Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Testing Unified Growth Theory: Technological Progress and the Child Quantity–Quality Trade-off

A core mechanism of unified growth theory is that accelerating technological progress induces mass education and, through interaction with child quantity‐quality substitution, a decline in fertility. Using unique new data for 21 OECD countries over the period 1750–2000, we test, for the first time, the validity of this core mechanism of unified growth theory. We measure a country's technological progress as patents per capita, R&D intensity, and investment in machinery, equipment, and intellectual property products. While controlling for confounders, such as income growth, mortality, and the gender wage gap, we establish (1) a significant impact of technological progress on education (positive) and fertility (negative); (2) that accelerating technological progress stimulated the fertility transition; and (3) that the baseline results are supported in 2SLS regressions using genetic‐distance weighted foreign patent‐intensity, compulsory schooling years, and minimum working age as instruments.
Integrative pinpointing of clupeids from the S-West Atlantic Ocean

In the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean, several described species of Clupeiforms overlap their geographical distribution in the coastal areas from Rio Grande do Sul (Southern Brazil) to Bahía Blanca (Argentina) and the Río de la Plata estuary. Larvae and juveniles of the SW Atlantic menhaden Brevoortia aurea are very difficult to discriminate from those of other clupeids belonging to the genera Platanichthys and Ramnogaster inhabiting the same environments. Here we implemented phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences and morphometric and osteological studies to achieve unambiguous species recognition in different ontogenetic stages of six endemic species of Clupeiformes from the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean. All phylogenetic analyses based on the cytochrome b gene yielded a robust support to the existence of highly structured and monophyletic groups conforming clupeiforms taxa. These monophyletic entities were consistent with major groups accessed through the first two principal components (PCs) from morphometric variation among taxa. Both approaches resulted in accurated and complementary tools for the individual assignment in clades and groups within Clupeiformes during different ontogenetic stages in their life cycle. The detection of species-specific spawning and nursery areas through accurated methodological approaches of identification constitute a prerequisite for a sustainable management in pelagic fisheries.
A Three-Level Approach to Texture Mapping and Synthesis on 3D Surfaces

We present a method for example-based texturing of triangular 3D meshes. Our algorithm maps a small 2D texture sample onto objects of arbitrary size in a seamless fashion, with no visible repetitions and low overall distortion. It requires minimal user interaction and can be applied to complex, multi-layered input materials that are not required to be tileable. Our framework integrates a patch-based approach with per-pixel compositing. To minimize visual artifacts, we run a three-level optimization that starts with a rigid alignment of texture patches (macro scale), then continues with non-rigid adjustments (meso scale) and finally performs pixel-level texture blending (micro scale). We demonstrate that the relevance of the three levels depends on the texture content and type (stochastic, structured, or anisotropic textures).
Copulatory courtship and genital mechanics of three species of Macrodactylus (Coleoptera Scarabaeidae Melolonthinae)

Female Macrodactylus costulatus, sericinus, and sylphis mated repeatedly while feeding on flowers and fruits as they matured eggs. Courtship in all species occurred both prior to and following intromission, with most courtship being performed after the male had achieved intromission. Females often prevented males from mounting, and often prevented mounted males from achieving intromission. They also probably often prevented male genitalia from penetrating past the vulva, even after they had allowed them into the genital chamber. Males at least sometimes pushed forcefully at structures both on the surface of the female and within her reproductive tract. Copulation probably involved a combination of force and persuasion. It often failed to result in complete transfer of sperm. Males displayed striking virtuosity in both the morphology and behavior of their genitalia, which assumed at least four different morphological configurations. At least five and perhaps up to eight different functions were performed b.
LOW TEMPERATURE ANTIGEN RESTORATION OF STEROID HORMONE RECEPTOR PROTEINS IN ROUTINE PARAFFIN SECTIONS

