Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Foraging costs and accessibility as determinants of giving-up densities in a swan-pondweed system

We measured the patch use behaviour of Bewick's swans (Cygnus columbianus bewickii) feeding on below ground tubers of fennel pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatus). We compared the swans' attack rates, foraging costs and giving-up densities (GUDs) in natural and experimental food patches that differed in water depth. Unlike most studies that attribute habitat-specific differences in GUDs to predation risk, food quality or foraging substrate, we quantified the relative importance of energetic costs and accessibility. Accessibility is defined as the extent to which the animal's morphology restricts its harvest of all food items within a food patch. Patch use behaviours were measured at shallow (ca 0.4 m) and deep (ca 0.6 m) water depths on sandy sediments. In a laboratory foraging experiment, when harvesting food patches, the swan's attack rate (m(3) s(-1)) did not differ between depths. In deep water the energetic costs of surfacing, feeding and trampling were 1.13 to 1.21 times higher than in shallow water with a tendency to spend relatively more time trampling, the most expensive activity. Taking time allocation as measured in the field into account, foraging in deep water was 1.26 times as expensive as in shallow water. In the lake the GUD in shallow water was on average 12.9 g m(-2). If differences in energetic costs were the only factor determining differences in GUDs, then the deep water GUD should be 14.2 g m(-2). Instead, the mean GUD in deep water was 20.2 g m(-2), and therefore energetic costs explain just 18% of the difference in GUDs. At deep sites, 24% of tuber biomass was estimated to be out of reach, and we calculated a maximum accessible foraging depth of 0.86 m. This is close to the published 0.84 m based on body measurements. A laboratory experiment with food offered at a depth of 0.89 m confirmed that it was just out of reach. The agreement between calculated and observed maximum accessible foraging depths suggests that accessibility largely explains the remaining difference in GUDs with depth, and it confirms the existence of partial prey refuges in this system.
Thermal Performance Analysis of an Automotive Type Compact Heat Exchanger

Compact heat exchangers are one of the most important types of heat exchangers widely used in industrial and engineering applications. They are characterized by their small size and the large amount of heat exchange area per unit volume. Many techniques have been developed to enhance heat transfer rate through heat exchangers, one of which is increasing exchange area using fins with different forms and designs. In this study the heat transfer process through a locomotive compact heat exchanger of a type (FIAT PANDA 750) has been analyzed with a detailed description of all design parameters involved. The study revealed low performance characteristics of the tested heat exchanger which had not exceeded 65%. The study also achieved some interesting results leading to the determination of the most important thermal performance correlation represented by the Colburn-Reynolds chart which can be used in performance analysis and design process of this type of heat exchangers.
SELECTION OF RESTORATIVE MATERIALS IN CONSERVATIVE DENTISTRY

Restorative dentistry constitutes the majority of the work load in daily clinical practice (Braga et al., 2007) associated with selection of a direct restorative material which includes dentist factor, patient choice and carious lesion characteristics (Vidnes-Kopperud et al., 2009 direct restorative materials available but amalgam and resin composite are the most commonly used materials 2003). Amalgams have less post-operative sensitivity, hi survival time for complex restorations compared composites and are not technique sensitive There are numerous factors to be considered when restoring a tooth, eg. the extent of lesion, the strength of the remaining tooth structure, the preference of the dentist in using the material, and the financial cost of the procedure and tooth related factors.
Hierarchical Cluster Analysis of Indian Populations of Heterodera zeae Based on Second Stage Juveniles and Egg Morphometrics

