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Leigh syndrome is a severe mitochondrial neurodegenerative disease with no effective treatment. In the Ndufs4(−/−) mouse model of LS, continuously breathing 11% O(2) (hypoxia) prevents neurodegeneration and leads to a dramatic extension (~5-fold) in lifespan. We investigated the effect of hypoxia on the brain metabolism of Ndufs4(−/−) mice by studying blood gas tensions and metabolite levels in simultaneously sampled arterial and cerebral internal jugular venous (IJV) blood. Relatively healthy Ndufs4(−/−) and wildtype (WT) mice breathing air until postnatal age ~38 d were compared to Ndufs4(−/−) and WT mice breathing air until ~38 days old followed by 4-weeks of breathing 11% O(2). Compared to WT control mice, Ndufs4(−/−) mice breathing air have reduced brain O(2) consumption as evidenced by an elevated partial pressure of O(2) in IJV blood (P(ijv)O(2)) despite a normal PO(2) in arterial blood, and higher lactate/pyruvate (L/P) ratios in IJV plasma revealed by metabolic profiling. In Ndufs4(−/−) mice, hypoxia treatment normalized the P(ijv)O(2) and L/P ratios, and decreased levels of nicotinate in IJV plasma. Brain concentrations of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) were lower in Ndufs4(−/−) mice breathing air than in WT mice, but preserved at WT levels with hypoxia treatment. Although mild hypoxia (17% O(2)) has been shown to be an ineffective therapy for Ndufs4(−/−) mice, we find that when combined with nicotinic acid supplementation it provides a modest improvement in neurodegeneration and lifespan. Therapies targeting both brain hyperoxia and NAD(+) deficiency may hold promise for treating Leigh syndrome.

The Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddellii) thrives in its extreme Antarctic environment. We generated the Weddell seal genome assembly and a high-quality annotation to investigate genome-wide evolutionary pressures that underlie its phenotype and to study genes implicated in hypoxia tolerance and a lipid-based metabolism. Genome-wide analyses included gene family expansion/contraction, positive selection, and diverged sequence (acceleration) compared to other placental mammals, identifying selection in coding and non-coding sequence in five pathways that may shape cardiovascular phenotype. Lipid metabolism as well as hypoxia genes contained more accelerated regions in the Weddell seal compared to genomic background. Top-significant genes were SUMO2 and EP300; both regulate hypoxia inducible factor signaling. Liver expression of four genes with the strongest acceleration signals differ between Weddell seals and a terrestrial mammal, sheep. We also report a high-density lipoprotein-like particle in Weddell seal serum not present in other mammals, including the shallow-diving harbor seal.

During the Cretaceous Period, the Indian Plate separated from Gondwana and drifted northwards, eventually colliding with Eurasia at the end of the period or in the early Cenozoic. This led to major changes in the composition of the flora and fauna of the region. Palynomorph assemblages from Cretaceous deposits in Gamba County, southern Xizang (Tibet), China, are analyzed herein in an attempt to determine how the vegetation of the northern margin of the Indian Plate changed. The Gamba assemblages were initially similar in composition to those from Australia but by the Santonian Stage they were more similar to those of North Africa. Differences from the former are increasingly apparent through the Albian–Cenomanian transition. The rate of evolution of the Gamba flora was about the same as that of the Australian flora prior to the Albian, somewhat slower during this stage, but faster from the Cenomanian onwards, implying that this was, to a large extent, a result of the separation of the Indian Plate from Gondwana and its northward drift during the Cretaceous Period. During the Albian, the Australian block drifted eastwards whereas the Indian Plate remained relatively static. This resulted in few changes in the Gamba palynoflora but many in palynofloras from Australia. However, the northward movement of the Indian Plate in the Late Cretaceous led to pronounced changes, with numerous inceptions of genera and species in the Gamba succession. Of these, many have an African or equatorial distribution and none has connections with Australia, indicating that the climate at this time was similar to that of North Africa and that separation from Australia was complete. The arrival of the Indian Plate in equatorial regions allowed floral exchange between its northern part and North Africa during the Santonian.

Palynofloras provide many clues about the composition of past terrestrial vegetation and the conditions in which the plants lived. Here we describe a new Early Cretaceous palynoflora from the western Portuguese Basin in the Estremadura region. A palynomorph assemblage of 34 genera and 55 species was extracted from samples collected from the site of Casal do Borracho in the municipality of Torres Vedras. The rocks concerned belong to the Almargem Formation, which is considered to be of late Barremian to early Aptian age. The beds sampled are dominated by kaolinite, illite or smectite. Of the 22 samples processed for palynological analysis, only five from beds of varying clay mineral composition proved to be productive. The assemblages recovered are dominated by representatives of the fern family Anemiaceae, mainly the spore genera Appendicisporites, Cicatricosisporites, Costatoperforosporites and Klukisporites. Zygospores of Zygnemataceae occur in association. There are also numerous bisaccate and cheirolepidiaceous conifer pollen. Angiosperm pollen grains are scarce and represented by the genera Clavatipollenites, Mayoa and Pennipollis. Overall, the palynoflora of Casal do Borracho suggests a locally wet environment in a tropical/subtropical climate, with much of the gymnospermous component indicating more arid conditions not far away at the time of deposition, an interpretation that is supported by data on the clay mineral assemblages recovered from the succession.

Introduction Lateral malleolus non-union can cause pain and loss of function. Standard treatment involves open approach with debridement, bone-grafting and plate stabilisation, with published surgical site infection rates to 17%. To minimise the risk of soft tissue complications and allow early mobilisation, we describe a technique for percutaneous cannulated screw stabilisation. Materials and methods Retrospective case review for all percutaneous lateral malleolus non-union stabilisation procedures undertaken in our hospital between 2011 and 2017 was performed. Fracture union was diagnosed by resolution of pain and swelling, with a return to full weight-bearing mobilisation and two-view radiographs consistent with union. Results Twelve cases were reviewed. All fractures united. There was one superficial wound infection treated with oral antibiotics, and one early case with drill-piece fracture requiring conversion to open procedure with plate stabilisation. Conclusion We believe this to be the first report of percutaneous stabilisation for non-union of lateral malleolus fractures. We demonstrate this to be a safe and effective technique.

