Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Friction Time on the Mechanical and Microstructural Properties of AA6061 Joints by Continuous Drive Friction Welding

Friction welding is becoming a viable replacement of conventional joining methods. Continuous Drive Friction Welding (CDFW) is a type of friction welding used to join rods, tubes and similar shapes. Usually, the process contains a friction stage and a forging stage and the process parameters would be ticked accordingly. AA6061 is an Mg and Si aluminum alloy that is widely used in many industries. This research investigates the effect of friction time on the mechanical properties of AA6061 joints made with CDFW and the relation to the microstructure of the material and thermal profiles. It was found that AA6061 does not require a forging stage where solid joints are obtained without forging and did not fracture within the welding zones. Also, it was concluded that the process parameters are to be tailored in a way that produces a specific type of grain structure within the welding areas.
Charqui meats are hurdle technology meat products

Abstract Charqui meat is a tropical intermediate meat product formulated using hurdle technology, a concept described by Leistner (1,2). Salt, sodium nitrite, dehydration, and packaging are hurdles sequentially applied to inhibit deteriorating microorganisms with the possibility of selecting desirable microbiota. This would characterize charqui and its derivatives as fermented meat products. This paper reviews biochemical, physico‐chemical, and ultrastructural changes that occur during processing of charquis.
Structure of Shigella sonnei lipid A

The detailed chemical structure of lipid A of Shigella sonnei phase II was elucidated. The lipid A backbone consists of a β-1,6-linked glucosamine disaccharide substituted with (mono) phosphates both at C-1 and C-4′. This was shown by selective degradation followed by 31P-NMR studies. C-4 and C-6′ were found to contain unsubstituted hydroxyl groups, the latter being the point of attachment of KDO as reported for other enterobacterial lipids A. The amino groups of the glucosamine disaccharide are substituted by 3-hydroxy fatty acids: 3-O-(14:0) 14:0 at the non-reducing glucosamine and 3-O-(12:0) 14:0 at the reducing glucosamine. In contrast to earlier reports, no ethanolamine or phosphodiester linkages were found in lipid A.
Sperm ultrastructure of hoplocercid and oplurid lizards (Sauropsida, Squamata, Iguania) and the phylogeny of Iguania

We describe the morphology of the spermatozoa of members of the iguanian lizard families Hoplocercidae and Opluridae for the first time. Their spermatozoa are quite similar and resemble the sperm of other iguanian lizards. Through a re-evaluation of sperm descriptions supplied in the literature we coded continuous and discrete characters through a combination of four methods: gap-weighting, step-matrix gap-weighting, reductive coding and composite coding. Parsimony analyses revealed that different methods produced highly incongruent outcomes. In view of the pros and cons of each method, we defend that the combination between composite coding and step-matrix gap-weighting are the most appropriate for our data. The cladogram derived from this analysis is totally resolved and comparatively well supported. We conclude that although the preferred cladogram was not strongly supported in some instances, sperm characters could be a good predictor of relationships among iguanian groups. We compare our hypothesis with preceding studies and we show that some previous groupings are in accordance with our results. Finally, we discuss the validity of those groupings in the light of methodological reasoning.
Intestinal Intraepithelial Lymphocyte γδ-T Cell-Derived Keratinocyte Growth Factor Modulates Epithelial Growth in the Mouse1

Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) promotes intestinal epithelial growth. To understand the relevance of intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL)-derived KGF expression on epithelial growth, we used a mouse model of villus atrophy by the administration of total parenteral nutrition, and a model of villus hypertrophy by the creation of a short bowel syndrome. KGF expression was confined to γδ-ΤCR+ IELs. IEL-derived KGF expression was highest in the crypts, somewhat less in the lower portion of villi, and markedly lower in the upper portion of villi. Total parenteral nutrition administration was associated with a down-regulation of IEL-derived KGF expression, and short bowel syndrome was associated with an up-regulation of IEL-derived KGF expression. In the absence of γδ-ΤCR+ IEL, using γδ−/− mice, intestinal epithelial cell proliferation decreased in control, and in both mucosal atrophy (22% decline) and mucosal hypertrophy (14%) models. These results show that KGF from IELs is an important factor for maintenance of intestinal epithelial cell proliferation and villus growth.
Ecological and genetic differentiation among the Arctic charr of Lake Aigneau, Northern Québec

