Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Morphometric Techniques Do Not Detect Intermediate and Low Levels of Africanization in Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Colonies

We tested three different morphometric methods used to identify Africanized honey bee ( Apis mellifera L.) colonies and determined the correlative relationships of their associated discriminant scores and colony defensive behavior. Workers within and between experimental colonies varied in the percentage of their genotype that was of African origin. Morphometric scores of colonies were compared with two defensive behavior traits: the time it took for the first worker in a colony to respond to, and sting, a moving leather-patch target, and the total number of stings received in the target during a 60-s interval following the first sting. All identification methods correctly classified all of the colonies that were presumed to be 100% Africanized or European. However, 0 but <50% Africanized. Implications are discussed of using these and alternative identification methods in regulatory programs.
Fecal steroid profiles in black-footed ferrets exposed to natural photoperiod

We monitored seasonal ovarian and testicular activity in adult, captive black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) using non-invasive fecal steroid metabolite analyses. In females, radioimmunoassay of liquid chromatography-separated fecal extracts revealed that estrogen immunoactivity coincided with unconjugated estradiol-17β, whereas progestogen immunoactivity corresponded with a single conjugated and several unconjugated steroid forms, only 8% of which co-eluted with progesterone. In males, androgen immunoactivity was associated with several unconjugated metabolites, ∼7% of which co-eluted with testosterone. We collected fecal samples 3 times per week from 5 female and 6 male black-footed ferrets for 18 consecutive months for longitudinal assessment of gonadal activity. Assessment of 7 pregnancies and 9 pseudopregnancies revealed no differences in temporal or quantitative fecal estradiol and progestogen metabolite excretion between these 2 reproductive states. We found elevated concentrations of fecal estradiol were associated with mating activity and an increase in the percentage of superficial cornified epithelial cells in vaginal lavages. Fecal progestogen concentrations increased about 1 week after breeding, peaked at midterm and then declined to baseline at parturition. Males exhibited seasonal fluctuations in fecal androgen excretion with increased concentrations observed ∼2 months before females entered estrus. Our results indicate that fecal steroid analyses can be used effectively to evaluate gonadal function in the black-footed ferret and might prove valuable for aiding captive breeding strategies to improve species conservation.
The Determination of Sucrose in Concentrated Steffen Filtrate by G.L.C

Henglein et al. (7) described a procedure for the preparation of the octa trimethylsilyl ether of sucrose and other carbohydrate silyl ethers. These ethers were thermally stable and had a higher vapor pressure than the parent compounds. Using this procedure, Sweeley et al. (16) developed a qualitative gas chromatographic method for the detection of mono and disaccharides . A modification of this method was used by Walker (17) for qualitative investigation of molasses . Using sorbitol as an internal standard and the silylation procedure of Sweeley, Dowling and Libert (6) reported a gas chro­ matographic method for mono and disaccharides that had an accuracy comparable to thatofthe standard polarimetric method for low purity samples. Brobst and Lott (2) developed a similar technique for the analysis of mono, di , tri, and tetra saccharide components of corn syrups. Using the disaccharide trehalose as an internal standard, Rumpf (15) published a technique for the analysis of carboxyllic acids and carbohydrates found in potato extracts.
Abstract

The cochlear implant provides auditory cues to profoundly deaf patients by electrically stimulating the primary auditory neurons (ANs) of the cochlea. However, ANs degenerate in deafness; the preservation of a robust AN target population, in combination with advances in cochlear implant technology, may provide improved hearing outcomes for cochlear implant patients. The exogenous delivery of neurotrophins such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3 is well known to support AN survival in deafness, and cell-based therapies provide a potential clinically viable option for delivering neurotrophins into the deaf cochlea. This study utilised cells that were genetically modified to express BDNF and encapsulated in alginate microspheres, and investigated AN survival in the deaf guinea pig following (a) cell-based neurotrophin treatment in conjunction with chronic electrical stimulation from a cochlear implant, and (b) long-term cell-based neurotrophin delivery. In comparison to deafened controls, there was significantly greater AN survival following the cell-based neurotrophin treatment, and there were ongoing survival effects for at least six months. In addition, functional benefits were observed following cell-based neurotrophin treatment and chronic electrical stimulation, with a statistically significant decrease in electrically evoked auditory brainstem response thresholds observed during the experimental period. This study demonstrates that cellbased therapies, in conjunction with a cochlear implant, shows potential as a clinically transferable means of providing neurotrophin treatment to support AN survival in deafness. This technology also has the potential to deliver other therapeutic agents, and to be used in conjunction with other biomedical devices for the treatment of a variety of neurodegenerative conditions.
P o S ( C D 2 0 1 8 ) 0 9 9 NN interaction and spectrum of the light-and medium-mass nuclei using Lattice EFT

