Changes In Sedimentation Rate Research Articles

Changes of C-Reactive Protein and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Level from Infection and Non-Infection after the Artificial Joint Surgery

This study aimed to analyze the changes of C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) measured in acute infection within four weeks post artificial joint surgery to predict potential infection in early stages, provide rapid treatment, and prevent the abuse of antibiotics. This study included 50 patients with acute infection and 50 patients without any symptoms of infection, among patients who received artificial joint replacement surgery on the lower limbs in a four-week period. CRP was the highest two-to-three days after surgery. with 5.77±3.69 and 5.17±3.48, respectively, in those with infection and without infection. Thereafter, the value rapidly reduced in those without infection. However, it increased again to 3.16±2.87 in the group with infection according to the bimodal curve (p＜0.001). ESR was the highest two-to-three days after surgery, with 58.8±24.63 and 44.08±21.48, respectively. Thereafter, the value slowly reduced in those without infection. However, it was increased again to 47.62±26.26 in those with infection according to the bimodal curve p＜0.001). As this study shows, if there is an increasing trend for CRP and ESR after artificial joint replacement surgery, it may be possible to question whether patients are acutely infected post surgery. In particular, this result is expected and regarded as a useful factor for diagnosing infection due to the high level of sensitivity and uniqueness for CRP.

Climatic and human impacts on quasi-periodic and abrupt changes of sedimentation rate at multiple time scales in Lake Taihu, China

With the ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition Method (EEMD) and the non-parametric Mann-Kendall Test, the quasi-periodic and abrupt changes of sedimentation rate at multiple time scales, and their relations to climate changes and human activities from 1951 to 2010 in Meiliang Bay of Lake Taihu (China) were studied. The results showed the following. (1) The change in sedimentation rate can be completely decomposed into three quasi-periodic changes on 3.7, 6.4, and 24-yr time scales, and a long-term trend. (2) The quasi-periodic changes in sedimentation rate are significantly and positively related to changes in annual average temperature at 6.4 and 24-yr time scales and human activities at 3.7-yr time scales, and not significantly related to precipitation at these time scales. The trend of sedimentation rate has a negative relation with temperature, but positive relations with precipitation and human activities. As a whole, the total variance contribution of climate changes to the quasi-periodic changes of sedimentation rate is close to that of human activities; (3) Temperature and precipitation are possibly related to the abrupt change of sedimentation rate as a whole. Floods have significant impacts on abrupt changes in the sedimentation rate at 3.7, 6.4 and 24-yr time scales. Moreover, some abrupt changes of sedimentation rate at 3.7- and 6.4-yr time scales are partly related to the changes of precipitation at 3.1-yr time scale and temperature at 5-yr time scale. The results of this study will help identify the impacts of climate change and human activities on lake sedimentation at different time scales, and will be available for use as a guide for reasonable development and effective protection of lake resources.

The Cretaceous of the Swiss Jura Mountains: an improved lithostratigraphic scheme

In the course of the HARMOS project of the Swiss Geological Survey, the lithostratigraphic subdivisions of the Cretaceous sedimentary rocks outcropping in the Swiss Jura Mountains were revisited. New formation names are proposed where only inadequate facies terms existed so far. As in some cases outcrop conditions in the Swiss Jura do not allow for logging complete sections to characterise the formations, type localities in neighbouring France have been chosen. The following formations (Fm.) are defined to describe the Cretaceous lithological units (from bottom to top): Goldberg Fm., Pierre-Châtel Fm., Vions Fm., Chambotte Fm., Vuache Fm., Grand Essert Fm., Gorges de l’Orbe Fm., Vallorbe Fm., Perte du Rhone Fm., Narlay Fm. Dating of the formations is based on biostratigraphy (ammonites, echinids, dasycladalean algae, foraminifera, calpionellids, dinocysts, nannofossils). The fossils indicate Berriasian through to Coniacian ages. The lithostratigraphic units describe the general evolution from a shallow, peritidal platform to deeper-water shelf environments, then the installation of a carbonate platform, and finally the drowning of this platform followed by the predominance of pelagic conditions. The common lateral and vertical changes in facies and sedimentation rates as well as numerous hiatuses within the formations testify to a complex interplay of tectonics, climate, and sea level that controlled the Swiss Jura realm during the Cretaceous.

