Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Small-scale distribution of the mesozooplankton in a tropical insular system

Neste presente trabalho, sao apresentadas as flutuacoes espacial e sazonal da abundância e diversidade do mesozooplâncton, com especial atencao para assembleia de copepodes da area costeira do Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha (AFN) (3°50'24''S and 32°24'48''W). A amostragem foi realizada durante as estacoes seca e chuvosa de dois anos consecutivos (julho e dezembro de 2013) e (junho e novembro de 2014). Um total de 37 taxa do mesozooplâncton foram registrados, sendo os copepodes o grupo mais diversificado (15 taxa). A Subclasse Copepoda dominou em ambos os periodos amostrados, com valores de abundância relativa equivalentes a 53% e 86%, respectivamente, nas estacoes seca e chuvosa. As especies consideradas abundantes foram: Calanopia americana, Undinula vulgaris, Oithona plumifera e Corycaeus speciosus. A estacao chuvosa favoreceu um aumento significativo na abundância do mesozooplâncton e copepodes. No entanto, um baixo valor do indice de diversidade de Shannon-Wiener foi observado para este mesmo periodo sazonal. Isso foi explicado pelo dominio das especies C. americana e U. vulgaris na area estudada. Diferenca espacial nao foi verificada. A assembleia de copepodes apresentou um maior numero de especies consideradas carnivoro-predador de grande importância na teia trofica pelagica, indicadoras de condicoes oligotroficas e componente de grande porcao dos itens alimentares dos peixes. Assim, sugerimos que a area costeira do Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha e caracterizada por uma comunidade do mesozooplâncton espacialmente homogenea, onde as mudancas observadas estao principalmente relacionadas ao fator sazonal.
Machine Learning Reveals Modules of Economic Behavior from Foraging Mice

Complex ethological behaviors could be constructed from modules that are discrete functional units of behavior with a genetic basis. Here, we test this idea for foraging, and develop a paradigm to dissect foraging patterns in mice. We uncover discrete behavioral modules linked to round trip excursions from the home. Machine learning reveals 59 modules across different genetic backgrounds and ages. Different modules develop at different ages and are linked to different aspects of economic behavior, including memory, reward, risk and effort responses. Crosses of distant mouse strains reveal that parental and genetic effects shape foraging differently, and parental effects grow stronger with age. Specific behavioral modules, genes and pathways are found to be sensitive to parental effects. One candidate gene, Magel2, is linked to Prader-Willi Syndrome and shaped the expression of discrete modules in an age-dependent manner. Our results reveal building blocks for normal and abnormal economic behavior patterns. HIGHLIGHTS Identification of 59 economic behavior modules underlying foraging Discrete modules are linked to memory, reward, risk and effort responses Genetic and parental effects shape foraging by changing module expression Magel2, a Prader-Willi Syndrome gene, affects specific modules at specific ages
On the Road Again: Assessing the Use of Roadsides as Wildlife Corridors for Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus)

Abstract Small populations resulting from the impacts of habitat fragmentation are prone to increased risks of extinction because of a lack of population connectivity. Roads increase habitat fragmentation, but properly managed roadsides may be able to function as wildlife corridors. Here we use radiotelemetry to observe movement patterns of Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) along potential roadside corridors at the John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida, USA, to determine if tortoises use roadsides as movement pathways between larger habitat patches or as residential habitat. Additionally, we translocated tortoises to study the feasibility of roadsides to function as movement corridors. We found that roadsides are not used as a movement pathway but rather as an apparent long-term residential habitat. Only one tortoise was observed exiting the roadside corridor, and minimum convex polygon (MCP) home range sizes and distances traveled remain similar to those exhibited by tortoises in larger habitat patches. Following translocation, we observed a failure to return home, either by direct paths or by corridor use, for all but one tortoise. Instead, most tortoises remained along roadsides after only a brief period of exploration. Overall, we find that roadsides act as independent, residential habitat instead of as a movement corridor. Future studies should focus on understanding the actual suitability of roadsides, as they may function as ecological traps given their attractiveness but high risk of mortality. While we urge caution, current management should treat roadsides as residential locations for Gopher Tortoises and focus on reducing road mortality.
Evaluation of lung VEGF-A transduction during hyperoxia-induced injury in rats

