Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Time Budgets and Territory Size: Some Simultaneous Optimization Models for Energy Maximizers

A set of optimization models in two variables of choice, territory size and time spent patrolling for intruders, is presented for energy maximizers. Models vary in the curvilinearity of the relationship between territory circumference and both intrusion rate and cost of expelling a single intruder. Models are analyzed both with and without constraints; constraints are on processing rate and on the time spent patrolling, feeding and actively defending. The models all include the concept of “intruder equilibrium,” an equilibrial density of intruders in a territory resulting from a balance between intrusion rate and expulsion by the defender. This equilibrial density can be considered a measure of territorial exclusiveness. The two-variable models predict effects on territory size and patrol time of variation in food density, intrusion rate, costs of expelling a single intruder in energy and time, food-consumption rate of an intruder, area of detection while patrolling, total time available for territorial and feeding activities, time to eat a unit of food energy, energy cost of patrol per time, and processing-rate capacity. With increasing intruder rate, optimal territory size usually decreases, whereas optimal patrol time behaves much more irregularly. With increasing food density, optimal patrol time usually decreases, whereas optimal territory size behaves irregularly. In particular, when intrusion rate and expulsion costs accelerate sufficiently with increasing territory size and no constraints exist, the higher the food density the smaller the optimal territory size. When food density is large enough for a constraint to be effective, the opposite relation can hold and will always hold for a processing constraint. When a particular parameter changes, optimal territory size and optimal patrol time may covary or one may increase while the other decreases, depending on the parameter and model. A new set of one-variable models is suggested by the two-variable models; models optimizing patrol time while holding territory size constant could correspond to a tightly packed system of territories initially determined by settlement patterns. A unified onevariable analysis suggests that how food density affects territory size when patrol time is constant depends upon whether a constraint is operating: Provided that invasion rate does not vary with density of intruders on the territory, time minimizers and constrained energy maximizers decrease territory size with increasing food density; unconstrained energy maximizers do the opposite. The addition of a second optimization variable to a one-variable model can change qualitative predictions about variation in particular parameters ( e.g. , food density) and can increase the number of parameters predicted to affect optimal territory size and patrol time.
Taxonomic studies of centric diatoms (Diatomeae): unusual nanoplanktonic forms and new records for Brazil

There have been few taxonomic studies of centric diatoms in lotic freshwater environments in Brazil, especially in terms of those including nanoplanktonic forms, which are often neglected in studies of local floras, because of their small size or confusing taxonomy. This is the first study focusing on centric diatoms in the flora of the state of Bahia, in northeastern Brazil. Plankton and periphyton attached to Eichornia crassipes were collected in the winter of 2009 in the Cachoeira River. The diatoms were analyzed and described under light and electron microscopies. Seventeen infrageneric taxa were identified. Cyclotella was represented by five taxa, and concerning of similarities between diacritical features of species in this genus, their descriptions were thoroughly detailed. This was the first time that Cyclotella atomus var. marina, previously recorded only in coastal areas of Japan and Korea, has been documented in a river in South America. We also identified two diatom taxa previously unrecorded in the flora of Brazil: C. cryptica and C. meduanae. Finally, we present a detailed light, transmission and scanning electron microscopy analysis of Skeletonema potamos, a diatom rarely found in the Brazilian literature.
EFFECTS OF HIGHER LEVELS OF ZINC SUPPLEMENTATION ON PERFORMANCE, MINERAL AVAILABILITY, AND IMMUNE COMPETENCE IN BROILER CHICKENS

SUMMARY Two feeding trials were simultaneously conducted utilizing 210 and 140 1-d-old commercial broiler chicks for evaluating the effect of Zn supplementation on performance, mineral availability (experiment I), and immune response (experiment II), respectively, up to 4 wk of age. A basal diet was formulated using corn-soybean meal without supplemental Zn. Six test diets were prepared in which the basal diet was supplemented with Zn at 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, or 320 ppm using ZnSO4·7H2 O. Diets were fed ad libitum to broilers in cages from 8 to 28 d of age. Supplemental Zn did not influence body weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency, ready-to-cook yields, leg scores, or tibia weight at 4 wk of age. Tibia ash was significantly lower only at 320 ppm level. The percent Ca and P in tibia increased steadily with supplemental Zn up to 80 and 40 ppm, respectively, and decreased thereafter. A linear increase in Zn deposition was observed in bone, liver, and kidney with Zn supplementation. The humoral and cell mediated immune responses were significantly higher at the 80-ppm level compared with lower levels. The heterophil and lymphocyte ratios were narrow, indicating less stress with Zn at 40 ppm and above. The weights of bursa and spleen were higher at 40 ppm compared with lower levels. This study showed that the basal diet Zn (29 ppm) was adequate to support optimum performance of broilers. For better mineral retention, immune response, and alleviation of stress, 80 ppm of Zn was required up to 4 wk of age.
Bacillus paranthracis Isolate from Blood of Fatal Ebola Virus Disease Case

A Bacillus paranthracis isolate was cultured from the blood of a fatal Ebola virus disease (EVD) case in Liberia and was identified by whole genome sequencing. Although B. paranthracis has only recently been described and is poorly characterized, this case may represent the bacterial co-infection of an EVD patient.
Brain Metastases Unresponsive to Immunotherapy Detected by 18F-FDG-PET/CT in a Patient with Melanoma

Recently, newer therapies such as immunotherapy have been increasingly used in the treatment of several tumors, including advanced melanoma. In particular, several studies showed that the combination of ipilimumab, an anti-Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte Associated Protein 4 (CTLA-4) monoclonal antibody and nivolumab, an anti-Programmed Death 1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody, leads to improved survival in patients with metastatic melanoma. Despite that, immunotherapeutic agents may not reach therapeutic concentration in the brain due to the blood–brain barrier. We report the case of a 50-year-old man with advanced melanoma who underwent whole-body 18F-FDG-PET/CT before and after treatment with immunotherapy showing resistant brain metastases confirmed by subsequent MRI of the brain. Moreover, 18F-FDG-PET/CT was able to detect an immune-related adverse event such as enterocolitis that contributed to the worsening of patient conditions. This case shows how a whole-body methodology such as 18F-FDG-PET/CT can be useful in identifying melanoma cancer patients unresponsive to immunotherapy that may benefit from traditional palliative therapy in the effort to improve their quality of life.
BREEDING PERFORMANCE OF PUFFINS FRATERCULA ARCTICA IN RELATION TO NEST DENSITY, LAYING DATE AND YEAR

Summary The paper presents data on the breeding and predation of Puffins in two areas of different nest density within a single colony on Dun, St Kilda group, Outer Hebrides in 1973-78. Within a season birds laying early had a slightly higher nesting success than birds laying late, but laying date had little influence on the peak and fledging weights of young. The main disadvantage in late laying was a reduced chance of relaying if the first egg was lost. Breeding success and chick weights varied from year to year. The 1974 season was the least successful with the lowest nesting success, lowest frequency of feeds, lowest calorific value of feeds, lightest chicks and slowest growth. Overall breeding performance was not related to the annual mean laying dates. In all years pairs nesting in the area of high nest density did better than pairs nesting at low density. The effect is attributed to differential predation and disturbance by predatory gulls. At least 4.2% of adult Puffins breeding in the area of low burrow density were killed by gulls each breeding season; this is higher than the total annual mortality found in three other studies. Only 0.9% of adults from the high density area were found killed. The subpopulation in the low density area cannot survive without much immigration, yet there is no evidence that this happens.
Characterization and Analysis of the Full-Length Transcriptomes of Multiple Organs in Pseudotaxus chienii (W.C.Cheng) W.C.Cheng

Pseudotaxus chienii, a rare tertiary relict species with economic and ecological value, is a representative of the monotypic genus Pseudotaxus that is endemic to China. P. chienii can adapt well to habitat isolation and ecological heterogeneity under a variety of climate and soil conditions, and is able to survive in harsh environments. However, little is known about the molecular and genetic resources of this long-lived conifer. Herein, we sequenced the transcriptomes of four organs of P. chienii using the PacBio Isoform Sequencing and Illumina RNA Sequencing platforms. Based on the PacBio Iso-Seq data, we obtained 44,896, 58,082, 50,485, and 67,638 full-length unigenes from the root, stem, leaf, and strobilus, respectively, with a mean length of 2692 bp, and a mean N50 length of 3010.75 bp. We then comprehensively annotated these unigenes. The number of organ-specific expressed unigenes ranged from 4393 in leaf to 9124 in strobilus, suggesting their special roles in physiological processes, organ development, and adaptability in the different four organs. A total of 16,562 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified among the four organs and clustered into six subclusters. The gene families related to biotic/abiotic factors, including the TPS, CYP450, and HSP families, were characterized. The expression levels of most DEGs in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway and plant–pathogen interactions were higher in the root than in the three other organs, suggesting that root constitutes the main organ of defensive compound synthesis and accumulation and has a stronger ability to respond to stress. The sequences were analyzed to predict transcription factors, long non-coding RNAs, and alternative splicing events. The expression levels of most DEGs of C2H2, C3H, bHLH, and bZIP families in the root and stem were higher than those in the leaf and strobilus, indicating that these TFs may play a crucial role in the survival of the root and stem. These results comprise the first comprehensive gene expression profiles obtained for different organs of P. chienii. Our findings will facilitate further studies on the functional genomics, adaptive evolution, and phylogeny of P. chienii, and lay the foundation for the development of conservation strategies for this endangered conifer.
Transplacental and Lactational Exposure of Mice to Arsenic: Effect on Body and Organ Weights with Special Reference to Male Reproductive Organs

3 Abstract: Sodium arsenite was orally administered to mice during pregnancy and lactation at a dose level of 0.4 ppm and body weights and organ weights with special focus to reproductive organs in next generation adult male mice were analyzed. The body weight and weight gain of control and experimental pups did not differ significantly. However, the weights of testes, prostate and seminal vesicle decreased in experimental mice when compared with controls. Histology of testes indicated decrease in primary and secondary spermatocytes and spermatids in experimental mice when compared with control. These results indicated that exposure to arsenic during early stages of development suppresses the development of male reproductive organs in adults. Thus, it was conclude that the potential of reproduction is programmed, to some extent, in the early stages of development and hence any toxic insult during embryonic development and lactation suppresses male reproductive potential in adulthood.
Rhizosphere control of soil nitrogen cycling: a key component of plant economic strategies.

▪Understanding how plant species influence soil nutrient cycling is a major theme in terrestrial ecosystem ecology. The prevailing paradigm has however mostly focused on litter decomposition, while rhizosphere effects on soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition have attracted little attention. ▪Using a dual 13 C/15 N labeling approach in a 'common garden' greenhouse experiment, we investigated how the economic strategies of 12 grassland plant species (graminoids, forbs and legumes) drive soil nitrogen (N) cycling via rhizosphere processes, and how this in turn affects plant N acquisition and growth. ▪Acquisitive species with higher photosynthesis, carbon rhizodeposition and N uptake than conservative species induced a stronger acceleration of soil N cycling through rhizosphere priming of SOM decomposition. This allowed them to take up larger amounts of N and allocate it aboveground to promote photosynthesis, thereby sustaining their faster growth. The N2 -fixation ability of legumes enhanced rhizosphere priming by promoting photosynthesis and rhizodeposition. ▪Our study demonstrates that economic strategies of plant species regulate a plant-soil carbon-nitrogen feedback operating through the rhizosphere. These findings provide novel mechanistic insights into how plant species with contrasting economic strategies sustain their nutrition and growth through regulating the cycling of nutrients by soil microbes in their rhizosphere.
Fault Diagnosis in the Slip–Frequency Plane of Induction Machines Working in Time-Varying Conditions

Motor current signature analysis (MCSA) is a fault diagnosis method for induction machines (IMs) that has attracted wide industrial interest in recent years. It is based on the detection of the characteristic fault signatures that arise in the current spectrum of a faulty induction machine. Unfortunately, the MCSA method in its basic formulation can only be applied in steady state functioning. Nevertheless, every day increases the importance of inductions machines in applications such as wind generation, electric vehicles, or automated processes in which the machine works most of time under transient conditions. For these cases, new diagnostic methodologies have been proposed, based on the use of advanced time-frequency transforms—as, for example, the continuous wavelet transform, the Wigner Ville distribution, or the analytic function based on the Hilbert transform—which enables to track the fault components evolution along time. All these transforms have high computational costs and, furthermore, generate as results complex spectrograms, which require to be interpreted for qualified technical staff. This paper introduces a new methodology for the diagnosis of faults of IM working in transient conditions, which, unlike the methods developed up to today, analyzes the current signal in the slip-instantaneous frequency plane (s-IF), instead of the time-frequency (t-f) plane. It is shown that, in the s-IF plane, the fault components follow patterns that that are simple and unique for each type of fault, and thus does not depend on the way in which load and speed vary during the transient functioning; this characteristic makes the diagnostic task easier and more reliable. This work introduces a general scheme for the IMs diagnostic under transient conditions, through the analysis of the stator current in the s-IF plane. Another contribution of this paper is the introduction of the specific s-IF patterns associated with three different types of faults (rotor asymmetry fault, mixed eccentricity fault, and single-point bearing defects) that are theoretically justified and experimentally tested. As the calculation of the IF of the fault component is a key issue of the proposed diagnostic method, this paper also includes a comparative analysis of three different mathematical tools for calculating the IF, which are compared not only theoretically but also experimentally, comparing their performance when are applied to the tested diagnostic signals.
Phenolic Acid Profiles and Antioxidant Activity of Major Cereal Crops

Phenolic acids (PAs) are a dominant group of phenolic compounds in cereals, existing mostly bound to compounds of cell wall. In this study, a total of 25 cereal grain samples, including wheat, winter and spring barley, corn, and popcorn, were evaluated for bound PAs and antioxidant activity in a two-year field trial. The PA contents, determined by HPLC, were significantly affected by cereal type. The mean total PA content was highest in popcorn and corn (3298 and 2213 μg/gdm, respectively), followed by winter and spring barley (991 and 908 μg/gdm, respectively) and wheat (604 μg/gdm). Ferulic acid was the most abundant, accounting from 62% to 83% of total PAs (in popcorn and winter and spring barley, respectively). Across cereals, p-coumaric (35–259 μg/gdm) and p-hidroxybenzoic (45–79 μg/gdm) were also dominant, while in corn and popcorn o-coumaric (71 and 89 μg/gdm, respectively) also occurred in higher content. The mean total phenol content ranged from 853 μg GAE/gdm (wheat) to 1403 μg GAE/gdm (winter barley) with DPPH scavenging activity from 14% to 67%, respectively. A significant influence of crop years on the ferulic acid and total PA content was found, while the variability of other PAs was dependent on the cereal type. The results indicated a high health benefit potential of selected cereals.
Oxygenated Aromatic Compounds are Important Precursors of Secondary Organic Aerosol in Biomass Burning Emissions.

Biomass burning is the largest combustion-related source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to the atmosphere. We describe the development of a state-of-the-science model to simulate the photochemical formation of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) from biomass burning emissions observed in dry (RH<20%) environmental chamber experiments. The modeling is supported by (i) new oxidation chamber measurements, (ii) detailed concurrent measurements of SOA precursors in biomass burning emissions, and (iii) development of SOA parameters for heterocyclic and oxygenated aromatic compounds based on historical chamber experiments. We find that oxygenated aromatic compounds, including phenols and methoxyphenols, account for slightly less than 60% of the SOA formed and help our model explain the variability in the organic aerosol mass (R2=0.68) and O:C (R2=0.69) enhancement ratios observed across eleven chamber experiments. Despite abundant emissions, heterocyclic compounds that included furans contribute to ~20% of the total SOA. The use of pyrolysis-temperature-based or averaged emissions profiles to represent SOA precursors, rather than those specific to each fire, provide similar results to within 20%. Our findings demonstrate the necessity of accounting for oxygenated aromatics from biomass burning emissions and their SOA formation in chemical mechanisms.
Dopamine modulates subcortical responses to surprising sounds

Dopamine guides behavior and learning through pleasure, according to classic understanding. Dopaminergic neurons are traditionally thought to signal positive or negative prediction errors (PEs) when reward expectations are, respectively, exceeded or not matched. These signed PEs are quite different from the unsigned PEs, which report surprise during sensory processing. But mounting theoretical accounts from the predictive processing framework postulate that dopamine, as a neuromodulator, could potentially regulate the postsynaptic gain of sensory neurons, thereby scaling unsigned PEs according to their expected precision or confidence. Despite ample modeling work, the physiological effects of dopamine on the processing of surprising sensory information are yet to be addressed experimentally. In this study, we tested how dopamine modulates midbrain processing of unexpected tones. We recorded extracellular responses from the rat inferior colliculus to oddball and cascade sequences, before, during, and after the microiontophoretic application of dopamine or eticlopride (a D2-like receptor antagonist). Results demonstrate that dopamine reduces the net neuronal responsiveness exclusively to unexpected sensory input without significantly altering the processing of expected input. We conclude that dopaminergic projections from the thalamic subparafascicular nucleus to the inferior colliculus could encode the expected precision of unsigned PEs, attenuating via D2-like receptors the postsynaptic gain of sensory inputs forwarded by the auditory midbrain neurons. This direct dopaminergic modulation of sensory PE signaling has profound implications for both the predictive coding framework and the understanding of dopamine function.
Specialization in Murres:The Story of Eight Specialists

Abstract. Prey items fed to chicks of eight individually-marked and known specialist Thick-billed Murres (Una lomvia) were watched over a 15–year period at Coats Island, Nunavut, and time-depth recorders attached to eight birds in two separate years. Two males were amphipod specialists, one male a cod specialist and another male a shanny specialist; two females were sculpin specialists and two capelin specialists. Although there was likely some gender-related component to diet, there were clear specializations within each gender. Specialization in diet was mirrored by specialization in foraging behavior: amphipod specialists made V-shaped dives and had short foraging ranges, shanny/cod specialists made many shallow dives, sculpin specialists made deep, U-shaped dives, while capelin specialists made V- or W-shaped dives to moderate depths. There was no clear pattern between specialties and age or reproductive success. The use of longitudinal studies in foraging behavior, as long-term studies of individuals can complement existing knowledge of the flexibility or specialization of waterbirds, is encouraged.