Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Growth, reproduction, and production dynamics of a littoral microcrustacean, Eurycercus vernalis (Chydoridae), from a southeastern wetland, USA

Abstract Population and production dynamics of the chydorid Eurycercus vernalis were studied in the laboratory and in a small wetland during a 2-y period. Laboratory growth studies were conducted to measure the effects of temperature on E. vernalis growth and reproduction and to develop a multiple-regression equation that used temperature and mass-specific growth rates to estimate secondary production in the field population. Density, biomass, and production were estimated from benthic, water-column, and Nymphaea odorata leaf habitats within vegetated (Nymphaea) and nonvegetated (open-water) areas using monthly samples from the wetland. Eurycercus vernalis exhibited optimal growth, reproductive output, and net reproductive rate when reared at temperatures between 15 and 20°C. Reproductive age and egg development time decreased with increasing temperature, and these decreases led to increased innate capacity of population increase and decreased generation time with increasing temperature. In the field studies, annual density, biomass, and production were significantly higher in the Nymphaea zone than the open-water zone during both years. Eurycercus vernalis populations developed during the fall from oversummering resting eggs and reached maximum density, biomass, and daily production in mid to late spring when water temperatures reached 18 to 21°C. Mean annual density and biomass for the wetland pond were 2134/m2 and 42.2 mg dry mass (DM)/m2 in year 1 (1993), and 1122/m2 and 19.0 mg DM/m2 in year 2 (1994–1995). Annual production and the production/biomass ratio were 2138 mg DM m−2 y−1 and 50.7/y in year 1, and 1111 mg DM m−2 y−1 and 58.5/y in year 2. High production values suggested that E. vernalis is an important component of the microcrustacean community in the Nymphaea zone, especially during winter when production of most microcrustacean species is low.
The SIGMORPHON 2020 Shared Task on Multilingual Grapheme-to-Phoneme Conversion

We describe the design and findings of the SIGMORPHON 2020 shared task on multilingual grapheme-to-phoneme conversion. Participants were asked to submit systems which take in a sequence of graphemes in a given language as input, then output a sequence of phonemes representing the pronunciation of that grapheme sequence. Nine teams submitted a total of 23 systems, at best achieving a 18% relative reduction in word error rate (macro-averaged over languages), versus strong neural sequence-to-sequence baselines. To facilitate error analysis, we publicly release the complete outputs for all systems—a first for the SIGMORPHON workshop.
Clinical characterization, outcomes, and prognosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus admitted to the intensive care unit

Objective Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a clinically heterogeneous autoimmune disease, and in some conditions, admission to the intensive care unit (ICUs) is required. This study describes the clinical and prognostic factors in SLE patients admitted to the ICU. Methods We conducted a retrospective study that reviewed all clinical records of patients with SLE admitted to the ICU between 2011 and 2018. Results We evaluated 188 patients, with 279 ICU admissions. Most patients were female (n = 159; 84.57%) with a median age of 35 years (interquartile range (IQR) = 25–48 years). Infection was the leading cause of admission in 77 (27.60%) cases, followed by lupus flare. The average length of hospitalization was 5 days (IQR 3–11 days), and the SLE Disease Activity Index 2000, Acute Physiology, Age and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II), and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores were 9 (IQR 2–17), 14 (IQR 10–17), and 3 (IQR 2–5), respectively. Non-survivors presented with higher APACHE II and SOFA scores. Infection was the leading cause of mortality (n = 38; 20.21%), and predictors of mortality included invasive mechanical ventilation, vasoactive medication requirement, higher SOFA scores, and antiphospholipid syndrome comorbidity. Conclusions We found that infection was the leading cause of ICU admissions and mortality in patients with SLE. Factors identified here as predictors of mortality should be accurately identified at admission for the prompt treatment of SLE patients.
The Effect of Intranasal Oxytocin in Patients With Functional Motor Symptoms: A Preliminary Open-Label Case Series.

