Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modification of fish behaviour by parasites under variable flow conditions

Fish populations are increasingly under threat by anthropogenic habitat modification. As demands on rivers have increased through increased human activity, resultant watercourse manipulations have altered the natural flow regime. However, it is unclear how diseased fish react to variable flow conditions in terms of their behaviour and swimming ability. This thesis addresses fundamental questions about the interaction between flow hydraulics and fish behaviour using two popular model systems: Trinidadian guppies (Poecilia reticulata) and three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus). Firstly it was found that guppies shoaled less when a member was infected with Gyrodactylus turnbulli but the magnitude of this effect was greater in the absence of flow (Chapter 2). Over time, the shoaling behaviour of guppies in the static flow condition reduced as parasite prevalence increased. In the flow condition, however, this effect was not observed, which resulted in higher peak prevalence of the parasite (Chapter 3). Sticklebacks utilised the lower flow velocities near the bed boundary layer to improve anaerobic and aerobic swimming performance but their natural parasite fauna had little effect on their swimming ability (Chapters 4 and 5). Guppies of different size, sex and parasite load utilised different regions around boulders to refuge from undesirable hydraulic conditions (Chapter 6). Finally, the impact of an invasive nematode Anguillicoloides crassus on the swimming behaviour of downstream migrating European eels (Anguilla anguilla) was investigated (Chapter 7). The parasite reduced burst swimming ability of the eels, which may have a knock-on effect for migration. In summary, this thesis demonstrates the importance of flow heterogeneity within a river system to provide shelter for smaller or weaker fish in poor health. River managers need to carefully consider any adaptation of flow regimes to provide appropriate flow conditions for resident species displaying a range of microhabitat requirements.
Transcription in trypanosomes: a different means to the end

The recent publication of T. brucei genome has enabled a new wave of molecular and genetic experiments, which have resulted in a clearer picture of the transcription machinery in this organism. While trypanosomes possess most of the subunits common to the three RNA polymerases typically found in eukaryotes, a number of interesting differences exist, presumably reflecting their early divergence from the eukaryote crown lineage. Most notably, the absence of many class-specific RNAP subunits, and paucity of general transcription factors, suggests that the intricate, and varied, mechanisms for regulation of transcript initiation in higher eukaryotes arose after this divergence. It appears that the Tritryp transcriptional apparatus may be the most primitive yet identified in the Eukarya, containing perhaps a single shared set of GTFs for transcription initiation. Indeed, the RNAP I and II promoters described in T. brucei share structural similarities with the RNAP III type III promoters of higher eukaryotes, and some protein-coding genes are transcribed by RNAP I. The bidirectional RNAP II-mediated transcription initiation regions separating the long polycistronic clusters of protein-coding genes in trypanosomatids may represent ancestral, less sequence-specific, promoters mostly replaced in other eukaryotes by the archetypal TATA-containing promoters. Unlike most other organisms where transcriptional mechanisms plays a major role in regulation of mRNA levels, control of mRNA abundance in trypanosomes occurs mainly at the steps of RNA processing, stability and degradation. This reliance on post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression may explain the relative dearth of transcription factors and over-representation of RNA-binding proteins in the trypanosome genome. Introduction In all living organisms the genetic information encoded within the DNA genome must be transcribed into the RNA molecules that either act directly, or are translated into proteins, to carry out the myriad processes involved in cellular maintenance and growth. RNA polymerases are multisubunit protein complexes that are recruited to specific sites (promoters) within the genome by general transcription factors that are specific for each polymerase. In most eukaryotes, this process is differentially regulated according to developmental or proliferation state by modification of chromatin, as well as recruitment of specific transcription factors and mediator complexes. This leads to initiation of the tran-
Importance des plantes medicinales pour la population rurale du Parc National de Djebel Aissa (sud ouest algerien)

