Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The incidence of the tick parasite Ixodes uriae in Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla colonies in relation to the age of the colony, and a mechanism of infecting new colonies

Kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla (683 chicks and 64 adults) were examined for ectoparasites in three breeding areas: Isle of May (Firth of Forth, Scotland; eight colonies of approximately known age of occupation on natural sites), North Shields and Gateshead (Tyne and Wear, England; well established colonies of known age on buildings). All the 208 ticks collected were Ixodes uriae. On the Isle of May, a colony which had only been established for 7 years was already infested by ticks. Tick incidence increased significantly with the length of colonization of the area during the first 30 years. Age of colonization did not have an effect after 30 years. In Gateshead only a single adult among the 127 birds examined had a tick. No ticks were found on the 106 chicks born at North Shields checked in 1987 or in 1988. However, among nine visiting newly-fledged chicks from neighbouring colonies caught at the North Shields colony, six had either ticks or scars of previous infestation. Some visiting chicks remained for several days in the host colony and were even fed by the owners of visited nests. Ixodes uriae may thus spread from one colony to another during visits of newly-fledged infested chicks to neighbouring colonies. The absence of any infestation in old colonies (38 years in North Shields and 17 years in Gateshead) on buildings that are regularly visited by newly fledged infested chicks, suggests that buildings may lack the rock refuges necessary for tick survival from one year to the next. In this respect Kittiwake colonies on buildings are rather atypical.
The Biology and Functional Morphology of the Placental Embryo-Brooding Neolepton salmoneum, a Comparison with Neolepton subtrigonum (Bivalvia: Cyamioidea: Neoleptonidae), and a Discussion of Affinities

Abstract: The anatomies of two species of Neoleptonidae are described. Clearly heterodont with cardinal and lateral hinge teeth, the shell also has an internal, parivincular ligament. Shell form suggests a shallow burrowing mode of life in coarse gravels in coastal waters. The labial palps are small and the intestine short further suggesting deposit feeding in well-sorted gravels. A pronounced prodissoconch (II) with a marginal ridge argues for lecithotrophic development further facilitating re-colonization of a narrow niche. In most anatomical respects, the two species are simplified with conjoined inhalant and pedal apertures and few posterior sensory mantle papillae. The ctenidia comprise subequal demibranchs with the outer reduced and the inner modified for internally fertilized embryo brooding. The attachment of each embryo chord to the demibranch filaments is probably from secretions produced by basal glands developed on their abrofrontal surfaces. There may also be secondary external pallial brooding, accounting for the ridged prodissoconch II with attachment achieved via secretions from oil glands in the mantle margin. Comparisons are made with representatives of the earliest-considered affiliates of the Cyamioidea, that is, the Arcticoidea [now rejected], the confamilial Gaimardiidae and Cyamiidae, and the recently suggested Ungulinidae. It is considered that although neoteny has been proposed for the Turtoniidae, Sportellidae, and Neleptonidae to explain cyamioidean small size, anatomical features of the studied species of the latter family herein investigated suggest, rather, that they are simply ‘small’ there being, contrary to the conclusions of others, little evidence of paedomorphosis. In this scenario, smallness is not a reflection of neoteny. It is the evolutionary selection of a life history trait and opted recipe for success. Notwithstanding, earlier suggestions of an affiliation with the Veneroidea are considered plausible, although no reason is seen for not retaining the superfamily Cyamioidea nor its, as contemporaneously recognized, families, including the Neoleptonidae.
Assessing sources and ages of organic matter supporting river and estuarine bacterial production: A multiple‐isotope (Δ14C, 㬔C, and δ15N) approach

We used radiocarbon (Δ14C) and stable isotopic (Δ13C, Δ15N) signatures of bacterial nucleic acids to estimate the sources and ages of organic matter (OM) assimilated by bacteria in the Hudson River and York River estuary. Dual‐isotope plots of Δ14C and Δ13C coupled with a three‐source mixing model resolved the major OM sources supporting bacterial biomass production (BBP). However, overlap in the stable isotopic (Δ13C and Δ15N) values of potential source end members (i.e., terrestrial, freshwater phytoplankton, and marsh‐derived) prohibited unequivocal source assignments for certain samples. In freshwater regions of the York, terrigenous material of relatively recent origin (i.e., decadal in age) accounted for the majority of OM assimilated by bacteria (49–83%). Marsh and freshwater planktonic material made up the other major source of OM, with 5–33% and 6–25% assimilated, respectively. In the mesohaline York, BBP was supported primarily by estuarine phytoplankton‐derived OM during spring and summer (53–87%) and by marsh‐derived OM during fall (as much as 83%). Isotopic signatures from higher salinity regions of the York suggested that BBP there was fueled predominantly by either estuarine phytoplankton‐derived OM (July and November) or by material advected in from the Chesapeake Bay proper (October). In contrast to the York, BBP in the Hudson River estuary was subsidized by a greater portion (up to ~25%) of old (~24,000 yr BP) allochthonous OM, which was presumably derived from soils. These findings collectively suggest that bacterial metabolism and degradation in rivers and estuaries may profoundly alter the mean composition and age of OM during transport within these systems and before its export to the coastal ocean.
Pyrethroid resistance in the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), in West Africa.

The susceptibility of Helicoverpa armigera to pyrethroids has been investigated in West Africa by means of laboratory bioassays since 1985, the first year of widespread pyrethroid use. For some years, this survey has shown a tendency for the pest to become more tolerant to pyrethroids. During the 1996 growing season, farmers using calendar-based spraying programmes reported control failures in various countries. The strong efficacy of cypermethrin on small larvae was confirmed in experimental plots, but the effect decreased quickly in successive instars. Bioassays performed on resistant strains revealed an increase in LD50 that was related to different resistance mechanisms. Metabolic resistance (MFO) appears to be a possible primary mechanism of resistance to pyrethroids. Target modification (kdr) is involved to a small degree and esterases seem to appear only after additional selection pressure. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry
Enzyme addition facilitates the post-disease compensatory growth of broiler chickens challenged with Clostridium perfringens

In vitro incubation studies using a multicarbohydrase supplement showed a significant depolymerization of nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP) of soybean meal (SBM), canola meal and flaxseed meal, which was associated with the production of water-soluble NSP hydrolysis products. Effects of diet type and enzyme addition on growth performance of broiler chickens were investigated in a Clostridium perfringens challenge (109 CFU bird-1 on day 14) study. A total of 2640 male chickens were assigned to six treatments (wheat/SBM, unchallenged; wheat/SBM challenged; wheat/SBM + enzyme, challenged; wheat/flaxseed, unchallenged; wheat/flaxseed, challenged; wheat/flaxseed+enzyme, challenged). When compared with the wheat/SBM-based diets, birds fed flaxseed-containing diets had a decreased final body weight, an inferior overall feed conversion ratio (FCR), and an increased intestinal digesta viscosity (P < 0.01). Pathogen challenge caused mucosal lesions and increased (P < 0.05) the incidence of necrotic enteritis mortalit.
Influence of genotype and feeding on chemical composition of organic chicken meat

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different genotypes and of feeding on meat chemical composition, including fatty acid profile, of chickens reared under organic conditions. Two meat–type fast-growing (FG) and medium-growing (MG), and one egg-type slow-growing (SG) strains were assigned to 2 different diets differing for the protein source: soybean (SB) and faba bean (FB) in partial substitution of soybean. Genotype markedly affected the meat chemical composition. SG breast and thigh meat showed lower content of lipids (P<0.01) than FG. The highest proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) n-6 and n-3 and the lowest proportion of monounsaturated (MUFA) (P<0.01), as well as the lowest ratio of PUFA n6/n3 (P<0.01) were found in SG breast and thigh meat. MG showed always intermediate values. As for feeding, FB treatment produced only a slight increment of protein in breast and a decrease of fat and ash in thigh meat. Total PUFA and PUFA n-6 resulted lower in both thigh and breast meat of FB groups compared to SB (P<0.01).
DNA-based association of adults and larvae in Baetidae (Ephemeroptera) with the description of a new genus Adnoptilum in Madagascar

Abstract The mayfly fauna of Madagascar is highly diverse and largely endemic. Many species remain undescribed, and many species are known from only the larval or adult life stage. The high biodiversity in Madagascar and in other areas has led to an increasing reliance on DNA-based approaches to taxonomy, i.e., to define species boundaries and to associate different developmental stages. We used the general mixed Yule-coalescent (GMYC) model to combine population- and species-level sequence variation of mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (mtDNA) to detect species boundaries in Baetidae mayflies (Ephemeroptera). Starting with a database of 240 sequences (57 species), significant clustering of newly sequenced larvae allowed us to establish 1 new species and 1 new combination and to associate adult and larval stages for both. A molecular phylogeny using additional nuclear (18S) and mtDNA (rrnS, rrnL) gene regions recovered the new species and new combination as a monophyletic group, distinct from other Afrotropical lineages. Therefore, we established a new genus, Adnoptilum, endemic to Madagascar. Adnoptilum gen. n. can be distinguished from other species in both the imaginal and adult stages and appears to belong to the Bugilliesia complex. We conclude that routine sampling of population- and species-level genetic diversity, combined with coalescent-based methods of species delineation, has great potential to become a standard procedure for the study of poorly known taxonomic groups.
Risk, knowledge, and trust in managing forest insect disturbance

Understanding perceptions of risks, awareness, and trust in management agencies is critical to effective management of large-scale forest insect disturbance. In this study, we examined regional variation in public perceptions of risk, compared public and land managers’ perceptions, and examined knowledge and trust as factors in shaping public perceptions of a mountain pine beetle (MPB) (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) infestation. Survey data were collected from residents (n = 1303) in three regions of Alberta and from land managers (n = 43) responsible for MPB management. Results showed that residents had moderate or great concern for MBP risks, they were not well informed about MPB, and they showed slight trust in the provincial government and forest industry to manage the beetle. There was regional variation in perceptions of risks, knowledge, and trust. Land managers were less concerned about nontimber effects and had higher trust than the public. A positive correlation between trust and risk percept.
THE RELATIONS BETWEEN TRAUMA EXPOSURE, SUBJECTIVE TRAUMA APPRAISALS, AND POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS SYMPTOMS IN A SAMPLE OF ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS

The aim of this present study is to assess the relations between objective trauma exposure characteristics (i.e. the number of days of hospitalization, the number of deaths), subjective trauma appraisal and posttraumatic stress symptoms in victims of road traffic accidents (RTA). We also wanted to identify the moderating role of subjective trauma appraisals in the relations between objective trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms. The study involved a sample consisting of 162 participants that experienced an RTA in the last two years (62.3 % were men). The results showed that the number of days of hospitalization, traumatic fear, and the three types of posttraumatic cognitions were positively correlated with PTSD symptoms. However, only the number of days of hospitalization, traumatic fear, and negative cognitions about the self predicted PTSD symptoms. Further, the results showed that self-blame cognitions moderated the relation between the number of deaths and PTSD symptoms. The results are in line with cognitive models of PTSD and some previous studies sustaining the fact that subjective trauma appraisals are strongly related to PTSD, compared to objective indicators of trauma exposure. The implications of these results for interventions are discussed.
Adsorption of typical endocrine disrupting chemicals by wheat straw biochars and the effects of the steric structure

The main objective of this study was to understand the mechanisms controlling the adsorption of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) to biochars. The biochars were prepared by wheat straw under different pyrolysis conditions. The properties of biochars were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, elemental analyzer and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Bisphenol A (BPA) and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) were selected as the model EDCs, and phenanthrene (Phen) was chosen as the comparison chemical. Batch adsorption experiments were performed to obtain the adsorption isotherms. The results showed that the adsorption capacity of typical EDCs and Phen on biochars was as the following order: BC700 > BC500 > BC300. The adsorption affinity was significantly affected not only by the properties of biochars but also by the properties of EDCs. For Phen and EE2, which have the planar structure and bigger size, they could block the micropores of biochars, thus, the hydrophobic effect was the main adsorption mechanism. For BPA, which has the butterfly structure, it could enter into the pores of biochars and be adsorbed by the high energy sorption sites, thus, the pore-filling effect may play a key role. Meanwhile, π–π electron donor–acceptor interaction and H-bonding also play an important role in the adsorption process. These results implied that the properties of EDCs, especially their steric structure, would significantly affect their adsorption behaviors on biochars.
Pollen-mediated transgene flow in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

Transgene escape risks are evaluated by assessing the frequency of transgenic hybrids within populations sexually compatible with those genetically modified. We examined the pollen-mediated transgene flow among lettuce varieties in Italy. Transgenic ‘Luxor’ lines harboured the arabidopsis KNAT1 gene, which caused leaf trait alterations, and the bacterial NPTII gene for resistance to kanamycin. Donor homozygous lines (KNAT1:NPTII/KNAT1:NPTII) were used in two trials: in glasshouse, ‘Luxor’ transgenic and conventional plants were spaced at 15 cm; in field, a transgenic ‘Luxor’ donor island was set up and surrounded by 10 pollen receiver varieties sited at 0.5, 11 and 22 m. Progenies of recipient cultivars were screened by kanamycin assays, leaf alterations, transgene transcription and integrity. The out-crossing rate (OCR) was calculated as the frequency of KNAT1:NPTII/− and δKNAT1:NPTII/− genotypes because KNAT1 impair (indicated with δ) was observed to vary from the 0.03% to 0.36%. Indoor, ‘Luxor’ intra-varietal OCR was 0.41 ± 0.11%; outdoor, the average inter-varietal OCR was 0.49%, 0.071% and 0.035% for plants at 0.5, 11 and 22 m, respectively.
To find out the incidence of different non-neoplastic lesions in resected segment of ileum and colon

Background-The small intestine and large intestine accounts for most of the GI tract length and are the sites of a broad array of diseases. Small intestine is the principal site for digestion and absorption of ingested food from the gastrointestinal tract. MethodsThis study was Conducted in the Department of Pathology at Sardar Patel Medical College and Associated group of hospitals, Bikaner. This study was hospital based prospective study. All the resected segments of ileum and colon received for histopathological examinations showing non-neoplastic lesions were included in the study. ResultsIn the present study non-neoplastic intestinal lesions were most commonly encountered around 3 rd to 6 th decade of life accounting for 20.40%% and17.34% respectively, while only 3.06% of cases were above 70yr of age. A male predominance was seen in ileum & colon accounting for 36.73% and 26.53% of cases respectively.The incidence of nonneoplastic lesions affecting ileum & colon in females accounting for 22.44% and 13.26% respectively. ConclusionOur study shows that the lesions of ileum and colon can affect wide range of age groups with different etiological factors.
Procyanidin Oligomers Counteract TGF-β1- and TGF-β2-Induced Apoptosis in Hair Epithelial Cells: An Insight into Their Mechanisms

Procyanidin oligomers are polyphenol compounds we have identified in apples and barley which have hair growth stimulant effects, and which are able to promote hair epithelial cell growth and induce anagen induction of the hair cycle in the in vivo murine model. For the purpose of examining the hair-growing mechanisms of procyanidin oligomers, we examined their relationship to the TGF-β signal pathway, known to be a regulator of catagen induction, and the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade linked to cell proliferation. Addition of TGF-β1 or TGF-β2 to hair epithelial cell cultures dose-dependently decreased cell growth and induced apoptosis; however, addition of procyanidin B-2 to the culture neutralized the growth-inhibiting effects of both TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 and protected the cells from apoptosis. The same effects were observed with procyanidin B-3. We confirmed that procyanidin B-2 upregulates the expression of MEK-1/2 in cultured murine hair epithelial cells. We speculate that the hair-growing activity of procyanidin oligomers is at least linked to their growth-promoting effects on hair epithelial cells that follow MEK activation and their protective action on TGF-β1- or TGF-β2-induced apoptosis that is assumed to trigger catagen induction in the hair cycle.
Code-Level Model Checking in the Software Development Workflow

