Morphometry

CONTEXT:
Depression is common in dementia, especially in the early stages, with important clinical implications, but the etiology is unknown and most likely heterogeneous. Antidepressant use in the elderly without dementia has previously been shown to be associated with high risks of adverse events and with structural brain alterations.

OBJECTIVE:
To investigate cortical changes associated with depression and antidepressant use in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Lewy body dementia (LBD).

METHODS:
74 subjects with mild AD and LBD from geriatric and psychiatry outpatient clinics in Western Norway were included. The Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) was used to assess depression. Automatic preprocessing using Freesurfer included steps for white and grey matter surface reconstruction. The resulting cortical thickness was analyzed using linear modeling.

RESULTS:
Clusters of depression-associated thinning were found in prefrontal and temporal areas. Treatment-associated thinning was observed in the parahippocampal region and was significant even after correction for age, sex, AD/LBD diagnosis, and MADRS scores.

CONCLUSION:
Depression in mild AD and LBD is associated with cortical thinning in prefrontal and temporal areas. The findings suggest that depressive symptoms in mild dementia could develop due to neurodegeneration in the same neural circuits that are critical for depression across different brain disorders. Antidepressant use in patients with mild AD and LBD is associated with parahippocampal thinning. Taken together with low efficacy of antidepressants in cognitively impaired patients and high risks of adverse events, our results suggest a need to re-evaluate the treatment approaches for depression and the role of antidepressants in patients with dementia.

The intestine of poultry plays a significant role in the health and production through enzymatic and microbial digestion of feed as well as absorption of nutrients. The current study was designed to explore the gross and histological alterations in the broiler duodenum and cecum triggered by dietary dexamethasone (DEX). The study was conducted on four homogenous groups of one-day-old chicks (20 chicks/group) i.e. one control (Non-DEX) and three treatment groups (DEX-1, DEX-2, and DEX-3). The broilers were fed commercial broiler feed containing DEX at the rate of 0, 3, 5, and 7mg/kg feed in the Non-DEX, DEX-1, DEX-2, and DEX-3 groups, respectively. The gross morphologic and morphometric data were recorded immediately after the collection of samples on days 7, 14, 21, and 28. Then, the tissue samples were processed for histological investigation. In the gross morphometric study, the weight, length, and width of the intestine were found significantly less in the DEX groups. Histopathological study results showed degeneration of intestinal glands (duodenum), mucosa, and lymphatic nodules with loss of lymphatic nodules (cecum). The percentage of the degenerated nodule was also increased. The length, width, and surface area of the duodenal villi, thickness of the mucosal layer of the cecum, and diameter of the cecal lymphatic nodules were substantially decreased in all the DEX groups. The magnitude of the alterations was associated with both the dose and duration of DEX treatment. However, the current study results indicate that DEX treatment significantly alters the morphologic and morphometric characteristics of the broiler intestine.

We characterize the spatial organization of red-tailed sportive lemurs (Lepilemur ruficaudatus) as a key aspect of their social organization and social system. Sportive lemurs are small (<1000 g), nocturnal and folivorous primates endemic to Madagascar. We studied a population of 57 individually-marked individuals in Kirindy Forest, western Madagascar, between 1995 and 2001. We radio-tracked 20 males and 26 females of

Encarsia sophia is a cosmopolitan parasitoid of whitefly pests and is regarded as a potential biocontrol agent of the Bemisia tabaci species-complex. However, the possibility exists that under this specific name a complex of cryptic species may be contained, whose correct identification is essential for their effective use in biological control programmes. In this paper two populations native to Pakistan and Spain, respectively, were characterized by means of morphometric analysis, crossing experiments and karyological analysis. The two populations, indistinguishable on the basis of single morphological characters, were distinguished through a canonical discriminant function analysis. Mating tests showed rare copulation attempts and no transfer of spermatozoa into the spermatheca in heterogamic crosses, thus suggesting that the Pakistani and Spanish populations are reproductively isolated. Although the two populations shared the same karyotype formula (2n ¼ 2m þ 2sm þ 6a), consistent differences were found in their chromosome sets. In the Spanish population the metacentric chromosome was almost one half of the whole genome set (rl ¼ 44.23), while in the Pakistani one, it was shorter (rl ¼ 29.55) and as long as the sub-metacentric chromosome. Moreover, silver staining provided evidence of a different localization of the active nucleolus organizer regions (NORs). Results obtained in this study suggest that the Pakistani and Spanish populations are distinct cryptic species.

BAKER D. G., GERSHWIN L. J. and HYDE D. M. 1993. Cellular and chemical mediators of type 1 hypersensitivity in calves infected with Ostertagia ostertagi: mast cells and eosinophils. International Journal for Parasitology 23: 327-332. Abomasal mucosal mast cell and eosinophil accumulation was morphometrically evaluated in 26 Holstein steers after natural or experimental infection with Ostertagia ostertagi. Results showed that following infection, accumulation of mast cells and eosinophils in abomasal tissue was dependent on infection pattern. Eosinophilia was greater in steers with type 1 ostertagiosis, while mastocytosis was more pronounced in steers with type 2 ostertagiosis. INDEX KEY WORDS: Ostertagia ostertagi; cattle parasites; mast cell; eosinophil; morphometry; type 1 hypersensitivity.

