Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Demographic history and population genetic analysis of Decapterus maruadsi from the northern South China Sea based on mitochondrial control region sequence

Late Pleistocene climate oscillations are believed to have greatly influenced the distribution, population dynamics, and genetic variation of many marine organisms in the western Pacific. However, the impact of the late Pleistocene climate cycles on the demographic history and population genetics of pelagic fish in the northern South China Sea (SCS) remains largely unexplored. In this study, we explored the demographic history, genetic structure, and genetic diversity of Decapterus maruadsi, a typical pelagic fish, over most of its range in the northern SCS. A 828–832 bp fragment of mitochondrial control region were sequenced in 241 individuals from 11 locations. High haplotype diversity (0.905–0.980) and low nucleotide diversity (0.00269–0.00849) was detected, revealing low levels of genetic diversity. Demographic history analysis revealed a pattern of decline and subsequent rapid growth in the effective population size during deglaciation, which showed that D. maruadsi experienced recent demographic expansion after a period of low effective population size. Genetic diversity, genetic structure, and phylogenetic relationship analysis all demonstrated that no significant genetic differentiation existed among the populations, indicating that D. maruadsi was panmictic throughout the northern SCS. Periodic sea-level changes, fluctuation of the East Asian Monsoon, and Kuroshio variability were responsible for the population decline and expansion of D. maruadsi. The demographic history was the primary reason for the low levels of genetic diversity and the lack of significant genetic structure. The life history characteristics and ocean currents also had a strong correlation with the genetic homogeneity of D. maruadsi. However, the genetic structure of the population (genetic homogeneity) is inconsistent with biological characteristics (significant difference), which is an important reminder to identify and manage the D. maruadsi population carefully.
The Interactive Whiteboard and Educational Software as an Addition to the Teaching Process

This paper deals with the possibilities and effects of the interactive whiteboards and use of educational software as a contribution to teaching process. The interactive whiteboard with its own characteristics allows viewing of photo and video formats, use of educational software, document editing by using different software applications and so on. In this paper, emphasis is given to the use of educational software through interactive whiteboard and the analysis of their impact on teaching process improvement. Besides, from the fact that students learn new content in a more entertaining and approachable way, teachers at the same time improve the level of their professional development. The research in this paper includes both empirical and theoretical character, conducted by surveying a representative sample. It should provide answers about the impact and effects of interactive whiteboards and educational software on increase of the quality of teaching and the success and motivation of students in relation to the teaching realized in a traditional way.
Comparison of underwater and conventional endoscopic mucosal resection for removing sessile colorectal polyps: a propensity-score matched cohort study

Abstract Background and study aims Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is a standard method for removing sessile colorectal polyps ≥ 10 mm. Recently, underwater EMR (UEMR) has been introduced as a potential alternative. However, the effectiveness and safety of UEMR compared with conventional EMR is un clear. Patients and methods In this 1:1 propensity score (PS) matched retrospective cohort study, we compared the en bloc resection rates, procedure time, intraprocedural and delayed bleeding rates, and incidence of muscle layer injury. We also performed subgroup analyses by sizes of polyps (< 20 mm and ≥ 20 mm). Results Among 350 polyps in 315 patients from August 2012 to November 2017, we identified 121 PS-matched pairs. Mean polyp size was 16.8 mm. With similar en bloc resection rates (EMR: 82.6 % vs. UEMR: 87.6 %, rate difference: 5.0, 95 % confidence interval [95 % CI]: – 4 to 13.9 %), UEMR demonstrated a shorter resection time (10.8 min vs. 8.6 min, difference: – 2.2 min, 95 % CI: – 4.1 to – 0.3 min) and a lower intraprocedural bleeding rate (15.7 % vs. 5.8 %, rate difference: – 9.9 %, 95 % CI: – 17.6 to – 2.2 %). Incidence of delayed bleeding and muscle layer injury were low in both groups. For polyps < 20 mm, effectiveness and safety outcomes were similar in both groups. For polyps ≥ 20 mm (42 PS-matched pairs), the UEMR group has a comparable en bloc resection rate with shorter procedure time and superior safety outcomes Conclusions UEMR achieved an en bloc resection rate comparable to conventional EMR with less intraprocedural bleeding and a shorter procedure time.
Feeding behavior and morphological adaptations in two sympatric sea urchin species in central Chile

