Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Do pollination syndromes cause modularity and predict interactions in a pollination network in tropical high‐altitude grasslands?

Th e concept of pollination syndromes has been widely questioned, since plant – pollinator interactions have proved to be more generalist than was previously thought. We examined whether the network of a tropical high-altitude grassland contained groups of plants and pollinators that interact preferentially with each other. A general binary matrix was created. To assess the robustness of myophily, in all analyses we considered: 1) the whole network, 2) the network after the wasps were removed, and 3) the network after the fl ies were removed. For each network we evaluated whether: 1) the observed interactions were more related to syndromes than expected by chance, compared to an expected matrix; 2) there was a modular structure; 3) the modules found were more related to syndromes than expected by chance, compared to another expected matrix; 4) the syndromes were equally robust. For this analysis, the general matrix was subdivided into smaller matrices that included each pollination syndrome separately. To test the infl uence of the functional groups of pollinators and the phylogeny of plants, in addition to the general matrix, we also considered the fi rst expected matrix, a quantitative functional group and a plant phylogeny matrix. Th e pollination syndromes determined the pattern of interactions in the network: 69% of the total interactions resulted from the functional group of pollinators predicted by the plant syndrome. Th e network showed greater modularity (13 modules) than expected by chance, mostly consisting of the expected functional groups of pollinators and plant syndromes. Th e modules were associated with pollination syndromes more than was predicted by chance. Most of the variation in interactions was explained by functional groups of pollinators or by plant syndromes. Plant phylogeny did not account for a signifi cant amount of variation in the interactions. Our fi ndings support the concept of pollination syndromes. However, the interactions were not equally predicted by diff erent pollination syndromes, and the accuracy of the prediction was strongest for ornithophily and melittophily.
Fire - caribou - winter range relationships in northern Canada

We needed data on temporal changes in caribou forages after fire and relative use of age-classes of forests by caribou to help devise a fire suppression priority strategy for caribou winter range in north-central Canada. Consequently, from 1983 through 1986, we estimated the abundance of vegetation and relative use by caribou at 197 sites in western and eastern study areas on the winter range of the Beverly herd of caribou {Rangifer tarandus). Species of lichens attained peak biomass at different periods after fire - as early as 40-60 years for Cladonia spp. to > 150 years for Cladina rangiferina and Cetraria nivalis. Biomass of the primary "caribou lichen", Cladina mitis, increased rapidly from 21-30 years after fire to 41-50 years and attained maximum biomass at 81-90 yeats in the west and 41-60 years in the east. However, total lichen biomass increased with age of forest to 100-150 years because biomass of Stereocaulon spp. did not peak until after 100 years. The biomass of "caribou lichens" {Cladina spp. and Cetraria nivalis) stabilized after 61-80 years in the west and 41-60 years in the east. The biomass of terrestrial lichen species can be predicted from their cover. Caribou lichen abundance apparently was only one of several factors that caused caribou to use stands 151-250 years after fire more than othet age classes.
Nutritional value of cooked beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and their isolated major protein fractions

The digestibility and nutritional properties of whole cooked beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L) and their isolated and cooked major protein fractions were evaluated in rats. Isolated globulin GI was highly digestible (89.5%) but had a low NPR value (1.51). The albumins and glutelins exhibited intermediate digestibilities (79.1 and 73.2%) and a biological utilisation NPR of 3.18 and 2.91, respectively, 30% lower than casein. Whole beans exhibited the poorest digestibility (62.8%) with a faecal excretion of more than 30% of the ingested nitrogen and an intermediate NPR of 2.27. There was a direct relation between the amount of ingested dietary fibre and dry matter and N excretion. Enrichment of whole beans with the isolated albumin fraction, rich as it is in sulphur amino acids, did not improve NPR value. Dry beans apparently contain components producing undigestible protein complexes which affect amino acid availability and increase endogenous nitrogen excretion.
Demographic Consequences of Inbreeding in Remnant Populations

Although traditional population fragmentation theory and management has been strongly oriented toward concerns arising from inbreeding depression, recent papers suggest that small populations will be eliminated by demographic and/or environmental events before inbreeding becomes a problem. We explore the interaction between these factors by developing a stochastic, discrete time Leslie model that incorporates inbreeding depression. We model small population dynamics with three realistic demographic schedules: low growth rate "ungulates," medium growth rate "felids," and high growth rate "rodents," examining the impact of survival and fertility depression commensurate with inbreeding effects reported in the literature. Focusing on the first few generations after habitat fragmentation and isolation, we find that (a) high growth rate populations are affected only by strong inbreeding depression, but low growth rate populations are extremely vulnerable to even minor inbreeding depression; (b) vulnerability to extinction is affected more by survival depression than by fecundity depression; and (c) reductions in the sex ratio exacerbate inbreeding accumulation and hence extinction rate. Counter to the current fashion, which downplays the importance of inbreeding in stochastic environments, we conclude that, while inbreeding depression is not necessarily the primary cause of extinction, it can be critical.
Is Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Associated with Renal Involvement? A Review of Century Infection

Context: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is one of the most threatening pandemics in history involving multiple organs, including the kidney. This study aimed to review the association of COVID-19 with renal involvement. Evidence Acquisition: International databases, including the Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, were searched for articles by April 1, 2020. Keywords were COVID-19, coronavirus disease, SARS-CoV-2, kidney, renal function, acute kidney injury, and acute renal failure, or a combination of them in title/abstracts. Results: There were a few studies concerning COVID-19 and renal failure due to the short time elapsed from the epidemic onset. The results showed that hematuria and proteinuria were common in patients with COVID-19. Conclusions: Patients with elevated creatinine are at risk of mortality two times more than patients with normal creatinine. Also, elevated BUN, proteinuria, and hematuria can increase the risk of mortality in patients with COVID-19 up to four times compared to patients with normal tests. Therefore, it is important to check creatinine, BUN, proteinuria, and hematuria in primary assessments. Generally, all routine measures for people affected with COVID-19 can be done for COVID-19 patients with acute renal failure until the current knowledge is changed. Chloroquine phosphate may improve the chance of treatment.
Studies on the green liver in cultured red sea bream fed low level and non-fish meal diets: Relationship between hepatic taurine and biliverdin levels

SUMMARY: The aim of this study was to investigate the cause of green liver in red sea bream fed substitute protein diets. Red sea bream Pagrus major was given either of the following diets for 28 weeks: (1) control diet (50% fish meal), (2) low level fish meal diet (15% fish meal), and (3) non-fish meal diet (0% fish meal). The green liver was observed in all groups tested, but the incidence was much higher in the experimental diet groups. The feeding of substitute protein diets reduced plasma triglyceride and cholesterol levels. However, there was no significant difference in plasma hepatic enzyme activities and plasma bile salts concentration among the treatments. Fish fed the substitute protein diets showed low hepatic taurine levels with an appearance of a biliverdin in the liver. Moreover, the proportion of ditaurobilirubin to total biliary bile pigments was significantly lower in fish fed the substitute protein diets. These data indicate that feeding of substitute protein diets did not induce any cholestatic hepatobiliary obstructions and that the low hepatic taurine level was one of the probable factors responsible for the occurrence of green liver in red sea bream fed substitute protein diets.
Long-Term Environmental Monitoring in an Arctic Lake Polluted by Metals under Climate Change

Lake Kuetsjarvi (in the lower reaches of the Pasvik River, Murmansk Region, Russia) in the border area between Russia and Norway, is one of the most polluted water reservoirs in the European Arctic. The operation of the Pechenganikel Smelter located on its shores has led to the extremely high concentrations of heavy metals observed in the waters and sediments of the lake. Long-term comprehensive studies of the ecosystem of Lake Kuetsjarvi have made it possible to identify the response of its components to the global and regional change in the environment and climate as a whole, resulting in increased water toxicity and eutrophication, reduction in the number of stenobiont species of aquatic organisms against the background of an increase in the number of eurybiontic and invasive species. Modern communities of Lake Kuetsjarvi are the result of a combination of long-term changes in the abiotic environment and biotic interactions. Heavy-metal pollution of Lake Kuetsjarvi, observed since the 1930s, has led to the formation of a community that is resistant to this type of impact and supports large populations of adapted species. Adaptations of communities to the dynamics of the environmental conditions that their members are exposed to include changes in the species composition, quantitative indicators, ratios between individual taxonomic groups, and the population structure. The development of sympatric forms that differ in the ecological niches they occupy, morphology, and life cycle strategies, including the transition to a short-cycle survival strategy, allows whitefish to remain the dominant species and maintain high population numbers. Unlike the organismal level, responses to medium-term environmental changes on the population and community level are less specific and characterized by stronger inertia.
Lipid analyses of fumigated vs irradiated raw and roasted almonds

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of propylene oxide (PO) and irradiation treatments on the lipid analyses of raw and roasted almonds. Eight kilograms each of raw and roasted almonds were divided into four batches (2 kg each). Three of the batches were subjected to PO treatment or irradiation treatment with a dose of 6, 10·5 kGy. The untreated batch served as control samples, they were taken from all the batches at three consecutive times during storage (day 0, 8 weeks and 16 weeks) and analysed for iodine number, peroxide value and 2-thiobarbituric acid number. Overall, irradiated almonds incurred a higher variation in lipid stability than PO tested almonds while roasted almonds incurred a higher variation than raw almonds. © 1998 Society of Chemical Industry
Efeito de lodo de esgoto na fertilidade de um Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo cultivado com cana-de-açúcar

Effects of sewage sludge applied to sugarcane, alone (0, 20 and 40 Mg ha-1) or combined with mineral fertilizer (NPK), on a Paleudult soil fertility and on the soil heavy metal were evaluated. Soil samples were collected at 146, 272 and 484 days after the sugarcane was planted. Routine analysis for soil fertility evaluation using the resin extraction procedure was performed and S, Cr, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn were also analyzed. Sewage sludge decreased soil acidity and was a source of Ca, P, S and Zn, mainly, but its effects on soil properties lasted only one crop season. Sewage sludge application increased soil heavy metal contents but not to levels considered harmful to the environment.
Interpreting the variations in xylem sap flux density within the trunk of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.): application of a model for calculating water flows at tree and stand levels

La densite de flux de seve brute d'un pin maritime de 25 ans a ete mesuree en continu a differentes positions du tronc et durant une saison de croissance complete, par une methode a flux de chaleur constant, dans le but a) d'etudier la variabilite de la densite de flux dans la section transversale du tronc et b) d'analyser le decalage de temps du signal entre differentes hauteurs au cours de la journee. Les mesures ont ete effectuees a cinq hauteurs, de 1,3 a 15 m au dessus du sol. A deux niveaux (1,3 m et sous la couronne vivante, respectivement) la densite de flux a ete mesuree suivant quatre azimuts. L'evolution journaliere de la transpiration du couvert, de la transpiration des aiguilles, du potentiel hydrique du tronc et des aiguilles et des variations de volume du tronc a aussi ete mesuree durant quatre journees couvrant une gamme de niveaux d'humidite du sol. Au niveau arbre, la variabilite de la densite de flux de seve dans la section horizontale de l'aubier etait plus elevee a la base du tronc que sous la couronne. Ceci pourrait s'expliquer par l'anisotropie des proprietes mecaniques et hydrauliques du bois dans le plan horizontal, classique chez le pin maritime, plutot que par une sectorisation du flux liee a l'architecture de la couronne. Au niveau peuplement, aucune relation entre la densite de flux de seve et le statut social de l'arbre n'a ete mise en evidence, ce qui s'explique par l'homogeneite du peuplement et son faible indice foliaire. Nous avons utilise un modele de transfert RC a trois compartiments pour interpreter les variations de flux de seve le long du transfert sol-aiguille. Les methodes de determination des resistance et capacitance de chaque compartiment sont decrites. Les sorties du modele ont ete comparees avec les mesures de transpiration, flux de seve et de potentiel hydrique mesurees dans deux peuplements âges de 25 et 65 ans respectivement. Le modele explique assez bien les variations de flux observees le long du continuum sol-aiguille. Au cours de la secheresse, on observe une augmentation importante (× 10) de la resistance du compartiment racine tronc. Cette augmentation est moins importante dans les branches (× 2). Les capacitances sont peu affectees par la secheresse.
In vitro cultivation and regeneration of Solanum melongena (L.) using stem, root and leaf explants

The treatment combinations was BAP (0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 mg/L) and NAA (0, 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/L). The rate of callus formation varied in different treatments. The highest amount of callus (48.66%) was produced on MS medium containing 2.0 mg/l BAP and 0.5 mg/l NAA from stem and 8.2 days required for callus induction. The number of shoot regenerated through callus from stem containing 2.0 mg/l BAP and 0.5 mg/l NAA was 3.4 (23.287%) and days required for 38.8 days. Key words: Regeneration; BAP; NAA. Nepal Journal of Biotechnology . Jan. 2011, Vol. 1, No. 1 : 49-54
Visual Estimation of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Grain Yield in Multiple Environments in Louisiana

Development of high-yielding rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars is a primary objective of most rice-breeding programs, and breeding progress is generally measured through increases in grain yield attributable to new cultivars. The pedigree-breeding method, commonly employed in rice-breeding programs, usually results in a large number of lines being discarded in early generations on the basis of visual estimates of grain yield potential. The objective of this research, conducted at five locations in 2007 and 2008 in Louisiana, was to evaluate the effectiveness of visual grain-yield predictions by two rice breeders. A second objective was to determine the effect of disease and lodging on the accuracy of visual selection. Across all years and locations, the grain yield estimates of both breeders were positively correlated with observed grain yield, indicating that visual selection for grain yield can be effective. Differences existed in the predictive ability of the breeders to estimate grain yield at different environments. Generally, breeders were more accurate in visually estimating grain yield when the standard deviation of the estimates was high, indicating that perceived phenotypic expression of grain yield is an important factor affecting the visual estimation of yield potential. Locations with high disease pressure and lodging resulted in a greater standard deviation of the yield estimates and improved the accuracy of visual estimation of grain yield.
HABITAT PREFERENCE OF DIFFERENT SIZE CLASSES OF AUSTROPOTAMOBIUS PALLIPES IN AN IRISH RIVER

Juvenile and immature crayfish are more difficult to find than adults and in consequence rather little is known about their habitat preferences. Smaller crayfish are able to inhabit different areas within the stream compared to adult crayfish. Whereas adult crayfish occur under stones and cobble in the river, juveniles and small individuals may be found along the margins, among rootlets and vegetation. A survey was carried at two sites in the Liffey catchment (Ireland) to assess habitat preference of crayfish according to size. A Surber sampler was used to collect crayfish in five types of habitat present at these sites. Each site presented a different distribution of crayfish amongst the habitat types. At Kilbride bridge, crayfish preferred cobble to pebbles and submerged and emergent macrophytes, while at Carragh bridge, crayfish were more dispersed throughout the habitat types. At both sites, juveniles and one year old crayfish were found in a variety of habitat types, whereas adults were only found in cobble and pebbles. The discrepancy in crayfish densities between the two sites can probably be explained by characteristics, such as depth and flow rate, that were not taken into account in the categorisation of the habitats.
Measuring and modelling environmental influences on photosynthetic gas exchange in Sphagnum and Pleurozium