AbstractThe most widely used non-enzymatic method for unmasking antigens prior to immunohistochemical staining is based on immersion of deparaffinized paraffin sections in citrate buffer and exposure to high temperature heating (100°C) with a microwave. In our experience, the benefits of this technique as applied to cytoplasmic proteins does not routinely translate to the nuclear estrogen and progesterone receptor (ER and PgR) proteins. The lifting or loss of portions of a breast biopsy section can seriously interfere with efficient scoring of invasive tumor cells. The use of low temperature restoration (80°C) in citrate buffer using a water bath avoids problems of tissue disruption and generally restores the immunoreactivity of ER and PgR proteins in a more uniform fashion than does the microwave approach. (The J Histotechnol 20:155, 1997)
Seasonal diet changes of the forest hog (Hylochoerus meinertzhageni Thomas) based on the carbon isotopic composition of hair

The stable carbon and nitrogen isotope composition of forest hog hair is used to estimate seasonal diet changes in forest hogs from Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda. This detailed record of diet shows that the forest hogs on Mweya Peninsula consume up to 20% grass at the beginning of the rainy season, and very little grass during the rest of the year. Correlation of isotope patterns between individuals from the same sounder show that a single animal records the group behaviour.
How do nutrients and warming impact on plant communities and their insect herbivores? A 9‐year study from a sub‐Arctic heath

1 Responses of a Scandinavian sub‐Arctic dwarf shrub heath community to 9 years of nutrient and temperature treatments were examined. Our objective was to assess the responses of plant and insect herbivore communities to these treatments, and to determine how vegetation responses scale‐up to those of a second trophic group. 2 There were strong effects of nutrient addition on the above‐ground biomass of both dominant (dwarf shrubs) and subordinate (grasses and mosses) plant functional groups, with responses by the latter being of greater magnitude. Responses to temperature were less frequent and of a smaller magnitude. 3 There were marked changes in the abundance of insect herbivores in response to the treatments. Changes in the above‐ground biomass of subordinate plant species had a greater impact on the composition of the insect herbivore community than the smaller responses of dominant dwarf shrubs. For example, the abundance of a moss‐feeding Heteropteran in fertilized plots was as little as 6% that of controls, while Homoptera specializing on grasses were over 400% more abundant. In addition, gramnivorous taxa (the Delphacidae) were present only in those plots that received nutrients. 4 Despite some species‐specific effects of the perturbations on the quality of dwarf shrub annual shoots (defined as the concentrations of nitrogen and phenolic compounds), little change in leaf herbivory was observed. Insect herbivores removed less than 1% of annual biomass from dominant dwarf shrub species. 5 It is proposed that insect community change was driven by subordinate plant groups and not by the dominant dwarf shrub species, suggesting a wider importance of subordinate species for community structure.
Host Perception of Heritage Tourism Impact with Special Reference to the City of Jaipur

The impact of tourism on the society is a complex and varied subject. There are many different kinds of tourists and a great variety of host societies as well. The present paper will focus on the community perceptions of the economic and socio-cultural impacts of heritage tourism in particular and examine the extent to which they coincide with the tourism impact literature. The paper uses Jaipur as an example to illustrate the multifarious impact of tourism. Qualitative data obtained from questionnaire cum schedule and interviews are the main sources of input for analysis. The residents perceived tourism development from both positive as well as negative perspectives. However, the dominant view reaffirms that Jaipur represents an optimistic side of tourism.
Genetic diversity and population structure of red spruce (Picea rubens)

Allozyme variation at 36 loci was estimated for 19 populations of red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) from throughout its natural range. Average estimates of polymorphic loci (95% criterion), effective number of alleles per locus, and observed and expected heterozygosities are 23%, 1.13, 7.47%, and 7.89%, respectively. Mean genetic distance among populations is 0.007, and 93% of the genetic diversity resides within red spruce populations. Comparisons with other species indicate that red spruce is less genetically variable than most other north-temperate woody plant species. Observed heterozygosity varied significantly among geographic regions, with northern cool-temperate populations having the highest mean observed heterozygosity, followed by central montane populations, then southern isolated populations with the lowest observed heterozygosity. Regional differences in genetic variability could be due to several factors, including migration from different glacial refugia, introgression of red spruce with mor.
Effect of queen number on the production of sexuals in natural populations of the fire ant, Solenopsis invicta

