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Introduction: Most global biodiversity is in developing economies. Decades of capacity building should have built sufficient in-country capacity to develop biodiversity baselines; yet has effort provided the expertise to build these baselines?Methods: Grants and access to research opportunities are often linked to success in publishing, with the H-index providing the main metric of academic success. Recent compilations of “Top Researchers in Ecology and Evolution” included 5,419 researchers, but where these researchers are and how representative they are has not been well studied. We explored the global distribution of “Top Researchers in Ecology and Evolution” and explored the representation of Women, non-Caucasians, and non-Caucasian women, as well as the representation of “local” top researchers in different regions.Results: Over half Top Researchers in Ecology and Evolution are from just three countries (United States, United Kingdom, and Australia), and 83% come from 12 higher-income countries. Even in lower-income economies the majority of the few “high impact” researchers are originally from higher-income economies. Only China had a high proportion of their high-impact non-Caucasian researchers, with the majority of researchers coming from that region. Women were also underrepresented across the globe, only three countries had more than 20% of top-performing ecologists being female.Discussion: Ultimately, despite decades of capacity building, we are still failing to build in-country capacity for research or to provide sufficient support for female ecologists to publish and lead the field. Here we discuss why these issues persist, and how we might improve representation and access to opportunity and support for all groups, and provide the analysis needed to provide solutions to global challenges in biodiversity conservation, which require diverse representation to develop effective, and nuanced solutions.

Clearance of ocular fluid and metabolic waste is a critical function of the eye in health and disease. The eye has distinct fluid outflow pathways in both the anterior and posterior segments. Although the anterior outflow pathway is well characterized, little is known about posterior outflow routes. Recent studies suggest that lymphatic and glymphatic systems play an important role in the clearance of fluid and waste products from the posterior segment of the eye. The lymphatic system is a vascular network that runs parallel to the blood circulatory system. It plays an essential role in maintenance of fluid homeostasis and immune surveillance in the body. Recent studies have reported lymphatics in the cornea (under pathological conditions), ciliary body, choroid, and optic nerve meninges. The evidence of lymphatics in optic nerve meninges is, however, limited. An alternative lymphatic system termed the glymphatic system was recently discovered in the rodent eye and brain. This system is a glial cell-based perivascular network responsible for the clearance of interstitial fluid and metabolic waste. In this review, we will discuss our current knowledge of ocular lymphatic and glymphatic systems and their role in retinal degenerative diseases.

An 80-year-old woman initially presented with an episode of pleuritic chest pain 10 days after implantation of a dual chamber permanent pacemaker. She returned to hospital a day later with vomiting and fever. She was found to have new atrial fibrillation in addition to right-sided weakness and dysarthria. An infarct in the left anterior inferior cerebellar artery territory was later confirmed on CT. She continued to have recurrent febrile episodes associated with vomiting and dyspnoea. Extensive investigations for infection were negative, and her symptoms were initially attributed to aspiration pneumonia. The patient gradually deteriorated despite antibiotics and became progressively short of breath, with development of large pleural and pericardial effusions. A diagnosis of postcardiac injury syndrome was made after exclusion of other differentials. The patient recovered well after pleurocentesis, pericardiocentesis and a pericardial window, with resolution of symptoms without further medical therapy.Copyright © 2017 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd (unless otherwise stated in the text of the article). All rights reserved.

Background and objective: Paradoxical vocal cord movement (PVCM) causes vocal cord narrowing andmay contribute to breathlessness in asthma. PVCM is detected in more than 40% of severe disease, but it is not known if the condition is limited to severe asthma. Method(s): Patients with mild to severe asthma (total n = 155)were recruited from general practice and hospital asthma clinics, and spirometry was conducted. PVCM was diagnosed during inspiration using dynamic 320-slice computerized tomography (CT) of the larynx, a quantitative method capable of measuring real-time vocal cord dimensions during breathing. Excessive narrowing is recognized if a predetermined lower limit of normal is exceeded. PVCM was compared in severity groups. Result(s): In the overall group (n = 155), PVCM was detected during inspiration in 42 cases (27.1%). Patients with severe uncontrolled asthma (n = 68) characterized by airflow limitation (FEV1 <80% predicted) had PVCM more often (25/68, 36.8%) than asthmatics with normal spirometry (17/87, 19.5%; P = 0.016). PVCM was associated with older age (P = 0.003), and there was no association with gender or body mass index. Conclusion(s): Paradoxical vocal cord movement is frequently detected in asthma, more so in severe, uncontrolled disease. Further studies are needed to determine if the association of PVCM with asthma symptoms is causal and to ascertain whether targeted treatment can improve asthma severity.

