(Table 2) Oxygen isotopic of composition of Pliocene to late Pleistocene planktonic foraminifera of the Mediterranean Sea

Stable isotopic and micropaleontological studies were made of selected sapropels (organic-rich sediments) deposited in the Mediterranean Sea during the last 5.0 m.y. to determine the processes responsible for their formation. Distinct isotopic and faunal changes occur across sapropels of late Pleistocene, early Pleistocene and latest Pliocene age, while smaller isotopic changes and more stable faunal assemblages are associated with the early and mid-late Pliocene sapropels. The large d18O depletions and euryhaline fauna associated with latest Pliocene-Pleistocene sapropels supports a density stratification model with a low salinity surface layer. In contrast, early Pliocene and mid-late Pliocene sapropels appear to have been formed as the result of sluggish circulation and low oxygen contents in bottom waters of the eastern Mediterranean due to the stable, warm climatic conditions of that time period.

A vibrational spectroscopic study of the phosphate mineral Wardite NaAl3(PO4)2(OH)4•2(H2O)

Three wardite mineral samples from different origins have been analysed by vibrational spectroscopy. The mineral is unusual in that it belongs to a unique symmetry class, namely the tetragonal-trapezohedral group. The structure of wardite contains layers of corner-linked –OH bridged MO6 octahedra stacked along the tetragonal C-axis in a four-layer sequence and linked by PO4 groups. Consequentially not all phosphate units are identical. Thus, two intense Raman bands observed at 995 and 1051 cm-1 are assigned to the ν1 PO43- symmetric stretching mode. Intense Raman bands are observed at 605 and 618 cm-1 with shoulders at 578 and 589 cm-1 are assigned to the ν4 out of plane bending modes of the PO43-. The observation of multiple bands supports the concept of non-equivalent phosphate units in the structure. Sharp infrared bands are observed at 3544 and 3611 cm-1 are attributed to the OH stretching vibrations of the hydroxyl units. Vibrational spectroscopy enables subtle details of the molecular structure of wardite to be determined.

A vibrational spectroscopic study of the phosphate mineral cyrilovite Na(Fe3+)3(PO4)2(OH)4·2(H2O) and in comparison with wardite

Vibrational spectroscopy enables subtle details of the molecular structure of cyrilovite to be determined. Single crystals of a pure phase from a Brazilian pegmatite were used. Cyrilovite is the Fe3+ member of the wardite group. The infrared and Raman spectroscopy were applied to compare the structure of cyrilovite with that of wardite. The Raman spectrum of cyrilovite in the 800–1400 cm−1 spectral range shows two intense bands at 992 and 1055 cm−1 assigned to the ν1View the MathML source symmetric stretching vibrations. A series of low intensity bands at 1105, 1136, 1177 and 1184 cm−1 are assigned to the ν3View the MathML source antisymmetric stretching modes. The infrared spectrum of cyrilovite in the 500–1300 cm−1 shows much greater complexity than the Raman spectrum. Strong infrared bands are found at 970 and 1007 cm−1 and are attributed to the ν1View the MathML source symmetric stretching mode. Raman bands are observed at 612 and 631 cm−1 and are assigned to the ν4 out of plane bending modes of the View the MathML source unit. In the 2600–3800 cm−1 spectral range, intense Raman bands for cyrilovite are found at 3328 and 3452 cm−1 with a broad shoulder at 3194 cm−1 and are assigned to OH stretching vibrations. Sharp infrared bands are observed at 3485 and 3538 cm−1. Raman spectroscopy complimented with infrared spectroscopy has enabled the structure of cyrilovite to be ascertained and compared with that of wardite.

Mice selectively bred for High and Low fear behavior show differences in the number of pMAPK (p44/42 ERK) expressing neurons in lateral amygdala following Pavlovian fear conditioning

Individual variability in the acquisition, consolidation and extinction of conditioned fear potentially contributes to the development of fear pathology including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Pavlovian fear conditioning is a key tool for the study of fundamental aspects of fear learning. Here, we used a selected mouse line of High and Low Pavlovian conditioned fear created from an advanced intercrossed line (AIL) in order to begin to identify the cellular basis of phenotypic divergence in Pavlovian fear conditioning. We investigated whether phosphorylated MAPK (p44/42 ERK/MAPK), a protein kinase required in the amygdala for the acquisition and consolidation of Pavlovian fear memory, is differentially expressed following Pavlovian fear learning in the High and Low fear lines. We found that following Pavlovian auditory fear conditioning, High and Low line mice differ in the number of pMAPK-expressing neurons in the dorsal sub nucleus of the lateral amygdala (LAd). In contrast, this difference was not detected in the ventral medial (LAvm) or ventral lateral (LAvl) amygdala sub nuclei or in control animals. We propose that this apparent increase in plasticity at a known locus of fear memory acquisition and consolidation relates to intrinsic differences between the two fear phenotypes. These data provide important insights into the micronetwork mechanisms encoding phenotypic differences in fear. Understanding the circuit level cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie individual variability in fear learning is critical for the development of effective treatment of fear-related illnesses such as PTSD.

High and low fear phenotypes show differences in phosphorylated (p44/42 ERK) MAPK-expressing neurons in the lateral amygdala

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious medical condition effecting both military and civilian populations. While its etiology remains poorly understood it is characterized by high and prolonged levels of fear responding. One biological unknown is whether individuals expressing high or low conditioned fear memory encode the memory differently and if that difference underlies fear response. In this study we examined cellular mechanisms that underlie high and low conditioned fear behavior by using an advanced intercrossed mouse line (B6D2F1) selected for high and low Pavlovian fear response. A known requirement for consolidation of fear memory, phosphorylated mitogen activated protein kinase (p44/42 (ERK) MAPK (pMAPK)) in the lateral amygdala (LA) is a reliable marker of fear learning-related plasticity. In this study, we asked whether high and low conditioned fear behavior is associated with differential pMAPK expression in the LA and if so, is it due to an increase in neurons expressing pMAPK or increased pMAPK per neuron. To examine this, we quantified pMAPK-expressing neurons in the LA at baseline and following Pavlovian fear conditioning. Results indicate that high fear phenotype mice have more pMAPK-expressing neurons in the LA. This finding suggests that increased endogenous plasticity in the LA may be a component of higher conditioned fear responses and begins to explain at the cellular level how different fear responders encode fear memories. Understanding how high and low fear responders encode fear memory will help identify novel ways in which fear-related illness risk can be better predicted and treated.

Genetic influences on brain asymmetry: A DTI study of 374 twins and siblings

Brain asymmetry, or the structural and functional specialization of each brain hemisphere, has fascinated neuroscientists for over a century. Even so, genetic and environmental factors that influence brain asymmetry are largely unknown. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) now allows asymmetry to be studied at a microscopic scale by examining differences in fiber characteristics across hemispheres rather than differences in structure shapes and volumes. Here we analyzed 4. Tesla DTI scans from 374 healthy adults, including 60 monozygotic twin pairs, 45 same-sex dizygotic pairs, and 164 mixed-sex DZ twins and their siblings; mean age: 24.4 years ± 1.9 SD). All DTI scans were nonlinearly aligned to a geometrically-symmetric, population-based image template. We computed voxel-wise maps of significant asymmetries (left/right differences) for common diffusion measures that reflect fiber integrity (fractional and geodesic anisotropy; FA, GA and mean diffusivity, MD). In quantitative genetic models computed from all same-sex twin pairs (N=210 subjects), genetic factors accounted for 33% of the variance in asymmetry for the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, 37% for the anterior thalamic radiation, and 20% for the forceps major and uncinate fasciculus (all L > R). Shared environmental factors accounted for around 15% of the variance in asymmetry for the cortico-spinal tract (R > L) and about 10% for the forceps minor (L > R). Sex differences in asymmetry (men > women) were significant, and were greatest in regions with prominent FA asymmetries. These maps identify heritable DTI-derived features, and may empower genome-wide searches for genetic polymorphisms that influence brain asymmetry.

Studies in terpenoids. Part 42. Synthesis of 3-(2-hydroxyisopropyl)5,8-dimethyl-1,2-naphthoquinone (emmotin-H)

Emmotin-H, a naturally occurring sesquiterpenoid 1,2-naphthoquinone pigment (1) has been synthesised in a four step sequence starting from the known 5,8-dimethyl-4-oxotetralin-2-carboxylic acid (3a). Selenium dioxide oxidation of its methyl ester (3b) gives 3-methoxycarbonyl-5,8-dimethyl-1,2-naphthoquinone (4) which on reductive acetylation affords the corresponding diacetoxynaphthalene ester (5). Its reaction with excess of methylmagnesium iodide is accompanied by aerial oxidation during work-up and furnishes emmotin-H (1).

Push-pull ethylenes: the structures of 3-(2-imidazolidinylidene)-2,4-pentanedione (I), C8H12N2O2, and 3-(1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinylidene)-2,4-pentanedione trihydrate (II), C10H16N2O2.3H2O

