Dispersal distances from splash-cup plants depend on the cup's angle and contents.

Splash-cup plants disperse propagules via raindrops striking cup-shaped fruiting bodies. The seeds are ejected at velocities up to five times the impact speed of the raindrop and are dispersed up to 1 m from the parent plant. Here, we examine the effects of cup angles and the presence of seed mimics to understand the dynamics of this unique method of dispersal. Our findings demonstrate that: (i) cup angles that launched seeds the furthest ranged from approximately 30° to 50°, matching the range of angles seen in splash-cup plants. (ii) Seeds travel shorter distances than water droplets alone, and this distance depends on the number of seeds in the cup. (iii) Not all seeds are ejected from initially dry cups, leaving cups with some seeds and some water. (iv) Nearly all seeds are ejected from cups that contain both water and seeds, and those that are ejected travel significantly further than those from dry cups. These results confirm the possibility that the conical shape of splash cup plants may be adapted to maximize dispersal distance and benefit from multiple splash events. Our results also illustrate that future work on these plants should include seeds rather than water droplets alone.

Chronic sleep restriction during juvenility alters hedonic and anxiety-like behaviours in a sex-dependent fashion in adolescent Wistar rats.

Chronic reduction of sleep time in children and adolescents has been related to increased incidence of anxiety and depression. In rats, protocols of protracted sleep deprivation or chronic sleep restriction (CSR) are considered a stressor. In previous studies we showed that post-weaning CSR in male rats induces anxiety-like behaviour and changes in neurotransmission in emotion-related brain areas. In the present study we examined whether the effects of this adversity are sex-dependent. Twenty-two litters, containing four males and four females were distributed into control (CTL) and CSR groups. CSR began on postnatal day (PND) 21 and lasted for 21 days; each day the animals were placed onto small platforms immersed in water for 18 h and were allowed to sleep freely in their home-cages for the remaining 6 h. Throughout the CSR, all animals underwent the sucrose splash test once/week to assess their self-care and hedonic behaviours. Body weight was measured on PNDs 21 and 42. At the end of CSR period, the adolescents were allowed to sleep freely for 2 days, after which, behavioural tests began. Within each litter, one male and one female (pair) were not tested and provided blood and brain for determination of basal corticosterone (CORT) levels and hippocampal BDNF. One pair was tested in the sucrose preference test (SPT), one pair on the elevated plus maze (EPM) and one pair in the forced swim test (FST). CORT was measured after all conditions. CSR impaired self-care behaviour and body weight gain in males and females and increased relative adrenal weight only in males. There were no changes in sucrose intake in the SPT; CSR females displayed less immobility in the FST and CSR males displayed more anxiety-like behaviour in the EPM. CORT levels were similar between CTL and CSR males, whilst lower in CSR females than CTL ones in all experimental conditions. No changes in BDNF levels were detected in the dorsal hippocampus of CSR rats. The results indicate that CSR impaired self-care behaviour in both sexes, but only males displayed anxiety-like behaviour, whilst sleep recovery in females appeared to normalise their behaviour.

Clostridium and Cryptosporidium outbreak linked to a splash pad.

BACKGROUND: . Splash pads for recreational purposes are widespread. Using these pads can pose a health risk if they lack installation regulation and water quality supervision. Our aim was to describe a waterborne disease outbreak caused by Clostridium perfringens and Cryptosporidium spp. in a Barcelona district and the measures taken for its control. METHODS: . On August 2018, 71 cases of acute gastroenteritis were detected, affecting people who used a splash pad or were in contact with a user. Microbiological and environmental investigations were carried out. A descriptive analysis of the sample and Poisson regression models adjusted for age and sex were performed, obtaining frequencies, median values, and adjusted prevalence ratios with their 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: The median age of the cases was 6.7 years, 27 (38%) required medical care, and three (4.2%) were hospitalized. The greater the number of times a person entered the area, the greater the number of symptoms and their severity. Nineteen (76%) of the 25 stool samples collected from cases showed the presence of one or both pathogens. Environmental investigations showed deficiencies in the facilities and identified the presence of both species in the splash pad. Health education and hygiene measures were carried out, and 14 days after the closure of the facilities, no more cases related to the pad were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: . Specific regulations are needed on the use of splash pads for recreational purposes. Until these regulations are in place, these types of facility should comply with the regulations that apply to swimming pools and spas, including those related to the design of the tanks, water recirculation systems, and adequate disinfection systems.

