Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of neighbourhood on rodent communities: an example from Pampean agroecosystems

Abstract Pampean region agroecosystems are devoted to agricultural and farming activities, but in the crop field matrix there are relicts of remnant natural habitats. Poultry farms mainly harbour commensal species as house mice and rats, which are rarely present in surrounding habitats. We assessed if neighbourhood to poultry farms affect the presence of Mus musculus in crop fields and their borders, and if rodent community in poultry farms is influenced by the species present in surrounding crop fields and borders. We found that habitat had a significant effect on the abundance of M. musculus. This species showed higher abundance in poultry farms than in crop field borders. Calomys laucha was the unique native species that was captured in farm sheds. We found higher abundance of native species in crop field borders than in crop fields independent of the proximity to the poultry farms. We conclude that rodent communities in poultry farms are little influenced by the surroundings, and show a dominance of M. musculus independently of the presence of native rodent species in neighbour habitats. On the other hand, farms do not export M. musculus to surrounding habitats, and borders only function as corridors for dispersal among farms, while crop fields are rarely used.
Entada rheedii phaseoloidin, protocatechuic acid and entadamide A against protozoal diseases: trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis

الخلفية العلمية: تبقى المستخلصات النباتية الأفريقية والمركبات المفصولة منها مجالا مهما لاكتشاف أدوية جديدة. الهدف: تقييم نشاط نبات (إنتادا ريدياي) والمواد الكيميائية المفصوله منه ضد الكائنات الأولية . الطريقة: النشاط المضاد للكائنات الأولية ضد brucei brucei Trypanosoma, T. b. rhodesiense, T. cruzi و Leishmania infantum تم تحديده في المختبر بلأضافة الي تقييم السمية الخلوية لتحديد الانتقائية . النتائج: الخلاصة الخام للنبات كانت غير نشطة. أظهر المركب الفينولي الفاصوليدين Phaseoloidin نشاط واضح ضد T. b. brucei، T. cruzi، T. b. rhodesiense و L. infantum (9.70 ، 8.00، 7.83 و 6.96 IC50 ميكروجرام / مل على التوالي). كما أظهر مركب الثايو أميد Entadamide A نشاط واضح ضد T. cruzi و L. infantum (التركيز المانع للنص 8.98 و 10.77 IC50 ميكروجرام / مل على التوالي). أظهر حمض البروتوكاتيشوك Protocatecheuic نشاط واضح ضد T. b. brucei (8.12 IC50 ميكروجرام / مل) ونشاط متوسط ضد كلا منT. cruzi وT. b. rhodesiense (14.42 و12.23IC50 ميكروجرام / مل على التوالي). أظهرت جميع المركبات النشطة درجة سمية خلوية منخفضة (CC50˃13 μg/mL) . الخلاصة: المواد الكيميائية النباتية الرئيسية المفصولة من بذور الأنتادا ريدياي الأفريقية فعالة ضد مرض النوم ، ومرض شاغاس ، وداء الليشمانيات. تأثير المركبات القوي ضد الكائنات الأولية يظهر في شكل مركباته النقية المفصولة وليس لهم تأثير بشكل جماعي في المستخلص الخام.
Environmental context and contaminant biotransport by Pacific salmon interact to mediate the bioaccumulation of contaminants by stream‐resident fish