ABSTRACT. To determine whether the production of sexuals in the fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, is related to queen number in the field, the numbers of sexuals in monogyne (M) and polygyne (P) colonies of this species were compared. Large colonies (n=25 M and 25 P) were collected at random during spring, summer and fall when sexuals are actively produced, and the numbers of sexuals present were counted. The numbers of alates plus sexual pupae and larvae in M colonies far exceeded those in P colonies in each season. Significant differences between M and P colonies were also found when the numbers of alates and sexual immatures (pupae + larvae) were compared separately in each season. In addition, M colonies contained significantly more female sexuals (alates + pupae) than did P colonies in the summer and fall, and significantly more males in all three seasons. The negative relationship between queen number and number of sexuals provides evidence that queen control over the production of sexuals, previously established in laboratory experiments, also occurs under natural conditions.
Compatibility of Metarhizium anisopliae isolate ICIPE 69 with agrochemicals used in French bean production

The compatibility of the Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin isolate ICIPE 69, which is being developed as a biopesticide for the control of Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande, was assessed under laboratory conditions with 12 agrochemicals including 5 insecticides (thiamethoxam, L-cyhalothrin, imidacloprid, chlorpyrifos, diazinon), 1botanical insecticide (azadirachtin), 2 acaricides (abamectin, spiromesifen), and 3 fungicides (carbendazim, copper hydroxide, probineb) used in French bean production. The insecticides abamectin and imidacloprid were highly compatible with M. anisopliae; thiamethoxam was compatible, whereas azadirachtin and L-cyahalothrin were toxic to the fungus, adversely affecting vegetative growth and sporulation. The acaricide spiromesifen was moderately toxic, while the fungicides carbendazim, probineb, and copper-hydroxide were very toxic to the fungus. The combination of the M. anisopliae isolate ICIPE 69 with imidacloprid or thiamethoxam did not result in any synergistic or antagonistic effects to larvae of F. occidentalis. However, the combination of lower concentrations of the fungus with thiamethoxam resulted in a shorter lethal time (LT50) compared with individual treatments. Our results suggest that application of the fungus with agrochemicals has to be assessed carefully prior to any field intervention.
Alternative Kind of Hydrogen Atoms as a Possible Explanation of the Latest Puzzling Observation of the 21 cm Radio Line from the Early Universe

There is a puzzling astrophysical result concerning the latest observation of the absorption profile of the redshifted radio line 21 cm from the early Universe (Bowman et al, 2018, Nature, 555, 67). The amplitude of the profile was more than a factor of two greater than the largest predictions. This could mean that the primordial hydrogen gas was much cooler than expected. Some explanations in the literature suggested a possible cooling of baryons either by unspecified dark matter particles or by some exotic dark matter particles of the charge of the million times smaller than the electron charge. Other explanations required an additional radio background. In the present paper we entertain a possible different explanation of the above puzzling observational result: the explanation based on the alternative kind of hydrogen atoms (AKHA), whose existence was previously proven theoretically, as well as by the analysis of atomic experiments. Namely, the AKHA are expected to decouple from the cosmic microwave background (CMB) much earlier (in the course of the Universe expansion) than usual hydrogen atoms, so that the AKHA temperature is significantly lower than for usual hydrogen atoms. This seems to lower the excitation (spin) temperature of the hyperfine doublet (responsible for the line 21 cm) sufficiently enough for explaining the above puzzling observational result. This possible explanation appears to be more specific and natural than the previous possible explanations. Further observational studies of the redshifted 21 cm radio line from the early Universe could help to find out which explanation is the most relevant.
Barrier and tensile properties of transglutaminase cross-linked gelatin films as affected by relative humidity, temperature, and glycerol content

Gelatin films were prepared by enzymatic cross-linking with transglutaminase, and their mechanical and barrier properties were evaluated as functions of relative humidity (RH, 30 to 75%), temperature (15 to 35°C) and glycerol content (15 to 31%). Water and glycerol plasticized the films synergistically, resulting in greater elongation but lower tensile strength values. Films with higher glycerol contents exhibited higher moisture contents, indicating higher hydrophilicity of the films. Permeabilities of oxygen and allyl isothiocyanate (an antimicrobial vapor from Cruciferae plants) were low when the films were dry, but increased considerably when RH>50%. Therefore, RH conditions during end-use applications must be considered to optimize the performance of these films.
Breeding patterns and habitat use in the endemic Curl-crested Jay of central Brazil

Abstract Little is known about the life history and reproduction of the Curl-crested Jay (Cyanocorax cristatellus), despite its conspicuousness and endemic status, being restricted primarily to the central Cerrado biome of Brazil. From May 1999 to December 2000, we examined the sizes of home ranges and foraging and reproductive patterns in this species. Average group size was approximately 10 individuals, with average home ranges of 172 ha; during the reproductive period individuals in the group tended to stay within approximately 29 ha of active nests. These jays are dietary generalists, while the diversity of substrates and capture techniques employed showed high flexibility in resource utilization. The reproductive period was from September to March, and groups produced average clutch sizes of 5.7 eggs, but only 35% of these hatched and only 25% of the nests produced at least one fledgling. Predation was the chief cause of nesting failure, accounting for 63% of nest loss. The occurrence of large groups year-round with several individuals providing parental care and evidence of just one female laying eggs suggest that the Curl-crested Jay is a cooperative breeder with a high degree of sociality. However, further study is necessary to exclude the possibility that more than one female is laying eggs in a single nest.
A comparison of two membrane‐systems for the in vitro blood‐feeding of Simulium damnosum Theobald s. 1. (Dipt., Simuliidae) 1

A portable membrane‐feeder (PMF) was compared with a multiple membrane‐feeder (MMF) for blood‐feeding both wild‐caught and laboratory‐emerged females of S. damnosum s. l. Wildcaught females fed best on the MMF with 27.9 % feeding through a thin silicone membrane and 26.7 % through a baudruche membrane. When the same type of blood was offered in the PMF (which was tested facing up and down) feeding rates were significantly lower: 15.9 % for the thin silicone membrane and 15.1 % for the baudruche membrane; p < 0.01). When a thin silicone membrane was used with laboratory‐emerged flies, 31.5 % fed on the MMF but only 3.5 % on the PMF. Using the baudruche membrane, the PMF was best with 28.2 % fed compared with 16.5 % for the MMF, but the difference was not significant (p > 0.05). Facing the PMF up or down did not affect the results. With both apparatuses results were inconsistent and many flies fed only partially but possibilities for improvement are discussed.
Penetrance of Colorectal Cancer Among Mismatch Repair Gene Mutation Carriers: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract Background Lynch syndrome, the most common colorectal cancer (CRC) syndrome, is caused by germline mismatch repair (MMR) genes. Precise estimates of age-specific risks are crucial for sound counseling of individuals managing a genetic predisposition to cancer, but published risk estimates vary. The objective of this work is to provide gene-, sex-, and age-specific risk estimates of CRC for MMR mutation carriers that comprehensively reflect the best available data. Methods We conducted a meta-analysis to combine risk information from multiple studies on Lynch syndrome–associated CRC. We used a likelihood-based approach to integrate reported measures of CRC risk and deconvolved aggregated information to estimate gene- and sex-specific risk. Results Our comprehensive search identified 10 studies (8 on MLH1, 9 on MSH2, and 3 on MSH6). We estimated the cumulative risk of CRC by age and sex in heterozygous mutation carriers. At age 70 years, for male and female carriers, respectively, risks for MLH1 were 43.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 39.6% to 46.6%) and 37.3% (95% CI = 32.2% to 40.2%), for MSH2 were 53.9% (95% CI = 49.0% to 56.3%) and 38.6% (95% CI = 34.1% to 42.0%), and for MSH6 were 12.0% (95% CI = 2.4% to 24.6%) and 12.3% (95% CI = 3.5% to 23.2%). Conclusions Our results provide up-to-date and comprehensive age-specific CRC risk estimates for counseling and risk prediction tools. These will have a direct clinical impact by improving prevention and management strategies for both individuals who are MMR mutation carriers and those considering testing.
Spatial and temporal spread of soybean stem canker from an inoculum point source.

