bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Facies and depositional model of alluvial fan dominated by episodic flood events in arid conditions: An example from the Quaternary Poplar Fan, north‐western China
Authors: Gao Chonglong , Ji Youliang , Wu Chenliang , Jin Jun , Ren Ying , Yang Zhao , Liu Dawei , Huan Zhijun , Duan Xiaobing , Zhou Yuqi 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAlluvial fans are usually constructed through episodic flood events. Despite the significance of these ephemeral floods on the morphodynamics of alluvial fans, depositional responses to the variations in flood conditions are still poorly documented. This greatly limits the ability to interpret ancient sedimentary successions of fans and the associated flood hydrodynamics. The Quaternary Poplar Fan from endorheic Heshituoluogai Basin provides an optimal case for addressing this issue. Based on the variations in facies associations and flood conditions, three depositional stages – namely; lobe building stage, channel building stage and the abandonment stage – are identified. During the lobe building stage the Poplar Fan is predominately constructed through incised channel flood, sheetflood and unconfined streamflood, with coeval development of distal surficial ephemeral ponds. The channel building stage is characterized by the development of gravelly braided rivers. However, only scour pool fill deposits are preferentially preserved in the Poplar Fan. During the abandonment stage, erosional lags and aeolian sands randomly occur throughout the fan, while gully deposits can only be found in the distal fan. The distinctive facies architecture of the Poplar Fan is likely to be the result of periodicity of climate fluctuations between wetter and drier conditions during the Late Pleistocene to Holocene. The ephemeral floods formed under wetter conditions usually show high discharge and sediment concentrations which facilitate the lobe building processes. During the drier periods, only gravelly braided rivers can be developed through ephemeral floods as the intensity and frequency in precipitation, discharge and sediment concentrations of the flood flows significantly decrease. The abandonment stage of the fan may occur between recurring flood episodes or during the driest periods. Furthermore, the long‐term (105 to 106 year) geomorphic evolution of the Poplar Fan shows the influence of tectonic activities. The ongoing thrust uplift tectonic activities have caused destruction of the fan but can also facilitate the fan‐head trench/incision of the fan, which in turn facilitate the progradation of the fan. This study proposes a new depositional model for alluvial fans constructed through episodic flood events, which shows the character of both sheet‐flood dominated and stream‐flow dominated end members of alluvial fans. These findings supplement the understanding of the variability of the alluvial fans and provide means to characterize rock record of alluvial fans and their associated flood and climate conditions.
Confidence intervals for variance component ratios in unbalanced linear mixed models
Authors: Fernando Mahesh N. , Butler Ronald W. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractMethods for constructing confidence intervals for variance component ratios in general unbalanced mixed models are developed. The methods are based on inverting the distribution of the signed root of the log‐likelihood ratio statistic constructed from either the restricted maximum likelihood or the full likelihood. As this distribution is intractable, the inversion is rather based on using a saddlepoint approximation to its distribution. Apart from Wald's exact method, the resulting intervals are unrivalled in terms of achieving accuracy in overall coverage, underage, and overage. Issues related to the proper “reference set” with which to judge the coverage as well as issues connected to variance ratios being nonnegative with lower bound 0 are addressed. Applications include an unbalanced nested design and an unbalanced crossed design.