Ethylnitrosourea (ENU) is a simple alkylating agent. It induces gene mutations in fetal primordial germ cells (PGCs), and a high incidence of congenital malformations is also found in the offspring of male mice treated with ENU at the embryonic stage. It is also reported that decreases in the fertility rate and weights of the testis and ovary were found in the offspring from dams treated with ENU. In this study, we analyzed the occurrence of apoptotic cell death and the expression of p53 protein which is thought to play an important role in the DNA damage-induced apoptosis after administration of ENU to pregnant rats on day 13 of gestation to obtain a clue for clarifying the toxic effect of ENU on PGCs. Apoptotic cells increased in PGCs in fetal gonads from 3 h after treatment. The number of apoptotic PGCs peaked at 6 h and gradually decreased towards 24 h after treatment. On the other hand, p53-positive PGCs increased from 1 h after treatment, prior to the induction of apoptosis. The number of p53-positive PGCs peaked at 3 h and returned to the control level at 24 h after treatment. These results suggest that ENU induces apoptosis in rat fetal PGCs immediately after its administration to dams and excess cell death by apoptosis may have a close relation to the later occurrence of decreases in the fertility rate and gonadal weight. Moreover, a possible involvement of p53 is suggested in the ENU-induced apoptosis in PGCs. Exp

Great tits, Parus major, display their white cheek patches to one another during intraspecific encounters. We measured the size of these patches and the regularity of their borders (immaculateness) as part of an investigation into their function as signals. Patch size was not significantly related to any of our measures of fitness, but male great tits with more immaculate cheek patches had significantly greater access to a safer feeding site in winter and produced heavier chicks in small woods. Females with more immaculate patches bred significantly earlier in 2 of the 3 years of the study in both large and small woods. We decreased the immaculateness of both sexes with dye and found that competition with other tits significantly increased their exposure to danger when feeding. Factors resulting in reduced immaculateness included ectoparasites, fighting with conspecifics, faster feather wear in young birds and the timing of the autumn moult. Selection for immaculateness by conspecifics may be one mechanism responsible for the evolution of regular head and body patterns in several species of birds and in other animals.

The explosion of neuroimaging in the last decade has contributed to a revision of the concept of bipolar disorder, which was traditionally seen as a cyclic illness with return to normality between episodes lacking "by default" permanent brain abnormalities. A conspicuous corpus of neuroimaging and neuropathology studies indicates that brain changes occur in bipolar disorder, although their etiology and their relation to clinical features are yet to be established. This review summarizes the results from magnetic resonance imaging studies using conventional and novel techniques in patients with bipolar disorder.

The structure of the skin in the epauletted fruit bat ( Epomophorus wahlbergi ) wing and body trunk was studied with a view to understanding possible adaptations for gas metabolism and thermoregulation. In addition, gas exchange measurements were performed using a respirometer designed for the purpose. The body skin had an epidermis, a dermis with hair follicles and sweat glands and a fat-laden hypodermis. In contrast, the wing web skin was made up of a thin bilayered epidermis separated by a connective tissue core with collagen and elastic fibres and was devoid of hair follicles and sweat glands. The wings spanned 18-24 cm each, with about 753 cm 2 of surface exposed to air. The body skin epidermis was thick (61 ± 3 µ m, SEM), the stratum corneum alone taking a third of it (21 ± 3 µ m). In contrast, the wing web skin epidermis was thinner at 9.8 ± 0.7 µ m, with a stratum corneum measuring 4.1 ± 0.3 µ m (41%). The wing capillaries in the wing web skin ran in the middle of the connective tissue core, with a resultant surface-capillary diffusion distance of 26.8 ± 3.2 µ m. The rate of oxygen consumption ( w O 2 ) of the wings alone and of the whole animal measured under light anaesthesia at ambient temperatures of 24 ºC and 33 ºC, averaged 6% and 10% of the total, respectively. Rate of carbon dioxide production had similar values. The membrane diffusing capacity for the wing web was estimated to be 0.019 ml O 2 min -1 mmHg -1 . We conclude that in Epomophorus wahlbergi , the wing web has structural modifications that permit a substantial contribution to the total gas exchange.

Serial 50 μm Nissl-stained sections through the midbrain and pontine central gray of four adult humans (mean age 56 years, mean postmortem delay 3 hours) were analysed and the subnuclei of the dorsal raphe nucleus (DR) delineated on the basis of neuronal morphology and ...

The aim of the present study was to analyze some features of the periimplant mucosa at sites in the dog model which had been exposed to plaque accumulation for periods up to 9 months. The experiment was carried out in 5 labrador dogs. The mandibular right and left 2nd., 3rd and 4th premolars (2P2, 3P3, 4P4) and the 1st molars (lMl) were extracted. Following a 3-month healing period, 3 titanium fixtures (Nobelpharma AB. Goteborg, Sweden) were installed in the edentulous premolar/molar regions. Abutment connection was performed 3 months later and a meticulous plaque control period of 3 months was initiated. A clinical examination was performed at the end of this preparatory period and a main study period of 9 months continued. During this period, the plaque control regimen was maintained in the mesial and central (left: LI, 2 and right: RL 2) implant segments, whereas plaque was allowed to accumulate on the distal implants, i.e., L3 and R3. At the end ofthe main study period, i.e., 12 months after abutment connection, the clinical examination was repeated, the animals perfused and biopsies obtained. Semi-thin sections were produced for histometric and morphometric analyses. The peri-implant mucosa at implant sites exposed to daily and comprehensive plaque control at biopsy was clinically noninflamed and the connective tissue lateral to a junctional epithelium was devoid of accumulations of inflammatory cells. On the other hand, termination of the plaque control program resulted in the accumulation of large amounts of plaque and calculus at the titanium abutments and the biopsies harvested from the implant sites after 9 months of plaque formation demonstrated an infiltrate which resided in the marginal portion of the peri-implant mucosa. The histological analysis of the biopsy material also revealed that an inflammatory cell infiltrate was consistently present at the level of borderline between the abutment and the fixture part of the implant. This infiltrate, called abutment ICT, occurred both at sites which had been exposed to plaque control and at sites at which plaque had been allowed to form during a 9-month interval. The histometric determinations disclosed that (i) the bone crest consistently was located about 1-1.5 mm "apical" of the abutment/fixture level, (ii) there was a zone, about 1 mm wide, of a normal non-infiltrated connective tissue that separated the apical portion of the abutment ICT and the bone crest. It is suggested that this infiltrate represents the efforts by the host to close off bacteria present within the implant system and that the establishment of an abutment ICT may explain the 1 mm bone loss observed during the course of the 1st year after bridge installation.

