Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Higher fluctuating asymmetry as a measure of susceptibility to pesticides in fishes

Two species of fishes common to the Great Plains of North America (the western mosquitofish [Gambusia affinis] and the sand shiner [Notropis ludibundus]) were used to examine the relationship between individual time‐to‐death (TTD) in 96–h toxicity tests and average fluctuating asymmetry (FA). Previous studies have indicated that FA, the random deviation from bilateral symmetry in metric traits, is increased in organisms that develop in stressful and/or marginal environments. This association has led to the prediction that FA may be useful as a bioindicator. For example, if an individual's FA is negatively related to stress resistance, a population that has comparatively high values of FA may be more susceptible to further stressors. Adult fish used in these experiments were captured from natural populations in Kansas and acclimated to laboratory conditions for 1 month before use in toxicity tests. Each species was separately exposed to two insecticides: parathion, an organophosphate, and lindane, an organochlorine. For each TTD test, 200 individuals were exposed over a 96–h period to an LC70 concentration. Dead individuals were removed every 3 h. Individuals that survived the test were sacrificed for comparison to those that died. Measurements for seven external morphologic characters were obtained for each individual and used to estimate average FA. Three of four statistical tests showed a significant negative regression between TTD and average FA, indicating that individuals with smaller FA survived longer in the test conditions. These results support the use of FA as an indicator of susceptibility to pesticides.
The Relationship between Sex-ratio and Marital Behavior_±èÁø1⁄4ö.hwp

According to statistics with reliable data, the biological sex-ratio at birth for most parts of the world is very stable, remaining between 105 and 106 boys per 100 girls. However, according to the reported sex-ratio at birth in Korea, the number of boys has been increasing since 1970. With the rapidly increasing sex-ratio at birth, there will be a constant shortage of females in the future. Therefore, this paper considers the practical issue of the effect of sex-ratio on family structure. Specifically, how will the surplus of men affect the marriage market as well as marriage behavior and marital instability? With the weighted sex-ratio method, this paper suggests that not only is there is a positive relationship between the proportion of female marriages and the sex-ratio, but there is also a significant positive relationship for the younger (20~24) and older (35~39) female age groups. This aspect is also appropriate for the male marriage behavior. Therefore, from the policy makers' point of view, they will have to recognize that ignoring the high sex-ratio at birth problem will result in greater marriage instability in the future.
Resting-State Network Plasticity Induced by Music Therapy after Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is characterized by a complex pattern of abnormalities in resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC), and neuropathology focused on network dysfunction. Here we report a fMRI study of brain network changes induced during a randomised controlled trial of neurological music therapy in 23 moderate/severe TBI patients. Our ROI-to- ROI approach used four networks as sources: the frontoparietal (FPN), dorsal attention (DAN), default mode (DMN), and salience (SAL) networks. These networks include high-degree nodes or network hubs, and have all been associated with cognitive impairment after TBI. Furthermore, we investigated the correlation between brain network changes and executive function (EF). Lastly, we implemented a seed-to-voxel analysis to cross-link whole-brain rsFC with brain morphometry results obtained in our previous study of this data. The neurological music therapy increased the coupling between the FPN and DAN as well as between these networks and primary sensory networks that were engaged during musical training. By contrast, the DMN was less connected with sensory networks after the intervention. Similarly, there was a shift towards a less connected state within the FPN and SAL networks, which are typically hyperconnected following TBI. Improvements in EF were correlated with rsFC within the FPN and between the DMN and sensorimotor networks. Finally, the increase in grey matter volume in frontal regions was associated with greater rsFC in areas implicated in music processing. This study is the largest of its kind, and suggests that rsFC in response to music-based rehabilitation may provide sensitive biomarkers of cognitive recovery after TBI.
Land‐use changes and monk parakeet expansion in the Pampas grasslands of Argentina