Soil microstructure alterations induced by land use change for sugarcane expansion in Brazil
Authors: Canisares Lucas Pecci , Cherubin Maurício Roberto , da Silva Laura Fernanda Simoes , Franco Andre Luiz Custodio , Cooper Miguel , Mooney Sacha J. , Cerri Carlos Eduardo Pellegrino 
Published: November 2019

AbstractLand use change (LUC) alters soil structure and, consequently, the functions and services provided by these soils. Conversion from extensive pasture to sugarcane is one of the largest land transitions in Brazil as a result of the growth of the domestic and global demands of bioenergy. However, the impacts of sugarcane expansion on the soil structure under extensive pasture remains unclear, especially when considering changes at the microscale. We investigated whether LUC for sugarcane cultivation impacted soil microstructure quality. Undisturbed soil samples were taken from two soil layers (0–10 and 10–20 cm) under three contrasting land uses (native vegetation—NV, pasture—PA and sugarcane—SC) in three different locations in the central‐southern Brazil. Oriented thin sections (30 μm) were used for micromorphological analysis. The total area of pores decreased following the LUC in the following order: NV > PA > SC in both soil layers. The area of large complex packing pores (>0.01 mm²) also decreased with the LUC sequence: NV>PA>SC. Qualitative and semi‐quantitative micromorphological analysis confirmed porosity reduction was driven by the decrease in complex packing pores and that biological features decreased in the same LUC sequence as the quantitative parameters. Therefore, LUC for sugarcane expansion reduced microscale soil porosity, irrespectively of soil type and site‐specific conditions, indicating that the adoption of more sustainable management practices is imperative to preserve soil structure and sustain soil functions in Brazilian sugarcane fields.
Geochemical characteristics of basalts related to incipient oceanization: The example from the Alpine‐Tethys OCTs
Authors: Amann Méderic , Ulrich Marc , Manatschal Gianreto , Pelt Eric , Epin Marie‐Eva , Autin Julia , Sauter Daniel 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBasalts exposed in the Platta and Tasna nappes (SE Switzerland) derive from the Alpine‐Tethys ocean–continent transitions (OCT) and overlie subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM). We show that the trace element signatures of these basalts differ from mid‐ocean ridge basalts (MORB). Two types of basalts occur in the OCT: a type‐1 showing a ‘garnet signature’ that can be modelled by the partial melting of the SCLM in the spinel stability field and a type‐2 characterized by an enrichment in incompatible elements that can be explained by the mixing between garnet‐pyroxenite‐derived melts and the melting of either a depleted MORB mantle or a refertilized SCLM. Based on the geological and geochemical observations, we propose that the basalts from the Alpine‐Tethys OCTs result from a poly‐phase magmatic system that carries an inherited SCLM signature. These basalts should therefore be referred to as OCT‐basalts rather than as MOR‐basalts.
Late Miocene to Quaternary slip history across the Qiulitag anticline in the southern Tianshan piedmont
Authors: Charreau Julien , Sartégou Amandine , Saint‐Carlier Dimitri , Lavé Jérôme , Blard Pierre‐Henri , Dominguez Stéphane , Wang Sheng Li , Rao Gang ,   ASTER Team
Published: November 2019

AbstractIn this study, we reconstruct the Miocene to Quaternary shortening history across the Qiulitag anticline, a complex fault‐bend fold located in southern Tianshan. We studied the Yaha and Kuche sections, where we combined surface structural measurements and seismic imaging to model the stratigraphic horizons. The history of folding was reconstructed based on magnetostratigraphic analyses and eight cosmogenic burial ages in Kuche. Pleistocene deformation rates were also quantified in Yaha based on a deformed fluvial terrace that we dated to ~67 ka using a cosmogenic depth profile. Our results suggest that the fold grew at a mean slip rate of 0.9–1.3 mm/a in both sections but accelerated to ~2.5 mm/a during the Pleistocene in Kuche. These results support a migration of the deformation towards the basin during the Pleistocene and suggest that most of the present deformation in the Tianshan is accommodated across the external structures of the range.
