Warm Research Articles

Biocrusts Modulate Climate Change Effects on Soil Organic Carbon Pools: Insights From a 9-Year Experiment

Accumulating evidence suggests that warming associated with climate change is decreasing the total amount of soil organic carbon (SOC) in drylands, although scientific research has not given enough emphasis to particulate (POC) and mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) pools. Biocrusts are a major biotic feature of drylands and have large impacts on the C cycle, yet it is largely unknown whether they modulate the responses of POC and MAOC to climate change. Here, we assessed the effects of simulated climate change (control, reduced rainfall (RE), warming (WA), and RE + WA) and initial biocrust cover (low (< 20%) versus high (> 50%)) on the mineral protection of soil C and soil organic matter quality in a dryland ecosystem in central Spain for 9 years. At low initial biocrust cover levels, both WA and RE + WA increased SOC, especially POC but also MAOC, and promoted a higher contribution of carbohydrates, relative to aromatic compounds, to the POC fraction. These results suggest that the accumulation of soil C under warming treatments may be transitory in soils with low initial biocrust cover. In soils with high initial biocrust cover, climate change treatments did not affect SOC, neither POC nor MAOC fraction. Overall, our results indicate that biocrust communities modulate the negative effect of climate change on SOC, because no losses of soil C were observed with the climate manipulations under biocrusts. Future work should focus on determining the long-term persistence of the observed buffering effect by biocrust-forming lichens, as they are known to be negatively affected by warming.

Chilled Irrigation for Control of Temperature Elevation During Ureteroscopic Laser Lithotripsy: In Vivo Porcine Model.

Introduction: Multiple studies have shown significant heating of fluid within the urinary collecting system with high-power laser settings. Elevated fluid temperatures may cause thermal injury and tissue damage unless appropriately mitigated. A previous in vitro study demonstrated that chilled (CH) (4°C) irrigation slowed temperature rise, decreased plateau temperature, and lowered thermal dose during laser activation with high-power settings. We sought to evaluate the thermal effects of CH, room temperature (RT), and warmed (WM) irrigation during ureteroscopy with laser activation in an in vivo porcine model. Materials and Methods: Seven female Yorkshire cross pigs (45-55 kg) were anesthetized and positioned supine. Retrograde ureteroscopy was performed with a thermocouple affixed 5 mm from the distal end of the ureteroscope. In two pigs, a holmium:YAG laser was activated for 60 seconds at irrigation rates of 8, 12, and 15 mL/min with CH, RT, or WM irrigation. In five pigs, core body temperature was recorded for 1 hour with or without continuous CH irrigation at 15 mL/min. Results: At irrigation rates ≥12 mL/min, temperature curves appeared uniformly offset, WM > RT > CH irrigation. The threshold of thermal tissue injury was reached during laser activation for all irrigation temperatures at 8 mL/min. The threshold was not reached with CH irrigation at 12 or 15 mL/min, or with RT irrigation at 15 mL/min. The threshold was exceeded at all irrigation rates with WM irrigation. There was no significant change in core body temperature after delivering CH irrigation at 15 mL/min compared with no irrigation for 60 minutes. Conclusion: Irrigation with CH saline solution during ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy slows temperature rise, lowers peak temperature, and lengthens the time to thermal injury compared with irrigation with RT or WM saline solutions. Core body temperature was not significantly impacted by CH irrigation.

Influence of crumb rubber incorporating different warm mix asphalt additives on the mechanical performance of the WMA mixture

The compacting and mixing processes involving hot mix asphalt during asphalt production can lead to air pollution as a result of a high volatile organic compound. An alternative solution that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions is by using warm-mix asphalt (WMA). A proper application of additives to the WMA can improve the asphalt mixture's strength, durability, and workability. In this study, a 60/70 grade asphalt binder was added with 5% of crumb rubber (CR) and three different WMA additives at the recommended dosages, namely Sasobit, Cecabase, and Rediset. The wet method was used to blend the additives with virgin asphalt binders. The mixing and compacting temperatures were set at 135°C and 125°C, respectively, to mix the asphalt mixture. Mechanical performance tests were performed to evaluate the impact of WAM additives with CR on asphalt mixture. Based on the results, all the modified asphalt mixtures showed a better mechanical performance than the virgin asphalt mixture in terms of indirect tensile strength, moisture resistance, permanent deformation, and stiffness. Among all the WMA additives, Sasobit with CR showed the most significant impact on the asphalt mixture's performance.

