Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metazoan endoparasites of 18 anuran species from the mesophytic semideciduous Atlantic Forest in southern Brazil

ABSTRACT Brazil has the richest anuran biodiversity in the world and many species have not yet been studied for parasites. One hundred and forty frogs belonging to 18 species (Rhinella schneideri, Dendropsophus aff. minutus, Dendropsophus nanus, Hypsiboas albopunctatus, Hypsiboas punctatus, Hypsiboas raniceps, Phyllomedusa tetraploidea, Pseudis platensis, Scinax fuscovarius, Trachycephalus typhonius, Leptodactylus chaquensis, Leptodactylus fuscus, Leptodactylus aff. latrans, Leptodactylus mystacinus, Leptodactylus podicipinus, Physalaemus cuvieri, Physalaemus nattereri and Elachistocleis bicolor) collected in aquatic habitats in forest remnants and surrounding agricultural landscapes in southern Brazil were examined for endoparasites. Twenty-four species of endoparasites were identified among 21 adult and three larval individuals: one species of Monogenea, Polystoma lopezromani; eight species of Digenea, Catadiscus marinholutzi, Catadiscus propinquus, Choledocystus simulans, Gordoderina sp. , Neohaematoloechus neivai, Rauschiella lenti, Rauschiella linguatula, Rauschiella repandum; one species of Cestoda, Ophiotaenia sp. ; one species of Acanthocephala, Centrorhyncus sp. ; 12 species of Nematoda, Aplectana sp. , Aplectana travassosi, Cosmocerca podicipinus, Raillietnema sp. , Schrankiana formolusa, Falcaustra mascula, Oxyascaris oxyascaris, Ochoterenella digiticauda, Physaloptera sp. , Brevimulticecum sp. , Rhabdias sp. , Parapharyngodon hylidae; and one species of Annelida, Dero (Allodero) lutzi. The endoparasite fauna found is constituted by generalist species. Two new records of occurrence in Brazil and 33 new host records are reported.
In Light of Democracy and Corruption: Institutional Determinants of Electricity Provision

Long-lasting democratic institutions have been found to matter for the universal provision of reliable electricity. In this article we revisit this finding, suggesting that the effect of democracy on electricity provision is moderated by the quality of institutions shaping the implementation of public policies. We test the hypothesis positing the interaction effect between democracy and corruption using cross-national data on the share of population living in unlit areas. The results show that democracy is associated with a higher electrification rate only in low-corrupt contexts. When corruption is widespread, democratic experience is not correlated with higher rates of electrification. These findings suggest that the effect of democratic institutions is conditional on the quality of the institutions that shape policy implementation.
Tree species composition and selection effects drive overstory and understory productivity in reforested oil sands mining sites

