Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Recovery of the South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens) population in northern Patagonia

The size of and trend in the South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens) population located in northern Patagonia were estimated and changes in the distribution, size, and structure of individual sites were analyzed during the period 1983-2002. Total counts were made during the reproductive season. Regression models were used to analyze the trend. Pups represented around 40% of the animals counted. The annual rates of change for pups and nonpups were not significantly different (p > 0.05, n = 7), although some rookeries showed higher rates of change for pups than for nonpups. Pup numbers have been increasing at the rate of 3.4% per year at the oldest rookeries, but the rate of increase was higher at new rookeries. Using Bayes' methods, the precision of the estimates and the contribution to the abundance of each rookery produced an alternative estimate of the trend in pup numbers in 5.7%. The key in the recovery of this population includes higher survival rates of juveniles combined with increased available habitat for newly reproducing in- dividuals. This process led to the occupancy of new areas for hauling out and breeding. This hypothesis could explain the higher rates of increase in pups in peripheral areas while reproductive rates remain unchanged.
Conspiracism on social media: An agenda melding of group-mediated deceptions

This study examines students’ social media interactions in relation to their subcultural explorations of a conspiratorial nature. A sample of 476 students from four European universities participated in a survey about conspiracy theories in social media group discussions. In the survey, we examined various social and media factors in relation to students’ beliefs in conspiracy theories. The results of this exploratory study reveal that students treat social media as news sources; furthermore, they trust social media more than traditional mass media. The study reveals demographic, personal and technological factors that encourage a mediated conspiratorial discourse.
Effects of dietary manganese on growth and tissue manganese concentrations of juvenile gibel carp, Carassius auratus gibelio

A 68-day growth trial was conducted in a flow-through system to determine the effect of dietary manganese levels on growth and tissue manganese concentration of juvenile gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio). Seven purified diets containing 7.21, 8.46, 9.50, 10.50, 13.03, 19.72 and 22.17 mg manganese (as manganic sulfate) per kilogram diet were fed to triplicate groups of fish (initial weight 3.21 +/- 0.01 g). The results showed that dietary manganese levels did not significantly affect feed intake of the fish. Specific growth rate, feed efficiency, total hepatic superoxide dismutase activity, carcass and skeletal manganese concentration increased significantly with increased dietary manganese(P < 0.05) while condition factor decreased significantly(P < 0.05). It was concluded that dietary requirement of manganese was 13.77 mg Mn per kilogram diet. Carcass and skeletal manganese concentration could also be used to evaluate the manganese requirement. Total hepatic superoxide dismulase activity was not a sensitive indicator for dietary requirement.
Five new modified 6,7-secolabdane diterpenoids from Cluytia richardiana

The aerial parts of Cluytia richardiana yielded five new modified 6,7-secolabdane diterpene derivatives, saudinolide (4), dihydrosaudinolide (5), 5β-hydroxyrichardianidin 1(6), and 5β-hydroxyrichardianidin 2 (7), and the 6,7-seco-6,11-cyclo-20-norlabdane cluytene F (8). The structural assignments of the diterpenoids were based on their spectral data, including 2D NMR experiments, and chemical derivatization. X-ray crystallographic analyses provided unambiguous characterization of the structures and relative stereochemistries of 4, 6, 7, and 1-O-acetylcluytene F (10).
Intoxicação experimental por Sida carpinifolia (Malvaceae) em bovinos

Clinical and pathological findings of experimental poisoning by Sida carpinifolia in cattle are described. A neurologic disease was observed in cattle on farms of the Alto Vale do Itajai region of the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. For the experimental reproduction of the disease, fresh green leaves, weekly harvested in the same region where spontaneous case occurred, were force-fed to five cattle at doses of 10 and 20g/kg for 120 days, 40g/kg for 30 days, and 30 and 40g/kg body weight for 150 days. One animal died and the others were euthanatized at the end of the experiment. Clinical signs and lesions varied from mild to severe in the experimentally poisoned cattle and depended on dose and length of the period of consumption. Main histological and ultrastructural lesions consisted of vacuolation and distension of neuronal perikarya (mainly of Purkinje cells), and of the cytoplasm of acinar pancreatic cells and thyroid follicular cells. It is concluded that ingestion of even small amounts S. carpinifolia for prolonged periods of time cause lisosomal storage disease in cattle.
Drug Development: The Journey of a Medicine from Lab to Shelf

Drug development describes the process of developing a new drug that effectively targets a specific weakness in a cell. This process involves specific pre-clinical development and testing, followed by trials in humans to determine the efficacy of the drug. Journal of Developing Drugs is a peer reviewed journal, which extensively brings to you the contemporary discoveries and developments in the world of science and medicine.
Remotely piloted aircraft imagery for automatic tree counting in forest restoration areas: a case study in the Amazon

