Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A SEISMOLOGICAL STUDY IN THE SANTORINI VOLCANIC COMPLEX AREA DURING 2011-2012

The Hellenic Quaternary volcanic activity, well known as the South Aegean Volcanic Arc (SAVA), extends from Methana peninsula to Nisyros Island. Along the SAVA, the most active known features, either with historic eruptions or hydrothermal explosions, are Methana, Santorini, Nisyros and Milos. The Santorini Volcanic Center is one of the most active features of the Hellenic volcanic arc, which is a major geotectonic feature of the southern Aegean. The movement of the fluids in the Santorini Volcanic Complex (SVC) has been strongly infected by regional tectonics. The current geodynamic status of the SVC is controlled by two major volcanoes, the Nea Kammeni and the submarine Columbo ones. Respectively, two major fault lines, Kammeni and Columbo, cross the volcanoes in a NE-SW direction. The Santorini volcano has erupted many times, with different degree of explosivity. At least twelve large explosive eruptions have been listed in the bibliography, at least four of which formed a caldera. The earliest eruptions occurred on the Akrotiri Peninsula, 650,000 to 550,000 years ago, which are geochemically distinct from the later volcanism, due to their amphibole content. Over the past 360,000 years there have been two major cycles, each culminating with two caldera-forming eruptions. This eruptive history is also divided in a series of sub-cycles. Lava flows and small explosive eruptions built up cones. The most famous eruption occurred during the Late Bronze Age (mid of the second millennium BCE) and is widely-known as the Minoan one. Post-Minoan eruptive activity is concentrated on the Kammeni islands, in the centre of the caldera, with Palaia Kammeni being formed in 197 BCE. Nine sub-aerial eruptions were recorded since historical times, with the most recent ending in 1950. The seismicity in the SVC area can be characterized as moderate. The exact seismicity level cannot be precisely estimated due to the absence of local seismological networks. However, the seismicity is mainly concentrated along the Santorini Amorgos Fault Zone. It should also be mentioned that in the Columbo volcano several earthquake swarms have occurred (Hatzfeld et al., 1993; Delibasis et al., 1995; Bohnhoff et al., 2006; Dimitriadis et al., 2009; Kolaitis, 2011). Furthermore, the activity within the Santorini Caldera was very low. This pattern was reversed in 2011 and 2012, since the low seismicity areas (Santorini Caldera and Christiana Islands) were activated, while simultaneously the Santorini Amorgos Fault Zone exhibited low seismicity. Additional local seismological stations were installed in 2011, in the framework of the Hellenic Unified Seismological Network (HUSN), to monitor in detail the seismic activity in the SVC
Induction of total phenolics and defence-related enzymes during β-aminobutyric acid-induced resistance in Brassica carinata against Alternaria blight

Exogenous foliar application of β-aminobutyric acid (BABA) led to a significant reduction in disease severity in Brassica carinata caused by Alternaria brassicae. To get a better insight about changes in defence-related enzymes like phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO), isoform analysis of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POX) were studied. BABA-treated plants showed a significant increase in PAL, PPO enzyme activities and total phenolic content in response to pathogen inoculation. However, isoform analysis of SOD and POX revealed no change in isoform number but a quantitative change in activity was observed in response to pathogen.
Why circular reasoning leads to weak theories – and how open science can help

Circular reasoning occurs when a conclusion is assumed rather than demonstrated. This circularity in empirical research can lead to communication theories that are built on top of findings that are believed to be true, but are in fact false. The main culprit is a failure to distinguish between exploratory and confirmatory research. If they are not separated, the risk of building weak communication theories that are based on circular reasoning increases. Most importantly, negative (falsified) findings are the most certain findings of science, since they are based on deduction. They should therefore be treated as more valuable contributions to the scientific knowledge than positive findings, not less. To amend these problems, open science is suggested with increased transparency that separate exploratory and confirmatory research by means of pre-registration of hypotheses before data collection begins. This will help put more confidence in political communication in particular and communication science in general.
Endothelial‐protective effects of a G‐protein‐biased sphingosine‐1 phosphate receptor‐1 agonist, SAR247799, in type‐2 diabetes rats and a randomized placebo‐controlled patient trial

