Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A three-dimensional view on biodiversity changes: spatial, temporal, and functional perspectives on fish communities in the Baltic Sea

Fisheries and marine ecosystem-based management requires a holistic understanding of the dynamics of fish communities and their responses to changes in environmental conditions. Environmental conditions can simultaneously shape the spatial distribution and the temporal dynamics of a population, which together can trigger changes in the functional structure of communities. Here, we developed a comprehensive framework based on complementary multivariate statistical methodologies to simultaneously investigate the effects of environmental conditions on the spatial, temporal and functional dynamics of species assemblages. The framework is tested using survey data collected during more than 4000 fisheries hauls over the Baltic Sea between 2001 and 2016. The approach revealed the Baltic fish community to be structured into three sub-assemblages along a strong and temporally stable salinity gradient decreasing from West to the East. Additionally, we highlight a mismatch between species and functional richness associated with a lower functional redundancy in the Baltic Proper compared with other sub-areas, suggesting an ecosystem more susceptible to external pressures. Based on a large dataset of community data analysed in an innovative and comprehensive way, we could disentangle the effects of environmental changes on the structure of biotic communities-key information for the management and conservation of ecosystems.
ASIAN CATFISH GENUS Pangasius: DIAGNOSIS AND DISTRIBUTION

Pangasiidae are economically important riverine catfishes that generally exist in freshwater from the Indian subcontinent to the Indonesian Archipelago. Among genera in Pangasiidae, genus Pangasius has numerous species. The objective of the present study is to describe all species of genus Pangasius with their diagnosis and natural distribution. Nine hundred and ninety nine specimens formed the core of the material examined in this study. All examined species were collected from Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Additional samples including specimens of 49 previously described species housed in various museums were also examined. On each specimen, 35 point to point measurements covering the possible variation of the body conformation were taken using dial calipers. Measurements were log-transformed before the PCA was run on the covariance matrix. The first factor, considered as the size-factor was not taken into account to minimize the effects of size differences among samples. Allometry is indicated by unequal loading of variables on the first component and by biological interpretation of allometric data proceed using coefficients of the first components against the second components that was linear. An independent PCA was run on the correlation matrix from the untransformed count data. Finally, data analysis consisted in characterizing groups from scatter plots between pairs of structuring characters for subsequent use in generic identification keys. The results show Asian catfish genus Pangasius consist of 21 valid species. This paper describes the diagnosis and distribution of all valid species.
Current situation of diet self-management in patients with type 2 diabetes: a multi-centre survey in China

Objective To research the current situation of diabetes diet cognition and compliance in patients with type 2diabetes in China. Methods This questionnaire-based survey was conducted in 50 medical centers in China from April to July in 2010. The selected medical centers covered 21 provinces, 4 municipalities, 4 autonomous regions, and the patients were out-patients and in-patients of 144 secondary, tertiary and community hospitals, the subjects had been diagnosed of type 2 diabetes for more than 1 year. The information of diabetes diet and management was collected by questionnaires. The diabetes attitude scale-3 (DAS-3) formulae, a questionnaire of diabetes knowledge, and summary of diabetes self-care activities (SDSCA) scale were used to assess diabetes diet cognition and compliance of patients. Comparison of data between groups was applied by using t test. Results Total of 6043 patients were eligible for the study, and 5961 valid questionnaires were collected. There were 3233 males and 2728 females with an average age of (60±12) years(16-94 years) and a diabetes duration of (9±7) years. The mean body mass index (BMI) 44.04% were normal and 52.21% were overweight or obese. The glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was examined in 3048 cases and 32.10% of them reached the standard of <7%. Cognition: 4333(72.69%) cases received diabetic diet education; the average of diet attitudes score was 3.7±1.0; all correct answer rate of the impact of food on glycemia was 1.85%(110/5961), all correct answer rate of the description of food was 0.52%(31/5961); 3669(61.55%) cases treated with insulin, all correct answer rate of diet knowledge was 7.03% (258/3669). Compliance: the average of ordinary diet score was 4.9±2.2 and the average of special diet score was 4.2±1.5 in the SDSCA scale. Total of 4996 cases (83.81%) kept obeying the diet therapy program. And the gender, age, the level of education, BMI, drinking, receive diabetes education, regular follow-up, self-monitoring of blood glucose could influence the patient's compliance with diet therapy. Conclusions The mean BMI is high, the rate of HbA1c<7% and the level of diet cognition is low in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes. And patient educators should consider the factors in diabetic health education, such as gender, age, the level of education, BMI, drinking, receiving diabetes education, regular follow-up, self-monitoring of blood glucose. Key words: Diabetes mellitus, type 2; Patient education; Diet
A common deliberative process underlies model-based planning and patient intertemporal choice

Humans and animals consistently forego, or “discount” future rewards in favor of more proximal, but less valuable, options. This behavior is often thought of in terms of a failure of “self-control”, a lack of inhibition when considering the possibility of immediate gratification. However, rather than overweighting the near-term reward, the same behavior can result from failing to properly consider the far-off reward. The capacity to plan for future gains is a core construct in Reinforcement Learning (RL), known as “model-based” planning. Both discounting and model-based planning have been shown to track everyday behaviors from diet to exercise habits to drug abuse. Here, we show that these two capacities are related via a common mechanism – people who are more likely to deliberate about future reward in an intertemporal choice task, as indicated by the time they spend considering the choice, are also more likely to make multi-step plans for reward in a sequential reinforcement learning task. In contrast, the degree to which people’s intertemporal choices were driven by a more automatic bias did not correspond to their planning tendency, and neither did the more standard measure of discounting behavior. These results suggest that the standard behavioral economic measure of discounting is more fruitfully understood by decomposing it into constituent parts, and that only one of these parts corresponds to the sort of multi-step thinking needed to make plans for the future.
A thorough RNA-seq characterization of the porcine sperm transcriptome and its seasonal changes

Understanding the molecular basis of cell function and ultimate phenotypes is crucial for the development of biological markers. With this aim, several RNA-seq studies have been devoted to characterize the transcriptome of ejaculated spermatozoa in relation to sperm quality and fertility. Semen quality follows a seasonal pattern and decays in the summer months in several animal species. The aim of this study was to deeply profile the transcriptome of the boar sperm and to evaluate its seasonal changes. We sequenced the total and the short fractions of the sperm RNA from 10 Pietrain boars, 5 collected in summer and 5 five sampled in winter, and identified a complex and rich transcriptome with 4,436 coding genes of moderate to high abundance. Transcript fragmentation was high but less obvious in genes related to spermatogenesis, chromatin compaction and fertility. Short non-coding RNAs mostly included piwi-interacting RNAs, transfer RNAs and micro-RNAs. We also compared the transcriptome of the summer and the winter ejaculates and identified 34 coding genes and 7 micro-RNAs with a significantly distinct distribution. These genes were mostly related to oxidative stress, DNA damage and autophagy. This is the deepest characterization of the boar sperm transcriptome and the first study linking the transcriptome and the seasonal variability of semen quality in animals. The annotation described here can be used as a reference for the identification of markers of sperm quality in pigs.
Adsorption of Cu 2+ , As 3+ and Cd 2+ ions from aqueous solution by eggshell

The adsorption of Cu2+, Cd2+ and As3+ ions on eggshell from aqueous solution was studied under batch conditions at 30, 40, 50 and 60oC and concentrations of 10, 20, 30, 60 and 80 mg/l. The partition coefficient for the ions between aqueous solution and chicken eggshell increased with time and with increase in the concentration of metal ions in solution, but decreased with increase in temperature which is suggestive of physical adsorption on the eggshell. Activation energies of 8.50, 9.25 and 11.74 kJmol-1 were obtained for the adsorption of Cu2+, As3+ and Cd2+ respectively which also suggest physical adsorption. Sorption of As3+ and Cd2+ from solution onto the eggshell adsorbent was found to follow pseudo-first order mechanism while that of Cu2+ was found to follow the pseudo-second order mechanism. Experimental data obtained for the adsorption of the metal ions by eggshell fit the Freundlich adsorption isotherm.
Synapse-specific opioid modulation of thalamo-cortico-striatal circuits

The medial thalamus (MThal), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and striatum play important roles in affective-motivational pain processing and reward learning. Opioids affect both pain and reward through uncharacterized modulation of this circuitry. This study examined opioid actions on glutamate transmission between these brain regions in mouse. Mu-opioid receptor (MOR) agonists potently inhibited MThal inputs without affecting ACC inputs to individual striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs). MOR activation also inhibited MThal inputs to the pyramidal neurons in the ACC. In contrast, delta-opioid receptor (DOR) agonists disinhibited ACC pyramidal neuron responses to MThal inputs by suppressing local feed-forward GABA signaling from parvalbumin-positive interneurons. As a result, DOR activation in the ACC facilitated poly-synaptic (thalamo-cortico-striatal) excitation of MSNs by MThal inputs. These results suggest that opioid effects on pain and reward may be shaped by the relative selectivity of opioid drugs to the specific circuit components.
Interstellar and circumstellar grain formation and survival

Dust formation is primarily associated with stars in their dying throes, e.g. when low–mass stars reach the red–giant or asymptotic–giant branch (AGB) phase of their evolution, or when massive stars explode as supernovae (SNe). While the contribution of AGB stars to the galactic dust budget is significant, both in terms of variety and quantity, that due to SNe is not yet clear. AGB stardust formation includes grains of amorphous and crystalline silicates, hydrogenated carbons, silicon carbide and graphite. However, not all of these materials have yet been detected in circumstellar regions or in the interstellar medium (ISM). The derived lifetimes for these materials in the ISM appear to be short compared with the time–scale for the formation of new dust. Thus a grain lifetime and propagation problem is posed. Apparently, it is also necessary to reform and grow grains in the ISM, through accretion and coagulation processes, in order to explain interstellar dust observations. This paper discusses dust formation in circumstellar and interstellar environments, dust sources and their contributions to the galactic dust budget, and dust survival and propagation in the ISM.
Characterization and Identification of DUS Traits in Reference Set of Foxtail Millet Germplasm (Setaria italica (L.) Beauv.)

Foxtail millet is one of the world’s oldest cultivated crop belongs to the grass family Poaceae. Foxtail millet ranks second in the total world’s production of millets and is an important staple food for millions of people in Southern Europe and Asia (Marathee, 1993). Qualitative characters are useful criterion for characterization of group of materials, as they show high heritability and stable expression. Further, if qualitative characters show association with yield components, it can serve as a marker in selection process which International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 7 Number 12 (2018) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
THE ASSESSMENT OF SEDIMENT CONTAMINATION LEVEL IN THE LAMPUNG BAY, INDONESIA: HEAVY METAL PERSPECTIVE

The potency and utilization of Lampung Bay has been recognized for their socio-economical and ecological values. However, heavy use of this Bay may alter the abundance of hazardous chemical like heavy metals. The aims of this study were to determine the concentration of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in the sediment and to assess Lampung Bay water condition. The observation of heavy metal content in sediment of Lampung Bay was conducted at 13 stations in March 2008. Analysis of heavy metals in sediment was conducted using three kinds of acid: HNO3, HCl and H2O2 while measurement was carried out by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The result indicated a variation of heavy metal concentration in sediment and that concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in sediment were 0.08 mg/kg dry weight, 22.99 mg/kg dry weight, 24.75 mg/kg dry weight and 118.48 mg/kg dry weight, respectively. Factors influenced heavy metal concentration in sediment in this study including the distance between sampling location and anthropogenic activities and the sediment fraction SQG-Q index indicated that 7 stations have SQG-Q ≤ 0.1 whereas other 6 stations have 0.1≤ SQG-Q <1, meaning that more than half sampling stations are in uncontaminated state.
Metais pesados e atividade enzimática em latossolos tratados com lodo de esgoto e cultivados com milho

The deriving residues soil addition from water and sewers treatment processes has been made as an alternative to minimize the problems environmental pollution, simultaneously to the search in a more economic way to discard this material. However, due to possibility of heavy metals presence, its soil continued addition has must to be care, evaluating the contamination risks. The objective of the present work was evaluated Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Mn and Ni the metals contents in two Oxisols (LVd and LVef) in the nineth year experimentation with doses of sewage sludge (0, 45, 90 and 127,5 Mg ha); to determine of these heavy metals contents in the root, stalk, leafs, grains and corncob of corn by USEPA 3050B method and Mehlich-1 and DTPA extractors and to determine the amylases, proteases and arylsulphatases enzyme activities as biochemist soil quality indicator, correlating them with the productivity of the corn plants. The results had shown that, in general way, the heavy metals contents on soil extracted by 3050 B (HNO3 + H2O2 + HCl) method had been found in bigger amounts in the LVef and this did not detect all the metals in all the parts of the maize plants. Comparing the Mehlich-1 and DTPA methods, the first one it extracted greaters amounts of heavy metals. The enzymatic activity do was increasing with the addition of sewage sludge, reducing to treatment 90 Mg ha in both soils, except proteases activity in LVef. Significant correlations between the productivity of the corn and the activity of all had not been observed the enzymes, except proteases activity in the LVd, what it did not allow to adopt these parameters as good soil quality indicators.
Wood-based litter in poultry production: a review