Investigating response of yield traits and oil content of sesame variety (Sesamum indicum L.) to nano-magnesium fertilizer and biopolymer chitosan under limited water stress

IntroductionSesamum, scientifically named Sesamum indicum L., is one of the oldest oilseed families and is adapted to warm and semi-warm regions and is known as the queen of oilseeds. The use of nanotechnology in the production of fertilizers results in optimal release and increased efficiency of absorption of nutrients in fertilizer which leads to significant economic and environmental benefits. Chitosan elicits stimulating defense mechanisms and is beneficial to plants, animals and humans and is environmentally friendly. Due to the fact that water stress and dehydration in Iran is always one of the most important agricultural problems and due to the importance of magnesium in photosynthesis of plants and also the use of different polymers such as chitosan to reduce the damage caused by stress, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of nano chitosan and magnesium application under water stress conditions on some sesame traits for sustainable agriculture development in Varamin region. Materials and methodsIn order to evaluate limited water stress and foliar application of magnesium and chitosan on growth and yielding traits and oil content of two sesame varieties, an experiment was conducted as a split factorial based on completely randomized blocks designed with three replications in a research farm in the southern Varamin Province, Iran, during 2016-17 growing season. Irrigation cut-off based on BBCH scale in three-level included: normal irrigation, 65 BBCH (flowering), and irrigation cut-off in 75 BBCH (capsule maturity) as the main factors. Sub-plot included a combination of three factors: two genotypes Oltan and Dashtestan-2, foliar application of Mg-nano in two levels non-application and foliar application (2 g/L) in 65 BBCH stage and foliar application of chitosan in three levels: non-application, foliar application of 4.8 g/L in 65 BBCH stage and 6.4 g/L in 75 BBCH stage. Results and discussionThe results showed that the irrigation up to 65 BBCH caused a reducing 28.08, 20.8, 53.05, 54.04 and 23.10% in the average traits of number of capsules, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, LAI, and oil percentage content in compared to the normal irrigation treatment (control). The highest grain yield was achieved in the application of Mg-nano-fertilizer under normal irrigation in Dashtestan-2 variety with a mean of 1188.2 kg/ha, which 16.3% increased in compared to the control treatment. The highest oil percentage was observed in the application of Mg-nano under normal irrigation was in Dashtestan-2 variety with an average of 50.38%, which 3.5% increase in compared to the control treatment. The highest grain yield was achieved in the application of Mg-nano-fertilizer under normal irrigation in Dashtestan-2 variety with a mean of 1188.2 kg/ha, which 16.3% increased in compared to the control treatment. The highest oil percentage was observed in the application of Mg-nano under normal irrigation was in Dashtestan-2 variety with an average of 50.38%, which 3.5% increase in compared to the control treatment. ConclusionFinally, foliar application of Mg-nano and chitosan (4.8 g/L) under water stress conditions were able to compensate for damage and to modify the negative effects of stress.

Relationships between soil respiration and hyperspectral vegetation indexes and crop characteristics under different warming and straw application modes.

