Cenozoic evolution of the eastern Black Sea: a test of depth-dependent stretching models

Subsidence analysis of the eastern Black Sea basin suggests that the stratigraphy of this deep, extensional basin can be explained by a predominantly pure-shear stretching history. A strain-rate inversion method that assumes pure-shear extension obtains good fits between observed and predicted stratigraphy. A relatively pure-shear strain distribution is also obtained when a strain-rate inversion algorithm is applied that allows extension to vary with depth without assuming its existence or form. The timing of opening of the eastern Black Sea, which occupied a back-arc position during the closure of the Tethys Ocean, has also been a subject of intense debate; competing theories called for basin opening during the Jurassic, Cretaceous or Paleocene/Eocene. Our work suggests that extension likely continued into the early Cenozoic, in agreement with stratigraphic relationships onshore and with estimates for the timing of arc magmatism. Further basin deepening also appears to have occurred in the last 20 myr. This anomalous subsidence event is focused in the northern part of the basin and reaches its peak at 15–10 Ma. We suggest that this comparatively localized shortening is associated with the northward movement of the Arabian plate. We also explore the effects of paleowater depth and elastic thickness on the results. These parameters are controversial, particularly for deep-water basins and margins, but their estimation is a necessary step in any analysis of the tectonic subsidence record stored in stratigraphy. <br/

Root herbivores drive changes to plant primary chemistry, but root loss is mitigated under elevated atmospheric CO2

Above- and belowground herbivory represents a major challenge to crop productivity and sustainable agriculture worldwide. How this threat from multiple herbivore pests will change under anthropogenic climate change, via altered trophic interactions and plant response traits, is key to understanding future crop resistance to herbivory. In this study, we hypothesized that atmospheric carbon enrichment would increase the amount (biomass) and quality (C:N ratio) of crop plant resources for above- and belowground herbivore species. In a controlled environment facility, we conducted a microcosm experiment using the large raspberry aphid (Amphorophora idaei), the root feeding larvae of the vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus), and the raspberry (Rubus idaeus) host-plant. There were four herbivore treatments (control, aphid only, weevil only and a combination of both herbivores) and an ambient (aCO2) or elevated (eCO2) CO2 treatment (390 versus 650 ± 50 μmol/mol) assigned to two raspberry cultivars (cv Glen Ample or Glen Clova) varying in resistance to aphid herbivory. Contrary to our predictions, eCO2 did not increase crop biomass or the C:N ratio of the plant tissues, nor affect herbivore abundance either directly or via the host-plant. Root herbivory reduced belowground crop biomass under aCO2 but not eCO2, suggesting that crops could tolerate attack in a CO2 enriched environment. Root herbivory also increased the C:N ratio in leaf tissue at eCO2, potentially due to decreased N uptake indicated by lower N concentrations found in the roots. Root herbivory greatly increased root C concentrations under both CO2 treatments. Our findings confirm that responses of crop biomass and biochemistry to climate change need examining within the context of herbivory, as biotic interactions appear as important as direct effects of eCO2 on crop productivity

Biomolecule Detection \u3cem\u3evia\u3c/em\u3e Target Mediated Nanoparticle Aggregation and Dielectrophoretic Impedance Measurement

A new biosensing system is described that is based on the aggregation of nanoparticles by a target biological molecule and dielectrophoretic impedance measurement of these aggregates. The aggregation process was verified within a microchannel via fluorescence microscopy, demonstrating that this process can be used in a real time sensor application. Positive dielectrophoresis is employed to capture the nanoparticle aggregates at the edge of thin film electrodes, where their presence is detected either by optical imaging via fluorescence microscopy or by measuring the change in electrical impedance between adjacent electrodes. The electrical detection mechanism demonstrates the potential for this method as a micro total analysis system (mTAS)

Elevated atmospheric CO2 impairs aphid escape responses to predators and conspecific alarm signals

