bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SHAPE-BASED IMAGE RETRIEVAL USING TWO-LEVEL SIMILARITY MEASURES
Authors: WONG WAI-TAK , SHIH FRANK Y. , SU TE-FENG
Published: September 2007

In this paper, we present a novel method of using two-level similarity measures for shape-based image retrieval. We first identify the dominant points of a given shape, and then calculate their geometric moments and the distances between two consecutive dominant points. A spectrum representing the normalized geometric moments versus normalized distances is generated, and its area and curve length are computed. We use these two values as similarity features for the indexes in coarse-grained shape retrieval. Furthermore, we use the cross-sectional area and curve length distribution for the indexes in fine-grained shape retrieval. Experimental results show that the proposed method is simple and efficient and can reach the accuracy rate of 95%.
THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE ORDERS OF p-ADIC CALCULUS AND THE DIMENSIONS OF THE WEIERSTRASS TYPE FUNCTION IN LOCAL FIELDS
Authors: QIU HUA , SU WEIYI
Published: September 2007

This paper investigates the Weierstrass type function in local fields whose graph is a chaotic repelling set of a discrete dynamical system, and proves that their exists a linear connection between the orders of its p-adic calculus and the dimensions of the corresponding graphs.
ENERGY DEPENDENCE OF MULTIDIMENSIONAL FRACTAL BEHAVIOR OF PIONS IN NUCLEAR COLLISION
Authors: GHOSH DIPAK , DEB ARGHA , DAS RUPA , PAL SITARAM , GHOSH JAYITA
Published: September 2007

This paper reports a study on multidimensional fractal behavior of pions emitted in 16 O - AgBr interactions at 2.1 and 60 AGeV by dividing the full bin range into different sub-bin ranges. Analysis is performed in (Xη - Xϕ) space following two-dimensional factorial moment methodology using the concept of Hurst exponent, which takes into account the anisotropy of phase space. Different scaling behavior is observed in different bins at two different energies. The data show a positive evidence of change of fluctuation pattern from self-similarity to self-affinity with increase of energy. Multifractal dimensions have been calculated in each case and it is observed that pions at both energies exhibit multifractal behavior.
Myopia in the Asia-Pacific Region
Authors: Foulds Wallace S.
Published: September 2007

The article is about myopia in the Asia Pacific region.
Molecular Biology of Myopia
Authors: Beuerman Roger
Published: September 2007

The article is about the molecular biology of myopia. It discusses the characteristics of myopia and some of the drugs that slows down myopia.
School Myopia in Hong Kong
Authors: Fan Dorothy S. P. , Lam Dennis S. C. , Lau Joseph T. F. , Chong K. S. , Chew Sek-Jin
Published: September 2007

The short article is about school myopia in Hong Kong and the high prevalence rates of myopia in primary school children.
Refractive Error in Sumatra, Indonesia — A Population-Based Prevalence Survey
Authors: Gazzard Gus , Saw Seang-Mei , Koh David , Farook Mohammad , Widjaja Daniel , Lee Jeanette , Tan Donald
Published: September 2007

The article is about a population-based prevalence survey of refractive error in Sumatra, Indonesia.
Ocular Surface Stem Cells — Current Concepts & Implications
Authors: Ang Leonard P.-K
Published: September 2007

The article is about the ocular surface stem cells and its current concepts and implications.
Imaging Retinal Function
Authors: Parks S. , Keating D. , Evans A. L.
Published: September 2007

The article is about imaging of the retinal function by the conventional electroretinogram or visual evoked cortical potential.
Glaucoma: An Old Problem Seeking New Solutions
Authors: Foulds Wallace S.
Published: September 2007

The article discusses about glaucoma as an old problem to new solutions. It touches on intraocular pressure, closed angle glaucoma and open angle glaucoma.
Closed Angle Glaucoma in Asia-Pacific Region
Authors: Lim Arthur
Published: September 2007

The article is about closed angle glaucoma in Asia Pacific region. It discusses briefly on the ophthalmic disease and its treatment.
The Development of Biotechnology Industry in Taiwan
Authors: Chang Tse-Wen
Published: September 2007

The article is about the development of biotechnology industry in Taiwan. It is an overview of the progress of the research and development in the biomedical sector in Taiwan.
Rice genome and biotechnology research in Taiwan
Authors: Shaw Jei-Fu
Published: September 2007

The article is about the rice genome biotechnology research in Taiwan.
National Yang-Ming University Genome Research Center
Authors: Hsiao Kwan-Jen
Published: September 2007

The article is about the Genome Research Center, National Yang Ming University. It covers the educational programs and the inter-university collaboration.
From Human Genome to Rice Genome and Beyond: BGI — A Success Story of Jumpstarting Genomic Projects
Authors: Liu Bin , Yu Jun , Wang Jian , Yang Huanming
Published: September 2007

The article is about the success story of jumpstarting genomic projects and participation in the Human Genome Project. It touches on international collaborations and the launch of the Rice Genome Project.
Rice Gene Machine: A Vehicle for Finding Functions of Cereal Genes
Authors: Upadhyaya Narayana M. , Zhu Qianhao , Eamens Andrew , Dennis Elizabeth S.
Published: September 2007

Identifying functions for the predicted 25 000 to 40 000 plant genes is the new focus of genomic research following the sequencing of genomes from model plants like Arabidopsis and rice. It is important that researchers and plant breeders especially from Asian countries access the techniques and resources of plant functional genomics, not only to remain competitive globally in rice research and development activities, but also to increase yields by alleviating some of the rice production constraints. These newly identified genes and gene control sequences can be used in transformation breeding and as molecular markers in classical plant breeding.

