Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ecological factors determining Tardigrada distribution in Costa Rica

Over 700 moss, lichen and hepatic samples were collected from territory of Costa Rica. Tardigrades were present in nearly half of the samples. Overall, more than 7000 tardigrades were found. All specimens were identified as 64 species belonging to 18 genera. The number of species per positive sample varied between 1 and 10, but on average it did not exceed three. The most important factor influencing distribution of Tardigrada in Costa Rica was altitude. Tardigrades most often inhabited mosses, lichens and hepatics collected from 2000 to 2400 m asl and above 3200 m asl (more than 70% positive samples). The highest Tardigrada species diversity was found between 1400 and 2000 m asl (35 species, 55%), and the lowest between 2400 and 2800 m asl (18 species, 28%). The second strongest factor that influenced tardigrade distribution was the type of environment. A significantly higher proportion of positive samples were found in urban and agricultural areas (about 60%) than in natural habitats (only about 30%). The highest frequency of positive samples was found in humid habitats. Surprisingly, among all analysed factors, the substrate and plant type had the weakest influence on tardigrade distribution. Resumen Mas de 700 muestras de musgos, liquenes y hepaticas se colectaron el territorio de Costa Rica. Los tardigrados aparecieron aproximadamente en la mitad de las muestras. En computo global, mas de 7000 tardigrados fueron detectados. Todos los especimenes se identificaron dentro de 64 especies pertenecientes a 18 generos. El numero de especies por muestra positiva vario entre 1 y 10, sin que la media excediese de 3. La altitud fue el factor mas influyente en la distribucion de tardigrados en Costa Rica. Los tardigrados habitan con mayor frecuencia en los musgos, liquenes y hepaticas colectadas entre los 2000–2400 m snm, y por encima de los 3200 m snm (mas del 70% de las muestras positivas). Las mayor diversidad de especies fue detectada entre los 1400–2000 m snm (35 especies, 55%), y la menor entre 2400–2800 m snm (18 especies, 28%). El segundo factor mas influyente en la distribucion de los tardigrados fue el tipo de ambiente. La proporcion de muestras positivas observada en las zonas urbanas y agricolas (en torno al 60%) fue significativamente superior a la encontrada en los habitat naturales (solo alrededor del 30%). La mayor frecuencia de muestras positivas fue detectada en habitat humedos. Sorprendentemente, entre todos los factores analizados, el substrato y el tipo de planta fueron los menos influyentes en la distribucion de los tardigrados.
Real world eligibility for cabozantinib (C), regorafenib (Reg), and ramucirumab (Ram) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients after sorafenib (S).

422 Background: The CELESTIAL, RESORCE, and REACH-2 trials showed survival benefit of C, Reg, and Ram, respectively, when given after S to HCC patients. However, strict eligibility criteria (SEC) may limit generalizability. In clinical practice, modified eligibility criteria (MEC) may be used to offer treatments to select patients with slightly worse performance status (ECOG 2) or limited liver dysfunction (Child-Pugh (CP) B7). This study evaluated which patients in the real world would be eligible for these new treatments using SEC and MEC, and their prognostic impact. Methods: HCC patients who received S between 01/2008-06/2017 in British Columbia, Alberta, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and Sunnybrook Cancer Centre in Canada were included. Clinical, pathologic, laboratory and outcome data were collected. Patients were classified as eligible or ineligible based on available CELESTIAL, RESORCE, REACH-2 clinical trial SEC or MEC. Median overall survival (mOS) for these groups was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: A total of 730 patients were identified. Using SEC, only 13.1% of patients would be eligible for C, Reg, or Ram (table). Expanding eligibility to include patients who meet MEC increased the proportion of eligible patients to 31.7%. Patients who met SEC had longer mOS compared to those who were ineligible. The most common reasons for not meeting SEC across all 3 trials were ECOG ≥ 2 (61.7%) and CP ≥ B (63.9%). Higher ineligibility for Reg or Ram was likely driven by strict trial-specific criteria, with 28.0% of patients ineligible for Reg due to S intolerance and 58.9% ineligible for Ram due to AFP < 400. Conclusions: Only a small proportion of real-world HCC patients would be eligible for C, Reg, or Ram based on SEC. More than twice as many patients would likely receive treatment if MEC were applied. If MEC are adopted, ongoing real-world evidence generation will be important to evaluate outcomes in these unstudied patient groups. [Table: see text]
Gestational Outcomes of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis; A Tertiary Center Experience

Background. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that predominantly affects the young female population. It is important for an obstetrician to know the effects of pregnancy on MS, and vice versa. Objective. To demonstrate the impact of MS on pregnancy outcomes. Methods. We retrospectively evaluated demographic features, clinical characteristics, and obstetric outcomes of 47 pregnancies in 24 patients with MS, between January 2007 and December 2016. Results. Patients were divided into three groups: (i) 35 pregnancies in patients with MS who were in remission at the beginning of pregnancy; (ii) 10 pregnancies in patients with MS whose disease was exacerbated at the beginning of pregnancy; and (iii) 2 pregnancies in patients with active MS whose symptoms were relieved after becoming pregnant. The overall early pregnancy loss rate was 36.2%, whereas it was 60% and 31.4% in the exacerbation and remission groups, respectively; and the overall preterm delivery rate was 30%, while it was 29.1% and 50% in the remission and exacerbation groups, respectively. Conclusion. Miscarriage and preterm delivery seem to be significant obstetric complications in pregnant women with MS.
EVIDENCE OF PRIAPULID SCAVENGING FROM THE EARLY CAMBRIAN CHENGJIANG DEPOSITS, SOUTHERN CHINA

Abstract A Laojieella specimen of the Lower Cambrian Chengjiang Lagerstätte in Yunnan Province, southern China, contains a tubular organism inside its digestive tract. The gut content appears to resemble Archotuba conoidalis, a sessile animal generally regarded as being closely related to cnidarians. This example demonstrates that Laojieella might be a scavenger. Reasons for the extreme paucity of recognizable remains in gut contents are discussed. Such fossils offer new insights into the reconstruction of the complex food web of the benthic community of the Chengjiang fauna.
Inbreeding in a population of meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus

The level of inbreeding in a population of meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus, was determined using a radionuclide–electrophoresis technique. Of the matings that successfully produced offspring, 36.4% were inbred. This value is much higher than other figures reported for birds and mammals. However, the level of inbreeding observed was equal to what was expected assuming random mating. We conclude that the voles in this population were not avoiding inbred matings.
Impact of stocking density and feeding regimen on broilers: Chicken meat composition, fatty acids, and serum cholesterol levels

SUMMARY The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different stocking densities (22.5, 18.75, 15, 11.25, 7.5 broilers/m 2 ) in ad libitum (Al) and limited- or pair-feeding (Pf) regimens on meat composition; fatty acid profile of the total carcass, breast meat, and thigh meat; and serum cholesterol level in broiler chickens. (All the Pf groups were provided the same amount of feed per broiler, as determined for the Al-fed group with 22.5 broilers/m 2 .) Limited feeding increased the fat ratio of the chicken meat. Lowering the stocking density reduced the fat ratio and increased the protein ratio of the meat in both feeding regimens. The total saturated fatty acid (SFA) ratio was found to be quite high, whereas the total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and n-3 fatty acid ratios were found to be low in the limit-fed broilers. Lowering the stocking density had a variable effect on fatty acid composition of the meat; total SFA and monounsaturated fatty acid ratios decreased, whereas total PUFA, n-3, and n-6 ratios increased in the Al groups. Total SFA and monounsaturated fatty acid ratios increased and total PUFA, n-3, and n-6 ratios decreased in the Pf groups. Serum total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were reduced with lower stocking densities in the Al groups, but only high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was reduced in the Pf groups. Consequently, stocking density and feeding regimen significantly changed the composition, fatty acid profile, and serum cholesterol level of chicken meat.
Abundance and Biology of the Langoustine Metanephrops Mozambicus (Nephropidae) on Deep-Water Trawl Grounds in Eastern South Africa

Abundance trends, population structure, and biology of the langoustine Metanephrops mozambicus (Macpherson, 1990) were investigated, based on commercial logbook information (1988-2010; 49 990 trawls) and biological samples collected off eastern South Africa. A generalized linear model (GLM) framework was used to model variation in catch rates, carapace length (CL), sex ratio, and maturation size. Standardized catch rates were inversely related to fishing effort, gradually increasing between 2002 and 2010, when fishing effort was lower. Catch rates were greatest in trawls made at 300 to 599 m depth and between June and December. Langoustines ranged in size from 17.5 to 72.6 mm CL, and the mean CL decreased with increasing depth. Males predominated in November, but equal numbers of males and females were observed in other months. The smallest egg-bearing female had a CL of 33.5 mm, and L50 was estimated at 49.4 mm, based on the incidence of external eggs. Females with freshly spawned eggs were most abundant in August, and the incidence of egg-bearing remained high until March, where after it declined. Eggs about to hatch occurred mainly in May. Growth parameter estimates (L∞ and K) were 65.5 mm and 0.7 year−1 for sexes combined, based on modal progression and the standard von Bertalanffy growth function, and longevity was estimated to be 3-4 years. Combining analyses of fisheries data with biological samples yielded insights into spatio-temporal population trends, as well as the correlation of reproduction and moulting in M. mozambicus.
Role of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in Prevention of Macular Edema after Uneventful Phacoemulsification in Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Patients

Background: Pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (PCME) is one of the most important complications after cataract surgery. This can result in decreased visual acuity. Purpose: The study aimed to assess the efficacy of using Non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as a prophylaxis, to prevent macular edema. Patients and methods: The study included 100 eyes with cataract and accepted phacoemulsification, classified into: Group 1: Non-diabetic patients were subdivided into: (1A didn’t receive NSAIDs, 1B received NSAIDs). Group 2: Type 2 diabetic patients were subdivided into: (2A didn’t receive NSAIDs, 2B received NSAIDs). One drop of nepafenac 0.1% was administrated four times daily for 2 days before surgery, 30-120 minutes prior to surgery. Postoperatively nepafenac was given four times daily for four weeks. SD-OCT was performed to measure central macular thickness(CMT) before phacoemulsification, repeated 1 week and 1 month postoperatively. Results: In subgroup 1A; CMT increased through one month, while subgroup 1B, CMT decreased through the same time. There was significant difference in CMT between preoperative and 1week postoperative as well as between preoperative and 1 month postoperative (p=0.025, 0.037 respectively). For subgroup 2A; CMT increased through one month. There was significant difference in CMT (p<0.001) between preoperative and 1week postoperative as well as between preoperative and 1 month postoperative (p<0.008) between subgroup 2B and subgroup2A Conclusion: The prophylactic use of topical NSAIDs appears to be effective for preventing CMT change after phacoemulsification. It reduces the incidence of PCME in normal and diabetic patients and ensures a favorable outcome.
Leaf dispersion and light partitioning in three‐dimensionally digitized tall fescue–white clover mixtures

A three-dimensional digitizing method was used to assess the canopy structure of six Festuca arundinacea (FA)‐ Trifolium repens (TR) mixtures during the installation stage. Virtual canopy images were synthesized and used to derive light interception and partitioning between species. Computations from images were compared with a simple light model based on Beer’s law, in order to analyse within- and between-species foliage dispersion. The total leaf area index of the mixtures ranged from 0·6 to 4·5. The fraction of FA foliage overtopping TR was 9‐30%. The mean inclination of FA and TR was 66 and 57 ° , respectively. Within-species dispersion parameters of FA and TR were about 0·8 and 1·0, namely clumped and random foliage dispersion, respectively. Although FA was sown in rows, between-species dispersion was random. Lower leaf inclination and lesser clumping in TR compensated foliage overtopping by FA, so that light partitioning between FA and TR (about 80 and 20%, respectively) was similar to the species contribution to total canopy foliage. Since between-species dispersion was random, a simple two-layer light model based on Beer’s law provided correct estimations of light partitioning (RMSE = 0·05), although light interception by FA was slightly overestimated because of its clumped dispersion.
Chlorophyll estimation in field crops: an assessment of handheld leaf meters and spectral reflectance measurements

SUMMARY The widespread adoption by agronomists and researchers of handheld leaf chlorophyll meters stimulates enquiries on instrumental calibration issues, given the necessity, for some applications, of inferring actual chlorophyll concentrations from the readings provided. This is especially required for recently developed and more innovative devices such as the Dualex (Force-A, France), which unlike the more common SPAD-502 (Minolta, Japan) has not undergone extensive (published) calibration tests. Additionally, devices for spectral reflectance measurements are also becoming increasingly available. In the present paper, the calibration of SPAD on maize (Zea mays L.) and of Dualex on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.), horse bean (Vicia faba L.) and maize, was compared to spectral reflectance indices and full spectral information (400–2500 nm) acquired by a spectroradiometer (ASD FieldSpec) equipped with a contact probe and leaf clip. Full spectral data were exploited using partial least squares regression (PLSR). The measurements were performed in the field at Maccarese (Central Italy) in 2012, gathering a specific experimental dataset. The calibration models obtained on experimental data for SPAD (on maize) and Dualex (on four crops) showed intermediate or high estimation accuracy with root-mean-square error (RMSE) values ranging between 7 and 11 μg/cm2 depending on the species. These results were slightly better than those achieved using spectral reflectance indices, which were inferior though to those provided by PLSR using full spectral resolution. A synthetic database, generated by the physically based PROSPECT model, simulating hemispherical leaf reflectance and transmittance, was used to compare the performances of the reflectance indices and the chlorophyll meters for a wider range of leaf properties. The results confirmed the substantial equivalence of reflectance-based and transmittance-based (i.e. simulated SPAD and Dualex) indices and the advantage of exploiting the full spectral information, e.g. through PLSR, if available.
Use of ELISA and GUS‐transformed strains to study competition between pathogenic and non‐pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum for root colonization

To characterize the ability of different strains of Fusarium oxysporum to colonize roots, and to analyze competition for root colonization between pathogenic and non‐pathogenic strains of F. oxysporum, it was necessary to develop specific labelling techniques for quantification of root colonization. Two methods were selected: the production of polyclonal antibodies, and the use of GUS‐transformed strains of F. oxysporum. The polyclonal antibodies recognized infected plants, and gave a minimum reaction with healthy plants, but were not specific for individual strains of F. oxysporum. These antibodies enabled total density of F. oxysporum to be assessed on roots, by ELISA. Metabolic activity of the root population of GUS‐marked strains was assessed by measuring the glucuronidase activity. Strains showed a diversity in their ability to colonize roots: patterns of root colonization were similar, but the intensity and the speed of colonization differed according to the plant—fungus combination used. Results de.
Male mate choice and male-male competition coexist in the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).

Male humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) outnumber females on the winter grounds and compete physically for proximity to females. Analyses of identification photographs collected in Hawaii from 1976 through 1995 and scan samples collected in 1998 showed that (i) reproductive potential (calving rate) for the following winter was greater for females without a calf than females with a calf, (ii) females without a calf were less likely to be found alone and more likely to be found in large pods than females with a calf, (iii) individual females were found in larger pods when without a calf than when with a calf, (iv) the probability of females with a calf being escorted by one or more males increased as the reproductive season progressed, and (v) head lunges occurred more commonly in all-adult pods than in pods containing a calf. We concluded that male humpback whales associate preferentially with females with high reproductive potential, that the attractiveness of individual females varies with their status (with a calf versus without a calf), that males become progressively less choosy over the course of the reproductive season as females without a calf become increasingly rare on the winter grounds, and that males expend more energy in competition over females without a calf than females with a calf. Resume : Chez les baleines a bosse (Megaptera novaeangliae), le nombre de mâles excede le nombre de femelles dans les quartiers d'hiver et les mâles se font competition physiquement pour s'approcher des femelles. L'analyse de photo- graphies d'identification prises a Hawai entre 1976 et 1995 et des echantillons de survol en 1998 demontrent que (i )l e potentiel reproducteur (taux de mise bas) a l'hiver suivant est plus eleve chez les femelles sans petit que chez les femelles avec un petit, (ii) les femelles sans petit ont une probabilite moins grande de se retrouver seules et une probabilite plus elevee de faire partie de grandes bandes que les femelles avec un petit, (iii) les femelles frequentent de plus grands bancs quand elles n'ont pas de petit, (iv) la probabilite qu'une femelle avec un petit soit escortee par un ou plusieurs mâles augmente a mesure qu'avance la saison de reproduction, (v) les coups de tete sont plus frequents dans les groupes composes uniquement d'adultes que dans les bandes comptant un petit. Donc, les mâles de la baleine a bosse s'associent de preference a des femelles qui ont un potentiel reproducteur eleve; l'attrait d'une femelle en particulier varie avec son statut (avec ou sans petit); les mâles deviennent progressivement moins difficiles dans leur choix a mesure qu'avance la saison de reproduction et que les femelles sans petit se font de plus en plus rares dans les quartiers d'hiver; enfin, les mâles depensent plus d'energie lorsqu'ils font competition pour des femelles sans petit que pour des femelles avec un petit. (Traduit par la Redaction) 755
Integrating fundamental and formant frequencies in women’s preferences for men’s voices

Prior work has emphasized independent effects of voice pitch and apparent vocal tract length on women's preferences for men's voices. An interaction between the effects of pitch and apparent vocal tract length on male vocal attractiveness might be expected, however, given interactions between the effects of voice pitch and apparent vocal tract length on perceptions of body size, age, and sex. Here, we present empirical evidence for such an interaction. Women preferred low pitch in men's voices more when associated with large vocal tracts than when associated with small vocal tracts and preferred large vocal tracts in men's voices more when associated with low pitch than when associated with high pitch. Collectively, these findings demonstrate integration of different vocal cues in women's mate preferences, potentially allowing women to better assess the quality of potential mates. Copyright 2011, Oxford University Press.
Estimating forest elephant density in Sapo National Park (Liberia) with a rainfall model

The number of elephant dung-piles lying on the forest floor is a function of the number of elephants present and the rainfall in the 2 preceding months. We present the results of a stochastic model that describes this relationship and we show how it can be used to estimate elephant numbers. The data from a survey in Sapo NP (Liberia) in 1989 are used as an example. The dung-pile density was estimated at 152 km−2 with confidence interval from 72 to 322, and the number of elephants was estimated to be 313 with confidence interval from 172 to 617. Resume Le nombre de tas de crottes d'elephants sur le sol forestier depend du nombre d'elephants presents et des chutes de pluies au cours des deux mois precedents. Nous presentons les resultats d'un modele stochastique qui decrit cette relation et nous montrons comment on peut s'en servir pour estimer le nombre d'elephants. Les donnees provenant d'une etude realisee au PN de Sapo, au Liberia, en 1989, servent d'exemple. La densite des crottes a ete estimee a 152 /km2 avec un intervalle de confiance compris entre 72 et 332, et on a estime le nombre d'elephants a 313, avec un intervalle de confiance compris entre 172 et 617.
Aloe: An Elastic Auto-Scaled and Self-stabilized Orchestration Framework for IoT Applications

Management of networked Internet of Things (IoT) infrastructure with in-network processing capabilities is becoming increasingly difficult due to the volatility of the system with low-cost resource-constraint devices. Traditional software-defined networking (SDN) based management systems are not suitable to handle the plug and play nature of such systems. Therefore, in this paper, we propose Aloe, an elastically auto-scalable SDN orchestration framework. Instead of using service grade SDN controller applications, Aloe uses multiple lightweight controller instances to exploit the capabilities of in-network processing infrastructure. The proposed framework ensures the availability and significant reduction in flow-setup delay by deploying instances near the resource constraint IoT devices dynamically. Aloe supports fault-tolerance and can recover from network partitioning by employing self-stabilizing placement of migration capable controller instances. The performance of the proposed system is measured by using an in-house testbed along with a large scale deployment in Amazon web services (AWS) cloud platform. The experimental results from these two testbed show significant improvement in response time for standard IoT based services. This improvement of performance is due to the reduction in flow-setup time. We found that Aloe can improve flow-setup time by around 10%–30% in comparison to one of the state of the art orchestration framework.