Workshop Report: Earth and Environmental Science for Sustainable Development (Lusaka, September 2017)

This report describes the outcomes of a two-day interactive workshop in Lusaka (Zambia), conducted in September 2017. We gathered 26 delegates from 14 organisations based in Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe to determine sustainable development priorities and consider the role of Earth and environmental science in addressing these. Delegates came from diverse disciplines (e.g., geology, agriculture, geography, hydrology) and sectors (e.g., academia, commercial, government). Using the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a reference tool, participants identified primary development challenges and their research and data needs to help address these. Key themes included food security and nutrition, clean water and sanitation, and energy and climate change. Participants co-designed a set of draft science-for-development projects relating to these themes. BGS are using this information, together with the results of additional workshop activities, to inform the development of collaborative science-for-development activities in eastern Africa as part of our commitment to Official Development Assistance (ODA) in the region. We will further develop specific project ideas, using information gathered at this workshop, with appropriate regional and international partners. Information from this workshop provides supporting evidence of expressed development need and stakeholder expertise in eastern Africa. This information will guide future project applications to the Global Challenges Research Fund, and other appropriate research and innovation funding sources. Key Results and Conclusions During the workshop, small group discussions and group voting generated a collective ranking of SDG priorities. Participants also reflected on where they believe Earth and environmental science can make the greatest contribution to development impact. These rankings were: Overall SDG ranking (Eastern Africa) based on summing of small groups votes: 1. Quality Education (SDG 4) 2. No Poverty (SDG 1) 3. Water and Sanitation (SDG 6) 4. Good Health and Wellbeing (SDG 3) 5. Zero Hunger (SDG 2) Role for Earth and environmental science rankings: 1. Climate Action (SDG 13) 2. Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6) 3. Zero Hunger (SDG 2) =4. Good Health and Well-Being (SDG 3) =4. Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7) =4. Life on Land (SDG 15) Group discussions suggested that interconnectedness of SDGs and basic (immediate) development needs were likely to influence the prioritisation process. For example, participants noted that improving access to education (SDG 4) would improve access to jobs and economic growth (SDG 8), which enables enhanced investment in water and sanitation (SDG 6) and health (SDG 3). We used these rankings to establish three thematic working groups, with each tasked to identify specific challenges, research priorities, information needs and potential projects. Groups were: Food security and nutrition. This group explored the environmental inputs required to improve nutrition in humans and animals. Clean water and sanitation. This group explored water pollution, emphasising the need for stronger and more informed management of activities causing pollution. Energy and climate change. This group explored ways to raise awareness of climate change and its impacts, and improve the understanding of future energy demand and locations. Developing these activities will require effective science-for-development partnerships. Partnership characteristics of greatest importance to participants attending this Lusaka workshop were (i) sharing of data, (ii) access to training and capacity building, (iii) sharing of project outputs, (iv) shared responsibility for project design, and (v) respectful dialogue

Workshop Report: Earth and Environmental Science for Sustainable Development (Dar es Salaam, September 2017)

This report describes the outcomes of a two-day interactive workshop in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), conducted in September 2017. We gathered 17 delegates from 12 organisations in Tanzania to determine sustainable development priorities and consider the role of Earth and environmental science in addressing these. Delegates came from diverse disciplines (e.g., geology, agriculture, forestry, water management) and sectors (e.g., academia, civil society, commercial, government). Using the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a reference tool, participants identified primary development challenges and their research and data needs to help address these. Key themes included (i) sustainable land and water management, (ii) clean water and sanitation, and (iii) climate-smart agriculture, food security and nutrition. Participants co-designed a set of draft science-for-development projects relating to these themes. BGS are using this information, together with the results of additional workshop activities, to inform the development of collaborative science-for-development activities in eastern Africa as part of our commitment to Official Development Assistance (ODA) in the region. We will further develop specific project ideas, using information gathered at this workshop, with appropriate regional and international partners. Information from this workshop provides supporting evidence of expressed development need and stakeholder expertise in eastern Africa. This information will guide future project applications to the Global Challenges Research Fund, and other appropriate research and innovation funding sources. Key Results and Conclusions During the workshop, small group discussions and group voting generated a collective ranking of SDG priorities. Participants also reflected on where they believe Earth and environmental science can make the greatest contribution to development impact. These rankings were: Overall SDG ranking (eastern Africa) based on summing of small groups votes: 1. Quality Education (SDG 4) 2. Life on Land (SDG 15) 3. Industry/Innovation/Infrastructure (SDG 9) Role for Earth and environmental science rankings: 1. Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6) 2. Life on Land (SDG 15) 3. Climate Action (SDG 13) 4. Industry/Innovation/Infrastructure (SDG 9) Group discussions suggested that interconnectedness of SDGs and basic (immediate) development needs were likely to influence the prioritisation process. For example, participants noted that good health (SDG 3) was necessary to having decent work and economic growth (SDG 8). We used these rankings to establish three thematic working groups, with each tasked to identify specific challenges, research priorities, information needs and potential projects. Groups were: Sustainable land and water management. This group developed ideas relating to reducing land degradation, implementing and strengthening strategic environmental assessments, ensuring more integrated policy, and enhancing geo-ICT capacity. Clean water and sanitation. This group identified ideas around water pollution and the re-use and safe treatment of water, natural water quality, and data awareness and availability. Climate-smart agriculture, food security and nutrition. This group explored ways to improve post-harvest management of agricultural products, and improve land resource quality. Developing these activities will require effective science-for-development partnerships. Partnership characteristics of greatest importance to participants attending this Dar es Salaam workshop were (i) being treated as an equal by other members of the partnership, (ii) respectful dialogue between members of the partnership, (iii) access to training and capacity building, (iv) sharing of project outputs, and (v) access to funding/financial resources

Workshop report : Earth and Environmental Science for Sustainable Development (Nairobi, March 2017)

This report describes the outcomes of a two-day interactive workshop in Nairobi (Kenya), conducted in March 2017. We gathered 32 delegates from 22 organisations in Kenya to determine sustainable development priorities and consider the role of Earth and environmental science in addressing these. Delegates came from diverse disciplines (e.g., geology, agriculture, geography, hydrology, ecology) and sectors (e.g., academia, commercial, civil society, government). Using the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a reference tool, participants identified primary development challenges and their research and data needs to help address these. Key themes included the food-water-energy nexus, clean water, and natural resources (minerals). Participants co-designed a set of draft science-for-development projects relating to these themes. BGS are using this information, together with the results of additional workshop activities, to inform the development of collaborative science-for-development activities in eastern Africa as part of our commitment to Official Development Assistance (ODA) in the region. We will further develop specific project ideas, using information gathered at this workshop, with appropriate regional and international partners. Information from this workshop provides supporting evidence of expressed development need and stakeholder expertise in eastern Africa. This information will guide future project applications to the Global Challenges Research Fund, and other appropriate research and innovation funding sources. Key Results and Conclusions Small group discussions and group voting generated a collective ranking of SDG priorities. Participants also reflected on where they believe Earth and environmental science can make the greatest contribution to development impact. These rankings were: Overall SDG ranking (Eastern Africa) based on summing of small groups votes: 1. Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6) 2. No Poverty (SDG 1) 3. Zero Hunger (SDG 2) 4. Good Health and Wellbeing (SDG 3) 5. Quality Education (SDG 4) Role for Earth and environmental science rankings: 1. Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6) 2. Climate Action (SDG 13) 3. Life on Land (SDG 15) 4. Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7) 5. Zero Hunger (SDG 2) Group discussions suggested that interconnectedness of SDGs and basic (immediate) development needs were likely to influence the prioritisation process. For example, participants noted that ending poverty (SDG 1), ending hunger (SDG 2) and ensuring access to clean water and sanitation (SDG 6) would underpin progress in many of the other SDGs. We used these rankings to establish three thematic working groups, with each tasked to identify specific challenges, research priorities, information needs and potential projects. Groups were: Food-water-energy nexus. This group identified geographic areas of interest, and considered crosscutting issues (data, cultural and political barriers, partnerships, lessons learned, and capacity building). Clean water and sanitation. This group discussed water availability mapping, enhanced water policy/governance/management, improved catchment management, data gaps, and applied research and training activities. Natural resources (minerals). This group identified activities relating to a Mombasa to Kisumu resource corridor, and artisanal and small-scale mining activities. Developing these activities will require effective science-for-development partnerships. Partnership characteristics of greatest importance to Kenyan participants were (i) sharing of project outputs, (ii) sharing of data, (iii) being treated as equals by other members of the partnership, and (iv) access to training and capacity building

Substance P regulates puberty onset and fertility in the female mouse

Puberty is a tightly regulated process that leads to reproductive capacity. Kiss1 neurons are crucial in this process by stimulating GnRH, yet how Kiss1 neurons are regulated remains unknown. Substance P (SP), an important neuropeptide in pain perception, induces gonadotropin release in adult mice in a kisspeptin-dependent manner. Here, we assessed whether SP, through binding to its receptor NK1R (neurokinin 1 receptor), participates in the timing of puberty onset and fertility in the mouse. We observed that 1) selective NK1R agonists induce gonadotropin release in prepubertal females; 2) the expression of Tac1 (encoding SP) and Tacr1 (NK1R) in the arcuate nucleus is maximal before puberty, suggesting increased SP tone; 3) repeated exposure to NK1R agonists prepubertally advances puberty onset; and 4) female Tac1-/- mice display delayed puberty; moreover, 5) SP deficiency leads to subfertility in females, showing fewer corpora lutea and antral follicles and leading to decreased litter size. Thus, our findings support a role for SP in the stimulation of gonadotropins before puberty, acting via Kiss1 neurons to stimulate GnRH release, and its involvement in the attainment of full reproductive capabilities in female mice. Copyright © 2015 by the Endocrine Society

Complete genome sequence of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Sequence type 1, SCC mec IV[2B], isolated in the 1990s from northern Western Australia

Sequence type 1 (ST1) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) SCCmec IV[2B] has become one of the most common community-associated MRSA clones in Australia. We report the complete genome sequence of one of the earliest isolated Australian S. aureus ST1-MRSA-IV strains, WBG8287, isolated from an Indigenous Australian patient living in the remote Kimberley region of Western Australia

Complete genome sequences of three of the earliest community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated in remote Western Australia

Initially reported in Western Australia in the 1980s, community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) has become a major cause of S. aureus infections globally. We report the complete genome sequences of three of the earliest CA-MRSA strains isolated from remote Australian Indigenous communities in the Kimberley region of Western Australia

X-Ray Scattering Measurements of the Transient Structure of a Driven Charge-Density-Wave

We report time-resolved x-ray scattering measurements of the transient structural response of the sliding {\bf Q}$_{1}$ charge-density-wave (CDW) in NbSe$_{3}$ to a reversal of the driving electric field. The observed time scale characterizing this response at 70K varies from $\sim$ 15 msec for driving fields near threshold to $\sim$ 2 msec for fields well above threshold. The position and time-dependent strain of the CDW is analyzed in terms of a phenomenological equation of motion for the phase of the CDW order parameter. The value of the damping constant, $\gamma = (3.2 \pm 0.7) \times 10^{-19}$ eV $\cdot$ seconds $\cdot$ \AA$^{-3}$, is in excellent agreement with the value determined from transport measurements. As the driving field approaches threshold from above, the line shape becomes bimodal, suggesting that the CDW does not depin throughout the entire sample at one well-defined voltage.Comment: revtex 3.0, 7 figure

Low intensity strength training for ambulatory stroke patients

PURPOSE: To investigate feasibility and effectiveness of an individually-directed, group strength-training programme on knee muscle strength after stroke. METHOD: Ten volunteers (62 +/- 11 years, mean +/- SD), 6 - 12 months after first-ever unilateral stroke, walking independently with or without aids were recruited. Using an A1-B-A2 design, 3 sets of baseline measures were taken at 2 weekly intervals; volunteers then attended twice weekly sessions of low intensity progressive strengthening exercises and were assessed after each series of 8 sessions to a maximum of 24 sessions; post training, measures were repeated after 4 - 6 weeks. Measures included isometric and concentric knee extensor muscle strength and 10 m walking velocity. RESULTS: Strength of knee extensor muscles was improved after training (ANOVA, p < 0.05). On cessation of training, isometric strength increased by 58 +/- 19% and concentric strength at 30 degrees /s by 51 +/- 14%; walking velocity quickened from 0.47 +/- 0.06 m x s-1 to 0.57 +/- 0.08 m x s-1 (t = -3.31, p < 0.01). These gains were maintained 4 - 6 weeks after completion of training. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the use of low intensity strength training after stroke and confirm published evidence. It was feasible for one therapist to deliver the training programmes for 4 - 6 participants at a time; an important feature when resources are limited

Crossover from 2-dimensional to 1-dimensional collective pinning in NbSe3

We have fabricated NbSe$_3$ structures with widths comparable to the Fukuyama-Lee-Rice phase-coherence length. For samples already in the 2-dimensional pinning limit, we observe a crossover from 2-dimensional to 1-dimensional collective pinning when the crystal width is less than 1.6 $\mu$m, corresponding to the phase-coherence length in this direction. Our results show that surface pinning is negligible in our samples, and provide a means to probe the dynamics of single domains giving access to a new regime in charge-density wave physics.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, and 1 table. Accepted for publication in Physical Review

Quantum Bayes rule

We state a quantum version of Bayes's rule for statistical inference and give a simple general derivation within the framework of generalized measurements. The rule can be applied to measurements on N copies of a system if the initial state of the N copies is exchangeable. As an illustration, we apply the rule to N qubits. Finally, we show that quantum state estimates derived via the principle of maximum entropy are fundamentally different from those obtained via the quantum Bayes rule.Comment: REVTEX, 9 page