Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differences in Growth, Consumption, and Metabolism among Walleyes from Different Latitudes

Abstract Physiological responses to environmental factors such as temperature can vary between stocks of the same species and may be linked to differences in latitude. To determine whether physiological differences exist among populations of young-of-year walleye Stizostedion vitreum as a function of geographic origin, we compared the metabolic rates, food consumption, relative growth, and conversion efficiency among walleyes from Arkansas, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Alberta, Canada, over a range of temperatures (5–25°C). Few or no differences were observed in metabolic rate (mg O2 · g−1 · h−1) among populations at the cooler temperatures, but walleyes from the Arkansas River, Arkansas, had higher rates than the northern populations at warmer temperatures. Both Arkansas populations also had greater food consumption rates (g · g−1 · d−1) than the northern populations at 25°C. However, growth (g · g−1 · d−1) was similar among stocks within each temperature. Our experiments indicate that physiological differen.
Vβ T Cell Repertoire of CD8+ Splenocytes Selected on Nonpolymorphic MHC Class I Molecules1

In this work, we have studied the role of the MHC class Ib molecules in the selection and maintenance of CD8+ T splenocytes. We have compared the CD8+ T cell repertoires of wild-type, H-2K-deficient, H-2D-deficient, or double knockout C57BL/6 mice. We show that the different CD8+ repertoires, selected either by class Ia and class Ib or by class Ib molecules only, use the various Vα (AV) and Vβ (BV) rearrangements in the same proportion and without biases in the CDR3 size distribution. Furthermore, we have estimated the size of the BV repertoire in the four different strains of mice. Interestingly, we have found that the BV repertoire size is proportional to the overall number of CD8+ splenocytes. This observation implies that BV diversity is positively correlated with the number of CD8+ cells, even when the number of CD8+ splenocytes is dramatically reduced (90% in the double knockout mice).
Success at Detecting Deception: Liability or Skill?

THE STUDY OF DECEPTION, in my research, has been an investigation of humans as lie-detectors. I have been interested in people’s ability to detect the lies told by other people, in the ways that they usually detect lies in their everyday lives namely, without the aid of polygraphs, stress-detectors, or any other mechanical gadgetry. One might think that the importance of this research endeavor depends in part on the pervasiveness of deceit; if people rarely ever tell lies, then the study of human lie-detection skills might seem like a frivolous indulgence. I have no idea how often people tell outright, bald-faced lies, but if we include under the rubric of deception little white lies, and also what we might call lies of self-presentationthat is, attempts to present ourselves as a little more kind, a little more sensitive, a little more intelligent, and a little more altruistic than in fact we really are-then I suspect that the phenomenon of deception is quite pervasive indeed. But I think that our perceptions of whether or not deception is occurring are important regardless of their accuracy. If we believe that another person is lying to us, and if we are confident enough about that inference to base our subsequent behavior on it, then in some ways it is almost irrelevant whether or not that the other person actually is lying. So accuracy at detecting lies is interesting and important, but so is inaccuracy. Our perception of the honesty, sincerity, or genuineness of another person’s verbal or nonverbal behavior might be construed as a kind of meta-communication judgment: we are trying to determine not so much what the communication means, what the semantic content is, but whether or not we should believe it, whatever its content. So in this way, our perceptions of deceptiveness might moderate many of the other kinds of judgments we make about other people, and influence the way we interact with them.
NPR1216_Online Exclusive_Persistent Vaginal Discharge_Dharam.indd

Copyright © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited. Ps see a variety of common primary care complaints. In women’s health, vaginal symptoms— specifically vaginal discharge with or without accompanying pruritus and odor—account for 10% of offi ce visits. Most often, the patient is diagnosed with a vaginal infection, such as vulvovaginal candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis, or trichomoniasis. These infections account for over 75% of vaginitis complaints, with vulvovaginal candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis causing up to 90% of vaginal infections. Appropriate diagnosis and treatment result in symptom relief for patients; however, up to 30% of women remain without a diagnosis after workup and may receive an inappropriate treatment just to placate them. Not surprisingly, these women continue to seek a diagnosis from different providers or chose to self-medicate with over-the-counter (OTC) medications in an attempt to fi nd a cure, increasing the cost to themselves and the healthcare system. The failure to appropriately treat may also aggravate symptoms rather than alleviate them. Additionally, the chronic nature of persistent vaginal discharge may impact a woman’s psychosocial health. Women may view vaginal complaints as a threat to their reproductive health, which may lead to poor self-image and a withdrawal from intimate relationships. The NP must recognize other, noninfectious causes of vaginal discharge and diagnose and treat the patient appropriately. If the NP cannot relieve the patient of her symptoms, a referral to a gynecologic specialist is warranted.
Nutrient Dynamics in Litterfall and Decomposing Leaf Litter at the Kwangneung Deciduous Broad-Leaved Natural Forest

