Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endogenous haemoglobins and heterologous Vitreoscilla haemoglobin in hybrid aspen

In plants, there are at least three types of haemoglobins (Hbs): symbiotic, non-symbiotic and truncated. Symbiotic Hbs are known to participate in nitrogen fixation, but the roles of the latter two groups are more obscure. Previous reports have connected both plant non-symbiotic and truncated Hbs to the scavenging of an important signal molecule, nitric oxide (NO). The aim of the present thesis was to study the effects of a bacterial Hb of Vitreoscilla sp. (VHb) on a woody model organism, hybrid aspen (Populus tremula x tremuloides), and the role of endogenous hybrid aspen Hbs. To store the produced hybrid aspen lines, the suitability of different cryopreservation methods was also tested. VHb-expressing hybrid aspens were generated by Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer. The effects of VHb expression were examined in standard greenhouse conditions, under elevated UVB light as well as during culture with ectomycorrhizal fungi. Both slow cooling and vitrification methods were applied in cryostoring samples of the different genetic backgrounds. Hybrid aspen non-symbiotic and truncated Hb genes PttHb1 and PttTrHb, respectively, were also isolated. The function of the genes and corresponding proteins PttHb1 and PttTrHb were studied using nontransgenic and VHb hybrid aspen lines as well as a mutant yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) defective in NO resistance. VHb expression did not improve the general growth of hybrid aspen but resulted in enhanced starch accumulation in chloroplasts, pointing to changes in energy metabolism. Of the studied cryopreservation protocols, the slow cooling of dormant in vivo buds proved to be the most feasible way of cryostoring hybrid aspen lines. The culture with the ectomycorrhizal fungus was shown to increase the expression of both PttHb1 and PttTrHb in the roots of non-transgenic lines. However, the fungi did not up-regulate the hybrid aspen Hb genes in the VHb lines. Therefore, it is hypothesized that endogenous Hbs may contribute to the growth of roots and that VHb may compensate this function. When expressed alone in the mutant yeast, the recombinant PttHb1 and PttTrHb did not protect cells against the toxicity of NO. Subsequently, a novel mRNA transcript of the heterotrophic ferredoxin NADP+ oxidoreductase gene PtthFNR was found. The absence of a plastid presequence in the transcript suggests targeting of the encoded protein into cytosol. The coexpression of PttHb1 and cytosolic PtthFNR partially rescued the mutant yeast during NO treatment, demonstrating for the first time that plant Hb1 with an applicable reductase scavenges NO in vivo at a physiologically relevant rate. This thesis extends current knowledge about plant Hbs and the effects of VHb on a phenotype of a tree. It also provides new information about plant ferredoxin reductase genes.
Understanding the anthropogenic influence on formation of biogenic secondary organic aerosols in Denmark via analysis of organosulfates and related oxidation products

Abstract. Anthropogenic emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) may affect concentration levels and composition of biogenic secondary organic aerosols (BSOA) through photochemical reactions with biogenic organic precursors to form organosulfates and nitrooxy organosulfates. We investigated this influence in a field study from 19 May to 22 June, 2011 at two sampling sites in Denmark. Within the study, we identified a substantial number of organic acids, organosulfates and nitrooxy organosulfates in the ambient urban curbside and semi-rural background air. A high degree of correlation in concentrations was found among a group of specific organic acids, organosulfates and nitrooxy organosulfates, which may originate from various precursors, suggesting a common mechanism or factor affecting their concentration levels at the sites. It was proposed that the formation of those species most likely occurred on a larger spatial scale, with the compounds being long-range transported to the sites on the days with the highest concentrations. The origin of the long-range transported aerosols was investigated using the Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model in addition to modeled emissions of related precursors, including isoprene and monoterpenes using the global Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature (MEGAN) and SO2 emissions using the European Monitoring and Evaluation Program (EMEP) database. The local impacts were also studied by examining the correlation between selected species, which showed significantly enhanced concentrations at the urban curbside site and the local concentrations of various gases, including SO2, ozone (O3), NOx, aerosol acidity and other meteorological conditions. This investigation showed that an inter-play of the local parameters such as the aerosol acidity, NOx, SO2, relative humidity (RH), temperature and global radiation seemed to affect the concentration level of those species, suggesting the influence of aqueous aerosol chemistry. The local impacts, however, seemed minor compared to the regional impacts. The total concentrations of organosulfates and nitrooxy organosulfates, on average, contributed to approximately 0.5–0.8% of PM1 mass at the two sampling sites.
Osteoporosis awareness among Indian women

