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In the Jehol Biota, the edentulous azhdarchoid pterosaurs are flourished, with well-known Sinopterus-like and Chaoyangopterus-like cranial morphotypes. In contrast, their postcranial morphology is obscure, especially in cervical vertebrae. Here, new material of the Chinese tapejarine from the Early Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation in western Liaoning is described that provides more information about the mid-cervical vertebrae. As in Chaoyangopterus, the mid-cervicals are moderately elongated and lack the lateral pneumatic foramen; the prezygapophyses are horn-like and slightly divergent, and basally bear a longitudinally oriented sulcus. This similarity implies that the mid-cervical structure is inconsistent with the cranial disparity in the early radiation of the Azhdarchoidea, and further supports the hypothesis that the extremely elongated mid-cervicals are possibly evolved latterly in the Azhdarchidae after branching from the Azhdarchoidea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a comprehensive evaluation of higher education development of three economic regions in Liaoning Province, σ convergence, absolute β convergence and conditional β convergence of higher education development in each economic region were empirically examined with the panel data of 14 cities in Liaoning Province from 2005 to 2012. The results showed that although the higher education development improved greatly from 2005 and 2012, the development differences between regions did not display the characteristics of σ convergence; and in Liaoning Province as a whole, the coastal economic zone and the north-west economic region, there existed the characteristics of absolute β convergence and conditional β convergence of higher education development. However, the conditional factors impacting convergence were varied in different regions. Consequently, different policies and measures should be adopted in accordance with the local conditions so as to promote a balanced development of higher education in different regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]