bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ecosystem engineering by hummock‐building earthworms in seasonal wetlands of eastern South Africa: Insights into the mechanics of biomorphodynamic feedbacks in wetland ecosystems
Authors: Grenfell Michael C. , Aalto Rolf , Grenfell Suzanne E. , Ellery William N. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis paper resolves the origin of clay hummock micro‐topography in seasonal wetlands of the Drakensberg Foothills, providing a review and appraisal of previously‐suggested mechanisms of hummock formation in the context of new field and laboratory data. Field surveys revealed neo‐formation of clay hummocks in a river channel that had been abandoned in c.1984. Fresh earthworm castings were located atop hummocks protruding from inundated abandoned channel margins. Earthworm castings, and sediment cores taken in hummocks and adjacent hollows, were analysed for soil‐adsorbed carbon and nitrogen using an HCN analyser, and for 210Pb activity using alpha‐geochronology. 210Pb activity profiles suggest relative enrichment of the isotope in hummocks, and relative depletion in adjacent hollows. Earthworm castings are characterised by very high 210Pb activity, as well as high C and N contents. Hummocks have significantly higher C and N contents than adjacent hollows. Results suggest that it is the foraging activity of earthworms in litter‐rich seasonal wetland hollows, and repeated excretion of castings atop adjacent hummocks, that is responsible for the elemental enrichment observed. The paper presents a conceptual model of hummock formation in wetlands through interactions between hydrogeomorphology and earthworm activity, and illustrates a mechanism of biogeomorphic inheritance through which ordered patterns of preferential flow can emerge in ecosystems. Further implications of hummock formation and nodal accumulation of nutrients are considered in relation to wetland resilience and regulatory ecosystem service provision.© 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genesis and accumulation of natural gas in the Upper Palaeozoic strata of north‐eastern Ordos Basin, China
Authors: Shao Xinhe , Pang Xiongqi , Jiang Fujie , Li Longlong , Li Hui , Zheng Dingye , Huyan Yuying 
Published: August 2018

The north‐eastern Ordos Basin in Central China has become an exploration target in recent years due to the potential of natural gas resources in the Upper Palaeozoic strata. In this study, by analysing the geochemical characteristics of the source rocks and the natural gas, the genesis of the Upper Palaeozoic natural gas was identified. In addition, the accumulation process was discussed by combining studies of hydrocarbon generation and burial/thermal history. The results reveal three sets of source rocks developed in the study area—Carboniferous Benxi (C2b), Permian Taiyuan (P1t), and Shanxi (P1s) formations—consisting of mudstones, carbonaceous mudstones, and coals. The source rocks contain abundant Type III organic matter and have entered mature to high‐mature stage, while source rocks in the south‐eastern part of the study area have entered the overmature stage due to the activity of Zijinshan magmatic rocks. The natural gas has a high content of methane (average 93.99%). The stable carbon isotope of methane (δ13C1) value (average −37.05‰) and that of ethane (δ13C2) value (average −26.4‰) and the composition of the light hydrocarbons reflect the idea that the natural gas is organic in origin, thermogenic, and mainly terrigenous‐sourced. The evolution of a transitional to continental depositional environment of the source rocks results in the variation in the geochemical characteristics of the Upper Palaeozoic gas in the study area. Analysis of fluid inclusions indicates a long and continuous period of natural gas charging in the study area from 165 to 65 Ma. Sandstone bodies close to or interbedded with the source rocks made the gas charging from the source rocks to the reservoirs over a short distance with high efficiency, while faults and fractures provided paths for the gas migrating to reservoirs vertically far from the source rocks. The huge gas generation potential of the source rocks and continuous distribution pattern of sandstone bodies provides favourable conditions for the development of a large‐scale natural gas reservoir.