Loxechinus albus and Tetrapygu niger are 2 sympatric sea urchin species present in the rocky intertidal and subtidal zones of central Chile. In this study we test the hypothesis that the 2 species employ dfferent feeding mechanisms, and that this has resulted in distinct ecological roles for the 2 species. We also analyze structures associated with feeding. Results from field studies indicate that T niger principally consumes benthic algae (i.e. Gelidium spp.) and in doing so clears significantly more primary space than does L. albus. Laboratory experiments confirmed this observation, and demonstrated that T. niger consumes significantly more benthic algae (i.e. Gelidiurn spp.) attached to rock than floating algal pieces (i.e. Lessom'a nigrescens). Small L. albus ( < 3 cm diameter) consume significantly more benthic than floating algae pieces; the reverse is true for large (> 3 cm diameter) individuals. While oral podia in both species are modified terminally to form suckers, only L. albus possesses such modifications on aboral poda. Additionally, in T. niger the pyramids of Aristotle's lantern are roughly twice as long as those in L, albus. We discuss the possible ecological roles of each species with reference to the structure of intertidal communities.
Climate change and annual survival in a temperate passerine: partitioning seasonal effects and predicting future patterns

Predicting climate change impacts on population size requires detailed understanding of how climate influences key demographic rates, such as survival. This knowledge is frequently unavailable, even in well-studied taxa such as birds. In temperate regions, most research into climatic effects on annual survival in resident passerines has focussed on winter temperature. Few studies have investigated potential precipitation effects and most assume little impact of breeding season weather. We use a 19-year capture–mark–recapture study to provide a rare empirical analysis of how variation in temperature and precipitation throughout the entire year influences adult annual survival in a temperate passerine, the long-tailed tit Aegithalos caudatus. We use model averaging to predict longer-term historical survival rates, and future survival until the year 2100. Our model explains 73% of the interannual variation in survival rates. In contrast to current theory, we find a strong precipitation effect and no effect of variation in winter weather on adult annual survival, which is correlated most strongly to breeding season (spring) weather. Warm springs and autumns increase annual survival, but wet springs reduce survival and alter the form of the relationship between spring temperature and annual survival. There is little evidence for density dependence across the observed variation in population size. Using our model to estimate historical survival rates indicates that recent spring warming has led to an upward trend in survival rates, which has probably contributed to the observed long-term increase in the UK long-tailed tit population. Future climate change is predicted to further increase survival, under a broad range of carbon emissions scenarios and probabilistic climate change outcomes, even if precipitation increases substantially. We demonstrate the importance of considering weather over the entire annual cycle, and of considering precipitation and temperature in combination, in order to develop robust predictive models of demographic responses to climate change. Synthesis Prediction of climate change impacts demands understanding of how climate influences key demographic rates. In our 19-year mark-recapture study of long-tailed tits Aegithalos caudatus, weather explained 73% of the inter-annual variation in adult survival; warm springs and autumns increased survival, wet springs reduced survival, but winter weather had little effect. Robust predictions thus require consideration of the entire annual cycle and should not focus solely on temperature. Unexpectedly, survival appeared not to be strongly density-dependent, so we use historical climate data to infer that recent climate change has enhanced survival over the four decades in which the UK long-tailed tit population has more than doubled. Furthermore, survival rates in this species are predicted to further increase under a wide range of future climate scenarios.
Functional divergence effects of intercropped faba bean and maize in organic production for forage increase mineral contents and reduces leaf spots

Multispecies cropping systems contribute to sustainable agriculture with multiple ecosystem services. Effects of intercropping of organically managed maize and faba beans to silage on acquisition of mineral nutrients in shoots of both crops and on leaf spot progression in faba beans were investigated. Three field experiments were performed with maize and faba bean intercropped or grown separately. Intercropping increased shoot concentrations of K, Ca, Mg, Na, S and B in faba bean, and shoot concentrations of Cu, Zn and Mo in maize. Thus, the ecological complementary effects enhance feed quality. Disease severity index (DSI) of leaf spots in faba beans was reduced by intercropping by 42–57%, partly due to an increased Cu acquisition at sites where the Cu availability was low. There was a significant negative linear relationship between Cu concentration in shoots and DSI of leaf spots. Total uptake of mineral nutrients per land area was greater in the intercropping system with a total LER > 1 for all mineral nutrients, except for P, Ca and Mn at one of the sites. Increased nutrient use efficiency, due to facilitative uptake from the soil, and the production of crops with higher contents of minerals compared with monocropping, are benefits of intercropped maize and faba beans.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Recent Work Title Convergent Evolution of Mechanically Optimal Locomotion in Aquatic Invertebrates and Vertebrates Permalink

Examples of animals evolving similar traits despite the absence of that trait in the last common ancestor, such as the wing and camera-type lens eye in vertebrates and invertebrates, are called cases of convergent evolution. Instances of convergent evolution of locomotory patterns that quantitatively agree with the mechanically optimal solution are very rare. Here, we show that, with respect to a very diverse group of aquatic animals, a mechanically optimal method of swimming with elongated fins has evolved independently at least eight times in both vertebrate and invertebrate swimmers across three different phyla. Specifically, if we take the length of an undulation along an animal’s fin during swimming and divide it by the mean amplitude of undulations along the fin length, the result is consistently around twenty. We call this value the optimal specific wavelength (OSW). We show that the OSWmaximizes the force generated by the body, which also maximizes swimming speed. We hypothesize a mechanical basis for this optimality and suggest reasons for its repeated emergence through evolution.
Adaptive Observer-based Fast Fault Estimation

This paper studies the problem of fault estimation using adaptive fault diagnosis observer. A fast adaptive fault estimation (FAFE) approximator is proposed to improve the rapidity of fault estimation. Then based on linear matrix inequality (LMI) technique, a feasible algorithm is explored to solve the designed parameters. Furthermore, an extension to sensor fault case is investigated. Finally, simulation results are presented to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed FAFE methodology.
Grain Phytic Acid Accumulation of Domestic and Exotic Rice Genotypes in Zinc-Deficient Soil

Abstract: Micronutrient malnutrition in humans living in rice growing areas is increasing rapidly due to less absorption of mineral nutrients chelated by phytic acid (anti-nutrients) present in rice grains. A field study was conducted to evaluate the grain phytic acid and zinc (Zn) accumulation of 10 field grown rice ( Oryza sativa L.) genotypes on a Zn deficient soil. Both the Zn- efficient (Shua-92, IR-9, Shandar, IR-36, and IR-6) and Zn-inefficient (Sarshar,. UPL-48, Khushboo-95 and RG-120) rice genotypes were included in the study. The two Zn treatments (0 and 15 kg ha -1 ) were arranged in a two factor randomized complete block design with three replications. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P 2 O 5 ) were applied at the rate of 120 and 80 kg ha -1 . The rice genotypes IR-36, UPL-79, Shandar and Shua-92 were the most Zn accumulators whereas; Sarshar, IR-9 and Khushboo-95 the least accumulator in Zn deficiency. Zinc in-efficient genotype Sarshar was the highest Zn accumulator in response to Zn application. Phytic acid content of rice genotypes was significantly influenced (p < 0.05) by the application of Zn fertilizer. Phosphorus concentration in rice grains decreased with Zn application. Zinc in-efficient genotypes accumulated more phytic acid in their food reserves than Zn-efficient genotypes. Phytic acid: zinc ratio decreased significantly more in Zn-inefficient genotypes as compared to Zn efficient genotypes, with application of Zn fertilizer. Zinc efficient genotype Shua-92 accumulated low concentration of phytic acid. The rice genotypes Shua-92, IR-9, Shandar and IR-36 low accumulators of phytic acid performed successfully and contained higher concentrations of Zn than other genotypes.
Evaluation of Turbulence Models for Predicting Entropy Generation in Bypass-Transitional Boundary Layers

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of using turbulence models to predict entropy generation rates in bypass transitional flows under various pressure gradients in a spatially growing boundary layers over a flat plate. Entropy generation rates in such flows are evaluated using CFD methods. Various turbulence models are assessed by comparing results with DNS data and two recent CFD studies. 3D bypass transition simulations are also performed using LES and IDDES models. Results show better agreement with DNS than any previous RANS studies. The k-ω 4eqn. transition model shows closest agreement to DNS data for 2D flow. The SGS models are highly dissipative and LES will require much finer grid within boundary layer region and freestream. These models fail to predict bypass-transition accurately due to lack accurate unsteady fluctuations and grid resolution. Certain limitations and issues are identified and recommendation are made for future studies.
FRUIT PHENOLOGY OF THE GREAT APE HABITAT IN THE MOUKALABA-DOUDOU NATIONAL PARK, GABON

Fruit phenology of the Moukalaba-Doudou National Park (MDNP), Gabon is monitored as basic information on the fl uctuation of food production for great ape populations. During the period from January 2003 to February 2007, we conducted a census on fallen fruits by the line transect method twice a month, in the process counting fallen fruit clusters and identifying fallen fruit species. We recorded 117 fallen fruit species during the study period. The majority of fruits came from trees. The number of fallen fruit clusters obtained in each census session correlated with the number of fallen fruit species found in the sessions. There was a marked seasonal pattern to fruit production, whereas the number of fallen fruit clusters as well as the number of species tended to be larger in the rainy season than in the dry season. Of the 31 major fallen fruit species, 15 species showed a fruiting peak in the rainy season, and fi ve species peaked in the dry season, while 11 species showed no difference in fruiting abun- dance between the rainy and dry seasons. Candidates of keystone fruit species were identifi ed from species that fruit during the dry season. Five species of fruit, including the woody liana Cissus dinklagei, were constantly abundant, occurring in more than 70% of all census sessions. Four of them are important fruit food resources for the great apes. Several species including Klainedoxa gabonensis exhibited super-annual fl uctuation in their fruiting pattern. The exis- tence of constantly abundant fruit species may have supported the high density of great apes in the MDNP.
Tree age did not affect the leaf anatomical structure or ultrastructure of Platycladus orientalis L. (Cupressaceae)

