Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A mid-Cretaceous dinosaur track assemblage from the Hengshan Formation in central Zhejiang, China

ABSTRACT The Cretaceous Hengshan Formation at the Baxian tracksite, central Zhejiang has yielded more than 20 sauropod tracks with a considerable size range (pes length ranging from 22.7–83.7 cm). The assemblage consists of a more complete trackway of a large animal, a less complete trackway of a large animal with a similar orientation and, a small manus-pes set indicating a smaller trackmaker. Thus, it is a small ichnoassociation with tracks indicating different-sized trackmakers that moved in different directions. From a global perspective the assemblage is important, because it is another data point indicating the presence of different size-classes and mixed associations with very small and large sauropods, probably representing juvenile and adult individuals. These tracks are the first reported from the mid-Cretaceous of this region, being therefore slightly younger than those already known from Early Cretaceous sites, which are also attributed to sauropods.
Examination of Zinc in the Circadian System

Zinc is a trace element that is essential for a large number of biological and biochemical processes in the body. In the nervous system zinc is packaged into synaptic vesicles by the ZnT3 transporter, and synaptic release of zinc can influence the activity of postsynaptic cells, either directly though its own cognate receptors, or indirectly by modulating activation of receptors for other neurotransmitters. Here, we explore the anatomical and functional aspects of zinc in the circadian system. Melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells in the mouse retina were found to colocalize ZnT3, indicating that they can release zinc at their synaptic targets. While the master circadian clock in the hamster suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) was found to contain, at best, sparse zincergic input, the intergeniculate leaflet (IGL) was found to have prominent zincergic input. Levels of zinc in these areas were not affected by time of day. Additionally, IGL zinc staining persisted following enucleation, indicating other prominent sources of zinc instead of, or in addition to, the retina. Neither enhancement nor chelation of free zinc at either the SCN or IGL altered circadian responses to phase-shifting light in hamsters. Finally, entrainment, free-running, and circadian responses to light were explored in mice lacking the ZnT3 gene. In every aspect explored, the ZnT3-KO mice were not significantly different from their wildtype counterparts. These findings highlight the presence of zinc in areas critical for circadian functioning but have yet to identify a role for zinc in these areas. Highlights The synaptic zinc transporter ZnT3 is found in melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells. While zinc input to the hamster SCN was found to be sparse at best, prominent zincergic staining was found throughout the IGL. Zinc levels in the SCN and IGL did not change between the night and day. Neither increasing nor decreasing zinc levels in either the SCN or IGL had an influence on circadian responses to light. Mice lacking the ZnT3 transporter did not differ from wildtype mice on a wide variety of circadian measures.
Propagule composition regulates the success of an invasive seaweed across a heterogeneous seascape

Propagule pressure is acknowledged as a key determinant of invasion success. Nonetheless, the role of morphological or physiological attributes of propagules (i.e. their quality) in regulating invader establishment has been little explored. In particular, no study has investigated how the presence of propagules differing in quality within an inoculum influences establishment across heterogeneous landscapes. We experimentally tested the hypothesis that the quality (+Fronds+Rhizoids; +Fronds−Rhizoids; −Fronds+Rhizoids) and the diversity (1, 2 and 3 fragment types) of vegetative fragments of the seaweed Caulerpa taxifolia determine their establishment success across seascapes consisting of bare sediments and patches of the seagrass Zostera muelleri exposed to different disturbance intensities (control, seagrass canopy clipping and total removal). After 6 weeks, seaweed biomass, stolon and frond length, frond and rhizoid number were generally greater in unvegetated habitats (bare sediments and total seagrass removal) than full or reduced seagrass canopies. The type and the diversity of types of fragments inoculated had significant effects on the final biomass and morphological features of C. taxifolia only in vegetated habitats. In control plots, inocula of fragments retaining both fronds and rhizoids achieved higher biomass, developed longer stolons and more fronds. In canopy clipping plots, mixed inocula of +Fronds+Rhizoids and −Fronds+Rhizoids fragments had the greatest biomass and stolon length. Synthesis. Assessing how propagules differing in quality perform in different habitats might be not sufficient to draw a comprehensive picture of invasion risk, as their establishment can be modulated by both negative and positive interactions among them. Propagule composition should be, therefore, considered as a further dimension of propagule pressure. Our results also suggest that the relevance of specific propagule traits for invader establishment decreases from intact to degraded habitats. Considering propagule size in terms of amount of competent propagules, rather than an absolute measure, would refine our ability of predicting invasion risk across habitats differing in biotic or abiotic conditions.
Does winter oilseed rape as a winter cover crop influence potato late blight development in an organic crop rotation?