The present study uses differences among frugivore faunas of the southern hemisphere landmasses to test whether frugivore characteristics have influenced the evolution of fruit traits. Strong floristic similarities exist among southern landmasses; for example, 75% of New Zealand vascular plant genera also have species in Australia. However, plants in Australia and South America have evolved in the presence of a range of mammalian frugivores, whereas those in New Zealand, New Caledonia and the Pacific Islands have not. In addition, the avian frugivores in New Zealand and New Caledonia are generally smaller than those of Australia. If frugivore characteristics have influenced the evolution of fruit traits, predictable differences should exist between southern hemisphere fruits, particularly fruit size and shape. Fruit dimensions were measured for 77 New Zealand species and 31 Australian species in trans-Tasman genera. New Zealand fruits became significantly more ellipsoid in shape with increasing size. This is consistent with frugivore gape size imposing a selective pressure on fruit ingestability. This result is not a product of phylogenetic correlates, as fruit length and width scaled isometrically for Australian species in genera shared with New Zealand. Within-genus contrasts between New Zealand and Australian species in 20 trans-Tasman genera showed that New Zealand species have significantly smaller fruits than their Australian counterparts. Withingenus contrasts between New Zealand and South American species in nine genera gave the same result; New Zealand species had significantly smaller fruits than their South American counterparts. No difference was found in fruit size or shape between New Zealand and New Caledonia congeneric species from 12 genera. These results are consistent with the broad characteristics of the frugivore assemblage influencing the evolution of fruit size and shape in related species. The smaller-sized New Zealand frugivore assemblage has apparently influenced the evolution of fruit size of colonizing taxa sometimes within a relatively short evolutionary timeframe.

Siais Lake is the second largest Lake in North Sumatra Province. However, basic and essential information about this lake does not yet exist. Therefore, this study aims to describe the necessary information regarding bathymetry and morphometry of the Siais Lake. Data was collected in June (dry season) and December (rainy season) 2019. Map analysis used the Quantum GIS 1.8 program. Siais Lake is a shallow lake with a maximum depth of 11.8 m and an average depth of 5.81 m. The total area of Siais Lake reaches 17 km 2 , with a total volume of 46-64 million m 3. Some 7 km 2 (41%) of the lake's surface are covered by aquatic macrophyte species, dominated by lily plants (Amaryllidaceae). Lake Siais is very suitable for the littoral zone development and rooted aquatic plants cultivation.

Mechanical loading has been shown to modulate longitudinal bone growth and cellular activity of the growth plate. Nevertheless, limited and controversial results exist regarding the effect of exercise on a physiological level on the growth plate. The present study investigated whether dose-dependent voluntary exercise has an influence on morphological, biochemical, and mechanical factors of the distal femoral growth plate of

Morphometrics from 25 captive killer whales (1 1 captive-born) were collected at SeaWorld parks from 1984 to 1995 to determine age-specific growth parameters. For sexes combined, the body-volume index was the most accurate predictor of body weight. However, predicting weight from total length was appropriate, although it may underestimate weight of pregnant animals. Among captive-born calves, a Gompertz model was the best predictor of weight and length at age. Estimates for length and weight at birth were done using data from in utero and neonatal calves. For ages 1-5 yr, models indicate that males grew in both weight and length at slower rates. Growth rates in males may surpass those of females at approximately 5-6 yr of age.

The Plio-Pleistocene site of Dmanisi, Georgia, has yielded a rich fossil and archaeological record documenting an early presence of the genus Homo outside Africa. Although the craniomandibular morphology of early Homo is well known as a result of finds from Dmanisi and African localities, data about its postcranial morphology are still relatively scarce. Here we describe newly excavated postcranial material from Dmanisi comprising a partial skeleton of an adolescent individual, associated with skull D2700/D2735, and the remains from three adult individuals. This material shows that the postcranial anatomy of the Dmanisi hominins has a surprising mosaic of primitive and derived features. The primitive features include a small body size, a low encephalization quotient and absence of humeral torsion; the derived features include modern-human-like body proportions and lower limb morphology indicative of the capability for long-distance travel. Thus, the earliest known hominins to have lived outside of Africa in the temperate zones of Eurasia did not yet display the full set of derived skeletal features.

AIm: The knowledge of the vasculature around the paracondylar region is important in neurosurgical procedures such as the paracondylar and
lateral supracondylar approaches. The objectives of the present study were to determine the prevalence of paracondylar emissary foramina in
the adult skull bases and to study the morphology of condylar canals and hypoglossal canals.
Ma terIal and Methods: The present study included 48 adult human skulls that were obtained from the gross anatomy laboratory of our
institution. The paracondylar region was macroscopically observed for the variant foramina, canals and grooves.
Results: It was observed that the paracondylar emissary foramen was present in 16 skulls (33.3%). The foramen was found bilaterally in 7
skulls (14.6%) and unilaterally in 9 skulls (18.7%). The hypoglossal canal was single in 35 (72.9%) skulls, double in 11 skulls (22.9%), and triple
in 2 skulls (4.2%). The paracondylar process (2.1%) and the paracondylar groove (2.1%) were seen in 1 skull each. The posterior condylar canal
was found to be patent in 19 (39.6%) skulls.
ConclusIon: The present study observed that, the paracondylar emissary vein is not rare in occurrence as it is observed in 33.3% of cases.
The identification of the paracondylar emissary veins and accessory vessels is important to avoid dangerous bleeding during the surgery.
The morphological knowledge of the foramina around the paracondylar region is enlightening to the chiropractors, neurosurgeons and
radiologists.

