The Svecofennian gabbro-hosted Koivusaarenneva magmatic ilmenite deposit, Kälviä, Finland

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) agronomic traits, oil yield and oil quality under different agro-ecological zones

The Hongge magmatic Fe-Ti-V oxide deposit in the Panxi region, SW China, is hosted in a layered mafic–ultramafic intrusion. This 2.7-km-thick, lopolith-like intrusion consists of the lower, middle, and upper zones, which are composed of olivine clinopyroxenite, clinopyroxenite, and gabbro, respectively. Abundant Fe-Ti oxide layers mainly occur in the middle zone and the lower part of the upper zone. Fe-Ti oxides include Cr-rich and Cr-poor titanomagnetite and granular ilmenite. Cr-rich titanomagnetite is commonly disseminated in the olivine clinopyroxenite of the lower parts of the lower and middle zones and contains 1.89 to 14.9 wt% Cr2O3 and 3.20 to 16.2 wt% TiO2, whereas Cr-poor titanomagnetite typically occurs as net-textured and massive ores in the upper middle and upper zones and contains much lower Cr2O3 (<0.4 wt%) but more variable TiO2 (0.11 to 18.2 wt%). Disseminated Cr-rich titanomagnetite in the ultramafic rocks is commonly enclosed in either olivine or clinopyroxene, whereas Cr-poor titanomangetite of the net-textured and massive ores is mainly interstitial to clinopyroxene and plagioclase. The lithology of the Hongge intrusion is consistent with multiple injections of magmas, the lower zone being derived from a single pulse of less differentiated ferrobasaltic magma and the middle and upper zones from multiple pulses of more differentiated magmas. Cr-rich titanomagnetite in the disseminated ores of the lower and middle zones is interpreted to represent an early crystallization phase whereas clusters of Cr-poor titanomagnetite, granular ilmenite, and apatite in the net-textured ores of the middle and upper zones are thought to have formed from an Fe-Ti-(P)-rich melt segregated from a differentiated ferrobasaltic magma as a result of liquid immiscibility. The dense Fe-Ti-(P)-rich melt percolated downward through the underlying silicate crystal mush to form net-textured and massive Fe-Ti oxide ores, whereas the coexisting Si-rich melt formed the overlying plagioclase-rich rocks in the intrusion.

The analysis of the high resolution gridded data (1° x 1°) of daily maximum, minimum and mean temperature for the 23 grids covering the Narmada basin has detected varying trends in the upper, middle and lower zones of the basin, based on the 40 years data from 1961-2008.The annual 1-day maximum temperature has been steadily increasing at the rate of 1.10°C/100 yr, but the annual 1-day minimum temperature depicted a much higher rate in increase of 3.20°C/100 yr with significant rising trend at 95% significance level (test statistic: Z = +1.989)based on the non-parametric Mann-Kendall test for detection of trend in time series.The zone-wise temperature variation has been studied for two distinct time periods, each of 20 years viz.1969-88 and 1989-08.A divergent pattern is observed in minimum daily temperature trends in the various zones of the basin with significant rising trends in the lower zone and no significant trend in the upper zone during both time periods.Also a significant rising trend has been detected in the diurnal temperature range (DTR) in the lower zone during August (Z = +2.21),with no significant trends in other months.Significant rising trends have been detected in the mean monthly temperatures in the upper and middle zones, with no significant trend in lower zone.Similar pattern of significant rising trend have been detected in mean monthly temperatures during the principal winter (December and January) and summer months (April and May) in upper and middle zones of the basin.However, no significant trend has been detected during the principal monsoon months (July and August) for all the zones.As the basin is located in a semi-arid region and the perennial flows result from the contribution from the soil moisture and groundwater storages, any increase in the maximum and minimum temperatures will change the water availability scenario due to increased water demands from higher consumptive use requirements.To study the water demand scenario in the various zones in the basin, the potential evapotranspiration (PET) has been computed.Significant rising trends in PET were detected in all the zones, during the 1989-08 time slot, which indicates higher crop water requirement from the agriculture sector due to the increased temperatures.The comparison of the zonal annual rainfall (AR) with the actual evapotranspiration (AET) which gives an indication of the supplydemand scenario, has found that the annual AET has been greater than AR in the middle zone on 5 occasions during 1969-88 and subsequently increased to 10 occasions during 1989-08, whereas in the lower zone the AET was greater than AR during most of the years in both time periods.This indicates increased water demands and lower rainwater availability under the changing climate scenario, in the middle and lower zones of Narmada basin, which calls for effective water resources development and management strategies.

