Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impacts of climate change and urban development on the spotted marsh frog (Limnodynastes tasmaniensis)

Climate change and urbanization are among the most serious threats to amphibians, although little is known about their combined effects. We used a predictive spatial habitat suitability model to explore the potential impacts of climate change and urban development on the spotted marsh frog (Limnodynastes tasmaniensis) on the urban-fringe of Melbourne, Australia. The CSIRO climate-change predictions for the region indicate likely temperature increases of 3°C, and annual rainfall reductions of around 200 mm by the year 2070. Much of the study area overlaps a region that has been identified as one of the city's growth corridors. We used Bayesian logistic regression modelling to estimate current and future habitat suitability of pond sites in the Merri Creek catchment, exploring a range of best- to worst-case scenarios through the use of hydrological and urbanization models. Our predictions for 2070, even under a moderate climate-change scenario, suggest that the majority of ponds in the study area will be dry throughout much of the year. This has obvious implications for L. tasmaniensis, which is an aquatic breeding species. However, in the short term, urbanization is likely to have a more significant effect on the distribution of L. tasmaniensis in the Merri Creek catchment, particularly if development moves beyond the current urban growth boundary. The combined effects of climate change and urbanization could have a profound impact on the species, potentially causing it to disappear from within the study area. We provide recommendations for including such predictive models in urban planning and restoration activities to prepare for future conservation challenges.
Development of genetically encoded cell type-specific activity markers for the mouse olfactory system

The olfactory system consists of the olfactory epithelium in the nasal cavity, the olfactory bulb, the olfactory cortex and higher brain regions. Olfactory information processing begins at the olfactory sensory neurons that express odorant receptors. These proteins bind odors and transduce a biochemical signal that is converted to action potentials by the neuron. In the olfactory bulb, sensory neurons synapse with projection neurons called the mitral/tufted cells in structures called glomeruli and pass on information to the olfactory cortex. The olfactory bulb is not a simple way station for transmission of odorant information; significant processing of information is carried out by the circuitry in the olfactory bulb. The major neuronal components of the bulb that take part in these interactions are the periglomerular cells, short axon cells and the granule cells. Neural information processing is carried out by ensembles of neurons and it is important to study such populations to reach an understanding of nervous system function. Recent developments in identification of cell type specific promoters and construction of GFP based sensors of Ca2+ influx and voltage changes has made it possible to devise genetic strategies to study them. Another strategy that is frequently employed is studying the expression of Immediate Early Genes, especially C-fos after stimulation. In this study we developed two mice strains, one that can express the short halflife version of EYFP called d2EYFP under the C-fos promoter and another that codes for the calcium sensitive fluorescent protein ratiometric pericam. The expression of both these reporters can be made cell type specific because they are blocked by a floxed stop cassette and can be activated in specific cell types by crossing to mice strains that express the cre recombinase under specific promoters. A Bacterial Artificial Chromosome that carries the Cfos gene was modified by inserting a STOP-IRES-d2EYFP cassette at the C-fos locus after truncating the C-fos-coding region. The loxP site in the BAC's back bone was removed by another round of recombination and circular BAC molecules were used of pronuclear microinjection. One positive founder was identified and is being bred for further analysis. Ratiomeric pericam was cloned under the ubiquitous CAG promoter with a stop cassette in between and transgenic mice were made after testing expression in cell culture. Seven different transgenic lines with different transgene copy numbers were obtained and were subjected to further analysis. No transgene expression could be detected upon breeding to a CMV-Cre mouse strain that should delete in all cells. Analysis of DNA of double transgenic mice showed no deletion of stop cassette. The mice were further crossed to a CamKIIa-cre
The Co-Ordination of Insect Movements

1. Movements of the legs during the swimming of adult Dytiscus marginalis and Hydropphilus piceus have been analysed from films. In both beetles the middle and hind pairs of legs play an active part and the front pair is held stationary beneath the thorax. 2. The two legs of a segment are retracted simultaneously in Dytiscus , the two limb pairs acting alternately. In Hydrophilus retraction of a hindleg is simultaneous with that of the contralateral middle leg. Movement is rectilinear in both insects, but the head of Hydrophilus rotates a little to the side opposite that on which the hindleg is retracting. 3. Following amputation of a single hindleg, Dytiscus swims along a relatively straight path as a result of modifications in the movements of the two middle legs and the remaining hindleg. Contrary to the description of Bethe & Woitas, the hindleg continues to alternate with the contralateral middle leg, the only change in rhythm being a delay in the retraction of the other middle leg. Some of the changes in action of these legs are similar to those used in turning of the normal insect and those which produce circling in unilaterally blinded insects. 4. Forced rotation of Dytiscus elicits compensatory movements which tend to produce circling in the opposite direction. The eyes, antennae and legs are the sites of receptors whose asymmetric stimulation produces this response. It is suggested that a similar asymmetry in the inflow from these sense organs is responsible for the modified movements following limb amputations. 5. In the swimming of nymphs of Anax the legs retract slightly before shortening of the abdomen takes place. Although all the segments take part, a large proportion of this shortening occurs in segments 6-8 which contain the branchial chamber. Water is ejected through a small aperture during this contraction but when water is drawn in the anal valves are open wide. 6. The pressure in the branchial chamber rises to about 30 cm. water within 0.03 sec. and the reaction from the jet enables the animal to attain speeds of 30-50 cm. /sec. within the first centimetre of propulsion. The duration of this pressure and of the impulse on the animal correspond with the time during which the abdomen contracts longitudinally.
Isolamento e caracterização de Listeria monocytogenes em água de esgoto

