Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What’s occurring? Ultrasonic signature whistle use in Welsh bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

Abstract Animal communication signals are diverse. The types of sounds that animals produce, and the way that information is encoded in those sounds, not only varies between species but can also vary geographically within a species. Therefore, an understanding of the vocal repertoire at the population level is important for providing insight into regional differences in vocal communication signals. One species whose vocal repertoire has received considerable attention is the bottlenose dolphin. This species is well known for its use of individually distinctive identity signals, known as signature whistles. Bottlenose dolphins use their signature whistles to broadcast their identity and to maintain contact with social companions. Signature whistles are not innate, but are learnt signals that develop within the first few months of an animal’s life. It is therefore unsurprising that studies which have characterized signature whistles in wild populations of bottlenose dolphins have provided evidence of geographic variation in signature whistle structure. Here, we describe the occurrence of signature whistles in a previously unexplored wild population of bottlenose dolphins in Cardigan Bay, Wales. We present the first occurrence of a signature whistle with an ultrasonic fundamental frequency component (>30 kHz), a frequency band that was not thought to be utilized by this species for whistle communication. We also describe the occurrence of an ultrasonic non-signature whistle. Our findings highlight the importance of conducting regional studies in order to fully quantify a species’ vocal repertoire, and call into question the efficacy of those studies that use restricted sampling rates.
The Immunoprotective Effect of Co-inoculation of Schistosoma Japonicum Fatty Acid Binding Protein (Sj14FABP)DNA and IL-12 in the Mouse

Objective To probe into the adjuvant effect of interleukin 12(IL 12) in the immunization of mice with Schistosoma japonicum fatty acid binding protein (Sj14FABP)DNA vaccine. Methods pVIVO2,pVIVO2 IL 12,pVIVO2 Sj14FABP plasmid DNAs were prepared in large amounts. 48 male Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 4 equal groups : A,B,C and D. Mice of all the 4 groups were given each an I.M. injection of 30 μL of 0.75% bupivacaine hydrochloride into the quadriceps femoris . One day later, mice of group A ,B,C and D were given each an I.M. injection of 100 μL of 0.9% sodium chloride solution, 100 μg of pVIVO2 plasmid DNA, 100 μg of pVIVO2 Sj14FABP plasmid DNA and 50 μg of pVIVO2 Sj14FABP plasmid DNA as well as 50μg of pVIVO2 IL 12 plasmid DNA ,respectively. 30 days thereafter, each mouse of all the 4 groups was challenged with (40±2 ) Schistosoma japonicum cercariae. 45 days after the challenge, all of the animals were sacrificed for counting the number of the recovered adult worms and the eggs of the parasites in the liver. The serum levels of IgG antibodies were assayed with ELISA. Results The worm reduction rates of group C and D were 24.11% and 38.83% ,respectively, meanwhile, the egg reduction rates in the liver of group C and D were 27.20% and 40.27% , respectively. The difference between groups D and group C were significant( P 0.05). 30 days after the immunization, the titer of IgG in mice of all the 4 groups did not increase dramatically,and the differences of the IgG levels were not significant among the 4 groups ( P 0.05). Conclusion Sj14FABP DNA vaccine was shown to induce a partial protective immunity against Schistosoma japonicum infection in Balb/c mice, and IL 12 was found to be a good adjuvant of Schistosoma DNA vaccine.
Incubation behaviour of the Kentish Plover, Charadrius alexandrinus, with special reference to the share of sexes and of effect ground surface temperature

1. Incubation behaviour of the Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus was studied at a reclaimed area near Makuhari, Chiba in 1977, with special reference to the share of sexes in diuanal incubation duties and the effect of ground surface temperature.2. Parental attentiveness in the daylight hours was on average 77% in the laying period, 90% and 89% in the early and late stages of the incubation period, and 62% in the hatching period.3. By day the male incubated most of the time (86%) in the laying period as well as hatching period, but the female did in the incubation period (84-85%). It was suggested that the male should brood the clutch during night in the incubation period.4. When the ambieht temperature rose up high or when predators approached the nesting grounds, the male often relieved the female of incubation duties.5. The adult attentiveness was 87% at 31-33°C temperature range (at the ground surface), 93% at 25-30°C and 95% at 34-36°C. Depending upon the ambient temperature, incubation postures were changed: the parent sat closely on the eggs when it was low, but began panting with increasing temperature, and frequently shaded the clutch by standing over it when it rose up to 34°C.6. The observation that the male took most of the diurnal incubation duties in the laying period assumes an interest because it might enable the female to allocate much time for foraging and consequently reduce the energetic load imposed upon her for egg formation.7. The changing incubation behaviours in relation to the ground surface temperature are without doubt adaptive in maintaining the eggs within the optimum temperature range (about 35-36°C) for embryomic development. However, the significance of in relation to the fine adjustment of egg temperature was not clarified by the present study.
Growth Performance, Feed Efficiency and the Incidence of Skeletal and Metabolic Disease in Full-Fed and Feed Restricted Broiler and Roaster Chickens

Abstract The use of early short-term (seven day duration) feed restriction as a management tool for use in reducing the incidence of skeletal and metabolic diseases in broiler and roaster chickens was examined in three experiments. The optimum timing for feed restriction was found to be during the second week, rather than later. The number of birds culled for skeletal disease was reduced, although a significant reduction in both six week and nine week body weight was apparent (market weight delayed by 2 or 3 days). Feed restriction did not affect feed efficiency. Both a skip-a-day feeding regimen and diet dilution offered potential alternatives to feeding a limited amount of feed daily during the restriction period. These options may overcome some of the limitations of managing early feed restriction, while at the same time, markedly reduce losses to skeletal disease.
Isolation by sugar flotation has no direct effect on the hatching success of zooplankton resting eggs

Zooplankton in temporary waters produces resting stages to survive recurrent dry periods. Branchiopod crustaceans (i.e., cladocerans, large branchiopods) overcome these periods in the form of resting eggs buried in the sediment. Examining the diversity in the resting egg banks allows for a more accurate estimation of biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems than looking only at the active communities. The isolation of resting eggs from the sediment may be achieved by the sugar flotation method, which usually results in higher density and diversity than untreated samples (i.e., incubated in the sediment). We tested the effect of sugar isolation and centrifugation on the hatching success of resting eggs already isolated from sediment in order to reveal any direct effects on hatching success. We used four different branchiopod species, Daphnia magna , Moina brachiata , Branchinecta orientalis , and Triops cancriformis . Although we hypothesised that osmotic stress caused by sugar and centrifuging influence the hatching success either positively (e.g., faster activation as a response to osmotic changes) or negatively (destroyed by centrifugation), we found no significant difference either in the timing or rate of hatching between centrifuged and non-centrifuged eggs. Once the eggs are exposed to light and/or oxygen availability by being removed from the sediment, the centrifugation process does not have any additional effect on their hatching. Regardless of treatment, we found a significant difference in the hatching timing in the two major groups, with large branchiopods hatching earlier than cladocerans. We found that the sugar flotation method itself does not influence the hatching fraction of branchiopod resting eggs (implying no adverse effect on their viability) and its success in enhancing hatching can be attributed to its efficiency in removing eggs from the sediment.
Frequencias genotipicas e alelicas do gene do polimorfismo da ECA I/D na populacao brasileira.

