Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gametes and fertilization in the Chinese hamster

Freshly ovulated eggs are each surrounded by a compact cumulus oophorus. The overall diameter of the normal egg (including the zona pellucida) is about 100 μm. Cumulus cells, particularly those near the egg, are arranged redially in a viscous noncellular matrix. The spermatozoon is about 250 μm in length. The head a large acrosome, changes in which can be readily examined with the light (phase- contrast) microsope. When exposed to physiological salt solutions, testicular spermatozoa either were motionless or flexed the posterior half of their tails slowly. Spermatozoa from the caput epididymis were highly motile, flexing the entire tail. A few of them moved progressively. Mature spermatozoa from the vas deferens were highly motile and moved either straightforward or in a circle. They vibrated their tails stiffly without flexing them. In normally mated females, fertilization began sometime between 2 and 3 h after ovulation and was completed within the next 4 to 5 h. Spermatozoa swimming in the ampullary fluid or within the cumulus oophorus about the time of fertilization flexed the anterior half (which roughly corresponds to the midpieac region) of their tails. This peculiar movement may be homologous to the so-called “hyperactivation” of spermatozoa as reported in several other mammalian species. Actively motile spermatozoa within the cumulus or no the zona pellucida had either modified (“collapsed”) or no acrosomal caps. The sperm head usually passed verticually or nearly through the zona, but the path was oblique in some instances. In 54% of the recently fertilized eggs examined, the entire length of the sperm tail was within the perivitelline space; in the other 46% of the eggs varying lenghts of the tail remined the perivitelline space, the tails were extruded from the vitellus of many eggs even before the eggs began their first cleavage. When unfertilized eggs in the cumulus oophorus were inseminated with vas deferens spermatozoa in a modified Tyrode's solution (m-TALP), about 80% of them were ferrtilized by 4–6 h after insemination. The vast majority were monospermic. When eggs were freed from the cumulus prior to insemination, none were fertilized, suggesting that the cumulus cells or their matrix assisted capacitation and/or the acrosome reaction of the spermatozoa under the in vitro conditions employed. No eggs were fertilized by the testicular or caput epididymal spermatozoa regardless of the presence or absence of cumulus oophorus around the eggs at the time of insemination.
Morphology and foraging behaviour of Siberian Phylloscopus warblers

There are seven species of Phylloscopus warblers breeding sympatrically in Central Siberia. In general they are very similar in morphology and behaviour. Slight differences in morphology, however, are often interpreted as having arisen through adaptation to distinct foraging ecologies, thereby mediating species coexistence. We studied the morphology and foraging behaviour of these warblers, taking into account phylogenetic relationships using Felsenstein's method of independent contrasts. Striking correlations were found between morphology and foraging techniques, as well as between morphology and microhabitat selection. Species with large hind limbs and short wings foraged in dense vegetation near the ground using gleaning techniques. In contrast, species with long wings and large bills favoured open vegetation, and foraged using sallying manoeuvres. Independently of these trends, small species foraged at higher levels in the vegetation, and used hoverflight more often than did larger species. Foraging methods were highly correlated with vegetation structure. Coniferous trees were exploited using hoverflight when they had short needles and gleaning when needles were long. Sallying predominated in light deciduous vegetation whereas gleaning was used most in dense, deciduous bushes. After controlling for the effects of vegetation structure on foraging behaviour, species differences became less pronounced, but were still significant. It is therefore concluded that morphology may be regarded as having adapted to enable more efficient exploitation of certain microhabitats. A preference for these microhabitats then further increases the observed behavioural differences between species. Morphology may therefore partly determine a species' ability to colonise new habitats.
Vortex pinning properties at dc and microwave frequencies of YBa2Cu3O7-x films with nanorods and nanoparticles

