Mule deer movements, survival, and use of contaminated areas at Rocky Flats, Colorado

Department Head: Robert Sewell Cook.Includes bibliographical references (pages 55-58).Rocky Mountain mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus) reside on plutonium contaminated land that surrounds the Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Facility, Colorado. Concern exists over the potential for deer to transport radionuclides away from Rocky Flats. Deer may potentially transport radionuclides through excretion of contaminated forage and soil away from the ingestion site, or by retention of radionuclides in tissues or the hide. To assess their potential to transport radionulcides and to determine annual movement patterns, deer were radio-located throughout the year. Rocky Flats deer were year-round residents, seldom moved farther than 0.05 km from the buffer zone boundaries. At least 9 male yearlings left Rocky Flats, and yearlings are, therefore, the most likely age class for radionuclide transport. Based on annual movement patterns I observed, the potential for does and fawns to transport radionuclides off-site appears to be very low, although more data are needed to better assess movement patterns of yearlings. Two areas in the buffer zone contain detectable levels of radionuclides and are accessible to deer. I compared deer use to availability in these areas during winter and summer 1991. During winter, 45.3% and 52.0% of radio-collared does and fawns showed preference (P ≤ 0.027) for these 2 areas over non-contaminated areas. During summer, 39.0% and 36.7% of deer preferred (P ≤ 0.027) each area to non-contaminated areas. I also collected tissue samples from 7 vehicle-killed deer that were known to inhabit the buffer zone and submitted them for radionuclide analysis. All tissues had plutonium activities below detection limits. Again, transport of radionuclides appears to be very low, but because of small sample size, any conclusion regarding plutonium transport is premature. The deer population size was estimated from a helicopter survey during summer 1990, and from a ground survey during winter 1991. Population estimates were 161 (95% confidence interval 136-220) during summer, and 199 (95% confidence interval 198-207) during winter. Winter 1991 buck:doe ratio was 35:100, and fawn:doe ratio was 90:100. Annual adult doe survival rates were 0.792 ± 0.083 (SE) in 1990 (n = 24), and 0.857 ± 0.059 (SE) in 1991 (n = 35), and were not statistically different (P = 0.19). Winter survival rate for female fawns was 0.895 ± 0.043 (SE) (n=19), and male fawn survival rate for the same time period was 0.950 ± 0.046 (SE) (n=21), and did not differ statistically (P = 0.51). The major cause of mortality among radio-collared deer was collisions with vehicles (47.8%), and predation (21.8%). Accidents and unknown causes comprised the remainder of mortalities (30.4%)

ADSC-EVs and Macrophage Polarization in Fat Grafting for Breast Reconstruction

Breast Cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in New Zealand, with an estimated 3000 women diagnosed in New Zealand every year. The most common form of treatment is surgery, and following treatment, the approximate 5-year survival rate is 90%. A key part of the treatment process for breast cancer survivors is breast reconstruction surgery, as it improves the physical, physiological, and social aspects of every-day life. Autologous fat grafting is a relatively new breast reconstruction option that is becoming increasingly attractive, as this has the ability to create a natural cosmetic outcome with minimal surgical risk. The major limitation associated with fat grafting is that the percentage of grafted tissue volume that is retained post-surgery is hugely variable, prompting further breast reconstruction in some cases. Adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) are a key cell being investigated in the donor tissue due to their high proliferative abilities, coupled with their potential to differentiate into adipocytes, indicating that they are important in the regeneration of adipose tissue. In the breast cavity, macrophages are thought to play an important role in graft retention as they are important in inflammation and wound healing. It is thought that improving the relationship between ADSCs in the donor tissue and stromal cells in the recipient site, such as macrophages, could be important for improving retention rates. One way in which these cells can interact is through the release of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from ADSCs into the surrounding environment. The overall aim of this study was to establish methodologies for in vitro ADSC and macrophage culture, for characterization of ADSC-derived EV (ADSC-EV) output during culture, and to determine the impact of ADSC-EVs on macrophage polarization. Adipose tissue samples were collected from patients undergoing fat grafting and ADSCs were isolated and cultured. ADSC cell specificity was confirmed using flow cytometry as well as successful differentiation into adipocytes and osteoblasts, indicating the successful establishment of methods to culture ADSCs from autologous fat graft samples. ADSC-EVs were isolated from the media of cultured ADSCs using size exclusion chromatography and characterised using tunable resistive pulse sensing. We demonstrate a mean size 150 – 190 nm across patient samples, which is within the expected size range of EVs. Mean concentrations also ranged from 2.3x108 and 7.4x108 particles/mL as expected. Western blot analysis on proteins known to be present in EVs further confirmed presence of EVs in the collected samples. Together, these techniques indicated the successful isolation of EVs from cultured ADSCs. Monocytes were isolated from healthy volunteers, cultured into M0 macrophages and further polarized towards M1 and M2 macrophage phenotypes. Successful polarization into M0, M1-like or M2-like macrophages was confirmed by assessing the morphology of cultures. Flow cytometry using known M1 and M2 markers, and RT-qPCR on pro- (TNFα, IL1-β) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10, TGFβ) markers were also used to assess successful polarization. However, low cell counts made these methods difficult for assessing polarization and further optimization is required. In a further experiment, ADSC-EVs were added to M0, M1-like and M2-like macrophage cultures at the time of polarization. To analyse the impact of ADSC-EVs on polarization state, RT-qPCR was conducted to assess macrophage expression of pro- (TNFα, IL1-β) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10, TGFβ) markers. The addition of ADSC-EVs to macrophage cultures altered the expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory markers in each of the polarization states, and could thus potentially influence polarization status of macrophages. The results of this study warrant further investigation to determine the role of ADSC-EVs on macrophage polarization. However, the preliminary data here provides an exciting platform for future research into the potential role of ADSC-EVs in fat graft retention via their interaction with cells in the breast cavity

