Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biophysical modelling of rat cardiac electrophysiology and calcium handling

The primary purpose of the heart is to act as a regular, rhythmic pump in order to maintain the circulation of blood throughout the body. This mechanical activity is driven by electrical activity at the cell-level, through the intricate processes comprising excitationcontraction coupling. Disruption to these processes can result in rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias), which are potentially fatal, but the underlying mechanisms are complex, dynamic and multi-scale. Thus, they are difficult to experimentally dissect, and have been a major focus in the field of computational biology. Detailed quantitative descriptions of cardiac electrophysiology have been developed over the past 60 years that allow the simulation of healthy and pathophysiological excitation, permitting detailed computational investigation of the complex processes that result in pro-arrhythmic behaviour. However, despite the rat being the most widely used animal model in cardiovascular research, existing computational models of rat ventricular electrophysiology are unable to account for stochastic subcellular calcium dynamics, which are known to trigger arrhythmias. The aims of this thesis were to: (i) develop a new computational model of rat ventricular electrophysiology including stochastic spatio-temporal calcium cycling dynamics; and (ii) use this model to explore how ion channel remodelling observed in heart failure results in pro-arrhythmic activity at the single cell level, and the mechanisms underlying the unique restitution characteristics of the rat ventricular action potential. A recent rat ventricular electrophysiology model was coupled to a stochastic, spatiotemporal calcium cycling model. The new model reproduced various experimental action potential and calcium handling dynamics from the literature for rat ventricular myocytes, and revealed that electrical remodelling in heart failure increases the propensity for spontaneous calcium release events and lowers the threshold for generation of delayed afterdepolarisations, both of which are pro-arrhythmic. In addition, the restitution properties of rat ventricular myocytes are the result of a complex balance between altered repolarising potassium current kinetics and calcium handling properties, including the sodium-calcium exchanger. The model developed in this thesis has provided insight into pro-arrhythmic and ratedependent phenomena in rat ventricular myocytes, and is suitable for future single cell and tissue simulations.
Genesis of the Hymenoptera and the phases of their evolution

1 Introduction. - 2 Genesis of the Hymenoptera. - Palaeontological and comparative morphological data. Hypotheses on the origin of the Hymenoptera. - The archaic terrestrial phase. - 3 Genesis of the Lower Hymenoptera (Phytophaga). - The transition from saprophytic feeding to phytophagy. The exophytic cephoid phase. Modern relicts. - The endophytic cephoid phase. The transition from feeding on normal plant tissues to feeding on galls. - 4 Genesis of the Terebrantia. - The problem of the origin of the first carnivorous Hymenoptera. - Hypotheses on the origin of the Terebrantia. - The transition from phytophagy to zoophagy and the genesis of the Terebrantia. - The archaic inquilinoid phase. - The predatory oophagous (ectoophagous) phase. - The parasitic oophagous (endoophagous) phase. - The secondary phytophagous (phytoophagous) phase. - The delayed parasitic (metaparasitic) phase. - The intermediate parasitic (planidial) phase. - The hypermetamorphic parasitic phase. - The polyembryonic parasitic phase. - The passive parasitic (trigonaloid) phase. - The direct parasitic (orthoparasitic) phase. - The imaginai parasitic phase. - 5 Genesis of the Wasps (Vespiformia s. lat.). - The problem of the origin of the wasps. - Elements of wasp life in the Terebrantia. - The wasp-like (bethyloid) phase page. - The primary wasp (pompiloid) phase. - The secondary wasp (sphecoid) phase. - The third wasp (crabronoid) phase. - The fourth wasp (bembicoid) phase. - The fifth wasp (moneduloid) phase. - The neo-wasp (vespoid) phase. - The hypotheses of Bouvier and his followers on the origin of the instincts of wasps. - 6 Genesis of the Ants (Formicoidea). - Hypotheses on the origin of the ants. The problem. - The predatory semi-familial phase. - The ectoparasitic semi-familial phase. - The familial ectoparasitic (hemiformicoid) phase. - The primary ant (proformicoid) phase. - The secondary ant (formicoid) phase. - 7 Genesis of the Bees (Apoidea). - Hypotheses on the origin of the bees. The problem. - The bee-like phase in the vespoid wasps. - The primary bee phase of vespoid type. - The secondary bee phase of vespoid type. - Evolution of the sphecoid wasps and the problem of the genesis of the true bees. - The primary bee phase of sphecoid type and its genesis. - Index of Authors. - Index of Latin Names.
Financial Influences and Mental Health: An Exploratory Study

Mental health plays an important role for individuals to have an adequate level of sanity in thinking and making decision. Thus, individuals with mental health problems will be easily disturbed and emotionally weak in coping up with daily issues related to money. While reports have shown the important roles of social support to the society during economic crisis, how a person copes with the changes and their influence to the mental health in Malaysia still requires a better understanding. Therefore, built on the justice theory, the study attempts to examine the roles of financial stress, financial behaviour and financial wellbeing in explaining for one’s ability to be mentally healthy. A total of 423 usable data gathered from working adults were analysed for both the measurement and structural models. The findings indicate significant relationships between the financial stress, wellbeing and behaviour towards mental health. Thus, it could be concluded financial stress, financial behaviour and financial wellbeing are important in determining one’s ability to be able to cope with financial challenges.
Evaluation of blood tests to assess the health status of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) of the German North Sea

Four different blood tests were applied on harbor seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina): differential hemogram, phagocytosis, respiratory burst and serum protein electrophoresis. Results of this thesis provide reference values not previously described for the applied assays for three different harbor seal groups (free-ranging, rehabilitated, and captive). High sample sizes allowed further sub-divisions of the seal groups for most values and additional differences between these sub-groups could be analyzed. The different assays applied in this thesis proved to complement one another. They demonstrated that the differential hemogram is an important tool to gain a broad overview of the health status of the animals. Results of the phagocytosis and respiratory burst test are more sensitive and show deviant behavior of the immune system earlier than the differential hemogram might do. The serum protein electrophoresis looks from the humoral side onto the immune defense.
Mexican Spotted Owl Home Range and Habitat Use in Pine-Oak Forest: Implications for Forest Management

To better understand the habitat relationships of the Mexican spotted owl (Strix occidentalis lucida), and how such relationships might influence forest management, we studied home-range and habitat use of radio-marked owls in ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)-Gambel oak (Quercus gambeli~) forest. Annual home-range size (95% adaptive-kernel estimate) averaged 895 ha * 70 (SE) for 1 2 individuals and 997 ha + 186 (SE) for 7 pairs of owls. On average, the 75% adaptive-kernel contour (a probability contour containing 75% of the owl locations) included 32 and 30% of the annual home range for individuals and pairs, respectively, suggesting high concentration of activity in a relatively small portion ofthe home range. Relative area of three covertypes (ponderosa pine forest, pineaak forest, and meadow) did not differ between seasonal ranges, and owls used these covertypes in proportion to their relative area during both breeding and nonbreeding seasons. In contrast, relative area of four canopycover classes varied between seasons. Breeding-season ranges contained greater proportions of areas with canopy cover 2 60% and lower proportions of areas with 20-39% canopy cover than nonbreeding-season ranges. Owls roosted and foraged in stands with 1 6 0 % canopy cover more than expected during both breeding and nonbreeding seasons, and used stands with 20-39% canopy cover less than expected except for foraging during the breeding season. Stands used for foraging did not differ in structure between seasons and had greater canopy cover and less rock cover than stands with no documented use. Stands used for roosting differed between seasons in a multivariate comparison, but no individual habitat variables differed between seasons in subsequent univariate comparisons. In both seasons, stands used for roosting had greater canopy cover than stands with no roosting use. Closedcanopy forests, which were used heavily by owls, were relatively rare on the study area, suggesting that such forests warrant special protection in areas managed for spotted owls. This may conflict with efforts to restore more open conditions in ponderosa pine forests. FOR. SCI. 45(1):127-135. Additional
A Case of Early Adopters of Technology in a Social Studies Classroom

