Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A seasonal decomposition of the estimated size of a penguin population at Phillip Island, Australia

Modern non-parametric methods allow the estimation of a population size under weaker conditions than the classical methods if there are frequent capture occasions. Here a non-parametric estimate of the number of penguins occupying Summerland Beach, Phillip Island, Australia, was computed. This estimator did not assume equal catchability of individuals, did not assume a parametric form for the population size as a function of time and allowed individuals to leave and re-enter the population. The resulting estimate was then decomposed into a seasonal component and a trend component using seasonal time series models to facilitate the understanding of the changes in the population size. The estimated seasonal effects quantified the difference between the number of penguins in the breeding and non-breeding season, and the trend component indicated an increase in the population size over the period of the study. The estimates of the number of penguins are shown to be consistent with other estimates obtained from a variety of sampling methods and statistical analyses.
Tandem Spinal Stenosis at the Brazzaville Academic Hospital

Background and Aim: Tandem Spinal Stenosis (TSS) can be defined as simultaneous stenosis of two distinct spinal (cervical, thoracic and lumbar) areas. Characterized by an association of the spinal, radicular and medullary signs of the limbs, the planning of his surgery remains controversial. We reported the one that was set up on the cases observed at the Brazzaville Academic Hospital. Methods and Materials/Patients: A retrospective study of 16 patients operated for TSS, from June 2009 to May 2019, was conducted. We analyzed the demographic, clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic and evolutionary data of these patients. Results: For ten years, a total of 16 patients (9 men and 7 women) with SST have been received. The average age was 57 years (ranged 41-72 years). The signs evolved for 17.6 months (13 and 30 months). These were lombo-sciatalgias in 15 cases, signs of medullary compression: cervical in 14 cases and thoracic in 2 cases. Medical imaging had objective 13 cervico-lumbar associations, two thoraco-lumbar associations and one cervico-thoracic. The surgery was performed in one stage in two cases and two stages in 14 cases. These were laminectomies for lumbar and thoracic disorders, discectomy or somatotomy in the cervical segment. The order of surgical management was cervico-thoraco-lumbar (cranio- caudal order). Signs improved in 13 patients and stabilized in 3 patients. Conclusion: TSS is not uncommon. It should be researched in a patient with bifocal spinal and radiculo-medullary signs. Their early surgical treatment, in one or two stages, yields satisfactory results.
Organ-Disparate Allocation of Plasticity in Phosphorus Response as an Underlying Mechanism for the Sawgrass-To-Cattail Habitat Shift in Florida Everglades Wetlands

Premise of research. Formerly sparsely distributed southern cattail (Typha domingensis) is now rapidly replacing the historically predominant sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense) in Florida Everglades wetlands. Previous studies have attributed anthropogenic phosphorus (P) enrichment as a causal factor. We investigated various traits of known importance to P acquisition and use in cattail and sawgrass, in order to determine the underlying mechanisms driving the sawgrass-cattail habitat shift. Methodology. An integration of morphological, physiological, biochemical, and molecular approaches were used to examine growth, root structure, photosynthesis, enzyme activities, and gene expression in plants grown under different P conditions. Pivotal results. Cattail and sawgrass exhibited distinct patterns of P responses between roots and shoots. While cattail displayed plasticity in shoots and inflexibility in roots, sawgrass demonstrated the opposite pattern, exhibiting a remarkable capacity for modulating its root system architecture, acid phosphatase activity, and phosphate transporter abundance. Likely advantageous under P impoverishment for sawgrass in the historic Everglades undisturbed by man, these adaptations are nullified under current anthropogenic P enrichment, thus opening the door for competition from cattail. In response to high P availability, cattail exhibited enhanced protein synthesis, photosynthesis, and growth in its plastic shoots, empowering its spatial expansion at the expense of sawgrass. Conclusions. The species-specific patterns of root/shoot-disparate plasticity may be an important mechanism underlying the spatial redistribution of cattail and sawgrass in the anthropogenic resource-altered environment. High plasticity in shoots in response to environmental nutrient enrichment is likely a common trait shared by invasive-prone plants.
Characterization of components of resistance to Corn Stunt disease