A alta incidencia de doencas cardiovasculares e o sucesso no tratamento de pacientes infartados, atraves do uso de inibidores da enzima conversora da angiotensina (ECA), intensificaram os estudos que objetivaram determinar uma associacao entre o gene da ECA e o infarto agudo do miocardio (IAM). A previa identificacao de uma provavel associacao do polimorfismo I/D do gene da ECA ao IAM e a principal justificativa desta investigacao, e visa determinar as frequencias genotipicas e alelicas deste polimorfismo na populacao brasileira . Tais frequencias foram obtidas de amostras aleatorias provenientes de um banco de sangue de um hemocentro estadual, apenas com a identificacao da origem amostral por regiao. O DNA foi isolado a partir da camada de leucocitos e o polimorfismo I/D (presenca e/ou ausencia de uma insercao Alu no intron 16) do gene da ECA foi determinado pela reacao em cadeia da polimerase. A frequencia alelica na populacao brasileira, em geral, foi de 0,39 e 0,61 para os alelos I e D, respectivamente, semelhante a outras populacoes. Contudo, houve pequena variabilidade genotipica entre as regioes brasileiras, com variacoes principalmente entre os homozigotos II e DD, tendo como frequencias genotipicas medias II=0.20, ID=0,43 e DD=0,37, exceto para a regiao Sul, que foi uma variacao genotipica significativamente diferente das demais, com tendencia ao aumento do genotipo DD (0,54) e diminuicao do heterozigoto (0,24), provavelmente devido a diferente composicao etnica. UNITERMOS: Enzima conversora da angiotensina, Populacao Brasileira, Frequencia Alelica, Frequencia Genotipica.
A comparative study of reproductive allocation in 40 British grasses

1 Reproductive allocation (RA), defined as weight of reproductive structures as a proportion of total above-ground biomass, was measured in 40 species of British grasses grown under greenhouse conditions. Reproductive structures were defined as the entire inflorescence, plus stem above the highest culm leaf. 2 RA varied from zero, in a few species which did not flower even after 2 years' growth, to over 50%
Histological Changes in the Organs and Tissues of the Gobiid Fishes throughout the Life-span-III

Histological study was carried out to elucidate the changes in the hypothalamo-hypophysial neurosecretory system of the ice-goby, Leucopsarion petersi Hilgendorf, with special relation to their spawning migration. As was described in the other species of gobioid fisher, the hypophysis cerebri of the ice-goby is buried into the floor of the diencephalon. The greatest amount of the AF-positive cyanophil cells regarded as the gonad stimulating cells in the proximal pars distalis is reached in the period of anadromous migration. In the hypothalamic region of the ice-goby, two kinds of neurosecretory nuclei were detected; the nucleus preopticus consists of AF- or CH-positive cells, and the nucleus which seems to be equivalent to the nucleus lateralis tuberis stained weakly with AF or acidic dyes. However, histological changes of the later were not elucidated. An active passage of the neurosecretory granules through the entire length of the axon of the cells in the nucleus preopticus was seen in the period of anadromous season accompanying the small amount of the storage substance in the pars nervosa. It seems probable that there is the relationship between the osmoregulation of the fish in the process of upstream migration and the role of the neurosecretory granules. After spawning, a decrease in the amount of the neurosecretory substance in the pars nervosa was observed in the spent fish. A possible role of the substance to the ejection of the gametes is intimated. The large globules of colloidal nature in the extra-cellular spaces of the nucleus preopticus were encountered frequently in the fish of upstream migration. The nature of these globules stained strongly with acidic dyes and iron-hematoxylin was not clarified in the present examination.
MODELING DOMINANCE: THE INFLUENCE OF SIZE, COLORATION, AND EXPERIENCE ON DOMINANCE RELATIONS IN TREE LIZARDS (UROSAURUS ORNATUS)

Two populations of tree lizards (Urosaurus ornatus) that differ in morphological and social traits were used in a comparative study examining the relative influence of several variable characteristics on dominance relations. Adult males from the Aguirre Spring (AS) population exhibit monomorphic throat coloration, whereas Dofia Ana (DA) males are polymorphic. AS males are, in certain respects, more aggressive than DA males. Pairwise dominance contests were staged to assess relative contributions of size, social experience, and throat coloration in determining dominance outcome. Although the relative size of individuals has usually been regarded as a primary predictor of dominance, recent studies have shown that a disparity in color or experience can serve to override size differences between contestants. Data for size, recent dominance experience, and throat coloration were entered into logistic regression programs to generate models that were both predictive and explanatory. These models indicated effects of size, experience, and coloration in both populations. Throat coloration was a relatively stronger predictor of dominance outcome in males from the polymorphic (DA) population, whereas previous dominance experience was more important in AS males.
Diet and tadpole transportation in the poison dart frog <i>Ameerega trivittata</i> (Anura, Dendrobatidae)

Diet and transportation of tadpoles by Ameerega trivittata was studied in the eastern Amazon basin. A total of 56 specimens (48 males and 8 females) were sampled, 44 out of which had quantifiable stomach contents. Forty males were recorded to carry between 1 and 18 tadpoles. Forty pools were measured and sampled for tadpoles and odonate naiads, a putative tadpole predator. Myrmicine ants predominated in the diet of males, putatively leading to higher concentrations of alkaloids beneficial during tadpole transport. No relationship was found between male size and the number or size of tadpoles transported, and between pool size and tadpole abundance. The number of tadpoles in the pools was negatively related to the abundance of odonate naiads.
Multiscale Topology Characterises Dynamic Tumour Vascular Networks

Advances in imaging techniques enable high resolution 3D visualisation of vascular networks over time and reveal abnormal structural features such as twists and loops. Quantitative descriptors of vascular networks are an active area of research and often focus on a single spatial resolution. Simultaneously, topological data analysis (TDA), the mathematical field that studies `shape' of data, has expanded from theory to applications through advances in computation and machine learning integration. Fully characterising the geometric, spatial and temporal tissue organisation is challenging, and its quantification is necessary to assess treatment effects. Here we showcase TDA to analyse intravital and ultramicroscopy imaging modalities and quantify spatio-temporal variation of twists, loops, and avascular regions (voids) in 3D vascular networks. We propose two topological lenses to study vasculature which capture inherent multi-scale organisation and vessel connectivity invisible to existing methods. This topological approach validates and quantifies known qualitative trends; specifically, dynamic changes in tortuosity and loops in response to antibodies that modulate vessel sprouting. Using these topological descriptors, we show further how radiotherapy alters the structure of tumour vasculature. Topological data analysis offers great potential for relating the form and function of vascular networks, and proposing novel biomarkers for tumour progression and treatment.
An Optimal Hybrid Variance-Reduced Algorithm for Stochastic Composite Nonconvex Optimization

In this note we propose a new variant of the hybrid variance-reduced proximal gradient method in [7] to solve a common stochastic composite nonconvex optimization problem under standard assumptions. We simply replace the independent unbiased estimator in our hybrid- SARAH estimator introduced in [7] by the stochastic gradient evaluated at the same sample, leading to the identical momentum-SARAH estimator introduced in [2]. This allows us to save one stochastic gradient per iteration compared to [7], and only requires two samples per iteration. Our algorithm is very simple and achieves optimal stochastic oracle complexity bound in terms of stochastic gradient evaluations (up to a constant factor). Our analysis is essentially inspired by [7], but we do not use two different step-sizes.
On implicit variables in optimization theory

Implicit variables of a mathematical program are variables which do not need to be optimized but are used to model feasibility conditions. They frequently appear in several different problem classes of optimization theory comprising bilevel programming, evaluated multiobjective optimization, or nonlinear optimization problems with slack variables. In order to deal with implicit variables, they are often interpreted as explicit ones. Here, we first point out that this is a light-headed approach which induces artificial locally optimal solutions. Afterwards, we derive various Mordukhovich-stationarity-type necessary optimality conditions which correspond to treating the implicit variables as explicit ones on the one hand, or using them only implicitly to model the constraints on the other. A detailed comparison of the obtained stationarity conditions as well as the associated underlying constraint qualifications will be provided. Overall, we proceed in a fairly general setting relying on modern tools of variational analysis. Finally, we apply our findings to different well-known problem classes of mathematical optimization in order to visualize the obtained theory. Comment: 34 pages
Thermalization time constrained by high-$p_\perp$ QGP tomography

