Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing marine species vulnerability to projected warming on the Scotian Shelf, Canada

Christine H. Stortini1*, Nancy L. Shackell2, Peter Tyedmers1, and Karen Beazley1 School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University, 6100 University Avenue, Suite 5010, PO Box 15000, Halifax, NS, Canada B3H 4R2 Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, 1 Challenger Drive, PO Box 1006, Dartmouth, NS, Canada B2Y 4A2 *Corresponding author: tel: +1 902 292 0268; fax: +1 902 426 9710; e-mail: c.stortini@dal.ca
A Rhodopsin‐like Molecule on the Plasma Membrane of Fabrea salina

Immunofluorescence was used to reveal the presence of a rhodopsin‐like molecule on the plasma membrane of the photoresponsive ciliate Fabrea salina. The ciliate, fixed on a glass support, showed a spontaneous red‐orange fluorescence. Cells incubated with a fluoresceinated, anti‐bovine opsin, sheep polyclonal antiserum showed instead a green fluorescence typical of fluorochrome excited at 436 nm, whereas cells incubated with a fluoresceinated, nonimmune sheep serum kept their original red fluorescence. Excess bovine opsin did not inhibit the antibody reaction, but detergent‐coated purified bovine opsin was proven able to bind to the cell membrane. Since rhodopsin belongs to a gene‐related protein family, which includes adrenergic or cholinergic receptors, the cell response to acute exposure to muscarinic and adrenergic agonist and antagonist drugs was investigated. Acetylcholine, atropine, hexamethonium, noradrenaline, or phenoxybenzamine in the culture medium (10‐4 M) did not influence motion behaviour nor phototaxis of Fabrea salina. These findings raise the possibility that a rhodopsin‐like molecule is present on the surface of Fabrea salina. Nevertheless, they do not prove that this surface antigen is a rhodopsin, or that this molecule is responsible for photoresponsiveness in this organism.
Prevalência e etiologia infecciosa da mastite bovina na microrregião de Cuiabá, MT

This study aims to verify the prevalence and infectious etiology of bovine mastitis in dairy farms of the microregion of Cuiaba, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. One hundred eight cows belonging to herds from this microregion were examined. Afterwards, 279 milk samples from mastitic mammary quarters were submitted to microbiological examinations. Among the examined animals, 85.2% were carriers of mastitis in one mammary quarter at least. The percentile of mammary quarters affected by clinical and subclinical mastitis was 5.8 and 65% respectively. Corynebacterium sp. (27.6%) and Staphylococcus aureus (21.5%) were the major causative agents among the subclinical infections. Among the clinical cases, S. aureus (44.0%) and Corynebacterium sp. (12.0%) were more frequently isolated. Although the high prevalence of S. aureus and Corynebacterium sp. as mastitis causatives confirms the results obtained in studies developed in other Brazilian regions, the low prevalence of the genus Streptococcus in the cases analyzed disagrees to those records. KEY WORDS: Cuiaba-MT, bovine mastitis, microorganisms.
MOLECULAR DETECTION AND COMPARISON OF GAEUMANNOMYCES GRAMINIS VAR. TRITICI ISOLATES ORIGINATING FROM WHEAT AND RYE

Gaeumannomyces graminis is an etiologic agent of take-all, economically important disease of cereals worldwide. A polymerase chain reaction with variety-specific primers was successfully used for detection of G. graminis var. tritici in plant tissue. Obtained results showed that this diagnostic method is a very sensitive and useful tool for detection of the pathogen even before disease symp- toms arise. DNA polymorphism revealed by RAPD-PCR with three arbitrary primers was suitable for assessing genetic variation among Ggt isolates originating from wheat and rye.
A tool to identify type 2 diabetic patients at risk for developing microvascular complications