Considering the occasional but increasing presence of corn stunt disease in the subtropical region of Argentina, the objective of this research was to devise an effective strategy to screen disease-resistant genotypes in the absence of high and constant natural pressures. To do so, the presence of antixenosis and antibiosis as components of resistance to vector Dalbulus maidis (DeLong 1923) as well as resistance to the pathogen Spiroplasma kunkelii (Whitcomb et al. 1986) under artificial inoculation conditions were investigated in four widely-distributed maize hybrids in Argentina. The hybrids shown differences in the levels of resistance and target organisms (either the insect vector or the pathogen). Antixenosis and antibiosis to D. maidis were observed in DK72-10. Resistance of DK79-10 to S. kunkelii was evidenced by a delayed onset of symptoms, and DKB390 was antixenotic to D. maidis and highly resistant to S. kunkelii. A good association was found between symptom severity and yield, but not between symptom severity and accumulation of pathogen S. kunkelii. In conclusion, the proposed methodology was efficacious and can aid the screening of resistant genotypes in breeding programs to reduce the impact of corn stunt disease, ensuring that hybrids with good resistance level will be planted by farmers whenever disease occurs.
Digit ratio (2D:4D) and congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH): Systematic literature review and meta-analysis

The ratio of length between the second and fourth fingers (2D:4D) is commonly used as an indicator of prenatal sex hormone exposure. Several approaches have been used to try to validate the measure, including examining 2D:4D in people with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), a suite of conditions characterised by elevated adrenal androgen production secondary to defective steroidogenesis. We present here a systematic review that examines the relationship between these two variables. Twelve articles relating to nine CAH cohorts were identified, and 2D:4D comparisons have been made between cases and controls in eight of these cohorts. Altogether, at least one 2D:4D variable has been compared between n=251 females with CAH and n=358 unaffected females, and between n=108 males with CAH and n=204 unaffected males. A previous meta-analysis (Hönekopp & Watson, 2010) reported lower right hand (R2D:4D) and left hand (L2D:4D) digit ratios in patients with CAH relative to sex-matched controls. Our meta-analysis showed the same direction of results; however, the effects were only statistically significant for R2D:4D in males and L2D:4D in females (R2D:4D: females, p = 0.072, g = 0.591; males, p = 0.019, g = 0.513; L2D:4D: females, p = 0.020, g = 0.245; males, p = 0.334, g = 0.218), and the average effect size had reduced by 46.70%. We also found no evidence to suggest the right-left difference in 2D:4D (D[R-L]) is associated with prenatal sex hormone exposure.
Genetic and phenotypic correlations in a natural population of song sparrows

We estimated heritabilities, and genetic and phenotypic correlations between beak and body traits in the song sparrow (Melospiza melodia). We compared these estimates to values for the same traits in the Galapagos finches, Geospiza (Boag, 1983; Grant, 1983). Morphological variance is low in the song sparrow, and our results show that genetic and phenotypic correlations are considerably lower than correlations in the morphologically more variable Geospiza. Comparison using a larger sample of Galapagos populations confirms the existence of an association between variance and correlation for phenotypic values. We suggest two possible explanations for this association. First, most traits studied are functionally related, and the joint evolution of variance and correlation may have resulted from stabilizing selection about a line of optimal allometry between traits. Alternatively, introgression between populations and species could have caused correlation and variance to evolve jointly. Both selection and introgression were probably influential in producing the observed pattern, but it is not possible to estimate their relative importance with current data. Genetic and phenotypic correlations were correlated in the song sparrow, but heritabilities of traits varied greatly. As a result, the genetic variance-covariance matrix for traits is not simply a constant multiple of the phenotypic matrix. Evolutionary response to natural selection cannot, therefore, be predicted from the measurement of phenotypic characteristics alone.
Neuronal resonance can be generated independently at distinct levels of organization

