Refining should be carried out so as to minimize costs, including

Refining should be carried out so as to minimize costs, including reduced equipment and minimal energy, as well as minimal losses of neutral oil (Rodrigues, Pessôa Filho, & Meirelles, 2004). The common chemical RBO refining process includes degumming, neutralisation, bleaching, dewaxing and deodorisation (Pestana et al., 2008)

(Fig. 1). Degumming removes phospholipids and lipoproteins, through hydration, by adding water and either citric or phosphoric acid, followed by centrifugation (Baruffaldi and de Oliveira, 1998 and Zambiazi, 1997). During neutralisation, free fatty acids are removed by precipitation with a sodium hydroxide solution (Araújo, 1999), and the sodium salts of the free fatty acids (soaps) are separated by centrifugation (Baruffaldi & de Oliveira, 1998). The pigments naturally present in the crude oil (including Adriamycin mouse SCR7 order chlorophylls and carotenoids) are removed by adsorption on bleaching earth (Ferrari, 2001 and Weiss, 1983). During dewaxing, the oil is maintained at low temperatures to provoke wax crystallisation; then solidified waxes are removed by filtration or centrifugation (Zambiazi, 1997). Finally, during deodorising, volatile substances that are responsible for undesirable odours are removed; for this purpose, the oil is heated to 200–250 °C at low pressures (3–5 mm Hg) (Kao & Luh, 1991; Baruffaldi

& de Oliveira, 1998). On the other hand, precipitated soap is further processed for fatty acid recovering. As illustrated in Fig. 2, acid hydrolysis is initially carried out; the resulting raw fatty acids are separated from a hydrosoluble fraction, mainly containing HCl and NaCl. Finally, the raw fatty acids are distilled at low pressure to recover a 99.9% Palmatine pure fraction. Therefore, during fatty acid recovering, raw fatty acids (or hydrolysed soap as an intermediate product), purified fatty acids (final product), and two residues (hydrosoluble fraction from hydrolysis and distillation residue) are produced. In a previous work we have investigated the variations of the

concentrations of several phytochemicals, including γ-oryzanol and tocopherols, during the steps of industrial RBO refining (Pestana et al., 2008). These two compound classes are important antioxidants, being also of interest from a nutritional viewpoint (Ferrari, 2001 and Pestana et al., 2008). During RBO refining, the concentration of γ-oryzanol is largely reduced. Therefore, the concentration of γ-oryzanol in refined RBO is merely 2% of its initial value in crude RBO (Pestana et al., 2008). On the other hand, the concentration of tocopherols in refined RBO is similar to or slightly lower than that in crude RBO; thus, taking into account that refined RBO represents less initial mass of crude RBO, it can be deduced that an important fraction of the tocopherols present in crude RBO is lost during refining.

(2009) The samples were suspended in distilled water (30 mg/mL),

(2009). The samples were suspended in distilled water (30 mg/mL), heated to 80 °C and stirred for 3 h. After 48 h at 4 °C, the resulting suspensions were loaded on a rheometer with controlled tension, in linear mode, with a shear rate from 0.1 to 100 s−1 at Selleck LY294002 25 °C. The analysis were tested in triplicate and the results were subjected to analysis of variance, followed by Tukey’s test, with p < 0.05 set as the level of significance. The β-glucan concentrate from oat bran contained 32.2% of dry β-glucan, 8.55% of residual protein, 1.5% of residual ash and 57.45% of residual carbohydrates. The carbonyl and carboxyl

contents and the sum (carbonyl + carboxyl) of samples after oxidative treatment are presented in Table 1. The highest carbonyl values were found in the treatments with higher hydrogen peroxide concentrations and reaction Fulvestrant mouse times: 0.9% of H2O2/30 min, 0.6 and 0.9% of H2O2/60 min. The β-glucans oxidised with hydrogen peroxide for 60 min presented higher carboxyl contents than native β-glucan and β-glucans oxidised for 30 min. The treatments with 0.9% of H2O2/30 min and 0.6 and 0.9% of H2O2/60 min presented the highest sums of carbonyl and carboxyl contents (Table 1). Wang and Wang (2003) reported that the carbonyl and carboxyl groups in corn starch increased with the increased intensity of the oxidative treatment.

