Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Abondance relative et diversité des Endogonacées dans un sol de verger du Québec

Studies of soil samples from an apple orchard in Frelighsburg revealed the presence of seven species of Endogonaceae, six of which generated vesicular and arbuscular mycorrhizae on Tagetes erecta L. While Glomus constrictum Trappe, Glomus mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd.) Gerd. & Trappe, and Sclerocystis rubiformis Gerd. & Trappe made up more than 90% of the organisms observed, Gigaspora calospora (Nicol. & Gerd.) Gerd. & Trappe, Glomus aggregatum Schenck & Smith, and Glomus etunicatum were seen in approximately half of the samples. An enumeration of the Endogonaceae observed is followed herein by a discussion dealing with the frequency and the relative abundance of these species in the soil and with the practical interest which arises from this type of survey.
Exosomal miRNAs as circulating biomarkers for prediction of development of haematogenous metastasis after surgery for stage II/III gastric cancer

Exosomes secreted by living cancer cells can regulate metastasis. Exosomal miRNAs can reflect pathological conditions of the original cancer cells. Therefore, we aim to identify exosomal miRNAs as circulating biomarkers for haematogenous metastasis of gastric cancer. Pre‐treatment serum samples of eighty‐nine patients with stage II/III gastric cancer were collected. Thirty‐four of them developed haematogenous metastasis after surgery and the other fifty‐five did not. Extraction of exosomes was validated by western blot, transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis. MiRNA qPCR array was performed in three matched pairs of samples. Internal control was selected from PCR array and validated in the remaining samples. Expressions of exosomal miRNAs were evaluated in the remaining samples by RT‐qPCR, as well as in gastric cancer tissue samples and cell culture medium. Expression levels of exosomal miRNAs were analysed with clinical characteristics. The results indicated thirteen up‐regulated and six down‐regulated miRNAs were found after normalization. MiR‐379‐5p and miR‐410‐3p were significantly up‐regulated in metastatic patients (P < .01). Higher expression of exosomal miR‐379‐5p or miR‐410‐3p showed shorter progression‐free survival of the patients (P < .05). It was also found that miR‐379‐5p and miR‐410‐3p were down‐regulated in gastric cancer tissue samples, while they were significantly up‐regulated in gastric cancer cell culture medium compared with cancer cells. In conclusion, exosomal miRNAs are promising circulating biomarkers for prediction of development of haematogenous metastasis after surgery for stage II/III gastric cancer.
Body size, rarity, and phylogenetic community structure: insights from diving beetle assemblages of Alberta

Although it is implicit that interactions between species depend on their traits, studies on the probability of finding related species in a community are in their infancy. Community composition and species richness of predaceous diving beetles (Dytiscidae: Coleoptera) have been used as indicators of freshwater ecosystem function yet no incorporation of phylogenetic relationships of coexisting dytiscids has been attempted to date. Improved knowledge of phylogenetic relationships and phylogenetic community structure analysis methods may provide additional insight into the relationships between community composition and species richness, thus impacting our interpretation of aquatic indicator species metrics. Here, we use museum records of dytiscid beetles in 53 lakes of Alberta, Canada to: (1) compile a supertree of dytiscid beetles that live in the province, (2) examine whether coexisting dytiscids tend to be more or less related than expected by chance, and (3) examine whether phylogenetic structuring depends on species richness or mean size of coexisting species. We find that, although the majority of dytiscid assemblages exhibited phylogenetic clustering, the extent to which this occurred depended on the mean size of dytiscids. We discuss the potential mechanisms and implications of the observed patterns in phylogenetic clustering, along with data that would further improve our understanding of community dynamics in dytiscid beetles.
Effects of Nitrogen and 6-Benzylaminopurine on Rice Tiller Bud Growth and Changes in Endogenous Hormones and Nitrogen