Effects of Harmful Algal Blooms on Fish and Shellfish Species: A Case Study of New Zealand in a Changing Environment

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) have wide-ranging environmental impacts, including on aquatic species of social and commercial importance. In New Zealand (NZ), strategic growth of the aquaculture industry could be adversely affected by the occurrence of HABs. This review examines HAB species which are known to bloom both globally and in NZ and their effects on commercially important shellfish and fish species. Blooms of Karenia spp. have frequently been associated with mortalities of both fish and shellfish in NZ and the sub-lethal effects of other genera, notably Alexandrium spp., on shellfish (which includes paralysis, a lack of byssus production, and reduced growth) are also of concern. Climate change and anthropogenic impacts may alter HAB population structure and dynamics, as well as the physiological responses of fish and shellfish, potentially further compromising aquatic species. Those HAB species which have been detected in NZ and have the potential to bloom and harm marine life in the future are also discussed. The use of environmental DNA (eDNA) and relevant bioassays are practical tools which enable early detection of novel, problem HAB species and rapid toxin/HAB screening, and new data from HAB monitoring of aquaculture production sites using eDNA are presented. As aquaculture grows to supply a sizable proportion of the world’s protein, the effects of HABs in reducing productivity is of increasing significance. Research into the multiple stressor effects of climate change and HABs on cultured species and using local, recent, HAB strains is needed to accurately assess effects and inform stock management strategies

The Phase A study of the ESA M4 mission candidate ARIEL

© 2018, The Author(s). ARIEL, the Atmospheric Remote sensing Infrared Exoplanet Large survey, is one of the three M-class mission candidates competing for the M4 launch slot within the Cosmic Vision science programme of the European Space Agency (ESA). As such, ARIEL has been the subject of a Phase A study that involved European industry, research institutes and universities from ESA member states. This study is now completed and the M4 down-selection is expected to be concluded in November 2017. ARIEL is a concept for a dedicated mission to measure the chemical composition and structure of hundreds of exoplanet atmospheres using the technique of transit spectroscopy. ARIEL targets extend from gas giants (Jupiter or Neptune-like) to super-Earths in the very hot to warm zones of F to M-type host stars, opening up the way to large-scale, comparative planetology that would place our own Solar System in the context of other planetary systems in the Milky Way. A technical and programmatic review of the ARIEL mission was performed between February and May 2017, with the objective of assessing the readiness of the mission to progress to the Phase B1 study. No critical issues were identified and the mission was deemed technically feasible within the M4 programmatic boundary conditions. In this paper we give an overview of the final mission concept for ARIEL as of the end of the Phase A study, from scientific, technical and operational perspectives. ispartof: Experimental Astronomy vol:46 issue:1 pages:211-239 status: publishe

The Ariel ground segment and instrument operations science data centre Organization, operation, calibration, products and pipeline

The ground segment for the ESA M4 Ariel exoplanet space mission is introduced. The ground segment encompasses the framework necessary to support the development of the Ariel mission to launch, in-flight operations and calibration, data processing pipeline and data handling, including user support. The structure of the ground segment and assumed responsibilities between ESA and the Ariel mission consortium is explained, along with their interfaces. The operational phases for the mission are introduced, including the early commissioning/verification phases, the science operations and the calibration strategy. The smooth transition of the ground segment through the various pre/post launch mission phases to nominal operations will be paramount in guaranteeing the success, scientific return and impact of the Ariel mission. The expected science data products are defined and a representative data processing pipeline is presented

Distinctiveness of psychological obstacles to recovery in low back pain patients in primary care

