Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Permian–Triassic Boundary Sections from Shallow-Marine Carbonate Platforms of the Nanpanjiang Basin, South China: Implications for Oceanic Conditions Associated with the End-Permian Extinction and Its Aftermath

Abstract Permian-Triassic boundary (PTB) sections from isolated carbonate platforms in the Nanpanjiang Basin of south China contain Upper Permian skeletal packstones with diverse open-marine fossils overlain by a 7–15 m thick boundary horizon composed of calcimicrobial framestone constructed by globular to tufted, calcified cyanobacteria similar to Renalcis. The framestone contains interbeds of lime-grainstone with abundant thin-shelled bivalves and brachiopods. The overlying Lower Triassic strata contain microgastropod lime-packstones followed by a thick succession of thin-bedded lime-mudstones. The PTB event horizon is interpreted to occur at the top of the packstone containing diverse, open-marine fauna and Palaeofusulina and coincident with the abrupt change to calcimicrobial framestone lacking Permian macrofossils. The conformable biostratigraphic boundary occurs at the first appearance of Hindeodus parvus within the basal meter of the calcimicrobial framestone. Intensively studied PTB sections in south China, such as the GSSP at Meishan, primarily are condensed sections from deep-water, basin environments that contain a thin (< 30 cm) boundary horizon of claystone and lime-mudstone or marl. The sections reported herein are fundamentally different in that they consist of shallow-marine carbonate facies, contain a thick boundary horizon composed of calcimicrobial framestone, and lack evidence of an abrupt shift in depositional environment or water depth. The calcimicrobial framestone boundary horizon occurs in all of the isolated carbonate platforms in the Nanpanjiang Basin. A similar microbial facies has been found in the basal Triassic H. parvus zone in the Sichuan Basin and in Japan. Distribution of the calcimicrobial framestone suggests that it may represent an anomalous oceanic event that affected a vast area of the equatorial eastern Tethys and Panthalassa during and/or immediately following the end-Permian mass extinction. The persistence of similar calcimicrobial framestone horizons into the Upper Scythian suggests that detrimental environmental conditions associated with the extinction persisted until the end of the Scythian. Further study of these sections promises to provide constraints on causes of the extinction and the environments in the aftermath.
Sodium Potassium Niobate-Based Piezoelectrics Sintered in Humid Air

While the consequences of humidity during solid-state processing of sodium potassium niobate-based lead-free piezoelectric powders are well established, the effect of humidity at later fabrication steps is less known. This study assesses the effect of humidity on the sintering and functional properties of 0.06LiNbO3–0.94(K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 (LKNN). Samples sintered in high-humidity air display a higher density, lower dielectric losses, and an increased mechanical quality factor. The observed properties persisted even after five months of storage with marginal reduction in the measured piezoelectric parameters. While the improvements shown with the high-humidity sintering method might be too small to justify investments in special atmosphere sintering, it more importantly indicates that no special equipment or atmosphere control is required to avoid adverse effects of humidity during sintering of sodium potassium niobate-based piezoceramics.
Decadal to Interdecadal Variability of the North Atlantic Oscillation: A Paleoclimatic Index Reconstruction

The study aims to extend the wintertime index of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) using paleoclimatic data. The primary interest lies in the decadal and interdecadal variability. Isotopic concentrations and accumulation rates measured in ice cores, and tree-ring widths chronologies form the proxy basis for the NAO index reconstruction. This multiproxy data set includes proxies from Greenland, Europe, North Africa and North America. The statistical treatment of the reconstruction problem is discussed in detail. Two different reconstruction strategies are presented for the decadal to interdecadal time scales: the pre- and post-filtering concepts. The decadal (interdecadal) variability is reconstructed over the period 1700-1978 (1623-1966). The comparison with two independent reconstructions of other research groups hint at an anomalous pattern of atmospheric variability in the North Atlantic sector in the early 18th century. The magnitude of the variance was probably increased by solar or volcanic forcing during this period. On interdecadal time scales (32-64 years), an increased variability was reconstructed over the 17th and early 18th century. If further indicators supported these findings, then the recent trend in the NAO index, from negative values in the 1960-70s to prolonged positive values since the 1980s, would be in the range of natural variability.
Cdc42 activity in the trailing edge is required for persistent directional migration of keratinocytes

