Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ABUNDANCE AND SITE FIDELITY OF MIGRATORY BIRDS WINTERING IN RIPARIAN HABITAT OF BAJA CALIFORNIA

the ecology of migratory landbirds in Baja California has been little studied, yet the nonbreeding season is of critical importance in the life cycle of any bird. We used mist netting to quantify the relative abundance and demographic indices of six species of landbirds wintering in riparian habitat at two sites in Baja California. in addition, we assessed their persistence at the sites through area searches for and recapture of individuals marked with a unique combination of color bands. From the winter of 2004–05 through the winter of 2006–07 we captured 561 individuals of the six species along the Río Santo tomás and Río San vicente. the most abundant species, the Hermit thrush (Catharus guttatus), Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata), and Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula), together accounted for 83.1% of all net captures of target species. the sex ratios of the six target species were not significantly different from 1:1 except for the Yellow-rumped Warbler, of which we found significantly more males than females. Persistence beyond one day and annual rates of return of the color-banded target species were generally low and did not differ by sex. the Baja California peninsula is considered an important area for avian conservation (Rodríguez-estrella 2005), a critical region for wintering shorebirds, waders, and aquatic migrants (Massey and Palacios 1994, Mellink 2005), and large portions are included in two endemic Bird areas (Stattersfield et al. 1998). However, knowledge of the avifauna of Baja California is mostly limited to studies of the occurrence and distribution of breeding species and migrants (erickson and Howell 2001, Rodríguez-estrella 2005) and of the biology of waterbirds; few studies of the ecology of the region’s migratory landbirds have been published (Rodríguez-estrella 2005). Riparian ecosystems represent one of the most important habitats for landbirds, especially in arid regions of western north america. Riparian habitat is more diverse and more productive than surrounding uplands despite covering a small percentage of the landscape (Knopf et al. 1988, Skagen et al. 2005). the riparian areas of northwest Baja California are structurally similar to those of coastal southwestern California and share similar animal and plant communities (Mellink 2002, Roberts 2004, González-abraham et al. 2010), despite the lower diversity of riparian plants in Baja California (Minnich and Franco-vizcaíno 1997). While many of the upland ecosystems of Baja California are in a very good state of conservation in comparison to those of similar areas in southern California (Minnich and Franco-vizcaíno 1998), this is not true for the riparian habitats, many of which have been
METABOLIC PROFILES IN WOOD FORMING TISSUE DURING TENSION WOOD FORMATION

Metabolic profiling in wood-forming tissue has become a valuable tool for reveal the mechanism of wood formation because almost all the chemical components of wood are the result of metabolism in living tree. In angiosperms, tissue that differs from normal wood develops on the upper side of an inclined stem or branch and is referred to as tension wood. Here, we aimed to determine whether such metabolic profiling were associated with different extent tension wood formation in Populus simonii young seedlings were artificial inclined and the Gas chromatographyMass spectrometry (GC-MS) were employed to analysis the whole metabolites. Cross sections of newly wood were observed by Scanning Electron Microscope. Growth traits and lignin content also were investigated. Different degree tension wood was formed in stem inclination 0°-70°. Tree growth was seriously affected by stem inclination in greater angle. Varieties and abundances of metabolites were significantly affected by inclined angle. The patterns of relative abundance of D-glucose and D-fructose in accordance with cellulose content in smaller incline angle treatment. Amino acid was increased in stem inclination. L-proline was significantly increased in stem inclination 30°. Additionally, the majority of lipids were significantly increased in response to stem inclination treatment. These results indicated that metabolites may perform essential roles in tension wood cell wall biosynthesis and architecture.
COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF ACARICIDES AGAINST TWO SPOTTED SPIDER MITES, TETRANYCHUS URTICAE KOCH (ACARI: TETRANYCHIDAE) ON KIDNEY BEAN PLANTS UNDER LABORATORY AND FIELD CONDITIONS

The experiment was conducted at Department of Entomology, Khyber PakhtunKhwa Agricultural University Peshawar and Agricultural Research Institute, Mingora Swat Pakistan during summer, 2015 to find out the comparative efficacy of commonly used, commercially available acaricides i.e. Fenpyroximate, Spiromecifen, Pyridaben and Hexythiazox against Two Spotted Spider Mites (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae Koch in the lab and field conditions. Fenpyroximate, Spiromecifen and Pyridaben were proved the best among the tested ones for the control of TSSM based on their LC50 values and percent mortality in the lab and field experiment. All the tested acaricides caused significant mortality in the lab as well as in the field. Among the tested acaricides, Fenpyroximate, Spiromecifen and Pyridaben were found more effective against the two spotted spider mites than the other one. Mite population remained significantly lower in Fenpyroximate, Spiromecifen and Pyridaben treated plots (8295 % mortality) then the Hexythiazox (17-30.83 % mortality, respectively). However, the Fenpyroximate showed the lowest LC50 value. The recommended application rates used in the field and the LT50 values further suggested judicious use effective acaricides.
Bone turnover , OPG / RANKL , and inflammation with antiretroviral initiation : comparison of tenofovir-vs . non-tenofovir regimens

