Megafossils of Betulaceae from the Oligocene of Qaidam Basin and their paleoenvironmental and phytogeographic implications

Understanding the paleoenvironment and phytogeographical history of the Tibetan Plateau,China relies on discovering new plant fossils.The Qaidam Basin has long been regarded as an ideal‘field laboratory’to investigate the paleoclimate and paleobiological evolution of the northern Tibetan Plateau.However,fossil angiosperms from the Qaidam Basin are rare,and our knowledge of its paleovegetation is poor.Here,we report fossil leaves and fruits of Betulaceae found from the Oligocene Shangganchaigou Formation of northwestern Qaidam Basin(Huatugou area).Comparative morphological analysis led us to assign the fruits to the Betula subgenus Betula and the leaves to Carpinus grandis.These findings,together with other reported fossil plants from the same locality,reveal a close floristic linkage between the Qaidam Basin and Europe during the Oligocene.The northern pathway of this floristic exchange may have crossed through the Qaidam Basin during the late Paleogene.This floristic linkage may have been facilitated by the continuous narrowing of the Turgai Strait and stronger westerlies,which transported moisture and provided favorable climatic conditions.Indeed,fossil plants collected from the Qaidam Basin suggest that during the Oligocene this region had warm and humid deciduous broad-leaf forest,which differs from the region’s modern vegetation and indicates that the Qaidam Basin may have been a suitable region for these plants to flourish and spread during the Oligocene.

pyIFPNI:A package for querying and downloading plant fossil data from the IFPNI

The International Fossil Plant Names Index(IFPNI,2014-onwards)not only serves as an online gateway to the fossil plant name registry for the global scientific community,but also serves as a comprehensive and dynamic archive of fossil plants(Doweld,2016,2022).Since its establishment in 2014,the IFPNI has accumulated more than 80,000 entries of fossil plant names,along with information on over 10,000 documents and over 6000 paleobotanists,all supported by exhaustive data,demonstrating the scope of the IFPNI's work(IFPNI,2014-onwards).

Inferring Eupolypods Divergence Time Using Bayesian Tip-Dating

According to the most recent Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group (PPG), eupolypods, or eupolypod ferns, are the most differentiated and diversified of all major lineages of ferns, accounting for more than half of extant fern diversity. However, the evolutionary history of eupolypods remains incompletely understood, and conflicting ideas and scenarios exist in the literature about many aspects of this history. Due to a scarce fossil record, the diversification time of eupolypods mainly inferred from molecular dating approaches. Currently, there are two molecular dating results: the diversification of eupolypods occurred either in the Late Cretaceous or as early as in the Jurassic. This study uses the Bayesian tip-dating approach for the first time to infer the diversification time for eupolypods. Our analyses support the Jurassic diversification for eupolypods. The age estimations for the diversifications of the whole clade and one of its two subclades (the eupolypods II) are both in the Jurassic, which adds to the growing body of data on a much earlier diversification of Polypodiales in the Mesozoic than previously suspected.

Dating Suborder Polypodiineae (Eupolypods I) with Its Oldest Fossil

Inferring divergence times between lineages is crucial for understanding biological evolutionary processes. The extraordinary species diversity of Eupolypods within the fern lineage has been interpreted as an ecological opportunistic response to the emergence of more complex, angiosperm-dominated ecosystems. This co-adaptation between Eupolypods and angiosperms has prompted ongoing investigations into the phylogenetic and diversification timelines of Eupolypods. In this study, we incorporate newly discovered fossils of Dryopteridaceae, including two species from both the stem and crown groups, to reanalyze the phylogenetic and diversification times of Eupolypods using total-evidence dating (TED or tip-dating) methods. Our analyses confirm that Eupolypods first diversified during the Jurassic and suggest that both subclades, Polypodiineae and Aspleniineae, underwent their earliest diversification during this period, challenging recent claims that Polypodiineae diversified no earlier than the Cretaceous. These results support a “long fuse” model, indicating that the initial emergence of Polypodiales preceded their diversification and extensive fossil record. Furthermore, our findings clarify the systematic position of Hypodematiaceae, indicating that it, along with Didymochlaenaceae, represents the basal lineages of Polypodiineae. This study highlights the critical role of fossil abundance and taxonomic composition in molecular dating analyses.

