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Quantifying methane emissions is essential for meeting near-term climate goals and is typically carried out using methane concentrations measured downwind of the source. One major source of methane that is important to observe and promptly remediate is fugitive emissions from oil and gas production sites but installing methane sensors at the thousands of sites within a production basin is expensive. In recent years, relatively inexpensive metal oxide sensors have been used to measure methane concentrations at production sites. Current methods used to calibrate metal oxide sensors have been shown to have significant shortcomings, resulting in limited confidence in methane concentrations generated by these sensors. To address this, we investigate using machine learning (ML) to generate a model that converts metal oxide sensor output to methane mixing ratios. To generate test data, two metal oxide sensors, TGS2600 and TGS2611, were collocated with a trace methane analyzer downwind of controlled methane releases. Over the duration of the measurements, the trace gas analyzer's average methane mixing ratio was 2.40 ppm with a maximum of 147.6 ppm. The average calculated methane mixing ratios for the TGS2600 and TGS2611 using the ML algorithm were 2.42 ppm and 2.40 ppm, with maximum values of 117.5 ppm and 106.3 ppm, respectively. A comparison of histograms generated using the analyzer and metal oxide sensors mixing ratios shows overlap coefficients of 0.95 and 0.94 for the TGS2600 and TGS2611, respectively. Overall, our results showed there was a good agreement between the ML-derived metal oxide sensors' mixing ratios and those generated using the more accurate trace gas analyzer. This suggests that the response of lower-cost sensors calibrated using ML could be used to generate mixing ratios with precision and accuracy comparable to higher priced trace methane analyzers. This would improve confidence in low-cost sensors' response, reduce the cost of sensor deployment, and allow for timely and accurate tracking of methane emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess the agreement of three different automated methods of identifying force-onset (40 N, 5 SDs, and 3 SDs) with manual identification, during the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP). Fourteen resistance-trained participants with >6 months experience training with the power clean volunteered to take part. After three familiarisation sessions, the participants performed five maximal IMTPs separated by 1 min of rest. Fixed bias was found between 40 N and manual identification for time at force-onset. No proportional bias was present between manual identification and any automated threshold. Fixed bias between manual identification and automated was present for force at onset and F150. Proportional but not fixed bias was found for F50 between manual identification and all automated thresholds. Small to moderate differences (Hedges g = −0.487- −0.692) were found for F90 between all automated thresholds and manual identification, while trivial to small differences (Hedges g = −0.122—−0.279) were found between methods for F200 and F250. Based on these results, strength and conditioning practitioners should not use a 40 N, 5 SDs, or 3 SDs threshold interchangeably with manual identification of force-onset when analysing IMTP force–time curve data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light is recognized as an important component of the environment for laboratory animals. It supports vision, sets the phase of circadian clocks, and drives wide-ranging adjustments in physiological and behavioral state. Manipulating light is meanwhile a key experimental approach in the fields of vision science and chronobiology. Nevertheless, until recently, there has been no consensus on methods for quantifying light as experienced by laboratory animals. Widely adopted practices employ metrics such as illuminance (units = lux) that are designed to quantify light as experienced by human observers. These weight energy across the spectrum according to a spectral sensitivity profile for human vision that is not widely replicated for non-human species. Recently, a Consensus View was published that proposes methods of light measurement and standardization that take account of these species-specific differences in wavelength sensitivity. Here, we draw upon the contents of that consensus to provide simplified advice on light measurement in laboratory mammal experimentation and husbandry and quantitative guidance on what constitutes appropriate lighting for both visual and circadian function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unprecedented global spread of monkeypox (mpox) has reinvigorated the pursuit of next-generation poxvirus vaccines. Given the success of the mRNA-lipid nanoparticle (LNP) vaccine platform to vaccinate against SARS-CoV-2, candidate poxvirus mRNA vaccines, as recently reported by Zuiani et al. and Mucker et al. , demonstrate success in nonhuman primate (NHP) models and provide insights into the basis of the protective immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantifying and controlling fugitive methane emissions from oil and gas facilities remains essential for addressing climate goals, but the costs associated with monitoring millions of production sites remain prohibitively expensive. Current thinking, supported by measurement and simple dispersion modelling, assumes single-digit parts-per-million instrumentation is required. To investigate instrument response, the inlets of three trace-methane (sub-ppm) analyzers were collocated on a facility designed to release gas of known composition at known flow rates between 0.4 and 5.2 kg CH4 h−1 from simulated oil and gas infrastructure. Methane mixing ratios were measured by each instrument at 1 Hertz resolution over nine hours. While mixing ratios reported by a cavity ring-down spectrometer (CRDS)-based instrument were on average 10.0 ppm (range 1.8 to 83 ppm), a mid-infrared laser absorption spectroscopy (MIRA)-based instrument reported short-lived mixing ratios far larger than expected (range 1.8 to 779 ppm) with a similar nine-hour average to the CRDS (10.1 ppm). We suggest the peaks detected by the MIRA are likely caused by a micrometeorological phenomenon, where vortex shedding has resulted in heterogeneous methane plumes which only the MIRA can observe. Further analysis suggests an instrument like the MIRA (an optical-cavity-based instrument with cavity size ≤10 cm3 measuring at ≥2 Hz with air flow rates in the order of ≤0.3 slpm at distances of ≤20 m from the source) but with a higher detection limit (25 ppm) could detect enough of the high-concentration events to generate representative 20 min-average methane mixing ratios. Even though development of a lower-cost, high-precision, high-accuracy instrument with a 25 ppm detection threshold remains a significant problem, this has implications for the use of instrumentation with higher detection thresholds, resulting in the reduction in cost to measure methane emissions and providing a mechanism for the widespread deployment of effective leak detection and repair programs for all oil and gas infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To fully harness the potential of molecular machines, it is crucial to develop methods by which to exert control over their speed of motion through the application of external stimuli. A conformationally strained macrocyclic fluorescent rotamer, CarROT, displays a reproducible and linear fluorescence decrease towards temperature over the physiological temperature range. Through the external addition of anions, cations or through deprotonation, the compound can access four discreet rotational speeds via supramolecular interactions (very slow, slow, fast and very fast) which in turn stop, reduce or enhance the thermoluminescent properties due to increasing or decreasing non‐radiative decay processes, thereby providing a means to externally control the temperature sensitivity of the system. Through comparison with analogues with a higher degree of conformational freedom, the high thermosensitivity of CarROT over the physiological temperature range was determined to be due to conformational strain, which causes a high energy barrier to rotation over this range. Analogues with a higher degree of conformational freedom display lower sensitivities towards temperature over the same temperature range. This study provides an example of an information rich small molecule, in which programable rotational speed states can be observed with facile read‐out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methane is a greenhouse gas and identified as a key driver of near-term climate change. Bottom-up approaches estimate annual methane loss from US natural gas production and transport at 6 Tg, but recent studies suggest this may be an underestimate. To investigate this possibility, an equipment-based emissions inventory, using EPA emission factors, was developed to calculate methane emissions from oil and gas operations in the Delaware basin, USA. Emission factors and activity data were then updated using contemporary and region-specific measurement data. The original inventory estimated emissions at 315 Gg CH4 y−1 (gas production-normalized rate of 0.6% loss), while the updated inventory estimated emissions of 1500 Gg CH4 y−1 (2.8% loss). The largest changes resulted from large fugitive emissions from oil production (+430 Gg CH4 y−1), updating