Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Species-area and network-area relationships in host–helminth interactions

The scaling relationship observed between species richness and the geographical area sampled (i.e. the species-area relationship (SAR)) is a widely recognized macroecological relationship. Recently, this theory has been extended to trophic interactions, suggesting that geographical area may influence the structure of species interaction networks (i.e. network-area relationships (NARs)). Here, we use a global dataset of host–helminth parasite interactions to test existing predictions from macroecological theory. Scaling between single locations to the global host–helminth network by sequentially adding networks together, we find support that geographical area influences species richness and the number of species interactions in host–helminth networks. However, species-area slopes were larger for host species relative to their helminth parasites, counter to theoretical predictions. Lastly, host–helminth network modularity—capturing the tendency of the network to form into separate subcommunities—decreased with increasing area, also counter to theoretical predictions. Reconciling this disconnect between existing theory and observed SAR and NAR will provide insight into the spatial structuring of ecological networks, and help to refine theory to highlight the effects of network type, species distributional overlap, and the specificity of trophic interactions on NARs.
Breeding-Season Survival, Home-Range Size, and Habitat Selection of Female Bachman's Sparrows

Abstract Peucaea aestivalis (Bachman's Sparrow) is a declining songbird endemic to the southeastern US, but lack of basic life-history information for females, including a description of habitat selection, limits effective management. We investigated survival, home-range size, and habitat selection of female Bachman's Sparrows during the breeding season at Fort Bragg Military Installation, NC. We attached radio-transmitters to female sparrows between April and June in 2014–2016 and recorded locations of females every 2–4 days. We estimated seasonal survival and home-range size and, in 2016, we modeled habitat selection of female sparrows within their home range. Estimated breeding-season (90 days) survival (0.941) was greater than a published estimate from South Carolina (0.794), and home-range size (1.48 ha, SE = 0.16) was similar to a published estimate for females and multiple published estimates for male sparrows (min–max = 1–5 ha). Females selected habitat patches with greater woody vegetation and intermediate grass densities than at random locations, suggesting that woody vegetation provides escape and nesting cover for female sparrows. Survival, home-range size, and habitat selection of female Bachman's Sparrows did not differ substantially from males in other studies. Therefore, management focused on male sparrows may concurrently conserve habitat requirements for females.
Female-Biased Adult Sex Ratio in Relation to Sex-Specific Adult and First-Year Survival, Fledgling Sex Ratio and Dispersal in a Migratory Passerine

The relative number of adult males to females in a population, the adult sex ratio (ASR), is an important demographic variable in populations, which plays a role in, for instance, mating systems and viability of populations. The origins of variation in ASR between populations are often unclear. A skewed ASR in a local population may result from a skewed sex ratio among fledglings, sex differences in survival or dispersal or a combination of these. Meta-analyses show that ASRs across bird species are mostly male-biased and that male-biased survival is the main contributor to this bias. Here, we examine the origins of a female-biased ASR in a small population (3–24 breeding females in 2007–2017) of a passerine, the Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe. Because 95% of all fledglings were sexed, 88% of the individuals were colour-banded and because this species is highly philopatric, we could accurately examine: (1) fledgling sex ratio, (2) sex-specific first year and adult apparent survival and (3) sex-specific dispersal. It appeared that survival was not sex-biased for either age cohort but that fledgling sex ratio was male-biased, especially so among late broods. In addition, natal dispersal out of the breeding population was likely male-biased, in contrast to the general pattern of female-bias in avian dispersal. So, perhaps females are more common in our relict population solely because more males disperse from the population than females, without being compensated by male-biased fledgling sex ratio or survival and without compensation from immigrating males. Likely, the population sex ratio (including both adults and young) at the end of the breeding season is male-biased, because of a pronounced male-biased sex ratio among fledglings from late nests. Perhaps this male-bias induces prospecting young males to settle elsewhere to avoid competition next year, but at the same time convinces prospecting females to settle particularly in this area.
Range Extension of Blackfin Darter and Tennessee Dace, and First Collection of Western Blacknose Dace from Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River in 80 Years

