Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A comparison of binary and continuous genetic algorithm in parameter estimation of a logistic growth model

Genetic algorithm is an optimization method based on the principles of genetics and natural selection in life organisms. The algorithm begins by defining the optimization variables, defining the cost function (in a minimization problem) or the fitness function (in a maximization problem) and selecting genetic algorithm parameters. The main procedures in genetic algorithm are generating initial population, selecting some chromosomes (individual) as parent's individual, mating, and mutation. In this paper, binary and continuous genetic algorithms were implemented to estimate growth rate and carrying capacity parameter from poultry data cited from literature. For simplicity, all genetic algorithm parameters (selection rate and mutation rate) are set to be constant along implementation of the algorithm. It was found that by selecting suitable mutation rate, both algorithms can estimate these parameters well. Suitable range for mutation rate in continuous genetic algorithm is wider than the binary one.
Correlations of visual scores, carcass traits, feed efficiency and retail product yield in Nellore cattle

The growing use of visual scores (VS) and ultrasound (US) for carcass evaluation in breeding programs, calls for a knowledge of the relationships between these traits and other relevant characteristics, such as feed efficiency and production of commercial cuts. The objective of this study was to evaluate correlations between body visual scores and carcass traits identified by ultrasound (US) and feed efficiency (FE), carcass weight (HCW), dressing percentage (DP) and retail product yield (RPY) in beef cattle. Nellore cattle (male), 42 non-castrated [NCAST] and 44 castrated [CAST]) were evaluated by both VS and US, at the postweaning (15-month old) and finishing phases (21-month old). Visual scores of conformation (C), precocity (P) and muscling (M) were assessed and the backfat thickness (UBFT), rump fat thickness (URFT) and ribeye area (UREA) were measured by ultrasound. Gain-to-feed (G:F) ratio and residual feed intake (RFI) were measured in feedlot. Hot carcass weight, DP and RPY were determined at harvest. Non-castrated cattle had greater HCW and RPY but lower UBFT and URFT than CAST. Postweaning VS and US were poorly correlated with FE in both sexual conditions. Finishing VS were negatively correlated with G:F in CAST and finishing URFT was negatively correlated with RPY in NCAST. The relationship of VS and US with feed efficiency and meat yield is affected by age at the date of evaluation and by castration. Feed efficiency is not related to the yield of meat cuts in Nellore cattle
Phylogenetic relationships of nonbiting midges in the subfamily Tanypodinae (Diptera: Chironomidae) inferred from morphology

The nonbiting midge subfamily Tanypodinae represents one of the most diverse lineages of Chironomidae. Despite the wide distribution and high diversity of tanypodine chironomids, the evolutionary history of the subfamily remains poorly understood. Here, we present the first phylogenetic analysis of the subfamily Tanypodinae based on morphological data. Cladistic analyses were conducted using 86 morphological characters from 115 species belonging to 54 tanypodine genera, including the eight currently recognised tribes: Anatopyniini, Clinotanypodini, Coelopyniini, Macropelopiini, Natarsiini, Pentaneurini, Procladiini and Tanypodini. We use characters from fourth‐instar larvae, pupae and adults of both sexes. We examine the effects of implied weighting by reanalysing the data with varying values of concavity constant (k). Our analysis supports the monophyly of Tanypodinae with Podonominae as its sister group. All previously proposed tribes are recovered as monophyletic assemblages under a wide range of weighting factors. Under these conditions, the genus Fittkauimyia is the sister group of the remaining Macropelopiini and is erected as a new monobasic tribe, Fittkauimyiini trib.n. The tribe Pentaneurini is recovered as monophyletic with some internal relationships resolved. The genus Paramerina, recovered as sister of Reomyia + Zavrelimyia, is formally synonymised with Zavrelimyia syn.n. , based on morphological similarity in all three life stages and treated as a subgenus of the latter. Finally, the recently suggested synonymies of Gressittius and Guassutanypus with Alotanypus and the establishment of the subgenera Conchapelopia (Helopelopia), Macropelopia (Bethbilbeckia), Monopelopia (Cantopelopia), Thienemannimyia (Hayesomyia) and Zavrelimyia (Reomyia and Schineriella) are investigated. Our results support all proposed changes, except for the subgenus‐level status of Helopelopia and Cantopelopia. We suggest re‐establishment of Helopelopia as a genus, but refrain from promoting genus‐level status of Cantopelopia at present because the apparent sister‐relationship between Monopelopia + Nilotanypus likely is due to wing vein reduction caused by miniaturisation.
Activated Microvessels Express Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Integrin αvβ3 During Focal Cerebral Ischemia

