Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Pi13, a blast resistance gene that maps to chromosome 6 in indica rice (Oryza sativa L. variety, Kasalath)

Characterization of resistance genes is essential for the development of a new variety resistant to blast (Magnaporthe grisea) in rice (Oryza sativa L.). In this study, we found that an indica variety, Kasalath, harbored a resistance gene that showed a broad spectrum of resistance reactions against standard differential blast isolates from the Philippines and Japan. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis was conducted using backcross inbred lines derived from crosses between Kasalath and the japonica cultivar, Koshihikari, to detect the QTL for blast resistance. QTLs were detected on chromosomes 6 and 8. Further, QTL analysis of chromosome segment substitution lines of Kasalath in the Koshihikari genetic background revealed that the Kasalath allele at the QTL on chromosome 6 strongly contributed to blast resistance. These results suggested that the gene locus might be identical to Pi13(t) that had already been reported. By marker-assisted breeding, a near-isogenic line, Koshihikari Toyama BL7, with a Kasalath chromosome segment containing Pi13(t) introduced into Koshihikari genetic background, was developed. The reaction of Koshihikari Toyama BL7 to the differential blast isolates indicated that Pi13(t) was a broad-spectrum and moderate resistance gene. Since Pi13(t) showed single-gene segregation and was characterized, the gene was re-designated as Pi13.
The contrasting dynamics of two populations of Plantago lanceolata L. classified by age and size.

(1) The dynamics of two populations of Plantago lanceolata from contrasting habitats are simulated with the use of matrix projection models. The fecundity and survival parameters that together form the matrix are based on demographic fieldwork and evaluated for both size and age categories at the same time. (2) After verification of the model, elasticity analysis is applied to determine the model parameters that are most important in defining the population growth rate. The effect of more complex changes in the life histories on the population growth rate is evaluated by means of simulation. (3) The results are in general agreement with expectations based on field observations: seed production is more important in an unpredictable environment, whereas adult survival is more important in a stable environment. In both populations seedling establishment is the most important phase in the life history, especially in the stable habitat. (4) The formation of side rosettes is not so much a mode of vegetative reproduction as a way to increase the current year's seed production in an unpredictable environment. (5) Timing of germination in spring or in autumn is important, but the effect of delay by means of a seedbank is unexpectedly small. (6) The particular form of this matrix projection model is time-invariant. Because fecundity and survival are rarely constant over time, however, random sequences of bad, normal and good years are generated and incorporated in the model. The impact of this variation over time is evaluated using time-to-extinction as a measure.
BACTERIOLOGICAL STUDY OF POST-OPERATIVE WOUND INFECTIONS AND THEIR ANTIBIOGRAMS IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Background: Surgical site infections (SSI) are frequently occurring in postoperative complications. The present study is undertaken to isolate and determine the frequency of distribution of pathogens in post-operative wound infections and the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of the causative organisms. Methods: This cross-sectional, prospective study was carried out over a period of one year. 250 pus samples from cases of surgical site infections were processed for gram staining, culture, biochemical identification tests, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Results: Out of 250 patients of post-operative wound infections, 48 are cultured positive, among which 21 were gram-positive, and 27 were gram-negative. Staphylococcus aureus emerged as the commonest etiological agent 17 (35.42%) followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa 14 (29.17%), E.coli 6 (12.5%). Amikacin (72.9%) was found to be the most effective antibiotic, and Multidrug resistance was observed with staphylococcus aureus (79.16%) and pseudomonas aeruginosa (83.3%). Conclusions: Staphylococcus aureus is the commonest etiological agent for Postoperative wound infections. Antibiotic susceptibility pattern of various isolates helps in proper selection of antibiotics and in this study, it was found that Amikacin was the most effective antibiotic against postoperative wound infections.
Carbon and water fluxes in Beech–Spruce model ecosystems in response to long‐term exposure to atmospheric CO2 enrichment and increased nitrogen deposition

