Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: Similar but Different

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: Similar but Different In their May Forum piece, Reyers and colleagues (2012) argued that narrow interpretations of biodiversity and ecosystem services have obscured common ground between the two. I am concerned that their narrow interpretation of biodiversity values as largely intrinsic has done the same thing. Although Reyers and colleagues acknowledged that biodiversity conservation occurs for lots of reasons, they claimed that it is often associated with a biocentric, intrinsic-value perspective and that “the concept of biodiversity emerges from an intrinsic context” (p. 503). However, the case for biodiversity conservation equally has its roots in anthropogenic values. For example, the World Conservation Strategy (IUCN 1980), written back when biodiversity was still diversity, strongly promoted conservation to ensure benefits for future generations. It called for conservation of diversity for present and future use. Similarly, McNeely (1988) highlighted the need for a “safety net of diversity. ” McNeely (1988) linked such anthropocentric values to option values, reflecting the value of biodiversity in providing uses, often unanticipated, for future generations (for a review, see Faith 2007). This broader perspective, based on anthropogenic use values, sheds light on Reyers and colleagues’ examples. These examples seem to have focused narrowly on intrinsic, nonanthropogenic, biodiversity values. In their win–neutral example, biodiversity conservation action supposedly has “no apparent human benefit” (p. 506), because no ecosystem services gains are apparent. In their win–lose example, fencing off protected areas, excluding hunting and other current human uses, supposedly makes biodiversity conservation hard to justify because it “will run counter to. human well-being” (p. 506). A narrow intrinsic-values perspective might justify these conclusions, but the broader perspective properly recognizes biodiversity con servation as also offering human-use benefits; it’s just that these values may be more about option values and future generations than about the current benefits from those recognized ecosystem services. Biodiversity and ecosystem services share common ground based on anthropogenic use values but may differ in how well they capture current and future uses. They are similar but different. Sustainability depends on finding synergies or efficient trade-offs among the many different needs of society, and a major challenge will be ensuring human well-being for both current and future generations. DANIEL P. FAITH Daniel P. Faith (danfaith8@yahoo. com.au) is a research scientist at the Australian Museum, Sydney, Australia.
Comparative proteomics analysis of a novel γ-radiation- resistant bacterium wild-type Bacillus megaterium strain WHO DQ973298 recovering from 5 KGy γ-irradiation

In order to examine radiation-induced proteins in an extremely radio-resistant bacterium, it became possible to perform comparative proteomic analysis on radio-resistance Bacillus megaterium WHO as a wildtype strain. Variation in cellular proteins profiles of the Bacillus megaterium WHO after 5 KGy γ-irradiation were analyzed by two-dimensional poly acryl amide gel electrophoresis and silver staining. Although many spots were decreased in density, our primary focus was on the induced spots. The expression level of 48 protein spots showed significant increase under radiation stress. Of these spots, 45 were identified with MALDI TOF-TOF (peptide mass fingerprinting using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry) after tryptic in-gel digestion. These proteins exhibited various interesting cellular functions including: (i) transcription (ii) translation (iii) signal transduction (iv) carbohydrate transport and metabolism (v) energy production and conversion (vi) nucleotide transport and metabolism (vii) posttranslational modification, protein turnover and chaperones (viii) DNA replication, recombination and repair (ix) bacterial general stress response and (iix) different and some still unknown functions. The appearance of four spots (24, 27, 30 and 36) in response to γ-irradiation was the distinct result of present study. These proteins appear to mediate processes related to ionizing radiation resistance and clearly demonstrate that Bacillus megaterium WHO, significantly has mechanisms contribute to the ionizing radiation resistance.
Correlation of Muco-Cutaneous Lesions with Severity of Dengue Fever in Children

