Developmental and evolutionary novelty in the serrated teeth of theropod dinosaurs.

Science.gov (United States)

Brink, K S; Reisz, R R; LeBlanc, A R H; Chang, R S; Lee, Y C; Chiang, C C; Huang, T; Evans, D C

2015-07-28

Tooth morphology and development can provide valuable insights into the feeding behaviour and evolution of extinct organisms. The teeth of Theropoda, the only clade of predominantly predatory dinosaurs, are characterized by ziphodonty, the presence of serrations (denticles) on their cutting edges. Known today only in varanid lizards, ziphodonty is much more pervasive in the fossil record. Here we present the first model for the development of ziphodont teeth in theropods through histological, SEM, and SR-FTIR analyses, revealing that structures previously hypothesized to prevent tooth breakage instead first evolved to shape and maintain the characteristic denticles through the life of the tooth. We show that this novel complex of dental morphology and tissues characterizes Theropoda, with the exception of species with modified feeding behaviours, suggesting that these characters are important for facilitating the hypercarnivorous diet of most theropods. This adaptation may have played an important role in the initial radiation and subsequent success of theropods as terrestrial apex predators.

An Unusual New Theropod with a Didactyl Manus from the Upper Cretaceous of Patagonia, Argentina

Science.gov (United States)

Apesteguía, Sebastián; Smith, Nathan D.; Juárez Valieri, Rubén; Makovicky, Peter J.

2016-01-01

Background Late Cretaceous terrestrial strata of the Neuquén Basin, northern Patagonia, Argentina have yielded a rich fauna of dinosaurs and other vertebrates. The diversity of saurischian dinosaurs is particularly high, especially in the late Cenomanian-early Turonian Huincul Formation, which has yielded specimens of rebacchisaurid and titanosaurian sauropods, and abelisaurid and carcharodontosaurid theropods. Continued sampling is adding to the known vertebrate diversity of this unit. Methodology/ Principal Findings A new, partially articulated mid-sized theropod was found in rocks from the Huincul Formation. It exhibits a unique combination of traits that distinguish it from other known theropods justifying erection of a new taxon, Gualicho shinyae gen. et sp. nov. Gualicho possesses a didactyl manus with the third digit reduced to a metacarpal splint reminiscent of tyrannosaurids, but both phylogenetic and multivariate analyses indicate that didactyly is convergent in these groups. Derived characters of the scapula, femur, and fibula supports the new theropod as the sister taxon of the nearly coeval African theropod Deltadromeus and as a neovenatorid carcharodontosaurian. A number of these features are independently present in ceratosaurs, and Gualicho exhibits an unusual mosaic of ceratosaurian and tetanuran synapomorphies distributed throughout the skeleton. Conclusions/ Significance Gualicho shinyae gen. et sp. nov. increases the known theropod diversity of the Huincul Formation and also represents the first likely neovenatorid from this unit. It is the most basal tetatanuran to exhibit common patterns of digit III reduction that evolved independently in a number of other tetanuran lineages. A close relationship with Deltadromaeus from the Kem Kem beds of Niger adds to the already considerable biogeographic similarity between the Huincul Formation and coeval rock units in North Africa. PMID:27410683

Scaling in Theropod Dinosaurs: Femoral Bone Dimensions

Science.gov (United States)

Lee, Scott A.

2014-01-01

Finding topics that inspire students is an important aspect of any physics course. Virtually everyone is fascinated by "Tyrannosaurus rex," and the excitement of the class is palpable when we explore scaling effects in "T. rex" and other bipedal theropod dinosaurs as part of our discussion of mechanics and elasticity. In this…

A large Cretaceous theropod from Patagonia, Argentina, and the evolution of carcharodontosaurids

Science.gov (United States)

Novas, Fernando E.; Valais, Silvina; Vickers-Rich, Pat; Rich, Tom

2005-05-01

The Cretaceous Carcharodontosauridae is the latest clade of carnosaurs, including the largest predatory dinosaurs yet recorded. Albeit spectacular for their size, the skeletal anatomy of these theropods remains poorly-known, and their diversity was until recently restricted to two Cenomanian species: the highly derived Giganotosaurus carolinii, from southern South America, and the incompletely known Carcharodontosaurus saharicus, from northern Africa. Here we describe an older and basal member of the group, Tyrannotitan chubutensis gen. et sp. nov., from Aptian strata of Patagonia, Argentina. The new taxon gives new insights into the systematics and evolution of carcharodontosaurids and offers a better understanding of the evolution of Southern theropod faunas. We suggest that carcharodontosaurids radiated in Gondwana sharing with spinosaurids the role of top-predators until their extinction in Cenomanian Turonian times. During this interval, the diplodocoid sauropods and giant titanosaurians went extinct (probably as part of a global-scale crisis), and the smaller abelisaurid theropods took dominance, reigning until the end of the Cretaceous. Electronic Supplementary Material is available.

U.S. SOCOM Grand Challenge #3: NREL Technical Roadmap for a Man-Portable Power Supply System for TALOS

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ainsworth, Nathan [National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Heaps, Colton [National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Symko-Davies, Martha [National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Cale, James [National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

2016-06-01

The purpose of this report is to propose a technical roadmap for power supply technology to power the Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit (TALOS), an armored, powered exoskeleton currently in development for U.S. Special Operations Command operators. TALOS' power supply system must meet size targets similar to the size of a large backpack while providing significant electrical power for an entire mission cycle without resupply. This report proposes a staged development path based on three fundamental technical approaches.

Didactyl tracks of paravian theropods (Maniraptora from the ?Middle Jurassic of Africa.

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Alexander Mudroch

Full Text Available BACKGROUND: A new dinosaur tracksite from ?Middle Jurassic sediments of the Irhazer Group on the plains of Agadez (Rep. Niger, northwest Africa revealed extraordinarily well preserved didactyl tracks of a digitigrade bipedal trackmaker. The distinct morphology of the pes imprints indicates a theropod trackmaker from a paravian maniraptoran closely related to birds. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The early age and the morphological traits of the tracks allow for description of the new ichnotaxon Paravipus didactyloides. A total of 120 tracks are assigned to 5 individual trackways. The 'medium-sized' tracks with an average footprint length of 27.5 cm and footprint width of 23.1 cm are deeply imprinted into the track bearing sandstone. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: A comparison with other didactyl tracks gives new insights into the foot morphology of advanced maniraptoran theropods and contributes to knowledge of their evolutionary history. The new ichnotaxon takes an important position in the ichnological fossil record of Gondwana and the mid-Jurassic biota worldwide, because it is among the earliest known records of paravian maniraptorans and of didactyl theropod tracks from Africa.

ANÁLISE SENSORIAL E NUTRICIONAL DE TORTA SALGADA ELABORADA ATRAVÉS DO APROVEITAMENTO ALTERNATIVO DE TALOS E CASCAS DE HORTALIÇAS

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P. D. J. SOUZA

2008-11-01

Full Text Available

O aproveitamento integral de hortaliças além de enriquecer a dieta contribui para minimizar o desperdício de alimentos. Foram elaboradas duas tortas com talos de couve- flor e de brócolis e com cascas de cenoura e de beterraba. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram avaliar a aceitabilidade dessas tortas e o teor nutricional das cascas, talos e tortas prontas. A análise sensorial foi realizada por 41 provadores não-treinados. Para a torta com menor teor de talos e cascas, o atributo textura teve nota 8,3 ± 0,9 sendo a mais aceita. Para a torta com maior teor, o sabor foi o atributo mais aceito com nota 8,0 ± 1,6. No teste sensorial, o atributo sabor foi significativamente (P < 0,05 diferente entre as amostras analisadas. A casca de cenoura apresentou 2,1g de proteínas e 1,0g de fibras por 100g. A casca de beterraba apresentou 1,4g de proteínas e 3,1g de fibra por 100g. O talo de couve flor apresentou 0,9 g de proteínas e 2,8g de fibras por 100g. O talo de brócolis apresentou 1,5g de proteínas e 4,0g de fibras por 100g. A análise dos resultados permitiu verificar que os talos e as cascas podem ser boas fontes de nutrientes e que as tortas preparadas apresentam teores importantes de nutrientes e fibras. Além disso, através da análise sensorial foi possível verificar a boa aceitação das tortas em relação ao sabor, aparência, textura e cor.

Using step width to compare locomotor biomechanics between extinct, non-avian theropod dinosaurs and modern obligate bipeds.

Science.gov (United States)

Bishop, P J; Clemente, C J; Weems, R E; Graham, D F; Lamas, L P; Hutchinson, J R; Rubenson, J; Wilson, R S; Hocknull, S A; Barrett, R S; Lloyd, D G

2017-07-01

How extinct, non-avian theropod dinosaurs locomoted is a subject of considerable interest, as is the manner in which it evolved on the line leading to birds. Fossil footprints provide the most direct evidence for answering these questions. In this study, step width-the mediolateral (transverse) distance between successive footfalls-was investigated with respect to speed (stride length) in non-avian theropod trackways of Late Triassic age. Comparable kinematic data were also collected for humans and 11 species of ground-dwelling birds. Permutation tests of the slope on a plot of step width against stride length showed that step width decreased continuously with increasing speed in the extinct theropods ( p < 0.001), as well as the five tallest bird species studied ( p < 0.01). Humans, by contrast, showed an abrupt decrease in step width at the walk-run transition. In the modern bipeds, these patterns reflect the use of either a discontinuous locomotor repertoire, characterized by distinct gaits (humans), or a continuous locomotor repertoire, where walking smoothly transitions into running (birds). The non-avian theropods are consequently inferred to have had a continuous locomotor repertoire, possibly including grounded running. Thus, features that characterize avian terrestrial locomotion had begun to evolve early in theropod history. © 2017 The Author(s).

[Tibio-talo-calcaneal arthrodesis with the retrograde intramedullary nail MEDIN].

Science.gov (United States)

Popelka, S; Vavřík, P; Landor, I; Bek, J; Popelka ml, S; Hromádka, R

2013-01-01

When the talus and the talocalcaneal joint are both affected, their fusion is the method of treatment. Ankle arthrodesis is carried out using various osteosynthetic materials such as external fixators, screws and plates. One of the options is retrograde nailing. Tibio-talo-calcaneal arthrodesis is frequently indicated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in whom both the talus and the subtalar joint are often affected. A retrograde nail for tibio-talo-calcaneal arthrodesis was developed at our department in cooperation with MEDIN Company. This is a titanium double-curved nail, with the distal part bent at 8 degrees ventrally and 10 degrees laterally. It is inserted from the transfibular approach. Sixty-two patients, 35 women and 27 men, were treated at our department from 2005. Since one patient had bilateral surgery, 63 ankles were included. The indications for arthrodesis involved rheumatoid arthritis in 42, post-traumatic arthritis in 10, failed ankle arthrodesis in two and failed total ankle arthroplasty in five ankles; tibial stress fractures close above the ankle in two RA patients, one patient with dermatomyositis and one with lupus erythematodes. The average age at the time of surgery was 64.2 years (range, 30 to 80). The average follow-up was 4.5 years (range, 1 to 9 years), Satisfaction with the treatment outcome and willingness to undergo surgery on the other side were reported by 82% of the patients. The AOFAS score improved from 35 to 74 points. Three (4.8%) patients complained of painful feet due to the fact that exact correction of the calcaneus was not achieved and the heel after arthrodesis remained in a slightly varus position. Of them, two had a failed total ankle arthroplasty. Post-operative complications included early infection managed by antibiotic treatment and early surgical revision with irrigation.in two (3.2%) RA patients, who were undergoing biological therapy. Late infection developed at 2 to 3 years after surgery in three (4

Feeding strategies as revealed by the section moduli of the humerus bones in bipedal theropod dinosaurs

Science.gov (United States)

Lee, Scott; Richards, Zachary

2015-03-01

The section modulus of a bone is a measure of its ability to resist bending torques. Carnivorous dinosaurs presumably had strong arm bones to hold struggling prey during hunting. Some theropods are believed to have become herbivorous and such animals would not have needed such strong arms. In this work, the section moduli of the humerus bones of bipedal theropod dinosaurs (from Microvenator celer to Tyrannosaurus rex) are studied to determine the maximum bending loads their arms could withstand. The results show that bending strength is not of uniform importance to these magnificent animals. The predatory theropods had strong arms for use in hunting. In contrast, the herbivorous dinosaurs had weaker arms.

Re-evaluation of the Haarlem Archaeopteryx and the radiation of maniraptoran theropod dinosaurs.

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Foth, Christian; Rauhut, Oliver W M

2017-12-02

Archaeopteryx is an iconic fossil that has long been pivotal for our understanding of the origin of birds. Remains of this important taxon have only been found in the Late Jurassic lithographic limestones of Bavaria, Germany. Twelve skeletal specimens are reported so far. Archaeopteryx was long the only pre-Cretaceous paravian theropod known, but recent discoveries from the Tiaojishan Formation, China, yielded a remarkable diversity of this clade, including the possibly oldest and most basal known clade of avialan, here named Anchiornithidae. However, Archaeopteryx remains the only Jurassic paravian theropod based on diagnostic material reported outside China. Re-examination of the incomplete Haarlem Archaeopteryx specimen did not find any diagnostic features of this genus. In contrast, the specimen markedly differs in proportions from other Archaeopteryx specimens and shares two distinct characters with anchiornithids. Phylogenetic analysis confirms it as the first anchiornithid recorded outside the Tiaojushan Formation of China, for which the new generic name Ostromia is proposed here. In combination with a biogeographic analysis of coelurosaurian theropods and palaeogeographic and stratigraphic data, our results indicate an explosive radiation of maniraptoran coelurosaurs probably in isolation in eastern Asia in the late Middle Jurassic and a rapid, at least Laurasian dispersal of the different subclades in the Late Jurassic. Small body size and, possibly, a multiple origin of flight capabilities enhanced dispersal capabilities of paravian theropods and might thus have been crucial for their evolutionary success.

Theropod courtship: large scale physical evidence of display arenas and avian-like scrape ceremony behaviour by Cretaceous dinosaurs

Science.gov (United States)

Lockley, Martin G.; McCrea, Richard T.; Buckley, Lisa G.; Deock Lim, Jong; Matthews, Neffra A.; Breithaupt, Brent H.; Houck, Karen J.; Gierliński, Gerard D.; Surmik, Dawid; Soo Kim, Kyung; Xing, Lida; Yong Kong, Dal; Cart, Ken; Martin, Jason; Hadden, Glade

2016-01-01

Relationships between non-avian theropod dinosaurs and extant and fossil birds are a major focus of current paleobiological research. Despite extensive phylogenetic and morphological support, behavioural evidence is mostly ambiguous and does not usually fossilize. Thus, inferences that dinosaurs, especially theropods displayed behaviour analogous to modern birds are intriguing but speculative. Here we present extensive and geographically widespread physical evidence of substrate scraping behavior by large theropods considered as compelling evidence of “display arenas” or leks, and consistent with “nest scrape display” behaviour among many extant ground-nesting birds. Large scrapes, up to 2 m in diameter, occur abundantly at several Cretaceous sites in Colorado. They constitute a previously unknown category of large dinosaurian trace fossil, inferred to fill gaps in our understanding of early phases in the breeding cycle of theropods. The trace makers were probably lekking species that were seasonally active at large display arena sites. Such scrapes indicate stereotypical avian behaviour hitherto unknown among Cretaceous theropods, and most likely associated with terrirorial activity in the breeding season. The scrapes most probably occur near nesting colonies, as yet unknown or no longer preserved in the immediate study areas. Thus, they provide clues to paleoenvironments where such nesting sites occurred.

Theropod courtship: large scale physical evidence of display arenas and avian-like scrape ceremony behaviour by Cretaceous dinosaurs.

Science.gov (United States)

Lockley, Martin G; McCrea, Richard T; Buckley, Lisa G; Lim, Jong Deock; Matthews, Neffra A; Breithaupt, Brent H; Houck, Karen J; Gierliński, Gerard D; Surmik, Dawid; Kim, Kyung Soo; Xing, Lida; Kong, Dal Yong; Cart, Ken; Martin, Jason; Hadden, Glade

2016-01-07

Relationships between non-avian theropod dinosaurs and extant and fossil birds are a major focus of current paleobiological research. Despite extensive phylogenetic and morphological support, behavioural evidence is mostly ambiguous and does not usually fossilize. Thus, inferences that dinosaurs, especially theropods displayed behaviour analogous to modern birds are intriguing but speculative. Here we present extensive and geographically widespread physical evidence of substrate scraping behavior by large theropods considered as compelling evidence of "display arenas" or leks, and consistent with "nest scrape display" behaviour among many extant ground-nesting birds. Large scrapes, up to 2 m in diameter, occur abundantly at several Cretaceous sites in Colorado. They constitute a previously unknown category of large dinosaurian trace fossil, inferred to fill gaps in our understanding of early phases in the breeding cycle of theropods. The trace makers were probably lekking species that were seasonally active at large display arena sites. Such scrapes indicate stereotypical avian behaviour hitherto unknown among Cretaceous theropods, and most likely associated with terrirorial activity in the breeding season. The scrapes most probably occur near nesting colonies, as yet unknown or no longer preserved in the immediate study areas. Thus, they provide clues to paleoenvironments where such nesting sites occurred.

Multiple taxon multiple locality approach to providing oxygen isotope evidence for warm-blooded theropod dinosaurs

Science.gov (United States)

Fricke, Henry C.; Rogers, Raymond R.

2000-09-01

Oxygen isotope ratios of fossil remains of coexisting taxa from several different localities can be used to help investigate dinosaur thermoregulation. Focusing on the Late Cretaceous, oxygen isotope ratios of crocodile tooth enamel from four separate localities exhibit less of a decrease with latitude than do ratios of tooth enamel from coexisting theropod dinosaurs. A shallower latitudinal gradient for crocodiles is consistent with how oxygen isotope ratios should vary for heterothermic animals having body temperatures coupled with their environments (“cold blooded”), while a steeper gradient for theropods is consistent with how these ratios should vary for homeothermic animals having constant body temperatures independent of their environments (“warm blooded”). This inferred homoethermy in theropods is likely due to higher rates of metabolic heat production relative to crocodiles and is not an artifact of body size.

Heterochronic truncation of odontogenesis in theropod dinosaurs provides insight into the macroevolution of avian beaks.

Science.gov (United States)

Wang, Shuo; Stiegler, Josef; Wu, Ping; Chuong, Cheng-Ming; Hu, Dongyu; Balanoff, Amy; Zhou, Yachun; Xu, Xing

2017-10-10

Beaks are innovative structures characterizing numerous tetrapod lineages, including birds, but little is known about how developmental processes influenced the macroevolution of these important structures. Here we provide evidence of ontogenetic vestigialization of alveoli in two lineages of theropod dinosaurs and show that these are transitional phenotypes in the evolution of beaks. One of the smallest known caenagnathid oviraptorosaurs and a small specimen of the Early Cretaceous bird Sapeornis both possess shallow, empty vestiges of dentary alveoli. In both individuals, the system of vestiges connects via foramina with a dorsally closed canal homologous to alveoli. Similar morphologies are present in Limusaurus , a beaked theropod that becomes edentulous during ontogeny; and an analysis of neontological and paleontological evidence shows that ontogenetic reduction of the dentition is a relatively common phenomenon in vertebrate evolution. Based on these lines of evidence, we propose that progressively earlier postnatal and embryonic truncation of odontogenesis corresponds with expansion of rostral keratin associated with the caruncle, and these progenesis and peramorphosis heterochronies combine to drive the evolution of edentulous beaks in nonavian theropods and birds. Following initial apomorphic expansion of rostral keratinized epithelia in perinatal toothed theropods, beaks appear to inhibit odontogenesis as they grow postnatally, resulting in a sequence of common morphologies. This sequence is shifted earlier in development through phylogeny until dentition is absent at hatching, and odontogenesis is inhibited by beak formation in ovo .

Air-filled postcranial bones in theropod dinosaurs: physiological implications and the 'reptile'-bird transition.

Science.gov (United States)

Benson, Roger B J; Butler, Richard J; Carrano, Matthew T; O'Connor, Patrick M

2012-02-01

Pneumatic (air-filled) postcranial bones are unique to birds among extant tetrapods. Unambiguous skeletal correlates of postcranial pneumaticity first appeared in the Late Triassic (approximately 210 million years ago), when they evolved independently in several groups of bird-line archosaurs (ornithodirans). These include the theropod dinosaurs (of which birds are extant representatives), the pterosaurs, and sauropodomorph dinosaurs. Postulated functions of skeletal pneumatisation include weight reduction in large-bodied or flying taxa, and density reduction resulting in energetic savings during foraging and locomotion. However, the influence of these hypotheses on the early evolution of pneumaticity has not been studied in detail previously. We review recent work on the significance of pneumaticity for understanding the biology of extinct ornithodirans, and present detailed new data on the proportion of the skeleton that was pneumatised in 131 non-avian theropods and Archaeopteryx. This includes all taxa known from significant postcranial remains. Pneumaticity of the cervical and anterior dorsal vertebrae occurred early in theropod evolution. This 'common pattern' was conserved on the line leading to birds, and is likely present in Archaeopteryx. Increases in skeletal pneumaticity occurred independently in as many as 12 lineages, highlighting a remarkably high number of parallel acquisitions of a bird-like feature among non-avian theropods. Using a quantitative comparative framework, we show that evolutionary increases in skeletal pneumaticity are significantly concentrated in lineages with large body size, suggesting that mass reduction in response to gravitational constraints at large body sizes influenced the early evolution of pneumaticity. However, the body size threshold for extensive pneumatisation is lower in theropod lineages more closely related to birds (maniraptorans). Thus, relaxation of the relationship between body size and pneumatisation preceded

Edentulism, beaks, and biomechanical innovations in the evolution of theropod dinosaurs.

Science.gov (United States)

Lautenschlager, Stephan; Witmer, Lawrence M; Altangerel, Perle; Rayfield, Emily J

2013-12-17

Maniraptoriformes, the speciose group of derived theropod dinosaurs that ultimately gave rise to modern birds, display a diverse and remarkable suite of skeletal adaptations. Apart from the evolution of flight, a large-scale change in dietary behavior appears to have been one of the main triggers for specializations in the bauplan of these derived theropods. Among the different skeletal specializations, partial or even complete edentulism and the development of keratinous beaks form a recurring and persistent trend in from the evolution of derived nonavian dinosaurs. Therizinosauria is an enigmatic maniraptoriform clade, whose members display these and other osteological characters thought to be correlated with the shift from carnivory to herbivory. This makes therizinosaurians prime candidates to assess the functional significance of these morphological characters. Based on a highly detailed biomechanical model of Erlikosaurus andrewsi, a therizinosaurid from the Upper Cretaceous of Mongolia, different morphological configurations incorporating soft-tissue structures, such as a keratinous rhamphotheca, are evaluated for their biomechanical performance. Our results indicate that the development of beaks and the presence of a keratinous rhamphotheca would have helped to dissipate stress and strain, making the rostral part of the skull less susceptible to bending and displacement, and this benefit may extend to other vertebrate clades that possess rhamphothecae. Keratinous beaks, paralleled by edentulism, thus represent an evolutionary innovation developed early in derived theropods to enhance cranial stability, distinct to postulated mass-saving benefits associated with the origin of flight.

Heterochronic truncation of odontogenesis in theropod dinosaurs provides insight into the macroevolution of avian beaks

Science.gov (United States)

Stiegler, Josef; Wu, Ping; Chuong, Cheng-Ming; Hu, Dongyu; Balanoff, Amy; Zhou, Yachun; Xu, Xing

2017-01-01

Beaks are innovative structures characterizing numerous tetrapod lineages, including birds, but little is known about how developmental processes influenced the macroevolution of these important structures. Here we provide evidence of ontogenetic vestigialization of alveoli in two lineages of theropod dinosaurs and show that these are transitional phenotypes in the evolution of beaks. One of the smallest known caenagnathid oviraptorosaurs and a small specimen of the Early Cretaceous bird Sapeornis both possess shallow, empty vestiges of dentary alveoli. In both individuals, the system of vestiges connects via foramina with a dorsally closed canal homologous to alveoli. Similar morphologies are present in Limusaurus, a beaked theropod that becomes edentulous during ontogeny; and an analysis of neontological and paleontological evidence shows that ontogenetic reduction of the dentition is a relatively common phenomenon in vertebrate evolution. Based on these lines of evidence, we propose that progressively earlier postnatal and embryonic truncation of odontogenesis corresponds with expansion of rostral keratin associated with the caruncle, and these progenesis and peramorphosis heterochronies combine to drive the evolution of edentulous beaks in nonavian theropods and birds. Following initial apomorphic expansion of rostral keratinized epithelia in perinatal toothed theropods, beaks appear to inhibit odontogenesis as they grow postnatally, resulting in a sequence of common morphologies. This sequence is shifted earlier in development through phylogeny until dentition is absent at hatching, and odontogenesis is inhibited by beak formation in ovo. PMID:28973883

Scaling in Theropod Dinosaurs: Femoral Bone Strength and Locomotion

Science.gov (United States)

Lee, Scott

2015-01-01

In our first article on scaling in theropod dinosaurs, the longitudinal stress in the leg bones due to supporting the weight of the animal was studied and found not to control the dimensions of the femur. As a continuation of our study of elasticity in dinosaur bones, we now examine the transverse stress in the femur due to locomotion and find…

The evolutionary continuum of limb function from early theropods to birds.

Science.gov (United States)

Hutchinson, John R; Allen, Vivian

2009-04-01

The bipedal stance and gait of theropod dinosaurs evolved gradually along the lineage leading to birds and at some point(s), flight evolved. How and when did these changes occur? We review the evidence from neontology and paleontology, including pectoral and pelvic limb functional morphology, fossil footprints/trackways and biomechanical models and simulations. We emphasise that many false dichotomies or categories have been applied to theropod form and function, and sometimes, these impede research progress. For example, dichotomisation of locomotor function into 'non-avian' and 'avian' modes is only a conceptual crutch; the evidence supports a continuous transition. Simplification of pelvic limb function into cursorial/non-cursorial morphologies or flexed/columnar poses has outlived its utility. For the pectoral limbs, even the classic predatory strike vs. flight wing-stroke distinction and separation of theropods into non-flying and flying--or terrestrial and arboreal--categories may be missing important subtleties. Distinguishing locomotor function between taxa, even with quantitative approaches, will always be fraught with ambiguity, making it difficult to find real differences if that ambiguity is properly acknowledged. There must be an 'interpretive asymptote' for reconstructing dinosaur limb function that available methods and evidence cannot overcome. We may be close to that limit, but how far can it be stretched with improved methods and evidence, if at all? The way forward is a combination of techniques that emphasises integration of neontological and paleontological evidence and quantitative assessment of limb function cautiously applied with validated techniques and sensitivity analysis of unknown variables.

A Late Cretaceous theropod caudal vertebra from the Sultanate of Oman

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Schulp, Anne S.; Hanna, Samir S.; Hartman, Axel Frans; Jagt, John W M

2000-01-01

A caudal vertebra collected from conglomerates of the Al-Khod Formation (Late Cretaceous) in the Al-Khod area, Sultanate of Oman, is assigned to a medium-sized theropod dinosaur. The Al-Khod discovery represents one of the very few dinosaur records from the Middle East.

Multivariate analyses of small theropod dinosaur teeth and implications for paleoecological turnover through time.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Derek W Larson

Full Text Available Isolated small theropod teeth are abundant in vertebrate microfossil assemblages, and are frequently used in studies of species diversity in ancient ecosystems. However, determining the taxonomic affinities of these teeth is problematic due to an absence of associated diagnostic skeletal material. Species such as Dromaeosaurus albertensis, Richardoestesia gilmorei, and Saurornitholestes langstoni are known from skeletal remains that have been recovered exclusively from the Dinosaur Park Formation (Campanian. It is therefore likely that teeth from different formations widely disparate in age or geographic position are not referable to these species. Tooth taxa without any associated skeletal material, such as Paronychodon lacustris and Richardoestesia isosceles, have also been identified from multiple localities of disparate ages throughout the Late Cretaceous. To address this problem, a dataset of measurements of 1183 small theropod teeth (the most specimen-rich theropod tooth dataset ever constructed from North America ranging in age from Santonian through Maastrichtian were analyzed using multivariate statistical methods: canonical variate analysis, pairwise discriminant function analysis, and multivariate analysis of variance. The results indicate that teeth referred to the same taxon from different formations are often quantitatively distinct. In contrast, isolated teeth found in time equivalent formations are not quantitatively distinguishable from each other. These results support the hypothesis that small theropod taxa, like other dinosaurs in the Late Cretaceous, tend to be exclusive to discrete host formations. The methods outlined have great potential for future studies of isolated teeth worldwide, and may be the most useful non-destructive technique known of extracting the most data possible from isolated and fragmentary specimens. The ability to accurately assess species diversity and turnover through time based on isolated teeth

LIDAR-based characterization and conservation of the first theropod dinosaur trackways from Arkansas, USA.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Brian F Platt

Full Text Available LIDAR-based analyses of the first theropod dinosaur trackways known from the state of Arkansas, USA are reported. The trackways were found on a limestone bedding plane in the Albian De Queen Formation in an active gypsum quarry. Because limited access precluded thorough field study, fieldwork focused on preserving the entire site digitally with ground-based LIDAR, and detailed measurements were later taken digitally from point cloud data. The site contains eight tridactyl trackways associated with sauropod trackways and numerous isolated tracks. Although there appear to be two different tridactyl morphotypes, we show that the tracks are all likely from a single species of trackmaker. We apply a simple method of estimating substrate consistency by comparing the differences between true track dimensions and apparent track dimensions. The tridactyl tracks at the southern end of the site are preserved with significantly greater differences in true vs. apparent dimensions and are shallower than the rest of the tridactyl tracks at the site, which we interpret as the result of outward expansion of the soft tissues of the foot upon contact with a firm substrate. We interpret the firm substrate as having high bulk density and high shear strength, which also explain associated manus-only sauropod tracks. We show that the tridactyl tracks are likely from theropod trackmakers and that footprint lengths, trackway paces, stride lengths, and pace angulations of the De Queen trackways are statistically indistinguishable from equivalent measurements of theropod trackways in the Glen Rose Formation. The Glen Rose tracks are attributed to the large-bodied theropod, Acrocanthosaurus and we likewise attribute the De Queen tracks to Acrocanthosaurus, which is known from skeletal remains in temporally equivalent units and from the mine itself.

Multivariate Analyses of Small Theropod Dinosaur Teeth and Implications for Paleoecological Turnover through Time

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Larson, Derek W.; Currie, Philip J.

2013-01-01

Isolated small theropod teeth are abundant in vertebrate microfossil assemblages, and are frequently used in studies of species diversity in ancient ecosystems. However, determining the taxonomic affinities of these teeth is problematic due to an absence of associated diagnostic skeletal material. Species such as Dromaeosaurus albertensis, Richardoestesia gilmorei, and Saurornitholestes langstoni are known from skeletal remains that have been recovered exclusively from the Dinosaur Park Formation (Campanian). It is therefore likely that teeth from different formations widely disparate in age or geographic position are not referable to these species. Tooth taxa without any associated skeletal material, such as Paronychodon lacustris and Richardoestesia isosceles, have also been identified from multiple localities of disparate ages throughout the Late Cretaceous. To address this problem, a dataset of measurements of 1183 small theropod teeth (the most specimen-rich theropod tooth dataset ever constructed) from North America ranging in age from Santonian through Maastrichtian were analyzed using multivariate statistical methods: canonical variate analysis, pairwise discriminant function analysis, and multivariate analysis of variance. The results indicate that teeth referred to the same taxon from different formations are often quantitatively distinct. In contrast, isolated teeth found in time equivalent formations are not quantitatively distinguishable from each other. These results support the hypothesis that small theropod taxa, like other dinosaurs in the Late Cretaceous, tend to be exclusive to discrete host formations. The methods outlined have great potential for future studies of isolated teeth worldwide, and may be the most useful non-destructive technique known of extracting the most data possible from isolated and fragmentary specimens. The ability to accurately assess species diversity and turnover through time based on isolated teeth will help illuminate

LIDAR-based characterization and conservation of the first theropod dinosaur trackways from Arkansas, USA.

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Platt, Brian F; Suarez, Celina A; Boss, Stephen K; Williamson, Malcolm; Cothren, Jackson; Kvamme, Jo Ann C

2018-01-01

LIDAR-based analyses of the first theropod dinosaur trackways known from the state of Arkansas, USA are reported. The trackways were found on a limestone bedding plane in the Albian De Queen Formation in an active gypsum quarry. Because limited access precluded thorough field study, fieldwork focused on preserving the entire site digitally with ground-based LIDAR, and detailed measurements were later taken digitally from point cloud data. The site contains eight tridactyl trackways associated with sauropod trackways and numerous isolated tracks. Although there appear to be two different tridactyl morphotypes, we show that the tracks are all likely from a single species of trackmaker. We apply a simple method of estimating substrate consistency by comparing the differences between true track dimensions and apparent track dimensions. The tridactyl tracks at the southern end of the site are preserved with significantly greater differences in true vs. apparent dimensions and are shallower than the rest of the tridactyl tracks at the site, which we interpret as the result of outward expansion of the soft tissues of the foot upon contact with a firm substrate. We interpret the firm substrate as having high bulk density and high shear strength, which also explain associated manus-only sauropod tracks. We show that the tridactyl tracks are likely from theropod trackmakers and that footprint lengths, trackway paces, stride lengths, and pace angulations of the De Queen trackways are statistically indistinguishable from equivalent measurements of theropod trackways in the Glen Rose Formation. The Glen Rose tracks are attributed to the large-bodied theropod, Acrocanthosaurus and we likewise attribute the De Queen tracks to Acrocanthosaurus, which is known from skeletal remains in temporally equivalent units and from the mine itself.

Multi-fasciculated anterior talo-fibular ligament: reassessment of normal findings

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Delfaut, E.M.; Boutry, N.; Cotten, A. [Department of Musculo-Skeletal Radiology, Roger Salengro Hospital, CHRU Lille, Bd du Professeur Jules Leclercq, 59037, Lille (France); Demondion, X. [Department of Musculo-Skeletal Radiology, Roger Salengro Hospital, CHRU Lille, Bd du Professeur Jules Leclercq, 59037, Lille (France); Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Roger Salengro Hospital, CHRU Lille, Place de Verdun, 59037, Lille Cedex (France); Cotten, H. [Pathology Laboratory, 128 Bd de la Liberte, 59000, Lille (France); Mestdagh, H. [Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Roger Salengro Hospital, CHRU Lille, Bd du Professeur Jules Leclercq, 59037, Lille Cedex (France)

2003-08-01

The aims of this study were to (a) provide an accurate description of the anterior talo-fibular ligament (ATFL) multifasciculated feature by means of cadaver study, and (b) to further delineate contour and signal variations on MR images related to this feature in a group of asymptomatic subjects. After MR imaging, three cadaveric feet were frozen and cut in the coronal plane. The ATFL were harvested and sent to pathology. Another cadaveric foot was dissected. The MR imaging was performed in 3 healthy volunteers and 19 patients without pathology of the ATFL. For both cadaveric feet and subjects, MR imaging protocol consisted of axial and coronal proton-density (PD) and T2-weighted turbo-spin-echo (TSE) sequences (TR/TE: 3500 ms/17-119 ms). On MR images, ATFL signal and fascicle numbers were assessed, respectively, in the axial and coronal planes. Gross anatomy and pathology confirmed the ATFL bifasciculated aspect. On cadaveric coronal MR images, 3 of 4 ATFLs were bifasciculated and one of four was striated. On patients' coronal MR images, 2 of 22 of the ATFL were monofasciculated, 12 of 22 bifasciculated, and 8 of 22 striated. On axial MR images, 16 of 22 of the ATFL demonstrated a low signal intensity and 8 of 22 an intraligamentous subtle increased signal intensity. Two of 22 of the ATFL had contour irregularities. Isolated anterior talo-fibular intraligamentous signal abnormalities or contour irregularities on axial PD and T2-weighted MR images with an otherwise normal ATFL aspect on coronal MR images and no other MRI criteria for ankle sprain may reflect normal anatomy. (orig.)

Multi-fasciculated anterior talo-fibular ligament: reassessment of normal findings

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Delfaut, E.M.; Boutry, N.; Cotten, A.; Demondion, X.; Cotten, H.; Mestdagh, H.

2003-01-01

The aims of this study were to (a) provide an accurate description of the anterior talo-fibular ligament (ATFL) multifasciculated feature by means of cadaver study, and (b) to further delineate contour and signal variations on MR images related to this feature in a group of asymptomatic subjects. After MR imaging, three cadaveric feet were frozen and cut in the coronal plane. The ATFL were harvested and sent to pathology. Another cadaveric foot was dissected. The MR imaging was performed in 3 healthy volunteers and 19 patients without pathology of the ATFL. For both cadaveric feet and subjects, MR imaging protocol consisted of axial and coronal proton-density (PD) and T2-weighted turbo-spin-echo (TSE) sequences (TR/TE: 3500 ms/17-119 ms). On MR images, ATFL signal and fascicle numbers were assessed, respectively, in the axial and coronal planes. Gross anatomy and pathology confirmed the ATFL bifasciculated aspect. On cadaveric coronal MR images, 3 of 4 ATFLs were bifasciculated and one of four was striated. On patients' coronal MR images, 2 of 22 of the ATFL were monofasciculated, 12 of 22 bifasciculated, and 8 of 22 striated. On axial MR images, 16 of 22 of the ATFL demonstrated a low signal intensity and 8 of 22 an intraligamentous subtle increased signal intensity. Two of 22 of the ATFL had contour irregularities. Isolated anterior talo-fibular intraligamentous signal abnormalities or contour irregularities on axial PD and T2-weighted MR images with an otherwise normal ATFL aspect on coronal MR images and no other MRI criteria for ankle sprain may reflect normal anatomy. (orig.)

New theropod, thyreophoran, and small sauropod tracks from the Middle Jurassic Bagå Formation, Bornholm, Denmark

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Milàn, Jesper

2011-01-01

Three new dinosaur tracks are described from the Middle Jurassic Bagå Formation of Bornholm, Denmark. The tracks are all preserved as natural casts on the underside of fluvial sandstone blocks originating from the old Hasle Klinkefabrik’s clay pit, now called Pyritsøen. The new tracks are from...... a medium-sized theropod, a thyreophoran, and a small sauropod. Together with a hyreophoran track and large sauropod tracks described in 2005, the Middle Jurassic dinosaur fauna of Bornholm now comprises theropods, two sizes of sauropods and at least one type of thyreophoran dinosaur. This is important...

Small theropod teeth from the Late Cretaceous of the San Juan Basin, northwestern New Mexico and their implications for understanding latest Cretaceous dinosaur evolution.

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Williamson, Thomas E; Brusatte, Stephen L

2014-01-01

Studying the evolution and biogeographic distribution of dinosaurs during the latest Cretaceous is critical for better understanding the end-Cretaceous extinction event that killed off all non-avian dinosaurs. Western North America contains among the best records of Late Cretaceous terrestrial vertebrates in the world, but is biased against small-bodied dinosaurs. Isolated teeth are the primary evidence for understanding the diversity and evolution of small-bodied theropod dinosaurs during the Late Cretaceous, but few such specimens have been well documented from outside of the northern Rockies, making it difficult to assess Late Cretaceous dinosaur diversity and biogeographic patterns. We describe small theropod teeth from the San Juan Basin of northwestern New Mexico. These specimens were collected from strata spanning Santonian - Maastrichtian. We grouped isolated theropod teeth into several morphotypes, which we assigned to higher-level theropod clades based on possession of phylogenetic synapomorphies. We then used principal components analysis and discriminant function analyses to gauge whether the San Juan Basin teeth overlap with, or are quantitatively distinct from, similar tooth morphotypes from other geographic areas. The San Juan Basin contains a diverse record of small theropods. Late Campanian assemblages differ from approximately coeval assemblages of the northern Rockies in being less diverse with only rare representatives of troodontids and a Dromaeosaurus-like taxon. We also provide evidence that erect and recurved morphs of a Richardoestesia-like taxon represent a single heterodont species. A late Maastrichtian assemblage is dominated by a distinct troodontid. The differences between northern and southern faunas based on isolated theropod teeth provide evidence for provinciality in the late Campanian and the late Maastrichtian of North America. However, there is no indication that major components of small-bodied theropod diversity were lost

Theropod Fauna from Southern Australia Indicates High Polar Diversity and Climate-Driven Dinosaur Provinciality

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Benson, Roger B. J.; Rich, Thomas H.; Vickers-Rich, Patricia; Hall, Mike

2012-01-01

The Early Cretaceous fauna of Victoria, Australia, provides unique data on the composition of high latitude southern hemisphere dinosaurs. We describe and review theropod dinosaur postcranial remains from the Aptian–Albian Otway and Strzelecki groups, based on at least 37 isolated bones, and more than 90 teeth from the Flat Rocks locality. Several specimens of medium- and large-bodied individuals (estimated up to ∼8.5 metres long) represent allosauroids. Tyrannosauroids are represented by elements indicating medium body sizes (∼3 metres long), likely including the holotype femur of Timimus hermani, and a single cervical vertebra represents a juvenile spinosaurid. Single specimens representing medium- and small-bodied theropods may be referrable to Ceratosauria, Ornithomimosauria, a basal coelurosaur, and at least three taxa within Maniraptora. Thus, nine theropod taxa may have been present. Alternatively, four distinct dorsal vertebrae indicate a minimum of four taxa. However, because most taxa are known from single bones, it is likely that small-bodied theropod diversity remains underestimated. The high abundance of allosauroids and basal coelurosaurs (including tyrannosauroids and possibly ornithomimosaurs), and the relative rarity of ceratosaurs, is strikingly dissimilar to penecontemporaneous dinosaur faunas of Africa and South America, which represent an arid, lower-latitude biome. Similarities between dinosaur faunas of Victoria and the northern continents concern the proportional representatation of higher clades, and may result from the prevailing temperate–polar climate of Australia, especially at high latitudes in Victoria, which is similar to the predominant warm–temperate climate of Laurasia, but distinct from the arid climate zone that covered extensive areas of Gondwana. Most dinosaur groups probably attained a near-cosmopolitan distribution in the Jurassic, prior to fragmentation of the Pangaean supercontinent, and some aspects of the

The first well-preserved coelophysoid theropod dinosaur from Asia.

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You, Hai-Lu; Azuma, Yoichi; Wang, Tao; Wang, Ya-Ming; Dong, Zhi-Ming

2014-10-16

Coelophysoid dinosaurs represent the earliest major radiation of neotheropods. These small-to-medium-sized agile bipeds lived throughout much of Pangaea during the Late Triassic-arly Jurassic. Previously reported coelophysoid material from Asia (excluding the Gondwanan territory of India) is limited to two specimens that comprise only limb fragments. This paper describes a new genus and species of coelophysoid, Panguraptor lufengensis, from the Lower Jurassic Lufeng Formation of Yunnan Province, China. The new taxon is represented by a well-preserved skeleton, including the skull and lower jaw, the presacral vertebral column and partial ribs, the right scapula, a partial forelimb, part of the pelvic girdle, and an almost complete hind limb. It is distinguished from other coelophysoid theropods by the unique combination of the following three character states: 1) diagonal (rostrodorsal-caudoventral) ridge on lateral surface of maxilla, within antorbital fossa, 2) elliptical, laterally facing fenestra caudodorsal to aforementioned diagonal ridge, and 3) hooked craniomedial corner of distal tarsal IV. Cladistic analysis recovers Panguraptor lufengensis deeply nested within Coelophysoidea as a member of Coelophysidae, and it is more closely related to Coelophysis than to "Syntarsus". Panguraptor represents the first well-preserved coelophysoid theropod dinosaur from Asia, and provides fresh evidence supporting the hypothesis that terrestrial tetrapods tended to be distributed pan-continentally during the Early Jurassic.

Multivariate and Cladistic Analyses of Isolated Teeth Reveal Sympatry of Theropod Dinosaurs in the Late Jurassic of Northern Germany.

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Gerke, Oliver; Wings, Oliver

2016-01-01

Remains of theropod dinosaurs are very rare in Northern Germany because the area was repeatedly submerged by a shallow epicontinental sea during the Mesozoic. Here, 80 Late Jurassic theropod teeth are described of which the majority were collected over decades from marine carbonates in nowadays abandoned and backfilled quarries of the 19th century. Eighteen different morphotypes (A-R) could be distinguished and 3D models based on micro-CT scans of the best examples of all morphotypes are included as supplements. The teeth were identified with the assistance of discriminant function analysis and cladistic analysis based on updated datamatrices. The results show that a large variety of theropod groups were present in the Late Jurassic of northern Germany. Identified specimens comprise basal Tyrannosauroidea, as well as Allosauroidea, Megalosauroidea cf. Marshosaurus, Megalosauridae cf. Torvosaurus and probably Ceratosauria. The formerly reported presence of Dromaeosauridae in the Late Jurassic of northern Germany could not be confirmed. Some teeth of this study resemble specimens described as pertaining to Carcharodontosauria (morphotype A) and Abelisauridae (morphotype K). This interpretation is however, not supported by discriminant function analysis and cladistic analysis. Two smaller morphotypes (N and Q) differ only in some probably size-related characteristics from larger morphotypes (B and C) and could well represent juveniles of adult specimens. The similarity of the northern German theropods with groups from contemporaneous localities suggests faunal exchange via land-connections in the Late Jurassic between Germany, Portugal and North America.

Multivariate and Cladistic Analyses of Isolated Teeth Reveal Sympatry of Theropod Dinosaurs in the Late Jurassic of Northern Germany.

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Oliver Gerke

Full Text Available Remains of theropod dinosaurs are very rare in Northern Germany because the area was repeatedly submerged by a shallow epicontinental sea during the Mesozoic. Here, 80 Late Jurassic theropod teeth are described of which the majority were collected over decades from marine carbonates in nowadays abandoned and backfilled quarries of the 19th century. Eighteen different morphotypes (A-R could be distinguished and 3D models based on micro-CT scans of the best examples of all morphotypes are included as supplements. The teeth were identified with the assistance of discriminant function analysis and cladistic analysis based on updated datamatrices. The results show that a large variety of theropod groups were present in the Late Jurassic of northern Germany. Identified specimens comprise basal Tyrannosauroidea, as well as Allosauroidea, Megalosauroidea cf. Marshosaurus, Megalosauridae cf. Torvosaurus and probably Ceratosauria. The formerly reported presence of Dromaeosauridae in the Late Jurassic of northern Germany could not be confirmed. Some teeth of this study resemble specimens described as pertaining to Carcharodontosauria (morphotype A and Abelisauridae (morphotype K. This interpretation is however, not supported by discriminant function analysis and cladistic analysis. Two smaller morphotypes (N and Q differ only in some probably size-related characteristics from larger morphotypes (B and C and could well represent juveniles of adult specimens. The similarity of the northern German theropods with groups from contemporaneous localities suggests faunal exchange via land-connections in the Late Jurassic between Germany, Portugal and North America.

Vertebral Adaptations to Large Body Size in Theropod Dinosaurs.

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John P Wilson

Full Text Available Rugose projections on the anterior and posterior aspects of vertebral neural spines appear throughout Amniota and result from the mineralization of the supraspinous and interspinous ligaments via metaplasia, the process of permanent tissue-type transformation. In mammals, this metaplasia is generally pathological or stress induced, but is a normal part of development in some clades of birds. Such structures, though phylogenetically sporadic, appear throughout the fossil record of non-avian theropod dinosaurs, yet their physiological and adaptive significance has remained unexamined. Here we show novel histologic and phylogenetic evidence that neural spine projections were a physiological response to biomechanical stress in large-bodied theropod species. Metaplastic projections also appear to vary between immature and mature individuals of the same species, with immature animals either lacking them or exhibiting smaller projections, supporting the hypothesis that these structures develop through ontogeny as a result of increasing bending stress subjected to the spinal column. Metaplastic mineralization of spinal ligaments would likely affect the flexibility of the spinal column, increasing passive support for body weight. A stiff spinal column would also provide biomechanical support for the primary hip flexors and, therefore, may have played a role in locomotor efficiency and mobility in large-bodied species. This new association of interspinal ligament metaplasia in Theropoda with large body size contributes additional insight to our understanding of the diverse biomechanical coping mechanisms developed throughout Dinosauria, and stresses the significance of phylogenetic methods when testing for biological trends, evolutionary or not.

Vertebral Adaptations to Large Body Size in Theropod Dinosaurs.

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Wilson, John P; Woodruff, D Cary; Gardner, Jacob D; Flora, Holley M; Horner, John R; Organ, Chris L

2016-01-01

Rugose projections on the anterior and posterior aspects of vertebral neural spines appear throughout Amniota and result from the mineralization of the supraspinous and interspinous ligaments via metaplasia, the process of permanent tissue-type transformation. In mammals, this metaplasia is generally pathological or stress induced, but is a normal part of development in some clades of birds. Such structures, though phylogenetically sporadic, appear throughout the fossil record of non-avian theropod dinosaurs, yet their physiological and adaptive significance has remained unexamined. Here we show novel histologic and phylogenetic evidence that neural spine projections were a physiological response to biomechanical stress in large-bodied theropod species. Metaplastic projections also appear to vary between immature and mature individuals of the same species, with immature animals either lacking them or exhibiting smaller projections, supporting the hypothesis that these structures develop through ontogeny as a result of increasing bending stress subjected to the spinal column. Metaplastic mineralization of spinal ligaments would likely affect the flexibility of the spinal column, increasing passive support for body weight. A stiff spinal column would also provide biomechanical support for the primary hip flexors and, therefore, may have played a role in locomotor efficiency and mobility in large-bodied species. This new association of interspinal ligament metaplasia in Theropoda with large body size contributes additional insight to our understanding of the diverse biomechanical coping mechanisms developed throughout Dinosauria, and stresses the significance of phylogenetic methods when testing for biological trends, evolutionary or not.

Location of a new ice core site at Talos Dome (East Antarctica

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I. Tabacco

2006-06-01

Full Text Available In the frame of glaciology and palaeoclimate research, Talos Dome (72°48lS; 159°06lE, an ice dome on the East Antarctic plateau, represents the new selected site for a new deep ice core drilling. The increasing interest in this region is due to the fact that the ice accumulation is higher here than in other domes in East Antarctica. A new deep drilling in this site could give important information about the climate changes near the coast. Previous papers showed that the dome summit is situated above a sloped bedrock. A new position on a relatively flat bedrock 5-6 km far from here in the SE direction was defined as a possible new ice core site for an European (Italy, France, Swiss and United Kingdom drilling project named as TALDICE (TALos Dome Ice Core Project. This point, named as ID1 (159°11l00mE; 72°49l40mS, became the centre of the Radio Echo Sounding (RES flight plan during the 2003 Italian Antarctic expedition, with the aim of confirming the new drilling site choice. In this paper 2001 and 2003 RES data sets have been used to draw a better resolution of ice thickness, bottom morphology and internal layering of a restricted area around the dome. Based on the final results, point ID1 has been confirmed as the new coring site. Finally, the preliminary operations about the installation of the summer ice core camp (TALDICE at ID1 site carried out during the XX Italian Antarctic expedition (November 2004-December 2005 are briefly described.

Geometric morphometric analysis of intratrackway variability: a case study on theropod and ornithopod dinosaur trackways from Münchehagen (Lower Cretaceous, Germany

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Jens N. Lallensack

2016-06-01

Full Text Available A profound understanding of the influence of trackmaker anatomy, foot movements and substrate properties is crucial for any interpretation of fossil tracks. In this case study we analyze variability of footprint shape within one large theropod (T3, one medium-sized theropod (T2 and one ornithopod (I1 trackway from the Lower Cretaceous of Münchehagen (Lower Saxony, Germany in order to determine the informativeness of individual features and measurements for ichnotaxonomy, trackmaker identification, and the discrimination between left and right footprints. Landmark analysis is employed based on interpretative outline drawings derived from photogrammetric data, allowing for the location of variability within the footprint and the assessment of covariation of separate footprint parts. Objective methods to define the margins of a footprint are tested and shown to be sufficiently accurate to reproduce the most important results. The lateral hypex and the heel are the most variable regions in the two theropod trackways. As indicated by principal component analysis, a posterior shift of the lateral hypex is correlated with an anterior shift of the margin of the heel. This pattern is less pronounced in the ornithopod trackway, indicating that variation patterns can differ in separate trackways. In all trackways, hypices vary independently from each other, suggesting that their relative position a questionable feature for ichnotaxonomic purposes. Most criteria commonly employed to differentiate between left and right footprints assigned to theropods are found to be reasonably reliable. The described ornithopod footprints are asymmetrical, again allowing for a left–right differentiation. Strikingly, 12 out of 19 measured footprints of the T2 trackway are stepped over the trackway midline, rendering the trackway pattern a misleading left–right criterion for this trackway. Traditional measurements were unable to differentiate between the theropod and

Geometric morphometric analysis of intratrackway variability: a case study on theropod and ornithopod dinosaur trackways from Münchehagen (Lower Cretaceous, Germany).

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Lallensack, Jens N; van Heteren, Anneke H; Wings, Oliver

2016-01-01

A profound understanding of the influence of trackmaker anatomy, foot movements and substrate properties is crucial for any interpretation of fossil tracks. In this case study we analyze variability of footprint shape within one large theropod (T3), one medium-sized theropod (T2) and one ornithopod (I1) trackway from the Lower Cretaceous of Münchehagen (Lower Saxony, Germany) in order to determine the informativeness of individual features and measurements for ichnotaxonomy, trackmaker identification, and the discrimination between left and right footprints. Landmark analysis is employed based on interpretative outline drawings derived from photogrammetric data, allowing for the location of variability within the footprint and the assessment of covariation of separate footprint parts. Objective methods to define the margins of a footprint are tested and shown to be sufficiently accurate to reproduce the most important results. The lateral hypex and the heel are the most variable regions in the two theropod trackways. As indicated by principal component analysis, a posterior shift of the lateral hypex is correlated with an anterior shift of the margin of the heel. This pattern is less pronounced in the ornithopod trackway, indicating that variation patterns can differ in separate trackways. In all trackways, hypices vary independently from each other, suggesting that their relative position a questionable feature for ichnotaxonomic purposes. Most criteria commonly employed to differentiate between left and right footprints assigned to theropods are found to be reasonably reliable. The described ornithopod footprints are asymmetrical, again allowing for a left-right differentiation. Strikingly, 12 out of 19 measured footprints of the T2 trackway are stepped over the trackway midline, rendering the trackway pattern a misleading left-right criterion for this trackway. Traditional measurements were unable to differentiate between the theropod and the ornithopod

Estimating cranial musculoskeletal constraints in theropod dinosaurs.

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Lautenschlager, Stephan

2015-11-01

Many inferences on the biology, behaviour and ecology of extinct vertebrates are based on the reconstruction of the musculature and rely considerably on its accuracy. Although the advent of digital reconstruction techniques has facilitated the creation and testing of musculoskeletal hypotheses in recent years, muscle strain capabilities have rarely been considered. Here, a digital modelling approach using the freely available visualization and animation software Blender is applied to estimate cranial muscle length changes and optimal and maximal possible gape in different theropod dinosaurs. Models of living archosaur taxa (Alligator mississippiensis, Buteo buteo) were used in an extant phylogenetically bracketed framework to validate the method. Results of this study demonstrate that Tyrannosaurus rex, Allosaurus fragilis and Erlikosaurus andrewsi show distinct differences in the recruitment of the jaw adductor musculature and resulting gape, confirming previous dietary and ecological assumptions. While the carnivorous taxa T. rex and Allo. fragilis were capable of a wide gape and sustained muscle force, the herbivorous therizinosaurian E. andrewsi was constrained to small gape angles.

Record-Breaking Pain: The Largest Number and Variety of Forelimb Bone Maladies in a Theropod Dinosaur.

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Phil Senter

Full Text Available Bone abnormalities are common in theropod dinosaur skeletons, but before now no specimen was known with more than four afflicted bones of the pectoral girdle and/or forelimb. Here we describe the pathology of a specimen of the theropod dinosaur Dilophosaurus wetherilli with eight afflicted bones of the pectoral girdle and forelimb. On its left side the animal has a fractured scapula and radius and large fibriscesses in the ulna and the proximal thumb phalanx. On its right side the animal has abnormal torsion of the humeral shaft, bony tumors on the radius, a truncated distal articular surface of metacarpal III, and angular deformities of the first phalanx of the third finger. Healing and remodeling indicates that the animal survived for months and possibly years after its ailments began, but its right third finger was permanently deformed and lacked the capability of flexion. The deformities of the humerus and the right third finger may be due to developmental osteodysplasia, a condition known in extant birds but unreported in non-avian dinosaurs before now.

Record-Breaking Pain: The Largest Number and Variety of Forelimb Bone Maladies in a Theropod Dinosaur.

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Senter, Phil; Juengst, Sara L

2016-01-01

Bone abnormalities are common in theropod dinosaur skeletons, but before now no specimen was known with more than four afflicted bones of the pectoral girdle and/or forelimb. Here we describe the pathology of a specimen of the theropod dinosaur Dilophosaurus wetherilli with eight afflicted bones of the pectoral girdle and forelimb. On its left side the animal has a fractured scapula and radius and large fibriscesses in the ulna and the proximal thumb phalanx. On its right side the animal has abnormal torsion of the humeral shaft, bony tumors on the radius, a truncated distal articular surface of metacarpal III, and angular deformities of the first phalanx of the third finger. Healing and remodeling indicates that the animal survived for months and possibly years after its ailments began, but its right third finger was permanently deformed and lacked the capability of flexion. The deformities of the humerus and the right third finger may be due to developmental osteodysplasia, a condition known in extant birds but unreported in non-avian dinosaurs before now.

Predatory behaviour of carnivorous dinosaurs: Ecological interpretations based on tooth marked dinosaur bones and wear patterns of theropod teeth

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Jacobsen, Aase Roland

Predation marks on bones are a source on information on the feeding behaviour of the carnivores involved. Although predator damaged bone is common in the fossil record, published reports of such marks on dinosaur bones are rare. Patterns of bone modification by mammalian carnivores overlap patterns...... left by theropod dinosaurs.Differences in tooth morphology can also be correlated with characteristics of the marks left by the teeth. In a study of tooth marks on dinosaur bones from the Dinosaur Park Formation of Alberta, Canada, it was possible to identify the feeding theropods to family, generic...... different taxa and different skeletal elements produced some interesting results. The frequency of tooth marked dinosaur bones is higher than expected. Up to 14 % of the observed hadrosaur bones were predator damaged. The lower incidence of damage in ceratopsian bones can be explained by the fact...

The evolution of the manus of early theropod dinosaurs is characterized by high inter- and intraspecific variation.

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Barta, Daniel E; Nesbitt, Sterling J; Norell, Mark A

2018-01-01

The origin of the avian hand, with its reduced and fused carpals and digits, from the five-fingered hands and complex wrists of early dinosaurs represents one of the major transformations of manus morphology among tetrapods. Much attention has been directed to the later part of this transition, from four- to three-fingered taxa. However, earlier anatomical changes may have influenced these later modifications, possibly paving the way for a later frameshift in digit identities. We investigate the five- to four-fingered transition among early dinosaurs, along with changes in carpus morphology. New three-dimensional reconstructions from computed tomography data of the manus of the Triassic and Early Jurassic theropod dinosaurs Coelophysis bauri and Megapnosaurus rhodesiensis are described and compared intra- and interspecifically. Several novel findings emerge from these reconstructions and comparisons, including the first evidence of an ossified centrale and a free intermedium in some C. bauri specimens, as well as confirmation of the presence of a vestigial fifth metacarpal in this taxon. Additionally, a specimen of C. bauri and an unnamed coelophysoid from the Upper Triassic Hayden Quarry, New Mexico, are to our knowledge the only theropods (other than alvarezsaurs and birds) in which all of the distal carpals are completely fused together into a single unit. Several differences between the manus of C. bauri and M. rhodesiensis are also identified. We review the evolution of the archosauromorph manus more broadly in light of these new data, and caution against incorporating carpal characters in phylogenetic analyses of fine-scale relationships of Archosauromorpha, in light of the high degree of observed polymorphism in taxa for which large sample sizes are available, such as the theropod Coelophysis and the sauropodomorph Plateosaurus. We also find that the reduction of the carpus and ultimate loss of the fourth and fifth digits among early dinosaurs did not

The influence of speed and size on avian terrestrial locomotor biomechanics: Predicting locomotion in extinct theropod dinosaurs.

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P J Bishop

Full Text Available How extinct, non-avian theropod dinosaurs moved is a subject of considerable interest and controversy. A better understanding of non-avian theropod locomotion can be achieved by better understanding terrestrial locomotor biomechanics in their modern descendants, birds. Despite much research on the subject, avian terrestrial locomotion remains little explored in regards to how kinematic and kinetic factors vary together with speed and body size. Here, terrestrial locomotion was investigated in twelve species of ground-dwelling bird, spanning a 1,780-fold range in body mass, across almost their entire speed range. Particular attention was devoted to the ground reaction force (GRF, the force that the feet exert upon the ground. Comparable data for the only other extant obligate, striding biped, humans, were also collected and studied. In birds, all kinematic and kinetic parameters examined changed continuously with increasing speed, while in humans all but one of those same parameters changed abruptly at the walk-run transition. This result supports previous studies that show birds to have a highly continuous locomotor repertoire compared to humans, where discrete 'walking' and 'running' gaits are not easily distinguished based on kinematic patterns alone. The influences of speed and body size on kinematic and kinetic factors in birds are developed into a set of predictive relationships that may be applied to extinct, non-avian theropods. The resulting predictive model is able to explain 79-93% of the observed variation in kinematics and 69-83% of the observed variation in GRFs, and also performs well in extrapolation tests. However, this study also found that the location of the whole-body centre of mass may exert an important influence on the nature of the GRF, and hence some caution is warranted, in lieu of further investigation.

The influence of speed and size on avian terrestrial locomotor biomechanics: Predicting locomotion in extinct theropod dinosaurs.

Science.gov (United States)

Bishop, P J; Graham, D F; Lamas, L P; Hutchinson, J R; Rubenson, J; Hancock, J A; Wilson, R S; Hocknull, S A; Barrett, R S; Lloyd, D G; Clemente, C J

2018-01-01

How extinct, non-avian theropod dinosaurs moved is a subject of considerable interest and controversy. A better understanding of non-avian theropod locomotion can be achieved by better understanding terrestrial locomotor biomechanics in their modern descendants, birds. Despite much research on the subject, avian terrestrial locomotion remains little explored in regards to how kinematic and kinetic factors vary together with speed and body size. Here, terrestrial locomotion was investigated in twelve species of ground-dwelling bird, spanning a 1,780-fold range in body mass, across almost their entire speed range. Particular attention was devoted to the ground reaction force (GRF), the force that the feet exert upon the ground. Comparable data for the only other extant obligate, striding biped, humans, were also collected and studied. In birds, all kinematic and kinetic parameters examined changed continuously with increasing speed, while in humans all but one of those same parameters changed abruptly at the walk-run transition. This result supports previous studies that show birds to have a highly continuous locomotor repertoire compared to humans, where discrete 'walking' and 'running' gaits are not easily distinguished based on kinematic patterns alone. The influences of speed and body size on kinematic and kinetic factors in birds are developed into a set of predictive relationships that may be applied to extinct, non-avian theropods. The resulting predictive model is able to explain 79-93% of the observed variation in kinematics and 69-83% of the observed variation in GRFs, and also performs well in extrapolation tests. However, this study also found that the location of the whole-body centre of mass may exert an important influence on the nature of the GRF, and hence some caution is warranted, in lieu of further investigation.

The influence of speed and size on avian terrestrial locomotor biomechanics: Predicting locomotion in extinct theropod dinosaurs

Science.gov (United States)

Graham, D. F.; Lamas, L. P.; Hutchinson, J. R.; Rubenson, J.; Hancock, J. A.; Wilson, R. S.; Hocknull, S. A.; Barrett, R. S.; Lloyd, D. G.; Clemente, C. J.

2018-01-01

How extinct, non-avian theropod dinosaurs moved is a subject of considerable interest and controversy. A better understanding of non-avian theropod locomotion can be achieved by better understanding terrestrial locomotor biomechanics in their modern descendants, birds. Despite much research on the subject, avian terrestrial locomotion remains little explored in regards to how kinematic and kinetic factors vary together with speed and body size. Here, terrestrial locomotion was investigated in twelve species of ground-dwelling bird, spanning a 1,780-fold range in body mass, across almost their entire speed range. Particular attention was devoted to the ground reaction force (GRF), the force that the feet exert upon the ground. Comparable data for the only other extant obligate, striding biped, humans, were also collected and studied. In birds, all kinematic and kinetic parameters examined changed continuously with increasing speed, while in humans all but one of those same parameters changed abruptly at the walk-run transition. This result supports previous studies that show birds to have a highly continuous locomotor repertoire compared to humans, where discrete ‘walking’ and ‘running’ gaits are not easily distinguished based on kinematic patterns alone. The influences of speed and body size on kinematic and kinetic factors in birds are developed into a set of predictive relationships that may be applied to extinct, non-avian theropods. The resulting predictive model is able to explain 79–93% of the observed variation in kinematics and 69–83% of the observed variation in GRFs, and also performs well in extrapolation tests. However, this study also found that the location of the whole-body centre of mass may exert an important influence on the nature of the GRF, and hence some caution is warranted, in lieu of further investigation. PMID:29466362

Megalosauripus transjuranicus ichnosp. nov. A new Late Jurassic theropod ichnotaxon from NW Switzerland and implications for tridactyl dinosaur ichnology and ichnotaxomy.

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Razzolini, Novella L; Belvedere, Matteo; Marty, Daniel; Paratte, Géraldine; Lovis, Christel; Cattin, Marielle; Meyer, Christian A

2017-01-01

A new ichnospecies of a large theropod dinosaur, Megalosauripus transjuranicus, is described from the Reuchenette Formation (Early-Late Kimmeridgian, Late Jurassic) of NW Switzerland. It is based on very well-preserved and morphologically-distinct tracks (impressions) and several trackways, including different preservational types from different tracksites and horizons. All trackways were excavated along federal Highway A16 near Courtedoux (Canton Jura) and systematically documented in the field including orthophotos and laserscans. The best-preserved tracks were recovered and additional tracks were casted. Megalosauripus transjuranicus is characterized by tridactyl tracks with clear claw and digital pad impressions, and notably an exceptionally large and round first phalangeal pad on the fourth digit (PIV1) that is connected to digit IV and forms the round heel area. Due to this combination of features, M. transjuranicus clearly is of theropod (and not ornithopod) origin. M. transjuranicus is compared to other Megalosauripus tracks and similar ichnotaxa and other unassigned tracks from the Early Jurassic to Early Cretaceous. It is clearly different from other ichnogenera assigned to large theropods such as Eubrontes-Grallator from the Late Triassic and Early Jurassic or Megalosauripus-Megalosauropus-Bueckeburgichnus and Therangospodus tracks from the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous. A second tridactyl morphotype (called Morphotype II) is different from Megalosauripus transjuranicus in being subsymmetric, longer than wide (sometimes almost as wide as long), with blunt toe impressions and no evidence for discrete phalangeal pad and claw marks. Some Morphotype II tracks are found in trackways that are assigned to M. transjuranicus, to M.? transjuranicus or M. cf. transjuranicus indicating that some Morphotype II tracks are intra-trackway preservational variants of a morphological continuum of Megalosauripus transjuranicus. On the other hand, several up to 40 steps

Evidence of calcium carbonates in coastal (Talos Dome and Ross Sea area) East Antarctica snow and firn: Environmental and climatic implications

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Sala, M.; Delmonte, B.; Frezzotti, M.; Proposito, M.; Scarchilli, C.; Maggi, V.; Artioli, G.; Dapiaggi, M.; Marino, F.; Ricci, P. C.; De Giudici, G.

2008-07-01

Micrometre-sized aeolian dust particles stored in Antarctic firn and ice layers are a useful tool for reconstructing climate and environmental changes in the past. The mineral content, particle concentration and chemical composition of modern dust in firn cores from the peripherycal dome (Talos Dome) and coastal area of East Antarctica (Ross Sea sector) were investigated. During analyses there was a considerable decrease in microparticle concentrations within a few hours of ice sample melting, accompanied by a systematic increase in the concentration of calcium ions (Ca 2+) in solution. Based on mineralogical phase analyses, which reveal the presence of anhydrous and hydrous calcium carbonates such as calcite (CaCO 3), monohydrocalcite (CaCO 3·H 2O) and ikaite (CaCO 3·6H 2O, hexahydrate calcium carbonate), the observed variations in concentrations are ascribed to the partial dissolution of the carbonate content of samples. Soluble carbonate compounds are thus primary aerosols included into the samples along with insoluble aluminosilicate minerals. We hypothesize hydrous carbonates may derive from the sea ice surface, where ikaite typically forms at the early stages of sea ice formation. Back trajectory calculations show that favourable events for air mass advection from the sea ice surface to Talos Dome are rare but likely to occur.

A new theropod dinosaur from India with remarks on the Gondwana-Laurasia connection in the Late Triassic

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Chatterjee, S.

Walkeria maleriensis (n. g., n. sp.) from the Late Triassic Maleri Formation of the Godavari Valley of India is the earliest known dinosaur from Asia. It is a small podokesaurid theropod, very similar to Procompsognathus of Germany, Coelophysis of North America, and Syntarsus from Zimbabwe and North America. The podokesaurs are of particular interest to students of organic evolution because they are the earliest known theropods from which Archaeopteryx, the oldest known fossil bird, was probably evolved. Traditionally, India has been regarded as a part of Gondwana. It is generally believed that Gondwana remained an integral geographic unit throughout the Triassic. If this is so, a strong faunal correlation between India and other Gondwana continents should be expected in Late Triassic time. Contrary to this, the Maleri fauna is overwhelmingly "northern". Walkeria occurs in association with metoposaurs, parasuchids, protorosaurs, aetosaurs, rhynchosaurs, and traversodonts. Most of these taxa have been identified in the Dockum fauna of North America, indicating a close paleontologic link between India and Laurasia. Possibly the route of faunal migration between India and North America during the Late Triassic was via northern Africa.

Interpreting last glacial to Holocene dust changes at Talos Dome (East Antarctica: implications for atmospheric variations from regional to hemispheric scales

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S. Albani

2012-04-01

Full Text Available Central East Antarctic ice cores preserve stratigraphic records of mineral dust originating from remote sources in the Southern Hemisphere, and represent useful indicators of climatic variations on glacial-interglacial time scales. The peripheries of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet, where ice-free areas with the potential to emit dust exist, have been less explored from this point of view. Here, we present a new profile of dust deposition flux and grain size distributions from an ice core drilled at Talos Dome (TALDICE, Northern Victoria Land, East Antarctica, where there is a significant input of dust from proximal Antarctic ice-free areas. We analyze dust and stable water isotopes variations from the Last Glacial Maximum to the Late Holocene, and compare them to the EPICA Dome C profiles from central East Antarctica. The smaller glacial-interglacial variations at Talos Dome compared to Dome C and a distinctive decreasing trend during the Holocene characterize the TALDICE dust profile. By deciphering the composite dust signal from both remote and local sources, we show the potential of this combined proxy of source activity and atmospheric transport to give information on both regional and larger spatial scales. In particular, we show how a regional signal, which we relate to the deglaciation history of the Ross Sea embayment, can be superimposed to the broader scale glacial-interglacial variability that characterizes other Antarctic sites.

TALDICE-1 age scale of the Talos Dome deep ice core, East Antarctica

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D. Buiron

2011-01-01

Full Text Available A new deep ice core drilling program, TALDICE, has been successfully handled by a European team at Talos Dome, in the Ross Sea sector of East Antarctica, down to 1620 m depth. Using stratigraphic markers and a new inverse method, we produce the first official chronology of the ice core, called TALDICE-1. We show that it notably improves an a priori chronology resulting from a one-dimensional ice flow model. It is in agreement with a posteriori controls of the resulting accumulation rate and thinning function along the core. An absolute uncertainty of only 300 yr is obtained over the course of the last deglaciation. This uncertainty remains lower than 600 yr over Marine Isotope Stage 3, back to 50 kyr BP. The phasing of the TALDICE ice core climate record with respect to the central East Antarctic plateau and Greenland records can thus be determined with a precision allowing for a discussion of the mechanisms at work at sub-millennial time scales.

A theropod dinosaur embryo and the affinities of the flaming cliffs dinosaur eggs.

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Norell, M A; Clark, J M; Demberelyin, D; Rhinchen, B; Chiappe, L M; Davidson, A R; McKenna, M C; Altangerel, P; Novacek, M J

1994-11-04

An embryonic skeleton of a nonavian theropod dinosaur was found preserved in an egg from Upper Cretaceous rocks in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia. Cranial features identify the embryo as a member of Oviraptoridae. Two embryo-sized skulls of dromaeosaurids, similar to that of Velociraptor, were also recovered in the nest. The eggshell microstructure is similar to that of ratite birds and is of a type common in the Djadokhta Formation at the Flaming Cliffs (Bayn Dzak). Discovery of a nest of such eggs at the Flaming Cliffs in 1923, beneath the Oviraptor philoceratops holotype, suggests that this dinosaur may have been a brooding adult.

Telling Apart Ornithopod and Theropod Trackways : A Closer Look at a Large, Late Jurassic Tridactyl Dinosaur Trackway at Serwah, Republic of Yemen

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Schulp, Anne S.; Al-Wosabi, Mohammed

2012-01-01

A large bipedal tridactyl dinosaur trackway from the Late Jurassic of Serwah, near Madar, Arhab district, Republic of Yemen, has been attributed to an ornithopod trackmaker. As the distinction between theropod and ornithopod dinosaurs can pose a challenge, we present additional data to support and

New Patagonian Cretaceous theropod sheds light about the early radiation of Coelurosauria

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Fernando E Novas

2012-06-01

Full Text Available Here we describe a new theropod, Bicentenaria argentina nov. gen. et nov. sp., from the early Late Cretaceous of Patagonia. It is represented by more than a hundred bones belonging to different sized individuals, which were buried together in disarticulation after little transportation. The available association of skeletal elements suggests a gregarious behaviour for Bicentenaria, an ethological trait also recorded among other theropod clades. Increasing documentation of monospecific assemblages of different groups of theropods suggests that a gregarious behaviour may have constituted the ancestral condition for Theropoda, at least. Bicentenaria characterizes for the surangular bone with a high dorsal margin and a prominent lateral shelf, a retroarticular process that is low, wide and spoon-shaped, and quadrate bone with its lateral condyle larger than the medial one. Phylogenetic analysis found the Chinese Tugulusaurus and the Patagonian Bicentenaria as successive sister taxa of all other coelurosaurs, thus revealing the importance of the new taxon in the understanding of the early diversification of Coelurosauria. In particular, Bicentenaria amplifies the array of basal coelurosaurs that inhabited Gondwana during the Cretaceous, also including compsognathids, Aniksosaurus and Santanaraptor. Although still restricted to a handful of forms, available information indicates that Gondwana was a cradle for the evolution of different lineages of basal coelurosaurs, different from those documented in Upper Cretaceous beds in the northern landmasses. Analysis of body size distribution in averostran theropods results in the identification of two main episodes of drastic size reduction in the evolutionary history of Coelurosauria: one occurred at the initial radiation of the group (as represented by Bicentenaria, Zuolong, Tugulusaurus, compsognathids, and Aniksosaurus, and a second episode occurred at the early diverification of Paraves or avialans

Folhas, talos, cascas e sementes de vegetais: composição nutricional, aproveitamento na alimentação e análise sensorial de preparações Leaves, stalk, pell and seeds of vegetables: nutritional composition, utilization and sensory analysis in food preparations

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Cátia Regina Storck

2013-03-01

Full Text Available O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a composição de folhas, talos, cascas e sementes de vegetais, elaborar preparações utilizando essas partes e verificar a sua aceitabilidade. Foram selecionadas algumas frutas e hortaliças das quais foram separadas as folhas, talos, cascas e sementes. Foi analisada a composição centesimal e o teor de fenóis totais. Após, foram desenvolvidas preparações utilizando as folhas, talos, cascas e sementes, as quais foram avaliadas sensorialmente através do teste afetivo de aceitação. O teor de lipídios variou de 0,03% (talo de espinafre e talo de beterraba a 2,27% (semente de moranga. O teor de proteínas variou de 0,51% (casca de banana a 9,56% (semente de melão. A maioria das amostras apresentou em torno de 1% de cinzas e o teor de fibras variou de 0,72% a 16,02%. O teor mais elevado de polifenóis foi encontrado na casca da laranja (631,25mg 100g-1. Os resultados da análise sensorial demonstraram que 77% das preparações obtiveram notas acima de 5 (gostei. Conclui-se que, através da identificação da composição nutricional das partes dos alimentos, usualmente descartadas, pode-se direcionar melhor seu uso na preparação de várias receitas.The objective of this study was to evaluate the composition of leaves, stems, bark and seeds of vegetables, prepare recipes using these parts and to verify the acceptability of them. It was selected some fruits and vegetables which were separated from leaves, stems, bark and seeds. It was analyzed the nutritional composition and total phenols. After recipes were developed using the leaves, stalks, husks and seeds, which were evaluated by sensory analysis. The fat content ranged from 0.03% (stalk of spinach and beet to 2.27% (pumpkin seed. The protein content ranged from 0.51% (banana husk to 9.56% (melon seed. Most samples had about 1% ash and fiber content ranged from 0.72% to 16.02%. The higher content of polyphenols was found in orange husk (631.25mg and

A THEROPOD DOMINATED ICHNOCOENOSIS FROM LATE HAUTERIVIAN-EARLYBARREMIAN OF BORGO CELANO (GARGANO PROMONTORY, APULIA, SOUTHERN ITALY

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FABIO MASSIMO PETTI

2008-03-01

Full Text Available Several dinosaur footprints were discovered on three different levels cropping out in the CO.L.MAR quarry, south of the village of Borgo Celano in the Gargano Promontory (Apulia, southern Italy. The track-bearing levels belong to a carbonate inner platform succession referred to the Lower Cretaceous (upper Hauterivian-lower Barremian. This paper describes only the lowest dinoturbated bed, where footprints are preserved as natural cast. Forty footprints, mostly tridactyl, have been attributed to medium-sized theropods. Tridactyl tracks are similar to Kayentapus Welles, 1971 regarding ichnotaxonomy. Round shaped footprints, previously not described from this site, are found in association with tridactyl footprints and are related to ornitischian dinosaurs. 

Muusikamaailm : Suvi Verona Arenal. Lahti uus Sibelius-talo. Poul Rudersi uus ooper. Boulezi juubeldamine Londonis ja New Yorgis. "Tosca" sünnist möödus sajand / Priit Kuusk

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Kuusk, Priit, 1938-

2000-01-01

Verona Arena 78. ooperifestivalist 2000. a. suvel ja selle programmist, mis on pühendatud G. Verdi 100. surma-aastapäevale. Lahti uuest kontserdimajast Sibelius-talo ja selle avamisest. P. Rudersi uue ooperi "Teenijanna lugu ("Tjenerindens fortaelling") maailmaesiettekandest 6. märtsil Taani Kuninglikus Ooperis. P. Boulezi juubelikontsertidest LSO-ga Londonis ja New Yorgis. Tähistamaks saja aasta möödumist G. Puccini ooperi "Tosca" esiettekandest Roomas tõi Milano "La Scala" välja uue "Tosca" lavastuse

Spectroscopic Analysis of a Theropod Dinosaur (Reptilia, Archosauria from the Ipubi Formation, Araripe Basin, Northeastern Brazil

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João Hermínio da Silva

2013-01-01

Full Text Available The Araripe Sedimentary Basin is known by the excellence of its fossils, regarding the preservation, diversity, and quantity. Here, we present a spectroscopic analysis using several experimental techniques (X-ray energy dispersion spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy as well as X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis applied in small fragments of bones from the posterior members of a theropod dinosaur. The results agree regarding the different composition of the stone matrix and the fossilized bone, indicating a partial substitution of the material by elements present in the depositional environment. However, differently from what is believed to occur, there is evidence that pyritization is not the only mechanism of fossilization for a specimen of Ipubi formation, but calcification, additionally, plays an important role in the fossil production of this Formation.

Feeding mechanics in spinosaurid theropods and extant crocodilians.

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Andrew R Cuff

Full Text Available A number of extant and extinct archosaurs evolved an elongate, narrow rostrum. This longirostrine condition has been associated with a diet comprising a higher proportion of fish and smaller prey items compared to taxa with broader, more robust snouts. The evolution of longirostrine morphology and a bulbous anterior rosette of premaxillary teeth also occurs in the spinosaurid theropod dinosaurs, leading to suggestions that at least some members of this clade also had a diet comprising a notable proportion of fish or other small vertebrates. Here we compare the rostral biomechanics of the spinosaurs Baryonyx walkeri and Spinosaurus c.f. S. aegyptiacus to three extant crocodilians: two longistrine taxa, the African slender-snouted crocodile Mecistops cataphractus and the Indian gharial Gavialis gangeticus; and the American alligator Alligator mississippiensis. Using computed tomography (CT data, the second moments of area and moments of inertia at successive transverse slices along the rostrum were calculated for each of the species. Size-independent results tested the biomechanical benefits of material distribution within the rostra. The two spinosaur rostra were both digitally reconstructed from CT data and compared against all three crocodilians. Results show that African slender-snouted crocodile skulls are more resistant to bending than an equivalent sized gharial. The alligator has the highest resistances to bending and torsion of the crocodiles for its size and greater than that of the spinosaurs. The spinosaur rostra possess similar resistance to bending and torsion despite their different morphologies. When size is accounted for, B. walkeri performs mechanically differently from the gharial, contradicting previous studies whereas Spinosaurus does not. Biomechanical data support known feeding ecology for both African slender-snouted crocodile and alligator, and suggest that the spinosaurs were not obligate piscivores with diet being

Secondarily flightless birds or Cretaceous non-avian theropods?

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Kavanau, J Lee

2010-02-01

Recent studies by Varricchio et al. reveal that males cared for the eggs of troodontids and oviraptorids, so-called "non-avian theropods" of the Cretaceous, just as do those of most Paleognathic birds (ratites and tinamous) today. Further, the clutches of both groups have large relative volumes, and consist of many eggs of relatively large size. By comparison, clutch care by most extant birds is biparental and the clutches are of small relative volume, and consist of but few small eggs. Varricchio et al. propose that troodontids and oviraptorids were pre-avian and that paternal egg care preceded the origin of birds. On the contrary, unmentioned by them is that abundant paleontological evidence has led several workers to conclude that troodontids and oviraptorids were secondary flightless birds. This evidence ranges from bird-like bodies and bone designs, adapted for climbing, perching, gliding, and ultimately flight, to relatively large, highly developed brains, poor sense of smell, and their feeding habits. Because ratites also are secondarily flightless and tinamous are reluctant, clumsy fliers, the new evidence strengthens the view that troodontids and oviraptorids were secondarily flightless. Although secondary flightlessness apparently favors paternal care of clutches of large, abundant eggs, such care is not likely to have been primitive. There are a suite of previously unknown independent findings that point to the evolution of, first, maternal, followed by biparental egg care in earliest ancestors of birds. This follows from the discovery of remarkable relict avian reproductive behaviors preserved by virtue of the highly conservative nature of vertebrate brain evolution. These behaviors can be elicited readily by exposing breeding birds to appropriate conditions, both environmental and with respect to their eggs and chicks. They give significant new clues for a coherent theory of avian origin and early evolution.

Tetradactyl footprints of an unknown affinity theropod dinosaur from the Upper Jurassic of Morocco.