1. We present data on the gas exchange of 32 Beech–Spruce model ecosystems including understorey species, which were planted on acidic or calcareous soil in 16 (half-split) open-top chambers in 1994 and were continuously exposed to the combinations of two CO2 concentrations and two wet nitrogen deposition rates for 3 years. 2. Instantaneous mid-season net ecosystem carbon-exchange rates (NEC) were determined during the day (11.00–16.00 h, NECd) and at night (22.00–02.00 h, NECn) with a mobile chamber in July 1996 and August 1997 for both soil types and, in addition, in August and September 1996 on acidic soil only. 3. Elevated CO2 increased NECd at all sampling dates on both soil types and under both N deposition rates. Increased nitrogen deposition stimulated NECd on acidic soil but not on calcareous soil, irrespective of the CO2 level. NECn was increased in elevated CO2 on both soil types (but more on the calcareous soil), but did not respond to increased nitrogen deposition in both years. The daytime instantaneous ecosystem evapotranspiration (ETd) was not significantly affected by the CO2 and nitrogen treatments at any sampling date. Year to year differences in NECn and ETd were small, but a doubling in NECd occurred throughout the observation period. 4. Elevated CO2 caused a small but significant increase in stem dry mass on calcareous soil only and increased nitrogen deposition stimulated stem biomass production on acidic soil only. Leaf area index was not affected by CO2, but was increased under high nitrogen deposition. 5. Our results suggest that nitrogen deposition and soil type are major co-determinants of the carbon balance of forests in a future CO2-rich world.
Fish foraging effects on benthic assemblages along a warm‐temperate stream: differences among drift feeders, benthic predators and grazers

In streams, physical and biotic conditions change from the headwaters to the mouth, shaping longitudinal patterns in community structure. We examined how fish foraging effects on periphyton and benthic invertebrates changed along a longitudinal gradient of a warm-temperate stream in southwestern Japan. We established three study sites according to changes in the composition of fish feeding guilds (upper site characterized by drifting-invertebrate feeders, Oncorhynchus masou; middle site by benthic invertebrate feeders, Rhinogobius spp.; lower site by the presence of periphyton grazers, Sicyopterus japonicus), and performed two manipulative experiments to examine effects of different fish assemblages on periphyton and benthic invertebrate abundances. Results of an exclosure experiment suggested that fishes had no effect on the benthic assemblages at the upper and middle sites whereas fishes reduced the abundances of both periphyton and invertebrates on stone surfaces at the lower site, where both benthic invertebrate feeders and grazers inhabited. A subsequent enclosure experiment showed that the reduction of invertebrate densities at the lower site was caused by the grazers rather than benthic invertebrate feeders. These experimental results suggested that effects of fishes on benthic assemblages are intensified downstream, owing to the occurrence of the grazing fish. Furthermore, observational data based on field sampling suggested that such grazing effects were reflected in longitudinal patterns in periphyton and invertebrate abundances. Overall results emphasize an important role of the grazing fish (S. japonicus) in shaping longitudinal patterns in benthic assemblage structure.
Incidence of specialist natural enemies of Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) (Horn., Aphididae) on oats in monocrops and mixed intercrops with faba bean

Field experiments were conducted in southern Finland in 1981–1985. Shoots of oat, Avena sativa, were sampled in monocrops and mixed intercrops of oats and faba bean, Vicia faba, in order to estimate the densities of bird cherry‐oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi, its coccinellid and syrphid predators, parasitized (mummified) aphids and aphids killed by fungal pathogens.
Comparação da vegetação arbórea de cerradão e de cerrado na Reserva do Panga, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais

The survey was carried out in the Panga Ecological Reserve, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais. A plot survey was used to analyze the floristic and phytosociology of arboreal species; with equal or more than 15cm of trunk girth, in a transect of 840m x 20m (1.68ha). The survey included plant communities of open cerrado and cerradao. Soil samples were collected, from 0 to 10cm depth, in 12 different plots, to define its chemical composition. The total survey included 3,137 individuals, in 107 species and 43 families. In the cerradao 25 plots (1.0ha) presented 93 species, with Qualea grandiflora, and Vochysia tucanorum showing the highest index of importance value (IVI). In 0.68ha of cerrado we found 76 species and 37 families, with Qualea grandiflora and Qualea parviflora presenting the higher IVI index. Fabaceae Vochysiaceae and Myrtaceae showed the largest number of species in the two plant communities
Patterns of connectivity between the Lake Eyre and Gulf drainages, Australia: a phylogeographic approach

