Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SUR LES CULTURES, LES ESPACES ET LES SOCIÉTÉS

In Gedeo Country, southern Ethiopia, the tumulus of Tuto Fela has yielded two groups of steles, some phallic and some anthropomorphic. The latter belong to a monument formed by the successive addition of the tombs of which they are the markers. The phallic steles, which could have been re-employed for this use, originate from an earlier period of the monument characterized by tombs dug into the substratum. This first period has been dated to between the 11 th and the 13 th centuries AD. It was possible to verify some of the hypotheses proposed for Tuto Fela through the study of the neighboring site of Chelba Tutitti, which has phallic steles only.
Sex Differences in the Heart Rate Variability Spectrum of Free-Swimming Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.) during the Spawning Season

Heart rates were telemetered from male and female adult salmon (Salmo salar L.) when they were ascending a river to spawn. In this specific period, males had higher heart rates than females, reflecting the higher activity levels and higher metabolic rates of the males. Analysis of the beat-to-beat intervals (using the heart rate variability spectrum) revealed a single spectral peak that differed between sexes, with males displaying a spectral peak at lower frequencies than females even when the heart rate was the same. The dual spectral peak observed in higher vertebrates and in some other studies in fish was not found. It is suggested that the single spectral peak is related to the activity of the blood pressure control loop. In this framework, the gender spectral differences could be explained by a differential vascular reactivity related to different sex steroid concentrations in plasma. Spectral analysis of beat-to-beat intervals is extensively used to understand short-term control of heart rate in mammals; this study indicates that it can also be applied to free-living fish to understand neural cardiovascular regulation.
Benthic species diversity and sediment composition: Comment on Compton et al. (2008)

Compton et al. (2008; Mar Ecol Prog Ser 373:25�35) presented data on the number of bivalve species encountered in small core samples (0.02 m 2 ) taken in various tidal flat areas, and they used these numbers to draw conclusions on relationships between sediment type and local species richness. We argue that their samples were too small, when used on their own, to yield realistic estimates of macrozoobenthic diversity. Small samples represent merely those few spe- cies that usually occur in high numerical densities. Only 2 of the ~10 bivalve species commonly found on European tidal flats belong to this group.
Significant questions in predicting room air motion

Based on a state-of-the-art review, some computational results, and experimental data, a few questions one usually encounters in numerical simulation of room air movement are discussed in this paper. The following conclusions can be drawn: the standard k-E model is still the most appropriate detailed model used in computing room airflows; the standard k-E model may correctly predict turbulent air motion in a room if the thermal and flow boundary conditions are provided properly; it is difficult to predict unstable airflow and airflows with multiple solutions; the wall function method is not suitable for predicting heat exchange coefficient near a wall; many complex diffusers could be numerically simulated by a number of approximated methods.
A French family study of two groups of alcoholic men

Summary Alcoholic and psychiatric family history were investigated in two groups of alcoholics, recruited differently, and controls. Alcoholics with or without a family history of alcoholism (AFH + and AFH − ) were compared with regard to professional qualifications, personal psychiatric history, age at onset and reasons given for becoming alcoholic. The results can be summarized as follows: the family ‘aggregate’ of alcoholism found was independent of the recruitment. This was not the case for personal psychiatric history for which a gradient was found in the two alcoholic groups. Rates of alcoholism were higher in both the first and second degree relatives. Alcoholics with AFH+ and AFH− differed significantly with regard to inducement by profession, and tended to differ as to age of onset.
Feasibility of FRP Molded Grating-Concrete Composites for One-Way Slab Systems