Date are presented, as a preliminary report of a study of the ocurrence of Listeria monocytogenes, in twenty samples of sewage water collected from affluents of two different sewage treatment station. A scheme for the isolation of the bacterium involving different selective media and employing Gray's cold incubation technique has been used for the purpose. In two opportunities, Listeria were isolated and the serological study of these strains were indentified as serotypes L4b and L4ab.
The Influence of New Technology Application on College Students’ Writing in Jordan

This study examines the existence of the phenomenon of Chat Language among college students in some Jordanian universities. The concept of Chat Language (i.e., Internet slang, use of emoticons, and shorthand) will be analyzed through content analysis of college students’ writing and through a questionnaire for college students. Does Chat Language occur in the college students’ academic writing? Do students recognize the existence of Chat Language? It is clear that Chat Language needs to be addressed in the classroom. A sample of 100 college students’ writings were collected and analyzed in this study descriptively and analytically. The collection of the samples of students’ writing showed that Chat Language existed in the students’ academic writing. It would be helpful for all students to know of Chat Language’s impact or potential influence on their writing skills, and educators should discuss this issue to help all students reach this knowledge. Classroom awareness and instruction would help students effectively control or enhance the influence of Chat Language on Standard English Language through such things as the effective use of mini lessons and the evaluation and execution of various steps of the writing processes to improve students' written work.
Synthesis Of Fe3O4 nanoparticles of iron sand coprecipitation methodwith polyethylene glycol 6000

This study aimed to obtain a particle size-based nano Fe 3 O 4 iron sand, determine the effect of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) -6000 to be produced from iron sand in synthetic by using coprecipitation method and the nature of magnetization. Synthetic done by mixing natural sand with HCl as solvent and NH 4 OH as a precipitant, as templates are added PEG-6000 . Then, characterized by using X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD). Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) and Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR). From the test results (XRD) shows the crystal size Preparation Fe3O4 nanoparticles with PEG 6000 (1: 3), (1: 4), (1: 5) in a sequence that is 14.90 nm, 22:16 nm, 33.11 nm while without PEG 6000 29.08 nm , Vibrating Sample Magnetometer measurement results (VSM) shows that the value of Ms saturation field for without PEG-6000 Fe3O4, Fe 3 O 4 with PEG-6000 (1: 3), (1: 4), (1: 5) respectively 27.9 emu / g, 47.4 emu / g, 35.3 emu / g, 51.7 emu / g and field coercivity (Hc), each for 0,013 Tesla, 0.022 Tesla, Tesla 0.14, 0.009 Tesla. FTIR results showed that there was a shift peaks indicating increased number of PEG. From each sample came the peak of Fe-O owned by Fe 3 O 4 where the wavelength of Fe-O at sample PEG has a lower value than the wavelength Fe 3 O 4 caused the PEG Key words : Nanoparticles Fe 3 O 4 , PEG 600, particle size, magnetic properties
Food preference in the woodlouse Porcellio scaber (Isopoda) in a choice test with fungicidal GM wheat

Two independent food choice experiments were conducted in the laboratory to study the effects of four transgenic and five non‐GM fungicidal wheat varieties on the food selection behaviour of the woodlouse Porcellio scaber. In general, woodlice did not avoid GM wheat as a food source and we detected no adverse effects of GM wheat on the non‐target P. scaber. Moreover, we found a food preference of the woodlouse for one of the four GM varieties, Pm3b1, but not for the closely related GM Pm3b2 or for their non‐GM isolines. We assume either a pleiotropic effect like lower lignin content or more suitable leaf litter coverage by microorganisms that may cause this preference and thus increasing palatability or digestibility. We discuss that this effect is ecologically not relevant.
Mechanisms of species‐sorting: effect of habitat occupancy on aphids' host plant selection