At CSIRO Plant Industry we are using an insertional mutagenesis approach in rice to relate genes to their functions. With national and international collaboration we hope to create a substantial "Rice Gene Machine" comprised of many thousands of rice insertion lines with their associated phenotypes and the gene sequences flanking insertion sites identified. This Rice Gene Machine will allow the identification of gene functions, which will benefit rice research and the rice industry for years to come.
Guest Editor's Introduction
Authors: Chen Yi-Ping Phoebe
Published: September 2007

The article is an overview of bioinformatics in Asia Pacific.
The Status of Formalized Bioinformatics Education in Australia
Authors: Poidinger Michael , Cattley Sonia
Published: September 2007

This review describes the current state of bioinformatics education in Australia, outlining the award and non-award courses offered by Australian Universities and centers.
Bioinformatics Industry in Australia
Authors: Littlejohn Tim
Published: September 2007

This article starts off by defining bioinformatics, then it goes on to describes the bioinformatics industry in Australia.
Bowling Ball 'Bioinformatic' hits Ninepins of Asia Pacific
Authors: Balaji K.
Published: September 2007

The article describes the market for bioinformatics, its regional attractiveness index and the market segments of bioinformatics. It also talks about bioinformatics in Asia Pacific: Japan, Australia, India, Singapore and South Korea.
Inferring an Original Sequence from Erroneous Copies: Two Approaches
Authors: Keith Jonathan M. , Adams Peter , Bryant Darryn , Mitchelson Keith R. , Cochran Duncan A. E. , Lala Gita H.
Published: September 2007

This paper considers the problem of inferring an original sequence from a number of erroneous copies. The problem arises in DNA sequencing, particularly in the context of emerging technologies that provide high throughput or other advantages at the cost of an increased number of errors. We describe and compare two approaches that have recently been developed by the authors. The first approach searches for a sequence known as a Steiner string; the second searches for the most probable original sequence with respect to a simple Bayesian model of sequencing errors. We present the results of extensive tests in which erroneous copies of real DNA sequences were simulated and the algorithms were used to infer the original sequences. The results are used to compare the two approaches to each other and to a third, more conventional, approach based on multiple sequence alignment. We find that the Bayesian approach is superior to the Steiner approach, which in turn is superior to the alignment approach.

The two new algorithms can also be used to construct multiple sequence alignments. We show that the two methods produce alignments of approximately equal quality, and conclude that the Steiner approach is better for this purpose because it is faster. Both methods produce better alignments than a well-known multiple sequence alignment package, for the cases tested.
The Protein Surface Properties Calculator
Authors: Nicolau Dan V. , Fulga Florin , Nicolau Dan V.
Published: September 2007

The interactions of large molecules with surfaces and with each other are strongly dependent upon their surface, rather than their bulk properties. In addition, the local properties of biomolecular surfaces are very important in their own right in biomedicine and other areas, for example for locating binding sites.

Following to previous work, we have developed a program to compute to compute amino acid and atom-based surface descriptors, and used it to generate a small database of charge and hydrophobicity-related surface properties for a set of proteins. The program requires the user to input two text files: one assigning a real number to each atom of each amino acid, and one assigning a real number to each amino acid. Although we have so far only computed surface charge (atom-based) and surface hydrophobicity (amino acid-based), we note that this program could be used to compute any surface parameter whatsoever, since the user can assign arbitrary atom-by-atom and amino acid properties.We discuss possible applications of this program and describe one current application, the Biomolecular Adsorption Database.
General Framework for Two-stage Approaches to Protein Secondary Structure Prediction
Authors: Rajapakse Jagath C. , Aguyen Minh N.
Published: September 2007

Bioinformatics techniques to protein secondary structure prediction, such as Support Vector Machine (SVM) and GOR approaches, are mostly single-stage approaches; they predict secondary structures of the protein by taking into account only the information available in amino acid sequences. On the other hand, PHD (Profile network from HeiDelberg) method is a two-stage technique where two Multi-Layer Perceptrons (MLPs) are cascaded; the second neural network receives the output of the first neural network captures any contextual relationships among the secondary structure elements predicted by the first neural network. In this paper, we argue that it is feasible to extend the current single-stage approaches by adding a second-stage prediction scheme to capture the contextual information among secondary structural elements and thereby improving their accuracies. We demonstrate that two-stage SVMs perform better than present techniques for protein secondary structure prediction.
An Overview of Biotechnology in Shanghai
Authors: Li Yi-ping
Published: September 2007

The article is an overview of the biotechnology market in Shanghai. It touches on the history of the biotech industry in Shanghai, the research and development, the hi-tech parks and the human resources.
Feature Article — Patent Prosecution in Proteomics
Authors: Chan Keala , Fernandez Dennis
Published: September 2007