Historical barriers to dispersal in freshwater environments can be detected in the genetic structure of organisms living within these environments. Over time, it is possible that a barrier for freshwater organisms becomes passable, allowing gene flow between adjacent populations. The Lake Eyre and Gulf of Carpentaria Basins are adjacent drainages in northern Queensland. Low topography and large-scale flooding events make it possible that connectivity events may have occurred between the drainages throughout history. Documented geological evidence also suggests historical connectivity between the basins in the Pliocene. The present study looked at two widely distributed species, the freshwater fish Nematalosa erebi and the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium australiense, and used mitochondrial sequence data to assess past connectivity between the basins and estimate the timing of these events. Both species showed significant divergence across the drainage divide. There was evidence of two fragmentation events in the N. erebi data and divergence estimates for these events were 160 000 and 350 000 years ago. It was estimated that there has been no dispersal of M. australiense across the drainage divide for over one million years. The discordant evolutionary histories observed suggest that the patterns reflect recent historical environmental events and life-history differences between the two species.
The North American ginseng inflorescence: development, floret abscission zone, and the effect of ethylene

Characterization of the North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) inflorescence, the floret abscission zone, and its stimulation by ethylene were undertaken to gain insights into the potential for floret abscission induction as a replacement for the industry practice of expensive manual removal of the inflorescence. In each of 3 years, peduncle length of 3-year-old cultivated ginseng inflorescences increased rapidly in June, reaching maximal values of 140180 mm. During this period, seed head diameter also increased to about 35 mm, while seed head fresh mass increased in July and August to 6.58.0 g. Flowering in 1996 and 1997 began in the last 2 weeks of June and lasted through July, with open flowers never exceeding 35%. Anatomical studies and manual dissection of 1- and 3-year-old perennating buds revealed development of the floral primordia first at their periphery and progressing centripetally. Stamen initials were seen as a pentamerous whorl just under the petal primordia, and the characterist.
Impacts of Mixed‐Wettability on Brine Drainage and Supercritical CO2 Storage Efficiency in a 2.5‐D Heterogeneous Micromodel

Geological carbon storage (GCS) involves unstable drainage processes, the formation of patterns in a morphologically unstable interface between two fluids in a porous medium during drainage. The unstable drainage processes affect CO2 storage efficiency and plume distribution and can be greatly complicated by the mixed‐wet nature of rock surfaces common in hydrocarbon reservoirs where supercritical CO2 (scCO2) is used in enhanced oil recovery. We performed scCO2 injection (brine drainage) experiments at 8.5 MPa and 45°C in heterogeneous micromodels, two mixed‐wet with varying water‐ and intermediate‐wet patches, and one water‐wet. The flow regime changes from capillary fingering through crossover to viscous fingering in the micromodels of the same pore geometry but different wetting surfaces at displacement rates with logCa (capillary number) increasing from −8.1 to −4.4. While the mixed‐wet micromodel with uniformly distributed intermediate‐wet patches yields ~0.15 scCO2 saturation increase at both capillary fingering and crossover flow regimes (−8.1 ≤ logCa ≤ − 6.1), the one heterogeneous wetting to scCO2 results in ~0.09 saturation increase only at the crossover flow regime (−7.1 ≤ logCa ≤ − 6.1). The interconnected flow paths in the former are quantified and compared to the channelized scCO2 flow through intermediate‐wet patches in the latter by topological analysis. At logCa > − 6.1 (near well), the effects of wettability and pore geometry are suppressed by strong viscous force. Both scCO2 saturation and distribution suggest the importance of wettability on CO2 storage efficiency and plume shape in reservoirs and capillary leakage through caprock at GCS conditions.
Genetic and morphometric variation in the potamonautid river crab Potamonautes parvispina (Decapoda: Potamonautidae) from two Western Cape rivers, South Africa