ABSTRACT In this study, the effects of a winter cover crop (CC) and its combination with composted cattle manure (CC-M) on the development of potato late blight (Phytophthora infestans) and crop yield were investigated and compared with a system with no cover crop (NC). In the CC and CC-M systems, winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L) was used as the winter cover crop before potatoes. The hypothesis that the cover crop could be used as a possible control strategy against late blight in organic potato cultivation was not confirmed. Although the progression of foliar late blight damage in CC treatment was significantly slower in the early stages of disease development relative to NC, CC did not significantly reduce late blight at the later stages, or over the full season, and it did not increase tuber yield. Adding cattle manure to the CC treatment favoured late blight development and the damage was significantly more severe than in the other systems and tuber yield was nominally lower (though not significantly). The late blight pressure differed between treatments, with early disease development significantly slower on CC plots compared to CC-M in both growing seasons, but still not different to that in the plants grown in the NC system. Based on the results, in regions where oospores are a primary infection source, making P. infestans a soilborne pathogen, the use of cover crops may provide a sustainable strategy for reducing late blight damage in an organic system, but further investigation is needed.
Incorporating Bibliotherapy Into the Classroom: a Handbook for Educators

The focus of the following paper is bibliotherapy and its application in the classroom. Presented in the project are: (a) issues educators face today and the respective need for bibliotherapy; (b) history and previous research regarding bibliotherapy and its use; (c) a description of what procedures were taken to complete the research project; (d) a handbook for educators about bibliotherapy and the incorporation of strategies in the classroom; and (e) a reflection and synopsis of the entire research project.
Phylogenetic relationships and biogeographic history of the unique Saxifraga sect. Irregulares (Saxifragaceae) from eastern Asia

Saxifraga L. is the largest genus in Saxifragaceae and a characteristic component of the herbaceous flora of the temperate and alpine mountains in the Northern Hemisphere. Section Irregulares is a small group of 15–20 species, representing one of the early‐diverged lineages in the genus characterized with unique zygomorphic flowers. We used both nuclear internal transcribed spacer and chloroplast DNA regions (psbA‐trnH, trnL‐F, and matK) to reconstruct its species relationships, estimate divergence times, and infer its historical biogeography. Our phylogenetic results corroborate the monophyly of sect. Irregulares and its sister relationship to sect. Heterisia from North America. The section was well resolved into two lineages corresponding to their morphological features and biogeographic distributions. One represents ser. Stoloniferae including S. stolonifera Curtis and S. nipponica Makino with long‐creeping stolons/rhizomes and small petals with spots and the other comprises the remaining taxa (ser. Rufescentes) which lack long‐creeping rhizomes. Spots on leaves (abaxially spotted vs. abaxially without spots) and spots on petals (without spots vs. with spots) are inferred to be phylogenetically informative within ser. Rufescentes. Divergence time estimates and ancestral area analysis suggested a western North American origin of sect. Irregulares with migration into East Asia by way of the Bering land bridge in the Middle Oligocene. The development of drying and desertification belt in the late Miocene could have played an important role in the subsequent restriction and separation of the north and south lineages within eastern Asia.
Examination of the Relation Between Periodontal Disease Indices and Self-Reported Coronary Heart Disease -

Introduction: The aim of the current retrospective investigation was to research possible relationships between periodontal disease parameters and self-reported coronary heart disease in a sample of Greek out-patients of a neurosurgery clinic. Material and methods: The sample of the study was consisted of 1,260 participants, 660 females and 600 males aged 45 to 75 years. An oral clinical examination and a self-administered structure questionnaire were used for data collection. Multivariate regression analysis model was used in order to assess possible associations between coronary heart disease as dependent variable and epidemiological variables, serum biomarkers and periodontal disease indices such as plaque index, clinical attachment loss, probing pocket depth and gingival index, as independent variables. Results: The presence of hypertension [OR= 2.77, 95% CI= 1.10-5.80], the high level of cholesterol [OR= 8.72, 95% CI= 4.10-13.53], the low income level [OR= 1.90, 95% CI= 0.45-2.79], the high level of C-reactive protein [OR= 3.96, 95% CI= 1.70-7.15], the severe gingival inflammation [OR= 2.17, 95% CI= 0.64-3.47] and smoking [OR= 2.22, 95% CI= 0.99-4.96] , were significantly correlated with the occurrence of coronary heart disease. Conclusion: The results of the current research confirmed the role of smoking, hypertension, high level of C-reactive protein and low income level as risk factors for causing coronary heart disease, while no significant associations were observed between the examined periodontal parameters, such as PPD, CAL and (PlI) and self-reported coronary heart disease apart from gingival inflammation which estimated by gingival index (GI).
Effects of Aging on the Encoding of Spatial Direction in the Human Brain

