Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic diversity analysis of wild germplasm and cultivated clones of Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg. by using microsatellite markers

Twelve microsatellite markers were used to detect DNA polymorphism among 108 accessions of #Hevea brasiliensis# inclusive of 40 cultivated (Wickham) clones and 68 wild accessions (1981 Amazonian accessions) collected from Amazon forest. In this study, the extent of genetic diversity among Wickham clones and wild accessions (1981 Amazonian accessions) in selecting suitable parents for enlarging genetic resource in Thailand's breeding program was evaluated. Genetic similarity values between genotypes calculated from all the microsatellite markers, were used to produce a dendrogram of the relationship among accessions, using the unweighted pair-groups method with arithmetic average. A total of 170 alleles were detected. The number of alleles ranged from 5 to 21, with an average of 14 alleles per marker. M574 marker demonstrated the highest polymorphism with 21 alleles, while M264 and M692 markers showed the lowest polymorphism with 5 alleles. The results clearly demonstrated that wild accessions were more polymorphic than cultivated Wickham clones and could be divided into three clusters, depending on the geographical origin of collection areas such as Acre, Rondonia and Mato Grosso state. However, two Rondonia accessions (RO/OP/4 20/16 and RO/A/7 25/133) could not be discriminated into the suitable cluster according to the high level of specific alleles. Despite the narrow genetic basis of Wickham clones, their high level of polymorphism could be detected. The result indicated that a relatively small number of microsatellite markers could be used as molecular markers for #H. brasiliensis# genetic studies. Furthermore, this information could also be used to help in guiding the selection of suitable populations for enlarging genetic resource in breeding schemes. (Resume d'auteur)
PRO-ECOLOGICAL ATTITUDES AMONG STUDENTS

The aim of the study is to present the pro-ecological (i.e. favourable for ecology, acting in favour of environment) attitudes of people who study at the Faculty of Economic Sciences of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW. The theoretical part discusses the concept and the essence of ecology and ecological awareness, as well as the elements and significance of ecological education. In the practical part, the attitude of the group of students of the Faculty of Economic Sciences at the WULS-SGGW to the necessity of pro-ecological behaviours and their expectations regarding the ways of propagating knowledge and activities in the field of environmental education is presented. It turned out that more than 90% of the respondents consider such behaviours as a necessary one, while around 60% believe that the entities responsible for promoting it among the society – in the form of obligatory education – should be schools and universities. Finally, the study contains original conclusions and findings regarding the observations made during the research.
Characterization and evaluation of the barrier properties of different skin models as an alternative model for human skin

Although human skin is the best in-vitro research model in skin drug delivery, its availability is limited and there is a large variation between different species and even between individuals. So, in this thesis work rat epidermal keratinocyte organotypic culture (ROC) was developed as an alternative model for human skin. This work included ROC epidermis and ROC full-thickness models with and without collagen. Hence, the ROC epidermis model was investigated for morphology by using light microscopy and its barrier properties by measuring differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and permeation of three different solutes (mannitol, corticosterone and tritiated water) and compared with the human epidermal model. This thesis work also sought to improve the morphology and the barrier properties of the ROC epidermal model to resemble as closely as possible the full-thickness human skin model. The ROC models (epidermis and full–thickness) were different from human skin in the thickness of stratum corneum (SC) and viable epidermis. Moreover, these models were devoid of skin appendages. It was noted that, in the case of the full-thickness model with and without collagen, the epidermal layers separated from the underlying dermis particularly after freezing at -80°C. The permeation of tritiated water through human epidermis and ROC epidermis was nearly the same. Also there is no distinct difference in the permeation of tritiated water through full-thickness human skin and the ROC full-thickness with collagen model. However, the permeation of mannitol and corticosterone through human epidermis was different compared to ROC epidermis. The results of the TEWL measurements showed that the ROC full-thickness model without collagen was slightly higher than ROC epidermis. Furthermore, both of them were higher than other models. There is no distinct difference in TEWL between human skin (epidermis and full-thickness) and ROC full-thickness with collagen. The results of the TEWL measurements and the permeation of tritiated water illustrated that collagen increased the barrier properties of the ROC full-thickness model. These results allow us to conclude that the ROC epidermis and the ROC full-thickness with collagen models are promising alternative models for human skin.
A thermodynamic Equilibrium model of Fluidized bed Gasifier using ASPEN HYSYS

