Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hoplia equina (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) and Nontarget Capture Using 2-Tetradecanone–Baited Traps

Abstract Using bucket traps baited with 2-tetradecanone, the sex pheromone of Hoplia equina LeConte, an important pest of cranberries in Massachusetts, we investigated the effect of trap height, color, pheromone load, and lure aging on male capture, as well as captures of nontarget arthropods including pollinators. Male capture was inversely related to height of traps over the four heights tested (0, 20, 60, and 100 cm). Captures increased with increasing pheromone load over the doses of 0, 100, 300, and 600 μg, but captures at the highest load, 1,000 μg, were not significantly different from 300 or 600 μg. H. equina captures were strongly diurnal, with a flight period spanning ≈6 wk starting in mid-June. Vane color of traps (white, yellow, green, blue, red, black) did not affect H. equina capture but significantly influenced capture of nontargets, including pollinators. A bucket trap with the funnel opening at 20 cm, and green (or red) vanes, baited with 600 μg of 2-tetradecanone, was the optimal design for high male capture and low nontarget capture. The low-cost capture of over 50,000 H. equina on a 2.4-ha commercial bog in Massachusetts with this lure-trap combination indicates the feasibility of mass trapping for managing established infestations of H. equina.
NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF AN ACOUSTIC FIELD BEHAVIOR FOR FLOW PAST CORRUGATED CYLINDERS

In the present paper, acoustic disturbances generated during the flow past corrugated cylinders are obtained by conducting direct simulations of two-dimensional, unsteady flow at a Reynolds number Re = 150 using high resolution, Dispersion Relation Preserving (DRP ) scheme. Different corrugated cylinder geometries are obtained by varying surface waviness on a circular cylinder. The computations are performed on a highly resolved grid which comprises two zones namely acoustic field zone and buffer zone. In the present simulations, Optimized five stage Runge-Kutta (ORK5) scheme for time discretization and Optimized Compact Scheme (OCS6) for spatial discretization are adopted for effective resolution of both flow features as well as acoustic pressure fluctuations generated primarily due to periodic vortex shedding from the surface of cylinders. The flow details of circular cylinder are validated against the available results in the literature. The acoustic fields in all cases are resolved accurately and they are shown to be dipolar behavior. The decay nature of acoustic pressure peaks are in good agreement with theoretical scaling law.
Mobile Device Security: Hopes and Fears

Users must make a variety of decisions about how to secure their mobile devices. We surveyed users about the types of threats that concern them, and how they conﬁgure their smartphones and tablets to protect against these threats. We found that users customize their security approaches on a per-device basis, making diﬀerent decisions when protecting their smartphones and tablets. This suggests that future security mechanisms for smartphones need to be designed to allow users to take advantage of their security assessments. However, this needs to be balanced with not overcomplicating security for users.
Phylogenetic relationships in Helianthus (Asteraceae) based on nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer region sequence data

The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA was sequenced from 73 samples representing 46 of the 49 species of Helianthus and both species of Phoebanthus. Overall there was only a small amount of sequence divergence, less than 4% within Helianthus and less than 5.5% between Phoe- banthus and Helianthus. Phylogenetic analysis supported a close relationship between Phoebanthus and Helianthas as sister groups within subtribe Helianthinae. Within Helianthus, four species of the southeastern U.S. were separated successively as basally diverging clades: H. heterophyllus, H. carnosus, H. porteri, and H. agrestis. There was little differentiation among the remaining species. The annual species of sect. Helianthus were placed in a weakly supported clade, within which three further clades were also weakly supported: H. annuus/H. argophyllus/H. bolanderi; H. debilis/H. praecox; H. petiolaris/H. neglectus/H. deserticola/H. niveus subsp. niveus and subsp. canescens. The perennial species did not form a monophyletic clade. Within the perennials, there were a few clades of weak to moderate support: H. angustifolius/H. floridanus/H. simulans; H. giganteus/H. grosseserratus/H. maximiliani/H. nuttallii/H. divaricatus; H. arizonensis/H. ciliaris/H. laciniatus; and H. atrorubens/H. mollis/H. occidentalis/H. silphioides. The phylogenetic placement of species with narrow geographic distributions in the extreme southeastern part of North America as the sister group (Phoebanthus) and as basally diverging branches of Helianthus in the ITS trees suggests that the ancestor to the genus may have been confined to this area prior to divergence and dispersal leading to the extant array of snpecies.
Isolation and identification of Aspergillus flavus from poultry feed samples using combined traditional-molecular approach and expression of CYP64A1 at mRNA level.

The research work was aimed for isolation and identification of Aspergillus flavus from poultry feed samples using conventional and molecular techniques. Out of 23 samples, 8 (34.78%) were found positive for A. flavus. The molecular techniques comprise comparison of ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region. In addition, the ability of the isolates to express aflatoxin synthase (CYP64A1) gene in synthetic liquid medium was also analyzed. Based on cultural characteristics, unique nature of the ITS 1 and 2 genes and expression of CYP64A1 at mRNA level, A. flavus was accurately identified from the feed samples. The isolated A. flavus would be a potential candidate for further studies and application.
Variations of behaviour of Carrion Crows Corvus corone using automobiles as nutcrackers

We investigated the curious behaviour of Carrion Crows Corvus corone that make use of automobiles to crack walnuts. A typical sequence of the behaviour is : a crow puts a walnut in front of the automobile that is stopped by a traffic signal ; then the car run over the walnut and the crow eats the fragements of the walnut. This behaviour was frequently seen during the 21 months of the observation period and 43 occurrences of these were recorded in detail. The behaviour is found to consist of several variables : the procedure to get walnuts, the state of walnuts, the way to set walnuts on the road, time of the day, places, whether there are other crows around, how long to wait before abandoning, whether the crow tries to change the position of the walnuts, and the way the crow eats the cracked walnuts. The analyses of these variables suggest that the car-using behaviour of the crows is not accidental but rather systematic. Crows sometimes drop walnuts from more than 10 meters above the ground to crack them but some walnuts are too hard to crack by this method. We suggest the car-using behaviour is an alternative invention to crack walnuts that are too hard, or walnuts covered with pulp. Taken together, we consider the car-using beheviour of Carrion Crows to be intentional behaviour
Antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of resveratrol oligomers of shorea macroptera dyer

Eight resveratrol oligomers were isolated from the acetone extract of the stem bark of Shorea macroptera by using various chromatographic techniques. The structures were determined based on spectroscopic data including UV, IR, 1D and 2D NMR. The data were compared with related data reported previously. The similarity to the published data suggested that the compounds were e- viniferin (1), laevifonol (2), both are dimer resveratrols, davidiol A (3), stenophyllol B (4), trimer resveratrols and four tetramers which are hemsleyanol D (5), hopeaphenol A (6), hopeaphenol (7) isohopeaphenol (8). These compounds were evaluated for their free radical scavenging, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. Among these compounds, compound 5 displayed significant free radical scavenging activity with IC50 63. 2µg/ml, compound 3 inhibited the growth of S. uberis and B. subtilis at 20 µg/ml per disc while compounds 1 and 3 displayed significant cytotoxic activity against HL-60 and HeLa cell lines.
Visualizing Pathway on 3D Maps for an Interactive User Navigation in Mobile Devices

3D maps have become an essential tool for navigation aid. The aim of a navigation aid is to provide an optimal route from the current position to the destination. Unfortunately, most mobile devices' GPS signal accuracy and the display of pathways on 3D maps in the small screen of mobile devices affects the pathway architectural from generating accurate initial positions to destinations. This chapter proposed a technique for visualizing pathway on 3D maps for an interactive user navigation aid in mobile devices. This technique provides visualization of 3D maps in virtual 3D workspace environments which assists a user to navigate to a target location. The Bi-A* path-finding algorithm was used for establishing dynamic target location in Voronoi diagram/Delaunay triangulation. This approach could navigate more than two users in a 3D walk-space and at the same time showing their whereabouts on 3D projections mapped. The map shows the users' location in the scene to navigate from source to the target and the target also moves to the source to meet on the same physical location and image plane.
The State of Wireless Routers as Gateways for Internet of Things (IoT) Devices

Internet of Things (IoT) is a new paradigm that integrates the internet and smart objects. It is an intelligent network that connects all things to the Internet for the purpose of exchanging information and communicating through the information sensing devices in accordance with agreed protocols. Aside the various benefits IoT provides, it also presents challenges related to security and privacy. Current research works are geared towards ensuring security and privacy in the IoT field; developing cryptography algorithms and protocols with much focus on the application and network layer of the IoT architecture. This paper presents the current state of WiFi routers as a gateway through which WiFi-connected IoT devices can communicate. It discusses security and privacy issues related to these WiFi gateways. It goes further to suggest mitigation techniques that address the security and privacy issues found in these WiFi gateways.
Isolation and Evaluation of In Vitro Antibiofim Activity of Vitex negundo L. Essential Oil

In vitro antibiofilm activity of essential isolated from Vitex negundo L. leaves was studied using four different human pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella dysenteriae. Powder of dried leaves of V. negundo were taken for isolation of essential oil by hydro distillation method using Clevenger apparatus. Initially, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of oil was determined against bio films produced by four different human pathogens. Then taking the oil with MIC, percentage of bio film destruction and viable cells were determined using specific bio film formation (SBF) assay. For 100 g dried leaves, 1.0 % v/w essential oil was obtained. The minimum inhibitory concentration for bio film destruction was found to be 0.06 ml essential oil. During SBF assay, among the four species, P. aeruginosa showed maximum biofilm destruction (86%) followed by S. dysenteriae which showed 81% bio film destruction. The remaining two strains i,e S. aureus and E. coli showed 77% and 75% destruction, respectively. Maximum percentage of viable cells observed for E.coli (25%) followed by S. aureus (23%). The remaining two strains S. dysenteriae and P.aeruginosa showed 19% and 14%, respectively. Five parameters measuring biomass (Maximum thickness [μm], substratum coverage [%], roughness coefficient, average diffusion distance and surface to bio-volume ratio [μm2/μm3]), analyzed by COMSTAT software and found that the resulting values were significantly lesser for bio films exposed essential oil than control. The results obtained in this study proves that the potent efficacy of V. negundo essential oil for the control of bio film formed by the studied organisms.
Lipid raft formation and peptide-lipid interactions in myelin model membranes

Multiple sclerosis (MS), a demyelinating disease affecting 75,000 Canadians and almost 400,000 Americans, is one of the most prevalent diseases in young adults. Unfortunately, there exist no known cures to date and the pathways involved in the progression of the disease remain relatively obscure. The demyelination process triggered by the onset of MS, affects the lipid composition of the myelin membrane and causes a loss in viable myelin which can in turn greatly impact the proper functioning of the central nervous system (CNS). The cholesterol content of myelin fluctuates during MS and consequently this could affect the fluidity as well as the lipid microdomain profile in the membranes. Using model membranes such as a fluid palmitoyl-oleoyl-glycerophosphocholine (POPC) system and the “canonical’ raft system (POPC/sphingomyelin/cholesterol 1:1:1) to represent the two extremes of the fluidity scale, as well as myelin-mimicking membranes (healthy and diseased) which have intermediate lipid fluidities, the lipid domains in each of the systems were probed using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). FRET analysis indicated that the myelin membrane models contained lipid domains than were overall smaller that those found in the raft system. The addition of melittin, a positively-charged (+6) peptide, to these lipid systems triggered lipid rearrangement to yield larger lipid domains in the myelin systems, whereas in the raft system a change from large domains to smaller ones in the presence of the peptide was observed. Melittin interacted differently with each of the lipid systems where the lipid composition determined the overall conformation of the peptide which, according to circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, was shown to be mostly α-helical in membrane environments. It is believed that melittin can exist in a number of different states; a monomer at low concentrations, and as the concentration increases self-association results in either dimers consisting of two parallel α-helices or even a tetramer which would be a dimer of dimers (four α-helices). Tryptophan fluorescence indicated that melittin had a strong affinity for the myelin mimicking models which were negatively-charged and the peptide appeared to be buried relatively deep into the hydrocarbon core of the bilayer, whereas melittin was located nearer the interfacial region in the raft system which was not charged. Furthermore, melittin appeared to interact more strongly with the healthy myelin model compared to the diseased model which contained a higher level of cholesterol. This would indicate that melittin’s interaction is strongly dictated by electrostatic interactions as well as the presence of cholesterol which would affect the fluidity and physical properties of the lipid bilayer, thus making it harder for the peptide to penetrate deeply. Since the lipid composition is affected during demyelination and the cholesterol content has been shown to increase, this could suggest that similarly to melittin, other basic proteins found in the CNS could…
ALTERNATIVAS AOS ANTIBIOTICOS PARA EQUILIBRAR A MICROBIOTA GASTROINTESTINAL DE FRANGOS

Uma serie de aditivos alimentares, incluindo antibioticos, tem sido amplamente utilizados na industria avicola durante varios anos. A manipulacao das funcoes gastrointestinais e da microbiota dos animais domesticos com aditivos alimentares e reconhecida como uma importante ferramenta para melhorar o desempenho e a eficiencia alimentar. Recentemente, as preocupacoes com os possiveis residuos de antibioticos e resistencia a doencas tem despertado restricoes no uso de antibioticos na industria animal. A proibicao do uso de antibioticos como aditivos na alimentacao animal pela Uniao Europeia, tem acelerado as investigacoes sobre aditivos alternativos. Como alternativas, os oleos essenciais e acidos orgânicos ja sao utilizados na alimentacao animal para melhorar o desempenho e para controlar a populacao de microorganismos patogenicos no intestino em sistemas de manejo intensivo. O objetivo desta revisao e abordar a importância do equilibrio da microbiota intestinal e como acidos orgânicos e o carvacrol podem atuar no desenvolvimento da microbiota intestinal, no controle de bacterias patogenicas como Salmonella e Campylobacter e no desempenho zootecnico dos animais.
Extracts of Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) Seeds Suppress Stimulated Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in vitro