EnglishAn ethnobotanical survey was carried out on the use and importance of medicinal plants for households near the Jebel Aissa National Park (southwestern Algeria). Interviews with a sample of 235 people were conducted to identify medicinal plants used in traditional medicine. A total of 41 medicinal species belonging to 20 families and 37 genera are registered. The aerial part and the leaves are the most used plant parts (respectively 70.73% and 29.27%) and the decoction represents the most frequent method of preparation (80.49%). The frequency and importance of medicinal plants were determined on the basis of the frequency of citation and the index of importance of each plant francaisUne enquete ethnobotanique a ete menee sur l’utilisation et l’importance des plantes medicinales pour les menages proches du parc national de Djebel Aissa (Sud ouest algerien). Des interviews avec un echantillon constitue de 235 personnes ont ete effectuees dont le but d’identifier les plantes medicinales utilisees dans la medecine traditionnelle. Un total de 41 especes medicinales appartenant a 20 familles et 37 genres est enregistre. La partie aerienne et les feuilles constituent les parties de plantes les plus utilisees (respectivement 70.73 % et 29.27 %) et la decoction represente le mode de preparation le plus frequent (80.49 %). La frequence et l’importance des plantes medicinales ont ete determines sur la base de la frequence de citation et l’indice d’importance de chaque plante.
Supervisors’Responses to Employee Voice Behavior: An Experimental Study in China and Japan

This study examines how supervisors respond to employee voice behavior in the Asian context considering the following factors: The target of voice, the expertise of the voicing employee, and the supervisor’s sense of power. We conducted a scenario-based experimental study using Chinese and Japanese samples and found that speaking up to skiplevel leaders rather than immediate supervisors was negatively related to the evaluations of voicing employees, which was partially mediated by liking in both samples and perceived threat in the Chinese sample. We also found that the expertise of voicing employees was positively related to the evaluations of voicing employees, but it also had a negative indirect effect on the evaluations through perceived threat against the employees in the Japanese sample. Moreover, for the Chinese sample, supervisors’ sense of power moderated some of the effects of target of voice and the expertise of the voicing employees on supervisors’ reactions. We discuss theoretical and practical implications and future research directions.
Microfluidic white blood cell array

The body’s defence against pathogens and foreign invaders is mediated by white blood cells (WBCs), one of the most important blood constituents. In blood, there is only one WBC for every 1000 red blood cells (RBCs), which makes WBC isolation a difficult task. Conventional isolation methods such as differential centrifugation, or selective lysis of RBCs could result in undesirable activation of WBCs and require a relatively large volume of blood. In this work, we present a microfluidic cross-flow trapping chip capable of selectively capturing WBCs in a dense array from whole blood without the prerequisite of RBCs lysis. This chip exploits the size and deformability difference between blood cells, and consists of a two-layer trapping system fabricated utilising standard photolithography and soft lithography. This array enables high-resolution imaging of individual live WBCs, obtained by taking a ~50 μl blood sample by fingerprick, and does not require cell drying or cell fixation as in a blood smear. In this work, a wide range of two-layered microfluidic devices has been fabricated and investigated in terms of blood cell arraying and imaging performance. Selective WBC capturing from a whole blood sample was achieved, for the first time, and the optimal geometry of the microfluidic channels for efficient WBC arraying was identified and related to hydrodynamic trapping theory. The developed WBC arrays were then used for the identification and enumeration of WBC subtypes on the basis of cell size and cell nucleus morphology, visualized by a combination of off-chip and on-chip dye staining, and also by labelling with antibodies against specific cell surface receptors. Furthermore, cells of nanoparticle-incubated blood samples were arrayed on the device and a preliminary analysis was performed of the association of these silica nanospheres with the different blood cell species, revealing significant differences in nanoparticle association. Moreover, sub-cellular imaging suggested a lysosomal nanosphere location in monocytes, implying nanoparticle uptake by endocytosis. Such studies have not previously been performed with arrayed WBCs, exemplifying that the WBC array developed in this work is a promising platform for single-cell (nano) biomedical studies with, for example, diagnostic imaging and drug discovery applications.
Trade-offs in interspecific comparisons in plant ecology and how plants overcome proposed constraints

