Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Growth and seasonal weight changes as they relate to spring and autumn set points in mule deer

Growth rate and potential, 25 hand-reared mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus) were examined. When possible, body weights of all animals were recorded weekly. Female deer matured faster than males, but males attained a larger body size. Regressions of winter weight loss of both sexes on peak autumn weight were highly correlated. Similarly, spring and summer compensatory gain in females could be predicted from the minimum spring weight. Annual cycles of intake and weight gain may have adaptations that improve reproductive success and winter survival.
Assessment of bias due to random measurement errors in stem volume growth estimation by the Swedish National Forest Inventory

Abstract We evaluated the performance of two methods for estimating stem volume increment at individual tree level with respect to bias due to random measurement errors. Here, growth is either predicted as the difference between two consecutive volume estimates where single-tree volume functions are applied to data from repeated measurements or by a regression model that is applied to data from a single survey and includes radial increment. In national forest inventories (NFIs), the first method is typically used for permanent plots, the second for temporary plots. The Swedish NFI combines estimates from both plot types to assess growth at national and regional scales and it is, therefore, important that the two methods provide similar results. The accuracy of these estimates is affected by random measurement errors in the independent variables, which may lead to systematic errors in predicted variables due to model non-linearity. Using Taylor series expansion and empirical data from the Swedish NFI we compared the expected bias in stem volume growth estimates for different diameter classes of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst. ). Our results indicate that both methods are fairly insensitive to random measurement errors of the size that occur in the Swedish NFI. The empirical comparison between the two methods showed greater differences for large diameter trees of both pine and spruce. A likely explanation is that the regressions are uncertain because few large trees were available for developing the models.
The microclimate inhabited by macroalgal propagules

Propagules exist in a world dominated by viscous physical forces because of their very small size and relatively slow swimming speeds. The planktonic and benthic environments are heterogeneous physically, chemically, and biologically when viewed on the spatial scale of a macroalgal propagule. Macroalgal propagules coexist in the plankton with a wide diversity of other microscopic organisms but we are limited largely to speculation in matters concerning the importance of various biological interactions in the planktonic microenvironments. The layer of water near the bottom where propagules attach is called the boundary layer and is physically, chemically, and biologically distinct from the water above it. Many physical and chemical properties of the boundary layer environment are consequences of the metabolic or secretory activities of the organisms which inhabit the microbial film, but many properties are also influenced by abiogenic factors. Nutrient concentrations in some patches are likely to be much h.
A rebellious thinker or a cultural icon: Chan master Huineng in theatrical resemiotization

Adopting a multimodal social semiotic approach, this study investigates the resemiotization of the story of Huineng in two theatrical performances, the opera Snow in August performed in Taipei in 2002, and the musical theater The Sixth Patriarch Huineng performed in Shanghai in 2007. Although both claim to have been based on the historical record of Huineng, especially the Platform Sutra, significant differences exist. Focusing on the differences, the study investigates: (1) how semiotic resources of language, music and mise-en-scène are adopted to present Huineng in a particular way; and (2) why the semiotic resources are mobilized to present Huineng in such ways. Analysis shows that while Snow in August presents Huineng as a rebellious, independent thinker through episodes concerning Huineng’s innate enlightenment, breaking the alms-bowl and burning the robe, and his decline of the imperial invitation, The Sixth Patriarch Huineng presents Huineng as a cultural icon by emphasizing his reconciliation with former enemy Shenxiu, and the harmonious relationship between Huineng and the other characters. Each performance is contextualized to reveal ways in which resemiotization is socially situated and ideologically positioned.
Phytochrome signalling in plant canopies: testing its population‐level implications with photoreceptor mutants of Arabidopsis

