Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Abundance of cetatceans in the southern U.S. North Atlantic Ocean during summer 1998

The U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act requires that the abundance of marine mammals in U.S. waters be assessed. Because this requirement had not been met for a large portion of the North Atlantic Ocean (U.S. waters south of Maryland), a ship-based, line-transect survey was conducted with a 68 m research ship between Maryland (38.00°N) and central Florida (28.00°N) from the 10-m isobath to the boundary of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. The study area (573,000 km2) was surveyed between 8 July and 17 August 1998. Minimum abundance estimates were based on 4163 km of effort and 217 sightings of at least 13 cetacean species and other taxonomic categories. The most commonly sighted species (number of groups) were bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus (38); sperm whales, Physeter macrocephalus (29); Atlantic spotted dolphins, Stenella frontalis (28); and Risso’s dolphins, Grampus griseus (22). The most abundant species (abundance; coeffi cient of variation) were Atlantic spotted dolphins (14,438; 0.63); bottlenose dolphins (13,085; 0.40); pantropical spotted dolphins, S. attenuate (12,747; 0.56); striped dolphins, S. coeruleoalba (10,225; 0.91); and Risso’s dolphins (9533; 0.50). The abundance estimate for the Clymene dolphin, S. clymene (6086; 0.93), is the first for the U.S. Atlantic Ocean. Sperm whales were the most abundant large whale (1181; 0.51). Abundances for other species or taxonomic categories ranged from 20 to 5109. There were an estimated 77,139 (0.23) cetaceans in the study area. Bottlenose dolphins and Atlantic spotted dolphins were encountered primarily in continental shelf ( 200 m). The distribution of some species varied north to south. Striped dolphins, Clymene dolphins, and sperm whales were sighted primarily in the northern part of the study area; whereas pantropical spotted dolphins were sighted primarily in the southern portion.
Prevalence of Maternal Anemia in Pregnancy: The Effect of Maternal Hemoglobin Level on Pregnancy and Neonatal Outcome

Objective: The aim of our study is to assess the prevalence of anemia in pregnant women, and to evaluate the effect of severity of anemia on maternal and perinatal outcome. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology from hospital records. Study population of all pregnant women who had delivered in our hospital after twenty weeks gestation between July 2014 and December 2016. Results: A total of 2654 pregnant women fulfilled the inclusion criteria, 42% were anemic, 83.3% mild anemia group (I) which represents the majority of patients and 16.7% moderate to severe anemia group (II). The majority of cases were due to iron deficiency anemia 92.8%, while 7.2% were due to sickle cell trait, B-thalassemia intermedia, and other causes. The incidence of postpartum hemorrhage, cesarean delivery, and infections was significantly higher in group II compared to group I (5.4%, 40.3%, 3.8% Vs, 2.9%, 31.0%, 2.0%; p = 0.007, 0.041, 0.043 respectively). Low Apgar score, preterm labor, and low birth weight babies were significantly higher in group II compared to group I (11.8%, 12.9%, 11.3% Vs 8.7%, 9.0%, 7.4%; p = 0.034, 0.046, 0.032). Conclusions: This study clarified that anemia is prevalent among pregnant women particularly mild anemia. Early diagnosis and treatment from first trimester has an essential role in managing maternal anemia and it reflects directly on the perinatal outcome. Prematurity, low birth weight infants, and postpartum hemorrhage are the commonest maternal and neonatal complications.
Studies of different mango varieties stone on germination traits.

ango (Mangifera indica L.) is highly cross pollinated and heterozygous plant. It needs to be propagated vegetatively to maintain its genetic uniformity. Though there are various methods of grafting and budding, only some of them give a high success rate under different situations. The grafts which are prepared in the nursery often fail to establish in the field because of poor maintenance of grafts in pots and also due to transplanting stock.
The chloroplast-to-chromoplast transition in tomato fruit