1. The extent to which environmental context mediates the uptake of biotransported contaminants by stream-resident organisms is not understood. For example, there is no clear understanding of the extent to which contaminant type, instream characteristics, or resident fish identity interact to influence the uptake of contaminants deposited by Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) during their spawning runs. 2. To address this uncertainty, we sampled four stream-resident fish species from 13 watersheds of the Laurentian Great Lakes in locations with and without salmon across a gradient of instream and watershed characteristics. We determined the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and mercury (Hg) concentration along with the stable isotope ratio of C and N for each stream-resident fish. 3. We found that stream-resident fish PCB concentrations were 24-fold higher in reaches with salmon and were positively related to δ15N. In contrast, stream-resident fish Hg concentrations were similar or lower in reaches with salmon and either exhibited a negative or no relationship with δ15N. 4. Based upon AICc, stream-resident fish exhibited species-specific PCB concentrations that were positively related to salmon PCB flux. Hg burdens exhibited an interaction between fish length and salmon Hg flux – as salmon Hg inputs increased, Hg levels decreased with increasing resident fish length. We found no support for models that included the mediating influence of instream or watershed factors. Salmon eggs are enriched in PCBs but have very low Hg concentrations, so our results may be driven by the consumption of salmon eggs by stream-resident fish. 5. Synthesis and applications. Our results highlight that contaminants bioaccumulate differently depending on contaminant type, species identity, and the trophic pathway to contamination. Consequently, consideration of the recipient food web and route of exposure is critical to understanding the fate of biotransported contaminants in ecosystems. The transfer of contaminants by migratory organisms represents an understudied stressor in ecology. Effective management of biotransported contaminants will require the delineation of “hot-spots” of biotransport and implementation of best management practices in those watersheds that receive contaminants from spawning salmon.
Effect of Cumulus cell co-culture and Protein Supplement on Success of in vitro Fertilization and Development of Pre-implanted Embryos in mice

Successful oocyte fertilization and normal embryonic development of mice were considered the most important diagnostic criteria for the safety of materials and tools used for human in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). Therefore, we studied the influence of cumulus cells co-culture and protein supplement within culture medium on percentages of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and normal development of early stages of mouse embryo later. Oocytes were collected and treated with hyaluronidase to remove cumulus cells. Oocytes were divided into four groups namely: Group-1: Oocytes incubated within modified Earl’s medium (MEM) supplied with 10% inactivated bovine amniotic fluid as a protein source and cumulus cells; Group-2: Oocytes incubated with MEM supplied with cumulus cells only; Group-3: Oocytes incubated with MEM supplied with 10% inactivated bovine amniotic fluid only; and Group-4: Oocytes incubated with MEM free of both protein source and cumulus cells. For IVF, 5-6 oocytes were incubated with active spermatozoa under paraffin oil for 18-20 hours at 37 ° o C in 5% CO 2 . Percentages of IVF and embryonic development were then recorded. Best results for IVF and normal embryonic development were achieved from oocytes of Group-1 when compared to the other groups. As compared to Group-1, the percentage of IVF for Group-2 and Group-3 were decreased insignificantly and significantly (P<0.002), respectively. Significant (P<0.01) reduction in the percentages of IVF and normal embryonic development were reported in Group-4 as compared to Group-1. Therefore, it was concluded that the presence of cumulus cells co-culture and bovine amniotic fluid as a protein source within culture medium may have an important role on the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa and oocytes and normal development of pre-implanted mouse embryo later.
The first annotated checklist of mayflies (Ephemeroptera: Insecta) of Georgia with new distribution data and a new record for the country

The first comprehensive checklist of mayflies (Ephemeroptera) of Georgia is provided based on literature data supplemented by our unpublished data, including extensive samples in 2013-2017, works with the collections and types, faunistic observations, and taxonomical contributions. Records of 75 species are provided, with one species reported as a new finding for the country. Notes about the taxonomic status of several species are given. The present contribution represents the first publication of this kind for mayflies within the whole Caucasus area.
Nanoparticles as Potential Antivirals in Agriculture

Viruses are estimated to be responsible for approximately 50% of the emerging plant diseases, which are difficult to control, and in some cases, there is no cure. It is essential to develop therapy practices to strengthen the management of these diseases caused by viruses in economically important crops. Metal nanoparticles (MeNPs) possess diverse physicochemical properties that allow for them to have a wide range of applications in industry, including nanomedicine and nano-agriculture. Currently, there are reports of favorable effects of the use of nanoparticles, such as antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral effects, in animals and plants. The potential antiviral property of MeNPs makes them a powerful option for controlling these histological agents. It is crucial to determine the dosage of NPs, the application intervals, their effect as a biostimulant, and the clarification of the mechanisms of action, which are not fully understood. Therefore, this review focuses on discussing the ability of metal nanoparticles and metal oxides to control viruses that affect agriculture through an exhaustive analysis of the characteristics of the particles and their interaction processes for a possibly beneficial effect on plants.
Motivated Cognition and Curiosity in the Aging Consumer 1

