Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evidence for Late Devonian vertical movements and extensional deformation in northern Africa and Arabia: Integration in the geodynamics of the Devonian world

The Upper Paleozoic geodynamic evolution is discussed at the scale of a wide part of Gondwana from North Africa to Arabia. With the aim of giving an integrated tectonic scenario for the study domain, we revisit six key areas, namely, the Anti‐Atlas Belt (Morocco), the Bechar Basin (west Algeria), the Hassi R'Mel High (central Algeria), the Talemezane Arch (south Tunisia), the Western Desert (Egypt), and, finally, the High Zagros Belt (Iran). Below the so‐called “Hercynian unconformity,” which is in reality a highly composite discontinuity, surface and subsurface data display a well‐known arch‐and‐basin geometry, with basement highs and intervening Paleozoic basins. We show that this major feature results mainly from a Late Devonian event and can no longer be interpreted as a far effect of the Variscan Orogeny. This event is characterized by a more or less diffuse extensional deformation and accompanied either by subsidence, in the western part of the system, or by an important uplift of probable thermal origin followed by erosion and peneplanation. By the end of the Devonian, the whole region suffered a general subsidence governed by the progressive cooling of the lithosphere. Such a primary configuration is preserved in Arabia with typical sag geometry of the Carboniferous and Permian deposits but strongly disturbed elsewhere by the conjugated effects of the Variscan Orogeny during the Carboniferous and/or by subsequent uplifts linked to the central Atlantic and Neo‐Tethys rifting episodes. In conclusion, we try to integrate this new understanding in the geodynamics of the Late Devonian, which at world scale is characterized by the onset of the Variscan Orogeny on the one hand and by magmatism, rifting, and basement uplift on the other hand.
Discussion on ecology of earliest reptiles inferred from basal Pennsylvanian trackwaysJournal, Vol. 164, 2007, 1113–1118

David Keighley, John Calder, Adrian Park, Ronald Pickerill & John Waldron write: In a recent article, Falcon-Lang et al . (2007, p. 1113) claim ‘trackways representing the earliest evidence for the origin of reptiles (amniotes) are reported from the basal Pennsylvanian Grande Anse Formation, New Brunswick’. We note inaccuracies in the paper and bring attention to various lines of evidence, any one of which casts serious doubt on their claim. ### Age of the Grande Anse Formation. Falcon-Lang et al . (2007, p. 1113) report a location at Shepody Bay, ‘on the eastern side of the Maringouin Peninsula, New Brunswick’ (actually located on the western side, Fig. 1) that preserves interface sedimentary structures that they interpret as amniote trackways. The authors infer an earliest Langsettian (earliest Westphalian), or possibly latest Namurian, age for the Grande Anse ‘Formation’ at this locality (the unit is not formally defined). This interpreted age of the strata was based on two lines of evidence: (1) a palynological age determination from an unpublished report; (2) its reported stratigraphic position equivalent to the Little River Formation of Nova Scotia, conformably overlying the Boss Point Formation. Fig. 1. Map of the Maringouin peninsula and nearby Joggins area, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, incorporating elements of Gussow (1953), Ryan et al . (1990), St. Peter & Johnson (1997) and Calder et al . (2005). (1) The report cited by Falcon-Lang et al . (2007) actually states that the spores indicate an age ‘no older than the early middle Langsettian’ (Dolby 1999, p. 43). Therefore, the Grande Anse Formation would not be of identical biostratigraphic age to that reported for the Little River Formation, which is of probable late Namurian to basal Westphalian (basal Langsettian) age (Calder et al . 2005). Regardless, Upper Palaeozoic strata in eastern Canada (Fig. 2) lack many of the stratigraphically diagnostic marine index fossils and European miospores recorded in the literature (Calder 1998; Utting et al . 2005) and so it is not currently possible to unequivocally constrain the age of the Grande Anse strata. In addition, recent recognition of rapid Mississippian stratigraphic inversions in SE New Brunswick (e.g. Park & St. Peter 2005) has supported interpretations that at least some spore assemblages in the region are entirely reworked (e.g. Dolby 2004). Fig. 2. Summary of mid-upper Carboniferous stratigraphy for the Maritime Provinces. For brevity and clarity, only formation and group names from this discussion have been included. Data are a compromise of numerous sources and so, although the stratigraphic …
Effects on feed intake , milk production , and metabolism