1. A number of signalling mechanisms are responsible for triggering plastic morphological and physiological responses of plants to the proximity of neighbours. Among these mechanisms, the phytochrome-mediated control of branching and elongation in response to alterations in red:far-red ratio (R:FR) has been investigated in considerable detail. 2. While the role of phytochrome B in R:FR perception has been well established, and the consequences of neighbour photo-detection on competitive ability are receiving attention, several important issues remain to be addressed regarding the ecology of plant–plant signalling in canopies. In particular, the role of other photoreceptors in neighbour detection and the impact of neighbour detection on population-level attributes, such as size structure and productivity:density relationships are poorly characterized. 3. In the experiments reported here we addressed these questions using wild-type (WT) plants and photomorphogenic mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana that are specifically deficient in phytochrome A, phytochrome B, all phytochromes or the blue-light photoreceptor cryptochrome. Plants were grown in monocultures of different densities (between ~300 and 2400 plants m–2) from planting to seed set. Full competition among neighbouring plants was allowed both above-and below-ground. 4. WT plants responded to crowding with the predictable increase in elongation growth and by producing more steeply orientated leaves. Similar responses were observed in mutants deficient in phytochrome A or cryptochrome. Mutant plants lacking phytochrome B had an ‘elongated’ phenotype even when grown at low density and, in comparison with the other genotypes, showed markedly reduced morphological responses to crowding. 5. All genotypes having functional phytochrome B had similar biomass production and fruit production, and fruit production per unit area was constant over the range of densities used. Stands of phytochrome-B-deficient plants were as productive as WT canopies at intermediate densities, but had significantly reduced fruit production at low and, more strikingly, also at high densities. Size inequality among neighbours, measured as the coefficient of variation of reproductive output per plant, increased with density in all genotypes, but significantly more in phytochrome-B-deficient stands than in WT crops. 6. Our results suggest that: (1) phytochrome B plays a unique role in neighbour photo-detection, while other photoreceptors appear to be less important in this respect; (2) in WT stands, phytochrome-B-mediated neighbour detection leads to inverse rank-dependent morphological adjustments (i.e. greater fractional response in the small plants), which tend to buffer the plant population against size structuring; (3) the strong size-structuring in populations of R:FR ‘blind’ phytochrome-B mutants results in reduced stand fecundity at high densities.
Possible Metsulfuron Herbicide Detoxification by a Oryza sativa L. Glutathione S-transferase Enzyme.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important crops in the world, and it is considered the primary source of nutritional layout in developing countries in Asia. The glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) superfamily confers to rice protection against biotic and abiotic stress, and herbicide resistance. However, the three-dimensional structure of a GST Tau class, is unsolved. The objectives of this work were to develop a reliable comparative model for the s-transferase glutathione class Tau 4 from rice, and simulate docking interactions, against herbicides bentazon and metsulfuron. Results showed that the predicted model is reliable and has structural quality. Ramachandran plot set 91.9% of the residues in the most favored regions. All complexes showed negative binding energies values; and metsulfuron docked to the glutathione tripeptide, and it represents a possible insilico evidence of glutathione conjugation with this herbicide.
Preparation and characterization of amino and carboxyl functionalized core-shell Fe3O4/SiO2 for L-asparaginase immobilization: A comparison study

Abstract Magnetic nanoparticles are well known as facile and effective support for enzyme immobilization since they have a high surface area, large surface-to-volume ratio, easy separation, a fast and high enzyme loading. This study aims to provide insights on whether acidic or basic modified particles are more effective for L-asparaginase (ASNase) immobilization. Therefore, amino (Fe3O4/SiO2/NH2) and carboxyl-functionalized (Fe3O4/SiO2/COOH) particles were prepared. The functional groups, crystalline structure, magnetic properties, morphology, chemical composition and thermal behaviour of the prepared modified nanoparticles were examined via Fourier-transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX). Under the optimum conditions, the immobilized enzymes were more stable within a certain range of temperatures and pH values in comparison to free enzyme. On the other hand, the immobilized enzymes showed greater stability after incubation for 3 h at 50 °C. The free enzyme maintained only 30% of its initial activity for 4 weeks at 4 °C, while Fe3O4/SiO2/NH2/ASNase and Fe3O4/SiO2/COOH/ASNase retained more than 78.9% and 56.5% of initial activities under the same conditions, respectively. Moreover, Fe3O4/SiO2/NH2/ASNase (77.2%) and Fe3O4/SiO2/COOH/ASNase (57.4%) displayed excellent operational stability after 17 repeated cycles. These findings suggested that the Fe3O4/SiO2/NH2 and Fe3O4/SiO2/COOH may be utilized as efficient and sustainable supports to developed immobilized ASNase in several biotechnological applications.
Functional genomics and signaling events in mycorrhizal symbiosis

The symbiotic association between plant and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi is an evolutionary conserved association that resulted from co-evolutionary events where both partners benefit from each other. Different plant genes, hormones, and miRNAs regulate this symbiotic association at different levels. Of those, the most important signaling molecules that play critical roles in symbiotic association are plant-derived strigolactones and fungal-derived lipochito-oligosaccharides. These molecules regulate the symbiotic association at the initial stage of symbiosis. Subsequent signaling events of these two molecules activate downstream signaling cascades to develop a proper symbiotic relationship between plants and fungi.
Protective Effects of Crocetin on Arsenic Trioxide-Induced Hepatic Injury: Involvement of Suppression in Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Through Activation of Nrf2 Signaling Pathway in Rats

