The Dominion Range Ice Core, Queen Maud Mountains, Antarctica - General Site and Core Characteristics with Implications

The Transantarctic Mountains of East Antarctica provide a new milieu for retrieval of ice-core records. We report here on the initial findings from the first of these records, the Dominion Range ice-core record. Sites such as the Dominion Range are valuable for the recovery of records detailing climate change, volcanic activity, and changes in the chemistry of the atmosphere. The unique geographic location of this site and a relatively low accumulation rate combine to provide a relatively long record of change for this potentially sensitive climatic region. As such, information concerning the site and general core characteristics are presented, including ice surface, ice thickness, bore-hole temperature, mean annual net accumulation, crystal size, crystal fabric, oxygen-isotope composition, and examples of ice chemistry and isotopic composition of trapped gases

Electron multiplication CCD detector technology advancement for the WFIRST-AFTA coronagraph

The WFIRST-AFTA (Wide Field InfraRed Survey Telescope-Astrophysics Focused Telescope Asset) is a NASA space observatory. It will host two major astronomical instruments: a wide-field imager (WFI) to search for dark energy and carry out wide field near infrared (NIR) surveys, and a coronagraph instrument (CGI) to image and spectrally characterize extrasolar planets. In this paper, we discuss the work that has been carried out at JPL in advancing Electron Multiplying CCD (EMCCD) technology to higher flight maturity, with the goal of reaching a NASA technology readiness level of 6 (TRL-6) by early-to-mid 2016. The EMCCD has been baselined for both the coronagraph's imager and integral field spectrograph (IFS) based on its sub-electron noise performance at extremely low flux levels - the regime where the AFTA CGI will operate. We present results from a study that fully characterizes the beginning of life performance of the EMCCD. We also discuss, and present initial results from, a recent radiation test campaign that was designed and carried out to mimic the conditions of the WFIRST-AFTA space environment in an L2 orbit, where we sought to assess the sensor's end of life performance, particularly degradation of its charge transfer efficiency, in addition to other parameters such as dark current, electron multiplication gain, clock induced charge and read noise

Can we spot deleterious ageing in two waves of data? The Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 from ages 70 to 73

‘Younger ’ old age (the late 60s through early 70s) is, for many, a period of stability of lifestyle and considerable freedom to pursue leisure activities. Despite the stability that many enjoy, the mortality rate is about 2 % per year in western nations. This increases to about 5 % by age 80. It would be useful to know if those most vulnerable can be identified through patterns of deleterious ageing, and especially if this could be accomplished with just two waves of data. The Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 was surveyed on a host of individual difference variables including cognition, personality, biomarkers of physical health, and activities at ages 70 and 73 years. Overall, the group showed the expected basic stability in mean levels for these variables, but some individuals had died and others did show substantial changes that could be considered statistically reliable. These presumably reliable changes were at least as likely to be positive (reflecting improved condition/ability) as negative (reflecting decline/ageing). Moreover, limitations in the estimated reliabilities of the measures meant that most of the observed changes could not be considered reliable. The changes clustered only weakly around general health to predict death over the next approximately two years. We concluded that two waves of longitudinal data were not sufficient to assess meaningful patterns of ageing, despite often being used to do so

Prevalence and molecular characterization of Clostridium difficile isolated from feedlot beef cattle upon arrival and mid-feeding period

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The presence of indistinguishable strains of <it>Clostridium difficile </it>in humans, food animals and food, as well as the apparent emergence of the food-animal-associated ribotype 078/toxinotype V as a cause of community-associated <it>C. difficile </it>infection have created concerns about the potential for foodborne infection. While studies have reported <it>C. difficile </it>in calves, studies of cattle closer to the age of harvest are required. Four commercial feedlots in Alberta (Canada) were enrolled for this study. Fecal samples were collected at the time of arrival and after acclimation (< 62, 62-71 or > 71 days on feed). Selective culture for <it>Clostridium difficile </it>was performed, and isolates were characterized by ribotyping and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. A logistic regression model was built to investigate the effect of exposure to antimicrobial drugs on the presence of <it>C. difficile</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p><it>Clostridium difficile </it>was isolated from 18 of 539 animals at the time of feedlot arrival (CI = 2.3-6.1) and from 18 of 335 cattle at mid-feeding period (CI = 2.9-13.1). Overall, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of <it>C. difficile </it>shedding on arrival versus mid-feeding period (<it>P </it>= 0.47). No association between shedding of the bacterium and antimicrobial administration was found (<it>P </it>= 0.33). All the isolates recovered were ribotype 078, a toxinotype V strain with genes encoding toxins A, B and CDT. In addition, all strains were classified as NAP7 by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and had the characteristic 39 base pairs deletion and upstream truncating mutation on the <it>tcd</it>C gene.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>It is apparent that <it>C. difficile </it>is carried in the intestinal tracts of a small percentage of feedlot cattle arriving and later in the feeding period and that ribotype 078/NAP7 is the dominant strain in these animals. Herd management practices associated with <it>C. difficile </it>shedding were not identified, however further studies of the potential role of antimicrobials on <it>C. difficile </it>acquisition and shedding are required.</p

Changing Curriculums for a Changing World? Living in Interesting Times: Digital Preservation Education, Pedagogy and Skills