Fibroblasts migrate discontinuously by generating transient leading-edge protrusions and irregular, abrupt retractions of a narrow trailing edge. In contrast, keratinocytes migrate persistently and directionally via a single, stable, broad protrusion paired with a stable trailing-edge. The Rho GTPases Rac1, Cdc42 and RhoA are key regulators of cell protrusions and retractions. However, how these molecules mediate cell-type specific migration modes is still poorly understood. In fibroblasts, all three Rho proteins are active at the leading edge, suggesting short-range coordination of protrusive Rac1 and Cdc42 signals with RhoA retraction signals. Here, we show that Cdc42 was surprisingly active in the trailing-edge of migrating keratinocytes. Elevated Cdc42 activity colocalized with the effectors MRCK and N-WASP suggesting that Cdc42 controls both myosin activation and actin polymerization in the back. Indeed, Cdc42 was required to maintain the highly dynamic contractile acto-myosin retrograde flow at the trailing edge of keratinocytes, and its depletion induced ectopic protrusions in the back, leading to decreased migration directionality. These findings suggest that Cdc42 is required to stabilize the dynamic cytoskeletal polarization in keratinocytes, to enable persistent, directional migration.
Interactions between Near-Inertial Mixed Layer Currents and the Mesoscale: The Importance of Spatial Variabilities in the Vorticity Field*

Abstract Satellite-tracked mixed-layer drifter data from the 1987 Ocean Storms Experiment in the northeast Pacific are used to study the temporal and spatial variability in the near-inertial currents of the surface mixed layer. The data suggest that the near-inertial currents interact with the mesoscale vorticity. To explore the exact nature of this relationship, an asymptotic analysis is extended to include the mesoscale and it is shown that not only gradients in the planetary vorticity (β) but also the gradients in the mesoscale vorticity affect the generation and evolution of near-inertial mixed layer currents. While the β effect is relevant for the large-scale evolution of the near-inertial currents, the vorticity gradients of the mesoscale field determine the local behavior of near-inertial currents. Using a three-dimensional model it is shown that areas of large gradients in the mesoscale vorticity coincide with areas of low near-inertial energy. The smaller spatial scales in the near-inertial energ.
Association of the FGF4L2 retrogene with fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy in dogs

Abstract Background Fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy (FCE) is a well‐documented condition in dogs although rarely reported in chondrodystrophic breeds. Genetic associations have not been defined. Objectives Define the association of the chondrodystrophy‐associated FGF4L2 retrogene with histopathologically confirmed cases of FCE. Animals Ninety‐eight dogs with a histopathologic diagnosis of FCE. Methods Retrospective multicenter study. Dogs were genotyped for the FGF4L2 and FGF4L1 retrogenes using DNA extracted from formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue. Associations between breed, FCE and retrogene status were investigated with reference to a hospital population and known breed and general population allele frequencies. Results FGF4L2 genotype was defined in 89 FCE cases. Fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy was present in 22 dogs from FGF4L2‐segregating breeds with allele frequencies of ≥5%; however, all dogs were wild type. Two Labrador retrievers with FCE carried FGF4L2 alleles. Frequency of the FGF4L2 allele was significantly (P < .001) and negatively associated with FCE relative to predicted hospital‐population dogs. FCE was overrepresented in Boxer, Great Dane, Yorkshire Terrier, Bernese Mountain Dog, Miniature Schnauzer, Rottweiler, and Shetland Sheepdog breeds. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Study data based on genotypically and histopathologically defined cases support the historical observation that FCE is uncommon in chondrodystrophic dog breeds. FGF4 plays an important role in angiogenesis and vascular integrity; anatomical studies comparing chondrodystrophic and non‐chondrodystrophic dogs might provide insight into the pathogenesis of FCE.
THE RESPONSE OF THE PERIPHYTIC DIATOM COMMUNITY TO ACID MINE DRAINAGE POLLUTION