Background: Infection by one dengue serotype provides lifelong immunity to that particular virus, but other serotypes have no cross protective immunity. Humans and mosquitoes are the principal hosts of Dengue virus; the mosquito remains infected for life but is known to cause illness only in humans. The virus transmitted by bites of Aedes mosquito. Subjects and Methods: Informed consent was taken from parents before enrolling in study. A clinical history, physical examination and relevant baseline investigations were done for all the cases. Patients were monitored for development of cutaneous and mucosal manifestations. A pre-structured proforma, which include demographic details of the patient, severity of illness, various mucosal and cutaneous manifestations and day of occurrence of the same, was used to record the clinical data and laboratory parameters from cases selected for the study. Results: Dengue fever was classified based on WHO guidelines 2012 into three categories, Dengue Fever without warning sign, Dengue Fever with warning sign and Severe Dengue. Out of 174 cases of Dengue Fever without warning Signs, 114 cases developed mucocutaneous manifestations i.e. 65.52%. Out of 89 cases of Dengue Fever with warning signs, 55 developed Mucocutaneous Manifestation ie 73.33% and out of 47 cases in Severe Dengue group, 42 cases developed Mucocutaneous Manifestations i.e. 89.36%. Conclusion: Mucoccutaneous Manifestations were more commonly seen in Severe Dengue compared to Dengue fever with warning signs and Dengue fever without warning signs which was statistically significant (p value < 0.05).
Rapid Degradation of a Binary, PS149B1, δ-Endotoxin of Bacillus thuringiensis in Soil, and a Novel Mathematical Model for Fitting Curve-Linear Decay

Abstract A novel, binary δ-endotoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) strain PS149B1 has been identified, and the two genes that code for the peptides that make up the binary insecticidal crystal protein (bICP) have been inserted into maize plants, Zea mays L. Transformed maize plants that express the proteins are resistant to western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, a major pest of maize. A laboratory study was conducted to better understand the degradation of the bICP in soil. Insect bioassays using southern corn rootworm, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber, were used to track degradation. A first-order kinetic model using a truncated data set predicts a half-life of <4 d, indicating a rapid rate of decay in soil. The degradation pattern for the complete data set exhibits systematic departures from a first-order kinetic model. A novel 3-parameter degradation model was developed and validated with 23 additional degradation data sets representing both Bt proteins and synthetic organic molecules. This new model often fits degradation patterns better than a first-order model and a 3-parameter, biexponential (biphasic) model. The new model also retains an additional degree of freedom in the analyses compared with the biexponential model, making it especially useful when modeling small data sets. The time until 50% dissipation of the bICP was estimated at <2 d based on this new model.
Insecticidal activity and transgene expression stability of transgenic hybrid poplar clone 741 carrying two insect-resistant genes

The insecticidal activity and the influence of transgenic hybrid poplar clone 741 carrying a Bacillus thuringensis gene (BtCry1Ac) and the arrowhead proteinase inhibitor gene (API) on the growth and development of different defoliating insects were tested during two years. The transgene expression stability during this period was documented. Bioassays of transgenic poplar clone 741 on the larvae of Gypsy moth [Lymantria dispar (Linnaeus)], Scarce Chocolatetip [Clostera anachoreta (Fabricius)] and other defoliating insects were carried out annually. The results showed that three transgenic subclones tested had a high resistance against these insects, but the insecticidal activity was different between years and with different insect species. Transgenic expression was generally stable during the 4 years. The insecticidal activity on the first larvae stage was obvious and decreased gradually with the development of the larvae (instar stage). Growth and development of the surviving larvae was seriously inhibited and delayed and in some cases could not even complete their development. Nevertheless feeding of transgenic poplar leaves could not kill the pests entirely. Proper planting strategies are necessary in order to prolong and optimize their resistance against the pests.
ScagnosticsJS: Extended Scatterplot Visual Features for the Web

Scagnostics is a set of features that characterizes the data distribution in a scatterplot. These visual features have been used in various applications to detect unusual correlations of bivariate data. However, there is no formally published implementation for 3D or higher. This project aims to provide the Scagnostics implementation in JavaScript, called ScagnosticsJS, and also extend these measures for higher dimensional scattered points. We also present a Scagnostics exploration webpage, which makes the underlying algorithms transparent to users.
Incidence and molecular characterization of Escherichia coli in some dairy products

