Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dentitions of Late Palaeozoic Orthacanthus species and new species of ?Xenacanthus (Chondrichthyes: Xenacanthiformes) from North America

Orthacanthus lateral teeth have paired, variably divergent, smooth, usually carinated labio-lingually compressed principal cusps separated by a central foramen; one or more intermediate cusps; and an apical button on the base isolated from the cusps. Several thousand isolated teeth from Texas Artinskian bulk samples are used to define the heterodont dentitions of O. texensis and O. platypternus . The O. texensis tooth base has a labio-lingual width greater than the anteromedial-posterolateral length, the basal tubercle is restricted to the thick labial margin, the principal cusps are serrated to varying degrees, and the posterior cusp is larger. The O. platypternus tooth base is longer than wide, its basal tubercle extends to the center, the labial margin is thin, serrations are absent on the principal cusps, the anterior cusp is larger, and a single intermediate cusp is present. More than two hundred isolated teeth from Nebrasca (Gzhelian) and Pennsylvania (Asselian) provide apreliminary description of the heterodont dentition of O. compressus . The principal cusps are similar to O. texensis but usually(? ) are not serrated, and the base is usually wider than long but has a thin or sometimes thick labial margin beneath a single intermediate cusp. A few dozen very small isolated teeth define two ? Xenacanthus dentitions . X. ossiani sp. nov. (Gzhelian, Nebrasca) teeth have a thin, longer than wide base with a flange at one end, an isolated apical button, a centrally extended basal tubercle, and a central foramen; the principal and intermediate cusps are recumbent, divergent, highly compressed, smooth and lack serrations. X. slaughteri sp. nov. (Artinskian, Texas) teeth have nearly parallel, smooth, carinated, nonserrated, compressed principal cusps and intermediate cusp; the base is thin, longer than wide, with the apical button often in contact with the principal cusps, present or absent central foramen, and basal tubercle restricted to the labial margin. The new species of ? Xenacanthus , as well as O. platypternus and other xenacanth species, appear to be endemic to North America. Other upper Palaeozoic species are endemic to Europe. However, O. compressus and possibly O. texensis are similar to some European species. Despite the Appalachian-Hercynian barrier, dispersal may have occurred in coastal marine waters during a migration phase of the reproductive cycle of some Orthacanthus species.
Foraminifera on the Demerara Rise offshore Surinam: crustal subsidence or shallowing of an oxygen minimum zone?

Abstract The lower bathyal Ocean Drilling Program Hole 1261A was sampled near an upper Quaternary oxygen minimum zone (OMZ). Glauconite, the percentage of the foraminiferal assemblage as benthic specimens and assemblage composition were used to investigate the behaviour of the OMZ. Benthic foraminifera and glauconite were comparable with the upper margin of the modern OMZ off California. The percentage abundances of U. peregrina and C. laevigata were on the Demerara Rise negatively correlated, the proportional abundance of U. peregrina increasing upwards through the section. This reflects variations in proximity to the upper margin of the OMZ. This might reflect either crustal subsidence or long-term shallowing of the OMZ during the earlier late Quaternary. Neither hypothesis can be accepted unequivocally. The purported subsidence can be ascribed to crustal loading by the Amazon and Orinoco deep-sea fans, but this would require that the palaeodepth to the top of the OMZ remains constant across several glacial–interglacial cycles. In contrast, it is difficult to envisage any mechanism that could have caused progressive shallowing of the OMZ across several glacial–interglacial cycles. The epifaunal Planulina wuellerstorfi is related to more oxic waters and enhanced current action. This suggests that intervals with more abundant P. wuellerstorfi were somewhat less dysoxic than those with few. These intervals approximate to those with more abundant C. laevigata. Superimposed on this low-frequency signal is a higher-frequency signal, indicated by a between-sample assemblage turnover index (ATIs) that might prove useful for long-range sequence stratigraphic correlation at bathyal depths.
Holocene hyrax dung deposits in the afroalpine belt of the Bale Mountains (Ethiopia) and their palaeoclimatic implication

