Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tuberculosis burden in stage 5 chronic kidney disease patients undergoing dialysis therapy at Livingstone Hospital, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

BACKGROUND Tuberculosis (TB) is currently the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent worldwide. Patients who receive dialysis are particularly vulnerable to TB infection owing to immune dysfunction. Nonetheless, there is a paucity of incidence data on dialysis patients infected with TB in high-burden countries, such as South Africa (SA). OBJECTIVES To determine the incidence of TB in prevalent chronic kidney disease stage 5 (CKD-5D) patients on dialysis at a single centre in Eastern Cape Province, SA, and to identify the risk factors associated with TB infection. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all consenting CKD-5D patients between April 2010 and March 2014 at Livingstone Hospital Renal Unit, Port Elizabeth, the Eastern Cape. TB was defined as definite or probable according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, and the cohort was split into those who developed TB (TB+) and those who did not (TB-). RESULTS One hundred and eleven patients were enrolled - predominantly black Africans (73%) and women (53%); the mean age (standard deviation (SD)) was 42 (9.8) years. The prevalence of HIV infection was 11%, all patients were receiving antiretroviral treatment and all had suppressed viral loads. Sixty-eight patients were on haemodialysis and 43 on peritoneal dialysis. Nineteen patients were diagnosed with 20 episodes of TB; 14 cases were pulmonary TB and 6 cases extrapulmonary TB. Of the patients with TB, 2 were HIV-infected, 7 (35%) were definite TB cases and 13 (65%) were probable cases. The calculated incidence rate was 4 505/100 000 patient years. Only informal housing (30% in TB+ v. 12% in TB-; p=0.042) and a history of hospitalisation (90% v. 76%, respectively; p=0.042) were significantly associated with a diagnosis of TB. CONCLUSIONS Dialysis patients in the Eastern Cape region of SA are at extremely high risk of acquiring TB, with an incidence rate 4.1 times that of the local population and >5 times that of the general SA population. Only informal housing and a history of hospitalisation were identified as positive risk factors for TB in this young population with a low HIV prevalence. Isoniazid prophylaxis in this high-risk group might be of benefit, but further studies are required to inform such treatment.
Influence of ecdysterone, precocene and compounds with juvenile hormone activity on induction, termination and maintenance of diapause in the parasitoid wasp, Nasonia vitripennis

ABSTRACT. Using the Galleria bioassay, no difference could be found between the JH titre of diapausing and developing Nasonia larvae. Compared to the values found in some Lepidoptera, the JH titres in Nasonia larvae are low, c. 14 Galleria units/g live weight. Induction of diapause could not be brought about by topical application of JH I, JH analogues, precocene, or ecdysterone to the maternal generation, nor by treating eggs or larvae with compounds with JH activity. Diapause was easily terminated by topical application of ecdysterone, however. If ecdysterone treatment was preceded by JH‐treatment, the percentage of larvae terminating diapause was reduced: JH II seems to be more potent than JH I or JH III in this effect if the interval between JH and ecdysterone treatment is 72 h.
The environmental status of a Kashmir Himalayan wetland game reserve: Aquatic plant communities and eco‐restoration measures

The data (November 2000 – October 2001) are presented on environmental status, hydrology, sedimentation rate, water quality and macrophytic community architecture of an important game reserve (Hokersar Wetland) in the Kashmir Himalayan valley. Of the total water input, 91% was contributed from surface inlets and just 9% through precipitation. Of the total surface water output, 67% occurred through outlets while evapotranspiration and other losses accounted for 33%. The net annual sediment accumulation was principally a function of suspended load carried by Doodganga inlet. The ecosystem supports diverse aquatic plant communities (emergents, rooted–floating leaf type, free-floating leaf type, submersed type) marked by striking variability in composition, frequency and extent of colonization. Several ecological factors, such as habitat loss related to siltation, pollution, expanding agricultural activities and drastic hydrological fluctuations, have induced considerable changes in the dynamics and distribution pattern of sustained biota. The shift in macrophytic community structure is evidenced by the decline of Nelumbio nucifera and the near-disappearance of some economically important plants (Euryale ferox, Acorus calamus). The shrinkage of the wetland area, once spread over 1800 ha, by ≈28% is a cause for environmental concern. The paper highlights the rapidly deteriorating environmental status of the Kashmir Himalayan Hokersar Wetland game reserve and stresses the need for its urgent ecological restoration.
Context and Validation of the Korean Subjective Underemployment Scale (K-SUS): 한국의 불완전 취업 실태 및 주관적인 불완전 취업 척도 타당화

