Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analyses of the in situ growth rates of Cryptophyceae by use of the mitotic index technique

Growth rates of Rhodomonas minuta v. nannoplanctica and Cryptomonas ovata were estimated by determining the fraction of cells undergoing cell division during 24 h. Acetocarmine was very useful for identifying stages of division (especially double nuclei). Division stages of R. minuta were found in Lake Constance during the night over a period of 16 or 17 h, of C. ovata over almost the entire 24-h cycle. A comparison of potential growth rates with observed changes in population density indicates that the higher temporal variability of loss rates is more influential for changes in population size
Available Nitrogen and Responses to Nitrogen Fertilizer in Brazilian Eucalypt Plantations on Soils of Contrasting Texture

Eucalyptus plantations have seldom responded to N fertilization in tropical and subtropical regions of Brazil. This implies that rates of N mineralization have been adequate to supply tree needs. However, subsequent crop rotations with low N fertilization may result in declining concentrations of organic and potentially mineralizable N (N0), and consequent loss of wood productivity. This study investigated (a) in situ N mineralization and N0 in soils of eucalypt plantations in Sao Paulo state, Brazil; (b) tree growth responses to N fertilizer applied 6–18 months after planting; and (c) the relationships between N0, other soil attributes and tree growth. We established eleven N fertilizer trials (maximum 240 kg ha−1 of N) in E. grandis and E. grandis x urophylla plantations. The soil types at most sites were Oxisols and Quartzipsamments, with a range of organic matter (18 to 55 g kg−1) and clay contents (8% to 67%) in the 0–20 cm layer. Concentrations of N0 were measured using anaerobic incubation on soil samples collected every three months (different seasons). The samples collected in spring and summer had N0 140–400 kg ha−1 (10%–19% total soil N), which were best correlated with soil texture and organic matter content. Rates of in situ net N mineralization (0–20 cm) ranged from 100 to 200 kg ha−1 year−1 and were not correlated with clay, total N, or N0. These high N mineralization rates resulted in a low response to N fertilizer application during the early ages of stand growth, which were highest on sandy soils. At the end of the crop rotation, the response to N fertilizer was negligible and non-significant at all sites.
LifeWorks@TURCK: A Best Practice Case Study on Workplace Well-being Program Design

Health and education are the most important factors related to human capital. They form the basis of an individual’s and a population’s productivity and associate population health as a key ingredient to poverty reduction, economic growth, and long-term economic development of a region or entire societies (9,15). As such, both factors are extremely important to business and industry because they prepare the future workforce and (a) optimize the performance of current employees atwork and in their home life, (b) positively influence people’s lives in general, and (c) reduce overdependency on medical care resources. It is therefore not surprising that during times of ever-increasing medical care expenditures, ofwhichmuch of the burden is borne by business and industry, employers look to workplace health protection and promotion to better manage their costs (17). Generally speaking, workplace health programs have proven effective for health improvement (6,10,14,16). Literature reviews also support the notion thatworkplace wellness programs can generate savings in medical care expenditures and reduce productivity loss (1). However, criticism of these claims has surfaced in recent years as several analyses indicate that the savings may not be as robust as reported (2,3). So, where does this inconsistent view of results come from? Why do conflicting results emerge from systematic reviews conducted by highly credible sources? Arguably, not all programs are designed to produce results. Whereas workplace wellness programs have become quite common with the vast majority of companies (77%) in the United States (3), the most recent National Worksite Health Promotion survey points out that only 6.9% of companies have programs that may be considered comprehensive in design (8). Program design matters in producing results, and programs designed according to best practice principles tend to produce better outcomes (5,12). Therefore, a differentiation should bemade betweenwell-designed programs and those that do not adhere to well-established known practices related to successful programs.
FcγRIIb expression on human germinal center B lymphocytes

