High Trace Research Articles

The influence of recycling on the localized corrosion susceptibility of extruded AA6063 alloys

An approach involving the quantification of microstructure characterized by different techniques such as SEM, EDS, and SKPFM is statistically treated to provide a deeper insight into the influence of recycling AA6063 on localized corrosion susceptibility. Particularly, the intermetallic particles and the two forms of localized corrosion – pitting and intergranular corrosion are systematically documented, measured, and analyzed. Even trace amounts of Cu and Zn introduced into the alloy from recycling had a remarkable effect on the localized corrosion susceptibility. The study found that the initiation and early evolution of the two localized corrosions are in competition, and the predominance of one over the other is closely linked to the composition of the alloy, and microstructure. Recycled variants with higher trace Cu made the alloy more susceptible to pitting attack whereas higher trace Zn is linked with greater IGC susceptibility. The trace amount of higher Zn addition has a particularly beneficial effect on pitting susceptibility as it reduces the likelihood of pitting even in alloys with a higher trace Cu content. The SKPFM results obtained in this study provided a basis for the circumferential pitting susceptibility around intermetallic particles, as a higher volta potential difference (∆V) implied a higher driving force for corrosion. ∆V differences between the different variants were further explained based on trace recycled element distribution in the microstructure.

Brain MRI diffusion abnormalities associated with arteriolosclerosis pathology

AbstractBackgroundBrain arteriolosclerosis is one of the main pathologies of cerebral small vessel disease. It involves the thickening of the vessel wall and stenosis of arterioles causing lower cognitive and motor function, and higher odds of dementia. This work intends to explore the independent association of brain arteriolosclerosis with diffusion abnormalities in the white matter (WM) of community‐based older adults.MethodParticipants comprised community‐dwelling older adults (N = 175) from four studies of aging (Rush Memory and Aging Project, Religious Orders Study, Minority Aging Research Study, and Clinical Core of the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center) (Fig.1A). Whole brain 3D T1w MPRAGE, T2w FLAIR, and diffusion‐weighted MRI (2×2×2mm3, b = 1,000s/mm2 for 40 diffusion gradient directions, and 6 b = 0s/mm2 volumes) data were acquired in‐vivo using 3T MRI scanners. The fractional anisotropy (FA) and trace maps were transformed to the space of the IIT Human Brain Atlas v.5.0 and projected onto the WM skeleton of the IIT atlas. Following a participant’s death, the extracted brain underwent a detailed evaluation by a neuropathologist. Assessed neuropathologies included arteriolosclerosis, Alzheimer’s pathology, LATE‐NC, gross and microscopic infarcts, atherosclerosis, and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (Fig.1B). Linear regression was used in voxels of the WM skeleton to test the association of FA or trace with the severity of arteriolosclerosis controlling for all other neuropathologies, white matter hyperintensities (WMH), demographic variables (age at scan, sex, years of education), antemortem interval to imaging, and scanner. The statistical analyses were carried out using FSL’s PALM tool with 5,000 permutations and threshold‐free cluster enhancement. The significance level was set at p<0.05, after family‐wise error rate (FWER) correction for multiple testing.ResultArteriolosclerosis score was associated with lower FA (Fig.2) and higher trace (Fig.3) of the diffusion tensor throughout the brain in multiple WM regions, even in areas typically free of WMH. Other neuropathologies or the effects of WMH on diffusion characteristics had no impact on these relationships.ConclusionThe current study showed that, regardless of the impact of other neuropathologies or visible WMH, brain arteriolosclerosis in older persons is associated with diffusion abnormalities that extend throughout the WM.