Background: Osteoporosis is a major public health problem globally. Despite being a common problem, majority of the women are unaware of it. Awareness varies widely according to the level of education. In present study we have tried to assess the awareness of female patients attending the hospital. Methods: 100 female patients attending gynae OPD were asked to fill a simple questionnaire after taking informed consent. Age, parity, address, and level of education were noted. Data was analysed statistically by SPSS and level of significance was calculated by Chi square test. Results: Majority of these women belonged to rural background (85%) and around 64% of the women were educated (primary schooling and beyond). About 46% of the women had some awareness regarding osteoporosis and its prevention. Majority (54%) were unaware. Level of awareness varied significantly with level of education (p=0.006). Urban dwellers were more aware about osteoporosis when compared to rural women (p=0.004). Conclusions: Overall awareness about osteoporosis is low and here is a need to have community based awareness campaigns regarding osteoporosis. Educational programmes need to target on women coming from rural background and those with low education.
Effects of phosphorus concentration on adaptive mechanisms of high- and low-P efficiency soybean genotypes when grown in solution

Low availability of phosphorus (P) in soil is a major constraint for crop production in agricultural ecosystems. Therefore, it is very important to explain the adaptive mechanism of crops under low P conditions. The response of high- and low-P efficient soybean ( Glycine max L.) genotypes to various external P level was carried out in nutrient solution culture. Results showed that Dongnong1031 (low P-efficient genotype) undergoes major changes in terms of dry mass, root length, root number and root surface, while these response of Hai 616 (high P-efficient genotype) was lower after five weeks of growth. The higher P level in solution, the smaller difference between the two geno types in these parameters. The amount of H + released by root of Dongnong1031 was lower than that of Hai 616, except when supplied with 50 μmol external P. There was a positive relationship between RPAE (relative phosphorus absorption efficiency) and P concentration in shoot and root material at all P levels, irrespective of soybean geno type. An exponential relationship was found between PUE (phosphorus utilization efficiency) and P concentrations in shoots and roots. These results suggested that an increase in measured root parameters coupled with H + release by roots were key mechanisms for soybean genotypes with high-P efficiency to cope with low P conditions when grown in solution. In order to best select high soybean genotype with high-P efficiency one should pay attention to PUE combined with high RPAE.
Success of Delayed Translocation of Loggerhead Turtle Nests

Abstract Sea turtle embryo mortality in natural nests due to environmental and anthropogenic factors can be very high. To increase hatching success of these endangered species, nest translocation to hatcheries immediately after egg-laying is a common management tool. To test the viability of delayed translocation, we moved 50 loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nests to a beach hatchery after various times (0–96 hr) after egg-laying at Boavista Island (Republic of Cabo Verde, western Africa). We transported eggs in a rigid plastic container, being careful to maintain their original vertical orientation. Delayed translocation times of 0 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 84 hours, or 96 hours after egg-laying did not have any effect on hatching success, incubation period, or hatchling size and mass. Delayed translocation slightly increased the duration of the translocation process because of extra precautions taken (e.g., maintaining axial orientation, protecting eggs from mechanical shocks). We conclude that delayed nest translocation can be done in a safe and effective way, thereby increasing the efficiency of the whole monitoring program. Finally, delayed translocation, accompanied by an evaluation of fertility, would seem to permit the removal of undeveloped eggs and to facilitate their subsequent exploitation by local communities without affecting turtle nesting success.
Contribution of different body segments in Sit and Reach Test Contribuição dos Diferentes Seguimentos Corporais no Teste de Sentar e Alcançar

This research aims to determine the contributions of the hip joint, lumbar and thoracic spine in the execution of Sit and Reach (SR) in young Brazilians. Subjects were 195 boys from 18 to 19 years. Sit and Reach was evaluated with angular kinematic analysis through of Photogrammetry to identify the contribution of body segments in trunk flexion. A protocol was developed for evaluating reference angles that were transformed into percentage contribution of the segments. Based on the results, it was possible to create a table of classification of angles and percentages, which allowed the identification of compensation movement. It was possible to conclude that the contributions of the thoracic spine, lumbar spine and hip in performing the SR are 46.01±7.32%, 12.68±5.12% and 41.31±7.19% respectively. It is recommended that evaluations of flexion of the hip joint, thoracic and lumbar spine are performed separately by photogrammetry.
Effect of travel speed on seed spacing uniformity of corn seed meter