Abstract Novel records of stream fishes continue to shape our understanding of species distributions and are often representative of geological and evolutionary histories. We report the discovery of Chrosomus tennesseensis (Tennessee Dace) and confirm previous collections of Etheostoma nigripinne (Blackfin Darter) in the Mobile River Basin. Additionally, we report the rediscovery of Rhinichthys obtusus (Western Blacknose Dace) from the Locust Fork watershed of the Black Warrior River system. The latter species was last collected from the Locust Fork watershed in 1939 and considered extirpated. The discovery of the Tennessee Dace represents the first collection in the Mobile River Basin. These recent collections from the Locust Fork watershed may indicate that a stream-capture event is responsible for the isolation of these populations from the Tennessee River Basin. Subsequent studies should incorporate population-level genetic analyses coupled with historical geological information to understand how these populations became isolated and how recent stream-capture events could inform our understanding of allopatric speciation in aquatic populations.
Reproductive Biology and Sexual Dimorphism in Bokermannohyla alvarengai (Anura: Hylidae)

Abstract The general pattern of sexual size dimorphism (SSD) in amphibians is characterized by females being larger than males. However, the reverse pattern, a male-biased SSD, may be widespread within some particular groups, as seems to be the case for the Neotropical treefrog genus Bokermannohyla. Although SSD is commonly associated with factors influential to breeding success, the evolutionary determinants of SSD remain controversial. Thus, the study of SSD, particularly on lesser-known species, remains critical to advance our understanding of the evolution of body size and other traits associated with the reproductive biology of amphibians. Herein, we examined the occurrence of sexual dimorphism in body size and other morphometric attributes in Bokermannohyla alvarengai and provided a detailed account of its reproductive biology. This species is endemic to a threatened habitat, occurs at low densities, and has a poorly documented natural history. We found that, at maturity, males of B. alvarengai were larger than females, with hypertrophied forelimbs and larger prepollex spines. This set of features, common to other Bokermannohyla species, is often attributed to the occurrence of male territorial defense and aggression between males. We found that B. alvarengai has a prolonged breeding season that extends from the middle of the dry season to the middle of the rainy season. Adult males did not form breeding aggregations and seemed to establish and defend territories; these males often had skin scars indicative of male–male combat. However, alternative interpretations for differences in body size and secondary sexual characters cannot be ruled out and are discussed.
Cinclidium alaskanum sp. nov. (Mniaceae), a new moss from the North Slope of Alaska

Abstract. The taxonomy of Cinclidium, with only four species recognized, has been remarkably stable compared to most other genera in the Mniaceae. Two bisexual diploids (C. stygium and C. subrotundum) with n = 14 and two unisexual haploids (C. arcticum and C. latifolium) with n = 7 have been accepted since 1877, when C. latifolium was the last of these to be described. In the course of our inquiries into the nature of polyploidy in the genus, we discovered a new, genetically distinct species that has previously been mistakenly referred to C. latifolium and which we originally assumed was C. subrotundum. Cinclidium alaskanum is also morphologically distinct from the other four species, occupies distinctive microhabitats on the North Slope of Alaska, and is unisexual and haploid with n = 7.
Status, Distribution, and Length–Frequency for the Frecklebelly Madtom (Noturus munitus) in the Tombigbee River Drainage in Mississippi

Abstract Noturus munitus (Frecklebelly Madtom) is a gravel-shoal habitat specialist found in the Pearl and Mobile river drainages. Recently, the species was petitioned for federal listing, which required an evaluation of the range of the species. Therefore, we assessed the status of Frecklebelly Madtom in tributaries of the Tombigbee River in Mississippi as recent surveys are lacking. We collected Frecklebelly Madtom at 41 out of 51 sites among 3 major tributaries using a backpack electrofisher and kick-setting into a seine with an additional chain on the lead line during low flow. However, none were collected in Bull Mountain Creek. A better understanding of the connectivity among remaining populations is needed to inform future conservation efforts.
Effects of Salinity on Hatchling Diamond-Backed Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) Growth, Behavior, and Stress Physiology

Abstract Diamond-backed Terrapins inhabit coastal salt marshes along the eastern and Gulf coasts of North America. Terrapins are adapted to intermediate salinities yet frequently face saltwater-inundated marsh habitat exceeding 25 ppt (or grams/kilogram). We investigated the effect of salinity on the growth of hatchling terrapins and on their compensatory responses to salinity stress. We randomly assigned 30 terrapin hatchlings each to one of five salinity treatments (1, 5, 10, 20, or 35 ppt). Over 75 d, we regularly monitored behavior, appetite, and changes in growth; and calculated ratios of heterophils to lymphocytes (H:L ratio) to assess responses to prolonged salinity stress. Consistent with prior studies, chronic exposure to high salinity significantly reduced hatchling growth. Hatchlings in 20-ppt and 35-ppt salinities exhibited appetite suppression and saltwater avoidance and were more likely to show freshwater-seeking behaviors. H:L ratios were higher among hatchlings in 20- and 35-ppt salinities, consistent with a corticosterone-driven stress response to sustained high-salinity exposure, which may play a role in limiting growth. Our findings suggest hatchling growth and distribution among local habitats will vary spatially depending on habitat salinity and freshwater accessibility. The growth-limiting effects of chronically high salinity or limited access to freshwater could therefore increase hatchling mortality and be an important driver of spatial variation in terrapin demography and abundance. However, when freshwater sources are available, compensatory behaviors might reduce growth-limiting effects. Terrapin recruitment is likely to be impacted as rising sea levels, increased human water use, land development, and other anthropogenic changes alter freshwater inputs to coastal marshes.
Higher airborne pollen concentrations correlated with increased SARS-CoV-2 infection rates, as evidenced from 31 countries across the globe

Significance Coexposure to airborne pollen enhances susceptibility to respiratory viral infections, regardless of the allergy status. We hypothesized this could be also true for SARS-CoV-2 infections. To investigate this, we tested for relationships between SARS-CoV-2 infection rates and pollen concentrations, along with humidity, temperature, population density, and lockdown effects. Our unique dataset derives from 130 sites in 31 countries and across five continents. We found that pollen, sometimes in synergy with humidity and temperature, explained, on average, 44% of the infection rate variability. Lockdown halved infection rates under similar pollen concentrations. As we cannot completely avoid pollen exposure, we suggest wide dissemination of pollen−virus coexposure information to encourage high-risk individuals to wear particle filter masks during high springtime pollen concentrations. Pollen exposure weakens the immunity against certain seasonal respiratory viruses by diminishing the antiviral interferon response. Here we investigate whether the same applies to the pandemic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is sensitive to antiviral interferons, if infection waves coincide with high airborne pollen concentrations. Our original hypothesis was that more airborne pollen would lead to increases in infection rates. To examine this, we performed a cross-sectional and longitudinal data analysis on SARS-CoV-2 infection, airborne pollen, and meteorological factors. Our dataset is the most comprehensive, largest possible worldwide from 130 stations, across 31 countries and five continents. To explicitly investigate the effects of social contact, we additionally considered population density of each study area, as well as lockdown effects, in all possible combinations: without any lockdown, with mixed lockdown−no lockdown regime, and under complete lockdown. We found that airborne pollen, sometimes in synergy with humidity and temperature, explained, on average, 44% of the infection rate variability. Infection rates increased after higher pollen concentrations most frequently during the four previous days. Without lockdown, an increase of pollen abundance by 100 pollen/m3 resulted in a 4% average increase of infection rates. Lockdown halved infection rates under similar pollen concentrations. As there can be no preventive measures against airborne pollen exposure, we suggest wide dissemination of pollen−virus coexposure dire effect information to encourage high-risk individuals to wear particle filter masks during high springtime pollen concentrations.
The Effect of Fruiting upon Transpiration Rate and Stomatal Opening in Apple Leaves

The uptake of water by apple trees (Malus × domestica‘Golden Delicious’) was measured in a pot experiment and was found to be much greater in apple trees carrying many fruits than in comparable specimens without fruits. The main reason seemed to be differences in the transpiration rates of the leaves. This was corroborated by microscopic investigations which showed a higher degree of stomatal opening in the fruiting trees. In some cases minor reductions in water uptake per tree were caused by reducing the supplies of potassium and nitrogen.
Trustworthy machine learning for health care: scalable data valuation with the shapley value

Collecting data from many sources is an essential approach to generate large data sets required for the training of machine learning models. Trustworthy machine learning requires incentives, guarantees of data quality, and information privacy. Applying recent advancements in data valuation methods for machine learning can help to enable these. In this work, we analyze the suitability of three different data valuation methods for medical image classification tasks, specifically pleural effusion, on an extensive data set of chest X-ray scans. Our results reveal that a heuristic for calculating the Shapley valuation scheme based on a k-nearest neighbor classifier can successfully value large quantities of data instances. We also demonstrate possible applications for incentivizing data sharing, the efficient detection of mislabeled data, and summarizing data sets to exclude private information. Thereby, this work contributes to developing modern data infrastructures for trustworthy machine learning in health care.
Effect of pretreatments on quality of minimally processed cooking banana variety alukesel(Musa acuminata × Musa balbisiana, ABB group)

Cooking banana is a vegetable which can be stored for longer periods in intact form but undergoes browning soon after slicing. A study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of selected pretreatments in maintaining quality of minimally processed cooking banana variety Alukesel. Minimally processed Alukesel was subjected to pretreatments of ascorbic acid (3%), citric acid (3%), ascorbic acid (2%), citric acid (2%), citric acid + ascorbic acid (1.5% each), sodium metabisulphite (2%) and distilled water (control), packed in polystyrene packages and stored at 5-7°C for a week. The effects of pretreatments on sensory and physicochemical properties (percentage weight loss, changes in firmness, pH, Total Soluble Solids (TSS) and Titratable Acidity (TA)) were evaluated on day 0 and day 7, while browning was assessed using a spectrophotometric method. Pretreatments had a significant effect on physicochemical and sensory attributes of minimally processed cooking banana compared to control. Ascorbic acid (3%), citric acid (3%) and citric acid + ascorbic acid (1.5% each) pretreated cooking banana obtained higher ranking values for sensory properties (appearance, colour, odour, flavour, taste and overall acceptability) while the same three pretreatments and sodium metabisulphite (2%) pretreatment effectively controlled enzymatic browning. This research revealed that pretreatments of ascorbic acid (3%), citric acid (3%) and citric acid + ascorbic acid (1.5% each) were more successful in retaining quality of minimally processed cooking banana for one week in cold storage. It could be concluded that Alukesel treated as above can be considered as a potential value added sale item at local supermarkets where cold storage facility is available. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.4038/jas.v10i1. 8042 The Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2015, vol.10, no: p.11-20
B-SegNet: branched-SegMentor network for skin lesion segmentation

Melanoma is the most common form of cancer in the world. Early diagnosis of the disease and an accurate estimation of its size and shape are crucial in preventing its spread to other body parts. Manual segmentation of these lesions by a radiologist however is time consuming and error-prone. It is clinically desirable to have an automatic tool to detect malignant skin lesions from dermoscopic skin images. We propose a novel end-to-end convolution neural network(CNN) for a precise and robust skin lesion localization and segmentation. The proposed network has 3 sub-encoders branching out from the main encoder. The 3 sub-encoders are inspired from Coordinate Convolution, Hourglass and Octave Convolutional blocks: each sub-encoder summarizes different patterns and yet collectively aims to achieve a precise segmentation. We trained our segmentation model just on the ISIC 2018 dataset. To demonstrate the generalizability of our model, we evaluated our model on the ISIC 2018 and unseen datasets including ISIC 2017 and PH2. Our approach showed an average 5% improvement in performance over different datasets, while having less than half of the number of parameters when compared to other state-of-the-arts segmentation models.
Describing the Weight‐Reduced State: Physiology, Behavior, and Interventions

Although many persons with obesity can lose weight by lifestyle (diet and physical activity) therapy, successful long‐term weight loss is difficult to achieve, and most people who lose weight regain their lost weight over time. The neurohormonal, physiological, and behavioral factors that promote weight recidivism are unclear and complex. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases convened a workshop in June 2019, titled “The Physiology of the Weight‐Reduced State,” to explore the mechanisms and integrative physiology of adaptations in appetite, energy expenditure, and thermogenesis that occur in the weight‐reduced state and that may oppose weight‐loss maintenance. The proceedings from the first session of this workshop are presented here. Drs. Michael Rosenbaum, Kevin Hall, and Rudolph Leibel discussed the physiological factors that contribute to weight regain; Dr. Michael Lowe discussed the biobehavioral issues involved in weight‐loss maintenance; Dr. John Jakicic discussed the influence of physical activity on long‐term weight‐loss maintenance; and Dr. Louis Aronne discussed the ability of drug therapy to maintain weight loss.
Antibody display technologies: selecting the cream of the crop

Abstract Antibody display technologies enable the successful isolation of antigen-specific antibodies with therapeutic potential. The key feature that facilitates the selection of an antibody with prescribed properties is the coupling of the protein variant to its genetic information and is referred to as genotype phenotype coupling. There are several different platform technologies based on prokaryotic organisms as well as strategies employing higher eukaryotes. Among those, phage display is the most established system with more than a dozen of therapeutic antibodies approved for therapy that have been discovered or engineered using this approach. In recent years several other technologies gained a certain level of maturity, most strikingly mammalian display. In this review, we delineate the most important selection systems with respect to antibody generation with an emphasis on recent developments.
Variations in phenolic levels in grapevine buds at eco-dormancy after chemically-induced stress conditions

Viticulture is one of the briskest economic activities worldwide. A major obstacle impeding such grape yields to satisfy the demand for increased production is the insufficient period of chilling temperatures which, due to climate change, is becoming briefer. The shorter period of cold leads to poor budbreak which, in turn, results in reduced yields. To combat this issue, agronomists have resorted to treatments with chemical regulators to meet the chilling requirement for bud dormancy release several fruit-bearing plants have, including grapevines. This study aimed at identifying and quantifying during eco-dormancy the individual polyphenolic compounds, and their possible variations, in the latent buds of the ‘Prime©’ and ‘Ralli’ table grape cultivars. The study induced chemical stress by means of four different solutions, at three discrete dates per year, for three consecutive years. Phenolics in the latent buds of the studied varieties were analyzed via HPLC. Their quantitative analysis showed variations both between the varieties and between the samples of those varieties collected after the eight treatments. The analysis indicated that the concentration of phenolics continued progressing during the annual growth cycle of the grapevine, with strong positive correlations being detected between catechin, epicatechin, chlorogenic acid, o-coumaric, piceid, procyanidins B1-B2, rutin, ε-viniferin. Luteolin registered a positive correlation with quercetin, resveratrol, o-coumaric, but not with the remaining polyphenols. The results confirmed that (a) the concentration of phenolics of the latent buds is affected by chemically-induced stress conditions, (b) depending on the date of application, significant changes appear in the variations of those phenolics. One sentence summary Changes in the levels of polyphenol compounds of the grapevine’s latent buds hints, for the first time, how much stress the buds actually undergo under chemically-induced stress conditions