•We reviewed biodiversity of anthropogenic freshwaters and their refuge potential.•Agricultural ponds, drainage ditches and transport canals had highest biodiversity.•Moderate levels of management ...intervention were associated with higher biodiversity.•Lack of recognition of actual or potential biodiversity value limits use as refuges.•Management needs to recognize/enhance refuge function and control invasive species.
We reviewed literature describing the potential for freshwater anthropogenic waterbodies to act as refuges from disturbance. We identified research related to the refuge potential of a wide range of waterbodies, using waterbody names as keywords along with ‘artificial’ and ‘freshwater’. Potential freshwater anthropogenic refuges were more often standing than running waters. Agricultural ponds, rural and urban drainage ditches and transport canals were the most diverse for all aquatic taxa, whereas irrigation infrastructure was least diverse. Comparatively little is known about the refuge role of fire dams, urban artificial ponds, golf course lakes, disused industrial ponds and retaining walls. Local-scale attributes associated with high biodiversity were: presence of macrophytes (for animals), absence of fish (for amphibians, invertebrates), natural bed materials and hydroperiod (all biota). Landscape variables associated with high biodiversity were proximity to and connectivity with other waterbodies and to natural terrestrial vegetation. Moderate levels of management intervention were also associated with higher biodiversity. Many knowledge gaps about the function of anthropogenic refuges within landscapes exist and require further research. One of the most important limitations to the provision of refuges for freshwater biodiversity by anthropogenic waterbodies is the lack of recognition of their actual or potential biodiversity value. Anthropogenic waterbodies need to be recognised for their potential to support biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation for freshwater species, while being managed to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Functional neuroimaging studies have identified multiple nodes of dysfunction in frontostriatal and mesocorticolimbic networks in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Yet relatively few ...studies have examined how structural and functional connectivity between nodes in these networks might relate to the behavioral symptoms of ADHD. Moreover, it is unknown whether abnormalities in connectivity are a primary cause of symptoms or arise secondary to common etiologic mechanisms. We review the most recent diffusion tensor imaging and functional magnetic resonance imaging studies of connectivity in ADHD to characterize associations between frontostriatal connectivity abnormalities and the behavioral symptoms of inattention and impulsivity in ADHD. Furthermore, we examine how structural and functional connectivity measures relate to environmental and genetic pathways to ADHD. Diffusion tensor imaging studies indicate that ADHD is associated with significant irregularities in white matter microstructure, especially in frontostriatal and select corticocortical tracts. Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging studies implicate altered connectivity within a default mode network of structures active during introspective, task-free processes and disrupted interactions between this network and frontostriatal attentional systems. Deficits in functional connectivity within frontostriatal and mesocorticolimbic networks might give rise, in part, to ADHD symptoms. Conversely, structural connectivity deficits and ADHD symptoms might arise incidentally from a common etiologic mechanism, involving altered modulation of synaptic potentiation and pruning by dopamine and other factors during development. Collectively, these studies suggest that the core symptoms of ADHD might derive from dysregulated modulation of cortical plasticity in the developing brain, resulting in altered patterns of corticocortical connectivity that might persist into adulthood.
A functional neuroimaging study examined the long‐term neural correlates of early adverse rearing conditions in humans as they relate to socio‐emotional development. Previously institutionalized (PI) ...children and a same‐aged comparison group were scanned using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while performing an Emotional Face Go/Nogo task. PI children showed heightened activity of the amygdala, a region that supports emotional learning and reactivity to emotional stimuli, and corresponding decreases in cortical regions that support perceptual and cognitive functions. Amygdala activity was associated with decreased eye‐contact as measured by eye‐tracking methods and during a live dyadic interaction. The association between early rearing environment and subsequent eye‐contact was mediated by amygdala activity. These data support the hypothesis that early adversity alters human brain development in a way that can persist into childhood, and they offer insight into the socio‐emotional disturbances in human behavior following early adversity.
The liptinite maceral group has been revised by ICCP in accordance with the ICCP System 1994. After the revision of the classifications of vitrinite (ICCP, 1998), inertinite, (ICCP, 2001) and ...huminite (Sykorova et al., 2005) this liptinite classification completes the revised ICCP maceral group classifications. These classifications are collectively referred to as the “ICCP System 1994”. In contrast to the previous ICCP Stopes Heerlen (ICCP, 1963, 1971, 1975, 1993) this new classification system is applicable to coal of all ranks and dispersed organic matter.
The classification as presented here was accepted in the ICCP Plenary Session on September 11, 2015 at the ICCP Meeting in Potsdam. The decision to publish this classification in the recent form was accepted at the ICCP Plenary Session on September 23, 2016 in Houston.
Biochar has been widely proposed as a soil amendment, with reports of benefits to soil physical, chemical and biological properties. To quantify the changes in soil microbial biomass and to ...understand the mechanisms involved, two biochars were prepared at 350 °C (BC350) and 700 °C (BC700) from Miscanthus giganteus, a C4 plant, naturally enriched with 13C. The biochars were added to soils of about pH 4 and 8, which were both sampled from a soil pH gradient of the same soil type. Isotopic (13C) techniques were used to investigate biochar C availability to the biomass. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the microbial colonization, and Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) to highlight structural changes at the surface of the biochars. After 90 days incubation, BC350 significantly increased the biomass C concentration relative to the controls in both the low (p < 0.05) and high pH soil (p < 0.01). It declined between day 90 and 180. The same trend occurred with soil microbial ATP. Overall, biomass C and ATP concentrations were closely correlated over all treatments (R2 = 0.87). This indicates that neither the biomass C, nor ATP analyses were affected by the biochars, unless, of course, they were both affected in the same way, which is highly unlikely. About 20% of microbial biomass 13C was derived from BC350 after 90 days of incubation in both low and high pH soils. However, less than 2% of biomass 13C was derived from BC700 in the high pH soil, showing very low biological availability of BC700. After 90 days of incubation, microbial colonization in the charsphere (defined here as the interface between soil and biochar) was more pronounced with the BC350 in the low pH soil. This was consistent with the biomass C and ATP results. The microbial colonization following biochar addition in our study was mainly attributed to biochar C availability and its large surface area. There was a close linear relationship between 13CO2 evolved and biomass 13C, suggesting that biochar mineralization is essentially a biological process. The interactions between non-living and living organic C forms, which are vital in terms of soil fertility and the global C cycle, may be favoured in the charsphere, which has unique properties, distinct from both the internal biochar and the bulk soil.
► Biochar colonization more pronounced with biochar produced at 350 °C than 700 °C ► 20% of microbial biomass 13C derived from biochar350 at 90 d in pH 8 and 4 soils. ► Less than 2% of biomass 13C was derived from biochar700 in the high pH soil. ► Correlation of 13CO2 and biomass 13C shows biochar mineralization is biological. ► Biomass changes after biochar addition confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscopy.
Highlights • Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is an asymptomatic state in which individuals demonstrate an immunological response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. • A number of effective regimens ...are available to treat adults and children with drug-susceptible LTBI. • The decision to treat individuals with LTBI must carefully balance the risks and benefits to the individual. • Electronic decision support tools can help clinicians and patients make evidence-based choices. • Randomized studies to evaluate the effectiveness of regimens to prevent multidrug-resistant TB are underway. • A substantial scale-up of LTBI screening and treatment will be vital if the global vision of tuberculosis elimination is to be realized.
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