These results indicated that hydrogen peroxide promoted alterations in the structure of β-glucan similar to those that occur in other polymers, such as chitosan and starch, which can break the glycosidic linkages (Qin, Du, & Xiao, 2002). The swelling power, glucose availability after chemical digestion and fat- and bile acid-binding capacities of native β-glucan and

β-glucan oxidised with hydrogen peroxide are presented in Table 2. The native β-glucan had 14.5 g/g of swelling power, similar to reports by Bae et al. (2009), who found a swelling power of 15.12 g/g for native β-glucan concentrate containing 43% β-glucan. The swelling power of β-glucan increased in treatments with 0.3% and 0.6% of H2O2/30 min, with the highest value (18.94 g/g) for the treatment with 0.3% of H2O2/30 min. However, in the treatment check with 0.9% of H2O2/30 min and in all treatments with 60 min of reaction, the swelling power was decreased (Table 2), indicating more breakages of glycosidic links and thus lower water retention capacity. In starches, low-intensity oxidative treatment can increase swelling power because the depolymerisation of molecules is not very intense (Kuakpetoon & Wang, 2008). However, more intense treatment can cause structural disintegration and reduce swelling power (Sandhu, Kaur, Singh, & Lim, 2008). Bae et al. (2009) also verified a reduction of swelling power in β-glucan from oats when the molecule was partially hydrolysed with the enzyme cellulase, resulting in different molecular weight.

He had no history of drug use, systemic or pulmonary disease or c

He had no history of drug use, systemic or pulmonary disease or coagulapathy, and reported no alcohol use. There was no family history

of coagulopathy, or tuberculosis. He had a smoking selleckchem history of 2 pack/years, and has been working as a welder for 8 years. On physical examination, he was anxious and mildly dyspneic with a pulse rate of 110/min, respiratory rate of 24/min and a blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg and oxygen saturation 95% on room air. There was no clubbing or lymphadenopathy. Oral or genital aphthous ulcers were not detected in physical examination or presented in past medical history. Bilateral hyperemic conjunctivas and basal crackles on auscultation were remarkable on physical examination. Rest of the physical examination was unremarkable. Although there was nothing then mild diffuse ground-glass opacity on his chest radiography, high resolution computed tomography scans revealed diffuse poorly defined centrilobular nodules with patchy ground-glass opacity predominantly on the lower lobes and right side (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2). Laboratory investigation showed a hemoglobin level of 12 gr/dL, a WBC count of 10.4 × 103 μL (92% neutrophils, 5% lymphocytes), haematocrit of 0.40, a platelet count of 162 × 103/μL. Prothrombin time and international normalized ratio were within normal limits. Sedimentation was 60 mm/h. His routine biochemical investigations including

renal and liver functions, and urine analysis were all normal. Atypical MK-2206 clinical trial cells in peripheral smear were not detected, platelets were aggregated. Antinuclear antibody, rheumatoid factor and anti-double-strand DNA, and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies were all negative. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed active bleeding bilaterally

from the lower lobes and right middle lobe, with major bleeding on the right side. We made iced saline and Ankaferd Blood Stopper® (2 mL) lavage to the both of the lower lobes from the bronchoscope probe. Bleeding was decreased after this procedure. Hemoptysis diminished day by day, and disappeared on sixth day after acceptance. No other specific treatment for hemoptysis was used. Control bronchoscopy on fifteenth day of presentation was completely normal without any potential cause of bleeding Nabilone such as intrabronchial mass or foreign body. Culture of bronchoalveolar washing was negative for fungal and acid-fast bacteria. The patient discharged on tenth hospital day without hemoptysis. There has been no recurrence for two years. Many different energy sources can be used for welding, including a gas flame, an electric arc, a laser, an electron beam, carbon arc, gas, gas metal, plasma arc and ultrasound, however electric arc welding has been predominant method in industry since its first introduction in 1940.1 Temperatures can reach as high as 12,000 °C in the arc and heat both the base metal piece and a filler metal coming from a consumable electrode.

In some further detail, the previous analysis seems to have yield

In some further detail, the previous analysis seems to have yielded a somewhat higher result on pg/g fat ∑TEQ1998 basis compared to the current study with the exception of one of the samples, the one from 1980. Further, the mean and median differences between the studies were 13 and 15%, respectively, on ∑TEQ1998 basis. The largest difference was found for ∑PCDDs, mean and median difference of 20% and 25% respectively. The differences for ∑DL-PCBs and ∑PCDFs were lower, approximately