The monk parakeet, Myiopsitta monachus (Boddaert, 1783), is a successful invasive species that has established viable populations on four continents, including North America and Europe. Of particular interest is the little known, large‐scale expansion of monk parakeet within its native range on the Pampas grasslands of Argentina during the 20th century. To understand the key factors involved in this large‐scale expansion and their implications in terms of current hypotheses on bird introductions, we investigated in detail the expansion process and related changes in land use during the period 1860–2010.
UNDERSTANDING THE ACCEPTANCE OF IT-BASED SHARING ECONOMIC SERVICES

This study aims to empirically verify the structural relationships between perceived risks, perceived values, trust, and intention to use for sharing economy services. In order to achieve the objective of this study, the survey was conducted targeting the car sharing service which has been noticeably growing in the sharing economy service. In the results of the study, first, the perceived risks of sharing economy service had negative(-) effect on the perceived values. Second, the perceived risks had negative(-) effect on trust. Third, the economic value and social value had positive(+) effect on trust while the functional value not had effect on trust. Fourth, the functional value and economic value had positive(+) effect on the intention of use while the social value not had effect on the intention to use. Lastly, trust had positive(+) effect on the intention to use. This study provided a chance to understand the risks and values actually perceived by potential users before the full-scale vitalization of sharing economy service, and also to see the importance of trust. Moreover, it also suggested the direction to establish strategies for the vitalization of services.
Response of Evernia prunastri to urban environmental conditions in Central Europe after the decrease of air pollution

Abstract The epiphytic lichen Evernia prunastri is sensitive to air pollution and reacted by total retreat to the worsening of air quality during the peak of SO2 pollution in Central Europe (1950s–1990). Since 1990, after a significant decrease in air pollution, epiphytic lichens recolonized previously polluted areas, including E. prunastri. We investigated the physiological status of E. prunastri, transplanted for six months in 34 sites in the urban area of Bratislava (Slovakia) under current conditions. The content of chlorophylls, cortical and medullar secondary metabolites and soluble proteins were explored. We then examined the relationship of these parameters with the environmental quality status, reflected by the diversity of epiphytic lichens. The results showed that the physiological status of E. prunastri did not change significantly after exposure. Positive correlations were found between lichen diversity in the sampling sites and physiological parameters (photosynthetic pigments and phaeophytinization quotient) in the transplants. Transplants from sampling sites with a greater proportion of nitrophilous lichens displayed a decrease in photosynthetic pigments. Sites where E. prunastri naturally occurred had a lower proportion of nitrophilous species in comparison to sites where E. prunastri was not present. This suggests that the indicator species E. prunastri may also recolonize sites with low eutrophication in urban environments under decreased air pollution, and the information on its presence can help to assess the pressure caused by nitrogen excess.
IMPEDANCE CARDIOGRAPHY AS A NONINVASIVE METHOD OF MONITORING CARDIAC FUNCTION AND OTHER PARAMETERS OF THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM *

Classical physiology texts describe the basic function of the heart as a blood pump. Ironically, after centuries of research since William Harvey's disclosure of the nature of the circulatory system,I the pumping action of the heart remains an elusive parameter to measure without resorting to inconvenient, expensive, and somewhat traumatic procedures requiring sterile surgery to insert catheters into or near the heart. At the same time, relatively simple, noninvasive methods are available to record other parameters related to myocardial function such as electrical activity, pulse rate, and blood pressure. Obviously, a great need exists for a similarly simple noninvasive method of obtaining information concerning the mechanical activity of the heart. About 300 years elapsed following Harvey's classic experiment before Atzler and Lehmann attempted to utilize small transthoracic electrical impedance changes observed during the cardiac cycle to study myocardial function by a capacitance systern.2 Nyoboer and c o ~ o r k e r s ~ . ~ and others5 later modified and improved on this work. Geddes and Baker have published an excellent review of the use of electrical impedance measurements in the detection of a variety of physiological events? A previous report' presents our first results with the present impedance system to measure cardiac output by a somewhat dzerent approach. Smith and colleagues,8 Harley and associates? and Judy and co-workers1° have reported varying degrees of success in measuring cardiac output with this approach. Siege1 and Fabian" have reported on the application of this system to the quantification of myocardial contractility. We have also reported on the time relations between left ventricular ejection and the negative value of dZ/dt.I* The purpose of this communication is to present the system described as the impedance cardiograph that has evolved after several years of research in this laboratory and some of its applications to measurements of parameters related to the cardiovascular system. The four-band electrode configuration is shown in FIGURE 1. Conductive strip electrodes, approximately 6 mrn wide, are placed, two around the neck and two around the abdomen. The outer two electrodes are spaced at least 3 cm away from the inner electrodes in order to obtain accurate readings and to avoid nonlinearities in the electrical parameters involved. Of the inner two electrodes, one is placed around the b a x of the neck and the second at the level of the xiphisternal joint. The outer two electrodes are positioned as shown. The electrodes are numbered 1, 2, 3, and 4 from the neck down and are connected to the impedance cardiograph by the appropriate, numbered clips on the patient-connecting cable of the instrument. A disposable tape-on electrode has been fabricated by the 3M Company, St. Paul, Minn. The electrode is constructed from one mil aluminum deposited on a polyester film and bonded to an adhesive backing, and usually does not require
Abundance and species richness as a function of food resources and vegetation structure: juvenile fish assemblages in rivers

Availability of food and habitat complexity are two factors generally invoked to explain the high density of fish in vegetated habitats. The role of food resources (zooplankton) and habitat complexity (expressed by a vegetation structural index) in determining juvenile fish abundance and fish species richness in three morphologically contrasted macrophyte types (Sagittaria, Ceratophyllum and Nuphar) was studied for a large, lowland river. Our results showed that fish abundance increased with food availability, and was maximal for intermediate values of vegetation complexity. Food resources and vegetation complexity did not, however, explain the higher juvenile fish abundance observed in Sagittaria beds. We suggested that plant growth form, acting on fish foraging success and risk of predation, might influence patterns of juvenile fish distribution. Species-abundance relationships were similar among the three macrophyte types, but relationships between number of fish species (fish richness) and number of samples differed. Fish richness in terms of total number of fish species found at each sampling point showed the same pattern as for fish abundance: it increased with food availability and was highest at intermediate vegetation complexities. However, since both fish abundance and fish richness responded in the same manner to food availability and vegetation complexity, we were not able to distinguish statistically any effect for the specific fish richness formulated by the number of fish species per unit fish abundance. The current paradigm that structural complexity of vegetation provides a wider range of niches, increasing species diversity, was thus not verified. This finding indicates a simple species-abundance relationship (the passive sampling hypothesis), and suggests that no special mechanism acts directly on fish species richness.
Protein contents for lactating dairy cows grazing elephant grass.

To evaluate the effect of feeding concentrate with different crude protein (CP) contents, lactating dairy cows grazing elephant grass were distributed in a 3x3 latin square. Three kg/cow of concentrates (15.2, 18.2, or 21.1% CP) were offered twice a day. Elephant grass dry matter (DM) availability was 1,873kg/ha; with a daily offer of 17.4kg/cow. The elephant grass DM content was 19.6% with 13.9% CP, 66.1% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and 67.4% in vitro DM digestibility. There was no difference among treatments regarding total diet DM daily intake (21.5, 21.6, and 20.8kg/cow), elephant grass DM (16.1, 16.3, and 15.5kg/cow), and elephant grass NDF (10.7, 10.7, and 10.3kg/cow). Milk yield (17.5, 17.2, and 17.6kg/d) fat (3.4, 3.5, and 3.5%), protein (2.9, 2.9, and 2.9%), lactose (4.4, 4.4, and 4.4%), and N-urea (14.1, 14.6, and 15.8mg/dL) did not differ among concentrates (P>0.05). Plasma N-urea was higher in cows fed concentrate with 21.1% CP (11.5 = 12.2<14.4mg/dL, P<0.05). According to these results, concentrate with 15.2% CP can be used to lactating dairy cows grazing elephant grass, without affecting milk production as compared to concentrate with 18.2 or 21.1% of CP.
Postglacial colonization of Ireland by mustelids, with particular reference to the badger (Meles meles L.)

There exists some confusion as to the means by which Ireland developed its current mammalian fauna. In this paper, I use a multivariate analysis of cranial measurements to test the hypothesis that Irish mustelids should resemble their Scottish counterparts more so than those from England, thus providing morphological evidence for postglacial colonization via an Ireland/Scotland landbridge. An examination of badger (Meles meles L.), stoat (Mustela erminea L.) and otter (Lutra lutra L.) failed to provide support for this hypothesis. Based on these results and consideration of our knowledge of the ecology of these species, it is concluded that postglacial colonization via a landbridge was unlikely. Evidence for human-aided colonization is reviewed. It is concluded that, while further morphologic and genetic studies are very much required, the problem of postglacial colonization can only be solved through archaeozoological research.
Assessing biogas digestate, pot ale, wood ash and rockdust as soil amendments: effects on soil chemistry and microbial community composition

Applying by-products as soil amendments to agricultural systems is growing in popularity. We aimed to assess the efficacy of some contemporary by-products to provide nutrients to crops as well as the potential harm of adding toxic elements to the environment. Four different by-products widely available in Northern Europe were tested for their effects on two nutrient-poor agricultural soils in terms of increasing available macro- and micro-nutrients as well as toxic elements. Assessing soil microbial community as a sensitive tool for evaluating soil quality was conducted with the focus on microbial activity, carbon metabolism and on Rhizobium/Agrobacterium. Wood ash increased pH and CaEDTA, KEDTA and MgEDTA in the soils. The only increase in EDTA-extractable micronutrients in the soils was observed by applying pot ale, increasing Cu. None of the amendments increased the availability of Pb and Cd in the soils. Soils amended with the by-products thus remained similar to the unamended control but were quite different from fully mineral fertilised soils. There were no detectable adverse effects on the physiological and genetic profiles of microbial communities. The by-products were moderately beneficial and did not change the soil microbial community as much as the fully fertilised treatment with mineral fertilisers. Changes in the microbial community profiles were probably due to direct effects on microbes limited by K, Ca and N as opposed to indirect effects on plant growth. This is potentially significant in understanding how to improve impoverished and marginal soils as microbial activity affects many other ecosystem functions.
Bioenergy from the forest sector: Economic potential and interactions with timber and forest products markets in Norway

Abstract A partial equilibrium forest sector model which is augmented to include bioenergy was applied to project the use of bioenergy based on forest fuels and forest industry by-products in Norway for three different scenarios of the future prices of electricity and oil. The impacts on forestry and forest industries of the different energy price scenarios were also studied. The advantage of the suggested methodology is that it allows for assessments of the economic potential of bioenergy, taking into account the competition for raw materials, the specific heat demand of various regions, and interregional and international trade. Bioenergy will, according to this study, be fairly competitive in some market segments with the current price levels of electricity and oil, and only a minor increase (decrease) in energy (roundwood) prices would release substantially increased bioenergy production levels. Pulpwood prices of pine and non-coniferous species are projected to increase substantially when assuming increasing energy prices. Except for particleboard mills, production levels of forest industries appeared relatively insensitive to the energy price changes.
Influence of Cooling on the Glycolysis Rate and Development of PSE (Pale, Soft, Exudative) Meat

The aim of this work was to evaluate pH values fall rate in chicken breast meat under commercial refrigeration processing conditions and the development of PSE (pale, soft, exudative) meat. Broiler breast samples from the Cobb breed, both genders, at 47 days of age (n = 100) were taken from refrigerated carcasses (RS) immersed in water and ice in a tank chilled at 0°C (±2). pH and temperature (T) values were recorded at several periods throughout refrigeration in comparison to samples left at room T as control (CS). The ultimate pH (pHu) value of 5.86 for RS carcasses were only reached at 11°C after 8.35 h post mortem (PM) while, for CS samples, pHu value was 5.94 at 22°C after 4.08 h PM. Thus, under commercial refrigeration conditions, the glycolysis rate was retarded by over 4.0 h PM and the breast meat color was affected. At 24.02 h PM, PSE meat incidence was 30% while for CS, meat remained dark and PSE meat was not detected. Results show retardation in the glycolysis rate and PSE meat development was promoted by the refrigeration treatment when compared with samples stored at processing room temperature.
Scab Response of Selected Winter Wheat Cultivars after Inoculation with Fusarium avenaceum (Fr.) Sacc.

Inoculation experiments with 10 winter wheat cultivars were performed in two different regions of Poland, which have different climates, located at Cerekwica (Central-west) and Sitaniec (South-east part of Poland), in the seasons of 1995 and 1996, and Fusarium avenaceum isolate KF 203 (ATCC 64451) (producing moniliformin) was used in inoculation of winter wheat heads. The percentage of scabby kernels was changeable during the experiment, although no interaction environment × cultivar was observed. Yield traits confirm that the climatic conditions in Sitaniec are favourable for higher scab incidence, and indicate that cultivar Aleta was (at both locations) the most resistant to the disease. Reduction of all yield traits for all the cultivars, at two locations, during two vegetative seasons, indicates that cvs Aleta, Almari and Begra were of the lowest susceptibility to scab, whereas Rosa and Parada were the most susceptible to the disease. Accumulation of moniliformin in kernels on average in Sitaniec was 2.28 μg/g during 1995 and 0.41 μg/g in 1996, and in Cerekwica it was 2.12 and 1.77 μg/g in 1995 and 1996, respectively. The results of chemical analysis confirm low susceptibility of cultivar Aleta to scab.
Direct behavioral evidence for hydrocarbons as nestmate recognition cues in Formica japonica (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Here we report direct evidence that cuticular hydrocarbons are responsible for nestmate recognition in Formica japonica distributing in Southern Honshu in Japan. Workers showed aggressive behavior against foreign workers but not against nestmates. A similar response was observed when a glass dummy was treated with isolated hydrocarbons from foreign workers or nestmates. Among the isolated hydrocarbons, ten hydrocarbon components were identified: five n-alkanes and five (Z)-9-alkenes with odd number of carbons from 25 to 33, in different ratios in different colonies. When synthetic hydrocarbons blended in the same ratio as natural blends were presented to workers, they showed aggressive responses against foreign blends but paid less attention to those of nestmates. Neither n-alkane nor (Z)-9-alkene blends, however, caused aggression response in foreign workers. Thus, both n-alkanes and (Z)-9-alkenes are necessary to discriminate nestmates from foreign conspecifics.
Improving Students’ Learning Result Using Numbered Heads Together Model

This study aimed to determine the increase in student cognitive learning outcomes within material of occupational health and safety at the laboratory by implementing the Numbered Heads Together model, as well as obtains the students’ perspective toward the implementation of the model. This research was conducted with a quasi-experimental method through one group pretest-posttest design conducted at University of Samudra. Data collection was done by pretest and posttest to find the escalation in cognitive learning outcomes, as well as a questionnaire to determine student responses to the numbered heads together learning model. The average value of N-gain cognitive learning outcomes was 0.51, which was categorized as moderate category; it meant that in general, there was an increase in cognitive learning outcomes of students. Descriptively, students also gave a positive response toward implementation of the Numbered Heads Together model, so it can be concluded that learning with the Numbered Heads Together Model can improve student cognitive learning outcomes.