Factors associated with Chinese pregnant women’s preference for a cesarean section based on the theory of planned behaviour
Authors: Sun Na , Yin Xiaoxv , Qiu Lei , Yang Qin , Shi Xinwei , Chang Jun , Feng Ling , Gong Yanhong 
Published: November 2019

AbstractObjectivesCesarean delivery on maternal request is one of the important public health issues in China. Our study aimed to apply the theory of planned behaviour to comprehensively determine the factors regarding pregnant women’s preference for cesarean section and to provide references for establishing measures to reduce cesarean delivery on maternal request.MethodsThis cross‐sectional analysis was conducted in four women’s and children’s hospitals in China from May to June 2018. Eligible women arriving for routine antenatal visits at these hospitals were recruited to answer a structured questionnaire. A total of 1853 pregnant women consented to participate in the investigation, with a response rate of 88.75%. Finally, 1677 pregnant women (984 nulliparae and 693 multiparae) were involved in the analysis. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were used.ResultsOf the study participants, 20.39% preferred cesarean section. For both nulliparae and multiparae, those who had lower scores of attitudes towards vaginal delivery, lower scores of childbirth self‐efficacy and higher scores of subjective norms were more likely to prefer cesarean section.ConclusionsPregnant women’s birth preferences were significantly associated with their attitudes towards the delivery mode, childbirth self‐efficacy and subjective norms, which is consistent with the theory of planned behaviour. Interventions to reduce cesarean delivery on maternal request can be developed based on the theory of planned behaviour.
Metabolomics of red‐light‐induced stomatal opening in Arabidopsis thaliana: Coupling with abscisic acid and jasmonic acid metabolism
Authors: Zhu Mengmeng , Geng Sisi , Chakravorty David , Guan Qijie , Chen Sixue , Assmann Sarah M. 
Published: November 2019

SummaryEnvironmental stimuli‐triggered stomatal movement is a key physiological process that regulates CO2 uptake and water loss in plants. Stomata are defined by pairs of guard cells that perceive and transduce external signals, leading to cellular volume changes and consequent stomatal aperture change. Within the visible light spectrum, red light induces stomatal opening in intact leaves. However, there has been debate regarding the extent to which red‐light‐induced stomatal opening arises from direct guard cell sensing of red light versus indirect responses as a result of red light influences on mesophyll photosynthesis. Here we identify conditions that result in red‐light‐stimulated stomatal opening in isolated epidermal peels and enlargement of protoplasts, firmly establishing a direct guard cell response to red light. We then employ metabolomics workflows utilizing gas chromatography mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry for metabolite profiling and identification of Arabidopsis guard cell metabolic signatures in response to red light in the absence of the mesophyll. We quantified 223 metabolites in Arabidopsis guard cells, with 104 found to be red light responsive. These red‐light‐modulated metabolites participate in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, carbon balance, phytohormone biosynthesis and redox homeostasis. We next analyzed selected Arabidopsis mutants, and discovered that stomatal opening response to red light is correlated with a decrease in guard cell abscisic acid content and an increase in jasmonic acid content. The red‐light‐modulated guard cell metabolome reported here provides fundamental information concerning autonomous red light signaling pathways in guard cells.
Characterization and sludge dewaterability evaluation of a chitosan‐based flocculant CMCTS‐g‐CPAM
Authors: Sun Wenquan , Zhu Hui , Sun Yongjun , Tang Mengdan , Zheng Huaili 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIn this work, a new cationic flocculant, CMCTS‐g‐CPAM was synthesized by acrylamide (AM), methacryloyloxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride (DMC) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCTS) through UV initiated graft polymerization techniques. The structure of CMCTS‐g‐CPAM was analysed by infrared spectroscopy (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) techniques which indicates that AM and DMC are grafted successfully onto CMCTS to obtain CMCTS‐g‐CPAM. The potential of CMCTS‐g‐CPAM for the sludge dewatering was investigated. The effects of cationic degree, intrinsic viscosity, dosage and pH on the sludge dewatering performance were studied. The results indicate that the optimal dewatering performance with minimum supernatant turbidity of 5.40 NTU, the moisture content of the filter cake of 79.28% and the specific resistance of the sludge of 1.96 × 1013 m/kg was obtained at 30 mg/L CMCTS‐g‐CPAM at pH 9–10. Finally, from the microscopic and electron micrographs investigation, it was confirmed that the particle size of the CMCTS‐g‐CPAM treated sludge was significantly large to enhance hydrophobicity and improve dewatering performance.