Brain MRI diffusion abnormalities associated with arteriolosclerosis pathology

AbstractBackgroundBrain arteriolosclerosis is one of the main pathologies of cerebral small vessel disease. It involves the thickening of the vessel wall and stenosis of arterioles causing lower cognitive and motor function, and higher odds of dementia. This work intends to explore the independent association of brain arteriolosclerosis with diffusion abnormalities in the white matter (WM) of community‐based older adults.MethodParticipants comprised community‐dwelling older adults (N = 175) from four studies of aging (Rush Memory and Aging Project, Religious Orders Study, Minority Aging Research Study, and Clinical Core of the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center) (Fig.1A). Whole brain 3D T1w MPRAGE, T2w FLAIR, and diffusion‐weighted MRI (2×2×2mm3, b = 1,000s/mm2 for 40 diffusion gradient directions, and 6 b = 0s/mm2 volumes) data were acquired in‐vivo using 3T MRI scanners. The fractional anisotropy (FA) and trace maps were transformed to the space of the IIT Human Brain Atlas v.5.0 and projected onto the WM skeleton of the IIT atlas. Following a participant’s death, the extracted brain underwent a detailed evaluation by a neuropathologist. Assessed neuropathologies included arteriolosclerosis, Alzheimer’s pathology, LATE‐NC, gross and microscopic infarcts, atherosclerosis, and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (Fig.1B).Linear regression was used in voxels of the WM skeleton to test the association of FA or trace with the severity of arteriolosclerosis controlling for all other neuropathologies, white matter hyperintensities (WMH), demographic variables (age at scan, sex, years of education), antemortem interval to imaging, and scanner. The statistical analyses were carried out using FSL’s PALM tool with 5,000 permutations and threshold‐free cluster enhancement. The significance level was set at p<0.05, after family‐wise error rate (FWER) correction for multiple testing.ResultArteriolosclerosis score was associated with lower FA (Fig.2) and higher trace (Fig.3) of the diffusion tensor throughout the brain in multiple WM regions, even in areas typically free of WMH. Other neuropathologies or the effects of WMH on diffusion characteristics had no impact on these relationships.ConclusionThe current study showed that, regardless of the impact of other neuropathologies or visible WMH, brain arteriolosclerosis in older persons is associated with diffusion abnormalities that extend throughout the WM.

Entropy analysis and grey cluster analysis of multiple indexes of 5 kinds of genuine medicinal materials

5 kinds of genuine medicinal materials, including Diding (Latin name: Corydalis bungeana Turcz), Purslane (Latin name: Portulaca oleracea L.), straw sandal board (Latin name: Hoya carnosa (L.f.) R. Br), June snow (Latin name: Serissa japonica (Thunb.) Thunb.), pine vine rattan (Latin name: Lycopodiastrum casuarinoides (Spring) Holub. [Lycopodium casuarinoides Spring]), were selected as the research objects. The combustion heat, thermo gravimetric parameters, and fat content, calcium content, trace element content, ash content of 5 kinds of genuine medicinal materials were measured. The combustion heat, differential thermal gravimetric analysis, fat content, calcium content, trace elements content, and ash content of 5 kinds of genuine medicinal materials were used to build a systematic multi-index evaluation system by gray pattern recognition and grey correlation coefficient cluster analysis, which can make up for the gaps in this area and provide scientific basis and research significance for the study of genuine medicinal materials quality. The results showed that the order of combustion heat of 5 kinds of genuine medicinal materials, including Diding, Purslane, straw sandal board, June snow, pine vine rattan, was Diding > June snow > straw sandal board > Purslane > pine vine rattan, the order of fat content (%) of 5 kinds of genuine medicinal materials was straw sandal board > Diding > pine vine rattan > June snow > Purslane, the order of calcium content (%) was pine vine rattan > June snow > Purslane > straw sandal board > Diding, the order of ash content was June snow > Purslane > straw sandal board > pine vine rattan > Diding. From the analysis of thermogravimetric analysis results and thermogravimetric combustion stability, the order of combustion stability of 5 kinds of genuine medicinal materials was June snow > pine Vine rattan > straw sandal board > Diding > Portulaca oleracea. The order of the content of 12 trace elements in 5 kinds of genuine medicinal materials, in terms of trace element content, June snow contains the highest trace elements in all samples. According to combustion heat, combustibility (combustion stability of genuine medicinal materials), fat, calcium, ash, trace element content, the comprehensive evaluation results of multi-index analysis constructed by gray correlation degree, gray correlation coefficient factor analysis, and gray hierarchical cluster analysis showed that the comprehensive evaluation multi-index order of 5 genuine medicinal materials, including Diding, Purslane, straw sandal board, June snow and pine vine rattan, was June snow > straw sandal board > Diding > Purslane > pine vine rattan. Therefore, the comprehensive evaluation results of the quality of genuine medicinal materials selected in this study were June snow the best, followed by straw sandal board. This research has important theoretical and practical significance for the multi-index measurement and comprehensive evaluation of genuine medicinal materials, and can provide scientific basis and research significance for the research of multi-index quality control of genuine medicinal material.