Inactive lifestyles in peri‐urban Australia: A qualitative examination of social and physical environmental determinants
Authors: Olson Jenny L. , March Sonja , Brownlow Charlotte , Biddle Stuart J. H. , Ireland Michael 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIssue addressedAustralians living in peri‐urban areas are insufficiently active, sedentary and experience poorer health than people in major cities. There are health benefits attributable to active lifestyles that could contribute to the improved health and well‐being of this population. To support the adoption of active lifestyles, it is important to understand the unique context in which behaviour occurs.MethodsThe aim of this study was to identify characteristics of the social and physical peri‐urban environment that may impact active lifestyles. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted in peri‐urban southern Queensland. Data were analysed by thematic analysis.ResultsThe natural environment, weather, distance, accessibility and walkability were features of the physical environment relevant to active lifestyles. Social factors included social capital and crime. Activity‐supportive characteristics (eg, community spirit) were identified, in addition to active lifestyle barriers (eg, lack of public transport).ConclusionsDespite activity‐supportive social and environmental characteristics, most participants reported inactive lifestyles. The barriers to active lifestyles in peri‐urban environments may negate these activity‐supportive features. Some barriers are difficult to modify (eg, distance and accessibility). However, some may be alleviated through the adoption of activity‐supportive policy and urban design (eg, pedestrian mobility infrastructure).So what?Strategies to support active lifestyles in peri‐urban environments must take into account unmodifiable contextual barriers, whilst encouraging utilisation of existing activity‐supportive infrastructure and resources. The enhancement of activity‐supportive environments through improved neighbourhood walkability and the usability of public transport may encourage some peri‐urban residents to undertake more active forms of transport and recreational physical activity.
Estimating the water holding capacity of the critical zone using near‐surface geophysics
Authors: Flinchum Brady A. , Holbrook W. Steven , Grana Dario , Parsekian Andrew D. , Carr Bradley J. , Hayes Jorden L. , Jiao Jianying 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn high‐mountain watersheds, the critical zone holds crucial life‐sustaining water stores in the form of shallow groundwater aquifers. To better understand the role that the critical zone plays in moderating hydrologic response to fluxes at the surface and in the subsurface, the hydrologic properties must be characterized over large scales (i.e., that of the watershed). In this study, we estimate porosity from geophysical measurements across a 58‐ha area to depths of ~80 m. Our observations include velocities from seismic refraction, downhole nuclear magnetic resonance logs, downhole sonic logs, and samples acquired by push coring. We use a petrophysical approach by combining two rock physics models, a porous medium for the saprolite and a differential effective medium for the fractured rock, into a Bayesian inversion. The inverted geophysical porosities show a positive correlation with measured values (R2 = 0.93). We extrapolate the porosity estimates from 30 individual seismic refraction lines to a 3D volume below our study area using ordinary kriging to quantify the water holding capacity of our study area. Our results reveal that the critical zone in our study area holds ~2.9 × 106 ± 9.6 × 105 m3 of water, where 34% of this storage is in the saprolite, 55% is in the fractured rock, and the remaining 11% is in the bedrock.
Interactions between shallow groundwater and low‐impact development underdrain flow at different temporal scales
Authors: Zhang Kun , Chui Ting Fong May 
Published: August 2018

AbstractLow‐impact development (LID) practices are effective in managing surface run‐off, mitigating nonpoint source pollution, and recharging groundwater. However, they are often less effective in shallow groundwater environments as their surface infiltration and bottom exfiltration rates could be reduced, and the underdrains (i.e., underground drains within the media of the LID practices) may drain groundwater and alter groundwater dynamics. To evaluate and better understand the interactions between shallow groundwater and LID underdrain flow at different temporal scales, multiple statistical analyses were conducted on the monitored groundwater table depth and underdrain flow of porous pavements at the Central Kitsap Community Campus (Washington) and both porous pavements and bioretention cells at the IMAX parking lot (Ontario, Canada). The wavelet power, which represents oscillation behaviour and is obtained by continuous wavelet transform, of underdrain flow was a hybrid of that of rainfall and groundwater table depth. Rainfall variations at finer temporal scales (5 min to 10 days) resulted in finer scale underdrain flow, whereas groundwater fluctuations at coarser temporal scales (10 to 30 days) accounted for coarser scale underdrain flow and extended the duration of it. The impact of groundwater on underdrain flow was greater when the groundwater table was shallower than the underdrain (e.g., <0.6 m), particularly at finer temporal resolutions (5 min to 1 hr), which correspond to short‐term responses of LID practices and their corresponding effects on flooding. It was possible that the local groundwater mounds formed by infiltrated water instead of regional groundwater fluctuations that affected the underdrain flow in these conditions. Finally, through an evolutionary polynomial regression, two simple equations were obtained to predict the total amount and peak of LID underdrain flow using event‐based rainfall, groundwater table depth, and the hydraulic conductivity of media and in situ soils. The results may facilitate LID design and planning, and their implementation in shallow groundwater areas. The derived equations may benefit the real‐time control of LID‐related sewer and treatment systems in shallow groundwater urban catchments.
