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Conservation practices can maintain or enhance the quantity of ecosystem services realized by both private individuals and society. However, implementing these practices generally has costs that may exceed the benefit received by a private economic agent, particularly if costs are immediate and benefits accrue in the future. This study presents a framework to evaluate ranch-level financial incentives for grazing management that results in improved soil health. A range of hypothetical scenarios of improved forage production is considered for a representative central-Wyoming, US, profit-maximizing rancher. Modeled scenarios are then compared with the possible costs of implementing a practice to improve soil health. The net present value (NPV) of net benefits is shown to be positive if forage production increased immediately. However, it is likely that the forage response is not immediate and would occur over a significant period of time. Scenarios of linear and logistic forage response over a period of 35 yr and 105 yr, as well as two different initial conditions, all show a negative NPV of net benefits (greater implementation costs of rotational grazing than projected benefits from improved soil health) assuming a 7% discount rate. Due to the time it may take for forage benefits to be realized and the time value of money, financial assistance may be required for ranchers to at least break even when implementing practices that improve soil health on rangelands.

Youth-based programmes providing education-based expeditions to the Polar Regions have been offered for more than two decades, and whilst studies hint that participants return as inspired and empow...

Tree stem mediated methane emissions represent a potentially important yet poorly constrained source of atmospheric methane. Here we present the first ever quantification of tree stem methane emissions from Melaleuca quinquenervia, a widespread iconic Australian lowland tree and globally invasive species. Under two distinct hydrological conditions (wet and dry) we captured 431 tree stem flux measurements encompassing six different vertical stem heights along a 50 m topo-gradient transect, separated into three distinct hydrological zones (upper, transitional and lower). The tree stem methane fluxes closely reflected local topography/hydrology and ranged from − 30.0 to 123,227 µmol m−2 day−1, with the maximum values amongst the highest values reported to date. The highest methane emissions were observed during wet conditions, within the inundated lower zone and from near the tree stem bases and water table. The average methane flux per tree (scaled to 1 m of stem) for the transitional and lower zones was 52-fold and 46-fold higher during wet conditions compared to dry, whereas the upper zone emissions changed little between seasons. Adjacent soil fluxes followed similar trends along the hydrology gradient with the upper zone tree stem emissions offsetting the adjacent soil methane sink capacity. A clear trend of sharply decreasing methane emissions with stem-height suggests a soil methane origin. A 45-h time-series of two trees within the lower zone revealed three to fourfold diel variability, with elevated morning-time fluxes. Overall, the study revealed that seasonal hydrological conditions and topo-gradient substantially regulated the methane emissions from M. quinquenervia and that this previously overlooked pathway should be accounted for within wetland methane budgets, especially during inundated conditions.

Comprehensive aquifer characterization requires the development of a three-dimensional (3D) geological model and estimation of hydraulic and hydro-geochemical properties. This can be used to discern the governing processes of groundwater flow and chemistry, and plan pertinent groundwater management approaches. This study evaluated the influence of geological settings and groundwater flow on the groundwater development potential and chemistry in a Quaternary aquifer system in the Raya Valley, Ethiopia. Surface geology, digital elevations, groundwater-level measurements, and data from drill logs, pumping tests and vertical electrical soundings were combined to characterize the physical properties of the aquifer system. 3D geological and hydrogeological models were developed and used to delineate subsurface formations and to quantify groundwater flow. The aquifer was characterized as a heterogeneous and anisotropic unconfined system. The available groundwater volume was estimated to be 80 ± 1 km3 with a maximum sustainable yield of 530,409 ± 16,800 m3/day. The use of geochemical models and principal component analysis revealed that the origin and geochemical composition of the groundwater were spatially variable. Rock weathering, mineral dissolution, ion-exchange and anthropogenic activities were the major processes governing the hydro-geochemical characteristics of the aquifer, while evaporation processes caused groundwater salinity enrichment. However, even though mineral saturation of the groundwater at specific locations was highly influenced by the geologic matrix, advective groundwater transport led to areas with mixed groundwater chemistry. The observed and modelled complexity of this aquifer system suggests that such evaluations are important to design appropriate groundwater management strategies in heterogeneous and structurally complex aquifer systems.