Multiplex cytokine analyses in patients with rheumatoid arthritis require use of agents blocking heterophilic antibody activity

Objectives: Heterophilic antibodies, such as rheumatoid factor (RF), are known to interfere with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α blockers is well established. The aims of this study were to develop a protocol for blocking the interaction of present heterophilic antibodies and to validate this procedure by evaluating the effect on correlations of cytokine levels to clinical response in RA patients treated with adalimumab.Method: Fourteen patients with active RA were evaluated at baseline and 3 months after starting adalimumab treatment. Cytokines were analysed with a commercial 12-plex bead ELISA. To block interference by RF, a commercial blocker (HeteroBlock) was used. To determine the optimal concentration of HeteroBlock, patient sera were analysed with different concentrations of HeteroBlock. Subsequently, baseline and follow-up sera from the 14 patients were analysed and correlated with clinical outcome.Results: Measured cytokine levels were reduced in the majority of samples when adding the blocker. The optimal concentration of HeteroBlock was 1600 μg/mL of serum. Sera with high RF levels were more prone to produce false positive values, although some RF-negative sera also demonstrated evidence of interference. HeteroBlock did not interfere with the analysis. In RA patients treated with adalimumab, changes in interleukin (IL)-6 levels between baseline and follow-up correlated with changes in erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in sera with added HeteroBlock.Conclusions: When analysing sera from patients with RA with multiplex bead ELISA, the assay should be evaluated for interference by heterophilic antibodies, and if present corrected with, for example, HeteroBlock.

Implications of calcareous nannoplankton biostratigraphy and biochronology of the Middle–Late Miocene of the Nile Delta, Egypt

The Middle–Late Miocene subsurface successions from the Southeastern Mediterranean coast were studied based on the calcareous nannoplankton. The study was established on three boreholes selected from the offshore Nile Delta region, which are Port Fouad M-5, Baltim-1, and NDOB-1. The boreholes were chosen from different petroleum concessions within the North Delta basin. The standard nannoplankton biozonation of Mediterranean areas was used in this study. The studied rock successions cover the Sidi Salim and Qawasim formations, which are widely recognized targets for gas exploration. The study of the calcareous nannoplankton in the studied successions revealed eight biozones, and they are from base to top: Sphenolithus heteromorphus (NN5), Discoaster exilis (NN6), Discoaster kugleri (NN7), Catinaster coalitus (NN8), Discoaster hamatus (NN9), Discoaster calcaris (NN10), Discoaster quinqueramus (NN11), and Amaurolitus tricorniculatus (NN12). The Langhian/Serravalian, the Serravalian/Tortonian, and the Tortonian/Messinian boundaries were defined and discussed. The biochronological dates of the identified nannoplankton biozones were used to calculate the sedimentation rates of the studied rock successions. The calculations revealed two cycles of successive changes of sedimentation rates, which are attributed to regressions phases in Sidi Salim and Qawasim formations.

Improving age-depth models of fluvio-lacustrine deposits using sedimentary proxies for accumulation rates

