Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Selective foraging in the white sucker (Catostomus commersoni)

The white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) is a widespread and often abundant North American species. This benthivore can play an important role in the ecology of both fish and benthic communities in lakes and streams. However, the feeding behaviour and ecology of the white sucker have received limited study beyond a description of gut contents from small samples of fish. In this study, the diet of white suckers was determined in relation to season and depth distribution of the fish, as well as to the abundance and type of zoobenthos sampled at the site of fish capture. Suckers fed predominantly on either zoobenthos or zooplankton, with some seasonal variation. They specialized on particular prey and also on the largest individuals within their "speciality," thus exhibiting both resource partitioning and size-selective predation. These findings demonstrate that white suckers can be extremely flexible in their use of resources as opposed to being simple generalist feeders. This attribute, plus their toleranc.
Fruiting of tomato cultivated on medium enriched with bicarbonate

Abstract The incorporation of bicarbonate (HCO3 ‐) by roots and the transport of its products to plant tops significantly affected the yield of tomato. Fresh weight of fruit exceeded the control by 32.6% on average. The result was parallel associated with fruit ripening which began by 10 days earlier and also with the final phase of this process shortened by five days. Changes were determined in the content of individual sugars [glucose (G), fructose (F), and sucrose] and organic acids [malic (MA) and citric (CA)] in the outer wall of pericarp and in the locular tissue. As compared with the control, in the series with HCO3 ‐ (series II) the content of G+F increased by about 34% and 46% in the wall and by 23% and 30% in the locular tissue of mature green and red stage, respectively. Distribution of G and F in the wall and locule was 3:1 in the control at the mature green phase and fell to 2.2:1 as the fruit ripened. In series II this ratio was similar for the two kinds of tissue, being 3.3:1 and 2.2:1. Mor.
New national and regional bryophyte records, 22

folium and S. recurvum have similar ranges and ecology. In S. angustifolium the stem leaves are more triangular and rarely erose while the branch leaves are narrower and more strongly 5-ranked (McQueen & Andrus, 2006). Sphagnum recurvum also has narrower and more distinctly 5-ranked branch leaves than S. flexuosum, as well as a much more strongly differentiated stem cortex. In S. flexuosum the branch leaves are only slightly recurved when dry whereas in S. recurvum they are sharply recurved (McQueen & Andrus, 2006). Until now, none of these species of the European S. recurvum complex has been identified in the Azores.
Chromosome numbers and karyotypes in Arum (Araceae)

SUMMARYChromosome morphology was studied in five species of the genus Arum (Araceae). The karyotypes of Arum orientale (2n = 28), A. alpinum (2n = 28) and A. nigrum (2n = 28) were very similar. A. pictum (2n = 28) is composed of a higher number of asymmetric chromosomes. The karyotype of A. maculatum (2n = 56) shows great similarities to the karyotypes of A. orientale and A. alpinum.
Tag Retention of the Spot Prawn, Pandalus platyceros, Injected With Coded Wire Tags

Juvenile spot prawns, Pandalus platyceros (initial carapace length 15.0–22.5 mm), were successfully tagged with Bergman–Jefferts coded wire tags in the thoracic sinus. Tagged prawns, prawns subject to tagging needle insertion but without tags, and a control group were tested. No significant differences in growth and survival within or between test groups occurred and no behavioral changes were observed among tagged animals. All tagged prawns molted at least twice during the 6-mo experiment. Average tag retention was 95%. Key words: Pandalus platyceros, tagging, tag retention, molting, survival
Effects of Collagen Peptide Ingestion on Blood Lipids in Rats Fed a High-Lipid and High-Sucrose Diet