This paper describes the behavior of one-way concrete slabs reinforced with Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) molded grating. FRP molded grating is commercially available and is mainly used to build walkways to be used in corrosive conditions. The modulus of elasticity of the FRP grating alone is relatively low thus, limiting the service load at a small fraction of the ultimate load. Adding a layer of concrete to the FRP grating significantly increases the stiffness of the system, where the FRP grating functions as reinforcement for the concrete. As a result, the allowable load for a given maximum deflection is considerably increased. It has been found in previous tests, though, that the concrete-grating composite has shown the potential to fail in shear. If the FRP grating-concrete composite is to be used as part of one-way slab systems, the potential shear failure needs to be resolved. This paper shows the results of tests on wide concrete beams reinforced with FRP grating in which the shear span-to-depth ratio was varied to enforce different types of failure. Some test specimens were provided with additional vertical reinforcement to increase their shear capacity. The FRP grating-concrete composite beams with shear span-to-depth (a/d) ratios greater than 7.7 failed by crushing of the concrete in the compression zone. Diagonal tension failure occurred in the specimens with a/d ratios smaller than 5. The particular FRP and steel studs used in the tests reported herein were not very effective in preventing the diagonal tension failure.
Downstream effectors of cyclic adenosine monophosphate signalling in Trypanosoma brucei

African trypanosomiasis is caused by a unicellular eukaryote that parasitizes multicellular organisms and causes medically and economically important diseases in humans (Human African Trypanosomiasis) and their domestic animals (African Animal Trypanosomiasis). Incidence is currently declining due to the application of present chemotherapy, although the drugs are old, toxic, difficult to administer and in some cases expensive, and of diminishing efficacy due to resistance. However, this trend needs to be sustained with the discovery of new compounds active against the resistant strains. These new treatment options must meet the current pharmacological requirements, must be parasite specific and must be relatively cheap to produce. Pharmacological manipulation of phosphodiesterases (PDEs), which hydrolyse cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate (cAMP), have been extensively studied in humans and found to have great therapeutic effect. Kinetoplastid genomes code for the same set of cyclic nucleotide-specific class 1-type phosphodiesterases, with catalytic domains similar to those of human PDEs. The locus of Trypanosoma brucei PDEB1/2 was found to be essential, by either genetic manipulation or the use of the pharmacological inhibitor CpdA, but therapeutic exploitation of TbPDEB1 has so far been hampered by its catalytic domain similarity to human PDEs. However, investigating the unique downstream cAMP signalling cascade, which includes the recently identified cAMP Response Proteins (CARPs), could reveal potentially new trypanosome-specific therapeutic targets. In this study we show that single knockout (sKO) of the CARP genes causes a decreased susceptibility to CpdA, and that null mutants of CARP2-4 display significantly increased intracellular and extracellular cAMP levels. A double knockout (dKO) of CARP2 also shows a significant growth defect. Conversely, overexpression of CARP3 causes a growth delay in both WT s427 and CpdA resistant (R0.8) cells, when exposed to CpdA, and were more sensitive to CpdA compared to other CARP overexpressing cells as well as the WT s427 and R0.8 controls. These cells also have significantly higher intracellular and extracellular cAMP levels relative to the control lines and the other CARP overexpressors. In the cells overexpressing CARP3, whether WT s427 or R0.8, the cellular content
The dexamethasone suppression test in bulimic outpatients without major depression

Summary Recent studies have examined the effectiveness of the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) in the evaluation of bulimia. In a series of 18 female bulimic outpatients without major depression, 9 (50%) failed to suppress on the DST. No significant difference was found between suppressors and nonsuppressors in personal and family histories of affective disorder, levels of anxious and depressive symptoms, psychoactive substance abuse, and severity of abnormal eating-related behaviours. In contrast, non-suppression was significantly associated with low weight. There is a trend to differentiate non-suppressors from suppressors in the current diagnosis of anorexia nervosa and in past history of anorexia nervosa. Seven patients received fluvoxamine for 8 weeks. Five patients were suppressors and showed a significant decrease in the frequency of their binges while the 2 non-suppressors did not improve. These preliminary results suggest that DST non-suppression might be typical of bulimic patients with anorexia nervosa and that pretreatment DST results might predict the response of bulimic behaviour to treatment with fluvoxamine.
Chemical parameters and bacterial communities associated with larval habitats of Anopheles, Culex and Aedes mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in western Kenya