Lacustrine fills, including those of oxbow lakes in river floodplains, often hold valuable sedimentary and biological proxy records of palaeo-environmental change. Precise dating of accumulated sediments at levels throughout these records is crucial for interpretation and correlation of (proxy) data existing within the fills. Typically, dates are gathered from multiple sampled levels and their results are combined in age-depth models to estimate the ages of events identified between the datings. In this paper, a method of age-depth modelling is presented that varies the vertical accumulation rate of the lake fill based on continuous sedimentary data. In between Bayesian calibrated radiocarbon dates, this produces a modified non-linear age-depth relation based on sedimentology rather than linear or spline interpolation.The method is showcased on a core of an infilled palaeomeander at the floodplain edge of the river Rhine near Rheinberg (Germany). The sequence spans from ∼4.7 to 2.9 ka cal BP and consists of 5.5 m of laminated lacustrine, organo-clastic mud, covered by ∼1 m of peaty clay. Four radiocarbon dates provide direct dating control, mapping and dating in the wider surroundings provide additional control. The laminated, organo-clastic facies of the oxbow fill contains a record of nearby fluvial-geomorphological activity, including meander reconfiguration events and passage of rare large floods, recognized as fluctuations in coarseness and amount of allochthonous clastic sediment input. Continuous along-core sampling and measurement of loss-on-ignition (LOI) provided a fast way of expressing the variation in clastic sedimentation influx from the nearby river versus autochthonous organic deposition derived from biogenic production in the lake itself. This low-cost sedimentary proxy data feeds into the age-depth modelling. The sedimentology-modelled age-depth relation (re)produces the distinct lithological boundaries in the fill as marked changes in sedimentation rate. Especially the organo-clastic muddy facies subdivides in centennial intervals of relative faster and slower accumulation. For such intervals, sedimentation rates are produced that deviate 10–20% from that in simpler stepped linear age-models. For irregularly laminated muddy intervals of the oxbow fill – from which meaningful sampling for radiocarbon dating is more difficult than from peaty or slowly accumulating organic lake sediments – supplementing spotty radiocarbon sampling with continuous sedimentary proxy data creates more realistic age-depth modelling results.

Study on the therapeutic effect of combined traditional Chinese and western medicine on gouty arthritis

Objective to explore the therapeutic effect of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of gouty arthritis . method Select 2014 year 4 Month ~ 2015 Year 4 the patients with gouty arthritis in our hospital Example as a research object , to randomly divide it into research groups and reference groups , each Example . give a reference group the treatment for the patient is to take fentanyl. 0.6 G / Times , 2 Times / D ; The Group of patients taking this based on the Cork , atractylodes and Ox Knee-each g Specification , caulis Spatholobi , Coix and Lonicera japonica each G , Peach Kernels and safflower ,earthworm each 9 G , poria Cocos G and Dandelion G , Live gypsum g Traditional Chinese Medicine , after boiling, follow the 1 Times / D take the . compares the effects of two groups of patients . results after a different treatment , research Group of patients using integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine stage Comprehensive treatment method , The total available rate is 97.14%, significantly better than reference group of patients 85.71%, two groups Compare ,difference is statistically significant ... <0.05. Simultaneous comparison of erythrocyte sedimentation rate changes between two groups , the Study Group dropped significantly above reference group , Comparison between two groups , difference is statistically significant ... <0.05. Conclusion integrated Traditional Chinese and Western medicine for patients with gouty arthritis period Comprehensive treatment method , to achieve better therapeutic effect , While controlling its symptoms,, can be used for intermittent uric acid levels , reduce bad anti The rate of occurrence , increases the security of the treatment . so , It is worthwhile to apply this treatment in clinical practice .

Quantified sensitivity of small lake sediments to record historic earthquakes: Implications for paleoseismology

AbstractSeismic hazard assessment is a critical but challenging issue for modern societies. A key parameter to be estimated is the recurrence interval of damaging earthquakes. This requires the establishment of earthquake records long enough to be relevant, i.e., far longer than historical observations. We study how lake sediments can be used for this purpose and explore conditions that enable lake sediments to record earthquakes. This was achieved (i) through the compilation of eight lake‐sediment sequences from the European Alps to reconstruct chronicles of mass movement deposits and (ii) through the comparison of these chronicles with the well‐documented earthquake history. This allowed 24 occurrences of mass movements to be identified, of which 21 were most probably triggered by an earthquake. However, the number of earthquake‐induced deposits varies between lakes of a same region, suggesting variable thresholds of the lake sequences to record earthquake shaking. These thresholds have been quantified by linking the mass movement occurrences in a single lake to both intensity and distance of the triggering earthquakes. This method offers a quantitative approach to estimate locations and intensities of past earthquake epicenters. Finally, we explored which lake characteristics could explain the various sensitivities. Our results suggest that sedimentation rate should be larger than 0.5 mm yr−1 so that a given lake records earthquakes in moderately active seismotectonic regions. We also postulate that an increasing sedimentation rate may imply an increasing sensitivity to earthquake shaking. Hence, further paleoseismological studies should control carefully that no significant change in sedimentation rates occurs within a record, which could falsify the assessment of earthquake recurrence intervals.

