Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of cross-validation methods for robust retrieval of biophysical parameters

Non-parametric regression methods are powerful statistical methods to retrieve biophysical parameters from remote sensing measurements. However, their performance can be affected by what has been presented during the training phase. To ensure robust retrievals, various cross-validation sub-sampling methods are often used, which allow to evaluate the model with subsets of the field dataset. Here, two types of cross-validation techniques were analyzed in the development of non-parametric regression models: hold-out and k-fold. Selected non-parametric linear regression methods were least squares Linear Regression (LR) and Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR), and nonlinear methods were Kernel Ridge Regression (KRR) and Gaussian Process Regression (GPR). Cross-validation results showed that LR performed most unstable, while KRR and GPR led to more robust results. This work recommends using a nonlinear regression algorithm (e.g., KRR, GPR) in combination with a k-fold cross-validation technique with k=10 to realize robust retrievals.
Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+‐ATPase and Cytochrome Oxidase as Indicators of Frozen Storage in Cod (Gadus morhua)

: Activities of 2 membrane-bound enzymes, Ca2+-ATPase from the sarcoplasmic reticulum and cytochrome oxidase from the inner mitochondria membrane, were measured during frozen storage of cod. Enzyme activities were higher in cod muscle samples frozen at −30°C than at −20°C. Freezing-induced activation of both enzymes was observed and the activation was amplified by ice storage prior to freezing. Sensory evaluation conducted at 9 mo of frozen storage showed differences between the sensory properties of cod frozen immediately after catch and frozen after 3 d of storage on ice. These results indicated that the enzymes might be useful as indicators of quality changes by frozen storage.
Occurrence and genetic determination of Giardia in dogs from South Eastern Europe

Giardia duodenalis is a worldwide occurring protozoan with zoonotic potential infecting various mammals including humans. Giardia comprises the zoonotic assemblages A and B and the non-zoonotic assemblages C to H, which are characteristic for different host species. The role of pet animals in the transmission cycle of this parasite is still under debate. In order to identify Giardia assemblages in dogs from South Eastern Europe, 1645 faecal samples of household and shelter dogs from Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania and Serbia were tested for Giardia coproantigen by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). DNA was extracted from a subset of 107 faecal samples demonstrating Giardia cysts by direct immunofluorescence assay (IFA) or microscopy (15-22 per country) plus 26 IFA-positive canine faecal samples from Croatia. Multilocus sequence typing with nested PCRs was performed targeting five different gene loci: SSU rRNA, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2, beta giardin (bg), glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) and triosephosphate isomerase (tpi). In 33.7 % of all dogs, Giardia antigen was detected by coproantigen ELISA. The prevalence was significantly higher in shelter dogs compared to household dogs (57.2 vs. 29.7 %, p < 0.01). The amplification rate at the different gene loci ranged from 1.5 (tpi) to 82.0 % (SSU rRNA). Sequencing of the PCR products revealed the dog-specific assemblages C and D in 50 and 68 samples, respectively. The results demonstrate that G. duodenalis should be considered as a common parasite in dogs from South Eastern Europe. However, there was no evidence for zoonotic Giardia assemblages in the investigated canine subpopulation.
Habitat re‐creation strategies for promoting adaptation of species to climate change

Creation of new habitat could help species respond to climate change by facilitating range expansion in fragmented landscapes. However, there are currently no guidelines for deciding where new habitat should be placed to promote range changes. We developed a model to simulate the expansion of populations across a heavily fragmented landscape in the United Kingdom, and investigated the effectiveness of six habitat creation strategies for woodland, grassland, heathland, and wetland habitats. A strategy aimed at linking clusters of habitat patches was most effective for three of the four habitat types. Adding habitat evenly or randomly across the landscape, or according to stakeholder suggestions, were consistently better strategies than increasing aggregation of habitat. The results highlight that the best spatial pattern to facilitate range expansion is different from the best pattern to prevent extinction.
Food bodies and their significance for obligate ant-association in the tree genus Macaranga (Euphorbiaceae)

FIALA, B. & MASCHWITZ, U. , 1992. Food bodies and their significance for obligate ant-association in the tree genus Macaranga (Euphorbiaceae). The production of extrafloral nectar and food bodies plays an important role in many tropical ant-plant mutualisms. In Malaysia, a close association exists between ants and some species of the pioneer tree genus Macaranga (Euphorbiaceae). Macaranga is a very diverse genus which exhibits all stages of interaction with ants, from facultative to obligatory associations. The ants nest inside the hollow internodes and feed mainly on food bodies provided by the plants. Food body production had previously been reported only in myrmecophytic Macaranga species, where it is usually concentrated on protected parts of the plants such as recurved stipules. We found that non-myrmecophytic Macaranga species also produce food bodies on leaves and stems, where they are collected by a variety of ants. Levels of food body production differ between facultatively and obligatorily ant-associated species but also among the various non-myrmecophytes. This may be related to the degree of interaction with ants. Food body production starts at a younger age in the myrmecophytic species than in the transitional or non-myrmeccophytic Macaranga. Although food bodies of the non-inhabited Macaranga species are collected by a variety of ants, there is no evidence of association with specific ant species. Our observations suggest that food bodies enhance the evolution of ant-plant interactions. Production of food bodies alone, however, does not appear to be the most important factor for the development of obligate myrmecophytism in Macaranga.
Shrub encroachment in the Alps gives rise to the convergence of sub‐alpine communities on a regional scale