OBJECTIVE — Skin autofluorescence is a noninvasive measure of the level of tissue accumulation of advanced glycation end products, representing cumulative glycemic and oxidative stress. Recent studies have already shown a relationship between skin autofluorescence and diabetes complications, as well as the predictive value of skin autofluorescence for total and cardiovascular mortality in type 2 diabetes. Our aim was to investigate the predictive value of skin autofluorescence for the development of microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS — At baseline, skin autofluorescence of 973 type 2 diabetic patients with well-controlled diabetes was noninvasively measured with an autofluorescence reader. The aggregate clinical outcome was defined as the development of any diabetes-associated microvascular complication of 881 surviving patients, which was assessed at baseline and at the end of follow-up. Single end points were the development of diabetesassociated retinopathy, neuropathy, and (micro)albuminuria. RESULTS — After a mean follow-up period of 3.1 years, baseline skin autofluorescence was significantly higher in patients who developed any microvascular complication, neuropathy, or (micro)albuminuria but not in those who developed retinopathy. Multivariate analyses showed skin autofluorescence as a predictor for development of any microvascular complication along with A1C, for development of neuropathy along with smoking, and for development of (micro)albuminuria together with sex, A1C, and diabetes duration. Skin autofluorescence did not have predictive value for the development of retinopathy, albeit diabetes duration did. CONCLUSIONS — Our study is the first observation of skin autofluorescence measurement as an independent predictor of development of microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 31:517–521, 2008
Acanthamoeba castellanii: Endocytic Structures Involved in the Ingestion of Diverse Target Elements

Co-incubation of Acanthamoeba castellanii trophozoites with diverse target elements such as MDCK epithelial cells, hamster cornea, human erythrocytes, Acantamoeba cysts and bacteria clusters produced morphologically different endocytic structures. In general, up to three different types of endocytic structures were observed after the interaction between A. castellanii and the different target elements: large amoebostomes, slender cylindrical sucker-like channels and minute cell surface specializations, some of them with a pinch-off lytic action. These endocytic structures are used to lyse and ingest different targets in a contact-dependent mechanism.
Sounds Modulate Males’ Aggressiveness in a Cichlid Fish

Acoustic signals are produced in many fish species during agonistic or courtship interactions. A way to test the biological role of these sounds is the use of acoustic playback experiments. However, sounds are usually associated with visual displays and playback experiments performed in fish so far, often failed to match acoustic and visual stimuli. To avoid this mismatch issue, we experimentally separated or coupled visual and acoustic channels to test the role of sounds produced during male–male aggressive interactions in a cichlid fish, Metriaclima zebra. Results show that aggressive behaviour is based on visual stimuli and that acoustic signals alone never trigger aggression. Furthermore, the association between visual and acoustic channels lowers the level of aggressiveness found when fish can only interact visually. This suggests that acoustic signals used during a dispute may complement visual displays to modulate males’ behaviour by reducing their aggressiveness and the risk of escalated fights.
Predicting performance of glassy polymers : evolution of the thermodynamic state during processing and service life

A new method is employed to directly predict the development of yield stress distributions in injection molded products of glassy polymers. The approach is based on the results of a study on the temperature dependence of the evolution of yield stress during annealing of polycarbonate below Tg. In combination with the process-related thermal history, derived from numerical simulations of the injection molding process, an estimate of the yield stress distribution throughout a product can be obtained. Computed yield stresses of injection molded plates prove to be in excellent agreement with the experimental values, including their dependence on mold temperature and plate thickness. 1Reproduced from: L.E. Govaert, T.A. P. Engels, E.T. J. Klompen, G.W. M. Peters, and H.E. H. Meijer, Processing-induced properties in glassy polymers: development of the yield stress in polycarbonate, International Polymer Processing, XX(2), 170-177, (2005)
Changing objectives of non-industrial private forest ownership: a confirmatory approach to measurement model testing

