Reliability Analysis of The Estimated Parameters in Groundwater Systems

Source: ICHE Conference Archive - https://mdi-de.baw.de/icheArchiv

The last phase of conodont evolution during the Late Triassic: Integrating biostratigraphic and phylogenetic approaches

For the Upper Triassic, conodonts are the primary tools utilized in biostratigraphic investigations. For an ef- fective biostratigraphic zonation, the species should be constrained by clear phylogenetic relationships, in which the stratigraphic ranges and taxonomy are reliable. Unfortunately, a phylogenetic framework for the Late Triassic pectiniform conodonts is almost missing, except for particular intervals, such as the Carnian/Norian boundary. The purpose of this study is to examine the latest Norian and Rhaetian pectiniform conodonts in detail in an attempt to determine their phylogenetic relationships, by applying novel phylogenetic methodologies that incorporate both morphological and stratigraphic data. This work is based on the conodont assemblages from the Upper Triassic strata of the Lagonegro Basin (southern Apennines, southern Italy) and the Cs\u151v\ue1r area (north- central Hungary), complemented with data from the literature. The calibrated phylogenetic analysis of the latest Norian and Rhaetian conodonts supports a two-step evolutionary history: a first radiation (~211\u2013210 Ma) of the Parvigondolella species and the first representative of the genus Misikella, followed by a second phase (~206.5\u2013205 Ma) leading to the final radiation of the Misikella species. Furthermore, the systematic revision of uppermost Triassic conodonts is provided along with the description of Misikella kolarae n. sp

Revision of the Conodont Mockina slovakensis and Its Paleogeographic Implications for the Upper Triassic Intraplatform Basins of the Alps

Mockina slovakensis, thought to have evolved from Epigondolella praeslovakensis, is an important species of the Norian (Upper Triassic), generally considered as the representative of the uppermost Alaunian to upper Sevatian in the Tethys. The previous description of M. slovakensis was incomplete, thus has led to some misidentifications. We thus update the description of M. slovakensis and discuss its comparisons and occurrence based on the new conodont investigations in Dolomia di Forni and the data from previous literatures. The conodont assemblage in the succession of Dolomia di Forni is dominated by M. slovakensis, along with rare M. postera and E. praeslovakensis. We described two morphotypes of M. slovakensis (morphotypes A and B), on the basis of shape of the lateral profile. These two morphotypes can also be observed in the E. praeslovakensis. Moreover, M. slovakensis is usually documented as almost monospecific conodont association in intraplatform basins, thus its paleogeographic implications are also discussed

Evolutionary Process from Mockina bidentata to Parvigondolella andrusovi: Evidence from the Pizzo Mondello Section, Sicily, Italy

During their last phase of evolution, the pectiniform conodont elements manifested an evident trend of simplification and miniaturization. This phase started from the late Norian (Sevatian) in the Late Triassic and the evolutionary process of genus Mockina to Parvigondolella, in particular between Mockina bidentata and Parvigondolella andrusovi, is one of the most significant examples. Parvigondolella has been reported worldwide since it was first described in the early 1970s. However, it has recently been suggested that genus Parvigondolella is an ecostratigraphic morphotype of genus Mockina, and thus a phenotype controlled by the environmental conditions, and not an independent taxon. In the Pizzo Mondello Section (Sicily, Italy), transitional forms between M. bidentata and P. andrusovi have been found at different evolutionary stages. We have investigated the oceanic conditions at the time by using redox-sensitive elements (Mn, Fe, V, Cr, and Ni) and seawater temperatures from biogenetic \u3b418Ophos to understand the possible environmental influences on the phylogenetic evolution between Mockina and Parvigondolella. The geochemical and isotope analyses indicate that the redox condition and temperature were stable during the evolution of genus Parvigondolella in Pizzo Mondello, confirming that genus Parvigondolella is a real taxon and not a phenotype. A new conodont species named Parvigondolella ciarapicae n. sp. is described here for the first time

Antihypertensive activity of <i style="">Amuri </i>from <i style="">Musa paradisiaca </i>L.<i style=""></i>

