Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of multiple disturbances on food web vulnerability to biodiversity loss in detritus-based systems

Global biodiversity is affected by human pressure and climate change, and the present rate of biodiversity loss is probably higher than ever before. Community composition is also changing, and interspecific interactions are under severe pressure. The extinction of one species within a food web can result in further secondary extinctions, due to bottom-up effects that can be even more intense and less predictable than the direct effects of disturbance, undermining our capacity for ecosystem management and conservation. Here we investigated a metric for assessing the structural stability of food webs in the face of species loss, referred to as “Resistance”, based on two fundamental web properties: (1) the proportion of key species in the web, a “key” species being one whose deletion leads to at least one secondary extinction, and (2) the mean number of secondary extinctions observed per key species deletion. We compared web Resistance with web Robustness (Dunne et al. 2002) based on 12 detritus-based riverine food webs under four species extinction scenarios on various temporal and spatial scales. We investigated the effect of multiple disturbances (extreme flood and river basin urbanization) on community vulnerability to biodiversity loss, assessing the behavior of Robustness and Resistance under the applied species extinction scenarios and testing their dependence on web topology. We estimated the contribution of the rarest and the most dominant species, and that of the most and least connected species, to web Resistance. Urbanization negatively affected community vulnerability to biodiversity loss. Only food web Resistance showed a significant flood effect and interaction between flood and urbanization. The most connected species contributed the most to food web resistance, whereas the rarest and the most abundant species had a similar, intermediate structural importance. Both food web Resistance and the role of selected key species varied across web description scales. Food web Resistance values were coherent across species extinction scenarios, demonstrating the suitability of the proposed approach for quantifying community vulnerability to species loss and the importance of considering food webs in monitoring and impact assessment programs. The approach is thus seen to be a promising research pathway supporting ecosystem management.
Accumulation of heavy metals by macroalgae along the Atlantic coast of Morocco between El Jadida and Essaouira

The diversity of anthropic activities generates many effluent containing different pollutants (metals, pesticides) which are responsible of the hydro system quality degradation. Contrary to organics compounds, the metallic species tend to persist indefinitely, accumulating in living tissues through the food chains. On the seashore ultimate receptacle of micropollution, the benthic seaweeds are the ideal target for micro pollution, thanks to their capacity to bind and to accumulate the metallic cations. The present study relate to: - The analysis of specific wealth seaweed on the coast between two cities of El Jadida and Essaouira and the impact of pollution on the seaweed’s diversity. - The assessment of metallic concentration in seaweed thalli and comparison of their affinities toward some metallic elements. - The selection of seaweed species which can accumulate a specific metallic element or more. The results obtained showed that the micropollution has consequences on the diversity of seaweed; it generates quantitative and qualitative modification of seaweed flora. The tested seaweed contains high metallic concentrations which vary according to the element and seaweed specie. These difference affinities of seaweeds can be assigned to nature of the parietal polysaccharides and their proportion of sulphate and carboxyl groups which are involved in ionic exchange and metal sequestration. Some seaweed species have a high capacity to accumulate metallic elements in natural environment. For this reason some species may be used for an effluent treatment process.
Altered membrane permeability in multidrug resistant Escherichia coli isolated from extra-intestinal infections

The study was conducted with the objective of examining the outer membrane proteins and their involvement during the transport of β - lactams in multidrug resistant Escherichia coli isolated from extra-intestinal infections. Also, the response of gram negative bacterial biomembrane alteration was studied using extended spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL) positive strains of E.coli in the presence and absence of stress. Outer membrane protein analysis revealed that multidrug resistance was mediated by loss of porins in the ESBL isolates of E. coli. Parallel to this, the level of outer membrane proteins decreased dramatically with increased antibiotic stress in the isolates. In non-ESBL isolates of E. coli, porins seems to have no influence in co-modulation of resistance.
Comparison of young and elderly patients with rectal cancer in terms of prognostic factors and clinical features: A retrospective analysis

Aim: Rectal Carsinoma (RC) has considerable morbidity, mortality, and highly operational costs. RC is generally known as a disease of the elderly especially beyond the age of 50 years. Nevertheless, the incidence of RC in younger adults (aged ≤50 years) has been increasing widely. Our aim is to evaluate the clinical and histopathological features of the patients under and over 50 years with RC and their contribution to prognosis. Material and Methods: Patients with RC who were treated in our clinic included in the current retrospective designed study, and their data collected including demographics, clinical presentations, histopathological features, disease characteristics, treatment received or not, survival and outcomes. Their variables were compared statistically. Results: This study included 187 RC patients from our General Surgery Clinic. Median age at diagnosis was 62 years (min:26max:88). Lack of perineural invasion significantly affected disease-free survival and overall survival in general (p <0.035-p <0.001). High grade of tumor variable was statistically significant in favor of ≤ 50 years group (p: 0.0082). Conclusion: RC in young-onset is related with poor prognostic factors such as aggressive histological features, high grade and stage tumors. Clinicians should pay more attention and interest to the symptoms and sings of the bowel in younger patients and should not hesitate to perform screening tests such as blood test, or especially rectosigmoidoscopy, etc to be initiate early diagnosis and further treatment.
Additions to Fissuroma and Neoastrosphaeriella (Aigialaceae, Pleosporales) from palms

Recent examination of palm fungi led to the discovery of a group of fissuroma-like taxa, which share the following morphological features: slit-like ascomata, carbonaceous peridium, trabeculate pseudoparaphyses, cylindric-clavate or obclavate asci and fusiform, septate ascospores. Multi-gene phylogenetic analyses based on a combined ITS, LSU, SSU and TEF1-α sequence data support the establishment of Fissuroma palmae sp. nov. and Neoastrosphaeriella phoenicis sp. nov. Fissuroma caryotae and N. aquatica are also recovered as new host records from terrestrial palms. Fissuroma palmae is phylogenetically close to F. caryotae with strong support, but differs from F. caryotae in the appearance of pale brown mature ascospores, and the dimensions of asci and ascospores. Neoastrosphaeriella phoenicis is associated with submerged petioles of Phoenix paludosa in mangroves, providing an insight of a new habitat for Neoastrosphaeriella species. The hyaline to pale brown, fusiform, 1–3-septate, guttulate, verrucose ascospores of N. phoenicis distinguish it from other existing Neoastrosphaeriella species. Additional new taxa and their morphological features, ecological occurrence, as well as phylogenetic circumscription of genera in Aigialaceae are provided and discussed.
Analysis of endemic South African HIV-1 isolates using anti-GP 120 aptamer(s)

iii PUBLICATIONS FROM THIS THESIS . v OTHER PUBLICATIONS NOT RELATED TO THESIS . vi PRESENTATIONS AT MEETINGS . vii OTHER PRESENTATIONS NOT RELATED TO THESIS . x DEDICATION . xi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . xi i TABLE OF CONTENTS . xiv LIST OF FIGURES . xxii LIST OF TABLES . xxv ABBREVIATIONS . xxvi AMINO ACID ABBREVIATIONS . xxvii CHAPTER 1 .
Composição físico-química do mosto e do vinho branco de cultivares de videiras em resposta a porta-enxertos

The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of the rootstocks 'IAC 766 Campinas' and '106‑8 Mgt Riparia do Traviu' on the physicochemical characteristics of must and wine of the 'IAC 116‑31 Rainha', 'IAC 21‑14 Madalena', and 'BRS Lorena' grapevines. Grape must was evaluated for pH, soluble solids (SS), total acidity (TA), and SS/TA ratio. In wine, the following physicochemical analyses were performed: density, alcohol content; total, volatile, and fixed acidity; pH; dry extract; reducing sugars; reduced dry extract; alcohol in weight/reduced dry extract; free and total sulfur dioxide; total polyphenol index (I 280); total polyphenols; flavonoids; and antioxidant activity. Must characteristics of 'IAC 21‑14 Madalena' were not affected by rootstocks; however, the 'IAC 766 Campinas' rootstock promoted higher SS/TA in 'IAC 116‑31 Rainha' must and lower SS/TA in 'BRS Lorena' must. The 'IAC 766 Campinas' and '106‑8 Mgt Riparia do Traviu' rootstocks influenced pH and alcohol content of 'IAC 116‑31 Rainha' wine, the dry extract of 'IAC 21‑14 Madalena' wine, and the fixed acidity of 'BRS Lorena' wine. There was no influence of the rootstocks on the phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of wines.
Evaluation of Phytoseiidae mites and Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) on the control of Tetranychus urticae in Carica papaya L.

In order to evaluate the establishment and biological effectiveness of the predators Phytoseiulus persimilis , Neoseiulus californicus and Chrysoperla carnea on populations of Tetranychus urticae , a trial was established at the farm “La Pola” (with a cumulative precipitation of 445.9 mm), located in the municipality of Roldanillo, Valle del Cauca, Colombia. An experiment was performed under field conditions between September 2017 and May 2018 and using the papaya hybrid Tainung-1 between the stages of vegetative growth and fruit filling. Four treatments were established: T1: 12 releases of P. persimilis and N. californicus ; T2: 10 releases of C. carnea ; T3: treatment with no predator releases (control); and T4: grower’s practice (15 applications of pesticides) in a randomized complete block design with three repetitions per treatment. Samples were collected every eight days by measuring the following variables: infestation percentage, number of fruits/plant, population of T. urticae , P. persimilis , N. californicus , and C. carnea /leaf and the diameter of the stem (every 30 days). The largest T. urticae populations were found in T3 and the lowest ones in T4. The populations of immature and adult T. urticae did not show significant differences between T1 and T2 but there were significant differences between T3 and T4. The variables diameter of the stem, number of leaves per plant, percentage of infestation, and number of fruits per plant showed significant differences between treatments. The T1 and T2 were equal to T3. T4 had the highest number of leaves and fruits per plant. The released predators did not control the populations of the mite T. urticae under the conditions of the present experiment.
Current State and Challenges in the Implementation of Smart Robotic Process Automation in Accounting and Auditing

Technology development has grown rapidly in the last decades and gained importance for accounting and auditing through its identified potentials. Particularly the automation of judgment systems and systems that require human intervention, are deemed to be more relevant to confront a transformation through Robotic Process Automation (RPA). During the continuous development, the augmentation of such systems through Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents a greenfield project with high expectations. However theoretical frameworks have not yet been elaborative and sufficient to capture how such deployments can be conducted. Addressing this research gap, this study presents a summarized overview of the transforming RPA ecosystem and indicates what challenges are critical to being confronted for a successful implementation of such systems in accounting and auditing.
Evaluation of different toxicants against Xanthomonas campestrispv. citri (Hasse) dows

Toxicants (Streptomycin sulphate Dithane M-45, Agrimycin – 100, Vitavax, Benlate and Cobox) were tested at 1% concentration against multiplication of Xanthomonas campestris pv. citri in vitro. Agrimycin –100, Streptomycin sulphate, Vitavax, and Dithane M – 45 proved more effective as compared to other toxicants. Agrimycin –100, Streptomycin sulphate DithaneM-45 and Vitavax were further studied in vitro against the growth of Xanthomonas campestris pv. citri at 0.01 , 0.1 and 1% concentration. All the toxicants inhibited the multiplication of the bacterium at all concentrations, however Streptomycin sulphate was found to be the most effective among the toxicants used while Agrimycin –100, Vitavax and Dithane M –45, in the order, were effective against the multiplication of bacterium at 0.01, 0.1 and 1% concentration. The inhibition zone recorded in the toxicants was increased. Streptomycin sulphate, Agrimycin – 100, Vitavax, Dithane M –45 and Benlate at 0.2% concentration were sprayed on the field grown citrus plants and then inoculated with Xanthomonas campestris pv. citri for control of citrus canker disease. Streptomycin sulphate, Vitavax, Dithane M –45 and Agrimycin –100 in the order proved effective also in reducing the disease intensity as compared to inoculated control.
Phylogenetic analysis of the leafhopper genus Apogonalia (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) and comments on the biogeography of the Caribbean islands

A phylogenetic analysis of the leafhopper genus Apogonalia was conducted based on a matrix of 40 terminal taxa and 147 morphological characters. The analysis yielded 1391 equally most-parsimonious trees, which do not support the monophyly of Apogonalia in the strict consensus. A successive weighting procedure yielded 62 trees in which the genus appeared as a monophyletic group. The strict consensus of these 62 trees is almost entirely dichotomous, showing only two polytomies. The test of phylogenetic integrity was applied for distinct variations of three species: A. germana, A. sanguinipes, and A. histrio. Only for the first species was the conjecture that its variations belong to the same entity corroborated. The best-supported clade within Apogonalia, which has several synapomorphies and high branch support indices, comprises nine Antillean endemic species. This distributional pattern probably was originated by vicariance in the Late Cretaceous, when the Proto-Antillean archipelago was pushed north-eastward by the Caribbean Plate to become the modern Greater Antilles.
Soil microbial properties under different management systems in soybean production

The aim of the study was to examine the effects of management practice on microbial properties of soil under soybean production. The study included 180 samples of soil under certified organic soybean production and 80 samples in conventional production system. An abundance of the examined microbial groups was assessed using the indirect dilution method, followed by plating of soil suspension on different selective media, while dehydrogenase and ? -glucosidase activity was measured spectrophotometrically. Our data indicated that the management practice affected the structure and activity of microbial com? munities. A significant positive effect of organic farming on Azotobacter spp. , free N-fixers and abundance of actinomycetes was identified. The influence of management system for the total number of bacteria, ammonifiers and fungi was not observed. Significantly higher dehydrogenase and ? -glucosidase activity was recorded in the soils under organic farming compared to the conventional farming. The obtained results showed an increase in organic matter content, associated with organic soil management, and its positive correlation with soil microbial properties.
Effect of Nicosulfuron Dosages and Timing on the Postemergence Control of Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) in Corn1

Cogongrass is an aggressive perennial weed, which causes severe yield losses in major crops of the moist savanna of West Africa. Field studies were conducted from 2000 to 2002 at Alabata and Ilorin, Nigeria, to evaluate the influence of dosage and time of nicosulfuron application on the control of cogongrass and corn grain yield. Nicosulfuron dosages were 50, 100, 150, and 200 g ai/ha applied 1, 2, 3, or 4 wk after planting (WAP) corn. Hand-weeded and nonweeded treatments were the controls. Three to 4 wk after treatment and at final harvest, all plots that received nicosulfuron had significantly lower cogongrass shoot dry matter (DM) than the nonweeded control across locations in all years (P ≤ 0.01). Nicosulfuron increased corn grain yield at Alabata by 96% in 2000, 100% in 2001, and 34 to 54% in 2002, and at Ilorin by 79 to 83% in 2001 and 60 to 69% in 2002 when compared with the nonweeded control. The weeded control had corn grain yield similar to plots that received nicosulfuron at 200 g/ha at Alabata in 2001, 150 g/ha at Ilorin in 2001, 50 to 200 g/ha at Alabata in 2002, and 150 and 200 g/ha at Ilorin in 2002. There were negative linear relationships between corn DM, grain yield, and cogongrass shoot DM. Application of nicosulfuron at 1 or 2 WAP, when cogongrass was 22 to 27 cm tall, gave better grain yield and lower cogongrass shoot DM than at 3 or 4 WAP, when cogongrass was 36 to 45 cm tall. The study concludes that 150 to 200 g/ha of nicosulfuron applied at 1 or 2 WAP is effective for cogongrass control without adverse effect on corn grain yield. Nomenclature: Nicosulfuron; cogongrass, Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv. #3 IMPCY; corn, Zea mays L. Additional index words: Crop injury, sulfonylurea herbicide, weed competition. Abbreviations: DM, dry matter; WAP, weeks after planting; WAT, weeks after treatment.
Two new troglobitic species of the genus Telema (Araneae, Telemidae) from Guizhou, southwestern China

Two new species of Telema are described, from caves in Xinyi City and Cheheng County, Guizhou, southwestern China: T. feilong sp. nov., T. zhewang sp. nov. Male and female genitalia and other taxonomically important characters are illustrated. Some comparisons are made between these species and similar taxa. In addition, some notes on their ecology and the distribution of Chinese Telema are also presented. Telema are recorded from three scattered localities, Hunan Province, Guizhou Province and Hannan Province, in China.
Toxic Effects of Ni 2+ on Growth of Cowpea (Vigna

