Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Enrichment on the Dynamics of Apparent Competitive Interactions in Stage‐Structured Systems

In the absence of other limiting factors, assemblages in which species share a common, effective natural enemy are not expected to persist. Although a variety of mechanisms have been postulated to explain the coexistence of species that share natural enemies, the role of productivity gradients has not been explored in detail. Here, we examine how enrichment can affect the outcome of apparent competition. We develop a structured resource/consumer/natural enemy model in which the prey are exposed to attacks during a vulnerable life phase, the length of which depends on resource availability. With a single prey species, the model exhibits the “paradox of enrichment,” with unstable dynamics at high levels of resource productivity. We extend this model to consider two prey species linked by a shared predator, each with their own distinct resource base. We derive invasion and stability conditions and examine how enrichment influences prey species exclusion and coexistence. Contrary to expectations from simpler, prey‐dependent models, apparent competition is not necessarily strong at high productivity, and prey species coexistence may thus be more likely in enriched environments. Further, the coexistence of apparent competitors may be facilitated by unstable dynamics. These results contrast with the standard theory that apparent competition in productive environments leads to nonpersistent interactions and that coexistence of multispecies interactions is more likely under equilibrial conditions.
Asymmetric Loss and the Rationality of Inflation Forecasts: Evidence from South Korea

We examine asymmetry in the loss functions of South Korean consumers' and the Bank of Korea's (BOK) inflation forecasts, and test the rationality of these forecasts under the assumption of a possible asymmetric loss function. Under an asymmetric loss function, we find evidence of asymmetry and support for rationality. We also examine whether the BOK's forecasts incorporate respective forecasts and consensus forecasts efficiently. They broadly use available information efficiently, and their results are robust to inflation-targeting measures and the recent global financial crisis. However, our results suggest that the information efficiency of the BOK's forecasts for consumers was affected during the period 2007–2008.
Re-tuning music education in Ghana : a study of cultural influences and musical development, and of the dilemma confronting Ghanaian school music teachers

Since 1987 Ghana has witnessed the emergence of an educational system which gives more attention to basic (elementary) education, with emphasis on the development of the creative abilities of school students. In the current reforms, basic education is seen as the bedrock, and an important starting point for the entire programme. However, this has not been achieved in music education, which still lacks a strong foundation. Apart from its foreign orientation, school music was formulated from above, and as a result, the emphasis has been upon adult musical values and practices, songs, dances, and instruments. Effort and resources have been concentrated in this way at secondary and tertiary levels. Attempts to reform the music curriculum have, to a large extent, been hampered by the view of music as cultural symbol: the more indigenous music is included in the school curriculum, the more `Ghanaian' the education will be. This view has shown itself particularly in the continuing fight against the `imaginary enemy' of Western classical music theory. An obsession with the dichotomy between African music and Western music in schools stems from the colonial past, and has tended to divert attention from the problems of curriculum content, solutions to which might have been found by using facilities already available within the cultural environment. The present study reviews sources of influence in music education, and attempts to provide a basis for constructive debate among Ghanaian music teachers, curriculum planners, those responsible for music teacher training, and educational policy makers, about current practice and the changes of emphasis which may be needed. It is suggested that the provision of music education should be put back into the wider context of contemporary national values, beliefs and objectives. Music educators in Ghana should now define and follow their own path, based on the roots of their own culture. This need not imply only the indigenous music of adults: it should be sought also in the children's music. The current interest in secondary level music education and adult musical values could profitably be reversed, so that basic school music (elementary sector) can foster a smoother and continuous growth and development of children's musical creativity. Rather than continuing to focus on the upper levels, a bottom-up approach could be
Solar inactivation of mesophilic Aeromonas by exogenous photooxidation in high-rate algal pond treating waste water.

AIMS Investigations were carried out to observe the effect of sunlight on the survival of mesophilic Aeromonas (A. caviae, A. hydrophila and A. sobria) in high-rate algal pond. METHODS AND RESULTS Light damage was estimated by loss of bacterial culturability, using simple beaker experiments. Survival of the strains studied under illuminated conditions was highly affected by the physico-chemical conditions within the microcosms. The inactivation of Aeromonas increased strongly as dissolved oxygen was increased, and was dependent on exogenous sensitizers. This process was enhanced by the high pH of water. Die-off of bacteria was prevented by adding catalase and pyruvate (H2O2 scavengers) into the microcosms. CONCLUSIONS The damage of Aeromonas was mainly due to exogenous photooxidation. Hydrogen peroxide at least was involved in light-induced damage of bacteria. Aeromonas sobria appeared to be slightly less sensitive to photooxidation than A. hydrophila and A. caviae. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY The present study could explain the relative resistance of A. sobria to treatment in wastewater stabilization ponds.
[Prevalence of intestinal helminths in cats in Quindío, Colombia].