Ulf-G. Meißner Helmholtz-Institut für Strahlenund Kernphysik and Bethe Center for Theoretical Physics, Universität Bonn, D-53115 Bonn, Germany Institute for Advanced Simulation, Institut für Kernphysik, and Jülich Center for Hadron Physics, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Jülich, Germany JARA High Performance Computing, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Jülich, Germany E-mail: meissner@hiskp.uni-bonn.de
Seasonal patterns of toxicity in benthic invertebrates : the encrusting sponge Crambe crambe (Poecilosclerida)

Evidence is presented for an annual cycle of toxin production in the encrusting sponge Crambe crambe. Both sponge toxicity and the slope of the regression line between toxicity and extract concentration (which is taken to represent qualitative properties of the toxins) changed following a seasonal pattern, with maxima in summer and autumn. Within-colony variation was also detected. On average, the values of toxicity were higher at the periphery than in the centre. The reverse was true if the variable considered was the slope of the toxicity function. There was decoupling during particular seasons in the evolution of these variables in the central and the peripheral parts of the sponges, with a retardation of the maxima in the latter. It is suggested that the cycles are driven by internal, physiological factors (best represented in the central part of the sponges), although they can be modulated to a considerable extent by local environmental pressures, such as competition with neighbours (best seen in the evolution of the toxicity in the peripheral part of the sponge). The results are interpreted from the point of view of their biological and ecological implications, inducible defences, and optimal defence theory.
Determination of carbon monoxide content in water during euthanasia of tilapia by dual-wavelength spectrophotometry method

A rapid method was developed for the analysis of carbon monoxide content in the water by dual—wavelength spectrophotometry.The presented approach utilised the bovine hemoglobin solution combining with carbon monoxide in the water and then detected by dual—wavelength spectrophotometry,and the determination wavelength are 431 nm and 420 nm.The carbon monoxide content increased proportionally to the percentage composition of HbCO in the range of 0~0.15mg/L(R2=0.9973);and the detection limit of the method was 0.23 μg/L(K=3);the recoveries were 98.0%~112.2%. The results show that the method is simple,and has good precision.
Methodology for identification of disease resistance of sweet potato cultivars to sweet potato virus disease and yield loss estimation

An effective method was developed for identification of sweet potato virus disease( SPVD) resistance using artificial grafting virus scions in the field. The resistance of 12 sweet potato varieties was evaluated and the yield losses were estimated from 2011 to 2012. The results showed that survival of the scions was 100%,and 12 sweet potato cultivars were infected with diseases to different degrees after graft inoculation with SPVD and the disease index was between 51. 0 and 95. 2. The leaf chlorophyll content and vine length of sweet potato plants infected with SPVD decreased compared with those of healthy sweet potato plants,and grafting virus scions in the field was an effective method for identification of SPVD resistance. The tuber yield loss was in the range of 55. 1%- 97. 8%. It showed that the 12 sweet potato cultivars tested were susceptible to SPVD.
Semiclassical theory for plasmons in two-dimensional inhomogeneous media

The progress in two-dimensional materials has led to rapid experimental developments in quantum plasmonics, where light is manipulated using plasmons. Although numerical methods can be used to quantitatively describe plasmons in spatially inhomogeneous systems, they are limited to relatively small setups. Here, we present a novel semi-analytical method to describe plasmons in two-dimensional inhomogeneous media within the framework of the Random Phase Approximation (RPA). Our approach is based on the semiclassical approximation, which is formally applicable when the length scale of the inhomogeneity is much larger than the plasmon wavelength. We obtain an effective classical Hamiltonian for quantum plasmons by first separating the in-plane and out-of-plane degrees of freedom and subsequently employing the semiclassical Ansatz for the electrostatic plasmon potential. We illustrate this general theory by considering scattering of plasmons by radially symmetric inhomogeneities. We derive a semiclassical expression for the differential scattering cross section and compute its numerical values for a specific model of the inhomogeneity.
The Effect of Different Preservation Methods of Faeces on Genomic DNA Extraction from Animal