10% mean and median difference for both groups of compounds. The result of this part of the present study shows that direct comparison between historical data and new data is p38 MAP Kinase pathway possible for monitoring of PCDDs, PCDFs and DL-PBCs by applying the methodology described herein. Accordingly, it is possible to elongate existing time trends with new samples. Fig. 6 shows the quotas of the PCDDs, PCDFs and DL-PCBs of the TOTAL-TEQ2005 for each sample of the time trend, 1972–2011, presented herein. It can be generalized that half of the ∑TEQ is made up of DL-PCBs, and the other half comprise of somewhat more PCDDs than PCDFs. Time trend analyses of

the three fractions show a relative annual decrease over the 40 year period for the DL-PCBs, 0.44% per year (p < 0.49), but show no statistical significant trend for the last decade. The PCDDs and PCDFs show no statistical significant trend for either time period. Comparability between studies from the literature, even when it comes to the same matrix — mothers' milk, is strongly hampered by several PCI-32765 supplier facts. First, the present lack of original congener specific data, presented either on a weight basis or on a molar basis, that is necessary to allow calculations of TEQs when new TEFs are applied, is not reported. Further, congener

specific data are the most reliable data as a base for assessing temporal trends. Sum of analyte data may hide interesting and relevant temporal trends, as discussed for the PCDFs above. Second, the lack of unified sampling strategies influences the results. To promote the best possible sampling strategy it is relevant to apply the instructions from the WHO milk program (UNEP, 2012) or something as close to this as possible. Third, mafosfamide the lack of long term temporal trend analysis strongly hampers spatial comparisons of such trends. The rate of which ∑PCDDs, ∑PCDFs ∑DL-PCBs and the ∑TEQ are decreasing (on pg/g fat WHO-TEQ2005) is steeper in the last decade compared to the 40 year period, 1972–2011. The declines for PCDDs, PCDFs, DL-PCBs and ∑TEQs are 10%, 7.3%, 12% and 10% per year, last decade, compared to 6.1%, 6.1%, 6.9%% and 6.5% per year, 1972–2011. The difference in steepness, between the whole time period and the last ten years, is much smaller for ∑TEQ of PCDFs than for the other groups, likely due to too many PCDF congeners below LOQ, 2002–2011. The faster rate of decline over this period of time is confirmed by the temporal trends of the individual “dioxins”, as determined on a weight basis.

Tree cutting and prescribed fire had similar overall influence on

Tree cutting and prescribed fire had similar overall influence on total understory cover and richness. If burns are sufficiently severe to reduce tree density, prescribed fire and cutting may not be that dissimilar in their influence on ecosystem properties affecting understory vegetation (Ma et al., 2010, Fulé et al., 2012 and North NSC 683864 ic50 et al., 2012). Both can expose mineral soil, via burning O horizons or during cutting operations (Cram et al., 2007 and Laughlin and

Fulé, 2008). Both also usually at least temporarily decrease total ecosystem nutrient pools (e.g., Clayton and Kennedy, 1985), but plant-available nutrients can increase (Gundale et al., 2006). Species composition

may represent the greatest potential for influences of cutting and prescribed fire to diverge, such as through germination cues. CAL101 Some understory species of mixed conifer forests, including Ceanothus integerrimus (deerbrush) that is stimulated by heat ( Kauffman and Martin, 1991) and Penstemon spp. stimulated by smoke ( Abella et al., 2007), may be favored by fire. Six studies reported groups of native species abundant after prescribed fire or cutting + fire that are apparently fire-dependent, because the species were infrequent or absent in unburned forest, including after tree cutting alone ( Lyon, 1966, Huisinga et al., 2005, Stark et al., 2006, Dodson et al., 2007, Knapp et al., 2007 and Dodson and Peterson, 2010). These fire-stimulated groups were mainly forbs and included species such as: perennial forbs C. angustifolium (fireweed), Claytonia perfoliata (miner’s lettuce), Epilobium glaberrimum (glaucus willowherb), Pseudognaphalium canescens (Wright’s cudweed), and Lotus crassifolius

(big deervetch); and the http://www.selleck.co.jp/products/Vorinostat-saha.html annual forbs Epilobium brachycarpum (tall annual willowherb), Gayophytum diffusum (spreading groundsmoke), and Cryptantha simulans (pinewoods cryptantha). It is possible that these species were once more common (at least ephemerally) in fire-prone historical forests. Applying both cutting and prescribed fire resulted in the greatest invasion of non-native plants, but even in this treatment, non-native cover was low (Dodson and Fiedler, 2006, Collins et al., 2007 and Dodson et al., 2008). Fiedler et al. (2013) hypothesized potential pathways of post-treatment non-native plant dynamics, including scenarios such as slight increases after treatment then declines through time, versus increases and persistence in the treated forest. Non-native dynamics may partly depend on identity of the invader, where perseverance of some species appears low (e.g.

