Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trace gases over marine regions around India

Measurements of O3, CO, CH4, NO and SF6 were made during four ship cruises in January, February and March months of years 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999 over the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Measurements were also made over the Bay of Bengal in February and March of the year 2001. All the measured trace gases show systematic gradient with decrease in their mixing ratios from the Coastal India to the South Indian Ocean. Transport of these gases also takes place from the surrounding countries over the marine regions. Ozone and CO show higher values over the Bay of Bengal than over the Arabian Sea, indicating stronger transport of polluted air-masses from northeast India and south Asia. Dramatic increase in ozone levels in the marine boundary layer (MBL) while showing no signature of in-situ photochemical production indicates the role of dynamical processes. The diurnal patterns in ozone are very different over the marine environments when compared with continental site, which is due to the nature and levels of pollutants transported from the continental regions and emissions of certain gases over the marine regions. Estimate shows that ozone production over India is less efficient, when compared to mid latitude.
A study on character association, genetic variability and yield components of finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.).

A study was conducted to assess the genetic variability in base germplasm (1000 accessions) of finger millet for eleven quantitative characters including grain yield per plant. Highly significant differences were observed among all the finger millet genotypes for different characters. Close relationship found between GCV and PCV for most of the characters. High heritability was expressed by plant height, finger length and days to 50 per cent flowering. Genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed maximum for finger length, number of productive tillers per plant, grain yield per plant, ear weight per plant and plant height. Character association studies revealed that, grain yield per plant had highly positive and significant association with plant height, days to 50 per cent flowering, days to maturity and ear weight per plant. Path analysis revealed that number of productive tillers per plant, days to maturity and ear weight per plant had direct positive effect on
Ionophoretic properties and mitochondrial effects of cereulide

The emetic toxin of Bacillus cereus, found to cause immobilization of spermatozoa and swelling of their mitochondria, was purified and its structure found to be identical to the earlier known toxin cereulide. It increased the conductance in black-lipid membranes in KCl solutions in an ionophore-like manner. It formed adducts with K+, Na+, and NH4+ but the conductance was highly selective for K+ in relation to Na+ and H+ (three orders of magnitude). The increase in the kinetics of conductance indicated a stoichiometric ratio between the cereulide and K+. Its ionophoretic properties are thus similar to those of valinomycin. In addition, its effects on rat liver mitochondria were similar: it stimulated swelling and respiration in respiring mitochondria in the presence but not in the absence of K+, it reduced the transmembrane potential under these conditions. In nonrespiring mitochondria, swelling was seen in KNO3- but not in NaNO3-containing media, less in acetate. In NaNO3 media addition of the cereulide caused a transient diffusion potential which was reduced by adding K+. It is concluded that the toxic effects of cereulide are due to it being a K+ ionophore.
Child Nutritional Status in Poor Ethiopian Households: The Role of Gender, Assets and Location

As one of the poorest countries in the world, Ethiopia? s rate of child malnutrition is one of the highest, even within sub? Saharan Africa. The causes and relative importance of various determinants of malnutrition in Ethiopia are not well understood. This paper specifically explores some of the less obvious factors affecting children? s nutritional status in Ethiopia. It is based on information collected in 2002 from 1001 households with eight-year-old children mainly from food insecure communities in Tigray, Amhara, Oromia, SNNP and Addis Ababa Regional States. As part of the Young Lives Project, this study is particularly important because the determinants of the nutritional status of eight-year-old children is much less researched than that of younger children, not only in Ethiopia but in other developing countries. The results from simple correlation analysis indicated that a number of variables were significantly related to weight-for-height z-score (WHZ) (as an indicator of wasting). In addition to analysing WHZ for the whole sample, we have also separately analysed WHZ for urban and rural households, and found that the determinants differed. The results show that weight-for-height z-scores depend on the sex of the child and suggest that short term malnutrition is higher for male children than for female children. We conclude that variables such as physical and natural capital (wealth index, ownership of radio, television and land), human capital (education of members of the household), social capital (strength of a caregiver? s ties to social organisations and networks), age-sex composition of households (the number of girls, the number of female adults) and location of residence (rural or urban) are important in influencing WHZ in eight-year-olds. We conclude that addressing child malnutrition, especially WHZ, requires a multi-dimensional approach that takes into account food security, public health and gendered intra-household dynamics if it is to be effective. Moreover, a cross-sectoral nutrition policy is needed to improve policy synergies.
Review of downslope windstorms in Japan