While the behavior and objectives of non-industrial private forest (NIPF) owners have been studied extensively, studies that systematically test the underlying measurement model are lacking in forest economic literature. Our paper reports the results obtained from a recent large-scale survey conducted in Finland in 2011 (n = 557). Results indicate a novel way to systematically analyze the objectives of forest ownership by testing the validity of the developed measurement scale using the structural equations modeling technique. From an exploratory factor analysis of 22 items measuring forest owner objectives, a four-dimensional structure is identified in the background objectives of NIPF owners. These dimensions are labeled as recreation and leisure time, sense of economic security, nature conservation and aesthetics, and timber sales income objective. Having undergone a confirmatory testing process, results from the four-dimensional model support the validity of the developed 16-item measurement model. Based on these findings, we argue that the logical NIPF owner objective structure in Finland consists of experiential forest value, as perceived in current and future time contexts, as well as of current and future economic objectives. As the theoretical structure divides forest owner objectives into the evaluation of the present objectives, supplemented with a psychological evaluation of the future objectives, a novel classification of NIPF owner objectives is suggested.
Obtaining Prevalence Estimates of COVID-19: A Model to Inform Decision-making

Objectives: The primary aim was to evaluate whether randomly sampling and testing a set number of individuals for active or past COVID-19 while adjusting for misclassification error captures a simulated prevalence. The secondary aim was to quantify the impact of misclassification error bias on publicly reported case data in Maryland. Methods: Using a stratified random sampling approach, 50,000 individuals were selected from a simulated Maryland population to estimate the prevalence of active and past COVID-19. Data from the 2014-2018 and 2018 American Community Surveys were used. The simulated prevalence was 0.5% and 1.0% for active and past COVID-19, respectively. Bayesian models, informed by published validity estimates, were used to account for misclassification error when estimating the prevalence of active and past COVID-19. Results: Failure to account for misclassification error overestimated the simulated prevalence for active and past COVID-19. Adjustment for misclassification error decreased the point estimate for active and past COVID-10 prevalence by 55% and 29%, respectively. Adjustment for sampling method and misclassification error only captured the simulated past COVID-19 prevalence. The simulated active COVID-19 prevalence was only captured when set to 0.7% and above. Adjustment for misclassification error for publicly reported Maryland data increased the estimated average daily cases by 8%. Conclusions: Random sampling and testing of COVID-19 is needed but must be accompanied by adjustment for misclassification error to avoid over- or underestimating the prevalence. This approach bolsters disease control efforts. Implementing random testing for active COVID-19 may be best in a smaller geographic area with highly prevalent cases.
Recombinant Interferon-α for Chronic Hepatitis C in Patients Positive for Antibody to Human Immunodeficiency Virus

: To assess the response to and tolerance of recombinant interferon-alpha administration in patients with chronic hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, 12 patients with chronic hepatitis C and HIV infection were given interferon-alpha, 1, 3, or 5 million units thrice weekly, for 4 or 6 months. Four patients had a complete response (normal serum alanine aminotransferase activity [ALT]), 3 had a near-complete response (serum ALT less than one-and-one-half times the upper limit of normal), and 5 had no response at the end of administration. Histologic examination of liver showed an improvement in 1 patient with complete response and no improvement in another patient with no response. In patients with chronic hepatitis C with HIV infection, the response to and tolerance of recombinant interferon-alpha were not different from those usually observed in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection without HIV infection.
Haematological studies on wild African elephants (Loxodonta africana)

Various haematological parameters have been measured in a sample of wild African elephants from two game parks in Uganda. The results are compared with those of other authors for the African and Indian elephant and other mammals. No intersex differences were found to occur but calves (1–5 years) differed from the population as a whole in several respects. Some values varied with season and this may be attributed to the effect of dehydration during the dry season. A number of elephants from one of the parks had abnormally high red cell numbers and the possibility is considered that this may reflect an incidence of habitat induced cardiovascular disease.
Investigating Machine Learning Algorithms for Modeling SSD I/O Performance for Container-Based Virtualization