Reforestation is a feasible option for the eventual restoration of biodiversity and ecosystem services on deforested oil‐sands mining sites. The associations between plant diversity and productivity spanning the different strata of restoration forests, in conjunction with specific factors that may impact these relationships, remain uncertain. We sampled 94 sites that encompassed conifer, mixed‐wood, and broadleaved overstory types as three exemplar substrates following the reforestation of oil‐sands mining sites in Alberta, Canada. We employed structural equation modeling to investigate the correlations between species diversity and aboveground biomass production spanning forest vegetation strata, while concurrently accounting for the effects of overstory composition, functional diversity/identity, soil fertility, and restoration age. We found that the relationships between species diversity and biomass were negative, or inconsequential across restoration forest strata. Overstory biomass was linked to the coniferous tree proportion and community‐weighted mean of leaf nitrogen, rather than the species and functional diversity of overstory trees. Further, overstory composition, diversity, and biomass were the key features involved in the diversity and biomass of understory strata. Our results demonstrated the importance of overstory tree species composition and selection effects toward driving overstory and understory productivity in restoration forests at post‐oil sands mining sites. Coniferous trees were observed to have lower leaf nutrient levels and negative impacts on the productivity and diversity of overstory and shrub layers. Therefore, it was recommended that a greater proportion of broadleaved trees should be incorporated to promote productivity and species diversity in restoration forests through the enhancement and utilization of available resources.
Achievement of diabetes care goals at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major public health problem and responsible for premature death, and chronic disabling complications. Implementation of evidence-based interventions have resulted in improvement in achievement of diabetes care goals in several high-income countries. However, there is limited evidence for this in low-middle-income countries. Objective: To assess achievement of diabetes care goals in people with diabetes at the Tikur Anbessa Hospital diabetes center in Ethiopia. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional hospital-based study (n=421) at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, in Addis Ababa. The study was done among ambulatory patients with type 2 diabetes and type 1 diabetes of > 5 years duration. We used a structured questionnaire and data abstraction checklist to document demographic characteristics and diabetes-related information. We also conducted physical examination and laboratory tests. Results: Overall, 421 study participants were included. The mean age was 52.7±13 years. Majority was female (55.6%). Sixty-one percent access health care service for free. Majority (81.5%) of the study participants were type 2. The mean duration of diabetes was 12.6± 8.9 years. More than 50% of the study participants had diabetes for more than 10 years. 45% were on Insulin, 30% on metformin and 25% on combined oral agents. Conclusion: The achievement of diabetes care goals is lower as compared to other studies done in Ethiopia. The absence of standardized monitoring tool, inconsistent patient-doctor relationship and follow up by internal medicine residents with little supervision may have contributed for the lower rate of diabetes care goal achievement.
Computational Modeling of Cardiac Ablation Incorporating Electrothermomechanical Interactions

The application of radio frequency ablation (RFA) has been widely explored in treating various types of cardiac arrhythmias. Computational modeling provides a safe and viable alternative to ex vivo and in vivo experimental studies for quantifying the effects of different variables efficiently and reliably, apart from providing a priori estimates of the ablation volume attained during cardiac ablation procedures. In this contribution, we report a fully coupled electrothermomechanical model for a more accurate prediction of the treatment outcomes during the radio frequency cardiac ablation. A numerical model comprising of cardiac tissue and the cardiac chamber has been developed in which an electrode has been inserted perpendicular to the cardiac tissue to simulate actual clinical procedures. Temperature-dependent heat capacity, electrical and thermal conductivities, and blood perfusion rate have been considered to model more realistic scenarios. The effects of blood flow and contact force of the electrode tip on the treatment outcomes of a fully coupled model of RFA have been systematically investigated. The numerical study demonstrates that the predicted ablation volume of RFA is significantly dependent on the blood flow rate in the cardiac chamber and also on the tissue deformation induced due to electrode insertion depth of 1.5 mm or higher.
Tracking error vs tracking difference: Does it matter?

ABSTRACT Fund fact sheets are intended to provide investors with information necessary to make investment decisions. For passive funds, the inclusion of cumulative returns for the fund and benchmark enable investors to measure the fund’s tracking performance using tracking difference. However, fund managers rely on tracking error to measure tracking performance, which is rarely presented. We evaluate the differences between these two metrics to ascertain whether the use of one or the other measure by investors could impact their investment decision. Results reveal that tracking error and tracking difference capture different elements of tracking performance, with varying rankings across the two measures for a sample of United States (US) funds. The empirical findings are robust to an adjustment for serial correlation, periods of extreme market volatility and varying measurement horizons. Recommendations for industry practice are made in light of these findings.
Assessment of cotton seed deterioration during accelerated ageing: changes in physiological aspects.

