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Relatively little has been reported about the seabirds of Gough Island, central South Atlantic Ocean, from autumn and winter. We report ad hoc observations on the abundance, phenology and moult of seabirds at Gough Island from March to June 2021, and during the voyages between the island and Cape Town, South Africa. At least 43 species of seabirds were recorded: 1 penguin, 8 albatrosses, 5 southern and 1 northern storm petrel, 22 petrels and shearwaters, 1 gannet, 3 terns and 2 skuas. The results are presented as an annotated species list as well as a daily log of species for the voyages to and from the island. More species were seen per day at sea in June than in March, but fewer individuals were recorded in oceanic waters, mainly due to the large numbers of Great Shearwaters Ardenna gravis in March.

Over the past two decades, the existence of intact peatlands in lowland Amazonia has been demonstrated, including a vast area of potential peat-forming vegetation of around 43,617 km2 in the Pastaza-Marañón Foreland Basin (PMFB), in the Loreto Department of north-east Peru. Peat sampling and floristic assessments have revealed the presence of peat in four ecosystem types in the PMFB: palm swamps, peatland pole forests, open peatlands, and, more rarely, in seasonally flooded forests. However, recent field investigations and palynological studies show that temporal changes in vegetation in peatlands may have been driven by changes in the degree of flooding, suggesting greater complexity in the controls on peatland development and in the spatiotemporal relationships between ecosystems than current conceptual models allow. Here we present new high-resolution palynological, geochemical and radiocarbon data from an open peatland sampled in the PMFB near San Roque village on the Marañón river. Our study aims to: (1) reconstruct past vegetation changes; (2) investigate the interaction between the fluvial system and the peatland’s vegetation dynamics over time; (3) determine how patterns of ecological and fluvial change at San Roque compare with records from other peatland types in the wider PMFB. Downcore palynology on the dated SAR_T3_03_B peat core provides a vegetation record spanning the last 4,300 years documenting changes in ecological associations over time. Between 4,300 and 3,180 cal yr BP, prior to peat accumulation, our data shows pronounced fluvial influence with high amounts of inorganic material and pollen assemblages from taxa related to open water conditions. Since the beginning of peat accumulation around 3,180 Cal yr BP, palynological and geochemical data suggest conditions related to predominantly herbaceous communities. Core scanning micro-XRF provides proxy evidence for episodes of fluvially-derived minerogenic input during the period of peat accumulation (3,180–440 Cal yr BP). Simultaneous increases in flood-tolerant taxa (e.g. Symmeria paniculata, Alchornea sp., Myrtaceae) support the inference of intervals with increased frequency and depth of river flooding. From around 440 Cal yr BP, we infer the establishment of M. flexuosa palms linked to lower flooding, which persists today. Compared with other regional sequences, the San Roque record is distinctive because of this notable influence of flooding regime on the ecosystem, which impacted on the vegetation succession through changes in flood levels and nutrient inputs. The dynamics of the sediment-laden Marañón River therefore emerges as a major driver in vegetation change and trajectory of peatland development during the last four millennia.

Background: This paper looks to validate the risk score from the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology and the International Cardio-Oncology Society (HFA-ICOS) for predicting potential cardiotoxicity from anticancer therapy for patients positive for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Methods: A total of 507 patients with at least five years since index diagnosis of breast cancer were retrospectively divided according to the HFA-ICOS risk proforma. According to level of risk, these groups were assessed for rates of cardiotoxicity via mixed-effect Bayesian logistic regression model. Results: A follow-up of five years observed cardiotoxicity of 3.3% (n = 3) in the low-risk, 3.3% (n = 10) in the medium-risk, 4.4% (n = 6) in the high-risk, and 38% (n = 6) in the very-high-risk groups respectively. For cardiac events related to treatment, the risk was significantly higher for the very-high-risk category of HFA-ICOS compared to other categories (Beta = 3.1, 95% CrI: 1.5, 4.8). For overall cardiotoxicity related to treatment, the area under the curve was 0.643 (CI 95%: 0.51, 0.76), with 26.1% (95% CI: 8%, 44%) sensitivity and 97.9% (95% CI: 96%, 99%) specificity. Conclusions: The HFA-ICOS risk score has moderate power in predicting cancer therapy–related cardiotoxicity in HER2-positive breast cancer patients.