Exposure to Repetitive Head Impacts Is Associated With Corpus Callosum Microstructure and Plasma Total Tau in Former Professional American Football Players.

Exposure to repetitive head impacts (RHI) is associated with an increased risk of later-life neurobehavioral dysregulation and neurodegenerative disease. The underlying pathomechanisms are largely unknown. To investigate whether RHI exposure is associated with later-life corpus callosum (CC) microstructure and whether CC microstructure is associated with plasma total tau and neuropsychological/neuropsychiatric functioning. Retrospective cohort study. Seventy-five former professional American football players (age 55.2 ± 8.0 years) with cognitive, behavioral, and mood symptoms. Diffusion-weighted echo-planar MRI at 3 T. Subjects underwent diffusion MRI, venous puncture, neuropsychological testing, and completed self-report measures of neurobehavioral dysregulation. RHI exposure was assessed using the Cumulative Head Impact Index (CHII). Diffusion MRI measures of CC microstructure (i.e., free-water corrected fractional anisotropy (FA), trace, radial diffusivity (RD), and axial diffusivity (AD)) were extracted from seven segments of the CC (CC1-7), using a tractography clustering algorithm. Neuropsychological tests were selected: Trail Making Test Part A (TMT-A) and Part B (TMT-B), Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT), Stroop Interference Test, and the Behavioral Regulation Index (BRI) from the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Adult version (BRIEF-A). Diffusion MRI metrics were tested for associations with RHI exposure, plasma total tau, neuropsychological performance, and neurobehavioral dysregulation using generalized linear models for repeated measures. RHI exposure was associated with increased AD of CC1 (correlation coefficient (r)=0.32, P< 0.05) and with increased plasma total tau (r= 0.34, P< 0.05). AD of the anterior CC1 was associated with increased plasma total tau (CC1: r= 0.30, P< 0.05; CC2: r= 0.29, P< 0.05). Higher trace, AD, and RD of CC1 were associated with better performance (P< 0.05) in TMT-A (trace, r= 0.33; AD, r= 0.31; and RD, r= 0.28) and TMT-B (trace, r= 0.31; RD, r= 0.34). Higher FA and AD of CC2 were associated with better performance (P< 0.05) in TMT-A (FA, r= 0.36; AD, r= 0.28), TMT-B (FA, r= 0.36; AD, r= 0.27), COWAT (FA, r= 0.36; AD, r= 0.32), and BRI (AD, r= 0.29). These results suggest an association among RHI exposure, CC microstructure, plasma total tau, and clinical functioning in former professional American football players. 3 Technical Efficacy Stage: 1.

Time-Dependent Changes in the Physico-Chemical Parameters and Growth Responses of Sedum acre (L.) to Waste-Based Growing Substrates in Simulation Extensive Green Roof Experiment

Over the last decade, an increase in the use of locally available, recycled, and waste materials as growing media components have occurred in various regions of the world in extensive green roof technology. For eco-concept reasons, such a strategy appears to be appropriate, but can be problematic due to difficulties in obtaining proper parameters of growing substrate. The growing media should be properly engineered in order to enable the proper functioning of green roofs and provide suitable environment for ideal root growth. The aim of the study was to assess the utility of locally occurring waste materials for growing media composition and estimate plant- and time-dependent changes in the physico-chemical parameters of waste-based substrates in a simulated extensive green roof system during a two-year Sedum acre L. cultivation. Five different substrate compositions were prepared using silica waste, crushed brick, Ca- and Zn-aggregates, melaphyre, tuff, sand, muck soil, urban compost, spent mushroom, and coconut fibres. Optimal water capacity, particle-size distribution, pH and salts concentration were found in all substrates. A higher concentration of macronutrients (N, P, K, Mg) and trace elements (B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd, Ni, Pb, and Cr) was found in waste-based substrates than in the commercial medium. In comparison to the parameters determined before establish the experiment, bulk density of tested growing media decreased, except for the substrates where the source of organic matter was the rapidly mineralising spent mushroom. The organic matter content in substrates after the two-year vegetation increased in relation to the ready-made substrate, with the exception of the composition with spent mushroom. After two years of the experiment, all available macronutrients and trace elements (with the exception of mineral N, K, SO4-S, and B) concentration were higher than in 2014, while pH, salt concentration was lower. In general, plants grown in waste substrates had lower dry matter content and higher biomass. A significantly higher biomass of S. acre L. was found in the first year of the experiment. In the second year of the research, the plants grown in the commercial medium, the substrate with silica waste, and the substrate with spent mushroom produced higher biomass than in the first year. No symptoms of abnormal growth were observed, despite the higher trace element concentrations in plants collected from waste-based substrate. Waste-based growing media can be considered as a valuable root environment for S. acre L. in an extensive green roof system.

