Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modelling edge effects of mature forest plantations on peatland waders informs landscape-scale conservation

Summary 1. Edge effects of native forest fragmentation have been well studied, but there are few studies of open-ground habitats fragmented by plantation forests. We measure forestry edge effects on open-ground breeding birds, following one of Europe’s biggest and most controversial land-use transformations. 2. The ‘Flow Country’ of northern Scotland is one of the world’s greatest expanses of blanket bog. It became fragmented by conifer forests planted in the late 20th century, and these now adjoin open peatlands protected under European conservation legislation. Detrimental edge effects on breeding birds were anticipated, but not apparent shortly after planting. 3. Using survey data collected in 2003–2006, and logistic regression modelling, we tested whether breeding distributions of three wader species of international conservation concern, dunlin, European golden plover and common greenshank, were influenced by distance to forest edge, controlling for habitat and topography. 4. All three species were more likely to occupy flatter, more exposed ground close to bog pools and were influenced by peatland vegetation structure. There was an additive and adverse effect of proximity to forest edge for dunlin and European golden plover, but not common greenshank. This effect was strongest within 700 m of forest edges. We used these results to predict which areas should benefit most from removal of adjacent forestry and so guide maintenance and restoration of the bird interests of the protected areas. 5. Synthesis and applications. Edge effects of mature forestry on dunlin and golden plover are apparent over several hundred metres and are now being used to guide forest planning in northern Scotland. The scale of edge effect is broadly consistent with other avian studies in open-ground habitats across Eurasia and North America, so buffer zones of this order are consistent with possible impacts of plantation forestry on open-ground habitats of bird conservation interest. Given renewed interest in conifer afforestation as a climate change mitigation measure, an improved understanding of edge effects and the mechanisms through which they operate is vital to managing plantation forestry in ways that maintain open-ground landscapes of high conservation value.
Particle Swarm Optimization Methodology for Optimal Distillation Retro t

Enhancing the performance of existing distillation columns has received considerable attention from the chemical process industry; however, success depends strongly on the optimization step. The authors propose a practical method employing a particle swarm optimization (PSO) methodology for optimal retro tting of existing distillation columns. The PSO algorithm allows a problem with multiple potential solutions to be solved by moving the particles around the search space via simple PSO methodology formulations. MATLAB was used to implement the algorithm and was then connected to an HYSYS model. Two industrial cases were examined in distillation retro t optimization of the separation sequence for zeotropic and azeotropic mixtures to evaluate the e ciency of the PSO methodology. The results show that the methodology is competitive with conventional optimization techniques such as the response surface methodology, coordinate descent methodology, and genetic algorithm. Not only the structural variables but also the operating variables are simply and e ectively optimized. Notably, the operating cost savings were calculated as 34.2% and 12.8% for ethylene dichloride puri cation and acetone–methanol separation processes, respectively. Furthermore, the reduction of carbon dioxide emission was investigated after retro tting distillation sequences.
Running head: effect of an artificial model’s vocal expressiveness on learning.1

This study is an investigation of the effect of an artificial model’s (pedagogical agent) vocal expressiveness, when demonstrating the use of a novel software, on affective and cognitive learning. Pedagogical agents, used as behavior models, proved to be beneficial for self-efficacy beliefs and task learning (Fountoukidou et al., 2017). However, the voice, as a nonverbal communication characteristic, can be further explored (Veletsianos, 2009) resulting in a lack of specific guidelines on effectively designing artificial models. We build on previous research on behavior modeling and immediacy derived from teacher-student interaction (Bandura, 1969; Mehrabian, 1987). The question we aim to answer is; what is the effect of an artificial models' vocal expressiveness on learning? And whether motivation and attention mediate this effect. We first hypothesized that a vocally expressive pedagogical agent, as compared to a vocally monotonous, will have a significant effect on both affective and cognitive learning. Secondly, we hypothesize that state motivation and attention will mediate the effect. A total of 144 participants, in their majority young students of the TU/e, took part of the 2X1 between-subjects study were the artificial agent, Eric, gave a ten-minute video lesson with the same wording and activity but different voice expressiveness; 1). Vocally expressive (N=78) and 2). Vocally monotonous and flat (N=66). Through specific speech parameters (i.e., speech rate, pitch, emotional prosody) the experimental manipulation was achieved. Results: The difference between the two groups showed to be significant for affective learning in all three measured dimensions. For cognitive learning, there are stronger learning outcomes for the first indicator, but not for the second one, leading to partial support for our hypothesis on cognitive learning. State motivation mediates the effect on affective learning but not on cognitive learning. Furthermore, attention does not mediate any learning outcome. Thus, the study provided some evidence that an artificial model using higher voice expressiveness affects learning outcomes. The agent appeared on screen demonstrating the task (modeling behavior) and was assessed by all participants as ‘likeable’ and significantly more under the vocally expressive condition.
Long- versus short-range foraging strategies of hoary (Lasiurus cinereus) and silver-haired (Lasionycteris noctivagans) bats and the consequences for prey selection