Abstract Question: How does Alnus alnobetula colonization affect plant communities in sub-alpine grasslands undergoing land abandonment on a regional scale? Location: Savoie, French Alps. Methods: Variations within and between communities were monitored in 243 plots within three types of stands representing an A. alnobetula colonization chronosequence from grassland to dense vegetation. They were tested for species richness, species strategies and species distribution through multivariate analysis. Regional variations were assessed at three sites along a rain shadow gradient. Results: We detected a convergence of the understorey communities along an A. alnobetula colonization gradient at all sites, associated with a reduction in species richness and the replacement of stress related strategists by competitor strategists. This convergence was unaffected by the rain shadow gradient although it was a key factor of plant distribution. Conclusions: The dense cover and the soil properties provided by A. alnobet.
The influence of trophic complexity on preferential uptake of dissolved inorganic and organic nitrogen: a laboratory microcosm experiment

Abstract N is a critical element for all living things, including the flora and fauna in aquatic ecosystems. However, N exists in many forms, and some organisms might preferentially use one compound over another. We used 15N tracers in laboratory microcosm experiments to measure preferential uptake of 4 different N compounds (NH4-N, NO3-N, glycine, methionine) by filamentous green algae (Cladophora glomerata; autotrophs), microbes in stream sediment (heterotrophs), and freshwater snails (Physa acuta; consumers) in response to varying trophic complexity. Seven trophic complexity treatments were applied: 3 types of single-organism treatments (filamentous algae, sediment microbes, or snails), three types of 2-organism treatments (filamentous algae + sediment microbes, sediment microbes + snails, filamentous algae + snails), and 1 treatment consisting of all organisms (filamentous algae + sediment microbes + snails). We combined trophic complexity treatments (n = 7) with 1 of 5 15N tracers: control (no 15N), 15NH4, 15NO3, 15N-glycine, and 15N-methionine (enriched to ~3000‰). Each trophic complexity treatment was replicated 4 times for each 15N tracer treatment to yield a total of 140 microcosms. We incubated microcosms for 5 d after which organisms were rinsed, dried, ground, and analyzed for 15N content. Overall, uptake of 15NH4 was greater than uptake of any other N form for all organisms. However, trophic complexity changed the relative uptake rates of different N forms. Cladophora preferentially used 15NH4 when alone, but when in the presence of heterotrophic competitors or consumers, Cladophora 15NO3 uptake doubled. Cladophora uptake of 15N-glycine and 15N-methionine decreased by ½ in the presence of other organisms. In contrast, when sediment microbes were exposed to Cladophora or Physa, 15NH4 and 15N-methionine uptake rates increased. The N form incorporated by Physa was dependent on the food source present (Cladophora vs sediment microbes). The highest N uptake rates for all N forms were associated with the presence of Cladophora. These data indicate that N uptake is a plastic trait, and organisms can alter use of N forms in response to the presence of competitors or consumers.
Higher treefall rates on slopes and waterlogged soils result in lower stand biomass and productivity in a tropical rain forest

1. Relationships between tropical rain forest biomass and environmental factors have been determined at regional scales, e.g. the Amazon Basin, but the reasons for the high variability in forest biomass at local scales are poorly understood. Interactions between topography, soil properties, tree growth and mortality rates, and treefalls are a likely reason for this variability.
Economic impact of surgery cancellation in a general hospital, Iran

Abstract Background: Cancellation of surgical procedures creates a financial burden to health providers and patients. It also causes a potential emotional stress and a negative impact on perception of quality of care. It should be a priority to identify risks of surgery cancellations in view of modification to assure timely and efficient delivery of care. Objective: To identify and estimate costs borne by cancelation of elective surgeries in a general hospital. Methods: Data were collected from a general hospital of social security organization of Iran. In-patient medical records were reviewed for all patients scheduled for elective surgeries in a period of 1 year, starting from 21stof March 2011 to 20th of March 2012. The costing data were collected in 2014. Patients undergoing out-patient surgery and emergency surgical procedures were excluded from the study. Results: During the study period, 14,687 cases were scheduled to undergo inpatient elective surgical procedures. Of those 274 cases were cancelled, among the cancelled cases, 242 were cancelled during the preparation in the surgery ward and 32 cases were cancelled in operation room. The total cost of surgery cancellation was US$ 92, 049.0. Out of this: US$ 42,668.0 (46.4%) was related to bed expense; 32,363.0$US (35.1%) for direct costs related to resources and supplies; and US$ 16,569 (18.5%) was related to physician visits. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that cost of surgery cancelation was considerably high in the studied general hospital. More than half of the cost (62.1%) of surgery cancelation was due to avoidable reasons. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2016;30(2):92-95] Keyword: Cost of illness; Cost of Cancelation; Direct Cost; Surgery Cancelation Cost.
Hydrolytic Rancidity in Milk. III. Tributyrinase Determination as a Measure of Lipase

Summary Procedures for the determination of tributyrinase and lipase are described. Data showing the correlation between tributyrinase and lipase determinations applied to the milk of individual cows are presented. At 10° C. the pH optimum for both tributyrinase and lipase was about 9.5. The correlation of results of tributyrinase and lipase determinations and the coincidence of the pH optima provide greater confidence in the use of the tributyrinase determination as a measure of lipase in milk.
Association analysis between alopecia areata and thyroid autoimmunity in adults

Objective To estimate the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and thyroid autoantibodies in adults with alopecia areata (AA) , and to analyze the relationship between alopecia areata (AA) and thyroid autoimmunity in adults. Methods A predesigned questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic information, medical history, and family history of AA in first-degree relatives from patients with AA. Thyroid function was evaluated, and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab) was screened in all the patients. Statistical analysis was carried out by the chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. Results Totally, 209 patients with AA were enrolled. Of these patients, 6.7% were complicated by thyroid diseases, 20.6% were positive for TPO-Ab. Compared with the patients without TPO-Ab, those with TPO-Ab showed a significant increase in the proportion of patients with early-onset (< 18 years) AA (χ2= 5.589, P= 0.025) , prevalence rate of alopecia totalis/alopecia universalis (χ2= 9.990, P= 0.006) and thyroid diseases (χ2= 12.279, P= 0.002) , and incidence rate of AA in first-degree relatives (χ2= 14.426, P= 0.001) . Conclusions The positive rate of TPO-Ab is increased in patients with AA. It is recommended to evaluate thyroid function and to screen for thyroid autoantibodies in patients with AA despite of the absence of clinical manifestations of thyroid diseases. Key words: Alopecia areata; Thyroid gland; Thyroiditis, autoimmune; Hypothyroidism; Adult
Species variability in boron requirement is correlated with cell wall pectin

Fourteen species of crop plants which differ in their reported tissue boron requirements were grown in B-replete or B-deflcient medium. Leaf samples were collected and analysed for B and cell wall components. There was a significant positive correlation among the species between B concentration in the leaf or the cell wall and uronic acid, rhamnose and galactose (indicative of pectin) in the cell wall. The concentration of cell wall pectin was also positively related with reported tissue-B requirements and observed sensitivity to B deficiency. Boron deficiency did not alter the amount of uronic acid present in cell walls, suggesting that there was no effect of B deficiency on pectin metabolism. Under B-deflcient conditions the amount of 'soluble' B (i.e. B not associated with the cell wall) declined dramatically while the proportion of cellular B that was 'insoluble' (i.e. B associated with the cell wall) increased. The positive relationship between pectin content, insoluble B and tissue-B requirement of diverse species suggests that the amount of cell wall pectin may be significant in determining the relative tissue-B requirements of the species. These results indicate that either (1) species with high cell wall pectin contents require greater amounts of B for the construction of the cell wall, or (2) pectin in cell walls forms an insoluble complex with B, thereby reducing its availability for other putative B-requiring metabolic functions. Thus, species with a high pectin content would have a higher tissue-B requirement.
Mucilages and climatic changes in the Tyrrhenian Sea

