We investigated variations in biomass among oil palm progenies and quantified K and Mg uptake by assessing the distribution pattern of these minerals throughout plant organs, including roots and bunches. A split-plot trial was set up in which potassium chloride (KCl: 60% K2O) and kieserite (MgSO4: 27% MgO) were applied as main factors, each with three levels: 0, 1.5, 3.0 kg KCl palm˗1 year˗1; and 0, 0.75, 1.5 kg MgSO4 palm˗1 year˗1. Each fertiliser combination was applied to subplots containing four oil palm progenies (C1 to C4). Samples of oil palm organs were collected to assess their dry matter (DM) and mineral contents. Oil palm biomass was significantly different among progenies, with C3 having the highest biomass (268 kg DM palm˗1). K and Mg contents in the entire palm also varied among progenies. C2 and C3 progenies exhibited the highest amounts of K (3.81 and 3.86 kg K palm˗1, respectively), whereas C1 and C4 displayed 3.35 and 3.31 kg K palm˗1, respectively. However, C4 progeny showed the highest leaflet K concentration, revealing the dilution phenomenon and the inequal mineral distribution among palm organs. Progeny C3 had the highest Mg content (0.54 kg palm˗1) and was the most productive, exporting more K and Mg through harvest than other progenies. Our results indicate genetic variability in K and Mg uptake by oil palm, and planting materials with high K and Mg uptake efficiency would be valuable for farmers and breeders.

Measuring surface mass-balance in the accumulation areas of glaciers is challenging because of the high spatial variability of snow accumulation and the difficulty of conducting annual field glaciological measurements. Here, we propose a method that can solve both these problems for many locations. Ground-penetrating radar measurements and firn cores extracted from a site in the French Alps were first used to reconstruct the topography of a buried end-of-summer snow horizon from a past year. Using these data and surface elevation observations from LiDAR and Global Navigation Satellite System instruments, we calculated the submergence velocities over the period between the buried horizon and more recent surface elevation observations. The differences between the changes in surface elevation and the submergence velocities were then used to calculate the annual surface mass-balances with an accuracy of ±0.34 m w.e. Assuming that the submergence velocities remain stable over several years, the surface mass-balance can be reconstructed for subsequent years from the differences in surface elevation alone. As opposed to the glaciological method that requires substantial fieldwork year after year to provide only point observations, this method, once submergence velocities have been calculated, requires only remote-sensing data to provide spatially distributed annual mass-balances in accumulation areas.

We present five cases of pediatric drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) that failed management using high cannabidiol (CBD) doses, but had significant reduction in seizure frequency with reintroduction or increasing doses of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). There is growing evidence supporting the use of whole-plant CBD-rich extracts (containing THC and other cannabinoids) in the treatment of pediatric DRE. Based on our experiences and reports in the literature, we propose that, in patients who fail management with an initial trial of high-dose CBD-focused therapy, there may be a role for add-on THC-focused formulations.

Online self-reported 24-h dietary recall systems promise increased feasibility of dietary assessment. Comparison against interviewer-led recalls established their convergent validity; however, reliability and criterion-validity information is lacking. The validity of energy intakes (EI) reported using Intake24, an online 24-h recall system, was assessed against concurrent measurement of total energy expenditure (TEE) using doubly labelled water in ninety-eight UK adults (40–65 years). Accuracy and precision of EI were assessed using correlation and Bland–Altman analysis. Test–retest reliability of energy and nutrient intakes was assessed using data from three further UK studies where participants (11–88 years) completed Intake24 at least four times; reliability was assessed using intra-class correlations (ICC). Compared with TEE, participants under-reported EI by 25 % (95 % limits of agreement −73 % to +68 %) in the first recall, 22 % (−61 % to +41 %) for average of first two, and 25 % (−60 % to +28 %) for first three recalls. Correlations between EI and TEE were 0·31 (first), 0·47 (first two) and 0·39 (first three recalls), respectively. ICC for a single recall was 0·35 for EI and ranged from 0·31 for Fe to 0·43 for non-milk extrinsic sugars (NMES). Considering pairs of recalls (first two v. third and fourth recalls), ICC was 0·52 for EI and ranged from 0·37 for fat to 0·63 for NMES. EI reported with Intake24 was moderately correlated with objectively measured TEE and underestimated on average to the same extent as seen with interviewer-led 24-h recalls and estimated weight food diaries. Online 24-h recall systems may offer low-cost, low-burden alternatives for collecting dietary information.

