Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
‘Photoinhibition’ of Heliconia under natural tropical conditions: the importance of leaf orientation for light interception and leaf temperature

The influence of irradiance on photosynthesis under natural conditions was studied in aseasonal Singapore using three Heliconia taxa: H. rostrata, H. psittacorum × H. spathocircinata cv. Golden Torch and H. psittacorum cv. Tay. When grown under full sunlight, all three heliconias exhibited reduced phatosynthetic capacities and lowered chlorophyll content per leaf area as compared with those grown under intermediate and deep shade. A marked decrease in the chlorophyll fluorescence Fv/Fm ratio and an increase in photochemical quenching (1- qp) and non-photochemical quenching (qN) were observed in upper leaves of plants grown under full sunlight. Increases in qN suggest that ‘photoinhibition’ (decreases in Fv/Fm) in Heliconia grown under natural tropical conditions are probably due to photoprotective energy dissipation processes. The quantum yield, the maximum photosynthetic rate, Fv/Fm and the chlorophyll content of upper leaves were lower than those of lower leaves on the same plants grown under full sunlight. Similarly, lower values were obtained for the tip (sun) portion than for the base (shaded) portion of the leaves. The changes in Fv/Fm and in the levels of (1 –qp) in leaves grown under intermediate and deep shade were negligible in plants during the course of day. However, there was a steep decrease in Fv/Fm and an increase in the levels of (1 –qp), along with an increase in incident light in the sun leaves. The lowest Fv/Fm and the highest level of (1 –qp) indicated minimum PSII efficiency at midday in full sun. These results indicate that, in Heliconia, the top leaves (particularly leaf tips) experienced sustained decreases in PSII efficiency upon exposure to full sunlight. Although all three taxa exhibited sustained decreases in photosynthetic capacity in full sunlight, the sun leaves of ‘Tay’ showed higher photosynthetic capacity than those of the other two taxa. This could be due, at least in part, to the vertical leaf angle and smaller lamina area. When the upright leaves of ‘Tay’ were constrained to a horizontal angle, they exhibited lower PSII efficiency (FvIFm ratio), while horizontal leaves of ‘Rostrata’ and ‘Golden Torch’ inclined lo near-vertical angles showed increased efficiency. Thus, an increase in leaf angle helps to achieve a reduction in the sustained decrease in PSII efficiency by decreasing the levels of incident sunlight and subsequently the leaf temperature.
A Conceptual Framework for Examining Adolescent Identity, Media Influence, and Social Development

The adolescent identity, media, and sociocognitive schema (AIMSS) framework offers a theoretical understanding of adolescent consumption and cognitive processing of media entertainment. Review and integration of mass communication theory, developmental theory, and ecological theory serves as the conceptual foundation. The framework outlines linkages between media exposure and adolescent development, in particular adolescent identity formation and social competence. A key contribution of the model is consideration of the positive and negative aspects of adolescent cognition and behavioral functioning. The present article offers several recommendations for testing the utility of the AIMSS framework.
Can dexmedetomidine protect against surgical stress response?

Surgical stress, pain, and complications are associatedwith postoperative morbidity and mortality.1 Various strategies have been implemented to reduce the stress response,2 for which anesthetics/techniques in attenuating perioperative stress and improving outcomes have been reported in several clinical settings.2 Recently, the effectiveness of dexmedetomidine on perioperative stress response as well as on shortand long-term outcomes have been well documented.3,4 In the current issue, Zhang and his coworkers5 reported a randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigating the effects of dexmedetomidine against perioperative stress response during and after thoracic surgery. Total 135 patients underwent lung surgery were randomly divided into three groups, general anesthesia alone, general anesthesia combined with thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) mixed with dexmedetomidine, and placebo. They found that, when compared to TPVB with 0.5% ropivacaine alone, TPVB in combination with dexmedetomidine significantly decreased the inflammatory mediators of IL-6 and TNF-α, decreased apoptosis index and lung injury score of lung tissue, and promoted favorable changes of various proteins (HIF-1a, Tom20, Bcl-2, and others) in an additive or synergistic manner. Additionally, they also found that, when compared to general anesthesia alone, TPVB or thoracic epidural anesthesia maintained better immune function. Several strengths of this study were noticed: (1) multimeasurements and time points and (2) direct evidence
On the fishery and biology of Priacanthus hamrur Forsskal along the southwest coast of India

Among the unconventional finfish resources of the deep sea, priacanthids have attained greater importance along the coasts of India as an abundant group. The fishery exists almost throughout the year, but their availability in the inshore area was more during April, August and November . There was a steady increase in landings every year and they formed about 12 % of the total catch. Very little is known about their biology. A study was conducted on the availability and biological characteristics of Priacanthus hamur for a period of two years (1994-'96) based on trawling operations of F.V. Samudrika and F.V. Sagarika of the Integrated Fisheries Project, Govt, of India.The size ranged from 120-450 mm and the females were larger than males. March- April is the breeding season and the size at maturity is 175 mm for males and 190 mm for females. Gut contents indicated highly carnivorous nature.
Assessing the function of house sparrows' bib size using a flexible meta-analysis method

The black throat patch or bib of male house sparrows, Passer domesticus, is often referred to as a "badge of status" or a "badge" because previous studies have shown bib size to be correlated with the social status of males. Yet, little is known about how strong and robust this relationship is and how the strength of this relationship compares with that of other associations. We conducted a meta-analysis for 6 well-studied correlates of bib size: fighting ability, parental ability (egg incubation and food provisioning), age, body condition, cuckoldry, and reproductive success. We introduce a flexible meta-analysis method in this study that is better suited in the biological sciences than the methods usually employed in popular meta-analysis software because our method accounts for a common form of nonindependence of the data. The relationship between fighting ability and bib size was found to be strong and robust, and the relationship between age and bib size was moderate and robust. Also, body condition was weakly but significantly correlated with badge size. The other parameters showed nonsignificant small effects and/or large confidence intervals. Therefore, we conclude that bib size signals dominance and to a lesser extent age and possibly reflects body condition in house sparrows. There was weak evidence that bib size is currently under sexual selection because there was little association between reproductive success and bib size. This is surprising as the bib size probably affects the outcome of male--male competition. Empirical data on sparrow bib size could not be reconciled with sexual selection theory, although there is ample evidence that it is a condition-dependent trait. Copyright 2007, Oxford University Press.
Differential antibody responses to Giardia lamblia strain variants expressing dissimilar levels of an immunogenic protein

Giardia lamblia is a protozoan parasite that causes giardiasis, one of the most common worldwide gastrointestinal diseases. For rational development of a Giardia vaccine, increasing our understanding of the host‐Giardia interaction is crucial. In this study, we analysed the immunogenicity and antigenicity of two G lamblia strain variants [GS and GS‐5G8 (+)], which express different levels of the variant‐specific surface protein (VSP) 5G8 and also analysed the intestinal histological changes associated with Giardia infection.
MADS-box factor AGL16 negatively regulates drought resistance via stomatal density and stomatal movement.

Drought is one of the most severe environmental factors limiting plant growth and productivity. Plants respond to drought by closing stomata to reduce water loss. The molecular mechanisms underlying plant drought resistance are very complex and yet to be fully understood. Here we show that the MADS-box transcriptional factor AGL16 acts as a negative regulator in drought resistance by regulating both stomatal density and movement. Loss-of-AGL16 mutants were more resistant to drought stress with higher relative water content, which was attributed to a reduced leaf stomatal density and more sensitive stomatal closure due to a higher leaf ABA level compared with wild type, while AGL16 overexpression lines displayed the opposite phenotypes. AGL16 is preferentially expressed in guard cells and down regulated in response to drought stress. The expression of CYP707A3 and AAO3 in ABA metabolism and SDD1 in stomatal development was altered in agl16 and overexpression lines, making them potential targets of AGL16. By using chromatin immunoprecipitation, transient transactivation, yeast-one-hybrid, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays, we demonstrated that AGL16 was indeed able to bind the CArG motifs in the promoters of the CYP707A3, AAO3, and SDD1 and regulate their transcription, leading to altered leaf stomatal density and ABA level. Taken together, AGL16 acts as a negative regulator of drought resistance by modulating leaf stomatal density and ABA accumulation.
Nutrition in Pregnancy and Growth in Southwest China (NPGSC) cohort: Design, implementation, and characteristics

