Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seasonal-Variation in the Ranging Behavior of the Platypus (Ornithorhynchus-Anatinus) on the Goulburn River, Victoria

Radio-telemetry was used to study the effects of changing reproductive condition and water levels on the ranging behaviour and activity patterns of adult male platypuses in the Goulburn River, Victoria. Home-range size varied greatly between individuals, from 2 . 45 to 15 . 45 ha, but differences in the body weight of individuals did not account for this variability. There was no correlation between the number of burrows used by males and their body size or home-range length. Changing river levels or the animal's breeding condition did not appear to affect the duration of activity periods, which remained constant throughout the study. All radio-tracked animals foraged in a submerged backwater area during high-water conditions, suggesting that platypuses are opportunistic in their habitat usage and may avoid fast-flowing water if calmer areas are available. Although the home ranges of adult males overlapped extensively during the non-breeding period, there was evidence of spatial separation during the breeding season, when animals occupied separate core areas. In addition there appeared to be some temporal separation between adult males during the breeding season. During this period there was greater variation in the times at which animals emerged from their burrows, and some animals became diurnal.
Child Sexual Abuse and Suicidal Ideation: The Differential Role of Attachment and Emotional Security in the Family System

The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of attachment style and emotional security in the family system on suicidal ideation in a sample of young adult female victims of child sexual abuse (CSA). The possible effects of CSA characteristics and other types of child abuse on suicidal ideation were controlled for. The sample consisted of 188 female college students who had been victims of sexual abuse before the age of 18, as well as 188 randomly selected participants who had not experienced CSA. The results showed that both attachment and emotional security were associated with suicidal ideation, even when controlling for both the characteristics of abuse and the existence of other abuses. The strong relationships of emotional security and attachment style with suicidal ideation suggest the importance of early intervention with children who have been sexually abused and their families, in an effort to optimize their attachment style, as well as to decrease emotional insecurity to prevent the onset of symptomatology related to suicidal ideation.
Influence of silica particles on mucociliary structure and MUC5B expression in airways of C57BL/6 mice

Abstract Purpose: Impaired mucociliary clearance is an initial characteristic of recurrent cough, respiratory infection and chronic respiratory diseases. It has been demonstrated that prolonged inhalation of respirable silica particles results in a variety of pulmonary diseases, but whether the mucociliary system is involved in this process is unclear. This study aims to evaluate the effects of silica particles on mucociliary structure and MUC5B production in respiratory tract. Materials and Methods: C57BL/6 mice were administered with 2.5 mg silica particles through a single intratracheal instillation. The changes of mucociliary structure and MUC5B expression in trachea was evaluated by HE and AB-PAS staining, transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry on days 1, 7, 28 and 84 post-exposure. Results: The mucociliary structure of airway epithelium was obviously impaired by silica particles, showing disordered, shortened or partially lost cilia on the surface, increased mucus in mucous layer and submucosal glands from day 7 to day 84. A variety of ultrastructural abnormalities were discovered in silica-exposed airway cilia, including absence of central pair microtubules, disorganized microtubules and clusters of axoneme on day 1 and 7. The numbers of ciliary axonemes and basal bodies in ciliated epithelial cells were significantly decreased, whereas the proportion of abnormal axonemes was gradually increased with exposure to silica particles (P < 0.05). In addition, silica particles significantly decreased MUC5B expression on the surface of airway epithelium on day 28 and 84, but obviously increased its production in submucosal glands from day 1 to day 84 (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Silica particles could lead to ultrastructural defects in airway cilia, mucus hypersecretion and altered MUC5B expression in trachea, indicating that impaired mucociliary structure and altered MUC5B production might participate in the development of silica-related respiratory diseases.
Conversion of sagebrush shrublands to exotic annual grasslands negatively impacts small mammal communities

