Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The rhinos from the Middle Pleistocene of Neumark-Nord (Saxony-Anhalt)

Summary At Neumark-Nord (Saxony-Anhalt, Germany) sediments of a little interglacial lake are preserved with an age of slightly more than 2oo ka, which corresponds to OIS 7. The sediments contained a large number of skeletons of deer, elephants, auerochs, rhinos etc., many of which associated with lithic industry. The Rhinocerotidae from this locality are described and assigned to the »forest rhino« Stephanorhinus kirchbergensis, the »steppe rhino« Stephanorhinus hemitoechus and the »woolly rhino« Coelodonta antiquitatis. All species are represented by at least a complete skull and S. hemitoechus also by a partial skeleton, which is more robust than in the same species from Bilzingsleben. Coelodonta was believed to be mainly a »glacial« species, but at Neumark-Nord it has been found in an interglacial environment in direct association with Elephas antiquus, S. kirchbergensis, Bos primigenius and Cervus elaphus, while Dama is the most abundant large mammal in the sequence. Other localities where the woolly rhino was found in an inter glacial environment are Ehringsdorf and La Fage. These local ities are of a similar age, which suggests that during this period a different environment or climate prevailed in a large part of Europe, than in other interglacial periods. The stratigraphic distribution of the west European Pleistocene rhinos is discussed. The stratigraphic ranges of S. etrus­ cus and S. hundsheimensis overlap. The replacement of these rhinos by C. antiquitatis , S. kirchbergensis and S. hemito­ echus occurred stepwise. These three species are more hypsodont, have more cementum on their crowns and have smaller premolars than the Early and early Middle Pleistocene species they replaced (S. hundsheimensis and S. etruscus). These dental features suggest that they had diets that included a grea ter proportion of hard or abrasive food. Possibly, the frequently changing environments during the glacial cycles favoured species, that were adapted to living in a wider range of environments and that therefore were better colonisers.
On the longevity of large upper crustal silicic magma reservoirs

Understanding the processes involved in the formation and maturation of upper crustal magma reservoirs, ultimately sourcing the largest volcanic eruptions on Earth, is one of the most fundamental aspects of volcanology. While such reservoirs are known to assemble incrementally over extended periods of time, debate persists regarding the time scales of melt preservation in the cold upper crust. If rapid cooling individually freezes incoming replenishing intrusions, accumulations of eruptible magma are impossible, precluding the construction of voluminous volcanic reservoirs for all but the highest magma emplacement rates. Recent numerical thermal models have been used to assess the viability of upper crustal silicic magma survival, and have suggested that supervolcanic reservoirs must form on geologically short time scales with anomalously high injection rates, and subsist only ephemerally, making their long-term evolution less predictable. Motivated by geological observations suggesting the contrary, we have improved upon these models by incorporating two fundamental features of natural systems not previously considered: (1) a nonlinear crystallization-temperature relationship adapted for upper crustal silicic magmas and (2) a temperature-dependent thermal conductivity. We demonstrate that the incorporation of both of these properties can allow an upper crustal reservoir to remain above its solidus for hundreds of thousands of years when fed by magma fluxes typical of large magmatic provinces. While the crystallization-temperature path plays the most significant role in maintaining a large pool of eruptible magma, the incorporation of temperature-dependent thermal properties significantly extends the lifetime of such reservoirs. Furthermore, while deeper emplacement levels (e.g., 10 km depth) can both extend magma survival and increase melt availability, we show that a 5 km depth can also provide an adequate magma storage environment. These results provide strong support for long-lived upper crustal mushes as a staging ground for accumulation of highly eruptible, crystal-poor silicic magmas, and further assert the evolutionary link between volcanic and plutonic systems.
The Malaysian Online Journal of Educational Science

