Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cognition mediates response to anthropogenic noise in wild Western Australian magpies (Gmynorhina tibicen dorsalis)

Anthropogenic noise is a pollutant of growing concern, with wide‐ranging effects on taxa across ecosystems. Until recently, studies investigating the effects of anthropogenic noise on animals focused primarily on population‐level consequences, rather than individual‐level impacts. Individual variation in response to anthropogenic noise may result from extrinsic or intrinsic factors. One such intrinsic factor, cognitive performance, varies between individuals and is hypothesised to aid behavioural response to novel stressors. Here, we combine cognitive testing, behavioural focals and playback experiments to investigate how anthropogenic noise affects the behaviour and anti‐predator response of Western Australian magpies (Gymnorhina tibicen dorsalis), and to determine whether this response is linked to cognitive performance. We found a significant population‐level effect of anthropogenic noise on the foraging effort, foraging efficiency, vigilance, vocalisation rate and anti‐predator response of magpies, with birds decreasing their foraging, vocalisation behaviours and anti‐predator response, and increasing vigilance when loud anthropogenic noise was present. We also found that individuals varied in their response to playbacks depending on their cognitive performance, with individuals that performed better in an associative learning task maintaining their anti‐predator response when an alarm call was played in anthropogenic noise. Our results add to the growing body of literature documenting the adverse effects of anthropogenic noise on wildlife and provide the first evidence for an association between individual cognitive performance and behavioural responses to anthropogenic noise.
Essential elements and heavy metal concentrations in a small area of the Castlecomer Plateau, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland: Implications for animal performance

Many ruminants are solely or mostly dependant for their nutrients, including essential elements, on the forage available to them, either in its natural state or conserved as hay or silage. A soil and herbage survey was carried out in April and September 2007, in a 3.1 km ×3.0 km grid, incorporating 106 and 46 sampling points, respectively, on the Castlecomer Plateau, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland. The aim was to determine the nutrient and heavy metal status of soil and herbage in the sampling area, and to examine the concentrations observed for their potential to impact on animal performance. Low soil pH and high soil lime requirements were identified within the sampling area. The concentrations of Ca, Cu, Se and Zn were low in both soil and herbage. These conditions are similar to those found on other farms in Ireland. Fluoride was detected in 61 of the 97 herbage samples in April 2007, but only four exceeded 40 mg/kg dry matter, the maximum tolerable level for cattle. Mineral imbalances (Ca, Cu, Se and Zn) observed in pastures caused by low soil mineral status, exacerbated by low soil pH, could impair animal performance in the area studied.
Neprilysin inhibitors and risk of Alzheimer's disease: A future perspective

Abstract Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a heterogeneous neurodegenerative disease with multifaceted neuropathological disorders. AD is characterized by intracellular accumulation of phosphorylated tau proteins and extracellular deposition of amyloid beta (Aβ). Various protease enzymes, including neprilysin (NEP), are concerned with the degradation and clearance of Aβ. Indeed, a defective neuronal clearance pathway due to the dysfunction of degradation enzymes might be a possible mechanism for the accumulation of Aβ and subsequent progression of AD neuropathology. NEP is one of the most imperative metalloproteinase enzymes involved in the clearance of Aβ. This review aimed to highlight the possible role of NEP inhibitors in AD. The combination of sacubitril and valsartan which is called angiotensin receptor blocker and NEP inhibitor (ARNI) may produce beneficial and deleterious effects on AD neuropathology. NEP inhibitors might increase the risk of AD by the inhibition of Aβ clearance, and increase brain bradykinin (BK) and natriuretic peptides (NPs), which augment the pathogenesis of AD. These verdicts come from animal model studies, though they may not be applied to humans. However, clinical studies revealed promising safety findings regarding the use of ARNI. Moreover, NEP inhibition increases various neuroprotective peptides involved in inflammation, glucose homeostasis and nerve conduction. Also, NEP inhibitors may inhibit dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) expression, ameliorating insulin and glucagon‐like peptide 1 (GLP‐1) levels. These findings proposed that NEP inhibitors may have a protective effect against AD development by increasing GLP‐1, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and substance P, and deleterious effects by increasing brain BK. Preclinical and clinical studies are recommended in this regard.
A framework to characterise the reproducibility of meta‐analysis results with its application to direct oral anticoagulants in the acute treatment of venous thromboembolism

The number of meta‐analyses of aggregate data has dramatically increased due to the facility of obtaining data from publications and the development of free, easy‐to‐use, and specialised statistical software. Even when meta‐analyses include the same studies, their results may vary owing to different methodological choices. Assessment of the replication of meta‐analysis provides an example of the variation of effect ‘naturally’ observed between multiple research projects. Reproducibility of results has mostly been reported using graphical descriptive representations. A quantitative analysis of such results would enable (i) breakdown of the total observed variability with quantification of the variability generated by the replication process and (ii) identification of which variables account for this variability, such as methodological quality or the statistical analysis procedures used. These variables might explain systematic mean differences between results and dispersion of the results. To quantitatively characterise the reproducibility of meta‐analysis results, a bivariate linear mixed‐effects model was developed to simulate both mean results and their corresponding uncertainty. Results were assigned to several replication groups, those assessing the same studies, outcomes, treatment indication and comparisons classified in the same replication group. A nested random effect structure was used to break down the total variability within each replication group and between these groups to enable calculation of an intragroup correlation coefficient and quantification of reproducibility. Determinants of variability were investigated by modelling both mean and variance parameters using covariates. The proposed model was applied to the example of meta‐analyses evaluating direct oral anticoagulants in the acute treatment of venous thromboembolism.
Heavy metals in sediments and soils contaminated by electronic waste recycling in Guiyu town

A field investigation was carried out on characteristics of heavy metals in the sediments and soils nearby electronic waste recycling sites in Guiyu town,Shantou city,Guangdong Province.The results showed that the concentrations of Cd,Cr,Cu,Pb,Zn were 52.9~67.1,309~359,79.2~1485,391~449,37.5~111 mg.kg-1 in sediment,respectively.Concentrations of Cd,Cr,Cu,Pb,Zn were 54.1~57.1,278~320,93.5~116,382~415,46.2~68.1 mg.kg-1 in soil,respectively.Concentrations of Cd,Cr,Cu and Pb were more than the secondary category of soil environmental quality standard(GB15618-1995),of which the most serious pollutions were Cd and Cu.The geochemical distribution of heavy metals in sediment and soil is similarly.The mobility of heavy metals were CdCrPbZnCu.
Drosophila melanogaster as an organism model for studying cystic fibrosis and its major associated microbial infections

ABSTRACT Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a human genetic disease caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene that encodes a chloride channel. The most severe clinical manifestation is associated with chronic pulmonary infections by pathogenic and opportunistic microbes. Drosophila melanogaster has become the invertebrate model of choice for modeling microbial infections and studying the induced innate immune response. Here, we review its contribution to the understanding of infections with six major pathogens associated with CF (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cepacia, Mycobacterium abscessus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Aspergillus fumigatus) together with the perspectives opened by the recent availability of two CF models in this model organism.
Resection of positive tissue on methionine‐PET is associated with improved survival in glioblastomas

The volume of excised tumor in contrast‐enhanced areas evaluated via magnetic resonance imaging is known to have a strong influence on the survival of patients with glioblastoma (GBM). In this study, we investigated the effect of tumor resection on the survival of patients with GBM in the 11C‐methionine (MET) accumulation area using MET‐positron emission tomography (MET‐PET).
HTATIP2 regulates arteriogenic activity in monocytes from patients with limb ischemia

Use of autologous cells isolated from elderly patients with multiple comorbidities may account for the modest efficacy of cell therapy in patients with chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI). We aimed to determine whether proarteriogenic monocyte/macrophages (Mo/MΦs) from patients with CLTI were functionally impaired and to demonstrate the mechanisms related to any impairment. Proarteriogenic Mo/MΦs isolated from patients with CLTI were found to have an impaired capacity to promote neovascularization in vitro and in vivo compared with those isolated from healthy controls. This was associated with increased expression of human HIV-1 TAT interactive protein-2 (HTATIP2), a transcription factor known to suppress angiogenesis/arteriogenesis. Silencing HTATIP2 restored the functional capacity of CLTI Mo/MΦs, which was associated with increased expression of arteriogenic regulators Neuropilin-1 and Angiopoietin-1, and their ability to enhance angiogenic (endothelial tubule formation) and arteriogenic (smooth muscle proliferation) processes in vitro. In support of the translational relevance of our findings, silencing HTATIP2 in proarteriogenic Mo/MΦs isolated from patients with CLTI rescued their capacity to enhance limb perfusion in the ischemic hindlimb by effecting greater angiogenesis and arteriogenesis. Ex vivo modulation of HTATIP2 may offer a strategy for rescuing the functional impairment of pro–angio/arteriogenic Mo/MΦs prior to autologous delivery and increase the likelihood of clinical efficacy.
Green synthesis, characterisation and antibacterial activities of Strobilanthes crispus-mediated silver nanoparticles (SC-AGNPS) against selected bacteria

Abstract This study aims to characterize and determine the antibacterial activities of synthesized Strobilanthes crispus-mediated AgNPs (SC-AgNPs) against Streptococcus mutans, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. S. crispus water extract acts as a reducing and capping agent in the synthesis of AgNPs. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by using UV-Vis spectrophotometer, dynamic light scattering (DLS), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR). FESEM images showed a rough surface with a spherical shape. The average size distribution of 75.25 nm with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.373. XRD analysis matched the face-centred cubic structure of silver. FTIR analysis revealed a shifted peak from 1404.99 to 1345.00 cm−1. MIC and MBC values of SC-AgNPs were 1.25 mg/mL and 2.5 mg/mL against E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. mutans, respectively. Time-kill assay showed that SC-AgNPs significantly reduced bacterial growth as compared to non-treated bacteria. Morphologies of bacteria treated with SC-AgNPs were shrunk, lysed, irregular and smaller as compared to control. SC-AgNPs significantly disrupted the gene expression of eae A, gtf B and Pel A (p < 0.05). This study indicated that the synthesized SC-AgNPs were stable with enhanced antibacterial activities.
A WEB-BASED TOURIST GUIDE MOBILE APPLICATION

Tourism is an important source of income for many countries, including Cyprus, a small island in Mediterranean that largely depends on tourism for its financial growth. In order to offer better services to tourists, in regard to informing them about the various attractions of the island, we have developed a tourism guide mobile application, which can assist tourists during their stay at the country. By using modern Web techniques, we managed to develop a tourist guide application that is able to be installed on various mobile platforms, such as Android and iOS, looking very similar to native applications. This practice constitutes a novel technique in mobile development.
The seasonal importance of small coastal sharks and rays in the artisanal elasmobranch fishery of Sinaloa, Mexico

Seasonal surveys were conducted during 1998-1999 in Sinaloa, Mexico to determine the extent and activities of the artisanal elasmobranch fishery operating in the southeastern Gulf of California. Twenty-eight fishing sites were documented, the majority of which (78.6%) targeted elasmobranchs during some part of the year. Sharks numerically dominated sampled landings (65.0%, n = 2390), and catch rates exceeded those of rays during autumn-spring. The scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini, was the primary fishery target during these seasons, with most landings composed of early life stages. During summer, rays, especially Rhinoptera steindachneri, were numerically dominant (87.7%). Large sharks were of comparably minor importance in the artisanal fishery during all seasons. Catch composition was similar between spring and winter (SIMobs = 0.393, SIMexp = 0.415; P = 0.25), largely because the fishery mainly targeted "cazon" (sharks < 1.5 m total length) during this period (e.g., S. lewini, Rhizoprionodon longurio). Small size classes of large sharks and a wide size range of coastal sharks and rays were primarily observed. In addition, size composition of S. lewini and to a lesser extent, R. longurio decreased significantly between historic and contemporary landings. Local populations of these species should therefore be closely monitored.
Urban monitoring: new possibilities of combining high spatial resolution IKONOS images with contextual image analysis techniques