This paper presents a brief overview of intellectual property rights and the various areas in proteomics to which IP rights may be applicable. Technology transfer, including licensing and business agreements, is not covered in this paper. Instead, issues and complications that are related to national and overseas patent prosecution in this relatively new field would be discussed.
Feature — Competitive Positioning Strategies for Australia Biotech Companies: A Road Map to Achieve Competitive Position in the Global Biotech Marketplace Part I
Authors: Balaji K
Published: September 2007

Australia’s focus on biotechnology began in the 1990s, although this industry has been active in the country since the 1970s. Australia’s traditional strengths in medical and agricultural research have helped the country to move up the global biotech value-chain in a very short time. The Australian economy is relatively small compared to other biotech behemoths such as the United States and Japan and the government has realized the importance of innovation through industries such as biotechnology to boost the economy. This has translated into generous research funding and a favorable policy atmosphere for the industry, which in turn has grown steadily.

The following White Paper builds a global, regional, and country perspective on the biotechnology industry and analyzes the competitive position of Australian biotech companies. The White Paper also elucidates key strategies for Australian biotech companies for achieving sustainable growth.
Commentaries & Analyses — Strategic Balancing Of Patent And FDA Approval Processes To Maximize Market Exclusivity
Authors: FERNANDEZ DENNIS S. , HUIE JAMES T.
Published: September 2007

The patentability of products is essential in the biotechnology field, for limited market exclusivity compensates biotech companies' investments in research and development. The biotechnology field also uniquely faces Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approval, which includes considerable additional expense and time issues a biotech company must address. Although balancing the patent and FDA approval processes may be complex, various strategies of patent extension, of accelerating approval processes, and of prolonging generic drug companies' market entry can yield higher profit returns and maximize value company value.
Commentaries & Analyses — STRATEGIC LICENSING IN THE NEW ECONOMY
Authors: Fernandez Dennis , Neuenschwander Charles R.
Published: September 2007

What should your intellectual property concerns be in the "New" Economy? Besides providing a brief practical tutorial on legal intellectual property rights that concern you and your enterprise, this paper shall discuss how your intellectual property can become profitable. Learn how to make wise decisions concerning what to patent, as well as how to make patenting more affordable by speeding up the application process. Also learn how you can make intellectual property pay off by weighing the pros and cons of business acquisition, litigation, and strategic licensing. Learn how to create a licensing strategy that enhances your existing business plan. Finally, this paper will show you how to get the most out of your license agreement.
What Does Big Pharma Want From Biotech?
Authors: Fischette Christine T.
Published: September 2007

The article is about the challenges of the pharmaceutical industry and the need for partnership and alliances. It also talks about how bid pharmaceutical companies decides what it wants to invest in or who they want to collaborate with.
Tensions in Industry-Academic Collaborations: Perspective of the Academic Medical Center
Authors: Toneguzzo Frances
Published: September 2007

The article is about the types of relationship and the academic freedom, implications of technology transfer and the policies governing conflicts of interest.
TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE
Authors: Kong Jin-Ming , Tan Kok-Siang , Goh Ngoh-Khang , Chia Lian-Sai
Published: September 2007

This article is an overview of traditional chinese medicine. It discusses the general situation of TCM in China and the value of China TCM export market.
Chinese Medicine in Australia
Authors: Xue Charlie Changli , Story David
Published: September 2007

This article is about the status of Chinese Medicine in Australia. It talks on Chinese Medicines Education and the Chinese Medicines Research as well as Chinese Medicine Regulation.
Singapore as a Platform for Global Traditional Chinese Medicine Industry
Authors: Xiao James
Published: September 2007

This article discusses Singapore as a platform for the global traditional chinese medicine industry. It talks about the research and development hub for TCM in Singapore and the government support of TCM in Singapore.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the United States
Authors: Zhang Qunhao
Published: September 2007

The article is about complementary and alternative medicine in United States. It touches on the brief history of alternative medicine in US and the clinical use, research, education and the legislature and license of alternative medicine in the US.
Pomegranate: A Most Potent Protector Against Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Aviram Michael
Published: September 2007

The articles is about how pomegranate is a most potent protector against cardiovascular diseases.
DIETARY LICORICE-ROOT ANTIOXIDANTS REDUCE HEART DISEASES
Authors: Fuhrman Bianca , Aviram Michael
Published: September 2007

This articles is about how dietary licorice acts as an antioxidant and reduces heart diseases.
TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE IN THE TREATMENT OF DIABETES
Authors: Tomlinson Brian , Chu Tanya T. W.
Published: September 2007

This article touches on traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of diabetes.
Danggui Buxue Tang (Chinese Angelica Decoction): A Sample Trial in TCM Standardization
Authors: Tsim Karl W. K.
Published: September 2007

The major stumbling block on the internationalization of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is the lack of a complete set of quality standards that can be recognized and accepted by the international community through an objective and stringent validation process. That is to say, Chinese medicine needs to be standardized. Such a standardization is set by the state and the international regulation authorities who demand scientific proof on the safety, quality and efficacy of TCM. By using the simplest TCM formulation, Danggui Buxue Tang, we hereby present some existing problems and strategies to tackle this task based on the uniqueness of Chinese medicines.
Research Findings — The Role of Self-Efficacy Validation of the Happiness in Happiness: Self-Efficacy Scale
Authors: Sharp Timothy J. , Pritchard Michelle T.
Published: September 2007