A steady state thermodynamic equilibrium model for biomass gasification in atmospheric fluidized bed gasifier was developed using Aspen Hysys version 10. The model addressed the physical properties of the oil palm frond (OPF) and the chemical reaction involved in the process. This chemical reactions is embedded in sequential set of reactors: conversion and equilibrium reactors. Oil palm frond (OPF) decomposition into constituents in the pyrolysis zone is modeled with a pyrolytic yield reactor. The combustion of char and volatiles in the combustion zone were modeled with a conversion and equilibrium reactor respectively. The gasification zone was also modeled with conversion and equilibrium reactor. The models of the gasification process were validated with both experimental data and simulation results from literature. The optimal condition of the process operating parameter like gasification temperature, steam-biomass ration and air-fuel ratio where found to influence the syngas compositions. Increase in temperature increases the hydrogen and carbonmonoxide composition in the syngas. The optimum temperature in the various zones of the gasifier: drying, pyrolysis, and volatile combustion where 300, 500 and 850 respectively and gasification temperature at the three gasifiers(A, B and C) are 940, 207 and 653 respectively. The steam to biomass ratio of 1.11 and air to fuel ratio of 0.104 were the optimal gasification condition. Steam to biomass increase favours the production of H2 and CO2, which also increases the heating value of the synthesis gas. Keywords— Aspen Hysys, Biomass, conversion, gasification, optimum parameters.
Evaluating alluvial stratigraphic response to cyclic and non‐cyclic upstream forcing through process‐based alluvial architecture modelling

Formation of alluvial stratigraphy is controlled by autogenic processes that mix their imprints with allogenic forcing. In some alluvial successions, sedimentary cycles have been linked to astronomically‐driven, cyclic climate changes. However, it remains challenging to define how such cyclic allogenic forcing leads to sedimentary cycles when it continuously occurs in concert with autogenic forcing. Accordingly, we evaluate the impact of cyclic and non‐cyclic upstream forcing on alluvial stratigraphy through a process‐based alluvial architecture model, the Karssenberg and Bridge (2008) model (KB08). The KB08 model depicts diffusion‐based sediment transport, erosion and deposition within a network of channel belts and associated floodplains, with river avulsion dependent on lateral floodplain gradient, flood magnitude and frequency, and stochastic components. We find cyclic alluvial stratigraphic patterns to occur when there is cyclicity in the ratio of sediment supply over water discharge (Qs/Qw ratio), in the precondition that the allogenic forcing has sufficiently large amplitudes and long, but not very long, wavelengths, depending on inherent properties of the modelled basin (e.g. basin subsidence, size, and slope). Each alluvial stratigraphic cycle consists of two phases: an aggradation phase characterized by rapid sedimentation due to frequent channel shifting and a non‐deposition phase characterized by channel belt stability and, depending on Qs/Qw amplitudes, incision. Larger Qs/Qw ratio amplitudes contribute to weaker downstream signal shredding by stochastic components in the model. Floodplain topographic differences are found to be compensated by autogenic dynamics at certain compensational timescales in fully autogenic runs, while the presence of allogenic forcing clearly impacts the compensational stacking patterns.
She’s so vain? A Q study of selfies and the curation of an online self

Selfie posting is now a well-established practice, particularly for young women. However, it is nevertheless much maligned in popular discourses. As a counterpoint to digital narcissism, selfie posting is also constituted as relational. This Q methodological study explored how young women make sense of selfie practices. Twenty-seven young women aged 18–23 sorted a set of statements about selfies into a quasi-normal grid. These sorts were factor analysed to identify shared patterns. Four factors were identified which were subsequently analysed qualitatively, producing a narrative for each. These included (1) ‘Presenting . Me! ’, (2) ‘I am what I am’, (3) ‘Sharing is caring’ and (4) ‘The In-crowd – beautiful and popular’. The complexity of identity curation evidenced in this study highlights the importance of moving beyond both polarised characterisations and the pathologisation of young women selfie takers in order to explicate the interplay between normative femininities and the digital self.
Do Women Need to Have Children in Order to Be Fulfilled? A System Justification Account of the Motherhood Norm

There is a widely held folk belief that a woman needs to have children in order to live a fulfilled life. This article tests whether or not endorsing this folk belief—or the motherhood norm—has an impact on subjective well-being. With data from 49 countries, Study 1 shows that those who endorsed the motherhood norm experienced greater subjective well-being than those who did not, an effect that was especially true in countries with high gender inequality. Study 2 establishes that this norm exaggerates the impact of motherhood on subjective well-being. After accounting for the situation of women’s lives, motherhood status did not explain differences in self-reported life satisfaction, and mothers reported only slightly greater happiness than women who were not mothers. These findings support a series of preregistered hypotheses designed to test the palliative function of endorsing system-justifying norms, though these data may be consistent with other theories.
The yeasts; a taxonomic study

(Chapter Headings) 1. General classification of the Yeasts 2. Methods for the isolation, maintenance, classification and identification of yeasts 3. Discussion of the genera belonging to the ascosporogenous yeasts 4. Discussion of the genera belonging to the basidiosporogenous yeasts 5. Discussion of the genera belonging to the imperfect yeasts 6. Keys to genera and species
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by lymphocytes in rats treated with a common food additive E407a

