Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Carbon assimilation and habitat segregation in resurrection plants: a comparison between desiccation- and non-desiccation-tolerant species of Neotropical Velloziaceae (Pandanales)

Summary Desiccation tolerance is the ability that some organisms show to equilibrate their water content with that of dry air and recover when water supplies are re-established. This is a widespread although rare strategy in angiosperms, and most desiccation-tolerant (DT) species are restricted to tropical rock outcrops. Such restricted ecological range is attributed to weak competitive potential caused by low productivity, due to the temporal limitation in carbon assimilation that occurs when plants desiccate. However, few studies addressing this question in angiosperms have been conducted. We investigate 20 species of Velloziaceae of campos rupestres that differ in their desiccation tolerance. Campos rupestres is an ecoregion characterized by particular vegetation growing on rocky substrates that occurs along mountains in central/south-eastern Brazil, above 900 m a.s. l. It is considered a Neotropical hotspot and the main centre of diversity for DT vascular plants and the Velloziaceae. Here, we tested whether carbon assimilation rates, functional traits and species habitats corroborate the hypothesized trade-off between productivity and desiccation tolerance. All species showed similar photosynthetic rates during the wet season; in the dry season, only DT species showed drastic decrease in their metabolism. Non-desiccation-tolerant (NT) species are larger than DT ones (i.e. greater maximum plant height; stem volume). Relative canopy area and stem dry-matter content were lower in DT compared to NT, while leaf phosphorous concentration was higher in DT. The remaining morphofunctional traits evaluated did not vary between these groups. DT species occupied mainly exposed rock soils, while NT species occurred in deep, sandy soil habitats. Our results support the hypothesis of a trade-off between desiccation tolerance and productivity in angiosperms and suggest that DT strategy may only evolve and persist in habitats where severe growth limitations due to drought limit competition from more productive species.
Mega‐analysis methods in ENIGMA: The experience of the generalized anxiety disorder working group

The ENIGMA group on Generalized Anxiety Disorder (ENIGMA‐Anxiety/GAD) is part of a broader effort to investigate anxiety disorders using imaging and genetic data across multiple sites worldwide. The group is actively conducting a mega‐analysis of a large number of brain structural scans. In this process, the group was confronted with many methodological challenges related to study planning and implementation, between‐country transfer of subject‐level data, quality control of a considerable amount of imaging data, and choices related to statistical methods and efficient use of resources. This report summarizes the background information and rationale for the various methodological decisions, as well as the approach taken to implement them. The goal is to document the approach and help guide other research groups working with large brain imaging data sets as they develop their own analytic pipelines for mega‐analyses.
High porosity and light weight graphene foam heat sink and phase change material container for thermal management

During the last decade, graphene foam emerged as a promising high porosity 3-dimensional (3D) structure for various applications. More specifically, it has attracted significant interest as a solution for thermal management in electronics. In this study, we investigate the possibility to use such porous materials as a heat sink and a container for a phase change material (PCM). Graphene foam (GF) was produced using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process and attached to a thermal test chip using sintered silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). The thermal conductivity of the graphene foam reached 1.3 W m−1 K−1, while the addition of Ag as a graphene foam silver composite (GF/Ag) enhanced further its effective thermal conductivity by 54%. Comparatively to nickel foam, GF and GF/Ag showed lower junction temperatures thanks to higher effective thermal conductivity and a better contact. A finite element model was developed to simulate the fluid flow through the foam structure model and showed a positive and a non-negligible contributions of the secondary microchannel within the graphene foam. A ratio of 15 times was found between the convective heat flux within the primary and secondary microchannel. Our paper successfully demonstrates the possibility of using such 3D porous material as a PCM container and heat sink and highlight the advantage of using the carbon-based high porosity material to take advantage of its additional secondary porosity.
Thermal tolerance of a northern population of striped bass Morone saxatilis

Thermal tolerance of age 0+ year Shubenacadie River (Nova Scotia. Canada) striped bass Morone saxatilis juveniles (mean ± S.E. fork length, L F , 19·2 ± 0·2 cm) acclimated in fresh water to six temperatures from 5 to 30° C was measured by both the incipient lethal technique (72 h assay), and the critical thermal method (C m ). The lower incipient lethal temperature ranged from 2·4 to 11·3° C, and the upper incipient lethal temperature (I U ) from 24·4 to 33·9° C. The area of thermal tolerance was 618° C 2 . In a separate experiment, the I U of large age 2+ year fish (34·4 ± 0·5 cm L F ) was 1·2 and 0·6° C lower (P 0·05), but the intercepts differed (25·3, 26·0 and 26·5° C; P < 0·01). The thermal tolerance of this northern population appears to be broader than southern populations.
Lycium barbarum polysaccharides related RAGE and Aβ levels in the retina of mice with acute ocular hypertension and promote maintenance of blood retinal barrier

Our previous study verified the protective effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) on retinal neurons and blood vessels in acute ocular hypertension (AOH) mice. To investigate the effect of LBP on the reactivity of retinal glial cells, an AOH mouse model was established in one eye by maintaining ocular hypertension of 90 mmHg for 60 minutes. Either LBP solution (1 mg/kg) or phosphate-buffered saline was administrated to the mice by gavage daily, starting 7 days before the AOH insult and continuing until the mice were sacrificed for specimen collection on day 4 post-insult. After AOH insult, increased numbers of astrocytes and microglia were observed, together with decreased expression of the following glial cell biomarkers in the retinal ganglion cells of AOH mice: glial fibrillary acidic protein, glutamine synthetase, aquaporin-4, S-100 proteins, ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1, amyloid precursor protein and receptor of advanced glycosylation end-products. After intervention with LBP, the above changes were significantly reduced. Remarkably, morphological remodeling of blood vessel-associated retinal astrocytes, marked by glial fibrillary acidic protein, was also observed. These results, taken together, suggest that LBP regulated the production of amyloid-β and expression of receptor of advanced glycosylation end-products, as well as mediating the activity of retinal glial cells, which may lead to the promotion of better maintenance of the blood-retinal barrier and improved neuronal survival in AOH insult. This study was approved by the Committee for the Use of Live Animals in Teaching and Research (approval No. CULTRA-#1664-08).
Gorgonocephalus eucnemis (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) and Bursal Ventilation

The basket star Gorgonocephalus eucnemis is an aerobic organism highly dependent on dissolved oxygen in surrounding waters. Previous observations on the anatomy of Gorgonocephalus state that five pairs of ossicles (the radial shields and genital plates) regulate the position of the roof of the body disc and are responsible for flushing seawater into and out of the bursae, though this seems never to have been empirically tested. In the current study, rates of bursal ventilation were investigated in response to an increase in the availability of food and, separately, exposure to hypoxic levels of dissolved oxygen. When fed with suspended krill particles, basket stars increased rates of bursal ventilation, ranging from 13% to 155%, resulting in a similar increase in volume of water moved in and out of bursae. This rate remained elevated for an average of 25 minutes after active feeding ended. Bursal ventilation rates also increased significantly (~60% average increase) when basket stars were exposed to hypoxic conditions (dissolved oxygen ≤ 3.5 mg O2 L−1 = 2.45 mL O2 L−1). Some specimens exhibited a loss of coordination in hypoxic conditions. All specimens recovered and resumed a normal rate of bursal ventilation when returned to normoxic conditions. Measurements show that dissolved oxygen levels decreased from outside to inside bursae and suggest that dissolved oxygen is absorbed in bursae during bursal ventilations. Increasing rates of bursal ventilation may help meet the increased oxygen demands when feeding and may help animals endure some exposures to hypoxia.
Shoot and Root Responses of Eight Subtropical Species Grown in Cupric Hydroxide-treated Containers

The effect of Cu(OH) 2 applied to interior container surfaces on shoot and root responses was evaluated on eight species cultivated in subtropical regions. Species studied were Cedrela odorata L. ; Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl. ; Leea coccinea Planch. ; Peperomia serpens (Swartz.) Loud. ; Peperomia obtusifolia (L.) A. Dietr. ; Radermacherasinica (Hance) Hensl. ; Schefflera actinophylla (Endl.) Harms; and Swietenia mahagoni Jacq. No foliar Cu toxicity symptoms developed on any species during the study. Swietenia mahagoni seedlings grew faster in height and had larger shoot: root ratios when grown in Cu(OH) 2 -treated containers than in nontreated containers. Leea coccinea seedlings were tallerand produced more shoot dry weight when grown in Cu(OH) 2 -treated than in control containers. Applying Cu(OH) 2 did not influence shoot growth of the other six species studied. Root coverage reduction on the exterior of the rootball in Cu(OH) 2 -treated containers was excellent for all species studied, and coverage was completely eliminated in three species. Shoot and root responses to Cu(OH) 2 -treated containers varied among subtropical species, which is consistent with shoot and root responses among temperate species
Cataloguing the response by emergency veterinary hospitals during the COVID‐19 pandemic via weekly surveys

Abstract Background The COVID‐19 pandemic has presented veterinary emergency hospitals with unique challenges. Rapid online surveys represent an efficient way of collating responses to rapidly shifting circumstances. Methods Fifty, 24‐h small animal emergency veterinary hospital representatives were recruited to participate in weekly surveys in April 2020 to catalog changes due to COVID‐19 pandemic. Key findings The majority of emergency veterinary hospitals surveyed reported significant changes to day‐to‐day operations as a result of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Significance Reporting of weekly survey results provides useful information on how emergency veterinary hospitals with similar challenges are responding to the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Assessment of the quality of patient information sheets and informed consent forms for clinical trials at a hospital neurology service

Clinical trials (CTs) aimed at vulnerable groups, such as patients with mental disorders, create ethical complexity. The patient information sheet (PIS) should provide all of the information about the CT that is relevant to the subject's decision to participate. After being informed, the subject will decide freely whether to take part in the CT and will read and sign the informed consent form (ICF). The objective was to assess the quality of PISs/ICFs from a hospital neurology service. The assessment was made using validated and reliable checklists of the information included in the PISs/ICFs of CTs with medicinal products.
The effect of evening primrose oil (Oenothera biennis) on the level of adiponectin and some biochemical parameters in rats with fructose induced metabolic syndrome

Abstract The effect of evening primrose oil on adiponectin level and some biochemical parameters in model of fructose-induced metabolic syndrome were investigated. The rats were divided into 4 groups: control, evening primrose oil, fructose, fructose + evening primrose oil. Body weight, daily feed and water consumptions and systolic blood pressures of animals were measured. At the end of trial, blood samples were taken, livers were excised and histopathological examination was performed. Glucose, uric acid, triglyceride, T.cholesterol, LDL, HDL, VLDL, ALT, AST, ALP, LDH, adiponectin, insulin, IL-6, TNF-α, TAC, and TOS levels were analysed. Some analysed parameters and systolic blood pressure of fructose + evening primrose oil group decreased significantly compared to fructose group and adiponectin, TAC, and HDL levels were significantly increased. As conclusion, evening primrose oil can be considered as antioxidant agent by reducing oxidative stress, increasing adiponectin levels and insulin sensitivity, anti-inflammatory properties, exhibiting anti-atherogenic effect by regulating dyslipidemia and systolic blood pressure.
Ion Exchange Gels Allow Organic Electrochemical Transistor Operation with Hydrophobic Polymers in Aqueous Solution

Conjugated‐polymer‐based organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) are being studied for applications ranging from biochemical sensing to neural interfaces. While new polymers that interface digital electronics with the aqueous chemistry of life are being developed, the majority of high‐performance organic transistor materials are poor at transporting biologically relevant ions. Here, the operating mode of an organic transistor is changed from that of an electrolyte‐gated organic field‐effect transistor (EGOFET) to that of an OECT by incorporating an ion exchange gel between the active layer and the aqueous electrolyte. This device works by taking up biologically relevant ions from solution and injecting more hydrophobic ions into the active layer. Using poly[2,5‐bis(3‐tetradecylthiophen‐2‐yl) thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene] as the active layer and a blend of an ionic liquid, 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, and poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene) as the ion exchange gel, four orders of magnitude improvement in device transconductance and a 100‐fold increase in kinetics are demonstrated. The ability of the ion‐exchange‐gel OECT to record biological signals by measuring the action potentials of a Venus flytrap is demonstrated. These results show the possibility of using interface engineering to open up a wider palette of organic semiconductors as OECTs that can be gated by aqueous solutions.
A High‐Efficiency CoSe Electrocatalyst with Hierarchical Porous Polyhedron Nanoarchitecture for Accelerating Polysulfides Conversion in Li–S Batteries

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries are recognized as promising candidates for next‐generation electrochemical energy storage systems owing to their high energy density and cost‐effective raw materials. However, the sluggish multielectron sulfur redox reactions are the root cause of most of the issues for Li–S batteries. Herein, a high‐efficiency CoSe electrocatalyst with hierarchical porous nanopolyhedron architecture (CS@HPP) derived from a metal–organic framework is presented as the sulfur host for Li–S batteries. The CS@HPP with high crystal quality and abundant reaction active sites can catalytically accelerate capture/diffusion of polysulfides and precipitation/decomposition of Li2S. Thus, the CS@HPP sulfur cathode exhibits an excellent capacity of 1634.9 mAh g−1, high rate performance, and a long cycle life with a low capacity decay of 0.04% per cycle over 1200 cycles. CoSe nanopolyhedrons are further fabricated on a carbon cloth framework (CC@CS@HPP) to unfold the electrocatalytic activity by its high electrical conductivity and large surface area. A freestanding CC@CS@HPP sulfur cathode with sulfur loading of 8.1 mg cm−2 delivers a high areal capacity of 8.1 mAh cm−2 under a lean electrolyte. This work will enlighten the rational design of structure–catalysis engineering of transition‐metal‐based nanomaterials for diverse applications.
REVISION OF THE NEARCTIC SPECIES OF PLATYCHEIRUS (DIPTERA, SYRPHIDAE)

Abstract The 70 species of Platycheirus (including Carposcalis, Pyrophaena, and much of Melanostoma of North American authors) occurring in the Nearctic Region north of Mexico are revised. Twenty-three species are described as new and new names are proposed for two species. Eighteen new synonyms and 14 new combinations are proposed; one variety name is given specific status. Six palaearctic species are recorded from North America for the first time, and one nearctic species from Europe, for a total of 23 holarctic species. Résumé Les soixante-dix espèces de Platycheirus (incluant Carposcalis, Pyrophaena et la plupart des Melanostoma des auteurs de l’Amérique du nord) se retrouvant dans la région néarctique au nord de Mexico sont revisées. Vingt-trois nouvelles espèces sont décrites et pour deux espèces, de nouveaux noms sont proposés. Dix-huit nouveaux synonymes et 14 nouvelles combinaisons sont proposés; un nom de variété reçoit un statut spécifique. Six espèces paléarctiques sont rapportées pour la première fois en Amérique du Nord de même qu’une espèce néarctique européenne, soit un total de 23 espèces holarctiques.
Scale patterns of diel distribution of the copepod Cyclops abyssorum Sars in a regulated lake: the relative importance of physical and biological factors

The relative importance of hydrological and biological factors in driving the diel distribution of the copepod Cyclops abyssorum from small to large scale is evaluated here in a lake where a complex hydrodynamics is at work and a clear environmental gradient is present. A set of statistical tools (which include the proposed "partial variance") are used for characterizing the scale patterns of distribution and their daily trend. A day-night aggregation/dispersion process is observed at any of the spatial scales and directions considered. The value of the fractal dimension of the copepod distribution (D-horizontal = 1.89) suggests that short-range effects prevail over long-range ones in affecting the overall complexity of distribution. The geostatistical analysis shows that individuals form isotropic swarm-like assemblages of a few metre diameter during daytime which relax during night. The cohesion among population members of different age and sex also shows a daily fluctuation, with separation distance increasing vertically during daytime and horizontally during night. The present study shows how visual predation affects the whole structure of patchiness and explains the diel spacing among population fractions, whereas food availability prevails over water transport in driving the copepod distribution at a large scale.
ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF JOSHANDA: A POLYHERBAL THERAPEUTIC AGENT USED IN COMMON COLD