Anthropic signature on the Danube Delta evolution and Danube mouths dynamics

Recent studies on human pressure evolution on the Danube watershed highlight that forest clearances intensified during the Roman times, which after a long stagnation in Early Middle Age (which reclaimed the reforestation) have restarted since 12 th and 15 th centuries in the Upper, respectively Lower Danube watershed, leading to the rejuvenation of the denudation processes and the artificial increase of the river solid discharge. During these influences (last 2000 years) the delta surface area grew much faster, forming ca. 40% of the total Danube delta. Nevertheless, the human influence became critical during the second half of the 20 th century when the hydrotechnical works from Danube watershed lead to a dramatic reduction of the solid discharge and changes in sedimentation rates along with the progradation and erosion pattern changes. Currently, the river mouths areas are confronted with a substantial increased influence of the marine controlling factors (waves and currents) which trigger their present morphodynamics change from river-dominated to wave-dominated delta morphology (Chilia) or from the assymetric wave-dominated to deflected lobes (Sfântu Gheorghe)

Change of erythrocytre sedimentation rate of heparinized venous blood of the pregnant under influence of oxytocin, atosiban and dydrogesterone

Change of erythrocytre sedimentation rate of heparinized venous blood of the pregnant under influence of oxytocin, atosiban and dydrogesterone

Toxic Evaluation of Subchronic Exposure to Cadmium, Imidacloprid, and their Combination on Hematological Parameters in Buffalo Calves

The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate hematological alterations induced by oral subchronic exposure to cadmium, imidacloprid, and their combination in buffalo calves. Cadmium exposure produced a significant decrease in hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, Total Erythrocyte Count (TEC), Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH), and MCH Concentration (MCHC). There was a significant increase in Total Leukocyte Count (TLC) but it did not produce any change in Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR). Repeated oral administration of imidacloprid produced a significant decrease in Hb, PCV, TEC, MCV, MCH, and MCHC; however, there was a significant elevation in the levels of ESR and TLC. The combined exposure of cadmium and imidacloprid produced a significant decline in Hb concentration, PCV, TEC, MCV, and MCHC. It produced a significant increase in ESR and TLC, but no changes were observed in the levels of MCH.

Dolomitization Associated with Sea Level and Ocean Current Circulation in the Southern Marion Platform, Offshore Ne Australia

On the Southern Marion carbonate platform, dolomitization is triggered by the circulation of normal or slightly modified seawater and is related to changes in sedimentation rate and sea level change. Dolomitization further modifies formation permeability and fluid flow patterns. Dolostone/calcareous dolostone with large vuggy or moldic porosity is formed by fabric-preserving dissolution and recrystallization, which increases the pore space and facilitates the fluid flow effectively, with permeability ranging from 1[Formula: see text]mD to 10,000[Formula: see text]mD. The frame flexibility factor ([Formula: see text]) is a rock physics parameter which is a proxy of pore structure. We find that at given porosity dolostone with larger pores, higher permeability and higher sonic velocity usually has lower values of frame flexibility factor than limestone. After strong compaction and cementation, the limestone frame occludes fluid flow, prevents dolomitization and has permeability as low as 0.02[Formula: see text]mD. Acoustic impedance inversion confirms that the asymmetric geometry of the Southern Marion platform is shaped by the oceanographic currents, which are caused by the southward-flowing East Australian Current. Three layers of dolostone with large pores in the upper platform reveal strong fluid flow within the carbonate platform, leading to dolomitization and dissolution. These three strongly dolomitized zones follow the platform topography, indicating that the diagenetic fluid flow is driven by oceanographic currents. Three large-pore-formation dolomitization events match well with three highstands of sea level events, illustrating that the highstand of sea level induces the formation of dolomitization zones with large pores. This study demonstrates the positive feedback loop of dolomitization and ocean current circulation, as well as the relationship between dolomitization and sea level change, which could be applicable for better understanding subsurface fluid-rock interactions and dolomitization pore systems in other carbonate environments.