One of the most important phenomenons occurring during tomato fruit ripening is the color change from green to red. This change takes place in the plastids and corresponds to the differentiation of photosynthetic plastids, chloroplasts, into non photosynthetic plastids that accumulate carotenoids, chromoplasts. In this thesis we first present a bibliographic introduction reviewing the state of the art in the field of chloroplast to chromoplast transition and describing the structural and physiological changes occurring during the transition. Then, in the first chapter we present an in situ real-time recording of pigment fluorescence on live tomato fruit slices at three ripening stages. By viewing individual plastids it was possible to show that the chloroplast to chromoplast transition was synchronous for all plastids of a single cell and that all chromoplasts derived from pre-existing chloroplasts. In chapter two, a quantitative proteomic approach of the chloroplast-to-chromoplast transition is presented that identifies differentially expressed proteins. Stringent curation and processing of the data identified 1932 proteins among which 1529 were quantified by spectral counting. The quantification procedures have been subsequently validated by immune-blot evaluation of some proteins. Chromoplastogenesis appears to comprise major metabolic shifts (decrease in abundance of proteins of light reactions and carbohydrate metabolism and increase in terpenoid biosynthesis and stress-related protein) that are coupled to the disruption of the thylakoid and photosystems biogenesis machinery, elevated energy production components and loss of plastid division machinery. In the last chapter, we have used lincomycin, a specific inhibitor of protein translation within the plastids, in order to study the effects on fruit ripening and on the expression of some ripening-related nuclear genes. Preliminary results indicate that inhibiting protein translation in the plastids affects fruit ripening by reducing the accumulation of carotenoids. The expression of several nuclear genes has been affected but a clear relationship with the altered ripening phenotype could not be established. Altogether, our work gives new insights on the chromoplast differentiation process and provides novel resource data on the plastid proteome.
Examination of Arterial Stiffness and Neurodynamics of Middle-Aged Individuals: A Pilot Study

Purpose: Increases in arterial stiffness can result in higher pulse wave velocity (PWV) of the arterial blood leading to arterial vascular disease. Studies have shown high PWV is correlated to poor trunk and hamstring flexibility. Poor trunk and hamstring flexibility has additionally been correlated to the presence of neuropathodynamics (NPD) within the peripheral nervous system. Although the coexistence of poor hamstring flexibility and NPD is clear, a paucity of data exists to suggest any relationship between NPD and increased arterial stiffness. We hypothesized a significant relationship would exist between NPD and increased arterial stiffness. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. The PWV, blood pressure, range of motion, hamstring flexibility, and neurodynamic response to a straight leg raise was measured in 47 middle-aged adults. Correlation and regression analyses were performed to examine relationships among PWV, age, blood pressure, sex, fitness level, hamstring flexibility, and neurodynamic response. Results: The presence of NPD was found not to be a significant predictor of PWV. Only systolic blood pressure (SBP) (P = .003) and age (P = .012) was found to be significant predictor variables for PWV. Conclusions: The results of this study show no significant relationship between NPD and arterial stiffness. Our findings do, however, indicate that SBP and age should be considered valid predictor variables of underlying arterial vascular disease.
ENVIRONMENTL FACTORS AFFECTING SOME REPRODUCTIVE TRAITS IN NILI RAVI BUFFALOES

ABSTRACT Data on 451 records for service period and 405 records for services per conception of Nili-Ravi buffaloes maintained atLivestock Experiment Station, Bahadurnagar, Okara spanned over a period from 1997 to 2006 were analyzed to examinethe effect of year, season of calving and parity number. The overall least squares mean for service period and servicesper conception were 249±15.36 days and 1.99±0.13 numbers, respectively. The longest service period was 353 ±43.86days in the year 1997 and the shortest service period was 151±27.70 days in the year 2006. When the data set wasanalyzed to examine the seasonal effect, the maximum least squares mean for service period (297±22.22) was observeddays in winter season and minimum in spring season (216±33.01 days). Maximum calving (46.34%) were noted inhumid hot season. Animals in first parity took longer period (316±13.58 days) for conception and short service period(221±57.80 days) was in animals having sixth parity number. Statistical analysis showed the highly significant effect ofparity on service period (P<0.01). In case of services per conception, the maximum and minimum least squares meanwere as 2.29±0.33 numbers in the year 1997 and 1.21±0.24 numbers in the year 2006, respectively. During the hothumid season, animals availed maximum services per conception (2.24±0.16) and minimum number 1.62±0.22 in springseason. Maximum services per conception (2.36±0.31) were recorded in animals when calved fifth time and minimumservices per conception (1.69±0.51) after calving sixth time. Years of calving, seasons of calving and parity number hadno significant effect on services per conception.Key words: Nili-Ravi Buffalo, service period, services per conception.
Characterization of coffee pectin

