Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Palynology of a Holocene marine transgressive sequence, lower Mulgrave river valley, north-east Queensland

A sediment core from the lower Mulgrave River flood plain in north-east Queensland was examined using standard pollen analysis techniques to investigate vegetation and sea level changes during and since the Holocene marine transgression. Saltwater penetrated the Mulgrave River to the core site in the early Holocene, with the consequent development of riverside mangrove forests dominated by Sonneratia lanceolata, a community not previously recorded in Australian pollen sequences. From about 7000 to 6000 years ago, Rhizophora forest was the dominant vegetation community around the site. During this period, vertical sedimentation kept pace with, or at times exceeded, the rate of sea level rise. As sea level stabilized, about 6000 years ago, continued sediment accumulation led to the development of upper-intertidal Ceriops/Bruguiera forest and then freshwater swamp forest. The vegetation changes in this latter part of the sequence reflect the present seaward to landward vegetation zonation in the area.
A Quality Improvement Project to Reduce Combination Acetaminophen-opioid Prescriptions to Pediatric Orthopedic Patients

Background: Acetaminophen-opioid analgesics are among the most commonly prescribed pain medications in pediatric orthopedic patients. However, these combined opioid analgesics do not allow for individual medication titration, which can increase the risk of opioid misuse and hepatoxicity from acetaminophen. The primary aim of this quality improvement project was to alter the prescribing habits of pediatric orthopedic providers at our institution from postoperative acetaminophen-opioid analgesics to independent acetaminophen and opioids. Methods: The study took place in a level 1 trauma center at a children’s hospital. A multidisciplinary team of health professionals utilized lean methodology to develop a project plan. Guided by a key driver diagram, we removed acetaminophen-oxycodone products from hospital formulary, implemented a revised inpatient and outpatient electronic order set, and conducted multiple education efforts. Outcomes included inpatient and outpatient percent combined acetaminophen-opioid orders by surgical providers over 27 months. Results: Before the intervention, inpatient acetaminophen-opioid products accounted for an average of 46% of all opioid prescriptions for orthopedic patients. After the intervention and multiple educational efforts, we reported a reduction in the acetaminophen-opioid products to 2.9%. For outpatient prescriptions, combined analgesics accounted for 88% before the intervention, and we reported a reduction to 15% after the intervention. Conclusions: By removing acetaminophen-oxycodone products from hospital formulary, educating the medical staff, and employing revised electronic order sets, the prescribing practice of pediatric orthopedic surgeons changed from the routine use of acetaminophen-opioid analgesics to independent medications.
Controle químico à base de Azadirachta indica em Bemisia spp. na cultura da abobrinha (Cucurbita pepo)

A mosca-branca Bemisia spp. e um inseto sugador, considerado praga polifaga. Alem dos danos provocados diretamente pela succao de seiva e injecao de toxinas, e responsavel pela transmissao de viroses e por alteracoes fisiologicas na planta, como o prateamento da abobrinha. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar diferentes doses de nim para o controle de Bemisia em abobrinha italiana, na epoca da seca. Foram testados seis tratamentos repetidos cinco vezes cada: (1) testemunha, sem tratamento; (2) aplicacao de extrato de nim, na dosagem de 50 mL por 10 L de agua; (3) aplicacao de extrato de nim, na dosagem de 70 mL por 10 L de agua; (4) aplicacao de extrato de nim, na dosagem de 80 mL por 10 L de agua; (5) aplicacao de extrato de nim, na dosagem de 90 mL por 10 L de agua; (6) aplicacao de thiametoxan (Actara – controle padrao), na dosagem de 1,5 g por 10 L de agua. As avaliacoes foram realizadas em 12 plantas por parcela, aos 1, 3, 5 e 7 dias apos as aplicacoes dos tratamentos. Um dia apos a aplicacao do extrato de nim, a testemunha diferiu estatisticamente de todos os tratamentos. Porem, o baixo poder residual do extrato e as concentracoes usadas permitiram um aumento significativo do numero de moscas brancas nas parcelas, no decorrer dos dias. A melhor dosagem do extrato de nim para o controle de mosca-branca na cultura da abobrinha italiana e de 900 mL/100L de agua.
The Basis of Different Sensitivities of Ovarian Cancer Cells to the Recombinant Adenoviral Vector System Containing a Tumor-Specific L-plastin Promoter and E. coli Cytosine Deaminase Gene as a Transcription Unit