Recent Sedimentation Dynamics Indicated by 210Pbexc and 137Cs Records from the Subtidal Area of Bohai Bay, China

ABSTRACT Wang, F.; Zong, Y.Q.; Li, J.F.; Tian, L.Z.; Shang, Z.W.; Chen, Y.S.; Jiang, X.Y.; Yang, J.L.; Yang, B., and Wang, H., 2016. Recent sedimentation dynamics indicated by 210Pbexc and 137Cs records from the subtidal area of Bohai Bay, China. To determine sedimentation rate changes across an open marine area along the west coast of Bohai Bay, more than 50 short sediment cores were collected and analyzed with their sedimentation rates estimated by excess 210Pb (210Pbexc) and 137Cs in the sediment. The surveys enabled us to explore the relationship between sediment supply changes from the rivers and the spatial/temporal deposition patterns in the shallow marine areas. Several core records show that sedimentation rates can be overestimated by the conventional constant initial concentration model based on the 210Pbexc curves alone. The overestimation was caused by a change of 210Pbexc in the top layers of these cores and this is confirmed by comparing 210Pbexc curves with the respective 137Cs curves. This...

OSL chronology of a sedimentary sequence from the inner-shelf of the East China Sea and its implication on post-glacial deposition history

Sedimentary records from the inner-shelf of the East China Sea (ECS) are unique for the reconstruction of post-glacial palaeoclimate and sea-level changes. So far, the chronology of sediment succession from this region has mainly been based on radiocarbon dating, which might be problematic due to reworked deposition or old carbon contamination. In this study we tested the applicability of optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating to a drilling core (ECS-DZ1) taken from the northern ESC. A total of 20 OSL samples and two radiocarbon samples were collected from the upper 58 m of this core. The results indicate the likely sufficient reset of OSL signal of fine-grained (4–11 μm) quartz before burial, and thus reliable chronology for the studied core sediments. For one sample, however, the extracted coarse-grained (100–200 μm) quartz overestimated the deposition age significantly, presumably resulting from partial bleaching prior to deposition. The fine-grained quartz ages are generally consistent with the stratigraphical order, and the reliability of these OSL ages are further validated by two selective robust 14C dates. The chronological framework of core ECS-DZ1 reveals striking sedimentation-rate changes. By comparison with other chronostratigraphical records, we infer that post-glacial deposition history (since ∼15 ka) of the study site is likely related to regional sea-level rise and delta-estuary environment evolution, as well as strengthened human activities and/or coastal currents.

Downbuilding salt stocks and sheets quantified in 3‐D analytical models

AbstractThe 2‐D concept of diapiric downbuilding is expanded to the third dimension. Our advanced approach shows which range of salt fluxes and sedimentation rates (time dependency included) can explain the formation of upward narrowing diapirs (previously thought of as &lt; 1), upward widening diapirs (~ &gt; 1), and vertical cylindrical diapirs (~ = 1). In addition to being a nonrigorous measure, does not account for the effect of a regional slope on diapir shape during downbuilding. When a regional topographic slope is absent and lateral changes in sedimentation rate are negligible, our models confirm downbuilding diapirs always develop axisymmetric shapes. However, when the salt source lies on a regional slope, asymmetric diapirs will form. The rate of salt supply from the source and the superposed gravity flow downslope control the flow lines and shape of the advancing salt sheet. In the 2‐D gravity spreading plane, the ratio of source flow to gravity flow strengths can be characterized by a Rankine number. Obstruction of lateral spreading of salt issued from the feeder sources due to sedimentation lifts the salt from its 2‐D spreading plane, which our model simulates by superposing a velocity component normal to the sedimentation surface. We next apply the 3‐D analytical model to an offshore salt sheet in the Gulf of Mexico and analyze which conditions controlled its flow kinematics down the continental slope. Stratal cutoffs at the base of salt combined with the analytical gravity spreading model provide estimates for the dimensional flow rates and the effective viscosity of the Louann Salt.

