Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modelling misclassification in multi‐species acoustic data when estimating occupancy and relative activity

Surveying wildlife communities provides data for informing conservation and management decisions that affect multiple species. Autonomous recording units (ARUs) can efficiently gather community data for a variety of taxa, but generally require software algorithms to classify each recorded call to a species. Species classification errors are possible during this process and result in both false‐negative and false‐positive detections. Available approaches for analysing ARU data do not model the species classification probabilities, meaning erroneous detections are attributed to an omnibus source instead of the presence of another species. Additionally, counts of call recordings for each species are often summarized to binary detection data for analyses. Expanding statistical models to capture these nuances of ARU data would allow for improved inferences about occupancy and relative activity. Motivated by bat acoustic surveys, we developed a model to analyse counts of call recordings from multiple species simultaneously while accounting for species classification errors. Our model expands on previously developed false‐positive occupancy models to better describe acoustic data. We used simulations to compare our model to other false‐positive occupancy models for an example scenario with ARU data from two species. We also analyse acoustic data for eight bat species in Montana using our model. In simulations, single‐species models resulted in biased estimates of occupancy and relative activity because they failed to associate false positives with the presence of the second species. Models analysing binary observations ignored available information on relative activity and led to less precise estimates. Applying our model to bat acoustic data from Montana allowed for species‐specific estimates of occupancy and relative activity. This analysis illustrates the flexibility in our model framework while also highlighting the assumptions and data requirements for implementation. Specifically, additional information on the species classification probabilities is needed and we discuss considerations for reliably estimating these parameters. Directly modelling the species classification probabilities allows for improved ecological inferences for both occupancy and relative activity using community ARU data. Our statistical framework helps address the challenges posed by acoustic data, allowing ecologists to better utilize this technology to monitor wildlife communities.
Ecological drivers of tree assemblage in tropical, subtropical and subalpine forests

Location Yunnan province, southwest China. Methods We used the homogeneous Poisson, homogeneous Thomas, inhomogeneous Poisson, and inhomogeneous Thomas point process models to predict the effect of stochastic, dispersal and/or environmental processes respectively on the distribution of trees across ontogeny in tropical, subtropical and subalpine forests. To evaluate the relative importance of models, we compared the observed and simulated patterns of species‐area relationship and g(r) at community and species level, respectively. Results Homogeneous Thomas model was the model with the lowest AIC scores across ontogeny and forest types at community level. At species level, however, homogeneous Thomas, and inhomogeneous Thomas predicted the distribution of large and small trees respectively with lower AIC values in ALS and LJ plots. In BB plot, homogeneous Thomas model is dominant across ontogeny at the species level. Conclusions The tree communities are assembled mainly by dispersal process at community level. The relative importance of ecological processes for species distribution varied across life stages at species level suggesting that there is ontogenetic shift of ecological processes in shaping tree distribution. Using different summary statistics at both community and species levels helps to discern the different spatial structure of species and increase our appreciation of the processes underpin community assembly.
A phase I/II study of cetuximab in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/folinic acid (FA) plus weekly oxaliplatin (L-OHP) (FUFOX) in the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) expressing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Preliminary results

3644 Background: Cetuximab (Erbitux) is an EGFR-targeting IgG1 monoclonal antibody that showed in combination with 5-FU/FA/L-OHP (FOLFOX4) one of the highest response rates ever reported in 1st-line treatment of mCRC. Methods: This phase I/II trial of standard dose cetuximab in combination with L-OHP and infusional 5-FU/FA in a weekly schedule (AIO FUFOX protocol) was conducted in order to investigate the recommended dose and the efficacy of this combination at the respective dose level. In the phase I part cetuximab and L-OHP/FA were given at their fixed doses while two dose levels of 5-FU were investigated (cetuximab 400 mg/m2 i.v. in week 1 followed by 250 mg/m2 i.v. weekly; L-OHP 50 mg/m2; FA 500 mg/m2, 5-FU 1,500 mg/m2 [dose level 1] or 2,000 mg/m2 [dose level 2] i.v. over 24h weekly for 4 weeks followed by 1 week rest). Results: 49 pts have been enrolled, M/F 31/18, median age 62 years (39 - 78), median ECOG performance status 0 (0 - 2). 48 pts are assessable for safety and efficacy. In the phase I .
Restoration, monitoring, conservation and phytosociology of semi-natural and natural grasslands in Central Europe : editorial to the 14th EDGG special feature

