Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Free—living fathead minnows rapidly learn to recognize pike as predators

Individuals from a natural population of approximately 20 000 fathead minnows from a pike–free pond did not respond with appropriate anti–predator behaviour upon encountering pike odour in laboratory tests. However, 14 days after 10 pike were stocked into the pond, minnows had acquired recognition of pike odour. Laboratory studies have indicated several possible mechanisms for acquiring predator recognition in fathead minnows. This study indicates that these, or similar processes, can produce major changes in predator recognition in the wild.
Landscape configuration of crops and hedgerows drives local syrphid fly abundance

Summary 1. Human-dominated landscapes are characterized by a mosaic of natural and managed eco- systems, affecting arthropod communities on different spatial scales. Effective landscape man- agement for functionally important organisms suffers from little understanding of organism spillover between semi-natural habitats and adjacent crops, and of how it is affected by the surrounding landscape. 2. We examined syrphid abundance (Diptera: Syrphidae) in three types of linear semi-natural habitats, differing in connectedness to annual crops and forest [forest edges ( n = 12), forest- connected hedges ( n = 11) and isolated hedges ( n = 12)], as well as in the adjacent oilseed rape or winter wheat fields (i.e. altogether n = 70 sites in 35 landscapes). The landscape cir- cles with 1 km radius around the study sites differed in the proportion of oilseed rape (rang- ing from 0% to 35% oilseed rape) enabling us to test landscape-scale effects of oilseed rape. 3. Aphidophagous syrphids were more abundant in forest-connected hedgerows than in for- est edges (with isolated hedges being intermediate), and more abundant in crop fields adjacent to hedgerows than adjacent to forest edges, indicating spillover from semi-natural habitats to the adjacent crop fields. Aphidophagous syrphid abundance was higher in semi-natural habi- tats adjacent to oilseed rape fields than adjacent to wheat fields if the proportion of oilseed rape in the landscape was low (indicating local concentration). 4. Synthesis and applications. This study highlights the potential of hedgerows to enhance the abundances of beneficial syrphids and their spillover to adjacent crop fields, especially when they are connected with forests. We provide evidence that this local exchange is moderated by the extent of mass-flowering crops in the surrounding landscapes due to local concentration. There- fore, measurements for the improvement in local biological functioni ng should be evaluated by simultaneously investigating local and regio nal aspects of crop configurations to allow for region-specific management recommendations. Increasing the total amount of hedgerows in the agricultural matrix under moderate landscape- scale proportions of mass-flowering crops may serve best for the conservation of biodiversity and augmentation of i mportant ecosystem services such as biological control and pollination in lands capes dominated by agricultural cultivations.
Combined analytic hierarchy process and binary particle swarm optimization for multiobjective plug-in electric vehicles charging coordination with time-of-use tariff

Plug-in electric vehicles PEVs are gaining popularity as an alternative vehicle in the past few years. The charging activities of PEVs impose extra electrical load on residential distribution system as well as increasing operational cost. There are multiple conflicting requirements and constraints during the charging activities. Therefore, this paper presents multiobjective PEV charging coordination based on weighted sum technique to provide simultaneous benefits to the power utilities and PEV users. The optimization problem of the proposed coordination is solved using binary particle swam optimization. The objectives of the coordination are to i minimize daily power loss, ii maximize power delivery to PEV, and iii minimize charging cost of PEV considering time-of-use tariff. In order to determine balance weighting factor for each of these objectives, analytic hierarchy process is applied. By using this approach, the best result of charging coordination can be achieved compared to uncoordinated charging. A 23-kV residential distribution system with 449-nodes is used to test the proposed approach. From the attained results, it is shown that the proposed method is effective in minimizing power loss and cost of charging with safe operation of distribution system.
Poly(cis-dihaiodiamine Platinum(II)) Compounds: Synthesis and Biological Activity

