Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seasonal distribution of dinoflagellate resting cysts in surface sediments from Changjiang River Estuary

In order to understand the distribution of dinoflagellate cysts, surface sediments were collected from 15 stations in Changjiang River Estuary from 122°E to 123.5°E and from 29°N to 32°N in four cruises from May 2002 to February 2003. In the present study, 38 different cyst morphotypes representing 21 genera and 6 groups were identified, while 1 type was not identified into genus level. Species number and cell density of dinoflagellate cysts ranged from 10 to 25 species and from 12 to 587 per gram of dry weight, respectively. There were no obvious differences in cyst composition and density among seasons. However, the highest cyst species number and density were recorded in summer and winter, respectively. Cysts of heterotrophic dinoflagellates, which held 55.7% of the overall cyst density averagely, dominated cyst assemblages. Cyst density and species number increased from the west to the east, from the north to the south within the study area. Cysts of toxic dinoflagellates Alexandrium cat‐enella and Alexandrium tamarense complex distributed widely and were observed in almost all stations, with the maximum cell density of 81 per gram of dry weight.
Intra-lake response of Arcellinida (testate lobose amoebae) to gold mining-derived arsenic contamination in northern Canada: Implications for environmental monitoring

Arcellinida (testate lobose amoebae) were examined from 40 near-surface sediment samples (top 0.5 cm) from two lakes impacted by arsenic (As) contamination associated with legacy gold mining in subarctic Canada. The objectives of the study are two folds: quantify the response of Arcellinida to intra-lake variability of As and other physicochemical controls, and evaluate whether the impact of As contamination derived from two former gold mines, Giant Mine (1938–2004) and Tundra Mine (1964–1968 and 1983–1986), on the Arcellinida distribution in both lakes is comparable or different. Cluster analysis and nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) were used to identify Arcellinida assemblages in both lakes, and redundancy analysis (RDA) was used to quantify the relationship between the assemblages, As, and other geochemical and sedimentological parameters. Cluster analysis and NMDS revealed four distinct arcellinidan assemblages in Frame Lake (assemblages 1–4) and two in Hambone Lake (assemblages 5 and 6): (1) Extreme As Contamination (EAC) Assemblage; (2) High calcium (HC) Assemblage; (3) Moderate As Contamination (MAC) assemblages; (4) High Nutrients (HN) Assemblage; (5) High Diversity (HD) Assemblage; and (6) Centropyxis aculeata (CA) Assemblage. RDA analysis showed that the faunal structure of the Frame Lake assemblages was controlled by five variables that explained 43.2% of the total faunal variance, with As (15.8%), Olsen phosphorous (Olsen-P; 10.5%), and Ca (9.5%) being the most statistically significant (p < 0.004). Stress-tolerant arcellinidan taxa were associated with elevated As concentrations (e.g., EAC and MAC; As concentrations range = 145.1–1336.6 mg kg−1; n = 11 samples), while stress-sensitive taxa thrived in relatively healthier assemblages found in substrates with lower As concentrations and higher concentrations of nutrients, such as Olsen-P and Ca (e.g., HC and HM; As concentrations range = 151.1–492.3 mg kg−1; n = 14 samples). In contrast, the impact of As on the arcellinidan distribution was not statistically significant in Hambone Lake (7.6%; p-value = 0.152), where the proportion of silt (24.4%; p-value = 0.005) and loss-on-ignition-determined minerogenic content (18.5%; p-value = 0.021) explained a higher proportion of the total faunal variance (58.4%). However, a notable decrease in arcellinidan species richness and abundance and increase in the proportions of stress-tolerant fauna near Hambone Lake’s outlet (e.g., CA samples) is consistent with a spatial gradient of higher sedimentary As concentration near the outlet, and suggests a lasting, albeit weak, As influence on Arcellinida distribution in the lake. We interpret differences in the influence of sedimentary As concentration on Arcellinida to differences in the predominant As mineralogy in each lake, which is in turn influenced by differences in ore-processing at the former Giant (roasting) and Tundra mines (free-milling).
Effect of humic acid on fermentation and ciliate protozoan population in rumen fluid of sheep in vitro

