Origin and Evolution of Saturn's Ring System

The origin and long-term evolution of Saturn's rings is still an unsolved problem in modern planetary science. In this chapter we review the current state of our knowledge on this long-standing question for the main rings (A, Cassini Division, B, C), the F Ring, and the diffuse rings (E and G). During the Voyager era, models of evolutionary processes affecting the rings on long time scales (erosion, viscous spreading, accretion, ballistic transport, etc.) had suggested that Saturn's rings are not older than 100 My. In addition, Saturn's large system of diffuse rings has been thought to be the result of material loss from one or more of Saturn's satellites. In the Cassini era, high spatial and spectral resolution data have allowed progress to be made on some of these questions. Discoveries such as the ''propellers'' in the A ring, the shape of ring-embedded moonlets, the clumps in the F Ring, and Enceladus' plume provide new constraints on evolutionary processes in Saturn's rings. At the same time, advances in numerical simulations over the last 20 years have opened the way to realistic models of the rings's fine scale structure, and progress in our understanding of the formation of the Solar System provides a better-defined historical context in which to understand ring formation. All these elements have important implications for the origin and long-term evolution of Saturn's rings. They strengthen the idea that Saturn's rings are very dynamical and rapidly evolving, while new arguments suggest that the rings could be older than previously believed, provided that they are regularly renewed. Key evolutionary processes, timescales and possible scenarios for the rings's origin are reviewed in the light of tComment: Chapter 17 of the book ''Saturn After Cassini-Huygens'' Saturn from Cassini-Huygens, Dougherty, M.K.; Esposito, L.W.; Krimigis, S.M. (Ed.) (2009) 537-57

Plant functional and taxonomic diversity in European grasslands along climatic gradients

Aim: European grassland communities are highly diverse, but patterns and drivers of their continental-scale diversity remain elusive. This study analyses taxonomic and functional richness in European grasslands along continental-scale temperature and precipitation gradients. Location: Europe. Methods: We quantified functional and taxonomic richness of 55,748 vegetation plots. Six plant traits, related to resource acquisition and conservation, were analysed to describe plant community functional composition. Using a null-model approach we derived functional richness effect sizes that indicate higher or lower diversity than expected given the taxonomic richness. We assessed the variation in absolute functional and taxonomic richness and in functional richness effect sizes along gradients of minimum temperature, temperature range, annual precipitation, and precipitation seasonality using a multiple general additive modelling approach. Results: Functional and taxonomic richness was high at intermediate minimum temperatures and wide temperature ranges. Functional and taxonomic richness was low in correspondence with low minimum temperatures or narrow temperature ranges. Functional richness increased and taxonomic richness decreased at higher minimum temperatures and wide annual temperature ranges. Both functional and taxonomic richness decreased with increasing precipitation seasonality and showed a small increase at intermediate annual precipitation. Overall, effect sizes of functional richness were small. However, effect sizes indicated trait divergence at extremely low minimum temperatures and at low annual precipitation with extreme precipitation seasonality. Conclusions: Functional and taxonomic richness of European grassland communities vary considerably over temperature and precipitation gradients. Overall, they follow similar patterns over the climate gradients, except at high minimum temperatures and wide temperature ranges, where functional richness increases and taxonomic richness decreases. This contrasting pattern may trigger new ideas for studies that target specific hypotheses focused on community assembly processes. And though effect sizes were small, they indicate that it may be important to consider climate seasonality in plant diversity studies