Introduction/Aim: When assessing the economic burden associated with severe asthma, calculation of work productivity loss should include absenteeism, not being at work and 'presenteeism'-attendance but with disease-related reduced productivity. Limited Australian data regarding work productivity in severe asthma exist. Method(s): An Australasian multi-centre severe asthma registry, (Severe Asthma Web-based Database 'SAWD') was established and baseline data collected. Severe disease was defined as asthma requiring maximal inhaled corticosteroids plus a second controller to maintain control or, asthma, which remained uncontrolled (regular symptoms, frequent severe exacerbations, hospitalization or airflow limitation). Participants with non-severe controlled asthma were recruited for comparison. The effect of health on work productivity was assessed using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire: General Health (WPAI:GH). Health status was measured using the Juniper Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire: standardized (AQLQ:S). Result(s): Of 188 enrolled registry participants, the median age was 57 years, 114 were women and 52% were never smokers. A total of 80% had severe asthma. Participants with severe asthma reported significantly poorer quality of life than those with non-severe asthma in all AQLQ domains (P < 0.0001, n = 176). The WPAI:GH was completed by 164 participants, of whom 46%reported current employment. Of those employed, severe asthma participants reported amedian (Q1,Q3) 20 (10,40)%presenteeism compared to 0 (0,10)%in non-severe asthma in the preceding week (P = 0.001). Median absence from work (absenteeism) was 0 in both groups. Median (Q1,Q3) work productivity loss was 20 (10,40) % in severe and 0 (0,10) % in nonsevere asthma (P = 0.0008). Median (Q1,Q3) general activity impairment was 40 (20,70) % in severe asthma and 20 (0,30) % in non-severe asthma (P = 0.003, n = 164). Conclusion(s): People with severe asthma have reduced quality

Introduction/Aim: Severe asthma (SA) is a heterogeneous and high impact disease. Disease registries enable characterization of SA and its phenotypes. Eosinophilic and allergic phenotypes of SA are of relevance because of the increasing availability of targeted therapies. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of SA phenotypes. Method(s): An Australasian multi-centre registry, the Severe Asthma Web-based Database (SAWD), was established, and baseline data were systematically collected. Severe disease was defined as asthma requiring maximal inhaled corticosteroids plus a second controller to maintain control, or asthma, which remained uncontrolled (regular symptoms, frequent severe exacerbations, hospitalization or airflow limitation). Participants with non-severe controlled asthma were recruited for comparison. Available peripheral blood eosinophil, serum IgE and sputum eosinophil levels were obtained. Result(s): Therewere 188 asthmatics (80%SA), with amedian (Q1,Q3) age of 57 (44,66) years, 114 women, 52%never-smokers andmean pre-bronchodilator FEV1% predicted 71+/-22 (SD). Blood eosinophils (>300/muL) identified 50/162 as eosinophilic asthma (EA). They were of similar age to those with low (<150/muL) or mid-level (150-300/muL) eosinophils, but EA displayed a higher median (Q1,Q3) serum IgE level of 309 (116928) IU/mL, atopy (89%, 87% mid-level, 71% low, P = 0.048) and significantly higher prevalence of severe exacerbations (70%, 58%, 46%, P = 0.04). Median (Q1,Q3) sputum eosinophil % (n = 44) was 6 (1.75, 19.25) in EA, 1.25 (0.48, 3.0)% and 1.5(0.5, 4.0)%, respectively (P = 0.047). Asthma control scores and respiratory medication use were similar. Participants with allergic asthma (IgE >=76 IU/mL) were younger, median (Q1,Q3) 52 (40,60) compared to 62 (46,67) years (P = 0.029), and had poorer asthma control. In SA, the allergic phenotype was more common (71/94, 76%) than EA (33/94, 35%). A combined EA/allergic phenotype was observed in combinatio

© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. Since the establishment of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) under Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) there has been on-going discussion about its potential and actual effectiveness in assisting in reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions. Projects implemented in non-Annex 1 countries have had the aim to mitigate emissions of greenhouse gases and also to contribute to sustainable development. In China, a significant number of CDM projects have been implemented across a range of sectors of the economy. Although various evaluations have been made of Chinese CDM projects, one industrial sector that has received little attention has been mining. In particular, the sustainable development outcomes of Chinese CDM projects associated with methane capture and utilisation from coal mines have not been evaluated. This research has involved review and assessment of 30 Chinese coal mine methane CDM projects. The evaluation approach involved content analysis of coal mine methane CDM project documents in relation to quantitative reductions of greenhouse gas emissions and indicators of contributions to sustainable development. The sustainability indicators found to be most prevalent were safety, energy use, technology transfer and employment. Also a comparison of outcomes was made with six coal mine projects initiated under the CDM in other developing countries. Overall, it was found that only brief accounts of sustainable development goals are given in CDM documents for coal mine methane project activities and that these are arguably insufficient in detail. Although varying types of sustainability initiatives were identified, many potential areas were not. These findings have implications for the future success of CDM projects in the coal mining sector, the proposed new market mechanism under UNFCCC and similar projects being implemented under mechanisms outside the UNFCCC.