Comparative studies on plant species have not distinguished between two inherently different applications of the idea of a trade-off. In the first case, the theoretical trade-off between two variables leads to a trend line, about which there is a degree of scatter. Any two species in the study are expected, in theory, to show a true trade-off, i.e. feature A must decrease for feature B to increase. This I call the ‘trend line’ type of plot. In the second case, the species are expected to fill a considerable part of the space defined by two axes and the theoretical trade-off leads to a boundary line which limits the extent of the cloud of points. In this case, many interspecific comparisons are not expected to show evidence of a trade-off, but those on the boundary line are expected to do so. This I call the ‘boundary line’ type of plot. In both types of plot, species within a given clade may show a true trade-off, while large numbers of unrelated species do not. First, I undertake to show, by means of examples, the reality of the distinction made above, and to demonstrate that statistically significant and ecologically important negative correlations between features A and B in the ‘trend line’ type of plot can be accompanied by huge variation from the trend line. Second, for plots of the ‘boundary line’ type, I undertake to show that authors have not always tested sufficiently rigorously the constraint lines concerning combinations of supposedly incompatible tolerances, and have not allowed for the absence of certain combinations of unfavourable conditions in the field and consequent lack of selection pressure for the evolution of species with a combination of extreme tolerances. I review two examples of each kind of constrained evolution. First, I take the worldwide leaf economics spectrum and the negative correlation between growth rate in high light and survival rate in deep shade. Second, I review the supposed incompatibilities between shade tolerance and drought tolerance, and between waterlogging tolerance and drought tolerance. I conclude that the term ‘trade-off’ is used too loosely. The common lack of true trade-offs has made possible the species richness of present-day vegetation. Also, small numbers of species have evolved combinations of tolerances that might seem improbable. Not enough research is being aimed at understanding the mechanistic basis of variation about trend lines, and the crossing of supposed boundary lines.
Spéciation et mobilité de l'uranium dans des sols et des sédiments lacustres en aval d'anciens sites miniers

L’objectif de ce travail de these etait d’ameliorer les connaissances sur le comportement geochimique et la mobilite de l’uranium (U) dans des sediments lacustres et des sols enrichis en U, dont les conditions reductrices sont a priori propices a son piegeage. Des analyses de spectroscopie d’absorption des rayons X et de microscopie electronique a balayage combinees a des analyses geochimiques ont ete mises en œuvre. Pour les sediments lacustres, la reduction progressive de U(VI) en U(IV) sous l’interface eau-sediment est mise en evidence. Les donnees de speciation et la modelisation geochimique suggerent un controle important de la reduction par le Fe(II) issu de la diagenese precoce, au travers de la reduction microbienne du Fe(III) structural des argiles. Pour les sols, une reduction brutale de U(VI) est observee, controlee par le niveau de saturation en eau. Pour les deux sites etudies, des complexes mononucleaires adsorbes de U(IV) et des mineraux phosphates de U(IV) ont ete mis en evidence. Pour l’etude des sols, une redistribution de U au niveau du front redox, via la dissolution oxydative des mineraux phosphates de U(IV) suivie de la complexation de U(VI) a la matiere organique du sol est suggeree. Des incubations de sol ont permis de confirmer ces mecanismes de redistribution. Ces travaux appellent a considerer les phases de U(IV) non-cristallines et les mineraux phosphates de U(IV) comme especes controlant la solubilite de l’uranium dans les environnements contamines. Il apparait donc necessaire de prendre en compte ces formes chimiques pour modeliser la mobilite de l’uranium dans ces systemes et permettre une gestion adequate de ces environnements contamines.
Actitud del docente hacia la educación inclusiva y hacia los estudiantes con necesidades educativas especiales

