Location and Felt Reports for the 25 April 2010 mbLg 3.9 Earthquake Near Alice, Texas: Was it Induced by Petroleum Production?

This study examines seismograms and felt reports for the 25 April 2010 Alice, Texas, earthquake and explores its possible relationship with gas and oil production in the Stratton field. We identified P arrivals at seven broadband stations situated within similar to 100 km of the epicentral region and determined a location of 27.72 degrees N, 97.95 degrees W, about 11 km east of the location reported by the National Earthquake Information Center but coincident with the region of highest intensity (modified Mercalli intensity V-VI) felt reports. We compare arrivals for observed secondary P and S arrivals with predictions from a published Gulf Coast velocity model. At nearby stations, the secondary arrivals are much stronger than primary arrivals; the arrival times and the presence of high-amplitude phases traveling at the Love-wave velocity of the uppermost model layer suggest the focal depth was shallow, 3 km or less. This places the 2010 hypocenter approximately along the mapped trace of the Vicksburg fault zone and at the depth of the Frio formation, the principal productive member in the Stratton field, which has produced at least 2.7 trillion cubic feet of gas and about 100 million barrels of oil since production commenced in 1938. We conclude it is plausible, although not proven definitively, that production in the Stratton field contributed to the occurrence of the 2010 Alice earthquake and an earlier similar earthquake that occurred on 24 March 1997.Ewing-Worzel Summer FellowshipU.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Department of the Interior, under USGS G12AP20001Institute for Geophysic

Demand response with heat pumps: Practical implementation of three different control options

The electrification of heating and transport and decarbonisation of supply creates a need for demand side flexibility to balance the grid. Heat pumps are expected to form a major part of heat delivery, and many modelling studies have investigated the technical potential of heat pump demand response. However, little empirical work has been reported on the practical implementation of such demand response in occupied homes. This paper presents a cross-case comparison of three early adopters of heat pump demand response in the UK. The aim was to reduce heat pump electricity consumption during the same peak period, but each employed a different control strategy: lowered air temperature setpoints, lowered flow temperature and blocked heat pump compressor. A 56–90% electricity reduction during the peak period was observed; the success of the demand response depended on how the control strategy affected the heat pump and the rest of the heating system. However, no one stakeholder is responsible for all these system components. The fabric, heating distribution and control system and heat pumps installed are highly heterogeneous across the stock, highlighting that flexibility mechanisms must be developed that can be tailored to or work across their range

A summary framework for effective engagement of IPLCs and rangers

In this paper we focus on the pressing need to effectively engage with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) and the need to strengthen the capacity of rangers originating from these communities. Opportunities for full participation and leadership by IPLCs are improved by enhancing the role of Indigenous and local rangers in fostering relationships while integrating cultural knowledge into the work on the ground. This also strengthens local benefits. We emphasize the invaluable contribution of IPLCs to conservation, often honed over generations, and explore current models of partnership and engagement. Particularly, we spotlight the vital role of IPLC rangers, who leverage unique skills, local knowledge, and cultural practices in their conservation work. The roles of both IPLCs and local Indigenous rangers are essential if we are to meet our goals for conserving 30% of the earth’s lands and waters by 2030 as promoted at the COP15 meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), achieve the objectives for development of IPLC rangers as stated of Chitwan Declaration of 2019 (CD), or meet the related targets set by the Universal Ranger Support Alliance (URSA). We advocate for a partnership model with IPLCs that applies the principles of Collective Impact to improve outcomes and secure enduring benefits at all levels. To aid stakeholders in conservation projects involving IPLCs (including governments, businesses, and non-governmental organizations), we propose a straightforward summary framework that outlines stages for the development of relationships and projects. It integrates the work of others, including foundation principles, management systems for partnerships, and good practices, and stresses the need for pre-project training, learning and other forms of preparation. Altogether, these principles and accompanying recommendations help lay the groundwork for effective intergenerational projects involving IPLCs with long-term benefits