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Jaouad Nouri

Full Text Available BACKGROUND: New tetradactyl theropod footprints from Upper Jurassic (Oxfordian-Kimmeridgian have been found in the Iouaridène syncline (Morocco. The tracksites are at several layers in the intermediate lacustrine unit of Iouaridène Formation. The footprints were named informally in previous works "Eutynichnium atlasipodus". We consider as nomen nudum. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Boutakioutichnium atlasicus ichnogen. et ichnosp. nov. is mainly characterized by the hallux impression. It is long, strong, directed medially or forward, with two digital pads and with the proximal part of the first pad in lateral position. More than 100 footprints in 15 trackways have been studied with these features. The footprints are large, 38-48 cm in length, and 26-31 cm in width. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Boutakioutichnium mainly differs from other ichnotaxa with hallux impression in lacking metatarsal marks and in not being a very deep footprint. The distinct morphology of the hallux of the Boutakioutichnium trackmaker -i.e. size and hallux position- are unique in the dinosaur autopodial record to date.

No evidence for directional evolution of body mass in herbivorous theropod dinosaurs

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Zanno, Lindsay E.; Makovicky, Peter J.

2013-01-01

The correlation between large body size and digestive efficiency has been hypothesized to have driven trends of increasing mass in herbivorous clades by means of directional selection. Yet, to date, few studies have investigated this relationship from a phylogenetic perspective, and none, to our knowledge, with regard to trophic shifts. Here, we reconstruct body mass in the three major subclades of non-avian theropod dinosaurs whose ecomorphology is correlated with extrinsic evidence of at least facultative herbivory in the fossil record—all of which also achieve relative gigantism (more than 3000 kg). Ordinary least-squares regressions on natural log-transformed mean mass recover significant correlations between increasing mass and geological time. However, tests for directional evolution in body mass find no support for a phylogenetic trend, instead favouring passive models of trait evolution. Cross-correlation of sympatric taxa from five localities in Asia reveals that environmental influences such as differential habitat sampling and/or taphonomic filtering affect the preserved record of dinosaurian body mass in the Cretaceous. Our results are congruent with studies documenting that behavioural and/or ecological factors may mitigate the benefit of increasing mass in extant taxa, and suggest that the hypothesis can be extrapolated to herbivorous lineages across geological time scales. PMID:23193135

Torvosaurus gurneyi n. sp., the largest terrestrial predator from Europe, and a proposed terminology of the maxilla anatomy in nonavian theropods.

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Christophe Hendrickx

Full Text Available The Lourinhã Formation (Kimmeridgian-Tithonian of Central West Portugal is well known for its diversified dinosaur fauna similar to that of the Morrison Formation of North America; both areas share dinosaur taxa including the top predator Torvosaurus, reported in Portugal. The material assigned to the Portuguese T. tanneri, consisting of a right maxilla and an incomplete caudal centrum, was briefly described in the literature and a thorough description of these bones is here given for the first time. A comparison with material referred to Torvosaurus tanneri allows us to highlight some important differences justifying the creation of a distinct Eastern species. Torvosaurus gurneyi n. sp. displays two autapomorphies among Megalosauroidea, a maxilla possessing fewer than eleven teeth and an interdental wall nearly coincidental with the lateral wall of the maxillary body. In addition, it differs from T. tanneri by a reduced number of maxillary teeth, the absence of interdental plates terminating ventrally by broad V-shaped points and falling short relative to the lateral maxillary wall, and the absence of a protuberant ridge on the anterior part of the medial shelf, posterior to the anteromedial process. T. gurneyi is the largest theropod from the Lourinhã Formation of Portugal and the largest land predator discovered in Europe hitherto. This taxon supports the mechanism of vicariance that occurred in the Iberian Meseta during the Late Jurassic when the proto-Atlantic was already well formed. A fragment of maxilla from the Lourinhã Formation referred to Torvosaurus sp. is ascribed to this new species, and several other bones, including a femur, a tibia and embryonic material all from the Kimmeridgian-Tithonian of Portugal, are tentatively assigned to T. gurneyi. A standard terminology and notation of the theropod maxilla is also proposed and a record of the Torvosaurus material from Portugal is given.

A Middle Jurassic abelisaurid from Patagonia and the early diversification of theropod dinosaurs.

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Pol, Diego; Rauhut, Oliver W M

2012-08-22

Abelisaurids are a clade of large, bizarre predatory dinosaurs, most notable for their high, short skulls and extremely reduced forelimbs. They were common in Gondwana during the Cretaceous, but exceedingly rare in the Northern Hemisphere. The oldest definitive abelisaurids so far come from the late Early Cretaceous of South America and Africa, and the early evolutionary history of the clade is still poorly known. Here, we report a new abelisaurid from the Middle Jurassic of Patagonia, Eoabelisaurus mefi gen. et sp. nov., which predates the so far oldest known secure member of this lineage by more than 40 Myr. The almost complete skeleton reveals the earliest evolutionary stages of the distinctive features of abelisaurids, such as the modification of the forelimb, which started with a reduction of the distal elements. The find underlines the explosive radiation of theropod dinosaurs in the Middle Jurassic and indicates an unexpected diversity of ceratosaurs at that time. The apparent endemism of abelisauroids to southern Gondwana during Pangean times might be due to the presence of a large, central Gondwanan desert. This indicates that, apart from continent-scale geography, aspects such as regional geography and climate are important to reconstruct the biogeographical history of Mesozoic vertebrates.

Femoral strength and posture in terrestrial birds and non-avian theropods.

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Farke, Andrew A; Alicea, Justy

2009-09-01

Osteological and experimental evidence suggest a change in femoral posture between non-avian dinosaurs (in which the femur presumably was carried in a subvertical position) and birds (in which the femur is held nearly horizontal during most phases of terrestrial locomotion). In this study, we used a broad comparative sample to test the hypothesis that cross-sectional properties of the femur records evidence of this presumed change in posture. I(max) and I(min) (second moment of area, related to resistance to bending) and cross-sectional area (indicating resistance to compression) were measured from computed tomography scans of the femora of 30 species of flightless or primarily terrestrial birds, one probable non-dinosaur dinosauromorph, and at least four species of non-avian theropods. It was predicted that birds should have more eccentrically shaped femoral midshafts as measured by I(max)/II(min) (reflecting greater bending) and comparatively smaller cross-sectional areas than non-avians. Results show that no significant differences occur between non-avian dinosaurs and birds for any parameter, and the samples overlapped broadly in many cases. Thus, cross-sectional properties cannot be used to infer differences in femoral posture between the two groups. This surprising finding might be explained by the fact that femoral postures were not drastically different or that a gradation of postures occurred in each sample. It is also possible that bone loading during life was not closely correlated with cross-sectional morphology. We conclude that cross-sectional properties should be used with caution in determining the posture and behaviors of extinct animals, and only in conjunction with other morphological information. (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Isolated theropod teeth from the Middle Jurassic of Niger and the early dental evolution of Spinosauridae

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Alejandro Serrano-Martínez

2016-06-01

Full Text Available Four isolated theropod teeth from the ?Bathonian “Argiles de l’Irhazer” in Niger are described. The teeth were found in association with the holotype of the basal sauropod Spinophorosaurus nigerensis. These specimens have been assigned to two different taxa by independent analyses, such as direct comparison with teeth previously described in the literature, discriminant and morphometric analyses from metric characters, and cladistic and cluster analyses from discrete characters. The results suggest that three teeth share affinities with those of Megalosauridae and Allosauridae, belonging most likely to the former. The fourth tooth might be from a member of the stem group Spinosauridae. If so, this would be the oldest representative of this clade. This tooth shows a combination of characters that are unusual in typical spinosaurid teeth (crown moderately compressed labiolingually and curved distally with minute denticles on the carina and a deeply veined enamel surface texture without apicobasal ridges. This could shed light on the morphological transition from the plesiomorphic ziphodont dental pattern to that of Spinosauridae. This tooth would also allow a better understanding of the origin of the spinosaurids, supporting a Gondwanan origin for the group.

Presencia simultánea de las fases tetraspororangial y carposporangial sobre el mismo talo en Polysiphonia scopulorum var. villum (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta Mixed phases tetrasporangial and carposporangial on the same thallus in Polysiphonia scopulorum var. villum (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta

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Raúl Aguilar-Rosas

2010-04-01

Full Text Available Se describe por primera vez la presencia simultánea de las fases tetrasporangial (tetrasporangios y carposporangial (cistocarpos sobre el mismo talo en Polysiphonia scopulorum W.H. Harvey var. villum (J. Agardh Hollenberg. El material fue recolectado en la zona intermareal rocosa de Playa Saldamando, Baja California, México, durante octubre de 2004.Mixed tetrasporangial (tetrasporangia and carposporangial (cistocarps phases on the same thallus in Polysiphonia scopulorum W.H. Harvey var. villum (J. Agardh Hollenberg (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta are described for the first time. The material was collected on Octuber, 2004 in the intertidal zone in Playa Saldamando, Baja California, Mexico.

The asymmetry of the carpal joint and the evolution of wing folding in maniraptoran theropod dinosaurs

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Sullivan, Corwin; Hone, David W. E.; Xu, Xing; Zhang, Fucheng

2010-01-01

In extant birds, the hand is permanently abducted towards the ulna, and the wrist joint can bend extensively in this direction to fold the wing when not in use. Anatomically, this asymmetric mobility of the wrist results from the wedge-like shape of one carpal bone, the radiale, and from the well-developed convexity of the trochlea at the proximal end of the carpometacarpus. Among the theropod precursors of birds, a strongly convex trochlea is characteristic of Coelurosauria, a clade including the highly derived Maniraptora in addition to tyrannosaurs and compsognathids. The shape of the radiale can be quantified using a ‘radiale angle’ between the proximal and distal articular surfaces. Measurement of the radiale angle and reconstruction of ancestral states using squared-change parsimony shows that the angle was small (15°) in primitive coelurosaurs but considerably larger (25°) in primitive maniraptorans, indicating that the radiale was more wedge-shaped and the carpal joint more asymmetric. The radiale angle progressively increased still further within Maniraptora, with concurrent elongation of the forelimb feathers and the forelimb itself. Carpal asymmetry would have permitted avian-like folding of the forelimb in order to protect the plumage, an early advantage of the flexible, asymmetric wrist inherited by birds. PMID:20200032

Avian-like attributes of a virtual brain model of the oviraptorid theropod Conchoraptor gracilis

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Kundrát, Martin

2007-06-01

An almost complete adult endoneurocranium of Conchoraptor gracilis Barsbold 1986 (Oviraptoridae; ZPAL MgD-I/95), discovered at the Hermiin Tsav locality (the Upper Cretaceous) in Mongolia, is analyzed. A virtual model of the endoneurocranial cavity was derived from CT scans and represents the most complete maniraptoran endocast to date. It displays reduced olfactory bulbs, large cerebral hemispheres in contact with the expanded cerebellum, an epiphysial projection, optic lobes displaced latero-ventrally, presumptive cerebellar folia, enlarged cerebellar auricles, and a deep medulla oblongata with a prominent ventral flexure. Contrary to Archaeopteryx, the shortened olfactory tract and cerebellum overtopping cerebral hemispheres of Conchoraptor resemble conditions in modern birds. Calculating brain mass relative to body mass indicates that Conchoraptor falls within the range of extant birds, whereas Archaeopteryx occupies a marginal position. Most of the endoneurocranial attributes, however, have a less birdlike appearance in Conchoraptor than do corresponding structures in Archaeopteryx and modern birds in which 1) postero-laterally expanded hemispheral domains broadly overlap the optic lobes, 2) the epiphysis projects to the posterior cerebrum, 3) lateral extension of the optic lobes substantially decreases a brain length-to-width ratio, 4) optic lobe and anterior hindbrain are superposed in lateral view, and 5) cerebellar and midbrain compartments are in distinct superposition. The endoneurocranial characteristics of Conchoraptor, taken together, suggest that the animal had a keen sense of vision, balance, and coordination. The data presented in this study do not allow an unambiguous assessment whether the avian-like endoneurocranial characteristics of the flightless Conchoraptor evolved convergently to those of avian theropods, or indicate a derivation of oviraptorosaurs from volant ancestors.

Caracterização física, química e sensorial de cookies confeccionados com farinha de talo de couve (FTC e farinha de talo de espinafre (FTE ricas em fibra alimentar Phisical, chemical, and sensorial characterization of cookies made with kale stalk flour (KSF and spinach stalk flour (SSF rich in nourishing fiber

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Ana Karina Mauro

2010-09-01

Full Text Available Objetivou-se utilizar Farinhas de Talos (FT na confecção de cookies. As farinhas foram obtidas a partir de talos de couve manteiga e espinafre desidratados. Confeccionaram-se 3 tipos de cookies por modificação da formulação padrão de sugar-sanap cookie, método 10-50D (AMERICAN..., 1995: cookie controle, cookie com 15% de FTC e com 15% de FTE. Realizou-se a composição centesimal nas FT segundo as metodologias descritas da AOAC (ASSOCIATION..., 1995, sendo as fibras alimentares analisadas pelo método de van Soest (1963. Nos cookies, procedeu-se às seguintes análises: peso, espessura, diâmetro, volume e densidade aparente segundo método 10-50D da AACC (AMERICAN..., 1995, acidez titulável e pH através da técnica do Instituto Adolfo Lutz (SÃO PAULO, 1985, rendimento e fator térmico. A composição centesimal dos cookies seguiu normas da AOAC (ASSOCIATION..., 1995 e, para aceitação dos experimentais, utilizou-se escala hedônica de 9 pontos. Constatou-se que as FT possuem baixa densidade energética e alto teor de fibra alimentar e cinzas. Os cookies experimentais apresentaram maior (p The objective of the study was to use Stalk Flours (SF to prepare cookies. The ST was made with dehydrated Kale Stalks (KSF and Spinach Stalks (SSF. Three kinds of cookies were prepared by modification of the sugar-snap cookie formula, 10-50D method (AMERICAN..., 1995: control cookie, cookie with 15% of KSF, and cookie with 15% of SSF. The centesimal composition was performed on the SF by the AOAC (ASSOCIATION..., 1995 and the nourishing fibers were prepared according to van Soest (1963. The following parameters were analyzed: weight, thickness, diameter, volume, and apparent density according to the 10-50D method of the AACC (AMERICAN..., 1995, titratable acidity and pH using the Adolfo Lutz Institute (2005 technique, and also revenue and caloric factor. The determination of the centesimal composition of the cookies followed the AOAC regulations

Sulphate and chloride aerosols during Holocene and last glacial periods preserved in the Talos Dome Ice Core, a peripheral region of Antarctica

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Yoshinori Iizuka

2013-04-01

Full Text Available Antarctic ice cores preserve the record of past aerosols, an important proxy of past atmospheric chemistry. Here we present the aerosol compositions of sulphate and chloride particles in the Talos Dome (TD ice core from the Holocene and Last Glacial Period. We find that the main salt types of both periods are NaCl, Na2SO4 and CaSO4, indicating that TD ice contains relatively abundant sea salt (NaCl from marine primary particles. By evaluating the molar ratio of NaCl to Na2SO4, we show that about half of the sea salt does not undergo sulphatisation during late Holocene. Compared to in inland Antarctica, the lower sulphatisation rate at TD is probably due to relatively little contact between sea salt and sulphuric acid. This low contact rate can be related to a reduced time of reaction for marine-sourced aerosol before reaching TD and/or to a reduced post-depositional effect from the higher accumulation rate at TD. Many sulphate and chloride salts are adhered to silicate minerals. The ratio of sulphate-adhered mineral to particle mass and the corresponding ratio of chloride-adhered mineral both increase with increasing dust concentration. Also, the TD ice appears to contain Ca(NO32 or CaCO3 particles, thus differing from aerosol compositions in inland Antarctica, and indicating the proximity of peripheral regions to marine aerosols.

The correlation between selected measurements from footprint and radiograph of flatfoot.

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Chen, Chia-Hsin; Huang, Mao-Hsiung; Chen, Tien-Wen; Weng, Ming-Cheng; Lee, Chia-Ling; Wang, Gwo-Jaw

2006-02-01

To assess the subarch angle obtained from electronic footprints using a capacitive mat transducer system in children with flatfeet, to evaluate other foot arch indexes, and to compare the results with radiographic measurements. A cross-sectional study. Rehabilitation clinic in a municipal hospital. Thirty-two children (age range, 7-13y) diagnosed with flatfeet. Radiographic measurements and foot shape measurements obtained from feet. Talo-first metatarsal angle, talocalcaneal angle, talo-horizontal angle, and calcaneal angle were obtained from radiographs. Subarch angle, arch indexes, and long plantar angle were all captured and calculated via a capacitive transducer plate. Correlations between the subarch angle and the talo-first metatarsal angle, talo-horizontal angle, and arch height were significant, as was the correlation between midfoot arch index and talo-horizontal angle. The forefoot arch index had no significant relationship with radiographic parameters. The talo-horizontal angle and arch height had significant relationships with the long plantar angle. Measurement of the subarch angle had significant correlation with the radiographic parameters in children with flatfeet and it was accurately and easily obtained from a capacitive forceplate. Measurement of the subarch angle can be a useful tool in the assessment and diagnosis of flatfoot.

Chronic ankle instability: evaluation with stress radiography, CT and CT arthrography

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Faure, Ch.; Deplus, F.; Bochu, M.; Besse, J.L.; Moyen, B.

1997-01-01

We retrospectively evaluated the anterior talo-fibular ligament and the tarsal sinus of 17 patients who had complained of chronic ankle external instability. This study based on both surgery and CT-arthrography findings shows the pathologic or normal aspects of the talo-fibular anterior ligament (normal, lax, fibrosis residue, ruptured). It confirms the good anatomic analysis of the tarsal sinus, i particular the anterior talo-calcaneal interosseous ligament and the search for fibrosis. We underline that capsular distension due to subtalar laxity is not detected with medical imaging. Compared with surgery (all patients), CT arthrography demonstrated the different aspects of the anterior talo fibular ligament injuries (normal, lax, discontinuous). (authors)

"Efecto de un plástico fotoselectivo y de una pantalla climática en la enfermedad causada por el hongo Botrytis cinerea Pers. y en el negreamiento de los pétalos en un cultivo de rosas (Rosahybrida"

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Rodríguez Ramírez Aníbal

1995-12-01

Full Text Available This research was aimed to compare the postharvest
performance of the disease caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea Pers., as well as the Petal Blackening in roses grown in greenhouses cover with plastic of different transmittance to the ultraviolet light. Furthermore, the effect of a climatic screen over the two problems was evaluated. The trial was
done in the "Centro de Investigaciones y Asesorías Agroindustriales" located in Chía, Cundinamarca, under greenhouses with the same features as the ones used in commercial rose cultivation, with the varieties "Eterna" and "Madame Delbard" and its clones 13 and 15. The effect of the plastic over the disease made a clear difference, showing a lower development of the diseas e in the greenhouse covered with photoselective plastic, as compared with the commercially used plastic. A lower effect of this cover was
found related to the Petal Blackening, where the results were rather similar between the two plastic types. The climatic screen did not show difference over any of the two problems, under these conditions. The effect of the varieties was not very clear related to the disease, but it in fact was in relation
to the Petal Blackening, in which the variety "Madame
Delbard" showed a better performance than its clones 13 and 15. No effect was shown in the interactions between the factors.
El objetivo de la presente investigación fue comparar el comportamiento en postcosecha de la enfermedad causada por el hongo Botrytis cinerea Pers., así como el "negreamiento de los pétalos" en rosas cultivadas bajo invernaderos cubiertos con plásticos de diferente filtración de la luz ultravioleta. Adicionalmente, se evaluó el efecto de una
pantalla climática sobre los dos problemas. El ensayo se realizó en el Centro de Investigaciones y Asesorías Agroindustriales, localizado en el municipio de Chía, Cundinamarca, en un invernadero con las mismas características de

Õpetajate streik oleneb järgmisest nädalast / Matis Song

Index Scriptorium Estoniae

Song, Matis, 1978-

2003-01-01

Valitsusdelegatsioon sai 30. oktoobri kohtumisel ametiühingutega nädal aega otsustamiseks, kas nõustuda TALO esitatud palganõuetega või mitte. Kommentaarid TALO juhatuse esimehelt Toivo Roosimaalt

A refined TALDICE-1a age scale from 55 to 112 ka before present for the Talos Dome ice core based on high-resolution methane measurements

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S. Schüpbach

2011-09-01

Full Text Available A precise synchronization of different climate records is indispensable for a correct dynamical interpretation of paleoclimatic data. A chronology for the TALDICE ice core from the Ross Sea sector of East Antarctica has recently been presented based on methane synchronization with Greenland and the EDC ice cores and δ¹⁸O_ice synchronization with EDC in the bottom part (TALDICE-1. Using new high-resolution methane data obtained with a continuous flow analysis technique, we present a refined age scale for the age interval from 55–112 thousand years (ka before present, where TALDICE is synchronized with EDC. New and more precise tie points reduce the uncertainties of the age scale from up to 1900 yr in TALDICE-1 to below 1100 yr over most of the refined interval and shift the Talos Dome dating to significantly younger ages during the onset of Marine Isotope Stage 3. Thus, discussions of climate dynamics at sub-millennial time scales are now possible back to 110 ka, in particular during the inception of the last ice age. Calcium data of EDC and TALDICE are compared to show the impact of the refinement to the synchronization of the two ice cores not only for the gas but also for the ice age scale.

Evaluation of Safety and Efficacy of Qinming8631 DR Implantable Cardiac Pacemaker in Chinese Patients: A Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial of the First Domestically Developed Pacemaker of China

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Mei-Xiang Xiang

2016-01-01

Conclusions: This study established the noninferiority of Qinming8631 DR to Talos DR. The safety and efficacy of Qinming8631 DR pacemaker were comparable to those of Talos DR in treating patients with cardiac bradyarrhythmia.

Descripción de talos espermatangiales y combinación de fases en Polysiphonia confusa (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophycota Description of spermatangial thalli and mixed-phase in Polysiphonia confusa (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophycota

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Raúl Aguilar-Rosas

2006-06-01

Full Text Available Se describen por primera vez los talos espermatangiales, estadio que permite comparar y asociar a Polysiphonia confusa Hollenberg (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophycota con otras especies del género Polysiphonia. También se registra la presencia simultanea de las fases tetrasporangial y carposporangial en P. confusa. Se estudió el hábito, la morfología vegetativa y reproductora de P. confusa recolectada en la zona intermareal rocosa de Playa Saldamando, Baja California, México. El tamaño pequeño de esta especie puede justificar el número reducido de citas de este taxon para la costa del Pacífico de México.The spermatangial phase and the mixed phases (tetrasporangia and cystocarps on the same thallus in Polysiphonia confusa Hollenberg (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophycota are described for the first time. Spermatangial thalli are important to characterize and compare this species with others from the genus Polysiphonia. Habit, vegetative and reproductive development have been examined in plants of this species from the intertidal zone of Saldamando Beach, Baja California, México. Because of its small size, this species has been overlooked in the Mexican Pacific coast resulting in a small numbre of records for this taxon.

Constituintes químicos fixos e voláteis dos talos e frutos de Piper tuberculatum Jacq. e das raízes de P. hispidum H. B. K. Fixed and volatile chemical constituents from stems and fruits of Piper tuberculatum Jacq. and from roots of P. hispidum H. B. K.

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Valdir Alves Facundo

2008-12-01

Full Text Available Os óleos essenciais dos frutos e talos finos de Piper tuberculatum e das raízes de P. hispidum, coletados no estado de Rondônia, foram obtidos por hidrodestilação e analisados por GC e GC-MS. Foram identificados como constituintes majoritários, nos óleos dos frutos e talos finos de P. tuberculatum, o óxido de cariofileno (32,1% e (26,6% e o (E-cariofileno (17,7% e (12,3%, respectivamente. No óleo essencial das raízes de P. hispidum, foram identificados, como constituintes majoritários, o dilapiol (57,5%, a elemicina (24,5% e o apiol (10,2%. Do extrato etanólico dos frutos de P. tuberculatum, foram isolados os esteróides β-sitosterol e estigmasterol, as amidas piplartina e dihidropiplartina e um derivado do ácido cinâmico, o ácido 3,4,5-trimetoxi-dihidrocinâmico.The essential oils of the fruits and fine stems of Piper tuberculatum and of the roots of P. hispidum, collected in the state of Rondônia, had been gotten by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Caryophyllene oxide - 32,1% in fruits and 26,6% in fine stem, and (E-caryophyllene - 17,7% in fruits and 12,3% in fine stems, were identified as the major constituents in such parts of P. tuberculatum. In the essential oil of the roots of P. hispidum, dillapiol (57,5%, elemicine (24,5% and apiole (10,2% were identified as the most abundant constituents. From the ethanolic extract of the fruits of P. tuberculatum, the steroids β-sitosterol and stigmasterol, the amides piplartine and dihidropiplartine and the derivative of the cinâmico acid 3,4,5-trimethoxy-dihidrocinâmic acid were isolated.

Avaliação por RAPD de plantas de abacaxizeiro cultivar Smooth Cayenne derivadas do seccionamento do talo e cultura de tecidos Evaluation of pineapple plants cultivar Smooth Cayenne from peduncle division and tissue culture by RAPD

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MARIA VITÓRIA CECCHETTI GOTTARDI

2002-04-01

Full Text Available Foram coletadas, em área comercial da fazenda Córrego dos Bois, município de Canápolis -- MG, plantas de abacaxizeiro cultivar Smooth Cayenne, para serem avaliadas quanto à propagação pelo método do seccionamento do talo e cultura de tecidos, bem como análise por RAPD das mudas decorrentes destes dois processos de propagação. A propagação pelo seccionamento do talo foi eficiente na produção de mudas, tanto em quantidade como em qualidade, em um curto espaço de tempo, além de apresentar a mesma característica genotípica (análise por RAPD das plantas-matrizes de origem. Já no processo de produção de mudas por cultura de tecidos, não foi obtida uma quantidade suficiente de mudas que comprovasse a utilização de uma metodologia mais sofisticada. Além da perda por contaminação em laboratório de 70% do material em estudo, foi necessária a utilização de um longo período, aproximadamente 18 meses, para a obtenção das mudas. Na análise por RAPD das plantas decorrentes deste processo de propagação, foram observados padrões de bandas diferentes em algumas amostras, as quais podem estar relacionadas com uma possível variação somaclonal.Plants of pineapple Smooth Cayenne cultivar were collected from a commercial area, Córrego dos Bois farm, in Canápolis, state of Minas Gerais, to evaluate two different processes of propagation, peduncle division and tissue culture. These same plants were characterized by RAPD analysis. According to the two propagation method, the peduncle division was efficient in seedlings propagation, in quantity as well as in quality, at a short period of time, resulting the same phenotype and genetic characteristics (RAPD analysis from the matrix descent plants. In the tissue culture method, the quantity of seedlings obtained were not good enough that could prove the use of a sophisticated methodology. Besides loosing 70% of the material, it was necessary to expend a long period of time, at

An approach to scoring cursorial limb proportions in carnivorous dinosaurs and an attempt to account for allometry

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Persons, W. Scott, IV; Currie, Philip J.

2016-01-01

From an initial dataset of 53 theropod species, the general relationship between theropod lower-leg length and body mass is identified. After factoring out this allometric relationship, theropod hindlimb proportions are assessed irrespective of body mass. Cursorial-limb-proportion (CLP) scores derived for each of the considered theropod taxa offer a measure of the extent to which a particular species deviates in favour of higher or lower running speeds. Within the same theropod species, these CLP scores are found to be consistent across multiple adult specimens and across disparate ontogenetic stages. Early theropods are found to have low CLP scores, while the coelurosaurian tyrannosauroids and compsognathids are found to have high CLP scores. Among deinonychosaurs, troodontids have consistently high CLP scores, while many dromaeosaur taxa, including Velociraptor and Deinonychus, have low CLP scores. This indicates that dromaeosaurs were not, overall, a particularly cursorily adapted group. Comparisons between the CLP scores of Tyrannosaurus and specimens referred to the controversial genus Nanotyrannus indicate a strong discrepancy in cursorial adaptations, which supports the legitimacy of Nanotyrannus and the previous suggestions of ecological partitioning between Nanotyrannus and the contemporaneous Tyrannosaurus.

An approach to scoring cursorial limb proportions in carnivorous dinosaurs and an attempt to account for allometry.

Science.gov (United States)

Persons, W Scott; Currie, Philip J

2016-01-27

From an initial dataset of 53 theropod species, the general relationship between theropod lower-leg length and body mass is identified. After factoring out this allometric relationship, theropod hindlimb proportions are assessed irrespective of body mass. Cursorial-limb-proportion (CLP) scores derived for each of the considered theropod taxa offer a measure of the extent to which a particular species deviates in favour of higher or lower running speeds. Within the same theropod species, these CLP scores are found to be consistent across multiple adult specimens and across disparate ontogenetic stages. Early theropods are found to have low CLP scores, while the coelurosaurian tyrannosauroids and compsognathids are found to have high CLP scores. Among deinonychosaurs, troodontids have consistently high CLP scores, while many dromaeosaur taxa, including Velociraptor and Deinonychus, have low CLP scores. This indicates that dromaeosaurs were not, overall, a particularly cursorily adapted group. Comparisons between the CLP scores of Tyrannosaurus and specimens referred to the controversial genus Nanotyrannus indicate a strong discrepancy in cursorial adaptations, which supports the legitimacy of Nanotyrannus and the previous suggestions of ecological partitioning between Nanotyrannus and the contemporaneous Tyrannosaurus.

Measurement and Analysis of Specific Activities of Natural Radionuclides (40K, 226Ra and 232Th) in Beach Sand Samples from Talo Kapo Beach of Yaring District in Pattani Province using Gamma Ray Spectrometry

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Daoh, M.; Masae, R. N.; Po-oh, S.; Boonkrongcheep; Kessaratikoon, P.

2017-09-01

The Specific Activities of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th were studied and determinate for 30 beach sand samples collected from Talo Kapo beach of Yaring district in Pattani province. Experimental results were obtained by using a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector and gamma spectrometry analysis system. The IAEA-SOIL-6 reference materials obtained from the International Atomic Energy Agency were also used to analyze and compute the 40K, 226Ra and 232Th specific activity in all 30 beach sand samples. The measuring time of each sample is 10,000 seconds. It was found that specific activity range from 1805.37 - 3323.05, 40.96 - 2137.36 38.63 - 4329.28 Bq/kg for with mean values of 2242.79 ± 117.40, 250.18 ± 8.21 and 458.42 ± 7.68 Bq/kg for 40K, 226Ra and 232Th, respectively. Moreover, the results were also compared with research data in the south of Thailand, the Office of Atoms for Peace (OAP) annual report data and the recommended values which were proposed by United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR,)

Atividade antioxidante e teor de fenólicos em couve-manteiga (brassica oleracea l. var. acephala submetida a diferentes sistemas de cultivo e métodos de preparo

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Geysa Duarte Junger Rigueira

2017-01-01

Full Text Available O estudo avaliou a influência de sistemas de cultivo e de métodos de preparo na atividade antioxidante e no teor de fenólicos de folhas e talos da couve manteiga (Brassica Oleracea L. var. acephala. Amostras de couve cultivadas pelo sistema convencional e orgânico foram pesadas, higienizadas e os talos separados das folhas. Foram submetidas aos modos de preparo: cru (couve in natura; calor seco (refogada e calor úmido (imersa em água fervente. Avaliou-se à atividade antioxidante e os compostos fenólicos pelo método espectrofotométrico. A verificação de compostos fenólicos e compostos com atividade antioxidante foi realizada por Cromatografia em Camada Delgada (CCD. O sistema de cultivo orgânico e o preparo em calor seco foram os tratamentos que obtiveram os maiores percentuais de antioxidantes e teores de compostos fenólicos, principalmente, em folhas de couve.  A atividade antioxidante variou de 38 a 87% nas folhas e de 13 a 56% nos talos de couve. Quanto aos compostos fenólicos os teores médios estiveram entre 173 e 244 mg EAG/100g nas folhas e 86 e 180 mg EAG/100g nos talos. As análises por CCD revelaram que todos os extratos de folhas e talos de couve apresentaram compostos fenólicos bem como componentes com ação antioxidante, mas nem todos com correlação. Conclui-se que a combinação de sistema de cultivo orgânico e cocção em calor seco pode ser eficiente para preservação e ou aumento do teor de compostos fenólicos e da atividade antioxidante em talos e, principalmente, em folhas de couve.

Growth dynamics of Australia's polar dinosaurs.

Science.gov (United States)

Woodward, Holly N; Rich, Thomas H; Chinsamy, Anusuya; Vickers-Rich, Patricia

2011-01-01

Analysis of bone microstructure in ornithopod and theropod dinosaurs from Victoria, Australia, documents ontogenetic changes, providing insight into the dinosaurs' successful habitation of Cretaceous Antarctic environments. Woven-fibered bone tissue in the smallest specimens indicates rapid growth rates during early ontogeny. Later ontogeny is marked by parallel-fibered tissue, suggesting reduced growth rates approaching skeletal maturity. Bone microstructure similarities between the ornithopods and theropods, including the presence of LAGs in each group, suggest there is no osteohistologic evidence supporting the hypothesis that polar theropods hibernated seasonally. Results instead suggest high-latitude dinosaurs had growth trajectories similar to their lower-latitude relatives and thus, rapid early ontogenetic growth and the cyclical suspensions of growth inherent in the theropod and ornithopod lineages enabled them to successfully exploit polar regions.

Lengthening osteotomy of the calcaneus and flexor digitorum longus tendon transfer in flexible flatfoot deformity improves talo-1st metatarsal-Index, clinical outcome and pedographic parameter.

Science.gov (United States)

Richter, Martinus; Zech, Stefan

2013-03-01

Lengthening osteotomy of the calcaneus (LO) and flexor digitorum longus tendon (FDL) transfer to the navicular is one option for the treatment of flexible flatfoot deformity (FD). The aim of the study was to analyse the amount of correction and clinical outcome including pedographic assessment. In a prospective consecutive non-controlled clinical followup study, all patients with FD that were treated with LO and FDL from September 1st 2006 to August 31st, 2009 were included. Assessment was performed before surgery and at 2-year-followup including clinical examination (with staging of posterior tibialis insufficiency) weight bearing radiographs (Talo-1st metatarsal angles (TMT)), pedography (increased midfoot contact area and force) and Visual Analogue Scale Foot and Ankle (VAS FA). 112 feet in 102 patients were analysed (age, 57.6 (13-82), 42% male). In 12 feet (9%) wound healing delay without further surgical measures was registered. All patients achieved full weight bearing during the 7th postoperative week. Until followup, revision surgery was done in 3 patients (fusion calcaneocuboid joint (n=2), correction triple arthrodesis (n=1)). 101 feet (90%) completed 2-year-followup. TMT dorsoplantar/lateral/Index and VAS FA scores were increased, and posterior tibialis insufficiency stage, pedographic midfoot contact area and force percentage were decreased (each pstage of posterior tibialis insufficiency, TMT angles and Index, pedographic midfoot contact area and force percentage, VAS FA) were improved 2 years after LO and FDL transfer to the navicular in FD. The complication rate was low. This method allows safe and predictable correction. Copyright © 2012 European Foot and Ankle Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Growth dynamics of Australia's polar dinosaurs.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Holly N Woodward

Full Text Available Analysis of bone microstructure in ornithopod and theropod dinosaurs from Victoria, Australia, documents ontogenetic changes, providing insight into the dinosaurs' successful habitation of Cretaceous Antarctic environments. Woven-fibered bone tissue in the smallest specimens indicates rapid growth rates during early ontogeny. Later ontogeny is marked by parallel-fibered tissue, suggesting reduced growth rates approaching skeletal maturity. Bone microstructure similarities between the ornithopods and theropods, including the presence of LAGs in each group, suggest there is no osteohistologic evidence supporting the hypothesis that polar theropods hibernated seasonally. Results instead suggest high-latitude dinosaurs had growth trajectories similar to their lower-latitude relatives and thus, rapid early ontogenetic growth and the cyclical suspensions of growth inherent in the theropod and ornithopod lineages enabled them to successfully exploit polar regions.

Protein backbone and sidechain torsion angles predicted from NMR chemical shifts using artificial neural networks

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Shen Yang; Bax, Ad, E-mail: bax@nih.gov [National Institutes of Health, Laboratory of Chemical Physics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (United States)

2013-07-15

A new program, TALOS-N, is introduced for predicting protein backbone torsion angles from NMR chemical shifts. The program relies far more extensively on the use of trained artificial neural networks than its predecessor, TALOS+. Validation on an independent set of proteins indicates that backbone torsion angles can be predicted for a larger, {>=}90 % fraction of the residues, with an error rate smaller than ca 3.5 %, using an acceptance criterion that is nearly two-fold tighter than that used previously, and a root mean square difference between predicted and crystallographically observed ({phi}, {psi}) torsion angles of ca 12 Masculine-Ordinal-Indicator . TALOS-N also reports sidechain {chi}{sup 1} rotameric states for about 50 % of the residues, and a consistency with reference structures of 89 %. The program includes a neural network trained to identify secondary structure from residue sequence and chemical shifts.

Hints of the Early Jehol Biota: Important Dinosaur Footprint Assemblages from the Jurassic-Cretaceous Boundary Tuchengzi Formation in Beijing, China

Science.gov (United States)

Xing, Lida; Zhang, Jianping; Lockley, Martin G.; McCrea, Richard T.; Klein, Hendrik; Alcalá, Luis; Buckley, Lisa G.; Burns, Michael E.; Kümmell, Susanna B.; He, Qing

2015-01-01

New reports of dinosaur tracksites in the Tuchengzi Formation in the newly established Yanqing Global Geopark, Beijing, China, support previous inferences that the track assemblages from this formation are saurischian-dominated. More specifically, the assemblages appear theropod-dominated, with the majority of well-preserved tracks conforming to the Grallator type (sensus lato), thus representing relatively small trackmakers. Such ichnofaunas supplement the skeletal record from this unit that lacks theropods thus far, proving a larger diversity of dinosaur faunas in that region. Sauropods are represented by medium to large sized and narrow and wide-gauge groups, respectively. The latter correspond with earlier discoveries of titanosauriform skeletons in the same unit. Previous records of ornithischian tracks cannot be positively confirmed. Purported occurrences are re-evaluated here, the trackways and imprints, except of a single possible specimen, re-assigned to theropods. Palecologically the Tuchengzi ichnofauna is characteristic of semi-arid fluvio-lacustrine inland basins with Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous deposits in northern China that all show assemblages with abundant theropod and sauropod tracks and minor components of ornithopod, pterosaur and bird tracks. PMID:25901363

A Bayesian-probability-based method for assigning protein backbone dihedral angles based on chemical shifts and local sequences

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wang Jun; Liu Haiyan [University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, and Key Laboratory of Structural Biology, School of Life Sciences (China)], E-mail: hyliu@ustc.edu.cn

2007-01-15

Chemical shifts contain substantial information about protein local conformations. We present a method to assign individual protein backbone dihedral angles into specific regions on the Ramachandran map based on the amino acid sequences and the chemical shifts of backbone atoms of tripeptide segments. The method uses a scoring function derived from the Bayesian probability for the central residue of a query tripeptide segment to have a particular conformation. The Ramachandran map is partitioned into representative regions at two levels of resolution. The lower resolution partitioning is equivalent to the conventional definitions of different secondary structure regions on the map. At the higher resolution level, the {alpha} and {beta} regions are further divided into subregions. Predictions are attempted at both levels of resolution. We compared our method with TALOS using the original TALOS database, and obtained comparable results. Although TALOS may produce the best results with currently available databases which are much enlarged, the Bayesian-probability-based approach can provide a quantitative measure for the reliability of predictions.

Precommitment low-level Neurog3 expression defines a long-lived mitotic endocrine-biased progenitor pool that drives production of endocrine-committed cells

Science.gov (United States)

Bechard, Matthew E.; Bankaitis, Eric D.; Hipkens, Susan B.; Ustione, Alessandro; Piston, David W.; Yang, Yu-Ping; Magnuson, Mark A.; Wright, Christopher V.E.

2016-01-01

The current model for endocrine cell specification in the pancreas invokes high-level production of the transcription factor Neurogenin 3 (Neurog3) in Sox9+ bipotent epithelial cells as the trigger for endocrine commitment, cell cycle exit, and rapid delamination toward proto-islet clusters. This model posits a transient Neurog3 expression state and short epithelial residence period. We show, however, that a Neurog3TA.LO cell population, defined as Neurog3 transcriptionally active and Sox9+ and often containing nonimmunodetectable Neurog3 protein, has a relatively high mitotic index and prolonged epithelial residency. We propose that this endocrine-biased mitotic progenitor state is functionally separated from a pro-ductal pool and endows them with long-term capacity to make endocrine fate-directed progeny. A novel BAC transgenic Neurog3 reporter detected two types of mitotic behavior in Sox9+ Neurog3TA.LO progenitors, associated with progenitor pool maintenance or derivation of endocrine-committed Neurog3HI cells, respectively. Moreover, limiting Neurog3 expression dramatically increased the proportional representation of Sox9+ Neurog3TA.LO progenitors, with a doubling of its mitotic index relative to normal Neurog3 expression, suggesting that low Neurog3 expression is a defining feature of this cycling endocrine-biased state. We propose that Sox9+ Neurog3TA.LO endocrine-biased progenitors feed production of Neurog3HI endocrine-committed cells during pancreas organogenesis. PMID:27585590

Protein backbone angle restraints from searching a database for chemical shift and sequence homology

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cornilescu, Gabriel; Delaglio, Frank; Bax, Ad [National Institutes of Health, Laboratory of Chemical Physics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (United States)

1999-03-15

Chemical shifts of backbone atoms in proteins are exquisitely sensitive to local conformation, and homologous proteins show quite similar patterns of secondary chemical shifts. The inverse of this relation is used to search a database for triplets of adjacent residues with secondary chemical shifts and sequence similarity which provide the best match to the query triplet of interest. The database contains 13C{alpha}, 13C{beta}, 13C', 1H{alpha} and 15N chemical shifts for 20 proteins for which a high resolution X-ray structure is available. The computer program TALOS was developed to search this database for strings of residues with chemical shift and residue type homology. The relative importance of the weighting factors attached to the secondary chemical shifts of the five types of resonances relative to that of sequence similarity was optimized empirically. TALOS yields the 10 triplets which have the closest similarity in secondary chemical shift and amino acid sequence to those of the query sequence. If the central residues in these 10 triplets exhibit similar {phi} and {psi} backbone angles, their averages can reliably be used as angular restraints for the protein whose structure is being studied. Tests carried out for proteins of known structure indicate that the root-mean-square difference (rmsd) between the output of TALOS and the X-ray derived backbone angles is about 15 deg. Approximately 3% of the predictions made by TALOS are found to be in error.

”JOSKUS TUNTUU SILTÄ, ETTÄ HALUAIS OLLA JOKU MUU, SELLANEN PALJON ROHKEAMPI TYYPPI” Materiaalipankin kehittäminen nuoren itsetunnon vahvistamiseksi

OpenAIRE

Salonen, Veera

2015-01-01

Terve itsetunto on merkittävä tekijä yksilön hyvinvoinnin kannalta. Terve itsetunto auttaa meitä saavutta-maan tavoitteita ja on apuna nuorille sosiaalisten suhteiden luomisessa. Tyttöjen ja poikien itsetunnoissa ei ole merkittäviä eroavaisuuksia, mutta murrosiässä tyttöjen ja poikien itsetuntojen erot korostuvat. Toteutin opinnäytetyöni kehittämishankkeena yhteistyössä Kalliolan nuoret ry:n nelivuotisen e-Talo -hankkeen kanssa. e-Talo tarjoaa 10–28 -vuotiaille nuorille tuki- ja neuvontap...

Incremental growth of therizinosaurian dental tissues: implications for dietary transitions in Theropoda

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Khai Button

2017-12-01

Full Text Available Previous investigations document functional and phylogenetic signals in the histology of dinosaur teeth. In particular, incremental lines in dentin have been used to determine tooth growth and replacement rates in several dinosaurian clades. However, to date, few studies have investigated the dental microstructure of theropods in the omnivory/herbivory spectrum. Here we examine dental histology of Therizinosauria, a clade of large-bodied theropods bearing significant morphological evidence for herbivory, by examining the teeth of the early-diverging therizinosaurian Falcarius utahensis, and an isolated tooth referred to Suzhousaurus megatherioides, a highly specialized large-bodied representative. Despite attaining some of the largest body masses among maniraptoran theropod dinosaurs, therizinosaurian teeth are diminutive, measuring no more than 0.90 cm in crown height (CH and 0.38 cm in crown base length (CBL. Comparisons with other theropods and non-theropodan herbivorous dinosaurs reveals that when controlling for estimated body mass, crown volume in therizinosaurians plots most closely with dinosaurs of similar dietary strategy as opposed to phylogenetic heritage. Analysis of incremental growth lines in dentin, observed in thin sections of therizinosaurian teeth, demonstrates that tooth growth rates fall within the range of other archosaurs, conforming to hypothesized physiological limitations on the production of dental tissues. Despite dietary differences between therizinosaurians and hypercarnivorous theropods, the types of enamel crystallites present and their spatial distribution—i.e., the schmelzmuster of both taxa—is limited to parallel enamel crystallites, the simplest form of enamel and the plesiomorphic condition for Theropoda. This finding supports previous hypotheses that dental microstructure is strongly influenced by phylogeny, yet equally supports suggestions of reduced reliance on oral processing in omnivorous

Synchrotron scanning reveals amphibious ecomorphology in a new clade of bird-like dinosaurs

Science.gov (United States)

Cau, Andrea; Beyrand, Vincent; Voeten, Dennis F. A. E.; Fernandez, Vincent; Tafforeau, Paul; Stein, Koen; Barsbold, Rinchen; Tsogtbaatar, Khishigjav; Currie, Philip J.; Godefroit, Pascal

2017-12-01

Maniraptora includes birds and their closest relatives among theropod dinosaurs. During the Cretaceous period, several maniraptoran lineages diverged from the ancestral coelurosaurian bauplan and evolved novel ecomorphologies, including active flight, gigantism, cursoriality and herbivory. Propagation X-ray phase-contrast synchrotron microtomography of a well-preserved maniraptoran from Mongolia, still partially embedded in the rock matrix, revealed a mosaic of features, most of them absent among non-avian maniraptorans but shared by reptilian and avian groups with aquatic or semiaquatic ecologies. This new theropod, Halszkaraptor escuilliei gen. et sp. nov., is related to other enigmatic Late Cretaceous maniraptorans from Mongolia in a novel clade at the root of Dromaeosauridae. This lineage adds an amphibious ecomorphology to those evolved by maniraptorans: it acquired a predatory mode that relied mainly on neck hyperelongation for food procurement, it coupled the obligatory bipedalism of theropods with forelimb proportions that may support a swimming function, and it developed postural adaptations convergent with short-tailed birds.

Evaluation of Safety and Efficacy of Qinming8631 DR Implantable Cardiac Pacemaker in Chinese Patients: A Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial of the First Domestically Developed Pacemaker of China.

Science.gov (United States)

Xiang, Mei-Xiang; Wang, Dong-Qi; Xu, Jing; Zhang, Zheng; Hu, Jian-Xin; Wang, Dong-Mei; Gu, Xiang; Liu, He-Ping; Guo, Tao; Yang, Xiang-Jun; Ling, Feng; Lin, Jia-Feng; Cai, Shang-Lang; Zhu, Guo-Bin; Wang, Jian-An

2016-11-20

High cost of imported pacemakers is a main obstacle for Chinese patients suffering from bradyarrhythmia, and a domestically developed pacemaker will help lower the burden. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Qinming8631 DR (Qinming Medical, Baoji, China), the first domestically developed dual-chamber pacemaker of China, compared with a commercially available pacemaker Talos DR (Biotronik, Berlin, Germany) in Chinese patients. A prospective randomized trial was conducted at 14 centers in China. Participants were randomized into trial (Qinming8631 DR) and control (Talos DR) groups. Parameters of the pacing systems were collected immediately after device implantation and during follow-ups. The effective pacing rate at 6-month follow-up was recorded as the primary end point. Electrical properties, magnet response, single- and double-pole polarity conversion, rate response function, and adverse events of the pacing system were analyzed. The Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel Chi-square test, paired t-test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used for measuring primary qualitative outcomes and comparing normally and abnormally distributed measurement data. A total of 225 patients with a diagnosis of bradyarrhythmia and eligible for this study were randomly enrolled into the trial (n = 113) and control (n = 112) groups. They underwent successful pacemaker implantation with acceptable postoperative pacing threshold and sensitivity. Effective pacing rates of trial and control groups were comparable both in the full analysis set and the per protocol set (81.4% vs. 79.5%, P = 0.712 and 95.4% vs. 89.5%, P = 0.143, respectively). In both data sets, noninferiority of the trial group was above the predefined noninferiority limit(-9.5%). This study established the noninferiority of Qinming8631 DR to Talos DR. The safety and efficacy of Qinming8631 DR pacemaker were comparable to those of Talos DR in treating patients with cardiac bradyarrhythmia.

Gracilaria chilensis(Gracilariales, Rhodophyta

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Maximiliano D. Garcia

2007-01-01

Full Text Available Gracilaria chilensis es un alga roja agarófita perteneciente a la clase Florideophyceae. En este estudio se describe la formación de pelos en talos mantenidos en cultivo en agua de mar enriquecida, bajo condiciones controladas de luz y temperatura. La inducción de los pelos fue realizada colocando porciones de talos en un medio de cultivo carente de compuestos nitrogenados. Se emplearon técnicas de microscopía óptica y electrónica de transmisión y barrido. Los pelos se desarrollan a partir de células corticales ovoides grandes. Estas células formadoras de pelos (CFPs son multinucleadas, poseen pequeños plástidos y una abundante red de retículo endoplasmático de disposición apical. La formación de los pelos comienza con el desarrollo de una protuberancia, inicialmente cubierta por una pared multilaminar, la cual se rompe junto con la pared del talo, con la consecuente elongación de la protuberancia. El pelo queda establecido cuando se produce una citocinesis en la base de la protuberancia, formándose una conexión citoplasmática obliterada o “pit plug” asimétrica entre la base del pelo y la CFP. Los pelos son unicelulares, poseen una vacuola y numerosos núcleos. Tienen un crecimiento activo dejando, al caerse, una cicatriz de forma concéntrica en la pared. Se compara este proceso con el descrito en otras especies de la clase. En medios de cultivo carentes de nitrógeno, el crecimiento del talo de G. chilensis fue menor, aumentando el número de pelos.

A multi-body vehicle for moving inside cluttered nuclear environment

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Littmann, F.; Chameaud, H.

1994-01-01

The paper presents the result of the TALOS (Technologies for Advanced locomotion Systems) programme. The general aim of the TALOS was to prove the feasibility of multi-body articulated vehicles for intervention missions in nuclear plant were high payload volume and mass are required, combined with great geometrical and obstacles constraints. This programme was based on one hand on the TLV (Train Like Vehicle) concept, developed by CEA ( Atomic Energy Commission) and on the other hand on the KfK experience on locomotion. The main difficulties of this programme were to find the mechanical linkage concept and the locomotion concept, and also to build an integrated mockup with linkage and locomotion concepts. (TEC). 4 refs., 5 figs

A multi-body vehicle for moving inside cluttered nuclear environment

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Littmann, F.; Chameaud, H. [CEA Centre d`Etudes de Saclay, 91 - Gif-sur-Yvette (France). Dept. des Procedes et Systemes Avances; Dorn, J. [Kernforschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH (Germany)

1994-12-31

The paper presents the result of the TALOS (Technologies for Advanced locomotion Systems) programme. The general aim of the TALOS was to prove the feasibility of multi-body articulated vehicles for intervention missions in nuclear plant were high payload volume and mass are required, combined with great geometrical and obstacles constraints. This programme was based on one hand on the TLV (Train Like Vehicle) concept, developed by CEA ( Atomic Energy Commission) and on the other hand on the KfK experience on locomotion. The main difficulties of this programme were to find the mechanical linkage concept and the locomotion concept, and also to build an integrated mockup with linkage and locomotion concepts. (TEC). 4 refs., 5 figs.

Anotrichium furcellatum (Ceramiaceae, Rhodophyta en Argentina: Una posible especie invasora Anotrichium furcellatum (Ceramiaceae, Rhodophyta in Argentina: A possible invasive species

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Alicia L. Boraso de Zaixso

2005-12-01

Full Text Available Se reporta la presencia de al menos dos poblaciones de Anotrichium en la costa argentina (provincias de Buenos Aires, Chubut y Santa Cruz. Las poblaciones submareales observadas estaban caracterizadas por una mayoría de talos en estado vegetativo. Solo las poblaciones intermareales mostraron tetrasporofitos con esporangios. Las poblaciones se identificaron provisionalmente de acuerdo a la morfología del talo y de los tetrasporangios como Anotrichium furcellatum (J. Agardh Baldock. Las características de los talos de las poblaciones estudiadas son comparadas con las de las especies de Anotrichium que poseen igualmente pocos tetrasporangios por célula. Se reportan arribazones inusualmente abundantes de esta especie ocurridas en la costa bonaerense en el año 2000.At least two populations of Anotrichium are reported from the coast of Argentina (Buenos Aires, Chubut, and Santa Cruz provinces. These populations have a majority of vegetative thalli. According with their morphological and tetrasporangial characteristics the populations are provisionally assigned to Anotrichium furcellatum (J. Agardh Baldock. The characteristics of the thalli of studied populations are compared with the species of Anotrichium having also a low number of tetrasporangia per cell. Extraordinary high quantities of cast ashore thalli of this species is reported along the Buenos Aires province coast in the year 2000.

Ultraestructura de esporofitos jovenes de Macrocystis pyrifera (Linnaeus C. Agardh (Phaeophyceae, Laminariales

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César A. Córdova

2014-06-01

Full Text Available Se investigó el desarrollo anatómico de esporofitos jóvenes de Macrocystis pyrifera obtenidos a partir de cigotos en cultivos de laboratorio. Los talos eran monostromáticos luego de dos semanas de crecimiento y las células eran similares entre sí, fotosintéticas y conectadas por campos de puntuación primarios. A las cinco semanas, los talos eran poliestromáticos y estaban diferenciados internamente en meristodermo, corteza y médula. Filamentos cribosos longitudinales aparecieron en la médula, desarrollándose de la corteza interna y rodeados por una matriz intercelular. Cada elemento criboso presentaba un núcleo, cloroplastos y varios plasmodesmos, los cuales estaban distribuidos más o menos al azar en paredes transversales o agrupados en campos de puntuación primarios en paredes longitudinales. Luego de nueve semanas, los talos eran más gruesos y estaban diferenciados morfológicamente en una lámina, estípite y grampón rizoidal. Además de los filamentos cribosos, aparecieron filamentos menores o «hifas» en la médula. Se discute el desarrollo del esporofito joven y la relación de nuestras observaciones con estudios en otras algas pardas.

Kuulus Ralf Langbacka lavastab Estonias Verdi "Othello" / Andres Laasik

Index Scriptorium Estoniae

Laasik, Andres, 1960-2016

2005-01-01

Rahvusooper Estonia 8. septembril 2005 Rocca al Mares asuvas Coral Clubi spordikeskuses esietenduvast ooperist "Othello", etendus valmib koostöös Tampere Ooperiga. 7. aprillil Tampere Talos toimuvast esietendusest

Fossilized melanosomes and the colour of Cretaceous dinosaurs and birds.

Science.gov (United States)

Zhang, Fucheng; Kearns, Stuart L; Orr, Patrick J; Benton, Michael J; Zhou, Zhonghe; Johnson, Diane; Xu, Xing; Wang, Xiaolin

2010-02-25

Spectacular fossils from the Early Cretaceous Jehol Group of northeastern China have greatly expanded our knowledge of the diversity and palaeobiology of dinosaurs and early birds, and contributed to our understanding of the origin of birds, of flight, and of feathers. Pennaceous (vaned) feathers and integumentary filaments are preserved in birds and non-avian theropod dinosaurs, but little is known of their microstructure. Here we report that melanosomes (colour-bearing organelles) are not only preserved in the pennaceous feathers of early birds, but also in an identical manner in integumentary filaments of non-avian dinosaurs, thus refuting recent claims that the filaments are partially decayed dermal collagen fibres. Examples of both eumelanosomes and phaeomelanosomes have been identified, and they are often preserved in life position within the structure of partially degraded feathers and filaments. Furthermore, the data here provide empirical evidence for reconstructing the colours and colour patterning of these extinct birds and theropod dinosaurs: for example, the dark-coloured stripes on the tail of the theropod dinosaur Sinosauropteryx can reasonably be inferred to have exhibited chestnut to reddish-brown tones.

Sulakultuur. d-Fusion seminar Helsingis = The culture of fusion. d-Fusion seminar in Helsinki / Inga Raukas

Index Scriptorium Estoniae

Raukas, Inga, 1967-

2001-01-01

Kaasaegsete linnakultuuride sulandumine ja hajumine. Seminar ja videonäitus Finlandia Talos 7.-8. juulini 2001. Seminari korraldanud arhitektuuribüroo Ocean North installatsioone ja Töölö jalgpallistaadioni projekt

Evolution of parental incubation behaviour in dinosaurs cannot be inferred from clutch mass in birds.

Science.gov (United States)

Birchard, Geoffrey F; Ruta, Marcello; Deeming, D Charles

2013-08-23

A recent study proposed that incubation behaviour (i.e. type of parental care) in theropod dinosaurs can be inferred from an allometric analysis of clutch volume in extant birds. However, the study in question failed to account for factors known to affect egg and clutch size in living bird species. A new scaling analysis of avian clutch mass demonstrates that type of parental care cannot be distinguished by conventional allometry because of the confounding effects of phylogeny and hatchling maturity. Precociality of young but not paternal care in the theropod ancestors of birds is consistent with the available data.

Atividade antioxidante e antimicrobiana de extratos de atemoia (Annona cherimola Mill. x A. squamosa L.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Suzana Vieira Rabêlo

2014-01-01

Full Text Available O objetivo deste trabalho foi quantificar os teores de fenóis e flavonoides totais, bem como avaliar as atividades antioxidante e antimicrobiana de extratos obtidos dos talos e folhas de atemoia (A. cherimola Mill. x A. squamosa L., que pertence à família Annonaceae. A atividade antioxidante foi avaliada pelos métodos de sequestro dos radicais 2,2-difenil-1-picrilhidrazil (DPPH e 2,2'-azinobis-3-etilbenzotiazolina-6-ácido sulfônico (ABTS, bem como pelo método da cooxidação do β-caroteno/ácido linoleico. A avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana dos extratos foi analisada contra 10 cepas de bactérias. Os resultados da atividade antioxidante dos extratos mostraram que o extrato etanólico dos talos (EEt foi o antioxidante mais efetivo (IC50 = 10,44 ± 1,25 µg/mL no método do sequestro do DPPH, bem como no sequestro do radical ABTS (24,81 ± 0,49%. O extrato hexânico das folhas apresentou o melhor percentual de atividade antioxidante no ensaio do β-caroteno/ácido linoleico (41,12 ± 4,35%. Os extratos etanólico dos talos e metanólico das folhas mostraram-se ativos contra cepas de Bacillus cereus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus resistente à meticilina (MRSA, Staphylococcus aureus e Staphylococcus epidermidis.

COMPORTAMIENTO FISIOLÓGICO POSTCOSECHA DE TALLOS FLORALES DE ROSA (Rosa hybrida L. EN RESPUESTA AL FÓSFORO APLICADO EN PRECOSECHA

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Colinas-León MT

2011-01-01

Full Text Available Durante el crecimiento y desarro- llo de las flores, la nutrición fosforada es un factor que puede influir en la vida en flore- ro. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el efecto de cinco niveles de fósforo (P: 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 y 2.0 me·L-1 de P aplicados en precosecha, mediante un sistema hidropóni- co abierto, en el comportamiento fisiológico postcosecha de tallos florales de rosa (Rosa hybrida L. ‘Classy’ y ‘Vega’. Las variables evaluadas durante la vida de florero de los tallos florales fueron: transpiración foliar y floral, potencial de turgencia foliar y de pétalos. Además, se evaluó la concentración de antocianinas en pétalos al momento de la cosecha. Las aplicaciones de P en precose- cha tuvieron efecto significativo únicamente en la transpiración foliar; sin embargo, se demostró que la mayor vida en florero (15.8 días de ‘Classy’ en comparación con ‘Vega’ (11.7 días estuvo directamente asociada con mayores potenciales de turgencia foliar y de pétalos, mayor tasa transpiratoria floral y menor tasa transpiratoria foliar en ‘Classy’.

Neutron activation analysis on sediments from Victoria Land, Antarctica. Multi-elemental characterization of potential atmospheric dust sources

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Baccolo, G.; Maggi, V.; Baroni, C.; Clemenza, M.; Motta, A.; Nastasi, M.; Previtali, E.; University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan; Delmonte, B.; Salvatore, M.C.

2014-01-01

The elemental composition of 40 samples of mineral sediments collected in Victoria Land, Antarctica, in correspondence of ice-free sites, is presented. Concentration of 36 elements was determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis, INAA. The selection of 6 standard reference materials and the development of a specific analytical procedure allowed to reduce measurements uncertainties and to verify the reproducibility of the results. The decision to analyze sediment samples from Victoria Land ice-free areas is related to recent investigations regarding mineral dust content in the TALos Dome ICE core (159deg11'E; 72deg49'S, East Antarctica, Victoria Land), in which a coarse local fraction of dust was recognized. The characterization of Antarctic potential source areas of atmospheric mineral dust is the first step to identify the active sources of dust for the Talos Dome area and to reconstruct the atmospheric pathways followed by air masses in this region during different climatic periods. Principal components analysis was used to identify elements and samples correlations; attention was paid specially to rare earth elements (REE) and incompatible/compatible elements (ICE) in respect to iron, which proved to be the most discriminating elemental groups. The analysis of REE and ICE concentration profiles supported evidences of chemical weathering in ice-free areas of Victoria Land, whereas cold and dry climate conditions of the Talos Dome area and in general of East Antarctica. (author)

EHL-i juhatuse arvamus töölepingu seaduse eelnõu kohta / Sven Rondik

Index Scriptorium Estoniae

Rondik, Sven

2008-01-01

Eesti Haridustöötajate Liidu juhatus tegi TALO-le ettepaneku mitte kooskõlastada töölepingu seaduse (TLS) eelnõu esitatud kujul ja sotsiaalministeeriumile ettepaneku koostada uus eelnõu, kaasates sotsiaalpartnereid

African Journal of Biotechnology - Vol 15, No 36 (2016)

African Journals Online (AJOL)

Emmanuel O. Olorunsola, Timma O. Uwah, Olubunmi J. Olayemi, Unyime B. Etukudo ... Marcio Costa, Juan Carlos Motamayor, Ray Schnell, Jean-Philippe Marelli ... Pereira Cavalcante, Ítalo Herbert Lucena Cavalcante, Walter Esfrain Pereira ...

Variation, Variability, and the Origin of the Avian Endocranium: Insights from the Anatomy of Alioramus altai (Theropoda: Tyrannosauroidea)

Science.gov (United States)

Bever, Gabe S.; Brusatte, Stephen L.; Balanoff, Amy M.; Norell, Mark A.

2011-01-01

The internal braincase anatomy of the holotype of Alioramus altai, a relatively small-bodied tyrannosauroid from the Late Cretaceous of Mongolia, was studied using high-resolution computed tomography. A number of derived characters strengthen the diagnosis of this taxon as both a tyrannosauroid and a unique, new species (e.g., endocranial position of the gasserian ganglion, internal ramification of the facial nerve). Also present are features intermediate between the basal theropod and avialan conditions that optimize as the ancestral condition for Coelurosauria—a diverse group of derived theropods that includes modern birds. The expression of several primitive theropod features as derived character states within Tyrannosauroidea establishes previously unrecognized evolutionary complexity and morphological plasticity at the base of Coelurosauria. It also demonstrates the critical role heterochrony may have played in driving patterns of endocranial variability within the group and potentially reveals stages in the evolution of neuroanatomical development that could not be inferred based solely on developmental observations of the major archosaurian crown clades. We discuss the integration of paleontology with variability studies, especially as applied to the nature of morphological transformations along the phylogenetically long branches that tend to separate the crown clades of major vertebrate groups. PMID:21853125

Dinosaur footprint assemblage from the Lower Cretaceous Khok Kruat Formation, Khorat Group, northeastern Thailand

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Shohei Kozu

2017-11-01

Full Text Available The Khok Kruat Formation is the upper part of the Khorat Group, which consists of upper Lower Cretaceous non-marine sedimentary rocks in northeastern Thailand. Many dinosaur footprints have been known from the upper Lower Cretaceous (Aptian–Albian Khok Kruat Formation at the Huai Dam Chum (Tha Uthen site, northeastern Thailand. Approximately 600 tracks occur in thin mudstone layer of the northern part of the outcrop at the Huai Dam Chum track site. Two types of footprints, small-sized theropod and crocodylomorph are imprinted with mud cracks and ripple marks on the thin mud layer. Most of footprints are referred to cf. Asianopodus, and are imprinted by small-sized theropoda, probably ornithomimosauria. Theropod tracks are mainly separated into two groups, Group A and Group B. From ichnological viewpoints, the small-sized theropod track assemblage indicates the herd behaviour and its idiosyncratic group composition. In particular, the histogram of size-frequency measurements of Group A shows the anomalous bimodal distribution. We consider that there are two hypotheses; the first one is due to the male-female difference, and the second is a result of the different growing stage.

The first dinosaur from Washington State and a review of Pacific coast dinosaurs from North America.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Brandon R Peecook

Full Text Available We describe the first diagnostic dinosaur fossil from Washington State. The specimen, which consists of a proximal left femur, was recovered from the shallow marine rocks of the Upper Cretaceous (Campanian Cedar District Formation (Nanaimo Group and is interpreted as pertaining to a large theropod on the basis of its hollow medullary cavity and proximally placed fourth trochanter. The Washington theropod represents one of the northernmost occurrences of a Mesozoic dinosaur on the west coast of the United States and one of only a handful from the Pacific coast of Laramidia during the Cretaceous. Its isolated nature and preservation in marine rocks suggest that the element was washed in from a nearby fluvial system. If the femur pertains to a tyrannosauroid, which seems likely given its size and the widespread occurrence of the group across Laramidia during Late Cretaceous times, then it would represent an earlier occurrence of large body size than previously recognized (complete femur length estimated at 1.2 meters. Uncertainty surrounding the latitude of deposition of the Nanaimo Group (i.e., the Baja-British Columbia hypothesis precludes assigning the Washington theropod to either of the putative northern or southern biogeographic provinces of Laramidia.

Anomalously high variation in postnatal development is ancestral for dinosaurs but lost in birds

Science.gov (United States)

Griffin, Christopher T.; Nesbitt, Sterling J.

2016-12-01

Compared with all other living reptiles, birds grow extremely fast and possess unusually low levels of intraspecific variation during postnatal development. It is now clear that birds inherited their high rates of growth from their dinosaurian ancestors, but the origin of the avian condition of low variation during development is poorly constrained. The most well-understood growth trajectories of later Mesozoic theropods (e.g., Tyrannosaurus, Allosaurus) show similarly low variation to birds, contrasting with higher variation in extant crocodylians. Here, we show that deep within Dinosauria, among the earliest-diverging dinosaurs, anomalously high intraspecific variation is widespread but then is lost in more derived theropods. This style of development is ancestral for dinosaurs and their closest relatives, and, surprisingly, this level of variation is far higher than in living crocodylians. Among early dinosaurs, this variation is widespread across Pangaea in the Triassic and Early Jurassic, and among early-diverging theropods (ceratosaurs), this variation is maintained for 165 million years to the end of the Cretaceous. Because the Late Triassic environment across Pangaea was volatile and heterogeneous, this variation may have contributed to the rise of dinosaurian dominance through the end of the Triassic Period.

The first dinosaur from Washington State and a review of Pacific coast dinosaurs from North America.

Science.gov (United States)

Peecook, Brandon R; Sidor, Christian A

2015-01-01

We describe the first diagnostic dinosaur fossil from Washington State. The specimen, which consists of a proximal left femur, was recovered from the shallow marine rocks of the Upper Cretaceous (Campanian) Cedar District Formation (Nanaimo Group) and is interpreted as pertaining to a large theropod on the basis of its hollow medullary cavity and proximally placed fourth trochanter. The Washington theropod represents one of the northernmost occurrences of a Mesozoic dinosaur on the west coast of the United States and one of only a handful from the Pacific coast of Laramidia during the Cretaceous. Its isolated nature and preservation in marine rocks suggest that the element was washed in from a nearby fluvial system. If the femur pertains to a tyrannosauroid, which seems likely given its size and the widespread occurrence of the group across Laramidia during Late Cretaceous times, then it would represent an earlier occurrence of large body size than previously recognized (complete femur length estimated at 1.2 meters). Uncertainty surrounding the latitude of deposition of the Nanaimo Group (i.e., the Baja-British Columbia hypothesis) precludes assigning the Washington theropod to either of the putative northern or southern biogeographic provinces of Laramidia.

Volcanic synchronisation of the EPICA-DC and TALDICE ice cores for the last 42 kyr BP

Science.gov (United States)

Severi, M.; Udisti, R.; Becagli, S.; Stenni, B.; Traversi, R.

2012-04-01

An age scale synchronisation between the Talos Dome and the EPICA Dome C ice cores was carried on through the identification of several common volcanic signatures for the last 42 kyr. Using this tight stratigraphic link we transferred the EDC age scale to the Talos Dome ice core producing a new age scale for the last 12 kyr. We estimated the discrepancies between the modeled TALDICE-1 age scale and the new one during the studied period, by evaluating the ratio R of the apparent duration of temporal intervals between pairs of isochrones. Except for a very few cases, R ranges between 0.8 and 1.2 corresponding to an uncertainty of up to 20% in the estimate of the time duration in at least one of the two ice cores. At this stage our approach does not allow us unequivocally to find out which of the models is affected by errors, but, taking into account only the historically known volcanic events, we found that discrepancies up to 200 years appears in the last two millennia in the TALDICE-1 model, while our new age scale shows a much better agreement with the volcanic absolute horizons. Thus, we propose for the Talos Dome ice core a new age scale (covering the whole Holocene) obtained by a direct transfer, via our stratigraphic link, from the EDC modelled age scale by Lemieux-Dudon et al. (2010).

Radiographic Measurements Associated With the Natural Progression of the Hallux Valgus During at Least 2 Years of Follow-up.

Science.gov (United States)

Lee, Seung Yeol; Chung, Chin Youb; Park, Moon Seok; Sung, Ki Hyuk; Ahmed, Sonya; Koo, Seungbum; Kang, Dong-Wan; Lee, Kyoung Min

2018-04-01

This study aimed to investigate the radiographic measurements associated with the progression of hallux valgus during at least 2 years of follow-up. Seventy adult patients with hallux valgus who were followed for at least 2 years and underwent weightbearing foot radiography were included. Radiographic measurements included the hallux valgus angle (HVA), hallux interphalangeal angle, intermetatarsal angle (IMA), metatarsus adductus angle, distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA), tibial sesamoid position, anteroposterior (AP) talo-first metatarsal angle, and lateral talo-first metatarsal angle. Patients were divided into progressive and nonprogressive groups. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors that significantly affected the progression of hallux valgus deformity. The correlation between change in HVA and changes in other radiographic indices during follow-up was analyzed. The DMAA ( P = .027) and AP talo-first metatarsal angle ( P = .034) at initial presentation were found to be significant factors affecting the progression of hallux valgus deformity. Change in the HVA during follow-up was significantly correlated with changes in the IMA ( r = 0.423; P = .001) and DMAA ( r = 0.541; P < .001). The change in the HVA was found to be significantly correlated with changes in the IMA and DMAA. A future study is required to elucidate whether this correlation can be explained by the progressive instability of the first tarsometatarsal joint. We believe special attention needs to be paid to patients with pes planus and increased DMAA. Level III, comparative study.

Regioselective intramolecular ring closure of 2-amino-6-bromo-2,6-dideoxyhexono-1,4-lactones to 5- or 6-membered iminuronic acid analogues:synthesis of 1-deoxymannojirimycin and 2,5-dideoxy-2,5-imino-D-glucitol

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Malle, Birgitte Mølholm; Lundt, Inge; Wrodnigg, Tanja M.

2008-01-01

closure took place by 5-exo attack on the 5,6-epoxide leading to 2,5-dideoxy-2,5-imino-L-gulonic acid (9b), which was reduced to 2,5-dideoxy-2,5-imino-D-glucitol (9c). The method was further applied to 2-amino-6-bromo-2,6-dideoxy-D-galacto- as well as D-talo-1,4-lactones (14 and 15). However, only......-galacto- as well as L-talo-2-amino-6-bromo-2,6-dideoxy-1,4-lactones ent-14 and ent-15, reacted accordingly to give the D-galacto- and L-altro-1,5-iminuronic acid mimetics, (2S,3S,4R,5S)-3,4,5-trihydroxypipecolic acid (2,6-dideoxy-2,6-imino-L-galactonic acid, ent-16) and (2R,3S,4R,5S)-3,4,5-trihydroxypipecolic...

EFFECT OF THE ANTIMUTAGENS VANILLIN AND CINNAMALDEHYDE ON THE SPONTANEOUS MUTATION SPECTRA OF SALMONELLA TA104

Science.gov (United States)

Effect of the Antimutagens Vanillin and Cinnamaldehyde on the / Spontaneous Mutation Spectra of Salmonella TAlO4 Vanillin (VAN) and cinnamaldehyde (CIN) are dietary antimutagens that, when added to assay plates, reduced the spontaneous mutant frequency in Salmonella typhi...

New Insights into Non-Avian Dinosaur Reproduction and Their Evolutionary and Ecological Implications: Linking Fossil Evidence to Allometries of Extant Close Relatives

Science.gov (United States)

Werner, Jan; Griebeler, Eva Maria

2013-01-01

It has been hypothesized that a high reproductive output contributes to the unique gigantism in large dinosaur taxa. In order to infer more information on dinosaur reproduction, we established allometries between body mass and different reproductive traits (egg mass, clutch mass, annual clutch mass) for extant phylogenetic brackets (birds, crocodiles and tortoises) of extinct non-avian dinosaurs. Allometries were applied to nine non-avian dinosaur taxa (theropods, hadrosaurs, and sauropodomorphs) for which fossil estimates on relevant traits are currently available. We found that the reproductive traits of most dinosaurs conformed to similar-sized or scaled-up extant reptiles or birds. The reproductive traits of theropods, which are considered more bird-like, were indeed consistent with birds, while the traits of sauropodomorphs conformed better to reptiles. Reproductive traits of hadrosaurs corresponded to both reptiles and birds. Excluding Massospondylus carinatus , all dinosaurs studied had an intermediary egg to body mass relationship to reptiles and birds. In contrast, dinosaur clutch masses fitted with either the masses predicted from allometries of birds (theropods) or to the masses of reptiles (all other taxa). Theropods studied had probably one clutch per year. For sauropodomorphs and hadrosaurs, more than one clutch per year was predicted. Contrary to current hypotheses, large dinosaurs did not have exceptionally high annual egg numbers (AEN). Independent of the extant model, the estimated dinosaur AEN did not exceed 850 eggs (75,000 kg sauropod) for any of the taxa studied. This estimated maximum is probably an overestimation due to unrealistic assumptions. According to most AEN estimations, the dinosaurs studied laid less than 200 eggs per year. Only some AEN estimates obtained for medium to large sized sauropods were higher (200-400 eggs). Our results provide new (testable) hypotheses, especially for reproductive traits that are insufficiently

New insights into non-avian dinosaur reproduction and their evolutionary and ecological implications: linking fossil evidence to allometries of extant close relatives.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Jan Werner

Full Text Available It has been hypothesized that a high reproductive output contributes to the unique gigantism in large dinosaur taxa. In order to infer more information on dinosaur reproduction, we established allometries between body mass and different reproductive traits (egg mass, clutch mass, annual clutch mass for extant phylogenetic brackets (birds, crocodiles and tortoises of extinct non-avian dinosaurs. Allometries were applied to nine non-avian dinosaur taxa (theropods, hadrosaurs, and sauropodomorphs for which fossil estimates on relevant traits are currently available. We found that the reproductive traits of most dinosaurs conformed to similar-sized or scaled-up extant reptiles or birds. The reproductive traits of theropods, which are considered more bird-like, were indeed consistent with birds, while the traits of sauropodomorphs conformed better to reptiles. Reproductive traits of hadrosaurs corresponded to both reptiles and birds. Excluding Massospondyluscarinatus, all dinosaurs studied had an intermediary egg to body mass relationship to reptiles and birds. In contrast, dinosaur clutch masses fitted with either the masses predicted from allometries of birds (theropods or to the masses of reptiles (all other taxa. Theropods studied had probably one clutch per year. For sauropodomorphs and hadrosaurs, more than one clutch per year was predicted. Contrary to current hypotheses, large dinosaurs did not have exceptionally high annual egg numbers (AEN. Independent of the extant model, the estimated dinosaur AEN did not exceed 850 eggs (75,000 kg sauropod for any of the taxa studied. This estimated maximum is probably an overestimation due to unrealistic assumptions. According to most AEN estimations, the dinosaurs studied laid less than 200 eggs per year. Only some AEN estimates obtained for medium to large sized sauropods were higher (200-400 eggs. Our results provide new (testable hypotheses, especially for reproductive traits that are insufficiently

New insights into non-avian dinosaur reproduction and their evolutionary and ecological implications: linking fossil evidence to allometries of extant close relatives.

Science.gov (United States)

Werner, Jan; Griebeler, Eva Maria

2013-01-01

It has been hypothesized that a high reproductive output contributes to the unique gigantism in large dinosaur taxa. In order to infer more information on dinosaur reproduction, we established allometries between body mass and different reproductive traits (egg mass, clutch mass, annual clutch mass) for extant phylogenetic brackets (birds, crocodiles and tortoises) of extinct non-avian dinosaurs. Allometries were applied to nine non-avian dinosaur taxa (theropods, hadrosaurs, and sauropodomorphs) for which fossil estimates on relevant traits are currently available. We found that the reproductive traits of most dinosaurs conformed to similar-sized or scaled-up extant reptiles or birds. The reproductive traits of theropods, which are considered more bird-like, were indeed consistent with birds, while the traits of sauropodomorphs conformed better to reptiles. Reproductive traits of hadrosaurs corresponded to both reptiles and birds. Excluding Massospondyluscarinatus, all dinosaurs studied had an intermediary egg to body mass relationship to reptiles and birds. In contrast, dinosaur clutch masses fitted with either the masses predicted from allometries of birds (theropods) or to the masses of reptiles (all other taxa). Theropods studied had probably one clutch per year. For sauropodomorphs and hadrosaurs, more than one clutch per year was predicted. Contrary to current hypotheses, large dinosaurs did not have exceptionally high annual egg numbers (AEN). Independent of the extant model, the estimated dinosaur AEN did not exceed 850 eggs (75,000 kg sauropod) for any of the taxa studied. This estimated maximum is probably an overestimation due to unrealistic assumptions. According to most AEN estimations, the dinosaurs studied laid less than 200 eggs per year. Only some AEN estimates obtained for medium to large sized sauropods were higher (200-400 eggs). Our results provide new (testable) hypotheses, especially for reproductive traits that are insufficiently documented

Variation, variability, and the origin of the avian endocranium: insights from the anatomy of Alioramus altai (Theropoda: Tyrannosauroidea.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Gabe S Bever

Full Text Available The internal braincase anatomy of the holotype of Alioramus altai, a relatively small-bodied tyrannosauroid from the Late Cretaceous of Mongolia, was studied using high-resolution computed tomography. A number of derived characters strengthen the diagnosis of this taxon as both a tyrannosauroid and a unique, new species (e.g., endocranial position of the gasserian ganglion, internal ramification of the facial nerve. Also present are features intermediate between the basal theropod and avialan conditions that optimize as the ancestral condition for Coelurosauria--a diverse group of derived theropods that includes modern birds. The expression of several primitive theropod features as derived character states within Tyrannosauroidea establishes previously unrecognized evolutionary complexity and morphological plasticity at the base of Coelurosauria. It also demonstrates the critical role heterochrony may have played in driving patterns of endocranial variability within the group and potentially reveals stages in the evolution of neuroanatomical development that could not be inferred based solely on developmental observations of the major archosaurian crown clades. We discuss the integration of paleontology with variability studies, especially as applied to the nature of morphological transformations along the phylogenetically long branches that tend to separate the crown clades of major vertebrate groups.

New dinosaur (Theropoda, stem-Averostra) from the earliest Jurassic of the La Quinta formation, Venezuelan Andes.

Science.gov (United States)

Langer, Max C; Rincón, Ascanio D; Ramezani, Jahandar; Solórzano, Andrés; Rauhut, Oliver W M

2014-10-01

Dinosaur skeletal remains are almost unknown from northern South America. One of the few exceptions comes from a small outcrop in the northernmost extension of the Andes, along the western border of Venezuela, where strata of the La Quinta Formation have yielded the ornithischian Laquintasaura venezuelae and other dinosaur remains. Here, we report isolated bones (ischium and tibia) of a small new theropod, Tachiraptor admirabilis gen. et sp. nov., which differs from all previously known members of the group by an unique suite of features of its tibial articulations. Comparative/phylogenetic studies place the new form as the sister taxon to Averostra, a theropod group that is known primarily from the Middle Jurassic onwards. A new U-Pb zircon date (isotope dilution thermal-ionization mass spectrometry; ID-TIMS method) from the bone bed matrix suggests an earliest Jurassic maximum age for the La Quinta Formation. A dispersal-vicariance analysis suggests that such a stratigraphic gap is more likely to be filled by new records from north and central Pangaea than from southern areas. Indeed, our data show that the sampled summer-wet equatorial belt, which yielded the new taxon, played a pivotal role in theropod evolution across the Triassic-Jurassic boundary.

Volcanic synchronisation of the EPICA-DC and TALDICE ice cores for the last 42 kyr BP

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

M. Severi

2012-03-01

Full Text Available The age scale synchronisation between the Talos Dome and the EPICA Dome C ice cores was carried on through the identification of several common volcanic signatures. This paper describes the rigorous method, using the signature of volcanic sulphate, which was employed for the last 42 kyr of the record. Using this tight stratigraphic link, we transferred the EDC age scale to the Talos Dome ice core, producing a new age scale for the last 12 kyr. We estimated the discrepancies between the modelled TALDICE-1 age scale and the new scale during the studied period, by evaluating the ratio R of the apparent duration of temporal intervals between pairs of isochrones. Except for a very few cases, R ranges between 0.8 and 1.2, corresponding to an uncertainty of up to 20% in the estimate of the time duration in at least one of the two ice cores. At this stage our approach does not allow us to unequivocally identify which of the models is affected by errors, but, taking into account only the historically known volcanic events, we found that discrepancies up to 200 yr appear in the last two millennia in the TALDICE-1 model, while our new age scale shows a much better agreement with the volcanic absolute horizons. Thus, we propose for the Talos Dome ice core a new age scale (covering the whole Holocene obtained by a direct transfer, via our stratigraphic link, from the EDC modelled age scale by Lemieux-Dudon et al. (2010.