Two modal size groups of sexually mature Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) differing in shape and found at different depths in Lake Aigneau in the Canadian sub-Arctic are described and tested for genetic and ecological differentiation. Forms consisted of a small littoral resident, mean size 21.7 cm, and a large profundal resident, mean size 53.9 cm. Mitochondrial DNA analysis indicated that seven of eight haplotypes were diagnostic for either the littoral or profundal fish, with 66.6% of the variation being found within form groupings. Pairwise tests of microsatellite data indicated significant differences in nine of 12 loci and a significant difference between the forms across all tested loci. Molecular variation was partitioned to 84.1% within and 15.9% between forms and suggestive of either restricted interbreeding over time or different allopatric origins. Stable isotope signatures were also significantly different, with the profundal fish having higher d 13 C and d 15 N values than the littoral fish. Overlap and separation, respectively, in the range of form d 13 C and d 15 N signatures indicated that carbon was obtained from similar sources, but that forms fed at different trophic levels. Littoral fish relied on aquatic insects, predominantly chironomids. Profundal fish were largely piscivorous, including cannibalism. Predominantly empty stomachs and low per cent nitrogen muscle-tissue composition among profundal fish further indicated that the feeding activity was limited to the winter when ice-cover increases the density of available prey at depth. Results provide evidence of significant differences between the modal groups, with origins in both genetics and ecology.
Sequence determination of 16s ribosomal RNA for ruminal ammoniabacters of Holstein cows

Introduction Protein degradation in the rumen often proceeds at a rate which exceeds the ability of the microbial population to utilize the resulting breakdown products. Bacteria are the most active proteolytic organisms in the rumen, and many species of rumen bacteria are known to be proteolytic (Wallace et al., 1985). The commonly isolated proteolytic bacteria are also able to break down peptides and amino acids, and it was assumed that they were responsible for the ruminal degradation of intact protein through to ammonia. However, studies comparing the specific activities of ammonia production between mixed ruminal bacteria and the well-known proteolytic bacteria noted that no individual bacterium had an activity which could explain the activity of the mixed ruminal culture (Russell et al., 1988). Subsequently, three grampositive, monensin-sensitive, ammonia hyper producing (HAP) bacteria were isolated from the rumen. The present study reports the sequence of 16sr RNA for ruminal ammoniabacters of Iranian Holstein cows.
Effects of salinity and waterlogging on the vegetation of Lake Toolibin, Western Australia

Increased rates of tree senescence and mortality in and adjacent to an ephemeral lake in the Western Australian wheatbelt have been attributed to increased levels of soil salinity and inundation following agricultural clearing. Winter lake salinities approximate freshwater lake values, but during periods when the lake is dry, capillary rise of groundwater is thought to increase surface soil salinity. An undescribed species of Melaleuca and Casuarina obesa dominated the seasonally inundated regions of the lake bed. Aeolian deposits of higher elevation were dominated by Eucalyptus loxophleba, Allocasuarina huegeliana or species of Banksia. Woodland of E. oleosa var. longicornis and E. salmonophloia occurred predominantly on upland fluviatile deposits of sand and sandy clays. Measurements of soil salinity and the calculation of percentage inundation from tree elevations and observations of tree vigour and xylem pressure potential response indicated that tree deaths in Melaleuca sp. and C. obesa were due to increased levels of salinity. Deaths and low vigours in E. rudis were attributed to both increasing salinities and prolonged inundation. We believe control of ground water levels should be a major consideration in the preservation of this ephemeral lake and the water fowl populations it supports.
Expanding Long-Term Global Awareness and Cultural Sensitivity at a Rural Christian College

