Lower Subdivisions Research Articles

Discussion on the calpionellid biozones and proposal of a homogeneous calpionellid zonation for the Tethyan Realm

Calpionellids are a group of planktonic microfossils usually occuring in large numbers in pelagic deposits from the upper lower Tithonian to upper Valanginian, and showing a fairly uniform stratigraphic distribution all over the Tethyan Realm and in the southeastern Pacific margin. A preliminary calpionellid scheme was first proposed by Jürgen Remane in 1963 and 1971 consisting of five zones and six subzones informally named: A (A1, A2 and A3), B, C, D (D1, D2 and D3), and E. This biozonal scheme based on specific assemblages, acmes, and partial or total ranges of some calpionellid genera, has constituted, so far, a valid zonal framework towards a homogeneous and universal calpionellid scheme. It only required improvements at the levels of subzones and lower subdivisions. Subsequently, several authors have established numerous new biozonations often inconsistent and varying from one region to another. Such discrepancies noticeably hamper the purpose of calpionellids for biostratigraphic and long-distance correlations. These discrepancies between local schemes often originated from misguided choice of zonal index taxa. Quite a number of subzones are grounded on either rare species with short-range and sporadic occurrences, rare and atypical species, or long-ranging taxa in some stratigraphic levels that yield species with more reliable stratigraphic value. Consequently, further consistent stratigraphical use of this fossil group requires a homogeneous framework with unambiguous definition of zones and subzones, preferably based on specific assemblages. We propose herein a coherent framework of 7 biozones, 16 subzones, and 6 intervals or horizons based upon the analysis of several outcrop sections and the critical insights of formerly published works.

Analysis of the People–Forests Relationship in Lower Galliyat, Abbottabad Pakistan

Galliyat—the mountainous region in district Abbottabad of Hazara division in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province—is rich in natural vegetation. On the basis of elevation above sea level, Galliyat is categorized into Upper and Lower subdivisions. Like other regions in northern Pakistan, the forests of Galliyat are intensively utilized for the collection of fuelwood and harvesting of timber. However, effects of the human population on forests are still unknown except in Ayubia National Park. This study was conducted to explore the requirements for fuelwood and sawn timber of population members dependent on forests, and the role of socio-economic status on deforestation, in Bagnotar in Lower Galliyat. A survey was conducted to gather information about fuelwood and sawn timber demands to assess the effects on vegetation, as well as socio-economic status of local population to purchase fuelwood and sawn timber. It was found that the diversity, abundance, frequency and density of woody species were relatively higher in reserved forests than community forests. Deforestation has been greatest in community forests, which has shifted the population pressure towards reserved forests. Moreover, the privately owned lands play an important role in fuelwood supply. Timber collection has more devastating effects on forests than fuelwood collection. The present study has been carried out in a disadvantaged region and reveals people–forests relationship that would help the wise management of forests.

Selective activation of neuromuscular compartments within the human trapezius muscle

Task-dependent differences in relative activity between “functional” subdivisions within human muscles are well documented. Contrary, independent voluntary control of anatomical subdivisions, termed neuromuscular compartments is not observed in human muscles. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to investigate whether subdivisions within the human trapezius can be independently activated by voluntary command using biofeedback guidance. Bipolar electromyographical electrodes were situated on four subdivisions of the trapezius muscle. The threshold for “active” and “rest” for each subdivision was set to >12% and <1.5% of the maximal electromyographical amplitude recorded during a maximal voluntary contraction. After 1 h with biofeedback from each of the four trapezius subdivisions, 11 of 15 subjects learned selective activation of at least one of the four anatomical subdivisions of the trapezius muscle. All subjects managed to voluntarily activate the lower subdivisions independently from the upper subdivisions. Half of the subjects succeeded to voluntarily activate both upper subdivisions independently from the two lower subdivisions. These findings show that anatomical subdivisions of the human trapezius muscle can be independently activated by voluntary command, indicating neuromuscular compartmentalization of the trapezius muscle. The independent activation of the upper and lower subdivisions of the trapezius is in accordance with the selective innervation by the fine cranial and main branch of the accessory nerve to the upper and lower subdivisions. These findings provide new insight into motor control characteristics, learning possibilities, and function of the clinically relevant human trapezius muscle.

Géologie du karst de Tsanfleuron

The Tsanfleuron karren field belongs to the Helvetic domain of the Alps. It is formed by several nappes made of Mesozoic and Paleogene (Nummulitic) rocks, among which limestones take an important place. This area mainly belongs to the Diablerets nappe and for a small part to the overlying Mont Gond nappe, which are the two lower subdivisions of the Wildhorn group of nappes. An isoclinal syncline connects these two nappes, which are gently folded by a large antiform. The axial plunge of the whole structure is between 10 and 15° to the north-east. The fractures certainly influenced the karstic erosion but more observations are currently necessary to prove this link. Cross-sections also show the groundwater pathways and the connections between infiltration points and springs.

Lithofacies analysis of the Dezadeash Formation (Jura–Cretaceous), Yukon, Canada: The depositional architecture of a mud/sand-rich turbidite system

The Dezadeash Formation is a northwest trending belt of predominantly Jura–Cretaceous deep-marine siliciclastic rocks in southwestern Yukon, Canada. It is truncated to the southwest by the Denali Fault System, a major transcurrent fault along which ∼ 370 km of dextral slip occurred in post-Early Cretaceous time, and it is flanked to the northeast by the Kluane Schist, a mainly mica–quartz schist assemblage of unknown age and origin. This study provides a robust quantitative description of lithofacies comprising a point-source mud/sand-rich turbidite system: approximately 16 335 m of measured strata from 75 sections throughout the Dezadeash Formation indicate that up to 29 lithofacies types are present and these are dominated by thin- to thick-bedded sandstone–mudstone couplets and medium- to thick-bedded sandstone. The various lithofacies are grouped into conglomerate, sandstone, sandstone–mudstone, and siltstone–mudstone lithofacies associations, which are interpreted as slide, channel-lobe transition, lobe, and overbank architectural elements, respectively. Stacked channel-lobe transition and lobe elements predominate, but the depositional architecture displays no apparent, overall vertical trend. The Dezadeash Formation represents mainly the lower middle and lower subdivisions of a point-source, mud/sand-rich turbidite system that records a single stage of fan growth as it prograded transversely from a volcano-plutonic arc into the basin.

Specific features of epithelium-dependent contractile reactions of smooth muscles in various subdivisions of the respiratory tract

Characteristic features of the endothelium-dependent smooth muscle contractile reactions to various physiologically active substances modulating adrenergic, cholinergic, and histaminergic regulatory systems are studied in rabbit trachea and in secondary and tertiary bronchi. The mechanical tension of the segments was recorded under quasi-isometric conditions. The epithelium was shown to participate in adrenergic regulation of the smooth muscles of the lower subdivisions of the respiratory tract and in the cholinergic regulation of its upper subdivisions. The histaminergic reactions of the smooth muscles in the airways had large amplitude at all levels, but the relaxing contribution of their epithelium was not detected.

Nonglacial Varves in Lower Member of Arkansas Novaculite (Devonian), Arkansas and Oklahoma

Throughout much of the Benton uplift, the lower member of the Arkansas Novaculite can be subdivided into five lithostratigraphic units: (1) a basal chert-and-shale subdivision consisting of alternating beds of chert and green shale, (2) a calcareous subdivision made up of massive novaculite containing disseminated carbonate grains, (3) a translucent novaculite subdivision consisting of thick beds of noncalcareous translucent novaculite separated by thin layers of green shale, (4) a unit of massive white novaculite, and (5) an uppermost subdivision of chert breccia. In most exposures, the four lower subdivisions include layers showing fine, parallel, laminated couplets. These couplets are of two types. The chert-and-shale and translucent novaculite subdivisions contain terrigenous couplets defined by thin chert layers enriched in terrigenous detritus alternating with thicker layers of nearly pure chert. Calcareous couplets in the calcareous and massive novaculite subdivisions are defined by alternating carbonate-rich and carbonate-poor laminations. The couplets are composed of three grain populations. The chert represents recrystallized and cemented biogenic particles, mainly sponge spicules and radiolarian tests. Both couplet types contain disseminated quartz silt and very fine-grained sand interpreted to be wind-blown detritus. Terrigenous coup ets also include clay and fine silt transported in suspension by ocean-surface currents and originating on a shallow-marine to subaerial shelf on the north. Calcareous couplets contain silt to fine-grained-sand-sized carbonate rhombohedra probably representing aeolian and aqueously transported carbonate material. The couplets are interpreted to be varves. The terrigenous varves formed within a narrow zone of sedimentologic overlap between a northern shale and black-chert facies and a southern biogenic-silica facies. Within this overlap area, seasonal influxes of terrigenous detritus from the north, possibly related to seasonal storms or runoff, alternated with periods of nonterrigenous silica sedimentation to form the varve couplets. Terrigenous varves formed when the Ouachita basin was exchanging surface waters with adjacent seas and surface-water circulation was well developed. Sequences of calcareous varves are regionally extensive and formed under more restricted conditions when there was less intrabasinal circulation; detritus from the north was not spread so far to the south. Supratidal and evaporitic flats developed around the basin margins may have served as sources for the carbonate material in the varves. Varve counts suggest that the lower four subdivisions of the lower member of the Arkansas Novaculite, 120 m thick at Caddo Gap, were deposited in about 100,000 years. The possibility of significant unconformities within the Arkansas Novaculite, especially at the top of the lower member, must be considered.

Endoscopic Collection of Neoplastic Cells and Tubercle Bacilli from the Bronchi: (Description of a New Irrigation-suction Collector and the Anatomical, Physiological, and Pathological Factors Involved)

1)The endoscopic approach to the positive diagnosis of pulmonary neoplasms and tuberculosis is discussed and compared to standard methods. 2)The anatomical, physiological, and pathological mechanisms concerned in the recovery of neoplastic cells and tubercle bacilli are described. 3)A new irrigation-suction cell and tubercle bacillus collector which permits collection from lower subdivisions of the bronchi is described in detail. 4)The apparatus described permits either selective or seriatim irrigation and suction of the lobar bronchi or of the approachable segmental bronchi making possible diagnoses in a more limited anatomical area.

NOTES ON JURASSIC FLORAS

“What Nature has writ with her lusty wit Is worded so wisely and kindly That whoever has dipped in her manuscript Must up and follow her blindly.” W. E. Henley. My aim in these notes is to reconstruct in broad outlines a picture of the vegetation which flourished more than 100 million years ago over the lower part of this area at a time when rivers were building up broad deltas and spreading out sheets of sediment that were later to be upraised into headland and moor. In some places, where the water encroached over the land, the underground stems of Horsetails were preserved where they grew; in other places the wandering streams bore on their surface random samples of the vegetation collected from undermined banks or contributed by the wind. After taking a general survey of the Jurassic flora I shall briefly compare it with slightly older floras discovered in other parts of the world, and reference will be made to the old problem of the history and origin of the flowering plants. In order to facilitate description some liberties will be taken with the geological record: the rocks of East Yorkshire, usually spoken of as the Upper, Middle and Lower sub-divisions of the Estuarine Series, will be regarded as a single source of plant fossils, the fossils from which it is possible to form some general ideas of a Middle Jurassic delta-flora. The plant-bearing beds are freshwater or brackish sediments laid down in an area which, in the …