Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The prevalence of lung surface abnormalities in a healthy population as detected by a screening lung ultrasound protocol: Comparison between young and older volunteers

Lung ultrasound can detect B‐lines in both disease states and normal patients. B‐lines are sensitive indicators for interstitial oedema, but research is limited in terms of what is a ‘normal’ amount in healthy adults. Current belief is that 3 B‐lines in laterobasal areas can be normal. We aimed to determine what is normal in healthy patients of different ages. We hypothesised that older patients and patients with the previous history of lung disease or smoking would have more B‐lines.
Mapping phenotypic traits in swine

The Illinois Meat Quality Pedigree (IMQP), a three-generation Berkshire x Duroc resource population, was created to discover quantitative trait loci (QTL) influencing carcass composition, growth, and meat quality traits in pigs. Each animal in the IMQP population was genotyped for 137 microsatellite markers and 43,486 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP). Two different analyses were performed to detect QTL in this population. For the first analysis, a linkage map consisting of 137 microsatellite markers was used to perform a regression interval analysis with QTLexpress, a publicly available web-based software. In the second analysis, the SOLAR software package was used to perform a variance component analysis with a physical map created from the 43,486 SNP markers. Ninety-five QTL were detected using the QTLexpress software while 787 QTL were detected using the SOLAR software. Of these QTL, 40 of the QTL detected by QTLexpress were located in the same position as 119 of the QTL detected by SOLAR. One of the QTL identified by the regression interval analysis was highly significant and associated with a relatively large effect on loin eye area. The QTL is located between microsatellite markers SW1129 and SW1647 on chromosome 6 encompassing a span of 73.2 million base pairs (Mb) with a 95% confidence interval spanning 98 Mb. To reduce the size of this interval and identify positional candidate genes, 1,600 SNP markers from the Illumina PorcineSNP60 Genotyping BeadChip that were located within the 95% confidence interval were analyzed using available analysis software programs. Software included QTLexpress, Qxpak, R/qtl, SOLAR, PLINK and Bayes-C. Results from each analysis were consolidated and a consensus region was identified between 85.67 and 85.68 Mb. To examine the power of high-density SNP genotyping platforms for the mapping of specific phenotypes, a unique coat color phenotype observed during the development of the IMQP was selected for analysis. Individuals of the F2 generation displayed a diverse set of coat
Predation Efficiency of Five Coccinellid Beetles on Aphis craccivora Koch Infesting Cowpea

The predation efficiency of five species of coccinellids, namely, Coelophora biplagiata (Swartz), Coccinella transversalis F. , Menochilus sexmaculatus (F.), Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant, and Chilocorus nigrita (F.), against cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch, was evaluated in the laboratory. Maximum consumption of A. craccivora (65.20 ± 0.59 to 214.60 ± 2.60) was observed in C. biplagiata released under various predator densities, whereas C. montrouzieri consumed the minimum numbers (19.40 ± 0.36 to 84.60 ± 0.73). C. biplagiata was closely followed by M. sexmaculatus and C. transversalis . It was also observed that C. biplagiata, M. sexmaculata and C. transversalis exhibited higher predation efficiency with a mean aphid consumption of 43.60 ± 0.46 to 485.80 ± 5.18, 41.20 ± 0.33 to 377.00 ± 3.35 and 40.60 ± 0.96 to 370.00 ± 3.74, respectively, under different prey densities of 45 to 720. When C. biplagiata was released, significantly lowest aphid population (23.06) was recorded, followed by M. sexmaculatus (35.26), C. transversalis (43.00) and C. nigrita (49.13) as against unreleased control (191.86). The highest aphid population (54.26) was recorded in the treatment where C. montrouzieri released.
Impact of Salicylic Acid and Juniperus procera Extract as a Defense Mechanism against Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus and Host Biochemical Characterization