BACKGROUND: Humic acid (HA) as a product of decomposition of animal and plant tissue is used in animal production as a feed supplement, antimicrobial product and growth stimulator. The objective of the present in vitro study was to investigate the effects of dietary humic acid as a commercial Humacid 60 Basic (H60B) feed additive preparation on rumen fermentation and the ciliate protozoan population in the rumen fluid of sheep using a high fibre (HF) and high concentrate (HC) diet in batch cultures and artificial rumen (RUSITEC). RESULTS: Production of total volatile fatty acids (VFAs) was significantly decreased (P < 0.001) for batch cultures by the HF-H60B diet. The HF-H60B diet decreased ammonia N in RUSITEC (P < 0.001). An increase in the population of Enoploplastron triloricatum, Isotricha spp. and Ophryoscolex c. tricoronatus with the HF-H60B diet and Diploplastron affine with the HC-H60B was observed. The H60B did not affect the total ciliate population and Entodinium spp. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that dietary humic acid preparations are not effective as dietary antiprotozoal agents. Humic acid might enhance microbial growth and energy efficiency in doses up to 10 g kg−1 DM of diet. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
A Tale of Two Bees: Looking at Pollination Fees for Almonds and Sweet Cherries

The economic theory of supply and demand can explain the recent drastic changes in the pollination prices for almonds and cherries following large acreage increases for these crops and a concurrent drop in the availability of honey bees caused by colony collapse disorder (CCD). We created a model that shows that as acreage (pollination demand) increases, pollination prices also increase. Similarly, as the availability of honey bee colonies (pollination supply) decreases, pollination fees rise. The blue orchard bee ( Osmia lignaria Say). The availability of the alternative pollinator decreases demand for honey bees and causes is that almonds produce a distasteful honey (unlike cherries), they bloom earlier than cherries, and almonds comprise about 10 the price of pollination in these tree crops and provides a means for predicting prices in face of future changes in crop acreage [pollination demand] and the availability of different pollinators (pollination supply).
Variability in the rectus femoris muscle area and its association with clinical outcomes in critically ill patients: a prospective cohort study

Muscle weakness is a common complication in critically ill patients, with loss of muscle mass during hospitalization in the intensive care unit (ICU), which is enhanced by the magnitude of organ failure and is associated with long-term morbidity. (1,2) Rectus femoris muscle (RFM) ultrasound has emerged as a practical, easily performed and applied tool to monitor sarcopenia in patients at the bedside;(3) however, its role in monitoring critically ill patients is uncertain. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate variations in RFM area throughout the ICU stay. The secondary objectives were to associate the variability in RFM area with ICU and hospital mortality; correlate the RFM area measurements with the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) on each measurement day; and evaluate the variation in area according to patient nutritional risk based on the Nutritional Risk in Critically Ill (NUTRIC) score. We conducted a prospective and unicentric cohort study in a clinical-surgical ICU with 59 beds. Patients older than 18 years with acute dysfunction that motivated ICU hospitalization for a minimal of 3 expected days were included. The exclusion criteria were patients undergoing exclusive palliative care, with an expected ICU stay less than 3 days, and with risk of imminent death and amputees in whom measurement was not possible. Rectus femoris muscle ultrasound (Sonosite M-Turbo®, Sonosite Fuji Film, Bothell, USA) was performed using a previously described methodology. (4) We performed measurements on the first (A1), third (A3) and tenth (A10) days of ICU stay by 2 previously trained evaluators. Clinical variables, comorbidities, Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS 3), SOFA and NUTRIC were analyzed. The project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Grupo Hospitalar Conceição (62104416.1.0000.5530). A free and informed consent form was signed by the study participants or their legal guardian. Associations between categorical variables were tested using the chi-square test. The comparison of continuous variables between groups was performed using Student’s t test or the Mann-Whitney test. The area differences at the different time intervals were analyzed using the Wilcoxon-signed rank test with Bonferroni correction. The correlation between SOFA variability and the variability in area at the different intervals was evaluated using the Pearson correlation test. We assumed an alpha error of 5%. A total of 69 patients were included, of whom 31 (44%) also underwent a 10th-day measurement. The sample consisted mostly of women (60%), 75% of the population presented high nutritional risk according to the NUTRIC score, and 71% of patients had sepsis. The mean SAPS 3 score was 73.2 points, Laura Monteiro Magalhães1, Eduardo Vestena Rossato2, João Wilney Franco Filho3, Wagner Luis Nedel3,4
FATTY ACID AND PHOSPHOLIPID PROFILE OF FRESHWATER SARDINE MIROGREX TERRAESANCTAE FROM THE SEA OF GALILEE

