Late Mesoproterozoic – early Neoproterozoic organic‐walled microfossils from the Madhubani Group of the Ganga Valley,northern India

The age of the sedimentary basement of the Ganga Valley in northern India, which is represented by the entirely subsurface Ganga Supergroup, is key for addressing issues related to the tectonic history of the Himalaya. However, the stratigraphic correlations between the Ganga Supergroup in the Ganga Valley, the Vindhyan Supergroup in cratonic India to the south, and Proterozoic successions in the Lesser Himalaya to the north have long been a matter of controversy. This is largely because of the poor age constraint of the Madhubani Group of the upper Ganga Supergroup, which has been variously interpreted as Proterozoic, lower Palaeozoic, or even Mesozoic. To address this issue, we used a low manipulation maceration technique to extract organic‐walled microfossils from the Ujhani and Tilhar formations of the lower Madhubani Group. Our study recovered a total of 24 taxa, including Devisphaera corallis gen. et sp. nov. The co‐occurrence of Trachyhystrichosphaera aimika, Caudosphaera expansa and Annulusia annulata in the lower Madhubani Group indicates a late Mesoproterozoic to early Neoproterozoic age. Thus, the biostratigraphical data suggest a >300 myr depositional gap between the Madhubani Group and the immediately underlying Bahraich Group, which has been independently constrained to be upper Palaeoproterozoic to lower Mesoproterozoic in age. Therefore, the first‐order stratigraphic architecture, with a Palaeoproterozoic–Mesoproterozoic succession unconformably overlain by a Mesoproterozoic–Neoproterozoic succession, is closely similar throughout the Vindhyan Basin, Ganga Valley and Lesser Himalaya, suggesting a shared sedimentary and tectonic history among them.     

Upper Triassic reef facies in the Asher-Atlit-1 borehole, Northern Israel: Microfacies, cement stratigraphy and paleogeographic implications

Summary  The late Triassic succession of the Asher-Atlit 1 borehole is over 1000 m thick, and is composed of reefal and associated facies interbedded with volcanics of Norian age. Only borehole cuttings are available. Microfacies classification and cement stratigraphy determined by optical and CL microscopy, allowed discrimination of six episodes of reef establishment, progradation, shallowing, and termination. Organic buildups are constructed of reef-building biota (sponges, possible corals, encrusting organisms) typical for the late Triassic of the Tethys. Reef-associated facies include fore-slope, central reef, ooid shoal, lagoonal, and supratidal environments. Cement zoning patterns trace diagenetic signatures which range from early neomorphic skeletal replacements and original marine cements, via characteristic burial sequences; depositional and diagenetic sequences are terminated by marginal marine intra- or supratidal conditions, and subaerial exposure with pedogenic overprints. Volcanic episodes tend to be associated with termination of carbonate sedimentation episodes, while volcanic quiescence and subsidence permit vertical progradation of reefal and associated facies. The depositional and progradational environment, rapid rate of sedimentation, periodicity, association with volcanics, and regional considerations, suggest a depositional setting on the rifted shelf-margin of the nascent Neo-Tethys, with a possible eustatic overprint.     

Microstratigraphy of the Kibish hominin sites KHS and PHS, Lower Omo Valley, Ethiopia

Detailed stratigraphic analysis of the Omo I and Omo II fossil localities confirms both the relational and sequential context reported by Butzer in 1969. The two fossils derive from approximately the same level within upper Member I of the Kibish Formation. Additional features of the local stratigraphic sequences indicate a complex history of depositional events, minor erosional surfaces, and weak soil formation throughout upper Member I.     

Luminescence dating and modern human origins

For the most recent evolutionary history of our species, that covering the emergence of anatomically modern humans during the last 100,000 years or more, few dating methods have such a wide range of potential application as luminescence dating. With its ability to provide direct ages in this time range for both archeological and depositional events, and using commonly occurring materials, luminescence seems to be an appropriate tool for almost any location containing modern or near-modern human fossils or artifacts. However, the method is complicated and expensive, depending on variables that may be difficult to estimate in any given situation. This has deterred widespread use, although recent methodological developments have increased accuracy and reliability. An understanding of the potential and limitations of luminescence dating should help students of human origins judge its value and evaluate its applications.     

Miocene carbonate factories in the syn-rift Sardinia Graben Subbasins (Italy)

Summary Miocene syn-rift carbonate production areas are exposed in south-eastern Sardinia (Italy) along the eastern side of the Plio-Pleistocene Campidano Graben. Here the downfaulted margins of the Oligo-Miocene Sardinia rift-basin crop out with a complex alignment of smaller subbasins. Carbonate factories developed during the Aquitanian times in these tectonically controlled small depositional subbasins, where terrigenous input might be high due to the erosion of the uplifted pre-Neogene substrata. Terrigenous deposits generally acted as passive substratum for pioneer communities of rhodalgal-type (red algae, ostreids, bryozoans) and locally evolved into coral-dominated assemblages. Carbonate production areas occur on tilted, uplifted blocks as well as along basement margins. These have varying organic communities and facies characteristics strongly dependent on different environmental conditions. In footwall areas, devoid of (or with a very reduced) terrigenous supply, open foramol carbonate factories occur with aggradational-progradational stratigraphic geometries. The resulting pure calcareous successions are organized in sequences, bounded by tectonically driven discontinuity surfaces. In sectors close to the hinterland area, with a higher freshwater input and a consequent significant clastic input, coral-dominated assemblages grew during long periods of quiescence between flash floods. Repeated coral-rich communities developed on thick wedges of terrigenous debris. Carbonate facies composition and distribution were mainly controlled by local syn-sedimentary tectonics and eustasy as well as by climate. However, although the inception of the carbonate factories was presumably not synchronous, their growth represented the response to a relative regional sea level rise subsequent to episodes of significant clastic supply: the expression of an early syn-rift stage. During the Burdigalian (N6 zone) a hemipelagic cover uniformly sealed the neritic successions. This basin wide drowning event appears to correspond to the transgressive system tract of the TB2.1 cycle ofHaq et al. (1987) but it can also be interpreted as the expression of an evolved syn-rift stage passing to late syn-rift and quiescence stages. Beneath the hemipelagic cover in some areas, ?late Aquitanian-early Burdigalian deep erosive surfaces, terrigenous clastics and paleosoils have been recognized. These suggest a relative sea level fall and may relate to the global sea level drop at the TB1-TB2 boundary (seeHaq et al., 1987) or to diacronous uplift of different fault blocks.     

Characterization of erythrocyte membrane tension for hemolysis prediction in complex flows

Hemolysis is a persistent issue with blood-contacting devices. Many experimental and theoretical contributions over the last few decades have increased insight into the mechanisms of hemolysis in both laminar and turbulent flows, with the ultimate goal of developing a comprehensive, mechanistic hemolysis model. Many models assume that hemolysis scales with a resultant, scalar stress representing all components of the fluid stress tensor. This study critically evaluates this scalar stress hypothesis by calculating the response of the red blood cell membrane to different types of fluid stress (laminar shear and extension, and three turbulent shear and extension cases), each with the same scalar stress. It was found that even though the scalar stress is the same for all cases, membrane tension varied by up to three orders of magnitude. In addition, extensional flow causes constant tension, while tank-treading in shear flow causes periodic tension, with tank-treading frequency varying by three orders of magnitude among the cases. For turbulent flow, tension also depends on eddy size. It is concluded, therefore, that scalar stress alone is inadequate for scaling hemolysis. Fundamental investigations are needed to establish a new index of the fluid stress tensor that provides reliable hemolysis prediction across the wide range of complex flows that occur in cardiovascular devices.     

Bridging the generation gap: flowering plant gametophytes and animal germlines reveal unexpected similarities

Alternation of generations underpins all plant life histories and is held to possess important adaptive features. A wide range of data have accumulated over the past century which suggest that alternation from sporophyte to gametophyte in angiosperms includes a significant phase of 'informational reprogramming', leaving the founder cells of the gametophyte developmentally uncommitted. This review attempts to bring together results from these historic studies with more recent data on molecular and epigenetic events which accompany alternation, gametophyte development and gametogenesis in angiosperms. It is striking that most members of the other principal group of multicellular eukaryotes – the animals - have a completely different a life history: animals generate their gametes directly from diploid germlines, often set aside early in development. Nevertheless, a comparison between animal germlines and angiosperm gametophyte development reveals a number of surprising similarities at the cytological and molecular levels. This difference in life history but similarity in developmental process is reviewed in the context of the very different life strategies adopted by plants and animals, and particularly the fact that plants do not set aside diploid germlines early in development.     

The distribution of freshwater shrimps (Atyidae and Palaemonidae) in Jamaica

The distribution of freshwater shrimps in Jamaica is presented. Atya innocous, Atya lanipes, Atya scabra, Micratya poeyi and Macrobrachium heterochirus were found only in the high-gradient streams characteristic of eastern and north-eastern parishes. Macrobrachium acanthurus, Jonga serrei , and Potimirim mexicana were found only in the low-gradient streams characteristic of western and southwestern parishes. Macrobrachium faustinum, Macrobrachium carcinus , and Xiphocaris elongata were distributed throughout Jamaica. Oxygen, temperature, and current speed were the physical features of the streams most likely influencing this distribution. It was observed that species in high-gradient streams had larvae which required high salinity for development, and those in low-gradient streams had larvae with low salinity requirements. It is argued that larval salinity preferences during the marine planktonic stage of the life history could allow larvae to select an appropriate river prior to its being invaded by juveniles.     

Potential enhancement of photosynthetic energy conversion in algal mass culture

Actual laboratory data obtained from steady-state Dunaliella tertiolecta cultures grown under a wide range of photon flux densities were used in a simple model to calculate daily production in a conventional algal mass culture system. In spite of large physiological and biochemical variations between low-light- (LL) and high light- (HL) adapted cultures, the overall calculated daily productivity is almost identical for both strains grown at optimal conditions. When production of fine biochemicals is considered, however, a hypothetical HL strain, which cannot shade adapt, is advantageous. Based on biochemical and biophysical analysis of D. tertiolecta responses to growth irradiance levels, specific targets are defined for genetic manipulation to enhance productivity in algal mass culture systems. The targets identified are (1) amplification of the carboxylation enzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase relative to the electron transport complexes, which should increase photosynthetic capacity at light saturation, and (2) enlargement of the light-harvesting complexes by varying their pigment composition in order to increase light harvesting at low photon flux densities.     

Le Lias et le Dogger du sud du Bassin parisien (France) : rôle de la tectonique syn-sédimentaire et reconstitutions paléogéographiques à l'échelle de la biozone d'ammonite

The Lias and Dogger series in the southern Paris Basin outcrops are precisely dated following the ammonite biozonation scale. In these series, the depositional environment context is accurately identified and thus various isopic zones can bee recognized. From the outcrop study, the depositional sequence and the tectonics events are also distinguished. The poorly dated subsurface data should be not anymore interpreted as diagraphic signatures, with the traditional peak to peak correlation. They now need to be analysed according to the geodynamic evolution of each isopic zone. The Liassic transgressive series (in the Armorican continent) and the Dogger platforms numerous carbonate bodies are correlated at biostratigraphic scale, throughout the whole southern Paris Basin. Subsequently, paleogeographic maps are established and based on depositional sequences. The basin evolution image changes radically. This shows clearly that the complexes carbonate bodies layout prohibits any depositional environment interpretation and any isopach mapping at geological stage level. If not, the carbonate platforms of different age would be amalgamated, without any connection with the reality. Over the time, paleogeographic maps show syn-sedimentary short wavelength deformations, more or less well expressed according to the local sedimentary context. During the Lias and the Dogger, three steps can be distinguished in the southern Paris Basin. Hettangian to Lower Aalenian, the progressive increase in accommodation drives to total immersion of the continental areas; the maximum of accommodation during the Middle Toarcian entails uniform sedimentary conditions. However, short wavelength deformations persist. The major accidents defining the isopic zones are mainly North-South oriented. Middle Aalenian to Middle Bathonian, isopic zones are contrasted, controlled by the North-South accidents but also the North West-South East ones ; the variable accommodation allowed the development of regional sedimentary gaps and shallow limestone progradations on a marly area (so called “Sillon marneux”) ; tectonics events correspond to the Tethyan and the North Sea riftings influences. Upper Bathonian to Upper Oxfordian, the North West-South East tectonics accidents are particularly active; this tectonic phase could be associated to the thermal event, described in the Paris Basin and announcing the Malm depositional environment.     

