Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Importance of Wetlands as Sources of Methyl Mercury to Boreal Forest Ecosystems

Wetlands were found to be important sources of methyl mercury to the boreal forest ecosystem. Yields of methyl mercury were about 26–79 times higher from wetland portions of catchments (1.84–5.55 mg∙ha−1∙yr−1) than from purely upland areas (0.07 mg∙ha−1∙yr−1). Mass-balance estimates using methyl mercury inputs in wet deposition and outputs in runoff water indicated that purely upland catchments and lakes were sites of methyl mercury retention or demethylation, while catchments with wetland areas were sites of net methyl mercury production. These observations may explain the high concentrations of mercury in fish taken from lakes that are high in colour because they receive water from wetlands. There was no relationship between the concentration of total mercury and the concentration of methyl mercury in runoff water. Total mercury yields were low from a wetland-dominated catchment, higher from a combination upland/riparian wetland catchment, and highest from a purely upland catchment. The opposite was tru.
Comparative evaluation of body composition of hilsa, Tenualosa ilisha (Hamilton, 1822) in different size groups with special reference to fatty acid, in Hooghly estuarine system, West Bengal, India

Hilsa, Tenualosa ilisha (Hamilton) is one of the important commercial fish species in Hooghly estuarine system of West Bengal. Four different size groups of hilsa were collected from two stations in Hooghly estuarine system and analysed for proximate body composition during pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons. Values were compared in pre-monsoon and monsoon periods in the upstream and downstream fishes. Protein content varied from 11.0 to 59.9%, lipid content from 1.32% to 20.85% and carbohydrate content varied from 1.54 to 7.18% in different weight groups of fishes. Saturated fatty acid content ranged from 49.9% to 55.8% and unsaturated fatty acid content ranged between 43.75 and 49.45% during the pre-monsoon period in different weight groups of upstream fishes. ω3 / ω6 ratio varied from 2.5 to 7.0 in different weight groups and ω6 / ω3 varied from 0.14 to 0.40. Unsaturated fatty acid / saturated fatty acid (UFA / SFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acid / saturated fatty acid (PUFA / SFA) were also analysed.
First‐Generation Forests Are Not Necessarily Worse than Long‐Term Managed Forests for Lichens and Bryophytes

For biodiversity, natural afforestation is generally more favorable than plantation‐based afforestation, but the difference may be less important if both methods fail to provide habitats for sensitive old‐forest species. Given that some conditions, such as substrates, can be actively restored in new forests, their effect on biodiversity should be separated from dispersal limitation. We asked whether, and to what extent, lichen and bryophyte vegetation is impoverished on old‐forest substrates in non‐intensively afforested lands of the twentieth century compared with similar substrates in managed long‐term forestlands. We measured the diversity and abundance of all lichens and bryophytes as well as the cover of human‐sensitive (hemerophobic) species on large deciduous trees, logs, snags, and windthrows on 30 random 2‐km transects in a 900‐km2 forest landscape in Estonia, hemiboreal Europe. Altogether, 235 species, including 39 hemerophobic species, were detected on 781 structural elements. New forests were not significantly worse than long‐term forests in any of the cryptogam community characteristics, which was explained by the predominance of natural afforestation (many native tree species present), time for substrate development and cryptogam dispersal (most stands >40 years old), few cuttings in the new forests (only about 20% of stands thinned), and short distances to long‐term forests (67% of substrates within 250 m). Under such conditions, afforested areas appeared to be as suitable as traditional managed forests both for developing multifunctional forestry and as starting points for habitat restoration for threatened species.
Averaging v. outlier removal. Decrypting variance among cryptic Lejeunea species (Lejeuneaceae: Jungermanniopsida) using geometric morphometrics

Abstract. Molecular data have revealed many morphologically cryptic species. More surprising than lack of difference, however, is that morphological variation and complex patterns of overlapping features can mask cryptic species. We employ geometric morphometric methods (GMM) to explore patterns of variation within four liverwort species, three of which were previously attributed to Lejeunea tumida Mitt. Each species exhibited considerable variation within, and overlap among, species in size and shape, independent of degree of relatedness. Most variation was expressed within individuals, suggesting that the observed breadth of variation was within the developmental capacity of single genotypes. Size and shape variation within, and consequently overlap among, individuals resulted primarily from variance in growth of shoots. Inter-specific differences were swamped by intra- and inter-individual variation. We coupled GMM with multivariate methods for outlier removal, and simple averaging of individuals to explore whether intra-individual variation could be reconciled to maximise the inter-species difference, facilitating resolution of cryptic species despite extensive morphological continuity and overlap. Unfortunately, outlier removal did not achieve separation among species, because removing extremes failed to eliminate overlap resulting from within-species variation. Individual averaging was partially successful in extracting L. tumida as a discrete entity but did not segregate the remaining three species. Although the challenges for morphology-based identification of cryptic species are significant, GMM provide one of the best sets of methods for identifying and communicating any subtle morphological differences that may exist.
Across population genetic parameters for wool, growth, and reproduction traits in Australian Merino sheep. 2. Estimates of heritability and variance components

Precise estimates of genetic parameters are required for genetic evaluation systems. This study combined data from 7 research resource flocks across Australia to estimate variance components and genetic parameters for production traits in the Australian Merino sheep. The flocks were maintained for several generations and represented contemporary Australian Merino fine, medium, and broad wool bloodlines over the past 30 years. Over 110 000 records were available for analysis for each of the major wool traits, and 50 000 records for reproduction and growth traits with over 2700 sires and 25 000 dams. A linear mixed animal model was used to analyse 6 wool traits comprising clean fleece weight (CFW), greasy fleece weight (GFW), fibre diameter (FD), yield (YLD), coefficient of variation of fibre diameter (CVFD), and standard deviation of fibre diameter (SDFD), 4 growth traits comprising birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (WWT), yearling weight (YWT), and hogget weight (HWT), and 4 reproduction traits comprising fertility (FER), litter size (LS), lambs born per ewe joined (LB/EJ), and lambs weaned per ewe joined (LW/EJ). The range of direct heritability estimates for the wool traits was 0.42 ± 0.01 for CFW to 0.68 ± 0.01 for FD. For growth traits the range was 0.18 ± 0.01 for BWT to 0.38 ± 0.01 for HWT, and for reproduction traits 0.045 ± 0.01 for FER to 0.074 ± 0.01 for LS. Significant maternal effects were found for wool and growth, but not reproduction traits. There was significant covariance between direct and maternal genetic effects for all wool and growth traits except for YWT. The correlations between direct and maternal effects ranged from –0.60 ± 0.02 for GFW to –0.21 ± 0.10 for SDFD in the wool traits and from –0.21 ± 0.03 for WWT to 0.25 ± 0.08 for HWT in the growth traits. Litter effects were significant for all wool and growth traits and only for LS in reproduction traits. The mating sire was fitted in the models for reproduction traits and this variance component accounted for 21, 17, and 8% of the total phenotypic variation for FER, LB/EJ, and LW/EJ, respectively. The implications of additional significant variance components for the estimation of heritability are discussed.
NON-SURGICAL CONTRACEPTION IN FEMALE DOGS AND CATS

Gonadectomy is the most commonly used method for permanent contra- ception in small animals. The irreversibility of the method is however a main drawback for its use in valuable breeding animals. Moreover, several negative side effects can be observed after surgical castration. Therefore several non-surgical methods were developed. This paper describes the current non-surgical methods of contraception used in female dogs and cats. They include hormonal procedures, such as application of progestins, androgens and GnRH analogues in order to prevent the ovarian cycle. Another method is the use of 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide, an industrial chemical destroying primordial and primary ovarian follicles. Further prospective possibilities consist in immunocontraception and in the elaboration of a safe and effective vaccine with reversible effect. Finally the use of several abortive drugs, such as aglepristone, PGF2 and dopamine agonists are presented.
Addition of algenpantucel-L immunotherapy to standard of care (SOC) adjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer.

