Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physical properties of water in relation to stemflow leachate dynamics: implications for nutrient cycling

Stemflow leachate chemistry from a deciduous canopy tree species monitored during late winter and early spring precipitation events demonstrated significant chemical enrichment. By considering stemflow volume and chemical concentration in relation to the quantity that would be expected in a rain gage occupying an area equivalent to the trunk basal area, manganese was found to be enriched by a mean factor of 1450 and potassium by a mean factor of 580. The most pronounced enrichment was documented during a late winter rain-on-snow event characterized by temperature oscillations near the freezing point. During this event, manganese was enriched by a factor of 4400 and potassium by 1715. We conclude that mixed precipitation events with multiple freeze-melt cycles can generate significantly more leachate than spring rainfall events because of lower air temperatures and increased kinematic viscosity and surface tension of stemflow drainage. These physical properties lengthen the residence time of intercepted pr.
Age-dependent gender differences of COVID-19 in mainland China: comparative study

Abstract Background The ongoing pandemic of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is challenging global public health system. Sex-differences in infectious diseases are a common but neglected problem. Methods We used the national surveillance database of COVID-19 in mainland China to compared gender differences in attack rate (AR), proportion of severe and critical cases (PSCC) and case fatality rate (CFR) in relation to age, affected province, and onset-to-diagnosis interval. Results The overall AR was significantly higher in female population than in males (63.9 versus 60.5 per million persons; P ˂ .001). By contrast, PSCC and CFR were significantly lower among female patients (16.9% and 4.0%) than among males (19.5% and 7.2%), with ORs of 0.87 and 0.57, respectively (both P ˂ .001). The female-to-male differences were age-dependent, which were significant among people aged 50–69 years for AR, and in the patients of 30-years or older for both PSCC and CFR (all P ≤ .001). The AR, PSCC and CFR varied greatly from province to province. However, female-to-male differences in AR, PSCC and CFR were significant in the epicenter, Hubei province, where 82.2% confirmed cases and 97.4% deaths occurred. After adjusting for age, affected province and onset-to-diagnosis interval, the female-to-male difference in AR, PSCC and CFR remained significant in multivariate logistic regression analyses. Conclusions We elucidate an age-dependent gender dimorphism for COVID-19, in which the females have higher susceptibility but lower severity and fatality. Further epidemiological and biological investigations are required to better understand the sex-specific differences for effective interventions.
FEEDING, SOCIAL AND MIGRATION BEHAVIOR OF BOWHEAD WHALES, BALAENA MYSTICETUS, IN BAFFIN BAY VS. THE BEAUFORT SEA—REGIONS WITH DIFFERENT AMOUNTS OF HUMAN ACTIVITY

This paper compares the behavior of bowhead whales of the Davis Strait/Baffin Bay stock, as observed along the east coast of Baffin Island in 1979–1986, with behavior of the Bering/Chukchi/Beaufort Sea stock observed in the Beaufort Sea in 1980–1986. All data used here were collected during late summer and early autumn in the absence of acute human disturbance. The behavioral repertoires of the two populations were similar. However, quantitative differences were found for whales engaged in all three activities studied: (1) Bowheads feeding in deep water off Isabella Bay, Baffin Island, had longer dives and surfacings, on average, than noted for bowheads feeding in the Beaufort Sea. (2) Among whales socializing in shallow water, we saw sexual interactions more often at Isabella Bay than in the Beaufort Sea. Calls emitted by socializing whales off Baffin Island were similar to those heard in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas. However, pulsed tonal calls were longer off Baffin Island, and previously undescribed mechanical “crunch” sounds were recorded there near socializing bowheads. (3) During autumn migration, “fluke-out” dives were less common, and dive durations were longer, in the Beaufort Sea than off Baffin Island (P<0.001). Multivariate and other analyses indicated that some but not all differences can be ascribed to regional differences in the natural environment or in whale activities, However, during 1974–1986, Bering/Chukchi/Beaufort bowheads were exposed to more industrial, hunting and other human activity than Davis Strait/Baffin Bay bowheads. The “inconspicuous” behavior during autumn migration in the Beaufort may have been attributable to human activities, but causative links cannot be isolated.
Enhancing in planta gene targeting efficiencies in Arabidopsis using temperature‐tolerant CRISPR/LbCas12a