Litterfall and litter decomposition represent a major contribution to the carbon and nutrient inputs in a forest ecosystem. We measured litterfall quantity and nutrient dynamics in decomposing litter for two years at the Kwangneung broadleaf natural forest (DK site) in Korea. Litterfall was collected in circular littertraps (collecting area : 0.25 m 2 ) and mass loss rates and nutrient release patterns in decomposing litter were estimated using the litterbag technique employing 30 cm × 30 cm nylon bags with 1.5 mm mesh size. Total annual litterfall was 5,627 kg/ha/yr and leaf litter accounted for 61% of the litterfall. The leaf litter quantity was highest in Quercus serrata, followed by Carpinus laxiflora and C. cordata, etc., which are dominant tree species in the site. Mass loss from decomposing leaf litter was more rapid in C. laxiflora and C. cordata than in Q. serrata litter. About 77% of C. laxiflora and 84% of C. cordata litter disappeared, while about 48% in Q. serrata litter lost over two years. Lower mass loss rates of Q. serrata litter may be attributed to the difference of substrate quality such as lower nutrient concentrations compared with the other litter types. Nutrient concentrations (N, P, Mg) of three litter types except for potassium (K) increased compared with initial nutrient concentrations of litter over the study period. Compared with Q. serrata litter, nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) in C. laxiflora and C. cordata litter were released rapidly. The results suggest that litter mass loss and nutrient dynamic processes among tree species vary considerably in the same site conditions.
Methane suppression by coconut oil and associated effects on nutrient and energy balance in sheep

Three different diets with increasing proportions of coconut oil (0, 3.5 and 7%) were fed to six sheep in an incomplete Latin square experiment with four replicates per diet. The diets were composed of hay and concentrates either without or with coconut oil. Concentrate comprised 28.8 and 54.6% of the diet DM in the treatments containing 3.5 and 7% coconut oil, respectively. Wethers on all treatments were fed at 1.2 × maintenance. Gaseous exchange was measured in respiratory chambers. Protozoa counts were reduced (P < 0.05) by 88 and 97% when diets contained 3.5 and 7% coconut oil, respectively, whereas bacteria counts increased (P < 0.05). Supplementation of coconut oil at proportions of 3.5 and 7% suppressed (P < 0.001) methane production by 28 and 73%, respectively, as related to the unsupplemented diet. This proportionately reduced (P < 0.001) the amount of gross energy lost through methane from 7.5 to 5.7 and 2.5%, in diets containing 0, 3.5 and 7% coconut oil, respectively. Assuming a linear suppres.
Abnormal Morphogenesis But Intact IKK Activation in Mice Lacking the IKKα Subunit of IκB Kinase

The oligomeric IκB kinase (IKK) is composed of three polypeptides: IKKα and IKKβ, the catalytic subunits, and IKKγ, a regulatory subunit. IKKα and IKKβ are similar in structure and thought to have similar function—phosphorylation of the IκB inhibitors in response to proinflammatory stimuli. Such phosphorylation leads to degradation of IκB and activation of nuclear factor κB transcription factors. The physiological function of these protein kinases was explored by analysis of IKKα-deficient mice. IKKα was not required for activation of IKK and degradation of IκB by proinflammatory stimuli. Instead, loss of IKKα interfered with multiple morphogenetic events, including limb and skeletal patterning and proliferation and differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes.
Studies on Urinary Tract Infection among Diabetics in Some Eastern States of Nigeria