The Role of Self-Efficacy in Happiness: Validation of the Happiness Self-Efficacy Scale.
Going Global, Singapore Style
Authors: Hee Ronald
Published: September 2007

The article is about the growth of the Singapore biomed sector and its international growth.
Survey Commentaries and Analysis on Singapore Biotechnology Venture Capital, Intellectual and Property Regulatory Law
Authors: Muralitharan Morley , Agricola Sebastian , Chandler Stephen
Published: September 2007

This article discusses the regulatory laws and the intellectual property laws in Singapore.
Survey Commentaries and Analysis on Singapore Biotechnology International Alliances and Singapore Biotechnology Boom in 2010
Authors: Muralitharan Morley , Agricola Sebastian , Chandler Stephen
Published: September 2007

This article is about the international relations and partnering of Singapore biomed sector.
Nanobiotechnology R&D Strategy in Republic of Korea
Authors: Chung Bong Hyun , Park Hyun Kyu , Jung Yongwon
Published: September 2007

This article is based on R&D strategy.
TAIWAN'S STRATEGY IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CLINICAL TRIAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Authors: Chen Chei-Hsiang
Published: September 2007

This article deals about the Taiwan's strategy development to have good infrastructure in Clinical Trial.
HIV-NAT Promoting Rational and Evidence-based Use of Antiretroviral Therapies
Authors: Kerr Stephen J. , Lange Joep , Cooper David A. , Phanupak Praphan , Ruxrungtham Kiat
Published: September 2007

This article is about the complete Evidence-based Use of Antiretroviral Therapies.
Victorian Bioinformatics Consortium: Providing Essential Support for Victorian Science
Authors: Seemann Torsten
Published: September 2007

This article provides essential support for victorian Science.
Center for Systems and Bioinformatics — National Taiwan University
Authors: Oyang Yen-Jen
Published: September 2007

This article denotes the strengths and resources of the National Taiwan University.
LABORATORY STUDY ON NEEDLE–TISSUE INTERACTION: TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INSTRUMENT FOR AUTOMATIC VENIPUNCTURE
Authors: DE BOER T. , STEINBUCH M. , NEERKEN S. , KHARIN A.
Published: September 2007

Although venipuncture is one of the most common clinical procedures and is performed by trained medical staff, difficulties arise in 5% of insertion procedures. An instrument that guarantees the insertion of a needle into a vein in a single approach is expected to be beneficial to both medical staff and patients. The next step towards automatic venipuncture is to determine if insertion force feedback can be used, irrespective of insertion speed, insertion angle, or vein depth and diameter. Needle insertion experiments are performed on phantom and porcine tissues to study the interaction between the needle and tissue. A prototype instrument is developed to perform automatic venipuncture on the phantom. From the experiments, we conclude that an increased insertion speed of the needle leads to an increase in insertion force and tissue deformation. Furthermore, distinct force peaks are observed at the penetration of phantom skin and vein, thus enabling automatic detection of phantom vein puncture.
Southern hemisphere Miocene bottom-water circulation: a palaeobathymetric analysis
Authors: Sykes T. J. S. , Ramsay A. T. S. , Kidd R. B.
Published: September 2007

Palaeobathymetric reconstructions of the southern hemisphere are used to assess the potential flow paths and extent of proto-Antarctic Bottom Water (proto-AABW) for three time slices during the Miocene: 20 Ma (early), 15 Ma (middle) and 10 Ma (late). The depth ranges of fluctuations in this water mass were derived from its waxing/waning curve, based on an analysis of hiatuses within drill sites from the Indian Ocean. Proto-AABW was likely to be expressed at depths below −4400 m, −5500 m and −4700 m at 20 Ma, 15 Ma and 10 Ma respectively. These depth ranges were extended into the South Atlantic and South Pacific Oceans to allow a first approximation of potential proto-AABW flow paths. An understanding of modem oceanography and the distribution of suspended sediment particle concentrations within the nepheloid layer and sediment drifts were used to constrain flow paths. This interpretation was made on the basis that proto-Antarctic Bottom Water was an analogue of it modern equivalent and was likely to have followed similar flow paths.

The palaeobathymetric analysis reveals that at 20 Ma (early Miocene) the deep basins of the southern hemisphere were well connected and proto-AABW flow paths were likely to have been widespread. By 15 Ma (middle Miocene), however, the waning of proto-AABW led to the disconnection of the deep ocean basins and this water mass was probably restricted to the Antarctic Basin. Waxing of proto-AABW during the late Miocene allowed the reconnection of the deep basins but not to the same extent as at 20 Ma (early Miocene).
Low-latitude Plio-Pleistocene temporal abundance variations in the radiolarian
Cycladophora davisiana
Ehrenberg: stratigraphic and palaeoceanographic significance
Authors: Haslett Simon K. , Funnell Brian M.
Published: September 2007