The application of the CRISPR/Cas-system paved the way for the era of genome engineering and quickly became the standardly applied tool for targeted non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) based mutagenesis. Despite various efforts, homologous recombination (HR) based gene targeting (GT) still requires further improvement regarding efficiency for general applicability in plants (Huang and Puchta, 2019). We developed the in planta GT (ipGT) method aimed to establish a technology for crops with meagre transformation efficiencies (Fauser et al., 2012).
Knowledge-based Isocenter Selection in Radiosurgery Planning.

PURPOSE We present a new method for knowledge-based isocenter selection for treatment planning in radiosurgery. Our objective is to develop a prediction model that can learn from past manually designed treatment plans. We leverage recent advances in deep learning to predict isocenter locations in treatment plans in order to provide a decision support tool. METHODS The proposed method adapts a geometric approach using orthogonal moment expansions as a feature vector for describing the shape of the tumor. Our approach accounts primarily for tumor shape and OAR proximity, the two factors that are known to greatly affect the isocenter placement. We solve the prediction problem by training a residual neural network with skip connections on the formed shape descriptors. Our network was trained on 533 patient cases and was validated on a set of out-of-sample cases. RESULTS Our method generates heatmap predictions for isocenter locations that are in most cases comparable to the experienced human planners, which shows that the method can be used in treatment planning to guide the users for determining the isocenters. CONCLUSIONS Our numerical experiments indicate a positive predictive value on an independent validation set when compared against a test dataset that was not seen by the model during training.
Evolution of Host Selection in Parasitoids: Does the State of the Parasitoid Matter?

A state-variable theory for parasitoid host-acceptance decisions is developed. In this theory, the state variable is the egg complement at any particular time. Decisions are determined by the maximization of Darwinian fitness, which involves both survival and reproduction in a stochastic world. The state-variable theory is compared with simpler theories based on rate maximization. In some circumstances, both theories predict the same host-acceptance patterns; but for wide ranges of biologically meaningful parameters, the predictions of the two theories differ.
Code- switching in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL): Teachers and Students’ Attitudes

Code-switching (CS) is the shifting from one language to another in conversation. It could be done within parts of a sentence as words and phrases. It is always looked upon with suspicion and not encouraged in EFL learning. This study aims to investigate the attitudes of both teachers and students towards teacher’s codeswitching and to identify the functions of code-switching. The data is collected through observations and interviews. Three female teachers are observed. The observations are recorded, transcribed and analyzed. The interviews are done with the teachers and 10 students from the sixth grade. The results show positive attitudes towards code-switching as it is mainly used for clarifications, giving instructions and transferring the knowledge to the students in an efficient way.
Effect of calcium ionophores on early development in fucoid algae

Although much studied, the role of Ca2+ in early fucoid development remains unclear. One technique to investigate Ca2+ function that has not been fully exploited is the use of ionophores to drastically increase cytosolic Ca2+ activity. We have therefore conducted an analysis of the effects of uniform application of the Ca2+ ionophores, A23187 and ionomycin, on early development of fucoid algae. Both ionophores had substantially the same effects. Cell adhesive secretion, rhizoid growth and negative phototropism were reduced but not abolished by ionophore treatment, and germination was delayed. One plausible interpretation of these data is that secretion is partially compromised in the treated zygotes. Surprisingly, photopolarization and cytokinesis were unaffected, indicating that Ca2+ homeostasis may not be required for these processes.
A Recent Bat Survey Reveals Bukit Barisan Selatan Landscape as a Chiropteran Diversity Hotspot in Sumatra

Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park is one of the last refuges protecting intact forest and a representative mammalian fauna in Sumatra. However, knowledge of bat diversity in the area is limited. From 2010 to 2012, 47 bat species were recorded through a series of surveys in 12 localities within and around the national park. An additional six species from the area were identified from the mammal collection of the Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense, Indonesia. At least seven of the species reported in this study are new records for Sumatra, including Kerivoula krauensis, K. lenis, K. minuta, Murina rozendaali, Myotis horsfieldii, Myotis cf. borneoensis, and Rhinolophus borneensis/celebensis. Moreover, a finding of two distinct morphs of Chironax melanocephalus coexisting in the study area indicates another possible undescribed species. With 60 species, we consider Bukit Barisan Selatan Landscape to be a Southeast Asian bat diversity hotspot and of critical importance in maintaining bat diversity in Sumatra.
A Conceptual Discussion about R0 of SARS-COV-2 in Healthcare Settings

To date, no specific estimate of R0 for SARS-CoV-2 is available for healthcare settings. Using inter-individual contact data, we highlight that R0 estimates from the community cannot translate directly to healthcare settings, with pre-pandemic R0 values ranging 1.3-7.7 in three illustrative healthcare institutions. This has implications for nosocomial Covid-19 control.
Influence of fully covered metal stenting on the risk of post‐endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis: A large multicenter study·

Fully covered self‐expandable metal stents (FCSEMSs) have been increasingly used in the management of benign or malignant biliary disorders. However, the risk of post‐endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP) with transpapillary placement of the FCSEMS remains controversial. This study therefore aimed to investigate the risk of PEP in patients who received FCSEMS implantation.
Formulation and Characterization of a 3D-Printed Cryptotanshinone-Loaded Niosomal Hydrogel for Topical Therapy of Acne

Cryptotanshinone (CPT) is an efficacious acne treatment, while niosomal hydrogel is a known effective topical drug delivery system that produces a minimal amount of irritation. Three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies have the potential to improve the field of personalized acne treatment. Therefore, this study endeavored to develop a 3D-printed niosomal hydrogel (3DP-NH) containing CPT as a topical delivery system for acne therapy. Specifically, CPT-loaded niosomes were prepared using a reverse phase evaporation method, and the formulation was optimized using a response surface methodology. In vitro characterization showed that optimized CPT-loaded niosomes were below 150 nm in size with an entrapment efficiency of between 67 and 71%. The CPT-loaded niosomes were added in a dropwise manner into the hydrogel to formulate CPT-loaded niosomal hydrogel (CPT-NH), which was then printed as 3DP-CPT-NH with specific drug dose, shape, and size using an extrusion-based 3D printer. The in vitro release behavior of 3DP-CPT-NH was found to follow the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. Permeation and deposition experiments showed significantly higher rates of transdermal flux, Q24, and CPT deposition (p < 0.05) compared with 3D-printed CPT-loaded conventional hydrogel (3DP-CPT-CH), which did not contain niosomes. In vivo anti-acne activity evaluated through an acne rat model revealed that 3DP-CPT-NH exhibited a greater anti-acne effect with no skin irritation. Enhanced skin hydration, wide inter-corneocyte gaps in the stratum corneum and a disturbed lipid arrangement may contribute towards the enhanced penetration properties of CPT. Collectively, this study demonstrated that 3DP-CPT-NH is a promising topical drug delivery system for personalized acne treatments.
New proposal of classification of seeds based on forms of phytochrome instead of photoblastism

Propomos no presente trabalho a classificacao das sementes em relacao as formas do fitocromo em vez de fotoblastimo. Com base nos dados publicados podemos afirmar que todas as sementes contem fitocromo e o termo fotoblastismo deve ser substituido pelas formas do fitocromo que controlam a germinacao. 1. Sementes fotoblasticas positivas tem fiB (e, em menor extensao, fiD e fiE) controlando o processo de germinacao atraves da resposta de fluencia baixa (RFB); 2. Sementes fotoblasticas negativas tem fiA controlando a germinacao atraves da resposta de irradiância alta (RIA) e, quando o nivel de Fve pre-existente e alto o suficiente para induzir a germinacao no escuro, atraves da RFB pelo fiB; e 3. Sementes insensiveis a luz tem fiA controlando a germinacao atraves da resposta de fluencia muito baixa (RFMB).
Vitamin C stability in encapsulated green West Indian cherry juice and in encapsulated synthetic ascorbic acid