Incidence and severity of stem canker arising from inoculum point sources of Diaporthe phaseolorum var. caulivora was quantified on resistant (Bay), intermediate (DPL105, W550) and susceptible (Bedford) soybean cultivars in the field during 1986 and 1987. Disease progress was described by the Weibull model. The shape parameter (c) of the model was equal to the idealized c value of a monocyclic disease for Bedford (.)
Validation of age readings from otoliths of juvenile roundnose grenadier, Coryphaenoides rupestris, a deep‐water macrourid fish

Validation of the ageing of deep-water fish is difficult and there are only a few instances where the rings on the otoliths have been shown to be laid down annually. Roundnose grenadier have been fished commercially in the North Atlantic since the 1960s and the adult fish have frequently been aged by counting the rings in otoliths or scales. All the ageing was done on the assumption that the rings in the otoliths or scales were annual. Between 1975 and 1992, the Scottish Association for Marine Science carried out seasonal trawling surveys in the Rockall Trough using a fine-meshed trawl, and collected otoliths from a wide size range of roundnose grenadier. An examination of the growing edge of otoliths from juvenile fish from these collections suggests that the rings in the otoliths are laid down annually. The broader, opaque zones which represent the growth phase were dominant between September and March. The thinner, hyaline zones were dominant between April and July. The apparent delay in the growth phase compared with most shallow-water species is discussed in relation to the availability of mesopelagic prey.
Nutritive properties of freshly prepared and stored evaporated milks manufactured by a normal commercial procedure or by reduced thermal processes in the presence of nisin

Summary From a batch of raw milk, evaporated milk was prepared commercially by 3 procedures: A, a normal commercial procedure involving holding the filled cans at a maximum temperature of 113 °C for 15 min; B, with nisin added and holding at a maximum temperature of 105 °C for 15 min; C, with nisin added and holding at a maximum temperature of 113 °C for 3 min. The content of B vitamins in the raw and evaporated milks was measured microbiologically; the nutritive value of the proteins was determined in rat tests. In milk A, 83% of the vitamin B12, 38% of the vitamin B6 and 20% of the thiamine were destroyed during processing. In milk B, the losses were 67, 30 and 19%, respectively, only the loss of vitamin B12 being significantly lower than in milk A. In milk C, the losses were 67, 23 and 14%, respectively, each of them being significantly lower than in milk A. There was no further loss of thiamine on storage of the milks for 12 months at 4 °C, but at room temperature and at 37 °C further losses occurred in all the milks. Similarly, the vitamin B6 activity of the milks decreased on storage, the loss being greatest at 37 °C, but also detectable at 4 °C. No change in the vitamin B12 content occurred on storage, and no losses of biotin, nicotinic acid, pantothenic acid or riboflavin were detected during manufacture or storage of the evaporated milks. The biological value and true digestibility of the proteins of the evaporated milks were slightly lower than for the raw milk. Neither nisin treatment nor storage at room temperature for a year affected these characteristics.