Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tree-ring based reconstruction of mean maximum temperatures since AD 1829

The correlation between tree-ring widths and climate was developed using Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica after which mean maximum temperatures of June-July since 1829 were reconstructed. Results show that the transfer function of temperature explains more than 40% of the variance and that the reconstruction sequence was consistent with several reconstructed temperature variations in the region. Over the past 181 years, climate in the region has undergone eight distinct low temperature and eight high temperature periods. A high temperature period in the 1920s to 1930s is consistent with a drought that occurred in most regions of northern China. Periods of drought in the 1870s were also identified. There was no significant increase or decrease in mean maximum June-July temperatures over the last 181 years, although since the 1950s temperatures have increased gradually. A warming trend has become more pronounced since the early 1990s but temperature levels are not significantly higher than those of the 1850s. A multi-taper spectral analysis shows that there are significant periodicities of 2.4, 2.8, 4.9, 5.1 and 21.3 years in the sequence of reconstructed temperatures. Temperatures were also affected by global climate events and solar activity.
Comparison of bispectral index targeted end-tidal concentration of desflurane during three phases of orthotopic liver transplantation

Background and Aims: Reduced inhalational anaesthetic requirement in end-stage liver disease during living donor orthotopic liver transplantation (LD-OLT) is due to increased endogenous opioids. This study evaluated the changes in bi-spectral index (BIS) monitored end-tidal desflurane (ETDes) requirements during ‘dissection’, ‘anhepatic’, and ‘neohepatic’ phases of LD-OLT. Methods: This prospective, cohort study included 40 adults undergoing LD-OLT under general anaesthesia (GA). All patients received BIS-guided desflurane GA. ETDesrequirements in three phases of LD-OLT (primary objective); relationship between inhalational anaesthetic requirements and severity of liver disease; and effect of changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and body temperature on ETDesconcentration for all three phases were also evaluated. Results: ETDesduring the ‘dissection’ phase (2.92 ± 0.65%) was > ‘anhepatic’ (2.68 ± 0.85%, P= 0.049) and ‘neohepatic’ phases (2.58 ± 0.71%, P= 0.005). Patients with model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score < 20 returned significantly greater ETDesthan those with MELD score ≥20 during the ‘dissection’ (MELD <20: 3.11 ± 0.49%; MELD ≥20: 2.58 ± 0.77%, P= 0.01) and ‘anhepatic’(MELD <20: 2.96 ± 0.76%; MELD ≥20: 2.17 ± 0.79%, P= 0.003) phases. A positive correlation was observed between ETDes(r = 0.584, P= 0.001) and temperature in the ‘dissection’ phase only. Conclusion: In patients undergoing LD-OLT, BIS monitoring guidance of depth of desflurane GA suggests lower desflurane requirements during ‘anhepatic’ and the ‘neohepatic’ phase of surgery. Also, the desflurane requirement is greater in patients with lesser severity of liver disease.
HIV prevalence and incidence in a cohort of South African men and transgender women who have sex with men: the Sibanye Methods for Prevention Packages Programme (MP3) project

Men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) are at increased risk for acquiring HIV, but there are limited HIV incidence data for these key populations in Africa. Understanding HIV prevalence and incidence provides important context for designing HIV prevention strategies, including pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) programmes. We describe HIV prevalence, awareness of HIV infection, HIV incidence and associated factors for a cohort of MSM and TGW in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Influence of Vitamins and Exogenous Enzymes Combination on alleviating Heat Stress in Lactating Ewes under Egyptian Summer Conditions

The present experiment was designed to study the effects of vitamin mixtures and exogenous enzymes ZADO® in alleviaties heat stress in ewes in summer temperatures (25–44°C) compared with winter temperatures (8–22°C). Fifty lactating Ossimi ewes were divided randomly into 5 treatment groups. In summer, the experiment included four treatments: (i) control i.e., normal summer conditions, no supplements (control 2), (ii) ewes supplemented with 10 g/head/day of ZADO® mixed in the concentrate, (iii) ewes supplemented with vitamin AD3E (250 mg/kg BW) and C (45 mg/kg BW) mixture, and (iv) ewes supplemented with ZADO® and vitamin mixture as above. In winter, the treatment comprised of assessments only under normal winter condition (8 to 22°C) without any additives (control 1). Blood and milk samples from each ewe were collected biweekly throughout lactation. Results indicate that plasma total protein, total lipids and glucose, and milk production and composition were decreased (P<0.01) in summer compared with winter. Addition of ZADO® increased plasma total protein, glucose, milk production, protein and lactose as compared with summer control (control 2). Vitamin mixture increased (P<0.01) plasma total protein, milk production and milk protein, but had no effect on total lipids, glucose, milk fat and lactose. Combination of vitamin mixture with ZADO® addition increased the ability of lactating ewes to alleviate heat stress as evident by increased plasma parameters and milk production during the summer season.
Mathematics education beliefs and practices of Under 3s educators in Australia

ABSTRACT There is general agreement that young children are capable of accessing mathematical ideas and should be given the opportunity to do so in their early childhood educational settings. However, existing research has established a range of challenges for early childhood mathematics education; in particular, related to educators’ confidence and competence in teaching mathematics. This article presents data from a national survey to address the research question: What are the mathematics education beliefs and practices of Under 3s educators in Australia? Findings from a sample of 195 respondents currently working in an Under 3s educational setting are reported in relation to three themes: 1. Educators’ understandings and self-understandings; 2. Educators’ skills and capabilities; and 3. Educators’ values and norms. In contrast to existing research that indicates low self-efficacy in mathematics among early childhood educators, this sample of Australian educators report positive self-understandings in relation to mathematics. They report high levels of comfort in their mathematics education practice, and appear to be perceptive of the range of mathematical ideas with which babies and toddlers engage. Moreover, educators appear to be comfortable in gaining ideas from babies and toddlers, which is an important practice contributing towards meaningful mathematics education for these young children.
Effects of Fish, Water Depth, and Predation Risk on Patch Dynamics in a North-Temperate River Ecosystem

Spatial and temporal variation in water depth affected habitat use by prey fish and their predators, generating a dynamic mosaic of patches with different benthic ecosystem properties. Twelve 4,6-m 2 pens (5-mm mesh), closed or open to fish, were built in two pools of an upland river near Tahlequah, Oklahoma, USA. Fish effects were attributed primarily to the benthic algivores Campostoma anomalum, C. oligolepsis and Notrois nubilus, which comprised 60% of fish abundance in the reach and 83% of benthic fish. Furthermore, mean hourly removal of benthic organic matter (4.4 gm -2 h -1 ash-free dry mass) by these fish exceeded the mean daily accumulation (3.7 gm -2 ) in closed pens. Fish maintained a relatively silt-free grazed epilithon in open pens and unenclosed river, until large fish that predominated in one pool abandoned habitats where their predation risk became critical as water became shallow (<28 cm ). In closed pens and areas abandoned by fish, benthic algal biomass initially increased, but then visibly accumulated silt in an algal matrix that eventually sloughed and regrew in patches of substrata. Blue-green and green algae like that in areas with fish predominated in regrown patches. Closed pens with regrown algae had higher biomass-specific net primary productivity and higher percentage of organic matter than ones with an intact matrix. Invertebrate abundance was higher in closed pens with few sloughed patches than in open pens with fish, but similar in closed pens with regrown patches and open pens abandoned by fish, Invertebrate predators and collector-gatherers predominated in closed pens with an intact matrix and higher percentage of medium (157-507 μm) benthic particulate organic matter (BPOM); collector-filterers and scrapers predominated in open pens, which had higher percentage of ultrafine (0.44-40 μm) BPOM. Assemblages in closed pens with patches of regrown algae and open pens abandoned by fish were dominated by scrapers and collector-gatherers.
Infectivity of pseudotyped particles pairing hemagglutinin of highly pathogenic avian influenza a H5N1 virus with neuraminidases of the 2009 pandemic H1N1 and a seasonal H3N2.

Reassortment of influenza viruses is capable of generating novel virus strains, the emergence of which may come to represent major public health issues. Hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) are the two major glycoproteins of influenza virus. These play a vital role in both the viral life cycle and evasion of the host immune response. Thus, predicting HA and NA reassortment, and characterizing the biology of HA and NA and of a novel virus are important for the control and prevention of influenza infection. The HAs and NAs of three simultaneously circulating influenza viruses, a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1, the 2009 pandemic H1N1, and a seasonal H3N2, were evaluated by the pseudotyped particle (pp) system. Although the three HAs and NAs showed significant variation in their amino acid (aa) sequence, reassortment successfully generated infectious viral particles. Influenza H5 was demonstrated to have the ability to reassort with NAs from both the 2009 pandemic H1N1 and seasonal H3N2 viruses, resulting in highly infectious virions in both cases. All HAs in pps and wild-type viruses were predominantly HA0. Of the NAs, roughly half of the total N2 was present as a tetramer, 09N1 predominantly existed as a dimmer, and the NA of H5N1 was primarily monomeric. Thus, tetrameric, dimeric, and monomeric NAs were all functional and could fulfill their role in viral life cycle.
Population structure of temperate zone insectivorous bats in relation to foraging behaviour and energy demand

(1) The morphology, echolocation calls, foraging behaviour and prey distribution of two temperate zone species of insectivorous bats was studied to assess the hypothesis that sexual differences in distribution pattern are the result of differences in energy demand. (2) In an area of the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains (Canada) characterized by low ambient temperatures and low insect abundance, over 90%yo of the Myotis lucifugus caught during the summer were adult males while an equal sex ratio of Myotis evotis was caught. (3) M. lucifugus forage low over water on aerial prey, especially chironomids, which are abundant only for a short time after sunset. (4) M. evotis forage along paths and in forest and prey primarily on moths. They take insects from the air but laboratory studies indicate that they are also adept at gleaning prey from the ground and vegetation. This provides a broader, more predictable food resource than is available to M. lucifugus. (5) I suggest that the flexible foraging strategy of M. evotis allows reproductive females, with their high energy demand, to inhabit areas that cannot support reproductive female M. lucifugus. Males of both species can exist in such areas because of lower energy demand and, potentially, the use of torpor under adverse conditions. Selecting such areas and reducing foraging time may benefit males if there are risks incurred while they forage.
TERRESTRIAL PREY CAPTURE IN XENOPUS LAEVIS

Xenopus laevis is one of the most intensively studied of laboratory animals, with investigations centered upon developmental, cell and molecular biology (Gurdon, 1996). In contrast, ecological information on the genus Xenopus is insubstantial. Fundamental ecological concerns, such as diet, are only sketchily documented from a few studies concerned with gut contents. The distribution of Xenopus species in sub-Saharan Africa includes several divergent vegetation types, from savanna to forest, as well as a wide range of altitudes and temperatures (Tinsley et al., 1996). Studies of gut contents include six (of the known 17) species in pools, ponds, and lakes from equatorial forest of West Africa (Noble, 1924; Inger and Marx, 1961; DeBruyn et al., 1996), the Central African highlands (Tinsley, 1973; Tinsley et al., 1979; Kazadi et al., 1986), and temperate savannas of southern Africa (Simmonds, 1985; Schoonbee et al., 1992). In addition to these studies of Xenopus in native areas, two further investigations have looked at the diet of feral X. laevis in California (McCoid and Fritts, 1980) and South Wales (Measey and Tinsley, 1998). All of these accounts show diets in which aquatic invertebrates predominate. This is not surprising for this genus of aquatic amphibians and reflects a fundamental ecological separation between pipids and most other
Species numbers and progress in asclepiad taxonomy

This paper demonstrates that the number of asclepiad species is far higher than commonly thought. A summary count of Periplocoideae, Secamonoideae and Asclepiadoideae gives a total of 3,400 species in 231 genera. Of these, 480 species have been described within the last decade, and the inventory process is far from finished. The establishment of an Asclepiad World Flora is still a challenge for systematists and taxonomists.
The Contribution of Parents Attention to Student Achievement Motivation

The low student achievement motivation is something that must be considered. Parents attention became one of the factors that can influence student achievement motivation. The purpose of this study to describe the contribution of parent attention to student’s achievement motivation in SMK Muhammadiyah 1 Padang. This research uses regression analysis. In the research took the sample of 233 students by using purposive sampling technique. It was used instrument "Wira Solina Parents Attention Scale" with reliability value is 0.888, and "Achievement Motivation Scale" with reliability value is 0.885. The results of research showed that: (1) Parents attention (Mother) in the high category; (2) Parents attention (Father) in the medium category; (3) student achievement motivation in the medium category; (4) the contribution of parents attention (mother) to the achievement motivation is 14.4%; (5) the contribution of the parents attention (father) to the achievement motivation is 12.9%; and (6) the contribution of parents attention (Mother and Father) to the achievement motivation are 15.6%. The results of research showed that parents’ attention (mother and father) need to improved student achievement motivation, so it can be recommended by counselor teacher to give guidance and counseling services in the school and involved their parents to improve student achievement motivation.
Isolation of cells from Atlantic sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus and optimization of culture conditions

We describe a method for fast and easy isolation of cells via trypsin digestion from lar- vae of Atlantic sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus resulting in a stable, well-proliferating cell culture. The culture conditions for these cells were optimized with the aim of supporting the production of high amounts of biomass. To enhance cell growth and cell density, 4 different cultiva- tion temperatures as well as commercially available carp serum (CS) and fetal calf serum (FCS) at different concentrations were tested and evaluated. Cell growth was measured via an impedance- based online cell-monitoring system (xCELLigence). These results showed the best cultivation tem- perature to be at 25°C and a media composition of Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) supplemented with either 10 or 20% FCS or 5% CS. The cells were stable in the process of long- term cultivation over 33 passages and could be cryo-preserved. Immunocytochemical analysis re- vealed that the cells expressed proteins of different blastodermic layers. Ectodermic glia fibrilliary acid protein, vigilin (mRNA transport protein), and pan cytokeratin were abundant. This fast- growing cell culture provides an important tool for research on Atlantic sturgeon populations.
Effects of Fungicide Sprays During Apple Bloom on Pollen Viability and Honey Bee Foraging

Fungicide applications were made during apple, Malus domestica Borkch. , bloom to determine the duration of fungicide effects on pollen viability in the field and whether spray applications affect the foraging behavior of honey bees. Apis mellifera L. Fungicide sprays did not affect the numbers of honey bees foraging on trees or their foraging behavior. Mean percent pollen germination was depressed to levels between 12.2 and 31.1% by captan and to 29.5% by Dikar 2 h after spray application. Recovery of pollen viability required 24 to 48 h, depending upon orchard conditions. Benlate, Polyram, Baycor, and Topsin-M had no significant effect on pollen viability. The rapid recovery of pollen viability after initial spray applications and the lack of effect on flower visitation by bees indicate minimal effects on pollination or fruit set under most conditions.
Effects of Intraarticular Injection of Anti-Nerve Growth Factor Neutralizing Antibody on Pain in Osteoarthritis Rat

Background: Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) has been recognized as an important mediator of chronic knee pain caused by Osteoarthritis (OA). We investigated the effect of intraarticular injection of anti-NGF neutralizing antibody on pain-related behavior and histological changes in Mono-Iodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA rats. Methods: All rats had OA induced by intraarticular injection of 1 mg MIA. Anti-NGF neutralizing antibody (0.1 or 0.5 mg/kg) was intraarticularly or intraperitoneally administered at 14, 21, 28, 35 days after MIA injection. In the control group, saline was intraperitoneally administered in a same timing. Pain-related behavior was assessed by paw withdrawal threshold to punctate stimulation of the hindpaw. OA progression was assessed using Osteoarthritis Research Society International histological grading. The effect of combination of anti-NGF therapy and forced treadmill running (30 cm/s for 60 min: an intense amount for rats) on OA progression was also evaluated. Results: Intraarticular injection of anti-NGF neutralizing antibody (0.5 and 1 mg/kg) and intraperitoneal injection (1 mg/kg) signifi cantly reversed the OA-induced pain behavior. Analgesic effects of intraarticular injection on OA-induced pain behavior were signifi cantly greater than intraperitoneal injection at a same dose. There were no signifi cant differences in OA progression between control (MIA) and MIA plus anti-NGF antibody (intraarticular and intraperitoneal injection). Forced treadmill running did not affect the OA progression in all groups. Conclusion: Analgesic effects of intraarticular injection of anti-NGF neutralizing antibody were greater than intraperitoneal injection, which means that intraarticular injection is an effective route for anti-NGF antibodies. The MIA-induced OA model failed to clarify histological differences caused by anti-NGF therapy or combination of the therapy with forced treadmill running. Future research should seek to confi rm the infl uence of anti-NGF antibody on OA progression.
REPLY

We read with great interest the article by Farhad and colleagues in the June, 2016 issue of Muscle & Nerve. They presented a very important issue in that many potentially treatable causes of neuropathy, if unrecognized, may be missed, leading to prematurely labeling a patient with the diagnosis of “idiopathic neuropathy. ” They stated that patients with neuropathy should be evaluated routinely for treatable causes. We strongly agree with and support their statement. We believe that determining an underlying etiology is more critical than merely treating neuropathy symptoms. They studied the causes of neuropathy in patients referred to as “idiopathic neuropathy. ” They showed that 67.3% of the referrals had an identifiable etiology for the neuropathy. However, the remaining 32.7% were still classified as “idiopathic,” which is higher than previous reports. In other words, the laboratory studies used to search for the underlying etiologies for the patients with “idiopathic neuropathy” may still be suboptimal. Inclusion of a laboratory study of plasma levels of homocysteine (Hcy) may be beneficial in revealing an additional etiology of the neuropathy. Isolated elevated plasma levels of Hcy (eHcy) with normal levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid has been suggested as an independent etiology for peripheral neuropathy. The clinical manifestations of isolated eHcy-induced neuropathy (IHIN) are predominately sensory deficits. The cause for eHcy without folate or vitamin B12 or B6 deficiency may include genetic predisposition such as C677T polymorphism of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene. Other conditions that may increase Hcy levels include aging, obesity, diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, some medications (levodopa, anti-epileptics, anti-gastric reflux agents), and toxic substances such as tobacco and alcohol. Administration of multivitamins such as vitamin B-complex, which contains folate and vitamins B12 and B6, reduces eHcy levels and improves the symptoms of IHIN, even in the absence of folate or vitamins B12 and B6 deficiency. Although Farhad and colleagues mentioned that a measurement of homocysteine was carried out, neither Hcy results nor the relationship between Hcy and neuropathy were discussed in this context. Recognizing eHcy as an independent risk factor for neuropathy may help uncover an additional possible underlying etiology, reduce the ratio of “idiopathic neuropathy,” and ensure better treatment.