We have reported previously on a replication incompetent recombinant adenoviral vector, AdLPCD, in which the expression of cytosine deaminase gene (CD) is driven by the tumor-specific L-plastin promoter. AdLPCD vector had been evaluated for its efficacy of chemosensitization of ovarian cancer cells to 5-FC. In spite of the fact that ovarian cancer cells, i.e., OVCAR-3 and SK-OV-3, are capable for adenoviral transduction judged by LacZ reporter gene analysis, two cell lines demonstrated quite different sensitivities toward AdLPCD/5-FC system. In OVCAR-3 cells, infection of AdLPCD followed by exposure to 5-FC resulted in the suppression of cell growth with statistical significance. On the other hand, SK-OV-3 cells were more resistant to the CD/5-FC strategy compared with OVCAR-3 cells under the same condition. The object of study was to investigate factors that would determine the sensitivity to AdLPCD/5-FC. We evaluated conversion rate of 5-FC to 5-FU after infection of AdLPCD by HPLC analysis, of 5-FU, the expression level of integrin receptors i.e., and , and status of p53 in OVCAR-3 and SK-OV-3 cells. The results indicated that OVCAR-3 cells have few favorable features compared with SK-OV-3 cells to be more effective to the AdLPCD/5-FC strategy; higher level of integrin, higher rate of conversion of 5-FC into 5-FC, and lower of 5-FU. The results suggest that the replacement of 5-FU with CD/5-FC in combination chemotherapy would be less toxic and much greater cytotoxicity than the conventional combination chemotherapy in some patients.
Opportunistic observations of interactions between sperm whales and deep‐water trawlers based on sightings from fisheries observers in the northwest Atlantic

1. Cetacean observations were made by fisheries observers on trawlers targeting Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) in the area around the Flemish Cap, northwest Atlantic. 2. Data from four observers amounted to a total of 291 observer days at sea aboard fishing vessels. This effort was mainly concentrated in the periods July to September 1996 and February to April 1997. 3. Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) were the most frequently sighted cetacean, with 82 encounters on 64 different days. Pilot whales were encountered on nine occasions. 4. Sighting rates of sperm whales during net hauling were significantly (approximately 30 times) greater than during shooting or steaming. Sperm whales were observed in aggregations of up to six animals close to the vessel and net during hauling. It is suggested that the sperm whales were attracted by the potential food source within the net, and possibly were feeding on fish escaping from the net. This represents rarely reported behaviour for this species. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
HABITAT DISTRIBUTIONS OF WINTERING SPARROWS: FORAGING SUCCESS IN A TRANSPLANT EXPERIMENT'

Why do birds partition habitats? Possible explanations include nonoverlap- ping food distributions, interspecific competition, and predation. If food limits distributions, species should forage most successfully in their preferred habitats and should experience poorer food intake rates elsewhere. These same predictions hold if species distributions are shaped by exploitative competition. We tested the foraging success hypothesis and ex- ploitative competition hypothesis as explanations of the habitat distributions of Sage Spar- rows (Amphispiza belli), Black-throated Sparrows (A. bilineata), and Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis), which spend the winter in different habitats along an elevational gradient in the Sonoran Desert of southern California. Individuals of each species were transplanted between habitats in a portable aviary and observed while foraging on naturally occurring seeds. Predictions of the foraging success hypothesis and exploitative competition hypoth- esis were not confirmed. Only Dark-eyed Juncos achieved their highest foraging success in their preferred habitat. Black-throated Sparrows experienced nearly identical foraging success in all three habitats, yet are confined to only one of them naturally. Sage Sparrows foraged more successfully in habitats other than that in which they naturally occur. We conclude that immediate foraging gains do not explain habitat distributions of these birds, and that interference competition, predation, or other unknown factors are responsible. We contrast this finding with that seen in Gal'apagos finches in which bird distributions closely matched food supply.
Defence-related biochemical changes by elicitor of malformation pathogen, Fusarium mangiferae, in mango