INTRODUCTION Diseases caused by helminths are widely distributed in the world and many of them are considered zoonoses in which pets play a major role in transmission to humans. OBJECTIVE The prevalence of intestinal helminths was determined in cats in Quindío Province. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred twenty-one cats were characterized --data recorded included sex, age and body condition. Fecal samples were collected and processed using the modified Ritchie and modified Kato-Katz techniques to determine the presence of intestinal helminths. RESULTS Of the 121 cats, 42.1%, (95% CI: 33.4-50.9) and 45.5% (95% CI: 36.6-54.3) were parasitized with at least one adult helminth species as evidenced by the presence of eggs in their fecal samples. Toxocara cati was the most prevalent parasite (Ritchie: 37.2%, Kato-Katz: 43%), followed by Ancylostoma spp. (Ritchie: 7.4%, Kato-Katz: 5.8%) and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Ritchie: 0.82%). Sixty-five cats (53.7%) were females and 56 (46.3%) males; the prevalence of infection was similar in both sexes. Cats older than 4 years had the highest prevalence (81.8%) followed by those aged 1 to 4 years (48.8%) and by those under 1 year (28.6%). The majority of cats, 77.7%, were found to be in good body condition and this group had the lowest frequency of intestinal helminths with both techniques. CONCLUSION The prevalence of intestinal helminths in domestic cats in Quindío was 43.8%; it is necessary to establish surveillance and prevention programs in the human and feline populations.
Tumorigenesis and Neoplastic Progression Kinase-Dependent and -Independent Roles of EphA2 in the Regulation of Prostate Cancer Invasion and Metastasis

From the Departments of Biochemical Sciences,* and Experimental Pathology and Oncology, and the Center for Research, Transfer and High Education, Study at Molecular and Clinical Level of Chronic, Inflammatory, Degenerative and Neoplastic Disorders for the Development on Novel Therapies, University of Florence, Florence; and the Department of Experimental Medicine, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
A closer look at smoking among young adults: where tobacco control should focus its attention.

OBJECTIVES We sought to fill gaps in knowledge of smoking behaviors among college-educated and non-college-educated young adults. METHODS We used data from the 2003 Tobacco Use Supplement of the Current Population Survey to analyze smoking behaviors among young adults aged 18-24 years and older young adults aged 25-34 years by college status (enrolled, or with a degree, but not enrolled) and other measures of socioeconomic position. RESULTS Current smoking prevalence among US young adults aged 18-24 years who are not enrolled in college or who do not have a college degree was 30%. This was more than twice the current smoking prevalence among college-educated young adults (14%). Non-college-educated young adults were more likely than were college-educated young adults to start smoking at a younger age and were less likely to have made a quit attempt, although no differences were found in their intentions to quit. Higher rates of smoking in the non-college-educated population were also evident in the slightly older age group. CONCLUSIONS Non-college-educated young adults smoke at more than twice the rate of their college-educated counterparts. Targeted prevention and cessation efforts are needed for non-college-educated young adults to prevent excess morbidity and mortality in later years.
Using genetic loci to understand the relationship between adiposity and psychological distress: a Mendelian Randomization study in the Copenhagen General Population Study of 53 221 adults

Abstract. Lawlor DA, Harbord RM, Tybjaerg‐Hansen A, Palmer TM, Zacho J, Benn M, Timpson NJ, Smith GD, Nordestgaard BG (MRC Centre for Causal Analyses in Translational Epidemiology, University of Bristol, UK; The Department of Social Medicine, University of Bristol, UK; Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; The Copenhagen General Population Study, Herlev Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark; Copenhagen University Hospital, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Herlev Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark) Using genetic loci to understand the relationship between adiposity and psychological distress: a Mendelian Randomization study in the Copenhagen General Population Study of 53 221 adults. J Intern Med 2011; 269: 525–537.
Comparison of acute gain and late lumen loss after PCI with bioresorbable vascular scaffolds versus everolimus-eluting stents: an exploratory observational study prior to a randomised trial.

AIMS The study sought to compare the acute gain and two-year follow-up late lumen loss (LLL) between the Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) and the analogous everolimus-eluting metallic stent (EES). The current analysis included all the patients recruited in the ABSORB Cohort B and SPIRIT II trials implanted with a single 3.0×18 mm device (Absorb BVS or EES) who underwent serial angiographic examinations at baseline and at two-year follow-up. The acute gain was defined as the difference between post- and preprocedural minimal lumen diameter (MLD). The in-stent/scaffold LLL was calculated as the difference in stent/scaffold segment between the post-procedural MLD and follow-up MLD. Thirty-three patients (33 lesions) implanted with the Absorb BVS, and 26 patients (28 lesions) implanted with the EES were studied. The acute gain was similar in the Absorb BVS group (1.23±0.38 mm) compared to the EES group (1.32±0.26 mm, p=0.29). The in-stent/scaffold LLL at two-year follow-up in the Absorb BVS group (0.26±0.19 mm) was also similar compared to the EES group (0.22±0.22 mm, p=0.29). Although the two groups had similar two-year clinical outcomes (major adverse cardiac events: Absorb BVS: 6.1% vs. EES: 0.0%), patients treated with the Absorb BVS exhibited a significantly lower two-year in-stent/scaffold MLD compared to the EES (2.02±0.26 mm vs. 2.22±0.34 mm, p=0.01). Although BVS and EES demonstrated similar two-year clinical outcomes, patients treated with the Absorb BVS exhibited a significantly lower two-year in-stent/scaffold MLD compared to patients treated with the EES. Appropriately powered randomised trials are necessary to confirm these exploratory results and evaluate their prognostic and clinical significance.
Patient-centered tinnitus management tool: a clinical audit.

PURPOSE To evaluate the impact of an educational poster describing treatment options available to patients experiencing tinnitus. METHOD A patient-centered tinnitus management tool (PCTMT) was developed in the form of an educational poster that encouraged patients to decide how they wanted to deal with their tinnitus from the following options: (a) ignore the tinnitus and forget about it, (b) use a sound generator, (c) undertake tinnitus counseling with an expert, or (d) deal with the tinnitus using hearing aids (in the case of tinnitus and hearing loss). Fifty-five patients who were referred to the audiology department of a London hospital from the ENT department for tinnitus counseling were asked to read the PCTMT and to choose the option(s) that suited them the best. RESULTS Forty-two percent of the patients wished to undertake counseling, 9% decided to try to ignore their tinnitus without help, 26% wanted to deal with their tinnitus with the help of a sound generator, and 24% decided to use hearing aids. CONCLUSIONS The PCTMT reduced the number of patients who would otherwise have been referred for tinnitus counseling by 58%. This reduced the length of the waiting list and increased the time available for counseling of those patients who wanted it.
Fairness for Whom? Regulating Banana Production through Voluntary Certification and Labeling

Author(s): Brown, Sandra Lynn | Advisor(s): Walker, Richard | Abstract: This study examines the role of Fairtrade certification and labeling in mediating the socio-ecological relations of banana production. Bringing to bear ideas from literature on agro-industrial development and restructuring, agrifood governance, agrarian change, agricultural labor relations, and sustainability, it examines how banana farmers, workers, and their communities are affected by participation in Fairtrade commodity networks under conditions of market liberalization. It concludes that, while, under certain conditions, Fairtrade can benefit some farmers and workers, it fails to address the broader social and ecological conditions of banana production. It attributes the challenges facing the Fairtrade system to the internal dynamics of its consumer-driven, market-based, and developmental model. Specifically, I argue that Fair Trade actors' focus on the terms of exchange fails to address the imperatives of growth and accumulation inherent in capitalist commodity production, which shape outcomes for banana farmers, workers, and environments.The analysis is based on research conducted at two key sites in the banana sector: Ecuador's South Coast and the Uraba region of Colombia. These regions have played an importation role in the expansion of Fairtrade banana supply, albeit under different conditions. In Ecuador, Fairtrade protection has primarily been extended to small farmers under the Fair Trade Labelling Organizations (FLO) Small Producer Organization standards. Meanwhile, the majority of Uraba's producers are certified under FLO's Hired Labor standards. Drawing on in-depth interviews with farmers, workers, administrative and technical staff of Fairtrade-institutions, as well as labor representatives, I find that Fairtrade certification generates uneven outcomes for different groups participating in the system. Activists and researchers have critiqued the expansion of certification to plantations and to the enrollment of transnational agribusiness companies, which they argue has undermined the position of small farmers within the Fairtrade system. Yet these critiques overlook significant socio-ecological complexity and differentiation in Fairtrade banana production. They also obscure the critical role of hired workers on small and large farms alike. The study, thus, attempts to reframe the mainstreaming debate, to place workers at the center of the Fairtrade banana story. In so doing, it argues that international Fair Trade actors must engage more fully with banana unions and labor solidarity movements in order to achieve their purported goals of supporting social and environmental justice in the global banana economy.
PSN-PC: A Novel Antimicrobial and Anti-Biofilm Peptide from the Skin Secretion of Phyllomedusa-camba with Cytotoxicity on Human Lung Cancer Cell

Peptides derived from amphibian skin secretion are promising drug prototypes for combating widespread infection. In this study, a novel peptide belonging to the phylloseptin family of antimicrobial peptides was isolated from the skin secretion of the Phyllomedusa camba, namely phylloseptin-PC (PSN-PC). The biosynthetic precursor was obtained by molecular cloning and the mature peptide sequence was confirmed through tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) fragmentation sequencing in the skin secretion. The synthetic replicate exhibited a broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans at concentrations of 2, 2, 8, 32 and 2 µM, respectively. It also showed the capability of eliminating S. aureus biofilm with a minimal biofilm eradication concentration of 8 µM. The haemolysis of this peptide was not significant at low concentrations but had a considerable increase at high concentrations. Additionally, this peptide showed an anti-proliferation effect on the non-small cell lung cancer cell line (NCI-H157), with low cytotoxicity on the human microvascular endothelial cell line (HMEC-1). The discovery of the novel peptide may provide useful clues for new drug discoveries.
Infection of neuronal cell cultures with reovirus mimics in vitro patterns of neurotropism

Primary neuronal cell cultures of rat fetal cerebral cortex serve as in vitro models for the study of a variety of neuronal membrane receptors. Such studies have focused primarily on receptors for neurotransmitters and drugs. In the present series of experiments, we have employed this model to study the in vitro pattern of infection with reovirus types 1 and 3, two well‐characterized neurotropic viruses that show specificity for neurons (type 3) or ependymal cells (type 1) in vivo and whose specificity has been linked with surface receptors on somatic cells. We have found that in primary neural cell culture, reovirus type 3 maintained its specificity by infecting neurons whereas reovirus type 1 did not infect neurons. Both serotypes infected astrocytes in the cultures, type 1 to a greater extent than type 3. In addition, reovirus type 3 bound to the surface of neurons whereas type 1 did not. Using recombinant viral clones, the in vitro tropism and the neuronal binding were shown to be properties of the viral hemagglutinin, a small outer capsid viral protein, as is the case with the neurotropism in vivo. It is postulated that the neurotropism of reovirus type 3 is related to the interaction of the viral hemagglutinin with an as yet undefined structure on the neuronal surface.
Structure of the corpus luteum in the ovulatory polycystic ovary.

BACKGROUND Women with polycystic ovaries (PCO) have a wide spectrum of presentation from anovulation and amenorrhoea to apparently regular, ovulatory menstrual cycles. We have recently reported a subtle defect in steroidogenic function in the luteal phase in the latter and an increase in the number of degenerating corpora lutea (CL) were observed in ovulatory PCO (ovPCO) during dissection. The possibility was therefore investigated of differences in structure or degeneration in CL formed during ovulatory cycles in women with PCO. METHODS This study compared the histology of the CL in ovPCO with that in the normal ovary. Corpora lutea were collected from nine normal ovaries (days 1-27 of the cycle) and from 13 women with ovPCO (days 5-38). RESULTS Variations in the degree of regression, both in relation to onset of menses and between different areas within individual CL, were recorded in both groups. During development and regression no obvious differences were observed between either group apart from an apparent increase in luteal haemorrhage, which was more common and more extensive in CL from PCO. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that possible luteal phase abnormalities of steroid secretion in women with ovulatory PCO are not associated with obvious morphological defects in the CL, however it is possible that the persistence of luteal structures seen in PCO was a consequence of increased luteal haemorrhage.
Multiscale modeling of spring phenology across Deciduous Forests in the Eastern United States

Phenological events, such as bud burst, are strongly linked to ecosystem processes in temperate deciduous forests. However, the exact nature and magnitude of how seasonal and interannual variation in air temperatures influence phenology is poorly understood, and model‐based phenology representations fail to capture local‐ to regional‐scale variability arising from differences in species composition. In this paper, we use a combination of surface meteorological data, species composition maps, remote sensing, and ground‐based observations to estimate models that better represent how community‐level species composition affects the phenological response of deciduous broadleaf forests to climate forcing at spatial scales that are typically used in ecosystem models. Using time series of canopy greenness from repeat digital photography, citizen science data from the USA National Phenology Network, and satellite remote sensing‐based observations of phenology, we estimated and tested models that predict the timing of spring leaf emergence across five different deciduous broadleaf forest types in the eastern United States. Specifically, we evaluated two different approaches: (i) using species‐specific models in combination with species composition information to ‘upscale’ model predictions and (ii) using repeat digital photography of forest canopies that observe and integrate the phenological behavior of multiple representative species at each camera site to calibrate a single model for all deciduous broadleaf forests. Our results demonstrate variability in cumulative forcing requirements and photoperiod cues across species and forest types, and show how community composition influences phenological dynamics over large areas. At the same time, the response of different species to spatial and interannual variation in weather is, under the current climate regime, sufficiently similar that the generic deciduous forest model based on repeat digital photography performed comparably to the upscaled species‐specific models. More generally, results from this analysis demonstrate how in situ observation networks and remote sensing data can be used to synergistically calibrate and assess regional parameterizations of phenology in models.