Hierarchical cluster analysis, which identifies groups of samples that behave similarly or show similar characteristics, was used to describe and to make spatial and temporal comparisons of different Indian populations of H. zeae in heterogeneous environments. Cluster analysis based on egg and second stage juveniles’ morphometric means were used to examine the morphometric relationships and create dendrograms for six populations of Heterodera zeae. Values of proximity matrix based on cluster analysis of morphometrics and the dendrograms visually illustrated the grouping and relationships of the populations. Intra-specific variations in the different characters of the J2s revealed that at the rescaled distance of 15 units, Indore population of H. zeae was different as compared to other populations of H. zeae. Cluster analysis of egg morphometrics showed that the populations of H. zeae from Kanpur and Indore were different as compare to other four populations. Cluster analysis of combined J2s and egg characters confirm the cluster analysis of the J2s morphometrics alone. Key Word: Heterodera zeae; Maize cyst nematode; Morphometric variations; Hierarchical cluster analysis
Molecular identification of the dominant microbiota and their spoilage potential of Crangon crangon and Raja sp.

This study points out the limitations of several general growth media frequently used in seafood research by a systematic identification of the microorganisms on fish samples during ice storage unable to grow on those media. Aerobic psychrotolerant count (APC), replication on various general media and total cultivable microbiological community PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) analysis revealed that many potential spoilage microorganisms were overlooked. Those microorganisms overlooked by using only one single growth medium were identified by partial 16S rRNA gene and gyrB gene sequencing. Members of the genera Shewanella, Vibrio, Aliivibrio, Photobacterium, Pseudoalteromonas and Psychrobacter, including Photobacterium phosphoreum, Shewanella baltica and Pseudomonas fluorescens were unable to grow on PCA. APC analysis also confirmed that on plate count agar (PCA) the enumeration of the microbiota was underestimated. Although Long and Hammer agar (LH) and marine agar (MA) obtained the best quantitative (APC analysis) and qualitative (replication and PCR-DGGE analyses) results for fish quality analysis, analysts have to keep in mind that some species were also unable to grow on those media, such as Pseudomonas fragi and Acinetobacter sp.
Response of subarctic vegetation to transient climatic change on the Seward Peninsula in north‐west Alaska

Understanding the response of terrestrial ecosystems to climatic warming is a challenge because of the complex interactions of climate, disturbance, and recruitment across the landscape. We use a spatially explicit model (ALFRESCO) to simulate the transient response of subarctic vegetation to climatic warming on the Seward Peninsula (80 000 km2) in north‐west Alaska. Model calibration efforts showed that fire ignition was less sensitive than fire spread to regional climate (temperature and precipitation). In the model simulations a warming climate led to slightly more fires and much larger fires and expansion of forest into previously treeless tundra. Vegetation and fire regime continued to change for centuries after cessation of the simulated climate warming. Flammability increased rapidly in direct response to climate warming and more gradually in response to climate‐induced vegetation change. In the simulations warming caused as much as a 228% increase in the total area burned per decade, leading to an increasingly early successional and more homogenous deciduous forest‐dominated landscape. A single transient 40‐y drought led to the development of a novel grassland–steppe ecosystem that persisted indefinitely and caused permanent increases in fires in both the grassland and adjacent vegetation. These simulated changes in vegetation and disturbance dynamics under a warming climate have important implications for regional carbon budgets and biotic feedbacks to regional climate.
Measurement of maximal respiratory static pressure in stable COPD patients and their co-rrelation with various physiological anthropometric and spirometry parpmeters and arterial blood gas tension

The strength of respiratory muscles can be evaluated from static measurement (PImax and PEmax) or inferred from dynamic measurement such as maximal voluntary ventilation. Maximal inspiratory pressure and Maximal expiratory pressure are simple, convenient and non-invasive measurement of respiratory muscle strength. Respiratory muscle strength decreases in COPD patients due to multiple factors. The primary aim of this study is to obtain mean PImax and PEmax values in Indian COPD patients and its co-rrelation with anthropomatric, physiological, spirometric parameters and arterial blood gas tension.
Feeding, drinking and digestive enzyme activities in long‐ and short‐day females of Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera)

Abstract. Reproducing females of the firebug, Pyrrhocoris apterus (Linnaeus) (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae), reared under long‐day (LD 18:6h) photocycle (long‐day females), and diapausing females reared under short‐day (LD 12:12h) conditions (short‐day females) were analysed for temporal patterns of feeding, drinking and gut digestive enzyme activities. In long‐day females the highest activities of feeding and drinking were found at the beginning of each reproductive cycle. Significant correlation between feeding and drinking activities in both reproducing long‐day females and short‐day females during pre‐diapause state was found. In pre‐diapausing short‐day females the cyclical pattern of feeding and drinking was maintained despite the inhibition of reproduction. After entering the diapause their feeding activity became very low. Analysis of five gut enzymes revealed that short‐day females differ significantly from long‐day females in higher protease, amylase and esterase activities, in case of lipase only at certain times of their adult life; no significant difference was found in the aminopeptidase activity. Positive correlations between intensity of feeding and gut enzyme activities were observed in short‐day females. Using several protease inhibitors most protease activity in the gut of P.apterus was identified as cysteine and aspartyl proteases, and only a small part of the activity could be caused by some serine proteases.
1,1-Bis(3′-indolyl)-1-(p-substituted phenyl)methanes inhibit colon cancer cell and tumor growth through PPARγ-dependent and PPARγ-independent pathways

1,1-Bis(3′-indolyl)-1-(p-substituted phenyl)methanes containing p-trifluoromethyl, t-butyl, and phenyl [1,1-bis(3′-indolyl)-1-(p-phenyl)methane (DIM-C-pPhC6H5)] substituents induce peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ)–mediated transactivation in SW480 colon cancer cells. These PPARγ-active compounds also inhibit cell proliferation and modulate some cell cycle proteins. At concentrations from 2.5 to 7.5 μmol/L, the PPARγ agonists induce caveolin-1 and phosphorylation of Akt and cotreatment with the PPARγ antagonist GW9662 inhibited the induction response. In contrast, higher concentrations (10 μmol/L) of 1,1-bis(3′-indolyl)-1-(p-substituted phenyl)methanes containing 1,1-bis(3′-indolyl)-1-(p-trifluoromethyl)methane and DIM-C-pPhC6H5 induce apoptosis, which is PPARγ independent. This was accompanied by loss of caveolin-1 induction but induction of proapoptotic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug activated gene-1. In athymic nude mice bearing SW480 cell xenografts, DIM-C-pPhC6H5 inhibits tumor growth at doses of 20 and 40 mg/kg/d and immunohistochemical staining of the tumors showed induction of apoptosis and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug activated gene-1 expression. Thus, the indole-derived PPARγ-active compounds induce both receptor-dependent and receptor-independent responses in SW480 cells, which are separable over a narrow range of concentrations. This dual mechanism of action enhances their antiproliferative and anticancer activities. [Mol Cancer Ther 2006;5(5):1362–70]
RE: Petition for a Health Claim for High-Amylose Maize Starch (Containing Type-2 Resistant Starch) and Reduced Risk Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (Docket Number FDA-

This letter responds to the health claim petition received on March 30, 2015 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA or the agency), submitted on behalf of Ingredion Incorporated pursuant to § 403(r)(4) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act) (21 U.S.C. § 343(r)(4)). The petitioner requested that the agency authorize a health claim for the relationship between the consumption of high-amylose maize starch and reduced risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 diabetes). The petition proposed the following language for an authorized health claim for conventional foods: “Consumption of high-amylose maize resistant starch may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes” and “Consumption of high-amylose maize resistant starch, a type of dietary fiber, may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. ”
Exploring the performance of a miniature 3D wind sensor under extreme martian winds up to the dust devil scale

Introduction: The objective of this paper is to explore the performance of a miniature 3D spherical wind sensor for Mars atmosphere, [1-3], working under extreme wind speeds, up to the Dust Devil scale. The experimental campaign has been made for winds in the range Reynolds 1000-2000, which for typical Mars conditions and the dimensions of the sensor, represent 65-130m/s wind velocities. The experimental results further confirm high-fidelity numerical simulations of the fluid dynamics and heat transfer from a sphere for Reynolds 1000-10 and Prandtl 0.7, recently published in [4], which indicate that it is possible to measure in this regime.
The Diving Response Mechanism and its Surprising Evolutionary Path in Seals andSea Lions