Abstract A quasi-experimental design was employed to (a) assess the long-term impact of study abroad, service-learning, community service, and cultural coursework as alternative methods of expanding long-term global awareness among college students, and (b) evaluate the predictive validity of a standard secular assessment tool at a rural Christian college. Based on a sample of 659 students, results indicated that a standard instrument (Global Perspective Inventory) could be effectively used with this evangelical student group. Results showed that long-term growth in global awareness did not occur in two-week travel courses, nor when large groups of students spent a semester abroad together. Instead, global awareness growth was achieved through more immersive semester-long study abroad options that encourage in-depth engagement, but also by service-learning coursework and community service involvement.
Combination Chemotherapy of Lung Cancer – Co-Delivery of Docetaxel Prodrug and Cisplatin Using Aptamer-Decorated Lipid–Polymer Hybrid Nanoparticles

Purpose Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Drug resistance is the major barrier for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of this research is to develop an aptamer-decorated hybrid nanoparticle for the co-delivery of docetaxel prodrug (DTXp) and cisplatin (DDP) and to treat lung cancer. Materials and Methods Aptamer-conjugated lipid–polymer ligands and redox-sensitive docetaxel prodrug were synthesized. DTXp and DDP were loaded into the lipid–polymer hybrid nanoparticles (LPHNs). The targeted efficiency of aptamer-decorated, DTXp and DDP co-encapsulated LPHNs (APT-DTXp/DDP-LPHNs) was determined by performing a cell uptake assay by flow cytometry-based analysis. In vivo biodistribution and anticancer efficiency of APT-DTXp/DDP-LPHNs were evaluated on NSCLC-bearing mice xenograft. Results APT-DTXp/DDP-LPHNs had a particle size of 213.5 ± 5.3 nm, with a zeta potential of 15.9 ± 1.9 mV. APT-DTXp/DDP-LPHNs exhibited a significantly enhanced cytotoxicity (drug concentration causing 50% inhibition was 0.71 ± 0.09 μg/mL), synergy antitumor effect (combination index was 0.62), and profound tumor inhibition ability (tumor inhibition ratio of 81.4%) compared with the non-aptamer-decorated LPHNs and single drug-loaded LPHNs. Conclusion Since the synergistic effect of the drugs was found in this system, it would have great potential to inhibit lung tumor cells and in vivo tumor growth.
“Being on the walk put it somewhere in my body”: The meaning of place in health for Indigenous women

ABSTRACT Relationship to place is integral to Indigenous health. A qualitative, secondary phenomenological analysis of in-depth interviews with four non-Choctaw Indigenous women participating in an outdoor, experiential tribally specific Choctaw health leadership study uncovered culturally grounded narratives using thematic analysis as an analytic approach. Results revealed that physically being in historical trauma sites of other Indigenous groups involved a multi-faceted process that facilitated embodied stress by connecting participants with their own historical and contemporary traumas. Participants also experienced embodied resilience through connectedness to place and collective resistance. Implications point to the role of place in developing collective resistance and resilience through culturally and methodologically innovative approaches.
Two new records of Triatominae (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) from Roraima state, Brazil

Adult triatomines were collected with a luminous trap and by hand in June and November 2016 in the Mucajai and São João da Baliza counties, in Center-Southern and Southern Roraima. Brazil. Eratyrus mucronatus Stål, 1859 and Rhodnius montenegrensis Rosa et al. 2012 are recorded for the first time in the Roraima state. The finding of E. mucronatus and R. montenegrensis in that area has expanded their known geographical distribution within Brazil and increased the number of records of triatomine species in Roraima state from 4 to 6.
Size dependency in colour patterns of Western Palearctic carabids

Body colouration is of high evolutionary relevance for most animals. Several competing hypotheses exist regarding the evolutionary reasons for animal colouration ranging from predator avoidance and sexual advertisement to neutral selection. Among these hypotheses, biophysical principles suggest the thermoregulatory importance of dark colouration which in turn strongly depends on species body size. This body size – darkness trade-off is based on sound theoretical background conceptualized in the thermal melanism hypothesis and is confirmed by numerous case studies for individual species. However, evidence for the general relevance of this trade-off on large spatial and taxonomic scale is still missing. Here we specifically focus on this body size – colouration trade-off for a hyper-diverse and cosmopolitan group of insects, namely ground beetles. We combined colour information with trait data and distributional as well as bioclimatic attributes for more than 1000 carabid species from the entire Western Palearctic. We quantified species-specific body colouration from high-quality, standardised digital photographs using the Munsell colour system. We detect a strong increase of colour darkness with body size from small to medium-sized carabids up to a body size threshold of 15 mm which is consistent with the thermal melanism hypothesis. However, body size showed no effect above this threshold and colour darkness remained constantly high which is in accordance with previous ideas about the size-dependency of thermoregulative control mechanisms (size dependence hypothesis). By demonstrating a strong tendency towards darkness with increasing body size, we illustrate the inter-specific relevance of body colouration for this cosmopolitan group of ectotherms on a continental scale. The putative thermoregulative trade-off between body size and melanism seems to be of significant importance for carabids on a broad spatial scale and may be a general but still underestimated phenomenon for ectotherms in general, although other mechanistic drivers cannot be completely neglected.
A Speech Quality Classifier based on Tree-CNN Algorithm that Considers Network Degradations

Many factors can affect the users’ quality of experience (QoE) in speech communication services. The impairment factors appear due to physical phenomena that occur in the transmission channel of wireless and wired networks. The monitoring of users’ QoE is important for service providers. In this context, a non-intrusive speech quality classifier based on the Tree Convolutional Neural Network (Tree-CNN) is proposed. The Tree-CNN is an adaptive network structure composed of hierarchical CNNs models, and its main advantage is to decrease the training time that is very relevant on speech quality assessment methods. In the training phase of the proposed classifier model, impaired speech signals caused by wired and wireless network degradation are used as input. Also, in the network scenario, different modulation schemes and channel degradation intensities, such as packet loss rate, signal-to-noise ratio, and maximum Doppler shift frequencies are implemented. Experimental results demonstrated that the proposed model achieves significant reduction of training time, reaching 25% of reduction in relation to another implementation based on DRBM. The accuracy reached by the Tree-CNN model is almost 95% for each quality class. Performance assessment results show that the proposed classifier based on the Tree-CNN overcomes both the current standardized algorithm described in ITU-T Rec. P.563 and the speech quality assessment method called ViSQOL.
New genera of Veliidae (Hemiptera : Heteroptera) from Australia, with notes on the generic classification of the subfamily Microveliinae

Water striders and their allies (Hemiptera, Gerromorpha) are familiarinhabitants of water surfaces throughout the world. One of the mostspecies-rich groups is the subfamily Microveliinae (Veliidae) that comprisessmall or very small bugs inhabiting the nearshore areas of stagnant orslow-flowing freshwater. Accumulation of material during the past 30 years hasshown that the Australian fauna of Microveliinae is much richer and morediverse than previously recognised. In the present paper we discuss thegeneric classification of the subfamily and describe three new genera forspecies previously classified in the genus MicroveliaWestwood as well as three other new genera and nine new species. The new taxaare: Drepanovelia, gen. nov. (type-species:Microvelia dubia Hale),D. millennium (NSW, Queensland),D. biceros (NSW), and D. nielseni(Queensland) spp. nov., Lacertovelia hirsuta, gen. etsp. nov. (NSW), Petrovelia, gen. nov.,P. agilis (Queensland) andP. katherinae (NT) spp. nov.,Nesidovelia, gen. nov. (type species:Microvelia howense Hale),Microvelopsis, gen. nov. (type species:Microvelia melancholica Hale),M. exuberans (Queensland) andM. minor (Queensland) spp. nov.,Tarsoveloides brevitarsus, gen. et sp. nov.(Queensland). We also redescribe and give additional Australian records fortwo species of the genus Phoreticovelia D. Polhemus & J. Polhemus. Keys to adults of all species are provided and theirdistributions mapped.
The evolution and transmission of HA-MRSA ST239 through hospitals in Turkey and intercontinental spread

Next-generation sequencing technology provides high-resolution data for epidemiological surveillance of bacterial pathogens on local and global scales. This approach has been used for many species including Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In this thesis I demonstrate the utility of these data for understanding the spread of the globally disseminated clone MRSA ST239. I focus both on local and national-level epidemiology through sequence data of 71 isolates recovered from four hospitals representing three cities in Turkey; Istanbul (x2). Ankara and Izmir. I analyse whole genome sequence data from a further 33 ST239 isolates from global sources. These data were combined with previously published data for phylogenetic analysis based only on the core genome. I demonstrate how transmission events can be inferred from this approach on multiple levels; within hospital, between hospitals and between countries. The data pointed to a European origin of ST239, and independent introductions from Europe to Turkey, South America and East Asia. I also demonstrate how whole genome sequence data can be used to develop bespoke PCR assays, based on phage variation, for rapid local epidemiology. Finally, I consider how the sequence data might be used to explain variation in virulence potential, and describe the distribution and transfer of an important phage-borne virulence determinant, sasX, within Europe. Finally, I identified a single isolate with very strong biofilm forming ability likely due to the over-expression of the important adhesion SasG.
A Catalogue of the Piscicolidae, Ozobranchidae, and Arhynchobdellida (Annelida, Clitellata, Hirudinea) from South America

Um catalogo das familias de Americobdellidae, Cyclobdellidae, Cylicobdellidae, Erpobdellidae, Euhirudinea, Hirudinidae, Macrobdellidae, Ozobranchidae, Piscicolidae, Salifidae, Semiscolecidae e Xerobdellidae produziu 66 especies nominais assinalados ate o momento para a America do Sul. Do total, 86% desta fauna e endemica para o continente sul-americano. Sinonimias e ocorrencias detalhadas para a America do Sul sao fornecidas. Esta e a primeira reavaliacao da fauna de hirudineos nao-glossifonideos da America do Sul em 26 anos. Um inventario deste grupo pouco estudado podera ser importante de um ponto de vista aplicado. Sanguessugas tem um indice muito alto de endemismo na America do Sul, talvez sem paralelo em ambientes aquaticos. Estes organismos poderiam servir como um importante modelo para estudos ecologicos de ambientes aquaticos, particularmente como indicadores de qualidade ambiental. Palavras-chave: biodiversidade, indicadores ambientais, sanguessugas, regiao Neotropical.
An Empirical Investigation of Factors Contributing to Item Nonresponse in Self-Reported Bullying Instruments

ABSTRACT Researchers often use self-reported instruments to collect data from students when investigating the causes and effects of bullying. When completing the instrument, students may skip items despite anonymous data collection. To interpret data accurately, researchers must identify the causes of nonresponse. This study examined the impact of item (types of bullying and position) and student (sex and grade level) factors on nonresponse in bullying items. The sample included 10,681 students from grades 8, 9, and 11 who skipped at least one bullying item in the Minnesota Student Survey. Results showed that students were more likely to skip the items presented toward the end of the survey. The type of bullying had no impact on nonresponse. Male students and students at higher grade levels were more likely to skip the items. To alleviate the nonresponse issue, researchers are recommended to consider both survey length and student factors when administering bullying instruments.
Loss of starch and fibre of whole grain in nylon bags suspended in the rumen of steers

Several investigations (Shaw & Norton, 1906; Darnell & Copeland, 1936; Kimberley, 1976) have reported no appreciable loss of nutrients of unbroken grain voided by cattle. Although the chemical composition of voided whole grain may be similar to the grain as fed, losses in grain dry matter ranging from 10 to 26% for cereal grains passing through the alimentary tract of steers have been measured (Toland, 1976, 1978a, 6). In one of these studies (Toland, 19786) the disappearance of grain dry matter of whole oats and wheat in nylon bags suspended in the rumen for 48 h was approximately 20 and 35 % respectively. Further analyses of this dry matter remaining in the nylon bags for 48 and 96 h of incubation would indicate which components of the grain were being broken down in rumen fermentation. This report provides information on the differential loss of the fibre and starch components of the grain dry matter from incubation in nylon bags for the two varieties each of oats and wheat and for an additional cereal grain, triticale.