Greater Height Research Articles

Roost tree characteristics of Pteropus medius (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) in the midland laterite hillocks of northern Kerala, India

The roost tree characteristics of Indian flying fox ( Pteropus medius ) were studied in the midland laterite hillocks of northern Kerala in peninsular India. A total of 170 trees belonging to 20 families, 32 genera, and 37 species were identified as roost trees from eleven roost sites located in Kannur and Kasargod districts of northern Kerala. Roost tree parameters such as habit, origin, diameter at breast height (DBH), tree height, bole height, crown length, crown spread, and crown closure were analyzed. Families Anacardiaceae and Lamiaceae represented more number of roost trees in the study area. The mean bat abundance per tree for the entire study area was found to be 54.35±5.2 and it was highest for Ficus religiosa (peepal) followed by Tetrameles nudiflora (false hemp tree) and Leucaena leucocephala (subabul) . Bats showed a preference for native trees and did not show any difference in the selection of evergreen and deciduous trees for roosting. The study also revealed that P. medius prefers large trees with greater height, diameter, crown length, and crown spread. As the midland laterite hillocks are under severe habitat degradation, the study recommends preserving large trees for better conservation of the remaining habitats of P. medius in the area.

Does the type of substrate influence growth and antioxidant systems? Case study of Myracrodruon urundeuva under water deficit

• The type of substrate and water deficit influences growth and the antioxidant response in Myracrodruon urundeuva . • The intensity of the water deficit varies depending on the composition of the substrate, which is influenced by the physicochemical mechanisms of the soil. • The MDA is an important marker of stress in Myracrodruon urundeuva. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological responses of M. urundeuva to conditions of differing water availability and substrates. The study was carried out in a greenhouse using three-month-old plants grown in sand or sandy loam soil under conditions of continuous watering (CW) or water deficit (WD) for 30 days. Subsequently, the plants subjected to water deficiency were irrigated for 15 days. All reviews were conducted at 30 and 45 days, corresponding to the period of water restriction and recovery, and evaluations were performed of absolute growth rates stem height, leaf number, the enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), as well as hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Plants subjected to water deficit showed a reduction in growth parameters, an increase in antioxidant enzyme, activities, and higher H 2 O 2 and MDA concentrations, with differences between soil types. At 45 days, the growth of rehydrated plants continued to be reduced in both substrates, and except for plants grown in sand. CAT activity was increased in these rehydrated plants. In contrast, SOD activity was reduced by 35% in plants rehydrated in substrate. Plants grown in sandy loam soil had higher levels of MDA under both water conditions at 45 days. In conclusion, we corroborate the hypothesis that the greatest damage occurred by lipid peroxidation in plants in sand under deficit, however antioxidant enzymes showed increased activity in plants in soil with no difference in growth reductions under deficit, although greater heights were observed in plants grown in the sandy loam soil after 45 days. The understanding of the responses of M. urundeuva to water deficit in different substrates is important for supporting future studies on the impacts of climate change on the vegetation present in different soil types in the Caatinga.

Изменчивость морфоструктурных показателей разных возрастных поколений в популяциях сосны (Pinus sylvestris L.) в условиях постоянного избыточного увлажнения почв северной тайги Архангельской области

The data is presented for studying the variability of morphostructural parameters of different age (g1 and g2) pine populations under conditions of constant excessive soil moisture of the northern taiga of the Arkhangelsk region. The frequency of occurrence distribution of the age and morphostructural parameters (size of the trunk and crown, self-pruning, length of coarse bark, size and number of side shoots, length and life span of needles) of trees is shown. It has been established that pine trees with smaller trunk and crown sizes, worse self-pruning are more common. Greater height and diameter of the trunk, length and diameter of the crown, better self-pruning, a greater length of the coarse bark is observed in the older generation (g2). This is due to the older age of the trees. It has been established that the relationship between the height of the trunk and the age of the trees is higher in the samples of young generative trees. It was revealed that the young generation (g1) has a significantly greater length and mass of cones, the length, width and height of the apophysis of seed scales compared to the older generation (g2).