As an important component of cardiorespiratory control, the vagus nerve and its maturation were evaluated in normal infants in order to provide standards of comparison with infants with dysfunctional neural control mechanisms. Myelinated and unmyelinated fibers in the cervical vagus nerve were examined in 27 term infants. Number of fibers, axoa diameters, and myelin thickness were compared among four age groups. The histograms of axon size exhibited a skewed distribution that persisted during the age range examined for both myelinated and unmyelinated vagus fibers. Fiber size distributions of myelinatcd fibers, however, already showed an incipient muitimodal distribution after 3 months. No major increase was observed in the average axon size of myelinated and unmyelinated fibers. A significant increase was observed, however, in the average content of myelin in myelinated fibers expressed as myelin thickness, number of iamellac or g ratio (internal/external diameter). These results suggest an active myelination during the first 9 months of life without a major change in the axonal characteristics of the fibers. A marginal increase in the density of myelinated fibers with age, both in terms of total number and the relation to unmyelinated fibers, suggests a slow transition from unmyelinated to myelin~ted fibers during the first year of life, particularly during the first 3 months. The present morphometric parameters indicate an active deposition of myelin before the maturation of cross-axonal dimensions. The distribution of g ratios also suggests that optimal conduction velocity is compromised only in a fraction of all vagal myelinated fibers.

The taxonomic status of white-backed hog-nosed skunks (genus Conepatus, subgenus Oryctogale) was examined using external and cranial morphology as well as mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid sequence. Two species, Conepatus leuconotus and C. mesoleucus, and their subspecies were determined to represent only a single species, C. leuconotus. Within this species there are 3 management units, or subspecies, recognized conservatively. These subspecies are C. l. leuconotus (including C. l. texensis, C. m. mearnsi, C. m. mesoleucus, C. m. nelsoni, C. m. venaticus, C. m. nicaraguae, C. m. sonoriensis, and C. m. filipensis); C. l. figginsi (ϭC. m. figginsi and including C. m. fremonti); and C. l. telmalestes (ϭC. m. telmalestes). In the case of C. l. figginsi and C. l. telmalestes, further genetic research may indicate that these taxa are not valid, but the populations that they represent (if not extinct) will require different management strategies from the wide-ranging C. l. leuconotus.

Headward and downward erosion near glacier sources, at rates exceeding fluvial erosion, is important in recent discussions of orogen development and the limits to relief. This relates to a long history of debate on how the form of glacial cirques develops, which can be advanced by relating shape to size in large data sets. For 260 cirques in Wales, this confirms different rates of enlargement in the three dimensions: faster in length than in width, and slower in vertical dimension whether expressed as overall height range, axial height range or wall height. Maximum gradient, plan closure and number of cols increase with overall size. This allometric development applies over different cirque types, regions and rock types. Headwall retreat, often by collapse following glacial erosion at the base, is faster than downward erosion. Welsh cirques form a scale-specific population and, as in other regions, size variables follow Gaussian distributions on a logarithmic scale. As in England, width commonly exceeds length. Vertical dimensions correlate with length more than with width. Cirque form varies with geology, but also with relief as both vary between mountain groups. The main contrast is between larger, better-developed cirques and higher relief on volcanic rocks in the northwest , and smaller, less-developed cirques and lower relief on sedimentary rocks in the south.

The issue concerning the neuronal basis of true and false recognition is still a subject of extensive debate. In the present study voxel based morphometry (VBM) was used to examine structural brain correlates of these processes. Since several studies indicate that emotional content facilitates false recognition we decided to use emotional stimuli. Behavioral measures, i.e., true and false recognition rates were used as covariants in VBM analyses. VBM results indicated that the true recognition correlated positively with grey-matter (GM) density in bilateral amygdala, anterior cingulate and middle temporal gyrus, i.e., brain regions, involved in the memory of emotional material, as revealed by fMRI results. False recognition correlated negatively with GM density in prefrontal areas (BA47 and BA9), supporting the role of the prefrontal cortex in monitoring retrieval and limiting the probability of false recognition. Thus our VBM findings (i) point to the brain structures critical for correct and false emotional memory and (ii) disclose structural differences between the neural bases of these two types of memory.

Computer-based geomorphometry using a DEM (Digital Elevation Model) allows the analysis of the threedimensional properties of landscape. This methodology is particularly useful in an intraplate region like western Europe where the simple visual inspection of the topography cannot resolve the evolutionary trends of landforms. In these domains, the morphologies of the topographic surface may be controlled mainly by climate under a low rate of tectonic deformation. Among the geomorphometric parameters, the stream length index (SL) has been used to characterize fluvial systems in relation to tectonics movements. This work develops an algorithm to derive and map the SL index using a DEM and GIS, to investigate its spatial variations in a broad area. The algorithm is applied to a zone of weak intraplate deformation: the coastal lowlands of Normandy (France). The obtained spatial distributions of SL point to anomalous zones with high SL values. These zones are adjacent to mapped fault scarps and characterized by changes in flow direction. A Kruskal-Wallis test shows that the bedrock lithology has no impact on the SL value. Therefore, the SL variations can be related mainly to a differential uplift due to Quaternary tectonic forcing. Quaternary sea level fluctuations may also be responsible for high SL values in a part of the coastal lowland.

In many arctic plant groups, reticulate histories involving hybridization and polyploidization have resulted in problems with species delimitation and phylogeny reconstruction. The Saxifraga rivularis complex is a typical example. Two taxa, S. rivularis and S. hyperborea, have been reported from the arctic archipelago of Svalbard ('Spitsbergen'), but their delimitation, relationship, and taxonomic status are uncertain. We analyzed variation in chromosome number and DNA content (using flow cytometry), two types of molecular markers (RAPDs and isozymes), and 59 morphological characters along transects in two large, mixed Svalbard populations. We also included presumedly 'pure' reference populations from other sites to address whether the tentative taxa are distinct and whether they hybridize in mixed populations. In the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis, we identified two very distinct groups of multilocus phenotypes, corresponding to the tentative species. These groups also differed in DNA content, chromosome number (S. hyperborea: 2n ¼ ca: 26; S. rivularis: 2n ¼ ca: 52; but endopolyploidy was observed in several plants), some morphological characters, and isozyme phenotypes (with a few exceptions). The cytosolic Gpi locus was duplicated also at the 2n ¼ 26 level and fixed heterozygosity was observed in all populations, suggesting that S. hyperborea and S. rivularis may be secondary allotetraploid and allooctoploid, respectively, rather than diploid and tetraploid as traditionally assumed. We conclude that the Svalbard populations represent two distinct species at different ploidal levels and occurring in partly overlapping habitats, and that extensive hybridization presently does not occur between them even in mixed populations. Most molecular markers observed in S. hyperborea formed a subset of the S. rivularis markers, consistent with a hypothesis that S. rivularis is an allopolyploid lineage with the S. hyperborea lineage as one of its progenitors.