Throughout the world, restoration of degraded areas (RDA) is not only a global but also a local challenge. In this context, the Brazilian government committed itself to restore 12 million hectares of forests by 2030. RDA monitoring customarily depends on extensive fieldwork to collect data on all individuals planted. As remotely piloted aircrafts (RPAs) can reduce costs and time of fieldwork activities, studying this technology is therefore timely given. A crucial metric for RDA is the number of trees established in the area. Methods using RPAs on automatic tree counting showed good accuracy using algorithms based on the canopy height model (CHM), which is the difference between a digital surface model (DSM) and a digital terrain model (DTM). However, obtaining a DTM demands an extra computational processing step and may require field control points or manually delimiting objects on the surface. The study presented here proposes and evaluates a semi-automated methodology for counting trees directly on DSM in RDAs in the Amazon using RPA coupled with a red–green–blue standard photographic sensor. The DSM method obtained good overall accuracy and F-score indexes, superior to the CHM method for all study areas even when overall accuracy was low for both methods.
Physiological Behavior of Two Tobacco Lines Expressing EPSP Synthase Resistant to Glyphosate

Abstract Among numerous tobacco transgenic lines expressing an altered gene encoding glyphosate-resistant EPSP synthase, two were chosen for detailed physiological studies, as they were both highly resistant to glyphosate in the growth chamber (HR and WR lines) while one of them (WR) was susceptible to the herbicide in the field. The two transformed lines and the susceptible line (S) grew similarly. Foliar applied glyphosate penetrated into the plants to the same extent in the three lines and phloem transfer from the source leaves to the sinks was also similar. In the transgenic lines, EPSP synthase was overexpressed in all leaves, with an average overexpression factor reaching 3 to 15, with the highest value in HR. The average I 50 for glyphosate of the leaf enzyme was approximatly 700-fold that from S for WR and 6 to 22 times lower for HR. The most physiologically significant difference between the two transgenic lines was that WR had a very low EPSP synthase content in its roots. Furthermore, the enzyme present in the roots was very sensitive to glyphosate. In contrast, the roots of the HR line contained a well-measurable pool of resistant enzyme. This difference probably explains why HR was resistant to glyphosate in the field, allowing a good rate of lignification to occur and ensuring high water movements inside the plant in order to compensate for the transpiration loss.
Aluminum Effect on Organic Acid Production and Accumulation in Sorghum

Abstract Seedlings of two cultivars of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) differing in aluminum (Al) tolerance grown in a pH 4.0 Clark's nutrient solution were exposed to Al at concentrations of 0 and 185 μ M for 7 days. The organic acid concentrations in the roots and leaves and in the external solution were determined, as well as the activities of the enzymes related to the biosynthesis and degradation of these acids. Contents of the main organic acids found in the roots and leaves increased with plant exposure to Al and were always higher in the aluminum (Al)-tolerant cultivar. Malic and t-aconitic acids were the most abundant and showed the highest absolute changes in the presence of Al in both cultivars, especially the Al-tolerant cultivar. Aluminum also changed the activities of most of the enzymes related to organic metabolism studied here. The more important effects of Al on the enzymes of the malic-acid metabolism were found on the fumarase (EC 4.2.1.2) and malate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.37) in the roots, in addition to the fumarase in the leaves and on the enzymes of the trans-aconitic acid on the citrate dehydratase (EC 4.2.1.4), especially in the roots. Aluminum-induced changes in these enzymes in the two sorghum cultivars seem to favor a higher production, accumulation, and exudation of these two organic acids in the Al-tolerant cultivar compared with the Al-sensitive one. Organic acids, especially malic acid, probably play an important role in these sorghum cultivar's, tolerances to high levels of Al. Our data support the hypothesis that Al tolerance in sorghum is controlled mainly by an internal detoxification mechanism, probably involving organic acid metabolism.
Microevolution in Solatopupa landsnails (Pulmonata Chondrinidae): genetic diversity and founder effects

Enzyme variability at 28 presumptive gene loci was studied, by standard starch gel electrophoresis, in 30 populations belonging to the five recognized species of the landsnail Solatopupa from its entire NW Mediterranean range. Six genetically differentiated groups can be identified among the 30 populations sampled. These are distinguished by two to 19 diagnostic loci, different levels of genetic variability and populations genetics. They are also significantly different as far as the D values are considered. There is no evidence of gene flow among them. Genetically inferred groups correspond in four cases to morphologically distinguished species. In contrast, S. similis, as identified by morphological features, is likely to be a complex of at least two cryptic species. Populations and species of Solatopupa are characterized by: high fixation of alternative alleles both within and between species; medium-lo-low levels of genie variation; heterozygote deficiency; sharp genetic differentiation among population within species; restricted gene flow; and high genetic distances. Genetic variability is partly associated with climatic factors related to moisture. Both deterministic and stochastic processes may play a part in the genetic differentiation of Solatopupa snails. Founder events seem to be the main factor affecting the genetic structure of populations and perhaps also speciation. Solatopupa populations display many attributes of populations that may be expected to undergo speciation events involving reorganization of the whole genome after a founder event.
Eucalyptus Physiology. I. Photoperiodic Responses