Both vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and integrin αvβ3 play roles in angiogenesis. In noncerebral vascular systems, VEGF can induce endothelial integrin αvβ3 expression. However, it is unknown whether VEGF, like integrin αvβ3, appears in the initial response of microvessels to focal brain ischemia. Their coordinate expression in microvessels of the basal ganglia after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in the nonhuman primate model was examined quantitatively. Cells incorporating deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP+) by the polymerase I reaction at 1 hour (n = 3), 2 hours (n = 3), and 7 days (n = 4) after MCAO defined the ischemic core (Ic) and peripheral regions. Both VEGF and integrin αvβ3 were expressed by activated noncapillary (7.5- to 30.0-μm diameter) microvessels in the Ic region at 1 and 2 hours after MCAO. At 7 days after MCAO, the number of VEGF+, integrin αvβ3+, or proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive microvessels had decreased within the Ic region. The expressions of VEGF, integrin αvβ3, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen were highly correlated on the same microvessels using hierarchical log-linear statistical models. Also, VEGF and subunit αv messenger ribonucleic acids were coexpressed on selected microvessels. Here, noncapillary microvessels are activated specifically early during a focal cerebral ischemic insult and rapidly express VEGF and integrin αvβ3 together.
Multivariate analysis of neognath skeletal measurements: implications for body mass estimation in Mesozoic birds

The abundant fossils of avian stem taxa unearthed during the last years make it necessary to review and improve the models for estimating body mass used in palaeoecological studies. In this article, single and multiple regression functions based on osteological measurements were obtained from a large data set of extant flying birds for estimating the body mass of 42 Mesozoic specimens from stem taxa Archaeopterygidae, Jeholornithidae, Sapeornithidae, Confuciusornithidae, and Enantiornithes, and basal members of Ornithuromorpha. Traditionally, body mass has been estimated in fossil vertebrates using univariate scaling functions. In contrast, multiple regression functions have been used less frequently. Both predictive methods can be affected by different sources of error from statistics, phylogenetic relationships, ecological adaptations, and bone preservation; however, although some studies have addressed these biases, few have tested them within the context of a single data set. In our data set, we find that the models with greater predictive strength and applicability for new specimens, especially for stem taxa, are those derived from multiple regression analyses. For this reason, we suggest that multiple regression analyses may provide improved predictive strength for stem group specimens. Moreover, the methodology used for selecting variables allowed us to obtain specific sets of predictors for each fossil stem group that presumably minimized the variation resulting from historical contingency (i.e. differences in skeletal morphology arising from phylogeny), locomotor adaptations, and diagenetic compaction. The loss of generalizability in the multiple regression models resulting from collinearity effects was negligible on the body mass estimates derived from our data set. Therefore, the body mass values obtained for Mesozoic specimens are accurate and can be used in future studies in a number of palaeobiological and evolutionary aspects of extinct birds, particularly the first stages of avian flight.
Las fracciones orgánicas del suelo: análisis en los suelos de la Argentina

La materia organica (MO) es el indicador utilizado con mas frecuencia para evaluar la calidad del suelo; sin embargo, es escaso el conocimiento sobre sus efectos directos e indirectos. La MO es una mezcla heterogenea de compuestos organicos con propiedades diferentes. La separacion de sus fracciones por metodos fisicos, quimicos y bioquimicos puede mejorar la comprension del papel de la MO en el suelo. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar algunos estudios realizados aplicando principalmente metodos de fraccionamiento fisico, particularmente en suelos de la Argentina. Las fracciones organicas separadas fisicamente han demostrado ser indicadores sensibles a los efectos de las diferentes practicas agronomicas. Debido a la variabilidad de la fraccion labil, el momento de muestreo, las condiciones edafoclimaticas y la metodologia aplicada deben ser tenidas en cuenta para interpretar los resultados.
Food quality, fasting periods and temperature stress : effects of energy challenges on the feeding patterns of avian nectarivores