Investigating the influence of iron–carbon microelectrolysis on the performance and microbial community of constructed wetlands
Authors: Wei Fang , Zhou Qingwei , Wu Weihong , Bian Zhengfu , Feng Xiaoyi , Li Jinye , Shi Mingjuan 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIron–carbon microelectrolysis (Fe–C ‐ME) has been used extensively for the treatment of domestic sewage. In this study, CWs incorporated with Fe–C ‐ME were established, and the performance and microbial community structure of CWs were investigated. The results indicated that CWs incorporated with Fe–C‐ME had better performance for treating domestic sewage. The NO3‐–N, TN and TP removal efficiencies of CWs incorporated with Fe–C‐ME were 82.3, 80.3 and 98.2%, respectively, which were 7.8, 4.7 and 25.2% higher than those of the CWs without Fe–C‐ME. High‐throughput sequencing analysis demonstrated that Fe–C‐ME changed the microbial community structure. For example, some dominant groups at the class level, such as Betaproteobacteria (15.2%), Gammaproteobacteria (10.6%) and Deltaproteobacteria(10.0%), were promoted by Fe–C‐ME. The results demonstrated that the relative abundance of bacteria involved in nitrification, denitrification, polyphosphate accumulation or COD reduction at the genus level thrived because of the presence of Fe–C‐ME, which can improve the performance of CWs.
Removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from wastewater using dual‐mode ultrasound system
Authors: Ghasemi Negareh , Gbeddy Gustav , Egodawatta Prasanna , Zare Firuz , Goonetilleke Ashantha 
Published: November 2019

AbstractTreatment of wastewater using ultrasound systems is gaining increasing interest due to its effectiveness for a wide range of pollutants and no secondary pollutant production. This paper proposes two ultrasound systems operating at different ranges of electrical power and frequency developed to remove toxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds in wastewater. Both light molecular weight (LMW) and high molecular weight (HMW) compounds were degraded using the developed systems. However, HMW compounds were more affected. The experimental results revealed that treatment at a high power level is not always a proper approach for a large reduction of PAH compounds. Whereas treatment at higher frequencies and lower power can be a suitable alternative to enhance the PAHs removal rate and the system energy efficiency and reduce losses. Therefore, a dual‐mode ultrasound system with adjustable operating frequency and power is a promising approach for the treatment of industrial wastewater containing toxic PAH compounds.
Microplastics contamination in tidelands of the Osaka Bay area in western Japan
Authors: Nakao Satoshi , Ozaki Asako , Yamazaki Kazuo , Masumoto Keiko , Nakatani Tadashi , Sakiyama Takanori 
Published: November 2019

AbstractRecently, researchers have been examining the actual state of microplastics contamination in the environment. However, pollution in high biodiversity environments such as tidelands has not been sufficiently investigated. Therefore, to assess the actual level of microplastics pollution therein, we conducted a survey of the tidelands of Osaka Bay in Japan to develop a model that included basins in urban and suburban areas. We quantified the levels of microplastics in the mud from four of Osaka Bay's tidelands and detected them based on three inhabitants of the main river estuary tideland, namely, bivalves (Corbicula japonica), crabs (Chiromantes dehaani) and a tufted duck (Aythya fuligula). Microplastics ranging in size from 300 μm to 5 mm were targeted, and the results indicated that the concentration of microplastics in the mud tended to increase with tideland proximity to an urban area where the density of the human population was the highest. Microplastics were detected in 10% of the bivalves and 6.7% of the crabs (n = 30 in both cases), and eight pieces of microplastics were detected in the stomach of one tufted duck. These results indicate that the mud in tidelands near urban areas had more microplastics. In addition, the results suggest that microplastics contamination levels may be higher in higher order predators in the food web.
Seasonal and spatial variation in Toxoplasma gondii contamination in soil in urban public spaces in California, United States
Authors: de Wit Luz A. , Kilpatrick A. Marm , VanWormer Elizabeth , Croll Donald A. , Tershy Bernie R. , Kim Minji , Shapiro Karen 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundToxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite that can have severe implications for human health. Acutely infected cats shed environmentally resistant T. gondii oocysts in their faeces that contaminate soil, and soil can serve as a reservoir of infection for humans. Free‐roaming domestic cats are thought to play an important role in environmental contamination with T. gondii, but few studies have directly measured the direct contribution of free‐roaming cats to T. gondii in soil.MethodsOur goals were to determine whether T. gondii soil contamination occurs in public areas with free‐roaming cat colonies in central California and examine spatial and temporal variation in soil contamination. We initially performed spiking experiments to compare the limit of T. gondii detection in soil using three conventional nested PCR assays and one real‐time quantitative PCR. The nested PCR targeting the internal transcribed spacer (ITS‐1) of the small subunit ribosomal RNA was the most sensitive assay, with a limit of detection between 20 and 200 oocysts per gram of soil. We applied the ITS1 PCR assay on soil from sites in city and state parks, public playgrounds and community gardens in central California, USA. Samples were collected during spring, summer and fall and in sites located along the coast and inland.ResultsWe detected and sequence‐confirmed T. gondii in 5.6% of all of our soil sub‐samples, but with large seasonal and spatial variation in soil contamination: we only detected T. gondii during fall and only in coastal sites (44.3% soil prevalence), despite similar sampling intensity across space and time.ConclusionsOur results suggest that free‐roaming cat colonies are an important source of T. gondii in spaces where people recreate and grow food and that soil contamination is highly seasonal and spatially variable. Management of free‐roaming cats could prevent T. gondii infections by reducing environmental contamination with this zoonotic pathogen.
Artisan fresh cheese from raw cow's milk as a possible route of transmission in a toxoplasmosis outbreak, in Brazil
Authors: da Costa Mary Alexandra , Pinto‐Ferreira Fernanda , de Almeida Robélia Pondé Amorim , Martins Felippe Danyel Cardoso , Pires Adriene Lino , Mareze Marcelle , Mitsuka‐Breganó Regina , Freire Roberta Lemos , da Rocha Moreira Rosalynd Vinicios , Borges Juliene Meira , Navarro Italmar Teodorico 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe objective of this study was to report an outbreak of human toxoplasmosis occurring in the municipality of Montes Claros de Goiás, Goiás, Brazil, from December 2015 to August 2016. Seven acute cases in June 2016 triggered the subsequent search.MethodsA total of 251 individuals were selected through an active search, of which 114 (45.4%) agreed to participate in the research and blood collection. For serological diagnosis were used enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for IgG and IgM and avidity tests.ResultsOf the 114 serum samples evaluated, 12.3% (14/114) showed antibodies againstToxoplasma gondii, with a profile indicative of acute infection. Samples of artisan fresh cheese, public water, vegetables and irrigation water were collected.Toxoplasma gondiiDNA fragments were amplified using the polymerase chain reaction from two samples of artisan fresh cheese and a sample of irrigation water from the vegetable garden. A control case study was carried out, and the variable cow's artisan fresh cheese consumption was statistically significant (p = .01).ConclusionsThe results showed that cheese analysed and/or irrigated water of vegetable represented an important route of transmission for the disease. This is the first reported outbreak possibly caused by cow's artisan fresh cheese. It is difficult to prove that these routes were the cause of the outbreak; however, the findings allow us to infer that the individuals involved in the outbreak were in contact with these risk factors.
Data Analysis and Model Validation of Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline With Compressor Station
Authors: Cheng David 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Data from the distributed control system (DCS) or supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system provide useful information critical to the evaluation of the performance and transportation efficiency of a gas pipeline system with compressor stations. The pipeline performance data provide correction factors for compressors as part of the operation optimization of natural gas transmission pipelines. This paper presents methods, procedures, and an example of model validation-based performance analysis of a gas pipeline based on actual system operational data. An analysis approach based on statistical methods is demonstrated with actual DCS gas pipeline measurement data. These methods offer practical ways to validate the pipeline hydraulics model using the DCS data. The validated models are then used as performance analysis tools in assessing the pipeline hydraulics parameters that influence the pressure drop in the pipeline such as corrosion (inside diameter change), roughness changes, or basic sediment and water deposition.