Aquatic larval habitat conditions influence the development, fitness and vectorial capacity of mosquitoes. In turn, human activities can influence these conditions and shape mosquito vector distribution, thus affecting pathogen circulation and transmission. We measured environmental factors (chemical and microbial) in mosquito larval habitats and evaluated their potential as predictors for the occurrence of different mosquito species in an arbovirus and malaria endemic region of western Kenya. We found significantly greater proportions of Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae in ammonium and phosphate rich habitats, suggesting that fertilizer usage could potentially increase aquatic habitat suitability and Aedes vectored disease transmission. Anopheles gambiae larval habitats correlated significantly with higher temperatures. However, none of the Culex species’ habitats correlated with investigated variables, indicating greater larval plasticity compared to Aedes or Anopheles. Profiling of bacterial communities by 16S rRNA pyrosequencing revealed Proteobacteria, Bacterioidetes and Firmicutes as the major bacteria phyla present in mosquito aquatic microhabitats. Although there were no correlations between microbiota composition or diversity and larval species abundance, the dominant genera of microbes detected in larval habitats were reported in larval and adult mid-guts, suggesting that bacteria acquired from the larval habitats are transmitted to adult stages. This study identified the chemical and bacterial composition of aquatic microhabitats that are conducive to the development of different mosquito vectors in western Kenya. This information can inform potential vector control strategies by assessing management of breeding sites based on likely exposure to fertilizer, light and bacterial fauna.
Expression of SD0803 Strain from Pig and Preparation of Antibodies E2 Protein of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus SD0803 Strain

To provide the method for detecting the bovine viral diarrhea virus from pig,sE2 gene,which removed C-terminal transmernbrane of E2 gene of BVDV SD0803 isolate,sE2 protein and anti-sE2 antibody were prepared.sE2 gene,which was amplified from SD0803 strain by PCR,was cloned into pGEX-4T-1 and transformed into BL21(DE3). After induction with IPTG,the recombinant protein was obtained.Rabbits were immunized with the purified protein as antigen,and antiserum was acquired.The polyclonal antibodies were analyzed by indirect ELISA,Western blot and indirect immunofluorescence assay.The antiserum titer was determined by indirect ELISA,and was 1∶256 000.The results of Western blot and indirect immunofluorescence assay confirmed the antibodies reacted specifically with the protein expressed.A recombinant SD0803 sE2 protein and the specific antibodies were obtained.
Application of essential oils of thyme as a natural preservative in leather tanning

The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of using essential oils of Thymus vulgaris as an alternative preservative for chromed leather. The differences between the chemical composition of commercial and pure essential oils of thyme were determined. It was observed that these differences have an influence on the antibacterial activity of essential oils. Gram-positive bacteria were found to be more sensitive to the essential oils of thyme than Gram-negative bacteria. The bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa had a low sensitivity to the action of the selected essential oils of thyme, but the leather samples treated with the essential oils of thyme remained resistant to the action of these bacteria. As the main result of this study, it was concluded that the essential oil of thyme could be used as a preservation agent in the leather tanning industry. The leather preserved with 2-(thiocyanomethylthio)benzothiazole had weaker protection after four weeks compared to the samples treated with the essential oil of thyme when the amount of the used essential oil was not less than 3% of the wet-blue mass. The essential oil of thyme was the more active component in the mixture of essential oil and synthetic biocide used for the preservation of leather.
MIXED-EFFECTS MODELS FOR PREDICTING EARLY HEIGHT GROWTH OF FOREST TREES PLANTED IN SARAWAK, MALAYSIA

,the linear model H = (β 0 + b 0 ) + (β 1 + b 1 ) D 10 indicated the best fit for all five species. Availability of height growth model helps in the early stage of species selection, whereby height growth is a dominant factor in choosing a species for rehabilitation programme, thus ensuring high species productivity and increased financial viability of the programme.
Combining ability for grain quality characters in indica/indica hybrids of rice