A central goal of science education is to help students to develop their higher order thinking skills to enable them to face the challenges of daily life. Enhancing students’ higher order thinking skills is the main goal of the Kurdish Science Curriculum in the Iraqi-Kurdistan region. This study aimed at assessing 7th grade students’ higher order thinking skills level. The higher order thinking level test (HOTLT) was developed based on the Bloom Taxonomy of cognitive domain and consisted of 20 multiple-choice questions. The test was distributed to a randomly chosen sample comprising 418 7th grade students in the Iraqi-Kurdistan region. The overall findings revealed that the majority of the 7th grade students were at lower level of thinking skills (LOTL) n = 278 (79.7%). More male students were at lower level than female students. However, there was no significant difference between students’ level of higher order thinking skills and their gender (p > 0.05). Based on the results of students’ level of higher order thinking skills, the study provided evidence that almost all students needs to improve their higher order thinking skills especially the synthesis and evaluation skills required for improving students’ creativity in science.
GHG Fluxes (CO2, CH4) of the first three years after flooding of the Eastmain-1 reservoir (Quebec, Canada)

Growing concern regarding the long-term contribution offreshwater reservoirs to atmospheric greetihouse gases (GHG) led Hydro-Qudbec, the largest electric power company in Canada, to study net GHG emissions from Eastmain-1 reservoir, which are the emissions related to the creation of a reservoir minus those that would have been emitted or absorbed by the natural systems over a 100-year period. Follow up ofthe CO2 and CH4 fluxes showed a rapid increase in both COz and CH,t emissions the first year after flooding and a rapid return to natural aquatic ecosystems values within 2 and 3 year for CH# and CO2, respectively. Overall GHG emissions from Eastmain-1 reservoir are veiy low in comparison to thermal power plant.
Field Observations of Coastal Discharge from an Uplifted Carbonate Island Aquifer, Northern Guam, Mariana Islands: A Descriptive Geomorphic and Hydrogeologic Perspective

ABSTRACT Taboroši, D. ; Jenson, J.W. , and Mylroie, J.E. , 2013. Field observations of coastal discharge from an uplifted carbonate island aquifer, northern Guam, Mariana Islands: a descriptive geomorphic and hydrogeologic perspective. Understanding the hydrogeologic properties of carbonate island aquifers requires a conceptual framework within which specific and local properties, especially quantitative phenomena, can be placed and evaluated. In this paper, we present observations and hypotheses for such a qualitative conceptual model based on more than a decade of field studies in Guam. Fieldwork has shown that coastal groundwater discharge features can be usefully classified in terms of their geomorphic context and distinctive, readily observable characteristics: beach seeps and springs, reef seeps and springs, fracture springs, and cave springs. Seeps and springs on beaches and reefs are associated with matrix porosity and diffuse flow or are fed by fissures buried under sediment. Concentrated discharges from fractures and conduits are directly visible on rocky coasts, where springs emerge from dissolution-widened fractures and karst cavities. Although coastal zone conditions make it very difficult to accurately quantify the discharges from each type of feature, the fact that discharge is visibly distributed among these four categories suggests that aquifers of islands such as Guam—composed of uplifted geologically young limestones—can generally be expected to be triple-porosity aquifers, in which matrix, fracture, and conduit porosity each make a substantial contribution to discharge, and presumably to internal flow as well. This is in contrast to noncarbonate aquifers, from which coastal discharge is generally dominated by diffuse flow, and to continental karst aquifers in diagenetically mature limestones, in which flow and discharge are dominated by conduit flow. We propose a conceptual framework that relates these four geomorphic categories of coastal discharge to the evolution and reorganization of matrix, fracture, and conduit porosities in the aquifer, and offer a hypothesis for the general distribution of hydraulic conductivity on uplifted carbonate island aquifers, in particular the juxtaposition of high conductivity in the interior against lower conductivity in the periphery.
pH dependence of the Slc4a11-mediated H conductance is influenced by intracellular lysine residues and modified by disease-linked mutations