Plants have developed numerous approaches to resist infection by viruses. Severe mosaic symptoms commonly occur in leaves of cucurbit plants infected with Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV). The present study is conducted to investigate the effect of salicylic acid and Juniperus procera extract on systemic acquired resistance against ZYMV and metabolic changes of Cucurbita pepo plant. Infected plants leaves with ZYMV showed many symptoms, including severe mosaic, chlorosis and deformation, while treated leaves with salicylic acid (SA) or J. procera extract showed lower level of symptoms. Most of the detected amino acids of ZYMV infected C. pepo plants were found lower in concentration than the control, while the amino acid proline was detected at the highest concentration (217µg/gm) in infected compared with healthy plant (71 µg/gm). Proline content of inoculated ZYMV plant was 136 and 187 µg/gm with the treatment of SA or J. procera extract respectively. Chlorophyll a & b content of virus inoculated C. pepo. plant was (5.31 and 2.46 mg/g fresh weight) compared with the healthy control (7.68 and 3.21mg/g fresh weight), respectively. On the other hand, treatment with SA increased the total content of chlorophyll a &b comparing with the infected plant without treatment. Jasmonic acid, SA, phenolic and protein contents of C. pepo plant were increased, while carbohydrate and lipid contents decreased as a result of viral infection comparing with the healthy plant. With SA treatment jasmonic acid, SA and phenolic content are noticeably increased, while decreased with treatment of J. procera extract. Current results showed many metabolic changes affected by either viral infection or treatments with SA and J. procera extract. Also, the results indicate that exogenous SA plays an important role as a defence mechanism against ZYMV infection.
Shearing influences the milk fatty acid profile of dairy ewes

In Mediterranean areas shearing is commonly performed during late spring and, therefore, ewes may be exposed to cold stress especially during the night. Short-term periods of cold exposure can increase hepatic glucose production, decrease insulin secretion and increase fat catabolism and plasma non-esterified free fatty acids (NEFA) concentration. These metabolic adaptations to cold exposure can increase the mammary uptake of long-chain fatty acid from plasma. The present study aimed to investigate the metabolic response of dairy ewes to shearing by monitoring their milk fatty acid (FA) profile. Twelve 2-4-year-old Sarda ewes, in mid-late lactation, were used. The trial lasted from 30 th May to 9 th June 2006. The pre-experimental period (pre-shearing, PrS) was from 30 th May to 5 th June (shearing day), being followed by the experimental period (post-shearing, PoS) until 9 th June. On shearing day, the flock was divided in two groups (6 ewes each) which were then managed differently: non-confined group (NCG) and confined group (CG) which was kept in a sheepfold during the night. Four samplings during PrS and other four during PoS periods were performed. During the trial, ewes were fed concentrate at 1000g/d per head, during the two daily milking, and hay ad libitum , and grazed on green clover (3h/day). Daily milk production was recorded and daily milk samples were collected for analysis of fat content and FA profile. Shearing did not influence milk yield but increased significantly milk fat content (6.37 vs. 6.94% for PrS and PoS, respectively; P <0.01). Ewes confinement during the night did not affect milk yield and its fat content. Shearing modified significantly the FA profile of milk. The concentration of C8, C10, C12 and C16 increased significantly from PrS to PoS. On the other hand, the content of long-chain FA (>C18:0) did not change between PrS and PoS (46.26 vs. 46.40mg/100g of FAME, respectively). These results suggest that the increase of milk fat after shearing was related to the increase of the main FA synthesized by the mammary gland. However, the unexpected increase in the synthesis of short- and medium-chain FA after shearing suggests that these animals were not subjected to cold stress. Therefore, the mechanism involved in the modification of the FA profile caused by shearing in dairy ewes should be elucidated.
MECHANISMS OF TRANSONIC SINGLE DEGREE OF FREEDOM FLUTTER OF A LAMINAR AIRFOIL

Results of a flutter experiment on a CAST 10 supercritical laminar airfoil with an experimentally specified degree of freedom in pitch are presented. On the basis of a selected limit cycle oscillation, the underlying unsteady flow effects are analysed. In addition to a resolution of the movement and the temporal behavior of the laminar-turbulent boundary layer transition as well as the movement of the compression shock, the shock-boundary layer interaction is discussed in detail. An analysis of the energy transfer establishes a connection between the previously discussed flow effects and possible causes for the aeroelastic instability as well as the limitation of the amplitude of the observed LCOs. A phase lead of the boundary layer transition in relation to the shock motion occurs. This is associated with a change of the phase difference between the aerodynamic moment and the pitch motion of the laminar airfoil during the onset and growth of limit cycle oscillation, which contributes significantly to the limitation of the LCO amplitude. In addition, a connection between the movement of the boundary layer transition and a positive energy input into the structure is indicated.
Comparing Molecular Dynamics Force Fields in the Essential Subspace

The continued development and utility of molecular dynamics simulations requires improvements in both the physical models used (force fields) and in our ability to sample the Boltzmann distribution of these models. Recent developments in both areas have made available multi-microsecond simulations of two proteins, ubiquitin and Protein G, using a number of different force fields. Although these force fields mostly share a common mathematical form, they differ in their parameters and in the philosophy by which these were derived, and previous analyses showed varying levels of agreement with experimental NMR data. To complement the comparison to experiments, we have performed a structural analysis of and comparison between these simulations, thereby providing insight into the relationship between force-field parameterization, the resulting ensemble of conformations and the agreement with experiments. In particular, our results show that, at a coarse level, many of the motional properties are preserved across several, though not all, force fields. At a finer level of detail, however, there are distinct differences in both the structure and dynamics of the two proteins, which can, together with comparison with experimental data, help to select force fields for simulations of proteins. A noteworthy observation is that force fields that have been reparameterized and improved to provide a more accurate energetic description of the balance between helical and coil structures are difficult to distinguish from their “unbalanced” counterparts in these simulations. This observation implies that simulations of stable, folded proteins, even those reaching 10 microseconds in length, may provide relatively little information that can be used to modify torsion parameters to achieve an accurate balance between different secondary structural elements.
The Reversal of Comparative Advantage?

This paper looks at the distortionary impact of transportation costs on cropping choices in Uganda. Combining data on farm level land use and an agronomic model returning crop specific land suitability, I show that the total output (value) could be increased by one third just by reallocating crops according to the agroclimatic comparative advantage. I find that deviations from the optimal cropping patterns are pronounced also within circumscribed areas and therefore cannot be fully attributed to lack of integration across regional markets. To explain this pattern, I develop a model aimed at explaining crop choices of farmers that are located in the same area (with the same market prices), but are heterogeneous in market accessibility and face different agroclimatic conditions which affect crops comparative advantage. The model shows that transportation costs have a twofold impact on cropping patterns. Firstly, farmers in more isolated areas tend to devote a higher share of land to food crops and/or cash crops that are easier to store and transport to the market. Secondly, since farmers with lower market access are incentivised to produce for self-consumption, they fail to specialise and might ultimately use more land to grow crops which are relatively less suitable to meet their consumption needs. The empirical analysis shows that both these effects are in play and that transportation costs are an important determinant of inefficiencies in cropping choices within regional markets.
Use of Self-Organizing Maps (SOM) for characterization of riverine phytoplankton associations in Hungary

The phytoplankton database of the Middle Danube Basin was analysed and evaluated in order to describe the characteristic algal assemblages of the rivers. The dataset were extracted from the database of the Hungarian monitoring network and academic institutions. We implemented the Kohonen Self Organizing Map (SOM) method by which we can visualize the assemblages in topology-preserving projection of two-dimensional space. The method is capable of evaluating large datasets (more than 1800 samples in the present investigation). As a result, we can identify the different algal communities which characterize different river types. The algal communities were described as different ratios of algal functional groups. Since some of the groups are in close relation with certain types of environmental pressure it is also possible to highlight those rivers or river sections (or those periods) which are far from the expected good ecological status.
Maturation and breeding habit of Dasyatis(Amphotistius) imbricatus (Schneider) at Porto Novo

In Dasyatis imbricatus only the ovary and the uterus on the left side are functional. It has a prolonged breeding season from December to July and produces 1 or 2 emibryos. The ova are ready for ovulation even before the parturition of the embryo in the uterus. The females reach maturity when they attain the size of 170-179 mm as confirmed by the ponderal index. The males in the 160-169inin size group are mature as judged by the relationship between body length and elasper length. S;xes in the commerical catches vary — 51.25% mles to 48.75% females
Modulation of respiratory burst activity of trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) phagocytic cells

approved: nstophe . Bayne In a comparison of the mammalian and fish immune systems many similarities and differences are found. While most of the differences occur in the acquired or lymphoid arm of immunity, the nonlymphoid immune systems of fish and mammals share many similarities. For instance, both animal groups use phagocytic neutrophils and macrophages as effector cells. The functions of these cells are crucial to the health of the organism as they provide the first line of cellular defense against invading pathogens. One of these functions is the production of bactericidal superoxide radicals (respiratory burst) which serves as a defensive mechanism shared by fish and mammalian phagocytic cells. This thesis examines the nature and the modulation of the respiratory burst by rainbow trout pronephric phagocytic cells. This organ contains two populations of phagocytic cells which can be separated into adherent and nonadherent subpopulations each of which shares functional characteristics with their mammalian homologues, macrophages and neutrophils. On a per cell basis, the fish adherent cells produce less PMA-stimulated superoxide than the nonadherent cells. The respiratory burst of the nonadherent cells is diminished by in vitro conditions of cell crowding and adherence and occurs at temperature ranges higher than the physiological maintenance temperature of the fish. Redacted for Privacy In rainbow trout the respiratory burst is also modulated by in vitro exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a component of the cell wall of gram negative bacteria. Incubation of mixed adherent and nonadherent cells for 24 hours in the presence of LPS enhances the respiratory burst of the nonadherent pronephric phagocytes. Incubation for 72 hours diminishes the response due, at least partly, to an LPS-induced increased adherence of `nonadherent' cells removing them from the PMA-reactive population. Alteration of nonadherent cell function is mediated through adherent cells as evidenced by the ability of LPS-treated adherent cells and their supernatants to simulate LPS effects on nonadherent cells. The respiratory burst of trout phagocytic cells is also modulated by stress. Brief suspension of fish out of the water resulted in diminished superoxide production by nonadherent cells assayed one hour later. In vitro incubation of nonadherent cells for 72 hours with 10-6 M dexamethasone, a synthetic stress hormone, also diminished the respiratory burst. Modulation of Respiratory Burst Activity of Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Phagocytic Cells
Os solos de uma Topossequencia na ilha de Algodoal/ Maiandeua, nordeste do estado do Pará, Brasil: composição química e produção de matéria orgânica

This paper shows the results of a survey in Algodoal/Mainadeua Island, Para State Coastal Zone (00° 34' 35" S, 00° 40'00" S e 47° 39'35" WGr, 47° 3125" WGr). Samples were colleted from the organic surface layer (litter), light organic matter and soil (depths 0-5 cm, 5-10 cm and 10-20 cm) along a toposequence with diversified soils and vegetation cover. There were no statistical differences between the chemical components of the fulvic acid fraction in the soils ander study.
Morpho-physiological characterization of spring wheat genotypes under drought stress

Water-deficit is a severe abiotic stress and major constraint to wheat productivity with effect on plant growth and development. The objective of this study was to characterize drought tolerant and susceptible spring wheat cultivars on the basis of physiological and yield attributes. The experiment was comprised of two irrigation regimes i.e. irrigated and 65% drought stress and ten wheat cultivars viz. Anmol, Moomal, Sarsabz, Bhittai, Pavon, SKD-1, TD-1, Kiran, Marvi and Mehran. Results indicated significant effect of water stress on stomatal dimension, stomatal conductance, relative leaf water content and grain yield with no effect on stomatal density. The irrigation × cultivars interaction was non-significant for grain yield only. Cultivars like Anmol, Moomal, Bhittai, Sarsabz proved to be drought tolerant with smaller stomatal dimensions, less stomatal conductance and more relative water content under water stress and produced higher grain yield. While decrease in relative water contents and grain yield, and increase in stomatal attributes was observed in drought susceptible cultivars such as Marvi, TD-1 and SKD-1 hence proved to be drought susceptible.
Broadly cross-reactive antibodies dominate the human B cell response against 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus infection

