Narrow Folds Research Articles

Laser cleaning of artificially soiled cotton fabric: Assessment of surface chemical effects

The effectiveness of the cleaning methods to remove soiling and stains from fabric artefacts is often limited by their complex microscopic and macroscopic structures, including fibre bundles, warp, weft, narrow folds, sewing deformations, and others. These structures may sometimes make the complete fabric cleaning very challenging, and they can easily be damaged. To approach such a problem, the potential of pulsed laser treatments of artificially soiled cotton fabrics has been investigated. Laser tests were carried out on the following samples: (i) untreated cotton fabric, (ii) unaged-sized cotton fabric, and (iii) aged-sized cotton fabric with soiling. Moreover, vacuum cleaning was also considered prior to laser irradiations to evaluate whether standard treatments can favour a more effective laser cleaning treatment. The fundamental wavelength and second harmonics of a Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser (1,064,532 nm) were used for the experimentation. The morphology and chemical composition of the laser irradiated mock-ups were characterised through a multi-analytical approach, including Fibre Optic Reflectance Spectroscopy (FORS), colourimetry, optical microscopy, Diffuse reflectance-FTIR (DR-FTIR) spectroscopy, μ-Raman spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF). Contrarily to what was reported in some literature, these analyses allowed to demonstrate the absence of any chemical change of the cellulose fibres and the possibility to optimise the laser parameters in order to achieve satisfactory and non-invasive laser cleaning results.

Timor Collision Front Segmentation Reveals Potential for Great Earthquakes in the Western Outer Banda Arc, Eastern Indonesia

In Eastern Indonesia, the western Outer Banda arc accommodates a part of the oblique Australian margin collision with Eurasia along the Timor Trough. Yet, unlike the Wetar and Alor thrusts of the Inner Banda arc in the north and the adjacent Java subduction zone in the west, both recent and historical seismicity along the Timor Trough are extremely low. This long-term seismic quiescence questions whether the Banda Arc collision front along the Timor Trough is actually fully locked or simply aseismic and raises major concerns on the possible occurrence of large magnitude and tsunamigenic earthquakes in this vulnerable and densely populated region. Here, we jointly analyze multibeam bathymetry and 2D seismic reflection data acquired along the Timor Trough to characterize the location, nature, and geometry of active faults. Discontinuous narrow folds forming a young accretionary prism at the base of the Timor wedge and spatially correlated outcropping normal faults on the bending northwest Australian shelf reveal two concurrent contrasting styles of deformation: underthrusting and frontal accretion. We find that those tectonic regimes and their associated seismic behaviors depend on 1) the thickness of the incoming and underthrusting Cenozoic sedimentary sequence, 2) the vergence of inherited normal faults developed within the continental shelf, and 3) the depth of the décollement beneath the Timor wedge. Based on the along-strike, interchanging distinct deformation style, we identify the mechanical and seismic segmentation along the Banda arc collision front and discuss the implications for earthquake and tsunami hazards along the western Outer Banda arc region.

A Scanning Electron Microscopy Study of the Female Reproductive Tract in White Leghorn Hens

Background: The present study was designed to provide the scanning electron microscopic features of female reproductive tract (ovary and oviduct) of the White Leghorn hen.Methods: The present investigation was conducted on twenty-five mature White Leghorn hens procured from Poultry Farm of College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Bikaner. The collected ovary and oviduct samples were processed as per the standard protocol for scanning electron microscopy and viewed under the scanning electron microscope.Result: The surface of the left ovary had an irregular appearance with an outer cortex and inner medulla, surrounded by numerous small rounded lacunae. The mucosa of different oviduct segments was thrown into longitudinal folds with various glandular openings on the surface. Small secondary folds were present on the mucosal surface at the infundibulum-magnum and magnum-isthmus junction. At the uterovaginal junction, the mucosal surface presented a parallel arrangement of folds with narrow furrows between them. The mucosal folds of the vagina appeared as narrow longitudinal folds and divided into secondary folds.

