Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Matrix Models as a Tool for Understanding Invasive Plant and Native Plant Interactions

Abstract: Demographic matrix models are an increasingly standard way to evaluate the effects of different impacts and management approaches on species of concern. Although invasive species are now considered among the greatest threats to biodiversity, matrix methods have been little used to explore and integrate the potentially complicated effects of invasions on native species. I developed stage‐structured models to assess the impacts of invasive grasses on population growth and persistence of a federally listed (U.S.A.) endemic plant, the Antioch Dunes evening primrose (Oenothera deltoides subsp. howellii [Munz] W. Klein). I used these models to evaluate two frequently made assumptions: (1) when rare plant populations decline in invaded habitats, invasive species are the cause and (2) invasive plants suppress rare plants primarily through direct resource competition. I compared two control and two removal matrices based on previous experimental work that showed variable effects of invasive grasses on different life‐history stages of O. deltoides. Matrix analysis showed that these effects translated into substantial changes in population growth rates and persistence, with control matrices predicting a mean stochastic population growth rate (λ) of 0.86 and removal matrices predicting growth rates from 0.92 to 0.93. Yet even the most optimistic invasive removal scenarios predicted rapid decline and a probability of extinction near one in the next 100 years. Competitive suppression of seedlings had much smaller effects on growth rates than did lowered germination, which probably resulted from thatch accumulation and reduced soil disturbance. These results indicate that although invasive grasses have important effects on the population growth of this rare plant, invasion impacts are not solely responsible for observed declines and are likely to be interacting with other factors such as habitat degradation. Further, changes in the disturbance regime may be as important a mechanism creating these impacts as direct resource competition. My results highlight the value of demographic modeling approaches in creating an integrated assessment of the threats posed by invasive species and the need for more mechanistic studies of invasive plant interactions with native plants.
Monitoring and health risk assessment of selected trace metals in wheat rice and soil samples

A similar study carried out to evaluate the role of sewage sludge in increased concentrations of TMs showed that wheat grown on soil amended with sludge had high concentrations of lead (Pb) and Cd metals not only persist in the environment but are also toxic to humans and animals since they cause cancers, mutations, teratogenicity, disruption of hormones, skin, eyes irritation, headache, nausea, dizziness, poisoning, coma, endocrine disruption, respiratory illness, convulsions, liver damage, tremors, decreased fertility, effects on central nervous system, kidneys, abdominal pain and loss of muscle coordination A study conducted in Sialkot and Gujranwala districts to determine HRO of TMs in wheat and some vegetables depicted that maximum HRO was observed in wheat samples of both areas with values up to 8.9 and 9.9, respectively. Hence, the population of study areas may experience serious health risks especially because of consumption of wheat al., 2014). Abstract Wheat and rice constitute important cereal crops and any contamination may pose potential adverse impacts on human health. The study was conducted to determine eight trace metals, i.e. cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), nickel(Ni), manganese (Mn), in wheat, rice and soil samples collected from different cities of Punjab. Results showed general trend of trace element accumulation in samples as Cd >Cu>Zn>Co>Mn. All wheat and nine rice samples exceeded permissible limit of Cd. Copper in eight wheat and rice samples and Zn levels in three wheat and one rice samples were in excess. While only one soil sample of Multan exceeded the WHD 2007 and EU 2000 maximum allowable limit for Cu. Manganese and Co concentration were within allowable limit, while Ni, Cr and Pb were not detected in any sample. Health Risk Ondex was higher than 1 for Cu, Cd, Co and Mn thereby showing potential health risks to consumers.
Effect of goat production systems on meat quality and Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) content in suckling kids