The abundance variation of the radiolarian
Cycladophora davisiana
was recorded throughout the Plio-Pleistocene Olduvai Time-slab of Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Sites 677, 709, 847, 850 and 851, in the equatorial Pacific and Indian Oceans. Data were plotted on independently erected timescales. Twelve peak-abundance events were recognized, although not all events were recognized at all the sites. Most of the events, where they are recorded at different sites, were synchronous. However, events recorded at Site 709 in the Indian Ocean were found to be approximately 15 ka older than those events recorded at Pacific sites. This age difference may be due to either diachronous
C. davisiana
events or a slight inaccuracy in the erected timescale for ODP Site 709 compared with those of the eastern Pacific. The previously demonstrated synchroneity of
C. davisiana
events in the Late Quaternary leads us to believe that the ODP Site 709 timescale may be inaccurate. Thus, recognition of correlatable
C. davisiana
events in the equatorial Pacific and Indian Oceans permits the further evaluation and fine-tuning of high-resolution timescales, enabling accurate comparisons to be made of sediment sequences on a regional, and possibly oceanic and interoceanic scale. Of the 12
C. davisiana
events recognized, only one event occurred at all the investigated sites. This event occurred at
c.
1.8 Ma and immediately above the internationally defined Pliocene-Pleistocene boundary, and may thus prove to be a new useful biostratigraphic marker for the Tertiary/Quaternary boundary.
C. davisiana
is primarily characteristic of high-latitude water masses, therefore the cyclical abundance peaks of this species noted at the low-latitude sites investigated here, represent the injection of deep cold water of high-latitude origin.
Intra-interglacial cold events: an Eemian-Holocene comparison
Authors: Maslin M. , Sarnthein M. , Knaack J.-J. , Grootes P. , Tzedakis C.
Published: September 2007

Rapid oscillations between warm and cold climates have been found in the oxygen isotope record of the Greenland Ice-core Project (GRIP) ice core during the Eemian/Marine oxygen Isotope Stage (MIS) 5e. In contrast, the variability in Greenland Ice Sheet Project 2 (GISP2) ice core is significantly different and some Atlantic deep-sea records suggest no such climate variations. We present here a high-resolution (50–300 years) set of marine proxies from the low-latitude east Atlantic margin (ODP Site 658), which suggest that in general the Eemian was climatically very similar to the Holocene. We, however, observe that the upwelling intensity off the West African coast was greatly reduced during the early Eemian, corresponding to the very mild climate observed in the European lake records. We observe that MIS 5e contains one significant short cold spell (<400 years), which is marked by a reduction of upper North Atlantic deep water ventilation. We suggest this cold event may correlate with the cold interval found in the European terrestrial records. The cause of the intra-Eemian event was likely to be the freshening and cooling observed in the Norwegian Sea. This brief cold spell, however, did not affect the overall stability of MIS 5e, and moreover it has an analogue event in the Holocene ‘Sub-Boreal’ period. Marine and terrestrial records thus seem to be incompatible with those of the GRIP ice core record, supporting the suggestion that the GRIP record has been altered by ice tectonics.
Timing of the late Quaternary Amazon Fan Complex masstransport deposits
Authors: Maslin Mark , Mikkelsen Naja
Published: September 2007

The Amazon Fan at the mouth of the Amazon River is a large, highly structured muddy deep-sea fan. Sediment recovered by Ocean Drilling Program Leg 155 has allowed us to reconstruct the structure of the late Quaternary Amazon Fan Complex. A significant sedimentary component of the complex are the mass-transport deposits (MTDs) formed by catastrophic failure of the continental slope. There are two sets of MTDs: the near-surface MTDs and the deep MTDs. The near-surface MTDs are divided into the Eastern and Western Debris Flows which are capped by Holocene sediments. The deep debris flows are divided into the Unit R MTD in the western Amazon Fan complex, and the Deep Eastern MTD in the eastern Amazon Fan Complex. The MTDs each cover an area of up to 25 000 km
2
, reach a maximum thickness of 200 m, and consist of approximately 50 000 gigatonnes of sediment. A characteristic of the MTDs is the inclusion of reworked glacial and interglacial material from both the continental slope and the surrounding fan. The relatively thin interglacial deposits below the MTDs are from the nanofossil zones CN14b and CN15a and thus younger than 460 ka. Bio-, seismic- and magnetostratigraphy and sedimentation rate constraints have been used to date the top of both the near-surface and the deep MTDs. It seems that the near-surface Western and Eastern Debris Flows were last active during Termination I. The Deep Eastern MTD was last active at about 33 ka, while the Unit R MTD was last active at about 45 ka. It is inferred that the interglacial deposits beneath these MTDs were formed during Oxygen Isotope Stages 7, 9 and 11. We speculate that the MTDs were triggered by climatically induced changes in sea level, and that the interglacial deposits may have acted as slip planes for the MTDs.
Sedimentary evidence relating to the tectonic evolution of the Lau Basin, SW Pacific, from ODP Sites 834–839 (ODP Leg 135)
Authors: Rothwell R. G.
Published: September 2007

Six sites were drilled during Ocean Drilling Program Leg 135 in the western Lau backarc basin in the southwest Pacific (Sites 834–839). These sites are all located in basins within a horst and graben terrain and form an approximate transect across the rifted arc basement onto crust considered to have been formed at the East Lau Spreading Centre. The sedimentary sequences recovered from these backarc sites range in age from the late Miocene to the Holocene; they consist primarily of a lower succession of volcaniclastic sediment gravity-flow deposits interbedded with hemipelagic clayey nannofossil oozes and nannofossil clays, overlain by a distinctive upper succession of hydrothermally stained hemipelagic, and locally redeposited, clayey nannofossil oozes. The volcaniclastic sediment gravity-flow deposits are predominantly massive, proximal, vitric gravels, sands and silts, that are mainly locally derived from adjacent basement ridges and intrabasin seamount volcanoes.