Tocilizumab in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial

Background: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of tocilizumab in adult patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 with both hypoxia and systemic inflammation. Methods: This randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy [RECOVERY]), is assessing several possible treatments in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in the UK. Those trial participants with hypoxia (oxygen saturation <92% on air or requiring oxygen therapy) and evidence of systemic inflammation (C-reactive protein ≥75 mg/L) were eligible for random assignment in a 1:1 ratio to usual standard of care alone versus usual standard of care plus tocilizumab at a dose of 400 mg–800 mg (depending on weight) given intravenously. A second dose could be given 12–24 h later if the patient's condition had not improved. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality, assessed in the intention-to-treat population. The trial is registered with ISRCTN (50189673) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04381936). Findings: Between April 23, 2020, and Jan 24, 2021, 4116 adults of 21 550 patients enrolled into the RECOVERY trial were included in the assessment of tocilizumab, including 3385 (82%) patients receiving systemic corticosteroids. Overall, 621 (31%) of the 2022 patients allocated tocilizumab and 729 (35%) of the 2094 patients allocated to usual care died within 28 days (rate ratio 0·85; 95% CI 0·76–0·94; p=0·0028). Consistent results were seen in all prespecified subgroups of patients, including those receiving systemic corticosteroids. Patients allocated to tocilizumab were more likely to be discharged from hospital within 28 days (57% vs 50%; rate ratio 1·22; 1·12–1·33; p<0·0001). Among those not receiving invasive mechanical ventilation at baseline, patients allocated tocilizumab were less likely to reach the composite endpoint of invasive mechanical ventilation or death (35% vs 42%; risk ratio 0·84; 95% CI 0·77–0·92; p<0·0001). Interpretation: In hospitalised COVID-19 patients with hypoxia and systemic inflammation, tocilizumab improved survival and other clinical outcomes. These benefits were seen regardless of the amount of respiratory support and were additional to the benefits of systemic corticosteroids. Funding: UK Research and Innovation (Medical Research Council) and National Institute of Health Research

Seismic stratigraphy and evolution of the Raggatt Basin, southern Kerguelen Plateau

Six major seismic stratigraphic sequences in the Raggatt Basin on the southern Kerguelen Plateau overlie a basement complex of Cretaceous or greater age. The complex includes dipping reflectors which were apparently folded and eroded before the Raggatt Basin developed. The seismic stratigraphic sequences include a basal unit F, which fills depressions in basement; a thick unit, E, which has a mounded upper surface (volcanic or carbonate mounds); a depression-filling unit, D; a thick unit C which is partly Middle to Late Eocene; and two post-Eocene units, A and B, which are relatively thin and more limited in areal extent than the underlying sequences. A mid or Late Cretaceous erosional episode was followed by subsidence and basin development, interrupted by major erosion in the mid Tertiary. Late Cenozoic sedimentation was affected by vigorous ocean currents

Seismic stratigraphy of the Raggatt Basin, southern Kerguelen Plateau: tectonic and paleoceanographic implications

During Cenozoic and late Mesozoic time, sediment accumulated in the Raggatt Basin on the southern Kerguelen Plateau. We describe the seismic stratigraphy of the Raggatt Basin, utilizing multichannel seismic (MCS) data obtained by the Bureau of Mineral Resources, Geology and Geophysics (Australia) and the Institut de Physique du Globe de Strasbourg (France). Seven major seismic stratigraphic sequences in the Raggatt Basin overlie a basement complex of Early Cretaceous age. The underlying basement complex is characterized by two types of seismic images: acoustic basement and a layered basement which includes dipping reflectors. The seismic stratigraphic sequences include terrestrial and shallow-water units K1 and K2 of Early to Late Cretaceous age, which fill depressions in the basement; a thick unit, K3, of Late Cretaceous to Paleocene age, which is of mixed shallow-water and open-marine facies and in places has a mounded (carbonate) upper surface; a depression-filling pelagic deposit, P1, of Late Cretaceous to Eocene age; a thick pelagic unit, P2, which is mainly Eocene in age; and two post-Eocene pelagic sequences, PN1 and NQ1, which are relatively thin and more limited in areal extent than the underlying sequences. Highlights in the geologic history of the Raggatt Basin include formation and erosion of the basement complex in a subaerial or shallow-water environment in Early Cretaceous time; differential subsidence, probably thermal in origin, and development of carbonate mounds and a major western boundary transform fault in Late Cretaceous time; renewed subsidence near the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary possibly related to formation of the Labuan Basin/Diamantina Zone by sea-floor spreading; and vigorous Antarctic Circumpolar Current activity beginning by Oligocene time, probably related to the breakup of the northern Kerguelen Plateau and Broken Ridge