(1) Ombrotrophic peat bogs provide valuable records of environmental change on long timescales but are rarely preserved near the major centers of industrial activity. Holcroft Moss is a rare example of a stratigraphically intact lowland peat bog in NW England, which provides a valuable opportunity to trace industrial impacts on vegetation in a sensitive environmental archive close to the early industrializing cities of Manchester and Liverpool. (2) We reconstructed environmental changes at Holcroft Moss before and after the Industrial Revolution using a decadal-scale record of pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs, microcharcoal, peat composition (organic content and ash-free bulk density) and heavy metal content, constrained by a radiocarbon and SCP (spheroidal carbonaceous particle) chronology. We examine the relationship between abiotic and biotic environmental tracers using principal component analysis and evaluate the role of local and regional climatic and anthropogenic drivers using canonical redundancy analysis and partitioning of variation. (3) Results show significant changes in bog vegetation composition during the last 700 years. Prior to 1750 CE, climate and agro-pastoral activity (grazing and fires) were the main drivers of vegetation change. Subsequently, regional coal-fired industry contributed to major increases in atmospheric pollutants (dust, heavy metals, and acid deposition) that severely impacted vegetation, driving the decline of Sphagnum. Grasses rose to dominance in the 20th century associated especially with bog conversion and cumulative nitrogen deposition. Although atmospheric pollution significantly decreased in the post-industrial era, vegetation has not returned to pre-industrial conditions, reflecting the ongoing impact of global change drivers which pose challenges for conservation and restoration. (4) Synthesis. Paleoecological studies are needed to reveal the long-term history of vegetation degradation and to offer guidelines for restoration and conservation practices. This study reconstructs the last 700 years of a peat bog located between Manchester and Liverpool, revealing the timing and nature of vegetation changes across the trajectory of early industrialization and eventual post-industrial decline. Our study reveals the progressive dominance of regional anthropogenic forcing and highlights that the present-day vegetation does not have past analogs within the last 700 years. Conservation measures favoring the reintroduction of Sphagnum are justified in redressing the major biological legacy of the Industrial Revolution, while steps to increase Calluna should also be considered in light of its resilience to dry and fire-prone conditions.

Purpose Durum wheat is sensitive of acid soils because it lacks effective genes for Al3+ tolerance. Previous research showed introgression of the bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) TaMATE1B and TaALMT1 genes individually increased the Al3+ tolerance of durum wheat. Here we aimed to (a) combine the genes into a single durum line, (b) compare the various introgression lines to each another and (c) establish the effectiveness of the introgressions in improving tolerance of acid soils in the field. Methods Durum wheat lines homozygous for Al3+-tolerant alleles of TaMATE1B and TaALMT1 were crossed to develop a line that incorporated both genes. The lines comprised of Jandaroi (parental cultivar), TaMATE1B-Jandaroi, TaALMT1-Jandaroi and TaMATE1B + TaALMT1-Jandaroi were screened for Al3+ tolerance by hydroponic and soil cultures in a growth cabinet. The lines were also assessed for biomass production and grain yield in the field on acid soils. Results The durum wheat lines with the various Al3+-tolerance genes introgressed performed better based on root growth than Jandaroi, the parental cultivar, in both hydroponic and soil assays when grown in a cabinet. The various introgression lines were tolerant of acid soils compared to Jandaroi when grown in the field as assessed by shoot biomass and grain yield. Conclusion The TaALMT1 and TaMATE1B genes improve the acid soil tolerance of durum wheat with indications that combing the two genes is the most effective strategy. The various lines will be valuable to breeders who wish to enhance the acid soil tolerance of durum germplasm.

Contains fulltext : 237261.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access) Adherence to national and international clinical practice guidelines is suboptimal throughout Europe. The European Association of Urology Guidelines Office project "IMAGINE" (IMpact Assessment of Guidelines Implementation and Education) has been developed to measure baseline adherence to urological guideline recommendations across Europe and to identify issues that drive nonadherence.

The internet of things (IoT) is a global ecosystem of networked “things.” It is the subject of much research worldwide, although it still has many challenges to overcome before it can achieve its full potential. Many papers have been written on the IoT and related areas including big data analytics, smart cities, and industrial IoT (IIoT). These challenges have mostly been seen as technical, although the IoT's business and societal challenges are also important. Most authors of research papers discuss the research challenges with which they are most familiar, but a framework which identifies and classifies all the challenges and cross-references the publications describing them in detail, is much needed. In this chapter, the authors extend their earlier IoT classification scheme to include more recent papers, and business and societal challenges as well as technical ones. The nature of the classification scheme and research challenges are described; however, the other chapters of this book cover in more detail the individual challenges and proposed strategies to mitigate them.