International audience; Further to the work published by Néraudeau et al. six years ago, palynological matter recovered from the lignitic bone bed of Angeac in Charente (south-west France) has been re-examined in order to provide more evidence of its age, the previous Hauterivian–Barremian interpretation being regarded as controversial. The samples come from four sedimentological units, An2–An5, which together yielded an assemblage of 34 species, taxonomically dominated by palaeoecologically significant lygodiaceous verrucate spores, including eight species attributable to the genus Concavissimisporites and three species of Trilobosporites. A few bisaccate pollen grains, including Vitreisporites pallidus, have been recovered, but the gymnospermous pollen spectrum is clearly dominated by the cheirolepidiaceous genus Classopollis, its abundance diminishing progressively upwards from units An4 to An2. The great abundance and diversity of verrucate forms, along with the presence of other spores typical of Lower Cretaceous deposits, such as Aequitriradites verrucosus, and the scarcity of specimens referable to Cicatricosisporites, render this assemblage most similar to those of the Hastings Group of southern England, and the Bückeberg Formation in north-western Germany. The time of deposition is, therefore, more likely to have been Berriasian–Valanginian rather than Hauterivian–Barremian, as previously stated. The associated small assemblage of megaspores is consistent with this determination. Except for Trilobosporites and Concavissimisporites, the use of several other genera commonly applied to Mesozoic verrucate spores, such as Converrucosisporites and Impardecispora, is considered unnecessary. To support this assertion, a Principal Components Analysis has been carried out on 120 verrucate spores from sedimentological units An2–4, taking into account ten morphological variables. The results show that specimens attributable to Trilobosporites are well be separated from the main cluster, which corresponds to Concavissimisporites, underlining the futility of using more than two genera for the species concerned.

Sixteen organic-rich argillaceous limestone and black shale samples from three wells with up to 16 wt% TOC (average 9.32 wt%) from the Middle–Upper Jurassic Naokelekan Formation in the west Zagros Basin of northern Iraq were evaluated as source rocks. Both organic geochemical and molecular data indicate an open marine environment at the time of deposition, leading to accumulation of Type-II and Type-III kerogen with varying oil and gas generation potential. The predominance of short-chain n-alkanes (n-C13–n-C19), and C27 and C29 steranes, and absence of oleanane confirm the dominantly planktonic/bacterial and algal origin of the organic matter. Organic richness, low Pr/Ph, and high C35/C34 homohopane ratios suggest alternating anoxic to suboxic depositional conditions. Biomarker distributions are consistent with sporadic anoxia, with unequivocal evidence for stratification of the water column and hypersalinity. The 22S/(22S + 22R) ratios for C32 homohopanes, moretane/hopane, and C29 sterane 20S/(20S + 20R) and ββ/(ββ+αα) ratios vary irregularly, whereas the C27 diasteranes, Ts/(Tm + Ts), triaromatic cracking and MDR ratios vary substantially and increase with burial depth among different homologues within the same sample set, indicating the threshold to peak of the oil-generation window. Based on hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) of 13 selected source-related biomarker ratios, the source rock extracts have been divided into three groups: Group-1 from the Ba-1 well, Balad oil field, and Groups-2 and -3 from the Aj-8 and Aj-12 wells, respectively, in the Ajil oil field.

The non-marine Wealden succession of southern England contains a great variety of fossils, new finds of which continue to reveal novel insights into the animals and plants that inhabited this part of the world during much of the Early Cretaceous. Although seldom common, careful searching during the past few years has yielded megafossils that add to previous knowledge of occurrences of taxa and palaeoenvironmental conditions. Particularly significant in this respect has been the recovery of a large number of new insect species, but there have also been numerous finds of vertebrate bones and other body parts, such as teeth, skulls, a claw and a cranial endocast. In addition, the taxonomy of some of these groups and, in the case of dinosaurs, the ichnotaxonomy of their footprints and trackways, has been reviewed and/or reassessed. In this paper, we provide an illustrated account of the research that has been published on Wealden geology and the fossils that have been recovered from the succession since a field guide to English Wealden fossils was issued by the Palaeontological Association in 2011. It is aimed at providing the reader with a document of first resort for fossil identification purposes and a lead into the literature for further information.

The partially reticulate sculpture of Molaspora aspera sp. nov., a marsileaceous megaspore from a Cenomanian deposit in western France, distinguishes it from other species of Molaspora. An acrolamella entirely surrounds and obscures a small tetrad scar, a feature that has been demonstrated hitherto within members of the genus only in M. fibrosa. It was also encountered for the first time in M. lobata, with which the new species is associated in the same French mesofossil assemblage. The ultrastructure of the sporoderm of M. aspera is similar to that of M. lobata, but differs particularly in that the inner epispore is markedly thicker and may also contain numerous large, homogeneous spherules or, alternatively, holes of comparable dimensions and only a few small spherules. It is possible that these are a response to some hostile bacterial or other activity when the developing sporoderm was partially permeable. The cavity replacing part of the epispore in one of the specimens, and in the specimen of...