The geomagnetic coast effect at two 80° S stations in Antarctica, observed in the ULF range

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

M. Regi

2018-02-01

Full Text Available We examined the coast effect in Antarctica along the 80° S magnetic parallel. We used the geomagnetic field measurements at the two coastal stations of Mario Zucchelli Station and Scott Base, and, as a reference, at the inland temporary station Talos Dome, during 18 January–14 March 2008. Spectral analysis in the Pc5 frequency range (1–7 mHz revealed large differences between coastal and inland stations, such as higher spectral power levels in the vertical component and higher coherence between horizontal and vertical components at coastal stations. Using the interstation method on selected active time intervals, with Talos Dome as a remote reference station, we found that remote reference induction arrows are directed almost perpendicularly with respect to their respective coastlines. Moreover, the single-station analysis shows that at Talos Dome the amplitude of the induction arrows is much smaller than at coastal stations. These results clearly indicate that coast effect at a few hundred kilometers from the coastline is relatively small. The coast effect on polarization parameters was examined, for a Pc5 event that occurred on 11 March 2008. The results evidenced that the azimuthal angle of polarized signals at one of the coastal stations is largely different with respect to the inland station (by  ∼  110°, while the polarization ratio and ellipticity attain comparable values. We proposed a correction method of the polarization parameters, which operates directly in the frequency domain, obtaining comparable azimuthal angles at coastal and inland stations.

Uudised : EMA uus barokkorel. Olari Elts Soome Raadio SO ees. "Supreme Silence" Saksamaal. Kangro muusika Lätis ja Leedus / Priit Kuusk

Index Scriptorium Estoniae

Kuusk, Priit, 1938-

2001-01-01

EMA vastvalminud barokkoreli avamispidustustest. O.Elts juhatas 30. apr. Finlandia-talos toimunud kontserdil Soome Raadio SO-d. P.Vähi teos "Supreme Silence" kõlas kahel muusikafestivalil Saksamaal. Läti klaveriduo esitas rahvusvahelisel klaveriduode festivalil Lätis ja Leedus R.Kangro pala "O Sancta Simplicitas!"

Tauberian theorems for Abel summability of sequences of fuzzy numbers

Science.gov (United States)

Yavuz, Enes; ćoşkun, Hüsamettin

2015-09-01

We give some conditions under which Abel summable sequences of fuzzy numbers are convergent. As corollaries we obtain the results given in [E. Yavuz, Ö. Talo, Abel summability of sequences of fuzzy numbers, Soft computing 2014, doi: 10.1007/s00500-014-1563-7].

Ultrasonography and color Doppler in juvenile idiopathic arthritis

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Laurell, Louise; Court-Payen, Michel; Nielsen, Susan

2011-01-01

hypertrophy, effusion) and by color Doppler (synovial hyperemia) before and 4 weeks after US-guided steroid injection. Results US detected 121 compartments with active disease (joints, tendon sheaths and 1 ganglion cyst). Multiple compartments were involved in 80% of the ankle regions. The talo-crural joint...

EFFECTS OF THE ANTIMUTAGENS VANILLIN AND CINNAMALDEHYDE ON SPONTANEOUS MUTATION IN E. COLI LACL STRAINS AND ON GLOBAL GENE EXPRESSION IN SALMONELLA TA104 AND HUMAN HEPG2 CELLS

Science.gov (United States)

Effects of the Antimutagens Vanillin and Cinnamaldehyde on Spontaneous Mutation in E. coli lacI Strains and on Global Gene Epression in Salmonella TAlO4 and Human HepG2 Cells In previous work we have shown that vanillin (VAN) and cinnamaldehyde (CIN) are dietary antimutag...

Muusikamaailm : Brüsseli La Monnaie ئ 300. Uusooper San Franciscos. Sibeliuse nädal esiettekannetega. Cesare Valletti surnud / Priit Kuusk

Index Scriptorium Estoniae

Kuusk, Priit, 1938-

2000-01-01

Brüsseli teater Theatre Royal de la Monnaie sai linnalt 300. juubeli kingituseks lisaruume, hooaja ooperiesiettekannetest teatris. J. Heggie ooperi "Dead man walking" maailmaesiettekandest San Francisco Ooperis. 30.sept.-8. okt. toimunud Sibeliuse nädalast Järvenpää-talos. Lühidalt C. Vallettist

SimShiftDB; local conformational restraints derived from chemical shift similarity searches on a large synthetic database

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ginzinger, Simon W. [Center of Applied Molecular Engineering, University of Salzburg, Department of Molecular Biology, Division of Bioinformatics (Austria)], E-mail: simon@came.sbg.ac.at; Coles, Murray [Max-Planck-Institute for Developmental Biology, Department of Protein Evolution (Germany)], E-mail: Murray.Coles@tuebingen.mpg.de

2009-03-15

We present SimShiftDB, a new program to extract conformational data from protein chemical shifts using structural alignments. The alignments are obtained in searches of a large database containing 13,000 structures and corresponding back-calculated chemical shifts. SimShiftDB makes use of chemical shift data to provide accurate results even in the case of low sequence similarity, and with even coverage of the conformational search space. We compare SimShiftDB to HHSearch, a state-of-the-art sequence-based search tool, and to TALOS, the current standard tool for the task. We show that for a significant fraction of the predicted similarities, SimShiftDB outperforms the other two methods. Particularly, the high coverage afforded by the larger database often allows predictions to be made for residues not involved in canonical secondary structure, where TALOS predictions are both less frequent and more error prone. Thus SimShiftDB can be seen as a complement to currently available methods.

SimShiftDB; local conformational restraints derived from chemical shift similarity searches on a large synthetic database

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ginzinger, Simon W.; Coles, Murray

2009-01-01

We present SimShiftDB, a new program to extract conformational data from protein chemical shifts using structural alignments. The alignments are obtained in searches of a large database containing 13,000 structures and corresponding back-calculated chemical shifts. SimShiftDB makes use of chemical shift data to provide accurate results even in the case of low sequence similarity, and with even coverage of the conformational search space. We compare SimShiftDB to HHSearch, a state-of-the-art sequence-based search tool, and to TALOS, the current standard tool for the task. We show that for a significant fraction of the predicted similarities, SimShiftDB outperforms the other two methods. Particularly, the high coverage afforded by the larger database often allows predictions to be made for residues not involved in canonical secondary structure, where TALOS predictions are both less frequent and more error prone. Thus SimShiftDB can be seen as a complement to currently available methods

Micropropagação de abacaxi ornamental (Ananas comosus var. bracteatus por meio da indução ao estiolamento e regeneração de plântulas.

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Ana Cristina Portugal Pinto de Carvalho

2005-06-01

Full Text Available O mercado de flores tropicais está em franca expansão, sendo crescente a comercialização de abacaxi ornamental como flor de corte. Segmentos nodais estiolados são utilizados para a micropropagação em várias culturas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a multiplicação in vitro de segmentos nodais estiolados para produção de mudas de abacaxi ornamental, Ananas comosus var. bracteatus. Talos, obtidos a partir de plântulas produzidas in vitro, foram inoculados em meio MS e mantidos no escuro, a 24 ± 1ºC. Os tratamentos foram: MS sem reguladores de crescimento; MS + 10mM de ANA; MS + 10mM de AIA e MS + 10mM de AIB. Ao final de 60 dias, avaliouse número de brotos/talo, número de nós/broto, comprimento do broto, comprimento médio dos internós e total de nós/talo. Não houve diferença no número de brotos estiolados por talo entre os tratamentos avaliados. O meio MS sem reguladores de crescimento apresentou o maior valor para o número de nós/broto como para o número total de nós/explante, diferindo estatisticamente dos meios contendo AIB e ANA para a primeira variável e AIA e ANA, para a segunda. Quanto ao comprimento do broto e o comprimento médio dos internós, os menores valores foram obtidos no meio contendo ANA. Para a regeneração de plântulas, foram utilizados segmentos nodais contendo dois nós, oriundos de talos estiolados in vitro por 60 dias no meio MS, sem regulador de crescimento, no escuro. Os tratamentos foram: MS sem reguladores de crescimento; MS + 4,44 mM de BAP; MS + 8,88 mM de BAP e MS + 13,32 mM de BAP. Os frascos foram incubados sob fotoperíodo de 16 horas, a 24 a ± 1ºC. Ao final de 30, 45 e 60 dias foi avaliado o número de plântulas obtidas por nó. Aos 30 dias, não houve diferença no número de plântulas/nó entre os tratamentos testados. Após 45 dias, 13,32 mM de BAP promoveu maior número de plântulas regeneradas por nó, que diferiu estatisticamente do meio sem a adição dessa

Dinosaur ichnofauna of the Upper Jurassic/Lower Cretaceous of the Paraná Basin (Brazil and Uruguay)

Science.gov (United States)

Francischini, H.; Dentzien–Dias, P. C.; Fernandes, M. A.; Schultz, C. L.

2015-11-01

Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous sedimentary layers are represented in the Brazilian Paraná Basin by the fluvio-aeolian Guará Formation and the Botucatu Formation palaeoerg, respectively, overlapped by the volcanic Serra Geral Formation. In Uruguay, the corresponding sedimentary units are named Batoví and Rivera Members (both from the Tacuarembó Formation), and the lava flows constitute the Arapey Formation (also in Paraná Basin). Despite the lack of body fossils in the mentioned Brazilian formations, Guará/Batoví dinosaur fauna is composed of theropod, ornithopod and wide-gauge sauropod tracks and isolated footprints, as well as theropod teeth. In turn, the Botucatu/Rivera dinosaur fauna is represented by theropod and ornithopod ichnofossils smaller than those from the underlying units. The analysis of these dinosaur ichnological records and comparisons with other global Mesozoic ichnofauna indicates that there is a size reduction in dinosaur fauna in the more arid Botucatu/Rivera environment, which is dominated by aeolian dunes. The absence of sauropod trackways in the Botucatu Sandstone fits with the increasingly arid conditions because it is difficult for heavy animals to walk on sandy dunes, as well as to obtain the required amount of food resources. This comparison between the Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous dinosaur fauna in south Brazil and Uruguay demonstrates the influence of aridization on the size of animals occupying each habitat.

Limb bone allometry during postnatal ontogeny in non-avian dinosaurs

Science.gov (United States)

Kilbourne, Brandon M; Makovicky, Peter J

2010-01-01

Although the interspecific scaling of tetrapods is well understood, remarkably little work has been done on the ontogenetic scaling within tetrapod species, whether fossil or recent. Here the ontogenetic allometry of the femur, humerus, and tibia was determined for 23 species of non-avian dinosaur by regressing log-transformed length against log-transformed circumference for each bone using reduced major axis bivariate regression. The femora of large theropod species became more robust during ontogeny, whereas growth in the femora of sauropodomorphs and most ornithischians was not significantly different from isometry. Hadrosaur hindlimb elements became significantly more gracile during ontogeny. Scaling constants were higher in all theropods than in any non-theropod taxa. Such clear taxonomically correlated divisions were not evident in the ontogenetic allometry of the tibia and hindlimb bones did not scale uniformly within larger taxonomic groups. For taxa in which the ontogenetic allometry of the humerus was studied, only Riojasaurus incertus exhibited a significant departure from isometry. Using independent contrasts, the regression of femoral allometry against the log of adult body mass was found to have a significant negative correlation but such a relationship could not be established for other limb elements or growth parameters, mainly due to the small sample size. The intraspecific scaling patterns observed in dinosaurs and other amniotes do not support earlier hypotheses that intraspecific scaling differs between endothermic and ectothermic taxa. PMID:20557400

Ontogenetic changes in the craniomandibular skeleton of the abelisaurid dinosaur Majungasaurus crenatissimus from the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar

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Nirina O. Ratsimbaholison

2016-06-01

Full Text Available Abelisaurid theropods were one of the most diverse groups of predatory dinosaurs in Gondwana during the Cretaceous. The group is characterized by a tall, wide skull and robust cervical region. This morphology is thought to have facilitated specialized feeding behaviors such as prolonged contact with prey. The Late Cretaceous abelisaurid Majungasaurus crenatissimus typifies this abelisaurid cranial morphotype. Recent fossil discoveries of this species include a partial growth series that allows for the first time an investigation of ontogenetic variation in cranial morphology in a representative abelisaurid. Herein we examine growth trajectories in the shape of individual cranial bones and articulated skulls of Majungasaurus using geometric morphometrics. Several major changes in skull shape were observed through ontogeny, including an increase in the height of the jugal, postorbital, and quadratojugal, an increase in the extent of the contacts between bones, and a decrease in the circumference of the orbit. The skull transitions from relatively short in the smallest individual to tall and robust in large adults, as is seen in other theropods. Such morphological change during ontogeny would likely have resulted in different biomechanical properties and feeding behaviors between small and large individuals. These findings provide a post-hatching developmental framework for understanding the evolution of the distinctive tall skull morphology seen in abelisaurids and other large-sized theropod dinosaurs.

Fruit production and quality of guava 'Paluma' as a function of humic ...

African Journals Online (AJOL)

Fruit production and quality of guava 'Paluma' as a function of humic substances and soil mulching. Leonardo Fonseca da Rocha, Lourival Ferreira Cavalcante, Járisson Cavalcante Nunes, Antônio Gustavo de Luna Souto, Alian Cássio Pereira Cavalcante, Ítalo Herbert Lucena Cavalcante, Walter Esfrain Pereira ...

Calcium isotopes offer clues on resource partitioning among Cretaceous predatory dinosaurs.

Science.gov (United States)

Hassler, A; Martin, J E; Amiot, R; Tacail, T; Godet, F Arnaud; Allain, R; Balter, V

2018-04-11

Large predators are overabundant in mid-Cretaceous continental dinosaur assemblages of North Africa. Such unbalanced ecosystem structure involves, among predatory dinosaurs, typical abelisaurid or carcharodontosaurid theropods co-occurring with long-snouted spinosaurids of debated ecology. Here, we report calcium (Ca) isotope values from tooth enamel (expressed as δ 44/42 Ca) to investigate resource partitioning in mid-Cretaceous assemblages from Niger (Gadoufaoua) and Morocco (Kem Kem Beds). In both assemblages, spinosaurids display a distinct isotopic signature, the most negative in our dataset. This distinct taxonomic clustering in Ca isotope values observed between spinosaurids and other predators provides unambiguous evidence for niche partitioning at the top of the trophic chains: spinosaurids foraged on aquatic environments while abelisaurid and carcharodontosaurid theropods relied almost exclusively on terrestrial resources. © 2018 The Author(s).

Dinosaur evolution. A Jurassic ornithischian dinosaur from Siberia with both feathers and scales.

Science.gov (United States)

Godefroit, Pascal; Sinitsa, Sofia M; Dhouailly, Danielle; Bolotsky, Yuri L; Sizov, Alexander V; McNamara, Maria E; Benton, Michael J; Spagna, Paul

2014-07-25

Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous deposits from northeastern China have yielded varied theropod dinosaurs bearing feathers. Filamentous integumentary structures have also been described in ornithischian dinosaurs, but whether these filaments can be regarded as part of the evolutionary lineage toward feathers remains controversial. Here we describe a new basal neornithischian dinosaur from the Jurassic of Siberia with small scales around the distal hindlimb, larger imbricated scales around the tail, monofilaments around the head and the thorax, and more complex featherlike structures around the humerus, the femur, and the tibia. The discovery of these branched integumentary structures outside theropods suggests that featherlike structures coexisted with scales and were potentially widespread among the entire dinosaur clade; feathers may thus have been present in the earliest dinosaurs. Copyright © 2014, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

A new hypothesis of dinosaur relationships and early dinosaur evolution.

Science.gov (United States)

Baron, Matthew G; Norman, David B; Barrett, Paul M

2017-03-22

For 130 years, dinosaurs have been divided into two distinct clades-Ornithischia and Saurischia. Here we present a hypothesis for the phylogenetic relationships of the major dinosaurian groups that challenges the current consensus concerning early dinosaur evolution and highlights problematic aspects of current cladistic definitions. Our study has found a sister-group relationship between Ornithischia and Theropoda (united in the new clade Ornithoscelida), with Sauropodomorpha and Herrerasauridae (as the redefined Saurischia) forming its monophyletic outgroup. This new tree topology requires redefinition and rediagnosis of Dinosauria and the subsidiary dinosaurian clades. In addition, it forces re-evaluations of early dinosaur cladogenesis and character evolution, suggests that hypercarnivory was acquired independently in herrerasaurids and theropods, and offers an explanation for many of the anatomical features previously regarded as notable convergences between theropods and early ornithischians.

Efecto de la práctica de embolsado sobre la calidad del fruto en feijoa (Acca sellowiana Berg tander

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Fánor Casierra-Posada

2011-11-01

Full Text Available El  cultivo de  feijoa  (Acca  sellowiana Berg.  se ha  extendido  durante  los últimos  años  en  el territorio colombiano, debido a que  la  fruta es muy apetecida en el mercado por las excelentes propiedades  organolépticas.  Sin  embargo,  la cal idad  y  sanidad  exigidas  para  la comercialización  se  ven  afectadas  por  varios factores,  entre  los  que  se  encuentra  el  daño causado  por  la mosca de  la  fruta  (Anastrepha spp..  Por  tanto,  la  evaluación  del  efecto  de embolsado sobre la calidad de la fruta de feijoa es un tema de gran interés. Además, esta técnica es comúnmente usada en guayaba que pertenecea la misma familia que la feijoa (Mirtáceae. Para el estudio, se embolsaron flores en el momento de  la caída de pétalos, y cada semana después hasta  cuat ro  semanas.   Los  frutos  que  se embolsaron a la caída de pétalos detuvieron su crecimiento; aquellos embolsados una, dos y tres semanas  después  de  la  caída  de  pétalos  no reportaron diferencias significativas en cuanto los parámetros  evaluados  (peso  fresco,  peso  seco, diámetro transversal y  longitudinal, intensidad de infestación,  sólidos  solubles  totales  y  acidez titulable Los frutos embolsados cuatro semanas después de la caída de pétalos fueron de mayor peso,  tamaño y más dulces con  respecto a  los demás. La efectividad en el control de mosca de la  fruta  fue evidente. El embolsado, además de mejorar la sanidad del fruto,  influyó en su calidad y permitió obtener un producto con características adecuadas para el mercado.

Dynamic locomotor capabilities revealed by early dinosaur trackmakers from southern Africa.

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Jeffrey A Wilson

Full Text Available BACKGROUND: A new investigation of the sedimentology and ichnology of the Early Jurassic Moyeni tracksite in Lesotho, southern Africa has yielded new insights into the behavior and locomotor dynamics of early dinosaurs. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The tracksite is an ancient point bar preserving a heterogeneous substrate of varied consistency and inclination that includes a ripple-marked riverbed, a bar slope, and a stable algal-matted bar top surface. Several basal ornithischian dinosaurs and a single theropod dinosaur crossed its surface within days or perhaps weeks of one another, but responded to substrate heterogeneity differently. Whereas the theropod trackmaker accommodated sloping and slippery surfaces by gripping the substrate with its pedal claws, the basal ornithischian trackmakers adjusted to the terrain by changing between quadrupedal and bipedal stance, wide and narrow gauge limb support (abduction range = 31 degrees , and plantigrade and digitigrade foot posture. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The locomotor adjustments coincide with changes in substrate consistency along the trackway and appear to reflect 'real time' responses to a complex terrain. It is proposed that these responses foreshadow important locomotor transformations characterizing the later evolution of the two main dinosaur lineages. Ornithischians, which shifted from bipedal to quadrupedal posture at least three times in their evolutionary history, are shown to have been capable of adopting both postures early in their evolutionary history. The substrate-gripping behavior demonstrated by the early theropod, in turn, is consistent with the hypothesized function of pedal claws in bird ancestors.

Physical evidence of predatory behavior in Tyrannosaurus rex

Science.gov (United States)

DePalma, Robert A., II; Burnham, David A.; Martin, Larry D.; Rothschild, Bruce M.; Larson, Peter L.

2013-07-01

Feeding strategies of the large theropod, Tyrannosaurus rex, either as a predator or a scavenger, have been a topic of debate previously compromised by lack of definitive physical evidence. Tooth drag and bone puncture marks have been documented on suggested prey items, but are often difficult to attribute to a specific theropod. Further, postmortem damage cannot be distinguished from intravital occurrences, unless evidence of healing is present. Here we report definitive evidence of predation by T. rex: a tooth crown embedded in a hadrosaurid caudal centrum, surrounded by healed bone growth. This indicates that the prey escaped and lived for some time after the injury, providing direct evidence of predatory behavior by T. rex. The two traumatically fused hadrosaur vertebrae partially enclosing a T. rex tooth were discovered in the Hell Creek Formation of South Dakota.

Halogen species record Antarctic sea ice extent over glacial–interglacial periods

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A. Spolaor

2013-07-01

Full Text Available Sea ice is an integral part of the earth's climate system because it affects planetary albedo, sea-surface salinity, and the atmosphere–ocean exchange of reactive gases and aerosols. Bromine and iodine chemistry is active at polar sea ice margins with the occurrence of bromine explosions and the biological production of organoiodine from sea ice algae. Satellite measurements demonstrate that concentrations of bromine oxide (BrO and iodine oxide (IO decrease over sea ice toward the Antarctic interior. Here we present speciation measurements of bromine and iodine in the TALDICE (TALos Dome Ice CorE ice core (159°11' E, 72°49' S; 2315 m a.s.l. spanning the last 215 ky. The Talos Dome ice core is located 250 km inland and is sensitive to marine air masses intruding onto the Antarctic Plateau. Talos Dome bromide (Br− is positively correlated with temperature and negatively correlated with sodium (Na. Based on the Br−/Na seawater ratio, bromide is depleted in the ice during glacial periods and enriched during interglacial periods. Total iodine, consisting of iodide (I− and iodate (IO3−, peaks during glacials with lower values during interglacial periods. Although IO3− is considered the most stable iodine species in the atmosphere it was only observed in the TALDICE record during glacial maxima. Sea ice dynamics are arguably the primary driver of halogen fluxes over glacial–interglacial timescales, by altering the distance between the sea ice edge and the Antarctic plateau and by altering the surface area of sea ice available to algal colonization. Based on our results we propose the use of both halogens for examining Antarctic variability of past sea ice extent.

Congressional Oversight of Homeland Security: Help or Hinderance?

Science.gov (United States)

2012-12-01

1956, the SASC identified what they viewed as a duplication of efforts between the Army and the Air Force. The Army had sought to fund a Nike ...The “ Nike -Talos dispute” was only one of several disagreements between services Congress mediated in the late 1950s.218 As Thomas McNaugher wrote in

Analysis of Health Data from Ten Years of Polaris Submarine Patrols

Science.gov (United States)

1979-01-01

34’ Crush injury, calf 3 3 ;;" Crush injury, foot 7 7 ’’ 1 Knees, stiff 2 2 Tendonitis, achilles 3 3 Talo fibular lig., tear 2 2 1 Myositis 1 1...Spencer. 1971. Chronic CO. toxicity: species difference physiological and histopathological effects. NSMRL Rep. No, 656. Schaefer, K. E.. S. Pasquale, A

Lichens as biological monitors in the Los Azufres geothermal field, Michoacan, Mexico; Liquenes como indicadores biologicos en el campo geotermico Los Azufres, Michoacan, Mexico

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Gomez Peralta, Marlene; Chavez Carmona, Arturo [Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolas de Hidalgo, Morelia (Mexico)

1995-09-01

The results obtained in the monitoring of the atmospheric emissions of the Los Azufres geothermal field in Michoacan State, Mexico utilizing lichens as monitors of the presence of sulphur and arsenic, at the areas near geothermal sites, both under evaluation and production, are presented. The results are based on symptoms which included: chlorosis, necrosis, brown and reddish spots, loss of adherence to substrate, thalli disintegration and disappearance of sensitive species; and also on the amounts of sulphur and arsenic contained in the lichens thallus. [Espanol] Se presentan los resultados obtenidos en el monitoreo de las emisiones atmosfericas del campo geotermico Los Azufres, Michoacan, Mexico en el que se utilizaron liquenes como indicadores de la presencia de azufre y arsenico, en las areas cercanas a los sitios de pozos geotermicos tanto en evaluacion como en produccion. Los resultados estan basados en sintomas que incluyen clorosis, necrosis, manchas cafes y rojizas, perdida de adherencia al sustrato, desintegracion del talo y desaparicion de especies sensibles; asi como en los contenidos de azufre y arsenico en los talos liquenicos.

FASE SEXUAL DE CYCLOPELTIS SEMICORDATA (LOMARIOPSIDACEAE

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RINCÓN-BARÓN EDGAR J.

2008-12-01

Full Text Available Se describe la morfogénesis del gametofito de Cyclopeltis semicordata (Lomariopsidaceae. El material fue recolectado en Bucaramanga, Departamento de Santander, Colombia. Las esporas son monoletes, elipsoidales con perina plegada y no clorofílicas. La germinación es del tipo Vittaria y se inicia entre los 8 y los 12 días después de la siembra; el desarrollo protálico es del tipo Aspidium; los gametofitos adultos son cordiforme–espatulados, monoicos, con tricomas unicelulares, ligeramente capitados, generalmente con secreción de aceite extracelular, éstos se ubican marginal y superficialmente en el prótalo. Los rizoides del prótalo no poseen cloroplastos. Los gametangios son del tipo común de los helechos leptosporangiados; son protándricos; las primeras hojas del esporofito se desarrollaron después del día 131 a partir de la germinación de las esporas. El desarrollo protálico de C. semicordata es similar al citado para las especies de Tectariaceae y Dryopteridaceae

Healed or non-healed? computed tomography (CT) visualisation of morphology of bite trace ichnotaxa on a dinosaur bone

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Jacobsen, Aase Roland; Lauridsen, Henrik; Fiirgaard, Bente

2015-01-01

. Ichnotaxa defined by theropod bite traces can provide useful information for understanding feeding behaviour. However, objective interpretation of possible bite traces can be difficult using traditional visual inspection. In this study, the bite traces on a fossilised dinosaur bone were comprehensively...

Raudteelaste ametiühingud toetavad TALO streikijaid / Matis Song

Index Scriptorium Estoniae

Song, Matis, 1978-

2003-01-01

Eesti raudteelaste ja vedurijuhtide toetusstreigist 4. detsembril 2003. Kommentaarid Eesti Raudteelaste Ametiühingu esimehelt Jolan Shevtsovilt ja Eesti Vedurimeeste Ametiühingu juhilt Heino Rüütlilt

40 000 riigiteenistuses olijat ootab märgatav töötasu tõus / Kai Kalamees

Index Scriptorium Estoniae

Kalamees, Kai

2007-01-01

Ilmunud ka: Postimees : na russkom jazõke, 12. sept. 2007, lk. 3. Riigieelarvekavast, mis näeb ette 2008. aastal keskmiselt enam kui 15%-list palgatõusu õpetajatele, politseinikele, päästjatele ja vangivalvuritele ning kultuuritöötajatele ja lasteaednikele, arst-residentidele ja kiirabiarstidele. TALO juhatuse esimees Ago Tuuling ei lepi alla 20%-lise palgatõusuga. Vt. samas: IRLi ministrid erimeelel

Muusika / Priit Kuusk

Index Scriptorium Estoniae

Kuusk, Priit, 1938-

2005-01-01

EMA ooperistuudio diplomietendusest Mozarti "Võluflööt", Tampere talos toimunud Verdi ooperi "Otello" esietendusest, Neeme Järvi, Anu Tali, Paavo Järvi töödest. Arvo Pärdile pühendatud kontserttsüklist festivalil "Heidelbergi kevad", A. Pärdi sünnipäeva tähistamisest festivaliga Arvo Pärt Festival 2005. Phil Collinsi kontserdist Tallinnas

A Computational Analysis of Limb and Body Dimensions in Tyrannosaurus rex with Implications for Locomotion, Ontogeny, and Growth

Science.gov (United States)

Hutchinson, John R.; Bates, Karl T.; Molnar, Julia; Allen, Vivian; Makovicky, Peter J.

2011-01-01

The large theropod dinosaur Tyrannosaurus rex underwent remarkable changes during its growth from 6000 kg adults in antigravity” muscles may have been as large as or even larger than those of ratite birds, which themselves have the most muscular limbs of any living animal. PMID:22022500

Insights into bird wing evolution and digit specification from polarizing region fate maps.

Science.gov (United States)

Towers, Matthew; Signolet, Jason; Sherman, Adrian; Sang, Helen; Tickle, Cheryll

2011-08-09

The proposal that birds descended from theropod dinosaurs with digits 2, 3 and 4 was recently given support by short-term fate maps, suggesting that the chick wing polarizing region-a group that Sonic hedgehog-expressing cells-gives rise to digit 4. Here we show using long-term fate maps that Green fluorescent protein-expressing chick wing polarizing region grafts contribute only to soft tissues along the posterior margin of digit 4, supporting fossil data that birds descended from theropods that had digits 1, 2 and 3. In contrast, digit IV of the chick leg with four digits (I-IV) arises from the polarizing region. To determine how digit identity is specified over time, we inhibited Sonic hedgehog signalling. Fate maps show that polarizing region and adjacent cells are specified in parallel through a series of anterior to posterior digit fates-a process of digit specification that we suggest is involved in patterning all vertebrate limbs with more than three digits.

A dinosaur missing-link? Chilesaurus and the early evolution of ornithischian dinosaurs.

Science.gov (United States)

Baron, Matthew G; Barrett, Paul M

2017-08-01

The enigmatic dinosaur taxon Chilesaurus diegosuarezi was originally described as a tetanuran theropod, but this species possesses a highly unusual combination of features that could provide evidence of alternative phylogenetic positions within the clade. In order to test the relationships of Chilesaurus , we added it to a new dataset of early dinosaurs and other dinosauromorphs. Our analyses recover Chilesaurus in a novel position, as the earliest diverging member of Ornithischia, rather than a tetanuran theropod. The basal position of Chilesaurus within the clade and its suite of anatomical characters suggest that it might represent a 'transitional' taxon, bridging the morphological gap between Theropoda and Ornithischia, thereby offering potential insights into the earliest stages of ornithischian evolution, which were previously obscure. For example, our results suggest that pubic retroversion occurred prior to some of the craniodental and postcranial modifications that previously diagnosed the clade (e.g. the presence of a predentary bone and ossified tendons). © 2017 The Author(s).

MR imaging of the ankle: Normal variants

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Noto, A.M.; Cheung, Y.; Rosenberg, Z.S.; Norman, A.; Leeds, N.E.

1987-01-01

Thirty asymptomatic ankles were studied with high-resolution surface coil MR imaging. The thirty ankles were reviewed for identification or normal structures. The MR appearance of the deltoid and posterior to talo-fibular ligaments, peroneous brevis and longus tendons, and posterior aspect of the tibial-talar joint demonstrated several normal variants not previously described. These should not be misinterpreted as pathologic processes. The specific findings included (1) cortical irregularity of the posterior tibial-talar joint in 27 of 30 cases which should not be mistaken for osteonecrois; (2) normal posterior talo-fibular ligament with irregular and frayed inhomogeneity, which represents a normal variant in seven of ten cases; and (3) fluid in the shared peroneal tendons sheath which may be confused for a longitudinal tendon tear in three of 30 cases. Ankle imaging with the use of MR is still a relatively new procedure. Further investigation is needed to better define normal anatomy as well as normal variants. The authors described several structures that normally present with variable MR imaging appearances. This is clinically significant in order to maintain a high sensitivity and specificity in MR imaging interpretation

Características biológicas de una población de Pteria sterna(Bivalvia: Pteriidae en Zorritos, Tumbes, Perú

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Elmer Ordinola

2013-12-01

Full Text Available Entre abril y noviembre de 2011 se analizó una población de Pteria sterna (Gould, 1851 que se encontraba adherida a una red de cerco hundida en Zorritos, Tumbes, Perú (3º40’30.7”S - 80º40’20.8”W. Los individuos presentaron tallas de 5 a 94 mm de altura valvar. La talla promedio se incrementó hacia finales del periodo evaluado. La estructura de tallas mostró la presencia de reclutas en la mayoría de meses evaluados, con máximos en abril y agosto. Se registraron cinco grupos de edad. La proporción sexual fue 1:1. Los desoves fueron continuos, a excepción de junio, con un máximo en noviembre. La relación altura valvar-peso total no mostró diferencias por sexos. El crecimiento de esta especie fue alométrico negativo. Las demás relaciones (potencial: peso del cuerpo-peso total, y lineales: peso del cuerpo-peso total y peso del talo – peso total presentaron elevadas correlaciones. El rendimiento del músculo (talo representó el 6.3% del peso total.

Resting Orientations of Dinosaur Scapulae and Forelimbs: A Numerical Analysis, with Implications for Reconstructions and Museum Mounts.

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Senter, Phil; Robins, James H

2015-01-01

The inclination of the scapular blade and the resting pose of the forelimb in dinosaurs differ among reconstructions and among skeletal mounts. For most dinosaurian taxa, no attempt has previously been made to quantify the correct resting positions of these elements. Here, we used data from skeletons preserved in articulation to quantify the resting orientations of the scapula and forelimb in dinosaurs. Specimens were included in the study only if they were preserved lying on their sides; for each specimen the angle between forelimb bones at a given joint was included in the analysis only if the joint was preserved in articulation. Using correlation analyses of the angles between the long axis of the sacrum, the first dorsal centrum, and the scapular blade in theropods and Eoraptor, we found that vertebral hyperextension does not influence scapular orientation in saurischians. Among examined taxa, the long axis of the scapular blade was found to be most horizontal in bipedal saurischians, most vertical in basal ornithopods, and intermediate in hadrosauroids. We found that in bipedal dinosaurs other than theropods with semilunate carpals, the resting orientation of the elbow is close to a right angle and the resting orientation of the wrist is such that the hand exhibits only slight ulnar deviation from the antebrachium. In theropods with semilunate carpals the elbow and wrist are more flexed at rest, with the elbow at a strongly acute angle and with the wrist approximately at a right angle. The results of our study have important implications for correct orientations of bones in reconstructions and skeletal mounts. Here, we provide recommendations on bone orientations based on our results.

NEW ABELISAURID MATERIAL FROM THE UPPER CRETACEOUS (CENOMANIAN OF MOROCCO

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SIMONE D'ORAZI PORCHETTI

2011-11-01

Full Text Available Fragmentary cranial bones of dinosaur origin have been recently recovered from the Kem Kem beds (Upper Cretaceous, Cenomanian of Morocco. They include two incompletely preserved maxillary bones evidencing diagnostic features of abelisaurid theropods. These new finds provide further evidence of Abelisauridae in the Late Cretaceous of Morocco. 

Archosauriform remains from the Late Triassic of San Luis province, Argentina, Quebrada del Barro Formation, Marayes-El Carrizal Basin

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Gianechini, Federico A.; Codorniú, Laura; Arcucci, Andrea B.; Castillo Elías, Gabriela; Rivarola, David

2016-03-01

Here we present archosauriform remains from 'Abra de los Colorados', a fossiliferous locality at Sierra de Guayaguas, NW San Luis Province. Two fossiliferous levels were identified in outcrops of the Quebrada del Barro Formation (Norian), which represent the southernmost outcrops of the Marayes-El Carrizal Basin. These levels are composed by massive muddy lithofacies, interpreted as floodplain deposits. The specimens consist of one incomplete maxilla (MIC-V718), one caudal vertebra (MIC-V719), one metatarsal (MIC-V720) and one indeterminate appendicular bone (MIC-V721). The materials can be assigned to Archosauriformes but the fragmentary nature and lack of unambiguous synapomorphies preclude a more precise taxomic assignment. The maxilla is remarkably large and robust and represents the posterior process. It preserved one partially erupted tooth with ziphodont morphology. This bone shows some anatomical traits and size match with 'rauisuchians' and theropods. MIC-V719 corresponds to a proximal caudal vertebra. It has a high centrum, a ventral longitudinal furrow, expanded articular processes for the chevrons, a posteriorly displaced diapophysis located below the level of the prezygapophyses, and short prezygapophyses. This vertebra would be from an indeterminate archosauriform. MIC-V720 presents a cylindrical diaphysis, with a well-developed distal trochlea, which present resemblances with metatarsals of theropods, pseudosuchians, and silesaurids, although the size matches better with theropods. MIC-V721 has a slender diaphysis and a convex triangular articular surface, and corresponds to an indeterminate archosauriform. Despite being fragmentary, these materials indicate the presence of a diverse archosauriforms association from Late Triassic beds of San Luis. Thus, they add to the faunal assemblage recently reported from this basin at San Juan Province, which is much rich and diverse than the coeval paleofauna well known from Los Colorados Formation in the

var. puiggarianum (Batrachospermales, Rhodophyta

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María Cecilia Gauna

2005-01-01

Full Text Available Se coleccionó Batrachospermum atrum var. puiggarianum por primera vez en la provincia de Buenos Aires. La identificación de las muestras se basó en el análisis de la morfología microscópica y en el número cromosómico de cada una de las generaciones de su ciclo de vida bajo cultivo. Los talos se estudiaron con microscopio óptico, y la cariología, por medio de la técnica de carmín acético. El ciclo de vida presentó tres generaciones: una gametofítica haploide, una carposporófitica diploide que originó la última fase Chantransia diploide. Los talos gametófitos estuvieron formados por verticilos separados por zonas internodales, cada uno de ellos constituidos por ramas primarias densamente comprimidas. Entre éstas se observaron ramas portadoras de espermatangios y de carpogonios. Las zonas internodales estuvieron constituidas por células corticales y axiales. Los carposporófitos ovoideos estuvieron formados por filamentos gonimoblásticos portadores de carposporangios terminales. El estado Chantransia se caracterizó por presentar filamentos cortos con pocas células. El material estudiado presentó un número haploide n = 4 y diploide 2n = 8.

The Posture of "Tyrannosaurus rex": Why Do Student Views Lag behind the Science?

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Ross, Robert M.; Duggan-Haas, Don; Allmon, Warren D.

2013-01-01

Today's students were born well after the dramatic scientific reinterpretations of theropod dinosaur stance and metabolism of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Yet, if asked to draw a picture of "Tyrannosaurus rex," most of these students will likely draw an animal with an upright, tail-dragging posture, remarkably like the original 1905…

Taxonomic revision of the genus Prionopelta (Hymenoptera, Formicidae in the Malagasy region

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Rick Overson

2015-06-01

Full Text Available In this study we revise the taxonomy of the genus Prionopelta for the Malagasy region, treating seven species, six of which are newly described (P. laurae sp. n., P. seychelles sp. n., P. subtilis sp. n., P. talos sp. n., P. vampira sp. n., P. xerosilva sp. n., and one redescribed (P. descarpentriesi Santschi. One species, P. seychelles, is restricted to Seychelles, while the six remaining species treated are endemic to Madagascar.

Avaliação de genótipos de Leucaena spp. nas condições edafoclimáticas de São Carlos,SP: II. determinações bromatológicas no período de estabelecimento Evaluation of Leucaena spp. genotypes in the edaphic and climatic conditions of São Carlos, SP: II. bromatological determinations at the establishment period

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A.C.P. de A. Primavesi

1994-04-01

Full Text Available Em experimento conduzido em Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo distrófico, em área da EMBRAPA - CPPSE em São Carlos, situada a 22°01'S e 47°53'W, com altitude de 856 m e média de precipitação anual de 1502 mm, procedeu-se a determinação da composição bromatológicade folhas, hastes com diâmetro menor que 6 mm e vagens, de genótipos de leucena. Os genótipos avaliados, foram: L.leucocephala cv. Texas 1074 (TI, L.leucocephala 29 A9 (T2, L.leucocephala 11 x L.dlversifolia 25 (T3, L.leucocephala 11 x L.diversifolia 26 (T4, L.leucocephala 24-19/2-39 x L.diverstfolia 26 (T5 e L.leucocephala c v. Cunningham (testemunha. Verificou-se que: os genótipos avahados não apresentaram diferenças nas determinações bromatológicas, realizadas nas folhas e talos finos; o genótipo T3 registrou o maior teor de proteína bruta (28,06%, de fósforo (0,29% e a maior relação PB/FDN e o menor teor de FDN para vagens; os genótipos apresentaram os seguintes teores médios, em porcentagem, para a composição bromatológicadas folhas, vagens e talos finos, respectivamente: Proteína bruta (18,57; 21,68; 6,41; Fibra detergente neutro (29,09; 41,58; 71,01; Fósforo (0,12; 0,22; 0,06; Cálcio (1,39; 0,36; 0,49; Magnesio (0,51; 0,28; 0,24; Tanino (1,32; 1,15; 0,28 e Digestibilidade "in vitro" (58,39; 61,22; 33,61; os teores de proteína e fósforo apresentaram a seguinte ordem decrescente nas partes das plantas: vagens > folhas > talos finos; os teores de cálcio: folhas > talos finos > vagens e de magnésio: folhas > vagens > talos finos.In a trial conducted on a distrofic Red-Yellow Latossol, at EMBRAPA-CPPSE, São Carlos, located at 22°01'S and 47'53'W, altitude of 856 m and with a mean annual rainfall of 1502 mm, the bromatological composition of leaves, stems smaller than 6 mm diameter and pods of leucena genotypes was determined. The genotypes evaluated were: L.leucocephala cv. Texas 1074 (T1, L.leucocephala 29 A9 (T2, L.leucocephala 11 x L.dlversifolia 25

Primer Registro para la Argentina de Rhizophlyctis rosea (Spizellomycetales, Chytridiomycota y notas sobre su frecuencia y abundancia en suelos cultivados First record for Argentina of Rhizophlyctis rosea (Spizellomycetales, Chytridiomycota and notes on its frequency and abundance in cultivated soils

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Agostina V. Marano

2006-12-01

Full Text Available Se colectaron muestras de suelo de dos lotes de frutilla en el Partido de Luján (Provincia de Buenos Aires, las que fueron incubadas y cebadas en laboratorio con sustratos celulósicos, queratínicos y quitínicos, con el objetivo de aislar a R. rosea (de Bary & Woronin Fisch. Todos los tipos de materiales empleados fueron positivos para esta especie. Estandarizando los sustratos adicionados, se analizó su frecuencia y abundancia y se contabilizó el número de talos que crecieron en ellos, pudiéndose obtener la densidad de talos y el número de talos por gramo de suelo (NTG. Se colectaron asimismo muestras de agua y sedimento de ambientes acuáticos, con el objetivo de registrar caracteres morfológicos provenientes de distintas cepas y realizar una descripción completa de R. rosea. Esta especie es citada por primera vez para la Argentina y en esta contribución se muestran por primera vez resultados cuantitativos de hongos zoospóricos del suelo pertenecientes al Phylum Chytridiomycota. El género Rhizophlyctis A. Fischer es también una nueva cita para el país.Soil samples from two strawberry fields in Partido de Luján (Provincia de Buenos Aires were collected, flooded and baited with cellulose, queratinic and chitinic substrates in order to obtain R. rosea (de Bary & Woronin A. Fisch. All kinds of materials employed, proved positive for this species. By standardizing the substrata addition, we analyzed frequency and abundance and by counting the thalli that grew on it, derivations of thallus density and thallus recovery per gram of soil (TRG were possible. Water and sediment samples from aquatic environments were also taken, with the aim of reporting morphological characters from different strains, and make a complete description of R. rosea. This species is recorded for the first time in Argentina and this contribution shows first quantitative results of soil fungi belonging to the Phylum Chytridiomycota , for our country. The genus

Desarrollo de los gametofitos de especies mexicanas de helechos de la familia Gleicheniaceae

OpenAIRE

Farfán-Santillán, Norberto; Mendoza-Ruiz, Aniceto; Pérez-García, Blanca; Velázquez-Montes, Ernesto

2017-01-01

ResumenEn México, la familia Gleicheniaceae está representada por Dicranopteris flexuosa, Diplopterygium bancroftii, Gleichenella pectinata, Sticherus bifidus, S. brevipubis, S. palmatus y S. underwoodianus; existen pocos trabajos sobre el estudio de los gametofitos de algunas especies de esta familia, por lo que el objetivo es describir, comparar y aportar información sobre su germinación, desarrollo de los gametofitos y finalmente determinar si los caracteres de los prótalos son útiles en l...

Radiographic Outcomes Following Lateral Column Lengthening With a Porous Titanium Wedge.

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Gross, Christopher E; Huh, Jeannie; Gray, Joni; Demetracopoulos, Constantine; Nunley, James A

2015-08-01

Lateral column lengthening (LCL) is commonly utilized in treating stage II posterior tibialis tendon dysfunction. This study aimed to analyze the outcomes of LCL with porous titanium wedges compared to historic controls of iliac crest autograft and allograft. We hypothesized that the use of a porous titanium wedge would have radiographic improvement and union rates similar to those with the use of autograft and allograft in LCL. Between May 2009 and May 2014, 28 feet in 26 patients were treated with LCL using a porous titanium wedge. Of the 26 patients, 9 were males (34.6%). The average age for males was 43 years (range, 17.9-58.7), 48.7 years (range, 21-72.3) for females. Mean follow-up was 14.6 months. Radiographs were examined for correction of the flatfoot deformity and forefoot abduction. All complications were noted. Radiographically, the patients had a significant deformity correction in the anteroposterior talo-first metatarsal angle, talonavicular coverage angle, lateral talo-first metatarsal angle, and calcaneal pitch. All but 1 patient (96%) had bony incorporation of the porous titanium wedge. The average preoperative visual analog scale pain score was 5; all patients but 3 (12%) had improvements in their pain score, with a mean change of 3.4. LCL with porous titanium had low nonunion rates, improved radiographic correction, and pain relief. Level IV, case series. © The Author(s) 2015.

Avian-like breathing mechanics in maniraptoran dinosaurs

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Codd, Jonathan R; Manning, Phillip L; Norell, Mark A; Perry, Steven F

2007-01-01

In 1868 Thomas Huxley first proposed that dinosaurs were the direct ancestors of birds and subsequent analyses have identified a suite of ‘avian’ characteristics in theropod dinosaurs. Ossified uncinate processes are found in most species of extant birds and also occur in extinct non-avian maniraptoran dinosaurs. Their presence in these dinosaurs represents another morphological character linking them to Aves, and further supports the presence of an avian-like air-sac respiratory system in theropod dinosaurs, prior to the evolution of flight. Here we report a phylogenetic analysis of the presence of uncinate processes in Aves and non-avian maniraptoran dinosaurs indicating that these were homologous structures. Furthermore, recent work on Canada geese has demonstrated that uncinate processes are integral to the mechanics of avian ventilation, facilitating both inspiration and expiration. In extant birds, uncinate processes function to increase the mechanical advantage for movements of the ribs and sternum during respiration. Our study presents a mechanism whereby uncinate processes, in conjunction with lateral and ventral movements of the sternum and gastral basket, affected avian-like breathing mechanics in extinct non-avian maniraptoran dinosaurs. PMID:17986432

Lower limits of ornithischian dinosaur body size inferred from a new Upper Jurassic heterodontosaurid from North America

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Butler, Richard J.; Galton, Peter M.; Porro, Laura B.; Chiappe, Luis M.; Henderson, Donald M.; Erickson, Gregory M.

2010-01-01

The extremes of dinosaur body size have long fascinated scientists. The smallest (dinosaurs are carnivorous saurischian theropods, and similarly diminutive herbivorous or omnivorous ornithischians (the other major group of dinosaurs) are unknown. We report a new ornithischian dinosaur, Fruitadens haagarorum, from the Late Jurassic of western North America that rivals the smallest theropods in size. The largest specimens of Fruitadens represent young adults in their fifth year of development and are estimated at just 65–75 cm in total body length and 0.5–0.75 kg body mass. They are thus the smallest known ornithischians. Fruitadens is a late-surviving member of the basal dinosaur clade Heterodontosauridae, and is the first member of this clade to be described from North America. The craniodental anatomy and diminutive body size of Fruitadens suggest that this taxon was an ecological generalist with an omnivorous diet, thus providing new insights into morphological and palaeoecological diversity within Dinosauria. Late-surviving (Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous) heterodontosaurids are smaller and less ecologically specialized than Early (Late Triassic and Early Jurassic) heterodontosaurids, and this ecological generalization may account in part for the remarkable 100-million-year-long longevity of the clade. PMID:19846460

Tervaksinen toteemi. Kalle Päätalon Iijoki-sarjan vastaanotto ja vaikutus

OpenAIRE

Ylönen, Ritva

2013-01-01

Tervaksinen toteemi on pitkään odotettu ensimmäinen Kalle Päätalon tuotantoon liittyvä väitöskirja. Omaelämäkerrallinen romaanisarja ja massiivinen lukijakunta toimivat harvinaisen täydellisinä vastinpareina Kalle Päätalon (1919 – 2000) Iijoki-sarjan (1971 – 1998) vastaanotossa. Iijoki-sarja syntyi tarpeesta ja tarpeeseen. Päätalo sarjoineen jakoi suomalaisia kahtia: puolustajiin ja vastustajiin. Se aiheutti julkista keskustelua. Väitöskirja Tervaksinen toteemi keskittyy Iijoki-sarjan...

A knowledge-based system for monitoring the electrical power system of the Hubble Space Telescope

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Eddy, Pat

1987-01-01

The design and the prototype for the expert system for the Hubble Space Telescope's electrical power system are discussed. This prototype demonstrated the capability to use real time data from a 32k telemetry stream and to perform operational health and safety status monitoring, detect trends such as battery degradation, and detect anomalies such as solar array failures. This prototype, along with the pointing control system and data management system expert systems, forms the initial Telemetry Analysis for Lockheed Operated Spacecraft (TALOS) capability.

Mesozoic plants and dinosaur herbivory

OpenAIRE

Sander, P M; Gee, C T; Hummel, J; Clauss, Marcus

2010-01-01

For most of their existence, herbivorous dinosaurs fed on a gymnospermdominated flora. Starting from a simple reptilian herbivory, ornithischian dinosaurs evolved complex chewing dentitions and mechanisms, while sauropodomorph dinosaurs retained the primitive condition of not chewing. Some advanced theropod dinosaurs evolved a bird-type herbivory with a toothless beak and a gastric mill. Dinosaur digestive tract remains, coprolites, and other trace fossils offer little evidence for dinosaur f...

Evidencias morfológicas y reproductivas para una circunscripción nueva del género Trematocarpus (Rhodophyta, Sarcodiaceae

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2005-01-01

Full Text Available Se propone una circunscripción actualizada del género Trematocarpus aportando nuevos antecedentes basados en estudios morfológicos y reproductivos del ejemplar tipo de Trematocarpus dichotomus, estudios efectuados en material T. dichotomus, de T. acicularis y de T. concinnus provenientes de Perú, Chile, Nueva Zelanda y Australia. Se agrega información bibliográfica de T. pygmaeus, T. fragilis, T. flabellatus, T. papenfussi y T. affinis. La diagnosis original posibilitaba la inclusión sólo de especies de talo cilíndrico, de no más de 5 cm de altura con tetrasporangios zonados y cistocarpos sobresalientes, descripción basada en ejemplares de T. dichotomus y de T. virgatus. Esta última especie resultó ser Sarcodiotheca gaudichaudii con lo cual la descripción tuvo mezcla de características de especies de dos géneros diferentes, aspecto clarificado parcialmente por Schmitz (1989 quien lectotipificó el género basado en las características de T. dichotomus de Perú. El presente estudio completa y corrige la diagnosis original relacionada con talla máxima de hasta 30 cm, talos de sección cilíndricos, subcilíndricos o aplastados de los representantes, nacimiento localizado de los órganos de reproducción gamética y espórica en la superficie cóncava o convexa en talos aplastados y en toda la superficie, en las especies de sección cilíndrica y subcilíndrica, sistema de adhesión mediante un disco con o sin proyecciones estoloníferas. Se aporta nueva información sobre el nacimiento y desarrollo de la rama carpogonial a partir de una célula intercalar diferenciada de la corteza, la cual desarrolla un filamento carpogonial de tres o cuatro células, mediante divisiones sucesivas y procesos de post-fertilización con fusión procarpial, fusión de células gonimoblásticas y generación externa de cistocarpos. Se indica además que las especies son dioicas. Esta descripción margina a especies de los géneros Sarcodiotheca

Botrytis cinerea en plantas cultivadas para flor de corte en Argentina.

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Eduardo R. Wright

1996-05-01

Full Text Available Em levantamentos efetuados nos viveiros e centros de venda em Buenos Aires (Argentina e por consultas recebidas no laboratório de Sanidade Vegetal (LASAVE durante os últimos anos, observaram-se diversos sintomas em plantas ornamentais cultivadas para flor de corte. Sobre as flores eram observadas pequenas manchas, inicialmente translúcidas e depois castanhas, que confluíam e avançavam para o pedúnculo ocupando toda a flor, às vezes estendendo-se até o talo. Quando a infecção ocorria em estado de botão floral, este não se abria e ficava mumificado. Posteriormente à realização de tratos culturais que causavam feridas, era observado um escurecimento dos talos. Todos os órgãos afetados cobriam-se de um mofo cinzento, formado por micélio, conidióforos e conídios do fungo. Esta sintomatologia foi constatada nas seguintes espécies: Anemone coronaria L., Chrysanthemum sp., Dianthus caryophyllus L., Gerbera jamesonü Bolus ex J.D. Hook, Gladiolus sp., Limonium sp., Rosa sp., Strelitzia reginae Banks ex Aiton e Tagetes sp. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi determinar a etiologia da doença utilizando-se técnicas fitopatológicas de rotina. Os resultados dos testes de patogenicidade demonstraram que o agente causal da sintomatologia observada é Botrytis cinerea Pers.: Pers., sem registro na Argentina nas espécies estudadas exceto Dianthus caryophyllus e Rosa sp..

THE MORPHOGENIC DEVELOPMENT OF GAMETOPHYTE AND MORPHOLOGY OF THE SPOROPHYTES OF CHEILANTHES BONARIENSIS (WILLD. PROCTOR (PTERIDACEAE-HELECHOS

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Jorge Huerta-Zavala

2015-11-01

Full Text Available Se describe la morfogénesis de los gametófitos deCheilanthes bonariensisa partir de esporas recolectadas en el municipio de Tlaxco, Tlaxcala, México. La siembra se realizó en vasos de unisel de 262 ml en dos sustratos naturales (maquique y tierra de hoja. Las esporas son triletes de forma esférica u ovalada. La germinación de tipoVittariase observó desde los 15 días en ambos sustratos. El desarrollo del prótalo corresponde al tipoAdiantum, el gametófito joven se presentó a los 31 días en tierra de hoja y a los 54 en maquique. Los gametófitos adultos se observaron desde los 44 días en tierra de hoja y 54 en maquique; no se apreció la formación de gametangios. Los esporófitos se desarrollaron a través de una yema apogámica a partir de los 54 días en tierra de hoja y a los 93 en maquique. A los 148 días los esporófitos se formaron a partir de prótalos viejos necrosados. El desarrollo del esporófito en maquique fue lento en relación al crecimiento en tierra de hoja y con base en los tiempos de desarrollo de los esporófitos de esta especie se sugiere que puede ser susceptible para una posible explotación comercial.

The last dinosaurs of Brazil: The Bauru Group and its implications for the end-Cretaceous mass extinction

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STEPHEN L. BRUSATTE

Full Text Available ABSTRACT The non-avian dinosaurs died out at the end of the Cretaceous, ~66 million years ago, after an asteroid impact. The prevailing hypothesis is that the effects of the impact suddenly killed the dinosaurs, but the poor fossil record of latest Cretaceous (Campanian-Maastrichtian dinosaurs from outside Laurasia (and even more particularly, North America makes it difficult to test specific extinction scenarios. Over the past few decades, a wealth of new discoveries from the Bauru Group of Brazil has revealed a unique window into the evolution of terminal Cretaceous dinosaurs from the southern continents. We review this record and demonstrate that there was a diversity of dinosaurs, of varying body sizes, diets, and ecological roles, that survived to the very end of the Cretaceous (Maastrichtian: 72-66 million years ago in Brazil, including a core fauna of titanosaurian sauropods and abelisaurid and carcharodontosaurid theropods, along with a variety of small-to-mid-sized theropods. We argue that this pattern best fits the hypothesis that southern dinosaurs, like their northern counterparts, were still diversifying and occupying prominent roles in their ecosystems before the asteroid suddenly caused their extinction. However, this hypothesis remains to be tested with more refined paleontological and geochronological data, and we give suggestions for future work.

The last dinosaurs of Brazil: The Bauru Group and its implications for the end-Cretaceous mass extinction.

Science.gov (United States)

Brusatte, Stephen L; Candeiro, Carlos R A; Simbras, Felipe M

2017-01-01

The non-avian dinosaurs died out at the end of the Cretaceous, ~66 million years ago, after an asteroid impact. The prevailing hypothesis is that the effects of the impact suddenly killed the dinosaurs, but the poor fossil record of latest Cretaceous (Campanian-Maastrichtian) dinosaurs from outside Laurasia (and even more particularly, North America) makes it difficult to test specific extinction scenarios. Over the past few decades, a wealth of new discoveries from the Bauru Group of Brazil has revealed a unique window into the evolution of terminal Cretaceous dinosaurs from the southern continents. We review this record and demonstrate that there was a diversity of dinosaurs, of varying body sizes, diets, and ecological roles, that survived to the very end of the Cretaceous (Maastrichtian: 72-66 million years ago) in Brazil, including a core fauna of titanosaurian sauropods and abelisaurid and carcharodontosaurid theropods, along with a variety of small-to-mid-sized theropods. We argue that this pattern best fits the hypothesis that southern dinosaurs, like their northern counterparts, were still diversifying and occupying prominent roles in their ecosystems before the asteroid suddenly caused their extinction. However, this hypothesis remains to be tested with more refined paleontological and geochronological data, and we give suggestions for future work.

Dinosaur speed demon: the caudal musculature of Carnotaurus sastrei and implications for the evolution of South American abelisaurids.

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W Scott Persons

Full Text Available In the South American abelisaurids Carnotaurus sastrei, Aucasaurus garridoi, and, to a lesser extent Skorpiovenator bustingorryi, the anterior caudal ribs project at a high dorsolateral inclination and have interlocking lateral tips. This unique morphology facilitated the expansion of the caudal hypaxial musculature at the expense of the epaxial musculature. Distinct ridges on the ventrolateral surfaces of the caudal ribs of Aucasaurus garridoi are interpreted as attachment scars from the intra caudofemoralis/ilio-ischiocaudalis septa, and confirm that the M. caudofemoralis of advanced South American abelisaurids originated from a portion of the caudal ribs. Digital muscle models indicate that, relative to its overall body size, Carnotaurus sastrei had a substantially larger M. caudofemoralis than any other theropod yet studied. In most non-avian theropods, as in many extant sauropsids, the M. caudofemoralis served as the primary femoral retractor muscle during the locomotive power stroke. This large investment in the M. caudofemoralis suggests that Carnotaurus sastrei had the potential for great cursorial abilities, particularly short-burst sprinting. However, the tightly interlocking morphology of the anterior caudal vertebrae implies a reduced ability to make tight turns. Examination of these vertebral traits in evolutionary context reveals a progressive sequence of increasing caudofemoral mass and tail rigidity among the Abelisauridae of South America.

Herbivorous ecomorphology and specialization patterns in theropod dinosaur evolution.

Science.gov (United States)

Zanno, Lindsay E; Makovicky, Peter J

2011-01-04

Interpreting key ecological parameters, such as diet, of extinct organisms without the benefit of direct observation or explicit fossil evidence poses a formidable challenge for paleobiological studies. To date, dietary categorizations of extinct taxa are largely generated by means of modern analogs; however, for many species the method is subject to considerable ambiguity. Here we present a refined approach for assessing trophic habits in fossil taxa and apply the method to coelurosaurian dinosaurs--a clade for which diet is particularly controversial. Our findings detect 21 morphological features that exhibit statistically significant correlations with extrinsic fossil evidence of coelurosaurian herbivory, such as stomach contents and a gastric mill. These traits represent quantitative, extrinsically founded proxies for identifying herbivorous ecomorphology in fossils and are robust despite uncertainty in phylogenetic relationships among major coelurosaurian subclades. The distribution of these features suggests that herbivory was widespread among coelurosaurians, with six major subclades displaying morphological evidence of the diet, and that contrary to previous thought, hypercarnivory was relatively rare and potentially secondarily derived. Given the potential for repeated, independent evolution of herbivory in Coelurosauria, we also test for repetitive patterns in the appearance of herbivorous traits within sublineages using rank concordance analysis. We find evidence for a common succession of increasing specialization to herbivory in the subclades Ornithomimosauria and Oviraptorosauria, perhaps underlain by intrinsic functional and/or developmental constraints, as well as evidence indicating that the early evolution of a beak in coelurosaurians correlates with an herbivorous diet.

Marcas discursivas y narrativas del humor leve en Papelucho Narrative and discoursive marks of light humour in Papelucho

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Edgardo Cifuentes

2011-01-01

En este trabajo se analiza la perspectivización humorística de los hechos en la novela infantil Papelucho de Marcela Paz, siguiendo una metodología basada principalmente en el ensayo de Ítalo Calvino, "Levedad". El análisis consiste en la detección de claves textuales que evidencien la predominancia de una conciencia y de formas de conocimiento inusuales en la observación de los hechos referidos; además, se consideran otras claves como la disolución de los referentes de las palabras y la apar...

Colecta y rescate del conocimiento local de algodones nativos en las costas de los estados Falcón y Aragua, Venezuela

OpenAIRE

Gutiérrez M, Margaret; Trujillo, Baltazar; Pérez, Delis; Márques, Alexis; Pacheco, William

2009-01-01

Con el objetivo de rescatar la variabilidad genética del género Gossypium en Venezuela, se realizaron dos expediciones de colecta en los estados Falcón (formaciones climásicas y sucesionales de espinares) y Aragua (zona costera). Fueron colectados 23 ejemplares nativos de crecimiento subespontáneo; para la clasificación botánica se utilizaron los descriptores color de planta y hoja, número de lóbulos, forma de las hojas, color de los pétalos, presencia de "Petal Spot" (mancha púrpura en la ba...

Kansainvälisen markkinointiviestinnän kehittämisen vertaileva tutkimus Tampere-talolle

OpenAIRE

Mäkinen, Kirsikka

2015-01-01

Tämän opinnäytetyön tarkoitus oli selvittää, kuinka suomalainen kongressikeskus Tampere-talo voisi parantaa kansainvälistä markkinointiviestintäänsä. Tutkimus toteutettiin kvalitatiivisena tutkimusmenetelmänä sekä benchmarking-tutkimustekniikalla. Opinnäytetyön teoriaosuus sisältää lisäksi joitain keskeisimpinä pidettyjä haasteita markkinointiviestinnän kansainvälisessä kontekstissa ja tämä näkökulma on pidetty mukana läpi tutkimuksen, myös tuloksia analysoidessa. Vertailukohteiksi Tampe...

Primera cita de cocodrilos zifodontos en el Cenozoico de Asturias: Royo Gómez y los supuestos dientes de dinosaurio del Eoceno de Llamaquique

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Pereda Suberbiola, X.

2012-12-01

Full Text Available In 1928, José Royo Gómez mentioned the find of “two teeth similar to those of theropod dinosaurs from the Secondary” in the Eocene of Llamaquique (Oviedo Basin, Asturias. Royo Gómez was aware of the interest of the discovery, “because they would be the youngest remains found of these gigantic reptiles”. According to the hitherto unpublished documents preserved in the Archives of the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales in Madrid, Royo Gómez photographed five teeth from Llamaquique in April 1932, which he regarded as belonging to theropods. The whereabouts of this material is currently unknown. However, the revision of the Llamaquique collection in the above mentioned museum has allowed to recover one labiolingually compressed and serrated tooth (ziphodont condition. We reject here that the tooth belongs to a theropod, and we assign it to a Mesoeucrocodylia indet. This is the first mention of the discovery of ziphodont crocodyliforms in the Paleogene of Asturias.

En 1928, José Royo Gómez informó del hallazgo de “dos dientes idénticos a los de los Dinosaurios terópodos del Secundario” en el Eoceno de Llamaquique (Cuenca de Oviedo, Asturias. Royo Gómez era consciente del interés de este descubrimiento, “pues serían los restos más modernos que se conocerían de estos gigantescos reptiles”. Según la documentación conservada en el Archivo del Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales en Madrid, hasta ahora inédita, Royo Gómez fotografió en abril de 1932 cinco dientes de Llamaquique que él consideraba pertenecientes a terópodos. Este material se encuentra actualmente en paradero desconocido. No obstante, la revisión de la colección paleontológica de Llamaquique en el mencionado museo ha permitido recuperar un diente comprimido lateralmente y provisto de carenas denticuladas (condición zifodonta. Se descarta que el diente pertenezca a un terópodo, asignándose a un Mesoeucrocodylia indeterminado. Se trata de la

Regulation of Bone–Renal Mineral and Energy Metabolism: The PHEX, FGF23, DMP1, MEPE ASARM Pathway

OpenAIRE

Rowe, Peter S. N.

2012-01-01

More than 300 million years ago, vertebrates emerged from the vast oceans to conquer gravity and the dry land. With this transition, new adaptations occurred that included ingenious changes in reproduction, waste secretion, and bone physiology. One new innovation, the egg shell, contained an ancestral protein (ovocleidin-116) that likely first appeared with the dinosaurs and was preserved through the theropod lineage in modern birds and reptiles. Ovocleidin-116 is an avian homolog of matrix e...

Comparison of the Calcaneal Pitch Angle and Modified Projection Area Per Length Squared Method for Medial Longitudinal Arch Evaluation of the Foot

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Esat Kıter2

2012-12-01

Full Text Available Objective: To compare the calcaneal pitch angle (CPA values measured on direct lateral radiographs of feet, and the modified projection area per length squared (PAL, which was calculated as a new method for the evaluation of the medial longitudinal arch (MLA of the foot.Material and Methods: Direct lateral radiographs of patients who had weightbearing feet radiographies for any reason except trauma were retrospectively obtained from the archives. Direct lateral radiographs of the feet were printed and a transparent sheet was placed on it. A straight line was drawn between the most plantar process of the calcaneus and the head of the first metatarsal bone for the calculation of the PAL of the MLA. Two semilunar arcs were drawn upon this straight line. PAL1 and PAL2 were estimated using a point-counting technique. The CPA, lateral talo-calcaneal angles (LTCA, and talo-first metatarsal angles (TFMA were measured. The correlations between PAL1, PAL2 of right and left feet and CPA, LTCA, and TFMA were explored.Results: Fifty patients (27 females, 23 males with a mean age of 40.12 (4-78 years were evaluated. Significant correlations were detected between PAL1, PAL2 and CPA, and TFMA for both right and left feet (p<0.05. Conclusion: A significant correlation was detected between the modified PAL method as a new technique and the standard CPA method for MLA evaluation. The PAL method is suggested as a simple and practical method for MLA evaluation.

The ornithologist Alfred Russel Wallace and the controversy surrounding the dinosaurian origin of birds.

Science.gov (United States)

Ibrahim, Nizar; Kutschera, Ulrich

2013-12-01

Over many years of his life, the British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace (1823-1913) explored the tropical forests of Malaysia, collecting numerous specimens, including hundreds of birds, many of them new to science. Subsequently, Wallace published a series of papers on systematic ornithology, and discovered a new species on top of a volcano on Ternate, where he wrote, in 1858, his famous essay on natural selection. Based on this hands-on experience, and an analysis of an Archaeopteryx fossil, Wallace suggested that birds may have descended from dinosaurian ancestors. Here, we describe the "dinosaur-bird hypothesis" that originated with the work of Thomas H. Huxley (1825-1895). We present the strong evidence linking theropod dinosaurs to birds, and briefly outline the long and ongoing controversy around this concept. Dinosaurs preserving plumage, nesting sites and trace fossils provide overwhelming evidence for the dinosaurian origin of birds. Based on these recent findings of paleontological research, we conclude that extant birds indeed descended, with some modifications, from small, Mesozoic theropod dinosaurs. In the light of Wallace's view of bird origins, we critically evaluate recent opposing views to this idea, including Ernst Mayr's (1904-2005) arguments against the "dinosaur-bird hypothesis", and document that this famous ornithologist was not correct in his assessment of this important aspect of vertebrate evolution.

Sor Juana y la piedra filosofal

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Dardo Scavino

2008-07-01

Full Text Available ...el deseo no satisfecho incrusta en la memoria experiencias imaginarias, apetecidas pero no realizadas, más imborrables que las verdaderasJuan José SaerTimeoEn su Nuevo diccionario enciclopédico de las ciencias del lenguaje Oswald Ducrot y Jean-Marie Schaeffer proponen una breve receta : "Consígase un pollo bien vivo, mátelo, vacíelo, trócelo, métalo en el horno y sírvalo con cebollas." A medida que la receta transcurre, observaban los lingüistas, "el pollo, referente común de los diferente...

Books Reviews Políticas públicas en América Latina: protección social y lucha contra la pobreza

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Luis Fernando Vargas-Alzate

2015-12-01

Full Text Available Tassara, Carlo (ed.; Ibarra, Antonio y Vargas Faulbaum, Luis Hernán Protección social y lucha contra la pobreza en Brasil, Colombia y Chile. ¿Graduarse de los PTC o salir de la pobreza? Programa EUROsociAL, 2015 Con la colaboración del Instituto Ítalo-Latinoamericano (IILA y del Comitato Internazionale per lo Sviluppo dei Popoli (CISP (En línea en acceso abierto 212 págs. Isaza, Carolina (ed. Seguimiento y análisis de políticas públicas en Colombia. Anuario 2015 Universidad Externado de Colombia, 2015 200 págs.

KOKEILU YHTEISKEHITTÄMISEN KÄYTTÄMISESTÄ TOIMINNAN KEHITTÄMISEN MENETELMÄNÄ VAMMAISTYÖN YKSIKÖSSÄ

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Haukka, Mira

2014-01-01

Tämän kehittämishankkeena tehdyn opinnäytetyön toimintaympäristönä toimi Invalidiliiton Asumispalvelut Oy:n Mikkelin Validia-talo. Opinnäytetyön tehtävänä oli toiminnan kehittäminen Mikkelin Validia-talossa yhdessä asukkaiden ja henkilökunnan kanssa yhteiskehittämisen keinoin. Hankkeen aikana asukkaita ja henkilökuntaa haastettiin etsimään kehitettävät kohteet sekä yhdessä toteuttamaan kehittämistyötä. Kehittämishankkeen tavoitteena oli osallistaa asukkaita ja henkilökuntaa yhdessä kehi...

Evolution of parental incubation behaviour in dinosaurs cannot be inferred from clutch mass in birds

OpenAIRE

Birchard, Geoffrey F.; Ruta, Marcello; Deeming, D. Charles

2013-01-01

A recent study proposed that incubation behaviour (i.e. type of parental care) in theropod dinosaurs can be inferred from an allometric analysis of clutch volume in extant birds. However, the study in question failed to account for factors known to affect egg and clutch size in living bird species. A new scaling analysis of avian clutch mass demonstrates that type of parental care cannot be distinguished by conventional allometry because of the confounding effects of phylogeny and hatchling m...

The furculae of the dromaeosaurid dinosaur Dakotaraptor steini are trionychid turtle entoplastra

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Victoria M. Arbour

2016-02-01

Full Text Available Dakotaraptor steini is a recently described dromaeosaurid dinosaur from the Upper Cretaceous (Maastrichtian Hell Creek Formation of South Dakota. Included within the D. steini hypodigm are three elements originally identified as furculae, one of which was made part of the holotype specimen. We show that the elements described as D. steini ‘furculae’ are not theropod dinosaur furculae, but are rather trionychid turtle entoplastra referable to cf. Axestemys splendida. The hypodigm of D. steini should be adjusted accordingly.

A theropod tooth from the Late Triassic of southern Africa

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

An isolated, large recurved and finely serrated tooth found associated with the prosauropod Euskelosaurus from the Late Triassic part of the Elliot Formation is described here. It is compared to the Triassic thecodonts and carnivorous dinosaurs and its possible affinity is discussed. The tooth possibly belongs to a basal ...

Plantar talar head contusions and osteochondral fractures: associated findings on ankle MRI and proposed mechanism of injury

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Gorbachova, Tetyana; Wang, Peter S.; Hu, Bing [Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia, Department of Radiology, Philadelphia, PA (United States); Horrow, Jay C. [Drexel University, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Philadelphia, PA (United States)

2016-06-15

To evaluate the significance of plantar talar head injury (PTHI) in predicting osseous and soft tissue injuries on ankle MRI. The IRB approved this HIPAA-compliant retrospective study. The study group consisted of 41 ankle MRIs with PTHI that occurred at our institution over a 5 1/2 year period. Eighty MRIs with bone injuries in other locations matched for age, time interval since injury, and gender formed a control group. Injuries to the following structures were recorded: medial malleolus, lateral malleolus/distal fibula, posterior malleolus, talus, calcaneus, navicular, cuboid, lateral, medial and syndesmotic ligaments, spring ligament complex, and extensor digitorum brevis (EDB) muscle. Twenty separate logistic regressions determined which injuries PTHI predicted, using the Holm procedure to control for family-wise alpha at 0.05. PTHI strongly predicted the occurrence of injuries involving the anterior process of the calcaneus [24 % of cases, odds ratio (OR) 12.66], plantar components of the spring ligament (27 %, OR 9.43), calcaneal origin of the EDB and attachment of the dorsolateral calcaneocuboid ligament (22 %, OR 7.22), cuboid (51 %, OR 6.58), EDB (27 %, OR 5.49), anteromedial talus (66 %, OR 4.78), and posteromedial talus (49 %, OR 4.48). PTHI strongly predicted lack of occurrence of syndesmotic ligament injury (OR 19.6). The PTHI group had a high incidence of lateral ligamentous injury (78 %), but not significantly different from the control group (53 %). PTHI is strongly associated with injury involving the transverse tarsal joint complex. We hypothesize it results from talo-cuboid and/or talo-calcaneal impaction from a supination injury of the foot and ankle. (orig.)

Assessing Arboreal Adaptations of Bird Antecedents: Testing the Ecological Setting of the Origin of the Avian Flight Stroke

Science.gov (United States)

Dececchi, T. Alexander; Larsson, Hans C. E.

2011-01-01

The origin of avian flight is a classic macroevolutionary transition with research spanning over a century. Two competing models explaining this locomotory transition have been discussed for decades: ground up versus trees down. Although it is impossible to directly test either of these theories, it is possible to test one of the requirements for the trees-down model, that of an arboreal paravian. We test for arboreality in non-avian theropods and early birds with comparisons to extant avian, mammalian, and reptilian scansors and climbers using a comprehensive set of morphological characters. Non-avian theropods, including the small, feathered deinonychosaurs, and Archaeopteryx, consistently and significantly cluster with fully terrestrial extant mammals and ground-based birds, such as ratites. Basal birds, more advanced than Archaeopteryx, cluster with extant perching ground-foraging birds. Evolutionary trends immediately prior to the origin of birds indicate skeletal adaptations opposite that expected for arboreal climbers. Results reject an arboreal capacity for the avian stem lineage, thus lending no support for the trees-down model. Support for a fully terrestrial ecology and origin of the avian flight stroke has broad implications for the origin of powered flight for this clade. A terrestrial origin for the avian flight stroke challenges the need for an intermediate gliding phase, presents the best resolved series of the evolution of vertebrate powered flight, and may differ fundamentally from the origin of bat and pterosaur flight, whose antecedents have been postulated to have been arboreal and gliding. PMID:21857918

Assessing arboreal adaptations of bird antecedents: testing the ecological setting of the origin of the avian flight stroke.

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T Alexander Dececchi

Full Text Available The origin of avian flight is a classic macroevolutionary transition with research spanning over a century. Two competing models explaining this locomotory transition have been discussed for decades: ground up versus trees down. Although it is impossible to directly test either of these theories, it is possible to test one of the requirements for the trees-down model, that of an arboreal paravian. We test for arboreality in non-avian theropods and early birds with comparisons to extant avian, mammalian, and reptilian scansors and climbers using a comprehensive set of morphological characters. Non-avian theropods, including the small, feathered deinonychosaurs, and Archaeopteryx, consistently and significantly cluster with fully terrestrial extant mammals and ground-based birds, such as ratites. Basal birds, more advanced than Archaeopteryx, cluster with extant perching ground-foraging birds. Evolutionary trends immediately prior to the origin of birds indicate skeletal adaptations opposite that expected for arboreal climbers. Results reject an arboreal capacity for the avian stem lineage, thus lending no support for the trees-down model. Support for a fully terrestrial ecology and origin of the avian flight stroke has broad implications for the origin of powered flight for this clade. A terrestrial origin for the avian flight stroke challenges the need for an intermediate gliding phase, presents the best resolved series of the evolution of vertebrate powered flight, and may differ fundamentally from the origin of bat and pterosaur flight, whose antecedents have been postulated to have been arboreal and gliding.

Icnitas de dinosaurios en Valdelavilla (Soria, España

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Sanz Pérez, E.

2000-04-01

Full Text Available Within the ichnological study of the surroundings of San Pedro Manrique (Soria, Spain, the new site at Valdelavilla, located in unit IV-b of the Huérteles Formation, has yielded dinosaur and pterosaur tracks. The main feature of this site is that it contains a great variety of dinosaur tracks, as regards their type (theropods, omithopods, sauropods their size (from 70 cm to 6 cm, and the way these tracemakers walked (digitigrade, plantigrade. Like many other place at Oncala Group, theropod tracks are abundant, and at a lesser degree, sauropod tracks are also present There is no conclusive evidence of omithopods tracks.Dentro del estudio icnológico que se realiza en los alrededores de San Pedro Manrique (Soria, España el nuevo yacimiento de Valdelavilla, enclavado en la unidad IV-b de la Aloformación Huérteles, ha proporcionado, hasta el momento, huellas de dinosaurios y de pterosaurios. La principal característica del mismo estriba en contener una gran variedad de icnitas de dinosaurios, tanto por su tipo (terópodos, omitópodos, saurópodos, como por su tamaño (desde 70 cm hasta 8 cm y forma de caminar (digitígrados, plantígrados. Como en muchos otros lugares del Grupo Oncala, abundan las huellas de terópodos y en menor proporción las de saurópodos, no presentándose claramente las de omitópodos.

Identidade étnica e telenovela

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Jiani Adriana Bonin

2011-01-01

Full Text Available Este artigo trata de uma pesquisa cujo objetivo é estudar a mediação da identidade étnica no processo e nas práticas de recepção de três famílias camponesas, uma italiana, uma alemã e uma ítalo-alemã. A pesquisa apóia-se na proposta das mediações de Martín Barbero, dialogando também com outros autores dos campos da antropologia e da comunicação para compor um referencial teórico-metodológico para o estudo da mediação investigada. 

Los emisarios culturales del fascismo en el Uruguay de entreguerras

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Juan Andrés Bresciano

2015-01-01

Full Text Available En el período interbélico, escritores, artistas y científicos italianos visitan Uruguay para dictar conferencias o realizar actividades de divulgación cultural. Patrocinados por el régimen fascista y recibidos por la Legación Italiana en Montevideo, se convierten en embajadores de una latinidad supuestamente renovada y aparentemente vigorosa, fruto del Nuevo Orden. El presente artículo estudia detenidamente las actividades que los visitantes realizan y las repercusiones que generan en la comunidad ítalo-uruguaya con el propósito de ilustrar las estrategias propagandísticas utilizadas por las autoridades diplomáticas que los invitan.

Dinosaurios de la Península Ibérica

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Sanz, J. L.

2006-12-01

Full Text Available Body fossils of the Iberian Peninsula dinosaurs are very relevant for the knowledge of several aspects of the evolutionary history of the group, and, in addition, for the interpretation of the distribution of many of its components, due to the geographic situation of the Iberian Peninsula. Almost all of the groups of dinosaurs are represented in the Iberian Peninsula record: ornithopods, thyreophorans, theropods and sauropods. These groups are present, mainly, in the transit Jurassic-Cretaceous (Kimmeridigian- Berriasian, the upper part of the Lower Cretaceous (Barremian-Aptian and in the end of the Upper Cretaceous (Campanian-Masstrichtian. Ornithischian dinosaurs are represented by thyreophorans such as the stegosaurians Dacentrurus and Stegosaurus, the ankylosaurs Dracopelta, Polacanthus and Struthiosaurus, and ornithopods like hypsilophodontids, basal iguanodontians (Rhabdodon, dryosaurids, camptosaurids (Draconyx and Camptosaurus, iguanodontids (Iguanodon and hadrosaurids (Pararhabdodon. Some Incertae sedis and taxa in process of description are present too. Sauropods are represented by taxa related to Neosauropoda (Lourinhasaurus, Dinheirosaurus, Galveosaurus and Losillasaurus and titanosauriforms (Aragosaurus, Lusotitan and Lirainosaurus. In addition, new forms are still in description, like the sauropods of Riodeva (Teruel, Peñarroya de Tastavins (Teruel and Morella (Castellón. Theropods are represented by the ceratosaurian Ceratosaurus, the spinosauroid Torvosaurus, the carnosaurs Lourinhanosaurus and Allosaurus, the tyrannosaurid Aviatyrannis, the ornithomimosaur Pelecanimimus, and the avian-theropods Iberomesornis, Concornis, Eoalulavis and Noguerornis. Nevertheless, theropods diversity is more abundant as it shows the great variability of teeth morphotypes identified.registro de restos directos de dinosaurios en la Península Ibérica ha mostrado, en los últimos años, que puede ser muy relevante para el conocimiento de distintos

Toward an integrated ice core chronology using relative and orbital tie-points

Science.gov (United States)

Bazin, L.; Landais, A.; Lemieux-Dudon, B.; Toyé Mahamadou Kele, H.; Blunier, T.; Capron, E.; Chappellaz, J.; Fischer, H.; Leuenberger, M.; Lipenkov, V.; Loutre, M.-F.; Martinerie, P.; Parrenin, F.; Prié, F.; Raynaud, D.; Veres, D.; Wolff, E.

2012-04-01

Precise ice cores chronologies are essential to better understand the mechanisms linking climate change to orbital and greenhouse gases concentration forcing. A tool for ice core dating (DATICE [developed by Lemieux-Dudon et al., 2010] permits to generate a common time-scale integrating relative and absolute dating constraints on different ice cores, using an inverse method. Nevertheless, this method has only been applied for a 4-ice cores scenario and for the 0-50 kyr time period. Here, we present the bases for an extension of this work back to 800 ka using (1) a compilation of published and new relative and orbital tie-points obtained from measurements of air trapped in ice cores and (2) an adaptation of the DATICE inputs to 5 ice cores for the last 800 ka. We first present new measurements of δ18Oatm and δO2/N2 on the Talos Dome and EPICA Dome C (EDC) ice cores with a particular focus on Marine Isotopic Stages (MIS) 5, and 11. Then, we show two tie-points compilations. The first one is based on new and published CH4 and δ18Oatm measurements on 5 ice cores (NorthGRIP, EPICA Dronning Maud Land, EDC, Talos Dome and Vostok) in order to produce a table of relative gas tie-points over the last 400 ka. The second one is based on new and published records of δO2/N2, δ18Oatm and air content to provide a table of orbital tie-points over the last 800 ka. Finally, we integrate the different dating constraints presented above in the DATICE tool adapted to 5 ice cores to cover the last 800 ka and show how these constraints compare with the established gas chronologies of each ice core.

ACEITAÇÃO DE TORTA DE FARINHA INTEGRAL FEITA COM REAPROVEITAMENTO DE ALIMENTOS POR CRIANÇAS PRÉ-ESCOLARES EM UMA CRECHE MUNICIPAL DO MUNICÍPIO DE GUARAPUAVA-PR

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J. A. ALVEZ

2008-11-01

Full Text Available

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a aceitação de uma torta salgada com trigo integral, recheada a base de talos de hortaliças, por crianças em idade pré-escolar de uma creche municipal do município de Guarapuava-Pr. O teste de aceitação das tortas foi realizado com 33 provadores não treinados, de ambos os sexos, em idade pré-escolar (3 a 5 anos no mês de abril de 2006. Utilizou-se duas tortas salgadas: uma torta salgada com trigo integral e outra sem trigo integral. O recheio de ambas foi confeccionado com proteína de soja texturizada, talos de brócolis e de couve flor. Os resultados foram analisados utilizando-se o programa estatístico SISVAR, a um nível de significância de 5%, utilizando teste de Tukey. A composição nutricional das tortas salgadas com e sem trigo integral foi realizada pelo software de avaliação nutricional clínico Dietwin®. Através deste trabalho, foi possível verificar que a torta salgada integral pode ser utilizada como uma opção de lanche saudável nos cardápios das creches, pois ela é rica em muitos nutrientes, contribuindo assim, para um aporte mais adequado das necessidades nutricionais destas crianças.