The magnitude of the terrestrial carbon (C) sink may be overestimated globally due to the difficulty of accounting for all C losses across heterogeneous landscapes. More complete assessments of net landscape C balances (NLCB) are needed that integrate both emissions by fire and transfer to aquatic systems, two key loss pathways of terrestrial C. These pathways can be particularly significant in the wet-dry tropics, where fire plays a fundamental part in ecosystems and where intense rainfall and seasonal flooding can result in considerable aquatic C export (sigma F-aq). Here, we determined the NLCB of a lowland catchment (similar to 140 km(2)) in tropical Australia over 2 years by evaluating net terrestrial productivity (NEP), fire-related C emissions and sigma F-aq (comprising both downstream transport and gaseous evasion) for the two main landscape components, that is, savanna woodland and seasonal wetlands. We found that the catchment was a large C sink (NLCB 334 Mg C km(-2) year(-1)), and that savanna and wetland areas contributed 84% and 16% to this sink, respectively. Annually, fire emissions (-56 Mg C km(-2) year(-1)) and sigma F-aq (-28 Mg C km(-2) year(-1)) reduced NEP by 13% and 7%, respectively. Savanna burning shifted the catchment to a net C source for several months during the dry season, while sigma F-aq significantly offset NEP during the wet season, with a disproportionate contribution by single major monsoonal events-up to 39% of annual sigma F-aq was exported in one event. We hypothesize that wetter and hotter conditions in the wet-dry tropics in the future will increase sigma F-aq and fire emissions, potentially further reducing the current C sink in the region. More long-term studies are needed to upscale this first NLCB estimate to less productive, yet hydrologically dynamic regions of the wet-dry tropics where our result indicating a significant C sink may not hold.

Coastal waters are known to emit globally significant quantities of CH4, a potent greenhouse gas, but the potential of the rapid and ongoing human alterations to coastal areas to alter these emissions remains undefined. Here we addressed this gap by quantifying water-to-air CH4 fluxes and δ13C-CH4 values in sub-tropical estuaries at Low (n = 3), Moderate (n = 2), and High (n = 3) levels of human modification (agricultural land use, wastewater discharge), and sediment-to-water CH4 fluxes from the major benthic habitats in representative Low, Moderate, and High systems. An increase in water-to-air CH4 fluxes from 9.7 µmol m−2 d−1 (Low) to 28 µmol m−2 d−1 (Moderate) to 47 µmol m−2 d−1 (High) was accompanied by a shift from hydrogenotrophic to acetoclastic production pathways. Unexpectedly, benthic CH4 production, which ranged from −48 µmol m−2 d−1 to +180 µmol m−2 d−1 between habitats, estuaries, and seasons, was not the primary driver of this shift. Sediments produced more CH4 (∼600%) than emitted from the Low estuary, ∼90% of CH4 emitted from the Moderate estuary, but only 9% of CH4 emitted from the High estuary. Instead, a combination of wastewater, groundwater, and apparent water column production caused a ∼ 3-fold increase in estuary CH4 emissions. Our findings indicate that human alterations to the source, rate, and pathways of CH4 production are driving a net increase in emissions from estuaries, demonstrating a need to redefine how we quantify ‘anthropogenic’ CH4 emissions.

Enhanced Family Tree reimagines the possibilities of family trees with an evolving series of exhibits. The authors’ works combine genealogical data, visualization, 3D technologies and interactivity to explore and display ancient genealogical relationships. Their new approach may reveal questionable relationships in genealogical records. Moreover, the authors’ use of an organic metaphor of a “tree” can be further extended to increase public understanding and engagement. The audience's questions arising from this project show increased curiosity and nuanced questioning about their own family origins and development.

Tree stem methane emissions are gaining increasing attention as an overlooked atmospheric source pathway. Existing methods for measuring tree stem greenhouse gas fluxes and isotopes may provide robust integrated emission estimates, but due to their coarse resolution, the capacity to derive insights into fine-scale dynamics of tree stem emissions is limited. We demonstrate and field test an alternative method that is Small, Nimble, In situ and allows for Fine-scale Flux (‘SNIFF’) measurements, on complex and contrasting stem surfaces. It is lightweight and therefore suitable to remote field locations enabling real-time data observations allowing for field-based, data driven sampling regimes. This method facilitated novel results capturing fine-scale vertical and radial methane flux measurements (5 cm increments) and revealed: (1) 86–89% of methane emissions emanated from the lower 30 cm of sampled wetland tree species; (2) clear vertical and horizontal trends in δ13C-CH4 possibly due to fractionation associated with oxidation and/or mass-dependant fractionation during diffusive transport; and (3) the occurrence of substantial radial heterogeneity. We also compared a variety of up-scaling approaches to estimate methane flux per tree, including novel smartphone 3D photogrammetry that resulted in substantially higher stem surface area estimations (> 16 to 36%) than traditional empirical methods. Utilising small chambers with high radial and vertical resolution capabilities may therefore facilitate more robust future assessments into the drivers, pathways, oxidation sinks and magnitude of tree stem greenhouse gas emissions, and compliment previous broad-scale sampling techniques.

Objective We aim to non-invasively facilitate activation of spared neural circuits after cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We developed and tested a novel configuration for cervical transcutaneous spinal stimulation (cTSS). Methods cTSS was delivered via electrodes placed over the midline at ~T2-T4 levels posteriorly and ~C4-C5 levels anteriorly. Electromyographic responses were measured in arm and hand muscles across a range of stimulus intensities. Double-pulse experiments were performed to assess homosynaptic post-activation depression (PAD). Safety was closely monitored. Results More than 170 cTSS sessions were conducted without major safety or tolerability issues. A cathode-posterior, 2 ms biphasic waveform provided optimal stimulation characteristics. Bilateral upper extremity muscle responses were easily obtained in subjects with SCI and ALS. Resting motor threshold at the abductor pollicis brevis muscle ranged from 5.5 to 51.0 mA. As stimulus intensity increased, response latencies to all muscles decreased. PAD was incomplete at lower stimulus intensities, and decreased at higher stimulus intensities. Conclusions Posteroanterior cTSS has the capability to target motor neurons both trans-synaptically via large-diameter afferents and non-synaptically via efferent motor axons. Significance Posteroanterior cTSS is well tolerated and easily activates upper extremity muscles in individuals with SCI and ALS.

Coastal wetland restoration is an important activity to achieve greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets, improve water quality, and reach the Sustainable Development Goals. However, many uncertainties remain in connection with achieving, measuring, and reporting success from coastal wetland restoration. We measured levels of carbon (C) abatement and nitrogen (N) removal potential of restored coastal wetlands in subtropical Queensland, Australia. The site was originally a supratidal forest composed of Melaleuca spp. that was cleared and drained in the 1990s for sugarcane production. In 2010, tidal inundation was reinstated, and a mosaic of coastal vegetation (saltmarshes, mangroves, and supratidal forests) emerged. We measured soil GHG fluxes (CH