Background Since Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is a main factor for endothelial survival, we evaluated whether VEGF transduction could ameliorate hyperoxia induced injury, which is associated with predominant endothelial injury. Methods and Results Transduction (induced 48 hours before hyperoxic exposure) using adenoviral vector (Ad.) for VEGF (1010 viral particles [VP]) increased moderately survival under hyperoxia (fraction of inspired oxygen [FIO2] >95%) as compared with Ad.Null (1010 VP) transduction, whereas VEGF transduction with a lower dose (5.109 VP) had no effect. After 48 hours of hyperoxia, Ad.VEGF transduction increased lung VEGF concentration, prevented the diffuse loss of capillary bed and induced patchy areas of endothelial cell proliferation (CD31 immunostaining) with interstitial inflammatory cell recruitment as compared to Ad. Null transduction. Hyperoxia was associated with diffuse apoptosis that was inhibited only in patchy areas of endothelial proliferation under VEGF transduction. Hyperoxia-induced alveolar inflammation was similar with Ad.Null and Ad.VEGF. Under normoxia, the high dose of VEGF transduction induced diffuse alveolar inflammation whereas the low dose did not suggesting a pro-inflammatory effect of VEGF that may have participated to increased survival under hyperoxia. Conclusions We demonstrate that lung VEGF-A transduction despite inhibition of the loss of capillary bed has a marginal effect of on animal survival during hyperoxia-induced injury.
Cultivation of the Microalga Thalassiosira weissflogii to feed the Rotifer Brachionus rotundiformis

Rotifers are a useful source of food in aquaculture [1]. Their nutritional content is enhanced if they are fed on algae, particularly in terms of vitamins and essential fattyacids. The algal genera most frequently used for this purpose are Chaetoceros, Thalassiosira, Isochrysis, Nannochloropsis and Tetraselmis [2]. The diatom T. weissflogii (size 6-15μm x 20 μm) is used as food for shrimp and in the production of bivalve larvae. This alga is considered by several hatcheries to be the best for growing shrimp larvae since it is a rich source of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid DHA, essentials for growth and development of marine organisms [3-6].
Aspects of reproduction, and morphology of the penis, of Pseudantechinus woolleyae (Marsupialia : Dasyuridae)

Abstract. Woolley’s Pseudantechinus, P. woolleyae, has remained virtually unstudied in the 30 years since its recognition in 1988 as a species distinct from P. macdonnellensis. It has a wide distribution in arid regions of Western Australia. What little is known of its biology comes largely from studies carried out over the years 1988–91 on one wild-caught female and her offspring, and a few specimens held in the collection of the Western Australian Museum. P. woolleyae is a seasonal breeder and young are born from late July to early October. They mature when ∼7 months old. Both males and females are potentially capable of breeding in more than one year. Males have accessory erectile tissue that does not form an appendage on the penis.
Development of an interactive open source software application (RadaR) for infection management / antimicrobial stewardship

