Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Creating, Completing and Critiquing Our First MOOC

MOOCs allow anyone, anywhere, to access high quality learning materials via online platforms. With a rise in online learning, and a growing recognition of how this can support continuing professional development in the education sector, in 2016, the GDST (The Girls’ Day School Trust) became the first non-university education organisation in the UK to partner with the MOOC platform FutureLearn and launched its first course. This research paper outlines the history of MOOCS, how the GDST MOOC fits into this landscape, and how and why we created it. This paper will then go on to explore the challenges and opportunities of running an online course, before looking at how we are evaluating the first-run using qualitative and quantitative data.
The characterisation and epidemiology of avian pathogenic Escherchia coli in UK broiler chickens

Poultry health and welfare are important for maintaining sustainable and safe food production. In the UK alone, in excess of 900 million broiler chickens are farmed annually with demand continuously increasing. Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is the causative agent of the extraintestinal syndromic poultry disease colibacillosis, which has a major impact on poultry health and is a considerable economic burden to the global poultry industry. The need for disease control is of paramount importance. Little is known about the epidemiology, population dynamics and infection biology of APEC in UK broiler chickens. This knowledge would contribute to the implementation of control measures. This investigation comprised: one longitudinal field study in commercial flocks aimed at simultaneously identifying potential APEC (pAPEC) in the intestinal tract of healthy birds and extraintestinal E. coli in diseased birds, one study determining the contribution of E. coli to early flock mortalities and a series of in vitro experiments and genetic analyses characterising both extraintestinal and avian faecal E. coli isolated from UK broiler chickens. E. coli were subjected to virulotyping, phylogenetic typing, macro-restriction pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The extraintestinal E. coli isolates from diseased birds represent a diverse genetic population. Furthermore, as broiler chickens age, the prevalence of pAPEC in the gastrointestinal tract decreases. The intestinal tract of day-old chicks contains considerable levels of pAPEC (24.05% of the faecal population sampled), while ~70% of early mortalities relate to extraintestinal E. coli infections, possibly originating from the gut. In vitro, pAPEC did not appear to invade intestinal epithelial cells, suggesting the respiratory route is likely to be favourable for dissemination, although pAPEC are cytotoxic and may disrupt epithelial integrity prior to dissemination. There were no significant differences in the intracellular persistence of APEC and faecal E. coli in cultured avian macrophages and survival in serum; challenges encountered by E. coli during dissemination. Overall, this investigation highlights the diverse spectrum of E. coli associated with extraintestinal disease in commercial broiler production and the need to determine the contribution of host susceptibility to disease manifestation.
The behavioural physiology of diving animals, in particular tufted ducks (Aythya fuligula), and the implications for models of optimal diving

Tufted ducks were trained to dive to and from a respirometer box on a 1.7 m dive tank, so that measurements of respiratory gas exchange could be measured, along with time budget data. These data were combined with power cost estimates of diving to show that the optimal breathing model quantitatively predicted surface duration and the oxygen metabolised during foraging for the mean of all subject ducks but not for individual birds. Respirometry data also showed that both the oxygen and carbon dioxide stores were close to full adjustment after mean surface duration suggesting they have a similar influence on surface duration in tufted ducks, while pre-dive hyperventilation caused hypocapnia suggesting carbon dioxide is more often a limiting factor on dive duration. Oxygen uptake was not affected by hypercapnic exposure between dives and minimally affected by hypoxia, however dive time budgeting changed in both cases. This confirmed an influence of carbon dioxide on diving behaviour while estimates of respiratory exchange ratios above one during dives from hypoxia suggested the employment of anaerobic metabolic pathways in hypoxic conditions. Allometric studies investigating relationships between body mass and diving parameters across and within taxonomic groups of divers highlighted a number of limitations in our current knowledge of diving animals and also questioned some of the mass associated correlations that have been widely considered to exist across diving species.
Field Evaluation of Some Pearl Millet Genotypes for Downy Mildew (Sclerospora graminicola) Resistance and Yield