A positive relationship between feeding duration and meal size of avian nectarivores has often been assumed in earlier studies. We investigated whether feeding duration can be used as a surrogate for the amount of sugar solution ingested by whitebellied sunbirds, Cinnyris (Nectarinia) talatala. Feeding durations of sunbirds consuming three sucrose concentrations (10, 20 and 40% w/w) were measured using an infrared photodetection system, and the amounts consumed were recorded simultaneously by weighing the feeder throughout the experiment. For all three diet concentrations, a positive relationship was found between the time spent feeding per 30 min and the mass consumed. Therefore, feeding duration is demonstrated to be an index of the amount ingested on a particular sugar concentration. The rate of ingestion, however, depended on the sugar concentration, being highest at the lowest concentration of 10% and lowest at 40%. Total time spent feeding was lower on 20% than on 10% sucrose, but increased on the 40% diet due to viscosity effects. There appeared to be a weak relationship between feeding patterns and sex, but this was not significant, probably due to inter-individual variation.
Tumor Necrosis Factor α as an Autocrine and Paracrine Growth Factor for Ovarian Cancer: Monokine Induction of Tumor Cell Proliferation and Tumor Necrosis Factor α Expression

Ovarian tumor cells produce macrophage colony stimulating factor, a potent chemoattractant for monocytes. Monocytes and macrophages produce tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 1 alpha or interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) that can stimulate ovarian tumor cell growth. The present study has explored whether paracrine stimulation by monocyte derived cytokines might induce autocrine growth stimulation of normal and malignant ovarian epithelial cells. Endogenous expression of TNF-alpha mRNA was detected in ascites ovarian cancer cells isolated directly from patients, but not in established cultures of normal or malignant ovarian epithelial cells. When ascites tumor cells were cultured for 7 days, TNF-alpha expression ceased but could be reinduced by treatment with TNF-alpha or IL-1 beta. Ascites fluid contained concentrations of the cytokines that could mediate these effects. Similarly, treatment of normal or malignant ovarian epithelial cells with purified recombinant IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha induced transcription of TNF-alpha mRNA within 1 h. TNF-alpha protein could be detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in conditioned medium from IL-1 beta treated ovarian cancer cells. [3H]thymidine incorporation by normal or malignant ovarian epithelial cells was stimulated by a 24-h incubation with IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha. Stimulation of proliferation by IL-1 beta could be partially blocked by an antibody against TNF-alpha or by soluble TNF-alpha-receptor. Thus, TNF-alpha may function as both an autocrine and a paracrine growth factor in ovarian cancer.
Flore adventice des cultures céréalieres annuelles du Burkina Faso

Resume: Summary: Zusammenfassung 403 releves, dont 152 en 1988 et 251 en 1989, effectues essentiellement dans des cultures de sorgho, de mil et de mais dans 37 localites du Burkina Faso, ont permis de recenser 272 especes adventices, dont 60% communes aux deux annees. 56 especes nouvelles pour la flore du Burkina Faso ont ete mises en Evidence. Une analyse des spectres floristique et biologique ainsi que de la repartition geographique des especes releve quelques caracteristiques de la flore adventice. L'etude de la frequence et du recouvrement des especes permet de degager les principales mauvaises herbes des cultures annuelles du Burkina Faso. Weeds of annual crops in Burkina Faso A survey was made of weeds in fields of sorghum, millet and maize at 37 localities in Burkina Faso. The survey covered 403 fields, 152 in 1988 and 251 in 1989. A total of 272 adventive species were recorded, 60% of them in both years. Fifty-six species were found which were new to the Burkina Faso flora. An analysis of the floristic and biological spectra, together with the geographical distribution, revealed certain characteristic features of the weed flora. The information obtained with regard to the frequency and abundance of the species makes it possible to define the principal weeds of annual crops in Burkina Faso. Die Unkrautflora der Getreidefelder von Burkina Faso Es wurden 403 Aufnahmen (1988: 152, 1989: 251) hauptsachlich in Sorghum-Hirse, Hirse und Mais an 37 Orten von Burkina Faso gemacht, wobei 272 Unkrautarten gefunden wurden, davon 60% in beiden Jahren. 56 Arten konnten fur die Flora von Burkina Faso erstmals nachgewiesen werden. Mit einer biologischen, floristischen und geographischen Analyse der Arten wurde die Unkrautflora charakterisiert. Die Untersuchung der Frequenz und des Deckungsgrads der Arten erlaubte, die wichtigsten Unkrauter der einjahrigen Kulturen von Burkina Faso zu nennen.
Propriedades enzimáticas da enzima ALS de Cyperus difformis e mecanismo de resistência da espécie ao herbicida pyrazosulfuron-ethyl

Cyperus difformis L. is a weed that occurs in flooded rice, which has presented difficulty in controlling due to the resistance to ALS inhibiting herbicides. The objectives of this research were to investigate kinetic characteristics of ALS enzyme from C. difformis biotypes and to determine the biochemical bases of resistance from the species to pyrazosulfuron-ethyl herbicide. For that, experiments were conducted at the BIOAGRO/UFV laboratory. The method used was based on the methodology used by CAREY et al. (1997) and adapted by VARGAS et al. (1999), with some modifications. It was evaluated substratum concentration (pyruvate) that provides initial velocity equal to half the speed reaction (KM) and maximum velocity of reaction (Vmax), as well the activity of the ALS enzyme in the presence of the inhibitor (pyrazosulfuron-ethyl). According to the results, it is possible to observe that C. difformis resistance to pyrazosulfuron-ethyl is due to the insensibility of the ALS enzyme to the herbicide, however without penalty to KM and Vmax kinetic parameters of the ALS enzyme.
The effect of acetic and lactic acid for reducing the prevalence of pathogen load on poultry.

Meat spoilage is considered an ecological phenomenon generated by the changesthat take place in the natural meat ecosystem, through the microflora evolution under the effect ofphysical, chemical and biological factors. The main pathogens involved in outbreaks of food borneillnesses caused by poultry consumption are: Salmonella, Campylobacter, Escherichia, and Listeria.The main purpose of this study was the assessment of organic acid in order to reduce contamination ofpoultry with pathogens.The research material was represented by 12 chicken breast samples, packed in plasticcontainers, purchased from a retail stores in Romania. After the sterilization of meat samples with UVradiation, they were contaminated with a microbial inoculums of 300x106 fcu/ml (0.5 MacFarland),followed by decontamination with organic acids solutions (lactic and acetic acid, 1%, 2% 3%concentrations). The bacteriological examination for each sample was performed after theidentification treatment and counting of pathogens.The obtained results were analyzed using two way Anova test. It was established that bothorganic acids solutions caused a significant reduction of Salmonella enteritidis, Listeriamonocytogenes, Escherichia coli and Campylobacter jejuni, ranging from 1.56 log to 4.45 log,compared with controls (p <0.05). It was also found that lactic and acetic acid solutions 3%determined a 100% decontamination effect on pathogens studied, which advocates for therecommendation of using this concentration of decontaminants in order to ensure sanitation of poultrymeat.
Expression of the NF-κB Target Gene X-Ray-Inducible Immediate Early Response Factor-1 Short Enhances TNF-α-Induced Hepatocyte Apoptosis by Inhibiting Akt Activation1

Using a cDNA microarray analysis, we identified x-ray-inducible immediate early response factor-1 (IEX-1) as a proapoptotic gene which was induced by TNF-α and also depend on NF-κB activation in Hc human hepatocytes. In these cells only the original form of IEX-1, termed IEX-1S, but not its longer transcript IEX-1L, was expressed. Overexpression of IEX-1S resulted in promotion of TNF-α-induced apoptosis in Hc cells expressing a mutant form of IκB. This proapoptotic action can be explained by its inhibitory findings on survival signals; inhibition of TNF-α-induced activation and expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, and also blockage of expression of Mcl-1, an antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family member which is located downstream of Akt, was inhibited by IEX-1S. LY 294002, an inhibitor of PI3K, increased IEX-1S expression induced by TNF-α and accelerated TNF-α-induced apoptosis in IκB-treated Hc cells. Overexpression of the dominant-negative Akt enhanced, but the constitutively active Akt suppressed, TNF-α-induced IEX-1S expression, suggesting that PI3K/Akt negatively regulated IEX-1S expression. These results demonstrate that NF-κB-dependent recruitment of IEX-1S may play a proapoptotic role in TNF-α-stimulated hepatocytes through blockage of the PI3K/Akt pathway. Moreover, the reciprocal cross-talk between IEX-1S and PI3K/Akt may closely be involved in the regulation of TNF-α-induced hepatocyte apoptosis.
Macrophytes respond to reach‐scale river restorations

Summary 1. In recent years, river restoration science has been searching for biological indicators of improvement in the physical habitats of streams. To date, research has mainly focused on the use of fish and macroinvertebrates as indicators. Despite their importance in aquatic ecosystems, the response of macrophytes to habitat restoration has been rarely studied. 2. We investigated the macrophyte communities of 40 restored river reaches in the lowland and lower mountainous areas of Germany. Each restored reach was compared to an upstream, unrestored reach using a space-for-time-substitution approach. At each reach, a 100 m stretch was surveyed for submerged and emergent macrophytes, recording the quantity, abundance and growth form of each species. Additionally, microhabitat patterns (substrate, depth, current velocity) and channel parameters (mean and bankfull width, number of channel elements) were recorded. 3. Restored reaches had a significantly higher macrophyte cover, richness, diversity and number of growth forms. Macrophyte diversity and richness were both positively correlated with depth, current and substrate. 4. The analysis of growth forms showed that Lemnids, Helodids, Parvopotamids, Elodids, Peplids and Juncids are all significant indicators of restoration. These species all responded directly to the restoration measures either by highly increasing in abundance or by being present in the restored reaches and absent in the unrestored reaches. While the restored reaches of the lowland rivers were characterized by a high abundance of Peplids and Parvopotamids, the restored reaches of the mountain rivers showed a significantly higher presence and abundance of Lemnids and Helodids. 5. Three macrophyte species (Lemna minor, Persicaria hydropiper, Potamogeton crispus) were regarded as significant indicators of restoration. No species were found to be indicators of unrestored reaches. 6.Synthesis and applications. Macrophyte communities benefit from river restoration by showing increased cover, abundance and diversity. The main drivers of this enhancement are more natural and diverse substrates and an increased floodplain area in the restored reaches, as well as a greater variability of current and depth patterns. Monitoring of macrophytes could thus be an easy and cost-effective means to gauge the success of river restoration measures.
Altitudinal zonation of liverworts in the Atlantic Forest, Southeastern Brazil

An analysis of liverwort diversity in Rio de Janeiro state has been done, with the objective to elucidate the richness and floristic composition of the different formations of the Atlantic Forest, and the influence of the altitudinal gradient on the liverworts. For this, data from literature, herbarium, floristic inventories and data bank of the state's flora were combined. The liverwort flora is composed of 360 taxa distributed among 102 genera and 31 families, emphasizing the importance of the remaining part of Rio de Janeiro's tropical rainforest for the conservation of the liverwort diversity in Brazil. In the state's remaining tropical rainforests 50% of the liverwort flora of the country and 72% of that of the Atlantic Forest are found. The flora is not uniform, presenting differences in species richness and floristic composition in different formations of the state's Atlantic Forest, in addition to a floristic gradient along the altitudinal gradient. The Montane formation has higher species richness (238), number of exclusive taxa (63) and endemics (27), followed by the Upper Montane formation (173, 58 and 21, respectively). Lejeuneaceae stands out as the richest family in all formations, whereas other families are exclusive to certain formations. As is true for mosses, several liverworts appear as diagnostic features of altitudinal belts in Atlantic Forest, corroborating the use of bryophytes as indicators of altitudinal zonation in tropical rainforests.