Escherichia coli is one of the foodborne pathogens associated with several cases of human sickness. The present study was undertaken to estimate the incidence of E. coli, in total of one hundred and twenty random samples of some dairy products ; Raw milk, Kareish cheese, Damietta cheese and Cream (30 samples each); were randomly collected from local markets, farmer vendors and supermarkets at different localities in Nile Delta region; Menofia Governorates, Egypt. Confirmation of the isolated E. coli serovars was performed using a series of biochemical tests, serological and PCR identification. The results revealed that 70.8% of the examined samples were E. coli positive. Twelve serogroups could be identified serologically including E.coli O26 : H11, O44 : H18, O55 : H7, O91 : H21, O111 : H2, O119 : H6, O121 : H7, O124, O127 : H6, O128 : H2, O146 : H21, O153 : H2. Finally, the results of Multiplex PCR with specific primers for detection of Stx1, Stx2 and eaeA genes, revealed that the isolates E. coli O26 : H11, O91 : H21, O127 : H6, , O111 : H2, and O153 : H2 had Stx1 and Stx2 genes while, E.coli O119 : H6, and O128 : H2 had only Stx1.Also O44 : H18, O55 : H7, O121 : H7 and O146 : H21had only Stx2. Concerning the eaeA gene, E. coli O111 and O26 isolates possessed this gene .
Machine learning and deep learning for emotion recognition

Us de diferents tecniques de deep learning per al reconeixement d'emocions a partir d'imatges i videos. Les diferents tecniques s'apliquen, es valoren i comparen amb l'objectiu de fer-les servir conjuntament en una aplicacio final.
Feeding and Nonfeeding Larval Development and Life-History Evolution in Marine Invertebrates

Many marine invertebrates have elaborate feeding larval forms whereas others, sometimes within the same taxon, have more direct development. This contrast in development raises questions about the evolution and consequences of the life histories of these forms (79, 80). Available information supports some odd conclusions or best guesses about the role of feeding larvae in the life histories of marine invertebrates, and these hypotheses are the, foci of this discussion. (a) The presence or absence of a feeding larval stage has a great effect on the fecundity of an animal but is only weakly and indirectly related to allocation of energy or materials to reproduction. (b) A feeding larval stage allows the organism routine dispersal over great distances, but the evolutionary persistence of such larvae does not depend on selection for enhanced dispersal. (c) Feeding larvae have a potentially prolonged period in which to select a site for sedentary adult life, but the capacity to feed may nevertheless decrease the capacity of larvae to pick favorable sites. (d) Most feeding larval forms are of great antiquity; they arise rarely but are often lost.
Chemical Diversity and Biological Activities of Meroterpenoids from Marine Derived-Fungi: A Comprehensive Update

Meroterpenoids are a class of hybrid natural products, partially derived from a mixed terpenoid pathway. They possess remarkable structural features and relevant biological and pharmacological activities. Marine-derived fungi are a rich source of meroterpenoids featuring structural diversity varying from simple to complex molecular architectures. A combination of a structural variability and their myriad of bioactivities makes meroterpenoids an interesting class of naturally occurring compounds for chemical and pharmacological investigation. In this review, a comprehensive literature survey covering the period of 2009–2019, with 86 references, is presented focusing on chemistry and biological activities of various classes of meroterpenoids isolated from fungi obtained from different marine hosts and environments.
Neuropsychiatric and Neurobiological Consideration for Pornographic Addiction and Compulsive Sexual Disorder

Many scientists postulate that several behavioral patterns may potentially affect the reward circuits in human brain leading to a loss of control and other symptoms of addiction in some individuals at least, yet despite the growing acceptance of the existence of these behavioral addictions based on the increased understanding of the function of the mesolimbic dopaminergic reward systems, there has been a reluctance to label Pornography as potentially addictive. Pornography consumption is becoming one of the most prevalent activities among the young adults and the adult groups, and its prevalence continues to increase as a direct consequence to the increased use of the internet. There is no clear answer to whether it is beneficial or harmful, or how does it affect our brain, thus in this manuscript, I tried to find the answer to this question, in order to keep up with the technological advances in our modern age. Studying internet pornography consumption is relatively a novel topic to delve into, contrasting between it and the other behavioral addictions or applying the three stage model of addiction wasn't done before, and there have been a clear reluctance to consider pornography as a potentially addictive behavior in spite of considering other behavioral addictions such as gambling and gaming addictions. Regarding Pornography, the current neuroscientific research supports the assumption that the responsible neural processes are similar to drug addictions and other non-drug addiction receiving greater attention such as pathological gambling and gaming, the current evidence are increasingly supporting the description of pornography as an addiction. In this review, I tried to give a summary of the most recent advances in the research into this matter trying to give an overview about neuroscientific, neuropsychiatric and neurobiological studies on Internet pornography addiction and compulsive sexual disorder, trying to find answers to the questions about internet pornography and other behavioral addictions. In addition to reviewing most of the available literature on Internet pornography addiction and comparing the results to the three stage addiction model and the neurobiological basis of the other non-behavioral addictions. Finally, while much remains unknown about the effects of Internet pornography on mental health, society, marriages and families were it positive or negative, the available data will hopefully provide an informed starting point for policy makers, educators, clinicians, and researchers. www.yumedtext. com | October-2019
Synthesis and Antimicrobial Studies of Coumarin-Substituted Pyrazole Derivatives as Potent Anti-Staphylococcus aureus Agents

In this paper, synthesis and antimicrobial studies of 31 novel coumarin-substituted pyrazole derivatives are reported. Some of these compounds have shown potent activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) as low as 3.125 µg/mL. These molecules are equally potent at inhibiting the development of MRSA biofilm and the destruction of preformed biofilm. These results are very significant as MRSA strains have emerged as one of the most menacing pathogens of humans and this bacterium is bypassing HIV in terms of fatality rate.
Species Relationships in Krameria (Krameriaceae) Based on ITS Sequences and Morphology: Implications for Character Utility and Biogeography

Abstract The Krameriaceae is a monotypic family of 18 species distributed in the warm arid and semiarid regions of North and South America. We have used sequence data from the internal transcribed spacer region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA repeat (ITS 1, 5.8S, and ITS 2) and morphology to infer relationships within Krameria. Using Kallstroemia parviflora, Guaiacum angustifolium, and Tribulus terrestris, three North American members of the Zygophyllaceae, as outgroups, our data provide evidence for two major clades in the genus, each containing a North and a South American subclade. Both the major clades and subclades are supported by morphological synapomorphies. The phylogeny does not provide an unequivocal resolution as to the hemisphere in which Krameria arose, but it does indicate an initial split leading to the ancestors of the two clades, each of which subsequently produced radiations in North and South America. Therefore, there must have been two independent dispersals to, or two vicariant episodes involving, North and South America.
Heritability of Morphological Traits in Apple Early-ripening Full-sib and Half-sib Offspring and Its Potential Use for Assisted Selection

To select the superior parents for the breeding program we oriented to produce new early-ripening cultivars, we evaluated more than 60 productive and vegetative charactersin 108 native and imported cultivarsgrown in national collection for commercial apples located in Karaj, Iran, using an apple descriptor. The germination percentage of 100,000 hybrid seeds was 7% in the first year. In the second year, only 3000 from 7000 seedlings had to pass thefinal screening. Use of morphological markers as an early selection technique showed high efficiency in the apple breeding program. This study was conducted to determine heritability of certain morphological traits potentially used for selection of fruit early-ripening progenies in apple (Malus ·domestica Borkh.). Morphological traits in 3- and 4-year-old seedlings from 28 half-sib and 16 full-sib families were studied in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Parent-progeny correlations wereanalyzed using true-to-type progenies and their relative parents, all in the juvenile phase. Significant variations were observed between parental cultivars and half-sib and full-sib progenies for most of the studied traits. Positive correlations were found between seedling height and other morphological characters. A highly significant correlation (r= 0.98)wasobservedbetweenbranchdistance along seedling stem and number of branches. The results showedthat the heritability varied among the traits, ranging from moderate to high values. A high level of heritability was found in leaf chlorophyll concentration (LCC) and seedling heights inboth half-sib and full- sib families. Heritability of half-sib progenies derived from the early-ripening parents was higher than the late-ripening parents. The relatively high heritability estimates for mor- phological traits, particularly in early-ripening cross combinations, suggested narrow- sense heritability as a criterion for early screening. The progenies of early cultivars exhibited the maximum and minimum heritability for seedling height (0.91) and leaf length (0.56), respectively. Oppositely, in the late-ripening progenies, the maximum and minimum heritability were found in LW and TD traits (0.79 and 0.42), respectively.
DOMESTIKASI IKAN BILEH (Rasbora sp) ASAL PERAIRAN ACEH BARAT DALAM WADAH BUDIDAYA BERBEDA

