Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Understanding bias in geographic range size estimates

Aim Estimates of geographic range size derived from natural history museum specimens are probably biased for many species. We aim to determine how bias in these estimates relates to range size. Location We conducted computer simulations based on herbarium specimen records from localities ranging from the southern United States to northern Argentina. Methods We used theory on the sampling distribution of the mean and variance to develop working hypotheses about how range size, defined as area of occupancy (AOO), was related to the inter-specific distribution of: (1) mean collection effort per area across the range of a species (MC); (2) variance in collection effort per area across the range of a species (VC); and (3) proportional bias in AOO estimates (PBias: the difference between the expected value of the estimate of AOO and true AOO, divided by true AOO). We tested predictions from these hypotheses using computer simulations based on a dataset of more than 29,000 herbarium specimen records documenting occurrences of 377 plant species in the tribe Bignonieae (Bignoniaceae). Results The working hypotheses predicted that the mean of the inter-specific distribution of MC, VC and PBias were independent of AOO, but that the respective variance and skewness decreased with increasing AOO. Computer simulations supported all but one prediction: the variance of the inter-specific distribution of VC did not decrease with increasing AOO. Main conclusions Our results suggest that, despite an invariant mean, the dispersion and symmetry of the inter-specific distribution of PBias decreases as AOO increases. As AOO increased, range size was less severely underestimated for a large proportion of simulated species. However, as AOO increased, range size estimates having extremely low bias were less common.
Terrestrial Heteroptera (Hemiptera) from Moconá Provincial Park (Misiones, Argentina)

Mocona Provincial Park was created to protect the Paranaense forest including the Mocona Falls Natural National Monument. Knowledge of the insect fauna in the park is scarce and the Heteroptera have never been studied. In this work, 134 species from 17 families of Heteroptera collected in Mocona Provincial Park and surrounding areas included in the Yaboti Biosphere Reserve, are listed. The reduviids Arilus gallus (Stal, 1872), Repipta taurus (Fabricius, 1803), and Zelus nugax Stal, 1862; the tingids Leptodictya (Hanuala) paspalii Drake & Hambleton, 1934, and Leptopharsa vittipennis (Stal, 1873); the coreids Camptischium niger (Stal, 1870), Leptoglossus ingens (Mayr, 1865), Chariesterus cuspidatus Distant, 1892 and Cebrenis supina Brailovsky, 1995; the pentatomids Alveostethus pseudopolitus (Ruckes, 1957) and Dryptocephala integra Walker, 1867; and the blissid Xenoblissus lutzi Barber, 1954 are first records from Argentina.
Genetic variation in drought response of landraces of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]

Crop landraces are considered as a good germplasm source for adaptation to prevalent stress conditions. In this study, 105 landraces of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Sr.] were evaluated under drought stress and optimum (non-stress) conditions to elucidate their response to drought and to identify the traits that are associated with drought tolerance/escape. The landraces differed significantly for flowering time, yield-contributing traits and yielding ability under stress and non-stress conditions. There was a wide range in the drought response index (−8.5 to 13.9) among the landraces and it accounted for 73% of variation in grain yield obtained under stress conditions. Yielding ability of the landraces depended upon different characters in the presence and absence of drought stress emphasising manipulations of different traits for enhancing yield under stress and non-stress conditions. Higher panicle number and greater biomass accumulation proved to be the target traits for improving grain yield under stress but not for enhancing yield under non-stress conditions. Higher individual grain mass was associated with drought escape, while higher grain number panicle−1 and harvest index were associated with drought tolerance. The landraces having high degree of drought tolerance have been identified for use in developing drought tolerant cultivars.
EXPERIMENTAL MODELS OF METABOLIC SYNDROME IN RATS

