Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Egg Yolk IgY: A Novel Trend of Feed Additives to Limit Drugs and to Improve Poultry Meat Quality

Drugs that are commonly used in poultry farms can potentially cause a detrimental effect on meat consumers as a result of chemical residues. Therefore, seeking a natural alternative is crucial for the health of the consumers. The egg yolk immunoglobulin Y (IgY) is a promising natural replacement for antibiotics in the broilers' diet. There is a scarce focus on the influence of probiotics and IgY on the quality and the nutritive values of broiler meat and whether it can efficiently displace the anti-microbial power of antibiotics. Herein we used 40 Ross chicks (1.2 ± 0.43 days old) and separated them into four groups with variant feed additives (basal diet “control,” probiotic, IgY, and probiotic + IgY). Our findings showed that the combination of probiotic and IgY supplementation enhanced the carcass quality traits and decreased the pH values that could retard spoilage due to bacteria and improve shelf life and meat quality. The same group also achieved a significant reduction in thiobarbituric acid value, indicating an improvement of meat quality. Moreover, color, shear force, water holding capacity, and cooking loss were most acceptable in broiler meat supplemented with IgY, which confirmed the highest carcass quality. Notably, the weight gain in the combination group has been greatly increased. Also, the protein percentage was the highest (22.26 ± 0.29, P < 0.001) in this combined supplementation group, which revealed the highest nutritive values. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli could not be detected in the meat of the probiotics group and/or in the combined treatment group. Interestingly, the IgY group showed an evidence of the killing power (log colony-forming units per milliliter) of S. aureus and Listeria monocytogenes at 1,500 μg/ml. Our findings, in vitro as well as in vivo, revealed that the combination group had antimicrobial bioactivity and enhanced the chickens' immunity. Therefore, IgY, a novel trend of feed additives, can be used to limit drugs. Additionally, the mortality percentage recorded was zero in all groups that received feed supplementation, while the combination group reached the best financial advantages. We concluded that feeding IgY powder with probiotic is a frontier to improve the productivity, immunity, and meat quality of broilers.
Ameliorative and Synergic Effects of Derma-H, a New Herbal Formula, on Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is characterized by itching, skin inflammation, and allergic responses caused by release of immunoglobulin E and T helper 2-specific cytokines. The aim of this study is to investigate the ameliorative and synergic effects of herbal formula, Derma-H, containing Astragalus membranaceus Fisch. ex Bunge (AM) and Nepeta tenuifolia Benth (NT) which have been used as traditional medicinal herbs for the cure of dryness, edema, and pruritus. 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) was applied for ACD induction. AM, NT, and a mixture of AM and NT was topically applied to skin lesions for 11 days. Dermatitis score and number of scratches were significantly diminished in AM, NT, and AM + NT (Derma-H)-treated groups. Especially, Derma-H was more effective than single treatment of AM and NT on skin hyperplasia and mast cell infiltration. Also, NGF expression decreased by NT and a mixture of AM and NT. Additionally, series of TrkA, Raf-1, MEK, and ERK were significantly inhibited by topical AM and NT application. Those findings suggested AM and NT treatment has a synergic effect on DNCB-induced ACD in mice.
Patterns of Population Subdivision and Gene Flow in Three Sympatric Natricine Snakes

Abstract Patterns of population subdivision and gene flow were quantified using allozymes in three sympatric species of natricine snakes from the island region of western Lake Erie. Species share similar population history (post-Pleistocene range expansion followed by subdivision into island and mainland demes) and life-history characteristics. However, species differ in anticipated rates of gene flow because of differences in body size and degree to which they use aquatic habitats. Significant population subdivision was present in all three species, and isolation by distance was evident in water snakes (Nerodia sipedon) and, to a lesser degree, in brown snakes (Storeria dekayi) but not in garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis). As predicted, water snakes, the largest and most aquatic of the three species, showed significantly less population structure (lower values of FST) than did the smaller and more terrestrial garter snakes and brown snakes. Furthermore, variance in locus-specific estimates of FST was highest for brown snakes, intermediate for garter snakes, and lowest for water snakes. Estimates of FST obtained in this study are similar in magnitude to those reported for other snake species that have undergone post-Pleistocene range expansion but are lower than those reported for some southern U.S. species that may have experienced longer periods of isolation.
When and How to Provide Feedback and Instructions to Athletes?—How Sport Psychology and Pedagogy Insights Can Improve Coaching Interventions to Enhance Self-Regulation in Training

In specialist sports coaching, the type and manner of augmented information that the coach chooses to use in communicating and training with individual athletes can have a significant impact on skill development and performance. Informed by insights from psychology, pedagogy, and sport science, this position paper presents a practitioner-based approach in response to the overarching question: When, why, and how could coaches provide information to athletes during coaching interventions? In an ecological dynamics rationale, practice is seen as a search for functional performance solutions, and augmented feedback is outlined as instructional constraints to guide athletes’ self-regulation of action in practice. Using the exemplar of team sports, we present a Skill Training Communication Model for practical application in the context of the role of a specialist coach, using a constraints-led approach (CLA). Further based on principles of a non-linear pedagogy and using the recently introduced Periodization of Skill Training (PoST) framework, the proposed model aims to support practitioners’ understanding of the pedagogical constraints of feedback and instruction during practice. In detail, the PoST framework’s three skill development and training stages work to (1) directly impact constraint manipulations in practice designs and (2) indirectly affect coaches’ choices of external (coach-induced) information. In turn, these guide practitioners on how and when to apply different verbal instruction methodologies and aim to support the design of effective skill learning environments. Finally, several practical guidelines in regard to sports coaches’ feedback and instruction processes are proposed.
La regeneración del sistema nervioso central: Cambios de paradigma y medicina regenerativa The regeneration of the central nervous system: changes of paradigm and regenerative medicine

ISSN 1666-7948 www.quimicaviva. qb.fcen. uba.ar Revista QuimicaViva Numero 3, ano 5, diciembre 2006 quimicaviva@qb.fcen. uba.ar Revista QuimicaVivaNumero 3, ano 5, diciembre 2006quimicaviva@qb.fcen. uba.ar Contrary to the traditional view that neurogenesis in the adult brain ceases during prenatal development, it is now well established that the hippocampus and the subventricular zone continues to produce neurons in the adulthood in several species, including humans. Moreover, accumulating evidence from anatomical, electrophysiological and immunohistochemical studies indicates that the newly generated cells become integrated into the circuitry of the hippocampal system. There remains, however, considerable controversy over the functional significance of these new cells. On the other hand, investigation of the molecular and cellular events sustaining intrinsic brain-repair mechanisms and a better understanding of why they fail over time in chronic disorders might, therefore, provide an attractive working hypothesis within which to develop new and efficacious therapies for neurological diseases. The review here presented intents to describe the current knowledge regarding the process of neurogenesis, their mechanisms, and the potential role for newly generated neurons in terms of neuroplasticity and regenerative medicine.
Should We Pay for Our Social Media/Messenger Applications? Preliminary Data on the Acceptance of an Alternative to the Current Prevailing Data Business Model

In the age of surveillance capitalism, the prevailing business model underlying the use of social media applications (“apps”) foresees the exchange of personal data for the allowance to use an online service. Such a data business model comes with many potential negative side effects ranging from violation of privacy issues to election manipulation. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to think of alternatives to the current data business model. The present study investigated how strong the support would be for a monetary payment model among a sample of 210 participants. Participants were asked about their willingness to pay for social media, if in turn their data would be private and other problems concerning social media use would be tackled. Only one-fifth of participants (21.43%) supported such a model. From the Big Five personality traits, Agreeableness was positively associated with support of such a model. Finally, data are also provided on how much participants would be willing to pay for social media on a monthly basis. The present study’s findings are of a preliminary nature and will contribute to the start of an important discussion.
Prostate‐specific antigen, p30, γ‐seminoprotein, and EI

During the past few years, some papers have been published in which p30, El, and y-seminoprotein (ySm) are claimed to be the same as prostate-specific antigen (PSA) [l]. Possibly, these authors may not have critically read the original references published describing p30 [Z], y-Sm [3,4], and El [5], inasmuch as these reports appeared more than a decade or two ago. Because these papers are concerned with subject unrelated to prostate cancer, we too had not read these papers until many years after we published in 1979 our first PSA paper on purification of PSA from prostate tissues and shortly thereafter our papers on the PSA test for prostate cancer [6-81. At issue is whether p30 and y-Sm as reported prior to 1979 possess properties identical to PSA. The issue is examined as follows.
Targeting the Heme Oxygenase 1/Carbon Monoxide Pathway to Resolve Lung Hyper-Inflammation and Restore a Regulated Immune Response in Cystic Fibrosis

In individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF), lung hyper-inflammation starts early in life and is perpetuated by mucus obstruction and persistent bacterial infections. The continuous tissue damage and scarring caused by non-resolving inflammation leads to bronchiectasis and, ultimately, respiratory failure. Macrophages (MΦs) are key regulators of immune response and host defense. We and others have shown that, in CF, MΦs are hyper-inflammatory and exhibit reduced bactericidal activity. Thus, MΦs contribute to the inability of CF lung tissues to control the inflammatory response or restore tissue homeostasis. The non-resolving hyper-inflammation in CF lungs is attributed to an impairment of several signaling pathways associated with resolution of the inflammatory response, including the heme oxygenase-1/carbon monoxide (HO-1/CO) pathway. HO-1 is an enzyme that degrades heme groups, leading to the production of potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and bactericidal mediators, such as biliverdin, bilirubin, and CO. This pathway is fundamental to re-establishing cellular homeostasis in response to various insults, such as oxidative stress and infection. Monocytes/MΦs rely on abundant induction of the HO-1/CO pathway for a controlled immune response and for potent bactericidal activity. Here, we discuss studies showing that blunted HO-1 activation in CF-affected cells contributes to hyper-inflammation and defective host defense against bacteria. We dissect potential cellular mechanisms that may lead to decreased HO-1 induction in CF cells. We review literature suggesting that induction of HO-1 may be beneficial for the treatment of CF lung disease. Finally, we discuss recent studies highlighting how endogenous HO-1 can be induced by administration of controlled doses of CO to reduce lung hyper-inflammation, oxidative stress, bacterial infection, and dysfunctional ion transport, which are all hallmarks of CF lung disease.
Comparative Analysis of Microbial Diversity Across Temperature Gradients in Hot Springs From Yellowstone and Iceland

Geothermal hot springs are a natural setting to study microbial adaptation to a wide range of temperatures reaching up to boiling. Temperature gradients lead to distinct microbial communities that inhabit their optimum niches. We sampled three alkaline, high temperature (80–100°C) hot springs in Yellowstone and Iceland that had cooling outflows and whose microbial communities had not been studied previously. The microbial composition in sediments and mats was determined by DNA sequencing of rRNA gene amplicons. Over three dozen phyla of Archaea and Bacteria were identified, representing over 1700 distinct organisms. We observed a significant non-linear reduction in the number of microbial taxa as the temperature increased from warm (38°C) to boiling. At high taxonomic levels, the community structure was similar between the Yellowstone and Iceland hot springs. We identified potential endemism at the genus level, especially in thermophilic phototrophs, which may have been potentially driven by distinct environmental conditions and dispersal limitations.
Interoperability Among Unmanned Maritime Vehicles: Review and First In-field Experimentation

Complex maritime missions, both above and below the surface, have traditionally been carried out by manned surface ships and submarines equipped with advanced sensor systems. Unmanned Maritime Vehicles (UMVs) are increasingly demonstrating their potential for improving existing naval capabilities due to their rapid deployability, easy scalability, and high reconfigurability, offering a reduction in both operational time and cost. In addition, they mitigate the risk to personnel by leaving the man far-from-the-risk but in-the-loop of decision making. In the long-term, a clear interoperability framework between unmanned systems, human operators, and legacy platforms will be crucial for effective joint operations planning and execution. However, the present multi-vendor multi-protocol solutions in multi-domain UMVs activities are hard to interoperate without common mission control interfaces and communication protocol schemes. Furthermore, the underwater domain presents significant challenges that cannot be satisfied with the solutions developed for terrestrial networks. In this paper, the interoperability topic is discussed blending a review of the technological growth from 2000 onwards with recent authors' in-field experience; finally, important research directions for the future are given. Within the broad framework of interoperability in general, the paper focuses on the aspect of interoperability among UMVs not neglecting the role of the human operator in the loop. The picture emerging from the review demonstrates that interoperability is currently receiving a high level of attention with a great and diverse deal of effort. Besides, the manuscript describes the experience from a sea trial exercise, where interoperability has been demonstrated by integrating heterogeneous autonomous UMVs into the NATO Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE) network, using different robotic middlewares and acoustic modem technologies to implement a multistatic active sonar system. A perspective for the interoperability in marine robotics missions emerges in the paper, through a discussion of current capabilities, in-field experience and future advanced technologies unique to UMVs. Nonetheless, their application spread is slowed down by the lack of human confidence. In fact, an interoperable system-of-systems of autonomous UMVs will require operators involved only at a supervisory level. As trust develops, endorsed by stable and mature interoperability, human monitoring will be diminished to exploit the tremendous potential of fully autonomous UMVs.
Trait?based classification and manipulation of plant functional groups for biodiversity?ecosystem function experiments

Aim: Biodiversity–ecosystem function (BDEF) experiments commonly group species into arbitrary a priori functional groups, e.g. the grass/forb/legume (GFL) classification. As a result, the causes of functional group diversity effects are often poorly understood. This paper presents a new process that uses functional trait data to create customized plant functional groups that can be tailored to address specific questions. This method is illustrated throughout with an example taken from a temperate mesotrophic grassland in southern England.
Evaluation of "ground sensing" optical sensors for diagnosis of Plasmopara viticola on vines

The present work considers the possible use of two commercial optical devices, the GreenSeeker RT100 and the Crop Circle, in detecting different levels of grapevine downy mildew symptoms. The analysis was conducted on vine leaves that had been picked from plants of cv. Cabernet Franc infected by Plasmopara viticola. Leaves were divided into eight homogeneous infection classes and then analyzed (on the leaves’ adaxial surfaces) through the optical devices and a portable visible/near infrared (Vis/NIR) spectrophotometer used as tester. Data showed a linear relation between the percentage of symptomatic leaf area and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) calculated through the optical sensors (R2 = 0.708 for GreenSeeker; R2 = 0.599 for Crop Circle; R2 = 0.950 for the spectrophotometer). The regression obtained for GreenSeeker is more significant than the one obtained for Crop Circle. This fact suggests a greater capability of GreenSeeker than Crop Circle in detecting different disease levels and its possible use in diagnosis application in the vineyard. Finally, the NDVI measurements carried out through the two commercial sensors, showed lower values on abaxial surfaces than on adaxial surfaces, and a reduced range of values. Moreover, the identification of different infection classes was more difficult on the abaxial surface. This is due to both the different structure of the leaf tissue and the different symptoms of P. viticola on the abaxial and adaxial surfaces. The present work will allow, in the future, applying these optical devices to diagnosis directly in vineyards.
AGE, SEX, AND PARASITES: SPATIAL HETEROGENEITY IN A SANDFLAT POPULATION OF ILYANASSA OBSOLETA'

An intensive sampling study, undertaken in a natural sandflat population of an estuarine neogastropod, IZl'anassa obsolete, revealed a marked degree of spatial heterogeneity for a number of important characteristics. Growth rate could be inferred by observing changes in size-classes over time, but the inequitable spatial distribution of size-classes renders size/frequency analysis impractical and of dubious predictive value for this population. Overall parasitism rate in this population is high, generally increases exponentially with increasing age, and creates a relatively narrow reproductive fenestra temporalis by apparently permanent sexual impairment of infected snails. In fact, the strong influence of parasites on behavior and physiology of snails may necessitate distinguishing between ''apparent" and "functional" individuals, with regard to their role in estuarine benthic communities. However, incidence of both parasitism and parasite species is highly variable in space. Nearly half of all samples taken departed significantly from the overall sex ratio, indicating that distribution of sexes is also heterogeneous. Since there is little predictive relationship between specific samples and overall population trends, it is likely that differentiating between trends that are truly temporal and those that are in reality spatial is difficult at best. Moreover, high spatial heterogeneity in the field has implications for the interpretation of laboratory studies as well as those done in the field and indicates that generalizations about the biology and ecology of this species gleaned from small, albeit random, samples should be viewed with caution.
Corrosion behaviour of multilayer CrN coatings deposited by hybrid HIPIMS after oxidation treatment

Abstract Chromium nitride coatings prepared by physical vapour deposition (PVD) show high hardness, high strength and good thermal conductivity, which makes them useful for cutting and forming tools. In this article, the microstructure and corrosion resistance of multilayer Cr/CrN coatings deposited by arc evaporation and hybrid high power impulse magnetron sputtering (hybrid HIPIMS) after oxidation between 500 and 800°C were examined. The average thickness of the coatings was about 3.5 µm. By means of the surface morphology analysis, elemental energy spectrometry and potentiodynamic polarization tests, the performances of the two groups of coatings have been compared. The results revealed that the coating deposited by the hybrid HIPIMS has stronger binding force with substrate, fewer surface defects and a denser structure. Also, the hybrid HIPIMS coatings have a better oxidation resistance and a better corrosion resistance compared to the arc evaporated coatings.
Spatial and temporal use of roads by grizzly bears in west-central Alberta

Abstract Resource extraction activities in Alberta, Canada, have produced a large increase in the number of roads in grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) habitat. High road densities have been associated with high grizzly bear mortality rates in some areas. We used GPS data from grizzly bears in west-central Alberta, Canada, 1999–2005 to examine (1) frequencies at which grizzly bears crossed roads (standardized by number of locations/bear and length of road segments), using a crossing index analysis among age–sex classes, traffic volumes, seasons, and time of day; (2) habitat attributes surrounding crossing locations, using a resource selection function analysis to discern if certain habitats and road types were associated with crossing areas; and (3) grizzly bear distribution near roads as a function of age–sex class and season to determine if bears were near roads more or less frequently than expected. Females had higher crossing indices than males for all seasons and daylight hours. Crossings occurred most often at narrow, unpaved roads near creeks and in open areas with high greenness scores. In spring, females with cubs were within 200 m of roads more frequently than expected. In autumn, subadult females were within 200 m of roads more frequently than expected, whereas adult males displayed the reverse pattern. These results indicate that females had a greater chance of encountering humans. Reducing the density of roads in grizzly bear habitat or reducing human presence on these roads, especially during the spring and fall seasons, may reduce the human-caused mortality to female grizzly bears. Creating or leaving a dense tree buffer along roads that traverse open habitats could provide a visual shield from passing vehicles, which may reduce grizzly bear–human encounters and human-caused mortalities.