The beginning [programme]

Inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Beginning is the second in a trilogy of works deconstructing Shakespearean stage directions. The Beginning was developed at Lakeside Arts Centre (Nottingham), Leeds Met Studio Theatre, Loughborough University and The Junction (Cambridge). Supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and commissioned by the World Event Young Artists 2012. Selected for the British Council's Edinburgh Showcase 2013

Palaeoenvironmental models in the Eastern Karoo Basin

Main articlePalaeoenvironmental models are based on a three-dimensional conception of sedimentary rock units and their internal geometry. These models are process-oriented and are interpreted by comparison of their attributes with those of modern sedimentary environments. Six models are proposed as a result of observations in the eastern Karoo Basin, three in the Ecca and three in the Beaufort, although some are common to both. Both regressive delta and beach models are upward-coarsening, but they are readily distinguished on the basis of sandstone composition, texture and sedimentary structures. Beaches probably developed along a non-tidal or micro-tidal coast, but in most areas the relatively rapid sediment influx favoured the formation of deltas which prograded across the shallow shelf. Incised into the delta front sandstones are channels of distributary and alluvial origin. Large fluvial channels were generally meandering, and their deposits record a vertical reduction in flow energy from thalweg through point bar to levee, with the capping coal seams representing an hiatus in detrital sedimentation. Delta front sandstones within the Beaufort Group resemble superficially those of the Ecca, but display differences in vertical sequence which are tentatively ascribed to changes in density of the basin waters. Whereas the northern and eastern basin margins were characterized by persistent, moderate energy fluvio-deltaic sedimentation, with small prograding lobes separated by shallow embayments subject to crevasse splays, the southern part of the basin was the locus of major fluvial deposition as a consequence of orogenic uplift to the south. High energy braided stream conglomerates and sandstones were deposited contemporaneously with finer-grained meanderbelt and floodplain sediments, which accumulated farther basinward in an area of reduced gradient and more constant discharge. The value of these models is that most outcrops in the study area can be explained in terms of their relationship to one or more of the models. Future palaeoenvironmental synthesis should incorporate the great variety of biological information available from the Karoo Basin.Non

Trace fossils in the Ecca of northern Natal and their palaeoenviromental significance

Because of the rarity of body fossils in the Ecca Group fossil burrows, tracks and trails are of potential value in supplementing primary sedimentary evidence concerning the palaeoenvironmental factors of bathymetry, energy level and food supply. The three most important ichnogenera are Skolithos, Corophioides and Scolicia. The first two are restricted to the upper portions or Middle Ecca upward-coarsening regressive cycles attributed to delta progradation. They arc representatives of Seilacher's (1967) Skolithos and Glossijungites communities, indicating shallow water conditions with diastems. Scolicia occurs at lower levels in the cycles and corresponds to Seilacher's deeper water Cruziana community. Meandering trails Helminthopsis and Taphrhelminthopsis in the Lower Ecca belong to Seilacher's deep water Nereites community. Less common ichnogenera include the U-burrows Diplocraterion and Rhizocorallium. It has proved impossible positivelv to identify many trace fossils such as short ramifying burrows, chevron trails, dumbbell-shaped surface impressions, digitate tracks and problematic elliptical casts. Trace fossils have not been recognised with certainty in the fluviatile deposits which comprise the bulk or the coal-bearing strata of northern Natal.CSI

Perspectives on the Influence of Crystal Size and Morphology on the Properties of Porous Framework Materials

Miniaturization is a key aspect of materials science. Owing to the increase in quality experimental and computational tools available to researchers, it has become clear that the crystal size and morphology of porous framework materials, including metal-organic frameworks and covalent organic frameworks, play a vital role in defining the physicochemical behaviour of these materials. However, given the multiscale and multidisciplinary challenges associated with establishing how crystal size and morphology affect the structure and behaviour of a material–from local to global structural modifications and from static to dynamic effects–a comprehensive mechanistic understanding of size and morphology effects is missing. Herein, we provide our perspective on the current state-of-the-art of this topic, drawn from various complementary disciplines. From a fundamental point of view, we discuss how controlling the crystal size and morphology can alter the mechanical and adsorption properties of porous framework materials and how this can impact phase stability. Special attention is also given to the quest to develop new computational tools capable of modelling these multiscale effects. From a more applied point of view, given the recent progress in this research field, we highlight the importance of crystal size and morphology control in drug delivery. Moreover, we provide an outlook on how to advance each discussed field by size and morphology control, which would open new design opportunities for functional porous framework materials

Linking adaptation science to action to build food secure Pacific Island communities

Climate change is a major threat to food security in Pacific Island countries, with declines in food production and increasing variability in food supplies already evident across the region. Such impacts have already led to observed consequences for human health, safety and economic prosperity. Enhancing the adaptive capacity of Pacific Island communities is one way to reduce vulnerability and is underpinned by the extent to which people can access, understand and use new knowledge to inform their decision-making processes. However, effective engagement of Pacific Island communities in climate adaption remains variable and is an ongoing and significant challenge. Here, we use a qualitative research approach to identify the impediments to engaging Pacific Island communities in the adaptations needed to safeguard food security. The main barriers include cultural differences between western science and cultural knowledge, a lack of trust among local communities and external scientists, inappropriate governance structures, and a lack of political and technical support. We identify the importance of adaptation science, local social networks, key actors (i.e., influential and trusted individuals), and relevant forms of knowledge exchange as being critical to overcoming these barriers. We also identify the importance of co-ordination with existing on-ground activities to effectively leverage, as opposed to duplicating, capacity