BackgroundIn the SENSCIS trial in subjects with SSc-ILD, nintedanib reduced the rate of decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) over 52 weeks by 44% compared with placebo.ObjectivesTo investigate the effects of nintedanib on circulating biomarkers of extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover, epithelial injury and inflammation in the SENSCIS trial.MethodsSubjects had SSc with first non-Raynaud symptom in the prior ≤7 years, extent of fibrotic ILD on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) ≥10% and FVC ≥40% predicted. Patients were randomised to receive nintedanib or placebo stratified by anti-topoisomerase I antibody (ATA). Blood samples were taken at baseline and at weeks 4, 24 and 52. Fold changes in adjusted mean levels of circulating biomarkers were analyzed using a linear mixed model for repeated measures. Data were log10 transformed before analysis and estimates of change from baseline were back-transformed.ResultsA total of 576 subjects received trial drug (288 nintedanib, 288 placebo). A transient increase in fold change from baseline in C-reactive protein (CRP) (a marker of inflammation) was observed in subjects who received nintedanib versus placebo at week 4. After an initial increase at week 4 in the fold change from baseline in CRP degraded by MMP-1/8 (CRPM) (a marker of ECM turnover), a trend to decreasing levels was observed in subjects who received nintedanib compared with placebo at week 52. Decreases in the fold change from baseline in collagen 3 degraded by MMP-9 (C3M) and N-terminal propeptide of type VI collagen (pro-C6) (markers of ECM turnover) were observed in subjects who received nintedanib compared with placebo from week 24 and week 4, respectively. A decrease in fold change from baseline in Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) (a marker of epithelial injury) was observed in subjects who received nintedanib versus placebo at week 52. A decrease in fold change from baseline in cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) (a marker of epithelial injury) was observed in subjects who received nintedanib versus placebo from week 4 (Figure 1).ConclusionData from the SENSCIS trial suggest that nintedanib reduced circulating levels of markers of ECM turnover and epithelial injury in subjects with SSc-ILD.AcknowledgementsThe SENSCIS trial was funded by Boehringer Ingelheim. Masataka Kuwana, Toby M Maher and Oliver Distler were members of the SENSCIS trial Steering Committe.Disclosure of InterestsShervin Assassi Speakers bureau: On speaker bureau for Integrity Continuing Education, Consultant of: Abbvie, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, CSL Behring, Novartis, Grant/research support from: Boehringer Ingelheim, Janssen, Masataka Kuwana Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Asahi Kasei Pharma, Astellas, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chugai, Eisai, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Nippon Shinyaku, Tanabe-Mitsubishi, Ono Pharmaceuticals, Consultant of: AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Corbus, MochidaKissei, Grant/research support from: Boehringer Ingelheim, MBL, Ono Pharmaceuticals, Christopher P Denton Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Janssen, Consultant of: Abbvie, Acceleron, Boehringer Ingelheim, Corbus, CSL Behring, GlaxoSmithKline, Roche, Grant/research support from: ARXX Therapeutics, GlaxoSmithKline, Horizon Therapeutics, Servier, Toby Maher Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Galapagos, Genentech, Consultant of: AstraZeneca, Bayer, Blade Therapeutics, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Galapagos, Galecto, GlaxoSmithKline R&D, IQVIA, Pliant, Respivant, Roche, Theravance and Veracyte, Grant/research support from: AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Claudia Diefenbach Employee of: Claudia Diefenbach is an employee of Boehringer Ingelheim, Carina Ittrich Employee of: Carina Ittrich is an employee of Boehringer Ingelheim, Martina Gahlemann Employee of: Martina Gahlemann is an employee of Boehringer Ingelheim, Oliver Distler Speakers bureau: OD has/had relationships with the following companies in the area of potential treatments for systemic sclerosis and its complications in the last three calendar years:Speaker fee: Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Janssen, Medscape, Consultant of: OD has/had relationships with the following companies in the area of potential treatments for systemic sclerosis and its complications in the last three calendar years:Consultancy fee: Abbvie, Acceleron, Alcimed, Amgen, AnaMar, Arxx, AstraZeneca, Baecon, Blade, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Corbus, CSL Behring, 4P Science, Galapagos, Glenmark, Horizon, Inventiva, Kymera, Lupin, Miltenyi Biotec, Mitsubishi Tanabe, MSD, Novartis, Prometheus, Roivant, Sanofi and TopadurOD has/had relationships with the following companies in the area of potential treatments for arthritides in the last three calendar years:Consultancy fee: Abbvie, Grant/research support from: OD has/had relationships with the following companies in the area of potential treatments for systemic sclerosis and its complications in the last three calendar years:Research Grants: Boehringer Ingelheim, Kymera, Mitsubishi Tanabe

