Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Arid Recovery - A comparison of reptile and small mammal populations inside and outside a large rabbit, cat and fox-proof exclosure in arid South Australia

Australian arid zone mammal species within the Critical Weight Range (CWR) of 35 g–5.5 kg have suffered disproportionately in the global epidemic of contemporary faunal extinctions. CWR extinctions have been attributed largely to the effects of introduced or invasive mammals; however, the impact of these threatening processes on smaller mammals and reptiles is less clear. The change in small mammal and reptile assemblages after the removal of rabbits, cats and foxes was studied over a 6-year period in a landscape-scale exclosure in the Australian arid zone. Rodents, particularly Notomys alexis and Pseudomys bolami, increased to 15 times higher inside the feral-proof Arid Recovery Reserve compared with outside sites, where rabbits, cats and foxes were still present. Predation by cats was thought to exert the greatest influence on rodent numbers owing to the maintenance of the disparity in rodent responses through dry years and the differences in dietary preferences between rabbits and P. bolami. The presence of introduced Mus domesticus or medium-sized re-introduced mammal species did not significantly affect resident small mammal or reptile abundance. Abundance of most dasyurids and small lizards did not change significantly after the removal of feral animals although reductions in gecko populations inside the reserve may be attributable to second order trophic interactions or subtle changes in vegetation structure and cover. This study suggests that populations of rodent species in northern South Australia below the CWR may also be significantly affected by introduced cats, foxes and/or rabbits and that a taxa specific model of Australian mammal decline may be more accurate than one based on body weight.
SENSITIZATION OF BACTERIAL SPORES TO LYSOZYME AND TO HYDROGEN PEROXIDE WITH AGENTS WHICH RUPTURE DISULPHIDE BONDS.

SUMMARY: Spores of Bacillus and Clostridium species were subjected to oxidizing and reducing agents known to rupture protein disulphide bonds and to irradiation (ultraviolet; high speed electron). These treatments caused no loss of brightness of spores when viewed by phase-contrast microscopy. However, lysozyme or hydrogen peroxide caused phase darkening of treated spores and loss of dipicolinic acid typical of normal germination except that hydrogen peroxide eventually caused almost complete lysis of the spores. Under certain conditions, spore viability was unaffected during treatment with reducing agents and during subsequent phase darkening in lysozyme. Spores made susceptible to lysozyme by reducing agents became insusceptible after storage in aerated water. These reactions are compatible with Vinter's observation of the high content of disulphide bonds in the coat fraction of spores (Vinter, 1960) and with the chemical or physical rupture of these bonds. Rupture of disulphide bonds allows action of lysozyme or hydrogen peroxide on previously protected substrates. The disulphide bonds are therefore probably important in the resistance of spores to enzymes and irradiation, and rupture of these bonds may be involved in the germination process. The probable location of the lysozyme substrate in mucopeptide of the spore cortex indicates the importance of the integrity of cortex structure in maintaining the phase brightness of spores.
Developmental and Functional Aspects of the Frontal Bones in Relation To Some Other Bony and Cartilaginous Parts of the Head Roof in Haplochromis Elegans Trewavas, 1933 (Teleostei, Cichlidae)

In this paper the development of the frontal bones in the acanthopterygian Haplochromis elegans is described and compared to that of the protacanthopterygian Salmo gairdneri (rainbow trout). It is stated that in H. elegans the development of the frontal bones starts earlier with regard to the development of the chondrocranium than in S. gairdneri. In both cases, however, the development of these bones starts in parachondral position. The relation between the degree of development of the cartilaginous skull roof and the overlapping of both frontals in the midline during ontogeny, is discussed. The complicated structure of the frontal lamellae consisting of three different levels is understood in relation to the attachment to the chondrocranium and to the support for the rostral dorsal head scales.
Adaptive Joint Lossy Source-Channel Coding for Multihop IoT Networks

