Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Beaked Whale Strandings and Naval Exercises

Mass strandings of beaked whales (family Ziphiidae) have been reported in the scientific literature since 1874. Several recent mass strandings of beaked whales have been reported to coincide with naval active sonar exercises. To obtain the broadest assessment of surface ship naval active sonar operations coinciding with beaked whale mass strandings, a list of global naval training and antisubmarine warfare exercises was compiled from openly available sources and compared by location and time with historic stranding records. This list includes activities of navies of other nations but emphasizes recent U.S. activities because of what is available in publicly accessible sources. Of 136 beaked whale mass stranding events reported from 1874 to 2004, 126 occurred between 1950 and 2004, after the introduction and implementation of modern, high-power mid-frequency active sonar (MFAS). Of these 126 reports, only two reported details on the use, timing, and location of sonar in relation to mass strandings. Ten other mass strandings coincided in space and time with naval exercises that may have included MFAS. An additional 27 mass stranding events occurred near a naval base or ship but with no direct evidence of sonar use. The remaining 87 mass strandings have no evidence for a link with any naval activity. Six of these 87 cases have evidence for a cause unrelated to active sonar. The large number of global naval activities annually with potential MFAS usage in comparison to the relative rarity of mass stranding events suggests that most MFAS operations take place with no reported stranding events and that for an MFAS operation to cause a mass stranding of beaked whales, a confluence of several risk factors is probably required. Identification of these risk factors will help in the development of measures to reduce the risk of sonar-related strandings.
The Tryptophan Contents of Wheat, Maize and Barley Grains as a Function of Nitrogen Content

Abstract The tryptophan contents of wheat, maize and barley grains were evaluated for samples originating from commercial and experimental cultivars, using a procedure that allowed the true quantity of this amino acid to be determined. For every cereal, a linear relationship was found between the level of tryptophan and the nitrogen (N) content of the grain. The results showed that previous reports of similar relationships underestimated tryptophan by 10 ± 5%, owing to tryptophan degradation during alkaline hydrolysis prior to analysis. Linear relationships between tryptophan and N have a low predictive value, however, since a high variability was observed in tryptophan content for any given grain nitrogen content.
Meta-Analysis of Sex Differences in Core Symptomatology in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Meng-Ting Chen: Meta-Analysis of Sex Differences in Core Symptomatology in Autism Spectrum Disorder (Under the direction of Sandra Evarrs and Rune Simeonsson) Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has drawn the field’s attention in recent decades, because of the significant increase in its prevalence. Among other specific topics, researchers have started investigating the differences between male and female individuals with ASD across various characteristics, because of the seemingly lower presentation of ASD in females. The current study meta-analyzes sex differences in severity among three autism core symptoms and considers participants' age and IQ, studies' publication year, assessment tools, and diagnostic criteria into consideration. The results indicated that males demonstrated higher severity in restricted and repetitive behavior than females. This phenomenon is further elaborated by the finding that the ADOS assessment system specifically detected more restricted and repetitive behavior for males than for females. The same disparity did not emerge for other symptoms or other assessments. Finally, the analyses indicate a potential age moderation effect that heightened females’ composite ASD severity if they are older than 18. This result, nevertheless, did not appear for any of the three symptoms individually.
Some observations for discordant Sib Pair design using QTL-MAS 2010 dataset.

Association mapping seeks for markers at vicinity of genes affecting on complex traits. Family based association studies extensively used in human genetics for mapping genes. Discordant Sib Pair (DSP) design has advantages in controlling population stratification. The main aim of this paper was to investigate relation between number of discordant sib pairs to association mapping using QTL-MAS 2010 simulated dataset. The pedigree included four generations with 2326 individuals for quantitative trait. The genome consisted of 10031 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) distributed over 5 chromosomes. We used mixed model to perform genome wide association analyses. In addition count of marker alleles in the affected and unaffected sib pairs contrasted to detect putative association. Most of the QTLs were located at chromosome 1 and 3. Genome based heritability were found to be more accurate compared with traditional pedigree based estimates of heritability. Since error rate decreases with increasing number of sib pairs the increasing proportions of success rate is not surprising. It is much more likely to have larger number of sib pairs in animal genetics compared with human genetics. Hence we believe that discordant sib pair approach might be useful for association mapping in domestic species.
The Evolution of Threshold Traits in Animals

Within a population there are frequently several discrete morphs. While in some cases, particularly color polymorphisms, this variation can be explained by simple Mendelian modes of inheritance, in many cases the evidence suggests a polygenic pattern of inheritance. The threshold model of quantitative genetics, in which discrete morphs are determined by some underlying continuously distributed trait and a threshold(s) of expression, is applied appropriately in these cases. The discrete morphs exhibited in cyclomorphosis, pedomorphosis, pedogenesis, "protective" dimorphisms, trophic dimorphisms, wing dimorphism, and mating strategies can all be analyzed by using this model. Analyses of a wide range of different types of threshold traits show that there is typically a large additive genetic component, but that there is also strong environmental induction. A review of studies shows that no morph has a universally higher fitness, but that there is a tradeoff, with the relative fitnesses of two morphs being contingent upon environmental conditions. For example, exuberant structures that serve to protect organisms from predators reduce other components of fitness, such as development time and fecundity. Environmental induction is an adaptive norm of reaction, in that cues of current or future conditions are used to increase the probability that the morph produced is that which has the highest fitness under the expected conditions. Most models for the evolution of threshold traits have focused on the phenotype and have not addressed the crucial question of what maintains genetic variation, and hence permits continued evolutionary change. Phenotypic models show that noninducible polymorphic variation cannot be maintained by spatial variation alone, but can be favored in an environment that is temporally variable. Multiple phenotypes may evolve in a spatially variable environment if there are cues that allow the organism to assess the type of patch in which it is developing; thus spatial variation is expected to lead to the evolution of inducible phenotypes. Considerable genetic variation can be maintained by mutation, even in the face of strong directional selection. Frequency-dependent selection, shown to play an important role in the maintenance of phenotypic variation, may also be significant in the maintenance of genetic variation.
Experiments on the use of home grown foods for milk production: II. The effect of feeding concentrated and bulky foods prior to calving on subsequent milk production

1. A field experiment in which six farms cooperated, supplying fifty-one experimental cows and heifers, has been conducted. The object was to find whether feeding before calving 156 lb. of concentrates or its equivalent in feeding value as bulky food increased milk production. 2. The results showed that animals fed concentrates gained more weight before calving, were in better condition at calving, and produced a maximum of 7 lb. more milk per cow per day than the controls. Although those fed bulky food increased in live weight more than the controls, they did not calve in such good condition and produced only 3 lb. of milk per cow per day more than the controls. 3. Nearly half the animals fed bulky food refused appreciable amounts of this supplement, and it is probable that this refusal of food is one of the factors responsible for the differences in milk production between the two groups receiving additional food. 4. The correlation (r) between the weight of the cow and the weight of the calf was +0·507, and there was no statistically significant difference between the weight of the calves produced by cows receiving different treatments. 5. Although the fat percentage of the milk of the cows receiving supplementary food was higher than that of the cows receiving no supplement, the difference was not statistically significant. 6. Correlation analysis showed that the farmers' judgement of the condition of their cows at calving time was very closely related to the cows' subsequent performance.
Evolution of longevity through optimal resource allocation

Models of life history evolution predict optimal traits of a simplified organism under various environmental conditions, but they at most acknowledge the existence of ageing. On the other hand, genetic models of ageing do not consider the effects of ageing on life histroy traits other than fecundity and longevity. This paper reports the results of a dynamic programming model which optimizes resource allocation to growth, reproduction and somatic repair. A low extrinsic (environmentally caused) mortality rate and high repair efficiency promote allocation to repair, especially early in life, resulting in delayed ageing and low growth rates, delayed maturity, large body size and dramatic enhancement of survival and maximum lifespan. The results are generally consistent with field, comprative and experimental data. They also suggest that the relationships between maximum lifespan and age at maturity and body size observed in nature may be by–products of optimal allocation strategies.
Transferability of habitat suitability criteria of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

We constructed generalized habitat criteria for juvenile Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar) based on four river- specific suitability indices for depth, water velocity, and substrate to assess whether habitat criteria for juvenile Atlantic salmon are transferable across rivers. We first tested whether salmon are more likely to occupy higher-quality habitats than generally available in a stream reach based on these composite criteria. We then repeated the same procedure using the river-specific criteria of this study and the generalized habitat suitability criteria of Heggenes. As expected, the river-specific criteria were generally the most effective ones in predicting fish habitat use. However, both of the two generalized criteria also transferred fairly well to the test sites. Viewed across salmon size-classes ( 9 cm), the river-specific criteria passed the test in ten of eleven cases (91%), and the two generalized criteria passed in nine (82%) of eleven. Thus, it appears that with respect to summertime habitat criteria for juvenile Atlantic salmon, criteria transference is conceivable at least on a regional scale, and perhaps even on a more "universal" scale. Resume : Nous avons elabore des criteres generaux pour evaluer l'habitat de jeunes saumons de l'Atlantique (Salmo salar) d'apres quatre indices de qualite specifiques a des cours d'eau particuliers et bases sur la profondeur de l'eau, la vitesse du courant et le substrat dans le but de determiner si ces criteres pouvaient s'appliquer a d'autres rivieres. Nous avons d'abord verifie si les saumons etaient plus susceptibles de se retrouver dans les habitats de qualite superieure definis par ces criteres composites que dans les habitats generalement disponibles dans la section de riviere. Nous avons repete l'operation a l'aide de des indices specifiques a une riviere et des criteres generaux de qualite de l'habitat de Heggenes. Tel que prevu, les indices specifiques etaient les plus efficaces pour predire l'utilisation de l'habitat par les poissons. Cependant, les deux series de criteres generaux convenaient assez bien aux sites experimentaux. Appliques aux classes de taille de saumons ( 9 cm), les criteres specifiques aux rivieres se sont averes adequats dans dix (91 %) des onze cas et les deux series de criteres generaux dans neuf (82 %) cas. Il apparait donc que l'on puisse transferer d'un cours d'eau a l'autre les criteres de qualite de l'habitat des jeunes saumons de l'Atlantique en ete, au moins dans une meme region et peut-etre meme a une echelle plus « universelle ».
Pharmacological activities of extracts of Daniellia oliveri (Rolfe) Hutch. and Dalz. (Leguminosae)

Extracts of the stem bark of Daniellia oliveri using hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol were tested for analgesic, antipyretic and antiinflammatory activities. The hexane extract exhibited a dose related analgesic activity whilst the methanolic extract was active in the induced inflammatory condition. The ethyl acetate extract was relatively inactive and none of the extracts showed any antipyretic activity. Metabolic cage studies showed that a 70% ethanolic extract of the bark caused significant decreases in body weight, food intake, urine and stool output of rats. This extract also exhibited a competitive antagonism on histamine‐induced contractions of the guinea‐pig ileum and a non‐competitive inhibition of acetyl choline‐induced contraction of the frog rectus abdominis muscle.
Migration and Low Population Density in Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Life Histories

Field and laboratory evidence now suggests that the African armyworm, Spodoptera exempta, is specifically adapted for survival at low population densities, providing a new basis for understanding the significance of its phase polyphenism and migratory strategy. This conclusion allows deductions to be made as to the expected extent of displacement of flying moths from low and, when they occur as a result of impeded or inadequate dispersal of parent moths, high density populations. The proposed migratory strategy which depends on the genetic determination of flight potential also provides a framework for interpreting observed patterns of armyworm outbreaks through the season and in relation to rainfall. Traits associated with a low-density, “armyworm” strategy are shared by other Noctuids which may have similar life histories. RésuméLes données de laboratoire et de terrain montrent que la légionnaire africaine, Spodoptera exempta, est spécifiquement adaptée pour survivre dans les conditions de faible densité offrant ainsi une nouvelle structure de base pour comprendre la signification du polyphénisme de phase et la stratégie migratoire de cette espèce. Ceci nous permet de prédire l’étendue des déplacements migratoires des adultes chez les populations de faible densité de même que chez celles de forte densité où la dispersion de la génération précédente a été limitée. La stratégie migratoire proposée, fondée sur une détermination génétique du vol, offre aussi une nouvelle base pour interpréter les épidémies saisonnières, associées avec le phénomène des pluies chez la légionnaire. Les traits qui sont associés à la stratégie pendant les conditions de faible densité sont aussi rencontrés chez d’autres Noctuides qui partagent les mêmes modes de vie.
Microorganisms in the oribatid mite Hermannia gibba (C. L. Koch, 1839) (Acari: Oribatida: Hermanniidae)

Microorganisms in the oribatid mite Hermannia gibba (C. L. Koch, 1839) (Acari: Oribatida: Hermanniidae) Symbiotic microorganisms associated with arthropods are known to play a significant role in the life of their hosts. Most commonly, the symbionts improve their host's food digestion and modify their meiosis/reproduction. The usual mode of parent-to-offspring transmission of the symbionts is transovarial transmission (vertical) via oocytes. Using transmission electron microscopy, we found extracellular yeast-like and bacteroid microorganisms in food boli, as well as intracellular symbiotic bacteria within cells of the digestive tract and in reproductive cells in both sexes of the oribatid mite Hermannia gibba. In the digestive tract, the scarce bacteria were lying individually within midgut cells. The bacteria observed in developing oocytes were numerous and formed large aggregates close to the nuclear envelope and clusters of mitochondria. In spermatocytes we found a few single bacteria located at the cell periphery. The bacteria in the digestive cells may assist in digestion of plant food, whereas the meiotic drive function of the gonad-invading microbes is uncertain. The studied mite species is biparental and its sex ratio is not biased.
Coarse woody debris and soil respiration in a clearcut on the Olympic Peninsula, Washington, U.S.A.

Coarse woody debris (CWD) and soil respiration rates were measured using soda lime traps on a clearcut site in the Hoh River Valley on the west side of the Olympic Peninsula, Washington. The influence of species of CWD (western hemlock (Tsugaheterophylla (Raf.) Sarg. ) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco)), decay class, and log diameter on respiration rates was determined. CWD and soil respiration were measured every 4 weeks from October 1991 to November 1992 along with CWD and soil temperature and moisture contents. Western hemlock logs respired at a significantly higher rate (4.05 g CO2•m−2•day−1) than Douglas-fir logs (2.94 g CO2•m−2•day−1). There were no significant differences between respiration rates for decay classes 1–2, 3, and 5 logs (4.47, 3.69, and 4.28 g CO2•m−2•day−1, respectively), and there was no strong relationship between CWD respiration rate and log diameter. The highest average respiration rate was from the soil in the clearcut (5.22 g CO2•m−2•day−1). Averaged for the .
Relative success of residents and immigrants in Peromyscus leucopus

The relative success of a sample of 99 immigrant dispersers was studied in a population of Peromyscus leucopus in deciduous forest from 1980 to 1985. Dispersers were identified in two ways; (1) as immigrants to a natural dispersal sink and (2) as individuals that relocated their center of activity more than one home range diameter within a large live-trapping system. Female immigrants were significantly less likely to be pregnant or lactating than philopatric residents; males showed no significant difference. Reproductive immigrants were more likely than non-reproductive immigrants to establish residency after dispersal. There was no difference in survivorship of philopatrie residents and those dispersers that successfully immigrated.
Mice fetus liver tissue spectroscopic alterations following concomitant administration of Metronidazole & Miconazole

Introduction: Metronidazole (MET) and Miconazole (MIC) are antiprotozoal and imidazole antifungal agents, respectively. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of Fourier Transform Infrared micro-spectroscopy (FTIR-MSP) for discriminating and detecting spectral changes of mouse fetus liver tissue after mother’s exposure to concomitant use of MET and MIC. Methods and Results: The control group received only normal diet and the exposure groups received MET, MIC, and concomitant MET and MIC. The pregnant mice were anesthetized and their fetuses were surgically removed on gestation day 15. Fixative slides without any staining were put on KBr disc with a 1mm thick for IR micro spectroscopy. All information obtained from the spectra were analyzed using routine FTIR software. Based on our results, MET and MIC, alone and in combination together, have created some changes in the mice fetus liver biomolecules. Conclusions: FTIR biospectroscopy application in teratology is very challenging, but it has been accepted as a reliable technique; however, it is necessary to do more investigations.
Extracting structural parameters from chaotic seismic reflection images of mass-transport deposits

Mass-transport deposits (MTDs) are often characterised in reflection images by a so-called chaotic seismic texture, lacking coherent internal seismic reflectors. Such chaotic zones are often interpreted as having incoherent structural fabric, caused by strong stratal disruption and/or disaggregation during mass-transport. Subsequent coring and borehole geophysics, however, often reveal surprisingly little apparent stratal disruption and similar log characteristics to unfailed sediments above and below the MTD.
Twenty-four-hour urinary creatinine and urea nitrogen excretion in male white-tailed deer

During 5-d trials in spring and summer we investigated the constancy of creatinine and urea nitrogen excretion and the urea nitrogen:creatinine ratio in 24-h urine samples from 12 male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and the relationship of these metabolites with body mass and dietary nitrogen intake. During both trials, 24-h urinary creatinine excretion remained stable (CV of 13.5 and 18.5% for the spring and summer trials, respectively), and there was no difference between deer fed a high-protein diet and those fed a low-protein diet. However, urinary urea nitrogen excretion and urea nitrogen:creatinine ratios were significantly lower in the latter group. Mean daily creatinine coefficients (0.22–0.27 mmol excreted/kg body mass) were comparable to those in other mammalian species. During both trials, urinary creatinine excretion was significantly related to body mass but not to dietary nitrogen intake. Urea nitrogen excretion and urea nitrogen:creatinine ratios were significantly related to ma.
Hubungan resting metabolic rate (RMR) dan komposisi tubuh dengan kadar HbA1c pada obesitas

Background: Obesity occurs due to an imbalance intake and energy expenditure. The cause of obesity is low energy expenditure whereas the resting metabolic rate (RMR) is the largest component of energy expenditure of the body. The factors that influence RMR are body composition, age, sex and hormonal status. Body composition measured as fat mass and free fat mass (FFM). Body fat increase in obesity can cause insulin resistance which will increase blood glucose levels. This study aims to determine the correlation between RMR and body composition (fat mass and FFM) with HbA1c levels increase as a parameter of diabetes mellitus in obesity.