Abstract Background Pregnancy and birth cohorts addressing maternal nutrition and its impact on health outcomes have been rare in China, especially in Southwest China. Objectives To describe the design, implementation, baseline characteristics, and initial results of the Nutrition in Pregnancy and Growth in Southwest China (NPGSC) cohort. Population Pregnant women with their children in Southwest China. Design NPGSC participants have been prospectively recruited since 2014. Pregnant women were invited to participate in the study at their first routine ultrasound examination in gestational weeks 9‐11. Data were assessed three times during pregnancy (9‐11, 20‐22, and 33‐35 gestation weeks), and eight times in infants and toddlers. Methods Pre‐pregnancy body weight and height were self‐reported; gestational weight gain was measured at regular intervals. Both food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) and 24‐hour dietary recalls were used to collect dietary intakes during pregnancy, and FFQ for diet before pregnancy. Information on pregnancy outcomes was extracted from the medical birth registry. Anthropometry of children in the first 3 years of life was measured by trained investigators. Other child outcomes, including feeding practices (self‐reported by mothers) and cognitive development (assessed by the Chinese version of Ages and Stages Questionnaire), were recorded. Preliminary results Between 2014 and 2018, 12 989 pregnant women were enrolled, and 2296 children completed the 3 years follow‐up. Among them, 115 pregnancies ended in stillbirth. Mean maternal pre‐pregnancy BMI was 21.1 kg/m2 and mean gestational weight gain was 13.5 kg 18.6% of mothers developed gestational diabetes and 1.5% of mothers were diagnosed with preeclampsia. Mean birthweight and birth length of children were, respectively, 3329 g and 49.4 cm. Conclusion We built a prospective cohort in Southwest China, which can provide valuable data to investigate the relevance of nutrition for the health of mothers and children.
Revised Description, from Clinical Strains, of Flavobacterium breve (Lustig) Bergey et al. 1923 and Proposal of the Neotype Strain

Flavobacterium breve (Lustig 1890) Bergey et al. 1923 was originally meagerly characterized in comparison with the wide range of characterization tests now available, and subsequent descriptions of this species have been few and incomplete. No type strain was designated for F. breve, and no neotype appears to have been proposed. Six strains from a collection of 1,700 gram-negative, nonfermen-tative clinical strains submitted to the National Collection of Type Cultures for computer-assisted identification during the last 10 years and one strain (ATCC 14234) maintained in a culture collection as F. breve conformed to the original and subsequent descriptions of F. breve. One of these seven strains, CL88/76 (= NCTC 11099), is herein proposed as the neotype strain of F. breve. These seven strains have been examined in a large number of biochemical tests and in their susceptibility to a range of antimicrobial agents in order to provide a revised description of the species by which it may be more easily recognized in clinical material. One of our clinical strains died before its susceptibility could be determined, but the remaining five, together with ATCC 14234, were resistant to carbenicillin and gentamicin, and the five clinical strains examined were also resistant to several other antimicrobial agents generally useful in the treatment of infections caused by gram-negative, nonfermentative bacteria. This suggests that infections due to this species could prove to be difficult to treat.
Comparing Growth and Carcass Traits of Slow Growing Chicken Parents with Pure Egg Type Parents and Commercial Broilers

In this study, growth and carcass traits of slow growing parents were compared with commercial broilers and pure parents. Two egg type parents and a commercial meat parent were used in crossings. Male-female mixed 144 chickens per genotype were reared on litter in a house divided into 1.5 x 1.5 m pens. Live weight, carcass weight, carcass part ratios, abdominal fat and edible inner organ weights were determined in four dam and three sire line chickens. Colour as measured by L*, a*,b* values and pH were assessed in meat of thigh and breast. According to growth, feed efficiency, and carcass characteristics, crossbred chickens exhibited values between pure egg parents and broilers.
Improving management strategies for the red fox by using projection matrix analysis

The absolute and relative contribution to the finite rate of increase of specific age classes was examined using projection matrix sensitivity and elasticity analysis for a number of red fox (Vulpes vulpes) populations. The fox populations that were examined included urban foxes from England, rural foxes from North America and rural foxes from Australia. The youngest age classes made the greatest contribution to the finite rate of increase for all populations studied. A pest management strategy that reduces survivorship and fertility of juvenile and young adult foxes (Age Classes 1 and 2) will be the most effective strategy for reducing a population’s finite rate of increase. The results indicate that fertility control may be as effective as lethal methods for controlling some fox populations.
miR-9875 functions in antiviral immunity by targeting PDCD6 in mud crab (Scylla paramamosain)

ABSTRACT Programmed cell death 6 (PDCD6) is a well-known apoptosis regulator that is involved in the immunity of mammals. However, the effects of miRNA-mediated regulation of PDCD6 expression on apoptosis and virus infection in organisms, especially in marine invertebrates, have not been extensively explored. In this study, PDCD6 of mud crab (Scylla paramamosain) (Sp-PDCD6) was characterized. The results showed that Sp-PDCD6 contains five EF-hands domains and could suppress virus infection via apoptosis promotion. It also presented that Sp-PDCD6 was directly targeted by miR-9875 in vitro and in vivo, miR-9875 served as a positive regulator during the virus invasion. The findings indicated that the miR-9875-PDCD6 pathway possessed fundamental effects on the immune response to virus infection in mud crab. Therefore, our research provided a novel insight into the roles of both miR-9875 and PDCD6 in the regulation of apoptosis and virus defense in mud crab.
First stage international validation of the pediatric family needs questionnaire (FNQ-P)

ABSTRACT Objectives 1. Evaluate reliability and construct validity of the newly-developed Family Needs Questionnaire – Pediatric (FNQ-P), a 40-item measure assessing the extent to which family’s needs are met after a child has an acquired brain injury (ABI). 2. Explore the impact of selected child characteristics on FNQ-P scores. Research Design: Measurement study Methods: Parents/caregivers of children with ABI (2–18 years) were recruited across four sites (Canada, Sweden, Lithuania, Australia) for FNQ-P test–retest evaluation. These sites plus a fifth (United Kingdom) completed construct validity evaluation with the Family Burden of Injury Inventory and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Associations between FNQ-P score and age, injury severity, time post-injury and site were evaluated via stepwise regression. Results FNQ-P mean scores (n=61) were 64.1% (SD 22.3) and 58.8% (SD 22.6) on test and retest, respectively. Test–retest reliability was good overall (ICC=0.78, 95% CI 0.65–0.86). There was a weak association between FNQ-P and FBII (r=−0.23, P=0.049, n=71), but no association between FNQ-P and SDQ scores (maximum r=0.16, P>0.15). None of the variables studied predicted FNQ-P scores. Conclusion The FNQ-P demonstrated good test–retest reliability. Further validity assessment is recommended. Lack of relationship between FNQ-P and variables studied suggests independence of family needs.
Production and Carcass Characteristics of the Duck

Abstract Feed intake and body weight of sexed ducks offered commercial diets were recorded at weekly intervals through to 49 days of age. Observations were made on four replicate pens of 15 ducks of each sex. Each 7 days, 5 ducks of each sex, housed in other comparable pens, were sacrificed, and various carcass traits, including cut-up portions, recorded. Carcass and visceral samples were analyzed for moisture, fat, and protein. The data are presented as background for systems modeling and comparisons on the growth and structure of various avian species.
Acoustic studies of spatial gradients in the Baltic: Implications for fish distribution

Acoustic methods play an increasingly important role in studies of fish group behaviour in relation to environmental factors. They are also becoming a promising tool in the evolution of new standards in marine ecosystems research. This paper presents two approaches to treating acoustic, biologic, and hydrographic data, collected during surveys of significantly large spatial units of the marine ecosystem. Both methods are designed for studying the spatial structure of abiotic and biotic factors. Firstly, a method for estimation of vertical gradients in environmental factors is defined. Corresponding to the main range of fish occurrence, it characterises fish distributions by day and night in the seasons spring, summer, and autumn of the years 1983-1996. Secondly, the method of matrix macrosounding, which correlates acoustic and hydrographic data, has been improved and employed to study the horizontal gradients in fish distribution linked with environmental structures. A few applications of the method for short-term and long-term studies are shown and discussed.
Effect of pollen selection for moisture stress tolerance on progeny performance in sorghum

In vivo pollen selection study, using 36% polyethylene glycol (PEG) as selective agent was carried out in sorghum. Two sets of thirteen and seven hybrids were produced during 1998-1999 and 1999-2000 respectively, using twelve post-rainy sorghum genotypes and three male sterile lines. Hybrids thus produced with and without pollen selection were evaluated under limited moisture condition over two seasons. During post-rainy season of 1999-2000 two sets of 13 hybrids produced during 1998-1999 and during 2000-2001, two sets of seven hybrids produced during 19992000 were evaluated. The hybrids obtained through pollen selection produced significantly higher grain yield compared to hybrids obtained through control pollination in both the season. The results indicate that in vivo pollen selection using PEG as selective agent was effective in improving moisture stress tolerance of the progeny in sorghum. Further, the pollen selection also had influence on most of the component traits studied. The analysis of individual crosses indicated that pollen genotype selection was able to favour performance of the progeny. However, the pollen selection had positive effect in majority of the hybrids and the study demonstrates the transmission of the selected trait from pollen generation to progeny.
Experiments in Active Learning through Project Across Courses

Active learning is an effective method for domain knowledge and life skills learning. However, it demands more resources compared to classical teaching oriented pedagogical approaches. The paper proposes implementation of active learning approaches with the help of a real-world project, spanning across multiple courses, offered by different faculty. The paper describes the goals, design constraints, resource utilization, projects content, deliverable, implementation methodology, and quantitative analytics. Further, the paper presents analysis of over three years of observations, carried out with more than 200 student participants. Statistical analysis and student satisfaction surveys reveal that the proposed project across courses is able to increases the intrinsic motivation in students while successfully retaining the concepts delivery under constrained environments.
Content-Prefetching and Broadcast Scheduling in Vehicular Networks with a Realistic Channel Model

Prefetching content at the road side units (RSUs) helps improve the throughput of vehicular networks by reducing the average data access latency from the remote servers and reaping the benefits of popular content reuse to serve multiple interested users from the caches. In the literature, it is commonly assumed that a single constant physical layer data rate is used for communication between RSUs and vehicles, as a result, there is a lack of understanding of the impact of data rate selection on the system performance. In this paper, we study the joint content prefetching and broadcast scheduling in vehicular networks with the support of RSUs. We adopt different data rates for broadcasting different contents. We consider a more realistic channel model where the successful data reception probability monotonically decreases with the increasing distance of the vehicles from the RSU. This is in stark contrast to traditional (unrealistic) models that assume as a single threshold range for data reception. We formulate the problem as an integer linear programming problem and propose heuristic prefetching and scheduling algorithms to solve the problem efficiently. Through simulation, we show that: i) broadcasting with adaptive data rates is better than the using of a single uniform rate; ii) using the predicted vehicular trajectories and the content popularity together yields better results than simply relying on the content popularity for content prefetching; and finally, iii) using the continuous data reception channel model proves to achieve better performance than just relying on a single reception threshold, especially when the dwelling time of vehicles in the vicinity of the RSU is short, compared to the period to broadcast all prefetched data on the RSUs.