Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CHARACTER VARIATION AND ADAPTATION IN EUROPEAN SPARROWS

The phenetics of European sparrows, Passer domesticus, P. hispaniolensis, and their hybrids, are here examined by univariate and multivariate statistics to determine the nature and direction of phenetic variation and the possible adaptive significance of this variation. There seems to be a close relationship of dimensional and color characters with climatic and other environmental variables; most instances of character variation are strictly clinal, with longer individuals occuring in southerly localities and shorter individuals at northerly localities. Thicknesses of bony elements tend not to vary geographically, so longer-limbed individuals are relatively thinner. Regression analyses suggest a persistent positive relationship between summer temperature and bone lengths, such as is subsumed by Allen's "ecogeographic rule. " There is sexual dimorphism in the size of wing and sternal elements, but not of other dimensional characters, meaning that females are proportionally larger in the head and legs than males. Probable causes for this complex dimorphism lie in (1) selection for large body size in males as advantageous in display and fighting, (2) selection for small body size in females for thermoregulatory advantage in closed nests, and (3) common use by both sexes of a single food resource. Results of multivariate cluster analyses are such that specimen localities show regularity in clustering occurrence when grouped by 33 male specimen characters, by 27 female specimen characters, or by 37 mean monthly climatic characters. Such coincidence suggests that at least part of the character variation used to construct infraspecific classifications of these sparrows is elaborated by finely-graded climatic differences.
The Effect of Dignity Therapy on the Quality of Life of Patients with Cancer Receiving Palliative Care

Background: Patients with cancer deal with physical, psychosocial, spiritual, and existential problems that impact on their quality of life. This study aimed to assess the effect of dignity therapy on the quality of life of mentioned patients. Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 50 patients with cancer hospitalized in a palliative care center in Tehran, Iran, in 2017-18 who fulfilled inclusion criteria were selected through convenience sampling. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life-C15-Palliative (EORTC-QLQ-C15-PAl) questionnaire was filled by patients before and 2 weeks after dignity therapy. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, mean, and standard deviation, as well as inferential statistics, including independent t-test and Chi-square test. Results: Results showed that dignity-therapy led to more improvement in the quality of life of the intervention group (t35,18= 4.82, p = 0.001). There was also a significant difference between the two groups in terms of the physical functioning scale (t32,96= -2.60,p = 0.01) and emotional functioning (t 45,69= 6.54, p < 0.001). We also found that dignity-therapy led to more improvement in nausea and vomiting (χ2 = 5.71, p = 0.02), insomnia (χ2 = 15.78, p < 0.001), appetite (χ2 = 5.09, p = 0.02), and constipation (χ2 = 12.50, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The application of new approaches like-dignity therapy could benefit patients with cancer in terms of reducing their distress, improving symptom severity, physical and emotional functioning, and total quality of life.
Tradeoffs between predation risk and fruit resources shape habitat use of landbirds during autumn migration

ABSTRACT While foraging, animals often trade off between food and safety, reducing feeding in response to increased predation risk. This response, however, may not be a viable option for animals that are energetically compromised. Many single-species studies have shown that hungry animals select habitats within which foraging opportunities are greater even if predation pressures are higher, but it is unclear whether these patterns can be extrapolated to entire communities. Here, we examined the stopover habitat use of 28 frugivorous landbird species along the coast of Maine, USA, during an energetically demanding period of the annual cycle, fall migration. Across 6 stopover sites, we determined whether or not a tradeoff existed between using safe habitat patches (patches with high woody plant stem density) and patches with high food resources (patches with high fruit abundance). Controlling for raptor abundance at a site, landbird migrants were captured at higher rates in sites where no tradeoff existed, suggesting that birds avoided staying in sites where there was a predation risk–foraging tradeoff. At all sites, regardless of the presence or absence of a tradeoff, longer-distance migrants used patches with high food availability more frequently than shorter-distance migrants; patch use by shorter-distance migrants was explained by habitat cover alone. Our findings suggest that, for the Gulf of Maine, birds reduce predation risk at the scale of a stopover site, and differences in habitat selection at finer patch scales are mediated by migration strategy.
A review of the international trade in amphibians: the types, levels and dynamics of trade in CITES-listed species

