Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spruce beetle outbreak was not driven by drought stress: Evidence from a tree‐ring iso‐demographic approach indicates temperatures were more important

Climate change has amplified eruptive bark beetle outbreaks over recent decades, including spruce beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis). However, for projecting future bark beetle dynamics there is a critical lack of evidence to differentiate how outbreaks have been promoted by direct effects of warmer temperatures on beetle life cycles versus indirect effects of drought on host susceptibility. To diagnose whether drought‐induced host‐weakening was important to beetle attack success we used an iso‐demographic approach in Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) forests that experienced widespread mortality caused by spruce beetle outbreaks in the 1990s, during a prolonged drought across the central and southern Rocky Mountain region. We determined tree death date demography during this outbreak to differentiate early‐ and late‐dying trees in stands distributed across a landscape within this larger regional mortality event. To directly test for a role of drought stress during outbreak initiation we determined whether early‐dying trees had greater sensitivity of tree‐ring carbon isotope discrimination (∆13C) to drought compared to late‐dying trees. Rather, evidence indicated the abundance and size of host trees may have modified ∆13C responses to drought. ∆13C sensitivity to drought did not differ among early‐ versus late‐dying trees, which runs contrary to previously proposed links between spruce beetle outbreaks and drought. Overall, our results provide strong support for the view that irruptive spruce beetle outbreaks across North America have primarily been driven by warming‐amplified beetle life cycles whereas drought‐weakened host defenses appear to have been a distant secondary driver of these major disturbance events.
Self‐immolation Suicide in Greece: A Forensic Psychiatric Autopsy Study between 2011 and 2019

Self‐immolation is a rare suicide method in the developed countries of the western world (0.06–1%); however, it has relatively higher prevalence rates in the developing countries of Asia and Africa (6–57%). The present study aims to examine self‐immolation suicides within the Greek mainland (Attiki, Thrace, and Peloponnese) over a period of 9 years (2011–2019) in order to investigate the phenomenon in the Greek population forensically, identify the characteristics and motivations of suicide victims, explore its associations to socio‐cultural or psychiatric factors, and describe a fatal case of suicide by self‐immolation that was partially recorded on camera. The medical files (autopsy reports) of cases performed at the Departments of Forensic Medicine of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Democritus University of Thrace, and the Forensic Service of Messinia—Peloponnese were retrospectively examined yielding 19 cases of suicides by self‐immolation. A 3.7% prevalence of suicide by self‐immolation among suicide fatalities within the Greek population was estimated. A distinctive feature of the Greek population regarding self‐immolation was disclosed that it is being practiced predominantly by the elderly (mean age 2–3.5 decades higher than other countries). The phenomenon correlated strongly with poorly controlled mental disorders (mostly affective and adjustment disorders). Unlike other countries, there was no significant association with domestic or sexual violence, social or political protest, or religious issues. Therefore, the suicide victims preferred secluded or private outdoor locations (not public). Findings deriving from the examined variables localize Greek population culturally between the Western European and Asian African countries, but with its own idiosyncrasies.
Ion Channel and Structural Remodeling in Obesity-Mediated Atrial Fibrillation

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Background: Epidemiological studies have established obesity as an independent risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF), but the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms remain unclear. Reduced cardiac sodium channel expression is a known causal mechanism in AF. We hypothesized that obesity decreases Nav1.5 expression via enhanced oxidative stress, thus reducing INa, and enhancing susceptibility to AF. Methods: To elucidate the underlying electrophysiological mechanisms a diet-induced obese mouse model was used. Weight, blood pressure, glucose, F2-isoprostanes, NOX2 (NADPH oxidase 2), and PKC (protein kinase C) were measured in obese mice and compared with lean controls. Invasive electrophysiological, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and patch clamping of membrane potentials was performed to evaluate the molecular and electrophysiological phenotype of atrial myocytes. Results: Pacing-induced AF in 100% of diet-induced obese mice versus 25% in controls (P<0.01) with increased AF burden. Cardiac sodium channel expression, INa and atrial action potential duration were reduced and potassium channel expression (Kv1.5) and current (IKur) and F2-isoprostanes, NOX2, and PKC-α/δ expression and atrial fibrosis were significantly increased in diet-induced obese mice as compared with controls. A mitochondrial antioxidant reduced AF burden, restored INa, ICa,L, IKur, action potential duration, and reversed atrial fibrosis in diet-induced obese mice as compared with controls. Conclusions: Inducible AF in obese mice is mediated, in part, by a combined effect of sodium, potassium, and calcium channel remodeling and atrial fibrosis. Mitochondrial antioxidant therapy abrogated the ion channel and structural remodeling and reversed the obesity-induced AF burden. Our findings have important implications for the management of obesity-mediated AF in patients.
Locomotor morphometry of the Pachydactylus radiation of lizards (Gekkota: Gekkonidae): a phylogenetically and ecologically informed analysis

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Disparate effects of hormones and vigabatrin on sleep slow waves in patients with West syndrome – An indication of their mode of action?