Interspecific interactions such as competition are important factors affecting insect herbivore fitness. Host choice in herbivorous insects including aphids has largely been studied with respect to host plant condition, while the role of competition is also very important. Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L.) hosts three specialised aphids, Macrosiphoniella tanacetaria (Kaltenbach), Metopeurum fuscoviride Stroyan and Uroleucon tanaceti (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). In this study, a set of greenhouse and field experiments were carried out to investigate whether aphid host plant choice was affected by the presence of the other aphid species. When winged individuals were given the choice between unoccupied plants and plants occupied by the same or another aphid species, choices generally reflected the outcome of competitive interactions among aphids. Colonisation of plants by winged individuals was influenced not only by the presence of other aphids on the host plant but also by previous infestation. The host choice of winged individuals basically reflected competitive hierarchies, i.e. aphids in most cases selected plants where future competition was less likely. By contrast, unwinged aphids did not show any host plant preference. For M. tanacetaria previously infested plants promoted the production of winged offspring. Our results show that competitive interactions could affect host selection behaviour by aphids. In a metacommunity context, such preferences in colonising different habitats leads to species‐sorting through habitat heterogeneity.
MANAGING RISKS OF TRAINING WITH KETTLEBELLS TO ACHIEVE OPTIMUM BENEFITS

Copyright © 2017 American C INTRODUCTION ver the past decade, training with kettlebells has become increasingly popular in the health/fitness industry globally. Kettlebells are large iron O weights with a single handle cast in multiples and fractions of a Russian pood, which can be rounded as 16 kg in metric units. Historically, kettlebells were first used in early 18th-century Russia as a counterweight to measure farming stock. However, they soon became a tool for the males to show and compare their abilities in strength, endurance, and coordination as part of the social gatherings, which led to the early development of kettlebell exercises (2). In the present day, kettlebell training has been adapted in the health/fitness industry comprising ballistic moves performed against gravity for development of general physical fitness (2). Typical exercises performed in a kettlebell workout include swings, cleans, deadlifts, kettlebell presses, and snatches (Figures 1A–E). Kettlebell training often is performed in a circuit with specific work-to-rest ratios. For example, a typical circuit training routine comprises a format of 20 seconds of work followed by 10 seconds of rest, repeated for up to 4.5 minutes (11). Over the past decade, research into kettlebell training has shown significant improvements in strength, power, and cardiovascular fitness among healthy young males (3,8,10). Moreover, several studies showed that kettlebell training is capable of improving cardiorespiratory endurance among healthy younger males and females (3,4) by producing a cardiac response of at least 76% of an individual’s maximum heart rate (HRmax) (ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 9 edition). However, there has been limited research into the associated risks. This article aims to (a) demonstrate the physiological demands of kettlebell exercises and (b) identify risks pertaining to the use of kettlebells to provide fitness professionals with risk-management strategies that can help minimize the risk of injuries.
Is the denser contour feather structure in pale grey than in pheomelanic brown tawny owls Strix aluco an adaptation to cold environments

In colour polymorphic species morphs are considered to be adaptations to different environments, where they have evolved and are maintained because of their differential sensitivity to the environment. In cold environments the plumage insulation capacity is essential for survival and it has been proposed that plumage colour is associated with feather structure and thereby the insulation capacity of the plumage. We studied the structure of contour feathers in the colour polymorphic tawny owl Strix aluco. A previous study of tawny owls in the same population has found strong selection against the brown morph in cold and snowy winters whereas this selection pressure is absent in mild winters. We predicted that grey morphs have a denser and more insulative plumage, enabling them to survive better in cold climate compared to brown ones. The insulative plumulaceous part of the dorsal contour feathers was larger and the fine structure of the plumulaceous part of the feather was denser in grey tawny owls than in brown ones. In the ventral contour feathers the plumulaceous part of the feather was denser in females than in males and in older birds without any differences between morphs. Our study suggests that insulative microscopical feather structures differ between colour morphs and we propose that feather structure may be a trait associated with morph-specific survival in cold environments.
STUDIES ON THE PHARMACOLOGY OF THE NITRITE EFFECT OF BISMUTH SUBNITRATE

It has thus been demonstrated that B. coli breaks down bismuth subnitrate to cause liberation of considerable amounts of nitrite. The yield of nitrite depends upon the number of bacteria, the hydrogen ion concentration of the medium, the amount of nitrate available within limits, and, of course, the temperature of incubation. The detectable nitrite content in normal blood is quite constant and very minute. Following the administration of bismuth subnitrate by mouth, the nitrite content of the blood is increased by three or four times the normal concentration. This increase in nitrite concentration is associated with a fall in the arterial tension. The nitrite content of the blood is likewise increased by sodium nitrite taken by mouth. The increase in concentration is of the same order of magnitude. Reduction of the arterial tension does not invariably follow taking bismuth subnitrate by mouth, but in such instances there is no increase in the nitrite content of the blood. Thus a parallelism between the nitrite content of the blood and the arterial tension has been shown. The experimental evidence confirms the clinical impression that following the oral administration of bismuth subnitrate, small amounts of nitrite are slowly and continuously absorbed from the bowel.
A phylogenomic- and proteomic investigation into the evolution and biological characteristics of the members of the group 2 Latin-American Mediterranean (LAM) genotype of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