maintenance activity emissions (+214 Gg CH4 y−1), considering flaring inefficiency (+174 Gg CH4 y−1), and the inclusion of associated gas venting (+136 Gg CH4 y−1). This study suggests that a systematic underestimate probably exists in current bottom-up inventories and identifies sources currently missing or may be incorrect. We also strongly recommend that emission factors should be validated through direct comparison against measurement campaigns that include long-tail distributions typical of oil and gas activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent interest in measuring methane (CH4) emissions from abandoned oil and gas wells has resulted in five methods being typically used. In line with the US Federal Orphaned Wells Program's (FOWP) guidelines and the American Carbon Registry's (ACR) protocols, quantification methods must be able to measure minimum emissions of 1 g of CH4 h−1 to within ±20%. To investigate if the methods meet the required standard, dynamic chambers, a Hi-Flow (HF) sampler, and a Gaussian plume (GP)-based approach were all used to quantify a controlled emission (Qav; g h−1) of 1 g of CH4 h−1. After triplicate experiments, the average accuracy (Ar; %) and the upper (Uu; %) and lower (Ul; %) uncertainty bounds of all methods were calculated. Two dynamic chambers were used, one following the ACR guidelines, and a second "mobile" chamber made from lightweight materials that could be constructed around a source of emission on a well head. The average emission calculated from the measurements made using the dynamic chamber (Qav = 1.01 g CH4 h−1, Ar = +0.9%), the mobile chamber (Qav = 0.99 g CH4 h−1, Ar = −1.4%), the GP approach (Qav = 0.97 g CH4 h−1, Ar = −2.6%), and the HF sampler (Qav = 1.02 g CH4 h−1, Ar = +2.2%) were all within ±3% of 1 g of CH4 h−1 and met the requirements of the FOWP and ACR protocols. The results also suggest that the individual measurements made using the dynamic chamber can quantify emissions of 1 g of CH4 h−1 to within ±6% irrespective of the design (material, number of parts, geometrical shape, and hose length), and changes to the construction or material specifications as defined via ACR make no discernible difference to the quantification uncertainty. Our tests show that a collapsible chamber can be easily constructed around the emission source on an abandoned well and be used to quantify emissions from abandoned wells in remote areas. To our knowledge, this is the first time that methods for measuring the CH4 emissions of 1 g of CH4 h−1 have been quantitively assessed against a known reference source and against each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural gas (NG) leaks from below-ground pipelines pose safety, economic, and environmental hazards. Despite walking surveys using handheld methane (CH4) detectors to locate leaks, accurately triaging the severity of a leak remains challenging. It is currently unclear whether CH4 detectors used in walking surveys could be used to identify large leaks that require an immediate response. To explore this, we used above-ground downwind CH4 concentration measurements made during controlled emission experiments over a range of environmental conditions. These data were then used as the input to a novel modeling framework, the ESCAPE−1 model, to estimate the below-ground leak rates. Using 10-minute averaged CH4 mixing/meteorological data and filtering out wind speed < 2 m s−1/unstable atmospheric data, the ESCAPE−1 model estimates small leaks (0.2 kg CH4 h−1) and medium leaks (0.8 kg CH4 h−1) with a bias of −85%/+100% and −50%/+64%, respectively. Longer averaging (≥3 h) results in a 55% overestimation for small leaks and a 6% underestimation for medium leaks. These results suggest that as the wind speed increases or the atmosphere becomes more stable, the accuracy and precision of the leak rate calculated by the ESCAPE−1 model decrease. With an uncertainty of ±55%, our results show that CH4 mixing ratios measured using industry-standard detectors could be used to prioritize leak repairs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the benefits of screening column and mobile phase combinations that generate differing chromatographic selectivities in reversed-phase gradient ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatographic (UHPLC) method development strategies. Topics include the success of screening column and mobile phase combinations in a typical method development strategy, excellent accuracy retention predictions in reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC), and anomalies retention predictions.

Students in higher education (HE) are required to complete a variety of writing tasks for coursework and examinations. However, for some students writing presents a major challenge. In the UK, the availability of tools for specialist assessors to help identify difficulties with the quality of written composition is limited. The aim of this study was to develop a practical new tool, the Writing Quality Scale (WQS) for assessing writing quality in HE, that was both easy to use and did not require specialist or subject knowledge. The reliability and validity of the tool and its ability to identify students in HE who may need support were evaluated by examining scripts from 120 students (60 male) aged 17 to 25 years. The WQS was found to have good inter‐rater reliability and was sensitive enough to pick up age differences and differentiate between groups of students with and without dyslexia. The WQS will be a useful tool for specialist assessors in HE to help in the identification of those with poor writing quality and to understand more about the nature of their difficulties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent interest in measuring methane (CH 4) emissions from abandoned oil and gas infrastructure has resulted in several methods being continually used to quantify point source emissions less than 200 g CH 4 h -1. The choice of measurement approach depends on how close observers can come to the source, the instruments available, and the meteorological/micrometeorological conditions. As such, static chambers, dynamic chambers, Bacharach Hi Flow Sampler (BHFS) measurements, Gaussian plume (GP) modeling, and backward Lagrangian stochastic (bLs) models have all been used, but there is no clear understanding of the accuracy or precision of each method. To address this, we copy the experimental design for each of the measurement methods to make single field measurements of a known source, to simulate single measurement field protocol, and then make repeat measurements to generate an understanding of the accuracy and precision of each method. Here, we present estimates for the average percentage difference between the measured emission and the known emission for three repeat measurements, Ar , for emissions of 40 to 200 g CH 4 h -1. The static chamber data were not presented because of safety concerns during the experiments. Both the dynamic chamber (Ar = - 10 %, - 8 %, and - 10 % at emission rates of 40, 100, and 200 g CH 4 h -1 , respectively) and BHFS (Ar = - 18 %, - 16 %, and - 18 %) repeatedly underestimate the emissions, but the dynamic chamber had better accuracy. The standard deviation of emissions from these direct measurement methods remained relatively constant for emissions between 40 and 200 g CH 4 h -1. For the far-field methods, the bLs method generally underestimated emissions (Ar = + 6 %, - 6 %, and - 7 %) while the GP method significantly overestimated the emissions (Ar = + 86 %, + 57 %, and + 29 %) despite using the same meteorological and concentration data as input. Variability in wind speed, wind direction, and atmospheric stability over the 20 min averaging period are likely to propagate through to large variability in the emission estimate, making these methods less precise than the direct measurement methods. To our knowledge, this is the first time that methods for measuring CH 4 emissions from point sources between 40 and 200 g CH 4 h -1 have been quantitatively assessed against a known reference source and against each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of education and training in dermatology ranges from increasing knowledge and skills to improving confidence or enhancing patient outcomes. Specification of the purpose of the education and training is vital so that evaluation can be aligned to purpose, and thus provide evidence on effectiveness. Further, the quality and quality improvement of education and training can be enhanced by a careful specification of how they are expected to achieve their purpose. Multiple theories and methods can be used to evaluate both the process and the outcome of education and training. In this paper, we summarize some of these and focus particularly on the use of behavioural science to evaluate education and training. We illustrate these theories and methods with an example in dermatology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methane (CH4), a powerful greenhouse gas (GHG), has been identified as a key target for emission reduction in the Paris agreement, but it is not currently clear where efforts should be focused to make the greatest impact. Currently, activity data and standard emission factors (EF) are used to generate GHG emission inventories. Many of the EFs are globally uniform and do not account for regional variability in industrial or agricultural practices and/or regulation. Regional EFs can be derived from top–down emissions measurements and used to make bespoke regional GHG emission