Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Two Intense Decades of 19th Century Whaling Precipitated Rapid Decline of Right Whales around New Zealand and East Australia

Right whales (Eubalaena spp.) were the focus of worldwide whaling activities from the 16th to the 20th century. During the first part of the 19th century, the southern right whale (E. australis) was heavily exploited on whaling grounds around New Zealand (NZ) and east Australia (EA). Here we build upon previous estimates of the total catch of NZ and EA right whales by improving and combining estimates from four different fisheries. Two fisheries have previously been considered: shore-based whaling in bays and ship-based whaling offshore. These were both improved by comparison with primary sources and the American offshore whaling catch record was improved by using a sample of logbooks to produce a more accurate catch record in terms of location and species composition. Two fisheries had not been previously integrated into the NZ and EA catch series: ship-based whaling in bays and whaling in the 20th century. To investigate the previously unaddressed problem of offshore whalers operating in bays, we identified a subset of vessels likely to be operating in bays and read available extant logbooks. This allowed us to estimate the total likely catch from bay-whaling by offshore whalers from the number of vessels seasons and whales killed per season: it ranged from 2,989 to 4,652 whales. The revised total estimate of 53,000 to 58,000 southern right whales killed is a considerable increase on the previous estimate of 26,000, partly because it applies fishery-specific estimates of struck and loss rates. Over 80% of kills were taken between 1830 and 1849, indicating a brief and intensive fishery that resulted in the commercial extinction of southern right whales in NZ and EA in just two decades. This conforms to the global trend of increasingly intense and destructive southern right whale fisheries over time.
We are what we remember : an examination of autobiographical memory across the lifespan and the impact of Alzheimer’s disease

self-knowledge and make comparisons between experiences across time (Blagov & Singer, 2004). The previous experiment did not find this generalization in older adults’ SDM, following the findings from Martinelli, Anssens, Sperduti, and Piolino (2013); older and younger adults’ SDM do not differ in specificity. It is hypothesised that perhaps generalization is used in the process of relating various personal experiences in order to derive meaning. However, when an AM is determined to be self-defining perhaps it is treated more like a personal semantic memory. Support for this hypothesis is derived from the remember/know paradigm distinguishing episodic and semantic memory proposed by Tulving (2001). The remember/know paradigm distinguishes between the recollection of a memory, known as remembering, and the familiarity of a memory, known as knowing. It is described as “a shift from a sense of remembering to a sense of just knowing” (Martinelli, et al., 2013). This idea is also paralleled in the idea that personal semantic memories are episodic in origin; personal facts are derived from those episodes and are able to be recalled without retrieval of those original experiences (Haslam, Jetten, Haslam, Pugliese, & Tonks, 2011; Sakaki, 2007). SDM have been conceived of as an integration of episodic memory with self-concept (Singer, et al., 2013). As self-concept corresponds with personal semantic AM, it is possible that SDM are more semantic than episodic in nature. Chapter 10: Experiments 3 & 4
High-Pulse-Energy Topological Insulator Bi2Te3-Based Passive Q-Switched Solid-State Laser

Due to the ultralow saturation properties of the topological insulator (TI), stable and high-power TI-based solid state has become an important issue. In this paper, using a folding V-shaped laser cavity to minimize the residual pump to the broadband saturable absorber, passive Q-switched operations with high power not only at 1.06 μm but at 1.34 μm as well were demonstrated. The 1.06-μm laser of 150 mW and the corresponding repetition rate and a pulse duration of 28.57 kHz and 576 ns, respectively, were performed. The pulse energy of 5.24 μJ and the corresponding peak power of over 9 W were also estimated. Additionally, the laser at 1.3-μm exhibited a passive Q-switched operation with an average power of as high as 326 mW and a pulse duration of 673 ns. A tunable repetition rate of 75.5 to 116.6 kHz, a pulse energy of 2.8 μJ, and the corresponding peak power of 4.2 W were obtained. In addition, the stability of Q-switched pulses was analyzed. The results experimentally extend the promising application of the 2-D material, i.e., exfoliated TI Bi2Te3, in solid-state lasers.
The Emergence of Social Organization in the Prisoner's Dilemma: How Context-Preservation and Other Factors Promote Cooperation

