Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pre‐ and postcopulatory sexual selection and the evolution of sexually dimorphic traits in earwigs (Dermaptera)

Dermaptera (earwigs) is a relatively small polyneopteran order with approximately 2200 described species. They are characterized by a pair of forceps, which are hardened, unsegmented cerci at the caudal end of the abdomen. In most species, males have more exaggerated forceps than females, indicating an effect of sexual selection on them. Earwigs also exhibit astonishing diversity in the number, laterality and size of both male and female genital components. This characteristic has promoted the study of postcopulatory sexual selection in several representative species. Here, previous studies of earwigs that examined pre‐ and postcopulatory sexual selection are reviewed in detail. Related topics included here are sexually antagonistic coevolution, evolution of laterally asymmetrical morphologies, and developmental aspects of intra‐sexually dimorphic traits. A new terminology system for male genitalia is also proposed.
Comparison of the effects of different pulp capping materials on viability, morphology and ageing of dental pulp cells

A significant amount of research has been directed towards the development of minimally invasive and/or regenerative therapeutic approaches to the maintenance of dental pulp vitality. Direct pulp capping is an example of such a therapeutic approach where the success of the treatment is largely affected by the biological characteristics of pulp capping agent. Tissue engineering approaches also include the use of human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) seeded on biocompatible scaffolds to regenerate lost hard, or soft dental tissues. Such processes may require a large number of cells which can only be produced by expansion of isolated HDPCs in vitro. Under these conditions, biological characteristics of the cells may be altered and their proliferation and differentiation capacity affected as a result of biological or cellular ageing. In this study we have investigated the effects of various pulp capping agents on HDPCs. Additionally we have looked at cell ageing and explored avenues to reduce the effects of this in vitro. HDPCs isolated from extracted human third molars were exposed to pulp capping agents through serial passage in culture. Dycal exhibited highly cytotoxic effects on the HDPCs, whereas, MTA facilitated the maintenance of cell viability and appeared to encourage proliferation of HDPCs. The use of propolis, a natural product of bees that has been reported to have uses in dentistry, resulted in slightly lower cell viability in comparison to the control and MTA groups. MTA and propolis appeared to enhance the osteogenic differentiation potential of HDPCs in comparison to control as indicated by the up-regulation of BMP-2, ALP, RUNX-2 and OCN and the undetectable expression of DSPP and DMP-1. We also clearly show that the biological characteristics of HDPCs (for example viability, cell proliferation and differentiation) were altered in later passages. A decrease in viability of cells treated with propolis seen in later passages, appeared to coincide III with the up-regulation of BCN1, a marker for for autophagy. Serially passaging of HDPCs also resulted in telomere shortening as measured by a progressive decrease of telomere restriction fragment (TRF) and this may lead to replicative senescence or cell ageing. Telomere shortening might be expected as expression of the telomerase associated gene (TERT) was undetectable. Contrary to expectations, propolis appeared to cause the greatest shortening of telomere length. Addition of the oligonucleotide “Telome 3”, which was designed to facilitate exogenous priming of telomeric DNA synthesis, to serially passaged HDPCs maintained high cell-viability throughout. Additionally, TRF measurements suggested that “Telome 3” may indeed aid in the maintenance of telomere length in serially passaged HDPCs. These data suggest that within the constraints of this in vitro model, the viability, proliferation and differentiation of HDPCs are largely affected by the cell passage number and also the type and concentration of the pulp capping agent used.
Non-classical Signalling Mechanisms in Stem Cells

There are many gaps in our understanding of stem cell biology that need to be explored in order to realize the full potential of stem cells for therapies. Understanding how stem cells communicate within their microenvironment is important to be able to manipulate their functions. Indeed, the stem cell microenvironment is critical for their maintenance, and communication between neighbouring cells plays an important part in determining cell fate. Most studies of the stem cell niche focus on paracrine or juxtacrine cell interactions, particularly the influence of cytokines and various G-protein coupled receptor ligands, influences which have been reviewed elsewhere (Kobayashi et al 2010). Other signalling mechanisms that have received less attention include oxidant signalling through various protein kinase pathways, and intercellular communication through gap junctions. Not surprisingly gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) has been implicated in regulating crucial biological events in many stem cells, including proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Understanding and modulating GJIC in stem cells could potentially lead to the development of novel methods for expanding stem cells in vitro and directing their differentiation into functional mature cells. In this review we have summarized current knowledge on the identified roles of gap junctions and of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in stem cells, and speculate on how these may be exploited to develop the therapeutic potential of stem cells.
Low dose effects of bisphenol A