SAR247799 is a G‐protein‐biased sphingosine‐1 phosphate receptor‐1 (S1P1) agonist designed to activate endothelial S1P1 and provide endothelial‐protective properties, while limiting S1P1 desensitization and consequent lymphocyte‐count reduction associated with higher doses. The aim was to show whether S1P1 activation can promote endothelial effects in patients and, if so, select SAR247799 doses for further clinical investigation.
An examination of competitive gametic isolation mechanisms between the damselflies Ischnura graellsii and I. elegans

Recent findings suggest that postmating prezygotic isolation (i.e. gametic barriers) could be an important factor preventing hybrid formation. Competitive gametic barriers emerge when a female is inseminated by a conspecific and a heterospecific male. We examined whether sperm proportions after double matings and copulation duration impede hybrid formation. For this, we used females of Ischnura graellsii that mated with one conspecific and one heterospecific (I. elegans) male and vice versa, and calculated paternity of the second male by using RFLPs. Values of paternity (although preliminary because of a small sample size) suggest no bias in paternity towards conspecific males. However, proportion of sperm stored in the bursa and spermatheca of the female was biased towards the conspecific male when the heterospecific male was the first male, while copulation duration did not differ between conspecific and heterospecific males. Our results suggest that the relative sperm volumes may play a role as a gametic barrier in this species. However, cryptic female choice mediated by the preferential use of the conspecific sperm, although not detected, could not be discarded owing to small sample sizes in some cases.
Trialstreamer: A living, automatically updated database of clinical trial reports

Objective Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the gold standard method for evaluating whether a treatment works in healthcare, but can be difficult to find and make use of. We describe the development and evaluation of a system to automatically find and categorize all new RCT reports. Materials and Methods Trialstreamer, continuously monitors PubMed and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP), looking for new RCTs in humans using a validated classifier. We combine machine learning and rule-based methods to extract information from the RCT abstracts, including free-text descriptions of trial populations, interventions and outcomes (the 'PICO') and map these snippets to normalised MeSH vocabulary terms. We additionally identify sample sizes, predict the risk of bias, and extract text conveying key findings. We store all extracted data in a database which we make freely available for download, and via a search portal, which allows users to enter structured clinical queries. Results are ranked automatically to prioritize larger and higher-quality studies. Results As of May 2020, we have indexed 669,895 publications of RCTs, of which 18,485 were published in the first four months of 2020 (144/day). We additionally include 303,319 trial registrations from ICTRP. The median trial sample size in the RCTs was 66. Conclusions We present an automated system for finding and categorising RCTs. This yields a novel resource: A database of structured information automatically extracted for all published RCTs in humans. We make daily updates of this database available on our website (trialstreamer.robotreviewer.net).
Effects of 3,3′,4,4′,5‐pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB 126), 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD), or an extract derived from field‐collected cormorant eggs injected into double‐crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) eggs

Double‐crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) eggs were injected with either 3,3′,4,4′,5‐pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB 126), 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD), or an extract derived from field‐collected double‐crested cormorant eggs. These compounds were injected into the yolks of cormorant eggs from an isolated colony on Lake Winnipegosis, Manitoba, Canada. Upon hatching, chicks were necropsied. The brain, bursa, heart, liver, and spleen were removed and weighed. An approximate median lethal dose (LD50) of 158 μg/kg egg was determined for PCB 126, which is 69 times greater than the LD50 determined for the chicken (Gallus domesticus) in a previous study. A significantly greater mortality occurred at the highest dose of TCDD (4.0 μg/kg egg) when compared to the vehicle control. However, the mortality data did not provide sufficient information for the determination of an LD50. The cormorant egg extract did not adversely affect hatchability. No significant increases were observed in the incidence of developmental abnormalities, including pronounced edema, in any of the treatment groups, nor were there any relevant effects on body and organ weights. Based on the results from this study, the cormorant appears to be considerably less sensitive to polyhalogenated diaromatic hydrocarbons than the chicken, which has been the typical species used for egg injection studies.
Catastrophic disturbances in headwater streams: the long-term ecological effects of debris flows and debris floods in the Klamath Mountains, northern California

