Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Growth and oxygen consumption of the juvenile sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) at constant and fluctuating water temperatures

The eiects of thermal amplitudes of diel £uctuating temperature on growth and oxygen consumption of the juvenile sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) were studied at the average temperatures of 15 and 181C with three diel diierent £uctuating amplitudes of � 2, � 4a nd� 61C. The optimum thermal amplitudes for growth of the juvenile sea cucumber at the sizes of this experiment, at average temperatures of 15 and 181C, were estimated to be � 1.38 and � 1.67 1C respectively. In the constant temperature regimes, the growth rate at 151 Cw as higher than that at 181C. However, the growth rate at 18 � 21C was higher than that at 15 � 21C. The results from this study suggested that £uctuating temperatures enhanced the optimum temperature for the growth of sea cucumbers compared with that at constant temperatures. Therefore, accurate predictions of the optimum temperature of sea cucumbers in the natural environment, in which water temperatures £uctuate daily and seasonally, should be made from data obtained at £uctuating temperatures.
Brain Natriuretic Peptide is a Predictor of Cardiac Thrombus in Critically Ill Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients

CONTEXT: Plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels are elevated in patients with acute ischemic stroke, particularly when accompanied by atrial fibrillation (AF). Plasma BNP might be a useful marker of vulnerability to thromboembolism in non-valvular AF patients. AIM: The aim of the present study was to assess whether the BNP level can serve as a biomarker of the left atrial (LA) thrombus in AF patients with acute ischemic stroke. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a multicenter prospective cohort study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty AF patients with acute ischemic stroke were included in the study. Their transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and BNP were assessed. RESULTS: There was a positive significant relation between serum BNP levels and LA thrombus detection by TEE. BNP with a cutoff value >498 pg/l can be used as a diagnostic biomarker for the presence of the LA thrombus. A significant positive correlation existed between serum BNP and LA diameter. Furthermore, a statistically significant positive correlation between serum BNP and AF rate and duration was found in all patients. In addition, a statistically significant inverse correlation was detected between serum BNP and direct bilirubin, international normalized ratio, and albumin. A statistically significant positive correlation existed between serum BNP and prothrombin concentration. CONCLUSION: BNP can be a good diagnostic biomarker for the detection of the LA thrombus in chronic AF patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Ten years of censuses of fish fauna on the Loano artificial reef

In the period February 1989 to December 1998, the fish population on the Loano artificial reef (Ligurian Sea, Italy) was visually censused almost on a monthly basis (105 censuses). A total of 44 taxa were identified. Over the 10 years, species richness per census and the Shannon-Wiener diversity index gradually increased. The progressive evolution of the community has shown both the appearance of new species (Phycis phycis, Epinephelus marginatus, Muraena helena, Parablennius gattorugine) and the disappearance of others (Gobius cruentatus). Some species typical of hard substrata (Apogon imberbis, Scorpaena notata, Serranus cabrilla) have gradually increased in density over the 13 years since construction of the reef, indicating that stabilization of the community is a slow and long-term process. Copyright 2002 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Non‐Redfield C:N ratio of transparent exopolymeric particles in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea

The stoichiometric model of Redfield, which describes the elemental composition of marine organic matter, is generally used to link the production of new organic matter to the uptake of nitrate. The Redfield C:N molar ratio of 6.6 is a well‐established value for particulate organic matter produced in surface waters. Yet recent studies have shown that the inorganic C:N uptake ratio during nitrate‐limiting conditions is >14. This non‐Redfield behavior during the production of new organic matter suggests that a large standing stock of organic matter, rich in carbon, should accumulate in the euphotic zone from the spring bloom to late summer. This hypothetical pool of carbon‐rich organic matter and the pool of transparent exopolymeric particles (TEP) exhibit similar seasonal distributions, which suggests that TEP may indeed be this carbon‐rich pool. For this scheme to work, TEP should have a high C:N ratio. TEP distribution from an open‐ocean site in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea (DYFAMED) was monitored, and TEP C:N ratio was measured from TEP produced in the laboratory by bubbling dissolved organic matter collected in the field. We found that the TEP pool increases during the summer season and that the C:N ratio of TEP produced from naturally occurring dissolved organic matter, is well in excess of the Redfield ratio with an overall average C:N molar ratio of ~20. As a result, the production of TEP could be the main pathway of carbon overconsumption required of oligotrophic, nitratelimiting waters, and, thus, TEP may represent an important intermediary pool in the ocean carbon cycle.
A new species of the genus Tropodiaptomus (Copepoda, Diaptomidae, Diaptominae) from Nepal

