Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EFFECTS OF A HAEMATOPHAGOUS MITE ON THE BARN SWALLOW (HIRUNDO RUSTICA): A TEST OF THE HAMILTON AND ZUK HYPOTHESIS

I tested three assumptions of the Hamilton and Zuk hypothesis (1982), which suggests that the extravagant male plumage of many bird species allows females to choose mates that are resistant to the parasites exploiting the host population at a given time. By choosing such males as mates, females will rear offspring carrying the genes for resistance. I tested three necessary conditions for the Hamilton and Zuk model: (1) whether parasites affect the fitness of their hosts; (2) whether there is heritable variation in parasite resistance, and (3) whether the expression of the sexual ornament varies with parasite burden. The haematophagous mite Ornithonyssus bursa (Macronyssidae, Gamasida) sucks blood from their Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) hosts. Experimental manipulation of mite loads and partial cross‐fostering experiments on Barn Swallows, where half of the nestlings in the brood were exchanged with nestlings from another nest, shows that parasite burdens and origin, but not rearing conditions, of Bam Swallow nestlings, affected their adult tarsus length and maximum body weight shortly before fledging. Mite loads of adult Barn Swallows at spring arrival were more similar to mite loads of their own offspring, whether reared in their own or in foster nests inoculated with mites, than to loads of foster offspring. Parent Barn Swallows with long tail ornaments had offspring with smaller mite loads in the partial cross‐fostering experiments. The amount of increase in male tail ornaments from one year to another was negatively related to experimentally manipulated mite loads of Barn Swallow nests during the preceding breeding season. In conclusion, the three assumptions of the hypothesis were supported by the experimental tests.
Hardeland , Rüdiger Melatonin : a pleiotropic , orchestrating regulator molecule

Este documento está disponible en la Biblioteca Digital de la Universidad Católica Argentina, repositorio institucional desarrollado por la Biblioteca Central " San Benito Abad ". Su objetivo es difundir y preservar la producción intelectual de la institución. La Biblioteca posee la autorización del autor para su divulgación en línea. Abstract Melatonin, the neurohormone of the pineal gland, is also produced by various other tissues and cells. It acts via G protein-coupled receptors expressed in various areas of the central nervous system and in peripheral tissues. Parallel signaling mechanisms lead to cell-specific control and recruitment of downstream factors, including various kinases, transcription factors and ion channels. Additional actions via nuclear receptors and other binding sites are likely. By virtue of high receptor density in the circadian pacemaker, melatonin is involved in the phasing of circadian rhythms and sleep promotion. Additionally, it exerts effects on peripheral oscillators, including phase coupling of parallel cellular clocks based on alternate use of core oscillator proteins. Direct central and peripheral actions concern the up-or downregulation of various proteins, among which inducible and neuronal NO synthases seem to be of particular importance for antagonizing inflammation and excitotoxicity. The methoxyindole is also synthesized in several peripheral tissues, so that the total content of tissue melatonin exceeds by far the amounts in the circulation. Emerging fields in melatonin research concern receptor polymorphism in relation to various diseases, the control of sleep, the metabolic syndrome, weight control, diabetes type 2 and insulin resistance, and mitochondrial effects. Control of electron flux, prevention of bottlenecks in the respiratory chain and electron leakage contribute to the avoidance of damage by free radicals and seem to be important in neuroprotection, inflammatory diseases and, presumably, aging. Newly discovered influences on sirtuins and downstream factors indicate that melatonin has a role in mitochondrial biogenesis.
A Comparative Analysis of Three Communication Formats: Advertising, Infomercial, and Direct Experience

Abstract We develop a theoretical framework around the simple proposition that infomercials are similar to ads in some respects and also reflect characteristics inherent in direct experiences (i.e., trial use of branded goods). Using a real infomercial for a rock music album, we conducted two experiments to investigate the relative effectiveness of three different communication formats of research interest: ad, infomercial, and direct experience. Results were consistent across the two studies and indicated that both direct experience and infomercial formats produced greater impact on recall, attitudinal, and purchase intent variables when compared to the ad format. However, few significant differences emerged between direct experience and infomercial formats, suggesting that infomercials are closer to direct experiences than they are to ads. Of the three audio-visual conditions examined (1-minute long ad, 15-minute long infomercial, and 30-minute long infomercial), evidence indicated that the 15-minute long infomercial was most effective for attitudinal and direct-response measures. Thus, from the perspective of both persuasion and behavioral response, the popular 30-minute long infomercial format may not be optimal; the 15-minute long infomercial format appears to deserve more research scrutiny.
An Ethnographic Case Study of Music Learning at a School for the Blind