Investigation of C3 S hydration mechanism by transmission electron microscope (TEM) with integrated Super-XTM EDS system.

Science.gov (United States)

Sakalli, Y; Trettin, R

2017-07-01

Tricalciumsilicate (C 3 S, Alite) is the major component of the Portland cement clinker. Hydration of Alite is decisive in influencing the properties of the resulting material. This is due to its high content in cement. The mechanism of the hydration of C 3 S is very complicated and not yet fully understood. There are different models describing the hydration of C 3 S in various ways. In this work for a better understanding of hydration mechanism, the hydrated C 3 S was investigated by using the transmission electron microscope (TEM) and for the first time, the samples for the investigations were prepared by using of focused ion beam from sintered pellets of C 3 S. Also, an FEI Talos F200x with an integrated Super-X EDS system was used for the investigations. FEI Talos F200X combines outstanding high-resolution S/TEM and TEM imaging with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy signal detection, and 3D chemical characterization with compositional mapping. TEM is a very powerful tool for material science. A high energy beam of electrons passes through a very thin sample, and the interactions between the electrons and the atoms can be used to observe the structure of the material and other features in the structure. TEM can be used to study the growth of layers and their composition. TEM produces high-resolution, two-dimensional images and will be used for a wide range of educational, science and industry applications. Chemical analysis can also be performed. The purpose of these investigations was to get the information about the composition of the C-S-H phases and some details of the nanostructure of the C-S-H phases. © 2017 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2017 Royal Microscopical Society.

Caracterização e avaliação do potencial de resíduos agrícolas como aditivos no processo de filtração da fumaça principal de cigarros

OpenAIRE

Diego da Silva Rosa

2011-01-01

O estudo concentrou-se na avaliação do desempenho de resíduos da produção agrícola brasileira como auxiliares de filtração da fumaça principal de cigarros em comparação com as tecnologias conhecidas, os filtros de acetato de celulose e de carvão ativado. Foram investigadas, após seleção preliminar: fibra de coco, casca de arroz, casca de banana – versões in natura e após calcinação - e talo de fumo in natura. Os materiais foram testados quanto à retenção de nicotina, alcatrão, monóxido de car...

Three-dimensional analysis of injured lateral ligaments of the ankle with FISP MR imaging

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vaes, P.; Shahabpour, M.; van Cauteren, M.; Osteaux, M.

1989-01-01

In a series of 150 acutely injured or chronically unstable ankles, oblique reconstructions of the anterior talo-fibular (TFA) and calcaneo-fibular (CF) ligaments were performed. Fast three-dimensional (3D) imaging with a flip angle of 40 degrees, a TR/TE of 30/10 msec, and 128 1-mm-thick sections allowed the evaluation of the whole ankle joint in 16 minutes. Partial or complete ruptures of TFA and/or CF ligaments as well as associated bone or cartilage occult fractures are detected. The authors discuss how, by enabling assessment of the severity of ankle sprains, 3D imaging was found to be helpful in defining when surgical therapy was necessary

Report on the Installation and Preparedness of a Protochips Fusion in-situ Heating Holder for TEM

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Edmondson, Philip D. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

2017-03-01

This brief report documents the procurement and installation of a Protochips Fusion (formerly Aduro) high-temperature, high stability transmission electron microscopy (TEM) specimen holder that allows for the high spatial resolution characterization of material specimens at high temperature in situ of an electron microscope. This specimen holder was specifically procured for use with The FEI Talos F200X Scanning/Transmission Electron Microscope (STEM) in Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s (ORNL’s) Low Activation Materials Development and Analysis (LAMDA) Laboratory. The Protochips Fusion holder will enable high-resolution structural and chemical analysis of irradiated materials at high temperature, becoming a unique capability worldwide, and would encourage high-quality in situ experiments to be conducted on irradiated materials.

Respiratory and reproductive paleophysiology of dinosaurs and early birds.

Science.gov (United States)

Ruben, John A; Jones, Terry D; Geist, Nicholas R

2003-01-01

In terms of their diversity and longevity, dinosaurs and birds were/are surely among the most successful of terrestrial vertebrates. Unfortunately, interpreting many aspects of the biology of dinosaurs and the earliest of the birds presents formidable challenges because they are known only from fossils. Nevertheless, a variety of attributes of these taxa can be inferred by identification of shared anatomical structures whose presence is causally linked to specialized functions in living reptiles, birds, and mammals. Studies such as these demonstrate that although dinosaurs and early birds were likely to have been homeothermic, the absence of nasal respiratory turbinates in these animals indicates that they were likely to have maintained reptile-like (ectothermic) metabolic rates during periods of rest or routine activity. Nevertheless, given the metabolic capacities of some extant reptiles during periods of elevated activity, early birds were probably capable of powered flight. Similarly, had, for example, theropod dinosaurs possessed aerobic metabolic capacities and habits equivalent to those of some large, modern tropical latitude lizards (e.g., Varanus), they may well have maintained significant home ranges and actively pursued and killed large prey. Additionally, this scenario of active, although ectothermic, theropod dinosaurs seems reinforced by the likely utilization of crocodilian-like, diaphragm breathing in this group. Finally, persistent in vivo burial of their nests and apparent lack of egg turning suggests that clutch incubation by dinosaurs was more reptile- than birdlike. Contrary to previous suggestions, there is little if any reliable evidence that some dinosaur young may have been helpless and nestbound (altricial) at hatching.

Specializations of the mandibular anatomy and dentition of Segnosaurus galbinensis (Theropoda: Therizinosauria).

Science.gov (United States)

Zanno, Lindsay E; Tsogtbaatar, Khishigjav; Chinzorig, Tsogtbaatar; Gates, Terry A

2016-01-01

Definitive therizinosaurid cranial materials are exceptionally rare, represented solely by an isolated braincase and tooth in the North American taxon Nothronychus mckinleyi, the remarkably complete skull of the Asian taxon Erlikosaurus andrewsi, and the lower hemimandibles of Segnosaurus galbinensis. To date, comprehensive descriptions of the former taxa are published; however, the mandibular materials of S. galbinensis have remained largely understudied since their initial description in 1979. Here we provide a comprehensive description of the well-preserved hemimandibles and dentition of S. galbinensis (MPC-D 100/80), from the Upper Cretaceous Bayanshiree Formation, Gobi Desert, Mongolia. The subrectangular and ventrally displaced caudal hemimandible, extreme ventral deflection of the rostral dentary, and edentulism of the caudal dentary of S. galbinensis are currently apomorphic among therizinosaurians. Unique, unreported dental traits including lingually folded mesial carinae, development of a denticulated triangular facet on the distal carinae near the cervix, and extracarinal accessory denticles, suggest a highly specialized feeding strategy in S. galbinensis. The presence of triple carinae on the distalmost lateral tooth crowns is also unique, although may represent an abnormality. Contrasted with the simplistic dentition of the contemporaneous therizinosaurid E. andrewsi, the dentition of S. galbinensis is indicative of niche partitioning in food acquisition, processing, or resources among known therizinosaurids inhabiting Asian ecosystems in the Late Cretaceous. Although not quantitatively correlated with diet, this suite of specializations is otherwise unique among theropod dinosaurs and supports derived inferences of facultative or obligate herbivory in therizinosaurids, ultimately adding novel information to our understanding of ecomorphology in theropods.

Specializations of the mandibular anatomy and dentition of Segnosaurus galbinensis (Theropoda: Therizinosauria

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Lindsay E. Zanno

2016-03-01

Full Text Available Definitive therizinosaurid cranial materials are exceptionally rare, represented solely by an isolated braincase and tooth in the North American taxon Nothronychus mckinleyi, the remarkably complete skull of the Asian taxon Erlikosaurus andrewsi, and the lower hemimandibles of Segnosaurus galbinensis. To date, comprehensive descriptions of the former taxa are published; however, the mandibular materials of S. galbinensis have remained largely understudied since their initial description in 1979. Here we provide a comprehensive description of the well-preserved hemimandibles and dentition of S. galbinensis (MPC-D 100/80, from the Upper Cretaceous Bayanshiree Formation, Gobi Desert, Mongolia. The subrectangular and ventrally displaced caudal hemimandible, extreme ventral deflection of the rostral dentary, and edentulism of the caudal dentary of S. galbinensis are currently apomorphic among therizinosaurians. Unique, unreported dental traits including lingually folded mesial carinae, development of a denticulated triangular facet on the distal carinae near the cervix, and extracarinal accessory denticles, suggest a highly specialized feeding strategy in S. galbinensis. The presence of triple carinae on the distalmost lateral tooth crowns is also unique, although may represent an abnormality. Contrasted with the simplistic dentition of the contemporaneous therizinosaurid E. andrewsi, the dentition of S. galbinensis is indicative of niche partitioning in food acquisition, processing, or resources among known therizinosaurids inhabiting Asian ecosystems in the Late Cretaceous. Although not quantitatively correlated with diet, this suite of specializations is otherwise unique among theropod dinosaurs and supports derived inferences of facultative or obligate herbivory in therizinosaurids, ultimately adding novel information to our understanding of ecomorphology in theropods.

Description of Arundel Clay ornithomimosaur material and a reinterpretation of Nedcolbertia justinhofmanni as an “Ostrich Dinosaur”: biogeographic implications

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Chase Doran Brownstein

2017-03-01

Full Text Available The fossil record of dinosaurs from the Early Cretaceous of Eastern North America is scant, especially since a few stratigraphic units from the east are fossiliferous. Among these stratigraphic units, the Arundel Clay of the eastern seaboard has produced the best-characterized dinosaur faunas known from the Early Cretaceous of Eastern North America. The diverse dinosaur fauna of the Arundel Clay has been thoroughly discussed previously, but a few of the dinosaur species originally described from the Arundel Clay are still regarded as valid genera. Much of the Arundel material is in need of review and redescription. Among the fossils of dinosaurs from this stratigraphic unit are those referred to ornithomimosaurs. Here, the researcher describes ornithomimosaur remains from the Arundel Clay of Prince George’s County, Maryland which may be from two distinct ornithomimosaur taxa. These remains provide key information on the theropods of the Early Cretaceous of Eastern North America. Recent discoveries of small theropod material from the Arundel Clay possibly belonging to ornithomimosaurs are also reviewed and described for the first time. The description of the Arundel material herein along with recent discoveries of basal ornithomimosaurs in the past 15 years has allowed for comparisons with the coelurosaur Nedcolbertia justinhofmanni, suggesting the latter animal was a basal ornithomimosaur rather than a “generalized” coelurosaur as it was originally described. Comparisons between the Arundel ornithomimosaur material and similar Asian and European specimens suggest that both extremely basal ornithomimosaurs and more intermediate or derived forms may have coexisted throughout the northern hemisphere during the Early Cretaceous.

Rural development and research challenges - some Finnish experiences / Erik Haggren, Matti Ylätalo

Index Scriptorium Estoniae

Haggren, Erik

2003-01-01

Ülevaade aastatel 1985-1987 ja 1995-1998 Soomes läbiviidud uuringutest ning Rootsi Põllumajandusülikooli, Helsingi Ülikooli ja Burjaatia Riikliku Põllumajandusakadeemia TEMPUS-projekti raames teostatud uurimusest aastatel 2001-2003

Avaliação da qualidade nutricional de composto orgânico produzido com resíduos de fumo Evaluation of the nutritional quality of organic compost produced with tobacco residues

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Dário C. Primo

2010-07-01

Full Text Available O aproveitamento de resíduos agroindustriais na forma de composto orgânico, pode resultar em maior sustentabilidade para sistemas agrícolas. Propôs-se, neste trabalho, analisar a qualidade final do composto orgânico em relação à composição em nutrientes e à presença de substâncias toxocologicamente ativas. Avaliaram-se as combinações de talo de fumo triturado, esterco e rúmen bovino (TF+EB+RB, talos de fumo, esterco bovino e Microsept-Pó (TF+EB+MP e talos de fumo mais esterco bovino (TF+EB. Amostras médias de cada composto foram analisadas para determinação da concentração em macro e micronutrientes, aos 60 e 120 dias e, para verificar a concentração de nicotina e a presença ou não de resíduos agrotóxicos na matéria-prima (TF nos compostos obtidos aos 120 dias. Os dados obtidos demonstraram alta concentração de potássio (K, nitrogênio (N, cloreto (Cl e ferro (Fe no composto final em relação aos demais macro e micronutrientes. Não se detectaram resíduos de agrotóxicos na matéria-prima (TF nem a presença de nicotina nas amostras obtidas aos 120 dias, demonstrando ausência de risco de impacto ambiental no uso agrícola desses compostos. No final do processo de compostagem a mistura TF+EB foi a que resultou no composto orgânico com maior concentração em macro e micronutrientes.The use of agroindustrial waste to produce organic compost can result in greater sustainability for agricultural systems. This study aimed to analyze the final quality of the organic compost, according to their nutrients and the presence of active toxic substances. The combinations of ground tobacco stem, bovine manure and rumen (TF+EB+RB, tobacco stem, cattle manure and Microsept Dust (TF+EB+MP and tobacco stem and cattle manure (TF+EB were evaluated. Mean samples of each compost were analyzed to determine the concentration of micro and macro nutrients at 60 and 120 days and to verify the nicotine concentration and the presence or

Forearm Range of Motion in Australovenator wintonensis (Theropoda, Megaraptoridae.

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Matt A White

Full Text Available The hypertrophied manual claws and modified manus of megaraptoran theropods represent an unusual morphological adaptation among carnivorous dinosaurs. The skeleton of Australovenator wintonensis from the Cenomanian of Australia is among the most complete of any megaraptorid. It presents the opportunity to examine the range of motion of its forearm and the function of its highly modified manus. This provides the basis for behavioural inferences, and comparison with other Gondwanan theropod groups. Digital models created from computed tomography scans of the holotype reveal a humerus range of motion that is much greater than Allosaurus, Acrocanthosaurus, Tyrannosaurus but similar to that of the dromaeosaurid Bambiraptor. During flexion, the radius was forced distally by the radial condyle of the humerus. This movement is here suggested as a mechanism that forced a medial movement of the wrist. The antebrachium possessed a range of motion that was close to dromaeosaurids; however, the unguals were capable of hyper-extension, in particular manual phalanx I-2, which is a primitive range of motion characteristic seen in allosaurids and Dilophosaurus. During flexion, digits I and II slightly converge and diverge when extended which is accentuated by hyperextension of the digits in particular the unguals. We envision that prey was dispatched by its hands and feet with manual phalanx I-2 playing a dominant role. The range of motion analysis neither confirms nor refutes current phylogenetic hypotheses with regards to the placement of Megaraptoridae; however, we note Australovenator possessed, not only a similar forearm range of motion to some maniraptorans and basal coelurosaurs, but also similarities with Tetanurans (Allosauroids and Dilophosaurus.

A basal dinosaur from the dawn of the dinosaur era in southwestern Pangaea.

Science.gov (United States)

Martinez, Ricardo N; Sereno, Paul C; Alcober, Oscar A; Colombi, Carina E; Renne, Paul R; Montañez, Isabel P; Currie, Brian S

2011-01-14

Upper Triassic rocks in northwestern Argentina preserve the most complete record of dinosaurs before their rise to dominance in the Early Jurassic. Here, we describe a previously unidentified basal theropod, reassess its contemporary Eoraptor as a basal sauropodomorph, divide the faunal record of the Ischigualasto Formation with biozones, and bracket the formation with (40)Ar/(39)Ar ages. Some 230 million years ago in the Late Triassic (mid Carnian), the earliest dinosaurs were the dominant terrestrial carnivores and small herbivores in southwestern Pangaea. The extinction of nondinosaurian herbivores is sequential and is not linked to an increase in dinosaurian diversity, which weakens the predominant scenario for dinosaurian ascendancy as opportunistic replacement.

Tyrannosauroid integument reveals conflicting patterns of gigantism and feather evolution.

Science.gov (United States)

Bell, Phil R; Campione, Nicolás E; Persons, W Scott; Currie, Philip J; Larson, Peter L; Tanke, Darren H; Bakker, Robert T

2017-06-01

Recent evidence for feathers in theropods has led to speculations that the largest tyrannosaurids, including Tyrannosaurus rex , were extensively feathered. We describe fossil integument from Tyrannosaurus and other tyrannosaurids ( Albertosaurus, Daspletosaurus, Gorgosaurus and Tarbosaurus ), confirming that these large-bodied forms possessed scaly, reptilian-like skin. Body size evolution in tyrannosauroids reveals two independent occurrences of gigantism; specifically, the large sizes in Yutyrannus and tyrannosaurids were independently derived. These new findings demonstrate that extensive feather coverings observed in some early tyrannosauroids were lost by the Albian, basal to Tyrannosauridae. This loss is unrelated to palaeoclimate but possibly tied to the evolution of gigantism, although other mechanisms exist. © 2017 The Author(s).

Review of the Dinosaur Remains from the Middle Jurassic of Scotland, UK

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Neil D. L. Clark

2018-02-01

Full Text Available Dinosaurs are rare from the Middle Jurassic worldwide. The Isle of Skye, is the only place in Scotland thus far to have produced dinosaur remains. These remains consist mainly of footprints, but also several bones and teeth. These Bajocian and Bathonian remains represent an important collection of a basal eusauropod, early examples of non-neosauropod and possible basal titanosauriform eusauropods, and theropod remains that may belong to an early coelurosaur and a possible megalosaurid, basal tyrannosauroid, or dromaeosaurid. The footprints from here also suggest a rich and diverse dinosaur fauna for which further better diagnosable remains are likely to be found.

A history of digit identification in the manus of theropods (including Aves)

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Hansen, Kasper Lykke

2010-01-01

The identification of avian and dinosaurian digits remains one of the major controversies in vertebrate evolution. A long history of morphological interpretations of fossil forms and studies of limb development in embryos has been given as evidence for two differing points of view. From...

Right to try? Fosfoetanolamina, di bella e stamina: uma análise ítalo-brasileira

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BARBOSA, Elina Magnan

2016-07-01

Full Text Available Este trabalho possui como objetivo a análise do fornecimento judicial de medicamentos em fase de teste laboratorial, por meio de um estudo comparado dos casos italianos di Bella e Stamina e do caso brasileiro da fosfoetanolamina da Universidade de São Paulo. Para tanto, foram considerados os percursos judiciais dos três casos, as opiniões doutrinárias e repercussões médicas anunciadas pela mídia e pelos órgãos oficiais interessados. Como resultado, observou-se, no Brasil, uma tendência jurisprudencial que desponta, ainda que não confirmada, no sentido de que a realização do direito à saúde não pode prescindir da segurança médica, afastando-se, em princípio, a obrigação do Estado de fornecer tratamentos experimentais por meio de sua rede de saúde. Na Itália, por outro lado, após a experiência judicial e médica negativa decorrente de dois casos emblemáticos, a Corte Constitucional italiana (Corte Costituzionale parece ter mudado de orientação, no sentido da não obrigação do fornecimento de tratamento experimental por parte do Servizio Sanitario Nazionale. No âmbito das ações com pretensão de curas compassivas, as normas técnicas, representadas pelas boas práticas clínicas, surgem como zíper de união entre o direito, a ciência e a ética.

Germinación in vitro de polen de feijoa (Acca sellowiana Berg

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Mavel Hernández

2011-02-01

Full Text Available Actualmente no existen estudios de viabilidad y caracterización del grano de polen de Feijoa, ante lo cual la cantidad y calidad del polen producidos por una flor, son aspectos importantes en estudios evolutivos y de adaptación de genotipos. Así, se determinó la solución germinativa adecuada para realizar pruebas de germinación in vitro, mediante pruebas de las siguientes soluciones:agua, agar, agua + sacarosa 5%, agua + sacarosa 10%, agar +sacarosa 5% ý agar + sacarosa 10%, ante lo cual, en la solución germinativa compuesta por agar y sacarosa al 5% se registró el mayor porcentaje de germinación de granos de polen en el tiempo. Se efectuó la prueba de fertilidad del polen para los dos clones por medio del método de tinción con azul de lactofenol en tres estados de apertura floral E1 (pétalos visibles, E2 (sépalos desplegados y E3 (pétalos maduros, presentando 100% de tinción del total de granos observados por estado de apertura floral. Se realizaron pruebas de germinación para los dos clones en los tres estados de apertura floral y se observó germinación en el clon 8-4 a las 10 horas después de la siembra para el estado E3, alcanzando un alto porcentaje de germinación (80%, mientras que los otros dos estados no germinaron en el tiempo de medición establecido. En el clon 41, la germinación inició a las 10 horas después de la siembra para el estado E2 ý a las 12 horas para el E3, mientras que el E1 no germinó. Los estados E2 y E3 alcanzaron 80% de germinación aproximada 16 horas después de siembra.

Balance hídrico e influencia del estrés hídrico en la inducción y desarrollo floral de la mandarina ‘Arrayana’ en el piedemonte llanero de Colombia

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Orduz Rodríguez Javier Orlando

2007-12-01

Full Text Available

Con el objetivo de determinar los requerimientos hídricos de los cítricos en el piedemonte del Meta, cuantificar la duración e intensidad del estrés hídrico y la influencia sobre la inducción y el desarrollo de floración mandarina ‘Arrayana’ (Citrus reticulata Blanco, primero se revisó la información climática de dos décadas suministrada por el Centro de Investigación La Libertad (Villavicencio. Segundo, se realizó un estudio de caso en la época seca entre noviembre de 2002 a marzo de 2003 en un cultivo de mandarina ‘Arrayana’ (injertado sobre mandarina Cleopatra de 6 años de edad; en el cual se llevaron los registros climáticos y quincenalmente el contenido de humedad del suelo a dos profundidades (0 a 10 y 10 a 20 cm, y la duración de los procesos fenológicos relacionados con la floración. En el piedemonte del Meta, los cítricos requieren 1.046 mm de agua al año que es el 77% de la evaporación total anual. Durante nueve meses al año la precipitación supera la evapotranspiración de las plantas y durante tres meses hay déficit hídrico. Una precipitación de 29 mm inició el crecimiento de las plantas. La brotación se inicia dos semanas después de la lluvia, la floración en la tercera semana y la caída de pétalos y del estigma en la cuarta (final de la antesis. La humedad del suelo de 0 a 20 cm disminuye por debajo del punto de marchitez permanente durante dos meses. La floración entre antesis y caída de pétalos tiene una duración de nueve días.

Magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of synovial inflammation of the hindfoot in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other polyarthritis

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Maillefert, Jean Francis E-mail: jean-francis.maillefert@chu-dijon.fr; Dardel, Pascal; Cherasse, Anne; Mistrih, Rami; Krause, Denis; Tavernier, Christian

2003-07-01

Objectives: To describe the localisation of synovitis and tenosynovitis of the hindfoot observed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with chronic polyarthritis, and to correlate the findings of physical examination and MRI. Methods: Patients with chronic polyarthritis, and one or two painful hindfoot were included. On physical examination and on MRI, the tibio-talar, talo-calcaneal, and talo-navicular and calcaneo-cuboidal joints were adjudged to have or not synovitis, and the tibialis anterior and posterior, the peroneus longus and brevis, the flector digitorum and hallucis longus tendons to have or not tenosynovitis. Criteria for synovitis and tenosynovitis were a high signal intensity on T2-weighted images, a low signal intensity on T1-weighted images, and enhancement after Gd-DTPA injection, in the joint area, and around the tendon, respectively. The correlation between the findings of physical examination and those of MRI were evaluated using the Kappa statistics. Results: 12 patients (three men, nine women, mean age of 55.5 years{+-}11.4 S.D.) with chronic polyarthritis (rheumatoid arthritis (RA): nine, ankylosing spondylitis: one; psoriatic arthritis: one, unclassified: one) were included. All presented with one (7 patients) or two (5 patients) painful hindfeet (and swelling for 16 out of 17 hindfeet). On physical examination, 25 joints and eight tendons were adjudged to have synovitis and tenosynovitis. MRI showed synovitis in 12 out of 25 of these joints (48%), and tenosynovotis in three out of eight of these tendons (37.5%). Moreover, MRI showed ten and seven clinically unsuspected synovitis and tenosynovitis, respectively. The proportion of agreements between physical examination and MRI were 54.9% (kappa=0.1) and 88.2% (kappa=0.27) for synovitis and tenosynovitis, respectively. Conclusion: A weak correlation was observed between the findings of physical examination and MRI in patients with chronic polyarthritis and a painful hindfoot. MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of synovial inflammation of the hindfoot in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other polyarthritis

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Maillefert, Jean Francis; Dardel, Pascal; Cherasse, Anne; Mistrih, Rami; Krause, Denis; Tavernier, Christian

2003-01-01

Objectives: To describe the localisation of synovitis and tenosynovitis of the hindfoot observed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with chronic polyarthritis, and to correlate the findings of physical examination and MRI. Methods: Patients with chronic polyarthritis, and one or two painful hindfoot were included. On physical examination and on MRI, the tibio-talar, talo-calcaneal, and talo-navicular and calcaneo-cuboidal joints were adjudged to have or not synovitis, and the tibialis anterior and posterior, the peroneus longus and brevis, the flector digitorum and hallucis longus tendons to have or not tenosynovitis. Criteria for synovitis and tenosynovitis were a high signal intensity on T2-weighted images, a low signal intensity on T1-weighted images, and enhancement after Gd-DTPA injection, in the joint area, and around the tendon, respectively. The correlation between the findings of physical examination and those of MRI were evaluated using the Kappa statistics. Results: 12 patients (three men, nine women, mean age of 55.5 years±11.4 S.D.) with chronic polyarthritis (rheumatoid arthritis (RA): nine, ankylosing spondylitis: one; psoriatic arthritis: one, unclassified: one) were included. All presented with one (7 patients) or two (5 patients) painful hindfeet (and swelling for 16 out of 17 hindfeet). On physical examination, 25 joints and eight tendons were adjudged to have synovitis and tenosynovitis. MRI showed synovitis in 12 out of 25 of these joints (48%), and tenosynovotis in three out of eight of these tendons (37.5%). Moreover, MRI showed ten and seven clinically unsuspected synovitis and tenosynovitis, respectively. The proportion of agreements between physical examination and MRI were 54.9% (kappa=0.1) and 88.2% (kappa=0.27) for synovitis and tenosynovitis, respectively. Conclusion: A weak correlation was observed between the findings of physical examination and MRI in patients with chronic polyarthritis and a painful hindfoot. MRI

Constituintes químicos voláteis de especiarias ricas em eugenol

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Rosilene Aparecida de Oliveira

Full Text Available Utilizando a técnica de hidrodestilação, usando um adaptador Clevenger, foram extraídos óleos essenciais das espécies Pimenta dioica (folhas e frutos e Syzygium aromaticum (botões florais, talos e folhas. A composição química dos óleos foi determinada através da analise CG-EM. Os teores de óleos essenciais variaram de 0,97 a 1,41% e 2,30 a 15,40% nas espécies Pimenta dioica e Syzygium aromaticum, respectivamente. O componente majoritário presente nessas espécies foi o eugenol, variando de 72,87 a 90,41%. Syzygium aromaticum forneceu maior teor de óleo essencial rico em eugenol. Em quantidades menores foram também encontrados chavicol e? β-cariofileno.

Nuevas Algas Bénticas del Litoral Caribe de Colombia

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Schnetter Reinhard

1975-09-01

Full Text Available Laurencia minuscula pertenece a la sección Forsterianae Yamada (1931, por sus células corticales no radialmente elongadas y por los engrosamientos de las paredes longitudinales de las células medulares, Se distingue de la mayoría de las especies del género y de la sección por su tamaño pequeño. Las plantas vivas eran parduscas y de consistencia suave, sus superficies lisas o a veces muy ligeramente mamilíferas en las partes máS jóvenes. Los talos no presentaron hápteros secundarios ni ramas realmentedecumbentes. Casi todos los ejemplares coleccionados eran fétiles,  con tetrasporangios, cistocarpos o espermatangios, respectivamente. El material herborizado pega bien sohre el papel soporte.

A new pterosaur tracksite from the Jurassic Summerville formation, near Ferron, Utah

Science.gov (United States)

Mickelson, Debra L.; Lockley, Martin G.; Bishop, John; Kirkland, James I.

2003-01-01

Pterosaur tracks (cf. Pteraichnus) from the Summerville Formation of the Ferron area of central Utah add to the growing record of Pteraichnus tracksites in the Late Jurassic Summerville Formation and time-equivalent, or near time-equivalent, deposits. The site is typical in revealing high pterosaur track densities, but low ichnodiversity suggesting congregations or “flocks” of many individuals. Footprint length varies from 2.0 to 7.0 cms. The ratio of well-preserved pes:manus tracks is about 1:3.4. This reflects a bias in favor of preservation of manus tracks due to the greater weight-bearing role of the front limbs, as noted in other pterosaur track assemblages. The sample also reveals a number of well-preserved trackways including one suggestive of pes-only progression that might be associated with take off or landing, and another that shows pronounced lengthening of stride indicating acceleration.One well-preserved medium-sized theropod trackway (Therangospodus) and other larger theropod track casts (cf. Megalosauripus) are associated with what otherwise appears to be a nearly monospecific pterosaur track assemblage. However, traces of a fifth pes digit suggest some tracks are of rhamphorynchoid rather than pterodactyloid origin, as usually inferred for Pteraichnus. The tracks occur at several horizons in a thin stratigraphic interval of ripple marked sandstones and siltstones. Overall the assemblage is similar to others found in the same time interval in the Western Interior from central and eastern Utah through central and southern Wyoming, Colorado, northeastern Arizona, and western Oklahoma. This vast “Pteraichnusichnofacies,” with associated saurischian tracks, remains the only ichnological evidence of pre-Cretaceous pterosaurs in North America and sheds important light on the vertebrate ecology of the Summerville Formation and contiguous deposits.

Vertebral Pneumaticity in the Ornithomimosaur Archaeornithomimus (Dinosauria: Theropoda Revealed by Computed Tomography Imaging and Reappraisal of Axial Pneumaticity in Ornithomimosauria.

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Akinobu Watanabe

Full Text Available Among extant vertebrates, pneumatization of postcranial bones is unique to birds, with few known exceptions in other groups. Through reduction in bone mass, this feature is thought to benefit flight capacity in modern birds, but its prevalence in non-avian dinosaurs of variable sizes has generated competing hypotheses on the initial adaptive significance of postcranial pneumaticity. To better understand the evolutionary history of postcranial pneumaticity, studies have surveyed its distribution among non-avian dinosaurs. Nevertheless, the degree of pneumaticity in the basal coelurosaurian group Ornithomimosauria remains poorly known, despite their potential to greatly enhance our understanding of the early evolution of pneumatic bones along the lineage leading to birds. Historically, the identification of postcranial pneumaticity in non-avian dinosaurs has been based on examination of external morphology, and few studies thus far have focused on the internal architecture of pneumatic structures inside the bones. Here, we describe the vertebral pneumaticity of the ornithomimosaur Archaeornithomimus with the aid of X-ray computed tomography (CT imaging. Complementary examination of external and internal osteology reveals (1 highly pneumatized cervical vertebrae with an elaborate configuration of interconnected chambers within the neural arch and the centrum; (2 anterior dorsal vertebrae with pneumatic chambers inside the neural arch; (3 apneumatic sacral vertebrae; and (4 a subset of proximal caudal vertebrae with limited pneumatic invasion into the neural arch. Comparisons with other theropod dinosaurs suggest that ornithomimosaurs primitively exhibited a plesiomorphic theropod condition for axial pneumaticity that was extended among later taxa, such as Archaeornithomimus and large bodied Deinocheirus. This finding corroborates the notion that evolutionary increases in vertebral pneumaticity occurred in parallel among independent lineages of bird

Embryonic metabolism of the ornithischian dinosaurs Protoceratops andrewsi and Hypacrosaurus stebingeri and implications for calculations of dinosaur egg incubation times

Science.gov (United States)

Lee, Scott A.

2017-04-01

The embryonic metabolisms of the ornithischian dinosaurs Protoceratops andrewsi and Hypacrosaurus stebingeri have been determined and are in the range observed in extant reptiles. The average value of the measured embryonic metabolic rates for P. andrewsi and H. stebingeri are then used to calculate the incubation times for 21 dinosaurs from both Sauischia and Ornithischia using a mass growth model based on conservation of energy. The calculated incubation times vary from about 70 days for Archaeopteryx lithographica to about 180 days for Alamosaurus sanjuanensis. Such long incubation times seem unlikely, particularly for the sauropods and large theropods. Incubation times are also predicted with the assumption that the saurischian dinosaurs had embryonic metabolisms in the range observed in extant birds.

Early cretaceous dinosaurs from the sahara.

Science.gov (United States)

Sereno, P C; Wilson, J A; Larsson, H C; Dutheil, D B; Sues, H D

1994-10-14

A major question in Mesozoic biogeography is how the land-based dinosaurian radiation responded to fragmentation of Pangaea. A rich fossil record has been uncovered on northern continents that spans the Cretaceous, when continental isolation reached its peak. In contrast, dinosaur remains on southern continents are scarce. The discovery of dinosaurian skeletons from Lower Cretaceous beds in the southern Sahara shows that several lineages of tetanuran theropods and broad-toothed sauropods had a cosmopolitan distribution across Pangaea before the onset of continental fragmentation. The distinct dinosaurian faunas of Africa, South America, and Asiamerica arose during the Cretaceous by differential survival of once widespread lineages on land masses that were becoming increasingly isolated from one another.

A basal dromaeosaurid and size evolution preceding avian flight.

Science.gov (United States)

Turner, Alan H; Pol, Diego; Clarke, Julia A; Erickson, Gregory M; Norell, Mark A

2007-09-07

Fossil evidence for changes in dinosaurs near the lineage leading to birds and the origin of flight has been sparse. A dinosaur from Mongolia represents the basal divergence within Dromaeosauridae. The taxon's small body size and phylogenetic position imply that extreme miniaturization was ancestral for Paraves (the clade including Avialae, Troodontidae, and Dromaeosauridae), phylogenetically earlier than where flight evolution is strongly inferred. In contrast to the sustained small body sizes among avialans throughout the Cretaceous Period, the two dinosaurian lineages most closely related to birds, dromaeosaurids and troodontids, underwent four independent events of gigantism, and in some lineages size increased by nearly three orders of magnitude. Thus, change in theropod body size leading to flight's origin was not unidirectional.

Brief review of dinosaur studies and perspectives in Brazil

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ALEXANDER W. A. KELLNER

2000-12-01

Full Text Available Dinosaur research is developing at very high rates around the world resulting in several new discoveries that are improving our understanding of this terrestrial reptilian clade. Except for the last couple years, the studies of Brazilian dinosaurs have not followed this expansive trend, despite the high potential of several dinosaur localities. So far there are only eight described taxa, four in the last year, representing theropod, sauropod, and one possible prosauropod taxa. Except for footprints, there are no records of ornithischian dinosaurs in the country what is at least partially explainable by the lack of continuous vertebrate fossil collecting program in the country. More funding is necessary to improve the research activities in this field.

Anza palaeoichnological site. Late Cretaceous. Morocco. Part II. Problems of large dinosaur trackways and the first African Macropodosaurus trackway

Science.gov (United States)

Masrour, Moussa; Lkebir, Noura; Pérez-Lorente, Félix

2017-10-01

The Anza site shows large ichnological surfaces indicating the coexistence in the same area of different vertebrate footprints (dinosaur and pterosaur) and of different types (tridactyl and tetradactyl, semiplantigrade and rounded without digit marks) and the footprint variability of long trackways. This area may become a world reference in ichnology because it contains the second undebatable African site with Cretaceous pterosaur footprints - described in part I - and the first African site with Macropodosaurus footprints. In this work, problems related to long trackways are also analyzed, such as their sinuosity, the order-disorder of the variability (long-short) of the pace length and the difficulty of morphological classification of the theropod footprints due to their morphological variability.

"Ptosis" by Guadalupe Nettel and other stories about violence

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Maricruz Castro Ricalde

2017-07-01

Full Text Available The vast amount of published narratives on the last decade in Mexico, linked to an unnerving social climate produced by drug trafficking and corruption, is highly noticeable. In response to these sociopolitical conditions, it seems to me that the stories that don´t approach violence directly should be questioned. Here I pose that oblique writing is a form of resisting the possibility that violence is being nurtured from language. In this article I focus on “Ptosis”, one of the short stories in Pétalos y otras historias incómodas (2008 by Guadalupe Nettel. Appealing to the theoretical approaches of Ariel Dorfman, Amartya Sen, Arjun Appadurai, Walter Benjamin, and Roland Barthes, and others, I aim to reflect on the nature of identities and their survival methods, in the midst of a violence social context.

Complete spontaneous avascular necrosis of the adult navicula associated with Mee's growth arrest lines of the great and second toenails.

Science.gov (United States)

Singh, Dishan; Ferrerro, Andrea

2014-03-01

Spontaneous total avascular necrosis of the tarsal navicula has been well documented in children (Kohler's disease) but is uncommon in adults where partial necrosis is usually seen after trauma or in Müller-Weiss disease. A case of spontaneous complete navicular osteonecrosis in a 46 year old female is described; she had accompanying Mee's leuchonychial lines in the toenails of the great and second toes only; the lines resolved after 9 months. She has been treated with an excision of the navicula and interpositional iliac crest bone graft talo-cuneiform fusion with resolution of her pain. It is postulated that the combination of the Mee's lines and avascular necrosis of the navicula indicates an occlusion of the dorsalis pedis in a predisposed individual. Copyright © 2013 European Foot and Ankle Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Prospective study of the " Inside-Out" arthroscopic ankle ligament technique: Preliminary result.

Science.gov (United States)

Nery, Caio; Fonseca, Lucas; Raduan, Fernando; Moreno, Marcus; Baumfeld, Daniel

2017-03-22

Lateral ankle ligament injury is among the most common orthopedic injuries. The objective of this study is to present the preliminary prospective results of treatment using the "Inside-Out" variant of the fully arthroscopic Broström-Gould technique. Twenty six patients were included: 20 male and 6 female, aged 19-60 years, mean 41 years. All patients had positive "anterior drawer" and "talar tilt" tests. When necessary, cartilage injuries were treated with microfracture and arthroscopic resection for anterior impingement; three patients had hindfoot varus, on whom Dwyer osteotomy was performed; one patient had peroneal tendinopathy and was treated with tendoscopic debridement and another one had partial injury of the deltoid ligament, which was treated by direct repair. Two arthroscopic surgery portals were used; the anteromedial and anterolateral. After careful inspection of the joint, the anterior surface of the fibula was cleaned to resect the remains of the anterior talo-fibular ligament. An anchor with two sutures was placed on the anterior aspect of the fibula, 1cm from the distal apex of the malleolus. The sutures were passed through the remnant of the anterior talo-fibular ligament as well as the extensor retinaculum using special curved needles. Duncan knots were used to tie the ligament and the inferior extensor retinaculum while the ankle was kept in a neutral position. Patients were kept immobilized non-weight bearing for 2 weeks and were then allowed to start weight bearing in a removable protective boot for 4 weeks. The patients were able to return to sporting activities 6 months after surgery. After a mean follow-up of 27 months (range 21-36 months), patients were functionally evaluated using the American Orthopedics Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle score. The mean preoperative value was 58 points, while the mean postoperative value increased to 90 points. One patient had paresthesia in the superficial fibular nerve area, which resolved

A Labview Based Leakage Current Monitoring System For HV Insulators

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N. Mavrikakis

2015-10-01

Full Text Available In this paper, a Labview based leakage current monitoring system for High Voltage insulators is described. The system uses a general purpose DAQ system with the addition of different current sensors. The DAQ system consists of a chassis and hot-swappable modules. Through the proper design of current sensors, low cost modules operating with a suitable input range can be employed. Fully customizable software can be developed using Labview, allowing on-demand changes and incorporation of upgrades. Such a system provides a low cost alternative to specially designed equipment with the added advantage of maximum flexibility. Further, it can be modified to satisfy the specifications (technical and economical set under different scenarios. In fact, the system described in this paper has already been installed in the HV Lab of the TEI of Crete whereas a variation of it is currently in use in TALOS High Voltage Test Station.

Marantáceas Nuevas de Colombia

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Smith Lyman B.

1948-06-01

Full Text Available Identificando numeroso material botánico en el United States National Herbarium, hemos hallado varias especies de la familia Marantaceae, especialmente de Colombia, que todavía no han sido descritas. No intentamos tratar sobre todas ellas en el presente trabajo, sino que nos limitamos a describir las más notables, dejando las demás para un estudio posterior, cuando se disponga de material más completo. Para poder entender con exactitud la estructura de las brácteas menores, así como de los pétalos y el androceo de estas plantas, no obstante lo mucho que se puede averiguar con ejemplares secos de herbario, es necesario que las observaciones se hagan sobre material vivo. La necesidad de estudiar en vivo las Marantáceas es mayor que En la gran mayoría de las familias que componen las Fanerógamas.

Detection of closed influenza virus hemagglutinin fusion peptide structures in membranes by backbone {sup 13}CO-{sup 15}N rotational-echo double-resonance solid-state NMR

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ghosh, Ujjayini; Xie Li; Weliky, David P., E-mail: weliky@chemistry.msu.edu [Michigan State University, Department of Chemistry (United States)

2013-02-15

The influenza virus fusion peptide is the N-terminal {approx}20 residues of the HA2 subunit of the hemagglutinin protein and this peptide plays a key role in the fusion of the viral and endosomal membranes during initial infection of a cell. The fusion peptide adopts N-helix/turn/C-helix structure in both detergent and membranes with reports of both open and closed interhelical topologies. In the present study, backbone {sup 13}CO-{sup 15}N REDOR solid-state NMR was applied to the membrane-associated fusion peptide to detect the distribution of interhelical distances. The data clearly showed a large fraction of closed and semi-closed topologies and were best-fitted to a mixture of two structures that do not exchange. One of the earlier open structural models may have incorrect G13 dihedral angles derived from TALOS analysis of experimentally correct {sup 13}C shifts.

The evolution of endothermy in terrestrial vertebrates: Who? When? Why?

Science.gov (United States)

Hillenius, Willem J; Ruben, John A

2004-01-01

Avian and mammalian endothermy results from elevated rates of resting, or routine, metabolism and enables these animals to maintain high and stable body temperatures in the face of variable ambient temperatures. Endothermy is also associated with enhanced stamina and elevated capacity for aerobic metabolism during periods of prolonged activity. These attributes of birds and mammals have greatly contributed to their widespread distribution and ecological success. Unfortunately, since few anatomical/physiological attributes linked to endothermy are preserved in fossils, the origin of endothermy among the ancestors of mammals and birds has long remained obscure. Two recent approaches provide new insight into the metabolic physiology of extinct forms. One addresses chronic (resting) metabolic rates and emphasizes the presence of nasal respiratory turbinates in virtually all extant endotherms. These structures are associated with recovery of respiratory heat and moisture in animals with high resting metabolic rates. The fossil record of nonmammalian synapsids suggests that at least two Late Permian lineages possessed incipient respiratory turbinates. In contrast, these structures appear to have been absent in dinosaurs and nonornithurine birds. Instead, nasal morphology suggests that in the avian lineage, respiratory turbinates first appeared in Cretaceous ornithurines. The other approach addresses the capacity for maximal aerobic activity and examines lung structure and ventilatory mechanisms. There is no positive evidence to support the reconstruction of a derived, avian-like parabronchial lung/air sac system in dinosaurs or nonornithurine birds. Dinosaur lungs were likely heterogenous, multicameral septate lungs with conventional, tidal ventilation, although evidence from some theropods suggests that at least this group may have had a hepatic piston mechanism of supplementary lung ventilation. This suggests that dinosaurs and nonornithurine birds generally lacked the

The wings before the bird: an evaluation of flapping-based locomotory hypotheses in bird antecedents

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T. Alexander Dececchi

2016-07-01

Full Text Available Background: Powered flight is implicated as a major driver for the success of birds. Here we examine the effectiveness of three hypothesized pathways for the evolution of the flight stroke, the forelimb motion that powers aerial locomotion, in a terrestrial setting across a range of stem and basal avians: flap running, Wing Assisted Incline Running (WAIR, and wing-assisted leaping. Methods: Using biomechanical mathematical models based on known aerodynamic principals and in vivo experiments and ground truthed using extant avians we seek to test if an incipient flight stroke may have contributed sufficient force to permit flap running, WAIR, or leaping takeoff along the phylogenetic lineage from Coelurosauria to birds. Results: None of these behaviours were found to meet the biomechanical threshold requirements before Paraves. Neither was there a continuous trend of refinement for any of these biomechanical performances across phylogeny nor a signal of universal applicability near the origin of birds. None of these flap-based locomotory models appear to have been a major influence on pre-flight character acquisition such as pennaceous feathers, suggesting non-locomotory behaviours, and less stringent locomotory behaviours such as balancing and braking, played a role in the evolution of the maniraptoran wing and nascent flight stroke. We find no support for widespread prevalence of WAIR in non-avian theropods, but can’t reject its presence in large winged, small-bodied taxa like Microraptor and Archaeopteryx. Discussion: Using our first principles approach we find that “near flight” locomotor behaviors are most sensitive to wing area, and that non-locomotory related selection regimes likely expanded wing area well before WAIR and other such behaviors were possible in derived avians. These results suggest that investigations of the drivers for wing expansion and feather elongation in theropods need not be intrinsically linked to locomotory

A phylogenetic study of the section moduli of the humerus in bipedal theropod dinosaurs

Science.gov (United States)

Lee, Scott; Richards, Zachary

The section modulus of a bone is a measure of its ability to resist bending torques. Carnivorous dinosaurs including Tyrannosauroidea and Allosauroidea had strong humeri, presumably to hold struggling prey during hunting. The herbivorous dinosaurs of Ornithomimosauria had weak arm bones. This is believed to reflect the fact that their arms were never subjected to large bending torques. The unusual dinosaurs of Therizinosauria had arms as strong as found in the carnivorous dinosaurs. This is consistent with the hypothesis that their manus suggests a digging lifestyle. Other groups including Oviraptorosauria, Troodontidae, Dromaeosauridae and Compsognathidae are also examined.

An enigmatic, diminutive theropod footprint in the shallow marine Pliensbachian Hasle Formation, Bornholm, Denmark

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Milàn, Jesper; Surlyk, Finn

2015-01-01

A well-preserved three-toed footprint, measuring 34 mm in length from a very small predatory dinosaur with an estimated hip height of 153 mm and a total body length around 50 cm including tail, is reported from the type section of the marine Lower Jurassic (Pliensbachian), Hasle Formation...... on the Danish island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea. The morphology of the footprint is similar to the ichnogenus Stenonyx Lull 1904 from the contemporaneous Pliensbachian Szydlowek site in Poland. Apart from the Polish material, footprints from diminutive dinosaurs are rare and reported from few other...... localities around the world. The occurrence of a diminutive dinosaur footprint in a shallow marine sandstone is enigmatic. The well-defined morphology of the footprint, together with the very small size of the trackmaker, excludes the possibility that the track was emplaced by a swimming or wading animal...

Tyrant dinosaur evolution tracks the rise and fall of Late Cretaceous oceans.

Science.gov (United States)

Loewen, Mark A; Irmis, Randall B; Sertich, Joseph J W; Currie, Philip J; Sampson, Scott D

2013-01-01

The Late Cretaceous (∼95-66 million years ago) western North American landmass of Laramidia displayed heightened non-marine vertebrate diversity and intracontinental regionalism relative to other latest Cretaceous Laurasian ecosystems. Processes generating these patterns during this interval remain poorly understood despite their presumed role in the diversification of many clades. Tyrannosauridae, a clade of large-bodied theropod dinosaurs restricted to the Late Cretaceous of Laramidia and Asia, represents an ideal group for investigating Laramidian patterns of evolution. We use new tyrannosaurid discoveries from Utah--including a new taxon which represents the geologically oldest member of the clade--to investigate the evolution and biogeography of Tyrannosauridae. These data suggest a Laramidian origin for Tyrannosauridae, and implicate sea-level related controls in the isolation, diversification, and dispersal of this and many other Late Cretaceous vertebrate clades.

A adição de xisto retortado aumenta a retenção do carbono de resíduos vegetais no solo

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Ricardo Elso Leão

2014-10-01

Full Text Available O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de curto prazo e o residual de doses de xisto retortado (XR sobre a retenção do C de resíduos culturais no solo. Foram avaliadas a mineralização e a retenção de C de folhas e talos de soja enriquecidos com 13C, em solo com e sem histórico de aplicação de XR e na presença e na ausência de doses crescentes de XR. Houve efeito de curto prazo do XR sobre a retenção de C no solo. Esse efeito ocorreu somente com a mistura de folhas + 3 Mg ha-1 de XR, em que a retenção de C no solo superou em 21% aquela observada com a aplicação isolada das folhas. O XR apresenta potencial de reter C no solo.

Fluctuating partially native-like topologies in the acid denatured ensemble of autolysis resistant HIV-1 protease.

Science.gov (United States)

Rout, Manoj Kumar; Hosur, Ramakrishna V

2009-02-01

Folding, in-vivo, starts from a denatured state and thus the nature of the denatured state would play an important role in directing the folding of a protein. We report here NMR characterization of the acid-denatured state of a mutant of HIV-1 protease, designed to prevent autolysis (Q7K, L33I, L63I) and to prevent cysteine oxidation (C67A and C95A). Secondary chemical shifts, TALOS analysis of chemical shifts and (15)N relaxation data (R(1), R(2), NOE) coupled with AABUF and hydrophobicity calculations, suggest formation of hydrophobic clusters and possibility of some partially native-like topologies in the acid denatured state of the protease. The structural and dynamics characteristics of the acid denatured PR seem to be considerably different from those of the guanidine or urea denatured states of some variants of PR. These would have implications for the folding and auto-processing of the enzyme in-vivo.

Pelagic tar, dissolved/dispersed petroleum hydrocarbons and plastic distribution in the Cretan Sea, Greece

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kornilios, S.; Drakopoulos, P.G.; Dounas, C. [Institute of Marine Biology of Crete, Iraklio (Greece). Environmental Dept.

1998-12-01

During the first cruise of R/V `Philia` in July 1997 within the framework of the TALOS programme supported by the Greek Ministry of Physical Planning and Public Works, the sampling of floating tar, litter and sea water for dissolved/dispersed petroleum hydrocarbons (DDPH) was carried out in the Cretan Sea. Analysis of these data has allowed a first assessment of the status of floating marine pollution in the region. DDPH measurements showed a mean concentration of 0.145 {mu}g/l of chrysene equivalents (n = 24). Tar and plastics concentrations were in the range of 1-4280 and 0-1160 {mu}g/m{sup 2}, respectively. Mean pelagic tar concentration was 318 {mu}g/m{sup 2}, more than two times higher than what was reported for the area in previous studies. Based on in situ hydrographic observations there is strong evidence that most of the floating tar enters the Cretan Sea through the Ionian Sea. (author)

Pelagic tar, dissolved/dispersed petroleum hydrocarbons and plastic distribution in the Cretan Sea, Greece

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kornilios, S.; Drakopoulos, P.G.; Dounas, C. [Institute of Marine Biology of Crete, Iraklio (Greece). Environmental Dept.

1998-12-01

During the first cruise of R/V 'Philia' in July 1997 within the framework of the TALOS programme supported by the Greek Ministry of Physical Planning and Public Works, the sampling of floating tar, litter and sea water for dissolved/dispersed petroleum hydrocarbons (DDPH) was carried out in the Cretan Sea. Analysis of these data has allowed a first assessment of the status of floating marine pollution in the region. DDPH measurements showed a mean concentration of 0.145 {mu}g/l of chrysene equivalents (n = 24). Tar and plastics concentrations were in the range of 1-4280 and 0-1160 {mu}g/m{sup 2}, respectively. Mean pelagic tar concentration was 318 {mu}g/m{sup 2}, more than two times higher than what was reported for the area in previous studies. Based on in situ hydrographic observations there is strong evidence that most of the floating tar enters the Cretan Sea through the Ionian Sea. (author)

Comparison of multiple crystal structures with NMR data for engrailed homeodomain

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Religa, Tomasz L. [MRC Centre for Protein Engineering (United Kingdom)], E-mail: tlr25@mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk

2008-03-15

Two methods are currently available to solve high resolution protein structures-X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Both methods usually produce highly similar structures, but small differences between both solutions are always observed. Here the raw NMR data as well as the solved NMR structure were compared to the multiple crystal structures solved for the WT 60 residue three helix bundle engrailed homeodomain (EnHD) and single point mutants. There was excellent agreement between TALOS-predicted and crystal structure-observed dihedral angles and a good agreement for the {sup 3}J(H{sup N}H{sup {alpha}}) couplings for the multiple crystal structures. Around 1% of NOEs were violated for any crystal structure, but no NOE was inconsistent with all of the crystal structures. Violations usually occurred for surface residues or for residues for which multiple discreet conformations were observed between the crystal structures. Comparison of the disorder shown in the multiple crystal structures shows little correlation with dynamics under native conditions for this protein.

Rapid protein fold determination using secondary chemical shifts and cross-hydrogen bond 15N-13C' scalar couplings (3hbJNC')

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bonvin, Alexandre M.J.J.; Houben, Klaartje; Guenneugues, Marc; Kaptein, Robert; Boelens, Rolf [Utrecht University, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, NMR Spectroscopy (Netherlands)

2001-11-15

The possibility of generating protein folds at the stage of backbone assignment using structural restraints derived from experimentally measured cross-hydrogen bond scalar couplings and secondary chemical shift information is investigated using as a test case the small {alpha}/{beta} protein chymotrypsin inhibitor 2. Dihedral angle restraints for the {phi} and {psi} angles of 32 out of 64 residues could be obtained from secondary chemical shift analysis with the TALOS program (Corneliscu et al., 1999a). This information was supplemented by 18 hydrogen-bond restraints derived from experimentally measured cross-hydrogen bond {sup 3hb}J{sub NC'} coupling constants. These experimental data were sufficient to generate structures that are as close as 1.0 A backbone rmsd from the crystal structure. The fold is, however, not uniquely defined and several solutions are generated that cannot be distinguished on the basis of violations or energetic considerations. Correct folds could be identified by combining clustering methods with knowledge-based potentials derived from structural databases.

A Refined Model for the Structure of Acireductone Dioxygenase from Klebsiella ATCC 8724 Incorporating Residual Dipolar Couplings

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Pochapsky, Thomas C., E-mail: pochapsk@brandeis.edu; Pochapsky, Susan S.; Ju Tingting [Brandeis University, Department of Chemistry (United States); Hoefler, Chris [Brandeis University, Department of Biochemistry (United States); Liang Jue [Brandeis University, Department of Chemistry (United States)

2006-02-15

Acireductone dioxygenase (ARD) from Klebsiella ATCC 8724 is a metalloenzyme that is capable of catalyzing different reactions with the same substrates (acireductone and O{sub 2}) depending upon the metal bound in the active site. A model for the solution structure of the paramagnetic Ni{sup 2+}-containing ARD has been refined using residual dipolar couplings (RDCs) measured in two media. Additional dihedral restraints based on chemical shift (TALOS) were included in the refinement, and backbone structure in the vicinity of the active site was modeled from a crystallographic structure of the mouse homolog of ARD. The incorporation of residual dipolar couplings into the structural refinement alters the relative orientations of several structural features significantly, and improves local secondary structure determination. Comparisons between the solution structures obtained with and without RDCs are made, and structural similarities and differences between mouse and bacterial enzymes are described. Finally, the biological significance of these differences is considered.

Assessment of the Medial Longitudinal Arch in children with Flexible Pes Planus by Plantar Pressure Mapping.

Science.gov (United States)

Elmoatasem, E M; Eid, M A

2016-12-01

Plantar Pressure mapping was introduced as a new modality for assessment of the height of the medial longitudinal arch of the foot. Therefore, the aim of this study is to correlate the plantar pressure mapping readings of arch index contact force ratio (AICFR) in children with flexible pes planus with radiographic measurements and static plantar footprints in order to determine the reliability of pressure mapping as a modality for the assessment and follow up of the flat foot deformity. Radiographic measurements, foot prints, and pressure mapping scans were recorded for each foot at initial presentation and at latest follow up in 28 children (56 feet) with flexible pes planus. A positive correlation of pressure mapping results was found with the talo-first metatarsal angle, the calcaneal pitch angle, as well as the footprint scans (P plantar pressure mapping is a reliable and effective tool in screening, diagnosis, and follow up of children with flexible pes planus.

A new species of Stelis (Orchidaceae, Pleurothallidinae from Guerrero, Mexico Una nueva especie de Stelis (Orchidaceae, Pleurothallidinae de Guerrero, México

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Rodolfo Solano-Gómez

2007-12-01

Full Text Available A new species of Stelis from the cloud forest of Guerrero, Mexico, is described and illustrated as S. desantiagoi. This species is similar to S. rubens, but is distinguished by its larger plants, the stems proportionally longer, the leaves wider, the sepals internally papillose (vs. pubescent, the petals flabellate (vs. cuneate, the labellum slightly arcuate with the apex straight (vs. geniculate with the apex strongly incurved, and the clinandrium entire (vs. trilobate.Se describe e ilustra una nueva especie de Stelis del bosque nublado de Guerrero, México como S. desantiagoi. Esta especie es similar a S. rubens, pero se distingue por las plantas de mayor tamaño, los tallos proporcionalmente más largos, las hojas más anchas, los sépalos interiormente papilosos (vs. pubescentes, los pétalos flabelados (vs. cuneados, el labelo ligeramente arqueado con ápice recto (vs. geniculado con el ápice fuertemente incurvado y el clinandrio entero (vs. trilobado.

PENSAMIENTO DIAGRAMÁTICO Y NARRATIVIDAD: UNA ARTICULACIÓN SEMIÓTICO - MATEMÁTICA

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Miguel Ariza

2012-01-01

Full Text Available De larga trayectoria es la relación entre matemáticas y narrativa. En este artículo se muestran modos específicos en que se vinculan ambos ámbitos pese a lo disímiles que, en apariencia, pueden llegar a ser. Así, se habla de Ítalo Calvino y de su articulación narrativa de carácter 'algebraico combinatoria', que, además, utiliza el modelo greimasiano, no para hacer análisis semiótico, sino como modelo generador de escritura; y de Claude Berge y su novela diagramático-policíaca ¿Quién mató al duque de Densmore? Esto permitirá comprender el tránsito de una semiótica de la acción a una semiótica del suceso, a través de un modelo diagramático-relacional propuesto.

Mafai e Scipione: a Scuola Romana di Pittura no MAC-USP

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Benjamim Saviani

2012-01-01

Full Text Available Estudo crítico sobre obras de dois pintores italianos, Mario Mafai e Gino Bonichi (dito Scipione, pertencentes à Scuola Romana di Pittura, presentes no Museu de Arte Contemporânea da Universidade de São Paulo (MAC-USP: Rapaz e Natureza-morta (Mafai e Oceano Indiano (Scipione integram o primeiro acervo do atual museu, e são advindas da antiga coleção do Museu de Arte Moderna de São Paulo (MAM-SP, formada por Ciccillo Matarazzo. Além de estudo iconográfico das obras em si, vem adjunto um estudo sobre sua relação com os acervos de arte moderna paulistanos, em formação em meados do século XX, de forte relação com a arte moderna italiana e os projetos político-culturais de ítalo-descendentes presentes em São Paulo, traço marcante do cenário cultural da cidade.

Pelagic tar, dissolved/dispersed petroleum hydrocarbons and plastic distribution in the Cretan Sea, Greece

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kornilios, S.; Drakopoulos, P.G.; Dounas, C.

1998-01-01

During the first cruise of R/V 'Philia' in July 1997 within the framework of the TALOS programme supported by the Greek Ministry of Physical Planning and Public Works, the sampling of floating tar, litter and sea water for dissolved/dispersed petroleum hydrocarbons (DDPH) was carried out in the Cretan Sea. Analysis of these data has allowed a first assessment of the status of floating marine pollution in the region. DDPH measurements showed a mean concentration of 0.145 μg/l of chrysene equivalents (n = 24). Tar and plastics concentrations were in the range of 1-4280 and 0-1160 μg/m 2 , respectively. Mean pelagic tar concentration was 318 μg/m 2 , more than two times higher than what was reported for the area in previous studies. Based on in situ hydrographic observations there is strong evidence that most of the floating tar enters the Cretan Sea through the Ionian Sea. (author)

A comparison of surgical exposures for posterolateral osteochondral lesions of the talar dome.

Science.gov (United States)

Mayne, Alistair I W; Lawton, Robert; Reidy, Michael J; Harrold, Fraser; Chami, George

2018-04-01

Perpendicular access to the posterolateral talar dome for the management of osteochondral defects is difficult. We examined exposure available from each of four surgical approaches. Four surgical approaches were performed on 9 Thiel-embalmed cadavers: anterolateral approach with arthrotomy; anterolateral approach with anterior talo-fibular ligament (ATFL) release; anterolateral approach with antero-lateral tibial osteotomy; and anterolateral approach with lateral malleolus osteotomy. The furthest distance posteriorly allowing perpendicular access with a 2mm k-wire was measured. An anterolateral approach with arthrotomy provided a mean exposure of the anterior third of the lateral talar dome. A lateral malleolus osteotomy provided superior exposure (81.5% vs 58.8%) compared to an anterolateral tibial osteotomy. Only the anterior half of the lateral border of the talar dome could be accessed with an anterolateral approach without osteotomy. A fibular osteotomy provided best exposure to the posterolateral aspect of the talar dome. Copyright © 2016 European Foot and Ankle Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

ELABORACIÓN DE PAPEL INDICADOR A BASE DE EXTRACTOS NATURALES: UNA ALTERNATIVA FUNDAMENTADA EN EXPERIENCIAS DE LABORATORIO PARA EL APRENDIZAJE DEL CONCEPTO DE pH

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Adriana Natalia Palomares Parada

2009-04-01

Full Text Available El siguiente artículo se encuentra enmarcado en experiencias de laboratorio que se orientan desde diagramas de flujo muy sintéticos e ilustrativos, que promueven un acercamiento al concepto estructurante de pH, y su relación con el comportamiento ácido-base y las soluciones buffer. Para la enseñanza de dichos conceptos, se efectuó la elaboración y estandarización de tres tipos de papel indicador de pH, utilizando sustancias naturales, tales como la col lombarda, los pétalos de rosa roja y el curry,insumos de fácil consecución y cuyo comportamiento químico permite la consolidación de este tipo de conceptos estructurantes, aspecto que fue evidenciado en su posterior aplicación a una serie de sustancias de uso cotidiano, en diversos rangos de la escalade pH, lograda desde una colección de soluciones amortiguadoras preparadas por los estudiantes.

ELABORACIÓN DE PAPEL INDICADOR A BASE DE EXTRACTOS NATURALES: UNA ALTERNATIVA FUNDAMENTADA EN EXPERIENCIAS DE LABORATORIO PARA EL APRENDIZAJE DEL CONCEPTO DE pH

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Jaime Augusto Casas Mateus

2009-01-01

Full Text Available El siguiente artículo se encuentra enmarcado en experiencias de laboratorio que se orientan desde diagramas de flujo muy sintéticos e ilustrativos, que promueven un acercamiento al concepto estructurante de pH, y su relación con el comportamiento ácido-base y las soluciones buffer. Para la enseñanza de dichos conceptos, se efectuó la elaboración y estandarización de tres tipos de papel indicador de pH, utilizando sustancias naturales, tales como la col lombarda, los pétalos de rosa roja y el curry, insumos de fácil consecución y cuyo comportamiento químico permite la consolidación de este tipo de conceptos estructurantes, aspecto que fue evidenciado en su posterior aplicación a una serie de sustancias de uso cotidiano, en diversos rangos de la escala de pH, lograda desde una colección de soluciones amortiguadoras preparadas por los estudiantes.

Dinosaur tracks from the Cedar Mountain Formation (Lower Cretaceous), Arches National Park, Utah

Science.gov (United States)

Lockley, Martin G.; White, Diane K.; Kirkland, James I.; Santucci, Vincent L.

2004-01-01

The seventh and largest known dinosaur tracksite from the Cedar Mountain Formation is reported from two important stratigraphic levels in the Ruby Ranch Member within the boundaries of Arches National Park. Previous reports of sites with a few isolated tracks are of limited utility in indicating the fauna represented by track makers. The Arches site reveals evidence of several theropod morphotypes, including a possible match for the coelurosaur Nedcolbertia and an apparently didactyl Utahraptor-like dromeosaurid. Sauropod tracks indicate a wide-gauge morphotype (cf. Brontopodus). Ornithischian tracks suggest the presence of an iguandontid-like ornithopod and a large ankylosaur. Dinosaur track diversity is high in comparison with other early Cretaceous vertebrate ichnofaunas, and it correlates well with faunal lists derived from skeletal remains, thus providing a convincing census of the known fauna.

Evolution of dinosaur epidermal structures.

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Barrett, Paul M; Evans, David C; Campione, Nicolás E

2015-06-01

Spectacularly preserved non-avian dinosaurs with integumentary filaments/feathers have revolutionized dinosaur studies and fostered the suggestion that the dinosaur common ancestor possessed complex integumentary structures homologous to feathers. This hypothesis has major implications for interpreting dinosaur biology, but has not been tested rigorously. Using a comprehensive database of dinosaur skin traces, we apply maximum-likelihood methods to reconstruct the phylogenetic distribution of epidermal structures and interpret their evolutionary history. Most of these analyses find no compelling evidence for the appearance of protofeathers in the dinosaur common ancestor and scales are usually recovered as the plesiomorphic state, but results are sensitive to the outgroup condition in pterosaurs. Rare occurrences of ornithischian filamentous integument might represent independent acquisitions of novel epidermal structures that are not homologous with theropod feathers. © 2015 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.

LAS RELACIONES DIPLOMÁTICAS Y POLÍTICO-PARTIDISTAS ÍTALO-CHILENAS DURANTE EL GOBIERNO DE EDUARDO FREÍ MONTALVA

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Raffaele Nocera

2009-12-01

Full Text Available El ensayo explora los enlaces que se instauraron, durante la década de los sesenta del siglo pasado, entre la Democrazia Cristiana italiana y el Partido Demócrata Cristiano de Chile y, en términos generales, entre el gobierno italiano y el chileno, a través de una documentación de archivo que, hasta ahora, ha quedado bastante escondida. En este sentido, destacan los intercambios epistolares entre Eduardo Frei Montalva y algunos representantes y líderes del partido italiano (Fanfani, Moro, Bernassola y Freato. El ensayo se propone ofrecer temas de debate sobre las razones que movieron a la DC italiana a invertir muchos recursos -sobre todo financieros- y abnegación, en un escenario geopolítico lejano y, con excepción de Cuba, de competencia exclusiva de EE.UU.This work explores the links established between the Italian Christian Democracy and Chile's Christian Democrat Party during the sixties. Moreover, it considers the relationships between the Italian and Chilean governments, based on documentation that was, until now, unknown. Of particular interest is the regular mail correspondence between Eduardo Frei Montalva and some of the representatives and leaders of the Italian Christian Democracy (Fanfani, Moro, Bernassola and Freato. The article offers insights to debate about the reasons that encouraged the Italian Christian Democracy to invest financial resources and time in a distant Latin American geopolitical scenario, which was, with the exception of Cuba, part of United States sphere of influence.

New insights into the lifestyle of Allosaurus (Dinosauria: Theropoda based on another specimen with multiple pathologies

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Christian Foth

2015-05-01

Full Text Available Adult large-bodied theropods are often found with numerous pathologies. A large, almost complete, probably adult Allosaurus specimen from the Howe Stephens Quarry, Morrison Formation (Late Kimmeridgian–Early Tithonian, Wyoming, exhibits multiple pathologies. Pathologic bones include the left dentary, two cervical vertebrae, one cervical and several dorsal ribs, the left scapula, the left humerus, the right ischium, and two left pedal phalanges. These pathologies can be classified as follows: the fifth cervical vertebra, the scapula, several ribs and the ischium are probably traumatic, and a callus on the shaft of the left pedal phalanx II-2 is probably traumatic-infectious. Traumatically fractured elements exposed to frequent movement (e.g., the scapula and the ribs show a tendency to develop pseudarthroses instead of a callus. The pathologies in the lower jaw and a reduced extensor tubercle of the left pedal phalanx II-2 are most likely traumatic or developmental in origin. The pathologies on the fourth cervical are most likely developmental in origin or idiopathic, that on the left humerus could be traumatic, developmental, infectious or idiopathic, whereas the left pedal phalanx IV-1 is classified as idiopathic. With exception of the ischium, all as traumatic/traumatic-infectious classified pathologic elements show unambiguous evidences of healing, indicating that the respective pathologies did not cause the death of this individual. Alignment of the scapula and rib pathologies from the left side suggests that all may have been caused by a single traumatic event. The ischial fracture may have been fatal. The occurrence of multiple lesions interpreted as traumatic pathologies again underlines that large-bodied theropods experienced frequent injuries during life, indicating an active predatory lifestyle, and their survival perhaps supports a gregarious behavior for Allosaurus. Alternatively, the frequent survival of traumatic events could be

Eggshell Porosity Provides Insight on Evolution of Nesting in Dinosaurs.

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Kohei Tanaka

Full Text Available Knowledge about the types of nests built by dinosaurs can provide insight into the evolution of nesting and reproductive behaviors among archosaurs. However, the low preservation potential of their nesting materials and nesting structures means that most information can only be gleaned indirectly through comparison with extant archosaurs. Two general nest types are recognized among living archosaurs: 1 covered nests, in which eggs are incubated while fully covered by nesting material (as in crocodylians and megapodes, and 2 open nests, in which eggs are exposed in the nest and brooded (as in most birds. Previously, dinosaur nest types had been inferred by estimating the water vapor conductance (i.e., diffusive capacity of their eggs, based on the premise that high conductance corresponds to covered nests and low conductance to open nests. However, a lack of statistical rigor and inconsistencies in this method render its application problematic and its validity questionable. As an alternative we propose a statistically rigorous approach to infer nest type based on large datasets of eggshell porosity and egg mass compiled for over 120 extant archosaur species and 29 archosaur extinct taxa/ootaxa. The presence of a strong correlation between eggshell porosity and nest type among extant archosaurs indicates that eggshell porosity can be used as a proxy for nest type, and thus discriminant analyses can help predict nest type in extinct taxa. Our results suggest that: 1 covered nests are likely the primitive condition for dinosaurs (and probably archosaurs, and 2 open nests first evolved among non-avian theropods more derived than Lourinhanosaurus and were likely widespread in non-avian maniraptorans, well before the appearance of birds. Although taphonomic evidence suggests that basal open nesters (i.e., oviraptorosaurs and troodontids were potentially the first dinosaurs to brood their clutches, they still partially buried their eggs in sediment

Eggshell Porosity Provides Insight on Evolution of Nesting in Dinosaurs.

Science.gov (United States)

Tanaka, Kohei; Zelenitsky, Darla K; Therrien, François

2015-01-01

Knowledge about the types of nests built by dinosaurs can provide insight into the evolution of nesting and reproductive behaviors among archosaurs. However, the low preservation potential of their nesting materials and nesting structures means that most information can only be gleaned indirectly through comparison with extant archosaurs. Two general nest types are recognized among living archosaurs: 1) covered nests, in which eggs are incubated while fully covered by nesting material (as in crocodylians and megapodes), and 2) open nests, in which eggs are exposed in the nest and brooded (as in most birds). Previously, dinosaur nest types had been inferred by estimating the water vapor conductance (i.e., diffusive capacity) of their eggs, based on the premise that high conductance corresponds to covered nests and low conductance to open nests. However, a lack of statistical rigor and inconsistencies in this method render its application problematic and its validity questionable. As an alternative we propose a statistically rigorous approach to infer nest type based on large datasets of eggshell porosity and egg mass compiled for over 120 extant archosaur species and 29 archosaur extinct taxa/ootaxa. The presence of a strong correlation between eggshell porosity and nest type among extant archosaurs indicates that eggshell porosity can be used as a proxy for nest type, and thus discriminant analyses can help predict nest type in extinct taxa. Our results suggest that: 1) covered nests are likely the primitive condition for dinosaurs (and probably archosaurs), and 2) open nests first evolved among non-avian theropods more derived than Lourinhanosaurus and were likely widespread in non-avian maniraptorans, well before the appearance of birds. Although taphonomic evidence suggests that basal open nesters (i.e., oviraptorosaurs and troodontids) were potentially the first dinosaurs to brood their clutches, they still partially buried their eggs in sediment. Open nests

Do brooding and polygamy behaviors exist on Cretaceous oviraptoroid dinosaurs of China: a paleobiological perspective

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Yang, T.-R.; Cheng, Y.-N.; Yang, K.-M.

2012-04-01

Brooding, parental care, and polygamy represent three different stages in bird's reproduction. The oringin of these behaviors is still in debate. Several samples excavated from China strengthen the phylogenetic relationship between birds and dinosaurs, for example, feathered dinosaurs, paired-eggs in pelvic region of an oviraptorid dinosaur, and small theropod fossils. Previous studies in past two decades, including an oviraptor sitting on a clutch and comparison of the ratio of clutch-volume to adult-body-size between Aves and Mesozoic dinosaurs, proposed that these behaviors had appeared on some Cretaceous theropods (e.g., oviraptor and troodon). These researches also indicate the possibility of endothermy and male care first. In conclusion, this reproduction strategy might support females having more remnant energy to build a larger clutch contributed eggs from multiple females, and brooded by males only. From our cluster analysis through paleoecological perspectives, the eggs in Cretaceous oviraptor's nest should not be corporately laid by multiple females. In morphological observation, the fossilized clutches from Ganzhou, Jiangxi, Mainland China, are 2-layered interbeded with matrix of reddish-brown siltstone or clays. The inner-layer eggs are hampered from directly contacting with adult dinosaurs body. Furthermore, the blunt ends of the eggs point to the center, and incline away forming a mound-shape nest, which is completely different from those of precocial and male-caring megapode. The ornamentation of eggshell surface and microstructures from thin sections of eggs from oviraptors and ostrich (Struthioniformes) are totally different. Comparison of thickness in different part of oviraptor's egg also reveal possible physiological structure in the egg and ecological behaviors. The detailed comparison implies that the Mesozoic oviraptoroid dinosaurs hold absolutely different incubation and caring behaviors from extant birds. We propose an alternative

The Evolution of Diapsid Reproductive Strategy with Inferences about Extinct Taxa.

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Jason R Moore

Full Text Available Diapsids show an extremely wide range of reproductive strategies. Offspring may receive no parental care, care from only one sex, care from both parents, or care under more complex regimes. Young may vary from independent, super-precocial hatchlings to altricial neonates needing much care before leaving the nest. Parents can invest heavily in a few young, or less so in a larger number. Here we examine the evolution of these traits across a composite phylogeny spanning the extant diapsids and including the limited number of extinct taxa for which reproductive strategies can be well constrained. Generalized estimating equation(GEE-based phylogenetic comparative methods demonstrate the influences of body mass, parental care strategy and hatchling maturity on clutch volume across the diapsids. The influence of polygamous reproduction is not important despite a large sample size. Applying the results of these models to the dinosaurs supports the hypothesis of paternal care (male only in derived non-avian theropods, previously suggested based on simpler analyses. These data also suggest that sauropodomorphs did not care for their young. The evolution of parental-care occurs in an almost linear series of transitions. Paternal care rarely gives rise to other care strategies. Where hatchling condition changes, diapsids show an almost unidirectional tendency of evolution towards increased altriciality. Transitions to social monogamy from the ancestral state in diapsids, where both sexes are polygamous, are common. In contrast, once evolved, polygyny and polyandry are very evolutionarily stable. Polygyny and maternal care correlate, as do polyandry and paternal care. Ancestral-character estimation (ACE of these care strategies with the character transition likelihoods estimated from the original data gives good confidence at most important nodes. These analyses suggest that the basalmost diapsids had no parental care. Crocodilians independently evolved

The Origin and Diversification of Birds.

Science.gov (United States)

Brusatte, Stephen L; O'Connor, Jingmai K; Jarvis, Erich D

2015-10-05

Birds are one of the most recognizable and diverse groups of modern vertebrates. Over the past two decades, a wealth of new fossil discoveries and phylogenetic and macroevolutionary studies has transformed our understanding of how birds originated and became so successful. Birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs during the Jurassic (around 165-150 million years ago) and their classic small, lightweight, feathered, and winged body plan was pieced together gradually over tens of millions of years of evolution rather than in one burst of innovation. Early birds diversified throughout the Jurassic and Cretaceous, becoming capable fliers with supercharged growth rates, but were decimated at the end-Cretaceous extinction alongside their close dinosaurian relatives. After the mass extinction, modern birds (members of the avian crown group) explosively diversified, culminating in more than 10,000 species distributed worldwide today. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abelisauroidea e Carcharodontosauridae (Theropoda,Dinosauria na América do Sul durante do Cretáceo. Implicações Paleogeográficas e Geocronológicas

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Agustín Guillermo Martinelli

2005-12-01

Full Text Available In this contribution an up-to-date list of abelisauroid ceratosaurians and carcharodontosauridallosaurians recognized in South America is presented. Abelisauroids and carcharodontosauridsin South America show rich species diversity and a wide range of temporal and geographicaldistribution. At least eight formally described species of Abelisauroidea are recognized in Argen-tina and only one in Brazil; in contrast, only one species of Carcharodontosauridae is known forall South America. The fossil record of abelisauroids and carcharodontosaurids in South Americashows a dominance of abelisauroids in the upper late Cretaceous, while the dominance ofcarcharodontosaurids as large predators was during the Cenomanian-Turonian. Although knowl-edge of the evolution of Abelisauroidea and Carcharodontasauridae in South America, as well asin the rest of Gondwana is still far for being complete, intensive explorations in recent years haveprovided greater insight into the composition of theropod faunas in the Cretaceous of Gondwana.

Cranial Endocast of the lambeosaurine hadrosaurid Amurosaurus riabinini from the Amur region, Russia.

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Pascaline Lauters

Full Text Available Information on the structure of the brain of the lambeosaurine hadrosaurid dinosaur Amurosaurus riabinini, from the Late Maastrichtian of Blagoveschensk, Far Eastern Russia, is presented based on endocranial casts. The endocasts are compared with physical and digital endocasts of other dinosaurs. The olfactory tract was large. The cerebral hemispheres are enlarged and round, illustrating the important development of this part of the brain in hadrosaurids. The pituitary body is enlarged as well, perhaps prefiguring the large size attained by hadrosaurids. The EQ of Amurosaurus was similar to that of the lambeosaurine dinosaur Hypacrosaurus altispinus and was relatively larger than in most extant non-avian reptiles, including sauropod and ceratopsian dinosaurs. However, it was apparently relatively smaller than those of most theropod dinosaurs. The relatively large size of the cerebrum is consistent with the range and complexity of social behaviors inferred for lambeosaurine dinosaurs.

De supuesta toponimia céltica en Castilla: el caso de Arévalo (Ávila

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Emilio Nieto Ballester

2005-12-01

Full Text Available In this way, the aim of this paper is to show the this caution apply an Pre-roman origin is absolutely necessary with a place-name very difficult, Arévalo. Both, its resemblance with the name of the Ancient people arévaco and its location justify a Celtic origin, attributed to this place-name unanimously. This point of view has been proposed by excepcional researchers, but in spite of it we want to make evident that this hypothesis faces up to many difficulties. Contrary to what they thought we make out a Latin-romanic source, starting from one of the Latin names of the 'holly tree', lat. acrifulu. This name could have changed in the Romanic language of this country to Agrebalo o Arévalo. We can find in other Spanish regions many place-names wich reassert this theory: Acétalo (La Rioja, Griébal (Huesca, Agrebalo (Catalonia. This overall view is no without problems, but, in our mind, these inconvénients are less important than in the Celtic theory.

Solid state NMR sequential resonance assignments and conformational analysis of the 2x10.4 kDa dimeric form of the Bacillus subtilis protein Crh

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Boeckmann, Anja [Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Proteines, C.N.R.S UMR 5086 (France)], E-mail: a.bockmann@ibcp.fr; Lange, Adam [Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Solid-state NMR (Germany); Galinier, Anne [Institut de Biologie Structurale et Microbiologie, C.N.R.S UPR 9043 (France); Luca, Sorin [Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Solid-state NMR (Germany); Giraud, Nicolas; Juy, Michel [Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Proteines, C.N.R.S UMR 5086 (France); Heise, Henrike [Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Solid-state NMR (Germany); Montserret, Roland; Penin, Francois [Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Proteines, C.N.R.S UMR 5086 (France); Baldus, Marc [Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Solid-state NMR (Germany)], E-mail: maba@mpibpc.mpg.de

2003-12-15

Solid state NMR sample preparation and resonance assignments of the U-[{sup 13}C,{sup 15}N] 2x10.4 kDa dimeric form of the regulatory protein Crh in microcrystalline, PEG precipitated form are presented. Intra- and interresidue correlations using dipolar polarization transfer methods led to nearly complete sequential assignments of the protein, and to 88% of all {sup 15}N, {sup 13}C chemical shifts. For several residues, the resonance assignments differ significantly from those reported for the monomeric form analyzed by solution state NMR. Dihedral angles obtained from a TALOS-based statistical analysis suggest that the microcrystalline arrangement of Crh must be similar to the domain-swapped dimeric structure of a single crystal form recently solved using X-ray crystallography. For a limited number of protein residues, a remarkable doubling of the observed NMR resonances is observed indicative of local static or dynamic conformational disorder. Our study reports resonance assignments for the largest protein investigated by solid state NMR so far and describes the conformational dimeric variant of Crh with previously unknown chemical shifts.

Morfología y distribución de Porphyra hollenbergii (Bangiaceae, Rhodophyta en la costa del Pacífico de México Morphology and distribution of Porphyra hollenbergii (Bangiaceae, Rhodophyta in the Pacific coast of México

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R Aguilar-Rosas

2007-12-01

Full Text Available Resumen Se registra la presencia y estacionalidad de Porphyra hollenbergii (Bangiaceae, Rhodophyta para la costa del Pacífico de México, con base en material recolectado durante el periodo de enero a mayo del 2003 y un análisis de ejemplares depositados en herbarios nacionales y extranjeros. Se describen en forma detallada los caracteres morfológicos y reproductores de los talos, así como su hábitat y distribución geográfica en el área de estudio. La estacionalidad de la fase macroscópica de P. hollenbergii comprende de febrero a mayo (invierno-primavera.Occurrence and seasonality of Porphyra hollenbergii (Bangiaceae, Rhodophyta is reported for the Pacific coast of Mexico, based on sampling conducted in 2003 and those deposited in national and foreign herbarium. We describe details of morphology and reproductive characters of the thallus, as well as its habitat and geographic distribution. We determined that P. hollenbergii is a seasonal species in its macroscopic phase from February to May (winter - spring.

DIVERSIDADE DE FUNGOS LIQUENIZADOS DA FAMÍLIA PARMELIACEAE COLETADOS EM UM LEVANTAMENTO “RELÂMPAGO” EM LORENA, SP

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Brendon Maximiliano Oliveira da Silva

2017-01-01

Full Text Available Os liquens, associações entre fungos e algas unicelulares ou cianobactérias, são encontrados em muitos ambientes sobre vários substratos inclusive sobre troncos de árvores. Os liquens foliosos da família Parmeliaceae são bastante comuns nos ambientes brasileiros. Mesmo sendo comuns há ainda poucos levantamentos da diversidade de liquens em ambientes urbanos. Este estudo realizou um levantamento de espécies de fungos liquenizados por meio de uma coleta relâmpago em 17 forófitos de uma avenida no município de Lorena. Foram coletados 43 talos de liquens dos quais 70% são da família Parmeliaceae e estão distribuídos em seis gêneros e 21 espécies, sendo Parmotrema e Canomaculina os gêneros mais frequentes e Parmotrema tinctorum a espécie mais coletada. Pode se concluir que mesmo em ambientes não ideais, como os urbanos, há diversidade de espécies de fungos liquenizados.