Neuronal resonance is defined as maximal amplification of the response of a system to a periodic input at a finite non-zero input frequency band. Resonance has been observed experimentally in the nervous system at the level of membrane potentials, spike times, post-synaptic potentials, and neuronal networks. It is often assumed that resonance at one level of organization endows resonance at another level, but how the various forms of neuronal resonances interact is unknown. Here we show that a direct link of the frequency response properties across neuronal levels of organization is not necessary. Using detailed biophysical modeling combined with numerical simulations, extracellular recordings, and optogenetic manipulations from behaving mice, we show how low-pass filtering, high-pass filtering, and amplification mechanisms can generate resonance at a single level of organization. Subthreshold resonance, synaptic resonance, and spiking resonance can each occur in the lack of resonance at any other level of organization. In contrast, frequencydependent mechanisms at several levels of organization are required to generate the more complex phenomenon of network resonance. Together, these results show that multiple independent mechanisms can generate resonance in neuronal systems.
Sox9EGFP Defines Biliary Epithelial Heterogeneity Downstream of Yap Activity

Intrahepatic bile ducts are lined by biliary epithelial cells (BECs). However, defining the genetic heterogeneity of BECs remains challenging, and tools for identifying BEC subpopulations are limited. Here, we characterize Sox9EGFP transgene expression in the liver and demonstrate that GFP expression levels are associated with distinct cell types. BECs express “low” or “high” levels of GFP, while periportal hepatocytes express “sublow” GFP. Sox9EGFP distribution varies by duct size, with GFPhigh BECs found at greater numbers in smaller ducts. RNA-seq reveals distinct gene expression signatures for Sox9EGFP populations and enrichment of Notch and Yap signaling in GFPlow and GFPhigh BECs. All GFP+ populations are capable of forming organoids, but demonstrate interpopulation differences in organoid survival and size, dependent on media conditions. Organoids derived from Sox9EGFP populations also demonstrate differential activation of HNF4A protein in hepatocyte media conditions, suggesting variable potency in BEC subpopulations. We find that Yap signaling is required to maintain Sox9 expression in biliary organoids, and that bile acids are insufficient to induce Yap activity or Sox9 in vivo and in vitro. Our data demonstrate that Sox9EGFP levels provide a readout of Yap activity and delineate BEC heterogeneity, providing a tool for assaying subpopulation-specific cellular function in the liver.
The Deadliest Tropical Cyclone in History

On 12 November 1970, a severe tropical cyclone of moderate strength riding the crest of high tide lashed East Pakistan with a 20-ft storm surge and killed approximately 300,000 people. The official figures show 200,000 confirmed burials and another 50,000 to 100,000 missing. Preliminary unofficial estimates placing the death toll near one million now appear unrealistic as officials have found that many of those originally listed as missing turned up when relief supplies became available. Accurate fatality figures are difficult to determine because of the large influx of workers into the islands from the mainland at the time of the storm to harvest the rice crop. The November cyclone ranks as one of the most deadly, if not the deadliest, storm to ever devastate a coastal area. Table 1 lists the number of deaths associated with several noteworthy tropical cyclone/typhoon/ hurricane tragedies where death tolls were in excess of 5000. Prior to the November 1970 cyclone, there had been only 5 other storms where the loss of life equaled or was in excess of 100,000 and in one of these, the Japanese typhoon in 1923, most of the people perished in the earthquake and fire that occurred simultaneously with the storm. Countries bordering the Indian Ocean are confronted with one of the most serious storm surge problems of any place on the Earth. This is particularly true in the northern Bay of Bengal where the unique combination of a large astronomical tide, a funneling coastal configuration, low flat terrain and frequent severe tropical storms occasionally produce storm surges that kill thousands of people. This is dramatically illustrated in Table 1 where it is seen that 13 of the 19 disasters listed occurred in either India or East Pakistan. In contrast, the Western Hemisphere has experienced only three storms with comparable death figures. Even in the western Pacific where the most intense typhoons in the world develop, storm related fatalities generally do
Genotypic diversity between surgical and nasal Staphylococcus aureus isolates