A new species, Tropodiaptomus defayeae n. sp. from Nepal, is herein proposed for inclusion in the genus Tropodiaptomus. This is the first record of the genus from Nepal. The new species is described and illustrated based on two males and two females collected from a permanent freshwater pond in the village Ankidha near Khatmandu, Nepal. A critical comparison of the new species with its known congeners has revealed close similarity with Tropodiaptomus ruttneri (Brehm, 1923). However, it is distinguishable by characters of the male P5 such as: (1) a thick basipod in the right P5, which is as long as wide, and has an unusually large thumb-like hyaline lobe close to the inner margin on its posterior face; (2) a small spine and a narrow hyaline lamella on the inner margin; and (3) the basipod of the left P5 has a large hyaline lamella on the inner distal margin. Besides the description of T. defayeae, brief notes on the ecology and zoogeography of the genus are also given. A key for the identification of the Indian species of Tropodiaptomus, including also the new species, is provided at the end of this paper.
Report 9: Impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to reduce COVID19 mortality and healthcare demand

Neil M Ferguson, Daniel Laydon, Gemma Nedjati-Gilani, Natsuko Imai, Kylie Ainslie, Marc Baguelin, Sangeeta Bhatia, Adhiratha Boonyasiri, Zulma Cucunubá, Gina Cuomo-Dannenburg, Amy Dighe, Ilaria Dorigatti, Han Fu, Katy Gaythorpe, Will Green, Arran Hamlet, Wes Hinsley, Lucy C Okell, Sabine van Elsland, Hayley Thompson, Robert Verity, Erik Volz, Haowei Wang, Yuanrong Wang, Patrick GT Walker, Caroline Walters, Peter Winskill, Charles Whittaker, Christl A Donnelly, Steven Riley, Azra C Ghani.
Investigation of the effect of mass prior to slaughtering on slaughter values of male fattening young cattle of Domestic Simmental breed.

For the purpose of investigation of factors important for slaughter yield results, a trial with three groups of young cattle of Domestic Simmental breed of different body masses was carried out. Young cattle in the first group (G1) ( n=6) had average body mass of 509,00 kg (475 - 525), in the second group (G2) of young cattle (n=7) average body mass of 554,29 kg (530 - 575) was recorded and in the third group of young cattle (G3) ( n=8) 591,13kg (580-615). Subsequent to slaughtering warm carcass sides were measured individually, with and without kidney fat, mass of internal organs was measured (kidneys, liver, lungs, heart, spleen) and mass of other secondary slaughter products (head, tongue, tail, muscle part of diaphragm). After cooling carcass sides were cut into main parts. Based on obtained results of research it was established that male cattle of group (G2) of Domestic Simmental breed of average body mass of 554,29 kg have realized higher slaughter yield compared to groups G1 and G3, whereas the share of kidney fat was the same in all three groups of young cattle. Share of mass of internal organs was the lowest in young cattle of group G2 (2,47%) whereas in other two groups it was the same. Share of mass of other secondary slaughter products (head, tongue, tail, muscle part of diaphragm) in all three groups of young cattle was the same. Share of mass of round (I category part of the carcass) was the highest in young cattle of group G3 (29,86), and statistically significantly (P<0.05) lower in group G1 (28,39). Share of carcass parts of II category (loin, back, shoulder) was the lowest in young cattle of group G3 (23,655), and of carcass parts of category III (second thigh, second fore thigh, neck, breasts, ribs, belly) in young cattle of group G2 (44,45%).
Mitochondria and Ca2+in cell physiology and pathophysiology