Patterns of genetic and morphometric variation amongst five populations of Potamonautes parvispina from two rivers in the Western Cape, were examined. Genetic variation at 14 loci was investigated using protein gel electrophoresis. The results showed that the populations were genetically invariant within and between the two drainage systems. Discriminant functions analyses of seven carapace variables demonstrated regional differentiation between the population groups in the two drainage systems. Other morphometric characters exhibited a significant degree of variation within drainage systems. Morphometric data were highly variable and were discordant with the genetic data, which suggests that environmental factors may be responsible for the large degree of phenotypic plasticity. Results from the present study are discussed in terms of widespread gene flow and recent population divergence.
Aillikites and Alkali Ultramafic Lamprophyres of the Beloziminsky Alkaline Ultrabasic-Carbonatite Massif: Possible Origin and Relations with Ore Deposits

The 650–621 Ma plume which impinged beneath the Siberian craton during the breakup of Rodinia caused the formation of several alkaline carbonatite massifs in craton margins of the Angara rift system. The Beloziminsky alkaline ultramafic carbonatite massif (BZM) in the Urik-Iya graben includes alnöites, phlogopite carbonatites and aillikites. The Yuzhnaya pipe (YuP) ~ 645 Ma and the 640–621 Ma aillikites in BZM, dated by 40Ar/39Ar, contain xenoliths of carbonated sulfide-bearing dunites, xenocrysts of olivines, Cr-diopsides, Cr-phlogopites, Cr-spinels (P ~ 4–2 GPa and T ~ 800–1250 °C) and xenocrysts of augites with elevated HFSE, U, Th. Al-augites and kaersutites fractionated from T ~ 1100–700 °C along the 90 mW/m2 geotherm. Higher T trend for Al-Ti augite, pargasites, Ti-biotites series (0.4–1.5 GPa) relate to intermediate magma chambers near the Moho and in the crust. Silicate xenocrysts show Zr-Hf, Ta-Nb peaks and correspond to carbonate-rich magma fractionation that possibly supplied the massif. Aillikites contain olivines, rare Cr-diopsides and oxides. The serpentinites are barren, fragments of ore-bearing Phl carbonatites contain perovskites, Ta-niobates, zircons, thorites, polymetallic sulphides and Ta-Mn-Nb-rich magnetites, ilmenites and Ta-Nb oxides. The aillikites are divided by bulk rock and trace elements into seven groups with varying HFSE and LILE due to different incorporation of carbonatites and related rocks. Apatites and perovskites reveal remarkably high LREE levels. Aillikites were generated by 1%–0.5% melting of the highly metasomatized mantle with ilmenite, perovskite apatite, sulfides and mica, enriched by subduction-related melts and fluids rich in LILE and HFSE. Additional silicate crystal fractionation increased the trace element concentrations. The carbonate-silicate P-bearing magmas may have produced the concentration of the ore components and HFSE in the essentially carbonatitic melts after liquid immiscibility in the final stage. The mechanical enrichment of aillikites in ore and trace element-bearing minerals was due to mixture with captured solid carbonatites after intrusion in the massif.
Endogenous opioids upregulate brain‐derived neurotrophic factor mRNA through δ‐ and µ‐opioid receptors independent of antidepressant‐like effects

Systemic administration of δ‐opioid receptor (DOR) agonists decreases immobility in the forced swim test (FST) and increases brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA expression in rats, indicating that DOR agonists may have antidepressant‐like effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of central administration of endogenous opioid peptides on behavior in the FST and on brain BDNF mRNA expression in rats. Effects of endogenous opioids were compared with those produced by intracerebroventricular administration of a selective non‐peptidic DOR agonist (+)BW373U86. Antidepressant‐like effects were measured by decreased immobility in the FST. BDNF mRNA expression was determined by in situ hybridization. Centrally administered (+)BW373U86 decreased immobility and increased BDNF mRNA expression in the frontal cortex through a DOR‐mediated mechanism, because these effects were blocked by the DOR antagonist naltrindole, but not by the µ‐opioid receptor (MOR) antagonist naltrexone (NTX) or the κ‐opioid receptor antagonist nor‐binaltorphimine. Of all the endogenous opioids tested, only leu‐ and met‐enkephalin produced behavioral effects like those of (+)BW373U86 in the FST. Unlike (+)BW373U86, the enkephalins upregulated BDNF mRNA expression in the hippocampus through DOR‐ and MOR‐mediated mechanisms. β‐Endorphin, endomorphin‐1 and endomorphin‐2 significantly increased BDNF mRNA levels in the frontal cortex, hippocampus and amygdala without reducing immobility; and most of these effects were reversed by NTX. This study is the first to provide evidence that endogenous opioids can upregulate BDNF mRNA expression through the DOR and MOR, and that leu‐ and met‐enkephalin have similar pharmacological profiles to synthetic DOR agonists in producing antidepressant‐like effects.
A time‐efficient shrinkage algorithm for the Fourier‐based prediction enabling proactive optimisation in software‐defined networks

This paper focuses on the problem of time‐efficient traffic prediction. The prediction enables the proactive and globally scoped optimisation in software‐defined networks (SDNs). We propose the shrinkage and selection heuristic method for the trigonometric Fourier‐based traffic models in SDNs. The proposed solution allows us to optimise the network for an upcoming time window by installing flow entries in SDN nodes before the first packet of a new flow arrives. As the mechanism is designed to be a part of a sophisticated routing‐support system, several critical constraints are considered and taken into account. Specifically, the system is traffic‐ and topology‐agnostic, thus the prediction mechanism must be applicable to the networks with highly variable traffic loads (e.g., observed inside intra‐DCNs: datacentre networks). Furthermore, the system must effectively optimise routing in large‐scale SDNs comprised of numerous nodes and handling millions of flows of a dynamic nature. Therefore, the prediction must be simultaneously accurate as well as being time efficient and scalable. These requirements are met by our Fourier‐based solution, which subtracts consecutive harmonics from the original signal and compares the result with an adaptive threshold adjusted to the signal's standard deviation. The evaluation is performed by comparing the proposed heuristic with the well‐known Lasso method of proven accuracy. The results show that our solution is able to retain prediction accuracy at a comparable level. Moreover, in accordance with our main aim, we operate in a manner which is always significantly faster. In some cases, computation times are reduced by as much as 50 times.
Catheter Ablation in the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract Catheter ablation (CA) of the pulmonary veins for atrial fibrillation (AF) is growing exponentially and is the most commonly performed electrophysiologic procedure. Initial descriptions focused on CA for paroxysmal AF, and now more recently expanded in application to persistent AF and those with comorbid heart failure. Efforts to improve success have and continue to address issues such as pulmonary vein “reconnection” following ablation through different ablative energy modalities, and the use of a “hybrid” surgical/endocardial combined approach in persistent forms of AF. Technologic advances as well are concurrently seeking to improve safety, particularly regarding the incidence of atrio-esophageal fistula in this seemingly ever-growing ablation population.
On the formation of desert loess

Abstract Sequences of quartz-rich coarse (20−63 μm) silt occur in many low- and midlatitude unglaciated arid and semiarid areas and have been termed “desert loess. ” The processes by which these deposits are generated have been debated for decades. All hypotheses to explain their origin seek to provide mechanisms for the generation of silt-sized material without glacial grinding, which is the main process involved in the production of coarse silt at high latitudes. Possible mechanisms for the formation of coarse silt in arid regions include derivation from preexisting siltstones, mechanical weathering of silicate rocks, and abrasion of sand grains in active dune environments during intense transport events. Examination of the characteristics of desert loess and field and laboratory experiments to assess the role of dune areas as a source of coarse silt by abrasion and/or resuspension of residual fines suggests that many loess sequences are dominated by locally derived coarse silt. Improvements in the characterization of desert loess particle size, mineralogy, and geochemistry are needed, however, to identify sources and sinks of coarse silt, especially when combined with climatic back-trajectory analysis. Properly scaled experiments and modeling of particle collisions will also help to better quantify the effectiveness of abrasion in the generation of coarse silt in support of field observations.