A PHYLOGENOMICAND PROTEOMIC INVESTIGATION INTO THE EVOLUTION AND BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GROUP 2 LATIN-AMERICAN MEDITERRANEAN (LAM) GENOTYPE OF MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) is the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), a disease that affects millions of people world-wide. The species M. tuberculosis consists of a large number of different strains that can be grouped into at least 40 different known strain families. Many of the strains present with different pathogenic characteristics and host adaptations. The F11 LAM strains and Beijing strains currently have a nearly equal representation in the population of Cape Town, making up a total of 45% of all strains in this setting. The Latin-American Mediterranean (LAM) family of M. tuberculosis is proved to be the cause of a large percentage of TB cases worldwide and it is the predominant strain in high-prevalence regions such as the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal regions of South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South America. This project aimed to investigate the evolution and biological characteristics of the members of the principle genetic group (PGG) 2 Latin-American Mediterranean (LAM) genotype of M. tuberculosis using a combination of whole genomic and proteomic analyses, coupled to mycobacterial molecular epidemiological techniques. The evolution of M. tuberculosis strain families from the Western Cape Province of South Africa proved to be consistent with previous evolutionary scenarios for M. tuberculosis isolated from other parts of the world. This genome-wide SNP-based phylogeny for the evolution of M. tuberculosis offers novel insight into the unique global representation of the M. tuberculosis isolates from the Western Cape, South Africa. The evolutionary scenario presented confirms six LAM sub-lineages, namely IS6110 RFLP families F9, F11, F13, F14, F15, and F26. A subset of sub-lineage defining SNPs was determined for each of the six LAM sub-lineages. The genomic changes in the LAM genotype strains observed through the SNP analysis presented here mostly occur in the genes involved in the cell wall, cell processes, intermediary metabolism and respiration. The same phenomenon was observed when the non-redundant SNPs of the non-LAM isolates were functionally annotated. The functional classification of the regulated proteins in the representative of the LAM RD lineage of M. tuberculosis suggests that proteins involved in the lipid metabolism, intermediary metabolism and respiration may be the key to the pathogenic effectiveness of the RD LAM lineage. A combination of the LAM SNP analysis and the LAM RD/non-RD comparison showed that the overall genomicand proteomic features involved in the cell wall and cell Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za
Changes in Grain Production, Mechanisms for Sale of Grain and Possible Effects on Grain Quality in Lithuania in the Period 1990-1999

Keblys, M. , FlaÊ øyen, A. and Langseth, W. (Lithuanian Veterinary Academy, Tilzes 18, Kaunas, Lithuania, National Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 8156 Dep., NO-0033, Norway, and Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 8146 Dep., NO-0033 Olso, Norway). Changes in grain production, mechanisms for sale of grain and possible effects on grain quality in Lithuania in the period 1990–1999. Accepted March 9, 2001. Acta Agric. Scand. , Sect. B, Soil and Plant Sci. 50: 97–101, 2000. © 2000 Taylor & Francis.
Lack of Association of BIRC5 Polymorphisms with Clearance of HBV Infection and HCC Occurrence in a Korean Population

Abstract BIRC5 (Survivin) belongs to the inhibitor of apoptosis gene family. The BIRC5 protein inhibits caspases and consequently blocks apoptosis. Thus, BIRC5 contributes to the progression of cancer allowing for continued cell proliferation and survival. In this study, we identified eight sequence variants of BIRC5 through direct DNA sequencing. Among the eight single nucleotide poly-morphisms (SNPs), six common variants with frequen-cies higher than 0.05 were selected for larger-scale gen-otyping (n=1,066). Results of the study did not show any association between the promoter region poly-morphisms and the clearance of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurr-ence. This is in line with a previous study in which poly-morphisms in the promoter region does not influence the function of BIRC5. Initially, we were able to detect a signal with the ＋9194A＞G, which disappeared after multiple corrections but led to a change in amino acid. Similarly, we were also able to detect an association signal between two haplotypes (haplotype-2 and hap-lotype-5) on the onset age of HCC and/or HCC occur-rence, but the signals also disappeared after multiple corrections. As a result, we concluded that there was no association between BIRC5 polymorphisms and the clearance HBV infection and/or HCC occurrence. However, our results might useful to future studies.Keywords: BIRC5, survivin, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hep-atocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver cirrhosis (LC), poly-morphism