Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
WITHIN-CROWN DISTRIBUIONS OF MALE AND FEMALE BAGWORM (LEPIDOPTERA: PSYCHIDAE) PUPAE ON JUNIPER AS AFFECTED BY HOST DEFOLIATION

Abstract We examined the within-crown distributions of male and female bagworm, Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis (Haworth), pupae on Juniperus virginiana L. as a function of prior defoliation. This was to evaluate the hypothesis that the differential movement of females to the upper crown before pupation would be strongest on heavily defoliated trees. Differential stratification of the sexes occurred irrespective of degree of defoliation, and despite the fact that competition, as evidenced by higher mortality of pupae and reduced weight of egg masses, was apparently greatest at the top of moderately and severely defoliated hosts. There was no relationship between height of pupation and risk of parasitism for either sex. Female larvae were ca. 4-fold more likely than males to abandon a low-lying host upon which they had fed and to ascend the trunks of nearby trees before pupating. Enhancement of larval dispersal by females is the most plausible explanation for the stratified distribution of bagworm pupae within trees. Résumé Nous avons examiné, la relation entre la distribution intra-cîme des pupes, maies et femelles des pschés, Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis (Haworth) et la défoliation antérieure sur les Juniperus virginia L. Ceci avait pour but d’évaluer l’hypothèse que l’activité des femelles serait plus intense dans les cîmes les plus défoliées. Les stratifications différentielles des sexes avaient lieu sans tenir compte du degré de défoliation et en dépit du fait que la compétition, mise en évidence par une plus grande mortalité des pupes et par la réduction du poids des œufs, était apparemment plus importante dans les cîmes des hôtes modérements ou sévèrements défoliés. Il n’y avait pas de rapports entre la hauteur des pupes et le risque de parasitisme pour les maies ou les femelles. Il y avait environ quatre fois plus de larves femelles que de maies qui abondonnaient un hôte situé en bas, sur lequel elles s’étaient nourries, et qui montaient le long du tronc des arbres avoisinants avant de devenir pupes. Le besoin des femelles d’accroître la dispersion des larves est l’explication la plus plausible pour la distribution stratifiée des pupes de pschés dans les arbres.
Correlations and path coefficient analysis in chickpea

Correlations and path coefficient analysis were worked out for eleven characters including seed yield in fifty chickpea genotypes during rabi 2002. Plant height, number of primary branches, number of pods/plant, 100 seed weight, biological yield/plant and harvest index had positive and significant correlation with seed yield. The positive direct effect on seed yield was revealed by plant height, number of primary branches/plant, number of pods/plant, biological yield/plant, harvest index, days to maturity and soluble protein content. The magnitude of residual effect was very low which indicated that the eleven characters included in the present study contributed most of the portions of the variability in the seed yield. Therefore these traits can be taken into consideration while exercising selection for seed yield in chickpea.
Evaluation of the Biolog GN MicroPlate system for identification of some plant-pathogenic bacteria

The Biolog GN MicroPlate system was evaluated for accuracy in identifying gram-negative and gram-positive phytopathogenic bacteria to genus, species, and pathovar. Approximately 1,000 strains of Agrobacterium, Clavibacter, Erwinia, Pseudomonas, and Xanthomonas were compared. Of 79 cultures representing 77 P. syringae strains and eight pathovars, identification to species and pathovar was correct in 100 and 2% of cases, respectively. Of 603 cultures representing 537 X. campestris strains and 28 pathovars, identification to species and pathovar was correct in 97 and 20% of cases, respectively. With E. carotovora and E. chrysanthemi, 22 and 62% of the strains, respectively, were correctly identified to species (.)
Increased Plasma Levels of the Co-stimulatory Proteins CDCP1 and SLAMF1 in Patients With Autoimmune Endocrine Diseases