Pectin from three coffee (C. arabica) varieties, namely Bourbon, Caturra and Catimor, was extracted and purified. Its physico-chemical characteristics were determined. The coffee pectin was of low methoxyl and of relatively low average molecular weight. It did not form gels with sucrose and acid or with Ca ++ salts. Coffee pulp (exocarp) was richer in pectin than coffee mucilage
Response of mixed viable probiotics culture on milk production and nutrient availability in crossbred mid lactating cows.

Effect of feeding probiotics culture in triple combination (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Lactobacillus plantarum and Enterococcus faecium; ratio 6: 2: 2, total dose lOxl09 cfu/animal) to crossbred mid lactating cows was studied to observe the lactation performance and nutrient utilization. Dry matter intake (DMI)/100 kg body weight tended to increase due to inclusion of probiotics culture and significant between control (T1) and treatment groups (T2) in second (P
Helping hospital professionals to implement Advance Care Planning in daily practice: a European Delphi study from field experts

Background Advance Care Planning (ACP) communication is difficult to implement in hospital. Possibly this has to do with the fact that the concept is not well tuned to the needs of hospital professionals or that they experience implementation barriers in practice. Aims The aim of this study was to investigate what is valued in having ACP conversations by hospital professionals (physicians, nurses, psychologists and social workers) and what they experience as barriers and facilitating factors for having ACP conversations with patients. Methods A Delphi study consisting of two rounds with respectively 21 and 19 multidisciplinary experts from seven European countries was organised. Data were analysed using content analysis and descriptive statistics. Results Participants agreed that ACP is valued mostly because it is seen to improve transmural continuation of care, emotional processing of the loss of a patient, and serenity at the end of life. Reported barriers are patient characteristics blocking patient-centred communication and a lack of knowledge to have these conversations. An important facilitator is multidisciplinary cooperation. Conclusions There is consensus by experts from different settings and countries suggesting that these results can theoretically be applied to hospital settings in Europe. This study reveals that hospital professionals value ACP in hospital practice, but that they encounter several barriers to its implementation.
The Effects of Cognitive Stress on Asthma Exacerbations among University Students

Introduction: Many asthmatics complain of worsening respiratory symptoms during periods of stress.This study evaluated the relationship among asthma symptoms, lung physiology, inflammatory parametersand perceived cognitive stress and quality of life in healthy adult students. This relationship was assessedat two time points: a time of normal activity and at a time of cognitive stress during academic examinations. Methods: Subjects attended the University of Alberta Hospital for a screening visit, which included aclinical exam, spirometry, methacholine challenge, allergen skin tests to assess atopy status and MiniInternational Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Eligible subjects returned for a low stress visit (LSV) atleast 14 days prior to an exam and a high stress visit (HSV) within 24 hours of an exam. Spirometry, andmethacholine challenge were performed during both LSV and HSV along with the collection of urine (testedfor cortisol), and the administration of 4 questionnaires to assess perceived stress and quality of life. Results: Subjects showed no significant change in psychosocial or quality of life questionnaires betweenLSV and HSV. No significant change was noted in lung function or urine cortisol. There was an unexpectedhigh rate of pre-existing psychiatric comorbidities in this population (based on the MINI screen failure rate). Conclusion: We did not find a significant change in quality of life, psychosocial wellbeing or pulmonaryfunction or inflammation, measured by urine cortisol, during a high stress period. The high rate ofcomorbidities would be important to consider as part of evaluation used in clinical asthma studies in the future.
Possibilities to improve silage conservation