Bianca N. Quade, Aniko Marshall, and Mark D. Parker Department of Physiology and Biophysics, The State University of New York: The University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York; Department of Ophthalmology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo: The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York; and State University of New York Eye Institute, University at Buffalo: The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York
SCREENING OF FRENCH BEAN GERMPLASM AGAINST ANGULAR LEAF SPOT ( PHAEOISARIOPSIS GRISEOLA )

Eighteen cultivars or germplasm lines of French bean were screened for resistance to angular leaf spot under natural epiphytotic and artificial inoculation conditions. Six cultivars were found to be moderately susceptible, nine susceptible and three highly susceptible in disease reaction. None of the cultivar showed resistant reaction. Average apparent infection rate of moderately susceptible cultivars varied from 0.054 to 0.077 unit/day and that of highly susceptible cultivars varied from 0.169 to 0.195 unit/day.
Mysis relicta and kokanee salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) in Okanagan Lake, British Columbia : from 1970 and into the future

Mysis relicta and kokanee salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) in Okanagan Lake: from 1970 and into the future. Aran Kay The opossum shrimp (Mysis relicta) was introduced into Okanagan Lake, British Columbia (BC), in 1966 in order to serve as an intermediate food item for kokanee salmon (Oncorhychus nerka). However, beginning in the early 1970s, kokanee began a sharp decline in abundance. In the search for reasons for the kokanee decline, two factors were identified: mysid competition with kokanee over zooplankton resources and reduced nutrient loads to the lake. Between 1970 and 2000, the M. relicta population increased 20-fold and nutrients in the lake fell to one quarter of 1970 levels. Using the Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) software, an Ecopath model of Okanagan Lake in 1970 was built. This model attempted to account for all biomass within Okanagan Lake and contained 16 groups and 2 fisheries. This base 1970 model was then run through the Ecosim module and biomass was predicted for all groups from 1970 to 2020. For the 1970 to 2000 period, mysid and kokanee biomass were tracked by the program with high accuracy. Two key findings for this period were that Mysis relicta appears to have been responsible for the original kokanee decline, but reduced nutrient loads to Okanagan Lake are currently keeping the kokanee at depressed levels. From 2000-2020, Ecosim was used in a forecasting mode and solutions were examined which may help rehabilitating the kokanee population. The current mysid fishery does not have the capacity (30t year"1) to catch the number of mysids required (300t year"1) to aid kokanee populations to any great degree. Nutrient additions appear to be able to boost kokanee abundance in the lake without increasing mysid populations greatly. However, a combined approach involving nutrient additions with an intensified mysid fishery could allow kokanee abundance to approach 1970 levels.
Ice-sheet dynamics and subglacial meltwater regime inferred from form and sedimentology of glaciofluvial systems: Victoria Island, District of Franklin, Northwest Territories

On Victoria Island, tunnel channels, eskers, and associated fans and extended deposits together constitute channelized glaciofluvial systems. Flutes and drumlinoid ridges, interpreted as residuals left by erosive, catastrophic, subglacial meltwater sheet flows, lie adjacent to these systems. One tunnel channel is described in detail. It exhibits deep scours, a discontinuous thalweg, sculpted margins, and flutes on the downflow side of one wall, features indicative of complex flow and possibly several flow events. The tunnel channel is interpreted as the product of erosion by catastrophic, subglacial meltwater flow in a combined ice – substrate (R/N) channel.Esker sediments and morphology are used to infer details of the depositional environment and meltwater regime. A continuous esker with fans and extended deposits records seasonally controlled discharge events through an R-channel. These features may also suggest a grounding-line environment, thin ice, and localized ice floatation events. Less well conn.
Adrenomedullin blockade induces regression of tumor neovessels through interference with vascular endothelial-cadherin signalling

The cellular and molecular mechanisms by which adrenomedullin (AM) blockade suppresses tumor neovessels are not well defined. Herein, we show that AM blockade using anti-AM and anti-AM receptors antibodies targets vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and induces regression of unstable nascent tumor neovessels. The underlying mechanism involved, and shown in vitro and in vivo in mice, is the disruption of the molecular engagement of the endothelial cell-specific junctional molecules vascular endothelial-cadherin (VE-cadherin)/β-catenin complex. AM blockade increases endothelial cell permeability by inhibiting cell-cell contacts predominantly through disruption of VE-cadherin/β-catenin/Akt signalling pathway, thereby leading to vascular collapse and regression of tumor neovessels. At a molecular level, we show that AM blockade induces tyrosine phosphorylation of VE-cadherin at a critical tyrosine, Tyr731, which is sufficient to prevent the binding of β-catenin to the cytoplasmic tail of VE-cadherin leading to the inhibition of cell barrier function. Furthermore, we demonstrate activation of Src kinase by phosphorylation on Tyr416, supporting a role of Src to phosphorylate Tyr731-VE-cadherin. In this model, Src inhibition impairs αAM and αAMR-induced Tyr731-VE-cadherin phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner, indicating that Tyr731-VE-cadherin phosphorylation state is dependent on Src activation. We found that AM blockade induces β-catenin phosphorylation on Ser33/Ser37/Thr41 sites in both ECs and VSMCs both in vitro and in vivo in mice. These data suggest that AM blockade selectively induces regression of unstable tumor neovessels, through disruption of VE-cadherin signalling. Targeting AM system may present a novel therapeutic target to selectively disrupt assembly and induce regression of nascent tumor neovessels, without affecting normal stabilized vasculature.
Real-World Experience of Bamlanivimab for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Case-Control Study

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has strained healthcare systems with patient hospitalizations and deaths. Anti-spike monoclonal antibodies, including bamlanivimab, have demonstrated reduction in hospitalization rates in clinical trials, yet real-world evidence is lacking. Methods We conducted a retrospective case-control study across a single healthcare system of nonhospitalized patients, age 18 years or older, with documented positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing, risk factors for severe COVID-19, and referrals for bamlanivimab via emergency use authorization. Cases were defined as patients who received bamlanivimab; contemporary controls had a referral order placed but did not receive bamlanivimab. The primary outcome was 30-day hospitalization rate from initial positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Descriptive statistics, including χ 2 and Mann-Whitney U test, were performed. Multivariable logistic regression was used for adjusted analysis to evaluate independent associations with 30-day hospitalization. Results Between 30 November 2020 and 19 January 2021, 218 patients received bamlanivimab (cases), and 185 were referred but did not receive drug (controls). Thirty-day hospitalization rate was significantly lower among patients who received bamlanivimab (7.3% vs 20.0%, risk ratio [RR] 0.37, 95% confidence interval [CI]: .21–.64, P < .001), and the number needed to treat was 8. On logistic regression, odds of hospitalization were increased in patients not receiving bamlanivimab and with a higher number of pre-specified comorbidities (odds ratio [OR] 4.19 ,95% CI: 1.31–2.16, P < .001; OR 1.68, 95% CI: 2.12–8.30, P < .001, respectively). Conclusions Ambulatory patients with COVID-19 who received bamlanivimab had a lower 30-day hospitalization than control patients in real-world experience. We identified receipt of bamlanivimab and fewer comorbidities as protective factors against hospitalization. Bamlanivimab’s role in preventing hospitalization associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains unclear. In a real-world, retrospective study of 403 high-risk, ambulatory patients with COVID-19, receipt of bamlanivimab compared to no monoclonal antibody therapy was associated with lower 30-day hospitalization.
Recreationist perspectives, attitudes, and perceptions towards national park management in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's National Parks (NPs) are becoming prime destinations for both foreign and domestic tourists. With rising heterogeneous demand for nature-based experiences, NP administrators are facing the challenge of re-crafting policy and nature-based use-models to meet the diverse expectations of visitors while achieving conservation goals. As such, an understanding of NP visitor perspectives is essential in making sound management decisions to eff ectively accommodate conservation and recreational uses. Th is study explores visitor perceptions of roles, functions, policies and best uses of NPs in Sri Lanka. On-site interviews from 682 visitors to two highly-visited NPs revealed that a majority of respondents view "ecological protection" as the most important role of NPs. Recreation and commercial development-related roles were ranked lower in overall importance. Factor analysis and subsequent ANOVA comparisons further identifi ed core belief constructs that ultimately supported the notion of NP policy should be more protection-oriented rather than accommodating to recreation. Th is is not to say that recreation should not be one of the multiple uses of NPs from the respondents' viewpoint. Although non-consumptive activities were rated most appropriate, visitors also desire that park infrastructure and visitor services to be developed and maintained at an acceptable level in order for them to satisfactorily experience the destination.
Physicochemical and microbiological studies of River Nile water in Sohag governorate

