Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Female great tits Parus major do not increase their daily energy expenditure when incubating enlarged clutches

Several studies have shown that enlargement of clutches during incubation reduces the long-term survival of parents. In line with these findings, studies on the energetic costs of nocturnal incubation show an increase in energy expenditure with clutch enlargement. Studies on daily energy expenditure during incubation (DEEinc), however, do not consistently show such a negative effect of clutch enlargement. To determine whether differential survival results from a direct increase in energy costs or rather from costs associated with compensatory behaviour, we studied the DEEinc (kJ day(-1)), change in body mass and nest attendance behaviour of free-living female great tits Parus major that incubated either control or experimentally enlarged clutches. DEEinc did not differ between the two treatment groups, but was negatively related to mean ambient temperature over the 24-h measuring period, and to the fraction of daytime females spent on the nest. Controlling for these two factors, females incubating enlarged clutches did not spend more energy per 24 h period than females incubating control clutches. Clutch enlargement also did not affect body mass of incubating females, or their nest attendance behaviour. Yet, in the enlarged group body mass change and nest attentiveness were negatively correlated, suggesting that females responded differently to the experimental treatment and thereby preventing us from finding an effect of clutch enlargement.
PROGRESS IN PREVENTIVE MEDICINE Depressive Symptoms Are Positively Associated with Time Spent Sedentary in Healthy Young US Adults

Introduction: Sedentary time and depressive symptoms are positively associated in elderly adults and adults with chronic disease; how-ever, little is known about this relationship in generally healthy young adults. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between objectively measured sedentary time and depressive symptoms in a large sample of healthy young adults. Methods: Time spent sedentary and in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was measured in 430 participants (49% men; 28 ± 4 years; 25.5 ± 3.3 kg/m 2 ) using the SenseWear Mini Armband over a 10-day period. The Profile of Mood States depression scale was administered to assess depressive symptoms. Independent samples t tests investigated differences in MVPA, time spent sedentary, and Profile of Mood States scores between males and females. Linear regression analyses, adjusting for MVPA, sex, and body mass index, were employed to examine associations between sedentary time and depressive symptoms. Results: Mean time spent sedentary while awake was 681 ± 94 min/d. Holding MVPA constant, depressive symptoms were positively associated with sedentary time ( β = 1.80; P < 0.01; R 2 = 0.54). This association was statistically significant in males ( β = 2.06; P < 0.01; R 2 = 0.59) but not females ( P = 0.10). Conclusions: Depressive symptoms are positively associated with time spent sedentary in healthy young US adults, independent of MVPA, particularly in men. A reduction in sedentary time may provide a valuable, low cost, option in the prevention of depressive symptoms.
Is inequality really a major cause of violent crime? Evidence from a cross-national panel of robbery and violent theft rates

This article argues that the link between income inequality and violent property crime might be spurious, complementing a similar argument in prior analysis by the author on the determinants of homicide. In contrast, Fajnzylber, Lederman & Loayza (1998; 2002a, b) provide seemingly strong and robust evidence that inequality causes a higher rate of both homicide and robbery/violent theft even after controlling for country-specific fixed effects. Our results suggest that inequality is not a statistically significant determinant, unless either country-specific effects are not controlled for or the sample is artificially restricted to a small number of countries. The reason why the link between inequality and violent property crime might be spurious is that income inequality is likely to be strongly correlated with country-specific fixed effects such as cultural differences. A high degree of inequality might be socially undesirable for any number of reasons, but that it causes violent crime is far from proven.
SELECTED BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS IN STRONGYLE INFECTIONS OF HORSES AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PARASITE BURDEN

GUZEL, S. , M. TANRIVERDI and B. SENLIK, 2014. Selected biochemical parameters in strongyle infections of horses and its relationship with the parasite burden. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 20: 1232-1236 This study was carried out to determine effect of strongyle infections on some serum biochemical parameters and correlation between biochemical parameters and parasite burden in infected horses. A total of 11 horses of different breed and ages were used as material. Serum concentrations of glucose, urea, creatinine, total cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, albumin, globulin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatinine kinase (CK), Sodium (Na), potassium (K), Chloride (Cl), phosphorus (P) were measured and compared with reference values. Worm counts in the gastrointestinal tract and identifications were performed in all horses werenecropsied. Correlation between the number of parasite and bioche mical parameters were analyzed. An increase LDH and CK activities and a slightly decrease total cholesterol activities compared with reference values were observed. Statistically significant positive correlations were observed between parasite number and K levels (r =0,82, p<0.01 ). The results obtained from this study suggest that some alterations in biochemical profile may form a basis of monitoring infection.
Viewpoint: the black-tailed prairie dog--headed for extinction?