Co-planting of Salix interior and Trifolium pratense for phytoremediation of trace elements from wood preservative contaminated soil

Phytoextraction potential of a co-planting system was evaluated using a shrub and an herbaceous species and compared with monocultures. A greenhouse experiment with Salix interior and Trifolium pratense grown in combination or alone was conducted for 120 days in soil either uncontaminated or contaminated with wood preservatives containing mixed chromated copper arsenate and pentachlorophenol (PCP). The results showed that the plant species produced similar amounts of dry biomass per pot in monoculture and co-planting, whether growing in contaminated or uncontaminated soil. Arsenic (As), chromium (Cr) and copper (Cu) concentrations in root tissue of S. interior increased 8.6%, 65.9% and 4.5%, respectively, in co-planting compared to its monoculture. T. pratense had superior concentration of As (14% higher) in root tissue when co-planted. However, the higher trace elements concentrations in the plant tissues did not translate into measurable differences in total trace element removal per pot, except for As. The bioconcentration factor for Cu and As was high in the belowground portions of the plants in co-planting. PCP levels in the soil decreased to values near the limit of detection in all treatments. These results suggest that co-planting S. interior with T. pratense could lead to higher phytoextraction potential than monoculture.

Trace Element Uptake Assessment in the Planktonic Biofiltration System

The concentration of trace elements (Fe, Mn, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Pb, Cd, As) through the planktonic food chain of the White Sea have been studied by the experimental approach. The experiment included zooplankton sampled in a reference area feeding on a seston contained the different trace metals concentrations. Seston sampled in the st. Chupa was enriched by Fe, Cu, Pb, Cr, Co, As, and Ni comparing to the seston from st. Kartesh (reference area). The differences in the concentrations of the suspended particular matter and of the indicator elements of a terrigenous admixture (Al, Ti, Zr) evidence on higher natural background of the trace metals’ content in the seston from st. Chupa due to higher contribution of the minerals. Zooplankton that fed on the seston characterised by higher trace elements’ content has accumulated Fe, Mn, and Cr, at a less degree, Ni, Co, Pb, and Cu; particularly, these were the elements which content were high in seston. Despite Mn content in seston did not differ between two treatments, this element was accumulated by the zooplankton, but had low content in faecal pellets. This tells about the highest Mn assimilation by the zooplankton; this element may become the most bioavailability. When comparing the trace element content between the seston and the faecal pellets, the concentrations of the most elements in faecal pellets are lower comprising as low as Zn – 72%; Mn – 24; Cu – 97; Pb – 62; Cr – 99; Co – 78; Ni – 87; As – 96; Cd – 65% of the concentration in the seston.

White matter correlates of temporal discounting in older adults.

Temporal discounting, the tendency to select a smaller reward offered sooner over a larger reward offered at a later time, has been associated with a number of real-world decision-making outcomes important for health and wellbeing. Neurobiological mechanisms supporting temporal discounting have been explored among younger participants, and these have considered white matter integrity. However, the white matter correlates of temporal discounting in older adults are unclear. We hypothesized that greater temporal discounting would be associated with poorer white matter integrity measures, more specifically lower fractional anisotropy and higher trace, in older adults. Participants were 302 older persons without dementia (mean age = 81.38, mean years of education = 15.75, 75.5% female, mean MMSE = 28.29) from the Rush Memory and Aging Project, a community-based longitudinal study of aging. Temporal discounting was assessed using standard elicitation questions. White matter integrity was assessed with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Regression models were adjusted for the effects of age, sex, education, and white matter lesions. Secondary models further adjusted for global cognition. Results revealed significant associations between temporal discounting and white matter integrity measures (FA and trace) in bilateral frontal, frontostriatal, and temporal-parietal lobe white matter tracts, and results remained significant after further accounting for global cognition. These results suggest that temporal discounting is inversely associated with white matter integrity in old age and that this association is independent of global cognition.

