Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Correlative topography by Krigging - a useful method to study intra-group biometrical differentiation

Busse P. 1999. Correlativetopography by Krigginga useJul method to study intra-group biometrical differentiation. Ring 21, 2: 145-159. An idea to combineresultsof some bird measurements in studies on biometrical differentiation of migrating birds is one of the bases of the Operation Baltic working methods. The first attempt to use correlation tables of two measurements has been already published in 1968 (Busse 1968). The method of application of drawing methods originated from the geographical topography was proposed there and it was called "correlative topography". However, calculations required in the analysis were very time consuming, although rather simple. Now appropriate computer software is available. This paper is a presentation of the contemporary possibilities of the method. The method requires a set of measurements of two bird size parameters, as e.g. wing-lcngth and tail-length, taken from the same individuals. These data arranged into a two-dimension array make the basic data for all following procedures. The basic pIane (X and Y coordinates) are measured parameters while the third dimension (Z axis) gives num bers representing defined combination of measurements that are X and Y values. Then these data are presented on the surface as the isolines connecting points with the same values of Z frequencies. Thc mcthod enablcs to study internal biometrical differentiation of groups of birds defined by means of seasonal migration pattern analysis, collected at different ringing stations or selected with the use of other methods of bird migration studies. This method can give, at 1east, genera! orientation in size of intra-gro up differentiation and make aware of unsound assumptions as to homogeneity of sampIes studied. p. Busse, Bird Migration Research Station, University of Gdansk, Przebendowo, 84-210 Choczewo, Poland; e-mail: busse@univ.gda. pl
THE INFLUENCE OF LARGE, VEGETATED TERMITARIA AND LARGE HERBIVORES ON SPIDER (ARANEAE) DIVERSITY IN MIOMBO WOODLANDS

This study reports on spider species richness, abundance, and spider species community composition, in relation to differing herbivore impacts in miombo woodlands that have large vegetated termitaria. The chosen woodlands formed a gradient of herbivore impacts from Chizarira National Park that had high herbivore impacts mostly due to the presence of elephants, to Chivero Game Park that had intermediate herbivore impacts and no elephant population, and to the Chivero Bird Sanctuary that had minimal herbivore impacts. Pitfall traps were used to sample spiders on the large termite mounds and in the adjacent woodland matrix, and these spiders were consequently classified into morpho-species. In order to explain any differences in spider species richness, abundance, and spider species community composition the habitat structure was characterized through measuring ground cover, aerial cover, and woody plant species richness. The Welch two sample t-test revealed no significant differences in spider abundance between termite mounds and the woodland matrix in the Bird Sanctuary, a higher abundance in the woodland matrix in the Chivero Game Park, and a higher abundance on the termite mounds in the Chizarira National Park. The same results were observed with spider richness except for a higher richness in the woodland matrix in the Bird Sanctuary. Generalized linear models showed that no single environmental variable was responsible for observed patterns in spider abundance and richness in all the study areas. Instead, it was established that various variable interactions (of different orders) of the aerial cover, ground cover, woody plant richness, and site (termite mounds/woodland matrix) influence spider richness and abundance differently, with the number of interactions increasing across the herbivore impact gradient, from the least impacted (the Bird Sanctuary) to the most impacted (Chizarira National Park). The importance of termite mounds in determining spider diversity also seemed to increase across this gradient. Non metric multi-dimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis revealed different spider species community composition on termite mounds and in the surrounding woodland matrix, and this difference increased from the lowest herbivore impact area to the highest, with distinct spider assemblages being realized in the most impacted woodland. It was therefore concluded that termite mounds are not hotspots for the diversity of ground spiders as they are to other animals, but rather act as refugia for ground dwelling spiders in highly impacted miombo woodlands.
Inositol and Rhizopine Metabolism - Key Pathways for Competitive Host Nodulation in Sinorhizobium Meliloti

The nitrogen-fixing symbiont of alfalfa, Sinorhizobium meliloti, is able to use myoinositol as the sole carbon source. Putative inositol catabolism genes (iolA, iolRCDEB) have been identified in the S. meliloti genome based on their similarities with the Bacillus subtilis iol genes. In this study, functional mutational analysis revealed that the iolA and iolCDEB genes were required for growth not only with the myo-isomer, but also for growth with scylloand D-c/zzVo-inositol as the sole carbon source. An additional, hypothetical dehydrogenase of the IdhA/MocA/GFO family encoded by the smcOII63 gene was found to be essential for growth with scylloinositol, whereas the idhA-encoded myo-inositol dehydrogenase was responsible for the oxidation of D-c/zzVo-inositol. The putative regulatory iolR gene, located upstream of iolCDEB, encodes a repressor of the iol genes, negatively regulating the activity of the myoand the scy/Zo-inositol dehydrogenases. Mutants with insertions in the iolA, smcOI163, and individual iolRCDE genes could not compete against the wild type in a nodule occupancy assay on alfalfa plants. Thus, a functional inositol catabolic
Phylogeography, introgression, and population structure of the eastern North American birches Betula alleghaniensis, B. papyrifera, and B. lenta