The flexural mechanics of creased thin strips

Many structures in Nature and Engineering are dominated by the influence of folds. A very narrow fold is a crease, which may be treated with infinitesimal width for a relatively simple geometry; commensurately, it operates as a singular hinge line with torsional elastic properties. However, real creases have a finite width and thus continuous structural properties. We therefore consider the influence of the crease geometry on the large-displacement flexural behaviour of a thin creased strip. First, we model the crease as a shallow cylindrical segment connected to initially flat side panels. We develop a theoretical model of their coupled flexural behaviour and, by adjusting the relative panel size, we capture responses from a nearly singular crease up to a full tape-spring. Precise experiments show good agreement compared to predictions.

Evolution of Spore Morphology in the Blechnaceae

Premise of research. In the recent past, nine to 12 genera of Blechnaceae have been generally recognized. Nowadays, 24 are accepted on the basis of recent molecular phylogenetic studies, and these genera are classified into three subfamilies. The purpose of this article is to optimize spore characteristics of the exine and perine on a phylogenetic tree, infer their evolution within the Blechnaceae, and determine whether the characters define any of the genera or subfamilies.Methodology. With an SEM, we imaged spores of four outgroup species and 88 species of Blechnaceae. On the basis of the images, we recognized and scored four characters: perine overall architecture (three states), perine microstructure (10 states), number of perine layers (three states), and exine surface (three states). Using maximum parsimony, we optimized these characters on a phylogenetic tree created from accessions in GenBank for the species we imaged.Pivotal results. Ancestral for the Blechnaceae is a smooth exine, three-layered perine, loose perine structure (i.e., the perine is not adnate to the exine), and the presence of broadly rounded perine folds. The exine evolved from the smooth (ancestral) state to low verrucate in Lomariocycas and from smooth to contoured (with tubercles or short ridges aligned nearly parallel to each other) in subfam. Stenochlaenoideae. Also in subfam. Stenochlaenoideae, the perine was reduced to only one layer, and spherical deposits were present on the outer surface of the perine. These spherical deposits were found in no other genus in the family. A contoured exine also evolved in Diploblechnum. Parablechnum has the unique perine character of tortuous filaments. The perine of Lomaridium is distinctive by the combination of narrow folds creating wide intramural areas and the presence of granulate deposits. Sadleria was the only genus in the family that has a fibrillose or foliaceous perine. The spores of Austroblechnum were distinctive by a nonfolded perine that was smooth or with granulate deposits. Throughout the Blechnaceae, when the middle layer of the perine is present, it contains many small lacunae imparting a spongy appearance, thus distinguishing the layer from the inner and outer layers.Conclusions. Characters of the exine and perine vary within the Blechnaceae and are useful in defining clades within the family. The most distinctive spores belong to subfam. Stenochlaenoideae, which have a tuberculate or short-ridged exine, a perine reduced to a single thin layer appressed to the exine, and the presence of spherical deposits. Many genera of Blechnaceae are characterized by a combination of perine characters.

21-week pregnancy with trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome) − bone malformations highlighted

Edwards syndrome, also known as Trisomy 18 (T18) or Trisomy E, is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 18th chromosome. Some physical malformations associated with Edwards syndrome include small head (microcephaly) accompanied by a prominent back portion of the head (occiput); low-set, malformed ears; abnormally small jaw (micrognathia); cleft lip/cleft palate; upturned nose; narrow eyelid folds (palpebral fissures); widely spaced eyes (ocular hypertelorism); drooping of the upper eyelids (ptosis); a short breast bone; clenched hands; choroid plexus cysts; underdeveloped thumbs and or nails, absent radius, webbing of the second and third toes; clubfoot; and in males, undescended testicles. The diagnosis of Trisomy 18 is by ultrasound and amniocentesis, the fetal DNA being examined for genetic abnormalities. Therapeutic abortion can be done.