A XANES Study of Sulfur Speciation and Reactivity in Cokes for Anodes Used in Aluminum Production

Availability of anode raw materials in the growing aluminum industry results in a wider range of petroleum cokes being used to produce carbon anodes. The boundary between anode grade cokes and what previously was considered non-anode grades are no longer as distinct as before, leading to introduction of cokes with higher sulfur and higher trace metal impurity content in anode manufacturing. In this work, the chemical nature of sulfur in five industrial cokes, ranging from 1.42 to 5.54 wt pct S, was investigated with K-edge XANES, while the reactivity of the cokes towards CO2 was measured by a standard mass loss test. XANES identified most of the sulfur as organic sulfur compounds. In addition, a significant amount is identified (16 to 53 pct) as S-S bound sulfur. A strong inverse correlation is observed between CO2-reactivity and S-S bound sulfur in the cokes, indicating that the reduction in reactivity is more dependent on the amount of this type of sulfur compound rather than the total amount of sulfur or the amount of organic sulfur.

Higher traces, noncommutative motives, and the categorified Chern character

We propose a categorification of the Chern character that refines earlier work of Toën and Vezzosi and of Ganter and Kapranov. If X is an algebraic stack, our categorified Chern character is a symmetric monoidal functor from a category of mixed noncommutative motives over X, which we introduce, to S1-equivariant perfect complexes on the derived free loop stack LX. As an application of the theory, we show that Toën and Vezzosi's secondary Chern character factors through secondary K-theory. Our techniques depend on a careful investigation of the functoriality of traces in symmetric monoidal (∞,n)-categories, which is of independent interest.

Serum Neurofilament Light Protein as a Marker for Diffuse Axonal Injury: Results from a Case Series Study.

Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is an important cause of morbidity in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). There is currently no simple and reliable technique for early identification of patients with DAI, or to prognosticate long-term outcome in this patient group. In the present study, we examined acute serum concentrations of neurofilament light (NFL) in nine patients with severe TBI and DAI using a novel ultrasensitive single molecule array (Simoa) assay. The relationships between the NFL concentrations and MRI in the acute stage as well as clinical outcome and magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (MR-DTI) parameters at 12 months were analyzed. We found that the mean NFL concentrations among the patients displayed a 30-fold increase compared with controls, and that NFL completely discriminated between the patients and controls. We also found a relationship between serum NFL and MR-DTI parameters, with higher NFL concentrations in patients with higher trace (R2 = 0.79) and lower fractional anisotropy (FA) (R 2 = 0.83). These results suggest that serum NFL may be a valuable blood biomarker for TBI, reflecting the severity of DAI.

Increased diffusivity in gray matter in recent onset schizophrenia is associated with clinical symptoms and social cognition

IntroductionDiffusion weighted MRI (dMRI) is a method sensitive to pathological changes affecting tissue microstructure. Most dMRI studies in schizophrenia, however, have focused solely on white matter. There is a possibility, however, that subtle changes in diffusivity exist in gray matter (GM). Accordingly, we investigated diffusivity in GM in patients with recent onset schizophrenia. MethodsWe enrolled 45 patients and 21 age and sex-matched healthy controls. All subjects were evaluated using the short form of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and the video based social cognition scale. DMRI and T1W images were acquired on a 3 Tesla magnet, and mean Fractional Anisotropy (FA), Trace (TR) and volume were calculated for each of the 68 cortical GM Regions of Interest parcellated using FreeSurfer. ResultsThere was no significant difference of FA and GM volume between groups after Bonferroni correction. For the dMRI measures, however, patients evinced increased TR in the left bank of the superior temporal sulcus, the right inferior parietal, the right inferior temporal, and the right middle temporal gyri. In addition, higher TR in the right middle temporal gyrus and the right inferior temporal gyrus, respectively, was associated with decreased social function and higher PANSS score in patients with schizophrenia. ConclusionThis study demonstrates high sensitivity of dMRI to subtle pathology in GM in recent onset schizophrenia, as well as an association between increased diffusivity in temporal GM regions and abnormalities in social cognition and exacerbation of psychiatric symptoms.