1MTA-DE Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Research Group, Egyetem tér 1, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; 2Regional and Environmental Sciences/Geobotany, University of Trier, Behringstr. 21, 54296 Trier, Germany; 3WSL Swiss Federal Research Institute, Zürcherstrasse 111, 8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland; 4Vegetation Ecology Group, Institute of Natural Resource Sciences (IUNR), Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Grüentalstr. 14, 8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland; 5Bayreuth Center for Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), Plant Ecology, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany; 6German Centre for Integrated Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, DeutscherPlatz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; 7Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E9, Canada *Corresponding author, e-mail: debalazs@gmail.com
Spatiotemporal Patterns of Microbial Composition and Diversity in Precipitation

Microbes in the atmosphere have broad ecological impacts, including the potential to trigger precipitation through species and strains that act as ice nucleation particles. To characterize spatiotemporal trends of microbial assemblages in precipitation we sequenced 16S (bacterial) and 18S (fungal) rRNA gene amplicon libraries collected from 72 precipitation events in three U.S. states (Idaho, Louisiana, and Virginia) over four seasons. We considered these data from the perspective of a novel metacommunity framework. In agreement with our heuristic, we found evidence for distinct mechanisms underlying the composition and diversity of bacterial and fungal assemblages in precipitation. Specifically, we determined that (1) bacterial operational taxonomic unit (OTU) composition of precipitation was strongly associated with macroscale drivers including season and high‐altitude characteristics of storms; (2) fungal OTU composition was strongly correlated with mesoscale drivers including particular spatial locations; (3) β‐diversity (heterogeneity of taxa among samples) for both bacteria and fungi was largely maintained by turnover of taxa; however, (4) bacterial assemblages had higher contributions to total β‐diversity from nestedness (i.e., lower richness assemblages were largely taxonomic subsets of richer assemblages), due to losses of taxa during dispersal, particularly among potential ice nucleation active bacteria; and (5) fungal assemblages had higher contributions to total β‐diversity from turnover due to OTU replacement. Spatiotemporal trends in precipitation‐borne metacommunities allowed delineation of a large number of statistically significant indicator taxa for particular sites and seasons, including trends for bacteria that are potentially ice nucleation active. Our findings advance understanding regarding the dispersion of aerosolized microbes via wet deposition, and the development of theory concerning potential assembly rules for bioaerosol assemblages.
Testing the Efficacy of the Creating Opportunities for Parent Empowerment (COPE) Intervention During Hospital to Home Transition: Empowering Parents of Children with Epilepsy and Other Neurological Conditions

Background: Parents of children with epilepsy and other neurological conditions live with a feeling of constant uncertainty. The uncertainty associated with caring for a child with epilepsy and other neurological conditions produces stress, which leads to decreased parental belief in caregiving skills, anxiety, and depression, ultimately altering parental functioning resulting in an increase in child behavioral problems. The stress associated with caring for a child with epilepsy and other neurological conditions is unlike caring for children with other chronic conditions. Epilepsy and other neurological conditions are unpredictable and there are often no warning signs prior to an acute event. This unpredictability accompanied with stigma results in social isolation and impacts family functioning. In addition, children with epilepsy have a higher rate of psychological co-morbidities and behavior problems when compared to children with other chronic conditions. This produces an additional burden on the parents and family. Study Design: This randomized controlled trial tested the efficacy of the COPE intervention for parents of children with epilepsy and other neurological conditions. This intervention was administered at three intervals: 1) during hospital admission in writing and by audiotape, MP3 download, or Podcast; 2) three days following hospital discharge by telephone; and 3) four to six weeks after hospital discharge in writing and by audiotape, MP3 download, or Podcast.
Recovery of Different Cumulus Oocyte Complex (COC) Grades from Bovine Ovaries by Aspiration Method