YBa2Cu3O7−x (YBCO) nanocomposites for wire applications need to operate in a broad range of frequencies, ranging from dc in magnets to GHz in cavities and screenings of future particle accelerators. We have investigated the in-field and angular vortex pinning performance in dc and at 50 GHz of two types of nanocomposites, pulsed laser deposition (PLD) YBCO with mixed Ba2YNbO6 + Ba2YTaO6 (BYNTO) nanorods and chemical solution deposited (CSD) YBCO with BaHfO3 (BHO) nanoparticles (NPs), and the pristine counterpart films, grown on top of single-crystalline substrates. Transport measurements performed up to 9 T between 5 and 77 K show that CSD nanocomposites exhibit a smooth field decay and increased single-to-collective crossover field H* compared to pristine samples, associated to the enhanced isotropic pinning contribution induced by the NPs, while PLD films exhibit unchanged H* and superior critical current densities up to higher irreversibility fields, associated to the anisotropic contribution introduced by the rods. Microwave in-field measurements of the pinning constant kp revealed CSD NCs exhibit a qualitatively similar, but smoother kp(H) than pristine samples, whereas for PLD samples, a growing kp(H) dependence is observed as a result of the increased relevance of the stiffness of the fluxons pinned by nanorods.
Distribution, habitat utilization and age structure of a suburban fox (Vulpes vulpes) population

The occurrence of wild foxes in suburbia is discussed. It is shown that in London breeding populations of foxes are found 5 km from the city centre, and in the last 3 years foxes have been recorded in the very centre of the city. The fox population in London is shown to be heavily dependent on residential habitats for both daytime harbourage and when selecting sites for natal earths. The fox population is unevenly distributed in London, with a marked clumping of the adult population during most of the year. The age structure of the population is presented, and these data are compared with data for other canid populations. Conclusions are drawn as to the effects of conventional control techniques on the age structure of a fox population.
PREVALENCE OF Trichomonas gallinae FROM THE UPPER DIGESTIVE TRACT OF THE COMMON PIGEON, Columba livia IN THE SOUTHERN BRAZILIAN STATE, RIO GRANDE DO SUL

ABSTRACT Trichomonas gallinae (Rivolta, 1878) is a parasitic protozoan of the upper digestive tract and various organs of different avian groups, being common among the Columbids, was isolated described and its prevalence studies in the Southern Brazilian State, Rio Grande do Sul. The morphology study of the live specimens done by examination of fresh and stained specimens, showed that the T. gallinae isolated has the same morphological characteristics as the upper digestive tract trichomonads previously described by other authors
Conservation of nolR in the Sinorhizobium and Rhizobium Genera of the Rhizobiaceae Family

In Sinorhizobium meliloti the NolR repressor displays differential negative regulation of nodulation genes and is required for optimal nodulation. Here, we demonstrate that the NolR function is not unique to S. meliloti but is also present in other species of the Rhizobiaceae family. DNA hybridization indicates the presence of nolR homologous sequences in species belonging to the Rhizobium and Sinorhizobium genera while no hybridization signal was detected in species from the Mesorhizobium, Bradyrhizo-bium, Azorhizobium, and Agrobacterium genera. We isolated the nolR gene from the Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae strain TOM and showed that the TOM nolR gene acts similarly to S. meliloti nolR by repressing the expression of both the nodABCIJ and the nodD genes, resulting in decreased Nod factor production. The presence of a functional nolR gene in R. leguminosarum is correlated with an increased rate and extent of nodulation of pea. The conserved primary structure, the location of the DNA-binding domain,.
Anti-fungal activity of maize silk proteins and role of chitinases in Aspergillus flavus resistance

Studies were conducted to identify proteins in maize silks that may be contributing to Aspergillus flavus resistance. We first performed bioassays using silk extracts collected from two A. flavus-resistant inbred lines and two susceptible inbred lines. Fungal biomass was quantified by measuring fluorescence of a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged A. flavus and by measuring ergosterol levels. The silk extracts from resistant inbreds had greater anti-fungal activity compared to susceptible inbreds. Comparative proteomic analysis of the two resistant and susceptible inbreds led to the identification of several anti-fungal proteins. One of the anti-fungal proteins that we further investigated was chitinase. There were three chitinases that were differentially expressed in the resistant lines (PRm3 chitinase, chitinase I, and chitinase A). We conducted chitinase assays on silk proteins from extracts of resistant and susceptible inbred lines. Silk extracts from resistant inbred lines showed significantly higher activity in the resistant maize inbreds compared to the susceptible inbreds (P < 0.01). The differential expression of chitinases in maize resistant and susceptible inbred silks suggests that these proteins may contribute to A. flavus resistance.
Compensatory growth in the gibel carp following feed deprivation: temporal patterns in growth, nutrient deposition, feed intake and body composition

To investigate the nature of compenstory growth in fish, an 8 week study at 28 degreesC was performed on juvenile gibel carp Carassius auratus gibelio weighing 6.6 g. Fish were starved for 0 (control), 1 (Sl)or 2 (S2) weeks and then re-fed to satiation For 5 weeks. Weekly changes in weight gain, feed intake and body composition were monitored during re-feeding. No significant difference was found in final body weight between the three groups, indicating complete compensation in the deprived fish, The deprived groups caught up in body weight with that of the control after 2 weeks of re-feeding. Body fat:lean body mass ratio was restored to the control level within 1 week of re-feeding. In the re-feeding period, weekly gains in body weight, protein. lipid, ash and energy in the S1 group were significantly higher than in the controls for 1 week. For the S2 group, weekly gains in body weight. lipid. ash and energy were higher than in the controls for 2 weeks, and gain in protein was higher than in the controls for 3 weeks, though gain in body energy became elevated again during the last 2 weeks of the experiment. Feed intake remained higher than the control level for 3 weeks in the S1 group and 3 weeks in the SZ group. Growth efficiency was not significantly different among the three groups in any of the weeks during re-feeding. Compensatory responses in growth and especially feed intake tended to last longer than the recovery of body composition. (C) 2001 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.
Quantitative Trait Loci Associated with Heat Tolerance in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

A total of 310 BC2F2 lines derived from the cross of OM5930/N22 were evaluated for heat stress at flowering. Genetic map was set up with 264 polymorphic SSRs to detect linkage to the target traits. The map covers 2,741.63 cM with an average interval of 10.55 cM between two marker loci. Markers associated with heat tolerance were located mostly on chromosomes 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 11. The proportion of phenotypic variation explained by each QTL ranged from 17.1% for RM160 to 36.2% for RM3586. Four QTLs were detected for filled grains per panicle on chromosome 4 at the interval of RM468 RM7076 and RM241 RM26212, explaining 13.1 and 31.0% of the total phenotypic variation, respectively. Two QTLs controling unfilled grain percentage was also detected at loci RM554 and RM3686 on chromosome 3 explaining 25.0 and 11.2% of the total phenotypic variance. One QTL was detected for 1,000-grain weight located at the locus RM103 on chromosome 6, explaining 30.6% of the total phenotypic variance. Also, a QTL at the locus RM5749 on chromosome 4 was identified which explained 10.8% of the total phenotypic variance of grain yield. A single QTL at the interval of RM3586RM160 on chromosome 3 was detected in conformity with the QTL findings for heat tolerance in previous studies.
A Statistical Analysis of Teacher Effectiveness Dimensions on Students Satisfaction in Kenyan Public Schools

This study aims to investigate the differential effects of teaching practices on students’ satisfaction. Their level of satisfaction based primarily on data collected through six principles of 21st century effective teaching and learning using questionnaire method randomly submitted to 600 Form Four students in Voi sub-county, Kenya. The differential effects of the six teaching practices on students’ satisfaction were analyzed using the multiple regression model technique. The results show that students’ satisfaction was positive and statistically influenced by subject mastery, innovative learning environment, commitment to teach, communicating high standards and professional development. The mean score results demonstrate that subject mastery was the most effective teaching practice while non-cognitive issues was the least effective teaching practice. The study provides very useful information to help policymakers in secondary school administration to evaluate the level of teacher quality dimensions in their institutions and the 21st century effective teacher practices on students’ satisfaction. Furthermore, the conceptual relationships model can give deeper understanding of the effective teaching practices that needs prioritization by school management. Social change implications are that teachers may begin to use practices that more effectively engage learners, leading to greater satisfaction and a likely increase in the students’ success.
How do species respond to climate change along an elevation gradient? A case study of the grey‐headed robin (Heteromyias albispecularis)