The family Acrochordiceratidae Arthaber, 1911 ranges in age from latest Spathian to the middle ⁄ late Anisian boundary, and it represents a major component of ammonoid faunas during that time. The middle Anisian genus Acrochordiceras Hyatt, 1877 is the most widespread taxon of the family and occurs abundantly worldwide within the low paleolatitude belt. However, there is a profusion of species names available for Acrochordiceras. This excessive diversity at the species level essentially results from the fact that sufficiently large samples were not available, thus leading to a typological approach to its taxonomy. Based on new extensive collections obtained from the Anisian (Middle Triassic) Fossil Hill Member (Star Peak Group, north-west Nevada) for which a high resolution biostratigraphic frame is available, the taxonomy and biostratigraphy of the genus Acrochordiceras Hyatt, 1877 is herein revised with respect to its intra-specific variation. Morphological and biometric studies (c. 550 bedrock-controlled specimens were measured) show that only one species occurs in each stratigraphic level. Continuous ranges of intra-specific variation of studied speci-mens enable us to synonymize Haydenites Diener, 1907, Silesiacrochordiceras Diener, 1916 and Epacrochordiceras Spath, 1934 with Acrochordiceras Hyatt, 1877. Three stratigraphically successive species are herein recognized in the low paleolatitude middle Anisian faunas from Nevada: A. hatschekii (Diener, 1907), A. hyatti Meek, 1877 and A. carolinae Mojsisovics, 1882. Moreover, an assessment of intraspecific variation of the adult size range does not support recognition of a dimorphic pair (Acrochordiceras and Epacrochordiceras) as previously suggested by other workers (Epacrochordiceras is the compressed and weakly ornamented end-member variant of Acrochordiceras). The successive middle Anisian species of Acrochordiceras form an anagenetic lineage characterized by increasing involution, adult size and intra-specific variation. This taxonomic revision based on new bedrock-controlled collections is thus an important prerequisite before studying the evolution of the group.

Human intelligence has always been a fascinating subject for scientists. Since the inception
of Spearman’s general intelligence in the early 1900s, there has been significant progress
towards characterizing different aspects of intelligence and its relationship with structural and
functional features of the brain. In recent years, the invention of sophisticated brain imaging
devices using Diffusion-Weighted Imaging (DWI) and functional Magnetic Resonance
Imaging (fMRI) has allowed researchers to test hypotheses about neural correlates of
intelligence in humans.This review summarizes recent findings on the associations of human
intelligence with neuroimaging data. To this end, first, we review the literature that has related
brain morphometry to intelligence. Next, we elaborate on the applications of DWI and restingstate fMRI on the investigation of intelligence. Then, we provide a survey of literature that has
used multimodal DWI-fMRI to shed light on intelligence. Finally, we discuss the state-of-theart of individualized prediction of intelligence from neuroimaging data and point out future
strategies. Future studies hold promising outcomes for machine learning-based predictive
frameworks using neuroimaging features to estimate human intelligence.

The study area covers 570 km 2 comprising of 9 sub-watersheds (Dalavayihalli, Maddalenahalli, Talamaradahalli, Puluvalli tank, Nagalamadike, Gowdatimmanahalli, Naliganahalli, Devadabetta and Byadanur) range from 49 to 75 km 2 forming part of Pennar river basin around Pavagada. The drainage network of 9 sub-watersheds was delineated using remote sensing data -Geocoded FCC of bands -2 3 4 of IRS 1 C and 1 D (LISS III+PAN merged) on 1:50,000 scale and SOI topomaps were used as reference. The morphometric analysis of 9 sub-watersheds has been carried out using GIS softwares -ArcInfo and ArcView. The drainage network shows that the terrain exhibits dendritic to sub-dendritic drainage pattern. Stream orders ranges from fourth to fifth order. Drainage density varies between 1.55 and 2.16 km/ km 2 and has very coarse to coarse drainage texture. The relief ratio range from 0.006 to 0.021. The mean bifurcation ratio varies from 3.21 to 4.88 and falls under normal basin category. The elongation ratio shows that Devedabetta sub-watershed possesses circular shape while remaining sub-watersheds mark elongated pattern. Hence from the study it can be concluded that remote sensing techniques proved to be a competent tool in morphometric analysis.

In the present study an attempt has made to analyse morphometric parameters and prioritisation of 24 sub-watershed of Doddahalla watershed in Chitradurga district. Study area lies in between 76°21'14.95"E to 76°50'34.82"E longitude and 14°4'9.42"N to 14°4'9.42"N latitude. CartoDEM (1 arc second) was used to extract the drainages and delineate the watershed. Arc hydro Tool for ArcGIS used to extract the streams from DEM. Mean Bifurcation ratio ranges from 3.26 to 4.87, where Bommasandra SW shows low value and Ganjigunte SW has high value.  The shape parameter has varies from 0.2 to 0.62, 0.11 to 0.28, 0.51 to 0.89 and 1.86 to 2.9 for form factor, circularity index,  elongation ratio and compactness constant respectively.  The morphometric parameters which influence the soil erodibility are considered to prioritise the sub-watershed. Compound value for sub-watersheds was used to prioritize on the basis of their severity for soil erosion, hence the sub-watershed which has lowest compound value has been given very high priority and highest value has been given low priority. The present study shows the priority map of soil erosion in Doddahalla watershed and it is concluded that morphometric analysis can be used for prioritisation of sub-watershed even without the availability of reliable soil maps of the study area.

