Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Salinity tolerances of 62 strains of Pflesteria and Pfiesteria‐like heterotrophic flagellates (Dinophyceae)

The salinity tolerance of 62 strains of Pfiesteria and Pfiesteria‐like heterotrophic dinoflagellates was measured. All strains were acclimated at 12 psu for at least 1 year before experimentation. Strains isolated from the Chesapeake Bay and Neuse River systems tolerated lower salinities than strains isolated from the Wilmington River system (P< 0.005). Swimming cells were still observed after 5 days at 0.5 psu for one strain, and at 1 psu for most other Chesapeake Bay and Neuse River strains. Swimming cells for the Wilmington River were still observed after 5 days at 3–5 psu, but no swimming cells were observed at ≤ 2 psu. With regard to the upper salinity tolerance, the Wilmington River strains tolerated higher salinities than the Chesapeake Bay and Neuse River systems (P< 0.005). Most Wilmington River strains were swimming after 5 days at salinities ≥ 50 psu, whereas the Chesapeake Bay and Neuse River system strains rarely had swimming cells at salinities exceeding 35–45 psu. For all three water systems and for both lower and higher salinities, cells apparently encysted in many instances. However, when salinities were returned to 12 psu, swimming cells often re‐appeared. Statistically significant geographic differences in salinity tolerance suggest a geographic adaptation has occurred and that salinity tolerance is under genetic control. The results also suggest there is diversity among the strains.
Blackpoint of wheat: Fungal associations, cultivar susceptibility, and effects on grain weight and germination

Abstract There was considerable variation in the level of black point infection in grain samples from commercial crops of ‘Takahe’ and ‘Kopara’ wheats harvested in 1985 from Canterbury, Otago, and Southland. Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler was the fungus most frequently isolated from blackpointed wheat harvested in 1985 and 1986. The fungus was isolated from both black pointed and symptomless grains, but grew most rapidly from darkened regions of black pointed grains. Wheat cultivars varied in their level of black point in field trials. Although some cultivars (especially ‘Takahe’, ‘Jasper’, and ‘Kopara’) were affected, most cultivars showed very low levels of blackpointed grain. Blackpointed grains were heavier than symptomless grains on average, partly as a result of their position within the head. There was no consistent effect of black point on germination of grain. Storage temperature and humidity did not affect black point severity.
Logistic Broken Adaptive Ridge Procedure for Colon Cancer Data Analysis

Background: Colon cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the world in both man and women. Knowing the causes and risk factors for colon cancer can help you understanding the importance of routine screening for colon cancer, as well as learn if you are one of the people who should begin screening at the earlier age. Due to the limitation of clinical diagnose, management and treatment outcomes, it is of great necessity to develop effective methods for colon cancer detection and prediction especially cDNA Microarrays and high- density oligonucleotide chips are increasingly used in cancer research. Methods: Here we propose a novel logistic broken adaptive ridge procedure to address the problem of colon cancer results prediction through selecting effective few variables or genes from 2000 candidate genes. Results: In total 62 cases with 40 colon cancer patients and 22 healthy patients were included in our analysis. Each case consists of 2000 genes which challenged all the competitive method. From the results, we are so surprised that our proposed method outperforms the classical variable selection approaches in error rate of training data and extra testing data. Conclusions: Logistic adaptive ridge procedure is very effective for colon cancer predictions, either in terms of prognosis or diagnose. It may benefit patients by guiding therapeutic options. We hope it will contribute to the wider biology and related communities.
The reduction in iodine absorption through rat skin by polymeric micelles in comparison with Povidone-Iodine: an ex-vivo study

Objective: Iodine is a non-metallic agent with an antimicrobial property that is used in the clinic as antiseptic. Iodophores such as Povidone-Iodine (PVP-I) introduced to improve the stability of the aqueous solution of iodine. Time taking and expensive procedures for producing complex between iodine and polyvinyl pyrolidine and systemic iodine absorption after topical PVP-I application are limitations on the application of this iodophore. The aim of this study was the design and evaluation of polymeric micelles for the overcoming of PVP-I limitations.
Premating Behavior in the Subgenus Limia (Pisces: Poeciliidae): Sexual Selection and the Evolution of Courtship