Rapid synthesis of cyclic oligomeric depsipeptides with positional, stereochemical, and macrocycle size distribution control

Macrocyclic small molecules are attractive tools in the development of sensors, new materials, and therapeutics. Within early-stage drug discovery, they are increasingly sought for their potential to interact with broad surfaces of peptidic receptors rather than within their narrow folds and pockets. Cyclization of linear small molecule precursors is a straightforward strategy to constrain conformationally mobile motifs, but forging a macrocycle bond typically becomes more difficult at larger ring sizes. We report the development of a general approach to discrete collections of oligomeric macrocyclic depsipeptides using an oligomerization/macrocyclization process governed by a series of Mitsunobu reactions of hydroxy acid monomers. Ring sizes of 18, 24, 30, and 36 are formed in a single reaction from a didepsipeptide, whereas sizes of 24, 36, and 60 result from a tetradepsipeptide. The ring-size selectivity inherent to the approach can be modulated by salt additives that enhance the formation of specific ring sizes. Use of chemical synthesis to prepare the monomers suggests broad access to functionally and stereochemically diverse collections of natural product-like oligodepsipeptide macrocycles. Two cyclodepsipeptide natural products were prepared along with numerous unnatural oligomeric congeners to provide rapid access to discrete collections of complex macrocyclic small molecules from medium (18) to large (60) ring sizes.

Wrinkles and folds in a fluid-supported sheet of finite size.

A laterally confined thin elastic sheet lying on a liquid substrate displays regular undulations, called wrinkles, characterized by a spatially extended energy distribution and a well-defined wavelength λ. As the confinement increases, the deformation energy is progressively localized into a single narrow fold. An exact solution for the deformation of an infinite sheet was previously found, indicating that wrinkles in an infinite sheet are unstable against localization for arbitrarily small confinement. We present an extension of the theory to sheets of finite length L, accounting for the experimentally observed wrinkle-to-fold transition. We derive an exact solution for the periodic deformation in the wrinkled state, and an approximate solution for the localized, folded state. We find that a second-order transition between these two states occurs at a critical confinement Δ(F)=λ(2)/L.

Complex structural and fluid flow evolution along the Grenville Front, west Texas

A narrow (∼7 km wide) fold and thrust belt in west Texas that represents the northernmost extent of a Grenville-age collisional belt along the southern margin of Laurentia (Grenville Front), records a complex history of deformation and associated fluid flow. The Streeruwitz thrust that emplaced ca. 1.35 Ga high-grade metamorphic rocks over ca. 1.25 Ga foreland sedimentary and volcanic rocks postdates polyphase deformation in the footwall and is complexly folded into domes and basins. Four phases of tectonism, recording a changing kinematic setting, affected the area and formed: (1) pre-Streeruwitz ductile polyphase folds (F 1 –F 3 ) and associated foliations (S 1 –S 2 ) consistent with northward tectonic transport; (2) dextral oblique-slip, high-angle, west-northwest–trending faults associated with upright vertical sheath folds (F 4 ); (3) Streeruwitz and related subsidiary imbricate thrusts that truncate F 1 –F 4 folds at a high angle and cause localized folding (F 5 ) consistent with north-northeast to northeastward tectonic transport; and (4) complex southeast- and northwest-trending domes and basins (F 6 ) of the thrusts, resulting from continual Grenville-age transpression. Fluids with an evolving chemistry over time were channelized along the thrusts, metasomatically altering the adjacent rocks. Early siliceous fluids caused replacement of mafic dikes and dolostones that preserve F 1 and S 1 and formation of extensive talc bodies with talc aligned axial planar to F 2 , forming the dominant S 2 fabric. Initial thrusting at depth produced mylonites in both footwall (syn-S 2 ) and hanging-wall rocks that were later brecciated in the final stage of thrusting along the Streeruwitz thrust. Further evolution of fluids along the thrusts is recorded in altered rocks adjacent to thrusts, breccias, and veins, starting with silica- and alkali-rich fluids. Lastly, carbonate-rich fluids replaced footwall rocks and cemented breccias in both the hanging wall and footwall. This study documents a previously unrecognized complex structural, metamorphic, and metasomatic history, and fluid evolution in the foreland. This history, coupled with differences from that in the overriding older metamorphic rocks, requires a new kinematic model for the southern margin of Laurentia. In addition, the disparity in deformation timing and kinematic evolution between west Texas and the central Texas Llano uplift requires active subduction in west Texas after collision in central Texas. We propose that collision of a north-verging continental indenter with southern Laurentia initially occurred in the Llano area (ca. 1150–1120 Ma) and that continued subduction along strike caused clockwise rotation of the indenting continent and collision in west Texas (ca. 1060–980 Ma).