Synaptic downscaling during sleep, a physiological process to restore synaptic homeostasis and maintain learning efficiency and healthy brain development, has been related to a reduction of the slope of sleep slow waves (SSW). However, such synaptic downscaling seems not to be reflected in high‐amplitude SSW. Recently we have shown reduced SSW slopes during hormonal treatment (adrenocorticotrophic hormone, prednisolone) in patients with West syndrome (WS). Yet, whether this reduction was related to successful treatment or reflects a specific effect of hormone therapy is unknown. Thus, we retrospectively analysed nap electroencephalograms of 61 patients with WS successfully treated with hormones, vigabatrin (VGB), or both. The slope of SSW during treatment (T1) and 2–7 months later (T2) when hormonal treatment was tapered off were compared between the treatment groups and healthy, age‐matched controls. At T1 hormone treatment reduced the slope of low‐amplitude SSW, whereas VGB increased the slope of high‐amplitude SSW (linear mixed effect model: FGroup = 7.04, p < 0.001; FAmplitude = 1,646.68, p < 0.001; FGroup*Amplitude = 3.38, p < 0.001). At T2, untreated patients did not differ anymore from healthy controls, whereas those still under VGB showed the same alterations as those with VGB at T1. This result indicates a disparate effect of VGB and hormone on the SSW slope. In particular, hormones seem to reduce the slope of cortical generated low‐amplitude SSW, similar to the physiological synaptic downscaling during sleep. Thus, a loss of functional neuronal connectivity might be an alternative explanation of the antiepileptic effect of hormonal treatment.
Integrating the Social Determinants of Health into Nursing Practice: Nurses' Perspectives.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to assess nurses' knowledge, perceived self-efficacy, and intended behaviors relative to integrating the social determinants of health (SDoH) into clinical practice. DESIGN AND METHODS A cross-sectional study was completed with 768 nurses working in three hospitals within a large regional healthcare system located in the Midwest. Data were collected using an adapted 71-item SDoH Survey, which measured nurses' confidence in and frequency of discussing the SDoH with patients, general knowledge of the SDoH, familiarity with patients' social and economic conditions, and awareness of their institution's health equity strategic plan to achieve health equity. The institution's health equity strategic plan reflects the organization's commitment to improving the health of individuals and neighborhoods by addressing the SDoH known to influence health status and life expectancy. Finally, participants were asked to describe barriers to incorporating the SDoH into practice along with completing five demographic items. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the findings. FINDINGS Of the 768 respondents, 63% had a baccalaureate degree in nursing and 33.1% reported more than 20 years in nursing. Fifty percent of respondents reported feeling more knowledgeable or confident in their ability to discuss access to care issues with patients compared to the other SDoH. Identified barriers to discussing the SDoH included insufficient time to address identified needs and unfamiliarity with internal and external resources. Respondents stressed the need for interdisciplinary education and collaboration along with more information on the role of social workers. CONCLUSIONS Nurses are more confident in discussing certain determinants of health and could benefit from more skill development in discussing SDoH issues and stronger collaborative partnerships to address identified needs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Findings from the study have implications for supporting the educational and resource needs of front-line nurses employed in hospitals and health systems seeking to address broader societal issues influencing the health status and outcomes of patients and communities.
Exploring Perceptions of Equine Welfare Scenarios Using a Positive Approach

ABSTRACT Horse welfare is a sensitive topic that often results in a variety of strong feelings when discussed in the horse-owning public. This study used a scenario-based questionnaire in a positive psychology approach to assess the public’s feelings and discussions about horse welfare. Results indicated themes in important welfare qualities such as turnout, shelter, and ability to express natural behaviors, as well as a positive discussion about welfare. This study provides future implications for further research techniques in this area as well as communicative strategies surrounding equine welfare practices.
Differential rates of inhibition of N2 fixation by sustained low concentrations of NH4+ and NO3- in northern ecotypes of white clover (Trifolium repens L.)