However, it may be in the best interest of treatment to make an a

However, it may be in the best interest of treatment to make an adaptation when the severity of the comorbidity or stressor threatens therapeutic alliance or the ability of the patient to stay in treatment. Video clip 7 demonstrates a scenario in which an acute stressor leads to a shift in the order in which the therapist moves through the modules of the CBT-AD protocol. “Michael” is a 30-year-old gay male who lives with his boyfriend, has a history of crystal methamphetamine dependence, and was infected with HIV by a male partner 10 years ago. Michael is midway through

the CBT-AD protocol. He has responded buy Panobinostat well to treatment, including reductions in depressive symptoms and improvement in ART adherence, and he and his therapist have established a good rapport. While reviewing homework from the “Adaptive Thinking” module, Michael reveals that his boyfriend of 2 years has recently re-initiated use of crystal methamphetamine, which has

caused Michael significant distress and worry that he himself will also re-initiate use. The therapist initially views this as an opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness of cognitive restructuring for addressing these multiple stressors. However, Michael’s distress due to his boyfriend’s substance use becomes a barrier to moving forward with this module, and the therapist Onalespib molecular weight decides to alter the course of treatment in order to address the acute problem. In this case, the therapist chooses to skip forward to the first “Problem Solving”

session in order to help the patient address the acute problem. The therapist will return to the second session of “Adaptive Thinking” later in treatment. We note that it may not always be in the best interest of the patient to break treatment fidelity and alter the course of treatment based on acute problems that may arise. In many cases, these stressors can be used as examples to illustrate the utility of various modules of CBT-AD. For example, in learn more Video clip 7, Michael was likely experiencing many cognitive distortions relating to his acute stressor that could have been restructured by sticking with the “Adaptive Thinking” module, and the therapist attempted to do so. We encourage therapists to attempt to maintain the fidelity of the treatment by addressing patient struggles in the current module as is possible. However, this video clip illustrates a scenario in which the severity of the distress the patient was experiencing became a barrier to continuing with treatment as planned. Had the therapist forced Michael to address the acute stressor through cognitive restructuring, it may have threatened the therapeutic alliance. This paper with case illustrations provides a brief description of cognitive-behavioral therapy for adherence and depression (CBT-AD; Safren et al., 2008a and Safren et al., 2008b) for HIV-infected adults, as developed and tested by our team.

There were no clinically relevant events or hospitalizations duri

There were no clinically relevant events or hospitalizations during follow-up, other than the serious adverse events that occurred during PR therapy. None of the patients died. Mean ALT levels (IU/L) at follow-up Volasertib solubility dmso were lower compared to baseline in patients who achieved SVR, respectively 50 at baseline versus 24 at end-of-follow-up (p = 0.03). Mean ALT levels were comparable between baseline and end-of-follow-up among patients who did not achieve SVR with PR therapy or did not start PR therapy, respectively 78 versus 67 (p = 0.45) and 101 versus 100 (p = 0.97). Median

APRI score of patients treated with miravirsen was comparable between baseline and follow-up, respectively 0.34 versus 0.32 (p = 0.97). There was no significant difference between baseline and end-of-follow-up median APRI score in patients who achieved SVR, respectively 0.32 versus 0.15 (p = 0.11), or in patients who did not achieve SVR, respectively 0.44 versus 0.48 (p = 0.57). Here PI3K inhibitor we present the results of the first study to assess long-term safety of miR-targeted therapy in humans. Up to 35 months following therapy no long-term safety problems were observed among the 27 chronic hepatitis C patients that were treated with miravirsen. None of the patients treated with anti-miR-122 developed HCC or cirrhosis related morbidity such as ascites or variceal bleeding. In addition, antiviral therapy with PR following miravirsen

resulted in SVR in 58% of HCV genotype 1, treatment-naïve patients. MiR-122 is believed to have a tumor suppressive role and has been related to the development of HCC. In vitro studies showed that miR-122 levels were reduced in human HCC cells compared to normal hepatocytes, and that restoration of miR-122 in HCC cells reversed their malignant phenotype and tumorigenic properties (Bai et al., 2009 and Coulouarn et al., 2009). Short-term inhibition of miR-122 using antisense oligonucleotides for