Soil trace elements contamination in the vicinity of Khatoon Abad copper smelter, Kerman province, Iran

Continuous deposition from Khatoon Abad smelter stack particulates has resulted in trace elements contamination in soil. To investigate the regional distribution and fractionation of trace elements in soils, soil samples were collected and examined. The results demonstrate that the highest trace element concentrations in top soil are: >10000 mg Cu kg-1, 2000 mg Mo kg-1, >10000 mg Zn kg-1, 2694.2 mg As kg-1, 2006.2 mg Pb kg-1, 420.4 mg Sb kg-1, and 90.7 mg Cd kg-1. The concentrations of the trace elements are much higher than the normal concentrations in the uncontaminated soil and geochemical background. The most contaminated areas are located in the vicinity of smelter in the prevailing wind directions. Calculated geoaccumulation index and contamination load index indicate surface soil enrichment in potentially toxic metals (Cu, Mo, As, Sb, Cd, Zn, and Pb). Combined multivariate statistical and geostatistical methods successfully separate the contaminant metals (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb, Mo, and Zn) from the uncontaminated ones (Al, Fe, Mn, and Cr). Furthermore, it was found that the As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb, Mo, and Zn mainly come from the copper smelter. The modified BCR three-step sequential extraction technique was applied to assess the four fractions (residual, acid, reducible and oxidizable) in smelter dust and surface soil samples. The results demonstrate that a high proportion of Cu, Mo, As, Pb, Sb, and Zn is extracted in the mobile fractions, indicating high mobility and probably hazardous environmental consequences.

Plume characterization of a typical South African braai

To braai is part of the South African heritage that transcends ethnic barriers and socio-economic groups. In this paper, a comprehensive analysis of atmospheric gaseous and aerosol species within a plume originating from a typical South African braai is presented. Braai experiments were conducted at Welgegund – a comprehensively equipped regional background atmospheric air quality and climate change monitoring station. Five distinct phases were identified during the braai. Sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ), nitrogen oxides(NO x ) and carbonmonoxide (CO) increased significantly, while ozone (O 3 ) did not increase notably. Aromatic and alkane volatile organic compounds were determined, with benzene exceeding the 2015 South African one-year ambient air quality limit. A comparison of atmospheric PM 10 (particulate matter of an aerodynamic diameter ≤10 μm) concentrations with the 24-hour ambient limit indicated that PM 10 is problematic during the meat grilling phase. From a climatic point of view, relatively high single scattering albedo (ω o ) indicated a cooling aerosol direct effect, while periods with lowerω o coincided with peak black carbon (BC) emissions. The highest trace metal concentrations were associated with species typically present in ash. The lead (Pb) concentration was higher than the annual ambient air quality limit. Sulphate (SO 4 2– ), calcium (Ca 2+ ) and magnesium (Mg 2+ ) were the dominant water-soluble species present in the aerosols. The largest number of organic aerosol compounds was in the PM 2.5–1 fraction, which also had the highest semi-quantified concentration. The results indicated that a recreational braai does not pose significant health risks. However, the longer exposure periods that are experienced by occupational vendors, will significantly increase health risks. KEYWORDS Braai (barbeque), atmospheric gaseous species, aerosols, atmospheric organic compounds, optical properties, chemical properties.