Human aging is characterized by impaired spatial cognition and reductions in the distinctiveness of category-specific fMRI activation patterns. Yet, little is know about age-related decline in neural distinctiveness of spatial information. Here, we asked whether neural tuning functions of walking direction are broadened in older versus younger adults. To test this idea, we developed a novel method that allowed us to investigate changes in fMRI-measured pattern similarity while participants navigated in different directions in a virtual spatial navigation task. We expected that directional tuning functions would be broader in older adults, and thus activation patterns that reflect neighboring directions would be less distinct as compared to non-adjacent directions. Because loss of distinctiveness leads to more confusions when information is read out by downstream areas, we analyzed predictions of a decoder trained on these representations and asked (1) whether decoder confusions between two directions increase proportionally to their angular similarity, (2) and how this effect may differ between age groups. Evidence for tuning-function-like signals was found in the retrosplenial complex and primary visual cortex. Significant age differences in tuning width, however, were only found in the primary visual cortex, suggesting that less precise visual information could lead to worse directional signals in older adults. Yet, age differences in visual tuning were not related to behavior. Instead, directional information encoded in RSC correlated with memory on task. These results shed new light on neural mechanisms underling age-related spatial navigation impairments and introduce a novel approach to measure tuning specificity using fMRI.
Effect of Mycorrhiza and Vermicompost on Drought Tolerance of Lime Seedlings (Citrus aurantifolia Cv. Mexican Lime)

ABSTRACT In order to investigate the effect of mycorrhizal arbuscular fungi (MAF) and vermicompost on drought tolerance of Mexican Lime seedlings (Citrus aurantifolia cv. Mexican Lime), a factorial experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design in greenhouse conditions. Factors included were water stress at three levels (100% ETc, 70% ETc and 40% ETc) and biofertilizers at three levels (0, 100 g mycorrhiza, 100 g vermicompost per pot) with four replications. Irrigation treatments were applied for two months on one year seedlings. The results showed that growth of leaf and root was significantly affected by drought stress and decreased, whereas the effect of drought stress on fresh and dry weight of stem was not statistically significant. According to the results, the rate of decrease in fresh and dry weight of leaves under severe water stress treatment compared to full irrigation was 35.38 and 31.79%, respectively. Also, the rate of decrease in fresh and dry weight of root in severe water stress treatments was 35.53 and 34.11%, respectively, compared to full irrigation. Inoculation of seedlings with bio-fertilizers especially 100 g mycorrhiza per pot significantly increased leaf fresh weight (19.94%), leaf dry weight (17.31%), stem fresh weight (26.7%), stem dry weight (26. 1%), root fresh weight (35.53%), root dry weight (14.82%), RWC (76.19%), enzyme activity, chlorophyll a (0.637 mg.g f.w.), b (0.372 mg.g f.w.) and carotenoid (11 mg.g f.w.) and reduced ion leakage (62.5%) compared to non-inoculated seedlings. Based on the results, it can be stated that application of 100 g bio-fertilizer could reduce adverse effects of drought stress on the Mexican Lime seedlings.
Investigation of antibiotic targets in the decaprenyl-phosphorylarabinose biosynthesis in m. tuberculosis

An estimated 1.67 million people died of tuberculosis (TB) in 2016 and it is a threat to human life on a global-scale. To shorten current treatments and battle drug resistant strains it is important to discover and develop new drugs against the causative agent, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Phenotypic screens have delivered potent hit molecules in the past but the need to target new pathways in M. tuberculosis metabolism to circumvent pre-existing drug resistance mechanisms is necessary. The decaprenyl-phosphorylarabinose (DPA) biosynthetic pathway, especially the enzyme DprE1 has received much attention, however DprE2 has been overlooked as a potential drug target. In this thesis the role of a small region of DprE1 in ligand binding and physiological function has been investigated. This region appears to interact with the substrate and based on enzyme activity assays, physiological importance of specific residues was found to be in line with the level of conservation between species. In addition, a high-throughput screen against a DprE2 overexpressing M. bovis BCG strain has been utilised to discover new hit compounds. The screen resulted nitrofuran hit compounds that probably act as prodrugs, which was indicated by spontaneous resistant mutants resembling the mutations necessary to activate new TB pro-drug pretomanid.
Complete mitochondrial genome of the silver stripped skipper, Leptalina unicolor (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae)