To the Editors: O xytocin is a peptide hormone synthesized in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus with direct projections into other brain areas where it acts as a neurotransmitter. Animal studies showed the importance of oxytocin in parturition, milk letdown, protective aggression, social behaviors, and pair bonding betweenmothers and infants. Human studies confirmed oxytocin's role as a “social hormone,” mediating several social behaviors such as emotion understanding and recognition or attention to socially relevant information of the human face. These effects seem to be mediated by modulation of amygdala activity and associated cortical and subcortical areas. Moreover, recent studies underlined that oxytocin may have a specific therapeutic potential for several psychiatric illnesses, especially those characterized by anxiety, stress, or social deficits. Functional neurological disorders (FNDs) are characterized by the presence of neurological symptoms not due to an organic cause. Although physiopathological mechanisms underlying FND are still not clear, in the last few years there has been a growing literature showing a crucial role for emotional and cognitive aspects. Specifically, we recently showed that patients with functional motor symptoms (FMSs) are significantly more alexithymic than healthy controls, and we proposed a model where the functional symptom might be the consequence of patient's inability to recognize his/her inner state of anxiety, along with a self-directed attention and an abnormal sense of agency. This model is in line with recent neuroimaging studies where abnormalities
Photosynthesis and conductance of spring-wheat leaves: field response to continuous free-air atmospheric CO2 enrichment

Spring wheat was grown from emergence to grain maturity in two partial pressures of CO2 (pCO2): ambient air of nominally 37 Pa and air enriched with CO2 to 55 Pa using a free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) apparatus. This experiment was the first of its kind to be conducted within a cereal field without the modifications or disturbance of microclimate and rooting environment that accompanied previous studies. It provided a unique opportunity to examine the hypothesis that continuous exposure of wheat to elevated pCO2 will lead to acclimatory loss of photosynthetic capacity. The diurnal courses of photosynthesis and conductance for upper canopy leaves were followed throughout the development of the crop and compared to model-predicted rates of photosynthesis. The seasonal average of midday photosynthesis rates was 28% greater in plants exposed to elevated pCO2 than in contols and the seasonal average of the daily integrals of photosynthesis was 21% greater in elevated pCO2 than in ambient air. The mean conductance at midday was reduced by 36%. The observed enhancement of photosynthesis in elevated pCO2 agreed closely with that predicted from a mechanistic biochemical model that assumed no acclimation of photosynthetic capacity. Measured values fell below predicted only in the flag leaves in the mid afternoon before the onset of grain-filling and over the whole diurnal course at the end of grain-filling. The loss of enhancement at this final stage was attributed to the earlier senescence of flag leaves in elevated pCO2. In contrast to some controlled-environment and field-enclosure studies, this field-scale study of wheat using free-air CO2 enrichment found little evidence of acclimatory loss of photosynthetic capacity with growth in elevated pCO2 and a significant and substantial increase in leaf photosynthesis throughout the life of the crop.
Distribution and Habitat Utilization of Ctenosaura bakeri on Utila

Ctenosaura bakeri, endemic to Utila (Honduran Bay Islands), is one of only two reptiles that are exclusive mangrove dwellers. With a total distribution of 1091 ha, the total size of the three mangrove areas on Utila, this species has the smallest range of any in the genus. Distribution of three species of mangroves is not homogenous in any of the three areas. Also, effects of tides and salt content vary substantially over place and time. I collected and marked 171 iguanas at three study sites. The most animals (107) were caught at the Iron Bound site, fewer than half that many (40) were caught at Big Bight Pond, and only 24 iguanas were caught at Blue Bayou. Adult iguanas totaled 125, 2.7 times the number of subadults (46). Population densities were 63 adults per ha or 103 iguanas (adults + subadults) per ha (Iron Bound), 37 adults or 39 iguanas per ha (Big Bight Pond), and 20 adults or 24 iguanas per ha (Blue Bayou). Recaptures of marked iguanas numbered from 1-14 and generated 123 distances moved involving 52 individuals (25 females and 27 males). Five animals were recaptured exclusively at initial capture sites and most (56 %) moved < 20 m from the site of initial capture. Distances moved were greater in males than females. Time between first capture and last recapture ranged from 10-323 days. Sex spe- cific differences were not evident. The primary factor controlling population density was the abundance of tree hollows, used as retreats and found primarily in larger Black Mangroves (Avicennia germinans). These were inhabited for at least four years, regarded as territory year-round, and aggressively defended. Estimates, made using two different models, of total adult population size for the entire island were 21,820-73,097 and 38,185-85,098.
Carbon Dot Nanoparticles Exert Inhibitory Effects on Human Platelets and Reduce Mortality in Mice with Acute Pulmonary Thromboembolism

