Adjacent Complex Research Articles

Breeding Success of Cape Vultures (Gyps coprotheres) at Colonies in the Tswapong Hills, Botswana

The endangered Cape Vulture (Gyps coprotheres), a southern African endemic, breeds on precipitous cliffs in various habitats. Some colonies of this cliff-nesting species are found in the southeast (Mannyelanong Hill) and east (Tswapong Hills and adjacent complexes) of Botswana. Of six breeding sites studied in the Tswapong Hills complex from 1992 to 1999, only two large colonies near the villages of Goo-Moremi (Bonwalenong site) and Goo-Tau (Manong Yeng site) and one small colony near Lerala (Kukubye site) still hold breeding vultures. In 2017 and 2018 we used direct observations to estimate the breeding population and breeding success of Cape Vultures at the Bonwalenong and Manong Yeng colonies, and we compared our findings with data from the 1990s. We identified 261 nests in 2017 and 362 nests in 2018, and monitored them throughout the breeding season. Breeding success at the two sites differed significantly between the 2 yr of our study (2017 and 2018). However, breeding success at Manong Yeng in 2017–2018 did not differ significantly from that documented in the earlier study (1992–1999). Our results also suggested relatively stable numbers of breeding pairs in the Tswapong Hills between 1992–1999 and 2017–2018. Cape Vultures in the Tswapong Hills require continued monitoring and research to better understand population dynamics and the key factors influencing breeding success and nestling survival.

Odonates (Insecta: Odonata) of the ”Golczewskie Uroczysko” nature reserve (North-West Poland)

The „Golczewskie Uroczysko” nature reserve was established on 5 May 2004 to protect the raised peat bog and the dystrophic Lake Żabie with its surrounding transitional bog and adjacent forest complexes containing valuable plants. In May, July and October 2006 the research of odonates (Odonata) fauna has been conducted in this area. A total of 575 odonates individuals belonging to 29 species (366 imagines, 152 larvae, 57 exuviae) were collected and among these 489 specimens belonging to 28 species were collected in Lake Żabie, 26 specimens belonging to 7 species on the beat boog, 52 specimens belonging to 3 species in flooded alder forest and 8 specimens belonging to 2 species were collected in ditches in the forest. The eurytopic species were dominated with substantial parts of tyrphobiontic and tyrphophilous species.

Mol-ecular structure of fac-[Mo(CO)3(DMSO)3

The title compound, tri-carbonyl-tris-(dimethyl sulfoxide)-molybdenum, [Mo(C2H6OS)3(CO)3] or fac-[Mo(CO)3(DMSO)3], crystallizes in the triclinic space group P with two mol-ecules in the unit cell. The geometry around the central molybdenum is slightly distorted octa-hedral and the facial isomer is found exclusively. The packing within the crystal is stabilized by three-dimensional non-classical inter-molecular hydrogen-bonding contacts between individual methyl substituents of di-methyl sulfoxide and the oxygen atoms of either another di-methyl sulfoxide or a carbonyl ligand on adjacent complex mol-ecules. The observed bond lengths in the carbonyl ligands and between carbonyl carbon atoms and molybdenum are correlated to the observed FT-IR bands for the carbonyl stretches and compared to respective metrical parameters of related complexes.

Two centuries of forest succession, and 30 years of vegetation changes in permanent plots in an inland sand dune area, The Netherlands.

There are not many sites in densely populated temperate Europe where primary forest succession has a chance to run without direct human intervention for a long time and over a relatively large area. The extensive drift sand area of the Veluwe, central Netherlands, provided an opportunity to study succession in a formerly open and dynamic inland sand dune system combining chronosequence and permanent plot approaches. Different successional stages, aged up to 205 years since the first tree individuals established, were identified and vegetation studied using 1200 permanent plots established in 1988 in three adjacent sand dune complexes of different successional age, and resampled during the past three decades. After two centuries, forest succession has proceeded to a pine forest with gradually increasing participation of native deciduous trees. However, their expansion has been arrested by browsing of wild ungulates. Species diversity peaked after about 40 years of forest succession, then declined, and increased again after 100 years. During the past three decades, the herb layer has differentiated in the oldest plots, and the spontaneous forest succession is still in progress. Besides open drift sand with early successional stages, also the spontaneously established late successional forests are valuable from the conservation point of view.

