Diagenesis of dinosaur eggshell from the Gobi Desert, Mongolia

Graf, John,Tabor, Neil J.,Ferguson, Kurt,Winkler, Dale A.,Lee, Yuong-Nam,May, Steven,Jacobs, Louis L. Elsevier 2018 Palaeogeography, palaeoclimatology, palaeoecology Vol.494 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>In order to test for paleoenvironmental and paleoecological parameters important in dinosaur evolution, thirty-four fragments of dinosaur eggshell, paleosol carbonates from six localities, and calcite crystals from inside a dinosaur femur were collected from the Campanian to Maastrichtian Baruungoyot and Nemegt formations, Gobi Desert, Mongolia. The samples were examined for diagenesis using light microscopy, SEM, and cathodoluminescence, and each was analyzed for δ<SUP>13</SUP>C and δ<SUP>18</SUP>O values. Eggshell isotope values plot along two trends of enrichment, with paleosol carbonate nodule values plotting along locality specific trends. Convergence of the trends suggests similar initial conditions among localities. Permian-age detrital zircons in the fossiliferous sediment suggest that enriched eggshell and paleosol carbonate nodule δ<SUP>13</SUP>C values may have been caused by phreatic zone diagenetic alteration by waters with an aqueous bicarbonate component derived from interaction and dissolution of Permian calcareous marine host rocks. Our hypothetical model for eggshell diagenesis assumes a stable carbon- and oxygen-isotope domain space delimited by three end members: (1) apparently unaltered eggshell with primary microstructure, (2) non-luminescent eggshell with no preserved microstructure, and (3) luminescent eggshell with no preserved microstructure. The two end members showing no preservation of microstructure indicate different phases of diagenetic alteration in the presence of vadose and phreatic waters. None of the samples analyzed can be shown to be sufficiently unaltered for analysis using standard techniques. Biologically, eggshell is porous to facilitate the movement of gases while an embryo is developing within the egg. Geologically, that same property allows the flow of diagenetic ground waters, which modifies the primary isotopic signature of eggshell.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Stable isotopes in dinosaur eggshell are used to infer paleobiology and paleoenvironment. </LI> <LI> However, porosity that facilitates movement of gases, makes fossil eggshells prone to diagenesis. </LI> <LI> δ<SUP>13</SUP>C and δ<SUP>18</SUP>O in Mongolian Cretaceous eggshell from the Gobi Desert indicate rampant diagenesis. </LI> <LI> Eggshell was subjected to shallow-burial, vadose and phreatic zone diagenesis. </LI> </UL> </P>

Appreciating the Art and Science of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: A Year in Review

Graf, Jocelyn Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surge 2013 Archives of Plastic Surgery Vol.40 No.1

Image and Text at Work: ‘Let Us Now Praise Famous Men’ and the Photographic Essay

Catharina Graf 한국미술이론학회 2011 미술이론과 현장 Vol.12 No.-

Images have invaded nearly every section of our daily lives, from newspapers and magazines to advertisements we see all around. The form that these images take usually is the photograph, accompanied by written (or spoken) words of some sort – and thus actually forming an interaction of text and images. The culmination of this interaction is the so-called “photographic essay”, a series of photographs depicting a specified topic accompanied by text, usually published in a magazine, in a book or on the internet. To understand the potential of both image and word, a close reading of the seminal photo-essay Let Us Pray Famous Men by Walker Evans and James Agee shows that words can be devoid of the logos, the “logic”, argumentative potential of language, whereas images on the other hand can be arranged to make sense in a logical way. Let Us Now Praise Famous Men is read as criticism of the photographic essay as it is used in magazines, a criticism that nonetheless shows why and how the interaction of images with the written word transforms real experiences into experiences of reality, how it makes information happen.