We consider monitoring applications in multihop wireless sensor networks (WSNs), where nodes rely on limited batteries so that energy efficiency and reliability are of paramount importance. Typically, lossy compression is aimed at saving transmission energy, yet affects the quality of transmitted data over lossy channels. Accordingly, using error correction coding (ECC) along with compression is required to guarantee both energy efficiency and high-fidelity reconstruction. In this paper, we analyze the energy efficiency of the joint use of lossy compression along with ECC, with the twofold objective of extending the network lifetime and assuring reliability. Specifically, we consider an adaptive joint lossy source-channel coding (JLSCC) system, where the energy efficiency and reliability performances depend on both the compression and the coding rates. Therein, we first carry out a performance analysis of JLSCC, considering realistic models of communication and computational energies, when the communication is performed over a Rayleigh fading channel. Then, we evaluate the performance of the JLSCC system compared to lossy compression and ECC systems in both end-to-end and multihop communications. Our results reveal that an adaptive JLSCC results in substantial energy saving while guaranteeing the required reliability performance, compared to both lossy compression and channel coding systems, that cannot be efficient for both energy and reliability. Instead, the JLSCC system is proved to be energy efficient for small distance end-to-end communication and large-scale multihop network, while leading to satisfactory reliability performance.
Hyper-autolysis of the Facultative Alkaliphile Bacillus sp. C-125 Cells Grown at Neutral pH: Culture-pH Dependent Cross-linking of the Peptide Moieties of the Peptidoglycan

The cells of the facultative alkaliphile Bacillus sp. C-125 grown at neutral pH autolyzed rapidly in alkaline buffers of pH 9–10. By contrast, the cells grown at alkaline pH were apparently stable under the same conditions. Alkaline N-acetylmuramyl-l-alanine amidase associated with the cell walls caused this alkali-instability. Meanwhile, cross-linkage between peptide moieties of the peptidoglycan of the organism was dependent on the culture pH. The cross-linking rate was low (31%) in the peptidoglycan of the cells grown at neutral pH, and high (52%) in the cells grown at alkaline pH. This low linking rate is one of the reasons why the cells grown at neutral pH were unstable at alkaline pH. The high linkages in the peptidoglycan might be a cellular adaptation of the organism for growth in alkaline environments.
Tannins in tropical tree fodders fed to small ruminants: A friendly foe?

Livestock production systems worldwide rely largely on conventional feedstuffs. The current world food crisis highlights the need to improve the use of local resources for animal nutrition, such as fodder trees and shrubs. The detrimental effects of tropical tannin-rich plants (TRP) on animal production have been frequently described. In contrast, their potential benefits have long been neglected. This paper presents the potential positive effects of tropical TRP on small ruminants either as source of feed or as nutraceuticals with anthelmintic (AH) properties. It also analyses the host behavioral and physiological adaptations associated with exploitation of those tannin-rich resources. Both sheep and goats preferred a mixture of plants even when tannin-free forage was available. Moreover, the preference for TRP by goats and hair sheep were mainly associated with the digestible fraction of fiber and to a less extent with tannin content, which implies that they do not necessarily select against TRP. The addition of polyethylene glycol did not modify the preference or intake of TRP by goats and sheep. Evidence of physiological adaptation to TRP is presented and discussed. Both, experienced hair sheep and goats had saliva with tannin binding capacity, enabling both species to eat higher quantities of TRP which could lead to a higher availability of tannins in the gastrointestinal tract. Tannins in the gastrointestinal tract could be an AH against gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN). Indeed, in vitro and in vivo studies have shown AH effects of tannins from TRP, suggesting their possible use as natural anthelmintics against GIN. This paper supports the change in the current view of tannins in TRP as anti-nutritional compounds. If adequately managed, TRP can be a valuable component of sustainable small ruminant production systems. This paper is part of the special issue entitled: Plenary papers of the 9th International Conference on Goats, Guest Edited by Jorge R. Kawas. ∗ Corresponding author at: Centro de Enseñanza, Investigación y Extensión en Ganadería Tropical, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, UNAM. Km. 5.5 Carretera Federal Tlapacoyan-Martínez de la Torre, C.P. 93600, Veracruz, México. Fax: +52 232 3243943. E-mail address: alonsodm@servidor.unam. mx (M.A. Alonso-Díaz). 0921-4488/$ – see front matter © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.smallrumres. 2009.12. 040 © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Sleep beliefs and chronotype among adolescents: the effect of a sleep education program

