Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic parameters for reproductive performance of breeding cows and carcass traits of fattening animals in Japanese Black (Wagyu) cattle

Reproductive performance is receiving increased attention from beef cattle producers. There are concerns that intensive selection for carcass traits might reduce the reproductive performance of females. Genetic parameters among six carcass traits and, age at first calving (AFC), gestation length (GL), days open (DO) and calving interval (CI) under year-round artificial insemination were estimated. Reproductive traits were extracted from 174005 calving records of Japanese Black cows and were analysed with 31364 carcass records. The restricted maximum likelihood procedure under animal models was used to estimate the parameters. Heritabilities of AFC, GL, DO and CI were estimated to be 0.20, 0.40, 0.05 and 0.05, respectively, and those of carcass traits were higher, ranging from 0.38 to 0.56. Genetic correlations of CI with AFC and GL were 0.25 and 0.16, respectively, while no relationship was observed between AFC and GL. Correlations among carcass traits were generally favourable and a slightly negative estimate was obtained between subcutaneous fat thickness and marbling score. Genetic correlations for AFC were -0.27 with carcass weight and -0.24 with marbling score. In contrast, GL, DO and CI were genetically independent of carcass traits. Genetic relationships between reproductive and carcass traits were generally low, and therefore serious antagonism was not observed. The results suggested that selection for carcass traits would not compromise genetic progress in reproductive traits.
Is the Washington Consensus Dead? Growth, Openness, and the Great Liberalization, 1970s-2000s

According to the Washington Consensus, developing countries? growth would benefit from a reduction in tariffs and other barriers to trade. But a backlash against this view now suggests that trade policies have little or no impact on growth. If "getting policies right" is wrong or infeasible, this leaves only the more tenuous objective of "getting institutions right" (Easterly 2005, Rodrik 2006). However, the empirical basis for judging recent trade reforms is weak. Econometrics are mostly ad hoc; results are typically not judged against models; trade policies are poorly measured (or not measured at all, as when trade volumes are spuriously used); and the most influential studies in the literature are based on pre-1990 experience (which predates the "Great Liberalization" in developing countries which followed the GATT Uruguay Round). We address all of these concerns -- by using a model-based analysis which highlights tariffs on capital and intermediate goods; by compiling new disaggregated tariff measures to empirically test the model; and by employing a treatment-and-control empirical analysis of pre- versus post-1990 performance of liberalizing and nonliberalizing countries. We find evidence that a specific treatment, liberalizing tariffs on imported capital and intermediate goods, did lead to faster GDP growth, and by a margin consistent with theory (about 1 percentage point per annum). Endogeneity problems are considered and other observations are consistent with the proposed mechanism: changes to other tariffs, e.g. on consumption goods, though collinear with general tariffs reforms, are more weakly correlated with growth outcomes; and the treatment and control groups display different behavior of investment prices and quantities, and capital flows.
Long-term feeding on greenhouse cucumber affects life table parameters of two-spotted spider mite and its predator Phytoseiulus persimilis

Abstract Bio-ecological parameters of the two-spotted spider mite (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae Koch and its predators depend on the quality of its host plants. In this study, the life table parameters of TSSM and its main predator Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot during different generations (1st, 5th, and 10th generations) were determined on the susceptible (‘Beth-Alpha’) and resistant (‘HED’) greenhouse cucumber cultivars. The results indicated that the longest total development time of TSSM was allocated to the first generation on the susceptible cultivar, but there was no significant difference among different generations on the resistant cultivar. The total development time of the 1st and 10th generations of P. persimilis on each of the susceptible and resistant cultivars had not significant difference. Total fecundity of TSSM was higher in the 10th generation on both cultivars tested than that of the former generations. However, the total fecundity of the predator drastically reduced after long-term rearing (10 generations) on both cultivars. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) of the 1st, 5th, and 10th generations of TSSM on the susceptible cultivar was 0.178, 0.238 and 0.319 day-1, respectively, and 0.157, 0.166 and 0.168 day-1 on the resistant cultivar, respectively which indicates the significantly negative effect of the resistant cultivar on this parameter. In P. persimilis, the value of the intrinsic rate of increase in the first and tenth generations on the susceptible cultivar was 0.275 and 0.267 day-1, respectively, and on the resistant cultivar was 0.244 and 0.210 day-1, respectively. By understanding these interactions in the long term, we will be able to develop suitable strategies for biological control of TSSM on cucumber.
Coupled long‐term limnological data and sedimentary records reveal new control on water quality in a eutrophic lake

