Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Grain size affects the relationship between species richness and above-ground biomass in semi-arid rangelands

ABSTRACT Background: Discrepancies in the shape of the productivity–diversity relationship may arise from differences in spatial scale. We hypothesised that there is a grain size effect on the productivity–diversity relationship. Aims: To determine the effect of three sampling grain sizes on the productivity–diversity relationship. Methods: We applied generalised linear mixed effect models on community data from 735 vegetation plots in the Taleghan rangelands, Iran, sampled at three grain sizes (0.25, 1 and 2 m2) to ascertain plant productivity-diversity patterns, while accounting for the effects of site, plant community type, disturbance, and life form. Results: Overall, relationships between biomass and plant species richness were unimodal at grain sizes of 0.25 and 1 m2, and asymptotical at 2 m2. The spurious occurrence of a single large shrub may overwhelm a small-sized sampling unit, resulting in a high estimate of the sample’s biomass relative to species richness. However, the relationship between biomass and species richness at larger grain sizes is more likely to reach an asymptote. Conclusions: Shrubs are partly responsible for driving the relationship between plant biomass and species richness. Given that the frequency of shrubs is highly variable between small plots but not so in large plots, their presence may result in unimodal productivity–diversity relationships at small but not at large grain sizes.
Caracterización química y propiedades bioactivas de hongos silvestres portugeses comestibles

Chemical Characterization And Bioactive Properties Of Portuguese Wild Edible Mushrooms v ABSTRACT Nineteen different mushroom species (Agaricus arvensis, Agaricus bisporus, Agaricus romagnesii, Agaricus silvaticus, Agaricus silvicola, Cantharellus cibarius, Hypholoma fasciculare, Lactarius deliciosus, Lactarius piperatus, Lepista nuda, Leucopaxillus giganteus, Lycoperdon molle, Lycoperdon perlatum, Macrolepiota mastoidea, Macrolepiota procera, Ramaria botrytis, Sarcodon imbricatus, Tricholoma acerbum and Tricholoma portentosum) from Northeast of Portugal, one of the European regions with higher wild edible mushrooms diversity, were evaluated for their chemical composition, nutritional value and bioactive properties (antioxidant and antimicrobial activities), in order to valorise mushrooms as a source of nutrients and nutraceuticals. The analysis of nutrients included determination of proteins, fats, ash, and carbohydrates, particularly sugars by HPLC-RI. The analysis of nutraceuticals included determination of fatty acids by GC-FID, and other phytochemicals such as tocopherols, by HPLC-fluorescence, phenolic compounds by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS, carotenoids and ascorbic acid, by spectrophotometric techniques. The antioxidant activity was screened through chemical and biochemical assays. The chemical assays allowed an evaluation of their reducing power, radical scavenging activity and inhibition of β-carotene bleaching, while biochemical assays evaluated the lipid peroxidation inhibition capacity, using erythrocytes and brain cells as models. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated using clinical isolates or collection microorganisms (Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and fungi). The macronutrient profile in general revealed that the wild mushrooms were rich sources of protein and carbohydrates and had low amounts of fat. The analysis of fatty acid composition allowed the quantification of twenty three fatty acids. Unsaturated fatty acids and, in particular, oleic and linoleic acids, were predominant. Mannitol and trehalose were the most abundant sugars. The analysed mushrooms also contain very useful phytochemicals such as phenolic compounds, tocopherols, ascorbic acid, and carotenoids. Particularly, four phenolic acids (protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, pcoumaric and cinnamic acid) and two vanillic acid isomers were detected, identified and quantified, as also three of the tocopherols vitamers (α-, β-, γtocopherol); no tocotrienols were detected. All the species proved to have antioxidant properties,
A cross sectional study on attitude, knowledge and barriers towards research among medical post graduate students

Introductions: Research is a systematic scientifically based investigation done in any branch of knowledge for enhancement of existing knowledge and pursuit of new information. Adequate knowledge, right attitude and critical evaluation of the research material are the most important factors which determine the quality of research. Objectives: The present study was taken up to identify the barriers as perceived by the students and make appropriate changes in the post graduate curricular to facilitate quality research based practice among medical professionals. Materials and Method: A cross sectional questionnaire-based study was carried out in post graduate students of Sri Siddhartha Medical College. Results: All the 90(100%) postgraduates agreed that conduction of research will improve their career prospects and lack of skills and knowledge were found to be the main barriers to conduct research. Majority of students felt that allocation of separate time, support from funding agencies and right to select their own guide will help in better outcome. Conclusion: The present study reveals that there is a need to consider the introduction of periodic research methodology training programs for post graduates. The academic personal should develop effective strategies and pedagogies to develop positive attitude and practices in student training which will motivate them to actively participate in research activities to contribute in the scientific progress of the country.
Exploring the generic delimitation of Phyllagathis and Bredia (Melastomataceae): A combined nuclear and chloroplast DNA analysis