We show that high-$p_\perp$ $R_{\mathrm{AA}}$ and $v_2$ are way more sensitive to the QGP thermalization time, $\tau_0$, than the distributions of low-$p_\perp$ particles, and that the high-$p_\perp$ observables prefer relatively late thermalization at $\tau_0 \sim 1$ fm/$c$. To calculate high-$p_\perp$ $R_{\mathrm{AA}}$ and $v_2$, we employ our newly developed DREENA-A formalism, which combines state-of-the-art dynamical energy loss model with 3+1-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations. The model applies to both light and heavy flavor, and we predict a larger sensitivity of heavy observables to the thermalization time. Elliptic flow parameter $v_2$ is also more sensitive to $\tau_0$ than $R_{\mathrm{AA}}$ due to non-trivial differences in the evolution of in-plane and out-of-plane temperature profiles. This presents, to our knowledge, the first example of applying QGP tomography to constrain bulk QGP observables with high-$p_\perp$ observables and related theory.
The Nature of the Young Supernova Remnant S8 in the Dwarf Galaxy IC 1613

We present subarcsecond optical images and low- to moderate-resolution spectra of the compact, X-ray, and optically bright supernova remnant known as S8 in the nearby dwarf galaxy IC 1613. Deep Hα images of the remnant show a sharply defined crescent-shaped nebula, while narrow passband images reveal a coincident and unexpectedly bright continuum nebulosity exhibiting a size and morphology like that seen for the remnant’s line emissions. Low-dispersion spectra covering 3600–9000 Å show numerous low-ionization line emissions such as [O i] and [Fe ii], along with higher-ionization emission lines including He ii and optical coronal lines [Fe vii], [Fe x], [Fe xi], and [Fe xiv]. This suggests the presence of a wide range of shock velocities from ∼50 to over 350 km s−1, corresponding to preshock densities of ∼1–30 cm−3. Higher-resolution spectra indicate an expansion velocity around 180 km s−1 with an ∼45 km s−1 wide central cavity. The Hα emission spans rest-frame velocities of +120 to −240 km s−1, and we estimate a total nebula mass of 119 ± 34 M ⊙. We conclude that S8 is a relatively young supernova remnant (≃2700–4400 yr) exhibiting properties remarkably like those seen in the young LMC remnant N49, including age, physical size, shock velocities, filament densities, optical line strengths, X-ray and optical luminosities, and coronal line and continuum emissions.
Maximum Geometric Quantum Entropy

Any given density matrix can be represented as an infinite number of ensembles of pure states. This leads to the natural question of how to uniquely select one out of the many, apparently equally-suitable, possibilities. Following Jaynes’ information-theoretic perspective, this can be framed as an inference problem. We propose the Maximum Geometric Quantum Entropy Principle to exploit the notions of Quantum Information Dimension and Geometric Quantum Entropy. These allow us to quantify the entropy of fully arbitrary ensembles and select the one that maximizes it. After formulating the principle mathematically, we give the analytical solution to the maximization problem in a number of cases and discuss the physical mechanism behind the emergence of such maximum entropy ensembles.
Scalar-tensor cosmologies without screening

Scalar-tensor theories are frequently only consistent with fifth force constraints in the presence of a screening mechanism, namely in order to suppress an otherwise unacceptably large coupling between the scalar and ordinary matter. Here we investigate precisely which subsets of Horndeski theories do not give rise to and/or require such a screening mechanism. We investigate these subsets in detail, deriving their form and discussing how they are restricted upon imposing additional bounds from the speed of gravitational waves, solar system tests and cosmological observables. Finally, we also identify what subsets of scalar-tensor theories precisely recover the predictions of standard (linearised) ΛCDM cosmologies in the quasi-static limit.