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a disorder comprising central obesity, dyslipidemia, raised blood pressure, insulin resistance. The aim of the present study was to develop a cheap, easy and reproducible rat model of MS. 36 male Wistar rats were divided in 3 groups: a control group (C) receiving regular rat chow diet, a high-fat (HF) group receiving lard enriched rat chow and a high-fat high-fructose (HFHF) group receiving lard and fructose enriched rat chow. HF and HFHF groups had also 10% fructose in their drinking water. The duration of the study was 8 weeks. Body weights were measured weekly. At the end of the study insulin tolerance test (ITT) was performed. Liver and fat weight index were measured after sacrifice. Lipid biochemical parameters and insulin concentration in serum were determined. Liver triglycerides (TG) were measured. The oxidative stress in serum was assessed by thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS). At the end of the study the animals did not differ in their body weights across the groups, but the fat index in both HF and HFHF groups was higher. Plasma TG and cholesterol were raised in both groups and the ratio cholesterol/ HDL-cholesterol was higher. Liver TG were elevated in HFHF rats. ITT revealed reduced insulin sensitivity in both experimental groups although serum insulin was elevated only in HFHF group. TBARS were increased in both HF and HFHF groups. Both models displayed most of the features of MS; the HFHF probably better reflects the ‘cafeteria’ diet and its unhealthy consequences.
Do Rewards Encourage Professional Skepticism? It Depends

In three experiments, we find that rewarding professional skepticism can backfire and decrease skepticism on future audit tasks where red flags are present. We focus on rewards for costly skepticism: skepticism that is ex ante appropriate but generates incremental ex post costs and does not identify a misstatement. Auditors interpret a reward for costly skepticism as a better-than-expected outcome and view subsequent tasks from a risk-averse gain frame. As a result, auditors seek to avoid the downside risk of skeptical action, which decreases auditors' sensitivity to red flags and their willingness to communicate severe red flags to their managers, compromising audit quality. However, we also find that a supervisor consistently rewarding costly skepticism decreases auditors' risk aversion and increases their skepticism. In sum, auditors believe skeptical action has downside risk. A cultural shift towards credible, consistent rewards for appropriate skepticism likely helps ensure that rewards have their intended effect.
Mechanism and Regulation of Gene Expression by Androgen Receptor in Prostate Cancer

Abstract : Our general objective is to use completely defined cell-free transcription systems both to identify novel AR-associated cofactors and to investigate the mechanism of action of AR and both novel and previously identified candidate coactivators. In an attempt to isolate cofactors capable of influencing AR transcriptional activity, we used an immunoprecipitation method and identified a 44-kDa protein, designated as p44, as a new AR-interacting protein. P44 interacts with AR in the nucleus and with an androgen-regulated homeobox protein (NKx3. 1) in the cytoplasm of LNCaP cells. Transient transfection assay revealed that p44 enhances AR-, glucocorticoid receptor-, and progesterone receptor- dependent transcription but not estrogen receptor- or thyroid hormone receptor-dependent transcription. P44 was recruited onto the promoter of the prostate-specific antigen gene in the presence of the androgen in LNCaP cells. P44 exists as a multiprotein complex in the nucleus of HeLa cells. This complex, but not p44 alone, enhances AR-driven transcription in vitro in a cell-free transcriptional system and contains the protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5), which acts synergistically with p44 to enhance AR-driven gene expression in a methyltransferase-independent manner. Our data suggest that a novel mechanism by which the protein arginine methyltransferase is involved in the control of AR-driven transcription. P44 expression is dramatically enhanced in prostate cancer tissue when compared with adjacent benign prostate tissue.
Cryopreservation - a tool for long-term storage of cells, tissues and organs from in vitro culture derived

Cryopreservation offers the possibility for long-term storage of genetic resources with maximal genotypic stability, using a minimum of space and maintenance. At present it is actively used all over the world for storage of plant material: seeds, pollen, spores, dormant buds or apical meristems in genebanks. The development of biotechnology led to the production of a new category of germplasm for cryostorage: in vitro obtain tissues, organs, embryos, special cell lines and genetically modified plant material. The maintenance of in vitro collections remains risky regarding losing accessions due to the contamination, hu-man error or somaclonal variation. The classical slow cooling was the first stan-dard protocol developed for hydrated plant tissues. This method is mainly used for cryopreservation of non-organized tissues, for example: cell suspensions and calli, or apices of cold-tolerant species. For differentiated structures, new cryopreservation techniques such as vitrification and encapsulation/dehydration procedures or droplet method are efficient and reliable. These freezing techniques have been successfully, routinely applied for cryopreservation of various plant material of temperate and tropical climate species. So far, cryopreservation procedures are developed for in vitro tissues and recalcitrant seeds of about 100 and 40 species, respectively.
Chromosome analysis and sorting

Flow cytometric analysis and sorting of plant mitotic chromosomes has been mastered by only a few laboratories worldwide. Yet, it has been contributing significantly to progress in plant genetics, including the production of genome assemblies and the cloning of important genes. The dissection of complex genomes by flow sorting into the individual chromosomes that represent small parts of the genome reduces DNA sample complexity and streamlines projects relying on molecular and genomic techniques. Whereas flow cytometric analysis, that is, chromosome classification according to fluorescence and light scatter properties, is an integral part of any chromosome sorting project, it has rarely been used on its own due to lower resolution and sensitivity as compared to other cytogenetic methods. To perform chromosome analysis and sorting, commercially available electrostatic droplet sorters are suitable. However, in order to resolve and purify chromosomes of interest the instrument must offer high resolution of optical signals as well as stability during long runs. The challenge is thus not the instrumentation, but the adequate sample preparation. The sample must be a suspension of intact mitotic metaphase chromosomes and the protocol, which includes the induction of cell cycle synchrony, accumulation of dividing cells at metaphase, and release of undamaged chromosomes, is time consuming and laborious and needs to be performed very carefully. Moreover, in addition to fluorescent staining chromosomal DNA, the protocol may include specific labelling of DNA repeats to facilitate discrimination of particular chromosomes. This review introduces the applications of chromosome sorting in plants, and discusses in detail sample preparation, chromosome analysis and sorting to achieve the highest purity in flow‐sorted fractions, and their suitability for downstream applications.
Changes in weight and length of sea cucumbers during conversion to processed beche-de-mer: Filling gaps for some exploited tropical species

Converting the weights or lengths of sea cucumbers in processed forms (e.g., salted or dried) to their original (live) measurement is essential for standardising data from fishery-dependent surveys and exports. We estimated the proportionate change in length and weight, during processing stages, of several species for which published data were lacking. The wide variation among species in the percentage of weight lost during processing emphasises that conversions should be made on a species-by-species basis. Stichopus herrmanni shrunk more in length and weight than any other species we studied. We present new estimates for Actinopyga spinea, A. palauensis, A. echinites, Holothuria lessoni, and H. whitmaei. These findings complement previous studies by filling some gaps in conversion factors for tropical species, and will allow for realistic conversions of data from fishery assessments and national exports.
Relationship between Phycoerythrin and Nitrogen Content in Gloiopeltis furcata and Porphyra yezoensis

Seasonal changes of pigment compositionin two intertidal red algae, Gloiopeltis furcata (Postels et Ruprecht) J. Agardh, and Porphyra yezoensis Ueda, were investigated. Chlorophyll α and phycoerythrin levels were high during winter, but decreased in late spring or summer, with accompanying discoloration from deep red to green or yellow. This discoloation corresponded closely to the fluctuationof phycoerythrin content. Nevertheless, photosynthesis capacity was maintained by the increasing water temperature in the field, suggesting that large amounts of phycoerythrin are not necessary for photosynthesis. Phycoerythrin conten correlated significantly with nitrogen content in both species when the nitrogen level was greater than the level of critical content (1.30% DW in G. furcata, and 2.26% DW in P. yezoensis), indicating that phycoerythrin plays a more important role in the nitrogen status as a nitrogen pool than that of nitrogen critical content. Furthermore, the dependence level of the alage on phycoerythrin as a nitrogen pool was greater in P. yezoensis than in G. furcata because of the remarkable increase of phycoerythrin content in P. yezoensis with increasing jnitrogen content.
Different Mortality in Larval Stage of Ayu Plecoglossus altivelis by Birth Dates in the Shimanto Estuary and Adjacent Coastal Waters

Ayu Plecoglossus altivelis is an amphidromous fish with a life span of only one year. They spawn in the lower reaches of rivers in autumn. Hatching takes place about two weeks after spawning and yolk-sac larvae drift down into estuarine and coastal waters, where they live throughout the larval and early juvenile stages.1-5) In spring, juveniles ascend rivers, where they grow and mature. Although the survival rate of ayu after ascending a river is stable, large annual population fluctuation is observed within a river.6,7) This phenomenon suggests that the resource level of ayu in a river of the year may be determined by the mortality during the early life stages. Previous studies have shown that starvation8) and high mortality9) occur during and after the downstream migra tion. Moreover, the resource level of juvenile ayu seems to be related to precipitation in the spawning season10) and the difference in water temperature between the sea and the river in spring.11) However, there is little information about the mortality processes of ayu throughout the larval and juvenile stages. In this study, to verify the mortality of ayu in larval and juvenile stages, following the methods of Methot12) and Yoklavich and Bailey, 13) we studied the birth date distribu tions, through otoliths analysis, of three different life stages (ecological division by habit and habitat); 1) downstream migrating yolk-sac larvae, 2) larvae and juveniles distributed in the estuary and coastal waters, and 3) upstream migrating juveniles. Materials and Methods
Team Learning and Superior Firm Performance: A Meso-Level Perspective on Dynamic Capabilities

This paper proposes a team-based, meso-level perspective on dynamic capabilities. We argue that team-learning routines constitute a critical link between managerial cognition and organization-level processes of sensing, seizing, and reconfiguring. We draw from the literature to develop four categories based on the orientation (exploration/exploitation) and locus (internal/external) of learning in teams: reflexive, experimental, contextual, and vicarious learning. We integrate these categories into the dynamic capabilities framework, propose that their relative importance differs along the sensing-seizing-reconfiguring pathway, and assess their impact on innovation and strategic change. Our framework contributes by adding a meso lens to research on dynamic capabilities, thereby offering an explanation for how senior managers’ cognitive abilities can produce superior firm performance, through learning in teams.
First distribution records of Acetes intermedius (Decapoda: Sergestidae)from the coastal waters of Bintulu, Sarawak : population structure, length-weigh and length-length relationship.

Sergestid shrimp Acetes intermedius was recorded for the first time from the Bintulu coastal waters in Sarawak. The morphological characters of the species were examined. Population structure, length-weight and length-length relationship of A. intermedius was estimated based on specimens collected from the site during February-March 2006. A total of 857 specimens (473 males and 384 females) of A. intermedius were measured for the study of size frequency structure. The mean length of the male and female was 25.6 ± 2.52 mm and 27.02 ± 3.24 mm, respectively. The sex ratio was found to be 1: 0.81 (males: females). Total length of female was on an average 1.41 mm longer than the male (P < 0.01). The equations calculated for length-weight relationship were W = 0.0025 TL3.1484 (r2 = 0.80) for male, W = 0.0033 L3.044 (r2 = 0.77) for female. The value of b for males (b = 3.148) and females (b = 3.044) were closest to 3 which was not significantly higher than isometric value (3) indicating that the growth in males and females were isometric. The estimated co efficient of correlation (r) between the total length and body weight was 0.99 for combined sexes of the species, indicating that the relationship was highly significant (P < 0.01).
The effects of cannabinoids on insulin secretion

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition caused by a deficiency in the secretion of insulin from the islets of Langerhans and/or impaired insulin signalling, resulting in hyperglycaemia. The role of the endocannabinoid system is well-recognised in the CNS and immune system, but its role in glucose homeostasis is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to define the roles of cannabinoids in insulin secretion, to provide insights into their therapeutic potential (or limitation) in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Isolated islets were used, from Wistar rats, in static incubation studies measuring changes in insulin secretion rates. The endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) was found to inhibit insulin secretion in a glucose- and concentration-dependent manner, with an IC50 of 1. 6μM (95% CI: 227nM to 4.0μM; n= 10). Upon further analysis of the concentration-response data islet sensitivity to AEA appeared to vary, with islets either appearing to be sensative (IC50 220nM; 95% CI: 21.9nM to 2.2μM; n= 5) or less sensative (IC50 12.3μM; 95% CI: 6.8μM to 19.4μM; n= 5) to AEA. Pre-incubation of islets with a fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor did not affect islet responsiveness to AEA. AEA-mediated inhibition of insulin secretion was not consistently affected by cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) or CB2 antagonism. Surprisingly, the CB1 receptor antagonist AM251 was found to inhibit insulin secretion in a glucose- and concentration-dependent (IC50 1.6μM; 95% CI: 507nM to 3.3μM; n= 6) manner. Results from this study suggest that differences in CB-receptor signalling pathways, rather than endocannabinoid metabolism, could be responsible for the variations in the potency of AEA between islet preparations. Characterisation of cannabinoid signalling in islets was hindered as the CB receptor antagonists used in this study also affected insulin secretion. This study highlights the dynamics of endocannabinoid signalling in islets, which may be linked to their physiological function.
Separate the wheat from the chaff: genomic scan for local adaptation in the red coral Corallium rubrum

Genomic data allow an in-depth and renewed study of local adaptation. The red coral ( Corallium rubrum , Cnidaria) is a highly genetically structured species and a promising model for the study of adaptive processes along an environmental gradient. Here, we used RAD-Sequencing in order to study the vertical genetic structure of this species and to search for signals of local adaptation to depth and thermal regime in the red coral. Previous studies have shown diﬀerent thermotolerance levels according to depth in this species which could correspond to genetic or environmental diﬀerences. We designed a sampling scheme with six pairs of shallow vs deep populations distributed in three geographical regions as replicates. Our results showed signiﬁcant diﬀerentiation among locations and among sites separated by around 20 m depth. The tests of association between genetics and environment allowed the identiﬁcation of candidate loci under selection but with a potentially high rate of false positive. We discuss the methodological obstacles and biases encountered for the detection of selected loci in such a strongly genetically structured species. On this basis, we also discuss the signiﬁcance of the candidate loci for local adaptation detected in each geographical region and the evolution of red coral populations along environmental gradients. in at least 75 % of individuals from all populations. We observed an increase in the number of SNPs from position 86 bp to 91 bp and we removed these positions from the analysis which were due to sequencing problems. In order to filter for poor-quality SNPs and artifacts due paralogous sequences, we used VCFtools (Danecek et al., 2011) to remove SNPs that were not at the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium within at least one of the 12 populations with a p-value threshold of 0.01. SNPs with a minor allele frequencies below 0.01 were removed using VCFtools. Individuals with more than 30 % of missing genotypes were discarded. Finally, only the first SNP of each RAD locus was kept for further analysis. The whole dataset has been previously used for the study of sex determinism in C. rubrum (Pratlong et al., 2017); we develop here the study of genetic structure and local adaptation.
SIMULAÇÃO E COMPETÊNCIAS NÃO-TÉCNICAS NO CONTEXTO DE EMERGÊNCIA PRÉ-HOSPITALAR: ESTUDO QUALITATIVO

RESUMO: Compreender a importância que os enfermeiros atribuem a simulacao no desenvolvimento de competencias nao tecnicas no evento paragem cardiaca em ambiente pre-hospitalar. Enquadramento A enfermagem e projetada no futuro, desenvolvendo uma abordagem centrada na pessoa consistente com a valorizacao de valores, necessidades e desejos destes, considerando o processo de cuidados como intervencao complexa. A simulacao baseada em cenarios e uma oportunidade para recriar essa complexidade de forma virtual, no desenvolvimento de competencias nao-tecnicas. Metodologia Este estudo utiliza uma pesquisa qualitativa indutiva, interpretativa e construtivista. Foram entrevistados 7 enfermeiros. Foi desenvolvida analise de conteudo tematica. Resultados Foram identificados tres temas: cenarios de simulacao em emergencias pre-hospitalares; A aquisicao de conhecimento para o desenvolvimento de habilidades e Construcao do virtual a partir do real. Conclusoes Os enfermeiros entrevistados apresentam conhecimentos a melhorar em relacao aos tipos de simulacao. Consideram o Debriefing relevante para as habilidades de aprendizagem: pensamento critico, julgamento clinico e a tomada de decisao.