Pediatric cholesteatoma occurs in one of two forms: congenital cholesteatoma, developing from embryonic epidermal cell rests or acquired cholesteatoma, associated with a focal defect in the tympanic membrane. This disease has been traditionally managed with the operating microscope, often requiring mastoidectomy for adequate visualization of and access to the middle ear and mastoid cavities. Recently, advances in endoscopic equipment have enabled otologists to manage most cases of pediatric cholesteatoma via a minimally-invasive, transcanal endoscopic approach. This review discusses the current literature relating to the etiopathogenesis, assessment and endoscopic management of pediatric cholesteatoma. Early outcomes of endoscopic treatment, emerging trends and technologies are also reviewed. Keywords: Cholesteatoma, Pediatric, Endoscopic, Minimally-invasive, Middle ear, Mastoid

Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy is associated with infection rates between 0.3 % and 3.2%. Infectious complications include urinary tract infection, prostatitis, bacteraemia and sepsis. Surgical site surveillance in this patient cohort is becoming increasingly important given global increases in antimicrobial resistance.Surgical site surveillance for patients undergoing TRUS biopsies was introduced in our hospital in 2017. All patients had a risk assessment form completed to assess for carriage or risk of carriage of multi-drug resistant organisms. An intense analysis was completed on any patient who developed an infection post-TRUS biopsy. Data was fed back on a quarterly basis to a multi-disciplinary working group. Members of this group include a Consultant Microbiologist, Infection Prevention and Control Nurse, Consultant Urologist, Antimicrobial Pharmacists and Clinical Nurse Ward Managers.784 TRUS-guided biopsy of the prostate procedures were performed between January 1 st 2017 and the end of the third quarter, 2021. The rate of infection post-TRUS was 2.7% in 2017, 3.4% in 2018 and 3.2% in 2019. This improved to 0% in 2020 and 0.8% in the first three quarters of 2021.Several interventions were introduced resulting in a sustained reduction in infection rates in this cohort. These include changing the choice of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis, improvement in the timing of antibiotic prophylaxis and scheduling of other urology procedures. The introduction of surgical site surveillance and multi-disciplinary input has demonstrated a reduction in infection rates post TRUS biopsy.

Purpose Organic anions commonly released from plant roots are widely reported to mobilize soil phosphorus (P). We characterized soil organic P that was mobilized by organic anions and assessed its amenability to hydrolysis by phosphatase enzymes. Methods Six soils differing in organic P content were extracted with citrate, malate or oxalate solutions and incubated with preparations of phosphomonoesterase, phosphodiesterase, or phytase. Organic P compounds present in these extracts were putatively identified and quantified with solution 31P NMR spectroscopy and the enzyme-labile P fractions were assessed by changes in molybdate reactive P (MRP) concentration. Results Organic P mobilization varied markedly among the organic anions. Extraction with 10 mM citrate was most effective and extracted 7.8-fold more total P than the water controls across all soils. Approximately 95% of the extracted P was non-MRP. The organic anions increased both the amount of P extracted and the proportion of the total extracted P that was phosphatase labile. Phytase was generally the most effective enzyme with up to 60% of the total non-MRP being amenable to hydrolysis by phytase across all extracts. The presence of inositol hexakisphosphates in the extracts, as well as other forms of organic P including nucleic acids and phospholipids, was verified by 31P NMR with concentrations dependent on both organic anion and soil type. Conclusion The combination of organic anions and phosphatases represents a key mechanism by which plants and microorganisms can enhance the bioavailability of soil P. This has important implications for understanding P dynamics in natural and managed ecosystems and for ongoing efforts to improve the P-use efficiency of agricultural plants.

On January 21, 2017, over four hundred cities across the United States organized sister marches in solidarity with the Women's March on Washington. In this paper, we first compare the size of these marches to that of several significant protest-event sources to show how extraordinary turnout was that day. Then, analyzing a nationally representative sample of sister marches, we present univariate statistics for both event-level characteristics (such as demographics of participants or types of speakers) and mobilization processes (such as composition of organizing teams or recruitment efforts). We situate the descriptive findings in the broader literature on protest events and the women's movement to identify how they converge or diverge from established patterns. In addition, our study shows that many event-level characteristics of the sister marches were distinct relative to a recent national study of protests. Also discussed are the ways in which our results contribute to understanding the sister marches' success in mobilizing millions of people to take to the streets.