Repeated Sulforaphane Treatment Reverses Depressive-like Behavior and Exerts Antioxidant Effects in the Olfactory Bulbectomy Model in Mice.

Growing evidence suggests that activators of nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 (Nrf2), such as sulforaphane, may represent promising novel pharmacological targets for conditions related to oxidative stress, including depressive disorder. Therefore, we conducted a study to explore the behavioral and biochemical effects of repeated (14 days) sulforaphane (SFN) treatment in the olfactory bulbectomy (OB) animal model of depression. An open field test (OFT), splash test (ST), and spontaneous locomotor activity test (LA) were used to assess changes in depressive-like behavior and the potential antidepressant-like activity of SFN. The OB model induced hyperactivity in mice during the OFT and LA as well as a temporary loss of self-care and motivation in the ST. The repeated administration of SFN (10 mg/kg) effectively reversed these behavioral changes in OB mice across all tests. Additionally, a biochemical analysis revealed that SFN (10 mg/kg) increased the total antioxidant capacity in the frontal cortex and serum of the OB model. Furthermore, SFN (10 mg/kg) significantly enhanced superoxide dismutase activity in the serum of OB mice. Overall, the present study is the first to demonstrate the antidepressant-like effects of repeated SFN (10 mg/kg) treatment in the OB model and indicates that these benefits may be linked to improved oxidative status.

Surface Nanostructures Promote Droplet Splash on Hot Substrates.

Splash, one of the most visually apparent droplet dynamics, can manifest on any surface above a certain impact velocity, regardless of surface wettability. Previous studies demonstrate that elevating the substrate temperature can suppress droplet splash, which is unfavorable for many practical applications, such as spray cooling and combustion. Here, we report that the suppression effect of substrate temperature on splash is nullified by utilizing surfaces with nanostructures. By manipulating air evacuation time through surface nanostructures, we have identified a pathway for precise control over the splash threshold and the ability to tailor the dependence of the splash onset on surface temperature. We further propose a theoretical criterion to determine different splash regimes by considering the competition between air evacuation and the development of flow instabilities. Our findings underscore the crucial role of nanostructures in splash dynamics, offering valuable insights for the control of splash in various industrial scenarios.

Rain splash-mediated dispersal of Escherichia coli from fecal deposits to field-grown lettuce in the mid- and south Atlantic U.S. regions is affected by mulch type.

Introduction: Wildlife feces can contaminate vegetables when enteric bacteria are released by rain and splashed onto crops. Regulations require growers to identify and not harvest produce that is likely contaminated, but U.S. federal standards do not define dimensions for no-harvest zones. Moreover, mulching, used to retain soil moisture and maximize crop yield may impact rain-mediated bacterial dispersal from feces. Methods: To assess Escherichia coli dissemination from a fecal point source to lettuce grown on various mulches, lettuce cv. 'Magenta' was transplanted into raised beds with plastic, biodegradable plastic, straw, or left uncovered at field sites in Maryland and Georgia. Eleven days post-transplant, 10 g of rabbit manure spiked with ~8 log CFU g-1 E. coli were deposited in each bed. One day following natural or simulated rain events, lettuce was sampled along 1.5 m transects on either side of fecal deposits. Lettuce-associated E. coli was semi-quantified with an MPN assay and dependence on fecal age (stale or fresh), lettuce age (baby leaf or mature head), distance from point source, mulch and post-rain days were statistically evaluated. Results: Distance (p<0.001), fecal age (p<0.001) and mulch (p<0.01) were factors for E. coli transfer from point source to lettuce. The highest and lowest E. coli estimates were measured from lettuce grown on biodegradable plastic and straw, respectively, with a 2-log MPN difference (p<0.001). Mulch and distance were also significant factors in E. coli recovery 3 days post-rain (both p<0.001), where plastic mulches differed from bare ground and straw (p<0.01). For all treatments, fewer E. coli were retrieved from lettuce at 0.3 m, 3 days post-rain compared to 1 day (p<0.001). Fitting the data to a Weibull Model predicated that a 7-log reduction in E. coli from fecal levels would be achieved at 1.2-1.4 m from the point source on plastic mulches, 0.75 m on bare soil (p<0.05) and 0.43 m on straw (p<0.01). Discussion: Straw and bare ground limited rain-mediated E. coli dispersal from feces to lettuce compared to plastic mulches. Fecal age was negatively associated with E. coli dispersal. These findings can inform harvesting recommendations for measures related to animal intrusion in vegetable production areas.

Effect of high-intensity interval training on self-care and anxiety-like behaviors in naive rats.

Self-care behavior covers individual's health, life and well-being to maintain the necessary activities. The aim of this study is to examine the self-care and possible anxiolytic effects of high-intensity interval exercise (HIIT). Eight-week-old Wistar Albino male rats were divided into Control (n = 8), and Exercise (n = 8). Rat exercised for 38 min a day, 5 days a week, for 8 weeks The animals were then subjected to open field test and splash test, and the behaviors were video recorded. Student t test and Shapiro-Wilk test were used as statistical tests. In the exercise group, spray-induced grooming behavior increased significantly in terms of duration and frequency (p < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed in the latency of grooming (p > 0.05). In the open-field test, the total distance traveled, which is a locomotor activity parameter, did not change between the groups. Anxiolytic-like behaviors such as total rearing behavior, unsupported rearing, central time, and central region entries increased remarkably in the exercise group vs. control (p < 0.0001). Freezing as an anxiogenic behavior decreased in the exercise group positively (p < 0.0001). Intermittent high-intensity exercise improved and increased self-care behaviors. Further, the present study shows that HIIT has beneficial effects on different aspects of behaviors such as exploratory behaviors, increasing anxiolytic behaviors, and reducing anxiogenic behavior. The present study is a preclinical study that will pave the way for new studies.

Water striders are impervious to raindrop collision forces and submerged by collapsing craters.

Water striders are abundant in areas with high humidity and rainfall. Raindrops can weigh more than 40 times the adult water strider and some pelagic species spend their entire lives at sea, never contacting ground. Until now, researchers have not systematically investigated the survival of water striders when impacted by raindrops. In this experimental study, we use high-speed videography to film drop impacts on water striders. Drops force the insects subsurface upon direct contact. As the ensuing crater rebounds upward, the water strider is propelled airborne by a Worthington jet, herein called the first jet. We show the water strider's locomotive responses, low density, resistance to wetting when briefly submerged, and ability to regain a super-surface rest state, rendering it impervious to the initial impact. When pulled subsurface during a second crater formation caused by the collapsing first jet, water striders face the possibility of ejection above the surface or submersion below the surface, a fate determined by their position in the second crater. We identify a critical crater collapse acceleration threshold ∼ 5.7 gravities for the collapsing second crater which determines the ejection and submersion of passive water striders. Entrapment by submersion makes the water strider poised to penetrate the air-water interface from below, which appears impossible without the aid of a plastron and proper locomotive techniques. Our study is likely the first to consider second crater dynamics and our results translate to the submersion dynamics of other passively floating particles such as millimetric microplastics atop the world's oceans.

Suppressed Droplet Splashing on Positively Skewed Surfaces for High-Efficiency Evaporation Cooling.