Underemployment is a multidimensional construct that captures various suboptimal work statuses. Although recent economic depressions and insecure job markets in Korea have increased underemployment, no appropriate scale exists to measure underemployment in a Korean context. Therefore, the aim of this study was to translate the Subjective Underemployment Scales (SUS) into Korean and validate the Korean SUS (K-SUS) with a sample of 427 Korean employees. We found that a bifactor model fit the data best, suggesting a different internal structure from the English version. Scores from the K-SUS were also invariant across gender, age, income, and employment status. In addition, we found evidence for construct validity by relating scores from the K-SUS to similar constructs and indicators of well-being. Findings from the current study help describe Korean employees’ experiences of subjective underemployment and suggest how psychologists, employers, and policy makers can address structural and psychological issues related to underemployment.
Mapping QTLs for Sheath Blight Resistance in the Rice Line WSS2

The rice line WSS2 which was derived from the Vietnamese indica variety Tetep, displays a high partial resistance to sheath blight. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of the resistance using simple sequence repeat (SSR) and sequence-tagged site (STS) markers was conducted in a BC1F1 population derived from the cross Hinohikari/WSS2//Hinohikari. Sheath blight resistance in this population and its cross-parents was studied using syringe inoculation. Two QTLs for sheath blight resistance (qSB-3 and qSB-12) were identified on chromosomes 3 and 12. Their resistance alleles were derived from the resistant parent WSS2. These QTLs totally explained 29.6% of the phenotypic variation. Sheath blight resistance was significantly correlated with culm length and heading date. Among the QTLs for culm length and heading date, qCL-3 for culm length was located in the same region as qSB-3, and the remaining QTLs were not linked to qSB-12. Thus, it was reasonable to assume that qSB-12 would enable to breed a rice variety resistant to sheath blight.
Growth rates and biomass production of micropropagated apple plants of M26 and Gravenstein on their own roots and in different micrografted combinations under non-limiting and limiting nutrient conditions

Micropropagated apple plants of semi-dwarf rootstock M26 (M26) and vigorous cultivar Gravenstein (GR) on their own roots and different micrograft combinations were used in the experiments. The combinations included GR scion on GR root (GR/GR), M26 on M26 (M26/M26), GR on M26 (GR/M26), and M26 on GR (M26/GR). The plants were grown under non-limiting and limiting relative addition rates of nutrients. Under non-limiting nutrient conditions, M26 and GR showed a similar relative growth rate (RGR). Grafting reduced RGR significantly in the combination of M26/M26 compared to M26. The relative growth rate for the combination of GR/M26 was similar to the GR/GR plants, but it increased greatly compared to the M26/M26 plants. For the reverse combination of M26/GR, the RGR value decreased significantly compared to either the M26/M26 or the GR/GR plants. The RGR value and specific root length were lower for M26/GR than for GR/M26. No clear relationship between carbohydrate allocation and growth parameters of different plants was found under non-limiting nutrient conditions. Nutrient limitation resulted in increased dry weights and soluble sugars in the roots for all plants except for M26/GR. A reduced leaf area ratio and a lower RGR than the set relative addition rate of nitrogen were found for M26 and GR/M26 under limiting conditions. These results suggest that the dwarfing effect is not directly related to RGR of rootstocks or scions, but rather associated with root morphology of grafted plants and the ability of roots to absorb nutrients.
Joint Relay Assignment and Power Allocation for Multiuser Multirelay Networks Over Underwater Wireless Optical Channels