Is the personal always political? Education and political knowledge strengthen the relationship between openness and conservatism

Abstract. Research demonstrates that the negative relationship between Openness to Experience and conservatism is heightened among the informed. We extend this literature using national survey data (Study 1; N = 13,203) and data from students (Study 2; N = 311). As predicted, education – a correlate of political sophistication – strengthened the negative relationship between Openness and conservatism (Study 1). Study 2 employed a knowledge-based measure of political sophistication to show that the Openness × Political Sophistication interaction was restricted to the Openness aspect of Openness. These studies demonstrate that knowledge helps people align their ideology with their personality, but that the Openness × Political Sophistication interaction is specific to one aspect of Openness – nuances that are overlooked in the literature. </jats:p

Low back pain risk factors in a large rural Australian Aboriginal community. An opportunity for managing co-morbidities?

BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is the most prevalent musculo-skeletal condition in rural and remote Australian Aboriginal communities. Smoking, physical inactivity and obesity are also prevalent amongst Indigenous people contributing to lifestyle diseases and concurrently to the high burden of low back pain. OBJECTIVES: This paper aims to examine the association between LBP and modifiable risk factors in a large rural Indigenous community as a basis for informing a musculo-skeletal and related health promotion program. METHODS: A community Advisory Group (CAG) comprising Elders, Aboriginal Health Workers, academics, nurses, a general practitioner and chiropractors assisted in the development of measures to assess self-reported musculo-skeletal conditions including LBP risk factors. The Kempsey survey included a community-based survey administered by Aboriginal Health Workers followed by a clinical assessment conducted by chiropractors. RESULTS: Age and gender characteristics of this Indigenous sample (n = 189) were comparable to those reported in previous Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) studies of the broader Indigenous population. A history of traumatic events was highly prevalent in the community, as were occupational risk factors. Thirty-four percent of participants reported a previous history of LBP. Sporting injuries were associated with multiple musculo-skeletal conditions, including LBP. Those reporting high levels of pain were often overweight or obese and obesity was associated with self-reported low back strain. Common barriers to medical management of LBP included an attitude of being able to cope with pain, poor health, and the lack of affordable and appropriate health care services. Though many of the modifiable risk factors known to be associated with LBP were highly prevalent in this study, none of these were statistically associated with LBP. CONCLUSION: Addressing particular modifiable risk factors associated with LBP such as smoking, physical inactivity and obesity may also present a wider opportunity to prevent and manage the high burden of illness imposed by co-morbidities such as heart disease and type-2 diabetes

Pox proteomics: mass spectrometry analysis and identification of Vaccinia virion proteins

BACKGROUND: Although many vaccinia virus proteins have been identified and studied in detail, only a few studies have attempted a comprehensive survey of the protein composition of the vaccinia virion. These projects have identified the major proteins of the vaccinia virion, but little has been accomplished to identify the unknown or less abundant proteins. Obtaining a detailed knowledge of the viral proteome of vaccinia virus will be important for advancing our understanding of orthopoxvirus biology, and should facilitate the development of effective antiviral drugs and formulation of vaccines. RESULTS: In order to accomplish this task, purified vaccinia virions were fractionated into a soluble protein enriched fraction (membrane proteins and lateral bodies) and an insoluble protein enriched fraction (virion cores). Each of these fractions was subjected to further fractionation by either sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electophoresis, or by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. The soluble and insoluble fractions were also analyzed directly with no further separation. The samples were prepared for mass spectrometry analysis by digestion with trypsin. Tryptic digests were analyzed by using either a matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight tandem mass spectrometer, a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer, or a quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometer (the latter two instruments were equipped with electrospray ionization sources). Proteins were identified by searching uninterpreted tandem mass spectra against a vaccinia virus protein database created by our lab and a non-redundant protein database. CONCLUSION: Sixty three vaccinia proteins were identified in the virion particle. The total number of peptides found for each protein ranged from 1 to 62, and the sequence coverage of the proteins ranged from 8.2% to 94.9%. Interestingly, two vaccinia open reading frames were confirmed as being expressed as novel proteins: E6R and L3L