The Homines Fossilization: Brief Review of Anthropocene

This article is an insight into our lifetime and the enduring capacity of the planet—especially regarding water and space, in face of the Homines population growth. This is and will be recorded in the geological time: once preserved as human fossils, we will be part of a chapter in Earth’s history. A brief taphonomic chronology is presented, from the emergence of humans to the domination of the environment and supremacy over other species, and also a concern on how much planet Earth can bear Homines neglects. The objective of this review is to show that the strata that contain human fossils change during the Anthropocene not only the human body but also its tools, resulting from its development. Four stages were identified as taphonomic phases: the first wave, when organic Homines fossils were preserved only with materials in natura, including natural artefacts. The second fossilization phase has occurred and still occurs with the urban Homines, a product of the proliferation of cities, including anthropogenic waste and diseases. The technology that we master today also belongs to our taphonomy: hydrocarbons, metals, plastic, radioactive elements—all fossilize together with the industrial Homines, representing the third fossilization phase, which is very close to the fourth fossilization phase, where our enlightened intelligence buries the technological Homines together with his world of digital waste and new viruses. How will we fossilize the future? This question makes us think about the behavior we assume today—who or what will go to the grave with us, which geological/environmental response will stop superpopulation, which extinction event will hold human proliferation? Which will be the mineral, human and waste components of our subsequent strata? How much water and space can we still use without causing a global environmental collapse?

中介语术语“石化”与“僵化”辨析

中介语术语“fossilization”多被汉译为“石化”,也被译为“僵化”,目前两个译名存在不少乱用、混用现象,亟须进一步界定和区分。通过语料库考察发现,“石化”与“僵化”的使用频率差异较大,在语义内涵、语义轻重、搭配对象等方面也有差别,且二者分别指向中介语的不同阶段,需采取针对性策略缓解或消除中介语中的“僵化”现象,进而避免出现“石化”情况。

Inner Ear of Miocene Fossil Ape Gives Clues to Evolution of Bipedalism

Anew study of a 7–8-million-year-old extinct fossil ape from China called Lufengpithecus offers new insights into the evolution of human bipedalism.The study,published in The Innovation,was conducted by a team from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology(IVPP)of the Chinese Academy of Sciences,the Yunnan Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology(YICRA),and New York University(NYU).

Renewable Energy Development in OAPEC Countries: History, Current Status, and Outlook

The renewable energy industry has grown its contribution to the global energy mix, particularly in terms of electricity generation. This study investigates the implications of an increasing renewable energy share on OAPEC countries and proposes a comprehensible policy strategy for the region. Four main topics are discussed: scientific and engineering principles of renewable energy utilization, current strategies for electricity generation in each OAPEC member country, economic and environmental implications of the energy transition under two future scenarios, as well as political interactions between oil-consuming and oil-producing countries. Based on this study, realistic and cost-effective strategies are proposed for OAPEC countries to better leverage their significant renewable energy resources while stabilizing fossil fuel supplies and strengthening their position in the global energy market. To mitigate the negative impacts of the energy transition, OAPEC countries are encouraged to take the following steps: 1) Developing renewable energy in conjunction with fossil fuel resources to reduce local demand for fossil fuel and increase the supply for exportation;2) Reviewing economic policies, environmental regulations, and carbon taxes imposed by oil-consuming countries;3) Increasing investment in renewable energy infrastructure;4) Cooperating to achieve a balance between economic development and environmental protection.