At Site 835, which was drilled in a small extensional sub-basin in the oldest part of the Lau Basin, the upper clayey nannofossil ooze sequence is anomalously thick and rigorous sedimentological analysis shows that much of this sequence is redeposited. Thick clayey nannofossil ooze turbidite muds are identified that closely resemble the enclosing clayey nannofossil ooze hemipelagites. These thick turbidite muds are associated with mudclast conglomerates, interpreted as muddy debris-flow deposits, and a number of coherent rafted blocks of older hemipelagic sediment. These allochthonous deposits testify to several episodes of instability in the sub-basin that may be related to large-scale tectonic activity caused by the southward passage of ocean-ridge propagator tips past the latitude of the drillsite. Episodes of increased sediment deposition, due to increased frequency of turbidite emplacement, are evident at all of the Lau Basin backarc drillsites, and these correlate moderately well with the closest approach of the propagating ridge tip to each sub-basin. The research presented illustrates how turbidites, once identified, can be used to decipher complex tectonic histories, and demonstrates the importance of local tectonic controls on sediment redeposition in backarc basins.
Hydrothermal inputs at ODP Sites 836, 837, 838 and 839 in relation to Eastern Lau Spreading Centre propagation in the Lau Basin, southwest Pacific
Authors: Hodkinson Richard A. , Cronan David S.
Published: September 2007

Lau Basin Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Sites 836, 837, 838 and 839 were drilled in basins west of the axial rift zone of the Eastern Lau Spreading Centre (ELSC), south of the Central Lau Spreading Centre (CLSC). Based on the models of basin evolution, Site 836 is thought to be located on ELSC-generated crust while Site 838 is located on pre-existing extended arc terrain to the west of ELSC-generated crust. Sites 837 and 839 are postulated to be close to the boundary separating ELSC-generated and pre-existing crust.

Sediments recovered at all sites comprise late Pliocene to Pleistocene clayey nannofossil ooze containing sparse calcareous turbidites overlying a thick sequence of redeposited volcaniclastic sediments interbedded with hemipelagic clayey nannofossil oozes. All calcareous ooze sections contain hydrothermal ferromanganese oxides.

The hydrothermal flux to the sediments at each site has been assessed using non-detrital Mn+Fe accumulation rates for recalculated, hemipelagic sediment intervals alone in order to remove the effect of sediment redeposition. Site 836 shows a typical mid-ocean ridge up-hole pattern of decreasing accumulation rates with increasing crustal accretion, as expected from its predicted location on ELSC-generated crust. Site 837 shows a similar pattern suggesting its location on ELSC-generated rather than pre-existing western Lau Basin attenuated crust. At Site 839 non-detrital Mn+Fe accumulation rates show an increase up-hole from basement to a peak before decreasing towards surface, reflecting increasing hydrothermal flux to the sediments with the southward propagation of the ELSC past this site and suggesting its location on pre-existing crust west of ELSC-generated crust. For the time-equivalent sediment section at Site 838, non-detrital Mn+Fe accumulation rate patterns are similar to those at Site 839. Although a period of low non-detrital Mn+Fe accumulation rate reflecting lower plume fallout flux prior to ELSC propagation past the site is not seen at the base of the sediment section at Site 838 (as the hole did not penetrate to basement), the accumulation rate patterns seen are not at variance with its postulated location on pre-existing attenuated crust west of ELSC-generated crust.

Mean non-detrital Mn+Fe accumulation rate values are highest at Site 836 with lower mean values at Sites 837, 838 and 839. These values are within the range of those for East Pacific Rise sediments but lower than those for ELSC-propagation-associated sediments at Sites 834 and 835 in the northwestern part of the basin, suggesting that hydrothermal plume fallout associated with the southern, more recently generated portion, of the ELSC was lower than that of the older portion in the north.
Rare earth element anomalies in the Nankai accretionary prism, Japan
Authors: Alexander Jane L.
Published: September 2007

Rare earth element (REE) patterns are often used as provenance indicators, but there is growing evidence that this signal may be distorted by REE mobility. This study focuses on turbiditic and hemipelagic muds from Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Site 808, drilled in the toe of the Nankai accretionary prism. Most of these muds have a typical shale REE composition, but several samples are enriched in REE. Four of these are associated with hydrothermal deposits, rich in manganese (up to 18% MnO). A further two have minor mineral phases, zircon and florencite, with high REE concentrations. There is also a heavy REE enrichment in one sample from the décollement zone. This has not yet been explained, but it does not appear to have a mineralogical control.
Cyclicity and basin axis shift in a piggyback basin: towards modelling of the Eocene Tremp-Ager Basin, South Pyrenees, Spain
Authors: Nijman Wouter
Published: September 2007

A new database of the Eocene Montanyana delta in the Tremp-Ager piggyback basin of the South Pyrenees is exemplified and discussed. It consists of a grid of nine transverse and five longitudinal stratigraphic cross-sections and structural profiles, some examples of which are shown. Detailed facies maps and a large number of digitized sedimentary logs formed the basis for the stratigraphic correlation of the traverses with a resolution at the scale of 5 m, i.e. the size of minor architectural elements. The correlation was calibrated chronostratigraphically with biostratigraphic and recently published palaeomag data. The database so provides a detailed picture of the geometry, internal architecture and stacking patterns of the increments of basin infilling.