Abstract and Summary The sexual behavior and degree of sexual dimorphism in 6 species of the poeciliid subgenus Limia are described. Three species exhibit male precopulatory courtship displays and female choice of ♂ ♂. Courtship is lacking in the other three, where mating success is determined solely by intermale competition. The three courting species exhibit pronounced sexual dimorphism. It is hypothesized that non-courting species inhabit fluctuating environments where high levels of heterozygosity are adaptive; female choice and courtship have not evolved because ♀♀ cannot assess whether ♂ ♂ are genotypically different from themselves. Courtship and female choice evolved in more stable habitats where heterozygosity is less important than a single set of genes conferring maximum fitness in a single unvarying set of environmental conditions. Preliminary data on habitat of the 6 species support the hypothesis. Zusammenfassung Das Sexualverhalten und der Sexualdimorphismus von 6 Arten der Poeciliiden-Untergattung Limia werden beschrieben. Bei drei Arten balzen ♂ ♂ die ♀♀ an, und mannlicher Paarungserfolg ist durch eine weibliche Mitwirkung bestimmt. Bei den anderen drei Arten fehlt eine Balz, und der Paarungserfolg hangt wahrscheinlich ganz von der Konkurrenz unter ♂ ♂ ab. Die drei balzenden Arten sind sexuell dimorph. Es wird die Hypothese entwickelt, das nicht-balzende Arten variable Habitate bewohnen, wo ein hoherer Heterozygotie-Grad adaptiv ist. Balz und weibliche Partnerwahl sind nicht entstanden, weil ♀♀ nicht unterscheiden konnen, ob ♂ ♂ genotypisch ungleich sind. Mannliche Balz und weibliche Partnerwahl sind in stabilen Habitaten entstanden, wo Heterozygotie weniger adaptiv ist als ein einziges Genom, das eine maximale Anpassung an eine stabile Umwelt liefert. Zu der Hypothese passen (nach einer vorlaufigen Beschreibung) die Habitate der 6 Arten.
Melhoramento do cafeeiro: XLI. Produtividade do híbrido de timor, de seus derivados e de outras fontes de resistência a Hemileia vastatrix

Progenies do cafe Hibrido de Timor e F02-F4 oriundas de cruzamentos desse cafe com outros cultivares resistentes ou nao a Hemileia vastatrix e cruzamentos entre outras fontes de resistencia ao patogeno, foram avaliadas em tres experimentos, em Campinas, para observacao de sua produtividade, em relacao a alguns cultivares de Coffea arabica tomados como testemunhas. As progenies do Hibrido de Timor apresentaram pequena produtividade, indicando baixa adaptacao, com excecao daquelas de prefixos C 1737, C 1738 e C 1699. As progenies derivadas de cruzamentos do Hibrido de Timor com cultivares de porte pequeno, como Caturra Vermelho e Vila Sarchi de Coffea arabica, mostraram-se, tambem, pouco produtivas. Destacou-se apenas a progenie C 1669, rustica. Das combinacoes do Hibrido de Timor com outros cultivares de C. arabica com resistencia a H. vastatrix, apenas a progenie C 1698 se revelou melhor. As progenies F2 derivadas de cruzamentos do cultivar S 795 portador do fator SH3 de resistencia com Mundo Novo, deram producoes bastante razoaveis. Notou-se, de modo geral, acentuada variabilidade na producao das progenies, o que e indicado pelos elevados valores dos coeficientes de variacao obtidos nos tres experimentos. Os dados desses experimentos mostraram a dificuldade de aproveitamento das progenies e dos derivados do Hibrido de Timor analisados. Tratando-se, no entanto, de material de elevado grau de resistencia as racas de H. vastatrix, novas hibridacoes deverao ser sintetizadas, com cultivares comerciais, a fim de se conseguirem linhagens resistentes, vigorosas e mais produtivas.
Implications of interspecific and intraspecific abundance-occupancy relationships