Objective To find a method that it is facilitated to preserve the faeces in the field collection, and that it is also easy to carry back to the research laboratory for molecular level of faeces DNA samples. Methods Respectively, with the low temperature preservation of 60 degrees dry, the preservation of 75% ethanol, the preservation of 100% ethanol and direct low temperature (in the attemperator adding the biological ice bag) , were to preserve the faeces from Przewalski's gazelle in the field of collecting. The DNA was extracted from faeces samples in one month, five months later and eight months later, respectively. The extraction of DNA as a template was used for PCR, gene cloning and sequencing. Results The results showed that DNA templates were extracted successfully from the faeces in a short time, The DNA molecular weight is about 23kb. The electrophoresis belts were tidy, without degradation. The expansion results of mitochondria are completely consistent. With the 100% ethanol, the DNA samples will be preserved for a longer time. Conclusions The different method preservation will have differently extraction results.
Allozyme Diversity and Genetic Relationships among North American Members of the Short-Beaked Taxa of Carex sect. Vesicariae (Cyperaceae)

Morphological studies of the short-beaked members of Carex sect. Vesicariae have indicated that three species can be recognized: C. saxatilis (incl. C. miliaris and C. physocarpa), C. membranacea, and C. rotundata. To assess genetic relationships among species and gene diversity within species, 44 populations from throughout North America were surveyed electrophoretically for 12 enzymes encoded by 17 putative loci. Populations of the same species exhibited high genetic identities, with average values exceeding 0.950. Interspecific genetic identities ranged from 0.636 (between C. saxatilis and C. rotundata) to 0.880 (C. membranacea and C. rotundata). Alleles for the isozymes AAT-1, AAT-2, 6-PGD, PGI-2, PGM-2, and SKDH were useful in distinguishing C. saxatilis from C. membranacea and C. rotundata. Carex membranacea and C. rotundata were best distinguished by alleles of 6-PGD. There was little allozyme differentiation within the C. saxatilis complex; however, a weak east/west cline was evident. Within populations, observed heterozygosity closely matched expected levels of heterozygosity: F values averaged 0.039, indicating outcrossing is prevalent. Genetic variation was found to be largely apportioned within populations as Nei's gene diversity statistic (GST) was close to 0.19 in each species. Past electrophoretic studies of Carex have disclosed low levels of intrapopulation genetic variation and high levels of interpopulation differentiation indicating high levels of inbreeding. Large population sizes, dichogamy, a rhizomatous habit, and self-incompatibility are discussed as possible mechanisms for maintaining genetic diversity within populations of the short-beaked species.
Late Holocene Vegetation History and Early Evidence of Araucaria angustifolia in Caçapava do Sul in the Lowland Region of Rio Grande do Sul State, Southern Brazil

Little is known about the southernmost occurrence of small areas with Araucaria angustifolia populations in Cacapava do Sul in low elevated areas of Rio Grande do Sul State, about 130 km to the south of to the highlands of southern Brazil where the main distribution of Araucaria is found. This occurrence is about 130 km further south to the main area of Araucaria angustifolia which is on the highlands in southern Brazil. The question is whether this occurrence is natural, due to indigenous peoples, or due to plantation by post-Columbian settlers. To trace the origin of this little known southernmost existence of Araucaria angustifolia trees is of particular interest for conservation issues. To address this question we did a vegetation survey and studied a 150 cm-long radiocarbon dated sediment core from the Fazenda da Monica by pollen analysis. The vegetation survey of the study area indicates that also other typical taxa of the Araucaria forest as well as the Atlantic lowland rainforest are found in the present-day semi-deciduous forest, such as Podocarpus, Ilex, Myrsine and Prunus for the former, and Alchornea, Moraceae, Arecaceae, and Myrtaceae for the later. The pollen record, due to bad pollen preservation, starts only after 44 cm core depth, which is about 515 cal yr BP old (AD 1490), indicating that Araucaria angustifolia as well as other Araucaria forest and Atlantic rainforest taxa occurred in this area since the beginning of the pollen record. The occurrence of these taxa can be seen as natural and not introduced during the post-Columbian colonisation. First settlers at the beginning of the 19th century reduced existing population of Araucaria markedly and in particular since about AD 1950. The population of Araucaria angustilfolia before the post-Columbian settlement was much larger than today.
Planckian behaviour in the optical conductivity of the weakly coupled Hubbard model

We study the frequency and temperature dependence of the optical conductivity in the weakly coupled two-dimensional Hubbard model using a renormalized perturbative expansion. The perturbative expansion is based on the skeleton series for the current-current correlation function with a dressed Green`s function and the results are obtained directly on the real frequency axis using Algorithmic Matsubara Integration (AMI). The resulting conductivity shows a temperature-independent power law behaviour in the intermediate frequency regime. Moreover, the associated transport scattering time and renormalized mass exhibit a Planckian behaviour. We show that the self-energy of the Hubbard model, however, is distinct from existing Planckian models. The Planckian behaviour of the conductivity, observed in optimally doped cuprates for example, can thus be obtained from a different form of self-energy than the Planckian model, such as the weakly coupled Hubbard model at half-filling.
Reply

In their recent article, Schneibel et al. (1) reported their findings with regard to adverse events of group psychotherapy occurring in an in-patient setting. We think it is good to offer in-patients a treatment such as psychotherapy which can also be used when the patient is discharged from hospital, rather than it solely being an activity on offer to ward patients during the day. We also believe that this is an important study, because it is sometimes assumed, often incorrectly, that psychotherapy comes free of harmful effects and when it comes to trials and papers regarding this issue, there are only a few (2). However, there are two important issues which still warrant further investigation. Using the analogy of the assessment of side-effects in pharmacotherapy, a distinction must be made between unwanted events and lack of effectiveness. In the article, the authors pay attention to this distinction in the terminology; however, it was decided to include treatment drop-outs within the adverse events profile of the study. In our opinion, there is a difference between adverse harmful effects, that is actually making the patient worse and not having any effect at all – both of which may result in termination of the psychotherapy. The other important issue is, that in psychotherapy, there might well be an initial deterioration followed by an overall improvement in mental state. This can be similar to the first stage of treatment with antibiotics, cancer chemotherapy or SSRI’s for anxiety disorder. Furthermore, it is not unusual for the beneficial effects of a particular psychotherapy treatment to only become apparent after the treatment has finished (3). We, therefore, wonder whether the authors have any data about readmission within 2–3 years, out-patient attendance and general functioning of the patients? In our view, the data would be essential in determining the overall usefulness of inpatient group psychotherapy.
Experimentally altered plumage brightness of female tree swallows: a test of the differential allocation hypothesis

The differential allocation hypothesis posits that individuals should invest in the current reproductive attempt according to the attractiveness of their mate, but studies of allocation by males when female traits are manipulated to be more attractive are lacking. In the current study, we experimentally enhanced and reduced the plumage brightness of female tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) relative to controls to examine whether males adjust investment in parental care according to female attractiveness, while simultaneously performing a brood size manipulation. Contrary to our predictions, we found no evidence that males provisioned nestlings according to the plumage brightness of females. However, we found that nestling quality and fledging success were lowest when female plumage brightness was reduced and brood size was enlarged. This may be due to the plumage brightness treatment influencing agonistic interactions with other females, and may suggest that plumage brightness is a signal assessed by females.
Factors affecting poultry meat colour and consumer preferences - A review

Much of the dark meat from U.S. broilers continues to be exported to other countries because of local consumers' long-standing and strong preference for white breast meat. In this review we will discuss what causes meat colour differences and how environmental and genetic factors influence the colour of poultry meat. It is well documented that the darker colour of leg/thigh meat is due to the larger amount of myoglobin and haem pigments, as well as a higher pH when compared to breast meat. Slaughtering older birds increases myoglobin content in the meat and selection of breeds for greater breast meat yield may be involved. Using a wheat-based diet tends to lighten the colour of breast meat but has less effect on the thigh meat. Several antimicrobials used in further processing can lead to either bleaching or a reddening of the meat. Changes to colour using chemical or physiological methods are theoretically possible, however may not be great enough to improve consumer acceptability. From a marketing perspective, increased media promotion of dark meat as being equal to white meat in healthiness and superior in flavour may have the greatest effect on increasing sales.
Direct Access for Answers to Conjunctive Queries with Aggregation

We study the fine-grained complexity of conjunctive queries with grouping and aggregation. For some common aggregate functions (e.g., min, max, count, sum), such a query can be phrased as an ordinary conjunctive query over a database annotated with a suitable commutative semiring. Specifically, we investigate the ability to evaluate such queries by constructing in log-linear time a data structure that provides logarithmic-time direct access to the answers ordered by a given lexicographic order. This task is nontrivial since the number of answers might be larger than log-linear in the size of the input, and so, the data structure needs to provide a compact representation of the space of answers. In the absence of aggregation and annotation, past research provides a sufficient tractability condition on queries and orders. For queries without self-joins, this condition is not just sufficient, but also necessary (under conventional lower-bound assumptions in fine-grained complexity). We show that all past results continue to hold for annotated databases, assuming that the annotation itself is not part of the lexicographic order. On the other hand, we show infeasibility for the case of count-distinct that does not have any efficient representation as a commutative semiring. We then investigate the ability to include the aggregate and annotation outcome in the lexicographic order. Among the hardness results, standing out as tractable is the case of a semiring with an idempotent addition, such as those of min and max. Notably, this case captures also count-distinct over a logarithmic-size domain.