The Rockefeller University Press $30.00 J. Exp. Med. Vol. 208 No. 1 181-193 www.jem. org/cgi/doi/10.1084/jem.20101352 181 Influenza is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States (Beigel, 2008), with the elderly, the very young, pregnant women, and otherwise immune-compromised populations accounting for >90% of influenza-related deaths. The pandemic H1N1 influenza virus strain is immunologically distinct from other influenza CORRESPONDENCE Rafi Ahmed: rahmed@emory.edu OR Patrick C. Wilson: wilsonp@uchicago.edu
Phylogenetic relationships of files in the family Drosophilidae inferred by combined analysis of molecular and morphological data sets

The phylogenetic relationships of flies within the family Drosophilidae are studied in four clades placed at three different taxonomic levels. The goal of examining phylogenetic relationships of nested clades within Drosophilidae is to study patterns divergence at several points, giving a more informative view of evolution in this family of flies. Two studies presented here examine the phylogenetic relationships within the Drosophila saltans and Drosophila obscura species groups. Another examines the relationships among several species groups within the subgenus Sophophora. The final study examines the phylogenetic relationships among genera within the family Drosophilidae. The molecular data gathered for members of the Drosophila saltans species group are congruent with the conclusions of previous taxonomic studies. All five species subgroups are monophyletic with respect to one another. Relationships among the subgroups indicate that the neocordata and elliptica subgroups are basal in the saltans species group. The saltans and parasaltans subgroups are derived sister taxa and the sturtevanti subgroup occupies an intermediate position within the saltans species group. The results of the Drosophila obscura analyses indicate that all five of the subgroups are monophyletic with respect to one another. Furthermore, the New and Old World obscura species groups are monophyletic, a result which has been suggested by some data in the past. This study also suggests, albeit weakly, that the Afrotropical microlabis subgroup may be the sister taxon of the subobscura subgroup. The results of this study indicate that Sophophora is monophyletic with respect to the subgenus Drosophila. Within Sophophora, the obscura and saltans species groups are highly supported as monophyletic. The willistoni and melanogaster species groups, however, may not be monophyletic. This is possibly due to rapid speciation at the base of these two species groups. The relationships inferred through combined analysis of all available molecular and morphological data indicate that the genus Drosophila is not monophyletic. Several genera, including Engiscaptomyza, Hirtodrosophila, Mycodrosophila, Paramycodrosophila, Samoaia, Scaptomyza, Zaprionus and Zygothrica diverge within the boundaries of what is currently considered the "genus" Drosophila. Furthermore, the subgenus Drosophila is not monophyletic and can be tentatively divided into at least two, and probably more, monophyletic groups. These clades correspond, although not perfectly, with the virilis-repleta and immigrans-tripunctata radiations described in earlier taxonomic studies. Finally, the subgenus Sophophora, previously considered the sister clade of the subgenus Drosophila, is shown to be a lineage distinct from the genus Drosophila.
Epidemiology of Haemonchus contortus infection in goats in Sikkim

Out of 3,821 faecal samples examined 63.18% were positive with a mean egg per gram (epg) of 1,150.22. Highest prevalence was observed in August (83.22%). Examination of abomasums of slaughtered goats (107) showed 61.68% incidence of Haemonchus contortus infection with worm count in the range of 41.26– 377.22. The female/male ratio was 1.639. The infection was more prevalent in animals below 1 year (68.34%) followed by 1– 2 year (64.99%) while those above two years of age showed only 57.71% prevalence. Moreover, the prevalence was more in autumn (74.73%) and summer (73.12%) compared with spring and winter.