In Japan, at least 28 local winds are known by name, most of them associated with downslope windstorms and gap winds. To review these windstorms, we categorize them based largely on the atmospheric conditions and formation mechanisms, and then focus on representative examples. These representative cases include the “Yamaji­kaze”, a typical downslope windstorm, the “Hirodo­kaze”, a downslope windstorm induced by a nearby typhoon (intense tropical cyclone), and the “Karak-kaze”, a downslope wind with a clear diurnal variation. Other downslope winds such as the “Inami-kaze” and the gap wind “Kiyokawa­dashi” are also described. Among these winds, the “Yamaji-kaze”, “Hirodo-kaze”, and “Kiyokawa-dashi” are considered the three most notorious due to their destructive power. After describing and comparing these winds, we discuss remaining issues to be considered in future studies.
The impact of junior sports sponsorship on consumer-based brand equity

Sponsorship is a fast-growing marketing and communications tactic, often used as a brand building tool. Despite its popularity, the credibility of sponsorship has come under question, due primarily to a measurement deficiency (Meenaghan and O'Sullivan, 2013). Academics and practitioners alike are seeking more holistic ways to track and measure the impact of sponsorship on business outcomes such as brand equity. Research to date has focused on sponsorship’s hierarchy of effects to understand what factors it is comprised of and how those factors influence consumer knowledge, perceptions and behaviour. Unlike traditional forms of marketing communications, such as advertising, sponsorship can generate the consumer knowledge effects of image transfer and sponsorship-generated goodwill for a business. These consumer knowledge effects occur through association with popular activities like community events, sports, the arts, causes, individual teams or celebrities (Pappu and Cornwell, 2014). Yet, a number of gaps remain in the literature including if and how the consumer knowledge effects generated by sponsorship have an impact on sponsor brand equity. This research extends knowledge of this area by empirically testing the impact of sponsorship on sponsor brand equity—using Keller’s (1993) notion of consumer-based brand equity (CBBE) as a central framework. ; Submitted in the fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Sunshine Coast, 2017.
Mosquitoes of southern England and northern Wales : identification, ecology and host selection

As early as 1901, ecological and epidemiological studies were conducted to understand malaria transmission in the UK. Unfortunately, following the eradication of malaria after WWII, ecological studies on local mosquito species has been intermittent, leading to a significant gap in knowledge of the current habitat preference, distribution and vector capabilities of the 33 recorded species. This lack of current information makes the assessment of possible transmission of enzoonotic diseases such as Chikungunya and West Nile virus in UK difficult. Thus the overall purpose of this thesis was to facilitate the identification of potential vector species through the documentation and characterisation of the ecology of adult and larval stages, and the host selection of British mosquitoes, in southern England and northern Wales. A total of 13 out the 33 documented species are assessed in this study. Of which members of the Maculipennis and Pipiens Group comprised the bulk of the adult and immature collections respectively. The development of the ITS2 PCR-RFLP assay in this study allowed the identification of the three members of the Maculipennis Group, which revealed the widespread occurrence of the recently documented An. daciae in almost all localities sampled. While previously published assays discriminating the Pipiens Complex, did not yield congruent results questioning the prior identification methods and the validity of the taxonomic status of its members. In addition, host-specific primers designed herein to determine host selection in local mosquitoes revealed an indiscriminate host selection by An. atroparvus, An. daciae, An. messeae and Cx. pipiens thus indicating their potential role as vectors in the UK.
The Influence of Feeding Patch Size and Relative Fruit Density on the Foraging Behavior of the Black Spider Monkey Ateles chamek