Both seeding performance of seed metering unit and travel speed of seed planter have significant effects on seeding quality, thereby affecting crop growth and yields. In order to determine the effects of different travel speeds on seed spacing uniformity, four different types of seed meters were evaluated at five different travel speeds on seed meter test bench and in field. The tested seed meters included a finger pickup seed meter, a scoop-wheel seed meter, an air-pressure type seed meter and an air-blowing type seed meter. The seeding performance of the horizontal distribution of seeds within a row was described by using the coefficient of variation, the quality of feed index, the multiple index and the miss-seeding index. Experiments were performed in laboratory and field, respectively. Results indicated that different travel speeds have statistically significant effects on seed spacing uniformity. The four types of seed meters performed better on the seed meter test bench than in the field. Coefficient of variation increases and quality of feed index decreases as the travel speed of seed planter increases. The best seed spacing uniformity was obtained with the air-pressure type seed meter, followed with the air-blowing type seed meter, the finger pickup seed meter and the scoop-wheel seed meter. There were considerable differences between the performances of the scoop-wheel seed meter in the bench test and field test; the seeding qualities were much better in the bench test than in the field test. The scoop-wheel seed meter is more sensitive to vibration than the other types of seed meters. Keywords: corn seed meter, travel speed, seed spacing uniformity, precision corn planter, field test, test bench DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe. 20171004.2675 Citation: Liu Q W, He X T, Yang L, Zhang D X, Cui T, Qu Z, et al. Effect of travel speed on seed spacing uniformity of corn seed meter. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2017; 10(4): 98–106.
Seed‐size variation determines interspecific differential predation by mammals in a neotropical rain forest

It has been suggested that the anthropogenically driven loss of herbivorous mammals might lead to changes in the recruitment patterns of tropical rain forest plants, but few studies have examined the explicit mechanisms that might account for this effect. Here we propose a conceptual model linking differential mammalian defaunation and differential plant recruitment. We posit that in the absence of medium/large herbivores but with small rodent granivores still present (i.e. differential defaunation), predation pressure will be greater on small-seeded species than on large-seeded species. We tested such differential predation hypothesis (DPH) by means of a series of experiments directed to assess: 1) seed consumption by small rodents in laboratory cages; 2) seed-removal rates in small rodent enclosures in the field and 3) removal of seeds placed on the forest floor and exposed to either the full complement of mammals or only small rodents. Seeds used in the experiments were arranged in pairs consisting of species from the same taxonomic family but with a contrasting size (large, small). We found: 1) a significantly greater consumption of smaller seeds (a 2.3- to 20.5-fold difference) in cages and 2) a significantly greater removal of small-seeded species (a 3.7- to 65-fold difference) in field enclosures. Results of seed removal experiments in free-access plots and selective exclosures were more complex, with a general absence of significant differences among treatments but we found that predation was in general concentrated on small-seeded species and small rodents were the predominant visitors to the plots. This, together with the overall short distance of dispersal among large seeds suggest that in differentially defaunated forests large-seeded species are more likely to escape predation. We posit that such size related differential predation may lead to the floristic impoverishment observed in some defaunated forests.
Communicating stereotype-relevant information : How readily can people individuate?

It is often suggested that people automatically form an impression of a target by using stereotypes. However, people can flexibly deploy different types of individuating processes, depending on the communicative context. We showed that people can individuate targets from their social category by communicating stereotype-inconsistent information (person–group individuation) when they are required to reproduce information about the targets and people can individuate targets from other individuals by communicating information that is distinctive about the targets (person–person individuation) when required to identify the targets. The participants' performance is unrelated to information memorability (Experiment 1) and is not affected by time pressure (Experiment 2). Humans' adaptive capacity for individuation is discussed.
TOPOLOGY OF CONTACTS IN INTERACTING POLYMERS

OF THE THESIS Topology of contacts in interacting polymers By NINA DIRSCHBACHER Thesis Director: Prof. Anirvan M. Sengupta Recent developments in the study of chromatin loop domains and gene regulation motivates us to investigate the topology of contacts in interacting polymers. To describe the chromatin loop formation we will use a bead on a string model with excluded volume and attractive polymerpolymer interaction simulated by self avoiding walks. The resulting chain configuration is a balance between these two interactions and can be a coiled state for good solvents or a collapsed one for poor solvent. We can classify the different chain configurations by their topological structures through the genus, a topological invariant of the resulting diagrams. The backtracking algorithm enables us to achieve exact numerical results for the genus distribution of the above mentioned model for small polymer lengths. Since pseudoknots decrease the entropy by restricting the possible configuration, we explore whether we see a suppression of pseudoknots for finite size polymers and intermediate strength of interaction.
Snoring and Sleep Apnea in Women Risk Factors, Signs and Consequences

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is characterized by snoring, apneas and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). Obesity is a risk factor for snoring and sleep apnea, but data on other factors in relation to obesity are ambiguous. Symptoms of sleep apnea in women have not been fully elucidated. OSAS is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). A common feature in patients with CVD and sleep apnea is an increase in systemic inflammation.From the general population 7,051 women ≥ 20 years answered a questionnaire on snoring and sleep disturbances. Habitual snoring was found in 8% of the total population, and influenced by age, obesity and smoking. The highest prevalence (14%) was found in women 50-59 years. In lean women, alcohol dependence was associated with snoring, while physical inactivity was a risk factor for snoring in obese women.Further, 230 snoring women and 170 women regardless of snoring status were investigated with polysomnography, blood sampling and anthropometric measurements. Of these, 132 participants underwent an ocular and endoscopic examination of their upper airways. Several findings in the upper airways characterised normal-weight women with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 10. In women with BMI of > 25, no pharyngeal characteristics predicted sleep apnea.When adjusting for age, obesity, smoking, AHI and sleep parameters, several aspects of daytime sleepiness correlated to snoring independently of AHI (EDS, falling asleep involuntarily during day, waking up unrefreshed and fatigue). No symptoms correlated to AHI independently of snoring.Blood samples were analysed for systemic inflammation (CRP, TNFα, IL-6, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and lysozyme). Strong correlations were found between obesity and inflammatory markers. AHI and nocturnal hypoxia correlated to all markers except MPO. When adjusting for age, obesity and smoking, only IL-6 and TNFα were independently associated with nocturnal hypoxia.In conclusion, age and obesity influence the prevalence of snoring and sleep apnea in women from the general population. Other risk factors differ according to BMI. Daytime symptoms are independently related to snoring per se. Despite a strong correlation between obesity and inflammation, an independent relationship between sleep apnea and inflammatory markers was found.
concave – convex nonlinearities

We establish the exact multiplicity of positive solutions, and the global solution structure for two classes of problems on circular domains. The first class involves non-autonomous concave–convex problems on a ball in Rn, and the second one deals with concave–convex problems on a ‘‘thin’’ annulus in Rn. We illustrate our results by numerical computations, using a novel algorithm, which involves continuation in a global parameter. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Attitude and Perceptions of Local Residents toward the Protected Area of Abijata-Shalla Lakes National Park (ASLNP), Ethiopia

Abijata-Shalla Lake National Park has immense natural resources including wetland, aquatic and terrestrial birds. Land settlements and human, livestock population increases is a major problem in the conservation area. Its biodiversity has undergone dramatic environmental changes. This study addresses the need to explore people attitudes toward protected areas in a way that allows them to describe the values they hold toward the areas. Field surveys, questionnaires and direct observation were used in data collection. A total of 360 households in the four selected villages were carried out from January 2011 to October 2013. Most (96%) respondents depended on land to generate income making the competition with wildlife more direct and intense. All members of the villages consider the Park as their communal pasture area. The conflicts are a consequence of the problem of resource utilization in conservation area. 85% of the respondents were unhappy on the existence of the Park. Educated and young people with access to information and awareness mostly supported the Park. All respondents from all villages without any significant variation agree wildlife of the area is depleted. Increasing anthropogenic pressure, due to continuously expanding human settlements and increasing demands for farming and grazing land, is the main reason why relatively large wildlife areas have been subjected to over-exploitation, degradation and destruction. Competition for land and resources has led to intense human-wildlife conflicts in the area.
COLONIZATION RATE OF GROUP B STREPTOCOCCUS (GBS) IN PREGNANT WOMEN USING GBS AGAR MEDIUM

Group B streptococci (GBS) or Streptococcus agalactiae are members of the normal flora of the female genital tract. GBS normally colonizes the vagina in many women asymptomatically. During labor this organism may infect the newborn, leading to neonatal sepsis and meningitis. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of group B streptococcus in pregnant women by a rapid and easy culture method. It seems that in cases in which GBS carriage is not suspected until the time of labor, using such a quick and specific culture method would be valuable. A total of 330 vaginal swabs were collected from women attending delivery room at Hedayat hospital, Tehran, Iran, from April through July 2008. Cotton swabs contaminated with vaginal fluid were placed into Amies transport medium and transported to the Avicenna laboratory daily. Vaginal specimens were cultured on selective GBS Agar Base medium (ISLAM) for isolation and detection of group B streptococcus. The plates were incubated at 35-37°C under anaerobic condition for 24 hours. Incubated S.agalactiae developed orange/red pigmented colonies in GBS agar plates. Among the 330 women, the results of the culture were positive for GBS in 68 women (20.6%). Statistical analyses showed no significant relationship between demographics, reproductive histories and obstetric characteristics of subjects with the test results. Solely the antibiotic therapy was associated with GBS colonization. The results are indicating that the relatively high maternal GBS colonization rate in pregnant women warrants a routine screening and prophylactic treatment of the infected women. Colonization with group B streptococcus can be identified directly by GBS agar medium and decrease the time to detection of GBS.