Positive interspecific and intraspecific relationships between local abundance and regional occupancy have been widely documented. The former are essentially pervasive. These patterns have some potentially significant applied implications: (1) Biodiversity inventorying there can be no simple and effective trade-off between the intensity and spatial extent of biodiversity inventorying, (2) Population monitoring intraspecific, and to a more limited extent interspecific. population monitoring may be based on measures of occupancy, particularly where only crude indications of marked shifts in abundance are required, (3) Harvesting - harvesting of local populations may often result in a reduction in wider occupancy, but if local extinctions are caused by over-exploitation this may not generally result in a reduction in local abundance elsewhere in the range of a species, (4) Conservation species of conservation concern may face the double jeopardy of low abundance and small range size, but depending on the extent of a causal link between levels of abundance and occupancy it may be possible to cheat the abundance-occupancy relationship and maintain species at relatively high local densities for their range sizes, and (5) Invasions - pest species may become more of a problem in those areas in which they already occur, because their local densities will increase, as they spread,.
Effects of holding semen for 4 h at 15 °C in different extenders prior to cryopreservation on sperm characteristics and subpopulation kinematics in INRA180 sheep

Received: 08 Aug. 2019, Accepted: 12 Dec. 2019, Published online: 26 Dec. 2019. Abstract The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of holding semen for 4 h at 15 °C in different extenders prior to cryopreservation on sperm characteristics and subpopulation kinematics in INRA180 sheep. Semen samples were collected using an artificial vagina from two animal groups. Group 1: the rams kept next to the lab (G1) considered as a control and group 2: the rams kept in a farm faraway (170 km) from the lab (G2). The semen was extended in Milk egg yolk, Andromed® and Tryladil® extenders to reach 0.2 x 10 spermatozoa/mL. Before freezing, the samples from G1 were directly cooled to 5 °C during 2 h. While those for G2 were transported within 4 h to the laboratory in a temperatureregulated cooler box at 15 °C then cooled to 5 °C. Differences in sperm motility, viability and abnormality in preand post-thaw steps and subpopulation kinetic parameters in post thaw step were detected between the two groups, and between extenders within the groups. Evaluation of the kinetic data obtained with a CASA (Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis), applying a cluster analysis, yielded in INRA180 rams two post thaw sperm subpopulations (SPs). The SP1 and SP2 included spermatozoa characterized by low and high kinetic parameters, respectively. Disregarding the extender type, the proportional size of SP1 was lower than SP2 in G1, Nevertheless, in G2 the percentage of SP1 was higher than SP2. In conclusion, changing conditions during the equilibration time (from 2 h at 5 °C to 4 h at 15 °C) can extend the total process duration and causes a decrease in post-thawed semen quality in INRA180 rams.
Strategien zur Datenfusion beim Maschinellen Lernen

: Smarte Prüfsysteme werden ein Schlüsselbaustein zur Qualitätssicherung in der industriellen Fertigung und Produktion sein. Insbesondere trifft dies auf komplexe Prüf- und Bewertungsprozesse zu. In den letzten Jahren haben sich hierfür lernbasierte Verfahren als besonders vielversprechend herauskristallisiert. Ihr Einsatz geht in der Regel mit erheblichen Performanceverbesserungen gegenüber konventionellen, regel- bzw. geometriebasierten Methoden einher. Der Black-Box-Charakter dieser Algorithmen führt jedoch dazu, dass die Interpretationen der berechneten Prognosegüten kritisch zu hinterfragen sind. Das Vertrauen in die Ergebnisse von Algorithmen, die auf maschinellem Lernen basieren, kann erhöht werden, wenn verschiedene, voneinander unabhängige Verfahren zum Einsatz kommen. Hierbei sind Datenfusionsstrategien anzuwenden, um die Resultate der verschiedenen Methoden zu einem Endergebnis zusammenzufassen. Im Konferenzbeitrag werden, aufbauend auf einer kurzen Vorstellung wichtiger Ansätze zur Objektklassifikation, entsprechende Fusionsstrategien präsentiert und an einem Fallbeispiel evaluiert. Im Anschluss wird auf Basis der Ergebnisse das Potential der Datenfusion in Bezug auf das Maschinelle Lernen erörtert.
The role of beekeeping within agrarian and natural ecosystems