4049 Background: Resected pancreatic cancer carries a one year survival rate of ~65%. Algenpantucel (HyperAcute-Pancreas, HAPa) exploits the hyperacute rejection mechanism of xenotransplantation by administering genetically modified, irradiated, allogeneic tumor cells expressing aGal moieties on their surface. We propose that addition of algenpantucel-L to SOC adjuvant therapy may improve survival for patients with resected pancreatic cancer. Methods: Open-label, dose-finding, Phase 2 study (16 sites) evaluating HAPa (100/300 M cells / dose) + SOC (RTOG-9704: Gemcitabine + 5-FU-XRT) for resected pancreatic cancer patients. Primary endpoint: 1-year disease-free survival (DFS). Secondary Endpoints: overall survival (OS), toxicity and immunologic analysis. Results: : 70 patients, median age 62 years, 47% female, 81% lymph node positive, median tumor size 3.2 cm, and 17% post-operative CA 19-9 ≥ 180 received SOC + HAPa. 1-year DFS of 63% and OS of 86% compares favorably to historical controls (~45%% and 65%, .
Purification and Characterization of Inorganic Pyrophosphatase Thiobacillus thiooxidans

: An inorganic pyrophosphatase [EC 3.6. 1.1] was isolated from Thiobacillus thiooxidans and purified 975-fold to a state of apparent homogeneity. The enzyme catalyzed the hydrolysis of inorganic pyrophosphate and no activity was found with a variety of other phosphate esters. The cation Mg2+ was required for maximum activity; Co2+ and Mn2+ supported 25 per cent and 10.6 per cent of the activity with Mg2+, respectively. The pH optimum was 8.8. The molecular weight was estimated to be 88,000 by gel filtration and SDS gel electrophoresis, and the enzyme consisted of four identical subunits. The isoelectric point was found to be 5.05. The enzyme was exceptionally heat-stable in the presence of 0.01 M Mg2+.
Timing and speed of migration in North and West European populations of Sylvia warblers

Timing and speed of migration within Europe and North Africa are analysed in five Sylvia warblers using North European and British ringing recoveries. Intraspecific comparisons between populations breeding in Great Britain and in Northern Europe show no difference in the timing of autumn migration but about three weeks earlier spring arrival in Great Britain, indicating that northern populations spend a shorter time on the breeding grounds. Autumn migration speed estimates based on distance and elapsed time between consecutive captures vary between 43 and 93 km d-1 depending on species and origin. High speeds of birds reported up to ten days after ringing suggest that some individuals have long flight-stages when they pass through Europe. Populations breeding in Northern Europe migrate at a higher speed than those in Great Britain. Shorter time on the breeding grounds and higher speed during autumn migration in more northern populations as well as higher speed in species undertaking longer migrations, indicate that migrants adjust their behaviour to a time shortage. Migration behaviour may thus be under selection to economize time. A compensatory increase in migration speed for late migrants, observed in some of the species, is consistent with the existence of such a selection pressure. Calculated spring migration speeds are higher than corresponding autumn speeds, but no obvious differences between northern and more southern populations are evident.
Daily Forecasting of New Cases for Regional Epidemics of Coronavirus Disease 2019 with Bayesian Uncertainty Quantification

To increase situational awareness and support evidence-based policy-making, we formulated two types of mathematical models for COVID-19 transmission within a regional population. One is a fitting function that can be calibrated to reproduce an epidemic curve with two timescales (e.g., fast growth and slow decay). The other is a compartmental model that accounts for quarantine, self-isolation, social distancing, a non-exponentially distributed incubation period, asymptomatic individuals, and mild and severe forms of symptomatic disease. Using Bayesian inference, we have been calibrating our models daily for consistency with new reports of confirmed cases from the 15 most populous metropolitan statistical areas in the United States and quantifying uncertainty in parameter estimates and predictions of future case reports. This online learning approach allows for early identification of new trends despite considerable variability in case reporting. We infer new significant upward trends for five of the metropolitan areas starting between 19-April-2020 and 12-June-2020.
COVID-19 induces a hyperactive phenotype in circulating platelets