Many psychological factors have been suggested to be important obstacles to recovery from low back pain, yet most studies focus on a limited number of factors. We compared a more comprehensive range of 20 factors in predicting outcome in primary care. Consecutive patients consulting 8 general practices were eligible to take part in a prospective cohort study; 1591 provided data at baseline and 810 at 6 months. Clinical outcome was defined using the Roland and Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). The relative strength of the baseline psychological measures to predict outcome was investigated using adjusted multiple linear regression techniques. The sample was similar to other primary care cohorts (mean age 44 years, 59% women, mean baseline RMDQ 8.6). The 20 factors each accounted for between 0.04% and 33.3% of the variance in baseline RMDQ score. A multivariate model including all 11 scales that were associated with outcome in the univariate analysis accounted for 47.7% of the variance in 6 months RMDQ score; rising to 55.8% following adjustment. Four scales remained significantly associated with outcome in the multivariate model explaining 56.6% of the variance: perceptions of personal control, acute/chronic timeline, illness identify and pain self-efficacy. When all independent factors were included, depression, catastrophising and fear avoidance were no longer significant. Thus, a small number of psychological factors are strongly predictive of outcome in primary care low back pain patients. There is clear redundancy in the measurement of psychological factors. These findings should help to focus targeted interventions for back pain in the future

A chemical survey of exoplanets with ARIEL

Thousands of exoplanets have now been discovered with a huge range of masses, sizes and orbits: from rocky Earth-like planets to large gas giants grazing the surface of their host star. However, the essential nature of these exoplanets remains largely mysterious: there is no known, discernible pattern linking the presence, size, or orbital parameters of a planet to the nature of its parent star. We have little idea whether the chemistry of a planet is linked to its formation environment, or whether the type of host star drives the physics and chemistry of the planet’s birth, and evolution. ARIEL was conceived to observe a large number (~1000) of transiting planets for statistical understanding, including gas giants, Neptunes, super-Earths and Earth-size planets around a range of host star types using transit spectroscopy in the 1.25–7.8 μm spectral range and multiple narrow-band photometry in the optical. ARIEL will focus on warm and hot planets to take advantage of their well-mixed atmospheres which should show minimal condensation and sequestration of high-Z materials compared to their colder Solar System siblings. Said warm and hot atmospheres are expected to be more representative of the planetary bulk composition. Observations of these warm/hot exoplanets, and in particular of their elemental composition (especially C, O, N, S, Si), will allow the understanding of the early stages of planetary and atmospheric formation during the nebular phase and the following few million years. ARIEL will thus provide a representative picture of the chemical nature of the exoplanets and relate this directly to the type and chemical environment of the host star. ARIEL is designed as a dedicated survey mission for combined-light spectroscopy, capable of observing a large and well-defined planet sample within its 4-year mission lifetime. Transit, eclipse and phase-curve spectroscopy methods, whereby the signal from the star and planet are differentiated using knowledge of the planetary ephemerides, allow us to measure atmospheric signals from the planet at levels of 10–100 part per million (ppm) relative to the star and, given the bright nature of targets, also allows more sophisticated techniques, such as eclipse mapping, to give a deeper insight into the nature of the atmosphere. These types of observations require a stable payload and satellite platform with broad, instantaneous wavelength coverage to detect many molecular species, probe the thermal structure, identify clouds and monitor the stellar activity. The wavelength range proposed covers all the expected major atmospheric gases from e.g. H2O, CO2, CH4 NH3, HCN, H2S through to the more exotic metallic compounds, such as TiO, VO, and condensed species. Simulations of ARIEL performance in conducting exoplanet surveys have been performed – using conservative estimates of mission performance and a full model of all significant noise sources in the measurement – using a list of potential ARIEL targets that incorporates the latest available exoplanet statistics. The conclusion at the end of the Phase A study, is that ARIEL – in line with the stated mission objectives – will be able to observe about 1000 exoplanets depending on the details of the adopted survey strategy, thus confirming the feasibility of the main science objectives.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial

Background Findings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy

Enabling planetary science across light-years. Ariel Definition Study Report

Ariel, the Atmospheric Remote-sensing Infrared Exoplanet Large-survey, was adopted as the fourth medium-class mission in ESA's Cosmic Vision programme to be launched in 2029. During its 4-year mission, Ariel will study what exoplanets are made of, how they formed and how they evolve, by surveying a diverse sample of about 1000 extrasolar planets, simultaneously in visible and infrared wavelengths. It is the first mission dedicated to measuring the chemical composition and thermal structures of hundreds of transiting exoplanets, enabling planetary science far beyond the boundaries of the Solar System. The payload consists of an off-axis Cassegrain telescope (primary mirror 1100 mm x 730 mm ellipse) and two separate instruments (FGS and AIRS) covering simultaneously 0.5-7.8 micron spectral range. The satellite is best placed into an L2 orbit to maximise the thermal stability and the field of regard. The payload module is passively cooled via a series of V-Groove radiators; the detectors for the AIRS are the only items that require active cooling via an active Ne JT cooler. The Ariel payload is developed by a consortium of more than 50 institutes from 16 ESA countries, which include the UK, France, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Spain, Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Hungary, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, and a NASA contribution