online version) This paper proposes to relate the principal characteristics of diatom community (species richness, biodiversity, community biomass, diatom indices) to the stress induced by acidification and high levels of metal. The study was done in a mine drainage affected area in Galicia (NW Spain) by comparing periphytic diatom communities from polluted streams to ones in supposedly clean waters. The change in the dominant species was the clearest response to AMD pollution while species richness and diversity were sensitive only to high levels of pollution.
The Involvement of Unfolded Protein Response in the Mechanism of Nitrogen Mustard–Induced Ocular Toxicity

Nitrogen mustard (NM) is a known surrogate of sulfur mustard, a chemical-warfare agent that causes a wide range of ocular symptoms, from a permanent reduction in visual acuity to blindness upon exposure. Although it has been proposed that the two blistering agents have a similar mechanism of toxicity, the mode of NM-induced cell death in ocular tissue has not been fully explored. Therefore, we hypothesized that direct ocular exposure to NM in mice leads to retinal tissue injury through chronic activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) PERK arm in corneal cells and VEGF secretion, eventually causing cell death. We topically applied NM directly to mice to analyze ocular and retinal tissues at 2 weeks postexposure. A dramatic decline in retinal function, measured by scotopic and photopic electroretinogram responses, was detected in the mice. This decline was associated with enhanced TUNEL staining in both corneal and retinal tissues. In addition, exposure of corneal cells to NM revealed 228 differentially and exclusively expressed proteins primarily associated with the UPR, ferroptosis, and necroptosis. Moreover, these cells exhibited activation of the UPR PERK arm and an increase in VEGF secretion. Enhancement of VEGF staining was later observed in the corneas of the exposed mice. Therefore, our data indicated that the mechanism of NM-induced ocular toxicity should be carefully examined and that future research should identify a signaling molecule transmitted via a prodeath pathway from the cornea to the retina. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This study demonstrated that NM topical exposure in mice results in dramatic decline in retinal function associated with enhanced TUNEL staining in both corneal and retinal tissues. We also found that the NM treatment of corneal cells resulted in 228 differentially and exclusively expressed proteins primarily associated with ferroptosis. Moreover, these cells manifest the UPR PERK activation and an increase in VEGF secretion. The latter was also found in the corneas of the cexposed mice.
Middle Miocene swift migration of the TTT triple junction and rapid crustal growth in southwest Japan: A review

We review recent progress in geological and geophysical investigation in SW Japan, Nankai Trough, and Philippine Sea Plate (PSP), and propose a hypothesis for the Miocene tectonics in SW Japan driven by middle Miocene swift migration of the TTT (trench‐trench‐trench) triple junction. The new hypothesis is based on the new interpretations as follows. Near‐trench magmatism in the outer zone of SW Japan is ascribed to a collision of proto‐Izu arc in addition to the previous model of an oceanic ridge of the Shikoku Basin and hot PSP subduction. The indentation structures at Capes Ashizuri, Muroto in Shikoku, and Shiono on the Kii Peninsula were previously explained by “kink folding” due to recent E‐W compression. We alternatively suppose the collision of the active arc or topographic peaks such as seamounts inferred from geological and experimental observations. The main crustal component in SW Japan is suggested to be of igneous plutonic rocks rather than the previous interpretation of Cretaceous to Tertiary accretionary complexes. This is typically illustrated in the outer zone to the north of Capes Ashizuri, Muroto, and Shiono from geophysical observation of gravity anomalies, velocity and resistivity, together with geological estimations of caldera age and the size of its root pluton. Episodic crustal growth due to intrusion of igneous rock and subduction of the PSP may have stopped after approximately 12 Ma and restarted at approximately 6 Ma. Our emphasis for this gap is a cessation and resurgence of subduction rather than the previous interpretation, i.e., decreasing of subduction rate.
Lower Permian Depositional Systems and Wolfcampian Paleogeography, Uncompahgre Basin, Eastern Utah and Southwestern Colorado

