Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Body size and paternal investment in the genus Onthophagus (Coleoptera, Scarabaeoidea)

During reproduction, dung beetles of the genus Onthophagus typically bury portions of dung removed from the dung pad. Even though females are capable of successfully constructing and provisioning nests when unaccompanied by males, extensive levels of co-operation between sexes have been reported. In some species, males show a clear dimorphism in body plan and only large horned males are known to assist females. In O. taurus this form of paternal investment is facultative and depends on social context (namely the presence of other males). We studied relationships between body size and paternal investment in five Onthophagus species (i.e. O. coenobita, O. fracticornis, O. illyricus, O. taurus and O. vacca). Two types of tests were established. In test A, a large and a small male were placed with a single, medium-size female; in test B, a large and a small female were placed with a single large male. In controls one male was placed with one female. Individuals were maintained for 10 days. Then the enclosures were opened to assess the position of each beetle. When two mates were found in close vicinity or in the same tunnel provisioning dung, a co-operative behaviour was assumed. In competitive tests, small males and small females never co-operated with their potential mates whilst large and medium-size individuals often co-operated with mates inside the same tunnels. No differences in frequencies of co-operation were found between large and medium-size females. Small females and small males scarcely co-operated with large or medium-size mates in controls. These results suggest that large individuals outcompete the small ones. They also suggest that paternal investment depends on body size of both mates. Large males of all species assist medium-size and large females, whereas small males do not. However, large males do not invest much parental effort on small females that, in fact, are poorly assisted. We assume that large individuals of both sexes are reproductively superior to small ones. The propensity of both small females and small males to excavate was lower than that of larger individuals; accordingly, digging capacity could be a proximate factor explaining facultative paternal investment in these species.
Effectiveness of two H9N2 low pathogenic avian influenza conventional inactivated oil emulsion vaccines on H9N2 viral replication and shedding in broiler chickens

The objective of this study was to compare the effect of two conventional H9N2 avian influenza (AI) vaccines on replication and shedding of the H9N2 AI virus in broiler chickens. These inactivated oil emulsion vaccines contain either a UAE or an Iranian H9N2 AI isolate. One hundred and fifty one-day-old commercial broiler chickens were randomly divided into six groups. The birds, except for the control group (group 4), were challenged with a low pathogenic A/Chicken/Iran/SH-110/99(H9N2) virus isolate. Birds in groups 1 and 5 were vaccinated with an Iranian AI vaccine and groups 2 and 6 with an UAE vaccine type. Birds in groups 5 and 6 were also vaccinated with an H120 strain of infectious bronchitis live vaccine. On days 3, 7, 11, and 15 post inoculations (PI) the trachea, lungs, kidneys and faeces were collected for molecular detection and quantitation of the H9N2 AI virus using TaqMan real time PCR assay. The results showed that frequency of virus recovery and viral titration was generally higher for unvaccinated challenged birds (group 3) on all days PI. No virus was detected in the chicks of group 1. The virus was detected in some cases in the tracheas and lungs of chicks in groups 2, 5 and 6. However, there was no statistically significant difference in viral replication in the trachea and lungs between chicks vaccinated with the UAE and Iranian type vaccines. The most frequent detection of the virus was in the kidneys in comparison with the other samples. The viral titer in the kidneys of unvaccinated challenged birds (group 3) on day 3, 7, 11 and 15 PI was higher than those of the same organs in the vaccinated challenged birds (groups 1, 2). The highest titer of the virus was observed in the faeces of unvaccinated challenged and the chicks vaccinated with the IB and UAE type vaccine (group 6) on day 7 PI. There was a statistically significant difference in viral shedding between groups (1 and 3), (2 and 3) and (5 and 6) (P=0.008). Infectious bronchitis live vaccine could increase the AI virus propagation and shedding in co-infected groups (groups 5 and 6). Altogether, both AI H9N2 vaccines could effectively reduce viral replication and shedding in broiler chicken, however, in order to achieve efficient control of the disease, vaccination should be accompanied with other preventive measurements including biosecurity practices.
RGB-D 모델을 이용한 강건한 객체 탐지 및 추적 방법 ☆ A Robust Object Detection and Tracking Method using RGB-D Model

Recently, CCTV has been combined with areas such as big data, artificial intelligence, and image analysis to detect various abnormal behaviors and to detect and analyze the overall situation of objects such as people. Image analysis research for this intelligent video surveillance function is progressing actively. However, CCTV images using 2D information generally have limitations such as object misrecognition due to lack of topological information. This problem can be solved by adding the depth information of the object created by using two cameras to the image. In this paper, we perform background modeling using Mixture of Gaussian technique and detect whether there are moving objects by segmenting the foreground from the modeled background. In order to perform the depth information-based segmentation using the RGB information-based segmentation results, stereo-based depth maps are generated using two cameras. Next, the RGB-based segmented region is set as a domain for extracting depth information, and depth-based segmentation is performed within the domain. In order to detect the center point of a robustly segmented object and to track the direction, the movement of the object is tracked by applying the CAMShift technique, which is the most basic object tracking method. From the experiments, we prove the efficiency of the proposed object detection and tracking method using the RGB-D model.
Effect of γ-aminobutyric acid on growth performance, behavior and plasma hormones in weaned pigs

Li, Y. H. , Li, F. , Liu, M. , Yin, J. J., Cheng, B. J., Shi, B. M. and Shan, A. S. 2015. Effect of γ-aminobutyric acid on growth performance, behavior and plasma hormones in weaned pigs. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 95: 165-171. The study was conducted the effects of dietary γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA, 0 and 30 mg kg-1) on average daily intake, growth performance, behavior and plasma hormone levels in weaned pigs. A total of 96 28-d-old healthy weaned male pigs (Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire) with similar weight were randomly assigned into two groups. Six units were included in each treatment, with eight pigs in each unit. The trial lasted 35 d. Four pigs were exchanged between every two pens in the same treatment on day 28. No difference was observed on average daily feed intake, average daily gain and feed-to-gain ratio between the pigs fed 30 mg kg-1 GABA diets and the pigs fed basal diet, respectively. Longer feed consumption time and lower biting incidences were observed in pigs fed GABA, compared with those fed basal diet, respectively. Plasma growth hormone concentration was significantly increased and the plasma concentrations of adrenocorticotrophic hormone and cortisol were lower in weaned pigs in the GABA supplementation group on day 35. Dietary GABA significantly increased the plasma neuropeptide Y concentration on day 14 and day 35. It is indicated that dietary GABA reduced aggressive behavior and regulated endocrine hormones in weaned pigs, ultimately reducing the negative influences of stress (weaning and mixing) on the pigs.
Inter‐ and intraspecific partitioning of food resources by six large and abundant fish species in a seasonally open estuary

This study has tested the hypotheses that the dietary compositions of the six large and abundant fish species in the 46 km2 basin of a seasonally open estuary (Wilson Inlet) will differ significantly, change with increasing body size and vary with water depth and season. These species comprise four marine species, the sea mullet Mugil cephalus, yellow-eye mullet Aldrichetta forsteri, King George whiting Sillaginodes punctata and Australian herring Arripis georgiana, and populations of two species that are confined to the estuary, the cobbler Cnidoglanis macrocephalus and the southern blue-spotted flathead Platycephalus speculator. Non-metric multidimensional ordination and associated tests showed that, overall, the dietary composition was influenced to a far greater extent by the species of fish than by either water depth or season. At even a relatively broad level of taxonomic discrimination, the dietary compositions of each pair of species were significantly different, except for those of A. georgiana v. P. speculator, and even in that case those of their larger individuals differed. Differences among the diets of the six species, which represented five families, are related to differences in feeding morphology and location within the water column. Mugil cephalus ingested almost exclusively sediment and fine organic material. Although A. forsteri and S. punctata both consumed substantial amounts of polychaetes (including nereids, capitellids and orbiniids), the former ingested relatively larger volumes of small crustaceans (copepods) and relatively lower volumes of large crustaceans (the carid Palaemonetes australis), nemertines and bivalve siphons. The diets of A. georgiana and P. speculator were both typified by the consistent and high contributions of large crustaceans and fishes. Among fish prey, however, A. georgiana focused to a far greater extent on the small clupeid Engraulis australis, whereas P. speculator consumed a wider range of teleosts, which included species of atherinid and goby. Although the diets of A. forsteri and C. macrocephalus both contained substantial amounts of coarse organic material, the latter differed markedly from those of all other species by the frequent presence of mytilids (mainly Xenostrobus spp.) and other bivalves (especially Tellina deltoidalis and Irus crenata). The diets of each species except M. cephalus changed with increasing body size and, for comparable size classes, did not differ between shallow and deeper waters. The partitioning of food resources within and among the six large and abundant fish species found in Wilson Inlet would reduce the potential for competition for these resources and help account for the large numbers of those species in this seasonally open estuary.
Response of biological waste treatment systems to changes in salt concentrations

The effect of NaCl on the yield of biological solids and on the ability of continuously cultured heterogeneous microbial populations to remove substrate was assessed by changing the salt concentration in the inflowing synthetic waste. During the period of increasing the salt concentration to 30,000 mg/l the system could not maintain a high substrate removal efficiency. However, after an acclimation period the system regained its former efficiency. Upon diluting the salt out of the system, a significant rise in cell yield was noted as the salt level passed through the range 8,000–10,000 mg/l. It was found that steady operation at a salt level of 8,000 mg/l sustained the cell yield at a high level.
Osteoderms of Simosuchus clarki (Crocodyliformes: Notosuchia) from the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar

ABSTRACT The pug-nosed crocodyliform Simosuchus clarki is known from several specimens that collectively preserve, in addition to the skull and postcranial endoskeletal elements, a complete complement of osteoderms covering every major body region. This comprehensive sample of osteoderms facilitates the reconstruction, from multiple sources, of the entire postcranial dermal skeleton of this crocodyliform. In this contribution, I describe the anatomy, arrangement, and histology of the osteoderms of S. clarki, and provide comments on the phylogenetic and functional importance of these structures. As in other crocodyliforms, the osteoderms of Simosuchus were organized into discrete ‘shields’ covering the dorsal and ventral regions of the trunk and tail. Simosuchus also exhibited extensive osteodermal coverage of the limbs, a feature that characterizes very few crocodyliforms. The osteoderms from different shields possess distinctive morphological features, allowing isolated osteoderms to be assigned accurately to their respective shields. Paleohistological investigations reveal porous, lightly built osteoderms overlying dorsal and appendicular regions, and gastral osteoderms with a flat, diploe-like structure. Details about growth and longevity in Simosuchus are equivocal when assessed using data from osteoderms alone. Simosuchus possessed a tetraserial paravertebral shield, with at least four accessory parasagittal rows of osteoderms on either side. Sagittal segmentation probably enhanced flexibility with respect to ancestral crocodyliforms, but the presence of numerous, tightly sutured accessory rows suggests that lateral undulation, and therefore swimming, was likely restricted. Several new morphological characters are described here, and it is proposed that these will be informative in future studies of crocodyliform phylogeny.
Nitrate accumulation in vegetables and its relationship to quality

Summary Many plants, especially leafy vegetables, accumulate nitrate under low light conditions as uptake of nitrate exceeds reduction. Nitrate may harm the health of the consumer as it can be converted to nitrite causing methaemoglobinaemia or carcinogenic nitrosamines. To take directional measures during the growth of vegetables which will decrease the nitrate content, physiological knowledge about the nitrogen economy of the plant is needed. In this review the physiological role of nitrate as osmoticum and its relationship with carbon utilisation will be described; some practical implications for growers and the consequence for quality of the product will be discussed.
Empathy as a Moderator Variable in the Relationship between Altruistic behavior and a Social responsibility among Faculty of Nursing female students

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between altruistic behavior and a Social responsibility, and also the relationship between empathy and altruistic behavior and a Social responsibility, and also the moderating role of empathy in the relationship between altruistic behavior and a Social responsibility. Research included (150) female students, with mean age (21,5) SD (±3,4). Tools were: empathy scale (prepared by the researcher), altruistic behavior scale (prepared by the researcher), and Social responsibility scale (prepared by researcher). Results showed that there is a positive significant relationship between altruistic behavior and a Social responsibility, there is a positive significant relationship between empathy and altruistic behavior and a Social responsibility. Results also showed that there is a moderating role of empathy in the relationship between altruistic behavior and a Social responsibility.
Transplanted Onion Response to Previously Applied Residual Herbicides

Field trials were conducted in 2003/2004 and 2005/2006 at Reidsville, Georgia, to evaluate the effects of previously applied residual herbicides on onion growth and bulb production. Before transplanting onion, preplant applications of imazapic at 18 and 36 g ai/ha, diclosulam at 7 and 14 g ai/ha, pyrithiobac at 27 and 54 g ai/ha, trifloxysulfuron at 6.6 and 13.2 g ai/ha, diuron at 224 and 448 g ai/ha, and cloransulam at 22 g ai/ha were made. An untreated control was included for comparison. Trifloxysulfuron at 13.2 g/ha, diclosulam at 14 g/ha, pyrithiobac at 54 g/ha, and cloransulam at 22 g/ha injured onion 26, 73, 86, and 86% in 2003/2004, respectively, and 13 to 44% injury in 2005/2006. These same herbicides also reduced yield. Imazapic and diuron injured transplanted onion 6% during both seasons but did not reduce yield. This research suggests imazapic and diuron restrictions could possibly be reduced. However, the onion rotational restrictions for diclosulam, pyrithiobac, trifloxysulfuron, and cloransulam are accurate. Nomenclature: Cloransulam, 3-chloro-2-[[(5-ethoxy-7-fluoro[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidin-2yl)sulfonyl]amino]benzoic acid; diclosulam; imazapic; trifloxysulfuron; onion, Allium cepa L
Mapping fisheries onto marine ecosystems: a proposal for a consensus approach for regional, oceanic and global integrations. ICES CM 2000/T:14

Research on ecosystem-based fisheries management, marine biodiversity conservation, and other fields requires appropriate maps of the major natural regions of the oceans, and their ecosystems. It is proposed here that a classification system proposed by T. Platt and S. Sathyendranath and implemented by A.R. Longhurst, defined largely by physical parameters, and which subdivides the oceans into four ‘biomes’ and 57 ‘biogeochemical provinces’ (BGCPs), could be merged with the system of 50 Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) identified by K. Sherman and colleagues, which would represent subunits of the BGCPs. This arrangement enhances each of the systems, and renders them mutually compatible. For the LMEs, subprovinces are pragmatically defined to serve as a framework for the management of coastal fisheries, and other purposes, while the BGCPs have rigorous physical definitions, including borders defined by natural features. Moreover, incorporating the 50 defined LMEs into the framework of BGCPs will allow straightforward scaling-up of LME-specific flow estimates (including fisheries catches) up to basin and ocean scales. The combined mapping will allow the computation of GISderived properties such as temperature, primary production, etc., and their analysis in relation to fishery catch data for any study area. A further useful aspect of the proposed scheme is that it will enable us to quantify the EEZ of various countries in term of the distribution of marine features (e.g. primary production, coral reef areas) so far not straightforwardly associated with different coastal states. Applications to shelf, coral reef and oceanic fisheries, and to the mapping of marine biodiversity are briefly discussed. -----------------------------(a) Fisheries Centre, 2204 Main Mall, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z4, and Sea Around Us Project. (E-mails: pauly@fisheries.com; villy@fisheries.com; regwatson@fisheries.com (b) FishBase Project, ICLARM, Los Baños, Philippines (r.froese@cgiar.org); (c) Place de l’Eglise, 46160 Carjac, Lot, France (longh@crdi.fr); (d) Biological Oceanography Division, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Box 1006, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, B2Y 4A2; (e) Department of Oceanography, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, BH3 4J1 (tplatt@is.dal.ca); (f) National Marine Fisheries Service, Narragansett Laboratory, 28 Tarzell Drive, Narragansett, Rhode Island, USA, 02882-1199 (Kenneth.Sherman@noaa.gov). ICES 2000 Annual Science Conference Theme Session on Classification and Mapping of Marine Habitats CM 2000/T:14
Genetic and phenotypic variation in a colourful treefrog across five geographic barriers

Aim Understanding the patterns and processes underlying phenotype in a polytypic species provides key insights into microevolutionary mechanisms of diversification. The red‐eyed treefrog, Agalychnis callidryas, exhibits strong regional differentiation in colour pattern, corresponding to five admixed mitochondrial DNA clades. We evaluated spatial diversity patterns across multiple, putative barriers to examine the fine‐scale processes that mediate phenotypic divergence between some regions while maintaining homogeneity between others.
The prion protein and lipid rafts (Review)

Prions are the causative agent of the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans. In these prion diseases the normal cellular form of the prion protein (PrPC) undergoes a post-translational conformational conversion to the infectious form (PrPSc). PrPC associates with cholesterol- and glycosphingolipid-rich lipid rafts through association of its glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor with saturated raft lipids and through interaction of its N-terminal region with an as yet unidentified raft associated molecule. PrPC resides in detergent-resistant domains that have different lipid and protein compositions to the domains occupied by another GPI-anchored protein, Thy-1. In some cells PrPC may endocytose through caveolae, but in neuronal cells, upon copper binding to the N-terminal octapeptide repeats, the protein translocates out of rafts into detergent-soluble regions of the plasma membrane prior to endocytosis through clathrin-coated pits. The current data suggest that the polybasic region at its N-terminus is required to engage PrPC with a transmembrane adaptor protein which in turn links with the clathrin endocytic machinery. PrPC associates in rafts with a variety of signalling molecules, including caveolin-1 and Fyn and Src tyrosine kinases. The clustering of PrPC triggers a range of signal transduction processes, including the recruitment of the neural cell adhesion molecule to rafts which in turn promotes neurite outgrowth. Lipid rafts appear to be involved in the conformational conversion of PrPC to PrPSc, possibly by providing a favourable environment for this process to occur and enabling disease progression.
The Clinical and Bacteriological Profile of Children with Empyema in a Tertiary Hospital

Background: Empyema thoracis is a condition in which pus and fluid from infected tissue collects in the pleural cavity. Childhood empyema is an important complication of bacterial pneumonia. The incidence of empyema is increasing worldwide. Despite being recognized since the ancient times, the appropriate management of paediatric empyema thoracis remains controversial. Aims & objectives: 50 patients were included in the age group of less than 12 years with the diagnosis of empyema. All the patients were analysed for the clinical course of the disease, radiological investigations, pleural fluid biochemical and microbiological parameters, and various treatment options. Short term follow up was done for complications and sequelae. Subjects and Methods: 64% of the children were under 4 years of age. Males outnumbered females with a ratio of 1.17:1. 74% of the cases were recorded during spring and early summer. 64% of the cases belonged to lower socioeconomic strata. Fever, cough and hurried respiration were the predominant symptoms and the duration of illness of 80% of the cases was 7 – 14 days. 64% of our patients had received antibiotics prior to admission. Pneumonia predisposed to empyema in 48% of the cases. 56% of the cases had protein energy malnutrition and 2% were severely malnourished. Left sided empyemas (54%) were more frequent than the right (46%). 46% of the patients had culture positivity on pleural fluid. The commonest organism isolated was staphylococcus aureus (18%). Conclusion: Management of primary empyema continues to be controversial in terms of duration of antibiotic therapy and the indications for and timing of surgery.