Human impacts on freshwater ecosystems are pervasive, but the short and discontinuous nature of most datasets limits our ability to understand the controls on water quality and effectively manage freshwater resources. We examine change in Lake Mendota (Madison, Wisconsin) over the last two centuries by pairing analyses of a sedimentary archive with the site's > 100 yr limnological record. We show that eutrophication of the lake, evident as an abrupt shift in sediment composition, began in the late 19th century following the intensification of urban and agricultural land use in the watershed. Efforts to address deterioration of lake water quality, including the removal of point‐source pollutants and biomanipulation, have had a measurable influence on sediment composition and water clarity. Since the early 1980s, quasi‐seasonal cycles of phytoplankton blooms have induced calcite precipitation, leaving distinct laminations in the sedimentary record. These “whiting events” evidently did not accumulate in lake sediments until the late 20th century, indicating that efforts to remediate water quality have shifted the lake to a new ecosystem state. Calcite whitings can improve water quality in eutrophic lakes by coprecipitation with phosphate, increasing phosphorus (P) burial in lake sediments. Using long‐term limnological records, we report negative correlations between calcite saturation indices and P in lake surface waters and show that calcite whitings could partially explain recent P decline in Lake Mendota surface waters. Our study reveals a previously uncharacterized potential control on water quality in this eutrophic lake and demonstrates the benefit of coupling long‐term limnological data with sedimentary records.
Utilidad del CONUT frente al MNA en la valoración del estado nutricional del paciente adulto mayor hospitalizado.

OBJETIVO Conocer la utilidad del CONUT frente a la aplicacion del instrumento MNA y evaluacion bioquimica, en la valoracion del estado nutricional de pacientes adultos mayores (AM), hospitalizados en el Servicio de Medicina Interna 6C del Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati Martins de EsSalud MATERIAL Y METODO Estudio transversal, en el que se aplico a 74 pacientes AM hospitalizados, el cuestionario MNA y el CONUT. El analisis estadistico se realizo usando el chi cuadrado y analisis de varianza. RESULTADOS La edad promedio fue 75.65 ± 4.8 anos, predomino el sexo masculino. El peso fue de 66.95 ± 10 kg; talla 1.62 ± 0.07 mts; el IMC 27.4 ± 6.6; albumina 3.26 ± 0.5 g/dL; colesterol 184.3 ± 59.3 mg/d; y el recuento de linfocitos, 1847 ± 967 cel/mm3. El resultado del MNA identiﬁco 26 desnutridos (35.15%), 32 con riesgo de desnutricion (43.25%) y 16 con estado nutricional normal (21.60%). Segun las variables del CONUT, asociada a los resultados del MNA, se comprueba que a medida que aumenta el grado de desnutricion, los valores de albumina, colesterol y linfocitos descienden. Los porcentajes de las categorias del MNA, para los distintos grados de nutricion segun las categorias de CONUT, se asocian signiﬁcativamente en la variable albumina. La sensibilidad y la especiﬁcidad para el CONUT frente al MNA, fue alta (86% y 62% respectivamente). CONCLUSIONES Estadisticamente, el CONUT se asocio con el MNA en la identiﬁcacion de pacientes hospitalizados con riesgo de desnutricion. (Horiz Med 2013; 13(3): 40-46)
Dietary fibre concentrates produced from papaya by‐products for agroindustrial waste valorisation

