Detailed clay mineralogy of the TriassicJurassic boundary section at Kendlbachgraben (Northern Calcareous Alps, Austria)

The Triassic-Jurassic boundary (TJB) is marked by one of the five largest Phanerozoic mass extinctions. To constrain existing models for TJB events, we obtained a stratigraphically highly resolved dataset from a marine section at Kendlbachgraben, Austria. The topmost Triassic Ko¨ssen Formation contains low to medium-charged smectite and vermiculite as alteration products of mafic-ultramafic minerals. The clay minerals in the boundary mudstone are kaolinite 5 illite + muscovite >> smectite > chlorite. Predominant kaolinite suggests humid climate and abundant terrigenous input. In the lowermost Jurassic, the clay mineral pattern changes to illite + muscovite >> kaolinite >> smectite, which reflects change to less humid and more moderate climate. The topmost Ko¨ssen Formation also contains clay spherules. Their composition, shape and size indicate that they are alteration products of airborne volcanic glass droplets solidified in the air, settled in the sea and altered rapidly with negligible transport in terrestrial or marine environments. Our data are consistent with sudden climatic change at the TJB, as a result of large-scale volcanic activity of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province which produced distal airfall volcanic ash

The functional cooperation of 5−HT1A5-HT_{1A} and mGlu4R in HEK-293 cell line

Background The serotonin 5-HT1A receptor (5-HT1AR) and metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 (mGlu4) have been implicated as sites of antipsychotic drug action. 5-HT1AR belongs to the A class of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs); mGlu4 is a representative of class C GPCRs. Both receptors preferentially couple with Gi protein to inhibit cAMP formation. The present work aimed to examine the possibility of mGlu4 and 5-HT1A receptor cross-talk, the phenomenon that could serve as a molecular basis of the interaction of these receptor ligands observed in behavioral studies. Methods First, in vitro studies were performed to examine the pharmacological modulation of interaction of the mGlu4 and 5-HT1A receptors in the T-REx 293 cell line using SNAP- or HALO-tag and cAMP accumulation assay. Next, the colocalization of these two receptors was examined in some regions of the mouse brain by applying RNAScope dual fluorescence in situ hybridization, immunohistochemical labeling, and proximity ligation assay (PLA). Results The ex vivo and in vitro results obtained in the present work suggest the existence of interactions between mGlu4 and 5-HT1A receptors. The changes were observed in cAMP accumulation assay and were dependent on expression and activation of mGlu4R in T-REx 293cell line. Moreover, the existence of spots with proximity expression of both receptors were showed by PLA, immunofluorescence labeling and RNAscope methods. Conclusion The existence of interactions between mGlu4 and 5-HT1A receptors may represent another signaling pathway involved in the development and treatment psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia or depression

Design and synthesis of new quinazolin-4-one derivatives with negative mGlu7mGlu_7 receptor modulation activity and antipsychotic-like properties

Following the glutamatergic theory of schizophrenia and based on our previous study regarding the antipsychotic-like activity of mGlu7 NAMs, we synthesized a new compound library containing 103 members, which were examined for NAM mGlu7 activity in the T-REx 293 cell line expressing a recombinant human mGlu7 receptor. Out of the twenty-two scaffolds examined, active compounds were found only within the quinazolinone chemotype. 2-(2-Chlorophenyl)-6-(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-methylquinazolin-4(3H)-one (A9-7, ALX-171, mGlu7 IC50 = 6.14 µM) was selective over other group III mGlu receptors (mGlu4 and mGlu8), exhibited satisfactory drug-like properties in preliminary DMPK profiling, and was further tested in animal models of antipsychotic-like activity, assessing the positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms. ALX-171 reversed DOI-induced head twitches and MK-801-induced disruptions of social interactions or cognition in the novel object recognition test and spatial delayed alternation test. On the other hand, the efficacy of the compound was not observed in the MK-801-induced hyperactivity test or prepulse inhibition. In summary, the observed antipsychotic activity profile of ALX-171 justifies the further development of the group of quinazolin-4-one derivatives in the search for a new drug candidate for schizophrenia treatment

Evolution of the Toarcian (Early Jurassic) carbon-cycle and global climatic controls on local sedimentary processes (Cardigan Bay Basin, UK)