Fatty acid and lipid compositions from different tissues of Galilee Sardine important in the diet of East Mediterranean inhabitants were examined. More than 50 fatty acids were detected in freshwater fish sardines (Mirogrex terraesanctae). The muscles of this fish contained a high level of omega-3 fatty acids. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Sardines are an important commercial freshwater fish species. The lipids of different sardine tissues, fished in Lake Kinneret (the Sea of Galilee), were examined. The benefits of including omega-3 fatty acids in the diets of humans are well documented. Fatty acids play a major role in the functioning of the immune system and the maintenance of all hormonal systems in the body. Sardines (Mirogrex terraesanctae) are an excellent source of both docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid. Sardines are one of the most popular treats in Israeli homes.
Economics of production of channel catfish, ictalurus punctatus, female x blue catfish, I. furcatus, male hybrid fingerlings and foodfish

Abstract Tie profitability of the channel‐blue hybrid catfish fingerlings and foodfish was compared to that of the channel catfish using enterprise budgets and sensitivity analyses. Average total costs of production were 15.0–22.5 per cent less for hybrids fingerlings, even if hybrid fry were bought at a price twice as high as that for channel catfish. Average total costs were $33.00 per 1000 fingerlings and $44.00 per 1,000 fingerlings for hybrid and channel catfish fingerlings, respectively. The net returns to land, labor, and management were $15,020.00 per hectare ($6008.00/acre), and $3,710.00 per hectare ($1484.00/acre) for hybrid and channel catfish foodfish production, respectively, assuming selling prices of $130 per thousand and $100 per thousand, respectively. Sensitivity analyses indicated that farm price had the largest effect on net profits, followed by feed conversion and feed price, with fingerling price having the smallest effect on net profits among these variables for hybrid catfish, foodfish production.
Linking sequestration of 13C and 15N in aggregates in a pasture soil following 8 years of elevated atmospheric CO2

The influence of N availability on C sequestration under prolonged elevated CO2 in terrestrial ecosystems remains unclear. We studied the relationships between C and N dynamics in a pasture seeded to Lolium perenne after 8 years of elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration (FACE) conditions. Fertilizer-15N was applied at a rate of 140 and 560 kg N ha2−1 y2−1 and depleted 13C-CO2 was used to increase the CO2 concentration to 60 Pa pCO2. The 13C–15N dual isotopic tracer enabled us to study the dynamics of newly sequestered C and N in the soil by aggregate size and fractions of particulate organic matter (POM), made up by intra-aggregate POM (iPOM) and free light fraction (LF). Eight years of elevated CO2 did not increase total C content in any of the aggregate classes or POM fractions at both rates of N application. The fraction of new C in the POM fractions also remained largely unaffected by N fertilization. Changes in the fractions of new C and new N (fertilizer-N) under elevated CO2 were more pronounced between POM classes than between aggregate size classes. Hence, changes in the dynamics of soil C and N cycling are easier to detect in the POM fractions than in the whole aggregates. Within N treatments, fractions of new C and N in POM classes were highly correlated with more new C and N in large POM fractions and less in the smaller POM fractions. Isotopic data show that the microaggregates were derived from the macro-aggregates and that the C and N associated with the microaggregates turned over slower than the C and N associated with the macroaggregates. There was also isotopic evidence that N immobilized by soil microorganisms was an important source of N in the iPOM fractions. Under low N availability, 3.04 units of new C per unit of fertilizer N were sequestered in the POM fractions. Under high N availability, the ratio of new C sequestered per unit of fertilizer N was reduced to 1.47. Elevated and ambient CO2 concentrations lead to similar 15N enrichments in the iPOM fractions under both low and high N additions, clearly showing that the SOM-N dynamics were unaffected by prolonged elevated CO2 concentrations.
Yield, Sensory Properties, and Nutritive Qualities of Quarg Produced from Lactose-Hydrolyzed and High Heated Milk

Abstract Quarg was produced from homogenized milk with or without lactose hydrolysis or prior heating to 95°C for 15min. Increased yields of 9.2 and 13.3% were obtained for unhydrolyzed and hydrolyzed high heated milk, respectively, in comparison with the corresponding unheated milk. The recovery of whey proteins in quarg from high heated milk was 40.5% in unhydrolyzed milk and 42.7% in hydrolyzed milk. No effect of lactose hydrolysis on yield was observed. The time required to attain the desired pH 4.5 in the quarg fermentation was reduced in lactose-hydrolyzed milk by 7.1 and 4.6% for the unheated and high heat-treated milk, respectively. The results of sensory evaluation indicated that heating resulted in graininess and hydrolysis plus high heating induced an unclean flavor in the quargs. In nutritional evaluation by bioassay methods, no differences were found in protein digestibility among any of the quargs studied; however, protein efficiency ratio, biological value, and net protein utilization values indicated that lactose hydrolysis plus high heating had a negative effect on the nutritional value of milk. Amino acid analysis of quarg samples indicated possible lowering of lysine content for the hydrolyzed quargs.
Isolation of Betulin and Rearrangement to Allobetulin: A Biomimetic Natural Product Synthesis.

The triterpenes are a diverse class of widely distributed natural products derived from squalene. Various cyclization and subsequent rearrangement reactions produce many complex structural types. These compounds frequently display a wide divergence of biological properties. For example the pentacyclic triterpene, betulin, is isolated from white birch species and its carboxylic acid derivative, betulinic acid, is presently being studied as a selective inhibitor of human melanoma, brain cancer, and HIV. The betulin required for this microscale experiment is obtained by extraction from birch bark. The isolated material is then purified and converted to allobetulin by heating with p-toluenesulfonic acid for sixty minutes. Allobetulin is a colorless solid produced by a carbocation rearrangement and subsequent E-ring expansion. Betulin and allobetulin display 1H NMR spectra that include axial–equatorial coupling characteristic of a C3-alcohol, conformational analysis by the use of dihedral angles and the Karplu.
Rice Flag Leaf Physiology, Organ and Canopy Temperature in Response to Water Stress

Abstract Using two rice cultivars, the effect of severe, mild and no water stress, W3, W2 and W1, respectively, on flag leaf physiology, the ecological characteristics of canopy and organ temperatures were studied in 2008 and 2009. The grain yield was reduced under W3 due to decreased seed setting rate and 1000 grain weight but not under W2. Water stress had a significant effect on the flag leaf physiological characteristics along with the soluble sugar and amino proline content. Catalase and peroxidase activities, photosynthetic and transpiration rates, and stomatal conductance in W2 were significantly higher than in W3 and similar to those in W1. The organ and canopy temperatures were significantly higher in W3 than in either W1 or W2, and there was no significant difference between W1 and W2. This study clearly showed that water stress had a significant effect on leaf physiology, temperature of organs and canopy. Mild water stress (soil water potential maintained at -15- -20 kPa) could construct a population that is water-saving and resistant to heat stress. This facilitates access to a high yield as well.
Regional Ocean Current Field Construction based on an Empirical Bayesian Kriging Algorithm using Multiple Underwater Gliders