Abstract The effect of goat production systems was evaluated on the concentration of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in meat obtained from suckling kids. Twenty male Ionica suckling kids fed only on maternal milk were subdivided into two groups of 10 subjects each according to their dams’ feeding treatment: kids in Group I were raised under dams reared by an intensive production system, while those of Group E were raised under dams grazing on pasture. Kids were slaughtered when 45 days old. The goat production system had no effect on kids’ growth rates, slaughtering yield and on the percentages of lean, fat and bone of the lumbar region and pelvic limb cuts. The pH value of the Longissimus lumborum (Ll) muscle 45 min after slaughter was higher in Group I (6.73 vs 6.54; P<0.05). Meat colour of Group E kids was lighter (50.63 vs 48.86) and showed greater (P<0.05) yellowness (13.42 vs 11.93) and Chroma values (14.92 vs 13.45). Cooking loss was higher in Group E (31.51 vs 26.98%; P<0.05), but meat tenderness of the Ll muscle was better (peak force of 2.86 vs 3.58 kg/cm2; P<0.05). Meat chemical composition did not differ between the two groups for either raw or cooked samples. On the whole, suckling kids raised under grazing goats showed a higher total CLA concentration in both raw (2.57 vs 2.25% on total fatty acids) and cooked meat (1.85 vs 1.44%), although the differences were not significant.
Food value of introduced eucalypt leaves for a Mediterranean stream detritivore: Tipula lateralis

SUMMARY 1. Food preference, consumption and growth of Tipula lateralis feeding on leaves of one exotic (Eucalyptus globulus) and three native trees of central Portugal (Alnus glutinosa, Castanea saliva and Quercus faginea) were investigated. 2. Larvae preferred and consumed more alder than the other three species. Larvae fed oak and eucalyptus did not grow, while those fed alder had a faster mean specific growth than those fed chestnut. Alder also provided a higher and earlier peak growth rate, which occurred at 35 days vs. 91 days for chestnut. 3. High values of survivorship to 126 days were observed in larvae fed alder and chestnut. All larvae fed oak died within 63 days; those fed eucalyptus died within 91 days. 4. Leaf utilization by Tipula lateralis seems to be negatively correlated with cuticle thickness and polyphenolic content and positively correlated with microbial colonization and nutrient content of the leaves. We hypothesize that the replacement of the original deciduous forest by eucalyptus plantations may induce deleterious changes in the associated invertebrate communities and stream ecosystem processes.
Comparison of the physical response, in absolute terms and relative to the competition, of different game formats in football taking into account the demarcation of players.

The objective was to study the physical response to conditional performance in competition of different game formats Cita: Zurutuza, U. ; Castellano, J. (2020). Comparación de la respuesta física, en términos absolutos y relativos a la competición, de diferentes demarcaciones en tareas jugadas de fútbol. Cuadernos de Psicología del Deporte, Vol 20(1), 190-200
Molecular Cloning and Functional Expression of the α1A‐adrenoceptor of Medaka Fish, Oryzias latipes

A genomic DNA encoding a subtype adrenoceptor (AR) was cloned from Medaka fish, Oryzias latipes, using an oligonucleotide probe corresponding to the consensus sequence of mammalian α-AR and β-AR. The gene spans at least 9 kbp, and the coding region consists of two exons split by an intron of 7.2 kbp located at the same position as those of mammalian α1B-AR genes. The gene encodes 470 amino acid residues, the sequence of which shows the highest similarity to that of mammalian α1A-AR (61%) and significant but lower similarities to other α-AR and β-AR proteins (31–45%), indicating that the gene encodes a Medaka homolog of α1A-AR. To characterize the encoded protein, the mRNA was synthesized in vitro and injected into Xenopus oocytes. As a result, the oocytes responded lo 100 nM epinephrine evoking a Ca2+-dependent Cl− current in the order of microamperes, which was not observed for oocytes injected with water alone. The response was reversibly inhibited by α1-selective antagonist, WB4101 (2-([2,6-dimethoxyphenoxyethyl]aminomethyl)-1,4-benzodioxane). Similar experiments using several adrenergic agonists revealed that Medaka α1A-AR responds to the following agonists in the order: epinephrine 2 ≥(−)norepinephrine > oxymetazoline ≥ methoxamine, which is similar to the responses of rat α1A receptor expressed in COS cells. The results indicate that fish contains adrenoceptor systems similar to those of mammals in terms of primary structure and pharmacological properties.
Screening of aflatoxins in duck feedstuffs in West Java, Indonesia.

During the period 1979-1985, incoming feed ingredients (some of imported origin) for duck diets were screened for their aflatoxin level. As a result. records of aflatoxin data from 533 corn, 88 rice, 136 rice bran, 47 wheat pollard, 207 soya bean meal. 55 copra meal and 166 fish meal samples were obtained. Aflatoxin B1 was the predominant form, the incidence of samples containing it ranging from 69 to 94%; then accompanied by aflatoxin G1, 37 to 81%: by B2, 33 to 70%; by G2, 13 to 66%. Levels of total aflatoxin > 20 μg kg −1 were most frequently encountered in corn (71%) and copra meal (58%), followed by soya bean meal (20%), wheat pollard (15%), rice bran (12%), fish meal (10%) and rice (4%). Most feed ingredients contained aflatoxins < 100 μg kg−1 except in corn of which 202 samples (38%) had a higher level. Corn is concluded to be the main source of alfatoxin contamination in corn-based mixed feeds.
Variation in Marginal Populations of Clarkia

Greenhouse—grown progenies from three Clarkia populations were compared with regard to ten morphological and two developmental traits. The "Caliente" population, an undescribed species from a low elevation grassland habitat, has the shortest development time to the first open flower, the narrowest leaves and bracts, the shortest leaf blades and petioles, the smallest flowers. In the latter, self pollination occurs upon opening. A low—land population of Clarkia unguiculata, from a grassland habitat adjacent to the "Caliente" locality, and a mountain population of C. unguiculata from a woodland habitat at a higher elevation both have broader leaves and bracts, larger flowers which are protandrous and outcrossing, and longer development times to the first open flower than does "Caliente". As compared with the lowland population of C. unguiculata, the mountain population has a shorter time between the opening of a flower and its pollination, shorter leaf blades, longer petioles, and a longer development time to the first open flower. The particular traits of each population are discussed in terms of possible adaptive significance relative to their habitats.
Outbreak of Mycobacterium marinum infection among captive snakes and bullfrogs

Since 1985 mycobacterial infection has been observed occasionally among snakes and bullfrogs housed in the Wisconsin exhibit at the Milwaukee Zoo. Prospective screening of animals was initiated in September 1990, after two cases occurred in March and June 1990. Overall, of 47 animals that were housed in the exhibit from 1981 through its closure in 1995, 15 (31.9%) were diagnosed with mycobacterial infection. That includes 10 cases (of 24 animals; 40% prevalence) that occurred during the final 5 years, when all animals were actively being screened for infection. Infection was documented by culture for seven animals, histology for four animals, and both histology and culture for four animals. Species determination of nine of the 10 isolates revealed Mycobacterium marinum. Genetic fingerprinting of the eight available isolates using pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) showed that six animals (five snakes and one bullfrog) were infected with the same strain of M. marinum (strain A) and two snakes were infected with a second strain (strain B). Deaths of animals infected with strain A spanned 1992–1995, and for strain B 1990–1992. It is postulated that possible routes of transmission were inhalation of infected aerosols or ingestion of contaminated food, water, or fomites. These data suggest that in closed systems the presence of mycobacterial infection in one animal significantly increases the risk of infection for all animals. Moreover, individual pathogenic strains may persist for prolonged periods of time. Zoo Biol 21:233–241, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Design and implementation of fast floating point units for FPGAs

Due to growth in demand for high-performance applications that require high numerical stability and accuracy, the need for floating-point FPGA has been increased. In this work, an open-source and efficient floating-point unit is implemented on a standard Xilinx Sparton-6 FPGA platform. The proposed design is described in a hierarchal way starting from functional block descriptions toward modules level design. Our implementation used minimal resources available on the targeting FPGA board, tested on Sparton-6 FPGA platform and verified on ModelSim. The open-source framework can be embedded or customized for low-cost FPGA devices that do not offer floating-point units.
Design of a wearable MIMO antenna deployed with an inverted U-shaped ground stub for diversity performance enhancement

