Differences in wood properties among Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla with different degrees of ploidy

We compared the anatomy, density, chemical contents, and bioenergy values of Eucalyptus grandis and hybrids of Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla wood originating from diploids, triploids and tetraploids. We hypothesize that Eucalyptus grandis and hybrids of Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla with different degrees of ploidy have variations as a result of different sets of chromosomes producing different phenotypic expressions and chemical constituents, such as variation in cell size and frequency, which would directly influence wood quality. Twenty-year-old trees were cut, eight for each ploidy: diploids and tetraploids are E. grandis; triploids are E. grandis x E. urophylla. We use standardized techniques. Our hypothesis was confirmed. Triploid and tetraploid trees presented wider trunks, taller trees with longer stems and wider crowns compared to diploid trees. Wood density showed significant radial variation only in diploids, while triploid and tetraploid trees were more homogeneous. In polyploid trees, the anatomical features did not clearly present a radial pattern. Triploid and tetraploid trees presented higher density wood than diploid trees. The chemical constituents varied from pith to bark in the three ploidies, but no differences between ploidies were found. For energy generation purposes, diploid and triploid trees are more desirable than tetraploid trees.

Effects of Fracturing Parameters on Fracture Unevenness During Large-Stage Multi-Cluster Fracturing in Horizontal Wells

Horizontal wellswith multi-cluster fracturing technology is an effective approach to exploit unconventional hydrocarbon reservoirs. The on-site diagnosis results indicate that multi-cluster fractures always tend to propagate unevenly due to stressinterference, therefore it is very essential to study the effect of fracturing parameters on fracture propagation unevenness. In this paper, the unconventional fracturing model (UFM, Unconventional Fracturing Model) is used to study the effect of multi-cluster fracturing parameters on fracture unevenness in a large stage. This model has been validated with the actual fracturing case on-site in the Longmaxi shale. The investigated parameters include completion parameters (cluster spacing, number of perforations per cluster), pumping parameters (fluid injection intensity and proppant injection intensity). Our simulation results show that firstly reducing fracture spacing will increase stress interference, andhydraulic fractures exhibit a “radial” pattern. Secondly, reducing the perforation number of a single cluster can promote the more uniform propagation of multi-cluster fractures. Thirdly, increasing the fluid injection intensity will increase the fracture length, but will also increase the fracture unevenness. Besides, the injection strength of the proppant has a little effect on the average fracture length and the unevenness of the fracture length. Finally, setting a reasonable cluster spacing and injection fluid strength can obtain a more uniform fracture propagation. Meanwhile reducing the number of perforations per cluster can also reach the goal of propagating evenly. This paper provides a certain reference for the optimization of multi-cluster fracturing parameters in large-stage and multi-cluster wells.

Comparison of cumulative dispersed energy between conventional phacoemulsification and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery with two different lens fragmentation patterns

The purpose of the study is to compare the total ultrasound power used between eyes undergoing different lens fragmentation patterns of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) and conventional phacoemulsification surgery (CPS). A total of 506 patient eyes underwent preoperative grading of lens opacity using the Lens Opacity Classification System III (LOCSIII). The eyes were divided into two subgroups: subgroup 1 had a LOCSIII grade of 1–3, and subgroup 2 had a LOCSIII grade of 4–6. The eyes underwent FLACS (LenSx) for clear corneal wound, capsulotomy, and lens fragmentation. Either a grid pattern or radial pattern was used for lens fragmentation. The eyes received one of the following three treatments: (1) CPS without femtosecond laser assistant, (2) FLACS with a grid pattern (FGP) lens fragment, or (3) FLACS with a quadrant pattern (FQP) lens fragment. The mean cumulative dispersed energy (CDE) for each subgroup and treatment was evaluated. The mean CDE was lower in the two FLACS groups (1.21±1.91 in FGP and 1.22±1.92 in FQP) than that in the CPG group (2.67±2.84). In subgroup 1, CDE was higher in the CPG group (1.54±1.18) as compared with the FLACS groups (0.16±0.31 in FGP and 0.74±1.17 in FQP; P<0.001). In subgroup 2, CDE was higher in the CPG (6.47±3.46) as compared with the FLACS groups (2.74±2.21 in FGP and 5.34±2.17 in FQP; P<0.001). CDE was lower in the two FLACS groups than that in the CPS group, and CDE was the lowest with FGP in both subgroups 1 and 2.