Black spider monkey Ateles chamek foraging data from eastern Bolivia are examined in relation to the size of fruit patches and the relative fruit density within the patch. In general, spider monkeys exhibited a preference for larger fruit patches and foraged for longer and in larger subgroups as patch size and relative fruit density increased. Nevertheless, results for specific resources revealed considerable variation in the primary variables influencing foraging behavior and subgroup size with certain specific resources more influenced by patch size, and others more influenced by relative fruit density. The results are discussed in relation to the foraging ecology of fission–fusion primate social systems and previous studies on the influence of patch size on primate foraging decisions.
Engineering of recombatinant antimalria antibodies for application in paratransgenesis

Malaria, transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes is responsible for millions of deaths worldwide, especially in the developing countries. The emergence of drug resistant parasites and insecticide resistant vectors has stimulated efforts to develop novel genetic strategies to modify the insect vector and reduce its competence to transmit the parasite. One proposed approach is the genetic manipulation of insect’s midgut symbionts to express anti-parasite molecules. Recombinant antibodies that target specific antigens expressed on the parasites’ surface could be used as anti-parasite molecules, especially if they could not only bind but agglutinate the target. The murine antibody 4B7 binds to Pfs25 epitope expressed on the zygote and ookinette stages of the parasite. Pf-NPNA- 1 is a human antibody that specifically binds to the NPNA (Asn-Pro-Asn-Ala) repeats of the circumsporozoite protein expressed on the sporozoite stage of the malaria parasite. This study aimed to characterise these antibodies for their application in symbiont control. For this purpose, the antibodies have been codon optimised for bacterial expression and formatted as single chain variable fragments (scFv). Synthetic genes encoding the scFv 4B7 and Pf-NPNA-1 were constructed, with varying linker length, in the VH-VL and VL-VH orientation. The scFvs were cloned into different expression plasmids to evaluate a suitable expression system. The orientation of the variable domains on secretion of the scFv 4B7 was investigated. No secretion was observed for the scFv 4B7 in the VH-VL orientation. For the reverse orientation, scFv 4B7 (VL-VH) was poorly secreted with no antigen binding. Secretion was observed for a variant of scFv 4B7 but this did not show significant antigen binding. Pf-NPNA-1 scFv constructs, in the VH-VL orientation, were efficiently secreted and showed detectable binding to antigen. Multimeric assembly of the scFv constructs was evaluated by varying the linker length. 4B7 and Pf-NPNA-1 scFv constructs exhibited monomeric, dimeric and multimeric assembly. Fusion of the human kappa constant domain to the scFvs resulted in formation of monomeric and higher ordered forms. Transfer of the scFv gene fragments into a broad-host vector facilitated evalution of recombinant antibody expression in the acetic acid bacterium, Asaia SF2.1. In summary, the results from this study demonstrate the potential utility of the antibodies, 4B7 and Pf-NPNA-1, as anti-parasite molecules for blockade of malaria transmission via mosquito midgut symbionts.
Toxic behavior in online games