Thirty-six Silurian core and cuttings samples and 10 crude oil samples from Ordovician reservoirs in the NC115 Concession, Murzuq Basin, southwest Libya were studied by organic geochemical methods to determine source rock organic facies, conditions of deposition, thermal maturity and genetic relationships. The Lower Silurian Hot Shale at the base of the Tanezzuft Formation is a high-quality oil/gas-prone source rock that is currently within the early oil maturity window. The overall average TOC content of the Hot Shale is 7.2 wt% with a maximum recorded value of 20.9 wt%. By contrast, the overlying deposits of the Tanezzuft Formation have an average TOC of 0.6 wt% and a maximum value of 1.1 wt%. The organic matter in the Hot Shale consists predominantly of mixed algal and terrigenous Type-II/III kerogen, whereas the rest of the formation is dominated by terrigenous Type-III organic matter with some Type II/III kerogen. Oils from the A-, B- and H-oil fields in the NC115 Concession were almost certainly derived from marine shale source rocks that contained mixed algal and terrigenous organic input reflecting deposition under suboxic to anoxic conditions. The oils are light and sweet, and despite being similar, were almost certainly derived from different facies and maturation levels within mature source rocks. The B-oils were generated from slightly less mature source rocks than the others. Based on hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA), selected source-related biomarkers and stable carbon isotope ratios, the NC115 oils can be divided into two genetic families: Family-I oils from Ordovician Mamuniyat reservoirs were probably derived from older Palaeozoic source rocks, whereas Family-II oils from Ordovician Mamuniyat–Hawaz reservoirs were probably charged from a younger Palaeozoic source of relatively high maturity. A third family appears to be a mixture of the two, but is most similar to Family-II oils. These oil families were derived from one proven mature source rock, the Early Silurian, Rhuddanian Hot Shale. There is a good correlation between the Family-II and -III oils and the Hot Shale based on carbon isotope compositions. Saturated and aromatic maturity parameters indicate that these oils were generated from a source rock of considerably higher maturity than the examined rock samples. The results imply that the oils originated from more mature source rocks outside the NC115 Concession and migrated to their current positions after generation.

Introduction: Virtual clinics whereby patient information is collected remotely and then reviewed by specialists in a central location have been used previously in remote areas for ophthalmology services with good acceptability noted for patients. With removal of a face-to-face consultation efficiency for services can improve allowing focus of services where it is most needed. This is critical in orthopaedic services where, in 2014–15 over 7.5million outpatient appointments were scheduled. Methods: We introduced a virtual clinic for all major joint follow-up in our trust with patients sent ‘patient reported outcome measures’ (PROM) and invited to attend for radiology at local centres with results reviewed centrally. We then assessed reply rates and the numbers requiring normal outpatient review to assess the benefit of the virtual clinic service. Results: Over a 10-week trial period, 151 patients were eligible for virtual clinic review. Sixteen (10.6%) did not reply, although 14 of these patients had attended for radiology. Of the 135 who did respond 16 (11.8%) required some form of reminder to return PROMs. Of the 151 patients 19 (13%) subsequently required conventional outpatient review either for poor results on PROM or abnormality identified on radiology. This represents an average 13 saved outpatient appoints per week with an obvious cost saving benefit to our trust.

One hundred and thirty-six core and cuttings samples from Upper Cretaceous–Eocene deposits that are believed to include the most important source rocks in the Sirte Basin have been subjected to Rock-Eval pyrolysis, total organic carbon measurements, and palynofacies and microfacies analyses to determine palaeoenvironments and the thermal maturation history of the succession. It is apparent that the lower part of the Bahi Formation, the oldest rock unit examined, reflects a basin margin environment under the influence of freshwater input. Shallow marine, near-shore, inner shelf, suboxic–anoxic conditions, which are first suggested by the uppermost deposits of the Bahi Formation, prevailed for much of the time during deposition of the younger Cretaceous Etel, Rachmat, Sirte and Kalash formations. Shallow supratidal and intertidal sub-environments alternating with deeper environments of shelf embayments associated with a maximum rise in sea level are indicated by the Paleocene Farrud Member of the Beda Formation. The Zelten Formation consists of shallow intertidal and lagoonal facies, and the overlying Paleocene–Eocene Kheir Formation reflects relatively shallow marine sedimentation in mid to outer shelf environments alternating with short-lived, shallow, intertidal-lagoonal to supratidal conditions. The TOC content of the Upper Cretaceous samples examined is mostly moderate (up to 2.04%), the organic matter consisting of Types II and II/III kerogen. Differences in hydrocarbon generation potential are linked to varying proportions of aquatic versus terrigenous organic matter in the samples examined and hence to depositional conditions. Combined geochemical and palynofacies data reflect deposition mainly in weakly reducing to suboxic settings and suggest that immature to early mature gas-prone source rocks are within the Etel, Rachmat and some of the Sirte Formation, and mature oil/gas-prone source rocks are within the Sirte and Kalash formations.

The Ghadames Basin of NW Libya contains more than 10 B brls oil-equivalent in Palaeozoic siliciclastic reservoirs which are charged by organic-rich “hot shales” in the Lower Silurian (Rhuddanian) Tanezzuft Formation. Geochemical analysis of 85 shale samples and ten oils from three fields (NC2, NC4 and NC7) in the central and northern part of the basin provides a robust description of the Tanezzuft – Mamuniyat/Acacus petroleum system in this region, and of the associated source facies and oil families. The shale samples underwent total organic carbon (TOC) analysis and Rock-Eval pyrolysis, and the ten crude oil samples were analysed by gas chromatography – flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) of the saturated and aromatic hydrocarbon fractions, accompanied by stable carbon isotopic analysis. Organic matter ranges from Type II to mixed Type II/III kerogen with varying oil and gas generation potential in the early to main stages of the oil generation window. The analysed oils are characterised by low sulphur, nickel and vanadium contents, and relatively high API gravity (34.9–46.8oAPI). Biomarkers suggest that they were generated from marine shales containing abundant Type II to mixed Type II/III kerogen deposited in mildly anoxic – suboxic conditions with a dominance of C29 over C27 or C28 steranes, indicative of a source rich in brown algae and cyanobacteria. Their close stratigraphic association and biomarker characteristics support a Tanezzuft “hot shales” source for the Mamuniyat and Acacus oils in the three fields. Maturity-related parameters based on terpanes, steranes, aromatic hydrocarbons and low molecular-weight hydrocarbons, suggest generation from marine shales in the early to peak oil-generation window. The ZE3-NC7, A19-NC7 and A20 NC7 oils from the NC7 oil field are significantly more mature than those from the NC2 and NC4 fields. This indicates a difference in expulsion timing and may be related to the presence of two “hot shales” or to fault-triggered vertical migration preceding and during the Neogene.