Despite that autoimmune diseases share similar immunogenetic mechanisms, studies comparing the protein composition in peripheral blood from patients with autoimmune endocrine diseases are limited. In this study, we applied proximity extension assay to measure proteins related to signaling and interactions within the immune system in peripheral blood from patients with new-onset (N-T1D) and long-standing (L-T1D) type 1 diabetes, Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), Graves' disease (GD), and autoimmune Addison's disease in addition to healthy controls (HC). Proteins in plasma and supernatants from cultured PBMC were measured by using a 92-plex Olink® INFLAMMATION panel. Soluble CDCP1 was more abundant in plasma from patients with N-T1D, L-T1D, HT, and GD than in HC. The L-T1D and HT groups had elevated plasma levels of SLAMF1 compared with HC. Patients and HC could not be distinguished by their protein composition in PBMC supernatants. The high-throughput multiplex technology enabled us to detect two low-abundant proteins that have been gradually connected to autoimmune diseases. Our study provides novel associations between CDCP1, SLAMF1, and autoimmune endocrine diseases, which might reflect a higher degree of inflammation and lymphocyte activation.
Effect of Sense of Embodiment on Curvature Redirected Walking Thresholds

Redirected walking (RDW) allows users to explore a virtual environment larger than the physical tracking space by real walking. When RDW is applied within certain thresholds, users do not notice it and remain immersed in the virtual environment. There are many factors that affect these thresholds such as walking speed, gender, and field of view. However, redirected walking thresholds (RDTs) were never studied when an avatar is present, and it is not known how the sense of embodiment over this avatar affects users’ RDTs. In this paper, we present an experiment to investigate the effect of sense of embodiment (SoE) of an avatar on curvature RDTs. The SoE was manipulated by changing perspective as well as sensorimotor congruency and subjectively assessed using an SoE questionnaire. Results showed perspective and movement congruency have significant effects on the SoE, and that agency, which is a central component of embodiment, has a negative effect on curvature RDTs. Moreover, existing results on gender effects on RDTs were also reconfirmed.
Molecular and morphological systematics of Bursatella leachii de Blainville, 1817 and Stylocheilus striatus Quoy & Gaimard, 1832 reveal cryptic diversity in pantropically distributed taxa (Mollusca : Gastropoda : Heterobranchia)

Abstract. The ragged sea hare (Bursatella leachii) and the long-tailed sea hare (Stylocheilus striatus) are two widely distributed species of benthic heterobranch sea slugs. In this paper, integrative taxonomic analyses have been conducted to detect possible cryptic diversity. Our results revealed that both nominal species are actually species complexes, consisting of five genetically distinct taxa. Two of them belong to the genus Bursatella and three to the genus Stylocheilus. The name B. leachii is retained for a widely distributed species, present in the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, and parts of the Indo-Pacific region. The name B. ocelligera is resurrected for the other species, restricted to the Indo-Pacific and co-occurring with B. leachii in that area. With the present data, it is not possible to test whether B. leachii and B. ocelligera have evolved allopatrically in the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific or sympatrically in the latter. Bursatella leachii has been able to maintain gene flow between the Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific Oceans, possibly because of a combined effect of the Agulhas Leakage process and the ability to survive the colder waters of South Africa. On the contrary, the three species of Stylocheilus are allopatric; the name S. striatus is retained for an Indo-Pacific species, while the names S. polyomma and S. rickettsi are resurrected for species inhabiting the Western Atlantic and the Eastern Pacific respectively. Finally, the discovery of a museum specimen mistakenly identified as B. leachii, but bearing a shell in its adult form, led to the resurrection of the genus Phycophila, previously synonymised with Aplysia. Phycophila euchlora, the only species described to date, is distributed in the Central and Western Pacific Ocean.
An Evaluation of the Efficiency of Popular Personal Space Pointing versus Controller based Spatial Selection in VR