Objectives—Bone mineral density decreases with antiretroviral therapy (ART)-initiation, although the pathogenesis, including the role of tenofovir (TDF), is unclear. This study assessed changes in bone-turnover markers, osteoprotegerin (OPG), soluble receptor activator for nuclear factor kappa β ligand (sRANKL), and inflammation in subjects initiating TDFvs. non-TDFcontaining regimens, and determined the relationship between bone turnover, OPG/sRANKL, and inflammation. Methods—This was a longitudinal, observational study comparing levels of bone-turnover markers (C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, CTX; osteocalcin (OC)), OPG, sRANKL, and inflammatory cytokines (soluble tumor necrosis factor-α receptor-I, -II (sTNFR-I,-II), interleukin-6) prior to ART and 6–12 months after ART-initiation with a TDFvs. non-TDFcontaining regimen in HIV-infected subjects 18–50 years old. Results—87 subjects were enrolled (TDF=44; non-TDF=43). Groups were similar except subjects on TDF had a lower CD4 nadir (P<0.01) and were more likely to receive a protease inhibitor (PI) (P=0.03). At pre-ART, 35% and 1% of subjects had CTX and OC above normal range, respectively. Both increased with ART initiation, whereas OPG, sRANKL, and inflammatory markers significantly decreased. In multivariate models, increases in OC were associated with TDF-use, PI-use, and pre-ART levels of sTNFR-I, while increases in CTX were associated with CD4 nadir <50 cell/mm3. Increases in bone markers were unrelated to pre-ART levels of OPG/sRANKL and changes in OPG/sRANKL after ART-initiation. Correspondence and reprints: Giovanni Guaraldi, MD, Dept of Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via del pozzo 71, 41100 Modena, Italy, Tel + 39 059 422 5318, Fax + 39 059 4223710, giovanni.guaraldi@unimore.it.
Effective method to control Vibrio mimicus infection in channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus

Recently, a skin ulcerative disease caused by Vibrio mimicus has led to heavy economic losses in catfish, including yellow catfish, southern catfish, and Zhengchuan catfish in China. Currently, there was no effective method of controlling the outbreak of this disease. In this study, the bacterial isolates were obtained from dying channel catfish and identified as V. mimicus, which consist of formalin-inactivated V. mimicus (antigen). After first immunization, four weeks later, fishes were exposed to V. mimicus and the immune response was analyzed: Fish survival, respiratory burst activity of blood leukocytes, serum agglutination titers, and lysozyme activity, every week (during four weeks). Survival was up 90%. Respiratory burst activity of blood leukocytes, serum agglutination titers, and lysozyme activity were determined at 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after primary immunization. Immunization of channel catfish protected hosts against V. mimicus infection with a survival percentage of more than 90%. Respiratory burst activity of blood leukocytes was not affected by vaccination. Serum agglutination titer and lysozyme activity were significantly increased after immunization, in comparison with un-vaccinated control fish. The obtained results indicated that vaccination is an effective method to control the outbreaks of V. mimicus through regulation of the humoral immune response. Key words: Vibrio mimicus, catfish, skin ulcer, vaccine.
Working Paper No . 387 Shocks to bank capital : evidence from UK banks at home and away

This paper assesses how shocks to bank capital may influence a bank’s portfolio behaviour using novel evidence from a UK bank panel data set from a period that pre-dates the recent financial crisis. Focusing on the behaviour of bank loans, we extract the dynamic response of a bank to innovations in its capital and in its regulatory capital buffer. We find that innovations in a bank’s capital in this (pre-crisis) sample period were coupled with a loan response that lasted up to three years. Banks also responded to scarce regulatory capital by raising their deposit rate to attract funds. The international presence of UK banks allows us to identify a specific driver of capital shocks in our data, independent of bank lending to UK residents. Specifically, we use write-offs on loans to non-residents to instrument bank capital’s impact on UK resident lending. A fall in capital brought about a significant drop in lending, in particular to private non-financial corporations. In contrast, household lending increased when capital fell, which may indicate that — in this pre-crisis period — banks substituted into less risky assets when capital was short.
Access to finance , growth , and poverty : Assesing empirical evidence for Bolivia

