Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differential Migration in the Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita: Sub-Saharan Wintering Grounds Host More Adults and Females as Well as Birds of Larger Size and Better Physical Condition

Summary. Avian migration strategies may include intra-specific variations, also known as differential migration. These migratory adaptations between conspecifics are particularly important given their implications for population dynamics. We aimed to examine the differential migration pattern as a function of age and sex, and whether this pattern also determines body morphology, in a passerine whose migration strategy includes movements to both pre- and sub-Saharan wintering areas. Thus, 1,100 common chiffchaffs Phylloscopus collybita were sampled during 2009–2012 at eight wintering locations within the Palearctic and Afrotropical regions. Biometric and body condition variables were studied for their relationship to geographical, climatic and productivity indexes. A higher proportion of adults and females were observed at lower latitudes. Common chiffchaffs were larger and in better body condition in sub-Saharan areas, coinciding with greater plant productivity and less annual rainfall. The selection of the southernmost areas by adults may be related to fidelity to more favourable sites. Southern and coastal locations offer better conditions for chiffchaffs, despite the challenges involved in crossing the Sahara Desert. Moreover, the greater skills of adults in finding abundant food resources may also drive greater relative abundance south of the Sahara. Greater body mass and fat deposits in birds wintering in sub-Saharan areas reflect higher resource availability and may imply that the birds are in better physical condition.
Spatial variability of stand-scale residuals in Ontario’s boreal forest fires

Knowledge of postfire residuals in boreal forest landscapes is increasingly important for ecological applications and forest management. While many studies provide useful insight, knowledge of stand-scale postfire residual occurrence and variability remains fragmented and untested as formal hypotheses. We examined the spatial variability of stand-scale postfire residuals in boreal forests and tested hypotheses of their spatial associations. Based on the literature, we hypothesized that preburn forest cover characteristics, site conditions, proximity to water and fire edge, and local fire intensity influence the spatial variability of postfire residuals. To test these hypotheses, we studied live-tree and snag residuals in 11 boreal Ontario forest fires, using 660 sample points based on high resolution photography (1:408) captured immediately after the fires. The abundance of residuals varied considerably within and among these fires, precluding attempts to generalize estimates. Based on a linear mixed-effe.
Cyclosporin in dermatology: A practical compendium

Cyclosporine A (CYA) belongs to calcineurin inhibitor family, which has the ability to selectively suppress T cells. Owing to its immune‐modulatory effects, it had been in use for graft vs host diseases and organ transplant rejection for many years, but in dermatology, it was first approved for use in 1997 in the treatment of psoriasis. Other off‐label indications for skin diseases include atopic dermatitis, chronic spontaneous urticaria, lichen planus, pyoderma gangrenosum, alopecia areata, granuloma annulare, and several others. A thorough search of Medline‐PubMed database, Google Scholar, and Uptodate was performed for evidence‐based and peer‐reviewed information. We have summarized the use of cyclosporine in dermatological diseases with respect to its, dosage, safety considerations, and monitoring guidelines. Furthermore, brief overview of its pharmacology, drug interactions, use in pregnancy, and lactation has been discussed. Despite of its common adverse effects like nephrotoxicity and hypertension, cyclosporine offers good safety profile when used in skin diseases. Decision to start cyclosporine therapy is individualized and it should be based on analysis of risk vs benefit. Nevertheless, CYA is preferred over other immunosuppressants in dermatology because of early therapeutic response and less myelosupression. This article offers concise but detailed summary of this beneficial immune‐suppressive agent in skin diseases.
Iron and Physical Activity: Bioavailability Enhancers, Properties of Black Pepper (Bioperine®) and Potential Applications

Black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) has been employed in medicine (epilepsy, headaches, and diabetes), where its effects are mainly attributed to a nitrogen alkaloid called piperidine (1-(1-[1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl]-1-oxo-2,4 pentenyl) piperidine). Piperine co-administered with vitamins and minerals has improved its absorption. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the impact of the joint administration of iron (Fe) plus black pepper in physically active healthy individuals. Fe is a micronutrient that aids athletic performance by influencing the physiological functions involved in endurance sports by improving the transport, storage, and utilization of oxygen. Consequently, athletes have risk factors for Fe depletion, Fe deficiency, and eventually, anemia, mainly from mechanical hemolysis, gastrointestinal disturbances, and loss of Fe through excessive sweating. Declines in Fe stores have been reported to negatively alter physical capacities such as aerobic capacity, strength, and skeletal muscle recovery in elite athletes. Thus, there is a need to maintain Fe storage, even if Fe intake meets the recommended daily allowance (RDA), and Fe supplementation may be justified in physically active individuals, in states of Fe deficiency, with or without anemia. Females, in particular, should monitor their Fe hematological profile. The recommended oral Fe supplements are ferrous or ferric salts, sulfate, fumarate, and gluconate. These preparations constitute the first line of treatment; however, the high doses administered have gastrointestinal side effects that reduce tolerance and adherence to treatment. Thus, a strategy to counteract these adverse effects is to improve the bioavailability of Fe. Therefore, piperine may benefit the absorption of Fe through its bioavailability enhancement properties. Three research studies of Fe associated with black pepper have reported improvements in parameters related to the metabolism of Fe, without adverse effects. Although more research is needed, this could represent an advance in oral Fe supplementation for physically active individuals.
Effect of phosphorus uptake on growth and secondary metabolites of garden sage (Salvia officinalis L.)

BACKGROUND: Garden sage (Salvia officinalis L., Lamiaceae) has gained importance during the last decade as a natural antioxidant, mainly owing to the antioxidant secondary plant metabolites rosmarinic acid (RA) and diterpenes such as carnosic acid. The aim of this work was to study the biomass production, the concentrations of total phenolics and RA and the essential oil of garden sage in response to phosphorus (P) supply. The treatments included P fertilisation and inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), since AMF are the most efficient biotic factor promoting the P uptake of plants. RESULTS: The P concentration in the plant was highest in P-fertilised plants, intermediate in AMF-inoculated plants and lowest in non-inoculated/non-P-supplied plants. The leaf biomass increased only in P-fertilised plants. AMF-inoculated plants, in contrast, did not show an increased leaf biomass, but their root biomass was enhanced. The total phenolic and RA concentrations were affected differently in leaves and roots, with the highest concentration and yield being found in leaves of P-fertilised plants. In none of the treatments were the essential oil concentration and composition affected. CONCLUSION: Optimal P fertilisation improves the antioxidant potential of garden sage and increases its biomass yield, thus optimising agronomic production of this plant for antioxidant use. c � 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Sex Influenced Inheritance of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ac Resistance in the American Bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hiibner)

Inheritance of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry1Ac resistance in two naturally occurring strains of Helicoverpa armigera (Huuber) viz., Sirss aan Coimbatore was stuuied by mating with the suscetible (sus-) Delhi strain. The degree of dominance of Bt Cry1Ac in the F1 progeny of different crosses showed wide variation; viz., sus-Delhi female x Sirsa male -0.68, sus-Delhi female x Coimbatore male -0.17, Sirsa female x sus-Delhi male 0.93 and Coimbatore female x sus-Delhi male 1.43. The dominance of Bt Cry1Ac inheritance in the progeny of females of the Sirsa and the Coimbatore strains crossed with males of the sus-Delhi strain suggested the influence of female on inheritance of tolerant gene(s). Analysis of F2 population from F1 sib-matings, and a backcross of F1 female (belonging to Coimbatore male and sus-Delhi female) with Coimbatore male parent at a discriminating concentration of 1.0 µg g−1 diet showed that resistance in both Coimbatore and Sirsa strains was a recessive single-gene trait
Tree-ring studies on conifers along ecological gradients and the potential of single-year analyses

Cores from conifers growing in four different climatic regions were analyzed using radiodensitometric methods. All the sites are located along altitudinal gradients between the subalpine timberline and low elevations, in some regions the arid tree line. At each of the elevation levels considered, the soil conditions range from as shallow and dry as possible to deep and moist. Various dendroecological methods were applied to determine the relationships between tree-ring growth, climatic conditions, site elevation, and site characteristics. The dominant mode of linear response between ring growth and the monthly temperature and precipitation variables was identified using response functions. A new graphical method permitted a year for year description of the complex and often nonlinear responses of tree-ring growth to the limiting factors. This is a departure from different statistical approaches that measure the most dominant relationships for a population of many years. The described single-year method is.
Evaluation of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin against Coriander Aphid, Hyadaphis coriandri (Das) (Aphididae: Homoptera)

Laboratory bioassays were carried with seven different concentrations of Beauveria bassiana against Hyadaphis coriandri by using detached leaf bioassay technique with slight modifications. The mortality in treated aphids increased in conidial spore concentration. The highest concentration (1x10 10 conidia ml -1 ) caused maximum cumulative mortality (96.85%) at 7 days after treatment compared to the lowest concentration (1×10 4 conidia ml -1 ) with 67.61 per cent mortality. The median lethal concentration (LC 50 ) value recorded with B. bassiana was 1.5x10 4 conidia ml -1 in mixed H. coriandri population. Median lethal time (LT 50 ) values were found to be inversely proportional to the spore concentration of B. bassiana and were observed as 45.70, 67.60, 71.30, 87.04, 97.72, 120.26 and 141.57 h for 10 10 , 10 9 , 10 8 , 10 7 , 10 6 , 10 5 , 10 4 conidia ml -1 , respectively.
The pulse of growth in man. A preliminary report

The alternation of slow and rapid growth of the body has been recognized by those who have studied growth in children, and periods of ‘stretching’ and ‘filling’ have been determined at different ages by various observers. Godin showed by a series of measurements of the same children over a period of years that adjacent long bones alternate in their growth in both length and breadth. The bones enlarge in diameter for six months and elongate for the next six months. The periods of activity and repose which succeed each other are opposite for the two serial bones of the same extremity. The lower extremities grow rapidly before puberty, the trunk after puberty, which makes the increase in weight chiefly osseous before puberty, and it is chiefly muscular after puberty. The chief growth in stature occurs during the year preceding puberty ; the chief increase in weight occurs during the two years of puberty and the year following. P-uberty seems to be the key to postnatal growth in a general way, because the activities of the cells in growth after the onset of puberty are similar to those at the time of conception, and the curves of growth are similar for the two periods. The period of puberty is the period of maturation of the organs of reproduction, and also of the brain, but it is only the beginning of the last step in the maturation of the other tissues of the body and particularly of the muscles, which grow more after this time. Pigmentation changes
Eutrophication and Contaminants in Aquatic Ecosystems

Abstract Eutrophication and persistent pollutants are two of the main environmental problems in European marine and freshwater ecosystems. As they tend to co-occur, interactive processes between eutrophication and contaminants are suggested, that may lead to environmental effects that cannot be predicted from each process alone. In order to predict the consequences of remedial measures (changing the input of organic matter, nutrients and contaminants) it is important to understand mechanisms that alter the bioavailability and fate of contaminants. The environmental risks will depend on the speciation of contaminants and their association to media and matter and by that means affect exposure. Furthermore, the risks will depend on the mobility of the substances and their pathways in food chains. In 1995, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency initiated a 5-year research program Interactions between EUtrophication and CONtaminants (EUCON). A background document was prepared listing a number of relevant questions and hypotheses. On the basis of this document a program was launched, addressing the problems related to the interaction between eutrophication and contaminants (persistent organic compounds and trace metals) in the marine environment, with focus on the Baltic Sea, and in lakes. This paper summarizes the state-of-the-art, hypotheses and highlights from the research program with emphasis on the implications and applications of the results.
Narrative competence in Italian children with cochlear implants: a comparison with children matched by chronological or hearing age

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to analyse the narrative competence of a group of Italian children with a bilateral cochlear implant (CI) implanted before 30 months of age. Participants were ten children with CI (aged from 42 to 83 months) and two control groups of typically hearing children one-to-one paired by sex, non-verbal reasoning, and chronological or hearing age. A story generation task, specifically developed to assess narrative skills in children (i.e., the Narrative Competence Task) was used to evaluate both macrostructural and microstructural features of the children’s narratives. Results showed that children with CI presented only one significant difference in the macrostructural aspects of narratives compared to typically hearing children matched by hearing age, specifically in the higher number of events told. In addition, concerning microstructural features, the only statistically significant difference was a lower lexical variety in the narratives produced by children with CI than in those produced by typically hearing children matched by chronological age. Both macrostructural and microstructural indices appeared to be related to the hearing age of children with CI. Early CI appeared to play a crucial role in the acquisition of a complex area of language development, as narrative competence.
Replacing grass silage with pea-barley intercrop silage in the feeding of the dairy cow

The effect of replacing wilted grass silage (GS) with pea-barley intercrop silage (PBS) on feed intake, diet digestibility and milk production was studied with 8 multiparous Ayrshire-cows in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square experiment. Proportion of PBS was 0 (PBS0), 33 (PBS33), 67 (PBS67) or 100 (PBS100) % of silage dry matter (DM). The DM content was 559 and 255 g kg-1 for GS and PBS. Crude protein content was 131 and 170 g kg-1 DM, respectively. Pea-barley silage was more extensively fermented than GS with total fermentation acid content of 120 vs. 12 g kg-1 DM. Silage was fed for ad libitum intake and supplemented with on the average 13 kg concentrate per day. Silage DM intake was 9.2 (PBS0), 9.7 (PBS33), 9.0 (PBS67) and 7.1 (PBS100) kg per day (P quadr. < 0.05). The energy corrected milk yield [30.3 (PBS0), 29.8 (PBS33), 30.3 (PBS67), 31.3 (PBS100) kg per day] was not significantly affected by the treatment. Milk protein concentration decreased linearly (P < 0.05) in response to feeding PBS. It is concluded that PBS can replace up to two thirds of wilted, moderate quality GS in the feeding of dairy cows because in this experiment pure pea-barley silage reduced silage intake.
VARIATION IN PHOSPHORUS EFFICIENCY AMONG BRASSICA CULTIVARS I: INTERNAL UTILIZATION AND PHOSPHORUS REMOBILIZATION

Plants have adapted a number of mechanisms to cope with widespread phosphorus (P) deficiency in arable lands. Crop species and even cultivars differ widely in one or more of these adaptive mechanisms hence, in P efficiency. Identification of these mechanisms is pre-requisite for long term breeding programs. Two independent experiments were conducted to study the possible mechanisms of P efficiency in Brassica cultivars. Eight Brassica cultivars (‘B.S.A.’, ‘Toria’, ‘Toria Selection’, ‘Brown Raya’, ‘Peela Raya’, ‘Dunkeld’, ‘Rainbow’, and ‘CON-1’) were selected on the basis of differences in growth under P deficiency from preliminary experiment. In the first experiment, cultivars were grown for 40 days in sand supplied either with sparingly soluble phosphate rock (PR) or soluble mono-ammonium phosphate (MAP). Cultivars differed significantly (P<0.05) for biomass production, P contents and P use efficiency. Low P availability in PR treatment resulted in significantly lower dry weights and P contents than those grown with MAP. The cultivars ‘Rainbow’, ‘Brown Raya’ and ‘Dunkeld’ accumulated more biomass (3.2 g/pot) and P contents (3.0 mg/pot) than other cultivars when grown with PR. Root dry weight was significantly correlated with shoot dry weight, shoot P content and total P content (r > 0.65) indicating significance of improved root growth for P acquisition. While in the second experiment cultivars were grown with adequate P for 30 days and then P was withdrawn from the nutrient solution by replacing fresh P free nutrient solution for 10 days. Induced P deficiency increased P contents in young leaves by two folds indicating remobilization of P from older leaves and shoot. Nonetheless cultivars varied for remobilization but differences in P remobilization could not explain the differences in P utilization efficiency among cultivars. Hence further experimentation to study root morphology, P uptake, and organic acid exudation by these cultivars in relation to P deficiency is recommended.
Ecology of bathyal polychaete fauna at an Arctic–Atlantic boundary (Faroe–Shetland Channel, North-east Atlantic)

By reference to a series of 15 sampling stations spanning the West Shetland Slope (150–1000 m; Faroe–Shetland Channel, North-east Atlantic) we examined the potential environmental controls on the standing stock, diversity and composition of the polychaete fauna. In contrast to the majority of studied bathyal environments, the Faroe–Shetland Channel has a highly complex and dynamic hydrographic regime, particularly notable for extreme thermal variability at mid-slope depths (i.e. 7°C range at ca. 500 m). Contrary to general expectation, polychaete biomass increased (rather than decreased) with depth. Species diversity exhibited a parabolic pattern with depth, maximum diversity occurring at depths of 350–550 m, rather shallower than observed in other bathyal studies, and possibly linked with a maximum in habitat temperature range. Multivariate analyses of faunal composition suggested a separation of the sampling stations into a shallower and a deeper group, with temperature exerting a major control on polychaete species distributions. The decline in diversity below 600 m (i.e. the descending limb of the parabolic relationship) may be a result of historically limited immigration/recolonization of the thermally isolated Arctic deep-water basins that feed the cold-water flow through the Faroe–Shetland Channel. The bathymetric distribution of polychaetes and other benthos in this region appears to be intimately linked with the thermal regime, having a long-term impact (geological timescales) on the deep-water species pool and leading to local enhancement of diversity where cold- and warm-water masses meet and mix.
Pigments of Pseudomonas species. Part V. Biosynthesis of pyocyanin and the pigments of Ps. aureofaciens

Tracer experiments have shown that phenazine-1-carboxylic acid and its 5-methyl betaine are incorporated into pyocyanin by Ps. aeruginosa by decarboxylative hydroxylation. Phenazine-1,6-dicarboxylic acid is not incorporated. 2-Hydroxyphenazine-1-carboxylic acid and 2-hydroxyphenazine are derived from phenazine-1-carboxylic acid in Ps. aureofaciens but not from 5-methylphenazinium-1-carboxylate.
Stemming the flow: how much can the Australian smartphone app help to control COVID-19?

OBJECTIVES Our objective is to assess the potential contribution of the Australian Government's mobile smartphone tracing app (COVIDSafe) to the sustained control of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). STUDY TYPE Development and analysis of a system dynamics model. METHODS To define the pandemic context and specify model-building parameters, we searched for literature on COVID-19, its epidemiology in Australia, case finding processes, and factors that might affect community acceptance of the COVIDSafe smartphone app for contact tracing. We then developed a system dynamics model of COVID-19 based on a modified susceptible-exposed-infected-recovered compartmental model structure, using initial pandemic data and published information on virus behaviour to determine parameter values. We applied the model to examine factors influencing the projected trends: the extent of viral testing, community participation in social distancing, and the level of uptake of the COVIDSafe app. RESULTS Modelling suggests that a second COVID-19 wave will occur if social distancing declines (i.e. if the average number of contacts made by each individual each day increases) and the rate of testing declines. The timing and size of the second wave will depend on the rate of decrease in social distancing and the decline in testing rates. At the app uptake level of approximately 27% (current at 20 May 2020), with a monthly 50% reduction in social distancing (i.e. the average number of contacts per day doubling every 30 days until they reach pre-social distancing rates) and a 5% decline in testing, the app would reduce the projected total number of new cases during April-December 2020 by one-quarter. If uptake reaches the possible maximum of 61%, the reduction could be more than half. CONCLUSIONS Maintenance of a large-scale testing regimen for COVID-19 and widespread community practice of social distancing are vital. The COVIDSafe smartphone app has the potential to be an important adjunct to testing and social distancing. Depending on the level of community uptake of the app, it could have a significant mitigating effect on a second wave of COVID-19 in Australia.