We detail the results of two experiments that empirically evaluate the efficiency of spatial selection performance of popular pointing and controller based direct 3D interaction within the participants’ maximum arms reach or personal space in an immersive virtual environment. In the first experiment, targets were presented in a circular configuration of 13 targets in accordance with the ISO 9241-9 Fitts’ Law standard, with a target distance of 5, 9 or 18 cm and target width of 0.65, 0.85, or 1.05cm, and with each circular configuration presented in a random distance of 60%, 75% or 90% of maximum arms length of the participant. The targets were centered at eye level, and in a within-subjects protocol participants selected the targets using a pointer at the tip of the controller or at the tip of their index finger on the dominant hand in the pointing based condition. The second experiment presented each target in a similar width and distance configuration as the previous experiment, but each target also varied in depth from one trial to the next between 60%, 75% or 90% of maximum arms reach. The selections were performed in an HTC Vive head mounted display VR world, using the popular Leap Motion gesture tracking device or the Vive controller. The results of both our experiment taken together revealed that with commodity 3D input devices, participants were more efficient in spatial selection performance in the popular controller based condition, as compared to the pointing based condition. Implications for VR developers and consumers are discussed in the latter sections.
Walk Ratio: Perception of an Invariant Parameter of Human Walk on Virtual Characters

Synthesizing motions that look realistic and diverse is a challenging task in animation. Therefore, a few generic walking motions are typically used when creating crowds of walking virtual characters, leading to a lack of variations as motions are not necessarily adapted to each and every virtual character’s characteristics. While some attempts have been made to create variations, it appears necessary to identify the relevant parameters that influence users’ perception of such variations to keep a good trade-off between computational costs and realism. In this paper, we therefore investigate the ability of viewers to identify an invariant parameter of human walking named the Walk Ratio (step length to step frequency ratio), which was shown to be specific to each individual and constant for different speeds, but which has never been used to drive animations of virtual characters. To this end, we captured 2 female and 2 male actors walking at different freely chosen speeds, as well as at different combinations of step frequency and step length. We then performed a perceptual study to identify the Walk Ratio that was perceived as the most natural for each actor when animating a virtual character, and compared it to the Walk Ratio freely chosen by the actor during the motion capture session. We found that Walk Ratios chosen by observers were in the range of Walk Ratios measured in the literature, and that participants perceived differences between the Walk Ratios of animated male and female characters, as evidenced in the biomechanical literature. Our results provide new considerations to drive the animation of walking virtual characters using the Walk Ratio as a parameter, and might provide animators with novel means to control the walking speed of characters through simple parameters while retaining the naturalness of the locomotion.
Preimplantation diagnosis: Gender preselection in humans? Flow cytometric separation of X and Y spermatozoa for the prevention of X-linked diseases

Human X- and Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa were separated based on their DNA content, using modified flow cytometric cell sorting technology. The resulting separation purity of the X-bearing from Y-bearing spermatozoa was evaluated using in-situ hybridization with alpha satellite DNA probes for the X- and Y-chromosomes. In the putative X-enriched-sorted populations, an average of 82% of the spermatozoa showed a hybridization signal with the X probe. Similarly, in the Y-sorted population 75% gave a signal with the Y probe. Sorted X- and Y-bearing spermatozoa were found to maintain their viability for several hours after sorting. These results demonstrate that the human sperm sex ratio can be significantly shifted to favour the selection of female-producing (X) spermatozoa or male-producing (Y) spermatozoa when spermatozoa are flow cytometrically sorted on the basis of DNA content. We propose that flow cytometrically sorted human spermatozoa, used in conjunction with in-vitro fertilization or intra-oviductal insemination, could be used by families who are at risk for X-linked diseases to preferentially produce female offspring. Sorted spermatozoa could also be used to pre-select for male offspring if that were medically indicated.
Causal Evaluation of Laboratory Markers in Type 2 Diabetes on Cancer and Vascular Diseases Using Various Mendelian Randomization Tools