Habitat use, temporal activity, foraging behaviour, and prey selection of hoary bats (Lasiurus cinereus) and silver-haired bats (Lasionycteris noctivagans) were studied at Delta Marsh, Manitoba. Bat activity was assessed by monitoring echolocation calls with ultrasonic detectors. Prey availability was determined using sticky and Malaise traps and dietary information was obtained from fecal analysis. Both species were active all night and foraged primarily in the lee of a narrow forested ridge. Lasionycteris noctivagans foraged in a manner that indicates that it detects and pursues prey over short distances. These bats fly slowly, are highly manoeuverable, and were commonly observed feeding on swarms of insects in small clearings. They use echolocation calls that support the notion of a short-range foraging strategy and feed opportunistically on whatever insects are available. Lasiurus cinereus, on the other hand, uses a long-range prey detection and pursuit foraging strategy. They fly rapidly along straig.
Population structure and stock identification of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) in coastal lakes in British Columbia, Canada

Population structure of sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka (Walbaum, 1792), from coastal lakes in British Columbia was determined from a survey of variation of 14 microsatellite loci, with approximately 6400 sockeye salmon analyzed from 40 populations. Populations from the Queen Charlotte Islands displayed fewer alleles per locus than did populations in other regions. Genetic differentiation among the populations surveyed was observed, with the mean FST for all loci being 0.077 (SD = 0.006). Differentiation among populations was approximately 13 times greater than annual variation within populations. Regional structuring of the populations surveyed was observed. The accuracy and precision of the estimated stock compositions generally increased as the number of observed alleles at the loci in- creased. Simulated mixed-stock samples generated from observed population frequencies in different regions suggested that variation at microsatellite loci provided reasonably accurate and precise estimates of stock composition for poten- tial samples from marine or freshwater fisheries.
Long-Term Inhibition of Rho-Kinase Suppresses Neointimal Formation After Stent Implantation in Porcine Coronary Arteries: Involvement of Multiple Mechanisms

Objective—We recently demonstrated that Rho-kinase, an effector of the small GTPase Rho, is substantially involved in the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis. In this study, we examined whether Rho-kinase is also involved in in-stent restenosis and if so, what mechanism is involved. Methods and Results—Pigs underwent stent implantation in the left coronary artery with or without administration of fasudil (30 mg/kg per day orally), a specific Rho-kinase inhibitor, starting 2 days before the procedure for a duration of 4 weeks. On day 28, reductions in coronary diameter and neointimal formation associated with macrophage accumulation, collagen deposition, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-&bgr;1 expression were noted at the stent site, and all were significantly suppressed by fasudil. On day 7, fasudil significantly increased the frequency of TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells, while it tended to reduce that of bromodeoxyuridine-positive proliferating cells in the neointima. Western blot analysis on day 7 demonstrated that phosphorylations of the ezrin/radixin/moesin family (a marker of Rho-kinase activity in vivo) and protein expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1and bcl-2 were upregulated at the stent site and were significantly suppressed by fasudil. Conclusions—These results indicate that long-term inhibition of Rho-kinase suppresses in-stent neointimal formation by multiple mechanisms, including reduced vascular inflammation, enhanced apoptosis, and decreased collagen deposition.
Efficacy of Multimodal Glossing on L2 Vocabulary Learning: A Meta-Analysis

