Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Subhabitat Dependence of Biogeographic Pattern

We introduce and test the subhabitat dependence hypothesis (SDH) in biogeography. This hypothesis posits that biogeographic pattern within a region differs when determined with species abundance data from different subhabitat types. It stems from the notion that the main abiotic factors that drive species distribution in different subhabitat types across a biogeographic region often vary differently across space. To test the SDH, we measured the abundance of algae and sessile invertebrates in two different subhabitats (high intertidal zone and mid-intertidal zone) at eight locations along the Atlantic Canadian coast. We conducted multivariate analyses of the species abundance data to compare alongshore biogeographic pattern between both zones. For both subhabitat types, location groupings based on community similarity not always responded to geographic proximity, leading to biogeographic patchiness to some extent. Nonetheless, both biogeographic patterns were statistically unrelated, thus supporting the SDH. This lack of concordance was most evident for southern locations, which clustered together based on high-intertidal data but showed considerable alongshore patchiness based on mid-intertidal data. We also found that the ordination pattern of these eight locations based on sea surface temperature data was significantly related to biogeographic pattern for the mid-intertidal zone but not for the high intertidal zone. This finding supports the rationale behind the SDH due to the longer periods of submergence experienced by the mid-intertidal zone. Overall, we conclude that biogeographic pattern within a region can depend on the surveyed subhabitat type. Thus, biological surveys restricted to specific subhabitats may not properly reveal biogeographic pattern for a biota as a whole or even just for other subhabitats. As many studies generate biogeographic information with data only for specific subhabitats, we recommend testing the SDH in other systems to determine its domain of application.
Intergroup Relations During the Refugee Crisis: Individual and Cultural Stereotypes and Prejudices and Their Relationship With Behavior Toward Asylum Seekers

In this paper, I investigate intergroup relations between natives and asylum seekers during the European refugee crisis, and contribute to the reemerging methodological debate on the measurement of stereotypes and prejudices as individual and collective constructs. Drawing on data from the Norwegian Citizen Panel (NCP; N = 1,062), I examined how Norwegians stereotyped asylum seekers at the height of the refugee crisis and the emotional prejudices asylum seekers as a group elicited. By experimentally manipulating the survey question format, I examined whether and how stereotypes and emotional prejudices toward asylum-seekers differed depending on their measurement as individual or collective constructs. A subset of respondents (n = 228) had reception centers for asylum-seekers established in their local community during the crisis. These participants reported their behaviors toward the asylum seekers in their neighborhood. In this subsample, I investigated how individual facilitating and harming intergroup behavior was related to individual and collective conceptualizations of stereotypes and prejudices. The results showed that both low warmth and low competence stereotypes, as well as negative emotions toward asylum seekers, were rated as stronger when measured as collective as compared to individual-level constructs. In the individual condition, respondents reported feeling more admiration and sympathy than respondents in the collective condition attributed to others. Individual stereotypes and prejudices correlated systematically with individual facilitating and harming intergroup behaviors. The perception that others hold more negative stereotypes of asylum seekers, and the perceived anger and fear of others, did correlated with individual harming behaviors. Perceptions of others’ anxiety correlated negatively with facilitating behaviors. Implications and future directions for the conceptualization and measurement of stereotypes and emotional prejudices are discussed.
Change in Proteolytic Profile in Heifers After Oligofructose Overload

