Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Introduction to Genetics for Language Scientists: Current Concepts, Methods, and Findings

1. Introduction 2. Nature, nurture, and heritability 3. The molecular bases of genetics 4. Effects of genes on phenotype 5. Linkage disequilibrium and its role in finding genes 6. What do genes actually do? 7. The way forward: exome and genome sequencing 8. Population and evolutionary genetics 9. Interactions between genetic and cultural evolution 10. Conclusions, topics not covered, future directions Appendix. The computer code A.1. Simulating contingency tables A.2. Log Odds Ratio A.3. Simulating genetic drift Notes References Glossary Index.
Seasonal variation of pigments in needles

The influence of growing conditions upon the pigmentation in needles from seedlings of Scots pine and Norway spruce has been studied. The plant material was grown either in the open or in plastic greenhouses. The greenhouses were covered with plastic during the vegetation periods from May to August, and during the rest of the year the 'greenhouse' grown seedlings were exposed to outdoor conditions. A pronounced seasonal variation of both chlorophyll and carotenoids was found. The content of pigments was influenced also by growing conditions, plant age, needle age and origin of the seed source. The new technique of growing coniferous seedlings in greenhouses during the vegetation period does not seem to have any harmful effect on the seedlings, as far as the pigmentation of the needles is concerned. Since the seasonal discoloration of needles is many cases can resemble changes caused by nutrient deficiencies, caution should be exercised whenever the needle color is used as an index of the physiological state of nursery stocks.
Hydrogen Peroxide Activates NFκB and the Interleukin-6 Promoter Through NFκB-Inducing Kinase

Aging is associated not only with oxidant stress, but also with increased interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. To determine if oxidative stress could contribute to the age-associated increase IL-6 expression, we exposed LNCaP prostate carcinoma cells and HeLa cervical carcinoma cells to H2O2 as an oxidant challenge. We found that H2O2 induced IL-6 expression through activation of the IL-6 promoter. Furthermore, H2O2-induced activation of the promoter was mediated through nuclear factor-kappaB (NFkappaB) secondary to H2O2-induced phosphorylation and degradation of IkappaBalpha. NFkappaB-inducing kinase (NIK) is upstream of the IkappaB kinase complex that induces IkappaBalpha degradation. Accordingly, we explored if H2O2 induces IL-6 expression through NIK. In addition to H2O2 inducing NIK autophosphorylation, transfection of LNCaP cells with a dominant negative NIK diminished H2O2-mediated NFkappaB and IL-6 promoter activity. Taken together, these results demonstrate that H2O2 induces the IL-6 promoter by activating NFkappaB through NIK. These data provide a candidate mechanism through which oxidant challenge induces IL-6 gene expression with age.
Association Analysis of Sequence Variants of the GABAAα6, β2, and γ2 Gene Cluster and Alcohol Dependence

Quantitative trait analyses in mice suggest a vulnerability locus for physiological alcohol withdrawal severity on a chromosomal segment that harbors the genes encoding the alpha1, alpha6, beta2, and gamma2 subunits of the gamma-aminobutyric acid type-A receptor (GABR). We tested whether genetic variation at the human GABA(A) alpha6, beta2, and gamma2 gene cluster on chromosome 5q33 confers vulnerability to alcohol dependence. The genotypes of three nucleotide substitution polymorphisms of the GABRA6, GABRB2, and GABRG2 genes were assessed in 349 German alcohol-dependent subjects and in 182 ethnically matched controls. To eliminate some of the genetic variance, three more homogeneous subgroups of alcoholics were formed by: (1) a history of alcohol withdrawal seizure or delirium (n = 106); (2) a history of parental alcoholism (n = 120); and (3) a comorbidity of dissocial personality disorder (n = 57). We found no evidence that any of the investigated allelic variants confers vulnerability to either alcohol dependence or severe physiological alcohol withdrawal symptoms or familial alcoholism (p > 0.05). The frequency of the T allele of the GABRA6 polymorphism was significantly increased in dissocial alcoholics [f(T) = 0.799] compared with the controls [f(T) = 0.658; p = 0.002; OR(T+) = 7.26]. Taking into account the high a priori risk of false-positive association findings due to multiple testing, further replication studies are necessary to examine the tentative phenotype-genotype relationship of GABRA6 gene variants and dissocial alcoholism.
Evaluation of phenotypic and genotypic extended-spectrum beta-lactamase detection methods