BackgroundIn the SENSCIS trial conducted in a population of subjects with SSc-ILD with a mean time since first non-Raynaud symptom of 3.5 years and 52% with diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc), nintedanib reduced the rate of decline in FVC (mL/year) over 52 weeks by 44% versus placebo. Risk factors for a rapid decline in FVC in patients with SSc include early SSc, elevated inflammatory markers, significant skin involvement, and dcSSc. Patients with SSc with these risk factors for rapid progression of ILD are typically given immunosuppressants but not nintedanib.ObjectivesTo analyse the rate of decline in FVC and the effect of nintedanib on FVC decline in subjects with risk factors for a rapid decline in FVC in the SENSCIS trial.MethodsIn post-hoc analyses of data from the SENSCIS trial, we analysed the rate of decline in FVC (mL/year) over 52 weeks in all subjects and in those with early SSc (9/L), or significant skin fibrosis using two approaches (modified Rodnan skin score [mRSS] 15-40 or mRSS >18) at baseline. We also analysed the rate of decline in FVC over 52 weeks in subjects with one of these risk factors and dcSSc.ResultsOf 575 subjects analysed, 79 (13.7%) had 18. Of 299 subjects with dcSSc, 29 (9.7%) had 18. In the placebo group, the rate of decline in FVC over 52 weeks was numerically greater in subjects with these risk factors for rapid decline in FVC compared with all subjects (Figure 1). Across the subgroups, the rate of decline in FVC was numerically lower in subjects treated with nintedanib than placebo (Figure 1).Figure 1.Rate of decline in FVC (mL/year) over 52 weeks in (A) all patients and in patients with risk factors for rapid decline in FVC at baseline and (B) all patients and in patients with dcSSc and risk factors for rapid decline in FVC at baseline in the SENSCIS trial.ConclusionThe SENSCIS trial included a broad range of subjects with a fibrotic ILD complicating SSc, including those with risk factors for a rapid decline in FVC. In the placebo group, subjects with these risk factors had a more rapid decline in FVC over 52 weeks compared with the overall trial population. By targeting fibrosis with nintedanib, the rate of decline in FVC in patients with risk factors for FVC decline was reduced in patients treated with nintedanib compared with placebo.AcknowledgementsThe SENSCIS trial was funded by Boehringer Ingelheim. Toby M Maher and Masataka Kuwana were members of the SENSCIS trial Steering Committee.Disclosure of InterestsDinesh Khanna Shareholder of: Stocks - Eicos Sciences, Inc, Consultant of: AbbVie, Acceleron, Actelion, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Corbus, CSL Behring, Galapagos NV, Genentech/Roche, Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline, Horizon Therapeutics, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, Prometheus, Sanofi-Aventis, Theraly, United Therapeutics, Grant/research support from: Bayer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Horizon Therapeutics, Immune Tolerance Network, National Institutes of Health, Pfizer, Employee of: Leadership/Equity position – Chief Medical