Perennial Lakes as an Environmental Control on Theropod Movement in the Jurassic of the Hartford Basin

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Patrick R. Getty

2017-03-01

Full Text Available Eubrontes giganteus is a common ichnospecies of large dinosaur track in the Early Jurassic rocks of the Hartford and Deerfield basins in Connecticut and Massachusetts, USA. It has been proposed that the trackmaker was gregarious based on parallel trackways at a site in Massachusetts known as Dinosaur Footprint Reservation (DFR. The gregariousness hypothesis is not without its problems, however, since parallelism can be caused by barriers that direct animal travel. We tested the gregariousness hypothesis by examining the orientations of trackways at five sites representing permanent and ephemeral lacustrine environments. Parallelism is only prominent in permanent lacustrine rocks at DFR, where trackways show a bimodal orientation distribution that approximates the paleoshoreline. By contrast, parallel trackways are uncommon in ephemeral lacustrine facies, even at sites with large numbers of trackways, and those that do occur exhibit differences in morphology, suggesting that they were made at different times. Overall, the evidence presented herein suggests that parallelism seen in Hartford Basin Eubrontes giganteus is better explained as a response to the lake acting as a physical barrier rather than to gregariousness. Consequently, these parallel trackways should not be used as evidence to support the hypothesis that the trackmaker was a basal sauropodomorph unless other evidence can substantiate the gregariousness hypothesis.

First dinosaurs from Saudi Arabia.

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Benjamin P Kear

Full Text Available Dinosaur remains from the Arabian subcontinent are exceedingly rare, and those that have been documented manifest indeterminate affinities. Consequently the discovery of a small, but diagnostic, accumulation of elements from Campanian-Maastrichtian (~ 75 Ma deposits in northwestern Saudi Arabia is significant because it constitutes the first taxonomically identifiable dinosaur material described from the Arabian Peninsula. The fossils include a series of possible lithostrotian titanosaur caudal vertebrae, and some isolated theropod marginal teeth that share unique character states and metric parameters (analyzed using multivariate statistical methods with derived abelisaurids - this is the first justifiable example of a non-avian carnivorous dinosaur clade from Arabia. The recognition of titanosaurians and abelisaurids from Saudi Arabia extends the palaeogeographical range of these groups along the entire northern Gondwanan margin during the latest Cretaceous. Moreover, given the extreme paucity of coeval occurrences elsewhere, the Saudi Arabian fossils provide a tantalizing glimpse into dinosaurian assemblage diversity within the region.

Historical photogrammetry: Bird's Paluxy River dinosaur chase sequence digitally reconstructed as it was prior to excavation 70 years ago.

Science.gov (United States)

Falkingham, Peter L; Bates, Karl T; Farlow, James O

2014-01-01

It is inevitable that some important specimens will become lost or damaged over time, conservation is therefore of vital importance. The Paluxy River dinosaur tracksite is among the most famous in the world. In 1940, Roland T. Bird described and excavated a portion of the site containing associated theropod and sauropod trackways. This excavated trackway was split up and housed in different institutions, and during the process a portion was lost or destroyed. We applied photogrammetric techniques to photographs taken by Bird over 70 years ago, before the trackway was removed, to digitally reconstruct the site as it was prior to excavation. The 3D digital model offers the opportunity to corroborate maps drawn by R.T. Bird when the tracksite was first described. More broadly, this work demonstrates the exciting potential for digitally recreating palaeontological, geological, or archaeological specimens that have been lost to science, but for which photographic documentation exists.

A Jurassic avialan dinosaur from China resolves the early phylogenetic history of birds.

Science.gov (United States)

Godefroit, Pascal; Cau, Andrea; Dong-Yu, Hu; Escuillié, François; Wenhao, Wu; Dyke, Gareth

2013-06-20

The recent discovery of small paravian theropod dinosaurs with well-preserved feathers in the Middle-Late Jurassic Tiaojishan Formation of Liaoning Province (northeastern China) has challenged the pivotal position of Archaeopteryx, regarded from its discovery to be the most basal bird. Removing Archaeopteryx from the base of Avialae to nest within Deinonychosauria implies that typical bird flight, powered by the forelimbs only, either evolved at least twice, or was subsequently lost or modified in some deinonychosaurians. Here we describe the complete skeleton of a new paravian from the Tiaojishan Formation of Liaoning Province, China. Including this new taxon in a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis for basal Paraves does the following: (1) it recovers it as the basal-most avialan; (2) it confirms the avialan status of Archaeopteryx; (3) it places Troodontidae as the sister-group to Avialae; (4) it supports a single origin of powered flight within Paraves; and (5) it implies that the early diversification of Paraves and Avialae took place in the Middle-Late Jurassic period.

Intra-trackway morphological variations due to substrate consistency: the El Frontal dinosaur tracksite (Lower Cretaceous, Spain.

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Novella L Razzolini

Full Text Available An ichnological and sedimentological study of the El Frontal dinosaur tracksite (Early Cretaceous, Cameros basin, Soria, Spain highlights the pronounced intra-trackway variation found in track morphologies of four theropod trackways. Photogrammetric 3D digital models revealed various and distinct intra-trackway morphotypes, which reflect changes in footprint parameters such as the pace length, the track length, depth, and height of displacement rims. Sedimentological analyses suggest that the original substrate was non-homogenous due to lateral changes in adjoining microfacies. Multidata analyses indicate that morphological differences in these deep and shallow tracks represent a part of a continuum of track morphologies and geometries produced by a gradient of substrate consistencies across the site. This implies that the large range of track morphologies at this site resulted from similar trackmakers crossing variable facies. The trackways at the El Frontal site present an exemplary case of how track morphology, and consequently potential ichnotaxa, can vary, even when produced by a single trackmaker.

Distribución y variación morfológica de Amphiroa beauvoisii (Corallinales, Rhodophyta en México Distribution and morphological variation of Amphiroa beauvoisii (Corallinales, Rhodophyta in Mexico

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Luz Elena Mateo-Cid

2008-06-01

Full Text Available Se realizaron muestreos de Amphiroa beauvoisii (Corallinales, Rhodophyta en diversas localidades de las costas del Pacífico y Caribe mexicano de 1994 a 2007 y se efectuó una extensa revisión bibliográfica de los trabajos en los que se cita Amphiroa beauvoisii. Asimismo, se revisaron los ejemplares depositados en herbarios nacionales y extranjeros, con el propósito de determinar la distribución latitudinal, y la variación morfológica y reproductiva de esta especie. El análisis de la información nos indica que se encuentra ampliamente distribuida en la costa del Pacífico desde islas Coronados, Baja California hasta La Ventosa, Oaxaca, siendo muy frecuente en el golfo de California y en los estados de Jalisco, Guerrero y Oaxaca, mientras que en la costa atlántica su distribución se encuentra restringida a los arrecifes coralinos de Yucatán y Quintana Roo. Se describen en forma detallada los caracteres morfo-anatómicos y reproductivos. En general se observó que los talos tetrasporangiales y bisporangiales son frecuentes, de mayor talla y más ramificados que las plantas gametangiales. El material examinado mostró que en la costa del Pacifico se encuentran los talos tetrasporangiales, bisporangiales y gametangiales, mientras que en la costa del Caribe mexicano sólo se presentan poblaciones tetrasporangiales. Se registra por primera vez la fase gametofitica masculina y femenina de A. beauvoisii en poblaciones mexicanas.Several samples of Amphiroa beauvoisii (Corallinales, Rhodophyta were collected in different localities along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts of Mexican from 1994 to 2007. An extensive review of Amphiroa beauvoisii recorded from Mexico was carried out. Specimens of different herbaria were examined to determine its geographic distribution, as well as morphological and reproductive data for this taxon. Analysis of this information showed that this species is distributed along the Pacific coast from Islas Coronados, Baja

Influence of the harvesting time in the level of nitrate in hydroponic lettuce/ Influência do horário de colheita no teor de nitrato em alface hidropônica

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José Marcelo Basso

2011-03-01

Full Text Available The broadleaves vegetables have high ability to accumulate nitrate in the leaves and petioles, and the ion accumulation that can cause harm to human health by forming carcinogens and cause a disease in the liver, known as methaemoglobinaemia. Thus the study was to evaluate in hydroponic lettuce, the levels of nitrate at different harvesting time and in three different parts of the plant. The harvest was held at 6:00, 9:00, 12:00, 15:00 and 18:00 hours, and the plants have been divided into three parts for consideration, and these leaves external, leaves internal and stalk. The results were submitted to compare Tukey a 5% probability, obtaining an average of the highest levels of nitrate in portions of stalk harvested at 12 hours, with 2702.40 ppm of nitrate in the fresh matter. The average achieved by internal leaves were higher at 9 am, with 1879.28 ppm of nitrate in the fresh matter, as the external leaves had no significant difference between different times, and also the body of minor accumulation of nitrate in the plant. As hortaliças folhosas têm elevada capacidade de acumular nitrato nas folhas e pecíolos, sendo que o acúmulo desse íon pode causar malefícios à saúde humana por formar substâncias cancerígenas e ocasionar uma doença chamada metahemoglobinemia. Dessa forma o trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar, em alface hidropônica, os teores de nitrato em diferentes horários de colheita e em três partes diferentes da planta. A colheita foi realizada às 6:00h, 9:00h, 12:00h, 15:00h e 18:00h, e as plantas foram divididas em três partes para serem analisadas, sendo estas folhas externas, folhas internas e talo. Os resultados foram submetidos à Teste Tukey a 5% de probabilidade, obtendo-se em média os maiores teores de nitrato nas porções de talo colhidos às 12 horas, com 2702.40 ppm de nitrato na matéria fresca. As médias alcançadas pelas folhas internas foram maiores às 9 horas, com 1879.28 ppm de nitrato na mat

MT3FT-15OR0204122: Report on the acquisition and installation of FEI Talos F200X S/TEM

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Parish, Chad M. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

2015-09-01

This document describes the installation, performance, and early results from the FCRD-funded acquisition of a new advanced analytical scanning / transmission electron microscopy (S/TEM) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory Low Activation Materials Development and Analysis (LAMDA) facility.

Plan de negocio para la implementación de un restaurante pizzería Fusión Ítalo-Andina

OpenAIRE

Díaz Rozas, Daniela; Merino Castro, Eliana Patricia; Salas Hidalgo, Guillermo

2015-01-01

El crecimiento gastronómico registrado durante los últimos años, la designación de restaurantes peruanos entre los mejores restaurantes del mundo y el hecho de que Perú sea considerado como el cuarto país emergente del mundo para invertir, ha generado que el sector hoteles y restaurantes desarrolle nuevos productos y servicios, cumpliendo con los estándares de calidad internacional. En este contexto, se desarrolló el presente plan de negocios con el objetivo de evaluar la implementación de...

Spectral fitting for signal assignment and structural analysis of uniformly {sup 13}C-labeled solid proteins by simulated annealing based on chemical shifts and spin dynamics

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Matsuki, Yoh; Akutsu, Hideo; Fujiwara, Toshimichi [Osaka University, Institute for Protein Research (Japan)], E-mail: tfjwr@protein.osaka-u.ac.jp

2007-08-15

We describe an approach for the signal assignment and structural analysis with a suite of two-dimensional {sup 13}C-{sup 13}C magic-angle-spinning solid-state NMR spectra of uniformly {sup 13}C-labeled peptides and proteins. We directly fit the calculated spectra to experimental ones by simulated annealing in restrained molecular dynamics program CNS as a function of atomic coordinates. The spectra are calculated from the conformation dependent chemical shift obtained with SHIFTX and the cross-peak intensities computed for recoupled dipolar interactions. This method was applied to a membrane-bound 14-residue peptide, mastoparan-X. The obtained C', C{sup {alpha}} and C{sup {beta}} chemical shifts agreed with those reported previously at the precisions of 0.2, 0.7 and 0.4 ppm, respectively. This spectral fitting program also provides backbone dihedral angles with a precision of about 50 deg. from the spectra even with resonance overlaps. The restraints on the angles were improved by applying protein database program TALOS to the obtained chemical shifts. The peptide structure provided by these restraints was consistent with the reported structure at the backbone RMSD of about 1 A.

Bird Integumentary Melanins: Biosynthesis, Forms, Function and Evolution

Science.gov (United States)

Galván, Ismael; Solano, Francisco

2016-01-01

Melanins are the ubiquitous pigments distributed in nature. They are one of the main pigments responsible for colors in living cells. Birds are among the most diverse animals regarding melanin-based coloration, especially in the plumage, although they also pigment bare parts of the integument. This review is devoted to the main characteristics of bird melanins, including updated views of the formation and nature of melanin granules, whose interest has been raised in the last years for inferring the color of extinct birds and non-avian theropod dinosaurs using resistant fossil feathers. The molecular structure of the two main types of melanin, eumelanin and pheomelanin, and the environmental and genetic factors that regulate avian melanogenesis are also presented, establishing the main relationship between them. Finally, the special functions of melanin in bird feathers are also discussed, emphasizing the aspects more closely related to these animals, such as honest signaling, and the factors that may drive the evolution of pheomelanin and pheomelanin-based color traits, an issue for which birds have been pioneer study models. PMID:27070583

Bird Integumentary Melanins: Biosynthesis, Forms, Function and Evolution

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Ismael Galván

2016-04-01

Full Text Available Melanins are the ubiquitous pigments distributed in nature. They are one of the main pigments responsible for colors in living cells. Birds are among the most diverse animals regarding melanin-based coloration, especially in the plumage, although they also pigment bare parts of the integument. This review is devoted to the main characteristics of bird melanins, including updated views of the formation and nature of melanin granules, whose interest has been raised in the last years for inferring the color of extinct birds and non-avian theropod dinosaurs using resistant fossil feathers. The molecular structure of the two main types of melanin, eumelanin and pheomelanin, and the environmental and genetic factors that regulate avian melanogenesis are also presented, establishing the main relationship between them. Finally, the special functions of melanin in bird feathers are also discussed, emphasizing the aspects more closely related to these animals, such as honest signaling, and the factors that may drive the evolution of pheomelanin and pheomelanin-based color traits, an issue for which birds have been pioneer study models.

Ichnological evidence of Megalosaurid Dinosaurs Crossing Middle Jurassic Tidal Flats

Science.gov (United States)

Razzolini, Novella L.; Oms, Oriol; Castanera, Diego; Vila, Bernat; Santos, Vanda Faria Dos; Galobart, Àngel

2016-08-01

A new dinosaur tracksite in the Vale de Meios quarry (Serra de Aire Formation, Bathonian, Portugal)preserves more than 700 theropod tracks. They are organized in at least 80 unidirectional trackways arranged in a bimodal orientation pattern (W/NW and E/SE). Quantitative and qualitative comparisons reveal that the large tridactyl, elongated and asymmetric tracks resemble the typical Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous Megalosauripus ichnogenus in all morphometric parameters. Few of the numerous tracks are preserved as elite tracks while the rest are preserved as different gradients of modified true tracks according to water content, erosive factors, radial fractures and internal overtrack formations. Taphonomical determinations are consistent with paleoenvironmental observations that indicate an inter-tidal flat located at the margin of a coastal barrier. The Megalosauripus tracks represent the oldest occurrence of this ichnotaxon and are attributed to large megalosaurid dinosaurs. Their occurrence in Vale de Meios tidal flat represents the unique paleoethological evidence of megalosaurids moving towards the lagoon, most likley during the low tide periods with feeding purposes.

The taxonomy of a new parvicursorine alvarezsauroid specimen IVPP V20341 (Dinosauria: Theropoda from the Upper Cretaceous Wulansuhai Formation of Bayan Mandahu, Inner Mongolia, China

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Michael Pittman

2015-06-01

Full Text Available A new parvicursorine alvarezsauroid theropod specimen IVPP V20341 from the Upper Cretaceous Wulansuhai Formation of Bayan Mandahu, Inner Mongolia, China is described. IVPP V20341 appears to be distinguishable amongst alvarezsauroids by possible cervical procoely and relatively larger semi-circular caudal neural canals, but these features are not proposed as autapomorphies because current knowledge of alvarezsauroid necks and tails remains sparse. IVPP V20341 is distinguishable from Linhenykus—the sole parvicursorine at Bayan Mandahu—by the location of the origination points of the anterior caudal transverse processes; in IVPP V20341 this is the anterodorsal corner of the centra, whereas in Linhenykus it is the posterior end of the prezygapophyses. A number of additional tentative differences between IVPP V20341 and Linhenykus are also identified, but cannot be confirmed until further details of anatomical variation along the neck and tail are revealed by future finds. Thus, following the study of IVPP V20341 there are still seven parvicursorine species from the Upper Cretaceous Gobi Basin, but future finds could increase this to eight species.

Neuroanatomy of flying reptiles and implications for flight, posture and behaviour.

Science.gov (United States)

Witmer, Lawrence M; Chatterjee, Sankar; Franzosa, Jonathan; Rowe, Timothy

2003-10-30

Comparison of birds and pterosaurs, the two archosaurian flyers, sheds light on adaptation to an aerial lifestyle. The neurological basis of control holds particular interest in that flight demands on sensory integration, equilibrium, and muscular coordination are acute. Here we compare the brain and vestibular apparatus in two pterosaurs based on high-resolution computed tomographic (CT) scans from which we constructed digital endocasts. Although general neural organization resembles birds, pterosaurs had smaller brains relative to body mass than do birds. This difference probably has more to do with phylogeny than flight, in that birds evolved from nonavian theropods that had already established trends for greater encephalization. Orientation of the osseous labyrinth relative to the long axis of the skull was different in these two pterosaur species, suggesting very different head postures and reflecting differing behaviours. Their enlarged semicircular canals reflect a highly refined organ of equilibrium, which is concordant with pterosaurs being visually based, aerial predators. Their enormous cerebellar floccular lobes may suggest neural integration of extensive sensory information from the wing, further enhancing eye- and neck-based reflex mechanisms for stabilizing gaze.

Medical, energetic, environmental applications

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2007-01-01

used for satellite (and maybe spacecraft) propulsion. On the basis of these premises a scoping study on the possible space application of nuclear reactors has been started in collaboration with the Energy Conversion Department of the University of Rome La Sapienza. The objective of the Talos Dome Ice Core (TALDICE) project is to drill deep ice in the Talos Dome site (72 0 48'S; 159 0 06'E, 2316 m) on the edge of the East Antarctic plateau, adjacent to the Victoria Land Mountains in the western Ross Sea area (see for reference 2006 Progress Report). The fourth and final campaign of perforation was carried out during the 2007-2008 Antarctic Campaign. The aim was to drill the ice down to the bedrock, initially estimated to be 1550±25 m deep, and recover the brittle zone ice left the previous year in the buffer for relaxation. The camp was opened on 17 November

Estructura floral de dos especies de Trachycarpeae (Arecaceae

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Lorena I. Guevara

2014-09-01

Full Text Available Copernicia y Washingtonia son dos de los géneros de Trachycarpeae para los cuales no ha sido propuesta una clasificación subtribal debido a la carencia de resolución en los estudios filogenéticos. La morfología y anatomía floral dentro de Coryphoideae han sido útiles para la delimitación de taxones y apoyo de relaciones. En este trabajo se presenta una descripción de la estructura morfo-anatómica de las flores de C. tectorum y W. filifera, con la finalidad de explorar caracteres reproductivos que puedan aclarar su ubicación dentro de la subfamilia y contribuir con estudios de biología floral. Se fijaron flores de especimenes cultivados de ambos taxones y frutos en desarrollo de C. tectorum, se realizaron disecciones para las descripciones morfológicas y cortes anatómicos seriados para la obtención de láminas permanentes utilizando técnicas convencionales con parafina. Todos los procedimientos fueron llevados a cabo en el Laboratorio de Morfo-Anatomía, Facultad de Agronomía de la Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV. Ambas especies tienen flores hermafroditas. Las flores de C. tectorum tienen perianto engrosado y pubescente. Las flores de W. filifera presentan un cáliz irregularmente dentado y corola corto-acuminada. Se reportan células con drusas en el tubo estaminal de C. tectorum. Uno solo de los carpelos de C. tectorum se desarrolla en fruto y se encontró una capa de células con rafidios que podrían formar el endocarpo crustáceo en los frutos maduros. W. filifera presenta pocas capas de células de paredes engrosadas y tejido esclerenquimático en el mesofilo del perianto, gineceo con carpelos fusionados en el ápice del ovario (en su porción ventral, libres en la base y en el ápice del estilo, donde presenta suturas ventrales abiertas. Los pétalos de C. tectorum poseen una hipodermis ventral de células con paredes muy engrosadas, gineceo con carpelos fusionados en el ápice del ovario, libres y adpresos en su

Propagação de pteridófitas in vitro e in vivo através de esporos Fern propagation in vitro and in vivo from spores

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Flávia Próspero Borelli

1990-01-01

Full Text Available Sujeitas ao processo de extinção, em decorrência do extrativismo, as samambaias arbóreas Dicksonia sellowana (Presl. Hook e Cyathea schanschin Mart, das quais se obtémo xaxim, são espécies ainda pouco estudadas quanto à propagação. Com o objetivo de desenvolver um método adequado à propagação destas espécies, através de esporos, realizaram-se experimentos in vitro e in vivo. Para a desinfecção dos esporos, utilizaram-se soluções de hipoclorito de cálcio, em diferentes concentrações, ou de sódio, comparando-se sua eficiência. Para o cultivo in vitro, empregaram-se os meios nutritivos de Murashige e Skoog modificado e de Jones e a solução de Knop modificada. Na cultura in vivo utilizaram-se xaxim, estagno, terriço ou tijolo fragmentado. Como condições de cultivo, manteve-se a temperatura a 25 ±1°C e o fotoperíodo de 16 horas. Apesar da elevada contaminação durante o processo de germinação in vitro e in vivo, a desinfecção com hipoclorito de cálcio a 2% foi mais eficiente. Os esporos germinaram em 4 a 8 semanas e os prótalos formaram-se após 30 a 40 dias. Obteve-se maior percentagem de germinação e formação de prótalos com os meios de Jones e Knop, bem como xaxim e esfagno, e a germinação de esporos ocorreu mais rapidamente na ausência de esporângios.The objective of this experiment was to study the fern propagation from spores of Cyathea schanschin Mart and Dicksonia sellowiana (Presl. Hook. The spores were decontaminated in calcium or sodium hypochlorite solutions. The in vitro experiments were performed with the media: MS modified, Jones or Knop's solution modified. Tree-fern fibre, sphagnum moss, loam soil or brick peaces were, used for the in vivo experiments. The temperature was mantained at 25 ± 1°C and 16 hours of photoperiod for both treatments (In vivo and in vitro cultures. Besides the high percentage of contamination during the germination process, in vitro and in vivo, the best

Elephant grass genotypes for bioenergy production by direct biomass combustion Genótipos de capim-elefante para produção de bioenergia por combustão direta da biomassa

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Rafael Fiusa de Morais

2009-02-01

Full Text Available The objective of this work was to evaluate elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum. genotypes for bioenergy production by direct biomass combustion. Five elephant grass genotypes grown in two different soil types, both of low fertility, were evaluated. The experiment was carried out at Embrapa Agrobiologia field station in Seropédica, RJ, Brazil. The design was in randomized complete blocks, with split plots and four replicates. The genotypes studied were Cameroon, Bag 02, Gramafante, Roxo and CNPGL F06-3. Evaluations were made for biomass production, total biomass nitrogen, biomass nitrogen from biological fixation, carbon/nitrogen and stem/leaf ratios, and contents of fiber, lignin, cellulose and ash. The dry matter yields ranged from 45 to 67 Mg ha-1. Genotype Roxo had the lowest yield and genotypes Bag 02 and Cameroon had the highest ones. The biomass nitrogen accumulation varied from 240 to 343 kg ha-1. The plant nitrogen from biological fixation was 51% in average. The carbon/nitrogen and stem/leaf ratios and the contents of fiber, lignin, cellulose and ash did not vary among the genotypes. The five genotypes are suitable for energy production through combustion.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar genótipos de capim-elefante (Pennisetum purpureum Schum. quanto ao potencial para a produção de bioenergia por combustão direta da biomassa. Avaliaram-se cinco genótipos de capim-elefante, em dois solos com baixa fertilidade. Os experimentos foram conduzidos na estação experimental da Embrapa Agrobiologia, em Seropédica, RJ. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso, em parcelas subdivididas, com quatro repetições. Os genótipos estudados foram Cameroon, Bag 02, Gramafante, Roxo e CNPGL F06-3. Determinaram-se a produção de biomassa, o acúmulo de nitrogênio na biomassa, o nitrogênio da biomassa proveniente da fixação biológica, as relações carbono/nitrogênio e talo/folha, e os teores de fibra, lignina

Computational modelling of locomotor muscle moment arms in the basal dinosaur Lesothosaurus diagnosticus: assessing convergence between birds and basal ornithischians.

Science.gov (United States)

Bates, Karl T; Maidment, Susannah C R; Allen, Vivian; Barrett, Paul M

2012-03-01

Ornithischia (the 'bird-hipped' dinosaurs) encompasses bipedal, facultative quadrupedal and quadrupedal taxa. Primitive ornithischians were small bipeds, but large body size and obligate quadrupedality evolved independently in all major ornithischian lineages. Numerous pelvic and hind limb features distinguish ornithischians from the majority of other non-avian dinosaurs. However, some of these features, notably a retroverted pubis and elongate iliac preacetabular process, appeared convergently in maniraptoran theropods, and were inherited by their avian descendants. During maniraptoran/avian evolution these pelvic modifications led to significant changes in the functions of associated muscles, involving alterations to the moment arms and the activation patterns of pelvic musculature. However, the functions of these features in ornithischians and their influence on locomotion have not been tested and remain poorly understood. Here, we provide quantitative tests of bipedal ornithischian muscle function using computational modelling to estimate 3D hind limb moment arms for the most complete basal ornithischian, Lesothosaurus diagnosticus. This approach enables sensitivity analyses to be carried out to explore the effects of uncertainties in muscle reconstructions of extinct taxa, and allows direct comparisons to be made with similarly constructed models of other bipedal dinosaurs. This analysis supports some previously proposed qualitative inferences of muscle function in basal ornithischians. However, more importantly, this work highlights ambiguities in the roles of certain muscles, notably those inserting close to the hip joint. Comparative analysis reveals that moment arm polarities and magnitudes in Lesothosaurus, basal tetanuran theropods and the extant ostrich are generally similar. However, several key differences are identified, most significantly in comparisons between the moment arms of muscles associated with convergent osteological features in

Salicilatos isolados de folhas e talos de Salix martiana Leyb. (Salicaceae Salicylates isolated from leaves and stems of Salix martiana Leyb. (Salicaceae

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Carromberth Carioca Fernandes

2009-01-01

Full Text Available Salix martiana Leyb. is an endemic species from the Amazon river floodplain areas (varzeas, of the State of Amazonas. Stems and leaves were extracted with dichloromethane, methanol and hydro-alcohol and these extracts were fractionated by using conventional chromatographic techniques. The major substances isolated, salicin and trichocarposide (6-0-p-coumaroyl salicin, were determined through analyses of NMR 1D (¹H and 13C and NMR 2D (gHSQC and gHMBC. These compounds were isolated for the first time in Salix martiana Leyb. (Salicaceae. The percentage of these compounds in S. martiana is very high. The extracts were analyzed for their DPPH antioxidant capacity and the methanolic from the leaves and the hydro-alcoholic from the stems were the more active.

Salicylates isolated from leaves and stems of Salix martiana Leyb. (Salicaceae); Salicilatos isolados de folhas e talos de Salix martiana Leyb. (Salicaceae)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Fernandes, Carromberth Carioca [Universidade Federal do Acre (UFAC), Rio Branco, AC (Brazil). Centro de Ciencias Biologicas e da Natureza; Cursino, Lorena Mayara de Carvalho; Novaes, Jussival de Abreu Pinheiro; Demetrio, Camilla Avelino; Pereira Junior, Orlando Liborio; Nunez, Cecilia Veronica [Instituto de Pesquisa da Amazonia (INPA), Manaus, AM (Brazil). Coordenacao de Pesquisas em Produtos Naturais; Amaral, Ieda Leao do [Instituto de Pesquisa da Amazonia (INPA), Manaus, AM (Brazil). Coordenacao de Pesquisas em Botanica

2009-07-01

Salix martiana Leyb. is an endemic species from the Amazon river floodplain areas (varzeas), of the State of Amazonas. Stems and leaves were extracted with dichloromethane, methanol and hydro-alcohol and these extracts were fractionated by using conventional chromatographic techniques. The major substances isolated, salicin and trichocarposide (6-0-p-coumaroyl salicin), were determined through analyses of NMR 1D ({sup 1}H and {sup 13}C) and NMR 2D (gHSQC and gHMBC). These compounds were isolated for the first time in Salix martiana Leyb. (Salicaceae). The percentage of these compounds in S. martiana is very high. The extracts were analyzed for their DPPH antioxidant capacity and the methanolic from the leaves and the hydro-alcoholic from the stems were the more active. (author)

Observación de Propágulos en los géneros Ernodesmis y Struvea Observación de Propágulos en los géneros Ernodesmis y Struvea

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Schnetter Reinhard

1986-12-01

Full Text Available In Ernodesmis verticillata (Kützing B¢rgesen and Struvea anastomosans (Harvey Piccone & Grunow in Piccone cultures carried out under laboratory conditions, mainly at temperatures lower than those occurring normally at the collection site (coast near Cartagena, Colombia the formation of propagula (exogenous aplanospores was observed. The propagulum formation is considered as an answer to extreme conditions. The propagulum production permits a vegetative reproduction of the algae without the loss of cells of the mother thallus as it happens by the formation of zoospores or endogenous aplanospores. En cultivos de laboratorio de Ernodesmis verticillata (Kützing B¢rgesen y Struvea anastomosans (Harvey Piccone & Grunow in Piccone se observó el desarrollo de propágulos (aplanósporas exógenas predominantemente a temperaturas por debajo de las que ocurren normalmente en la región del origen del material (costa cerca de Cartagena, Colombia. La formación de propágulos se considera como una respuesta a condiciones extremas. La producción de propágulos permite una reproducción vegetativa de las algas sin pérdida de células del talo madre como es el caso si se forman zoosporas o aplanósporas endógenas.

O corpo encontra Apolo e Dionísio: potências e fragilidades

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Vilene Moehlecke

2008-09-01

Full Text Available Pretendemos problematizar o corpo que não agüenta mais e suas relações com a estética. Primeiramente, pensamos a dimensão apolíneo-dionisíaca da Arte, como refere Nietzsche. Assim, Apolo nos remete às belas formas, à técnica na dança, enquanto Dionísio significa a embriaguez, os riscos e as intensidades. A dança contemporânea se faz a partir do entrelaçamento entre ambos, potencializando os paradoxos do corpo. Nesse sentido, não agüentar mais exprime uma potência do corpo, uma capacidade de não agüentar mais as velhas formas e produzir novas alterações. Ítalo Calvino pensa a literatura como composição de novas expressividades. Então, o corpo que escreve pode não agüentar mais as velhas palavras para criar novos sentidos e novas linguagens. Por fim, discutimos o quanto as práticas psi estão buscando não agüentar mais as próprias durezas, as antigas verdades, os mesmos fazeres, para compor novas intervenções e novos conhecimentos.

Espécies de Parmotrema (Parmeliaceae, Ascomycota do litoral centro-sul do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil: I. Grupos químicos girofórico e lecanórico Species of Parmotrema (Parmeliaceae, Ascomycota of the central-southern coast of São Paulo Etate, Brazil: I. Gyrophoric and lecanoric chemical group

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Michel Navarro Benatti

2009-12-01

Full Text Available O levantamento das espécies pertencentes aos gêneros de grandes parmélias do litoral centro-sul do Estado de São Paulo revelou a ocorrência de sete espécies de Parmotrema (talos foliosos de lobos arredondados em geral com mais de 0,5 cm larg. com margens inferiores não rizinadas contendo como constituintes químicos medulares os ácidos girofórico e lecanórico, tipicamente reconhecidos pela cor avermelhada que resulta dos testes de coloração com hipoclorito de cálcio. São apresentados uma chave de identificação, descrições, comentários e ilustrações baseados em material brasileiro.In a survey of the species pertaining to genera of large parmeliae occurring in the coastal areas of central-southern São Paulo state, Brazil, seven species of Parmotrema (foliose thalli with rounded lobes usually more than 0.5 cm wide with nude lower margins containing gyrophoric and lecanoric acids as main medullar substances were found. These are typically recognized by the red staining calcium hypochlorite spot tests. Identification key, descriptions, comments, and illustrations based on Brazilian material are provided for these species.

A study of geomagnetic field variations along the 80° S geomagnetic parallel

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S. Lepidi

2017-01-01

Full Text Available The availability of measurements of the geomagnetic field variations in Antarctica at three sites along the 80° S geomagnetic parallel, separated by approximately 1 h in magnetic local time, allows us to study the longitudinal dependence of the observed variations. In particular, using 1 min data from Mario Zucchelli Station, Scott Base and Talos Dome, a temporary installation during 2007–2008 Antarctic campaign, we investigated the diurnal variation and the low-frequency fluctuations (approximately in the Pc5 range, ∼ 1–7 mHz. We found that the daily variation is clearly ordered by local time, suggesting a predominant effect of the polar extension of midlatitude ionospheric currents. On the other hand, the pulsation power is dependent on magnetic local time maximizing around magnetic local noon, when the stations are closer to the polar cusp, while the highest coherence between pairs of stations is observed in the magnetic local nighttime sector. The wave propagation direction observed during selected events, one around local magnetic noon and the other around local magnetic midnight, is consistent with a solar-wind-driven source in the daytime and with substorm-associated processes in the nighttime.

Porous Titanium Wedges in Lateral Column Lengthening for Adult-Acquired Flatfoot Deformity.

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Moore, Spencer H; Carstensen, S Evan; Burrus, M Tyrrell; Cooper, Truitt; Park, Joseph S; Perumal, Venkat

2017-10-01

Lateral column lengthening (LCL) is a common procedure for reconstruction of stage II flexible adult-acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD). The recent development of porous titanium wedges for this procedure provides an alternative to allograft and autograft. The purpose of this study was to report radiographic and clinical outcomes achieved with porous titanium wedges in LCL. A retrospective analysis of 34 feet in 30 patients with AAFD that received porous titanium wedges for LCL from January 2011 to October 2014. Deformity correction was assessed using both radiographic and clinical parameters. Radiographic correction was assessed using the lateral talo-first metatarsal angle, the talonavicular uncoverage percentage, and the first metatarsocuneiform height. The hindfoot valgus angle was measured. Patients were followed from a minimum of 6 months up to 4 years (mean 16.1 months). Postoperative radiographs demonstrated significant correction in all 3 radiographic criteria and the hindfoot valgus angle. We had no cases of nonunion, no wedge migration, and no wedges have been removed to date. The most common complication was calcaneocuboid joint pain (14.7%). Porous titanium wedges in LCL can achieve good radiographic and clinical correction of AAFD with a low rate of nonunion and other complications. Level IV: Case series.

Dinosaur energetics: setting the bounds on feasible physiologies and ecologies.

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Clarke, Andrew

2013-09-01

The metabolic status of dinosaurs has long been debated but remains unresolved as no consistent picture has emerged from a range of anatomical and isotopic evidence. Quantitative analysis of dinosaur energetics, based on general principles applicable to all vertebrates, shows that many features of dinosaur lifestyle are compatible with a physiology similar to that of extant lizards, scaled up to dinosaur body masses and temperatures. The analysis suggests that sufficient metabolic scope would have been available to support observed dinosaur growth rates and allow considerable locomotor activity, perhaps even migration. Since at least one dinosaur lineage evolved true endothermy, this study emphasizes there was no single dinosaur physiology. Many small theropods were insulated with feathers and appear to have been partial or full endotherms. Uninsulated small taxa, and all juveniles, presumably would have been ectothermic, with consequent diurnal and seasonal variations in body temperature. In larger taxa, inertial homeothermy would have resulted in warm and stable body temperatures but with a basal metabolism significantly below that of extant mammals or birds of the same size. It would appear that dinosaurs exhibited a range of metabolic levels to match the broad spectrum of ecological niches they occupied.

A Late Jurassic fossil assemblage in Gondwana: Biostratigraphy and correlations of the Tacuarembó Formation, Parana Basin, Uruguay

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Perea, Daniel; Soto, Matías; Veroslavsky, Gerardo; Martínez, Sergio; Ubilla, Martín

2009-08-01

The Tacuarembó Formation has yielded a fossil assemblage that includes the best known body fossils, consisting of isolated scales, teeth, spines, and molds of bones, recovered from thin and patchy bonebeds, from the Botucatu Desert, Parana Basin, South America. The remains are preserved in the sandstones widespread around the city of Tacuarembó. We propose a new formalized nomenclature for the Tacuarembó Formation, naming its "Lower" and "Upper" members as the Batoví (new name) and Rivera (new rank) members, respectively. An assemblage zone is defined for the Batoví Member (fluviolacustrine and aeolian deposits). In this unit, the freshwater hybodontid shark Priohybodusarambourgi D'Erasmo is well represented. This species was previously recorded in Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous units of the Sahara and the southern Arabian Peninsula. Globally considered, the fossil assemblage of this member ( P. arambourgi, dipnoan fishes, Ceratosaurus-like theropods, and conchostracans) is indicative of a Kimmeridgian-Tithonian age, which in combination with the stratigraphic relationships of the Tacuarembó Formation with the overlying basalts of the Arapey Formation (132 My average absolute age) implies that the latter was deposited during the Kimmeridgian-Hauterivian interval.

Dinosaur Footprints and Other Ichnofauna from the Cretaceous Kem Kem Beds of Morocco

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Ibrahim, Nizar; Varricchio, David J.; Sereno, Paul C.; Wilson, Jeff A.; Dutheil, Didier B.; Martill, David M.; Baidder, Lahssen; Zouhri, Samir

2014-01-01

We describe an extensive ichnofossil assemblage from the likely Cenomanian-age ‘lower’ and ‘upper’ units of the ‘Kem Kem beds’ in southeastern Morocco. In the lower unit, trace fossils include narrow vertical burrows in cross-bedded sandstones and borings in dinosaur bone, with the latter identified as the insect ichnotaxon Cubiculum ornatus. In the upper unit, several horizons preserve abundant footprints from theropod dinosaurs. Sauropod and ornithischian footprints are much rarer, similar to the record for fossil bone and teeth in the Kem Kem assemblage. The upper unit also preserves a variety of invertebrate traces including Conichnus (the resting trace of a sea-anemone), Scolicia (a gastropod trace), Beaconites (a probable annelid burrow), and subvertical burrows likely created by crabs for residence and detrital feeding on a tidal flat. The ichnofossil assemblage from the Upper Cretaceous Kem Kem beds contributes evidence for a transition from predominantly terrestrial to marine deposition. Body fossil and ichnofossil records together provide a detailed view of faunal diversity and local conditions within a fluvial and deltaic depositional setting on the northwestern coast of Africa toward the end of the Cretaceous. PMID:24603467

Origin attachments of the caudofemoralis longus muscle in the Jurassic dinosaur Allosaurus

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Andrea Cau

2017-06-01

Full Text Available The caudofemoralis longus muscle (CFL is the primary limb retractor among non-avian sauropsids, and underwent a dramatic reduction along the dinosaur lineage leading to birds. The osteological correlates of the CFL among fossil reptiles have been controversial, because, contrary to traditional interpretations, the extent of the muscle is not necessarily related to the distribution of the caudal ribs. In some Cretaceous dinosaurs, the extent of the CFL has been inferred based on the preserved bony septa between the CFL and other tail muscles. Here, we describe a series of tail vertebrae of the Jurassic dinosaur Allosaurus, each showing a previously-unreported feature: a sulcus, formed by a regular pattern of tightly packed horizontal slits, that runs vertically along the lateral surfaces of the centra and neural arches. These sulci are interpreted as the origin attachment sites of the CFL, allowing for direct determination of the muscle extent along the tail of this dinosaur. Anteriorly to the 18th caudal vertebra, the sulcus runs along most of the centrum and neural arch, then it progressively reduces its vertical extent, and disappears between caudals 24 and 32, a pattern consistent with previous CFL reconstructions in other theropods.

Continental fossil vertebrates from the mid-Cretaceous (Albian-Cenomanian) Alcântara Formation, Brazil, and their relationship with contemporaneous faunas from North Africa

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Candeiro, Carlos Roberto A.; Fanti, Federico; Therrien, François; Lamanna, Matthew C.

2011-05-01

The Albian-Cenomanian Alcântara Formation of northeastern Brazil preserves the most diverse continental vertebrate fauna of this age yet known from northern South America. The Alcântara vertebrate assemblage, consisting of elasmobranchs, actinopterygians, sarcopterygians, turtles, crocodyliforms, pterosaurs, and non-avian dinosaurs, displays close similarities to contemporaneous faunas from North Africa. The co-occurrence of as many as eight freshwater or estuarine fish taxa ( Onchopristis, Bartschichthys, Lepidotes, Stephanodus, Mawsonia, Arganodus, Ceratodus africanus, and possibly Ceratodus humei) and up to seven terrestrial archosaur taxa ( Sigilmassasaurus, Rebbachisauridae, Baryonychinae, Spinosaurinae, Carcharodontosauridae, possibly Pholidosauridae, and doubtfully Bahariasaurus) suggests that a land route connecting northeastern Brazil and North Africa existed at least until the Albian. Interestingly, most components of this mid-Cretaceous northern South American/North African assemblage are not shared with coeval southern South American faunas, which are themselves characterized by a number of distinct freshwater and terrestrial vertebrate taxa (e.g., chelid turtles, megaraptoran and unenlagiine theropods). These results suggest that, although mid-Cretaceous faunal interchange was probably possible between northern South America and North Africa, paleogeographic, paleoclimatic, and/or paleoenvironmental barriers may have hindered continental vertebrate dispersal between northern and southern South America during this time.

Convergent evolution of jaws between spinosaurid dinosaurs and pike conger eels

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Romain Vullo

2016-12-01

Full Text Available Spinosaurs represent a group of peculiar theropod dinosaurs that have often been described as “crocodile-mimic”, predominantly fish-eating predators, and recently claimed to have been semi-aquatic animals. Here we report a suite of craniodental characters unexpectedly shared by spinosaurs and pike conger eels. Pike conger eels are predatory, mainly piscivorous bottom-dwelling anguilliform fishes that inhabit marine and brackish environments. These two groups of dinosaurs and fishes show a mediolaterally compressed, elongated rostrum, a terminal “rosette” bearing enlarged teeth in both upper and lower jaws, and a notch posterior to the premaxillary “rosette” characterized by the presence of reduced teeth. The morphological convergence observed in the jaws of these two distantly related groups of vertebrates may result from similar feeding behaviours. This typical jaw morphology likely represents an effective biomechanical adaptation for biting and grabbing elusive prey items in low-light aquatic environments. Associated with this specialized snout morphology, numerous integumentary mechanoreceptors involved in prey detection are present in both spinosaurs and pike congers. Our new observations provide an additional convincing argument regarding the decades-long and widely debated lifestyle of spinosaurs.

A Late Cretaceous diversification of Asian oviraptorid dinosaurs: evidence from a new species preserved in an unusual posture

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Lü, Junchang; Chen, Rongjun; Brusatte, Stephen L.; Zhu, Yangxiao; Shen, Caizhi

2016-11-01

Oviraptorosaurs are a bizarre group of bird-like theropod dinosaurs, the derived forms of which have shortened, toothless skulls, and which diverged from close relatives by developing peculiar feeding adaptations. Although once among the most mysterious of dinosaurs, oviraptorosaurs are becoming better understood with the discovery of many new fossils in Asia and North America. The Ganzhou area of southern China is emerging as a hotspot of oviraptorosaur discoveries, as over the past half decade five new monotypic genera have been found in the latest Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) deposits of this region. We here report a sixth diagnostic oviraptorosaur from Ganzhou, Tongtianlong limosus gen. et sp. nov., represented by a remarkably well-preserved specimen in an unusual splayed-limb and raised-head posture. Tongtianlong is a derived oviraptorid oviraptorosaur, differentiated from other species by its unique dome-like skull roof, highly convex premaxilla, and other features of the skull. The large number of oviraptorosaurs from Ganzhou, which often differ in cranial morphologies related to feeding, document an evolutionary radiation of these dinosaurs during the very latest Cretaceous of Asia, which helped establish one of the last diverse dinosaur faunas before the end-Cretaceous extinction.

Retrodeformation and muscular reconstruction of ornithomimosaurian dinosaur crania

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Andrew R. Cuff

2015-07-01

Full Text Available Ornithomimosaur dinosaurs evolved lightweight, edentulous skulls that possessed keratinous rhamphothecae. Understanding the anatomy of these taxa allows for a greater understanding of “ostrich-mimic” dinosaurs and character change during theropod dinosaur evolution. However, taphonomic processes during fossilisation often distort fossil remains. Retrodeformation offers a means by which to recover a hypothesis of the original anatomy of the specimen, and 3D scanning technologies present a way to constrain and document the retrodeformation process. Using computed tomography (CT scan data, specimen specific retrodeformations were performed on three-dimensionally preserved but taphonomically distorted skulls of the deinocheirid Garudimimus brevipes Barsbold, 1981 and the ornithomimids Struthiomimus altus Lambe, 1902 and Ornithomimus edmontonicus Sternberg, 1933. This allowed for a reconstruction of the adductor musculature, which was then mapped onto the crania, from which muscle mechanical advantage and bite forces were calculated pre- and post-retrodeformation. The extent of the rhamphotheca was varied in each taxon to represent morphologies found within modern Aves. Well constrained retrodeformation allows for increased confidence in anatomical and functional analysis of fossil specimens and offers an opportunity to more fully understand the soft tissue anatomy of extinct taxa.

Synthesis of (Z)-3,7-anhydro-1,2-dideoxy-2-deuterio-D-gluco-oct-2- enitol, a prochiral substrate for probing the catalytic functioning of of glucosylases.

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Weiser, W; Lehmann, J; Brewer, C F; Hehre, E J

1988-12-01

Synthesis of the title compound provides a prochiral, glycosyl-donor substrate well suited for use as a probe of the catalytic functioning of D-glucosyl-mobilizing enzymes, because the full stereochemistry of enzymic reactions at its double bond may be unambiguously determined by examining the reaction products. The starting material for the synthesis was 2,6-anhydro-D-glycero-D-gulo-heptonic acid, from which 3,7-anhydro-4,5,6,8-tetra-O-benzyl-1-deoxy-D-glycero-D-gulo-2- octulose was prepared in eight steps. Reduction with lithium aluminum deuteride, and conversion of the resulting diastereomeric alcohols into (Z)-3,7-anhydro-4,5,6,8-tetra-O-benzyl-1,2-dideoxy-2-deuterio-D- gluco-oct-2-enitol (11) and 3,7-anhydro-4,5,6,8-tetra-O-benzyl-1,2-dideoxy-2-deuterio-D- glycero-D-gulo-oct-1-enitol (16), was carried out. By-products were 3,7-anhydro-2-O-benzoyl-4,5,6,8-tetra-O-benzyl-1,2-dideoxy-2-deuterio -D-erythro-L-galacto-octitol and 3,7-anhydro-2-O-benzoyl-4,5,6,8-tetra-O-benzyl-1,2-dideoxy-2-deuterio -D-erythro-L-talo-octitol, which could, like compound 16, be recycled. On debenzylation the oct-2-enitol 11 yielded (Z)-3,7-anhydro-1,2-dideoxy-2-deuterio-D-gluco-oct-2-enitol.

PONDEROSA, an automated 3D-NOESY peak picking program, enables automated protein structure determination.

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Lee, Woonghee; Kim, Jin Hae; Westler, William M; Markley, John L

2011-06-15

PONDEROSA (Peak-picking Of Noe Data Enabled by Restriction of Shift Assignments) accepts input information consisting of a protein sequence, backbone and sidechain NMR resonance assignments, and 3D-NOESY ((13)C-edited and/or (15)N-edited) spectra, and returns assignments of NOESY crosspeaks, distance and angle constraints, and a reliable NMR structure represented by a family of conformers. PONDEROSA incorporates and integrates external software packages (TALOS+, STRIDE and CYANA) to carry out different steps in the structure determination. PONDEROSA implements internal functions that identify and validate NOESY peak assignments and assess the quality of the calculated three-dimensional structure of the protein. The robustness of the analysis results from PONDEROSA's hierarchical processing steps that involve iterative interaction among the internal and external modules. PONDEROSA supports a variety of input formats: SPARKY assignment table (.shifts) and spectrum file formats (.ucsf), XEASY proton file format (.prot), and NMR-STAR format (.star). To demonstrate the utility of PONDEROSA, we used the package to determine 3D structures of two proteins: human ubiquitin and Escherichia coli iron-sulfur scaffold protein variant IscU(D39A). The automatically generated structural constraints and ensembles of conformers were as good as or better than those determined previously by much less automated means. The program, in the form of binary code along with tutorials and reference manuals, is available at http://ponderosa.nmrfam.wisc.edu/.

Composição química volátil e não-volátil de Eupatorium ballotifolium Kunth, Asteraceae

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Maria Rose Jane R. Albuquerque

Full Text Available Este trabalho descreve a composição química dos óleos essenciais e o isolamento de onze substâncias de Eupatorium ballotifolium Kunth, Asteraceae. Os óleos essenciais foram obtidos por hidrodestilação, analisados por CG-EM e avaliados quanto às suas atividades frente à enzima acetilcolinesterase. O rendimento dos óleos foi de 0,11% para as folhas e 0,03% para os talos. Os principais constituintes dos óleos foram os sesquiterpenos β-cariofileno (24,9 e 22,2%, espatulenol (17,7 e 12,4% e epóxi-allo-aromadendreno (23,0 e 23,6%. Do extrato hexânico da parte aérea foi isolada a mistura de β-sitosterol e estigmasterol, incluindo suas formas glicosiladas, e os triterpenos acetato de taraxasterila e taraxasterol, enquanto, do extrato etanólico foram isolados os flavonóides nepetina and 3-O-glicosil-quercetina. Do extrato hexânico das raízes foram isolados os triterpenos epi-friedelanol e damara-20,24-dien-3β-ol e do extrato etanólico a cumarina 11-hidroxi-11,12-di-hidroobliquina. As estruturas de todos os compostos foram determinadas usando técnicas espectroscópica tais como IV, EM e RMN ¹H e 13C.

Resonance Assignments and Secondary Structure Analysis of Dynein Light Chain 8 by Magic-angle Spinning NMR Spectroscopy

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Sun, Shangjin; Butterworth, Andrew H.; Paramasivam, Sivakumar; Yan, Si; Lightcap, Christine M.; Williams, John C.; Polenova, Tatyana E.

2011-08-04

Dynein light chain LC8 is the smallest subunit of the dynein motor complex and has been shown to play important roles in both dynein-dependent and dynein-independent physiological functions via its interaction with a number of its binding partners. It has also been linked to pathogenesis including roles in viral infections and tumorigenesis. Structural information for LC8-target proteins is critical to understanding the underlying function of LC8 in these complexes. However, some LC8-target interactions are not amenable to structural characterization by conventional structural biology techniques owing to their large size, low solubility, and crystallization difficulties. Here, we report magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR studies of the homodimeric apo-LC8 protein as a first effort in addressing more complex, multi-partner, LC8-based protein assemblies. We have established site-specific backbone and side-chain resonance assignments for the majority of the residues of LC8, and show TALOS+-predicted torsion angles ø and ψ in close agreement with most residues in the published LC8 crystal structure. Data obtained through these studies will provide the first step toward using MAS NMR to examine the LC8 structure, which will eventually be used to investigate protein–protein interactions in larger systems that cannot be determined by conventional structural studies.

Espécies de Parmotrema (Parmeliaceae, Ascomycota do litoral centro-sul do Estado de São Paulo: II. Grupos químicos norstíctico e salazínico Species of Parmotrema sensu strict (Parmeliaceae, Ascomycota of the south-central- coast of São Paulo state: II. Chemical groups norstictic and salazinic

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Marcelo Pinto Marcelli

2010-03-01

Full Text Available O levantamento das espécies pertencentes aos gêneros de grandes parmélias do litoral centro-sul do Estado de São Paulo revelou a ocorrência de nove espécies de Parmotrema sensu stricto (talos foliosos de lobos arredondados em geral com mais de 0,5 cm larg. com margens inferiores não rizinadas contendo como constituintes químicos medulares os ácidos norstíctico ou salazínico. São tipicamente reconhecidos pela cor amarela que se torna avermelhada resultante dos testes de coloração com hidróxido de potássio. São apresentados uma chave de identificação, descrições, comentários e ilustrações, baseados em material brasileiro.In a survey of the species pertaining to genera of large parmeliae occurring in the coastal areas of south-central São Paulo state, Brazil, nine species of Parmotrema sensu stricto (foliose thalli with rounded lobes usually more than 0,5 mm wide with nude lower margins containing norstictic or salazinic acids as main medullar substances were found. These are typically recognized by the yellow then red staining potassium hydroxide spot tests. Identification key, descriptions, comments, and illustrations based on Brazilian material are provided for these species.

Espécies de Parmotrema (Parmeliaceae, Ascomycota do litoral centro-sul do estado de São Paulo III: Grupos químicos equinocárpico e stíctico Species of Parmotrema sensu strict (Parmeliaceae, Ascomycota from the central-southern coast of São Paulo state II: Chemical groups equinocarpic and stictic

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Michel Navarro Benatti

2010-06-01

Full Text Available O levantamento das espécies pertencentes aos gêneros de grandes parmélias do litoral centro-sul do Estado de São Paulo revelou a ocorrência de sete espécies de Parmotrema sensu stricto (talos foliosos de lobos arredondados em geral com mais de 0,5 cm larg. com margens inferiores não rizinadas contendo como constituintes químicos medulares os ácidos equinocárpico ou stíctico. São tipicamente reconhecidos pela forte cor amarela que resulta dos testes de coloração com hidróxido de potássio. São apresentados chave de identificação, descrições, comentários e ilustrações baseados em material brasileiro.In a survey of the species pertaining to genera of large parmeliae occurring in the coastal areas of the central-southern coast of São Paulo state, Brazil, seven species of Parmotrema sensu stricto (foliose thalli with rounded lobes usually more than 0.5 mm wide with nude lower margins containing equinocarpic or stictic acids as the main medullar substances were found. These are typically recognized by the strong yellow- staining potassium hydroxide spot test. An identification key, descriptions, comments, and illustrations based on Brazilian material are provided for these species.

Avaliação de biorreguladores no metabolismo secundário de beterrabas inteiras e minimamente processadas

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Andressa Araujo Picoli

2010-12-01

Full Text Available O objetivo do trabalho foi verificar o efeito de biorreguladores em beterrabas minimamente processadas e inteiras (não processadas sobre alguns aspectos do metabolismo secundário. Para o processamento mínimo, as beterrabas foram descascadas, sanificadas, sendo em seguida cortadas em retalhos com 2 mm de espessura, enxaguadas e centrifugadas. Nas beterrabas inteiras foram somente retiradas as folhas e os talos e sanificadas. Os tratamentos aplicados foram: etileno 1000 mL L-1, 1-metilciclopropeno (1-MCP 300 nL L-1 e ácido salicílico 500 mg L-1. Após os tratamentos, as beterrabas foram embaladas e armazenadas a 5 ºC durante 10 dias. As injúrias causadas durante o processamento mínimo induziram o aumento na atividade da fenilalanina amônia-liase (PAL nos tratamentos com etileno e 1-MCP e também o controle. A aplicação de ácido salicílico diminuiu a atividade desta enzima. Os tratamentos aplicados nas beterrabas minimamente processadas e inteiras não influenciaram a concentração de fenóis totais e de betalaínas, mas o teor de betalaínas foi reduzido em mais de 50% em beterraba minimamente processada em comparação com a beterraba inteira.

LINGÜÍSTICA E ENSINO: DO VIRTUAL AO REAL" LINGUISTICS AND EDUCATION: THE VIRTUAL TO REAL "

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Sílvia Lúcia Bigonjal-Braggio

1996-01-01

Full Text Available Convidada a proferir a palestra final do I Seminário Nacional de Lingüística e Língua Portuguesa da Faculdade de Letras da UFG, coloquei-me a seguinte questão após ter ouvido as palestras anteriores: por que a lingüística enquanto instrumento vital para o ensino de língua materna ainda não chegou às salas de aula? Tentando responder a essa pergunta, traço um diálogo entre as "vozes" de Tensões na Educação, de Florestan Fernandes e Cidades Invisíveis, de Ítalo Calvino. Minhas conclusões espraiam-se por esse "diálogo".   After being invited to deliver the final lecture at the I Seminário de Lingüística e Lingua Portuguesa da Faculdade de Letras da UFG and listening to the other lectures at the same event. I have asked to myself why linguistics, as it is a crucial area for mother tongue teaching, is not being used in the classroom? In order to answer to this question I have imagined a dialogue between the "voices'" inside Tensões na Educação by Florestan Fernandes e Cidades Invisíveis by Italo Calvino. My conclusions are reflected in this "dialogue".

1H, 15N, and 13C resonance assignments of the third domain from the S. aureus innate immune evasion protein Eap.

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Herrera, Alvaro I; Ploscariu, Nicoleta T; Geisbrecht, Brian V; Prakash, Om

2018-04-01

Staphylococcus aureus is a widespread and persistent pathogen of humans and livestock. The bacterium expresses a wide variety of virulence proteins, many of which serve to disrupt the host's innate immune system from recognizing and clearing bacteria with optimal efficiency. The extracellular adherence protein (Eap) is a multidomain protein that participates in various protein-protein interactions that inhibit the innate immune response, including both the complement system (Woehl et al in J Immunol 193:6161-6171, 2014) and Neutrophil Serine Proteases (NSPs) (Stapels et al in Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 111:13187-13192, 2014). The third domain of Eap, Eap3, is an ~ 11 kDa protein that was recently shown to bind complement component C4b (Woehl et al in Protein Sci 26:1595-1608, 2017) and therefore play an essential role in inhibiting the classical and lectin pathways of complement (Woehl et al in J Immunol 193:6161-6171, 2014). Since structural characterization of Eap3 is still incomplete, we acquired a series of 2D and 3D NMR spectra of Eap3 in solution. Here we report the backbone and side-chain 1 H, 15 N, and 13 C resonance assignments of Eap3 and its predicted secondary structure via the TALOS-N server. The assignment data have been deposited in the BMRB data bank under accession number 27087.

Maravilhas zoológicas na "Enciclopédia" de Plínio, o Velho, a partir de duas sugestões de Ítalo Calvino

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Matheus Trevizam

2015-02-01

Full Text Available Neste artigo, gostaríamos de apresentar algumas ideias presentes no livro VIII da obra Naturalis Historia, de autoria do escritor romano Plínio, o Velho. Para isso, depois de situar Plínio do ponto de vista humano, intelectual e histórico em sua própria época, passamos a examinar como o autor fez a abordagem do assunto dos elefantes e de vários seres fabulosos (como dragões e basiliscos na mesma parcela da obra citada. No primeiro caso, assim como o Virgílio do livro IV das Geórgicas (que esse poeta dedicou à apicultura, Plínio desejou mostrar a sociedade animal focalizada como algo, ao mesmo tempo, muito próximo e distante da cultura e dos sentimentos humanos. Quanto à abordagem pliniana de seres que hoje diríamos “monstruosos” por sua desmesura, forte hibridização ou capacidade de lesar bastante os homens ou outras criaturas, nota-se que o autor antigo parece realizá-la com a naturalidade de alguém ciente do caráter altamente inventivo das forças geradoras atuantes no mundo. Nesse movimento de deter-se sobre os aspectos bizarros do mundo, Plínio foi posteriormente seguido de perto por Jorge Luis Borges, autor de O livro dos seres imaginários.

Enzymatic regulation of photosynthetic and light-independent carbon fixation in Laminaria setchellii (Phaeophyta, Ulva lactuca (Chlorophyta and Iridaea cordata (Rhodophyta Regulación enzimática de la fotosíntesis y la fijación de carbono en obscuridad por Laminaria setchellii (Phaeophyta, Ulva lactuca (Chlorophyta e Iridaea cordata (Rhodophyta

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ALEJANDRO CABELLO-PASINI

2001-06-01

carboxikinasa (PEPCK y fosfoenolpiruvato carboxilasa (PEPC en la Phaeophyta Laminaria setchellii, la Chlorophyta Ulva lactuca y la Rhodophyta Iridaea cordata. Los niveles de clorofila-a no variaron en U. lactuca e I. cordata. Sin embargo, los niveles de pigmentos fueron significativamente menores en la región meristemática de L. setchellii probablemente debido a una falta de diferenciación de los cloroplastos de esta región. De una manera similar, la fotosíntesis neta no varió en el talo de U. lactuca e I. cordata, mientras que se incrementó desde el estipe y el meristemo hacia la lámina de L. setchellii. En contraste con la fotosíntesis, la fijación de carbono en oscuridad fue significantemente mayor en la zona meristemática de L. setchellii sugiriendo un mecanismo para la compensación de la incorporación de carbono en tejido fotosintéticamente limitado. La actividad enzimática de RUBISCO y PEPCK se comportó de una manera similar a los procesos carboxilantes in vivo, indicando que la fotosíntesis y la fijación de carbono en oscuridad son reguladas por la actividad de las enzimas carboxilantes a lo largo del talo de L. setchellii

Oxygen isotopes from biogenic apatites suggest widespread endothermy in Cretaceous dinosaurs

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Amiot, Romain; Lécuyer, Christophe; Buffetaut, Eric; Escarguel, Gilles; Fluteau, Frédéric; Martineau, François

2006-06-01

The much debated question of dinosaur thermophysiology has not yet been conclusively solved despite numerous attempts. We used the temperature-dependent oxygen isotope fractionation between vertebrate body water (δ 18O body water) and phosphatic tissues (δ 18O p) to compare the thermophysiology of dinosaurs with that of non-dinosaurian ectothermic reptiles. Present-day δ 18O p values of vertebrate apatites show that ectotherms have higher δ 18O p values than endotherms at high latitudes due to their lower body temperature, and conversely lower δ 18O p values than endotherms at low latitudes. Using a data set of 80 new and 49 published δ 18O p values, we observed similar and systematic differences in δ 18O p values (Δ 18O) between four groups of Cretaceous dinosaurs (theropods, sauropods, ornithopods and ceratopsians) and associated fresh water crocodiles and turtles. Expressed in terms of body temperatures ( Tb), these Δ 18O values indicate that dinosaurs maintained rather constant Tb in the range of endotherms whatever ambient temperatures were. This implies that high metabolic rates were widespread among Cretaceous dinosaurs belonging to widely different taxonomic groups and suggest that endothermy may be a synapomorphy of dinosaurs, or may have been acquired convergently in the studied taxa.

New information on the braincase of the North American therizinosaurian (Theropoda, Maniraptora) Falcarius utahensis

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Smith, David; Zanno, Lindsay E.; Sanders, R. Kent; Deblieux, Donald D.; Kirkland, James I.

2011-01-01

Many disarticulated bones from multiple individuals of a primitive therizinosaurian, referred to Falcarius utahensis, were found in the paucispecific Crystal Geyser bonebed in the Lower Cretaceous Cedar Mountain Formation of eastern Utah. To date, more than 2000 specimens from this species have been excavated. Included in this collection are two partial braincases, one of which is designated the holotype. Here we describe the braincase morphology ofFalcarius utahensis. These specimens help establish the primitive cranial condition for the Therizinosauria and further substantiate intraspecific and contralateral braincase pneumatic variation in theropods. When combined with new observations on the cranial remains of the therizinosaurid Nothronychus mckinleyi derived from computed tomographic (CT) scans, the braincase morphology of Falcarius clarifies several evolutionary trends within the Therizinosauria and establishes a suite of synapomorphies for the Therizinosauridae. Trends within the clade include increased basicranial pneumatization (the development of a basisphenoid bulla and loss of external subcondylar recesses), anterior deflection of the supraoccipital, and the reduction of points of origin of the craniocervical musculature, associated with the loss of discrete basipterygoid processes, probably due to incorporation of these structures into the expanded hyperpneumatic bone. Finally, CT scans reveal a complete, nearly avian, inner ear with bird-like semicircular canals and a long cochlea indicating broad frequency discrimination.

Cranial pneumatization and auditory perceptions of the oviraptorid dinosaur Conchoraptor gracilis (Theropoda, Maniraptora) from the Late Cretaceous of Mongolia

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Ramanah, D.; Raghunath, S.; Mee, D. J.; Rösgen, T.; Jacobs, P. A.

2007-09-01

The distribution of air-filled structures in the craniofacial and neurocranial bones of the oviraptorid ZPAL MgD-I/95, discovered at the Hermiin Tsav locality, Mongolia, is restored. Based on the complete obliteration of most of the cranial sutures, the specimen is identified as an adult individual of Conchoraptor gracilis Barsbold 1986. Except for the orbitosphenoids and epipterygoids, the preserved bones of the neurocranium are hollow. Three types of tympanic recess are present in Conchoraptor, a characteristic shared with troodontids, dromaeosaurids, and avian theropods. The contralateral middle ear cavities are interconnected by the supraencephalic pathway that passes through the dorsal tympanic recesses, the posterodorsal prootic sinuses and the parietal sinus. The spatial arrangements of the middle ear cavity and a derived neurocranial pneumatic system in Conchoraptor indicate enhancements of acoustic perception in the lower-frequency registers and of auditory directionality. We further speculate that this improvement of binaural hearing could be explained as an adaptation required for accurate detection of prey and/or predators under conditions of low illumination. The other potentially pneumatic structures of the Conchoraptor cranium include (1) recessus-like irregularities on the dorsal surface of the nasal and frontal bones (a putative oviraptorid synapomorphy; pos); (2) a subotic recess; (3) a sub-condylar recess; and (4) a posterior condylar recess (pos).

Spinosaur taxonomy and evolution of craniodental features: Evidence from Brazil.

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Marcos A F Sales

Full Text Available Fossil sites from Brazil have yielded specimens of spinosaurid theropods, among which the most informative include the cranial remains of Irritator, Angaturama, and Oxalaia. In this work some of their craniodental features are reinterpreted, providing new data for taxonomic and evolutionary issues concerning this particular clade of dinosaurs. The mesial-most tooth of the left maxilla of the holotype of Irritator is regarded as representing the third tooth position, which is also preserved in the holotype of Angaturama. Thus, both specimens cannot belong to the same individual, contrary to previous assumptions, although they could have been the same taxon. In addition, the position of the external nares of Irritator is more comparable to those of Baryonyx and Suchomimus instead of other spinosaurine spinosaurids. In fact, with regards to some craniodental features, Brazilian taxa represent intermediate conditions between Baryonychinae and Spinosaurinae. Such a scenario is corroborated by our cladistic results, which also leave open the possibility of the former subfamily being non-monophyletic. Furthermore, the differences between spinosaurids regarding the position and size of the external nares might be related to distinct feeding habits and degrees of reliance on olfaction. Other issues concerning the evolution and taxonomy of Spinosauridae require descriptions of additional material for their clarification.

New Mid-Cretaceous (Latest Albian) Dinosaurs from Winton, Queensland, Australia

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Hocknull, Scott A.; White, Matt A.; Tischler, Travis R.; Cook, Alex G.; Calleja, Naomi D.; Sloan, Trish; Elliott, David A.

2009-01-01

Background Australia's dinosaurian fossil record is exceptionally poor compared to that of other similar-sized continents. Most taxa are known from fragmentary isolated remains with uncertain taxonomic and phylogenetic placement. A better understanding of the Australian dinosaurian record is crucial to understanding the global palaeobiogeography of dinosaurian groups, including groups previously considered to have had Gondwanan origins, such as the titanosaurs and carcharodontosaurids. Methodology/Principal Findings We describe three new dinosaurs from the late Early Cretaceous (latest Albian) Winton Formation of eastern Australia, including; Wintonotitan wattsi gen. et sp. nov., a basal titanosauriform; Diamantinasaurus matildae gen. et sp. nov., a derived lithostrotian titanosaur; and Australovenator wintonensis gen. et sp. nov., an allosauroid. We compare an isolated astragalus from the Early Cretaceous of southern Australia; formerly identified as Allosaurus sp., and conclude that it most-likely represents Australovenator sp. Conclusion/Significance The occurrence of Australovenator from the Aptian to latest Albian confirms the presence in Australia of allosauroids basal to the Carcharodontosauridae. These new taxa, along with the fragmentary remains of other taxa, indicate a diverse Early Cretaceous sauropod and theropod fauna in Australia, including plesiomorphic forms (e.g. Wintonotitan and Australovenator) and more derived forms (e.g. Diamantinasaurus). PMID:19584929

A New Megaraptoran Dinosaur (Dinosauria, Theropoda, Megaraptoridae) from the Late Cretaceous of Patagonia

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2016-01-01

A skeleton discovered in the Upper Cretaceous Sierra Barrosa Formation (Turonian-Coniacian) of Neuquén Province, Argentina represents a new species of theropod dinosaur related to the long snouted, highly pneumatized Megaraptoridae. The holotype specimen of Murusraptor barrosaensis n.gen et n.sp. (MCF-PVPH-411) includes much of the skull, axial skeleton, pelvis and tibia. Murusraptor is unique in having several diagnostic features that include anterodorsal process of lacrimal longer than height of preorbital process, and a thick, shelf-like thickening on the lateral surface of surangular ventral to the groove between the anterior surangular foramen and the insert for the uppermost intramandibular process of the dentary. Other characteristic features of Murusraptor barrosaensis n.gen. et n. sp.include a large mandibular fenestra, distal ends of caudal neural spines laterally thickened into lateral knob-like processes, short ischia distally flattened and slightly expanded dorsoventrally. Murusraptor belongs to a Patagonian radiation of megaraptorids together with Aerosteon, Megaraptor and Orkoraptor. In spite being immature, it is a larger but more gracile animal than existing specimens of Megaraptor, and is comparable in size with Aerosteon and Orkoraptor. The controversial phylogeny of the Megaraptoridae as members of the Allosauroidea or a clade of Coelurosauria is considered analyzing two alternative data sets. PMID:27439002

New Mid-Cretaceous (latest Albian dinosaurs fromWinton, Queensland, Australia.

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Scott A Hocknull

Full Text Available BACKGROUND: Australia's dinosaurian fossil record is exceptionally poor compared to that of other similar-sized continents. Most taxa are known from fragmentary isolated remains with uncertain taxonomic and phylogenetic placement. A better understanding of the Australian dinosaurian record is crucial to understanding the global palaeobiogeography of dinosaurian groups, including groups previously considered to have had Gondwanan origins, such as the titanosaurs and carcharodontosaurids. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We describe three new dinosaurs from the late Early Cretaceous (latest Albian Winton Formation of eastern Australia, including; Wintonotitan wattsi gen. et sp. nov., a basal titanosauriform; Diamantinasaurus matildae gen. et sp. nov., a derived lithostrotian titanosaur; and Australovenator wintonensis gen. et sp. nov., an allosauroid. We compare an isolated astragalus from the Early Cretaceous of southern Australia; formerly identified as Allosaurus sp., and conclude that it most-likely represents Australovenator sp. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: The occurrence of Australovenator from the Aptian to latest Albian confirms the presence in Australia of allosauroids basal to the Carcharodontosauridae. These new taxa, along with the fragmentary remains of other taxa, indicate a diverse Early Cretaceous sauropod and theropod fauna in Australia, including plesiomorphic forms (e.g. Wintonotitan and Australovenator and more derived forms (e.g. Diamantinasaurus.

Why sauropods had long necks; and why giraffes have short necks.

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Taylor, Michael P; Wedel, Mathew J

2013-01-01

The necks of the sauropod dinosaurs reached 15 m in length: six times longer than that of the world record giraffe and five times longer than those of all other terrestrial animals. Several anatomical features enabled this extreme elongation, including: absolutely large body size and quadrupedal stance providing a stable platform for a long neck; a small, light head that did not orally process food; cervical vertebrae that were both numerous and individually elongate; an efficient air-sac-based respiratory system; and distinctive cervical architecture. Relevant features of sauropod cervical vertebrae include: pneumatic chambers that enabled the bone to be positioned in a mechanically efficient way within the envelope; and muscular attachments of varying importance to the neural spines, epipophyses and cervical ribs. Other long-necked tetrapods lacked important features of sauropods, preventing the evolution of longer necks: for example, giraffes have relatively small torsos and large, heavy heads, share the usual mammalian constraint of only seven cervical vertebrae, and lack an air-sac system and pneumatic bones. Among non-sauropods, their saurischian relatives the theropod dinosaurs seem to have been best placed to evolve long necks, and indeed their necks probably surpassed those of giraffes. But 150 million years of evolution did not suffice for them to exceed a relatively modest 2.5 m.

A bird-like skull in a Triassic diapsid reptile increases heterogeneity of the morphological and phylogenetic radiation of Diapsida

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Pritchard, Adam C.; Nesbitt, Sterling J.

2017-10-01

The Triassic Period saw the first appearance of numerous amniote lineages (e.g. Lepidosauria, Archosauria, Mammalia) that defined Mesozoic ecosystems following the end Permian Mass Extinction, as well as the first major morphological diversification of crown-group reptiles. Unfortunately, much of our understanding of this event comes from the record of large-bodied reptiles (total body length > 1 m). Here we present a new species of drepanosaurid (small-bodied, chameleon-like diapsids) from the Upper Triassic Chinle Formation of New Mexico. Using reconstructions of micro-computed tomography data, we reveal the three-dimensional skull osteology of this clade for the first time. The skull presents many archaic anatomical traits unknown in Triassic crown-group reptiles (e.g. absence of bony support for the external ear), whereas other traits (e.g. toothless rostrum, anteriorly directed orbits, inflated endocranium) resemble derived avian theropods. A phylogenetic analysis of Permo-Triassic diapsids supports the hypothesis that drepanosaurs are an archaic lineage that originated in the Permian, far removed from crown-group Reptilia. The phylogenetic position of drepanosaurids indicates the presence of archaic Permian clades among Triassic small reptile assemblages and that morphological convergence produced a remarkably bird-like skull nearly 100 Myr before one is known to have emerged in Theropoda.

The extent of the preserved feathers on the four-winged dinosaur Microraptor gui under ultraviolet light.

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David W E Hone

Full Text Available BACKGROUND: The holotype of the theropod non-avian dinosaur Microraptor gui from the Early Cretaceous of China shows extensive preservation of feathers in a halo around the body and with flight feathers associated with both the fore and hindlimbs. It has been questioned as to whether or not the feathers did extend into the halo to reach the body, or had disassociated and moved before preservation. This taxon has important implications for the origin of flight in birds and the possibility of a four-winged gliding phase. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Examination of the specimen under ultraviolet light reveals that these feathers actually reach the body of the animal and were not disassociated from the bones. Instead they may have been chemically altered by the body tissues of the animal meaning that they did not carbonise close into the animal or more likely were covered by other decaying tissue, though evidence of their presence remains. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: These UV images show that the feathers preserved on the slab are genuinely associated with the skeleton and that their arrangement and orientation is likely correct. The methods used here to reveal hidden features of the specimen may be applicable to other specimens from the fossil beds of Liaoning that produced Microraptor.

A New Megaraptoran Dinosaur (Dinosauria, Theropoda, Megaraptoridae from the Late Cretaceous of Patagonia.

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Rodolfo A Coria

Full Text Available A skeleton discovered in the Upper Cretaceous Sierra Barrosa Formation (Turonian-Coniacian of Neuquén Province, Argentina represents a new species of theropod dinosaur related to the long snouted, highly pneumatized Megaraptoridae. The holotype specimen of Murusraptor barrosaensis n.gen et n.sp. (MCF-PVPH-411 includes much of the skull, axial skeleton, pelvis and tibia. Murusraptor is unique in having several diagnostic features that include anterodorsal process of lacrimal longer than height of preorbital process, and a thick, shelf-like thickening on the lateral surface of surangular ventral to the groove between the anterior surangular foramen and the insert for the uppermost intramandibular process of the dentary. Other characteristic features of Murusraptor barrosaensis n.gen. et n. sp.include a large mandibular fenestra, distal ends of caudal neural spines laterally thickened into lateral knob-like processes, short ischia distally flattened and slightly expanded dorsoventrally. Murusraptor belongs to a Patagonian radiation of megaraptorids together with Aerosteon, Megaraptor and Orkoraptor. In spite being immature, it is a larger but more gracile animal than existing specimens of Megaraptor, and is comparable in size with Aerosteon and Orkoraptor. The controversial phylogeny of the Megaraptoridae as members of the Allosauroidea or a clade of Coelurosauria is considered analyzing two alternative data sets.

Biotic and environmental dynamics through the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous transition: evidence for protracted faunal and ecological turnover.

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Tennant, Jonathan P; Mannion, Philip D; Upchurch, Paul; Sutton, Mark D; Price, Gregory D

2017-05-01

The Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous interval represents a time of environmental upheaval and cataclysmic events, combined with disruptions to terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Historically, the Jurassic/Cretaceous (J/K) boundary was classified as one of eight mass extinctions. However, more recent research has largely overturned this view, revealing a much more complex pattern of biotic and abiotic dynamics than has previously been appreciated. Here, we present a synthesis of our current knowledge of Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous events, focusing particularly on events closest to the J/K boundary. We find evidence for a combination of short-term catastrophic events, large-scale tectonic processes and environmental perturbations, and major clade interactions that led to a seemingly dramatic faunal and ecological turnover in both the marine and terrestrial realms. This is coupled with a great reduction in global biodiversity which might in part be explained by poor sampling. Very few groups appear to have been entirely resilient to this J/K boundary 'event', which hints at a 'cascade model' of ecosystem changes driving faunal dynamics. Within terrestrial ecosystems, larger, more-specialised organisms, such as saurischian dinosaurs, appear to have suffered the most. Medium-sized tetanuran theropods declined, and were replaced by larger-bodied groups, and basal eusauropods were replaced by neosauropod faunas. The ascent of paravian theropods is emphasised by escalated competition with contemporary pterosaur groups, culminating in the explosive radiation of birds, although the timing of this is obfuscated by biases in sampling. Smaller, more ecologically diverse terrestrial non-archosaurs, such as lissamphibians and mammaliaforms, were comparatively resilient to extinctions, instead documenting the origination of many extant groups around the J/K boundary. In the marine realm, extinctions were focused on low-latitude, shallow marine shelf-dwelling faunas

Electrodeposition, characterization and corrosion investigations of galvanic tin-zinc layers from pyrophosphate baths / Электрохимические осаждения, классификация и испытания коррозии покрытия на основе цинка и олова, образованной на поверхности пирофосфатной ванны / Elektrohemijsko taloženje, karakterizacija i ispitivanja korozije slojeva na bazi cinka i kalaja nastalih taloženjem iz pirofosfatnih kupatila

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Milena D. Stopić

2016-07-01

galvanskom zaštitom od cinka. Prevlake na bazi kalaja i cinka prvobitno su korišćene za šasije električnih i elektronskih aparatura ili za kritične delove i kočione sisteme. U ovom radu legure na bazi kalaja i cinka uspešno su proizvedene iz baznih pirofosfatnihkupatila. Proces izdvajanja metala daje kompaktan i finozrnasti deposit. Željeni odnosi cinka i kalaja u nanesenoj leguri odredjeni su od sastava kupatila i operacionih parametara tokom izdvajanja slojeva. Sistem od tri elektrode korišćen je za elektrohemijska istraživanja. Mehanizam elektrohemijskog taloženja Sn-Zn sloja ispitivan je linearnom i cikličnom voltametrijom. Parametri korozije, uključujući zavisnosti potencija-vreme, korozivni potencijal i gustinu struje korozije elektrohemijski taložene kalaj-cink legure različitih sastava izvođeni su u rastvoru koji sadrži 3% NaCl. Korozívna otpornost zavisi od sastava izdvojenog sloja, a sloj koji sadrži Sn-28 Zn pokazao je najbolja antikorozivna svojstva.

VITAL NMR: using chemical shift derived secondary structure information for a limited set of amino acids to assess homology model accuracy

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Brothers, Michael C.; Nesbitt, Anna E.; Hallock, Michael J. [University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Chemistry (United States); Rupasinghe, Sanjeewa G. [University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology (United States); Tang Ming [University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Chemistry (United States); Harris, Jason; Baudry, Jerome [University of Tennessee, Department of Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology (United States); Schuler, Mary A. [University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology (United States); Rienstra, Chad M., E-mail: rienstra@illinois.edu [University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Chemistry (United States)

2012-01-15

Homology modeling is a powerful tool for predicting protein structures, whose success depends on obtaining a reasonable alignment between a given structural template and the protein sequence being analyzed. In order to leverage greater predictive power for proteins with few structural templates, we have developed a method to rank homology models based upon their compliance to secondary structure derived from experimental solid-state NMR (SSNMR) data. Such data is obtainable in a rapid manner by simple SSNMR experiments (e.g., {sup 13}C-{sup 13}C 2D correlation spectra). To test our homology model scoring procedure for various amino acid labeling schemes, we generated a library of 7,474 homology models for 22 protein targets culled from the TALOS+/SPARTA+ training set of protein structures. Using subsets of amino acids that are plausibly assigned by SSNMR, we discovered that pairs of the residues Val, Ile, Thr, Ala and Leu (VITAL) emulate an ideal dataset where all residues are site specifically assigned. Scoring the models with a predicted VITAL site-specific dataset and calculating secondary structure with the Chemical Shift Index resulted in a Pearson correlation coefficient (-0.75) commensurate to the control (-0.77), where secondary structure was scored site specifically for all amino acids (ALL 20) using STRIDE. This method promises to accelerate structure procurement by SSNMR for proteins with unknown folds through guiding the selection of remotely homologous protein templates and assessing model quality.

A comparison of the present and last interglacial periods in six Antarctic ice cores

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V. Masson-Delmotte

2011-04-01

Full Text Available We compare the present and last interglacial periods as recorded in Antarctic water stable isotope records now available at various temporal resolutions from six East Antarctic ice cores: Vostok, Taylor Dome, EPICA Dome C (EDC, EPICA Dronning Maud Land (EDML, Dome Fuji and the recent TALDICE ice core from Talos Dome. We first review the different modern site characteristics in terms of ice flow, meteorological conditions, precipitation intermittency and moisture origin, as depicted by meteorological data, atmospheric reanalyses and Lagrangian moisture source diagnostics. These different factors can indeed alter the relationships between temperature and water stable isotopes. Using five records with sufficient resolution on the EDC3 age scale, common features are quantified through principal component analyses. Consistent with instrumental records and atmospheric model results, the ice core data depict rather coherent and homogenous patterns in East Antarctica during the last two interglacials. Across the East Antarctic plateau, regional differences, with respect to the common East Antarctic signal, appear to have similar patterns during the current and last interglacials. We identify two abrupt shifts in isotopic records during the glacial inception at TALDICE and EDML, likely caused by regional sea ice expansion. These regional differences are discussed in terms of moisture origin and in terms of past changes in local elevation histories, which are compared to ice sheet model results. Our results suggest that elevation changes may contribute significantly to inter-site differences. These elevation changes may be underestimated by current ice sheet models.