5 weeks was well ID-8 tolerated in adult mice, and these mice did not develop HCC (Esau et al., 2006). In an obesity mouse model induced by a high fat diet, miR-122 inhibition led to a reduction of steatosis (Esau et al., 2006). In contrast, mice lacking the gene encoding for miR-122 developed microsteatosis and inflammation of the liver that progressed to steatohepatitis and HCC later on in life (Hsu et al., 2012 and Tsai et al., 2012). It was postulated that hepatocarcinogenesis was initiated by activation of several oncogenic pathways and the production of pro-tumorigenic cytokines (Hsu et al., 2012). However, the biological and clinical effect of transient inhibition of miR-122 and the subsequent long-term risk for HCC development in humans is still unknown and should be carefully studied in future studies with miR-122 inhibiting agents. It was demonstrated that elevated serum miR-122 level is a sensitive marker for inflammatory activity in the liver and strongly correlates with serum ALT activity (Bihrer et al.

AMPAkines are modulators of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazol

AMPAkines are modulators of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors and have been widely explored for a variety of neuropsychiatric diseases including schizophrenia and epilepsy (Chang et al., 2012 and Russo et al., 2012). Cognitive improvement has been the primary focus of most

research with this drug class (Hamlyn et al., 2009). Glutamate acting via AMPA receptors is essential for maintaining respiratory rhythmogenesis at the purported kernel of rhythm generation, the preBötzinger complex in the hindbrain (Funk et al., 1993 and Greer et al., 1991). Thus, the rationale for the use of AMPAkines to treat respiratory depression, in particular the type caused primarily by a decrease in respiratory VE821 rate (e.g., opioid-induced respiratory depression), is that positive allosteric modulators of AMPA receptors would enhance respiratory rhythm. Various AMPAkines

(Cortex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) have been evaluated preclinically and clinically as respiratory IPI-145 manufacturer stimulants. The positive AMPA allosteric modulator CX546 reversed the ventilatory suppressive effects of fentanyl and phenobarbital in the rat (Ren et al., 2006). A second AMPA receptor modulator, CX717, has been tested pre-clinically and is also able to reverse the respiratory depressive effects of fentanyl, alcohol and pentobarbital (Ren et al., 2009 and Ren et al., 2012). CX717 also reverses opiate suppression of hypoglossal motor neurons (Lorier et al., 2010). In young healthy subjects with a target alfentanil infusion concentration of 100 ng/mL (i.e., analgesic), CX717 prevented the fall in respiratory rate vs. placebo (Oertel et al., 2010). However, in that study there also was an interaction

between alfentanil and CX717 with respect to visual analog scale parameter “tiredness”, in that the participants receiving CX717 reported increased tiredness compared to placebo controls. In humans, AMPAkines improved memory and information processing in the healthy elderly (Wezenberg et al., 2007) and people with schizophrenia (Goff et al., 2008). In a randomized, double-blind, crossover study in sleep deprived young subjects, CX717 enhanced cognitive performance and alertness (Boyle et al., 2012). Slow wave sleep was reduced and recovery sleep impaired. Thus, the respiratory stimulatory effects of new AMPAkine molecules are associated with Thymidine kinase stimulatory neuropsychiatric effects on arousal-alertness state and cognitive performance. It remains possible that dual effects of a single molecule on the neuropsychiatric and respiratory systems will limit the utility of these compounds as respiratory stimulants. Agents that increase the drive to breathe by mimicking the effects of acute hypoxia and/or hypercapnia at the level of the peripheral chemoreceptors represent a rational approach toward the development of therapeutics for breathing control disorders that would benefit from ventilatory stimulation.

They were divided into two grade groups: 26 children (14 males) a

They were divided into two grade groups: 26 children (14 males) attended the second grade and were 7–8 years old (M = 8;2, range = 7;7–8;8); and 26 children (15 males) attended the fourth grade and were 9–10 years old (M = 10;2, range = 9;8–10;4). Exclusion criteria included bilingualism, known neurological selleck inhibitor and psychiatric medical history, developmental learning disorders, and visual or auditory impairment. Children’s participation was conditional upon approval by their head teachers and teachers, and their own willingness to take part in the experiment. They were aware that they could withdraw from the experiment at any time without further consequences. Moreover, all parents provided written informed

consent for their children’s participation in the study, and all data was stored anonymously. Children were tested individually in a quiet room at their school, in a single session of approximately 45 min. During this session, participants performed 4 tasks: (1) The Visual selleck chemical Recursion Task (VRT),