Examining the relationship between seasonal variations in soil respiration and abiotic factors and vegetation indexes is crucial for modeling soil respiration using upscaled remote sensing satellite data. A field experiment including control (CK), warming (WA), straw application (SA), and warming and straw application (WASA) treatments was performed in a winter wheat-soybean rotation cropland on the north shore of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Soil respiration, abiotic factors, crop hyperspectral vegetation indexes, leaf area index (LAI), and chlorophyll content (represented as the SPAD value) were measured during the 2018-2020 rotation growing seasons. The results indicated that the mean annual soil respiration was 2.27 ± 0.04, 3.08 ± 0.06, 3.64 ± 0.08, and 3.95 ± 0.20 μmol m-2 s-1 in the CK, WA, SA, and WASA plots, respectively, during the 2-year experimental period. Soil respiration was significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with soil temperature, soil moisture, hyperspectral vegetation indexes, LAI, and SPAD value in all plots. Models that included temperature, moisture, hyperspectral vegetation indexes, LAI, and SPAD value explained 50.5-74.7% of the seasonal variation in soil respiration in the CK, WA, SA, and WASA plots during the 2-year experimental period. A model including the seasonal mean NDVI, DVI, EVI, PRI, and LAI explained 72.4% of the interseasonal and intertreatment variations in seasonal mean soil respiration in the different plots across the four different crop-growing seasons. Our study indicated the potential applicability of hyperspectral vegetation indexes, LAI, and SPAD value to the estimation of soil respiration at a regional scale.

Cold Agglutinin Hemolytic Anemia Induced by COVID-19

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is an acquired autoimmune disorder characterized by the production of antibodies against red blood cell (RBC) antigens causing reduced circulation time. Diagnosis is based on clinical and laboratory signs of hemolysis and a positive direct antiglobulin test (DAT) after excluding alternative causes for those findings. AIHA is sub-classified according to auto-antibody, cold versus warm, and whether primary or secondary in nature. Warm AIHA is associated with the IgG antibody type and generally causes extravascular hemolysis in the spleen. Cold AIHA is less common, associated with the IgM antibody type, and leads to intravascular hemolysis after activating the classical complement pathway. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been noted that hospitalized patients are in a pro-inflammatory state (e.g. elevated D-dimer, ferritin, C-reactive protein) that predisposes them to hematological complications such as venous thromboembolisms (VTE). Although the exact pathophysiology remains unclear, evidence points towards fatal cytokine release. Moreover, there have been case reports of AIHA in a subset of COVID-19 patients and researchers postulate molecular mimicry amongst the epitopes of Ankyrin 1 and viral spike protein as a potential culprit. This case report discusses an elderly patient with multiple co-morbidities who was admitted for acute hypoxemic respiratory failure from COVID-19 and found to have cold agglutinin hemolytic anemia. We are looking to contribute to the current understanding of AIHA as a complication of COVID-19 infection.

The Effect of Social Exclusion on Consumer Preference for Metaphorically Warm Products

The Effect of Social Exclusion on Consumer Preference for Metaphorically Warm Products

Warm Thanks to Dr. Brian D. Fath

Warm Thanks to Dr. Brian D. Fath

Quaternary stratigraphy and paleoenvironmental evolution of the Ningbo Coastal Plain revealed by core Z02.

The Quaternary sediment in the Ningbo Coastal Plain was the deposit due to sea-land interaction, which recorded information of past climate changes. The region is therefore an ideal area to study paleoclimate changes and sedimentary characteristics. We determined the stratigraphic division and paleoenvironmental evolution based on 14C and paleomagnetic dating, along with detailed analyses of lithology, pollen assemblage, foraminifera and ostracodes assemblage, and grain size of sediment in core Z02 located in the southeastern Ningbo Coastal Plain. The results showed that the boundary between the Holocene and Upper Pleistocene in the core Z02 record was at 30.5 m, the boundary between the Upper and Middle Pleistocene was at 82.65 m, and the boundary between the Quaternary and Lower Cretaceous was at 90 m. The Middle Pleistocene section of the core contained few sediments, while the Lower Pleistocene section was completely missed. During the late Pleistocene, the hydrodynamic conditions experienced energy levels of medium to medium low to medium, and sedimentary facies changed from alluvial lake to overbank to river to lake to alluvial lake to lake to overbank. During the Holocene, the hydrodynamic changes experienced energy levels of medium low to low to medium, and the sedimentary facies changed from shoreland to shallow sea to shoreland lake. The Ningbo Coastal Plain had experienced tectonic uplift, weathering and erosion stage in the Early and Middle Pleistocene, from warm and humid to dry in the Late Pleistocene, and from warm and humid to dry and cool in the Holocene, as revealed by the core Z02 record. This study provided useful information in investigating past environmental changes in the subtropical coastal region of eastern China.

