Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The oldest known metriorhynchid super-predator: a new genus and species from the Middle Jurassic of England, with implications for serration and mandibular evolution in predacious clades

The Oxford Clay Formation of England has yielded numerous sympatric species of metriorhynchid crocodylomorphs, although disagreement has persisted regarding the number of valid species. For over 140 years teeth reminiscent of the genus Dakosaurus have been known from the Oxford Clay Formation but these have never been properly described and their taxonomy and systematic affinity remain contentious. Furthermore, an enigmatic mandible and associated postcranial skeleton discovered by Alfred Leeds in the Fletton brick pits near Peterborough also remains undescribed. We show that this specimen, and several isolated teeth, represents the oldest known remains of a large-bodied predatory metriorhynchid. This material is described herein and referred to Tyrannoneustes lythrodectikos gen. et sp. nov. This species has a unique occlusal pattern: the dentition was arranged so that the posterior maxillodentary teeth interlock in the same plane and occlude mesiodistally. It is the first described crocodylomorph with microscopic denticles that are not contiguous along the carinae (forming short series of up to 10 denticles) and do not noticeably alter the height of the keel. Additionally, the dorsally expanded and curved posterior region of the mandible ventrally displaced the dentary tooth row relative to the jaw joint facilitating the enlargement of the dentition and increasing optimum gape. Therefore, Tyrannoneustes would have been a large-bodied marine predator that was well-suited to feed on larger prey than other contemporaneous metriorhynchids. A new phylogenetic analysis finds Tyrannoneustes to be the sister taxon to the subclade Geosaurini. An isolated tooth, humerus, and well-preserved mandible suggest a second species of metriorhynchid super-predator may also have lived in the Oxford Clay sea. Finally, we revise the diagnoses and descriptions of the other Oxford Clay metriorhynchid species, providing a guide for differentiating the many contemporaneous taxa from this exceptional fossil assemblage. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C6222858-EC36-430D-8E28-1F636A6697CA
Increasing Consumer Engagement in Social Media: The Moderating Role of Product Lifecycle

Social media usage has been proliferated among different groups of individuals. This proliferation has provided an opportunity for firms to get connected with their potential consumers, to introduce and promote their products, and to enhance their consumer engagement in social media. In this study, a research model has been proposed which investigates the impact of influencer popularity, discourse logic, and argument frame on consumer engagement in social media. Moreover, this study investigates the moderating role of product lifecycle and product involvement on the above relationships. The proposed research model will be examined using secondary data from three different social media platforms of Facebook, Instagram and Twitter on different groups of products (i.e., product lifecycle stages and product involvements) and social media users (i.e., influencers and ordinary users). Finally, a series of post-hoc analyses will be conducted to understand if social media platforms vary in terms of consumer engagements.
The metal centre in salen-acridine dyad N2O2 ligand–metal complexes modulates DNA binding and photocleavage efficiency

Studies on the significance of the metal centre on the activity of metal complexes have been less reported. Herein, we reported the synthesis and structural characterisation of copper and zinc complexes containing a Schiff-base type ligand, N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-9-(3,4-diaminophenyl)acridine (H2daasal). Single crystal X-diffraction analysis revealed that the structure of [Zn(daasal)] was monoclinic (space group P121/n1, unit cell parameters a = 10.6126(3) A, b = 30.5317(10) A, c = 11.0273(3) A, α = 90°, β = 111.0380(10) A, γ = 90°, V = 3334.90(17) A3, and Z = 4) with a dihedral angle of 74° across the salophen and acridine moieties. Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy studies suggested that [Zn(daasal)] was diamagnetic and [Cu(daasal)] was paramagnetic. ESR spectral analysis revealed that the monomeric form of [Cu(daasal)] was either square planar or square pyramidal. Detailed spectroscopic analysis and viscosity studies indicate that [Cu(daasal)] binds efficiently to CT DNA (∼9 times) than [Zn(daasal)], with a slight preference for the acridine unit rather than the salen moiety. Molecular docking studies suggest that [Cu(daasal)] efficiently intercalates into DNA with higher free energy values than the [Zn(daasal)] complex. Photocleavage studies reveal that [Cu(daasal)] cleaves plasmid pBR322 DNA effectively in the presence of a reducing agent. The mechanistic studies suggest that superoxide anion radicals (O2−˙) are formed as an intermediate and proceed to produce hydroxyl radicals (OH˙) to induce DNA photocleavage. In summary, we demonstrated that changing the metal centre in an effective ligand may offer an attractive method to produce efficient DNA intercalators.
Investigation of Regimen Adjustment for T2DM Patients Inadequately Controlled on Basal Insulin - Interpretation of the 4200 Study