A detailed organic geochemical study of 20 core and cuttings samples collected from the Silurian Tanezzuft Formation, Murzuq Basin, in the south-western part of Libya has demonstrated the advantages of pyrolysis geochemical methods for evaluating the source-rock potential of this geological unit. Rock-Eval pyrolysis results indicate a wide variation in source richness and quality. The basal Hot Shale samples proved to contain abundant immature to early mature kerogen type II/III (oil–gas prone) that had been deposited in a marine environment under terrigenous influence, implying good to excellent source rocks. Strata above the Hot Shale yielded a mixture of terrigenous and marine type III/II kerogen (gas–oil prone) at the same maturity level as the Hot Shale, indicating the presence of only poor to fair source rocks.

Palynological and biomarker characteristics of organic facies recovered from Cretaceous–Miocene well samples in the Ras El Bahar Oilfield, southwest Gulf of Suez, and their correlation with lithologies, environments of deposition and thermal maturity have provided a sound basis for determining their source potential for hydrocarbons. In addition to palynofacies analysis, TOC/Rock-Eval pyrolysis, kerogen concentrates, bitumen extraction, carbon isotopes and saturated and aromatic biomarkers enable qualitative and quantitative assessments of sedimentary organic matter to be made. The results obtained from Rock-Eval pyrolysis and molecular biomarker data indicate that most of the samples come from horizons that have fair to good hydrocarbon generation potential in the study area. The Upper Cretaceous–Paleocene-Lower Eocene samples contain mostly Type-II to Type-III organic matter with the capability of generating oil and gas. The sediments concerned accumulated in dysoxic–anoxic marine environments. By contrast, the Miocene rocks yielded mainly Type-III and Type-II/III organic matter with mainly gas-generating potential. These rocks reflect deposition in a marine environment into which there was significant terrigenous input. Three palynofacies types have been recognized. The first (A) consists of Type-III gas-prone kerogen and is typical of the Early–Middle Miocene Belayim, Kareem and upper Rudeis formations. The second (B) has mixed oil and gas features and characterizes the remainder of the Rudeis Formation. The third association (C) is dominated by amorphous organic matter, classified as borderline Type-II oil-prone kerogen, and is typical of the Matulla (Turonian–Santonian) and Wata (Turonian) formations. Rock-Eval T max , PI, hopane and sterane biomarkers consistently indicate an immature to early mature stage of thermal maturity for the whole of the studied succession.

The composite SK-1 borehole drilled in the Songliao Basin, north-east China penetrated non-marine rocks of Late Cretaceous age, some of which yielded assemblages of Ghoshispora . Species of this megaspore genus have palaeoenvironmental and potentially also biostratigraphic significance. Their value as determinants of age is, however, currently limited because many are difficult if not impossible to differentiate as our appraisal of their morphological characters reveals. This review helped to put the specimens recovered from the SK-1 borehole into context and led to the identification of a few of the specimens as Ghoshispora kondinskayae (Srivastava et Binda) Srivastava, G. sp. cf. G. bella (Kondinskaya) subsp. deltoidea Kutluk et al., and G. sp. cf. G. rara (Kondinskaya) Srivastava. Several revealed characters under the scanning electron microscope that differ from those of previously published species: two of these are described as new, namely Ghoshispora zhaoi sp. nov. and G. bulbosa sp. nov. Owing to a lack of sufficient specimens six other morphotypes have had to be identified in open nomenclature as G. sp. A–F. It is likely that the parent plants of all of the species grew in and/or close to standing water. The comparatively large number of very small specimens in association with, and having some of the characters of, the larger representatives of G. zhaoi suggests that a few might be the microspores of this species rather than incompletely developed megaspores.

The spinicaudatan Neodiestheria Chen is an important component of the diverse Early Cretaceous Yanjiestheria fauna in eastern Asia. Examination under a scanning electron microscope of newly collected and well-preserved specimens of Neodiestheria dalaziensis Chen from the Albian Dalazi Formation of Zhixin, Jilin Province, north-eastern China, has revealed morphological features of the carapace not recognized previously, namely that puncta are not only evenly distributed on growth bands near the umbo and gradually merge into a punctate fine reticulation and dense radial lirae on each growth band in the upper-middle part of the carapace, but also occur on growth lines and within the lumina of a fine reticulum, and between radial lirae on growth bands in the middle and lower parts of the carapace. Growth bands in anteroventral, ventral and posteroventral parts of the carapace are also ornamented with transversely elongate large pits (depressions) surrounded by swellings, appearing as a large reticulum superimposed over fine reticulation and radial lirae. These ontogenetically developing morphological patterns on the growth bands of the juvenile stage of the carapace indicate that Neodiestheria is closely related phylogenetically to Triglypta Wang.