The late Early Jurassic Toarcian Stage represents the warmest interval of the Jurassic Period, with an abrupt rise in global temperatures of up to ∼7 °C in mid-latitudes at the onset of the early Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (T-OAE; ∼183 Ma). The T-OAE, which has been extensively studied in marine and continental successions from both hemispheres, was marked by the widespread expansion of anoxic and euxinic waters, geographically extensive deposition of organic-rich black shales, and climatic and environmental perturbations. Climatic and environmental processes following the T-OAE are, however, poorly known, largely due to a lack of study of stratigraphically well-constrained and complete sedimentary archives. Here, we present integrated geochemical and physical proxy data (high-resolution carbon-isotope data (δ13C), bulk and molecular organic geochemistry, inorganic petrology, mineral characterisation, and major- and trace-element concentrations) from the biostratigraphically complete and expanded entire Toarcian succession in the Llanbedr (Mochras Farm) Borehole, Cardigan Bay Basin, Wales, UK. With these data, we (1) construct the first high-resolution biostratigraphically calibrated chemostratigraphic reference record for nearly the complete Toarcian Stage, (2) establish palaeoceanographic and depositional conditions in the Cardigan Bay Basin, (3) show that the T-OAE in the hemipelagic Cardigan Bay Basin was marked by the occurrence of gravity-flow deposits that were likely linked to globally enhanced sediment fluxes to continental margins and deeper marine (shelf) basins, and (4) explore how early Toarcian (tenuicostatum and serpentinum zones) siderite formation in the Cardigan Bay Basin may have been linked to low global oceanic sulphate concentrations and elevated supply of iron (Fe) from the hinterland, in response to climatically induced changes in hydrological cycling, global weathering rates and large-scale sulphide and evaporite deposition

Clay mineral composition in the Triassic and Jurassic deposits from the Polish Basin – a record of palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental changes

W artykule podsumowano wyniki ponad 220 badań dyfraktometrycznych, wykonanych we frakcji o śr mniejszej 0,002 mm triasowych i jurajskich kompleksów ilastych w basenie polskim. W przypadku niektórych próbek przeprowadzono także obserwacje w mikroskopie elektronowym. Skład detrytycznych minerałów ilastych warstw zbąszyneckich (noryk), warstw wielichowskich (retyk dolny–środkowy), formacji zagajskiej (retyk górny i hetang dolny), przysuskiej formacji rudonośnej (hetang górny), formacji ciechocińskiej (toark dolny) i częstochowskiej formacji iłów rudonośnych (bajos górny–baton) był przeważnie kontrolowany przez reżim wietrzenia i pośrednio warunki klimatyczne. Przerabianie i resedymentacja osadów starszych (spowodowana przez procesy tektoniczne i/lub wahania poziomu morza), jak również sortowanie hydrauliczne, mogły modyfikować skład mineralny i nieco zacierać sygnał paleoklimatyczny. Zmiany składu minerałów ilastych we frakcji <0,002 mm potwierdziły długookresową ewolucję od klimatu suchego lub półsuchego do wilgotnego. Główna zmiana paleoklimatyczna zachodziła w retyku. Chlorytowo-illitowa asocjacja noryku została zastąpiona we wczesnym–środkowym retyku przez zespół illitowo-smektytowy (lub kaolinitowo-smektytowy). W późnym retyku dominowała już asocjacja illitowo-kaolinitowa. W trakcie jury ustaliła się asocjacja chlorytowo-illitowo-kaolinitowa, odpowiadająca warunkom klimatu umiarkowanego, ciepłego. Wahania temperatury, a zwłaszcza wielkości opadów, zapisywały się tylko w zmianach proporcji kaolinitu i illitu. Odcinki profilu zubożone w kaolinit występowały w późnym pliensbachu, najwcześniejszym toarku oraz w bajosie i batonie, odpowiadając fazom klimatu chłodniejszego i mniej wilgotnego. Mniejsze, cykliczne zmiany składu minerałów ilastych były najprawdopodobniej kontrolowane astronomicznie, głównie przez cykle ekscentryczności orbity ziemskiej. Niektóre warstwy z retyku górnego, początku hetangu i toarku dolnego, wykazujące bardzo wysoki stosunek kaolinit/illit, sugerują ekstremalne wietrzenie chemiczne w klimacie tropikalnym lub subtropikalnym wilgotnym, w następstwie silnego efektu cieplarnianego.This paper summarizes over 220 results of XRD research carried out on <0.002 mm fraction of Triassic and Jurassic clay successions from the Polish Basin. SEM observations of some samples were also performed. The composition of detrital clay minerals of the Zbąszynek Beds (Norian), Wielichowo Beds (Lower–Middle Rhaetian), Zagaje Fm. (Upper Rhaetian and Lower Hettangian), Przysucha Ore bearing Fm. (Upper Hettangian), Ciechocinek Fm. (Lower Toarcian) and Częstochowa Ore-bearing Clay Fm. (Upper Bajocian and Bathonian) was controlled mostly by a weathering regime and, indirectly, by climatic conditions. Reworking and redeposition of ancient sediments (caused by tectonic processes and /or sea-level changes) and differential settling might have modified the mineral composition and partly erased the palaeoclimatic signal. A long-term evolution from arid or semi-arid to humid climatic conditions was confirmed by changes in the clay mineral composition of the <0.002 mm fraction. The major change of palaeoclimate took place during the Rhaetian. The Norian chlorite-illite association was replaced by the Early–Middle Rhaetian illite-smectite (and kaolinite-smectite) assemblage. Next, in the Late Rhaetian the illite-kaolinite association predominated. In the Jurassic, the chlorite-illite-kaolinite association was established due to a warm-temperate climate. Only changes in the kaolinite/illite ratio recorded the fluctuations in temperature and especially rainfall. Kaolinite-depleted intervals occurred in the Late Pliensbachian, Earliest Toarcian and Bajocian–Bathonian, due to cooler and less humid climatic phases. Minor cyclic variations in the clay mineral composition were most probably astronomically controlled, mainly due to the orbital eccentricity cycles. Some levels of the very high kaolinite/illite ratio in the Upper Rhaetian, at the beginning of Hettangian and in the Lower Toarcian suggest extreme chemical weathering in a humid-subtropical to tropical climate in the aftermath of a powerful greenhouse effect