ships with loved ones, and being healthy and active. Older age is often associated with changes in what motivates us, but younger and older adults often have many goals in common. People of all ages set goals, and assessing what factors influence goal pursuit (as well as how those factors may change with age) can lead to interesting insights about how individuals across the lifespan interact with products, learn new things, and make important decisions. Some theories of motivation in older age focus largely on the shift from knowledge acquisition goals in younger adulthood to emotion regulation goals in older adulthood. While the empirical evidence to support this shift is strong, it is also worth examining the situations in which older adults do continue to seek knowledge. Many older consumers are retired but being in this phase of life does not necessarily mean that they stop pursuing goals that promote the acquisition of new information in their daily lives. For example, many older people have hobbies such as birdwatching, in which an expert may acquire knowledge about migration patterns, habitats, and food sources. Many are curious about how memory changes with age, and how they can do their best to stay cognitively healthy. In this chapter, we will discuss what motivates younger and older people to learn new skills and new information through the lens of several theories of cognitive aging. After discussing knowledge, emotion, and control as motivating factors, we will examine the roles of curiosity and interest in motivated cognition—including a suggestion that curiosity may not always benefit older consumers. We will then turn to older adults’ perceptions of risk, gains, and losses, and how those perceptions may affect consumer behavior. Throughout this chapter, we will also consider older adults’ use of and perceptions about so-called “brain training” techniques, examine how age-related changes may affect variety-seeking, and discuss 3
Effect of decontamination methods on shear bond strength of resin cement to translucent monolithic zirconia

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of decontamination methods on shear bond strength of resin cement to translucent monolithic zirconia. Material and Methods. Eighty 4-mol yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal specimens were fabricated. All specimens were subjected to saliva contamination and divided into four groups (n=20) according to the decontamination methods: 70% isopropanol (AL); zirclean (ZC); 5.25% sodium ypochlorite (NaOCL); and no cleaning (NC). All specimens were bonded by using self-adhesive resin cement. Half of the specimens in each group (n=10) were subjected to thermocycling. All specimens were subjected to shear bond strength test in a universal testing machine. Failure modes were evaluated by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The data obtained were statistically analyzed by using one-way ANOVA followed by the HSD Tukey test (P < 0.05). Results. ANOVA test revealed a significant difference among the different decontamination methods (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found among NaOCL, ZC, and AL groups as revealed by the HSD Tukey test (P > 0.05). The effect of thermocycling was significantly different in all groups (P < 0.05); whereas, no significant difference was found in group ZC (P > 0.05). (SEM) analysis showed mixed failures in all groups except in group NC where only adhesive failure was observed. Conclusion. Saliva contamination during clinical evaluation significantly decreases the shear bond strength between self-adhesive resin cement and translucent monolithic zirconia. The cleaning gel has an impact on improving the bond strength between resin cement and translucent monolithic zirconia. KEYWORDS Monolithic zirconia; Resin cement; Shear bond strength test; Translucent zirconia; Zirclean.
PCB126-induced metabolic disruption: Effects on liver metabolism and adipocyte development

