Search

Within the context of the so‐called green energy transition, the mining industry has successfully repositioned itself as a facilitator of, rather than an impediment to, a sustainable future. Underlying the success of this claim is a discourse of sustainability that, on the one hand, equates sustainability with decarbonisation and, on the other hand, insists that the rapid expansion of renewable energy generation and storage infrastructures is the only viable way to decarbonise. Reflecting specifically on the mining industry's increasingly central role within this discourse, this article identifies three key modalities of decarbonisation, each of which involves energy storage as an important component: decarbonisation through mining; decarbonisation of mining; and decarbonisation of mines themselves. Analysing these modalities through the emergent literature on the political ecology of storage, which highlights both the spatial and temporal elements of storage infrastructures, we argue that the reinforcement and expansion of green extractivist logics is driven, in part, by the idea that extractivism can and will unlock new spaces and temporalities of decarbonisation through the installation and expansion of energy storage infrastructures. Consequently, energy storage in mining decarbonisation is not only a form of accumulation, but a condition of possibility for sustaining and generating new forms of capitalist extraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropical forests are a major component of the global carbon cycle and home to two‐thirds of terrestrial species. Upper‐canopy trees store the majority of forest carbon and can be vulnerable to drought events and storms. Monitoring their growth and mortality is essential to understanding forest resilience to climate change, but in the context of forest carbon storage, large trees are underrepresented in traditional field surveys, so estimates are poorly constrained. Aerial photographs provide spectral and textural information to discriminate between tree crowns in diverse, complex tropical canopies, potentially opening the door to landscape monitoring of large trees. Here we describe a new deep convolutional neural network method, Detectree2, which builds on the Mask R‐CNN computer vision framework to recognize the irregular edges of individual tree crowns from airborne RGB imagery. We trained and evaluated this model with 3797 manually delineated tree crowns at three sites in Malaysian Borneo and one site in French Guiana. As an example application, we combined the delineations with repeat lidar surveys (taken between 3 and 6 years apart) of the four sites to estimate the growth and mortality of upper‐canopy trees. Detectree2 delineated 65 000 upper‐canopy trees across 14 km2 of aerial images. The skill of the automatic method in delineating unseen test trees was good (F1 score = 0.64) and for the tallest category of trees was excellent (F1 score = 0.74). As predicted from previous field studies, we found that growth rate declined with tree height and tall trees had higher mortality rates than intermediate‐size trees. Our approach demonstrates that deep learning methods can automatically segment trees in widely accessible RGB imagery. This tool (provided as an open‐source Python package) has many potential applications in forest ecology and conservation, from estimating carbon stocks to monitoring forest phenology and restoration. Python package available to install at https://github.com/PatBall1/Detectree2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropologists have spent tremendous effort developing value theory. We might generally understand value theory as a form of social theory concerned with what groups of people find important or worthwhile in life; how those groups of people, via their relationships, identify, seek, and create that which is valuable; how ideas of value and worth inhere in people and things; and how those people and things then circulate and meet other universes of value. This introduction specifically, and this special issue more generally, seeks to build on this bedrock conception of value theory to offer a series of implications and considerations one should take on board when thinking about value. We suggest that these considerations will allow social researchers to more ably understand the pressing issues that motivate their investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frontal eddies form on the shoreward edge of boundary currents, on average at weekly intervals and can last up to several weeks. This duration allows zooplankton production and completion of the larval stage of fish but may be too ephemeral for longer food chains with planktonic predators to establish. Therefore, frontal eddies may provide a suitable offshore nursery habitat, by entraining and retaining inner‐shelf water, preconditioned with coastal plankton and ichthyoplankton, into an upwelling favorable cyclonic eddy. Here, we briefly describe the behavior of frontal eddies formed by western boundary currents in the context of the fundamental ocean triad, which incorporates three processes for the successful reproduction of fish: nutrient enrichment, food concentration, and retention of larvae. We adapt this hypothesis for frontal eddies adjacent to the substantial fisheries production of continental shelves, creating conditions for enhanced recruitment potential of larval cohorts at a finer scale than previously considered. We review the evidence and investigations of frontal eddies in their capacity to entrain coastal water, sustain the plankton community through eddy uplift and retain distinctive coastal communities of larval fish offshore until larval development is complete. The process of frontal eddy formation is complex and such habitats are irregular yet ubiquitous, which present challenges and opportunities for their study. With the advance of ocean