Abstract Globally, amphibians face many potential threats, including international trade. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the types, levels and dynamics of the amphibian trade at the global scale. This study reviewed the trade in CITES-listed species between 1976 and 2007. Four main trade groups (eggs, skins, meat and individuals) were identified. Trade in amphibian leather focused on Hoplobatrachus tigerinus (5,572 individuals), whereas trade in eggs focused on Ambystoma mexicanum (6,027 eggs). However, for the entire study period (1976–2007), trade in skins and eggs was small compared with trade in meat and live animals. The meat trade was estimated to be worth > USD 111 million, whereas the trade in live animals was estimated to be worth > USD 11.5 million in only three of the genera involved. Trade dynamics have changed as a result of changes in legislation, such as a ban on H. tigerinus exports from Bangladesh for meat. Within the live trade 22 species categorized as either Critically Endangered or Endangered were traded during the study period, and these require greater attention. International trade and potential conservation benefits are affected by countries supplying captive-bred individuals to their domestic markets as this trade goes unrecorded. However, this study only investigated trade in species listed by CITES, and other species may comprise a significant additional component of international trade. The trade in amphibians is dynamic, and changes in both the types of trade and the species concerned were identified over the study period. Conservation concerns have multiplied from issues concerning population depletions to include indirect impacts associated with disease, predation and competition, which requires a reappraisal of data capture and reporting.
Marten Fur Harvests and Landscape Change in West-Central Alberta

Abstract Trapping for furbearers remains an important outdoor activity in Alberta, Canada, despite low fur prices and extensive industrial development. We investigated the influence of landscape change on furbearer harvests using 30 years of marten (Martes americana) harvest records, interviews with trappers, and Geographic Information System maps of industrial activity and vegetation types. We used an information-theoretic approach to explore variation in trapper success. Cover type and landscape metrics apparently influenced trapper success, because traplines where martens were consistently caught had less vehicle and all-terrain vehicle access, fewer oil and gas wells, and greater proportion of mature conifer forests than traplines where martens were infrequently caught. We identified an important cutoff value or statistical threshold that identified 45% closed-conifer cover, suggesting that a minimum amount of forest cover is crucial for trappers to catch martens. We conclude that the nature and extent of industrial disturbance is contributing to the decision by trappers to trap as well as influencing their success. We recommend that wildlife managers collect trapping effort information (i.e., species-specific no. of trap-nights) on fur reports in association with landscape changes to monitor furbearer harvests more effectively.
Ground Prosopis juliflora Pod as Feed Ingredient in Poultry Diet: Effects on Laying Performance and Egg Quality

2 Abstract: One hundred and eighty 26-week old Bovans Brown commercial layers were used to determine the performance and economic of layers fed with ration containing Ground Prosopis Juliflora Pods (GPJP) at levels of 0 (T1), 10 (T2), 20 (T3) and 30% (T4) of the total ration. The experiment was arranged in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four treatments, each replicated three times with 15 birds per replicate. The experiment lasted 12 weeks. Hens were individually weighed at the start and end of th e experiment. Data on Dry Matter Intake (DMI), Hen Day Egg Production (HDEP), egg weight and egg mass were recorded daily. Egg quality parameters (egg shell weight and thickness, albumen weight and height, Haugh unit and egg yolk weight and color) were determined at an interval of 3 days on 6 eggs per replicate. GPJP contained 12.1% CP, 7.3% ether extract, 14.4% crude fiber and 82.3 µg/100 g beta-carotene. DMI and HDEP was lower (p 0.05) by treatment. Except for egg yolk color which was greater (p<0.05) for T4 than other treatments, all quality parameters were similar among treatments. Therefore, based on the results of the current study, the 10% GPJP inclusion level in the ration of layers is more economical. Although 30% GPJP inclusion level in the ration of layers improved egg yolk color and it appeared to result in reduction of egg production and egg mass. Therefore, up to 20% GPJP inclusion in layers ration is recommendable based on the performance of the birds, although the treatment with 10% GPJP in the ration seems to be more economical.
Posterior oropharyngeal saliva for the detection of SARS-CoV-2.

BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has put tremendous pressure on the healthcare system worldwide. Diagnostic testing remained one of the limiting factors for early identification and isolation of infected patients. This study aimed to evaluate posterior oropharyngeal saliva (POPS) for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) detection among patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. METHODS The laboratory information system was searched retrospectively for all respiratory specimens and POPS requested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection between Feb 1, 2020 and Apr 15, 2020. The agreement and diagnostic performance of POPS against NPsp were evaluated. RESULTS A total of 13772 specimens were identified during the study period, including 2130 POPS and 8438 NPsp. Two hundred and twenty-nine same-day POPS-NPsp paired were identified with POPS and NPsp positivity of 61.5% (95% CI [55.1-67.6%]) and 53.3% (95% CI [46.8-59.6%]). The overall, negative and positive percent agreement were 76.0% (95% CI [70.2-80.9%]), 65.4% (95% CI [55.5-74.2%]), 85.2% (95% CI [77.4-90.8%]). Better positive percent agreement was observed in POPS-NPsp obtained within seven days (96.6%, 95% CI [87.3-99.4%]) compared with after seven days of symptom onset (75.0%, 95% CI [61.4-85.2%)). Among the 104 positive pairs, the mean difference in Cp value was 0.26 (range: 12.63 to -14.74), with an overall higher Cp value in NPsp (Pearson coefficient 0.579). No significant temporal variation was noted between the two specimen types. CONCLUSIONS POPS is an acceptable alternative specimen to nasopharyngeal specimen for the detection of SARS-CoV-2.
Attenuated Interferon and Proinflammatory Response in SARS-CoV-2–Infected Human Dendritic Cells Is Associated With Viral Antagonism of STAT1 Phosphorylation

Abstract Clinical manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vary from asymptomatic virus shedding, nonspecific pharyngitis, to pneumonia with silent hypoxia and respiratory failure. Dendritic cells and macrophages are sentinel cells for innate and adaptive immunity that affect the pathogenesis of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). The interplay between SARS-CoV-2 and these cell types remains unknown. We investigated infection and host responses of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs) and macrophages (MDMs) infected by SARS-CoV-2. MoDCs and MDMs were permissive to SARS-CoV-2 infection and protein expression but did not support productive virus replication. Importantly, SARS-CoV-2 launched an attenuated interferon response in both cell types and triggered significant proinflammatory cytokine/chemokine expression in MDMs but not moDCs. Investigations suggested that this attenuated immune response to SARS-CoV-2 in moDCs was associated with viral antagonism of STAT1 phosphorylation. These findings may explain the mild and insidious course of COVID-19 until late deterioration.
Does DNA extraction affect the physical and chemical composition of historical cod (Gadus morhua) otoliths

Therkildsen, N. O. , Nielsen, E. E. , Hussy, K. , Meldrup, D. , and Geffen, A. J. 2010. Does DNA extraction affect the physical and chemical composition of historical cod (Gadus morhua) otoliths? - ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 1251-1259.Archived otoliths constitute an important source of historical DNA for use in temporal genetic studies, but such otoliths are also valuable for other research applications, e.g. growth or microchemistry studies, where information about the past is of relevance. Consequently, there are potentially conflicting interests regarding how the limited and irreplaceable otolith collections should be used. To resolve this, it is important to find out whether DNA extraction damages otoliths such that they can no longer be used for other research purposes or whether individual otoliths can be used in multiple applications. We examined the effects of three different DNA extraction methods on the elemental composition, the morphology, and the clarity of annual growth increments for successful age estimation of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) otoliths that had been archived for 0-31 years. The three extraction methods yielded DNA of comparable quality, and none of the methods caused major damage to the otoliths. Of the element concentrations measured, only Mg and Rb showed considerable changes resulting from DNA extraction. The physical properties of the otolith (morphology and clarity of annual growth increments) were not affected. Hence, cod otoliths can be used for several research purposes after DNA extraction.
Nidification of Thirteen Common Argentine Dung Beetles (Scarabeidae: Scarabaeinae)

Paracoprid scarabs (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) dig tunnels under or near various animals droppings, portions of which the beetles store to feed on or use to build nests for their larvae. These nests have been classified into 3 main patterns, based mainly on the structure of the nest, egg cell, and the existence of parental care. Pattern I nests are simple accumulations of feces at the end of a burrow, known as brood masses, with 1 or several eggs in individual cells built into the dung. Pattern II nests consist of spheroidal or pear-shaped food provisions plastered with a layer of soil (brood balls) loose in a subterranean chamber. Pattern III nests have several brood balls in one large chamber and receive parental care. The construction process of the brood masses and brood balls of 13 species of laboratory reared paracoprids from Argentina was studied by analyzing different stages of their construction. The species Dichotomius anaglypticus (Mannerheim), D. haroldi (Waterhouse), D. micans (Luederwaldt), D. semiaeneus (Germar), Onthophagus hirculus Mannerheim, Oruscatus davus (Erichson), and Gromphas lacordairei Brulle belong to the pattern I; Sulcophanaeus batesi (Harold), Sulcophanaeus menelas (Castelnau), S. imperator (Chevrolat), Bolbites onitoides Harold, Ontherus sulcator (F), and O. appendiculatus (Mannerheim) to pattern II. The last pattern, which includes the Phanaeina, some Dichotomina (both subtribes of Coprini), and the Old World Catharsius , entails at least 4 different construction processes. Most brood masses and balls studied in this work are described for the first time. The building of spheroidal brood balls loose in a chamber could have evolved at least four times from the primitive brood masses, through four different convergent processes.
Hubs of long‐distance co‐alteration characterize brain pathology

Abstract It is becoming clearer that the impact of brain diseases is more convincingly represented in terms of co‐alterations rather than in terms of localization of alterations. In this context, areas characterized by a long mean distance of co‐alteration may be considered as hubs with a crucial role in the pathology. We calculated meta‐analytic transdiagnostic networks of co‐alteration for the gray matter decreases and increases, and we evaluated the mean Euclidean, fiber‐length, and topological distance of its nodes. We also examined the proportion of co‐alterations between canonical networks, and the transdiagnostic variance of the Euclidean distance. Furthermore, disease‐specific analyses were conducted on schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. The anterodorsal prefrontal cortices appeared to be a transdiagnostic hub of long‐distance co‐alterations. Also, the disease‐specific analyses showed that long‐distance co‐alterations are more able than classic meta‐analyses to identify areas involved in pathology and symptomatology. Moreover, the distance maps were correlated with the normative connectivity. Our findings substantiate the network degeneration hypothesis in brain pathology. At the same time, they suggest that the concept of co‐alteration might be a useful tool for clinical neuroscience.
Effect of variety and transplanting date on the incidence of insect pests and their natural enemies

Rice is the staple food in Bangladesh. It is attacked by many insect pests which limit its productivity. An experiment was carried out at the Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Mymensingh, Bangladesh in order to investigate the effects of rice variety and planting date on the incidence of insect pests and natural enemies. Three varieties Binasail, Binadhan-4 and TN1 were transplanted on four different dates. Both rice variety and planting date had significant effects on pest incidence. Binasail and Binadhan-4 hosted lower populations of insect pests compared to the other varieties. Early planted rice had lower pests and
Amoxycillin/clavulanic acid combinations (Augmentin 375 and 625 tablets) induce - oxidative stress, and renal and hepatic damage in rats

Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid has become one of the most widely prescribed antibiotics being advocated by WHO for treatment of infection. Its efficacy and potential to inhibit microorganisms had led to their increased use. There is the possibility that the drug may have potential toxic effects on humans following consumption. The present investigation was therefore undertaken to study the status of antioxidant defence system, oxidative stress and some biochemical indices following treatment with different combinations of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (Augmentin® 375 and 625 tablets) treatments in rats. Thirty rats were divided into three groups: Group 1 (control) received no drug; Group II received Augmentin® 375 (14.25 mg/kg body weight), while, Group III received Augmentin® 625 (21.83 mg/kg body weight) twice for seven days. The result indicated that Augmentin® 375 and 625 induced marked renal and liver failure characterized by a significant increase (p<0.05) in plasma creatinine, urea, and bilirubin. Similarly, Augmentin® 375 and 625 significantly increased plasma total cholesterol by 29.4 and 38.1%, HDL- cholesterol by 53 and 83.5%, LDL- cholesterol by 36 and 96% and triglycerides by 18 and 26%, respectively when compared with control. Furthermore, plasma AST and ALT was significantly increased (p<0.05) by 27.7 and 42.6%, and 33 and 44.4%, respectively in the two treated groups when compared with control. Administration of Augmentin® 375 and 625 also caused significant decrease in hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH) and vitamin C by 35 and 61%, and 38 and 44%, respectively. Similarly, hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities decreased significantly by 33 and 56%, and 31 and 48.7%, respectively in the treated group. In addition, Augmentin® 375 and 625 significantly decreased the hepatic levels of glutathioneS-transferase (GST) by 44.7 and 53.4%, respectively. In conclusion, the result of the present investigation show that two different combinations of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (Augmentin®375and 625) altered enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defence system and induced oxidative stress in rats. Key words: Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, respiratory tract infection, antioxidant indices, oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species.
Estabilidade em armazenamento da carne de tilápia-do-nilo mecanicamente separada, lavada, adicionada de conservantes e congelada

The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of the washing process and of the addition of sodium erythorbate and sodium tripolyphosphate on the stability of mechanically separated meat (MSM), obtained from Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) filleting waste. Four treatments were evaluated, in triplicate: washed or nonwashed MSM, stored with or without the addition of preservatives, during 180 day storage at ‑18oC. To evaluate stability, microbiological, nonprotein nitrogen, volatile basic nitrogen, lipid oxidation by Tbars index, pH value, and drip loss analyses were carried out. The washing process increased moisture content and decreased crude protein, fat, and ash contents in MSM, as well as the levels of nonprotein nitrogen, volatile basic nitrogen, and lipid oxidation after washing. During storage, no differences were detected for nonprotein nitrogen levels, pH values, and drip loss, but there was an increase in volatile basic nitrogen values. The washing process favors tilapia MSM stability, and the addition of sodium tripolyphosphate and erythorbate reduces lipid oxidation of the unwashed product.