While complex adaptive systems (CAS) theories focus primarily on phenomena such as systemic robustness against perturbation, self-organization, and on the emergence, transformation, and dissolution of organizational entities or action patterns, the metaphorical resonance of CAS work is not easily translated into careful scientific results. It can be very difficult to identify the right level at which to develop more precise theoretical generalizations with well-specified domains of applicability. And constructing experimental parameters that cleanly map to important, general constructs is usually not a simple exercise. This paper demonstrates an approach to this problem. We report results of agent-based simulation experiments in which the basic activity of the agents is to play the Iterated Prisoner's Dilemma with other agents. We systematically investigate how the emergence and maintenance of cooperation is affected by variations in three key dimensions: (1) strategy space from which the agents' strategies are selected, (2) the interaction processes that channel agents into interactions, and (3) the adaptive processes that govern the changes in agents' strategies over time. Overall, our experiments both confirm results which have been reported in the literature (e.g., that embedding agents in a 2 dimensional space can lead to the emergence of cooperation), and demonstrate surprising results (e.g., that high levels of cooperation can arise even when agents are randomly mixing, when the agents use simple deterministic strategies and update them using a kind of evolutionary algorithm). Our results also support a generalized view of "neighborhood" where the important factor is the degree to which the interaction processes lead to context preservation, independent of any particular topology. The preservation of context, even as agents are changing their strategies, acts as a "shadow of the adaptive future," resulting in sets of agents who are highly cooperative and resistant to invasion by cheaters. Submitted paper based on above research to Rationality and Society.
Information Technologies in the Activities of Destination Management Organizations

The purpose – The purpose of the article was an attempt to assess the significance of two spheres connected with the functioning of DMOs, i.e. internet marketing and the development of modern technologies and information systems. Design – The study covers theoretical issues connected with the essence of destination management organizations as the basic organizational structures in the tourism sector, and with the significance of the Internet and modern information technologies in the activities of these organizations. The second part of the study covers the empirical issues of the problem analyzed. Approach and methodology – Apart from theoretical deliberations, it provides the review of previous research. Moreover, the results of the author’s research were used with the aid of the diagnostic survey technique. The results from 53 DMOs that represent 19 European states were obtained. Findings – The quantity of expenditures on information technologies was defined in the structure of the total expenditures on the part of DMOs. The average value for all the organizations under analysis was 10.9%. Owing to the application of the point grading method (Likert scale), it was demonstrated that internet marketing and the development of modern technologies and information systems are becoming increasingly more important areas of the activities. Originality of the research – The originality is evident in the insights it provides about use of modern information technologies and the Internet in the activities of DMO. The empirical deliberations presented in this article should become an important point of reference for many DMOs and should emphasize the growing significance of information technologies.
ROS-Mediated Signalling in Bacteria: Zinc-Containing Cys-X-X-Cys Redox Centres and Iron-Based Oxidative Stress

Bacteria are permanently in contact with reactive oxygen species (ROS), both over the course of their life cycle as well that present in their environment. These species cause damage to proteins, lipids, and nucleotides, negatively impacting the organism. To detect these ROS molecules and to stimulate the expression of proteins involved in antioxidative stress response, bacteria use a number of different protein-based regulatory and sensory systems. ROS-based stress detection mechanisms induce posttranslational modifications, resulting in overall conformational and structural changes within sensory proteins. The subsequent structural rearrangements result in changes of protein activity, which lead to regulated and appropriate response on the transcriptional level. Many bacterial enzymes and regulatory proteins possess a conserved signature, the zinc-containing redox centre Cys-X-X-Cys in which a disulfide bridge is formed upon oxidative stress. Other metal-dependent oxidative modifications of amino acid side-chains (dityrosines, 2-oxo-histidines, or carbonylation) also modulate the activity of redox-sensitive proteins. Using molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysical, and structure biology tools, molecular mechanisms involved in sensing and response to oxidative stress have been elucidated in detail. In this review, we analyze some examples of bacterial redox-sensing proteins involved in antioxidative stress response and focus further on the currently known molecular mechanism of function.
Hedgehog signalling promotes germ cell survival in the rat testis