One of the cornerstones of the cloud provider business is to reduce hardware resources cost by maximizing their utilization. This is done through smartly sharing processor, memory, network and storage, while fully satisfying SLOs negotiated with customers. For the storage part, while SSDs are increasingly deployed in data centers mainly for their performance and energy efficiency, their internal mechanisms may cause a dramatic SLO violation. In effect, we measured that I/O interference may induce a 10x performance drop. We are building a framework based on autonomic computing which aims to achieve intelligent container placement on storage systems by preventing bad I/O interference scenarios. One prerequisite to such a framework is to design SSD performance models that take into account interactions between running processes/containers, the operating system and the SSD. These interactions are complex. In this paper, we investigate the use of machine learning for building such models in a container based Cloud environment. We have investigated five popular machine learning algorithms along with six different I/O intensive applications and benchmarks. We analyzed the prediction accuracy, the learning curve, the feature importance and the training time of the tested algorithms on four different SSD models. Beyond describing modeling component of our framework, this paper aims to provide insights for cloud providers to implement SLO compliant container placement algorithms on SSDs. Our machine learning-based framework succeeded in modeling I/O interference with a median Normalized Root-Mean-Square Error (NRMSE) of 2.5 percent.
Spending leisure time in retirement

The purpose of this article is to get an insight into ways of spending leisure time in retirement and satisfaction with it. The differences in the ways of spending leisure time as related to adjustment to retirement and income per member of household have also been examined. The sample consisted of 100 respondents (53 women and 47 men) from the area of Novi Zagreb. The men and women were between 60 and 92 years old, the mean value was 71.6. The sample was convenient. The data was collected by a survey which consisted of questions on socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents, their ways of spending leisure time and their satisfaction with it,as well as questions on their adjustment to retirement and their household income. Although a large number of participants estimate their adjustment to retirement as easy, their satisfaction with leisure time is very low. Statistically significant differences have been found for sports activities, social games and reading. These activities were pursued mostly by people who did not know what to do after they had retired or those who said their adjustment to retirement was very difficult and who would have preferred to continue working. Participating in activities of religious communities and watching television were highest among people who said their adjustment was very good or easy. Cultural events were significantly more often attended by respondents with higher income, while watching television and taking part in activities of religious communities were higher among respondents with lower income. The results point to the conclusion that what is needed is a better preparation and a higher awareness of retirement as a period in which we can develop our personal potentials through leisure, which should be filled with a higher level of activity and an increased satisfaction.
Knock-in of integrin β1D affects primary but not secondary myogenesis in mice

Integrins are extracellular matrix receptors composed of α and β subunits involved in cell adhesion, migration and signal transduction. The β1 subunit has two isoforms, β1A ubiquitously expressed and β1D restricted to striated muscle. They are not functionally equivalent. Replacement of β1A by β 1D (β1D knock-in) in the mouse leads to midgestation lethality on a 50% Ola/50% FVB background [Baudoin, C. , Goumans, M. J., Mummery, C. and Sonnenberg, A. (1998). Genes Dev. 12, 1202-1216]. We crossed the β1D knock-in line into a less penetrant genetic background. This led to an attenuation of the midgestation lethality and revealed a second period of lethality around birth. Midgestation death was apparently not caused by failure in cell migration, but rather by abnormal placentation. The β1D knock-in embryos that survived midgestation developed until birth, but exhibited severely reduced skeletal muscle mass. Quantification of myotube numbers showed that substitution of β 1A with β1D impairs primary myogenesis with no direct effect on secondary myogenesis. Furthermore, long-term primary myotube survival was affected in β1D knock-in embryos. Finally, overexpression of β1D in C2C12 cells impaired myotube formation while overexpression of β1A primarily affected myotube maturation. Together these results demonstrate for the first time distinct roles for β 1 integrins in primary versus secondary myogenesis and that the β 1A and β1D variants are not functionally equivalent in this process.
Modeling, Simulation and Optimization of Complex Processes: Proceedings of the International Conference on High Performance Scientific Computing, March 10-14, 2003, Hanoi, Vietnam