In 2007, a group of experts critically analyzed hundreds of publications on bisphenol A (BPA), including the evidence for low dose effects. Here, we have updated these evaluations to determine the strength of the evidence for low dose effects of BPA. Based on the cut-offs for “low doses” established previously (i.e., the lowest observed adverse effect level [LOAEL], or 50 mg/kg/day for mammalian studies), we identified more than 450 low dose studies. Using an integrative approach, we examined five endpoints in depth that had evidence from two or more study types (in vitro, in vivo laboratory animal, and human). Based on all available studies, we are confident that consistent, reproducible, low dose effects have been demonstrated for BPA. We conclude that the doses that reliably produce effects in animals are 1–4 magnitudes of order lower than the current LOAEL of 50 mg/kg/day and many should be considered adverse.
Resistência a Meloidogyne enterolobii em acessos de Capsicum spp. - DOI:10.5039/agraria.v9i1a3496

Meloidogyne enterolobii has become one of the major constraints in Capsicum field crop, especially because genes conferring resistance to others Meloidogyne sp. are not effective against M. enterolobii. This study aimed to identify resistant Capsicum spp. accessions to nematode M. enterolobii and to classify the accessions according to resistance degree. Thirty-nine accessions of the Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF) gene bank were evaluated, being 12 accessions of C. annuum , 11 C. chinense , ten C. baccatum and six C. frutescens . The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse in a completely randomized design with ten replications and one plant per plot. The inoculation was carried out 20 days after germination being inoculated 500 eggs per plant and evaluation conducted after 75 days. Reproduction factor and reproduction index were determined, and accessions were classified according to resistance degree to the nematode. There were significant differences among the accessions tested in relation to the traits evaluated, indicating the existence of variability among and within species of Capsicum. Only UENF 1730 ( C. chinense ) accession was considered resistant.
Switchover Control Strategies for Improving Performance of Refrigeration Systems under Off-Design Conditions

A typical 3-ton vapor compression refrigeration system using R-22 as the refrigerant is addressed. Two models are developed: a design model and a hierarchical control model. The design model is operated to observe the response of a typical system under various off-design operating conditions. In lieu of laboratory experiments, the normalized responses from the design model (normalized with respect to the design conditions) are compared to the normalized values based on the experimental data reported in the literature. This is done to validate the design model to the extent possible, limited by the reported experimental data in the literature. From this design model a hierarchical control model is developed, in which different control techniques for system capacity regulation and for operation over a range of ambient temperature are employed. By varying corresponding control parameters in each technique, information is developed regarding the refrigerant conditions within the system and system performance under different operating conditions. From the results of these simulations, hierarchical or switchover control strategy for an integrated refrigeration system is postulated to achieve the specific operational requirements with the highest feasible system efficiency over a wide range of off-design operating conditions. A similar approach can be used to postulate different hierarchical control based on other performance measures and considerations.
Lead accumulation in and its haematological effects on African catfish Clarias gariepinus

Young adult Clarias gariepinus exposed to 0.0015–0.1500 µg l−1 concentrations of lead (Pb2+) ions for 30 days were investigated for accumulations in muscle, gill, liver and heart tissues, as well as for the metal's effects on haemoglobin concentrations, erythrocytes sedimentation rate, packed cell volume, white and red blood cell counts and differentials including lymphocyte, neutrophil, monocyte, basophil and eosinophil counts. The accumulation of Pb2+ ions was dose-dependent and highest in the heart tissue. Accumulation also differed markedly in the muscle, gill and liver tissues. The 0.015 µg l−1 toxicant concentration induced significantly higher lymphocyte cells, the 0.1500 µg l−1 concentration induced significantly lower neutrophils, and the 0.0150 and 0.0015 µg l−1 concentrations induced significantly lower monocyte cells than the control. The Pb2+ ions induced lowered antibody production. The catfish exhibited an ability to respond to pollutant stress.
Hábito alimentar e uso do habitat por canídeos no Parque Estadual do Cerrado: avaliação da situação atual da família Canidae no limite sul do bioma Cerrado no Brasil

O Parque Estadual do Cerrado e uma das ultimas reservas naturais de vegetacao savânica localizada no limite sul do bioma cerrado para o Brasil. O cerrado vem sendo gradativamente alterado para atender a objetivos economicos como: agricultura, pastos e monoculturas. Estas atividades estao isolando as vegetacoes originais de cerrado e dificultando a existencia de especies endemicas ocorrentes neste bioma. A presenca dos canideos no Parque reforca a importância desta Unidade de Conservacao para a protecao das especies. O estudo sobre habito alimentar e uso do habitat por canideos fornecem dados concretos sobre a biodiversidade local e uso das areas pelas especies.
Effect of weed and fertilizer management on weed control and productivity of onion (Allium cepa)