Phyllagathis Blume and Bredia Blume (Sonerileae s.l., Melastomataceae) are two closely related Asian genera with similar morphology and overlapping geographical range. Their generic circumscription and phylogenetic relationships are far from fully understood. We present here a molecular phylogenetic investigation for the two genera using nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer and chloroplast (trnV‐trnM) sequence data. Seventeen genera of Sonerileae s.l. were included in the analyses, with Phyllagathis and Bredia densely sampled to cover their geographical range and morphological diversity. We identified 14 well supported species clusters within Sonerileae s.l. –Medinilla. Phylogenetic analyses together with reconstruction of morphological characters clearly indicated the taxonomic mess in generic delimitation of Sonerileae s.l. Many of the characters traditionally used in generic delimitation were highly homoplasious. Bredia and Phyllagathis, as well as Allomorphia, Anerincleistus, Fordiophyton, and Oxyspora, were revealed to be non‐monophyletic. Bredia, as currently defined, contains two groups of species with different phylogenetic affiliations. Bredia should be recircumscribed to exclude the Bredia–Phyllagathis clade I and accommodate the Bredia–Phyllagathis clade II as the type of the genus is included in the latter clade. Most species sampled in Phyllagathis spread across eight well supported clades throughout the phylogenetic tree. The type of Phyllagathis showed no close affiliation with other members of Phyllagathis nor its putative relatives. Phyllagathis, as presently circumscribed, is heterogeneous, encompassing multiple evolutionary lineages. As sequence data of nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer and chloroplast trnV‐trnM failed to resolve the phylogenetic relationships among these lineages, the formal taxonomic adjustment of Phyllagathis is postponed until further evidence can be gathered.
Transcriptional regulation of the mouse and human interleukin-5 genes in T-lymphocytes

The transient transfection systems were established in both mouse (D10W) and human (HSB-2) T cell lines, providing model systems for analysis of the molecular mechanisms regulating IL-5 gene expression. Mouse IL-5 promoter activity was induced 36-fold by stimulation with PMA/cAMP in D10W cells whereas stimulation with PMA/cAMP/ionophore was required for 6-fold induction of the human IL-5 promoter in HSB-2 cells. Both inductions were abolished when the putative transcription factor binding sites for AP-1, Ets/NFAT or GATA in the proximal promoter regions of the respective IL-5 genes were mutated. Transactivation studies showed that the transcription factor AP-1 (c-Jun and c-Fos) strongly activated both the mouse and human IL-5 promoters in the absence of stimulation. In unstimulated cells, AP-1 synergistically transactivated the mouse IL-5 promoter in combination with Etsl and cooperated with both Etsl and GATA-3 to activate the human IL-5 promoter. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that recombinant AP-1 and Etsl proteins specifically bound to their respective sites in the mouse IL-5 promoter. The transactivation activities of the transcription factors were shown to be mediated through the AP-1, Ets/NFAT and GATA binding sites in the proximal promoter region of the respective genes. The transactivation activity of Etsl plus its unique ability to synergize with AP-1 strongly suggested that Etsl rather than Elfi or NFATp or NFATc was involved in gene induction at the Ets/NFAT sites of the mouse and human IL-5 proximal promoters. GATA-3 and GATA-4 had strong transactivational activity with the human IL-5 promoter and both cooperated well with Etsl and AP-1. However, GATA-3 is the Th2 specific factor and therefore most likely to be involved in IL-5 expression. Activation of the ERK MAP kinase pathway was sufficient to induce IL-5 activation in the absence of stimulation. The JNK pathway gave less gene induction and the p38 pathway gave very little activation. However, in stimulated cells, activation of each of the three MAP kinase pathways gave strong induction of IL-5 gene expression. These inductions were dependent on the AP-1, Ets/NFAT and GATA binding sites within the proximal promoter region of the mouse IL-5 gene. Taken together, these studies suggest that the proximal regions of both the human and mouse IL-5 promoters are critical for induction of the IL-5 gene. In addition, cooperative interactions between AP-1, Etsl and GATA-3 are obligatorily required for IL-5 expression and may be part of a higher order transcriptional complex in activated T lymphocytes analogous to the enhanceosome of the IFN-ß gene. Preliminary studies showed two sites of binding for HMGI(Y) in the proximal promoter and suggest that it may participate as an architectural transcription factor. The results support the proximal promoter region as the major inducible switch regulating IL-5 gene expression in T cells
Annual and Seasonal Rainfall Variability for the Kenyan Highlands from 1900-2012