Two types of functional surfaces with the same roughness but completely different surface topographies are prepared, namely positively skewed surfaces filled with micropillar arrays (Sa ≈4.4 µm, Ssk >0) and negatively skewed surfaces filled with microcavity arrays (Sa ≈4.4 µm, Ssk <0), demonstrating promoting droplet splashing. Remarkably, the critical Weber number for generating satellite droplets on the negatively skewed surfaces is significantly lower than that on the positively skewed surfaces, indicating that the negatively skewed surface with microcavity arrays is more likely to promote droplet splashing. It is mainly attributed to the fact that air on the negatively skewed surface can make the liquid film take on a Cassie-Baxter state on the surface so that the stabilizing capillary force of the liquid film exceeds the destabilizing stress of the air film. Moreover, the surface topography promoting droplet spreading and the mechanical properties of three-phase moving contact lines are analyzed from the perspective of microscopic interface mechanics. Finally, it is demonstrated the designed positively skewed surfaces can be employed for large-area heat dissipation by means of high-efficiency evaporation.

Selective uneven enrichment of soil organic carbon among different-sized sediments under a rain-induced overland flow: 13C stable isotope evidence.

Soil organic carbon (SOC) enrichment varies among sediments of different sizes during rain-induced overland flow erosion. This selective transport of SOC is complex in conjunction with the exposure of labile and stable organic carbon (OC), accompanied by heterogeneous aggregate disintegration under raindrop effects. Utilizing the variations in δ13C values of SOC fractions, we traced this selective transport, linking it to aggregate-wrapped SOC changes during erosion. A modified soil pan facilitated the simultaneous monitoring of splash and sheet erosion via artificially simulated rainfall, with control over the intensity and slope. Aggregate composition, SOC distribution, and δ13C values in the erosion samples were analyzed. The results indicated that distinct sorting existed within the aggregate fragments. Along with SOC variation among different sediment sizes, the proportions of clay and fine silt within sediment aggregates increased as a function of slope and rainfall intensity, whereas particulate OC within aggregates decreased. The SOC enrichment ratios (ERocs) and δ13C values in splash-eroded sediments were positively correlated with those in sheet-eroded sediments. The ERocs in splash-eroded sediments were lower than those in sheet-eroded sediments, but δ13C values were the opposite. Moreover, δ13C values of SOC enriched in sediment particles of all sizes from aggregate stripping were lower than those of the original soil. This indicates that raindrop hits promote heavy C loss during sheet erosion, which is different for mineral-associated and particulate OC. As the slope and rainfall intensity increased, δ13C values for all sediment sizes decreased over the course of erosion. Interestingly, the highest δ13C values were observed under a rainfall intensity of 60 mm h-1, whereas the highest SOC concentrations were noted on a 5° slope. These observations suggest divergent mechanisms affect δ13C values and SOC concentrations in eroded sediments. All these results verified that selective sorting existed for the light SOC fraction. Finally, the internal selective transport of one SOC fraction may explain the enhanced mineralization and reaggregation capacity of the deposited sediments.

Intraperitoneal and incisional ropivacaine did not improve postoperative analgesia after multimodal anaesthesia compared with saline in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Intraperitoneal administration of local anaesthetics may reduce postoperative pain after ovariohysterectomy in dogs. The aim of this prospective, randomised, blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial was to compare postoperative analgesia and opioid requirements after intraperitoneal and incisional administration of ropivacaine versus 0,9 % NaCl (saline). Forty-three client-owned dogs were enrolled in the study and anaesthetised using a standardized protocol that included premedication with acepromazine (0,03-0,05 mg/kg) and dexmedetomidine (0,01 mg/kg) intramuscularly. Anaesthesia was induced with propofol titrated to effect and ketamine (1 mg/kg) intravenously and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. The analgesic regimen included carprofen (4 mg/kg) subcutaneously and morphine (0,2 mg/kg) intravenously. Depending on group assignment, each dog received either an intraperitoneal and incisional splash with ropivacaine (2 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg, respectively) (group R), or an equal volume of saline (group S). Buprenorphine (0,02 mg/kg) was administered intramuscularly once the uterus was removed. Sedation and pain were assessed 0,5, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours after extubation using a sedation scale, the short form of the Glasgow Composite Pain Scale (CMPS-SF) and a dynamic interactive visual analogue scale (DIVAS). Postoperatively, buprenorphine (0,01 mg/kg) was administered intravenously if dogs scored 6/24 on CMPS-SF. The ordinal mixed model showed no difference in pain scores between groups. Fisher's exact test showed no significant difference in postoperative buprenorphine requirements between group S (3/22 dogs) and group R (1/21 dogs) at the doses used. In addition, lower sedation scores were associated with higher DIVAS scores. In this multimodal analgesic protocol, ropivacaine could not improve analgesia compared to saline.