Abstract A compact multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna operating at 2.45 GHz industrial scientific and medical band is presented for wearable devices. Open-end slotting is used to miniaturize the antenna dimensions. Inverted U-shaped ground stub is incorporated to reduce mutual coupling. On-body performance is analyzed on a three-layered equivalent tissue phantom model. The wide bandwidth of 300 MHz and port isolation of 30 dB are obtained from measured results. The antenna shows the efficiency of 40% and directivity of 4.56 dBi when placed at a gap of “s” = 4 mm from the body. Broadside radiation pattern and low specific absorption rate make the antenna suitable for on-body communication. Further, diversity performance is measured in terms of envelope correlation coefficient (ECC), diversity gain (DG), and channel capacity loss (CCL). The value of ECC is 0.025, DG is 9.98 dB, and CCL is 0.12 bits/s/Hz at 2.45 GHz. Antenna robustness is examined by bending the structure at different radii along the x-axis and y-axis. Performance of the proposed structure is reliable with structural deformation.
Regulation of MHC Protein Expression in Pancreatic β-Cells by Interferon-γ and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α

Isolated human and mouse pancreatic islet cells and the rat insulinoma cell line RIN-m5F were used to examine the ability of recombinant interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) to regulate the expression of the class I and class II major histocompatibility (MHC) surface proteins and mRNA in beta-cells. Each cytokine increased significantly the expression of class I MHC proteins as determined by double indirect immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytofluorimetric analysis. In the RIN-m5F cells, this increase in surface expressed class I MHC proteins was mirrored by an increase in the level of class I MHC mRNA. The order of potency of the cytokines on class I MHC expression was TNF-alpha plus IFN-gamma greater than or equal to IFN-gamma greater than or equal to TNF-alpha. While IFN-gamma or TNF-alpha alone were without effect, in combination they were found to induce class II MHC proteins on 30-40% of human or murine beta-cells. In contrast, IFN-gamma plus TNF-alpha did not induce detectable class II MHC proteins or mRNA in the RIN-m5F cells. These findings indicate that 1) TNF-alpha, in addition to IFN-gamma, upregulates the expression of beta-cell class I MHC proteins and mRNA, and 2) more than one signal is required for the induction of class II MHC proteins on beta-cells. The ability of IFN-gamma plus TNF-alpha to induce class II MHC proteins on only a fraction of the normal beta-cell population and not on RIN-m5F cells suggests that this response is related to the differentiation state of the beta-cell.
Do Commercial Fishers Aggregate around Marine Reserves? Evidence from Big Creek Marine Ecological Reserve, Central California

Abstract Marine reserves have been widely touted as a promising strategy for managing fisheries and protecting marine biodiversity. However, their establishment can involve substantial social conflict and may not produce the anticipated biological and economic benefits. A crucial factor associated with the success of marine reserves for enhancing fisheries and protecting biodiversity is the spatial distribution of fishing activity. Fishers may be attracted to the perimeter of a reserve in expectation of spillover of adult fishes. This concentration of effort can reduce “spillover” of fish to the surrounding fishery and has major implications for the effectiveness of reserves in achieving ecological and socioeconomic goals. We examined the spatial distribution of fishing activity relative to California's Big Creek Marine Ecological Reserve and found no aggregation near the reserve. We discuss the factors driving the spatial distribution of fishing activity relative to the reserve and the relevance of that .
Ovarian development and egg laying in workers of Bombus terrestris

Answers were sought to three questions to the regulation of oogenesis and ovipositions by the bumblebee queen and by her workers: a) Which factors have an effect on oogenesis and subsequent ovipositions at the individual level? b) What impact do social factors and the presence of the queen have on ovary activation and egg laying by workers at colony level? c) Is oogenesis in workers related to egg laying by the queen, particularly to her switch from laying diploid, female biased eggs to haploid, male producing eggs?
Habitat-based spatial and temporal variability in life history characteristics of female common dolphins Delphinus delphis in the eastern tropical Pacific