In theoretical and empirical terms it has been recognized that well-functioning financial systems are essential for economic growth and poverty reduction. Most of this empirical evidence has focused on financial development as reflected in the depth and efficiency of the financial systems. However, it is important to consider that financial development does not necessarily mean that finance is available for all on an equal basis. Access to finance has received little attention in empirical literature, despite the emphasis it has received in theory and the various recent efforts to measure it. Additionally, recent studies related to the pro-growth role of finance have revealed the need for more empirical knowledge at regional and single country levels. The present study briefly reviews recent literature related to the issue of access to finance and its effects on growth and poverty. Additionally, given the economic and social peculiarities of Bolivia and the need for country case evidence, the finance-growth and finance-poverty relationships are examined for this country, with an emphasis on the access dimension of finance. With this purpose, after a contextual analysis of the Bolivian financial intermediation, a cross-sectional study at a sub-national level was executed covering data of proxies of access to finance, economic growth, poverty, and other control variables for Bolivian municipalities. The main findings suggest that access to finance is an important factor spurring economic growth and poverty reduction in Bolivia. The results are robust for different measures of financial access and control variables. Additionally, microfinance institutions (MFIs) seem to have a part in the promotion of growth and in poverty alleviation. Among these MFIs, it is worth emphasizing the role of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and other semiformal institutions reaching rural and/or “really” poor agents. Moreover, the Bolivian experience in terms of microfinance and the evolution of the financial system in two different scenarios (financial repression and financial liberalization) suggests that the role of the government in building an effective and accessible financial system should focus on regulation and on promoting the supply of financial services rather than on ownership.
Decreased follicular progesterone level on follicle aspiration day results in better embryo formation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Aim: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with lower pregnancy and higher miscarriage rates in assisted reproductive technologies. Our study aimed to determine the effect of follicular progesterone on oocytes and embryo development in an antagonist protocol for PCOS patients. Methods: This prospective study recruited PCOS patients and healthy controls who underwent controlled ovarian stimulation using an antagonist protocol in which fluid from a single primary follicle was collected and tested. Data were analysed and embryo outcomes were assessed. Results: (1) On trigger day, PCOS patients showed higher plasma level of luteinizing hormone than controls, while on follicle aspiration day, PCOS patients showed significantly lower follicular progesterone level than controls; however, both groups obtained similar oocyte outcomes, except for significantly lower viable embryo rates in PCOS patients. (2) A PCOS subgroup with a relatively lower follicular progesterone level (P≤1.8×104 ng/mL) on aspiration day showed a significantly higher viable embryo rate compared to PCOS patients with a higher follicular progesterone level (P>1.8×104 ng/mL) and non-PCOS controls; in addition, the blastocyst formation rate was significantly higher in the subgroup with lower follicular progesterone compared to that in healthy controls. PCOS patients with higher follicular progesterone exhibited levels similar to those in non-PCOS patients but the viable embryo rate was dramatically lower. Conclusion: PCOS patients showed lower progesterone levels in primary follicles. However, the reduction of follicular progesterone level on aspiration day in PCOS patients was associated with better early embryo development, and therefore might imply a potential protective mechanism for oocyte development while not affecting oocyte maturation in PCOS.
A tissue culture technique for propagation of Paulownia elongata tree

Stem tips and nodal explants of Paulownia elongata plants grown at controlled conditions were cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) supplemented with NAA and BAP. Medium containing 2 mg/L BAP and 0.05 mg/L NAA gave the best shoot production and maximum number of shoots from nodal explant (8.2). The results indicated that P. elongata has a great potential for vegetative buds formation as the answer strongly related to the composition of medium and culture conditions. The described protocol allows the establishment of numerous cloned elite plants from selected genotypes of P. еlongatа.
Socio-Economic Factors Influencing Yam (Dioscorea Spp) Production in Bwari Area Council, Abuja, Nigeria

This study determined socioeconomic factors influencing yam production in Bwari Area Council Abuja, Nigeria. Primary data was used for this study. Data were obtained using structured questionnaire; the questionnaires were administered to one hundred and fifty (150) sampled yam farmers using simple random sampling technique. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics; multiple regression analysis. The resultshows that majority 87.8% were male while 91.2% were married. Also the result revealed that 33.8% had secondary education while 28.4% had obtained post-secondary education. The average age of the sampled respondents was 47 years in the study area. The analysis of multiple regression shows that age; Farming experience, gender and educational level of the sampled yam farmers were significant factors influencing yam production and were significant at 5% percent probability level respectively. The R 2 value of 0.53 which is the coefficient of multiple determination shows that 53% percent of the variation in dependent variable was explained by the explanatory variables included in the model and F-value of 3.14 is significant at 10% probability level. However yam farmers encountered inadequate capital, lack of land availability, government policy, diseases outbreak and inadequate transport facilities, bad road, and access to good market for their farm produce as a major constraint. The study therefore recommends that, provision should be made for subsidized input and Public Private Partnership (PPP) should be explored by government so as to help the education of farmers with regard to new technology and innovations in yam production in the study area.
Title Branched chain amino acids attenuate major pathologies inmouse models of retinal degeneration and glaucoma