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the aspiration method for recovery of cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) from bovine ovaries at slaughter. A total of 829 cattle ovaries were collected from slaughter house, out of which 2,935 COCs were aspirated out. The mean number of COCs recovered was 3.54 per ovary. The COCs recovered were graded variously as A, B, C and D grades. Grade ‘A’ and ‘B’ COC's were 38.77% and 27.02% respectively, and the average culture grade (Grade A and B COC's together) recovery was 65.79%, representing 2.33 COCs per ovary. The number and percentage recovery of A and B grade COCs were higher than that of C (18.13%; 0.64/ovary) and D (16.08%; 0.57/ovary) grades. The aspiration method adopted in the present study was found to be efficient for recovery of ample amount of COCs and yield good quality culturable oocytes for subsequent in vitro studies. The aspiration method also allows greater visual assessment of follicles, their selection and assortment for quality COC yield.
Frequency of MicroRNA Response Elements Identifies Pathologically Relevant Signaling Pathways in Cancers

Complex interactions between mRNAs and microRNAs influence cellular functions. The interactions between mRNA and microRNAs also determine the post-transcriptional availability of free mRNAs and unbound microRNAs. The microRNAs bind to one or more microRNA Response Elements (MREs) predominantly located on the 3’untranslated regions (3’UTR) of mRNAs. In this study, we leveraged MRE sites and their frequencies in transcriptomes of cancer and matched normal tissues to obtain insights into disease-specific interactions between mRNAs and microRNAs. Toward this, we developed a novel bioinformatics method called ‘ReMIx’ that utilizes RNA-Seq data to quantify MRE frequencies at 3’UTR of genes across the transcriptome. We applied ReMIx to The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Triple Negative (TN) breast cancer tumor-normal adjacent pairs (N=13) and identified distinctly and differentially expressed MREs specific to the TN tumors. Novel data generated by ReMIx identified candidate mRNAs and microRNAs in the MAPK signaling cascade of the TN tumors. We further analyzed the MAPK endogenous RNA network to establish regulatory microRNA partners, along with interacting protein-coding mRNAs that influence and modulate MAPK signaling in TN breast cancers.
Morbidity Pattern among Adult Patients in the General Out-Patient Clinic of an Urban Tertiary Hospital in North Central Nigeria.

Background: The general outpatient clinic of a tertiary institution provides primary care to patients whose disease profile could give an insight into the pattern of disease in that community. In developing countries, urbanization and adoption of western lifestyle have influenced changes in disease pattern. Data generated of such changing patterns are useful in planning and administering healthcare services. Objectives: To illustrate the pattern of disease and highlight the commonest ones in the adult population of the General Out-patient Department clinic(GOPD) of Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Plateau State, Nigeria. Methods: We carried out a cross sectional, descriptive survey on 519 systematically recruited adults presenting to the clinic. Their ailments were diagnosed by primary care physicians at clinical consultations and classified using the International Classification of Primary Care version 2 (ICPC-2). Epi info version 7 statistical software package was used to analyse data. Results: A total of 1073 diagnoses were made; 70% of the patients had multiple diagnoses. The top 5 classes of morbidities were cardiovascular: 346 patients (66.7%), endocrine/metabolic: 249 patients (48%), Digestive: 87 patients (16.8%), Musculoskeletal: 70 patients (13.5 %) and Psychological: 59 (11.4%) patients. Social problems were the least encountered; 1patient (0.19%). The commonest disease entity was hypertension: 295 patients (56.8%). Conclusion: There exists a predominance of non-communicable diseases among this group of adult patients. This finding is useful for planning and upgrading primary care training programs and services.
Germinação de sementes de alface obtidas de plantas cultivadas com diferentes doses de fósforo