Elevation of ketone bodies in dairy cows frequently occurs in early lactation, usually concomitantly with a lack of energy and glucose. The objective of this study was to induce an elevated plasma β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) concentration over 48 h in mid-lactating dairy cows (i.e., during a period of positive energy balance and normal glucose plasma concentrations). Effects of BHBA infusion on feed intake, metabolism, and performance were investigated. Thirteen cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 infusion groups, including an intravenous infusion with Na-dl-β-OH-butyrate (1.7 mol/L) to achieve a plasma concentration of 1.5 to 2.0 mmol/L of BHBA (HyperB; n = 5), or an infusion of 0.9% saline solution (control; n = 8). Blood was sampled before and hourly during the 48 h of infusion. In the liver, mRNA transcripts related to gluconeogenesis (pyruvate carboxylase, glucose 6-phosphatase, mitochondrial phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase), phosphofructokinase, pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, and fatty acid synthesis (acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase, fatty acid synthase) were measured by real-time PCR. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and ubiquitin were used as housekeeping genes. Changes (difference between before and after 48-h infusion) during the infusion period were evaluated by ANOVA with treatment as fixed effect, and area under the curve of variables was calculated on the second day of experiment. The plasma BHBA concentration in HyperB cows was 1.74 ± 0.02 mmol/L (mean ± SE) compared with 0.59 ± 0.02 mmol/L for control cows. The change in feed intake, milk yield, and energy corrected milk did not differ between the 2 experimental groups. Infusion of BHBA reduced the plasma glucose concentration (3.47 ± 0.11 mmol/L) in HyperB compared with control cows (4.11 ± 0.08 mmol/L). Plasma glucagon concentration in HyperB was lower than the control group. All other variables measured in plasma were not affected by treatment. In the liver, changes in mRNA abundance for the selected genes were similar between 2 groups. Results demonstrate that intravenous infusion of BHBA decreased plasma glucose concentration in dairy cows, but this decrease could not be explained by alterations in insulin concentrations or key enzymes related to gluconeogenesis. Declined glucose concentration is likely functionally related to decreased plasma glucagon concentration.
Exposure to Long-Term Air Pollution and Incidence of Peripheral Arterial Disease in the General Population: A Korean National Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study

This study aimed to evaluate the causal relationship between long-term outdoor air pollutants and incidence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) using the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort (NHIS-NSC) database. We included 292,091 subjects from the general population who had previously not been diagnosed with PAD by the NHIS-NSC between 2008 and 2014. Hourly air pollutant data (particulate and gaseous) and climate data were collected. Correlation analysis of the collected data confirmed the relationship between air pollution and PAD incidence. For 1,836,965.4 person-years, incident cases of PAD were observed in 5243 subjects (285.4/100,000 person-years). In the Cox proportional hazard analysis, exposure to long-term average concentration of sulfur dioxide (SO2) [hazard ratio (HR), 1.686; (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.108–2.565) for . 01ppm] and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) [HR, 1.200; (95% CI, 1.077–1.336) for . 01 ppm] significantly increased the risk of PAD occurrence after the adjustment for several variables. This study demonstrated that SO2 and NO2 exposure are independent predictors of PAD.
Regional Flood Estimation in New South Wales Australia Using Generalized Least Squares Quantile Regression

This paper investigates the applicability of quantile regression technique (QRT) as a viable regional flood frequency analysis (RFFA) method for the state of New South Wales in Australia. The study uses data from 96 small to medium-sized unregulated basins across New South Wales to develop a generalized least squares (GLS)-based QRT. An independent test employing a wide range of statistical diagnostics indicates that the developed regression equations based on the GLS regression can provide quite accurate flood quantile estimates with median relative error values in the range of 13–42%. The developed regression equations are relatively easy to apply and require data for only three predictors—basin area, design rainfall intensity, and stream density.
Radar detection prediction in sea clutter using the compound K-distribution model