Malaysia’s Niche in International Higher Education: Targeting Muslim-majority, Commonwealth, and Less-developed Countries

Arndt Graf 서강대학교 동아연구소 2016 TRaNS(Trans –Regional and –National Studies of Sou Vol.4 No.1

In 2010, more than 87,000 international students were studying in Malaysia. The Malaysian government wants to increase the number of international students to more than 200,000 by 2020. The case of Malaysia as an emerging player in international education is particularly interesting as it is not only one of the first former colonies of a European country to achieve such high international attractiveness, but also one of the first Muslim-majority countries to become a hub of international education. This article analyses both the supply and demand side ofthis remarkable trend. The historical and political circumstances for the institutional buildup of Malaysian higher education are discussed, followed by an analysis of the religious, linguistic, and developmental background ofthe international students coming to Malaysia. Lastly, factors affecting other prominent destinations ofinternational student migration, such as the implications of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, are taken into account.

Efficiency of occlusal and interproximal adjustments in CAD-CAM manufactured single implant crowns - cast-free vs 3D printed cast-based

Tobias Graf,Jan-Frederik Güth,Christian Diegritz,Anja Liebermann,Josef Schweiger,Oliver Schubert 대한치과보철학회 2021 The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics Vol.13 No.6

PURPOSE. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of occlusal and interproximal adjustments of single implant crowns (SIC), comparing a digital cast-free approach (CF) and a protocol using 3D printed casts (PC). MATERIALS AND METHODS. A titanium implant was inserted at position of lower right first molar in a typodont. The implant position was scanned using an intraoral scanner and SICs were fabricated accordingly. Ten crowns (CF; n = 10) were subject to a digital cast-free workflow without any labside occlusal and interproximal modifications. Ten other identical crowns (PC) were adjusted to 3D printed casts before delivery. All crowns were then adapted to the testing model, simulating chair-side adjustments during clinical placement. Adjustment time, quantity of adjustments, and contact relationship were assessed. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (P < .05). RESULTS. Median and interquartile range (IQR) of clinical adjustment time was 02:44 (IQR 00:45) minutes in group CF and 01:46 (IQR 00:21) minutes in group PC. Laboratory and clinical adjustment time in group PC was 04:25 (IQR 00:59) minutes in total. Mean and standard deviation (±SD) of root mean squared error (RMSE) of quantity of clinical adjustments was 45 ± 7 μm in group CF and 34 ± 6 μm in group PC. RMSE of total adjustments was 61 ± 11 μm in group PC. Quality of occlusal contacts was better in group CF. CONCLUSION. Time effort for clinical adjustments was higher in the cast-free protocol, whereas quantity of modifications was lower, and the occlusal contact relationship was found more favourable.

2D phases of CO ON CU(111) on the atomic scale

Paul GRAF,Dennis VAN VOERDEN,Ben WORTMANN,Roberto ROBLES,Paula ABUFAGER,Nicolas LORENTE,Christian BOBISCH,Rolf MOELLER 한국진공학회 2016 한국진공학회 학술발표회초록집 Vol.2016 No.8

Flavonols, Flavones, Flavanones and Human Health : Epidemiological Evidence

Brigitte A. Graf,Paul E. Milbury,Jeffrey B. Blumberg 한국식품영양과학회 2004 한국식품영양과학회 학술대회발표집 Vol.55 No.-

Polyphenolic flavonoids are among a wide variety of phytochemicals present in the human diet. Basic research, animal model, and human studies suggest flavonoid intake may reduce the risk of several agerelated chronic diseases. The vast number of flavonoids and mixtures of their subclasses, including flavonols, flavones and flavanones, and the variety of agricultural practices that affect their concentration in foods have presented a challenge to the development of adequate food composition databases for these compounds. Nonetheless, dietary assessments have been applied to cohort and case-control epidemiological studies and several reveal an inverse association with risk of some forms of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic conditions. Those observational studies that have examined these relationships with regard to flavonols, flavones, and flavanones are reviewed. The requirement for caution in interpreting these studies is discussed with regard to the limited information available on the bioavailability and biotransformation of these flavonoids. As the totality of the available evidence on these flavonoids suggests a role in the prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease, further research is warranted, particularly in controlled clinical trials.