Improved resolution of Paleoproterozoic orogenesis: Multi-directional collision tectonics in the Sodankylä belt of northern Finland

The geodynamic system of Earth is controlled by the horizontal motion of fragmented tectonic plates due to complex interaction between the mantle and the crust. Land and marine paleomagnetic signatures, along with extensive petrochronological and structural data, suggest non-continuous, multi-directional convergence histories for modern orogenic belts, as seen in the Himalayas and Betic Cordillera, among others. The consequences of radical changes in the direction of plate motions are obscured by complex structural settings and repeated cycles of metamorphism in orogenic belts. Although, subduction was operational on Earth in the Paleoproterozic, one of the major questions is: how far back in geological time can we trace the scale of modern-style subduction, collisional tectonics and poly-metamorphism? The metasedimentary and volcanic rocks (2.5 to 2.05 Ga) of the Sodankylä belt of northern Finland were deformed and metamorphosed during a prolonged period, now represented by the Svecofennian orogen (ca. 1.92–1.77 Ga). The orogenic belt represents a window into the deep levels of a Paleoproterozoic crust, where the interplay between deformation and metamorphism can be compared with the modern orogenic settings. In this study, five discrete heterogeneously developed superimposed, near-orthogonal, deformation events (D1 to D5) have been identified and mapped based on the high-resolution aeromagnetic data and field studies. Regional correlation of tectonic fabrics, along with metamorphic textures across the Sodankylä belt and northern Finland, suggest that each deformation event was a regional-scale phenomenon rather than a local one. Previous geochronological data obtained from the Sodankylä belt and adjacent Central Lapland Granitoid Complex on different Paleoproterozoic deformed rocks allow us to propose a time-constrained tectono-metamorphic model for the Sodankylä belt. The sequence of near-orthogonal deformation history and the polymetamorphic evolution offer comparisons with modern-style orogenic settings. The most notable aspect is the occurrence of Mesoarchean and Paleoproterozoic eclogitic high-pressure granulites reported from the Belomorian belt of Fennoscandian Shield, which lies to the east of the Sodankylä belt. From a tectono-metallogenic viewpoint, the Sodankylä belt is located in the centre of Ni-Cu-PGE, orogenic gold-cobalt deposits of the northern part of Fennoscandian Shield, therefore, the tectonic processes and overprinting role of multiple deformation phases need to be well understood as they directly link mineral exploration to the timing and controls on mineralization.

Ligamentous Reconstruction with Semitendinosus Tendon Autograft for Posterolateral Rotatory Instability of Elbow—a Case Report with an Update of Literature Review

The elbow joint is a comparatively very stable joint owing to the adjacent osseo-ligamentous complex structural integrity around the joint. Posterolateral rotatory instability (PLRI) primarily refers to an injury of the lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL) and the lateral ligamentous complex collectively referred to as the lateral collateral ligament (LCL). PLRI is often a neglected or missed injury, hence remains a relatively rare clinical entity, and reconstruction of the injured ligament is the mainstay of management. A 25-year-old male presented to the orthopedic outpatient department with complaints of post-traumatic instability with dull aching pain over the left elbow for the last 1 year. Varus stress test along with a positive pivot shift test established the clinical diagnosis of posterolateral elbow instability. The LUCL reconstruction was considered using the ipsilateral semitendinosus autograft tendon. At the final follow-up of 1.5 years, the VAS score improved from 8/10 to 1/10 during moderate activities, the Mayo elbow performance score improved from 40/100 to 85/100, and the DASH score was 10.7/100 from preoperative 52.5/100 without any clinical evidence of residual elbow instabilities. The hamstring tendon autograft is a reliable and an easily available option for reconstruction of LUCL owing to its superior inherent graft tensile strength, which helps in improving the elbow instability with minimum effect on donor site morbidities.

Di-μ-chlorido-bis-(chlorido-{8-[2-(di-methyl-amino)-ethyl-amino]-quinoline}-cadmium) ethanol monosolvate.