Spatial and temporal variability in mean age, breeding season and mean body length were examined for female short-beaked common dolphins Delphinus delphis in the eastern tropical Pacific (ETP). Specimens were obtained from central stock D. delphis incidentally killed in the tuna purse-seine fishery between 1973 and 1993. To examine spatial variability in life history parameters, oceanographic variables were used to characterize 2 primary habitats within the range of central stock animals: the Costa Rica Dome (CRD) and the surrounding areas of the CRD. Mean age of mature females did not vary through time or between habitats, and calving occurred throughout the year in both habitats. However, mean body length of D. delphis sampled 'on' the CRD was 10 cm shorter than those sampled 'off' the CRD during the years 1973-1974 but was not significantly different between the 2 habitats in the years 1988-1989. The difference between spatial groups in 1973-1974 is likely attributed to animals moving within the region in response to changes in their environment. That is, animal size and location is consistent with southern stock D. delphis moving into the higher quality habitat of the CRD area during the strong El Nino of 1972-1973 when preferred habitat was likely reduced in the area that the southern stock inhabits. Our evidence of animal movement suggests animals cross stock boundaries during periods of significant environmen- tal change. This result has implications for development and implementation of management plans and estimation of life history parameters for D. delphis inhabiting the ETP.
Psychometric Properties of the Subjective Wellbeing Assessment Scale—French Version (SWBAS-18F): A Study With Young Refugees and Internally Displaced People in Nigerien Refugee Camps

The aim of our research was to identify an easy-to-administer instrument for evaluating wellbeing in an at-risk population of young internal displaced people and young refugees in sub-Saharan Africa (N = 462). To this end, we adapted the French-language 17-item version of the Subjective Wellbeing Assessment Scale (SWBAS—French version) and evaluated its factor structure, using a combination of exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. We observed five underlying factors (positive functioning, negative functioning, human insecurity, school domain, and social domain) and 17 items. Participants’ scores on the positive functioning, negative functioning, and social domain subscales were associated with their levels of psychological distress, and the statistical outcomes provided support for practical adoption of the instrument. The SWBAS-17F may, therefore, represent user-friendly instruments that practitioners might use alongside adaptations of more traditional diagnostic tools to obtain a complete and holistic assessment of refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced people.
An experimental investigation of the misinformation effect in crime‐related amnesia claims

Research suggests that both internal (i.e., lying) and external (i.e., misinformation) factors can affect memory for a crime. We aimed to explore the effects of post‐event misinformation on crime‐related amnesia claims. We showed participants a mock crime and asked them to either simulate amnesia (simulators) or confess to it (confessors). Next, some participants were provided with misinformation. Finally, all participants were requested to genuinely recollect the crime. Overall, simulators reported less correct information than confessors. Moreover, these two groups were equally vulnerable to misinformation. In addition, exploratory analyses on strategies adopted by simulators revealed that those who previously, mostly omitted information while simulating amnesia exhibited the lowest amount of correct details. Simulators who instead used a mixed strategy disclosed more fabricated memory errors. Findings suggest that legal professionals and jurors should take into account that even offenders, irrespective of confessing or simulating memory loss for a crime, can be susceptible to post‐event misinformation.
Population dynamics of tadpoles of Crossodactylus gaudichaudii (Anura: Hylodidae) in the Atlantic Rainforest of Ilha Grande, southeastern Brazil

We studied the temporal distribution of tadpoles of Crossodactylus gaudichaudii, and their relationship with rainfall, in a Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest area. There is no previous information about the population dynamics of tadpoles from this species. We sampled 60 m along streams between May 2002 and April 2005. Tadpoles in initial stages of development (up to stage 25) were present in all months of the year and represented 80.4% of those sampled. This indicates a continuous recruitment of new individuals in the aquatic environment. Tadpoles in final stages of development (stages 42–46) represented only 5% of those sampled, which may be the result of higher mortality in the early development stages. Body length of tadpoles varied among developmental stages and between seasons. Tadpole density was higher in the rainy season than in the dry season, and was significantly related to rainfall in the area.