Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How to obtain a bloodmeal without being eaten by a host: the case of poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae

Abstract. The behavioural responses of the poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae, to three host‐related stimuli, vibration, heat and CO2, are studied in light and dark. Although D. gallinae usually feeds on host‐blood at night, it can also be day active after a few days of starvation. However, the immediate response of the mites to CO2 in daylight is to freeze and remain motionless. Even with simultaneous presentation of an activating stimulus (heat), the mites freeze in response to CO2. In the case of subsequent vibrations, they start moving but only for the duration of the vibrations. After 2 min, the freezing response disappears and the level of activity is significantly higher than for mites stimulated with vibrations alone. The freezing response is interpreted as a defence against being eaten by the host that apparently is close enough to breathe on the mites. At low‐light intensities, where the birds are unable to see the mites, there is no freezing response, but only a synergistic effect of heat and vibration on the level of activity. The frequency of vibration most efficient in eliciting movement during the freezing response is found at 2 kHz with a threshold value of 35 µm s−1 peak‐peak, suggesting that D. gallinae is more sensitive to substrate‐borne vibrations than some insects (e.g. honeybees) known to use vibrations for intraspecific communication.
A study on management and outcome of hollow viscus perforation at tertiary care hospital

An intestinal perforation is a major life-threatening condition with high morbidity and mortality that requires emergency surgery. Despite improvements in surgical and medical treatments, the overall mortality rate is 30% and the mortality rate of cases that also have diffuse peritonitis is up to 70%. The rate of postoperative complications, such as complicated fluid collection, leakage, surgical site infection, and other systemic infections, is higher than for patients receiving elective abdominal surgeries. In our study, 10 (37.1%) patients with Duodenum Perforation underwent immediate surgery while 17 (62.9%) patients underwent surgery on the same day. The mean time interval between admission and surgery of patients was 6.22 ± 3.39 hours. All patients (100%) with Appendicular Perforation underwent surgery on the same day. The mean time interval between admission and surgery of patients was 10.11 ± 2.93 hours. Simple closure with omental patch with thorough peritoneal toileting was very much effective.
Forest structure, floristic composition and soils of an Amazonian monodominant forest on maracá Island, Roraima, Brazil

Maraca is a riverine island located in the Rio Uraricoera in Roraima State (Brazil) and has an area of about 100,000ha. A forest type dominated by Peltogyne gracilipes Ducke (Caesalpiniaceae) occurs on Maraca Island on a range of soil types. This study compares the structure, floristic composition and soils of the Peltogyne forest with the most widespread lowland forest type on Maraca. Three 0.25ha plots were set up in each of three forest types: Peltogyne -rich forest (PRF), Peltogyne -pooi forest (PPF) and forest without Peltogyne (FWP). Within each plot all trees (≤ 10cm dbh) were recorded. Seedlings and saplings were sampled in subplots of 2m × 1m (seedlings) and 4m × 4m (saplings). In the PPF and FWP, Sapotaceae were the most important family with the highest relative dominance and relative density values. Caesalpiniaceae showed high values in the PRF and PPF. Licania kunthiana, Pradosia surinamensis and Simarouba amara occurred in the canopy layer in all the forest types. Peltogyne dominated the canopy in the PRF and comprised 20% of stems and 53% of the total basal area of all trees ≥ 10cm dbh, and 91% of the stems and 97% of the total basal area of individuals ≥ 50cm dbh. In PPF, Lecythis corrugata and Tetragastris panamensis were the most abundant species, followed by Peltogyne . In the FWP the most abundant trees (≥ 10cm dbh) were Licania kunthiana and Pradosia surinamensis . In all forest types, the soils were sandy and acid with low concentrations of extractable phosphorus and exchangeable cations, but the soils under PRF were notably richer in magnesium.
Factors affecting Grey-headed Flying-fox ( Pteropus poliocephalus : Pteropodidae) foraging in the Melbourne metropolitan area, Australia