CemOrange2 fusions facilitate multifluorophore subcellular imaging in C. elegans

Due to its ease of genetic manipulation and transparency, Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) has become a preferred model system to study gene function by microscopy. The use of Aequorea victoria green fluorescent protein (GFP) fused to proteins or targeting sequences of interest, further expanded upon the utility of C. elegans by labeling subcellular structures, which enables following their disposition during development or in the presence of genetic mutations. Fluorescent proteins with excitation and emission spectra different from that of GFP accelerated the use of multifluorophore imaging in real time. We have expanded the repertoire of fluorescent proteins for use in C. elegans by developing a codon-optimized version of Orange2 (CemOrange2). Proteins or targeting motifs fused to CemOrange2 were distinguishable from the more common fluorophores used in the nematode; such as GFP, YFP, and mKate2. We generated a panel of CemOrange2 fusion constructs, and confirmed they were targeted to their correct subcellular addresses by colocalization with independent markers. To demonstrate the potential usefulness of this new panel of fluorescent protein markers, we showed that CemOrange2 fusion proteins could be used to: 1) monitor biological pathways, 2) multiplex with other fluorescent proteins to determine colocalization and 3) gain phenotypic knowledge of a human ABCA3 orthologue, ABT-4, trafficking variant in the C. elegans model organism

Using personal narrative to promote person-centered values in aging, dementia, and caregiving

Personal narrative is a powerful way to include people in their care and to understand their values that drive their needs. In this paper, we describe a program designed to teach oral history to clinicians and trainees in the field of aging, dementia and caregiving. The training uses empathic listening, open-ended interviewing, and the discovery of individual values and experience to breakdown stigma and preconceptions of what it means to age with cognitive impairment. Sharing these stories of aging, dementia, and caregiving becomes an important tool to break down stereotypes, promote person-centered care, and advocate for the unheard. The profound impact of the oral history process is felt by the narrator, the interviewer and the listener. Human beings are wired for stories, and oral history taps into that power to connect us and provide better care through better understanding

Bronchial airway anastomotic complications after pediatric lung transplantation: Incidence, cause, management, and outcome

ObjectiveAirway complications are a recognized surgical complication and an important source of morbidity after adult lung transplantation. Little is known about these complications after pediatric lung transplantation.MethodsData of pediatric lung transplants performed between January 1990 and December 2002 in a single pediatric institution were reviewed retrospectively.ResultsA total of 214 patients, with a mean age of 9.8 ± 6.1 years (range 0.01-19.7 years), underwent 239 lung transplants: 231 bilateral and 8 single. Mean follow-up was 3.4 years. Forty-two airway complications requiring interventions (stenosis = 36; dehiscence = 4; malacia = 2) developed in 30 recipients (complication rate: 9% of 470 bronchial anastomoses at risk). There were airway complications in 29 bilateral lung transplants (13%) and 1 single lung transplant (13%). Mean time to diagnosis was 51 ± 27 days (median: 53, range 1-96 days), and diagnoses were made in 90% of patients within the first 3 months after transplantation. Preoperative Pseudomonas cepacia, postoperative fungal lung infection, and days on mechanical ventilator were found to be significant risk factors on multivariate analysis (P = .002, P = .013 and P = .003, respectively). Treatment included rigid bronchoscopic dilatation in 17 patients, balloon dilatation in 13 patients, and stent placement in 12 patients. Other treatments consisted of debridement, fibrin glue application, chest tube placement, and pneumonectomy followed by retransplantation. No patients died as a direct result of airway complications. There was no significant difference in the incidence of bronchiolitis obliterans or overall survival in comparison with patients who did not have airway complications.ConclusionsAirway complications are a significant cause of morbidity after pediatric lung transplantation. The majority are successfully treated, and patient outcomes are not adversely affected