ABSTRACT Zhang, R. ; Yang, S. ; Wang, Y. , and Yin, Y. , 2020. Regional ocean current field construction based on an empirical Bayesian kriging algorithm using multiple underwater gliders. In: Zheng, C.W. ; Wang, Q. ; Zhan, C. , and Yang, S.B. (eds.), Air-Sea Interaction and Coastal Environments of the Maritime and Polar Silk Roads. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 99, pp. 41-47. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. The ocean current is an important component of the complex marine environment. Ocean current forecasting data mainly come from computational simulation, which merges satellite remote sensing data and in situ data measured from marine vehicles. Having a deep understanding of ocean currents is essential for ocean observation and path guidance of ships or other marine vehicles. In this paper, the regional depth-averaged flow is deduced according to the motion characteristics of underwater glider. Through virtual mooring observations of three underwater gliders in the northern South China Sea, sea trial data from June 25th to July 11th 2019 are obtained. After denoising and filtering, the depth-averaged flow data are used to construct the depth-averaged flow field with the spatial interpolation method. Then, the inverse distance weight (IDW) method, radial basis interpolation (RBI) method and empirical Bayesian kriging (EBK) method are adopted to construct the depth-averaged flow field. Thus, the results from the three constructed methods are compared with the real flow field data, demonstrating that the EBK method shows a better balance in interpolation accuracy and performance than the other methods. More specifically, for the EBK method, the mean error value is 0.00441, and the root-mean-square of error is 0.14977, which are lower than those of the other two methods. Furthermore, the evaluation results thoroughly verify the validity of the EBK method and prove that an underwater glider is a useful tool for observing ocean currents.
Circular RNA HIPK3: A Key Circular RNA in a Variety of Human Cancers

Circular RNAs (circRNAs), which act as initiators and promoters of various diseases, were thought to be mostly noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) in eukaryotes, until recent studies confirmed that some circRNAs have the function of encoding proteins. Accumulating research findings have proved that dysregulation of circRNAs is associated with the developmental process of multiple cancers. circHIPK3, an example of circRNA, is frequently expressed in many diseases, such as diabetes, age-related cataract, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, preeclampsia, osteoblasts, and retinal vascular dysfunction, leading to disease development and progression. In addition, circHIPK3 may also serve as a potential biomarker, to help us know more about the rules of occurrence and development of cancers. In recent studies, many circHIPK3-related cancers have been identified, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma, gallbladder cancer, lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, osteosarcoma, glioma, colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, gastric cancer, oral squamous cell carcinoma, and chronic myeloid leukemia. This review summarizes recent studies on the biological mechanisms of circHIPK3 and expounds the molecular mechanisms of circHIPK3 in these malignant tumors.
Foraging Movements of Epauletted Fruit Bats (Pteropodidae) in Relation to the Distribution of Sycamore Figs (Moraceae) in Kruger National Park, South Africa

We examined the distribution of Ficus sycomorus in relation to the movements and feeding, behavior of two species of epauletted fruit bats in Kruger National Park in order to learn about the scale and tempo of the seed dispersal of this riparian tree. Radio-tagged Epomophorus crypturus and Epomophorus wahlbergi restricted > 90% of activity within riparian forests having F. sycomorus present; whereas, < 10% of activity occurred in thorn thickets where folivory on Balanites maughamii and frugivory on Sclerocarya birrea appeared to offer secondary sources of forage. Bats usually carried figs to foliage perches within 200 m of the fruiting tree before feeding. Within a night, maximum one-way movement was 13.9 km as bats visited ≤ four foraging patches. No significant difference occurred between foraging ranges of E. wahlbergi at Skukuza (16.0 ± 3.0 ha) and E. crypturus at Shingwedzi (19.9 ± 5.1 ha). However, E. crypturus at Babalala had significantly larger mean foraging range (52.4 ha ± 4.5 ha) than either species elsewhere. Mean foraging range, core use area, and long axis across foraging range of E. wahlbergi changed significantly with season, year, and fig abundance. Our study suggests interdependence between F. sycomorus and the two species of fruit bats in Kruger National Park with bat movements largely following the distribution of available ripe figs.
COVID-19 Pandemic in Pakistan: Stages and Recommendations

We present a real-time forecast of COVID-19 in Pakistan that is important for decision-making to control the spread of the pandemic in the country. The study helps to develop an accurate plan to eradicate the COVID-19 by taking calculated steps at the appropriate time, that are crucial in the absence of a tested medicine. We use four phenomenological mathematical models, namely Discrete Exponential Growth model, the Discrete Generalized Growth model, the Discrete Generalized Logistic Growth, and Discrete Generalize Richards Growth model. Our analysis explains the important characteristics quantitatively. The study leads to understand COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan in three evolutionary stages, and provides understanding to control its spread in the short time domain and in the long term domain. For the reason the study is helpful in devising the measures to handle the emerging threat of similar outbreaks in other countries.