There is now a consensus that mitochondria take up and accumulate Ca2+during physiological [Ca2+]csignalling. This contribution will consider some of the functional consequences of mitochondrial Ca2+uptake for cell physiology and pathophysiology. The ability to remove Ca2+from local cytosol enables mitochondria to regulate the [Ca2+] in microdomains close to IP3-sensitive Ca2+-release channels. The [Ca2+] sensitivity of these channels means that, by regulating local [Ca2+]c, mitochondrial Ca2+uptake modulates the rate and extent of propagation of [Ca2+]cwaves in a variety of cell types. The coincidence of mitochondrial Ca2+uptake with oxidative stress may open the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP). This is a catastrophic event for the cell that will initiate pathways to cell death either by necrotic or apoptotic pathways. A model is presented in which illumination of an intramitochondrial fluorophore is used to generate oxygen radical species within mitochondria. This causes mitochondrial Ca2+loading from SR and triggers mPTP opening. In cardiomyocytes, mPTP opening leads to ATP consumption by the mitochondrial ATPase and so results in ATP depletion, rigor and necrotic cell death. In central mammalian neurons exposed to glutamate, a cellular Ca2+overload coincident with NO production also causes loss of mitochondrial potential and cell death, but mPTP involvement has proven more difficult to demonstrate unequivocally.
Pollinators entering female dioecious figs: why commit suicide?

In the dioecious fig/pollinator mutualism, the female wasps that pollinate figs on female trees die without reproducing, whereas wasps that pollinate figs on male trees produce offspring. Selection should strongly favour wasps that avoid female figs and enter only male figs. Consequently, fig trees would not be pollinated and fig seed production would ultimately cease, leading to extinction of both wasp and fig. We experimentally presented pollinators in the wild (southern India) with a choice between male and female figs of a dioecious fig species, Ficus hispida L. Our results show that wasps do not systematically discriminate between sexes of F. hispida. We propose four hypotheses to explain why wasp choice has not evolved, and how a mutualism is thus maintained in which all wasps that pollinate female figs have zero fitness.
Does Funding Source Matter for University R&D? The Effect of Government vs. Industry Grants

Universities are an important source of new knowledge. U.S. universities have traditionally relied on federal government funding, but since 2000 the federal share has declined while the private industry share has increased. This paper offers the first causal comparison of federal and private university research funding, focusing on patenting and researcher career outcomes. We begin with unique data on grants from 22 universities, which include individual-level payments for everyone employed on all grants for each university-year. We combine this with patent and Census data, including national IRS W-2 histories. We instrument for an individual’s source of funding with government-wide R&D expenditure shocks within a narrow field of study. These funding supply changes yield a set of compliers who are pushed away from federal funding and into private funding. We find that a higher share of federal funding causes fewer but more general patents, much more high-tech entrepreneurship, a higher likelihood of remaining employed in academia, and a lower likelihood of joining an incumbent firm. Increasing the private share of funding has opposite effects for most outcomes. It appears that private funding leads to greater appropriation of intellectual property by incumbent firms.
Delayed costs of growth and compensatory growth rates

1. Many studies recognize that growth carries with it a mortality risk that can influence an animal's growth rate. 2. Data suggest that these costs of growth act over a range of time-scales, from instantaneous to an animal's lifetime. 3. Models of adaptive growth rate have not addressed the issue of differing time-scales over which the costs of growth act. Here, we develop an adaptive growth model in which the costs of growth are delayed for a period of time, to assess optimal growth strategies in relation to delays in growth costs. 4. The optimal growth rates are calculated assuming one of two possible fitness measures: the reproductive rate, R-0 and the intrinsic population growth rate, r. 5. It is shown that if the costs of growth are felt only after maturity, then growth compensation can be an adaptive strategy, even in an unchanging environment. 6. Compensatory growth is predicted only when R-0 is the relevant fitness measure, implying that this mechanism of compensatory growth is sensitive to the processes of population regulation. 7. The effect of time-delayed costs for other life-history problems is discussed in light of these results.
The seasonal periodicity of algae on Antarctic fellfield soils