This meta-analysis examined the effectiveness of an additional gloss mode in single versus dual and dual versus triple glossing on second language (L2) learners’ word learning. In total, 22 studies, providing 26 independent effect sizes, were coded, and 11 moderator variables including quality of data sample, learner variables, gloss features, text features, and methodological features were examined. The results showed that the overall effect of an additional gloss mode was medium (g = 0.46) for immediate posttests and small (g = 0.28) for delayed posttests. However, analyses of moderator variables indicated that the effect of additional gloss modes is influenced by a range of variables related to learner (e.g., proficiency), gloss (e.g., language), text (e.g., narrative versus expository), and research design (e.g., test format). Importantly, adding an additional mode to single textual gloss enhances vocabulary learning, whereas adding a mode to dual glossing does not result in significantly better vocabulary learning. The findings suggest that using more than two gloss modes is not necessary as it does not always lead to better learning of new words.
Will Cotesia flavipes Drive Its African Homologue, Cotesia sesamiae, to Extinction?

This paper addresses the competitive interaction between Cotesia sesamiae, a gregarious larval endoparasitoid that is native to Africa, and Cotesia flavipes, an introduced parasitoid from southern Pakistan which has recently been established in East Africa for biological control of the exotic stemborer, Chilo partellus. The two parasitoids are morphologically similar, and they both attack medium-sized to large larval stages of gramineous lepidopteran stemborers. Based on previous work which suggested that Cotesia flavipes was competitively superior to Co. sesamiae, we speculated that Co. sesamiae may be locally extirpated in some areas of Africa. However, evidence from the field does not support this prediction. Recent field surveys in areas where both parasitoids occur, revealed that Co. sesamiae was still present, and densities were not declining. The interaction of the two parasitoids, as well as the influence of this interaction on host regulation, are discussed. RésuméCet article discute de la compétition entre Cotesia sesamiae et Cotesia flavipes deux parasitoïdes internes et grégaires, morphologiquement semblables. Ils attaquent les larves de foreurs de tige de graminés. Le premier est endémique â l’Afrique et le second a été importé du sud Pakistan dans la cadre de la lutte biologique classique en Afrique de l’est contre, Chilo Partellus, un foreur de tige de céréales originaire d’Asie. Sur la base des travaux antérieurs qui ont montré que Co. flavipes était competitivement supérieur â Co. sesamiae, nous avions spéculé que Cotesia sesamiae pourrait éventuellement être éliminé dans certaines régions d’Afrique. Toutefois, des données récentes de terrain ne sont pas en accord avec cette hypothèse. Des enquêtes récentes dans les régions où les deux parasitoïdes existent ont montré que Co. sesamiae est toujours présent et que ses densités ne décroissent pas. Les interactions entre les deux parasitoïdes et l’effet de cette interaction sur la régulation de l’hôte sont discutés.
Effect of a plant-originated natural compound, CoD™ extract, on c-myc, Ha-ras and p53 gene expression in short-term animal experiments

Several plant-originated natural compounds were shown to exhibit chemopreventive effect in carcinogenesis. In our studies, we have investigated CoD™ extract, a complex plant extract made from several tropical plants with possible cancer preventive effect in animal experiments. c-myc, p53 and Ha-ras gene expressions were investigated 24, 48 and 72 h after CoD™ extract and dimethylbenz(a)-anthracene (DMBA) treatment in CBA/Ca(H-2 K ) mice. CoD™ extract administered together with DMBA diminished c-myc, p53 and Ha-ras gene expressions both in the 24 and 48 h experiments, but not in the 72 h experiments. Further in vivo and human studies are needed to clarify the possible role of CoD™ extract in the prevention of tumour formation after carcinogenic exposures.
THE ECOLOGY OF SOUTH AFRICAN ESTUARIES