This study examines phylogeography, population genetics, and introgression in birches (Betula spp.) of eastern North America with a specific focus on B. papyrifera Marsh. , B. alleghaniensis Britt. , and B. lenta L. Betula papyrifera (2n=56, 70, 84)occupies a wide variety of habitats across the transcontinental boreal zone and into northeastern temperate forests. Betula alleghaniensis (2n=84) is a mesophytic species occurring from southeastern Canada and New England to the southern Appalachians. Betula lenta (2n=28) is endemic to the Appalachian region of the United States, where it occurs primarily on moist, cool sites. Phylogeographic analyses based on chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) markers were used for inferring locations of glacial refugia and patterns of post-glacial migration. Nuclear microsatellite markers were used for investigating allelic richness, gene diversity, and genetic structure of populations of each species. The haplotype sharing among species was examined to elucidate patterns of cpDNA introgression, and nuclear microsatellite allele sharing was investigated to determine the incidence of nuclear genomic introgression. The cpDNA analyses revealed phylogeographic structuring of eastern and western populations of B. alleghaniensis and B. papyrifera suggesting postglacial colonization from separate refugia. The geographically structured patterns of regional cpDNA haplotype sharing between B. alleghaniensis and B. papyrifera suggest widespread introgression between species during the postglacial recolonization. In contrast, cpDNA markers were monomorphic in B. lenta and no haplotype sharing between B. lenta and other species were detected. Nuclear microsatellite data revealed low levels of population genetic substructure in each of the species with significant differentiation at larger spatial scales due to isolation by distance. The low level of population differentiation over relatively long distances probably reflects the long distance pollen and seed dispersal of these species. The analysis of nuclear microsatellite allele-sharing revealed that despite moderate to high proportions of shared alleles, each of the species was significantly genetically differentiated. No strong evidence of genetic introgression was found for B. alleghaniensis and B. lenta, or B. papyrifera and B. lenta. Admixture proportions were higher between B. alleghaniensis and B. papyrifera in the western Great Lakes, which is a previously-documented zone of hybridization based on the occurrence of morphological intermediates.
SEASONAL PATTERNS OF VEGETATIVE GROWTH AND PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN MANGO (Mangifera indica L.) TREES

Shoot growth and leaf photosynthesis of 6-7 year-old, field-grown mango (Mangifera indica L. cv ‘Kent’) trees subjected to the following irrigation regimes were monitored during the season of 2002/2003: Co, control (±95% of field capacity, FC); DI-1 and DI-2, continuous deficit irrigation (±79% and ±69% of FC, respectively); RDI, regulated deficit irrigation (like Co except that irrigation water was withheld for 2 weeks in Dec 2002/Jan 2003 during the final stage of fruit growth); and Co-F, farm control, full irrigation when soil moisture was lower than -10 KPa). During the postharvest flushes in 2002 and 2003, Co-F shoots showed 56% more shoot volume and dry mass than Co indicating that a large amount of irrigated water was used for such vigorous growth. There were no significant differences in the number of flowering canes between all irrigation treatments during the flowering flush in 2002. However, the pattern of decreasing numbers of flushing terminals and shoot numbers was concurrent with decreasing amounts of irrigation water applied (Co-F>Co>RDI>DI1>DI-2). The results indicated that part of the irrigation water applied to Co-F was used for vigorous vegetative growth; while in the DI-2 treatment severe shoot growth reduction seemed to seriously hinder productivity. Midday leaf assimilations in well-irrigated ‘Kent’ mango trees in the field during winter and spring amounted to (4.5 ± 0.6 and 5.9 ± 0.3 μmol CO2 m s, respectively) and were lower than in autumn and summer (6.4 ± 1.8 and 11.1 ± 0.8 μmol CO2 m s, respectively). Differences in mean photosynthetic (Pn) rates between the three fieldgrown and well-irrigated cultivars, ‘Kent’, ‘Keitt’ and ‘Heidi’, were not significant except for January and April 2003. Young leaves (<25 DABB, days after bud break) photosynthesized only to a small extent in winter and summer at midday (0.2 ± 0.9 and 0.4 ± 0.3 μmol CO2 m s, respectively). However, high Pn rates at midday were reached in leaves aged 90-180 DABB in summer (10.3 ± 2.0 μmol CO2 m s) and maintained at leaves that were older than 365 DABB (10.4 ± 0.7 μmol CO2 m s), while those in winter were lower for both leaf age groups (3.2 ± 0.6 and 3.5 ± 0.8 μmol CO2 m s, respectively). In field-grown ‘Kent’ mango trees, water deficit reduced significantly the photosynthetic capacity in the irrigation treatment DI-2 v University of Pretoria etd – Neluheni, K O (2005)
The association of uncarboxylated matrix gla protein with mitral annular calcification in patients without significant coronary artery disease

