Investigation of the fundamental constants stability based on the reactor Oklo burn-up analysis

The burn-up for SC56-1472 sample of the natural Oklo reactor zone 3 was calculated using the modern Monte Carlo codes. We reconstructed the neutron spectrum in the core by means of the isotope ratios: $^{147}$Sm/$^{148}$Sm and $^{176}$Lu/$^{175}$Lu. These ratios unambiguously determine the spectrum index and core temperature. The effective neutron absorption cross section of $^{149}$Sm calculated using this spectrum was compared with experimental one. The disagreement between these two values allows to limit a possible shift of the low laying resonance of $^{149}$Sm even more . Then, these limits were converted to the limits for the change of the fine structure constant $\alpha$. We found that for the rate of $\alpha$ change the inequality $|\delta \dot{\alpha}/\alpha| \le 5\cdot 10^{-18}$ is fulfilled, which is of the next higher order than our previous limit.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figure

New country and state records, and other notes for Mexican Buprestidae (Coleoptera)

Treatment is provided for 224 species and subspecies in the genera Acherusia, Acmaeodera, Actenodes, Agaeocera, Agrilus, Anthaxia, Brachys, Buprestis, Chalcangium, Chrysobothris, Colobogaster, Cyphothorax, Dicerca, Dismorpha, Euchroma, Hiperantha, Hylaeogena, Leiopleura, Lius, Mixochlorus, Omochyseus, Pachyschelus, Polycesta, Psiloptera, Spectralia, Taphrocerus, Tetragonoschema, Thrincopyge, Trypantius and Tyndaris. Of these, 44 are recorded for the first time from Mexico and 175 represent new state records. Adult host and/or habitat information is provided, usually from the label data, for 93 of the taxa. Larval host records are indicated for Chrysobothris analis LeConte, C. capitata Gory and Laporte, C. multistigmosa (Mannerheim) and C. sallei Waterhouse. Acmaeodera sinaloensis Duges has been discovered to breed in bamboo. A major taxonomic character of C. multistigmosa is discussed

Grain-filling rate improves physical grain quality in barley under heat stress conditions during the grain-filling period

Heat stress is a primary constraint to Australia's barley production. In addition to impacting grain yield, it adversely affects physical grain quality (weight and plumpness) and market value. The incidence of heat stress during grain filling is rising with global warming. However, breeding for new superior heat-tolerant genotypes has been challenging due to the narrow window of sensitivity, the unpredictable nature of heat stress, and its frequent co-occurrence with drought stress. Greater scientific knowledge regarding traits and mechanisms associated with heat tolerance would help develop more efficient selection methods. Our objective was to assess 157 barley varieties of contrasting genetic backgrounds for various developmental, agro-morphological, and physiological traits to examine the effects of heat stress on physical grain quality. Delayed sowing (i.e., July and August) increased the likelihood of daytime temperatures above 30°C during grain-filling. Supplementary irrigation of field trials ensured a reduced impact of drought stress. Heat tolerance appeared to be the primary factor determining grain plumpness. A wide variation was observed for heat tolerance, particularly among the Australian varieties. Genotypic variation was also observed for grain weight, plumpness, grain growth components, stay-green and stem water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) content, and mobilisation under normal and delayed sown conditions. Compared to normal sowing, delayed sowing reduced duration of developmental phases, plant height, leaf size, head length, head weight, grain number, plumpness, grain width and thickness, stem WSC content, green leaf area retention, and harvest index (HI), and increased screenings, grain length, grain-filling rate (GFR), WSC mobilisation efficiency (WSCME), and grain protein content. Overall, genotypes with heavier and plumper grains under high temperatures had higher GFR, longer grain-filling duration, longer green leaf area retention, higher WSCME, taller stature, smaller leaf size, greater HI, higher grain weight/plumpness potentials, and earlier flowering. GFR played a significant role in determining barley grain weight and plumpness under heat-stress conditions. Enhancing GFR may provide a new avenue for improving heat tolerance in barley

DECOUPLED PAYMENTS IN A CHANGING POLICY SETTING

The studies in this report analyze the effects of decoupled payments in the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform (FAIR) Act on recipient households, and assess land, labor, risk management, and capital market conditions that can lead to links between decoupled payments and production choices. Each study contributes a different perspective to understanding the response of U.S. farm households and production to decoupled income transfers. Some use new microdata on farm households collected through USDA's Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS), initiated in 1996, and its predecessor survey. These data are used to compare household and producer behavior and outcomes before and after the FAIR Act. Other studies use applied or conceptual models to characterize the impact of introducing decoupled payments. Collectively, the chapters represent an early stage in the empirical analysis of decoupled payments. The studies address many aspects of the payments' household impacts but remaining issues call for additional analysis. As the analytical paradigm changes with the evolution of farm programs, the development of appropriate data and models will improve our understanding of farm program impacts on the behavior and well-being of U.S. farm households, and the agricultural sector.Agricultural and Food Policy,