The Instability Characteristics and Displacement Law of Coal Wall Containing Joint Fissures in the Fully Mechanized Working Face with Great Mining Height

Coal wall rib-spalling is regarded as a key technical problem influencing safe and efficient mining of fully mechanized working face with great mining height (FGH) while the coal wall stability is influenced by the strength of the coal body, of which the internal joint fissures have a crucial impact on the strength of the coal body. This research attempted to explore how the coal wall stability of FGH is influenced by the occurrence of joint fissures. This paper uses physical and numerical simulations to systematically analyze the instability characteristics and displacement law of FGH. Research results show that the form and scope of the instability of coal wall rib-spalling depend on the state of the coal seam joint fissures development area, and the development state of coal seam joint fissures is related to the combination of the coal seam joints; under the condition of hard coal, the coal wall stability is better at the inclination angle of 90°, and less stable at 45° and 135°; under the condition of medium-hard coal and joint surface inclination angle of 45° and 135°, the smaller the spacing of joint surface, the larger the area of the working face rib-spalling, and the less stable the coal wall.

Study of the charge pelletizing process at MMK`s sinter plant No. 5

Theoretical and practical issues of the influence of the rotation speed, the angle of inclination, the diameter and length of the pelletizing drum of high productivity on the mode of movement of the sinter mix (waterfall or rolling), on the degree of its filling with the mix, its residence time and mass in the drum are considered. The influence of mix consumption and moisture on the quality of its pelletizing at the SP-5 sinter machine of MMK PJSC was studied. The influence of the drum rotation frequency on the parameters and performance of the sinter machine has been studied. To adapt the mathematical model of the movement of material in the drum pelletizer, the distribution of the mix along its length and along the chord was measured. The adapted model was used to analyze the operation parameters of the drum pelletizer (degree of filling, distribution along the length, residence time and mass of the mix in the drum) in the experimental and calculated modes. The reasons for the non-compliance of the design characteristics of the operation of the drum pelletizer with the requirements for the implementation of the "rolling mode" for pelletizing the mix are established. The angle of inclination and the rotational speed of the drum pelletizer were determined on a mathematical model to form this mode. Reducing the rotational speed of the drum to achieve the rolling mode to 4.4 min–1 will also provide an increase in the service life of its drive by 1.5–2.0 times. A rational place for installing a drum pelletizer in the scheme of the apparatus chain is substantiated, depending on the type of iron ore raw materials (ore or concentrate). It is shown that when the drum pelletizer is set at zero, it is not possible to heat the mix with steam to the required temperature, and the installation of a 60 m3 bunker instead of an small intermediate bunker leads to the destruction of the mix granules as a result of falling from a great height and makes it difficult to control the layer level in this bunker.

BSSRO Improves Mandibular Morphology Mainly through Correction of Body Length and Volume in Patients with Asymmetric Mandibular Prognathism.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the change and stability of mandibular morphology in patients with asymmetric mandibular prognathism after bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed fifty patients with asymmetric mandibular prognathism from the West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, between January 2018 to March 2021. The spiral CT data before surgery, within two weeks after surgery, and at more than six months after surgery of each patient were collected. According to the deflection direction of the chin, the bilateral mandibles were defined as the long side and the short side. The morphological data of the bilateral condyle, the mandibular ramus, and the mandibular body were analyzed to determine the effect and stability of BSSRO on asymmetric mandibular prognathism. Results: It was found that the long-side mandible had greater condylar volume and diameter, mandibular ramus height and volume, and mandibular body length and volume (p < 0.05) before surgery. After surgery, the volume of the mandibular ramus increased, while the length and volume of the mandibular body decreased (p < 0.05) at the long side of the mandible; the morphological changes of the mandibular ramus and body at the short side of the mandible were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). When comparing the long and short sides of the mandible, the long side still had greater height and volume of the mandibular ramus (p < 0.01). The volume difference of the mandibular body from the two sides was corrected (p > 0.05), and the length difference of the mandibular body from the two sides was overcorrected (p < 0.05). At more than six months after surgery, the volume of the mandibular ramus and body increased, while their height decreased at the long side of the mandible (p < 0.05). For the other side, or the short side, the volume of the ramus and body increased, too. However, their height decreased (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The results of this study suggested good effect and stability of BSSRO on asymmetric mandibular prognathism, except for the correction of ramus height and volume.