Factors affecting the foraging of mobile native fauna in highly fragmented urban landscapes have seldom been quantified at large spatial scales. We investigated factors affecting foraging by Grey-headed Flying- foxes ( Pteropus poliocephalus ; 'flying-foxes') in the greater Melbourne metropolitan area. Flying-foxes established a continuously occupied colony site in the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne in 1986, and the size of the colony has subsequently increased greatly. We used a stratified-random sampling design to examine the importance of six variables on the detection of foraging flying-foxes: (i) distance from the colony site (0-10, 10-20 and 20-30 km); (ii) distance from the Yarra River (0-5 and 5-20 km); (iii) the relative tree density of the municipality; (iv) whether the site was a park or street; (v) whether there was a relatively high or low density of trees at the site; and (vi) whether food was or was not detected at the site. We surveyed 240 sites within a 30-km radius of the colony site for foraging flying-foxes in both May and October 2002. The probability of detecting a foraging flying-fox declined with increasing distance from the colony site, but increased with increasing tree cover, and was higher for parks compared with streets and when food was present. Flying-foxes were observed foraging in a number of plant genera that have no species that naturally occur in the Melbourne area. Flying-foxes in Melbourne thus forage on planted resources that are widely distributed within a fragmented landscape, and are an example of a positive response by a native species to the process of urbanization.
Phenotypic changes in progenies of northern clones of Picea abies (L) Karst. grown in a southern seed orchard

Results are presented from artificial freezing tests comparing young controlled crossed progenies from the southern seed orchard at Lyngdal (58° N) with open‐pollinated progenies from the same mother trees standing in the northern natural forest (63°‐66°N). The seed orchard material was more damaged by frost during cold acclimation. This effect was persistent for more than one growing season. Different photoperiodic treatments imposed on the progenies the first year did not affect the hardiness level in the same material three years later. The results imply that the seed orchard material has been genetically altered to perform like more southern ecotypes than the progenies form the forest. Possible causes of the present results are discussed in relation to four alternative hypotheses. In two of these it is postulated that the parental environment in the seed orchard could alter the genotypic performance of the progenies.
PPAR-β/δ agonists for Type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia: an adopted orphan still looking for a home

Background: The identification of small molecule agonists for the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor beta/delta (PPAR-β/δ, NR1C2) has enabled the characterization of this receptor's functions in preclinical models. Subsequently, a number of small molecule agonists of PPAR-β/δ have been progressed into clinical trials. Objective: This review will examine the major preclinical findings that underpin the hypothesis that PPAR-β/δ agonists may be beneficial in treating dyslipidemia and Type 2 diabetes, as well as emerging clinical data with a variety of PPAR-β/δ agonists. Methods: The literature concerning preclinical experiments that combine in vivo and in vitro mechanistic studies are reviewed and compared with the results of the early clinical trials. Conclusions: Thus far, the activities of the agonists seen in the clinic are broadly similar to those seen in preclinical models. However, it is still not known if PPAR-β/δ agonists will truly be differentiated enough from current treatments to justify their use in treating dyslipidemia or Type 2 diabetes. Major challenges for the development of PPAR-β/δ agonists exist and the path forward is as yet undefined.
MBA education: curriculum to creation (C2C) of potential entrepreneurs

Malaysia has greatly recognized entrepreneurs’ growth and has introduced many entrepreneurial policy inceptions to boost the number of entrepreneurs, and to create entrepreneurial interests among future generations. There is a growing development in entrepreneurship education to educate and advocate entrepreneurship start-up intentions among students. In conjunction with it, this research aimed to investigate the creation of entrepreneurial start-up intention among MBA students in Malaysia through course experience in developing entrepreneurial knowledge and entrepreneurial skills. Course experience consists of good teaching, clear goals and standards, generic skills, and motivation has accessed the development of entrepreneurial skills and knowledge, and eventually the start-up intention among students. 219 MBA students from Malaysia participated as respondents and it’s concluded that course experience has a significant relationship in developing entrepreneurial knowledge and skills and these developments do have a significant relationship in creating entrepreneurial start-up intentions. In particular, the entrepreneurial skills found to have the strongest significance in creating entrepreneurial start-up intentions. These research findings have added to the existing body of knowledge in entrepreneurial research and entrepreneurial education domain.
Significance of Specimen Databases from Taxonomic Revisions for Estimating and Mapping the Global Species Diversity of Invertebrates and Repatriating Reliable Specimen Data

