Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cretaceous–Paleogene plant extinction and recovery in Patagonia

Abstract. The Cretaceous–Paleogene (K/Pg) extinction appears to have been geographically heterogeneous for some organismal groups. Southern Hemisphere K/Pg palynological records have shown lower extinction and faster recovery than in the Northern Hemisphere, but no comparable, well-constrained Southern Hemisphere macrofloras spanning this interval had been available. Here, macrofloral turnover patterns are addressed for the first time in the Southern Hemisphere, using more than 3500 dicot leaves from the latest Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) and the earliest Paleocene (Danian) of Argentine Patagonia. A maximum ca. 90% macrofloral extinction and ca. 45% drop in rarefied species richness is estimated across the K/Pg, consistent with substantial species-level extinction and previously observed extirpation of host-specialized leaf mines. However, prior palynological and taxonomic studies indicate low turnover of higher taxa and persistence of general floral composition in the same sections. High species extinction, decreased species richness, and homogeneous Danian macrofloras across time and facies resemble patterns often observed in North America, but there are several notable differences. When compared with boundary-spanning macrofloras at similar absolute paleolatitudes (ca. 50°S or 50°N) from the Williston Basin (WB) in the Dakotas, both Maastrichtian and Danian Patagonian species richnesses are higher, extending a history of elevated South American diversity into the Maastrichtian. Despite high species turnover, our analyses also reveal continuity and expansion of leaf morphospace, including an increase in lobed and toothed species unlike the Danian WB. Thus, both Patagonian and WB K/Pg macrofloras support a significant extinction event, but they may also reflect geographically heterogeneous diversity, extinction, and recovery patterns warranting future study.
Hábitos alimentarios de los tiburones martillo Sphyrna lewini (Griffith & Smith) y Sphyrna zygaena (Linnaeus, 1758) en el Pacífico ecuatoriano

Se realizo el estudio de los habitos alimentarios de dos especies de tiburon martillo; Sphyrna lewini y S. zygaena, capturados con redes de enmalle por la flota pesquera artesanal de Ecuador y desembarcados en la playa de Tarqui, Manta, durante el segundo periodo de 2003. Se colectaron estomagos de 91 individuos de S. lewini y 156 de S. zygaena, para evaluar el espectro trofico. El estado de digestion de las presas y el indice de vacuidad permitio establecer el posible patron de alimentacion de estas dos especies. El numero de componentes alimentarios registrados es relativamente alto (39 para S. lewini y 41 para S. zygaena). En S. lewini se encuentra que los calamares Dosidicus gigas, Mastigoteuthis dentata y Ancistrocheirus lesuerurii son las presas principales: mientras que para S. zygaena son D. gigas, Shtenoteuthis oualaniensis y A. lesueurii. Debido a la biologia de las presas se considera que la alimentacion de ambos depredadores ocurre principalmente durante la noche en la zona oceanica. Se establecieron los patrones troficos determinando la variacion temporal, por talla y sexo de cada especie, utilizando diferentes metodos cuantitativos. A pesar de consumir algunas presas similares, la diferencia en su proporcion y la presencia de presas exclusivas que revisten importancia, hacen que el nivel de traslapo entre las dos especies de tiburon sea bajo, demostrando una posible segregacion especial de estos tiburones en la zona estudiada.
New insights on the Louis-Schmeling paradox: determinants of demand for subscription and pay-per-view boxing

ABSTRACT Research question Studies considering demand for professional boxing are almost completely absent from the Sport Management/Sports Economics literature. Little is known about consumer preferences for a sport which attracts global attention but is unique insofar as it is exempt from standard sporting institutions maintaining competitive balance. We use two new datasets to ask, what are the determinants of main event viewership (Nielsen ratings) and pay-per-views buys? In addressing this question we offer new insights on the uncertainty-of-outcome hypothesis and extend research on direct demand for individual sport. Research methods The datasets comprise of 210 HBO and Showtime broadcasts from 2006 to 2018. We estimate generalised linear models, controlling for economic determinants, bout features, boxer popularity and scheduling factors. Results and Findings For main events, we find conflicting evidence to the uncertainty-of-outcome hypothesis. Fans show a preference for rematches, domestic boxers and heavier divisions. NFL broadcasts and earlier scheduling negatively impact viewership. For pay-per-views, we find a positive price effect. Expectedly, Floyd Mayweather Jr increases buys. Both categories exhibit a negative trend with viewership and PPV buys declining over the sampling frame. Implications The results offer new evidence that is contrary to the uncertainty-of-outcome hypothesis for an individual sport. The findings point to differences in consumer preferences between two sources of demand for the same sport. Practically, these can inform the strategic decision-making of broadcasters, promoters, advertisers and potential new broadcasting entrants.
The nature and prevalence of kinship care: Focus on young kinship carers