Epidemiological survey indicated that majority of Chinese T2DM patients were with postprandial hyperglycemia [1], which may be related to more significant decline of β cell function and more carbohydrates in dietary structure [2]. Thus, antidiabetic interventions for Chinese T2DM patients should rectify hyperglycemia as soon as possible to protect β cell function, and the treatment should cover both fasting and postprandial blood glucose.
Growth releases of three shade‐tolerant species following canopy gap formation in old‐growth forests

Questions: Do the number, duration and magnitude of growth releases following formation of natural, fine-scale canopy gaps differ among shade-tolerant Thuja plicata, Tsuga heterophylla and Abies amabilis? What is the relative importance of tree-level and gap-level variables in predicting the magnitude and duration of releases? What does this tell us about mechanisms of tree species coexistence in such old-growth forests? Location: Coastal British Columbia, Canada. Methods: We estimated the timing of formation of 20 gaps using dendroecological techniques and extracted increment cores from all three species growing around or within gaps. Using a species- and ecosystem-specific release-detection method, we determined the number of trees experiencing a release following gap formation. We quantified the duration and magnitude of individual releases and estimated the influence of tree-level and gap-level variables on these release attributes. Results: Eighty-seven per cent (304 of 348) of all trees experienced a release following gap formation. T. heterophylla and A. amabilis experienced higher magnitude and longer duration releases than T. plicata. The effect of diameter on the duration of releases varied among species, with T. heterophylla and A. amabilis experiencing decreasing, and T. plicata experiencing increasing, duration of releases with increasing diameter. The effect of growth rate prior to a release on the magnitude of releases varied among trees of different diameters, with the slowest growing and smallest individuals of all species experiencing the most intensive releases. Conclusions: Our results provide detailed information on the number, duration and magnitude of growth releases of the above three species following gap formation. Differences in response to canopy gaps suggest differences in how these species ascend to the canopy strata. T. plicata may be less dependent on gaps to reach the canopy. Differing strategies for ascending to the canopy strata may be important in facilitating coexistence of these three species in old-growth forests of coastal British Columbia.
Introducing Prosodic Speaker Identity for a Better Expressive Speech Synthesis Control

To have more control over Text-to-Speech (TTS) synthesis and to improve expressivity, it is necessary to disentangle prosodic information carried by the speaker's voice identity from the one belonging to linguistic properties. In this paper, we propose to analyze how information related to speaker voice identity affects a Deep Neural Network (DNN) based multi-speaker speech synthesis model. To do so, we feed the network with a vector encoding speaker information in addition to a set of basic linguistic features. We then compare three main speaker coding configurations: a) simple one-hot vector describing the speaker gender and identifier ; b) an embedding vector extracted from a speaker recognition pre-trained model ; c) a prosodic vector which summarizes information such as melody, intensity, and duration. To measure the impact of the input feature vector, we investigate the representation of the latent space at the output of the first layer of the network. The aim is to have an overview of our data representation and model behavior. Furthermore, we conducted a subjective assessment to validate the result. Results show that the prosodic identity of the speaker is captured by the model and therefore allows the user to control more precisely synthesis.
TGF‐β Induces Foxp3 + T‐Regulatory Cells from CD4 + CD25 − Precursors