Knowledge of the sleep beliefs among adolescents is relevant in order to promote primary prevention of unhealthy lifestyles related to sleep hygiene. In study 1, sleep beliefs among 11–16-years-old adolescents were explored according to gender, age, and chronotype. Adolescents completed the Sleep Beliefs Scale (SBS; Adan A, Fabbri M, Natale V, Pratt G. 2006. SBS and circadian typology. J Sleep Res. 15:125–132) and the Morningness–Eveningness Scale for Children (MESC; Carskadon MA, Vieira C, Acebo C. 1993. Association between puberty and delayed phase preference. Sleep. 16:258–262) during normal school schedule. Results indicated incorrect sleep beliefs among boys and evening-types. In study 2, the effect of a sleep education program on sleep beliefs was analyzed. Results showed an increase of mean scores and percentage of correct responses of SBS after a sleep education program, especially among evening-type adolescents.
Effect of coronary artery ablation on exercise performance in Salmo gairdneri

Ablation of the coronary artery of the rainbow trout does not affect the level of exercise performance attained in a Brett-type water tunnel, when compared with intact or sham-operated fish. Arterial blood supply to the myocardium is maintained, following artery ablation, by small patent vessels in the adventitia of the bulbus–ventral aorta. The significance of the arterial vascular pattern of trout hearts is discussed.
Ion flux rates, acid-base status, and blood gases in rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri, exposed to toxic zinc in natural soft water

Exposure to 0.8 mg Zn2+/L in natural soft water for up to 72 h was toxic to rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri, causing an acid–base disturbance and net branchial ion losses. Mean arterial pH fell from 7.78 to 7.58. Both and lactate rose, indicating a mixed respiratory and metabolic acidosis, despite maintenance of high Net branchial uptake of Na+ and Cl− became a net loss immediately following exposure to Zn2+, and this continued during 60 h of exposure. Net K+ loss was exacerbated, and net Ca2+ uptake was abolished. Unidirectional flux measurements with 22Na+ and 36Cl− indicated an increased efflux immediately following zinc exposure. Both influx and efflux of Na+ and Cl− were stimulated after 48–60 h in Zn2+. Both net branchial ammonia excretion and net branchial uptake of acidic equivalents from the water (=base loss) were greatly stimulated, the latter contributing to metabolic acidosis. Kidney function, as measured by urine flow rate and excretion of ammonia, acidic equivalents, Na+, Cl−, K+, and Zn2+, .
The Performance of Single Chromosome Substitution Lines of Bread Wheat Subjected to Salinity Stress

The parents (the landrace Chinese spring (CS) and a synthetic hexaploids (S6x)) and 17 derived single chromosome substitution lines (SL) were grown in parallel in the field under non-saline (1.0 dSm−1) and saline (12.0 dSm−1) conditions, and evaluated for a set of phenotypic traits. The performance of CS indicated it to have borderline salinity tolerance with respect to all of the traits except for leaf area (for which it behaved in as a salinity sensitive type). The SL 4D was early in booting, ear emergence, flowering and maturity, while 5D and 2B SLs were both late. The 2B SL produce 33% more ears than CS. The 5D SL under-performed with respect to ear weight, grain number per ear, grain weight per ear and 1000-grain weight both under non-saline and saline conditions. Under saline conditions, four SLs (1A>5A>1D>2B) outperformed Cs for ear length, and six SLs (1D>6A>4B>3A>3B>3D) showed an improved grain weight. The grains produce by the 2B SL were smaller than those of CS. Leaf area developed better in four SLs (4D>2B>1A>7D) than in CS.
Antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae in Young Swedish Orienteers