Abstract: We argue that the millions of specimen‐label records published over the past decades in thousands of taxonomic revisions are a cost‐effective source of information of critical importance for incorporating invertebrates into biodiversity research and conservation decisions. More specifically, we demonstrate for a specimen database assembled during a revision of the robber‐fly genus Euscelidia (Asilidae, Diptera) how nonparametric species richness estimators (Chao1, incidence‐based coverage estimator, second‐order jackknife) can be used to (1) estimate global species diversity, (2) direct future collecting to areas that are undersampled and/or likely to be rich in new species, and (3) assess whether the plant‐based global biodiversity hotspots of Myers et al. (2000) contain a significant proportion of invertebrates. During the revision of Euscelidia, the number of known species more than doubled, but estimation of species richness revealed that the true diversity of the genus was likely twice as high. The same techniques applied to subsamples of the data indicated that much of the unknown diversity will be found in the Oriental region. Assessing the validity of biodiversity hotspots for invertebrates is a formidable challenge because it is difficult to decide whether species are hotspot endemics, and lists of observed species dramatically underestimate true diversity. Lastly, conservation biologists need a specimen database analogous to GenBank for collecting specimen records. Such a database has a three‐fold advantage over information obtained from digitized museum collections: (1) it is shown for Euscelidia that a large proportion of unrevised museum specimens are misidentified; (2) only the specimen lists in revisionary studies cover a wide variety of private and public collections; and (3) obtaining specimen records from revisions is cost‐effective.
CORRIDORS MAY NOT IMPROVE THE CONSERVATION VALUE OF SMALL RESERVES FOR MOST BOREAL BIRDS

Building or maintaining corridors in fragmented landscapes may be an im- portant method to conserve gap-sensitive species that avoid crossing gaps in forest cover. We tested the effectiveness of corridors by examining the changes in abundance of boreal birds pre- and post-logging in experimental 10-ha and 40-ha reserves that were isolated or connected by corridors, relative to their abundance responses in continuous forest (reference sites). Prior to the analysis, we categorized birds as to their predicted gap sensitivity based on two measures: their use of corridors and gap-crossing behavior in small-scale trials, and their habitat affinities (forest species vs. habitat generalists). The abundance of forest species as a group was consistently higher in reference reserves than in isolated or connected reserves after harvest, except for the first year after harvest, when crowding occurred in isolates. Habitat generalist species showed no differences in abundances across reserve types. As a group, resident species were more abundant in reference and connected reserves than in isolates in three of five years post-harvest, suggesting that corridors might benefit these species. None of the single species analyzed showed consistent evidence of benefiting from corridors. Although four species were most abundant in connected reserves after harvest, their abundances were not significantly lower in isolates than in reference sites. Behavioral classification (gap-crossing propensity) was not useful in classifying single species as to how gap sensitive they would be in response to our experiment: habitat affinity was a better predictor. We suggest that corridors may be useful to retain resident birds on harvested landscapes, but that corridors connecting small reserves of forest are unlikely to offset the impacts of fragmentation for most boreal birds. Assessments of the utility of corridors must, however, be done in the context of the full plant and animal communities that live in the boreal forest.
Exposure to Feedborne Mycotoxins T-2 Toxin or Ochratoxin A Causes Increased Mortality of Channel Catfish Challenged with Edwardsiella ictaluri