197-200Amuri is a Kayakarpam preparation in Siddha System of Medicine for treatment of many diseases. In the present investigation, an attempt has been made to study the antihypertensive activity of Amuri from plantain (Banana tree (Musa paradisiaca L.) through animal models. The drug was screened for all possible mechanisms that alter blood pressure like diuretic activity in albino rats, antianxiety activity in mice, calcium channel blocking activity and b-adrenoreceptor blocking activity on isolated frog heart. Amuri from Banana tree exhibited significant diuretic activity (p<0.001) at a dose level of 8ml and 10ml/kg bw, and was comparable to hydrochlorthiazide. Treatment with Amuri did not have any antianxiety activity. Amuri also produced significant positive ionotropic and negative chronotropic effect similar to that of digoxin on isolated frog heart. This action was not antagonized by propranalol. Pretreatment with verapamil significantly reduced the cardiotonic activity. Amuri produced a significant increase in the force of contraction and heart rate (p<0.001). The action of Amuri on isolated frog heart was not dose dependent

Integrated conodont and radiolarian biostratigraphy of the upper Norian in Baoshan Block, Southwestern China

Two significant stratigraphical microfossils, conodonts and radiolarians, are usually used for the Upper Triassic chronostratigraphy. The Baoshan Block was located in eastern Tethys during the Late Triassic where the biostratigraphical data of Upper Triassic are still poorly known. We collected new samples from the Hongyan section (HY) for biostratigraphical study. This 24-m-thick section in Dabaozi Village, Baoshan City, is mainly composed of thin-layered limestones, sandstone and siltstone. The conodont fauna is referred to Sevatian 1 (late Norian), in which the species Mockina englandi, Mockina carinata and Mockina mosheri morphotype B are first recognized in the Baoshan Block, and thus eastern Tethys. The Norian radiolarian associations are first reported in the Baoshan Block, which correlate with the biozonation of North America and also that proposed for Central Japan. The radiolarian assemblages found in the analysed samples in HY section can be referred to the Sevatian Betraccium deweveri Zone. The Baoshan Block is a key area for conodont and radiolarian-based correlations between the Tethys, Japan and North American domains

Hemokinin-1 mediates anxiolytic and anti-depressant-like actions in mice

The tachykinin NK1 receptor was suggested to be involved in psychiatric disorders, but its antagonists have failed to be effective as antidepressants in clinical trials. Hemokinin-1 (HK-1), the newest tachykinin, is present in several brain regions and activates the NK1 receptor similarly to substance P (SP), but acts also through other mechanisms. Therefore, we investigated the roles of the Tac4 gene-derived HK-1 in comparison with SP and neurokinin A (NKA) encoded by the Tac1 gene, as well as the NK1 receptor in anxiety and depression-like behaviors in mice. Mice lacking SP/NKA, HK-1 or the NK1 receptor (Tac1(-/-), Tac4(-/-), Tacr1(-/-), respectively) compared to C57Bl/6 wildtypes (WT), and treatment with the NK1 antagonist CP99994 were used in the experiments. Anxiety was evaluated in the light-dark box (LDB) and the elevated plus maze (EPM), locomotor activity in the open field (OFT) tests. Hedonic behavior was assessed in the sucrose preference test (SPT), depression-like behavior in the tail suspension (TST) and forced swim (FST) tests. FST-induced neuronal responsiveness was evaluated with Fos immunohistochemistry in several stress-related brain regions. In the LDB, Tac4(-/-) mice spent significantly less, while Tacr1(-/-) and CP99994-treated mice spent significantly more time in the lit compartment. In the EPM only Tac4(-/-) showed reduced time in the open arms, but no difference was observed in any other groups. In the OFT Tac4(-/-) mice showed significantly reduced, while Tac1(-/-) and Tacr1(-/-) animals increased motility than the WTs, but CP99994 had no effect. NK1(-/-) consumed markedly more, while Tac4(-/-) less sucrose solution compared to WTs. In the TST and FST, Tac4(-/-) mice showed significantly increased immobility. However, depression-like behavior was decreased both in cases of genetic deletion and pharmacological blockade of the NK1 receptor. FST-induced neuronal activation in different nuclei involved in behavioral and neuroendocrine stress responses was significantly reduced in the brain of Tac4(-/-) mice. Our results provide the first evidence for an anxiolytic and anti-depressant-like actions of HR-1 through a presently unknown target-mediated mechanism. Identification of its receptor and/or signaling pathways might open new perspectives for anxiolytic and anti-depressant therapies. 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved