Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Food intake and mass gain of hand‐reared brown bear cubs

Five orphaned European brown bear cubs (Ursus arctos) from 3 litters were hand-reared from the ages of 1–4 months. Body mass initially ranged from 1.7 to 2.8 kg. Growth rates were monitored with reference to diet. Over a period of 3 years, 6 different feed formulas were used. The first 4 formulas were given with bottles until an average age of 133 days. Conversion to mass in the first 10 months ranged from 3.5 to 32.0 g of food per gram of body mass (or 38.1–192.6 kJ of gross energy/gram body mass), and was affected by type of diet. High fat content increased, whereas high carbohydrate content decreased the conversion rates. Formula 3, with 12.0% protein, 23.9% fat, and only 0.2% carbohydrates, simulated values found in bears' milk and produced the best growth rates. Formula 6 (bread, fruits, and meat) was used from ages 7 to 35 months, and over this period, the efficiency of gross energy conversion decreased gradually, by an eventual factor of 3.8. Hand-reared cubs ranged from 1.3 to 2.7 times heavier than 17 wild cubs measured at matching ages. Wild mass is probably limited by maternal hibernation, and by the largely herbivorous nature of the diet. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Inhibition of phytoplankton photosynthesis by solar ultraviolet radiation: studies in Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

1. Lake Titicaca is a large, high altitude (3810 m a.s.l.) tropical lake (16°S, 68°W) that lies on the border of Bolivia and Peru, receiving high fluxes of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) throughout the year. Our studies were conducted during September of 1997 with the main objective of studying the impact of solar UVR upon phytoplankton photosynthesis. 2. Water samples were taken daily and incubated in situ (down to 14 m depth) under three radiation treatments to study the relative responses to PAR (Photosynthetic Available Radiation, 400–700 nm), UV-A (320–400 nm), and UV-B (280–320 nm) radiation. 3. Photosynthetic inhibition by UVR in surface waters was about 80%, with UV-A accounting for 60% and UV-B for 20%; the inhibition by high levels of PAR was less than 20%. The inhibition due to UVR decreased with depth so that there were no significant differences between treatments at 8.5 m depth. 4. The amount of inhibition per unit energy received by phytoplankton indicates that even though there was a significant inhibition of photosynthesis due to UVR, species in Lake Titicaca seem to be better adapted than species in high latitude environments. 5. The cellular concentration of UV-absorbing compounds, a possible mechanism of photoadaptation, was low in phytoplanktonic species. However, they were abundant in zooplankton, suggesting a high rate of bioaccumulation through the diet.
Synthesis of 2-0-α-D-Glucopyranosyl L-Ascorbic Acid by Cyclomaltodextrin Glucanotransferase from Bacillus stearothermophilus

Cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase) [EC 2.4. 1.19] was found to catalyze the transglycosylation from α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) to l-ascorbic acid (AA). A main product formed by this reaction was identified as 2-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl l-ascorbic acid (AA-2G) with the enzymatic hydrolysis and ultraviolet absorption spectra using standard AA-2G. A series of maltooligosaccharide substituted 2-O-derivatives of AA were also detected by HPLC. These were thoroughly hydrolized to AA-2G and glucose by treatment with glucoamylase [EC 3.2. 1.3]. A large amount of AA-2G was prepared with 500 g of AA and 1000 g of α-CD. Two hundred and fifty grams of purified AA-2G, the content of which was 97%, was obtained through enzyme reactions and purification with HPLC using an ion-exchange resin.
Vitamins A1, A2, and E in minks exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (Aroclor 1242®) and copper, VIA diet based on freshwater or marine fish

Minks (Mustela vison) fed diets based on either freshwater fish or marine fish were exposed to 1 mg of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) (Aroclor 1242®) daily for 28 d. To minks on the freshwater diet, copper (62 mg/kg food) was also given with or without PCBs. The marine diet (vitamin‐rich plus additional supplements) included more vitamin A1 and E than the freshwater diet. We studied how the exposures affected levels of vitamins A1, A2, and E in liver and adipose tissues and levels of vitamins A1 and A2 in plasma. In females and males on the freshwater diet, the hepatic level of vitamin A2 was decreased because of the PCBs, and in these males the hepatic levels of vitamin E also decreased. Interestingly, with coexposure to PCBs and copper, the vitamin levels were, in general, close to the control values. In adipose tissues also, the PCBs induced significant changes in the concentrations of vitamins A1 and A2. In plasma, vitamins A1 and A2 were decreased in all patterns of exposure and on both diets. However, plasma thyroxine was slightly increased, a finding opposite to that reported previously in rodent studies. The results suggest that, in mink, diet greatly modulates the responses to PCBs, which may also differ in males and females. Furthermore, vitamins A1 and A2 may not be metabolized equally during PCB administration.
Production and characterization of Green Iron Oxide nanoparticles with antifungal properties against fungal pathogens

In this study, iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized through the green chemistry method. It involved the use of plant extract for synthesis of metal oxide nanomaterials. Aqueous extract ofTridax procumbenswas employed for the production of iron oxide nanoparticles. T. procumbens is a weed and it has good medicinal properties. The green chemistry approach provides a simple, cost-effective and eco-innovative method to the synthesis of nanomaterials as compared to the other alternative methods. Phase, crystal, surface chemistry, size, shape and element composition of nanoparticles were assessed and determined by various techniques like Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Raydiffraction (XRD), ScanningElectronMicroscopy (SEM) and Energy dispersion X-Ray (EDX). In addition, the antifungal properties of the biosynthesized nanoparticles were investigated against plant fungal pathogens. Spherical-shaped nanoparticles with a size of 26 ± 5 nm were obtained using the extract of T. procumbens. Bio-molecules from T. procumbens served as reducing, capping and stabilizing agents for the fabrication of nanoparticles. The highest zone of inhibition was obtained in S. rolfsii(16.5± 0.5)at 50 μg/ml of concentration of TFeONPs. Biosynthesized TFeONPs were capable of inhibiting the growth of fungal pathogens such as S. rolfsii and F. oxysporum and they might be employed as antifungal agents in agriculture to control fungal infections.
An Online Survey of Healthcare Professionals in the COVID-19 Pandemic in the UK:

To explore the emerging concerns of COVID-19 related issues amongst health care workers, members of a range of healthcare organisations, governmental agencies, and the media, and online self-administered survey of healthcare workers was undertaken by the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin in April 2020. Results The respondents were predominantly hospital doctors (67%), aged between 40-60 years (72%) and from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnicity (BAME) backgrounds in the UK (86%). Thirty percent of respondents had one or more vulnerable comorbidities. Over 78% reported either lack of, or inappropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for their role and 68% of respondents felt that they were unable to comply with or that it was impractical to adhere to social distancing at work (including commuting). At the time of the survey, 18.5% of respondents reported having a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of COVID-19. In multivariate analysis, the BAME community emerged as an independent risk factor (OR 1.45) for COVID-19 when adjusted for confounding factors. Conclusions These results add to the emerging concerns expressed internationally on the observation that BAME ethnicity appears to have a higher risk of developing COVID-19. This is the first study that adjusted work-related factors (inability to maintain social distancing and inadequate PPE) and comorbidities. Our work supports the imperative for designing and conducting urgent larger studies to understand this risk and plan appropriate mitigation of the risks to health care workers
Genetic Diversity in a Small Chicken Population Inferred from Microsatellite Polymorphism

Neutral genetic variation is believed to provide useful information for conservation of farm-animal genetic resources. The aim of the present study was to assess genetic diversity in a small native chicken population composed of 4 groups, using neutral microsatellite markers. High within-group molecular coancestry coefficients ranging from 0.670 to 0.740 indicated that mating of closely-related individuals occurred within each group. The contribution of each group to genetic diversity was quantified to determine conservation priorities for the groups. The result suggested that 2 of the 4 groups represent greater reservoirs of genetic diversity and carry relatively large number of unique alleles that are missing in the other groups. Thus, these 2 groups were expected to play an important role in future conservation efforts. Genetic clustering analyses based on genotypes of individuals revealed that individuals belonging to 1 of the 4 groups were genetically distant from the others. To avoid inbreeding, future mating plans were designed by estimating molecular coancestry coefficients between candidate males and females. Appropriate mating patterns to maintain genetic diversity were established. Genetic characterization based on neutral molecular variations has the potential to provide valuable information for conservation of rare or endangered chicken breeds.
Injury and yield response of soybean to chronic doses of ozone and soil moisture deficit

A 2-yr field study was performed near Raleigh, NC, to determine injury and yield response of soybean [ (L.) Merr. ‘Davis’] to long-term 0 exposure and soil moisture deficit. Two levels of soil moisture [well-watered (WW) and water-stressed (WS)] were tained by differential irrigating during periods of low precipitation. Open-top field chambers were used to expose plants to different levels of O for 109 days. The 1983 season was drier and hotter than the 1984 season. In 1983, plants in the WS plots were under moderate to severe moisture stress from shortly after planting (V2) until midway through flowering (R3) and they yielded approximately half as much as those in the WW plots. In 1984, plants in the WS plots were under moderate moisture stress during flowering and pod-fill stages and they yielded 20% less than those in the WW plots. In 1983, there was a significant relationship between O concentration and yield in the WW plots, but not in the WS plots. In 1984, similar linear responses to O occurred at both levels of soil moisture. Compared to yield in the charcoal-filtered-air (control) treatment (2-yr 7 h day mean O concentration of 0.027 μL L), predicted yield loss for WW plots at ambient O levels (2-yr 7 h day mean of 0.054 μL L) was 12% in 1983 and 14% in 1984. The predicted loss value for the WS plants in 1984 was 12%.
Examining the meaningful work level of generation X and generation Y teachers

In the 21st Century, the increase in expectation of education has required a series of more complex roles, responsibilities and competences in the teaching profession. Teachers who are the most strategic factor in educational effectiveness, their generation differences and level of motivation are one of the important variables in the success of the institutions. The purpose of this study was to reveal the level of meaningful work in Generation X and Generation Y teachers, and its relationship with various variables. According to this purpose relaible and valid measurement tool was also developed. This study was designed in a descriptive survey model and carried out with the participation of 267 teachers with quantitative method. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test and one way analysis of variance (ANOVA), exploratory factor analysis, split half reliabilty test. It was found that meaningful work levels of teachers are high and generation X teachers find their work relatively more meaningful than Generation Y. There was a significant difference between the opinions of teachers’ on meaningful work level according to task carried out city and school type variables. Internal moral values are relatively more effective on teachers’ meaningful work experiences than external financial-material values. It was also revealed that meaningful work scale is reliable and valid questionnaire.
Dispersal in a sterile lichen-forming fungus, Thamnolia subuliformis (Ascomycotina: Icmadophilaceae)This paper is one of a selection of papers published in the Special Issue on Systematics Research.

Thamnolia subuliformis (Ehrh.) Culb. is a sterile lichen-forming ascomycete with no known sexual or vegetative reproductive structures except fragments of thallus branches. The open tundra in northern Manitoba contains fragments of T. subuliformis randomly scattered over the landscape, giving the appearance that dispersal is common. This may provide a misleading impression of gene flow, but similar fragmentation is seen in seven other locally occurring species of lichen-forming fungi. The primary objective of this study was to examine the population structure of T. subuliformis using four multilocus markers (interspersed simple sequence repeats; ISSR) and a single locus marker (the presence/absence of a group I intron in the nuclear 18S rDNA locus). Significant population subdivision is reported for two different classifications of what constitutes a population. Thallus fragments of T. subuliformis may be intact and slow growing, having accumulated tissue over a long period of time, with low levels of gen.
Numerical simulations of colliding jets in an external wind: application to 3C 75

The radio galaxy 3C 75 is remarkable because it contains a pair of radio-loud active galaxies, each of which produces a two-sided jet, with the jet beams appearing to collide and merge to the west of the galaxies. Motivated by 3C 75, we have conducted three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations of jet collisions. We have extended previous studies by modelling the physical properties of the cluster atmosphere, including an external wind, and using realistic jet powers obtained from observational data. We are able to produce a morphology similar to that of 3C 75. The simulations imply that direct contact between the bulk jet flows on the west of the source is required to produce a morphology consistent with 3C 75. We quantify how the merging jets decelerate, how the wind deflects the jets and cocoons, the entrainment of intra-cluster material into the cocoons, the cocoon energetics, and how the jet interactions generate enstrophy. By comparing simulations of pairs of two-sided jets with those of single two-sided sources, we determine how the interaction between two bipolar jets changes their evolution. The unprecedented sensitivity and angular resolution of upcoming observatories will lead to the detection of many more complex sources at high redshift, where interacting jets are expected to be more numerous. The morphology of these complex sources can provide significant insight into the conditions in their environments.
A review of the biology of the Southern Bell Frog Litoria raniformis (Anura: Hylidae)

The Southern Bell Frog Litoria raniformis, like the closely-related Green and Golden Bell Frog Litoria aurea, is considered to be threatened with extinction and subject to the future development of strategies aimed at its recovery. A necessary component of this recovery process will be a detailed and comprehensive review of available biological information concerning this species.This paper aims to provide such a review.Litoria raniformis is, at least in comparison with L. aurea, poorly studied and many aspects of its biology warrant further investigation. Research conducted to date, however, reveals few, if any, differences in biology between the two species. They are similar in size, appearance, call, breeding biology, habitat and general behaviour.Recovery strategies for the two species are therefore likely to be similar. Both are apparently threatened by habitat loss and modification, and by predation by the introduced Plague Minnow or Gambusia Gambusia holbrooki, and so may benefit from increased leg.
Polyoxin and nikkomycin analogs: recent design and synthesis of novel peptidyl nucleosides

Abstract Polyoxins and nikkomycins are a class of naturally occurring peptidyl nucleoside antibiotics that show promise as potential antifungal agents due to their potent ability to inhibit chitin synthase, an enzyme responsible for fungal cell wall biosynthesis. Whole cell assays and in vivo studies have shown that these natural products have poor cellular uptake and are metabolically unstable, and there has been a concerted effort to improve their pharmokinetic properties by synthesizing analogs. These have either been designed as natural substrate analogs, transition state mimetics or mechanistic inhibitors. Recent synthetic efforts and the results of their biological studies are briefly described in this review, and the current trends in the design and construction of polyoxin and nikkomycin analogs are discussed.
Bone Microarchitecture in Osteoporotic Men: Information Incomplete