Hedgehog (Hh) signalling has a crucial role in testis development. Sertoli cell-derived desert hedgehog (DHH) guides the formation of testis cords and differentiation of foetal-type Leydig cells. Dhh mutant mice are infertile due to a block in germ cell differentiation, hypogonadism and hypoandrogenism. Hh signalling pathway components are also expressed in postnatal testis. In the rat testis the transcription factor of the Hh pathway, glioma-associated oncogene homologue (GLI1), is expressed by a wide variety of germ cells. This suggests that Hh signalling is involved in spermatogenesis at many different levels. Our data show that canonical Hh signalling is turned off in early condensing spermatids that strongly express the negative regulator of the pathway, suppressor of fused (SUFU). Most of the Hh pathway specific mRNAs display the highest values in stages II–VI of the rat seminiferous epithelial cycle. The key endocrine regulator of germ cell differentiation, FSH, down-regulates Dhh mRNA levels in vitro. Hh signalling inhibition in vitro leads to massive apoptosis of germ cells. In prepubertal rat testis imatinib mesylate-induced inhibition of tyrosine kinases impinges on Dhh transcript levels and Hh signalling. Our data indicate that Hh signalling is part of the paracrine signalling network in the rat testis. It promotes the survival of germ cells and is suppressed by FSH.
From Pregnancy to Middle Childhood. What Predicts a Child's Socio-Emotional Well-Being?

11 TIIVISTELMA 13 INTRODUCTION 15 REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE 17 Developmental context 17 Theoretical perspectives of developmental psychopathology 17 What is developmental psychopathology? 17 Developmental psychopathology and neuroscience 19 Developmental psychopathology and attachment theory 21 Studies on continuity and change during child development 22 The developmental stage of middle childhood 23 Family context 26 Family environment as risk and resource 26 Family structure in Finland 27 Studies on family structure and child well-being 27 Family type 28 Birth order 29 Sibship size 31 Mechanisms of intergenerational risk transmission 32
Vegetation feedbacks of nutrient addition lead to a weaker carbon sink in an ombrotrophic bog

To study vegetation feedbacks of nutrient addition on carbon sequestration capacity, we investigated vegetation and ecosystem CO2 exchange at Mer Bleue Bog, Canada in plots that had been fertilized with nitrogen (N) or with N plus phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) for 7–12 years. Gross photosynthesis, ecosystem respiration, and net CO2 exchange were measured weekly during May–September 2011 using climate‐controlled chambers. A substrate‐induced respiration technique was used to determine the functional ability of the microbial community. The highest N and NPK additions were associated with 40% less net CO2 uptake than the control. In the NPK additions, a diminished C sink potential was due to a 20–30% increase in ecosystem respiration, while gross photosynthesis rates did not change as greater vascular plant biomass compensated for the decrease in Sphagnum mosses. In the highest N‐only treatment, small reductions in gross photosynthesis and no change in ecosystem respiration led to the reduced C sink. Substrate‐induced microbial respiration was significantly higher in all levels of NPK additions compared with control. The temperature sensitivity of respiration in the plots was lower with increasing cumulative N load, suggesting more labile sources of respired CO2. The weaker C sink potential could be explained by changes in nutrient availability, higher woody : foliar ratio, moss loss, and enhanced decomposition. Stronger responses to NPK fertilization than to N‐only fertilization for both shrub biomass production and decomposition suggest that the bog ecosystem is N‐P/K colimited rather than N‐limited. Negative effects of further N‐only deposition were indicated by delayed spring CO2 uptake. In contrast to forests, increased wood formation and surface litter accumulation in bogs seem to reduce the C sink potential owing to the loss of peat‐forming Sphagnum.
Renormalization group of random Fibonacci chains.