inventories that account for geopolitical and social variability. However, most large-scale top–down approaches campaigns require significant investment. To address this, lower-cost driving surveys (DS) have been identified as a viable alternative to more established methods. DSs can take top–down measurements of many emission sources in a relatively short period of time, albeit with a higher uncertainty. To investigate the use of a portable measurement system, a 2260 km DS was conducted throughout the Denver–Julesburg Basin (DJB). The DJB covers an area of 8000 km2 north of Denver, CO and is densely populated with CH4 emission sources, including oil and gas (O and G) operations, agricultural operations (AGOs), lakes and reservoirs. During the DS, 157 individual CH4 emission sources were detected; 51%, 43% and 4% of sources were AGOs, O and G operations, and natural sources, respectively. Methane emissions from each source were quantified using downwind concentration and meteorological data and AGOs and O and G operations represented nearly all the CH4 emissions in the DJB, accounting for 54% and 37% of the total emission, respectively. Operations with similar emission sources were grouped together and average facility emission estimates were generated. For agricultural sources, emissions from feedlot cattle, dairy cows and sheep were estimated at 5, 31 and 1 g CH4 head−1 h−1, all of which agreed with published values taken from focused measurement campaigns. Similarly, for O and G average emissions for well pads, compressor stations and gas processing plants (0.5, 14 and 110 kg CH4 facility−1 h−1) were in reasonable agreement with emission estimates from intensive measurement campaigns. A comparison of our basin wide O and G emissions to measurements taken a decade ago show a decrease of a factor of three, which can feasibly be explained by changes to O and G regulation over the past 10 years, while emissions from AGOs have remained constant over the same time period. Our data suggest that DSs could be a low-cost alternative to traditional measurement campaigns and used to screen many emission sources within a region to derive representative regionally specific and time-sensitive EFs. The key benefit of the DS is that many regions can be screened and emission reduction targets identified where regional EFs are noticeably larger than the regional, national or global averages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Combined U-Pb dating of detrital zircon and apatite from the same sandstone. • Detrital apatite U-Pb dating and geochemistry provides source age and lithology. • Multi-method approach from the same sandstone reveals sedimentary recycling. Even with the advent of multiple new geochronologic provenance techniques in recent decades, almost all provenance studies are still hampered by a fundamental limitation: recycling of older strata is often a significant concern but cannot be adequately addressed using current techniques. Detrital zircon is the dominant mineral used in provenance studies, but zircons are robust and almost always represent both first-cycle and polycyclic sediment contributions in a sandstone. To overcome these issues, we implement two relatively novel applications of detrital geochronology – U-Pb geochronology and trace and rare earth element geochemistry of detrital apatite – to take a multi-method approach of analyzing both mineral phases from the same sandstone. Our results indicate that zircon and apatite detrital age distributions from the same sandstone that are nearly identical, paired with apatite TREE geochemistry denoting an igneous source, are a key diagnostic indicator of sediment derived from shallowly-emplaced (<∼500 °C) or extrusive igneous rocks. Detrital age distributions that are similar but offset from one another such that the apatite peaks are younger than the zircon peaks and also young up-section, paired with apatite TREE geochemistry denoting an igneous source, implies exhumation of a deep igneous source through the apatite U-Pb closure temperature. The combination of detrital zircon and apatite U-Pb geochronology and TREE geochemistry also permits detection of recycled versus first-cycle components from metamorphic basement terranes. This study signifies a significant advance in provenance research by demonstrating the facility of combining detrital apatite and zircon U-Pb geochronology and geochemistry to decipher first-cycle versus polycyclic sediment from various types of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Our results show this methodology has potential applications and implications for all types of sedimentary systems, paleogeographic reconstructions, provenance interpretations, and tectonic reconstructions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. Guppy, SN, Kotani, Y, Brady, CJ, Connolly, S, Comfort, P, and Haff, GG. Title: The reliability and magnitude of time-dependent force-time characteristics during the isometric mid-thigh pull are impacted by both testing protocol and analysis choices. J Strength Cond Res 36(5): 1191–1199, 2022—This study aimed to investigate whether the use of short-duration (SHORT) isometric midthigh pull (IMTP) trials resulted in greater reliability and magnitude of time-dependent force-time characteristics than traditionally performed IMTP trials (TRAD). Fourteen subjects with >6 months' training experience with the power clean volunteered to take part in the study. Subjects performed five ∼1-second IMTP trials (SHORT) and five 5-second IMTP trials (TRAD). SHORT resulted in substantially more reliable rate of force development (RFD) measures (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.97–0.99; coefficient of variation [CV] = 2.6–7.0%), particularly during time bands from force-onset to 150 ms, compared with TRAD when trials were selected for analysis based on peak force (ICC = 0.66–0.83; CV = 14.1–38.5%). Selecting TRAD trials based on RFD0-200 resulted in similar reliability compared with SHORT of those same epochs (ICC = 0.97–0.99; CV = 2.5–7.8%). Furthermore, SHORT resulted in significantly greater force at specific time points, RFD, and impulse compared with TRAD trials (p = 0.001–0.033; g = −0.16 to −0.66). Based on these results, strength and conditioning professionals should use specific testing protocols (i.e., TRAD and SHORT) depending on the component of an athlete's force-generating capacity that they wish to assess and remain aware of the effect analysis choices they have on the reliability of IMTP force-time characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The control of contraction strength is a key part of movement control. In primates, both corticospinal and reticulospinal cells provide input to motoneurons. Corticospinal discharge is known to correlate with force, but there are no previous reports of how reticular formation (RF) activity modulates with different contractions. Here we trained two female macaque monkeys (body weight, 5.9-6.9 kg) to pull a handle that could be loaded with 0.5-6 kg weights and recorded from identified pyramidal tract neurons (PTNs) in primary motor cortex and RF cells during task performance. Population-averaged firing rate increased monotonically with higher force for the RF, but showed a complex profile with little net modulation for PTNs. This reflected a more heterogeneous profile of rate modulation across the PTN population, leading to cancellation in the average. Linear discriminant analysis classified the force based on the time course of rate modulation equally well for PTNs and RF cells. Peak firing rate had significant linear correlation with force for 43 of 92 PTNs (46.7%) and 21 of 46 RF cells (43.5%). For almost all RF cells (20 of 21), the correlation coefficient was positive; similar numbers of PTNs (22 vs 21) had positive versus negative coefficients. Considering the timing of force representation, similar fractions (PTNs: 61.2%; RF cells: 55.5%) commenced coding before the onset of muscle activity. We conclude that both corticospinal and reticulospinal tracts contribute to the control of contraction force; the reticulospinal tract seems to specify an overall signal simply related to force, whereas corticospinal cell activity would be better suited for fine-scale adjustments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent mpox (monkeypox) outbreak has prompted genomic studies to track global spread of the disease. These studies have also revealed unexpected patterns of mutations that implicate the action of the immune defense APOBEC3 family of enzymes, which catalyze conversion of cytosine (C) to uracil (U) in DNA, in viral evolution. As poxviruses have conventionally been regarded as slow-evolving viruses, the rapid emergence of APOBEC3 mutational signatures begs a series of important and open questions regarding how host-pathogen interactions may have changed and whether these mutations are bystanders or have roles in pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pointing dogs ( Canis lupus familiaris) are primarily used to locate cryptic species or evidence thereof and often to establish their abundance. Environmental conditions at the time of search may influence the probability that a dog will detect a target. Here, we aimed to determine the environmental factors that affected the detection rate of a pointing dog detecting gamebirds in their natural environment under known atmospheric conditions, including temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, wind strength and solar radiation.We conducted uncontrolled