Multiuser multirelay network is a potential scenario to fulfill the transmission requirements of various sources and high-volume traffic for the Internet of Underwater Things. To efficiently complete concurrent transmissions for multiple users, this article investigates the joint relay assignment and power allocation problem for multiuser multirelay networks based on the underwater optical wireless communication (UOWC). Specifically, the multiuser multirelay network for UOWC based on decode-and-forward relaying is modeled, where the absorption, scattering, solar radiation noise, and oceanic turbulence of UOWC are all considered. The joint optimization problem of relay assignment and power allocation is formulated as a mixed-integer programming problem, where the average outage probability is minimized with the constraint of total transmitted power. To solve this joint problem, an alternating optimization method is employed, which alternately optimizes the relay assignment and power allocation subproblems. The relay assignment subproblem is modeled as a weighted bipartite matching problem and solved by an improved Kuhn–Munkres algorithm, whereas the power allocation subproblem is proved to be quasiconvex and solved by an iterative bisection algorithm. The simulation results indicate that the proposed schemes significantly reduce the average outage probability with fast convergence.
Understanding Proximity Mobile Payment Acceptance among Saudi Individuals: An Exploratory Study

The electronic method of payments such as cash, debit, or credit as the new method of mobile payment, which is a paradigm shift in the pattern payment. Mobile payment is increasingly an essential electronic service in the banking sector, which also plays a competitive advantage among banks. Although mobile payment has gradually been accepted in Saudi Arabia, limited research has been conducted to explore the barriers to accepting mobile payment among Saudi nationals. This study examined the factors of mobile payment acceptance among Saudis. An online survey was conducted among 414 respondents. The study has succeeded in identifying Ease of Use, Utility, Security, and Awareness as the factors that could result in accepting mobile payment options. It is also found that male respondents have better mobile acceptance than females. A few suggestions to enhance mobile acceptance among the Saudi population are also provided. It is anticipated that the present study will act as a trigger for further studies in this noteworthy area.
Structure of subtidal algal assemblages on soft-bottom sediments: fauna/flora interactions and role of disturbances in the Bay of Brest, France

Algal and fauna1 assemblages living on soft bottom sediments were studied in the Bay of Brest, France, using quantitative descriptions of the distribution, diversity and biomass of epibenthic species. Similar classification and ordination analyses were used on floral and animal data. Dense assemblages of macrophytes, mainly Rhodophyceae, were found to grow on sandy mud sediments. Sediments were essentially covered by maerl beds of the calcareous red alga Lithothamnion corallioides and various shell substrates. Five maln algal assemblages extended along a west-east decreasing gradient of hydrodynamic activity (i.e. tidal currents, waves and turbidity). The high frequency of storms during the year is the main feature which disturbs both flora and epifauna. Interactions between flora and fauna were either direct, e.g. grazing and spatial competition, or indirect, most of the substrata occupied by macrophytes being shells of dead bivalves and gastropods. Moreover attachment of algae was largely dependent on population dynamics of shell species living in the area. As a consequence, in the most disturbed area, the macrophytes found were opportunistic species (Polysiphonia fibrillosa and Polysiphonia urceolata). In areas where the assemblage was unstructured, a fact which prevented the development of the herbivorous species, the animal assemblage was then dominated by suspension feeders (FicuLina ficus and Phallusia marnmillata) which competed for space with the macrophytes. In the least disturbed area, the herbivorous species dominated the fauna assemblage while flora assemblage had a high level of organization. However, in those places eutrophication and high turbidity prevented the establishment of many algal species, causing the ubiquitous ones to domInate (Ulva sp., Ceramium rubrum). Between these extreme areas, the living Lithotharnnion beds were more developed and were defined as a characteristic assemblage of diversified Rhodophyceae species such as Chyloclad~a verticillata, Halarachnion ligulaturn, Crytopleura ramosa. Finally, the role of wave disturbance as the main factor controlling algal assemblages of shallow soft-bottom sedlments is discussed.
Growth and reproduction of Chelidonichthys lucerna (Linnaeus) (Pisces: Triglidae) in the Gulf of Gabès, Tunisia