Abstract To evaluate the effect of mycotoxins on the disease resistance of juvenile channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus, we conducted an experiment in aquaria under controlled environmental conditions. Catfish were fed a nutritionally complete semipurified diet containing two concentrations of either T-2 toxin (1.0 or 2.0 mg/kg diet) or ochratoxin A (OA; 2.0 or 4.0 mg/kg diet). Mycotoxins were supplied as pure, crystalline T-2 toxin diluted to a known concentration in a carrier of casein and Aspergillus ochraceus culture material containing a known concentration of OA. After 6 weeks of feeding, catfish were challenged by immersion in situ with a virulent isolate of Edwardsiella ictaluri suspended in nutrient broth that provided an estimated 2.25 × 106 colony forming units per milliliter of water. At 21 d postchallenge, significantly (P < 0.05) greater mortalities occurred among catfish fed T-2 toxin, 1.0 or 2.0 mg/kg diet (84.11% and 99.30%, respectively) than among control fish. Fish fed the OA diet (4.0.
Sonographic differential diagnosis of abdominal masses in children visiting Childrens Hospital and Institute of Child Health, Lahore, Pakistan

Objective: To determine the sonographic differential diagnosis of abdominal masses among children visiting The Childrens Hospital and Institute of Child Health, Lahore, Pakistan. Methodology: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted at the Radiology Department of The Childrens Hospital, Lahore. Data of 188 patients was collected through a convenient sampling technique via self-structured questionnaire. All the children upto the age of 18 years coming with abdominal masses from August 2017- January 2018 were included. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 24. Results: Majority of the children were between 6-12 years of age. Overall mean age was 5.35+4.40 years. Majority 116(61.7%) of the children were males and females were 72(38.3%). M:F was 1.6:1. Hydronephrosis was the most common abdominal mass seen in 37(19.7%) patients, followed by Lymphoma 36(19.2%), Wilms Tumor 21(11.2%), Liver Abscess 16(8.5%), Neuroblastoma 11(5.8%), Pseudo-Pancreatic Cyst 11(5.8%) and Choledocal Cyst 11(5.8%). Most common clinical presentations were abdominal distention 79(42.0%), pain abdomen 52(27.7%) and fever 22(11.7%). Conclusions: Pediatric abdominal masses were more common in males. Majority of the tumors were noted in children between 6-12 years of age. Majority of the masses had features of benign lesion on ultrasound. Renal masses were the most common presenting in almost all age groups being most common in Neonates. Hydronephrosis was the most common diagnosis followed by Lymphoma, Wilms Tumour, Liver Abscess, Neuroblastoma, Pseudo-Pancreatic Cyst and Choledocal Cyst.
CLEISTOGAMY IN MICROLAENA POLYNODA (GRAMINEAE): AN EXAMINATION OF SOME MODEL PREDICTIONS

A population of the cleistogamous grass, Microlaena polynoda, was investigated to determine some ofthe factors responsible for adjusting the balance between reproduction by chasmogamous (CH) and cleistogamous (CL) flowers, the tissue costs associated with the two reproductive modes, the fate of progeny produced by each mode, and the genetic diversity of the progeny. Cleistogamous flower production begins earlier in the season than CH flower production. There is a distinct threshold of low light intensity below which mostly CL flowers are produced. Paternal expenditure per plant is an order of magnitude larger for the CH than the CL component. The opposite relation holds for maternal expenditure. Increased maternal expenditure in the CL component may be due to greater fertilization success and retrieval of paternal costs. Cleistogamous seeds are dispersed later than CH seeds. Following dispersal, the spikelet encloses the CL seed but not the CH seed, and is responsible for inducing dormancy. The ratio of seedlings arising from CH seeds to that from CL seeds in a natural habitat is significantly lower than the ratio of estimated numbers of CH to CL seeds produced. There were no detectable polymorphisms among ten presumptive enzyme loci assayed. Many of the features associated with CH and CL reproduction in M. polynoda are in accord with the theoretical requirements for the evolution of closed flower self-pollination and the maintenance of two distinct methods of
Rennin-like Enzyme from Mucor pusillus for Cheese Manufacture