Aggression in Schizophrenia and its Relationship to Neural Circuitry of Urgency

Aggression in Schizophrenia and its Relationship to Neural Circuitry of Urgency

Lateglacial to Holocene trace element record (Ba, Mg, Sr) from Corchia Cave (Apuan Alps, central Italy): paleoenvironmental implications

In this study, Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca and Ba/Ca ratios in a Lateglacial to Holocene stalagmite (CC26) from Corchia Cave (central Italy) are compared with stable isotope data to define palaeohydrological changes. For most of the record, the trace element ratios show small absolute variability but similar patterns, which are also consistent with stable isotope variations. Higher trace element-to-calcium values are interpreted as responses to decreasing moisture, inducing changes in the residence time of percolation, producing prior calcite precipitation and/or variations in the hydrological routing. Statistically meaningful levels of covariability were determined using anomalies of Mg/Ca, d 18 O and d 13 C. Combining these three time series into a single 'palaeomoisture-trend' parameter, we highlight several events of reduced moisture (ca. 8.9-8.4, 6.2, 4.2, 3.1 and 2.0 ka), a humid period between ca. 7.9 and 8.3 ka and other shorter-term wet events at ca. 5.8, 5.3 and 3.7 ka. Most of these events can be correlated with climate changes inferred from other regional studies. For both extremities of the record (i.e. before ca. 12.4 ka and after ca. 0.5 ka) Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca are anti-correlated and show the greatest amplitude of values, a likely explanation for which involves aragonite and/or gypsum precipitation (the latter derived from pyrite oxidation) above the CC26 drip point. Copyright # 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Trace elements in native shrubs consumed by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in northeastern Mexico

The contents of Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn were seasonally determined in the leaves of the native shrubs – Castela erecta, Celtis pallida, Forestiera angustifolia, Lantana macropoda, and Zanthoxylum fagara – that are browsed by the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). The study was conducted at the Tamaulipan thornscrub region, northeastern Mexico, between summer 2004 and spring 2006. Leaf tissues were collected from three county sites (China, Linares, and Los Ramones). Mineral contents were measured using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. All minerals, in all plants, were significantly different among sites, seasons, and years, as well as the double and triple interactions. In general, plants at the Linares site, that had the highest rainfall, had higher trace element content. Moreover, during the second year, all plant species were higher in micromineral content. Furthermore, during summer were also higher. Regardless of spatiotemporal variations, all plants had suitable levels of Fe and Mn to satisfy the adult range of white-tailed deer requirements. The Cu and Zn presented marginal deficiency in some plants especially during dry seasons (winter and spring). Seasonal variations in minerals could be associated to soil water deficits, excessive irradiance during summer, and extreme low temperatures during winter and spring that could have affected leaf development and micromineral concentrations.

Generalized connections and higher spin equations

We consider high-derivative equations obtained setting to zero the divergence of the higher spin curvatures in metric-like form, showing their equivalence to the second-order equations emerging from the tensionless limit of open string field theory, which propagate reducible spectra of particles with different spins. This result can be viewed as complementary to the possibility of setting to zero a single trace of the higher spin field strengths, which yields an equation known to imply Fronsdal's equation in the compensator form. Higher traces and divergences of the curvatures produce a whole pattern of high-derivative equations whose systematics is also presented.

Trace element analysis of turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) feathers

Ten feather samples, including primary and secondary flight and tail feathers, were analysed for the trace element composition of vane and rachis structures using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and cold vapour atomic absorption spectroscopy (CVAAS). Five environmentally significant elements, Cr, As, Se, Sb and Hg, were analysed by INAA and ICP-MS/CVAAS. A further seventeen elements were analysed by ICP-MS. The majority data obtained by INAA and ICP-MS/CVAAS were not statistically significantly different (p = 0.05), although the removal of isobaric interferences using dynamic reaction cell technology was essential to produce ICP-MS data that were consistent with INAA for Cr, As and Se. Significantly higher trace element concentrations were observed for vane relative to rachis for all elements, except Cu and Hg. These elements displayed vane/rachis ratios of 0.7 ± 0.2 and 1.0 ± 0.2, respectively. In general, vane and rachis subgroups afforded data that were consistent with a normal distribution, with RSDs in the range (12–83) % for INAA analyses. A total of 18 outliers were noted amongst the various feather, structure, element combinations, with 14 outliers being observed in the vane and/or rachis structures of the same tail feather. Given the significant differences in vane and rachis concentrations observed for many elements, the large RSDs reported for elements and the potential for outliers, the determination of environmental trace element burden using feathers is significantly enhanced by the analysis of multiple feathers using INAA.