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has to date affected over 13.3 million globally. Although high rates of venous thromboembolism and evidence of COVID-19-induced endothelial dysfunction have been reported, the precise aetiology of the increased thrombotic risk associated with COVID-19 infection remains to be fully elucidated. Objectives Here, we assessed clinical platelet parameters and circulating platelet activity in patients with severe and non-severe COVID-19. Methods An assessment of clinical blood parameters in patients with severe COVID-19 disease (requiring intensive care), patients with non-severe disease (not requiring intensive care), general medical in-patients without COVID-19 and healthy donors was undertaken. Platelet function and activity were also assessed by secretion and specific marker analysis. Results We show that routine clinical blood parameters including increased MPV and decreased platelet:neutrophil ratio are associated with disease severity in COVID-19 upon hospitalisation and intensive care unit admission. Strikingly, agonist-induced ADP release was dramatically higher in COVID-19 patients compared with non-COVID-19 hospitalized patients and circulating levels of PF4, sP-selectin and TPO were also significantly elevated in COVID-19. Conclusion Distinct differences exist in routine full blood count and other clinical laboratory parameters between patients with severe and non-severe COVID-19. Moreover, we have determined that COVID-19 patients possess hyperactive circulating platelets. These data suggest that abnormal platelet reactivity may contribute to hypercoagulability in COVID-19. Further investigation of platelet function in COVID-19 may provide additional insights into the aetiology of thrombotic risk in this disease and may contribute to the optimisation of thrombosis prevention and treatment strategies.
Sunlight exposure exerts immunomodulatory effects to reduce multiple sclerosis severity

Significance Low sunlight exposure and low vitamin D (vitD) levels are risk factors for the development of multiple sclerosis. However, there is still an ongoing debate, whether sunlight and vitD also modulate disease severity and worsening. Observational studies suggested vitD-dependent effects, but prospective supplementation studies have so far been inconclusive and reverse causality cannot be excluded as a source of bias. By using the sun-exposure measures vitD and latitude, we show correlations between vitD/latitude, vitD/disease severity, and latitude/disease severity in two multicentric cohorts. Although vitD cannot be proven as the causal factor, we provide evidence for clinically relevant effects of sunlight exposure. Furthermore, this study suggests sunlight-triggered pathways other than vitD could play additional and modulatory roles, as well. Multiple sclerosis (MS) disease risk is associated with reduced sun-exposure. This study assessed the relationship between measures of sun exposure (vitamin D [vitD], latitude) and MS severity in the setting of two multicenter cohort studies (nNationMS = 946, nBIONAT = 990). Additionally, effect-modification by medication and photosensitivity-associated MC1R variants was assessed. High serum vitD was associated with a reduced MS severity score (MSSS), reduced risk for relapses, and lower disability accumulation over time. Low latitude was associated with higher vitD, lower MSSS, fewer gadolinium-enhancing lesions, and lower disability accumulation. The association of latitude with disability was lacking in IFN-β–treated patients. In carriers of MC1R:rs1805008(T), who reported increased sensitivity toward sunlight, lower latitude was associated with higher MRI activity, whereas for noncarriers there was less MRI activity at lower latitudes. In a further exploratory approach, the effect of ultraviolet (UV)-phototherapy on the transcriptome of immune cells of MS patients was assessed using samples from an earlier study. Phototherapy induced a vitD and type I IFN signature that was most apparent in monocytes but that could also be detected in B and T cells. In summary, our study suggests beneficial effects of sun exposure on established MS, as demonstrated by a correlative network between the three factors: Latitude, vitD, and disease severity. However, sun exposure might be detrimental for photosensitive patients. Furthermore, a direct induction of type I IFNs through sun exposure could be another mechanism of UV-mediated immune-modulation in MS.
Clinical and laboratory evaluation of patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia treated with high-titer convalescent plasma: a prospective study