Cytogenetic and hematological alterations induced by acute oral exposure of imidacloprid in female mice

Imidacloprid (IMD), 1(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)methyl)-N-nitro-2-imidazolidinimine, was administered in female mice to study in vivo cytogenetic (chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and micronucleus assay) and hematological effects. The acute oral LD50 was determined to be 150 mg/kg bw in mice following OECD guidelines using AOT StatPgm425 software. The mice were administered orally with distilled water (negative control); mitomycin C (MMC), 1 mg/kg (positive control) and sub-lethal doses of 37.5 (low), 75.0 (medium) and 112.5 (high) mg/kg bw (25%, 50% and 75% of LD50) of IMD to analyze CAs and hematological effects after 24 h, whereas micronucleus test (MT) after 48 h. The genotoxicity analysis revealed that selected test doses of IMD – medium and high doses – induced significantly mitotic inhibition (p < 0.01), CAs (p < 0.01) and at high dose micronucleus (MN) formation (p < 0.05). Significant changes in red blood cell (RBC; p < 0.01), hemoglobin (Hb; p < 0.01) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR; p < 0.001) were observed, except WBC in which significant increase (p < 0.001) was observed. Present observation substantiates overall significant dose dependent genotoxic potential (p < 0.05; r = 0.98) of IMD. Precautions should be taken to minimize possible risk to exposed farmers of the state of Haryana (India) – an agrarian economy.

OSL chronology and accumulation rate of the Nakdong deltaic sediments, southeastern Korean Peninsula

Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating was performed on Late Quaternary deltaic sequences from a 55-m-long core sampled from the Nakdong River estuary, Korea. OSL ages obtained from chemically separated fine (4–11 μm) and coarse (90–212 μm) quartz grains ranged from 29.4 ± 2.6 to 0.4 ± 0.04 ka, revealing clear consistency between the grain-size fractions. The De values from the standardized growth curve (SGC) are consistent with those from the single-aliquot regenerative-dose (SAR) procedure, which suggests that the SGC is valid for the Nakdong deltaic sediments. The 14C ages of shells and wood fragments ranged from 11 to 2.9 ka, demonstrating reasonable agreement with the OSL ages, within the error range. However, the limited number and random sampling interval of the 14C age data (10 ages) result in a simple linear and exponential trend in the depth–age curve. In contrast, OSL ages obtained by high-resolution sampling show down-section variations in the depth–age curve, indicating the occurrence of rapid changes in sedimentation rate. It is suggested that the high-sampling-resolution OSL ages provide a more realistic and detailed depth–age curve and sedimentation rate. The Nakdong deltaic sediments were divided into five units based on sedimentation rate. The lowest (unit 5) shows a break in sedimentation between the last glacial maximum (LGM) and the Holocene. The sedimentation rate increased in units 4 and 3, presumably corresponding to the early to middle Holocene sea level rise and high stand. Unit 2 shows a gradually decreasing sedimentation rate following the regression of the shoreline, until about 2 ka. The progradation of the Nakdong River delta resulted in the rapid accumulation of unit 1 during the last 2000 years.