VITAL NMR: Using Chemical Shift Derived Secondary Structure Information for a Limited Set of Amino Acids to Assess Homology Model Accuracy

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Brothers, Michael C [University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; Nesbitt, Anna E [University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; Hallock, Michael J [University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; Rupasinghe, Sanjeewa [University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; Tang, Ming [University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; Harris, Jason B [ORNL; Baudry, Jerome Y [ORNL; Schuler, Mary A [University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; Rienstra, Chad M [University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

2011-01-01

Homology modeling is a powerful tool for predicting protein structures, whose success depends on obtaining a reasonable alignment between a given structural template and the protein sequence being analyzed. In order to leverage greater predictive power for proteins with few structural templates, we have developed a method to rank homology models based upon their compliance to secondary structure derived from experimental solid-state NMR (SSNMR) data. Such data is obtainable in a rapid manner by simple SSNMR experiments (e.g., (13)C-(13)C 2D correlation spectra). To test our homology model scoring procedure for various amino acid labeling schemes, we generated a library of 7,474 homology models for 22 protein targets culled from the TALOS+/SPARTA+ training set of protein structures. Using subsets of amino acids that are plausibly assigned by SSNMR, we discovered that pairs of the residues Val, Ile, Thr, Ala and Leu (VITAL) emulate an ideal dataset where all residues are site specifically assigned. Scoring the models with a predicted VITAL site-specific dataset and calculating secondary structure with the Chemical Shift Index resulted in a Pearson correlation coefficient (-0.75) commensurate to the control (-0.77), where secondary structure was scored site specifically for all amino acids (ALL 20) using STRIDE. This method promises to accelerate structure procurement by SSNMR for proteins with unknown folds through guiding the selection of remotely homologous protein templates and assessing model quality.

EFECTO DE PASTEURIZACIÓN SOBRE CARACTERÍSTICAS SENSORIALES Y CONTENIDO DE VITAMINA C EN JUGOS DE FRUTAS

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YESENIA VILLAREAL D.

2013-12-01

Full Text Available En esta investigaciónse evaluó el efecto de distintos tratamientos de pasteurización sobre las características sensoriales y el contenido de vitamina C de cuatro jugos de fruta: mora de castilla (MC, mango costeño (MAC, naranja Valencia (NVy tomate de árbol tamarillo (TA.Los resultados mostraron que el proceso de pasteurización adecuado, definido como aquel que mostrara ausencia de actividad de peroxidasa (POD medida cualitativamentepara cada jugo fue 80ºC por 120 segundos (MC, 80ºC por 90 segundos (MAC, 75ºC por 90 segundos (NV y 80°C por 90 segundos (TA; el efecto del procesamiento sobre el color, olor y sabor de los jugos se evaluó mediante análisis sensorial por un panel entrenado y reveló que no hubo diferencias significativas (p<0,05 entre las características evaluadas antes y después del tratamiento térmico. Las pérdidas de vitamina C provocadas por el tratamiento de pasteurización, se cuantificaron mediante el método de Mohr encontrándose valores de 84,67% (MC, 89,82% (MAC, 99,43% (NV y 87,72% (TA. El tratamiento aplicado prolongó la vida útil de los jugos de 10 a 12 días a temperatura de refrigeración, sin cambios apreciables en sus características sensoriales

Correlation between reflectance and photoluminescent properties of al-rich ZnO nano-structures

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Khan, Firoz; Baek, Seong-Ho; Ahmad, Nafis; Lee, Gun Hee; Seo, Tae Hoon; Suh, Eun-kyung; Kim, Jae Hyun

2015-05-01

Al rich zinc oxide nano-structured films were synthesized using spin coating sol-gel technique. The films were annealed in oxygen ambient in the temperature range of 200-700 °C. The structural, optical, and photoluminescence (PL) properties of the films were studied at various annealing temperatures using X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, photoluminescence emission spectra measurement, and Raman and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The optical band gap was found to decrease with the increase of the annealing temperature following the Gauss Amp function due to the confinement of the exciton. The PL peak intensity in the near band region (INBE) was found to increase with the increase of the annealing temperature up to 600 °C, then to decrease fast to a lower value for the annealing temperature of 700 °C due to crystalline quality. The Raman peak of E2 (low) was red shifted from 118 cm-1 to 126 cm-1 with the increase of the annealing temperature. The intensity of the second order phonon (TA+LO) at 674 cm-1 was found to decrease with the increase of the annealing temperature. The normalized values of the reflectance and the PL intensity in the NBE region were highest for the annealing temperature of 600 °C. A special correlation was found between the reflectance at λ = 1000 nm and the normalized PL intensity in the green region due to scattering due to presence of grains.

Concentração de nitrogênio, fósforo e potásiio na parte aérea do feijoeiro em resposta à irrigação, fertirrigação e micronutrientes Concentration of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in drybean shoots in response to irrigation, fertirrigation and micronutrients

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Eder João Pozzebon

1996-08-01

Full Text Available Este experimento teve como objetivo avaliar a concentração de nitrogênio, fósforo e potássio na parte aérea do feijoeiro em resposta à irrigação, fertirrigação com nitrogênio parcelado e aplicação de micronutrientes via semente. O experimento foi conduzido a campo em solo Podzólico Vermelho-Amarelo, de textura média, em Santa Maria, RS. Os tratamentos consistiram de combinações do uso de irrigação por aspersão, micronutrientes via semente e modo de aplicação de nitrogênio em cobertura. Os tratamentos com adubação de cobertura convencional receberam o nitrogênio (85kg N ha-1 na forma de uréia granulada aos 12 dias após a emergência. Na fertirrigação usou-se o parcelamento do nitrogênio aos 12, 24 e 30 dias após a emergência. Os micronutrientes foram aplicados numa dosagem de 3,5 g kg ha-1 de sementes de uma formulação de 38% de zinco, 9% de molibdênio, 2% de boro e 0,5% de cobalto. As concentrações de nitrogênio, fósforo e potássio foram determinadas nas folhas, talos e sementes aos 49 e 71 dias após a emergência. A irrigação promoveu maior concentração de nitrogênio, fósforo e potássio nas folhas aos 49 dias após a emergência. Aos 71 dias após a emergência, ocorreram menores concentrações de nitrogênio e fósforo nas folhas e talos para os tratamentos irrigados e nas sementes houve maior concentração de nitrogênio, fósforo e potássio para os tratamentos não irrigados. Não houve efeito do parcelamento do nitrogênio via fertirrigação e aplicação de micronutrientes às sementes sobre a concentração de nitrogênio, fósforo e potássio na parte aérea das plantas.The objective of this study was to evaluate the concentration of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in drybean shoots in response to irrigation, fertirrigation with nitrogen and seed micronutrient application. The experiment was conducted on a loam Podzolic soil, in Santa Maria, RS. Treatments with conventional

Estudo e comportamento de variedades de alho-porro Studies on the behavior ok leek varieties

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Nélson Teixeira de Mendonça

1965-01-01

Full Text Available São relatados os dados de ensaio de competição entre 16 cultivares de alho-porro (Allium porrum L. procedentes da Europa e dos Estados Unidos da América do Norte, instalado em Campinas, em solo de formação glacial. O objetivo do experimento foi verificar o comportamento das variedades para o consumo in natura e para a indústria. Destacaram-se pela produção para consumo in natura as variedades I-3346 (Monstrueux D'Elbeuf e I-3353 (Long de Nice, respectivamente com 3,8 e 3,3 kg/m², seguindo-se I-3351 (Monstrueux de Carentan, I-3460 (Doubouchet, I-3458 (Dubouchet de outra procedência e I-3418 (Large American Flag com 2,9 kg/m². Para indústrias, destacaram-se pelos maiores rendimentos as variedades I-3350 (Gros Long D'Été, com 12,9%, I-3353 (Long de Nice, com 12,2%, seguindo-se I-3351 (Monstrueux de Carentan, I-3458 (Dubouchet, I-3355 (Longo de Talos Grossos e I-3349 (Bleu de Solaise. Não foi encontrada relação entre a produtividade (pêso do material in natura e o rendimento em pó.Varieties of leek (Allium porrum L., have already been sudied by the Seção de Olericultura of the Instituto Agronômico, using seeds imported from countries other than Brazil in view of leek not producing under our climatic conditions. Up to 1961, leek was cultivated in the State of São Paulo, only for fresh market because of the small demand. During the last years, its culture is growing more and more on account of the compensating prices reached on the market, the demand being high from important industries which devote themselves to the preparation of dry soups and flavours. In this paper data are given which were obtained from an experiment of competition with 16 varieties proceeding from Europe and the United States. It was installed in 1963 at the Central Experiment Station, in Campinas, on an area where the soil is of Glacial formation. The purpose of this trial was to determine which varieties are best for fresh market or for the industry

Natural selection in avian protein-coding genes expressed in brain.

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Axelsson, Erik; Hultin-Rosenberg, Lina; Brandström, Mikael; Zwahlén, Martin; Clayton, David F; Ellegren, Hans

2008-06-01

The evolution of birds from theropod dinosaurs took place approximately 150 million years ago, and was associated with a number of specific adaptations that are still evident among extant birds, including feathers, song and extravagant secondary sexual characteristics. Knowledge about the molecular evolutionary background to such adaptations is lacking. Here, we analyse the evolution of > 5000 protein-coding gene sequences expressed in zebra finch brain by comparison to orthologous sequences in chicken. Mean d(N)/d(S) is 0.085 and genes with their maximal expression in the eye and central nervous system have the lowest mean d(N)/d(S) value, while those expressed in digestive and reproductive tissues exhibit the highest. We find that fast-evolving genes (those which have higher than expected rate of nonsynonymous substitution, indicative of adaptive evolution) are enriched for biological functions such as fertilization, muscle contraction, defence response, response to stress, wounding and endogenous stimulus, and cell death. After alignment to mammalian orthologues, we identify a catalogue of 228 genes that show a significantly higher rate of protein evolution in the two bird lineages than in mammals. These accelerated bird genes, representing candidates for avian-specific adaptations, include genes implicated in vocal learning and other cognitive processes. Moreover, colouration genes evolve faster in birds than in mammals, which may have been driven by sexual selection for extravagant plumage characteristics.

A Large Accumulation of Avian Eggs from the Late Cretaceous of Patagonia (Argentina) Reveals a Novel Nesting Strategy in Mesozoic Birds

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Fernández, Mariela S.; García, Rodolfo A.; Fiorelli, Lucas; Scolaro, Alejandro; Salvador, Rodrigo B.; Cotaro, Carlos N.; Kaiser, Gary W.; Dyke, Gareth J.

2013-01-01

We report the first evidence for a nesting colony of Mesozoic birds on Gondwana: a fossil accumulation in Late Cretaceous rocks mapped and collected from within the campus of the National University of Comahue, Neuquén City, Patagonia (Argentina). Here, Cretaceous ornithothoracine birds, almost certainly Enanthiornithes, nested in an arid, shallow basinal environment among sand dunes close to an ephemeral water-course. We mapped and collected 65 complete, near-complete, and broken eggs across an area of more than 55 m2. These eggs were laid either singly, or occasionally in pairs, onto a sandy substrate. All eggs were found apparently in, or close to, their original nest site; they all occur within the same bedding plane and may represent the product of a single nesting season or a short series of nesting attempts. Although there is no evidence for nesting structures, all but one of the Comahue eggs were half-buried upright in the sand with their pointed end downwards, a position that would have exposed the pole containing the air cell and precluded egg turning. This egg position is not seen in living birds, with the exception of the basal galliform megapodes who place their eggs within mounds of vegetation or burrows. This accumulation reveals a novel nesting behaviour in Mesozoic Aves that was perhaps shared with the non-avian and phylogenetically more basal troodontid theropods. PMID:23613776

A large accumulation of avian eggs from the late cretaceous of patagonia (Argentina) reveals a novel nesting strategy in mesozoic birds.

Science.gov (United States)

Fernández, Mariela S; García, Rodolfo A; Fiorelli, Lucas; Scolaro, Alejandro; Salvador, Rodrigo B; Cotaro, Carlos N; Kaiser, Gary W; Dyke, Gareth J

2013-01-01

We report the first evidence for a nesting colony of mesozoic birds on Gondwana: a fossil accumulation in Late Cretaceous rocks mapped and collected from within the campus of the National University of Comahue, Neuquén City, Patagonia (Argentina). Here, Cretaceous ornithothoracine birds, almost certainly Enanthiornithes, nested in an arid, shallow basinal environment among sand dunes close to an ephemeral water-course. We mapped and collected 65 complete, near-complete, and broken eggs across an area of more than 55 m(2). These eggs were laid either singly, or occasionally in pairs, onto a sandy substrate. All eggs were found apparently in, or close to, their original nest site; they all occur within the same bedding plane and may represent the product of a single nesting season or a short series of nesting attempts. Although there is no evidence for nesting structures, all but one of the Comahue eggs were half-buried upright in the sand with their pointed end downwards, a position that would have exposed the pole containing the air cell and precluded egg turning. This egg position is not seen in living birds, with the exception of the basal galliform megapodes who place their eggs within mounds of vegetation or burrows. This accumulation reveals a novel nesting behaviour in Mesozoic Aves that was perhaps shared with the non-avian and phylogenetically more basal troodontid theropods.

Why sauropods had long necks; and why giraffes have short necks

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Wedel, Mathew J.

2013-01-01

The necks of the sauropod dinosaurs reached 15 m in length: six times longer than that of the world record giraffe and five times longer than those of all other terrestrial animals. Several anatomical features enabled this extreme elongation, including: absolutely large body size and quadrupedal stance providing a stable platform for a long neck; a small, light head that did not orally process food; cervical vertebrae that were both numerous and individually elongate; an efficient air-sac-based respiratory system; and distinctive cervical architecture. Relevant features of sauropod cervical vertebrae include: pneumatic chambers that enabled the bone to be positioned in a mechanically efficient way within the envelope; and muscular attachments of varying importance to the neural spines, epipophyses and cervical ribs. Other long-necked tetrapods lacked important features of sauropods, preventing the evolution of longer necks: for example, giraffes have relatively small torsos and large, heavy heads, share the usual mammalian constraint of only seven cervical vertebrae, and lack an air-sac system and pneumatic bones. Among non-sauropods, their saurischian relatives the theropod dinosaurs seem to have been best placed to evolve long necks, and indeed their necks probably surpassed those of giraffes. But 150 million years of evolution did not suffice for them to exceed a relatively modest 2.5 m. PMID:23638372

On the origin of avian air sacs.

Science.gov (United States)

Farmer, C G

2006-11-01

For many vertebrates the lung is the largest and lightest organ in the body cavity and for these reasons can greatly affect an organism's shape, density, and its distribution of mass; characters that are important to locomotion. In this paper non-respiratory functions of the lung are considered along with data on the respiratory capacities and gas exchange abilities of birds and crocodilians to infer the evolutionary history of the respiratory systems of dinosaurs, including birds. From a quadrupedal ancestry theropod dinosaurs evolved a bipedal posture. Bipedalism is an impressive balancing act, especially for tall animals with massive heads. During this transition selection for good balance and agility may have helped shape pulmonary morphology. Respiratory adaptations arising for bipedalism are suggested to include a reduction in costal ventilation and the use of cuirassal ventilation with a caudad expansion of the lung into the dorsal abdominal cavity. The evolution of volant animals from bipeds required yet again a major reorganization in body form. With this transition avian air sacs may have been favored because they enhanced balance and agility in flight. Finally, I propose that these hypotheses can be tested by examining the importance of the air sacs to balance and agility in extant animals and that these data will enhance our understanding of the evolution of the respiratory system in archosaurs.

Why sauropods had long necks; and why giraffes have short necks

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Michael P. Taylor

2013-02-01

Full Text Available The necks of the sauropod dinosaurs reached 15 m in length: six times longer than that of the world record giraffe and five times longer than those of all other terrestrial animals. Several anatomical features enabled this extreme elongation, including: absolutely large body size and quadrupedal stance providing a stable platform for a long neck; a small, light head that did not orally process food; cervical vertebrae that were both numerous and individually elongate; an efficient air-sac-based respiratory system; and distinctive cervical architecture. Relevant features of sauropod cervical vertebrae include: pneumatic chambers that enabled the bone to be positioned in a mechanically efficient way within the envelope; and muscular attachments of varying importance to the neural spines, epipophyses and cervical ribs. Other long-necked tetrapods lacked important features of sauropods, preventing the evolution of longer necks: for example, giraffes have relatively small torsos and large, heavy heads, share the usual mammalian constraint of only seven cervical vertebrae, and lack an air-sac system and pneumatic bones. Among non-sauropods, their saurischian relatives the theropod dinosaurs seem to have been best placed to evolve long necks, and indeed their necks probably surpassed those of giraffes. But 150 million years of evolution did not suffice for them to exceed a relatively modest 2.5 m.

Diente de un gran dinosaurio terópodo (Allosauroidea de la Formación Villar del Arzobispo (Titónico-Berriasiense de Riodeva (España

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Alcalá, L.

2009-06-01

Full Text Available An isolated theropod tooth from a microconglomerate of the Tithonian-Berriasian Villar del Arzobispo Formation at Riodeva (Aragón, Spain is described. The specimen is remarkably large (apical length: 98.3 mm. The morphology of the tooth is compressed labiolingually, with denticules on the carinae reaching the base in the carina distal but not in the mesial one. These features and their large size allow us to include it in the clade Allosauroidea. Having in mind the dental variability existing among the tooth of the different genera of Allosauroidea we can not assign it to any definite group within this clade.Se describe un diente de dinosaurio terópodo de 98,3 mm de longitud apical hallado en el término municipal de Riodeva (Teruel. El diente ha sido localizado de forma aislada en un nivel de microconglomerados perteneciente a la Formación Villar del Arzobispo de edad Titónico-Berriasiense. La morfología del diente, comprimido labiolingualmente, con las carenas denticuladas que alcanzan la base de la corona distal pero no la mesial, y el tamaño del ejemplar permiten incluirlo dentro del clado Allosauroidea. La variabilidad existente entre los dientes de diferentes géneros de alosauroideos determina que sea prudente no asignarlo a un grupo concreto dentro de este clado.

Cuba: el Diario de La Marina, los «misioneros de Mussolini» y la intelectualidad cubana proitaliana durante el segundo conflicto ítalo-abisinio (1935-1936

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Alberto Consuegra Sanfiel

2014-01-01

Full Text Available The Second Italo-Abyssinian conflict (1935-1936 triggered a strong social polarization worldwide. Inside and outside Africa, Abyssinia (now Ethiopia found many expressions of support in defense of its freedom and displays of respect as a member state of the League of Nations since 1923, while in many places voices in favor of fascism supported armed aggression. This article is an outline of the main criteria used by a small group of Havanan Cuban intellectuals committed to the pro-fascist Italian emigration as it turned out to be the closest example –although not the most representative one– of the support Mussolini had in some American nations.

Biscoitos tipo “cookie” elaborados com diferentes frações de semente de abóbora (Curcubita máxima
Cookie elaborated with different fractions of pumpkin seed (Curcubita maxima

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F. A. MOURA

2011-04-01

Full Text Available

Cascas, folhas, sementes e talos de vegetais, geralmente descartados pelos consumidores, são ricos em fi bra e podem ser utilizados como ingrediente para pães, bolos e biscoitos, concedendo melhor valor nutricional aos alimentos. A semente de abóbora é rica em fi bras, além de fornecer também proteínas, lipídios e minerais à dieta. Biscoitos tipo “cookie” foram elaborados com substituição de 30% da farinha de trigo por diferentes frações de semente de abóbora (semente de abóbora integral, semente de abóbora da fração peneirada e da fração retida na peneira, e avaliados quanto à sua composição química, coloração, parâmetros físicos e aceitação sensorial. Os biscoitos elaborados com semente de abóbora apresentaram maior teor de fi bras, proteínas, lipídios e cinzas em comparação ao biscoito elaborado com farinha de trigo e, além disso, coloração mais escura e boa aceitação sensorial.

Formação, observação e práticas refletidas: autorretrato da prática profissional de seis futuros professores

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Elza Mesquita

2016-08-01

Full Text Available A reflexão na e sobre apraxisinfluencia a consciencialização da complexidade do ato de ensinar, pressupõe questionamento, análise e transformação e conduz a mais e melhor aprendizagem e, por conseguinte, a enriquecimento profissional. Usando a reflexão antes, durante e após a ação (as distintas fases do ciclo supervisivo, a formação do futuro professor vem a ser mais criteriosa e comprometida com o processo de formação profissional, uma vez que possibilita o aperfeiçoamento e o desenvolvimento de competências a partir da identificação e tomada de consciência de fragilidades do eue dooutroe da experienciação de modos de pensar e ser professor. O nosso estudo sustenta-se numa metodologia de natureza qualitativa e o campo de investigação incide, especificamente, sobre as práticas de formação de alunos/futuros professores. Este estudo foca-se no próprio discurso dos participantes com o objetivo de compreender como percepcionam a sua evolução como pessoas e como profissionais e, servindo-se das categorias daTarget Language Observation Scheme(TALOS, procede à análise de conteúdo das suas reflexões sobre três aulas observadas onde transparece um autorretrato da prática profissional. Constatamos um processo de aperfeiçoamento das capacidades de observação e de auto-observação dos sujeitos do estudo. 

Improvement of hydrogen bond geometry in protein NMR structures by residual dipolar couplings - an assessment of the interrelation of NMR restraints

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Jensen, Pernille Rose; Axelsen, Jacob Bock [University of Copenhagen, Institute of Molecular Biology (Denmark); Lerche, Mathilde Hauge [Amersham Health (Sweden); Poulsen, Flemming M. [University of Copenhagen, Institute of Molecular Biology (Denmark)], E-mail: fmp@apk.molbio.ku.dk

2004-01-15

We have examined how the hydrogen bond geometry in three different proteins is affected when structural restraints based on measurements of residual dipolar couplings are included in the structure calculations. The study shows, that including restraints based solely on {sup 1}H{sup N}-{sup 15}N residual dipolar couplings has pronounced impact on the backbone rmsd and Ramachandran plot but does not improve the hydrogen bond geometry. In the case of chymotrypsin inhibitor 2 the addition of {sup 13}CO-{sup 13}C{sup {alpha}} and {sup 15}N-{sup 13}CO one bond dipolar couplings as restraints in the structure calculations improved the hydrogen bond geometry to a quality comparable to that obtained in the 1.8 A resolution X-ray structure of this protein. A systematic restraint study was performed, in which four types of restraints, residual dipolar couplings, hydrogen bonds, TALOS angles and NOEs, were allowed in two states. This study revealed the importance of using several types of residual dipolar couplings to get good hydrogen bond geometry. The study also showed that using a small set of NOEs derived only from the amide protons, together with a full set of residual dipolar couplings resulted in structures of very high quality. When reducing the NOE set, it is mainly the side-chain to side-chain NOEs that are removed. Despite of this the effect on the side-chain packing is very small when a reduced NOE set is used, which implies that the over all fold of a protein structure is mainly determined by correct folding of the backbone.

APROVEITAMENTO DE RESÍDUOS VEGETAIS PARA PRODUÇÃO DE FAROFA TEMPERADA

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Clarissa DAMIANI

2011-12-01

Full Text Available Dentre as alternativas para evitar desperdício, destaca-se o aproveitamento de partes de alimentos que, geralmente, são desprezadas. Considerando a necessidade em disponibilizar uma alimentação saudável e rica em nutrientes, a utilização de partes vegetais surge como alternativa para melhorar a qualidade nutricional do cardápio e reduzir o desperdício de alimentos. Assim, o objetivo foi desenvolver um produto, a partir de cascas de banana, chuchu e talos de couve. Para avaliação do novo produto foram realizadas análises de composição centesimal, perfil de ácidos graxos, análise microbiológica e sensorial. Quanto à composição centesimal, verificou-se que a farofa possui reduzido teor de carboidratos totais (42,84g/100g e valor energético (323,59kcal/100g. Dentre os ácidos graxos saturados foi identificado, em maiores quantidades, o ácido esteárico (30,34% e palmítico (16,46%, para os insaturados o destaque foi para o ácido oleico (29,27%. A análise sensorial mostrou que o produto desenvolvido obteve um bom nível de aceitação, com elevada intenção de compra (97%. Sendo assim, a farofa apresentou ser uma alternativa viável, colaborando para a diminuição de lixo orgânico e do desperdício, além de possuir bom valor nutricional.

Comunidades liquénicas como bioindicadores de calidad del aire del Valle de Aburrá

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Jaramillo Ciro1 Margarita María

2011-11-01

Full Text Available Los líquenes han sido propuestos como bioindicadores de la calidad del aire por su alta sensibilidad a los cambios que afectan su abundancia, biomasa y vitalidad. Para evaluar las afectaciones que los líquenes manifiestan como consecuencia de la contaminación atmosférica, se seleccionaron dos áreas de muestreo en los alrededores de dos estaciones de la red de monitoreo de calidad del aire RedAire: el edificio Miguel de Aguinaga con alta contaminación y la Universidad de Medellín con baja contaminación. El monitoreo se realizó sobre las cortezas de 4 especies arbóreas como forofitos: Terminalia catappa Linneaus, Eritrina fusca Loureiro, Mangifera indica Linneaus y Fraxinus chinensis Roxb. Para los análisis se consideraron las variables cobertura liquénica por especie, vitalidad y fructificación del talo. Finalmente los datos de cobertura fueron utilizados para determinar el índice de pureza atmosférica (IPA y el factor Q. Los resultados evidenciaron que de las 8 especies de líquenes encontradas, Canoparmelia sp. y Parmotrema austrosinensis (Zahlbr Hale. son las más sensibles y apropiadas para estudios de calidad del aire en el Valle de Aburrá. Los análisis estadísticos realizados a los valores de abundancia relativa por forofito mostraron que Fraxinus chinensis Roxb es la especie vegetal portante más apropiada para estudios de líquenes bioindicadores en el Valle de Aburrá.

Una nueva Caparidácea (Steriphoma de Colombia

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Dugand Armando

1944-12-01

Full Text Available La planta colombiana que describo arriba había sido anteriormente identificada con el S. paradoxum (Jacq. EndI. por Triana & Planchon y otros autores. Al principio creí que estuvieran en lo cierto pero, comparándola con las descripciones originales de Capparis paradoxa Jacq. y de su sinónimo Stephania cleomoides Willd. (ambas descritas de los alrededores de Caracas, Venezuela, nuestra planta . tiene los pedicelos florales y el cáliz algo más largos, los pétalos obtusos, los filamentos estaminales casi el doble de largos y los racimos florales desprovistos de hojas coetáneas con las flores como aparecen en el dibujo de Jacquin (Hort. Schoenbr. 1: tab. 111. 1797. EI senor Tobías Lasser, del Servicio Botánico de Venezuela, a quien envié. un duplicado de la planta de Tocaima para que me hiciera el favor de compararlo con los ejemplares de Steriphoma existentes en el Herbario de aquel país, diligentemente me informó que es distinto a todos los que tienen allá, representativos de S. paradoxum (Jacq. Endl, y de S. venezuelanum. Briq. Por otra parte, el Dr. Ellsworth P. Killip, quien llevó consigo a Washington varios duplicados de nuestras recientes colecciones, me avisa que no son comparables ni a la especie de Jacquin ni a Ios ejemplares de S. ellipticum Spreng., S. peruvianum Spruce ex Eichl. y S. venezuelanum Briq. del Herbario Nacional de los Estados Unidos.

Produção de biscoitos com resíduo do processamento de beterraba (Beta vulgaris L.

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Radla Zabian Bassetto

2013-04-01

Full Text Available No processamento no processamento mínimo de hortaliças parte da matéria-prima é descartada na forma de folhas, talos ou cascas. A beterraba, um vegetal bastante vendido na forma pronta para o consumo, é uma conhecida fonte comercial de betalaína, um composto formado por betacianina e betaxantina, que previne algumas doenças e tem efeito antioxidante. Para se verificar a possibilidade de se utilizar e valorizar um subproduto que é normalmente descartado, este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a aceitação de biscoitos fabricados com farinha feita da casca de beterraba e verificar a degradação da betacianina durante o processamento. Para a produção da farinha utilizou-se temperaturas de até 100oc e os biscoitos foram assados a 200oc. Analisando os resultados obtidos percebeu-se que houve uma diminuição na concentração de betacianinas durante o processamento da casca para a fabricação da farinha e desta para a fabricação do biscoito, de 58,05 e 63,84%, respectivamente. Para o teste de aceitabilidade do biscoito, feito com 92 consumidores, obteve-se índice de aceitação de 82% e intenção de compra de 85% para os biscoitos indicando a possibilidade da utilização da casca da beterraba como matéria prima para produção de produtos funcionais.

Forearm posture and mobility in quadrupedal dinosaurs.

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VanBuren, Collin S; Bonnan, Matthew

2013-01-01

Quadrupedality evolved four independent times in dinosaurs; however, the constraints associated with these transitions in limb anatomy and function remain poorly understood, in particular the evolution of forearm posture and rotational ability (i.e., active pronation and supination). Results of previous qualitative studies are inconsistent, likely due to an inability to quantitatively assess the likelihood of their conclusions. We attempt to quantify antebrachial posture and mobility using the radius bone because its morphology is distinct between extant sprawled taxa with a limited active pronation ability and parasagittal taxa that have an enhanced ability to actively pronate the manus. We used a sliding semi-landmark, outline-based geometric morphometric approach of the proximal radial head and a measurement of the angle of curvature of the radius in a sample of 189 mammals, 49 dinosaurs, 35 squamates, 16 birds, and 5 crocodilians. Our results of radial head morphology showed that quadrupedal ceratopsians, bipedal non-hadrosaurid ornithopods, and theropods had limited pronation/supination ability, and sauropodomorphs have unique radial head morphology that likely allowed limited rotational ability. However, the curvature of the radius showed that no dinosaurian clade had the ability to cross the radius about the ulna, suggesting parallel antebrachial elements for all quadrupedal dinosaurs. We conclude that the bipedal origins of all quadrupedal dinosaur clades could have allowed for greater disparity in forelimb posture than previously appreciated, and future studies on dinosaur posture should not limit their classifications to the overly simplistic extant dichotomy.

Chicken-sized oviraptorid dinosaurs from central China and their ontogenetic implications.

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Lü, Junchang; Currie, Philip J; Xu, Li; Zhang, Xingliao; Pu, Hanyong; Jia, Songhai

2013-02-01

Oviraptorids are a group of specialized non-avian theropod dinosaurs that were generally one to 8 m in body length. New specimens of baby oviraptorids from the Late Cretaceous of Henan Province are some of the smallest individuals known. They include diagnostic characters such as the relative position of the antorbital fenestra and the external naris, distinct opening in the premaxilla anteroventral to the external naris, antorbital fossa partly bordered by premaxilla posterodorsally, lacrimal process of premaxilla does not contact the anterodorsal process of the lacrimal, parietal almost as long as frontal; in dorsal view, posterior margin forms a straight line between the postzygapophyses in each of the fourth and fifth cervicals; femur longer than ilium. They also elucidate the ontogenetic processes of oviraptorids, including fusion of cranial elements and changes in relative body proportions. Hind limb proportions are constant in oviraptorids, regardless of absolute body size or ontogenetic stage. This suggests a sedentary lifestyle that did not involve the pursuit of similar-sized prey. The functional implications for bite force and therefore dietary preferences are better understood through the study of such small animals. The comparison of the measurements of 115 skeletons indicates that oviraptorids maintain their hind limb proportions regardless of ontogenetic stage or absolute size, which is a pattern seen more commonly in herbivores than in carnivores. This may weakly support the hypothesis that oviraptorids are herbivores rather than active carnivores.

The endocranial anatomy of therizinosauria and its implications for sensory and cognitive function.

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Stephan Lautenschlager

Full Text Available Therizinosauria is one of the most enigmatic and peculiar clades among theropod dinosaurs, exhibiting an unusual suite of characters, such as lanceolate teeth, a rostral rhamphotheca, long manual claws, and a wide, opisthopubic pelvis. This specialized anatomy has been associated with a shift in dietary preferences and an adaptation to herbivory. Despite a large number of discoveries in recent years, the fossil record for Therizinosauria is still relatively poor, and cranial remains are particularly rare.Based on computed tomographic (CT scanning of the nearly complete and articulated skull of Erlikosaurus andrewsi, as well as partial braincases of two other therizinosaurian taxa, the endocranial anatomy is reconstructed and described. The wider phylogenetic range of the described specimens permits the evaluation of sensory and cognitive capabilities of Therizinosauria in an evolutionary context. The endocranial anatomy reveals a mosaic of plesiomorphic and derived characters in therizinosaurians. The anatomy of the olfactory apparatus and the endosseous labyrinth suggests that olfaction, hearing, and equilibrium were well-developed in therizinosaurians and might have affected or benefited from an enlarged telencephalon.This study presents the first appraisal of the evolution of endocranial anatomy and sensory adaptations in Therizinosauria. Despite their phylogenetically basal position among maniraptoran dinosaurs, therizinosaurians had developed the neural pathways for a well developed sensory repertoire. In particular olfaction and hearing may have played an important role in foraging, predator evasion, and/or social complexity.

Forearm posture and mobility in quadrupedal dinosaurs.

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Collin S VanBuren

Full Text Available Quadrupedality evolved four independent times in dinosaurs; however, the constraints associated with these transitions in limb anatomy and function remain poorly understood, in particular the evolution of forearm posture and rotational ability (i.e., active pronation and supination. Results of previous qualitative studies are inconsistent, likely due to an inability to quantitatively assess the likelihood of their conclusions. We attempt to quantify antebrachial posture and mobility using the radius bone because its morphology is distinct between extant sprawled taxa with a limited active pronation ability and parasagittal taxa that have an enhanced ability to actively pronate the manus. We used a sliding semi-landmark, outline-based geometric morphometric approach of the proximal radial head and a measurement of the angle of curvature of the radius in a sample of 189 mammals, 49 dinosaurs, 35 squamates, 16 birds, and 5 crocodilians. Our results of radial head morphology showed that quadrupedal ceratopsians, bipedal non-hadrosaurid ornithopods, and theropods had limited pronation/supination ability, and sauropodomorphs have unique radial head morphology that likely allowed limited rotational ability. However, the curvature of the radius showed that no dinosaurian clade had the ability to cross the radius about the ulna, suggesting parallel antebrachial elements for all quadrupedal dinosaurs. We conclude that the bipedal origins of all quadrupedal dinosaur clades could have allowed for greater disparity in forelimb posture than previously appreciated, and future studies on dinosaur posture should not limit their classifications to the overly simplistic extant dichotomy.

How many dinosaur species were there? Fossil bias and true richness estimated using a Poisson sampling model.

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Starrfelt, Jostein; Liow, Lee Hsiang

2016-04-05

The fossil record is a rich source of information about biological diversity in the past. However, the fossil record is not only incomplete but has also inherent biases due to geological, physical, chemical and biological factors. Our knowledge of past life is also biased because of differences in academic and amateur interests and sampling efforts. As a result, not all individuals or species that lived in the past are equally likely to be discovered at any point in time or space. To reconstruct temporal dynamics of diversity using the fossil record, biased sampling must be explicitly taken into account. Here, we introduce an approach that uses the variation in the number of times each species is observed in the fossil record to estimate both sampling bias and true richness. We term our technique TRiPS (True Richness estimated using a Poisson Sampling model) and explore its robustness to violation of its assumptions via simulations. We then venture to estimate sampling bias and absolute species richness of dinosaurs in the geological stages of the Mesozoic. Using TRiPS, we estimate that 1936 (1543-2468) species of dinosaurs roamed the Earth during the Mesozoic. We also present improved estimates of species richness trajectories of the three major dinosaur clades: the sauropodomorphs, ornithischians and theropods, casting doubt on the Jurassic-Cretaceous extinction event and demonstrating that all dinosaur groups are subject to considerable sampling bias throughout the Mesozoic. © 2016 The Authors.

Reproductive phenology of three species of Gelidiales (Rhodophyta in two macroalgal communities from Tenerife (Atlantic Ocean, Canary Islands, Spain

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Polifrone, Milena

2012-12-01

Full Text Available The reproductive phenology of three species of Gelidiales, Gelidium canariense, Gelidium arbuscula and Pterocladiella capillacea, was analysed seasonally for a period of one year in two localities on the West coast of Tenerife (Atlantic Ocean, Canary Islands, Spain. Considerations are provided on sex ratio, maximum length and branch order of uprights and on the length of the thalli for each sexual and asexual phase of the Canary Islands populations. The three species were characterized by a high percentage of tetrasporophytes, while female and male gametophytes have been observed only in little proportion. Only G. canariense showed gametophytes in all seasons while the occurrence of gametophytes in G. arbuscula and Pterocladiella capillacea demonstrated a clear seasonality.

La fenología reproductiva de tres especies de Gelidiales, Gelidium canariense, Gelidium arbuscula y Pterocladiella capillacea, ha sido analizada estacionalmente por un periodo de un año en dos localidades de la costa este de Tenerife (Oceano Atlántico, Islas Canarias, España. Se realizan consideraciones sobre sex ratio, longitud máxima y orden de ramificación de los ramets y se aporta información sobre la longitud del talo por cada fase sexual y asexual de las poblaciones canarias. Las tres especies se caracterizan por presentar un elevado porcentaje de tetrasporofitos, mientras que los gametofitos masculinos y femeninos han sido observados en proporciones reducidas. Sólo G. canariense presenta gametofitos en todas las estaciones, mientras que en G. arbuscula y Pterocladiella capillacea demostraban una clara estacionalidad.

Efecto de tres preservadores de la longevidad sobre la vida postcosecha de Rosa cv. Royalty

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G. H. De la Cruz-Guzmán

2007-01-01

Full Text Available Se evaluó el efecto de tres tratamientos: a sulfato de aluminio 0.6 g·l-1; b 400 ppm de sulfato de 8-hidroxiquinoleina (8-HQS; c pulso con tiosulfato de plata (STS, 0.025 mM durante 20 minutos y agua destilada como testigo sobre consumo hídrico, peso fresco, diámetro floral, concentración de azúcares solubles totales en pétalos y longevidad en Rosa cv. Royalty. En el testigo el consumo de agua descendió significativamente al noveno día, no así en los otros tratamientos que se mantuvieron por arriba del testigo hasta el final del experimento. La menor tasa de pérdida de peso fresco se observó en el tratamiento con sulfato de aluminio (Al, seguido por STS, HQS y testigo respectivamente, sugiriendo una probable asociación inversa con la vida postcosecha. Las flores tratadas con sulfato de aluminio, resultaron estadísticamente diferentes en cuanto a su estado ornamental óptimo en los días 9, 10, 11, 12 y 14 de vida postcosecha, evaluados mediante la prueba de Kruskall-Wallis El diámetro floral fue mayor en las flores tratadas con STS (9 cm, seguido por sulfato de aluminio (7.6 cm; éste último mantuvo la apertura dos días más que STS. En cuanto a la concentración de azúcares solubles totales en estado de botón y flor abierta, no se registraron diferencias significativas (P>0.05 ni entre tratamientos ni estados florales.

Snow precipitation at four ice core sites in East Antarctica: provenance, seasonality and blocking factors

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Scarchilli, Claudio [ENEA, Rome (Italy); Universita degli studi di Trieste, Trieste (Italy); Frezzotti, Massimo; Ruti, Paolo Michele [ENEA, Rome (Italy)

2011-11-15

Snow precipitation is the primary mass input to the Antarctic ice sheet and is one of the most direct climatic indicators, with important implications for paleoclimatic reconstruction from ice cores. Provenance of precipitation and the dynamic conditions that force these precipitation events at four deep ice core sites (Dome C, Law Dome, Talos Dome, and Taylor Dome) in East Antarctica were analysed with air mass back trajectories calculated using the Lagrangian model and the mean composite data for precipitation, geopotential height and wind speed field data from the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecast from 1980 to 2001. On an annual basis, back trajectories showed that the Atlantic-Indian and Ross-Pacific Oceans were the main provenances of precipitation in Wilkes Land (80%) and Victoria Land (40%), respectively, whereas the greatest influence of the ice sheet was on the interior near the Vostok site (80%) and in the Southwest Ross Sea (50%), an effect that decreased towards the coast and along the Antarctic slope. Victoria Land received snowfall atypically with respect to other Antarctica areas in terms of pathway (eastern instead of western), seasonality (summer instead of winter) and velocity (old air age). Geopotential height patterns at 500 hPa at low (>10 days) and high (2-6 days) frequencies during snowfall cycles at two core sites showed large positive anomalies at low frequencies developing in the Tasman Sea-Eastern Indian Ocean at higher latitudes (60-70 S) than normal. This could be considered part of an atmospheric blocking event, with transient eddies acting to decelerate westerlies in a split region area and accelerate the flow on the flanks of the low-frequency positive anomalies. (orig.)

Fenología reproductiva y tolerancia a temperaturas altas en Stenocereus queretaroensis

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Whaleeha Gudiño

2015-07-01

Full Text Available Numerosas especies de cactáceas presentan frutos comestibles, por lo que han adquirido un papel importante dentro de la agricultura de zonas áridas y semiáridas, tanto para el comercio regional como para el internacional. Las pitayas son el tercer cultivo más importante dentro de las cactáceas después del nopal y la pitahaya. La fenología reproductiva deStenocereus queretaroensisrequiere condiciones específcas de temperatura y precipitación, así como también de la existencia de los polinizadores para asegurar la producción de frutos. Se cuantificó la producción de botones, flores abiertas y frutos de 2010 a 2012. Y se evaluó el efecto de temperaturas altas en la integridad celular de tejidos florales. Se midió la producción de néctar y la concentración de solutos a través del tiempo durante la antesis. La temperatura letal (LT50 para el ovario en promedio fue de 34.5 ± 0.4°C no varió para los botones y las flores. Por su parte los pétalos de los botones presentan una LT50 21.5 ± 1.6°C y que para el caso de las flores en antesis fue 33% mayor. El desarrollo reproductivo frecuentemente requiere de la acumulación de cierta cantidad de estas unidades de frío. El tejido de estructuras jóvenes tolera más el aumento de la temperatura, que sus contrapartes maduras.

A NEW SPECIES AND A COMBINATION IN CARDIOSPERMUM (SAPINDACEAE

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María Silvia Ferrucci

1993-01-01

Full Text Available Cardiospermum heringeri Ferrucci, a new species from Brazil isdescribed and illustrated. It shares the sect. Ceratadenia ·RadJk.· with C. grandiflorum Sw. and C. integerrimum Radlk., a key for recognizing them is given. C. integerrimum is closely related with the new taxa, observations on the morphology of seed tegument and pollen of both species, complement this study.Based on Paullinia urvilleoides Radlk., the new combinationCardiospermum urvilleoides (Radlk. Ferrucci is established; it belongs to the sect. Cardiospermum. Fruit characters and a detailed palynological description provides evidence in favour of its removal from Paullinia L. Cardiospermum L. comparte la subtribu Paulliniinae Radlk. con los géneros Serjania Miller, Houssayanthus Hunz., Paullinia L., Urvillea Kunth y Lophostigma Radlk. Los caracteres comunes a todos los géneros son las flores zigomorfas, con las escamas de los pétalos en forma de capucha, y los frutos, que pueden ser esquizocárpicos o bien cápsulas. Dentro de la subtribu, Cardiospermum es el género más heterogéneo e interesantepor la variabilidad morfológica y cromosómica.El estudio de una colección de Sapindáceas procedentes de Brasil (Bahia, Minas Gerais y Espírito Santo, permite presentar una especie nueva para la ciencia: C. heringeri Ferrucci que en este trabajo se comparacon la especie afín C. integerrimum Radlk. También se establece una nuevacombinación en la sección Cardiospermum

Correlation between static radiographic measurements and intersegmental angular measurements during gait using a multisegment foot model.

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Lee, Dong Yeon; Seo, Sang Gyo; Kim, Eo Jin; Kim, Sung Ju; Lee, Kyoung Min; Farber, Daniel C; Chung, Chin Youb; Choi, In Ho

2015-01-01

Radiographic examination is a widely used evaluation method in the orthopedic clinic. However, conventional radiography alone does not reflect the dynamic changes between foot and ankle segments during gait. Multiple 3-dimensional multisegment foot models (3D MFMs) have been introduced to evaluate intersegmental motion of the foot. In this study, we evaluated the correlation between static radiographic indices and intersegmental foot motion indices. One hundred twenty-five females were tested. Static radiographs of full-leg and anteroposterior (AP) and lateral foot views were performed. For hindfoot evaluation, we measured the AP tibiotalar angle (TiTA), talar tilt (TT), calcaneal pitch, lateral tibiocalcaneal angle, and lateral talcocalcaneal angle. For the midfoot segment, naviculocuboid overlap and talonavicular coverage angle were calculated. AP and lateral talo-first metatarsal angles and metatarsal stacking angle (MSA) were measured to assess the forefoot. Hallux valgus angle (HVA) and hallux interphalangeal angle were measured. In gait analysis by 3D MFM, intersegmental angle (ISA) measurements of each segment (hallux, forefoot, hindfoot, arch) were recorded. ISAs at midstance phase were most highly correlated with radiography. Significant correlations were observed between ISA measurements using MFM and static radiographic measurements in the same segment. In the hindfoot, coronal plane ISA was correlated with AP TiTA (P foot motion indices at midstance phase during gait measured by 3D MFM gait analysis were correlated with the conventional radiographic indices. The observed correlation between MFM measurements at midstance phase during gait and static radiographic measurements supports the fundamental basis for the use of MFM in analysis of dynamic motion of foot segment during gait. © The Author(s) 2014.

Moléstias em tomateiro cultivado em estufas plásticas em quatro municípios da região central do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

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Blume Elena

2004-01-01

Full Text Available Moléstias podem atacar severamente hortaliças cultivadas em cultivos protegidos e, para o manejo integrado dessas moléstias, o conhecimento das condições climáticas que favorecem sua incidência nesses cultivos é fundamental. O trabalho teve o objetivo de identificar as moléstias em tomateiro cultivado em estufas plásticas em quatro municípios na região central do Rio Grande do Sul e as condições de temperatura e umidade relativa (UR do ar nas quais elas ocorrem. O estudo foi realizado nos municípios de São Pedro do Sul, São Sepé, Ivorá e Santa Maria (RS, no período de março a outubro de 1998. A temperatura e umidade relativa do ar foram medidas diariamente com um psicrômetro. As moléstias observadas e sua incidência máxima foram: requeima (Phytophthora infestans: 100,0%, pinta-preta (Alternaria solani: 98,1%, mofo cinzento (Botrytis cinerea: 55,4%, cladosporiose (Cladosporuim fulvum: 48,9%, septoriose (Septoria lycopersici: 37,5%, talo-oco (Erwinia spp.: 33,0%, murcha de fusarium (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici: 8,4% e podridão de esclerotínia (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum: 1,3%. Valores de UR superiores a 80%, de maneira geral, aumentaram a incidência das moléstias, em sua maioria de origem fúngica. A incidência de moléstias varia entre municípios de uma mesma região climática de acordo com os fatores meteorológicos e práticas de manejo da cultura.

Dinosaurs in the year of Darwin.

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Dodson, Peter

2009-09-01

This special issue of The Anatomical Record explores the recent advances in the functional morphology and paleobiology of dinosaurs. Although Darwin did not study dinosaurs because paleontology was in its infancy a century and half ago, he considered both paleontology and anatomy as essential subjects for establishing the validity of evolution. The study of dinosaurs constitutes a vigorous subdiscipline within vertebrate paleontology, and anatomists and evolutionary functional morphologists constitute an especially creative subgroup within dinosaur paleontology. The collection of 17 papers presented in this issue encompass cranial anatomy, postcranial anatomy, and paleobiology of dinosaurs and other archosaurs. Soft tissue subjects include studies of brain structure, jaw adductor muscles, and keratinous appendages of the skull. Taxonomically, it includes four papers with a focus on theropods, including Tyrannosaurus, five papers dealing with ceratopsians, three papers on hadrosaurs, and one on ankylosaurs. Modern anatomical techniques such as CT scanning, finite element analysis, and high resolution histology are emphasized. The visual presentation of results of these studies is spectacular. Results include the first-ever life history table of a plant-eating dinosaur; a determination of the head orientation of Tyrannosaurus and its relatives based on interpretation of the semicircular canals. The claws of Velociraptor appear to best adapted for tree climbing, but not for horrific predatory activities. Pachyrhinosaurus evidently used its massive head for head butting. The tail club of the armored dinosaur Euoplocephalus had the structural integrity to be used as a weapon. The pages abound with insights such as these. Dinosaurs once dead for millions of years live again! (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The variability of inner ear orientation in saurischian dinosaurs: testing the use of semicircular canals as a reference system for comparative anatomy

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Jesús Marugán-Lobón

2013-08-01

Full Text Available The vestibular system of the inner ear houses three semicircular canals—oriented on three nearly-orthogonal planes—that respond to angular acceleration stimuli. In recent years, the orientation of the lateral semicircular canal (LSC has been regularly used to determine skull orientations for comparative purposes in studies of non-avian dinosaurs. Such orientations have been inferred based on fixing the LSC to a common set of coordinates (parallel to the Earth’s horizon, given that the orientation to gravity of this sensory system is assumed constant among taxa. Under this assumption, the LSC is used as a baseline (a reference system both to estimate how the animals held their heads and to describe craniofacial variation among dinosaurs. However, the available data in living birds (extant saurischian dinosaurs suggests that the orientation of the LSC in non-avian saurischian dinosaurs could have been very variable and taxon-specific. If such were the case, using the LSC as a comparative reference system would cause inappropriate visual perceptions of craniofacial organization, leading to significant descriptive inconsistencies among taxa. Here, we used Procrustes methods (Geometric Morphometrics, a suite of analytical tools that compares morphology on the basis of shared landmark homology, to show that the variability of LSC relative to skull landmarks is large (ca. 50° and likely unpredictable, thus making it an inconsistent reference system for comparing and describing the skulls of saurischian (sauropodomorph and theropod dinosaurs. In light of our results, the lateral semicircular canal is an inconsistent baseline for comparative studies of craniofacial morphology in dinosaurs.

Morphological Diversity and Evolution of the Jugal in Dinosaurs.

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Sullivan, Corwin; Xu, Xing

2017-01-01

In dinosaurs, as in other reptiles, the homologue of the mammalian zygomatic bone is the jugal. The dinosaurian jugal was primitively triradiate, with posterior, dorsal and anterior processes that respectively contacted the quadratojugal, the postorbital, and the maxilla and lacrimal. However, the jugal evolved along different lines in the three major dinosaurian clades. In theropods this cranial element remained relatively conservative in morphology, apart from being reduced to a rod-like structure in most birds and a few non-avians. In sauropodomorphs the jugal eventually became small, plate-like and nearly restricted to the area below the orbit, even being excluded from the ventral margin of the skull in many derived taxa. Among ornithischians the jugal was highly variable, but in many cases became large and/or adorned with ornamental features such as horns, flanges, and rugosities. The jugal does not appear to have been a site of muscle attachment in most non-avian dinosaurs, but represented an important structural element in the akinetic dinosaurian skull. The conspicuous jugal ornaments seen in many ornithischian dinosaurs, like the less striking ones documented in some saurischians, may have played an important role in the social behavior of the species that possessed them. In many cases they have a weapon-like aspect suggesting use in aggressive displays, if not actual combat, adding to the evidence that agonistic behavior was likely widespread among ornithischians in particular. Anat Rec, 300:30-48, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Sauropod dinosaurs evolved moderately sized genomes unrelated to body size.

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Organ, Chris L; Brusatte, Stephen L; Stein, Koen

2009-12-22

Sauropodomorph dinosaurs include the largest land animals to have ever lived, some reaching up to 10 times the mass of an African elephant. Despite their status defining the upper range for body size in land animals, it remains unknown whether sauropodomorphs evolved larger-sized genomes than non-avian theropods, their sister taxon, or whether a relationship exists between genome size and body size in dinosaurs, two questions critical for understanding broad patterns of genome evolution in dinosaurs. Here we report inferences of genome size for 10 sauropodomorph taxa. The estimates are derived from a Bayesian phylogenetic generalized least squares approach that generates posterior distributions of regression models relating genome size to osteocyte lacunae volume in extant tetrapods. We estimate that the average genome size of sauropodomorphs was 2.02 pg (range of species means: 1.77-2.21 pg), a value in the upper range of extant birds (mean = 1.42 pg, range: 0.97-2.16 pg) and near the average for extant non-avian reptiles (mean = 2.24 pg, range: 1.05-5.44 pg). The results suggest that the variation in size and architecture of genomes in extinct dinosaurs was lower than the variation found in mammals. A substantial difference in genome size separates the two major clades within dinosaurs, Ornithischia (large genomes) and Saurischia (moderate to small genomes). We find no relationship between body size and estimated genome size in extinct dinosaurs, which suggests that neutral forces did not dominate the evolution of genome size in this group.

Ontogeny of lift and drag production in ground birds.

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Heers, Ashley M; Tobalske, Bret W; Dial, Kenneth P

2011-03-01

The juvenile period is often a crucial interval for selective pressure on locomotor ability. Although flight is central to avian biology, little is known about factors that limit flight performance during development. To improve understanding of flight ontogeny, we used a propeller (revolving wing) model to test how wing shape and feather structure influence aerodynamic performance during development in the precocial chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar, 4 to >100 days post hatching). We spun wings in mid-downstroke posture and measured lift (L) and drag (D) using a force plate upon which the propeller assembly was mounted. Our findings demonstrate a clear relationship between feather morphology and aerodynamic performance. Independent of size and velocity, older wings with stiffer and more asymmetrical feathers, high numbers of barbicels and a high degree of overlap between barbules generate greater L and L:D ratios than younger wings with flexible, relatively symmetrical and less cohesive feathers. The gradual transition from immature feathers and drag-based performance to more mature feathers and lift-based performance appears to coincide with ontogenetic transitions in locomotor capacity. Younger birds engage in behaviors that require little aerodynamic force and that allow D to contribute to weight support, whereas older birds may expand their behavioral repertoire by flapping with higher tip velocities and generating greater L. Incipient wings are, therefore, uniquely but immediately functional and provide flight-incapable juveniles with access to three-dimensional environments and refugia. Such access may have conferred selective advantages to theropods with protowings during the evolution of avian flight.

Diverse dinosaur-dominated ichnofaunas from the Potomac Group (Lower Cretaceous) Maryland

Science.gov (United States)

Stanford, Ray; Lockley, Martin G.; Weems, Robert E.

2007-01-01

Until recently fossil footprints were virtually unknown from the Cretaceous of the eastern United States. The discovery of about 300 footprints in iron-rich siliciclastic facies of the Patuxent Formation (Potomac Group) of Aptian age is undoubtedly one of the most significant Early Cretaceous track discoveries since the Paluxy track discoveries in Texas in the 1930s. The Patuxent tracks include theropod, sauropod, ankylosaur and ornithopod dinosaur footprints, pterosaur tracks, and miscellaneous mammal and other vertebrate ichnites that collectively suggest a diversity of about 14 morphotypes. This is about twice the previous maximum estimate for any known Early Cretaceous vertebrate ichnofauna. Among the more distinctive forms are excellent examples of hypsilophodontid tracks and a surprisingly large mammal footprint. A remarkable feature of the Patuxent track assemblage is the high proportion of small tracks indicative of hatchlings, independently verified by the discovery of a hatchling-sized dinosaur. Such evidence suggests the proximity of nest sites. The preservation of such small tracks is very rare in the Cretaceous track record, and indeed throughout most of the Mesozoic.This unusual preservation not only provides us with a window into a diverse Early Cretaceous ecosystem, but it also suggests the potential of such facies to provide ichnological bonanzas. A remarkable feature of the assemblage is that it consists largely of reworked nodules and clasts that may have previously been reworked within the Patuxent Formation. Such unusual contexts of preservation should provide intriguing research opportunities for sedimentologists interested in the diagenesis and taphonomy of a unique track-bearing facies.

Embryology of Early Jurassic dinosaur from China with evidence of preserved organic remains.

Science.gov (United States)

Reisz, Robert R; Huang, Timothy D; Roberts, Eric M; Peng, ShinRung; Sullivan, Corwin; Stein, Koen; LeBlanc, Aaron R H; Shieh, DarBin; Chang, RongSeng; Chiang, ChengCheng; Yang, Chuanwei; Zhong, Shiming

2013-04-11

Fossil dinosaur embryos are surprisingly rare, being almost entirely restricted to Upper Cretaceous strata that record the late stages of non-avian dinosaur evolution. Notable exceptions are the oldest known embryos from the Early Jurassic South African sauropodomorph Massospondylus and Late Jurassic embryos of a theropod from Portugal. The fact that dinosaur embryos are rare and typically enclosed in eggshells limits their availability for tissue and cellular level investigations of development. Consequently, little is known about growth patterns in dinosaur embryos, even though post-hatching ontogeny has been studied in several taxa. Here we report the discovery of an embryonic dinosaur bone bed from the Lower Jurassic of China, the oldest such occurrence in the fossil record. The embryos are similar in geological age to those of Massospondylus and are also assignable to a sauropodomorph dinosaur, probably Lufengosaurus. The preservation of numerous disarticulated skeletal elements and eggshells in this monotaxic bone bed, representing different stages of incubation and therefore derived from different nests, provides opportunities for new investigations of dinosaur embryology in a clade noted for gigantism. For example, comparisons among embryonic femora of different sizes and developmental stages reveal a consistently rapid rate of growth throughout development, possibly indicating that short incubation times were characteristic of sauropodomorphs. In addition, asymmetric radial growth of the femoral shaft and rapid expansion of the fourth trochanter suggest that embryonic muscle activation played an important role in the pre-hatching ontogeny of these dinosaurs. This discovery also provides the oldest evidence of in situ preservation of complex organic remains in a terrestrial vertebrate.

Evaluación de germoplasma de achiote Bixa orellana L.: estudios básicos sobre asociaciones fenotípicas y biología floral

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Vallejo Cabrera Franco Alirio

1991-12-01

Full Text Available 150 Bixa genetic resources was collected by National University of Colombia for purposes of conservation, evaluation and utilization in genetic breeding program. 21 accessions was evaluated for color production, seed production per plant and color porcentaje. B-Col 12, B-Col 16 and B-Co156 accessions showed highest values for seed production per plant and color percentaje. The achiote flower is hermafrodite, regular, calix formed by 5 sepales, coro le formed by 5 petales, numerous estames, superior and unilocular ovary. Antesis is 5:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. range. Protandria is present in achiote: Bombus atratus, Euglossa fasciata and Trigona sp. are the pollinizator insects. A methodoly for controlled polinization was carried out.En la Universidad Nacional de Colombia, seccional de Palmira se formó una colección de achiote Bixa orellana L. con 70 introducciones nacionales y 80 extranjeras. En 21 introducciones se encontró amplia variación fenotípica para los caracteres rendimiento de colorante por árbol y rendimiento de semilla por árbol. La variabilidad del carácter porcentaje de colorante fue menor. Las introducciones B-Col 12, B-Col 16 y B-Col 56 presentaron valores altos para los caracteres rendimiento de semilla por árbol y porcentaje de colorante. La flor del achiote es hermafrodita, regular, cáliz compuesto de cinco sépalos, corola por cinco pétalos libres, numerosos estambres, gineceo constituido por un ovario súpero unilocular. La antesis floral ocurre entre las 5:30 a.m. y las 8:00 a.m. Se presenta el fenómeno de protandria. Los principales insectos polinizadores son: Bombus atratus, Euglossa fasciata y Trigona sp. Se determinó una metodología para efectuar hibridación artificial en achiote.

Comparative Investigation of Pollution Accumulation and Natural Cleaning for Different HV Insulators

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M. Dimitropoulou

2015-04-01

Full Text Available High Voltage insulators are scattered throughout any HV network and a single insulator fault may cause an excessive outage. Reliability is a key issue for electric power systems and fault-free performance of insulators greatly reflects on the reliability of the system. Environmental influence is rather important for the optimum selection of outdoor insulators and, therefore, field measurements provide valuable information. Utilities perform such measurements in order to decide upon the location/route of new HV installations (substations, lines etc and also to optimize the selection, maintenance and replacement of already installed insulators. A rather interesting case in Greek territory is the island of Crete, due to the coastal development of the network and the local weather conditions. The Greek utility has employed a variety of remedies to cope with the pollution problem. Following the positive feedback after the installation on certain tower in the past, a large project to replace all ceramic insulators with new polymer ones of hydrophobic surface is now in progress. Polymer coatings have also been extensively applied on substations and also on certain areas/towers of the transmission network in the past. In order to investigate the pollution accumulation and the impact of natural washing on different insulator types, a series of periodical ESDD and NSDD pollution measurements were conducted in HEDNO’s TALOS High Voltage Test Station for a 3-months period. Multiple measurements were performed on each insulator every month in order to collect additional data. Five different insulators were selected based on the types historically used in the Cretan Network. Along with the standard glass disc profile, two strings of glass fog profile (the one coated with RTV and two long-rod composite insulators of different shed profile and material were used. Results are presented and discussed in this paper.

RealCalc : a real time Java calculation tool. Application to HVSR estimation

Science.gov (United States)

Hloupis, G.; Vallianatos, F.

2009-04-01

Java computation platform is not a newcomer in the seismology field. It is mainly used for applications regarding collecting, requesting, spreading and visualizing seismological data because it is productive, safe and has low maintenance costs. Although it has very attractive characteristics for the engineers, Java didn't used frequently in real time applications where prediction and reliability required as a reaction to real world events. The main reasons for this are the absence of priority support (such as priority ceiling or priority inversion) and the use of an automated memory management (called garbage collector). To overcome these problems a number of extensions have been proposed with the Real Time Specification for Java (RTSJ) being the most promising and used one. In the current study we used the RTSJ to build an application that receives data continuously and provides estimations in real time. The application consists of four main modules: incoming data, preprocessing, estimation and publication. As an application example we present real time HVSR estimation. Microtremors recordings are collected continuously from the incoming data module. The preprocessing module consists of a window selector tool based on wavelets which is applied on the incoming data stream in order derive the most stationary parts. The estimation module provides all the necessary calculations according to user specifications. Finally the publication module except the results presentation it also calculates attributes and relevant statistics for each site (temporal variations, HVSR stability). Acknowledgements This work is partially supported by the Greek General Secretariat of Research and Technology in the frame of Crete Regional Project 2000- 2006 (M1.2): "TALOS: An integrated system of seismic hazard monitoring and management in the front of the Hellenic Arc", CRETE PEP7 (KP_7).

Efeito de fatores bióticos no crescimento de Hypnea musciformis(Rhodophyta - Gigartinales

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Reis Renata Perpetuo

2003-01-01

Full Text Available O melhor conhecimento da ação de fatores biológicos sobre o crescimento de Hypnea musciformis (Wulfen in Jacqu. J. V. Lamour. torna-se um aspecto premente visando a otimização do manejo e a conservação dessa espécie de interesse comercial. Uma vez que as espécies de Sargassum C. Agardh são consideradas importantes substratos para a fixação de H. musciformis, durante 18 meses, foram realizadas amostragens do tipo destrutiva, em uma população natural de H. musciformis epífita sobre Sargassum spp., em três profundidades de um costão rochoso no Rio de Janeiro. Obteve-se relação positiva entre as biomassas de ambos os gêneros, além da preferência destes pelo ambiente sublitorâneo. Visto a usual presença de mesoherbívoros (Amphipoda nos talos dessas algas, a ação da herbivoria em H. musciformis e S. cymosum var. nanum foi testada em experimento in vitro. A herbivoria foi confirmada para ambos os táxons e a maior taxa de crescimento de H. musciformis favoreceu o crescimento de S. cymosum var.nanum, diminuindo o ataque de mesoherbívoros por ser alimento disponível. Observou-se também que não houve inibição do crescimento de H. musciformis por S. cymosum var.nanum. Sendo assim, recomenda-se que a colheita de H. musciformis para fins comerciais em bancos naturais de Sargassum spp. seja manejada para não causar danos às comunidades marinhas bentônicas.

Acúmulo de clorofila e produção de biomassa em hortelã-verde sob diferentes níveis de adubação orgânica

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Tiago Alves Ferreira

2013-03-01

Full Text Available O cultivo de plantas medicinais assume importância mundial devido à demanda exercida pelas indústrias químicas, farmacêuticas, alimentares e de cosméticos. Entre as plantas medicinais, a Mentha spicata L., apresenta óleo essencial de grande interesse econômico. A aplicação de esterco bovino curtido melhora as condições físicas do solo, além de fornecer nutrientes para as plantas. Nutrientes que contribuem para diversos processos metabólicos no vegetal. Dentre estes, a síntese e manutenção de pigmentos. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a produção de massa fresca de folhas, massa fresta total os teores de clorofila de plantas de hortelã verde da Mentha spicata L., sob cultivo com diferentes doses de esterco bovino na Universidade Federal do Tocantins - Campus Universitário de Gurupi. Os tratamentos constituíram-se de sete doses de esterco (0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 150 e 300 kg m², com três repetições. O resultado para tais condições de cultivo recomenda-se 16,3 kg m2 de esterco bovinoquando o objetivo é a produção de massa fresca de folhas, e 19,47 kg  m2 de esterco bovino para obtenção de uma maior produção de massa fresca da parte aérea(folhas com talos. Já os resultados sobre o fornecimento de nutrientes via adubação orgânica mostraram não tem efeito sobre os teores de clorofila total, clorofila a, clorofila b e a relação clorofila a/b. 

Estiolamento e regeneração na multiplicação in vitro do abacaxizeiro híbrido PE x SC-52

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Barboza Sarah Brandão Santa Cruz

2001-01-01

Full Text Available Segmentos nodais estiolados são utilizados para a micropropagação e conservação da identidade genética em várias culturas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a multiplicação in vitro de segmentos estiolados para produção de mudas do abacaxi híbrido PE x SC-52. Talos de plântulas produzidos in vitro receberam inóculo em tubos de ensaio contendo o meio de cultura MS e mantidos no escuro por 60 dias, para estiolamento. Foram utilizados três tratamentos, sem reguladores de crescimento, ANA a 1,86 mg/L e AIA a 1,75 mg/L em cinco repetições com dez explantes por repetição. Não houve diferença no número de brotos estiolados por explante entre os tratamentos avaliados. No entanto, aos 35 dias de cultivo, os tratamentos com ANA e AIA apresentavam maior número de nós por broto, sendo o ANA superior aos demais após 60 dias. Brotos estiolados in vitro por 60 dias foram colocados horizontalmente em placas de Petri contendo o meio MS e incubados na presença de luz. Foram usados quatro tratamentos para a regeneração das plântulas, sem reguladores de crescimento; BAP a 2 mg/L; ANA a 1,86 mg/L + BAP a 2 mg/L e CIN a 5 mg/L, em quatro repetições, com sete brotos estiolados, por repetição. O BAP promoveu maior número de plântulas regeneradas por broto e por nó, com uma média de 10,4 plântulas por broto estiolado, aos 30 dias.

Feixes de fibras Lignocelulósicas refinadas mecanicamente em compósitos cimentícios para avaliação da resistência à tração

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Flávio Airton knuth

2017-07-01

Full Text Available As fibras vegetais têm características particulares em relação a outros tipos de fibras usadas em compósitos. Os estudos utilizam, em sua maioria, fibras cuja lignina fora previamente removida pelo processo de polpação. Segundo a literatura, a lignina prejudica a ancoragem fibra-matriz. No entanto, sem a lignina, é necessário que seja feito tratamento superficial no conjunto fibroso. Isso por que as fibras sofrem processo de inchamento e retração no interior da matriz devido a seu caráter hidrofílico, o que diminui sua vida útil. No entanto, a despeito das considerações literárias, esse trabalho se propõe a fazer uso da vantagem de proteção, estruturação e impermeabilização que a lignina exerce sobre as fibras vegetais. Isso implica na necessidade de suprir a redução da resistência do compósito, especialmente à tração, que a lignina causa pela sua atuação negativa na ancoragem fibra-matriz. Para tanto, fibras lignocelulósicas extraídas de talos de banana foram submetidas a processo de refinamento mecânico. Segundo a literatura, a fibra sofre modificações na sua parede externa quando submetida a esse refinamento. Ao final do processo, foram obtidas fibras com formato helicoidal e superfície corrugada o que resultou em maior aderência no conjunto fibra-matriz. As fibras submetidas ao maior grau de refinamento aumentaram a resistência do compósito à tração na compressão diametral em 40% em relação a corpo de prova de cimento puro.

A new method based on low background instrumental neutron activation analysis for major, trace and ultra-trace element determination in atmospheric mineral dust from polar ice cores

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Baccolo, Giovanni, E-mail: giovanni.baccolo@mib.infn.it [Graduate School in Polar Sciences, University of Siena, Via Laterina 8, 53100, Siena (Italy); Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, P.zza della Scienza 1, 20126, Milano (Italy); INFN, Section of Milano-Bicocca, P.zza della Scienza 3, 20126, Milano (Italy); Clemenza, Massimiliano [INFN, Section of Milano-Bicocca, P.zza della Scienza 3, 20126, Milano (Italy); Department of Physics, University of Milano-Bicocca, P.zza della Scienza 3, 20126, Milano (Italy); Delmonte, Barbara [Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, P.zza della Scienza 1, 20126, Milano (Italy); Maffezzoli, Niccolò [Centre for Ice and Climate, Niels Bohr Institute, Juliane Maries Vej, 30, 2100, Copenhagen (Denmark); Nastasi, Massimiliano; Previtali, Ezio [INFN, Section of Milano-Bicocca, P.zza della Scienza 3, 20126, Milano (Italy); Department of Physics, University of Milano-Bicocca, P.zza della Scienza 3, 20126, Milano (Italy); Prata, Michele; Salvini, Andrea [LENA, University of Pavia, Pavia (Italy); Maggi, Valter [Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, P.zza della Scienza 1, 20126, Milano (Italy); INFN, Section of Milano-Bicocca, P.zza della Scienza 3, 20126, Milano (Italy)

2016-05-30

Dust found in polar ice core samples present extremely low concentrations, in addition the availability of such samples is usually strictly limited. For these reasons the chemical and physical analysis of polar ice cores is an analytical challenge. In this work a new method based on low background instrumental neutron activation analysis (LB-INAA) for the multi-elemental characterization of the insoluble fraction of dust from polar ice cores is presented. Thanks to an accurate selection of the most proper materials and procedures it was possible to reach unprecedented analytical performances, suitable for ice core analyses. The method was applied to Antarctic ice core samples. Five samples of atmospheric dust (μg size) from ice sections of the Antarctic Talos Dome ice core were prepared and analyzed. A set of 37 elements was quantified, spanning from all the major elements (Na, Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca, Ti, Mn and Fe) to trace ones, including 10 (La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Ho, Tm, Yb and Lu) of the 14 natural occurring lanthanides. The detection limits are in the range of 10{sup −13}–10{sup −6} g, improving previous results of 1–3 orders of magnitude depending on the element; uncertainties lies between 4% and 60%. - Highlights: • A new method based on neutron activation for the multi-elemental characterization of atmospheric dust entrapped in polar ice cores is proposed. • 37 elements were quantified in μg size dust samples with detection limits ranging from 10{sup −13} to 10{sup −6} g. • A low background approach and a clean analytical protocol improved INAA performances to unprecedented levels for multi-elemental analyses.

Arquitetura e etnicidade: patrimônios materiais e imateriais na rota turística Caminhos de Pedra = Architecture and ethnicity: materials and intangible heritage in tourist route Caminhos de Pedra

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Badalotti, Claudine Machado

2014-01-01

Full Text Available A preservação da memória construída de um povo, enquanto patrimônio histórico constitui uma das premissas básicas para o desenvolvimento sustentável, pois além de representar a própria síntese da cidade, potencializa a identidade coletiva dos povos, nesse caso dos ítalo-gaúchos, promove a preservação dos bens materiais e imateriais, da identidade étnica de um grupo social e, somado a isso, pode contribuir para o incremento do desenvolvimento econômico e social, através do turismo étnico, gastronômico e arquitetônico, incentivando financeiramente aqueles que se comprometem com a preservação. O trabalho objetiva analisar experiências de preservação arquitetônica na Serra Gaúcha, em particular no município de Bento Gonçalves, em suas rotas turísticas, com a intenção de perceber processos tradicionais de ambientes construídos em correlação com dinâmicas modernas de vida social e econômica, pois somente com a compreensão de experiências construtivas antigas podemos fazer o novo, bem como representação e reconstituição de etnicidades, que num primeiro momento, aparentemente são contraditórias numa sociedade que se mostra globalizada. É recuperar a memória construída do lugar e estabelecer uma relação com a história de um grupo étnico, o que, através dos processos de globalização, remete a uma fragmentação identitária a partir do momento em que traços culturais da modernidade passam a ser comuns a diferentes culturas

Avaliação das condições de melhor estabilidade térmica para a recuperação da bromelina a partir de resíduos do abacaxi - doi: 10.4025/actascitechnol.v33i3.8453

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Moacyr Jorge Elias

2011-07-01

Full Text Available Visando à recuperação da bromelina a partir dos resíduos da industrialização do abacaxi, variedade pérola, foi pesquisada a melhor condição de pH para qual a enzima é mais estável ao longo do tempo em diversas temperaturas. Ensaios foram efetuados medindo a atividade enzimática da bromelina pura e do extrato dos resíduos do fruto, empregando caseína como substrato. O extrato foi obtido pela trituração da casca e do talo interno do fruto. A atividade foi expressa em mmol tirosina (L min.-1, pela absorbância a 280 nm dos aminoácidos aromáticos gerados na hidrólise da caseína. Duas faixas de pH foram estudadas: 5,5 a 6,5 e 3,3 a 3,5 e temperatura variando de 25 a 62°C. A constante de inativação (ki foi determinada ao analisar o gráfico da atividade em função do tempo para cada temperatura. A decomposição térmica mostrou ser de ordem um e a energia de ativação para a enzima do fruto maior do que a bromelina purificada quando o pH está na faixa de 3,3 a 3,5. Para recuperação da enzima presente no resíduo do fruto deve-se trabalhar com pH entre 5,5 e 6,5 visto que a decomposição térmica é desprezível na faixa de temperatura estudada (até 62°C.

La danza en el mundo antiguo (I: Egipto y el Próximo Oriente

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Juan C. Domínguez Pérez

2015-04-01

Full Text Available La danza como manifestación social está asociada a los orígenes de las primeras civilizaciones. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar los restos arqueológicos y artísticos de las sociedades egipcia y mesopotámica con el propósito de localizar rasgos comunes a las civilizaciones mediterráneas. Las primeras manifestaciones de danza eran de carácter ritual, vinculada a los cultos de la Tierra Madre y la fecundidad. Es por ello que la danza estuviera estrechamente relacionada con las dos grandes actividades de subsistencia: la agrícola y la caza. Estas danzas estuvieron amenizadas en sus inicios por instrumentos sencillos como palillos, claves, o crótalos que fueron perfeccionándose con la presencia de tambores, flautas y sistros entre otros. La complejidad técnica de los bailes aumenta a medida que lo hace el componente religioso, de forma que el proceso de formación también se hacía más largo y riguroso. La importancia social de la música y la danza en el Egipto llega a tal magnitud durante el Imperio Antiguo, que los nombres de los intérpretes aparecen representados en los relieves escritos en jeroglífico. Con el tiempo los fines rituales se fueron volviendo profanos, celebrándose en eventos sociales como banquetes, bodas y funerales o bien como espectáculo privado en las casas de grandes señores. Todo ello propició que con el tiempo, el estado se viera obligado no sólo a regular la profesión y las actuaciones, sino también a institucionalizar su uso oficial ante la demanda social y la proliferación de usos profanos.

Recent discoveries of Uruguayan Mesozoic vertebrates

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Soto, M.; Perea, D.; Rinderknetch, A.; Ubilla, M.; Da Silva, J.

2007-01-01

Recently, new discoveries of Uruguayan Mesozoic vertebrates have been made, as well as the reinterpretation of already known remains. Its taxonomical and biostratigraphical significance justifies this communication. Concerning the Tacuarembo Formation, on one hand a dipnoan prearticular tooth plate has been reinterpreted as belonging to Ceratodus africanus Haug 1905, a species typical of Late Jurassic-Late Cretaceous deposits of Saharan Africa. This is the second dipnoan taxon recorded in the Tacuarembo Formation, uncovering a previously unrecognized dipnoan diversity in the mid-Mesozoic of South America. On the other hand, a few theropod tooth were confidently identified at the familial level for the first time in our country. The remains include two striated premaxillary tooth crowns, the characters of which, close to Ceratosaurus Marsh 1884, allow to refer them to the family Ceratosauridae, this being the oldest South American record of the family. The striated teeth show strong affinities with those of Late Jurassic ceratosaurids from North America, Iberian Peninsula and Tanzania, which is in accordance with recent proposals about the age of the Lower Member of the Tacuarembo Formation. Concerning the Guichon Formation, we comunicate here in the most important discovery of dinosaur remains in Uruguay. It consist in spatially associated remains from several individuals, including fifty caudal vertebra and several epiphysis, metatarsals and astragali. These materials belong to a titanosaurid sauropod, the characters of which are similar to those of certain Campanian-Maastrichtian titanosaurids. Close to the bones, several eggshell fragments referable to Sphaerovum Mones 1980 - a typical Campanian-Maastrichtian oogenus- were found. This finding represents the first record of sauropod dinosaurs from the Guichon Formation, and suggests a younger age for this unit than early proposed

Common Avian Infection Plagued the Tyrant Dinosaurs

Science.gov (United States)

Wolff, Ewan D. S.; Salisbury, Steven W.; Horner, John R.; Varricchio, David J.

2009-01-01

Background Tyrannosaurus rex and other tyrannosaurid fossils often display multiple, smooth-edged full-thickness erosive lesions on the mandible, either unilaterally or bilaterally. The cause of these lesions in the Tyrannosaurus rex specimen FMNH PR2081 (known informally by the name ‘Sue’) has previously been attributed to actinomycosis, a bacterial bone infection, or bite wounds from other tyrannosaurids. Methodology/Principal Findings We conducted an extensive survey of tyrannosaurid specimens and identified ten individuals with full-thickness erosive lesions. These lesions were described, measured and photographed for comparison with one another. We also conducted an extensive survey of related archosaurs for similar lesions. We show here that these lesions are consistent with those caused by an avian parasitic infection called trichomonosis, which causes similar abnormalities on the mandible of modern birds, in particular raptors. Conclusions/Significance This finding represents the first evidence for the ancient evolutionary origin of an avian transmissible disease in non-avian theropod dinosaurs. It also provides a valuable insight into the palaeobiology of these now extinct animals. Based on the frequency with which these lesions occur, we hypothesize that tyrannosaurids were commonly infected by a Trichomonas gallinae-like protozoan. For tyrannosaurid populations, the only non-avian dinosaur group that show trichomonosis-type lesions, it is likely that the disease became endemic and spread as a result of antagonistic intraspecific behavior, consumption of prey infected by a Trichomonas gallinae-like protozoan and possibly even cannibalism. The severity of trichomonosis-related lesions in specimens such as Tyrannosaurus rex FMNH PR2081 and Tyrannosaurus rex MOR 980, strongly suggests that these animals died as a direct result of this disease, mostly likely through starvation. PMID:19789646

A nomenclature for vertebral fossae in sauropods and other saurischian dinosaurs.

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Jeffrey A Wilson

Full Text Available BACKGROUND: The axial skeleton of extinct saurischian dinosaurs (i.e., theropods, sauropodomorphs, like living birds, was pneumatized by epithelial outpocketings of the respiratory system. Pneumatic signatures in the vertebral column of fossil saurischians include complex branching chambers within the bone (internal pneumaticity and large chambers visible externally that are bounded by neural arch laminae (external pneumaticity. Although general aspects of internal pneumaticity are synapomorphic for saurischian subgroups, the individual internal pneumatic spaces cannot be homologized across species or even along the vertebral column, due to their variability and absence of topographical landmarks. External pneumatic structures, in contrast, are defined by ready topological landmarks (vertebral laminae, but no consistent nomenclatural system exists. This deficiency has fostered confusion and limited their use as character data in phylogenetic analysis. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We present a simple system for naming external neural arch fossae that parallels the one developed for the vertebral laminae that bound them. The nomenclatural system identifies fossae by pointing to reference landmarks (e.g., neural spine, centrum, costal articulations, zygapophyses. We standardize the naming process by creating tripartite names from "primary landmarks," which form the zygodiapophyseal table, "secondary landmarks," which orient with respect to that table, and "tertiary landmarks," which further delineate a given fossa. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The proposed nomenclatural system for lamina-bounded fossae adds clarity to descriptions of complex vertebrae and allows these structures to be sourced as character data for phylogenetic analyses. These anatomical terms denote potentially homologous pneumatic structures within Saurischia, but they could be applied to any vertebrate with vertebral laminae that enclose spaces, regardless of their developmental

Dental histology of Coelophysis bauri and the evolution of tooth attachment tissues in early dinosaurs.

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Fong, Raymond K M; LeBlanc, Aaron R H; Berman, David S; Reisz, Robert R

2016-07-01

Studies of dinosaur teeth have focused primarily on external crown morphology and thus, use shed or in situ tooth crowns, and are limited to the enamel and dentine dental tissues. As a result, the full suites of periodontal tissues that attach teeth to the jaws remain poorly documented, particularly in early dinosaurs. These tissues are an integral part of the tooth and thus essential to a more complete understanding of dental anatomy, development, and evolution in dinosaurs. To identify the tooth attachment tissues in early dinosaurs, histological thin sections were prepared from the maxilla and dentary of a partial skull of the early theropod Coelophysis bauri from the Upper Triassic (Rhaetian- 209-201 Ma) Whitaker Quarry, New Mexico, USA. As one of the phylogenetically and geologically oldest dinosaurs, it is an ideal candidate for examining dental tissues near the base of the dinosaurian clade. The teeth of C. bauri exhibited a fibrous tooth attachment in which the teeth possessed five tissues: enamel, dentine, cementum, periodontal ligament (PDL), and alveolar bone. Our findings, coupled with those of more recent studies of ornithischian teeth, indicate that a tripartite periodontium, similar to that of crocodilians and mammals, is the plesiomorphic condition for dinosaurs. The occurrence of a tripartite periodontium in dinosaurs adds to the growing consensus that the presence of these tissues is the plesiomorphic condition for the major amniote clades. Furthermore, this study establishes the relative timing of tissue development and growth directions of periodontal tissues and provides the first comparative framework for future studies of dinosaur periodontal development, tooth replacement, and histology. J. Morphol. 277:916-924, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Common avian infection plagued the tyrant dinosaurs.

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Ewan D S Wolff

Full Text Available BACKGROUND: Tyrannosaurus rex and other tyrannosaurid fossils often display multiple, smooth-edged full-thickness erosive lesions on the mandible, either unilaterally or bilaterally. The cause of these lesions in the Tyrannosaurus rex specimen FMNH PR2081 (known informally by the name 'Sue' has previously been attributed to actinomycosis, a bacterial bone infection, or bite wounds from other tyrannosaurids. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We conducted an extensive survey of tyrannosaurid specimens and identified ten individuals with full-thickness erosive lesions. These lesions were described, measured and photographed for comparison with one another. We also conducted an extensive survey of related archosaurs for similar lesions. We show here that these lesions are consistent with those caused by an avian parasitic infection called trichomonosis, which causes similar abnormalities on the mandible of modern birds, in particular raptors. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: This finding represents the first evidence for the ancient evolutionary origin of an avian transmissible disease in non-avian theropod dinosaurs. It also provides a valuable insight into the palaeobiology of these now extinct animals. Based on the frequency with which these lesions occur, we hypothesize that tyrannosaurids were commonly infected by a Trichomonas gallinae-like protozoan. For tyrannosaurid populations, the only non-avian dinosaur group that show trichomonosis-type lesions, it is likely that the disease became endemic and spread as a result of antagonistic intraspecific behavior, consumption of prey infected by a Trichomonas gallinae-like protozoan and possibly even cannibalism. The severity of trichomonosis-related lesions in specimens such as Tyrannosaurus rex FMNH PR2081 and Tyrannosaurus rex MOR 980, strongly suggests that these animals died as a direct result of this disease, mostly likely through starvation.