Study of Fresh Air Supply Vent on Indoor Airflow and Energy Consumption in an Enclosed Space

Majority of residents in many urban and suburban areas, especially in Southeast Asia, have seen a significant increase in time spent indoors over the past decade. It is not unusual for residents in these areas spending 70-90 % of their lives indoor either in home or office. This work aims to study the effect of introducing fresh air via a supply vent on the airflow within the room, while keeping track of the corresponding increase of energy consumption in the form of cooling capacity caused by ventilating warm fresh air into the room. div>

Determination of maize agronomic calendar Based on its climatic Feasibility in south Iran

Maize is the third most consumed grain in the world , which is planted in warm climate . The purpose of this study is to compile the agronomic calendar of the 704 single_cross cultivar of maize and to determine the coducive areas for planting it in south regions of Iran based on the temporal needs using phenology information in its different growing stages in three agricultural research farms of Zarghan,Darab , Rodan and Arzoie during 2001-2017. Daily weather statistics presenting the temperature(1996-2016) of 61 Synoptic stations from Meteorological Organization of Iran . Then The relationship between the 15-day mean temperature and the altitude in the linear regression is calculated and maps of the first and second planting times in south Iran was plotted in the GIS. The plant growth degree days and the number of days in every phenology phase are calculated and the occurrence of exposure to growth inhibiting temperatures for all of the stations studied. Map of suitable areas Based on the supply of heat needs integrated with the land use,slope,height layers and the final map are plotted. The results of this study show that In 73% of the study area, thermal conditions are provided for corn cultivation based on the determined planting time;but only 23% area of study(91846.59km2) are suitable of cultivating corn in the study area due to topographic limitations and unsuitable cultivated lands.highly suitable, suitable and moderately suitable areas are 12%, 8% ,3%, respectively. Farmers have the best crop calendars and locations using these maps.

Consulta de enfermagem como espaço educativo para o autocuidado do paciente com pé diabético

Objetivos: Realizar uma ação educativa para o autocuidado do paciente com pé diabético e avaliar o conhecimento apreendido. Método: A ação educativa ocorreu no Ambulatório de Feridas e Pé Diabético, no interior do estado de São Paulo, em pacientes com pé diabético. Durante a consulta de enfermagem, foi realizada uma ação educativa para as práticas de autocuidado com os pés. No fim, aplicou-se um questionário para avaliar o conhecimento apreendido. Foi utilizada a estatística descritiva. Resultados: A amostra foi composta de 42 pacientes, sendo 54,8% do sexo masculino, com média de idade de 63,0 (±13) anos. Do total, 80,3% tinha diagnóstico de diabetes mellitus (DM) havia mais de 10 anos, e o pé diabético (100%), a retinopatia (47,4%) e a cardiopatia (34,2%) foram as complicações mais frequentes. A maioria compreendeu que a alimentação saudável (85,7%) e o exercício físico (100%) são necessários para manter o nível glicêmico controlado. Em relação ao autocuidado com os pés, 80,9% dos pesquisados inspecionam os pés diariamente, 95,2% os lavam com água fria para morna, 7,2% relataram dúvidas quanto à hidratação, 4,8% faziam o corte arredondado das unhas, 14,3% retiravam a cutícula na manicure, 16,7% utilizavam sandálias, e 9,5% calçavam tipos de meia inadequados. Conclusão: Acredita-se que as contribuições deste estudo estejam no desafio de sensibilizar a população para a adoção de hábitos saudáveis e para a implementação de práticas educativas direcionadas ao encorajamento do autocuidado.

Progress of intense heavy ion beam driven high energy density physics

Intense ion beams can quasi-isometrically heat any high-density sample and generate warm dense matter (WDM) with large scale, uniform state distribution without any shock wave inside. This kind of driver provides a new opportunity for the laboratory high energy density physics (HEDP) research. The typical intense ion beam accelerators around the world, as well as their critical parameters and research plans of HEDP study are introduced.The progress of ion driven WDM generation and evolution using PIC and hydrodynamic simulations is shown. The high energy electron beam radiography technique with high spatial resolution, high temporal evolution, and high penetrating ability is also introduced. The collisional and charge transfer processes of the interaction between low-to-medium energy ion and plasma are analyzed. The nonlinear effect during the intense ion beam stopping and transportation process are presented.

