Global mantle convection models produce transform offsets along divergent plate boundaries

The presence of offsets, appearing at intervals ranging from 10s to 100s of kilometres, is a distinct characteristic of constructive tectonic plate margins. By comparison, boundaries associated with subduction exhibit uninterrupted continuity. Here, we present global mantle convection calculations that result in a mobile lithosphere featuring dynamically derived plate boundaries exhibiting a contrasting superficial structure which distinguishes convergence and divergence. Implementing a yield-stress that governs the viscosity in the lithosphere, spreading boundaries at the top of a vigorously convecting mantle form as divergent linear segments regularly offset by similar length zones that correlate with a large degree of shear but comparatively minimal divergence. Analogous offset segments do not emerge in the boundaries associated with surface convergence. Comparing the similarity in the morphologies of the model plate margins to the Earth’s plate boundaries demonstrates that transform-like offsets are a result of stress induced weakness in the lithosphere owing to passive rupturing.

Amalgamation of diverse hydrodynamic effects with novel triple-sided membrane valves for developing a microfluidic device for filterless and continuous water purification

A microfluidic device displaying multiple hydrodynamic effects was designed to separate suspended impurities (i.e. bacteria and similar length scale particles present in water in the suspension form) from water.

Comparison of Geomagnetic Indices During Even and Odd Solar Cycles SC17 – SC24: Signatures of Gnevyshev Gap in Geomagnetic Activity

We show that the time series of sunspot group areas has a gap, the so-called Gnevyshev gap (GG), between ascending and descending phases of the cycle and especially so for the even-numbered cycles. For the odd cycles this gap is less obvious, and is only a small decline after the maximum of the cycle. We resample the cycles to have the same length of 3945 days (about 10.8 years), and show that the decline is between 1445 – 1567 days after the start of the cycle for the even cycles, and extending sometimes until 1725 days from the start of the cycle. For the odd cycles the gap is a little earlier, 1332 – 1445 days after the start of the cycles with no extension. We analyze geomagnetic disturbances for Solar Cycles 17 – 24 using the Dst-index, the related Dxt- and Dcx-indices, and the Ap-index. In all of these time series there is a decline at the time, or somewhat after, the GG in the solar indices, and it is at its deepest between 1567 – 1725 days for the even cycles and between 1445 – 1567 days for the odd cycles. The averages of these indices for even cycles in the interval 1445 – 1725 are 46%, 46%, 18%, and 29% smaller compared to surrounding intervals of similar length for Dst, Dxt, Dcx, and Ap, respectively. For odd cycles the averages of the Dst- and Dxt-indices between 1322 – 1567 days are 31% and 12% smaller than the surrounding intervals, but not smaller for the Dcx-index and only 4% smaller for the Ap-index. The declines are significant at the 99% level for both even and odd cycles of the Dst-index and for the Dxt-, Dcx- and Ap-indices for even cycles. For odd cycles of the Dxt-index the significance is 95%, but the decline is insignificant for odd cycles of the Dcx- and Ap-indices.

A new species of Pontoscolex earthworm (Rhinodrilidae, Clitellata) from the Gurupi Biological Reserve, along with records of earthworm species from the Amazon region of Maranhão, Brazil

We describe a new species of the genus Pontoscolex from the Amazon region of Maranhão State in Brazil. The region is the most deforested and degraded in the biome, with only 25% of the original forest cover left. Pontoscolex awa sp. nov. has regular setae, very small spermathecae, and tubercula pubertatis band-shaped extending to AB line in XIX–XII. Common and genital setae are of similar length and without ornamentations; these features are new in the genus, although unknown in several species. The Gurupi Biological Reserve where the new species was found is the only integral protection area within the Belém Endemism Area and therefore of crucial importance for conservation of earthworms and other endemic organisms.

Effect of Patella Alta on the Native Anatomometricity of the Medial Patellofemoral Complex: A Cadaveric Study