A new Cretaceous terrestrial ecosystem from Gondwana with the description of a new sauropod dinosaur

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Jorge O. Calvo

2007-09-01

Full Text Available A unique site at the northern area of Patagonia (Neuquén, Argentina reveals a terrestrial ecosystem preserved in a detail never reported before in a Late Cretaceous deposit. An extraordinary diversity and abundance of fossils was found concentrated in a 0.5 m horizon in the same quarry, including a new titanosaur sauropod, Futalognkosaurus dukei n.gen., n.sp, which is the most complete giant dinosaur known so far. Several plant leaves, showing a predominance of angiosperms over gymnosperms that likely constituted the diet of F. dukei were found too. Other dinosaurs (sauropods, theropods, ornithopods, crocodylomorphs, pterosaurs, and fishes were also discovered, allowing a partial reconstruction of this Gondwanan continental ecosystem.Um depósito fóssil na região norte da Patagônia (Neuquén, Argentina revela um ecossistema nunca antes registrado a este nível de detalhes em depósitos do Cretáceo Superior. Uma diversidade e abundância extraordinária de fósseis encontra-se concentrada em uma camada de 0,5 m no mesmo sítio, incluindo um novo saurópodo titanossaurídeo, Futalognkosaurus dukei n. gen, n. sp., que é o mais completo dinossauro gigante encontrado até a presente data. Foram descobertas váriasfolhas de plantas indicando a predominância de angiospermas sobre gimnospermas que possivelmente formavam a base da dieta de F. dukei. Outros dinossauros (saurópodes, terópodes, ornitópodes, crocodilomorfos, pterossauros e peixes foram também encontrados possibilitando a reconstrução parcialdeste ecossistema continental do Gondwana.

On a dinosaur axis from one of the oldest dinosaur-bearing sites worldwide

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Rodrigo T. Müller

2017-09-01

Full Text Available The axial skeleton is proportionally underrepresented in the fossil record of early dinosaurs, when compared to other skeletal parts (e.g., pelvic girdle and hindlimb. For instance, the axis is poorly known in early dinosaurs, which precludes a better understanding of this important anatomical structure. Therefore, the present contribution fills an important gap with a description of the axis of a new early dinosaur (CAPPA/UFSM 0179. The specimen was collected at the Buriol outcrop, a Triassic fossiliferous locality from southern Brazil (Candelária Sequence, Santa Maria Supersequence biostratigraphically correlated to Carnian units, placing this specimen among the oldest dinosaurs worldwide. Notable features include the combination of a neural spine that bears an almost straight dorsal margin along its length and presence of an epipophysis. This axis arrangement is unique among Carnian dinosaurs, representing a new morphotype, though a similar morphology is observed in some early theropods. Indeed, a phylogenetic analysis nested the specimen within Theropoda. However, this outcome is probably biased by the large amount of missing data in CAPPA/UFSM 0179 and also due to the limited sampling of the axis in early dinosaurs, particularly among sauropodomorphs. As the specimen comes from the site that includes Buriolestes schultzi (an early sauropodomorph, it is quite plausible that CAPPA/UFSM 0179 might be referable to that taxon. If so, the specimen improves the anatomical knowledge of Buriolestes schultzi, given its axis is yet unknown. An alternative possibility to be considered is that the specimen would belong to a dinosaur not yet known in the Candelária Sequence, which would increase its dinosaur diversity for the outcrop, improving the Triassic dinosaurian record from Southern Brazil.

A novel form of postcranial skeletal pneumaticity in a sauropod dinosaur: Implications for the paleobiology of Rebbachisauridae

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Lucio M. Ibiricu

2017-06-01

Full Text Available In dinosaurs and other archosaurs, the presence of foramina connected with internal chambers in axial and appendicular bones is regarded as a robust indicator of postcranial skeletal pneumaticity (PSP. Here we analyze PSP and its paleobiological implications in rebbachisaurid diplodocoid sauropod dinosaurs based primarily on the dorsal vertebrae of Katepensaurus goicoecheai, a rebbachisaurid from the Cenomanian–Turonian (Upper Cretaceous Bajo Barreal Formation of Patagonia, Argentina. We document a complex of interconnected pneumatic foramina and internal chambers within the dorsal vertebral transverse processes of Katepensaurus. Collectively, these structures constitute a form of PSP that has not previously been observed in sauropods, though it is closely comparable to morphologies seen in selected birds and non-avian theropods. Parts of the skeletons of Katepensaurus and other rebbachisaurid taxa such as Amazonsaurus maranhensis and Tataouinea hannibalis exhibit an elevated degree of pneumaticity relative to the conditions in many other sauropods. We interpret this extensive PSP as an adaptation for lowering the density of the skeleton, and tentatively propose that this reduced skeletal density may also have decreased the muscle energy required to move the body and the heat generated in so doing. Given that several rebbachisaurids inhabited tropical to subtropical paleolatitudes during the extreme warmth of the mid-Cretaceous, increased PSP may have better enabled these sauropods to cope with extraordinarily high temperatures. Extensive skeletal pneumaticity may have been an important innovation in Rebbachisauridae, and perhaps also in saltasaurine titanosaurs, which evolved an even greater degree of PSP. This may in turn have contributed to the evolutionary success of rebbachisaurids, which were the only diplodocoids to survive into the Late Cretaceous.

O jornal Stella d’Italia e a defesa da escola étnica italiana (1902-1904 - Stella d’Italia newspaper and the defense of ethnic italian school (1902-1904

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Gelson Leonardo Rech

2015-04-01

Full Text Available O artigo analisa dois elementos recorrentes nas edições dos três primeiros anos do jornal porto-alegrense Stella d’Italia (1902-1904, editado em italiano, a saber: o descontentamento com relação ao estado em que se encontrava a instrução entre os italianos e ítalos-brasileiros em Porto Alegre e a polêmica com o cônsul italiano Enrico Ciapelli, que resultou na suspensão do envio de material às escolas italianas, mantidas pelas sociedades italianas apoiadoras do jornal. A polêmica, não relatada nos relatórios oficiais do cônsul, teve como elemento detonador a acusação, sustentada pelo editor do jornal, de que o cônsul pouco se interessava pela escola italiana e pelos compatriotas. Considerando-se a escassa literatura sobre as escolas étnicas italianas de Porto Alegre, o jornal Stella d’Italia tem particular importância pelo destaque frequente à temática da educação e pela marcante opinião e zelo do editor, Adelchi Colnaghi, pela escola étnica italiana. Os apelos e considerações de Colnaghi na defesa da escola italiana, seu diagnóstico sobre as dificuldades da mesma, bem como o estado da educação entre os italianos em Porto Alegre foi reiterado, muitas vezes, nas páginas do jornal. Colnaghi estava convencido da importância da escola italiana, mas na perspectiva do jornal pouco se fez pela mesma e, às vezes, se fez contra.Palavras-chave: Stella d’Italia, Adelchi Colnaghi, Enrico Ciapelli, escolas étnicas italianas. STELLA D’ITALIA NEWSPAPER AND THE DEFENSE  OF ETHNIC ITALIAN SCHOOL (1902-1904AbstractThis article analyses two recurrent elements on the three first-year issues (1902-1904 of Stella d’Italia, a Porto Alegre’s newspaper edited in italian, specifically the dissatisfaction with the condition of the Italian education in Porto Alegre, and the fuss involving the Italian consul Enrico Ciapelli, which resulted in the interruption of school materials being delivered to italian schools kept by the

Oxygen isotope fractionation between bird bone phosphate and drinking water

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Amiot, Romain; Angst, Delphine; Legendre, Serge; Buffetaut, Eric; Fourel, François; Adolfssen, Jan; André, Aurore; Bojar, Ana Voica; Canoville, Aurore; Barral, Abel; Goedert, Jean; Halas, Stanislaw; Kusuhashi, Nao; Pestchevitskaya, Ekaterina; Rey, Kevin; Royer, Aurélien; Saraiva, Antônio Álamo Feitosa; Savary-Sismondini, Bérengère; Siméon, Jean-Luc; Touzeau, Alexandra; Zhou, Zhonghe; Lécuyer, Christophe

2017-06-01

Oxygen isotope compositions of bone phosphate (δ18Op) were measured in broiler chickens reared in 21 farms worldwide characterized by contrasted latitudes and local climates. These sedentary birds were raised during an approximately 3 to 4-month period, and local precipitation was the ultimate source of their drinking water. This sampling strategy allowed the relationship to be determined between the bone phosphate δ18Op values (from 9.8 to 22.5‰ V-SMOW) and the local rainfall δ18Ow values estimated from nearby IAEA/WMO stations (from -16.0 to -1.0‰ V-SMOW). Linear least square fitting of data provided the following isotopic fractionation equation: δ18Ow = 1.119 (±0.040) δ18Op - 24.222 (±0.644); R 2 = 0.98. The δ18Op-δ18Ow couples of five extant mallard ducks, a common buzzard, a European herring gull, a common ostrich, and a greater rhea fall within the predicted range of the equation, indicating that the relationship established for extant chickens can also be applied to birds of various ecologies and body masses. Applied to published oxygen isotope compositions of Miocene and Pliocene penguins from Peru, this new equation computes estimates of local seawater similar to those previously calculated. Applied to the basal bird Confuciusornis from the Early Cretaceous of Northeastern China, our equation gives a slightly higher δ18Ow value compared to the previously estimated one, possibly as a result of lower body temperature. These data indicate that caution should be exercised when the relationship estimated for modern birds is applied to their basal counterparts that likely had a metabolism intermediate between that of their theropod dinosaur ancestors and that of advanced ornithurines.

Palaeohistological Evidence for Ancestral High Metabolic Rate in Archosaurs.

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Legendre, Lucas J; Guénard, Guillaume; Botha-Brink, Jennifer; Cubo, Jorge

2016-11-01

Metabolic heat production in archosaurs has played an important role in their evolutionary radiation during the Mesozoic, and their ancestral metabolic condition has long been a matter of debate in systematics and palaeontology. The study of fossil bone histology provides crucial information on bone growth rate, which has been used to indirectly investigate the evolution of thermometabolism in archosaurs. However, no quantitative estimation of metabolic rate has ever been performed on fossils using bone histological features. Moreover, to date, no inference model has included phylogenetic information in the form of predictive variables. Here we performed statistical predictive modeling using the new method of phylogenetic eigenvector maps on a set of bone histological features for a sample of extant and extinct vertebrates, to estimate metabolic rates of fossil archosauromorphs. This modeling procedure serves as a case study for eigenvector-based predictive modeling in a phylogenetic context, as well as an investigation of the poorly known evolutionary patterns of metabolic rate in archosaurs. Our results show that Mesozoic theropod dinosaurs exhibit metabolic rates very close to those found in modern birds, that archosaurs share a higher ancestral metabolic rate than that of extant ectotherms, and that this derived high metabolic rate was acquired at a much more inclusive level of the phylogenetic tree, among non-archosaurian archosauromorphs. These results also highlight the difficulties of assigning a given heat production strategy (i.e., endothermy, ectothermy) to an estimated metabolic rate value, and confirm findings of previous studies that the definition of the endotherm/ectotherm dichotomy may be ambiguous. © The Author(s) 2016. Published by Oxford University Press, on behalf of the Society of Systematic Biologists. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Identification of a feather β-keratin gene exclusively expressed in pennaceous barbule cells of contour feathers in chicken.

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Kowata, Kinue; Nakaoka, Minori; Nishio, Kaori; Fukao, Ayaka; Satoh, Akira; Ogoshi, Maho; Takahashi, Sumio; Tsudzuki, Masaoki; Takeuchi, Sakae

2014-05-25

Feathers are elaborate skin appendages shared by birds and theropod dinosaurs that have hierarchical branching of the rachis, barbs, and barbules. Feather filaments consist of β-keratins encoded by multiple genes, most of which are located in tandem arrays on chromosomes 2, 25, and 27 in chicken. The expansion of the genes is thought to have contributed to feather evolution; however, it is unclear how the individual genes are involved in feather formation. The aim of the present study was to identify feather keratin genes involved in the formation of barbules. Using a combination of microarray analysis, reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and in situ hybridization, we found an uncharacterized keratin gene on chromosome 7 that was expressed specifically in barbule cells in regenerating chicken feathers. We have named the gene barbule specific keratin 1 (BlSK1). The BlSK1 gene structure was similar to the gene structure of previously characterized feather keratin genes, and consisted of a non-coding leader exon, an intron, and an exon with an open reading frame (ORF). The ORF was predicted to encode a 98 aa long protein, which shared 59% identity with feather keratin B. Orthologs of BlSK1 were found in the genomes of other avian species, including turkey, duck, zebra finch, and flycatcher, in regions that shared synteny with chromosome 7 of chicken. Interestingly, BlSK1 was expressed in feather follicles that generated pennaceous barbules but not in follicles that generated plumulaceous barbules. These results suggested that the composition of feather keratins probably varies depending on the structure of the feather filaments and, that individual feather keratin genes may be involved in building different portions and/or types of feathers in chicken. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Body temperatures in dinosaurs: what can growth curves tell us?

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Griebeler, Eva Maria

2013-01-01

To estimate the body temperature (BT) of seven dinosaurs Gillooly, Alleen, and Charnov (2006) used an equation that predicts BT from the body mass and maximum growth rate (MGR) with the latter preserved in ontogenetic growth trajectories (BT-equation). The results of these authors evidence inertial homeothermy in Dinosauria and suggest that, due to overheating, the maximum body size in Dinosauria was ultimately limited by BT. In this paper, I revisit this hypothesis of Gillooly, Alleen, and Charnov (2006). I first studied whether BTs derived from the BT-equation of today's crocodiles, birds and mammals are consistent with core temperatures of animals. Second, I applied the BT-equation to a larger number of dinosaurs than Gillooly, Alleen, and Charnov (2006) did. In particular, I estimated BT of Archaeopteryx (from two MGRs), ornithischians (two), theropods (three), prosauropods (three), and sauropods (nine). For extant species, the BT value estimated from the BT-equation was a poor estimate of an animal's core temperature. For birds, BT was always strongly overestimated and for crocodiles underestimated; for mammals the accuracy of BT was moderate. I argue that taxon-specific differences in the scaling of MGR (intercept and exponent of the regression line, log-log-transformed) and in the parameterization of the Arrhenius model both used in the BT-equation as well as ecological and evolutionary adaptations of species cause these inaccuracies. Irrespective of the found inaccuracy of BTs estimated from the BT-equation and contrary to the results of Gillooly, Alleen, and Charnov (2006) I found no increase in BT with increasing body mass across all dinosaurs (Sauropodomorpha, Sauropoda) studied. This observation questions that, due to overheating, the maximum size in Dinosauria was ultimately limited by BT. However, the general high inaccuracy of dinosaurian BTs derived from the BT-equation makes a reliable test of whether body size in dinosaurs was ultimately limited

Sedimentology and ichnology of the Mafube dinosaur track site (Lower Jurassic, eastern Free State, South Africa: a report on footprint preservation and palaeoenvironment

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Lara Sciscio

2016-08-01

Full Text Available Footprint morphology (e.g., outline shape, depth of impression is one of the key diagnostic features used in the interpretation of ancient vertebrate tracks. Over 80 tridactyl tracks, confined to the same bedding surface in the Lower Jurassic Elliot Formation at Mafube (eastern Free State, South Africa, show large shape variability over the length of the study site. These morphological differences are considered here to be mainly due to variations in the substrate rheology as opposed to differences in the trackmaker’s foot anatomy, foot kinematics or recent weathering of the bedding surface. The sedimentary structures (e.g., desiccation cracks, ripple marks preserved in association with and within some of the Mafube tracks suggest that the imprints were produced essentially contemporaneous and are true dinosaur tracks rather than undertracks or erosional remnants. They are therefore valuable not only for the interpretation of the ancient environment (i.e., seasonally dry river channels but also for taxonomic assessments as some of them closely resemble the original anatomy of the trackmaker’s foot. The tracks are grouped, based on size, into two morphotypes that can be identified as Eubrontes-like and Grallator-like ichnogenera. The Mafube morphotypes are tentatively attributable to large and small tridactyl theropod trackmakers, possibly to Dracovenator and Coelophysis based on the following criteria: (a lack of manus impressions indicative of obligate bipeds; (b long, slender-digits that are asymmetrical and taper; (c often end in a claw impression or point; and (d the tracks that are longer than broad. To enable high-resolution preservation, curation and subsequent remote studying of the morphological variations of and the secondary features in the tracks, low viscosity silicone rubber was used to generate casts of the Mafube tracks.

A computational analysis of limb and body dimensions in Tyrannosaurus rex with implications for locomotion, ontogeny, and growth.

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John R Hutchinson

Full Text Available The large theropod dinosaur Tyrannosaurus rex underwent remarkable changes during its growth from 6000 kg adults in <20 years. These changes raise fascinating questions about the morphological transformations involved, peak growth rates, and scaling of limb muscle sizes as well as the body's centre of mass that could have influenced ontogenetic changes of locomotion in T. rex. Here we address these questions using three-dimensionally scanned computer models of four large, well-preserved fossil specimens as well as a putative juvenile individual. Furthermore we quantify the variations of estimated body mass, centre of mass and segment dimensions, to characterize inaccuracies in our reconstructions. These inaccuracies include not only subjectivity but also incomplete preservation and inconsistent articulations of museum skeletons. Although those problems cause ambiguity, we conclude that adult T. rex had body masses around 6000-8000 kg, with the largest known specimen ("Sue" perhaps ∼9500 kg. Our results show that during T. rex ontogeny, the torso became longer and heavier whereas the limbs became proportionately shorter and lighter. Our estimates of peak growth rates are about twice as rapid as previous ones but generally support previous methods, despite biases caused by the usage of scale models and equations that underestimate body masses. We tentatively infer that the hindlimb extensor muscles masses, including the large tail muscle M. caudofemoralis longus, may have decreased in their relative size as the centre of mass shifted craniodorsally during T. rex ontogeny. Such ontogenetic changes would have worsened any relative or absolute decline of maximal locomotor performance. Regardless, T. rex probably had hip and thigh muscles relatively larger than any extant animal's. Overall, the limb "antigravity" muscles may have been as large as or even larger than those of ratite birds, which themselves have the most muscular limbs of any living

Reassessment of the evidence for postcranial skeletal pneumaticity in Triassic archosaurs, and the early evolution of the avian respiratory system.

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Richard J Butler

Full Text Available Uniquely among extant vertebrates, birds possess complex respiratory systems characterised by the combination of small, rigid lungs, extensive pulmonary air sacs that possess diverticula that invade (pneumatise the postcranial skeleton, unidirectional ventilation of the lungs, and efficient crosscurrent gas exchange. Crocodilians, the only other living archosaurs, also possess unidirectional lung ventilation, but lack true air sacs and postcranial skeletal pneumaticity (PSP. PSP can be used to infer the presence of avian-like pulmonary air sacs in several extinct archosaur clades (non-avian theropod dinosaurs, sauropod dinosaurs and pterosaurs. However, the evolution of respiratory systems in other archosaurs, especially in the lineage leading to crocodilians, is poorly documented. Here, we use µCT-scanning to investigate the vertebral anatomy of Triassic archosaur taxa, from both the avian and crocodilian lineages as well as non-archosaurian diapsid outgroups. Our results confirm previous suggestions that unambiguous evidence of PSP (presence of internal pneumatic cavities linked to the exterior by foramina is found only in bird-line (ornithodiran archosaurs. We propose that pulmonary air sacs were present in the common ancestor of Ornithodira and may have been subsequently lost or reduced in some members of the clade (notably in ornithischian dinosaurs. The development of these avian-like respiratory features might have been linked to inferred increases in activity levels among ornithodirans. By contrast, no crocodile-line archosaur (pseudosuchian exhibits evidence for unambiguous PSP, but many of these taxa possess the complex array of vertebral laminae and fossae that always accompany the presence of air sacs in ornithodirans. These laminae and fossae are likely homologous with those in ornithodirans, which suggests the need for further investigation of the hypothesis that a reduced, or non-invasive, system of pulmonary air sacs may be have

Understanding Late Triassic low latitude terrestrial ecosystems: new insights from the Colorado Plateau Coring Project (CPCP)

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Irmis, R. B.; Olsen, P. E.; Parker, W.; Rasmussen, C.; Mundil, R.; Whiteside, J. H.

2017-12-01

The Chinle Formation of southwestern North America is a key paleontological archive of low paleolatitude non-marine ecosystems that existed during the Late Triassic hothouse world. These strata were deposited at 5-15°N latitude, and preserve extensive plant, invertebrate, and vertebrate fossil assemblages, including early dinosaurs; these organisms lived in an unpredictably fluctuating semi-arid to arid environment with very high atmospheric pCO2. Despite this well-studied fossil record, a full understanding of these ecosystems and their integration with other fossil assemblages globally has been hindered by a poor understanding of the Chinle Formation's age, duration, and sedimentation rates. Recently, the CPCP recovered a 520m continuous core through this formation from the northern portion of Petrified Forest National Park (PEFO) in northern Arizona, USA. This core has provided a plethora of new radioisotopic and magnetostratigraphic data from fresh, unweathered samples in unambiguous stratigraphic superposition. These constraints confirm that virtually all fossil-bearing horizons in Chinle outcrops in the vicinity of PEFO are Norian in age. Furthermore, they indicate that the palynomorph zone II and Adamanian vertebrate biozone are at least six million years long, whereas the overlying palynomorph zone III and Revueltian vertebrate biozone persisted for at least five million years, with the boundary between 216-214 Ma. This confirms that the rich late Adamanian-early Revueltian vertebrate fossil assemblages, where dinosaurs are exclusively rare, small-bodied carnivorous theropods, are contemporaneous with higher latitude assemblages in Europe, South America, and Africa where large-bodied herbivorous sauropodomorph dinosaurs are common. The age constraints also confirm that several palynomorph biostratigraphic ranges in the Chinle Formation differ from those of the same taxa in eastern North American (Newark Supergroup) and Europe. These data are consistent

An Ornithopod-Dominated Tracksite from the Lower Cretaceous Jiaguan Formation (Barremian-Albian) of Qijiang, South-Central China: New Discoveries, Ichnotaxonomy, Preservation and Palaeoecology.

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Xing, Lida; Lockley, Martin G; Marty, Daniel; Zhang, Jianping; Wang, Yan; Klein, Hendrik; McCrea, Richard T; Buckley, Lisa G; Belvedere, Matteo; Mateus, Octávio; Gierliński, Gerard D; Piñuela, Laura; Persons, W Scott; Wang, Fengping; Ran, Hao; Dai, Hui; Xie, Xianming

2015-01-01

The historically-famous Lotus Fortress site, a deep 1.5-3.0-meter-high, 200-meter-long horizonal notch high up in near-vertical sandstone cliffs comprising the Cretaceous Jiaguan Formation, has been known since the 13th Century as an impregnable defensive position. The site is also extraordinary for having multiple tetrapod track-bearing levels, of which the lower two form the floor of part of the notch, and yield very well preserved asseamblages of ornithopod, bird (avian theropod) and pterosaur tracks. Trackway counts indicate that ornithopods dominate (69%) accounting for at least 165 trackmakers, followed by bird (18%), sauropod (10%), and pterosaur (3%). Previous studies designated Lotus Fortress as the type locality of Caririchnium lotus and Wupus agilis both of which are recognized here as valid ichnotaxa. On the basis of multiple parallel trackways both are interpreted as representing the trackways of gregarious species. C. lotus is redescribed here in detail and interpreted to indicate two age cohorts representing subadults that were sometimes bipedal and larger quadrupedal adults. Two other previously described dinosaurian ichnospecies, are here reinterpreted as underprints and considered nomina dubia. Like a growing number of significant tetrapod tracksites in China the Lotus Fortress site reveals new information about the composition of tetrapod faunas from formations in which the skeletal record is sparse. In particular, the site shows the relatively high abundance of Caririchium in a region where saurischian ichnofaunas are often dominant. It is also the only site known to have yielded Wupus agilis. In combination with information from other tracksites from the Jiaguan formation and other Cretaceous formations in the region, the track record is proving increasingly impotant as a major source of information on the vertebrate faunas of the region. The Lotus Fortress site has been developed as a spectacular, geologically-, paleontologically- and a

Middle-Upper Triassic and Middle Jurassic tetrapod track assemblages of southern Tunisia, Sahara Platform

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Niedźwiedzki, Grzegorz; Soussi, Mohamed; Boukhalfa, Kamel; Gierliński, Gerard D.

2017-05-01

Three tetrapod track assemblages from the early-middle Mesozoic of southern Tunisia are reported. The strata exposed at the Tejra 2 clay-pit near the Medenine and Rehach site, located in the vicinity of Kirchaou, contain the first tetrapod tracks found in the Triassic of Tunisia. The Middle Jurassic (early Aalenian) dinosaur tracks are reported from the Mestaoua plain near Tataouine. In the Middle Triassic outcrop of the Tejra 2 clay-pit, tridactyl tracks of small and medium-sized dinosauromorphs, were discovered. These tracks represent the oldest evidence of dinosaur-lineage elements in the Triassic deposits of Tunisia. Similar tracks have been described from the Middle Triassic of Argentina, France and Morocco. An isolated set of the manus and pes of a quadrupedal tetrapod discovered in Late Triassic Rehach tracksite is referred to a therapsid tracemaker. The Middle Jurassic deposits of the Mestaoua plain reveal small and large tridactyl theropod dinosaur tracks (Theropoda track indet. A-C). Based on comparison with the abundant record of Triassic tetrapod ichnofossils from Europe and North America, the ichnofauna described here indicates the presence of a therapsid-dinosauromorph ichnoassociation (without typical Chirotheriidae tracks) in the Middle and Late Triassic, which sheds light on the dispersal of the Middle-Upper Triassic tetrapod ichnofaunas in this part of Gondwana. The reported Middle Jurassic ichnofauna show close similarities to dinosaur track assemblages from the Lower and Middle Jurassic of northwestern Africa, North America, Europe and also southeastern Asia. Sedimentological and lithostratigraphic data of each new tracksite have been defined on published data and new observations. Taken together, these discoveries present a tantalizing window into the evolutionary history of tetrapods from the Triassic and Jurassic of southern Tunisia. Given the limited early Mesozoic tetrapod record from the region, these discoveries are of both temporal and

Linking the evolution of body shape and locomotor biomechanics in bird-line archosaurs.

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Allen, Vivian; Bates, Karl T; Li, Zhiheng; Hutchinson, John R

2013-05-02

Locomotion in living birds (Neornithes) has two remarkable features: feather-assisted flight, and the use of unusually crouched hindlimbs for bipedal support and movement. When and how these defining functional traits evolved remains controversial. However, the advent of computer modelling approaches and the discoveries of exceptionally preserved key specimens now make it possible to use quantitative data on whole-body morphology to address the biomechanics underlying this issue. Here we use digital body reconstructions to quantify evolutionary trends in locomotor biomechanics (whole-body proportions and centre-of-mass position) across the clade Archosauria. We use three-dimensional digital reconstruction to estimate body shape from skeletal dimensions for 17 archosaurs along the ancestral bird line, including the exceptionally preserved, feathered taxa Microraptor, Archaeopteryx, Pengornis and Yixianornis, which represent key stages in the evolution of the avian body plan. Rather than a discrete transition from more-upright postures in the basal-most birds (Avialae) and their immediate outgroup deinonychosauria, our results support hypotheses of a gradual, stepwise acquisition of more-crouched limb postures across much of theropod evolution, although we find evidence of an accelerated change within the clade Maniraptora (birds and their closest relatives, such as deinonychosaurs). In addition, whereas reduction of the tail is widely accepted to be the primary morphological factor correlated with centre-of-mass position and, hence, evolution of hindlimb posture, we instead find that enlargement of the pectoral limb and several associated trends have a much stronger influence. Intriguingly, our support for the onset of accelerated morpho-functional trends within Maniraptora is closely correlated with the evolution of flight. Because we find that the evolution of enlarged forelimbs is strongly linked, via whole-body centre of mass, to hindlimb function during

Using physical models to study the gliding performance of extinct animals.

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Koehl, M A R; Evangelista, Dennis; Yang, Karen

2011-12-01

Aerodynamic studies using physical models of fossil organisms can provide quantitative information about how performance of defined activities, such as gliding, depends on specific morphological features. Such analyses allow us to rule out hypotheses about the function of extinct organisms that are not physically plausible and to determine if and how specific morphological features and postures affect performance. The purpose of this article is to provide a practical guide for the design of dynamically scaled physical models to study the gliding of extinct animals using examples from our research on the theropod dinosaur, †Microraptor gui, which had flight feathers on its hind limbs as well as on its forelimbs. Analysis of the aerodynamics of †M. gui can shed light on the design of gliders with large surfaces posterior to the center of mass and provide functional information to evolutionary biologists trying to unravel the origins of flight in the dinosaurian ancestors and sister groups to birds. Measurements of lift, drag, side force, and moments in pitch, roll, and yaw on models in a wind tunnel can be used to calculate indices of gliding and parachuting performance, aerodynamic static stability, and control effectiveness in maneuvering. These indices permit the aerodynamic performance of bodies of different shape, size, stiffness, texture, and posture to be compared and thus can provide insights about the design of gliders, both biological and man-made. Our measurements of maximum lift-to-drag ratios of 2.5-3.1 for physical models of †M. gui suggest that its gliding performance was similar to that of flying squirrels and that the various leg postures that might have been used by †M. gui make little difference to that aspect of aerodynamic performance. We found that body orientation relative to the movement of air past the animal determines whether it is difficult or easy to maneuver.

Reidentification of avian embryonic remains from the cretaceous of mongolia.

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Varricchio, David J; Balanoff, Amy M; Norell, Mark A

2015-01-01

Embryonic remains within a small (4.75 by 2.23 cm) egg from the Late Cretaceous, Mongolia are here re-described. High-resolution X-ray computed tomography (HRCT) was used to digitally prepare and describe the enclosed embryonic bones. The egg, IGM (Mongolian Institute for Geology, Ulaanbaatar) 100/2010, with a three-part shell microstructure, was originally assigned to Neoceratopsia implying extensive homoplasy among eggshell characters across Dinosauria. Re-examination finds the forelimb significantly longer than the hindlimbs, proportions suggesting an avian identification. Additional, postcranial apomorphies (strut-like coracoid, cranially located humeral condyles, olecranon fossa, slender radius relative to the ulna, trochanteric crest on the femur, and ulna longer than the humerus) identify the embryo as avian. Presence of a dorsal coracoid fossa and a craniocaudally compressed distal humerus with a strongly angled distal margin support a diagnosis of IGM 100/2010 as an enantiornithine. Re-identification eliminates the implied homoplasy of this tri-laminate eggshell structure, and instead associates enantiornithine birds with eggshell microstructure composed of a mammillary, squamatic, and external zones. Posture of the embryo follows that of other theropods with fore- and hindlimbs folded parallel to the vertebral column and the elbow pointing caudally just dorsal to the knees. The size of the egg and embryo of IGM 100/2010 is similar to the two other Mongolian enantiornithine eggs. Well-ossified skeletons, as in this specimen, characterize all known enantiornithine embryos suggesting precocial hatchlings, comparing closely to late stage embryos of modern precocial birds that are both flight- and run-capable upon hatching. Extensive ossification in enantiornithine embryos may contribute to their relatively abundant representation in the fossil record. Neoceratopsian eggs remain unrecognized in the fossil record.

Reidentification of avian embryonic remains from the cretaceous of mongolia.

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David J Varricchio

Full Text Available Embryonic remains within a small (4.75 by 2.23 cm egg from the Late Cretaceous, Mongolia are here re-described. High-resolution X-ray computed tomography (HRCT was used to digitally prepare and describe the enclosed embryonic bones. The egg, IGM (Mongolian Institute for Geology, Ulaanbaatar 100/2010, with a three-part shell microstructure, was originally assigned to Neoceratopsia implying extensive homoplasy among eggshell characters across Dinosauria. Re-examination finds the forelimb significantly longer than the hindlimbs, proportions suggesting an avian identification. Additional, postcranial apomorphies (strut-like coracoid, cranially located humeral condyles, olecranon fossa, slender radius relative to the ulna, trochanteric crest on the femur, and ulna longer than the humerus identify the embryo as avian. Presence of a dorsal coracoid fossa and a craniocaudally compressed distal humerus with a strongly angled distal margin support a diagnosis of IGM 100/2010 as an enantiornithine. Re-identification eliminates the implied homoplasy of this tri-laminate eggshell structure, and instead associates enantiornithine birds with eggshell microstructure composed of a mammillary, squamatic, and external zones. Posture of the embryo follows that of other theropods with fore- and hindlimbs folded parallel to the vertebral column and the elbow pointing caudally just dorsal to the knees. The size of the egg and embryo of IGM 100/2010 is similar to the two other Mongolian enantiornithine eggs. Well-ossified skeletons, as in this specimen, characterize all known enantiornithine embryos suggesting precocial hatchlings, comparing closely to late stage embryos of modern precocial birds that are both flight- and run-capable upon hatching. Extensive ossification in enantiornithine embryos may contribute to their relatively abundant representation in the fossil record. Neoceratopsian eggs remain unrecognized in the fossil record.

Tail-assisted pitch control in lizards, robots and dinosaurs.

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Libby, Thomas; Moore, Talia Y; Chang-Siu, Evan; Li, Deborah; Cohen, Daniel J; Jusufi, Ardian; Full, Robert J

2012-01-04

In 1969, a palaeontologist proposed that theropod dinosaurs used their tails as dynamic stabilizers during rapid or irregular movements, contributing to their depiction as active and agile predators. Since then the inertia of swinging appendages has been implicated in stabilizing human walking, aiding acrobatic manoeuvres by primates and rodents, and enabling cats to balance on branches. Recent studies on geckos suggest that active tail stabilization occurs during climbing, righting and gliding. By contrast, studies on the effect of lizard tail loss show evidence of a decrease, an increase or no change in performance. Application of a control-theoretic framework could advance our general understanding of inertial appendage use in locomotion. Here we report that lizards control the swing of their tails in a measured manner to redirect angular momentum from their bodies to their tails, stabilizing body attitude in the sagittal plane. We video-recorded Red-Headed Agama lizards (Agama agama) leaping towards a vertical surface by first vaulting onto an obstacle with variable traction to induce a range of perturbations in body angular momentum. To examine a known controlled tail response, we built a lizard-sized robot with an active tail that used sensory feedback to stabilize pitch as it drove off a ramp. Our dynamics model revealed that a body swinging its tail experienced less rotation than a body with a rigid tail, a passively compliant tail or no tail. To compare a range of tails, we calculated tail effectiveness as the amount of tailless body rotation a tail could stabilize. A model Velociraptor mongoliensis supported the initial tail stabilization hypothesis, showing as it did a greater tail effectiveness than the Agama lizards. Leaping lizards show that inertial control of body attitude can advance our understanding of appendage evolution and provide biological inspiration for the next generation of manoeuvrable search-and-rescue robots.

New developmental evidence clarifies the evolution of wrist bones in the dinosaur-bird transition.

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Botelho, João Francisco; Ossa-Fuentes, Luis; Soto-Acuña, Sergio; Smith-Paredes, Daniel; Nuñez-León, Daniel; Salinas-Saavedra, Miguel; Ruiz-Flores, Macarena; Vargas, Alexander O

2014-09-01

From early dinosaurs with as many as nine wrist bones, modern birds evolved to develop only four ossifications. Their identity is uncertain, with different labels used in palaeontology and developmental biology. We examined embryos of several species and studied chicken embryos in detail through a new technique allowing whole-mount immunofluorescence of the embryonic cartilaginous skeleton. Beyond previous controversy, we establish that the proximal-anterior ossification develops from a composite radiale+intermedium cartilage, consistent with fusion of radiale and intermedium observed in some theropod dinosaurs. Despite previous claims that the development of the distal-anterior ossification does not support the dinosaur-bird link, we found its embryonic precursor shows two distinct regions of both collagen type II and collagen type IX expression, resembling the composite semilunate bone of bird-like dinosaurs (distal carpal 1+distal carpal 2). The distal-posterior ossification develops from a cartilage referred to as "element x," but its position corresponds to distal carpal 3. The proximal-posterior ossification is perhaps most controversial: It is labelled as the ulnare in palaeontology, but we confirm the embryonic ulnare is lost during development. Re-examination of the fossil evidence reveals the ulnare was actually absent in bird-like dinosaurs. We confirm the proximal-posterior bone is a pisiform in terms of embryonic position and its development as a sesamoid associated to a tendon. However, the pisiform is absent in bird-like dinosaurs, which are known from several articulated specimens. The combined data provide compelling evidence of a remarkable evolutionary reversal: A large, ossified pisiform re-evolved in the lineage leading to birds, after a period in which it was either absent, nonossified, or very small, consistently escaping fossil preservation. The bird wrist provides a modern example of how developmental and paleontological data illuminate

National Report on the NASA Sounding Rocket and Balloon Programs

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Eberspeaker, Philip; Fairbrother, Debora

2013-01-01

The U. S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Sounding Rockets and Balloon Programs conduct a total of 30 to 40 missions per year in support of the NASA scientific community and other users. The NASA Sounding Rockets Program supports the science community by integrating their experiments into the sounding rocket payloads, and providing both the rocket vehicle and launch operations services. Activities since 2011 have included two flights from Andoya Rocket Range, more than eight flights from White Sands Missile Range, approximately sixteen flights from Wallops Flight Facility, two flights from Poker Flat Research Range, and four flights from Kwajalein Atoll. Other activities included the final developmental flight of the Terrier-Improved Malemute launch vehicle, a test flight of the Talos-Terrier-Oriole launch vehicle, and a host of smaller activities to improve program support capabilities. Several operational missions have utilized the new Terrier-Malemute vehicle. The NASA Sounding Rockets Program is currently engaged in the development of a new sustainer motor known as the Peregrine. The Peregrine development effort will involve one static firing and three flight tests with a target completion data of August 2014. The NASA Balloon Program supported numerous scientific and developmental missions since its last report. The program conducted flights from the U.S., Sweden, Australia, and Antarctica utilizing standard and experimental vehicles. Of particular note are the successful test flights of the Wallops Arc Second Pointer (WASP), the successful demonstration of a medium-size Super Pressure Balloon (SPB), and most recently, three simultaneous missions aloft over Antarctica. NASA continues its successful incremental design qualification program and will support a science mission aboard WASP in late 2013 and a science mission aboard the SPB in early 2015. NASA has also embarked on an intra-agency collaboration to launch a rocket from a balloon to

Biología floral y polinización artificial del guanábano Annona muricata L. en condiciones del Valle del Cauca, Colombia

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Escobar T. William

1986-03-01

Full Text Available Aunque la flor es hermafrodita presenta protoginia y existe un período de 36 a 48 horas durante el cual pueden encontrarse maduros ambos órganos sexuales, la disposición apretada del cuerpo de estambres, aún estando dehiscentes, no permite disponibilidad de polen. Los insectos asociados con las flores no tienen influencia en el proceso de polinización. Se presume que los frutos se forman a partir de autopolinización (autogamia que ocurre al retener los estambres desprendidos algunos pétalos interiores. En razón a que esta forma es esporádica ya que el tiempo desde la polinización de los estigmas hasta su desprendimiento en muchos casos puede no ser suficiente para que ocurra la fecundación, se presenta bajo prendimiento o cuajamiento de las flores. La polinización manual de las flores aumenta la producción. El tamaño y la velocidad del crecimiento de los frutos están en relación directa con el número de pistilos fecundados.A field study was conducted on floral biology and artificial pollination in soursop (Annona muricata L.. Although flowers are apparently adapted to cross pollination despite being anatomically hermaphrodite, the bunched arrangement of stamens does not results in available fertil pollen. There is a period from 36 to 48 hours in which both sexual organs are simultaneusly, however guanabana flowers functions as physiologically protogineous. None insect genera has any influency on poIlination. It is assumed that generally fruits are formed by autogamy after stigmas get in contact with stamens retained by lower petals. Because this way of pollination is rather sporadic and sometimes stigmas shed after pollination but before fertilization, only a low number of fruit setting is observed as many flowers fall out due to the low number that get fertilized. Manual poIlination resulted in an effective way to increase production. The size and growth rate of these fruits are correlated with the number of pistiIs get

Detection of radiographically occult-ankle fractures. Positive predictive value of post-traumatic soft-tissue swelling

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kumar, M.; Caruana, E.

2000-01-01

The objective of this study was to assess the value of soft-tissue swelling on plain radiographs as a predictor of radiographically occult fracture, after acute ankle injury (trauma). Patients with acute ankle trauma and plain radiographic evidence of soft-tissue swelling were included in this study. Patients were excluded if ankle trauma was sustained more than 48 hours previously or if fracture was visible on plain radiographs. All subjects (n=25) underwent computed tomography (CT) of the ankle in sagittal and coronal planes. Size of soft-tissue swelling was measured from initial Antero-posterior (AP) radiographs. The subjects in the study were placed into two groups according to whether a fracture was identified on CT or not. The results identified that those subjects without a fracture demonstrated by CT, had a soft-tissue swelling of less than 12.6 mm, while those with over 17.1mm swelling, showed a fracture on CT. Twelve patients (48 per cent) had radiographically occult fractures identified with CT. Fracture sites included: Talus/Talar Dome (n=9), posterior or lateral malleolos (n=2), distal tibia/fibula (n=1). CT detected significant soft-tissue injuries in six patients (24 per cent), composed of damaged anterior talo-fibular ligament (n=4), torn flexor tendons (n=1), and damaged fibular calcaneal ligament (n=1). One patient also showed gas in the talar dome. This study concludes that presence of a large soft-tissue swelling on plain radiographs after acute ankle trauma suggests an underlying fracture. A soft-tissue swelling of >15 mm is a reasonable threshold to prompt further imaging. Helical computed tomography provides good visualisation of subtle bone injuries and may detect clinically important soft-tissue injuries. While the study has a small sample, there is clear evidence that there is a trend worth investigating. Future research will seek to investigate a larger sample. Copyright (1999) Australian Institute of Radiography

A protocol for classifying normal- and flat-arched foot posture for research studies using clinical and radiographic measurements

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Menz Hylton B

2009-07-01

Full Text Available Abstract Background There are several clinical and radiological methods available to classify foot posture in research, however there is no clear strategy for selecting the most appropriate measurements. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a foot screening protocol to distinguish between participants with normal- and flat-arched feet who would then subsequently be recruited into a series of laboratory-based gait studies. Methods The foot posture of ninety-one asymptomatic young adults was assessed using two clinical measurements (normalised navicular height and arch index and four radiological measurements taken from antero-posterior and lateral x-rays (talus-second metatarsal angle, talo-navicular coverage angle, calcaneal inclination angle and calcaneal-first metatarsal angle. Normative foot posture values were taken from the literature and used to recruit participants with normal-arched feet. Data from these participants were subsequently used to define the boundary between normal- and flat-arched feet. This information was then used to recruit participants with flat-arched feet. The relationship between the clinical and radiographic measures of foot posture was also explored. Results Thirty-two participants were recruited to the normal-arched study, 31 qualified for the flat-arched study and 28 participants were classified as having neither normal- or flat-arched feet and were not suitable for either study. The values obtained from the two clinical and four radiological measurements established two clearly defined foot posture groups. Correlations among clinical and radiological measures were significant (p r = 0.24 to 0.70. Interestingly, the clinical measures were more strongly associated with the radiographic angles obtained from the lateral view. Conclusion This foot screening protocol provides a coherent strategy for researchers planning to recruit participants with normal- and flat-arched feet. However, further research is

COMPOSIÇÃO CENTESIMAL E PROPRIEDADES FUNCIONAIS TECNOLÓGICAS DA FARINHA DA CASCA DO MARACUJÁ

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M. W. S. SOUZA

2008-12-01

Full Text Available

A maior incidência de doenças crônicodegenerativas deve-se, em grande parte, à redução do consumo das fi bras na dieta. Estes nutrientes apresentam efeitos fi siológicos importantes e uma alternativa para aumentar o seu consumo pela população é a utilização de resíduos industriais, como cascas e talos de frutas e vegetais. Este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar a composição centesimal da farinha da casca do maracujá, assim como seu teor de fi bras totais e suas propriedades funcionais tecnológicas, e a partir destes dados avaliar a possibilidade de sua utilização como fonte de fibras no enriquecimento nutricional de produtos. A análise da farinha da casca do maracujá indicou um alto teor de fi bra alimentar (66,37 ± 0,71g/100g e as análises das propriedades funcionais tecnológicas apontaram uma alta capacidade de retenção, absorção e adsorção de água. Assim, conclui-se que a farinha da casca do maracujá tem potencial para ser incluída na dieta como uma fonte de fi bras, podendo ser utilizada no enriquecimento de produtos como pães, biscoitos e barras de cereais, melhorando suas qualidades nutricionais e tecnológicas, além de ser uma alternativa para reduzir o desperdício de subprodutos da indústria alimentícia.

A vertebrate assemblage of Las Curtiembres Formation (Upper Cretaceous of northwestern Argentina Una asociación de vertebrados de la Formación Las Curtiembres (Cretácico Superior del Noroeste de la Argentina

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Agustín Scanferla

2011-12-01

Full Text Available We describe an association of fossil vertebrates from the Morales Member of the Las Curtiembres Formation (Campanian near Puente Morales, Salta Province, NW Argentina. The fossils include teleostean fishes, pipid frogs, pleurodiran turtles, mesoeucrocodylians, non-avian theropod dinosaurs, and enantiornithine birds. The vertebrate record is dominated by freshwater taxa. With the exception of pipid frogs, all taxa here described constitute new records for this sedimentary unit. Among them, the turtles are reported for the first time in the Cretaceous of northwestern Argentina (Salta Group. Additionally, the recently published small enantiornithine Intiornis inexpectatus enlarges the diversity of cretaceous birds from South America. Despite the fragmentary nature of the specimens, the information provided by this Late Cretaceous assemblage sheds new light on the composition of the continental vertebrate fauna in a paleontologically poorly known region of South America.Aquí describimos una asociación de fósiles de vertebrados proveniente del Miembro Morales de la Formación Las Curtiembres (Campaniano exhumada en la localidad de Puente Morales, provincia de Salta, Argentina. Esta asociación se encuentra conformada por peces teleósteos, anuros pipidos, tortugas pleurodiras, mesoeucrocodilidos, dinosaurios terópodos no avianos y aves Enantiornithes. Este registro de vertebrados se encuentra dominado por taxa de agua dulce. Con la excepción de los anuros pipidos, todos los demás taxa aquí descriptos constituyen nuevos registros para esta unidad sedimentaria. Entre ellos, el registro de tortugas resulta ser el primero para el Grupo Salta. Adicionalmente, el Enantiornithes Intiornis inexpectatus amplía la diversidad de aves cretácicas de América del Sur. Más allá de la naturaleza fragmentaria de algunos de los especímenes, la información proporcionada por esta asociación del Cretácico Superior aporta novedosa información acerca de la

Ecological interactions in dinosaur communities: influences of small offspring and complex ontogenetic life histories.

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Daryl Codron

Full Text Available Because egg-laying meant that even the largest dinosaurs gave birth to very small offspring, they had to pass through multiple ontogenetic life stages to adulthood. Dinosaurs' successors as the dominant terrestrial vertebrate life form, the mammals, give birth to live young, and have much larger offspring and less complex ontogenetic histories. The larger number of juveniles in dinosaur as compared to mammal ecosystems represents both a greater diversity of food available to predators, and competitors for similar-sized individuals of sympatric species. Models of population abundances across different-sized species of dinosaurs and mammals, based on simulated ecological life tables, are employed to investigate how differences in predation and competition pressure influenced dinosaur communities. Higher small- to medium-sized prey availability leads to a normal body mass-species richness (M-S distribution of carnivorous dinosaurs (as found in the theropod fossil record, in contrast to the right-skewed M-S distribution of carnivorous mammals (as found living members of the order Carnivora. Higher levels of interspecific competition leads to a left-skewed M-S distribution in herbivorous dinosaurs (as found in sauropods and ornithopods, in contrast to the normal M-S distribution of large herbivorous mammals. Thus, our models suggest that differences in reproductive strategy, and consequently ontogeny, explain observed differences in community structure between dinosaur and mammal faunas. Models also show that the largest dinosaurian predators could have subsisted on similar-sized prey by including younger life stages of the largest herbivore species, but that large predators likely avoided prey much smaller than themselves because, despite predicted higher abundances of smaller than larger-bodied prey, contributions of small prey to biomass intake would be insufficient to satisfy meat requirements. A lack of large carnivores feeding on small prey

Body temperatures in dinosaurs: what can growth curves tell us?

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Eva Maria Griebeler

Full Text Available To estimate the body temperature (BT of seven dinosaurs Gillooly, Alleen, and Charnov (2006 used an equation that predicts BT from the body mass and maximum growth rate (MGR with the latter preserved in ontogenetic growth trajectories (BT-equation. The results of these authors evidence inertial homeothermy in Dinosauria and suggest that, due to overheating, the maximum body size in Dinosauria was ultimately limited by BT. In this paper, I revisit this hypothesis of Gillooly, Alleen, and Charnov (2006. I first studied whether BTs derived from the BT-equation of today's crocodiles, birds and mammals are consistent with core temperatures of animals. Second, I applied the BT-equation to a larger number of dinosaurs than Gillooly, Alleen, and Charnov (2006 did. In particular, I estimated BT of Archaeopteryx (from two MGRs, ornithischians (two, theropods (three, prosauropods (three, and sauropods (nine. For extant species, the BT value estimated from the BT-equation was a poor estimate of an animal's core temperature. For birds, BT was always strongly overestimated and for crocodiles underestimated; for mammals the accuracy of BT was moderate. I argue that taxon-specific differences in the scaling of MGR (intercept and exponent of the regression line, log-log-transformed and in the parameterization of the Arrhenius model both used in the BT-equation as well as ecological and evolutionary adaptations of species cause these inaccuracies. Irrespective of the found inaccuracy of BTs estimated from the BT-equation and contrary to the results of Gillooly, Alleen, and Charnov (2006 I found no increase in BT with increasing body mass across all dinosaurs (Sauropodomorpha, Sauropoda studied. This observation questions that, due to overheating, the maximum size in Dinosauria was ultimately limited by BT. However, the general high inaccuracy of dinosaurian BTs derived from the BT-equation makes a reliable test of whether body size in dinosaurs was ultimately

Cranial ontogenetic variation in early saurischians and the role of heterochrony in the diversification of predatory dinosaurs.

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Foth, Christian; Hedrick, Brandon P; Ezcurra, Martin D

2016-01-01

Non-avian saurischian skulls underwent at least 165 million years of evolution and shapes varied from elongated skulls, such as in the theropod Coelophysis, to short and box-shaped skulls, such as in the sauropod Camarasaurus. A number of factors have long been considered to drive skull shape, including phylogeny, dietary preferences and functional constraints. However, heterochrony is increasingly being recognized as an important factor in dinosaur evolution. In order to quantitatively analyse the impact of heterochrony on saurischian skull shape, we analysed five ontogenetic trajectories using two-dimensional geometric morphometrics in a phylogenetic framework. This allowed for the comparative investigation of main ontogenetic shape changes and the evaluation of how heterochrony affected skull shape through both ontogenetic and phylogenetic trajectories. Using principal component analyses and multivariate regressions, it was possible to quantify different ontogenetic trajectories and evaluate them for evidence of heterochronic events allowing testing of previous hypotheses on cranial heterochrony in saurischians. We found that the skull shape of the hypothetical ancestor of Saurischia likely led to basal Sauropodomorpha through paedomorphosis, and to basal Theropoda mainly through peramorphosis. Paedomorphosis then led from Orionides to Avetheropoda, indicating that the paedomorphic trend found by previous authors in advanced coelurosaurs may extend back into the early evolution of Avetheropoda. Not only are changes in saurischian skull shape complex due to the large number of factors that affected it, but heterochrony itself is complex, with a number of possible reversals throughout non-avian saurischian evolution. In general, the sampling of complete ontogenetic trajectories including early juveniles is considerably lower than the sampling of single adult or subadult individuals, which is a major impediment to the study of heterochrony on non-avian dinosaurs

Cranial ontogenetic variation in early saurischians and the role of heterochrony in the diversification of predatory dinosaurs

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Christian Foth

2016-01-01

Full Text Available Non-avian saurischian skulls underwent at least 165 million years of evolution and shapes varied from elongated skulls, such as in the theropod Coelophysis, to short and box-shaped skulls, such as in the sauropod Camarasaurus. A number of factors have long been considered to drive skull shape, including phylogeny, dietary preferences and functional constraints. However, heterochrony is increasingly being recognized as an important factor in dinosaur evolution. In order to quantitatively analyse the impact of heterochrony on saurischian skull shape, we analysed five ontogenetic trajectories using two-dimensional geometric morphometrics in a phylogenetic framework. This allowed for the comparative investigation of main ontogenetic shape changes and the evaluation of how heterochrony affected skull shape through both ontogenetic and phylogenetic trajectories. Using principal component analyses and multivariate regressions, it was possible to quantify different ontogenetic trajectories and evaluate them for evidence of heterochronic events allowing testing of previous hypotheses on cranial heterochrony in saurischians. We found that the skull shape of the hypothetical ancestor of Saurischia likely led to basal Sauropodomorpha through paedomorphosis, and to basal Theropoda mainly through peramorphosis. Paedomorphosis then led from Orionides to Avetheropoda, indicating that the paedomorphic trend found by previous authors in advanced coelurosaurs may extend back into the early evolution of Avetheropoda. Not only are changes in saurischian skull shape complex due to the large number of factors that affected it, but heterochrony itself is complex, with a number of possible reversals throughout non-avian saurischian evolution. In general, the sampling of complete ontogenetic trajectories including early juveniles is considerably lower than the sampling of single adult or subadult individuals, which is a major impediment to the study of heterochrony on

Testing the effect of the rock record on diversity: a multidisciplinary approach to elucidating the generic richness of sauropodomorph dinosaurs through time.

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Mannion, Philip D; Upchurch, Paul; Carrano, Matthew T; Barrett, Paul M

2011-02-01

The accurate reconstruction of palaeobiodiversity patterns is central to a detailed understanding of the macroevolutionary history of a group of organisms. However, there is increasing evidence that diversity patterns observed directly from the fossil record are strongly influenced by fluctuations in the quality of our sampling of the rock record; thus, any patterns we see may reflect sampling biases, rather than genuine biological signals. Previous dinosaur diversity studies have suggested that fluctuations in sauropodomorph palaeobiodiversity reflect genuine biological signals, in comparison to theropods and ornithischians whose diversity seems to be largely controlled by the rock record. Most previous diversity analyses that have attempted to take into account the effects of sampling biases have used only a single method or proxy: here we use a number of techniques in order to elucidate diversity. A global database of all known sauropodomorph body fossil occurrences (2024) was constructed. A taxic diversity curve for all valid sauropodomorph genera was extracted from this database and compared statistically with several sampling proxies (rock outcrop area and dinosaur-bearing formations and collections), each of which captures a different aspect of fossil record sampling. Phylogenetic diversity estimates, residuals and sample-based rarefaction (including the first attempt to capture 'cryptic' diversity in dinosaurs) were implemented to investigate further the effects of sampling. After 'removal' of biases, sauropodomorph diversity appears to be genuinely high in the Norian, Pliensbachian-Toarcian, Bathonian-Callovian and Kimmeridgian-Tithonian (with a small peak in the Aptian), whereas low diversity levels are recorded for the Oxfordian and Berriasian-Barremian, with the Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary seemingly representing a real diversity trough. Observed diversity in the remaining Triassic-Jurassic stages appears to be largely driven by sampling effort. Late

New developmental evidence clarifies the evolution of wrist bones in the dinosaur-bird transition.

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João Francisco Botelho

2014-09-01

Full Text Available From early dinosaurs with as many as nine wrist bones, modern birds evolved to develop only four ossifications. Their identity is uncertain, with different labels used in palaeontology and developmental biology. We examined embryos of several species and studied chicken embryos in detail through a new technique allowing whole-mount immunofluorescence of the embryonic cartilaginous skeleton. Beyond previous controversy, we establish that the proximal-anterior ossification develops from a composite radiale+intermedium cartilage, consistent with fusion of radiale and intermedium observed in some theropod dinosaurs. Despite previous claims that the development of the distal-anterior ossification does not support the dinosaur-bird link, we found its embryonic precursor shows two distinct regions of both collagen type II and collagen type IX expression, resembling the composite semilunate bone of bird-like dinosaurs (distal carpal 1+distal carpal 2. The distal-posterior ossification develops from a cartilage referred to as "element x," but its position corresponds to distal carpal 3. The proximal-posterior ossification is perhaps most controversial: It is labelled as the ulnare in palaeontology, but we confirm the embryonic ulnare is lost during development. Re-examination of the fossil evidence reveals the ulnare was actually absent in bird-like dinosaurs. We confirm the proximal-posterior bone is a pisiform in terms of embryonic position and its development as a sesamoid associated to a tendon. However, the pisiform is absent in bird-like dinosaurs, which are known from several articulated specimens. The combined data provide compelling evidence of a remarkable evolutionary reversal: A large, ossified pisiform re-evolved in the lineage leading to birds, after a period in which it was either absent, nonossified, or very small, consistently escaping fossil preservation. The bird wrist provides a modern example of how developmental and paleontological

An Ornithopod-Dominated Tracksite from the Lower Cretaceous Jiaguan Formation (Barremian–Albian) of Qijiang, South-Central China: New Discoveries, Ichnotaxonomy, Preservation and Palaeoecology

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Xing, Lida; Lockley, Martin G.; Marty, Daniel; Zhang, Jianping; Wang, Yan; Klein, Hendrik; McCrea, Richard T.; Buckley, Lisa G.; Belvedere, Matteo; Mateus, Octávio; Gierliński, Gerard D.; Piñuela, Laura; Persons, W. Scott; Wang, Fengping; Ran, Hao; Dai, Hui; Xie, Xianming

2015-01-01

The historically-famous Lotus Fortress site, a deep 1.5–3.0-meter-high, 200-meter-long horizonal notch high up in near-vertical sandstone cliffs comprising the Cretaceous Jiaguan Formation, has been known since the 13th Century as an impregnable defensive position. The site is also extraordinary for having multiple tetrapod track-bearing levels, of which the lower two form the floor of part of the notch, and yield very well preserved asseamblages of ornithopod, bird (avian theropod) and pterosaur tracks. Trackway counts indicate that ornithopods dominate (69%) accounting for at least 165 trackmakers, followed by bird (18%), sauropod (10%), and pterosaur (3%). Previous studies designated Lotus Fortress as the type locality of Caririchnium lotus and Wupus agilis both of which are recognized here as valid ichnotaxa. On the basis of multiple parallel trackways both are interpreted as representing the trackways of gregarious species. C. lotus is redescribed here in detail and interpreted to indicate two age cohorts representing subadults that were sometimes bipedal and larger quadrupedal adults. Two other previously described dinosaurian ichnospecies, are here reinterpreted as underprints and considered nomina dubia. Like a growing number of significant tetrapod tracksites in China the Lotus Fortress site reveals new information about the composition of tetrapod faunas from formations in which the skeletal record is sparse. In particular, the site shows the relatively high abundance of Caririchium in a region where saurischian ichnofaunas are often dominant. It is also the only site known to have yielded Wupus agilis. In combination with information from other tracksites from the Jiaguan formation and other Cretaceous formations in the region, the track record is proving increasingly impotant as a major source of information on the vertebrate faunas of the region. The Lotus Fortress site has been developed as a spectacular, geologically-, paleontologically- and a

An Ornithopod-Dominated Tracksite from the Lower Cretaceous Jiaguan Formation (Barremian-Albian of Qijiang, South-Central China: New Discoveries, Ichnotaxonomy, Preservation and Palaeoecology.

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Lida Xing

Full Text Available The historically-famous Lotus Fortress site, a deep 1.5-3.0-meter-high, 200-meter-long horizonal notch high up in near-vertical sandstone cliffs comprising the Cretaceous Jiaguan Formation, has been known since the 13th Century as an impregnable defensive position. The site is also extraordinary for having multiple tetrapod track-bearing levels, of which the lower two form the floor of part of the notch, and yield very well preserved asseamblages of ornithopod, bird (avian theropod and pterosaur tracks. Trackway counts indicate that ornithopods dominate (69% accounting for at least 165 trackmakers, followed by bird (18%, sauropod (10%, and pterosaur (3%. Previous studies designated Lotus Fortress as the type locality of Caririchnium lotus and Wupus agilis both of which are recognized here as valid ichnotaxa. On the basis of multiple parallel trackways both are interpreted as representing the trackways of gregarious species. C. lotus is redescribed here in detail and interpreted to indicate two age cohorts representing subadults that were sometimes bipedal and larger quadrupedal adults. Two other previously described dinosaurian ichnospecies, are here reinterpreted as underprints and considered nomina dubia. Like a growing number of significant tetrapod tracksites in China the Lotus Fortress site reveals new information about the composition of tetrapod faunas from formations in which the skeletal record is sparse. In particular, the site shows the relatively high abundance of Caririchium in a region where saurischian ichnofaunas are often dominant. It is also the only site known to have yielded Wupus agilis. In combination with information from other tracksites from the Jiaguan formation and other Cretaceous formations in the region, the track record is proving increasingly impotant as a major source of information on the vertebrate faunas of the region. The Lotus Fortress site has been developed as a spectacular, geologically

Sabretoothed carnivores and the killing of large prey.

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Ki Andersson

extinct predators including therocephalians (gorgonopsian + cynodont, sabretoothed mammal-like reptiles, sauropterygians (marine reptiles and theropod dinosaurs.

A Science Centre as a Geoturism promoter - the Lagos Ciência Viva examples (Portugal).

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Azevedo Rodrigues, Luis; Leote, Catarina

2017-04-01

Science outreach and engagement are crucial core objectives of the Lagos Ciência Viva Science Centre (CCVL). By engaging audiences in the real world a link is made between their science centre experience and the environment in which they live. Therefore, it has been an option of the CCVL to offer geological outdoor activities, both in the natural environment and urban context. Dinosaurs are an appealing science subject for both students and tourists. Thus, the CCVL has a long tradition in organizing and guiding field trips to two dinosaur track sites - Salema and Santa beaches (Vila do Bispo, southwest Algarve). These sites, both from the Lower Cretaceous reveal at least two types of tracks - theropod and iguanodontian footprints. Often in combination with the paleontology field trips, the CCVL also offers different geological field trips both for formal (school) and informal (tourism) education. This allows students and tourists to be introduced to dinosaur paleobiology and ichnology and to the structural geology and stratigraphy of the area. Our science outreach is being further developed by contractual agreement with a regional tour operator, in which the CCVL is responsible for the scientific content and guidance of the visits. Aiming at an urban context, the CCVL produced three Urban Geology and Paleontology Guide Books for three Algarve cities (Lagos, Faro and Tavira), which can be acquired in the three Ciência Viva Science Centres shops as well as in the tourist information offices serving this way as a basis for guided urban tours also offered by the CCVL. Based on our experience, we review and contextualise these geoscience activities and their potential for science outreach, communication and tourism. We discuss and propose a classification of different possibilities in geoscience communication and outreach based on three vertices: Science, Heritage and Geotourism. Some particularities of these visits, such as the merge between geosciences and other

How to Make a Bird Skull: Major Transitions in the Evolution of the Avian Cranium, Paedomorphosis, and the Beak as a Surrogate Hand.

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Bhullar, Bhart-Anjan S; Hanson, Michael; Fabbri, Matteo; Pritchard, Adam; Bever, Gabe S; Hoffman, Eva

2016-09-01

The avian skull is distinctive in its construction and in its function. Much of bird anatomical variety is expressed in the beak; but the beak itself, largely formed of the premaxillary bone, is set upon a shortened face and a bulbous, enlarged braincase. Here, we use original anatomical observations and reconstructions to describe the overall form of the avian skull in a larger context and to provide a general account of the evolutionary transformation from the early dinosaur skull-the skull of an archosaurian macropredator-to that of modern birds. Facial shortening, the enlargement of the braincase around an enlarged brain (with consequential reduction of circumorbital elements and the adductor chamber), and general thinning and looser articulation of bones are trends. Many of these owe to juvenilization or paedomorphosis, something that is abundantly evident from comparison of a juvenile early theropod (Coelophysis) to early avialans like Archaeopteryx Near the avian crown, the premaxilla becomes dramatically enlarged and integrated into the characteristic mobile kinetic system of birds. We posit that this addition of a large element onto the skull may be biomechanically feasible only because of the paedomorphic shortening of the face; and kinesis of the beak only because of the paedomorphic thinning of the bones and loosening of articulations, as played out in reverse during the maturation of Coelophysis Finally, the beak itself becomes elaborated as the hands are integrated into the wing. There are structural, kinematic, and neurological similarities between avian pecking and primate grasping. The ability to precision-select high-quality food against a complex but depauperate background may have permitted crown birds to survive the end-Cretaceous cataclysm by feeding on insects, seeds, and other detritus after the collapse of higher trophic levels in the food web. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Integrative

New Developmental Evidence Clarifies the Evolution of Wrist Bones in the Dinosaur–Bird Transition

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Botelho, João Francisco; Ossa-Fuentes, Luis; Soto-Acuña, Sergio; Smith-Paredes, Daniel; Nuñez-León, Daniel; Salinas-Saavedra, Miguel; Ruiz-Flores, Macarena; Vargas, Alexander O.

2014-01-01

From early dinosaurs with as many as nine wrist bones, modern birds evolved to develop only four ossifications. Their identity is uncertain, with different labels used in palaeontology and developmental biology. We examined embryos of several species and studied chicken embryos in detail through a new technique allowing whole-mount immunofluorescence of the embryonic cartilaginous skeleton. Beyond previous controversy, we establish that the proximal–anterior ossification develops from a composite radiale+intermedium cartilage, consistent with fusion of radiale and intermedium observed in some theropod dinosaurs. Despite previous claims that the development of the distal–anterior ossification does not support the dinosaur–bird link, we found its embryonic precursor shows two distinct regions of both collagen type II and collagen type IX expression, resembling the composite semilunate bone of bird-like dinosaurs (distal carpal 1+distal carpal 2). The distal–posterior ossification develops from a cartilage referred to as “element x,” but its position corresponds to distal carpal 3. The proximal–posterior ossification is perhaps most controversial: It is labelled as the ulnare in palaeontology, but we confirm the embryonic ulnare is lost during development. Re-examination of the fossil evidence reveals the ulnare was actually absent in bird-like dinosaurs. We confirm the proximal–posterior bone is a pisiform in terms of embryonic position and its development as a sesamoid associated to a tendon. However, the pisiform is absent in bird-like dinosaurs, which are known from several articulated specimens. The combined data provide compelling evidence of a remarkable evolutionary reversal: A large, ossified pisiform re-evolved in the lineage leading to birds, after a period in which it was either absent, nonossified, or very small, consistently escaping fossil preservation. The bird wrist provides a modern example of how developmental and paleontological

Ecological interactions in dinosaur communities: influences of small offspring and complex ontogenetic life histories.

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Codron, Daryl; Carbone, Chris; Clauss, Marcus

2013-01-01

Because egg-laying meant that even the largest dinosaurs gave birth to very small offspring, they had to pass through multiple ontogenetic life stages to adulthood. Dinosaurs' successors as the dominant terrestrial vertebrate life form, the mammals, give birth to live young, and have much larger offspring and less complex ontogenetic histories. The larger number of juveniles in dinosaur as compared to mammal ecosystems represents both a greater diversity of food available to predators, and competitors for similar-sized individuals of sympatric species. Models of population abundances across different-sized species of dinosaurs and mammals, based on simulated ecological life tables, are employed to investigate how differences in predation and competition pressure influenced dinosaur communities. Higher small- to medium-sized prey availability leads to a normal body mass-species richness (M-S) distribution of carnivorous dinosaurs (as found in the theropod fossil record), in contrast to the right-skewed M-S distribution of carnivorous mammals (as found living members of the order Carnivora). Higher levels of interspecific competition leads to a left-skewed M-S distribution in herbivorous dinosaurs (as found in sauropods and ornithopods), in contrast to the normal M-S distribution of large herbivorous mammals. Thus, our models suggest that differences in reproductive strategy, and consequently ontogeny, explain observed differences in community structure between dinosaur and mammal faunas. Models also show that the largest dinosaurian predators could have subsisted on similar-sized prey by including younger life stages of the largest herbivore species, but that large predators likely avoided prey much smaller than themselves because, despite predicted higher abundances of smaller than larger-bodied prey, contributions of small prey to biomass intake would be insufficient to satisfy meat requirements. A lack of large carnivores feeding on small prey exists in mammals

Diversity patterns amongst herbivorous dinosaurs and plants during the Cretaceous: implications for hypotheses of dinosaur/angiosperm co-evolution.

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Butler, R J; Barrett, P M; Kenrick, P; Penn, M G

2009-03-01

Palaeobiologists frequently attempt to identify examples of co-evolutionary interactions over extended geological timescales. These hypotheses are often intuitively appealing, as co-evolution is so prevalent in extant ecosystems, and are easy to formulate; however, they are much more difficult to test than their modern analogues. Among the more intriguing deep time co-evolutionary scenarios are those that relate changes in Cretaceous dinosaur faunas to the primary radiation of flowering plants. Demonstration of temporal congruence between the diversifications of co-evolving groups is necessary to establish whether co-evolution could have occurred in such cases, but is insufficient to prove whether it actually did take place. Diversity patterns do, however, provide a means for falsifying such hypotheses. We have compiled a new database of Cretaceous dinosaur and plant distributions from information in the primary literature. This is used as the basis for plotting taxonomic diversity and occurrence curves for herbivorous dinosaurs (Sauropodomorpha, Stegosauria, Ankylosauria, Ornithopoda, Ceratopsia, Pachycephalosauria and herbivorous theropods) and major groups of plants (angiosperms, Bennettitales, cycads, cycadophytes, conifers, Filicales and Ginkgoales) that co-occur in dinosaur-bearing formations. Pairwise statistical comparisons were made between various floral and faunal groups to test for any significant similarities in the shapes of their diversity curves through time. We show that, with one possible exception, diversity patterns for major groups of herbivorous dinosaurs are not positively correlated with angiosperm diversity. In other words, at the level of major clades, there is no support for any diffuse co-evolutionary relationship between herbivorous dinosaurs and flowering plants. The diversification of Late Cretaceous pachycephalosaurs (excluding the problematic taxon Stenopelix) shows a positive correlation, but this might be spuriously related to

The importance of early arthroscopy in athletes with painful cartilage lesions of the ankle: a prospective study of 61 consecutive cases

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Riyami Masoud

2006-09-01

Full Text Available Abstract Background Ankle sprains are common in sports and can sometimes result in a persistent pain condition. Purpose Primarily to evaluate clinical symptoms, signs, diagnostics and outcomes of surgery for symptomatic chondral injuries of the talo crural joint in athletes. Secondly, in applicable cases, to evaluate the accuracy of MRI in detecting these injuries. Type of study: Prospective consecutive series. Methods Over around 4 years we studied 61 consecutive athletes with symptomatic chondral lesions to the talocrural joint causing persistent exertion ankle pain. Results 43% were professional full time athletes and 67% were semi-professional, elite or amateur athletes, main sports being soccer (49% and rugby (14%. The main subjective complaint was exertion ankle pain (93%. Effusion (75% and joint line tenderness on palpation (92% were the most common clinical findings. The duration from injury to arthroscopy for 58/61 cases was 7 months (5.7–7.9. 3/61 cases were referred within 3 weeks from injury. There were in total 75 cartilage lesions. Of these, 52 were located on the Talus dome, 17 on the medial malleolus and 6 on the Tibia plafond. Of the Talus dome injuries 18 were anteromedial, 14 anterolateral, 9 posteromedial, 3 posterolateral and 8 affecting mid talus. 50% were grade 4 lesions, 13.3% grade 3, 16.7% grade 2 and 20% grade 1. MRI had been performed pre operatively in 26/61 (39% and 59% of these had been interpreted as normal. Detection rate of cartilage lesions was only 19%, but subchondral oedema was present in 55%. At clinical follow up average 24 months after surgery (10–48 months, 73% were playing at pre-injury level. The average return to that level of sports after surgery was 16 weeks (3–32 weeks. However 43% still suffered minor symptoms. Conclusion Arthroscopy should be considered early when an athlete presents with exertion ankle pain, effusion and joint line tenderness on palpation after a previous sprain

Diatomáceas epífitas em Galaxaura rugosa (J. Ellis & Solander J.V. Lamouroux (Rhodophyta no Arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha, PE, Nordeste do Brasil Epiphytic diatoms on Galaxaura rugosa (J. Ellis & Solander J.V. Lamouroux (Rhodophyta in Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Pernambuco State, Northeast Brazil

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Manoel Messias da Silva Costa

2009-09-01

Full Text Available Exemplares de Galaxaura rugosa (J. Ellis & Solander J.V. Lamouroux foram coletados nos meses de junho/2006 e junho/2007, em três localidades do Arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha (Atalaia, Porto e Cagarras, com o objetivo de identificar a flora das diatomáceas epífitas que habita o talo da alga. Foram identificados 52 táxons distribuídos nas classes: Coscinodiscophyceae (19%, Fragilariophyceae (21% e Bacillariophyceae (60% denotando uma dominância de indivíduos com simetria bilateral, os quais corresponderam a 81% da flora identificada. As seguintes espécies caracterizaram a estrutura florística das diatomáceas, pois foram encontradas em mais de 70% das amostras analisadas: Amphora sp., Biddulphia biddulphiana (J.E. Smith Boyer, Cocconeis scutellum Ehrenberg, Diploneis bombus Ehrenberg, Grammatophora marina (Lyngbye Kützing, Mastogloia binotata (Grunow Cleve, Navicula longa Grunow, Nitzschia sp., Psammodiscus nitidus (Gregory Round in Mann, Rhabdonema adriaticum Kützing, Trachyneis aspera (Ehrenberg Cleve e Tryblionella coarctata (Grunow Mann. A diversidade específica variou entre média à alta, com os menores valores correspondendo aos florescimentos de Amphora sp. (49,3%, Mastogloia binotata (42,1% e Nitzschia sp. (62,5%.Specimens of Galaxaura rugosa (J. Ellis & Solander J.V. Lamouroux were collected in June 2006 and June 2007 at three localities in Fernando de Noronha Archipelago (Atalaia, Porto and Cagarras, aiming to identify the epiphytic diatom flora that inhabits the algae thallus. A total of 52 taxa were identified, distributed in the classes Coscinodiscophyceae (19%, Fragilariophyceae (21% and Bacillariophyceae (60% with 81% dominance of individuals with pinnate symmetry. The following species characterized the floristic diatom structure being considered very frequent: Amphora sp., Biddulphia biddulphiana (J.E. Smith Boyer, Cocconeis scutellum Ehrenberg, Diploneis bombus Ehrenberg, Grammatophora marina (Lyngbye K�

δ13Catm and [CO2] measurements in Antarctic ice cores, 160 kyrBP - present

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Eggleston, Sarah; Schmitt, Jochen; Schneider, Robert; Joos, Fortunat; Fischer, Hubertus

2014-05-01

Measurements from Antarctic ice cores allow us to reconstruct atmospheric concentrations of climatically important gases including CO2 over the past 800 kyr. Such measurements show that [CO2] has varied in parallel with Antarctic temperatures on glacial-interglacial timescales. Knowledge of the variations of the stable carbon isotope of CO2, δ13Catm, can help us better understand the processes involved in these fluctuations. Here, we present a first complete δ13Catmrecord extending from 160 kyrBP to the present accompanied by δ15N2 measurements during Marine Isotope Stage 3 (MIS 3, 57 - 29 kyrBP). The present record, measured primarily on ice from the EPICA Dome C and Talos Dome ice cores, has an average resolution of 500 yr, focused mainly on the Last Glacial Maximum and termination (180 yr; Schmitt et al., 2012), MIS 3 (660 yr), and Termination II through MIS 5.4 (590 yr; Schneider et al., 2013). Throughout the record, δ13Catm varies between approximately -6.8 and -6.4‰Following a period of relatively constant δ13Catm at the end of MIS 6 (around -6.8), the boundaries of MIS 5 correspond roughly with the beginning and end of a gradual enrichment in this isotope. In comparison, the more recent record depicts three more abrupt excursions to lighter values around 63 - 59, 46, and 17 kyrBP, in each case followed by a slower return (0.4o over the course of 5 - 15 kyr) to more enriched isotopic values. These coincide with Heinrich events 6, 5, and 1, respectively. No direct correlation is observed between the concentration and carbon isotope of CO2 over the last 160 kyr. The data indicate rather that numerous processes, such as uptake and release of atmospheric CO2 by the ocean and land biosphere, perhaps influenced by regions of growing permafrost during MIS 3 and 4, acting on a variety of timescales must be considered in explaining the evolution of δ13Catm on glacial-interglacial timescales. References: Schmitt, J. et al. Science 336, 711-714 (2012) Schneider

Acute metabolic response to fasted and postprandial exercise

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Lima FD

2015-08-01

Full Text Available Filipe Dinato de Lima,1,2 Ana Luiza Matias Correia,1 Denilson da Silva Teixeira,2 Domingos Vasco da Silva Neto,2 Ítalo Sávio Gonçalves Fernandes,2 Mário Boratto Xavier Viana,2 Mateus Petitto,2 Rodney Antônio da Silva Sampaio,2 Sandro Nobre Chaves,2 Simone Teixeira Alves,2 Renata Aparecida Elias Dantas,2 Márcio Rabelo Mota2 1University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; 2Universitary Center of Brasília (UniCEUB, Brasília, DF, BrazilAbstract: The aim of this study was to analyze the acute metabolic response to exercise in fasting and postprandial. For this, ten individuals were submitted to an incremental treadmill test, with an initial speed of 5 and 1 km/h increments every minute, with no inclination, and a body composition assessment. After this 1st day, all volunteers were submitted to two experimental procedures (fasting and postprandial, with an aerobic exercise performed for 36 minutes at 65% of maximal oxygen consumption. At postprandial procedure, all subjects ingested a breakfast containing 59.3 g of carbohydrate (76.73%, 9.97 g of protein (12.90%, 8.01 g of lipids (10.37%, with a total energy intake of 349.17 kcal. An analysis of plasma concentration of triglycerides, lactate, and glucose was performed in two stages: before and after exercise. The Shapiro–Wilk test was used to verify the normality of the data. For analysis of glucose concentration, plasma lactate, and triglycerides, we used a repeated measures analysis of variance factorial 2×2, with Bonferroni multiple comparison test. The significance level of P<0.05 was adopted. The results indicated a maintenance level of glucose at fasting and a decrease in glucose concentration at postprandial exercise. Both conditions increase plasma lactate. Triglycerides also increased in the two experimental conditions; however, after exercise fasting, the increase was significantly higher than in the postprandial exercise. These data suggest that both exercises could increase

Crecimiento y producción en tres clones de Gypsophila paniculata L.. cultivadas bajo idénticas condiciones de invernadero Production and growth of three gypsophila paniculata clones cultured under identical greenhouse conditions

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Arenas Blanco Gustavo

1992-06-01

Full Text Available En este trabajo, se evaluaron comparativamente tres clones de Gypsophila paniculata c.v. perfecta, con el fin de seleccionar el material de propagación más eficiente y
productivo en nuestra condición tropical y determinar la causal genética o ambiental de la coloración lilácea que, en algunas ocasiones, presentan los pétalos durante el desarrollo floral. Se empleó un diseño de Bloques completos al azar, con tres réplicas, bajo condiciones de invernadero comercial
en una finca productora de flores para exportación, localizada en el Municipio de Madrid (Cundinamarca. Se utilizaron
esquejes muy homogéneos, provenientes de las casas Balborts, Raham Meristem y Cor van Duyn, obtenidos manual
y simultáneamente de los invernaderos de plantas madres, en tres fincas de la Sabana de Bogotá (300 por finca.
Cuarenta y cinco días después de la siembra, 522 esquejes enraizados, mediante la técnica tradicional, se trasplantaron a los invernaderos de producción. El primer corte de flores en cada tratamiento fué programado de acuerdo con su desarrollo y se continuó hasta completar el ciclo de cosecha.
Los tallos florales se arreglaron en ramos de 300g. Se registraron las variables relativas al crecimiento, la producción y la calidad de las flores. En el enraizamiento de los esquejes, los resultados experimentales demuestran diferencias entre clones y los que proceden de la casa Cor van Duyn (T3 resultaron más vigorosos. En los muestreos iniciales, las variables asociadas con el crecimiento (altura, diámetro del tallo y número de ramificaciones, también, difieren significativamente entre clones, pero, en el primer
corte de flor, se logran valores similares. La duración de las fases de desarrollo difirió entre clones y las plantas de T1
(Casa Balborts fueron más precoces para iniciar el alargamiento del tallo floral y el ciclo de producción. Los clones que presentaron ciclo vegetativo más corto

Dinosaur origin of egg color: oviraptors laid blue-green eggs.

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Wiemann, Jasmina; Yang, Tzu-Ruei; Sander, Philipp N; Schneider, Marion; Engeser, Marianne; Kath-Schorr, Stephanie; Müller, Christa E; Sander, P Martin

2017-01-01

Protoporphyrin (PP) and biliverdin (BV) give rise to the enormous diversity in avian egg coloration. Egg color serves several ecological purposes, including post-mating signaling and camouflage. Egg camouflage represents a major character of open-nesting birds which accomplish protection of their unhatched offspring against visually oriented predators by cryptic egg coloration. Cryptic coloration evolved to match the predominant shades of color found in the nesting environment. Such a selection pressure for the evolution of colored or cryptic eggs should be present in all open nesting birds and relatives. Many birds are open-nesting, but protect their eggs by continuous brooding, and thus exhibit no or minimal eggshell pigmentation. Their closest extant relatives, crocodiles, protect their eggs by burial and have unpigmented eggs. This phylogenetic pattern led to the assumption that colored eggs evolved within crown birds. The mosaic evolution of supposedly avian traits in non-avian theropod dinosaurs, however, such as the supposed evolution of partially open nesting behavior in oviraptorids, argues against this long-established theory. Using a double-checking liquid chromatography ESI-Q-TOF mass spectrometry routine, we traced the origin of colored eggs to their non-avian dinosaur ancestors by providing the first record of the avian eggshell pigments protoporphyrin and biliverdin in the eggshells of Late Cretaceous oviraptorid dinosaurs. The eggshell parataxon Macroolithus yaotunensis can be assigned to the oviraptor Heyuannia huangi based on exceptionally preserved, late developmental stage embryo remains. The analyzed eggshells are from three Late Cretaceous fluvial deposits ranging from eastern to southernmost China. Reevaluation of these taphonomic settings, and a consideration of patterns in the porosity of completely preserved eggs support an at least partially open nesting behavior for oviraptorosaurs. Such a nest arrangement corresponds with our

New data towards the development of a comprehensive taphonomic framework for the Late Jurassic Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry, Central Utah

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Joseph E. Peterson

2017-06-01

Full Text Available The Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry (CLDQ is the densest deposit of Jurassic theropod dinosaurs discovered to date. Unlike typical Jurassic bone deposits, it is dominated by the presence of Allosaurus fragilis. Since excavation began in the 1920s, numerous hypotheses have been put forward to explain the taphonomy of CLDQ, including a predator trap, a drought assemblage, and a poison spring. In an effort to reconcile the various interpretations of the quarry and reach a consensus on the depositional history of CLDQ, new data is required to develop a robust taphonomic framework congruent with all available data. Here we present two new data sets that aid in the development of such a robust taphonomic framework for CLDQ. First, x-ray fluorescence of CLDQ sediments indicate elevated barite and sulfide minerals relative to other sediments from the Morrison Formation in the region, suggesting an ephemeral environment dominated by periods of hypereutrophic conditions during bone accumulation. Second, the degree of abrasion and hydraulic equivalency of small bone fragments dispersed throughout the matrix were analyzed from CLDQ. Results of these analyses suggest that bone fragments are autochthonous or parautochthonous and are derived from bones deposited in the assemblage rather than transported. The variability in abrasion exhibited by the fragments is most parsimoniously explained by local periodic re-working and re-deposition during seasonal fluctuations throughout the duration of the quarry assemblage. Collectively, these data support previous interpretations that the CLDQ represents an attritional assemblage in a poorly-drained overbank deposit where vertebrate remains were introduced post-mortem to an ephemeral pond during flood conditions. Furthermore, while the elevated heavy metals detected at the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry are not likely the primary driver for the accumulation of carcasses, they are likely the result of multiple sources

Dinosaur origin of egg color: oviraptors laid blue-green eggs

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Jasmina Wiemann

2017-08-01

Full Text Available Protoporphyrin (PP and biliverdin (BV give rise to the enormous diversity in avian egg coloration. Egg color serves several ecological purposes, including post-mating signaling and camouflage. Egg camouflage represents a major character of open-nesting birds which accomplish protection of their unhatched offspring against visually oriented predators by cryptic egg coloration. Cryptic coloration evolved to match the predominant shades of color found in the nesting environment. Such a selection pressure for the evolution of colored or cryptic eggs should be present in all open nesting birds and relatives. Many birds are open-nesting, but protect their eggs by continuous brooding, and thus exhibit no or minimal eggshell pigmentation. Their closest extant relatives, crocodiles, protect their eggs by burial and have unpigmented eggs. This phylogenetic pattern led to the assumption that colored eggs evolved within crown birds. The mosaic evolution of supposedly avian traits in non-avian theropod dinosaurs, however, such as the supposed evolution of partially open nesting behavior in oviraptorids, argues against this long-established theory. Using a double-checking liquid chromatography ESI-Q-TOF mass spectrometry routine, we traced the origin of colored eggs to their non-avian dinosaur ancestors by providing the first record of the avian eggshell pigments protoporphyrin and biliverdin in the eggshells of Late Cretaceous oviraptorid dinosaurs. The eggshell parataxon Macroolithus yaotunensis can be assigned to the oviraptor Heyuannia huangi based on exceptionally preserved, late developmental stage embryo remains. The analyzed eggshells are from three Late Cretaceous fluvial deposits ranging from eastern to southernmost China. Reevaluation of these taphonomic settings, and a consideration of patterns in the porosity of completely preserved eggs support an at least partially open nesting behavior for oviraptorosaurs. Such a nest arrangement corresponds

First X-Ray absorption spectroscopy results on Aeolian dust archived in Antarctica and Alpine firn cores

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Marcelli, A.; Maggi, V.; Cibin, G.; Sala, M.; Marino, F.; Delmonte, B.

