Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A test of an osteologically based age determination technique in the Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus

The ability to determine the age of birds accurately from their skeletons would be useful not only for population biology and wildlife management research but for avian palaeontological and archaeological analyses as well. While accurate osteologically based age determination techniques are available for some amphibians and reptiles (Peabody 1961, Reid 1981), fishes (e.g. Bagenal 1974, Summerfelt & Hall 1987) and mammals (e.g. Morris 1972, Grue & Jensen 1979, Lieberman 1994), none is well established for birds. It is thus normally possible only to determine whether bird bones belonged to nestlings, fledglings or adults based on the degree of bone development, cranial pneumatization or morphometrics (e.g. McNeil & Burton 1972, Jannett 1983, Sugimori et al . 1985, Siegel-Causey 1989). However, a fine-grained age determination technique for birds, based on analyses of annual rings registered in the circumferential lamellae of different bones, has produced some promising results (e.g. Van Soest & Van Utrecht 1971, Stone & Morris 1981, Koubek & Hrabe 1984, Klomp & Furness 1992; but see also Nelson 1976, Schaaf 1979, Nelson & Bookhout 1980). Most recently, Klomp and Furness (1992) demonstrated, with a sample of 16 known-aged birds, that the number of endosteal lamellae revealed in transverse thin sections of the tibiotarsus corresponded very tightly with the age in years of the birds in four of the five species examined. The technique was tested using naive observers who read photographs of 1-mm-thick polished transverse sections, taken through a transmitted light microscope. Previous work has also documented the presence of rings in the circumferential lamellae in either the periosteum or endosteum in a number of different skeletal elements from many other bird species (Van Soest & Van Utrecht 1971, Schaaf 1979, Nelson & Bookhout 1980, Stone & Morris 1981, Koubek & Hrabe 1984). Although this technique proved remarkably successful for most of the species Klomp and Furness examined, given the small samples analysed for each species and the inaccurate results obtained for one of them, it is clear that the technique must be tested for any given species prior to practical applications. Here we provide such a test for the Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus .
The Environmental Effects of Financial Market Development in East Asian and Southeast Asian Countries

This study aims to examine the effect of financial market development, investment, and trade openness on the environmental quality of East Asian and Southeast Asian countries from 1991-2017. Differences in the influence of the East and Southeast Asian region on environmental quality indicators are accommodated by using the dummy variable of the region. All data is sourced from World Development Indicators - World Bank. The results of this study reinforce the notion that per capita income (GDPCap), the environmental effects of financial market development (FMDev), Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), trade openness (TL), influence according to the hypothesis. The Empirical Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis was empirically proven in both regions. Capital inflows and trade openness negatively affect environmental quality, while financial market development (FMDev) has a positive effect on environmental quality in both regions
Microsatellite allele sequencing in population analyses of the South American cactophilic species Drosophila antonietae (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Drosophila antonietae belongs to the Drosophila buzzatii cluster, a cactophilic group of species naturally endemic to South America. Morphological and genetic analyses indicate that its populations are the most homogenous in the cluster and that the diversity observed is mainly a result of variation within populations. Seven polymorphic microsatellite loci were described for this species and used in the present study to investigate the genetic diversity of natural populations of D. antonietae by both length and sequence variation. The study aimed to understand how homoplasy and null alleles affect inferences about the population history of this species and to obtain an accurate interpretation of population inferences where these loci could be applied. The results provide useful information on the interpretation of genetic data derived from the microsatellite loci described for D. antonietae and on evolutionary aspects of cactophilic Drosophila. Importantly, the results indicate that size homoplasy and null alleles do not represent significant problems for the population genetics analyses because the large amount of variability at microsatellite loci compensate the low frequency of these problems in the populations.
The consequences and implications of ecology on body size distributions in social insects

Body size is a key life history trait that influences the way organisms interact with each other and with their environment. Eusocial organisms, such as ants, provide an interesting model for ecological and evolutionary examinations of body size variation because of their reproductive division of labor, and the existence of worker polymorphism making body size both an individual and a colony-level trait (e.g. distribution of body sizes within a colony). In this perspective, I discuss the intrinsic and extrinsic determinants of intraspecific variation in ant body size. Additionally I review the literature on how variation in worker body size can promote division of labor by increasing worker efficiency and specialization. This review focuses on species with a polymorphic worker caste and addresses the following two questions: 1. What factors influence the distribution of worker body sizes within a colony? and 2. How does variation in body size benefit the colony? Despite considerable research in these areas, I found few studies that directly link body size variation or caste ratios to components of colony fitness. I conclude with recommendations for future work, aimed at addressing current limitations in this field. This includes a need for experimental studies that explicitly relate body size variation to fitness in social insects.
The Forgotten Pollinators

Consider this: Without interaction between animals and flowering plants, the seeds and fruits that make up nearly eighty percent of the human diet would not exist.In "The Forgotten Pollinators," Stephen L. Buchmann, one of the world's leading authorities on bees and pollination, and Gary Paul Nabhan, award-winning writer and renowned crop ecologist, explore the vital but little-appreciated relationship between plants and the animals they depend on for reproduction -- bees, beetles, butterflies, hummingbirds, moths, bats, and countless other animals, some widely recognized and other almost unknown.Scenes from around the globe -- examining island flora and fauna on the Galapagos, counting bees in the Panamanian rain forest, witnessing an ancient honey-hunting ritual in Malaysia -- bring to life the hidden relationships between plants and animals, and demonstrate the ways in which human society affects and is affected by those relationships. Buchmann and Nabhan combine vignettes from the field with expository discussions of ecology, botany, and crop science to present a lively and fascinating account of the ecological and cultural context of plant-pollinator relationships.More than any other natural process, plant-pollinator relationships offer vivid examples of the connections between endangered species and threatened habitats. The authors explain how human-induced changes in pollinator populations -- caused by overuse of chemical pesticides, unbridled development, and conversion of natural areas into monocultural cropland-can have a ripple effect on disparate species, ultimately leading to a "cascade of linked extinctions. "
Narrowband Perfect Absorber Based on Dielectric-Metal Metasurface for Surface-Enhanced Infrared Sensing

We proposed a narrowband perfect absorber that was based on dielectric-metal metasurface for wide-band surface-enhanced infrared sensing. It is found that the narrowband perfect absorber can generate the hybrid guided modes with high quality-factor at infrared frequencies, which make the absorber highly sensitive to the surrounded analyte. Moreover, tuning the incident angle can actively modulate the resonant wavelength of absorber. Such an absorber with excellent features is employed to realize both refractive index sensing and infrared vibrational fingerprint sensing on a single substrate. It is demonstrated that a refractive index sensitivity of 1800 nm/RIU and figure of merit of 62 RIU−1 can be obtained as the refractive index sensor. While, as a surface enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy substrate, two closed vibrational modes of analyte with nanometer thick layers can be effectively identified and selectively detected with 50-folds enhancement by actively tuning the incident angle without any change in the structural parameters (periodicity, width, height, and refractive index of the grating) of the device after fabricating. Our study offers a promising approach for designing high-performance surface-enhanced infrared optical sensors in the infrared region.
Effect of exogenous lignolytic enzyme-treated ragi straw on DM intake, digestibility, rumen fermentation and rumen enzymes in sheep

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of exogenous lignolytic enzymes harvested from immobilized Coriolus versicolor and Ganoderma lucidium on body weight, in vivo digestibility, rumen fermentation and rumen enzymes in sheep. Four groups of sheep (6-each) were fed 350 g concentrate mixture to meet the energy and protein requirement as per ICAR standards. The control sheep received ad lib. ragi straw treated with production media devoid of enzyme (G1). Test group 1 (G2) received ad lib. ragi straw treated with C. versicolor enzyme media (Enz.1) in a 1:2.5 (w/v) ratio, group 2 (G3) received ad lib. straw treated with G. lucidium enzyme media (Enz.2) in a 1:2.5 (w/v) ratio. Group 3 (G4) received ad lib. amount of straw treated with a combination of Enz.1 and Enz.2 in an equal volume in a 1:2.5 (w/v) ratio. After 40 d feeding an ADG (gd-1) of 112.5 and 107.5 was recorded in G2 and G3 as compared to 97.5 of control. A 5% increase in dry matter digestibility (DMD) of 77 . 36Â±4.28 and 77. 04Â±5.69% was obtained in G2 and G3. Treatment of straw with a combination of enzymes (G4) failed to show increase in either ADG or DMD. Rumen fermentation pattern did show any significant difference. The fiber degrading enzymes elicited enhancement of activity in sheep fed the supplemental enzymes. Applying lignin degrading enzymes as feed supplements for enhancing digestibility of crop residues holds promise in the immediate future.
The evolutionary characteristics of higher education studies worldwide: central themes and regions

ABSTRACT Exploring the evolutionary characteristics of higher education studies across the world can provide an auxiliary reference for related research. This study used the metrological literature visualization software CiteSpace to map the co-cited network of eight higher education journals in the Social Science Citation Index, and used the Google Fusion Tables tool to establish the distribution of high-concentration regions in the higher education research worldwide. The purpose was to detect the latter’s evolving central themes and central regions. The thematic evaluations showed the phased characteristics of the transition from a macro, to a meso, to a micro study perspective. The regional assessments demonstrated a divergent diffusion trend from an institutional perspective to a national perspective with a diversified center pattern. The United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, China, and South Africa have become centers in higher education research. The amount of literature published, the frequency of citations, the annual indicator, and the overall influence of a country are important factors influencing the formation of higher education research centers.
Predicting Solubility of Small Molecules in Macromolecular Compounds for Nanomedicine Application from Atomistic Simulations

Solubility of small molecules in macromolecular compounds is of fundamental importance for a number of applications, including the growing field of nanomedicine. Here, approaches for in silico solubility predictions based on atomistic models are evaluated. A computationally efficient atomistic simulation procedure based on the concept of inherent structures is proposed for statistical sampling of polymer conformations. Comprehensive test simulations of several polymers and common solvents confirm the accuracy of the procedure for calculation of physicochemical properties such as cohesive energy densities, which along with the Hansen solubility parameters and the Flory–Huggins (FH) theory facilitate rapid, qualitative solubility predictions. However, the FH theory fails to model specific interactions such as hydrogen bonding. Therefore, more accurate predictions are obtained employing the perturbed hard sphere chain (PHSC) equation of state (EOS). As test case, aqueous poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) solutions revealing strong hydrogen bonding are used. The physicochemical properties including the PEO‐water phase diagram calculated by the PHSC EOS show good agreement with experimental observations. Consequently, the combination of qualitative predictions using the FH theory for rapid prescreening with computationally more demanding parameterization of the PHSC EOS provides a promising tool for in silico solubility predictions with potential applications in nanomedicine.
Stability of Ampicillin in Normal Saline Following Refrigerated Storage and 24-Hour Pump Recirculation

Objective Use of ampicillin in outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) has historically been complicated by frequent dosing and limited stability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate stability of ampicillin using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) in an OPAT dosing model using continuous infusion at room temperature over 24 hours immediately following preparation compared with batches stored under refrigeration for 24 hours, 72 hours, and 7 days. Methods An HPLC method was developed and validated as stability indicating using guidance in USP general Chapter <1225>. Four ampicillin batches were prepared for each experimental condition (immediate use and refrigerated storage for 24 hours, 72 hours, and 7 days). A pump was used to recirculate the solutions through medical-grade tubing for 24 hours. Triplicate 1-mL aliquots were removed from each batch at time 0, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours and analyzed for ampicillin concentration. Results Each batch was assayed for initial concentration (20.34-21.50 mg/mL), and percent recovery compared with that concentration thereafter. For the duration of infusion, the average recoveries were 96.4%, 95.8%, 94.6%, and 90.3% for immediate use, 24-hour storage, 72-hour storage, and 7-day storage, respectively. The recovery remained above 90% for all batches and time points, except for 7-day storage, which fell below 90% after 4 hours of circulation. Conclusion Ampicillin can be prepared and stored in a refrigerator for up to 72 hours prior to continuously infusing at room temperature over 24 hours with less than a 10% loss of potency over the dosing period. This model supports twice weekly OPAT delivery of ampicillin.
Day-level job crafting and service-oriented task performance

PurposeThis study examines whether job crafting is related to service-oriented task performance (i.e. performance aimed at providing high-quality services) through meaningful work and work engagement.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 156 employees of a Dutch unemployment agency (4 days, 531 observations). Multilevel SEM was used to analyze the data.FindingsResults showed that job crafting was related to service-oriented task performance via meaningful work and work engagement. Specifically, seeking resources and seeking challenges were positively related to service-oriented task performance via meaningful work and work engagement, whereas reducing demands was negatively related to service-oriented task performance via meaningful work and work engagement.Originality/valueThe study concludes that seeking resources and seeking challenges are beneficial for service-oriented task performance.
Methotrexate Suppresses NF-κB Activation Through Inhibition of IκBα Phosphorylation and Degradation1

Methotrexate (MTX), a folate antagonist, is a commonly used anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and immunosuppressive drug whose mode of action is not fully established. Due to the central role of NF-κB in these responses, we postulated that MTX must mediate its effects through suppression of NF-κB activation. We investigated the effects of MTX on NF-κB activation induced by TNF in Jurkat cells. The treatment of these cells with MTX suppressed TNF-induced NF-κB activation with optimum effects occurring at 10 μM MTX for 60 min. These effects were not restricted to Jurkat cells because other cell types were also inhibited. Besides TNF, MTX also suppressed the NF-κB activation induced by various other inflammatory stimuli. The suppression of TNF-induced NF-κB activation by MTX correlated with inhibition of IκBα degradation, suppression of IκBα phosphorylation, abrogation of IκBα kinase activation, and inhibition of NF-κB-dependent reporter gene expression. Because ecto 5′ nucleotidase inhibitor (α,β-methylene adenosine-5′-diphosphate) blocked the effect of MTX, adenosine mimicked the effect of MTX, and adenosine A2b receptor antagonist (3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine) reversed the inhibitory effect of MTX, we suggest that MTX suppresses NF-κB activation by releasing adenosine. A partial reversal of MTX-induced NF-κB suppression by thymidine and folinic acid indicates the role of the thymidylate synthase pathway also. Overall, our results clearly demonstrate that MTX suppresses NF-κB activation through the release of adenosine, which may contribute to the role of MTX in anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antiproliferative effects.
A Comparison of the Ballistic Performances of Various Microstructures in MIL-A-12560 Armor Steel

Due to their advantageous properties, there is a growing interest in developing armor steels containing fully or partially bainitic microstructures. In this study, bainitic and martensitic microstructures were obtained in rolled homogeneous armor (RHA) steel samples and their ballistic protection performances were investigated. RHA (MIL-A-12560) steel samples were subjected to isothermal heat treatments at three different temperatures, where one temperature (360 °C) was above the martensite formation start (Ms) temperature of 336 °C while the other two (320 °C and 270 °C) were below. For the assessment of the ballistic protection performance, the kinetic energy losses of the 12.7 mm bullets fired at the test samples were determined. The promising nature of the bainite microstructure was confirmed as the sample isothermally treated at 360 °C provided approximately 10% higher ballistic protection as compared to the regular RHA sample of tempered martensite microstructure. However, the ballistic performances of the isothermally treated samples decreased as the treatment temperature went below the Ms temperature. Following the ballistic tests, hardness measurements, impact tests at −40 °C, and macro- and microstructural examinations of the samples were performed. No correlation was found between the hardness and impact energies of the samples and their ballistic performances.
Análisis demográfico de la cabra granadina como base para el desarrollo de su esquema de selección

