Precise radiocarbon (14C) dating of sedimentary sequences is important for developing robust chronologies of environmental change, but sampling of suitable components can be challenging in highly dynamic landscapes. Here we investigate radiocarbon determinations of different peat size fractions from six peat sites, representing a range of geomorphological contexts on the South Atlantic subantarctic islands of the Falklands and South Georgia. To investigate the most suitable fraction for dating, 112 measurements were obtained from three components within selected horizons: a fine fraction <0.2 mm, a coarse fraction >0.2 mm, and bulk material. We find site selection is critical, with locations surrounded by high-ground and/or relatively slowly accumulating sites more susceptible to the translocation of older carbon. Importantly, in locations with reduced potential for redeposition of material, our results show that there is no significant or systematic difference between ages derived from bulk material, fine or coarse (plant macrofossil) material, providing confidence in the resulting age model. Crucially, in areas comprising complex terrain with extreme relief, we recommend dating macrofossils or bulk carbon rather than a fine fraction, or employing comprehensive dating of multiple sedimentary fractions to determine the most reliable fraction(s) for developing a robust chronological framework.

Consumption Euler equations are important tools in empirical macroeconomics. When estimated on micro data, they are typically linearized, so standard IV or GMM methods can be employed to deal with the measurement error that is endemic to survey data. However, linearization, in turn, may induce serious approximation bias. We numerically solve and simulate six different life-cycle models, and then use the simulated data as the basis for a series of Monte Carlo experiments in which we evaluate the performance of linearized Euler equation estimation. We sample from the simulated data in ways that mimic realistic data structures. The linearized Euler equation leads to biased estimates of the EIS, but that bias is modest when there is a sufficient time dimension to the data, and sufficient variation in interest rates. However, a sufficient time dimension can only realistically be achieved with a synthetic cohort. Estimates from synthetic cohorts of sufficient length, while often exhibiting small mean bias, are quite imprecise. We also show that in all data structures, estimates are less precise in impatient models.

Although there has been extensive research on electoral system choice at the national level, we know relatively little about the dynamics of deciding the rules of the game for sub-state institutions. This article examines the factors that influenced the choice of a proportional electoral system for the new Scottish Parliament in 1999. Through the use of archival sources and interviews with key participants, we challenge the conventional rational choice explanation for the adoption of the mixed-member proportional (MMP) system. Although rational considerations on the part of the Labour Party were involved in the choice of MMP, our findings suggest that, as at the national level, theories of electoral system choice need to consider normative values as well.

Neuroimaging continues to be an exciting and rapidly evolving research field producing findings to inform clinical medical practice. Neuroimaging research has enabled a better understanding of in vivo structural, functional, and molecular neuropathology. Moreover, it has the potential to improve clinical care, where clinical assessment alone is sometimes insufficient to provide accurate diagnosis and prognosis. The future direction of neuroimaging is likely to focus on identifying imaging biomarkers suggestive of underlying preclinical disease, understanding the temporal progression from preclinical disease to overt clinical manifestation, and monitoring the therapeutic efficacy of potential disease-modifying agents.

High definition video from a towed camera system was used to describe the deep-sea benthic habitats within an elongate depression located at the western margin of Rockall Bank in the Hatton–Rockall Basin. At depths greater than 1190 m, an extensive area (10 km long by 1.5 km wide) of what appeared to be reduced sediments, bacterial mats and flocculent matter indicated possible cold-seep habitat. Plumes of sediment-rich fluid were observed alongside raised elongate features that gave topographic relief to the otherwise flat seafloor. In the deepest section of the depression (1215 m) dense flocculent matter was observed suspended in the water column, in places obscuring the seabed. Away from the bacterial mats, the habitat changed rapidly to sediments dominated by tube-dwelling polychaete worms and then to deep-sea sedimentary habitats more typical for the water depth (sponges and burrowing megafauna in areas of gentle slopes, and coral gardens on steeper slopes).

This paper investigates the effects of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on retirement. The first part of the paper is a difference-in-difference analysis of changes in retirement (and retirement expectations) before and after adoption of the ACA. We find no statistically significant evidence that ACA increased the propensity to retire or changed retirement expectations. The second part of the analysis is based on a structural retirement model. For those age 50 at the time ACA was introduced, the overall reduction in full-time work over the age span 54–65 is simulated to be about 0.1 percentage points. Data are from the Health and Retirement Study.