trials in the Greater uMngeni Vlei Expansion Area of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, South Africa, between August 2020 - October 2021, where up to two pointing dogs repeatedly ( n = 44) surveyed an environment with an abundance of Red-winged Francolin ( Scleroptila levaillantii). The index of abundance, measured as birds/minute of search, was compared for each survey whilst simultaneously monitoring the environmental conditions. We conducted controlled trials ( n= 34) in the same region concurrently by independently casting two pointing dogs downwind of caged Japanese Quail ( Coturnix japonica) of a known location to observe the point where each dog's behaviour changed to indicate scent detection. This approach enabled us to measure detection distance whilst simultaneously monitoring environmental conditions. We found that the index of abundance showed no correlation with any of the monitored environmental factors in the uncontrolled trials, most probably because of the low incidence of detection. We further established in controlled trials that detection distance was uncorrelated to ambient temperature and relative humidity but significantly positively correlated with solar radiation and wind strength.An increase of one-knot wind strength resulted in an increase in detection distance by 0.64 m. Our study lays the foundation for developing an area-based survey method, considerate of environmental conditions, to detect cryptic bird species by dogs in conservation projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding changes in the population density of cryptic gamebirds may be useful for land managers when designing or adjusting grassland management regimes to conserve these species and the grasslands. The population density of Red-winged Francolin ( Scleroptila levaillantii) indicates the presence of their preferred grassland habitat. Pointing dogs ( Canis lupus familiaris) are often used to locate these and other cryptic gamebirds either for conservation or recreational purposes. We developed a reliable method to count cryptic gamebirds using pointing dogs where the route chosen through a survey site is flexible.BetweenAugust 2020 and October 2021,we conducted surveys ( n= 21) to determine the density of Red-winged Francolin,a grassland indicator species.These comprised survey portions ( n= 77) on four survey sites in the Greater uMngeni Vlei Expansion Area of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, South Africa. We used up to two pointing dogs fitted with global positioning system (GPS) devices to survey and record the nominal wind speed. These data were used to calculate the detection distance and establish the search area.The redundancy of search, where a dog or possibly two dogs covered their own tracks, enabled us to evaluate the relative efficiency of detecting Red-winged Francolin.We used this method to establish the population density, search area per covey,and search area per bird in the sourveld grassland region of the four study sites.We calculated the coefficient of variation when estimating the population density whilst searching with one dog (C.V.: 133%) to be materially greater than when surveying with two dogs (C.V.: 54%), demonstrating significantly better precision with the latter. The four study sites' mean birds per covey (3.4 ± 1.44) and search area per covey (14.8 ± 7.5 ha) were consistent with previous studies indicating the grassland status as good. Our study outlines the foundation for a method that citizen scientists comprising field trial participants, pointing dog enthusiasts, and hunters can adopt to establish the abundance of Red-winged Francolin and other cryptic gamebirds with conservation and land management applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess reticulospinal tract excitability, high‐intensity transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been used to elicit ipsilateral motor‐evoked potentials (iMEPs). However, there is no consensus on robust and valid methods for use in human studies. The present study proposes a standardized method for eliciting and analysing iMEPs in the biceps brachii. Twenty‐four healthy young adults participated in this study. Electromyography (EMG) electrodes recorded contralateral MEPs (cMEPs) from the right and iMEPs from the left biceps brachii. A dynamic preacher curl task was used with ~15% of the subject's one‐repetition maximum load. The protocol included maximal compound action potential (M‐max) determination of the right biceps brachii muscle, TMS hotspot determination, and four sets of five repetitions where 100% stimulator output was delivered at an elbow angle of 110° of flexion. We normalized cMEP amplitude by M‐max (% M‐max) and iMEP by cMEP amplitude ratio (ICAR). Clear iMEPs above background EMG were observed in 21 subjects (88%, ICAR =.31 ±.19). Good‐to‐excellent agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] =.795–1.000) and low bias (.01–.08 mV and.60–1.11 ms) were demonstrated when comparing two different analysis methods (i.e. fixed time‐window vs. manual onset detection) to determine the cMEP and iMEP amplitude and latency, respectively. Most subjects demonstrated clear iMEPs above background EMG triggered at a pre‐determined joint angle during a light‐load dynamic preacher curl exercise. Similar results were obtained when comparing a single‐trial manual identification of iMEP and a semi‐automated time‐window data analysis approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The temporal variability in sediment export yield from glaciers over a timescale of multiple glacial cycles (e.g. 1 × 102 − 1 × 106 years) is of interest for a wide range of applications in glaciology, sedimentology, geomorphology, climatology and environmental engineering. However, the time required for the products of glacial erosion to be transferred through glaciated catchments and the extent to which glacially-conditioned sediment can be transiently stored within them are still poorly constrained and a matter of debate within the community. We propose a conceptual model of the variability in sediment exported from glaciers over multiple glacial cycles based on a literature review. Sediment yield is likely to be highly variable through a glacial cycle, notably between phases of glacier advance, retreat and re-advance due to changes in ice velocity and erosion rates, ice and meltwater transport capacity, and in glacially-conditioned sediment accessibility at the bed. Typically, early phases of glacier retreat and re-advance are expected to lead to the highest increase in sediment yield due to the ease with which the products of bedrock erosion can be accessed and reworked. In contrast, later phases of glacial (re)advance, once glacially-conditioned sedimentary sources become exhausted, may be characterized by intermediate rates of sediment export yield maintained through bedrock erosion. The latest phases of deglaciation, once glacially-conditioned sedimentary sources are either exhausted, stabilized or disconnected from active processes of sediment transfer, are likely to have the lowest rate of export. The conceptual model proposed in this paper fills a gap in the literature by developing a continuous pattern of sediment yield rate variability over the course of multiple glacial cycles, with wider implications for future research. However, its systematic applicability to various glacier settings and glaciations needs more field and modeling data to validate it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-temperature thermochronology studies record Miocene rift initiation of the Northern Malawi Rift. However, no such studies are available that constrain the onset time of rifting of the Southern Malawi Rift, and Cenozoic reactivation of the older Carboniferous-Jurassic Shire Rift. Here we present thermal history models derived from new apatite fission-track and (U-Th-Sm)/He data from the footwalls of major border faults of the Southern Malawi Rift and Shire Rift. Results reveal three distinct cooling episodes: fast cooling in the Cretaceous, slow cooling from the Late Cretaceous until the Miocene, and fast cooling starting in the Late Miocene–Pliocene. The latter phase of cooling indicates that strain along the border faults of the Southern Malawi Rift was initiated at the same time as the Northern Malawi Rift. The timing and rate of extension were further constrained using remote sensing to map the fault networks of the Southern Malawi and Shire rifts and estimate fault displacement and geometry. These results, when combined with our thermal history modeling, yield inferred deformation strain rates that support the linkage between the modern Malawi Rift and the reactivation of border faults of the older Shire Rift since the Miocene. These results support the coeval onset of extension along the full length of the Malawi Rift, with an overall southward decrease in total extension instead driven by a southward decrease in plate-scale cumulative strain rates along the Western Branch of the East African Rift System. • The Neogene onset of rifting is coeval along the full length of the Malawi Rift. • Cooling ages and thermal episodes constrained by apatite fission-track and (U- Th)/He analyses. • Lower extension magnitudes and rates southward along the Malawi Rift. • High fault density suggests a linkage between the Malawi Rift and the reactivated Shire Rift. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent events linked to outsourcing such as the Grenfell Tower disaster in June 2017 and the collapse of Carillion in 2018 have again highlighted the challenges of maintaining democratic accountability of government expenditure where public services are contracted out to private companies. Although not the only focus of policy debate, pressure is building from both parliamentarians and the Information Regulator to extend UK information laws to the rapidly expanding number of private companies holding major public sector contracts. However, there remains a lack of evidence as to the nature and extent of this accountability gap and the implications for legislative reform. This article presents findings on non-compliance from a comprehensive field experiment using Freedom of Information requests on the Private Finance Initiative model of outsourcing. We demonstrate the limits of Freedom of Information as a tool for accountability and argue both legislative and regulatory reform are needed to enable proper public scrutiny of outsourced public services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing non-invasive stimulation protocols can generate plasticity in the motor cortex and its corticospinal projections; techniques for inducing plasticity in subcortical circuits and alternative descending pathways such as the reticulospinal tract (RST) are less well developed. One possible approach developed by this laboratory pairs electrical muscle stimulation with auditory clicks, using a wearable device to deliver stimuli during normal daily activities. In this study, we applied a variety of electrophysiological assessments to male and female healthy human volunteers during a morning and evening laboratory visit. In the intervening time (;6 h), subjects wore the stimulation device, receiving three different protocols, in which clicks and stimulation of the biceps muscle were paired at either low or high rate, or delivered at random. Paired stimulation: (1) increased the extent of reaction time shortening by a loud sound (the StartReact effect); (2) decreased the suppression of responses to transcranial magnetic brain stimulation (TMS) following a loud sound; (3) enhanced muscle responses elicited by a TMS coil oriented to induce anterior-posterior (AP) current, but not posterior-anterior (PA) current, in the brain. These measurements have all been suggested to be sensitive to subcortical, possibly reticulospinal, activity. Changes were similar for either of the two paired stimulus rates tested, but absent after unpaired (control) stimulation. Taken together, these results suggest that pairing clicks and muscle stimulation for long periods does indeed induce plasticity in subcortical systems such as the RST. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abolishing 'modern slavery' has now achieved international policy consensus. The most recent UK initiative – the 2015 Modern Slavery Act (MSA) – includes amongst other aspects tougher prison sentencing for perpetrators and the creation of an independent anti-slavery commissioner to oversee its implementation. However, drawing on research into forced labour among people seeking asylum in England, this article argues that when considered alongside the UK government's deliberate creation of a 'hostile environment' towards migrants, not least in the Immigration Acts of 2014 and 2016, state action to outlaw modern slavery is flawed, counter-productive and disingenuous. We show how the MSA focuses only on the immediate act of coercion between 'victim' and 'criminal', ignoring how the hostile state vulnerabilises migrants in ways that compel their entry into and continued entrapment within severe labour exploitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of Arabia-Eurasia collision are recorded in faults, basins, and exhumed metamorphic massifs across eastern and central Anatolia. These faults and basins also preserve evidence of major changes in deformation and associated sedimentary processes along major suture zones including the Inner Tauride suture where it lies along the southern (Ecemiş) segment of the Central Anatolian fault zone. Stratigraphic and structural data from the Ecemiş fault zone, adjacent NE Ulukışla basin, and metamorphic dome (Niğde Massif) record two fundamentally different stages in the Cenozoic tectonic evolution of this part of central Anatolia. The Paleogene sedimentary and volcanic strata of the NE Ulukışla basin (Ecemiş corridor) were deposited in marginal marine to marine environments on the exhuming Niğde Massif and east of it. A late Eocene-Oligocene transpressional stage of deformation involved oblique northward thrusting of older Paleogene strata onto the eastern Niğde Massif and of the eastern massif onto the rest of the massif, reburying the entire massif to >10 km depth and accompanied by left-lateral motion on the Ecemiş fault zone. A profound change in the tectonic setting at the end of the Oligocene produced widespread transtensional deformation across the area west of the Ecemiş fault zone in the Miocene. In this stage, the Ecemiş fault zone had at least 25 km of left-lateral offset. Before and during this faulting episode, the central Tauride Mountains to the east became a source of sediments that were deposited in small Miocene transtensional basins formed on the Eocene-Oligocene thrust belt between the Ecemiş fault zone and the Niğde Massif. Normal faults compatible with SW-directed extension cut across the Niğde Massif and are associated with a second (Miocene) re-exhumation of the Massif. Geochronology and thermochronology indicate that the transtensional stage started at ca. 23-22 Ma, coeval with large and diverse geological and tectonic changes across Anatolia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following a program of resistance training, there are neural and muscular contributions to the gain in strength. Here, we measured changes in important central motor pathways during strength training in 2 female macaque monkeys. Animals were trained to pull a handle with one arm; weights could be added to increase load. On each day, motor-evoked potentials in upper limb muscles were first measured after stimulation of the primary motor cortex (Ml), corticospinal tract (CST), and reticulospinal tract (RST). Monkeys then completed 50 trials with weights progressively increased over 8-9 weeks (final weight ~ 6 kg, close to the animal's body weight). Muscle responses to Ml and RST stimulation increased during strength training; there were no increases in CST responses. Changes persisted during a 2 week washout period without weights. After a further 3 months of strength training, an experiment under anesthesia mapped potential responses to CST and RST stimulation in the cervical enlargement of the spinal cord. We distinguished the early axonal volley and later spinal synaptic field potentials, and used the slope of the relationship between these at different stimulus intensities as a measure of spinal input-output gain. Spinal gain was increased on the trained compared with the untrained side of the cord within the intermediate zone and motor nuclei for RST, but not CST, stimulation. We conclude that neural adaptations to strength training involve adaptations in the RST, as well as intracortical circuits within Ml. By contrast, there appears to be little contribution from the CST. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key points: Delivering transcranial magnetic brain stimulation over the motor cortex during motor imagination leads to enhanced motor output, which is selective for the muscles primarily involved in the imagined movement.This novel protocol may be useful to enhance function after damage to the motor system, such as after stroke. Several paired stimulation paradigms are known to induce plasticity in the motor cortex, reflected by changes in the motor evoked potential (MEP) following the paired stimulation. Motor imagery (MI) is capable of activating the motor system and affecting cortical excitability. We hypothesized that it might be possible to use MI in conjunction with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to induce plasticity in the human motor system. TMS was delivered to the motor cortex of healthy human subjects, and baseline MEPs recorded from forearm flexor, forearm extensor and intrinsic hand muscles. Subjects were then asked to imagine either wrist flexion or extension movements during TMS delivery (n = 90 trials). Immediately after this intervention, MEP measurement was repeated. Control protocols tested the impact of imagination or TMS alone. Flexion imagination with TMS increased MEPs in flexors and an intrinsic hand muscle. Extensor imagination with TMS increased MEPs in extensor muscles only. The control paradigms did not produce significant changes. We conclude that delivering TMS during MI is capable of inducing plastic changes in the motor system. This new protocol may find utility to enhance functional rehabilitation after brain injury. Key points: Delivering transcranial magnetic brain stimulation over the motor cortex during motor imagination leads to enhanced motor output, which is selective for the muscles primarily involved in the imagined movement.This novel protocol may be useful to enhance function after damage to the motor system, such as after stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on broadcast regulation of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), increased activities to use the agency's regulatory power to influence the programming decisions of broadcasters regarding a range of radio and television content.

In an uncertain external environment, the motor system may need to respond rapidly to an unexpected stimulus. Limb displacement causes muscle stretch; the corrective response has multiple activity bursts, which are suggested to originate from different parts of the neuraxis. The earliest response is so fast, it can only be produced by spinal circuits; this is followed by slower components thought to arise from primary motor cortex (Ml) and other supraspinal areas. Spinal cord (SC) contributions to the slower components are rarely considered. To address this, we recorded neural activity in Ml and the cervical SC during a visuomotor tracking task, in which 2 female macaque monkeys moved their index finger against a resisting motor to track an on-screen target. Following the behavioral trial, an increase in motor torque rapidly returned the finger to its starting position (lever velocity >200°/s). Many cells responded to this passive mechanical perturbation (Ml: 148 of 211 cells, 70%; SC: 67 of 119 cells, 56%). The neural onset latency was faster for SC compared with Ml cells (21.7 ± 11.2 ms vs 25.5 ± 10.7 ms, respectively, mean ± SD). Using spike-triggered averaging, some cells in both regions were identified as likely premotor cells, with monosynaptic connections to motoneurons. Response latencies for these cells were compatible with a contribution to the muscle responses following the perturbation. Comparable fractions of responding neurons in both areas were active up to 100 ms after the perturbation, suggesting that both SC circuits and supraspinal centers could contribute to later response components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the effects of thermally annealing, non-, just-, and thick continuous silver films for their potential applications in metal-enhanced fluorescence, a near-field concept which can alter the free-space absorption and emissive properties of close-proximity fluorophores (excited states). We have chosen to anneal a noncontinuous particulate film 5 nm thick and two thicker continuous films, 15 and 25 nm thick, respectively. Our results show that the annealing of the 25 nm film has little effect on close-proximity fluorescence when coated with a monolayer of fluorophore-labeled protein. However, the 15 nm continuous film cracks upon annealing, producing large nanoparticles which are ideal for enhancing the fluorescence of close-proximity fluorophores that are indeed difficult to prepare by other wet-chemical deposition processes. The annealing of 5 nm noncontinuous particulate films (a control sample) has little influence on metal-enhanced fluorescence, as expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We practise in an era of person-centred care and shared decision making.[1] It is usual to copy patients into correspondence about them; some clinicians alternatively prefer to write directly to the patient after a consultation rather than to the referrer. Cox and Fritz discuss language that may cast patients in a negative light. Getting communication right is key to a successful doctor-patient relationship.[2] It builds trust and rapport, and may even directly have an impact on patient outcomes.[3] Suboptimal communication is a common trigger for patients to complain about their doctor or their care.[4] Many will know that dealing with such complaints can be unpleasant, difficult and time-consuming. [Extracted from the article]

A large degree of variation in the position used during isometric midthigh pull (IMTP) testing and conflicting results of the effects of these changes can be found in the literature. This study investigated the effect of altering body posture and barbell position on the reliability and magnitude of force-time characteristics generated during the IMTP. Seventeen strength-power athletes (n = 11 males, height: 177.5 ± 7.0 cm, body mass: 90.0 ± 14.1 kg, age: 30.6 ± 10.4 years; n = 6 females, height: 165.8 ± 11.4 cm; body mass: 66.4 ± 13.9 kg, age: 30.8 ± 8.7 years) with greater than 6 months of training experience in the clean (1 repetition maximum: 118.5 ± 20.6 kg, 77.5 ± 10.4 kg) volunteered to undertake the experimental protocol. Subjects performed the IMTP using 4 combinations of hip and knee angles, and 2 different barbell positions. The first barbell position corresponded to the second pull of the clean, while the second rested at the midpoint between the iliac crest and the patella. Peak force (PF), time-specific force (F50, F90, F150, F200, and F250), peak rate of force development (pRFD), and impulse (IMP) time bands were reliable in all 4 testing positions examined. Statistically greater PF, F50, F90, F150, F200, F250, pRFD, and IMP0-50, IMP0-90, IMP0-150, and IMP0-200 were generated in a testing position corresponding to the second pull of the clean when compared with a bent over torso angle, regardless of the barbell position used. Moderate to large effect sizes favoring a testing position corresponding to the second pull were also found. Overall, when performing the IMTP, an upright torso and a barbell position that matches the second pull of the clean should be used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reticulospinal tract plays an important role in primate upper limb function, but methods for assessing its activity are limited. One promising approach is to measure rapid visual responses (RVRs) in arm muscle activity during a visually cued reaching task; these may arise from a tecto-reticulospinal pathway. We investigated whether changes in reticulospinal excitability can be assessed noninvasively using RVRs, by pairing the visual stimuli of the reaching task with electrical stimulation of the median nerve, galvanic vestibular stimulation, or loud sounds, all of which are known to activate the reticular formation. Surface electromyogram (EMG) recordings were made from the right deltoid of healthy human subjects as they performed fast reaching movements toward visual targets. Stimuli were delivered up to 200 ms before target appearance, and RVR was quantified as the EMG amplitude in a window 75-125 ms after visual target onset. Median nerve, vestibular, and auditory stimuli all consistently facilitated the RVRs, as well as reducing the latency of responses. We propose that this facilitation reflects modulation of tecto-reticulospinal excitability, which is consistent with the idea that the amplitude of RVRs can be used to assess changes in brain stem excitability noninvasively in humans. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Short-latency responses in arm muscles evoked during a visually driven reaching task have previously been proposed to be tecto-reticulospinal in origin. We demonstrate that these responses can be facilitated by pairing the appearance of a visual target with stimuli that activate the reticular formation: median nerve, vestibular, and auditory stimuli. We propose that this reflects noninvasive measurement and modulation of reticulospinal excitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Employing a comparative experimental design drawing on over 18,000 interviews across eleven countries on four continents, this article revisits the discussion about the economic and cultural drivers of attitudes towards immigrants in advanced democracies. Experiments manipulate the occupational status, skin tone and national origin of immigrants in short vignettes. The results are most consistent with a Sociotropic Economic Threat thesis: In all countries, higher-skilled immigrants are preferred to their lower-skilled counterparts at all levels of native socio-economic status (SES). There is little support for the Labor Market Competition hypothesis, since respondents are not more opposed to immigrants in their own SES stratum. While skin tone itself has little effect in any country, immigrants from Muslim-majority countries do elicit significantly lower levels of support, and racial animus remains a powerful force. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sizable literature finds evidence of public responsiveness to policy change, across a range of salient policy domains and countries. We have a very limited sense for what drives this aggregate-level responsiveness, however. One possibility is that individuals learn at least part of what they need to know from mass media. Work tends to emphasize failures in both media coverage and citizens, but little research explores the prevalence of relevant, accurate information in media content, or citizens' abilities to identify and respond to that information. Using the case of defense spending in the United States, we examine both, through an automated content analysis of thirty-five years of reporting, validated by a coding exercise fielded to survey respondents. Results prompt analyses of the American National Election Study (ANES), tracing both individual-level perceptions of and preferences for defense spending change over time. These results, supplemented by aggregate analyses of the General Social Survey (GSS), illustrate how media might facilitate—but also confuse—public responsiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key points: Pairing stimulation of a finger flexor or extensor muscle at the motor point with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the motor cortex generated plastic changes in motor output.Increases in output were greater in intrinsic hand muscles than in the finger flexor. No changes occurred in the finger extensor. This gradient was seen irrespective of which muscle was stimulated paired with transcranial magnetic stimulation.Intermittent