Kinetic studies on the degradation of vitamin C and nonenzymatic browning of green West Indian cherry juice and synthetic ascorbic acid, encapsulated in maltodextrin DE20 and a mixture of this with gum arabic, were carried out at different temperatures (15, 25, 35 and 45 °C). Vitamin C degradation followed the first-order and nonenzymatic browning a zero-order kinetic model. At higher storage temperatures the formulation containing a mixture of maltodextrin and gum arabic (3:1) was the most effective for vitamin C protection. An increase in storage temperature showed a greater impact on the degradation of synthetic vitamin C than on that of the green West Indian cherry juice. These differences could be due to the presence of phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity, protecting the vitamin C.
Production Results and Technological Meat Quality for Pigs in Indoor and Outdoor Rearing Systems

The objective of the study was to compare production results and technological meat quality for pigs born outdoors and reared indoors or outdoors during the summer period. A total of 279 pigs was reared in a large pen on deep litter, or outdoors. Daily weight gain and lean meat percentage were higher for pigs outdoors than indoors during year one (864 vs. 841g; 56.9 vs. 55.9%), but were similar for year two (859 vs. 844g; 55.9 vs. 55.6%). Outdoor pigs grew faster when fed ad libitum, but slower during the second phase when restricted, with inferior feed conversion. Most technological meat quality traits (surface and internal reflectance, marbling, pHBF, filter paper wetness, cooking loss and maximal Warner-Bratzler shear force) were similar between rearing systems, whereas pHLD was higher indoors. Total work of Warner-Bratzler shear force was lower in outdoor reared pigs. Maternal sire breed (Duroc or Landrace) and sex (castrate or gilt) did not notably affect meat quality traits. RN genotype had a stronger impact on meat quality than rearing system. It can be concluded from the similarities in production results and meat quality in both systems, that both indoor and outdoor rearing are good alternatives for summer rearing of pigs.
Karyotype, morphology, and reproduction ability of the Prussian carp, Carassius gibelio (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae), from unisexual and bisexual populations in Poland

The Prussian carp, Carassius gibelio (Bloch, 1782), is widely distributed in Europe, Siberia, and Asia. In the eastern part of the region, it is represented mainly by bisexual populations, with some local unisexual polyploid populations, which frequently coexist with bisexual ones (Fan and Liu 1990, Fan and Shen 1990). The majority of the European populations of this species have been considered unisexual, consisting of triploid females reproducing by gynogenesis (Sofradžija et al. 1978, Penaz et al. 1979, Fister and Soldatovic 1989, Tóth et al. 2005). The coexistence of triploid females and diploid females and males of C. gibelio was reported for the first time by Cherfas (1966). Several recent papers have found that some other natural unisexual populations of this species consist of a minor but significant portion of males (Boroń 1994, Boroń and Boroń 1996, ACTA ICHTHYOLOGICA ET PISCATORIA (2011) 41 (1): 19–28 DOI: 10.3750/AIP2011.41. 1.04
A revision of the Neotropical aquatic beetle genus Stegoelmis (Coleoptera: Elmidae)

Spangler, Paul J. A Revision of the Neotropical Aquatic Beetle Genus Stegoelmis (Coleoptera: Elmidae). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology, number 502, 52 pages, 189 figures, 1990. —Eleven species are now recognized in the genus Stegoelmis. Two of the three previously described species, S. geayi (Grouvelle) and S. verrucata Hinton, are redescribed and illustrated; the third previously described species, S. hintoni Sanderson, is found to be conspecific with 5. geayi and is placed in synonymy. Nine new species—5. andersoni, S. crinita, S. ennsi, S.fera, S. ica, S. selva, S. sticta, S. stictoides, S. tuberosa,—and associated larvae of 5. geayi and S. selva are described and illustrated by line drawings and scanning electron micrographs. The presence of spiracular gills on the larvae in place of typical spiracles is described; this is the first instance of this unusual system of respiration reported for the suborder Polyphaga and the family Elmidae. Maps showing known distribution of each species are included and typical biotopes are described and illustrated. Keys in English and Spanish to the elmid subfamilies and the species of Stegoelmis are included.
FIELD RECORDINGS OF ECHOLOCATION AND SOCIAL SIGNALS FROM THE GLEANING BAT MYOTIS SEPTENTRIONALIS