In this work, papaya agroindustrial wastes were treated with ethanol and subsequently dehydrated to produce pulp or peel dietary fibre concentrates (DFCs). Hot air convection (CV) and microwave (MW) assisted dehydration were studied. The DFCs produced were mainly composed by cell wall polymers such as cellulose, lignin, proteins and non‐cellulosic carbohydrates. It was found that convective drying produced DFCs with lower uronic acid content than microwave drying. Besides, pulp DFCs dehydrated by MW presented higher values for hydration properties, compared to those reported in literature. Peel DFCs presented better antioxidant properties than those from the pulp. Use of peel tissue, as well as CV produced DFCs with higher values of glass transition temperature. The characteristics found in the DFCs allow concluding that these products may be added in a diverse range of food products, granting benefits that would normally be obtained using several additives.
VIDEOJUEGOS Y EDUCACIÓN: UNA VISIÓN PANORÁMICA DE LAS INVESTIGACIONES DESARROLLADAS A NIVEL INTERNACIONAL Videogames and education: an overview of international research

Resumen: Este articulo presenta los resultados de una investigacion mas amplia desarrollada entre la Universidad de Cantabria (Espana) y la Universidad do Minho (Portugal) orientada a conocer las potencialidades educativas de una categoria especifica de videojuegos denominada serious games. De forma mas concreta, en este articulo se presentan los resultados del analisis de la bibliografia generada a nivel internacional durante los anos 2008-2010 sobre los videojuegos elaborados para utilizarse en contextos educativos diversos. En el trabajo se identifican las principales lineas de investigacion que en estos momentos esta abordando la comunidad internacional sobre la utilizacion de este tipo de medios en la educacion. El estudio revela que la investigacion sobre serious games esta siendo abordada desde diferentes campos disciplinares y que su utilizacion no mejora necesariamente los resultados educativos de los estudiantes. Palabras clave: Videojuegos; serious games; juegos de ordenador; educacion mediatica; medios y educacion.
Inventário Rápido de Vespas Sociais em Três Ambientes com Diferentes Vegetações

Apesar de essenciais, trabalhos que objetivem conhecer a riqueza de vespas em meios naturais e agricolas sao incipientes, refletindo em escassez de tempo, recursos e logistica adequada para a sua elaboracao. Assim, nosso estudo buscou conhecer as especies de vespas sociais em area com fragmento florestal, plantio de eucaliptos e pomar, alem de testar a hipotese de que inventarios rapidos, utilizando-se a busca ativa e armadilhas atrativas sao estrategias viaveis para amostrar especies com maior abundância. Foram coletadas 365 vespas sociais, distribuidas em quatro generos e 10 especies, de modo que o pomar registrou maior riqueza especifica (s=8), diversidade (H’=0,5131) e abundância (n=218). Tanto Agelaia vicina (Saussure), quanto Polybia ignobilis (Haliday) e Polistes versicolor (Oliver) foram relatadas nas tres areas. O genero Agelaia contabilizou mais de 70% dos individuos coletados, resultados equivalentes aos de trabalhos conduzidos em fitofisionomias similares, validando a hipotese apresentada. Os inventarios constituem-se, ferramentas eficazes na amostragem de especies de vespas sociais abundantes, refletindo na diminuicao de custos e logistica em trabalhos de levantamento, contribuindo com ampliacao do numero de estudos sobre conservacao e monitoramento ambiental, alem dos relacionados a programas de manejo integrado de pragas. A Fast Inventory of Social Wasps in Three Environments with Different Vegetation Abstract. Although essential, researches that seek to discover the richness of wasps in natural and agricultural environments are incipient, reflecting in shortage of time, resources and adequate logistics for its formulation. Therefore, our study sought to know the species of social wasps in areas with forest fragments, eucalyptus plantations and orchard, in addition to test the hypothesis that fast inventories involving active search and attractive traps are viable strategies for sampling species with greater abundance. We collected 365 social wasps, distributed amongst four genera and 10 species, and the orchard reported the greatest specific richness (s=8), diversity (H'=0.5131) and abundance (n=218). Agelaia vicina (Saussure), Polybia ignobilis (Haliday) and Polistes versicolor (Oliver) were found in the three areas. The genus Agelaia accounted over 70% of the collected individuals, results equivalent to those carried out in similar works regarding phytophysiognomy, thus validating the presented hypothesis. The inventories are effective tools on sampling abundant social wasps species, reflecting on the decrease of costs and logistics in diversity studies, contributing with an increase of the number of conservation and environmental monitoring research, in addition to the ones related to integrated pest management programs.
The latitudinal diversity gradient of epiphytic lichens in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest: does Rapoport's rule apply?

Abstract A latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG), with increasing species richness towards tropical zones, has been amply documented in the literature for many organisms. Among the factors hypothesized to explain the LDG is Rapoport's rule, which postulates deceasing distribution ranges for species at lower latitudes, in turn fostering higher species richness per area. So far, little is known about LDGs and a Rapoport effect in lichens, and tropical regions or the Southern Hemisphere have not yet been considered in such studies. In order to elucidate a potential LDG in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, species occurrence data from four representative families of largely epiphytic lichens were used: Graphidaceae, Lobariaceae, Parmeliaceae and Trypetheliaceae. We employed niche distribution modeling on a subset of species to surpass the limitation of geographically strongly unbalanced sampling in the study area, including sampling bias in the modeling approach. The four families presented significant LDGs which were, however, opposed in Lobariaceae and Parmeliaceae. Rare species that were not modeled further pronounced these patterns. Rapoport's rule, i.e. an inverse correlation between richness and mean species range, was supported for all four families. Richness values for the four families, and size ranges for Parmeliaceae, showed strong and significant correlations with bioclimatic parameters, particularly temperature and precipitation seasonality and precipitation in the driest quarter. We hypothesize that, based on the specific situation of the Atlantic Forest, the observed LGDs and Rapoport effects are secondary consequences of underlying environmental gradients that happen to run parallel to latitude, and that Rapoport's rule is not primarily linked to latitude but to gradients of adverse environmental conditions. Including rare species, predicted species richness values for the four studied families combined would result in between 400 and 700 species per 55 × 55 km grid cell.
Apicomplexan motility depends on the operation of an endocytic-secretory cycle

Apicomplexan parasites invade host cells in an active process, involving their ability to move by gliding motility and invasion. While the acto-myosin-system of the parasite plays a crucial role in the formation and release of attachment sites during this process, there are still open questions, such as how the force powering motility is generated. In many eukaryotes a secretory-endocytic cycle leads to recycling of receptors (integrins), necessary to form attachment sites, regulation of surface area during motility and generation of retrograde membrane flow. Here we demonstrate that endocytosis operates during gliding motility in Toxoplasma gondii and appears to be crucial for the establishment of retrograde membrane flow, since inhibition of endocytosis blocks retrograde flow and motility. We identified lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) as a potent stimulator of endocytosis and demonstrate that extracellular parasites can efficiently incorporate exogenous material, such as nanogold particles. Furthermore, we show that surface proteins of the parasite are recycled during this process. Interestingly, the endocytic and secretory pathways of the parasite converge, and endocytosed material is subsequently secreted, demonstrating the operation of an endocytic-secretory cycle. Together our data consolidate previous findings and we propose a novel model that reconciles parasite motility with observations in other eukaryotes: the fountain-flow-model for apicomplexan parasite motility.
Erratum: First‐order Raman scattering of the MAX phases: Ti2AlN, Ti2AlC0.5 N0.5, Ti2AlC, (Ti0.5 V0.5)2AlC, V2AlC, Ti3AlC2, and Ti3GeC2

Here, we report, for the first time, on the Raman spectra of Ti2AlN, Ti2AlC0.5N0. 5, (Ti0.5V0.5)2AlC, Ti3AlC2, and Ti3GeC2 and compare the results with those of Ti2AlC and V2AlC reported previously. The first-order mode peaks of the end members are narrower than those of their respective solid-solution compounds. The Ti3AlC2 and Ti3GeC2 phases show, in addition to atomic displacements of the ‘M’ and ‘A’ atomic planes, modes that correspond with vibrations of the ‘X’ sublattice relative to itself. We also predict the Raman modes using density functional theory. The agreement between theory and experiment was found to be satisfactory. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Art for Art's Sake?: The Impact of Arts Education