Abstract The silver stripped skipper, Leptalina unicolor Bremer and Grey, 1853 (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae), is listed as endangered insect in South Korea. We sequenced the whole genome (15,854 bp) of L. unicolor species using Next-Generation Sequencing method and the subsequent gap-filling method. This genome included a set of typical genes and one major non-coding A + T-rich region, with an arrangement identical to that observed in most lepidopteran genomes. Twelve protein-coding genes (PCGs) had the typical ATN start codon, whereas COI had the atypical CGA codon that is frequently found in the start region of the lepidopteran COI. The 757-bp long A + T-rich region was the second largest among completely sequenced Hesperiidae, which ranged from 234 to 793 bp. Phylogenetic reconstruction was performed by maximum-likelihood method using the concatenated sequences of 13 PCGs and two rRNAs of available species of Hesperiidae, including that of L. unicolor (a total of 28 species). The resulting phylogeny provided strong support for monophyletic Heteropterinae in which L. unicolor belongs, with the highest nodal support and a sister relationship between current L. unicolor and co-subfamilial species Carterocephalus silvicola with a bootstrap value of 91%.
It’s a Shame! Stigma Against Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Examining the Ethical Implications for Public Health Practices and Policies

Stigma can inﬂuence the prevention and identiﬁcation of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), a leading cause of developmental delay in North America. Understanding the effects of public health practices and policies on stigma is imperative. We reviewed social science and biomedical literatures to understand the nature of stigma in FASD and its relevance from an ethics standpoint in matters of health practices and policies (e.g., diagnostic practices, awareness campaigns). We propose (i) a descriptive model of stigma in FASD and note current knowledge gaps; (ii) discuss the ethical implications of stigma based on two distinct criteria (dignity and con-sequences); and (iii) describe two cases and the concerns associated with inadvertent stigmatization by public health initiatives for FASD. We recommend further empirical and ethical analyses to examine whether public health policies and practices inadvertently stigmatize and impact the success of public health initiatives and programs for FASD.
The Effect of Post-exercise Ethanol Consumption on the Acute Hormonal Response to Heavy Resistance Exercise in Women

The purpose of this study was to examine the hormonal response to acute ethanol ingestion following a bout of heavy resistance exercise in women. Eight resistance trained women completed two identical acute heavy resistance exercise tasks (AHRET). From 10-20 minutes post-AHRET, participants consumed either a grain ethanol or a placebo beverage. Blood was collected before (PRE) and immediately after the AHRET (IP) and then every 20 minutes for five hours. Blood collected after beverage ingestion was pooled into 3 batches (phases: 20-40 minutes, 60-120 minutes, and 140-300 minutes post-exercise) and analyzed for serum total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), human growth hormone (GH), cortisol (COR), and estradiol (E2) concentrations. Circulating concentrations of TT were significantly greater at P20-40 than at PRE, P60-120, and P140-300. Circulating concentrations of FT were significantly greater at P20-40 than at all other times. Circulating concentrations of GH were significantly greater at IP than at PRE, P60-120, and P140-300. Circulating concentrations of COR were significantly greater at P20-40 than at all other times. Additionally, COR concentrations at P140-300 were significantly lower than at all other times. Circulating concentrations of IGF-1 were significantly greater at P20-40 than at P60-120 and P140-300. Circulating concentrations of E2 were significantly greater at P20-40 than at all other times. In summary, the present study demonstrated an acute modulation of the neuroendocrine milieu following a heavy resistance exercise bout in women. Ethanol ingestion appeared to have no significant effect on the characteristics of acute hormonal augmentation in TT, FT, GH, COR, IGF-1, or E2.
Effects of Winter Foliar Fertilizing and Plant Growth Promoters on Element and Carbohydrate Contents on the Shoot of Navel Orange Sapling

ABSTRACT The main aims of this paper are to evaluate the effects of winter foliar fertilizer and plant growth promoters on element and carbohydrate contents of the shoot of the navel orange sapling. This study was conducted in the lath house in the Agriculture College in Al-Qasim Green University during the period from 11-1-2014 to 6-1-2015. A factorial experiment (2 × 7) was done within a randomized complete block design with four replications. The first factor represented two foliar application dates of PRO-SOL fertilizer (1 g/L) every 2 weeks during winter–spring season (S1) in 2014–2015 and spring season dates (S2) in 2015). Second factor was foliar application of plant growth promoters in mid-March with indole butyric acid (IBA), 40 and 80 mg/L; forchlorfenuron (CPPU, KT-30), 15 and 30 mg/L; IBA+KT-30 (CPPU), 40 + 15 mg/L consecutively; and IBA+KT-30 (CPPU) 80 + 30 mg/L consecutively. The main effects due to the foliar fertilizing dates (S) were found to be highly significant for nitrogen content (%). While the second main factor plant growth promoter (T) was found to be highly significant for nitrogen and potassium content % and S × T interaction which were found to be significantly different for nitrogen, potassium and ferric content (%), respectively. Foliar fertilizing dates (S) caused a significant increase in nitrogen content (%). The experiment results showed that there different responses with treatments, the S2 with T7 treatment achieved the highest value value with ferric contents % while the same treatments recorded the lowest value in potassium contents %. Therefore, it was concluded from the results of the experiment that potassium uptake percent for in S2 not effective as well as T7: IBA at 80 ppm+ CPPU at 30 ppm.