Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Studies of the Behavior of Lunulated and Salvin's Antbirds

From the high green wall of the Andes to the great yellow Rio Madeira, in the 2000 kilometers of Amazonian forest from Ecuador and Peru one third of the way across Brazil and Bolivia, live two little-known antbirds of the genus Gymnqwithys. Plump, shorttailed birds slightly smaller than House Sparrows ( Pa~~cr domesticus), Salvin’ s Antbirds ( Gymnopithys sdvini) have been known from over 156 skins in museums and Lunulated Antbirds (Gymnupithys lunutata) from seven or so specimens. The collectors, mostly nonbiologists, recorded nothing of their habits. The other three species of the genus Gymnopithys follow swarms of army ants and snap up arthropods flushed by the ants (Willis 1967). In late 1965 and early 1966 I visited eastern Ecuador and Peru and western Brazil to study birds that follow the ants. I found that both Salvin’ s and Lunulated Antbirds are “professional” ant-followers, dependent on army ants to flush their food. In behavior, they proved to be remarkably similar to other species of the genus. However, certain peculiarities of their social organization throw new light on the general question of the roles of aggression and submission in behavior. gest that they may be conspecific. Indeed, the Rio Ucayali is the most likely dividing line between their ranges, so that at Sarayacu and Lagarto on the Ucayali specimens of lunulata may have come from west of the river and specimens of sak-ini from east of it. However, the Ucayali is a meandering river, forming oxbows and cutoff channels; the occasional transfer of large sections of land from one side to the other should surely allow these birds to meet and hybridize if they can do so. Behavioral characteristics suggest that they are separate species. However, their ecologies are so similar that I doubt they can coexist over more than a very narrow zone where their ranges meet. Perhaps they meet in the fashion of Eastern and Western Meadowlarks (Stwnella magna and S. neglecta), with interspecific territoriality and little or no hybridization ( Lanyon 1957), but more study is needed along the Ucayali.
Single-Item Self-Report Measures of Team-Sport Athlete Wellbeing and Their Relationship With Training Load: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND Single-item athlete self-report measures consist of a single question to assess a dimension of wellbeing. These methods are recommended and frequently used for athlete monitoring, yet their uniformity has not been well assessed, and we have a limited understanding of their relationship with measures of training load. OBJECTIVE To investigate the applications and designs of single-item self-report measures used in monitoring team-sport athletes and present the relationship between these measures and measures of training load. DATA SOURCES PubMed, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus were searched between inception and March 2019. STUDY SELECTION Articles were included if they concerned adult athletes from field- or court-sport domains, if athlete well-being was measured using a single-item self-report, and if the relationship with a measure of modifiable training load was investigated over at least 7 days. DATA EXTRACTION Data related to participant characteristics, self-report measures, training load measures, and statistical analysis and outcomes were extracted by 2 authors (C.D. and C.D.). DATA SYNTHESIS A total of 21 studies were included in the analysis. A narrative synthesis was conducted. The measures used most frequently were muscle soreness, fatigue, sleep quality, stress, and mood. All measures presented various relationships with metrics of training load from no association to a very large association, and the associations were predominantly trivial to moderate in the studies with the largest numbers of observations. Relationships were largely negative associations. CONCLUSIONS The implications of this review should be considered by users in the application and clinical utility of single-item self-report measures in athlete monitoring. Great emphasis has been placed on examining the relationship between subjective and objective measures of training load. Although the relationship is still unclear, such an association may not be expected or useful. Researchers should consider the measurement properties of single-item self-report measures and seek to establish their relationship with clinically meaningful outcomes. As such, further study is required to inform practitioners on the appropriate objective application of data from single-item self-report measures.
Does the short-term exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic field originating from mobile phone affect auditory functions as measured by Acoustic Admittance and Evoked Otoacoustic Emission tests?

ABSTRACT Background Mobile phones constitute an important source of radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) for humans. Taking into account high sensitivity of sensory hair cells of the inner ear to endogenous and exogenous agents, the potential impact of mobile phone usage on auditory organs is of particular interest. Aim The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of short-term exposure to RF-EMF generated by a mobile phone during 15-minute simulated phone call on human hearing as measured by Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emission (TEOAE) and Acoustic Admittance Testing (AAT). Material and methods Within-subject study was performed on 23 healthy volunteers. All of the participants underwent TEOAE and AAT before and immediately after 15-minute simulated phone call with the use of a standard, modern smartphone. Analyzed parameters included: static compliance of tympanic membrane, middle ear pressure, ipsi- and contralateral acoustic reflex thresholds and percentage of signal reproducibility in TEOAE for exposed and non-exposed ear. Additionally, the results were compared in subgroups distinguished basing on self-reported sensitivity to RF-EMF originating from mobile phones. Results No statistically significant differences were identified between results of TEOAE and AAT before and after exposure, both in exposed and non-exposed ear. The results of EMF sensitive and non-sensitive subjects were comparable in all performed tests. Conclusions Short-term exposure to mobile phone electromagnetic field did not influence auditory functions as measured by Evoked Otoacoustic Emission test and Acoustic Admittance Testing.
Variation in Native Bee Faunas and its Implications for Detecting Community Changes

Introduction Methods Comparing studies Levels of spatial and temporal variation Effects of sampling effort and area Predictability of subsampling Results ABSTRACT Changes in flower-visiting insect populations or communities that result from human impacts can be documented by measuring spatial or temporal trends, or by comparing abundance or species composition before and after disturbance. The level of naturally occurring variation in populations and communities over space and time will dictate the sampling effort required to detect human-induced changes. We compiled a set of existing surveys of the bee faunas of natural communities from around the world to examine patterns of abundance and richness. We focused on a subset of these studies to illustrate variation in bee communities among different sites and within sites over different spatial and temporal scales. We used examples from our compilation and other published studies to illustrate sampling approaches that maximize the value of future sampling efforts. Existing studies suggest that bee faunas are locally diverse, highly variable in space and time, and often rich in rare species. All of these attributes indicate that intense sampling among sites and years will be required to differentiate changes due to specific impacts from the natural dynamics of populations and communities. Given the limits on
Researches regarding serum biochemical parameters as an indicator of fish welfare in two farms from the southern area of the country.

The present study aims the assessment of fish welfare in two farms from the southern area of Romania (Ulmu and Ciocanesti) using as objective welfare indicator the serum biochemical profile. The tests were conducted by using Vettest 8008 Chemistry, being analyzed: blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, phosphatemia, calcium, albumine, cholesterol, glucose, total proteins, blood ammonia, alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, creatin kinase, triglycerides, amylase. The obtained results were compared with those from other scientific researches regarding carp serum biochemical profile. The values in Ciocanesti ponds show increased creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, phosphatemia, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase values and a slightly increased calcium and albumine values, the cause being the dehydration and the intense muscular effort associated with fish angling and restraining. In Ulmu ponds, there is noticed in adition a significant increasing of cholesterol, transaminases and glucose, which could suggests hepatopancreatic disorders. Following the researches, the fish welfare level was acceptable in Ciocanesti farm and poor in Ulmu.
Effect of Variegation in Euonymus japonica var. aureus on Two Phloem Feeding Insects, Unaspis euonymi (Homoptera: Diaspididae) and Aphis fabae (Homoptera: Aphididae)

Compared with green plants, variegated plants compensated for the reduced photosynthetic efficiency of each leaf by producing more leaf area per unit of biomass. This altered growth pattern indicates that nutrients must be more mobile in variegated plants to support the new leaf growth. The movement of plant nutrients, such as nitrogen, has been linked to the performance of several phloem feeding insects. The fecundity of two phloem feeding insects was examined to determine if factors that increased nitrogen movement could improve their performance. The fecundity of Unaspis euonymi and Aphis fabae was observed, respectively, on stems and leaves of variegated and green Euonymus japonica var. aureus. Fecundity of both phloem feeders was improved on the variegated plants. In addition to examining interplant variation in suitability, intraplant variation was examined for A. fabae. Young variegated leaves provided the most suitable substrate for this insect. These data suggest that horticulturally important attributes such as variegation can affect the susceptibility of ornamental plants to insect pests. Variegation alters normal patterns of growth and nutrient transport in a manner that suggests an increased flux of mobile nutrients. These changes are likely to enhance the fecundity of associated sucking insects such as aphids and scales.
Možnosti izolace a charakterizace bakteriálních polysacharidů

Bacterial exopolysaccharides are due to its unique properties still more and more used in different domain of industry. Presented master thesis contains experiences gained during cultivation experiments with Agrobacterium tumefaciens, earlier isolated in our laboratory. This bacterium is the producer of extracellular polysaccharides (EPS). Spectrophotometric methods for protein, total polysaccharides and acidic polysaccharides determination were adopted and employed in motoring of EPS production during cultivation experiments. Further, the thesis discusses problems of isolation and purification of bacterial EPS. The maximal EPS yield achieved was 7 g per liter of cultivation medium. Our investigations show that EPS is produced particularly in the stationary phase of the culture growth. EPS isolated was characterized by FT-IR, the spectrum recorded resembles the spectrum of Xanthan; presence of acidic, probably carboxylic, groups can be expected in the structure of EPS. The distribution curve of the isolated polysaccharide was very broad spanning the region from 1 to 3 milions of Daltons. Obtained results reveal interesting properties of the investigated EPS as well as relatively high production capacity of the employed bacterial strain and a possibility of practical applications.
Mitral Valve Bioprosthesis Is Safer Than Mechanical Mitral Prosthesis in Young Women.

BACKGROUND The ultimate goal of mitral valve surgery in young women is to extend life expectancy and improve quality of life. Mitral valve replacement (MVR) prosthesis in middle-aged women is a difficult choice between the lifelong anticoagulation by mechanical prosthesis versus the limited long-term durability of bioprosthesis. The current trend towards reducing women's age for selecting bioprosthesis over mechanical prosthesis leads to a dilemma for younger women decision making. The aim of this study was to compare the safety and freedom from complications in pregnancy and survival rate after mitral valve bioprosthesis versus mechanical prosthesis in young women for whom mitral valve repair is not feasible, or unsuitable. METHODS This single-center non randomized prospective study included all female patients undergoing MVR at our center from January 2010 to February 2020. RESULTS In total, 355 young women patients underwent MVR at our center, of whom 174 received a bioprosthesis and 181 received a mechanical prosthesis. The use of anticoagulation among young women with mechanical prosthesis was associated with a remarkable risk of postoperative bleeding, abortion, and increased frequency of pregnancy-related complications (P < .0001). In contrast, there was a considerable survival benefit for those who received bioprosthesis (P = .0001). CONCLUSION Our data confirm that the use of mitral bioprosthesis in young women who desire to become pregnant is safe, reduces complications, and increases survival.
Network-Based Analysis Reveals Association of FOXE1 Gene Polymorphisms in Thyroid Cancer Patients; A Case-Control Study in Southeast of Iran

Thyroid cancer (TC) is the mainly frequent endocrine cancer by different incidence rate in worldwide. However, early prediction of this cancer is still challenging due to the unclear pathogenicity. In this study with the aid of systems biology approach, performed a holistic study on GSE65144 dataset containing anaplastic thyroid carcinoma tissues. Co-expression network analysis by WGCNA suggested that highly preserved turquoise module with 1,480 genes was significantly correlated to TC. Most of the top 54 hub-genes of this module are functionality correlated to thyroid hormone generation (GO:0006590). Of these 54 hub-genes, FOXE1 has been reported previously to contain mutation asosiated to TC and chosen for experimental validation step. To this end, we conducted a case-control study including 81 TC patients and 165 controls individuals to evaluate the effects of FOXE1 functional polymorphisms (rs1867277) on the development of TC in Sistan and Balouchestan province of Iran. The polymorphisms of FOXE1 gene (rs1867277) assessed by tetra-ARMS PCR technique. Homozygous (GG) and (AA) variant of rs1867277 polymorphism were detected in 26 (32.1%) and 15 (18.5 %) of TC patients, and 66 (40.0%), and 15 (9.1%) in controls, respectively (p-value= 0.03, OR= 2.53). The A allele frequency was 70 (43.2%) in TC patients and 114 (34.5%) in controls (p-value= 0.06, OR= 1.44). Overall, our results suggested that FOXE1 gene could be used as a prognostic marker in TC and also provides information related to FOXE1 functional polymorphisms (rs1867277) in Sistan and Balouchestan province of Iran.
Adiantic acid, a new unsaturated fatty acid with a cyclopropane moiety from Adiantum flabellulatum L.

Abstract Phytochemical investigation of Adiantum flabellulatum L. led to the isolation of four natural compounds, including a novel unsaturated fatty acid with a cyclopropane moiety, i.e. (S,E)-7-(2-octylcyclopropylidene)heptanoic acid (1), together with three known compounds, isoadiantol B (2), stigmast-4-en-6β-ol-3-one (3), β-sitosterol (4). Compound 3 was isolated from the A. flabellulatum L. for the first time. The structure of 1 was elucidated following a comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic analyses including MS, 1 D and 2 D NMR, and by a mass spectrometry experiment of the dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) adduct, while the known compounds were identified by comparisons with those reported in the literature. Enzyme evaluation of 1 indicated this compound possesses anti- protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP1B) activity with an IC50 value of 6.99 ± 0.41 μM in vitro. Graphical Abstract
Combined passive and active treatment in strabismic amblyopia with accommodative component

Treatment of amblyopia in esotropic subjects with accommodative component currently consists of optical correction and subsequent occlusion, or penalisation, of the dominant eye. This treatment obtains a good outcome in visual acuity but poor outcomes in binocular vision. An intervention protocol that could improve the outcome of conventional treatment is presented.
The forearm and hand musculature of semi‐terrestrial rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) and arboreal gibbons (fam.Hylobatidae). Part II. Quantitative analysis

Nonhuman primates have a highly diverse locomotor repertoire defined by an equally diverse hand use. Based on how primates use their hands during locomotion, we can distinguish between terrestrial and arboreal taxa. The ‘arboreal’ hand is likely adapted towards high wrist mobility and grasping, whereas the ‘terrestrial’ hand will show adaptations to loading. While the morphology of the forearm and hand bones have been studied extensively, functional adaptations in the forearm and hand musculature to locomotor behaviour have been documented only scarcely. In this paper, we investigate the forelimb musculature of the highly arboreal gibbons (including Hylobates lar,Hylobates pileatus,Nomascus leucogenys,Nomascus concolor and Symphalangus syndactylus) and compare this with the musculature of the semi‐terrestrial rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Anatomical data from previous dissections on knuckle‐walking bonobos (Pan paniscus) and bipedal humans (Homo sapiens) are also included to further integrate the analyses in the scope of catarrhine hand adaptation. This study indicates that the overall configuration of the arm and hand musculature of these primates is very similar but there are some apparent differences in relative size which can be linked to differences in forelimb function and which might be related to their specific locomotor behaviour. In macaques, there is a large development of wrist deviators, wrist and digital flexors, and m. triceps brachii, as these muscles are important during the different phases of palmi‐ and digitigrade quadrupedal walking to stabilize the wrist and elbow. In addition, their m. flexor carpi ulnaris is the most important contributor to the total force‐generating capacity of the wrist flexors and deviators, and is needed to counteract the adducting torque at the elbow joint during quadrupedal walking. Gibbons show a relatively high force‐generating capacity in their forearm rotators, wrist and digital flexors, which are important muscles in brachiation to actively regulate forward movement of the body. The results also stress the importance of the digital flexors in bonobos, during climbing and clambering, and in humans, which is likely linked to our advanced manipulation skills.
Novel Proteomic Profiling of Epididymal Extracellular Vesicles in the Domestic Cat Reveals Proteins Related to Sequential Sperm Maturation with Differences Observed between Normospermic and Teratospermic Individuals

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) isolated from epididymal segments of both normospermic and teratospermic domestic cats were analyzed via mass spectrometry. Both male types shared 3008 proteins, with 98 and 20 EV proteins unique to normospermic and teratospermic males, respectively. Expression levels of several proteins changed between epididymal segments in both male types, with seven cauda-derived proteins trending downward in teratospermic compared to normospermic males. Collectively, these differences may relate to the poor sperm quality observed in teratospermic individuals. Graphical Abstract Highlights Several proteins were found to be unique to each male type. Expression levels of seven proteins trended downward in teratospermic males. Several proteins were related to sperm motility and subsequent oocyte binding. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by the epididymal epithelium transfer to spermatozoa key proteins that are essential in promoting motility and subsequent fertilization success. Using the domestic cat model, the objectives were to (1) characterize and compare protein content of EVs between segments of the epididymis, and (2) compare EV protein compositions between normo- and teratospermic individuals (producing >60% of abnormal spermatozoa). Epididymal EVs from adult cats were isolated and assessed via liquid chromatography tandem MS. Both male types shared 3008 proteins in total, with 98 and 20 EV proteins unique to normospermic and teratospermic males, respectively. Expression levels of several proteins changed between epididymal segments in both male types. Several proteins in both groups were related to sperm motility (e.g. hexokinase 1, adenylate kinase isoenzyme) and zona pellucida or oolemma binding (e.g. disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain proteins, zona binding proteins 1 and 2). Interestingly, seven cauda-derived EV proteins trended downward in teratospermic compared with normospermic males, which may relate to poor sperm quality. Collective results revealed, for the first time, EV proteins related to sequential sperm maturation with differences observed between normospermic and teratospermic individuals.
Structural Characteristics of Old‐Growth Hemlock‐Hardwood Forests in Relation to Age

We characterized the structure of 25 old-growth hemlock-hardwood forests in northern Wisconsin and adjacent Michigan in order to examine our working hypotheses that differences in their structure are related to stand age (i.e., stage of development) and that changes in stand structure continue after old-growth status is achieved. Estimates of stand age, i.e., age of oldest tree cored, based on 10 cores taken from hemlocks of a range of diameters in each stand, ranged from 177 to 374. By investigating the patterns of live tree structure, coarse woody debris (CWD), tip-up mounds, and canopy gaps in relation to stand age, we were able to infer changes that occur during stand development. Along the gradient of old-growth stand development, some changes in structural fea- tures, including total volume of CWD, snag (standing dead tree) basal area, and total area and average size of canopy gaps were continuous, linear increases over time. In contrast, changes in live tree and snag density, density of large trees, volume of well-decayed hemlock logs, and diameter-age relationships occurred after a threshold stand age of 275-300 yr was reached. Area and density of tip-up mounds and density of large seedlings and saplings were not correlated with stand age. Old-growth hemlock-hardwood stands at the upper end of the age continuum (>275- 300 yr) have accumulated both gradual and threshold structural changes, acquiring most of the following characteristics: (1) a strong correlation between age and diameter of trees, (2) low densities of live trees distributed across all size classes, (3) trees >70 cm dbh (diameter at breast height), (4) dead wood > 120-150 m3/ha, with logs >80 m3/ha, (5) hemlock logs present in all decay classes, and (6) canopy gaps occupying > 10% of the stand, with the average gap size >50 M2, some gaps >200 M2 , and no more than 30% of the gaps <10 M2 . The two oldest stands may be at or near equilibrium, where maximum volumes of CWD are maintained through a balance of tree growth and mortality, and wood decay; and oldest tree age approaches 400 + yr, the maximum longevity typical for hemlock.