Vegetation management with fire modifies peatland soil thermal regime

Vegetation removal with fire can alter the thermal regime of the land surface, leading to significant changes in biogeochemistry (e.g. carbon cycling) and soil hydrology. In the UK, large expanses of carbon-rich upland environments are managed to encourage increased abundance of red grouse (Lagopus lagopus scotica) by rotational burning of shrub vegetation. To date, though, there has not been any consideration of whether prescribed vegetation burning on peatlands modifies the thermal regime of the soil mass in the years after fire. In this study thermal regime was monitored across 12 burned peatland soil plots over an 18-month period, with the aim of (i) quantifying thermal dynamics between burned plots of different ages (from <2 to 15+years post burning), and (ii) developing statistical models to determine the magnitude of thermal change caused by vegetation management. Compared to plots burned 15+years previously, plots recently burned (<2-4 years) showed higher mean, maximum and range of soil temperatures, and lower minima. Statistical models (generalised least square regression) were developed to predict daily mean and maximum soil temperature in plots burned 15+years prior to the study. These models were then applied to predict temperatures of plots burned 2, 4 and 7 years previously, with significant deviations from predicted temperatures illustrating the magnitude of burn management effects. Temperatures measured in soil plots burned <2 years previously showed significant statistical disturbances from model predictions, reaching+6.2°C for daily mean temperatures and+19.6°C for daily maxima. Soil temperatures in plots burnt 7 years previously were most similar to plots burned 15+years ago indicating the potential for soil temperatures to recover as vegetation regrows. Our findings that prescribed peatland vegetation burning alters soil thermal regime should provide an impetus for further research to understand the consequences of thermal regime change for carbon processing and release, and hydrological processes, in these peatlands

The use of standing lateral tibial-calcaneal angle as a quantitative measurement of Achilles tendon contracture in adult acquired flatfoot.

BACKGROUND: To quantitate the association of Achilles tendon contracture (ATC) with adult acquired flatfoot, the authors hypothesized that the standing lateral tibial-calcaneal angle increases because of ATC. METHODS: The standing lateral tibial-calcaneal angle, talo-first metatarsal angle, lateral talocalcaneal angle, lateral standing medial cuneiform, arch height, and anteroposterior talonavicular coverage angle were measured in 21 patients (25 feet) with clinical diagnoses of ATC and adult acquired flatfoot (AAF) and compared to the same measurements in a control group of 15 patients (30 feet) with no foot deformities or previous foot surgeries. RESULTS: The mean lateral tibial-calcaneal angle in the control group was 64.43 degrees and in the AAF group 71.24 degrees (p \u3c 0.001). The mean lateral talo-first metatarsal angle in the control group was 11.77 degrees, and in the AAF group with ATC it was 25.80 degrees (p \u3c 0.001). The mean arch height in the control group was 17.90 mm and in the AAF group, 8.48 mm (p \u3c 0.001). In the ATC and AAF group an increasing standing lateral tibial-calcaneal angle was correlated with a decreasing lateral talo-calcaneal angle (p = 0.044), and a decreasing arch height was correlated to an increasing lateral talo-first metatarsal angle (p \u3c 0.001). CONCLUSION: Adults with flatfeet and Achilles tendon contracture may have a statistically significant increase in the standing lateral tibial-calcaneal angle. This angle may be a reproducible measure of ATC. An increase in the standing lateral tibial-calcaneal angle may confirm and quantitate the clinical diagnosis of Achilles tendon contracture. Further studies with more patients are needed

Radiographic comparison of standing medial cuneiform arch height in adults with and without acquired flatfoot deformity.

BACKGROUND: Adult acquired flatfoot (AAF) is characterized by decreased arch height, talar depression, medial arch depression and elongation, and forefoot abduction. We have measured standing arch height in AAF patients and in a control group of patients using the standing lateral medial cuneiform arch height radiographic measurement. METHODS: Fifteen (25 feet) patients were selected with the clinical diagnosis of symptomatic AAF with no secondary diagnoses. A control group consisted of 36 (72 feet) patients with no foot deformities or prior foot surgeries. Arch height was measured in millimeters using the standing medial cuneiform height on the lateral radiographic view. RESULTS: The mean standing medial cuneiform arch height in the control group was 18.38 mm. The mean arch height in the AAF group was 11.04 mm (p \u3c 0.001). There were no differences between right and left feet in the control group or symptomatic and contralateral feet in the AAF group. Body mass index (BMI) in the control group was 26.17 and in the AAF 33.74. (p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: These data provide a control value for the arch height using the medial cuneiform as reference. The decrease in arch height is a strong indicator of AAF. A study with larger numbers of patients is necessary

The Neurophysiological Effects of Guarana and Ethanol Intake on Daphnia magna

In recent years, the consumption of energy drinks and alcoholic beverages has become a prevalent habit, especially among younger generations. However, there is little scientific research surrounding the interaction of ethanol and the natural stimulant guarana, which is being utilized more frequently as the main caffeine source in energy drinks. This study utilized Daphnia magna (D. magna) as a model organism to observe alterations in the functioning of the central nervous system when exposed to both ethanol and guarana in a series of time trials. As expected, ethanol significantly decreased the overall heart rate of the D. magna, while guarana increased it. In combination, the depressant effects of ethanol decreased the stimulating effects of guarana, as our results displayed a statistically significant reduction of heart rate. Therefore we propose that our findings indicated that the alcohol effects may be stronger than the effects of guarana

Hindfoot alignment valgus moment arm increases in adult flatfoot with Achilles tendon contracture.

BACKGROUND: Adult acquired flatfoot is often associated with Achilles tendon contracture and may be associated with isolated spring ligament insufficiency without Achilles tendon contracture. We have studied the hypothesis that standing valgus hindfoot alignment moment arm is increased in adult acquired flatfoot with Achilles tendon contracture when compared to adult acquired flatfoot without Achilles tendon contracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The standing hindfoot alignment, standing lateral tibial-calcaneal angle, lateral talo-first metatarsal angle, lateral medial cuneiform arch height, and anteroposterior talonavicular coverage angle were measured in 22 patients with a clinical diagnosis of adult acquired flatfoot with one foot with clinical Achilles tendon contracture and one without that diagnosis. We compared the adult acquired flatfoot group to a control group of 15 patients with no foot or ankle deformities or previous foot or ankle surgeries. RESULTS: In patients with flatfoot and Achilles tendon contracture, there was a significantly increased valgus hindfoot alignment, talo-first metatarsal angle, talonavicular coverage angle, tibiocalcaneal angle and a decreased arch height when compared to the control group. In all flatfeet, we found an increased tibiocalcaneal angle. In both flatfoot groups, an increasing tibiocalcaneal angle and an increasing talo-first metatarsal angle was correlated to a decreasing arch height. In adult acquired flatfoot without Achilles tendon contracture diagnosed by clinical exam, an increasing talonavicular coverage angle was correlated to an increasing talo-first metatarsal angle and a decreasing arch height. CONCLUSION: Adults with flatfoot and Achilles tendon contracture have a significantly increased standing hindfoot valgus alignment moment arm and other associated deformities