In the present study, 40 mg L -1 N (NH treatment) and 20 mg L -1 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA; BA treatment) were used to stimulate tiller bud growth in rice (Oryza sativa L.). The hormone changes in the tiller nodes and tiller buds and the N levels in the leaf blades, leaf sheaths, and tiller nodes were measured. The results indicate that N and 6-BA promoted tiller bud germination and increased the indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and zeatin (Z) plus zeatin riboside (ZR) levels in tiller buds and tiller nodes but decreased the abscisic acid (ABA) levels in tiller buds. Before tiller bud germination, the IAA and Z plus ZR levels increased but the ABA did not change, suggesting that IAA and Z plus ZR but not ABA may be the key regulators of tiller bud growth. From 4 d posttreatment, the tiller bud growth of the BA-treated plants markedly slowed but the buds of the NH-treated plants continued to grow quickly. We also found that the N levels in the leaf blades, leaf sheaths, and tiller nodes of the NH-treated plants increased significantly as compared to those of the control plants (the plants treated with 10 mg L -1 N). However, no significant differences in N levels were observed between the plants of BA and control treatments. This study suggests that N may regulate tiller bud growth in two ways: by regulating N metabolism and regulating endogenous hormones. External 6-BA promoted tiller bud germination by regulating endogenous hormones, but tiller bud growth was not maintained because it could not increase the N levels in the plants.
Influence of Environmental Variability on the Growth of Age-0 and Adult Arctic Grayling

Abstract We examined the influence of river discharge and temperature on growth of adult and age-0 Arctic grayling Thymallus arcticus in the Kuparuk River (1985–1996) and Oksrukuyik Creek (1990–1996) during the Arctic growing season (late June to mid-August). Grayling growth was compared against six physical variables (river, nutrient level, mean summer discharge, mean summer temperature, consecutive days with extreme low flow, and total days with extreme high flow) using stepwise regression analysis. Fifty-six percent of the variance in adult grayling growth rate in both rivers was associated with nutrient level and mean summer discharge. Sixty percent of the variance in age-0 grayling weight at 40 d was associated with nutrient level, mean summer discharge, mean summer temperature, and river. The correlation with discharge was positive for adult grayling growth but negative for age-0 grayling weight. This study suggests that river discharge and water temperature may influence long-term survival and popu.
Genetic diversity of the cotton aphid Aphis gossypii in the unstable environment of a cotton growing area

1 Spatial and temporal habitat heterogeneity represented by annual crops is a major factor influencing population dynamics of phytophagous insect pests such as the cotton aphid Aphis gossypii Glover. We studied the effects of instability of the cotton agroecosystem resulting from the temporary availability of the plant resource and the repeated use of insecticides on the genetic variability of the cotton aphids.
Aggregation of Casein Micelle from Bovine Milk by Wheat Germ Lectin

Casein micelle isolated from bovine milk was aggregated by the addition of wheat germ lectin (WGL). The aggregation was prevented in the presence of 100 mM N-acetylgluco- samine. It was proved from affinity chromatography of individual casein components on WGL-Sepharose column, that only κ-casein bound to WGL through its sialic acid moiety. About half of the protein was adsorbed on the WGL-Sepharose column when casein micelle was applied to the column. Sialic acid content and κ-casein content of the micelle adsorbed to the column were both larger than those of unadsorbed one. These results strongly suggest that large part of, if not all of, sialooligosaccharide chains of κ-casein is located on the surface of casein micelle.
Complicating the concept of culture

This essay argues against a simple, reified view of culture as a set of ideas and norms belonging to a group or nation, and considers the implications of a more complicated concept for discussion of world culture and the global/local nexus. Most anthropologists define culture as the making of meaning, with an emphasis on the process itself as contested. It follows that world culture is locally produced in social interaction, and that meanings are then reconstructed in the global/local nexus. Power matters, particularly the hidden power to make resources for meaning making widely available, and to make them attractive and scientifically persuasive. How actors succeed in claiming particular ideas as global and how the locals strategically respond are questions where anthropologists can contribute to understanding the global/local nexus and the exercise of power within the world polity.
Leveraging plastomes for comparative analysis and phylogenomic inference within Scutellarioideae (Lamiaceae)

Scutellaria, or skullcaps, are medicinally important herbs in China, India, Japan, and elsewhere. Though Scutellaria is the second largest and one of the more taxonomically challenging genera within Lamiaceae, few molecular systematic studies have been undertaken within the genus; in part due to a paucity of available informative markers. The lack of informative molecular markers for Scutellaria hinders our ability to accurately and robustly reconstruct phylogenetic relationships, which hampers our understanding of the diversity, phylogeny, and evolutionary history of this cosmopolitan genus. Comparative analyses of 15 plastomes, representing 14 species of subfamily Scutellarioideae, indicate that plastomes within Scutellarioideae contain about 151,000 nucleotides, and possess a typical quadripartite structure. In total, 590 simple sequence repeats, 489 longer repeats, and 16 hyper-variable regions were identified from the 15 plastomes. Phylogenetic relationships among the 14 species representing four of the five genera of Scutellarioideae were resolved with high support values, but the current infrageneric classification of Scutellaria was not supported in all analyses. Complete plastome sequences provide better resolution at an interspecific level than using few to several plastid markers in phylogenetic reconstruction. The data presented here will serve as a foundation to facilitate DNA barcoding, species identification, and systematic research within Scutellaria, which is an important medicinal plant resource worldwide.
Radix Angelica Sinensis and Radix Hedysari Ultrafiltration Extract Protects against X-Irradiation-Induced Cardiac Fibrosis in Rats

Radiation-induced myocardial fibrosis (RIMF) is the main pathological change associated with radiation-induced heart toxicity after radiation therapy in patients with thoracic tumors. There is an antifibrosis effect of Radix Angelica Sinensis and Radix Hedysari (RAS-RH) ultrafiltration extract from Danggui Buxue decoction (DBD) in X-irradiation-induced rat myocardial fibrosis, and this study aimed to investigate whether that effect correlated with apoptosis and oxidative stress damage in primary rat cardiac fibroblasts; further, the potential mechanisms were also explored. In this study, we first found that the RAS-RH antifibrosis effect was associated with the upregulation of microRNA-200a and the downregulation of TGF-β1/smad3 and COL1α. In addition, we also found that the antifibrosis effect of RAS-RH was related to the induction of apoptosis in primary rat cardiac fibroblasts and to the prevention of damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Interestingly, primary rat cardiac fibroblasts exposed to X-ray radiation underwent apoptosis less frequently in the absence of RAS-RH. Therefore, RAS-RH has the ability to protect against fibrosis, which could be occurring through the induction of apoptosis and the resistance to oxidative stress in rats with X-irradiation-induced myocardial fibrosis; thus, in a model of RIMF, RAS-RH acts against X-irradiation-induced cardiac toxicity.
Stock Identification of Haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus on Georges Bank Based on Otolith Shape Analysis

Abstract Otolith shape analysis was examined to determine its utility for stock identification of haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus on Georges Bank. Otolith samples were collected from the Northeast Peak (eastern Georges Bank) and the Great South Channel (western Georges Bank) spawning components to examine stock continuity across Georges Bank. Otolith shape was described using 20 Fourier harmonics, four morphometric characteristics (area, length, width, and perimeter), and two shape indices (circularity and rectangularity). Potential confounding sources of variation (fish length, otolith position, age-group, and year-class) were examined and accounted for in the analyses before interpretation of spatial/stock differences. Significant age-specific differences in otolith shape between eastern and western Georges Bank haddock indicated stock separation across the Bank. Classification success for each spawning component ranged from 63 to 80% across age-groups and appeared to depend on growth rate differences.
Maintenance of an Exceptional Intertidal Grazer Biomass in South Africa: Subsidy by Subtidal Kelps