In the paper the radar detection of targets in sea clutter modelled by the compound K-distribution is examined from a statistical detection viewpoint. Optimum performance is determined for both fixed threshold and ideal constant false alarm rate (CFAR) receivers for targets modelled by Swerling cases 0, 1 and 2. In particular, the performance of dual threshold binary integrators is assessed. The compound K-distribution sea clutter model is not only a good fit to observed amplitude statistics over a wide range of conditions, but also allows the temporal and spatial correlation characteristics to be accurately modelled. The modelling of pulse-to-pulse correlation characteristics is very important for accurate performance prediction when pulse-to-pulse integration is used. The use of the compound K-distribution model not only gives more accurate results than models based on amplitude distribution alone, but also gives a new insight to the detection characteristics of different radar detection radar detection systems over a wide range of sea conditions.
Image classification methods applied to shoreline extraction on very high-resolution multispectral imagery

Comprehension of vulnerability to coastal erosion in dynamic coastal environments strongly depends on accurate and frequent detection of shoreline position. The monitoring of such environments could benefit from the semi-automatic shoreline delineation method, especially in terms of time, cost, and labour-intensiveness. This article explores the potential of using a semi-automatic approach in delineating a proxy-based shoreline by processing high-resolution multispectral WorldView-2 satellite imagery. We studied the potential and differences of basic and easily accessible standard classification methods for shoreline detection. In particular we explored the use of high spatial and spectral resolution satellite imagery for shoreline extraction. The case study was carried out on a 40 km coastal stretch facing the Northern Adriatic Sea (Italy) and belonging to the Municipality of Ravenna. In this area a frequent monitoring of shoreline position is required because of the extreme vulnerability to erosion phenomena that have resulted in a general trend of coastal retreat over recent decades. The wet/dry shorelines were delineated between the classes of wet and dry sand, resulting from different supervised (Parallelepiped, Gaussian Maximum Likelihood, Minimum-Distance-to-Means, and Mahalanobis distance) image classification techniques and the unsupervised Iterative Self-Organizing Data Analysis Technique (ISODATA). In order to assign reliability to outcomes, the extrapolated shorelines were compared to reference shorelines visually identified by an expert, by assessing the average mean distance between them. In addition, the correlation between offset rates and different types of coast was investigated to examine the influence of specific coastal features on shoreline extraction capability. The results highlighted a high level of compatibility. The average median distance between reference shorelines and those resulting from the classification methods was less than 5.6 m (Maximum likelihood), whereas a valuable distance of just 2.2 m was detected from ISODATA and Mahalanobis. Heterogeneous coastal stretches exhibited a larger offset between extracted and reference shorelines than the homogeneous ones. To finally evaluate the coastal evolution of the area, results from Mahalanobis classification were compared to a shoreline derived from airborne light detection and ranging (lidar) data. The fine spatial resolution provided by both methodologies allowed a detailed Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) comparison, detecting an erosive trend within a wide portion of the study area.
Daytime midlatitude D region parameters at solar minimum from short-path VLF phase and amplitude

[1] Observed phases and amplitudes of VLF radio signals propagating on a short (∼360 km) path are used to find improved parameters for the lowest edge of the (D region of the) Earth's ionosphere at a geomagnetic latitude of ∼53.5° in midsummer near solar minimum. The phases, relative to GPS 1 s pulses, and the amplitudes were measured both near (∼110 km from) the transmitter, where the direct ground wave is very dominant, and at distances of ∼360 km near where the ionospherically reflected waves form a (modal) minimum with the (direct) ground wave. The signals came from the 24.0 kHz transmitter, NAA, on the coast of Maine near the U.S.-Canada border, propagating ∼360 km E-NE, mainly over the sea, to Saint John and Prince Edward Island. The bottom edge of the midday, midsummer, ionosphere at ∼53.5° geomagnetic latitude was thus found to be well modeled by H′ = 71.8 ± 0.6 km and β = 0.335 ± 0.025 km−1 where H′ and β are Wait's traditional height and sharpness parameters used by the U.S. Navy in their Earth-ionosphere VLF radio waveguide programs. The variation of β with latitude is also estimated with the aid of interpolation using measured galactic cosmic ray fluxes.
The luteinizing hormone receptor knock-out mouse as a tool to probe the in vivo 1 actions of gonadotropic hormones/receptors in females 2

25 Mouse models with altered gonadotropin functions have provided invaluable insight into the 26 functions of these hormones/receptors. Here we describe the repurposing of the infertile and 27 hypogonadal LHR knockout mouse model (LuRKO), to address outstanding questions in 28 reproductive physiology. Using crossbreeding strategies and physiological and histological 29 analyses, we first addressed the physiological relevance of forced LHR homomerization in 30 female mice using BAC expression of two ligand-binding and signaling deficient mutant LHR, 31 respectively, that have previously shown to undergo functional complementation and rescue 32 the hypogonadal phenotype of male LuRKO mice. In female LuRKO mice, co-expression of 33 signaling and binding deficient LHR mutants failed to rescue the hypogonadal and anovulatory 34 phenotype. This was apparently due to the low-level expression of the two mutant LHR and 35 potential lack of LH/LHR-dependent pleiotropic signaling that has previously been shown at 36 high receptor densities to be essential for ovulation. Next, we utilized a mouse model 37 overexpressing human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) with increased circulating ‘LH/hCG’-like 38 bioactivity to ~40 fold higher than WT females, to determine if high circulating hCG in the 39 LuRKO background could reveal putative LHR-independent actions. No effects were found, 40 thus, suggesting that LH/hCG mediate their gonadal and non-gonadal effects solely via LHR. 41 Finally, targeted expression of a constitutively active FSHR progressed antral follicles to pre- 42 ovulatory follicles and displayed phenotypic markers of enhanced estrogenic activity but failed 43 to induce ovulation in LuRKO mice. This study highlights the critical importance and precise 44 control of functional LHR and FSHR for mediating ovarian functions and of the potential re- 45 purposing of existing genetically modified mouse models in answering outstanding questions 46 in reproductive physiology. FSHR( cyclicity. Constitutively activating shown that the expression of CAM FSHR could the hypogonadal infertility of the male LuRKO 20 ), suggesting a role for robust FSHR for LHR- and testosterone-dependent gonadal functions, including spermatogenesis. To address whether rescue could also take place in the FSHR we assessed their key reproductive parameters.
Imaging beta-amyloid burden in aging and dementia.

OBJECTIVE To compare brain beta-amyloid (Abeta) burden measured with [(11)C]Pittsburgh Compound B (PIB) PET in normal aging, Alzheimer disease (AD), and other dementias. METHODS Thirty-three subjects with dementia (17 AD, 10 dementia with Lewy bodies [DLB], 6 frontotemporal dementia [FTD]), 9 subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 27 age-matched healthy control subjects (HCs) were studied. Abeta burden was quantified using PIB distribution volume ratio. RESULTS Cortical PIB binding was markedly elevated in every AD subject regardless of disease severity, generally lower and more variable in DLB, and absent in FTD, whereas subjects with MCI presented either an "AD-like" (60%) or normal pattern. Binding was greatest in the precuneus/posterior cingulate, frontal cortex, and caudate nuclei, followed by lateral temporal and parietal cortex. Six HCs (22%) showed cortical uptake despite normal neuropsychological scores. PIB binding did not correlate with dementia severity in AD or DLB but was higher in subjects with an APOE-epsilon4 allele. In DLB, binding correlated inversely with the interval from onset of cognitive impairment to diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS Pittsburgh Compound B PET findings match histopathologic reports of beta-amyloid (Abeta) distribution in aging and dementia. Noninvasive longitudinal studies to better understand the role of amyloid deposition in the course of neurodegeneration and to determine if Abeta deposition in nondemented subjects is preclinical AD are now feasible. Our findings also suggest that Abeta may influence the development of dementia with Lewy bodies, and therefore strategies to reduce Abeta may benefit this condition.
Geolocator studies on Ruddy Turnstones Arenaria interpres and Greater Sandplovers Charadrius leschenaultii in the East Asian-Australasia Flyway reveal widely different migration strategies