Multiple studies have demonstrated the effects of type 2 diabetes (T2D) on various human diseases; however, most of these were observational epidemiological studies that suffered from many potential biases including reported confounding and reverse causations. In this article, we investigated whether cancer and vascular disease can be affected by T2D-related traits, including fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-h postprandial glucose (2h-PG), and glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, by using Mendelian randomization (MR). The summary statistics for FPG, 2h-PG, and HbA1c level were obtained through meta-analyses of large-scale genome-wide association studies that included data from 133,010 nondiabetic individuals from collaborating Meta-analysis of Glucose and Insulin Related Traits Consortium studies. Thereafter, based on the statistical assumptions for MR analyses, the most reliable approaches including inverse-variance-weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, MR-Egger with a simulation extrapolation (SIMEX), weighted median, and MR-pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) methods were applied to identify traits affected by FPG, 2h-PG, and HbAlc. We found that coronary artery disease is affected by FPG, as per the IVW [log odds ratio (logOR): 0.21; P = 0.012], MR-Egger (SIMEX) (logOR: 0.22; P = 0.014), MR-PRESSO (logOR: 0.18; P = 0.045), and weighted median (logOR: 0.29; P < 0.001) methods but not as per the MR-Egger (logOR: 0.13; P = 0.426) approach. Furthermore, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels are affected by HbA1c, as per the IVW [beta (B): 0.23; P = 0.015), MR-Egger (B: 0.45; P = 0.046), MR-Egger (SIMEX) (B: 0.27; P = 0.007), MR-PRESSO (B; 0.14; P = 0.010), and the weighted median (B: 0.15; P = 0.012] methods. Further studies of the associated biological mechanisms are required to validate and understand the disease-specific differences identified in the TD2-related causal effects of each trait.
Randomized placebo-controlled trials of remdesivir in severe COVID-19 patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background: The first cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were reported in Wuhan, China. No antiviral treatment options are currently available with proven clinical efficacy. However, preliminary findings from phase III trials suggest that remdesivir is an effective and safe treatment option for COVID-19 patients with severe disease. Objective: The aim of the present meta-analysis is to investigate whether remdesivir is effective for treating COVID-19 including reduced in-hospital adverse events, oxygen support, and mortality rates. Methods: Using PRISMA reporting guidelines, a review was conducted from January 1 2020 until 6 August 2020 with MeSH terms including COVID-19, coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, COVID, remdesivir, adenosine nucleoside triphosphate analog, Veklury using Medline, Scopus, and CINAHL Plus. A modified Delphi process was used to include the studies and ensure that the objectives were addressed (Appendix A). Using dichotomous data for select values, the unadjusted odds ratios (ORs) were calculated applying Mantel Haenszel (M-H) random-effects method in Review Manager 5.4. Results: Randomized controlled trials pooled in 2,429 participants with 41.6% (n=1011) in the remdesivir group and 58.4% (n=1,418) in the placebo group. The placebo group had a higher risk of mortality as compared to the intervention group with significant odds ratio (OR=0.61) (95% confidence interval of 0.45-0.83; P=0.001). There was moderate heterogeneity among the studies. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that remdesivir extends clinical benefits by reducing mortality, adverse events and oxygen support in moderate to severely ill COVID-19 patients. Concerted efforts and further randomized placebo-controlled trials are warranted to examine the potency of anti-viral drugs and immune-pathological host responses contributing to severity of COVID-19.
Notes on African Euphorbiaceae: VII

Drypetes bipindensis (Pax) Hutch. in Thiselton-Dyer, Fl. Trop. Afr. 6(1): 679 (1912); Engl. & Drude, Veg. Erde 9, Pflanzenwelt Afrikas 3(2): 34 (1921); Pax & K. Hoffm. in Engl. , Pflanzenreich IV. 147. xv: 259 (1922); Eggeling, Indig. Trees Uganda Prot. , ed. 2: 124 (1952), in adnot. ; Verdcourt in Kew Bull. 7(3): 356 (1952). Type: Cameroon, Bipindi, 13 May 1898, Zenker 1796 (Bt, holotype, K, isotype).
The role of gender as a moderator in the relationship between disease perception and coping with stress strategies among psychiatric patients