A mechanistic model has been used to examine the environmental regulation of photosynthetic gas exchange in moss. The effects of water content on conductance to CO 2 and on photosynthetic capacity during desiccation were calculated from the carbon isotope discrimination data of Williams & Flanagan (1996, Oecologia 108, pp. 38-46) and combined with the biochemical model of Farquhar et al. (1980, Planta 149, pp. 78-90). The model includes a simple light attenuation function that imparts curvature to the light response curve for net assimilation, enabling the use of physiologically realistic values for the biochemical parameters. Measurements of gas exchange for Sphagnum and Pleurozium were made in an old black spruce ecosystem over a growing season in order to assign values to parameters in the model. The calculated maximum rates of carboxylation by Rubisco (V max ) were 5, 14 and 6 μmol m -2 s -1 for Sphagnum during the spring, summer and autumn seasons of 1996, respectively. The increase in V max during the summer was consistent with an increased allocation of resources to the photosynthetic apparatus. In contrast, no seasonal variation in V max was observed in Pleurozium with average values of 7, 5 and 7 μmol m -2 s -1 during the spring, summer and autumn, respectively.
Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) That Drink Human Tears

Abstract Lisotrigona cacciae, L. furva and Pariotrigona klossi (Meliponini, Apidae) workers drank lachrymation (tears) from human eyes in more than 262 naturally-occurred cases at 10 sites in N and S Thailand during all months of the year. A few visits were also seen to eyes of zebu and dog, indicating a probable broad mammalian host range. On man the bees were relatively gentle visitors, mostly landing on the lower eyelashes from where they imbibed tears for 0.5–2.5 min, often singly but occasionally in congregations of 5–7 specimens per eye. Less typically, they also took sweat, a behavior found in 11 other species of anthropophilous meliponines which are not lachryphagous. Nine further meliponine species were not anthropophilous. Lachryphagy in bees is compared to lepidopterous tear drinking and related feeding strategies such as puddling by various insects, mostly for salt requirements but in other cases proteins are sought. We propose that L. cacciae, L. furva and P. klossi drink tears for their high content in proteins in addition to, or in lieu of pollen, rather than only for salts and water. Few reports of flower visitation, rare presence of only minor amounts of pollen on legs, reduced pilosity, absence of resin on body and legs, presence of a strongly extensible metasoma for fluid transport, are all interpreted as possible indications of an adaptation to lachryphagy for proteins. The potential hazard of pathogen transmission by eye-visiting bees is discussed.
The use of DNA barcoding as a tool for the conservation biogeography of subtropical forests in China

Rapid and accurate species identification is the foundation for biodiversity assessment. DNA barcoding has been shown to be an effective tool to overcome the taxonomic impediment to facilitate biodiversity conservation in temperate forests. However, this tool has rarely been considered for use in tropical forests. This study aims to investigate the utility and species resolution of DNA barcoding in a subtropical region.
Assessment of diagnostic value of ‘Human Epididymis Factor 4 (HE4)’ in women with adnexal masses

Purpose: Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) is a novel biomarker for ovarian cancers. The aim of this study is to assess the usefulness and efficacy of HE4, in comparison with CA-125 in the differential diagnosis of malignant and benign gynecological diseases in women with adnexal masses. Materials and Methods: 85 patients diagnosed with adnexial mass who were operated at a tertiary referral center between the years of 2012 and 2013 were included in the study. Demographic data, physical examination, results of the laboratory tests, imaging, and pathology were recorded from all subjects. Blood samples were collected before surgery for the evaluation of HE4 and CA-125 levels. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to their histopathologic diagnosis: benign (n:58), malignant (n:17), borderline (n:5) and metastatic (n:5) and serum CA-125 and HE4 levels were compared considering menopausal status. Results: Using 35 U/mL as the cut-off value, CA-125 had a sensitivity of 82.4%, spesificity of 67.2%, a negative predictive value of 92.9%, and a positive predictive value of %42.4%. For the same sensitivity level, specificity was 87.9%, negative predictive value was 94.4%, and the positive predictive value was 66.7% for HE4. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) area under the curve was higher in both the premenopausal and postmenopausal group for the HE4 curve. Accordingly, sensitivity at set specificity of 90% was 82.4%, and 70.6% for 95% of specificity and 41.1% for 98%. Same sensitivity values for CA-125 were 47.1%, 35.3% and 23.5%, respectively. Conclusion: According to our study, especially in the premenopausal period, HE4 shows higher sensitivity and specificity values than CA-125.