2006-12-01

We present the first x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) data at the Fe K-edge collected on insoluble mineral dust from Talos Dome firn core (TDC, 159°04'E, 72°46'S, 2316 m a.s.l., mean accumulation rate 8 g cm-2 yr- 1), drilled in the framework of the International Trans Antarctic Scientific Expedition (ITASE), and from a Colle del Lys 2003 firn core (CDL03, 45°92'N, 7°86'E, 4248m a.s.l., mean accumulation rate 134 g cm-2 yr-1, Lys Glacier, Mt. Rosa, Italy). The low concentration of mineral particles, obtained by filtering each firn core melted samples on Nuclepore membranes in a 1000 class clean room, required a specific procedure to prepare the samples necessary to the successful collection of the XAS data. The firn samples were decontaminated in clean room under laminar flow bench by means of a ceramic knife and discarding the external part of the cores. Analyses of the insoluble particle content were performed by particle counter Beckman CounterãMultisizer III in order to defined concentration and size distribution of particles in each samples. A dedicated HV experimental chamber, devoted to the realization of XAS experiments on very low absorber concentration samples, was developed and realized in the framework of the CryoAlp collaboration at IMONT, the Italian National Institute for Mountains. The original experimental setup, thanks to the presence of an in-vacuum sample micromanipulator and special sample alignment and docking system installed for these experiments at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory at the beamline 6-2, allows both normal-incidence X-ray Fluorescence detection using a Ketek SDD detector having an energy resolution of about 150 eV and extremely low energy detection limit, and Total X-ray Reflection Fluorescence and Absorption Spectroscopy measurements. The high quality of the XANES experiments performed, using both normal incidence and Total Reflection XAS measurements, allowed recognizing iron-inclusion mineral fractions

Composição centesimal e de minerais de casca e polpa de manga (Mangifera indica L. cv. Tommy Atkins

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Adriana Marques

2010-12-01

Full Text Available O Brasil produz cerca de 140 milhões de toneladas de alimento por ano; entretanto, a fome ainda é um dos maiores problemas enfrentados por grande parte da sua população. O aproveitamento integral de alimentos é uma alternativa para suprir as necessidades nutricionais e contribuir para reduzir o lixo orgânico. Nesse sentido, cascas, talos, sementes e outras partes, tradicionalmente não utilizadas como alimentos, podem ser incorporadas na dieta alimentar. Estudos revelam que cascas de muitas hortifrutícolas possuem mais nutrientes que determinadas polpas, a parte tradicionalmente consumida. No entanto, o conhecimento sobre a concentração de metais pesados nessas frações também é importante, uma vez que podem provocar intoxicações alimentares, se consumidos, mesmo em concentrações reduzidas. O Brasil é o sétimo produtor mundial de manga e dentre as cultivares de importância comercial, a cv. Tommy Atkins é a mais plantada e exportada pelo Brasil. A pesquisa teve como objetivo determinar a composição centesimal e o perfil de macro e microminerais, inclusive, os elementos-traço, da casca e da polpa de manga cv. Tommy Atkins. A maior fração da composição centesimal da casca estudada foi a umidade, seguida dos carboidratos totais, com destaque para o teor de fibra alimentar total (FAT, que representou cerca 11% dessa quantidade. Já os teores de proteína e de cinzas apresentaram cerca de 2,5%, enquanto a fração lipídica foi inferior aos demais componentes. O perfil de minerais da casca revelou que as concentrações desses elementos foram superiores aos encontrados na polpa, exceto para zinco e ferro. As concentrações de metais pesados presentes na casca, em função das concentrações menores que 0,1 mg/100g, possibilitam a sua utilização na alimentação humana. A composição centesimal e perfil mineral da casca da manga demonstraram a sua importância nutricional e a possibilidade da utilização dessa parte, at

Conteúdo alimentar em macrófitas aquáticas carnívoras: Utricularia foliosa L. e U. hydrocarpa Vahl. (Tubiflorae, Lentibulariaceae Feeding contents of Urticularia foliosa L. and U. hydrocarpa Vahl. (Tubiflorae, Lentibulariaceae

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Francisco Antônio Rodrigues Barbosa

2002-05-01

Full Text Available Neste estudo, foram considerados os aspectos qualitativos e quantitativos do conteúdo alimentar de Utricularia foliosa e U. hydrocarpa (Tubiflorae, Lentibulariaceae, para uma avaliação do impacto dessas plantas no controle de populações de organismos aquáticos. As plantas foram coletadas em dois lagos situados no entorno do Parque Estadual do Rio Doce, Estado de Minas Gerais (lagoa Amarela e lagoa da Barra. O conteúdo alimentar dos utrículos foi comparado com o perifíton (microalgas e com o zooplâncton associados aos talos das macrófitas e ao fitoplâncton da coluna de água. Os resultados obtidos indicaram que as duas espécies de Utricularia utilizaram exclusivamente o recurso alimentar disponível no perifíton associado, não fazendo uso das partículas alimentares disponíveis na coluna de água. As elevadas densidades do perifíton no interior dos utrículos (U. foliosa = 362 a 1062org/mm2 e U. hydrocarpa = 79 a 968 org/mm2 sugerem que essas plantas podem exercer um controle potencial sobre as populações de organismos sésseis, com pouca influência sobre as populações planctônicas limnéticas.Qualitative and quantitative aspects of the feeding contents of Utricularia foliosa and U. hydrocarpa (Tubiflorae, Lentibulariaceae were studied in order to assess the impact of these macrophytes in the control of the aquatic organisms populations. The macrophytes were collected in Lagoa Amarela and Lagoa da Barra around Parque Estadual do Rio Doce in the state of Minas Gerais. The feeding contents of the utricle were compared to the perifiton (microalgae and zooplankton associated to the macrophytes stems and the phytoplankton free in the water column. The obtained results indicated that the two species of Utricularia used exclusively the periphyton and did not use the food particles available in the water column. The high densities of the periphyton inside the utricle (U. foliosa = 362 to 1062 org/mm2 and U. hydrocarpa = 79 to 968

Isomerização do óleo essencial de pimenta-longa (Piper hispidinervium C. DC para a obtenção de isosafrol Isomerization of essential oil of (Piper hispidinervium C. DC to obtain isosafrole

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Marco Aurelio Cremasco

2010-12-01

Full Text Available As piperáceas brasileiras apresentam propriedades para serem utilizadas, entre outras aplicações, como inseticidas e antifúngicos. Dentre as piperáceas, pode-se citar a Piper hispidinervum C. DC. De suas folhas e dos talos finos extrai-se um óleo essencial rico em safrol, que é utilizado pela indústria como matéria-prima na manufatura, por exemplo, do piperonal. A sequência natural do processo para a obtenção do piperonal é o de submeter o safrol obtido da concentração do óleo essencial à isomerização para seu correspondente isômero estável chamado isosafrol. Apresenta-se neste artigo, por sua vez, a síntese do isosafrol diretamente do óleo essencial de pimenta-longa (Piper hispidinervium C. DC. Este óleo essencial apresenta o safrol como constituinte majoritário, possibilitando a sua isomerização para a produção de isosafrol, que é empregado nas indústrias farmacêuticas e de fragrâncias. O objetivo deste trabalho é o de apresentar a obtenção do isosafrol sem a necessidade da etapa de separação do safrol do óleo essencial de pimenta-longa. Para tanto, foram realizados ensaios de isomerização do óleo essencial, obtendo-se uma solução contendo 79,4 % da mistura cis, trans-isosafrol. Ressalte-se que o óleo essencial continha 86,4 % de safrol, resultando em alto rendimento na sua conversão a cis, trans-isosafrol de 97,1 %.The Brazilian peppers present proprieties that can be used in fragrance and pharmaceutical industries, for example. One these pepper is long pepper (Piper hispidinervium C. DC., who its essential oil is rich in safrole. Safrole is an important compound with application in several industries, such as pharmaceutics, cosmetics. After its chemical conversion, for example, it is possible to obtain heliotropin, a fixative agent for fragrances. The sequence to obtain the heliotropin is by safrole isomerization, that, initially, produce isosafrole. In this work, however, presents the synthesis

Os sete anos da Revista Brasileira de Hematologia e Hemoterapia Seven years of the Brazilian Journal of Hematology and Hemotherapy

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Milton A. Ruiz

2006-03-01

Full Text Available A Revista Brasileira de Hematologia e Hemoterapia inicia, com este fascículo, o oitavo ano de circulação ininterrupta. Sucedânea do Boletim da Sociedade Brasileira de Hemoterapia é também o órgão oficial da Sociedade Brasileira de Transplante de Medula Óssea e da Associação Ítalo-Brasileira de Hematologia. O objetivo deste relato é o de avaliar os resultados obtidos pelo periódico científico desde que mudou o seu título, os resultados que redundaram na sua inclusão na coleção Scielo, Brasil, a sua classificação como revista A nacional e B internacional segundo a Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Profissionais de Ensino Superior. Com a análise dos fascículos editados de 1999 a 2001, período de edição quadrimestral, e dos fascículos que se seguiram de edição trimestral de 2002 a 2005, fica evidente o incremento progressivo do número de contribuições editadas e de páginas impressas. Os dados observados serão de grande valia para nortear futuras decisões em benefício de melhoria do periódico científico.The Brazilian Journal of Hematology and Hemotherapy is beginning its eighth year of uninterrupted circulation. Successor of the Bulletin of the Brazilian Society of Hemotherapy the journal is the official organ of the Brazilian Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation and the Italian-Brazilian Association of Hematology. The objective of this report is to evaluate the results obtained by the scientific periodic since its title was changed, results that culminated in its inclusion in the Scielo Electronic Library and its classification as a national class A and international class B journal according to Coordination for the improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Capes.With the analysis of the issues edited from 1999 to 2001 (three-monthly and those that followed from 2002 to 2005 (quarterly editions, the progressive increase in the number of submissions and pages published becomes evident. The data observed

A Viagem e a Memória do Idoso: um estudo na região da Serra Gaucha

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Ana de Paris Possamai

2010-07-01

Full Text Available Resumo O artigo descreve os resultados da pesquisa com idosos, instigados a relatar experiências de viagens e lazer na sua juventude, utilizando-se como metodologia a história oral. A investigação foi realizada na Serra Gaúcha, extremo sul do Brasil, hoje uma das mais pujantes regiões de turismo do país que, na primeira metade do século XX – período rememorado pelos entrevistados – ainda apresentava precariedades na sua infra-estrutura de transportes. A partir de reflexões teóricas sobre a questão da memória analisam-se, especificamente, os relatos dos idosos em termos de viagens por eles realizadas na sua juventude. Os entrevistados, na sua totalidade ítalo-descendente de origem rural, diferenciam nos seus relatos as viagens ocorridas na infância, daquelas realizadas na juventude e na idade adulta. Os participantes do estudo avaliaram o momento presente como o mais qualificado e diferenciado dos anteriores, em termos de desfrute do lazer e das viagens que realizam. As respostas também encaminham uma série de dados que contribuem para a construção da história das viagens e do turismo no Brasil. Palavras-Chave: turismo; memória; história das viagens; Serra Gaucha/RS/Brasil Abstract The article describes what senior citizens reported as experiences of travel and leisure in their youth. The methodology used was oral history. The research was conducted in southern Brazil, currently one of the most vigorous areas of tourism in the country. But, in the first half of the twentieth century - the period remembered by the people interviewed –the region had a precarious transport structure. The theoretical reflections on memory analyze the elderly’s histories in terms of the trips they made in their youth. The interviewees, Italian descendants with rural backgrounds, report that traveling occurred in their childhood, youth and adulthood. The participants evaluated the present moment as the most qualified and

Results of Treatment of Posterior Ankle Impingement Syndrome and Flexor Hallucis Longus Tendinopathy in Dancers: A Systematic Review.

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Rietveld, A B M Boni; Hagemans, F M T; Haitjema, S; Vissers, T; Nelissen, R G H H

2018-03-15

Dancing on pointe and relevé requires extreme plantar flexion of the talo-crural joint. Hence, these positions may lead to posterior ankle impingement syndrome (PAIS). PAIS often coincides with flexor hallucis longus tendinopathy (FHL tendinopathy, or "dancers' tendinitis"). Both injuries can appear in isolation as well. The goal of this review is to evaluate the results and the available levels of evidence of conservative and operative treatment (both open and endoscopic) of PAIS and FHL tendinopathy in dancers. It also offers an insight into the history of dance medical publications on this subject. In October 2016, a systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, CINAHL, Web of Science, and (in French) ScienceDirect databases was undertaken. Five hundred and seventy-six publications were found, of which a total of 27 reported the results of operative treatment in 376 ankles (344 open, 32 endoscopic) in 324 dancers. The outcome was good to excellent in most cases (89%). The mean period of return to dance for all surgeries combined (PAIS and FHL tendinopathy, open and endo) was 11 weeks (range: 4 to 36 weeks), and for isolated FHL tendinopathy 16 weeks (range: 8 to 36 weeks). Only six publications reported the results of conservative treatment in 33 ankles (13 PAIS, 20 FHL tendinopathy) of 28 dancers, which does not allow for any evidence-based recommendations. Most studies failed to include dance-specific baseline characteristics, like dance style and level of participation. We concluded that only retrospective studies with levels of evidence four and five show that operative treatment for PAIS and FHL tendinopathy is successful with few complications. Since isolated PAIS, PAIS combined with FHL tendinopathy, and isolated FHL injuries appear to be different pathological entities, more research taking into account demography, dance type, and level of participation is needed to find out in which cases early operative management should be considered or avoided. The

Biomechanics of the arch of the foot. Pre- and postoperative radiological examination; Biomechanik des Fussgewoelbes. Prae- und postoperative Radiometrie

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kristen, K.H. [Fusszentrum Wien, Wien (Austria)

2007-03-15

intermetatarsalen Winkel. In der seitlichen stehenden Aufnahme sind Lisfranc-Gelenk-Instabilitaeten und Veraenderungen des talometatarsalen Winkels zu sehen. Eine Talo-Navikulare-Instabilitaet ist ein haeufiges sekundaeres Zeichen bei stattgehabter Laesion des Spring-Ligaments und der Tibialis-posterior-Sehne. Bei Versagen der konservative Therapie ist eine Operation mit korrigierender Osteotomie der knoechern fixierten Fehlstellung in Kombination mit Band- und Sehnenrekonstruktion der goldene Standard. Auch hier stellt die belastete stehende Roentgenuntersuchung den Standard fuer Follow-up-Untersuchungen und Kontrollen dar. Zusaetzlich sind haeufig MRI- und CT-Untersuchungen zur Diagnose von Sehnen- und Bandverletzungen sowie intraossaerer Fissuren und Frakturen notwendig. (orig.)

Cinética de secagem do resíduo de abacaxi enriquecido Drying kinetics of enriched pineapple residue

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Hofsky V. Alexandre

2013-06-01

Full Text Available O Brasil é um dos maiores produtores de abacaxi do mundo e o maior da América do Sul. O fruto é a parte comercializável da planta enquanto o restante é formado por caule, folha, casca, coroa e talos, considerado resíduo agrícola e não tem sido devidamente aproveitado, resultando em perdas econômicas. Caracterizar e avaliar a cinética de secagem do resíduo (casca de abacaxi (Ananas comosus L. enriquecido utilizando a levedura Saccharomyces cerevisiae em leito estático, em camada fina de secagem, utilizando-se de planejamento experimental fatorial, foi o objetivo deste estudo. A temperatura (40 a 60 ºC e a velocidade do ar de secagem (0,8 a 1,3 m s-1 são as variáveis do processo. O resíduo enriquecido e caracterizado apresentou alto teor de matéria seca (90,27% e elevado teor de proteína (20,21% em relação ao resíduo in natura (7,61%. A cinética de secagem ocorreu no período de taxa decrescente. Os modelos Page, Henderson & Pabis e Lewis, ajustaram os dados experimentais satisfatoriamente, sendo Page discretamente superior aos demais. Verificou-se influência da variável temperatura apenas para a variável resposta umidade, não sendo observada influência estatisticamente significativa da velocidade do ar de secagem.Brazil is the largest producer of pineapple (Ananas comosus L. in South America and one of the largest in the world. The fruit is the marketable part of the plant, while the rest formed by stem, leaves, peel, crowns and shafts is considered as agricultural residue and is not properly used, resulting in economic loss. The aim of this study was to characterize and to evaluate the drying kinetics of enriched pineapple residue (peel using Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast in static bed in fine layer, using of experimental factorial planning. The temperature (40 to 60 ºC and the wind speed (0.8 to 1.3 m s-1 were the process variables. The characterized enriched residue exhibited a high dry matter content (90.27% and a

The genus Callophyllis (Kallymeniaceae, Rhodophyta from the central-south Chilean coast (33° to 41° S, with the description of two new species El género Callophyllis (Kallymeniaceae, Rhodophyta de la costa central y sur de Chile (33° a 41° S, con la descripción de dos nuevas especies

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NATALIA ARAKAKI

2011-12-01

sp. nov. C. variegata, C. concepcionensis y C. macrostiolata se distinguen una de otra por la morfología externa del talo, la distribución y morfología de los cistocarpos, incluyendo la morfología reproductiva femenina. El análisis comparativo de las secuencias de la subunidad mayor del gen Rubisco (rbcL, corrobora la distinción de los taxa procedentes de la zona central y sur de Chile y su relación con otras especies del género provenientes de otras partes del mundo.

Measurement, variation, and scaling of osteocyte lacunae: a case study in birds.

Science.gov (United States)

D'Emic, Michael D; Benson, Roger B J

2013-11-01

-avian dinosaurs, which are much larger than previously reported values and smaller than those of large extant avians. Osteocyte volumes estimated from a single transverse section and assuming prolate morphology, as done in previous studies, are relative underestimates in theropod dinosaurs compared to sauropod dinosaurs, raising the possibility that no major change in osteocyte volumes (and genome size) occurred within Theropoda on the lineage leading to birds. Osteocyte volume is intertwined with several organismal attributes whose relative importance varies at a number of hierarchical levels. © 2013.

Clavicles, interclavicles, gastralia, and sternal ribs in sauropod dinosaurs: new reports from diplodocidae and their morphological, functional and evolutionary implications.

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Tschopp, Emanuel; Mateus, Octávio

2013-03-01

Ossified gastralia, clavicles and sternal ribs are known in a variety of reptilians, including dinosaurs. In sauropods, however, the identity of these bones is controversial. The peculiar shapes of these bones complicate their identification, which led to various differing interpretations in the past. Here we describe different elements from the chest region of diplodocids, found near Shell, Wyoming, USA. Five morphotypes are easily distinguishable: (A) elongated, relatively stout, curved elements with a spatulate and a bifurcate end resemble much the previously reported sauropod clavicles, but might actually represent interclavicles; (B) short, L-shaped elements, mostly preserved as a symmetrical pair, probably are the real clavicles, as indicated by new findings in diplodocids; (C) slender, rod-like bones with rugose ends are highly similar to elements identified as sauropod sternal ribs; (D) curved bones with wide, probably medial ends constitute the fourth morphotype, herein interpreted as gastralia; and (E) irregularly shaped elements, often with extended rugosities, are included into the fifth morphotype, tentatively identified as sternal ribs and/or intercostal elements. To our knowledge, the bones previously interpreted as sauropod clavicles were always found as single bones, which sheds doubt on the validity of their identification. Various lines of evidence presented herein suggest they might actually be interclavicles - which are single elements. This would be the first definitive evidence of interclavicles in dinosauromorphs. Previously supposed interclavicles in the early sauropodomorph Massospondylus or the theropods Oviraptor and Velociraptor were later reinterpreted as clavicles or furculae. Independent from their identification, the existence of the reported bones has both phylogenetic and functional significance. Their presence in non-neosauropod Eusauropoda and Flagellicaudata and probable absence in rebbachisaurs and Titanosauriformes shows a

De Fábrica 'fundo de quintal' a empresa multinacional: o caso de uma aliança ítalo-brasileira sob o enfoque da abordagem estruturacionista da estratégia como prática De fábrica 'fondo de patio' a una empresa multinacional: el estudio de caso de una alianza ítalo-brasileña en el enfoque estructuracionista de la estrategia-como-práctica From home industry to multinational company: a case study of an Italian-Brazilian alliance under the focus of the structurationist approach of strategy-as-practice

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Maísa Gomide Teixeira

2012-08-01

Full Text Available O objetivo deste artigo é investigar indícios estruturacionistas, decorrentes de uma aliança estratégica interorganizacional, que possam ter resultado na mudança de uma fábrica fundo de quintal para uma empresa multinacional. Atingiu-se esse objetivo realizando um estudo de caso na empresa subsidiária brasileira do setor de máquinas e componentes para móveis, atual líder do mercado. Atentou-se para as considerações de Johanson e Vahlne (2006, com relação às implicações dos relacionamentos interorganizacionais em termos de aprendizagem e oportunidades. Concordando com as crescentes exigências para elucidar a prática estratégica no cotidiano das empresas, adotou-se a abordagem de estratégia como prática em complementaridade com a teoria da estruturação para balizar o exame à indispensável ligação entre pessoas, atividades e o contexto mais amplo. Os resultados destacam diversas alterações nas atividades da empresa filial permeando as seguintes etapas da aliança: (i pré-aliança; (ii durante a parceria; e (iii após a joint-venture. Para ilustrar como os elementos de práxis, práticas e praticantes estariam relacionados nessas diferentes fases do relacionamento interorganizacional, uma adaptação do gráfico de Whittington (2006 é proposta. Conclui-se apresentando um quadro com as principais atividades e ferramentas envolvidas na adaptação da empresa ao longo da aliança, entre as quais se enfatizam as práticas de mobilidade dos funcionários e do compromisso de relacionamento. Para melhor entender a forma como as alianças estratégicas afetam as empresas de bens de capital e verificar se há um padrão recorrente em termos do envolvimento de práticas, práxis e praticantes nas etapas de relacionamento, semelhante ao que está se propondo, considera-se apropriado realizar um trabalho comparativo. Dessa forma, poder-se-ia fazer inferências sobre as condições de escopo e transferibilidade.El objetivo de este artículo es de investigar indicios estructuracionistas decurrentes de una alianza estratégica inter-organizacional que pueda tener resultado en la mudanza de una fábrica de "fondo de patio" para una empresa multinacional. Se consiguió ese objetivo realizando un estudio de caso en la empresa subsidiaria brasileña del sector de máquinas y componentes para muebles, actual líder del mercado. Según lo presentado por Johanson e Vahlne (2006 se consideran las implicaciones de las relaciones inter-organizacionales en términos de las oportunidades y el aprendizaje. Consistente con el creciente requerimiento para se elucidar la práctica estratégica en el cotidiano de las empresas, se utilizó el enfoque de estrategia como práctica en complementación con la teoría de la estructuración para balizar el examen atento a la indispensable conexión entre personas, actividades y el contexto más amplio. Los resultados destacan diversas alteraciones en las actividades de la empresa filial atravesando las siguientes etapas de la alianza: (i pre-alianza; (ii durante la asociación; y (iii después de la joint-venture. Para ilustrar como los elementos de praxis, prácticas y practicantes estarían relacionados en esas diferentes fases del relacionamiento inter-organizacional, una adaptación del gráfico de Whittington (2006 es propuesta. Se concluye presentando un cuadro con las principales actividades involucradas en la adaptación de la empresa de entre las cuales las prácticas de movilidad de los funcionarios y de comprometimiento del relacionamiento son enfatizados por la generación de una nueva mentalidad de empresa multinacional y por tornar la alianza en una disposición más favorable. Para entender mejor cómo las alianzas estratégicas afectan el negocio de bienes de capital y buscar un patrón recurrente de la participación en términos de práctica, práctica y lo profesionales en las etapas de la relación, similar a lo que se propone, se considera adecuado llevar a cabo un estudio comparativo. Esto permitiría hacer inferencias sobre el alcance e condiciones de transferencia.This paper's aim is to investigate structurationist evidence, due to an inter organizational strategic alliance, that may have resulted in the transformation of a home industry to a multinational company. This goal was achieved by performing a case study in the Brazilian subsidiary of the sector of furniture machinery and components, the current market leader. The considerations of Johanson and Vahlne (2006 regarding the implications in terms of learning and opportunities of inter-organizational relationships were given special attention. Consistent with the growing requirement of clarifying the strategic practice in everyday business, examining the essential connection between people, activities and the broader context, the Strategy-as-practice approach was adopted in tandem with the structurationist theory. The results highlight several changes in the activities of the subsidiary firm during the following periods of the relationship: (i pre alliance; (ii partnership; and (iii after the joint-venture. To illustrate how elements of praxis, practices and practitioners are related in these different phases, a graphic adapted from Whittington (2006 is proposed. We conclude with the presentation of a table with the main activities and tools involved in the restructuring of the company from which practices of personnel mobility and relationship commitment are emphasized. For a better understanding of how strategic alliances affect the capital goods companies, a comparative study should be considered. A comparative study is indicated in the same way, for checking on recurrent patterns of involvement in terms of practice, praxis and practitioners in relationship stages, similar to what is being proposed. This would allow making inferences about the scope and conditions of transferability.

Influência da embalagem de polietileno de baixa densidade e da temperatura na conservação do repolho minimamente processado Effects of low density polyethylene packaging and temperature in the conservation of fresh-cut cabbage

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Maria M. Rinaldi

2004-08-01

Full Text Available Neste trabalho, foi estudado o efeito da embalagem de polietileno de baixa densidade e da temperatura de armazenagem na conservação de repolho minimamente processado. Os repolhos, previamente resfriados à temperatura de 10 ºC, foram submetidos à seleção, lavagem, corte em quatro partes com a retirada do talo central, sanitização, corte em tiras, enxágüe, centrifugação, pesagem e acondicionamento em embalagens plásticas de polietileno de baixa densidade (70 µm e armazenados em câmaras frias nas temperaturas de 1 e 10 ºC por 20 dias. Avaliaram-se dióxido de carbono, oxigênio e etileno na atmosfera interna da embalagem, bem como pH, acidez titulável, sólidos solúveis totais, vitamina C, perda de massa fresca e relação sólidos solúveis totais/acidez no repolho minimamente processado. O delineamento estatístico utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com três repetições. Os parâmetros de análise, com exceção da vitamina C, perda de massa fresca e etileno, apresentaram variação significativa entre as temperaturas e dias de armazenamento. O repolho armazenado na temperatura de 1 ºC apresentou vida de prateleira ao redor de 15 dias, significativamente maior que a 10 ºC. Nesta última, no 8º dia de armazenamento, o produto encontrava-se totalmente deteriorado, sem condições de comercialização e consumo.This research studied the effect of low density polyethylene packaging and storage temperature on the preservation of fresh-cut (minimally processed cabbage. The cabbages, previously cooled to a temperature of 10 ºC, were selected, washed, cut in four parts (with the central stalk removed, sanitized, cut in strips, rinsed, put in the centrifuge, weighed and stored in plastic packaging of low density polyethylene (70 µm, and then stored in cold chambers at temperatures of 1 and 10 ºC for 20 days. The following aspects were evaluated: carbon dioxide, oxygen and ethylene in the internal atmosphere of the package

Fracture and earthquake physics in a non extensive view

Science.gov (United States)

Vallianatos, F.

2009-04-01

connection with fracture phenomena at much larger scales implying that a basic general mechanism is "actively hidden" behind all this phenomena. Acknowledgements: This work is partially supported by the Greek General Secretariat of Research and Technology in the frame of Crete Regional Project 2000- 2006 (M1.2): "TALOS: An integrated system of seismic hazard monitoring and management in the front of the Hellenic Arc", CRETE PEP 7 (KP 7). [1] F. Vallianatos and A. Tzanis, Phys. Chem. Earth 23, 933 (1998). [2] A. Tzanis and F. Vallianatos, Natural Hazards and Earth Syst, Sciences 3 (2003). [3] F. Vallianatos, D. Triantis, A. Tzanis, C. Anastasiadis and I. Stavrakas, Phys. Chem. Earth 29, 339 (2004). [4] C. Anastasiadis, D. Triantis, I. Stavrakas and F. Vallianatos, Ann. Geophys. 47, 21 (2004). [5] F. Vallianatos Proc., 2nd WSEAS Int. Conference on Seismology, (Cambridge, UK, 2008). [6] F. Vallianatos, Natural Hazards and Earth Syst, Sciences (2009).

Características físicas e nutricionais da matriz de encapsulamento na produção de sementes sintéticas de pimenta-longa (Piper hispidinervum C. DC. Physical and nutritional characteristics of the encapsulated matriz of long pepper (Piper hispidinervum C. DC. synthetic seed production

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Rodrigo da Silva Guedes

2007-12-01

Full Text Available A pimenta-longa (Piper hispidinervum C. DC. é um arbusto da família Piperaceae, nativa da região amazônica, que vem despertando o interesse das indústrias de cosméticos e bioinseticidas pelo alto teor de safrol, óleo essencial extraído das folhas e talos. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a influência de características físicas e nutricionais da matriz de encapsulamento durante a produção de sementes sintéticas de pimenta-longa. Sementes germinadas de pimenta-longa foram utilizadas como material de encapsulamento. Em ambos os experimentos, a influência da constituição (água ou meio Murashige e Skoog e consistência da cápsula (alginato de sódio 1% ou 2% e do tempo de complexação (10, 20 e 30 min em CaCl2, na abertura das cápsulas, foi avaliada. Depois de encapsulados, os materiais foram transferidos para frascos com meio de MS e mantidos em sala de crescimento, onde, quinzenalmente, foi avaliada a taxa de emergência e crescimento das plântulas encapsuladas. Verificou-se que o emprego de um endosperma artificial composto por 1% de alginato de sódio em meio de MS foi o tratamento que promoveu os melhores resultados para a emergência e posterior crescimento de plântulas oriundas de sementes sintéticas aos 30 dias da semeadura em meio MS sólido, independentemente do tempo de complexação utilizado.Long pepper (Piper hispidinervum C. DC. is a shrub of the Piperaceae family, native of the Amazonian region, with special interest of cosmetics and bio-insecticide industries due to its high concentration of safrol, an essential oil extracted from the leaves and stems. This work aimed to evaluate the physical and nutritional characteristics of the encapsulation matrix during the production of synthetic seeds of long pepper. Germinated long pepper seeds were used as vegetative material for encapsulation. For both experiments, the influence of capsule composition (water or MS and consistency (sodium alginate at 1% or 2

Condições de pH e temperatura para máxima atividade da bromelina do abacaxi (Ananas Comosus L. Merril = Temperature and pH conditions for maximum activity of bromelain extracted from pineapple (Ananas Comosus L. Merril

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Moacyr Jorge Elias

2011-04-01

Full Text Available A bromelina, enzima presente no abacaxi, hidrolisa ligações peptídicas das proteínas; tem aplicação em diversas áreas envolvendo alimentos e medicina. Visando o aproveitamento da bromelina recuperada, a partir dos resíduos da industrialização do fruto(variedade pérola, foram pesquisadas condições de pH e temperatura para maior atividade, empregando caseína como substrato. O extrato foi obtido pela trituração da casca e do talo interno do fruto. A atividade foi expressa em mmol tirosina L-1 min.-1 pela absorbância a280 nm dos aminoácidos aromáticos gerados na hidrólise da caseína. Os ensaios foram efetuados em duplicata para duas relações enzima/substrato: 1/25 e 1/125 (em massa. Foi estabelecido um planejamento experimental em estrela tendo como ponto central pH em7,0 e temperatura de 35°C. Os resultados foram tratados empregando o aplicativo computacional MINITAB 15 da Minitab Inc. que forneceu as equações do modelo e as superfícies de resposta. As equações foram tratadas matematicamente (cálculo diferencial, fornecendo gráficos da melhor atividade em função da temperatura. Observou-se perda daatividade enzimática com a elevação da temperatura para relação 1/25, atribuída à maior presença de enzima livre em comparação com a relação 1/125.Bromelain, the enzyme found in pineapple, hydrolyzes proteins’ peptide bonds, has several applications in the food industry and in medicine. Temperature and pH conditions for highest activity with casein as substrate were investigated from the bromelain recovered from industrialized pineapple (‘pérola’ variety fruit residues. Extract was obtained by grinding fruit rind and its internal stem. The activity was expressed in mmol tyrosine L-1 min.-1 by absorbance at 280 nm of aromatic amino acids produced in casein hydrolysis. Assays were undertaken in duplicate for two enzyme/substrate with ratios: 1/25 and 1/125 (mass. Eight-pointed experimental design was

COMPRIMENTO DA ESTACA DE RAMO NO ENRAIZAMENTO DE GINSENG BRASILEIRO (Pfaffia glomerata SHOOT CUTTING LENGTH ON ROOTING OF BRAZILIAN GINSENG (Pfaffia glomerata

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Fernando Teixeira Nicoloso

2001-02-01

Full Text Available A Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng. Pedersen é uma dentre várias espécies conhecidas como ginseng brasileiro e é usada como planta medicinal. O objetivo desse trabalho foi determinar se o comprimento da estaca de ramo influencia o enraizamento da P. glomerata. Os tratamentos usados consistiram de três comprimentos de estacas (10, 15 e 20cm; ± 1cm de variação. As estacas foram obtidas dos 70cm basais de ramos, com 80 a 140cm de comprimento, de plantas possuindo dois anos de idade, cultivadas no Jardim Botânico da UFSM. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso com três repetições e 30 estacas por unidade experimental. O bloco experimental consistiu de uma bandeja plástica com capacidade para 36 litros de solução nutritiva. O experimento foi instalado no dia 15 de julho de 1998 e conduzido por 44 dias sob condições controladas de temperatura, luminosidade e umidade do ar. Os resultados indicaram que (i o tamanho da estaca não afeta a percentagem de enraizamento, a produção de massa seca de folhas e raízes. Por outro lado, as mudas obtidas de estacas de 10cm apresentam maior número de brotações, comprimento das brotações, massa seca de talos e massa seca total produzida por estaca que as de 20cm; e (ii o uso de estacas com 10cm de comprimento é viável e, conseqüentemente, possibilita a obtenção de um maior número de estacas por ramo.Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng. Pedersen is among several species known as Brazilian ginsengs and it is used as medicinal plant. The aim of this work was to evaluate the length of the shoot cuttings on rooting of P. glomerata. Treatments consisted of three length of cuttings (10, 15, and 20cm; ± 1cm of variation. Cuttings were obtained from the 70cm of the basal portion from shoots of 80 to 140cm of length, from two-year-old plants grown in the Botanical Garden at State University of Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. Treatments were distributed in a completely randomized block design with

Analysis of Agromorphological Descriptors to Differentiate between Duke Cherry (Prunus x gondouinii (Poit. & TurpinRehd. and Its Progenitors: Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium L. and Sour Cherry (Prunus cerasus L. Análisis de Descriptores Agromorfológicos para Diferenciar entre Cerezo Duke (Prunus x gondouinii (Poit. & Turpin Rehd. y sus Progenitores: Cerezo (Prunus avium L. y Guindo (Prunus cerasus L.

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Rodrigo Pérez

2010-03-01

dos parámetros cuantitativos (acidez titulable y número de lenticelas y seis parámetros cualitativos (forma del lóbulo central y de los lóbulos laterales de las brácteas internas de los fascículos florales, forma de la hoja y de sus márgenes, nivel de pubescencia en el envés y tipo de sulcos en la testa seminal que, por si mismos, tienen valor diagnóstico diferencial para los taxones P. avium, P. cerasus y P. x gondouinii (Poit. & Turpin Rehd. Además, se identificaron cuatro descriptores cualitativos (coloración de los pétalos al final de la floración, tipo de estípulas foliares y forma y viabilidad de la semilla que se muestran útiles para diferenciar, de una forma rápida y sencilla, entre los guindos y el híbrido. Ninguno de estos parámetros ha sido usado previamente para discriminar entre cerezos, guindos y su híbrido.

Factors associated with recurrent fifth metatarsal stress fracture.

Science.gov (United States)

Lee, Kyung-tai; Park, Young-uk; Jegal, Hyuk; Kim, Ki-chun; Young, Ki-won; Kim, Jin-su

2013-12-01

Many surgeons agree that fifth metatarsal stress fractures have a tendency toward delayed union, nonunion, and possibly refracture. Difficulty healing seems to be correlated with fracture classification. However, refracture sometimes occurs after low-grade fracture, even long after apparent resolution. The records of 168 consecutive cases of fifth metatarsal stress fracture (163 patients) treated by modified tension band wiring from March 2002 to June 2011 were evaluated retrospectively. Mean length of follow-up was 23.6 months (range, 10-112 months). Forty-nine cases classified as Torg III were bone grafted initially also. All enrolled patients were elite athletes. Eleven patients experienced nonunion and 18 refracture. The 11 nonunion cases were bone grafted. The 157 patients (excluding nonunion cases) were allocated to either a refracture group or a union group. Clinical features, such as age, weight, fracture classification, time to union, and reinjury history, were compared. Radiological parameters representing cavus deformity and fifth metatarsal head protrusion were compared to evaluate the influence of structural abnormalities. Mean group weights were significantly different (P = .041), but mean ages (P = .879), fracture grades (P = .216, P = .962), and time from surgery to rehabilitation (P = .539) were similar. No significant intergroup differences were found for talocalcaneal (TC) angle (P = .470), calcaneal pitch (CP) angle (P = .847), or talo-first metatarsal (T-MT1) angle (P = .407) on lateral radiographs; for fifth metatarsal lateral deviation (MT5-LD) angle (P = .623) on anteroposterior (AP) radiographs; or for MT5-LD angle (P = .065) on the 30-degree medial oblique radiographs. However, the mean fourth-fifth intermetatarsal (IMA4-5) angle on AP radiographs was significantly greater in the refracture group, and for Torg II cases, mean weight (P = .042), IMA4-5 angle on AP radiographs (P = .014), and MT5-LD angle (P = .043) on 30-degree medial

Biología floral de Passiflora foetida (Passifloraceae

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María T. Amela García

1998-06-01

Full Text Available Un experimento reproductivo muestra que Passiflora foetida es autocompatible. Observaciones de las características florales y de los visitantes durante la antesis, más el análisis del polen transportado, permitieron identificar el síndrome floral (melitofilia y las funciones de cada visitante. La antesis ocurre desde las 6 hasta las 11 hs. Se identificaron 3 fases florales: 1 estigmas por encima de las anteras, 2 estigmas a la altura de las anteras, 3 estigmas por encima de las anteras; los radii, los pétalos y los sépalos se incurvan. Los estigmas están receptivos durante toda la antesis. La concentración de azúcares del néctar es 34 %. El color predominante en el espectro visible es el blanco. En el espectro UV, los estambres y el gineceo contrastan con el limen y el androginóforo; pueden ser una guía de néctar. Tres especies de himenópteros fueron los visitantes más frecuentes y constantes: Ptiloglossa tarsata (Colletidae siempre contactan las anteras y los estigmas cuando liban, transportan un alto porcentaje de polen de P. foetida y visitan flores en fase 1 y 2; pueden ser considerados los principales polinizadores. Pseudaugochloropsis sp. (Halictidae raramente contactan las anteras o los estigmas cuando perforan el limen para acceder al néctar y visitan flores en fase 2 y 3; son ladrones de néctar que raramente polinizan. Augochlorella sp. (Halictidae recolectan polen sin tocar los estigmas y visitan flores en fase 2 y 3; son hurtadores de polen.A reproductive experiment shows that Passiflora foetida is autocompatible. Observations of floral characteristics and visitors during anthesis, plus the analysis of pollen allowed identification of floral syndrome (melittophily and functions for each visitor. Anthesis occurs from 6 to 11 AM. Three floral phases were identified: 1 stigmas above anthers, 2 stigmas at anther level, 3 stigmas above anthers; radii, petals and sepals become incurved. The stigmas are receptive during the

X-ray tomography as a non-destructive tool for evaluating the preservation of primary isotope signatures and mineralogy of Mesozoic fossils

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Santillan, J. D.; Boyce, J. W.; Eagle, R.; Martin, T.; Tuetken, T.; Eiler, J.

2010-12-01

The stable isotope compositions of carbonate and phosphate components in fossil teeth and bone are widely used to infer information on paleoclimate and the physiology of extinct organisms. Recently the potential for measuring the body temperatures of extinct vertebrates from analyses of 13C-18O bond ordering in fossil teeth has been demonstrated (Eagle et al. 2010). The interpretation of these isotopic signatures relies on an assessment of the resistance of fossil bioapatite to alteration, as diffusion within, and partial recrystallization, or replacement of the original bioapatite will lead to measured compositions that represent mixtures between primary and secondary phases and/or otherwise inaccurate apparent temperatures. X-ray computed tomography (CT) allows 3-D density maps of teeth to be made at micron-scale resolution. Such density maps have the potential to record textural evidence for alteration, recrystallization, or replacement of enamel. Because it is non-destructive, CT can be used prior to stable isotope analysis to identify potentially problematic samples without consuming or damaging scientifically significant specimens. As a test, we have applied CT to tooth fragments containing both dentin and enamel from Late Jurassic sauropods and a Late Cretaceous theropod that yielded a range of clumped isotope temperatures from anomalously high ˜60oC to physiologically plausible ≤40oC. This range of temperatures suggests partial, high-temperature modification of some specimens, but possible preservation of primary signals in others. Three-dimensional CT volumes generated using General Electric Phoenix|x-ray CT instruments were compared with visible light and back-scattered electron images of the same samples. The tube-detector combination used for the CT study consisted of a 180 kV nanofocus transmission tube coupled with a 127 micron pixel pitch detector ( ˜3-12μ m voxel edges), allowing us to clearly map out alteration zones in high contrast, while

Cell structure of developing barbs and barbules in downfeathers of the chick: Central role of barb ridge morphogenesis for the evolution of feathers.

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Alibardi, L

2005-04-01

vessels nourishing the apical part of the feather filament determines anoxia and eventually necrosis of all cells of the feather. While sheath, barb vane and cylindrical cells degenerate, the keratinized syncitium forming barbs and barbules simply remain in place to form the ramifications of feathers. The formation of barb ridges is considered as the evolutionary innovation necessary for the origin of feathers. The evolution of the morphogenetic process of barb ridge formation within epidermal tubular outgrowths of the integument of ancient archosaurians was an evolutionary novelty, a true avian and theropod characteristic. Barb ridges morphogenesis determines the contemporary formation of barb and barbule cells as a unique and inseparable process so that intermediate forms of evolving feathers with only barbs but not barbules are unlikely. Barb ridges can merge with a large ridge (rachis) or into branched ridges, a process which was at the origin of the ramogenic process from which pennaceous feathers evolved.

The Antarctic ice core chronology (AICC2012): an optimized multi-parameter and multi-site dating approach for the last 120 thousand years

Science.gov (United States)

Veres, D.; Bazin, L.; Landais, A.; Toyé Mahamadou Kele, H.; Lemieux-Dudon, B.; Parrenin, F.; Martinerie, P.; Blayo, E.; Blunier, T.; Capron, E.; Chappellaz, J.; Rasmussen, S. O.; Severi, M.; Svensson, A.; Vinther, B.; Wolff, E. W.

2013-08-01

The deep polar ice cores provide reference records commonly employed in global correlation of past climate events. However, temporal divergences reaching up to several thousand years (ka) exist between ice cores over the last climatic cycle. In this context, we are hereby introducing the Antarctic Ice Core Chronology 2012 (AICC2012), a new and coherent timescale developed for four Antarctic ice cores, namely Vostok, EPICA Dome C (EDC), EPICA Dronning Maud Land (EDML) and Talos Dome (TALDICE), alongside the Greenlandic NGRIP record. The AICC2012 timescale has been constructed using the Bayesian tool Datice (Lemieux-Dudon et al., 2010) that combines glaciological inputs and data constraints, including a wide range of relative and absolute gas and ice stratigraphic markers. We focus here on the last 120 ka, whereas the companion paper by Bazin et al. (2013) focuses on the interval 120-800 ka. Compared to previous timescales, AICC2012 presents an improved timing for the last glacial inception, respecting the glaciological constraints of all analyzed records. Moreover, with the addition of numerous new stratigraphic markers and improved calculation of the lock-in depth (LID) based on δ15N data employed as the Datice background scenario, the AICC2012 presents a slightly improved timing for the bipolar sequence of events over Marine Isotope Stage 3 associated with the seesaw mechanism, with maximum differences of about 600 yr with respect to the previous Datice-derived chronology of Lemieux-Dudon et al. (2010), hereafter denoted LD2010. Our improved scenario confirms the regional differences for the millennial scale variability over the last glacial period: while the EDC isotopic record (events of triangular shape) displays peaks roughly at the same time as the NGRIP abrupt isotopic increases, the EDML isotopic record (events characterized by broader peaks or even extended periods of high isotope values) reached the isotopic maximum several centuries before. It is

The Antarctic ice core chronology (AICC2012: an optimized multi-parameter and multi-site dating approach for the last 120 thousand years

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D. Veres

2013-08-01

Full Text Available The deep polar ice cores provide reference records commonly employed in global correlation of past climate events. However, temporal divergences reaching up to several thousand years (ka exist between ice cores over the last climatic cycle. In this context, we are hereby introducing the Antarctic Ice Core Chronology 2012 (AICC2012, a new and coherent timescale developed for four Antarctic ice cores, namely Vostok, EPICA Dome C (EDC, EPICA Dronning Maud Land (EDML and Talos Dome (TALDICE, alongside the Greenlandic NGRIP record. The AICC2012 timescale has been constructed using the Bayesian tool Datice (Lemieux-Dudon et al., 2010 that combines glaciological inputs and data constraints, including a wide range of relative and absolute gas and ice stratigraphic markers. We focus here on the last 120 ka, whereas the companion paper by Bazin et al. (2013 focuses on the interval 120–800 ka. Compared to previous timescales, AICC2012 presents an improved timing for the last glacial inception, respecting the glaciological constraints of all analyzed records. Moreover, with the addition of numerous new stratigraphic markers and improved calculation of the lock-in depth (LID based on δ15N data employed as the Datice background scenario, the AICC2012 presents a slightly improved timing for the bipolar sequence of events over Marine Isotope Stage 3 associated with the seesaw mechanism, with maximum differences of about 600 yr with respect to the previous Datice-derived chronology of Lemieux-Dudon et al. (2010, hereafter denoted LD2010. Our improved scenario confirms the regional differences for the millennial scale variability over the last glacial period: while the EDC isotopic record (events of triangular shape displays peaks roughly at the same time as the NGRIP abrupt isotopic increases, the EDML isotopic record (events characterized by broader peaks or even extended periods of high isotope values reached the isotopic maximum several centuries before

Structural Characterization of Bimetallic Nanocrystal Electrocatalysts

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cullen, David A [ORNL

2016-01-01

Late transition metal nanocrystals find applications in heterogeneous catalysis such as plasmon-enhanced catalysis and as electrode materials for fuel cells, a zero-emission and sustainable energy technology. Their commercial viability for automotive transportation has steadily increased in recent years, almost exclusively due to the discovery of more efficient bimetallic nanocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the cathode. Despite improvements to catalyst design, achieving high activity while maintaining durability is essential to further enhance their performance for this and other important applications in catalysis. Electronic effects arising from the generation of metal-metal interfaces, from plasmonic metals, and from lattice distortions, can vastly improve sorption properties at catalytic surfaces, while increasing durability.[1] Multimetallic lattice-strained nanoparticles are thus an interesting opportunity for fundamental research.[2,3] A colloidal synthesis approach is demonstrated to produce AuPd alloy and Pd@Au core-shell nanoicosahedra as catalysts for electro-oxidations. The nanoparticles are characterized using aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (ac-STEM) and large solid angle energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) on an FEI Talos 4-detector STEM/EDS system. Figure 1 shows bright-field (BF) and high-angle annular dark-field (HAADF) ac-STEM images of the alloy and core-shell nanoicosahedra together with EDS line-scans and elemental maps. These structures are unique in that the presence of twin boundaries, alloying, and core-shell morphology could create highly strained surfaces and interfaces. The shell thickness of the core-shell structures observed in HAADF-STEM images is tuned by adjusting the ratio between metal precursors (Figure 2a-f) to produce shells ranging from a few to several monolayers. Specific activity was measured in ethanol electro-oxidation to examine the effect of shell thickness on

Crescimento e bromatologia do feijão-bravo (Capparis flexuosa L. em área de Caatinga no Curimataú paraibano, Brasil Growth and bromatology of Capparis flexuosa at Curimatau region, Paraiba state, Brazil

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Jorge Xavier de Almeida Neto

2011-06-01

Full Text Available Este trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar aspectos relacionados com o crescimento e a bromatologia do feijão-bravo (Capparis flexuosa L. em uma área no Curimataú, Semiárido Paraibano. Para a análise da evolução do crescimento desta espécie formou-se quatro grupos de plantas segundo a classe de altura: GI até 0,50 m; GII de 0,51 a 1 m; GIII de 1,01 a 1,50 m e GIV a >1,51 m. No período de março a dezembro de 2007 determinou-se a altura e o número de ramos dos indivíduos, sendo o diâmetro do caule registrado de março a setembro. Avaliou-se também, a composição bromatológica das folhas e talos do feijão-bravo. Em todos os grupos, o feijão-bravo apresentou crescimento lento no período chuvoso. Entretanto, até o mês de agosto, observou-se o aumento no número de ramos das plantas, independente do grupo estabelecido. No Período amostrado, não se constatou diferença (p > 0,05 entre plantas em termos de diâmetro, em todos os grupos amostrados. Os dados bromatológicos registrados foram os seguintes: matéria orgânica (91,95%; cinzas (8,05%; matéria seca (47,1% e umidade (52,9%. Os teores de proteína bruta (8,13%; fibra bruta (32,32%; extrato etéreo (5,37%; e energia bruta (5.015 cal g-1 do feijão-bravo, dado a estas características, sugerem que esta espécie apresenta potencial para ser utilizada como forrageira.The general aim of this study was to describe the growth and bromatology of Capparis flexuosa L. in an area of Caatinga, Paraiba State, Brazil. To analyze the growth evolution, the plants were divided in four groups according to the height classes: GI until 0.50 m; GII from 0.51 to 1 m; GIII from 1.01 to 1.50 m and GIV above >1.51 m; the plants height, the number of branches and the basal diameter were determined, in the period between March and December, 2007. The bromatological composition of leaves and branches of Capparis flexuosa was evaluated. It was showed, in all groups, that Capparis flexuosa

Muerte celular inducida por condiciones ambientales adversas en Calibrachoa parviflora (Petunia

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Daniela Montes Berrueta

2012-03-01

Full Text Available Se ha descrito que condiciones ambientales extremas tales como altas temperaturas, luz ultravioleta y el efecto invernadero, alteran la tasa de crecimiento de las plantas. En este trabajo se investigó el efecto agudo de dos condiciones ambientales extremas tales como la limitación de nutrientes y la acidificación del suelo con ácido sulfúrico, un compuesto comúnmente depositado en los suelos como consecuencia de la llamada lluvia ácida, sobre la tasa de muerte y proliferación celular en petunias (Calibrachoa parviflora. Para tales efectos, grupos de petunias fueron sometidas a tres condiciones diferentes: grupo A o control, mantenida en condiciones óptimas y de suministro de nutrientes, grupo B en ausencia de nutrientes y de luz natural, y grupo C expuestas a agua acidificada con ácido sulfúrico. En un seguimiento hasta 72 horas, se analizaron muestras de pétalos, hojas y tallos de cada una de las plantas y, posterior a la extracción de los núcleos, estos fueron teñidos con ioduro de propidio, un agente intercalante del ADN, y analizados mediante citometría de flujo y microscopía de fluorescencia. Los resultados muestran que ambas condiciones extremas generan un desbalance en el proceso de muerte/sobrevida de las petunias, pero a diferencia de las plantas del grupo B, las plantas del grupo C no incrementaron la tasa de proliferación celular. Estos resultados sugieren que las plantas que crecen en suelos ácidos pierden la capacidad compensatoria ante la señal de estrés que se genera a consecuencia de la exposición aguda a concentraciones tóxicas de ácido sulfúrico. Cell death induced by adverse environmental conditions in Calibrachoa parviflora (petunia Abstract It has been previously reported that extreme environmental conditions such as high temperatures, ultraviolet light and the greenhouse effect, alter the rate of growth in plants. In this study we investigated the acute effect of two extreme environmental conditions

Avaliação das principais causas de perdas pós-colheita de hortaliças comercializadas em Santarém, Pará

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Antonia Mirian Nogueira de Moura Guerra

2017-02-01

Full Text Available As hortaliças estão sujeitas a diversos tipos de danos após a colheita, ocasionados por condições inadequadas de manuseio, armazenagem, doenças e injúrias mecânicas. Este trabalho teve como objetivo levantar informações sobre as principais causas de perdas pós-colheita em pimentões, batatas e cebolas comercializadas nas feiras e supermercados de Santarém, Pará. O trabalho foi conduzido no comércio varejista, supermercados, Feira da Cohab, Feira do Aeroporto Velho e Mercadão 2000. Os danos nas hortaliças foram avaliados e classificados em: danos fisiológicos, microbiológicos e mecânicos. Em todos os locais avaliados todas as hortaliças apresentaram algum dano, que foi atribuído como responsáveis pelas perdas de forma direta ou indireta. Nas cebolas os principais danos foram: talo grosso, bulbos mal formados, flácidos, descoloridos e brotados. Todos os pimentões avaliados apresentaram formato retangular e cor verde, os principais danos encontrados foram: frutos amassados, apodrecidos, queimados, atacados por insetos, feridos, murchos, com rachaduras e malformados. Os tubérculos apresentaram-se com cortes superficiais não diferiu entre os diferentes locais, porém destacaram-se as amassaduras, esfoladuras, esverdeamento, má formação e murcha nos comercializados nas feiras, enquanto que nos supermercados os danos mais presentes foram os cortes profundos e brotados. Estes resultados revelam a necessidade de investimento na estruturação dos mercados varejistas para que possibilitem a diminuição das indesejáveis perdas e prejuízos financeiros na comercialização de hortaliças.Evaluation of the main causes of post-harvest losses of vegetables sold in Santarém, Pará stateAbstract: Vegetables are subject to various types of damage after harvest due to inadequate handling and storage, disease and mechanical injury. The objective of this work was to carry out a survey of the main causes of post-harvest losses in

Community structure and carbonate production of a temperate rhodolith bank from Arvoredo Island, southern Brazil

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Douglas F. M. Gherardi

2004-12-01

alga calcária não articulada, de vida livre, Lithophyllum sp., que é usada como substrato pelo zoantídeo Zoanthus sp. A cobertura relativa de algas vivas, mortas, zoantídeos e manchas de sedimento perfazem quase 98 % da superfície investigada. A classificação e ordenação das amostras mostrou que diferenças nas proporções de talo vivo e morto de Lithophyllum sp. determinam a abundância relativa de zoantídeos. Os resultados também indicam que a similaridade entre as amostras é alta e que gradientes da comunidade são sutis. Diferenças significativas da cobertura relativa ao longo dos transectos concentram-se na porção central do banco. A baixa concentração de carbonato de cálcio nos sedimentos mais profundos sugere baixo recrutamento por fragmentação. Entretanto, a taxa de produção de carbonato de cálcio determinada entre 55-136.3 g m-2 yr-1 encontra-se dentro da faixa observada para outros ambientes temperados. No longo prazo, a densidade de rodolitos da ilha do Arvoredo pode depender da dispersão aleatória de esporos e/ou fragmentos de outras áreas fonte.

Regulation of bone-renal mineral and energy metabolism: the PHEX, FGF23, DMP1, MEPE ASARM pathway.

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Rowe, Peter S N

2012-01-01

More than 300 million years ago, vertebrates emerged from the vast oceans to conquer gravity and the dry land. With this transition, new adaptations occurred that included ingenious changes in reproduction, waste secretion, and bone physiology. One new innovation, the egg shell, contained an ancestral protein (ovocleidin-116) that likely first appeared with the dinosaurs and was preserved through the theropod lineage in modern birds and reptiles. Ovocleidin-116 is an avian homolog of matrix extracellular phosphoglycoprotein (MEPE) and belongs to a group of proteins called short integrin-binding ligand-interacting glycoproteins (SIBLINGs). These proteins are all localized to a defined region on chromosome 5q in mice and chromosome 4q in humans. A unifying feature of SIBLING proteins is an acidic serine aspartate-rich MEPE-associated motif (ASARM). Recent research has shown that the ASARM motif and the released ASARM peptide have regulatory roles in mineralization (bone and teeth), phosphate regulation, vascularization, soft-tissue calcification, osteoclastogenesis, mechanotransduction, and fat energy metabolism. The MEPE ASARM motif and peptide are physiological substrates for PHEX, a zinc metalloendopeptidase. Defects in PHEX are responsible for X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (HYP). There is evidence that PHEX interacts with another ASARM motif containing SIBLING protein, dentin matrix protein-1 (DMP1). DMP1 mutations cause bone and renal defects that are identical with the defects caused by a loss of PHEX function. This results in autosomal recessive hypophosphatemic rickets (ARHR). In both HYP and ARHR, increased FGF23 expression plays a major role in the disease and in autosomal dominant hypophosphatemic rickets (ADHR), FGF23 half-life is increased by activating mutations. ASARM peptide administration in vitro and in vivo also induces increased FGF23 expression. FGF23 is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family of cytokines, which surfaced 500

The origin and early evolution of dinosaurs.

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Langer, Max C; Ezcurra, Martin D; Bittencourt, Jonathas S; Novas, Fernando E

2010-02-01

The oldest unequivocal records of Dinosauria were unearthed from Late Triassic rocks (approximately 230 Ma) accumulated over extensional rift basins in southwestern Pangea. The better known of these are Herrerasaurus ischigualastensis, Pisanosaurus mertii, Eoraptor lunensis, and Panphagia protos from the Ischigualasto Formation, Argentina, and Staurikosaurus pricei and Saturnalia tupiniquim from the Santa Maria Formation, Brazil. No uncontroversial dinosaur body fossils are known from older strata, but the Middle Triassic origin of the lineage may be inferred from both the footprint record and its sister-group relation to Ladinian basal dinosauromorphs. These include the typical Marasuchus lilloensis, more basal forms such as Lagerpeton and Dromomeron, as well as silesaurids: a possibly monophyletic group composed of Mid-Late Triassic forms that may represent immediate sister taxa to dinosaurs. The first phylogenetic definition to fit the current understanding of Dinosauria as a node-based taxon solely composed of mutually exclusive Saurischia and Ornithischia was given as "all descendants of the most recent common ancestor of birds and Triceratops". Recent cladistic analyses of early dinosaurs agree that Pisanosaurus mertii is a basal ornithischian; that Herrerasaurus ischigualastensis and Staurikosaurus pricei belong in a monophyletic Herrerasauridae; that herrerasaurids, Eoraptor lunensis, and Guaibasaurus candelariensis are saurischians; that Saurischia includes two main groups, Sauropodomorpha and Theropoda; and that Saturnalia tupiniquim is a basal member of the sauropodomorph lineage. On the contrary, several aspects of basal dinosaur phylogeny remain controversial, including the position of herrerasaurids, E. lunensis, and G. candelariensis as basal theropods or basal saurischians, and the affinity and/or validity of more fragmentary taxa such as Agnosphitys cromhallensis, Alwalkeria maleriensis, Chindesaurus bryansmalli, Saltopus elginensis, and

[Synostosis and tarsal coalitions in children. A study of 68 cases in 47 patients].

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Rouvreau, P; Pouliquen, J C; Langlais, J; Glorion, C; de Cerqueira Daltro, G

1994-01-01

The authors report their experience with tarsal coalitions in children. The purpose of this study was to discuss the origins of the of the calcaneum, and to propose a simple therapeutic strategy for diagnosis and treatment. The study included 47 children (68 feet), with one or more idiopathic tarsal coalitions. All patients had physical examinations to record symptoms, morphology of the foot, mobility of the foot, gait analysis, standard radiographs, and in some cases CT scans or MRI. The average age of the patients was 11.5 years old, 7 patients had a positive family history for tarsal coalitions. 66 per cent of the patients had mild tarsal pain or a history of repeated ankle sprains. The conservative treatment concerned 28 feet: 3 casts, 2 injections of corticosteroids into the subtalar joint, insole-shoes in 3 cases, and abstention in 20 cases. The operative treatment (40 feet) consisted of resection of calcaneonavicular coalitions (24 feet) resection of talocalcaneal coalitions (3 feet), mediotarsal and subtalar arthrodesis (8 feet), resection of calcaneonavicular coalition combined with the "Cavalier'' procedure described by Judet (3 feet), calcaneal osteotomy (2 feet). The mean follow-up was 42 months. The morphology of the involved foot was normal in 33 cases, flat foot was seen in 24 cases (4 peroneal spastic flat feet), pes cavus in 3 cases, club foot in 2 cases, pes varus in 4 cases, "Z'' shaped feet in 2 cases. The radiological examination was demonstrative of tarsal coalition in 61 feet. 7 tarsal coalitions were seen during operative procedures. The location or the coalition was calcaneonavicular (57), talocalcaneal (16), talo-navicular (8), calcaneo-cuboid (7), naviculo-cuneiform (4). The secondary radiographic signs were studied for each foot. In the conservative group, 2 patients degraded their clinical status, one developed a spastic flat foot. In the surgical group, all except 2 patients had good clinical and functional results. One patient had

Avanços tecnológicos na obtenção de Etanol a partir de Sorgo Sacarino: Sorghum Bicolor (l. Moench

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Sandro Pedroso Cunha

2010-01-01

Full Text Available A substituição da utilização de gasolina por etanol em veículos reduz em até 90% a emissão de CO2, isto justifica o interesse nautilização de bioetanol como energia renovável. Além da cana-de-açúcar, mandioca, milho e beterraba especial destaque vemsendo dado ao sorgo sacarino (Sorgo bicolor L. Moench para produção de etanol pela sua produtividade e resistência. O sorgo écultivado no Rio Grande do Sul com uma produção de cerca de 70.000 t/ano. A Embrapa possui um programa de desenvolvimentode cultivares de sorgo sacarino desde a época do Pró-Álcool e atualmente novas variedades estão sendo avaliadas. Diversos fatorestêm relevância na otimização da produção como, aumento da produtividade e redução de custos na produção do etanol. Estetrabalho objetivou o levantamento de dados recentes que possibilitem avaliar parâmetros produtivos de etanol a partir de sorgo.Fatores como a diminuição dos riscos de contaminação bacteriana, meios propícios aos processos fermentativos do grão ou talo desorgo através da utilização do pré tratamento da amostra, têm sido de grande importância, pois trata-se de transformar biomassabasicamente celulósica em açúcares fermentáveis. Genótipos superiores de sorgo sacarino para produção de etanol são de sumaimportância, assim como processos mais adequados à conversão de açúcares em etanol. A lignina, tóxica frente aosmicrorganismos, impede a conversão da lignocelulose em etanol. A conversão de compostos lignocelulósicos a etanol baseia-seem: hidrólise da celulose produzindo açúcares simples e fermentação destes açúcares a etanol por via microbiológica.Abstract Replacing the use of gasoline by ethanol invehicles reduces by 90% the emission of CO2 which justifiesthe interest in the use of bioethanol as renewable energy.Besides sugar cane, cassava, maize and sugar beet therehave been given emphasis to sweet sorghum (Sorghumbicolor L. Moench to produce ethanol

The fate of Eichhornia azurea (Sw. Kunth. detritus within a tropical reservoir O destino dos detritos de Eichhornia azurea (Sw. Kunth. em um reservatório tropical

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Marcela Bianchessi da Cunha Santino

2010-06-01

ções particuladas e dissolvidas de matéria orgânica foram quantificadas (em base de carbono: carbono orgânico particulado (COP e dissolvido (COD, respectivamente; RESULTADOS: Com base no carbono mineralizado, os resultados indicaram que a decomposição de E. azurea foi mais eficiente em meio aeróbio (2,2 vezes mais rápido que em anaerobiose. Para a decomposição das folhas, talos e raízes os processos aeróbios foram 1,22 vezes mais rápidos. Verificou-se que as frações responsáveis pelos consumos elevados de oxigênio possuem tempos de meia vida reduzidos e, desse modo, não se acumulam no reservatório. Devido à biomassa de E. azurea no reservatório de Piraju os processos aeróbios de decomposição dessa espécie podem promover depleções moderadas no balanço de oxigênio dissolvido. Devido à magnitude dos coeficientes de degradação (meia-vida: de 385 a 462 dias, associados com as condições predominantes de pH e potencial de oxi-redução, as frações refratárias dos detritos (fibras de E. azurea podem contribuir para a produção de gases e no estoque de matéria orgânica particulada dos sedimentos do reservatório.

Growth, photosynthetic activity, and potassium and sodium concentration in rice plants under salt stress=Crescimento, atividade fotossintética, concentração de K+ e Na+ em plantas de arroz em condições de estresse salino

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Braulio Edgar Herrera Cabrera

2012-07-01

acaso, com arranjo fatorial 2 x 2 (Variedade x Salinidade e 12 repetições. As plantas foram crescidas em solução hidropônica durante 15 dias e posteriormente, uma parte foi tratada com 100 mM de NaCl; e o restante como plantas controle (sem tratamento com NaCl, as quais foram crescidas paralelamente. O estresse salino provocou reduções de 20 e 15% na longitude dos brotos e raízes, respectivamente na variedade Tres Ríos; entretanto, na variedade Cotaxtla não apresentaram diferenças significativas nestas variaveis com relação ao tratamento controle. O peso da matéria seca reduziu-se 24% na variedade Tres Ríos. O rendimento quântico do PSII diminuiu 30% ao terceiro dia da aplicação dos tratamentos em ambas variedades. A concentração de Na+ foi significativamente maior (p ≤ 0,05 nas plantas tratadas com NaCl. No entanto, na variedade Tres Ríos, o rendimento do PSII diminuiu completamente depois de seis dias da aplicação dos tratamentos, a concentração de K+ nos talos e folhas velhas também foi diminuída e registrou-se a menor relação K+/Na+ nos brotos, o que poderia indicar que se trata de uma variedade mais suscetível à salinidade com relação a variedade Cotaxtla.

Land disposal potential of tobacco processing residues Potencial de uso agrícola de dois resíduos de agroindústria fumageira

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Marino José Tedesco

2011-02-01

-de-aviário, composto orgânico e com adição de doses crescentes (0, 7,5, 15, 30 e 60t ha-1 dos resíduos RAF P (pó e do RAF T (talos, além de tratamentos com resíduos (15t ha-1 e complementação com nutrientes minerais dois a dois (NP, NK e PK, em quatro repetições. O experimento foi iniciado em 15/01/2004, tendo sido a parte aérea das plantas colhida em 16/03/2004. Foram avaliados o rendimento do milho e os atributos de fertilidade do solo após a colheita do milho, bem como o nitrogênio perdido por lixivição. Os resultados indicaram que os RAF's são fontes de biomassa e de potássio e possuem potencial para serem reciclados no solo, permitindo a liberação de parte dos macronutrientes necessários ao desenvolvimento das plantas. As curvas de resposta indicaram que a adição de doses entre 15 e 20t ha-1 dos resíduos são as mais recomendadas agronomicamente no solo estudado.

Intoxicação experimental aguda por Senecio brasiliensis em ovinos e indução de resistência à intoxicação

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Fabiane B. Grecco

2012-09-01

Full Text Available Ovinos são mais resistentes à intoxicação por Senecio spp. que bovinos e equinos. Para determinar se essa resistência é induzida pela ingestão de pequenas e repetidas doses da planta e se essa resistência é duradoura, foram realizados três experimentos com folhas e talos verdes de Senecio brasilienses. Para determinar a dose mínima que causa intoxicação aguda (experimento 1, foram administradas doses únicas de 60, 80, 90, 100 e 100g/kg de peso corporal (pc a cinco ovinos, respectivamente. Os animais que receberam 60 e 80 g/kg de pc de S. brasiliensis não adoeceram, porém o ovino que recebeu 80g/kg de pc apresentava fibrose e megalocitose discretas nas biópsias realizadas aos 90, 120 e 150 dias do término da administração da planta. Os ovinos que receberam 90 e 100g/kg de pc apresentaram anorexia, prostração, movimentos de pedalagem, dor abdominal e morte 12-48 horas após o aparecimento dos sinais clínicos. Na necropsia havia ascite, petéquias disseminadas e acentuação do padrão lobular hepático. Histologicamente havia necrose hemorrágica centro-lobular. No Experimento 2 a dose capaz de causar a intoxicação aguda foi fracionada e administrada em duas, cinco e 10 doses diárias para 3 ovinos, respectivamente. A dose tóxica fracionada não provocou sinais clínicos de intoxicação em nenhum dos ovinos, porém havia fibrose periportal e megalocitose moderadas nas biopsias realizadas aos 60 dias do término da administração da planta, as quais não evoluíram. O ovino que recebeu a dose fracionada em 10 administrações não apresentou lesões histológicas nas biópsias. Para determinar se os ovinos tornam-se resistentes à forma aguda da intoxicação (experimento 3, foram administradas doses diárias de 15g/kg de pc por 30 dias e 30g/kg de pc por 10 dias a quatro ovinos. No dia seguinte à última administração dois ovinos receberam a dose única de 100g/kg de pc de S. brasiliensis, mas não adoeceram nem

Effect of Mikania glomerata (Asteraceae leaf extract combined with anti-venom serum on experimental Crotalus durissus (Squamata: Viperidae envenomation in rats

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Rafael Stuani Floriano

2009-12-01

. glomerata. Los animales fueron separados en tres diferentes grupos: grupo control (C; grupo veneno+suero (VS, grupo veneno+suero+extracto acuoso de M. glomerata (VSM. El veneno crotálico causó alteraciones clínicas y diferencias en los análisis sanguíneos practicados a los ratones Wistar evaluados. Las alteraciones clínicas más importantes fueron una disminución de la temperatura, edema en el miembro inoculado de veneno, la sedación y una disminución de la locomoción en los grupos VS y VSM comparado con el grupo C. Una rápida recuperación de la sedación estadísticamente significativa fue observada en los animales del grupo VSM al compararse con los del grupo VS. Los análisis sanguíneos mostraron un aumento en el número de leucocitos, neutrofilos y creatina quinasa en los grupos VS y VSM comparados con el grupo C. Los ratones Wistar mostraron una alta resistencia al veneno del crótalo. Estudios adicionales con variación en las dosis, tiempo de tratamiento, y métodos de administración, así como la realización de estudios histopatológicos e inmunológicos son importantes para comprender la acción de M. glomerata en accidentes crotálicos.

Tríplice artrodese na paralisia cerebral Triple arthrodesis in cerebral palsy

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Kotoe Umeda

2010-01-01

Full Text Available OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o resultados clínicos díplice artrodese em portadores de paralisia cerebral espástica, verificar a correspondência entre os resultados e a escala AOFAS e os ângulos nos períodos pré e pós-operatórios. MÉTODOS: Entre 1985 e 2005, foram avaliados 34 pacientes (40 pés submetidos a tríplice artrodese do pé, com acompanhamento médio de 91 meses, quanto a satisfação e dor, apoio plantígrado, deformidade residual e o arco de movimento do tornozelo e escala AOFAS. Foram avaliadas artrose de tornozelo, pseudoartrose das articulações e medidos os ângulos: talocalcâneo, talo-primeiro metatarsiano (APM e tíbio-talar, e talocalcâneos (ATC e o calcâneo-solo (ACS. RESULTADOS: Obtivemos bons resultados em 32,4% dos casos e regulares em 44,1%. 85,3% dos pacientes estavam satisfeitos; 88,2% tinham apoio plantígrado. Houve 33,3% de resultados bons pela escala AOFAS e 24,2% regulares. Na radiografia com incidência ântero-posterior, o APM apresentou melhora em média de 15º; no ACS, na incidência em perfil, melhora de 7º. No ATC, nas duas incidências, houve melhora de 1º. CONCLUSÕES: A triplice artrodese corrige ou melhora as deformidades, com grau de satisfação elevada, dando ao paciente pés plantígrados. A escala AOFAS teve fraca concordância com o resultado. Os APM e ACS foram os mais sensíveis na avaliação do procedimento cirúrgico.OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the clinical results of triple arthrodesis in Cerebral Palsy patients and determine whether there is any correspondence between the results and the AOFAS scale, and changes in radiographic angles between the pre- and postoperative periods. METHODS: Between 1985 and 2005, thirty-four patients (40 feet were submitted to triple arthrodesis of the foot, with an average follow-up time of ninety-one months. The evaluation consisted of the patient's satisfaction and the presence of pain, plantigrade support, residual deformity, range of movement of the

Cambios biológicos en suelos fertilizados con nitrógeno cultivados con manzano en el Alto Valle de Río Negro Biological changes in nitrogen fertilized soil of apple orchards in the Alto Valle of Rio Negro

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Perla Gili

2009-12-01

Full Text Available El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar el efecto de la fertilización nitrogenada, en diferentes momentos del ciclo productivo del manzano, sobre el tamaño de la población microbiana del suelo, sobre el carbono de la biomasa microbiana y la actividad enzimática y su relación con algunas propiedades edáficas. Se ensayaron dos dosis de nitrógeno, aplicadas como nitrato de amonio en dos momentos: el 50% a caída de los pétalos (octubre y el 50% restante cercano a la cosecha (marzo, correspondiendo a dosis de 100 (N1 y 200 (N2 kg ha-¹ y un testigo sin agregado de N (N0, durante los períodos 2005-2006 y 2006- 2007. Se muestreó el suelo antes y después de cada fertilización. Se determinó: nitrato, nitrógeno total, carbono orgánico, carbono de la biomasa microbiana, actividad de la deshidrogenasa y catalasa. Se calcularon los índices de mineralización del carbono, proporción del carbono orgánico como carbono de la biomasa microbiana y cociente metabólico. El nitrógeno incorporado al suelo aumentó significativamente el contenido de nitratos en primavera y otoño, en ambas temporadas, y ejerció sobre la biota un comportamiento diferencial según el estado fenológico de las plantas de manzano. En la temporada 2005-2006, la actividad biológica, medida a través del carbono de la biomasa microbiana, respiración microbiana y deshidrogenasa, se incrementó significativamente con la fertilización de octubre. En la temporada 2006-2007 no se manifestó efecto de la fertilización nitrogenada. La dosis más elevada de nitrógeno (N2 no tuvo diferencias con respecto a (N1 en los resultados químicos y biológicos. Las prácticas de manejo en manzanos, fertilización y poda, generaron cambios en las variables biológicas.The aim of this study was to determine the effect of nitrogen application at different moments during the apple crop cycle on the population of soil microorganisms in terms of microbial biomass carbon, enzymatic

ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY KINETICS OF MEDICINAL PLANTS EXTRACTS AGAINST CINÉTICA DA ATIVIDADE ANTIBACTERIANA IN VITRO DE EXTRATOS NATURAIS FRENTE A MICRORGANISMOS RELACIONADOS À MASTITE BOVINA

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Letícia De Toni

2008-04-01

Full Text Available The subject of this paper is to test antimicrobials activities by medicinal plants extracts against more important contagious bovine mastitis pathogens. Disinfectants solutions was made from Baccharis trimera (Less D.C., Compositae (Asteracea, Eucalyptus spp Labill., Myrtaceae e Tagetes minuta (Linn., Compositae (Asteracea plants by hidroalcoholic extraction (EHA or decoction (DEC. S. aureus, S. agalactiae, and P. aeruginosa were used. To test for in vitro efficacy, each solution disinfectant was mixed with bacterial suspension containing 105 CFU.mL-1, by 30 seconds, two, 10 ant 30 minutes, with and without 20% of integral milk. Viable bacteria were evaluated by directed plating of neutralized aliquots. The worked included chlorhexidine 0,18% by control and it was executed in duplicate. EHA Eucalytpus spp and EHA T. minuta were as effective as control chlorhexidine against S. aureus. This solutions plus EHA B. trimera, were as effective as control against S. agalactiae. DEC Eucalyptus and DEC B. trimera also inactivated S. agalactiae in more prolongated time. Chlorhexidine was the best against P. multocida in milk absence, although the EHA were effective at ten or thirty minutes. All solutions, inclusive control, it was sensibility to organic load. The observations from the in vitro studies presented here need to be substantiated by in vivo studies by to confirm the potentiality use of plants medicinal extracts as disinfectants/antisepsis in livestock health. O presente trabalho busca avaliar a cinética da atividade antimicrobiana de extratos de plantas medicinais frente a bactérias relacionadas com mastite bovina. Para tal, foram produzidas soluções desinfetantes a partir de folhas e talos de Baccharis trimera (Less D.C., Compositae (Asteraceae, Eucalyptus spp Labill., Myrtaceae e Tagetes minuta (Linn., Compositae (Asteraceae, através de extração hidroalcoólica (EHA e decocto (DEC. Os microrganismos utilizados foram S. aureus, S

Eficacia de tres estrobilurinas para el control de mancha rojiza (Guignardia mangiferae y mancha negra (Guignardia citricarpa en frutos de limón, en Tucumán, República Argentina Efficiency of three strobilurins to control reddish spot (Guignardia mangiferae and black spot (Guignardia citricarpa in lemon fruits in Tucumán, Argentina

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Gabriela M. Fogliata

2011-06-01

Full Text Available La Argentina lidera la producción e industrialización mundial de limón. Tucumán produce el 87% del total nacional, destinando 65% para su industrialización y 35% para su comercialización como fruta fresca, principalmente en exportaciones. Para ello, se requieren frutos de calidad y libres de enfermedades, especialmente de aquellas causadas por patógenos considerados cuarentenarios en los mercados de destino. En Tucumán, están presentes la mancha negra de los cítricos, causada por Guignardia citricarpa (Phyllosticta citricarpa, patógeno cuarentenario para importantes mercados consumidores, y en mayor prevalencia, la mancha rojiza o moteado, causada por G. mangiferae (P. capitalensis, hongo no cuarentenario. Ambas enfermedades se controlan con fungicidas cúpricos, estrobilurinas, mancozeb y bencimidazoles. Se realizaron cinco ensayos para evaluar la eficacia de tres estrobilurinas, azoxistrobina, pyraclostrobin y trifloxistrobin, para controlar mancha rojiza (campañas 2004/2005, 2005/2006 y 2006/2007 y mancha negra (2007/2008 y 2008/2009 en frutos de limón en Tucumán. Se realizaron una y dos aplicaciones de estrobilurinas con oxicloruro de cobre, en un esquema de cuatro y cinco aplicaciones de cúpricos, cada treinta días desde caída de pétalos. Se utilizaron tratamientos con oxicloruro de cobre solo o en mezcla con mancozeb, como testigos químicos. Se evaluó la incidencia de las enfermedades en julio y se calculó la eficacia de los tratamientos. Los más eficaces para controlar mancha negra y mancha rojiza fueron los que incluyeron una o dos aplicaciones de estrobilurinas, sin diferencias entre sí, superando al cúprico e igualando o superando a la mezcla cúprico-mancozeb. Estos resultados demostraron la eficacia de las estrobilurinas para controlar mancha negra y mancha rojiza en frutos de limón.Argentina leads lemon world production and industrialization. The province of Tucumán generates 87% of national production

The taphonomy of dinosaurs from the Upper Jurassic of Tendaguru (Tanzania based on field sketches of the German tendaguru expedition (1909–1913

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W.-D. Heinrich

1999-01-01

Full Text Available Tendaguru is one of the most important dinosaur localities in Africa. The Tendaguru Beds have produced a diverse Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian to Tithonian dinosaur assemblage, including sauropods (Brachiosaurus, Barosaurus, Dicraeosaurus, Janenschia, theropods (e.g., Elaphrosaurus, Ceratosaurus, Allosaurus, and ornithischians (Kentrosaurus, Dryosaurus. Contrary to the well studied skeletal anatomy of the Tendaguru dinosaurs, the available taphonomic information is rather limited, and a generally accepted taphonomic model has not yet been established. Assessment of unpublished excavation sketches by the German Tendaguru expedition (1909–1913 document bone assemblages of sauropod and ornithischian dinosaurs from the Middle Saurian Bed, Upper Saurian Bed, and the Transitional Sands above the Trigonia smeei Bed, and shed some light on the taphonomy of the Tendaguru dinosaurs. Stages of disarticulation range from incomplete skeletons to solitary bones, and strongly argue for carcass decay and post-mortem transport prior to burial. The sauropod bone accumulations are dominated by adult individuals, and juveniles are rare or missing. The occurrence of bones in different superimposed dinosaur-bearing horizons indicates that skeletal remains were accumulated over a long time span during the Late Jurassic, and the majority of the bone accumulations are probably attritional. These accumulations are likely to have resulted from long-term bone imput due to normal mortality events caused by starvation, seasonal drought, disease, old age and weakness. The depositional environment of the Middle and Upper Saurian Bed was mainly limnic to brackish in origin, while the palaeoenvironment of the Transitional Sands was marginal marine. Tendaguru zählt zu den bedeutendsten Dinosaurier-Lagerstätten Afrikas. Aus den Tendaguru-Schichten sind zahlreiche Skelettreste von Sauropoden (Brachiosaurus, Barosaurus, Dicraeosaurus, Janenschia, Theropoden (z.B. Elaphrosaurus