Built Environment Interventions for Human and Planetary Health:Integrating Health in Climate Change Adaption and Mitigation

Objectives: Human-generated climate change is causing adverse health effects through multiple direct pathways (e.g. heatwaves, sea-level rise, storm frequency and intensity) and indirect pathways (e.g. food and water insecurity, social instability). Although the health system has a key role to play in addressing these health effects, so too do those professions tasked with the development of the built environment (urban and regional planners, urban designers, landscapers and architects), through improvements to buildings, streets, neighbourhoods, suburbs and cities. This article reports on the ways in which urban planning and design, and architectural interventions, can address the health effects of climate change; and the scope of climate change adaptation and mitigation approaches being implemented by the built environment professions. Type of program or service: Built environment adaptations and mitigations and their connections to the ways in which urban planning, urban design and architectural practices are addressing the health effects of climate change. Methods: Our reflections draw on the findings of a recent review of existing health and planning literature. First, we explore the ways in which ‘adaptation’ and ‘mitigation’ relate to the notion of human and planetary health. We then outline the broad scope of adaptation and mitigation interventions being envisioned, and in some instances actioned, by built environment professionals. Results: Analysis of the review’s findings reveals that adaptations developed by built environment professions predominantly focus on protecting human health and wellbeing from the effects of climate change. In contrast, built environment mitigations address climate change by embracing a deeper understanding of the co-benefits inherent in the interconnectedness of human health and wellbeing and the health of the ecosystem on which it depends. In the final section, we highlight the ethical transition that these approaches demand of built environment professions. Lessons learnt: Built environment interventions must move beyond simple ecological sustainability to encouraging ways of life that are healthy for both humans and the planet. There are key challenges facing this new approach

Clinical pattern of tolvaptan-associated liver injury in trial participants with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD): An analysis of pivotal clinical trials

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: Tolvaptan is associated with risk of drug-induced liver injury when used to treat autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). After this risk was described based on the clinical trials TEMPO 3:4 and TEMPO 4:4, additional data from the REPRISE trial and a long-term extension of TEMPO 4:4, REPRISE, and other tolvaptan trials in ADPKD have become available. To further characterize the hepatic safety profile of tolvaptan, an analysis of the expanded dataset was conducted. STUDY DESIGN: Analysis of safety data from prospective clinical trials of tolvaptan. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Multicenter clinical trials including more than 2,900 tolvaptan-treated participants, more than 2,300 with at least 18 months of drug exposure. INTERVENTION: Tolvaptan administered twice daily in split-dose regimens. OUTCOMES: Frequency of liver enzyme level increases detected by regular laboratory monitoring. RESULTS: In the placebo-controlled REPRISE trial, more tolvaptan- than placebo-treated participants (38 of 681 [5.6%] vs 8 of 685 [1.2%]) experienced alanine aminotransferase level increases to \u3e3× the upper limit of normal (ULN), similar to TEMPO 3:4 (40 of 957 [4.4%] vs 5 of 484 [1.0%]). No participant in REPRISE or the long-term extension experienced concurrent alanine aminotransferase level increases to \u3e3× ULN and total bilirubin increases to \u3e2× ULN ( Hy\u27s Law laboratory criteria). Based on the expanded dataset, liver enzyme increases most often occurred within 18 months after tolvaptan initiation and were less frequent thereafter. Increased levels returned to normal or near normal after treatment interruption or discontinuation. Thirty-eight patients were rechallenged with tolvaptan after the initial drug-induced liver injury episode, with return of liver enzyme level increases in 30; 1 additional participant showed a clinical adaptation after the initial episode, with resolution of the enzyme level increases despite continuation of tolvaptan. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The absence of Hy\u27s Law cases in REPRISE and the long-term extension trial support monthly liver enzyme monitoring during the first 18 months of tolvaptan exposure and every 3 months thereafter to detect and manage enzyme level increases, as is recommended on the drug label. FUNDING: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trials included in the dataset were registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with study numbers NCT00428948 (TEMPO 3:4), NCT01214421 (TEMPO 4:4), NCT02160145 (REPRISE), and NCT02251275 (long-term extension)