observing systems and integration of physical and biological sampling, frontal eddies provide a novel focus for understanding fisheries production and connectivity of coastal ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is an introduction to an open issue of the journal Culture, Agriculture, Food & Environment. The issue features a range of scholarship on topics related to the tools used by farmers, conservationists, and other actors to manage their lives and livelihoods. The articles explore themes such as water security, Indigenous land management, social entrepreneurship, and the impact of digital accounting technologies on small farmers. The issue also includes a commentary on the deteriorating agricultural livelihoods and food security in the West Bank, situating it within the broader regional conflict and history of dispossession. The article emphasizes the importance of critical, anthropological approaches to understanding the politics of food and agriculture in conflict zones. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction/Aims: Immune‐mediated neuropathies such as chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) produce significant disability and often require maintenance treatment. There is a paucity of epidemiological data on these conditions in Australia. Methods: We undertook a prevalence study of CIDP and MMN in North Queensland and Tasmania, coinciding with a national census. Diagnoses were classified against the diagnostic criteria of the European Federation of Neurological Societies/Peripheral Nerve Society. Case ascertainment was undertaken via multiple methods, including survey of local neurologists across public and private clinics, search of neurophysiology, neurology and hospital databases, search of admitted hospital database collections using ICD codes and through immunoglobulin therapy prescription lists. Results: The crude prevalence of CIDP was 5.00 per 100,000 (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.79–6.62) and the crude prevalence of MMN was 1.33 per 100,000 (95% CI 0.78–2.27). Prevalence was also investigated using National Blood Authority numbers of cases prescribed immunoglobulin therapy, indicating a CIDP prevalence of 5.72 per 100,000 (95% CI 4.41–7.43) and MMN prevalence of 1.94 per 100,000 (95% CI 1.24–3.03). There was no significant difference between these numbers and those calculated through access of patient records locally. There was no significant difference in prevalence between Tasmania and North Queensland for any category. Discussion: This study updates the prevalence of CIDP and MMN in Australia. Understanding the distribution of CIDP and MMN patients and their need for treatment is essential for future resource planning and to enable monitoring and coordination of therapies such as immunoglobulin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the surface water and ocean topography (SWOT) satellite launches in 2022, an in‐situ field campaign will be conducted to estimate the ocean state for calibration and validation (CalVal) purposes. It is demonstrably difficult to capture the sea surface height (SSH) features that are the focus of SWOT, with short time periods (<20 days) and fine‐scale spatial structures (15–150 km). Therefore, a critical component of the SWOT CalVal will be a data assimilation (DA) system coupled to a primitive equation numerical model that can estimate: (a) the 2D SSH over the SWOT swaths, and (b) the 3D dynamical (velocity) field. To explore the ability of DA to meet the challenges of SWOT fine‐scale observations, a multiscale DA system based on an extended 3D variational method has been developed. Here, we present a strategic evaluation of this DA system, with a focus to assimilate in‐situ data from an observing system to best represent the fine‐scale ocean variability at the CalVal site. The DA estimate is compared to independent observations taken during the 2019 pre‐launch field campaign 300‐km off Monterey Bay, California. The key result is this DA system can reconstruct the upper 500‐m steric height with O(1‐cm) error at hourly resolution, and subcentimeter error for periods longer than 2 days. Plain Language Summary: The surface water and ocean topography (SWOT) satellite mission is the first of its kind to launch. It will provide unprecedented measurements of the sea surface height in two dimensions (2‐D) and shorter spatial scales than previously possible. These measurements will allow oceanographers to study new scales of ocean variability and infer the ocean current velocity field. After SWOT launches, the accuracy of its measurements will need to be verified with observations made using standard instrumentation whose accuracy is well known. However, the cost to produce equivalent measurements for comparison with 2‐D high‐resolution SWOT observations is prohibitive, so the instruments to be deployed are only sufficient to evaluate a small portion of the satellite footprint. To better understand the satellite measurements, the plan is to combine the instrument measurements with a numerical ocean model that provides a four‐dimensional best‐estimate of the ocean state. This is called data assimilation (DA). In this paper, we evaluate a DA system developed to address these challenges, and show its successful performance using observations from a pre‐launch field campaign in 2019. Key Points: Data assimilation (DA) of routine observations of large/mesoscale circulation allows effective assimilation of mooring data at fine scalesMooring DA reconstructs 0‐ to 500‐m hourly steric height with O(1‐cm) error, and subcentimeter error for periods longer than 2‐dayDA performance relies on observing system design; capturing the 2D horizontal gradient field is important for SWOT evaluation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We aimed to investigate whether sedative medications are associated with adverse outcomes in people with