Laminitis in cattle is an important underlying cause of lameness, which leads to a significant reduction in economic and animal welfare. Nevertheless, the disordered pathological processes of laminitis remain unclear. Several proteinases are probably involved in the disorder of basement membrane (BM) metabolism in laminitis, for instance, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), neutrophil elastase (NE), and myeloperoxidase (MPO). This study aimed to investigate the change in proteolytic profile in circulating and lamellar tissues using an oligofructose (OF) overload-induced laminitis model in heifers. Twelve clinically healthy and nonlame Chinese Holstein heifers were recruited and randomly divided into two groups: OF-induced and control (CON). The OF-induced heifers group (n = 6) was administered 17 g/kg of body weight (BW) of OF dissolved in 2 L/100 kg of BW of tap water via the oral-rumen tube. The CON group (n = 6) was given an equal volume of tap water. The plasma samples were collected 0, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 h after administration, and the lamellar samples were collected 72 h after euthanasia. The plasma samples were analyzed by zymography and reverse zymography. Histological examination, zymography, reverse zymography, and Western blot of lamellar samples were conducted. In the plasma of the OF-induced group, the pro-MMP9 activity increased from 36 h (P < 0.001) to 60 h (P < 0.05). Moreover, the plasma tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1) activity decreased after 18 h (P < 0.05), while the ratio of pro-MMP9 to TIMP1 and TIMP2 increased after 18 h (P < 0.001) and 48 h (P < 0.05), respectively. The act-MMP2, pro-MMP9, and act-MMP9 activities increased in the lamellar tissue of the OF-induced group compared with the CON group (P < 0.05). In addition, the expression of lamellar NE protein was higher in the OF-induced group (P < 0.01), while no change was found in lamellar MPO protein compared with the CON group. In conclusion, increased pro-MMP9 combined with decreased TIMP1 activity in the circulation might have caused the activation of blood neutrophils, while the activation of proteolytic enzymes in lamellar tissue probably led to the dysfunction of BM in the OF-induced group.
RESPONSES OF RHIZOBIUM-INOCULATED AND NITROGEN-SUPPLIED COWPEA PLANTS TO INCREASING PHOSPHORUS CONCENTRATIONS IN SOLUTION CULTURE

ABSTRACT The main objective of this investigation was to analyze the responses of Rhizobium-inoculated and nitrogen (N)-supplied cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) plants to increasing phosphorus concentrations (Pc) in the nutrient solution. For this purpose, cowpea plants inoculated with Bradyrhizobium I-125 (R+) or provided with 15 mM N as KNO3 (N+) were grown in nutrient solutions supplied with the following Pc: 0.05 mM (P1), 0.1 mM (P2), 0.25 mM (P3), 0.5 mM (P4), 1 mM (P5), 2 mM (P6), 3 mM (P7), and 4 mM (P8). The experiment was conducted in a growth chamber under controlled conditions and the pH of the solution was maintained at 6.2. Increasing Pc up to P6 enhanced the aerial and reduced the root mass of R+ and N+ plants. Nodulation was also increased by increasing Pc up to P4. In R+ and N+ plants, the concentration of total reducing sugars (TRS) decreased in leaves, shoots and roots, while there were increases in the α-amino-N concentrations with increasing Pc. In nodules, TRS concentration was not affected by increasing P. Increasing Pc up to P6 concomitantly decreased the starch concentration in leaves but not in roots of R+ and N+ plants. In R+ and N+ plants, chlorophyll concentration decreased with increasing P c, whereas, the N concentration in leaves was not affected. The ureides in R+ plants as well as the nitrate concentration in N+ plants remained constant between P1 and P6. Nevertheless, the aerial mass in R+ plants was always smaller than that of N+ plants in spite of the higher TRS, starch, α-amino-N, chlorophyll, and P concentrations in the leaf tissues as well as the two-fold increase in photosynthesis. Metabolic constraints for ureide degradation in leaves seem to be the mechanism underlying the poor response of plants to rhizobial inoculation at high Pc. The P7 and P8 concentrations proved to be toxic for R+ and N+ plants.
Temperature Shift Between Vineyards Modulates Berry Phenology and Primary Metabolism in a Varietal Collection of Wine Grapevine