INTRODUCTION: L'administration intrapéritonéale d'anesthésiques locaux peut réduire la douleur postopératoire après une ovariohystérectomie chez la chienne. L'objectif de cet essai clinique prospectif, randomisé, en aveugle et contrôlé par placebo était de comparer l'analgésie postopératoire et les besoins en opioïdes après l'administration intrapéritonéale et incisionnelle de ropivacaïne par rapport à du NaCl 0,9 % (sérum physiologique). Quarante-trois chiennes appartenant à des clients ont été enrôlés dans l'étude et anesthésiés selon un protocole standardisé comprenant une prémédication par acépromazine (0,03 - 0,05 mg/kg) et dexmedetomidine (0,01 mg/kg) par voie intramusculaire. L'anesthésie a été induite avec du propofol dosé à l'effet et de la kétamine (1 mg/kg) par voie intraveineuse et maintenue avec de l'isoflurane dans de l'oxygène. Le traitement analgésique comprenait du carprofène (4 mg/kg) par voie sous-cutanée et de la morphine (0,2 mg/kg) par voie intraveineuse. En fonction de son affectation à un groupe, chaque chien a reçu soit une injection intrapéritonéale et incisionnelle de ropivacaïne (2 mg/kg et 1 mg/kg, respectivement) (groupe R), soit un volume égal de solution saline (groupe S). La buprénorphine (0,02 mg/kg) a été administrée par voie intramusculaire après l'ablation de l'utérus. La sédation et la douleur ont été évaluées 0,5, 1, 2, 4, 6 et 8 heures après l'extubation à l'aide d'une échelle de sédation, de la forme courte de l'échelle composite de douleur de Glasgow (CMPS-SF) et d'une échelle visuelle analogique interactive dynamique (DIVAS). En postopératoire, de la buprénorphine (0,01 mg/kg) a été administrée par voie intraveineuse si les chiens obtenaient un score de 6/24 sur l'échelle CMPS-SF. Le modèle mixte ordinal n'a montré aucune différence dans les scores de douleur entre les groupes. Le test exact de Fisher n'a pas montré de différence significative dans les besoins postopératoires en buprénorphine entre le groupe S (3/22 chiens) et le groupe R (1/21 chiens) aux doses utilisées. De plus, des scores de sédation plus faibles étaient associés à des scores DIVAS plus élevés. Dans ce protocole d'analgésie multimodale, la ropivacaïne n'a pas permis d'améliorer l'analgésie par rapport au sérum physiologique.

Biodeterioration and Chemical Corrosion of Concrete in the Marine Environment: Too Complex for Prediction.