espanolResumen Un actor clave para hacer realidad la educacion inclusiva es el profesor, de ahi que el objetivo del presente articulo sea analizar la actitud de los docentes hacia la educacion inclusiva. Para su realizacion, se realizo una muestra de profesores de los niveles de preescolar, primaria y bachillerato de escuelas publicas de Merida Yucatan, Mexico, a quienes se aplico un cuestionario con el fin de identificar las actitudes hacia la inclusion de personas con necesidades educativas especiales. Entre los principales resultados, se encontro que la actitud de los docentes era negativa hacia la educacion inclusiva, pero se volvia mas positiva al referirse a los estudiantes con necesidades educativas especiales. Adicionalmente se encontro que la edad, el sexo, el area de formacion inicial y el nivel educativo en que labora el docente, son factores que influyen en su actitud. EnglishAbstract A key figure in the manifestation of inclusive education is the instructor. For this reason, the objective of this article is to analyze the attitude of instructors towards inclusive education. To this end, we analyzed a sample of instructors at the pre-school, primary and upper secondary levels at public schools in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. They responded to a survey aimed at identifying their attitudes towards the inclusion of people with special educational needs. One of the main results was that the attitude of instructors was negative towards inclusive education, but it became more positive when referring to students with special educational needs. Additionally, we found that the age, sex, field of initial training and educational level where the instructor works are factors that influence his or her attitude.
Efficiency and Safety of Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors (Cox-2) as Post-Surgical Pain Killer Related to Maxillofacial Surgery

Introduction: Powerful postoperative pain control requires a pain-relieving with fast-acting and long duration of the activity. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have an opioid impact when utilized postoperatively, however, they tend to demonstrate a slower beginning of the activity. A few studies showed that COX-2 inhibitors are t as powerful as NSAIDs. The aim of this review is to evaluate the efﬁcacy and safety of Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors (Cox-2) for the relief of acute postoperative pain focusing on the dental setting. Methods: The electronic search of the literature in MEDLINE and EMBASE identified 132 articles that underwent full-text review and 10 met our inclusion criteria. The electronic search of the literature in MEDLINE and EMBASE identified 132 articles that underwent full-text review and 10 met our inclusion criteria. These articles examine the efﬁcacy and safety of Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors (Cox-2) for the relief of acute postoperative pain in surgeries such as extraction of impacted third mandibular molar, open-ﬂap debridement periodontal surgeries, mandibular fractures, cranial fractures. Results: The effectiveness of Cox-2 inhibitors, found to be significantly different in Celecoxib in only one study, and with no significant difference in 3 studies, Etoricoxib with Celecoxib in one study also significantly reduce the postoperative pain, while in Parecoxib significantly reduced the pain. Regarding the safety of Cox-2 inhibitors, the side effects were more in the Celecoxib than in placebo in some studies, and more in the placebo than in Parecoxib in few studies. No significant differences found in some included studies. Conclusion: The specific COX-2 inhibitor Celecoxib might be helpful for the treatment of severe pain. Its utilization might be especially attractive for elderly people and patients with a background marked by gastrointestinal issues.
Variability of seedling vigour in Persian walnut as influenced by the vigour and bearing habit of the mother tree

Summary Observations on dwarf and precocious (early maturing) seedlings of Persian walnut (Juglans regia L.) in nurseries, and the consistency of their growth under orchard conditions, encouraged us to study the genetic nature and variability of morphological traits related to seedling vigour. In the present study, two trials were conducted using open-pollinated offspring of six and 18 half-sib families in 2006 and in 2007, respectively. Significant variation was found both within and between families in terms of seedling height, stem diameter, the number of nodes, and internode length in both 45-d-old and 1-year-old seedlings. Moderate to high heritability (0.39 - 0.88) was estimated by between-family variance, implying that the majority of phenotypic variations were under additive genetic control. Seedling height was positively correlated with seedling diameter (r = 0.87), the number of nodes (r = 0.86), and the length of the internodes (r = 0.89), indicating that measuring only seedling height was adequate to identify families that produce dwarf seedlings. The shortest seedlings were generally observed in the offspring of low-vigour and cluster-bearing families. The relevance of early maturing seedlings in developing genetically dwarf walnut rootstocks and/or cultivars is discussed. In conclusion, we suggest a recurrent selection programme for the selection of dwarf and easy-to-root genotypes, in order to exploit their advantages in a high-density orchard system.
Bovine neonatal tetanus: a case report.