During the last half century or more, studies of diving physiology and biochemistry made great progress in mechanistically explaining the basic diving response of aquatic mammals and birds. Key components of the diving response (apnea, bradycardia, peripheral vasoconstriction, redistribution of cardiac output) were found in essentially all species analyzed and were generally taken to be biological adaptations. By the mid 1970s, this approach to unravelling the diving response had run 'out of steam' and was in conceptual stasis. The breakthrough which gave renewal to the field at this time was the development of microprocessor based monitoring of diving animals in their natural environments, which led to a flurry of studies mostly confirming the basic outlines of the diving response based upon laboratory studies and firmly placing it into proper biological context, underlining its plasticity and species specificities. Now towards the end of the millenium, despite ever more detailed field monitoring of physiology, behaviour and ecology, mechanistic studies are again approaching a point of diminishing returns. To avoid another conceptual stasis, what seems required are new initiatives which we anticipate may arise from two differing approaches. The first is purely experimental, relying on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) to expand the framework of the original “diving response” concept. The second—evolutionary study of the diving response—is synthetic, linked to both field and laboratory studies. To date the evolution of the diving response has only been analyzed in pinnipeds and from these studies two kinds of patterns have emerged. (1) Some physiological and biochemical characters, required and used in diving animals, are highly conserved not only in pinnipeds but in all vertebrates; these traits are necessarily similar in all pinnipeds and include diving apnea, bradycardia, tissue specific hypoperfusion, and hypometabolism of hypoperfused tissues. (2) Another group of functionally linked characters are more malleable and include (i) spleen mass, (ii) blood volume, and (iii) hemoglobin (Hb) pool size. Increases in any of these traits improve diving capacity. Assuming that conserved physiological function means conserved sequences in specific genes and their products (and that evolving function requires changes in such sequences), it is possible to rationalize both above trait categories in pinniped phytogeny. However, it is more difficult for molecular evolution theory to explain how complex regulatory systems like those involved in bradycardia and peripheral vasoconstriction remain the same through phylogenetic time than it is to explain physiological change driven by positive natural selection.
MULTIDOC Authoring Aids for Multilingual Technical Documentation

Technical documentation is getting more and more importance in the process of production, maintenance and waste disposal of goods, machines and systems. The way it is written in the original language has a strong influence in readability, understandability and translatability into a growing number of languages. Any quality enhancement in the production chain of technical documentation results in multiple profits in workshops, translation bureaus and official admission processes. This is the reason why there are worldwide efforts to use software systems with linguistic intelligence in order to help technical authors with their difficult task.
Plasma Exosomal miRNA-139-3p is a Novel Biomarker of Colorectal Cancer

Objectives: This study investigated plasma exosomal miRNA-139-3p as a blood-based biomarker for the early diagnosis and metastasis monitoring of colorectal cancer (CRC). Patients and Methods: Exosome-rich fractions were isolated from the plasma of 80 CRC patients, and 23 controls using a kit method. We then used real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to detect miR-139-3p levels in all subjects to evaluate expression levels and the predictive value of plasma exosomal miR-139-3p in CRC. We also collected clinicopathological data to explore correlations between abnormal miR-139-3p expression and clinicopathological parameters. Results: When compared with healthy controls, exosomal miR-139-3p expression levels in CRC patients were significantly down-regulated. Furthermore, these expression levels were lower in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and submucosal patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that exosomal miR-139-3p levels were differentiated between CRC patients and healthy controls, as well as between non-metastatic and metastatic patients. Conclusion: Our findings show that decreased exosomal miR-139-3p expression levels in CRC patient plasma may act as a novel biomarker for the early diagnosis and metastasis monitoring in CRC.
Reproduction of the blue-footed booby predicts commercial fish abundance in the eastern tropical Pacific