The inadequacy of current diagnostics for the detection of low worm burdens in humans means that schistosomiasis mansoni is more widespread than previously acknowledged. With the inception of mass drug treatment programmes aimed at disease elimination and the advent of human vaccine trials, the need for more sensitive diagnostics is evident. In this review, we evaluate the merits and limitations of the principal diagnostic methods, namely detection of eggs in faeces; anti-schistosome antibodies in serum; parasite-derived proteins and glycans in serum or urine; parasite DNA in blood, faeces or urine. Only in the baboon model, where actual worm burden is determined by portal perfusion, have faecal smear and circulating antigen methods been calibrated, and shown to have thresholds of detection of 10–19 worm pairs. There is scope for improvement in all the four methods of detection, e.g. the identification of single targets for host antibodies to improve the specificity of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Despite recent advances in the definition of the schistosome secretome, there have been no comprehensive biomarker investigations of parasite products in the urine of infected patients. Certainly, the admirable goal of eliminating schistosomiasis will not be achieved unless individuals with low worm burdens can be diagnosed.

As evidence for the second process of the Embracing factor, the target article characterizes being moved as a mixed emotion linked to sadness through metonymy. We question these characterizations and argue that emotions should not be equated with their vernacular labels.

Lewy body dementia (consisting of dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's disease dementia) is a common neurodegenerative disease characterised by visual hallucinations, fluctuating attention, motor disturbances, falls, and sensitivity to antipsychotics. This combination of features presents challenges for pharmacological management. Given this, we sought to review evidence for non-pharmacological interventions with patients with Lewy body dementia and their carers. Bibliographic databases were searched using a wide range of search terms and no restrictions were placed on study design, language, or clinical setting. Two reviewers independently assessed papers for inclusion, rated study quality, and extracted data. The search identified 21 studies including two randomised controlled trials with available subgroup data, seven case series, and 12 case studies. Most studies reported beneficial effects of the interventions used, though the only sizeable study was on dysphagia, showing a benefit of honey-thickened liquids. Given the heterogeneity of interventions and poor quality of the studies overall, no quantitative synthesis was possible. Overall, identified studies suggested possible benefits of non-pharmacological interventions in Lewy body dementia, but the small sample sizes and low quality of studies mean no definite recommendations can be offered. Our findings underscore the clear and urgent need for future research on this topic.

During retreat from the lateWisconsinan maximum advance in the Great Lakes region of North America, the Laurentide ice sheet margin became distinctly lobate. The Lake Michigan, Saginaw, and Huron—Erie lobes converged in southern Michigan and Indiana, U.S.A. to form a complex interlobate region. Some time after the glacial maximum, the Lake Michigan lobe advanced over landscapes previously formed by the Saginaw lobe. This can be explained by an asynchronous advance of the Lake Michigan lobe during a Saginaw lobe retreat or by an increase in size of the Lake Michigan lobe relative to the Saginaw lobe during a synchronous readvance.

Cross-cutting relationships in southwestern Michigan, including palimpsest tunnel valleys, document the overriding of Saginaw lobe terrain. Deep, generally straight trenches parallel to glacial flow lines with hummocky, irregular sides and bottoms are interpreted as tunnel valleys. Saginaw lobe tunnel valleys trend northeast—southwest and Lake Michigan lobe tunnel valleys generally trend east—west.

At some time after a Saginaw lobe retreat in southern Michigan, the drumlinized landscape was overridden by an advance of the Lake Michigan lobe to an ice-marginal position at the Tekonsha moraine. Saginaw lobe tunnel valleys in the overridden area were completely filled with ice and debris from the Saginaw lobe retreat at the time of the Lake Michigan lobe advance. Supraglacial and proglacial sediments were deposited over the buried valleys by the Lake Michigan lobe, sometimes by meltwater streams that flowed at high angles to the trends of the valleys. After entrenchment of the Kalamazoo River valley, probably by a subglacial outburst flood, short tributaries were cut nearly at right angles across and through the debris and ice within several buried Saginaw lobe tunnel valleys. After the retreat of the Lake Michigan lobe, subsequent melting of ice in the palimpsest tunnel valleys exhumed the valleys, creating the cross-cutting relationships with the Lake Michigan lobe deposits.

The ventromedial prefrontal cortex's (vMPFC) role in regulating emotions in late life depression (LLD) remains unclarified. We assessed vMPFC activation in an emotional valence blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic neuroimaging (fMRI) task and related the findings to extent of white matter hyperintensities (WMH). Sixteen participants with mild to moderate LLD were compared to 14 similar aged comparison participants. Participants in the scanner viewed words matched for length and arousal, indicated the perceived valence by pressing one of the three buttons i.e. “positive, negative, or neutral.” WMH volume was greater in LLD participants than comparison participants. There were no differences in activations between groups to any valence contrast. Female LLD participants showed greater activation for negative versus positive and negative versus neutral words as compared to female comparison participants. Female LLD participants respond differently to emotionally laden words compared to comparison participants. WMH could play a role in etiopathology of emotional perception in female LLD participants.