•Groundwater pumping may close a basin, leading to TDS accumulation in the aquifer.•We describe “Anthropogenic Basin Closure and groundwater SALinization” (ABCSAL).•We develop a model to estimate ...ongoing ABCSAL in California’s Tulare Basin.•Fundamentally, ABCSAL can only be reversed by opening the basin.•Salinization timescales are similar to those of aquifer depletion in the study site.
Global food systems rely on irrigated agriculture, and most of these systems in turn depend on fresh sources of groundwater. In this study, we demonstrate that groundwater development, even without overdraft, can transform a fresh, open basin into an evaporation dominated, closed-basin system, such that most of the groundwater, rather than exiting via stream baseflow and lateral subsurface flow, exits predominantly by evapotranspiration from irrigated lands. In these newly closed hydrologic basins, just as in other closed basins, groundwater salinization is inevitable because dissolved solids cannot escape, and the basin is effectively converted into a salt sink. We first provide a conceptual model of this process, called “Anthropogenic Basin Closure and groundwater SALinization” (ABCSAL). We examine the temporal dynamics of ABCSAL using the Tulare Lake Basin, California, as a case study for a large irrigated agricultural region with Mediterranean climate, overlying an unconsolidated sedimentary aquifer system. Even with modern water management practices that arrest historic overdraft, results indicate that shallow aquifers (36 m deep) exceed maximum contaminant levels for total dissolved solids on decadal timescales. Intermediate (132 m) and deep aquifers (187 m), essential for drinking water and irrigated crops, are impacted within two to three centuries. Hence, ABCSAL resulting from groundwater development constitutes a largely unrecognized constraint on groundwater sustainable yield on similar timescales to aquifer depletion in the Tulare Lake Basin, and poses a serious challenge to groundwater quality sustainability, even when water levels are stable. Results suggest that agriculturally intensive groundwater basins worldwide may be susceptible to ABCSAL.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Fructose stimulates vasopressin in humans and can be generated endogenously by activation of the polyol pathway with hyperosmolarity. We hypothesized that fructose metabolism in the hypothalamus ...might partly control vasopressin responses after acute dehydration. Wild-type and fructokinase-knockout mice were deprived of water for 24 h. The supraoptic nucleus was evaluated for vasopressin and markers of the aldose reductase-fructokinase pathway. The posterior pituitary vasopressin and serum copeptin levels were examined. Hypothalamic explants were evaluated for vasopressin secretion in response to exogenous fructose. Water restriction increased serum and urine osmolality and serum copeptin in both groups of mice, although the increase in copeptin in wild-type mice was larger than that in fructokinase-knockout mice. Water-restricted, wild-type mice showed an increase in vasopressin and aldose reductase mRNA, sorbitol, fructose and uric acid in the supraoptic nucleus. In contrast, fructokinase-knockout mice showed no change in vasopressin or aldose reductase mRNA, and no changes in sorbitol or uric acid, although fructose levels increased. With water restriction, vasopressin in the pituitary of wild-type mice was significantly less than that of fructokinase-knockout mice, indicating that fructokinase-driven vasopressin secretion overrode synthesis. Fructose increased vasopressin release in hypothalamic explants that was not observed in fructokinase-knockout mice. In situ hybridization documented fructokinase mRNA in the supraoptic nucleus, paraventricular nucleus and suprachiasmatic nucleus. Acute dehydration activates the aldose reductase-fructokinase pathway in the hypothalamus and partly drives the vasopressin response. Exogenous fructose increases vasopressin release in hypothalamic explants dependent on fructokinase. Nevertheless, circulating vasopressin is maintained and urinary concentrating is not impaired.
This study increases our understanding of the mechanisms leading to vasopressin release under conditions of water restriction (acute dehydration). Specifically, these studies suggest that the aldose reductase-fructokinase pathways may be involved in vasopressin synthesis in the hypothalamus and secretion by the pituitary in response to acute dehydration. Nevertheless, mice undergoing water restriction remain capable of maintaining sufficient vasopressin (copeptin) levels to allow normal urinary concentration. Further studies of the aldose reductase-fructokinase system in vasopressin regulation appear indicated.
The drying of a cellulosic fibrous material by acoustic-convective and thermal-convective methods under different conditions has been studied. Using the thermal-vacuum drying method, the weight of an ...absolutely dry sample of the starting material was determined and used to calculate the initial absolute and relative moisture contents, which were 12.38% and 10.96%, respectively. The dynamics of capillary impregnation and sorption wetting of samples was determined. The limiting values of the absolute and relative moisture content of cellulose fibers were found to be 862.16% and 89.47%, respectively. The kinetic curves of moisture extraction obtained in acoustic-convective and thermal-convective drying under different conditions were constructed, analyzed, and compared. It is shown that the acoustic-convective extraction of moisture has an advantage over the thermal-convective method.
The design, properties, and applications of transparent glass-ceramics are reviewed. Interference effects in light scattering by transparent glass-ceramics are discussed. The scattering coefficient ...of transparent glass-ceramics is found to be significantly less than that for the case of independent Rayleigh scattering by nanocrystals; its wavelength dependence is qualitatively different. A reduction in interference effects achieved by precipitation of nanocrystals of different crystalline phases with different scattering properties results in glass-ceramics with high diffuse reflection. The origin of the low coefficient of thermal expansion of glass-ceramics is discussed based on the temperature dependence of the unit cell parameters of β-quartz solid solutions measured by in situ high-temperature x-ray diffraction. Transparent glass-ceramics doped with Co2+ and Ni2+ ions for thermal shock-resistant color filters, for broadband near-infrared (IR) optical amplifiers, and for passive Q-switching of eye-safe Er lasers are presented. Glass-ceramics with rare-earth titanates, titanates-zirconates, and niobates in dual roles of nucleators and active crystals are reviewed.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Objective
. The aim of the study is to develop an effective express method for the formation of a representative expert coalition based on the analysis of correlations between expert opinions.
Method
.... It is proposed to use an extended correlation matrix, which takes into account not only the strength of the correlation between the experts’ ratings, but also the average value of the ratings for the entire set of highly qualified specialists. This matrix will take into account the diversity of opinions and preferences of highly qualified specialists, as well as provide a high degree of representativeness in making collective decisions.
Result
. Verification of the obtained results was carried out on the example of polls of police officers in relation to violators of security systems. A significant number of various calculations determines the implementation of the developed numerical method using a computer. This express method is a useful tool for the rapid and efficient formation of representative expert coalitions and decision-making based on the opinions of a large number of highly qualified specialists.
Conclusion
. The proposed method can be applied in various scientific and technical fields, such as expert systems, multi-criteria decision making, risk assessment, and other situations where it is necessary to combine the opinions of a large number of experts.
Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are a costly and pervasive medical problem for millions of aging men. Recent studies have showed that peri-urethral tissue fibrosis is an untreated pathobiology ...contributing to LUTS. Fibrosis results from excessive extracellular matrix deposition which increases transition zone and peri-urethral tissue stiffness and compromises prostatic urethral flexibility and compliance, producing urinary obstructive symptoms. Inflammatory cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and T-lymphocytes, secrete a medley of pro-fibrotic proteins into the prostatic microenvironment, including IFNgamma, TNFalpha, CXC-type chemokines, and interleukins, all of which have been implicated in inflammation-mediated fibrosis. Among these, IL-4 and IL-13 are of particular interest because they share a common signaling axis that, as shown here for the first time, promotes the expression and maintenance of IL-4, IL-13, their cognate receptors, and ECM components by prostate fibroblasts, even in the absence of immune cells. Based on studies presented here, we hypothesize that the IL-4/IL-13 axis promotes prostate fibroblast activation to ECM-secreting cells. N1 or SFT1 immortalized prostate stromal fibroblasts were cultured and treated, short- or long-term, with pro-fibrotic proteins including IL-4, IL-13, TGF-beta, TNF-alpha, IFNgamma, with or without prior pre-treatment with antagonists or inhibitors. Protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, ELISA, immunoblot, or Sircoll assays. Transcript expression levels were determined by qRT-PCR. Intact cells were counted using WST assays. IL-4Ralpha, IL-13Ralpha1, and collagen are concurrently