Background and Objective Abnormal vocal cord movement may coexist with asthma and cause additional upper/middle airway obstruction. The condition may be a form of muscular dystonia that could contribute to asthma resistant to optimised treatments. Botulinum toxin causes temporary paralysis of muscle and may be an effective local treatment that improves asthma control. Methods In an observational study, we evaluated the benefits of unilateral vocal cord injection with botulinum toxin in 11 patients (total 24 injections). Subjects had asthma resistant to optimised treatment and abnormal vocal cord movement. Responses after botulinum toxin treatment were assessed using asthma control test (ACT) scores, vocal cord narrowing quantified by computerised tomography (CT) of the larynx and spirometry. Side-effects were recorded. Results ACT scores improved overall (9.1 +/- 2.4 before and 13.5 +/- 4.5 after treatment; difference 4.4 +/- 4.2; P < 0.001). There was also an improvement in airway size on CT larynx (time below lower limit of normal at baseline 39.4 +/- 37.63% and improved to 17.6 +/- 25.6% after injection; P = 0.032). Spirometry was not altered. One patient experienced an asthma exacerbation but overall side-effects were moderate, chiefly dysphonia and dysphagia. Conclusions Although a placebo effect cannot be ruled out, local injection of botulinum toxin may be an effective treatment for intractable asthma associated with abnormal vocal cord movement. Further mechanistic studies and a double-blind randomised controlled trial of botulinum toxin treatment are merited. © 2014 Asian Pacific Society of Respirology.

This chapter provides an assessment of knowledge and practice on regional development and cooperation to achieve climate change mitigation. It will examine the regional trends and dimensions of the mitigation challenge. It will also analyze what role regional initiatives, both with a focus on climate change and in other domains such as trade, can play in addressing these mitigation challenges. The regional dimension of mitigation was not explicitly addressed in the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report (AR4). Its discussion of policies, instruments, and cooperative agreements (Working Group III AR4, Chapter 13) was focused primarily on the global and national level. However, mitigation challenges and opportunities differ significantly by region. This is particularly the case for the interaction between development / growth opportunities and mitigation policies, which are closely linked to resource endowments, the level of economic development, patterns of urbanization and industrialization, access to finance and technology, and - more broadly - the capacity to develop and implement various mitigation options. There are also modes of regional cooperation, ranging from regional initiatives focused specifically on climate change (such as the emissions trading scheme (ETS) of the European Union (EU)) to other forms of cooperation in the areas of trade, energy, or infrastructure, that could potentially provide a platform for delivering and implementing mitigation policies. These dimensions will be examined in this chapter. Specifically, this chapter will address the following questions: - Why is the regional level important for analyzing and achieving mitigation objectives? - What are the trends, challenges, and policy options for mitigation in different regions? - To what extent are there promising opportunities, existing examples, and barriers for leapfrogging in technologies and development strategies to low-carbon development paths for different regions? - What are the inter

Polycrystalline spinel MgxZn0.3Cu0.7-2xFe2+xO4, where x = 0.10, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30 and 0.35 ferrites (hereafter abbreviated as Mg-Zn) have been prepared by conventional double sintering technique. The samples were sintered at 1250°C in air for 6 hours. Measurements have been done at temperature and frequency ranges of 0 - 350°C and 0 - 500 kHz, respectively. In this work, some extrinsic magnetic properties such as Curie temperature, initial permeability, loss factor, quality factor, dielectric constant and resistivity of the samples have been studied. The Curie temperature and loss tangent of the samples decreased with increase in Cu-content whereas permeability, Qfactor, resistivity and dielectric constant have been noticed to be increased with the increase in Cucontent. The decrease in Curie temperature related to fact of weakening the strength of exchange AB interaction. Maxwell-Wagner type of interfacial polarization might have found correlated with the normal dielectric behavior of the samples, however no relaxation peaks were observed in the dielectric dispersion curves of the Mg-Zn samples in virgin state or doped state.

Reduction of CO2 emissions from energy systems could be achieved through: CO2 capture and storage, energy savings, fuel switching among fossil fuels, increased use of renewable energy sources, and nuclear power. In addition, atmospheric CO2 reduction could also be achieved through increasing the carbon stock in soils and standing biomass. The CO2 capture and storage option for mitigating CO2 emissions from biomass-based cogeneration plants, considering critical aspects such future development of technologies, economies of scale. carbon price, site-specific analysis, and future energy systems has received little attention in scientific studies. With the overall objective of improved understanding of the potential scope for its large-scale implementation, a techno-economic assessment of biomass-based cogeneration plants with CO2 capture and storage was carried out. Most of the above-mentioned critical aspects have been considered for the techno-economic assessment of cogeneration plants with CO2 capture and storage technology. The results show the optimal scale of the conversion systems with respect to cost of electricity (COE). The optimal size for steam turbine-based cogeneration (CHP-ST) technologies without CO2 capture lies in the range 98-106 MWe (COE is 5.7 USD/MWh) when fueled by forest/logging residues, but the optimal size increases to 200-227 MWe for integrated gasification combined cycle based cogeneration (CHP-IGCC) (COE is 16.73 USD/MWh). The optimal size increases considerably to 249-288 MWe (COE 15.70 USD/MWh) for Salix fueled CHP-ST technology without CO2 capture and 441-504 MWe (COE 27.52 USD/MWh) for CHP-IGCC technology. With the additional feature of CO2 capture, transport, and storage (here we assume 100 km CO2 transport distance from the plant site) the unit capital cost for CHP-ST and CHP-IGCC technology increases around 70 and 30 percent, respectively. If one considers revenues from trading emission quotas earned through negative emissions one c