St. Lucia Estuary on the Zululand coast, which once had a rich fauna of prawns and fish, has recently deteriorated. An ecological survey has shown that this is due to silting at the mouth and very saline water in the upper lakes. These conditions are traced back to droughts, erosion and man's interference with the filtering action of swamps. The present fauna and flora are described and plans for improving the estuary are discussed.
Effect of Acupressure on Chemotherapy Induced Nausea and Vomiting among Patients with Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Cancer treatments as chemotherapy often cause a host of adverse effects, Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) are the most common adverse effects of chemotherapy that may prevent successful treatment completion. Aim: The aim of the study was to examine the effect of acupressure on chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting among patients with lung cancer. Methods: A quasi-experimental pre-posttest nonequivalent control group design was utilized. A convenient sample composed of 60 adult male and female patients admitted to the Oncology Department, in one of the governmental hospitals in Egypt, were recruited, and equally randomly allocated to a control and study groups. One questionnaire and four scales were used to collect the data: (1) Demographic data sheet, (2) Rhodes Index of Nausea, Vomiting, and Retching (INVR), (3) Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory-Short Form (MFSISF), (4) Beck Anxiety Inventory, and (5) The Functional Living Index-Emesis (FLIE). Patients were followed up for two chemotherapeutic cycles. Results: The study group achieved a significantly higher reduction in the mean nausea and vomiting distress score, decreased mean fatigue and anxiety scores as well as improved functional living activities after receiving acupressure compared to the control group. Conclusion: Acupressure could decrease severity of nausea and vomiting, reduce fatigue and anxiety and improve functional living activities in patients with cancer and scheduled on chemotherapy sessions. Recommendation: Acupressure could be recommended to be endorsed as a nursing practice for patients on chemotherapy sessions in the early course of the disease, so that the patients experience the maximum benefit.
Nucleophosmin (NPM1-A) and FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3/ITD) mutations in acute myeloid leukaemia with a normal karyotype ( frequency and prognostic significance)

Background Treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) with a normal karyotype (NK) has always been a challenge for clinicians. This is because it affects the majority of AML patients and falls into the intermediate-risk group that needs further risk stratifications. Aim of the study The current study aimed to verify the importance and significance of analysis of NPM1-A and FLT3/ITD mutations, alone and combined, and their relation to prognostic criteria. Patients and methods Thirty-five patients with de-novo AML with a median age of 33 years (19–60) and ten healthy volunteers (the control group) were included. All participants were subjected to clinical examination, routine laboratory investigations and (for patients only) bone marrow examination and cytogenetic analysis by the G-banding technique. Using the genomic PCR (RT and conventional) technique, NPM1 type A and FLT3/ITD mutations were studied in the NK-AML patients and controls. Their impacts were evaluated alone and combined. Results After cytogenetic analysis 20/35 (57.1) patients proved to be of NK; their median age was 37.5 (19–60) years. This NK-AML group and control group were examined for NPM1 and FLT3/ITD mutations. None of the controls had either mutation. The NK group was categorized into NPM1 + or NPM1 − and FLT3 + or FLT3 −. Their frequencies were 40% (8), 60% (12) and 40% (8), 60 (12), respectively. These subgroups were assessed after induction chemotherapy for achievement of complete remission (CR), which was recorded in 62.5% of NPM1 -positive patients and 0% of NPM1 -negative patients, showing a significant difference with a P value of 0.004, whereas nonsignificant difference between FLT3 -positive and FLT3 -negative patients was recorded. The NK patients were further subdivided into four genetic subgroups: NPM+/ FLT3 −, NPM−/ FLT3 −, NPM+/ FLT3 + and NPM−/ FLT3 +, with frequencies of 15, 45, 25 and 15%, respectively. Sixty per cent of patients who achieved CR were NPM1 +/ FLT3 −. Furthermore, 100% of this subgroup achieved CR, 40% of NPM+/ FLT3 + also achieved CR, but none of the NPM−/ FLT3 − and NPM1 −/ FLT3 + patients did. Conclusion Genotypes defined by the mutational status of NPM1 , FLT3 are associated with the outcome of treatment in NK-AML patients.
Carimagua: La investigación y el desarrollo en ecosistemas de baja fertilidad