Joshanda which, a polyherbal preparation is extensively used by masses as a household remedy for treatment of common cold and found very effective. Our results indicated that Zizyphus jujuba (Unnab), Onosma bracteatum (Gaozaban) and Glycyrrhiza glabra (Mulethi) have significant degree of invitro activity against Staph.aureus while Cordia latifolia (Sapistan) has got a significant invitro activity against H.influenzae. Other ingredients did not show any significant activity against rest of the organisms tested.
Plant extract control of the fungi associated with different Egyptian wheat cultivars grains

Grain samples of 14 Egyptian wheat cultivars were tested for seed-borne fungi. The deep freezing method was used. Five seed-borne fungi viz., Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium moniliforme and Penicillium chrysogenum were isolated from the wheat cultivars viz., Bani Suef 4, Bani Suef 5, Gemmiza 7, Gemmiza 9, Gemmiza 10, Giza 168, Misr 1, Misr 2, Sakha 93, Sakha 94, Shandaweel 1, Sids 1, Sids 2 and Sids 3. A. flavus, A. niger and F. moniliforme were the most prevalent fungal species. Their incidence ranged from 21.0-53.5%, 16.0-37.5%, and 12.0-31.0%, respectively. The antifungal potential of water extracts from aerial parts of five wild medicinal plants (Asclepias sinaica, Farsetia aegyptia, Hypericum sinaicum, Phagnalon sinaicum, and Salvia aegyptiaca) were collected from the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. The antifungal potential of water extracts from the aerial parts of these five plants were tested in the laboratory against the dominant fungi isolated from the wheat cultivars. All the aqueous plant extracts significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced the incidence of the tested seed-borne fungi. But the extract of Asclepias sinaica exhibited the most antifungal activity on tested fungi at all concentrations used when compared with other plant extracts. Maximum infested grain germination was observed in Giza 168 and minimum in Bani Suef 5. Treating grains with plant extract of A. sinaica (10%) enhanced the percentage of grain germination of all cultivars in both laboratory and pot experiments. Maximum root and shoot length of seedlings was recorded in Bani Suef 4 during fungal infestation or treatment by plant extract. For one hour before sowing or storage, the aqueous extract of A. sinaica can be used to treat wheat grains, to reduce the fungal incidence. Aqueous extracts of the aerial parts of selected medicinal plants, particularly A. sinaica, are promising for protecting Egyptian wheat grain cultivars against major seed-borne fungi. The aqueous extracts are ex- pected to improve crops.
Effect of Three Orobanche spp. Extracts on Some Local Phytopathogens, Agrobacterium and Erwinia

Tissues of the spikes of Orobanche spp. contain phenols and mannitol pathways, and it seems that it is very resistant, or may be immune, to bacterial infection. Therefore extracts of 3 Orobanche species, O. cernua, O. crenata, and O. egyptiaca, were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against local isolates of crown gall (Agrobacterium) and soft rot (Erwinia) phytopathogens. Extract of O. cernua showed the highest activity against both pathogens with clear inhibition zones of 8-24 mm and 12-16 mm in diameters, respectively. When the inhibitory action of 100 mg/ml concentration of the 3 Orobanche species extract on local isolates of Erwinia was compared with each other, data revealed the ability of O. cernua to exhibit more activity than the others and disability of O. egyptiaca to inhibit any of these pathogens. Dilution experiments showed that the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of O. cernua extract was as follows: local isolates of Agrobacterium, No. A91, A201 and A204-12,500 µg/ml and for all Erwinia isolates-27,800 µg/ml. However, MIC of O. crenata extract was 63,000 µg/ml for all Erwinia isolates. Results showed that the MIC of 12,500 µg/ml of O. cernua is equal to the effect of Streptomycin (10 µg /ml) activity against Agrobacterium isolates No. A91, A201 and A204, Ofloxacin (5 µg/ml) against Agrobacterium isolates No. A91 and A201, Norfloxacin (10 µg/ml) against Agrobacterium isolate No. A204 and Cefotaxime (30 µg/ml) against Agrobacterium isolate No. A95. However, the MIC of O. cernua and O. crenata extract to inhibit all Erwinia isolates is 27,800 and 63,000 µg/ml, which is equivalent to the effect of Tobromycin (10 µg/ml). It is concluded that Orobanche tissue could be a potential source for antiphytopathogenic bacterial agents.