Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of genetic origin on phenotypic divergence in Brook Trout populations stocked with domestic fish

Phenotypic changes due to human activities are occurring at a far greater speed than those originating from natural causes in animal populations. For instance, phenotypic divergence among individuals may arise in populations supplemented with farm-reared ﬁ sh that are known to display different phenotypes from those of wild individuals because of domestication. Little is known about how these phenotypic differences are maintained when domestic and wild individuals face the same environment and hybridize, as it is the case after supplementation. In this study, we assessed the effect of genetic origin of individuals on phenotypic trait divergence (morphology, growth, and size-at-age) in stocked populations of Brook Trout ( Salvelinus fontinalis ). We also evaluated whether genetic origin in ﬂ uences habitat use by documenting trophic niche and/or level using stable isotope analyses. We found signi ﬁ cant effects of genetic origin on phenotypic variables with domestic ﬁ sh generally being more fusiform and larger than wild and hybrid individuals. Lake identity also explained most of the variation in phenotypic variables, meaning that population-speci ﬁ c attributes were important drivers of morphology and size. Our results also showed that domestic ﬁ sh were feeding in more littoral niches and at a higher trophic level than wild and hybrid individuals, suggesting that differences in feeding habits could partially explain phenotypic differences. These results highlight the importance of accounting for the genetic composition of populations when assessing the causes of phenotypic divergence in the wild.
Competition and interaction: Party ties to interest groups in a multidimensional policy space

Political parties and interest groups play a vital role in incorporating societal interests into democratic decision-making. Therefore, explaining the nature and variation in the relationship between them will advance our understanding of democratic governance. Existing research has primarily drawn attention to how exchange of resources shapes these relationships largely neglecting the role of contextual conditions. Our contribution is to examine whether parties’ structured interactions with different categories of interest groups vary systematically with the pattern of party competition at the level of policy dimensions. First, we argue that higher party fragmentation in a policy space makes organisational ties to interest groups more likely, due to fears of voter loss and splinter groups. Second, we expect higher polarisation between parties on a policy dimension to make ties to relevant groups less likely due to increased electoral costs. We find support for both expectations when analysing new data on 116 party units in 13 mature democracies along nine different policy dimensions. Our findings underline the value of considering the strategic context in which parties and interest groups interact to understand their relationship. The study sheds new light on parties and interest groups as intermediaries in democracy and contributes to a new research agenda connecting interest group research with studies ofeli parties’ policy positions and responsiveness.
p63 & ki67 antigen expression in relation to the aggressiveness of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract: Aim: To investigate the expression of p63 protein and ki67 antigen in a series of graded OSCC to evaluate the potential association between the expression of the two markers and the aggressiveness of histologic grades of OSCC. Methods: Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and streptavidin-biotin immunoperoxidase staining techniques was used to detect the expression of p63 & ki67 in different grades of OSCC. Evaluation of immunostaining was done using computer image analyzer system & statistical analysis. Results: regarding p63 & ki67 expression were obtained by comparing the area % between different grading of OSSC, there was a statistically highly significant difference between different grades of OSCC (P<0.01) & there was a statistically significant direct correlation between p63 & ki67 stain. Conclusion: These results suggest that p63 & ki67 could reflect biological features, such as proliferation and differentiation for recognition of clinical behavior of OSCC also p63 & ki67 alteration may be associated with the progression of these neoplasms.
Genetic parameters for bodyweight, wool, and disease resistance and reproduction traits in Merino sheep. 1. Description of traits, model comparison, variance components and their ratios

Both wool and sheep meat industries are interested in sheep that have a high reproduction performance and are resistant to internal parasites, in addition to the traditional traits. There is considerable interest in breeding sheep for wool, carcass, reproductive and internal parasite resistance traits simultaneously. The objective of this study was to estimate single trait genetic parameters for 40 traits recorded in Merino sheep, covering bodyweight, carcass, wool, reproduction and internal parasite resistance traits. This also involved determining the appropriate models. The results from this study will be used to review the genetic parameters used in the routine genetic evaluations conducted by Sheep Genetics. The most appropriate models included a maternal genetic effect and covariance between direct and maternal genetic effects for most of the bodyweight traits, greasy and clean fleece weight, fibre diameter and coefficient of variation of fibre diameter. The permanent environment due to the dam was not included for any trait. There was considerable genetic variation in most traits analysed; lowest heritabilities (0.09–0.10) were found for number of lambs born and weaned per lambing opportunity, and highest heritabilities (0.62–0.77) for fibre diameter. The estimated heritabilities and genetic variances, in combination with the estimated correlations, indicate that there is potential to make genetic improvement in most traits currently recorded in Australian Merino sheep.
Emotive and Positive Political Communication on Facebook: The Case of Argentinean Leaders

The communication that political leaders have performed on social media in recent years demands constant and novel approaches for understanding how politicians interact with their supporters in the digital space. In this sense, the aim of this research is to examine the communication that Argentine political leaders display on Facebook, the most popular social media amongst Argentineans, during a highly polarized and politicized period in the country, taking special attention to the role that emotions play in this digital scenario. Using content analysis of the texts included in the posts, the results of this empirical work demonstrate that, on Facebook, political leaders prefer to communicate emotive messages rather than non-emotive contents and positive emotions rather than negative ones. Besides, hope is not only the most expressed one but also the emotion that generated more interaction among digital political supporters.
Increased incidence of advanced stage endometrial cancer: a retrospective analysis of different clinical approaches and tumour biology

Endometrial cancer is the most common female genital tract malignancy in developed countries with the average incidence of 30 per 100,000 [1-3]. Around 75% of patients present with localized disease, FIGO Stage I, and approximately 80% of endometrial cancers are of endometrioid histology, low tumour grade, and are estrogen-responsive. For early stage disease, prognosis is excellent with fiveyear survival rates of 95% [1, 2, 4]. The FIGO staging system is used routinely and worldwide for the description of the disease spread at the time of diagnosis. The FIGO stage of the disease, with the histological type, grade, and myometrial invasion, is the main known prognostic factor, with a five-year survival rates of a solid 80% for FIGO Stage III and 40% for Stage IV disease [2]. The main symptom of endometrial cancer is abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), mostly postmenopausal bleeding, and occurring in as many as 75-90% of patients [5, 6]. The diagnosis is usually made by way of endometrial biopsy. Routinely and historically in Slovenia, Pipelle sampling of the endometrium was never used, and instead the main diagnostic tool was dilatation and curettage (D&C). At the present institution, D&C was almost completely replaced by office hysteroscopic biopsy (HSC) during the last ten to 15 years. Due to the introduction of HSC endometrial biopsy, the organization of patients’ visits for HSC at the present institution led to a prolongation of waiting times for endometrial biopsy, compared to D&C. In the years 2012, 2013, and 2014 the authors noticed a rise in FIGO stages among patients who were referred to this department for endometrial cancer treatment. Hence they decided to conduct a retrospective analysis to evaluate whether more advanced FIGO stages are associated with the biological characteristics of the tumour, changes in the method, and organization of the endometrial biopsy with prolongation of waiting times or, with a more conservative approach to AUB in the past ten years, between 2005 and 2015.
Effects of Molt-induction Period on Induction of Molt and Post-molt Performance in Laying Hens

This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of molt-induction period on molting and post-molt performance of laying hens. White Leghorn hens at 64 weeks of age were used. After a 4-week preliminary period, they were divided into 5 groups (1 control and 4 treatment groups). The control-group hens were continuously fed a corn- and soybean-based layer ration ad libitum. In 1 of the 4 treatment groups, molting was induced by starvation for 2 weeks (MS group), and in the 3 others by ad libitum feeding of a molt diet (ME: 1.6Mcal/kg) based on rice hull, corn, wheat bran, and corn gluten feed for 2 (MF-2 group), 3 (MF-3 group), and 4 weeks (MF-4 group). During the post-molt production period, the hens were again fed the layer ration. During the molt-induction period, the heterophil: lymphocyte (H: L) ratio, the ovary and oviduct weight, and the energy intake were measured. Egg production, egg quality, body weight, and feed intake were measured throughout the experiment. During the treatment period, compared to the control group, the feed intake and body weight in the molted groups were significantly lower; the ovaries and oviducts of the hens in the molted groups were distinctly lighter (P < 0.01). On day 10 of molting, the H: L ratio in the MF groups was lower than that in the MS group. Additionally, egg production completely ceased within 6 d in the MS group and decreased to 3% at week 2 in the MF groups. No significant differences with regard to days required to regain 50% egg production were found between the MS and MF-3 groups. During the post-molt period, egg production and quality improved in the molted groups, the production in the MF-3 group was highest. We assume that ad libitum feeding of the molt diet for 3 weeks effectively induces molting and enhances post-molt production.
Ventilatory mechanisms and the effect of hypoxia and temperature on the embryonic lesser spotted dogfish

Small, intermediate and large-sized embryos of the dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula utilize different ventilatory methods; small and intermediate embryos rely on body movement alone to stir either the jelly or sea water in the capsule, large embryos use conventional pharyngeal pumping to pump water through the case. The effects of environmental changes in O2 tension (0.5–100% air saturation) and temperature (6–18°C) upon ventilatory mechanisms in the developing embryo in situ were studied using non-invasive ultrasonography. All three embryo classes increased ventilation rate with rising temperature: for small embryos, y=2.02x+3.295 (P<0.01); for intermediate embryos, y=3.51x+0.395 (P<0.01); and for large embryos, y=3.81x+9.39 (P<0.01); where y=ventilatory frequency (tail beats min−1 or pump cycles min−1) and x=temperature (°C). Q10 (6–16°C)=5.0, 2.45, and 2.08 for small, intermediate and large embryos, respectively; corresponding Q10 (8–18°C) values were 2.09, 2.62, and 2.02. It is suggested that the extreme response of small embryos to 6°C is related to a different state of development in either chemoreceptors or muscle blocks. There was no significant change in ventilatory frequency induced by chronic (2 h) hypoxia. Dogfish embryos are oxyconformers at 8°C but oxyregulators at higher temperatures. Water flow through an eggcase occupied by a large embryo was studied also. Water enters the open eggcase of a large embryo, drawn in by the buccal/opercular pump of the respiring embryo, via holes at the posterior end of the eggcase. Expired water exits holes at the anterior end of the eggcase. The mean residence time for water in the case is 50 s at 8°C, giving a transit velocity of 1.36 mm s−1.
Between‐species differences in demographic responses to temperature of coexisting cladocerans

In this work we report on the seasonal trends of abundances in terms of temperature exposure for four coexisting cladoceran species (Daphnia ambigua (Daphniidae), Ceriodaphnia dubia (Daphniidae), Diaphanosoma chilense (Sididae) and Moina micrura (Moinidae)) from a Chilean temperate lake. In order to compare the demographic response to temperature, we used life table experiments to parameterize matrix models for the four species at four fixed temperatures. From these life table response experiments we assessed the effects of tempera- ture, species and their interaction on the variation in growth rate, as well as the contribution of juvenile survival, adult survival, fertility and age at first reproduction to the changes in growth rate. Our results showed interspecific differences in the effect of temperature on the growth rate. Species that present higher field abundance at lower temperature also exhibited, under controlled experiments, higher growth rates at low temperature and lower growth rates at high temperature, relative to the additive model. Conversely, species with higher abundances during the warmer seasons exhibited higher growth rates at higher experimental temperatures and lower growth rates at lower temperatures, relative to the additive model. The vital rates that most contributed to the variation in growth rate were age at first reproduction and fertility. Our growth rate estimates matched predictions of the metabolic ecology model.
SUSCEPTIBILITY OF Duponchelia fovealis Zeller (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) TO Bacillus thuringiensis BERLINER (BACILLACEAE)

The use of biological control agents come in response to the need for a more developed and sustainable agriculture. Duponchelia fovealis Zeller (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) was reported causing serious problems for strawberry culture in the State of Espirito Santo. Because it is a recent pest, there is no registration of products for its control. Among the entomopathogen bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner stands as a promising method of control, since it is specific and is not harmful to man. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of two products formulated the basis of B. thuringiensis Agree® (B. thuringiensis var. aizawai GC-91) and Dipel® WP (B. thuringiensis var. kurstaki HD-1) on Duponchelia fovealis Zeller for their use in pest management programs. Bioassays were performed in microtubes containing acrylic trays, filled with artificial feed. Each tube was inoculated on the feed, 70 ml of each commercial product at a concentration 1 x 108 spores•mL-1. Subsequently, 50 larvae of each stage of development, were individually wrapped, forming a particular treatment. Mortality was assessed daily until day 7. The estimated lethal concentration (LC50) to the stage of increased susceptibility was also performed. In view of the results it was observed that the initial stage of development , showed higher mortality at 90% and 80% for Agree® and Dipel® WP, respectively products. The products were effective in controlling D. fovealis in the first stage of development, however we observed greater virulence Agree® product, which required a lower dose to achieve the LC50.
Development of loop-mediated isothermal amplification method for the rapid and sensitive detection of bovine tuberculosis in Korea native cattle

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) was developed to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) and non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) genomic DNA in blood samples of Korea native cattle. A set of four primers, two outer and two inner, were designed from M. bovis and M. avium genomic DNA targeting the IS6110 and 16S rRNA gene, respectively. Based on 85 Intradermal Tuberculin Test (ITT) positive blood sample and using conventional PCR and LAMP, the agreement quotient (kappa), which measures agreement beyond chance were 0.93 (conventional PCR) and 0.97 (LAMP), respectively. The detection limit of the LAMP method was copy/ml M. bovis and M. avium cells, compared to copy/ml M. bovis and M. avium cells for conventional PCR. These results suggest that the LAMP is a powerful tool for rapid, sensitive, and practical detection of MTC and NTM in blood samples of Korea native cattle.
Canonical Wnt Signaling (Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway): A Potential Target for Cancer Prevention and Therapy