This study evaluated the incidence of Urinary tract infection (UTI) among diabetics in some Eastern States of Nigeria. Three hundred (300) midstream urine samples from diabetic patients with fasting blood sugar level between150mg/dl to 450mg/dl (8.3mmol/l to 25mmol/l), 150 males and 150 females) and 200 non diabetic subjects (100 each male and female) were cultured unto freshly prepared Eosine methylene blue (EMB) oxoid, MacConkey (Difco) and blood agar plates and incubated for 24hours at 37 oc . Urinalysis using Combi-9 urine test strip and microscopic examination of urine deposits were done. Gram staining and some biochemical tests, antimicrobial sensitivity tests were carried out on isolates using agar diffusion methods. Seventy eight (26%) urine samples from diabetic patients showed growth of specific organism with 45(15%) in female patients and 33(11%) from male patients. Out of the 200 control urine samples 30(10%) showed growth of specific organism (15 each from male and female subjects). Escherichia coli was the predominant isolate 55(70.5%), Proteus mirabilis 10(12.5%), Klebsiella 8(10%) and Staphylococcus saprophyticus 5(7%). While in the control E.coli was isolated 20(66.7%), Proteus 10(33.3%). All organisms isolated were 100% resistant to ampicilline, nitrofurantoin and100% sensitive to gentamicin, nalidixic acid and ofloxacin. The result of this work showed no significant difference between positive nitrite urine samples 60(20%) and specific bacterial growth 26% (p>0.05). No qualitative and quantitative differences were observed in the distribution of microbial pathogens of UTI in diabetic and non-diabetic male and female patients studied. Key w ords : Urinary tract infections, diabetics, antibiotic sensitivity.
Ecological risks of genetic engineering of crop plants.

Molecular biologists working to improve crops often state that the ecological risks from releasing genetically engineered (transgenic) organisms are small and point out that breeders have introduced new genes into organisms by crossing with wild relatives for decades with no apparent harm. Brill (1987) states that biotechnology in fact reduces risk because traits are more tightly controlled in these crosses, that is, single genes are transferred into the crop instead of blocks of genes. Traditional breeding techniques usually rely on crosses with closely related plants, either subspecies or wild ancestral species of the crop, because incompatibility barriers often prevent crossing between more distantly related gene pools (Harlan and DeWet 1972). Incompatibility presents no barrier with molecular engineering techniques, and, in fact, genes can be introduced from a closely related species, distantly related species, or even an organism from outside the plant kingdom. It is the novelty of the introduced trait (in terms of the absence of evolutionary history with the plant or interacting species in the environment) that distinguishes crop breeding using molecular genetic engineering techniques from traditional breeding methods.
Seasonality of calving in Nili-Ravi buffaloes, purebred Sahiwal and crossbred cattle in Pakistan

Abstract Pattern of calving was documented in Nili-Ravi buffaloes and compared with Sahiwal cattle and Sahiwal (x Friesian or Jersey) crossbreds. Lactation records of 9,174, 22,499 and 656 of Nili-Ravi buffaloes, Sahiwal and crossbred cattle in Punjab province of Pakistan were used for comparison. Punjab province of Pakistan has harsh summers and mild winters. Pattern of calving in first and later parity was different in Sahiwal cows but similar in buffaloes and crossbreds. Calving frequency was highest in January (13.2%) for Sahiwal and in August for buffaloes (17.8%) and crossbred cattle (15.2%). Lowest calvings were recorded in October for Sahiwal (5.2%) and in April for buffaloes (2.5%) and crossbred cattle (3.5%). Winter (January-February) is, thus, the calving season for Sahiwals and Autumn (August-September) is the calving season of buffaloes and crossbred cattle. Calving pattern in crossbreds was more similar to buffaloes than to Sahiwals. Seasonality of calving index (1– ratio of number of calvings in month with fewest calvings and number of calvings in month with most calvings) was 86, 60 and 77 in buffaloes, Sahiwal cattle and crossbred cattle, respectively. Comparison of first and later parity animals indicated that first parity Sahiwals were more seasonal in calving than in their later parity (82 vs 53) while later parity crossbreds were more seasonal calvers than first parity crossbreds (86 vs 59). In buffaloes on the other hand, first and later parity animals had more pronounced but similar seasonality of calving (88 vs 85). Seasonality of calving is more pronounced in buffaloes than Sahiwal and crossbred cattle in Pakistan.
Nitrogen and Sulphur Retention and Fibre Digestion by Euros, Red Kangaroos and Sheep.

Retention of nitrogen and sulphur, and digestion of various carbohydrate fractions, were measured in euros, red kangaroos and sheep, fed three different quality roughages in an experiment of three 3 by 3 latin squares. Sheep ate more dry matter (DM) and digestible energy (DE) per unit metabolic body weight than the euros or red kangaroos, but there were no significant differences in DM intakes between euros and red kangaroos. Despite lower DE intakes, euros lost less weight on the poor-quality diet than sheep. The euros digested more DM and consumed more DE than the red kangaroos, which lost more weight than either the euros or the sheep on the poor-quality diet. Maintenance energy requirements were calculated to be 136, 109 and 99 kcal DE per kg W0*76 per day for the sheep, red kangaroos and euros, respectively. Digestibility of structural carbohydrates was not significantly different between sheep and euros, but both species were more efficient than the red kangaroos. Also, there were no significant differ- ences in nitrogen or sulphur balance between sheep and euros, but both retained more nitrogen and sulphur per unit metabolic body weight than red kangaroos. Faecal nitrogen and sulphur losses were similar in euros and red kangaroos, but red kangaroos excreted more nitrogen and sulphur in their urine than euros. It is concluded that the red kangaroo is less efficient than the euro or sheep in retaining nitrogen and sulphur, and in digesting fibre, when fed poor-quality roughage diets.
Leaf anatomy and chlorophyll content of 12 woody species in contrasting light conditions in a Bornean heath forest

This paper reports the anatomy, chlorophyll content, and some optical properties of leaves of 12 tree species in sun and shade conditions in a tropical heath forest in Brunei (northern Borneo). These plants displayed some xeromorphic leaf features, e.g., relatively low stomata density compared with lowland rain forest plants and sun leaves usually with two or more layers of palisade cells. Most species displayed substantial plasticity in leaf structure and chlorophyll concentration in response to different light conditions. Dipterocarp leaves had thinner palisade mesophyll and greater spongy to palisade thickness ratios than non-dipterocarp leaves. The chlorophyll content per unit leaf area of the species studied was within the range quoted for American tropical rainforest trees. Their chlorophyll a : chlorophyll b ratios, however, were much lower than those for forest plants in humid temperate and subtropical regions. This could be attributed to the regular soil water deficits of this forest. Despite lar.
Two new species and three new combinations in Cyperaceae of New Caledonia and Australia

Two new species of Cyperaceae endemic to the ultramafic area of southern New Caledonia are described: Chorizandra gigantea J.Raynal ex K.L. Wilson and Schoenus rivularis J.Raynal ex K.L. Wilson. New combinations are made for three species of Cyperaceae in Australia and New Caledonia: Machaerina johnsonii (K.L.Wilson) K.L. Wilson, M. planifolia (Benth.) K.L. Wilson and M. veillonis (J.Raynal) K.L. Wilson
Allelopathic potential of itchgrass (Rottboellia exaltata L. f.) powder incorporated into soil

Itchgrass (Rottboellia exaltata L. f.) is a widespread weed in northern Thailand. The farmers in this area have been using itchgrass as a mulching material in order to control other weeds in vegetable fields. Laboratory experiments were undertaken to investigate the phytotoxic activity of itchgrass powder incorporated into soil in order to evaluate the allelopathic activity in the field. The phytotoxic activity on the growth of radish seedlings (Raphanus sativa L. var. radicula), used as a test plant, was more pronounced in the root than in the shoot growth. The phytotoxic activity was found to be similar for the soils incorporated with the shoot or the root powder of itchgrass. The growth of the radish seedlings grown in sea sand and watered with soil water obtained from the soil previously incorporated with itchgrass powder showed a similar inhibition to those planted in the treated soil. The phytotoxic activity on the growth of the radish seedlings in the soil incorporated with the powder decreased over time. It is suggested that itchgrass releases phytotoxic compound(s) into soil water and the concentration of the active compound(s) in the soil water decreases over time.
Histamine-Producing Lactic Acid Bacteria in Wines: Early Detection, Frequency, and Distribution

A direct PCR detection test which allows an early detection of histamine-producing bacteria showed that the presence of histidine decarboxylating bacteria (HDC+) is not rare, as almost half of the 118 tested wines possessed bacteria carrying the histidine decarboxylase gene. A relationship between the amplification of a 500 bp fragment, the enzymatic activity and the amine production was observed. Wines for which the PCR detection was negative never contained histamine. While those carrying HDC+ bacteria, always contained histamine in varying amounts. All the HDC+ strains belonged to the Leuconostoc oenos (oenococcus oeni) species. Moreover, study of HDC activity and colony-forming ability as a function of storage duration showed that even when cultivable population was no more detectable, the histidine decarboxylase activity remained. Histamine and other biogenic amines could be produced during wine aging.
Casein supplementation does not affect true phosphorus digestibility and endogenous phosphorus loss associated with soybean meal for broiler chickens determined by the regression method

Liu, J. B. , Chen, D. W. and Adeola, O. 2014. Casein supplementation does not affect true phosphorus digestibility and endogenous phosphorus loss associated with soybean meal for broiler chickens determined by the regression method. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 94: 661–668. Cornstarch-based semi-purified diets impair growth performance of birds when using the regression method to estimate phosphorus (P) digestibility in assay feed ingredient. Therefore, casein is usually supplemented in the basal diet to improve dietary amino acid profile. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of dietary casein supplementation on regression-derived estimates of true phosphorus digestibility and endogenous phosphorus loss (EPL) associated with soybean meal (SBM) in broiler chickens. Four hundred thirty-two male Ross 708 broilers were allocated to nine diets in a 3×3 factorial arrangement of three diet types (with casein at moderate dietary P, without casein at moderate dietary P, or without casein at low dietar.
Cimolestids (Mammalia) from the Early Paleocene (Puercan) of New Mexico

ABSTRACT Cimolestids are a minor component of early Paleocene (Puercan) faunas of western North America. Here we report on cimolestids from the early Paleocene (middle and late Puercan; Pu2–3) of the Nacimiento Formation, San Juan Basin, New Mexico. New specimens of Puercolestes simpsoni include portions of the deciduous and lower dentition not previously known. We conclude that “Genus B” of Van Valen is probably conspecific with this taxon. Two new genera and species, Chacopterygus minutus and Betonnia tsosia, are from the Pu2 and Pu2–Pu3, respectively. One additional unnamed taxon is based on isolated teeth from Pu2–3 localities. A phylogenetic analysis indicates that Puercolestes simpsoni is sister to Cimolestes. Chacopterygus minutus, Betonnia tsosia, and the unnamed cimolestid form a polytomy that is sister to Procerberus. This resulting clade is sister to Batodon + Maelestes. The results of this analysis suggest that P. simpsoni is descended from Cretaceous taxa of western North America. The origins of other early Paleocene cimolestids from either Asia or North America is equivocal. The species diversity of Cimolestidae in the Puercan of New Mexico and other Puercan localities of western North America is similar to that of latest Cretaceous (Lancian) faunas of the northern Rocky Mountain Region.
IFN-β INHIBITS THE ABILITY OF T LYMPHOCYTES TO INDUCE TNF-α AND IL-1β PRODUCTION IN MONOCYTES UPON DIRECT CELL–CELL CONTACT

Abstract Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL-)1β, essential players in the pathogenesis of immuno-inflammatory diseases, are strongly induced in monocytes by direct contact with stimulated T lymphocytes. The present study shows that the latter mechanism is inhibited by interferon (IFN)-β. In co-cultures of autologous T lymphocytes and monocytes stimulated by phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), IFN-β inhibited the production of TNF-α and IL-1β by 88 and 98%, respectively, whereas the simultaneous production of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), was enhanced two-fold. The latter effects of IFN-β were independent of modulations in IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10 production. When monocytes were activated by plasma membranes of stimulated T cells, IFN-β slightly inhibited the production of TNF-α and IL-1β, while enhancing 1.5-fold that of IL-1Ra. The latter effect correlated with the persistence of high steady-state levels of IL-1Ra mRNA after 24 h of activation. Membranes isolated from T lymphocytes that had been stimulated in the presence of IFN-β displayed a 80% decrease in their capacity to induce the production of IL-1β and TNF-α in monocytes, whereas IL-1Ra induction was decreased by only 32%. These results demonstrate that IFN-β modulates contact-mediated activation of monocytes by acting on both T lymphocytes and monocytes, decreasing the ability of T lymphocytes to induce TNF-α and IL-1β production in monocytes and directly enhancing the production of IL-1Ra in the latter cells.