This ethnographic case study investigated the teaching and learning of music at a residential school for the blind in the southwest United States. Data collection included student and teacher interviews, and observation of classes and used a social constructivist framework of disability. Students reported that they received inadequate modifications in music instruction when they attended public school. At the school for the blind, students used a variety of resources, including modified standard notation and literary Braille, but not Braille music. These findings suggest students with visual impairments have unique and effective ways of communicating and learning music that differ from sighted students, but these abilities were not acknowledged in public school and they perceived this inequality. Finally, it is suggested that obtaining the perspectives of students who receive disability-specific education provides another facet to the research on perspectives on special education in music.
Hemodialysis Reduces Augmentation Index but Not Aortic or Brachial Pulse Wave Velocity in Dialysis-Requiring Patients

Background/Aims: Arterial stiffening characterizes the vasculature of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients and is a strong predictor of their cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Previous studies evaluating the effect of hemodialysis on large artery elasticity gave contradictory results. This study aimed to investigate the impact of hemodialysis on arterial stiffness and wave reflections on chronic hemodialysis patients. Methods: A total of 51 stable ESRD patients on maintenance hemodialysis were evaluated before and after the first and second dialysis session of the week. Arterial stiffness was assessed by measuring aortic and brachial pulse wave velocity (PWV). Central arterial pressure waveform parameters were estimated by radial artery applanation tonometry. Heart rate-adjusted augmentation index [AIx(75)] was used as measure of wave reflections. Results: During both dialysis sessions systolic blood pressure (SBP) and pulse pressure (PP) at brachial artery and central aorta were reduced. AIx(75) was decreased in first and second weekly dialysis session (27.5 ± 1.2 vs. 21.0 ± 1.5, p < 0.001 and 24.7 ± 1.2 vs. 20.5 ± 1.5, p < 0.001, respectively). In contrast, aortic and brachial PWV remained unchanged during both dialysis sessions. Changes in AIx(75) during hemodialysis were associated with changes in central aortic SBP, PP and ejection duration. Conclusions: This study shows that hemodialysis does not acutely affect arterial stiffness, but reduces wave reflections from periphery. This dissociation between effects of hemodialysis on PWV and AIx(75) may reflect differential impact on large and small branches of the arterial tree.
The Problem of Indian Administration

The Conditions Among the Indians. An overwhelming majority of the Indians are poor, even extremely poor, and they are not adjusted to the economic and social system of the dominant white civilization. The poverty of the Indians and their lack of adjustment to the dominant economic and social systems produce the vicious circle orc1inarily found among any people under such circumstances. Beof interrelationships, causes cannot be differentiated from The only course is to state briefly the conditions found that part of this vicious circle of poverty and maladjustment. Health. The health of the Indians as compared with that of the h",neral population is bad. Although accurate mortality and morstatistics are commonly lacking, the existing evidence warthe statement that both the general death rate and the infant mort:llity rate are high. Tuberculosis is extremely prevalent. Traa communicable disease which produces blindness, is a problem because of its great prevalence and the danger of spreading among both the Indians and the whites. Condi,tions. The prevailing living conditions among the majority of the Indians are conducive to the development and of disease. With comparatively few exceptions the diet of Indians is bad. It is generally insufficient in quantity, lacking and poorly prepared. The two great preventive elements milk, and fruits and green vegetables, are notably absent. tribes use fruits and vegetables in season, but even then the ordinarily insufficient. The use of milk is rare, and it is generally not available even for infants. Babies, when weaned, are
Relations of Television Viewing and Reading: Findings From a 4-Year Longitudinal Study

This longitudinal study explored the long-term effects of television viewing on the development of children's reading competencies. Among 2 cohorts of German children (N₁ = 165, N₂ = 167), measures of television viewing were collected over 4 years, and tests of reading speed and reading comprehension were administered annually. As a main result, TV genre (educational vs. entertainment programs) produced different effects. Whereas educational program viewing was positively correlated with reading achievement, relations between entertainment program viewing and reading performance were generally negative. Children who were classified as heavy viewers (average viewing time per day = 117 min) showed lower progress in reading over time as compared to medium and light viewers (average viewing times per day 69 and 35 min, respectively). Partial support was found only for 1 of the 3 tested causal mechanisms, namely television-induced reduction in leisure-time book reading.
Protective Effects of Carvacrol against Oxidative Stress Induced by Chronic Stress in Rat's Brain, Liver, and Kidney