Online gaming is the entertainment of the masses nowadays as it entertains hundreds of millions of players around the world on daily basis. Along with the popularity of online gaming, phenomenon of toxic behavior has also taken root in those games. Toxic behavior is strongly present in current day online games and very few people are spared from it nowadays. The purpose of this study was to take a closer look into the toxic behavior and how it affects those who actively play online games. This study started by conducting literature review to identify the various different aspects that surround the online gaming in addition to toxic behavior. Different types of toxic behavior were also identified from current literature. The themes that emerged from the literature review formed a backbone for constructing a qualitative interview, the designated data gathering method of this study. Aim of the research interviews was to gather information on how the various different toxic behaviors affect the online gaming of the interviewees who were all active online game players. Data gathered by the interviews was analyzed by conducting inductive content analysis, where prominent themes were brought up for closer inspection and reported in the findings. On a general level, the results of the current study suggested that toxic behavior affects online gaming in a negative way, with very few exceptions. For example, cheating was seen as a behavior that destroys the competition aspect of the game and ruins the game for all the participants, while flaming was often simply discarded as provocation and simply ignored. Tangible toxic behaviors like cheating and griefing were found to affect the gaming experience and flow sensation found in gaming in a very negative way. Unchecked cheating was even found to be a cause for quitting a game for good for some people. The current study found hints of more organized forms of scamming taking place in online games instead of just act that takes place between two players. Even cyberbullying was reported, as multiple stories of players ganging up on single player of lower skill were heard. The current study provides the reader with up-to-date information on toxic behavior in online games and how it affects the online gaming, mainly from the viewpoint of veteran players. Additionally, based on the interview data and the content analysis, a three-tier list on how to fight toxic behavior was gathered for the game developers. Based on the results of the current study some future research actions were suggested. Cyberbullying in online games was found to be one area in need of a more in depth look, and the link between toxic behaviour and flow in online games was found to require further studies.
Changes in biological parameters of Atlantic sharpnose shark Rhizoprionodon terraenovae in the Gulf of Mexico: evidence for density-dependent growth and maturity?

Biological parameters of the Atlantic sharpnose shark Rhizoprionodon terraenovae in the northern Gulf of Mexico were re-examined to test for potential changes due to density dependent responses. Biological data from published studies in the Gulf of Mexico collected during the period 1979–1984 were compared with data collected during the period 1998–2001. For combined sexes, the von Bertalanffy growth parameters were L∞ = 110.8 cm total length, K = 0.39 year–1 and to = –0.86 year during 1984 and L∞ = 94.0 cm total length, K = 0.73 year–1 and to = –0.88 year during 1998–2001. Median size for males and females at maturity decreased from approximately 78.3 and 80.2 cm total length (TL), respectively, in 1979–1980 to 72.6 and 75.8 cm TL, respectively, in 1998–2001. Age at maturity for combined sexes also decreased from 2.3 years in 1979–1980 to 1.4 years in 1998–2001. Litter size was similar between periods (5.0 embryos), as was the average size of embryos close to parturition (32 cm TL; 130–150 g). Growth rates using observed mean size-at-age data were higher from 1998–2001 for early ages (0–2.5 years). The observed decrease in maturity and increased growth rate lends support to the hypothesis of a compensatory response, although it could not be fully determined whether the response was due to differences in methodology among studies, anthropogenic influences or natural causes.
Genetic studies on variation for fiber quality traits in upland cotton.

Five cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) varieties namely SLH-41, F-281, COKER-3113, LA-85-52-1 and H-88-8-J.69-j.70 were studied in diallel cross experiment to evaluate genetic effects for various plant traits. The characters under consideration were Ginning out-turn, staple length, fiber fineness and strength All the genotypes were found to significantly differ from each other for the above mentioned traits. Joint regression analysis proved the validity of the data of all characters for additive-dominance model suggested by Hayman (1954) and Jinks (1954). Staple length, fiber fineness and fiber strength were controlled by additive gene action with partial dominance while Ginning out-turn revealed over dominance type of gene action. The predominance of additive gene action involved in the phenotypic manifestation of the traits suggested selection as an accurate procedure for character improvement.
Assessing Crop Water Stress and Irrigation Scheduling in Cotton Through Use of Infrared Thermometry Technique