The infrastructure of the original Guapo river dam project at El Guamito site (Miranda state, Venezuela), built and commissioning during the 1975-1977 period, collapsed in December 1999 as a result of the extraordinary rains observed at that time, which generated maximum discharges with magnitudes higher than the design discharge of the work. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the relationship between the hydrogeomorphological response of the Guapo river basin generated by this extraordinary rains event, the characteristics of the physical and biological media, and the conditions that these determined for the collapse of the dam. Variables of the physical and biological media, in particular climatic and hydrological aspects, were characterized. Morphometric parameters of the basin and its drainage network were measured and calculated. Topographic and geomorphological features were described with the construction of profiles. The physical and biological elements (geology, relief, geomorphology, topography, soil, vegetation, climate, drainage and hydrology) that coexist in the area of the basin have an important influence on the hydrogeomorphological responses of the system (floods, sediment production and haulage and mass movements). The morphometric characteristics of the basin indicate a high correspondence between these aspects and the collapse of the spillway, since they favoured the high discharges that were estimated at the dam site during the occurrence of this adverse event.

By: J.C. Richardson, D.M. Hodgson, A. Wilson, J.L. Carrivick, A. Lang.

The ancient landscapes south of the Great Escarpment in southern Africa preserve large-scale geomorphological features despite their antiquity. This study applies and evaluates morphometric indices (such as hypsometry, long profile analysis, stream gradient index, and linear/areal catchment characteristics) to the Gouritz catchment, a large discordant catchment in the Western Cape. Spatial variation of morphometric indices were assessed across catchment (trunk rivers) and subcatchment scales. The hypsometric curve of the catchment is sinusoidal, and a range of curve profiles are evident at subcatchment scale. Hypsometric integrals do not correlate to catchment properties such as area, circularity, relief, and dissection; and stream length gradients do not follow expected patterns, with the highest values seen in the mid-catchment areas. Rock type variation is interpreted to be the key control on morphometric indices within the Gouritz catchment, especially hypsometry and stream length gradient. External controls, such as tectonics and climate, were likely diminished because of the long duration of catchment development in this location. While morphometric indices can be a useful procedure in the evaluation of landscape evolution, this study shows that care must be taken in the application of morphometric indices to constrain tectonic or climatic variation in ancient landscapes because of inherited tectonic structures and signal shredding. More widely, we consider that ancient landscapes offer a valuable insight into long-term environmental change, but refinements to geomorphometric approaches are needed.

Food and interspecifi competition generates an evolutionary divergence in morphological traits in organisms. Therefore, the objective of the study is to identify the morphometric characteristics of birds that keep positive relationship with the type of food they consume. To do this, capture of birds was conducted in mist nets and birds captured under  eleven parameters were measured before performing Principal Component Analysis (PCA) in SPAD-N. Nectarivorous, frugivorous,
granivorous and insectivorous: 18 individuals corresponding to 9 species, grouped into four guilds were captured. After relating the Factor 1 with Factor 2, four groups, of which the largest are formed is a mixed group to include granivorous and insectivorous species; the second group includes nectarivorous and insectivorous species; and the third is represented by only frugivorous species. Morphometric characteristics of birds that are most positive relationship with your food guild, are what determine the shape and peak so large and the size of the bird.

В настоящей работе поставлена цель картографирования морфометрических
показателей рельефа речного бассейна на основе комплексной обработки  ЦМР, что
создает предпосылки для дальнейшего многостороннего географического анализа
бассейновой системы. Нами решались следующие  главные задачи: 1. создание
гидрологически корректной цифровой модели рельефа (поверхности) по спутниковым
данным (digital  elevation  models  –  DEM); 2. построение эрозионной сети с порядком
тальвегов, соответствующим пределу точности (пространственного разрешения) ЦМР; 3.
автоматизированный расчет стандартных  морфометрических показателей по данным
ЦМР; 4. картографирование этих показателей.

A morphometric analysis was carried out to describe the topography and drainage characteristics of Papanasam and Manimuthar watersheds. These watersheds are part ofWestern Ghats, which is an ecologically sensitive region. The drainage areas of Papanasam and Manimuthar watersheds are 163 and 211 km2, respectively and they show patterns of dendritic to sub-dendritic drainage. The slope of both watersheds varied from 0 to 59 and 0 to 55, respectively. Moreover, the slope variation is chiefly controlled by the local geology and erosion cycles. Each watershed was classified as a fifth-order drainage basin. The stream order of the basin was predominantly controlled by physiographic and structural conditions. The increase in stream length ratio from lower to higher order suggests that the study area has reached a mature geomorphic stage. The development of stream segments is affected by rainfall and local lithology of the watersheds.

This project investigates different aspects of craniofacial phenotypes exhibited in individuals with Down syndrome (DS), siblings of individuals with DS, and typically developing sibling pairs. A human sample (4-12 yrs.) consisting of 3D facial surface images (n = 55 for four separate samples: i.e. n = 220 overall) was used to explore developmental instability of the face and patterns of facial covariation between individuals with DS, their siblings, and typically developing sibling pairs. Morphometric analyses were used to infer how gene-dosage imbalance, caused by trisomy 21, is affecting DS craniofacial development. Overall we found increased fluctuating asymmetry in the faces of individuals with DS, which provides evidence for the "amplified developmental instability" model put forth by Shapiro (1975, 1983). However, the patterns of differences that we found suggest specific disruptions to regions of the face during craniofacial development rather than the generalized disruptions described by Shapiro under the amplified developmental instability model. Additionally, the results of our investigation found that covariation of facial metrics is different in DS individuals and in DS siblings relative to typically developing siblings. Based on differences in the pattern and strength of integration within and between facial regions in the DS and DS sibling samples, we put forth an "aneuploid conception model" to explain why facial integration is lowest in DS siblings and strengthened in DS relative to DS siblings.