Despite the importance of Ni-polluted soils throughout the world, comparatively little is known about the activity of Ni 2+ required to reduce plant growth and the effects that Ni 2+ toxicity has on the plant. Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. cv Caloona) was grown in dilute nutrient solutions to investigate the effect of Ni 2+ activity on shoot and root growth. A Ni 2+ activity of 1.4 μM was found to cause a 10 % reduction in the relative fresh mass of the root and shoots. The primary site of Ni 2+ toxicity was the shoots, with the younger leaves displaying an interveinal chlorosis (possibly a Niinduced Fe deficiency) at Ni 2+ activities ≥ 1.7 μM. Lateral root formation was inhibited in the two highest Ni 2+ treatments (3.3 and 5.1 μM), and the roots growing at the highest Ni 2+ activity were short and stubby and brown in color. However, no other symptoms of toxicity were observed on the roots at lower Ni 2+ activities.
Differentiation in the Lipid Quality of Wild and Farmed Seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus aurata)

The elements of differentiation that characterize the quality of the lipid fraction of wild and farmed sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and gilthead gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) were investigated, Reared fish of etther speches had a total lipid content significantly higher than the wild counterparts. Liquid chromatography of unssposiflahle lipids showed, on a lipid gram hasis, higher cholesterol levels in wild fish and comparable amounts of squnlene, all-trans retinol, and α-tocopherol. Gas chromatography of total lipids revealed differences between the fatty acid profiles of wild and reared fish.
Management of abnormal Pap smears in reproductive age group

Background: Human Papilloma Virus has garnered a great deal of attention in the gynaecologic literature over the past decade, primarily as it relates to abnormal pap smears. Cervical cancer is the leading cause of death in women in developing countries like India. It is preventable by regular screening by Pap smear and can be detected at pre-invasive stage. Thus, reducing the morbidity and mortality related with cervical cancers. Objective: This study aims at detecting the prevalence and current trends of various epithelial cell abnormalities (ECAs) in females of reproductive age group in a medical college hospital. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted in a medical college hospital between August 2017 and July 2019. A total of 6,104 cases comprising 4,880 conventional and 1224 liquidbased cytology Pap smears were included in the study. Clinical data and history of the patients were retrieved. All cases were reported according to Bethesda system 2014. Results: Among 6,104 cases, 163 Pap smears were unsatisfactory, 5816 Pap smears were negative for intraepithelial lesion/malignancy, and 124 cases had ECA. Conclusion: The Pap smear has traditionally been the test we use to help screen patients for dysplasia. Over the past decade, additional tests which can detect oncogenic HPV have become commonplace and are now often performed in conjunction with pap smears. Large hospital-based studies are required for proper implementation of health services and for the selection of a feasible as well as sensitive screening test for early detection of cervical dysplasia which can be helpful in decreasing the burden of cervical cancer in our community.
A comparison of the growth patterns and the competitive ability of four annual weeds

Quatre adventices annuelles (Avena sterilis, Bromus diandrus, Galium tricornutum et Veronica hederifolia) ont ete comparees du point de vue des effets de et des reponses a la concurrence entre elles, en conditions de serre et en plein air. Les deux graminees ont eu les memes effets de concurrence, toujours superieurs a ceux dus aux deux dicotyledones. Dans toutes les experiences, A. fatua a ete l'espece la plus competitive et V. hederifolia la moins competitive. En termes de reaction, A. sterilis a montre la tolerance la plus grande a la concurrence, suivie de B. diandrus, V, hederifolia et G. tricornutum. Les correlations entre le rang selon l'effet de la concurrence et le rang selon la reponse a la concurrence ont ete faibles. Les especes qui reduisent le plus la croissance chez leurs voisines n'ont pas toujours ete les moins affectees par la presence des plantes concurrentes. Les hierarchies de concurrence observees ne sont pas tres bien correlees avec les parametres des adventices en debut de saison. Le seul trait qui presente une certaine correlation avec les effets de la concurrence est le poids de la graine. Cependant, la reaction a la concurrence semble etre bien correlee avec la biomasse et la surface foliaire mesurees en debut de croissance des plantes.