Outcrops of the Early Bajocian, Gristhorpe Member (Ravenscar Group) in North Yorkshire have been subjected to a multi-disciplinary analysis which establishes a key reference section at Yons Nab. Eight micro-biofaces types (MBs) are defined based on counts of transitional marine microfaunas, megaspores and plant-derived debris. Associated palynofloral associations (PAs) are used to qualify the micro-biofacies defined to provide an integrated model for interpreting salinity–freshwater trends associated with deltaic progradation and retreat. Megaspore and small-spore trends within the delta-plain are shown to have been closely linked to peat-mires forming in topographic lows, with variations across the delta-plain attributable to the presence of the semi-permanent and seasonal water tables. A reconstruction of the floodplain–peat-mire depositional setting is proposed where the composition of host vegetation (e.g. ferns, lycopsids) varied in relation to groundwater levels. Biostratigraphic correlation within the Gristhorpe Member is attempted using the base of ‘established’ delta-plain deposition (megaspore dominant MBs/spore-dominant PAs) and the top and base agglutinated foraminifera-dominant MBs (brackish). Using these criteria the Gristhorpe Member is modelled in terms of a southward progradation of delta-plain facies into a bay-fill sequence, which persisted at Yons Nab. With the delta-plain established, the MB/PA trends and sedimentology suggest a northward shift towards the higher delta-plain, with seasonal standing water only. The MB/PA model was tested on core samples from the coeval lower Brent Group from northern North Sea well 34/10-B-12 (Gullfaks Field); MB/PA trends are shown to compare closely with those of the Gristhorpe Member at Yons Nab, with the same megaspore/small-spore associations developed within similar lithofacies. On this basis transitional marine, bay-fill and delta-plain deposition are defined in the cored section. These comparative data suggest that the dispersal of megaspore and miospore host floras occurred effectively across the Mid North Sea High, and that they colonized the same niche habitats associated with bay-fill and delta-plain development.

The essays collected in this manuscript respond to “How We Teach Introductory Bible Courses: A Comparative and Historical Sampling” by Collin Cornell and Joel M. LeMon, published in this issue of the journal.

A palynological analysis of 45 samples from six mid-Cretaceous amber-bearing outcrops from Charentes has been carried out. A total of 227 taxa have been recorded in the studied palynofloras. Palynological data support earlier evidence and indicate an early Cenomanian age for the assemblages. The heterogeneous compositions of the palynofloral assemblages indicate the existence of different coastal depositional settings with a variable but usually weak marine influence. The local vegetation was subdivided in various types including herbaceous formations integrating ferns and eudicots which may have colonised frequently-disturbed, fluvial, open environments and xeric arboreal communities dominated by Cheirolepidiaceae and probably integrating drought- and/or salt-tolerant angiosperms and ferns (Anemiaceae and Gleicheniaceae) and other gymnosperms (Araucariaceae, Ginkgoales and scarce Cycadales and Gnetales). The existence of riparian and freshwater wetland communities integrating taxodioids, aquatic and/or hygrophilous angiosperms, ferns, lycopods, mosses and clubmosses is proposed. Coastal/?lagoonal counterparts including plants tolerant to periodical floods by saline or brackish waters is suggested by palynological evidence. Conifer forests mainly integrating Pinaceae and Podocarpaceae in raised hinterlands may also be interpreted on the basis of taphonomical considerations. The wide variety of depositional settings inferred by the palynological data support enhanced transport capabilities for amber and/or a widespread occurrence of producers in local vegetation during the early Cenomanian.

International audience; We describe here the palynological content from the lower Cenomanian plant-rich site of Jaunay-Clan (Vienne, western France), a site that previously yielded exceptional leaf impressions. Altogether, 184 species of palynomorphs have been identified, and two palynological intervals were recognized in the sedimentary sequence. The lower interval is characterized by the taxonomical and numerical dominance of spores of Gleicheniaceae, Cyatheales, and Anemiaceae, while the upper interval is characterized by an abrupt increase in the abundance of Classopollis and the appearance of dinocysts. This shift in the palynological composition, coupled with paleobotanical observations, is interpreted as reflecting a transition from a calm freshwater environment, with occasional droughts to an environment more open to very occasional marine inputs, such as an inner lagoon.The association of Tehamadinium coummia, Trichodinium spinosum, Tricolpites nemejcii, Retitricolporites decorosus, and Microreticulatiporites sacalii, coupled with the absence of Normapolles pollen grains, suggests that the Jaunay-Clan assemblage is early Cenomanian in age, corroborating the previous determination based on lithological and paleontological proxies. However, the Jaunay-Clan palynoflora is considered to be slightly younger than the numerous earliest Cenomanian assemblages described from Charente-Maritime, owing to its resemblance with mid-lower Cenomanian palynofloras from western France. The paleoflora and palynoflora from Jaunay-Clan are similar to other assemblages found in the upper Albian of Spain (Teruel Province), and in the Cenomanian of France and Czech Republic (Peruc-Korycany Formation, La Buzinie, Archingeay). The combined Jaunay-Clan palynoflora and paleoflora is considered to be the most diversified Cenomanian paleobotanical-palynological assemblage described so far in Western Europe.

Imprints of coccoliths can be expected on palynomorphs and phytoclasts in Rhaetian and younger palynofacies. They resemble the hollows left by spheroidal pyrite but may commonly be distinguished on the basis of shape and by occasional marks which reflect the arrangement of the calcite laths of which they were composed. Monospecific blooms are suggested when they are abundant and their size and form is more or less constant. Those which are larger than average and bear arcuate grooves subparallel to their margins may indicate the former presence of coccospheres. The occurrence of coccolith moulds in pre-Quaternary palynofacies both indicates marine influence on the environment of deposition and provides evidence for the affinity of amorphous organic matter in problematical preparations which are swamped with this material and contain few palynomorphs.

Samples from 12 wells situated mainly in the northern part of the Cyrenaica Shelf of northeast Libya have yielded palynomorph assemblages of Aptian, Albian or Cenomanian aspect. The Aptian assemblages are dominated by land-plant remains and contain relatively few dinoflagellate cysts. By contrast, the latter are generally common in those from the Albian and Cenomanian samples. Deposition in near-shore marine environments is indicated for most of the Aptian succession whereas more open marine conditions are generally suggested for the younger strata. In places, however, a substantial terrestrial input was maintained during the accumulation of the Albian sediments.Dinoflagellate cysts typically recorded from Aptian palynological preparations include Aptea anaphrissa, Cyclonephelium sp. 1, Hystrichosphaerina schindewolfii, Muderongia simplex microperforata and Occisucysta spp. Several species of Cribroperidinium, but especially C. edwardsii and C. orthoceras, usually form an important part of the Albian assemblages; Kiokansium hydra is also often present. Skolochorate cysts referable to Coronifera and Florentinia are abundant in both these and the Cenomanian preparations, with Palaeohystrichophora infusorioides and several species of Canningia, Cyclonephelium, Oligosphaeridium, Spiniferites and Subtilisphaera being among the most numerous of the associated forms. In general the assemblages compare closely with those of similar age described by Below (1981, 1982) and Williams (1978) from onshore and offshore Morocco respectively.Although miospores are common in the Aptian preparations, they show relatively little morphological diversity. Smooth walled triradiate specimens, Classopollis and Inaperturopollenites are often the dominant forms. Angiosperm pollen grains are generally scarce and bisaccates only rarely encountered. A few of the Albian . . .