dementia, and whether specific characteristics of these medications predict a higher risk of harm. Method: A retrospective cohort study was carried out of 15,210 patients diagnosed with dementia between 2008 and 2017 in South London. From recorded medications at dementia diagnosis, we ascertained those with drowsiness listed as a side effect (termed 'sedative' hereafter) and subdivided them by frequency and strength of sedation, receptor profile, half‐life and whether they were psychotropics. Multivariable Cox regression models were applied to determine risk of mortality and emergency hospitalisation, and generalised estimating equations to investigate cognitive decline. Final models were adjusted for 19 potential confounders, including measures of physical and mental health, functioning and central anticholinergic burden. Result: At diagnosis 70.4% of patients with dementia were receiving at least one sedative medication. Median survival time was 4.0 years and median time to first hospitalisation 1.4 years. After controlling for potential confounders, receipt of any sedative medication at dementia diagnosis was associated with accelerated cognitive decline and a higher hospitalisation risk, but only medications with a cautionary warning yielded an increased mortality hazard. Medications acting through gamma‐aminobutyric acid agonism, psychotropic sedatives and those with a short half‐life were associated with a higher risk of mortality. Gamma‐aminobutyric acid agonists, N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor antagonists and non‐psychotropic sedatives were associated with an increased hospitalisation risk. Alpha‐1 antagonist, antihistamines, N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor antagonists, psychotropic sedatives, and those with shortest or longest half‐life were associated with accelerated cognitive decline. Conclusion: Receipt of any sedative agent was associated with hospitalisation and accelerated cognitive decline. Differences in hazard appear to exist between frequency/strength of sedation, receptor profiles, half‐life, and prescribing indication. These differences should be taken into consideration in medication reviews at the time of dementia diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a mapping methodology to improve the resolution of gridded sea surface height (SSH) from multisatellite along-track measurements, and apply it in the California Current system. This is motivated by the upcoming Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite mission, which will collect novel high-resolution wide-swath SSH measurements. The calibration/validation of SWOT will be in the California Current and requires independent observations of SSH spatial variability. Our objective was to discover how far we could push the space--time resolution of SSH maps based on the existing altimetry constellation. Currently, the best SSH maps for the region are from AVISO's global product based on optimal interpolation (OI). Our methodology is based on 2-D variational analysis (2DVAR), and we address some limitations of the AVISO OI global parameterization that restrict the resolution. Key improvements are (1) use of a background field incorporating mesoscale information, as opposed to a long-term mean field; (2) optimized regional parameters; and (3) a representation error term in the observational error covariance matrix to account for the spread of measurements in time. Using a suite of independent remote and in situ observations, we show the 2DVAR method can produce higher-resolution SSH maps in the California Current region that successfully capture smaller-scale ocean features than AVISO, at the expense of an increase in noise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In western boundary current systems, sharp velocity gradients between the poleward flowing jet and coastal waters generally act to inhibit cross‐shelf exchange. Downstream of jet separation, dynamic mesoscale eddies dominate the flow. In the East Australian Current System, counter‐rotating eddy dipoles are often present which, in the appropriate configuration, have potential to drive cross‐shelf transport. However, this eddy dipole mode is poorly understood in the framework of cross‐shelf exchange and the effect of these structures on shelf waters is uncertain. Using 25 years of satellite altimetry, as well as in situ sampling of a typical dipole event, we investigate the characteristics of eddy‐driven cross‐shelf exchange. We show that the maximum onshore velocity is driven by an eddy dipole structure and occurs in a defined latitudinal band between 33°S and 34°S more than 50% of the time. We sample a typical eddy dipole and find a strong onshore jet, 37 km wide, with velocities up to 1.78 m s −1 and a transport of at least 16 Sv. Hydrographic data from an autonomous underwater glider show that this jet manifests on the shelf as a subsurface intrusion of warm salty water extending from offshore up onto the midshelf. In the light of climatic changes in western boundary current transport and the increase in their eddy kinetic energy, understanding eddy‐driven cross‐shelf exchange is important to predict future changes to the shelf water mass. Key Points: An eddy dipole mode is the main driver of cross‐shelf transport in the East Australian Current extensionDipole events can result in onshore velocities up to 1.78 m s −1, with a maximum transport at 33–34°SWater from the observed dipole jet is advected from offshore up to the midshelf in the form of a warm salty intrusion of offshore water [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The articles in this issue of I Culture, Agriculture, Food and Environment i represent a diverse set of both empirical and conceptual interventions into the relationship between food, sustainability, and local socio-economic conditions. Through Wangchuk's account, the sustainability of yak farming in Bhutan emerges as a multi-faceted issue inextricable from global climatic changes, national land management policies, and local social and cultural values. Like nutrition, approaches to alternative food systems must take into account the diverse experiences and ideologies of food justice. [Extracted from the article]