Restraint stress may be associated with elevated free radicals, and thus, chronic exposure to oxidative stress may cause tissue damage. Several studies have reported that carvacrol (CAR) has a protective effect against oxidative stress. The present study was designed to investigate the protective effects of CAR on restraint stress induced oxidative stress damage in the brain, liver, and kidney. For chronic restraint stress, rats were kept in the restrainers for 6 h every day, for 21 consecutive days. The animals received systemic administrations of CAR daily for 21 days. To evaluate the changes of the oxidative stress parameters following restraint stress, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), and catalase (CAT) activities were measured in the brain, liver, and kidney. In the stressed animals that received vehicle, the MDA level was significantly higher (P < 0.001) and the levels of GSH and antioxidant enzymes were significantly lower than the nonstressed animals (P < 0.001). CAR ameliorated the changes in the stressed animals as compared with the control group (P < 0.001). This study indicates that CAR can prevent restraint stress induced oxidative damage.
A Polar Loop Transmitter with Digital Interface including a Loop-Bandwidth Calibration System

An RFIC with digital interface for GSM/EDGE is presented. The architecture is a polar loop transmitter and a direct conversion receiver. The transmitter draws 100mA in GSM and 130mA in EDGE modes. A loop-bandwidth calibration system that can keep the variation of the loop bandwidth to less than plusmn10% after a few microseconds calibration period is applied. The RFIC also contains a timing-control circuit to avoid having a zero PA output amplitude during the switching between GSM and EDGE
Prevalence of Mental Illness among Homeless People in Hong Kong

Metholodogy This study examined the prevalence and correlates of mental illness in homeless people in Hong Kong and explored the barriers preventing their access to health care. Ninety-seven Cantonese-speaking Chinese who were homeless during the study period were selected at random from the records of the three organisations serving the homeless population. The response rate was 69%. Seventeen subjects could not give valid consent due to their poor mental state, so their responses were excluded from the data analysis. A psychiatrist administered the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis-I disorders (SCID-I) and the Mini -Mental State Examination. Consensus diagnoses for subjects who could not complete the SCID-I were established by three independent psychiatrists. Findings The point prevalence of mental illness was 56%. Seventy-one percent of the subjects had a lifetime history of mental illness, 30% had a mood disorder, 25% had an alcohol use disorder, 25% had a substance use disorder, 10% had a psychotic disorder, 10% had an anxiety disorder and 6% had dementia. Forty-one percent of the subjects with mental illness had undergone a previous psychiatric assessment. Only 13% of the subjects with mental illness were receiving psychiatric care at the time of interview. The prevalence of psychotic disorders, dementia and the rate of under treatment are hugely underestimated, as a significant proportion (18%) of the subjects initially selected were too ill to give consent to join the study. Conclusion The low treatment rate and the presence of this severely ill and unreached group of homeless people reflect the fact that the current mode of service delivery is failing to support the most severely ill homeless individuals.
Leisure Type, Leisure Satisfaction and Adolescents’ Psychological Wellbeing

This study examined the impact of leisure type on leisure satisfaction, along with its subsequent effects on adolescents’ psychological wellbeing, using a longitudinal sample of 3,449 Korean adolescents at two time points (2003 and 2004). The results indicated that the type of leisure activity (measured in 10th grade) had differential effects on students’ long-term psychological wellbeing (measured in 11th grade) according to sex. Specifically, for male students, only active leisure (i.e., sports activities) had a positive effect on leisure satisfaction. By contrast, for female students, although active leisure activities exerted positive effects on leisure satisfaction, passive leisure (i.e., sedentary activities) and social leisure (i.e., spending time with friends) had a negative impact on students’ leisure satisfaction. For both male and female students, leisure satisfaction had longitudinal effects on their psychological wellbeing, with increasing life satisfaction and decreasing stress.
Status of LEPR Gene in PCB-exposed Population: A Quick Look

Abstract Earlier, we have reported that Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) exposure in Slovak population has made differential gene expression that has linked to the possibilities of some diseases and disorder development in the studied population. Here we report that down-regulation of LEPR (Leptin receptor) gene in the 45-month children may have been following consequences in developing obesity later in life. A pilot high-throughput qRT-PCR [Taqman Low Density Array (TLDA)] study in a small population also corroborated the gene-expression results, and their pathways underlying the consequences of the diseases, amid further detailed large-scale population validation. The study shows the opportunity of predicting long-term effects of chemical exposures using selected genomic classifiers may reflect exposure effect and risk from environmental toxicants.
Community Structure and Crime: Testing Social-Disorganization Theory

Shaw and McKay's influential theory of community social disorganization has never been directly tested. To address this, a community-level theory that builds on Shaw and McKay's original model is formulated and tested. The general hypothesis is that low economic status, ethnic heterogeneity, residential mobility, and family disruption lead to community social disorganization, which, in turn, increases crime and delinquency rates. A community's level of social organization is measured in terms of local friendship networks, control of street-corner teenage peer groups, and prevalence of organizational participation. The model is first tested by analyzing data for 238 localities in Great Britain constructed from a 1982 national survey of 10,905 residents. The model is then replicated on an independent national sample of 11,030 residents of 300 British localities in 1984. Results from both surveys support the theory and show that between-community variations in social disorganization transmit much of the effect of community structural characteristics on rates of both criminal victimization and criminal offending.
A Financial Issue, a Relationship Issue, or Both? Examining the Predictors of Marital Financial Conflict

This study examines whether financial conflict arises because of financial difficulties, marital problems, or both. Using a recent nationally representative sample of over 1500 married couples, this study finds that economic pressure, communication issues, and deeper “hidden” issues within marriage are all associated with financial conflict. Specifically, economic pressure is positively associated with financial conflict. When spouses report satisfying communication, respect, commitment, and fairness and have equal levels of economic power, they report lower levels of financial conflict. These results suggest that financial conflict is a complex marital phenomenon that both marital therapists and financial counselors may help reduce.
The Biology and Preliminary Host Range of Megacopta cribraria (Heteroptera: Plataspidae) and Its Impact on Kudzu Growth

ABSTRACT The bean plataspid, Megacopta cribraria (F.), recently was discovered in the United States feeding on kudzu, Pueraria montana Lour. (Merr.) variety lobata (Willd.), an economically important invasive vine. We studied its biology on kudzu and its impact on kudzu growth. We also tested its ability to use other common forest legumes for oviposition and development. Flight intercept traps operated from 17 May 2010 to 31 May 2011 in a kudzu field near Athens, GA showed three peaks of adult flight activity suggesting there are two generations per year on kudzu. Vine samples examined for eggs from April 2010 to April 2011 and June to October 2011 showed two periods of oviposition activity in 2010, which coincided with the peaks in adult activity. In 2011, the second period of oviposition began on or before 24 June and then egg abundance declined gradually thereafter until late August when we recovered <2 eggs/0.5 m of vine. Samples of the five nymphal instars and adults on vines did not show similar trends in abundance. Adults did not lay eggs on the various legume species tested in 2010 in a no-choice test possibly because the cages were too small. In the 2011 field host range experiments conducted in a kudzu field by using 12 legume species, M. cribraria preferentially oviposited on kudzu over soybean, Glycine max Merrill, but they still laid 320 eggs per plant on soybean. Lespedeza hirta (L.) Hornem. and Lespedeza cuneata (Dum. Cours.) G. Don had 122.2 and 108.4 eggs per plant, respectively. Kudzu and soybean were the only species M. cribraria completed development on. Plots protected from M. cribraria feeding by biweekly insecticide applications had 32.8% more kudzu biomass than unprotected plots. Our results show that M. cribraria has a significant impact on kudzu growth and could help suppress this pest weed.
Earnings Management and Dividend Policy An Empirical comparison between Pakistani Listed Companies and Chinese listed Companies

The study is an effort to fiind out the impact of earnings management on dividend payout policy for two coutries that is Pakistan and China. A set of listed Companies in both of the countries have been investigated to analyze the relationship for the year 2003 to 2007 in Pakistan and 2001 to 2007 in China. Dividend policy has been measured by dividend payout. Whereas earnings management has been measured by calculating discretionary accruals. Modified Cross Sectional Jones Model (1995) has been applied to data to determine the Earnings management. Results of Common effect model shows that for both the countries, earnings management has no impact on dividend pay out policy. This enables us to accept two of our hypothesis. However on the basis of these results our third hypothesis has been rejected stating that relationship between earnings management and dividend payout is not same in both countries.
Politics, Economics, and Urban Policing

This paper sets forth the hypothesis that the more that a city’s economy reflects the creative class and cultural tourism elements that characterize “new economy”-style postindustrial cities, the more that the police will emphasize heightened order maintenance. Such a thesis is evident in case studies on innovations in urban social control and on cities aspiring to global city status. But the thesis needs empirical test across a large sample of cities that vary on “new economy” status, with alternative explanations for variation in order maintenance policing simultaneously taken into account. This paper provides that test for cities above 100,000 in population, controlling for variables representing the racial threat thesis, governing institutions, community policing, and policing demands and constraints. The results provide robust support for the postindustrial policing hypothesis.