A renormalization method is proposed to analyze the electronic band structure of disordered Fibonacci chains. The perfect (quasiperiodic) chain is contemplated as a particular case. Both bond and on-site problems are considered. The method is computationally efficient and suitable to deal with large chains in real space. It can be useful for the study of electronic properties of random tilings
Subfoveal choroidal thickness in 1323 children aged 11 to 12 years and association with puberty: the Copenhagen Child Cohort 2000 Eye Study.

PURPOSE To investigate subfoveal choroidal thickness and ocular- and systemic-associated factors in a population-based cohort of children. METHODS Cross-sectional, observational study where 1323 healthy 11- and 12-year-old children were examined with enhanced-depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (EDI-SD-OCT), ocular interferometric biometry, blood pressure manometry, and measurement of height, weight, nonmydriatic refraction, and best-corrected visual acuity. Self-reported stage of pubertal development was classified as Tanner stages 1 through 4. RESULTS Mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was 369 ± 81 μm in girls and 348 ± 72 μm in boys. Longer axial length was associated with a thinner subfoveal choroid (-27.2 [95% confidence interval (CI) -32.7 to -21.7] μm/mm; P < 0.0001), adjusting for age and sex. There was no difference in choroidal thickness between sexes (P = 0.14) after adjusting for age and axial length. In girls, the choroid was thickest in participants in the more advanced stage of pubertal development (54.2 [95% CI 20.7-87.7] μm for Tanner 4 versus Tanner 1, P = 0.0015) and increased with body height (19.2 [95% CI 10.8-27.5] μm/10 cm, P < 0.0001). There was no effect of height or puberty in boys, who were less sexually mature than girls. CONCLUSIONS Choroidal thickness in girls increased with body height and sexual maturation. The results suggest that puberty promotes choroidal thickening in girls, an effect that may be mediated by the pubertal growth spurt. The lack of pubertal effect in boys may be related to a smaller proportion of boys in this study having entered puberty.
AMPA Receptor–mTOR Activation is Required for the Antidepressant-Like Effects of Sarcosine during the Forced Swim Test in Rats: Insertion of AMPA Receptor may Play a Role

Sarcosine, an endogenous amino acid, is a competitive inhibitor of the type I glycine transporter and an N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) coagonist. Recently, we found that sarcosine, an NMDAR enhancer, can improve depression-related behaviors in rodents and humans. This result differs from previous studies, which have reported antidepressant effects of NMDAR antagonists. The mechanisms underlying the therapeutic response of sarcosine remain unknown. This study examines the role of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate receptor (AMPAR) activation, which are involved in the antidepressant-like effects of several glutamatergic system modulators. The effects of sarcosine in a forced swim test (FST) and the expression levels of phosphorylated mTOR signaling proteins were examined in the absence or presence of mTOR and AMPAR inhibitors. In addition, the influence of sarcosine on AMPAR trafficking was determined by analyzing the phosphorylation of AMPAR subunit GluR1 at the PKA site (often considered an indicator for GluR1 membrane insertion in neurons). A single injection of sarcosine exhibited antidepressant-like effects in rats in the FST and rapidly activated the mTOR signaling pathway, which were significantly blocked by mTOR inhibitor rapamycin or the AMPAR inhibitor 2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7-sulfamoyl-benzo(f)quinoxaline (NBQX) pretreatment. Moreover, NBQX pretreatment eliminated the ability of sarcosine to stimulate the phosphorylated mTOR signaling proteins. Furthermore, GluR1 phosphorylation at its PKA site was significantly increased after an acute in vivo sarcosine treatment. The results demonstrated that sarcosine exerts antidepressant-like effects by enhancing AMPAR–mTOR signaling pathway activity and facilitating AMPAR membrane insertion. Highlights– A single injection of sarcosine rapidly exerted antidepressant-like effects with a concomitant increase in the activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin mTOR signaling pathway. – The antidepressant-like effects of sarcosine occur through the activated AMPAR–mTOR signaling pathway. – Sarcosine could enhance AMPAR membrane insertion via an AMPAR throughput.
Phenotypic Plasticity of HSP70 and HSP70 Gene Expression in the Pacific Oyster (Crassostrea gigas): Implications for Thermal Limits and Induction of Thermal Tolerance