Background: Patella alta has been identified as an important risk factor for lateral patellar instability and medial patellofemoral complex (MPFC) reconstruction failure. Purpose: To evaluate the length changes of the MPFC at multiple possible reconstruction locations along the extensor mechanism in varying degrees of patella alta throughout knee motion. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Eight fresh-frozen cadaveric knees were used in this study. The MPFC was identified and dissected with the patellar tendon and quadriceps tendon. A custom-made jig was utilized to evaluate lengths from 0° to 90° of flexion with physiological quadriceps loading. Length was measured with a 3-dimensional robotic arm at 4 possible reconstruction locations along the extensor mechanism: the midpoint patella (MP), the MPFC osseous center (FC), the superior medial pole of the patella (SM) at the level of the quadriceps insertion, and 1 cm proximal to the SM point along the quadriceps tendon (QT). These measurements were repeated at 0°, 20°, 40°, 60° and 90° of flexion. Degrees of increasing severity of patella alta at Caton-Deschamps index (CDI) ratios of 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, and 1.6 were then investigated. Results: Patella alta and MPFC attachment site location significantly affected changes in MPFC length from 0° to 90° of flexion ( P< .0005). Length changes at attachment MP showed no difference when CDI 1.0 was compared with all patella alta values (CDI 1.2, 1.4, 1.6; P > .05). Similarly, FC showed no difference in length change from 0° to 90° until CDI 1.6, in contrast to proximal attachments (SM, QT), which demonstrated significant changes at CDI 1.4 and 1.6. When length changes were analyzed at each degree of flexion (0°, 20°, 40°, 60°, 90°), Spearman correlation analysis showed a moderate negative linear correlation for QT at CDI 1.0 ( r= −0.484; P = .002) and 1.6 ( r = −0.692; P < .0005), demonstrating constant loosening at the QT point at normal and elevated patellar height. In contrast, no differences in length were observed for MP at CDI 1.0 throughout flexion, and at CDI 1.6, there was a difference only at 0° ( P < .05). Points FC and MP at CDI 1.6 had similar length change properties to points SM and QT at CDI 1.0 ( P > .05), suggesting that distal attachments in the setting of patella alta may provide similar length changes to proximal attachmentswith normal height. Conclusion: Anisometry of the MPFC varies not only with attachment location on the extensor mechanism but also with patellar height. Increased patellar height leads to more significant changes in anisometry in the proximal MPFC attachment point as compared with the distal component. In the setting of patella alta, including a CD ratio of 1.6, the osseous attachments of the MPFC remain nearly isometric wheras the proximal half length changes increase significantly. Clinical Significance: The results of this study support the idea that the MPFC should be considered as 2 separate entities (proximal medial quadriceps tendon femoral ligament and distal medial patellofemoral ligament) owing to their unique length change properties.

Ahmednagar

Ahmednagar developed the same type of symbolic importance for those interned in India as that which Knockaloe held for the Germans interned in Great Britain. While much smaller in scale than the head camp further north, Ahmednagar lasted for a similar length of time and played a leading role in the incarceration of Germans from East Africa, India, and Siam. The camp lay on the site of a medieval fort. The few thousand male internees complained about the conditions they endured but, as in other imperial camps, they experienced humane treatment and developed a rich prison camp society. As in the rest of the Empire, the Germans in Ahmednagar and in the other camps in India faced deportation back to Europe, especially upon the Golconda during 1915 and 1916. This ship came to have the same symbolic significance as Ahmednagar for the end of the German presence in India.

Morphological ontogeny of Cosmochthonius oralensis sp. nov. (Acari: Oribatida: Cosmochthonidae) from Kazakhstan, and comments on Cosmochthonius Berlese

The morphological ontogeny of Cosmochthonius oralensis sp. nov. from West Kazakhstan is described and illustrated. The adult of this species has thin cerotegument and microfoveae on the pygidium, as has C. minifoveolatus Gil et al., 1991, but the latter species is smaller than C. oralensis and its basal cilia on erected setae of f-series are distinctly longer than on setae of e-series; in C. oralensis these cilia are of similar length. The juveniles of both species are similar to adults, except for smaller body size and more delicate cuticle of juveniles. These species also differ from each other by the number of cilia on erected setae, both in the juveniles and adults. The morphology of C. oralensis is compared with congeners.

Two new species of Rhabdocoela (Polycystididae and Trigonostomidae) from China

Two new species of Rhabdocoela, namely Alcha sinensis n. sp. (Polycystididae) and Trigonostomum sinensis n. sp. (Trigonostomidae), were discovered from the intertidal zone of eastern Shenzhen City, China. For A. sinensis n. sp., the stylet consists of two symmetrical triangular plates and one lamellar plate. All three plates are jagged at their posterior ends. The anterior end of the stylet connects to a thick muscular layer, which causes its movement. For T. sinensis n. sp., the copulatory organ consists of a long-tubular stylet and two "T"-shaped plates (plate I and plate II). The stylet bends 120° at 25% of its length from the base and extends straight distally. Two "T" plates are connected to each other and surround the stylet. Plate I is hook-shaped at its distal end, and plate II has a similar length but only half the width of plate I. The phylogenetic (18S rDNA and 28S rDNA) results also support the establishment of these two new species. On the basis of the molecular phylogeny and morphology of the copulatory organ and bursa appendage, we propose a new categorization of the species of Trigonostomum.