Objectives Analysing process and outcome measures for patients suspected of or having an infection in an entire hospital requires processing large datasets and accounting for numerous patient parameters and treatment guidelines. Rapid, reproducible and adaptable analyses usually need substantial technical expertise but can yield valuable insight for infection management and antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) teams. We describe a software application (RadaR - Rapid analysis of diagnostic and antimicrobial patterns in R) for infection management allowing user-friendly, intuitive and interactive analysis of large datasets without prior in-depth statistical or software knowledge. Methods and Results RadaR was built in R, an open source programming language, making it free to use and adaptable to different settings. Shiny, an additional open source package to implement web-application frameworks in R, was used to develop the application. RadaR was developed in the context of a 1339-bed academic tertiary referral hospital to handle data of more than 180,000 admissions. RadaR visualizes analytical graphs and statistical summaries in an interactive manner within seconds. Users can filter large patient groups by 17 different criteria and investigate antimicrobial use, microbiological diagnostic use and results, and outcome in length of stay. Results can easily be stratified and grouped to compare individually defined patient groups. Finally, datasets of identified patients / groups can be downloaded for further analyses. Conclusion RadaR facilitates understanding and communication of trends in antimicrobial use, diagnostic use and patient outcome by linking and aggregating individual patient data in one user-friendly application. RadaR can produce aggregated data analysis while preserving patients’ features in the data to adjust and stratify results in detail. AMS teams can use RadaR to identify areas, both for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, within their institutions that might benefit from increased support and to target their interventions.
Influence of Methionine on Growth and Nitrogen Balance in Weanling Quarter Horses

Influence of Methionine on Growth and Nitrogen Balance in Weanling Quarter Horses. (December 2009) Kelly Nicole Winsco, B.S., University of Georgia Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Josie Coverdale Twenty-four Quarter horse weanlings (120 d ± 10 d) were blocked by age into 4 groups (n = 6) for a 56 d trial to evaluate the influence of methionine on growth and nitrogen retention. Weanlings were housed by block and individually fed 1 of 4 concentrate diets twice daily at 1.5% BW (as fed). Weanlings were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: basal (0.20 MET), basal + 0.03% methionine (0.23 MET), basal + 0.07% methionine (0.27 MET), and basal + 0.11% methionine (0.31 MET). Diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous, isocaloric, and contain equal amounts of LYS and THR. Coastal bermudagrass hay was individually fed at 0.75% BW (as fed). Growth measurements, body weight, rump fat, and plasma were obtained every 7 d. The final 4 days consisted of total collection of urine and feces. Feed, fecal, and urine samples were analyzed for nitrogen content and nitrogen balance was calculated. Urine was analyzed for urea and ammonia concentration. Plasma was analyzed for urea concentration. Grain, hay, and fecal samples were analyzed for nutrient composition. Data were analyzed using the PROC MIX procedure of SAS. Linear, quadratic, and cubic effects were tested in the form of contrasts. There was no influence of
Allele-specific transcription factor binding as a benchmark for assessing variant impact predictors

Genetic variation has long been known to alter transcription factor binding sites, resulting in sometimes major phenotypic consequences. While the performance for current binding site predictors is well characterised, little is known on how these models perform at predicting impact of variants. We collected and curated over 132,000 potential allele-specific binding (ASB) ChIP-seq variants across 101 transcription factors (TFs). We then assessed the accuracy of TF binding models from five different methods on these high-confidence measurements, finding that deep learning methods were best performing yet still have room for improvement. Importantly, machine learning methods were consistently better than the venerable position weight matrix (PWM). Finally, predictions for certain TFs were consistently poor, and our investigation supports efforts to use features beyond sequence, such as methylation, DNA shape, and post-translational modifications. We submit that ASB data is a valuable benchmark for variant impact on TF binding.
3. Inferring Population Phylogeny from Genetic Data

In the field of evolutionary genetics, researchers estimate phylogenetic relationships among populations by reconstructing phylogenetic trees based on molecular data. However, a molecular phylogenetic tree can be accurate but have a topology that is not consistent with the population tree topology. Due to this phenomenon, called “incomplete lineage sorting”, an analysis of a number of loci is required to accurately ascertain the phylogenetic relationships among populations. Another caution in phylogenetic reconstruction is that trees can only represent branching, not linkages between lineages (i.e., recombination in molecules and gene flow and admixture in populations). Phylogenetic networks are an effective method for representing the presence of reticulate events. However, complex demographic histories of populations are usually reconstructed by adopting model-based approaches where a small number of likely population topologies are specified in advance, and the best-fit demographic model and parameters are estimated.
Locally Applied Slow-Release of Minocycline Microspheres in the Treatment of Peri-Implant Mucositis: An Experimental In Vivo Study