Cosmogenic production rates (PRs) are the essential conversion factor between AMS cosmogenic concentrations and absolute exposure ages. The accuracy of cosmogenic glacial chronologies and reliability in their comparison to other paleoclimate systems is largely contingent on the precision and accuracy of the adopted production rate. This is particularly critical in determining past glacial geochronologies at the scale of millennial temporal resolution. Most PR calibrations are carried out at deglaciation sites where radiocarbon provides the independent chronometric control usually based on 14C ages in basal sediments or varves from lake or bog cores which is assumed to represent the minimum age for glacial retreat. Under these conditions and hence provide PRs as maximum values. Given that today most AMS facilities can deliver 10-Be, 26-Al and 36-Cl data with total analytical errors less than 2% ( for 10 ka exposure), the precision of a PR remains largely dependent on the error in the independent chronology and accuracy of AMS standards. The history over the past 20 years of the ever-decreasing value of SLHL 10-Be cosmogenic spallation PRs from initial estimates of about 7 atoms/g/a to the current ‘accepted‘ (global average) values of ~4 atoms/g/a, is an interesting story in itself and demonstrates the complexity in such determinations. Over the past few years new web-based calculators are now available to calculate uniformly new production rates from either new data or combinations of any set of published data (CRONUS-Earth, CRONUS-UW, CosmoCalc, ICE-D, CREp). This delivers a means by which new production rates can be seamlessly integrated and compared using identical constants, methods and statistics that were used to generate (currently accepted) global average or regional production rates. For the British Isles, there are a number of 10-Be reference sites that give PRs (Lm scheme) between 3.89±3% atoms/g/a (Putnam, QG, v50, 2019) to 4.20±1% atoms/g/a (Small, JQS, v30, 2015) which convert to 3.95 and 4.28, respectively, using datasets in the ICE-D calculator). This difference in 10-Be spallation PRs has recently raised some debate and challenges for the timing of the local-LGM and demise of the British Ice Sheet. This work provides a new British Isles site specific 10Be PR from the Arenig Mountains in North Wales where radiocarbon dating of basal sediments from a bog core associated with a series of nearby cirque moraines provides independent age control. Similarly in the South Island of New Zealand, the current accepted 10Be PR is 3.76±2% (Putnam, QG 2009; converts to 3.94±1% using ICE-D) and is the only available PR that is used for these southern hemispheric glacial sites. This work provides a new Australasian site specific 10Be PR from Arthurs Pass retreat moraines where radiocarbon dating of basal sediments from three cores extracted from a bog impounded by the moraine provides independent age control.

Background: The yields of cereal crops grown on acidic soils are often reduced by aluminum (Al) toxicity because the prevalence of toxic Al3+cations increases as pH falls below 5.0. The Al-activated release from the roots of simple organic acids such as malate and citrate confers resistance to Al in a many plant species including maize (Zea mays L.). The Al-dependent release of citrate from resistant lines of maize is controlled by ZmMATE1 which encodes a multidrug and toxic compound extrusion (MATE) transporter protein. ZmMATE1 resides on chromosome 6 and its expression in roots is induced up to four-fold by Al treatment. ZmMATE6 is another member of this family in maize whose expression is also increased by Al treatment. We investigated the function of this gene in more detail to determine whether it also contributes to Al resistance. Results: Quantitative RT-PCR measurements found that in the absence of Al ZmMATE6 was expressed in the roots and leaves of Al-resistant and sensitive in-bred lines, and that expression levels in the root tips were lower than in the rest of the root tissue. Treatment with Al induced ZmMATE6 expression in all tissues but several other divalent or trivalent cations tested had no effect on expression. This expression pattern and the induction by Al treatment was confirmed in Arabidopsis lines transformed with β-glucuronidase where the ZmMATE6 promoter was used to drive expression. While subcellular localization of the ZmMATE6 protein could not be determined with confidence transgenic Arabidopsis lines expressing ZmMATE6 displayed a greater Al-activated release of citrate from the roots and were significantly more resistant to Al toxicity than controls. This was associated with reduced accumulation of Al in the root tissues. Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that ZmMATE6 expression is induced by Al and functions as a citrate transporter. While some findings are consistent with ZmMATE6 contributing to Al resistance in maize, further research is required to confirm this result.

Background: Despite the growing array of assisted reproductive techniques, there is still a lack of rapid, non-cytotoxic, and minimally invasive in situ approaches for further enhancements through cell targeting. Here we synthesized clinically relevant liposome nanoparticles for real-time cellular targeting and drug (doxorubicin) delivery, using pigs and mares as animal models. In Experiment 1, fluorescently labeled and doxorubicin-loaded (without fluorescent probe) liposomes were injected in cultured pig ovarian follicles to assess plasma membrane binding and intracellular doxorubicin delivery. In Experiment 2, fluorescent liposomes were in vivo injected into small and large ovarian follicles of living mares to assess their binding capability to follicular cells. Twenty-four hours post-injection, all cultured pig follicles were collected while mare samples (i.e., follicle wall fragments, granulosa cells and follicular fluids) were harvested through follicle wall biopsy (FWB), and follicle aspiration and flushing techniques using transvaginal ultrasound-guided approach.Results: All injected follicles were healthy and samples were subjected to fluorescence imaging before and after fixation. Findings revealed successful intrafollicular migration and binding of liposomes to all follicle cell layers (granulosa, theca interna, and theca externa) regardless of the follicle size. The intracellular delivery of doxorubicin was confirmed with the staining of nuclei of follicle cells. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the promising combination of the FWB technique and nanotechnology tools for real-time monitoring of intrafollicular treatment, follicular health and oocyte development, which in turn has the potential to help understand the mechanisms of ovulatory dysfunction and to select high-quatity oocytes for assisted reproduction techniques.

This study explored the concept of ‘giving up’ from the perspective of care staff working in care homes, and their everyday communication and hidden knowledge concerning what they think about this taboo topic and the context it reflects. Moving to a care home is a major transition where cumulative losses can pose risks to mental health in later life. If not recognised, this vulnerability can lead to depression which extends to suicide ideation and behaviours in the form of self-harm and self-neglect. Care homes are a significant place of care until death, yet a discourse of silence means that self-harm and suicide is under-reported or not attended to with specialist expertise. The layperson's concept of an older person ‘giving up’ on life is hardly discussed in the literature. This co-produced qualitative study used an inductive approach to explore this phenomenon through focus groups with 33 care staff across four care homes in South-East England. Findings paint a complex picture, highlighting tensions in providing the right support and creating spaces to respond to such challenging situations. ‘Giving up’ requires skilled detailed assessment to respond to risks alongside improved training and support for paid carers, to achieve a more holistic strategy which capitalises on significant relationships within a wider context.

Cosmogenic production rates (PRs) are the essential conversion factor between AMS cosmogenic concentrations and absolute exposure ages. The accuracy of cosmogenic glacial chronologies and reliability in their comparison to other plaeoclimate systems is largely contingent on the precision and accuracy of the adopted production rate. This is particularly critical in determining past glacial geochronologies at the scale of millennial temporal resolution. Most PR calibrations are carried out at deglaciation sites where radiocarbon provides the independent chronometric control usually based on calibrated 14C ages in basal sediments or varves from lake or bog cores which is assumed to represent the minimum age for glacial retreat. Under these conditions PRs should be considered as maximum-limiting values. Given that today most AMS facilities can deliver 10-Be, 26-Al and 36-Cl data with analytical errors less than 2%, the accuracy of a PR for a given scaling method (ie transfer function of the site-specific production rate to a reference sea-level high latitude (SLHL) PR) remains largely dependent on the error in the independent chronology and accuracy of AMS standards. The history over the past 20 years of the ever-changing value of SLHL 10-Be cosmogenic spallation PRs with a continual decreasing value from initial estimates of about 7 atoms/g/a to the current ‘accepted ‘ value of ~4 atoms/g/a, is an interesting story in itself and demonstrates the complexity in such determinations. Today there are both global (average) SLHL PRs and also regional-specific PR values (referenced to SLHL). For the British Isles, there are a number of 10-Be ‘British Isles’ choices that, for the Lm scaling scheme, range between 3.92±0.11 atoms/g/a (Putnam et al., QG, v50, 2019) to 4.41±0.25 atoms/g/a (Small et al., JQS, v30, 2015). This range in 10-Be spallation PRs has recently raised some debate and challenges for the assumed extent and timing of the local-LGM and demise of the British Ice Sheet. This work provides a new British Isles site specific 10-Be PR from the Arenig Mountains in North Wales. We have measured 10-Be concentrations in 13 selected moraine boulders that are tentatively mapped as outer and inner Younger Dryas deglacial deposits hugging a cirque lake, Llyn Arenig Fach, just below the head wall at Arenig Fach. Radiocarbon dating of basal sediments from a number of intermorainal core bogs has provided independent age control. We will present our results and compare them to the current collection of other British Isles 10-Be production rates.