Increased protein intake frequently improves lipid profiles in humans and animals. To investigate the effects of collagen peptide ingestion on blood lipid profiles, 0.2 g/kg body weight collagen peptide was administered for 29 days to male Crlj:CD (SD) rats fed a high-lipid and high-sucrose diet, and their blood lipid levels were determined on days 1 and 28, and also on day 30 after overnight fasting. Food intake and body weight did not change with collagen peptide ingestion. Although triglycerides increased markedly with the high-lipid and high-sucrose diet, collagen peptide ingestion had no significant effect on triglyceride levels. Collagen peptide also had no effect on non-esterified fatty acid levels. In contrast, total cholesterol, particularly LDL, was significantly lower in rats given collagen peptide than in control rats on day 30 after overnight fasting. These results suggest that collagen peptide ingestion improves cholesterol metabolism in rats fed a high-lipid and high-sucrose diet.
Impact of initial spacing and precommercial thinning on jack pine tree growth and stem quality

The objective of this paper was to investigate the impact of initial spacing and pre-commercial thinning (PCT) on tree growth, characteristics and stem quality in plantation-grown jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) after 58 years of growth. Four spacings including three initial spacings without PCT treatment, i.e., 1.52 × 1.52 m (5 × 5 ft), 2.13 × 2.13 m (7 × 7 ft) and 2.74 × 2.74 m (9 × 9 ft) and one initial spacing with PCT treatment (5 × 5 ft thinned to 7 × 7 ft at age 14), were chosen to analyze diameter at breast height (DBH) distribution, survival, and various tree and stem quality characteristics (e.g., DBH, total tree height, stem volume, crown size, branch, taper, sweep and wobbling). Tree mortality during the first 25 growth years was quite low for all four spacings, while after 25 years, survival for the four spacings rapidly declined. The decrease in survival for spacing 5 × 5 was the steepest, followed by spacings 7 × 7, 9 × 9 and finally the PCT-treated stand. DBH distributions for all four s.
Genetic polymorphism at CSN1S2 locus in two endangered sicilian goat breeds

Summary In this study we surveyed two endangered Sicilian goat breeds (Girgentana and Argentata dell'Etna) for genetic polymorphism at the CSN1S2 locus. In a total of 537 goats, we detected CSN1S2A, CSN1S2B, CSN1S2C° (CSN1S2C + CSN1S2E), CSN1S2D, CSN1S2F and CSN1S2O alleles by means of various polymerase chain reaction (PCR), allele specific-PCR (AS–PCR) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) reactions with the aim of improving the knowledge of the genetic resource of these two breeds. Three and five alleles, with six and twelve genotypes, were identified at CSN1S2 locus, in Girgentana and Argentata, respectively. Argentata dell'Etna showed a higher degree of genetic variation. The allelic and genotypic distribution seems to be significantly different (p < 0.001) in the two breeds. In Argentata the rare null allele (CSN1S2O) was found at low frequency (0.033); this genetic peculiarity makes its preservation worthwhile.
HIV Screening During Pregnancy in a U.S. HIV Epicenter

Background The CDC and ACOG have issued guidelines for HIV screening in pregnancy for patients living in areas with high prevalence of HIV in order to minimize perinatal vertical transmission. There is a lack of data examining providers' compliance with these guidelines in at-risk patient populations in the United States. Objective To evaluate if HIV screening in pregnant women was performed according to guidelines at a large, urban, tertiary care medical center in South Florida. Study Design. A retrospective review was performed on 1270 prenatal and intrapartum records from women who delivered a live infant in 2015 at a single institution. Demographic and outcome data were chart abstracted and analyzed using arithmetic means and standard deviations. Results Of the 1270 patients who met inclusion criteria, 1090 patients initiated prenatal care in the first or second trimester and delivered in the third trimester. 1000 (91.7%) patients were screened in the first or second trimester; however, only 822 (82.2%) of these were retested in the third trimester during prenatal care. Among the 178 patients lacking a third trimester test, 159 (89.3%) received rapid HIV testing upon admission for delivery. Of the 1090 patients who initiated prenatal care in the first or second trimester and delivered in the third trimester, 982 (90.1%) were screened in accordance with recommended guidelines. Of the 1270 patients initiating care in any trimester, 24 (1.9%) had no documented prenatal HIV test during prenatal care, however 22 (91.7%) had a rapid HIV test on admission for delivery. Two (0.16%) patients were not tested prenatally or prior to delivery. Conclusion Despite 99.8% of women having at least one HIV screening test during pregnancy, there is room for improvement in routine prenatal screening in both early pregnancy and third trimester prior to onset of labor in this high-risk population.
Assessment of the efficacy of quwenling as a mosquito repellent