theta‐burst stimulation also produced increases in output, although these were similar across muscles.We suggest that intrinsic hand and flexor muscles have a higher potential to show plasticity than extensors, although only when plasticity is induced by sensory input. This may relate to differences seen in recovery of function in these muscles after injury, such as post‐stroke. The ability of the motor system to show plastic change underlies skill learning and also permits recovery after injury. One puzzling observation is that, after stroke, upper limb flexor muscles show good recovery but extensors remain weak, with this being a major contributor to residual disability. We hypothesized that there might be differences in potential for plasticity across hand and forearm muscles. In the present study, we investigated this using two protocols based on transcranial magnetic brain stimulation (TMS) in healthy human subjects. Baseline TMS responses were recorded from two intrinsic hand muscles: flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) and extensor digitorum communis (EDC). In the first study, paired associative stimulation (PAS) was delivered by pairing motor point stimulation of FDS or EDC with TMS. Responses were then remeasured. Increases were greatest in the hand muscles, smaller in FDS and non‐significant in EDC, irrespective of whether stimulation of FDS or EDC was used. In the second study, intermittent theta‐burst rapid rate TMS was applied instead of PAS. In this case, all muscles showed similar increases in TMS responses. We conclude that the potential to show plastic changes in motor cortical output has the gradient: hand muscles > flexors > extensors. However, this was only seen in a protocol that requires integration of sensory input (PAS) and not when plasticity was induced purely by cortical stimulation (rapid rate TMS). This observation may relate to why functional recovery tends to favour flexor and hand muscles over extensors. Key points: Pairing stimulation of a finger flexor or extensor muscle at the motor point with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the motor cortex generated plastic changes in motor output.Increases in output were greater in intrinsic hand muscles than in the finger flexor. No changes occurred in the finger extensor. This gradient was seen irrespective of which muscle was stimulated paired with transcranial magnetic stimulation.Intermittent theta‐burst stimulation also produced increases in output, although these were similar across muscles.We suggest that intrinsic hand and flexor muscles have a higher potential to show plasticity than extensors, although only when plasticity is induced by sensory input. This may relate to differences seen in recovery of function in these muscles after injury, such as post‐stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Recent studies have reported methane (CH 4) emissions from abandoned and active oil and gas infrastructure across the United States, where measured emissions show regional variability. To investigate similar phenomena in West Virginia, we measure and characterize emissions from abandoned and active conventional oil and gas wells. In addition, we reconcile divergent regional CH 4 emissions estimates by comparing our West Virginia emissions estimates with those from other states in the United States. We find the CH 4 emission factors from 112 plugged and 147 unplugged wells in West Virginia are 0.1 g CH 4 h−1 and 3.2 g CH 4 h−1, respectively. The highest emitting unplugged abandoned wells in WV are those most recently abandoned, with the mean emission of wells abandoned between 1993 and 2015 of 16 g CH 4 h−1 compared to the mean of those abandoned before 1993 of 3 × 10−3 g CH 4 h−1. Using field observations at a historic mining area as a proxy for state-wide drilling activity in the late 19th/early 20th century, we estimate the number of abandoned wells in WV at between 60,000 and 760,000 wells. Methane emission factors from active conventional wells were estimated at 138 g CH 4 h−1. We did not find an emission pattern relating to age of wells or operator for active wells, however, the CH 4 emission factor for active conventional wells was 7.5 times larger than the emission factor used by the EPA for conventional oil and gas wells. Our results suggest that well emission factors for active and abandoned wells can vary within the same geologic formation and may be affected by differences in state regulations. Therefore, accounting for state-level variations is critical for accuracy in greenhouse gas emissions inventories, which are used to guide emissions reduction strategies. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • WV CH 4 emissions of plugged, unplugged and active wells were 0.1, 3.2 and 138 g CH 4 h−1. • Methane emissions were higher at active wells compared to plugged and unplugged abandoned wells. • We estimate the number of abandoned wells in WV at between 60,000 and 760,000. • Average emission from active wells was 7.5 times larger than the EPA emission factor. • Well emission can vary along geologic formation and be affected by state regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following Appalachian orogenesis, metamorphic rocks in central Newfoundland were exhumed and reburied under Tournaisian strata. New zircon fission‐track (ZFT) ages of metamorphic rocks below the Tournaisian unconformity yield post‐depositionally reset ages of 212–235 Ma indicating regional fluid‐absent reheating to at least ≥220°C. Post‐Tournaisian sedimentary thicknesses in surrounding basins show that burial alone cannot explain such temperatures, thus requiring that palaeo‐geothermal gradients increased to ≥30–40°C/km before final late Triassic accelerated cooling. We attribute these elevated palaeo‐geothermal gradients to localized thermal blanketing by insulating sediments overlying radiogenic high‐heat‐producing granitoids. Late Triassic rifting and magmatism before break up of Pangaea likely also contributed to elevated heat flow, as well as uplift, triggering late Triassic accelerated cooling and exhumation. Thermochronological ages of 240–200 Ma are seen throughout Atlantic Canada, and record rifting and basaltic magmatism on the conjugate margins of the Central Atlantic Ocean preceding the onset of oceanic spreading at ~190 Ma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Matthews' 1992 geoecological model of vegetation succession within glacial forefields describes how following deglaciation the landscape evolves over time as the result of both biotic and abiotic factors, with the importance of each depending on the level of environmental stress within the system. We focus in this paper on how new understandings of abiotic factors and the potential for biogeomorphic feedbacks between abiotic and biotic factors makes further development of this model important. Disturbance and water dynamics are two abiotic factors that have been shown to create stress gradients that can drive early ecosystem succession. The subsequent establishment of microbial communities and vegetation can then result in biogeomorphic feedbacks via ecosystem engineering that influence the role of disturbance and water dynamics within the system. Microbes can act as ecosystem engineers by supplying nutrients (via remineralization of organic matter and nitrogen fixation), enhancing soil development, either decreasing (encouraging weathering) or increasing (binding sediment grains) geomorphic stability, and helping retain soil moisture. Vegetation can act as an ecosystem engineer by fixing nitrogen, enhancing soil development, modifying microbial community structure, creating seed banks, and increasing geomorphic stability. The feedbacks between vegetation and water dynamics in glacial forefields are still poorly studied. We propose a synthesized model of ecosystem succession within glacial forefields that combines Matthews' initial geoecological model and Corenblit's model to illustrate how gradients in environmental stress combined with successional time drive the balance between abiotic and biotic factors and ultimately determine the successional stage and potential for biogeomorphic feedbacks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Antarctic ice sheet blankets >99% of the continent and limits our ability to study how subglacial geology and topography have evolved through time. Ice-rafted dropstones derived from the Antarctic subglacial continental interior at different times during the late Cenozoic provide valuable thermal history proxies to understand this geologic history. We applied multiple thermochronometers covering a range of closure temperatures (60-800 °C) to 10 dropstones collected during Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Expedition 318 in order to explore the subglacial geology and thermal and exhumation history of the Wilkes Subglacial Basin. The Wilkes Subglacial Basin is a key target for study because ice-sheet models show it was an area of ice-sheet retreat that significantly contributed to sea-level rise during past warm periods. Depositional ages of dropstones range from early Oligocene to late Pleistocene and have zircon U-Pb or 40Ar/39Ar ages indicating sources from the Mertz shear zone, Adélie craton, Ferrar large igneous province, and Millen schist belt. Dropstones from the Mertz shear zone and Adélie craton experienced three cooling periods (1700-1500 Ma; 500-280 Ma; 34-0 Ma) and two periods of extremely slow cooling rates (1500-500 Ma; 280-34 Ma). Low-temperature thermochronometers from seven of the dropstones record cooling during the Paleozoic, potentially recording the Ross or Pan-African orogenies, and during the Mesozoic, potentially recording late Paleozoic to Mesozoic rifting. These dropstones then resided within ~500 m of the surface since the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic. In contrast, two dropstones deposited during the mid-Pliocene, one from the Mertz shear zone and one from Adélie craton, show evidence for localized post-Eocene glacial erosion of =2 km. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melanopsin is a blue light-sensitive opsin photopigment involved in a range of non-image forming behaviours, including circadian photoentrainment and the pupil light response. Many naturally occurring genetic variants exist within the human melanopsin gene (OPN4), yet it remains unclear how these variants affect melanopsin protein function and downstream physiological responses to light. Here, we have used bioinformatic analysis and in vitro expression systems to determine the functional phenotypes of missense human OPN4 variants. From 1242 human OPN4 variants collated in the NCBI Short Genetic Variation database (dbSNP), we identified 96 that lead to non-synonymous amino acid substitutions. These 96 missense mutations were screened using sequence alignment and comparative approaches to select 16 potentially deleterious variants for functional characterisation using calcium imaging of melanopsin-driven light responses in HEK293T cells. We identify several previously uncharacterised OPN4 mutations with altered functional properties, including attenuated or abolished light responses, as well as variants demonstrating abnormal response kinetics. These data provide valuable insight into the structure-function relationships of human melanopsin, including several key functional residues of the melanopsin protein. The identification of melanopsin variants with significantly altered function may serve to detect individuals with disrupted melanopsin-based light perception, and potentially highlight those at increased risk of sleep disturbance, circadian dysfunction, and visual abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intermuscular coherence allows the investigation of common input to muscle groups. Although beta-band (15-30 Hz) intermuscular coherence is well understood as originating from the cortex, the source of intermuscular coherence at lower frequencies is still unclear. We used a wearable device that recorded electromyographic (EMG) signals during a 24-h period in four lower limb muscles of seven spinal cord injury patients (American Spinal Cord Injury Association impairment scale: A, 6 subjects; B, 1 subject) while they went about their normal daily life activities. We detected natural spasms occurring during these longlasting recordings and calculated intermuscular coherence between all six possible combinations of muscle pairs. There was significant intermuscular coherence at low frequencies, between 2 and 13 Hz. The most likely source for this was the spinal cord and its peripheral feedback loops, because the spinal lesions in these patients had interrupted connections to supraspinal structures. This is the first report to demonstrate that the spinal cord is capable of producing low-frequency intermuscular coherence with severely reduced or abolished descending drive. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first report to demonstrate that intermuscular coherence between lower limb muscles at low frequencies can be produced by the spinal cord with severely reduced or abolished descending drive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Primates (including humans) have a highly developed corticospinal tract, and specialized motor cortical areas which differ in key ways from rodents. Much work on motor cortex has therefore used macaque monkeys as a good animal model for human motor control. However, there is a paucity of data describing the fundamental functional architecture of primate primary motor cortex, which is best addressed with in vitro approaches. In this study we examined the cellular properties and the micro‐circuitry of the adult macaque primary motor cortex by carrying out in‐vitro intracellular recordings. We aimed to characterize the basic properties of the cortical circuitry by studying the intrinsic properties of its pyramidal neurons and their physiological interconnectivity. We studied the passive and active electrophysiological properties of pyramidal neurons in both superficial and deep cortical layers. Both superficial and deep pyramidal neurons exhibited bursting behaviour that could act as powerful excitation for downstream targets. Synaptic connections were lamina specific. Neurons in the deep layers had convergent excitatory inputs from all cortical layers whereas superficial neurons had only significant inputs from superficial layers. This sheds light on the functional architecture of the primate primary motor cortex and how its output is shaped. We also took the unique opportunity in our recording technique to characterize the relationship between intracellular and extracellular spike waveforms, with implications for cell‐type identification in studies in awake behaving monkey. Our results will aid the interpretation of primate studies into motor control involving extracellular spike recordings and electrical stimulation in primary motor cortex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seabird colonies alter the biogeochemistry of nearby ecosystems, while the associated emissions of ammonia (NH 3 ) may cause acidification and eutrophication of finely balanced biomes. To examine the possible effects of future climate change on the magnitude and distribution of seabird NH 3 emissions globally, a global seabird database was used as input to the GUANO model, a dynamic mass-flow process-based model that simulates NH 3 losses from seabird colonies at an hourly resolution in relation to environmental conditions. Ammonia emissions calculated by the GUANO model were in close agreement with measured NH 3 emissions across a wide range of climates. For the year 2010, the total global seabird NH 3 emission is estimated at 82 [37–127] Gg year −1 . This is less than previously estimated using a simple temperature-dependent empirical model, mainly due to inclusion of nitrogen wash-off from colonies during precipitation events in the GUANO model. High precipitation, especially between 40° and 60° S, results in total emissions for the penguin species that are 82% smaller than previously estimated, while for species found in dry tropical areas, emissions are 83–133% larger. Application of temperature anomalies for several IPCC scenarios for 2099 in the GUANO model indicated a predicted net increase in global seabird NH 3 emissions of 27% (B1 scenario) and 39% (A2 scenario), compared with the 2010 estimates. At individual colonies, the net change was the result of influences of temperature, precipitation and relative humidity change, with smaller effects of wind-speed changes. The largest increases in NH 3 emissions (mean: 60% [486 to −50] increase; A2 scenario for 2099 compared with 2010) were found for colonies 40°S to 65°N, and may lead to increased plant growth and decreased biodiversity by eliminating nitrogen sensitive plant species. Only 7% of the seabird colonies assessed globally (mainly limited to the sub-polar Southern Ocean) were estimated to experience a reduction in NH 3 emission (average: −18% [-50 to 0] reduction between 2010 and 2099, A2 scenario), where an increase in precipitation was found to more than offset the effect of rising temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Noninvasive assessment of spinal circuitry in humans is limited, especially for Ib pathways in the upper limb. We developed a protocol in which we evoke the H reflex in flexor carpi radialis (FCR) by median nerve stimulation and condition it with electrical stimulation above motor threshold over the extensor carpi radialis (ECR) muscle belly. Eighteen healthy adults (8 male, 10 female) took part in the study. There was a clear reflex facilitation at a 30 ms interstimulus interval (ISI) and suppression at a 70 ms ISI, which was highly consistent across subjects. We investigated the following two hypotheses of the possible source of the facilitation: (1) ECR Ib afferents from Golgi tendon organs, activated by the twitch following ECR stimulation; and (2) FCR afferents, from spindles and/or Golgi tendon organs, activated by the wrist extension movement that follows ECR stimulation. Several human and monkey experiments indicated a role for both of these sets of afferents. Our results provide evidence for a spinal circuit in which tlexor motoneurons receive convergent excitatory input from flexor afferents as well as from extensor lb afferents; this circuit can be straightforwardly assessed noninvasively in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent decades have been marked by increasingly divided partisan opinion in the US. This study investigates whether a similar trend might be occurring in Canada. It does so by examining redistributive preferences, using Canadian Election Studies data from every election since 1992. Results suggest that Canada has experienced a surge in partisan sorting that is comparable to that in the US. Over time, like-minded citizens have increasingly clustered into parties, with increasingly stark divisions between partisans. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]