Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Habitat, limnological signatures and spatial modeling: a zoning proposal for the Curuá-Una hydroelectric reservoir, Pará, Brazil

Abstract Aim The objective of this work is to characterize, spatially model and to perform the zoning of the aquatic environment in the Curuá-Una HPP reservoir, in the state of Pará, in the Brazilian Amazon. Methods The data were collected from 77 sampling points distributed over 20 transects in the Curuá-Una reservoir, in November 2016. The data were obtained through descriptive templates of the landscape, and assessment of limnological, bathymetry and georeferencing variables. To describe and model spatial patterns for the limnological Proxies, geostatistical analysis was used with semivariogram fitting, and interpolation using Ordinary Kriging to generate the maps. To determine the degree of association of the landscape Proxies, Correspondence Analysis (CA) was chosen, and to relate the landscape Proxies with the limnological Proxies, Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was carried out. Results The results of the analysis of the limnological Proxies showed that the variables presented normal distribution according to the Shapiro-Wilk test (5%) except for transparency and temperature. Most of the variables obtained well-defined, level and good geostatistical analysis. There was a prevalence of gaussian and spherical adjustment models. Different zones in the distribution of the limnological variables in the longitudinal axis of the reservoir were observed. The CA showed a short local gradient in the variables, which effectively characterizes the interface of landscape and human. In Figure 5, the first two axes of the CCA showed 61.17% of the data variability. The limnological signatures showed 42.3% of variability, with high correlation between the landscape Proxies and the environmental Proxies in both axes. Conclusions This type of approach should be useful in managing Brazilian river basins, especially in the Amazon, a focus for the construction of numerous hydroelectric dams, as it can indicate the limnological and environmental state and provide a clearer view of these environments.
Nano-ZnO priming induces salt tolerance by promoting photosynthetic carbon assimilation in wheat

ABSTRACT High salt seriously reduces plant growth in wheat by depressing photosynthetic carbon assimilation. In this study, wheat plants were firstly primed with nano-ZnO (50 mg L−1), and after 20-day recovery, the plants were then exposed to a 10-day salt stress (200 mM NaCl). The nano-ZnO priming significantly reduced Na concentration and increased leaf water potential under salt stress. In relation to the non-primed plants, the nano-ZnO primed plants possessed more effective oxygen scavenging system as exemplified by the enhanced activities of SOD, APX and CAT, leading to a better maintenance in homeostasis of ROS production under salt stress. The nano-ZnO priming benefited the tolerance of photosynthetic apparatus to subsequent salt stress, which was mainly due to the enhanced trapped energy flux and electron transport flux. The nano-ZnO priming increased the activities of phosphoglucomutase and cytoplasmic invertase, which promoted the sucrose biosynthesis in leaves under salt stress. In addition, the nano-ZnO primed plants had higher shoot dry weight than the non-primed plants under salt stress. Collectively, nano-ZnO priming activated the antioxidant system to depress the oxidative burst and enhanced the efficiency of photosynthetic electron transport and sucrose biosynthesis in leaves under salt stress, hereby improved the salt tolerance in wheat.
Matching population diversity of rhizobial nodA and legume NFR5 genes in plant–microbe symbiosis

Abstract We hypothesized that population diversities of partners in nitrogen‐fixing rhizobium–legume symbiosis can be matched for “interplaying” genes. We tested this hypothesis using data on nucleotide polymorphism of symbiotic genes encoding two components of the plant–bacteria signaling system: (a) the rhizobial nodA acyltransferase involved in the fatty acid tail decoration of the Nod factor (signaling molecule); (b) the plant NFR5 receptor required for Nod factor binding. We collected three wild‐growing legume species together with soil samples adjacent to the roots from one large 25‐year fallow: Vicia sativa, Lathyrus pratensis, and Trifolium hybridum nodulated by one of the two Rhizobium leguminosarum biovars (viciae and trifolii). For each plant species, we prepared three pools for DNA extraction and further sequencing: the plant pool (30 plant indiv.), the nodule pool (90 nodules), and the soil pool (30 samples). We observed the following statistically significant conclusions: (a) a monotonic relationship between the diversity in the plant NFR5 gene pools and the nodule rhizobial nodA gene pools; (b) higher topological similarity of the NFR5 gene tree with the nodA gene tree of the nodule pool, than with the nodA gene tree of the soil pool. Both nonsynonymous diversity and Tajima's D were increased in the nodule pools compared with the soil pools, consistent with relaxation of negative selection and/or admixture of balancing selection. We propose that the observed genetic concordance between NFR5 gene pools and nodule nodA gene pools arises from the selection of particular genotypes of the nodA gene by the host plant.
Quality and sensory acceptance of ‘Pérola’ pineapple grown in soil with application of organic fertilizer

ABSTRACT: Type of fertilizer and doses used are factors that influence the quality of pineapple fruit. This study aimed to evaluate the physico-chemical and sensorial quality of organically grown ‘Pérola’ pineapple and recommend the effective dose for best fruit quality, especially regarding sensorial acceptance. Effect of doses of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 t ha-1 of “bokashi” organic fertilizer on color, weight, pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio (SS/TA), vitamin C content, sensory acceptance and purchase intention was evaluated. Increasing doses of bokashi positively influenced weight and titratable acidity of the fruits and negatively affected the SS/TA ratio. Fruits produced with doses between 20t ha-1 and 40t ha-1. had good sensorial acceptance and were considered to have ideal acidity, sweetness and texture by most consumers. The authors recommend using 20 t ha-1 of bokashi, as this dose promotes the production of high quality fruits, with satisfactory SS/TA ratio and high sensorial acceptance.
Potency of Brown Sugar as a Nectar Substitute for Trichoglossus haematodus in Captivity

Trichoglossus haematodus (Linnaeus, 1771) is nectarivorous bird that feed on nectar as a source of carbohydrate. In captivity, it is not practical to provide a continued diet of nectar from the flowers. Therefore, this study aimed to find other carbohydrate sources such as brown sugar as substitute nectar for T. haematodus. Twelve wild T. haematodus in four cages offered five types different brown sugar solution with different concentrations. Since brown sugar has low protein content, therefore the birds also offered commercial baby biscuit to meet the protein requirement. The results showed that the birds like to consume all types of brown sugar solution with sugar concentration up to 40% . However, the siwalan brown sugar solution was the most favored by the bird. over the other type of brown sugar solutions (aren, coconut, sugar cane and regular commercial “palm” brown sugar). Furthermore, the result showed that the birds prefer commercial baby biscuit was soaked in the brown sugar solution with concentration 20%. This study provides the information that the brown sugar solution based diet has potency as an alternative carbohydrate source to substitute nectar for T. haematodus in captivity which is more practical and can increase the survival rate in birds.
Time series analysis of antibacterial usage and bacterial resistance in China: observations from a tertiary hospital from 2014 to 2018

Purpose To describe trends and correlation between antibacterial exposure and bacterial resistance from hospitalized patients in a hospital in southern China. Patients and methods This study used hospital-wide data regarding antimicrobial resistance and consumption between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2018. Antibacterial consumption was expressed as antimicrobial use density (AUD). The changes in trends and associations between antibacterial utilization and resistance were analyzed using linear regression and time series analysis. Results The total AUD of all antimicrobials decreased year by year (50.66 in 2014 vs 44.28 in 2018, P=0.03). The annual use of antimicrobials, such as penicillins, monobactams, aminoglycosides, macrolides, and lincosamides, significantly decreased (P<0.05), while the annual use of quinolones and tetracyclines significantly increased (P<0.05). Among the top ten isolated bacteria, antimicrobial resistance trends of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis significantly decreased (P<0.05). Significant positive correlation was found between AUD of carbapenems and resistance rate of Acinetobacter baumannii to imipenem (β=32.87, P<0.01), as well as the correlation between AUD of quinolones and resistance rate of Enterococcus faecium to levofloxacin (β=104.40, P<0.01). Conclusion The consumption of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance has been significantly improved in this tertiary hospital. Additionally, the efforts of China’s antibiotic management may be suggested by the relationship between indicated antibiotic resistance and consumption. However, overall AUD levels and poor control of the use of antibiotics, such as quinolones and tetracyclines, still require strengthened management.
VEGF et survie des patients atteints d'un cancer pulmonaire

The process of angiogenesis is an important factor in tumour development. One of the principal factors implicated in this process is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) which induces, among other things, an increase in vascular permeability. We have undertaken a systematic review of the English and French literature in order to clarify its effect on the survival of patients with small cell (SCLC) and non-small cell (NSCLC) lung cancer. To be eligible studies had to deal with the the evaluation of VEGF or its receptors in lung cancer and describe the relationship of their expression to survival. The survival figures were subject to meta-analysis after a methodological evaluation by means of a specific numerical scale evaluating the design of the study, the methodology (including laboratory techniques), and the analysis of results. Among the 20 studies selected 15 identified VEGF expression, using univariate analysis, as a statistically significant indicator of poor prognosis. 17 reported sufficient data to allow aggregation of the survival figures, of which 15 were devoted to NSCLC (1,549 patients). The median overall methodological score was 48.3% (range 21.8-72.4%), without significant difference (p=0.63) between studies eligible or non-eligible for meta-analysis. The meta-analysis, using the authors' threshold of positivity for VEGF, showed that VEGF is an unfavourable prognostic factor in NSCLC (HR=1.48; 95% confidence interval 1.27-1.72). The data were insufficient to determine the prognostic value of VEGF in SCLC and that of its two receptors Flt-1 and KDR, with 1, 2 and 1 published studies respectively. In conclusion the expression of VEGF in MSCLC is a factor indicating a poor prognosis.
Simplification of a species complex: Two new species of Leucothoidae (Crustacea: Amphipoda) previously attributed to Leucothoe spinicarpa (Abildgaard, 1789) in Florida, U.S.A.

Leucothoe spinicarpa (Abildgaard, 1789) has long been thought of as a cosmopolitan species; however, relatively recent morphological studies have discovered a species complex previously attributed to L. spinicarpa. Despite this, several species remain hardly distinguishable from the general leucothoid form of L. spinicarpa. Morphological analyses reveal two distinct species in Tampa Bay, Florida, USA, which is supported by molecular mitochondrial COI and nuclear 18S ribosomal DNA data. Leucothoe tunicasp. nov. and L. machidaisp. nov. are described herein. Analyses of DNA sequences from specimens from Tampa Bay, FL, Big Pine Key, FL, and Belize of L. tunicasp. nov. demonstrate intraspecific genetic structure in morphologically identical populations. Therefore, the geographically distant populations of L. tunicasp. nov. thus represent one species with a wide distribution, whereas L. machidaisp. nov. has so far been collected only in Tampa Bay.
Immediate early gene kakusei plays a role in the daily foraging and learning of honey bees

kakusei is a non-coding RNA that is overexpressed in foraging bee brain. This study describes a fundamental role of the IEG kakusei during the daily foraging of honey bees. kakusei was found to be transiently upregulated within two hours during rewarded foraging. Interestingly, during unrewarded foraging the gene was also found to be up-regulated, but immediately lowered as food was not rewarded. Moreover, the kakusei overexpression was diminished within a very short time when the time schedule of feeding was changed. This indicates the potential role of kakusei on the motivation of learned reward foraging, reflecting associative learning memory. These results provide evidence for a dynamic role of kakusei during foraging of bees, and eventually its possible involvement in learning and memory. Thus the kakusei gene could be used as key search tool in finding distinct molecular pathways that mediate diverse behavioral components of foraging.
Efficiency of the CL, DRIS and CND Methods in Assessing the Nutritional Status of Eucalyptus spp. Rooted Cuttings