Pengaruh Pemberian Kompres Hangat Jahe Merah Terhadap Tingkat Nyeri Arthritis Gout (Asam Urat)

Pendahuluan Indonesia termasuk negara dengan jumlah penyakit Atritis Gout terbanyak, dan penyakit ini banyak diderita oleh lanjut usia. Lanjut usia adalah seseorang yang telah mencapai usia 60 tahun keatas, dengan memicu berbagai gejala terutam fungsi fisiologis hilangnya secara perlahan kemampuan jaringan, kesulitan mempertahankan struktur serta dan tidak dapat bertahan terhadap jejas (infeksi) dan memperbaiki kerusakan yang diderita (Ratnaningsih, 2018). Nyeri sandi merupakan tanda dan gejala dari penyakit Atritis Gout, Nyeri sangat menganggu menyulitkan banyak orang dibanding suatu penyakit manapun. Tujuan dari literature review ini yaitu untuk megetahui adakah pengaruh pemberian kompres hangat jahe merah terhadap tingkat nyeri Athritis Gout. Metode yang digunakan yaitu Literature review yang dilakukan berdasarkan issue, metodologi dan persamaan hasil. Penelitian ini menggunakan 20 jurnal yang sudah memiliki ISSN dengan hasil penelitian menunjukkan efektifitas kompres hangat jahe merah dapat mengurangi nyeri Athritis Gout. Kesimpulannya terdapat pengaruh pemberian kompres hangat jahe merah terhadap tingkat nyeri arthritis gout (asam urat). Disarankan kepada masyarakat, Puskesmas atau Rumah sakit untuk mengaplikasikan kompres hangat jahe merah sebagai intervensi nonfarmakologi dalam mengatasi keluhan nyeri pada penderita arthritis gout.

A 20 y Analysis of Weather and Management Effects on a Small White Lady's-slipper (Cypripedium candidum) Population in Manitoba

The small white lady's-slipper, Cypripedium candidum, is a rare perennial orchid with a limited distribution in Canada, occurring as isolated populations in remnant tallgrass prairie in southern Manitoba and Ontario. The species is listed as endangered in both provinces and as threatened federally. Despite its status, information on how environmental conditions and land management affect population size and persistence of this species is limited. We used 20 y of monitoring data collected for a subset of the largest population in Canada to evaluate the response of small white lady's-slipper to land management and weather. Long-term monitoring suggests the population is in decline and may not persist under the current climate and management regime. Temperature appears to regulate vegetative growth and flowering proximately. Warm temperatures early in the spring, when shoots are emerging, appear favored, but high temperatures during anthesis appear detrimental, reducing both vegetative growth and flowering. In contrast, precipitation appears to have a lag effect on growth and flowering. However, snow depth was identified as a positive influence on vegetative growth, suggesting precipitation in early spring, when shoots are emerging, is also important for above-ground growth. Some grazing appears to benefit the species presumably by reducing competition and shading, but frequent grazing may increase the risk of direct damage to individuals from cattle consumption and trampling and does not provide sufficient time for individuals to recover following grazing events. Our findings add to the knowledge of orchid conservation and management, highlighting the importance of long-term monitoring in detecting population trends in species with erratic life cycles and fluctuating populations, such as the small white lady's-slipper.