Water quality assessment of River Nile has been studied in the Upper Egypt region between April 2011 and March 2012 to identify the relationship between the physicochemical parameters and microbiological characteristics. Thirty six water samples were collected during hot and cold seasons along the area extending from Tima to Dar-Elsalam cities, Sohag governorate, Egypt. Results indicated that the physicochemical parameters in all samples increased significantly in the hot season than cold season. In addition, the bacteriological assessment for water samples indicated that most of locations were polluted with faecal coliform and pathogenic bacteria which were identified as Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. , Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Shigella spp .
Platinum precipitation in the Waterberg Deposit, Naboomspruit, South Africa

Quartz veins located northwest of Naboomspruit in the Northern Province of South Africa contain native platinum, Pt-Pd alloys, and at least two Pt-O species. Platinum shows a series of close textural associations with monazite [Ce(La,Y,Th)PO 4 ]. The field relations, gangue mineralogy, and fluid inclusions trapped inside quartz in contact with platinum indicate probable fluid temperatures of 200-300 degrees C and a low-pressure environment. This suggests that the Naboomspruit veins represent a new class of platinum deposit which is broadly comparable with some epithermal gold deposits. The ore fluid was highly oxidized with a low salinity and generated extensive replacement of feldspar in the wall rocks. Increase in pH generated by wall-rock reactions is seen as an important mechanism in Pt precipitation, and the presence of reniform mixtures of platinum, Pt-Pd alloy, and Pt-O species are believed to reflect annealing of metal and alloy from an originally amorphous, hydrated Pt-O precursor (possibly resembling PtO.nH 2 O). The close association between monazite and platinum is obvious but enigmatic. An electronic interaction between Ce and Pt producing a lowering of surface energy on Pt during the early stages of nucleation is suggested as having a role in this association.
Seasonality in anthropogenic aerosol effects on East Asian climate simulated with CAM5

This study investigates the seasonality in anthropogenic aerosol optical depth (AOD) distributions and their effects on clouds and precipitation in East Asia with the Community Atmospheric Model version 5. The differences between the model experiments with and without anthropogenic emissions exhibit a northward shift of the maximal AOD change in East Asia from March to July and then a southward withdrawal from September to November, which are induced by East Asian monsoon circulation. Associated with the shift, the direct and semidirect effects of the anthropogenic aerosols are the most pronounced in spring and summer, with a maximum center in North China during summer and a secondary center in South China during spring. The cloud liquid water path and shortwave cloud forcing changes, however, are the weakest in North China during summer. The indirect effect is the strongest in South China during spring, which is related to the large amount of middle‐low level clouds in cold seasons in East China. A positive feedback between aerosol induced surface cooling and low‐level cloud increase is identified in East China, which acts to enforce the aerosol indirect effect in spring. Accordingly, the climate response to the anthropogenic aerosols is also characterized by a northward shift of reduced precipitation from spring to summer, leading to a spring drought in South China and a summer drought in North China. The spring drought is attributed to both direct and indirect effects of the anthropogenic aerosols, while the summer drought is primarily determined by the aerosols' direct effect.