Seed storage in ambient conditions in humid tropical regions is a serious problem. In the present study, we examined whether the loss of germination capacity and viability of cotton seeds during storage under relative humidity levels (45%, 60%, 75% and 90%) in three different storage containers for 60 days associated with accelerated ageing. The germination percentage and vigour index decreased with accelerated ageing. At 45% and 60% RH though polythene bags and aluminium bags retained better vigour content but at 75% and 90% RH, all the containers failed to retain the viability and vigour of seeds.
Characterisation of Macedonian white‐brined cheese: Effect of raw or heat‐treated caprine milk

This research analysed the use of raw and pasteurised milk in the production of Macedonian white caprine milk cheese. Pasteurisation resulted in a considerable decrease in the nitrogen fractions, urea-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of caseins, peptide profiles and volatiles during the maturation period. Forty-five volatile components were detected, including twelve acids, fourteen esters, six ketones, three alcohols, four terpenes and six other compounds. It was deduced that pasteurisation of milk for the manufacture of artisanal white-brined cheese delayed the evolution of volatiles, which are related to the unique flavour of the cheese.
Older Workers and Poor Performance: Examining the Association of Age Stereotypes with Expected Work Performance Quality

We investigated how age&#8208;based worker stereotypes correspond with attributes of expected work performance. Participants (N&#160;=&#160;220) rated 86 stereotypical descriptors of older (e.g., &#8216;resistant to change&#8217;) and younger workers (e.g., &#8216;savvy with technology&#8217;). Each descriptor was rated on both the extent that it was a common stereotype about younger (vs. older) workers, and characteristic of good (vs. poor) expected work performance. Ratings revealed stereotypes that were strongly associated with both a worker age group and with work performance quality, offering an explanatory mechanism for how candidates&#8217; ages might influence judgments around personnel selection. A table of the paired age/performance ratings is provided to encourage the development of less age&#8208;biased recruitment and selection materials.
First Record of the Large-Scale Loach Paramisgurnus dabryanus (Cobitidae) in the United States

Abstract Exotic species have been implicated as a major threat to native freshwater fish communities in the Unites States. The San Francisco Estuary watershed has been recognized as one of the most invaded systems where exotics often dominate the fish community. On October 6, 2014, members of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service detected a previously unknown exotic fish in a disconnected pool immediately upstream from the Chowchilla Bifurcation Structure in the San Joaquin River, a major tributary of the San Francisco Estuary. A member of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service initially identified the fish as an Oriental Weatherfish Misgurnus anguillicaudatus using external morphological characteristics. We conducted additional fish sampling near the Chowchilla Bifurcation Structure in November 2014 and collected a total of six additional specimens in disconnected pool habitats. Unexpectedly, genetic and meristic techniques revealed that these specimens were Large-Scale Loach Paramisgurnus dabryanus. To our kno.
Assimilation of Satellite-Derived Soil Moisture for Improved Forecasts of the Great Plains Low-Level Jet

In the context of forecasting societally impactful Great Plains low-level jets (GPLLJs), the potential added value of satellite soil moisture (SM) data assimilation (DA) is high. GPLLJs are both sensitive to regional soil moisture gradients and frequent drivers of severe weather, including mesoscale convective systems. An untested hypothesis is that SM DA is more effective in forecasts of weakly synoptically forced, or uncoupled GPLLJs, than in forecasts of cyclone-induced coupled GPLLJs. Using the NASA Unified Weather Research and Forecasting (NU-WRF) Model, 75 GPLLJs are simulated at 9-km resolution both with and without NASA Soil Moisture Active Passive SM DA. Differences in modeled SM, surface sensible (SH) and latent heat (LH) fluxes, 2-m temperature (T2), 2-m humidity (Q2), PBL height (PBLH), and 850-hPa wind speed (W850) are quantified for individual jets and jet-type event subsets over the south-central Great Plains, as well as separately for each GPLLJ sector (entrance, core, and exit). At the GPLLJ core, DA-related changes of up to 5.4 kg m−2in SM can result in T2, Q2, LH, SH, PBLH, and W850 differences of 0.68°C, 0.71 g kg−2, 59.9 W m−2, 52.4 W m−2, 240 m, and 4 m s−1, respectively. W850 differences focus along the jet axis and tend to increase from south to north. Jet-type differences are most evident at the GPLLJ exit where DA increases and decreases W850 in uncoupled and coupled GPLLJs, respectively. Data assimilation marginally reduces negative wind speed bias for all jets, but the correction is greater for uncoupled GPLLJs, as hypothesized.
Nectary and elaiophore work together in flowers of Xylopia aromatica (Annonaceae): structure indicates a role in pollination