Investigation of the seasonal changes in composition of an immature Antarctic fellfield cyanobacterial/microalgal community has demonstrated a repeated periodicity. The community consisted of only 14 species. Early spring growth of filamentous chlorophytes under snow and ice was followed by summer dominance of the community by cyanobacteria, particularly Phormidium autumnale. Limitation of the chlorophyte populations appeared to be a result of either dehydration of the soil or increased irradiance. The population maximum of the cyanobacteria occurred in mid-summer, although there were no obvious reasons for the cessation of growth at this time, and declined rapidly in late summer. Regrowth of the community occurred from very small inocula each spring, most of the biomass having been lost during late summer or during the washout associated with the spring thaw. This regrowth demonstrates the potential for the population to establish an immature fellfield community very rapidly foliowing exposure by glacial retreat or physical disturbance.
Redefinition of the Genera Diophrys and Paradiophrys and Establishment of the Genus Diophryopsis N. G. (Ciliophora, Hypotrichida): Implication for the Species Problem

Species belonging to the genus Diophrys Dujardin, 1841, are easily recognized due to possession of the usual complement of approximately seven frontoventral cirri, five transverse cirri, two left marginal cirri, and three large caudal cirri. Separation of these species has been based upon differences in cell length and width, the number and arrangement of cilia in dorsal kinetics, the configuration of the adoral zone of oral polykinetids, the number and distribution of cirri within cirral groups, and the number and arrangement of macronuclei. Jankowski used some of these characteristics to divide the genus into two genera, Diophrys and Paradiophrys, with several subgenera [Jankowski, A. W. 1978. Systematic revision of the class Polyhymenophora (Spirotricha), morphology, systematics and evolution. Tezisy Dokl. Zool. Inst. Akad. Nauk SSSR, 197839-40. (in Russian); Jankowski, A. W. 1979. Systematics and phylogeny of the order Hypotrichida Stein, 1859 (Protozoa, Ciliophora). Trudy. Zool. Inst. Akad. Nauk SSSR, 86:48–85. (in Russian with English summary)]. Data obtained from light microscopic examination of stained (nigrosin-butanol, Chatton-Lwoff, and Protargol) cells in interphase or division supports and modifies the use of particular structural features of these ciliates for the purpose of taxonomic classification. The structural variability within and among populations of different species within the genera Diophrys (D. appendiculata, D. oligothrix, and D. scutum) and Paradiophrys (P. irmgard and P. multinucleata) is described. D. hystrix is redescribed as the type of the new genus Diophryopsis n. g. Comparative information on the cortical morphogenesis of division of selected species within each genus is reviewed. Two taxonomic classifications of these hypotrichs are discussed: 1) a listing of diagnoses and synonymies and 2) a binary key for identification of all species at the light microscope level. An alternative evolutionary explanation of variations among isolates is presented.
Distributional national accounts (DINA) for Austria 2004-2016

This paper constructs distributional national accounts for Austria for the period 2004-2016. We enrich survey data with tabulated tax data and make it fully consistent with national accounts data. The comprehensive dataset allows us to analyse the distribution of macroeconomic growth across the income distribution and to explore the evolution of income inequality in pre-tax income over time. Our results suggest that the distribution of growth has changed over time, which had considerable repercussions on inequality. Inequality started to decline at the very beginning of the economic and financial crisis in 2007, however it has increased again after 2012. We further provide novel insights into the evolution of capital income for top income groups and explore redistribution mechanisms that operated in Austria. Government spending was found to play a key role for redistributive effects across the income distribution. In particular, the transfer system redistributes pre-tax income to a large extent. Disclaimer This research has been conducted as a project at the Research Institute for Economics of Inequality (INEQ -- Vienna University for Economics and Business) and was financially supported by the Chamber of Labour Vienna.
Corporate Governance and Cash Holdings: Evidence from Worldwide Board Reforms