Background: The objective of this is preclinical investigation was to evaluate the differential drug sustainability and pharmacodynamic properties of two local minocycline microsphere carriers: chitosan-coated alginate (CA) and poly(meth)acrylate-glycerin (PG). Methods: Four dental implants were placed unilaterally in the edentulous mandible of six beagle dogs. Each implant was randomly assigned to receive one of the following four treatments: (i) CA (CA-based minocycline), (ii) placebo (CA substrate without minocycline), (iii) PG (PG-based minocycline) and (iv) control (mechanical debridement only). After inducing peri-implant mucositis, the randomly assigned treatments were administered into the gingival sulcus twice at a 4-week interval using a plastic-tipped syringe. Drug sustainability and pharmacodynamic (clinical, radiographical and cell marker intensity) evaluations were performed after each administration. Results: The CA microspheres remained longer around the healing abutment compared to the PG microspheres at both administrations and a longer bacteriostatic effect was observed from CA (7.0 ± 5.7 days) compared to PG (1.2 ± 2.6 days). The efficacy of the applied therapies based on clinical, radiographical and histological analyses were comparable across all treatment groups. Conclusions: CA microspheres showed longer carrier and bacteriostatic effect sustainability when compared to PG microspheres, however, longer drug sustainability did not lead to improved treatment outcomes.
Aeromonas veronii biovar sobria Associated with Mortalities of Riverine Ayu Plecoglossus altivelis in the Tama River

― In July 2016, there were mortalities of riverine ayu Plecoglossus altivelis in a tributary of the Tama River, Japan. A Gram-negative, motile and short rod-shaped bacterium was dominantly isolated from all examined dead ﬁsh, and identiﬁed as Aeromonas veronii biovar sobria. Biochemical characteristics and gyrB sequence of the present strains differed from those of A. veronii strains from ayu in previous years. The present strains also caused higher mortalities to ayu than A. veronii strains pre-viously isolated. These results indicate that the present mortalities of riverine ayu in the Tama River were caused by high pathogenic A. veronii biovar sobria.
The complete mitochondrial genome of the silkworm, Bombyx mori strain BaiyuN

Abstract Here, we report the complete mitochondrial genome of a Bombyx mori strain BaiyuN, which is identified to be highly resistant to Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV). Its complete mitochondrial genome is 15,655 bp in length (GenBank accession no. MG797555), consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA, and 1 control region (494 bp). The complete mitogenome of the B. mori strain BaiyuN could provide a basic data for further phylogenetics and antivirus research.
AN ANALYTICAL APPROACH TO ENHANCE THE INTRUSION DETECTION IN INTERNET OF THINGS NETWORK

: Advancement in technology promising the future by connecting everything. The Internet of Things (IoT) makes it possible to connect and access every device through the Internet. Billions of devices are connecting and the count is increasing. IoT essentially constitutes several smart devices that widely vary in size, complexity, and usage. IoT is driving the world towards a new era and it is changing the way of our lives. Even though this superior connectivity will certainly improve our quality of life, it also nurtures severe security and fidelity problems. IoT objects have limited resources which complicates in applying conventional security practices and they are more vulnerable to critical attacks like Denial-of-Service attack, eavesdropping, sinkhole attack, etc. This paper surveys on latest security features and solutions of IoT and also analyses several security challenges that are to be taken into consideration while enhancing the security of IoT. In the coming future, IoT will be the key hub to connect several smart objects that are with different technologies and allowing various applications to interact with them in a safe manner is the main focus of researchers. To enhance the security and to provide efficient intrusion detection in IoT network, we propose an architecture with a possible usage of single board computer like Raspberry Pi and Snort, an open-source intrusion detection tool. We also discuss some potential directions to deploy the enhanced Snort on Raspberry Pi device.
Island ecosystem services: insights from a literature review on case-study island ecosystem services and future prospects