To establish whether reproduction in a colony of the blue-footed booby in the eastern tropical Pacific predicts local abundance of prey fish several months later, 13 years of data were analysed. Eight reproductive variables assessed during the period of January –May, grouped in two factors, were related to commercial catches in the surrounding 6600 km 2 area during the following June –December. The first factor
Factors associated with moderate to high nicotine dependence in a sample of pregnant women from Romania

The objective of this paper was to identify the factors associated with moderate to high nicotine dependence in a sample of pregnant smokers from Romania. Data was collected through an ongoing cross-sectional pilot study from 130 pregnant smokers. The questionnaire included five main sections: socio-demographic information, medical and reproductive history, alcohol and smoking behaviors, emotional health and information regarding the relationship with the partner. Older age, first pregnancy, a negative screening for anxiety and depression, and negative partner interactions related to smoking were significantly correlated with increased odds of moderate to high nicotine dependence during pregnancy. In addition, high dyadic efficacy, low self-efficacy, high pregnancy-related anxiety, and a non-smoking life partner were correlated with increased odds of moderate to high nicotine dependence, although the results did not reach statistical significance. Once the level nicotine dependence is established, cessation treatment should target specific risks that are associated with this dependence. Maternal risk factors, spousal smoking status, and interactions in the couple hold promise in future tobacco cessation interventions. Future research should focus on both the prenatal smoking cessation and on postnatal relapse prevention among highly dependent women.
Spatial variation of Daphnia parasite load within individual water bodies

Parasites can influence host population dynamics and genetic structure; thus, it is crucial to study parasite distribution among and within host populations. We explored spatial infection patterns in Daphnia longispina complex populations from 11 reservoirs, habitats characterized by longitudinal gradients in abiotic and biotic conditions. We hypothesized that sites with different environmental conditions should have divergent infection patterns. We sampled three stations along each reservoir (upstream, middle and downstream) in the summer and autumn of 2 years. Four groups of parasites were analysed for their spatial variation: the protozoan Caullerya mesnili, the yeast Metschnikowia sp. , microsporidia and oomycetes. The microsporidia were evenly distributed between seasons, as well as among- and within-reservoirs. In contrast, C. mesnili and Metschnikowia sp. were more prevalent in autumn than in summer, whereas the prevalence of oomycetes was higher in summer. On a within-reservoir scale, C. mesnili was significantly more prevalent in upstream parts of the reservoirs, whereas Metschnikowia sp. and oomycetes were more prevalent in the central and downstream areas. In summary, the within-reservoir distribution of certain Daphnia parasites seems to be affected by environmental gradients (most probably food abundance and predation pressure). Thus, environmental heterogeneity should be considered in future studies of host-parasite interactions, even on a local scale.
Aflatoxin Contamination in Agricultural Crops and Their Eco-Friendly Management- A Review

-Background: Aflatoxins are a group of mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus species, including A. flavus, A. parasiticus, and A. nomius. A part of the world’s food crops are estimated to be affected by mycotoxins; creating a large economical loss in the developed and developing countries. Aflatoxins represent the main threat worldwide. Result: There was an increased concern about the possibility of the presence of carcinogenic mold metabolites, particularly aflatoxins in food and animal feed products. Although aflatoxins are controlled by regulation in more than 80 countries, their legislation is not yet completely harmonized at the international level. Species of Aspergillus section Flavi including A. flavus, A. parasiticus and A. nomius, are known to cause about 25% yield loss in agriculture crops every year. Temperate and tropical conditions are favorable for growth and aflatoxin production by these fungi in stored products. Proper identification, characterization and accurate differentiation of aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic strains of Conclusion: A. flavus are necessary to understand diversity in order to develop proper management strategy. So far many national and international research groups have been tried in order to characterize and control A. flavus growth and aflatoxin production in various crops. In order to provide the current status of aflatoxigenic fungal infection and aflatoxin contamination in groundnut across different agro climatic conditions of India and to develop suitable eco-friendly