Climate is predicted to change rapidly in the current century, which may lead to shifts of species' ranges, reduced populations and extinctions. Predicting the responses of species abundance to climate change can provide valuable information to quantify climate change impacts and inform their management and conservation, but most studies have been limited to changes in habitat area due to a lack of abundance data. Here, we use generalized linear model and Bayesian information criteria to develop a predictive model based on the abundance of the grey‐headed robin (GHR) and the data of climatic environmental variables. The model is validated by leave‐one‐out cross‐validation and equivalence tests. The responses of GHR abundance, population size and habitat area by elevation are predicted under the current climate and 15 climate change scenarios. The model predicts that when temperature increases, abundance of GHR displays a positive response at high elevation, but a negative response at low elevation. High precipitation at the higher elevations is a limiting factor to GHR and any reduction in precipitation at high elevation creates a more suitable environment, leading to an increase in abundance of GHR, whereas changes in precipitation have little impact at low elevation. The loss of habitat is much more than would otherwise be assumed in response to climate change. Temperature increase is the predominant factor leading to habitat loss, whereas changes in precipitation play a secondary role. When climate changes, the species not only loses part of its habitat but also suffers a loss in its population size in the remaining habitat. Population size declines more than the habitat area under all considered climate change scenarios, which implies that the species might become extinct long before the complete loss of its habitat. This study suggests that some species might experience much more severe impacts from climate change than predicted from models of habitat area alone. Management policies based on predictions of habitat area decline using occurrence data need to be re‐evaluated and alternative measures need to be developed to conserve species in the face of rapid climate change.
Differential Social Experiences of International Students in a Residential Hall in Japan

The present study examined differential social experiences of international students living in a residential hall called ‘Nihongo House’ (Japanese language house) at a Japanese university. By conducting social network analysis (SNA), as well as making use of ethnographic data collected through participant observation and semi-structured interviews, we explain how constellations of interpersonal relations at the house transformed over the course of one semester and what factors were responsible for those changes. Additionally, we present three focal cases of international students. These students—with different motivational orientations, personal dispositions and abilities, and social standing—went through diverse social processes, which led to different levels of success in respective accounts. Based on the analysis, we discuss how social experiences of these students in this particular setting can be understood in relation to their language use and potential development and how this type of residential hall can effectively nurture interpersonal relationships. Abstract in Japanese 本研究では、日本の大学における外国人留学生と日本人学生の人間関係構築プロセスを記述し、言語使用・習得への示唆を考察する。 特に、寮という制度的に区切られた空間に着目し、寮の中で、1) どのように人間関係が構築され、コミュニティが形成されたのか、2) どのような要因が人間関係構築やコミュニティ形成に影響を与えたかを明らかにすることを目的とする。 対象は日本国内のある大学に近年設置されたテーマ別寮の一つである「日本語ハウス」に住む留学生と日本人14名である。 データとして、学期開始前と終了後に行った社会ネットワーク調査、半構造化面接、参与観察、寮に関する文書等を一学期間収集した。 これらのデータを言語社会化の観点から分析した結果、メンバーによる活動の企画や参加を通したコミュニティ形成の過程が観察された。 一方で、個人による参加のプロセスの違いや、コミュニティ全体としての関係、細分化された個人間での関係といった多層性を持った複雑な人間関係の存在が明らかとなった。 また、異なる参加のパターンを見せた３名の留学生のケースを紹介し、彼らの参加プロセスに与えた影響について、言語能力（日本語や英語）、各学生の所属する複数のコミュニティ（サークルや授業等）における日本語ハウスコミュニティの位置づけ、ハウス内外の環境という観点から例証し、生活・学びの環境づくりについて考察する。
Stream Ecosystem Dynamics of the Salmon River, Idaho: An 8th-Order System