up-regulated in human peri-urethral prostate tissues from men with LUTS. IL-4 and IL-13 induce their own expression as well as that of their cognate receptors, IL-4Ralpha and IL-13Ralpha1. Low concentrations of IL-4 or IL-13 act as cytokines to promote prostate fibroblast proliferation, but higher (>40ng/ml) concentrations repress cellular proliferation. Both IL-4 and IL-13 robustly and specifically promote collagen transcript and protein expression by prostate stromal fibroblasts in a JAK/STAT-dependent manner. Moreover, IL-4 and IL-13-mediated JAK/STAT signaling is coupled to activation of the IL-4Ralpha receptor. Taken together, these studies show that IL-4 and IL-13 signal through the IL-4Ralpha receptor to activate JAK/STAT signaling, thereby promoting their own expression, that of their cognate receptors, and collagens. These finding suggest that the IL-4/IL-13 signaling axis is a powerful, but therapeutically targetable, pro-fibrotic mechanism in the lower urinary tract.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Root microbiota is a crucial determinant of plant productivity and stress tolerance. Here, we hypothesize that the superior halo-tolerance of seepweed Suaeda salsa is tightly linked to a specialized ...belowground microbiome. To test this hypothesis, we performed a phylogenetic trait-based framework analysis based on bacterial 16S rRNA gene and fungal nuclear rRNA internal transcribed spacer profiling. Data showed that the dominant α-proteobacteria and γ-proteobacteria communities in bulk soil and root endosphere tend to be phylogenetically clustered and at the same time exhibit phylogenetic over-dispersion in rhizosphere. Likewise, the dominant fungal genera occurred at high phylogenetic redundancy. Interestingly, we found the genomes of rhizospheric and endophytic bacteria associated with S. salsa to be enriched in genes contributing to salt stress acclimatization, nutrient solubilization and competitive root colonization. A wide diversity of rhizobacteria with similarity to known halotolerant taxa further supported this interpretation. These findings suggest that an ecological patterned root-microbial interaction strategy has been adopted in S. salsa system to confront soil salinity. We also demonstrated that the potential core microbiome members improve non-host plants growth and salt tolerance. This work provides a platform to improve plant fitness with halophytes-microbial associates and novel insights into the functions of plant microbiome under salinity.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
The grain refining effect of four peritectic-forming solutes (Ti, V, Zr and Nb) as well as three eutectic-forming solutes (Cu, Mg and Si) on pure Al was investigated. Significant grain refinement is ...observed by the addition of peritectic-forming solutes, whereas the addition of eutectic-forming solutes only slightly decreases the grain size. The mechanisms underlying the grain refinement of these alloys were then studied by a new analytical methodology for assessing grain refinement that incorporates the effects of both alloy chemistry and nucleant potency. It is found that the low degree of grain refinement by the addition of eutectic-forming solutes is mainly attributed to the segregating power of solutes, i.e. the constitutional undercooling contribution. However, peritectic-forming solutes do not only cause grain refinement by their segregation power but, more importantly, they introduce copious potent nuclei into the melt and promote significant grain refinement via heterogeneous nucleation.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Silver (Ag) inoculation was found to significantly reduce the average grain size of cast zinc (Zn) by up to 90%. The mechanism of such grain refinement in cast Zn was investigated through varying the ...addition level of this peritectic-forming solute. The reduction in grain size was sensitive to Ag content due to its large growth restriction factor. When the Ag content was over its maximum solid solubility in Zn, the in situ formed nucleation particles, with dendritic morphology (different from the previously reported faceted/spherical shape), were reproducibly observed near the grain centres in the refined alloys. These particles were determined to be pro-peritectic AgZn3 phase based on the information from the Zn–Ag phase diagram, results from thermal analysis, phase identification and chemical composition. The high potency of the in situ formed AgZn3 particles, as nucleation sites for Zn grains, was further verified by electron backscattered diffraction analysis and crystallographic calculation using the edge-to-edge matching model. A new reproducible hexagonal close packed–hexagonal close packed orientation relationship between AgZn3 particles and Zn matrix was experimentally determined for the first time. In addition, the effect of the particle size and size distribution on the microstructural refinement was also investigated. Finally, the grain refinement mechanism was elucidated in terms of the nucleation crystallography and the interdependence theory.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
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