-effectiveness threshold (about £30 000 per QALY gained) after 33 years. Scenarios using cost data from Canada (which indicate prolonged and even higher health-care costs for patients diagnosed late) suggest this threshold could be reached in as little as 13 years. INTERPRETATION: Screening for HIV in primary care has important public health benefits as well as clinical benefits. We predict it to be cost-effective in the UK in the medium term. However, this intervention might be cost-effective far sooner, and even cost-saving, in settings where long-term health-care costs of late-diagnosed patients in high-prevalence regions are much higher (≥60%) than those of patients diagnosed earlier. Screening for HIV in primary care is cost-effective and should be promoted. FUNDING: NHS City and Hackney, UK Department of Health, National Institute for Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care

Opinion: The scientific and community-building roles of the Geoengineering Model Intercomparison Project (GeoMIP) – past, present, and future

The Geoengineering Model Intercomparison Project (GeoMIP) is a coordinating framework, started in 2010, that includes a series of standardized climate model experiments aimed at understanding the physical processes and projected impacts of solar geoengineering. Numerous experiments have been conducted, and numerous more have been proposed as “test-bed” experiments, spanning a variety of geoengineering techniques aimed at modifying the planetary radiation budget: stratospheric aerosol injection, marine cloud brightening, surface albedo modification, cirrus cloud thinning, and sunshade mirrors. To date, more than 100 studies have been published that used results from GeoMIP simulations. Here we provide a critical assessment of GeoMIP and its experiments. We discuss its successes and missed opportunities, for instance in terms of which experiments elicited more interest from the scientific community and which did not, and the potential reasons why that happened. We also discuss the knowledge that GeoMIP has contributed to the field of geoengineering research and climate science as a whole: what have we learned in terms of intermodel differences, robustness of the projected outcomes for specific geoengineering methods, and future areas of model development that would be necessary in the future? We also offer multiple examples of cases where GeoMIP experiments were fundamental for international assessments of climate change. Finally, we provide a series of recommendations, regarding both future experiments and more general activities, with the goal of continuously deepening our understanding of the effects of potential geoengineering approaches and reducing uncertainties in climate outcomes, important for assessing wider impacts on societies and ecosystems. In doing so, we refine the purpose of GeoMIP and outline a series of criteria whereby GeoMIP can best serve its participants, stakeholders, and the broader science community

Association of oily fish intake, sex, age, BMI and APOE genotype with plasma long-chain n-3 fatty acid composition

n-3 Fatty acids are associated with better cardiovascular and cognitive health. However, the concentration of EPA, DPA and DHA in different plasma lipid pools differs and factors influencing this heterogeneity are poorly understood. Our aim was to evaluate the association of oily fish intake, sex, age, BMI and APOE genotype with concentrations of EPA, DPA and DHA in plasma phosphatidylcholine (PC), NEFA, cholesteryl esters (CE) and TAG. Healthy adults (148 male, 158 female, age 20–71 years) were recruited according to APOE genotype, sex and age. The fatty acid composition was determined by GC. Oily fish intake was positively associated with EPA in PC, CE and TAG, DPA in TAG, and DHA in all fractions (P≤0·008). There was a positive association between age and EPA in PC, CE and TAG, DPA in NEFA and CE, and DHA in PC and CE (P≤0·034). DPA was higher in TAG in males than females (P<0·001). There was a positive association between BMI and DPA and DHA in TAG (P<0·006 and 0·02, respectively). APOE genotype×sex interactions were observed: the APOE4 allele associated with higher EPA in males (P=0·002), and there was also evidence for higher DPA and DHA (P≤0·032). In conclusion, EPA, DPA and DHA in plasma lipids are associated with oily fish intake, sex, age, BMI and APOE genotype. Such insights may be used to better understand the link between plasma fatty acid profiles and dietary exposure and may influence intake recommendations across population subgroups

On DABAL-Me₃ promoted formation of amides

The range and utility of DABAL-Me3 couplings of methyl esters and free carboxylic acids with primary and secondary amines under a variety of conditions (reflux, sealed tube, microwave) has been compared for a significant range of coupling partners of relevance to the preparation of amides of interest in pharmaceutical chemistry. Commercial microwave reactors promote the fastest couplings and allow the use of significantly sterically hindered amines (primary and secondary) and carboxylic acids derivatives. The influence of microwave energy on the reaction system was shown to be typically related to thermal effects (over-pressuring and superheating)

Discovery of a Novel Polymer for Xeno-Free, Long-Term Culture of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Expansion

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) can be expanded and differentiated in vitro into almost any adult tissue cell type, and thus have great potential as a source for cell therapies with biomedical application. In this study, a fully-defined polymer synthetic substrate is identified for hPSC culture in completely defined, xenogenic (xeno)-free conditions. This system can overcome the cost, scalability, and reproducibility limitations of current hPSC culture strategies, and facilitate large-scale production. A high-throughput, multi-generational polymer microarray platform approach is used to test over 600 unique polymers and rapidly assess hPSC-polymer interactions in combination with the fully defined xeno-free medium, Essential 8 (E8). This study identifies a novel nanoscale phase separated blend of poly(tricyclodecane-dimethanol diacrylate) and poly(butyl acrylate) (2:1 v/v), which supports long-term expansion of hPSCs and can be readily coated onto standard cultureware. Analysis of cell-polymer interface interactions through mass spectrometry and integrin blocking studies provides novel mechanistic insight into the role of the E8 proteins in promoting integrin-mediated hPSC attachment and maintaining hPSC signaling, including ability to undergo multi-lineage differentiation. This study therefore identifies a novel substrate for long-term serial passaging of hPSCs in serum-free, commercial chemically-defined E8, which provides a promising and economic hPSC expansion platform for clinical-scale application