In 2010, following successful trials with geolocators on Ruddy Turnstones in 2009, a total of 105 units, of four different models, were deployed at five locations on Ruddy Turnstones and Greater Sandplovers. Geolocator retrieval rates were 44% on Ruddy Turnstone and 27% on Greater Sandplover. Complete (59%) and partial (15%) technical failure rates on geolocators were high and were mostly the result of wear and saltwater corrosion. All 30 units from the Swiss Ornithological Institute failed. Only half of the Mk10 and Mk12 units from the British Antarctic Survey produced full migration histories. The northward migration of Ruddy Turnstones was on a narrow path with many birds completing an initial non-stop flight of 7,600 km to Taiwan. Later, most made a stopover in the Yellow Sea. Median migration duration was 39.5 days and average migration speed of the first major leg of the journey (assuming the birds followed the great circle route between stopovers) was 63.4 kph. Southward migration paths showed a much wider spread, ranging from Mongolia to the central Pacific. The latter involved the same bird that had been tracked along this route the previous year. It has now been logged on similar 27,000 km round trips in two successive years. The median duration of southward migration (78 days) was nearly twice that of northward migration and data on average migration speed for just two migration legs indicated that it might be lower, 30 and 40 kph being the values recorded. Greater Sandplovers were only tracked on northward migration but seemed to follow a similar migration strategy with a large initial non-stop flight followed by shorter flights and more regular stopovers. Plans are outlined for further analyses and future deployments of geolocators.
Agreement between Parent Proxy- and Child Self-Report of Pain Intensity and Health-Related Quality of Life after Surgery

OBJECTIVES— Monitoring patient-centered health outcomes after hospital discharge is important for identifying patients experiencing poor recovery after surgery. Utilizing parent reports may improve the feasibility of monitoring recovery when children are not available to provide self-report. We therefore aimed to examine agreement between parent and child reports of child pain and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children after hospital discharge from inpatient surgery. METHODS— 295 children aged 8–18 years and their parents reported on child pain intensity using an 11-point Numerical Rating Scale and on HRQOL using the 0-to-100 point Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Version 4.0 Generic Core Scales™ by phone or online, 4 to 8 weeks post-surgery. Agreement between parent and child ratings was assessed by absolute discrepancy scores, Pearson product-moment correlations, two-way mixed effects intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) models, and linear regression models. RESULTS— We found good to excellent agreement between child and parent reports of pain intensity and HRQOL. Average absolute discrepancy scores of pain intensity and HRQOL were 0.6 points and 7.8 points, respectively. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients were 0.74 and 0.80, and ICCs were 0.72 and 0.79, for pain intensity and HRQOL respectively. Regression coefficients for models examining pain intensity and HRQOL were 0.93–0.98 and 1.0, respectively. CONCLUSIONS— Although child and parent reports may both contribute important information, parent report is a valid proxy for child self-reported pain intensity and HRQOL after discharge from inpatient pediatric surgery, which may prove important for better understanding pain experiences and intervention needs. we defined ICC cutoffs as follows: ≤ 0.4, poor to fair agreement; 0.41–0.60, moderate agreement; 0.60–0.80, good agreement; and 0.81–1.00, excellent agreement. 23,27 Linear regression models were used to determine the association between parent proxy- and child self-report of pain intensity and PedsQL™ scores. Separate models were conducted for pain intensity, Total HRQOL, Physical Functioning, and Psychosocial Functioning. Multivariate regression models were conducted to examine the influence of sex, age, race/ethnicity, parent education level, and medical complexity on the relationship between child and parent reports. Linear regression models were also conducted to examine the influence of child HRQOL on pain agreement and child pain on HRQOL agreement. This is the first study to examine agreement between parent and child reports of pain intensity and HRQOL in an inpatient pediatric surgical population after discharge. Parent-report is a valid proxy for child self-reported of these metrics in this setting.