CD4 + CD25 + regulatory T cells (Tregs) are potent suppressors, playing important roles in autoimmunity and transplantation tolerance. Understanding the signals necessary for the generation and expansion of Tregs is important for clinical cellular therapy, but only limited progress has been made. Recent reports suggest a role for TGF‐β in the generation of Tregs from CD4 + CD25 − precursors, but the mechanism remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that TGF‐β2 triggers Foxp3 expression in CD4 + CD25 − precursors, and these Foxp3 + cells act like conventional Tregs. The generation of Foxp3 + Tregs requires stimulation of the T‐cell receptor, the IL‐2R and the TGF‐β receptor. More importantly, strong costimulation through CD28 prevents Foxp3 expression and suppressive function in an IL‐4‐dependent manner. Furthermore, TGF‐β‐driven Tregs inhibit innate inflammatory responses to syngeneic transplanted pancreatic islets and enhance islet transplant survival. Thus, TGF‐β is a key regulator of the signaling pathways that initiate and maintain Foxp3 expression and suppressive function in CD4 + CD25 − precursors. TGF‐β and signaling through TGF‐β receptor, CD28 costimulation and IL‐4 may be key components for the manipulation of Treg. The de novo generation of Foxp3 + cells from CD4 + cells has the potential to be used for treatment of autoimmune diseases and induction of transplant tolerance.
Effects of agricultural change on abundance, fitness components and distribution of two arctic‐nesting goose populations

Intensification of agriculture since the 1950s has enhanced the availability, competitive ability, crude protein content, digestibility and extended growing seasons of forage grasses. Spilled cereal grain also provides a rich food source in autumn and in winter. Long‐distance migratory herbivorous geese have rapidly exploited these feeding opportunities and most species have shown expansions in range and population size in the last 50 years. Results of long‐term studies are presented from two Arctic‐breeding populations, the Svalbard pink‐footed goose and the Greenland white‐fronted goose (GWFG). GWFGs have shown major habitat shifts since the 1950s from winter use of plant storage organs in natural wetlands to feeding on intensively managed farmland. Declines in local density on, and abandonment of, unmodified traditional wintering habitat and increased reproductive success among those birds wintering on farmland suggest that density‐dependent processes were not the cause of the shift in this winter‐site‐faithful population. Based on enhanced nutrient and energy intake rates, we argue that observed shifts in both species from traditionally used natural habitats to intensively managed farmland on spring staging and wintering areas have not necessarily been the result of habitat destruction. Increased food intake rates and potential demographic benefits resulting from shifts to highly profitable foraging opportunities on increasingly intensively managed farmland, more likely explain increases in goose numbers in these populations. The geographically exploratory behaviour of subdominant individuals enables the discovery and exploitation of new winter feeding opportunities and hence range expansion. Recent destruction of traditional habitats and declines in farming at northern latitudes present fresh challenges to the well being of both populations. More urgently, Canada geese colonizing breeding and moulting habitats of white‐fronted geese in Greenland are further affecting their reproductive output.
A Chebyshev Spectral Method for Normal Mode and Parabolic Equation Models in Underwater Acoustics

In this paper, the Chebyshev spectral method is used to solve the normal mode and parabolic equation models of underwater acoustic propagation, and the results of the Chebyshev spectral method and the traditional finite difference method are compared for an ideal fluid waveguide with a constant sound velocity and an ideal fluid waveguide with a deep-sea Munk speed profile. The research shows that, compared with the finite difference method, the Chebyshev spectral method has the advantages of a high computational accuracy and short computational time in underwater acoustic propagation.
Birth timing and population changes in greater horseshoe bat colonies (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) are synchronized by climatic temperature