3,3',4,4',5-Pentachlorbiphenyl (PCB126), a dioxin-like PCB and a potent aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonist, is implicated in the disruption of both carbohydrate and lipid metabolism which ultimately leads to wasting disorders, metabolic disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the mechanisms are unclear. Since liver is the target organ for PCB toxicity and responsible for metabolic homeostasis, we hypothesized that early disruption of glucose and lipid homeostasis contributes to later manifestations such as hepatic steatosis. To test this hypothesis, groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats, fed a AIN-93G diet, were injected (i.p) with a single bolus of PCB126 (5 μmol/kg) at various time intervals between 9 h and 12 days prior to euthanasia. An early decrease in serum glucose and a gradual decrease in serum triglycerides were observed over time. Liver lipid accumulation was most severe at 6 and 12 days of exposure. Transcript levels of cytosolic phosphoenol-pyruvate carboxykinase (Pepck-c/Pck1) and glucose transporter (Glut2/Slc2a2) involved in 1 The content of this chapter has been published as a research article. The full reference to the article is: Gadupudi, G.S. , Klaren, W.D. , Olivier, A.K. , Klingelhutz, A.J., Robertson, L.W. , 2016. PCB126-induced disruption in gluconeogenesis and fatty acid oxidation precedes fatty liver in male rats. Toxicological Sciences. Volume 149, Issue 1, January 2016, Pages 98-110; PMID: 26396156 G. S. Gadupudi and W. D. Klaren conducted the study and design. Histological analysis was performed by A.K. Olivier. 23 gluconeogenesis and hepatic glucose transport, were time-dependently downregulated between 9 h and 12 d of PCB126 exposure. Additionally, transcript levels of Pparα, and its targets acyl-CoA oxidase (Acox1) and hydroxy3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase 2 (Hmgcs2), were also downregulated, indicating changes in peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation and ketogenesis. In a separate animal study we found that the measured changes in the transcript levels of Pepck-c, Glut2, Pparα, Acox1 and Hmgcs2 were also dose-dependent. Further, PCB126-induced effects on Pepck-c were demonstrated to be AhR dependent in rat hepatocytes. These results indicate that PCB126 induced wasting and steatosis are preceded initially by a) decreased serum glucose caused by decreased hepatic glucose production, followed by b) decreased peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation.
The Politics of Dignity: How Status Inequality shaped Redistributive Politics in India

Conventional theories of the welfare state are premised on the interests of social classes – the wealthy elite oppose redistribution, while the working class supports expansive social rights. I argue that in multiethnic societies with long histories of discrimination, ethnic groups are motivated by concerns of enhancing their material well-being as well as their social status. Political elites from dominant groups are more likely to oppose redistributive policies, but unlike the working class, the policy preference of marginal groups is mediated by the level of status inequality. Under conditions of high inequality, concerns of dignity find precedence over pure redistribute policies. The politics of dignity is most concretely manifested through demands for symbolic and descriptive representation. I demonstrate this in the context of India by examining the caste identity of legislators, patterns in public spending and historical accounts of demands by lower caste mobilizations in major states over five decades.
Walls, Cages, and Family Separation

US immigration policy has deeply racist roots. From his rhetoric to his policies, President Donald Trump has continued this tradition, most notoriously through his border wall, migrant family separation, and child detention measures. But who exactly supports these practices and what factors drive their opinions? Our research reveals that racial attitudes are fundamental to understanding who backs the president's most punitive immigration policies. We find that whites who feel culturally threatened by Latinos, who harbor racially resentful sentiments, and who fear a future in which the United States will be a majority–minority country, are among the most likely to support Trump's actions on immigration. We argue that while the President's policies are unpopular with the majority of Americans, Trump has grounded his political agenda and 2020 reelection bid on his ability to politically mobilize the most racially conservative segment of whites who back his draconian immigration enforcement measures.
Neuromuscular tissue engineering: in vivo studies with cellular therapies in models of severe lesion

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the potential to differentiate into a variety of tissues and might be responsible for turnover and maintenance of adult tissue. It is also known that these cells migrate to sites of tissue damage and of active apoptosis, guided by hypoxia and inflammation, altering the microenvironment and promoting repair and function. In peripheral nerves, it has been suggested that MSCs can modulate Wallerian degeneration and the overall regenerative response by acting through paracrine mechanisms directly on regenerating axons or upon the nerve-supporting Schwann cells. In the present study, the effect of human MSCs isolated from the Wharton’s jelly of the umbilical cord (HMSCs), either undifferentiated and pre-differentiated into neuroglial-like cells on nerve regeneration was evaluated in the neurotmesis injury rat sciatic nerve model. HMSCs were embedded on the surface of a poly(DL-lactide-ε-caprolactone) (Vivosorb ® ) membrane and enwrapped over the site of the end-to-end repair of the rat’s sciatic nerve. Motor and sensory functional recovery was evaluated throughout a healing period of 20 weeks using extensor postural thrust (EPT), withdrawal reflex latency (WRL) and ankle kinematics during walking. Sciatic nerve morphometry was carried out on regenerated nerves. Results in vitro showed successful differentiation of HMSCs into neuroglial-like cells, characterized by expression of specific neuroglial markers confirmed by
COMPARISON OF THE GROWTH OF SHIGA TOXIN-PRODUCING ESCHERICHIA COLI (STEC) ON DIFFERENT MEDIA