The inhibition of platelet activation is considered a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of arterial thrombotic diseases; therefore, maintaining platelets in their inactive state has garnered much attention. In recent years, nanoparticles have emerged as important players in modern medicine, but potential interactions between them and platelets remain to be extensively investigated. Herein, we synthesized a new type of carbon dot (CDOT) nanoparticle and investigated its potential as a new antiplatelet agent. This nanoparticle exerted a potent inhibitory effect in collagen-stimulated human platelet aggregation. Further, it did not induce cytotoxic effects, as evidenced in a lactate dehydrogenase assay, and inhibited collagen-activated protein kinase C (PKC) activation and Akt (protein kinase B), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation. The bleeding time, a major side-effect of using antiplatelet agents, was unaffected in CDOT-treated mice. Moreover, our CDOT could reduce mortality in mice with ADP-induced acute pulmonary thromboembolism. Overall, CDOT is effective against platelet activation in vitro via reduction of the phospholipase C/PKC cascade, consequently suppressing the activation of MAPK. Accordingly, this study affords the validation that CDOT has the potential to serve as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of arterial thromboembolic disorders
N-Nonyloxypentyl-l-Deoxynojirimycin Inhibits Growth, Biofilm Formation and Virulence Factors Expression of Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the major causes of hospital- and community-associated bacterial infections throughout the world, which are difficult to treat due to the rising number of drug-resistant strains. New molecules displaying potent activity against this bacterium are urgently needed. In this study, d- and l-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) and a small library of their N-alkyl derivatives were screened against S. aureus ATCC 29213, with the aim to identify novel candidates with inhibitory potential. Among them, N-nonyloxypentyl-l-DNJ (l-NPDNJ) proved to be the most active compound against S. aureus ATCC 29213 and its clinical isolates, with the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 128 μg/mL. l-NPDNJ also displayed an additive effect with gentamicin and oxacillin against the gentamicin- and methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolate 00717. Sub-MIC values of l-NPDNJ affected S. aureus biofilm development in a dose-dependent manner, inducing a strong reduction in biofilm biomass. Moreover, real-time reverse transcriptase PCR analysis revealed that l-NPDNJ effectively inhibited at sub-MIC values the transcription of the spa, hla, hlb and sea virulence genes, as well as the agrA and saeR response regulator genes.
In Vitro Azole and Amphotericin B Susceptibilities of Malassezia furfur from Bloodstream Infections Using E-Test and CLSI Broth Microdilution Methods

The number of reports of Malassezia furfur bloodstream infections is constantly increasing and there is a need for more simple antifungal susceptibility methods for their management. In this study, a total of 39 M. furfur isolates collected from hospitalized patients with fungemia were screened for antifungal susceptibility to azole and amphotericin B (AmB) using Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute broth microdilution (CLSI BMD) and E-test in Sabouraud dextrose agar + 1% Tween80 (SDAt) and mDixon agar (DIX). Essential agreement (EA) and discrepancies between the two methods were evaluated after 48 h and 72 h reading times. Itraconazole (ITZ) and posaconazole (POS) displayed the lowest MIC values whereas fluconazole (FLZ) and AmB the highest, regardless of the methods and the reading time. The EA between BMD was >95% for FLZ and voriconazole (VOR) regardless of the media in the E-tests and reading time. The EA between BMD with E-test for AmB was >97% only when E-test in SDAt was used. The EA between BMD and E-test for ITZ and POS varied according to the media in E-test procedures and the reading time and was higher than 66.6% (POS) or 72% (ITZ) only when SABt was used. Substantial discrepancies for ITZ and POS were >5.1% regardless of the media and the reading time. This study suggests that the E-test in SABt represents an alternative method to CLSI BMD to evaluate the susceptibility of M. furfur to FLZ, VOR and AmB and not for ITZ and POS.
Effect of phytase on nutrient digestibility and expression of intestinal tight junction and nutrient transporter genes in pigs.

The study was conducted to determine the effects of high levels of phytase on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, phytate breakdown and expression of mucosal tight junction and nutrient transporter genes in weanling pigs. A total of 128 barrows were penned in groups of four and used in a randomized completely block design and assigned to four treatments for a 28-day study. A 2-phase feeding was implemented (phase 1, d1-14; phase 2 d15-28). The diets differed in dietary calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) levels (positive control (PC):8.1 to 7.1 g/kg Ca; 6.5 to 6.8 g/kg P; negative control (NC):6.6 to 5.5 g/kg Ca; 5.6 to 5.3 g/kg P) from phase 1 to phase 2 respectively. NC diets were supplemented with phytase at 0 (NC); 1500 (NC+1500) or 3000 (NC+3000) phytase units (FTU)/kg. Blood was collected after fasting (d 27) or feeding (d 28) for measurement of plasma inositol concentrations. On d 28, two pigs per pen were euthanized. Duodenal-jejunal and ileal digesta samples and feces were collected to determine inositol phosphates (InsP3-6) concentrations. Phytase supplementation increased body weight (BW) on d 14 and 28 (P < 0.05). Average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency compared to NC were increased by phytase with the majority of its effect in phase 1 (P < 0.05). The apparent ileal P digestibility (AID) and apparent total tract P digestibility (ATTD) were increased in piglets fed phytase-supplemented diets (P < 0.01) compared to NC piglets. Disappearance of InsP6 and total InsP3-6 up to the duodenum-jejunum, ileum and in feces was increased by both phytase application rates (P < 0.01). Plasma concentrations of myo-inositol were higher (P < 0.001) in the phytase supplemented diets than PC and NC diets, irrespective of whether pigs were fed or fasted. Expression of claudin 3 was higher in pigs fed both phytase supplemented diets in the duodenum and jejunum compared to PC and NC. MUC2 expression was lower in the ileum of NC+3000 fed piglets compared to PC (P < 0.05), whereas expression of GLUT2 was increased (P < 0.05) by the NC+3000 treatment in all sections. In summary, high phytase supplementation increased growth performance of nursery pig. The increased expression of GLUT2 by phytase may indicate an upregulation of glucose absorption from the intestine by phytase.
Invisible Adaptation: The Effect of Awareness on the Strength of the Motion Aftereffect

The ability to process information despite the lack of perceptual awareness is one of the most fascinating aspects of the visual system. Such unconscious processing is often investigated using adaptation, where any presence of the former can be traced by its footprint on aftereffects following the latter. We have investigated the mechanisms of the motion aftereffect (MAE) using random dot displays of varying motion coherence as well as crowding to modulate both the physical as well as the perceptual strength of the adaptation stimulus. Perceptual strength was quantitatively measured as the performance in a forced-choice direction-discrimination task. A motion-nulling technique was used to quantitatively measure the strength of the MAE. We show that the strength of the dynamic MAE is independently influenced by both the physical stimulus strength as well as the subjective perceptual strength, with the effect of the former being more prominent than that of the latter. We further show that the MAE still persists under conditions of subthreshold perception. Our results suggest that perceptual awareness can influence the strength of visual processing, but the latter is not fully dependent on the former and can still take place at its partial or even total absence.
Participation of Amyloid and Tau Protein in Neuronal Death and Neurodegeneration after Brain Ischemia