Officer - CiviBioPharma/Eicos Sciences, Inc, Toby Maher Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Galapagos, Genentech, Consultant of: AstraZeneca, Bayer, Blade Therapeutics, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Galapagos, Galecto, GlaxoSmithKline R&D, IQVIA, Pliant, Respivant, Roche, Theravance and Veracyte, Grant/research support from: AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Elizabeth Volkmann Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim, Grant/research support from: Boehringer Ingelheim, Corbus, Forbius, Horizon, Kadmon, Yannick Allanore Consultant of: AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer, Mylan, Janssen, Medsenic, Prometheus, Sanofi, Roche, Grant/research support from: Alpine Immunosciences, Medsenic, OSE Immunotherapeutics, Vanessa Smith Speakers bureau: Actelion Pharmaceuticals, Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharma GmbH&Co, Janssen-Cilag NV, UCB Biopharma Sprl, Consultant of: Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharma GmbH&Co, Janssen-Cilag NV, Grant/research support from: Belgian Fund for Scientific Research in Rheumatic diseases (FWRO), Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharma GmbH&Co, Janssen-Cilag NV, Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO), Shervin Assassi Speakers bureau: On speaker bureau for Integrity Continuing Education, Consultant of: Abbvie, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, CSL Behring, Novartis, Grant/research support from: Boehringer Ingelheim, Janssen, Michael Kreuter Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim and Roche, Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim and Roche, Grant/research support from: Boehringer Ingelheim and Roche, Anna-Maria Hoffmann-Vold Speakers bureau: Actelion, Boehringer Ingelheim, Lilly, Medscape, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Roche, Paid instructor for: Boehringer Ingelheim, Consultant of: Actelion, ARXX, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Lilly, Medscape, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Roche, Grant/research support from: Boehringer Ingelheim, Masataka Kuwana Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Asahi Kasei Pharma, Astellas, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chugai, Eisai, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Nippon Shinyaku, Ono Pharmaceuticals, Tanabe-Mitsubishi, Consultant of: AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Corbus, Kissei, Mochida, Grant/research support from: Boehringer Ingelheim, MBL, Ono Pharmaceuticals, Christian Stock Employee of: Christian Stock is an employee of Boehringer Ingelheim, Margarida Alves Employee of: Margarida Alves is an employee of Boehringer Ingelheim, Steven Sambevski Employee of: Steven Sambevski is an employee of Boehringer Ingelheim, Christopher P Denton Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Janssen, Consultant of: Abbvie, Acceleron, Boehringer Ingelheim, Corbus, CSL Behring, GlaxoSmithKline, Roche, Grant/research support from: ARXX Therapeutics, GlaxoSmithKline, Horizon Therapeutics, Servier