We have examined, in 108 men with low bone mineral density (BMD), the relationships between the BMD, the architectural changes of trabecular bone, and the presence of vertebral fractures. (1) Spinal radiographs showed at least one vertebral crush fracture in 62 patients (group II) and none in 46 patients (group I). After adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), and BMD, there was no significant difference between the two groups in trabecular bone volume (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb, Tn), and star volume of the marrow spaces (Star). In contrast, the mean values of interconnectivity index (ICI), free-end-to-free-end struts, and trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) were significantly higher whereas trabecular number (Tb.N) and node-to-node struts were lower in patients with at least one vertebral fracture. Of these 108 patients, 72 (66.7%) had relevant medical disorders associated with their osteoporosis, and 31 patients had glucocorticosteroid therapy. In group I (patients without vertebral fractures), 17 men were treated with glucocorticoids. In patients with at least one vertebral fracture (group II), 14 men were taking glucocorticoids. Because of this, we believe that in this study, the glucocorticosteroid therapy alone does not explain the differences in trabecular bone connectivity between the men with and without vertebral fractures. In a recent paper, Oleksik et al. have investigated bone structure in transiliac biopsy specimens from 88 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (T score , 22.5). Among these patients, 26 women had at least one vertebral fracture. A lower cortical thickness but also a lower strut length, a lower node-to-loop strut length, and a higher node to terminus strut length were associated with prevalent fracture. These results strongly suggest that bone microarchitecture is also an important determinant of vertebral fracture in osteoporotic women. Recently Dalle Carbonare et al. have compared bone remodeling and trabecular bone microarchitecture in postmenopausal women with (n 5 22) or without glucocorticosteroid therapy ( n 5 22). As indicated by a strong increase in ICI, the women taking glucocorticoids has dramatic loss of trabecular connectivity. We agree with the hypothesis of Dr. Hordon and Dr. Aaron that the etiology (e.g., idiopathic, steroid, alcohol, hypogonadism) of osteoporosis could influence the rate of bone loss, the quality of bone microarchitecture, and the vertebral fracture risk in men and women. (4) We are now evaluating the relationships between risk factors (i.e., age, BMI, steroid, alcohol, tobacco, hypogonadism, chronic disease) and bone microarchitecture on a cohort of 152 men with primary or secondary osteoporosis, and we will submit new histological results to the Journal in 2 months.
Developing decision-support tools with economic and environmental interests for the dairy sector using milk mid-infrared spectrometry

I Résumé . III Acknowledgments . V Table of contents . VI List of figures. IX List of tables . X List of abbreviations . XII 1: General introduction . 1 1. Context: current challenges of dairy farming . 3 2. The need for new decision-support tools in dairy farming . 4 3. MIR analysis of milk . 6 4. Milk MIR for decision support . 9 5. Research objectives and outline . 11 6. References . 12 2: Diagnosing the pregnancy status of dairy cows: how useful is milk midinfrared spectrometry? 19
Symmetry in the songs of crickets

Acoustic signals produced by males are often subject to sexual selection. The mechanism of song production in crickets is well documented. Cricket songs are said to be characterised by almost pure tones of constant frequency. However, contrary to previous work, we show that cricket songs exhibit frequency modulation to varying degrees, dependent on the degree of asymmetry in the sound resonators or harps. Recent studies of sexually selected traits suggest that size and symmetry may reflect male quality. The harps of crickets exhibit directional asymmetry to a degree that is directly related to the degree of fluctuating asymmetry in a measure of body size. We show that females prefer pure tones of low carrier frequency, characteristic of large symmetrical harps. Directional asymmetry may thus convey reliable information regarding male quality encoded in the male’s song.
The functional anatomy of the ankle and foot of the slow loris (Nycticebus coucang)

The slow loris must use its limb for stabilization and forward progression during arboreal climbing. The orientation of the limb joints, hip, knee, talo-crural, sub-talar and tarso-metatarsal, correlate with movement upon supports lying below and in line with the body axis. The musculature controlling the joints of ankle and foot, and the integument of the sole further indicate the integration of this adaptation.
Timing of Walleye Spawning as an Indicator of Climate Change

Abstract We obtained Minnesota Department of Natural Resources historical records describing the egg-take from walleyes Sander vitreus at 12 spawning locations to determine whether the timing of walleye spawning runs could be used as an indicator of climate change. We used ice-out data instead of temperature for our analyses because walleyes often spawn soon after ice-out, and ice-out has been previously related to climate change. We used linear regressions to determine (1) the relationship between the start of spawning (based on first egg-take) or peak of the spawning run (greatest egg-take) and ice-out date and (2) whether long-term trends existed in ice-out and date of spawning over time. Linear regressions of the date of first walleye egg-take versus ice-out date showed that walleye spawning begins 0.5–1.0 d earlier for each 1.0-d decrease in ice-out date. All but two regressions had slopes less than 1.0. Similar results were found for peak of spawning runs. Regressions of egg-take and ice-out date ve.