Evechinus chloroticus (Val.) is known to be an important grazer of subtidal barren habitats in northern New Zealand but its role in structuring rocky reef communities at colder southern localities is poorly understood. The present study was prompted by a proposal for the establishment of an E. chloroticus fishery in Dusky Sound, Fiordland, New Zealand. To determine the ecological importance of E. chloroticus in Dusky Sound, sea urchins were experimentally removed from shallow fucoid fringe (upper zone), mid‐depth barrens (middle zone), and deeper algal meadow (lower zone), at eight sites and compared with a paired set of eight control sites. Two years of continuous removal of E. chloroticus resulted in conspicuous changes to the algal community at all depth zones examined. The density of fucoid algae (Carpophyllum spp., Sargassum spp., Cystophora spp., and Landsburgia quercifolia) increased mostly in the upper and middle zones, although smaller increases were also observed in the lower zone. Changes in cover of herbaceous, turfing and crustose algae observed in the middle and lower zones were larger than in the upper zone. Density increases of the kelp Ecklonia radiata were observed mainly in the lower zone, although still important in the middle zone. These results show that E. chloroticus can have a strong influence on the structure of algal assemblages in Dusky Sound hence the development of an E. chloroticus fishery in this area should be treated with caution.

The formation of P-rich Fe–Ti oxide ore layers in the Taihe layered intrusion, SW China: Implications for magma-plumbing system process

The aim of this work is an introductory study on the crystal chemistry of igneous muscovite, with particular focus on samples from the Pedrobernardo pluton (central Spain), whose crystal structure and chemistry is compared with data from the literature. This pluton is a layered sheet-like granite body with distinct horizontal zoning, which can be subdivided into three main zones (lower, middle, and upper) characterized by different crystallization conditions. Different chemical trends can be identified when the chemical compositions of muscovite from the Pedrobernardo pluton are compared with literature data. Samples from the middle and lower zones follow a similar trend, whereas samples from the upper zone follow a different trend. In samples from the middle and lower zones, Ti 4+ increases without affecting Fe content (Fe 2+ and/or Fe 3+ , referred to here as Fe). Fe and Mg 2+ can enter into the layer in similar amounts. In samples from the upper zone, the Ti 4+ content is lower than in the lower and middle zones, whereas Fe is higher. Fe content is related to Ti 4+ content and seems to substitute for octahedral Al 3+ more easily than Mg 2+ . Samples from the middle and lower zones are characterized by substitutions involving both tetrahedral and octahedral sites, whereas samples from the upper zone are characterized by a preference for octahedral substitutions. Single-crystal structure refinements suggest a partial occupancy of the octahedral trans -site (Ml) related to substitution of F-for OH-, and probably also to a different O-H vector orientation. Lateral cell parameters are found to be affected by the octahedral cis -site mean bond distance (〈;M2-O〉), which is linked to Fe 2+ content for a large number of the samples under consideration. The 〈;M1-O〉 distance as well as tetrahedral thickness are found to be affected by the c parameter, following the structural mechanisms induced by chemical substitutions described in previous studies. These parameters thus appear to be affected more by electrostatic interactions involving the whole layer rather than by site occupancy and local chemical composition.

Altitudinal and seasonal variation in herbage composition and energy and protein content of grasslands on Mt Varnoudas, NW Greece

I hypothesized that vegetation and physical environmental characteristics would differ between the upper and lower extents of the annually flooded riparian zone on the John Day River, and that relationships between species and environmental variables would display differences between these two zones. Vegetation, environmental variables, and relationships between them were assessed for the entire annually flooded riparian zone, and for the proposed upper and lower zones. Data were collected from 60 one-square-meter quadrats: 30 in each the upper and lower zones. Sites were randomly selected and located so that flood duration was roughly equal at all sites within each zone. 34 plant species were encountered: 25 in the upper zone, 27 in the lower zone. Wetland obligate and facultative wetland species groups and eight individual species accounted for statistically different percentages ofquadrat cover between zones. ANOSIM analysis identified two statistically distinct vegetation communities between the two zones. Soil texture averaged 75.85% sand and 20.81% fines. Sand ranged between 36.69% and 95.55%. Fines ranged between 2.54% and 58.84%. A horizon depths and fine soil particle concentrations were greater in the upper zone. Coarser soils with more sand and gravel dominated the lower zone. All enviromnental variables studied, except pH, were highly variable throughout the study area. ANOSIM analysis results suggest that the upper and lower zones have distinct, statistically different physical environments from each other. Regression analyses relating species quadrat cover to physical environmental variables were performed for the total, upper, and lower riparian zones. Numerous differences were identified between the upper and lower riparian zones that the riparian scale analyses did not represent accurately. There were ten instances in which the zone scale analyses identified a relationship in either the upper or lower zone, while the corresponding riparian scale analysis failed to identify any relationship. The results of this study indicate that vegetation and the physical environment are statistically different between the upper and lower zones on this river, and that relationships between a given plant species and environmental variable can vary between zones. Future research and management efforts should consider and address the potential for such between-zone variation.