Tree aging is a new research area and has attracted research interest in recent years. Trees show extraordinary longevity; Platycladus orientalis L. (Cupressaceae) has a lifespan of thousands of years. Ancient trees are precious historical heritage and scientific research materials. However, tree aging and tree senescence have different definitions and are poorly understood. Since leaves are the most sensitive organ of a tree, we studied the structural response of leaves to tree age. Experiments investigating the leaf morphological structure, anatomical structure and ultrastructure were conducted in healthy P. orientalis at three different ages (ancient trees >2,000 years, 200 years < middle-aged trees <500 years, young trees <50 years) at the world’s largest planted pure forest in the Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor, Shaanxi Province, China. Interestingly, tree age did not significantly impact leaf cellular structure. Ancient P. orientalis trees in forests older than 2,000 years still have very strong vitality, and their leaves still maintained a perfect anatomical structure and ultrastructure. Our observations provide new evidence for the unique pattern of tree aging, especially healthy aging. Understanding the relationships between leaf structure and tree age will enhance the understanding of tree aging.
Growth and Poverty in Rural India

This paper discusses whether a country should conduct fiscal policy by targeting a structural (or cyclically adjusted) fiscal balance. The paper is divided into three sections. The first section discusses the concept of cyclically adjusted balance (CAB) and points out practical and conceptual problems related to the interpretation and the measurement of a CAB. The second section discusses the theoretical rationale for having a fiscal rule in general and a rule defined in terms of a cyclically adjusted balance in particular. The third section discusses conceptual and practical problems with adopting fiscal rules and rules that target the structural balance.
Volcanic mercury and mutagenesis in land plants during the end-Triassic mass extinction

Genetically deformed plant spores indicate that mercury toxicity played a part in the mass extinction 201 million years ago. During the past 600 million years of Earth history, four of five major extinction events were synchronous with volcanism in large igneous provinces. Despite improved temporal frameworks for these events, the mechanisms causing extinctions remain unclear. Volcanic emissions of greenhouse gases, SO2, and halocarbons are generally considered as major factors in the biotic crises, resulting in global warming, acid deposition, and ozone layer depletion. Here, we show that pulsed elevated concentrations of mercury in marine and terrestrial sediments across the Triassic-Jurassic boundary in southern Scandinavia and northern Germany correlate with intense volcanic activity in the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province. The increased levels of mercury—the most genotoxic element on Earth—also correlate with high occurrences of abnormal fern spores, indicating severe environmental stress and genetic disturbance in the parent plants. We conclude that this offers compelling evidence that emissions of toxic volcanogenic substances contributed to the end-Triassic biotic crisis.
Interactive comment on “ An empirical method for absolute calibration of coccolith thickness ” by Saúl González-Lemos et al

This paper is a valuable contribution to addressing the challenges of accurately estimating the weight of coccoliths using their birefringence. It confirms and validates the approach of Bollmann (2013a, 2014) of using material of known retardation for the calibration of the relationship between grey values and the thickness of coccoliths. Furthermore, it addresses some important shortcomings with previous attempts using rhabdoliths for calibration and the calculations of calcite thickness >∼1. 5μm. However, there are a few questions and comments that might improve the manuscript.
Peers at Work - a Brief Overview of the Literature on Peer Effects at the Workplace and the Policy Implications

Individuals do not exist in isolation but are embedded within networks of relationships, such as families, coworkers, neighbors, friendships or socioeconomic groups. While there is a long tradition in sociology and anthropology focusing on theimportance of social structure, norms and culture, economists have long ignored social influences on individual behavior. Even though social influences may play an important role in the evaluation of policies, economic evaluations are typicallyfocused on the central question how individuals independently respond to financial incentives. However, economic reforms or the introduction of new policy instruments are likely to affect individuals not only directly by the change in financial incentives, but also indirectly by a change in the behavior of the social environment. At the workplace, one can distinguish four contexts where peer effects may be relevant factors in explaining the observed outcomes; these are (a) job search and employment probabilities; (b) fertility, parental leave and female labor supply; (c) productivity and work place behavior; and (d) retirement and pension plan decisions. Consequently, it is of large importance to understand and predictsocial interaction effects in these four areas of research and comprehend the implications for economic policy. In the following, I will give an overview of the existing literature in each of the contexts where peer effects at work may evolve, after briefly discussing the challenges associated with the empirical analysis of peer effects.