Research into the impact of atmospheric change on predator–prey interactions has mainly focused on density dependent responses and trophic linkages. As yet, the chemical ecology underpinning predator–prey interactions has received little attention in environmental change research. Group living animals have evolved behavioral mechanisms to escape predation, including chemical alarm signalling. Chemical alarm signalling between conspecific prey could be susceptible to environmental change if the physiology and behavior of these organisms are affected by changes in dietary quality resulting from environmental change. Using Rubus idaeus plants, we show that elevated concentrations of atmospheric CO2 (eCO2) severely impaired escape responses of the aphid Amphorophora idaei to predation by ladybird larvae (Harmonia axyridis). Escape responses to ladybirds was reduced by >50 % after aphids had been reared on plants grown under eCO2. This behavioral response was rapidly induced, occurring within 24 h of being transferred to plants grown at eCO2 and, once induced, persisted even after aphids were transferred to plants grown at ambient CO2. Escape responses were impaired due to reduced sensitivity to aphid alarm pheromone, (E)-β-farnesene, via an undefined plant-mediated mechanism. Aphid abundance often increases under eCO2, however, reduced efficacy of conspecific signalling may increase aphid vulnerability to predation, highlighting the need to study the chemical ecology of predator–prey interactions under environmental change

Top-down control by Harmonia axyridis mitigates the impact of elevated atmospheric CO2 on a plant-aphid interaction

1. The present study investigated the impact of elevated atmospheric CO2 (390 or 650 μmol/mol) on raspberry genotypes varying in resistance to the large raspberry aphid Amphorophora idaei and any subsequent impact on the coccinellid predator Harmonia axyridis. 2. CO2 enrichment promoted plant growth, ranging from 30% in the partially susceptible cultivar to a more than 100% increase for the susceptible cultivar. 3. Aphid abundance and colonization (presence–absence) on the susceptible cultivars were not influenced by CO2 enrichment. On the resistant cultivar, aphid colonisation increased from 14% in ambient CO2 to 70% in elevated CO2 with a subsequent increase in aphid abundance, implying a breakdown in resistance. Inclusion of the natural enemy on the resistant cultivar, however, suppressed the increase in aphid abundance at elevated CO2. 4. The present study highlights how crop genotypes vary in responses to climate change; some cultivars can become more susceptible to aphid pests under elevated CO2. We do, however, demonstrate the potential for top-down control to mitigate the effect of global climate change on pest populations

The Grizzly, December 2, 1983

Ursinus Mourns Loss of Bozorth • Student Dismissed • East and West: The Twain Meet • Nuclear Debate Reaches Ursinus • Students Needed for Telethon; Messiah Returns; Librarian Recognized • A Meeting of the Minds • Men\u27s Basketball Opens \u2783-\u2784 Season • Aquabears Stroke Well • UC Soccer Crowned ECAC Champs: Jubilation Reigns! • Women\u27s Hoops Take Drexel to the Limit • Bucketeers to Appear Sundayhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1109/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, November 30, 1984

Board Approves $825 Increase in Annual Tuition, Room and Board • Glick Summons Students: Wood Responds to Roving Reporter • Shorts: Messiah; Spring Jobs; Ice Fishing • Hoop Team Upsets West Chester in Opener • Booters Finish Great Season • Mers and Vers Attend Bloomsburg Invitational • Whatley Plans to Expand Intramurals • Co-ed Volleyball Ends • Fencing in First Competition • Scenes From the Soccer Seasonhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1129/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, February 15, 1985

USGA Reschedules Election • Japanese Studies Prof. Returns to U.C. • UC Retention Rate Above National Average • Without Reform, Second Election Doomed to Failure • U.C. Contributes to Local Secondary Education: Need for Tutors May Grow • College Students Have Trouble Managing Money, Survey Shows • Campus Life Surveys Possible Displacements • Grapplers Keep Winning: Wiehler Notches 14-second Fall • Senior Matmen Get Last Shot at MAC Title • Ververeli Operates on the Mats for Now • Mers Dunk Dips • Mermaids Win Three, Lose One • UC Grad Writes Book • B-ball Drops Two • Lady Hoopsters\u27 Losing Ways Continuehttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1133/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, October 7, 1983

Career Workshops Held • What\u27s in a Name • Fago Opens Lecture Series • Lantern Makes National Anthology • Campus Memo • Letters to the Editor • Red and Gold Days Inaugurated • Sorority Pledging Underway • Half-Price Student Rushes for Genty! • Keep it Clean • Renaissance Play at Ursinus Commemoration • ATO Incident at Penn • Politics Sells Papers • Yearbook Sale Begins Monday • Ursinus Soccer Romps Over Hopkins • Volleyball Scores Second Victory • Grizzlies Fall to Swarthmorehttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1103/thumbnail.jp