Integrating unfamiliar technology in the classroom often requires ample technological resources and professional development. However, these resources are often not available. This case study of qualitative data combined with pretest or posttest student data illustrates how one pair of coteachers autonomously planned for and implemented a digital tool for persuasive writing into their fourthand fifth-grade classrooms without external supports. Findings revealed the decisions teachers made to integrate the tool into their social studies curriculum and what influenced those decisions, implementation, and student outcomes. Within the context of this case study, the authors provide suggestions for teachers to improve student learning when integrating technology in the classroom. Future research is also discussed.
POST HARVEST STORAGE OF BIOFORTIFIED MAIZE IN PURDUE IMPROVED CROP STORAGE (PICS) BAGS AND EFFECT ON SUBSEQUENT FLOUR RHEOLOGY AND CAROTENOID BIOACCESSIBILITY

Successful adoption of biofortified orange maize in developing countries requires careful consideration of factors across the chain from farm to fork. This includes consideration of post-harvest storage conditions optimal for the retention of both proviatamin A carotenoids and cooking quality critical to consumers. In these considerations, identification of economical storage methods is critical considering the limitations within specific countries that biofortified maize is being disseminated. To address these points, this dissertation research focused on evaluation of the utility of the Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags as a post-harvest storage solution for biofortified maize. The specific focus of this research was to monitor retention of provitamin A and other carotenoids in two biofortified maize genotypes (OPVI and OPVII) as well as storage effect on flour functionality. Finally, a preliminary assessment of the impacts of storage on carotenoid bioaccessibility was completed to begin to translate findings to practice.Maize grain from 2016 harvest was stored at ambient conditions for eight months in either PICS bags with or without an O2 scavenger, (PICS-oxy) and (PICS-noxy), respectively and compared to storage in common polypropylene woven bags (control). After 4 months of storage carotenoid content was significantly higher (p
Beating Random Test Case Prioritization

Existing test case prioritization (TCP) techniques have limitations when applied to real-world projects, because these techniques require certain information to be made available before they can be applied. For example, the family of input-based TCP techniques are based on test case values or test script strings; other techniques use test coverage, test history, program structure, or requirements information. Existing techniques also cannot guarantee to always be more effective than random prioritization (RP) that does not have any precondition. As a result, RP remains the most applicable and most fundamental TCP technique. This article proposes an extremely simple, effective, and efficient way to prioritize test cases through the introduction of a dispersity metric. Our technique is as applicable as RP. We conduct empirical studies using 43 different versions of 15 real-world projects. Empirical results show that our technique is more effective than RP. Our algorithm has a linear computational complexity and, therefore, provides a practical solution to the problem of prioritizing very large test suites (such as those containing hundreds of thousands, or millions, of test cases), where the execution time of conventional nonlinear prioritization algorithms can be prohibitive. Our technique also provides a practical solution to TCP when neither input-based nor execution-based techniques are applicable due to lack of information.
Using feather corticosterone to assess the effects of non-breeding season conditions on breeding of Atlantic puffins (Fratercula arctica) and rhinoceros auklets (Cerorhinica monocerata)

In order to fully understand factors that affect animals during distinct parts of their annual cycle, it is important to consider that processes acting in one season may carry over to influence an individual’s success in the following season. Measuring conditions over multiple seasons and life history stages allows carry over effects to be identified and places an individual's current condition into a broader context. Corticosterone levels measured in blood reflect hypothalmic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) activity in birds in response to challenges that threaten homeostasis. Circulating corticosterone is integrated into growing feathers and can provide physiological information about birds during times when they are unavailable for blood sampling. Here, we used a commercially-available enzyme immunoassay kit to measure corticosterone in alcid feathers, demonstrated the benefits of acetonitrile/hexane purification of samples, and showed that blood and feather corticosterone are biologically-meaningful, albeit non-identical, measures. We used our enzyme-immunoassay and purification method in tandem with stable isotope analysis to measure corticosterone and stable isotopes in feathers and blood collected from rhinoceros auklets Cerorhinca monocerata nesting on three widely-dispersed colonies during years with different oceanographic conditions. We found that individuals from different colonies could be distinguished by their δ15N and δ13C stable isotope values during, but not prior to the breeding season, and that corticosterone levels were consistent with this pattern. Furthermore, we found that rhinoceros auklets had significantly lower corticosterone levels in a year and on a colony assumed to have less favourable feeding conditions, which is opposite to results for other taxa. In a relative of the rhinoceros auklet, the Atlantic puffin Fratercula arctica, we found that egg mass increased in relation to female corticosterone and δ15N values in feathers grown in the months prior to breeding, indicating that physiological state of females prior to the breeding season can influence egg mass. In contrast, we found that pre-breeding corticosterone and δ15N values of rhinoceros auklet females were not correlated with egg mass or egg protein levels (pilot study). Overall our results support our hypotheses that corticosterone levels vary with environmental conditions and that differences in corticosterone levels during pre-breeding correlate with egg size in the subsequent season (breeding). However, our results also indicate that interpreting these relationships requires careful consideration of ecological and physiological characteristics of the individual or taxa in question.
REPAIR OF THE PROBOSCIS OF BRUSH-FOOTED BUTTERFLIES (LEPIDOPTERA: NYMPHALIDAE)

A key feature of the order Lepidoptera is the coilable proboscis, present in over 99% of lepidopteran species. The proboscis is used to obtain liquid nutrition, usually floral nectar. The proboscis is assembled from two elongate galeae immediately after emergence of the adult from the pupa. What happens if the galeae become separated? I studied the process of repair of the proboscis, behaviorally and functionally, at the organismal level. My research questions were as follows: 1) is the proboscis capable of repair, 2) is saliva necessary to proboscis repair, and 3) is the repaired proboscis able to acquire fluids? Test organisms were Danaus plexippus (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Danainae) and Vanessa cardui (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Nymphalinae). To assess repair capability, at 24 hours after eclosion the galeae were separated totally and compared to control specimens without galeal separation. Both species were able to accomplish repair of the proboscis, with 10–100% achieving reunion of the galeae and recovery of the coiled resting state. The role of saliva in repair of the proboscis was tested for D. plexippus, with the hypothesis that removal of saliva would impede repair. Three groups were compared: 1) the proboscis was manipulated with a capillary tube to remove saliva for five minutes, 2) the proboscis was similarly manipulated for five minutes but no saliva was removed, and 3) the proboscis was not manipulated and no saliva was removed. Both manipulated groups were similarly impeded, indicating that manipulation impeded repair, rather than removal of saliva. To test functionality of the repaired proboscises, at 24–48 hours after separation of the galeae all butterflies were offered dyed sucrose-water, with the hypothesis that the repaired
A Clinical and Mycological Investigation on Tinea versicolor

This investigation was undertaken to establish more accurately the clinical features of the desease as seen in Korea, and to investigate susceptibility factors and to study the ecology of P. orbiculare in this condition. All of 50 new patients with Tinea versicolor attending the Ewha University Hospital, during a period of 6 months were studied personally. 1. Clinical feature: The sex ratio of the whole series was 32 males to 18 females. Twenty of 50 patients (40%) were between the age of 20 to 29 years. The duration of disease was more than 4 months in 37 of 50 patients (74%). The cases of first onset in June, July and August were 33 of 50 patients (66%). Whereas, the developed in December, January and February were only 3 of 50 patients (6%). Seasonal fluctuation was remarkable in 16 of 25 patients (66.7%) who had the duration of more than 1 year. The course of disease was rapid in 33 of 50 patients (66%) and slow in 9 of 50 patients (18%). Thirty-three of 50 patients (66%) had not any subjective symptoms. Thirteen patients (26%) had mild itching sensation and 4 patients (8%) had severe itching. The frequency of the first affected were neck (27.4%), axilla (19.2%) anterior chest (15.0%) and groin (11.0%). 7) Hyperpigmented lesions were observed in 35 of 50 patients (70%) and hypopigmented lesions were observed in 11 of 50 patients (22%). Skin lesions were noticed mainly in the anterior chest, neck, back and axilla, and more severe in the anterior chest, back and abdomen than other areas. Tinea versicolor was particularly prevalent in those persons who had occupations of mental work and who perspired every day or every 2 or 3 days. A positive family history of Tinea versicolor was obtained in 7 of 50 patients (14%). Fourteen of 50 patients (28%) had association with superficial fungal infections. 2. Mycological features: Typical appearance of M. furfur was observed in all scrapings from 25 lesions and only 3 scrapings from 20 clinically skin of the patients. P. orbiculare was seen on direct examination of scrapings from 24 of 25 skin lesions, from 19 of 20. clinically normal skin of patients and from 18 of 29 control normal skin. The quantity of P. orbiculare was greater in skin lesions and clinically normal skin area than in control normal skin surfaces.
Maternal and perinatal outcome in pregnancy beyond expected date of delivery