The database allowed recognition and definition of eight megasequences, between 148 and 404 m thick, that are aperiodic, spanning time intervals between 400 and 1400 Ma. Although most of the megasequence boundaries can easily be related to third-order sea-level fluctuations, predominant structural control is indicated by their correlation with sharp reversals in the pattern of basin axis shift in transverse cross-sections of the basin, and with flank unconformities. Several modes of structural control by thrust sheet displacement are proposed. Sea-level fluctuation modified the megasequential architecture accounting, for instance, for extreme progradation as observed in the Castissent Sandstone.

The megasequences are subdivided into a large number of basin-wide cycles, on an average 44 m thick, with a calculated average periodicity of 124 ka approximating the 100 ka of orbital forcing. Aggradational, amalgamated sheet, fan progradational and fluvial expansion cycles are distinguished and correlated with episodes of specific structural and sea-level control. The pattern of stacking of the cycles conforms to the structurally controlled megasequential basin-axis shift on which it is superposed. Climatic fluctuations appear to have played a prominent role only in generating minor subcycles observed in some parts of the basin fill.

This basin analysis is meant to be a step towards 3D numerical tectono-sedimentary modelling of the Tremp-Ager piggyback basin.
Fluid migration during Eocene thrust emplacement in the south Pyrenean foreland basin (Spain): an integrated structural, mineralogical and geochemical approach
Authors: Travé Anna , Labaume Pierre , Calvet Francesc , Soler Albert , Tritlla Jordi , Buatier Martine , Potdevin Jean-Luc , Séguret Michel , Raynaud Suzanne , Briqueu Louis
Published: September 2007

In the frontal part of the south Pyrenean Eocene thrust-fault system, syn-kinematic fluid flow during the early compressional deformation of the foreland basin marls is evidenced macroscopically by the abundance of calcite shear veins within the thrust-fault zones and folds.

The geometry and distribution of the veins are indicative of the mechanisms and kinematics of fluid-deformation relationships, and give assessment of the fluid migration paths. The crack-seal mechanism of formation of the shear veins attests to the episodic nature of fault-slip and associated fluid flow in fractures. The distribution of the veins suggests that the main source of fluid was the dewatering of the overpressured, poorly permeable marls from the thrust footwalls, probably related to both (i) vertical compaction due to burial under thrust sheets and (ii) tectonic horizontal shortening. These fluids drained upwards towards the thrust-fault zones, in which they migrated laterally towards the thrust front due to the anisotropy of the fracture permeability in these zones.

The geochemistry of the vein-filling minerals and their comparison with the geochemistry and mineralogy of the host marls are indicative of the fluid types, fluid origins, fluid-sediment interactions, and fluid migration paths. The δ
34
S and
87
Sr/
86
Sr ratio of the host marl calcite and of the calcite and celestite in the veins away from the thrust-fault zones indicate that the original water trapped interstitially in the marls was Eocene seawater. The elemental composition (Ca, Sr, Mg, Mn, and Fe), δ
18
O, and δ
13
C of the same samples reveal a change of the pore-water composition from marine to formation water during the early burial stage. Fluid-inclusion analyses of the celestite in the veins reveal the presence of a hot, saline ascending fluid restricted to these discontinuities, where it was mixed with the local formation water. These two types of fluids drained towards the thrust-fault zones where they acquired a higher
87
Sr/
86
Sr ratio, probably related to local fluid-sediment reactions. Indeed, dickite precipitated during cleavage formation in the most intensely strained part of the fault zones, and its formation was probably mainly controlled by stress. δ
18
O depletion in the calcite from the structurally highest/innermost thrust-fault zones suggests also the influence of meteoric water derived from the emerged part of the belt in these structures.

The earlier fluid regime in the Ainsa basin was an intergranular (porous) flow regime (compactional flow) allowing for a pervasive isotopic, and elemental exchange of the marls prior to vein formation. With the onset of compressional deformation, channelized flow along tectonic slip surfaces became dominant.
Horizontal shortening control of Middle Miocene marine siliciclastic accumulation (Upper Marine Molasse) in the southern termination of the Savoy Molasse Basin (northwestern Alps/southern Jura)
Authors: Beck Christian , Deville Eric , Blanc Eric , Philippe Yann , Tardy Marc
Published: September 2007

Between the southern Jura and the Subalpine Chains (Bornes, Bauges, and Chartreuse Massifs), the Burdigalian-Langhian-Serravalian tidal siliciclastic ‘Upper Marine Molasse’ (UMM) outcrops in N-S synclines between N-S-trending ramp anticlines separating southward-narrowing synclines. A surface survey and an interpretation of transverse seismic-reflection profiles across the latter confirm that they represent progressively individualized and separated sedimentation areas. Combined seismic configuration and surface geometry show westward migration of depo-axes, and coeval progressive steepening close to each ramp, upon blind thrusts. Several thick earthquake-disturbed layers offer further evidence of a syntectonic sedimentation. A regime of flexure-subsidence prevailing during the Chattian-Aquitanian (the so-called Lower Freshwater Molasse, LFM) was overprinted by thin-skin shortening. The latter, combined with Burdigalian-Langhian higher eustatic sea-level, favoured the accumulation and the preservation of abundant tidal bedforms and sequences, which are generally poorly preserved in stable settings.
Evolution of the western Swiss Molasse basin: structural relations with the Alps and the Jura belt
Authors: Burkhard Martin , Sommaruga Anna
Published: September 2007