Studies were conducted at three locations in the Lower Salmon River, Idaho (USA) and at one Upper Salmon "calibration" site to extend results of previous research (headwater through 5-6th-order [1-814 links] streams) to an 8th-order (15,000 links) river. Transported organic matter (TOM) generally increased downstream. Coarse TOM was prevalent only in the upper 50 km of the system, and ultrafine was the predominant particulate component throughout the system. Stored (benthic) organic matter (OM) was highest in the headwaters and showed a progressive downstream decrease. The headwaters were highly retentive of coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM) but much less so of the fine and ultrafine fractions. Transported and stored OM approached a balance only in the lowermost (deeper) reaches of the river system. Analyses of the components of ecosystem metabolism revealed that gross primary production and respiration (R) both showed a general downstream increase. Overall, the net metabolism measurements showed that R was predominant in the upstream reaches, autotrophy prevailed in the middle reaches, and R was again predominant at the farthest downstream site. Insect functional feeding-group patterns apparently were altered in their relative abundances from that predicted by the River Continuum Concept by lower than expected deciduous CPOM-loading in the headwaters and high sediment transport into the mid-reaches from a major tributary (East Fork). Although shredders were prevalent in headwater reaches, they were less abundant than predicted. Gatherers were dominant in the upper reaches and filterers in the mid-sized reaches above East Fork. Scrapers increased progressively downstream in relative abundance. Spiraling and retention measurements revealed a general downstream increase in the rate of movement of OM; turnover length of carbon increased progressively downstream. The ratio of mean water velocity: rate of downstream movement of OM indicated that the export of organic carbon was reduced 3500-fold in headwaters relative to that of mean water velocity whereas the lower reaches behaved more like a conduit with carbon atoms passing through at a rate comparable to water velocity. In spite of the cold and arid climate in which the Salmon River Basin is located and the low allochthonous input from deciduous plants, the data generally support the basic premises of the River Continuum Concept.
Resistance of canola-quality cultivars of yellow mustard, Sinapis alba L., to the cabbage seedpod weevil, Ceutorhynchus obstrictus (Marsham)

Oilseed Bassica is susceptible to attack by the cabbage seedpod weevil while commercial yellow mustard, Sinapis alba L. , is resistant. The objective of this study was to determine if canola-quality S. alba would maintain its resistance traits. In laboratory choice and nochoice tests we found the number of eggs laid by the weevil to be low or non-existent in all S. alba genotypes. Key words: Ceutorhynchus obstrictus, Ceutorhynchus assimilis, Sinapis alba, plant resistance
Cognitive Biases: Mistakes or Missing Stakes?

Abstract Despite decades of research on heuristics and biases, evidence on the effect of large incentives on cognitive biases is scant. We test the effect of incentives on four widely documented biases: base-rate neglect, anchoring, failure of contingent thinking, and intuitive reasoning. In laboratory experiments with 1,236 college students in Nairobi, we implement three incentive levels: no incentives, standard lab payments, and very high incentives. We find that very high stakes increase response times by 40% but improve performance only very mildly or not at all. In none of the tasks do very high stakes come close to debiasing participants.
Effect of the Addition of Mixtures of Glucose Oxidase, Peroxidase and Xylanase on Rheological and Breadmaking Properties of Wheat Flour

Addition of glucose oxidase (GOX), peroxidase (POX), and xylanase (XYL) on dough rheological parameters, and bread quality was studied. When these enzymes were used as a blend, it showed a different effect compared to when added alone. Addition of peroxidase or xylanase increased water absorption, while incorporation of GOX did not affect it. Water absorption decreased in flour added with a blend of the three enzymes. High concentrations of GOX or XYL decreased stability, while presence of POX had minimum effect on this parameter. None of the enzymes, neither alone or blended, improved bread volume. Crumb characteristics were only improved by XYL.