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: The aim is to investigate if sustained weight loss due to caloric restriction can be achieved in a community setting, using faith-based organisations (FBOs) as hubs; and if this weight loss can lead to the re-establishment of normal metabolism (using the normalisation of blood sugar levels while off glucose lowering medication as a proxy) in a person with pre-diabetes or T2DM. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Members of the FBO with either a diagnosis of T2DM for <6 years or pre-diabetes as defined by the American Diabetes Association (ADA); and a Body Mass index (BMI) of ≥27 kg/m2 are eligible. After counselling, participants will be placed on a 12 week low calorie liquid diet, supplemented by low carbohydrate vegetables, totalling approximately 840 kcal/day. During this time, participants will be monitored weekly at their FBO by trained members of their congregation, with oversight from the study team, for change in weight, fasting blood glucose, waist and hip circumference and blood pressure. This will be followed by a 3 month period during which participants will receive ongoing dietary advice as they transfer to a balanced, reduced calorie, solid diet. Physical measurements will be monitored monthly during this 3 month period. The next 6 months is a period where the participants and the FBO health team move towards ‘independence’. This involves further training of the FBO health team and participants in healthy lifestyle habits; and a commitment by the leadership of the FBO to assume ‘ownership’ for NCD monitoring within their community. Physical measurements will be repeated at the end of one year. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Based on previous studies, we expect that participants who are compliant to the diet will lose approximately 2.2 kg per week over the 12 week period. This will be associated with rapid (within 1 week) normalisation of fasting blood glucose levels (<7mmol / L). We expect that, due to the accessibility of NCD monitoring and support, that participants to be satisfied with their care and compliant to their regime and that the results of the first 12 weeks will be sustained at the 12 month follow up. We expect that the FBO leadership will assume the responsibility of continuing and NCD programme, not only for the local congregation but for the surrounding community. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: Diabetes remission with a low calorie diet is a viable intervention for T2DM remission however social support is key to an individual’s success. This novel study which proposes institution of a diabetes remission intervention which fits into the participant’s locale and involves peer support, should increase long-term success.

Euclid is a Europe-led cosmology space mission dedicated to a visible and near infrared survey of the entire extra-galactic sky. Its purpose is to deepen our knowledge of the dark content of our Universe. After an overview of the Euclid mission and science, this contribution describes how the community is getting organized to face the data analysis challenges, both in software development and in operational data processing matters. It ends with a more specific account of some of the main contributions of the Swiss Science Data Center (SDC-CH).

In this paper, we report a new high-speed and high-power switching circuit based on GaN HEMT's. The elementary switching cell, composed of two GaN HEMT's and two resistors, acts like a power threshold comparator with high-output voltage. Theoretical analysis of static and dynamic circuit operation points out the dependence of efficiency and switching speed to the main circuit elements. Four switching cells are then combined together thanks to SiC Schottky diodes to design a multi-level power switch that can be used as a power supply modulator for envelope tracking power amplifiers. The designed four-level supply modulator, based on Nitronex GaN HEMT's, exhibits more than 75% of efficiency for an envelope signal up to 4 MHz, a switching frequency of 20 MHz and output voltages in the range of 12–30 V.