Background Effective antiviral therapy against the severe acute respiratory syndrome virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remains elusive. Convalescent plasma is an anti-viral approach currently under investigation. We aimed to assess the laboratory and clinical parameters of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia treated with convalescent plasma containing high levels of neutralizing anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.
Body measurements and morphological indexes of a cattle population in the Adamawa region (Cameroon)

RIASSUNTO Misure e indici morfometrici di una popolazione bovina dell’altopiano dell’Adamawa (Cameroon) – Per soddisfare la crescente domanda di derrate di origine animale dei grandi centri urbani in Africa, è necessario migliorare le performance degli animali allevati. Un programma di selezione massale può rappresentare il primo approccio, quando non siano disponibili i dati genealogici della popolazione indagata. I dati morfologici e i pesi raccolti in due anni di lavoro, su una popolazione zebuina e meticcia dell’altopiano dell’Adamawa, hanno permesso di calcolare i relativi indici morfometrici, consentendo di individuare gli animali più idonei a far parte della futura popolazione, sulla quale verrà pianificata una selezione su base genealogica.
On the Head Morphology and Systematic Position of Helophorus (Coleoptera: Hydrophiloidea: Helophoridae)

External and internal features of the head of adults of Helophorus spp. were examined and described in detail. The 6 species under consideration show very little morphological variation. The only distinctive characters, which characterise groups of species, are the presence or absence of the mandibular retinaculum and the symmetric or asymmetric shape of the ultimate maxillary palpomere. Helophoridae is supported by several autapomorphies, e.g. a group of long hairs on the posterodorsal margin of galeomere II and the distinctly serrate hind margin of the right mola. Characters with a potential phylogenetic relevance are listed, presented as a data matrix and analysed cladistically. The monophyly of Hydrophiloidea + Histeroidea, Hydrophiloidea (excl. Hydraenidae), ((Helophoridae + Hydrochidae) + (Georissidae [+ Epimetopidae? ])), Hydrophilidae and Sphaeridiinae was supported in all trees. The position of Spercheus remains ambiguous. It is either the sistergroup of the remaining Hydrophiloidea or of Hydrophilidae. Head structures of adults of Helophoridae and Hydrochidae show a remarkable similarity. The following apomorphic character states are shared by both taxa: dorsal side of labrum divided into 2 areas with different surface structure, mentum with 2 longitudinal ridges. A clade comprising these 2 families + Georissidae (and probably Epimetopidae) is supported by the metallic granulation of the dorsal side of the head capsule and a grooved frontoclypeal suture. The presence of tubular mandibular glands may be a derived groundplan feature of Hydrophiloidea + Histeroidea. The proposed interrelationships are partly in contrast to current hypothesis. The hypothesised character evolution may change, if a more extensive set of taxa (e.g. Horelophinae, Horelophopsinae) and characters, especially larval features are used (e.g. stigmatic atrium). Several derived characteristics of the clades listed above may have been secondarily lost in Hydrophilidae.
Diet of spotted bats (Euderma maculatum) in Arizona as indicated by fecal analysis and stable isotopes

We assessed diet of spotted bats (Euderma maculatum (J.A. Allen, 1891)) by visual analysis of bat feces and stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope analysis of bat feces, wing, hair, and insect prey. We collected 33 fecal samples from spotted bats and trapped 3755 insects where bats foraged. Lepidopterans averaged 99.6% of feces by volume; other insects were not a major component of diet. The δ13C and δ15N values of bat feces were similar to those of moths from families Noctuidae (N), Lasiocampidae (L), and Geometridae (G), but differed from Arctiidae (A) and Sphingidae (S). We used a mixing model to reconstruct diet; three families (N, L, G) represented the majority (88%–100%) of the diet with A + S representing 0%–12%. Although we compared δ13C and δ15N values of wing, hair, and feces of spotted bats, feces best represented recent diet; wing and hair were more enriched than feces by 3‰ and 6‰, respectively. This pattern was consistent with that reported for other bat species. We suggest that sp.