Eighteen indica/indica hybrids developed by crossing three lines with six testers were screened for various grain quality traits to assess the combining ability of the parents. For head rice recovery, the crosses involving IR 58025A with MTU 9992 and KMR-3, IR 62829A with MTU 9992 and IR 29723 and IR 68886A with IR 40750R and IR 21567 showed significant positive specefic combining ability (sca) effects. For kernel length, IR 58025A and IR 68886A among lines and MTU 9992 and IR 21567 among testers showed positive significant general combining ability (gca) effects. The magnitude of s2gca/s2sca revealed the predominance of nonadditive genetic variance for most of the quality characters. For gel consistency, IR 62829A among lines and Ajaya R and IR 40750 R among testers registered significant positive gca effects indicating them to be good general combiners for obtaining hybrids with soft gel consistency. The predominance of non-additive component for most of the quality characters of economic importance offers considerable scope for exploitation of hybrid vigour through heterosis or hybridization and selection.
Tracheid morphology and pulp and paper strength traits of Pinus taeda and P. patula at age 17 years in South Africa

Wood samples from 17-year-old trees grown in South Africa indicated slight differences between the two species for pulp strength, paper strength, and tracheid characteristics. Correlations between tracheid characteristics and pulp and paper strength traits indicated that no single tracheid measure could account for more than 50% of the observed variation. Thus, direct testing of the wood by the use of micropulping is preferred for the species, age, and site conditions evaluated in this study.
Effect of planting date and nitrogen level on grain yield of hybrid rice

An experiment was conducted to find out grain yield and nitrogen uptake by hybrid rice under different planting dates and N levels during 2007 and 2008. The hybrid rice planted on July 1 or July 15 had significantly higher grain yield and N uptake. Delayed planting between August 1 and August 16 significantly reduced the grain yield to the extent of 21.1% and 36.4%, respectively compared with planting of July 1. Number of effective tillers, grains panicle−1, test weight, grain yield, N concentration and uptake by grain and straw increased significantly with increasing levels of N from 60 to 120kg ha−1.
Biodiversity and antimicrobial activity of endophytes associated with Egyptian medicinal plants

One-hundred and thirty-two endophytic strains were isolated from 18 medicinal plants from Saint Katherine Protectorate, Egypt. Some of the endophytes were identified to genus or species level using traditional morphological methods, but most were classified as sterile mycelia. The relative frequency, isolation rate, and colonization rates of endophytes were used to express the diversity of endophytes. Most endophyte isolates were obtained from Euphorbia sanctae-catharinae (15 isolates). Galium sinaicum yielded the greatest endophytic diversity with eight taxa while Thymus decussates yielded only one taxon. Mycelia sterilia and Acremonium species were the dominant fungal endophytes, and some of these endophytes exhibited host specificity. Fifty-five of 99 tested endophytes showed a broad spectrum of inhibitory activity against different pathogenic bacteria and yeasts.
Understory plant assemblages present distinct short-term responses to the clear-cutting of an old-growth spruce forest near an alpine timberline

Forest clear-cutting is a prominent disturbance influencing understory plant communities. We implemented a before-after, control-impact (BACI) designed experiment in a high-elevation, old-growth spruce forest in the eastern Tibetan Plateau to understand the response in cover and species richness of the understory plant community and its assemblages, as well as the driving roles of environmental alteration (e.g., radiation, temperature, humidity, and nutrients), physical disturbance (e.g., direct damage by trampling and tree-felling), and interplay effects (e.g., shading or burial from logging residue) during a 2-year period. The decrease in cover for the understory vegetation was predominantly due to a decrease in bryophytes; the grass cover, however, increased. While bryophyte species richness decreased, the total number of understory and vascular plants changed minimally. Furthermore, the environmental alteration drove the increase in grass cover, as well as the cover and species richness decline for bryophytes and its two species groups. It was also found that physical disturbances and interplay effects caused the decrease in cover for bryophytes. The total effects influenced the understory community and bryophytes in terms of cover, but not in terms of species richness. We conclude that the short-term responses of understory vegetation to clear-cutting are distinct across different assemblages due to various mechanisms. Bryophytes are more sensitive than vascular plants, and cover percentage responded more swiftly than species richness to clear-cutting.
ENCEPHALOMYOCARDITIS VIRUS: EPIZOOTIC IN A ZOOLOGICAL COLLECTION

Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) was isolated from eight nonhuman primates, one Thomson's gazelle (Gazella thomsoni), and one dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) that died peracutely between January 1985 and October 1987 at Audubon Park Zoo, New Orleans, Louisiana. Gross pathology consisted of excessive pericardial fluid, epicardial hemorrhages, and pale foci within the myocardium. Microscopic changes included myofiber necrosis, edema, and mononuclear cell infiltration within the myocardium. Anti-EMCV antibody was found in a variety of species including a capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), which subsequently died of a necrotizing myocarditis but from which virus was not isolated. Although one hospital staff member had a high anti-EMCV antibody titer, all primate keepers were seronegative. Encephalomyocarditis virus was recovered from 38 wild rodents, one opossum (Didelphis virgi niana), and one rabbit (Sylvilagus sp.) collected on the zoo grounds. Fifty-five percent of the positive samples were found in areas where confirmed deaths had occurred or antibody-positive animals were housed. A killed vaccine was developed and administered to six domestic cats, 12 primates, and one camel. Antibody response to vaccination was variable.
A Cytotaxonomic Study of the Round Whitefishes, Genus Prosopium

The karyotypes for Prosopium spilonotus, P. abyssicola and P. gemmiferum (subfamily Coregoninae, family Salmonidae), the Bear Lake endemics (Utah-Idaho), were determined from squashed blastulae. Their diploid numbers are 74, 72 and 64, respectively. These data plus those from the karyotypes previously determined on the other species in this genus (P. coulteri, 2n = 82; P. cylindraceum, 2n = 78; P. williamsoni, 2n = 78) were assessed along with morphological characters to propose a phylogeny for these fishes. It appears that there was a common ancestor for P. cylindraceum and P. williamsoni. P. williamsoni gave rise to the Bear Lake forms with lower diploid numbers by means of Robertsonian translocations. P. coulteri would represent a specialized form in this genus which was derived early within the phylogeny of this taxon.
Contribution of High-Resolution Manometry in Normal Endoscopic Dysphagia

Introduction: Dysphagia is a common reason for gastroenterology consultation. Esophageal manometry is recommended for the exploration of dysphagia, when gastroscopy is normal and esophageal biopsies are negative. The advent of highresolution manometry (HRM) has led to the development of a new classification of esophageal motor disorders. The goal of this study is to evaluate the frequency and identify the type of esophageal motor disorders in dysphagic patients with normal upper digestive endoscopy. Materials and Methods: 141 patients with dysphagia with normal upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, negative esophageal biopsies and HRM were included. Esophageal motor disorders have been identified according to the Chicago classification. Results: HRM was pathological in 87 cases (61.7%). It revealed achalasia in 74 patients (52.5%). It was a type I achalasia in 23 patients (16.3%), type II in 44 patients (31.2%) type III in 7 cases (5%). It showed motor disorders that could correspond to scleroderma in 6 patients (4.2%), obstruction of the oesogastric junction in 4 cases (2.8%), and a jackhammer oesophagus in 3 cases (2.1%). HRM was normal in 54 patients (38.3%). Conclusion: The HRM of the esophagus represents an undeniable progress in the exploration of the motor system of the esophagus, mainly dysphagia with normal endoscopy. Achalasia, which can now be classified into 3 types according to HRM results, remains the most frequently found primary motor disorder.