Key factors controlling the accumulation of the Fe–Ti oxides in the Hongge layered intrusion in the Emeishan Large Igneous Province, SW China

The absence of a maximal dose-response plateau as well as gas trapping and increases in closing capacity (CC) suggest that increased airway closure is an important mechanical abnormality of asthmatic airways. We compared the extent and distribution of airway closure in 13 normal and in 23 asthmatic subjects. Airway closure (LVclosed) was measured with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and an inhaled Technegas bolus as the percentage of lung volume without Technegas (LVtrans), and with CC, using nitrogen washout. LVclosed was compared in the apical, middle and lower zones, each being of equal vertical height. Values of mean LVclosed +/- 95% confidence interval (CI) were similar in normal (30 +/- 6.0% LVtrans) and asthmatic subjects (30 +/- 7.8% LVtrans). In normal subjects, LVclosed correlated with both age (r = 0.89, p < 0. 01) and CC (r = 0.86, p < 0.01), was more extensive in the lower zone (58 +/- 18.8% LVtrans, p < 0.01) than in the middle and upper zones (17 +/- 8.7% and 26 +/- 8.2 LVtrans, respectively), and increased with age in both the middle and lower zones (r = 0.94 and r = 0.90, respectively, p < 0.01). In asthmatic subjects, LVclosed did not correlate with age; was greatest in the lower zone, intermediate in the middle zone, and lowest in the apical zone (59 +/- 13.2%, 22 +/- 5.8%, and 12 +/- 4.4% LVtrans, respectively, p < 0. 01); and correlated weakly with age in the middle zone only (r = 0. 46, p < 0.05). We conclude that there is a predictable pattern of airway closure in normal subjects and that it is primarily influenced by pulmonary elastic recoil. This pattern is lost in asthmatic subjects. This may be explained by an increased range of closing pressures and a patchy distribution of airway closure, probably secondary to allergic inflammation.

Middle Permian Izuru and Nabeyama Formations in the Kuzu area, central Japan are divisible into three zones based on the stratigraphic distribution of larger fusulinoideans: the lower Parafusulina nakamigawai Zone, the middle Parafusulina yabei Zone, and the upper Parafusulina tochigiensis Zone. Although schubertellid and ozawainellid fusulinoideans and non-fusulinoidean foraminifers are accessary in comparison with dominant schwagerinid fusulinoideans, 56 species assignable to 25 genera and a few more indeterminate genera are distinguished in these three zones. Their taxonomic diversity is very low in the lower zone, and becomes higher in the middle zone and highest in the upper zone. The difference of their variety well agrees with lithologic change of limestone in these three zones. There are no remarkable differences in the faunal composition of schubertellid and ozawainellid fusulinoideans and non-fusulinoidean foraminifers between the Izuru and Nabeyama Formations and other contemporaneous limestones of Japan. The similar faunal composition of these groups shows a striking contrast to the provinciality of the schwagerinids and neoschwagerinids of the Izuru and Nabeyama Formations. Six species of schubertellid fusulinoideans newly proposed herein are systematically described and discussed. They are Schuberetella? karasawensis, Schubertella? minutisphaera, Codonofusiella ashioensis, Codonofusiella elongata, Codonofusiella nabeyamensis, and Dunbarula oviformis.