The objective of this thesis was to investigate factors to improve the silage quality of different types of forage crops. The focus was on the influence of crop maturity, silage additives and laceration on the quality of whole-crop cereals silages. The ensilability of whole-crop cereals was highly dependent upon the stage of maturity. An important factor related to the stage of maturity and influencing the ensilability of whole-crop cereals seems to be the concentration of WSC in the fresh forage. Ensiling at the milk stage was found to be a more suitable time to harvest whole-crop cereals since there is a sufficient concentration of water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) that provides the conditions for lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to rapidly dominate the silage microflora and produce enough acids to reduce pH thereby giving a better protection of the silage against the spoilage microflora. The low WSC concentration of whole-crop cereals at dough stage seems to restrain good fermentation. However, silages harvested at the milk stage still appear to have a low aerobic stability. Precision chopping had variable affects on silage fermentation and showed that laceration is not a guarantee of a good silage quality of whole-crop cereals. At the milk stage, precision chopping improved the silage fermentation, whereas the dough-stage silages tended to give clostridial fermentation resulting in poor quality and high DM losses. Precision chopping promoted a higher silage density at the milk stage and resulted in reduced DM losses at the dough stage. Application of silage additives was the most important factor in improving silage quality. A mixture of sodium benzoate, sodium propionate, hexamine and sodium nitrite seems to be the most suitable additive to secure the silage quality and improve the aerobic stability in whole-crop cereals as well as in moderate and highly -wilted clover-grass forages. No remaining toxic residues of the nitrite concentration were found in the silages. A similar influence on the ensiling process is found when using the combination of sodium benzoate, sodium propionate and propionic acid. The results of mixtures of formic acid and propionic acid were closely related to the chop length of the forage. These additive combinations seem to improve the silage quality and storage stability in precision-chopped silages at both maturities, while the quality of long-cut treated silages often appeared to be low. The variable efficiency of inoculation of whole crop cereals with LAB seems to be associated with types and numbers of epiphytic bacteria in the herbage. The inoculation of homofermentative LAB successfully reduced pH of both precision-chopped and long cut-silages but abundant production of lactic acid did not secure the aerobic stability of these
A rapid method of screening grapevine cultivars for susceptibility to eutypa dieback

inoculation of unrooted cuttings in moist rockwool, however, recent attempts to repeat this have been unsuccessful (Creaser, M. and John, S., pers. com. 2002). As part of CRCV project S2.2. 4 “Diagnosis and management of eutypa dieback”, we are examining pathogen variation, growth rate and the production of chemical markers by E. lata in infected vines. Here we report a bioassay that resulted in foliar symptoms within eight months of inoculation with E. lata. This technique will aid in the development of early diagnostic tools and management techniques for eutypa dieback.
Évaluation in vitro de l’activité antibactérienne des extraits de Terminalia glaucescens planch. sur Salmonella typhi et Salmonella typhimurium.

Terminalia glaucescens est une plante medicinale exotique utilisee en Cote d’Ivoire dans le traitement de maladies infectieuses. Dans cette etude, les extraits aqueux et organiques des feuilles de cette plante ont ete testes pour evaluer leur activite sur Salmonella typhi et S. typhimurium par les methodes de diffusion en milieu gelose et de dilution en milieu liquide. Les resultats ont montre que la fraction a l’acetate d’ethyle est la plus active, avec 20 mm de diametre de zone d’inhibition sur S. typhimurium ATCC 14028, a 6 mg. De plus, la Concentration Minimale Inhibitrice et la Concentration Minimale Bactericide sont respectivement de: 2,5 mg/ml et de 5 mg/ml. Cette activite est stable a des traitements thermiques de 4 °C, 37 °C, 55 °C, 100 °C et 121 °C pendant 1 heure. Un screening phytochimique preliminaire montre que la fraction la plus active contient des terpenoides, des derives phenoliques et des alcaloides.
Immune Enhancement Mechanisms by the Complement Protein C3d