Abstract Poly(cis-dihalodiamine platinum(II)) compounds are synthesized through solution condensation of solutions of tetrahaloplatinum(II) salts with diamines. Preliminary testing of five of these polymers shows that several affect virus and bacterial replication, and that all are toxic to HeLa (human) and L929 (mouse) tumor cells at concentrations above 300 μg/mL but are apparently nontoxLc to mice at doses of up to 20 μg/g Swiss-Webster mouse.
Affinity Chromatography as a Tool to Analyze Polyanion–Polycation Complexes: the Case of Poly(Llysine Citramide)–Poly(L-lysine) Systems

Artificial polymeric carriers for bioactive compounds, such as drugs and genes, are increasingly being reported in the literature. Most are polyelectrolytes aimed at being injected into body fluids that are composed of charged macromolecules (proteins, glycoproteins, poly(glycosamino glycane)s, polynucleotides, etc.). Many interactions can occur and lead to dramatic phenomena, such as polyelectrolyte complexation or substitution, cell aggregation and hemolysis. For the purpose of modeling and better understanding these interactions and their effects, a library of polyanions of the poly(L-lysine citramide)-type was interacted with the polycation poly(L-lysine) in aqueous media. Different fractions of complexes were generated by successive additions of aliquots of the polycation solution to the polyanion library solution by a titrating process. The two components, the polycation and the complex population of polyanions, were separated from the collected complex fractions by affinity chromatography and then analyzed by aqueous SEC. Molecular weight selectivity was shown, the high molecular weight polyanion macromolecules precipitated first, while complexes involving smaller molecules were found to remain in solution. The data show the potential of affinity chromatography for studying interpolyelectrolyte complexes and emphasizes the critical role that polydispersity can play when therapeutic charged macromolecules are injected into blood.
Hyper-separation as a tool for work/life balance: Commuting in academia

ABSTRACT Given the declining number of tenure-track positions, the academic job market has become fiercely competitive, often forcing faculty to make difficult choices, including living apart from their partners and children. These individuals become commuting couples, neatly segmenting their professional and personal lives, and thus creating a hyper-separation between work and family. Using work/family border theory as an analytical lens, we draw on interviews with 36 participants who were members of commuting couples to explore how participants fared in this arrangement. Participants discussed how being separated both facilitated their professional productivity and deepened their personal relationships. In short, participants were engaged in an extreme form of work/life balance. We term this phenomenon the hyper-separation of roles, which serves as a mechanism to enact balance.
A View of Ultrastructure of Cucurbita xylem

1. Certain features of differentiation of helically thickened vessel members were observed. Young vessel members contain cisternoid endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and dictyosomes. During differentiation vesicles with single-layered membranes replace the cisternoid endoplasmic reticulum; mitochondria appear to degenerate; and the dictyosomes cease to be discernible. The changes in the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria of maturing vessel members resemble those previously described for maturing sieve elements. 2. Parenchyma cells containing chloroplasts are associated with the vessel members. Cytologically, they resemble phloem-parenchyma cells. Plasmodesmata occur in the primary walls separating parenchyma cells and the immature vessel members.
Differential Expression of Estrogen Receptor β (ERβ) and Its C-Terminal Truncated Splice Variant ERβcx as Prognostic Predictors in Human Prostatic Cancer

Estrogens have been widely used for the treatment of advanced prostatic adenocarcinoma. However, their direct effect to prostatic cancer cells via estrogen receptors remains unclear. We investigated expression of ERα, wild-type ERβ (wtERβ), and a C-terminal truncated splice variant of ERβ (ERβcx) in 50 benign and 100 malignant human prostatic tissue samples by immunohistochemistry. While strong immunostaining of ERα was consistently identified in the stromal compartment, wtERβ was expressed in epithelial cells in both the benign and malignant foci. However, wtERβ expression was significantly lower in the cancers than in the benign epithelium and inversely correlated with Gleason tumor grade (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0099, respectively). In contrast, ERβcx was significantly more expressed in the high-grade cancers (83%) compared with the low-grade tumors (22%) and the benign sites (11%) (P < 0.0001, both). Cancer-specific survival of patients with lower wtERβ expression was significantly worse than those with higher expression of wtERβ (P = 0.0018). Conversely, higher ERβcx expression significantly correlated with poor cancer-specific survival (P = 0.0058). These results suggest that differential expressions of wtERβ and ERβcx may be prognostic predictors for prostatic cancer.
Ecological Approaches to the Use of Microbial Pathogens in Insect Control

Biological control of insect pest and vector populations has received intermittent attention for many years, but the early successes of DDT and other chemical insecticides caused a reduction in interest until the target organisms became resistant and the disastrous effects on both invertebrate and vertebrate nontarget organisms were realized. Biological control includes the use of predators, parasites, pathogens, pheromones, genetic manipulation, and habitat modification as control agents. In this review, we consider the ways to maximize the utility of pathogens by gaining an understanding of the ecology of the target organism and its pathogens. We also discuss the measures required to ensure that no ill effects will result from either the increase of an enzootic pathogen or the introduction of an exotic one. There is nothing new about natural biological control of insects, although the application of the concept may be relatively new to man. In fact, since all species have a great reproductive capacity, they are all under natural control to within more or less regular limits by a combination of biotic and abiotic factors. It is only through man's inadvertent introduction of exotic insect species into an environment that lacks its natural enemies or through his upsetting of the delicate balance by the use of insecticides that this aspect of natural biological control is brought to his attention. DeBach (1974) compared the ratio of actual pests to potential pests under natural biological control to an iceberg:
Microsatellite markers for the pest fruit fly, Bactrocera papayae (Diptera: Tephritidae) and other Bactrocera species

The dorsalis complex contains some of the most economically important fruit fly pests of the Asia-Pacific regions, including Bactrocera dorsalis, Bactrocera papayae and Bactrocera carambolae. These species are morphologically indistinct and genetically very similar. We describe the development of 12 microsatellite markers isolated from a representative of the dorsalis complex, B. papayae. We show the potential utility of the B. papayae microsatellites and a set of microsatellites isolated from Bactrocera tryoni as population and species markers for the dorsalis complex.
Nano-embedded microparticles based dry powder inhaler for lung cancer treatment

Lower efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents through the systemic route for treatment of lung cancer is attributed to its lower concentration in the lungs. Conversely, higher concentrations of drug in the lungs can be achieved by pulmonary administration via the inhalation route. For effective deposition of the formulation at the target region (small airways and alveoli) of the lung, the aerodynamic diameter has to be controlled (1-5 μm) and its retention is of key importance. The present study attempted to design a dry powder inhalation formulation with combined benefits of micronand nano-sized particles [nano-embedded microparticles (NEMs)], which upon redispersion, results in nanoparticles (NPs) exhibiting good retention in the lungs. The present attempt is the foremost one to utilize NEMs administered by pulmonary route for the treatment of lung cancer. Docetaxel (DTX) NPs was formulated using sonication solvent evaporation technique and characterized. Thereafter, DTX-NPs were embedded into microparticles using the spray drying technique. The NEMs exhibited the desired flow properties with Carr’s index 10.18±2.79 and Hausner ratio 1.11±0.034. The mass median aerodynamic diameter was 3.74±0.11 μm and the fine particle fraction 42.96±1.66%. Redispersed NP fraction was 47.78±4.65% with NPs retaining the desired properties. NPs demonstrated a sustained release of upto 144 h. The particle size and PDI of the redispersed NPs were unaffected. NEMs displayed stability upon charging under accelerated conditions for upto 3 months. Comparison of the cytotoxicity of DTX and DTX-NEMs revealed that the DTX-NEMs had more cytoxicity owing to the increased uptake of liberated NPs by cells. The prepared formulation could successfully entrap NPs (with mucus barrierevading properties) in lactose microparticles, which can be deposited in the lungs and eventually, disintegrate to give back NPs under simulated lung conditions. The results suggest that the developed NEMs can be used in inhaled chemotherapy for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.
Improving Rice to Meet Food and Nutritional Needs: Biotechnological Approaches

SUMMARY The livelihood and calorie needs of large populations based in developing countries is dependent on rice cultivation. More than three billion people consume rice as a staple food. To meet the future demands of the human population, innovative tools such as genomics are being used to improve rice yield increase, for the incorporation of stress resistance/tolerance in rice varieties, and for the improvement of the nutritional quality of rice. These new tools include: sequencing, large-scale analysis of expressed sequence tags, high throughout microarray analysis and genetic transformation. Rice now serves as a model for a science based crop design for the agronomic, nutritional, and economic benefit of farmers. This article discusses the use of biotechnology as a tool to improve the rice plant for the benefit of mankind.
Occurrence of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Dairy Calves at Birth and Its Alleviation by Iron Dextran Injection

Summary Oxyhemoglobin determinations made over the past 12 yr showed that nearly 30% of the observed male and female calves born in the herds of the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station were low in oxyhemoglobin, less than 9 g/100 ml, at birth. In a series of experiments, conducted during 1959–61, involving over 170 calves, the problem of neonatal anemia was studied. It was found that when the calves were divided into three groups based on their initial oxyhemoglobin values, (low—less than 9 g/100 ml, medium—9–10.5 g/100 ml, and high—over 10.5 g/100 ml), no relation existed between the average oxyhemoglobin level of the calves at birth and their dams post-partum. The average oxyhemoglobin of the dams of calves in the three groups was all in the high range. In addition to the oxyhemoglobin values, packed cell volume, erythrocyte counts, serum iron content, and liver iron content all indicated that the calves born anemic were deficient in iron at birth. Further indication of iron deficiency in the calves born anemic was found in the post-natal increase in oxyhemoglobin, packed cell volume, erythrocyte count, and serum iron content after dry feed consumption began at 2–3 wk of age, compared with those in the medium and high groups. During the first 8 wk after birth the oxyhemoglobin of the calves in the high group declined steadily, the medium group remained about constant, and the calves in the low group increased, following consumption of dry feed. After about 8 wk all groups remained in the normal blood picture range. The calves given a single injection of 500 mg of iron (10 ml of Armidexan—50 mg Fe/ml) during the first three days maintained a high level of serum iron and did not decline in oxyhemoglobin during the first 8 wk, as did the controls in the high group. The response in increased oxyhemoglobin and packed cell volume by the iron-injected calves anemic at birth indicated that their erythrocyte-producing mechanism was functional and that only iron was needed to alleviate the anemia. From the evidence obtained it was concluded that the low oxyhemoglobin in the newborn calves was the result of iron deficiency of prenatal origin, the cause of which must await results of other experiments. No evidence was obtained that the increased oxyhemoglobin and packed cell volume resulting from a single injection of 500 mg of iron enhanced growth.
Seeding Rate and Kill Date Effects on Hairy Vetch‐Cereal Rye Cover Crop Mixtures for Corn Production

Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) fixes N for corn (Zea mays L.) production, and cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) accumulates soil N to reduce potential N losses. The objective of this research was to identify optimum seeding rates of vetch-rye cover crop mixtures at Coastal Plain and Piedmont locations in Maryland. Mixtures evaluated were 14, 21, and 28 kg vetch ha −1 , and 47 or 94 kg rye ha −1 in complete factorial combination. Pure vetch, rye, and no cover crop were used as controls. Cover crops were killed in early April (early kill) and early May (late kill), followed by no-till corn without fertilizer N. Corn grain yields were signifiantly higher following late-killed covers. Coastal Plain grain yields ranged from 3.1 to 7.0 Mg ha −1 and Piedmont yields ranged from 5.2 to 10.7 Mg ha −1 . Within each kill dade, corn yield was highest following vetch, lowest following rye, and intermediate following all six mixtures. Cover crop yield increased by 160% in the Piedmont and 83% at the Coastal Plain location when kill was delayed. Except for pure rge, N content was 1.6 to 2 times greater by the lad kill date. Total N content was equal for all vetch-rye mixtures at each date and within location, ranging from 74 to 109 kg ha −1 for early kill, and from 136 to 219 kg ha −1 for late kill. Carbon-to-nitrogen ratios (C/N) were <25:1 for all mixture combinations at the Piedmont location and for mixtures with low rye component at the Coastal Plain location. The best seeding rate mixture for corn production was 21 kg vetch ha −1 and 47 kg rye ha −1 . The vetch-rye mixture can scavenge potentially leachable N, while maintaining corn yields by adding fixed N to the cropping system
Influences of man‐made noise and other human actions on cetacean behaviour

Behavioral reactions of cetaceans to man‐made noises are highly variable, ranging from attraction (e.g. bow riding by dolphins) or no response through short‐term changes in behaviour to short‐ or long‐term displacement. Noise can also mask important natural sounds or (if strong enough) cause hearing impairment or perhaps stress. This review summarizes the observed behavioral reactions of cetaceans to noise and other stimuli from aircraft, boats, tourism, marine industrial activities, seismic exploration, sonars, explosions, and ocean acoustics studies. Specific response thresholds have been determined for only a few combinations of species and noise type, and they tend to be quite variable even within species. In general, response thresholds are often low for variable or increasing sounds, e.g. approaching boat; intermediate for steady sounds, e.g. offshore drilling noise; and high for pulsed sounds, e.g. seismic survey pulses. With repeated exposure, many cetaceans habituate at least partially. However, .
Amylolytic activity of Byssochlamys fulva

Byssochlamys fulva was found to produce a glucoamylase (EC 3.2.1.3) that exhibited its maximal activity at 50°C and had a broad optimum pH range of 4.0–5.2. The Km and Vmax values of the crude enzyme for amylopectin were 0.15% and 17.9 mg glucose l‐1 min‐‐1, respectively. The molecular weight of the enzyme as estimated by the gel‐filtration method was 34 kDa.
High Yield Synthesis of l-Amino Acids by Phenylalanine Dehydrogenase from Sporosarcina ureae

matic transformation of phenylpyruvate into L-phenylalanine has become an industrial target. Calton reported the synthesis of lphenylalanine from phenylpyruvate and laspartate, using immobilized E. coli cells containing aromatic amino acid aminotransferase.2) Conditions for the synthesis of lphenylalanine from phenylpyruvate in an enzyme-membranereactor using Brevibacterium phenylalanine dehydrogenase were described by Hummel et al.3) Wehave reported the purification of a novel phenylalanine dehydrogenase in crystalline homogeneousform from Sporosarcina ureae SCRC-R04.4) We here describe a simple method to synthesize various L-amino acids using the phenylalanine dehydrogenase. Wemeasured the equilibrium constant
Assessment of Soil Quality under Different Agricultural Land Use Systems: A Case Study of the Ibadan Farm Settlement

Soil quality in an agroecosytem is considerably influenced by land use and management practices. Twenty two potential soil quality indicators were used to assess the effects of five different land use types (arable land, plantation, agroforestry, marginal land and native forest) on soil quality in Akufo and Atan farm settlements in Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria. A total of sixty-two fields were selected from which soil samples were taken at a depth of 0-15 cm and subjected to laboratory analysis. Majority of the evaluated physicochemical properties varied significantly among the land uses and whereas native land performed relatively better for most of the observed attributes, arable and marginal lands performed worse. Due to the moderate to strong significant correlation among the potential indicators, they were subjected to principal component analysis and only seven indicators were selected to compute the soil quality index (SQI). In both Akufo and Atan, native land had the highest SQI (0.8250 and 0.860 respectively) which was significantly different (P = .05) from all the Original Research Article Adebo et al.; IJPSS, 32(4): 89-104, 2020; Article no.IJPSS. 56719 90 agricultural land uses, except plantation (0.739 and 0.750 respectively). Whereas marginal field in Atan was most degraded (SQI = 0.455), it was closely followed by arable fields in both locations. This study indicates that the current agricultural land use and soil management practices in Akufo and Atan farm settlements have negatively impacted soil quality; however, the degree of degradation was strongly influenced by the concentration of soil organic carbon in the understudied land use systems. It also emphasizes the need to promote the use of sustainable management practices among agricultural land users, so as to increase soil organic carbon stock, and improve soil quality and land productivity.