Retinal neuronal cell death underlies many incurable eye diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and glaucoma, and causes adult blindness. We have shown that maintenance of ATP levels via inhibiting ATP consumption is a promising strategy for preventing neuronal cell death. Here, we show that branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) are able to increase ATP production by enhancing glycolysis. In cell culture, supplementation of the culture media with BCAAs, but not glucose alone, enhanced cellular ATP levels, which was canceled by a glycolysis inhibitor. Administration of BCAAs to RP mouse models, rd10 and rd12, significantly attenuated photoreceptor cell death morphologically and functionally, even when administration was started at later stages. Administration of BCAAs in a glaucoma mouse model also showed significant attenuation of retinal ganglion cell death. These results suggest that administration of BCAAs Received: 2 June 2017 Revised: 11 January 2018 Accepted: 9 February 2018 Cite as: Tomoko Hasegawa, Hanako Ohashi Ikeda, Sachiko Iwai, Yuki Muraoka, Tatsuaki Tsuruyama, Keiko Okamoto-Furuta, Haruyasu Kohda, Akira Kakizuka, Nagahisa Yoshimura. Branched chain amino acids attenuate major pathologies in mouse models of retinal degeneration and glaucoma. Heliyon 4 (2018) e00544. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon. 2018. e00544 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon. 2018.e00544 2405-8440/ 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). could contribute to a comprehensive therapeutic strategy for retinal neurodegenerative diseases such as RP and glaucoma. Keyword: Ophthalmology
Self-supervised 3D Shape and Viewpoint Estimation from Single Images for Robotics

We present a convolutional neural network for joint 3D shape prediction and viewpoint estimation from a single input image. During training, our network gets the learning signal from a silhouette of an object in the input image-a form of self-supervision. It does not require ground truth data for 3D shapes and the viewpoints. Because it relies on such a weak form of supervision, our approach can easily be applied to real-world data. We demonstrate that our method produces reasonable qualitative and quantitative results on natural images for both shape estimation and viewpoint prediction. Unlike previous approaches, our method does not require multiple views of the same object instance in the dataset, which significantly expands the applicability in practical robotics scenarios. We showcase it by using the hallucinated shapes to improve the performance on the task of grasping real-world objects both in simulation and with a PR2 robot.
Complications of Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Children after Cardiac Surgery in Senegal

Original Research Article Introduction: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is a technique for relieving cardiac function by a pump, lung function by an oxygenator and a heat exchanger, after deflecting blood from the heart-lung block. It allows surgery on a heartless and inactive heart. However, it leads to multiple physiological changes in the major functions of the body. Based on these findings, we propose to study the complications secondary to the use of CPB in pediatric cardiac surgery. Materials and Methods: This was a longitudinal, retrospective, descriptive and analytical study of children who benefited from cardiopulmonary bypass during cardiac surgery. It takes place in Dakar from January 16, 2017 to December 31, 2017, for one-year duration at Fann's thoracic and cardiovascular surgery center.Any patient up to 15 years of age who benefited from cardiopulmonary bypass during cardiac surgery during the study period was included. Results: Congenital pathology was dominated by fallot tetralogy (17.65%) and interventricular communication (16.66%). The acquired valvular pathology was dominated by mitral insufficiency (23.53%). Canulation was aortobicave in all our patients. The same SARNS TM 9000 system perfusion roller console was used as well as membrane oxygenators of the MEDOS® type. The mean duration of CPB in our patients was 103.44 +/36.01 minutes [42-205]. Mean duration of aortic cross-clamping was 73.33 +/28.3 minutes [17-146]. Duration of assistance was specified in 80 patients (78.4%). It averaged 18.9 +/10.25 minutes [6-57]. The total enrollment of our study was 102 patients. A male predominance was noted in our series with 52 boys for 50 girls or a sex ratio of 1.04. The age of our patients ranged from 1.08 to 15 years with an average of 9.41 ± 4.2 years. Post-CPB cardiac complications were marked by metabolic (99%), cardiovascular (37.2%), pleuropulmonary (46.1%), renal (2%), hepatosplanchnic (26.5%), neurological (2 %). The postoperative hemorrhages were 6.9% and the systemic inflammatory response syndrome was found in 48%. One patient died intraoperatively after sternal reopening for hemodynamic instability following tamponade. There were 3 patients (2.9%) who died in the postoperative period. That is a mortality of 3.9% in our series. The postoperative mortality time was 36.33 days on average. The average length of stay in intensive care unit (ICU) was 4.38 days [0.29-30]. Conclusion: Cardiopulmonary bypass allows the replacement or correction of most cardiac and large vessel lesions by perfusion and tissue oxygenation in the absence of cardiac activity. While technical developments have allowed the miniaturization of the material, the artificial surfaces used for such circuits nevertheless remain responsible for an inflammatory reaction that can lead to metabolic disorders and various organ dysfunctions.