The study investigated the rainfall variability for Nairobi, Nyeri, Thika, Meru, and Embu which are agriculturally potential zones located in the Kenya Highlands region. The rainfall data were retrieved from the archival documentaries and instrumental rainfall records for 112 years. Using the non-parametric Mann Kendal land regression analysis tests, the coefficient of variance and long-term trend analysis, revealed an insignificant trend in the annual rainfall for all areas under investigation. The study found out a significant deterioration in the long rains (MAM), while the short rains (OND) trend continued significantly increasing over most of the highlands, particularly in Embu and Nairobi since the 1970s. A significant decrease in the long rains was observed in Thika and Meru, which portrays a likely deterioration of agricultural outputs in these areas during the season. The study findings conclude that there are no major observed changes in the annual rainfall amounts in the Highland zones, except a slight increase attributable to the increase of the short rains in some areas. This is a useful record disclosing localized long-term rainfall trends, which can be utilized in simulating the future rainfall events for these areas.
Evaluation of the thiol disulfide homeostasis in patients with traumatic hemorrhagic shock.

BACKGROUND Traumatic hemorrhagic shock is a condition associated with a high mortality rate in the absence of timely diagnose and intervention. The class and severity of hemorrhagic shock are the key factors that guide the decisions in the management of these patients. This study aims to provide guidance for the timely administration of an appropriate treatment to patients with traumatic hemorrhagic shock, and thus, decrease morbidity and mortality, by determining shock severity and class more clearly with the use of the thiol disulfide homeostasis balance, which is an objective criterion. METHODS This controlled, prospective, and clinical study was conducted in the Emergency Medicine Clinic at the University of Health Sciences, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital between October 1, 2018 and April 30, 2019. Thiol disulfide homeostasis was assessed in blood collected from patients and healthy volunteers. A total of one hundred two patients were included; of whom 52 were female and male volunteer patients aged 18 or older who presented to the emergency department with traumatic hemorrhagic bleeding and fifty were control subjects. RESULTS Patient and control groups demonstrated significantly different native thiol, total thiol, disulfide, disulfide/native thiol, and disulfide/total thiol levels (P-values for native thiol, total thiol, disulfide, disulfide/native thiol, and disulfide/total thiol: 0.001>, 0.001>, 0.018, 0.002, and 0.002, respectively). According to pairwise comparisons; Class-3 hemorrhagic shock was associated with significantly lower native thiol and total thiol levels compared to Class-1 and Class-2 hemorrhagic shock (Comparison of Class-1 and Class-3 hemorrhagic shock: p-value for native thiol = 0.001, p-value for total thiol = 0.002) (Comparison of Class-2 and Class-3 hemorrhagic shock: p-value for native thiol = 0.009, p-value for total thiol = 0.006). Total thiol levels were found to be lower in patients who died compared to those who survived (p=0.040). CONCLUSION Thiol disulfide homeostasis data were found to be correlated with the shock class and mortality. The assessment of thiol disulfide homeostasis can serve as a guide in the determination of the severity and classification of the disease, evaluation of the prognosis, and management of the treatment in traumatic hemorrhagic shock patients.
Germination Eco-physiology and Emergence of Physalis peruviana Seedlings

The genus Physalis belongs to the family Solanaceae, Physalis peruviana L. being the most cultivated species. As a newly explored crop in Brazil, little is known about its germination ecology and emergence under local conditions. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of temperature, photoperiod, planting depth and seed dormancy on the establishment of Physalis seedlings. Tests were conducted on two Physalis biotypes from Sertão (Rio Grande do Sul state―RS) and Capelinha (Minas Gerais state). Seeds incubated at 27 °C and 32 °C exhibited high germination percentages of 98% and 96%, respectively. Germination declined when seeds were incubated at 12, 17, 22 and 37 °C. Photoperiods longer than 8 h are sufficient for seed germination, while the absence of light significantly reduces the germination percentage. Seeds should be planted at a depth of 1-2 cm to ensure better seedling emergence. After 18 months of field work, 81% of seeds had germinated and/or been predated prior to assessment, indicating low seed dormancy. As such, ideal conditions for Physalis seedling establishment are planting depth between 1 cm and 2 cm, temperatures ranging from 27 °C to 32 °C and a photoperiod longer than 8 h, with a postharvest seed shelf life of 12 months.
Dimorphic Modulation of Immunity: From Gender to Hormones

The open circuit system of immunity is composed of different cellular and non-cellular components. However, the components are seemingly limited in view of their multifaceted actions. