Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Butterflies of Australia: their identification, biology and distribution, Volume One.

This outstanding work is the ultimate guide for the identification of Australia’s butterflies. Nearly 400 species – all those currently recognised from Australia, plus those from surrounding islands – are represented, with all adults and some immature stages displayed in stunning colour sections. Introductory chapters cover the history of publications, classification, morphology, distribution, conservation and collection, together with a checklist of the butterfly fauna. The body of the text is arranged systematically, providing a wealth of information including description, variation, similar behaviour, distribution and habitat, and major literature references, giving a comprehensive summary of the present state of knowledge of these insects. Appendices provide details of those species recorded from Australian islands outside the Australian faunal subregion, those protected by legislation, the larval food plants, and the attendant ants. Extensive references, a glossary and an index of scientific and common names complete the work. Joint Winner of the 2001 Whitley Medal. Finalist Scholarly Reference section - The Australian Awards for Excellence in Educational Publishing 2001.
Revealing the effects of galaxy interaction in the main galaxies of the southern group Arp 314

We present new Gemini imaging and spectroscopic data of the system Arp 314, which consists of a triplet of interacting galaxies. This new imagery exhibits tidal tails and stellar bridges between the galaxies' members and confirms the past interactions. Using this data set, we have analysed the physical properties of 22 star-forming regions located in the main disc of these galaxies, as well as in the intergalactic medium. All these regions have emission lines typical of young ages and a couple of them display very high Hα luminosities (LHα ∼ 1040 erg s−1). Using the star-forming regions located in Arp 314-1, we derive its gas-phase oxygen-abundance distribution, which suggests a flatter behaviour than the distribution shown by non-interacting systems. This is in agreement with results obtained for other interacting systems and simulations. The presence of gas flows, as indicated by its complex kinematics, could explain this finding. Most of the star formation in Arp 314-2 is located in a central starburst, where double Hα profiles can be identified, as shown by archival Fabry–Perot data. Additionally, we found that the irregular galaxy Arp 314-3 has a low oxygen abundance. Considering its luminosity, this object has a primordial origin, and it was not formed during the interaction event that this system has experienced.
The Obstacles Facing the Vocational Education (VE) Teachers in Public Primary Schools in Jordan

The present study aimed to explore the reality of the obstacles facing the vocational education (VE) teachers in public primary schools in Jordan from the perspective of those teachers. The researcher selected a sample consisting from 100 vocational education teachers. Those teachers were selected from the public primary schools in Jordan. The researcher developed a two part questionnaire. The first part collects demographic data from the respondents (i.e. gender and years of experience). The second part sheds a light on the obstacles facing the vocational education teachers. The examined obstacles include the obstacles related to (infrastructure, tools & equipment, and the apparatus of occupational safety and health). It was found that the severity of the obstacles facing the vocational education teachers in public primary schools in Jordan is low from the perspective of those teachers. It was found that there isn’t any statistically significant difference between the respondents’ attitudes in this regard which can be attributed to (gender or years of experience). Several recommendations are proposed. For instance, the researcher recommends exerting effort by the Jordanian Ministry of Education to increase the level of occupational security and safety inside the workshops that are designated for the vocational education course. That can be done through providing these workshops with the necessary equipment that can raise the level of occupational security and safety. Keywords: obstacles, vocational education DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-8-11 Publication date: March 31 st 2020
Bifidobacterium bifidum G9-1 ameliorates soft feces induced by metformin without affecting its antihyperglycemic action

Recent studies of metformin, the first-line drug for type 2 diabetes, have reported the involvement of gut microbiota in the mechanism underlying its antihyperglycemic effect. However, the mechanisms underlying the development of diarrhea and bloating, which are adverse effects of metformin, are unclear, and these effects decrease the quality of life of metformin-receiving patients with diabetes. In this study, we focused on the effects of metformin on gut microbiota. Namely, we examined the effects of Bifidobacterium bifidum G9-1 (BBG9-1), which has the ability to improve dysbiosis, on the changes in gut microbiota and occurrence of soft feces (increased fecal water content) during the administration of metformin. The results showed that coadministration of BBG9-1 and metformin suppressed metformin-mediated changes in the gut microbiota and, thus, soft feces. Meanwhile, BBG9-1 did not influence the antihyperglycemic effect of metformin. Based on these results, we believe that BBG9-1, which could improve gut microbiota, suppresses metformin-induced soft feces without influencing the drug’s antihyperglycemic effect.
High-Throughput Parallel SRAM-Based Hash Join Architecture on FPGA

The hash join operator is one of the most important relational operations used in database. The offloading and acceleration of this operation on hardware has been a technique of growing interest for a long time. However, the non-uniform distribution of data caused by hash collisions negatively affects the throughput of the hash join algorithm, owing the variation in the number of hash table accesses required for each lookup. To resolve this issue, a non-collision parallel static random-access memory (SRAM)-based hash join architecture is presented. This architecture utilizes multiple hash functions and content addressable memories (CAMs) to eliminate hash collision, thereby ensuring a worst constant memory access for each phase in the hash join algorithm and consequently improving the hash join throughput. The proposed architecture was implemented on a Xilinx field programmable gate array (FPGA), and the experimental results show that our design achieved a high hash join throughput of 153.6 million tuples per second, and a speedup factor of at least 2.5 with the best existing FPGA-based hash join architecture and a match rate of 50%.
Investigating the abrupt change of tropical cyclone (TC) activity in the Western North Pacific by using different TC genesis indices

The tropical cyclone (TC) genesis indices are used to investigate the abrupt change of TC genesis frequency (TCGF) in the Western North Pacific (WNP) from 1979 to 2014 and to discuss the factors leading to the abrupt change. This study shows that TCGF had an abrupt decrease in 1997, but the popular TC genesis indices used in recent studies do not reflect this feature. An appropriate TC genesis index must consider both thermal and dynamic effects to reflect the TCGF abrupt change in the WNP. We modify the dynamic and thermal effects of the existing indices and propose a new TC genesis index, MoχGPI, which is consistent with the observational abrupt change of TC activity regardless of spatial distribution or time‐series patterns. A budget analysis of MoχGPI is conducted to discuss the individual contribution of large‐scale environmental parameters to the TCGF abrupt change. The results show that the change in relative vorticity (including contributions not only from the environmental relative vorticity, but also a part from the relative vorticity by TCs themself) is the dominant effect leading to the TCGF abrupt change in 1997, followed by the vertical wind shear effect.
A Riemannian submersion‐based approach to the Wasserstein barycenter of positive definite matrices

In this paper, we introduce a novel geometrization on the space of positive definite matrices, derived from the Riemannian submersion from the general linear group to the space of positive definite matrices, resulting in easier computation of its geometric structure. The related metric is found to be the same as a particular Wasserstein metric. Based on this metric, the Wasserstein barycenter problem is studied. To solve this problem, some schemes of the numerical computation based on gradient descent algorithms are proposed and compared. As an application, we test the k‐means clustering of positive definite matrices with different choices of matrix mean.
Regulation of Hepatic Glucose Uptake

The sections in this article are: 1 Homeostatic Mechanisms 1.1 Overview 1.2 Insulin 1.3 Glucagon 1.4 Noninsulin/Glucagon Regulation of Hepatic Glucose Production 2 Metabolism in the Postprandial State 2.1 Overview 2.2 Hepatic Glycogen Storage after Eating 2.3 Source of Glucose Carbon for Glycogen Synthesis 2.4 Modulation of Hepatic Glucose Uptake by a Portal Signal 2.5 Turnover of Liver Glycogen Stores 2.6 Normal Diurnal Fluctuation in Hepatic Glycogen Content 2.7 Effect of Eating on Hepatic Glucose Production 3 Metabolism in the Postabsorptive State 3.1 Overview 3.2 Gluconeogenesis 3.3 Glycogenolysis 3.4 Early Adaptation to Starvation 4 Nature's Experiments 4.1 Glycogen Storage Disease 4.2 Diabetes 4.3 Cirrhosis 4.4 Pregnancy
Susceptibility of bacterial pathogens to Mentha citrata Ehrh.

Plants provide the principal ingredients used in most of the traditional medicines. Man relied on natural products in general and plants in particular to promote and maintain good health and to fight sickness, pain and disease since time immoreal. With the advances in experimental methods in phytochemical and pharmacology, several medicinal plants were screened for active principles and biological activities (Riley et al., 1983). It has been estimated that over half of the world’s 25 best selling pharmaceuticals for 1991 owed their origin to a natural source material (O’Neill and Lewis, 1993). Another statistics reveals that approximately 120 plantderived chemical compounds are currently used as drugs. Many of these are extracted and purified directly from plants (Farnsworth et al., 1985). Due to indiscriminate use of antibiotics, the microorganisms have developed resistance to many antibiotics. This leads to serious clinical problems in the treatment of infectious diseases (Davis, 1994). In addition, antibiotics are sometimes associated with side effects and toxicity (Idose et al., 1968; Ahmad et al., 1998). Because of the side effects, drug toxicity and the resistance that pathogenic bacteria built against the antibiotics much recent attention has been paid to extracts and biologically active compounds from medicinal plants. They represent a rich source from which new antibacterial and antifungal chemotherapeutic agents may be obtained. Antimicrobial of plant orgin have enoumous therapeutic potential. They are effective in the treatment of infectious diseases while simultaneously mitigating many of the side effects that are often associated with synthetic antimicrobials (Iwu et al., 1999; Kokoska et al., 2002). Mentha citrata Ehrh. Commonly known as bergamont mint, is one of the important aromatic plants of mint family. This taxon cultivation is taken up in Punjab and Utter Pradesh at large scale. According to year 2006, bergamont cultivation in India is done in about 1,200 hectares of land with estimated production of 150 tonnes of bergamont oil. Mentha citrata, as it is an hybrid between Mentha piperata and M. viridis flowering is very rare. Only a few plants in an acre of plot show flowering during the season. The active principle present in this plant is linalool and linalool acetate. They are tritepenoid compounds mainly used in aromatherapy and has many medicinal value. However, there is no report regarding the antibacterial potential of the crude extracts of Mentha citrata root, stem and leaf on several bacteria than can cause severe infections and diseases in human and animals.
Indonesian sponges of the genus Petrosia Vosmaer (Demospongiae: Haplosclerida)

Indonesia. Sponges of the genus Petrosia (Demospongiae: Haplosclerida) are large and characteristic components of many Indonesian reefs. We identify and provide descriptions of seven species of Petrosia collected recently on SW Sulawesi reefs (Eastern Indonesia), two of which are new to science: Petrosia (Petrosia) alfiani spec. nov. and Petrosia (Petrosia) hoeksemai spec. nov. Additional species recorded are Petrosia (Petrosia) lignosa Wilson, 1925, Petrosia (Petrosia) nigricans Lindgren, 1897, Petrosia (Petrosia) plana Wilson, 1925, Petrosia (Strongylophora) corticata (Wilson, 1925) and Petrosia (Strongylophora) strongylata Thiele, 1903. The species are discussed and compared with Petrosia records from other Indonesian and neighbouring Indo-West Pacific areas. We also present a key to the common Petrosia species of Sulawesi.
Interleukin‐1β Depolarizes Paraventricular Nucleus Parvocellular Neurones

Interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) is involved in hypothalamic regulation of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) secretion and consequent downstream modulation of the neuroimmune response. In this study, whole‐cell patch clamp recordings of rat parvocellular neurones in a slice preparation of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus were performed to examine the cellular effects of IL‐1β. In response to 1 nm IL‐1β, 65% of parvocellular neurones tested exhibited a clear depolarization, which was abolished in the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX). This depolarization was partially dependent on nitric oxide formation, as demonstrated by attenuation of the response in the presence of N‐ω‐nitro‐l‐arginine methylester, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. The effects of IL‐1β on responsive parvocellular neurones were associated with a decrease in the frequency of inhibitory post synaptic potentials (IPSPs). Bicuculline administration blocked the effects of IL‐1β, suggesting that this cytokine modulates GABA‐ergic output, resulting in a decrease in inhibitory input (IPSPs) and consequent depolarization. These data support the conclusion that IL‐1β influences the excitability of parvocellular neurones in the PVN, as a secondary consequence of nitric oxide generation and modulation of GABAergic inhibitory input to these cells. They elucidate cellular correlates underlying the well‐established neuroimmune roles of IL‐1β in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus.
Acetogenesis from H2 and CO2 by methane and non-methane producing human colonic bacteria

The purpose of the study was to define the potential for reductive acetogenesis of colonic microflora from six non-methane- and four methane-excreting human subjects in relation to numbers of the different H2-utilizing microorganisms. Faecal bacterial suspensions were incubated in the presence of NaH13CO3 and under a gas phase composed of either 100% N2 (control) or 80% H220% N2. The effects of a specific methanogenesis inhibitor or of sulfate supplementation were also determined. Quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance showed the presence of both single- and double-labelled acetate in all incubations under hydrogen. H2/CO2-acetogenesis appears to be a quantitatively important activity only in the presence of very low numbers of methanogens. Inhibition of methanogenesis induced a large increase in 13CO2 incorporation into acetate in CH4-producing samples. These results showed that methanogens can efficiently outcompete acetogens in human colonic contents. In contrast, no clear-cut competition for H2 between acetogenesis and dissimilatory sulfate-reduction could be demonstrated. A slight reduction of the acetogenic activity was only observed at the highest sulfate addition (100 mM).
Comparative Potential of Different Native Mycorrhizal and Cellulolytic Fungi in Recovering Soil Biological Quality under Water Deficit

Soil biological quality has a primary role in many soil functions related to productivity and environmental resilience. Arbuscular mycorrhizal and cellulolytic fungi are two beneficial microorganisms colonizing plant roots and have a potential role in plant productivity. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of native species of the mycorrhizal (Acaulospora tuberculata and Gigaspora cf. gigantea) and cellulolytic (Talaromyces pinophilus strain MR107 and T. pinophilus isolate OK3SP103P) fungi from the dry land of Aceh on soil biological quality under water deficit. Dual inoculation of both native species significantly improved soil biological quality by increasing mycorrhizal colonization, the fungal population, and soil respiration activity at 45 and 90 days after sowing (DAS), and soil phosphatase activity at 45 DAS. Acaulospora tuberculata was more suitable to T. pinophilus strain MR107 while Gi. cf. gigantea well combined to either T. pinophilus strain MR107 or T. pinophilus isolate OK3SP103P. Gigaspora cf. gigantea and T. pinophilus strain MR107 was the superior native mycorrhizal and cellulolytic fungi respectively in promoting soil biological quality under drought. This study could provide more insight into the sustainability of soil biological quality under drought by native mycorrhizal and cellulolytic fungi.
Effect of Bacillus subtilis DSM 32315 under Different Necrotic Enteritis Models in Broiler Chickens: A Meta-Analysis of Five Independent Research Trials

SUMMARY. Challenge models are needed to understand the pathogenesis of necrotic enteritis (NE) and provide the basis of evaluating nonantibiotic feed-additive interventions. In the category of nonantibiotic feed additives, the application of probiotics to improve intestinal health and growth performance of broiler chickens in the face of an NE challenge has been well described. However, it is crucial to evaluate the consistency of specific probiotics for mitigating the disease challenge and improving performance. Therefore, a meta-analysis of five independent research trials was conducted with the objective of evaluating the effect of Bacillus subtilis DSM 32315 (probiotic) on body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), NE mortality, and lesion score (LS) of broiler chickens challenged with NE. These independent studies were conducted in three countries (the United States, Thailand, and Finland). The statistical analysis used fixed and random effects to estimate the mean effect size (MES) of the difference between NE-challenged birds (control) and NE-challenged probiotic-fed birds and the 95% confidence interval of MES. A meta-regression was performed to evaluate heterogeneity (MES variance) among studies. The statistical analysis was performed using a robust variance estimation strategy with a SAS macro. Probiotic-supplemented birds had a significantly higher BWG (MES = 1.04, P = 0.009) and a significantly lower FCR (MES = –1.39, P = 0.020), NE mortality (MES = –1.15, P = 0.012), and LS (MES = –1.29, P = 0.045). Response variables of BWG (Q = 2.81, P = 0.560) and NE mortality (Q = 5.60, P = 0.354) did not present heterogeneity. Heterogeneity was found for FCR (Q = 10.34, P = 0.035) and LS (Q = 16.13, P = 0.001). Overall, dietary supplementation of B. subtilis DSM 32315 significantly improved BWG and reduced FCR, mortality, and LS in a repeatable large-scale manner.
In Vivo Aortic Magnetic Resonance Elastography in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Supplemental digital content is available in the text. Objectives Using maximum diameter of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) alone for management can lead to delayed interventions or unnecessary urgent repairs. Abdominal aortic aneurysm stiffness plays an important role in its expansion and rupture. In vivo aortic magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) was developed to spatially measure AAA stiffness in previous pilot studies and has not been thoroughly validated and evaluated for its potential clinical value. This study aims to evaluate noninvasive in vivo aortic MRE-derived stiffness in an AAA porcine model and investigate the relationships between MRE-derived AAA stiffness and (1) histopathology, (2) uniaxial tensile test, and (3) burst testing for assessing MRE's potential in evaluating AAA rupture risk. Materials and Methods Abdominal aortic aneurysm was induced in 31 Yorkshire pigs (n = 226 stiffness measurements). Animals were randomly divided into 3 cohorts: 2-week, 4-week, and 4-week-burst. Aortic MRE was sequentially performed. Histopathologic analyses were performed to quantify elastin, collagen, and mineral densities. Uniaxial tensile test and burst testing were conducted to measure peak stress and burst pressure for assessing the ultimate wall strength. Results Magnetic resonance elastography–derived AAA stiffness was significantly higher than the normal aorta. Significant reduction in elastin and collagen densities as well as increased mineralization was observed in AAAs. Uniaxial tensile test and burst testing revealed reduced ultimate wall strength. Magnetic resonance elastography–derived aortic stiffness correlated to elastin density (ρ = −0.68; P < 0.0001; n = 60) and mineralization (ρ = 0.59; P < 0.0001; n = 60). Inverse correlations were observed between aortic stiffness and peak stress (ρ = −0.32; P = 0.0495; n = 38) as well as burst pressure (ρ = −0.55; P = 0.0116; n = 20). Conclusions Noninvasive in vivo aortic MRE successfully detected aortic wall stiffening, confirming the extracellular matrix remodeling observed in the histopathologic analyses. These mural changes diminished wall strength. Inverse correlation between MRE-derived aortic stiffness and aortic wall strength suggests that MRE-derived stiffness can be a potential biomarker for clinically assessing AAA wall status and rupture potential.
Avaliação da qualidade e potencial atividade adjuvante do lipídio A de Bordetella pertussis.

SANTOS, F. L. Quality assessment and potential adjuvant activity of Bordetella pertussis Lipid A. 2011. 99 p. Masters Thesis (Biotecnology) Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, 2011. Currently a number of substances are being evaluated for possible adjuvant activity, with high power but also high toxicity, which prevents them from being introduced into clinical routine, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), cell wall component of Gram negative bacteria. The role of B. pertussis LPS as an adjuvant is evident by the increased production of antibodies when the LPS is co-administered during vaccination. Studies have stimulated the development of derivatives of LPS with potentially useful, one of the best known examples is the monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL), which was developed as an adjuvant for use in human vaccines. The aim of this study was to characterize a byproduct of Bordetella pertussis LPS (BpLipídioA), through the development and standardization of quality control tests in order to later use this sub-product as an adjuvant vaccine. This product is obtained by LPS organic extraction of B. pertussis cells with subsequent acid hydrolysis at high temperature and subjected to quality control tests that characterize their physico-chemical, biological and structural features. The knowledge about the product during all phases of research and development led to the selection of optimal physico-chemical, biological and microbiological tests as well as its acceptable range and detection limits. The adjuvant activity of this product was performed with the recombinant hepatitis B vaccine, which showed promissory results. The BpLipídioA was formulated in oil-water emulsion and its stability checked. Using this product in emulsion or suspension forms had to be possible to reduce the amount of antigen in the vaccine dose, which increases the installed production capacity of vaccines.