Abstract We counted the births of greater horseshoe bats born at three small breeding colonies in south-west Wales and south-west England at the extreme edge of the species distribution over nine summers (1984 1993). Overall birth timing was almost identical at the three sites (mean of mean birth dates = 13-14 July), but varied widely from year to year. Mean birth timing was synchronized at the three sites in a given year. Early births followed warm springs; a significant negative regression of mean birth date on mean April plus May temperature was evident. A rise of 2°C accelerated mean birth date by about 18 days. Population levels fell at all three sites following the very late mean birth date of 28 July recorded in 1986, after an extremely cold spring and summer. Recovery of populations in all sites followed a series of warm springs and early mean birth dates, but was hampered by birth sex ratios favouring males for several years. These findings confirm climate, through its effect upon birth timing, and possibly also on sex ratios, as a major factor controlling hat populations, and hence the distribution of bat species.
Generative Adversarial Networks for Singing Voice Conversion with and without Parallel Data

Singing voice conversion (SVC) is a task to convert one singer’s voice to sound like that of another, without changing the lyrical content. Singing conveys lexical and emotional information through words and tones. Both are to be transferred from the source to target. In this paper, we propose novel solutions to SVC based on Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) with and without parallel training data. With parallel data, we employ GANs to minimize the differences of the distributions between the original target parameters and the generated singing parameters. With non-parallel training data, we employ CycleGANs to estimate an optimal pseudo pair between source and target singers. Moreover, the proposed solutions perform well with limited amount of training data. The experiments show that (1) GANs outperform other state-of-the-art voice conversion when parallel training data are available, (2) CycleGANs achieve competitive voice conversion quality without the need of parallel training data. To ourbestknowledge, thispaperistheﬁrsttostudytheusegen-erative adversarial networks for singing voice conversion with and without parallel data.
The paramphistomes (Trematoda) of Australian ruminants.

A description of the development at 27oC. of Ceylonocotyle streptocoelium (Fischoeder 1901) Nasmark 1937, a paramphistome from the rumen and reticulum of sheep and cattle in Australia, is given in detail. Eggs hatched after 16 days' incubation and miracidia penetrated the intermediate host, a planorbid snail, Glyptanisus gilberti Dunker 1848, through the mantle cavity. The development of the larval stages of the parasite within the intermediate host was completed 34 days after infection, when cerariae were secreted by snails. Cysts of C. streptocoelium fed to sheep and cattle showed that flukes reached maturity in the rumen in 48 and 56 days respectively. The life cycle of the fluke, therefore, was completed in a minimum period of approximately 3.5 months under these conditions. It was found that temperature had a marked effect on the rate of development of larval stages within the molluscan intermediate host, the developmental period at 20°C. being twice as long as that at 27°C. The various stages occurring in the molluscan intermediate host are described in detail. The development of Paramphistomum ichikauiai Fukui 1922 is compared with that of C. streptocoelium. The rate of development was found to be more rapid than for C. streptocoelium under the same conditions. Eggs hatched after 12 days incubation and cercariae were secreted from the intermediate host, Segnitilia alphena Iredale 1943, 25 days after infection. Flukes were found to reach maturity in sheep 49-51 days after cysts had been fed. The eggs and intra-molluscan stages are similar in both species, but the cercariae may be readily distinguished by anatomical differences in their excretory systems. The life cycle in this species takes approximately 3 months to complete under these conditions. The molluscan intermediate hosts of the two species of amphistomes are described and notes on their bionomics are given.
Online Portfolio Optimization with Exponential Gradient and Time Varying CAPM

Since Harry Markowitz’s seminal work in 1952, which initiated modern portfolio theory, portfolio allocation strategies have been intensely discussed in the literature. With the development of online optimization techniques, dynamic learning algorithms have proven to be an effective approach to build portfolios. The purpose of this paper was to implement a new version of the Exponential Gradient algorithm in which important information about the risk of stocks are considered in the algorithm’s projection step. The portfolios built were compared with the Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJIA) and Best Constant Rebalanced Portfolio (BCRP). We used DJIA data from January 2000 to December 2017 with daily observations. The EG beta algorithm outperformed the DJIA in all tests performed, and it was very close to BCRP in periods of market upturn and was able to outperform it in downturns.
Quantitative color image analysis of agronomic images