The black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) is 1 of 5 western prairie dog species, and the only species found on the Great Plains. Some authorities believe the black-tailed prairie dog may have been the most numerous of mammalian herbivores found on the plains with some estimates placing their historic numbers as high as 5 billion. Due to a combination of factors including habitat destruction, hunting, plague, and poisoning programs, the black-tailed prairie dog may now be threatened with extinction across its entire range. In this paper, a tentative prairie dog conservation strategy consisting of core reserves, buffer areas, and corridors is proposed.
Hippocampal neurogenesis in food‐storing red squirrels: the impact of age and spatial behavior

The adaptive significance of adult hippocampal neurogenesis remains unknown. In the laboratory, it is influenced by a variety of environmental and physiological stimuli. In the wild, it may be influenced by the reliance on spatial memory and by environmental stressors. The one common denominator in both settings is that neurogenesis declines markedly with age. Red squirrels are long‐lived rodents that store food (thousands of tree cones) to permit survival under harsh winter conditions. We compared a population from the eastern North America that stores its cones singly or in small clusters with one from the west that stores its cones in large stockpiles. The reliance on spatial memory should be much greater in the east than the west, and should not decline with age, as cone storage and recovery is a yearly necessity. We found no difference between the populations in the density of young neurons and both populations showed the same decline with age. Thus, we reject the spatial memory hypothesis for adult neurogenesis in mammals in its original form. Instead, our evidence is consistent with the neurogenic reserve hypothesis in which neuronal cell production early in life leads to enhanced hippocampal function later in life according to environmental demand but without requirement for ongoing cell production as a function of site‐ and species‐specific needs. A more general interpretation of the data leads us to consider a possible role of neurogenesis in novel, flexible episodic memories.
Syagrus coronata seed oils have antimicrobial action against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Syagrus coronata seed oils have antimicrobial action against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Cibele Maria Alves da Silva Bessa, Rodrigo Santana do Nascimento, Renata Carla Corrêa Alves*, José Matias Anselmo, Ana Paula Sant'Anna da Silva, Alexandre Gomes da Silva, Vera Lúcia de Menezes Lima, Josean Fechine Tavares, Luís Cláudio Nascimento da Silva, Márcia Vanusa da Silva and Maria Tereza dos Santos Correia
Variation of Rayleigh wave group velocity dispersion and seismic heterogeneity of the Indian crust and uppermost mantle

We present group velocity dispersion results from a study of regional fundamental mode Rayleigh waves propagating across the Indian region. 1-D, path-averaged dispersion measurements have been made for 1001 source–receiver paths and these combined to produce tomographic images between 15 and 45 s period. Because of the dense station coverage in peninsular India, these images have substantially higher lateral resolution for this region than is currently available from global and regional group velocity studies. Testing of the group velocity model shows that the average resolution across the region is about 7.5° for the periods used in this study. The tomographic maps demonstrate that while the Indian shield is characterized by high crustal and uppermost-mantle group velocities, comparatively lower velocities exist beneath the Himalaya due to the thickened crust and beneath the Gangetic plains caused by the mollasse sediments and recent alluvium cover in the Himalayan foredeep. Northeastern India north of the Shillong Plateau also displays higher velocities, similar to the south Indian shield, indicative of colder crust beneath the region. The northern Bay of Bengal shows extremely low velocities due to the thick sediment blanket of the Bengal fan. Likewise, the Katawaz Basin in southern Pakistan shows lower velocities that resemble those seen in the Bay of Bengal. The geometry of the velocity contours south of the Katawaz Basin closely matches the prograding Indus fan in the Arabian Sea. Finally, the Tibetan Plateau has lower group velocities compared to the Indian shield at all periods as a result of the thick crust beneath southern Tibet.
Characterization of seed storage proteins and their synthesis during seed development in Olea europaea

SDS-PAGE analysis showed that seed storage proteins (SSPs) in olive mainly consisted of two hydrogen-bonded subunits, Solea I (41 kDa) and Solea II (47.5 kDa). When reduced, Solea I and II yielded 3 and 2 disulfide-bonded polypeptides, respectively. N-terminal sequencing confirmed that both Solea I and II shared a high similarity with II S proteins. Additionally, time-course of protein synthesis in olive seeds was investigated from 25 days after anthesis (DAA) until seed ripening. Before 105 DAA, young seeds contained only trace amounts of detectable proteins. Only from 105 DAA onwards, seed proteins began to be massively synthesized. Seeds of 105 DAA and more exhibited no significant difference in protein profiles with mature seeds, especially in terms of Solea I and II.
Analysis of Factors Influencing Farmers’ Knowledge on Resource Conservation Technologies (RCTs) in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Cultivation

Abstract This study to analyse the factors affecting farmers’ knowledge towards RCTs was conducted in Imphal West district of Manipur state, India with 120 sample size selected through proportionate random sampling from 10 villages in the district. Data collection from the selected respondents was made with the help of pre-tested structured schedule through personal interview method. The study reveals that over half of the respondents had medium level of knowledge about resource conservation practices in rice cultivation followed by low and high levels. Except the practices like seed selection, sowing and transplanting, soil fertility and nutrient management and water management, majority respondents had no knowledge on the various recommendations of the remaining five practices related to resource conservation in rice cultivation. The study further shows that out of 11 independent variables under study, except age all the variables were found having positively significant relationship with the knowledge level of the respondents. While four variables namely, annual income, extension contact, mass media exposure and innovation proneness had emerged as the most dominant factors influencing to the increase of knowledge level of farmers towards resource conservation technologies in rice.
A technique for year-round rearing of Bombus terrestris (Apidae, Bombini) colonies in captivity

SUMMARY COinduces egg-formation in bumblebee queens prior to hibernation as well as after hibernation. Most of the treated queens started egg-laying within one week after being introduced into the nest box. The colonies developed in the same manner as colonies founded in the spring by queens collected in the field. This technique provides opportunities to rear bumblebee colonies year-round.
Do Remittances Reduce Aid Dependency?

Aid has been for decades an important source of financing for developing countries, but more recently remittance flows have increased rapidly and are beginning to dwarf aid flows. This paper investigates how remittances affect aid flows, and how this relationship varies depending on the channel of transmission from remittances to aid. Buoyant remittances could reduce aid needs when human capital improves and private investment takes off. Absent these, aid flows could still drop as remittances may dampen donors’ incentive to scale up aid. Concurrently, remittances could be positively associated with aid if they improve a country’s absorption capacity through better human capital, or if migrants can influence aid policy in donor countries. Because it is difficult in the theory to untangle which of the channels dominates, the answer lies in the empirical analysis. Using an instrumental variable approach with panel data for a sample of developing countries from 1975–2005, the baseline results show that remittances are positively correlated with aid flows. However, this hides a complex relationship revealed by a refinement of the model, which controls for the channels of transmission from remittances to aid. Remittances appear to lead to lower aid dependency if invested rather than consumed and if human capital is developed.
Popularization of coriander production technologies through front line demonstrations in Hadauti region of Rajasthan

Frontline demonstrations on coriander were conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Anta-Baran, Rajasthan. Twenty six percent average increase in yield over local check was observed. Benefit cost ratio was higher (IBCR 3.30) under demonstration as compared to control plots during all five years of study. It was found that the level of knowledge of beneficiary farmers regarding different improved coriander production technologies was higher than non-beneficiary ranging from 3.33 mean percent score of time of sowing to 12.85 MPS of fertilizer application. Overall nonsignificant difference was found in knowledge level of beneficiary and non beneficiary farmers. The difference in extent of adoption level between beneficiary and nonbeneficiary farmers was ranging from MPS 2.66 to 19.71. Highest and significant difference was observed in adoption of seed treatment (MPS 19.71) followed by weed management (MPS 18.45), plant protection measures (MPS 15.09), fertilizer application (MPS 14.29), and seed rate & spacing (MPS 12.32), respectively. The overall difference in extent of adoption level between beneficiary and nonbeneficiary respondents was MPS 11.30 which was statistically significant. The study also revealed that stem gall disease of coriander, non-availability of improved and quality seed, low market price during produce harvest and lack of grading and storage facilities were important constraints in adoption of coriander production technology as perceived by both categories of the respondents.
Deposit formation on a single cylinder during combustion of herbaceous biomass

The combustion of herbaceous biomass can lead to deposit formation on the walls of the combustion chamber and on boiler tubes. These deposits are being caused by fly ash. The aim of the present investigation was to identify the mechanisms of deposit formation, to analyse the chemical and morphological properties of the deposit, and to propose measures for deposit reduction. Special attention was given to the deposit formation from flue gas having been cleaned from large particles. It is typically found in boilers from moving bed furnaces. Experiments were performed in the flue gas of a turbulent flow reactor by sampling the depositions on a cooled cylinder after having removed large particles on an obstacle. Furthermore, depositions from the boilers of two moving bed furnaces were collected. The investigations show that depositions similar to those in moving bed furnaces were achieved in the turbulent flow reactor when large particles were removed before sampling. The deposits from herbaceous biomass were identified as accumulations of fine particles in the nanometer range. The chemical properties of the deposits are those of KCl, the major compound in the deposit. Among the different formation mechanisms thermophoresis was revealed to be the crucial process for deposit formation under the investigated conditions. q 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Federal Class Size Reduction in the Los Angeles Unified School District: Does Class Size Influence Teacher-Student Interaction in Secondary Classrooms?.

The federal Class Size Reduction Program, first implemented in California's Los Angeles Unified School District in 1999-2000, included a component targeting eighth grade language arts classrooms for mandatory reduction to a minimum of 20 students per classroom. Implementation evaluation showed that average class size was below 20. This study examined levels of instructional feedback quality, discussion quality, and studentcentered learning in a sample of middle school classrooms. Teachers described their learning goals for activities planned during the observation and how they had planned to assess the extent to which the goals had been met, then researchers observed them teaching. Data collected from 55 middle school English classes indicated that incidents of high quality instructional feedback and individualized instruction occurred in a small number of smaller classrooms and never occurred in larger classrooms. Teacher qualifications (years of experience and credential status) were unrelated to teaching practice in smaller and larger classrooms. Reduced class sizes did not directly impact the nature of teacher practice observed in these secondary classrooms, consistent with research on class size reduction in elementary classrooms. Two appendices present rubrics used to rate lesson quality in observed classrooms and to assess instructional orientation. (Contains 15 references.) (SM) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FEDERAL CLASS SIZE REDUCTION IN THE LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT: DOES CLASS SIZE INFLUENCE TEACHER-STUDENT INTERACTION IN SECONDARY CLASSROOMS?
Use of Modified Starch as Fat Replacer in Reduced Fat Coconut Milk Ice Cream

Coconut milk has been added as an ingredient in various Thai food and dessert since ancient times. Coconut ice cream is one of the most popular dessert in Thailand. But nowadays consumers are health conscious and avoid high fat products. So reduced fat coconut ice cream would meet their needs. In this study, the amount of coconut milk fat was reduced to different levels (1-8%) and a carbohydrate-based fat replacer ( a-Starch or MT-01) was then added to replace the fat. Samples were kept at –28 ∞C and tested for viscosity, overrun, deforming force, melting rate, pH and sensory evaluation. The results showed that reducing fat level and increasing fat replacer tended to increase the viscosity, overrun and deforming force of ice cream but had no significant effect on the melting rate and pH. When emulsifiers were then added to improve the samples’ quality, sensory evaluations revealed that the ice cream with 1% fat and 0.1% monoand diglycerides was the most acceptable and had the lowest cost.
Follicular dynamic and repeatability of follicular wave development in Peranakan Ongole (PO) cattle

Superovulation treatment on PO cattle (Bos indicus) was less responsive compared to Bos taurus breed. It might due to the difference of their follicular dynamic. This study was conducted to investigate the follicular dynamics and its repeatability in PO cattle. Follicular dynamics observations conducted on 9 cows trough ultrasound scanning every day. Observations of wave patterns repeatability were performed in 6 cows which its wave pattern already known on the next consecutive IOI. Research result indicated that PO cattle had 3 (66%) and 4-waves (34%) pattern. The first wave of 3 and 4-waves pattern emerged on day -0.4+0.9 and 1.4+1.1 respectively. The second wave of 3 and 4-wave pattern emerged on day 9.8+1.5 and 7.4+1.9 respectively. The pattern of 3 waves has a longer follicle dominant duration (11.6+1.5 day) in the first wave of estrous cycle, compared with 4 waves pattern (10+2.92 and 7+1.00 day respectively). The growth rate of dominant follicle was not different significantly between the 3 and 4-waves pattern (0.87+0.23 and 0.94+0.25 mm/day respectively). Similarly, ovulatory follicle diameter between 3 and 4-waves pattern was also not different significantly (12.24+12.34 and 12.30+12.23 mm respectively). Observation of wave patterns repeatability in 6 PO cows indicated that PO cattle had high repeatability in follicular wave pattern (0.88) and the number of growing follicle was 0.91. This study resulted data for dynamic of follicular development, wave pattern, its repeatability which be expected to design the protocol of superovulation treatment or other reproduction technologies based on follicular dynamic to improve its result in PO cattle.
A closed form solution for the proximity effect in a thin tubular conductor influenced by a parallel filament

The present paper deals with the proximity effect in a system consisting of a thin tubular conductor and a filament. The integral equation for the current density in the tubular conductor is solved by assuming a solution in the form of an infinite Fourier series. By using this solution the a.c. to d.c. resistance ratio for the tubular conductor is also found in a closed form.
On the Statistical Properties of Nakagami-Hoyt Vehicle-to-Vehicle Fading Channel under Nonisotropic Scattering

This paper presents the statistical properties of the vehicle-to-vehicle Nakagami-Hoyt (Nakagami-q) channel model under non-isotropic condition. The spatial time correlation function (STCF), the power spectral density (PSD), squared time autocorrelation function (SQCF), level crossing rate (LCR), and the average duration of Fade (ADF) of the Nakagami-Hoyt channel have been derived under the assumption that both the transmitter and receiver are nonstationary having nonomnidirectional antennas. A simulator that uses the inverse-fast-fourier-transform- (IFFT-) based computation method is designed for this model. The simulator and analytical results are compared.