Secretory structures that produce floral rewards have rarely been reported for Annonaceae. We identified a glandular region in Xylopia aromatica (Lam.) Mart. , which consisted of a nectary and an elaiophore. This study aimed to describe the structure and secretory process of these glandular structures, which are highly correlated with the reproductive biology of this species. Anatomical and ultrastructural studies were performed prior to and during anthesis, focusing on the channel and pollination chamber. The floral nectary is placed in the roof of the chamber. It has a secretory epidermis and subglandular parenchyma and is immediately contiguous with the elaiophore, a portion that delimits the pollination channel and produces lipids. The release of nectar begins in the pistillate phase, while the elaiophore starts secreting prior to anthesis, both of which finishing during the staminate phase. Lipids form a sticky layer covering the channel surface, which provides access to the chamber. The cell machinery of the epidermis for both nectary and elaiophore is highly correlated with the exudates, despite their highly similar structure. Nectar attracts pollinators to the pollination chamber, whereas lipids seem to act in pollen adhesion to the body of pollinators. Both of exudates appear to act in complementary ways during pollination.
An Early Neogene—Early Quaternary Contourite Drift System on the SW Barents Sea Continental Margin, Norwegian Arctic

The onset and evolution of the middle to late Cenozoic “icehouse” world was influenced by the development of the global ocean circulation linking the Norwegian–Greenland Sea‐Arctic Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. The evolution of the early Neogene to early Quaternary Bjørnøyrenna Drift, located at the SW Barents Sea continental margin, shed new light on this important hydrological event. By analyzing seismic data and exploration wellbores, it is found that the drift likely started to form in the early/middle Miocene, probably as a result of an ocean circulation reorganization following the opening of the Fram Strait gateway (c. 17 Ma) and subsidence of the Greenland–Scotland Ridge (c. 12 Ma). Thus, the onset of drift growth is considered to have happened close in time to the Mid Miocene Climatic Optimum at 16–14 Ma, and was part of a regional onset of large‐scale ocean circulation in the Norwegian–Greenland Sea that influenced the subsequent climate cooling. The drift continued to grow under the influence of early Quaternary glacimarine sedimentation, and later overtopping of the drift mound by downslope transfer of glacigenic sediments during full‐glacial conditions resulted in a submarine failure. For the first time, minimum average sedimentation rates of a Neogene to Quaternary drift in this area is calculated, giving rates of 0.020–0.031 m/Kyr. These values are comparable to average deep‐sea sedimentation rates from modern low‐latitude river systems such as the Amazon and Mississippi, but lower than the Quaternary glacial sedimentation rates from the Barents Sea and Fennoscandian continental margins.
Complete mitogenome sequences of smooth hammerhead sharks, Sphyrna zygaena, from the eastern and western Atlantic

Abstract We report the first mitogenome sequences of the circumglobally distributed, highly mobile, smooth hammerhead shark, Sphyrna zygaena, from the eastern and western Atlantic. Both genomes were 16,729 bp long with 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNAs, 22 tRNAs and a non-coding control region. The two Atlantic shark sequences differ from each other by 13 SNPs, and by 43 and 44 SNPs from the published mitogenome of an S. zygaena specimen from the eastern Pacific Ocean. The cross-Atlantic mitogenome sequences reported here provide a resource to assist with population genetics studies of this widely exploited species of conservation concern.
Effects of Triploid Induction to the Early Cleavage Patterns of Black Sea Turbot ( Psetta maxima ) Embryos