1. Pelagic mucilage aggregates are composed of phytoplankton and bacteria, whilst macro- and micro-phytobenthos and bacteria make up the benthic ones. During the summer of 1991 massive mucilage aggregates, both pelagic and benthic, appeared in the Tyrrhenian Sea, seriously damaging fisheries, tourism and the benthic biocoenoses. Only a few, loose benthic mucilages have persisted during the last decade although the pelagic ones have shown a great resurgence during the last autumn. 2. 14C autoradiographies show that the mucilage is photosynthesized and excreted by the micro- and macroalgae it contains. The mucilage aggregates are a microecosystem with biological and chemical composition, and a functionality that is different from the surrounding waters. The mucilages cannot be the result of a gelification of the Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM) in the water trapping the free algae present in the water. 3. Since 1991 up to the present, variations of Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN) and Dissolved Inorganic Phosphorous (DIP) and of their ratio have been observed in the surface waters. These variations could be assumed as the cause of mucilages, however, the mucilage occurrence cannot be directly related to the change of nutrient concentrations and ratios because: i) the higher N/P ratio was persistent also during years without mucilages; ii) nutrients and their ratios have a continuous spatial distribution while mucilages have a discontinuous spatial and temporal distribution. It is suggested that mucilage aggregates are the result of a hyperproduction as a pathological response of the algae to a microbial infection. This hypothesis is also supported by some laboratory experiments. 4. The observed trophic changes in the surface Tyrrhenian waters have been related to the Levantine Intermediate Waters (LIW) as they are the main source of nutrients for the surface ones. Data collected from several areas between 1982 and 1998 show that changes in the temperature, salinity and nutrient concentrations and ratios took place in the LIW, so changing the Tyrrhenian climate. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Salinity on the Composition, Number and Size of Epidermal Cells along the Mature Blade of Wheat Leaves

Salinity inhibits leaf growth in association with changes in cell size. The objective of this study was to determine the spatial distributions of the composition, number and dimensions of epidermal cells in the mature blades of leaf four of wheat seedlings under saline conditions. Plants were grown in loamy soil either with or without 120 mmol/L NaCl in a growth chamber, and harvested after leaf four was fully developed. The results of the spatial distribution analyses of width along the blade showed that salinity not only reduced the width of the leaf blade, but that it also altered the distribution pattern of blade width along the leaf axis. The reduction in the final size of the leaf blade was associated with a reduction in the total number of epidermal cells and in their widths and lengths. This study also revealed the spatial effects of salinity on the blade and epidermal cell dimensions along the leaf axis. In particular, salinity inhibited the total cell number for interstomatal, sister and elongated cells, implying that cell division in wheat leaves is inhibited by salinity. However, the lengths of interstomatal cells were not affected by salinity (unlike those for the sister and elongated cells), suggesting the relative contributions of cell length and numbers to the reduction in the final length of the blade under salinity is dependent on cell type.
Population History, Genetic Variability, and Horn Growth in Bighorn Sheep

Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) are restricted in distribution and numbers relative to presettle- ment conditions. Some populations have alledgedly suffered losses of fitness resulting from small, insular populations and a breeding system that reduces effective population size. Large horns in rams, which confer breeding superiority, are absent from some populations, and this absence may result in part from loss of genetic variability. We investigated the relationship among allozyme variability, population history, and horn growth in bighorn sheep from the Rocky Mountains. Heterozygosity was higher for bighorn sheep than has been reported for Dall sheep (0. dalli). Heterozygosity and allelic variability were marginally related to effective population size for the preceeding 15 years. Horn growth was significantly higher in more hetero- zygous than in less heterozygous rams for years 6, 7, and 8 of life. By the end of year 8, more heterozygous rams had 13% higher horn volumes than less heterozygous rams. Most hunting of bighorn sheep involves selective removal of large-horned rams, which we hypothesize may reduce genetic variability of these pop- ulations and contribute to losses in fitness.
Sexual signals, risk of predation and escape behavior

Adults of many species display extravagant sexual signals during the reproductive season, apparently evolved as a means of attracting mates or repelling potential competitors, thereby inadvertently also attracting the attention of predators. Many studies have shown predation costs of sexual display. Therefore, we should expect species with the most exaggerated signals to have evolved antipredator behavior that reduces or eliminates predation costs of sexual signaling but also to have evolved behavior that allows for escape from a predator once captured. We quantified 6 aspects of escape behavior in 2105 free-living birds belonging to 80 species when handled after capture for banding. Escape behavior was species specific as demonstrated by significant consistency in behavior among individuals. Escape behavior was significantly related to susceptibility to predation by cats Felis catus and goshawks Accipiter gentilis, showing that escape behavior is under current selection. Escape behavior was related to the ease of feather loss estimated in a previous study but also to the frequency of tailless individuals recorded in the field. Thus, escape behavior reported here was cross-validated against other aspects of antipredator behavior shown to reflect risk of predation. Aspects of escape behavior differed significantly between males and females (biting, fear screams, and feather loss). Sexually dichromatic species differed in escape behavior from monochromatic species by having a reduced frequency of fear screams and increased tonic immobility. These findings suggest that exposure to risk of predation has modified escape behavior in relation to sexual coloration. Copyright 2011, Oxford University Press.
Annual Plants: Adaptations to Desert Environments

western Mexico, two groups of ephemeral annual plants have been recognized. One group, the winter annuals, consists of species that germinate and complete their life cycles during the winter and spring months; the other group, the summer annuals, includes species that germinate and complete their life cycles during the summer and early fall months (Shreve 1951, Went 1948). Normally, the seasonal occurrences of these two