The structure and variability of the Florida Current between 25° and 26°N are investigated using HF radar ocean current measurements to provide the most detailed view of the surface jet to date. A 2-D jet coordinate analysis is performed to define lateral displacements of the jet in time (meandering), and associated structural variations over a 2 year period (2005-2006). In the jet coordinate frame, core speed has a median value of ∼160 cm s−1 at the central latitude of the array (25.4°N), with a standard deviation (STD) of 35 cm s−1. The jet meanders at timescales of 3-30 days, with a STD of 8 km, and a downstream phase speed of ∼80 km d−1. Meandering accounts for ∼45% of eddy kinetic energy computed in a fixed (geographical) reference frame. Core speed, width, and shear undergo the same dominant 3-30 day variability, plus an annual cycle that matches seasonality of alongshore wind stress. Jet transport at 25.4°N exhibits a different seasonality to volume transport at 27°N, most likely driven by input from the Northwest Providence Channel. Core speed correlates inversely with Miami sea level fluctuations such that a 40 cm s−1 deceleration is associated with a ∼10 cm elevation in sea level, although there is no correlation of sea level to jet meandering or width. Such accurate quantification of the Florida Current's variability is critical to understand and forecast future changes in the climate system of the North Atlantic, as well as local impacts on coastal circulation and sea level variability along south Florida's coastline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the importance of western boundary currents over a wide range of scales in the ocean, it is crucial that we understand their dynamics to accurately predict future changes. For this, we need detailed knowledge of their structure and variability. Here we investigate the jet structure of the East Australian Current (EAC), using observations from HF radars and moorings deployed at 30°S-31°S. Meandering, core velocity, width, and eddy kinetic energy (EKE) are quantified from 4 years of hourly 1.5 km resolution surface current maps (2012-2016), to obtain the most detailed representation of the surface EAC jet to date. The EAC flows predominantly over the ∼1,500 m isobath 50 km offshore but makes large amplitude displacements eastward every 65-100 days-the time scale associated with mesoscale eddy shedding at the EAC separation. Smaller-amplitude, higher-frequency meanders occur every 20-45 days. Using a coordinate frame that follows the jet, we show core velocity and EKE exhibit seasonality in both magnitude and variance, being maximum in summer (1.55 m s−1 mean core velocity), minimum in winter (0.8 m s−1). However, it is the eddy-shedding time scale that dominates jet variability. As the EAC moves shoreward, shelf temperature and along-stream velocity vary linearly with jet movement, within ∼35 km of the core. The EAC is within this range 75% of the time, demonstrating its importance to the shelf circulation. Temperature and velocity fluctuations at the 70 m (100 m) isobath are more influenced by wind (EAC encroachment), with the strongest response occurring when wind and EAC act constructively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The articles offer findings from diverse areas in Europe enabling us to understand the different national contexts as well as the realities of farming under the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy. In this issue, Paula Escribano and Agata Hummel have curated a special cluster of articles that highlight how public policies in Europe affect farmer livelihood, everyday survival strategies, and farmer identity. These findings about Europe mirror those about similar groups in the United States (Korsunsky 2020) and India (Sen 2017) who are affected by deep forces of neo-liberalized agriculture. [Extracted from the article]

Objective There is little evidence to guide treatment strategies for intracerebral hemorrhage on vitamin K antagonists (VKA-ICH). Treatments utilized in clinical practice include fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC). Our aim was to compare case fatality with different reversal strategies. Methods We pooled individual ICH patient data from 16 stroke registries in 9 countries (n = 10 282), of whom 1,797 (17%) were on VKA. After excluding 250 patients with international normalized ratio < 1.3 and/or missing data required for analysis, we compared all-cause 30-day case fatality using Cox regression. Results We included 1,547 patients treated with FFP (n = 377, 24%), PCC (n = 585, 38%), both (n = 131, 9%), or neither (n = 454, 29%). The crude case fatality and adjusted hazard ratio (HR) were highest with no reversal (61.7%, HR = 2.540, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.784-3.616, p < 0.001), followed by FFP alone (45.6%, HR = 1.344, 95% CI = 0.934-1.934, p = 0.112), then PCC alone (37.3%, HR = 1.445, 95% CI = 1.014-2.058, p = 0.041), compared to reversal with both FFP and PCC (27.8%, reference). Outcomes with PCC versus FFP were similar (HR = 1.075, 95% CI = 0.874-1.323, p = 0.492); 4-factor PCC (n = 441) was associated with higher case fatality compared to 3-factor PCC (n = 144, HR = 1.441, 95% CI = 1.041-1.995, p = 0.027). Interpretation The combination of FFP and PCC might be associated with the lowest case fatality in reversal of VKA-ICH, and FFP may be equivalent to PCC. Randomized controlled trials with functional outcomes are needed to establish the most effective treatment. Ann Neurol 2015;78:54-62 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]