Abstract The results of pollen analysis and radiocarbon dating are presented for two hyrax dung deposits from rock shelters found in the Afroalpine zone of the Bale Mountains (South-Central Ethiopia). Deposits accumulated from about 15,000 to 1500 (cal) years BP and from 7000 (cal) years BP till nowadays, respectively. Pollen spectra of the initial stages of deposit development (up to 15,000 (cal) years BP) correlate with unfavourable conditions in the Late Glacial Maximum. The African Humid Period (AHP) (15,000–5000 (cal) years BP) is registered in this palaeoecological record as well as the Younger Dryas event (about 12,500 (cal) years BP). Upward shift of Afromontane forest belt and expansion of ericoid communities at high altitudes were characteristic of the Pleistocene/Holocene transition (about 10,000 (cal) years BP). The AHP which continues around 10,000 (cal) years BP after Younger Dryas, was interrupted by a dry episode around 8200 (cal) years BP. Principal aridisation trend during the last 5000 years was observed. Presumably the first traces of human activities in this area can be shown for up about 2500 (cal) years BP.
HLA: Facts and Findings

Human Major Histocompatibility Complex also known as Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) system is an extended portion of human genome spanning a region of about 4000 Kb on the short arm of chromosome 6 between 6p21.31 and 6p21.32. 1. This region contains a large number of polymorphic genes with variable expression and function which are arranged close together and are generally inherited as a haplotype. These genes have been grouped into different clusters based on their structural and functional characteristics namely: Class I, II and III. Due to their diploid nature, an individual inherits two alleles of each HLA loci, one each from either parent. Furthermore, due to very low recombination frequency (less than 1%), a complete set of alleles on the same chromosome is usually inherited as a haplotype. Approximately 150 billion or even more genotypic combinations are possible in the HLA system. According to Klein, such a polymorphism is not only advantageous for an individual, but also enhances the survivality of the species surrounded by plethora of pathogens.
Deglacial palaeoclimate at Puerto del Hambre, subantarctic Patagonia, Chile

The primary objective of this study is to further substantiate multistep climatic forcing of late-glacial vegetation in southern South America. A secondary objective is to establish the age of deglaciation in Estrecho de Magallanes–Bahia Inutil. Pollen assemblages at 2-cm intervals in a core of the mire at Puerto del Hambre (53°36′21″S, 70°55′53″W) provide the basis for reconstructing the vegetation and a detailed account of palaeoclimate in subantarctic Patagonia. Chronology over the 262-cm length of core is regulated by 20 AMS radiocarbon dates between 14 455 and 10 089 14C yr BP. Of 13 pollen assemblage zones, the earliest representing the Oldest Dryas chronozone (14 455–13 000 14C yr BP) records impoverished steppe with decreasing frequencies and loss of southern beech (Nothofagus). Successive 100-yr-long episodes of grass/herbs and of heath (Empetrum/Ericaceae) before 14 000 14C yr BP infer deglacial successional communities under a climate of increased continentality prior to the establishment of grass-dominated steppe. The Bolling–Allerod (13 000–11 000 14C yr BP) is characterised by mesic grassland under moderating climate that with abrupt change to heath dominance after 12 000 14C yr BP was warmer and not as humid. At the time of the Younger Dryas (11 000–10 000 14C yr BP), grass steppe expanded with a return of colder, more humid climate. Later, with gradual warming, communities were invaded by southern beech. The Puerto del Hambre record parallels multistep, deglacial palaeoclimatic sequences reported elsewhere in the Southern Andes and at Taylor Dome in Antarctica. Deglaciation of Estrecho de Magallanes–Bahia Inutil is dated close to 14 455 14C yr BP, invalidating earlier dates of between 15 800 and 16 590 14C yr BP. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of the mixing properties within the Antarctic stratospheric vortex on ozone loss in spring

Calculations of equivalent length from an artificial advected tracer provide new insight into the isentropic transport processes occurring within the Antarctic stratospheric vortex. These calculations show two distinct regions of approximately equal area: a strongly mixed vortex core and a broad ring of weakly mixed air extending out to the vortex boundary. This broad ring of vortex air remains isolated from the core between late winter and midspring. Satellite measurements of stratospheric H2O confirm that the isolation lasts until at least mid-October. A three-dimensional chemical transport model simulation of the Antarctic ozone hole quantifies the ozone loss within this ring and demonstrates its isolation. In contrast to the vortex core, ozone loss in the weakly mixed broad ring is not complete. The reasons are twofold. First, warmer temperatures in the broad ring prevent continuous polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) formation and the associated chemical processing (i.e., the conversion of unreactive chlorine into reactive forms). Second, the isolation prevents ozone-rich air from the broad ring mixing with chemically processed air from the vortex core. If the stratosphere continues to cool, this will lead to increased PSC formation and more complete chemical processing in the broad ring. Despite the expected decline in halocarbons, sensitivity studies suggest that this mechanism will lead to enhanced ozone loss in the weakly mixed region, delaying the future recovery of the ozone hole.
Willandra Lakes revisited: environmental framework for human occupation

The story of the Willandra Lakes is also the story of those ancient people who lived there. The landforms, sediments and soils provide the environmental framework within which the patterns of human occupation must be interpreted. The original stratigraphic system involved just two units, the Mungo and Zanci. Two additional units are now defined; one incorporating complexities between Mungo and Zanci, the Arumpo Unit, and a second to acknowledge the reality of a lake full phase near 18ka cal. , postdating Zanci aridity of the last glacial maximum. This new unit is defined from Lake Mulurulu as the Mulurulu Unit. Improved facies analysis from data involving lake sediments, freshwater quartz beach sands (QBSs) and lake-dry pelletal clay dunes (PCDs) helps refine the sequence of environmental changes. Revision of radiocarbon chronologies with conversion to calendar years, and additional dates (radiocarbon, luminescence, amino acid racemisation) permit new age definitions of major environmental changes and human-land interactions. Following a lake-full phase (Lower Mungo time) from before about 55ka cal. , a phase of PCD accumulation is dated to near 40ka cal. defining an early stage of hydrologic stress. Progressive water level oscillations continued (Arumpo time) culminating in major drying with deflation and extension of regional dune building over large areas of the Murray Basin near 20ka cal. (Zanci time). Freshwater returned temporarily to the Willandra lakes about 18–19ka cal. Throughout the period 25–19ka cal. spanning the glacial maximum, the apparent absence of fish and unionid mussels may reflect major temperature depression corresponding also to the period of maximum aridity. The ecological stress experienced at this time had an immense impact on the landscape, plants and especially larger animals, requiring new adaptive responses from human occupants. Early grinding techniques, pre-dating evidence of seed grinding, are suggested. Reconstruction of the sedimentary sequence at the main archaeological site at Joulni reveals a pre-Mungo unit deep in the sequence of a system developed by barrier construction isolating the Joulni Plain from the main lake. Analogous conditions at Lake Victoria today mirror development of the Joulni archaeological site. Oldest artefacts occurring within this un-named unit are dated beyond 45ka cal. Human occupation on the lakeshore barrier system at Lake Mungo involved aquatic harvesting (fish and shellfish) associated with human burials before the onset of PCD deposition, pre-40ka-cal. The association here of the complex burial ritual (Mungo III) involving anointing with ochre at this time presents one of the dramatic mysteries of ancient human cultural development. In death, the story of that person illuminates our understanding of those ancient occupants and the Ice Age environments that supported them.
Inter-comparison of 11-year solar cycle response in mesospheric ozone and temperature obtained by HALOE satellite data and HAMMONIA model