ii Acknowledgments . iii Vita . iv List of Tables . ix List of Figures. x Chapter 1: Literature review.1 1.1 Escherichia coli.1 1.2 Pathogenic Escherichia coli.1 1.3 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli.4 1.3. 1 Emergence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli.4 1.3. 2 Characteristics of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli.5 1.3. 3 Typing of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli.7 1.4 Survival of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in environment.9 1.5 Epidemiology of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli infection.11 1.6 Reservoir of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli.13 1.7 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in food.15 1.8 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in human.16 1.9 Virulence factors.18 1.9. 1 Shiga toxins.19 1.9. 2 Intimin.22
Additions to “The Cypriniformes Tree of Confusion”

Since the acceptance of our paper (Britz & Conway 2011), two publications have appeared that have relevance to the topic discussed and need to be mentioned. Mabee et al. (2011) is the first morphological phylogenetic analysis produced by the Cypriniformes Tree of Life project and covers 62 characters from gill arch, and hyoid osteology in 53 cypriniform taxa. Tang et al.’s (2011) molecular analysis of the cyprinid subfamily Gobioninae also included the three miniature taxa Sundadanio , Paedocypris and Danionella and was based on two mitochondrial and two nuclear genes. Their parsimony analysis recovered all three taxa in the cyprinid subfamily Danioninae, with Paedocypris and Danionella as sister groups, with this clade forming the sister group to a clade comprising Sundadanio and Esomus . Their maximum likelihood analysis confirmed their placement in danionines and found Paedocypris as the sister group to Sundadanio , and Danionella as the sister group of Danio rerio , Devario auropurpureus and Microrasbora rubescens . Their partitioned Bayesian analysis, however, recovered Sundadanio as the sister group of Leptobarbus , Danionella as the sister group to Danio , Devario and Microrasbora , and Paedocypris as the sister group to all other Cypriniformes, as did Mayden & Chen (2010). This remarkable difference in the position of the three taxa between the different trees was not even mentioned or discussed except in the brief remark relating only to Paedocypris (p. 11): “The Bayesian results agree on a monophyletic Cypriniformes, but recover a putative cyprinid ( Paedocypris ) as the sister group to all other cypriniform fishes. ”
Vibration characteristics and damping properties of functionally graded carbon nanotubes reinforced hybrid composite skewed shell structures under hygrothermal conditions

The present article deals with the vibration and damping characteristics of functionally graded carbon nanotubes reinforced hybrid composite skewed shell structure in different hygrothermal conditions. Carbon nanotube reinforced polymer as a matrix phase and carbon fibre as a reinforcing phase are used, and carbon fibre is graded with uniform distribution along the thickness direction for the shell panel according to the power law distribution. The Mori–Tanaka scheme and strength of materials are used to determine the mechanical properties of such functionally graded carbon nanotubes reinforced hybrid composite materials. Finite element modelling has been done by considering an eight-noded shell element with the transverse shear effect according to Mindlin’s hypothesis, and an oblique coordinate system is used for the functionally graded carbon nanotubes reinforced hybrid composite skewed shell structures. Damping is incorporated into such carbon nanotube–based hybrid skewed shell structure based on the Rayleigh damping model. A MATLAB-based in-house computer code has been developed for the proposed formulation and verified with published research work before using for the present dynamic analysis of functionally graded carbon nanotubes reinforced hybrid composite skewed shell structure under hygrothermal conditions. The effect of the carbon nanotube, carbon fibre, material distribution as per power law index and hygrothermal conditions on the damping behaviour of such functionally graded carbon nanotubes reinforced hybrid composite skewed shell structures have been studied. Furthermore, parametric studies are carried out for the first resonant frequency, absolute amplitude, settling time and carbon nanotube impact on the vibrational behaviour of different functionally graded carbon nanotubes reinforced hybrid composite skewed shell structures under different hygrothermal conditions.