Increased Cortical Porosity and Reduced Trabecular Density Are Not Necessarily Synonymous With Bone Loss and Microstructural Deterioration
Authors: Zebaze Roger , Atkinson Elizabeth J , Peng Yu , Bui Minh , Ghasem‐Zadeh Ali , Khosla Sundeep , Seeman Ego 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAbsolute values of cortical porosity and trabecular density are used to estimate fracture risk, but these values are the net result of their growth‐related assembly and age‐related deterioration. Because bone loss affects both cortical and trabecular bone, we hypothesized that a surrogate measure of bone fragility should capture the age‐related deterioration of both traits, and should do so independently of their peak values. Accordingly, we developed a structural fragility score (SFS), which quantifies the increment in distal radial cortical porosity and decrement in trabecular density relative to their premenopausal mean values in 99 postmenopausal women with forearm fractures and 105 controls using HR‐pQCT. We expressed the results as odds ratios (ORs; 95% CI). Cortical porosity was associated with fractures in the presence of deteriorated trabecular density (OR 2.30; 95% CI, 1.30 to 4.05; p = 0.004), but not if trabecular deterioration was absent (OR 0.96; 95% CI, 0.50 to 1.86; p = 0.91). Likewise, trabecular density was associated with fractures in the presence of high cortical porosity (OR 3.35; 95% CI, 1.85 to 6.07; p < 0.0001), but not in its absence (OR 1.60; 95% CI, 0.78 to 3.28; p = 0.20). The SFS, which captures coexisting cortical and trabecular deterioration, was associated with fractures (OR 4.52; 95% CI, 2.17 to 9.45; p < 0.0001). BMD was associated with fracture before accounting for the SFS (OR 5.79; 95% CI, 1.24 to 27.1; p = 0.026), not after (OR 4.38; 95% CI, 0.48 to 39.9; p = 0.19). The SFS was associated with fracture before (OR 4.67; 95% CI, 2.21 to 9.88) and after (OR 3.94; 95% CI, 1.80 to 8.6) accounting for BMD (both ps < 0.0001). The disease of bone fragility is captured by cortical and trabecular deterioration: A measurement of coexisting cortical and trabecular deterioration is likely to identify women at risk for fracture more robustly than absolute values of cortical porosity, trabecular density, or BMD. © 2018 The Authors. JBMR Plus Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Histological and molecular techniques utilized to investigate animal models of depression. An updated review
Authors: Ayuob Nasra Naeim , Balgoon Maha Jameal 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis review aimed to summarize the different histopathological techniques and procedures utilized during investigating the different animal models of depression in order to explore the pathophysiological aspect of depression and testing the efficacy of the antidepressant drugs or new treatments. This will be helpful while designing researches aiming to achieve these objectives. It was found that the major obstacle during investigating the animal models of depression was the restricted availability of validated animal models. The chronic stress models have face, construct, and predictive validity. It was found that the histological techniques used in investigating the animal models of depression that was described in the literatures fall under three categories; the light microscopic, the electron microscopic and the molecular biological studies. The light microscope studies were performed using the routine histological staining and immunohistochemical technique that aimed to describe the hippocampal histopathological changes induced by depression. Establishment of a preclinical behavioral science laboratory is highly recommended. It will encourage and support the conduction of high quality, multidisciplinary researches targeting anxiety and other psychiatric disorders and will indirectly improve the health care provided to the psychiatric patients.Research HighlightsChronic stress models are valid ones.Light microscope was utilized to examine the routinely or immunohistochemically stained sections in hippocampus of animal models of depression while electron microscope was utilized to examine its ultrastructure.
An adjuvant compound that enhances immunogenicity at fractional doses of the Sabin‐inactivated poliovirus vaccine (sIPV) with a long duration of protection in a rat model
Authors: Song Shaohui , Liu Ze , Zhou Jian , Cai Wei , Yang Huijuan , Ma Lei , Gao Jingxia , Li Weidong , Liao Guoyang 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundAt the same dosage, the new generation of Sabin‐inactivated poliovirus vaccine (sIPV) is less immunogenic than the traditional oral polio vaccine (OPV) dosage in China. The useful adjuvant might be a necessary strategy to strengthen the immune protective effects.MethodsIn this study, we produced an adjuvant compound (named KML05) that could promote immunogenicity and fractional doses of sIPV with a long duration of protection in a rat model. The compound adjuvant had both advantages and a function of MF59 and carbopol971P.ResultsThe effect seroconversion of experimental animals immunized with KML05 could be extended to one‐eighth of the dose. According to the result of the geometric mean titers (GMTs), KML05 adjuvant could save eight times the amount of sIPV D‐antigen usage, but aluminum hydroxide adjuvant could save twice at the same titers. Additionally, it was found that there was a significant difference in the GMT titer of poliovirus type 2 between animals immunized by KML05 and alum adjuvant (P < 0.05). At 12th‐month postvaccination, the neutralization titers stimulated by IPV‐KML05 were maintained over a longer time period in immunized animals.ConclusionOur research team developed KML05 adjuvant, which combined carbopol971P with MF59, increased antibody responses to sIPV for a longer duration of protection in a rat model.
Effects of dissipative substrate on the performances of enhancement mode AlInN/GaN HEMTs
Authors: Dong Yan , Xie Zili , Chen Dunjun , Lu Hai , Zhang Rong , Zheng Youdou 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAlInN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) exhibit numerous advantages compared to other known semiconductor devices. However, it is more difficult to realize the enhancement mode (E‐mode) HEMTs of AlInN/GaN than those of the AlGaN/GaN heterostructure, because of the higher 2‐dimensional electron gas density at the AlInN/GaN interface. In this work, using simulations, it is shown that the E‐mode can be achieved in AlInN/GaN HEMTs by tuning the thickness of the AlInN barrier layer to less than 1.14 nm in our investigated structure. Based on the E‐mode structure, the device performance stability of Al0.83In0.17N/GaN HEMTs with different heat dissipative substrates was evaluated to explore their effect on the suppression of the self‐heating behavior. The DC behavior, device temperature, lattice temperature distribution, current cutoff frequency (fT), unilateral power‐gain‐cutoff frequency (fmax), and transient response were investigated comparatively. The results indicate that the AlInN/GaN HEMTs with a free‐standing GaN substrate exhibit the best performance characteristics, ie, lowest lattice temperature, highest fT, and fastest transient response, in comparison with those using the flip‐chip substrate and sapphire substrate. Our simulation results suggest that the free‐standing GaN substrate can significantly improve the thermal stability and other basic performance characteristics of the E‐mode AlInN/GaN HEMTs.
Controls of soil and aggregate‐associated organic carbon variations following natural vegetation restoration on the Loess Plateau in China
Authors: Deng Lei , Kim Dong‐Gill , Peng Changhui , Shangguan Zhouping 
Published: August 2018

AbstractNatural vegetation restoration can enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration, but the mechanisms and control factors underlying SOC sequestration are still unknown. The objectives of the study are to quantify the temporal variation of soil and aggregate‐associated organic carbon (OC) and identify factors controlling the variation following natural vegetation restoration after farmland abandonment. We collected soils from sites having 5, 30, 60, 100, and 160 years of a natural vegetation restoration chronosequence after farmland abandonment in the Loess Plateau, China. The results showed that natural vegetation restoration increased macroaggregates (0.25–2 mm; 46.6% to 73.9%), SOC (2.27 to 9.81 g kg−1), and aggregate OC (7.33 to 36.98 g kg−1) in the top 20‐cm soil compared with abandoned farmland, and the increases mainly occurred in the early stage (<60 years). The increase of SOC was contributed by OC accumulated in macroaggregates (0.25–2 mm) rather than microaggregates (≤0.25 mm). Moreover, SOC sequestration in the topsoil (0–10 cm) was mainly determined by fine root biomass (FR), labile organic carbon (LOC), and microbial biomass carbon (MBC). And in the subsoil (10–20 cm), SOC sequestration was mainly determined by the proportion of macroaggregates. The results suggest that natural vegetation restoration increased SOC and aggregate OC, and FR, MBC, LOC, and the physical protection of aggregates played important roles in regulating SOC and aggregate OC.
A pilot randomized‐controlled trial of the urodynamic efficacy of mirabegron for patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction
Authors: Welk Blayne , Hickling Duane , McKibbon Mary , Radomski Sidney , Ethans Karen 
Published: August 2018

AimsTo determine the effectiveness of mirabegron in patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction.MethodsRandomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study. Canadian patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) or multiple sclerosis (MS) with urinary symptoms and incontinence were recruited. Patients were randomized to mirabegron 25 mg (or an identical placebo) for 2 weeks at which point a dose escalation to mirabegron 50 mg (or an identical placebo) was maintained for 8 weeks. Urodynamics were performed before and after treatment. The primary outcome measure was maximum cystometric capacity (MCC). Intention to treat analysis and ANCOVA models (with adjustment for baseline values) were used and marginal means (MM) are reported; P‐value <0.05 was considered significant.ResultsSixteen (9 SCI and 7 MS) patients were randomized to mirabegron and 16 (10 SCI and 6 MS) to placebo. At study completion, there was no significant difference in MCC between mirabegron and placebo (MM 305 vs 369 mL, P = 0.20). There was no significant difference in volume at first neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO, MM 167 vs 137 mL, P = 0.14) and peak pressure of NDO (MM 69 vs 82 cmH2O, P = 0.25). There was no significant difference in pad weights or voiding diary parameters. There was a significantly lower symptom burden among those treated with mirabegron (total neurogenic bladder symptom score MM 29 vs 34, P = 0.047).ConclusionsAmong patients with SCI or MS, we demonstrated non‐significant trends towards improvement in some urodynamic parameters with mirabegron 50 mg compared to placebo, and a significantly lower neurogenic bladder symptom burden.
Micromammal taphonomy and site formation process of Nutria Mansa 1 archaeological site (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Authors: Gómez Gustavo N. , Bonomo Mariano 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis paper presents the results of the taphonomic analysis of the micromammal bone remains recovered from Nutria Mansa 1 (NM1), an archaeological site located in the Pampean plains, Argentina. This campsite was occupied by hunter‐gatherers that processed and consumed Lama guanicoe during the Late Holocene. In NM1, there are taxa from different environments: mammals from arid and semiarid environments (Patagonic Phytogeographic Province) and humid and temperate environments (Pampean Phytogeographic Province). The main objective of the present study was to evaluate how the recorded small mammal species were incorporated into the archaeological site and which of them were exploited by humans. The micromammal assemblage shows traces of post mortem agents such as weathering, chemical action of sediments, and probably some evidence of predation. The micromammal bones in the archaeological record offer no clear evidence of human modification, and their presence can be the result of predation or other postdepositional agents such as the action of water on the flood plain.