Funding information R E Ross Trust, Grant/Award Number: 38365; Sidney Myer Fund, Grant/Award Number: PDLM1502 Abstract Young kinship carers tend to be overlooked in kinship care policy and practice. This Australian research project explored the prevalence of kinship care households in Australia, with a particular focus on households headed by young kinship carers. Census data were utilized to explore the number of kinship care households across the carer age spectrum and some of their characteristics, including households with Indigenous carers and carers with a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) identity. Characteristics of households headed by carers aged 16–30 years were explored in some detail, and comparisons made with young parents. The data pointed to particular challenges for young kinship carers in relation to post-secondary education, employment and income security. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.
Mechanisms at Different pH for Stabilization of Arsenic in Mine Tailings Using Steelmaking Slag

The mechanisms at different pH for the stabilization of arsenic (As) in mine tailings (MTs) using steelmaking slag were investigated using laboratory experiments. Two types of steelmaking slag were used in the experiments. Ca-slag has high pH and high calcium oxide content due to its short period of aging. In contrast, Fe-slag is oxidized for a long time and is richer in Fe than in Ca. The As-contaminated MTs were taken from a tailing-storage dam around an abandoned gold mine in Korea. The tailings had an average As concentration of 2225.3 mg/kg. The As-removal batch experiment was performed to investigate the As-removal characteristics of the steelmaking slag. From SEM/EDS analyses after each batch experiment, Ca-As bearing precipitates were broadly found on the surface of Ca-slag particles and the final pH of the solution increased to 12.3. However, for Fe-slag, the As was locally found as forms adsorbed to the surface of Fe and Mn oxides contained in the Fe-slag particles. The final pH of this solution was 8.4. The efficiency of removal of As from water using the Ca-slag was >97% and that with Fe-slag was 79%. This suggests that As ions in solution were removed by Ca-(co-)precipitation (which occurs comprehensively on the Ca-slag surface), or by restrictive adsorption of Fe- and Mn-oxides (on limited parts of the Fe-slag). To determine the efficiency of As-extraction reduction from MTs using steel slags, arsenic-extraction batch experiments with two slags were performed under acidic conditions, simulating the leaching environment formed around a mine tailing storage dam. The As concentration in the extracted solution was decreased by 69.9% (even at pH 2) after the addition of 5% Fe-slag. However, when 5% Ca-slag was added, the As concentration decreased by 42.3% at pH 2. These results suggest that Fe-rich steel slag can be more effective than Ca-rich steel slag as a stabilizer for As in contaminated mine tailings at low pH.
A Climatology of the Marine Atmospheric Boundary Layer Over the Southern Ocean From Four Field Campaigns During 2016–2018

A climatology of the marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL) and the lower free troposphere over the Southern Ocean (SO) is constructed using 2,186 high‐resolution atmospheric soundings from four recent campaigns conducted in the period of 2016–2018. Relationships between the synoptic meteorology and MABL thermodynamic structure are examined using a k‐means cluster analysis, complemented by front and cyclone composite analyses. Seven distinct clusters are identified, five of which are consistent with an established climatology over the SO storm track. Two new clusters (C1 and C2) are introduced over the high‐latitude SO. C1 is commonly located poleward of the ocean polar front near mesocyclones, while C2 is located along the Antarctic coastline. A multilayer cloud structure is frequently present in clusters in the vicinity of fronts and cyclones, while a single‐layer coverage is more common in a suppressed environment, particularly at lower latitudes. A cloud‐free, multilevel inversion is frequently observed in cluster C2, possibly linked to the descending, dry, katabatic winds off the Antarctic coast. A strong, primary inversion is typically present in clusters at lower latitudes with high mean sea level pressure. Across the SO storm track and higher latitudes (cluster C1), a multilevel inversion structure is also commonly observed. A preliminary analysis of two case studies suggests that upper level advection and detrainment of convection associated with mesocyclones are potential drivers of the multilayer cloud coverage over the high‐latitude SO rather than the decoupling mechanisms common in the subtropics.
Shark bite injuries on three inshore dolphin species in tropical northwestern Australia

Predation risk has a profound influence on the behavior of marine mammals, affecting grouping patterns and habitat use. Dolphins frequently bear evidence of shark bites, which can provide an indirect measure of predation pressure. Using photo-identification data, we investigated the prevalence of shark bites on three sympatric species of inshore dolphin, the Australian snubfin (Orcaella heinsohni), Australian humpback (Sousa sahulensis), and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus), among four study sites in northwestern Australia. Bite prevalence varied markedly between species, with 72% of snubfin, 46% of humpback, and 18% of bottlenose dolphins exhibiting evidence of shark bites. Binomial logistic regression confirmed a high likelihood of bite presence on snubfin dolphins, and at one particular site for snubfin and bottlenose dolphins. The prevalence of tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) bites on snubfin dolphins was high, and bites attributed to other carcharhinid sharks were observed on all species. While acknowledging methodological differences with other studies, the prevalence of shark bites on snubfin dolphins is among the highest reported for any dolphins, suggesting predation risk represents an important but varying influence thereon. This study provides a baseline for future investigations into the affect of predation risk on the behavioral ecology of these sympatric species.
The effects of social vs. asocial threats on group cooperation and manipulation of perceived threats

Abstract Abstract Individuals benefit from maintaining the well-being of their social groups and helping their groups to survive threats such as intergroup competition, harsh environments and epidemics. Correspondingly, much research shows that groups cooperate more when competing against other groups. However, ‘social’ threats (i.e. outgroups) should elicit stronger cooperation than ‘asocial’ threats (e.g. environments, diseases) because (a) social losses involve a competitor's gain and (b) a strong cooperative reaction to defend the group may deter future outgroup threats. We tested this prediction in a multiround public goods game where groups faced periodic risks of failure (i.e. loss of earnings) which could be overcome by sufficient cooperation. This threat of failure was framed as either a social threat (intergroup competition) or an asocial threat (harsh environment). We find that cooperation was higher in response to social threats than asocial threats. We also examined participants’ willingness to manipulate apparent threats to the group: participants raised the perceived threat level similarly for social and asocial threats, but high-ranking participants increased the appearance of social threats more than low-ranking participants did. These results show that people treat social threats differently than asocial threats, and support previous work on leaders’ willingness to manipulate perceived threats.
Impact of fast and slow transient charging effect on reliability instability in In0.7Ga0.3As quantum-well MOSFETs with high-κ dielectrics

The impact of the fast and slow transient charge effect within defect sites of high-κ dielectrics for Al2O3 and bi-layer Al2O3/HfO2 In0.7Ga0. 3As quantum-well (QW) MOSFETs was investigated in this report. In particular, the initial rapid degradation of the drain current for bi-layer Al2O3/HfO2 In0.7Ga0. 3As QW MOSFETs was due to the fast transient charging effect. The continued decrease of the drain current with pulse time was attributed to the slow transient charging effect, which is located near the interface oxide traps to respond to increased charging time. The degradation of drain current for bi-layer Al2O3/HfO2 In0.7Ga0. 3As QW MOSFETs was much higher than that of the Al2O3 In0.7Ga0. 3As QW MOSFET, which is associated with reliability instability of the HfO2 layer for In0.7Ga0. 3As QW MOSFETs. The detailed reliability instability mechanism for bi-layer Al2O3/HfO2 In0.7Ga0. 3As QW MOSFETs was analyzed based on the fast/slow transient charge effect and flicker (1/f) noise characteristics.
Development of formulation of fluorescent pseudomonads and its evaluation on bio-management of blast of rice

Abstract Fluorescent Pseudomonads (Pseudomonas fluorescens and P. putida) were formulated in talc, bentonite, palm oil and coconut oil for the management of blast disease of rice. The formulated products showed promising shelf-value. The formulated products were evaluated by root dipping of rice seedlings and foliar spray followed by inoculation with M. oryzae in pots. All growth parameters, yield parameters, incidence and severity of blast or rice were significantly influenced at every growth stage of rice. Yield contributing parameters were increased significantly giving the highest benefit cost ratio (BCR) compared to untreated control. Among the treatments, T11 (10% BdPf-8 Talc) and T13 (1% BdPf-8 Palm Oil) gave the highest yield 5.18 t/ha and 5.13 t/ha with the highest BCR 2.10 and 2.08, respectively. A negative correlation was observed among vegetative parameters, disease incidence and disease severity. Pseudomonas fluorescens (BdPf-8) can be a potential candidate for commercial production for controlling blast or rice.
Do Women Pay a Higher Price for Power? Gender Bias in Political Violence in Sweden

Violence and intimidation against politicians is gaining attention in research on obstacles to political gender equality, but we still do not know whether women experience more violence as politicians than men. This article provides the first comprehensive empirical analysis of physical and psychological gender-based violence against officeholders across the political hierarchy. Based on three waves of survey data on 8,000 local-level politicians in Sweden, I find that the most pronounced gender gap in violence exists among politicians high in the political hierarchy. Female mayors experience far more violence than any other politician. Further, there are indications that women receive a higher penalty than men for media visibility and for supporting minorities. This suggests that perpetrators of political violence are biased toward targeting women, particularly more powerful and visible women. The findings have important implications for understanding the personal price paid for holding positions of political power and how it differs by gender.
Utilization of electronic marketing and economic determinants to improve income of dairy cattle farmer in Boyolali, Central Java - Indonesia

This study aimed to analyze the impact of electronic marketing utilization and to determine the economic determinants to increase the income of small dairy farmers in Boyolali, Central Java, Indonesia. A survey of 80 dairy farmers from the Cepogo District, Boyolali was determined by simple random sampling. The results showed that the average milk production was 8.3 liters/head/day, the revenue of IDR 3,824,000 per month, production costs of IDR 2,105,000 per month, and income of IDR 1,719,000 per month. Furthermore, by using electronics marketing, farmers could sell 40% of their products to coffee shops and generate revenue of IDR 5,411,500, production costs of IDR 2,705,000 and income of IDR 2,706,500. The utilization of the electronic marketing could increase R/C from 2.1 to 2.43. Economic factors that influence income are market prices, transportation and communication costs, marketing costs and distance traveled. Based on the results of the study it can be concluded that the use of the electronic market can expand the market, increase milk prices and ultimately will increase income
In vitro Antifungal Activity of Musk

Fungi are everywhere. Fungi play a great role in causing some of the dangerous diseases affecting human, animal and plant. This study was carried out to evaluate in vitro effects of different concentrations of musk (25, 50, 75or 100 %) and amounts (1, 2 or 4 ml) on five fungi which include Aspergillus fumigates, Aspergillus niger, Alternaria spp. , Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Fusarium spp. Results indicated that all concentrations and amounts of musk had inhibitory effects on the growth of studied pathogenic fungi and eliminated completely. The results revealed that musk has inhibitory and killer effect at the low concentration 25 % and small amount 1 ml. It was also shown that musk was more effective than the antibiotic Clotrimazole. These results indicated that musk can be used as a safe natural product in the management and control of pathogenic fungi, so it provides a promising source for new drug development.
Characterization of PRA2 and VAP-A, two regulators of protein trafficking between the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi compartments