Abstract A fungal rennet produced from Mucor pusillus is satisfactory for cheese manufacture. Enzyme stability in powder and in saline solution is excellent. However, severe activity losses occur when blended and stored with veal rennet in liquid form. Coagulation by fungal rennet is more sensitive to high pH than veal rennet, but less sensitive than swine pepsin. Coagulation by fungal rennet is more affected by Ca −- than veal rennet. Fungal rennet produces a greater nonprotein-nitrogen increase in casein solution and in cheese than pepsin or rennet. Higher lipase activity is also present, suggesting advantages in acceleration of curing. Normal clotting time and curd tension can be obtained through adjustment of: rennin units in coagulant, amount of Ca ++ in milk, temperature or time of setting, or blending with veal rennet. Normal Brick, Cheddar, Pizza, and Parmesan cheeses have been made with fungal rennet. Solids losses in whey suggest careful control of factors affecting curd tension and use of a coagulant blend containing predominantly veal rennet.
Lipoxygenase and hydroperoxide lyase activities in two olive varieties from Northern Italy

Practical applications: In this paper we studied the lipoxygenase (LOX) and hydroperoxide lyase (HPL) activities, and the formation of their products (hydroperoxides and aldehydes) in microsomes extracted from olive pulp of two Italian cultivars. The study of LOX and HPL, belonging to the so-called ‘oxylipin pathway’, has important implications on the aroma development in both fruit and oil. Thus, a better knowledge of the properties of these enzymes can be useful to improve the organoleptic features of the oil. In fact, ‘LOX pathway’ may play a positive role in the formation of pleasant flavours during the technological processes. The preliminary study of the activity of the LOX/HPL enzymes could represent an important tool to facilitate the varietal choice in order to improve oil quality.
Nutritive value of oats of different composition evaluated by intact and fistulated pigs

Heal and total tract digestibilities of dietary components and energy in eight oat diets varying in chemical composition were studied with growing pigs in two 4×4 Latin square experiments. The diet with partially dehulled oats had the significantly (P < 0.05) highest ileal and total tract digestibility of organic matter, crude protein, total fibre and energy. The metabolizable energy value of the oat batches tested varied between 15.4 and 10.9 MJ kg‐1 dry matter. Significant correlations (P < 0.05) were found between both total tract and ileal digestibilities of organic matter and energy, respectively, and the content of fibre components, starch, crude fat and nitrogen‐free extractives. Differences in the correlations as predictors between the content of crude fibre, total fibre, neutral detergent fibre or acid detergent fibre and the ileal and total tract digestibility of organic matter and energy, respectively, were limited.
Larval Habitat for the Avian Malaria Vector Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Altered Mid-Elevation Mesic-Dry Forests in Hawai'i

ABSTRACT: Effective management of avian malaria (Plasmodium relictum) in Hawai'i's endemic honeycreepers (Drepanidinae) requires the identification and subsequent reduction or treatment of larval habitat for the mosquito vector, Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae). We conducted ground surveys, treehole surveys, and helicopter aerial surveys from 2001–2003 to identify all potential larval mosquito habitat within two 100+ ha mesic-dry forest study sites in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Hawai'i; 'Ainahou Ranch and Mauna Loa Strip Road. At 'Ainahou Ranch, anthropogenic sites (43%) were more likely to contain mosquitoes than naturally occurring (8%) sites. Larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus were predominately found in anthropogenic sites while Aedes albopictus larvae occurred less frequently in both anthropogenic sites and naturally-occurring sites. Additionally, moderate-size (∼20-22,000 liters) anthropogenic potential larval habitat had >50% probability of mosquito presence compared to larger- and smaller-volume habitat (<50%). Less than 20% of trees surveyed at ' Ainahou Ranch had treeholes and few mosquito larvae were detected. Aerial surveys at 'Ainahou Ranch detected 56% (95% CI: 42–68%) of the potential larval habitat identified in ground surveys. At Mauna Loa Strip Road, Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae were only found in the rock holes of small intermittent stream drainages that made up 20% (5 of 25) of the total potential larval habitat. The volume of the potential larval habitat did not influence the probability of mosquito occurrence at Mauna Loa Strip Road. Our results suggest that Cx. quinquefasciatus abundance, and subsequently avian malaria, may be controlled by larval habitat reduction in the mesic-dry landscapes of Hawai'i where anthropogenic sources predominate.