Precise regulation of signal transduction pathways is crucial for normal animal development and for maintaining cellular and tissue homeostasis in adults. The Wnt/Frizzled-mediated signaling includes canonical and non-canonical signal transduction pathways. Upregulation or downregulation of the canonical Wnt signaling (or the Wnt/β-Catenin signal transduction) leads to a variety of human diseases, including cancers, neurodegenerative disorders, skin and bone diseases, and heart deficiencies. Therefore, Wnt/β-Catenin signal transduction is a potential clinical target for the treatment of not only human cancers but also some other human chronic diseases. Here, some recent results including those from my laboratory highlighting the role of Wnt/β-Catenin signal transduction in human cancers will be reviewed. After a brief overview on canonical Wnt signaling and introducing some critical β-Catenin/TCF-target genes, the interaction of canonical Wnt signaling with some common human cancers will be discussed. In the end, the different segments of the aforesaid signaling pathway, which have been considered as targets for clinical purposes, will be scrutinized.
The first neueofibrillar envelopment in albino rat embryos

Although much progress has been made in the study of fiber-tract development i n , the embryo, very little is known about the beginning of the process. The earliest observations of neurofibril formation in the mammals were made in the 5.5-mm. cat (Windle, '32) whose development has already progressed beyond the point of providing the answers to several important questions regarding origin of tracts. Tello ('34 a and b) has described neurofibrillar growth in the mouse, but his youngest stage, 4 mm. , is comparable to much larger specimens of cat and rat. The chick has provided material for what meager knowledge we have of the early developmental processes (Cowdry, '14; Tello, '22) ; however, existing descriptions leave much to be desired. We have been particularly fortunate in obtaining a litter of seven albino rat embryos which, because of variations in degree of development within the litter, carry the story of neurofibril formation back to its beginning. The specimens were stained by a modification of the pyridine-silver-reduction technique. The embryos measured approximately 3 and 4 mm.
The Development of Teeth and Associated Feeding Structures During the Metamorphosis of the Lamprey, Geotria australis

The pattern of development of the teeth, laminae, piston, muscles, cartilages and fimbriae associated with the suctorial disc of lampreys has been investigated histologically during the seven stages of metamorphosis in the Southern Hemisphere species, Geotria australis. The cirrhi-bearing hood of ammocoetes and the earliest stage of metamorphosis (S1) were indistinguishable. In stages S2, S3, S4, these cirrhi regressed and the supraoral lamina, piston and infraoral lamina primordial regions began to differentiate. The fifth stage (S5) was characterised by an elaboration of the annular cartilage and disc musculature, deposition of the tectal cartilage, initiation of tooth development, formation of oral fimbriae, and eruption of the keratin cone of the transverse lingual lamina. Subsequently (S6), the keratin cusps of the supraoral and infraoral laminae became exposed at the surface, and distinct retractor and protractor muscles formed around the lingual cartilage. In the latter part of the terminal stage in metamorphosis (S7), just prior to the time when the animal migrates down-stream, the primary tooth cones and the keratin cusp of the longitudinal lingual laminae began breaking through the epithelial surface of the disc.
International Regulatory Vacuum of Cyber Espionage

Cyber espionage employs computer network to gather illegal access to confidential information from government or certain organization. The advance development of technology acknowledges the sophisticated and illegal means of receiving highly confidential data or information for certain purposes that risk the national security of a state. However, international law is still silent to define and regulate cyber espionage especially at the time of peace. By applying the normative legal methodology, this study analyzes the current practices of cyber espionage in the 21st century and how far the international law could reach these illegal activities. This study concludes that the basic diplomatic norms shall be applied to cyber espionage. It strictly in contravention with the principle of non-intervention and sovereignty of a state. Moreover, this study proposed the international legal framework to regulate cyber espionage.
Millimeter-Wave Dual-Polarized Differentially Fed 2-D Multibeam Patch Antenna Array

In this article, a novel millimeter-wave dual-polarized 2-D multibeam antenna array incorporating differentially fed antenna elements is proposed to achieve high cross-polarization discrimination (XPD) when the beams scan to the maximal pointing angles. The antenna element is composed of an SIW cavity with four shorted patches placed inside, and it is differentially excited for dual-polarization by a pair of feeding strips and transverse slots beneath the patches. Differential excitation is realized by a power divider designed on two laminate layers. Two Butler matrices placed perpendicularly with each other in different laminates are employed to generate four tilted beams with dual-polarization. A $2\times 2$ dual-polarized 2-D multibeam antenna array working at 28 GHz is designed, fabricated, and measured. The operation bandwidth of the antenna is 26.8–29.2 GHz. The improvement in the XPD is experimentally demonstrated by far-field measurement. When the beams scan to 30° off the boresight, the measured XPDs are 28 dB at the center frequency and higher than 25 dB over the operation bandwidth, which confirms that the cross-polarized radiation in the 2-D multibeam antenna array is suppressed by using the differential-feeding technique. The measured gain is in the range from 7.6 to 10.5 dBi.