Purpose Arsenic trioxide (ATO) has been shown to induce hepatic injury. Crocetin is a primary constituent of saffron, which has been verified to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In the current experiment, we evaluated the efficacy of crocetin against ATO-induced hepatic injury and explored the potential molecular mechanisms in rats. Methods Rats were pretreated with 25 or 50 mg/kg crocetin 6 h prior to treating with 5 mg/kg ATO to induce hepatic injury daily for 7 days. Results Treatment with crocetin attenuated ATO-induced body weight loss, decreases in food and water consumption, and improved ATO-induced hepatic pathological damage. Crocetin significantly inhibited ATO-induced alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) increases. Crocetin prevented ATO-induced liver malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Crocetin abrogated the ATO-induced decrease of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Crocetin was found to significantly restore the protein levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Furthermore, crocetin promoted the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and NADP(H): quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1). Conclusion These findings suggest that crocetin ameliorates ATO-induced hepatic injury in rats. In addition, the effect of crocetin might be related to its role in antioxidant stress, as an anti-inflammatory agent, and in regulating the Nrf2 signaling pathway.
Methods of manipulating the microbial metabolism in the rumen

rumen in ruminant digestion. The aim of these manipulations is to provide the animal with end products of digestion that are the best suited to the type of production required. We describe here the main additives and methods used to modify the rumen microbial population or its hydrolytic and fermentative activities: ionophore antibiotics; methane inhibitors; inhibitors of proteolysis or deamination; elimination of protozoa or fungi from the rumen; and probiotics. Some seem to have a welldefined action (inhibitors of methanogenesis and deamination), whereas others act on several targets (ionophore antibiotics, defaunation). The results observed in animal production depend on factors such as diet, type of production and the animal considered. The rumen should be considered as
Faced with a choice, sparrowhawks more often attack the more vulnerable prey group

Whether predators always attack the most vulnerable prey or simply attack prey that exceeds a minimum vulnerability level is an important question to answer in furthering our understanding of predator and antipredation behaviour. Predators may attack any reasonably vulnerable prey rather than waste time identifying the most vulnerable prey, particularly when prey can respond quickly to alter their vulnerability in response to a predator. We tested whether sparrowhawks always choose to attack the group of prey that maximises their capture probability, or whether they simply attack any group above a minimum vulnerability. We modelled sparrowhawk attack success when hunting redshanks using data from three winters and found that probability of capture increased when group size or distance to predator-concealing cover decreased. We then used this model to predict the relative vulnerability to capture of redshank groups occurring in pairs in a fourth winter and found that sparrowhawks attacked the most vulnerable prey group twice as often as not (66% n = 59 pairs). When sparrowhawks attacked the less vulnerable group, there was no tendency for both groups to be particularly vulnerable or for the difference in the vulnerability between the two groups to be relatively small. This suggests that, while sparrowhawks do on average attack the most vulnerable group available, they consider other factors that affect vulnerability or that additional factors lead them to also attack opportunistically. This suggests that there will be selection for the predator to monitor a large number of prey individuals and groups and for prey to have the ability to monitor the behaviour of conspecifics in the same and different groups so that they can assess relative vulnerability.
Visualizing the Newtons Fractal from the Recurring Linear Sequence with Google Colab: An Example of Brazil X Portugal Research

In this work, recurrent and linear sequences are studied, exploring the teaching of these numbers with the aid of a computational resource, known as Google Colab. Initially, a brief historical exploration inherent to these sequences is carried out, as well as the construction of the characteristic equation of each one. Thus, their respective roots will be investigated and analyzed, through fractal theory based on Newton's method. For that, Google Colab is used as a technological tool, collaborating to teach Fibonacci, Lucas, Mersenne, Oresme, Jacobsthal, Pell, Leonardo, Padovan, Perrin and Narayana sequences in Brazil and Portugal. It is also possible to notice the similarity of some of these sequences, in addition to relating them with some figures present and their corresponding visualization.
The effect of kelp bed disturbance on the abundance and feeding behaviour of fishes on high-relief reefs

On high-relief reefs, research has shown that the abundance and diversity of non-cryptic fishes is greater in kelp beds cleared of their canopy compared to those left intact. Greater abundance may be caused by an increase in the availability of food resources associated with damaged kelp, exposed understory algae and newly colonised turfing algae. We investigate the effect of a disturbance to the kelp canopy on two response variables, the abundance and feeding behaviour of six common non-cryptic fish species. We found that Kyphosus sydneyanus (herbivore) and Notolabrus parilus (generalist carnivore) move preferentially into 1-month old clearance plots to feed, whereas Kyphosus cornelii and Odax cyanomelas only graze in these plots incidentally. Kyphosus sydneyanus responded with greater abundance and feeding rate in 1-month old clearance plots that were dominated by the microscopic filamentous brown alga, Hincksia mitchelliae. Small-scale disturbances that remove kelps from kelp canopies result in a shift towards filamentous algae that either supplements dietary needs or is a preferred food choice for K. sydneyanus.
Outage Probability of Cooperative NOMA Networks Under Imperfect CSI With User Selection