Seedlings of selected Eucalyptus species grown under factorial combinations of temperature and photoperiod showed greater response to temperature than to photoperiod. In a few cases maximum growth occurred at an optimum photoperiod of about 12 hr. Growth responses to an increase of low intensity light from 8 to 12 hr were usually of the quantitative, long-day type. The 12 hr optimum was associated with quantitative, short-day responses that may occur with an increase ;n photoperiod from 12 to 16 hr. These optima rarely occurred at more than one growing temperature for any one species or seed source. Such temperature dependence, combined with the small magnitude of the two types of response and with the variability among species, may explain many of the hitherto equivocal results on the effect of photoperiod in Eucalyptus. Long-day responses were more common than short-day responses but whether associated with a photoperiod optimum or not, both response types appeared to be largely unrelated to the latitude and to altitude of the seed source. This contrasts with the behaviour of northern hemisphere vegetation.
THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ATTRIBUTES ON PURCHASE INTENTION IN THE SAUDI FOODSERVICE

This study aims to investigate the impact of social media attributes on customer purchase intention in the Saudi foodservice. It is a quantitative study based on the use of a questionnaire designed to fulfill the key purpose of this study. A judgmental sampling strategy is used to select the participants due to the wide population size. 380 questionnaires were collected and 357 were analyzed. SPSS.26 was used to analyze the data and to test the study hypotheses. The findings of this study revealed that social media attributes (perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, critical mass and perceived playfulness) have has a positive impact on purchase intention.
Seasonal variability of secondary production of cladocerans and rotifers, and their trophic role in Lake Tana, Ethiopia, a large, turbid, tropical highland lake

Daily and annual production rates of eight cladoceran and two rotifer species, and their seasonal variation and trophic role in the large, turbid, tropical Lake Tana, Ethiopia, were assessed in 2003–2005. Laboratory cultures were used to infer cladoceran development times, and secondary production was estimated using the growth increment summation and recruitment methods. Production for both taxa was highest in October–November, after the rainy season, and lowest in January–April during the dry season. Cladocerans and rotifers comprised 24% of the metazoan zooplankton biomass of 45.1 mg DW m−3, but comprised 53% of its production. Daily production for cladocerans and rotifers, respectively, was 1.23 and 0.94 mg DW m−3 d−1, and annual production was 447.9 and 353.5 mg DW m−3 y−1. Energy transfer efficiency from producers to zooplankton was 1.3% and 4.4% from zooplankton to planktivores. Herbivores consumed 3.4% of primary production and planktivores 36% of zooplankton production. High biomass turnover rates of cladocerans and rotifers sustain planktivores and, after a month's delay, decomposed Microcystis provides their main food source during the pre- and post-rainy months in Lake Tana.
Energy reserves during food deprivation and compensatory growth in juvenile roach: the importance of season and temperature

The effect of 21 days of starvation, followed by a period of compensatory growth during refeeding, was studied in juvenile roach Rutilus rutilus during winter and summer, at 4, 20 and 27° C acclimation temperature and at a constant photoperiod (12L : 12D). Although light conditions were the same during summer and winter experiments and fish were acclimated to the same temperatures, there were significant differences in a range of variables between summer and winter. Generally winter fish were better prepared to face starvation than summer fish, especially when acclimated at a realistic cold season water temperature of 4° C. In winter, the cold acclimated fish had a two to three-fold larger relative liver size with an approximately double fractional lipid content, in comparison to summer animals at the same temperature. Their white muscle protein and glycogen concentration, but not their lipid content, were significantly higher. Season, independent of photoperiod or reproductive cycle, was therefore an important factor that determined the physiological status of the animal, and should generally be taken into account when fish are acclimated to different temperature regimes. There were no significant differences between seasons with respect to growth. Juvenile roach showed compensatory growth at all three acclimation temperatures with maximal rates of compensatory growth at 27° C. The replenishment of body energy stores, which were utilized during the starvation period, was responsible for the observed mass gain at 4° C. The contribution of the different energy resources (protein, glycogen and lipid) was dependent on acclimation temperature. In 20 and 27° C acclimated roach, the energetic needs during food deprivation were met by metabolizing white muscle energy stores. While the concentration of white muscle glycogen had decreased after the fasting period, the concentrations of white muscle lipid and protein remained more or less constant. The mobilization of protein and fat was revealed by the reduced size of the muscle after fasting, which was reflected in a decrease in condition factor. At 20° C, liver lipids and glycogen were mobilized, which caused a decrease both in the relative liver size and in the concentration of these substrates. Liver size was also decreased after fasting in the 4° C acclimated fish, but the substrate concentrations remained stable. This experimental group additionally utilized white muscle glycogen during food deprivation. Almost all measured variables were back at the control level within 7 days of refeeding.
Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae Strains in Various Types of Private Health Care Centers