This proceedings volume contains a selection of papers presented at the Fourth International Conference on High Performance Scientific Computingheld at the Hanoi Institute of Mathematics, Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), March 2-6, 2009. The conferencewas organized by the Hanoi Institute of Mathematics, the Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing (IWR), Heidelberg, and its Heidelberg Graduate School of Mathematical and Computational Methods for the Sciences, and Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. The contributions cover the broad interdisciplinary spectrum of scientific computing and present recent advances in theory, development of methods, and applications in practice. Subjects covered are mathematical modelling, numerical simulation, methods for optimization and control, parallel computing, software development, applications of scientific computing in physics, mechanics, biology and medicine, engineering, hydrology problems, transport, communication networks, production scheduling, industrial and commercial problems.
The effects of certain neural lesions in the rat on the reaction to a noxious stimulus I. The limbic region

It has been suggested that certain structures, classically considered to have olfactory functions, are actually associated with affective behavior. Particularly implicated in this hypothesis have been structures which have connections with the hippocampus, especially the fornix components, septal region and limbic cortex. This hypothesis, however, has not received unequivocal support in the experimental literature. The major purpose of the present experiments was the investigation of the dfects of relatively circumscribed lesions of certain of these structures upon reactivity to noxious stimulation. This article deals with work on the anterior limbic region, while a second paper contains the results of work on the septal region and fornix components. A review of the work on the limbic cortex indicates disagreements concerning the nature of the behavioral changes associated with lesions of this region. I n a number of studies, lesions stated to include the rostra1 limbic field have been reported to produce behaviol-a1 changes variously described
Classification and phylogeny of the diapsid reptiles

Reptiles with two temporal openings in the skull are generally divided into two groups–the Lepidosauria (lizards, snakes, Sphenodon, ‘eosuchians’) and the Archosauria (crocodiles, thecodontians, dinosaurs, pterosaurs). Recent suggestions that these two are not sister-groups are shown to be unproven, whereas there is strong evidence that they form a monophyletic group, the Diapsida, on the basis of several synapomorphies of living and fossil forms. A cladistic analysis of skull and skeletal characters of all described Permo-Triassic diapsid reptiles suggests some significant rearrangements to commonly held views. The genus Petrolacosaurus is the sister-group of all later diapsids which fall into two large groups–the Archosauromorpha (Pterosauria, Rhynchosauria, Prolacertiformes, Archosauria) and the Lepidosauromorpha (Younginiformes, Sphenodontia, Squamata). The pterosaurs are not archosaurs, but they are the sister-group of all other archosauromorphs. There is no close relationship between rhynchosaurs and sphenodontids, nor between Prolacerta or Tanystropheus and lizards. The terms ‘Eosuchia’, ‘Rhynchocephalia’ and ‘Protorosauria’ have become too wide in application and they are not used. A cladistic classification of the Diapsida is given, as well as a phylogenetic tree which uses cladistic and stratigraphic data.
Influence of Eutrophication on the Distribution of Phytobenthic Plant and Animal Communities

A short review of effects of eutrophication on the phytobenthic communities in the Baltic Sea is given. Future monitoring aspects are briefly discussed. Local changes in phytobenthic communities outside point sources (e.g. industry outlets, enclosed bays receiving effluents from land runoff etc.) are easily detected and can be due to nutrient enrichment and/or toxic substances. In recent decades, changes have been reported from apparently unaffected areas. The disappearance of Fucus vesiculosus is the most conspicuous. The cause of events is similar in those areas: increases in epiphytes give increases in grazer populations. The thallus of algae is heavily grazed upon. The epiphytes shade their host and filamentous algae compete for space, disturbing recruitment and leading to a decrease in diversity. The rapid response of opportunistic filamentous algae on nutrient enrichment and changing herbivore pressure can easily be observed. Therefore, repeated surveillance in defined areas, which integrates the environmental response in both animal and plant communities, may be a fruitful approach for detecting large scale eutrophication of the Baltic Sea.