Summary Growth and reproduction of Chelidonichthys lucerna is reported from Tunisian waters. A total of 286 specimens was collected from landings of bottom trawlers between January 2003 and November 2004. The total length ranged from 16 to 36 cm in females and from 17 to 26 cm in males. Marginal increment analysis of otoliths showed that the translucent zone was laid from October to May and the opaque zone laid from June to September. Females were from 0.5 to 9 years and males from 1 to 7 years old. Growth parameters of the von Bertalanffy growth function were TL∞ = 40.26; K = 0.06 and t0 = −3.03 in females and TL∞ = 46.16; K = 0.059 and t0 = −1.32 in males. The coefficient of the allometric length–weight relationships differed significantly by sex. Females with mature gonads were observed between October and May, with peaks in January and February. Length at which 50% of specimens were mature was 21.6 cm TL (estimated age about 3 years) in females and 19.2 cm TL (estimated age about 1.5 years) in males.
Quantitative analysis of ERα and GAD colocalization in the hippocampus of the adult female rat

Despite the many effects of estrogen in the hippocampus, there has been little evidence that hippocampal principal cells express nuclear estrogen receptors. In the hippocampus, the α form of the nuclear estrogen receptor (ERα) has been localized to sparsely distributed cells with the morphological characteristics of inhibitory interneurons. Because inhibitory neurons may be involved in the effects of estrogen on hippocampal principal cells, quantitative description of ERα expression in γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic (inhibitory) and non‐GABAergic cells of the hippocampus is a key step in understanding the mechanism(s) of estrogen action on hippocampal circuitry. We used single and double‐label immunohistochemistry for ERα and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD; a marker of GABAergic neurons) to determine the numbers and distributions of hippocampal GABAergic and non‐GABAergic neurons that express ERα in the adult female rat. We found many more ERα‐expressing cells in the hippocampus than any previous study and observed distinct dorsal vs. ventral differences in hippocampal ERα expression. In the dorsal hippocampus, most ERα‐positive cells were also GAD positive; however, ERα was expressed in only a subset of GAD‐positive cells. Double‐labeled cells were concentrated at the border between str. radiatum and str. lacunosum‐moleculare. In the ventral hippocampus, we found a very high number of ERα‐positive cells, the majority of which were not immunoreactive for GAD and are likely to be pyramidal cells. These findings suggest that ERα can mediate the effects of estrogen primarily in GABAergic neurons in the dorsal hippocampus and in both GABAergic and non‐GABAergic neurons in the ventral hippocampus. J. Comp. Neurol. 440:144–155, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Psychological Intervention Measures During the Covid-19 Pandemic

The health emergency we are experiencing due to the spread of the COVID-19 disease has strongly influenced the psychological and physical health of the general population, including the health care professionals. The aim of this brief article is a preliminary analysis of the psychological interventions following the infectious disease outbreak in order to 1) implement guidelines for the existing emerging psychological crisis for people directly and indirectly affected by COVID-19, and 2) establish adequate procedures and prompt responses.
Response to: Comments on “Evaluation of Estrogenic Activities of Aquatic Herbicides and Surfactants Using a Rainbow Trout Vitellogenin Assay”

Response to: Comments on ‘‘Evaluation of Estrogenic Activities of Aquatic Herbicides and Surfactants Using a Rainbow Trout Vitellogenin Assay’’ We have read the comments of Kramer et al. (unpublished data) on our paper, ‘‘Evaluation of estrogenic activities of aquatic herbicides and surfactants using a rainbow trout vitellogenin assay’’ (Xie et al., 2005a). We appreciate their comments and would like to respond to them.
The effect of rainforest fragmentation on species diversity and mimicry ring composition of ithomiine butterflies

Abstract. 1 Subfamily Ithomiinae comprises about 370 species of Neotropical butterflies associated with humid forest habitats from Mexico to northern Argentina. Adult Ithomiinae are central models in many mimicry rings throughout their range, and are assumed to have high potential as bio‐indicators. Here, we compare diversity and composition of Ithomiinae mimicry rings in continuous vs. fragmented landscapes, and evaluate values these butterflies hold for ecological assessment and monitoring of anthropogenic disturbance. 2 Sampling was carried out at four sites inside a large forest block, the Morro Grande State Reserve, and in five forest fragments in a neighbour‐fragmented landscape. Butterflies were sampled with portable traps, baited with a fermented mixture of banana and sugar cane juice. Sampling was carried out during the period most favourable for the capture of ithomiine butterflies in southeastern Brazil. 3 There was no difference between landscapes in species richness and diversity index, but dominance index, and the distributions of tribes and mimicry rings between them was clearly different. The higher average light intensity in the understorey of fragments could explain in part the higher abundance of mimicry patterns typical of open sunny habitats, and concomitantly reduced abundance of clearwing mimicry patterns, typical of shaded habitats. These results confirm the potential of ithomiine assemblages as biological indicators of habitat quality.
Exploring the social broadcasting crisis communication: insights from the mars recall scandal

ABSTRACT This study aims to investigate how Twitter has been used during an international product recall. Based on the SMCC model and the Crisis Response framework, the study proposes a new crisis communication model (SBCC) to analyse the 2016 Mars product recall tweet dataset. The study finds that the platform has mainly been used to ask questions and spread negative information from the news media. It also finds that the information diffusion (retweeting) has positive associations with the number of followers and the use of Hashtags. These findings suggest how organisations should supervise crisis communication and hence can protect reputational assets.
Peripheral‐zone treatments for plum curculio management: validation in commercial apple orchards

Peripheral applications of organophosphate insecticides were evaluated as an alternative strategy for controlling adult plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar Herbst (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in four commercial orchards in Quebec, Canada. Each orchard was partitioned into a reference and an experimental plot to compare the classical full plot treatment with a peripheral treatment alternative. The experimental plots were divided into five zones, i.e. central, North, South, West and East. Peripheral zones were defined as the first five rows of apple trees (or 20 m wide). Plum curculio adults were monitored weekly by limb tapping. Fresh oviposition scars were evaluated by examining 20 fruitlets per tree on each outermost tree in the peripheral zone and 20 fruit on 25 trees in the central zone. Azinphosmethyl treatments were carried out in the zones where more than 1% fruitlets bore fresh ovipositional scars. Fruit damage was mostly (92%) found in the peripheral zones. Plum curculio damage at harvest varied from 0.0 to 0.7% and from 0.0 to 0.8% in the experimental and reference plots respectively. Total insect damage on fruit at harvest varied from 1.3 to 3.8% in the experimental plots, and from 0.4 to 5.0% in the reference plots. In 1991, there were no significant differences between population indices of the spotted tentiform leafminer, the apple aphid, leafroller species and cicadellids in the peripheral versus central zones. In the experimental plots, populations of woolly apple aphid, two‐spotted spider mite and apple rust mite were significantly higher in peripheral zones than in the central zones. In 1992, there were no significant differences between population indices of peripheral versus central zones for both experimental and reference plots. All localities and years pooled, peripheral zones of experimental plots received 1.22 insecticide treatments, against 1.29 for reference plots. However, central zones of experimental plots received 0.38 insecticide treatments, against 1.13 for reference plots. Assuming a 20 m peripheral zone and a 10 ha square orchard, the percent reduction in insecticides would be ca. 75%.