Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Terrestrial locomotion in the climbing perch, Anabas testudineus (Bloch) (Anabantidea, Pisces)

Climbing perches use the tail for forward propulsion when on land. The spiny gill covers are used to obtain purchase on the substratum. Unusually amongst teleosts, the opercular and subopercular bone are not bound strongly together into a single operculum. Instead they are joined only by a thin, flexible membrane, so that the fish has two sections of the gill cover hinged separately; the opercular on the suspensorium and the subopercular on the rearmost part of the lower jaw. The gill covers open very widely and the subopercular rotates ventrally as well as laterally. Two modes of locomotion are employed. Usually Anabus adopts a near-upright posture and alternately drives the left and right spiny suboperculars into the substratum, using the tail to vault over the subopercular (which acts in the manner of a short vaulting pole). During vigorous movement the fish may leave the substratum altogether during the vault. Fatigued fish, or fish which have fallen during climbing, move on their sides, using the tail for propulsion and a single spiny opercular which is repeatedly driven into the substratum. Maximum speeds observed on land corresponded to 1.8 body lengths S−1. No evidence of involvement of the pelvic fins in locomotion was obtained; the pectorals seemed only to help in tilting the head from side to side and did not contribute significantly to forward propulsion. On mud and tree bark the fish were laterally unstable, often resting on their sides. Grassy substrata provided support and permitted a more upright posture. Slope climbing ability was restricted to 25° when climbing tree bark and 30° when climbing grass. Coupled with lateral instability these observations disqualify the species from any tree-climbing capacity. Anabas can climb vertical obstacles of at least half body length in height by pushing the head against the obstacle, using the spiny gill covers for purchase until one or other subopercular hooks over the top of the barrier. The subopercular is then used as a fulcrum for an upwards vault to clear the obstacle.
Involvement of Integrin αvβ3 in Cell Adhesion, Motility, and Liver Metastasis of Murine RAW117 Large Cell Lymphoma

Abstract The molecules that mediate metastatic cell homing to specific organ sites remain largely unidentified. As a target organ for metastasis, the liver is a unique environment characterized by fenestrated sinusoidal endothelium, lack of a complete basement membrane, and production of serum components, including fibronectin and vitronectin. We examined a series of murine RAW117 large cell lymphoma variants selected in vivo for liver-colonizing properties (H10 ≫ L17 > P). Compared with L17 or P cells, the highly liver-colonizing H10 cells expressed much higher levels of surface integrin αvβ3, as shown by affinity chromatography, immunoprecipitation, and flow cytometry. H10 cells adhered at higher rates to vitronectin and fibronectin than to fibrinogen, fibrin, laminin, and type I collagen. Among the RGD peptides, H10 cells adhered at significantly higher rates to the polymeric RGD peptide (glycyl-arginyl-glycyl-aspartyl-serine)4 than to monomeric RGD peptides. H10 cells were able to spread on immobilized vitronectin with highly polarized morphology but not on fibronectin. In contrast, the poorly liver-metastatic P and L17 cells did not adhere or spread well on vitronectin or fibronectin. H10 cells also migrated toward vitronectin concentration gradients. Blocking cell surface αvβ3 molecules with specific anti-β3 monoclonal antibodies resulted in significant decreases in the adhesion of H10 cells to vitronectin and (glycyl-arginyl-glycyl-aspartyl-serine)4 and significant inhibition of the formation of experimental liver metastases. These data suggest an important role of integrin αvβ3 in the metastasis of RAW117 cells to the liver.
Use of Overhead Water Tank to Reduce Peak Response of the Structure

This paper presents analytical investigation carried out to study the use of over head water tank as passive TMD using SAP. Three multi-storey concrete structures, three, five and fifteen storey were taken for the study. The water tank was placed at the roof. The mass and frequency of the tank including its water, walls, roof, beams and columns were tuned to the optimized values. The behaviour of the tank subjected to three earthquake data, namely, Elcentro, Bhuj, Washington was studied under three conditions, namely building only with empty tank, two third full tank and full tank with damping. The results shows if the tank is tuned properly it can reduce the peak response of structures subjected to seismic forces.
Tracking Col1a1 RNA in Osteogenesis Imperfecta

This study illuminates the intra-nuclear fate of COL1A1 RNA in osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) Type I. Patient fibroblasts were shown to carry a heterozygous defect in splicing of intron 26, blocking mRNA export. Both the normal and mutant allele associated with a nuclear RNA track, a localized accumulation of posttranscriptional RNA emanating to one side of the gene. Both tracks had slightly elongated or globular morphology, but mutant tracks were cytologically distinct in that they lacked the normal polar distribution of intron 26. Normal COL1A1 RNA tracks distribute throughout an SC-35 domain, from the gene at the periphery. Normally, almost all 50 COL1A1 introns are spliced at or adjacent to the gene, before mRNA transits thru the domain. Normal COL1A1 transcripts may undergo maturation needed for export within the domain such as removal of a slow-splicing intron (shown for intron 24), after which they may disperse. Splice-defective transcripts still distribute thru the SC-35 domain, moving ∼1–3 μm from the gene. However, microfluorimetric analyses demonstrate mutant transcripts accumulate to abnormal levels within the track and domain. Hence, mutant transcripts initiate transport from the gene, but are impeded in exit from the SC-35 domain. This identifies a previously undefined step in mRNA export, involving movement through an SC-35 domain. A model is presented in which maturation and release for export of COL1A1 mRNA is linked to rapid cycling of metabolic complexes within the splicing factor domain, adjacent to the gene. This paradigm may apply to SC-35 domains more generally, which we suggest may be nucleated at sites of high demand and comprise factors being actively used to facilitate expression of associated loci.
Enabling comfortable thumb interaction in tablet computers: a Windows 8 case study

Holding a tablet computer in two hands and interacting via the thumbs is an important and commonly observed method of tablet interaction. This paper presents a methodology for measuring and reporting thumb reach in a way that enables designers of user interfaces (UI) to design UIs that can be comfortably reached by the thumbs. The process is to identify the relevant anthropometric measure and target population, identify how people grip the device, measure reach areas for different groups and grips, and to use the data to create graphical ‘heat maps’ along with guidance that designers can use to place their interface elements into easily reachable areas of the screen. The methodology is illustrated with an example of how it was used in the development of Microsoft Windows 8.
Design and Development of RFID Antenna forElectronic Article Surveillance

HF antennas can be built and tuned so that their characteristics match the requirements of the high performance reader and third party RF modules. Depending on the type and make of the long range RFID reader, more gate pedestals can be configured and integrated to a single reader. For a three pedestal gate, its antenna pedestals are spaced at up to 1.2 meter apart. Optionally, each gate pedestal can be equipped with a flasher light. Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS), it is a technological method for preventing shoplifting from retail stores or pilferage of books from libraries. Special tags are fixed to merchandise or books. These tags are removed or deactivated by the clerks when the item is properly bought or checked out. At the exits of the store, a detection system sounds an alarm or otherwise alerts the staff when it senses active tags. Keywords-Electronic Article Surveillance; Radio Frequency; Loop, Tag
Minimal models of top‐down control of phytoplankton

1. A set of models describing the dynamics of top-down control of phytoplankton by Daphnia in lakes is reviewed. The basis of these models is a simple and well-known model that has been used, among other things, to demonstrate the paradox of enrichment. 2. We discuss minimal extensions that allow this model to mimic the effects of spatial heterogeneity, planktivory, seasonality and inedible algae. 3. These models generate hypotheses about mechanisms that may cause patterns observed in the field such as: • Spatial heterogeneity stabilizes plankton dynamics, and causes enrichment to result in a gradual increase of both zooplankton and algal biomass. • Daphnia populations can collapse at a threshold level of predation pressure from fish, rather than gradually become less abundant. • Absence of Daphnia in summer may typically be caused by the combination of food shortage followed by suppression by fish. • The spring clear-water phase and various other aspects of the typical seasonal dynamics of Daphnia and algal biomass can simply be explained from the seasonal rise and fall of rates of biological processes and the reproduction cycle of fish. • Depending on the conditions, cyanobacterial dominance can be stimulated but also suppressed by Daphnia. 4. We discuss the way in which such very simple models may contribute to the building of theories about plankton dynamics in the field, and the caveats of interpreting wrongly the message from models.
Can ecological stoichiometry help explain patterns of biological invasions

Several mechanisms for biological invasions have been proposed, yet to date there is no common framework that can broadly explain patterns of invasion success among ecosystems with different resource availabilities. Ecological stoichiometry (ES) is the study of the balance of energy and elements in ecological interactions. This framework uses a multi-nutrient approach to mass-balance models, linking the biochemical composition of organisms to their growth and reproduction, which consequently influences ecosystem structure and functioning. We proposed a conceptual model that integrates hypotheses of biological invasions within a framework structured by fundamental principles of ES. We then performed meta-analyses to compare the growth and production performances of native and invasive organisms under low- and high-nutrient conditions in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Growth and production rates of invasive organisms (plants and invertebrates) under both low- and high-nutrient availability were generally larger than those of natives. Nevertheless, native plants outperformed invasives in aquatic ecosystems under low-nutrient conditions. We suggest several distinct stoichiometry-based mechanisms to explain invasion success in low- versus high-nutrient conditions; low-nutrient conditions: higher resource-use efficiency (RUE; C:nutrient ratios), threshold elemental ratios (TERs), and trait plasticity (e.g. ability of an organism to change its nutrient requirements in response to varying nutrient environmental supply); high-nutrient conditions: higher growth rates and reproductive output related to lower tissue C:nutrient ratios, and increased trait plasticity. Interactions of mechanisms may also yield synergistic effects, whereby nutrient enrichment and enemy release have a disproportionate effect on invasion success. To that end, ES provides a framework that can help explain how chemical elements and energy constrain key physiological and ecological processes, which can ultimately determine the success of invasive organisms.
The conceptual and practical implications of interpreting diet breadth mechanistically in generalist predatory insects

The concept of ecological generalism (or polyphagy) is widely used in ecology to describe and predict aspects of the behaviour of predatory insects, notably with regard to the management of insect pests. The assumptions of ecological generalism have their basis in competition and optimization. We review the historical context and perspectives that led to the development of the concept of ecological generalism as it is applied to diet breadth in predatory insects. We identify how flaws in this concept limit its utility in describing and predicting the behaviour of organisms. We re-analyse the behavioural expectations of putatively generalist organisms with a focus on the mechanistic aspects of predation; that is, we develop an interpretation based on the adaptations that mediate their responses to particular cues in their environment. This mechanistic analysis emphasizes the need to determine the primary environmental associations of putatively generalist species, and the adaptations that underpin those associations. This approach thus highlights the importance of appropriate matching of predator species to prey species in biological control, based on an understanding of these adaptations and associations.
Market efficiency and stock return behaviour in Africa's emerging equity markets

The widespread creation of stock markets in developing countries is one of the most conspicuous features of international financial development in the past three decades. The number of stock markets in Africa increased from only six before 1989 to 21 by 2004. The quest for long-term capital for development and the increasing role played by stock markets in the efficient allocation of resources made the stock market culture inevitable in most cases. 'Africa's emerging markets represent a fast growing part of the world economy, and empirical evidence suggests that they have low, even negative, correlations with the more developed financial markets. Thus inclusion of African assets in a mean-variance efficient portfolio could significantly reduce portfolio volatility and increase expected returns. In spite of these facts, little is known about Africa's markets. Although the Efficient Markets Hypothesis (EMH) has been with us for nearly five decades, and knowledge of stock return behaviour has been accumulating in emerging market economies of Asia and Latin America, Africa's markets continue to escape the attention of the research community. This thesis contributes to our knowledge of the dynamic behaviour of stock returns in Africa's biggest markets (South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya, Tunisia and Morocco). The novelty of this study rests on applying a variety of econometric techniques and which leads to the following conclusions: Weak form efficiency is rejected for all the markets; however, this is discussed with reference to the institutional characteristics of the markets studied (i. e., capitalisation, turn over, liquidity and information and legal architecture). Seasonal patterns exist in African stock returns: however, with appropriate specification, they tend to disappear, and where they are significant, they tend to be unexploitable. We also show that Africa's markets are not well integrated, regionally, and globally. While this evidence calls for more openness to trade and policy coordination, it also implies that Africa's markets can play a role in diversifying investment risk. Finally, stock prices tend to provide a hedge to investors against rising consumer prices over a relatively long period of time.
Seed production and seedling survival in a 50-year-old stand of Corsican pine ( Pinus nigra subsp. laricio ) in southern Britain

Summary There is much literature on natural regeneration which emphasizes the importance of good seed year, but few authors consider seed input in terms of the combination of seed quantity (i.e. number of seeds) plus seed quality (i.e. percentage of viable seeds). We have considered both aspects and also attempted to identify the proportions of good vs poor quality seeds contributing to natural regeneration via ‘ seed rain ’ vs ‘ cone drop ’ . In addition to studying seed input, we looked at the effects of vegetation control, ground preparation and protection from small mammals on seedling emergence and survival. Over a 3-year period (February 2001 to March 2004), there was enough seed production and seedling survival to conclude that natural regeneration could be successful beneath a 50-year-old stand of Corsican pine in the south of England. Peaks of pine seed release occurred in March/April in 2002 and 2003, but it was extremely surprising to observe that some seed was trapped in virtually every month of the 3-year study, demonstrating an almost continual release of (at least) small quantities of seeds. In line with this fi nding, although most pine seedlings were found shortly after peak seed dispersal in May, June and July; new seedlings were found in every month throughout the study except February and October. In general, vegetation control and ground preparation had a positive effect on seedling survival; the probability of a seedling surviving for 300 days was between 50 and 60 per cent.
Death of an ecosystem: perspectives on western white pine ecosystems of North America at the end of the twentieth century