This experience report describes a style of applying symbolic model checking developed over the course of four years at Amazon Web Services (AWS). Lessons learned are drawn from proving properties of numerous C-based systems, e.g., custom hypervisors, encryption code, boot loaders, and an IoT operating system. Using our methodology, we find that we can prove the correctness of industrial low-level C-based systems with reasonable effort and predictability. Furthermore, AWS developers are increasingly writing their own formal specifications. All proofs discussed in this paper are publicly available on GitHub.CCS CONCEPTS• Software and its engineering →Formal software verification; Model checking; Correctness; • Theory of computation →Program reasoning.
CARRIER FUNCTION IN ANTI-HAPTEN ANTIBODY RESPONSES

The studies reported here demonstrate that immunocompetent lymphoid cells from allogeneic donor guinea pigs stimulate the synthesis of anti-DNP and anti-OVA antibodies by recipients previously primed with DNP-OVA. This allogeneic effect occurs spontaneously in the absence of any further anti-genic challenge. Furthermore, the transfer of allogeneic cells prepares DNP-OVA-primed recipients for a striking secondary anti-DNP response to DNP-BGG; this occurs in equal degree whether or not the cells are derived from BGG-primed donors. We suggest that the allogeneic cells function by virtue of a specific immunologic attack of grafted cells on host cells. This conclusion is made on the basis of the following evidence: (a) The failure of observing the phenomenon with L2C leukemia cells and irradiated strain 2 lymph node and spleen cells which, although capable of initiating a host-versus-graft response, are incapable of mediating graft-versus-host reactions; and (b) the inability of (strain 2 x strain 13) F1 hybrids to mediate the allogeneic effect in strain 13 recipients. The analysis of this phenomenon may offer a key to the delineation of mechanisms involved in the activation of precursors of antibody-forming cells.
Emission Characteristics and Visualization of an Axial-Fuel-Staged MILD Combustor

ABSTRACT Axial-fuel-staged combustion is a promising approach to control NOx emission at high combustor outlet temperatures by shortening the residence time of burnt gas in high-temperature region. In this paper, an axial-fuel-staged MILD combustor was studied experimentally. The combustor consists of a first MILD burner producing hot burnt gases and a secondary transverse jet nozzle injecting premixed fuel and air mixtures. By varying the secondary stage equivalence ratio (Φ2) at several constant overall equivalence ratios (Φt), NOx reduction (up to 35%) has been achieved at higher Φt but failed at lower Φt. And by increasing Φ2 at constant first stage equivalence ratios (Φ1), a continuous NOx emission increase was observed, which is insensitive to the variation of Φ1. Furthermore, the liftoff behavior of the reaction region was also studied and it was found to play important roles in the dilution of the jet mixtures, as well as OH* intensities and NOx emissions. With the decrease of Φ1, the OH* chemiluminescence images present a decreased OH* intensity when Φ2 is lean but an increased OH* intensity when Φ2 is rich. Finally, an opposed-flow flame calculation was performed and the experimental results were well-supported by this numerical study.
FLUORESCENCE INDUCTION AND PHOTOSYNTHETIC RESPONSES OF ARCTIC ICE ALGAE TO SAMPLE TREATMENT AND SALINITY 1

The measurement of Photosynthetic rates of algae growing on the undersurface of 1. 7 m thick ice in the Canadian Arctic (Resolute Passage. N.W.T.) presents several problems. During the preparation of samples for physiological measurements, the ice algae may he exposed to salinity and temperature shocks. Fluorescence induction (the rise in in vivo Chl a fluorescence intensity during a period of millineconds) and photosynthesis‐irradiance (PI) experiments examined the potential effects of salinity and temperature on the physiology of ice algae.
First record of Paraprionospio coora Wilson, 1990 (Polychaeta: Spionidae) from the Mediterranean Sea)

The spionid polychaete Paraprionospio pinnata (Ehlers, 1901) has been widely reported from the Mediterranean Sea. We examined some specimens belonging to the genera Paraprionospio that had been collected from the Aegean Sea, Sea of Marmara and the Spanish Mediterranean coast, and identified them as Paraprionospio coora Wilson, 1990, which is new to the Mediterranean fauna. This finding indicates that P. coora has a widespread geographical distribution in Australia, Far East and the Mediterranean, and suggests that the previous records of P. pinnata from the Mediterranean are questionable.