Malformation of mango (Mangifera indica L.) induced by Fusarium moniliforme var. subglutinans is a plant disease of international importance. The paper reports the downstream defence responses at the initial stage in a susceptible host (cultivar Amrapali) after treatment with biotic (isolated from the pathogen cell wall) (BEL) and abiotic (salicylic acid, SA) elicitors, and inoculation of vegetative buds with the pathogen (IVB). The SA was further tested to induce resistance in field trials. The inoculation and application of elicitors increased β-1, 3 glucanase that causes lysis of fungal hyphae by many folds. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) (active oxygen species) that induces hypersensitive cell death was reduced to the minimum level after treatment with BEL. The reduction of H2O2 in the inoculated vegetative buds was also substantial; however, comparatively less with SA treatment. Consequently, there was no hypersensitive cell death in the malformed mango. Salicylic acid that enhances H2O2 content by suppressing H2O2-degradation by catalase, increased marginally with the SA treatment and in the IVB, but reduced with the BEL. The reduction of SA in BEL-treated buds concomitantly reduced its H2O2 content. The activity of catalase, suppressor of resistance mechanism, was reduced in all the treatments, but the reduction was not enough to arrest H2O2-degradation. Magiferin (1, 3, 6, 7-tetrahdroxyxanthone C2-β-D glucoside), a defence metabolite of mango, increased substantially in all the treatments; maximum with the BEL. A pathogenesis-related (PR) protein of 20 KDa that resists symptom development appeared in all the treatments except the control. But light colour of the spots for the PR-protein indicated low protein accumulation. The maximum accumulation was with the IVB followed by SA and BEL treatments. The amount of total protein reduced considerably in all the treatments. The SA treatment on healthy plants failed to induce defence against malformation. Contrarily, the treatment on malformed seedlings restored normal growth within two months. Hence, SA acted better over the infected plants in presence of the pathogen. Thus, a signal transduction system involving SA and H2O2 remained nonfunctional and enough defence chemicals could not be synthesised. Defence genes that produce phenolic and β-1, 3 glucanase, however, became activated and saved the plants from death although could not prevent symptom manifestations.
Breast Cancer And Exposure to Hazardous Contaminants: A Minefield of Feats and Challenges

Geographic heterogeneity of breast cancer prevalence suggests there are non-genetic factors related to cancer burden. Among those, residential exposure to pollutants, like hazardous waste sites, hazardous air pollutants, pesticides, and contaminated water sources, may contribute to breast cancer risk. This mini review discusses the main findings of several observational studies evaluating the association between historical exposure to contaminants and breast cancer development. The models used to evaluate breast cancer risk and hazardous contaminants are essential to reach a consensus in this highly debated field.
Modelling of riverine ecosystems by integrating models: conceptual approach, a case study and research agenda

Highly complex interactions between the hydrosphere and biosphere, as well as multifactorial relationships, characterize the interconnecting role of streams and rivers between different elements of a landscape. Applying species distribution models (SDMs) in these ecosystems requires special attention because rivers are linear systems and their abiotic and biotic conditions are structured in a linear fashion with significant influences from upstream/downstream or lateral influences from adjacent areas. Our aim was to develop a modelling framework for benthic invertebrates in riverine ecosystems and to test our approach in a data‐rich study catchment.
Morphometric and genetic divergence in island and mainland populations of Anolis nebulosus (Squamata: Polychrotidae) from Jalisco (Mexico): an instance of insular gigantism