During the past decade, transmitted light microscopy of dispersed organic particles has become an important tool for assessing the petroleum potential of sedimentary basins. The main components of palynofacies and the colours of the microfossils preserved therein are widely used in the oil industry to aid the determination of organic maturation level and source rock potential for hydrocarbons. Less well known is the technique of integrating palynofacies and sedimentological data to facilitate the identification of depositional environments. While not a new development in the field of palynology, the subject has recently come of age. Selected palynofacies from the English Wealden (Lower Cretaceous) and elsewhere are briefly described and illustrated in order to emphasise the value of palynofacies studies to both palynologists and petroleum geologists.

We describe a new and rather unusual megaspore recovered from Middle Jurassic terrestrial deposits of Yorkshire, England that we name Reticuspinosporites whytei gen. et sp. nov. The contact area is non-trilete and is formed where an outer sculptured layer has not developed. This outer layer covers the remainder of the megaspore and bears novel sculpture consisting of a highly irregular reticulum with areas ‘infilled’ to form plateaus that bear long spines. Analysis of wall ultrastructure reveals a four-layered wall comprising from inside to outside: (i) innermost, separated lamina; (ii) inner homogeneous layer; (iii) central spongy layer; and (iv) outermost homogeneous layer that forms the sculpture. Wall ultrastructure is not entirely diagnostic but is most suggestive of lycopsid affinities. Unusually the megaspores commonly occur in pairs. They are not attached at their contact faces but by their equatorial or distal surfaces through entanglement of their spines. We interpret this feature as possibly an adaptation for floating and transport by water.

The varicoloured Fenghuoshan Group occurs widely in the Qiangtang-Hoh Xil region of the northern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Few fossils have been found to date in this sedimentary succession because lithological conditions are not conducive to their preservation. As a result, there has been a long-term disagreement among geologists about its age. Despite a few lists of fossil names in individual publications, no detailed research on the palaeontology, including palynology, has been reported previously. In this study, we recovered many pollen grains and spores from two samples that were collected on the northern slope of Fenghuo Mountain. They indicate an age no younger than Maastrichtian for the upper part of the Fenghuoshan Group. It is considered likely that the entire Fenghuoshan Group represents deposition between the late Early Cretaceous (possibly Albian) and the Maastrichtian. The palynoflora consists mainly of angiosperm pollen, gymnosperm pollen and fern and bryophyte spores being subordinate. Pollen grains referable to the Ephedrales and the Taxaceae–Cupressaceae groups dominate the assemblage, implying a warm, arid climate and subtropical forest–shrub vegetation at the time of deposition.

International audience; A Cenomanian clay lens in Hucheloup Quarry (Maine-et-Loire, north-western France) has yielded 82 foliar compressions and impressions, of which 62 were identified at several taxonomic levels. The plants are ascribed to diverse Pinales (27%), ferns (27%), Ginkgoales (26%), angiosperms (19%) and Cycadales (1%). The most abundant species in the assemblage are Frenelopsis alata (K. Feistmantel) E. Knobloch emend. J. Kvaček (Pinales) and Eretmophyllum obtusum (Velenovský) J. Kvaček (syn. E. andegavense Pons, Bourreau et Broutin) (Ginkgoales). Wood fragments, along with very well-preserved cuticles, have also been recovered and identified. The specimens are usually very fragmentary, indicating that they had been transported over a significant distance before deposition. The Hucheloup clay was probably deposited in a brackish lagoon or in the lower part of an estuary, possibly in an abandoned channel or on a sandbar. The allochthonous flora represents at least two plant communities that developed in a subtropical–tropical climate, and along a salinity gradient in the vicinity of a fluvial network. Use of the fossil-genus Eretmophyllum Thomas emend. Harris in Harris et al. is considered to be the correct choice for ginkgoalean leaves within European Cenomanian deposits; the genus Nehvizdya Hluštík is regarded as a junior synonym. The clay lens has also yielded a palynological assemblage. Although lacking unequivocal indicators of this age and including some taxa that are more typical of older rocks, the composition of the associated, very small megaspore assemblage recovered is consistent with a Cenomanian determination.; Quatre-vingt-deux compressions et impressions foliaires ont été collectées au sein d’une lentille argileuse cénomanienne située dans la carrière de Hucheloup (Maine-et-Loire, France), 62 d’entre elles ayant pu être identifiées. Les macro-restes observés correspondent à des Pinales (27%), des fougères (27%), des Ginkgoales (26%), des angiospermes (19%) et des Cycadales (1%). Frenelopsis alata (K. Feistmantel) E. Knobloch emend. J. Kvaček (Pinales) et Eretmophyllum obtusum (Velenovský) J. Kvaček (syn. E. andegavense Pons, Bourreau et Broutin) (Ginkgoales) sont les deux espèces les plus abondantes de l’assemblage. Des fragments de bois et des cuticules ont également été récoltés et identifiés. Les macro-restes végétaux sont souvent très fragmentés, conséquence d’un transport sur une distance considérable avant dépôt. La lentille argileuse de Hucheloup s’est vraisemblablement déposée au sein d’une lagune saumâtre ou de la partie inférieure d’un estuaire, possiblement au niveau d’un bras-mort ou d’une barre sableuse. La flore, allochtone, comporte des éléments issus de deux communautés végétales distinctes qui se sont développées sous l’influence d’un gradient de salinité aux alentours d’un réseau fluviatile, sous un climat subtropical à tropical. L’attribution des feuilles de Ginkgoales au morpho-genre Eretmophyllum Thomas emend. Harris in Harris et al. au sein des dépôts cénomaniens européens est ici discutée et défendue ; le genre Nehvizdya Hluštík est considéré comme synonyme junior. La lentille argileuse présente également un assemblage palynologique, dont 22 taxons ont été identifiés. Ce dernier est dépourvu d’indicateurs temporels indiscutables et présente des formes typiques de sédiments plus anciens, mais la composition du modeste assemblage associé de mégaspores est cohérent avec un âge cénomanien.