Abstract Introduction: The perception of disease depends on the patient’s beliefs related to the nature of the illness, the previous personal or family experiences and his/her attitude to them. Patients try to understand and cope with health problems. The purpose of the present study was to answer the question which components of the relationship between the strategies for coping with stress and mental disease perception are moderated by gender. Material and Methods: The study involved 98 patients with depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, alcohol related disorders. The research of the variables was carried out using the COPE Inventory and Disease Perception Questionnaire. Results: It has been noticed that in men, when their perception of the mental disorder as beneficial increases, the religious strategies for coping with stress become more frequent. Furthermore, the opposite sex pattern emerged. In the situation when an individual’s perception of the illness as a threat increased, female patients less frequently employed religious coping and planning. Furthermore, in women, when the perception of the mental disease as a weakness increases, the frequency of using emotional social support and acceptance decreases. Conclusions: The result indicated that there are opposite patterns of gender specific coping strategy dependent on the mental illness perception.
Researching Classroom-Based Assessment for Formative Purposes

Abstract This article aims to help teacher-researchers engage in empirical research on classroom-based assessment for formative purposes. We will first introduce the key features of classroom-based formative assessment (CBFA), and analyze the research questions asked in round-one projects funded by the Fund for Assessment Research (FAR) in Foreign Language Education in China. Next, we will illustrate how some research questions can be answered by analyzing a video-taped lesson from a round-one FAR project. We conclude by calling for more teacher-led research and argue that research on CBFA by teachers will not only produce valid interpretations and applicable findings, but also constitute a viable model for teacher professional development.
Moving to Smart Cities Through the Standard Indicators ISO 37120

Abstract In this article the current and most important standards focusing on smart city sector and organizations issuing them were presented. The standard-setting family for smart cities consists of four basic standards: ISO 37101, ISO 37120, ISO 37122 and ISO 37123. The paper also presents the indicators on the basis of which a city can apply for a certificate of ISO 37120 standard and presents the possibilities of a register of different cities from all over the world in the Global Cities RegistryTM, developed by WCCD (World Council on City Data). Thanks to the data contained in the database, city authorities can answer the question: How prosperous is my city? and compare with other cities from around the world. As an example of the use of WCCD data, a comparison of 21 European cities in terms of the amount of renewable energy consumption in relation to the size of population living in the city has been presented.
A Study of the Durability of Concrete Reinforced with Hemp Fibers Exposed to External Sulfatic Attack

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to study the durability of concrete reinforced with hemp fibers in the face of external Sulfatic attack. For this purpose, five types of concrete were formulated; three types of concrete reinforced with hemp fibers (HC-0.25, HC-0.5, and HC-1) at 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1 % of hemp fibers in volume, respectively. And two control concretes, being ordinary concrete (OC) and polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete (PC). To assess the sulfatic attacks, the described concrete types underwent two aging protocols: 1) a complete immersion in 12.5 % Sodium Sulfate (Na2SO4) solution, and 2) an accelerated aging protocol consisting of immersion/drying in the same sulfate solution at a temperature of 60°C. The results show that concrete reinforced with 0.25 % of hemp fibers is the optimal amount compared to control concretes in terms of physico-mechanical performance and durability under sulfate attack. This number of fibers could enable the production of green and durable structural concretes based on untreated hemp fibers.
Property Price Modelling, Market Segmentation and Submarket Classifications: A Review

Abstract Accurate pricing of the property market is necessary to ensure effective and efficient decision making. Property price is typically modelled using the hedonic price model (HPM). This approach was found to exhibit aggregation bias due to its assumption that the coefficient estimate is constant and fails to consider variation in location. The aggregation bias is minimized by segmenting the property market into submarkets that are distinctly homogeneous within their submarket and heterogeneous across other submarkets. Although such segmentation was found to improve the prediction accuracy of HPM, there appear to be conflicting findings regarding what constitutes a submarket and how the submarkets are to be driven. This paper therefore reviews relevant literature on the subject matter. It was found that, initially, submarkets were delineated based on a priori classification of the property market into predefined boundaries. The method was challenged to be arbitrary and an empirically statistical data-driven property submarket classification was advocated. Based on the review, there is no consensus on the superiority of either of the methods over the another; a combination of the two methods can serve as a means of validating the effectiveness of property segmentation procedures for more accurate property price prediction.