This research deals with the evaluation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in lymphocytes of rats orally exposed to a thickener and emulsifier E407a (semi-refined carrageenan). There is some evidence that E407a may be toxic and can induce intestinal inflammation. ROS generation in lymphocytes was assessed by flow cytometry using a dye 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA) in 8 rats treated with 140 mg of semi-refined carrageenan per kg of weight daily during two weeks and 8 control animals. A higher number of ROS high viable lymphocytes were found in the group of animals exposed to E407a compared with controls. In addition, mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) in ROS high lymphocytes was elevated, which is indicative of the intensification of ROS production by lymphocytes in response to E407a oral consumption.
Food‐based approach to cancer prevention

We live in a drug-oriented society that is focused principally on disease treatment rather than disease prevention. Disease treatment is the major focus because, rather than taking measures to prevent disease, most U.S. citizens wait until they become ill and expect a drug to be available to cure them. Witness the alarming increase in obesity in U.S. citizens of all ages and the accompanying increases in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer, among other diseases. Or the well-established relationship between smoking and multiple diseases including lung cancer and yet approximately 18% of Americans continue to smoke tobacco. There is a strong economic incentive to develop drugs for disease treatment, and thus it is not surprising that this is themajor focus of our pharmaceutical industry. It is encouraging, however, that in the past several decades more citizens are becoming aware of alternative measures that can be taken to prevent disease including the consumption of foods and nutraceuticals known to have disease preventative properties. In this commentary, I will discuss an alternative approach to the prevention of cancer using foodstuffs. Because research in my laboratory, and those of my colleagues, has been done with berries, I will focus on our experience with berries as an example of a cancer preventative foodstuff. Much of what is said here with berries could well apply to many other commonly consumed foodstuffs. Along with other scientists whose research had been focused on studies to determine how chemicals cause cancer (chemical carcinogenesis), in the 1980s my laboratory changed direction to studies on the use of chemicals to prevent cancer (cancer chemoprevention). The early leaders in the field of chemoprevention, Drs. Lee Wattenberg, Paul Talalay, and Michael Sporn, advanced the field greatly by conducting research with individual compounds, most of which were either naturally occurring in foods or synthetic derivatives of these food compounds (Sporn, 2011; Talalay, Dinkova-Kostova, & Holtzclaw, 2003; Wattenberg, 1997). My laboratory began its studies with the
Movement Ranges and Routes of Black Rockfish Sebastes schlegeli in Summer and Autumn from Acoustic Telemetry

The movement range and diurnal behavior of 17 wild black rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli) were monitored within the marine ranching area of Tongyeong from 27 July to 7 November, 2005 using acoustic telemetry. Coded transmitters were surgically implanted into the abdomen of fish. Two of ten fish released in summer moved about 2 km away from the capture point for 1 day. The others stayed within a 500-m radius of the release point for 1 week after release. The seven fish released in autumn stayed within 500 m of the release point. Most fish were more active and had a greater range of horizontal diurnal movement at night than during the day. Additionally, the range of horizontal diurnal variation was greater in summer than in autumn. While fish released in summer were more vertically active at night than during the day, those released in autumn preferred to move vertically during the day.
Learning Local Structure of Representative Points for Point Cloud Classification and Semantic Segmentation

Directly processing large point clouds is inefficient. State-of-the-art frameworks hierarchically employ Farthest Point Sampling (FPS) to down-sample the data for point cloud classification, semantic segmentation, etc. However, using only geometric information, FPS neglects the importance of semantic information of each point. To solve this problem, we propose a learning-based block, named Representative Points Block (RPB), to select the most representative points of an irregular point cloud according to the task. RPB takes the information of semantic interest of each point into account, and preserves the structure of the point cloud. We construct our network termed RP-Net by performing feature extraction on hierarchical representative points for point cloud classification and semantic segmentation. With further observation that local shape of representative points is different, a graph-based method is used to explore the features of representative points. Experimental results on challenging benchmarks demonstrate that RPB is more efficient and effective than FPS and RP-Net achieves state-of-the-art performance.
Utilization of Halophyte Species as New Sources of Bioactive Substances (THE 1st INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ARID LAND (ICAL 1) "DESERT TECHNOLOGY X (DT X)")

Halophytes grow in a wide variety of saline habitats, from coastal regions, salt marshes and mudflats to inland deserts. In these saline areas, unfavorable environmental conditions increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plants, leading to cellular damage, metabolic disorders, and senescence processes. Halophytes are known for their ability to overcome and quench these toxic ROS, since they are equipped with a powerful antioxidant system. Among them, phenolics have an important effect on oxidative stability and microbial safety. Additionally to their role as antioxidant, these compounds exhibit a wide spectrum of preventive medicinal properties. In this context, several works studied a large flora of Tunisian halophytic species well known for their utilization in traditional medicine and investigated their biochemical composition and biological activities in order to reveal their capacities. For instance, some halophytic species exhibit a higher content of polyphenol between 40 (Suaeda fruticosa) and 200 mg EAG.g -1 MS (Tamarix gallica). Moreover, these halophytes showed a higher activity in each antioxidant system with an IC50 values more interesting than positive control BHT (scavenging ability against DPPH, ABTS and β-carotene bleaching) and BHA (lipid peroxidation inhibition). In addition, some halophytic plant extracts showed appreciable antibacterial properties against pathogen strains and a highest anti-inflammatory activity to inhibit RAW 264.7 macrophages stimulated by (LPS).
Growth, Proline Accumulation and Ionic Relations of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) as Influenced by NaCl and Na2SO4 Salinity

Salinity depresses ion activities, decreases the ratios of plant nutrients to Na and Cl ions, and consecutively suppresses plant growth. The objective of the present study was to distinguish the effects of NaCl and Na2SO4 salinity on the growth, ionic relations and proline accumulation of tomato plants. Tomato plants were grown for two months. Plant growth was reduced, but proline accumulation was enhanced by salinity. Total N and NO3-N content of plants were decreased by both NaCl and Na2SO4 salinity. Sulphur content was not affected by the salt treatments. Salinity caused nutrient imbalances. The Na and Cl contents of plants increased while the K:Na ratio and NO3-N:Cl ratio decreased. In addition, the nutrient uptake rate was depressed by salt treatments. All parameters measured were affected more adversely by Na2SO4 than by NaCl salinity. The depressing effect of Na2SO4 applied during the first month of the growing period was more deleterious than Na2SO4 applied during the second month of the growing period.
Hydranet: A Real-Time Waveform Separation Network

Real-time source separation has become increasingly important, as more and more applications, such as voice recognition and voice commands, require clean audio input in noisy environments. Recent developments in deep learning have allowed models to directly exploit the waveform of the audio, making real-time separation achievable. In this paper, we propose a 1-D convolutional U-Net structure to separate waveform input. This structure incorporates recurrent layers, to exploit longer temporal connections in the audio signal. Our proposed network architecture is also benefiting from the addition of an extra output channel, measuring the distortion of the other output channels. Our proposed methodology is experimentally shown to yield state-of-the-art results, using only 0.76 seconds of input audio.
Mycosphaerella graminicola on wheat : genetic variation and histopathology

The research described in this thesis was focused on a comprehensive understanding of the generation and extent of genetic variation, and its effects on host cultivars in the wheat- Mycosphaerella graminicola pathosystem. Inoculation experiments were conducted in the seedling stage and adult plant stages under field conditions over several years. These experiments encompassed nearly 100 isolates of the pathogen tested on some 50 wheat cultivars. Parametric and non-parametric statistical analyses were employed on large data and very small data sets, and indicated that in all experiments cultivar x isolate interactions were significant. Pathogen isolates originating from bread wheat and durum wheat appeared to be adapted to their hosts, respectively. Molecular analysis of the interternally transcribed spacer regions of isolates from both forms, indicated that these were taxonomically closely related. The inoculation experiments indicated that specificity is an important characteristic of the pathosystem. After having determined the wide genetic variation in the pathosystem, experiments were conducted to elucidate the mating system of the pathogen. The results indicated a bipolar heterothallic mating system and RAPD analyses of progenies showed regular Mendelian inheritance. Furthermore it was shown that the pathogen is able to complete several generative cycles within a season. Hence, genetic recombination appears to be the driving force behind the determined vast genetic variation. Biochemical and histological experiments were conducted involving compatible and incompatible interactions with the host plant in order to elucidate the resistance mechanism of wheat to the pathogen.
Assessing the Scope of Generalized Countermeasures for Anti-Spoofing

Most of the research on anti-spoofing countermeasures are specific to a type of spoofing attacks, where models are trained on data of a particular nature, either synthetic or replay. However, one does not have such leverage as there is no prior knowledge about the kind of spoofing attack in practice. Therefore, there is a requirement to assess the scope of generalized countermeasures for anti-spoofing. The ASVspoof 2019challengecoversboth synthetic as well as replay attacks, which makes the database suitable for such study. In this work, we consider widely popular constant-Q cepstral coefficient features along with two other promising front-ends that capture long-term signal characteristics to assess their scope as generalized countermeasures. Additionally, a comprehensive study is made across different editions of ASVspoof corpora to highlight the need of robust generalized countermeasures in unseen conditions.