The title solvated bimetallic complex, [Cd2Cl4(C13H17N3)2]·C2H5OH, comprises two Cd2+ metal ions linked by a pair of μ2 Cl- ions. The coordination sphere around each Cd2+ ion is completed by three N atoms of a tridentate 8-[2-(di-methyl-amino)-ethyl-amino]quinoline ligand and another chloride ion to form a distorted fac-CdN3Cl3 octa-hedron. The ethanol mol-ecule is both an acceptor of an N-H⋯O and a donor of an O-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds to its adjacent complex unit. In the crystal, weak aromatic π-π stacking is observed.

Elucidating the Structural Interaction between N- and C-Termini of Human Adult Cardiac Troponin T

Troponin (Tn) is a ternary protein complex that imparts calcium regulation to striated muscle. This complex consists of cardiac Troponin I (cTnI, the inhibitory subunit), cardiac Troponin C (cTnC, the calcium binding subunit), and cardiac Troponin T (cTnT, the tropomyosin binding subunit). Previous studies have shown the Tn complex consists of two domains, an N-terminal extension of cTnT and the core domain (cTnI, cTnC, and the rest of cTnT). These studies primarily explored the troponin core. Here, we investigate the less well-known N-terminal extension in reconstituted thin filaments utilizing fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). We aim to use FRET to determine the structural relationship between the N-terminal extension and the troponin core, as well as between the N- and C-termini of cTnT. We hypothesize the N-terminal extension may interact with the Tn core and/or the C-terminus of cTnT. To test this, donor and acceptor probes were placed on the N- and C-termini of cTnT and cTnC. Preliminary data indicates FRET has not occurred between IAEDANS labelled cTnT A2C and DABMI labelled cTnC G125C, suggesting the N-terminus may be further away than this probe pair is able to detect. Continuing work aims to probe additional sites on the N-terminal extension, troponin core, and C-terminus of cTnT, in order to determine the structure of the Tn complex. Additionally, we will utilize DDPM and 5-IAF acceptor probes with R0 values ranging from 30Å to 60Å to further probe these structures. These data will inform us of where the N-terminal extension is in relation to the troponin core and adjacent troponin complexes. Filling this gap in our understanding of the structure of the cTnT N-terminal extension is paramount to our understanding of the regulatory mechanism(s) of the cardiac thin filament.

СЕЛИТЕБНІ ЛАНДШАФТИ МІСТА ЗДОЛБУНОВА: ІСТОРІЯ ФОРМУВАННЯ ТА ПЕРСПЕКТИВИ ТРАНСФОРМАЦІЙ

Aim. The aim of the article is to study the main classes of residential landscapes of Zdolbuniv, features of their origin, functioning, location, identification of the greatest changes in the natural environment that occurred due to the creation of anthropogenic landscapes and assessment of further development. Research methods and methodology. To achieve this aim, historical sources, cartographic data on the territory of different periods and the city development plan were processed. The combination of field research and cartographic modeling made it possible to identify real changes in natural landscapes due to the development and growth of the city. Results. It was established that the city of Zdolbuniv arose on the territory of natural landscapes of hilly forest plains and valley landscapes of the Ustia River. As a result of human activities, landscapes are completely changed and transformed into different classes of residential. Landscapes of residential and public buildings, industrial and residential, road landscapes are dominated. A significant area within the city is occupied by recreational and water landscapes, whereas the smallest area is occupied by sacred and tafal landscapes. The city continues to develop, but since there is almost no free space left for its expansion, the use of reserve areas within the city and the reconstruction of stagnant facilities are predicted. Scientific novelty. These studies were conducted for the city of Zdolbuniv for the first time, which allowed to track changes in the territory due to human activities and make a forecast of its further development. Practical significance. The performed work made it possible to identify problems of landscape development and correct them in the future for the rational use of the territory within the city. All major classes of residential landscapes were also assessed: their distribution, the area, current status and impact on adjacent complexes.