Regulation of vesicle trafficking is required to maintain the specific make-up of each membrane compartment. Prenylated Rab acceptor 1 (PRA1) is known to interact with Rab GTPases and VAMP2, proteins involved in vesicle trafficking, suggesting PRA isoforms could regulate vesicle trafficking. The first aim was to characterize PRA’s interaction with Rabs and VAMP2. Using point mutations and in vitro binding assays, I discovered that PRAs interact with multiple Rabs independent of their guanine nucleotidebound state and identified three residues (N70, S76, H I66), whose mutation induced a strong modification to PR A l’s interaction with both Rab3A and VAMP2. These results suggest PRA might employ the same binding site to interact with multiple proteins. The second aim was to identify novel PRA-interacting proteins and clarify the function of PRAs. I initiated a yeast two-hybrid screen with PRA1 as bait, and identified VAMPassociated protein A (VAP-A), a protein also believed to be involved in vesicle trafficking. In CHO cells, VAP-A extensively co-localized with the ER-localized PRA2 rather than the predominantly Golgi-localized PRA1, and co-immunoprecipitation confirmed the in vivo PRA2-VAP-A interaction. In immunofluorescence and biochemical assays, overexpression of VAP-A or PRA2 delayed the ER-to-Golgi trafficking of the secretory pathway marker VSVGts045. Also, FRAP assays demonstrated that unlike PRA2, VAP-A achieved this by inhibiting the ER-lateral movement of VSVGts045, thereby delaying the protein’s exit from the ER. ER budding assays confirmed that VAP-A overexpression reduced VSVGts045 sequestration onto vesicles. The addition of the microtubule-depolymerizing agent nocodazole rescued the VAP-A-induced reduction in VSVGts045 budding. This suggests
Centrifuge modeling of batter pile behavior under explosion loading

Abstract This research aims to study the effect of pile arrangement and inclination on the bending moment of piles as well as the horizontal acceleration of the cap under explosion loadings. Data was obtained from five centrifuge tests, which were performed on a 2 × 2 pile group with various arrangements of vertical and batter piles. The results showed that among all the tested models, the pile group with four batter piles experienced minimum horizontal acceleration at the cap but maximum bending moment along the piles.
Water balance of the turn-of-the-century drought in the Southwestern United States

Analysis of the water balance of the southwestern United States (SWUS) during 1900 through 2018 was used to evaluate the magnitude of the turn-of-the-century (TOC) drought in the SWUS. Results indicate that the warm season (April through September) soil moisture and runoff during the TOC drought were among the lowest values of the 1900 through 2018 period. Additionally, increases in temperature were identified as a significant driver of low soil moisture and runoff conditions during the warm season. In contrast, during the cool seasons (October through March) and the water year (October 1 through September 30) during the TOC drought, soil moisture and runoff did not indicate extremely dry conditions even though temperatures were the highest of the 1900 through 2018 period.
Taxonomic and nomenclatural notes on Pontic-Mediterranean coastal and some Australasian taxa of Salsola (Chenopodiaceae)

Current and historical views on taxonomy and nomenclature of Pontic-Mediterranean coastal and some Australasian taxa of Salsola (Chenopodiaceae) are analyzed. Taxonomic identity and nomenclature of several names applied and misapplied to members of the species group known in recent publications mainly as Salsola pontica (Pall.) Degen sensu lato are discussed. It is demonstrated that Kali dodecanesicum C. Brullo & al. is a later synonym of Salsola squarrosa Steven ex Moq. , which appears to be the earliest species-rank name available for the whole Pontic-Mediterranean group of taxa. This group is represented by Western Mediterranean (S. controversa Tod. ex Lojac.), Eastern Mediterranean (S. squarrosa s. str.), and mainly Pontic (S. pontica s. str.) geographical races. Considering the blurred morphological and geographical limits between these taxa, they are better treated as three subspecies of S. squarrosa: subsp. controversa (Tod. ex Lojac.) Mosyakin, comb. nov., subsp. squarrosa, and subsp. pontica (Pall.) Mosyakin, comb. nov., respectively. It is demonstrated that S. macrophylla R. Br. (described from Australia) is not conspecific with any of Pontic-Mediterranean coastal taxa but is probably related to the currently recognized species S. australis R. Br. The identity of S. brachypteris Moq. (described from Java, Indonesia) remains uncertain but, judging from available evidence, it is most probably either related to or conspecific with S. macrophylla, or some other insufficiently known Australasian species. The problem of conflicting typifications and application of the name S. caroliniana Walter is briefly discussed; it is concluded that the name should be proposed for rejection. The need for further morphological, molecular phylogenetic, and phylogeographic studies of coastal Eurasian and Australasian species of Salsola is emphasized.