Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE BOTTERI'S SPARROW AND EXOTIC ARIZONA GRASSLANDS: AN ECOLOGICAL TRAP OR HABITAT REGAINED?

Abstract The Botteri's Sparrow (Aimophila botterii) is a bird of tall grasslands that temporarily disappeared from Arizona following heavy livestock grazing in the 1890s. Its return was noted first in sacaton (Sporobolus wrightii), an uncommon native floodplain tallgrass often >2 m in height, and subsequently in stands of exotic lovegrasses (Eragrostis spp.) spreading into adjacent uplands that otherwise supported shorter native grasslands. We examined whether the exotic grasslands provided suitable breeding habitat for Botteri's Sparrows, compared to native grasslands. We counted birds for three years on 18 plots, monitored 314 nests on 323 home ranges, banded 583 birds, and measured vegetation on plots and home ranges, and at nests and fledgling locations. Abundance and site fidelity were positively associated with grass height and cover, being greatest in sacaton, intermediate in exotics, and lowest in native upland grasslands. The three habitats did not differ in young fledged per capita. Vegetation cover on Botteri's Sparrow home ranges did not differ from the surrounding available habitat, but locations of flightless recently fledged young included taller and more dense vegetation than either nest sites or random locations, especially in sparsely vegetated native grasslands. These results suggest that fledglings required substantial cover to avoid predation while they completed development. Far from being an ecological trap, the exotic lovegrasses apparently are providing essential cover for the Botteri's Sparrow in Arizona, perhaps allowing it to regain an abundance similar to what existed regionally prior to overgrazing of the late 19th Century.
Effect of Cayenne Pepper Addition on Physicochemical, Microbiological and Sensory Properties of Drinkable Yoghurt-Ayran

Abstract Cayenne peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) were incorporated to ayran aiming to obtain a health promoting ayran with different flavour. The effects on the physico-chemical characteristics, antioxidant and phenolic capacity, counts of Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, yeast, moulds and coliforms, sensory and volatile compounds analysis were performed. Ayran samples with powdered peppers had significantly higher antioxidant and total phenolic contents than the ayrans with sliced pepper. Pepper addition increased Lactobacillus and Streptococcus counts compared to control ayrans. The dominant bacteria during the storage period (7.61-8.88 log CFU/ml) was Streptococcus. Panelists rated flavour, texture, appearance and color properties of ayran samples with sliced pepper similar to control samples. Ayran samples with 15% sliced peppers had the maximum overall scores.
Towards an emic understanding of Mianzi giving in the Chinese context

Abstract Face-giving is an understudied notion among the studies of face and facework. This article aims to enhance the understanding of the concept by exploring how the first-order concept of mianzi giving is understood by native members. By examining native discourses in which mianzi giving is explicitly mentioned, we find that in addition to being based on the actor’s intention or the recipient’s feeling, the interpretation of mianzi giving can also be based on the interpersonal consequence of an act grounded in the understanding of the (meta)participant, who takes the footing of the author in the Goffmanian sense. In the (meta)participant’s understanding, mianzi giving is understood as a marked and favorable alternative act with reference to the empirical or moral parameter evoked in the local interaction.
Culture of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man 1879) in experimental cages in a freshwater eutrophic lake at different stocking densities

Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man 1879) juveniles (0.4 g) were cultured in experimental cages (L × W × H: 2.5 × 1 × 1 m) in Laguna de Bay, the largest lake in the Philippines. The following stocking densities at four replicates each were used: 15, 30, 60 and 90 prawns m−2 of cage bottom. The mean sizes at harvest after 5 months of culture ranged from 14.3 g for the highest stocking density to 26.3 g for the lowest. The mean size at harvest, daily growth rate and size class distribution were significantly influenced by stocking density, with those at the lowest stocking density showing significantly better growth and overall proportion of larger prawns. Heterogeneous individual growth (HIG) was fairly evident in all treatments. The percentage of blue-clawed males was not influenced by treatment but the mean weight was significantly higher in the lower stocking densities. Both the percentage and mean weight of berried females were significantly higher in the lowest stocking density. Survival was the highest in the lower stocking densities (55.3%, 54.0%, 52.7% and 36.9% for 15, 30, 60 and 90 prawns m−2 respectively). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) improved with decreasing stocking density, ranging from 2.1 to 3. As expected, yield per cropping increased with stocking density and ranged from 450 to 1089 g m−2 yr−1 of actual cage area. Production values obtained in the cage cultured M. rosenbergii were comparable to or even higher than those reported from pond culture, given that the stocking densities used in this study were generally higher than in ponds. The results show that the farming of M. rosenbergii in cages in lakes is a viable alternative to pond culture and has the potential of improve aquaculture production in lakeshore fish farming communities.
Evaluation of silages of hybrids of napier grass and sorghum in the low country wet zone of Sri Lanka

Summary Silages of hybrids of napier grass (CO-3 or CO-4) and sorghum and their combinations (50% napier grass hybrid + 50% of sorghum) were tested under three cutting intervals (4, 6 and 8 weeks). Sorghum silage had a leafy and soft texture with a fruity smell, which proved its desirable character with normal lactic acid fermentation. As such, it was with its comparatively higher dry matter content at the 6 or 8 weeks cutting interval, more suitable for ensiling. The crude protein concentration was not modified by the ensiling process, which was proved by the low ammoniacal nitrogen content. Sorghum silage had lower pH values at all three cutting intervals. On the basis of the NH3-N/TN content (<10%), all silages could be considered as of good quality. Sorghum silage could be considered as the best among tested silages as compared with hybrid napier var. CO-3 or CO-4. The optimum quality of the sorghum silage with the highest soluble carbohydrates concentration and lactic acid >3% could be obtained at the 6-week cutting interval.
Impact of selected determinants on the financial structure of the mining companies in the selected countries

Abstract Investigating the effects on the capital structure has been a widely debated topic for over a century. There are countless studies on this subject today. However, there is still a need to test more samples of companies, as the confirmation or rebuttal of assumptions depends on the industry, country, and size of the selected company. This research deals with the impact of five selected determinants – profitability, asset structure, non-debt tax shield, GDP growth rate, inflation, on the total, long-term and short-term debt of mining companies from eleven selected economies – eight countries from Central and Eastern Europe and three industry leaders from non-European countries. The analysis of data obtained from Orbis and the World Bank database covers the period 2009–2017. Correlation analysis and GMM methods are used to detect the dependencies of variables. Many countries show some links to selected types of debt. Some of these links are in line with the input assumptions, some unfortunately not.
A Longitudinal Study of Changes in Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Functional Connectivity Networks During Healthy Aging

BACKGROUND Vast increases in life expectancy over the last century have led to shifts in population demographics and the emergence of a largely aged population, globally. This has led to a need to understand neurobiological changes associated with healthy aging. Studies on age related changes in functional connectivity networks, have largely been cross-sectional and focused on the default mode network. The current study investigated longitudinal changes in functional connectivity in multiple resting-state networks over four years of aging in cognitively normal older adults. METHOD Resting state fMRI scans from older adults (N=16) who maintained 'cognitive normal' status over four years were retrieved at baseline and follow up from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative database. A seed-based approach was executed in FSL to examine significant changes in functional connectivity within the default mode (DMN), frontoparietal (FPN) and salience networks (SN) within subjects over time. RESULTS Results indicated significantly (p<.05, corrected) reduced functional connectivity in the FPN and SN, but not the DMN at year four compared to baseline, in older adults who were cognitively stable. CONCLUSION The current study highlights the importance of a longitudinal approach for understanding changes in functional connectivity. The findings also underscore the need to examine multiple networks within the same participants, given that changes were apparent in the FPN and SN but not the DMN. Future studies should also examine changes in inter-network connectivity as well as shifts in structural connectivity over time.
Is “Response/No Response” Too Simple a Notion for RTI Frameworks? Exploring Multiple Response Types With Latent Profile Analysis

