Siluro-Devonian graptolite stratigraphy of the Catalonian Coastal Ranges

Two facies characterize the Silurian and lower Devonian of the Catalonian Coastal Ranges, namely euxinic and pelagic carbonate facies. The first, is represented by black shales in which the atavus, acinaces, cyphus, triangulatus, convolutus, ?sedgwickii, ellesae and tumescens zones have been recognized. The graptolite succesion is far from complete on present evidence, but this is probably due to unfavorable environmental (taphonomic) conditions. This facies is similar to that prevailing throughout the Iberian massif and most of western Europe. The pelagic carbonate facies is peculiar to the Pridoli and lower Devonian and corresponds to the facies type prevailing in the Western Mediterranean Area. It is characterized by the nodular texture of limestones and marls, with all gradations between nodular limestones, marls and slates. Massive nodular limestone, occur in the lower partof the sequence (La Creu Formation) while the alternation of limestones, marls and slates charaterizes the upper part (Olorda Formation). Orthoconic cephalopds, crinoids, conodonts and tentaculites are the most common fossils present; graptolites occur in some shale horizons in the lower part of the Olorda Formation. These graptolites give strong indications of the uniformis and hercynicus zones (Lochkovian). The uppermost part of the sequence has not provided any graptolite fauna, but according their dacrioconarid fauna it corresponds probably to the Pragian

Polymorphic organization in a planktonic graptoloid (Hemichordata: Pterobranchia) colony of Late Ordovician age

Graptolites are common fossils in Early Palaeozoic strata, but little is known of their soft-part anatomy. However, we report a long-overlooked specimen of Dicranograptus aff. ramosus from Late Ordovician strata of southern Scotland that preserves a strongly polymorphic, recalcitrant, organic-walled network hitherto unseen in graptoloid graptolites. This network displays three morphologies: proximally, a strap-like pattern, likely of flattened tubes; these transform distally into isolated, hourglass-shaped structures; then, yet more distally, revert to a (simpler) strap-like pattern. The network most likely represents a stolon-like system, hitherto unknown in graptoloids, that connected individual zooids. Its alternative interpretation, as colonial xenobionts that infested a graptoloid colony and mimicked its architecture, is considered less likely on taphonomic and palaeobiological grounds. Such polymorphism is not known in non-graptolite pterobranchs, which are less diverse and morphologically more conservative: a division of labour between graptoloid zooids for such functions as feeding, breeding and rhabdosome construction may have been the key to their remarkable evolutionary success

Analysis of the absorption coefficient by annealing in carbon implanted Nd:YVO4

Low loss in optical waveguides is very important in order to achieve high laser efficiency. Waveguide fabrication by ion implantation generates color centers, leading to absorption losses which can be reduced by annealing; however, this process may eliminate the waveguide and hence it is necessary to consider both the optimum annealing time and temperature. This work reports the behavior of the absorption coefficient by successive annealing steps in Nd:YVO4 implanted with a dose of 5×1014 ions/cm2

The position of graptolites within Lower Palaeozoic planktic ecosystems.

An integrated approach has been used to assess the palaeoecology of graptolites both as a discrete group and also as a part of the biota present within Ordovician and Silurian planktic realms. Study of the functional morphology of graptolites and comparisons with recent ecological analogues demonstrates that graptolites most probably filled a variety of niches as primary consumers, with modes of life related to the colony morphotype. Graptolite coloniality was extremely ordered, lacking any close morphological analogues in Recent faunas. To obtain maximum functional efficiency, graptolites would have needed varying degrees of coordinated automobility. A change in lifestyle related to ontogenetic changes was prevalent within many graptolite groups. Differing lifestyle was reflected by differing reproductive strategies, with synrhabdosomes most likely being a method for rapid asexual reproduction. Direct evidence in the form of graptolithophage 'coprolitic' bodies, as well as indirect evidence in the form of probable defensive adaptations, indicate that graptolites comprised a food item for a variety of predators. Graptolites were also hosts to a variety of parasitic organisms and provided an important nutrient source for scavenging organisms

Influence of Controlled Breathing on Cerebrovascular Control During Upright Tilt

Arterial pressures oscillate with the frequency of respiration, and these oscillations are translated directly to the cerebrovasculature. For this reason, intrinsic cerebrovascular control is assessed at the low frequency (LF; .07-.2 Hz). When humans breathe spontaneously, it is possible that breathing frequency encroaches on these non-respiratory rhythms, thereby confounding the interpretation of intrinsic cerebrovascular control. PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that controlled breathing (CB) decreases, and spontaneous breathing (SB) increases the reliance of cerebral blood velocity on arterial pressure within the LF range in both the supine and upright postures. METHODS: We recorded ECG, finger arterial pressure (Finometer), transcranial Doppler ultrasound of the middle cerebral artery, and end-tidal CO₂ in 20 healthy male volunteers (24±2 yrs). Ten subjects breathed in time to a metronome set at a pace of 15 breaths/min (CB), and ten subjects breathed spontaneously (SB). Both groups were studied in the supine and head-up tilt (HUT) positions for 5-min. Reliance of mean cerebral blood velocity (CBVmean) on mean arterial pressure (MAP) was assessed over the LF with cross-spectral coherence analysis (COH). RESULTS: Respiratory rates were not different between CB and SB during supine (p=.86), but were lower for SB compared with CB during HUT (11.7±.7 vs. 14.8±.1; p\u3c.001). End-tidal CO₂ was decreased by CB during both supine and HUT (p\u3c.05). CBVmean was decreased with CB during supine (p=.04), but was similar between CB and SB during HUT (p=.14). Neither LFMAP nor LFCBVmean oscillations were different in the supine position (p\u3e.6), but were increased (with a trend for LFMAP) with SB during HUT (p=.003 for LF CBVmean and p=.09 for LFMAP). COH was not different in the supine position between CB and SB (.42±.05 for CB and .61±.06 SB; p=.13), but was lower for CB in the HUT position (.55±.05 for CB and .78±.08 for SB; p=.02). CONCLUSION: Reliance of CBVmean on MAP is increased in the LF range when subjects breathe spontaneously during HUT. We attribute changes in COH during HUT to entrainment of respiratory-mediated arterial pressure fluctuations on the cerebrovasculature. However, the potential confounding influence of hypocapnia warrants further investigation

Educational outcomes in extremely preterm children : neuropsychological correlates and predictors of attainment

This study assessed the impact of extremely preterm birth on academic attainment at 11 years of age, investigated neuropsychological antecedents of attainment in reading and mathematics, and examined early predictors of educational outcomes. Children born extremely preterm had significantly poorer academic attainment and a higher prevalence of learning difficulties than their term peers. General cognitive ability and specific deficits in visuospatial skills or phoneme deletion at 6 years were predictive of mathematics and reading attainment at 11 years in both extremely preterm and term children. Phonological processing, attention, and executive functions at 6 years were also associated with academic attainment in children born extremely preterm. Furthermore, social factors, neonatal factors (necrotizing enterocolitis, breech delivery, abnormal cerebral ultrasound, early breast milk provision), and developmental factors at 30 months (head circumference, cognitive development), were independent predictors of educational outcomes at 11 years. Neonatal complications combined with assessments of early cognitive function provide moderate prediction for educational outcomes in children born extremely preterm

Changes in undergraduate student alcohol consumption as they progress through university

BACKGROUND: Unhealthy alcohol use amongst university students is a major public health concern. Although previous studies suggest a raised level of consumption amongst the UK student population there is little consistent information available about the pattern of alcohol consumption as they progress through university. The aim of the current research was to describe drinking patterns of UK full-time undergraduate students as they progress through their degree course. METHOD: Data were collected over three years from 5895 undergraduate students who began their studies in either 2000 or 2001. Longitudinal data (i.e. Years 1–3) were available from 225 students. The remaining 5670 students all responded to at least one of the three surveys (Year 1 n = 2843; Year 2 n = 2219; Year 3 n = 1805). Results: Students reported consuming significantly more units of alcohol per week at Year 1 than at Years 2 or 3 of their degree. Male students reported a higher consumption of units of alcohol than their female peers. When alcohol intake was classified using the Royal College of Physicians guidelines [1] there was no difference between male and females students in terms of the percentage exceeding recommended limits. Compared to those who were low level consumers students who reported drinking above low levels at Year 1 had at least 10 times the odds of continuing to consume above low levels at year 3. Students who reported higher levels of drinking were more likely to report that alcohol had a negative impact on their studies, finances and physical health. Consistent with the reduction in units over time students reported lower levels of negative impact during Year 3 when compared to Year 1. CONCLUSION: The current findings suggest that student alcohol consumption declines over their undergraduate studies; however weekly levels of consumption at Year 3 remain high for a substantial number of students. The persistence of high levels of consumption in a large population of students suggests the need for effective preventative and treatment interventions for all year groups

Challenges related to teaching mathematics using social justice pedagogies. A secondary school experience.

This study involves an Australian Western Victorian District High School year nine mixed ability mathematics class learning mathematics using social justice pedagogy. The learning intent of the unit required students to compare their own lifestyles against different families from around the world and use mathematics as a tool to investigate inequality. Although the study’s findings showed that there were associations between student learning and engagement when using this initiative, there were also many individual and unique challenges encountered during the study. These challenges included integrating the study into an already overloaded school curriculum and many different educational stakeholders. Data analysis suggested that teachers who use social justice pedagogies within their classroom practices need to be flexible, highly adaptive and have a strong commitment to achieve the best learning outcomes for the students