The role played by beekeeping within agrarian and natural ecosystems is analyzed, in relation to honey production and, above all, to bees as pollinators. In natural ecosystems, pollinating insects belonging to Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera and Hymenoptera carry out pollen transport in a great number of plants, belonging to several families (Liliaceae, Cruciferae, Rosaceae, Leguminosae, Compositae, etc.). In particular, the spread of Leguminosae, which is helped by wild Apoidea and by Apis mellifera L. , creates a symbiosis between these plants and nitrogen-fixing bacteria, with a consequent increase in soil fertility. Agrarian ecosystems are extremely unfavourable to wild pollinators, due to crop specialization and the consequent biotic simplification. Pollination is ensured, both in self-sterile and self-fertile plants, by honey-bees, which may be easily bred and subsequently transported. This leads to an appreciable increase in production, which is roughly estimated in Italy to be of about 2,000 billi.
A STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF GROWING DISPOSABLE INCOME IN FAMILIES ON VACATIONS – IN CHENNAI CITY

Abstract. There is a remarkable change in the thought process of Indian families - in the last few years regarding the way they live their life. How they socialize with their near & dear ones and most importantly how they spend their holidays. Indian families started focusing on the big picture and that is how they are becoming more open and adaptive to change. Vacation is one such thing in which all the members give their inputs on how, where to go. They do justify their reasons for selecting a destination based on their perspective, which can be a comforting one to them individually. Vacations by Indian families are on the rise year by year. Reasons may be with higher levels of income, stress, boredom, disposable income, increasing percentage of working couples and better knowledge of destinations. All these and many more have contributed to the upsurge of Indian vacationers. Having said that, the question remains as to how they decide when and where to go on vacation and what are the factors contributing to the decision. This is a study aimed at identifying the factors and how a decision is arrived at given the constraints. This paper also hopes to provide a decision-making tree that can be used as a readily reckoned by Indian families - when deciding on a vacation. Along with listing multiple factors that go into making a decision. The scope for this study is families based out of Chennai and the kind of vacations they undergo and cherish.
α‐Adrenergic Mechanisms of Thermoregulation in Humans a

The autonomic nervous system is intimately involved in thermoregulation by carrying afferent information to the central nervous system (CNS) and efferent signals from the CNS that trigger regulatory responses. The thermoregulatory effects of adrenergic agonists and antagonists have been determined in whole animal models, but the results of these studies have not been consistent. Furthermore, there are little or no data in humans that describe the role of a-adrenoceptors in thermoregulatory control. and a decreased heat production4 have been demonstrated with a-adrenoceptor antagonists in rats, which result in a lowering of core body temperature. Similar studies, however, in a primate model have not demonstrated an effect on core temperature. ' Although a-adrenoceptor antagonists induce hypothemia in some species of animals, the effects of a-blockade on thermoregulation in humans are poorly understood. Given the widespread clinical use of a-antagonists and other sympatholytic drugs as antihypertensives, it is important to determine whether this class of drugs significantly influences thermal balance. Although many drugs (e .g . , anesthetics) have been shown to nonselectively impair both the adrenergic response (vasoconstriction) and the metabolic response (shivering),6 it is possible that other drugs selectively block these responses. Selective attenuation of the adrenergic response may be desirable, since it is likely that a norepinephrine-mediated a-adrenoceptor mechanism contributes to coldinduced stress on the cardiovascular system. ' We previously showed that even mild core hypothermia (1.3"C below normothermia) is associated with a 700% increase in norepinephrine.8 In high-risk patients who are mildly hypothermic following surgery (=35"C), we have shown increased n~repinephrine,~ increased Both an increased heat
Regulation of actin cytoskeleton by Rho-family GTPases and their associated proteins

Abstract Cdc42, Rac and Rho GTPase each regulates distinct morphological changes in response to specific growth factors. These changes which involve actin-containing cytoskeletal structures may underlie aspects of growth and development. Proteins binding to the active GTP-bound form of the GTPase including the Cdc42/Rac activated PAK, and the Rho associated kinase ROK can act as morphological effectors as can the RacGAP chimaerin. In fibroblasts and neuronal-type cells, the growth factors evoke morphological changes by activating individual GTPase pathways or Rac-Rho and Cdc42-Rac hierarchical pathways. There is also evidence for Cdc42-Rho antagonism. The morphological outcome will depend on the level of activation of the different GTPases by their stimulatory growth factor.
An Overview of Specific Pathogens in Goat Mastitis