Sufi Method of Treatment &amp; Physical Illness Healing in Hindu Pak Sufis

Every aspect of human experience, including health and illness, has a spiritual component. Spirituality is now recognized as one of the key factors influencing health, and it is no longer just the domain of mysticism and religion. Spirituality has become a focus of neuroscience study in recent years, and it appears to have great promise for improving therapeutic therapies as well as our understanding of psychiatric morbidity. Sufism has been a well-known spiritual movement in Islam, drawing inspiration from major world faiths like Christianity and Hinduism and making a significant contribution to the spiritual health of many people both inside and outside the Muslim world.Sufism began in the early days of Islam and had many notable Sufis, but it wasn’t until the mediaeval era that it rose to its greatest height, culminating in a number of Sufi groups and its leading proponents. The Sufism promotes God as the sole source of genuine existence as well as the cause of all existence, and it seeks communication with God through spiritual realization, with the soul serving as the medium for this communion. It might offer a crucial connection for comprehending the origin of religious experience and how it affects mental health. In this connection author has attempted to address the Sufi of 18 century to 19 century, well-known Sufi Sain baba RA was benefited by haji Ali shah Buskhari.

Pinus pumila (Pall.) Regel in the Avrorin Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden and Institute

The article presents the history of introduction and the condition of the introduced to the Kola Peninsula accessions of Pinus pumila (Pall.) Regel. Siberian dwarf pine has been introduced to the Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden and Institute several times since 1947. As at 2021, the collection contains 3 accessions of different origin and age: 2 accessions in the main territory in the town of Kirovsk in the Khibiny Mountains and 3 accessions on the experimental site in the town of Apatity in the flat foothills. All the plants were divided into 5 groups depending on their location and age. We assessed their vital condition, winter hardiness, abundance of pollen dispersion and seed production, the degree of Pineus cembrae infestation, measured their height, trunk diameter and needle length. Nonparametric Mann - Whitney, Kruskal -Wallis, Dunn’s tests in the Past 4 program were used to compare quantitative indicators. All the specimens are well-adapted to the conditions of the Kola Peninsula, have slight damage, are winter-hardy, and the degree of Pineus cembrae infestation is very low. The Siberian dwarf pine shrubs on the experimental site in Apatity produce pollen and seeds more abundantly and regularly, have a greater height, diameter and needle length compared to specimens in the main territory in Kirovsk.

Determination of the Height of Overburden Water-Conducting Fracture Zone in 215102 Working Face of Yue Nan Coal Mine

In order to extract gas accurately in Yue Nan coal mine and prevent gas over limit and gas accidents, a combination of theoretical analysis and numerical simulation was used to investigate the height of the overburden caving zone and fracture zone in the working face, using 215102 working face as the engineering background. The results show three key strata in the 215102 working face, namely siltstone, sandy mudstone, and sandy mudstone. The empirical formula’s calculation results are in good accord with the findings of the theoretical analysis, which indicates that the height of the water-conducting fracture zone created by mining in 215102’s working face is 87.35 m. The plastic zone, stress distribution and displacement variation of the model overburden of the working face were analyzed separately in the numerical simulation. The results of the plastic zone simulation show that the caving zone’s maximum height is about 15.96 m, and the fracture zone’s maximum height is approximately 82.39 m. The stress distribution shows that the caving zone’s greatest height is around 13.65 m, while the fracture zone’s maximum height is roughly 77.24 m. The amount of overburden subsidence proves that the caving zone’s maximum height of about 10.08 m, and the fracture zone’s maximum height of approximately 82.69 m. The height of the overburden caving zone and fracture zone of 215102 working face are ultimately found to be 14.02 m and 76.42 m, respectively, based on theoretical analysis, empirical formula calculation, and numerical simulation findings.

The electrochemical microbial tree: A new concept for wastewater treatment

Most wastewater treatment plants involve activated sludge units, in which the organic matter to be removed is oxidised by aerobic microorganisms. These units are highly energy intensive because of the power consumed to force oxygen transfer to the wastewater by aeration. An innovative device is presented here; it is called the “electrochemical microbial tree (EMT)” and is based on the opposite strategy: the organic matter is drawn up from the wastewater towards the air phase by capillary action along a porous structure, which hosts the microorganisms that oxidise the organic matter.The EMTs were made of carbon felt, with the bottom immersed in wastewater (14 cm), while the top emerged into the air at different heights (4, 8 or 12 cm). COD removal increased linearly with the height of the aerial section. The greatest height led to COD removal rates of 807 ± 62 mg O2/L/h, i.e. 2.6 times those of the control experiments. During COD removal, the pH decreased from 7.6 to 7.4 ± 0.2 with EMTs, while it increased to 7.9 ± 0.1 in the controls. The biofilm on the immersed section developed as the height of the aerial section increased. Many electroactive species were identified in the microbial populations, belonging to the Bacteroidia, Gammaproteobacteria and Clostridia classes. These observations revealed that electron transfer along the conductive felt contributed to organic matter oxidation, in parallel with mass transfer by capillarity. These pioneering results present the EMT as a promising new wastewater treatment disposal system that does not require any energy input.