Dense populations of patellid limpets characterize the mid- to low-intertidal communities of the southwestern rocky shores of South Africa. Patella argenvillei and P. granatina reach average densities up to 200/m 2 , representing in some cases 10-13 kg/m 2 of whole wet biomass, and attain sizes up to 100-mm shell length. Traditionally these limpets have been regarded as generalized grazers, but in fact they have highly specialized feeding mechanisms. P. granatina is found primarily on the mid- to low shore of sheltered boulder-bays, while P. argenvillei forms a conspicuous monospecific belt low on semiexposed shores in association with adjacent kelp beds. Both species are the dominant occupiers of space in their respective habitats. We have investigated the main pathways and supply of food necessary to maintain limpet biomasses as high as this. Epilithic micro- and macroalgae and the kelps Ecklonia maxima and Laminaria pallida are common sources of food for these two limpet species. Gut contents show that kelp represents >50% of the total diet of both species. An abundant source of food is provided to P. granatina by drifting kelp and seaweed debris, and to P. argenvillei by nearby attached kelp plants, which they actively prune. Differences in the timing and method of feeding exist. P. granatina captures drifting kelp and seaweeds while underwater during incoming and outgoing tides, and P. argenvillei prunes the fronds of nearby attached kelp plants during the rising tide. P. argenvillei feeds collectively, several individuals sharing a piece of kelp trapped by a single limpet. This overcomes the intraspecific competition normally experienced in high density limpet populations, and the maximum size of P. argenvillei rises with density. P. granatina does not feed collectively and its maximum size declines with density. An experimental exclusion of kelp from the limpets' diets resulted in significantly increased mortality and a reduction in body mass. Subtidal production of kelp fronds subsidizes populations of both limpet species and is vital to the maintenance of their remarkably high biomasses. Supplied with a superabundance of food, both species achieve such high packing that primary space becomes their limiting factor. The trophic subsidy provided by kelps has important secondary consequences since the dense limpet populations powerfully influence intertidal community structure and function.
Evaluation of the Effect of Photosynthesis on Biomass Production with Simultaneous Analysis of Growth and Continuous Monitoring of CO2 Exchange in the Whole Plants of Radish, cv Kosena under Ambient and Elevated CO2

Abstract The effects of elevated CO2 (approximate doubling of atmospheric CO2 concentration) on the rate of photosynthesis estimated from continuous monitoring of CO2 exchange in whole plants were investigated in radish cv. Kosena accompanied with simultaneous analysis of growth for 6 days from 15 to 21 days after planting (DAP). The elevated CO2 increased the dry weights of hydroponically grown radish plants by 59% at 21 DAP. The increase in dry weight was due to a combined effect of increased leaf area and increased photosynthetic rate per unit leaf area. Leaf area and the photosynthetic rate were increased by elevated CO2 by 18-43% and 9-20%, respectively, during 15 to 21 DAP. Namely, an increase in the rate of photosynthesis is accompanied by an increase in leaf area, both having a significant effect on biomass production.
IDENTIFICATION OF HAZARDOUS FUSARIUM SECONDARY METABOLITES OCCURRING IN FOOD RAW MATERIALS

Hazardous secondary metabolites produced by Fusarium molds were identified in the first step of a risk assessment procedure, the hazard identification. These mycotoxins are excreted often simultaneously, by the fungus into plant tissue. A literature survey revealed the occurrence of 61 Fusarium species in agricultural produce (cereals, vegetables, fruits) of which 35 species were reported to produce a total of 137 secondary metabolites in laboratory experiments. This literature review shows that 41 (30%) of these secondary metabolites have been tested and found toxic in various assays and should be considered hazardous if present in food. Six of these were reported to be related to human intoxications. Four metabolites belonged to the trichothecenes (T-2 toxin, nivalenol, deoxynivalenol and acetyldeoxynivalenol), the others were zearalenone and fumonisin B 1 . Twelve metabolites, including the previously mentioned six, were reported to have been tested in feeding trials using vertebrates. These twelve secondary metabolites should be regarded as most important and need to be evaluated in each risk assessment procedure for mycotoxins in food commodities.
Distribution and Abundance of Herons, Egrets, Ibises and Spoonbills in the Alligator Rivers Region, Northern Territory