A pyridyl-triazine complex of Co(II): spectroscopic, structural, and docking studies

A new cobalt(II) complex of 5-phenyl-3-(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazine (PPTA), [Co(PPTA)2(NO3)2] (1), is prepared and identified by the elemental analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of 1 reveals an octahedrally coordinated cobalt(II) complex containing two chelating N2-donor PPTA and two O-donor nitrato ligands in trans-conformation. In addition to hydrogen bonds in the crystal network of 1, there are π—π stacking interactions between aromatic rings of the adjacent complex molecules (pyridine⋯pyridine and pyridine⋯triazine). The ability of complex 1 to interact with nine selected biomacromolecules (BRAF kinase, CatB, DNA gyrase, HDAC7, rHA, RNR, TrxR, TS, Top II) is investigated by docking studies. The results show that in many cases, the studied compound can interact with proteins better than doxorubicin.

Recent advances in supramolecular self‐assembly and biological applications of luminescent alkynylplatinum(II) polypyridine complexes

AbstractAmong various transition metal complexes, platinum(II) complexes are among one of the most extensively explored classes of metal complexes for supramolecular assembly, as their square‐planar molecular geometry allows axial interactions between adjacent complex molecules and access to the formation of supramolecular assemblies with the aid of noncovalent Pt(II)⋯Pt(II) interactions. In the presence of external stimuli, alkynylplatinum(II) polypyridine complexes can self‐assemble with alterations in their spectroscopic and luminescence properties. In light of their inherent advantages, including low‐energy photoexcitation, red to near‐infrared emission, large Stokes shifts, long phosphorescence lifetimes and high photostability, successful applications of alkynylplatinum(II) polypyridine complexes in the detection of biological analytes have been made possible. In this account, presented in part of the FACS Foundation Lecture, we introduce the basic concepts and our recent advances in the development of detection assays for various biomolecules based on luminescent alkynylplatinum(II) polypyridine complexes with selected examples.

Aβ Beyond the AD Pathology: Exploring the Structural Response of Membranes Exposed to Nascent Aβ Peptide.

The physiological and pathological roles of nascent amyloid beta (Aβ) monomers are still debated in the literature. Their involvement in the pathological route of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is currently considered to be the most relevant, triggered by their aggregation into structured oligomers, a toxic species. Recently, it has been suggested that nascent Aβ, out of the amyloidogenic pathway, plays a physiological and protective role, especially in the brain. In this emerging perspective, the study presented in this paper investigated whether the organization of model membranes is affected by contact with Aβ in the nascent state, as monomers. The outcome is that, notably, the rules of engagement and the resulting structural outcome are dictated by the composition and properties of the membrane, rather than by the Aβ variant. Interestingly, Aβ monomers are observed to favor the tightening of adjacent complex membranes, thereby affecting a basic structural event for cell-cell adhesion and cell motility.

Moving Window Method: An Effective Approach to Measure Surrounding Greenness

A number of studies have shown that urban green space (UGS) can improve the health and well-being of urban residents. However, the commonly used UGS measurement method has its obvious limitations, such as abrupt changes of measurement results in adjacent sites and complex operation process. This paper proposed a new approach to measure surrounding greenness based on moving window method, and identified its characteristics and applicability by comparison with the grid method and the buffer method in the core area of Szekesfehervar, Hungary. Spatial distribution, average, standard deviation and correlation were compared between the three kinds of measurement results. In general, all above three methods could describe the variety of surrounding greenness in areas with different building density, and the result of moving window method was more similar to the result of grid method. The descending order of the probability of contacting surrounding greenness is residential area, research area and commercial area. Statistically significant associations were found between the measurement results of the moving window method and the grid method as well as the moving window method and the buffer method (both R2 > 0.87). Moreover, moving window method was well suited for measuring surrounding greenness because of its ability to describe spatial distribution in more details.