Global climate change and the expected increase in temperature are altering the relationship between geography and grapevine (V. vinifera) varietal performance, and the implications of which are yet to be fully understood. We investigated berry phenology and biochemistry of 30 cultivars, 20 red and 10 white, across three seasons (2017–2019) in response to a consistent average temperature difference of 1.5°C during the growing season between two experimental sites. The experiments were conducted at Ramat Negev (RN) and Ramon (MR) vineyards, located in the Negev desert, Israel. A significant interaction between vineyard location, season, and variety affected phenology and berry indices. The warmer RN site was generally associated with an advanced phenological course for the white cultivars, which reached harvest up to 2 weeks earlier than at the MR site. The white cultivars also showed stronger correlation between non-consecutive phenological stages than did the red ones. In contrast, harvest time of red cultivars considerably varied according to seasons and sites. Warmer conditions extended fruit developmental phases, causing berry shriveling and cluster collapse in a few cultivars such as Pinot Noir, Ruby Cabernet, and Tempranillo. Analyses of organic acid content suggested differences between red and white cultivars in the content of malate, tartrate, and citrate in response to the temperature difference between sites. However, generally, cultivars at lower temperatures exhibited lower concentrations of pulp organic acids at véraison, but acid degradation until harvest was reduced, compared to the significant pace of acid decline at the warmer site. Sugars showed the greatest differences between sites in both white and red berries at véraison, but differences were seasonal dependent. At harvest, cultivars of both groups exhibited significant variation in hexose/sucrose ratio, and the averages of which varied from 1.6 to 2.9. Hexose/sucrose ratio was significantly higher among the red cultivars at the warmer RN, while this tendency was very slight among white cultivars. White cultivars seem to harbor a considerable degree of resilience due to a combination of earlier and shorter ripening phase, which avoids most of the summer heat. Taken together, our study demonstrates that the extensive genetic capacity of V. vinifera bears significant potential and plasticity to withstand the temperature increase associated with climate change.
Archaean Plate Tectonics in the North Atlantic Craton of West Greenland Revealed by Well-Exposed Horizontal Crustal Tectonics, Island Arcs and Tonalite-Trondhjemite-Granodiorite Complexes

The 700 km-long North Atlantic Craton (NAC) in West Greenland is arguably the best exposed and most continuous section of Eo-to Neoarchaean crust on Earth. This allows a close and essential correlation between geochemical and isotopic data and primary, well-defined and well-studied geological relationships. The NAC is therefore an excellent and unsurpassed stage for the ongoing controversial discussion about uniformitarian versus non-uniformitarian crustal evolution in the Archaean. The latest research on the geochemistry, structural style, and Hf isotope geochemistry of tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite (TTG) complexes and their intercalated mafic to intermediate volcanic belts strongly supports previous conclusions that the NAC formed by modern-style plate tectonic processes with slab melting of wet basaltic oceanic crust in island arcs and active continental margins. New studies of the lateral tectonic convergence and collision between juvenile belts in the NAC corroborate this interpretation. Nevertheless, it has repeatedly been hypothesised that the Earth’s crust did not develop by modern-style, subhorizontal plate tectonics before 3.0 Ga, but by vertical processes such as crustal sinking and sagduction, and granitic diapirism with associated dome-and-keel structures. Many of these models are based on supposed inverted crustal density relations, with upper Archaean crust dominated by heavy mafic ridge-lavas and island arcs, and lower Archaean crust mostly consisting of felsic, supposedly buoyant TTGs. Some of them stem from older investigations of upper-crustal Archaean greenstone belts particularly in the Dharwar craton, the Slave and Superior provinces and the Barberton belt. These interpreted interactions between these upper and lower crustal rocks are based on the apparent down-dragged greenstone belts that wrap around diapiric granites. However, in the lower crustal section of the NAC, there is no evidence of any low-density granitic diapirs or heavy, downsagged or sagducted greenstone belts. Instead, the NAC contains well-exposed belts of upper crustal, arc-dominant greenstone belts imbricated and intercalated by well-defined thrusts with the protoliths of the now high-grade TTG gneisses, followed by crustal shortening mainly by folding. This shows us that the upper and lower Archaean crustal components did not interact by vertical diapirism, but by subhorizontal inter-thrusting and folding in an ambient, mainly convergent plate tectonic regime.
Understanding Independence: Board of Directors and CSR