This study was carried out at Sao Manuel Experimental Farm, UNESP/FCA, in Botucatu, Sao Paulo state, Brazil, with the objective to evaluate the lettuce seeds (cultivar Veronica) germination from plants cultivated with different phosphorus levels at harvest, in three temperatures and after two conservation period in dry chamber. At seed production stage, the experiment was conducted in randomized complete blocks, with five treatments (0; 200; 400; 600 and 800 kg ha -1 of P 2 O 5 ) and five replications. After harvesting, seed germination at 20 o C and under high temperatures (30 and 33oC) was evaluated. After 15 and 25 months of conservation in dry chamber room it was evaluated germination at 20oC. The P 2 O 5 levels evaluated did not affect seed germination soon after harvesting at the three temperatures evaluated, but, the higher the temperature, the lower the seed vigor. After 25 months of conservation, the lesser the P 2 O 5 rates, the lesser seed germination and germination speed index.
CONSUMERS’ ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT OF WASTE ANALYSIS OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIAN REPUBLICS

The aim of this study is to compare environmental management of waste between consumers of the former Yugoslavian republics. The starting points are H1: there are differences in environmental management of waste between consumers from the former Yugoslavian republics and H2: there are demographic differences in consumers’ environmental management of waste between consumers from the former Yugoslavian republics. The survey was conducted on a sample of 1550 respondents from all the former Yugoslavian republics. The obtained results show that there are differences between consumers from Macedonia and all other former Yugoslavian republics as well as between Montenegro and Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia. Also, differences were noticed between consumers’ environmental management of various types of waste. At the same time, results indicate that there are no differences in gender but differences in age, degree of education and monthly income by households exist related to environmental management of waste between consumers from former Yugoslavian republics. Through adequate implementation of obtained results, consumers’ environmental management of waste may become a powerful tool of environmental protection, because it would contribute to the increase of environmentally responsible behavior of consumers in the region of former Yugoslavian republics as well as on a global basis.
Neuro-computational foundations of moral preferences

Moral preferences pervade many aspects of our lives, dictating how we ought to behave, whom we can marry, and even what we eat. Despite their relevance, one fundamental question remains unanswered: Where do individual moral preferences come from? It is often thought that all types of preferences reflect properties of domain-general neural decision mechanisms that employ a common “neural currency” to value choice options in many different contexts. This assumption, however, appears at odds with the observation that many humans consider it intuitively wrong to employ the same scale to compare moral value (e.g., of a human life) with material value (e.g., of money). In this paper, we directly challenge the common-currency hypothesis by comparing the neural mechanisms that represent moral and financial subjective values. In a study combining fMRI with a novel behavioral paradigm, we identify neural representations of the subjective values of human lives or financial payoffs by means of structurally identical computational models. Correlating isomorphic model variables from both domains with brain activity reveals specific patterns of neural activity that selectively represent values in the moral (in the rTPJ) or financial (in the vmPFC) domain. Thus, our findings show that human lives and money are valued in distinct neural currencies, supporting theoretical proposals that human moral behavior is guided by processes that are distinct from those underlying behavior driven by personal material benefit.
The family Donacidae (Bivalvia: Tellinoidea) in Thai waters