Moored FADs (MFADs) have been a key area for development in Guadeloupe (Lesser Antilles) since the late 1980’s. The main objectives underpinning the development of MFADs were to (i) reduce fishing pressure on coastal fishing resources; (ii) boost fishermen’s incomes; and (iii) increase local consumption of locally generated fishery products as a proportion of overall consumption. This paper gives an overview of the current structure of Guadeloupe’s fishing fleet and fisheries, with a specific focus on MFAD fleets in a relatively unstructured environment with regard to regulation, and so how these fleets operate in a context of unrestricted development of private MFADs. In addressing the following key issues, this paper aims to: assess the economic performance of fleets operating on MFADs, understand why the MFAD fishing activity has not developed more than it has, and suggest how better MFAD management could improve the situation. Socio-economic information on a trip and fleet level basis were collected and stored on a fisheries information system to analyse the relative attractiveness of MFAD fishing and assess the overall economic performance of MFAD fleets as compared to other non-MFAD fleets. Non-monetary variables were also tested to explain the degree of dependence on MFADs. In 2008, economic returns from FADs were relatively low, both in terms of wages for the crews and in terms of profit for vessel owners. Earnings were higher than coastal fishing activities, but seem to have been very sensitive to the indicators used in our analysis. MFADs are expected to become much more attractive as a result of MFAD regulation, especially through the establishment of collective MFADs.

We present a miniature magnetic climbing robot with dimensions 96 × 46 × 64 mm3. With two degrees of freedom it is able to climb ferromagnetic surfaces and to make inner plane to plane transitions whatever their inclination is. This robot, named TRIPILLAR, combines triangular-shaped magnetic caterpillars and frame magnets. This particular configuration allows, for example, to move from ground to wall and ceiling and back. This achievement opens new avenues to use mobile robotics for industrial inspection with stringent size restrictions, such as the ones encountered in power plants.

The science of extra-solar planets is one of the most rapidly changing areas of astrophysics and since 1995 the number of planets known has increased by almost two orders of magnitude. A combination of ground-based surveys and dedicated space missions has resulted in 560-plus planets being detected, and over 1200 that await confirmation. NASA's Kepler mission has opened up the possibility of discovering Earth-like planets in the habitable zone around some of the 100,000 stars it is surveying during its 3 to 4-year lifetime. The new ESA's Gaia mission is expected to discover thousands of new planets around stars within 200 parsecs of the Sun. The key challenge now is moving on from discovery, important though that remains, to characterisation: what are these planets actually like, and why are they as they are?

In the past ten years, we have learned how to obtain the first spectra of exoplanets using transit transmission and emission spectroscopy. With the high stability of Spitzer, Hubble, and large ground-based telescopes the spectra of bright close-in massive planets can be obtained and species like water vapour, methane, carbon monoxide and dioxide have been detected. With transit science came the first tangible remote sensing of these planetary bodies and so one can start to extrapolate from what has been learnt from Solar System probes to what one might plan to learn about their faraway siblings. As we learn more about the atmospheres, surfaces and near-surfaces of these remote bodies, we will begin to build up a clearer picture of their construction, history and suitability for life.

The Exoplanet Characterisation Observatory, EChO, will be the first dedicated mission to investigate the physics and chemistry of Exoplanetary Atmospheres. By characterising spectroscopically more bodies in different environments we will take detailed planetology out of the Solar System and into the Galaxy as a whole.

EChO has now been selected by the European Space Agency to be assessed as one of four M3 mission candidates.

Background: The role of technology to facilitate independent living for people with dementia is not fully realized, with initial attempts (e.g. tracking devices) being considered unacceptable from a practical and ethical perspective. The aim of this study is to create acceptable and effective prototype technologies to facilitate independence for people with dementia through a user-centered design process involving them and their carers.

Method: The study comprised a three-stage participatory design process: scoping stage (five focus groups, 10 people with dementia and 11 carers); participatory design stage (five workshops, 22 participants) and prototype development stage (four meetings with two people with dementia and one carer). Focus groups and workshops were digitally recorded, fully transcribed and subjected to constant comparative analysis.

Results: People with mild to moderate dementia enjoy a variety of activities both on their own and with their families; however, concerns included getting lost, a loss of confidence with curtailment of usual activities, and carer anxiety. Existing technologies (mobile phones) were used intermittently. Participants felt strongly that future devices should be disguised and be integrated easily into their daily routines. Suggested areas for functional improvement included two-way communications, flexibility of function as the illness progresses, and something to “guide” them home when out walking or driving. Attention should also be focused on minimizing the size, weight and visibility of devices to reduce stigmatization.

Conclusion: Prototypes for two devices (armband and electronic notepad) were developed. The study showed that involving people with dementia in the process of participatory design is feasible and could lead to devices which are more acceptable and relevant to their needs.