Tetanus is a non contagious, non febrile infectious disease of mammals caused by exotoxin tetanospasmin produced by the vegetative stage of Clostridium tetani under anaerobic conditions. Tetanus occurs in all parts of the world and is most common in closely settled areas under intensive cultivation. It occurs in farm animals as individual or sporadic cases but outbreaks are common following wounding management procedures. Although recovery rate is high in adult cattle, the case fatality rate may be as high as 80% in young ruminants (Radostitt et al., 2000). Apart from other factors, one important reason for neonatal tetanus is infection in the umbilical cord due to unsanitary conditions at parturition (Suleman, 1982). A case of this type in a male buffalo calf is reported herewith.
EVALUACIÓN DE LA CALIDAD DE LECHES EN CUATRO PROCESADORAS DE QUESOS EN EL MUNICIPIO DE MONTERÍA, COLOMBIA

Objetivo. Evaluar la calidad fisica, quimica y bacteriologica de las leches crudas acopiadas en cuatro empresas procesadoras de queso de la ciudad de Monteria. Materiales y metodos. A los proveedores se les tomaron muestras de leche durante dos meses. Se uso estadistica descriptiva y la comparacion de los promedios se hizo mediante la prueba de Duncan todos los analisis se efectuaron mediante el uso el programa estadistico SAS. Resultados. La densidad de las muestras de leche fue de 1030 g/ml y el 77.9% de las muestras se hallo dentro del rango de 1030 a 1033. El 63,25% de las muestras estuvieron dentro del intervalo de 0.13 a 0.17 y el porcentaje de proteina fue de 3.6%, con un valor minimo de 2,6% y un maximo de 6%. La grasa fue del 3.70%, con un valor minimo de 2.10% y un maximo de 7% y el promedio de los solidos totales fue del 12.06%, con un valor minimo de 9.10% y un maximo de 14.65%. Conclusiones. La composicion promedio de la mayoria de las muestras de leche acopiadas por las cuatro empresas, cumplieron con lo establecido por el decreto 616 del 2006.
Performance and hematology of pacu fed diets supplemented with vitamins C and/or E

ABSTRACT: Pacu ( Piaractus mesopotamicus Holmberg, 1887) is a valued Brazilian fish species for aquaculture.This is highly susceptible to disease, and feed supplementations for pacu can be a very important strategy to preventdisease incidence in fish farms. The aim of this study was to evaluate a strategic supplementation for pacu. Juvenilepacu (10.5 ± 1.2 g) were fed diets containing three levels of vitamins C and/or E (0, 250, and 500 mg vitamin kg –1 diet). Fish were fed diets without supplementation for two months prior to the experiment. After that period,experimental feeding was initiated for two months. Growth and hematological evaluations were made on thethirtieth and sixtieth days of feeding. Pacu fed diet without supplementation of vitamins C and E during 120 daysdid not show clear typical signs of deficiency. Fish fed diet vitamins C and E free increased feed intake, but noimprovement on growth performance was detected. Vitamin E proved essential for erythrocyte protection, so thatthe higher the level of this vitamin in diet, the smaller the number of erythroblasts. Supplementation with 500 mgof vitamin C and 250 mg of vitamin E for 60 days increased the production of monocytes, thrombocytes andspecial granulocytic cells in pacu.Key words: