Extending the flood record - assessing the uncertainty and viability of palaeoflood data

This study assesses the uncertainty and viability of palaeoflood records in relation to the British database, which is a collection of radiocarbon dated geomorphological fluvial deposits used to infer the flood-frequency record during the Holocene. There are different forms of evidence used to interpret flood-frequency records and there are inherent uncertainties associated with both the data used to for analysis and the method of data analysis used. Previous studies, which have used summed probability distribution functions, have failed to show how sensitive the shape of the curve is to characteristics of the data used and to the radiocarbon calibration curve. This study firstly applies sensitivity analysis testing to the British database using the summed probability distribution methodology. This study also discusses the potential to apply a robust quality control protocol to the British database to verify the 14C ages currently available in line with geochronology studies that apply 14C dating. Sub-datasets of the British database were created based on the following criteria: number of samples per site, sample material, archaeological context and likely association to a flood event and analysed using summed probability distribution functions. Statistical indicators were used to show how similar the sub-datasets were to the unfiltered British database. This study identifies that statistically the most reliable results are generated when five or more samples from a single site location are analysed. Secondly, an alternative technique is used to analyse the data: Lomb-Scargle spectral analysis to test the data for cyclicities. Spectral analysis is used to identify cyclicities within the British database and the residual Δ14C data to identify cyclicities between the two datasets to determine if any cycles present are probable or a result of the radiocarbon calibration process. The results from this study impact researchers using summed probability distribution functions to interpret environmental and climatic data in any field

Development of endotension after multiple rounds of thrombolysis after endovascular aneurysm repair

Endoleaks, defined as blood flow outside the graft but inside the aneurysm sac, are a common complication after endovascular aneurysm repair. Sometimes however, for reasons not fully understood, expansion of the aneurysm sac can occur with no identifiable endoleak, a phenomenon termed endotension, or a type V endoleak. We describe a case of endotension in a 71-year-old man that developed after recurrent stent graft thrombosis requiring thrombolysis 3 years after the initial endovascular implantation. To our knowledge, this is the first description in the literature of endotension after multiple rounds of thrombolytic treatment

Inflammatory Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration in Toxin-Based Models of Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) has been associated with exposure to a variety of environmental agents, including pesticides, heavy metals, and organic pollutants; and inflammatory processes appear to constitute a common mechanistic link among these insults. Indeed, toxin exposure has been repeatedly demonstrated to induce the release of oxidative and inflammatory factors from immunocompetent microglia, leading to damage and death of midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons. In particular, proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ, which are produced locally within the brain by microglia, have been implicated in the loss of DA neurons in toxin-based models of PD; and mounting evidence suggests a contributory role of the inflammatory enzyme, cyclooxygenase-2. Likewise, immune-activating bacterial and viral agents were reported to have neurodegenerative effects themselves and to augment the deleterious impact of chemical toxins upon DA neurons. The present paper will focus upon the evidence linking microglia and their inflammatory processes to the death of DA neurons following toxin exposure. Particular attention will be devoted to the possibility that environmental toxins can activate microglia, resulting in these cells adopting a “sensitized” state that favors the production of proinflammatory cytokines and damaging oxidative radicals

Recommendations for improving integration in national end-to-end flood forecasting systems: an overview of the FFIR (flooding from intense rainfall) programme

Recent surface-water and flash floods have caused millions of pounds worth of damage in the UK. These events form rapidly and are difficult to predict due to their short-lived and localised nature. The interdisciplinary Flooding From Intense Rainfall (FFIR) programme investigated the feasibility of enhancing the integration of an end-to-end forecasting system for flash and surface-water floods to help increase the lead time for warnings for these events. Here we propose developments to the integration of an operational end-to-end forecasting system based on the findings of the FFIR programme. The suggested developments include methods to improve radar-derived rainfall rates and understanding of the uncertainty in the position of intense rainfall in weather forecasts; the addition of hydraulic modelling components; and novel education techniques to help lead to effective dissemination of flood warnings. We make recommendations for future advances such as research into the propagation of uncertainty throughout the forecast chain. We further propose the creation of closer bonds to the end users to allow for an improved, integrated, end-to-end forecasting system that is easily accessible for users and end users alike, and will ultimately help mitigate the impacts of flooding from intense rainfall by informed and timely action

The AIFS evaluation of the 2006 family law reforms : a summary

In 2006, the Australian Government, through the Attorney- General\u27s Department (AGD) and the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA), commissioned the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) to undertake an evaluation of the impact of the 2006 changes to the family law system: Evaluation of the 2006 Family Law Reforms (Kaspiew et al., 2009) (the Evaluation). This article provides a summary of the key findings of the Evaluation.<br /

Family violence : key findings from the evaluation of the 2006 family law reforms

The different types, prevalence and consequences of family violence, as demonstrated by the Australian Institute of Family Studies\u27 Evaluation of the 2006 Family Law Reforms, are discussed. Family violence is shown to be an extremely complex phenomenon, which affects the mental and social well-being of the children. Hence, different measures that can be adopted to deal with pre- and post-separation periods and child care problems are also analyzed.<br /

Studying Genetic Research Participants: Lessons from the "Learning About Research in North Carolina" Study

Given the prohibitive cost of recruiting large and diverse populations for genetic explorations in cancer research, there has been a call for genetic studies to engage existing cohorts of research participants. This strategy could lead to more efficient recruitment and potentially result in significant advances in the understanding of cancer etiology and treatment. The Learning About Research in North Carolina (LeARN) study responded to the National Human Genome Research Institute interest in research on how study participants from diverse populations who had participated in genetic research perceived the risks and benefits of participating in combined epidemiologic-genetic research, how well they understand the purpose of the research and the uses to which the research results may be put, and how involvement in such research affects perceptions of disease causality. In this paper we give an overview of the LeARN study, summarizing the methods we used, challenges we encountered, and lessons learned about recruiting participants who have previously participated in genetic research