Pacific oysters, Crassostrea gigas, living at a range of tidal heights, routinely encounter large seasonal fluctuations in temperature. We demonstrate that the thermal limits of oysters are relatively plastic, and that these limits are correlated with changes in the expression of one family of heat-shock proteins (HSP70). Oysters were cultured in the intertidal zone, at two tidal heights, and monitored for changes in expression of cognate (HSC) and inducible (HSP) heat-shock proteins during the progression from spring through winter. We found that the “control” levels (i.e., prior to laboratory heat shock) of HSC77 and HSC72 are positively correlated with increases in ambient temperature and were significantly higher in August than in January. The elevated level of HSCs during the summer was associated with moderate, 2–3 °C, increases in the upper thermal limits for survival. We measured concomitant increases in the threshold temperatures (Ton) required for induction of HSP70. Total hsp70 mRNA expression reflected the seasonal changes in the expression of inducible but not cognate members of the HSP70 family of proteins. A potential cost of increased Ton in the summer is that there was no extension of the upper thermal limits for survival (i.e., induction of thermotolerance) after sublethal heat shock at temperatures that were sufficient to induce thermotolerance during the winter months.
The Circumbinary Disk of HD 98800B: Evidence for Disk Warping

The quadruple young stellar system HD 98800 consists of two spectroscopic binary pairs with a circumbinary disk around the B component. Recent work by Boden and collaborators using infrared interferometry and radial velocity data resulted in a determination of the physical orbit for HD 98800B. We use the resulting inclination of the binary and the measured extinction toward the B component stars to constrain the distribution of circumbinary material. Although a standard optically and geometrically thick disk model can reproduce the spectral energy distribution, it cannot account for the observed extinction if the binary and the disk are coplanar. We next constructed a dynamical model to investigate the influence of the A component, which is not in the Ba-Bb orbital plane, on the B disk. We find that these interactions have a substantial impact on the inclination of the B circumbinary disk with respect to the Ba-Bb orbital plane. The resulting warp would be sufficient to place material into the line of sight and the noncoplanar disk orientation may also cause the upper layers of the disk to intersect the line of sight if the disk is geometrically thick. These simulations also support that the dynamics of the Ba-Bb orbit clear the inner region to a radius of ~3 AU. We then discuss whether the somewhat unusual properties of the HD 98800B disk are consistent with material remnant from the star formation process or with more recent creation by collisions from larger bodies.
Neurobiological Correlates of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Oncological Diseases

The exposure to a life-threatening disease such as cancer may constitute a traumatic experience that in some cases may lead to the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In recent years, several studies investigated this syndrome in patients with cancer, but few focused on the underlying neurobiology. The aim of this work was to review the current literature of neurobiology of PTSD in oncological diseases, focusing on a comparison with the results of neurobiological studies on PTSD in nononcological patients and on treatments resulted effective for such disorder. Brain structures having a role in the appearance of PTSD in psycho-oncology, and in particular, in intrusive symptoms, seem to be the same involved in non-oncologic PTSD. These findings may have important implications also at clinical level, suggesting that psychotherapies found to be effective to treat PTSD in different populations may be offered also to patients with cancer-induced posttraumatic symptoms. Further studies are needed to deepen our knowledge about cancer-related PTSD neurobiology and its treatment, aiming at transferring the results into clinical practice.