Carbon Capture Technologies in OAPEC Member Countries and the Circular Carbon Economy: A Roadmap to Zero Emissions by 2050

Several Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) member states (OMSs) have updated their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) with the aim of achieving zero carbon emissions by 2050. Carbon neutrality requires shifting from a linear carbon economy (LCE) to a circular carbon economy (CCE). Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies, including reduction, recycle, reuse, removal, and storage technologies, represent an important strategy for achieving such a shift. Herein, we investigate the effects of CCS technology adoption in six OMSs—namely the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Algeria, and Iraq—by examining their Circular Carbon Economy Index (CCEI) scores, which reflect compliance with CCE-transition policies. Total CCEI, current performance CCEI dimension, and future enabler CCEI dimensions scores were compared among the aforementioned six OMSs and relative to Norway, which was used as a global-high CCEI reference standard. Specifically, CCEI general scope and CCEI oil scope dimension scores were compared. The KSA, Qatar, the UAE, and Kuwait had higher CCEI scores than Algeria and Iraq, reflecting their greater adoption of CCE-transition policies and greater emission-reducing modernization investments. The current performance CCEI scores of Algeria and Iraq appear to be buttressed to some extent by their greater natural carbon sink resources. Based on the findings, we recommend specific actions for OMSs to enhance their CCE transitions and mitigate the negative impacts associated with the associated investments, including: taking rapid practical steps to eliminate carbon oil industry emissions;detailed CCS planning by national oil companies;international cooperation and coordination;and increased investment in domestic CCS utilization infrastructure.

Late Miocene Woods of Taxodiaceae from Yunnan, China

Late Miocene woods were investigated from the Luhe Basin in Chuxiong Borough, central Yunnan, China. The calcified woods preserved in the Shigucun member of the Shihuiba Formation, are represented by fallen logs and stumps. Two species of fossil wood, Taxodioxylon cryptomeripsoides Schonfeld 1953 and T. cunninghamioides Watari 1948, are described. Their anatomical structure shows striking similarities to the woods of Cryptomeria and Cunninghamia respectively. That the two fossil woods are classed in the Taxodiaceae suggest a subtropical, humid, and warm environment in Lithe during Late Miocene. They compare favorably to other fossil specimens and species reported from localities ranging from Cretaceous to Pliocene. This is the first record of the presence of the species T. cryptomeripsoides and T. cunninghamioides in late Miocene of Yunnan.

A New Species of Araucarioxylon Kraus from the Early Early Permian, Nei Mongol, China

A kind of silicified fossil wood with mixed pits on the radial tracheid wall is described. The fossil wood was collected from the top of Taiyuan Formation (early Early Permian) in Wuda Mining District, Nei Mongol. Compared with the Paleozoic fossil woods in the world, it is put into Araucarioxylon Kraus and named as A. laoshidanense sp. nov. Based on the character of possessing mixed pittings (alternate and opposite pittings) on the radial tracheid wall, the fossil wood is believed to be one of the unknown primitive conifers.Diagnosis of the new species: Only secondary xylem preserved and consisting of axial tracheids and rays. Growth ring boundary, resin duct and axial parenchyma absent. One to Four (commonly 2 or 3) seriates of bordered pits (mostly alternate but sometimes opposite) on the radial tracheid wall. One to Four (commonly 1, rarely 2 to 4) Cupressoid pits in each cross_field. Rays usually uniseriate, sometimes partly_ biseriate and 2 to 39 (mainly 3-5) cells high.

The Occurrence of Longfengshania in the Early Cambrian from Haikou, Yunnan, China

Well preserved Early Cambrian small individual megascopic carbonaceous algal fossils have been found from the Chengjiang Biota. This paper deals with the new megascopic algal fossils in the Early Cambrian also from Chengjiang Biota at Ercai Village, Haikou, Kunming, Yunnan, southwest China. Two new taxa, Longfengshania cordata sp. nov. and Plantulaformis sinensis gen. et sp. nov. are described here in detail. These new findings show that the Chengjiang Biota is high in species diversity of fossil algae and might offer new evidence for a better understanding of the Cambrian explosive biological evolution. Moreover, the fossils described here might belong to the megaalgal fossils according to detailed morphological study on the relationships of Longfengshania. Additionally, the occurrence of Longfengshania in the early Cambrian and the Neoproterozoic probably indicates a wide ecological tolerance and flexibility and apparently reflects its evolutionary conservation and a high degree of inherent genetic stability.