Fertilization and embryonic survival rates and cleavage pattern were examined to test the effects of triploid induction in the Black Sea turbot (Psetta maxima). Fertilization rates were similar between cold shock and control groups, but the incidence of 4 different blastomere malformations were higher in cold shock group than that of control group. A positive linear correlation was detected in between normal blastomere morphology and embryo viability in all treatment groups. Except blastomere asymmetry, no other morphological abnormalities found correlated with embryo survival. Blastomere asymmetry showed negative linear correlation with embryo survival only in cold shock group. The results of the study demonstrated that blastomere morphology could be used in assessing egg quality and the negative effects of triploid induction in the Black Sea turbot.
Assessment of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Genotypes for Yield and Resistance to Late Leaf Spot and Rosette Diseases

Groundnut which is a major staple food crop in Uganda is constrained by late leaf spot (LLS) and groundnut rosette disease (GRD), accounting for major economic yield loss. This study was conducted to identify sources of resistance to LLS and GRD and yield potential of selected groundnut genotypes that could be used in breeding programs. Thirty-eight groundnut genotypes were evaluated at the National Semi Arid Resources Research Institute (NaSARRI)-Serere, EasternUganda during the first and second seasons of 2015. The experiment was arranged in randomized complete block design with four replications. The results showed highly significant (P < 0.01) genotype-by-season interaction for most of the traits studied. There were significant differences among the genotypes for 100 seed weight (P < 0.01), and dry pod yield and unshelled sample of 100 pods at P < 0.05. Late leaf spot severity (at harvest), GRD incidence (at 12 weeks) and severity (at harvest) were significantly (P < .01) different and positively correlated with Area Under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC). GRD severity at harvest showed highly significant (P < 0.001) negative correlation with shelling percentage. Both 100 seed weight and unshelled sample of 100 pod showed highly significant (P < 0.01) negative correlations with LLS at harvest, LLS AUDPC, GRD at 12 weeks, GRD AUDPC, and GRD severity. Genotypes susceptible to both LLS and GRD recorded the lowest 100 seed weight. Nine genotypes (Serenut.2, SGV 0001, SGV 0005, SGV 0006, SGV 0019, SGV 0071, SGV 0082, SGV 0083, and SGV 89751T) showed resistance to both diseases with high yield potential. These genotypes could be used to introgress resistance to both diseases in acceptable cultivars which are susceptible.
In-Vitro antibiogram of Bryophyllum pinnatum extracts with or without potassium aluminum sulphate against some pathogenic bacteria

In-vitro antibiogram of Bryophyllum pinnatum leaf extracts with or without potassium aluminium sulphate (Alum) were investigated by disc diffusion method (DDM) and agar well diffusion method (AWDM) respectively. The leaves of B. pinnatum was dried in an oven at 45C for 14days and pulverized with a blender. Alum, methanolic and aqueous leaf extracts of B. pinnatum were reconstituted in 100ml of sterile distilled water respectively. Antibacterial activity of different percentage concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0% (w/v) of the leaf extracts with or without alum were evaluated by measuring diameter of inhibition zones (DIZs) respectively. Aqueous leaf extract with alum had the highest mean DIZ values which ranged from 17.5-29.5mm, methanolic leaf extract with alum 0-22.0mm and leaf extracts without alum 0-8.5mm at 2.0% concentrations respectively. There were progressive increases in DIZs against test bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi) with increasing concentrations of leaf extracts with and without alum although certain discrepancies were observed with aqueous leaf extract, methanolic leaf extract with and without alum respectively. Demonstration of antibacterial activity on Gram negative and positive test bacteria by leaf extracts with or without alum suggests broad spectrum activity. Thus, this study reveals that the potassium aluminum sulphate (Alum) potentiated the inhibitory activity of B. pinnatum leaf extracts and should be used topically or otherwise as a novel antibacterial agent to combat infections caused by these pathogens.