designed to assess the ability to represent recursive iterative processes in the visuo-spatial domain (Martins & Fitch, 2012); (2) The Embedded Iteration Task (EIT), designed to test the ability to represent non-recursive iterative processes in the visuo-spatial domain (Martins & Fitch, 2012); (3) The Test for Reception of Grammar (TROG-D), a grammatical comprehension GPX6 task (Bishop, 2003 and Fox, 2007); and (4) The Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices (CPM), a non-verbal intelligence task (Raven, Raven, & Court, 2010). The whole testing procedure was divided into two parts, with a break of 5 min in between. The first part included VRT and

EIT, as well as a specific training for these tasks, and the second part included TROG-D and CPM. The order of tasks in the first part was randomized and equally distributed: Within each grade group 13 children started the procedure with VRT and 13 children started the procedure with EIT. The order of tasks in the second part was fixed (TROG-D first and then CPM). Both VRT and EIT were binary forced-choice paradigms, where children were asked to choose between two images. After the completion of the first two tasks, we asked 42 out of 52 children the following question: “How frequently were the two images in the bottom different? (a) Almost never, (b) Sometimes, or (c) Almost always?” We initiated this systematic questioning after the experiment had begun, due to the feedback that we got from some children, reporting perceiving no differences between the choice images. Unfortunately, it was not possible to retrieve the answer from the first 10 children. Test procedure. This task was adapted from the one used in (Martins & Fitch, 2012). In VRT, each trial began with the presentation of three images corresponding to the first three iterations (steps) of a fractal generation.

Annual rainfall ranges

Annual rainfall ranges Trametinib manufacturer from frontal Himalayan values of almost 200 cm to only ∼23 cm on the Indus plain, and even lower values (∼9 cm) over the Indus Delta. Tectonics control

the container valley geometry of the Indus, and the main course of the Indus migrated to a generally more westward located course over the past 5000 years (Kazmi, 1984). The legendary Saraswati River, whose probable ancient course in the Thar Desert is marked by numerous abandoned archeological sites, may have once supplemented the Indus Delta (Oldham, 1887, Oldham, 1893, Stein, 1942, Lal and Gupta, 1984, Mughal, 1997 and Giosan et al., 2012). Rather than being an effect of Saraswati’s loss, we speculate that a westward migration of the Indus course may have a more deep seated cause, possibly associated with slow flexural uplift of the central Indian plateau

(Bilham et al., 2003). The delta’s climate is arid sub-tropical; the river mouth is located almost in the tropics, at 24° N 67°30′ E. The present Indus Delta is 17,000 km2; the active tidal flat area is ∼10,000 km2. The delta once hosted the world’s largest arid mangrove forest (Inam et al., 2007). Warm coastal waters (22 °C on average) and summer tidal inundation result in salt deposits (Memon, 2005). The tidal range is 2.7 m (Giosan et al., 2006). Swampy areas on the delta are restricted to areas near tidal channels and coastal areas that undergo tidal flooding. Although the Indus www.selleckchem.com/products/MLN8237.html mafosfamide Delta receives high deep-water wave energy, attenuation on the shallow shelf results in lower wave energy at the coast than is typical for wave-dominated deltas (Wells and Coleman, 1984). Wave measurements offshore Karachi at 20 m water-depth show a mean significant wave height during the summer southwest monsoon (May–September) of ∼1.8 m with a mean period of 9 s (Rizvi et al., 1988). During the winter, with offshore-directed monsoon winds (October–April), significant wave height

is ∼1.2 m with a period of 6.5 s (Rizvi et al., 1988). Wave-driven sediment transport redistributes river-delivered sediments along the deltaic coast (Wells and Coleman, 1984 and Giosan et al., 2006). Recorded regional history extends back several thousand years (including annals from the time of Alexander the Great c. 325 BC). Embracing ∼2 millennia prior, humans certainly modified the landscape: the population of the Harappan culture is estimated at ∼5 million at peak, with ∼1000 major settlements in what is now Pakistan. However, we postulate these modifications are relatively minor compared to changes from 1869 onwards when artificial levees and great modern irrigation systems became established, population grew from ∼25 million people to the present ∼188 million (UN, 2012), and the Indus ceased to transport large quantities of freshwater and sediment to the delta and the sea. We here describe natural processes occurring in the presence of humans, but not so greatly altered by them. The Indus floodplain (Fig. 1 and Fig.