In addition to the human-based analyses, micro-computed tomography (µCT) scans and morphometric analysis were employed to evaluate a complete genetic mouse model for DS - the Ts1Yey mouse. Morphometric comparison of craniofacial measures for Ts1Yey mice and euploid littermates (n = 12 for each sample) was done to determine if this model exhibits craniofacial differences similar to differences seen in humans with DS and in previously established DS mouse models. Overall, our results validate this mouse model for use in craniofacial DS investigations.

Flash floods are considered to be one of the worst weather-related natural disasters. They are dangerous because they are sudden and are highly unpredictable following brief spells of heavy rain. Several qualitative methods exist in the literature for the estimations of the risk level of flash flood hazard within a watershed. This paper presents the utilization of remote sensing data such as enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM?), Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), coupled with geological, geomorphological, and field data in a GIS environment for the estimation of the flash flood risk along the Feiran-Katherine road, southern Sinai, Egypt. This road is a vital corridor for the tourists visiting here for religious purposes (St. Katherine monastery) and is subjected to frequent flash floods, causing heavy damage to man-made features. In this paper, morphometric analyses have been used to estimate the flash flood risk levels of sub-watersheds within the Wadi Feiran basin. First, drainage characteristics are captured by a set of parameters relevant to the flash flood risk. Further, comparison between the effectiveness of the sub-basins has been performed in order to understand the active ones. A detailed geomorphological map for the most hazardous sub-basins is presented. In addition, a map identifying sensitive sections is constructed for the Feiran-Katherine road. Finally, the most influenced factors for both flash flood hazard and critical sensitive zones have been discussed. The results of this study can initiate appropriate measures to mitigate the probable hazards in the area.

Tinalah Watershed is part of the Progo Sub-watershed. The Tinalah River flows to southeast and its outlet on the Progo River. Tinalah Watershed has a resource that has not been utilized optimally, road network is good enough, there are farms and plantation. Parameters that measured and analyzed include geomorphological conditions and calculation of morphometric variables. Geomorphological conditions in this watersheds most of them are hills stretching from north to south with varying degrees of erosion. Landform in this watershed Tinalah form of the origin of fluvial, structural, and denudational process. Based on the calculation of watershed morphometric the following results are obtained: Area watershed (A) of 44.43 km 2. The number of River Order (Nu) in each river order from 1 to 5 respectively is 136, 25, 8, 2, and 1. Bifurcation Ratio (Rb) at each order of the order ranging from 1 to 4 respectively is 5.44; 3,125; 4 and 2. Circulatioan Ratio (Rc) value is 0,558. Main river length (L) is 13.02 km, River Density (Dd) 2.77 km / km 2 , Length and Wide of Watershed 11.05 km and 5.44 km. The value of the river slope (Sb) is 6.8% and the Slope of Watershed (So) is 43%. INTISARI DAS Tinalah merupakan bagian dari Sub DAS Progo. Sungai Tinalah mengalir ke arah tenggara dan bermuara di Sungai Progo. DAS Tinalah memiliki sumberdaya wilayah yang belum dimanfaatkan secara optimal, jaringan jalan cukup baik, terdapat lahan pertanian dan perkebunan. Parameter yang diukur dan dianalisis meliputi kondisi geomorfologi dan perhitungan variabel morfometri DAS. Kondisi geomorfologi di DAS Tinalah sebagian besar merupakan perbukitan yang membentang dari utara hingga selatan dengan tingkat pengikisan yang bervariasi. Bentuk lahan yang tedapat di DAS Tinalah berupa bentukan asal proses fluvial, struktural, dan denudasional. Berdasarkan perhitungan morfometri DAS, maka didapatkan hasil Luas DAS (A) sebesar 44,43 km 2. Jumlah Order Sungai (Nu) pada masing-masing orde sungai mulai 1 sampai 5 berturut-turut adalah 136, 25, 8, 2, dan 1. Bifurcation Ratio (Rb) pada masing-masing orde sungai mulai orde 1 sampai 4 berturut-turut adalah 5,44; 3,125; 4 dan 2. Nilai Circulatioan Ratio (Rc) yaitu 0,558. Panjang Sungai Utama (L) sebesar 13,02 km, Kerapatan Sungai (Dd) 2,77 km/km 2 , Panjang dan Lebar DAS 11,05 km dan lebarnya 5,44 km. Nilai Kemiringan Sungai (Sb) 6,8% dan Kemiringan DAS (So) 43%. Kata-kata kunci: Daerah Aliran Sungai, Geomorfologi, Morfometri, Tinalah. PENDAHULUAN Daerah Aliran Sungai (DAS) merupakan daerah yang dibatasi oleh igir-igir punggung bukit dan berfungsi sebagai pengumpul, penyimpan dan penyalur air, sedimen serta unsur-unsur hara dalam sistem sungai yang kesemuanya keluar melalui satu titik tunggal (single outlet). Daerah ini dibatasi oleh topografi, yang berarti ditetapkan berdasarkan aliran permukaan (Harto, 1993).

Abstract. The brackish crab Cardisoma guanhumi Latreille, 1825 is an economically important species used for alimentation, commonly sold in open markets throughout Northern and Northeastern Brazil. It lives mainly in mangrove areas, which have been highly degraded because of misuse and inadequate settlement. In this study, morphometric data were obtained from segments and dorsal and ventral regions of 107 individuals from four brackish crab populations on Rio Grande do Norte coastline. The fluctuating asymmetry indexes and discriminant interpopulation morphological features in measurements at dorsal, ventral regions and pereiopods were defined. The presence of fluctuating asymmetry was found in the four first pairs of pereiopods and a correlation between sex and segments from the first pair of pereiopods and between population and segments in all pairs of pereiopods was observed. As for the discriminating model, the use of the eye cavity length variable allowed discriminating 82 % o...

Natural products are studied to combat reproductive alterations of Lead. The current work aim to disclose the efficacy of Chlorella vulgaris and Zingiber officinale to alleviate lead acetate induced toxicity. Sixty adult male Wistar rats were distributed into four groups. Group 1 was considered control, group 2 received 200 mg/l PbAc water, group 3 received 50 mg/kg/rat of C. vulgaris extract and 200 mg/l PbAc water, and group 4 received 100 mg/kg/rat of Z. officinale and 200 mg/l PbAc water for 90 days. Testis samples were subjected to ultrastructural examination. It is observed that PbAc caused degenerative alterations in the spermatogenic series in many tubules, with a loss of germ cells and vacuoles inside the cytoplasm and between the germ cells. Mitochondria exhibited ballooning, with lost cristae and widening of the interstitial tissue, destructed nuclear envelopes of primary spermatocytes, and distortion of the axonemes of the mid-pieces of the sperms. With the treatment with C. vulgaris or Z. officinale, there were noticeable improvements in those modifications. It has concluded that both C. vulgaris and Z. officinale represent convincing medicinal components that may be used to ameliorate testicular toxicity in those exposed to lead in daily life with superior potentials revealed by C. vulgaris due to its chelating action.

The identification of human skeletal remains is one of the most important objectives of anthropologists working in medico-legal contexts. The establishment of identity from human bones is based on four main characteristics: age, sex, ethnicity and stature. The majority of these characteristics can be established relatively quickly if the skeleton is complete. However, this is not always the case and often the skeletal specialists have to work with incomplete and severely fragmented remains.
The correct determination of sex using skeletal remains generally depends on the completeness of the pelvis and the skull as best indicators of sex. The craniofacial element of the skull is rather fragile and easily damaged by external factors. The cranial base is one of the regions of the skull which survive more intact.
The primary objective of this thesis is to establish the sexual dimorphism of a specific anatomical area of the skull base: the foramen magnum region. This analysis has not been undertaken before in any English population. Therefore, sexual dimorphism is examined using a British 18th and 19th century London crypt sample.
Discriminant analysis is carried out and population-specific sex determination functions are developed using the foramen magnum, the occipital condyles and a combination of both. Furthermore, a newly developed semi-automated method for the extraction of foramen magnum data from digital images is assessed and the effect of advanced age on the metric dimensions of the foramen magnum region is analysed.
Results demonstrate the existence of significant sexual dimorphism in this sample of English crania. The newly developed functions based on a combination of foramen magnum and occipital condyle variables permit the correct determination of sex of this collection with 71.9%. Functions using only foramen magnum variables achieved 68.4% correct identifications whilst occipital condyle functions provided the highest correct classification percentage of 76.7%. The semi-automated method proved to be useful and promising for future research application. No significant age effect in the foramen magnum region was found. Overall, sexual dimorphism is evident in the foramen magnum region of the St. Bride’s crania. New discriminant functions developed during this study are useful for sex determination but these methods should not be used in forensic cases without prior testing on modern samples.

The Dhasan river is one of the major NE flowing tributaries of the Yamuna river in rain-deficient part of central India. The basin is divided into five subwatersheds viz. Rohni, Bila, Sukhnai, Lakheri and Ur. The morphometric parameters (linear, aerial and relief) of Dhasan river basin were measured using remote sensing and GIS (geographic information system) techniques for future development and planning of the watershed. The quantitative analysis of watershed development of the Dhasan river basin and its five sixth order sub watersheds (SW1-SW5), was carried out using Landsat 7 ETM+, ASTER (GDEM) data and Survey of India toposheets (parts of 54I, 54K, 54L, 54O and 54P). The drainage orientation data suggests a polymodal distribution (NE-SW, NW-SE and E-W). The relief disposition and tectonic control of Dhasan watershed are manifested by trellis drainage pattern. The bifurcation ratio and high gradient ratio indicate an undulatory topography with steeper stream gradient in some parts of the basin. In other parts, the basin is characterized by high infiltration rate having fewer channels. The bifurcation ratio indicates limited relationship amongst the hydrographic networks that are considered diagnostic of tectonic (and/or neotectonic) imprints on the drainage network in the study area. The elongated nature of Dhasan watershed, characterized by the shape parameters, reflects a dominant control of regional linear tectonic elements pervasively present in the entire Bundelkhand craton.

The morphometric analysis of the drainage
basin provides no only a description of the
landscape but also serve as a powerful means of
comparing the forms and processes of drainage
basin. In the present study, morphometric analysis
of the Rishi Khola basin and its sub basins has been
carried out using data collected from toposheet
and also by computing it through GIS techniques.
The morphometric parameters considered for
analysis includes the linear, areal and relief aspect
of the basin. The Rishi Khola covers an area of
th 260.498 sq km and it is a 5 order drainage basin.
The whole RishiKhola basin consists of 3 sub basins
such as Rishi Khola itself,Mandam Khola and an
Relli khola basin. The bifurcation ratio (R ) varies b
between 3.0 and 5.0 indicating geology is
homogenous and no such structural disturbances
prevail. The basin has low drainage density of 0.95
2 km/km and the basin is more or less circular in
shape. These studies are useful for understanding
the hydrological, geological and geomorphological
characteristics of the basin.

Dissociated embryonic rat ventral mesencephalon containing the developing AS-A10 dopamine (DA) neurons was cultured alone or in the presence of a 10 mm segment of adult rat sciatic nerve that had been explanted and maintained in separate culture for 72 hours prior to introduction to mesencephalic cultures. Nerve segments were contained in a co-culture basket, so that midbrain cells and nerve shared medium but were not in physical contact. The number and morphology of cultured DA neurons was assessed via immunocytochemistry for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). Co-cultures of ventral midbrain tissue and nerve exhibited an increased number of TH-positive neurons, with larger neuronal perikarya, and increased length and complexity of neurites, than cultures of midbrain tissue alone. Increased number and growth of TH-positive neurons was obtained with as little as 2 days of exposure to nerve. This evidence suggests that a diffusible, soluble factor(s) from sciatic nerve can enhance the number and development of TH-positive neurons detected in cultures of embryonic ventral mesencephalon.