ABSTRACT Small islands are of special interest for sustainable development because of their unique characteristics and vulnerabilities. They are ecologically fragile, have limited resources, are susceptible to natural disasters and climate change. This study reviews the literature on island ecosystems, their contribution in the delivery of five key Island Ecosystem Services (IES) and acting pressures and trade-offs associated with IES management. From a set of 1630 potential relevant papers, 273 were selected for analysis. Most of the selected papers focused on cultural IES, in the form of recreation, eco-tourism and gene pool protection. However, provisioning and regulating IES were also well represented in the literature. Most of the studies discussed different management strategies and pressures arising from human use of IES. A small subset investigated the links between island biodiversity and IES, and the contribution of IES to human well-being. This review highlights knowledge gaps in the literature and identifies the need to develop approaches for IES assessments that are informed by local knowledge and which make use of empirical and spatial data for management that maximises the potential of island ecosystems to deliver IES whilst reducing trade-offs. EDITED BY Berta Martín-López
CYTOTOXIC AND ANTI-MIGRATORY ACTIVITIES FROM HYDROALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF Euphorbia lactea Haw. AGAINST HN22 CELL LINE

Euphorbiaceae is a botanical family of evolutionarily and morphologically distinct group of plants. Many euphorbias have been associated with diverse pharmacological properties including anticancer activity. Euphorbia lactea Haw. can be found naturally throughout Thailand; however, its anticancer activity remains largely unexplored. Here, we screened hydroalcoholic extract of E. lactea for its anticancer potentials, focusing on cytotoxic and anti-migratory activities using a migratory competent head and neck cancer cell line HN22 as an in vitro model. We detected statistically significant and dose-dependent cytotoxic activity of E. lactea hydroalcoholic extract against HN22 cells through MTT assay. Flow cytometry analysis of HN22 cells treated with the extract revealed an increase in sub-G1 population, suggesting that the cytotoxic effect of E. lactea hydroalcoholic extract likely involved an initiation of apoptosis in this cell line. Additionally, through wound-healing assays, we unprecedentedly reported an anti-migratory activity against HN22 cells from E. lactea hydroalcoholic extract. Together, exhibiting two attractive attributes i.e. cytotoxic and anti-migratory activities toward HN22 cells, our results identified E. lactea as a promising candidate medicinal plant for further investigations to unlock its anticancer potentials.
EFFECT OF COMBINATION OF LIQUID HOT WATER SYSTEM AND HYDROGEN PEROXIDE PRETREATMENT ON ENZYMATIC SACCHARIFICATION OF CORN COB

Alkaline hydrogen peroxide pretreatment is an effectively enhance the increasing enzymatic digestibility of lignocellulosic biomass for conversion to fuels and chemicals in the biorefinery processes. In this study, effects of H2O2 on monomeric sugar in the liquid fraction during hydrogen peroxide pretreatment and sugar after enzymatic hydrolysis from corncobs were studied under varying reaction conditions. The temperature (30-120oC) and H2O2 concentration (2.5-10%) efficiently promoted sugar yield in the piqued fraction and improved enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated solids. The optimal condition for H2O2 pretreatment of corncob (H2O2 concentration of 5% using 60 oC for 2 h) increased hemicellulose solubilization into the aqueous phase, resulting into the maximized pentose yield of 61.88% (xylose + arabinose) in the aqueous phase. H2O2 pretreatment under the optimal conditions at 60oC for 2 h, leading to the enhance glucose yield from enzymatic hydrolysis of the pretreated biomass using 10 FPU/g CelluclastTM (85.66 %) and small amount of formation of inhibitory by-products. Combined with glucose in the aqueous phase, this resulted in the maxima 95.61% glucose recovery from the native corncob. This was related to changes in crystallinity and surface area of the pretreated biomass. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed disruption of the intact biomass structure resulting increasing enzyme’s accessibility to the cellulose microfibers which showed higher crystallinity index compared to the native biomass as shown by X-ray diffraction with a marked increase in surface area as revealed by BET measurement. The results provided efficiency of H2O2 pretreatment on increasing sugar recovery and an efficient approach for its processing in biorefinery industry.