Concrete is the most utilized construction material worldwide. In the marine environment, it is subject to chemical degradation through reactions with chloride (the most important ion), and sulfate and magnesium ions in seawater, and to biodeterioration resulting from biological (initially microbiological) activities, principally acid production. These two types of corrosions are reviewed and the failure of attempts to predict the degree of deterioration resulting from each is noted. Chemical (abiotic) corrosion is greatest in the splash zone of coastal constructions, while phenomenological evidence suggests that biodeterioration is greatest in tidal zones. There have been no comparative experiments to determine the rates and types of microbial biofilm formation in these zones. Both chemical and microbiological concrete deteriorations are complex and have not been successfully modeled. The interaction between abiotic corrosion and biofilm formation is considered. EPS can maintain surface hydration, potentially reducing abiotic corrosion. The early marine biofilm contains relatively specific bacterial colonizers, including cyanobacteria and proteobacteria; these change over time, producing a generic concrete biofilm, but the adhesion of microorganisms to concrete in the oceans has been little investigated. The colonization of artificial reefs is briefly discussed. Concrete appears to be a relatively prescriptive substrate, with modifications necessary to increase colonization for the required goal of increasing biological diversity.

The Prevalence of Occupational Accidents and the Associated Factors Among Janitorial Staff at a University Teaching Hospital in South Ethiopia.

Background: The healthcare industry is widely regarded as a high-risk environment for workers' occupational health and safety. As a result, healthcare workers are constantly exposed to a wide range of hazards, including biological, chemical, physical, ergonomic, and psychosocial hazards. Consequently, janitorial staff are the most vulnerable section of the healthcare workforce to occupational injuries when compared to others due to the nature of their work. Therefore, this study aims at assessing the magnitude of occupational accidents and associated factors among Janitorial staff at Dilla University Teaching Hospital. Methods: This cross-sectional institutional-based study was conducted from August to September 2022 at a University Teaching Hospital in South Ethiopia. A total of 105 janitorial staff were included in the study with a response rate of 93.8%. The data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were entered using Epi Info version 7.2.5 and exported to IBM SPSS statistics 22 for further cleaning and analysis. The binary logistic regression model was used to identify predictors of occupational accidents and variables with a p-value of <0.05 during the multivariable analysis were considered statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of occupational accidents is 61% (95% CI: 51.4, 70.5). Of the total study participants, 52 (45.5%) and 33 (31.4%) of the participants had reported that they have experienced chemical splash and needle stick injury, respectively. The age of participants was one of the factors for occupational accidents. The participants who did not receive training were 3 times [AOR=2.9, 95% CI (1.04, 8.02)] more likely exposed. Having good practice was protective against occupational injuries. Conclusion: The study highlights the high prevalence of occupational accidents, particularly chemical splashes, and needle stick injuries, among janitors in the study settings. The study emphasizes the importance of age, training, awareness, and adherence to infection prevention and control strategies as factors influencing the likelihood of experiencing occupational injuries.

Two Novel Variants in MITF and PAX3 Associated With Splashed White Phenotypes in Horses.

Mutations causing depigmentation are relatively common in Equus caballus (horse). Over 40 alleles in multiple genes are associated with increased white spotting (as of February 2023). The splashed white phenotype, a coat spotting pattern described as appearing like the horse has been splashed with white paint, was previously associated with variants in the PAX3 and MITF genes. Both genes encode transcription factors known to control melanocyte migration and pigmentation. We report two novel mutations, a stop-gain mutation in PAX3 (XM_005610643.3:c.927C>T, ECA6:11,196,181, EquCab3.0) and a missense mutation in a binding domain of MITF (NM_001163874.1:c.993A>T, ECA16:21,559,940, EquCab3.0), each with a strong association with increased depigmentation in Pura Raza Española horses (P = 1.144E-11, N = 30, P = 4.441E-16, N = 39 respectively). Using a quantitative method to score depigmentation, the PAX3 and MITF mutations were found to have average white scores of 25.50 and 24.45, respectively, compared to the average white coat spotting score of 1.89 in the control set. The functional impact for each mutation was predicted to be moderate to extreme (I-TASSER, SMART, Variant Effect Predictor, SIFT). We propose to designate the MITF mutant allele as Splashed White 9 and the PAX3 mutant allele as Splashed White 10 per convention.

Runoff and soil loss in biocrusts and physical crusts from the Tabernas Desert (southeast Spain) according to rainfall intensity.

Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) influence hydrological and erosive processes in drylands, and their effects increase with hypothetic successional development. Runoff and raindrops, both dependent on rain intensity, are among the main causes of erosion in these areas. However, little is known about the existence of soil loss nonlinearity in relation to rain intensity and crust types; this nonlinearity could control biocrust succession and dynamics. The assumption of biocrust types as successional stages, which allow space-for-time sampling, makes it advisable to include all the successional stages when exploring possible nonlinearity. We considered seven types of crusts, three physical and four biological. We created four rainfall intensity levels in controlled laboratory conditions: 18, 60, 120, and 240 mm/h. In all but the last, we conducted the experiments at two levels of antecedent soil moisture. Generalized Lineal Models enabled us to test for differences. These analyses confirmed previous knowledge regarding the significant effect of rainfall intensity, crust type and antecedent soil moisture and their interactions on runoff and soil loss, despite the small sample size of the sample units. For example, runoff, and particularly soil loss, decreased along succession. Moreover, some results were novel: the runoff coefficient increased only up to 120 mm/h of rain intensity. A decoupling between runoff and soil loss occurred at high intensities. Soil loss increased as rainfall intensity increased only up to 60 mm/h, and then it decreased, mainly due to physical crusts, because of the formation of a water sheet on the surface due to the incoming rainwater exceeding the drainage capacity. Although soil loss was greater in the incipient cyanobacteria than in the most developed lichen biocrust (Lepraria community), the protection provided by any biocrust against soil loss was great compared to the physical crust, and almost as strong at all rain intensities. Soil loss increased with antecedent soil moisture only in physical crusts. Biocrusts resisted the rain splash even at a rainfall intensity of 240 mm/h.

Ballistic Impacts with Bullet Splash-Load History Estimation for .308 Bullets vs. Hard Steel Targets.

The study focuses on testing a simplified way of estimating the resultant force due to ballistic impacts resulting in a full fragmentation of the impactor with no penetration of the target. The method is intended to be useful for the parsimonious structural assessment of military aircrafts with integrated ballistic protection systems by means of large scale explicit finite element simulations. The research investigates the effectiveness of the method in allowing the prediction of the fields of plastic deformation collected by hard steel plates impacted by a wide range of semi-jacketed, monolithic, and full metal jacket .308 Winchester rifle bullets. The outcomes show the effectiveness of the method being strictly related to the full compliance of the considered cases with the bullet-splash hypotheses. The study therefore suggests the application of the load history approach only after careful experimental investigations on the specific impactor-target interactions.

Energy metabolism and behavioral parameters in female mice subjected to obesity and offspring deprivation stress.

This study aimed to evaluate the behavioral and energy metabolism parameters in female mice subjected to obesity and offspring deprivation (OD) stress. Eighty female Swiss mice, 40 days old, were weighed and divided into two groups: Control group (control diet, n = 40) and Obese group (high-fat diet, n = 40), for induction of the animal model of obesity, the protocol was based on the consumption of a high-fat diet and lasted 8 weeks. Subsequently, the females were subjected to pregnancy, after the birth of the offspring, were divided again into the following groups (n = 20): Control non-deprived (ND), Control + OD, Obese ND, and Obese + OD, for induction of the stress protocol by OD. After the offspring were 21 days old, weaning was performed and the dams were subjected to behavioral tests. The animals were humanely sacrificed, the brain was removed, and brain structures were isolated to assess energy metabolism. Both obesity and OD led to anhedonia in the dams. It was shown that the structures most affected by obesity and OD are the hypothalamus and hippocampus, as evidenced by the mitochondrial dysfunction found in these structures. When analyzing the groups separately, it was observed that OD led to more pronounced mitochondrial damage; however, the association of obesity with OD, as well as obesity alone, also generated damage. Thus, it is concluded that obesity and OD lead to anhedonia in animals and to mitochondrial dysfunction in the hypothalamus and hippocampus, which may lead to losses in feeding control and cognition of the dams.