Aim: To assess the maternal and perinatal outcome in pregnancy beyond EDD up to 42 weeks and to assess incidence of intervention, instrumental or operative delivery. Instrumentation intervention or operative intervention. Methods. The study consisting of 100 cases of pregnancy between 40-41 weeks and 100 cases of pregnancy 41-42 weeks of gestation design as a group I and group II. Results It was seen that 20% of the cases and 08% of cases underwent spontaneous labour in group I & II, 16% & 20% cases underwent induced labour type of labour significantly associated with gestation age. 64% of the cases underwent LSCS compare to the 78% of the cases underwent LSCS in group II. MSL present 17% and 22% in group I and group II respectively. MAS present in 17.64% and 31.87% in group I and group II respectively. Birth asphyxia present 5.88% and 9.09% in group I and group II respectively. Fetal distress 6% and 7% group I and group II respectively. NICU admission 17.64% and 13.8% in group I and group II respectively. Birth weight more than 2.5kg in 32 cases and 65 cases in group I & II. Prolonged pregnancy associated with primigravida 60% in group I and 56% in group II. Macrosomia found 5% in group I and 13% in group II. Conclusion: Reduction in perinatal mortality is seen when caesarean section is done between 41 weeks and 42 weeks. Perinatal morbidity has also been noted to be higher in post term pregnancies including meconium and meconium aspiration syndrome.
Effect of Nutritional Schedule on Productivity and Quality of Soybean Varieties and Soil Fertility

A field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2010 and 2011. The soybean crop fertilized with 125% RDF + FYM 5 t/ha produced maximum dry weight/plant, crop growth rate, relative growth rate, number of nodules/plant, nodule dry weight/plant, number of pods and 100 seed weight. Application of 125% RDF+FYM 5 t/ha was found more effective in enhancing the seed yield of soybean and produced 19.11% higher seed yield over 100% RDF. Oil content and protein content in soybean were also recorded higher under 125% RDF+ FYM 5 t/ha. Incorporation of FYM 5 t/ha along with 125% RDF registered highest nutrient uptake (207.5 N, 21.3 P and 145.6 K kg/ha), available nutrient in soil after harvest (263 N, 24.3 P and 192.7 K kg/ha). Balance sheet of nitrogen showed that actual difference of initial and final was positive only under treatment 125% RDF+FYM 5 t/ha and remaining were negative. Balance sheet of phosphorus and potassium showed positive balance and recorded maximum with 125% RDF+ FYM 5 t/ha. Between the varieties, JS 97-52 recorded higher seed yield, oil and protein content along with nutrient uptake.
A New Species of Hansenocaris (Crustacea : Facetotecta) from Tanabe Bay, Japan

A new species of "cypris y" (Crustacea: Facetotecta) is described from Tanabe Bay on the Pacific coast of Japan under the name Hansenocaris furcifera. The nauplius of this new species is "nauplius y type IX" sensu Ito. A possible penis is recognized in the Facetotecta for the first time, represented by an apically bifurcate process on the ventum of the first abdominal somite. External features of various body parts are described in detail based upon observations with a scanning electron microscope. New terms are proposed to describe certain structures. The cyprid specimens used for this study were raised from nauplius (metanauplius) larvae by individual culture in the laboratory (method of It6 & Takenaka, 1988). The nauplius larvae were collected from plankton samples taken in Tanabe Bay off the Seto Marine Biological Laboratory (33° 42'N, 135° 2l'E). Naupliar exuviae left in culture vessels after molting were used for species identifica tion. Where data are given in