On August Business Roundtable (2019), the Business Roundtable redefined the purpose and social responsibility of the corporation. Yet, this statement must be followed by substantial changes in the business models of corporations for it to avoid becoming empty rhetoric. We believe that the figure of the independent director may be one of the catalysts needed for this change of paradigm for corporations. In spite of the positive correlation between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and board independence, the development of the independence of boards during the last decade has not lead to the expected CSR results. Academics and regulators point to a weak definition and the non-standardized measurement of both independence and board independence (BI) as one possible explanation, and agree that a broader definition is needed. This paper aims to contribute to this debate. We develop a second-generation definition of independence based on a positive approximation to the concept by integrating an Aristotelian perspective of virtue ethics with the best practices of corporate governance. Thus, we define independence as a virtue guided by practical wisdom, that implies autonomy and autarky and which enables a person to act with integrity, fairness and truthfulness. In the context of corporate governance, independence is associated with an honest disposition to serve. Our proposal has political implications for supervisors that make decisions relating to the suitability of board members.
Analysis of Emission Infrared Spectra of Protein Solutions in Low Concentrations

In this work, based on the method of infrared emission spectroscopy, the study of emission spectra of interferon-gamma (IFNγ) solution in a mixture or surrounded by three low-concentration solutions (IFNγ, antibodies to IFNγ, glycine buffer) or water control was performed. First of all, the solutions of low concentrations themselves were studied. It was shown that low-concentration solutions of IFNγ and antibodies to IFNγ had lower emission intensity in three spectral bands near 800, 1,300 and 2000 cm−1 compared to water control. Glycine buffer solution had a radiation level indistinguishable from that of the control. In this work, the effect of adding these low-concentration solutions to IFNγ (1 mg/ml) was compared to the effect of adding water control to IFNγ. All solutions or water were added in 10% (v/v). It was found that adding each of the three test solutions induced an increase in the radiation intensity of the IFNγ solution in the spectral range of 400–1700 cm−1 (compared to the IFNγ solution with control spike). It was also tested whether the radiation of the studied low-concentration solutions surrounding the IFNγ solution (1 mg/ml) affected the IFNγ radiation. The measurement results were compared to the data obtained for IFNγ surrounded by water control. All three solutions were found to exert a distant effect on the IFNγ solution (1 mg/ml), which was manifested in a decrease in the intensity of its radiation near 1,000 and 1,500 cm−1 compared to the control solution of IFNγ. Thus, the emission spectra of low-concentration aqueous solutions were measured for the first time, and differences in the emission spectra of the IFNγ solution depending on low-concentration additives and the environment were shown. The paper interprets the observed differences and discusses possible mechanisms underlying the observed phenomena.
Choosing PD-1 Inhibitors in Oncology Setting, Left or Right?—Lessons From Value Assessment With ASCO-VF and ESMO-MCBS

Background: Influx of innovative therapies and dramatic rise in prices have been prompting value-driven decision-making. Both the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) have independently proposed value assessment frameworks. Objectives: To comprehensively examine the value of nivolumab and pembrolizumab by two value assessment frameworks with a cohort of published randomized controlled trials and offer insight into the association between these two frameworks. Methods: Trials were identified with a cutoff date of Nov 30th, 2019. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to establish the predictive value of ASCO-VF score to meet ESMO-MCBS grade and discriminate the agreement of these two value assessment tools. Spearman correlation was used to assess the association between monthly cost and ASCO-VF score/ESMO-MCBS grade. Results: 19 randomized controlled trials were eligible. seven (36.8%) trials were of treatment included nivolumab while 12 (63.2%) pembrolizumab. 8 (42.1%) of the trials were of treatments for non-small-cell lung cancer, 5 (26.3%) for melanoma, 2 (10.5%) were for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, 2 (10.5%) for gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer and 1 (5.3%) for urothelial cancer and renal-cell carcinoma respectively. ASCO scores ranged from 7 to 94.7 with median 40.90. 11 (57.9%) trials met the ESMO criteria for meaningful value achieved. Of 14 trials not meeting the ASCO cutoff score, only 8 did not meet the meaningful ESMO criteria. Agreement between these two frameworks thresholds was only fair (κ = 0.412, P＜0.05). A negative correlation was noted between increment monthly cost and value assessment results. Conclusion: There is only fair correlation between ASCO and ESMO value assessment frameworks. Not all treatment with nivolumab and pembrolizumab meet valuable thresholds.
A Novel Nomogram Model Based on Cone-Beam CT Radiomics Analysis Technology for Predicting Radiation Pneumonitis in Esophageal Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy

Purpose We quantitatively analyzed the characteristics of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) radiomics in different periods during radiotherapy (RT) and then built a novel nomogram model integrating clinical features and dosimetric parameters for predicting radiation pneumonitis (RP) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods At our institute, a retrospective study was conducted on 96 ESCC patients for whom we had complete clinical feature and dosimetric parameter data. CBCT images of each patient in three different periods of RT were obtained, the images were segmented using both lungs as the region of interest (ROI), and 851 image features were extracted. The least absolute shrinkage selection operator (LASSO) was applied to identify candidate radiomics features, and logistic regression analyses were applied to construct the rad-score. The optimal period for the rad-score, clinical features, and dosimetric parameters were selected to construct the nomogram model and then the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the prediction capacity of the model. Calibration curves and decision curves were used to demonstrate the discriminatory and clinical benefit ratios, respectively. Results The relative volume of total lung treated with ≥5 Gy (V5), mean lung dose (MLD), and tumor stage were independent predictors of RP and were finally incorporated into the nomogram. When the three time periods were modeled, the first period was better than the others. In the primary cohort, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.700 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.568–0.832), and in the independent validation cohort, the AUC was 0.765 (95% CI 0.588–0.941). In the nomogram model that integrates clinical features and dosimetric parameters, the AUC in the primary cohort was 0.836 (95% CI 0.700–0.918), and the AUC in the validation cohort was 0.905 (95% CI 0.799–1.000). The nomogram model exhibits excellent performance. Calibration curves indicate a favorable consistency between the nomogram prediction and the actual outcomes. The decision curve exhibits satisfactory clinical utility. Conclusion The radiomics model based on early lung CBCT is a potentially valuable tool for predicting RP. V5, MLD, and tumor stage have certain predictive effects for RP. The developed nomogram model has a better prediction ability than any of the other predictors and can be used as a quantitative model to predict RP.
On the Use of the Repeated-Sprint Training in Hypoxia in Tennis

Purpose To examine physiological and technical responses to repeated-sprint training in normobaric hypoxia at ∼3,000 m (RSH, n = 11) or in normoxia (RSN, n = 11) compared to a control group (CON, n = 8) in well-trained tennis players. Participants were 28.8 ± 5.9 years old without any previous experience of training in hypoxia. Methods In addition to maintaining their usual training (CON), both RSH and RSN groups completed five tennis specific repeated-shuttle sprint sessions (4 × 5 × ∼8 s maximal sprints with ∼22 s passive recovery and ∼5 min rest between sets) over 12 days. Before (Pre), the week after (Post-1) and 3 weeks after Post-1 (Post-2), physical/technical performance during Test to Exhaustion Specific to Tennis (TEST), repeated-sprint ability (RSA) (8 × ∼20 m shuttle runs—departing every 20 s) and heart rate variability (HRV) were assessed. Results From Pre to Post-1 and Post-2, RSH improved TEST time to exhaustion (+18.2 and +17.3%; both P < 0.001), while the “onset of blood lactate accumulation” at 4 mmol L–1 occurred at later stages (+24.4 and +19.8%, both P < 0.01). At the same time points, ball accuracy at 100% V̇O2max increased in RSH only (+38.2%, P = 0.003 and +40.9%, P = 0.007). Markers of TEST performance did not change for both RSN and CON. Compared to Pre, RSA total time increased significantly at Post-1 and Post-2 (−1.9 and −2.5%, P < 0.05) in RSH only and this was accompanied by larger absolute Δ total hemoglobin (+82.5 and +137%, both P < 0.001). HRV did not change either supine or standing positions. Conclusion Five repeated sprint training sessions in hypoxia using tennis specific shuttle runs improve physiological and technical responses to TEST, RSA, and accompanying muscle perfusion responses in well-trained tennis players.