Drop impact dynamics on the hydrophobic leaf surface of an aquatic plant: a case study of Pistia stratiotes.

Pistia stratiotes is an aquatic plant with a complex structure that allows it to stay afloat. It grows quickly, and in large numbers becomes an undesirable plant as an invasive species. Describing the dynamics of a water drop splash on P. stratiotes leaves can contribute to increasing knowledge of its behavior and finding alternative methods for eradicating it or using it for the benefit of the environment. The non-wettable surface of P. stratiotes presents a complex structure-simple uniseriate trichomes and also ridges and veins. We analyzed the drop impact on a leaf placed on the water surface and recorded it by high-speed cameras. Based on the recordings, quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed. After impacting the leaf, the water drop spread until it reached its maximum surface area accompanied by the ejection of early droplets in the initial stage. Thereafter, three scenarios of water behavior were observed: (i) drop receding and stabilization; (ii) drop receding and ejection of late droplets formed in the later stage as an effect of elastic deformation of the leaf; and (iii) drop breaking apart and ejection of late droplets. The results indicated that the increasing kinetic energy of the impacting drops expressed by the Weber number and the complex leaf surface have an effect on the course of the splash. The simple uniseriate trichomes of the P. stratiotes leaf and the high energy of the falling drops were responsible for the formation and characteristics of the early droplets. The presence of ridges and veins and the leaf's mechanical response had an impact on the occurrence of late droplets.

Effects of cyanobacteria- and moss-biocrusts on soil aggregate stability and splash erosion in croplands of the China Mollisols area.

To investigate the effects of biocrusts development on aggregate stability and splash erosion of Mollisols and to understand its function in soil and water conservation, we collected biocrusts (cyano crust and moss crust) samples in croplands during the growing season and measured the differences in aggregate stability between biocrusts and uncrusted soil. The effects of biocrusts on reduction of raindrop kinetic energy were determined and splash erosion amounts were obtained with single raindrop and simulated rainfall experiments. The correlations among soil aggregate stability, splash erosion characteristics, and fundamental properties of biocrusts were analyzed. The results showed that compared to uncrusted soil, the cyano crust and the moss crust decreased the proportion of soil water-stable aggregates <0.25 mm by 10.5% and 21.8%, respectively, while their soil water-stable aggregates 5-10 mm were 4.0 and 8.8 times as that of uncrusted soil. In contrast to uncrusted soil, the macroaggregate content (R0.25), mean weight diameter (MWD), and geometric mean diameter (GMD) of biocrusts were 31.5%, 76.2%, and 33.5% higher, respectively. In addition, biocrusts reduced raindrop kinetic energy by an average of 0.48 J compared to uncrusted soil. The breakthrough raindrop kinetic energy of cyano crust and moss crust were 2.9 and 26.2 times as that of uncrusted soil, while the reduction of raindrop kinetic energy by cyano crust with high biomass was 1.3 and 6.6 times as that of medium and low biomass, respectively. Under the single raindrop and simulated rainfall conditions, biocrusts reduced splash erosion amounts by 47.5% and 79.4%, respectively. The proportion of aggregates >0.25 mm in the splash soil particles of biocrusts (37.9%) was 40.3% lower than that of uncrusted soil, while the proportion of aggregates >0.25 mm decreased as biocrust biomass increased. Moreover, the aggregate stability, splash erosion amount, and fundamental properties of biocrusts were significantly correlated. The MWD of aggregates was significantly and negatively correlated with the splash erosion amount under single raindrop and simulated rainfall conditions, indicating that the improved aggregate stability of surface soil caused by biocrusts accounted for reducing splash erosion. The biomass, thickness, water content, and organic matter content of biocrusts had significant effects on aggregate stability and splash characteristics. In conclusion, biocrusts significantly promoted soil aggregate stability and reduced splash erosion, which had great significance to soil erosion prevention and the conservation and sustainable utilization of Mollisols.