Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Subsidy from the detrital food web, but not microhabitat complexity, affects the role of generalist predators in an aboveground herbivore food web

The activity and density of generalist predators, such as carabid beetles, rove beetles and spiders, may increase in response to: (1) increased availability of prey from the belowground subsystem and/or (2) enhanced complexity of aboveground vegetation. Organic farming practices support decomposer populations and enhance habitat complexity due to an increased weed density. A response by generalist predators to such below- or aboveground changes could affect predation rates on herbivores in the aboveground food web. We tested this hypothesis in a replicated field experiment conducted in a winter wheat field, where increased predator activity could lead to improved control of herbivorous pests. In a crossed design, we increased and lowered densities of decomposer prey, and manipulated vegetation complexity using artificial plants in order to examine the effect of structural complexity in isolation from effects of plant-attracted additional prey. Isotomid Collembola exhibited lowest activity-densities (AD) in plots treated with soil insecticide and had gradually increasing AD in untreated plots and plots receiving detrital subsidies. Carabid beetles and cursorial spiders did not respond to increased availability of isotomid prey, and they unexpectedly displayed higher AD in the structurally less-complex plots. Aphid density mirrored the positive response of isotomids to detrital subsidies, suggesting that aphids benefited from reduced predation due to predators switching to abundant prey in the decomposer subsystem. The absence of a numerical response by surface-active predators apparently strengthened this indirect effect of isotomids on aphids. Our results suggest that indirect predator-mediated prey-prey interactions can reduce beneficial effects of detrital subsidies on pest suppression. We further demonstrated that generalist predators may not per se benefit from structural complexity. Both results document the challenges associated with management practices that support generalist predators, as these measures may not necessarily improve herbivore suppression.
Effectiveness of Plant Oils Against Some Bostrychidae Infesting Cereals in Storage

Vegetable oil and palm oil were tested for their ability to suppress the populations of Rhyzopertha dominica Fabr. and Dinoderus distinctus Lesne on maize, sorghum and wheat grains using three dosages of 1 ml/kg, 5 ml/kg and 10 ml/kg. A dosage of 5 ml/kg of each oil, completely protected the three grains from D. distinctus and R. dominica on maize grain. Vegetable oil at 10 ml/kg dosage controlled R. dominica on sorghum and wheat. Palm oil had a similar effect, but did not control R. dominica on wheat even at 10 ml/kg dosage. The populations of R. dominica when treated with 1 ml/kg dosage were not significantly lower at 5% level than the control, with the exception of maize. Percentage weight losses of all grains at 5 ml/kg and 10 ml/kg dosage were significantly lower at 5% level than the control. Oil treatment did not significantly affect the germination of grains and protected the grains from the two pests for only 3 months. The highest population of R. dominica after 2 months of reinfestation was 67 and the highest mean population of D. distinctus was 1.4. The use of vegetable oils in the management of insect pests in storage is discussed. RésuméOn a expérimenté avec l’huile légumière et l’huile de palme pour savoir dans quelle mesure elles pourraient supprimer les populations de Rhyzopertha dominica Fabr et de Dinoderus distinctus Lesne sur les grains de maïs, de sorgho et de blé, en utilisant 3 doses, allant d’un ml/kg, 5 ml/kg et 10 ml/kg. Au dosage de 5 ml/kg pour chacune des huiles, on a pu protéger les trois grains, des activités de D. distinctus, d’une maniéré absolue. Au dosage de 5 ml/kg, on a pu seulement contrôler R. dominica sur les grains de maïs. Au dosage de 10 ml/kg l’huile legumiere a pu contrôler R. dominica sur le sorgho et le blé. L’huile de palme a été l’affet sembable comme l’huile de légumiére au dosage 10 ml/kg, mais elle n’a pa pu contrôler R. dominica sur le blé et ce dosage. A 5% de niveau et au traitement avec les doses d’un ml/kg, les populations de R. dominica étaient significativement plus basses que celles du contrôle, sauf en maïs. A 5% de niveau et au dosage de 5 ml/kg et 10 ml/kg les pertes on poids au pourcentage, étaient plus basses que celles du contrôle. Le traitement par huile na’avait pas significativement influé sur la germination des grains et les a protégés contre des deux ravageurs pendant trois mois seulement. La population la plus élevée de R. dominica après deux mois de réinfestation était 67, tandis que la moyenne la plus élevée de D. distinctus restait à 14. On a discuté l’emploi d’huile légumierés dans la contrôle d’insectes ravageus au stockage.
Ostracodes de Camargue

L'auteur mentionne 6 especes nouvelles pour la Camargue : Cypridopsis aculeata, Paradoxostoma cf. intermedium, Xestoleberis auriantia, Notodromas persica, Erpetocypris chevreuxi, Dolerocypris sinensis. Les 3 dernieres especes sont nouvelles pour la faune francaise.Dolerocypris sinensis, Notodromas persica sont localises dans la haute Camargue dans des biotopes d'eau douce, ou faiblement oligohalins.Erpetocypris chevreuxi serait aussi une espece d'eau douce capable de resister a de faibles salinites.Cypridopsis aculeata se rencontre dans des milieux oligosaumâtres-oligopoikilohalins.Xestoleberis auriantia pullule dans les eaux saumâtres. Paradoxostoma cf. intermedium : espece marine, est capable de vivre dans les lagunes du littoral ou la salinite varie de 30 a 40 g/l de NaCl.Il est interessant de noter l'avancee vers l'ouest de l'Europe de Dolero-cypris sinensis et de Notodromas persica, especes connues des Balkans et de l'Italie du Nord.
Effects of mildew (Erysiphe graminis) on green leaf area of Zephyr spring barley, 1973

SUMMARY A single spray of tridemorph on 1 June almost doubled leaf area index of Zephyr barley during much of the second half of June. Increases in leaf area duration before ear emergence seemed important in these plots, because they yielded much better than plots sprayed on 11 June although differing little from them in leaf area duration after ear emergence.
Initial Stroke Thrombectomy Experience in New York City during the COVID-19 Pandemic

SUMMARY: New York City has become the global epicenter of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Despite a massive shift in health care resources, cerebrovascular disease continues to be a substantial burden. We review the first 10 patients undergoing thrombectomy following a series of governmental and institutional policy changes diverting resources to the care of critically ill patients with COVID-19. Ten patients with emergent large-vessel occlusion underwent thrombectomy between March 23 and April 1, 2020. Five patients tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. Successful reperfusion was achieved in 9 of 10 patients, at a median time of 37 minutes from vascular access. The postprocedural NIHSS score improved by an average of 7.7 points. Of the 5 patients positive for COVID-19, none have experienced a critical respiratory illness. We report the early incidence of COVID-19 positivity in patients with emergent large-vessel occlusion and demonstrate that thrombectomy continues to be an efficacious option, as well as safe for health care providers.
Chlorophyll A Fluorescence and Chlorophyll Content in Parmelia Quercina Thalli from a Polluted Region of Northern Castellon (Spain)

Abstract Measurements of modulated chlorophyll a fluorescence emission and chlorophyll content were made in thalli of Parmelia quercina collected from northern Castellon(Spain). Althoug high air pollution concentrations have been measured in this area, the ratio of variable to maximal fluorescence is unaffected. Following dark-adaptation, the response to irradiance of chlorophyll fluorescence was examined. With respect to control samples, thalli collected in northern Castellon consistently showed differences in fluorescence quenching, the efficiency of excitation energy capture and quenching of basal fluorescence. However, the quantum ield of photochemistry and non-cyclic electron flow were not affected. The changes in chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were observed in the absence of both visual injuries and decrease in chlorophyll content. The results are discussed with regard to the possible role of environmental stress in chlorophyll fluorescence yield.
Laboratory Evaluation of Natural Saponin as a Bioactive Agent against Aedes aegypti and Culex pipiens

Quillaja saponaria is a South American saponin-producing plant and the Balanites aegyptiaca is an African - Asian saponin-producing plant. The efficacy of these two plant sources of natural saponins for the control of Aedes aegypti and Culex pipiens was studied in laboratory. The data showed that extracts of these two natural saponin plant sources can be used for an efficient bioactive preparation in Aedes aegypti and Culex pipiens mosquito control. Due to the fact that saponins are efficient in mosquito control, safe to mammals and available in high concentrations in many plant species all over the world, the cost of intensive use of saponin plant extract preparations should be relatively low and affordable to poor communities in the world.
Locating active proton extrusion pumps in leaves

Abstract Stabilized microscopic preparations of an apoplastic fluorescent tracer, sulphorhodamine G (SR), have previously shown it confined to leaf cell walls. SR has a pK of 3.2, is dissociated at normal wall pH, and therefore does not enter cells. In transpiring soybean leaves, the SR showed a major internal water pathway in the walls of the paraveinal mesophyll (PVM), which has been implicated in the temporary storage of protein. Also the SR penetrated the PVM and bundle sheath cells, staining organelles and vacuoles, but not other leaf cells. This implies that sufficient SR is undissociated in these walls to allow penetration, and that the pH of the PVM walls is lower than that of most other cells. It is proposed that proton extrusion pumps are revealed by the low wall pH, and that these pumps are probably involved in collecting ammo acids from the transpiration stream.
Profiles of COVID-19 clinical trials in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global public health crisis. There is a pressing need for evidence-based interventions to address the devastating clinical and public health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Chinese scientists supported by private and government resources have adopted extensive efforts to identify effective drugs against the virus. To date, a large number of clinical trials addressing various aspects of COVID19 have been registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR), including more than 200 interventional studies. Under such an urgent circumstance, the scope and quality of these clinical studies vary significantly. Hence, this review aims to make a comprehensive analysis on the profiles of COVID-19 clinical trials registered in the ChiCTR, including a wide range of characteristics. Our findings will provide a useful summary on these clinical studies since most of these studies will encounter major challenges from the design to completion. It will be a long road for the outcomes of these studies to be published and international collaboration will help the ultimate goals of developing new vaccines and anti-viral drugs.
The pathology of Saprolegnia infections of Anguilla anguilla L. elvers

The clinical signs and histopathology of Saprolegnia sp. [related to S. diclina Humphrey (syn. S. parasitica Coker)] are described in cultured Anguilla anguilla L. elvers under an intensive production system. The main lesions observed were loss of epithelium leading to ulceration, oedema and myofibrillar degenerative changes of the muscle mass. The oedema resulted in swelling of the inter-myotomal connective tissue, loss of nuclei and minor host reaction. Traumatic lesions with subsequent bacterial infections had a mononuclear inflammatory response. It is suggested that the rapid extension of the lesion is due to the loss of integrity of the integument and the widespread oedema, which altered the viability of tissues and assisted the Saprolegnia infection. The condition was fatal for infected elvers.
Understanding the Impact of Competing Events on Heterogeneous Treatment Effect Estimation from Time-to-Event Data

We study the problem of inferring heterogeneous treatment effects (HTEs) from time-to-event data in the presence of competing events. Albeit its great practical relevance, this problem has received little attention compared to its counterparts studying HTE estimation without time-to-event data or competing events. We take an outcome modeling approach to estimating HTEs, and consider how and when existing prediction models for time-to-event data can be used as plug-in estimators for potential outcomes. We then investigate whether competing events present new challenges for HTE estimation -- in addition to the standard confounding problem --, and find that, because there are multiple definitions of causal effects in this setting -- namely total, direct and separable effects --, competing events can act as an additional source of covariate shift depending on the desired treatment effect interpretation and associated estimand. We theoretically analyze and empirically illustrate when and how these challenges play a role when using generic machine learning prediction models for the estimation of HTEs.
Are high levels of religiosity inconsistent with a high valuation of science? Evidence from the United States, China and Iran.

We asked whether high levels of religiosity are inconsistent with a high valuation of science. We explored this possibility in three countries that diverge markedly in the relation between the state and religion. Parents in the United States (n = 126), China (n = 234) and Iran (n = 77) completed a survey about their personal and parental stance towards science. The relation between religiosity and the valuation of science varied sharply by country. In the U.S. sample, greater religiosity was associated with a lower valuation of science. A similar but weaker negative relation was found in the Chinese sample. Parents in the Iranian sample, by contrast, valued science highly, despite high levels of religiosity. Given the small size of our United States and Iranian samples, and the non-probabilistic nature of our samples in general, we caution readers not to generalise our findings beyond the current samples. Despite this caveat, these findings qualify the assumption that religiosity is inconsistent with the valuation of science and highlight the role of sociocultural context in shaping adults' perception of the relation between religion and science.
Comparison of T1-Post and FLAIR-Post MRI for identification of traumatic meningeal enhancement in traumatic brain injury patients

Traumatic meningeal enhancement (TME) is a novel biomarker observed on post-contrast fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) in patients who undergo contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after suspected traumatic brain injury (TBI). TME may be seen on acute MRI despite the absence of other trauma-related intracranial findings. In this study we compare conspicuity of TME on FLAIR post-contrast and T1 weighted imaging (T1WI) post-contrast, and investigate if TME is best detected by FLAIR post-contrast or T1WI post-contrast sequences. Subjects selected for analysis enrolled in the parent study (NCT01132937) in 2016 and underwent contrast-enhanced MRI within 48 hours of suspected TBI. Two blinded readers reviewed pairs of pre- and post-contrast T1WI and FLAIR images for presence or absence of TME. Discordant pairs between the two blinded readers were reviewed by a third reader. Cohen’s kappa coefficient was used to calculate agreement. Twenty-five subjects (15 males, 10 females; median age 48 (Q1:35-Q3:62; IQR: 27)) were included. The blinded readers had high agreement for presence of TME on FLAIR (Kappa of 0.90), but had no agreement for presence of TME on T1WI (Kappa of -0.24). The FLAIR and T1WI scans were compared among all three readers and 62% of the cases positive on FLAIR could be seen on T1WI. However, 38% of the cases who were read positive on FLAIR for TME were read negative for TME on T1WI. Conspicuity of TME is higher on post-contrast FLAIR MRI than on post-contrast T1WI. TME as seen on post-contrast FLAIR MRI can aid in the identification of patients with TBI.
Perspectiva bayesiana na seleção de genótipos de feijão-caupi em ensaios de valor de cultivo e uso

The objective of this work was to select, under the Bayesian perspective, cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata ) genotypes that meet high phenotypic adaptability and stability, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Data from four experiments, conducted in a randomized complete block design, were used, in which grain yield of 20 semiprostrate cowpea genotypes was evaluated. To represent non‑informative prior distributions, probability distributions with high variance were used; and, to represent informative prior distributions, a metanalysis concept was adopted using information from previous studies. The comparison between the prior distributions was done using the Bayes factor. The Bayesian approach provides greater accuracy in the selection of semiprostrate cowpea genotypes, with high phenotypic adaptability and stability assessed by the Eberhart & Russell methodology. Based on the informative priors, the MNC99‑507G‑4, TE97‑309G‑24, MNC99‑542F‑7, and BR 17‑Gurgueia genotypes are classified as with high adaptability to favorable environments. The TE96‑290‑12G, MNC99‑510F‑16, MNC99‑508G‑1, MNC99‑541F‑21, MNC99‑542F‑5, and MNC99‑547F‑2 genotypes have high adaptability to unfavorable environments.
First record of the alien caprellid amphipod, Caprella mutica, for the UK

A large caprellid amphipod recently discovered at a salmon farm in the Lynne of Lorne near Oban, Scotland, has been identified as Caprella mutica, a species indigenous to north-east Asia. The caprellid population appears to have become established in the last four years at the site with a high abundance of animals occurring year round on the farm nets, mooring ropes and on artificial experimental structures located <10 m from the fish farm. This paper briefly describes C. mutica found in Scotland. Application of Chapman & Carlton's criteria for determining introduced species suggests that C. mutica is non-indigenous to the area.
Developmental and hormonal regulation of Ubiquitin-like with plant homeodomain and really interesting new gene finger domains 1 (UHRF1) gene expression in ovarian granulosa and theca cells of cattle.

Ubiquitin-like with plant homeodomain and really interesting new gene finger domains 1 (UHRF1) is a multi-domain nuclear protein that plays an important role in epigenetics and tumorigenesis, but its role in normal ovarian follicle development remains unknown. Thus, the present study evaluated if UHRF1 mRNA abundance in bovine follicular cells is developmentally and hormonally regulated, and if changes in UHRF1 are associated with changes in DNA methylation in follicular cells. Abundance of UHRF1 mRNA was greater in granulosa cells (GC) and theca cells (TC) from small (<6 mm) than large (≥8 mm) follicles, and was greater in small-follicle GC than TC. In GC and TC, FGF9 treatment increased (P < 0.05) UHRF1 expression by twofold. Also, luteinizing hormone (LH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) increased (P < 0.05) UHRF1 expression in TC by twofold, and forskolin (an adenylate cyclase inducer) alone or combined with IGF1 increased (P < 0.05) UHRF1 expression by threefold. An E2F transcription factor inhibitor (E2Fi) decreased (P < 0.05) UHRF1 expression by 44% in TC and by 99% in GC. Estradiol, progesterone and dibutyryl-cAMP decreased (P < 0.05) UHRF1 mRNA abundance in GC. Treatment of GC with FSH alone had no effect but combined with IGF1 enhanced UHRF1 mRNA abundance by 2.7-fold. Beauvericin (a mycotoxin) completely inhibited the FSH plus IGF1-induced UHRF1 expression in small-follicle GC. Treatments that increased UHRF1 mRNA (i.e., FGF9) in GC tended to decrease (by 63%; P < 0.10) global DNA methylation, and those that decreased UHRF1 mRNA (i.e., E2Fi) in GC tended to increase (by 2.4-fold; P < 0.10) global DNA methylation. Collectively, these results suggest that UHRF1 expression in both GC and TC is developmentally and hormonally regulated, and that UHRF1 may play a role in follicular growth and development as well as be involved in ovarian epigenetic processes.
Effects of dung beetles (Scarabaeidae) on seeds dispersed by howler monkeys (Alouatta seniculus) in the French Guianan rain forest

The dispersal of seeds by howler monkeys (Alouatta seniculus) and the role of dung beetles in determining the fate of the dispersed seeds were studied at Nouragues Station, French Guiana, during three 2-mo periods (April–May, 1995–97). Howler monkeys were observed to disperse seeds of 47 plant species. Monkey dung attracted 57 species of dung beetles (Scarabaeidae), including tunnellers (maximum size 37 mm) and ball rollers (12.6 mm). The rate of seed burial was negatively correlated with seed size (10 plant species) and positively correlated with dung beetle size (six species of tunnellers). More than 80% of small seeds (< 5 mm) and 30% of large seeds (22 mm), were buried by the largest tunnellers. Dung beetles buried 13 to 23% of seeds ranging 8–13 mm in width. The maximum average depth of burial was 28 cm and varied according to the species of dung beetle. The rate of disappearance of large dung clumps varied during the day and was completed by nocturnal dung beetles. Seeds of Chrysophyllum lucentifolium (Sapotaceae) buried at 5 and 10 cm depths did not suffer predation, but showed low germination success compared to seeds left at the soil surface. Dung beetles affected the survival and distribution of a portion of the seeds dispersed by monkeys, and their relative importance in shaping seed fate depended on seed and beetle size.