Kaolinite peaks in early Toarcian profiles from the Polish Basin-an inferred record of global warming

In lower Toarcian clay deposits (Ciechocinek Fm., VIII depositional sequence of the Lower Jurassic) from three boreholes from the Polish Basin, illite-dominated sedimentation representing the lower part of studied interval was interrupted by enhanced kaolinite input. Levels of high kaolinite/illite ratio at the VIIIb/VIIIc parasequence boundary suggest strong continental weathering in a humid-subtropical to tropical climate related to the phase of the early Toarcian global warming recorded at the top of the tenuicostatum Zone and correlated with isotope curves from a number of European sections. Kaolinite enrichment may be locally enhanced by reworking ofpre-Jurassic kaolinitic rocks and differential settling. Diagenetic processes were not sufficient enough to transform the initial kaolinite,but may have altered smectite and mixed-layers into illite and/or chlorite

Modes Orthogonality of the Mechanical System Simple Supported Beam-Actuators-Concentrated Masses

This paper deals with simple supported beam-actuators-concentrated masses mechanical system; it appears in active vibration reduction problem. To solve the problem with the Fourier method, the system is discretized into uniform elements. In the paper the orthogonality condition of the modes of the discretized system is derived. Furthermore, the solution of the forced vibration problem of the above system, appearing inherently in the active vibration reduction problem, is outlined

An estimate of possible use of selected pre-Cenozoic clays from Poland for environmental protection

The paper presents the main results of the study of various Mesozoic (and Upper Carboniferous) clays from southern Poland and their capacities for pollution retention, water isolation and soil restoration. Laboratory testing was performed on 40 clay and claystone samples from 16 quarries in order to identify grain-size and mineral composition (XRD analyses), cation exchange capacity (CEC), filtration coefficient, pH reaction and contents of selected trace elements. The clay series were accumulated in various palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic conditions. They have also had different burial histories. The main component of these rocks is illite and subordinately kaolinite. Smectite (beidellite) and chlorite are usually only accessory minerals. The permeability of the pre-Cenozoic clays is varied, but CEC is very low. The clay deposits are not particularly useful for environmental protection because of scarcity of smectite and due to diagenetic alterations. They are neither a natural sorbent (with the exception of some unexploited Carboniferous bentonitic clays), nor high-quality material for pollution retention. Some of the clays may be useful for water isolation and restoration of the near-surface layer in degraded areas

Episodes of intense chemical weathering recorded in the Hettangian profiles from Holy Cross Mts margin (new research results)

Results of new mineralogical and geochemical research on clay deposits of the Rhaetian-Hettangian successions from the Holy Cross Mts. margin (south-eastern part of the epicontinental Polish basin) are presented. The clay mineral assemblages were mostly controlled by climatic conditions and weathering regime. Reworking of ancient sediments and the early diagenesis could modify the clay mineral composition. Some levels of the high kaolinite content at the Triassic-Jurassic boundary suggest intense continental weathering in the humid-subtropical to tropical climate related to the global warming episodes that were recorded on isotope curves from a number of sections in the world