Non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) is a promising spectrally-efficient technology to satisfy the massive data requirement of the next-generation wireless communication networks. In this paper, we consider cooperative non-orthogonal multiple access (CNOMA) networks with relaying user selection, where a two-stage user selection scheme is adopted to optimize the received signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the weak user. We derive analytical expressions of the outage probability of the CNOMA users under two different types of channel estimation errors. Afterwards, we investigate the asymptotic characteristics the outage probability of the CNOMA systems in the high SNR regimes. Our results show that for the case of constant variance of the channel estimation error, the outage probability of each user is saturated and cannot be improved by increasing the transmit power of the access point. In contrast, there is no performance bottleneck of the outage probability for all the users when the variance of the channel estimation errors decease with SNR, whilst fully diversity gain is achieved by the weak user.
Tryptophan stimulates immune response in broiler chickens challenged with infectious bursal disease vaccine.

Infectious bursal disease is still a challenging issue by posing a serious threat to the commercial poultry industry especially due to the emergence of highly Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV). In the present study, we evaluated the immunomodulatory effects of Tryptophan (Tip) on innate, humoral and cellular immune responses in chickens challenged by oral administration of intermediate plus strain of IBD virus at 28 days of age. A corn-soybean meal based diet containing different levels of Tip (0, 0.10 and 0.20) for the starter, (0, 0.07 and 0.15) for the grower and (0, 0.05 and 0.13) for the finisher has been utilized. In a completely randomized design with three treatments of five replicates each and 10 chickens per replicate, 150 Cobb 500 male broiler chickens from 0-49 days of age were subjected to Tip diet. To measure the innate, cellular and humoral immunity indicators (interferon-alpha, interferon-gamma, immunoglobulin G, respectively) at 27, 35, 42 and 49 days of age, serum samples from each replicate of treatments were collected and subjected to ELISA. The result showed that Trp supplementation in the chickens basal diets significantly increased the serum levels of interferon-alpha at 35, 42 and 49 days of age (p<0.05), interferon-gamma at 27, 35 and 49 days of age (p<0.05) and immunoglobulin G at 27, 35, 42 and 49 days of age (p<0.05). These results strongly suggest that tryptophan plays a vital role in modulation of protective immune response against IBDV.
Ensemble modelling of species distribution: the effects of geographical and environmental ranges

The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of species geographical and environmental ranges on the predictive performances of species distribution models (SDMs). We explored the usefulness of ensemble modelling approaches and tested whether species attributes influenced the outcomes of such approaches. Eight SDMs were used to model the current distribution of 35 fish species at 1110 stream sections in France. We first quantified the consensus among the resulting set of predictions for each fish species. Next, we created an average model by taking the average of the individual model predictions and tested whether the average model improved the predictive performances of single SDMs. Lastly, we described the ranges of fish species along four gradients: latitudinal, thermal, stream gradient (i.e. upstream-downstream) and elevation. After accounting for the effects of phylogenetic relatedness and species prevalence, these four species attributes were related to the observed variations in both consensus among SDMs and predictive performances by using generalized estimation equations. Our results highlight the usefulness of ensemble approaches for identifying geographical areas of agreement among predictions. Although the geographical extent of species had no effect on the performances of SDMs, we demonstrated that more consensual and accurate predictions were obtained for species with low thermal and elevation ranges, validating the hypothesis that specialist species yield models with higher accuracy than generalist ones. We emphasized that significant improvements in the accuracy of SDMs can be achieved by using an average model. Furthermore, these improvements were higher for species with smaller ranges along the four gradients studied. The geographical extent and ranges of species along environmental gradients provide promising insights into our understanding of uncertainties in species distribution modelling.
PRETREATMENT EFFECTS OF CADMIUM ON THE ROOT GROWTH OF HOLCUS LANATUS L.

Summary A cadmium tolerant and a non-tolerant population of Holcus lanatus were subjected to a pretreatment with either no or low (0·2 μg Cd ml−1) concentrations of cadmium prior to normal tolerance testing in 1·0 μg Cd ml−1 solution. When pretreated roots were not removed prior to the tolerance test, the cadmium pretreatment resulted in significantly greater root growth of both populations in the test solution relative to plants given no cadmium pretreatment. Repeating the tolerance test on plants which had had their pretreated roots excised prior to testing showed no significant effect of any pretreatment on subsequent root growth in either population. There was an overall difference between the two populations in terms of their response to pretreatment and test concentrations in that when exposed to cadmium, plants of the tolerant population grew significantly better than those of the non-tolerant population. The data presented provide evidence for a stimulation of cadmium tolerance following low-level exposure of roots to cadmium. The mechanisms associated with these effects are not clear although cadmium tolerance in animals is known to show similar trends.