Comminuted distal humerus fractures in the elderly have traditionally been managed by ORIF or total elbow arthroplasty (TEA). This poses a treatment dilemma in elderly patients where anaesthetic and surgical risks combine with poor bone and wound healing. We aimed to assess the functional outcomes in patients managed non-operatively, with TEA being used as the salvage procedure. Retrospective analysis of patients over 65 years presenting to our unit between 2005 and 2015 was undertaken. Sixty-two patients were identified, 38 had died, and 5 were lost to follow-up leaving 5 with immediate TEA and 14 non-operatively managed, available for review. Mean follow-up was 55 months (range 17–131). Patient outcomes were measured using VAS scores for pain at rest and during activity, and the Oxford elbow score (OES) for TEA and non-operatively managed patients. Conversion to TEA for non-operative treatment and complications were also recorded. Notes interrogation of patients who had died or were lost to follow-up to ascertain outcomes was undertaken. The mean age at injury was 76 years (range 65–90) of which 79% (11/14) were females. The mean score on the OES was 46.2 (range 29–48). The mean VAS score at rest was 0.4 (range 0–6), and the mean VAS score during activity was 1.3 (range 0–9). 93% (13/14) of patients reported no pain in their injured elbow at rest and 79% (11/14) reported no pain during activity. No patients converted to TEA, and there were no complications. Of deceased patients, notes demonstrated one who had ongoing stiffness after physiotherapy, but no conversions to TEA were undertaken. Those managed primarily with TEA had worse OES (mean 40.8), but slightly better pain scores with means 0.2 at rest and 0.8 at activity. Non-operative management of comminuted distal humerus fractures should be considered for elderly patients, avoiding surgical risks whilst giving satisfactory functional outcomes in this low-demand group.

Site 549 of the Deep Sea Drilling Project was drilled on the Goban Spur in the Bay of Biscay in 1981. The core recovered from this North Atlantic location included 290 m of Barremian and possibly partly Hauterivian “syn-rift” deposits overlain unconformably by rocks of early Albian age. The number and variety of spores and pollen grains in the palynomorph assemblages and associated palynofacies through these units together with the presence of some pieces of wood, fragments of foliage, and a few megaspores in the lowest part of the Cretaceous succession suggest that the source area vegetation was, at least initially, relatively close to the site of deposition. Ginkgoalean, bennettitalean, and other gymnosperm groups are represented in the plant mesofossil assemblage but most of the fragments of foliage show cheirolepidiaceous characteristics. Five species belonging to this family have been identified and described. Two of these, Frenelopsis atlantica Zhou and Batten and Frenelopsis ? alvinii Zhou and Batten, are new and one is unnamed. The composition of the three informally identified suites of spore and pollen assemblages recovered from 49 samples through the Early Cretaceous succession is consistent with age determinations of parts of it determined previously on the basis of dinoflagellate cysts, foraminifera, nannoplankton, and other fossils.

A palynological analysis of a Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous succession in the Himalayan Tethys, Gyangze County, southern Xizang (Tibet) provides, for the first time, evidence of changing palynofloras through the Jurassic/Cretaceous (J/K) boundary. Species that are stratigraphically important and potential markers for delineating the boundary include both miospores and dinoflagellate cysts. The presence of the spores Crybelosporites sp. cf. stylosus, Foraminisporis wonthaggiensis, Jiaohepollis verus and Toroisporis welzowense and the cysts Cassiculosphaeridia delicata and Rhynchodiniopsis serrata imply that the J/K boundary is between samples 06-21-1 and 06-21-3. The occurrence of Aequitriradites spinulosus and Cicatricosisporites spp. a little below this level and of ?Dictyotosporites sp. cf. speciosus slightly above it is also significant. These results show that it is possible to locate the J/K boundary in the Himalayan Tethys near top of the Weimei Formation and the lower part of the Gyabula Formation in southern Xizang. This succession also contains various marine invertebrate fossils, including ammonites, bivalves and belemnites, and thus has considerable potential for erecting an integrated biostratigraphy around the J/K boundary in the eastern Tethyan realm. Palynofloristic correlation implies a more northerly location for the fossil locality at Gyangze than that of northwest Australia during the latest Jurassic and earliest Cretaceous, which can be further constrained to around 43°S.

The late Cretaceous Mukalla Formation of the Mahra Group is present in the subsurface of eastern Yemen. The palynofacies, thermal maturation and hydrocarbon potential of this formation recorded from three exploratory wells in the Qamar Basin are discussed. Two of the wells are in the offshore part of Block 16 and one is in the onshore part. Both organic geochemical and palynofacies analyses indicate that the formation contains oil- and gas-prone kerogen. Rock-Eval pyrolysis and gas chromatography data show a peak thermal maturation stage for organic matter types II/III and III and good conditions for hydrocarbon generation and expulsion. Three major palynofacies types are identified through the succession. These indicate open marine, marginal- to shallow-marine and fluvio-deltaic environments, reflecting multiple marine transgressive and regressive phases during the period of deposition of the formation, which took place in a humid, subtropical to tropical climate.

