Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Racial inequalities in the socioeconomic, demographic and health conditions of elderly from Maranhão State, Legal Amazon, Brazil: a population-based study

Aging with quality of life does not occur equally among the racial groups of Brazilian elderly, and few studies have analyzed this issue in the states of the Brazilian Legal Amazon. The objective of this study was to investigate racial inequalities in the socioeconomic, demographic and health conditions of elderly residents of Maranhao state, Brazil. The present work is a cross-sectional study of 450 elders aged 60 years or older included in the 2008 National Household Sample Survey. The prevalence of socioeconomic, demographic, health and habit indicators and of risk factors were estimated in white, brown and black racial categories that were self-reported by the survey participants. The chi-square test was used for comparisons (a=5%). The majority of the elderly respondents identified themselves as brown (66.4%) or white (23.3%). There were significant socioeconomic, demographic, habit and lifestyle differences among the racial groups. Most of the black and brown elderly lived alone, reported lower educational levels and were in the lowest quintile for income. These respondents were also highly dependent on the Unified Health System (Sistema Unico de Saude - SUS), exhibited low rates of screening mammograms and lower physical activity levels and had a greater proportion of smokers. However, there was no difference in the prevalence of health indicators or in the proportion of elderly by gender, age, social role in the family or the urban-rural location of the household. These results indicate the presence of racial inequalities in the socioeconomic and demographic status and in the practice of healthy habits and lifestyles among elderly from Maranhao, but suggest equity in health status. The results also suggest the complexity and challenges of interlinking race with socioeconomic aspects, and the findings reinforce the need for the implementation of public policies for these population groups.
Effects of Dietary α-Amylase on Metabolism and Performance of Transition Dairy Cows*,†

Twenty-four multiparous Holstein cows [body weight, 759 kg (SD = 30 kg); body condition score, 3.2 (SD = 0.13)] were used in a randomized complete block design to determine the effect of feeding alpha-amylase during the transition period on rumen fermentation, key metabolic indicators, and lactation performance. Cows were assigned to either a control diet or the control diet supplemented with alpha-amylase (662 fungal amylase units per gram, AMA) at 0.1% of diet dry matter (DM). Experimental diets were fed from 21 d before expected calving through 21 d in milk. From 22 to 70 d in milk, all cows were fed a similar lactation cow diet. Average pre- and postpartum DM intakes were 12.4 and 17.8 kg/d, respectively, and did not differ between treatments; however, DM intakes during the last week prepartum decreased to a greater degree in AMA than control cows compared with wk -2. Supplementing diets with alpha-amylase tended to increase proportions of ruminal butyrate prepartum but not postpartum. Treatment differences were not detected for concentrations of insulin in plasma and lipid and glycogen in liver tissue. Prepartum, concentrations of beta-hydroxybutyrate and nonesterified fatty acids were increased in cows fed AMA compared with the control diet. Postpartum, concentrations of glucose in plasma tended to be increased by feeding AMA. Increased plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate and nonesterified fatty acids pre- but not postpartum and a tendency for increased plasma glucose postpartum demonstrate shifting reliance from lipid- to carbohydrate-based metabolism postpartum in cows fed alpha-amylase.
Food and humidity affect sex pheromone ratios in the stink bug, Euschistus heros

Abstract Male stink bugs, Euschistus heros, only produce the three‐component sex pheromone blend consisting of methyl‐(2E,4Z)‐decadienoate, methyl‐2,4,6‐trimethyldodecanoate and methyl‐2,4,6‐trimethyltridecanoate in a constant ratio of 53 : 3 : 44, respectively, when provided with a food source (green beans, Phaseolus vulgaris). When volatiles are collected from insects with drinking water, humidified air, or under dry conditions, the insects stop producing two components (methyl‐2,4,6‐trimethyldodecanoate and methyl‐2,4,6‐trimethyltridecanoate) after 1 day and increase the amount of defensive compounds produced [e.g. (E)‐2‐hexenal, decane]. Methyl‐2,4,6‐trimethyltridecanoate is able to change the behaviour of females but not males. Dual‐choice olfactometer bioassays with synthetic standards of all three components, as well as the ternary mixture in the correct ratio, induce a response from females but not males, indicating that all three components have a role in sexual communication. Thus, the dietary conditions under which volatile collections are carried out are crucial for determination of the precise sex pheromone blend.
The effect of different levels of gonadotropin-releasing hormone antibody titres on plasma hormone concentrations, sexual and aggressive behaviour, testis size and performance of bulls.

To determine the effect of different levels of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antibody titres (AT) on plasma hormone concentrations, behaviour, testes size and performance, Friesian bull calves (no. = 72) were immunized against either human serum albumin (HSA) conjugated to Cys-Gly-GnRH (no. = 48; immunized) or HSA (no. = 24; controls) at 8 to 10 weeks of age. One booster immunization was administered on either day 28 or 56 (no. = 24 GnRH-immunized and no. = 12 control per booster day). Based on AT 1 week post respective booster, 12 immunized and six control bulls were allocated to one of three AT groups, control (C), medium (M) and high (H) with mean AT of 0·3 (s.e. 0·1), 32 (s.e. 2) and 51 (s.e. 2)% binding at a plasma dilution of 1: 160; respectively. Bulls were blood sampled and weighed every 14 days, and testicular measurements taken every 28 days, from days 0 to 533. Behaviour was observed for 4 h once weekly while bulls were together at pasture and, within AT group, for 20 min 1 week before slaughter. At slaughter, testes and carcass measurements were made. Appropriate data were analysed by ANOVA and correlation coefficients (i) determined. Behavioural data were analysed using x 2 . Mean AT for M and H treatment groups during the experiment were 36·5 and 44·8% binding at a 1: 160 dilution ( P > 0·05, pooled s.e.d. 5·9%), respectively. Level of AT decreased ( P P P P
Factors Influencing the Dis-adoption of Moringa oleifera among Farming Households in Oyo State, Nigeria

This study was conducted to determine the factors influencing the disadoption of Moringa oleifera among farming households in Oyo State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected through the use of structured questionnaires for this study. Descriptive and quantitative techniques were used for the analysis of survey data. Result revealed that the level of disadoption of Moringa in the study area was high whereas those that are still cultivating moringa still realizes income it. Also, the respondents indicated that low return on investment on moringa oleifera, low demand of moringa oleifera products such as leaf and seeds, low sale of moringa products, inadequate processing equipment, and inadequate marketing channels and over hyped health benefit of moringa products were factors contributing to the disadoption of moringa oleifera cultivation.The study revealed that age,membership of farmers’ association, non-farm income, and access to extension and involvement of the farmers in other agroforestry practices were significant factors influencing the disadoption of moringa in the study area. However, membership of farmers’ association and access to extension services significantly influence the probability of disadoption of moringa cultivation negatively. This study therefore recommends that there shouldbe further awareness on the benefits of moringa in order to increase demand for moringa and its product and that farmers should be encouraged to join Moringa farmers group in order to network with other farmers and to access information. Keywords: Dis-Adoption, Moringa oleifera, Probit and Oyo State.
Dynamics of some mineral nutrients and heavy metals in decomposing forest litter

The dynamics of three major mineral nutrients (K, Ca, Mg) and six heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd) were studied in decomposing natural, unpolluted litter in two forest types: Scots pine needle litter in a pure Scots pine forest and oak‐hornbeam leaf litter in a mixed oak‐hornbeam stand. Of the mineral nutrients, only K in the oak‐hornbeam system showed a significant decrease in concentration during the course of litter decomposition. For Ca and Mg in both systems and for K in the Scots pine system no clear relation between concentration and accumulated litter‐mass loss was observed. On the other hand, for Fe, Zn, Pb and Cd at both sites, as well as for Mn in the oak‐hornbeam stand and Cu in the Scots pine stand highly significant positive relations were found between heavy metal concentrations and accumulated mass loss. A decrease in concentration was noted only in the case of Mn in the Scots pine system. No clear pattern was found for Cu in the oak‐hornbeam stand. Concentrations of heavy metals i.
Stridulatory organ and distress call in males and females of a small velvet ant (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae)

Stridulation patterns and stridulatory organ were rarely investigated in the parasitoid family Mutillidae, and data still lack for any sex or species in many subfamilies. We described the morphology of stridulatory organ and the distress call of Myrmilla capitata (Myrmillinae), a small mutillid wasp in which both sexes are apterous. As in other mutillids, the stridulation is produced by rubbing a scraper on the gaster tergite II against a file on gaster tergite III and consists of sequences of pulse trains organized in two subunits (disyllabic chirps) characterized by pulses with opposite phase. Overall, sexes differed in few morphological and acoustical traits. In particular, females had wider and longer files (due to the larger tergite III), smaller ridge thickness, greater inter-ridge distance and produced sound with lower maximum frequencies. This is in accordance to the fact that individuals with wider files, and files with thicker and more separated ridges, tend to emit sounds reaching lower frequencies. Both sexes, on average, seemed to “use” about 50% of the ridges while stridulating, and the file is moved against the scraper with an average speed of about 6 mm/s. Syllable duration and pulse rate (number of pulses/s) were also affected by some morphological traits of the file. Thus, intra-specific variation in the morphology of the stridulatory organ affects stridulation features in this small velvet ant with relatively weak sexual dimorphism.
Genetic structure among morphotypes of the endangered Brazilian palm Euterpe edulis Mart (Arecaceae)

Abstract Euterpe edulis (Arecaceae) Mart has high ecological and economic importance providing food resources for more than 58 species of birds and 20 species of mammals, including humans. E. edulis is the second most exploited nontimber product from Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Due to overexploitation and destruction of habitats, E. edulis is threatened by extinction. Euterpe edulis populations have large morphological variations, with individuals having green, red, or yellow leaf sheath. However, no study has related phenotypic distinctions between populations and their levels of genetic structure. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the diversity and genetic structure of different E. edulis morphotypes. We sampled 250 adult individuals in eight populations with the different morphotypes. Using 14 microsatellite markers, we access genetic diversity through population genetic parameters calculated in the GenAlex program and the diveRsity package in R. We used the Wilcoxon test to verify population bottlenecks and the genetic distance of Nei and Bayesian analysis for genetic clusters. The eight populations showed low allele richness, low observed heterozygosity, and high inbreeding values (f). In addition, six of the eight populations experienced genetic bottlenecks, which would partly explain the low genetic diversity in populations. Cluster analysis identified two clusters (K = 2), with green morphotype genetically distinguishing from yellow and red morphotypes. Thus, we show, for the first time, a strong genetic structure among E. edulis morphotypes even for geographically close populations.
TEMPORAL AND GEOGRAPHIC PATTERNS OF AGE-SPECIFIC GULL PLUMAGE IN RELATION TO POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS

Abstract Study skins of Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus) and Great Black-backed Gulls (L. marinus) collected over a period of ∼150 years in the northeastern United States were used to test the hypothesis that potential exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) has an effect on age-related plumage coloration. We found no changes in the average age class (as determined by plumage) of gulls collected before and after 1930 (date PCBs began to be used) and no differences in average age class in birds collected near PCB-contaminated sites versus those collected far from such sites. We found significant skews in the age distributions of birds in our sample because of an under-representation of birds of intermediate age classes, but those skews were similar in pre- and post-1930 data sets and thus likely represent sampling errors and not the effects of PCBs. There was no difference in the age distribution of gulls collected near or far from contaminated sites. Our study, albeit indirectly, shows no evidence that PCB exposure affects plumage maturation rate in piscivorous gulls. Patrons Géographiques et Temporels du Plumage chez les Laridés en Fonction de l’\bcp\A\ecp\ge et de l’Exposition Potentielle aux Polychlorobiphényles
Force Characteristics of Rotating Air Film and Flow Closed-Loop for Noncontact Adsorption

A rotating air film is used in a wide range of applications, such as rotating machines, filtering systems, and computer storage devices. In this article, the pressure distribution and force characteristic curve of a rotating air film were both theoretically and experimentally analyzed. First, based on von Kármán's similarity transformation, a theoretical model of the pressure distribution and generation mechanism of suction force of a finite disk was developed by considering the distance of two disks and the edge conditions of the disk. The experimental results showed good agreement with theoretical results. This article also proposes a new application for the rotating air film, i.e., a noncontact adsorption device, based on the negative feedback closed-loop of force and distance between two disks. The method was investigated and verified theoretically and experimentally, and a force characteristic curve with positive stiffness could be formed. Finally, based on the proposed method, we designed and manufactured an apparatus that can exert suction force on a flat workpiece without contact.
Higher Levels of High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Is Positively Associated with the Incidence of Hyperuricemia in Chinese Population: A Report from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

Purpose The aim of the present cohort study was to explore the longitudinal association between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) and hyperuricemia in Chinese population. Furthermore, we conducted subgroup analyses to explore this association according to age, sex, and body mass index. Methods A total of 5,419 healthy participants were enrolled in the final cohort analysis. The high-sensitivity CRP level was measured by immunoturbidimetric assay. Hyperuricemia was defined as serum uric acid ≥7.0 mg/dL (416 μmol/L) in men and ≥6.0 mg/dL (357 μmol/L) in women. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the association. Results During the 4 years follow-up, 474 participants developed hyperuricemia. Compared with participants in the lowest tertile of high-sensitivity CRP, the multivariate-adjusted odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval [CI]) for incident hyperuricemia in the highest tertile was 1.36 (1.02, 1.82). In the subgroup analyses, high-sensitivity CRP was positively associated with the incidence of hyperuricemia after multivariate adjustments (P for trend = 0.04) in women. Compared with the women in the lowest tertile of high-sensitivity CRP, the multivariate-adjusted OR (95% CI) in the highest tertile was 1.69 (1.10, 2.66). No statistically significant association was found in other subgroups. Conclusions The findings of this prospective cohort study suggest that higher level of high-sensitivity CRP is an independent risk factor for hyperuricemia in Chinese, especially in women.
Development of a wide-range neutron flux monitoring system in EAST

A wide measurement range for a neutron flux monitoring (NFM) system is developed in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) for fusion neutron yield measurement, comprising an 3He proportional counter, a 235U fission chamber (FC), and a wide dynamic range signal-processing circuit. Two high-sensitivity 3He detectors operate in counting mode, which is suitable for low neutron yield (Yn) conditions with ohmic and radio-frequency heating of plasma. Two other FCs are adapted with newly developed digitizers, operating in counting and campbelling modes to satisfy the conditions of wide dynamic range measurement required by neutral beam injection (NBI) experiment. The anti-magnetic-field interference of the FC is examined using two permanent magnets, whose efficiency are calibrated with 2.46 MeV neutrons produced by a Van de Graaff accelerator. Furthermore, the NFM system is implemented in-situ calibration with a 252Cf neutron source and a remote handling. As a routine diagnostic, the NFM system is successful obtaining the fusion neutron yield for ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH) and NBI heating performance evaluation in EAST plasma experiment.
Saprolegnia australis R. F. Elliott 1968 infection in Prussian carp Carassius gibelio (Bloch, 1782) eggs and its control with herb extracts

Summary In order to control saprolegniosis in Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio (Bloch, 1782) eggs, it is important to screen herb extracts as potential anti‐Saprolegnia drugs in Prussian carp hatcheries. For this purpose, an oomycete water mould (strain SC) isolated from Prussian carp [Carassius gibelio (Bloch, 1782)] eggs suffering from saprolegniosis was characterised morphologically as well as from ITS rDNA sequence data. Initially identified as a Saprolegnia sp. based on its morphological features, the constructed phylogenetic tree using the neighbour joining method further indicated that the SC strain was closely related to Saprolegnia australis R. F. Elliott 1968 strain VI05733 (GenBank accession no. HE798564), and which could form biofilm communities as virulence factors. In addition, aqueous extracts from forty Chinese herbs were screened as possible anti‐Saprolegnia agents. Among them, a 1 g ml−1 extract from Radix sanguisorbae was the most efficacious anti‐Saprolegnia agent, indicated by the minimum inhibitory concentration that was as low as 256 mg L−1. Relative survival of 73 and 88% was obtained against the SC strain in fish eggs at concentrations of 256 and 1280 mg L−1, respectively. This is the first known report of Saprolegnia australis R. F. Elliott 1968 infection in C. gibelio (Bloch, 1782) eggs involving the screening of R. sanguisorbae extracts as potential anti‐Saprolegnia agents.
The Fossil Record of Shell Boring by Snails

The predatory boring habit common to many recent snails probably arose first in the Polinicinae (Naticacea) during Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian) times (100 million years B.P.) . In the fossil record the frequency of bored shells increasesgreatly in rocks of latest Cretaceous age and becomes more widespread during early Tertiary times coincident with the major diversification of the primary groups of boring snails. The borings in these Cretaceous and Tertiary shells show the same characteristics of preference of penetration in one pelecypod valve rather than the other or in position of the boring site on the shell that are found in recent shell assemblages. Borings in Paleozoic brachiopod shells (230–550 million years old) that have previously been attributed to gastropod predation are herein attributed to other but unknown boring organisms. In part these borings are not accepted as evidence of Paleozoic gastropod predation because it necessitates: (1) Postulation of the separate development of a boring habit ith its concomitant development of an accessory boring organ in a groupwhose descendants are all herbivores, and (2) The development of such a habit hundreds of millions of years before the appearance of any relatives of present day borers.
Seasonal Variation in Sampling Indices for Shovelnose Sturgeon, River Carpsucker, and Shorthead Redhorse Collected from the Missouri River below Fort Randall Dam, South Dakota

ABSTRACT Gill nets and electrofishing were utilized in the Missouri River below Fort Randall Dam, South Dakota to sample river carpsucker (Carpiodes carpio), shorthead redhorse (Moxostoma macrolepidotum), and shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus). Shorthead redhorse, shovelnose sturgeon, and river carpsucker all exhibited significant monthly variation in mean relative weight (Wr) during at least one sample year (P < 0.05). In general, Wr values for all species tended to be highest early in the year followed by a steady decline to a seasonal low during the later sample months. Shorthead redhorse and river carpsucker catch per unit effort (CPUE) followed a similar bimodal pattern of spring and fall peaks with lower CPUE during summer. Catch per unit effort of shovelnose sturgeon was highest in the fall at the lower site (P < 0.001, October 1998; P = 0.006 and P = 0.009, September and October 1999) with no differences found at the upper site. Within-site variations in size generally were not significant for any species analyzed (P > 0.05). However, the median length of fishes tended to be higher at the upper site during early sample months and higher at the lower site during the later sample months, suggesting a migratory pattern for adult fish.
Mutation Rate Model Used in the DNA VIEW Program

The first problem considered in this paper is the problem of correctness of a mutation model used in the DNA VIEW program. To this end, we theoretically predict population allele frequency changes in time according to this and similar models (we determine the limit frequencies of alleles—they are uniformly distributed). Furthermore, we evaluate the speed of the above changes using computer simulation applied to our DNA database. Comparing uniformly distributed allele frequencies with these existing in the population (for example, using entropy), we conclude that this mutation model is not correct. The evolution does not follow this direction (direction of uniformly distributed frequencies). The second problem relates to the determination of the extent to which an incorrect mutation model can disturb DNA VIEW program results. We show that in typical computations (simple paternity testing without maternal mutation) this influence is negligible, but in the case of maternal mutation, this should be taken into account. Furthermore, we show that this model is inconsistent from a theoretical viewpoint. Equivalent methods result in different error levels.