During 1992-93 sera from 1790 Swedish elite orienteers were tested for antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae. The reason for this was that a cluster of 16 cases of sudden unexpected cardiac death had occurred among Swedish orienteers and DNA from C. pneumoniae had been found in the myocarditic heart and in the lung in 1 of 2 deceased athletes in whom testing was feasible; in addition, C. pneumoniae IgG was found in all 5 cases where serum was available. Among the orienteers, the prevalence rates of IgG antibodies in males and females were 54% (n = 1194) and 50% (n =596), respectively. The corresponding figures for 319 male and female blood donors were 60% (n = 169) and 53% (n =150), respectively. These differences are not statistically significant. Male orienteers had a lower prevalence of IgA antibodies than male blood donors (19% and 26%, respectively; p < 0.05), while no such difference was found in females (16% and 18%). The prevalence of IgM antibodies was < 1% in all groups. Neither the performance level of the orienteers nor the place of residence affected the antibody prevalence. In conclusion, Swedish orienteers do not show a higher prevalence of antibodies to C. pneumoniae than healthy blood donors.
Predictive Safety Network for Resource-constrained Multi-agent Systems

: Coordinating multiple agents, such as mobile robots, with shared resources, such as common battery charging stations, is a highly relevant but still challenging decision problem. Traditionally, the motion and task planning of multi-agent systems are tackled by either designing ad-hoc decision rules or employing optimization tools. The former requires intensive manual tuning while the latter needs a static and accurate model of the complete system. Both approaches are prone to uncertainties in the robot motion and task execution. In this work, we pro-pose a novel planning framework based on recent advances in deep reinforcement learning. The framework combines a centralized safety policy that acts on direct predictions of future resource levels and a decentralized task policy that optimizes task completions. The safety network is trained using supervised learning without extraneous supervision, while the task policy is trained using concurrent self-play. The whole framework follows a hierarchical structure to avoid the exponential blowup in the state and action space. We demonstrate signiﬁcant improvements in a practical logistic planning problem for warehouse robots, compared with heuristic solutions, optimization tools and other reinforcement learning methods.
Transforming Growth Factor‐β Effect on Soft Tissue Repair

Previous studies have demonstrated that TGF-beta possesses many of the biologic properties necessary for acceleration of the normal wound healing process. We report that recombinant human TGF-beta 2 (rhuTGF-beta 1) increases wound strength and accelerates wound closure when applied topically to experimental wounds. Doses of 5 to 1,000 ng/wound increased wound strength in a dose-response manner and wound strength increase as high as 161% above control in the rat incisional wound model. Increased wound strength was observed as early as 3 days following rhuTGF-beta 1 application and continued to Day 28. In the rabbit ear ulcer model, acceleration of wound closure was observed following doses of 5 to 100 ng/wound applied a single topical application. No adverse effects of rhuTGF-beta 1 were observed. The amount of fibrous tissue, scar formation, and mitotic figures were not significantly greater than control. Epithelialization of rhuTGF-beta 1-treated wounds was not impeded. rhuTGF-beta 1 induced bone formation in the rabbit ear ulcer model but not in the rat incisional model, suggesting that precursor cells, such as perichondrial cells, are required for the bone forming activities of TGF-beta 1.
GROWTH INHIBITION AND TOXICITY OF THE DIATOM ALDEHYDE 2‐TRANS, 4‐TRANS‐DECADIENAL ON THALASSIOSIRA WEISSFLOGII (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE) 1

A common aldehyde present in marine and freshwater diatoms, 2‐trans, 4‐trans‐decadienal (A3), is involved in the wound‐activated response of diatoms to copepod grazing. Upon breakage of the diatom cell membrane, aldehydes are enzymatically produced by the rapid conversion of precursors and strongly impact copepod reproduction by impairing egg production and hatching success, inducing teratogenic embryos modifications. In this study, A3 was assayed with the marine diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii (Grunow) Fryxell et Hasle. The aldehyde concentration necessary to reduce 50% growth rate (EC50) was 0.29 mg·L−1. Decadienal was found to inhibit T. weissflogii cell growth in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner, with irreversible effects after 24 h of exposure. Decadienal induced a degenerative process, through modifications of cell membrane characteristics, interference with cell cycle progression, and with cell metabolic activity, leading to cell death. A preferential action of A3 on dividing cells was observed. Photosynthetic efficiency significantly decreased upon exposure to the aldehyde, paralleled by an increase in diatoxanthin, suggesting a protective role of this xanthophyll, usually involved in photoprotection. Dying cells exhibited the morphological and biochemical features that bear close resemblance to apoptosis of mammalian cells, including cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, and degradation of nuclear DNA to nucleosomal size fragments. These data are the first direct evidence to show aldehydes are toxic to diatoms. We suggest a possible nontoxic role of such compounds as chemical signals of unfavorable conditions within the phytoplankton communities, which may be relevant for the population dynamics of diatoms during blooms.
Influence of Seeded Fruit on Seedless Fruit Set in Japanese Persimmon cv. Fuyu (Diospyros kaki L. f.)