Bedding material is an important requirement of floor-based poultry production systems to meet the health and welfare requirements. This substrate can be an organic material like wood or plant-based material or inorganic material like clay and sand and should generally be a good absorbant, easily available, comfortable and nontoxic to birds. Wood is an organic renewable resource having good humidity regulation and antimicrobial properties and its by-products are commonly used as poultry litter in many countries. For example, in France, wood-based bedding is used in 80% of turkey production. This litter has approximately 50% lower NH3 production compared to other materials like sand and hulls, and has multiple environment-friendly disposal options. Moreover, the birds grown on such litter show better health and welfare and they prefer to practice their natural behaviours on this material which is helpful for the amelioration of physiological status and reduction of locomotion injuries. Moreover, according to some studies, the birds show improvement in different performance parameters, for example, up to 5-7% improvement in daily weight gain, live body weight, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and survivability. These improvements may differ depending upon the production system and type of wood material used in experiments, still it can be concluded that wood-based bedding materials do not negatively affect the production potential of poultry. In addition, the antimicrobial potential of wood may help to counter the load of certain pathogens in environment of birds. This review describes the physiochemical properties of wood-based bedding materials and their role in production and welfare of poultry.
Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Helminth Parasite in Stray Cat in Banyuwangi City

This research aims to determine the prevalence rate of gastrointestinal helminthes and identify the type of helminthes from stray cats in Banyuwangi CiW\ DUHD FDW¶V IHFDO VDPSOHV ZHUH FROOHFWHG IURP DOO DURXQG Banyuwangi City area and stored in 10% formaldehide solution. All fecal samples were examined by two different method which is native and floatation method to identify the helminth eggs found in cat feces. Three genera of helminth parasites were indentified in this research result from stray cats in Banyuwangi City assigned as Toxocara, Ancylostoma, and Diphyllobothrium. The result of this research indicate that the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites infections in stary cats in Banyuwangi City is still high, assigned as Toxocara Spp (43,65%), Ancylostoma Spp (3,96%) and Diphyllobothrium Spp (52,38%). Based on that result, proper control program is highly recommended for gastrointestinal helminth parasites case in Banyuwangi City.
Features of Seeds Microbiome for Spring Wheat Varieties from Different Regions of Eurasia

The aim of the study was to investigate the peculiarities of microbiome and seed bacterial endophytes isolated from different varieties of spring wheat grown in different areas of Eurasia (European part of Russia (Volga region), countries of Central Asia). The main method of the microbiome studies was PCR. Isolation of bacterial endophytes from the seeds allowed estimating their count and evaluating their activity towards Fusarium oxysporum. Quantitative analysis of the microbiome was performed on seeds from different spring wheat varieties (genotypes) obtained from the Russian Federation, the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Tadzhikistan. The differences in the bacterial endophytic microflora of the seeds and their activity towards Fusarium oxysporum were established. The seeds grown in Central Asia have higher count of both total microbiome and bacterial endophytes active against phytopathogens than the seeds grown in Volga region of the Russian Federation. Differences in the species composition of seed endophytic bacteria were established. Active strains of seed endophytic bacteria obtained from Tajikistan belonged to the species Bacillus jeuvensis. Active strains of bacterial endophytes were isolated from spring wheat seeds grown in Tadzhikistan for the development of highly potential biofungicides. The study results confirmed that seed microbiome depends on variety and the area of cultivation. The materials of the study can be useful for the evaluation of the seeds in the breeding of spring wheat and in the search for new biological agents for biofungicides development.
Phytominerals and Phytochemical Studies of Azadiracthta indica, Leea guineensis and Parkia biglobosa Leaves

Medicinal plants have great importance in African medicine and are also used as precursors in drug discovery. The medicinal value of plants lie in their bioactive constituents which usually allow them to fight against several diseases. Plant-based natural constituents can be derived from any part of the plant like bark, leaves, flowers, roots, fruits, seeds. The mineral and phytochemical analysis of the leaves of Azadirachta indica, Parkia biglobosa and Leea guineensis were investigated. The leaves were collected from the Herbal Garden, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Jericho hills, Ibadan, Nigeria and identified at Forest Herbarium Ibadan. Oyo State. The leaves were air dried and milled to powder using a medium-sized milling machine and stored in an air-tight container until needed for analysis. Phytochemical screening/analysis and mineral analysis were determined using standard analytical methods. Phytochemicals like Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Tannins, Saponins, Anthraquinone, Cardiac glycoside were determined. while Minerals, such as Potassium, Sodium determined using flame photometer; Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Iron, Zinc, Manganese, and Copper were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Results indicates that the bioactive contents of the leaves varied significantly (p<0.05) among the medicinal plants. The phytochemical analysis showed that the three medicinal plants contained alkaloid, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, polyphenols, cardiac glycoside and anthraquinone in varying quantities with the trend: A indica > P. biglobosa > L. guineensis; the macro elements showed similar trend as the phytochemicals while the micro elements followed the trend: P. biglobosa > L. guineensis > A indica. These results conceivably indicate that the three medicinal plant are good source of essential minerals and phyto-nutrients which possess strong pharmacological activities and provide scientific credence for its therapeutic usage.