Debris flows and debris floods are catastrophic disturbances in steep, mountainous landscapes throughout the world, but little is known about the long-term ecological effects of these events on headwater streams. In 10 basins (10–20 km2) in the Klamath Mountains, northern California, USA, we used a space-for-time substitution to infer the long-term (10–100 years) effects of debris flows on stream ecosystem structure. Debris flows mobilized sediment and wood and removed riparian vegetation from large portions of channel networks. Stream temperatures were significantly warmer in streams that had recent debris flows (<10 years ago). Large wood, benthic organic matter, and detritivorous stoneflies were all very sparse in recent debris flow streams, suggesting that allochthonous energy pathways took decades to recover. Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were abundant in recent debris flow streams, but populations of other vertebrates such as coastal giant salamander (Dicamptodon tenebrosus) and coastal tailed.
Comparative Study of Diagnostic Methods for Rotavirus in Children Hospitalized for Diarrheal Disease in Mansoura Pediatric Hospital

Rapid diagnosis assays have the advantage of facilitating the process of large amount of samples in a very short period of time, allowing fast management measure and treatment to reduce disease severity and infection spread. Rotavirus infections are a major cause of diarrhea in children in both developed and developing countries. Rotavirus genetics, patient immunity, and environmental factors are thought to be related to the severity of acute diarrhea due to rotavirus in infants and young children. Diarrhea remains the second most common cause of death among children below 5 years globally. Among various enteric pathogens, rotavirus appears to be the most important etiological agent of acute gastroenteritis in infants and young children. A total of 100 stool samples, this study included 70 children with AGE and 30 healthy control children. They were chosen from Mansoura Pediatric Hospital from November 2015 to March 2017. Rotavirus can be detected in stool samples by electron microscopy (EM), Stool samples were obtained and assayed for rotavirus by the immunochromatography test (ICT), enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and quantitative real time (RT-PCR). 50 out of the 70 patients (71.42%) were positive for qr RT -PCR. Forty-five (64.28%) and 44 (62.85%) were positive for ICT and ELISA, respectively. There was a significant association between the severity of the disease as determined by the Vesikari score and rotavirus infection. The RT-PCR assay evaluated in the study was shown in general to have comparable performance for RVA detection in fecal samples. The real-time PCR assay is excellent tool for diagnostic laboratories, and the RT-PCR assay working in a portable PCR machine is highly sensitive and specific and shows promise for on farm molecular detection of RVA.
Relation Between Egg Size, Growth, and Natural Mortality of Larval Fish

A set of density-dependent growth and survivorship equations is derived from evidence that the instantaneous death rate in the sea is inversely proportional to particle size. The survivorship equation reproduces several well-known phenomena observed in fish populations. It predicts: 1) that winter and spring spawning species ought to produce larger eggs than summer spawners, 2) that it is advantageous for species that spawn in batches to produce progressively smaller eggs in spring and summer, and 3) that the death rate of a cohort of fish should decrease continuously as the survivors grow and approach the critical size.The biological basis for the observed variation in the size of pelagic fish eggs and larvae is thought to be due primarily to trophic relations within the pelagic community. It is suggested from what is known of the relative abundance and foraging capabilities of different sized particles, that the survival rates of larval and juvenile fish should increase as they grow and occupy a progres.
Regulation of P-Rex1 by Phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-Trisphosphate and Gβγ Subunits*

P-Rex1 is a guanine-nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for the small GTPase Rac. We have investigated here the mechanisms of stimulation of P-Rex1 Rac-GEF activity by the lipid second messenger phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate (PtdIns(3,4,5)P3) and the Gβγ subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins. We show that a P-Rex1 mutant lacking the PH domain (ΔPH) cannot be stimulated by PtdIns(3,4,5)P3, which implies that the PH domain confers PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 regulation of P-Rex1 Rac-GEF activity. Consistent with this, we found that PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 binds to the PH domain of P-Rex1 and that the DH/PH domain tandem is sufficient for PtdIns(3,4,5)P3-stimulated P-Rex1 activity. The Rac-GEF activities of the ΔPH mutant and the DH/PH domain tandem can both be stimulated by Gβγ subunits, which infers that Gβγ subunits regulate P-Rex1 activity by binding to the catalytic DH domain. Deletion of the DEP, PDZ, or inositol polyphosphate 4-phosphatase homology domains has no major consequences on the abilities of either PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 or Gβγ subunits to stimulate P-Rex1 Rac-GEF activity. However, the presence of any of these domains impacts on the levels of basal and/or stimulated P-Rex1 Rac-GEF activity, suggesting that there are important functional interactions between the DH/PH domain tandem and the DEP, PDZ, and inositol polyphosphate 4-phosphatase homology domains of P-Rex1.
Effects of the supplementation with yeast (saccharomyces cerevisiae) on weight gain and development of water buffalo calves

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a commercial yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on weight gain and development of buffalo calves from water buffalo herd in north of Colombia. The buffalo calves (age: 71,12 +/- 22 days old) were randomly assigned to one of two treatments, during 45 days. One group (n=13) received 50 gr/day of commercial product of yeast and the other group (n = 13) don’t received yeast. The buffalo calves grazed in same pastures under same milking system. All animals were weighed and measured weekly. During the test the animals gain 11,38 +/- 5,2 Kgr y 13.92 +/- 5,0 Kgr by treated and non treated calves, respectively. The increase of the corporal measures during the test was (cm): Toraxic Circumference 7,0 +/- 5,58 Vs 9,23 +/- 4,02, Height 5,77 +/- 6,81 Vs 5,92 +/- 4,5 and Length 2,92 +/- 8,17 Vrs 0,54 +/- 4,86 by treated and no treated calves, respectively. No statistic difference was found between groups. In conclusion, the feeding with yeast culture didn’t increase significantly the weight gain and development in water buffalo calves.
Teste de envelhecimento acelerado em sementes de pimenta

The objective of this study was to adequate the methodology of accelerated aging test for vigor evaluation of pepper seeds. Six seed lots of pepper were tested for germination, germination at first count, cool germination and accelerated aging. For accelerated aging, the following methods were tested: traditional (100% RH) and modified (76% RH), at 38, 42 and 45oC for 48, 72 and 96 hours. The accelerated aging test was efficient for vigor evaluation of pepper seeds producing results similar to the first count and cool germination test, especially when conducted at 38 or 42oC for 96 hours by both traditional and modified methods.
On the Abelianization of Congruence Subgroups of Aut(F_2)

Let F_n be the free group of rank n and let Aut^+(F_n) be its special automorphism group. For an epimorphism pi : F_n -> G of the free group F_n onto a finite group G we call Gamma^+(G,pi) = {f in Aut^+(F_n) | pi*f = pi} the standard congruence subgroup of Aut^+(F_n) associated to G and pi. In the case n = 2 we fully describe the abelianization of Gamma^+(G,pi) for finite abelian groups G. Moreover, we show that if G is a finite non-perfect group, then Gamma^+(G,pi) < Aut^+(F_2) has infinite abelianization.
Hard Red Winter Wheat Cultivar Responses to a pH and Aluminum Concentration Gradient

Aluminum (Al) toxicity is a major yield-limiting factor in winter wheat production in many parts of the world. The use of Al-tolerant cultivars reduces the impact of this problem and is common to the southern Great Plains where wheat is managed as a dual-purpose crop. However, no quantitative data exist on the Al tolerance ranking of winter wheat cultivars often grown in a dual-purpose management system. This study was established to classify on a field scale the Al tolerance of common winter wheat cultivars (Ok101, Ok102, 2137, 2174, Jagger, Jagalene, Custer, and AP502CL). Fall forage yield of each cultivar was harvested by hand clipping. Soil samples were collected at the same time and analyzed for pH and Al saturation (Al sat ). Grain was hand-harvested in June of each year from the same rows harvested for forage. Cultivar differences (P 30% range. Al tolerance based on grain yield ranked as follows: 2137 > Jagalene = Ok101 > Jagger = 2174 ≥ Ok102 > Custer = AP502CL. Al tolerance based on forage yield ranking was similar to that of grain: 2137 > Ok101 = Jagalene = Jagger >2174 = Ok102 > Custer = AP502CL. Grain yield seemed to be less affected by Al sat than forage yields. The use of Al-tolerant winter wheat cultivars may minimize producers' risk of crop loss; therefore, this ranking of Al tolerance should help winter wheat producers make informed decisions if they have acid soils with high Al content and no other remedies available.
DNA damage‐induced RPA focalization is independent of γ‐H2AX and RPA hyper‐phosphorylation

Replication protein A (RPA) is the major eukaryotic single stranded DNA binding protein that plays a central role in DNA replication, repair and recombination. Like many DNA repair proteins RPA is heavily phosphorylated (specifically on its 32 kDa subunit) in response to DNA damage. Phosphorylation of many repair proteins has been shown to be important for their recruitment to DNA damage‐induced intra‐nuclear foci. Further, phosphorylation of H2AX (γ‐H2AX) has been shown to be important for either the recruitment or stable retention of DNA repair proteins to these intra‐nuclear foci. We address here the relationship between DNA damage‐induced hyper‐phosphorylation of RPA and its intra‐nuclear focalization, and whether γ‐H2AX is required for RPA's presence at these foci. Using GFP‐conjugated RPA, we demonstrate the formation of extraction‐resistant RPA foci induced by DNA damage or stalled replication forks. The strong DNA damage‐induced RPA foci appear after phosphorylated histone H2AX and Chk1, but earlier than the appearance of hyper‐phosphorylated RPA. We demonstrate that while the functions of phosphoinositol‐3‐kinase‐related protein kinases are essential for DNA damage‐induced H2AX phosphorylation and RPA hyper‐phosphorylation, they are dispensable for the induction of extraction‐resistant RPA and RPA foci. Furthermore, in mouse cells genetically devoid of H2AX, DNA damage‐induced extraction‐resistant RPA appears with the same kinetics as in normal mouse cells. These results demonstrate that neither RPA hyper‐phosphorylation nor H2AX are required for the formation in RPA intra‐nuclear foci in response to DNA damage/replicational stress and are consistent with a role for RPA as a DNA damage sensor involved in the initial recognition of damaged DNA or blocked replication forks. J. Cell. Biochem. 99: 1452–1462, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Efeito das plantas do algodoeiro e do tomateiro, como complemento alimentar, no desenvolvimento e na reprodução do predador Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

The occasional feeding on plants by Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) has produced different responses on its biology according to the plant species available. This study was undertaken to determine the development and reproduction of P. nigrispinus when confined on Gossypium hirsutum cv. Precocious CNPA1 and processing tomato Lycopersicum esculentum cv. IPA5 plants, using Tenebrio molitor (L.) pupa as prey. Nymphs and adults of P. nigrispinus were provided with prey and plants of cotton, prey and plant of tomato, prey and water, and only the prey. The predator could access the plants by caging nymphs and prey on plant leaves cultivated in pots. Nymphs caged on cotton or tomato plants with prey showed shorter duration of second and fifth instars. However, the shortest development period was observed for nymphs caged on cotton plants with prey. Nymphs fed on prey alone had lower survival within each instar and for the whole stage when compared to nymphs accessing plant, prey and water. The availability of cotton plants to nymphs produced heavier individuals compared to tomato plants, prey and water, and only prey. The adult weight at emergence was similar between plants and prey plus water, and superior to the treatment with prey alone. However, females of P. nigrispinus with access to the prey and cotton plant and prey and water showed significant body weight increase at the beginning of the reproductive activity, while females confined on tomato plants and only on prey did not range their weight during their lives. The availability of cotton and tomato plants to P. nigrispinus increased the number of eggs produced and adult longevity; moreover the former plant promoted higher oviposition frequency. Based on the results on net reproduction rate, intrinsic rate of increase and generation time, calculated for P. nigrispinus, the populations improved according to the plant species available and showed better response when confined with prey on cotton plants, followed by tomato plants. Also, insects fed on water plus prey developed better than those fed only on the prey.