IgG antibody can specifically suppress the antibody response to antigen. This has been explained by the hypothesis that signaling through the B cell antigen receptor is negatively modulated bythe co‐ligation of immunoglobulin with the receptor for IgG, FcγRIIb. We hypothesized that inhibitory signaling through FcγRIIb would be counter‐productive in germinal center cells undergoing selection by affinity maturation, since these cells are thought to receive a survival/proliferative signal by interacting with antigen displayed on follicular dendritic cells. We have identified and characterized a population of B lymphocytes with low/negative FcγRIIb expression that are present in human tonsil. Phenotypically these cells correspond to germinal center B cells and comprise both centroblast and centrocyte populations. In examining expression at the molecular level we determined that these B cells do not express detectable mRNA for FcγRIIb. We examined several culture conditions to induce expression of FcγRIIb on germinal center cells but could not determine conditions that altered expression. We then examined the functional consequence of cross‐linking membrane immunoglobulin and the receptor for IgG on human B lymphocytes. Our results cast some doubt on the value of anti‐IgG as a model for antigen–antibody complexes in studying human B cell regulation.
Clinical Presentation and Final Outcome in Definite Cases of Influenza A (H1N1) in Kashan, Iran

Article history: Received: 17 Jan 2012 Accepted: 3 Feb 2013 Available online: 16 Dec 2013 ZJRMS 2015 Jan; 17(1): 37-39 Background: Influenza A (H1N1) imposed a considerable burden on our health community. This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical and paraclinical pattern of the disease in influenza A (H1N1) patients in Kashan. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was carried out on 87 definite cases of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) diagnosed from July to January 2009 in Kashan. The clinical and paraclinical information were collected and analyzed by SPSS-13. Results: The majority of patients were in age group 16-25 years and 50.6% of patients were male. The most common clinical symptoms were fever (92%), cough (78.2%) and dyspnea (54%). The most important paraclinical findings were: leokocytosis (41.3%) increased ESR (46.6%), positive CRP (48.7%). The mortality was seen in 8 patients (9.2%). Conclusion: Regarding to majority of death has occurred in patients with underlying disease, annual prophylaxis by influenza vaccine and early treatment to prevent of morbidity and mortality is recommended. Copyright © 2015 Zahedan University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.
The Bacteriophage 434 Right Operator Roles of OR1, OR2 and OR3

Abstract Lysogenic induction of bacteriophage λ is controlled by the action of the phage repressor and Cro proteins at the phage right operator (OR). This study examines the roles of the repressor and Cro proteins of the related phage 434. The start sites of transcription of the divergently oriented promoters in the 434 OR region, PR and PRM, were mapped, and the effects of 434 repressor and Cro on promoter activity were assessed using promoter fusions to lacZ. The effects of repressor or Cro bound to each of the operator subsites (OR1, OR2 and OR3) were assessed by examining regulation in the presence of operator mutations. The binding of Cro to a 434 operator was probed by an ethylation interference experiment which, together with other data, indicates that 434 Cro and repressor probably turn off transcription by blocking binding of RNA polymerase to promoter sequences. In general, the 434 and λ right operators are controlled in a similar fashion, but differences in detail were also encountered: (1) 434 Cro represses transcription from PR primarily by binding to OR1, whereas binding of λ Cro to OR1 and OR2 contribute equally to repression. (2) The 434 cI message, unlike that of λ, has a recognizable homology to the Shine-Dalgarno ribosome binding site. (3) Occupancy of OR3 by repressor may be somewhat greater in a 434 lysogen than in a λ lysogen. (4) The 434 repressor probably activates transcription when bound at OR2 by contacting RNA polymerase, as does λ repressor, but also by influencing competition between PR and PRM. An analysis of the six right operator systems for which data are available indicates that all six repressors may employ the mechanism of transcriptional activation first described for λ, P22 and 434: apposition of an acidic surface to a particular part of RNA polymerase.
Chloroparva pannonica gen. et sp. nov. (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta) – a new picoplanktonic green alga from a turbid, shallow soda pan

