Les faunes de Cardioceratinae (Ammonoidea) du Callovien terminal et de l'Oxfordien inférieur et moyen (Jurassique) de la Suisse septentrionale: Stratigraphie,paléoécologie,taxonomie préliminaire

The first photographs of Cardioceratinae out of exactly defined horizons from the Latest Callovian to the Middle Oxfordian of northern Switzerland are given in this article. Most specimens were either collected in large-scale excavations, or from measured sections. The Cardioceratinae from the Cordatum Subzone are important because they are very numerous, and because particularly well-preserved specimens are abundant. Cardioceratinae of this subzone are uncommon elsewhere in Europe. All representatives of the subfamily from the Cordatum Subzone, macro- as well as microconchs, are grouped into the single genus Cardioceras. An abrupt morphological change has been recognized between the Cardioceratinae of the Densiplicatum Zone and those of the Transversarium Zone.Most of the figured specimens have been found in an incomplete sequence of thin or even condensed horizons. These beds are the distal, starved basin facies of a thick, argillaceous, shoaling-up succession in northwestern Switzerland. Sedimentologic and taphonomic methods have been used in order to work out the time sequence of sediments and ammonite faunas in condensed beds, and to arrive at a correct zonation. These methods as well as observations on the distribution of chamosite and glauconite, and the ammonite assemblages, in two coeval horizons lead us to the conclusion that the Cardioceratinae of the Cordatum Subzone in northern Switzerland lived preferentially in water less than about 100 m deep.     

Autoradiography after tritiated thymidine labeling of the abortive gametogenesis in hybrid male ducks from the cross male Pekin X female Barbary]

This autoradiographic data concludes that meiotic prophase of the abortive gametogenesis of the sterile hybride drake (from the mating Peking male = Anas platyrhynchos L. X Barbary female = Cairina moschata L.) lasts 5 days 1/4. 6 days after the injection of the marker the seminiferous tubules contain numerous labeles necrosing cells but never typical elongated spermatids.     

Mean and variance of the number of renewals of a censored Poisson process

Summary Expressions are derived for computing the mean and variance of the number of renewals in observation times of any length and for any values of the scaling parameter of the censored Poisson process. These results depend on certain identities involving the complex roots of unity. Computations show the oscillatory behavior to be expected when the average interval between renewals of the censored Poisson process is of the order of the observation time. Both ordinary and equilibrium renewal processes are considered.     

Furosemide induced release of prostaglandin E to increase renal blood flow.

Levels of PGE in renal venous blood were found to be significantly elevated at the time RBF was increased by furosemide. Following indomethacin, a second dose of furosemide failed to increase RBF and levels of PGE in renal venous blood were not elevated. Levels of PGF and PGA were not affected by furosemide. The increase of PGE in renal venous blood at the time of renal dilation supports the hypothesis that furosemide increases RBF by releasing PGE. An intrarenal action of the released PGE is implied by this mechanism.     

Method of isolating FMRF-amide-like substances in the snail, using affinity chromatography coupled with HPLC

An extraction procedure of FMRFa-like substances from brain of Helix aspersa was developed. It consists of using affinity chromatography coupled with reverse phase HPLC. Three synthetic peptides (FMRFa, pQDPFLRFa, Met-enkephalin) were used to evaluate the specificity and yield of the affinity column. Its efficiency was tested by use of snail brain extracts. The results showed that this method is efficient and reproducible.     

Bases and spaces: resources on the web for accessing the draft human genome - II - After publication of the draft

The volume of human genome sequence and the variety of web-based tools to access it continue to grow at an impressive rate, but a working knowledge of certain key resources can be sufficient to get the most from your genome. This article provides an update to Genome Biology 2000, 1(4):reviews2001.1-2001.5.     

Red algae found on European salt-marshes. II. Catenella caespitosa (Rhabdoniaceae)

A survey is given of the taxonomy, life history and geography of Catenella caespitosa (With.) L. Irv. basedon study of living specimens, culture experiments, study of herbarium material and literature. This species is conspecific with Catenella repens (Lightf.) Batt. and Catenella opuntia (Good. & Woodw.) Grev. and several other taxa. Fragmentation is the most common mode of propagation of C. caespitosa. However, reproduction by tetraspores and by carpospores is also observed. The species is found in the tropics as well a in temperate climates.