Quwenling is a mosquito repellent product made in China from lemon eucalyptus. It was tested in the laboratory against. Anopheles gambiae in comparison with two commercial products containing 20–22% deet. The numbers of mosquitoes coming to bite in 30 s with successive increments of dosage of each product applied to human skin or to a cotton sleeve were compared with the numbers of bites with untreated controls. The ED50, ED90 and ED100 values indicated that Quwenling was somewhat less potent than the deet products. The performance of the three products against British wild mosquitoes did not differ significantly.
Fascioloides magna (Trematoda) in woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) of the George River herd, Labrador

Fifty-eight percent of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) of the George River herd, Labrador, were infected with up to 110 giant American liver flukes (Fascioloides magna). The prevalence and intensity of infection did not differ between 2 sampling years or between sexes. Prevalence tended to increase with age while intensity did not differ among age groups. Liver weight increased with intensity of infection but condition, as measured by the mean depth of back fat, did not differ between infected and uninfected animals. Caribou must be considered a suitable host of F. magna since the growth and maturation of the parasite and lesions produced in Rangifer resemble those in deer and wapiti.
OP-NDTJ180357 1..9

Background. The coronary artery calcium (CAC) score from cardiac computed tomography (CT) is a composite of CAC volume and CAC density. In the general population, CAC volume is positively and CAC density inversely associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, implying that decreased CAC density reflects atherosclerotic plaque instability. We analysed associations of CAC indices with mortality risk in patients with end-stage renal disease [chronic kidney disease Stage 5 (CKD5)]. Methods. In 296 CKD5 patients undergoing cardiac CT (median age 55 years, 67% male, 19% diabetes, 133 dialysed), the Framingham risk score (FRS), presence of CVD and proteinenergy wasting (PEW; subjective global assessment) and highsensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were determined at baseline. During follow-up for a median of 35 months, 51 patients died and 75 patients underwent renal transplantation. All-cause mortality risk was analysed with competing-risk regression models. Vascular calcification was analysed in biopsies of the arteria epigastrica inferior in 111 patients. Results. Patients in the middle tertile of CAC density had the highest CAC score, CAC volume, age, CVD, PEW, FRS, hsCRP and IL-6. In competing risk analysis, the middle {subhazard ratio [sHR] 10.7 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.0–57.3]} and high [sHR 8.9 (95% CI 1.5–51.8)] tertiles of CAC density associated with increased mortality, independent of CAC volume. The high tertile of CAC volume, independent of CAC density, associated with increased mortality [sHR 8.9 (95% CI 1.5– 51.8)]. Arterial media calcification was prominent and associated with CAC volume and CAC density. Conclusions. In CKD5, mortality increased linearly with higher CAC score and CAC volume whereas for CAC density an inverse J-shaped pattern was observed, with the crude mortality rate being highest for the middle tertile of CAC density. CAC volume and CAC density were associated with the extent of arterial media calcification.
Inpatient multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme for postural and gait stability in Huntington’s disease – a pilot study Vliv

