Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An ecological study of Antechinus stuartii (Marsupialia) in a south-east Queensland rain forest

Quantitative data are presented on population size and structure, mortality, breeding, growth, movements, and activity during a 3-yr live-trapping study. The population reached a peak each autumn and declined to low numbers each spring. A few females survived to breed a second time but males suffered 100% mortality in each breeding season. Death after mating was not inevitable under laboratory conditions. Mating occurred only in the last 2 weeks of September each year in the field. Pregnancy lasted about 1 month, and lactation about 3 months. Juveniles attained sexual maturity at 11 months of age. Though A, stuavtii is usually nocturnal-crepuscular, some diurnal activity occurred; and extensive arboreal activity was recorded. Male home ranges were larger than those of females, and expanded farther during the breeding season. Mortality had a greater influence on population size than reproduction. Late sexual maturity and stereotyped reproductive pattern seem to preclude cyclical changes in population density.
Chronic Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis, an Interstitial Lung Disease with Distinct Molecular Signatures.

RATIONALE Chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (CHP) is caused by an immune response to antigen inhalation and is characterized by variable histopathological and clinical features. A subset of CHP patients have usual interstitial pneumonia and appear to be clinically similar to patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). OBJECTIVES To determine the common and unique molecular features of CHP and IPF. METHODS Transcriptome analysis of lung samples from CHP (N=82), IPF (N=103), and unaffected controls (N=103) was conducted. Gene expression was determined adjusting for sex, race, age and smoking history, and using false discovery rate (FDR) to control for multiple comparisons. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS When compared to controls, we identified 413 upregulated and 317 downregulated genes in CHP, and 861 upregulated and 322 downregulated genes in IPF. Concordantly up/down-regulated genes in CHP and IPF were related to collagen catabolic processes and epithelial development, whereas genes specific to CHP were related to chemokine-mediated signaling and immune responsiveness. Using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), we found that among subjects with CHP, genes involved in adaptive immunity or epithelial cell development were associated with improved or reduced lung function respectively, and that MUC5B expression was associated with epithelial cell development. MUC5B expression was also associated with lung fibrosis and honeycombing. CONCLUSIONS Gene expression analysis of CHP and IPF identified signatures common to CHP and IPF, as well as genes uniquely expressed in CHP. Select modules of gene expression are characterized by distinct clinical and pathological features of CHP.
ERUPTION OF UNGULATE POPULATIONS, WITH EMPHASIS ON HIMALAYAN THAR IN NEW ZEALAND

An eruptive fluctuation is defined operationally as an increase in numbers over at least two generations, followed by a marked decline. Reported eruptions in ungulates suggest that the upswing is initiated by a change in food or habitat and is terminated by over- grazing. An apparent exception-the Kaibab eruption-probably also fits this pattern. The interpretation causally linking reduction of predators on the plateau with increase of deer is an overstatement of evidence. Eruption of established populations is essentially the same process as the buildup of populations initiated by liberation, with the difference that in the second case a zone of high density migrates radially from the point of liberation. Eruption of thar (a goat-like bovid) after liberation in New Zealand was studied by sam- pling populations at different distances from the point of liberation. The aim was to determine trend of demographic stastistics across an eruptive fluctuation that spans 50 years. Although fecundity varied across the eruption, the major influence on rate of increase was traced to variation in death rate. The major component of this variation was the rate of mortality over the first year of life. Trend in death rate, and hence in rate of increase, was associated with trends in other population statistics that are easier to measure. The most useful corre- lative of rate of increase is probably the level of fat reserves. While we do not know whether trends in population statistics of thar reflect those of other ungulates during an eruptive fluctuation, the generality of the reported trends may usefully serve as a testable hypothesis.
A Fresh Look at the Structure, Regulation, and Functions of Fodrin

Fodrin and its erythroid cell-specific isoform spectrin are actin-associated fibrous proteins that play crucial roles in the maintenance of structural integrity in mammalian cells, which is necessary for proper cell function. Normal cell morphology is altered in diseases such as various cancers and certain neuronal disorders. Fodrin and spectrin are two-chain (αβ) molecules that are encoded by paralogous genes and share many features but also demonstrate certain differences. Fodrin (in humans, typically a heterodimer of the products of the SPTAN1 and SPTBN1 genes) is expressed in nearly all cell types and is especially abundant in neuronal tissues, whereas spectrin (in humans, a heterodimer of the products of the SPTA1 and SPTB1 genes) is expressed almost exclusively in erythrocytes. ABSTRACT Fodrin and its erythroid cell-specific isoform spectrin are actin-associated fibrous proteins that play crucial roles in the maintenance of structural integrity in mammalian cells, which is necessary for proper cell function. Normal cell morphology is altered in diseases such as various cancers and certain neuronal disorders. Fodrin and spectrin are two-chain (αβ) molecules that are encoded by paralogous genes and share many features but also demonstrate certain differences. Fodrin (in humans, typically a heterodimer of the products of the SPTAN1 and SPTBN1 genes) is expressed in nearly all cell types and is especially abundant in neuronal tissues, whereas spectrin (in humans, a heterodimer of the products of the SPTA1 and SPTB1 genes) is expressed almost exclusively in erythrocytes. To fulfill a role in such a variety of different cell types, it was anticipated that fodrin would need to be a more versatile scaffold than spectrin. Indeed, as summarized here, domains unique to fodrin and its regulation by Ca2+, calmodulin, and a variety of posttranslational modifications (PTMs) endow fodrin with additional specific functions. However, how fodrin structural variations and misregulated PTMs may contribute to the etiology of various cancers and neurodegenerative diseases needs to be further investigated.
In Vitro and In Vivo Activity, Tolerability, and Mechanism of Action of BX795 as an Antiviral against Herpes Simplex Virus 2 Genital Infection

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) causes recurrent lesions in the anogenital area that may be transmitted through sexual encounters. Nucleoside analogs, such as acyclovir (ACV), are currently prescribed clinically to curb this infection. However, in some cases, reduced efficacy has been observed due to the emergence of resistance against these drugs. In our previous study, we reported the discovery of a novel anti-HSV-1 small molecule, BX795, which was originally used as an inhibitor of TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1). ABSTRACT Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) causes recurrent lesions in the anogenital area that may be transmitted through sexual encounters. Nucleoside analogs, such as acyclovir (ACV), are currently prescribed clinically to curb this infection. However, in some cases, reduced efficacy has been observed due to the emergence of resistance against these drugs. In our previous study, we reported the discovery of a novel anti-HSV-1 small molecule, BX795, which was originally used as an inhibitor of TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1). In this study, we report the antiviral efficacy of BX795 on HSV-2 infection in vaginal epithelial cells in vitro at 10 μM and in vivo at 50 μM. Additionally, through biochemical assays in vitro and histopathology in vivo, we show the tolerability of BX795 in vaginal epithelial cells at concentrations as high as 80 μM. Our investigations also revealed that the mechanism of action of BX795 antiviral activity stems from the reduction of viral protein translation via inhibition of protein kinase B phosphorylation. Finally, using a murine model of vaginal infection, we show that topical therapy using 50 μM BX795 is well tolerated and efficacious in controlling HSV-2 replication.
A Management‐Oriented Approach to Understanding Diversity among Largemouth Bass Anglers

Abstract We sent a mail survey to participants in a Texas sport fishery for largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides. Respondents were divided into two groups according to the specificity of responses to an open-ended mail survey question asking which species of fish they most preferred to target in Texas freshwaters. One group consisted of those who gave a general response (i.e., “bass”) and the other was those who gave a specific response (i.e., “black bass,” or “largemouth bass” or “bigmouth bass”). We found significant (P < 0.05) differences between these angler groups in fishing motives and attitudes, years of fishing experience, annual fishing frequency, and investment in fishing. Group differences were consistent with predictions based on the concept of recreation specialization and provide initial evidence that specificity of angler identification of species preferences is a managerially useful surrogate for general level of angler specialization. Additional work is necessary to verify these results .
Meta-analysis: Resistance Training Improves Cognition in Mild Cognitive Impairment

Abstract This study investigated the benefits of resistance training on cognition in patients with mild cognitive impairment. We searched the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases, and seven randomized controlled trials were reviewed. We evaluated the risk of bias using the Cochrane Collaboration’s bias assessment tool. Standard mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were calculated for statistical analysis. This meta-analysis assessed three variables: general cognitive function, executive function and working memory. The results indicate that general cognitive function improved significantly (standardized mean difference: 0.53, P=0.04), and further subgroup analyses on frequency and duration per session showed that the subgroups ‘twice a week’ (P=0.01) and ‘duration per session >60 min’ (P=0.0006) exhibited better performance than the subgroups ‘three time a week’ (P=0.47) and ‘duration per session <60 min’ (P=0.53). Additionally, a moderate effect size was found in executive function (standardized mean difference: 0.50, P=0.0003), and there was non-significant effect in working memory (P=0.14). In summary, resistance training may mitigate mild cognitive impairment by improving cognition. Larger-scale studies are recommended to demonstrate the relationship between resistance training and cognition in mild cognitive impairment.
Pre‐migratory fattening in three races of the Red‐billed quelea Quelea quelea (Aves: Ploceidae), an intra‐tropical migrant

Three races of Quelea quelea, inhabiting East, West and southern Africa, each perform a migration at the beginning of the wet-season, but the distances involved differ greatly. The quantity of pre-migratory fat accumulated differs in the three populations and correlates with the respective migration lengths. The timing of fattening is in some way associated with the onset of heavy rain. Though winged termites usually provide the food supply for fattening they do not appear to stimulate the process. Flight muscle hypertrophy accompanies fattening; it is suggested that the extra protein is required for body maintenance during the fasting period of the migration.
Development of an HPLC-MS/MS Method for the Determination of Silybin in Human Plasma, Urine and Breast Tissue

Silybin is a flavonolignan extracted from Silybum marianum with chemopreventive activity against various cancers, including breast. This study was designed to develop an HPLC-MS/MS method for the determination of silybin in human plasma, urine and breast tissue in early breast cancer patients undergoing Siliphos® supplementation, an oral silybin-phosphatidylcholine complex. The determination of silybin was carried out by liquid–liquid extraction with methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE); total silybin concentration was determined by treating the samples with β–glucuronidase, while for the determination of free silybin, the hydrolytic step was omitted. Naringenin and naproxen were selected as internal standards. The detection of the analyte was carried out by mass spectrometry and by chromatography. The HPLC-MS/MS method was evaluated in terms of selectivity, linearity, limit of quantification, precision and accuracy, and carryover. The method proved to be selective, linear, precise and accurate for the determination of silybin. To the best of our knowledge, this presents the first analytical method with the capacity to quantify the major bioactive components of milk thistle in three different biological matrices with a lower limit of quantification of 0.5 ng/mL for plasma. Silybin phosphatidylcholine, taken orally, can deliver high blood concentrations of silybin, which selectively accumulates in breast tumor tissue.
A Theoretical Investigation into the Limits of Bandwidth Enhancement with the Asymmetrical Bridged T-Coil Network

ABSTRACT This paper presents the results of a theoretical investigation of the asymmetrical bridged T-coil (BTC) bandwidth enhancement network under the condition of maximally flat magnitude (MFM) response. Conventionally, the BTC is used in the symmetrical configuration and it is well known that, as compared to the commonly used RC load, the maximum bandwidth enhancement ratio (BWER) under the MFM condition is 2√2. It is shown here that by introducing asymmetry, even under the constraint of MFM response, the maximum achievable BWER is theoretically unlimited, the limit being set only by practical considerations. Unlimited BWER has never been considered possible, even theoretically, with BTC or any other network, and the result reported here is believed to be a breakthrough in the design of wide-band and ultra wide-band amplifiers. Simulations for a few designs indicate that practical realization of the full potential of the asymmetrical BTC may have to wait for improved technologies which facilitate tight coupling between the two parts of the coil and also minimize parasitic effects.
Effect of Probiotic Supplementation on Productive Performance and Economic Efficiency of Arbor Acres and Cobb300 Broilers

A total of 198 day old Arbor acres chicks and 198 Cobb300 were allotted into six groups (n=66) three for each breed, group one fed commercial broiler ration with BioGaurd (0.5g/kg ration) feed additives, group two fed commercial broiler ration with Micro-BACLA (0.5g/kg ration) feed additive and last one fed commercial ration without additives and kept as control for the same breed. The obtained result showed that Arbor acres breed was superior than Cobb300 breeds in the final body weight (1970.0 vs. 1831.3 g), total weight gain (1914.0 vs. 1769.35g), total feed conversion ratio (1.72 vs. 1.78), total return per average bird body weight (27.88 vs. 25.93 L.E./bird), net return (2.97 vs. 1.80 L.E./bird) and net return/total cost ratio (11.92 vs. 7.45). Regarding to the effect of feed additives, BioGaurd improved significantly total body weight (1988.67 g), total weight gain (1938.99 g), total feed conversion ratio (1.69), total return (28.14 L.E/bird), net return (3.48 L.E/bird) and net return/total cost ratio (14.11) than Micro-BACLA and control groups. Moreover, compared to control group, Micro-BACLA feed additives significantly increased total body weight (1858.63 vs. g), total weight gain (1801.18 g), total feed conversion (1.78) and total return (26.32 L.E./bird), however, Micro-BACLA significantly increased total cost (24.75 L.E./bird) which in return significantly decreased net return (1.57 L.E./ bird) and net return/total cost ratio (6.34). The interaction between breed and dietary supplement showed that within each breed BioGaurd improved productive performance and economic efficiency than Micro-BACLA while, Micro-BACLA increased productive performance but decreased economic efficiency parameters even when compared to control group. From our experimental work it could be concluded that Arbor acres broiler when fed commercial ration supplemented by BioGaurd had better productive performance, total return, net return and net return/total cost ratio than Arbor acres fed ration with Micro-BACLA or control without feed additives. Moreover, with Arbor acres broilers was better than Cobb300 broilers when fed commercial ration in both productive performance and economic efficiency.
Probing behaviors of Sitobion avenae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on enhanced UV-B irradiated plants

UV-B induced changes in plants can influence sap-feeding insects through mechanisms that have not been stud- ied. Herein the grain aphid, Sitobion avenae (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), was monitored on barley plants under the treatments of control (0 kJ/ (m 2 .d)), ambient UV-B (60 kJ/ (m 2 .d)), and enhanced UV-B (120 kJ/ (m 2 .d)) irradiation. Electrical penetration graph (EPG) techniques were used to record aphid probing behaviors. Enhanced UV-B irradiated plants negatively affected probing behaviors of S. avenae compared with control plants. In particular, phloem factors that could diminish sieve element acceptance appeared to be involved, as reflected by smaller number of phloem phase, shorter phloem ingestion, and fewer aphids reaching the sustained phloem ingestion phase (E2>10min). On the other hand, fac- tors from leaf surface, epidermis, and mesophyll cannot be excluded, as reflected by higher number of non-probing, longer non-probing and pathway phase, and later the time to first probe.
Selection for Body Weight at Eight Weeks of Age 1. Short term Response and Heritabilities

Abstract BODY weight at 8 weeks of age is a quantitative characteristic influenced by complex physiological mechanisms. Asmundson and Lerner (1933) demonstrated that inherited differences in body growth were influenced by multiple genetic factors. Jaap and Morris (1937) attempted to quantitatively determine the relative importance of several sources of variation on 8-week weight. In recent years many estimates of heritability have been reported for the body weight of chickens. A summary of 176 published heritability estimates of body weight obtained for chickens 6 to 12 weeks of age is presented in Figure 1. The median heritability was . 41 with an inter-quartile range of . 29 to . 54. This would indicate that, in most of the populations studied, body weight at these ages had a moderate to high heritability. Although the overall range of the estimates given in Figure 1 may appear wide it should be remembered that several methods of estimations were …
PREDTRETMANI U PROIZVODNJI BIOETANOLA IZ LIGNOCELULOZNE BIOMASE

Proizvodnja bioetanola, kao obnovljivoga goriva, dosad se uglavnom temeljila na sirovinama na bazi jednostavnih šećera ili škroba. Međutim, budući da se te sirovine koriste u ljudskoj prehrani i ishrani životinja, proizvodnja bioetanola iz istih smatra se neekonomičnom. Stoga je cilj buduću proizvodnju bioetanola temeljiti na lignoceluloznoj biomasi, odnosno na sirovinama poput poljoprivrednih i šumskih ostataka. Lignocelulozna biomasa po sastavu se sastoji od lignina, hemiceluloze i celuloze. Upravo kompleksnost strukture lignocelulozne biomase uvjetuje primjenu različitih tipova predtretmana, koji prethode procesu hidrolize celuloze i hemiceluloze na fermentabilne šećere. Predtretmani mogu biti fizikalni (mehaničko usitnjavanje, piroliza), fizikalno-kemijski (autohidroliza, eksplozija u tekućem amonijaku, eksplozija u CO2), kemijski (ozonoliza, kiselinska hidroliza, alkalna hidroliza, oksidativna delignifikacija) i biološki (pomoću mikroorganizama).
Changes in frequencies of genes that enable Phyllotreta nemorum to utilize its host plant, Barbarea vulgaris, vary in magnitude and direction, as much within as between seasons

The interaction between the flea beetle, Phyllotreta nemorum L. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), and its host plants is well suited to study the dynamics of a geographic mosaic of (co)evolution. The flea beetle can either be resistant or susceptible to the defense of one of its host plants, Barbarea vulgaris R.Br. G‐type (Brassicaceae). Previous findings suggested that the frequency of resistant beetles on host plants other than the G‐type of B. vulgaris had decreased over time within the period of 1999–2003. In 2008 and 2009 new sampling was performed to investigate whether or not this decrease in frequency of resistance of the flea beetles formed a continuing trend and whether or not the frequency of resistant beetles also varies within the year. The frequency of resistant beetles on different host plants was determined during the reproductive season of the flea beetles in both years. Overall, the frequencies of resistant beetles on B. vulgaris (G‐type) remained close to 100%, as found before, but those on other host plants did not consistently decrease across the years, in contrast to what had been suggested. Furthermore, the repeated sampling revealed that the frequency of resistant beetles differed significantly within a season. The present data show that relative frequencies of different resistance phenotypes of P. nemorum on other host plants than B. vulgaris (G‐type) are highly dynamic, both within and across years. Therefore, monitoring the changes in these resistance frequencies should involve season‐wide sampling efforts. Although the monitoring in this study does not provide an explanation for the observed dynamics, we propose a testable scenario.
Peptides to bridge biological-platinum materials interface

Peptides with inorganic materials recognition already started to impact a wide range of surface-related technologies ranging from biomonitoring to biomedical areas. Combinatorial biology-based libraries are the initial step in tempting the directed evolution of peptides with specific interactions towards technologically relevant materials. Here, a case study is provided to demonstrate the specific peptide binding and the amino acids residues that play an important role for platinum surface affinity by combining computational as well as genetic engineering tools. Using a phage display technique, septapeptides were identified exhibiting affinity to noble metal platinum, and the amino acid distributions in the identified peptides were analyzed. The analysis of the peptide sequences showed that strong Pt-binding peptides contain positively charged, hydrophilic, and polar residues, and especially enriched in threonine, serine, and glutamine. Under competitive surface-binding conditions, strong Pt-binding pepti.
Seven new microsatellite markers for crown-of-thorns starfish Acanthaster planci

We isolated seven additional polymorphic microsatellites from the crown-of-thorns starfish, Acanthaster planci. These loci provide one class of highly variable genetic markers, as the number of alleles ranged from 5 to 13 and the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.083 to 0.957 and from 0.082 to 0.872, respectively. After Mann-Whitney test, there was no significant difference in the number of alleles, the PCR efficiency, and the observed and expected heterozygosities between the newly developed 7 markers and the previously reported markers. We consider that these loci are potentially useful for detailing the genetic structure and gene flow among A. planci populations.