The emergence and spread of resistance in Enterobacteriaceae is a growing concern in human medicine today. Enterobacteriaceae producing extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) have become efficient at inactivating β-lactam antibiotics especially the newer third generation cephalosporins. In addition, ESBL producing Enterobacteriaceae are frequently resistant to other groups of commonly used non-β-lactam antibiotics such as the fluoroquinolones. Reliable, rapid and low cost methods to detect ESBLs in clinical microbiology laboratories are therefore required. The aim of this project was to evaluate the phenotypic and genotypic detection methods for ESBLs and to examine the optimum antimicrobial agent(s) for ESBL detection. A comparison with the CLSI susceptibility test and the ESBL screen test was performed using a number of clinical isolates of E. coli and Klebsiella spp. suspected to contain ESBLs. Two confirmatory tests, the double disc synergy test and the combination disc test for ESBLs were also compared. Single and multiplex PCR assays were established using primers for the TEM-, SHV- and OXA-type β-lactamases. The results of this study show that ESBL screening is required in routine laboratories for successful detection of ESBLs. The best indicator cephalosporin for detection of ESBLs in E. coli was cefpodoxime whilst the best indicators for detection of ESBLs in K. pneumoniae were cefpodoxime and ceftazidime. The combination disc confirmatory test demonstrated the highest rate of detection. The multiplex PCR assay was found to be a rapid and cost-effective method for ESBL detection. However, nucleotide sequencing is required to confirm ESBL production amongst these organisms.
Oxidative stress and non-enzymic antioxidant status in hypertensive patients in Nigeria

Oxidative stress and non-enzymic antioxidant status in plasma of hypertensive patients in Nigeria were investigated. One hundred and fifty hypertensive patients (82 males and 68 females) age range 55 – 75 years visiting Federal Medical Centre, Owerri were selected for the study. Controls were 120 apparently healthy subjects (66 males and 54 females) age range 55 -75 years. Patients with complication such as renal diseases, viral and bacterial infections were excluded from the study. In The hypertensive patients presented significantly higher mean values of plasma total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triacylglycerols and reduced HDL-cholesterol and phospholipids (p such as Vitamin C, vitamin E and reduced glutathione in plasma were significantly depleted in the hypertensive patients (p oxidative stress and depleted non-enzymic antioxidant status even in developing countries like Nigeria.
Performance of broiler chicks as influenced by feeding diets supplemented with organic acids.

In present study, a total of 150 day old broiler chicks of similar sex ratio were distributed into 5 groups having 2 replicates each, in a completely randomized experimental design. Performance of birds evaluated from age 1 to 42 days, receiving 0.8% formic acid (T1), 0.4% propionic acid (T2) 0.6% blend of organic acids (OAs) as 7:3 ratio of formic and propionic acid (T3) in corn-soya base diet. A +ve and –ve control groups were also formulated as lincomycin (T4) as antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) supplemented @250mg/kg and without any additive (T0) for comparison. Diets were computed as starter, grower and finisher having their corresponding % CP 22, 20 and 18.17%; and ME 2800, 2927 and 3040 Kcal/kg, respectively. In all the three phases of growth T2, T3 and T4 performed better in terms of body weight gain and feed consumption. Non significant differences were observed in FCR among the treatment groups and control except formic acid supplemented group (P<0.05). Serum alkaline Phosphatase, aspartate amino transferase and alanine amino transferase levels were also within the normal range. Antibody titre against NDV and IBD was significantly higher in all the treatment groups than AGP and control. No adverse effect was found on dressing percentage but a reduction in abdominal fat was observed with OAs compared to control. The results suggested that dietary inclusion of propionic acid improved performance of birds without any adverse effect.
The effects of dietary herbs and coral mineral complex on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics and meat quality in finishing pigs

Department of Animal Resource and Science, Dankook University #29 Ansedong, Cheonan, Choognam, 330-714, Korea(Received 11 January 2007; revised version 1 September 2007; accepted 6 September 2007)ABSTRACTEighty crossbred pigs of initial mean body weight 58 kg were used to evaluate the effect of supplemental herbs and coral mineral complex (HC) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics and meat quality in a 8 weeks growth trial. Pigs were randomly allocated to 4 treatments, which comprised: 1. control, 2. HC 0.05%, 3. HC 0.1%, and 4. HC 0.2%, respectively (4 pigs/pen, 5 replicates/treatment). Gain/feed linearly increased during week 4-8 (P<0.05) and overall period (P<0.10) with increasing HC level. Digestibility of DM and N during week 0-4 increased linearly with an increasing HC level (P<0.005). Serum IgG concentrations linearly increased with the increase of HC supplementation (P<0.01). Cortisol concentrations tended (P<0.10) to decrease linearly with increasing level of HC. The linear reduction of subjective scores for marbling (P<0.01) and ﬁrmness(P<0.01)ofthelongissimus muscle were observed. In conclusion, supplementation of HC improved feed efﬁciencyandincreasedIgGandcortisolconcentrationinserum. KEY WORDS: herb, coral, IgG, cortisol, meat quality, pigs
Establishment and survival of Illinois bundleflower inter-seeded into an established kleingrass pasture.

The introduction of perennial legumes into warm-season grass pastures has been shown to improve both forage quality and animal performance. Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis (Michs.) MacM. ) appears to have potential for pasture and range interseeding. This study investigated establishment methods and the competitive ability and longevity of this species when interseeded into kleingrass (Panicum coloratum L.) swards. Sabine Illinois bundleflower was drilled or broadcast into a mature kleingrass pasture either intact or suppressed by disking, paraquat (1-dimethyl-4-4 dipyridinium dichloride), or mefluidide (N-[2,4 dimethyl-5 (trifuromethyl) sulfonyl-amino-phenyl]acetamide). Seed was sown in broadcast plots at 6.8 kg PLS/ha compared to 3.4 kg PLS/ha in drilled plots. Establishment data were only collected for 1 year. The establishment year had a wetter than normal spring. Treatment effects on legume establishment could differ substantially from those found in this study in drier years. Both paraquat and disking treatments resulted in good establishment of the legume (greater than 10 seedlings m-2 in the establishment year). With the exception of disked plots, broadcasting at twice the rate of drilled plots resulted in similar seedling legume densities between the 2 seeding methods. Illinois bundleflower proved to be quite competitive under the conditions of this study. The legume component increased from 14% in the establishment year to 52% by the third year after establishment. Individual Illinois bundleflower plants survived for the 4 years of the study. Interseeding increased total plot yield in the second, third, and fourth years after establishment. Interseeded plots produced more biomass than noninterseeded plots 1, 2, and 3 years after interseeding.
Sex and sociality in a disconnected world: A review of the impacts of habitat fragmentation on animal social interactions

Despite the extensive literature describing the impacts of habitat fragmentation on the distribution and abundance of species, fragmentation effects on life-history strategies have been relatively understudied. Social interactions are important life-history attributes that have fitness consequences for individuals and have been observed to differ among populations in relation to geographic and demographic variability. Therefore, habitat fragmentation is expected to affect social interactions, and these social impacts or responses may contribute to population viability and broad-scale patterns of distribution and abundance in fragmented landscapes. Here we review the emerging literature on this issue. We focus on the impacts of habitat fragmentation that are expected to, or have been observed to, affect social strategies. These include altered resource distribution (e.g., habitat quality, spatial configuration of patches), interspecific interactions (e.g., predator–prey and host–parasite dynamics, human di.
Arg-274 and Leu-277 of the γ-Aminobutyric Acid Type A Receptor α2 Subunit Define Agonist Efficacy and Potency*

Alanine-scanning mutagenesis and the whole cell voltage clamp technique were used to investigate the function of the extracellular loop between the second and third transmembrane domains (TM2–TM3) of the γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABAA-R). A conserved arginine residue in the TM2–TM3 loop of the GABAA-R α2 subunit was mutated to alanine, and the mutant α2(R274A) was co-expressed with wild-type β1 and γ2Ssubunits in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells. The GABA EC50 was increased by about 27-fold in the mutant receptor relative to receptors containing a wild-type α2 subunit. Similarly, the GABA EC50 at α2(L277A)β1γ2S and α2(K279A)β1γ2SGABAA-R combinations was increased by 51- and 4-fold, respectively. The α2(R274A) or α2(L277A) mutations also reduced the maximal response of piperidine-4-sulfonic acid relative to GABA by converting piperidine-4-sulfonic acid into a weak partial agonist at the GABAA-R. Based on these results, we propose that α2(Arg-274) and α2(Leu-277) are crucial to the efficient transduction of agonist binding into channel gating at the GABAA-R.
Carcass Yields and Meat Quality by Live Weight of Korean Native Black Pigs

A total of 127 Korean native black pigs (gilt 30, boar 97) were used to investigate the carcass properties, yields of retail cut and meat quality. The average live weight, chilled carcass percentage and retail cut percentage used in this study were 74.69kg, 71.14% and 61.09% for boar, and 75.5kg, 73.88% and 56.25% for gilt, respectively. Although gilts were higher in live weight and chilled carcass percentage whereas lower in retail cut percentage when compared to boars, there was no significantly difference between gender (p<0.05). Gilts had higher fat contents than boars regardless of weight range groups. Protein contents increased as slaughter weight increased for gilt and boar groups. Gilts contained high intramuscular fat contents had significantly lower Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBS) and water holding capacity (WHC) when compared to boar in the same weight range group (p<0.05). There was no significantly different in meat color (p>0.05) although gilts had higher L (lightness), a (redness) and b(yellowness) values when compared to the same group of boar. From the result of this study can be used for the grading guideline and quality evaluation standard of Korean native black pigs by gender and live weight.
EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTAL ASCORBIC ACID AND DISTURBANCE STRESS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKENS

The study was conducted with four hundred day-old Anak broilers to determine the effects of dietary Ascorbic acid (AA) and disturbance (D) dress on the performance of broiler chickens in a tropical environment. There were four treatments consisting of two levels of disturbance (ID) and (4D) and two levels of dietary AA (0 and 250mgAA/kg feed). Each treatment was replicated four times with 25 chicks per replicate. The starter and finisher diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric. Results showed that there were no significant interactions between dietary ascorbic acid supplementation and disturbance stress levels on any of the performance data considered. The disturbance stress had no significant effects on most of the measured parameters. However, there was a 35% increase in mortality rate as disturbance stress level increased from ID to 4D. The dietary ascorbic acid supplementation level had no significant effect on feed intake and weight gain. Feed conversion ratios were significantly improved with AA supplementation during the starter phase only. Dietary AA supplementation also had a 90% reduction in mortality of chicks compared with the unsupplemented group. Likewise AA inclusion in diets had a feed cost advantage. It may be concluded that disturbance induced stress increased mortality and lowered performance. However these effects were relieved by dietary AA supplementation. Keywords: Disturbance, Ascorbic Acid, Broiler Performance.
EVALUATION OF MTA AND BIODENTINE AS A PRIMARY TEETH FURCATION REPAIR

Purpose: Evaluation of the sealing ability of MTA (ENDOCEM Zr) and BiodentineTM in repairing the primary molar furcation perforation by using push-out bond strength test and leakage test with dye material.Materials and Methods: Furcation perforations were made in 60 primary molars. Molars were divided randomly on the basis of the repair material used. Thirty molars were repaired by MTA (ENDOCEM Zr) and the other thirty molars were repaired by BiodentineTM. Push out bond strength test was measured and analyzed for fifteen molars of each material by using universal testing machine (Model LRX- plus, Lloyd instruments Ltd., fareham, UK). Leakage test with dye penetration was performed for fifteen molars for each material by using USB digital microscope. The images were captured and transferred to a computer equipped with the image analysis software programed. The data were statistically analyzed using Student t- test. Results: Although MTA (ENDOCEM Zr) recorded higher push- out bond strength mean value (4.759± 1.84 MPa) than BiodentineTM (3.449± 1.30 MPa) but it was statistically non- significant (t= 0.89, P= 0.4096≥ 0.05). while BiodentineTM recorded, slight higher leakage mean value (0.951433± 0.38mm) than MTA (ENDOCEM Zr) (0.946229± 0.29mm) it was also statistically non- significant (t= 0.02, P= 0.9835≤0.05). Conclusion: MTA (ENDOCEM Zr) and BiodentineTM showed comparable seal for furcation perforation of primary molars.
Gastro-intestinal parasite infections in the Angolan black and white colobus monkey (colobus angolensis palliatus) in southern Kenya in relation to age, sex and habitat interference

xiii 1.0 INTRODUCTION. 1 2.0 OBJECTIVES. 3 3.0 LITERATURE REVIEW . 4 3.1 TAXONOMY. 4 3.2 ECOLOGY. 5 3.3 DIET. 6
A Sociology of Special and Inclusive Education: Exploring the manufacture of inability

A Sociology of Special and Inclusive Education brings sociological perspectives to bear on the social, political and economic policies and practices that comprise special and inclusive education, and the education of lower attainers. Despite a plethora of literature on special and inclusive education world-wide, governments are still unsure of the reasons for this sector’s expansion in their national education systems.
Genomic signals of selection within and phylogenetic relationships among Strongylocentrotid sea urchins

The availability of complete genomes allows for direct and powerful tests of the different processes underlying molecular evolution and quantification of their relative contributions. Here, I evaluate the relative contributions of natural selection and random genetic drift in shaping the evolution of the genome of Strongylocentrotid sea urchins using the assembled genome of the purple sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus and by sequencing the entire genome of eight additional closely related species. I use a phylogenomic approach taking advantage of the data provided by 3,848 nuclear genes to obtain a robust and well-resolved phylogeny of the group. I observe that synonymous codon usage is biased in S. purpuratus and that there are five distinct clusters of codon usage. I find evidence that natural selection acts on slightly advantageous mutations through changes in synonymous codon usage bias, involving translational efficiency and/or accuracy as well as mRNA folding stability. Finally, using the comparative genomics of the group and the rates of synonymous and non-synonymous substitutions between species I detected strong evidence for broadly acting purifying selection and extensive signals of positive Darwinian selection (27.6% of genes). Sea urchins have long served as model organisms and have provided key insights into our basic understanding of biology and will continue to continue furthering our understanding of the role of natural selection on shaping the genome in the future.
A model quantifying global vegetation resistance and resilience to short‐term climate anomalies and their relationship with vegetation cover

Aim In order to mitigate the ecological, economical and social consequences of future climate change, we must understand and quantify the response of vegetation to short-term climate anomalies. There is currently no model that quantifies vegetation resistance and resilience at a global scale while simultaneously taking climate variability into account. The goals of this study were therefore to develop a standardized indicator of short-term vegetation resilience and resistance to drought and temperature anomalies, and to improve our understanding of vegetation resistance and resilience in drought-sensitive areas by linking metrics of vegetation stability to the percentage of tree cover, non-tree vegetation and bare soil. Location Global. Methods The deviation of vegetation behaviour from expectations was quantified using anomalies in the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and modelled as a function of (1) past NDVI anomalies, (2) an instantaneous drought indicator and (3) temperature anomalies. Metrics of resistance and resilience were then extracted from the model and related to the percentages of bare soil, non-tree vegetation and tree cover. Results Comparisons of the globally derived resilience and resistance metrics showed low resilience and low resistance to drought in semi-arid areas, low resistance to negative temperature anomalies in high-latitude areas, and low resistance to positive temperature anomalies in the Sahel and Australia. In drought-sensitive areas, resilience was highest for vegetation types with 3–20% bare soil and 5–15% tree cover. Main conclusions Our ARx model is the first to simultaneously derive vegetation resistance and resilience metrics at a global scale, explicitly taking into account the spatial variability of short-term climate anomalies and data reliability. Its results highlight the impact of tree cover, non-tree vegetation and bare soil on vegetation resilience.
Ethnoveterinary medicine in African organic poultry production.

This review of literature gives an overview of the current and previous efforts on the use of Ethnoveterinary medicine in African rural and organic commercial poultry production. Background information on the use of Ethnoveterinary medicine in Africa is presented. Problems faced in the use of Ethnoveterinary medicine are outlined. Some literatures of repute are listed in to spur further research into the use of Ethnoveterinary medicine and practices in African poultry production. This paper concludes that ethnoveterinary medicine in relation to organic livestock production need to be integrated into the policy frameworks, extension delivery system and livestock training curricular of African nations.