What makes speeches effective has long been a subject for debate, and until today there is broad controversy among public speaking experts about what factors make a speech effective as well as the roles of these factors in speeches. Moreover, there is a lack of quantitative analysis methods to help understand effective speaking strategies. In this paper, we propose E-ffective, a visual analytic system allowing speaking experts and novices to analyze both the role of speech factors and their contribution in effective speeches. From interviews with domain experts and investigating existing literature, we identified important factors to consider in inspirational speeches. We obtained the generated factors from multi-modal data that were then related to effectiveness data. Our system supports rapid understanding of critical factors in inspirational speeches, including the influence of emotions by means of novel visualization methods and interaction. Two novel visualizations include E-spiral (that shows the emotional shifts in speeches in a visually compact way) and E-script (that connects speech content with key speech delivery information). In our evaluation we studied the influence of our system on experts' domain knowledge about speech factors. We further studied the usability of the system by speaking novices and experts on assisting analysis of inspirational speech effectiveness., Comment: IEEE Transactions of Visualization and Computer Graphics (TVCG, Proc. VIS 2021), to appear

Combined pressures from inland agricultural intensification and coastal development are dramatically altering estuaries’ structure and function. Despite the established global significance of estuarine carbon (C) cycling, the impact of growing anthropogenic stress on coastal C inputs and exports is unclear. To address this gap, we evaluated the magnitude and drivers of estuary C fluxes in eight sub-tropical estuaries at Low (n = 3), Moderate (n = 2), and High (n = 3) levels of nutrient enrichment. We measured changes in the concentration and isotopic composition (δ13C) of the major C pools (organic and inorganic) and gaseous product of C turnover (CO2) over wet and dry seasons. Over both sampling periods estuaries classified Moderate and High emitted far more CO2 (37 ± 10 mmol m−2 d−1) than those classified Low (6.3 ± 4 mmol m−2 d−1). However, estuaries with both high nutrients and high turbidity produced less CO2, and thus exported more DIC, than expected from hydrodynamics (freshwater flushing time). Differences in estuary phytoplankton biomass (Chla concentrations) corresponded with differences in the biological CO2 production (respiration) rates estimated from δ13C-DIC variations, although respiration rates were higher than predicted based on hydrodynamics (surface area/discharge) in high nutrient, low turbidity systems. Together these findings demonstrate that land-use intensification can alter both the source and the production of estuary CO2, and suggest that the direction of this shift can depend on ancillary factors like turbidity as well as nutrient enrichment. Evidence that human alterations to coastal ecosystems can shift the balance between DIC downstream export and CO2 emissions outside of the range predicted by hydrodynamic factors like residence time, surface area, and discharge has implications for global C models.

This study was done by partially purification of prolidase from serum of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome by Gel filtration technique, and using sephadex G100 gel as a stationary phase. The degree of purification (15.1) fold, enzyme yield (95.5%) and specific activity (0.00176 IU/I), were carried out .Kinetics studies for the partial purified enzyme technique showed optimal concentration of substrate which was 5 mmol/l Km = 0.66ng and Vmax =0.80 mM, while optimum Temperature was (35C°) and optimum pH was (8). The molecular weight of the partial purified enzyme has been determined by gel electrophoresis method , in presence of polyacrylamide gel and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS_PAGE) which showed that the approximates molecular weight was (54KD),we found high level of prolactin in the patient with polycystic ovary syndrome which was(24.03) when in the control was( 10.09),the value of TSH in the patient was( 17.08) which is high value and in the control was( 1.49), the value of T4 in the patient was (100.2) and in control was (118.4),the value of T3 in the patient was (0.3)and in control was (1.3).Testosterone in patient was (0.391) and in control was (0.206).

Extreme climatic events can trigger sudden but often long‐lasting impacts in ecosystems by causing near to complete mortality of foundation (habitat‐forming) species. The magnitude and frequency of such events are expected to rise due to anthropogenic climate change, but the impacts that such events have on many foundation species and the ecosystems that they support remains poorly understood. In many cases, manipulative experimentation is extremely challenging and rarely feasible at a large scale. In late 2015 to early 2016, an extensive area of mangrove forest along ∼ 1000 km of coastline in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia, experienced severe dieback, an event associated with climatic extremes. To assess the effect this dieback event had on the mangrove ecosystem, we assessed benthic faunal assemblages and food web structure using stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in a comparative experiment of impacted forest and adjacent unimpacted forest. Eighteen months after the dieback, the forest that suffered dieback contained significantly fewer crabs that rely on mangrove litter food source but more crabs that rely on microphytobenthos food source than the unimpacted forest. However, the infaunal biomass was largely unaffected by the mortality effect. This is most likely because microphytobenthos was largely unaffected and consequently, this buffered the food web responses. However, overall, the habitat value for mangrove ecosystem services most likely decreased due to lower physical habitat complexity following tree mortality. Longer‐term monitoring could lead to better understanding of biological effects of this extreme event and underlying biological mechanisms that drive changes and recovery.

