6,928 research outputs found
Constrained Brownian Motion of a Single Ellipsoid in a Narrow Channel
No full textWe study the Brownian motion of a single ellipsoidal particle diffusing in a narrow channel by video-microscopy measurement. The experiments allow us to obtain the trajectories of ellipsoids and measure the diffusion coefficients. It is found that the channel constraints lead to suppression of the particle motion, especially the perpendicular motion to the channel, and the long axis of the particle tends to be parallel to the channel. A stable stratification phenomenon is observed, which is rarely discussed in studies of spherical particles. We also derive an approximate solution of theoretical prediction with the method of reflections, and obtain numerical simulation results using finite element software. They are proven to be effective by comparing them with the experimental results. All of these indicate that the aspect ratio and size of ellipsoid, the width of channel, and the transverse position distinctly affect the Brownian motion of ellipsoids.</p
The abrupt climate change near 4,400 yr BP on the cultural transition in Yuchisi, China and its global linkage
No full textExtreme climatic events have profound impacts on human society. Here we present the results of a study of organic biomarkers within a sedimentary section at the archaeological site of Yuchisi, eastern China, in order to reconstruct climatic variability during the Dawenkou (5,050-4,400 yr BP) and Longshan (4,400-4,000 yr BP) cultures. At similar to 4,400 yr BP, within the cultural transition horizon, abrupt changes in biomarkers, such as the fatty acid ratio C-18:2/C-18:0, 2C(31)/(C-27 + C-29), n-C-18-ol and n-C-30-ol, indicate the occurrence of local climate changes over the course of a few decades. These changes occurred during the transition from the Holocene warm period to a subsequent cold period which lasted for the following 600 years. This climatic shift has been recorded at numerous sites worldwide, and it is likely to have been the main cause of the widespread collapse of many isolated cultures at that time. The palaeoclimatic and archaeological data from the Yuchisi sediments may provide new insights into the relationship between climate change and prehistoric cultural transitions
Seabed foraging by Antarctic krill: Implications for stock assessment, bentho-pelagic coupling, and the vertical transfer of iron
No full textA compilation of more than 30 studies shows that adult Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) may frequent benthic habitats year-round, in shelf as well as oceanic waters and throughout their circumpolar range. Net and acoustic data from the Scotia Sea show that in summer 2-20% of the population reside at depths between 200 and 2000 m, and that large aggregations can form above the seabed. Local differences in the vertical distribution of krill indicate that reduced feeding success in surface waters, either due to predator encounter or food shortage, might initiate such deep migrations and results in benthic feeding. Fatty acid and microscopic analyses of stomach content confirm two different foraging habitats for Antarctic krill: the upper ocean, where fresh phytoplankton is the main food source, and deeper water or the seabed, where detritus and copepods are consumed. Krill caught in upper waters retain signals of benthic feeding, suggesting frequent and dynamic exchange between surface and seabed. Krill contained up to 260 nmol iron per stomach when returning from seabed feeding. About 5% of this iron is labile, i.e., potentially available to phytoplankton. Due to their large biomass, frequent benthic feeding, and acidic digestion of particulate iron, krill might facilitate an input of new iron to Southern Ocean surface waters. Deep migrations and foraging at the seabed are significant parts of krill ecology, and the vertical fluxes involved in this behavior are important for the coupling of benthic and pelagic food webs and their elemental repositories
Natural and anthropogenic forest fires recorded in the Holocene pollen record from a Jinchuan peat bog, northeastern China
No full textPollen and charcoal particles from a Jinchuan peat (northeastern China) were examined to investigate the fire origin and interaction between
climate, vegetation, fire and human activity during the Holocene. Pollen results show that: (i) a broadleaved deciduous forest was dominant during
the early Holocene; (ii) from ~5500 cal. yr B.P. there was a gradual increase in coniferous trees (mainly Pinus), and a decrease in broadleaved
deciduous trees (e.g. Quercus, Juglans, and Ulmus–Zelkova); (iii) after ~4200 cal. yr B.P., the deciduous forest was replaced by a mixed forest of
coniferous and deciduous trees; (iv) coniferous trees including Pinus, Abies and Picea further increased after ~2000 cal. yr B.P., reflecting a
cooler and drier climate after ~5500–4200 cal. yr B.P. Two layers of abundant microfossil charcoal particles (250–10 μm) and the coexistence of
macrofossil particles (N2 mm) suggest two local fires: fire event 1 (5120±66 cal. yr B.P.) and fire event 2 (1288±8 cal. yr B.P., AD 662±8).
Charcoal layer 1, with a large amount of Monolete psilate spores, is superimposed on the long-term trend of vegetation changes, indicating a
natural origin for fire event 1 that was probably facilitated by drying environmental conditions since the mid-Holocene. Cerealia-type pollen and a
low percentage of Monolete psilate spores were observed in charcoal layer 2, indicating that fire event 2 was caused by clearing. We suggest that
fire event 2 may be related to the spread of the Han farming culture accompanied by the territorial expansion of the Tang Dynasty to the studied
area in AD 668
Task-oriented progressive resistance strength training improves muscle strength and functional performance in individuals with stroke.
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Cryopreserved oocytes of infertile couples undergoing assisted reproductive technology could be an important source of oocyte donation: A clinical report of successful
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