Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Functional plasticity of the swim bladder as an acoustic organ for communication in a vocal fish

Teleost fishes have evolved a number of sound-producing mechanisms, including vibrations of the swim bladder. In addition to sound production, the swim bladder also aids in sound reception. While the production and reception of sound by the swim bladder has been described separately in fishes, the extent to which it operates for both in a single species is unknown. Here, using morphological, electrophysiological and modelling approaches, we show that the swim bladder of male plainfin midshipman fish (Porichthys notatus) exhibits reproductive state-dependent changes in morphology and function for sound production and reception. Non-reproductive males possess rostral ‘horn-like’ swim bladder extensions that enhance low-frequency (less than 800 Hz) sound pressure sensitivity by decreasing the distance between the swim bladder and inner ear, thus enabling pressure-induced swim bladder vibrations to be transduced to the inner ear. By contrast, reproductive males display enlarged swim bladder sonic muscles that enable the production of advertisement calls but also alter swim bladder morphology and increase the swim bladder to inner ear distance, effectively reducing sound pressure sensitivity. Taken together, we show that the swim bladder exhibits a seasonal functional plasticity that allows it to effectively mediate both the production and reception of sound in a vocal teleost fish.
Single-cell genomics reveals new rozellid lineages and supports their sister relationship to Microsporidia

The phylum Rozellomycota has been proposed for a group of early-branching holomycotan lineages representing obligate parasites and hyperparasites of zoosporic fungi, oomycotes or phytoplankton. Given their predominantly intracellular lifestyle, rozellids are typically known from environmental ribosomal DNA data, except for the well-studied Rozella species. To date, the phylogenetic relationship between rozellids and microsporidians (Microsporidia) is not fully understood and most reliable hypotheses are based on phylogenomic analyses that incorporate the only publicly available rozellid genome of Rozella allomycis. Here, we provide genomic data of three new rozellid lineages obtained by single-cell sequencing from environmental samples and show with a phylogenomic approach that rozellids form a monophyletic group that is sister to microsporidians, corroborating the previously proposed phylum Rozellomycota. Whereas no mitochondrial genes coding for the respiratory Complex I could be found, we discovered a gene coding for a nucleotide phosphate transporter in one of the three draft genomes. The scattered absence of Complex I genes and scattered presence of nucleotide transporter genes across diverse microsporidian and rozellid lineages suggest that these adaptations to a parasitic lifestyle, which reduce the parasite's capability to synthesize ATP but enables it to steal ATP from its host, evolved independently in microsporidians and rozellids.
Sources and seasonal variability of metal and arsenic concentrations in the surface water of the Clark Fork River basin Montana

A basinwide sampling of the surface water of the Upper Clark Fork Basin, Montana was conducted during the summer of 1998. This assessment of the Clark Fork was to determine the transport processes of dissolved-phase metals in an effort to quantify the impacts to the river. Tributaries of the primary drainages to the basin having varied mining histories were included in the sampling event. The headwaters region (immediately above and below Warm Springs Ponds) produced elevated concentrations of As, Cu, Fe, and Mn in surface waters with relatively high pH values (8.5 to 9.3). Most trace element concentrations decrease through the pond system, with the exception of As, which more than doubles in concentration. On a basinwide scale, the concentration trends for trace elements can be explained by differences in reactivity and dilution by tributaries. Major cations appear to have downstream sources associated with tributaries or groundwater. Calculated background concentrations indicate that all cations analyzed have excess loads at some point in the study area with the exceptions of Fe and Mn. These excess loads in the system identify segments of the basin where remediation efforts and resources could be focused. However, an understanding of basin-scale controls on the filterable phase is necessary for such efforts to succeed.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Diabetes Care for Adults With Type 2 Diabetes in Ontario, Canada

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic and related public health prevention measures have led to a disruption of the delivery of routine care and may have had an impact on the quality of diabetes care. Our aim in this study was to evaluate the extent to which structure, process and outcome quality measures in diabetes care changed in the ﬁ rst 6 months of the pandemic compared with previous periods. Methods: A before-and-after observational study of all community-living Ontario residents > 20 years of age and living with diabetes. The patients were divided into 3 cohorts: a pandemic cohort, alive March to September 2020 (n ¼ 1,393,404); reference cohort 1, alive March to September 2019 (n ¼ 1,415,490); and reference cohort 2, alive September 2019 to February 2020 (n ¼ 1,444,000). Outcome measures were in-person/virtual visits to general practitioners and specialists, eye examinations, glycated hemoglobin (A1C) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) testing, ﬁ lled prescriptions, and admissions to emergency departments (EDs) and hospitals for acute and chronic diabetes complications. Results: The probability of an in-person visit to a GP decreasing by 47% (95% con ﬁ dence interval [CI], 47% to 47%) in the pandemic period compared with both previous periods. The probability of having an eye exam was lower by 43% (95% CI, 44% to 43%), an A1C test by 28% (95% CI, 29% to 28%) and an LDL test by 31% (95% CI, 31% to 31%) in the pandemic period compared with the same 6-month period the year before. There were very small decreases in drug prescriptions and decreases of 18% and 16% in ED and hospital visits for complications. Conclusions: We observed disruptions to both structure and processes measures of diabetes care in Ontario during the ﬁ rst wave of the pandemic. Author(s). by Elsevier on This is weight destabilised retinopathy, nephropathy, foot amputations and
Psychological aspects in unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) witnesses

Abstract In this study, we surveyed a total of 245 people about unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP), 93 who directly witnessed UAP. Paying special attention to the psychological impact of UAP, our study survey covered different aspects, including opinions on official UAP releases, the scientific approach to the phenomena and the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence. This study found that UAP had a clear psychological impact on witnesses, with a transformative effect, and a benign form of a non-pathological obsessive-like interest in the topic we defined as the UAP deep psychological engagement triad. This deep psychological engagement triad is characterized by UAP topic being present in a witness's mind daily, with a self-recognized interest and appreciation for the topic and a need to talk about UAP topic, not necessarily the event they experienced. UAP appear to have a very specific impact focused on extra-terrestrial aspects and the phenomena itself, which is experienced as a life-changing event by direct witnesses. These psychological aspects are quantitatively and qualitatively objectifiable, and further research is needed in this direction since all research efforts appear currently focused on the physical aspects of these phenomena.
A systemic approach to identify non-abundant immunogenic proteins in Lyme disease pathogens

ABSTRACT Borrelia burgdorferi, the pathogen of Lyme disease, differentially produces many outer surface proteins (Osp), some of which represent the most abundant membrane proteins, such as OspA, OspB, and OspC. In cultured bacteria, these proteins can account for a substantial fraction of the total cellular or membrane proteins, posing challenges to the identification and analysis of non-abundant proteins, which could serve as novel pathogen detection markers or as vaccine candidates. Herein, we introduced serial mutations to remove these abundant Osps and generated a B. burgdorferi mutant deficient in OspA, OspB, and OspC in an infectious 297-isolate background, designated as OspABC− mutant. Compared to parental isolate, the mutant did not reflect growth defects in the cultured medium but showed differential mRNA expression of representative tested genes, in addition to gross changes in cellular and membrane protein profiles. The analysis of differentially detectable protein contents of the OspABC− mutant, as compared to the wild type, by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, identified several spirochete proteins that are dominated by proteins of unknown functions, as well as membrane transporters, chaperons, and metabolic enzymes. We produced recombinant forms of two of these represented proteins, BBA34 and BB0238, and showed that these proteins are detectable during spirochete infection in the tick-borne murine model of Lyme borreliosis and thus serve as potential antigenic markers of the infection. IMPORTANCE The present manuscript employed a systemic approach to identify non-abundant proteins in cultured Borrelia burgdorferi that are otherwise masked or hidden due to the overwhelming presence of abundant Osps like OspA, OspB, and OspC. As these Osps are either absent or transiently expressed in mammals, we performed a proof-of-concept study in which their removal allowed the analysis of otherwise less abundant antigens in OspABC-deficient mutants and identified several immunogenic proteins, including BBA34 and BB0238. These antigens could serve as novel vaccine candidates and/or genetic markers of Lyme borreliosis, promoting new research in the clinical diagnosis and prevention of Lyme disease. The present manuscript employed a systemic approach to identify non-abundant proteins in cultured Borrelia burgdorferi that are otherwise masked or hidden due to the overwhelming presence of abundant Osps like OspA, OspB, and OspC. As these Osps are either absent or transiently expressed in mammals, we performed a proof-of-concept study in which their removal allowed the analysis of otherwise less abundant antigens in OspABC-deficient mutants and identified several immunogenic proteins, including BBA34 and BB0238. These antigens could serve as novel vaccine candidates and/or genetic markers of Lyme borreliosis, promoting new research in the clinical diagnosis and prevention of Lyme disease.
Analysis for a Landslide Dam Outburst Flood in Ambon Island, Indonesia

1 Erosion and Sediment Control Research Group, Public Works Research Institute (Now in Rokko Sabo Office, Kinki Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT)) (3-13-15, Sumiyoshihigashimachi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 6580052, Japan) E-mail: ishiduka-t86ie@kkr.mlit. go.jp 2 TOKEN C.E. E. Consultants Co., Ltd. (1-8-63 Tenmabashi, Kita-ku, Osaka 5300042, Japan) 3 Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (2-1-3 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 1008918, Japan) 4 Sabo Frontier Foundation (2-7-4 Hirakawacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 1020093, Japan) 5 Asia Air Survey Co., Ltd. (1-2-2 Manpukuji, Aso-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 2150004, Japan) 6 Erosion and Sediment Control Division, National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management (1 Asahi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 3050804, Japan) 7 Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kyoto University (Now in National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies) (7-22-1, Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 1068677, Japan)
Undervalued essential work and lacking health literacy as determinants of COVID-19 infection risks: a qualitative interview study among foreign-born workers in Sweden

Objectives To investigate work and living conditions as determinants of COVID-19 infection risks in foreign-born workers in non-healthcare occupations. Design Data were collected according to a qualitative design, using semistructured interviews. Verbatim transcripts of these interviews were analysed according to systematic text condensation. Participants We recruited foreign-born workers (n=15) and union representatives (n=6) among taxi drivers, bus and tram drivers, pizza bakers, cleaners and property caretakers, all indicated as risk occupations during COVID-19 in Sweden. Results Four overarching themes were found: ‘virus exposure at work’, ‘aspects of low status and undervalued work’, ‘lack of access to information’ and ‘foreign-born persons’ position’. Virus exposure was frequent due to many social interactions over a workday, out of which several were physically close, sometimes to the point of touching. The respondents fulfilled important societal functions, but their work was undervalued due to low job status, and they had little influence on improving safety at work. Lack of health literacy limited foreign-born workers to access information about COVID-19 infection risks and protection, since most information from health organisations and employers was only available in Swedish and not adapted to their living conditions or disseminated through unknown channels. Instead, many turned to personal contacts or social media, through which a lot of misinformation was spread. Foreign-born persons were also subjected to exploitation since a Swedish residency permit could depend on maintaining employment, making it almost impossible to make demands for improved safety at work. Conclusions Structural factors and a lack of adapted information manifested themselves as fewer possibilities for protection against COVID-19. In a globalised world, new widespread diseases are likely to occur, and more knowledge is needed to protect all workers equally. Our results are transferable to similar contexts and bring forth aspects that can be tried in quantitative studies or public health interventions.Cite Now
Test negative case–control study of COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness for symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers: Zambia, 2021–2022

Objectives The study aim was to evaluate vaccine effectiveness (VE) of COVID-19 vaccines in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Zambia. We sought to answer the question, ‘What is the vaccine effectiveness of a complete schedule of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 among HCWs in Zambia? ’ Design/setting We conducted a test-negative case–control study among HCWs across different levels of health facilities in Zambia offering point of care testing for COVID-19 from May 2021 to March 2022. Participants 1767 participants entered the study and completed it. Cases were HCWs with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 and controls were HCWs who tested SARS-CoV-2 negative. Consented HCWs with documented history of vaccination for COVID-19 (vaccinated HCWs only) were included in the study. HCWs with unknown test results and unknown vaccination status, were excluded. Primary and secondary outcome measures The primary outcome was VE among symptomatic HCWs. Secondary outcomes were VE by: SARS-CoV-2 variant strains based on the predominant variant circulating in Zambia (Delta during May 2021 to November 2021 and Omicron during December 2021 to March 2022), duration since vaccination and vaccine product. Results We recruited 1145 symptomatic HCWs. The median age was 30 years (IQR: 26–38) and 789 (68.9%) were women. Two hundred and eighty-two (24.6%) were fully vaccinated. The median time to full vaccination was 102 days (IQR: 56–144). VE against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection was 72.7% (95% CI: 61.9% to 80.7%) for fully vaccinated participants. VE was 79.4% (95% CI: 58.2% to 90.7%) during the Delta period and 37.5% (95% CI: −7.0% to 63.3%) during the Omicron period. Conclusions COVID-19 vaccines were effective in reducing symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 among Zambian HCWs when the Delta variant was circulating but not when Omicron was circulating. This could be related to immune evasive characteristics and/or waning immunity. These findings support accelerating COVID-19 booster dosing with bivalent vaccines as part of the vaccination programme to reduce COVID-19 in Zambia.
Effect of Drought Stress on Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) and Bentazon Efficacy

Greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the effects of drought stress length and relief on velvetleaf growth and bentazon efficacy with crop oil concentrate (COC) and 28% urea ammonium nitrate (UAN). Drought stress caused leaf water and osmotic potentials to decline linearly over time. Leaf water potential ΨL) declined 0.02 and 0.08 MPa day−1 for velvetleaf subjected to −0.03 and −0.4 MPa soil water potential (ΨP), respectively. Osmotic potential (ΨO) declined 0.02 and 0.21 MPa day−1 for velvetleaf subjected to −0.03 and −0.4 MPa ΨP respectively. Bentazon did not reduce drought-stressed compared to non-drought-stressed velvetleaf dry weight 21 d after treatment with either COC or no adjuvant but did decrease dry weight with UAN. Reduced velvetleaf dry wights in drought-stressed velvetleaf compared to non-drought-stressed velvetleaf could not be accounted for by increased bentazon penetration in the drought-stressed plants. Rewatering velvetleaf subjected to 7 d of −0.4 MPA ΨP caused them to be more sensitive to bentazon than velvetleaf subjected to −0.03 MPa ΨP except when UAN was the adjuvant.
Newswork in crisis: Sourcing patterns during COVID-19 through a ‘lived experience’ perspective

During crises the newsmedia are expected to provide relevant and accurate information to help citizens comprehend the crisis and act upon it. As a source-driven practice, journalism relies on a variety of sources to validate news and provide perspectives. The disruptive nature of a crisis though raises questions about how journalists select sources and what these choices say about professional autonomy and criticality. Considering source choices as newsgathering venues and strategies, and drawing on semi-structured interviews with journalists in Greece and Cyprus, the study explores the factors that shaped journalists’ sourcing practices during the COVID-19 crisis. We find that journalists over-relied on political sources and selective authoritative voices compromising the tenets of verification and independence. The fear to convey inaccurate or ‘biased’ information amid disinformation flows, bolstered journalist's elite orientation. Professional precarity and economic pressures are found to further worsen the ‘lived experience’ of journalists limiting their ability to question and scrutinise power in times of crises.
Influence of physical fitness components on personality factors and risk perception of children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study

Objectives To examine the associations of cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2 max) and muscular strength with indicators related to the risk scale, such as perceived competence, sensation seeking, competitiveness, risk taking and risk perception in sports. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting High schools from the Region of Murcia (Spain). Participants Three-hundred-and-seventeen adolescents participated (mean age: 13.69±1.2 years old). Primary and secondary outcome measures Body mass, body height, Course-Navette test, upper limb strength and psychoeducational factors that determine the propensity towards sports accidents in school children, the Sports Accident Propensity Scale were evaluated. It was performance t-test for independent samples, stepwise multiple linear regression models and a multiple mediation analysis. Results The analysis showed significant differences with respect to sex in height, VO2 max, handgrip strength and in all factors of the questionnaire (p=0.02-<0.01). Adolescents who presented greater VO2 max, strength in the handgrip test and age showed a higher score in factors 1 and 3. Higher scores in factor 2 were associated with better VO2 max and strength in handgrip test. Youngers and better values of strength in the handgrip showed higher score in factors 4 and 5. The mediation analysis with two mediating variables (handgrip strength and VO2 max) showed a significant indirect effect. When handgrip strength and VO2 max were included in the equations, the association between sex and each factor ceased to be significant. Conclusion This study highlights the potential benefits of muscular strength (handgrip) and VO2 max in the perceived risk scale, and the variable of age on this. Trial registration number Clinical trial: NCT05544370 (pre-results).
Retail Gasoline Price Cycles : Evidence from Guelph , Ontario Using Bi-Hourly , Station-Specific Retail Price Data

The purpose of this paper is to use price data directly observed eight times per day for 103 days at 27 gasoline stations in Guelph, Ontario, to examine several basic predictions of a theory of price cycles (Edgeworth cycle theory). It is found that price movements in Guelph are largely consistent with this theory and less consistent with other dynamic pricing theories. Also, the data identify some interesting (and rather predictable) pricing patterns that would likely be overlooked with less complete data, and which offer guidance for how the Edgeworth cycle theory might be refined to make more accurate predictions. JEL Classifications: L13, L41
Atlas Of The Bryophytes Of Britain And Ireland

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Co-existence of synaptic plasticity and metastable dynamics in a spiking model of cortical circuits

Evidence for metastable dynamics and its role in brain function is emerging at a fast pace and is changing our understanding of neural coding by putting an emphasis on hidden states of transient activity. Clustered networks of spiking neurons are capable of producing metastable dynamics, however, it is unclear how their structure may emerge in cortical circuits. Here, we demonstrate the emergence of rich metastable dynamics from a fully local synaptic plasticity rule. The metastable dynamics co-exists with ongoing plasticity; in turn, the synaptic structure is stable to ongoing dynamics and random perturbations, yet it remains sufficiently plastic to remap sensory representations to encode new sets of stimuli. Both the plasticity rule and the metastable dynamics scale well with network size, with synaptic stability increasing with the number of neurons. These results show that it is possible to generate and support metastable dynamics over meaningful hidden states using a simple but biologically plausible plasticity rule which co-exists with ongoing neural dynamics and is independent of network size.