A three-dimensional experimental investigation of the structure of the spanwise vortex generated by a shallow vortex dipole

The three-dimensional dynamics of shallow vortex dipoles is investigated by means of an innovative three-dimensional, three-component (3D-3C) scanning PIV technique. In particular, the three-dimensional structure of a frontal spanwise vortex is characterized. The technique allows the computation of the three-dimensional pressure field and the planar (x, y) distribution of the wall shear stress, which are not available using standard 2D PIV measurements. The influence of such a complex vortex structure on mass transport is discussed in the context of the available pressure and wall shear stress fields.     

Bony outgrowths on the jaws of an extinct sperm whale support macroraptorial feeding in several stem physeteroids

Several extinct sperm whales (stem Physeteroidea) were recently proposed to differ markedly in their feeding ecology from the suction-feeding modern sperm whales Kogia and Physeter. Based on cranial, mandibular, and dental morphology, these Miocene forms were tentatively identified as macroraptorial feeders, able to consume proportionally large prey using their massive teeth and robust jaws. However, until now, no corroborating evidence for the use of teeth during predation was available. We report on a new specimen of the stem physeteroid Acrophyseter, from the late middle to early late Miocene of Peru, displaying unusual bony outgrowths along some of the upper alveoli. Considering their position and outer shape, these are identified as buccal maxillary exostoses. More developed along posterior teeth and in tight contact with the high portion of the dental root outside the bony alveoli, the exostoses are hypothesized to have developed during powerful bites; they may have worked as buttresses, strengthening the teeth when facing intense occlusal forces. These buccal exostoses further support a raptorial feeding technique for Acrophyseter and, indirectly, for other extinct sperm whales with a similar oral apparatus (Brygmophyseter, Livyatan, Zygophyseter). With a wide size range, these Miocene stem physeteroids were major marine macropredators, occupying ecological niches nowadays mostly taken by killer whales.     

Conservation overstretch and long-term decline of wildlife and tourism in the Central African savannas

When in 2010 the world's governments pledged to increase protected area coverage to 17% of the world's land surface, several Central African countries had already set aside 25% of their northern savannas for conservation. To evaluate the effectiveness of this commitment, we analyzed the results of 68 multispecies surveys conducted in the seven main savanna national parks in Central Africa (1960–2017). We also assembled information on potential drivers of large herbivore population trends (rainfall and number of rangers) and on tourist numbers and revenues. In six out of the seven parks, wild large herbivore populations declined dramatically over time, livestock numbers increased severalfold, and tourism, the pillar under a once thriving local wildlife industry, collapsed. Zakouma National Park (Chad) stood out because its large herbivore populations increased, an increase that was positively correlated with rainfall and number of rangers (a proxy for management inputs). With increasing insecurity and declining revenues, governments find themselves confronted with too few resources to protect vast areas. To deal with this conversation overstretch, we propose to extend the repeatedly promoted solutions––scaled up funding, enhanced management––with a strategic retreat, focusing scarce resources on smaller areas to save wildlife in the Central African savannas.     

Pesticide resurrection

Environmental Chemistry Letters -     

Effect of substrate properties and phosphorus supply on facilitating the uptake of rare earth elements (REE) in mixed culture cropping systems of Hordeum vulgare,Lupinus albus and Lupinus angustifolius

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study presents how phosphate (P) availability and intercropping may influence the migration of rare earth elements (REEs) in legume–grass...     

喀斯特城市湖库pCO2及CO2通量空间格局研究

为探索典型喀斯特城市湖库二氧化碳分压（pCO₂）及其交换通量（F）空间格局,以我国贵阳市阿哈湖水库（AHa）、松柏山水库（SBS）、百花湖（BHH）和红枫湖（HFH）为对象,探索了区域气象水文基础数据、碳酸盐平衡参数及环境因子,进而评估表层水体pCO₂及其F空间变化.结果表明,受原位新陈代谢和水文调节,AHa的pCO₂为（861.6±462.8）μatm,显著高于SBS （223.6±213.1）μatm、BHH （139.3±63.6）μatm和HFH （126.2±50.9）μatm （P<0.05）,且各湖库水-气界面二氧化碳（CO₂）交换速率（k值）在（2.05~3.82） cm/h范围内.AHa的F值为（6.23±9.59） mmol/（m²·d）,具有向大气排放CO₂的潜力;SBS、BHH和HFH的F值分别为（-5.86±5.25） mmol/（m²×d）、（-8.63±1.03） mmol/（m²·d）和（-7.58±1.10） mmol/（m²·d）,表现为大气CO₂汇.湖库表层水体pCO₂与环境因子叶绿素a （Chla）和氨氮（NH₄⁺-N）具有显著相关性（P<0.05）,说明喀斯特湖库碳酸盐耦合光合作用和人为输入极大影响了水体CO₂量级.     

Is fetal gender a risk factor for severe congenital cytomegalovirus infection?

Cytomegalovirus is the main cause of congenital viral infection and amniotic fluid viral load appears to be the single nonclinical prognostic factor. However, as in other infectious diseases, host genetics may influence the severity of the disease. To test this hypothesis, we looked retrospectively at the fetal gender in cases of severe congenital cytomegalovirus infection in our database. We also analyzed the international English literature covering this subject between 1985 and 2003. The proportion of females with brain abnormalities was statistically different from that of males (62/258: 24% vs 30/251: 12%, p = 0.004). The risk of abnormal brain development in infected fetuses was twice as high in females than in males (Chi² = 8.7; OR = 2, IC [1.26–3.21]). In our cases, amniotic fluid CMV DNA load was not significantly higher in males than in females (p = 0.06) and was also similar in severely and non-severely infected fetuses (p = 0.09). Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dehydrated hereditary stomatocytosis: a cause of prenatal ascites

Dehydrated hereditary stomatocytosis (DHS) is a rare congenital hemolytic anemia. We observed that some patients had presented with different prenatal or perinatal forms of edema in some kindreds. Within weeks or months after birth, these exhibited a spontaneous, complete and definitive resorption. We assumed that some DHS patients, who were born without edema before ultrasound was available, might nonetheless have exhibited this during the prenatal period. The present report follows up the first pregnancy in a woman with overt DHS, but not herself having a known history of perinatal effusions. Ultrasound revealed that the fetus displayed ascites that disappeared prior to birth. The neonate had DHS. Prenatal edema must therefore be more frequent in DHS than known until now. DHS is another cause of prenatal edema to be considered in the differential diagnosis. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.