As we live through the significant challenges of pandemic, information wars, climate change, and war in Europe, what skills do current students and future practitioners need to cope with managing digital materials in our historical moment? What might a holistic syllabus encompassing DP skills, knowledge, and personal qualities alongside awareness of social and political trends, and an understanding of the interplay between the two, look like in a Higher Education context? This workshop aims to discuss and disrupt the ideas around Digital Curation (DC) and Digital Preservation (DP) education for future professionals and those managing digital collections. It will bring together stakeholders drawn from the those delivering DP education, those learning, employers, and practitioners, to interrogate and reflect on the suitability of existing curricula in Higher Education (HE) for a changing world

Higher frequency of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy in youth with type 2 compared to type 1 diabetes : Role of cardiometabolic risk factors

Objective Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is an overlooked but common and serious diabetes complication. We examined CAN in youth with diabetes and associations with cardiovascular risk factors. Research Design and Methods This was a prospective cohort of youth aged <20 years with type 2 or type 1 diabetes (n = 66/1153, median age 15.4/16.5 years, duration 1.7/8.0 years), assessed between 2009 and 2020. CAN was defined as ≥2 abnormal heart rate variability measures across time, geometric, and frequency domains. Obesity was defined as BMI ≥ 95th percentile and severe obesity as ≥120% of 95th percentile. Multivariable generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to examine putative risk factors for CAN, including diabetes type, obesity, and HbA1c. Results At most recent assessment, youth with type 2 versus type 1 diabetes had median: HbA1c 7.1% (54 mmol/mol) versus 8.7% (72 mmol/mol) and BMI SDS (2.0 vs. 0.7); frequency of CAN (47% vs. 27%), peripheral nerve abnormality (47% vs. 25%), hypertension (29% vs. 12%), albuminuria (21% vs. 3%), and severe obesity (35% vs. 2%). In multivariable GEE, CAN was associated with type 2 diabetes: Odds Ratio 2.53, 95% CI 1.46, 4.38, p = 0.001, higher BMI SDS: 1.49, 95% CI 1.29, 1.73, p < 0.0001, and obesity: 2.09, 95% CI 1.57, 2.78, p < 0.0001. Conclusions Youth with type 2 diabetes have a higher frequency of CAN, peripheral nerve abnormality, hypertension, albuminuria and severe obesity despite shorter diabetes duration and younger age. Our findings highlight the importance of targeting modifiable risk factors to prevent cardiovascular disease in youth with diabetes

The Dominion Range Ice Core, Queen Maud Montains, Antarctica - General Site and Core Characteristics with Implications

The Transantarctic Mountains of East Antarctica provide a new milieu for retrieval of ice-core records. We report here on the initial findings from the first of these records, the Dominion Range ice-core record. Sites such as the Dominion Range are valuable for the recovery of records detailing climate change, volcanic activity, and changes in the chemistry of the atmosphere. The unique geographic location of this site and a relatively low accumulation rate combine to provide a relatively long record of change for this potentially sensitive climatic region. As such, information concerning the site and general core characteristics are presented, including ice surface, ice thickness, bore-hole temperature, mean annual net accumulation, crystal size, crystal fabric, oxygen-isotope composition, and examples of ice chemistry and isotopic composition of trapped gases

The Dominion Range Ice Core, Queen Maud Mountains, Antarctica—General Site and Core Characteristics with Implications

The Transantarctic Mountains of East Antarctica provide a new milieu for retrieval of ice-core records. We report here on the initial findings from the first of these records, the Dominion Range ice-core record. Sites such as the Dominion Range are valuable for the recovery of records detailing climate change, volcanic activity, and changes in the chemistry of the atmosphere. The unique geographic location of this site and a relatively low accumulation rate combine to provide a relatively long record of change for this potentially sensitive climatic region. As such, information concerning the site and general core characteristics are presented, including ice surface, ice thickness, bore-hole temperature, mean annual net accumulation, crystal size, crystal fabric, oxygen-isotope composition, and examples of ice chemistry and isotopic composition of trapped gases

Maternal fish consumption during pregnancy and smoking behavioural patterns

Abstractn-3 Highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA), are essential components of neuronal membranes and mediate a range of complex bioactive properties including gene expression, myelination, cell-signalling and dopaminergic function. Deficits inn-3 HUFA have been linked to increased risks for addictive disorders, thus we posited that lower fish consumption would be associated with greater risks for perinatal smoking among 9640 mothers enroled in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. We used univariable and multivariable regression models to examine relationships between self-reported prenatal dietary intakes ofn-3 HUFA-rich foods (fish and shellfish) and maternal smoking; outcomes included cessation and the number of cigarettes smoked per d. Both before and during pregnancy, there was consistent evidence (P&lt;0·001) of protective fish intake–smoking associations; relative to mothers reporting no fish consumption, those who reported some fish consumption (&lt;340 g/week) and high fish consumption (340 g+/week) at 32 weeks of gestation showed lower likelihoods of smoking (adjustedPvalues &lt;0·001). Respective OR for these relationships were 0·87 (95% CI 0·77, 0·97) and 0·73 (95% CI 0·61, 0·86). Although the prevalence of smoking diminished, from a high of 31·6% (pre-pregnancy) to a low of 18·7% (second trimester), the magnitude of fish intake–smoking associations remained stable following adjustment for confounders. These observations suggest that greater fish orn-3 HUFA consumption should be evaluated as an intervention to reduce or prevent smoking in randomised clinical trials.</jats:p