The influence of seeded Japanese persimmon cv. Fuyu (Diospyros kaki L. f.) fruit on the setting of seedless ones achieved by 1) hand-pollination; 2) open-pollination; 3) non-pollination; 4) ringing of the bearing shoot; and 5) gibberellin-3 (GA3) application was investigated to clarify the factors affecting seedless fruit set and the inconsistency of GA-treated fruit set.The number of seeds per fruit and the degree to which seedless fruit abscised on the same tree were significantly different among trees. However, a highly significant, positive linear relationship (r= 0.77) existed between the two parameters. No abscission of seedless fruits on ringed shoots occurred until the girdle region had healed. On non-pollinated trees, seedless fruit set increased as the concentration of GA3 was increased. However, more seedless fruit dropped from pollinated trees than from non-pollinated trees, although seedless fruits of both plots were treated with the same concentration. This induction of abscission is ascribed to the competition between seedless fruit and seeded fruit on the same tree. A major factor to fruit set was the competition among fruits; the competitive advantage of seeded fruit over parthenocarpic ones is the decisive factor whether or not GA-treated 'Fuyu' fruits abscise.
Reflex and non-reflex elements of hypertonia in triceps surae muscles following acquired brain injury: implications for rehabilitation

Background : Following adult onset acquired brain injury, the triceps surae muscles tend to become shortened and exhibit increased resistance to passive lengthening; a phenomenon that has been termed 'hypertonia'. Spasticity (velocity dependent tonic reflex hyper-excitability) has traditionally been considered a major component of hypertonia. In addition, unmodulated descending excitatory influences on the alpha motorneurone pool may result in inappropriate or excessive muscle activity (dystonia). Non-reflex changes, secondary to the brain injury, and as a consequence of subsequent immobility, also take place in the passive and active elements of the muscle. These non-reflex changes affect the stiffness and extensibility of the musculo-tendinous unit. Atrophy of muscle fibres combines with collagen proliferation to produce increased muscle stiffness. This may be compounded by increased actin-myosin cross-bridge linkages, which are thought to be associated with reduced rates of cross-bridge detachment. Prolonged immobilization in a shortened position results in a loss of sarcomeres in series. Arthrogenic changes associated with disuse include remodelling of dense connective tissue and intra-articular adhesions. Conclusion : Decreased muscle extensibility may be exacerbated by muscle overactivity. Consideration of all of the potential factors contributing to hypertonia of the triceps surae muscle will assist clinicians to identify appropriate intervention strategies, which may facilitate better treatment outcomes.
Noradrenergic Pathways Involved in the Development of Vertigo and DizzinessA review

In this study, vestibular caloric stimulation (CS) inhibited noradrenergic (NA) neurons of the locus coeruleus (LC) in rats. The vestibular input can be modified by the ventrolateral medulla (VLM), which then inhibits the LC neuronal activity via GABA A receptors. Clinically, CS induces vertigo in humans. Thus, LC-NA inhibition may be involved in the development of vertigo. Moreover, it is speculated that Sopite syndrome, one of the major symptom complexes of motion sickness, is also evoked by LC-NA inhibition. The central LC-NA neuronal system may participate in vertigo and motion sickness independent of the histaminergic neuronal system. In contrast, the cholinergic neuronal system may mediate LC-NA inhibition during the vestibulo-autonomic reflex. The LC-NA system projects to most higher centers and affects sensory information processing. Therefore, it is suggested that the suppression of sensory information processing induced by LC-NA inhibition causes drowsiness, one of the major symptoms of vertigo and motion sickness. It is also speculated that LC-NA inhibition participates in the development of sensory mismatch during vertigo and motion sickness.