Percutaneous intervertebral bridging cementoplasty for adjacent multilevel osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures with vertebral endplate-disc complex injury: technical note

This paper describes a minimally invasive technique of percutaneous intervertebral bridging cementoplasty (PIBC) to augment the fractured vertebrae and immobilize the intervertebral space with endplate-disc complex injury simultaneously. Thirty-two patients with adjacent multilevel osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures (AMOTLFs) and vertebral endplate-disc complex injury (EDCI) treated by PIBC were retrospectively reviewed. The PIBC technique was a combination of puncture, balloon expansion and bridging cementoplasty. The clinical and radiological assessments were reviewed. The operation time was 82.8 ± 32.5 min, and blood loss was 76.9 ± 31.7 mL. A cement bridge was connected between the two fractured vertebrae across the injured intervertebral space. VAS at three time points including pre-operation, post-operation 1 day and final follow-up was 6.9 ± 0.9, 2.9 ± 0.8 and 1.7 ± 0.8, respectively; ODI at three time points was (71.1 ± 7.8)%, (18.4 ± 5.7)%, and (10.3 ± 5.7)%, respectively; Cobb angle at three time points was 46.0° ± 10.4°, 25.9° ± 8.5°, and 27.5° ± 7.1°, respectively. Compared with pre-operation, VAS, ODI and Cobb angle were significantly improved at post-operation 1 day and final follow-up (P < 0.05). Clinical asymptomatic cement leakage was observed in thirteen patients. No vessel or neurological injury was observed. PIBC may be an alternative way of treatment for AMOTLFs with EDCI. The technique is a minimally invasive surgery to augment the fractured vertebrae and immobilize the injured intervertebral space simultaneously.

Water mites (Acari: Hydrachnidia) of the „Golczewskie Uroczysko” nature reserve

The „Golczewskie Uroczysko” nature reserve was established on 5 May 2004 to protect the raised peat bog and the dystrophic Lake Żabie with its surrounding transitional bog and adjacent forest complexes containing valuable plants. In May, July and October 2006 the research of water mite (Hydrachnidia) fauna has been conducted. A total of 557 water mite specimens belonging to 41 species were collected and among these 382 specimens belonging to 31 species were collected in Lake Żabie, 83 specimens belonging to 21 species were collected in ditches in the forest, 70 specimens belonging to 15 species in a ditch on the beatboog and 22 specimens belonging to 10 species in flooded alder forest. In a ditch in the peat bog, ditches in the forest and Lake Żabie tyrphobiontic and tyrphophilous species were dominant, with a substantial part of small water body species in Lake Żabie and with similar part of small water body species and vernal astatic water body species in a ditch in the peat bog and ditches in the forest. In flooded alder forest vernal astatic water body species were dominants.

Building a quality index for soils impacted by proximity to an industrial complex using statistical and data-mining methods

Differences in soil quality indices, in terms of the inherent properties of loess parent material and the potential for Zn, Pb and Cd contamination from the emissions of an adjacent large industrial complex, were determined. A set of independent variables was established for the soils, using principal component analysis (PCA) and a random forest (RF) method. The quality indices of 140 topsoil samples from the environs of an industrial complex were compared with those of reference soils taken from around the borders of the study area. Potential driving factors for the Zn, Pb and Cd concentrations were dehydrogenase activity (DHA), urease (Ure) activity and invertase activity (IA), C, N, K2O, MgO, P2O5 and soil clay content. Maps were generated to show the spatial distributions of the Zn, Pb and Cd contamination. Enrichment factors and potential ecological risks were calculated. We established that, in general, concentrations of Zn, Pb and Cd in the topsoil decreased with increasing distance from the industrial complex, and the levels of Zn and Cd exceeded established intervention values, even in some soils on arable land. The arable land was enriched in P2O5, while the highest values for K2O and MgO were found in wasteland soils. The mean C content of all the soils was about 2%, with N (about 0.2%), C/N ratio (about 12) and pH (about 6.9) in the order: arable land<meadow<wasteland. The highest DHA and Ure activity was determined in the reference (unpolluted) soils, while much higher IA was present in the wasteland soils. PCA model focused on factors connected with different soil uses, while RF model emphasised the natural resistance of the studied soils to degradation. Our results indicate that the driving factors of the soil quality index were controlled by the inherent properties of the loess parent material, rather than soil pollution.