Abstract Using staggered board reforms as a quasi-natural experiment and a difference-in-differences approach, this study examines the impact of corporate governance on cash holdings in 41 countries. We find that board reforms are followed by significant reductions in cash holdings. This effect is more pronounced for firms with weaker pre-reform corporate governance and for firms from countries with weaker institutional environments. Analysis of cash spending suggests that, following board reforms, firms are more likely to use cash to increase R&D expenditures, dividend payouts, and share repurchases, but not to increase capital or acquisition expenditures. Finally, the results indicate that enhanced corporate governance following board reforms leads to higher (lower) cash (dividend payouts) values, consistent with the view that board reforms strengthen corporate governance.
Morphological analyses define the Genetic Diversity of Indian bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.)

Twenty five diverse bitter gourd genotypes were collected from different part of India and grown in a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications at Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi (U.P.) during the summer seasons of 2009–2010. There were significant differences among the genotypes for the traits examined. A wide range of variation was observed for all characters which represents the variation was high and genotypes were rich in diversity. The wide variation in these yield related traits will be useful for selecting best genotypes with high yield. The long sized fruits with wide diameter generally consisted more number of seeds as compare to normal and small fruited genotypes because it consisted more space for seed development within the flesh. Cluster analysis of 25 genotypes based on 10 quantitative traits was indicated that all the genotypes were resolved into two major clusters. The genotypes from these distant clusters may be used in crop improvement programmes to produce populations with wide variability with transgressive segregants possessing high yielding and nutrition rich fruits.
Erratum: Foliage height influences specific leaf area of three conifer species

The authors would like to correct eqs. 1, 2, and 3, which also affect Fig. 1. An error resulted from the omission of a species-specific calibration constant in the specific leaf area (SLA) measurements, which were therefore underestimated by a constant percentage. Except for the shifting of the SLA estimates, the adjustment would have little effect on the conclusions. The equations should appear as follows:
Epidemiological and clinical features of 201 COVID-19 patients in Changsha, China

Background In December 2019, a cluster of coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) occurred in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. With the advent of the Chinese Spring Festival, this disease spread rapidly throughout the country. The information about the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients outside of Wuhan is limited. Methods All of the patients with confirmed COVID-19 were admitted to the First Hospital of Changsha City, the designated hospital for COVID-19 assigned by the Changsha City Government. The clinical and epidemiological characteristics, data of laboratory, radiological picture, treatment, and outcomes records of 201 COVID-19 patients were collected using electronic medical records. Results This study population consisted of 201 hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in Changsha by February 15, 2020. The median age of the patients was 45 years (IQR 34–59). About half (50.7%) of the patients were male, and most of the infected patients were staff (96 [47.8%]). Concerning the epidemiologic history, the number of patients linked to Wuhan was 92 (45.8%). The most common symptoms were fever (125 [62.2%]), dry cough (118 [58.7%]), fatigue (65 [32.3%]), and pharyngalgia (31 [15.4%]). One hundred and forty-four (71.6%) enrolled patients showed bilateral pneumonia. Fifty-four (26.9%) patients showed unilateral involvement, and three (1.5%) patients showed no abnormal signs or symptoms. The laboratory findings differed significantly between the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and non-ICU groups. Compared with non-ICU patients, ICU patients had depressed white blood cell (WBC), neutrocytes, lymphocytes, and prolonged prothrombin time (PT). Moreover, higher plasma levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), alanine aminotransferase (ALA), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), creatinine (CREA), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were detected in the ICU group. Conclusions In this single-center study of 201 COVID-19 patients in Changsha, China, 22.4% of patients were admitted to ICU. Based on our findings, we propose that the risk of cellular immune deficiency, hepatic injury, and kidney injury should be monitored. Previous reports focused on the clinical features of patients from Wuhan, China. With the global epidemic of COVID-19, we should pay more attention to the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients outside of Wuhan.