Evolutionary effects of nitrogen are not easily predicted from ecological responses.

Anthropogenic nitrogen (N) addition alters the abiotic and biotic environment, potentially leading to changes in patterns of natural selection (i.e., trait-fitness relationships) and the opportunity for selection (i.e., variance in relative fitness). Because N addition favors species with light acquisition strategies (e.g., tall species), we predicted that N would strengthen selection favoring those same traits. We also predicted that N could alter the opportunity for selection via its effects on mean fitness and/or competitive asymmetries. We quantified the strength of selection and the opportunity for selection in replicated populations of the annual grass Setaria faberi (giant foxtail) growing in a long-term N addition experiment. We also correlated these population-level parameters with community-level metrics to identify the proximate causes of N-mediated evolutionary effects. N addition increased aboveground productivity, light asymmetry, and reduced species diversity. Contrary to expectations, N addition did not strengthen selection for trait values associated with higher light acquisition such as greater height and specific leaf area (SLA); rather, it strengthened selection favoring lower SLA. Light asymmetry and species diversity were associated with selection for height and SLA, suggesting a role for these factors in driving N-mediated selection. The opportunity for selection was not influenced by N addition but was negatively associated with species diversity. Our results indicate that anthropogenic N enrichment can affect evolutionary processes, but that evolutionary changes in plant traits within populations are unlikely to parallel the shifts in plant traits observed at the community level.

Проблема обнаружения аномальных волн на воде навигационными радиолокаторами 1. Модели аномальных волн

The abnormal or freak waves of great height present a serious danger for ships and sea oil platforms. In this review we discuss the characteristics of freak waves. The freak waves are interested for us as the targets for an azimuth scan pulsed microwave radar. In our research, first of all, we consider the geometrical shapes of two-dimensional models of abnormal waves and briefly three-dimensional models. To the well-known classification of abnormal waves: Singular Wave Tower, Three Sisters, White Wall we added two variants of crests: smooth or three-cornered. Also, we briefly study the temporal attributes of abnormal waves. In the end of our research, we propose the criterion of discovery of short abnormal waves with azimuth scan pulsed microwave radar.

The mechanics of a cat landing from a drop

Cats have a remarkable ability to survive drops from great heights. This ability is examined by considering the aerodynamics of the cat during a drop, and by examining the mechanics of the landing. For the landing the spring-like properties of the cat’s legs and the compliance of the landing surface are all modeled. The analysis shows that a combination of the reduction of landing velocity due to aerodynamics, the spring like properties of the cat’s legs, and the relationship between cat mass and bone diameter give cat’s the ability to survive drops from great heights. The analysis highlights how simple models exploiting mechanical principles can explain the survivability of falling cats.

Aerial maneuvering by plethodontid salamanders spanning an arboreality gradient.

Wandering salamanders (Aneides vagrans) inhabit the crowns of the world's tallest trees, taking refuge in epiphytic fern mats within these complex arboreal environments. These salamanders readily jump from the canopy when disturbed and maintain stable postures while falling via fine adjustments of the limbs and tail in lieu of dedicated aerodynamic control surfaces, thus reliably carrying out non-vertical descent. Here, we examined the aerial behavior and performance of A. vagrans and three other species of plethodontid salamander across a habitat gradient of arboreality by recording salamanders falling from short heights and moving within the jet of a vertical wind tunnel. Kinematic performance of aerial behavior in plethodontid salamanders was correlated with a gradient of arboreal habitats; moreover, salamanders from arboreal niches were more effective in slowing and redirecting descent compared with other salamanders. Aneides vagrans and the closely related Aneides lugubris consistently engaged in parachuting and gliding when falling; their trajectories were very steep, but were sufficiently angled to enable contact with either the home trunk or nearby branches during falls or jumps from great heights. Aerial maneuvering in arboreal salamanders is similar to that seen in other vertebrates capable of non-vertical and controlled descent, suggesting that the long limbs and active tail of these arboreal plethodontids (often cited as adaptations for climbing) may also contribute to parachuting and gliding when falling from trees. These aerial behaviors within the redwood canopy warrant further investigations into other canopy residents that lack conspicuous surfaces for aerodynamic control.

La isla de calor urbano superficial y su manifestación en la estructura urbana de la Ciudad de México

From the processing of high- and low-resolution satellite images (Landsat and Modis), the development of bivariate correlations between daytime and nighttime land surface temperatures, and 27 metrics associated with urban structure and location, this work has analyzed the intensity of the phenomenon of Urban Heat Island manifested in Mexico City in one of the warmest months of the year 2018 to identify the most vulnerable areas to this phenomenon and their urban structure characteristics. Thus, the highest temperatures are found at a shorter distance from the inner city, as the most consolidated area. The population aged 65 or over, which is the most vulnerable to health problems associated with high temperatures and body thermoregulation, is located in areas of the city where the highest night temperatures are concentrated. Likewise, to a lesser extent, there is a direct correlation between high temperatures and areas with higher housing density, a greater surface area of paved streets, and a greater concentration of economic units per hectare. On the contrary, the zones with the lowest temperatures identified within the City were located in areas with the greatest heights above sea level, on steeper slopes, and with a greater surface of open areas. Likewise, the population aged 0 to 14 years, also identified within the range of vulnerability to high temperatures, is located mainly in areas with moderate and/or low temperatures. On the other hand, to identify the diurnal and nocturnal thermal variations, both in artificial and natural cover soil and their land use, thermal profiles were generated with measurements at every 1000 meters. This has allowed it to observe more pronounced thermal oscillations during the day, with the highest temperatures in the cultivation areas, residential land, and mixed-use. On the contrary, night temperatures stabilize and manifest the phenomenon of the Urban Heat Island in which it is shown that the highest temperatures are concentrated in the densest area of the city (Alcaldía Cuauhtémoc and Alcaldía Benito Juárez), which have stored a greater amount of heat due to the characteristics of the materials and composition of the urban environment, and the areas with a natural cover go down due to the ease of dissipating heat.

The Influence Research on Nitrogen Transport and Reaction in the Hyporheic Zone with an In-Stream Structure.

The hyporheic zone (HZ) is important for river ecological restoration as the main zone with nitrogen biochemical processes. The engineering of river ecological restoration can significantly change the hydrodynamics, as well as solute transport and reaction processes, but it is still not fully understood. In this study, nitrogen transport and reaction processes were analyzed in the HZ with an in-stream weir structure. An HZ model was built, and three reactions were considered with different design parameters of the weir structure and different permeability characteristics of porous media. The results show that a structure with a greater height on the overlying surface water enables the species to break through deeper porous media. It promotes the mean spatial reaction rates of nitrification and denitrification and results in increased net denitrification in most cases. In addition, increasing the burial depth of the structure leads to the same variation trends in the mean spatial reaction rates as increasing the structure height. Larger permeability coefficients in porous media can enhance flow exchange and increase mean spatial reaction rates. The results can help deepen the understanding of nitrogen transport and transformation in the HZ and optimize the design parameters and location of the in-stream structure.

P.66 Predicting trajectories of ambulatory function in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)

The North Star Ambulatory Assessment (NSAA) is a widely used endpoint in DMD clinical trials. Accurately predicting NSAA trajectories is important for understanding effects of novel therapies, via creation of individualized controls for treated patients, especially over longer-term (> 18 month) follow-up, when placebo controls are infeasible. We used longitudinal data for boys with DMD aged 4-10 years and starting with NSAA >12 at baseline to develop prognostic models for trajectories of NSAA total score for up to 4 years of follow-up. Data were drawn from four natural history databases: UZ Leuven, PRO-DMD-01 (provided by CureDuchenne), the North Star Clinical Network, and iMDEX. NSAA trajectories were fit using mixed effects models with age, steroid use, height, weight, and ambulatory function as baseline predictors. Among N=261 boys, mean age at baseline was 6.8 years, mean NSAA score was 25.6; 53% were receiving prednisone, 23% deflazacort, and 24% no steroid. Almost all initiated steroids within the first year of follow-up. The average patient had 6 post-baseline NSAA assessments over 2-4 years of follow-up. Predictors of greater decline in NSAA identified in the training sample (N=208) included older age, longer rise-from-floor times, higher NSAA (more room to decline), greater height, and greater body mass index. The best-fitting model explained 27% of variation in post-baseline NSAA with average prediction errors of ±5.6 units in a held-out sample (N=53). Bias in mean change in NSAA due to missing data was small (0.2, 0.8 and 1.1 units at years 1, 3 and 4 post-baseline, respectively) and in the direction of better-than-actual outcomes in natural history, which would bias against treatment in comparison to long-term natural history controls. Trajectories of ambulatory function in DMD can be well-predicted using baseline characteristics. Extension of this model to include older boys, and additional validation in larger samples is warranted.