Objective: Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is associated with systemic calcification and cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. Matrix Gla protein (MGP) is a strong inhibitor of vascular and soft-tissue calcification and reduced levels of its circulating precursor, uncarboxylated MGP (ucMGP), was found associated with vascular calcification in pilot studies. Methods and Results: In this study, which includes 86 outpatients with no significant coronary artery and chronic kidney diseases, we measured serum ucMGP levels and evaluated MAC using echocardiography. In participants with MAC (n = 44), serum ucMGP levels were lower than the control group (n = 42) (216.1 ± 154.1 vs. 390.2 ± 256.3, P = 0.001, respectively). The patients with MAC were divided into two groups: mild MAC group and moderate MAC group. Serum ucMGP levels were significantly lower in the moderate MAC group than the mild MAC group (139.0 ± 121.8 vs. 248.4 ± 156.3, P = 0.03, respectively). Conclusions: In patients with MAC, serum ucMGP level was significantly low, and this association has been detected for the first time in patients with no significant coronary artery disease (CAD).
Effects of temporary bait sites on movements of suburban white-tailed deer

Food at temporary bait sites has been used to capture deer (Odocoileus spp.), apply Amitraz (Point Guard®, Hoechst Roussel Vet, Somerville, N.Y.) for tick control, deliver immunocontraceptive agents, increase hunter success rates, and implement sharpshooting programs. Yet, little is known about the effects of bait on movements of white-tailed deer (O. virginianus). Our objectives were to examine effects of temporary bait sites on white-tailed deer movements during the fall and winter-spring periods. We captured and marked 44 adult does with radiocollars and numbered ear tags from 1995-1997. We monitored 16 deer during a fall and winter-spring baiting and no-baiting period. Baiting occurred during fall 1997 and winter-spring 1998. During the fall and winter-spring period, deer exhibited 4 responses to baiting. If established bait sites were within deer core areas (n=11), deer maintained their original core areas. If bait sites were established outside deer original core areas but within deer home ranges (n=14), deer either shifted existing core areas closer to bait sites (n=6 of 14) or established new core areas closer to bait sites (n=2 of 14). Deer with 2 core areas abandoned core areas distant from bait sites (n=6 of 14). No deer used bait sites outside their annual home range. Deer with bait sites outside their core areas exhibited greater shifts in activity toward bait sites than deer with bait sites in their core areas (P<0.001). There were no differences in core-area size between the baiting and no-baiting periods during the fall (P=0.307) or winter-spring period (P=0.915). If bait sites were established outside deer core areas, shifts in core areas toward bait sites during the winter-spring period approached statistical significance compared to the fall (P=0.091). All collared deer with bait sites in home ranges used bait sites. We concluded that temporary bait sites had no effect on home range and core-area size but might shift core areas of activity within deer home ranges. Although deer shifted closer to bait sites, deer with bait sites in core areas used bait sites more frequently and likely would be more vulnerable to management activities at bait sites. Our data suggested that using bait to capture or remove deer would be more efficient during the winter-spring than during the fall. Removing deer or hunting over temporary bait sites should affect only the local deer herd in the immediate area.
Antimicrobial Activity of Hetero-Chitosans and Their Oligosaccharides with Different Molecular Weights