Current evidence indicates that postischemic brain injury is associated with the accumulation of folding proteins, such as amyloid and tau protein, in the intra- and extracellular spaces of neuronal cells. In this review, we summarize protein changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease and their gene expression (amyloid protein precursor and tau protein) after brain ischemia, and their roles in the postischemic period. Recent advances in understanding the postischemic mechanisms in development of neurodegeneration have revealed dysregulation of amyloid protein precursor, α-, β- and γ-secretase and tau protein genes. Reduced expression of the α-secretase gene after brain ischemia with recirculation causes neuronal cells to be less resistant to injury. We present the latest data that Alzheimer’s disease-related proteins and their genes play a crucial role in postischemic neurodegeneration. Understanding the underlying processes of linking Alzheimer’s disease-related proteins and their genes in development of postischemic neurodegeneration will provide the most significant goals to date for therapeutic development.
Osteology of Khaan mckennai (Oviraptorosauria: Theropoda)

ABSTRACT The monophyly of Oviraptoridae, a group of theropod dinosaurs, which share a uniquely bizarre morphology, has never been called into question due in large part to their unusual complex of characters. Despite a vivid recent history of discovery and broad public appeal the nature of their morphological diversity has not been explored extensively. Many previous descriptions of oviraptorid taxa are lost in the obscurity of hard-to-find journals, and many lack illustrations of what are now recognized as phylogenetically important characters. The primary goal of this paper is to provide a relatively comprehensive descriptive morphology and illustrations for one member of Oviraptoridae, namely Khaan mckennai, with an emphasis on characters that can be used to establish a phylogenetic hypothesis for the taxon and group as a whole. K. mckennai is a small-bodied, crestless oviraptorid that is known from pristine material that has been collected from the Late Cretaceous sediments of Mongolia. Similar to other oviraptorids, it shares a wide number of features in common with extant birds. However, when these characters are put in the context of Oviraptorosauria, including relatively new, more basal forms like Incisivosaurus gauthieri and Caudipteryx zoui, character states such as extreme pneumatization of the skull or the reduction in the number of caudal vertebrae are found to be either homoplastic for the two groups or plesiomorphic for a more inclusive clade.
Effect of Adding Various Organic Acids During the Feed Withdrawal Period on Salmonella Reduction in Broilers

3 Abstract: Salmonella contamination of broilers is a major problem that faces the poultry industry in Kuwait and elsewhere since it affects the consumption of poultry meat. Therefore, utilization of different control measures leading to the reduction of Salmonella contamination is an important task for the broiler industry and the public health authorities in Kuwait. An important strategy is to significantly reduce the levels of Salmonella at the farm level and improve the manufacturing practices in the processing plant to prevent the risk of cross contamination. In our Department, different treatments have been used to control the contamination of this pathogen at the farm level, one of which is presented in the current study. The objective of the current study is to determine the effect of using different organic acids in the drinking water during the feed withdrawal period on reducing Salmonella in broilers. One hundred and twenty broiler chicks were originally housed in each of 36 floor pens. At the time of feed withdrawal, the pens were divided into four groups of nine pens each and were used for one of four treatments. These treatments included the control group and received untreated water, the second group received water containing 0.1% acetic acid, the third group received water containing 0.1% formic acid and the fourth group received water containing 0.1% lactic acid for a period of eight hrs. This study was repeated both in the summer and winter seasons. The prevalence of Salmonella on the chicken body, ceca and in the crop was determined before and post treatment at the farm and then at the processing plant. In addition to reducing body Salmonella contamination significantly (p<0.05) post treatment at the farm, in both seasons, it was found that acid treatments, in the summer season, significantly (p<0.05) reduced Salmonella contamination in the carcass at the processing plant from 36% (control) to 16, 13, 13% for acetic, formic and lactic acid treatments, respectively. In the winter season, both formic and lactic acid treatments reduced Salmonella contamination in the carcass at the processing plant and the reduction was significant (p<0.05) for formic acid treatment. It can be co ncluded that using organic acids in the water during the feed withdrawal period, both in th e summer and winter seasons, can be beneficiary in reducing broiler Salmonella contamination both at the farm and at the processing plant.