Tuning the Swing Effect by Chemical Functionalization of Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks

Many zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) are promising candidates for use in separation technologies. Comprising large cavities interconnected by small windows they can be used, at least in principle, as molecular sieves where molecules smaller than the window size are able to diffuse into the material while larger molecules are rejected. However, "swing effect" or "gate opening" phenomena resulting in an enlargement of the windows have proven to be detrimental. Here, we present the first systematic experimental and computational study of the effect of chemical functionalization of the imidazole linker on the framework dynamics. Using high-pressure (HP) single-crystal X-ray diffraction, density functional theory, and grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations, we show that in the isostructural ZIF-8, ZIF-90, and ZIF-65 functional groups of increasing polarity (-CH 3, -CHO, and -NO 2) on the imidazole linkers provide control over the degree of rotation and thus the critical window diameter. On application of pressure, the substituted imidazolate rings rotate, resulting in an increase in both pore volume and content. Our results show that the interplay between the guest molecules and the chemical function of the imidazole linker is essential for directing the swing effect in ZIF frameworks and therefore the adsorption performance. </p

Phase 3 Trial of 177Lu-Dotatate for Midgut Neuroendocrine Tumors

Background Patients with advanced midgut neuroendocrine tumors who have had disease progression during first-line somatostatin analogue therapy have limited therapeutic options. This randomized, controlled trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of lutetium-177 (177Lu)-Dotatate in patients with advanced, progressive, somatostatin-receptor-positive midgut neuroendocrine tumors. Methods We randomly assigned 229 patients who had well-differentiated, metastatic midgut neuroendocrine tumors to receive either 177Lu-Dotatate (116 patients) at a dose of 7.4 GBq every 8 weeks (four intravenous infusions, plus best supportive care including octreotide long-acting repeatable [LAR] administered intramuscularly at a dose of 30 mg) (177Lu-Dotatate group) or octreotide LAR alone (113 patients) administered intramuscularly at a dose of 60 mg every 4 weeks (control group). The primary end point was progression-free survival. Secondary end points included the objective response rate, overall survival, safety, and the side-effect profile. The final analysis of overall survival will be conducted in the future as specified in the protocol; a prespecified interim analysis of overall survival was conducted and is reported here. Results At the data-cutoff date for the primary analysis, the estimated rate of progression-free survival at month 20 was 65.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 50.0 to 76.8) in the 177Lu-Dotatate group and 10.8% (95% CI, 3.5 to 23.0) in the control group. The response rate was 18% in the 177Lu-Dotatate group versus 3% in the control group (P<0.001). In the planned interim analysis of overall survival, 14 deaths occurred in the 177Lu-Dotatate group and 26 in the control group (P=0.004). Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and lymphopenia occurred in 1%, 2%, and 9%, respectively, of patients in the 177Lu-Dotatate group as compared with no patients in the control group, with no evidence of renal toxic effects during the observed time frame. Conclusions Treatment with 177Lu-Dotatate resulted in markedly longer progression-free survival and a significantly higher response rate than high-dose octreotide LAR among patients with advanced midgut neuroendocrine tumors. Preliminary evidence of an overall survival benefit was seen in an interim analysis; confirmation will be required in the planned final analysis. Clinically significant myelosuppression occurred in less than 10% of patients in the 177Lu-Dotatate group. (Funded by Advanced Accelerator Applications; NETTER-1 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01578239 ; EudraCT number 2011-005049-11

Optimising fisheries management in relation to tuna catches in the western central Pacific Ocean: A review of research priorities and opportunities

Some of the most important development goals for the countries and territories of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) involve the sustainable management of their fisheries in light of environmental, economic and social uncertainties. The responses of fish populations to variability in the marine environment have implications for decision making processes associated with resource management. There is still considerable uncertainty in estimating the responses of tuna populations to short-to-medium-term variability and longer-term change in the oceanic environment. A workshop was organised to examine how advances in oceanography, fisheries science and fisheries economics could be applied to the tuna fisheries of the WCPO and in doing so identify research priorities to improve understanding relevant to progressing management. Research priorities identified included: (i) improved parameterisation of end to end ecosystem model components, processes and feedbacks through expanded biological observations and incorporation of higher resolution climate models; (ii) development of seasonal and inter-annual forecasting tools enabling management responses to short-term variability in tuna distributions and abundances; (iii) improved understanding of the population dynamics of and the energy transfer efficiencies between food web components; (iv) assessment of the optimal value of access rights and overall fishery value under multiple scenarios of tuna distribution and abundance and influences on decision making by fisheries managers and fleets and (v) development of management strategy evaluation frameworks for utilisation in the implementing and testing of fishery management procedures and to help prioritise research directions and investment. Issues discussed and research priorities identified during the workshop have synergies with other internationally managed fisheries and therefore are applicable to many other fisheries

Inclusion and release of ant alarm pheromones from metal–organic frameworks

Zinc(II) and zirconium(IV) metal–organic frameworks show uptake and slow release of the ant alarm pheromones 3-octanone and 4-methyl-3-heptanone. Inclusion of N-propyl groups on the MOFs allows for enhanced uptake and release over several months. In preliminary field trials, leaf cutting ants show normal behavioural responses to the released pheromones