Arts education is often said to be a means of developing critical and creative thinking. Arts education has also been argued to enhance performance in non-arts academic subjects such as mathematics, science, reading and writing, and to strengthen students’ academic motivation, self-confidence, and ability to communicate and co-operate effectively. Arts education thus seems to have a positive impact on the three subsets of skills that we define as “skills for innovation”: subject-based skills, including in non-arts subjects; skills in thinking and creativity; and behavioural and social skills. This report examines the state of empirical knowledge about the impact of arts education on these kinds of outcomes. The kinds of arts education examined include arts classes in school (classes in music, visual arts, theatre, and dance), arts-integrated classes (where the arts are taught as a support for an academic subject), and arts study undertaken outside of school (e.g. private music lessons; out-of-school classes in theatre, visual arts, and dance). The report does not deal with education about the arts or cultural education, which may be included in all kinds of subjects.
Carbon Ion Therapy Inhibits Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Metastasis by Upregulating STAT3 Through the JAK2/STAT3 Signaling Pathway

Radiation therapy is an important component of the comprehensive treatment of esophageal cancer. However, conventional radiation resistance is one of the main reasons for treatment failure. The superiority of heavy ion radiation in physics and biology has been increasingly highlighted in radiation therapy research. The Janus Kinase 2/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) pathway plays an important role in the occurrence, development and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and is related to the development of resistance to ionizing radiation in ESCC. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between carbon ion inhibition of the proliferation and metastasis of esophageal carcinoma cells and the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. The results demonstrated that carbon ion beams significantly reduced cell viability and stimulated apoptosis in human ESCC cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, carbon ion beams induced G2/M phase cell cycle arrest in ESCC cells and inhibited tumor metastasis in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, poorly differentiated KYSE150 cells were more sensitive to the same carbon ion beam dose than moderately differentiated ECA109 cells. Carbon ion beam exposure regulated the relative expression of metastasis-related molecules at the transcriptional and translational levels in ESCC cells. Carbon ion beams also regulated CDH1 and MMP2 downstream of the STAT3 pathway and inhibited ESCC cell metastasis, which activated the STAT3 signaling pathway. This study confirmed the inhibition of cell proliferation and the metastatic effect of carbon ion beam therapy in ESCC cells.
Leveraging Professional Sports Teams to Encourage Healthy Behavior: A Review of 4 Years of Calgary Flames Health Training Camp Events

Professional sporting teams may be well-positioned to act as promoters of health behaviors given their fixture within a community, and association with physical activity, nutrition, and other healthy behaviors. Over 4 years, the Calgary Flames Sport and Entertainment Corporation in conjunction with local health promotion professionals, delivered a health promotion event to the public, The Calgary Flames Health Training Camp (FHTC) in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The purpose of these annual events has been to inspire and encourage healthy behavior uptake and adherence. A description of the FHTC over each of 4 years (2015–2018), lessons learned, and some evaluative work done alongside the event on 2 of the 4 years. In 2017, self-report surveys were administered to event attendees to assess current health status including physical activity, socio-cognitive variables, health information preference, and intention to make healthful behavior change based on event attendance. Biometric data was collected including blood pressure, height, weight, and resting heart rate. Evaluations of the four consecutive events showed that the Calgary Flames Sport and Entertainment Corporation has an ability to attract substantial numbers of the general public to attend FHTC events. Self-report measures from 2017 suggest that already-active populations may be most interested in attending however, the events do appear to inspire attendees to consider behavioral changes for health. The events helped to identify individuals with health risks requiring medical attention but has not yet resulted in known behavior changes. Positive community health impacts may arise from collaboration between health promoters and professional sporting organizations.