The deep subsurface structure beneath Lusi and the adjacent volcanic chain inferred from local travel-time tomography

Since 2006, the Lusi mud eruption is ongoing in the northeast of Java Island, Indonesia. We perform a 3D seismic tomography of the area surrounding Lusi and the adjacent Arjuno-Welirang volcanic complex using P-wave arrivals of 797 local earthquakes recorded on 31 seismic stations for two years between 2015 and 2016. Resolution tests show that we can reasonably well constrain the subsurface velocity structure beneath Lusi down to a depth of 20 km. The results of our tomography reveal that Lusi has a shallow plumbing system that is interconnected with the neighboring Penanggungan volcano. Their joint system reaches down to a depth of 20 km. The Arjuno-Welirang volcanic complex has its own deep-rooted plumbing system that might be connected to Penanggungan volcano and Lusi along the Watukosek Fault zone. The connection of Lusi with this large reservoir volume elucidates the longevity of the Lusi eruption.

Integrated field development plan optimisation of waterflood multiple complex carbonate reservoirs

This paper describes a step by step work flow to optimise field development plan of three vertically adjacent complex carbonate reservoirs by using multiple strings in a given well to access them. It also provides an innovative view on how to develop multiple vertically separated, adjacent complex reservoirs from artificial (man-made) island with maximum reservoir contact (MRC) wells to get economically viable production. The focus was to revise the development plan of the major reservoir and use the future development wells of this reservoir to access other vertically adjacent minor reservoirs that are within the drilling reach from different artificial islands. The study addresses optimised well spacing, completion layers of well placement, well drill sequence, well type; and number of economic infill well placement and sectorisation strategies for optimal production. This study also includes assessment of the value of infill wells, dual-lateral, dedicated lateral and single-lateral wells to target more than one reservoir. An optimised integrated field development plan of major and minor reservoirs is formulated with new long horizontal MRC wells which include both single and dual-lateral wells accessing one, two or three reservoirs depending upon location and accessibility. [Received: September 1, 2017; Accepted: July 30, 2018]

Subduction Polarity in Ancient Arcs: A Call to Integrate Geology and Geophysics to Decipher the Mesozoic Tectonic History of the Northern Cordillera of North America: REPLY

Subduction Polarity in Ancient Arcs: A Call to Integrate Geology and Geophysics to Decipher the Mesozoic Tectonic History of the Northern Cordillera of North America: REPLY

The lifecycle of mid-ocean ridge seamounts and their prodigious flank collapses

Volcanic seamounts are spectacular bathymetric features representing ‘undersea mountains’ comparable in size to volcanic islands. They are often sites of active volcanism, represent major marine habitats, and contain potentially globally significant commodities of trace metals. However, we know comparatively little about how they form, the extent of their volcanic lifecycle, and what risks they pose from periodic flank collapse. Here, we study a uniquely extensive 43 Myr record of volcaniclastic and calciclastic turbidites accumulated on the Madeira Abyssal Plain in the NE Atlantic, which originate from large submarine landslides from the adjacent Great Meteor-Cruiser seamount complex on the flanks of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. These turbidites present the first long-term temporal record of the recurrence, magnitude, and emplacement mechanism of seamount flank collapses from a single seamount complex throughout its lifecycle. Landslides from the Great Meteor-Cruiser seamount complex are comparable size to those from the Canary Islands, with average volumes of 30-40 km3 but can be as large as 130 km3, comparable to many volcanic island landslides. These seamount landslides were predominantly multi-stage failures similar to those form neighbouring volcanic islands, but in contrast occurred preferentially during sea-level lowstands. We show that volcanic seamounts above mantle plumes have long protracted lifecycles and that substantial flank failures are capable of occurring at all stages of development. Temporal change in turbidite composition has, for the first time, enabled reconstruction of the inception (around 43-45 Myrs ago), ascension (taking around 20-25 Myrs), emergence (after 30 Myrs) and later recession (last 9 Myrs), cessation in volcanism (last 4 Myrs) and subsidence of the seamounts (from 2 Myrs onwards). These seamounts above a mantle plume have taken around 26 Myrs to emergence above sea level from inception, while their volcanic island contemporaries only took 2-to-5 Myrs. Here, we use the history of turbidites derived from landslides from the seamounts to show how the seamounts developed and suffered mass wasting during their life cycles.