ABSTRACT The species belonging to the family Donacidae living in Thailand waters are herein revised. After an exhaustive bibliographical search, 29 nominal species were found from this area. Materials from several institutions and specimens collected during fieldwork in Phuket and the Gulf of Thailand were studied. All the type materials were illustrated and redescribed. Details of the type localities, repositories, habitats and biogeographical distribution are discussed. In addition, some collected specimens and the type materials of the valid species and synonyms are illustrated. Currently, eight valid species are confirmed as living in Thai waters: Donax (Deltachion) spinosus Gmelin, 1791, Donax (Deltachion) semigranosus (Dunker, 1877), Donax (Dentilatona) incarnatus Gmelin, 1791, Donax (Hecuba) scortum (Linnaeus, 1758), Donax (Latona) cuneatus Linnaeus, 1758, Donax (Latona) faba Gmelin, 1791, Donax (Latona) solidus Spengler, 1798 and Donax (Paraserrula) introradiatus Reeve, 1855. The presence of Donax (Deltachion) semisulcatus Hanley, 1843, Donax brazieri Smith, 1892, Donax (Tentidonax) veruinus Hedley, 1913 and Donax victoris Fischer-Piette, 1942 in Thailand’s waters remains uncertain. These species have been reported in the study area in the literature, but they were not sampled during this study.
Preparation for upcoming attentional states in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex

Goal-directed attention is usually studied by providing individuals with explicit instructions on what they should attend to. But in daily life, we often use past experiences to guide our attentional states. Given the importance of memory for predicting upcoming events, we hypothesized that memory-guided attention is supported by neural preparation for anticipated attentional states. We examined preparatory coding in the human hippocampus and mPFC, two regions that are important for memory-guided behaviors, in two tasks — one where attention was guided by memory and another in which attention was explicitly instructed. Hippocampus and mPFC exhibited higher activity for memory-guided vs. explicitly instructed attention. Furthermore, representations in both regions contained information about upcoming attentional states. In the hippocampus, this preparation was stronger for memory-guided attention, and occurred alongside stronger coupling with visual cortex during attentional guidance. These results highlight the mechanisms by which memories are used to prepare for upcoming attentional goals.
Coral reef restoration in the Eastern Tropical Pacific: feasibility of the coral nursery approach

Due to the worldwide degradation of coral reefs, the active restoration of these ecosystems has received considerable attention in recent decades. This study investigated (1) the feasibility of using coral nurseries for restoration projects, (2) the minimum size required for a Pocillopora damicornis (Pocilloporidae) coral fragment to survive and grow in a nursery, and (3) the optimal transplant size of a fragment when transplanted to a degraded reef at Gorgona Island (Colombian Pacific). For this investigation, 230 fragments were transplanted directly to El Remanso reef, and another 150 fragments were maintained in in situ nurseries. Every 2 months, the length, weight, and survival of the fragments were recorded. After growing for 134 days in the nurseries, the 52 surviving fragments were transplanted to El Remanso reef, and after 5 months, the same variables were measured. Among the nursery‐reared fragments, the largest (4 to <8 cm) had the highest survival and growth rates, whereas among the directly transplanted fragments, the smallest fragments (<2 cm) had the highest survival and growth rates. However, the nursery‐reared fragments acquired greater structural complexity (arborescent morphology), and they were all alive 156 days after transplantation and presented a maximum linear growth rate of over 2 cm, which was higher than that of the directly transplanted fragments. Apparently, the arborescent morphology acquired during the nursery period provides advantages to the colonies that favor greater success when transplanted. Therefore, nursery‐reared fragments of P. damicornis between 2 and 4 cm are the most appropriate for use in restoration projects.
The effects of Trichoderma harzianum on germination of onion ( Allium cepa L.) seeds under salt stress conditions

Although several works have been published on abilities of Trichoderma harzianum strains to reduce the effects of some abiotic stress factors, their effects on salinity conditions have not been explained. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of T. Harzianum T22 Rifai KRL-AG2 on germination of Onion (Allium cepa L.) seeds under salinity conditions which prepared using NaCl. The seeds of ‘Kantartopu-3’ cultivar were treated with different concentrations of T. harzianum strain T22. Seeds of onion were tested at germination salinity of 0, 2.4, 4.8 and 9.8 dSm in darkness. Germination percentage (%), mean germination time (days), shoot length (mm) and seedling fresh weight (mg) were measured at 12 days after sowing. Treatments of T. Harzianum strain T22 showed different responses to measured parameters under abiotic stress conditions.