En la actualidad la raza Murciano-Granadina se gestiona desde un unico libro genealogico con dos ubicaciones. Una en Jumilla (Murcia) y la otra en Albolote (Granada). Estos libros funcionan de manera coordinada pero independiente, resultando por tanto, unos criterios diferentes para cada uno. En la actualidad se encuentra en proceso de desarrollo el esquema de seleccion de la poblacion granadina y por ello se hace necesario conocer la estructura poblacional de la misma, a la hora de tomar decisiones de interes. En el presente trabajo se describen los tamanos efectivos de las poblaciones total y por cada uno de los tres nucleos de control que la conforman (Granada, Cordoba y Almeria). Del mismo modo se establece la piramide de edades total y por nucleos, como paso previo para el calculo de sus intervalos generacionales. Por supuesto se incluyen los censos totales y parciales por localizacion y por sexo para una mejor descripcion de la poblacion.
Heterosis and combining ability studies in asiatic cotton

In a diallel set involving 7 strains/varieties of Asiatic cotton, additive gene action was predominant for seed cotton yield. The cross Bhav-38 x 824 showed significant heterosis for yield over midparent as well as better parent, while crosses 733 x G.27 and 588 BK x G. 27 showed a significantly high heterosis for this trait over the standard hybrid check. Two parents, i.e. 824 and G.27, proved to be the best general combiners for yield. The gca effects of the parents and sca effects of the crosses were not related with their per se performance.
Die Entwicklung und Prognose von Lebenserwerbseinkommen in Deutschland

Ungleichheitsstudien basieren in der Regel auf Daten zu Jahres- oder Monatseinkommen, um die Verteilung okonomischer Ressourcen zu einem bestimmten Zeitpunkt im Querschnitt einer Bevolkerung zu bestimmen. Analysen auf Jahres- oder Monatsquerschnitten konnen jedoch ein unvollstandiges Bild liefern, da sie oft nur erwerbstatige Individuen betrachten und sich die individuellen Positionen in der Einkommensverteilung uber das Erwerbsleben einer Person andern. Ein umfassenderes Bild bieten Lebenserwerbseinkommen. Die Analyse von Lebenserwerbseinkommen setzen Informationen uber vollstandige Erwerbsbiografien voraus. Informationen, die wenn uberhaupt nur fur spezielle Bevolkerungsgruppen in Form von administrativen Daten der Sozialversicherung vorliegen. Um eine geeignete Datengrundlage zur Analyse von Lebenserwerbseinkommen der gesamten Bevolkerung zu schaffen, nutzen wir eine dynamische Mikrosimulation auf Basis des Soziookonomischen Panels um vollstandige Erwerbsbiografien fur die Kohorten 1964 bis 1985 bis ins Jahr 2045 zu konstruieren. Wir konnen zeigen, dass sich der Unterschied zwischen den Lebenserwerbseinkommen Gering- und Hochqualifizierter Manner in Preisen von 2015 auf uber eine Million Euro belauft, Geringqualifizierte verdiene im Lauf ihres Lebens nur knapp 40 Prozent des Erwerbseinkommens eines Hochqualifizierten. Gleichzeitig finden wir, dass zwischen 1981 und 1985 geborene Frauen im Durchschnitt uber den Lebensverlauf hinweg nur rund 55 Prozent der Erwerbseinkommen der Manner verdienen.
Recent Advancements on the CVD of Graphene on Copper from Ethanol Vapor

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on metal foils is regarded as the most effective method to produce large-area graphene with properties in line with the requirements of an extensive range of electronic and optical applications. For the CVD of graphene, ethanol is a versatile carbon source alternative to the widely used methane. In this review we report on the current progress in this field showing how the CVD parameters can be modulated to gain full microstructural control on graphene grown on Cu foils. Using ethanol vapor, graphene can be grown as a continuous film with mono- or multi-layer thickness, and also in the form of isolated crystals on pre-oxidized Cu substrates. Overall, ethanol-CVD allows a controllable degree of crystallinity and tunable electrical/optical characteristics in the grown samples. In turn, this control translates into a superior versatility for device design and related applications.