Goat milk ranks fourth in terms of global milk production and lately it has become increasingly popular among consumers. Unfortunately, mastitis is one of the most common diseases that affects dairy goats, with serious economic consequences and food safety matters. The prevalence of clinical mastitis is lower than 5% and the main aetiological agent is S. aureus. On the other hand, the prevalence of subclinical mastitis is between 5-30%, with coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS) representing the most often isolated microorganisms. The aim of this paper is to highlight the main aspects regarding the aetiology of goat mastitis, as well as the importance of the milk somatic cell count (MSCC) in the diagnosis process. Although the inflammation of the mammary gland in goats is not as frequently diagnosed compared to cow mastitis, there are several aspects worth discussing in order to fully understand the pathogenesis of intramammary infections.
T-regulatory cells in tumour-specific vaccination strategies

Background: Immunotherapy against cancer does not result in impressive clinical responses. Failure of vaccine-induced T-cell-mediated immunotherapy to improve therapeutic results occurs for many reasons, including regulatory networks imposed by growing tumours, intrinsic properties of cancer cells, suboptimal design of therapeutic vaccines and subversion of the immune system. Most vaccines are incapable of inducing strong immunity, the vaccine's capacity to induce effector T cells is blocked by regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the lymph nodes, the vaccine-induced T cells are not able to infiltrate the tumour, tumour-infiltrating T cells cannot exert their effector function due to locally present Tregs and/or vaccines may induce/boost Tregs. Objective/methods: We focus on the negative effects of Tregs in cancer immunotherapy and highlight potential therapeutic options to counteract these. Conclusions: Interplay and balance between Tregs and effector cells determines the efficacy of vaccines and thereby clinical outcome.
Association between miR-124 rs531564 and miR-100 rs1834306 polymorphisms and cervical cancer: a meta-analysis

As a type of cancer derived from the cervix, cervical cancer (CC) is characterized by pelvic pain, vaginal bleeding, or pain during sexual intercourse [1]. Over 90% of CC cases are induced by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and CC can also be caused by other risk factors such as weak immune system, smoking, engaging in sexual activity from an early age, contraceptive drugs, and having many sexual partners [2, 3]. CC is mainly consisted of squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinoma, which is diagnosed by cervical screening, biopsy, and medical imaging [4]. CC can be prevented by inoculating HPV vaccines, using condoms, and reducing sexual partners [5-7]. CC is the fourth most common cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer mortality in women, which has approximately 528,000 new cases and results in 266,000 deaths globally in 2012 [2]. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a kind of small non-coding RNAs with 20-23 nucleotides, which can function in multiple biological processes via targeting mRNAs [8]. The processing processes of miRNAs include the generation of pre-miRNA from pri-miRNA and then the generation of mature miRNAs, which can be enhanced or impaired by the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNAs [9, 10]. MiR-124 is found to be a suppressor in various malignant tumors including CC, hematological malignancies, gastric cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma [11-14]. Through regulating astrocyte-elevated gene-1 (AEG-1), miR-124 inhibits cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in CC [15]. Previous study reports that the miR-124 rs531564 C > G polymorphism is involved in the development of multiple cancers among Chinese [16]. Furthermore, miR-100 is found to be able to affect the carcinogenesis of CC via suppressing polo-like kinase1 (PLK1) [17]. Ubiquitin-specific protease 15 (USP15) expression mediated by miR-100 has influences on paclitaxel resistance in CC, indicating that USP15 and miR-100 can be used for the treatment of paclitaxel-resistant CC [18]. MiR-100 rs1834306 is reported to be related to the development and progression of human tumors, such as esophageal squamous cell carcinoma [19] and colon cancer [20]. To reveal the correlations between rs531564 and rs1834306 polymorphisms and CC, this study performed meta-analysis for case-control studies.