The final degradation product of the third (C3) component of complement, C3d, is a natural adjuvant. The adjuvant properties of this protein have been studied using several antigens fused to C3d. To determine the ability of this protein to enhance the humoral immune response in mice with different genetic backgrounds, inbred and outbred mice were immunized with C3d conjugated antigens. C3d induced enhanced immune responses that were comparable in all mouse strains. Analysis of the isotype class switch suggested that C3d favored the development of humoral immune responses. The classic mechanism of enhancement of the immune response involves interaction of C3d with its natural ligand, complement receptor 2 (CR2). This molecule is expressed mainly by follicular dendritic cells and B-cells. Simultaneous interaction of the antigen and C3d with the surface immunoglobulin M (sIgM) and CR2 on the surface of B-cells triggers two signaling pathways that cross-talk and synergize in cell activation. Most previous studies stressed the importance of the C3d-CR2 interaction for the adjuvant effect. However, the data supporting this hypothesis was derived from in vitro studies. To determine the importance of the C3d-CR2 interaction for enhancement of the immune response in vivo, mice deficient in CR2 (CR2-/-) were immunized with antigens fused to C3d. Contrary to the predicted, CR2-/- mice immunized with antigens fused to C3d, developed almost similar humoral immune responses than wild-type mice. These results suggested that C3d enhances the immune responses by CR2-dependent and CR2-independent mechanisms. Finally, the ability of C3d to emulate the antigenic redundancy of T-cell independent antigens and thus induce class switch in the absence of CD4+ T-cells was explored in a MHC type II knock-out mouse model (MHC II-/-). A soluble form of hemagglutinin (sHA) fused to C3d inefficiently induced IgG class switch in MHC II-/- mice. This demonstrated that C3d requires CD4+ T-cells to optimally enhance the immune responses. However, despite of the mild secondary immune responses, MHC II-/- sHA-C3d3-vaccinated mice had reduced morbidity and enhanced survival following a lethal virus challenge, suggesting that besides B-cells, C3d activates other immune cells and that the final enhancement effect is the accumulation of various mechanisms.
Woodland specialty mushrooms: who grows them and what are the problems?

Values derived from woodland management can be enhanced by capitalizing on natural associations of specialty fungi with trees. Mushroom production can be integrated with most management objectives, and provides profitable avenues for recycling low-value forestry by-products. About 65% of the central USA woodland mushroom growers sampled have other primary sources of income, but nearly all consider mushroom growing a part of their career. Nearly all grow Lentinula edodes; about 35% grow Pleurotus species. Approximately 90% grow mushrooms outdoors, but half of these also have supplemental indoor operations; 85% would like to expand their business, and over half would like to grow additional species. Growers face both business and technical biological difficulties. Biological challenges involve effective integration of mushroom cultivation into forest management by matching growers' situations with appropriate fungi and cultivation systems, developing techniques which improve biological efficiency, and increasing the variety of options available to growers.
Modeling ecological determinants of the symbiotic performance of introduced rhizobia in tropical soils

3 LIST OF TABLES.6 CHAPTER 1. DISSERTATION INTRODUCTION.8 CHAPTER 2. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS DETERMINING THE INOCULATION RESPONSE OF FIELD-GROWN LEGUMES.14 CHAPTER 3. PREDICTING LEGUME RESPONSE TO RHIZOBIAL INOCULATION.44 CHAPTER 4. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ON RHIZOBIAL INTERSTRAIN COMPETITION FOR NODULE OCCUPANCY.64 CHAPTER 5. EFFECT OF NITROGEN SOURCE ON THE GROWTH AND PHENOLOGY OF SOYBEAN AND BUSH BEAN.105 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS.133 APPENDIX.141 LITERATURE CITED.163
Occurrence of the B- and Q-biotypes of Bemisia tabaci in Korea

The occurrence of tobacco whiteflies, Bemisia tabaci, in greenhouses was monitored in Korea in 2005. Bemisia tabaci occurred in the rose, sweet pepper, tomato, and cucumber greenhouses of Chungbuk, Chungnam, Gyongnam, and Jeonnam Provinces, but not in Jeonbuk and Gyongbuk Provinces. The biotypes and genetic differentiation of the whiteflies collected in each regions were analyzed by mitochondrial 16S DNA sequences. The 16S DNA sequences of Jincheon (Chungbuk Province) samples were similar to DNA data reported from Japan and Israel which were known as the B biotype. However, the DNA sequences of the Buyeo (Chungnam), Geoje (Gyongnam) and Boseong (Jeonnam) collections, which were 100% homologous showed over 99% similarity to the DNA of Q biotype from Spain and Egyrt. Here we report the first founding of the Q biotype in Korea. It is assumed that, unlike the B biotype reported from Jincheon since 1998, the Q biotype might have been introduced recently from the certain foreign region/country to the greenhouses in those provinces.