(I): Mr= 168, triclinic, P1, Z=2, a= 5.596 (2), b = 6.938 (3), c = 10.852 (4) A, ~t= 75.64 (3), fl= 93.44 (3), ),= 95.47 (3) °, V= 406.0A 3, Din= 1.35 (by flotation using carbon tetrachloride and n-hexane), D x= 1.374 Mg m -3, g(Mo Kct, 2 = 0.7107 A) = 1.08 cm -l, _F(000) = 180, T= 293 K. (II): Mr= 250, triclinic, P1, Z= 2, a = 7.731(2), b=8.580(2), c=11.033(3)A, a= 97-66 (2), fl= 98.86 (2), y= 101.78 (2) °, V= 697.5 A 3, D m = 1.18 (by flotation using KI solution), Dx= 1.190Mgm -3, g(MoKa, 2=0.7107A)= 1.02 cm -1, F(000) = 272, T= 293 K. Both structures were solved by direct methods and refined to R = 4.4% for 901 reflexions for (I) and 5.7% for 2001 reflexions for (II). The C=C bond distances are 1.451 (3) A in (I) and 1.468 (3)A in (II), quite significantly longer than the C=C bond in ethylene [1.336 (2).~; Bartell, Roth, Hollowell, Kuchitsu & Young (1965). J. Chem. Phys. 42, 2683-2686]. The twist angle about the C=C bond in (II) is 72.9 (5) ° but molecule (I) is essentially planar, the twist angle being only 4.9 (5) ° .

Summative evaluation of climate application activities with pastoralists in western Queensland

Survey methods were engaged to measure the change in use and knowledge of climate information by pastoralists in western Queensland. The initial mail survey was undertaken in 2000-01 (n=43) and provided a useful benchmark of pastoralists climate knowledge. Two years of climate applications activities were completed and clients were re-surveyed in 2003 (n=49) to measure the change in knowledge and assess the effectiveness of the climate applications activities. Two methods were used to assess changes in client knowledge, viz., self-assessment and test questions. We found that the use of seasonal climate forecasts in decision making increased from 36% in 2001 (n=42) to 51% in 2003 (n=49) (P=0.07). The self-assessment technique was unsatisfactory as a measure of changing knowledge over short periods (1-3 years), but the test question technique was successful and indicated an improvement in climate knowledge among respondents. The increased levels of use of seasonal climate forecasts in management and improved knowledge was partly attributed to the climate applications activities of the project. Further, those who used seasonal forecasting (n=25) didn't understand key components of forecasts (e.g. probability, median) better than those who didn't use seasonal forecasts (n=24) (P>0.05). This identifies the potential for misunderstanding and misinterpretation of forecasts among users and highlights the need for providers of forecasts to understand the difficulties and prepare simply written descriptions of forecasts and disseminate these with the maps showing probabilities. The most preferred means of accessing climate information were internet, email, 'The Season Ahead' newsletter and newspaper. The least preferred were direct contact with extension officers and attending field days and group meetings. Eighty-six percent of respondents used the internet and 67% used ADSL broadband internet (April 2003). Despite these findings, extension officers play a key role in preparing and publishing the information on the web, in emails and newsletters. We also believe that direct contact with extension officers trained in climate applications is desirable in workshop-like events to improve knowledge of the difficult concepts underpinning climate forecasts, which may then stimulate further adoption.

Pajala–Kolarin ja Soklin kaivosten rata-, satama- ja meriväyläinvestointien sekä kaivosten toiminnan vaikutukset valtion ja kuntien verotuloihin

Tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli arvioida Pajala–Kolarin ja Soklin kaivosten rata-, tie-, satama- ja meriväyläinvestointien sekä kaivosten toiminnan vaikutuksia valtion verojen ja veronluonteisten maksujen kertymiin. Lisäksi tarkasteltiin vaikutuksia Kolarin ja Pajalan kuntien sekä Soklin kaivoksen läheisten Itä- ja Pohjois-Lapin kuntaryhmien verokertymiin. Laskelmat suoritettiin yleisen tasapainon (CGE) RegFinDyn -aluemallilla vuosille 2008–2020. Pajala–Kolarin kaivos toisi valtiolle yhteensä 374,0 miljoonaa euroa verojen ja veronluonteisten maksujen lisäkertymää. Suomen osuus lisäkertymästä olisi 206,1 (55,1 %) ja Ruotsin 167,9 (44,9 %) miljoonaa euroa. Valtio saisi väyläinvestointiensa kokonaiskustannukset takaisin noin vuonna 2022 eli 15 vuodessa, vaikkei Ruotsi osallistuisi rahoitukseen. Kolarin kunnan verokertymä kasvaisi vuosina 2011–2014 yhteensä 66 %:lla ja vuodesta 2017 lähtien 12 %:lla vuoteen 2012 verrattuna. Pajalan kunnan verokertymä kasvaisi vastaavina vuosina yhteensä 97 %:lla ja vuodesta 2017 lähtien 15 %:lla vuoteen 2011 verrattuna. Soklin kaivos toisi valtiolle yhteensä 178,9 miljoonaa euroa verojen ja veronluonteisten maksujen lisäkertymää. Valtio saisi väyläinvestointiensa kokonaiskustannukset takaisin noin vuonna 2030 eli 21 vuodessa. Kaivoksen läheisen seitsemän kunnan ryhmän verokertymä kasvaisi vuosina 2011-2014 yhteensä 30 %:lla ja vuodesta 2019 lähtien 1 %:lla vuoteen 2007 verrattuna.