We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a randomized control trial to explore this question: Does “response/no response” best characterize students’ reactions to a generally efficacious first-grade reading program, or is a more nuanced characterization necessary? Data were collected on 265 at-risk readers’ word reading prior to and immediately following program implementation in first grade and in spring of second grade. Pretreatment data were also obtained on domain-specific skills (letter knowledge, decoding, passage comprehension, language) and domain-general skills (working memory, non-verbal reasoning). Latent profile analysis of word reading across the three time points with controls as a local norm revealed a strongly responsive group (n = 45) with mean word-reading z scores of 0.25, 1.64, and 1.26 at the three time points, respectively; a mildly responsive group (n = 109), z scores = 0.30, 0.47, and 0.55; a mildly non-responsive group (n = 90), z scores = −0.11, −0.15, and −0.55; and a strongly non-responsive group (n = 21), z scores = −1.24, −1.26, and −1.57. The two responsive groups had stronger pretreatment letter knowledge and passage comprehension than the two non-responsive groups. The mildly non-responsive group demonstrated better pretreatment passage comprehension than the strongly non-responsive group. No domain-general skill distinguished the four groups. Findings suggest response to early reading intervention was more complicated than response/no response, and pretreatment reading comprehension was an important predictor of response even with pretreatment word reading controlled.
GeneXpert Technology for the diagnosis of HIV-associated tuberculosis: Is scale-up worth it?

Abstract Recent evaluations of the GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay for the simultaneous detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and drug resistance in less than 2 h have stimulated tremendous enthusiasm. This is the breakthrough that tuberculosis (TB) control has been waiting for. In this (retrospective review) case study, sputum samples from strongly suspected pulmonary tuberculosis patients were collected and assessed for the GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay for diagnosing TB and drug resistance in comparison with other tests, including Ziehl–Neelsen smear and Löwenstein–Jensen test. Of 3,784 cases, 5.7% (216/3,784) were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and TB co-infected patients. In diagnosing HIV-positive and TB co-infected cases, the sensitivity and specificity of GeneXpert were 76.4% and 100%. While in HIV-negative and TB suspected cases, the sensitivity and specificity were 95.6% and 100%. This new test represents a major milestone for global TB diagnosis and care. It also represents new hope for the millions of people who are at the highest risk of TB and drug-resistant disease. GeneXpert is World Health Organization-endorsed technology representing the gold standard for TB testing despite attaining less sensitivity for HIV and TB co-infected patients as compared to HIV-negative patients.
Impulsivity, hostility and suicidality in patients diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder

Abstract Background: There are limited data on suicidal behaviour in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This study aimed to evaluate several aspects affecting suicidality in OCD patients and determine whether impulsivity or hostility are associated with suicide attempts in this vulnerable group. Methods: Eighty-one patients with OCD were assessed by structured clinical interview for DSM-IV (SCID I), Yale-Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), Suicide Probability Scale (SPS), Barratt impulsivity scale-11 (BIS) and Scale for suicide ideation (SSI). Results: Of the 81 patients, 22 (27%) had suicide ideation, 29 (33%) attempted suicides with OCD and 30 (37%) OCD patients who never experienced suicide ideation nor attempted suicide. Suicide ideation was associated with high hopelessness, higher severity of OCD and the presence of aggressive obsessions. On the other hand, suicide attempts were associated with longer duration of untreated illness, cognitive impulsivity, higher severity of OCD symptoms and the presence of religious obsessions. Conclusion: Higher severity of OCD symptoms is associated with both suicide ideation and attempts. And while hopelessness was related to suicidal thoughts, cognitive impulsivity may have acted as a facilitating factor for suicide attempts. Higher frequency of symptoms like religious/ aggressive obsessions was also associated with suicidality. It is vital that patients with OCD undergo detailed assessment for suicide risk. Key points OCD is associated with a high risk for suicidal behaviour. Suicide ideation was associated with high levels of hopelessness, OCD severity, and the presence of aggressive obsessions. Suicide attempts were associated with longer duration of untreated illness, cognitive impulsivity, severity of OCD, and the presence of religious obsessions.
Morphological Variation in the Cryptic Species Desmognathus quadramaculatus (Black-bellied Salamander) and Desmognathus folkertsi (Dwarf Black-bellied Salamander)