Staphylococcus aureus is a common organism in periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). Little is known about S. aureus genetic diversity in PJI as compared to nasal carriage. We hypothesized PJI S. aureus strains would be associated with increased virulence as compared to those from nasal carriage. Whole genome sequencing and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was performed to genotype these two populations at high resolution. MLST revealed a variety of genotypes in both populations but many belonged to the most common clonal complexes. In nasal cultures, 69% of strains were of clonal complexes CC5, CC8, and CC30. In PJI cultures, only 51% could be classified in these common clonal complexes. Remaining strains were atypical, and these atypical strains in PJI were associated with poor host status and compromised immune conditions. Mutations in genes involved in fibronectin binding (ebh, fnbA, clfA, clfB) systematically distinguished later PJI isolates from the first PJI isolate from each patient. S. aureus isolated from nasal carriage and PJI specimens differ significantly, with the latter being more diverse. Strains associated with lower pathogenicity tended to be found in immunocompromised patients, suggesting the host immune system plays an important role in preventing PJI. Repeated mutations in S. aureus genes associated with extracellular matrix binding were identified suggesting an adaptive, parallel evolution in S. aureus during the development of PJI.
Food Habits of the Hoary Bat (Lasiurus cinereus) during Spring Migration through New Mexico

Abstract Hoary bats (Lasiurus cinereus) exhibit continental patterns of migration that are unique to bats, but details about their behaviors during migration are lacking. We captured 177 hoary bats in spring and early summer 2002 as individuals migrated through the Sandia Mountains of north-central New Mexico. Our results support earlier observations of asynchronous timing of migration between sexes of L. cinereus during spring, with females preceding males by ca. 1 month. We provide the first evidence that hoary bats may travel in dispersed groups, fly below the tree canopy along streams, and feed while migrating during spring. Analysis of guano revealed that diet of L. cinereus consisted mostly of moths, with more than one-half of samples identified as Noctuidae and Geometridae. We observed a late-spring decline in consumption of moths that might be related to seasonal changes in abundance of prey, differential selection of prey by bats, or sampling bias. We suspect that spring migration of L. cinereus through New Mexico temporally coincides with the seasonal abundance of moths.
Barley Protein and Rapeseed Meal as Protein Supplements for Growing Cattle

Abstract Growing cattle on ad libitum hay- (H) or grass silage- (S) feeding were given supplements of barley (B), barley and rapeseed meal (BRSM) or barley and barley protein (BBP) in order to compare barley protein (BP), a by-product of integrated starch-ethanol production and rapeseed meal (RSM) as protein supplements for growing cattle. The protein intake was also calculated in terms of AAT (amino acids absorbed in the small intestine) and PBV (protein balance in the rumen). Both the BBP and the BRSM tended to have a positive effect on daily live weight gain (LWG) in the beginning of the experiment, below live weight (LW) of 250 kg. Above that LW protein supplementation did not effect on LWG. BP seemed to be more suitable as a protein supplement for H- than for S-based diets. The AAT-PBV system seemed to have advantages compared to the DCP system on S-based diets, the advantages being negligible on H-based diets.
Comparative analysis of macrophage post-translational modifications during intracellular bacterial pathogen infection

Macrophages activate robust antimicrobial functions upon engulfing virulent bacteria, yet a wide array of pathogens paradoxically thrive within these innate immune cells. To probe the pathogen-macrophage interface, we used proteomics to comprehensively quantify changes in post-translational modifications (PTMs) of host proteins during infection with three evolutionarily diverse intracellular pathogens: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes. Comparing global phosphorylation and ubiquitylation patterns identified extensive reprogramming of cellular pathways during infection, with ubiquitylation patterns revealing unique pathogen-specific molecular response signatures undetectable by transcriptional profiling. Differential PTM changes during infection with attenuated M. tuberculosis cells lacking the ESX-1 virulence determinant revealed extensive modification of phagosome dynamics and antiviral type I interferon activation. We found that M. tuberculosis-mediated activation of the antiviral OASL1-IRF7 pathway promotes bacterial replication, uncovering a new mechanism of virus-bacterial synergy. Our data reveals remarkable specificity in innate cellular responses to complex stimuli and provides a resource for deeper understanding of host-pathogen interactions.
Stocking experiments with 0+ and 1+ trout parr, Salmo trutta L., of wild and hatchery origin. 1 : Post-stocking mortality and smolt yield

Wild and hatchery-reared 8–12-month-old (5–8 cm) trout, Salmo frurta L. , were stocked in tributaries of the River Gudenb. Mortality was examined by means of electrofishing. Repeated electrofishing and handling caused a small increase in mortality. The daily instantaneous mortality rate Z was high during the first 2 months after stocking, ranging from 0.0070 for wild trout to 0.0326 for domestic trout at a stocking density of one trout per m2 and from 0.0206 (wild trout) to 0.0888 (domestic trout) at a stocking density of two trout per m2. Two months after stocking, Z decreased drastically ranging from 0.0007 (wild trout) to 0.0067 (domestic trout). When stocked, first-generation hatchery trout showed Z equal to domestic trout. Wild trout resident in the experimental stream were negatively affected by the introduction of domestic trout and wild trout from another stream. at a stocking density above the carrying capacity. It is concluded that the higher mortality of domestic trout was caused by changes in food, feeding and exercise, possibly combined with the lack of selection in the hatchery. Smolt yield at age 2+ was 3.2% (0+ trout stocked in the fall)-7.0% (1 + trout stocked in the spring) of the domestic trout stocked (approx. one-sixth to one-third of natural populations) and 65.2–68.7% of the domestic trout present before the smolt run. For first generation hatchery trout of wild origin the corresponding figures were 7.3% (age 0 +) and 93.4%, and for wild trout introduced to the experimental stream they were 11.1% (age0 +)and39.8%.
Competition for Space: Growth Rate, Reproductive Output, and Escape in Size

The coexistence of two species on a homogeneous substratum has been modeled for the situation where one is the fugitive (faster recruit, poorer competitor) and the other is the dominant (slower recruit, better competitor; Levins and Culver 1971; Armstrong 1976). The consequences of distinct size (or age) classes in competitive encounters have received little theoretical attention, and there are few examples of size-dependent competitive success for real organisms. A system of three differential equations has been used in this study to examine potential coexistence between one species with two size classes, and a second species not divided into classes. The first species is outcompeted by the second when small but cannot be outcompeted (overgrown) when large. It thus has a size refuge from competition, and the three equation system is stable for realistic values of recruitment and growth rates. An example of a size refuge in space competition was found in the rocky subtidal marine community in northern Massachusetts. The octocoral Alcyonium siderium is overgrown by the colonial ascidian Aplidium pallidum when the former is less than 15 mm colony diameter, but not when larger. The two species persist indefinitely (4 yr of photographic documentation) on relatively homogeneous flat surfaces of vertical rock cliffs, and together take up more than 60% of the space.
The linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex generates heterotypic ubiquitin chains

The linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex (LUBAC) is the only known ubiquitin ligase that generates linear/Met1-linked ubiquitin chains. One of the LUBAC components, HOIL-1L, was recently shown to catalyse oxyester bond formation between the C-terminus of ubiquitin and some substrates. However, oxyester bond formation by LUBAC has not been directly observed. We present the first low-resolution 3D structure of LUBAC obtained by electron microscopy and report its generation of heterotypic ubiquitin chains containing linear linkages with oxyester-linked branches. We found that addition of the oxyester-bound branches depends on HOIL-1L catalytic activity. We suggest a coordinated ubiquitin relay mechanism between the two ligases supported by cross-linking mass spectrometry data, which show proximity between the catalytic RBR domains of HOIP and HOIL-1L, Mutations in the linear ubiquitin chain-binding NZF domain of HOIL-1L reduces chain branching suggesting its role in the process. In cells, these heterotypic chains were induced by TNF. In conclusion, we demonstrate that LUBAC assembles heterotypic ubiquitin chains with linear and oxyester-linked branches by the concerted action of HOIP and HOIL-1L.