The O 2 -CO 2 diagram is an often neglected but very useful tool to understand the implications of arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis, which is a challenging concept not only to the undergraduate medical student but also to practicing clinicians. Here, we present a simplified description of the O2-CO2 diagram that was developed in all its elegance by Rahn and Fenn (6) and subsequently reviewed by others (2, 5). The O2-CO2 diagram plots PCO2 on the y-axis against PO2 on the x-axis. Any set of values of PO2 and PCO2, whether in atmospheric air, tracheal (inspired) air, alveolar air, mixed expired air, arterial blood, or venous blood, can be plotted on this diagram. It will be appreciated at the end of this discussion that 1) there are certain physical limits to what combinations of O2 and CO2 can exist in the alveolus and, therefore, the blood; and 2) even if arterial blood gases are the only available laboratory parameters, one can make reasonable assumptions about alveolar gas composition and assess if a patient has a pure ventilatory defect or a diffusion defect; however, it is difficult to assess mixed disorders without direct measurement of alveolar gas partial pressures. To begin, let us review the composition of atmospheric air, inspired air, and alveolar air (Fig. 1). Dry atmospheric air is composed of 21% O 2, with the rest N2 and negligible CO2. Therefore, PO2 in dry atmospheric air at sea level is 21% of the atmospheric pressure (Patm) of 760 mmHg, which is 159 mmHg. As air passes through the upper airways during inspiration, it is saturated with water vapor, the partial pressure of which at body temperature, pressure, saturated (BTPS) is 47 mmHg. The addition of water vapor dilutes inspired air, thereby reducing both the partial pressure of nitrogen and PO2 proportionally. The PO2 in inspired air is therefore 149 mmHg [21% of (760 47) mmHg] and is henceforth represented as PIO2 . While the inspired air in the conducting zone is composed of N2 ,O 2, and water vapor, a fourth gas, namely, CO2, is added to alveolar air. Since the alveoli are open to the atmosphere and during either phase of respiration alveolar pressure is only slightly different from Patm, it is safe to assume that alveolar pressure at all times is almost equal to Patm or the total pressure of inspired air (760 mmHg). The partial pressures of nitrogen (564 mmHg) and water vapor (47 mmHg) are almost the same in inspired and alveolar air. The remaining 149-mmHg pressure is due to O 2 alone in the inspired air (PI O2 ), whereas in the alveolus, the combined pressures of O 2 (PA O2 ) and CO 2 (PA CO2 ) must be close (but not necessarily equal 1 ) to 149 mmHg. Since O 2 diffuses out of the alveolus, it is obvious that removal of O2 and, therefore, reduction of its partial pressure compensates for the addition of CO2. The crude relationship is therefore as follows:

A high-resolution biostratigraphic analysis of 287 dinosaurian macrofossils and 138 bonebeds in the Edmonton Group (Upper Cretaceous) of southern Alberta provides evidence for at least three dinosaurian assemblage zones in the Horseshoe Canyon Formation (HCFm). From bottom to top the zones comprise unique assemblages of ornithischians and are named as follows: (1) Edmontosaurus regalis – Pachyrhinosaurus canadensis (lower zone); (2) Hypacrosaurus altispinus – Saurolophus osborni (middle zone); and (3) Eotriceratops xerinsularis (upper zone). Whereas the lower and middle zones are well defined and based on abundant specimens, the validity of the uppermost zone (E. xerinsularis) is tentative because it is based on a single specimen and the absence of dinosaur taxa from lower in section. The transition from the lower to the middle zone coincides with the replacement of a warm-and-wet saturated deltaic setting by a cooler, coastal-plain landscape, characterized by seasonal rainfall and better-drained substrates. Whereas changes in rainfall and substrate drainage appear to have influenced the faunal change, changes in mean annual temperature and proximity to shoreline appear to have had little influence on faunal change. We speculate that the faunal change between the middle and upper zones also resulted from a change in climate, with ornithischian dinosaurs responding to the re-establishment of wetter-and-warmer climates and poorly-drained substrates. Compared with the shorter-duration and climatically-consistent dinosaurian assemblage zones in the older Dinosaur Park Formation of southern Alberta, HCFm assemblage zones record long-term morphological stasis in dinosaurs. Furthermore, the coincidence of faunal and paleoenvironmental changes in the HCFm suggest climate-change-driven dinosaur migrations into and out of the region.

Differentiation of strongly peraluminous, perphosphorus granites: The pedrobernardo pluton, central Spain

This research was conducted to evaluate the gastropods diversity in mangrove forests located in Iranian part of the Govater Gulf in southern border of Iran and Pakistan. Three transects were selected at the water interface vertically to the end of forest stand. In each transect, samples of sediments containing gastropods were taken at the beginning (lower zones), the middle, and the end (upper zone) points during four continued seasons. Biodiversity (Shannon–Wiener index), dominance (Simpson’s dominance index), species evenness (Smith and Wilson evenness index), richness (number of species), and density (number in m3) were calculated for each season in sampling points. Data analysis results showed that biodiversity and richness indices changed significantly among different transects. Shannon–Wiener diversity index in transect one (1.90 ± 0.69) was significantly higher than transect two (1.26 ± 0.67) and three (1.19 ± 0.68). Similarly, richness index was the highest in transect one (7.58 ± 1.53) rather than transect two (4.42 ± 1.15) and three (3.92 ± 0.94). Density index changed differently between lower zone (2318.02 ± 987.76), middle zone (2318.01 ± 605.75) and upper zone (13,420.71 ± 176.50). Species evenness showed significant differences between lower (0.65 ± 0.15) to middle (0.46 ± 0.20) and upper (0.30 ± 0.32) zones. Different seasons had no significant effect on richness, density, diversity, and evenness of gastropod species. Consequently, among the natural factors, it is the intertidal zones which increases the environmental stresses such as salinity and humidity was considered, and surprisingly, weak anthropogenic factors, for example, the effect of the transect was positive due to providing nutrient.