Updating Inventory, Deformation, and Development Characteristics of Landslides in Hunza Valley, NW Karakoram, Pakistan by SBAS-InSAR

The Hunza Valley, in the northwestern Karakoram Mountains, North Pakistan, is a typical region with many towns and villages, and a dense population and is prone to landslides. The present study completed landslide identification, updating a comprehensive landslide inventory and analysis. First, the ground surface deformation was detected in the Hunza Valley by SBAS-InSAR from ascending and descending datasets, respectively. Then, the locations and boundaries were interpreted and delineated, and a comprehensive inventory of 118 landslides, including the 53 most recent InSAR identified active landslides and 65 landslides cited from the literature, was completed. This study firstly named all 118 landslides, considering the demand for globally intensive research and hazard mitigation. Finally, the deformation, spatial–topographic development, and distribution characteristics in the Hunza Valley scale and three large significant landslides were analyzed. Information on 72 reported landslides was used to construct an empirical power law relationship linking landslide area (AL) to volume (VL) (VL = 0.067 × AL1.351), and this formula predicted the volume of 118 landslides in this study. We discovered that the landslides from the literature, which were interpreted from optical images, had lower levels of velocity, area, elevation, and height. The SBAS-InSAR-detected active landslide was characterized by higher velocity, larger area, higher elevation, larger slope gradient, larger NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index), and greater height. The melting glacier water and rainfall infiltration from cracks on the landslide’s upper part may promote the action of a push from gravity on the upper part. Simultaneously, the coupling of actions from river erosion and active tectonics could have an impact on the stability of the slope toe. The up-to-date comprehensive identification and understanding of the characteristics and mechanism of landslide development in this study provide a reference for the next step in landslide disaster prevention and risk assessment.

Bison wallows effect on soil properties, vegetation composition and structure in a recently reintroduced area

Bison are considered an ecologically keystone species of the North American grasslands because their activities influence ecosystem dynamics and interactions, particularly their wallowing behavior. In 2009, 23 bison were reintroduced within a 1,500 ha private native semi-arid grassland in Janos, Chihuahua. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of bison wallows on the composition and structure of the vegetation, on species composition of annual grasses, and soil properties. Soil and vegetation samples were taken from inside the wallows and were compared against the samples obtained outside the wallows from late August to early September. The percentage of plant cover and the height of the foliage were measured inside and outside the wallow. Soil cores were taken, and the presence of soluble salts, moisture retention capacity, percentage of clay, and concentration of nutrients was determined. The three associations preferred by bison for wallowing were toboso grassland, vine mesquite and annual grassland. Of the 27 species of grasses and forbs recorded in the three plant associations mostly used for wallowing, we found that 17 species were present inside and outside wallows. Five different species were found only inside wallows and another five, only outside of wallows. The annual grassland plants had a greater height outside the wallows. The toboso grassland association presented higher soil moisture, likely related to the higher percentage of clay, and the annual grassland presented the highest bulk density (BD) inside the wallows, which limited plant growth in this association. Soils in other associations did not show significant differences in BD among them, mainly due to their finer texture. No significant effect of the wallows on nutrient concentrations was recorded. The lack of significant differences related to bison activities could be related to the brief period since the herd was reintroduced to the site. These differences might become apparent over time with a larger herd. For this reason, we conclude that the current differences in the soil properties are mainly due to geomorphological processes. That is, at this stage after the reintroduction, the grasslands are responding to soil characteristics, and not to the activity of the bison.

Delayed splenic rupture after a minor blunt trauma: A case report and literature review

Delayed Splenic Rupture (DSR) is a rare but well-known manifestation of Blunt Splenic Injury (BSI), which most commonly occurs following a car accident, a fall from a great height, or a direct blow to the left thorax or abdomen. If the history of trauma is remote or unknown, the diagnosis can be difficult or missed, and a high index of suspicion is not warranted. Regardless of the time and mechanism of the inciting event, DSR should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an acute surgical abdomen. We present a case of DSR in an 81-year-old woman caused by a remote minor blunt abdominal trauma four weeks prior to her admission to our emergency department for acute abdominal pain and hemorrhagic shock (ATLS CLASS III). Starting with this case report, we conducted a literature review on the subject in order to raise awareness, knowledge, and understanding of DSR among emergency clinicians.