An experimental study in flowing solution culture compared three Norwegian ecotypes (from Saerheim, Pasvik and Bode) and a commercial cultivar (Ac51) of white clover {Trifolium repens L. ) and demonstrated differences with respect to the rate and intensity with which N2 fixation was affected when NO^ or NH4+ were supplied at 20 mmol m~3 over 14 d. Plants were nodulated and N2 fixation was established over 17 d prior to supplying mineral N, with shoot temperature 25/15 °C day/night and root temperature adjusted progressively to 12°C. Control plants received no mineral N throughout, and did not grow as rapidly as those supplied with NH4+ or NO 3. Mineral N generally depressed the total N2 fixation per plant relative to control plants, with two exceptions. The effect of NO3 on N 2 fixation was more severe than that of NH4+ and, over the 14 d, NH4+-fed plants fixed more N2 than the comparable NO^-fed plants. Interpolated daily rates of N2 fixation per plant and nodule dry wts were used to calculate specific rates of N 2 fixation. These showed that (1) addition of either NH4+ or NO3" initially stimulated fixation relative to control plants and to mineral N uptake; (2) this stimulation was greatest and was delayed by 1-2 d in NH4+-fed plants; and (3) NH4+ nutrition sustained higher residual rates of N2 fixation after 8 d compared with N03" nutrition, under which fixation all but ceased after 10 d in three of the genotypes. Ecotype Bode showed by far the most severe NO^-induced depression of N2 fixation.
Records of Squat Lobsters of the Family Munidopsidae (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura: Galatheoidea) from the Sagami Sea and Adjacent Areas, Central Japan, with Descriptions of Two New Species

One species of Galacantha A. Milne-Edwards, 1880 and six species of Munidopsis Whiteaves, 1874 (Crus- tacea: Decapoda: Munidopsidae) are reported from the Sagami Sea and Izu Islands, central Japan. Two are new to sci- ence, Galacantha galeata sp. nov. and Munidopsis tuberipes sp. nov. The former is compared with G. bellis Henderson, 1885 and G. subrostrata Macpherson, 2007, and the latter with M. bractea Ahyong, 2007, M. papanui Schnabel and Bruce, 2006, and M. sonne Baba, 1995. Munidopsis dasypus Alcock, 1894 is recorded from Japanese waters for the fi rst time. These new records expand the number of Galacantha species from Japanese waters from four to fi ve and Muni- dopsis species from 21 to 23. Five other species all previously known from the area and reported here are: M. camelus (Ortmann, 1892); M. cylindropus Benedict, 1902; M. naginata Cubelio, Tsuchida and Watanabe, 2007, and M. taurulus Ortmann, 1892. Munidopsis camelus is fully redescribed in order to show diagnostic details. Differentiating characters between M. cylindropus and the closely allied M. debilis Henderson, 1885 are discussed.
Differential ability of network and natural language information on social media to predict interpersonal and mental health traits

Abstract Objective Previous studies have shown that digital footprints (mainly Social Networking Services, or SNS) can predict personality traits centered on the Big Five. The present study investigates to what extent different types of SNS information predicts wider traits and attributes. Method We collected an intensive set of 24 (52 subscales) personality traits and attributes (N = 239) and examined whether machine learning models trained on four different types of SNS (i.e., Twitter) information (network, time, word statistics, and bag of words) predict the traits and attributes. Results We found that four types of SNS information can predict 23 subscales collectively. Furthermore, we validated our hypothesis that the network and word statistics information, respectively, exhibit unique strengths for the prediction of inter‐personal traits such as autism and mental health traits such as schizophrenia and anxiety. We also found that intelligence is predicted by all four types of SNS information. Conclusions These results reveal that the different types of SNS information can collectivity predict wider human traits and attributes than previously recognized, and also that each information type has unique predictive strengths for specific traits and attributes, suggesting that personality prediction from SNS is a powerful tool for both personality psychology and information technology.
Lactation performance of Red Chittagong Cattle and effects of environmental factors

The present study was undertaken to estimate effects of environmental factors on milk production traits in Red Chittagong Cattle (RCC). A total of 103 milk yield records of 45 RCC cows obtained between 2005 and 2009 were analysed. Actual lactation yield, lactation length, daily milk yield and dry period were estimated as 500.7 ± 19.3 kg, 259.6 ± 6.2 days, 1.9 ± 0.1 kg and 162.4 ± 7.7 days, respectively. Age and season corrected lactation yield, 305 day milk yield and daily milk yield were estimated as 605.4 ± 22.9, 677.1 ± 19.4 and 2.2 ± 0.1 kg, respectively. Sex of calf and season of birth did not significantly (P>0.05) affect production, but lactation order significantly (P 0.05) on the traits analysed except daily milk yield (P<0.05). Calving age significantly (P<0.05) affected lactation yield but did not other traits. Cows in 5th lactation produced highest total (604.3 ± 69.3 kg) and daily milk yield (2.17 ± 1.8 kg). Cows aged 6 – 7 years had best lactation yield (576.8 ± 60.5 kg). (Bangl. vet. 2010. Vol. 27, No. 1, 18 – 25) DOI: 10.3329/bvet.v27i1. 5911
A probabilistic approach to the use of pollen indicators for plant attributes and biomes: an application to European vegetation at 0 and 6 ka

Aim This paper presents a probabilistic method for the characterization of pollen taxa using attributes, and for the reconstitution of past biomes. The probabilities are calculated on the basis of European floristic and pollen databases sufficiently large and exhaustive to provide robust estimates. Location The analysis is based on data from approximately 1000 sites throughout Europe. Method We use all the pollen data from the European Pollen Database (EPD), which contains about 50 000 pollen assemblages distributed across Europe and covering the period from the Last Glacial Maximum to the present. Using existing floras, each pollen taxon has been characterized by allocating one or more modes of several attributes, chosen according to the biogeography and phenology of the taxon. With this information, conditional probabilities are defined, representing the chance of a given attribute mode occurring in a given pollen spectrum, when the taxa assemblage is known. The concept of co-occurrence is used to provide a greater amount of information to compensate for difficulties in the identification of pollen grains, allowing a better interpretation when there is little diversity in the pollen assemblage. Results The method has been validated using a dataset of modern samples against existing methods of biome classification and remote sensing data. An application is proposed in which the new method is used to produce biomes for pollen data 6000 years ago. This confirms previous results showing an extension of the deciduous forest to the north, east and south, explained by milder winters in western and northern Europe, and cooler and wetter climate in the Mediterranean region. Conclusion The results show the new method to be efficient, reliable and flexible and to be an improvement over the previous method of biomization. They will be used to test simulations of earth system models running on periods with climate significantly different from the present day, enabling a robust test of the validity of applying these models to the future.
Premature graying of hair: Risk factors, co‐morbid conditions, pharmacotherapy and reversal—A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Premature graying of hair (PGH) being a very common entity for which pharmacotherapy and reversibility are not properly addressed. Therefore, this systematic review was conducted to address these issues. For this relevant study were selected from various databases including PubMed, EMBASE, OVID, Web of science, Scopus, and Google Scholar till January 20, 2019. Studies which reported risk factors, co‐morbid conditions associated with PGH, its pharmacotherapy and reversal were included in the study. Although many risk factors are reported in literature, smoking, vitamin deficiency (B12, folic acid, and B7), mineral deficiency (low serum calcium and serum ferritin) are found to be associated with PGH. Other important risk factors are family history of PGH, obesity, high B.P, lack of exercise, drugs, genetic syndromes, dyslipidemia, thyroid disorders, hyperuricemia, and alteration in liver function. PGH is found to be an important marker of CAD, more so in case of smoker. Among different pharmacotherapeutic management options, low grade recommendation (2A) is given to calcium pantothenate, PABA, calcium pantothenate + PABA combination. Anu‐tailam is the only herbal agent evaluated in clinical research settings. Finally, treating the accompanying pathologies led to the reversal of the disease in many cases.
XDazl function in RNA metabolism in Xenopus laevis

Germ cell specification in Xenopus laevis depends on the inheritance of maternal determinants from the oocyte in form of mRNAs and proteins. At the onset of zygotic transcription, maternal mRNAs are subjected to miR-mediated decay. Interestingly, germ cell specific mRNAs are excluded from miR-induced degradation. Recent studies have provided insights into how RNA-binding proteins can modulate miR-mediated regulation of RNA stability. In Xenopus embryos for example, ElrB1 and Dead end (XDE) proteins have been demonstrated to protect germ cell specific mRNAs from miR-mediated clearance. Recognition of these mRNAs by miRs relies on target sites within the localization element (LE), a specific region in the 3’ UTR, which is also required for vegetal mRNA transport in the oocyte (Koebernick et al. 2010). In this study, we addressed the role of Deleted in azoospermia-like (XDazl) in the context of germline specific transcript stabilization in Xenopus embryos. The RNA binding protein XDazl is provided maternally and its zygotic transcription starts at stage 17. Ectopic expression of XDazl promotes stabilization of the PGC-specific XDE mRNA as well as that of other germline transcripts. In vitro RNA binding assays indicate direct interaction of XDazl with these transcripts. Moreover, a synergistic effect of XDE and XDazl protein in stabilizing germ cell specific mRNAs was observed. Mapping of the XDazl binding site within the XDE-LE indicated overlapping binding sites with XDE and ElrB1. Degradation of germ cell specific mRNAs is mediated by miRs, since blocking of miR processing leads to enrichment of germline transcripts. XDazl protein binds directly to the LE in its own mRNA, which contains at least three independent XDazl binding sites. The knockdown of XDazl in embryos leads to a reduced number of germ cells at tailbud stage, indicating an important role of XDazl during germ cell formation or maintenance. Immunofluorescence staining of oocytes shows XDazl protein enrichment at the vegetal cortex and in transport particles colocalizing with XDE and XDazl mRNAs, suggesting an early involvement of XDazl in the context of vegetal mRNA transport and/or anchoring.