An experiment was conducted to examine the effect of weed management and plant nutrition practices on weed biomass, growth parameters and bulb yield of onion ( Allium cepa L.). Weed management practices included alone application of herbicides, viz. pendimethalin, oxyfluorfen and fluazipop-p-butyl, their combination with hand weeding, weed free and weedy check. The crop was fertilized with three levels viz., 75% RDF, RDF (100:50:50 NPK kg/ha) and 125% RDF. The results indicated that weed management and fertilizer levels had a significant ef- fect on weed population dynamics and onion bulb crop. The total weed density decreased significantly with appli- cation of pendimethalin 1 kg/ha or oxyfluorfen 0.24 kg/ha + one hand weeding at 40 days after transplanting (DAT) during both the seasons of investigation. Echinochloa ssp. , Trianthema portulacastrum, Digera arvensis Forsk. Physalis minima L. and Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. were found as major weeds in the crop. Higher onion bulb yield (38.0 t/ha) was recorded with pendimethalin 1 kg/ha + one hand weeding at 40 DAT. The increase in yield was 83.7% compared to the yield obtain in weedy check. Increasing level of fertilizer applications increased the to- tal biomass of grassy and broad leaves weeds. Application of 125% RDF significantly improved bulb yield and in- crease in yield was 19.4 and 10.5 % over 75% RDF and RDF respectively. On the basis of interaction, combina- tion of pendimethalin 1 kg/ha fb 1 hand weeding at 40 DAT and 100 % RDF was most productive (39.8 t/ha) and profitable (Net return `2,69,422/ha and benefit: cost ratio 7.85).
Postdoctoral researchers: roles, functions and career prospects

Concerns with postdoctoral research training and employment outcomes are growing at an international level. Recent studies of postdoctoral and other contract researchers in various countries emphasize common issues associated with these appointments, including the absence of any systematic definition of postdoctoral research positions, lack of policy and data on postdoctoral researchers, and increasing dissatisfaction among postdoctoral researchers with the nature of their position and with their future employment prospects. These issues are explored further in the study reported here, through an interview‐based investigation of the views of both postdoctoral researchers and postdoctoral supervisors with regard to the nature of postdoctoral research positions and the career development support provided within those positions. Key findings include substantial variation in the functions of postdoctoral researchers, and in the perceived purposes of such positions. Despite a widespread perception among both postdocs and their supervisors of limited employment opportunities in academia or research positions, there was a consistent focus among both parties on the postdoctoral period as providing preparation for such positions.
Cyberbullying

For each issue of Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet, the editor selects three to five health care sites containing high quality health care information on a given subject. The topic for each issue is very much dependent on the whim of the editor and the consumer questions that have crossed her desk. Sites used within the column are chosen based on the editor's personal experience and usage of the Internet. Each select site has been subjected to rigorous evaluation criteria. Evaluation criteria include: reputation of the producer/publisher of the site; bias; content and scope of information provided (including types of information provided – general overviews or specific conditions, treatments, etc.); intended audience (professionals, adults, teens, or children); currency of site updates; and viability of links. Dead links and changing URLs are a problematic reality of Internet usage. The selected sites have exhibited stability in providing long-term access to quality information. Columns begin with a brief discussion of the topic. In addition to the selected sites, other resource sites and URLs may be included in the discussion. Following the discussion, the main page of each select site will be reproduced, including site title and URL for bookmark purposes. The second page will summarize producer information, content, search options, audience, and noteworthy items. JCHI Editor's Select Sites are printed on two facing pages so they can be used as guides beside computer terminals. Website and topic suggestions for the JCHI Editor's Select Sites column are welcome. Send suggestions to: Nancy R. Glassman, D. Samuel Gottesman Library, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, or e-mail nancy.glassman@einstein.yu. edu.
Genetic analysis of the role of intermating in an intervarietal cross of breadwheat

The effectiveness of population improvement methods was compared with those of the conventional approaches in a winter x spring cross of breadwheat. The biparental progenies developed through the North Carolina design I (NC I) and III (NC III), and their F3 and parents were evaluated. Highly significant differences among generations were observed for days to heading, plant height, grains/spike, grain yield, harvest index, and grain weight. The mean performance of all SIPs exceeded that of their corresponding F3 progenies in both designs. In NC I, significant additive genetic variance was observed for heading days, plant height and grains/spike. However, for days to heading, plant height and grains yield, the dominance variance was significant. In NC III the additive and dominance components were significant for all the characters except grainsfspike. Many unfavourable correlations observed in F3 changed to favourable in SIPs. The NC UI was better than NC I for estimation of gene effects and exploitation of variability.
A comparison of living singly and in male-female pairs in the prairie vole