The effective loss of western white pine (Pinus monticola Dougl.) in the white pine ecosystem has far-reaching effects on the sustainability of local forests and both regional and global forestry issues. Continuing trends in management of this forest type has the potential to put western white pine, as well as the ecosystem it once dominated, at very high risk in the future. Societal issues associated with natural resource management must be resolved early in the 21 st century to allow restoration of this ecosystem so that the Interior Northwest's most productive forests can be sustainable at levels near their historical potential. Abstract The Authors The authors are grateful for comments contributed by Dr.
Heterogeneity and the dynamics of host—parasitoid interactions

This paper is concerned with the dynamical effects of spatial heterogeneity in host-parasitoid interactions with discrete generations. We show that the dynamical effects of any pattern of distribution of searching parasitoids in such systems can be assessed within a common, simple framework. In particular, we describe an approximate general rule that the populations of hosts and parasitoids will be regulated if the coefficient of variation squared (CV 2 ) of the distribution of searching parasitoids is greater than one. This criterion is shown to apply both generally and in several specific cases. We further show that CV 2 may be partitioned into a density-dependent component (direct or inverse) caused by the response of parasitoids to host density per patch, and a density independent component. Population regulation can be enhanced as much by density independent as by density-dependent heterogeneity. Thus the dynamical effects of any pattern of distribution of searching parasitoids can be assessed within the same common framework. The paradoxical impact of density-independent heterogeneity on dynamics is especially interesting: the greater the density independence, and thus the more scattered the data of percent parasitism against local host density, the more stable the populations are likely to be. Although a detailed analysis of host-parasitoid interactions in continuous time has yet to be done, evidence does not support the suggestion of Murdoch & Oaten (1989) that non-random parasitism may have quite different effects on the dynamics of continuous-time interactions. There appears to be no fundamental difference in the role of heterogeneity in comparable discrete- or continuous-time interactions. A total of 65 data sets from field studies have been analysed, in which percentage parasitism in relation to local host density have been recorded. In each case, estimated values of have been obtained by using a maximum likelihood procedure. The method also allows us to partition the CV 2 into the density dependent and density-independent components mentioned above. In 18 out of the 65 cases, total heterogeneity was at levels sufficient (if typical of the interactions) to stabilize the interacting populations (i.e. CV 2 > 1). Interestingly, in 14 of these it is the host-density-independent heterogeneity that contributes most to the total heterogeneity. Although heterogeneity has often been regarded as a complicating factor in population dynamics that rapidly leads to analytical intractability, this clearly need not necessarily be so. The CV 2 > 1 rule explains the consequences of heterogeneity for population dynamics in terms of a simple description of the heterogeneity itself, and provides a rough rule for predicting the effects of different kinds of heterogeneity on population regulation.
Vers una teoria global de defensa química en plantes: el cas de alcaloides

Towards a global theory of chemical defense: The case of alkaloids Alkaloids are a large and very diverse group of secondary metabolites found principally in angiosperms. They play a defensive role in plants against herbivores and pathogens. Alkaloid-bearing plants are usually short life plants and they are localized preferently in tropical regions. Alkaloid concentrations vary in different plant parts and different plant development stages. They are determined by resource evolution constraints, by coevolu- tion history between plants and animals and by plant immediate resouce availability. We present a global synthesis of previous plant chemical defense hypothesis in order to stablish a conceptual framework to understand the qualitative and quantitative diversity of plant defenses, with special emphasis on plant alkaloids.
A Read-Aloud Cross-Age Service Learning Partnership Using Multicultural Stories.

This study describes the effectiveness of a read-aloud cross-age partnership in service learning among students of various age groups (pre K-college sophomore) attending the different schools located on a university campus. Research-based theories of read-aloud to children were used to train the reading volunteers. Multicultural story books aided the participants towards embracing cultural diversity and understanding on campus. Following two pre-program questions, all adult readers received training and reading guides related to read-aloud techniques, style, and poise. A post-reading analysis included focus group classroom-teacher dialogues; a twelve-item reader survey; and field observations of reading attributes. The results of the read-aloud showed tangible and noteworthy benefits to readers and children. Read-aloud promoted growth in textual comprehension by the children as well as critical thinking skills of the readers. Cultural awareness and cross-age communication was also noticed. The enthusiasm shown by the participants has generated a continuation of this partnership.