The tectonic evolution of the NW alpine front and foreland basin is reviewed in the light of new structural and chrono-stratigraphical data. Seismic-reflection profiles from the Jura fold thrust belt and Molasse basin, surface-geology and thrust-system considerations lead to a complete cross-section of the NW Alpine front including the Helvetic domain. Restoration of this section places individual Cenozoic formations in their approximate palaeogeographic position. ‘Geohistory’ plots are constructed for five profiles along a SE-NW transect. Thrust front, onlap and forebulge advanced at high rates of 10–20 km/Ma
−1
at the onset of foreland basin formation in the late Eocene/ early Oligocene (40–30 Ma). In these early stages, the foreland basin is an underfilled flexural trough with about 100 km width, less than 600 m water depth at the deepest point and less than 200 m of total accumulated sediments. From 30 to 22 Ma, thrust front and ‘pinch-out’ migrate at a decreased rate of about 5 km/Ma
−1
northwestward. The basin width remains constant at around 100 km; an increased total subsidence (
c.
2.7 km) is compensated by sedimentation. At around 22 Ma, the thrust front seems to come to a halt southeast of Lausanne, whereas a strong subsidence trend prevails. After the Serravallian (
c.
12 Ma) the Alpine thrust front jumps by about 100 km northwestward from a position southeast of Lausanne to the external Jura leading to thrust related uplift, deformation and concommitant erosion of the entire basin fill. No new flexural foreland basin in response to the modified thrust- and load-geometry has yet been developed. The present-day Molasse basin is only a small remnant of a much larger foreland basin in a very advanced stage of its evolution.
Reservoir analogue modelling of sandy tidal sediments, Upper Marine Molasse, SW Germany, Alpine foreland basin
Authors: Zweigel J.
Published: September 2007

An outcrop of sandy tidal sediments (Überlingen, Lake Constance) was studied and modelled using the computer-program
heresim
. The distribution of 12 lithofacies types was mapped on photo-panels. Facies-proportion curves and variograms were calculated and used as input parameters for the simulations. Simulations with varying numbers and positions of pseudo-wells showed that already one well is sufficient to achieve a good reservoir image, due to the simple layercake-like arrangement of lithofacies types at the scale of the outcrop (125 m × 15 m). Further, a detailed geostatistical analysis of tidal sandwave deposits revealed a complex, but surprisingly systematic internal structure. Single crossbedded bodies were classified according to their size, foreset orientation, and geometry. The geostatistical analysis revealed vertical alternations of the dominant current direction (ebb and flood) and of the size of cross beds, which could be related to changes in accommodation space.
Automation of stratigraphic simulations: quasi-backward modelling using genetic algorithms
Authors: Bornholdt Stefan , Westphal Hildegard
Published: September 2007

Stratigraphic modelling involves a multi-dimensional parameter-fitting process where a large number of free model parameters are determined by hand in an iterative sequence of educated guesses. This problem can be viewed as an optimization task. It is solved here using a genetic algorithm. The iterative trying and checking process, which previously had to be done manually, is thereby automated. This method is demonstrated to be consistent for a completely defined toy model. Furthermore it is applied to a real problem involving the Eocene to Miocene succession of the Bavarian Molasse Basin.
Numerical modelling of growth strata and grain-size distributions associated with fault-bend folding
Authors: Bezemer Taco den , Kooi Henk , Podladchikov Yuri , Cloetingh Sierd
Published: September 2007

A numerical model is developed to investigate the facies and stratal patterns associated with fault-bend folding in (non-marine) foreland fold and thrust belts. After identifying the basic predicted stratal and facies geometries for a single fault-bend fold the modelling is extended to situations involving multiple folds, changes in displacement velocity, contemporaneous variations in climate and variations in sediment calibre of source material. We show that the orientation of kink-axes of fault-bend folds is of minor influence on the predicted stratal patterns and that variations in displacement velocity and climate may produce resembling, but still distinct facies patterns. The stratigraphic architecture of facies patterns is very sensitive to vergence and sequence of thrusting and may serve as a guide in interpreting the stratigraphic record associated with multiple fault structures. Applied to two natural examples of fault-bend folds, our modelling narrows down the range of interpretations of these structures.
Mathematical models of gas hydrate accumulation
Authors: Rempel A. W. , Buffett B. A.
Published: September 2007

Gas hydrate reservoirs are widespread on the world’s continental margins and in the Arctic, but little is known about the way in which they form. We use conservation principles to derive a set of equations that describe hydrate formation in uniform porous media. Using scaling arguments, we identify the physical processes that are most important to hydrate accumulation in different environments. This knowledge is used to construct models that quantitatively predict the development of hydrate layers under a variety of circumstances. These models compare favourably with recent field observations of hydrates in marine sediments.