ABSTRACT We recorded echolocation and ultrasonic social signals of the bat Myotis septentrionalis. The bats foraged for insects resting on or fluttering about an outdoor screen to which they were attracted by a ‘backlight’. The bats used nearly linearly modulated echolocation signals of high frequency (117 to 49 kHz, see Tables) with a weak second harmonic. The orientational signals from patrolling bats were about 2.4 ms in duration and occurred at a repetition rate of about 18 Hz (see Figure 3). The signals used by bats as they approached the screen were of shorter duration (0.72 ms) and occurred at higher rates (33.8 Hz) (Table 2 and Figure 4). We registered one feeding ‘buzz’ (Figure 5). We recorded social signals when two bats patrolled the hunting area. The social signals were characterized by their longer durations (6 ms, see Table 1), lower frequencies (70 to 30 kHz), and curvilinear sweeps (Figures 7 and 8). We calculated the source levels of orientational and social signals using the differences .
Biology of young grey mullet, Mugil cephalus L., populatioins in a coastal lagoon in Sri Lanka

The biology of young grey mullet, Mugil cephalus L. populations of a coastal lagoon—the Negombo Lagoon on the West Coast of Sri Lanka was studied from October 1976 to March 1978. The relative abundance of fry were found to vary from month to month, with peaks occurring in December-January, May and September-October, coinciding with the end of rainy seasons. It was found that the young fry tended to migrate into the lagoon at a size of about 10–20 mm, most frequently between 15–20 mm in length, by which time they were fully scaled. The young fry after a period of growth in the shallow areas of the lagoon, when they reached a size of 30–35 mm, emigrated into the deeper waters of the lagoon. The rate of growth, as computed from length frequency distribution studies, was found to be around 0.24 mm day−1. Results of diurnal surveys showed a movement of the larger size fry into shallower waters during the hours of darkness and this movement appears to be independent of the tidal cycle. It is postulated that the cause of this migration is to escape from predators, chiefly piscine. Investigations of the meristic characters indicated that the young fry which migrated into the lagoon at different times of the year probably originated from a single spawning stock.
Profile and complication rate of thyroid surgeries performed in a tertiary care teaching hospital, a prospective observational study

Background: One of the most common endocrine disorder is the thyroid diseases. The prevalence and pattern of these conditions depends on sex, age, ethnic and geographic patterns. The incidence of thyroid nodules increases with the age hence benign and malignant thyroid disease is common in the elderly population. Aim: To compare the complication rate of various thyroid surgeries for benign and malignant diseases in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Methods: This study was a prospective observational study, Velammal medical college hospital at Tamil Nadu from December 2018-June 2019. The patients who underwent thyroid surgery for various thyroid disorders were enrolled in the study. Results: Out of117 cases, 107 were women and 10 were men. Multinodular goiter (MNG)was the most common (38.46%) condition, followed by solitary nodule (29.06%) and toxic MNG (18.8%). Among women, 40.19% were identified with multinodular goiter followed by solitary nodule (28.97%). Subtotal thyroidectomy was performed for 88.89% of MNGs, while 91.18% of the solitary nodule were managed by hemithyroidectomy Majority of the patients with toxic MNG underwent subtotal thyroidectomy with 99.91%. While 84.61% of the patients with thyroid cancer were treated by total thyroidectomy. The overall incidence of complications was 27.35%. The incidence rate of complications was high in patients with malignant disease, as compared to benign disease (69.23% in Malignant Vs 36.36% in toxic MNG and 24.44% in MNG). Conclusion: Through the present study, it was concluded that the complications associated with the different thyroid surgeries and various precautions that can be taken to reduce the complications.