Four tested downy mildew resistant pearl millet varieties were crossed to four tested downy mildew susceptible pearl millet varieties using North Carolina design 11 mating design. Sixteen hybrids and their parents (eight) were evaluated for downy mildew incidence, downy mildew severity and yield in two locations. The parents that were tested resistant to downy mildew were found to be susceptible while the susceptible parents maintained their downy mildew status. The aim of the study was to select hybrids with least disease incidence and high yield. Those that were high yielding have high degree of tolerance for downy mildew disease. From the analysis of variance, highly significant mean squares were observed among the genotypes for all the agronomic characters except disease severity and number of tillers per plot. Mean square of the location × genotype was highly significant for yield and significant for number of panicles per plot. Seven hybrids were found to moderately resistant and high yielding indicating their tolerance to the pathogen.
The metabolic consequences of glucose-6-phosphate transporter (G6PT) depletion in mice and Investigating the role of transcriptional intermediary factor 1-γ (TIF1γ) in mitosis

The glucose-6-phospate transporter (G6PT) translocates cytosolic glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) into the endoplamic/sacrcoplamic reticulum (ER/SR). In the liver, glucose-6- phosphatase metabolises G6P as the terminal step in gluconeogenesis, essential for maintaining fasting blood glucose levels. Conversely, in both muscle and liver G6P can be converted by hexose-6-phoshate dehydrogenase (H6PDH) to 6-phosphogluconate (6-PG). This process generates the cofactor NADPH which allows 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) to reduce cortisone to its active counterpart cortisol. This demonstrates the importance of the G6PT in glucose metabolism and glucocorticoid (GC) activation. H6PDHKO mice have shown GC independent myopathy thought to be attributed to disrupted glucose homeostasis and calcium (Ca2+) metabolism. In this study we used G6PT+/- mice to characterise the effects of G6PT depletion in respect to systematic glucose metabolism when challenged with diabetes inducing high fat diet, and separately the effect on muscle metabolic homeostasis. We found that G6PT depletion may promote weight gain and systemic insulin resistance despite normal fasted glucose levels on high fat diet. Furthermore, we found elevated intracellular Ca2+ in G6PT+/- primary muscle cells. As we show 11β-HSD1 enzyme activity was unaffected in G6PT+/- mice we propose novel GC-independent roles for G6PT in controlling glucose and calcium homeostasis.
Degradation of the Herbicide Molinate in Soils

モリネートの土壌中における分解経路と土壌条件による分解の相違について室内実験で3種類の水田土壌と, アゼピン環ないしはS-エチル基をラベルしたモリネートおよび無標識化合物を用い研究した. 畑地状態と湛水状態で分解を比較したところ, 土壌間差が顕著であるが, いずれの土壌でも畑地状態の方が分解速度および14CO2発生量が大きかった. また滅菌土壌ではモリネートの消失速度は著しく小さかった. 分解物として, これまですでに報告のあるスルポキシド, アゼピン環-4-OH体および4-オキソ体, S-カルボキシルメチル体およびヘキサメチレンイミンが認められ, 今回新たにアゼピン環-2-オキソ体, S-2-OH-エチル体およびエタンスルホン酸が認められた. 分解経路として, 1) イオウ原子の酸化, 2) アゼピン環の酸化, 3) S-エチル基の酸化, 4), 5) 加水分解によりヘキサメチレンイミンないしエタンスルホン酸を生ずる経路が想定され, 畑地状態では2) が, 湛水状態では3) が主要分解経路であると考えられた. 土壌の性質とモリネートの分解の関係についても考察した.
Milk Yield During the First Four Months of Lactation and Cow Productivity of Brahman and Tuli Beef Cattle in South-East Botswana

The climate of Botswana because of its semi-aridity, is mostly suitable for livestock farming, especially beef cattle production under extensive grazing conditions. The major indigenous cattle breed is the Tswana, while the Tuli (TT) and Brahman (BB) are popular and increasing in numbers to the cattle population of 2.5 million. In the present study, the TT (n=15) and BB (n=24) breeds were compared for cow productivity and milk production using the weigh-suckle-weigh technique. The TT cows produced more milk than BB cows (12.4 vs 9.2 kg/d) during the first four months of lactation. However, BB cows produced heavier (P<0.001) calves at weaning than TT cows (164.8 vs 150.4 kg). Similarly, BB cows produced faster (P<0.001) growing calves than TT cows (.69 vs .64 kg/d). Across breeds, calves born earlier in the season had a higher (P<0.01) average daily gain (ADG) than those born later in the season (.69 vs .64 kg/d). It is an advantage to producers to have the majority of calves born early in the calving season (September/October) so that calves are bigger and heavier at weaning than those calves born late in the season (November/December).
Patterns of freshwater biodiversity in Europe: lessons from the spring snail genus Bythinella

Aim We analyse patterns of biodiversity in the spring snail genus Bythinella, a group of highly isolated and stenotopic freshwater species. We aim to test: (1) whether there are European areas of increased diversity (i.e. ‘hotspots’), (2) whether the potential hotspots inferred show qualitative differences in biodiversity characteristics such as endemicity, distinctiveness of taxa, age of lineages or degree of fragmentation, and (3) whether these hotspots match the Pleistocene refugia of Bythinella spp.
Does Social Mating System Influence Nest Defence Behaviour in Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) Males

In birds with biparental care, males and females often conflict over how much care to provide to their offspring and it may be substantially influenced by increased level of polygamy. In accordance with sexual conflict theory, males of socially polygynous bird species provide much less care to their nestlings than do males of most socially monogamous species. Most of previous studies, however, have used feeding behaviour as an index for variations in male parental care only. However, this may be skewed if polygynous males compensate for lower feeding assistance through the provision of other parental care such as protection of nests from predators. In this paper, we examine nest defence behaviour in the facultatively polygynous great reed warbler with respect to sex and type of social mating system. We recorded latency to the first arrival, distance from the predator and defensive reaction of each parent towards a human intruder. Socially polygynous males with two simultaneously active nests defended primary females’ nests less vigorously than socially monogamous males, whereas no differences were found between monogamous and primary females. Generally, however, they took a bigger role in nest defence than males in all cases. Our results support an idea that sexual conflict is driven by polygamy and that type of social mating system can influence nest defence behaviour of facultatively polygynous birds. This finding should be taken into consideration when studying nest defence parental care in polygynous mating systems.
Ciclo gonádico del ostión americano Crassostrea virginica (Lamellibranchia: Ostreidae) en Mecoacán, Tabasco, México

The american oyster Crassostrea virginica is exploited along Gulf of Mexico. This resource represents a job source and incomes for fishermen. In Mexico the production is supported by Tabasco state, the first producer. However, the mexican landings of this bivalve had been dropped about 40% last ten years. By 1999, Tabasco presents a unique ban season fishery of oysters. This season was based in evaluation of gonadal development by visual observations of color and texture, larvae and seeds abundance. In 2000, the government set up two ban seasons in terms of evaluation of populations every year, without gonadal analysis. In general, exists different spawning seasons for american oyster, in accordance with the environmental conditions. It is necessary to establish a ban season according to reproductive cycle. This study presents the gonadic cycle for an oyster population of Mecoacan lagoon along a year. It was defined five phases of the gonad development: resting, gametogenesis, mature or ripe, spawn and post spawn. Gametogenesis is present all the year, except December. The spawning activity was detected all year, except July and August. The ripe phase presented maximum values in August and December. It was proposed a modification of the ban seasons from April 15 - May 30, and September 15 - October 30 to March 15 - May 15 and September 1 - October 30, respectively, according to gonadic cycle obtained in this work. This modification would to avoid capture mature organisms (ready to spawn).
Barrel Rigidity, Heme Distortion, Ligand Protection and Nitric Oxide Interactions with Heme in Nitrophorin 4

Nitrophorins are nitric oxide transport proteins that aid in an insect obtaining a blood meal. The nitrophorins from the saliva of Rhodnius prolixus, a blood-sucking insect, consist of seven closely related proteins (rNP1-7). These proteins have the classic hallmarks that define the lipocalin protein family: an eight-stranded beta-barrel, binds a hydrophobic molecule, contains a flexible omega loop that lines the entrance to the binding cavity, contains a N-terminal helix and a conserved Trp-Arg/Lys interaction, and a disulfide bridge pattern. This dissertation explores the functional implications of the rNP4 structure. An apo structure of rNP4 to 1.11 Ǻ resolution revealed the beta-barrel of rNP4 remains a rigid structure in the absence of its heme cofactor and is similar to that of holo rNP4. An X-ray crystallographic study of alterations to protein and heme cofactor was used to explore how heme distortion arises. In all altered proteins, local changes were seen at the point of alteration. The protein has evolved so as to have all surrounding contacts, as well as electronic interactions between ligand and heme, contribute to distortion. An omega loop triple alanine mutant of rNP4 that was unable to collapse over the binding cavity was used to investigate ligand (nitric oxide) protection crystallographically and kinetically. A 1.00 Ǻ resolution structure confirmed the mutant protein was unable to collapse. The loop mutant, as well as wild-type protein, display NO binding to heme that was unaffected by oxygen, indicating that NO binds to heme before reacting with surrounding oxygen. NO-protein complex decay was very slow (hours) under conditions where NO was allowed to rebind to heme, highlighting the protection properties of rNP4. In the presence of oxygen and/or glutathione, which can react with
Electrocardiographic Parameters of the Kurd Horse using Base Apex Lead

Abstract Mokhber Dezfouli, M.R. , Fakor, S. , Bahari, A.A. , Alidadi, N. and Rezakhani, A. 2006. Electrocardiographic parameters of the Kurd horse using base apex lead. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 30: 89–92. Forty five normal Kurd horses (18 females, 27 males; 6 months to 10 years) were used to determine the electrocardiographic parameters of base apex lead. Wandering pacemaker (6%) and sinus arrhythmia (12%) were two physiological irregularities observed. Heart rate was 37.87±5.06/min and duration of the P, QRS, T, P- R and Q-T were 0.130±0.017, 0.128±0.014, 0.163±0.040, 0.288±0.041 and 0.486±0.047 seconds, respectively. Amplitudes were 0. 384±0.047,0.058±0.047, 0.375±0.312, 2.152±0.669 and −0.120±0.77 mV for the P, Q, R, S and T waves. All the P waves had positive direction and 83.33% were bifid configuration. No differences were found among the sex and age groups (P<0.05). It is concluded that the base apex lead is a suitable lead for ECG recording for cardiac arrhythmias and measuring ECG amplitudes and durations.
Accessibility Model in Electronic Government: Evaluation of Brazilian Web Portals

The Brazilian federal government has promoted several actions towards addressing digital accessibility in e-government systems once it is essential for all citizens to take part on participatory digital governance and have access to important information and online services. In this paper, we evaluate the main web portals of 28 federal agencies with ministry status to check whether they comply with the main laws and standards related to digital accessibility, namely the Accessibility Model in Electronic Government, also known in Portuguese as e-MAG; the Digital Government Identity; and the Accessibility Circumstantial Report. Unfortunately, most federal agencies fail to deliver acceptable levels of accessibility and to present a digital accessibility assessment along with a work plan to address the known issues. We also present an interview with a blind citizen to understand the Brazilian digital accessibility scenario from the perspective of a person with disability. The results of the interview confirmed that, even with the existence of e-MAG, the Brazilian federal government has yet a long way to walk to assure citizens the basic rights to access information, online services and take part in important decisions.
Assessing the potential impact of invasive ring-necked parakeets Psittacula krameri on native nuthatches Sitta europeae in Belgium.

Summary 1. Biological invasions are a major threat to biodiversity. Given the large number of invasive species, we need to be able to identify invaders with large effects in order to prioritize management efforts. Here, we present a framework using species distribution modelling to predict how abundance of native species will change as a result of competition with an invasive species using ring-necked parakeets Psittacula krameri and nuthatches Sitta europaea as a case study. 2. Ring-necked parakeets are widely introduced throughout Europe and compete with native cavity-nesters. Using the relationship between parakeet abundance and environmental variables in Brussels (Belgium), we predict parakeet abundance across Flanders. A competition coefficient, quantifying the parakeets’ impact on nuthatches, was obtained by a regression on a data set of parakeet and nuthatch abundance. An estimate of the number of nuthatches that will be lost when parakeets have occupied all suitable sites was calculated by superimposing the abundance maps of the two species and applying the competition coefficient. 3. Our results predict a potential population of about 22 000 parakeet pairs, indicating that they could become one of the most numerous cavity-nesters in the region. Parakeet abundance is the highest in older, more fragmented forest in urban areas whereas nuthatches prefer larger, old and oak-dominated forests. 4. Our models indicate that throughout much of their range, and in a variety of habitats, parakeets and nuthatches will compete for nesting cavities, but as the competition strength is only moderate, the total impact of parakeets on nuthatch populations will be limited, with at most one-third of the population at risk. 5. Synthesis and applications. Species distribution models combined with empirical estimates of competition strength can be used as a general tool to make an assessment of the potential impact of established invasive species. Such information is required to make effective decisions on how to prioritize management effort and resources across the multitude of invasive species that currently threaten native ecosystems. For the ring-necked parakeet, our results indicate that there is no compelling evidence indicating that parakeets pose a threat large enough to justify an eradication campaign where they are currently present.
A new metric to calculate the opportunity for selection on quantitative characters

Background: Evolutionary changes in natural populations can occur on ecological time scales. Investigators have become very interested in characterizing short-term fluctuations in selection pressure, in identifying the circumstances under which the opportunity for selection is greatest, and in determining whether this opportunity is realized. Aims: Introduce a new metric to explore how the opportunity for selection on the mean of a phenotypic character varies with time. Using data from two long-term studies of marked individuals, examine how the opportunity for and the selection on a character mean and variance covary with population growth. Metrics: The traditional opportunity for selection metric (OS) is defined as the variance in relative fitness or the variation in absolute fitness divided by the square of the mean absolute fitness. This metric might not be appropriate to evaluate the maximum selection acting on a quantitative character because individual variation in both quantitative characters and in fitness underpins evolution by natural selection. We therefore develop a new metric, the opportunity for selection on a quantitative character (OSM), which considers variation in both character and fitness distributions. Methods: Determine selection, OS, and OSM, in both simulated and empirical data. Compare the results for the traditional OS metric with the new OSM. Results: The classical measure of the OS correlates with the OSM when calculated on simulated data but their association was curvilinear for non-normally distributed fitness components. Similar results were found for empirical data but their correlations were lower. Selection is strongest in declining populations and is greatest when the OSM is large, as in harsh environments. Conclusions: Because most fitness components are non-normally distributed, OS will only approximately capture the maximum possible selection differential on phenotypic characters over a time step. The OSM should be a more useful metric for determining how selection will alter the distribution of characters.
Nationwide survey of pests and diseases of cereal and grass seed crops in New Zealand. 1. Arthropods and molluscs.

A national survey of four cereal and two grass seed crops was conducted by the New Zealand Plant Protection Centre (NZPPC) from October 1995 to February 1996. Approximately 85,000 plants were inspected at 332 sites in the main cereal growing areas of New Zealand. In addition to the previously known invertebrate species associated with cereal and grass seed crops, 93 new organism-host associations were recorded for wheat (21 primary pests), 85 new associations for barley (22 primary pests), 40 new associations for oats (8 primary pests), 25 new associations for ryecorn (3 primary pests), 57 new associations for ryegrass (15 primary pests) and 29 new associations for brome grass (5 primary pests). Cereal thrips (Limothrips cerealium), wheat sheath miner (Cerodontha australis) and Argentine stem weevil (Listronotus bonariensis) were the most common pests found in this survey. Chamaemyia polystigma, a predatory fly new to New Zealand, was recorded on barley, brome grass and ryegrass. One undescribed species of Thysanoptera was found on wheat from Mid Canterbury.