Pemanfaatan ikan bileh (Rasbora sp) oleh nelayan untuk memenuhi permintaan pasar dan sebagai sumber ekonomi membuat populasi ikan di alam terancam. Alternatif mengatasi populasi ikan semakin sedikit di alam yaitu dengan cara mengurangi kegiatan penangkapan dan mengupayakan ikan bileh untuk di budidaya. Langkap pertama dalam upaya budidaya adalah melakukan domestikasi untuk mendapatkan teknologi budidaya ikan bileh. Domestikasi merupakan proses penjinakan dan adaptasi ikan liar dari habitat alam ke lingkungan budidaya. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui proses penjinakkan ikan bileh dari alam ke wadah budidaya, dan mengetahui kelangsungan hidup dan pertumbuhan ikan bileh yang dipelihara dalam wadah budidaya berbeda, serta menentukan wadah budidaya terbaik untuk pemeliharaan ikan bileh. Penelitian ini bersifat eksperimen menggunakan Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL) satu faktor perlakuan. Perlakuan yang diberikan yaitu wadah budidaya berbeda, terdiri atas 4 perlakuan(P) dengan 3 kali ulangan (U), yaitu: P1= akuarium, P2=fiber, P3= terpal, dan P4= bak semen. Tahapan penelitian yaitu: persiapan wadah, koleksi ikan bileh, pemeliharaan dalam wadah budidaya, pengamatan dan pengambilan data. Data yang diambil meliputi proses penjinakan, tingkat kelangsungan hidup ikan (survival rate), pertumbuhan ikan dan parameter kualitas air. Data diolah dan dianalisi dengan uji statistik F (Anova). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa, persentase kelangsungan hidup ikan tertinggi terdapat pada P4 (bak semen) dengan nilai 16,7%, diikuti P1 (akuarium) dengan nilai 15,5%, P2 (fiber) dengan nilai 8,9%, dan P3 (terpal) dengan nilai 2,2%. laju pertumbuhan berat mutlak dan panjang mutlak tertinggi terdapat pada P4 (bak semen) dan P1 (akuarium).
Remarks on the genus Trophon (s.L.) montfort, 1810 (mollusca: Gastropoda: Muricidae) in the southern ocean and adjacent areas

Among the several groups of molluscs in the southern hemisphere, the genus Trophon Montfort, 1810 has a particular importance, because it is a highly diversified taxon in the Southern Ocean and SubAntarctic waters. In the middle of the XX century, 27 species were known, which increased to 33 species at the beginning of the XXI century, but more than 100 species were described under this genus along the time, most of them being synonyms or belonging to other genera at the moment. Despite the great diversification of this genus, no summarizing data from these areas are known and some records are confused by using of combining genera/subgenera (i.e. Coronium Simone, 1996, Pagodula Monterosato, 1884, Nodulotrophon Habe & Ito, 1965 and Fuegotrophon Powell, 1951). In this work we gathered data of the distribution, shell morphology and taxonomic remarks of 46 species of Trophon (s.l.) starting from a performed database with all records toward the pole from about 20oS in South-American waters, and from about 45oS in the Eastern Atlantic, Indian and Western Pacific Oceans. Seventeen species were found inhabiting exclusively in South-America, three in Antarctica, five in Western Sub-Antarctic waters, and five in Eastern Sub-Antarctic waters; 16 species presented a wide range of distribution. Bathymetrically, 22 species were exclusive of the continental shelf, 23 reached the slope and one the deep-sea (>3,000 m). From the shell morphology, five main morphotypes were recognized. Affinities between species and with combining genera were discussed from the obtained data.