A new species of spore, Costatoperforosporites friisiae sp. nov., is described from the Early Cretaceous (late Aptian–early Albian) deposits of Catefica in the Lusitanian Basin, western Portugal. Although the morphology of the muri is clearly of the Cicatricosisporites type, the presence of micropores on these sculptural elements and within the intervening grooves is a particularly distinctive feature and more typical of spores that have been attributed previously to Costatoperforosporites. As a result, this genus is emended not only to accommodate Costatoperforosporites friisiae but also to differentiate it more clearly from other, similar, murornate genera. It is considered to represent the family Anemiaceae. So far, Costatoperforosporites friisiae has only been encountered in the Catefica palynoflora. The presence of many other pteridophyte spores, especially of schizaealean derivation, together with abundant cheirolepidiacean remains at this locality, strongly suggests a warm, moist climate and diverse source vegetation., Centre for Marine and Environmental Research, University of Algarve, Portugal, Centre for Interdisciplinary Development and Research on Environment, Applied Management and Space, Lusofona University of Humanities and Technologies, Portugal, Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, España, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Reino Unido, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Reino Unido, GeoBioTec, New University of Lisbon, Portugal

International audience; The Upper Cretaceous lignite deposits of La Garnache, Vendée (western France), consist of two lignitic clay series, Garnache 1 and Garnache 2, separated by a fault. The first series cropped out to the south of the fault during road works until 2002 but is now covered by an embankment. It has provided numerous pieces of amber containing arthropod and microorganism inclusions. The second lignitic series, exposed to the north of the fault, is rich in fossil wood but devoid of amber. Palynological analysis of Garnache 1 revealed several Normapolles species belonging to the genera Atlantopollis, Complexiopollis, Osculapollis, Plicapollis and Trudopollis, but larger forms typical of Senonian deposits are absent. By contrast, Garnache 2 proved to be dominated taxonomically and numerically by spores (Appendicisporites, Camarozonosporites, Gleicheniidites, Patellasporites, Stereisporites), associated with a few gymnosperm (Cerebropollenites, Phyllocladidites, Classopollis) and angiosperm (Liliacidites, Retitricolpites and a single specimen of the Normapolles Complexiopollis) taxa. Garnache 1 is, therefore, younger than Garnache 2, the latter being clearly Cenomanian in age whereas Garnache 1 is more likely to be Turonian. Lignitic clay of Garnache 1 contains numerous translucent, orange to red, pieces of amber. Vendean amber is rich in aquatic arthropods, such as tanaids and epicarideans (Crustacea), as well as marine or brackish siliceous microorganisms such as diatoms and sponge spicules. These aquatic inclusions indicate that resin-producing trees grew along and close to the seashore. The amber-bearing clay was deposited in a calm, estuarine or lagoonal, muddy environment.

International audience; Diagnoses of the Normapolles pollen genera Hungaropollis, Krutzschipollis, Longanulipollis, Oculopollis and Trudopollis and 55 of their species are emended and many specimens illustrated in order to provide a basis for more successful and consistent identification than has been possible hitherto. These taxa were recovered from palynological preparations of selected samples from Upper Cretaceous deposits in Europe and the eastern USA. As indicated on an accompanying range chart the majority are encountered in Santonian and/or Campanian deposits. Eleven of the species described have been transferred from other genera and are therefore in new combinations, namely: Hungaropollis granulatus (Kedves et Herngreen), Longanulipollis coronatiformis (Góczán et Siegl-Farkas), L. orbicularis (Góczán), L. ornatus (Kedves et Diniz), L. parvoculus (Góczán), L. skarbyae (Kedves et Diniz), Oculopollis artifex (Weyland et Krieger), O. rector (Pflug), O. triceps (Skarby), Trudopollis cuneolis (Góczán et Siegl-Farkas), and T. spinulosus (Skarby). Six are new: Hungaropollis pinguis, Krutzschipollis cucullus, K. immanis, Longanulipollis amabilis, L. lobus and Oculopollis viriosus. Thirteen genera are regarded as synonyms of Hungaropollis (Aveiropollenites and Romeinipollenites), Longanulipollis (Coronatipollis, Intercalaripollis, Portaepollenites and Verruoculopollis), Oculopollis (Druggipollenites, Pseudoculopollis and Semioculopollis) and Trudopollis (Cuneipollis, Felderipollenites, Hofkeripollenites and Kriegeripollenites) respectively. As a result of some of these nomenclatural changes 14 other species are in new generic combinations but are not otherwise considered. Seven morphotypes are identified in open nomenclature and two placed in comparison. This taxonomic synthesis, which updates work published since the 1950s, is aimed primarily at rendering biostratigraphic analyses easier, but it is also a necessary first step towards the resolution of Normapolles taxonomy and the relationships between these pollen grains and biological species.

Although the letter of James was written to an urban audience, it incorporates examples from nature and agricultural motifs, such as springs and trees (3:11-12), field labourers and harvesters (5:4), and the patient farmer (5:7) who bears similarity to the steadfast Job (5:11) and prayerful Elijah (5:17-18), into the text. This article argues that this agrarian imagery is a literary trope - sometimes subtle and at other times obvious - that serves as a contrast to negative phenomena associated with the city. The opposition apparent in James coheres with the tendency among Graeco-Roman writers to contrast the rural/natural with the urban/artificial. Such a pattern of images supports some of the letter's moral directives.

An important dimension of the study of material culture is the fact that a single object, depending upon its context, can possess multiple meanings.2 This observation applies to dress, for a garment or piece of jewelry derives its significance based upon a variety of factors, including its provenance, value, design, who is wearing it, where, when, and how it is worn. In addition, dress does not speak for itself or furnish a “true and universal meaning”3 that is interpreted in the same manner by all who look at it. Rather, dress can please, amuse, agitate or confuse, precisely because the intention of the wearer may be at odds with the interpretation and response of the viewer(s).