Influences of Neck and/or Wrist Pain on Hand Grip Strength of Industrial Quality Proofing Workers

Wollesen, Bettina,Graf, Julia,Schumacher, Nils,Meyer, Gianluca,Wanstrath, Matthias,Feldhaus, Christian,Luedtke, Kerstin,Mattes, Klaus Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute 2020 Safety and health at work Vol.11 No.4

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the interaction between neck and/or wrist pain and hand grip strength (HGS) and to investigate factors (age, sex, neck disorders, and carpal tunnel syndrome) influencing the HGS of industrial quality proofing workers (N = 145). Methods: Standardized questionnaires [Neck Disability Index (NDI), Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire] were used to evaluate existing neck and/or wrist pain. HGS measurements were performed in different wrist positions. Results: Significant differences between participants with and without neck pain were found in different wrist positions, in neutral wrist position right [without neck pain (n = 48) 46.34 (43.39 - 49.30); with neck pain (n = 97) 38.46 (36.20 - 40.72), F_(1,144) = 16.82, p < 0.001, ŋ_p² = 0.11] and left [without neck pain 44.06 (41.19 - 46.94); with neck pain 37.36 (35.13 - 39.58), F_(1,144) = 12.70, p < 0.001, ŋ_p² = 0.08]. A significant difference between participants with and without wrist pain was found for neutral wrist position right [without wrist pain (n = 105) 42.53 (40.37 - 44.70); with wrist pain (n = 40) 37.24 (33.56 - 40.91), F_(1,144) = 6.41, p = 0.01, ŋ_p² = 0.04]. Regression analysis showed significant results especially for steps two (age and weight, NDI) and three (age and weight, NDI, Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire) for neutral position right (R² = 0.355, R² = 0.357, respectively). Conclusion: Neck pain has an impact on HGS but should be evaluated in consideration of age and sex.

Synergistic amplification of beta-amyloid- and interferon-gamma-induced microglial neurotoxic response by the senile plaque component chromogranin A.

Twig, Gilad,Graf, Solomon A,Messerli, Mark A,Smith, Peter J S,Yoo, Seung H,Shirihai, Orian S American Physiological Society 2005 American journal of physiology. Cell physiology Vol.288 No.1

<P>Activation of the microglial neurotoxic response by components of the senile plaque plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Microglia induce neurodegeneration primarily by secreting nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha), and hydrogen peroxide. Central to the activation of microglia is the membrane receptor CD40, which is the target of costimulators such as interferon-gamma (IFNgamma). Chromogranin A (CGA) is a recently identified endogenous component of the neurodegenerative plaques of AD and Parkinson's disease. CGA stimulates microglial secretion of NO and TNFalpha, resulting in both neuronal and microglial apoptosis. Using electrochemical recording from primary rat microglial cells in culture, we have shown in the present study that CGA alone induces a fast-initiating oxidative burst in microglia. We compared the potency of CGA with that of beta-amyloid (betaA) under identical conditions and found that CGA induces 5-7 times greater NO and TNFalpha secretion. Coapplication of CGA with betaA or with IFNgamma resulted in a synergistic effect on NO and TNFalpha secretion. CD40 expression was induced by CGA and was further increased when betaA or IFNgamma was added in combination. Tyrphostin A1 (TyrA1), which inhibits the CD40 cascade, exerted a dose-dependent inhibition of the CGA effect alone and in combination with IFNgamma and betaA. Furthermore, CGA-induced mitochondrial depolarization, which precedes microglial apoptosis, was fully blocked in the presence of TyrA1. Our results demonstrate the involvement of CGA with other components of the senile plaque and raise the possibility that a narrowly acting agent such as TyrA1 attenuates plaque formation.</P>

A novice’s guide to analyzing NGS-derived organelle and metagenome data

송해중,이준모,Louis Graf,노미나,Huan Qiu,Debashish Bhattacharya,윤환수 한국조류학회I 2016 ALGAE Vol.31 No.2

Next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have revolutionized many areas of biological research due to thesharp reduction in costs that has led to the generation of massive amounts of sequence information. Analysis of large genomedata sets is however still a challenging task because it often requires significant computer resources andknowledge of bioinformatics. Here, we provide a guide for an uninitiated who wish to analyze high-throughput NGSdata. We focus specifically on the analysis of organelle genome and metagenome data and describe the currentbioinformatic pipelines suited for this purpose.