Effect of age and sex on lumbar lordosis and the range of motion. A systematic review and meta-analysis

Lumbar lordosis (LL) and the range of motion (RoM) are important physiological measurements when initiating any diagnosis and treatment plan for patients with low back pain. Numerous studies reported differences in LL and the RoM due to age and sex. However, these findings remain contradictory. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to synthesize mean values and the differences in LL and the RoM because of age and sex. The quality assessment tool for quantitative studies was applied to assess the methodological quality of the studies included.We identified 2372 papers through electronic (2309) and physical (63) searches. We assessed 218 full-text studies reporting measurements of LL or the RoM. In total, 65 studies were included, and a normative database for LL and the RoM is provided as supplementary material. Among these, 11 were included in the meta-analysis. LL and the RoM displayed non-monotonic variations with significant age and sex differences. Young females showed a significantly greater LL and the range of extension (RoE), whereas young males exhibited a greater range of flexion (RoF). Sex differences in the range of lateral bending (RoLB) were small but were significant for the axial rotation (RoAR). For the RoF, RoE and RoLB, differences because of age were significant among most of the age groups in both sexes, whereas for the RoAR, differences were significant only between the 20s vs the 30s-40s (males) and 40s vs 50s (females).Significant differences because of age/sex were identified. However, the age-dependent reduction in LL and the RoM was non-monotonic and differed in both sexes. These findings will help to better distinguish between functional deficits caused by spinal disorders and natural factors/conditions related to age and sex.     

Geology and hydrology of the deep subsurface microbiology sampling sites at the savannah river plant,South Carotina

This paper describes important hydrologic features of the deep subsurface microbiology sampling sites. Geologic history, depositional environments, statigraphy, and groundwater movement are discussed in relation to possible mechanisms of microbial colonization of deep aquifer formations beneath the Savannah River Plant.     

Circadian organization of running-wheel activity, food intake and drinking of old male rats

Circadian rhythms of running-wheel activity, food intake and drinking were monitored in old male rats of Long-Evans strain over 22 months of age in both entrained (light:dark 12:12, LD) and free running condition (continuous illumination, LL) and were compared with those of young adult male rats of 3.5 to 6.5 months of age. Twenty-four hour distribution of running activity, feeding events and licking events of young rats as well as old rats showed bi- or tri-modal patterns during the 12 hr dark period of the LD schedule. In the light period, 2 out of 8 old rats, 6 out of 10 old rats and 1 out of 6 old rats had 1 or 2 medium or high peaks in running activity, feeding events and licking events, respectively, leading to equal distribution between the dark and light period. In the LD schedule, old rats showed a decrease in running-wheel activity, its patterns and power spectra, a decrease in feeding events and its power spectra in 6 rats which lost circadian rhythms and increase in feeding events and its power spectra in 4 rats which still showed circadian rhythms and increase in licking events. LL suppressed running-wheel activity, its patterns and power spectra, licking events and its power spectra and feeding events in young rats. However, LL could suppress only feeding events of 4 rats which still showed circadian rhythms and licking events and its spectral level in old rats. The possible causes of decreased response to LL in old rats and its implication are discussed.     