This study was performed to investigate the antimicrobial effects of hetero-chitosans and their oligosaccharides against three Gram-negative bacteria and five Gram-positive bacteria. Nine classes of hetero-chitosan oligosaccharides consisted of partially deacetylated chitosans; 90%, 75%, and 50% deacetylated chitosans. Based on molecular weight, they were prepared using an ultrafiltration membrane reactor system. Seventy-five percent deacetylated chitosan showed the highest antimicrobial acitivity as compared with the 90% and 50% deacetylated chitosan, and the activity was dependent on their molecular weights. It was apparent that the growth of Gram-negative bacteria is less inhibited in the presence of the heterochitosans and their oligosaccharides than Gram-positive bacteria. These results revealed that the antimicrobial effects of hetero-chitosans and their oligosaccharides depend on the degree of deacetylation, and their molecular weights.
Quality of Life among Clients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Back ground: Benign prostatic hyperplasia is non-cancerous enlargement or growth of the prostate gland. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is not usually life-threatening but symptoms can have a major effect on quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess quality of life among clients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Research design: A descriptive analytical study was utilized. Setting: This study was conducted a tthree urological outpatients’ clinics at El Nil hospital for health insurance at shubra elkheima city. Sample: A purposeful sample of 240clients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Tools. Interviewing questionnaire for clients was used which included five parts :(I) Socio-demographic characteristics about clients. Part (II)past history about clients, part (III) knowledge assessment for client related to benign prostatic hyperplasia.Part (IV) Assess quality of life among clients. Part (V)Assess health needs and health problems of clients . Results: 78.3% of clients had unsatisfactory total knowledge regarding benign prostatic hyperplasia.78.3% of clients were moderately affected related to their quality of life. 61.2% of clients were not achieved their total needs and 100% of clients had sleeping difficulties, dysuria and hesitancy. Conclusion: The study concluded that a highly statistical significance difference between knowledge of clients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and their socio demographic characteristics and a highly statistical significance difference between knowledge of clients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and their quality of life. Recommendations: the study recommended that; increase public and clients awareness throughout educational sessions, educational programs and campaigns about benign prostatic hyperplasia and further researches to study the different factors that increase the partners' burden and their complaints to find out the suitable solutions.
Effects of macroalgae, with emphasis on Sargassum spp., on coral reef recruitment processes in Martinique (French West Indies)

Many coral reef ecosystems have undergone profound ecological changes over the past decades leading sometimes to a shift from coral to macroalgal-dominated areas. In Martinique (Caribbean region), the proliferation of macroalgae is an important phenomenon. Coral reef resilience, involving reef building species recruitment, might be modified by macroalgal presence. This work aimed at understanding reef recruitment processes in areas dominated either by macroalgae, coral or intermediate, based on scuba diving observations, manipulative experiments and laboratory studies. Particular attention was given to the physical and chemical effects of Sargassum (one of the most represented species: 100-200 g.m-2 (wet weight) in algal beds) on benthic invertebrates’ larvae recruitment. Further experiments focused on the effects of surface molecules and of the waterborne cues produced by Sargassum polyceratium on the development of marine invertebrates’ embryos. This study demonstrated that juvenile coral diversity and density vary between the considered habitat types (i.e: dominated by algae, coral or intermediate with numerous sea urchins). It was low in algal areas (0.9-1.4 recruit.m-2) as compared to coral ones (7-8 recruit.m-2) and intermediate in urchin zones (2-3.2 recruit.m-2). Moreover, species recruiting differed according to their reproductive mode. Brooders recruited more in coral areas, which suggested that they settled in the vicinity of their parent colonies. Settlement and recruitment experiments demonstrated the barrier effect of Sargassum species on settlement but no allelochemical impacts could be identified in situ. However, the laboratory based experiments demonstrated that S. polyceratium surface molecules were active against the early stages of development of Arenicola brasiliensis (annelid), Codakia orbicularis (bivalvia) and Diadema antillarum (sea urchin, a reef key stone species) (LC50 between 25 and 51 μg.mL-1). These results give insight into the coral recruitment capacities in several habitats, which is of major importance for reef managers.
EARLY EVENTS OF HUMAN METAPNEUMOVIRUS INFECTION

OF DISSERTATION EARLY EVENTS OF HUMAN METAPNEUMOVIRUS INFECTION Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a worldwide respiratory pathogen that belongs to the paramyxovirus family of enveloped viruses and affects primarily the pediatric, geriatric, and immunocompromised populations. Despite its prevalence and importance to human health, no therapies are available against this pathogen. For paramyxoviruses, it is believed that infection starts by attachment of the virus to the surface of the cell through the viral attachment protein followed by fusion between the viral and cellular membranes, a process mediated by the fusion (F) protein at the plasma membrane and at neutral pH. Previous work showed that HMPV infection can occur in the absence of the attachment protein and membrane fusion triggered by the F protein can be promoted by low pH. The work presented here are significant advances in our understanding of the entry process of HMPV. We confirmed that the F protein has receptorbinding functions and identified the cellular binding partner to be heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs). Additionally, we provide evidence that electrostatic interactions at two different regions play important roles for the proper folding, stability, and low pH triggering of the HMPV F protein. We confirmed the hypothesis that protonation of H435 is important for HMPV F triggering and provide additional evidence that the entry of HMPV may be occurring through endocytosis. Therefore, we hypothesize that HMPV entry occurs through endocytosis after viral binding to HSPGs through the F protein and membrane fusion occurs in an acidified compartment.