Aim: Postural and gait instability in Huntington‘s disease (HD) is a key component of the motor symptomatology which contributes to an increased risk of falls. Rehabilitation is considered beneﬁ cial in postural and gait stability treatment. We aimed to explore the feasibility and the short-and long-term eﬀ ects of an inpatient multidisciplinary rehabilitation program on postural and gait stability in subjects with HD . Methods: A sample of 13 subjects with HD but with no severe cognitive deﬁ cit or depression underwent a 3-week speciﬁ c inpatient rehabilitation program focused on postural and gait stability. Patients were examined at the baseline, after the completion of rehabilitation, and then 1 month and 3 months after the end of the program. The testing included: gait stability examination (Dynamic Gait Index; DGI), posturography examination of postural stability on a stable (PSS) and 20% unstable (PSU) platform and the total motor score evaluation by Uniﬁ ed Huntington‘s Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) . Results: There was a signiﬁ cant improvement lasting 3 months in PSS and a signiﬁ cant improvement in DGI immediately after the rehabilitation. There was no signiﬁ cant improvement in the PSU and UHDRS total motor score . Conclusion: Speciﬁ c rehabilitation methods are safe and feasible and may be beneﬁ cial in the treatment of postural and gait instability in patients with early and mid-stage HD. The postural instability improvement measured by PSS persisted for at least 3 months. The gait stability improvement in DGI did not persist after 1 month. We found no improvement in PSU. This exploratory
University of Groningen Improved linkage analysis of Quantitative Trait Loci using bulk segregants unveils a novel determinant of high ethanol tolerance in yeast Duitama,

Background: Bulk segregant analysis (BSA) coupled to high throughput sequencing is a powerful method to map genomic regions related with phenotypes of interest. It relies on crossing two parents, one inferior and one superior for a trait of interest. Segregants displaying the trait of the superior parent are pooled, the DNA extracted and sequenced. Genomic regions linked to the trait of interest are identified by searching the pool for overrepresented alleles that normally originate from the superior parent. BSA data analysis is non-trivial due to sequencing, alignment and screening errors. Results: To increase the power of the BSA technology and obtain a better distinction between spuriously and truly linked regions, we developed EXPLoRA (EXtraction of over-rePresented aLleles in BSA), an algorithm for BSA data analysis that explicitly models the dependency between neighboring marker sites by exploiting the properties of linkage disequilibrium through a Hidden Markov Model (HMM). Reanalyzing a BSA dataset for high ethanol tolerance in yeast allowed reliably identifying QTLs linked to this phenotype that could not be identified with statistical significance in the original study. Experimental validation of one of the least pronounced linked regions, by identifying its causative gene VPS70, confirmed the potential of our method. Conclusions: EXPLoRA has a performance at least as good as the state-of-the-art and it is robust even at low signal to noise ratio’s i.e. when the true linkage signal is diluted by sampling, screening errors or when few segregants are available.
Invasion of the Upper Susquehanna River Watershed by Rusty Crayfish (Orconectes rusticus)

Abstract Orconectes rusticus (rusty crayfish) has spread from its original range throughout much of northeastern North America. Invading rusty crayfish can completely replace native crayfish and impact other parts of the community through changes in consumption, disturbance, and other effects. Our main objectives were to document rusty crayfish distribution in streams of the upper Susquehanna River watershed, NY, and to determine the extent of changes in crayfish community composition since the last major survey. We sampled streams during 1999–2005 to describe the current distribution of crayfish species and to document short-term temporal changes. To determine long-term changes in species composition and distribution, we compared our data to museum specimen collection records. We found significant changes in the crayfish community; our surveys found 2 species not previously reported from the upper Susquehanna River watershed and failed to find 2 species previously reported. We also found that rusty crayfish are widespread in the watershed and continues to expand, while the ranges of native congeners are retracting.
Adaptive variation in litter size and sex ratio at birth in a sexually dimorphic ungulate

In the Saharan arrui litter size and sex ratio at birth are strongly influenced by parity and maternal dominance rank at the time of conception. When females give birth for the first time they always produce single offspring, while multiparous females produce both singletons and twins. As maternal rank increases females tend to produce the following sequence: F, FF > M > MF > MM. This sequence differs from Williams’s (1979) prediction, in that FF are produced by females of lower rank than M. This may be so, because the Saharan arrui is a strongly sexually dimorphic species in which the differential costs of sons and daughters may be greater than in Williams’s model, and in which dominant females have much to gain from producing exceptionally good males. Single males are born heavier than other types of calve; among twins, investment in male—male twins seems particularly high because they are as heavy as female singletons and heavier than other twins. In addition, investment in males increases with maternal rank, while investment in females seems unaffected. Despite lower levels of investment in females, single females are more likely to survive than single males and twins.
Metamorphosis in the paired species of lampreys, Lampetra fluviatilis (L.) and Lampetra planeri (Bloch): 1. A description of the timing and stages