Crop Water Strees Index (CWSI), based on canopy temperature which can be measured through use of an infrared thermometer, can be used to quantify crop water stress. However, the use of this index on farm level, require field tests for different crops. This study was carried out to evaluate the usage of CWSI for irrigation scheduling and predicting lint cotton yield under Antalya conditions. Soil water contents for different irrigation treatments were measured weekly and before each irrigation during the growing season. During the experiment, crop canopy temperature, dry and wet bulb temperatures and other climatic measurements were taken three days per week and five times per day between 1100 and 1400 hours. The CWSI values were determined by using the emprical approach. The results of this study indicated that the CWSI values could be useful to determine irrigation time, and for this purpose a CWSI=0.45 could be used as a criterion. A linear correlation existed between mean seasonal CWSI and cotton lint yield can be used for yield predictions.
Biomolecular Profiling of Jet Fuel Toxicity Using Proteomics

Abstract : This project used a proteomic approach consisting of two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry to analyze differential expression in response to JP-8 jet fuel exposure. Protein profiles were generated for whole mouse lung, rat pulmonary alveolar type II cells and macrophages, and human epidermal keratinocytes in various exposure models. Results strongly suggest an injurious effect of exposure on all cells studied. In both pulmonary and skin cells, the protein profiles of JP-8 effect corroborates previous histological findings and point to cytoskeletal alterations as well as impaired secretory and detoxification systems. The addition of substance P to the culture medium prevented the JP-8-mediated loss of an antioxidant protein peroxiredoxin I. Though this was observed only at high dose JP-8 exposure in vitro, it suggests that substance P may exert it's previously established protection against et fuel injury, by enabling such protein recovery.
Effet des changements du ratio alimentaire oméga-3/oméga-6 dans un modèle d’infarctus dumyocarde reperfusé chez le rat

Apoptosis occurs in the limbic system by a mechanism involving inflammation after a myocardial infarction. Omega-3 are essential fatty acids known for their benefits in cardiovascular health and to reduce inflammation, whereas, omega-6 and their metabolites are more inflammatory. Since these two essential fatty acids are metabolized by the same group of enzymes, the resulting competition would affect the inflammation and thus indirectly the apoptosis. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of different omega-3/6 ratios on the infarct size, inflammation and apoptosis in the limbic system after myocardial infarction. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly between three diet groups containing 1:5, 1:1 and 5:1 omega-3/6 ratios. Rats were fed for two weeks followed by a left anterior descending coronary occlusion for 40 min and by reperfusion time (15 min or 24 h). Infarct size was significantly reduced by 32% and Akt activity, implicated in RISK cardioprotection pathway, enhanced by the 5:1 and 1:1 in comparison to the 1:5 diet ratios. They also reduced TNF-α plasma concentration. In the limbic system, caspase-3 enzymatic activity was doubled in CA1 after 15 min and in CA1 and dentate gyrus (Dg), after 24 h, in the 1:5 compared to 1:1 and 5:1 groups. Caspase-8 enzymatic activity was increased in Dg and capase-9 was enhanced in the CA1 at both reperfusion time in the 1:5 against the 1:1 and 5:1 groups. Conclusion: High omega-3 dietary ratio helps to reduce infarct size, inflammation and to prevent apoptosis in the limbic system.
Consórcio de milho e Brachiaria decumbens em diferentes preparos de solo - DOI: 10.4025/actasciagron.v31i4.915

Conservation tillage and production systems that aim to maximize soil and water use in a sustainable form have become alternatives for regions that have relatively short periods of rain and high temperatures. The objective of this research was to evaluate intercropping systems with maize and Brachiaria that have better adaptation to the edaphoclimatic conditions of the “Zona da Mata” region, state of Alagoas. The treatments consisted of a BRS 3150 hybrid of maize, cultivated in the following systems: Conventional Cropping, Minimum Cultivation and No-tillage (BRS 3150 intercropped with Brachiaria decumbens ). The design used was randomized block with subdivided plots. Soil samples were collected for chemical analysis. Production components and grain yield were also evaluated. The different soil managements and the use of Brachiaria decumbens in an intercropping system with maize did not affect production components. The result analysis allowed the conclusion that the use of Brachiaria decumbens had a negative influence on maize yield when cultivated in an intercropping system, with the higher yield obtained in conservations systems.