Abstract The clouded anole Anolis nebulosus (Squamata: Polychrotidae) is widespread on the Pacific coast of Mexico. The species also inhabits Don Panchito, a small islet located near the coast of the Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve in the state of Jalisco. We studied the extent of intraspecific differences in morphology (absolute size and body proportions) and in mtDNA sequences (16S and NDH2) between the population living on the islet (N = 18 for morphometry; N = 12 for mtDNA) and the one on the facing mainland (N = 38 for morphometry; N = 16 for mtDNA). The individuals on the islet are larger than those on the mainland with little overlap in size for either males (islet: 52.79 ± 1.82 mm; mainland: 40.96 ± 2.99 mm) or females (islet: 46.18 ± 3.24 mm; mainland 37.14 ± 2.13 mm). The presence of insular gigantism, as here found in A. nebulosus, seems uncommon in the genus and could be explained as a combination of low predation pressure and higher intraspecific competition on the island. Moreover, we found that sexual dimorphism (SD) is higher in the island population than in the mainland one. The molecular analysis shows the absence of shared haplotypes between the island and mainland populations. Ten mtDNA haplotypes belonged to the mainland population and three to the island population. The shape of the minimum spanning network and of the mismatch distribution indicates a single colonization event. These molecular data indicate a certain degree of isolation of the island population notwithstanding its proximity to the coast. The morphological characteristics of the anoles on Don Panchito match with the expectation of the so-called “reversed island syndrome” theory, which predicts an increased body size and sexual dimorphism in lizards living on very small islands characterized by unpredictable environmental conditions.
State of the Art in Paleoenvironment Mapping for Modeling Applications in Archeology—Summary, Conclusions, and Future Directions from the PaleoMaps Workshop

In this report, we present the contributions, outcomes, ideas, discussions and conclusions obtained at the PaleoMaps Workshop 2019, that took place at the Institute of Geography of the University of Cologne on 23 and 24 September 2019. The twofold aim of the workshop was: (1) to provide an overview of approaches and methods that are presently used to incorporate paleoenvironmental information in human–environment interaction modeling applications, and building thereon; (2) to devise new approaches and solutions that might be used to enhance the reconstruction of past human–environmental interconnections. This report first outlines the presented papers, and then provides a joint protocol of the often extensive discussions that came up following the presentations or else during the refreshment intervals. It concludes by adressing the open points to be resolved in future research avenues, e.g., implementation of open science practices, new procedures for reviewing of publications, and future concepts for quality assurance of the often complex paleoenvironmental data. This report may serve as an overview of the state of the art in paleoenvironment mapping and modeling. It includes an extensive compilation of the basic literature, as provided by the workshop attendants, which will itself facilitate the necessary future research.
Application of Miniaturized Sensors to Unmanned Aerial Systems, A New Pathway for the Survey of Polluted Areas: Preliminary Results

With the aim to have risk mitigation for people and first responders, active remote sensing standoff detection is a fruitful technology, both in case of accidental (natural or incidental) or intentional dispersion in the environment of volatile chemical substances. Nowadays, several laser-based methodologies could be put in place to perform extensive areal monitoring. The present study regards the proposal for a new system architecture derived from the integration of a low-cost laser-based network of detectors for pollutants interfaced with a more sophisticated layout mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) able to identify the nature and the amount of a release. With this system set up, the drone will be activated by the alarm triggered by the laser-based network when anomalies are detected. The area will be explored by the drone with a more accurate set of sensors for identification to validate the detection of the network of Lidar systems and to sample the substance in the focus zone for subsequent analysis. In this work, methodologies and requirements for the standoff detection and the identification features chosen for this integrated system are described. The work aims at the definition of a new approach to the problem through the integration of different technologies and tools in the operative field experiments. Some preliminary results in support of the suitability of the integration hypothesis proposed are presented. This study gives rise to an integrated system to be furtherly tested in a real environment.
Litterfall dynamics in a mixed conifer‐angiosperm forest in northern New Zealand

Litterfall in a mixed conifer‐angiosperm temperate forest in northern New Zealand was traced for 5 years to determine the patterns of litter production and turnover for conifer and angiosperm components of the forest. Basal area and above‐ground biomass was shared approximately equally between conifer (mostly Agathis australis; New Zealand kauri) and angiosperm species (plus tree ferns). The five‐year mean annual litterfall, excluding macro‐litter, was 7.76± 0.39(SEM) t ha−1 and ranged from 6.77±0.70 t ha−1 in 1983–4 to 8.79±1.00 t ha−1 in 1987–8. Mean monthly litterfall showed a strong seasonal pattern with low rates in winter and early spring, increasing to a peak in early autumn. There were major differences in the nature and timing of litterfall between the conifer and angiosperm fractions. Angiosperm leaf litter reached a maximum in early summer, while conifer litterfall showed highest rates for leaves, twigs and cone scales in late summer‐autumn. Conifer reproductive structures (strobili and cone scales) contributed from 13 to 21% of total litterfall, a value high relative to other temperate forests. However, conifer leaf turnover was low relative to that for the angiosperms.
Cryopreservation of ram-sires semen with usage of synthetic extenders

The retrospective analysis of the invention of synthetic extender for ram’s semen cryopreservation, developed by different authors, is presented in the article. It has been shown, that in order to ensure the biological usefulness of the extenders for semen, they should contain phospholipids, electrolytes, non-electrolytes, cryoprotectants, biologically active substances and other ingredients, due to the many physical and chemical processes that occur in the process of cooling and deep freezing of spermatozoa. Researchers have established the protective role of phospholipids from chicken egg in protecting sperm from cold stroke. It has been proven that the usage of dried yolk and egg powder in extenders during the cryopreservation of sperm provides a high protective effect of sperm at the level of natural yolk. The degree of effectiveness of different electrolytes in preventing cold shock has been indicated. Their protective function not only for the creation of buffer properties of extender, but also for the reduction of freezing point of aqueous solutions has been emphasized. The importance of sugars in the composition of ram’s semen cryopreservation extenders has been proven. They reduce the conductivity of semen, thereby reducing sperm agglutination, act as antioxidants, inactivate spermolysins, increase the viscosity, structure water, prevent excessive hydration of proteins and organelles are used by sperm for respiration and glycolysis. It has been experimentally proven by a number of researchers, who studied the protective effect of antioxidants for the development of synthetic extender, that the process of cryopreservation intensifies the lipids peroxidation, which disrupts the orderliness of the sperm membranes structure and thereby the oxidation products damage the plasma membrane and adversely affect on the energy of sperm. A perspective direction in the development of new extenders for animal reproduction biotechnology has been highlighted, both for in vitro fertilization of oocytes and for freezing and thawing of semen using the metal nanoparticles.
Rapid Identification of Polyhydroxyalkanoate Accumulating Members of Bacillales Using Internal Primers for phaC Gene of Bacillus megaterium

Bacillus megaterium is gaining recognition as an experimental model and biotechnologically important microorganism. Recently, descriptions of new strains of B. megaterium and closely related species isolated from diverse habitats have increased. Therefore, its identification requires several tests in combination which is usually time consuming and difficult to do. We propose using the uniqueness of the polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase C gene of B. megaterium in designing primers that amplify the 0.9 kb region of the phaC for its identification. The PCR method was optimized to amplify 0.9 kb region of phaC gene. After optimization of the PCR reaction, two methods were investigated in detail. Method I gave an amplification of a single band of 0.9 kb only in B. megaterium and was demonstrated by several strains of B. megaterium isolated from different habitats. The use of Method I did not result in the amplification of the phaC gene with other members of Bacillales. The specificity for identification of B. megaterium was confirmed using sequencing of amplicon and RT-PCR. Method II showed multiple banding patterns of nonspecific amplicons among polyhydroxyalkanoate accumulating members of Bacillales unique to the respective species. These methods are rapid and specific for the identification of polyhydroxyalkanoate accumulating B. megaterium and members of Bacillales.
Bildgebung und Histologie von Läsionen des Sinus cavernosus

, einen fehlenden Kornealreflex auf der linken Seite und eine linksseitige Kieferdeviation. a Die axiale kontrastmittelverstärkte, fettunterdrückte T1w MRT-Aufnahme zeigt eine homogen kontrastmittelanreichernde Raumforderung im Bereich des linken Sinus cavernosus. Zu beachten ist das deutlich verengte Flow Void der linken A. carotis interna (Pfeil). b In der Mikroaufnahme sind Lagen von meningothelialen Zellen mit leichter Kernpleomorphie, prominenten Nukleoli und eosinophilem Zytoplasma sowie eine mitotische Figur (Pfeil) zu sehen. Keine auffälligen Wirbelbildungen (sog. Whorling). Die Merkmale entsprechen einem atypischen Meningeom (Hämatoxylin-Eosin-Färbung; Originalvergrößerung: ×400).