Abstract Depositional-system studies of the predominantly Wolfcampian Cutler Formation, in the Uncompahgre (Paradox) Basin have identified five fluvial and two marine facies and associated eolian deposits. The fluvial facies progressing outward from the source area, are: proximal braided, which consists of a fan-building sequence and a very coarse grained fan-head trench sequence; medial braided; distal braided; 50 percent meandering; and 100 percent meandering. The braided facies outline three large (40 to 60 km radius) fluvial or wet fans. The Gateway fan, in the northern part of the basin, was deposited to the southwest off the Uncompahgre highland, the San Miguel fan, in the central part of the basin, was deposited off the southern end of the Uncompahgre highland, and the Piedra fan, in the southeastern part of the basin was deposited west of the San Luis highland. The marine and eolian deposits occur only in the northern part of the basin adjacent to and intertonguing with the Gateway fan. Transition of the streams from distal braided to coarse-grained meandering occurred at the toe of this fan, near sea level. Seaward of the toe, meandering became more common. A marine transgression occurred early during fan development resulting in deposition of the limestones and shales of the Rico, or of the Elephant Canyon Formation of Baars. In a later marine invasion from the southwest, limestones, sandstones, and shales were deposited that are lateral equivalents to the Cedar Mesa Member of the Cutler Formation. The eolian rocks are closely related stratigraphically and geographically to the marine facies and are considered coastal dune-field deposits. The San Miguel and Piedra fluvial systems coalesced approximately along the present course of the Animas River. Transition of both systems from distal braided to 50 percent meandering occurred along their southwest flanks and may also have occurred along their northeast flanks.
Talas–Fergana Fault Cenozoic timing of deformation and its relation to Pamir indentation

Abstract Regional strike-slip faults are widely distributed in continental interiors and play a major role in the distribution of far-field deformation due to continental collisions. Constraining the deformation history of the Talas–Fergana Fault (TFF), one of the largest of such faults in the Himalayan deformed interior, is vital to comprehend the hinterland kinematics of the India–Asia collision. New apatite fission track results from the NW Tien Shan define a rapid exhumation event at c. 25 Ma. This event is correlated with a synchronous pulse in the South Tien Shan, implying that both ranges experienced a simultaneous onset of rapid exhumation. We suggest that strike-slip motion along the TFF commenced at c. 25 Ma, facilitating counter-clockwise rotation of the Fergana Basin and enabling exhumation of the linked horsetail splays. Pamir indentation, located south of the Western Tien Shan, is postulated to be underway by c. 20 Ma. Recently published results suggest synchronous strike-slip deformation in the western Tarim Basin and eastern flank of the Pamir. Based on our results and published data, we are able to connect Tarim and Pamir deformation to the onset of TFF slip. We suggest that this pre-existing regional structure was responsible for transferring Pamir-induced shortening to the NW Tien Shan. Supplementary material: Supplementary material is available at http://www.geolsoc. org.uk/SUP18845
Age-Related Changes in Inter-Joint Interactions for Global and Local Kinematics While Standing

Inter-joint interactions are involved in human standing. These interactions work not only for global kinematics that control the center of mass (COM) of the entire body, but also for local kinematics that control joint angular movements. Age-related changes in these interactions are thought to cause unstable standing postures in older people. Interactions of global kinematics are known to be deficient owing to aging. However, it is unclear whether the interaction of local kinematics is affected by aging. We investigated the age-related changes in inter-joint interactions, especially local kinematics, during standing. Differences were investigated in these two inter-joint interactions between older and younger adults in three different postures: normal, eyes-closed, and foam-surface standings. The inter-joint interaction for local kinematics was computed using the induced-acceleration analysis with a double-inverted pendulum model and quantified using an uncontrolled manifold approach. Consistent with previous studies, the inter-joint interaction for COM acceleration (global kinematics) deteriorated in older adults. In contrast, the interactions for angular accelerations in the ankle and hip joints (local kinematics) were slightly better in the older adults. Moreover, the individual components of angular acceleration which were induced by net torques from homonymous and remote joints were significantly increased in older adults. Thus, global and local inter-joint interactions are driven by distinct neural mechanisms and the interaction of local kinematics can compensate for the increment of each component of joint angular acceleration in older adults.
Scalling of Granular Temperature in a Dense Vibrated Granular Bed