Primary graft nonfunction in liver transplantation: can we predict? A single-center experience

Background Primary nonfunction (PNF) after liver transplantation is a lethal condition, requiring immediate retransplantation. The precise cause is not well known yet. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of PNF in our liver recipients, potential risk factors, and outcome. Patients and methods A total of 248 adult liver transplant recipients from 2014 till 2017 at our Transplant Unit were included after excluding nine patients for missing data. Of 248 patients, five (2%) had PNF; two of these patients have been excluded for the purpose of data analysis, as they had machine perfusion (One Liver Assist, and the other Organox). Of the non-PNF 243 recipients, 36 patients receiving livers from donors undergoing in-situ normothermic regional perfusion or ex-situ normothermic perfusion were not included, leaving 207 patients, so the total number was 210 patients. Donor and graft variables studied including age, BMI, serum sodium, cold ischemia time, warm ischemia time, operative time, graft type, and severity of steatosis. Recipient variables included primary liver disease; United Kingdom Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (UKELD) score; posttransplant biochemistry; potential risk factors, including dialysis, inotropes, mechanical ventilation, and pretransplant portal vein thrombosis; hospital and ICU stay; and patient survival. Results UKELD score was the only significant recipient variable (P=0.044). Among donor and graft variables, notably all PNF patients received donation after circulatory death grafts. Posttransplant laboratory values were strikingly worse, clearly indicating more pronounced hepatic and renal impairment in PNF group. Creatinine levels on days 1, 3, and 5 were significantly worse. Hospital and ICU stays were longer for PNF group, with ICU stay significantly longer [median of 7 vs. 2 days (P=0.014)], with no death in PNF group. Conclusion The main risk factors for PNF in our practice were donation after circulatory death grafts and more sick (higher UKELD) recipients.

A tribute to our case of the month and a warm welcome to "under your microscope".

A tribute to our case of the month and a warm welcome to "under your microscope".

冷暖颜色隐喻对马基雅维利主义特质初中生道德判断的影响研究

冷暖颜色隐喻对马基雅维利主义特质初中生道德判断的影响研究

Aeschylus apud Anytem. Semblanzas y diferencias en la relación paternofilialentre A. Ag. 1551-1559 y AP 7.646 (G-P 7)

In epigram AP 7.646 by Anyte there have been detected echoes of an Aeschylean passage: Ag. 1551-1559. In this paper we review these formal coincidences and, mainly, we examine the parallels and divergences in theme and tone between these texts. In each one of them the untimely death of a daughter before her father's is presented with pathos, but while Erato in the epigram bids him farewell with affection, Klytaimnestra’s prediction of the warm welcome that Iphigenia will give to Agamemnon in Hades is absolutely ironic. This contrast entails that the reference to the tragedy and, through it, to Homer, is not merely a display of erudition. On the contrary: Anyte reinforces, by means of a deft counterpoint towards her model, the emotionality and authenticity of the feelings transmitted by her epigram.

Microbial Greenhouse Gas Dynamics Associated With Warming Coastal Permafrost, Western Canadian Arctic

Permafrost sediments contain one of the largest reservoirs of organic carbon on Earth that is relatively stable when it remains frozen. As air temperatures increase, the shallow permafrost thaws which allows this organic matter to be converted into potent greenhouse gases such as methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) through microbial processes. Along the Beaufort Sea coast in the vicinity of the Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula, Northwest Territories, Canada, warming air temperatures are causing the active layer above permafrost to deepen, and a number of active periglacial processes are causing rapid erosion of previously frozen permafrost. In this paper, we consider the biogeochemical consequences of these processes on the permafrost sediments found at Tuktoyaktuk Island. Our goals were to document the in situ carbon characteristics which can support microbial activity, and then consider rates of such activity if the permafrost material were to warm even further. Samples were collected from a 12 m permafrost core positioned on the top of the island adjacent to an eroding coastal bluff. Downcore CH4, total organic carbon and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations and stable carbon isotopes revealed variable in situ CH4 concentrations down core with a sub-surface peak just below the current active layer. The highest DOC concentrations were observed in the active layer. Controlled incubations of sediment from various depths were carried out from several depths anaerobically under thawed (5°C and 15°C) and under frozen (−20°C and −5°C) conditions. These incubations resulted in gross production rates of CH4 and CO2 that increased upon thawing, as expected, but also showed appreciable production rates under frozen conditions. This dataset presents the potential for sediments below the active layer to produce potent greenhouse gases, even under frozen conditions, which could be an important atmospheric source in the actively eroding coastal zone even prior to thawing.