Somogyi B. , Felföldi T. , Solymosi K. , Makk J., Homonnay Z.G. , Horváth G. , Turcsi E. , Böddi B. , Márialigeti K. and Vörös L. 2011. Chloroparva pannonica gen. et sp. nov. (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta) – a new picoplanktonic green alga from a turbid, shallow soda pan. Phycologia 50: 1–10. DOI: 10.2216/10-08.1 We describe Chloroparva pannonica Somogyi, Felföldi & Vörös gen. et sp. nov., a new trebouxiophycean picoplanktonic alga isolated from a turbid, shallow soda pan in Hungary. The cells are spherical to oval, less than 2 µm in diameter, with simple ultrastructure typical to small green algae. Cells divide by autosporulation, forming two daughter cells per autosporangium. Cell wall structure consists of an outer trilaminar layer, an inner microfibrillar layer and an electron-transparent layer covering the plasma membrane. The trilaminar layer of the mother cell wall often persists around the autospores. Typical chlorophyte pigments have been found, including chlorophyll a and b and lutein as the dominant carotenoid. The main fatty acid was oleic acid. The phylogenetic position of the new chlorophyte confirms the proposal of a new genus within the Trebouxiophyceae. Based on its 18S rRNA gene sequence, this isolate is distantly related to Nannochloris eucaryotum UTEX 2502, Chlorella minutissima C-1.1. 9 and C. minutissima SAG 1.80 (≤ 97.6% 18S rRNA gene pairwise similarities).
The extinct baleen whale fauna from the Miocene-Pliocene of Belgium and the diagnostic cetacean ear bones

Significant advances of our understanding of the evolutionary history of baleen whales have been gained by the recent focus on the extinct baleen bearing groups. However, a historically important collection from the middle Miocene to Pliocene of Antwerp, Belgium, comprising a third of all described species of early baleen-bearing mysticetes, has proven difficult to include in modern studies. These species are surrounded by taxonomic confusion because they were based on non-comparable composite material. The Belgian species are revised here with a designation of comparable lectotypes. The best-represented comparable element is the periotic bone that surrounds the inner ear. The periotic is shown to have significant diagnostic value, like that of teeth in many extinct mammals. Of the Belgian mysticetes, the genera Amphicetus and Herpetocetus are retained. Plesiocetus is retained and referred to Balaenopteridae, while Idiocetus is tentatively referred to Balaenidae. Burtinopsis, Heterocetus, Isocetus and Mesocetus are considered nomen dubia. Interestingly, all the major extinct mysticete groups known from the west-North Atlantic are represented in the Belgian fauna, although with different relative diversities, while no species seem to fall outside of these families. Diorocetidae, Aglaocetidae and Pelocetidae were thus well established with an east-west North Atlantic distribution by the Middle Miocene, indicating that these families originated in the Oligocene to Early Miocene. Cetotheriidae (sensu stricto) is represented by only one species that is probably Pliocene in age, suggesting a later dispersal to the east-North Atlantic region.
Movement and Home Range of Nile Crocodiles in Ndumo Game Reserve, South Africa

The study of movement patterns and home range is fundamental in understanding the spatial requirements of animals and is important in generating information for the conservation and management of threatened species. Ndumo Game Reserve, in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal, bordering Mozambique, has the third largest Nile crocodile ( Crocodylus niloticus ) population in South Africa. Movement patterns of 50 Nile crocodiles with a total length of between 202 cm and 472 cm were followed over a period of 18 months, using mark-resight, radio and satellite telemetry. The duration of radio transmitter attachment (131 ± 11.4 days) was significantly and negatively related to total length and reproductive status. Satellite transmitters failed after an average of 15 ± 12.5 days. Home range was calculated for individuals with 10 or more radio locations, spanning a period of at least 6 months. There was a significant relationship between home range size and total length, with sub-adults (1.5 m – 2.5 m) occupying smaller, more localised home ranges than adults (> 2.5 m). The largest home ranges were for adults (> 2.5 m). Home ranges overlapped extensively, suggesting that territoriality, if present, does not result in spatially discrete home ranges of Nile crocodiles in Ndumo Game Reserve during the dry season. Larger crocodiles moved farther and more frequently than smaller crocodiles. The reserve acts as a winter refuge and spring breeding site for an estimated 846 crocodiles, which also inhabit the Rio Maputo during the summer months. Nile crocodile movement out of the reserve and into the Rio Maputo starts in November and crocodiles return to the reserve as water levels in the floodplain recede in May. Conservation implications: Movement patterns of Nile crocodiles show the important role the reserve plays in the conservation of Nile crocodile populations within the greater Ndumo Game Reserve–Rio Maputo area.
Fatty acids, volatiles, sterols and triterpenic alcohols of six monovarietal Tunisian virgin olive oils

Fatty acids, volatiles, sterols, aliphatic and triterpenic alcohols of six monovarietal Tunisian virgin olive oils were analyzed. The results suggested that the compositional data concerning the above analytical fractions were effective in discriminating between varieties. The oils were found to contain high levels of oleic acid (up to 71.70% in the Oueslati variety). β-Sitosterol (up to 85.46% in the Jdallou variety) and Δ5-avenas-terol (up to 30.97% in the El Hor variety) were the principal sterols in all samples; campesterol and stigmasterol were found at low levels. (E)-2-Hexenal was the main compound that characterizes the olive oil headspace of all samples. The other compounds identified were mainly C 6 aliphatic components.
A study of the life history of cortico‐adrenal gland cells of the rat by means of trypan blue injections

Adrenal cortex cell types would appear from the evidence in the literature to be different stages in the life history of the same cell, and it is generally suggested that new cells arise in the glomerular region (Mulon, '03 ; Bogomolez, '09 ; Graham, '16 ; Goormaglitigh, '22 ; and Koerr, '31), moving gradually toward the medulla. This conception is consonant with the finding that morphologic differences in adrenal glands with different functional loads are dependent on variations in the proportions of cell types usually present (Zwemer, '34, '36). A cytological study of the subcapsular region, the trabeculae and certain adenomata (Zwemer, Wotton and Norkus, '38) further suggested that typical gland cells might be derived chiefly from certain elongated capsular cells rcsembling fibroblasts. Evidence for the origin of adrenocortical cells from the capsulc has also been presented by Baker and Raillif ( '39) who enucleated the adrenal and subsequently used colchicine to arrest the mitoses of adrenal cells regenerating from the capsule. The fact that corticoadrenal gland cells may contain blue droplets after injection of trypan blue, has been demonstrated by Goldman ('09) and Hett ('27). An interpretation of its significance map have value in studies of the adrenal cortex.
Changes in European ecosystem productivity and carbon balance driven by regional climate model output

Climate change resulting from the enhanced greenhouse effect together with the direct effect of increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations on vegetation growth are expected to produce changes in the cycling of carbon in terrestrial ecosystems. Impacts will vary across Europe, and regional‐scale studies are needed to resolve this variability. In this study, we used the LPJ‐GUESS ecosystem model driven by a suite of regional climate model (RCM) scenarios from the European Union (EU) project PRUDENCE to estimate climate impacts on carbon cycling across Europe. We identified similarities and discrepancies in simulated climate impacts across scenarios, particularly analyzing the uncertainties arising from the range of climate models and emissions scenarios considered. Our results suggest that net primary production (NPP) and heterotrophic respiration (Rh) will generally increase throughout Europe, but with considerable variation between European subregions. The smallest NPP increases, and in some cases decreases, occurred in the Mediterranean, where many ecosystems switched from sinks to sources of carbon by 2100, mainly as a result of deteriorating water balance. Over the period 1991–2100, modeled climate change impacts on the European carbon balance ranged from a sink of 11.6 Gt C to a source of 3.3 Gt C, the average annual sink corresponding with 1.85% of the current EU anthropogenic emissions. Projected changes in carbon balance were more dependent on the choice of the general circulation model (GCM) providing boundary conditions to the RCM than the choice of RCM or the level of anthropogenic greenhouse gases emissions.
Flowering phenology and floral visitors of Piliostigma reticulatum in a tropical dry forest, Burkina Faso

Piliostigma reticulatum is a dioecious species that provides food, fodder and the revenues from the sale of its pods constituted an important resource for sahelian population. During the flowering, flowers are abundant but the fruit set remained very low in spite of a large number of insect visitors. The aim of this work was to study flowering phenology, to identify potential pollinators and visitors, to determine the visitation rate and the synchronism between floral phenology and the insect visitors. The natural population studied is located at Budtenga in the North Sudanian area of Burkina Faso. The phenological study was carried out from July 2009 to December 2009 on 500 inflorescences randomly sampled from inflorescences of 40 male and female individuals. Potentials pollinators were determined using their physical ability to carry pollen in their body and the reference based diets. Our results showed that many orders of insects visit the flowers of P. reticulatum . Nymphalidae (Lepidoptera), Syrphidae (Diptera), Apidae (Hymenoptera) and Sphecidae (Hymenoptera) were regarded as main potential pollinators of P. reticulatum . Apidae ( Apis mellifera ) was the most abundant and frequent visitor. We found that August was the peak flowering period for both male and female individuals and the peak emergence of potential pollinators. Therefore, the emergence of potential pollinators responsible for pollen dispersal might be punctuated by flowering phenology. Keywords: Caesalpinioideae, P. reticulatum , phenology, visitors, Sudanian forest
Development of Quality Protein Maize (QPM) Inbred Lines and Genetic Diversity Assessed with ISSR Markers in a Maize Breeding Program

Very few studies have been conducted to develop new quality protein maize (QPM) varieties adapted to various agro-ecological conditions in Africa. Such QPM varieties with high grain yield, genes for resistance to local disease and pests would contribute to increased grain production and to alleviate poverty and malnutrition. During the first step of the QPM breeding program in the DR-Congo, 137 inbred lines were developed and selected in the field based on various agro-morphometric characteristics. Molecular analysis revealed high level of genetic variability among inbreds. The level of polymorphic loci observed with ISSR markers varied between 74% and 80%. Nei’s gene diversity and Shannon’s information index values varied from 0.22 to 0.27 and from 0.34 to 0.41,
DIVERSITY IN COMMON BEAN LANDRACES (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) FROM BULGARIA AND PORTUGAL

The genetic diversity of landraces is thought to be the economic valuable part of global biodiversity and is considered of paramount importance for future world production. The investigation was performed on 30 common bean landraces (Ph. vulgaris L.) from different geographic origin of Portugal and Bulgaria. The morphological characterization was done according to the IPGRI descriptors (Rome, Italy). Twenty morphological traits were studied in Portuguese and Bulgarian landraces of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Accessions number 99E059(BG), 99E0123(BG), PH2(PT) and PH23(PT) are of special interest for breeding purposes.
Dry weights and chemical composition of soybean plant parts throughout the growing season 1

Abstract Three genetic lines of soybeans were grown in field experiments at different soil fertility levels in 1971 and 18 lines were grown at one fertility level in 1978. Plants were sampled at comparable stages of plant development through the entire growing season in 1971 and through the seed‐filling period in 1978. The plant samples were separated into different plant parts, dried, weighed, and chemically analyzed for total N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, Mn, B, Mo, Na, Ba, Sr, Fe, Si, and Al. Seed yields did not vary significantly among genetic lines or soil fertility levels in 1971, but yields varied significantly among genetic lines in 1978. Rates of rapid seed dry weight increase in 1978 were similar at 98 kg/ha per day for all lines during most of the seed‐filling period, but the rapid seed‐fill period was longer for some lines than for others. Concentrations of the different elements in the plants generally were similar in different cultivars. Concentrations of the most phloem‐mobile elements ‐ N, P.
Sensitivity Cycling and Mechanism of Physical Dormancy Break in Seeds of Ipomoea hederacea (Convolvulaceae)

Sensitivity cycling to physical dormancy (PY) break in seeds is known to occur in some Fabaceae and Convolvulaceae species. PY in seeds of species of Convolvulaceae and of some other angiosperm plant families can be broken by storing them dry. However, the mechanism of opening the water gap in the seed coat (dormancy break) during dry storage has not been investigated. In research reported here, we determined whether sensitivity cycling occurs in seeds of Ipomoea hederacea (Convolvulaceae) and investigated the effect of dry storage on opening of the water gap. Seeds can cycle between insensitive and sensitive states to dormancy break, and dormancy can be broken in sensitive seeds by storing them dry at high to moderate temperatures. Seeds with the lower part of the hilum blocked lost a minimal amount of water during storage. Percentage water loss was significantly correlated with percentage dormancy break. Desorption of water through the hilar fissure during dry storage reduced the vapor pressure below the bulges (water gap), which caused slits to form around the bulges (opening of water gap). The amount of water desorption was low in insensitive seeds because the hilar fissure remained closed and thus the water gap did not open.