MicroRNA Expression Analysis in the Cellulosic Biofuel Crop Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) under Abiotic Stress

Switchgrass has increasingly been recognized as a dedicated biofuel crop for its broad adaptation to marginal lands and high biomass. However, little is known about the basic biology and the regulatory mechanisms of gene expression in switchgrass, particularly under stress conditions. In this study, we investigated the effect of salt and drought stress on switchgrass germination, growth and the expression of small regulatory RNAs. The results indicate that salt stress had a gradual but significant negative effect on switchgrass growth and development. The germination rate was significantly decreased from 82% for control to 36% under 1% NaCl treatment. However, drought stress had little effect on the germination rate but had a significant effect on the growth of switchgrass under the severest salinity stress. Both salt and drought stresses altered the expression pattern of miRNAs in a dose-dependent manner. However, each miRNA responded to drought stress in a different pattern. Salt and drought stress changed the expression level of miRNAs mainly from 0.9-fold up-regulation to 0.7-fold down-regulation. miRNAs were less sensitive to drought treatment than salinity treatment, as evidenced by the narrow fold change in expression levels. Although the range of change in expression level of miRNAs was similar under salt and drought stress, no miRNAs displayed significant change in expression level under all tested salt conditions. Two miRNAs, miR156 and miR162, showed significantly change in expression level under high drought stress. This suggests that miR156 and miR162 may attribute to the adaption of switchgrass to drought stress and are good candidates for improving switchgrass as a biofuel crop by transgenic technology.

The enigmatic Alpine opilionid Saccarella schilleri gen. n., sp. n. (Arachnida: Nemastomatidae)—isolated systematic placement inferred from comparative genital morphology

In Opiliones, male genital morphology plays a key role in systematics and understanding the evolution of the group because functional modifications often outline higher taxonomic levels. In Nemastomatidae, different lat- eral stabilizing structures on the penial truncus cane devel- oped independently. These wing-like protuberances serve as anchor points for two muscular tendons and are interpreted traditionallyasgenericcharacters.Anewlydiscoveredspecies from Monte Saccarello in the Ligurian Alps of North-western Italy is unique in providing anchor points as stabilizing parts of the distal truncus cane below the glans by short and narrow lateral folds. To place this unusual species within the Nem- astomatidae one must re-evaluate the usefulness of male gen- italmorphologicalandothercharactersusedinthesystematics of the family. The resulting phylogenetic framework is sup- plemented with available molecular genetic data. Based on both datasets, the creation of a new genus seems justified. Saccarella schilleri gen. n. sp. n. is subsequently described and further defined. The endemism and biogeography of the harvestmen fauna in the South-western Alps are discussed with respect to this enigmatic genus.

Morfologia e histologia do oviduto de marrecas Ana boschas

Avaliaram-se o comprimento do infundíbulo, do magno, do istmo, do útero e da vagina e o número de pregas do magno e do istmo do oviduto de 20 marrecas Ana boschas na fase reprodutiva. O infundíbulo apresenta mucosa com pregas longitudinais e baixas, revestidas por epitélio pseudoestratificado cilíndrico ciliado, com células caliciformes. O magno, compartimento mais longo do oviduto, 25,38cm±3,20, encontra-se constituído por uma camada mucosa com pregas altas e espessas revestidas por células cilíndricas ciliadas e abundantes células caliciformes. O istmo é formado por uma mucosa com pregas estreitas e curtas e numerosas glândulas tubulares que se estendem para o interior da lâmina própria. O útero, região curta do oviduto, 5,25cm±1,26, apresenta parede com pregas e cristas baixas e numerosas glândulas tubulares enoveladas, dirigidas para o interior da lâmina própria. A vagina, um estreito tubo muscular, está constituído por oito anéis circulares, em média, e uma camada muscular altamente desenvolvida e espessa. A morfologia do oviduto da marreca apresenta características morfológicas e histológicas distintas dos galiniformes, observando-se que a vagina e a porção cranial do infundíbulo apresentam pregas e células caliciformes, respectivamente, sendo estas últimas estruturas ausentes nos galiniformes.

Subsurface structure and tectonic style of the NE Outer Carpathians (Poland) on the basis of integrated 2D interpretation of geological and geophysical images

Subsurface structure and tectonic style of the NE Outer Carpathians (Poland) on the basis of integrated 2D interpretation of geological and geophysical imagesIntegration of the information from surface and subsurface geological exploration (maps and well sections) and results of geological reinterpretation of more than ten archival seismic sections and several dozen magnetotelluric soundings (MT; published and archival) implies a new structural picture of the Carpathian tectogene, interpreted to depths exceeding 10 km. The tectonics of nappes and their basement is illustrated by four regional cross-sections (derived from geological and petroleum-exploration traverses) and examples of detailed interpretation of zones with complicated structure, as well as results of testing the initial structural models with application of the balanced cross-section method and gravimetric modelling. In the tectonics, a complicated system of overthrusts and detachments of sedimentary covers (from their heterogeneous basement) represents a predominant feature. It induced, within particular nappes and tectonically altered structural-facies units, specific systems of narrow folds with diversified geometries. Broad folds of the intermediate structural stage, which are gently sloping in the hinterland of the nappes, were interpreted on the basis of geophysics as paraautochthonous elements. They cover deep-seated faults with large throws, which obliquely or subvertically dip to the SW and were distinguished in the basement on the grounds of extreme contrasts at the resistivity boundaries. Zones of dramatically low resistivities, which separate blocks of the uplifted basement, were interpreted as tectonic sutures with geometry rebuilt in the stage of the Neogene lithosphere subduction. Therefore, the structural layout of the sedimentary cover is characterized by more gently dipping nappe overthrusts of the sequential type and secondary, out-of-sequence thrust slices, most frequently imbricate ones. The flysch covers resting over the tectonic sutures, particularly in margins of inherited structural depressions, are characterized by more diversified tectonic style in comparison with peripheral, gently-sloping covers thrust over the flexural platform slope, and with steep slices and imbricate thrusts having consequent NE vergence. A specific type of dislocation is represented by flat inversional detachments (seismically documented) which are accompanied by disharmonic folding of "thin-skinned" structural elements. In the eastern part of the foreland of the Dukla overthrust, they form a developed system of backthrusts on the slope of a triangular structure superposed on a "shallower" tectonic suture of the basement; the system replaces sets of fault-propagation folds developed in the eastern part of this zone.

Histologia e morfometria das glândulas das junções infundíbulo-magno e útero-vagina de codorna doméstica

A análise comparativa das glândulas armazenadoras de espermatozóides das junções infundíbulo-magno e útero-vagina do oviduto da codorna Nothura maculosa foi realizada durante a fase reprodutiva. As aves foram eutanasiadas por inalação com éter etílico, após a pesagem. Após a laparotomia e o deslocamento cranial do esterno, foram coletadas amostras de dois centímetros da junção infundíbulo-magno e útero-vagina. Os fragmentos foram fixados em solução de Bouin por 24 horas e, posteriormente, banhos sucessivos de álcool 70% foram aplicados sobre as amostras. Em seguida, as amostras foram desidratadas em uma série de concentração crescente de alcoóis (80, 90, 95 e 3x100%), diafanizadas em xilol e incluídas em parafina. Cortes histológicos de sete micrômetros de espessura foram obtidos e corados pela técnica da Hematoxilina-eosina (HE), que foram analisados e fotomicrografados em um fotomicroscópio Olympus BX-50. Para a análise morfométrica, foram capturadas imagens das glândulas armazenadoras de espermatozóides da junção infundíbulo-magno e útero-vagina mediante o programa computacional "Image Pro Plus 4.1" da Cibernetics do Brasil, tornando-se possível a quantificação das mesmas. A mucosa da junção infundíbulo-magno apresentou pregas estreitas no infundíbulo e largas no magno, enquanto na junção útero-vagina mostrou-se amplamente pregueada na vagina e mais lisa na porção uterina. O número médio de glândulas armazenadoras de espermatozóides na junção infundíbulo-magno foi maior (11,7 glândulas) (P<0,01) que na junção útero-vagina (7,5 glândulas). Supõe-se que a abundância de glândulas armazenadoras de espermatozóides na junção infundíbulo-magno permite acesso mais rápido do ovócito, após a oocitação, ao espermatozóide armazenado, garantindo a fertilização.

Coseismic fault‐related fold model, growth structure, and the historic multisegment blind thrust earthquake on the basement‐involved Yoro thrust, central Japan

We use high‐resolution seismic reflection profiles, boring transects, and mapping of fold scarps that deform late Quaternary and Holocene sediments to define the kinematic evolution, subsurface geometry, coseismic behavior, and fault slip rates for an active, basement‐involved blind thrust system in central Japan. Coseismic fold scarps on the Yoro basement‐involved fold are defined by narrow fold limbs and angular hinges on seismic profiles, suggesting that at least 3.9 km of fault slip is consumed by wedge thrust folding in the upper 10 km of the crust. The close coincidence and kinematic link between folded horizons and the underlying thrust geometry indicate that the Yoro basement‐involved fold has accommodated slip at an average rate of 3.2 ± 0.1 mm/yr on a shallowly west dipping thrust fault since early Pleistocene time. Past large‐magnitude earthquakes, including an historic M∼7.7 event in A.D. 1586 that occurred on the Yoro blind thrust, are shown to have produced discrete folding by curved hinge kink band migration above the eastward propagating tip of the wedge thrust. Coseismic fold scarps formed during the A.D. 1586 earthquake can be traced along the en echelon active folds that extend for at least 60 km, in spite of different styles of folding along the apparently hard‐linked Nobi‐Ise blind thrust system. We thus emphasize the importance of this multisegment earthquake rupture across these structures and the potential risk for similar future events in en echelon active fold and thrust belts.

Geomorphology, kinematic history, and earthquake behavior of the active Kuwana wedge thrust anticline, central Japan

We combine surface mapping of fault and fold scarps that deform late Quaternary alluvial strata with interpretation of a high‐resolution seismic reflection profile to develop a kinematic model and determine fault slip rates for an active blind wedge thrust system that underlies Kuwana anticline in central Japan. Surface fold scarps on Kuwana anticline are closely correlated with narrow fold limbs and angular hinges on the seismic profile that suggest at least ∼1.3 km of fault slip completely consumed by folding in the upper 4 km of the crust. The close coincidence and kinematic link between folded terraces and the underlying thrust geometry indicate that Kuwana anticline has accommodated slip at an average rate of 2.2 ± 0.5 mm/yr on a 27°, west dipping thrust fault since early‐middle Pleistocene time. In contrast to classical fault bend folds the fault slip budget in the stacked wedge thrusts also indicates that (1) the fault tip propagated upward at a low rate relative to the accrual of fault slip and (2) fault slip is partly absorbed by numerous bedding plane flexural‐slip faults above the tips of wedge thrusts. An historic earthquake that occurred on the Kuwana blind thrust system possibly in A.D. 1586 is shown to have produced coseismic surface deformation above the doubly vergent wedge tip. Structural analyses of Kuwana anticline coupled with tectonic geomorphology at 103–105 years timescales illustrate the significance of active folds as indicators of slip on underlying blind thrust faults and thus their otherwise inaccessible seismic hazards.

The origin of changes in structural style across the Bandar Abbas syntaxis, SE Zagros (Iran)

The Bandar Abbas syntaxis marks the transition between the Zagros collisional belt and the Makran subduction-related prism and constitutes a major structural feature within the Alpine–Himalayan mountain belt. Within the foreland part of the Zagros (the Zagros Fold Thrust Belt, ZFTB), the transition is marked by a sudden change in structural trends and style and a rapid decrease in seismicity and salt diapirism from west to east of the syntaxis. The depth to decollement and lithology affect the geometry and size of the folds on each side of the syntaxis, while different mechanical coupling along the basal decollement affects the degree of internal rock deformation. Thus the short and broad folds of the western side of the syntaxis are decoupled along the 8-km deep Hormuz evaporites, visible at surface in numerous salt diapirs. Strong seismicity in this area suggests that the basement is involved in the deformation. By contrast, the long and narrow folds of the eastern side of the syntaxis appear to be controlled by frictional slip along a 6-km deep detachment. The absence of seismicity suggests that the basement is not involved in the deformation in this area. We propose that the basal decollement for these structures corresponds to the eroded top of the NNE–SSW trending Oman Mesozoic nappes resulting from Late Cretaceous obduction of Tethys on the Arabian margin. These structures are visible onshore in the northern tip of the Oman peninsula and seen in offshore seismic profiles continuing northward beneath the Strait of Hormuz. Finally, map view observations show that the Main Zagros Thrust and the Zendan Fault—separating the ZFTB from the internal zones of the orogen—are shallow low angle thrust faults rather than steeply dipping faults.

Oblique to Orthogonal Convergence Across the Turan Block in the Post-Miocene

The 2-17-km-thick, post-Triassic sediments of the Turan continental block accumulated in a south-dipping basin characterized by fault-controlled facies and thickness variations. Since the late Miocene, the thickest part of the basin fill, on the southern margin of the Turan block, has been folded and uplifted as the Kopet Dag range, in response to the Iran-Turan convergence. The Apsheron sill, which separates the northern continental from the southern oceanic Caspian Sea basins, links the Kopet Dag-Greater Balkan ranges (Turkmenistan) to the Caucasus (Azerbaijan). The large-scale east-west- to west-northwest-east-southeast-oriented arrays of periclinal folds of the Kopet Dag range, which indicate a north-south oriented compression, were generated by a fault propagation mechanism. The migration and accumulation of hydrocarbons has been controlled by the deformation pattern. The 75 km of north-south shortening in the western Kopet Dag-Greater Balkan area can be resolved into 70 km of pure compression, orthogonal to the N120°-oriented Ashgabat fault, and 35 km of dextral slip along this fault. The north-south Iran-Asia relative motion has produced the oblique convergent northwest-southeast structures along the dextral Ashgabat fault and the pure convergent east-west structures in the western Kopet Dag-Greater Balkan region. The orientation of the structures has been controlled by the angular relationship between the relative motion of two blocks and the orientation of their boundaries. The Ashgabat fault as a major crustal anisotropy has concentrated the deformation into a narrow fold and thrust belt, whereas in the west the deformation is distributed over a wider area. The pattern of deformation has been controlled by the Iran-Turan boundary conditions.

Transmalar Subperiosteal Midface Lift: Early Results With a Simplified Approach

A tear trough over the infraorbital rim; a depressed paranasal area; a ptotic, narrow nasolabial fold; and a ptotic oral commissure were inadequately corrected using my subSMAS facial rhytidectomy technique. A transmalar subperiosteal midface lift to improve these problem areas by elevating the periosteum, as well as the origins of certain mimetic muscles, is presented.

Microtubules and the Establishment of Apparent Cell Wall Invaginations in Mesophyll Cells of Pinus silvestris L.

Summary Ridges of cell wall material protruding into the cellular lumen are characteristic of Pinus silvestris mesophyll cells. These ridges, e.g., appear to increase the inner surface for optimal dispersal of organelles, especially of chloroplasts. We show that the ridges are the result of local, brace-like wall reinforcements deposited during early turgor-driven expansion growth of postmitotic cells. The reinforced sites resist expansion and become the base of deep, narrow folds representing the ridges, while the intervening thin-walled areas evaginate as the cell volume increases. Cell wall material is deposited uniformly after expansion to stabilize the protrusions. There is a distinct correlation between cell wall deposition and patterns of microtubules, known to be involved in determining the orientation of cellulose microfibril deposition. It appears that this mode of establishing wall ridges is a variant of a comprehensive cell shaping strategy, recently shown to be responsible for modelling the outer contour of a number of different cell types.