Carbohydrate-Binding Proteins in the Leech: I. Isolation and Characterization of Lactose-Binding Proteins

Abstract: Three lactose-binding proteins with apparent molecular masses of 16, 35, and 63 kDa [leech lectin 16, 35, and 63 (LL16, LL35, and LL63, respectively)] were isolated from leech membranes. Polyclonal antibodies raised against LL35 cross-reacted with LL16 and LL63, indicating that all three lectins were immunologically related. These leech lectins, however, can be subdivided into two groups based on their tissue distributions and binding affinities for galactose derivatives. LL16 and LL35 are endogenous to the leech's CNS, whereas LL63 is only present in peripheral organs. LL16 and LL35, found in the CNS, bind both the α and β anomers of methylgalactose, whereas the peripheral lectin LL63 binds only the β form. LL35 and LL63 also differ in their binding affinities for galactosamine and N -acetylgalactosamine. The binding activity of LL35 was calcium independent and active over a wide pH range. Triton X-100 and 2-mercaptoethanol were necessary to recover LL35 binding activity during extraction. These characteristics strongly suggest that LL35 is another member of the calcium-independent galactose/lactose-specific lectins previously described in vertebrates and recently demonstrated in sponges and nematodes. Because a single leech expresses up to 100 µg of LL35, this leech lectin is readily amenable to structural and functional analysis.     

Effect of long-term preservation of basidiomycetes on perlite in liquid nitrogen on their growth, morphological, enzymatic and genetic characteristics

The macro- and micro-morphological features, mycelial extension rate, enzymatic activities and possible genetic changes were studied in 30 selected strains of basidiomycetes after 10-year cryopreservation on perlite in liquid nitrogen (LN). Comparisons with the same strains preserved by serial transfers on nutrient media at 4°C were also conducted. Production of ligninolytic enzymes and hydrogen peroxide was studied by quantitative spectrophotometric methods, whereas semiquantitative API ZYM testing was used to compare the levels of a wide range of hydrolytic enzymes. Our results show that cryopreservation in LN did not cause morphological changes in any isolate. The vitality of all fungi was successfully preserved and none of the physiological features were lost, even though the extension rate and enzyme activity were slightly affected. Moreover, sequence analysis of eight strains did not detect any changes in their genetic features after cryopreservation. These findings suggest that the perlite-based freezing protocol is suitable for long-term preservation of large numbers of basidiomycetes.     

Patterns and possible environmental controls of skeletogenesis of Porites lutea,South Thailand

Eleven fringing reef sites were investigated over a distance of about 50 km in the Phuket Region. There is a wide range in exposure to wave energy, and also water turbidity across the area. Annual increments of growth of shallow-water reef-front colonies of Porites lutea were calculated for the period November 1984 November 1986 using seasonal fluorescent banding (revealed with ultraviolet light) and Alizarin staining. Measurement of linear extension rate, skeletal bulk density, calcification rate, polyp numbers per unit area and colony surface morphology were made and compared. Linear extension rate and skeletal bulk density are inversely related within and between reef sites. Linear extension rate decreases and bulk density increases along a gradient of increasing hydraulic energy of the setting. Calcification (the product of linear extension rate and bulk density), although varying slightly from site to site, does not appear to relate to any obvious environmental inshore-offshore gradient. Skeletal bulk density is the most sensitive discriminator between reef sites, and we suggest that hydraulic energy of the setting is the main control on these spatial variations in skeletogenesis.     

Sedimentary response to basin inversion: Mid cretaceous-early tertiary pre- to syndeformational deposition at the Areif El Naqa anticline (Sinai, Egypt)

Summary The Areif El Naqa domal anticline in northeastern Sinai is part of the ‘Syrian Arc’ which represents an intraplate orogen that has been formed since the late Cretaceous by inversion of an older half-gaben system as a consequence of the collision of the African and Eurasian plates. The here studied pre- and syn-deformational Upper Albian to Lower Eocene sedimentary succession in the anticline was formed under shallow marine to hemipelagic conditions resulting in predominantly carbonate lithologies with only subordinate siliciclastic intercalations. The depositional history at Areif El Naqa has been reconstructed in terms of sequence stratigraphy on the basis of detailed sedimentological, biostratigraphical, and paleoecological investigations of ten sections including comparisons with age-equivalent successions further north and south as well as published data. Following a late Triassic-early Cretaceous extensional period, tectonically rather quiet conditions prevailed during deposition of the Albian-Turonian successions. Inversion started around the Coniacian. Three main phases of uplift have been determined for the Areif El Naqa anticline on the basis of evidence from lateral facies and thickness changes, local development of pronounced hiatuses, and in comparison to the sequence stratigraphic development in the tectonically quiet region of central east Sinai. The first major compressional phase is interpreted to have taken place in Coniacian-early Santonian times. It is characterized by pronounced facies and thickness changes which were documented in an earlier study byBartov et al. (1980). Nevertheless, inter-regional sea level changes still controlled deposition at Areif El Naqa during this period. The second pulse of tectonic uplift is indicated for the late Campanian-early Maastrichtian. This is based on siliciclastic deposits which are interpreted as having been reworked from older siliciclastic rocks uplifted in the anticlinal core. The third compressional pulse is inferred to be of middle Paleocene to early Eocene age as evidenced by a major hiatus in sections on the northern anticlinal flank. The uplift history at Areif El Naqa has been compared with the tectonic development in other parts of the Syrian Arc and in general seems to reflect major movements which occurred throughout the anticlines of the fold belt.     

Aquatic and riparian ecosystem recovery from debris flows in two western Washington streams,USA

An exceptionally powerful storm struck southwestern Washington in December 2007 causing large debris flows in two adjacent streams. The two affected streams had been studied prior to the storm, providing a rare opportunity to examine ecosystem recovery. We monitored the streams and their riparian zones for six years after the disturbances to determine whether recovery rates of biota, physical habitat, and water temperature differed, and if so, what factors affected resilience. Along both streams, the debris flows removed wide swaths of soil, rock, and coniferous riparian forests, widening the active channel and increasing solar exposure and summer water temperatures. Initially depauperate of vegetation, after four years red alder trees dominated the riparian plant communities. The warmer water, greater solar radiation, and unstable substrates likely contributed to variable benthic insect and tailed frog tadpole densities over time, although benthic insect communities became more similar after three years. The debris flows also decreased channel slopes and removed channel step barriers such that cutthroat trout were able to rapidly occupy habitats far upstream, but sculpins were slower to recolonize and both fish species exhibited some differences in recovery between the two streams. Crayfish were severely impacted by the debris flows; this may be due to attributes of their life history and the timing of the flows. Overall, we found that recolonizing aquatic species exhibited varying levels of resilience and recovery after the disturbances being related to the influence of physical habitat conditions, species dispersal ability, and the presence of nearby source populations.     

Do early life history characteristics determine species ranges and dispersal of coral reef fishes in the Indo‐Pacific?

The Indo‐Pacific consists of extensive continuous coastlines and many island groups of varying sizes and isolation. The species ranges of coral reef fishes vary enormously from Indo‐Pacific wide to highly endemic. There is also great variation in the early life history characteristics of coral reef fishes ( e.g . pelagic larval durations, spawning strategies and swimming abilities). We use individual‐based models (IBMs) to simulate the dispersal of coral reef fishes in the Indo‐Pacific. The development of dispersal strategies is explored based on ecological and geographical constraints. Simulations are presented for climatic and anthropogenically‐induced events.     

Phylogeographic history of the land snail Candidula unifasciata (Helicellinae,Stylommatophora): fragmentation,corridor migration,and secondary contact

Abstract.— We studied sequence variation in 16S rDNA in 204 individuals from 37 populations of the land snail Candidula unifasciata (Poiret 1801) across the core species range in France, Switzerland, and Germany. Phylogeographic, nested clade, and coalescence analyses were used to elucidate the species evolutionary history. The study revealed the presence of two major evolutionary lineages that evolved in separate refuges in southeast France as result of previous fragmentation during the Pleistocene. Applying a recent extension of the nested clade analysis (Templeton 2001), we inferred that range expansions along river valleys in independent corridors to the north led eventually to a secondary contact zone of the major clades around the Geneva Basin. There is evidence supporting the idea that the formation of the secondary contact zone and the colonization of Germany might be postglacial events. The phylogeographic history inferred for C. unifasciata differs from general biogeographic patterns of postglacial colonization previously identified for other taxa, and it might represent a common model for species with restricted dispersal.