Age of the Eastern Iranian oroclinal Buckling inferred from a U235/Pb207 dating on radial dikes in the Qayen Area

&lt;p&gt;The Eastern Iranian Orocline provides us several opportunities to study magmatism in relation to tectonic events. The buckling of this orocline is accompanied by an extreme extension in its Khorasan outer arc during which a calc-alkaline dike swarm, generally andesite to dacite, intruded in a radial pattern into the Paleocene-Eocene volcano-sedimentary units, belonging to the platform of the Lut block. The azimuth of these dikes shows a declination of 30 degrees, from N300&lt;sup&gt;o&lt;/sup&gt; to N330&lt;sup&gt;o&lt;/sup&gt;. The U&lt;sup&gt;235&lt;/sup&gt;/Pb&lt;sup&gt;207&lt;/sup&gt; age of ~41&amp;#177;74 Ma from zircon crystals taken from the dikes represents a considerable buckling with an extension occurred during the middle-upper Eocene. In fact, this time refers to the buckling in the boundary of the inner- and outer-arc of the orocline. This could be a noticeable document of syn-orocline magmatism in the Tethyan realm in the east of the Iranian plateau. The dikes and their host rocks are also sampled for AMS analysis and paleomagnetic measurements to test the amount of the oroclinal buckling in the Qayen area.&lt;/p&gt;

Description of Placoneis mologaensis, a new diatom from the Rybinsk reservoir on the Volga River, European Russia

A survey of surficial bottom sediments of the Rybinsk reservoir on the Volga, one of the largest and highly regulated rivers in Europe, revealed unknown species of the genus Placoneis. Detailed morphological observation using light and scanning electron microscopes allowed to describe this as P. mologaensis sp. nov. The species is characterized by linear-elliptical valves with slightly pronounced poles and conspicuous combination of other features, such as radial pattern of coarsely punctate uniseriate striae, bowtie-shaped central area without of isolated stigma, and raphe branches with heteromorphous terminal fissures. Ultrastructurally, P. mologaensis shows external areolar openings placed in depressions, which vary markedly in shape from round to slit-like. The new species is compared with similar and misidentified species and distributional data are provided based on confirmed records from the Pleistocene of the Boreal regions of Europe.

Permian plume-strengthened Tarim lithosphere controls the Cenozoic deformation pattern of the Himalayan-Tibetan orogen

The high strength of the Tarim Basin (northwestern China) lithosphere, widely regarded as a Precambrian craton, is evidenced by its resistance to Cenozoic deformation in the Himalayan-Tibetan orogen. However, Neoproterozoic suturing and early Paleozoic shortening within the Tarim Basin suggest that its rigidity is a relatively recent phenomenon with unknown cause. We reprocessed high-resolution magnetic data that show a 300–400-km-diameter radial pattern of linear anomalies emanating from a central region characterized by mixed positive-negative anomalies. We suggest that this pattern was generated by the previously hypothesized Permian (ca. 300–270 Ma) plume beneath the Tarim Basin. Constrained by published geochemical and geochronological data from plume-related igneous rocks, we propose that the ∼30 m.y. Permian plume activity resulted in a more viscous, depleted, thicker, dehydrated, and low-density mantle lithosphere. The resulting stronger lithosphere deflected strain from the Cenozoic India-Asia convergence around Tarim Basin, including Pamir overthrusting to the northwest and Altyn Tagh left-slip displacement to the northeast, thus shaping the geometry of the Himalayan-Tibetan orogen.

Neither the richness of optic flow, nor the precision of heading judgements, predicts walking trajectories

When an observer translates through space, a pattern of image motion, “optic flow”, is projected onto the back of each eye. If the translation is forwards, a radial pattern of optic flow results, with the center of the pattern specifying the direction of translation. It is commonly assumed that humans use optic flow in the visual guidance of walking and that the contribution of optic flow is proportional to its richness. A further assumption is that “heading” judgements (judgements of the direction of translation) and guidance of walking rely on the same visual information and thus the processes involved in the latter can be studied using the former. These assumptions underpin a very extensive body of psychophysical, behavioral, neurophysiological, clinical, computational modelling and imaging research. We measure the form of walking trajectories (using a standard perturbation design in Experiment 1) and the precision of heading judgements (Experiment 2) in four different visual environments. We find that neither the richness of optic flow nor the precision of heading judgements predicts walking trajectories. These results challenge the widely held assumptions about optic flow, perception of heading and the visual guidance of walking.

THUR 159 Radiological findings in two patients with autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy

BackgroundAutoimmune Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) Astrocytopathy is a relatively new category of immune-mediated disease involving the central nervous system that demonstrates a widely variable spectrum of clinical presentations, ranging from the relatively mild or subacute onset of cognitive impairment, seizures, encephalopathy, meningeal symptoms to more complex forms of encephalomyelitis.Materials and MethodsWe present a radiological review of two cases which were recently diagnosed in our institution. They presented with fever, meningoencephalitis and bilateral papilloedema. CSF antibody analysis (GFAPα-IgG) from Mayo Clinic confirmed the diagnosis of GFAP in both cases.ResultsThe typical radiological findings in both of the cases were a radial pattern of enhancement in brain and longitudinally extensive myelitic lesions in the spinal cord. The first patient improved with immunosupression treatment. The second patient had a significantly more severe clinical presentation with drug-refractory progression, who later died.ConclusionPatients presenting with subacute onset of cognitive impairment, meningoencephalomyelitis and papilloedema should raise the suspicion of autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy. Though it is a relatively new disease entity, the radial pattern of enhancement and long spinal cord lesions on imaging are striking and CSF and serum antibodies are highly specific.