We measured potential advantages of living singly as contrasted to in male-female pairs in a free-living population of the prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) in a high food habitat. Whereas adult females survived longer when living in a pair than when living singly, adult males survived longer when single and wandering throughout the study site than when paired. Estimated total number of offspring produced that survived to adulthood and became reproductive was similar for paired females (0.32 female and 0.36 male offspring/female) and females living singly (0.34 female and 0.25 male offspring/female). There was no correlation between the proportion of unpaired adult males in the population and either adult population density, adult sex ratio, or proportion of females that were living singly. These results support the hypothesis that living in pairs evolved in the original low food habitat of the prairie vole and represents a basic behavioral trait that is retained regardless of food resources in the habitats now occupied.
Alluvial soils as subgrade material: Laboratory and statistical evaluation

In India, rural roads are constantly being constructed. To ensure proper design of rural roads, it is desirable to have an appropriate selection of design parameters. The California bearing ratio (CBR) method of pavement design is the most commonly used method employed for the foundation design of rural roads. In the CBR method, the CBR value of the subgrade soil is critical in deciding the overall thickness of the pavement. Additionally, for good drainage, a typical specification for the pavement foundation design requires the value of permeability coefficient of the subgrade material to be specified. Thus, permeability and CBR constitute two important parameters in the design and assessment of long-term performance of the pavement. In this study, laboratory investigation has been carried out on a number of soil samples procured from a roadwork project site. Preliminary tests, such as index tests and particle size distribution tests, useful for soil classification, were followed by light compaction, CBR and variable head permeability tests. Further, observations from the laboratory investigation are statistically analysed to study correlations among various parameters. Because the predominant soil type found in the study area is alluvial, this study also highlights the suitability of alluvial soils as pavement subgrade material.
Genetics of stem volume, stem form, and branch characteristics in sapling Noble fir

Genetic parameters for stem volume, stem form, and branching traits, along with the genetic interrelationships among these traits, were estimated from measurements on 60 open-pollinated families of noble fir (Abies procera REHD.) planted on three progeny test sites in southwest Washington (U.S.). Large family-by-site interactions were evident when all three sites were analyzed together; consequently, data for the two low-elevation sites (<1200 m) were analyzed separately from the high-elevation site (1402 m). Significant family variation was present in at least one environment for 10 of the 13 traits examined. Estimates of narrow-sense heritabilities were low to moderate (0.09 to 0.49) for all traits. With the exception of branch number and stem sinuosity, genetic correlations among stem growth, stem form, and branch traits were weak or favorable, so that selection for stem growth should have few unfavorable effects. Amounts of genetic and phenotypic variation present indicate that moderate gains from selection and breeding programs are possible for stem growth traits, while lesser gains can be achieved for stem form and branching traits.
Impact of waste water discharge on the plant communities and size structure of Wadi El-Shees, Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar, Libya

The present study assesses the impact of waste water discharge on the plant communities and size structure of the common woody species in Wadi El-Shees, Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar, Libya. Thirty stands were selected along two adjacent tributaries (polluted and un-polluted) in Wadi El-Shees. Sixty-five species belonging to 60 genera and 34 families were recorded, predominated with therophytes and mono-regional taxa and only one endemic species (Arbutus pavarii). The application of TWINSPAN on the data set, led to the recognition of 4 vegetation groups, two represented each of the polluted and un-polluted regions. Soils of the polluted area have significant higher values of organic matter, salinity, chloride and iron. Ten common woody perennials were selected for estimating the variation in their size structure in the polluted and un-polluted tributaries. These species include one shrublet, two shrubs and 7 trees. It was found that the density and volume of all species except A. pavarii and Sarcopoterium spinosum were higher in the polluted than the un-polluted area. Four size distributions were recognized: inverse J-shaped, bell-shaped, positive and negative skewed distributions. It was concluded that pollution had significant impact on the plant density and sizes structure of the common woody plants in Wadi El-Shees. Such study may help in managing and conserving plant diversity in Northern Libya. (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
BREAST CANCER ATTITUDES, KNOWLEDGE, AND SCREENING BEHAVIOR IN WOMEN WITH AND WITHOUT A FAMILY HISTORY OF BREAST CANCER

Women volunteers with or without a first-degree relative with breast cancer (FDR) were compared on several measures. Relative to the comparison group, women in the FDR group had more negative attitudes about breast cancer (including more anxiety about breast cancer), viewed their risk for getting breast cancer as greater (although they underestimated the actual risk), and were more likely to engage in appropriate screening behavior. A high percentage of women in both groups stated that they would want to have a genetic test for breast cancer if it were generally available.
Fertilizer Response by Two Species of Poplars on Initial Growth Parameters

The paper presents a study on the growth behavior of two poplar species namely Populus deltoides and Populus nigra by giving different doses of fertilizer. The results indicate that N 150 P 120 M 20 is the best dose for Populus deltoides and N 150 P 120 M10 is the best dose for Populus nigra for obtaining optimum height. Individually phosphorus and Nitrogen increases the height and diameter of both the species but there is no effect of fertilizer on root-shoot ratio and number of roots/plant in both the species.