In the traditional medicine in North America and Mexico, pumpkin seeds have been used as an anthelmintic agent and for supportive treatment in functional disorders of the bladder. Also anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective activity of pumpkin seeds is discussed. Three different extracts of pumpkin seeds were prepared and effects were investigated in unstimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in cells stimulated with the mitogens phytohaemagglutinin and concanavalin A in vitro. Tryptophan degradation and neopterin concentrations were measured in the supernatants allowing to detect biochemical changes induced by cytokine interferon-γ. Extracts of pumpkin seeds suppressed mitogen-induced neopterin production and tryptophan degradation in a dose-dependent way. Data demonstrate capacity of pumpkin extracts to modulate immunobiochemical pathways induced by interferon- γ. Findings imply an immunoregulatory potential of compounds contained in pumpkin seeds.
A network analysis of the Oil Linkages in the Mexican Economy using Input-Output Matrices

The oil sector has been the backbone of the Mexican economy for most of the twentieth century, albeit with different intensities and characteristics. Before 1976, oil production was mainly geared toward domestic demand; after the discovery and beginning of production from the country ́s largest oil deposit –Cantarellhowever, oil production continued to fulfill domestic demand while also bringing the national government with important fiscal revenues from exports. Many authors have proposed distinct impacts of these oil-related activities in the economic structure of the country, especially pertaining to the implications of an increase in the oil windfall. Some of these possible consequences of oil production can be analyzed through its linkages with other sectors. Therefore, the present article seeks to analyze, with the help of weighted graph theory, the relative importance of the oil industry to the rest of the Mexican economy for four different periods: 1970 and 1975 (before Cantarell), 1980 (during the oil boom after the discovery of Cantarell), 1985, 1990 (after the debt crisis) and 1996, 2000 (a period where Cantarell dwindles, Mexico ́s main oil related activity is exports and the economy is liberalized). For each of these periods we will analyze the national matrix and the total matrix to highlight the importance of imports, as well as relate the visible linkages change to distinct oil policy configurations .
Tree–grass coexistence in savannas revisited – insights from an examination of assumptions and mechanisms invoked in existing models

Several explanations for the persistence of tree–grass mixtures in savannas have been advanced thus far. In general, these either concentrate on competition-based mechanisms, where niche separation with respect to limiting resources such as water lead to tree–grass coexistence, or demographic mechanisms, where factors such as fire, herbivory and rainfall variability promote tree–grass persistence through their dissimilar effects on different life-history stages of trees. Tests of these models have been largely site-specific, and although different models find support in empirical data from some savanna sites, enough dissenting evidence exists from others to question their validity as general mechanisms of tree–grass coexistence. This lack of consensus on determinants of savanna structure and function arises because different models: (i) focus on different demographic stages of trees, (ii) focus on different limiting factors of tree establishment, and (iii) emphasize different subsets of the potential interactions between trees and grasses. Furthermore, models differ in terms of the most basic assumptions as to whether trees or grasses are the better competitors. We believe an integration of competition-based and demographic approaches is required if a comprehensive model that explains both coexistence and the relative productivity of the tree and grass components across the diverse savannas of the world is to emerge. As a first step towards this end, we outline a conceptual framework that integrates existing approaches and applies them explicitly to different life-history stage of trees.
Comparison of two QTL mapping approaches based on Bayesian inference using high-dense SNPs markers

To compare different QTL mapping methods, a population with genotypic and phenotypic data was simulated. In Bayesian approach, all information of markers can be used along with combination of distributions of SNP markers. It is assumed that most of the markers (95%) have minor effects and a few numbers of markers (5%) exert major effects. The simulated population included a basic population of 1020 non-relative cattle that was continuously crossed for 4 generations to make disequilibrium linkage among QTL position and markers. In all generations, 20 bulls were mated with 1,000 cows and each cow produced only one offspring. Whole tree family included 4100 head of livestock. Genotype of 10000 SNPs on 5 chromosomes at equal distance (0.05 cM) in the total population was simulated. The length of each chromosome was 100 cM. Simulated trait was milk production. Progeny of the first to third generation had record but the basic population and fourth generation of offspring did not have any record. Therefore, from the total population of 4100 heads, 3000 cattle had record. Two different models, Bayz A and Bayz B, were used to analyze QTL linked to the SNP markers. Analysis was conducted by BAYZ software. SNPs with more than 0.6 effect or Bayes factor (BF) greater than 5.5 were considered as QTL. The resultant analysis of two models of BAYZ A and BAYZ B were 7 and 9 QTL locations on 5 chromosomes, respectively. QTL position identified by BAYZ B method was matched on simulated location, but showed a false positive on chromosome 4. QTL positions identified by BAYZ A method were located near by the simulated positions, but with many false positive points.