Aim The exotic annual cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) is fast replacing sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) communities throughout the Great Basin Desert and nearby regions in the Western United States, impacting native plant communities and altering fire regimes, which contributes to the long‐term persistence of this weedy species. The effect of this conversion on native faunal communities remains largely unexamined. We assess the impact of conversion from native perennial to exotic annual plant communities on desert rodent communities.
Off‐target glycans encountered along the synthetic biology route toward humanized N‐glycans in Pichia pastoris

The glycosylation pathways of several eukaryotic protein expression hosts are being engineered to enable the production of therapeutic glycoproteins with humanized application‐customized glycan structures. In several expression hosts, this has been quite successful, but one caveat is that the new N‐glycan structures inadvertently might be substrates for one or more of the multitude of endogenous glycosyltransferases in such heterologous background. This then results in the formation of novel, undesired glycan structures, which often remain insufficiently characterized. When expressing mouse interleukin‐22 in a Pichia pastoris (syn. Komagataella phaffii) GlycoSwitchM5 strain, which had been optimized to produce Man5GlcNAc2N‐glycans, glycan profiling revealed two major species: Man5GlcNAc2 and an unexpected, partially α‐mannosidase‐resistant structure. A detailed structural analysis using exoglycosidase sequencing, mass spectrometry, linkage analysis, and nuclear magnetic resonance revealed that this novel glycan was Man5GlcNAc2 modified with a Glcα‐1,2‐Manβ‐1,2‐Manβ‐1,3‐Glcα‐1,3‐R tetrasaccharide. Expression of a Golgi‐targeted GlcNAc transferase‐I strongly inhibited the formation of this novel modification, resulting in more homogeneous modification with the targeted GlcNAcMan5GlcNAc2 structure. Our findings reinforce accumulating evidence that robustly customizing the N‐glycosylation pathway in P. pastoris to produce particular human‐type structures is still an incompletely solved synthetic biology challenge, which will require further innovation to enable safe glycoprotein pharmaceutical production.
Preclinical Activity of PI3K Inhibitor Copanlisib in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor

KIT or PDGFRA gain-of-function mutations are the primary drivers of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) growth and progression throughout the disease course. The PI3K/mTOR pathway is critically involved in the transduction of KIT/PDGFRA oncogenic signaling regardless of the type of primary and secondary mutations, and therefore emerges as a relevant targetable node in GIST biology. We evaluated in GIST preclinical models the antitumor activity of copanlisib, a novel pan-class-I PI3K inhibitor with predominant activity against p110α and p110δ isoforms, as single-agent and in combination with first-line KIT inhibitor imatinib. In vitro studies undertaken in one imatinib-sensitive (GIST-T1) and two imatinib-resistant (GIST-T1/670 and GIST430/654) GIST cell models showed that single-agent copanlisib effectively suppressed PI3K pathway activation leading to decreased cell viability and proliferation in both imatinib-sensitive and -resistant cells irrespective of the type of primary or secondary KIT mutations. Simultaneous PI3K and KIT inhibition with copanlisib and imatinib resulted in enhanced impairment of cell viability in both imatinib-sensitive and -resistant GIST cell models, although apoptosis was mostly triggered in GIST-T1. Single-agent copanlisib inhibited GIST growth in vivo, and conjoined inhibition of PI3K and KIT was the most active therapeutic intervention in imatinib-sensitive GIST-T1 xenografts. IHC stain for cleaved-caspase 3 and phospho-S6 support a predominant antiproliferative effect of copanlisib in GIST. In conclusion, copanlisib has single-agent antitumor activity in GIST regardless KIT mutational status or sensitivity to imatinib. Effective KIT inhibition is necessary to achieve synergistic or additive effects with the combination of imatinib and any given PI3K/mTOR pathway inhibition.
Scale-dependent variations in the precision of larval fish abundance estimates: a study of Sebastes sp. on Flemish Cap