A large number of larval, metamorphosing and adult nonarasitic lampreys, lampetra planeri, were collected from three different rivers and placed in a morphological series. The characteristic changes were then described and used to propose a sequence of Stages (1–9). The first signs of metamorphosis (Stages 1–2), which could occasionaly be found as early as late June, are characterized by the eruption and enlargement of the eyes. This is followed by rapid transformation of the the oral hood into an oral disc, and changes in the shape of the pharyngeal region (Stages 2–5). Pronounced alterations in body pigmentation, enlargement of the fins and the development of teeth occur during Stages 4 to 6. The vast modifications involved in Stages 2 to 6 take place relatively repidly in the period between approximately mid-July and mid-September. The subsequent changes which occur more slowly, eventually lead to the production of immature (Stage 7) and sexually mature adults (Stage 8). Mature males are characterized by the presence of a urinogenital papilla, while the females posses a post-cloacal fin-like fold and greatly distended trunk. Spawning took place between late March and late April with the spent animals (Stage 9) dying soon afterwards. The above sequence of Stages was then compared with those found in a smaller sample of the parasitic and ancestral species L. fluviatilis. The early metamorphosing stages in both species are apparently indistinguishable but clear differences atart to appear at Stage 5 when the body surface of L. fluviatilis is assuming a distinct silvery sheen. This trend becomes more marked in Stages 6 and 7, at wich time the river lamprey also has a more pronounced eye and disc and a slimmer trunk. Stage 7 in L. fluviatilis represents animals migrating to the sea in either the autumn or spring to commence their trophic phase. On the other hand this Stage in L. planeri may be regarded as representing a massive contraction of adult Stages and is in many ways similar to the early upstream migrants of parasitic species.
Stratospheric Extinction Profiles from SCIAMACHY Solar Occultation

Abstract. The SCIAMACHY (Scanning Imaging Absorption Spectrometer for Atmospheric CHartographY) instrument on ENVISAT provided between August 2002 and April 2012 measurements of solar and Earthshine spectra from the UV to the SWIR spectral region in multiple viewing geometries. We present a new approach to derive stratospheric aerosol extinction profiles from SCIAMACHY solar occultation measurements based on an onion peeling method similar to the Onion Peeling DOAS (Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy) retrieval, which has already been successfully used for the derivation of greenhouse gas profiles. Since the retrieval of aerosol extinction requires as input measured transmissions in absolute units, an improved radiometric calibration of the SCIAMACHY solar occultation measurements has been developed, which considers various instrumental and atmospheric effects specific to solar occultation. The extinction retrieval can in principle be applied to all wavelengths measured by SCIAMACHY. As a first application, we show results for 452 nm, 525 nm and 750 nm. The whole SCIAMACHY solar occultation time series has been processed, covering a latitudinal range of about 50–70° N. Reasonable extinctions are derived between about 15 and 30 km with typically larger uncertainties at higher altitudes due to decreasing extinction. Comparisons with collocated SAGE~II and SCIAMACHY limb aerosol data products revealed a good agreement with essentially no mean bias. However, depending on altitude differences of up to ± 20–30 % to SAGE II at 452 nm and 525 nm are observed. These differences are mainly caused by systematic vertical oscillations in the SCIAMACHY occultation data. The agreement with SCIAMACHY limb data is even better (typically within 5–10 % between 17 and 27 km). Major volcanic eruptions as well as occurrences of PSCs can be identified in the time series of extinction data and related anomalies. Influence of the Quasi-Biennial-Oscillation (QBO) are visible above 25 km. Estimated linear changes of extinction between 2003 and 2011 reach 20–30 % per year at 15 km, mainly because all relevant volcanic eruptions (above 50° N) occurred after 2006.