Abstract Plethodontid salamanders in general and the genus Desmognathus in particular exhibit extreme morphological conservatism and rampant homoplasy so that cryptic lineages are common. In spite of this, multivariate morphometric analysis has proven a useful tool in detecting subtle morphological differences among cryptic forms. We used this technique to investigate subtle differences in morphology among populations of Desmognathus quadramaculatus (Black-bellied Salamander) and its cryptic congener, Desmognathus folkertsi (Dwarf Black-bellied Salamander). We found significant morphological variation among five populations of D. quadramaculatus but not between two populations of D. folkertsi. We also determined there to be a significant, albeit weak, correlation between genetic distance and morphological (Mahalanobis) distance. Given the relationship between genetic and morphological distance, the high morphological variation within D. quadramaculatus, relative to that within D. folkertsi, is not surprising. What is surprising is the significant amount of morphological divergence among populations of D. quadramaculatus within the same stream system. This result indicates that morphological variables may be more labile than is generally believed given the morphological conservatism of Desmognathus. While two cryptic species such as these might be expected to exhibit character displacement in morphology in areas of sympatry, we found no evidence of this.
Fire history and recent fire rotation periods in the Nova Scotia Acadian Forest

Descriptive records of wildfires since the earliest writings and quantitative provincial fire records since 1915 have been used to produce a synthesis of fire history for the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada. Large annual burns were common up to the mid-1930's. Annual burns totalling over 15 000 ha occurred in each of the years 1918, 1920, 1921, 1930, 1934, 1944, and 1947, and annual burns totalling over 30 000 ha occurred in each of the years 1920 and 1921. Lightning has accounted for 1% of the number of fires (three per year). Thirty percent of the fires have occurred in the month of May; however, fires have been recorded for all months. Fire rotation periods for the province as a whole were 1000 or 2500 years, using the mean annual burn or median annual burn, respectively, for all burns in the years 1915 to 1975. In contrast, calculations of burned areas on maps produced at the turn of the century gave presuppression fire rotation periods of just over 200 years. Vegetation types have had widely varying .
Over-the-counter bleaching agents can help with tooth whitening maintenance.

OBJECTIVE This study evaluated the influence of over-the-counter agents on the maintenance of color and microhardness of the enamel after home bleaching protocol. MATERIALS AND METHODS Specimens of bovine teeth (6 × 6 × 2 mm) were prepared, and color (Easyshade, VITA) and microhardness (HMV-2, Shimadzu) readings were performed. All the specimens were bleached using 22% carbamide peroxide (22%CP), except for the control group, and then separated into seven groups (n = 10) according to the interaction of toothpaste (whitening, conventional, and whitening with peroxide) and mouth rinse (whitening and conventional). The study simulated 1 year of toothbrushing (Pepsodent, MAVTEC) and mouth rinse by immersion. After that, final color and microhardness measurements were performed. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, Tukey's test (P < .05). RESULTS The group submitted to 22%CP + whitening toothpaste + whitening mouth rinse showed higher color maintenance (P < .05) than the control group. The perception of whitening of teeth (ΔWID ) was higher than the color change (ΔE00 ). There was a decrease in microhardness after treatment with 22%CP + conventional toothpaste + whitening mouth rinse. CONCLUSIONS Over-the-counter products can help with the maintenance of tooth whitening after bleaching with carbamide peroxide; however, special attention should be given since the association of products can also reduce the microhardness of the dental enamel. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The association between whitening toothpastes and mouth rinses might be beneficial for maintaining color during 1 year after bleaching treatment.
Trends and determinants of anaemia in women of Nepal: a multilevel analysis

Abstract In Nepal, the prevalence of anaemia decreased by 1% from 2006 to 2011 but increased by 6% from 2011 to 2016. In this study, we examined the changes in prevalence by possible factors from 2006 to 2016 along with the factors associated with anaemia among women of reproductive age (15–49 years) using the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) data from years 2006, 2011 and 2016. We used rate of change analysis to explore average annual rate of change (AARC) in anaemia prevalence and concentration curves and indices to assess unequal distribution of anaemia prevalence among socio‐economic quintiles. Multilevel regression was performed to examine the association of multilevel factors with anaemia. Our results showed higher AARC increase in anaemia prevalence from 2006 to 2016, among women aged 30–39 years, with secondary or higher education, who had two or fewer children, not working women, from higher wealth quintiles and who were overweight or obese. Shifting of concentration curve from ‘above the line of equality’ in 2006 and 2011 to ‘under the line of equality’ in 2016 was observed. Women aged 20–29 years, with more than four children, who underwent female sterilization, had experienced violence and from Provinces 1, 2 and 5 were at higher risk of anaemia. Overweight and obese women using hormonal contraception and from lowest wealth quintiles were at lower risk. The change in trends and the associated multilevel factors identified should be considered in designing multilevel interventions that particularly target women at risk for sustainable anaemia reduction.
Hair Sampling Techniques for River Otters

Abstract River otter (Lontra canadensis) populations have been difficult to monitor and information on densities is lacking throughout their range. To obtain DNA-based population estimates of river otters we developed 2 traps to capture hair; a modified body-snare and a modified foot-hold trap. Of 82 traps activated 77 captured hairs (94%). Traps snagged 3–20 guard hairs per capture. Our capture rates of otter hair ranged from one capture per 3.6 trap nights to one capture per 156.6 trap-nights. Our traps provide an effective, noninvasive technique for obtaining hair DNA from individual river otters.
SOME STUDIES ON THE TOXICITY OF CONVENTIONAL AND NEW CHEMISTRY INSECTICIDES AGAINST BRACON HEBETOR (SAY) (HYMENOPTERA: BRACONIDAE) UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS

Toxicity of two conventional (chlorpyrifos, Lorsban 40EC; profenofos, Curacron 50EC) and three new chemistry insecticides (lufenuron, Match 5EC; emamectin benzoate Proclaim 1.9EC; and methoxyfenozide, Runner 25 SC), at three doses i.e, recommended for field use against Spodoptera litura and 10% above and below the recommended dose was determined against the adults of Bracon hebetor (Say) under laboratory conditions. Bracon hebetor (Say) was reared on Galleria mellonella L. One day old freshly emerged adults of B. hebetor were used for bioassay in the vial method. Chlorpyrifos proved to be toxic, yielding 100% mortality at 24 hours on 10% above the recommended dose. Profenofos exhibited 100% mortality after 36 hours at higher dose rate. Emamectin benzoate showed least mortality i.e, 21.75, 25.25 and 28.25, at all the selected doses after 48 hours of exposure.
A role for human leucocyte antigens in the susceptibility to SARS‐Cov‐2 infection observed in transplant patients

We analysed data from 80 patients who tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA who had previously been HLA typed to support transplantation. Data were combined from two adjacent centres in Manchester and Leeds to achieve a sufficient number for early analysis. HLA frequencies observed were compared against two control populations: first, against published frequencies in a UK deceased donor population (n = 10,000) representing the target population of the virus, and second, using a cohort of individuals from the combined transplant waiting lists of both centres (n = 308), representing a comparator group of unaffected individuals of the same demographic. We report a significant HLA association with HLA‐ DQB1*06 (53% vs. 36%; p < .012; OR 1.96; 95% CI 1.94–3.22) and infection. A bias towards an increased representation of HLA‐A*26, HLA‐DRB1*15, HLA‐DRB1*10 and DRB1*11 was also noted but these were either only significant using the UK donor controls, or did not remain significant after correction for multiple tests. Likewise, HLA‐A*02, HLA‐B*44 and HLA‐C*05 may exert a protective effect, but these associations did not remain significant after correction for multiple tests. This is relevant information for the clinical management of patients in the setting of the current SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic and potentially in risk‐assessing staff interactions with infected patients.