Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Bone Stability and Egg Production in Genetically Divergent Chicken Layer Lines

Simple Summary Brittle or fractured bones due to continuous demineralisation cause major welfare and economic problems in laying hens. Bone weakness in laying hens is frequently attributed to long-term selection for increased egg production, but this is controversially discussed in the scientific literature. We aimed at characterizing factors influencing the bone breaking strength of laying hens, focusing mainly on the effect of eggshell production. By examining four different chicken layer lines separately, a genetically diverse spectrum of laying hen origins was included in our study. It was shown that bone strength is primarily influenced by bone mineral density. A strong association between bone strength and eggshell production was not observed within each of the lines studied. This applied to all layer lines. Our results suggest that a high egg number does not generally impair bone stability within layer lines. Findings from this study contribute to the discussion on the improvement of bone stability in poultry breeding programs and thus lead to increased animal welfare in egg production. Abstract Impaired animal welfare due to skeletal disorders is likely one of the greatest issues currently facing the egg production industry. Reduced bone stability in laying hens is frequently attributed to long-term selection for increased egg production. The present study sought to analyse the relationship between bone stability traits and egg production. The study comprised four purebred layer lines, differing in their phylogenetic origin and performance level, providing extended insight into the phenotypic variability in bone characteristics in laying hens. Data collection included basic production parameters, bone morphometry, bone mineral density (BMD) and bone breaking strength (BBS) of the tibiotarsus and humerus. Using a multifactorial model and regression analyses, BMD proved to be of outstanding importance for bone stability. Only for the tibiotarsus were morphometric parameters and the bone weight associated with BBS. Within the chicken lines, no effect of total eggshell production on BBS or BMD could be detected, suggesting that a high egg yield itself is not necessarily a risk for poor bone health. Considering the complexity of osteoporosis, the estimated genetic parameters confirmed the importance of genetics in addressing the challenge of improving bone strength in layers.
Macrodistributions and microdistributions of stoneflies of calcareous submontane rivers of the West Carpathians, with different land cover

Stonefly samples were collected from disturbed and undisturbed regions of two river basins, tributaries of the Upper Váh River basin (the West Carpathians). Water temperature, oxygen content, coarse benthic matter and some stonefly metrics (abundance, biomass, richness, index of diversity, % predators, % shredders, stonefly total score and stonefly average score) were all negatively influenced by the extent of urban and field land cover. Rivers with a high proportion of human land-use activities were positively correlated with fine benthic organic matter and the share of collector-gatherers and saprobic indices (organic pollution), as well as with a higher trophic status of streams. Taxa of different species groups or genera have different demands for microhabitats. The cumulative curve of stonefly distribution in microhabitats of the river bed has, in the Ĺubochnianka River, an exponential form (reflecting an increase in stonefly density on coarse substrata and moss). In the human-influenced Revúca River, the curve's form is logarithmic, representing a reverse trend.
Efficient Adaptive Speech Reception Threshold Measurements Using Stochastic Approximation Algorithms

This study examines whether speech-in-noise tests that use adaptive procedures to assess a speech reception threshold in noise (SRT50n) can be optimized using stochastic approximation (SA) methods, especially in cochlear-implant (CI) users. A simulation model was developed that simulates intelligibility scores for words from sentences in noise for both CI users and normal-hearing (NH) listeners. The model was used in Monte Carlo simulations. Four different SA algorithms were optimized for use in both groups and compared with clinically used adaptive procedures. The simulation model proved to be valid, as its results agreed very well with existing experimental data. The four optimized SA algorithms all provided an efficient estimation of the SRT50n. They were equally accurate and produced smaller standard deviations (SDs) than the clinical procedures. In CI users, SRT50n estimates had a small bias and larger SDs than in NH listeners. At least 20 sentences per condition and an initial signal-to-noise ratio below the real SRT50n were required to ensure sufficient reliability. In CI users, bias and SD became unacceptably large for a maximum speech intelligibility score in quiet below 70%. In conclusion, SA algorithms with word scoring in adaptive speech-in-noise tests are applicable to various listeners, from CI users to NH listeners. In CI users, they lead to efficient estimation of the SRT50n as long as speech intelligibility in quiet is greater than 70%. SA procedures can be considered as a valid, more efficient, and alternative to clinical adaptive procedures currently used in CI users.
New spatial analyses of Australian wildfires highlight the need for new fire, resource, and conservation policies

Significance Discussions after significant fire-related losses of life, property, and vegetation are often conducted in the absence of nuanced debates about climate, land, and resource management policy. Here we present the results of new spatial and temporal analyses of widespread current and previous fires in the Australian state of Victoria that highlight the need for major changes in policies associated with fire and land management. We found compelling evidence to support policy reforms that aim to reduce megafires, alter the mode of forest management, target the protection of key natural assets including unburnt areas, manage repeatedly damaged and potentially collapsed ecosystems, and expand the conservation estate. Our approach should have wide applicability to other jurisdictions confronting threats from widespread, recurrent wildfires. Extensive and recurrent severe wildfires present complex challenges for policy makers. This is highlighted by extensive wildfires around the globe, ranging from western North America and Europe to the Amazon and Arctic, and, most recently, the 2019–2020 fires in eastern Australia. In many jurisdictions, discussions after significant losses of life, property, and vegetation are sometimes conducted in the absence of nuanced debates about key aspects of climate, land, and resource management policy. Improved insights that have significant implications for policies and management can be derived from spatial and temporal analyses of fires. Here, we demonstrate the importance of such analyses using a case study of large-scale, recurrent severe wildfires over the past two decades in the Australian state of Victoria. We overlaid the location of current and past fires with ecosystem types, land use, and conservation values. Our analyses revealed 1) the large spatial extent of current fires, 2) the extensive and frequent reburning of recently and previously fire-damaged areas, 3) the magnitude of resource loss for industries such as timber and pulplog production, and 4) major impacts on high conservation value areas and biodiversity. These analyses contain evidence to support policy reforms that alter the mode of forest management, target the protection of key natural assets including unburnt areas, manage repeatedly damaged and potentially collapsed ecosystems, and expand the conservation estate. Our mapping approach should have applicability to other environments subject to large-scale fires, although the particular details of policy reforms would be jurisdiction, ecosystem, and context specific.
Effect of Dietary Stilbenes on 5-Lipoxygenase and Cyclooxygenases Activities In Vitro

Stilbenes contained in various foods are associated with health beneficial effects. In this study six natural and one synthetic stilbene were tested for their potential to regulate the activity of lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase in vitro. The most potent inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase was pterostilbene (IC50 = 9.32 μM), whereas the strongest inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 was pinostilbene (IC50s = 1.90 and 0.35 μM, respectively). Pterostilbene (IC50s = 11.70 and 27.04 μM for cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2, respectively) and oxyresveratrol (IC50s = 18.49; 2.79 and 14.71 μM for 5-lipoxygenase, cyclooxygenase-1, and cyclooxygenase-2, respectively) were capable to inhibit catalytic activity of all three tested enzymes. Isorhapontigenin (IC50s = 8.81 and 24.00 μM for cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2, respectively) and rhapontigenin (IC50s = 24.55 and 36.12 μM for cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2, respectively) were only moderate or weak inhibitors of both cyclooxygenase forms. In summary, these results indicated that besides the known cyclooxygenase inhibitor resveratrol also other natural stilbenes could be potent inhibitors of the arachidonic acid pathway and deserve further attention as compounds with promising health benefits.
Thermal ecology of the mudskippers, Periophthalmus koelreuteri (Pallas) and Boleophthalmus boddarti (Pallas) of Kuwait Bay

The annual range of body temperatures (14–35°C) of emergent mudskippers are substantially less than that of air temperatures (10–42°C) as a result of behavioural thermoregulation. In winter, low surface temperatures are avoided by remaining in burrows. Newly emerged mudskippers then bask until body temperatures rise above 14°C before they move onto the mud. In summer, body temperatures are kept lower than ambient by selecting areas where evaporative cooling is high. Body temperatures generally match those of wet mud, which can be 7°C lower than air shade temperatures. The smaller, more terrestrial, Periophthalmus koelreuteri have body temperatures which are mainly lower in summer and higher in winter than Boleophthalmus boddarti.
Evaluation of Very Integrated Program (VIP): Health promotion for patients with alcohol and drug addiction - A Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND Compared to the general population, patients with alcohol and drug addiction have an increased risk of additional hazardous lifestyles and suffer from more chronic diseases, adding to their already significantly higher morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to test the efficacy of the Very Integrated Program (VIP) on treatment and health outcomes for patients diagnosed with alcohol and drug addiction. METHODS Parallel randomized clinical trial with intervention as add-on to addiction care as usual. A total of 322 patients aged 18 years or older were identified, and the study requirements were fulfilled by 219 patients, 7 of whom participated in a pilot. The intervention was a 6-week intensive, tailored, educational program that included motivational interviewing, a smoking cessation program, dietary and physical activity counseling, and patient education. The main outcome measures were substance-free days, time to relapse and treatment adherence assessed after 6 weeks and 12 months. Secondary outcomes were lifestyle factors, symptoms of comorbidity, and quality of life. Missing data were imputed conservatively by using data closest to the follow-up date and baseline values in patients with no follow-up. RESULTS The 212 patients (intervention, n=113; control, n=99) were randomized, and 202 had complete data for primary outcomes. After 6 weeks, there were no significant differences between the groups regarding primary or secondary outcomes. At the 12-month follow-up, the patients in the control group had significantly more total substance-free days (139 days; ranging 0-365 vs. 265; 0-366, p=0.021) - specifically among the patients with drug addiction - and higher physical and mental quality of life (45 vs 58, p= 0.049 and 54 vs. 66, p=0.037), but not in the per-protocol analysis (60 vs. 46, p=0.52 and 70 vs. 66, p=0.74). The sensitivity analyses did not support significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSION Overall, adding VIP intervention did not improve outcome of the alcohol or drug addiction care or the lifestyle compared to the addiction care alone. This patient group is still in need of effective programs and new intervention research is required to develop that.
Phylogeny of the Proteaceae Based on atpB and atpB-rbcL Intergenic Spacer Region Sequences

Parsimony analyses were conducted for 46 genera representing all subfamilies and tribes within Proteaceae using two chloroplast sequences: the gene atpB and the noncoding spacer region between atpB and rbcL. The spacer region was more variable than atpB and provided insertion and deletion data as well as nucleotide substitutions. The atpB and spacer region data sets were highly congruent (as indicated by the partition homogeneity test) and were analysed separately and combined. Both unweighted and weighted character states (3 : 1 correction for transition bias) for the atpB data resulted in very similar strict consensus trees. In addition, the large subfamilies Proteoideae and Grevilleoideae were analysed separately, using appropriate outgroups determined by the analyses with complete sampling. The results from the combination of data were better resolved and supported than the results from each separate data set, although the Grevilleoideae were highly unresolved in all analyses. Most subfamilies in the Proteaceae were essentially monophyletic, but most tribes and subtribes were not. Bellendena is weakly supported as the sister group to all remaining members of the Proteaceae. Monotypic Eidotheoideae is well supported as a member of Proteoideae. Carnarvonioideae and Sphalmioideae are strongly supported as closely allied to the Grevilleoideae, but their positions in relation to this subfamily are unresolved. Other unusual alliances supported by our molecular data are: Isopogon–Adenanthos–Leucadendron–Protea, Petrophile–Aulax, Cardwellia–Euplassa–Gevuina, and Opisthiolepis–Buckinghamia–Grevillea. The tree resulting from the combined data showed limited congruence with morphological characters (flower pairs, stylar pollen presentation, and ovule number). Congruence with chromosome number was minimal, but our tree does support previous hypotheses of multiple aneuploidy and chromosome doubling events. The African and South American genera included in our analysis are dispersed among various clades with taxa from Australia and Asia, suggesting a former Gondwanian distribution for Proteaceae.
Physiological Aspects of Peanut Yield Improvement 1

Development of new peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars over the past 40 years has more than doubled yield potential. The purpose of this paper is to identify and evaluate the physiological changes made in the course of this varietal improvement that are responsible for the great increase in yield potential. Weekly harvests of large samples of four Florida cultivars, a Spanish peanut type, and one soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. ) cultlvar gave the information needed to show the progressive changes in dry weights of all plant parts throughout the growing season. Other weekly samplings and observations gave numbers of pegs, flowers, and fruits as well as fruit weights, root length, shoot length, and leaf areas. Quantitative estimates of the physiologlcal factors responsible for the dry weight differences were made by computer simulation using the PENUTZ model. Differences in three physiological processes explain most of the yield variation among the five peanut cultivars; the partitioning of assimilate between vegetative and reproductive parts, the length of the filling period, and the rate of fruit establishment. Of these, the partitioning of assimilate had the greatest effect on fruit yield. Estimates of partitioning to fruit ranged from 41% in the first cultivar released to 98% in the most recently released cultivar. Crop growth rates did not differ significantly among peanut cultivars but all were much higher than the crop growth rate of soybeans
High Burden of Bloodstream Infections Associated With Antimicrobial Resistance and Mortality in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Pune, India

Abstract Background Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing threat to newborns in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Methods We performed a prospective cohort study in 3 tertiary neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Pune, India, to describe the epidemiology of neonatal bloodstream infections (BSIs). All neonates admitted to the NICU were enrolled. The primary outcome was BSI, defined as positive blood culture. Early-onset BSI was defined as BSI on day of life (DOL) 0–2 and late-onset BSI on DOL 3 or later. Results From 1 May 2017 until 30 April 2018, 4073 neonates were enrolled. Among at-risk neonates, 55 (1.6%) developed early-onset BSI and 176 (5.5%) developed late-onset BSI. The majority of BSIs were caused by gram-negative bacteria (GNB; 58%); among GNB, 61 (45%) were resistant to carbapenems. Klebsiella spp. (n = 53, 23%) were the most common cause of BSI. Compared with neonates without BSI, all-cause mortality was higher among neonates with early-onset BSI (31% vs 10%, P < .001) and late-onset BSI (24% vs 7%, P < .001). Non–low-birth-weight neonates with late-onset BSI had the greatest excess in mortality (22% vs 3%, P < .001). Conclusions In our cohort, neonatal BSIs were most commonly caused by GNB, with a high prevalence of AMR, and were associated with high mortality, even in term neonates. Effective interventions are urgently needed to reduce the burden of BSI and death due to AMR GNB in hospitalized neonates in LMIC.
Comparative biogeography of echinoids, bivalves and gastropods from the Southern Ocean

Biogeographical patterns within three classes, the Echinoidea, Bivalvia and Gastropoda, were investigated in Antarctic, sub‐Antarctic and cold‐temperate areas based on species occurrence data. Faunal similarities among regions were analysed to: (1) test the robustness of the biogeographical patterns previously identified in bivalves and gastropods; (2) compare them with the biogeographical patterns identified for echinoids; and (3) evaluate the reliability of the biogeographical provinces previously proposed, depending on the taxa and taxonomic levels analysed.
Chlorobenzyl Cyclopentyl-3-phenylurea Effects on Heterocystous Filamentous Cyanobacteria Westielliopsis prolifica Janet

An extensive usage of fungicides in various tropical and subtropical countries to control various fungal infections adversely affects the growth of microflora, including cyanobacteria. Toxic effect of 1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-1-cyclopentyl-3-phenylurea (trade name pencycuron), a non-systemic protective fungicide recommended for controlling sheath blight of rice on Westielliopsis prolifica, an abundant cyanobacterium found in rice (Oryza sativa L.) fields, was studied under laboratory conditions. Photopigments and stress metabolites like carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids and phenol content were measured across 16 days at 4-day intervals. Nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase activities were also measured. The results revealed that pencycuron exerted unfavorable effects on the selected cyanobacterium at 100 and 200 ppm. Chlorophyll-a, carotenoids, phycoerythrin, amino acid, and enzyme activities were more adversely affected by pencycuron than other parameters, such as total carbohydrates, proteins, and phenols. The results support the suggestion that the physiological mode of pencycuron toxicity to W. prolifica is related to its interference with the metabolic and enzymatic reactions. For this reason, use of pencycuron should be prohibited in rice fields.
The Industrial Revolution and a Newtonian Culture

The Industrial Revolution has been one of the most remarkable events in human history, and in the long term its impact on economic development throughout the world has proven to be fundamental (Christian, 2004). In his book entitled ‘the Wealth and Poverty of Nations’, Landes argued: ‘If we learn anything from the history of economic development it is that culture makes all the difference’ (cited in Mokyr, 1999, p. 1243). But while Landes mainly focused on nations’ particular ethic of work, an examination of culture with regard to economic development might also include attitudes toward the natural environment, the learning and adopting of new techniques from foreign societies, and the assuming of a mechanistic world-view that encourages to manipulate production (Mokyr, 1999). It is the meaning of culture expressed in the form of a mechanistic cosmology and the drive to mechanize the processes of production to which the following discussion and analysis will turn. In this paper, it is argued that a Newtonian culture, as the manifestation of a mechanistic world-view throughout society, facilitated the development of technological innovation necessary for the Industrial Revolution to take place (Goldstone, 2000).
The embryology of Phoronopsis viridis

The phylogenetic affinities of the Phoronidea have long been a subject for speculation and difference of opinion. Adult and larval forms were separately discovered and described and it was not until Kowalevsky (1867) made the first embryological study on a phoronid that the actinotroch larva was established as characteristic of the group. The Phoronidea have been allied at one time or another with the annelids, gephyreans, ascidians, brachiopods and ectoproct bryosoans, and several terms, such as Tentaculata and Molhxscoidea have been coined for categories which included the phoronids. Masterman (’00) attempted to relate the phoronids to the Hemichordata in the group “Trirnetamera. ” His influence may be seen today in some modern texts in which the phoronids are placed in the phylum Chordata. The two most exhaustive reviews of the Phoronidea (de Selys Longchamps, ’07, and Cori, ’39) place the phoronids near the Bryosoa and Brachiopoda. Recently there has been a tendency to consider the Phoronidea as a separate phylum and they are referred to as such in many modern texts of invertebrate zoology. The observations of Masterman ( ’00)
An Evaluation of Classification By Cuticular Characters of the Lauraceae: A Comparison To Molecular Phylogeny1

Abstract Cuticular characters are epidermal or stomatal characters and are often used in the taxonomy and classification of fossil or extant Lauraceae. However, there is no consensus on their usefulness, especially as to which characters take priority and at which taxonomic level. This study compared the cuticular characters of species within the Neotropical genera of the Ocotea Aubl. complex to the reported molecular phylogeny. Species of the following genera are included in this study: Aiouea Aubl. , Aniba Aubl. , Dicypellium Nees & Mart. , Endlicheria Nees, Kubitzkia van der Werff, Licaria Aubl. , Nectandra Rol. ex Rottb. , Ocotea, Paraia Rohwer, H. G. Richt. & van der Werff, Pleurothyrium Nees, Rhodostemonodaphne Rohwer & Kubitzki, Umbellularia (Nees) Nutt. , and Urbanodendron Mez. Species groups based on cuticular characters, especially characters of the stomata, agreed well with the various clades in the molecular phylogeny, but did not agree with species grouped according to the traditional generic concepts. Stomata characters showed little or no variation within the clades found in the molecular phylogeny. Because the number of character states is limited, cuticular features by themselves cannot be used to define genera or clades or will not allow the identification of specimens.