The development of high spatial resolution scanners in theory might lead to the inclusion of studies at the town quarter level or the village level. Such developments open the way to sub-regional and urban studies where the object of study has a size, smaller than a soccer field. It might enable us to monitor socio-economic components of study areas next to general land cover monitoring. In a research project on land cover change detection in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) an IKONOS image became available and the added value of this high spatial resolution remote sensing (RS) source could be analysed based on a comparison of the level of detail and insight in land use classification at the neighbourhood and block level. Previous work was carried out on the basis of SPOT-XS images having a significant lower spatial resolution of 20 by 20 meters but a comparable spectral band setting. The conventional spectral-based image classification methods however exclude information captured by neighbouring pixels. City sections are often characterized by a unique spatial arrangement and size of objects such as buildings, roads and green areas. Various authors have discussed the use of so-called contextual filtering algorithms for example in vegetation and land cover classification. A disadvantage of the filtering algorithm is that the spatial resolution of the output image degrades with the size of the filtering kernel. When such a kernel is applied to a SPOT-XS image, the area under investigation covers 60/spl times/60 m. , much larger than the size of the objects understudy. IKONOS with its smaller pixel size of 4/spl times/4 meters opens the way for contextual image analysis techniques at a spatial scale of interest for urban applications as the minimal kernel size of IKONOS will cover an area of approximately 12/spl times/12 m. This size much better matches the size of urban buildings and the scale of socioeconomic activities.
The Impact of Taurine on Obesity-Induced Diabetes Mellitus: Mechanisms Underlying Its Effect

This review explores the potential benefits of taurine in ameliorating the metabolic disorders of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D), highlighting the factors that bridge these associations. Relevant articles and studies were reviewed to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between obesity and the development of T2D and the effect of taurine on those conditions. The loss of normal β-cell function and development of T2D are associated with obesity-derived insulin resistance. The occurrence of diabetes has been linked to the low bioavailability of taurine, which plays critical roles in normal β-cell function, anti-oxidation, and anti-inflammation. The relationships among obesity, insulin resistance, β-cell dysfunction, and T2D are complex and intertwined. Taurine may play a role in ameliorating these metabolic disorders through different pathways, but further research is needed to fully understand its effects and potential as a therapeutic intervention.
A variable heart rate multi-compartmental coupled model of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems

Current mathematical models of the cardiovascular system that are based on systems of ordinary differential equations are limited in their ability to mimic important features of measured patient data, such as variable heart rates (HR). Such limitations present a significant obstacle in the use of such models for clinical decision-making, as it is the variations in vital signs such as HR and systolic and diastolic blood pressure that are monitored and recorded in typical critical care bedside monitoring systems. In this paper, novel extensions to well-established multi-compartmental models of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems are proposed that permit the simulation of variable HR. Furthermore, a correction to current models is also proposed to stabilize the respiratory behaviour and enable realistic simulation of vital signs over the longer time scales required for clinical management. The results of the extended model developed here show better agreement with measured bio-signals, and these extensions provide an important first step towards estimating model parameters from patient data, using methods such as neural ordinary differential equations. The approach presented is generalizable to many other similar multi-compartmental models of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
Social networks and voter turnout

This paper develops a model of voter turnout that embeds Riker and Ordeshook’s (1968 Am. Pol. Sci. Rev. 62, 25–42 (doi:10.2307/1953324)) calculus of voting into the context of a social network. In the model, an individual’s expressive benefits to voting depend on the behaviour of their social contacts. We show that there may be multiple equilibria and analyse how these equilibria depend on the structure of the network. We discuss six empirical implications of the model for turnout, some of which suggest novel answers to longstanding puzzles in the turnout literature, such as: why are higher income individuals more likely to vote even in cases when registration costs are low? Why is turnout so difficult to predict? Why does lowering registration costs disproportionately increase turnout among high-income voters? And why do we observe inertia in turnout across elections?
Spontaneous recurrence of a summer-like diel rhythm in the body temperature of the Syrian hamster after hibernation

Mammalian hibernation is a survival strategy characterized by metabolic suppression and drastically lowering body temperature (Tb), used during harsh seasons with food shortages and cold. The Syrian hamster commences hibernation in response to a short photoperiod and cold but spontaneously concludes hibernation after several months without environmental cues. Little is known about the changes in diel rhythms during hibernation. Using long-term and high-resolution Tb data, we analysed the diel Tb rhythm time-course changes in Syrian hamsters raised under summer-like conditions (long photoperiod (LP) and warm; LP-warm) and transferred to winter-like conditions (short photoperiod (SP) and cold; SP-cold). The diel Tb rhythm was undetectable during the hibernation period (HIBP), reappearing after the HIBP. The phase of this returning rhythm reverted to the LP entrainment phase characteristics despite the ambient SP and then re-entrained to the ambient SP as if the hamsters were transferred from the LP-warm to SP-cold conditions. The diel Tb rhythm reverted from the SP- to LP-type in a hibernation-dependent manner. Under constant dark and cold conditions, the circadian Tb rhythm recovered without photic stimuli following the HIBP. These findings suggest that hibernation involves a program that anticipates the ambient photoperiod when animals emerge from hibernation.
ANÁLISIS COMPARATIVO ENTRE LA FORMACIÓN BARROSO Y EL COMPLEJO QUEBRADAGRANDE: UN ARCO VOLCÁNICO TOLEÍTICO-CALCOALCALINO, SEGMENTADO POR EL SISTEMA DE FALLAS DE ROMERAL EN LOS ANDES DEL NORTE?

La Formacion Barroso y el Complejo Quebradagrande estan constituidos por derrames lavicos basalticos y andesiticos, junto a tobas, aglomerados, tufas y paquetes sedimentarios de chert, lodolitas, limolitas, grauwacas y conglomerados que por lo general reposan discordantes sobre las rocas volcanicas o se intercalan con ellas. El Complejo Quebradagrande ha sido afectado por el sistema de Fallas de Romeral que deforma las rocas y genera una serie de retazos sedimentarios y volcanicos con alteracion propilitica y deformacion ductil y fragil, limitados por las fallas de San Jeronimo al oriente y de Silvia – Pijao al occidente. Las caracteristicas de los oxidos mayores, elementos de las tierras raras y trazas, sugieren que la Formacion Barroso y el Complejo Quebradagrande se formaron en un arco magmatico de suprasubduccion, ambas unidades tienen afi nidad toleitica y calco alcalina media en K. El Complejo Quebradagrande tiene contenido mayor de Th y ligeramente menor de Hf que la Formacion Barroso, pero las dos unidades muestran una misma tendencia en todos los grafi cos de geoquimica, sugiriendo la posibilidad de que se generaron en el mismo arco. La Formacion Barrosos y el Complejo Quebradagrande presentan una serie de datos como edades radiometricas, secuencias asociadas de sedimentitas con registro fosil y conglomerados basales, asi como relaciones estratigrafi cas intrusivas con plutones cretacicos de edades Turoniano a Albiano, que permiten postular una misma edad para las dos unidades, dentro del rango Albiano-Aptiano. La informacion petrografi ca, litologica, litogeoquimica, radiometrica y las relaciones estratigragicas sugieren que ambas unidades posiblemente se generaron en el mismo arco magmatico y fueron posteriormente desmembradas por el Sistema de Fallas de Romeral El arco magmatico que dio origen a la Formacion Barroso, al Complejo Quebradagrande y a los plutones asociados, se emplazo a lo largo de la zona de debilidad o zona de convergencia de las cortezas oceanica y continental, las cuales se encontraban juntas o muy cerca la una de la otra, de acuerdo a la composicion de los conglomerados asociados al Complejo Quebradagrande con aporte de ambas cortezas y a la intrusion de plutones como el Batolito de Sabanalarga, la Tonalita de Buritica y la Diorita de Altavista, sugiriendo que el choque se dio antes del Albiano-Aptiano