Aerial surveys between 1981 and 1984 were used to identify monthly trends in the abundance of Pacific herons (Ardea pacifica), pied herons (Ardea picata), cattle egrets (Ardeola ibis), great egrets (Egretta alba), little egrets (Egretta garzetta), intermediate egrets (Egretta intermedia), glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), sacred ibis (Threskiornis aethiopica), straw-necked ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis) and royal spoonbills (Platalea regia) on five floodplains of the Alligator Rivers region, 250 km east of Darwin in the monsoonal Northern Territory. Ground surveys were conducted during the same period on one of the floodplains, the Magela. The aerial surveys indicated that the Magela floodplain was inhabited by few of these birds during the wet season (November-March), but that numbers then increased substantially in the dry season. The Nourlangie floodplain and Boggy Plain (a large backswamp of the South Alligator floodplain) showed similar patterns, but the numbers of birds tended to be lower. Birds were generally uncommon on the shallower East Alligator and Cooper floodplains, except for egrets in the wet season. Ground surveys suggested that the birds sought out the persistent swamps that characterise the Magela foodplain in the dry season. Ground surveys also indicated that aerial surveys underestimated densities. On the basis of correction factors calculated from ground surveys, peak numbers on the five floodplains were roughly estimated to be about 4000 pacific herons, 50 000 pied herons, 300 000 egrets (primarily intermediate egrets), 60 000 glossy ibis, 16 000 sacred ibis, 80 000 straw-necked ibis and 35 000 royal spoonbills. Great-billed herons (Ardea sumatrana), white-faced herons (Ardea novaehollandiae), striated herons (Butorides striata), rufous night herons (Nycticorax caledonicus), black bitterns (Dupetor flavicollis) and yellow-billed spoonbills (Platalea flavipes) were recorded sporadically in low numbers. The Alligator Rivers region acted as a dry-season refuge for herons, egrets, ibises and spoonbills because of the unusually persistent fresh waters of the Magela and Nourlangie floodplains and some of the backswamps of the South Alligator, such as Boggy Plain.
Deep Learning Neural Networks to Predict Serious Complications After Bariatric Surgery: Analysis of Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry Data

Background Obesity is one of today’s most visible public health problems worldwide. Although modern bariatric surgery is ostensibly considered safe, serious complications and mortality still occur in some patients. Objective This study aimed to explore whether serious postoperative complications of bariatric surgery recorded in a national quality registry can be predicted preoperatively using deep learning methods. Methods Patients who were registered in the Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry (SOReg) between 2010 and 2015 were included in this study. The patients who underwent a bariatric procedure between 2010 and 2014 were used as training data, and those who underwent a bariatric procedure in 2015 were used as test data. Postoperative complications were graded according to the Clavien-Dindo classification, and complications requiring intervention under general anesthesia or resulting in organ failure or death were considered serious. Three supervised deep learning neural networks were applied and compared in our study: multilayer perceptron (MLP), convolutional neural network (CNN), and recurrent neural network (RNN). The synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE) was used to artificially augment the patients with serious complications. The performances of the neural networks were evaluated using accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, Matthews correlation coefficient, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Results In total, 37,811 and 6250 patients were used as the training data and test data, with incidence rates of serious complication of 3.2% (1220/37,811) and 3.0% (188/6250), respectively. When trained using the SMOTE data, the MLP appeared to have a desirable performance, with an area under curve (AUC) of 0.84 (95% CI 0.83-0.85). However, its performance was low for the test data, with an AUC of 0.54 (95% CI 0.53-0.55). The performance of CNN was similar to that of MLP. It generated AUCs of 0.79 (95% CI 0.78-0.80) and 0.57 (95% CI 0.59-0.61) for the SMOTE data and test data, respectively. Compared with the MLP and CNN, the RNN showed worse performance, with AUCs of 0.65 (95% CI 0.64-0.66) and 0.55 (95% CI 0.53-0.57) for the SMOTE data and test data, respectively. Conclusions MLP and CNN showed improved, but limited, ability for predicting the postoperative serious complications after bariatric surgery in the Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry data. However, the overfitting issue is still apparent and needs to be overcome by incorporating intra- and perioperative information.