Recientemente la prensa nacional abordo el debate sobre el destino de la proyeccion estrategica de Carimagua. Curiosamente quienes escribieron, opinaron o saturaron los medios con mensajes en uno u otro sentido conocieron el lugar por referencias o por fugaces visitas. Ninguno vivio alli. El proposito de estas lineas es el de dejar una breve imagen de la historia, para la comprension del ciudadano medio que, desprevenidamente, desde los centros urbanos reconocen a Carimagua como un lugar distante y seguramente escenario de historias fantasticas (vease Figura 1). Promediaba la estacion lluviosa de 1969, cuando una comision3 del Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario, recomendo la adquisicion de la Hacienda Carimagua, de la familia Solano, para proyectarla como el escenario de la investigacion agropecuaria en las condiciones de un ecosistema diverso, fragil y de aparentes enormes limitaciones para el desarrollo agrario. Era una finca de algo mas de 22 mil hectareas de la Altillanura Plana Colombiana. Su nombre se origina en la laguna de 480 hectareas denominada asi por la comunidad guahiba, significandola como “fuente de agua”, que ofrece un ambiente especial como epicentro de un humedal de cerca de 6 mil hectareas, en el cual nace el rio Tomo que, luego de un recorrido de mas de 600 km. hacia el oriente, vierte su caudal al gran Orinoco. La laguna de Carimagua alberga poblaciones de peces de una singular diversidad, asi como lagartos, tortugas, comunidades de chiguiros y otros mamiferos. El lugar tiene como particularidades, ademas de su gran extension, la presencia de unas 6 mil hectareas de bosques de galeria (que crecen en los bordes de canos y rios) que bordean los canos Carimagua, Cararabo y el rio Muco4. Sus sabanas integran notables contrastes: los suelos estructuralmente van desde arcillosos hasta los arenosos, pasando por los “francos”, esto es, que tienen arenas y arcillas en diferentes proporciones. Pero todos ellos se caracterizan por importantes contenidos de hierro, lo cual se advierte por el color rojo de su perfil, por lo que los tecnicos los han clasificado como “oxisoles”. Otra caracteristica de estos suelos son los altos niveles de aluminio, elemento toxico para las plantas, en las que inhibe el millones de hectareas en Colombia: la Altillanura crecimiento de raices. Este aluminio puede presentar Plana. Pero tambien se asimilan a unas 300 millones saturaciones mayores al 80%. Sus condiciones en America Tropical y 800 millones de hectareas en edafologicas representan un ecosistema de 3.5 el mundo5,6.
Coral bleaching and habitat degradation increase susceptibility to predation for coral-dwelling fishes

Climate-induced coral bleaching frequently leads to declines in the abundance and diversity of coral-associated fishes, though the proximate causes of these declines are largely unknown. In this study, we show that coral-dwelling damselfishes associated with bleached and dead coral hosts are more susceptible to predation compared with fishes associated with healthy coral colonies. Although the predator (Pseudochromis fuscus) actively avoided both bleached and recently dead corals, they were almost twice as likely to strike at prey associated with the stark white colonies of bleached corals. These results suggest that coral-dwelling fishes are much more conspicuous against the bleached-white background, increasing their susceptibility to predation. Direct estimates of predation rates in aquaria were 33% and 37% on bleached and recently dead coral colonies, respectively, compared with 25% on healthy coral colonies. However, predation rates were highest (42%) on algal-covered corals, reflective of colonies that have further degraded after bleaching. We argue that increased susceptibility to predation may contribute to declines in abundance of coral-dwelling fishes after host coral bleaching. Even if predation does not cause increased in situ mortality, it is likely that increased exposure to predators will provide significant motivation for coral-dwelling fishes to vacate bleached coral hosts.