Many kinds of information that are available to our eyes in a qualitative sense require large investments of time and instrumentation to confirm quantitatively. If this information is accessible to our eyes, however, it should be possible to capture it in a color photograph and analyze it quantitatively. Our objective was to develop and make available software for enhancing and extracting quantitative information from color images. The resulting programs allow researchers to readily obtain quantitative data from color images such as photographs of plant canopies or soil with dye. The programs run in DOS and require only 512 kB of RAM, but can handle images up to 16 380 pixels across and 65 535 pixels down. The programs are designed to assist in developing an equation relating an independent parameter of interest (such as N content) to color parameters in calibration images, and then in using these equations to predict parameter values in new images. This allows one to convert, for example, an aerial photograph of a diseased wheat (Triticum sp.) field to a digital image in which the value of each pixel represents an estimated damage level. In a simple example use of the program, we show how percent canopy cover can he measured from color photographs. The programs, manual, and portions of the source code are in the public domain and are available at http://www.agron. iastate.edu/soilphysics/ewing-color.html.
Effects of Zinc on Root Morphology and Antioxidant Adaptations of Cadmium-Treated Sedum alfredii H.

ABSTRACT The study demonstrated S. alfredii is an excellent cadmium (Cd)/zinc (Zn) hyperaccumulator as Cd and Zn concentrations in leaves reached 2,183 and 13,799 mg kg−1 DW, respectively. There was a significant increase in root morphological parameters induced by 50 and 500 μM Zn supplement; however, a sharp decrease in these parameters occurred when treated with 100 μM Cd +1000 μM Zn. The inhibited root dehydrogenase activity in 100 μM Cd treated plants was restored to control levels when supplemented with 500 μM Zn. Moderate Zn supplement did not produce significant changes in (malondialdehyde) MDA concentrations as compared with those treated with Cd alone. Variations of the antioxidative enzymes proved an ineffective role in coping with metal-stress in S. alfredii. Combined Cd and Zn treatment significantly enhanced ascorbic acid (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) contents in leaves of S. alfredii, as compared with those treated with Cd alone. Thus, Zn may rely on the involvement of GSH in detoxification and tolerance.
Citrus Extracts as Inhibitors of Quorum Sensing, Biofilm Formation and Motility of Campylobacter jejuni

Quorum Sensing (QS), a signaling system present in bacteria, influences the expression of a variety of virulence factors. This study investigated the ability of citrus extracts to inhibit the activity of AI-2 molecules that mediate QS in Campylobacter jejuni and the effects of these extracts on motility, biofilm formation and expression of flaA-B. Cultures of C. jejuni were exposed to extracts of Citrus limon, Citrus medica and Citrus aurantium peels at various concentrations. Swarm motility tests were performed in Muller Hinton agar; biofilm formation was determined colorimetrically in microtiter plates; AI-2 activity was measured with a bioluminescence assay using V. harveyi; and flaA-B expression was determined by qRT-PCR. Treatment with C. limon or C. medica peel extract reduced swarm motility 44–59%, whereas treatment with C. aurantium extract reduced swarm motility 35–40%. Biofilm formation was reduced 60–75 % by these extracts, depending on extract concentration and /or strain tested. All three citrus extracts decreased AI-2 activity by about 90 %, and at 75 % of MBC, significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced expression of flaA-B. These findings provide preliminary metabolic and molecular insights into the effects of edible antimicrobials on QS and virulence factors of C. jejuni.
A COMPARISON OF GRASS AND CORN SILAGES FOR FINISHING STEERS

Twenty steers fed corn silage supplemented with 0.5% urea gained 0.71 kg/day compared with 0.30 for 20 steers fed grass silage supplemented with 9% beet pulp (P < 0.05). Steers fed corn silage had less rib lean (53.0%) and intensive carcass fat color (2.9) than grass-silage-fed steers (56.3% and 3.6, respectively) (P < 0.05). All steers, except four in the grass-silage-fed group, graded either A1 or A2. Key words: Silage finishing, steers, growth, carcass fat color, carcass grade