[1] To investigate the effects of decadal solar variability on ozone and temperature in the MLT region, data obtained from the Halogen Occultation Experiment (HALOE) aboard Upper Atmospheric Research Satellite (UARS) during the period 1992–2004 are analyzed using a multifunctional regression model. The experimental results are compared with results from the 3-D chemistry climate model HAMMONIA (Hamburg Model of Neutral and Ionized Components). The simulated and observed responses of temperature and ozone profiles to the 11-year solar cycle show many similarities. The inferred annual-mean solar signal in ozone is found to be insignificant in the lower mesosphere whereas it is of the order of 5%/100 sfu (solar flux units; units of 10.7 cm radio flux) in the upper mesosphere for both low and mid latitudes. Results indicate a hemispheric symmetry in the tropics but not at midlatitudes for the ozone response. The inferred annual mean temperature response is found to be of the order of 0.5–1 K/100 sfu. There is better agreement between the HALOE derived and model simulated responses in the tropics than at midlatitudes, both in temperature and ozone. Results obtained in the present study are also compared with the results obtained by other models.
Clinical value of quantitative analysis of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant pelvic tumors

Background Cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, and ovarian cancer are among the top 10 most common cancers in women, with ovarian cancer in particular being considered a “silent killer”. Therefore, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment constitute important means of care for women’s health. This study investigated the clinical value of the quantitative analysis of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant pelvic tumors. Methods CEUS was performed on 151 patients with pelvic masses. Subsequently, a qualitative diagnosis was completed using the image enhancement features and tumor parameters. A multiparametric analysis of CEUS images was performed, which included the following parameters: arrival time (AT), time to peak (TTP), peak intensity (PI), and ascent slope (AS). In addition, the qualitative diagnostic efficiency of CEUS was assessed in a multiparametric analysis, and the results were compared with pathological findings. Results The patients in the malignant group were older (P=0.001) and had larger lesion PI values (P<0.01) than those in the benign group. The PI difference (PId) and the AS difference (ASd) showed statistical differences (P<0.01) between the myometrium and lesion tissues in the same patient. Moreover, the PId and ASd showed the largest receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under the ROC curve (AUC), with sensitivities of 90.9% and 91.7% and specificities of 86.4% and 72.5%, respectively. Conclusions The quantitative analysis of CEUS provides a new, simpler, and more accurate method for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant pelvic masses in clinical practice. The sensitivities and specificities of PId and ASd were higher compared to other parameters from the same patient.
Convective coupling between ductile lower crust and upper mantle, and its tectonic implications

SUMMARY The dynamic response of the crust and upper mantle to asthenospheric convective flow related to hot mantle diapiric upwelling is numerically evaluated in order to examine the implications for geological phenomena such as rifting, back-arc spreading, sedimentary basin and mountain building. For island arc areas such as the Japanese Islands and for ridge subducting areas such as the Basin and Range region, where both lower crust and upper mantle may behave as ductile layers in some evolutionary stages, the mechanical coupling between convection in the two layers may play an important role in the mantle dynamics related to these geological phenomena. Significant surface response to mantle diapiric upwelling occurs even when the whole crust effectively works as an elastic layer. The magnitude of surface uplift predicted for this crustal rheological state depends on the thickness of the lithosphere and on the spatial scale of the mantle diapir. However, the effective viscosity of the lower crust may decrease with increasing duration of diapiric upwelling. If the effective viscosities of the lower crust and asthenosphere are 1019-1021 Pa s, the asthenospheric convective flow induced by a mantle diapiric upwelling with a radius about 50 km, a scale of feature which has been seismically observed in the upper mantle beneath the Japanese Islands, may squeeze out the lower crustal material laterally. This would be followed by maximum surface subsidence of about 300–500 m and by upward migration of the Moho discontinuity by up to 3–5 km on a geological time-scale of 5–50 Ma. Thus, the coupling between the convection in the lower crust and upper mantle is mechanical, and the lower crustal material is dragged along by the shear stresses operating at the base of the lower crust. In this process, the space originally occupied by lower crustal material is replaced by mantle material, leading to thinning of the lower crust. Thus, in some geological situations having a hot mantle plume beneath the crust, a change of tectonic style can be expected as a result of a change of the state of convective coupling between the lower crust and upper mantle. Geological phenomena associated with this convective coupling may also depend on the geometry of the region surrounding the mantle diapiric upwelling. For example, the subducted slab in island arc areas will operate as a barrier to the lateral movement of lower crustal material. Thus, accumulation of lower crustal material, referred to as lower crustal megalith, may occur at the edge of the overriding plate. The overpressure caused by the accumulation of this megalith may be a crucial factor in determining the coupling state between the subducted slab and island arc, and may play an important role in and/or work as a trigger in the evolutionary histories of the island arc and related back-arc spreading.
Predictive performance of SOFA (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment) and qSOFA (quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment) for in-hospital mortality in ICU patients with COVID-19 of referral center in the north of Iran a retrospective study