Understanding the processes that control alpine treelines, the elevational limits of tree growth forms, has been a central question in ecology and is growing in importance with concern over climate change. Cool summer air temperatures are currently thought to be the ultimate limiter of upright tree growth at alpine treelines globally. However, winter damage has long been recognized as a shaping force near alpine treelines. Low‐growing krummholz growth forms provide an opportunity to test hypotheses about the controls of upright growth in environments above current treelines. To distinguish between effects of growing season temperature, winter damage and their interaction on preventing upright growth in krummholz, we conducted a field experiment on krummholz growth forms of Pinus albicaulis over the summer and winter of 2015–2016 at 10 mountain top sites in the Tobacco Root Mountains, Montana, USA. We experimentally manipulated four factors using a fully crossed design: shoot position (natural low position in the krummholz mat vs. propped up above the krummholz mat), summer warming (warming chamber vs. ambient), winter exposure (shelter cage vs. exposed), and elevation position (local high vs. low krummholz limits). We also conducted an observational study of the climatic conditions associated with recent natural emergent stem establishment from krummholz. Experimentally propped shoots that were exposed in winter experienced the highest mortality (10%–50%), while propped shoots in shelter cages and shoots located within the krummholz mat, whether caged or not, had low mortality (0%–10%). Summer warming had little influence on shoot mortality. Surviving mat shoots had marginally higher growth rates than surviving propped shoots during the early growing season after treatments were established. Natural emergent stem establishment was associated with warmer than average summer temperatures, but also warmer winter temperatures, lower winter wind speeds, and lower snowpack. Synthesis. Our results suggest winter damage plays a more important role than does growing season temperature in maintaining the krummholz growth form. While warming may increase opportunities for emergent shoot establishment above krummholz mats, establishment of upright trees in the krummholz zone will also require climatic change that reduces wind and snow transport which cause winter damage.

In this study several biochemical parameters for cardiovascular patients have been measured CK-MB ,LDH ,GPT and GOT in addition to lipid profile , MDA ,Vitamin C and Vitamin E . New derivatives of ascorbic acid have been synthesized and tested to inhibit the purified GPT from the blood of cardiovascular patients Glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) was purified from cardiovascular patients using ammonium sulphate salt for precipitation then dialysed using 0.1 M Tris-HCL buffer pH7.8 , then filtrated by gel filtration chromatography using Sephadex G-100 , followed by electrophoresis using poly acrylamide – bis acrylamide and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS). Derivatives of 3-(acetyl salicyloyl)-5,6 –O-isopropylidene-L-ascorbic acid (1) 2,3-di(acetyl salicyloyl)-5,6 –O-isopropylidene-L-ascorbic acid (2) and effect of 2,3,5,6 -tetra(acetyl salicyloyl)-L-ascorbic acid (3) which have been synthesized and characterized in this study , have been used in different concentrations to inhibit the purified enzyme activity using DMSO as a solvent .Results showed that these derivatives have inhibition effect on the enzyme activity with new value of kinetic parameters been detected using Linweaver-Burk plot and the type was un-competitive inhibition for the three derivatives been used in this study. Many biochemical parameters have been detected in this study including CK-MB, LDH, GPT and GOT as known marker for the disease in addition to lipid profile parameters Alb. UA, G6PDH, Vit.C and E as antioxidants as well as malondialdehyde (MDA). Results also showed significant differences in the levels of most parameters used in this study

Atmospheric concentrations of methane have increased ∼2.4 fold since the industrial revolution with wetlands and inland waters representing the largest source of methane to the atmosphere. Substantial uncertainties remain in global methane budgets, due in part to the lack of adequate techniques and detailed measurements to assess ebullition in aquatic environments. Here, we present details of a low cost (∼$120 US per unit) ebullition sensor that autonomously logs both volumetric ebullition rate and methane concentrations. The sensor combines a traditional funnel bubble trap with an Arduino logger, a pressure sensor, thermal conductivity methane sensor, and a solenoid valve. Powered by three AA batteries, the sensor can measure autonomously for three months when programmed for a sampling frequency of 30 min. For field testing, four sensors were deployed for six weeks in a small lake. While ebullition was spatially and temporally variable, a distinct diurnal trend was observed with the highest rates from mid-morning to early afternoon. Ebullition rates were similar for all four sensors when integrated over the sampling period. The widespread deployment of low cost automated ebullition sensors such as the iAMES described here will help constrain one of the largest uncertainties in the global methane budget.