Myeloperoxidase Levels in Patients with PCOS and/or Obesity Before and After Metformin Treatment

Objectives: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is often linked to adverse cardiometabolic profile. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an enzyme, secreted from white blood cells that generates Radical Oxygen Species (ROS) and is thought to be involved in increased Cardiovascular (CV) risk. The aim of the present study is to compare MPO in premenopausal patients with PCOS with and without obesity (+/- obesity) to other classical cardiovascular risk factors before and after metformin treatment. Materials and Methods: In this study 75 women including 27 obese, 31 lean PCOS and 17 obese PCOS patients participated. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical study including MPO measurement were performed in the beginning of the study. Patients that had insulin resistance were treated with 1500-3000 mg metformin and all the tests were repeated after mean 6.8 months. Results: MPO levels were similar between patients with obesity only and obesity with PCOS and in patients with PCOS only and obese PCOS patients. We found no differences in MPO levels between patients with different PCOS phenotype, with and without visceral obesity or insulin resistance based on variety of criteria, with and without arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, menstrual disturbances and obstructive sleep apnea. There was no significant change in MPO levels after several months of metformin treatment, despite the beneficial changes in insulin concentrations and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Conclusion: MPO levels were similar between patients with obesity +/- PCOS, and in patients with PCOS +/- obesity. MPO did not change significantly after metformin treatment.

Late Miocene provenance change on the eastern margin of the Yinggehai-Song Hong Basin, South China Sea: Evidence from U–Pb dating and Hf isotope analyses of detrital zircons

Understanding the provenance of the reservoir in a sedimentary basin is of great importance in hydrocarbon exploration and production. The Yinggehai-Song Hong Basin is one of the most important Cenozoic petroliferous basins in the South China Sea. To better understand the provenance characteristics of the Upper Miocene Huangliu Formation (Tortonian-Messinian) on the eastern margin of the basin and test the influence of uplift of the Tibetan Plateau in the South China Sea, 172 single zircons from two sandstone samples in the Lingtou gas field were dated by U–Pb chronometer, and 54 of these grains were spot analyzed for Hf isotopes. The results indicate that the upper member of the Huangliu Formation in this gas field shows two major peaks of U–Pb ages at ca. 250 Ma and ca. 432 Ma, along with four subordinate peaks at ca. 757 Ma, ca. 1926 Ma, ca. 2529 Ma and ca. 2775 Ma. The initial Hf isotope ratios [εHf (t)] of these zircons are negative to positive for each age group, suggesting that existing crustal materials were mixing with new mantle melts in some magmatic episodes. In contrast, the lower member of the Huangliu Formation show two major age peaks at ca. 98 Ma and 248 Ma, with a subordinate peak at ca. 1453 Ma. The εHf(t) values are concentrated between −11.6 and −3.4, revealing that they were derived from older crust. Comparing with the source characteristics of tectonic units surrounding the basin, the source of the upper member in the gas field was mainly from the southern Yangtze Block, whereas the lower member was derived from the Hainan Uplift. Together with the change of climate and sedimentation rate after 10 Ma on the northern margin of the South China Sea, we attribute the provenance change to the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau at the same time.

Differential transport and preservation of the instars of Limnocythere inopinata (Crustacea, Ostracoda) in three large brackish lakes in northern China

Population age structure, preservation, and carapace abundance of the valve remains of Limnocythere inopinata in 88 surface-sediment samples from Lakes Daihai, Dali, and Hulun were examined to better understand taphonomy of limnic ostracods. The spatial changes in population structure of L. inopinata match the within-lake hydraulic gradients, with the older instars preferentially deposited in the littoral zone while the younger instars being more abundant in deeper waters. We propose that molt and mortem remains of ostracods, especially those of the small juveniles, experience downslope transport. The magnitude of transport in a lake is controlled by wind-driven hydrodynamics. There is no chemical dissolution of ostracod valves in these alkaline lakes, and degradation is mainly represented by physical breakage. The preservation of L. inopinata is related to sedimentation rate and hydraulic stability, and the spatial pattern of preservation varies between lakes. Spatial and seasonal changes in sedimentation rate and hydraulic condition, and the ostracod life cycle may have contributed to this complexity. Adult and A-7 carapaces are the most frequent among the instars. We suggest that the preferential preservation of juvenile carapaces is either related to high mortality rate or to the good preservation in deep waters.