“Fossil”汉语译名演变考

"Fossil"来源于拉丁文fossilis,最初用于指地中挖掘物。中文"化石"一词初为矿物、岩石的总称,或用作动词。西文"fossil"先后被汉译为塔形石、殭石等,汉语译名亦几经变化。本文根据晚清西学译著、近代刊物及教科书中关于化石的介绍,厘清了"fossil"一词译名的演变,指出中文将"fossil"译为"化石"并用于指地中生物遗迹的说法至20世纪初方才确定。

New Discoveries of Phaeophycean Fossils in the Early Cambrian, Haikou, Kunming,Yunnan, Southwest China

The paper deals with the new phaeophycean fossils in the Early Cambrian from Chengjiang Biota at Ercai Village of Haikou, Kunming, Yunnan, Southwest China. Three new taxa, Punctatiopsis latifolia gen. et sp. nov., P. simplex gen. et sp. nov. and Vendotaenia cf. antiqua Gnilovskaya axe described here in detail. These new findings show that the Chengjiang Biota is high in species diversity of fossil algae and might offer new evidence for a better understanding of the Cambrian explosive biological evolution. The fossil genus described here is found to have a close relationship with the living Punctatia based on similar morphology. The results suggest that the Chengjiang Biota in Haikou area of Kunming was living in an intertidal and subtidal seawater environment.

A general review of studies on fossilization of interlanguage in SLA

This paper reviews the articles with ＂fossilization of interlanguage＂ as key words in CNKI, and classifies and analyzes them from six aspects： fossilization and FL teaching; concept, origin and avoidance of fossilization; L1 transfer on fossilization; fossilization and linguistic output; Discourse markers and fossilization; the fossilization of interlanguage from psychology or cognition. It is intended to probe fossilization and its enlightenment and reference to SLA.

准卷螺属(Spirina)在中国的发现

一个世纪之前,Kayser(1889)在研究莱茵地区泥盆纪动物群时,发现一种壳体性状比较特殊的腹足类化石。这种化石的主要特征是壳体松旋,螺环少,并向壳口骤然扩大,具脐孔,壳面饰有同缘褶等。据此,Kayser把它命名为准卷螺。依据以往的记载,准卷螺属主要分布于欧洲的中志留世至中泥盆世地层中。本文记述的材料是张文堂教授于1950年采自黑龙江省密山县黑台地区黑台组。黑台组是我国泥盆纪北方槽区盛产化石的重要层位。腹足类产于黑台组深灰色灰岩中。

The Fate of Disi Aquifer as Stratigic Groundwater Reserve for Shared Countries (Jordan and Saudi Arabia)

Disi is a fossil groundwater shred between Jordan and Saudi Arabia with a very high quality properties, this water is limited and has been used for irrigation purposes between both countries, this study helps in highlighted the importance of this water as stratigic reserve to be use later on. This study shows that the amounts of groundwater affected by the thickness of the saturated zone in the aquifer, the porosity of the aquifer and the groundwater flow in the basin. Abstraction from the aquifer will affect water quality so this point must be clearly understood all the time.

Research on Non-English Major Undergraduates'Interlanguage Fossilization-A Case Study of HBUE

Interlanguage Fossilization is a thorny obstacle to learners in second language acquisition process. Based on data collected from non-English major undergraduates in Hubei University of Economics (HBUE), this paper carries out an empirical study on students'fossilized errors in the learning process, and aims to explore fossilization causes and propose de-fossilization techniques so as to improve students'language learning.

My English Learning Experience

This essay is aimed at reflecting my English learning experience,which is divided into three stages:The first six years'of study as a junior and senior high school student,when I always got high scores in the exams.I thought I was a sucessful English learner at that time.Four years as an English major in a teacher's college,where I found my English was as other people called "Chinglish".No matter how hard I worked I couldn't talk freely with native speakers.As time went on,I got to know the phenomenon belonging to interlanguage fossilization of English learning.Two years later after I graduated from the university,I went to University of Canberra to study my Master degree,there I found the essential factors that could help me get over fossilization through enhanced motivation,increased comprehensible input and production of communicative output.

An Analysis on Causes of Fossilization in Oral English of Vocational College Students

The main causes of the vocational college students' oral fossilization summarized in the thesis are as follows:negative transfer of the native language,overgeneralization,communication strategies blockage.