The efficiency of methods in adequately interpreting the nutritional status of Eucalyptus spp. rooted cuttings remains unknown. The aim was to evaluate the quality of diagnoses obtained using the critical level (CL), diagnosis and recommendation integrated system (DRIS) and compositional nutrient diagnosis (CND) methods to assess the nutritional status of Eucalyptus spp. rooted cuttings, based on two different yield indicators. The data were obtained from commercial nursery and calibration experiments, using seven nutrients as treatments (N, P, K, Mg, Ca, B and Fe) and four concentrations per nutrient, arranged in randomized blocks, with four repetitions. The Eucalyptus spp. clone used in the experiments was AEC 0144. A total of 222 rooted cuttings were obtained from the experimental area and commercial nurseries and the following were determined: leaf nutrient content, whole plant dry matter (DM) content and the Dickson quality index (DQI). Diagnostic accuracy in the experimental plots was ascertained by comparing the diagnosis with plant response as a function of adding the corresponding nutrient. Five measures of accuracy were used to test the efficiency of the diagnostic methods: total accuracy, accuracy for deficiency and sufficiency, deficiency ratio, efficiency ratio, and the net increase in in DM and DQI. The performance of diagnostic methods varied between CL, DRIS and CND, and among the nutrients studied. Given that the seedling production system is largely more controlled, where environmental variations are minimal, and considering that the different diagnostic methods exhibited distinct performance in terms of assessing the true nutritional status of eucalyptus rooted cuttings, the CL method is the most indicated for this situation, due to its better performance in evaluating the nutritional status of most nutrients and easy implementation.
Characterization of Beta-Lactamases in Bloodstream-Infection Escherichia coli: Dissemination of blaADC–162 and blaCMY–2 Among Bacteria via an IncF Plasmid

Objectives To describe the molecular characteristics of beta-lactamases in bloodstream-infection Escherichia coli isolated from elderly patients, and to determine the genotypic patterns of blaCMY–2 and blaADC–162. Methods A total of 50 bloodstream-infection E. coli isolates were obtained from patients aged > 50 years at Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital South Campus during 2015–2018. The isolates were subjected to beta-lactamase detection using phenotypic and molecular methods. Beta-lactamase genes were verified by sequencing and the phylogenetic relationships of the isolates were analyzed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The transferability of plasmids carrying blaCMY–2 and blaADC–162 genes was verified by conjugation experiments and plasmid replicon typing. Results Eight beta-lactamase subtypes were detected in 50 isolates of bloodstream-infection E. coli. blaTEM–1 (21/50) was the most common beta-lactamase gene, followed by blaCTX–M–14 (8/50), blaOXA–27 (5/50), blaCTX–M–27 (3/50), blaCTX–M–65 (1/50), blaADC–162 (1/50), and blaCMY–2 (1/50). Of these, blaADC–162 (ST95-A), and blaCMY–2 (ST95-B2) have not previously been reported in bloodstream-infection E. coli. In 21 isolates, beta-lactamase genes were located on conjugative plasmids belonging to incompatibility groups FrepB (n = 7), FIA (n = 1), FIC (n = 2), K (n = 8), N (n = 1), and I (n = 1), and blaCTX–M was associated with the common elements ISEcp1, IS903, and IS26, but with special sequences (region V, region Y, and region W) for ISEcp1 in 14 isolates. Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the first molecular characterization of beta-lactamase genes in E. coli isolated from the bloodstream in elderly patients. Beta-lactamase genes were detected at a relatively high frequency in elderly patients with bloodstream E. coli infections. Plasmid replicon analysis showed that horizontal dissemination of beta-lactamase genes was mainly mediated by IncK and IncF plasmids, which could encode multidrug resistance genes. The study also provides the first report of ISAba1-blaADC–162-tnpA and ISEcp1-blaCTX–M–14-IS903-blaCMY–2-blc-sugE in E. coli, and demonstrates IncF plasmid-mediated blaADC–162 and blaCMY–2 gene dissemination among bacteria.
Echolocation and roosting ecology determine sensitivity of forest‐dependent bats to coffee agriculture

Species differ in vulnerability to anthropogenic land use changes. Knowledge of the mechanisms driving differential sensitivity can inform conservation strategies but is generally lacking for species‐rich taxa in the tropics. The diverse bat fauna of Southeast Asia is threatened by rapid loss of forest and expanding agricultural activities, but the associations between species, traits, vulnerability to agriculture, and the underlying drivers have yet to be elucidated. We studied the responses of speciose insectivorous bat assemblages to robusta coffee cultivation in Sumatra, Indonesia. We compared abundance, species richness, and assemblage structures of bats between forests and coffee farms based on trapping data and evaluated the influence of vegetation complexity on assemblage composition and species‐level reactions. Bat abundance and species richness were significantly lower in coffee farms than in forests. Bat assemblage structure differed between land uses, and the overall variation can be largely explained by vegetation simplification. Species sensitive to coffee agriculture were associated with more complex vegetation structure, whereas tolerant species were associated with simpler vegetation structure. Sensitive and tolerant species differed in the type, frequency, and bandwidth of echolocation calls and roost use. Species sensitive to coffee use broadband and high‐pitched frequency‐modulated calls, which are efficient at detecting insects in complex vegetation, and roost in plant structures that may be lost as vegetation is simplified. In contrast, tolerant species used lower pitched constant‐frequency calls and roost in caves. We advocate for greater use of trait analyses in studies seeking to clarify the influence of agriculture on diverse tropical bat faunas.
Evaluating the effects of alcohol and tobacco use on cardiovascular disease using multivariable Mendelian randomization

Alcohol and tobacco use, two major modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), are often consumed together. Using large publicly available genome-wide association studies (results from > 940,000 participants), we conducted two-sample multivariable Mendelian randomization (MR) to simultaneously assess the independent effects of alcohol and tobacco use on CVD risk factors and events. We found genetic instruments associated with increased alcohol use, controlling for tobacco use, associated with increased high-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), decreased triglycerides, but not with coronary heart disease (CHD), myocardial infarction (MI), nor stroke; and instruments for increased tobacco use, controlling for alcohol use, associated with decreased HDL-C, increased triglycerides, and increased risk of CHD and MI. Exploratory analysis found associations with HDL-C, LDL-C, and intermediate-density-lipoprotein metabolites. Consistency of results across complementary methods accommodating different MR assumptions strengthened causal inference, providing strong genetic evidence for the causal effects of modifiable lifestyle risk factors on CVD risk.
Managing geomorphic values within Tasmanian plantations on karst terrain

ABSTRACT The hazards associated with land use in karst terrain are widely recognised but those associated with forest operations on karst have received relatively little attention. The Tasmanian Forest Practices Code, first introduced in 1987, specifies that natural values in karst terrain are protected and managed during forest operations. Consequently, planning of operations on plantations in karst terrain requires detailed documentation and mapping of the karst features (chiefly sinkholes and caves) present. Planning by Forest Practices Officers, working with geoscientists at the Forest Practices Authority (FPA), has generally ensured that karst features have been avoided at planting, but because karst is an active process, prescriptions to protect karst in first rotations may need to be upgraded in Forest Practices Plans (FPPs) produced for later rotations. Experience gained in both pre-Code and post-Code plantations led the FPA to develop new guidelines for forest operations on karst. Instead of classifying sinkholes on their basis of their size and genesis, the guidelines classify them pragmatically into three categories—passive, active and recent—broadly related to perceived risk of further collapse and runoff-filtering capacity and apply appropriate management prescriptions for each category. Incorporation of these prescriptions into FPPs ensures risk-related management for karst features and reduces hazards for machinery operators and forest managers. The guidelines can be applied by foresters and forest planners trained in geomorphic processes and could be applied more broadly in karst terrain.