ABSTRACT During a 2004 survey, 49 extended-spectrum-β-lactamase-producing enterobacteria were collected in 20 French private health care centers and one local hospital. They included 12 CTX-M-producing Escherichia coli strains (1.8% versus 0.3% in a 1999 survey). Most of them belonged to the same clone and contained a blaCTX-M-15 gene on similar conjugative plasmids.
Brace Treatment for Adults with Spinal Deformities

The bracing indication for adults with spinal deformities is two-fold: (1) pain and (2) deformity. Although pain is more frequent in the adult population with scoliosis, there is no correlation between the angle of curvature and pain intensity. Pain is reportedly more frequent in patients who were operated. Non-specific pain can successfully be treated with stabilisation exercises; however, some patients may need brace treatment to improve their pain. Today, with the help of a simple clinical test, we can distinguish between different types of lower back pain allowing a differential approach to the symptom. There is some evidence that pain can successfully be reduced by these approaches mainly influencing the sagittal profile. In patients with bigger deformities and in patients aiming at reducing their deformity, pattern-specific scoliosis braces are a successful choice according to published research cases. The different specific brace types/designs along with the differential indication for these brace types will be described in this chapter.
Performance of Solar Utilization System Developed with Capillary Tube Mats to Collect and Release Heat in Chinese Solar Greenhouses

HighlightsA solar utilization system was developed with capillary tube mats (SUSCTM) to heat Chinese solar greenhouses (CSGs) actively during winter nights.In the solar day, SUSCTM collected 28~33% of the accumulated solar energy on the north-wall and released 40.3~48.6% of the collected heat in night under the experimental conditions.The thermal performances of SUSCMT can be further improved by improving the heat insulation of the water tank, doubling and elongating the capillary tubes.Abstract. A solar utilization system composed of capillary tube mats, a water tank, recirculating pipes, and a pump (SUSCTM) was developed to improve the temperature of Chinese solar greenhouses (CSGs) during winter nights. The capillary tube mats were mounted on the north-wall to intercept solar radiation. By circulating water within the SUSCTM during the daytime, the solar energy can be absorbed and stored in the water tank. In the same way, the heat stored in the water tank can be recovered to increase the indoor air temperature (Tin) in the night. During the daytime hours of sunny days, SUSCMT stored the heat of 102.4~135.4 MJ under the test conditions, which accounts for 28~33% of the accumulated solar energy on the north wall. The heat released by the SUSCTM during the nighttime hours of sunny days accounted for 40.3~48.6% of the collected heat. As a result, the minimum Tin in the night was elevated by 1.6°C~1.9°C, with the coefficient of performance (COP) of 1.3~1.8. On the other hand, the SUSCMT only operated during the night hours of cloudy day and elevated the minimum Tin by 1.5°C. The COP was 1.2 as a result. In addition, the amount and flux of heat released by the SUSCMT per the north wall area matched the conventional north wall of CSGs. Based on the proposed model, the thermal performances of SUSCMT can be further improved by improving the heat insulation of the water tank, doubling and elongating the capillary tubes. Thus, the SUSCMT has the potential to increase the Tin of CSG during winter nights. Keywords: Capillary tube mats, Chinese solar greenhouse, Indoor air temperature, Solar utilization system, Water circulation.
Improved solubility and stability of carp myosin by conjugation with alginate oligosaccharide

: Carp myosin was conjugated with alginate oligosaccharide (AO) through the Maillard reaction under low relative humidity, and the functional properties of the myosin-AO conjugate were investigated to clarify the role of myosin in the functional improvement of fish myofibrillar proteins (Mf) by the glycosylation. The findings were as follows. First, myosin became highly solubilized at lower NaCl concentrations by conjugation with AO and NaCl-dependence of the solubility was lost when > 12% of the available lysine residues were reacted with AO and 50 µg/mg of AO was attached to myosin. Second, the thermal stability of myosin was effectively improved by conjugation with AO. Heat-treatment at 50°C for 6 h has no effect on the solubility of the myosin-AO conjugate regardless of the NaCl concentration. Third, the improved functionalities of myosin conjugated with AO remained even at a nearly isoelectric point. The improving effect of AO-conjugation on the characteristics of myosin was almost the same as Mf reacted with AO. Therefore, it is apparent that that improved functionalities of the glycosylated Mf reflect the functional changes of myosin.