The granular temperature underpins the kinetic theory of granular flows as well as models for heat transfer, segregation, erosion, attrition and aggregation in various granular systems. We report granular temperature data of mono-disperse glass particles in a three-dimensional dense granular bed subject to vertical sinusoidal vibrations over a wide range of vibrational conditions as measured by diffusing wave spectroscopy (DWS). The granular temperature was found to scale with the square of the peak vibrational velocity in line with a number of theoretical models and experiments, but a significant correlation was observed between granular temperature and other vibrational parameters. We report here for the first time this variation of granular temperature with the various process parameters - in particular the peak vibrational velocity (from 30 to 55 mm/s), acceleration (from 1.8 to 3.4 Γ) and frequency (from 50 Hz to 170 Hz).
Demography, Migration and Labour Market in

Abstract: Saudi Arabia is a prime destination and source of remittances from workers for many coun-tries in Asia and the Arab world. As of mid-2013, expatriates made up 32 percent of the Kingdom’s population, most of them coming from South Asia. They accounted for 56.5 percent of the employed population and 89 percent of the private sector workforce. Since September 2011, and in spite of a spurt in foreign labour recruitment starting in the mid-2000s, a voluntary policy called Nitaqat aims at ‘Saudising’ the Kingdom’s workforce. The most recent data also show the scale of the irregular migration phenomenon in Saudi Arabia: the amnesty campaign which started in April 2013 allowed 4.7 million foreign workers to regularise their status, while an ongoing crackdown on illegals forced one million to leave the Kingdom in 2013 alone, of which (as of November 30, 2013) 547,000 were deported. Keywords: Saudi Arabia; Foreign Population; National Population; Nationals and Foreign Labour; Migration Policy; Statistics; Saudisation; Irregularity; Amnesty; Deportation; Citizenship.
Nonlinearity of the Extratropical Response to Tropical Forcing

Abstract A primitive equations dry atmospheric model is used to investigate the atmospheric response to a tropical diabatic forcing pattern and explore how the atmospheric response changes as a function of the amplitude of the forcing. The forcing anomaly represents a linear fit of the model forcing to a tropical SST pattern of an El Nino/La Nina type. The time-averaged 500-hPa geopotential height anomaly responses of two long integrations, with forcing anomalies of equal amplitudes but opposite signs, show an asymmetric feature that is similar to observations and to previous modeling results related to El Nino and La Nina. Ensemble experiments with 61 different amplitudes of this forcing pattern are conducted. An EOF analysis of the ensemble mean of the 90-day-averaged 500-hPa height for different amplitudes of forcings shows that the leading mode of the forced variability resembles the Pacific–North American (PNA) pattern, while the second mode is a wave train across the North Atlantic to Eurasia. The r.
Holistic Transfer: Towards Non-Disruptive Fine-Tuning with Partial Target Data

We propose a learning problem involving adapting a pre-trained source model to the target domain for classifying all classes that appeared in the source data, using target data that covers only a partial label space. This problem is practical, as it is unrealistic for the target end-users to collect data for all classes prior to adaptation. However, it has received limited attention in the literature. To shed light on this issue, we construct benchmark datasets and conduct extensive experiments to uncover the inherent challenges. We found a dilemma -- on the one hand, adapting to the new target domain is important to claim better performance; on the other hand, we observe that preserving the classification accuracy of classes missing in the target adaptation data is highly challenging, let alone improving them. To tackle this, we identify two key directions: 1) disentangling domain gradients from classification gradients, and 2) preserving class relationships. We present several effective solutions that maintain the accuracy of the missing classes and enhance the overall performance, establishing solid baselines for holistic transfer of pre-trained models with partial target data.