We test the assumptions of synopticity over a 6-d sampling period and homogeneity within a 40 times 40 km stratum by investigating the effect of sampling scale, or station spacing, on the precision (i.e., variance) of abundance estimates of larval redfish (Sebastes sp.). We contrast the results obtained for larval redfish with observations of scale-dependent variability in temperature, salinity, chlorophyll, and zooplankton, which have been shown to be interrelated in other systems. In contrast with previous studies, our results show that the patterns of variance in temperature, salinity, chlorophyll, and zooplankton are not scale dependent. Although the assumption of synopticity cannot be rejected, our results show that the variance in abundance of larval redfish is scale dependent and that it is much greater than the variances of the other variables considered. The contrasting pattern may be due to differences in the relative importance of physical and biological processes during the very early life his.
Research and empowerment: involving people with learning difficulties in oral and life history research

This paper takes as its central theme the argument that inclusive learning disability research has the potential to be empowering for the people who are involved in it. The author draws from two oral and life history research projects to explore the multiple uses of story‐telling and the multi‐layered picture of learning disability history that emerged. People with learning difficulties were involved in all stages of the research process, contributing their stories as oral and life historians but also co‐researching written records in a bid to know and understand more about their own and other people's past lives. The research enabled participants not only to tell their stories but also to reflect on them, to develop new insights into their meaning and to see them in a wider social and political context.
Remittances and development: the impact of migration to South Africa on rural livelihoods in southern Zimbabwe

The development potential of remittances has not received much policy attention in the migrants' countries of origin. The Homelink facility established by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe in May 2004 excludes undocumented migrants, who are unlikely to use formal channels to send their remittances back home, and studies on international migration from Zimbabwe to South Africa have neglected the role of remittances, especially from undocumented migrants. However, some countries have realised this potential and developed strategies to encourage the flow and investment of remittances, which can contribute significantly to poverty reduction and development. Without such regulations and policies, which require the collaboration of government, migrant groups, the local community, non-governmental organisations and other international organisations, migrant remittances will continue to be used mainly for consumption, with a very small proportion being invested in sustainable investment. 1Senior Lecturer and Chairman, Department of Sociology, University of Zimbabwe, Harare.
Comparison of clinical findings in 293 dogs with suspect acute pancreatitis: Different clinical presentation with left lobe, right lobe or diffuse involvement of the pancreas

Pancreatitis is a common clinical condition seen in companion animals. The correlation of the region of the pancreas affected to the presentation of clinical signs has not been previously described. A retrospective study on the clinical findings in 293 client-owned dogs diagnosed with suspect pancreatitis based on history, clinical signs, laboratory testing and abdominal ultrasonography was performed. Based on ultrasonography, dogs were divided into three groups: group 1: 41 dogs with ultrasonographic changes consistent with pancreatitis within the left lobe of the pancreas; group 2: 105 dogs with ultrasonographic changes compatible with pancreatitis within the right lobe of the pancreas; and group 3: 147 dogs with ultrasonographic evidence of diffuse pancreatitis. No significant differences regarding age, breed and sex were evident. Furthermore, statistical significance was demonstrated with the presence of pain in group 3; poor appetite in groups 2 and 3; and vomiting and diarrhoea in group 3. Pain is expected to occur with a higher frequency in diffuse pancreatitis, but it is not a common clinical sign. This may represent a more severe form of the disease when the pancreas is diffusely affected. Vomiting was more common than diarrhoea with both clinical signs more prevalent in dogs with diffuse pancreatitis, and this could be ascribed to gastric and intestinal tract involvement. Poor appetite occurred more frequently in dogs with diffuse and right lobe pancreatitis. A possible explanation can be attributed to the fact that the duodenum has many receptors and is referred to as the ‘organ of nausea’.
Self-Reported Eating Speed and Incidence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: the Japan Environment and Children’s Study

There is little evidence linking eating speed to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) incidence. We therefore aimed to evaluate the prospective association of eating speed with GDM incidence. Overall, 97,454 pregnant women were recruited between January 2011 and March 2014. Singleton pregnant women who did not have GDM, heart disease, stroke, cancer, type 1 diabetes, and/or type 2 diabetes at the time of study enrollment were eligible. Each woman was asked about her eating speed at that time via a questionnaire. Odds ratios of GDM in relation to eating speed were obtained using logistic regression. Among the 84,811 women eligible for analysis, 1902 cases of GDM were identified in medical records. Compared with women who reported slow eating speed, the age-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of GDM for women who reported medium, relatively fast, or very fast eating speed were 1.03 (0.90, 1.18), 1.07 (0.94, 1.23), and 1.28 (1.05, 1.58), respectively. Adjustment for demographic, lifestyle-related, and dietary factors including dietary fat, dietary fiber, and energy intakes yielded similar results. The association was attenuated and no longer significant after further adjustment for pre-pregnancy body mass index. The mediation analysis showed that being overweight accounted for 64% of the excess risk of GDM associated with eating speed. In conclusion, women who reported very fast eating speed, compared with those reporting slow eating speed, were associated with an increased incidence of GDM, which may be largely mediated by increased body fat.
Intergeneric hybridization between Hordeum and Secale (Poaceae). I. Crosses and development of hybrids

A total of 241 intergeneric combinations between Hordeum and Secale were attempted. It was only possible to obtain hybrid offspring from combinations with Hordeum as the female parent. By the aid of embryo culture technique 81 intergeneric combinations were synthesized, 72 of them not reported earlier. Generally hybridization with the polyploid species of Hordeum was most successful. Morphologically the hybrids were intermediate to the parents in most characters, though an obvious effect of genome dosage could be observed. Only few deviations from the expected chromosome numbers of the hybrids were found. All hybrid plants showed complete male sterility.
Recovery of acidified mountain lakes in Norway as predicted by the MAGIC model

As part of the EU project EMERGE the biogeochemical model MAGIC was used to reconstruct acidification history and predict future recovery for mountain lakes in two regions of Norway. Central Norway (19 lakes) receives low levels of acid deposition, most of the lakes have undergone only minor amounts of acidification, and all are predicted to recover in the future. Central Norway thus represents a reference area for more polluted regions in southern Norway and elsewhere in Europe. Southern Norway (23 lakes), on the other hand, receives higher levels of acid deposition, nearly all the studied lakes were acidified and had lost fish populations, and although some recovery has occurred during the period 1980-2000 and additional recovery is predicted for the next decades, the model simulations indicated that the majority of the lakes will not achieve water quality sufficient to support trout populations. Uncertainties in these predictions include possible future N saturation and the exacerbating effects of climate change. The mountain lakes of southern Norway are among the most sensitive in Europe. For southern Norway additional measures such as stricter controls of emissions of air pollutants will be required to obtain satisfactory water quality in the future.
Impact of Environment on the Spatio‐Temporal Distribution of Rotifers in the Tidal Guangzhou Segment of the Pearl River Estuary, China

Rotifers were studied at two sites (Zhongda and Huangpu) in the tidal Guangzhou segment of the Pearl River in China, from April 2004 to March 2007. Fifty-six species were recorded. Rotifers were most abundant during late fall. Overall, densities ranged from 4 to 5975 ind. L–1, with mean densities of 1627 ± 233 ind. L–1 at Zhongda and 1051 ± 147 ind. L–1 at Huangpu. There was a positive correlation between rotifer density and chlorophyll a concentration at both sites. At Huangpu, rotifer abundance was significantly negatively correlated with salinity. Analysis of partial correlations suggested that the fluvial hydrodynamics and the physico-chemical characteristics of the river affected chlorophyll and the development of rotifer populations was determined by chlorophyll in the lower reaches of Pearl River. The results also show that rotifer density estimates are significantly affected by sampling method. (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Event-Related Query Classification with Deep Neural Networks

Users tend to search over the Internet to get the most updated news when an event occurs. Search engines should then be capable of effectively retrieving relevant documents for event-related queries. As the previous studies have shown, different retrieval models are needed for different types of events. Therefore, the first step for improving effectiveness is identifying the event-related queries and determining their types. In this paper, we propose a novel model based on deep neural networks to classify event-related queries into four categories: periodic, aperiodic, one-time-only, and non-event. The proposed model combines recurrent neural networks (by feeding two LSTM layers with query frequencies) and visual recognition models (by transforming time-series data from a 1D signal to a 2D image - later passed to a CNN model) for effective query type estimation. Worth noting is that our method uses only the time-series data of query frequencies, without the need to resort to any external sources such as contextual data, which makes it language and domain-independent with regards to the query issued. For evaluation, we build upon the previous datasets on event-related queries to create a new dataset that fits the purpose of our experiments. The obtained results show that our proposed model can achieve an F1-score of 0.87.
Experimental reduction of incubation temperature affects both nestling and adult blue tits Cyanistes caeruleus

Incubation was for a long time considered to be a period of decreased activity and low cost for parents. It was therefore ignored as a potential factor affecting life-history trade-offs in birds. Lately this view has started to change, and studies now show that there might be considerable costs connected to incubation. We experimentally reduced the nest temperature during incubation in blue tits Cyanistes caeruleus, thus increasing the energetic cost of incubation, to test the importance of incubation as a component of reproductive costs and for nestling quality. While most other studies use brood size manipulation to manipulate reproductive costs, we were able to separate treatment effects acting during the incubation period from those acting on later reproductive performance by applying a cross-foster design. We were also able to isolate the effects of decreased incubation temperature on the nestlings from treatment effects acting on incubating females. We found no experimental effect on the length of the incubation period or on hatching success. The lower temperature during incubation, however, caused lower growth rates in nestlings and reduced chick rearing capacity in adults. We conclude that incubation is a costly period, with the potential to affect both the trade-off between current and future reproduction and the one between parental effort and offspring quality within the current breeding attempt.
The β‐amyloid protein of Alzheimer’s disease binds to membrane lipids but does not bind to the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor

Accumulation of the amyloid protein (Aβ) in the brain is an important step in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. However, the mechanism by which Aβ exerts its neurotoxic effect is largely unknown. It has been suggested that the peptide can bind to the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR). In this study, we examined the binding of Aβ1‐42 to endogenous and recombinantly expressed α7nAChRs. Aβ1‐42 did neither inhibit the specific binding of α7nAChR ligands to rat brain homogenate or slice preparations, nor did it influence the activity of α7nAChRs expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Similarly, Aβ1‐42 did not compete for α‐bungarotoxin‐binding sites on SH‐SY5Y cells stably expressing α7nAChRs. The effect of the Aβ1‐42 on tau phosphorylation was also examined. Although Aβ1‐42 altered tau phosphorylation in α7nAChR‐transfected SH‐SY5Y cells, the effect of the peptide was unrelated to α7nAChR expression or activity. Binding studies using surface plasmon resonance indicated that the majority of the Aβ bound to membrane lipid, rather than to a protein component. Fluorescence anisotropy experiments indicated that Aβ may disrupt membrane lipid structure or fluidity. We conclude that the effects of Aβ are unlikely to be mediated by direct binding to the α7nAChR. Instead, we speculate that Aβ may exert its effects by altering the packing of lipids within the plasma membrane, which could, in turn, influence the function of a variety of receptors and channels on the cell surface.
Studies on Storage and Ageing of Leaf Tobacco

Changes in the content of amino acid-sugar compounds with natural ageing of flue-cured leaf tobaccos were followed during a period of four years. The content of 1-deoxy-1-prolino-fructose, the most prominent component of the amino acid-sugar compounds in the tobacco, increased in the initial period of the storage and then turned to decreasing. Most of the other amino acid-sugar compounds also showed similar changes in content except for glutamine-fructose compound which only decreased throughout the storage period. These changes indicated the possible progress of Maillard type reactions during natural ageing of leaf tobaccos.