Introduction: Patients diagnosed with Coronavirus disease 2019 exhibit varied clinical outcomes, with a reported mortality rate exceeding 30% in those requiring admission to the ICU. The objective of this study was to assess the predictive capacity of Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) and quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) scores in determining mortality risk among severe COVID-19 patients. Method and materials: This retrospective study was performed by analyzing the data of patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalized in the ICUs. Data collection of the parameters required to calculate the SOFA and qSOFA Scores were extracted from patient’s medical records. All data analysis was performed using SPSS V.25. Significance level considered as P less than 0.05. Findings: In this study, 258 patients were included. The results showed that the subjects ranged in age from 21 to 98 years with a mean and SD of 62.7±15.6. Of all patients, 127 (49.2%) were female and the rest were male. The mortality rate was 102 (39.5%). The underlying disease of diabetes mellitus with an odds ratio of 1.81 (CI=1.02–3.22) had a significant effect on mortality. In addition, a significant correlation was obtained between admission duration and SOFA score (r=0.147, P=0.018). The SOFA had a very high accuracy of 0.941 and at the cut-off point less than 5 had a sensitivity and specificity of 91.2% and 82.7%. In addition, qSOFA had high accuracy (0.914) and a sensitivity and specificity of 87.3% and 91.7% at the optimal cutting point of greater than 1. Conclusion: The findings of present study illustrated that deceased COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU had higher scores on both SOFA and qSOFA scales than surviving patients. Also, both scales have high sensitivity and specificity for anticipating of mortality in these patients. The underlying diabetes mellitus was associated with an increase in patient mortality.
Determinants of Spatial Distribution of Organic Farming in Germany

The share of organically managed land is spread unevenly throughout Germany and shows pronounced regional concentrations. The spatial distribution of organic farming is assumed to be influenced by several factors. Location factors of farms are regionally different and thus may influence the spatial distribution of organic farming. Agglomeration effects and therefore spatial dependence are also considered important in determining spatial distribution. These factors with a potential influence on the spatial distribution of organic farming can be divided into four categories: natural factors, farm-structure factors, socio-economic factors and political factors. Their possible influence on the spatial distribution of organic farming is analysed by several statistical methods: ordinary least square regression model, spatial autoregressive models, analysis of variance and Spearman correlation. Of the analysed factors, spatial contiguity has the strongest influence on the spatial distribution of organic farming (indicating relevant agglomeration effects).
Instability of a lithospheric step beneath western North Island, New Zealand

Lithospheres of different thicknesses are often juxtaposed by movement on a continental-transform boundary. Such a boundary with a step change in densities may trigger a gravitational instability as lateral pressure gradients are created where normal mantle lithosphere terminates against less dense asthenospheric mantle. Here we show, for plausible values of the lithospheric viscosity, a mechanism by which the thicker mantle lithosphere will drip off into the lower density asthenosphere. As the mantle deforms it also progressively thickens and then thins the overlying crust, creating a topographic wave that migrates in concert with the removal of mantle lithosphere. Within western North Island, New Zealand, geophysical data define a sharp lithospheric step across the Taranaki-Ruapehu line, and geological observations provide a history of uplift and subsidence that has propagated southward in the past 12 m.y. The rate of observed north to south migration of the wave (∼30 mm/yr), its wavelength (∼250 km), and amplitude (∼±1 km) are compatible with it being caused by progressive removal of mantle lithosphere, if the viscosity of the uppermost lithospheric mantle is ∼5 × 10 20 Pa⋅s, providing one of the clearest examples yet of this fundamental geological process.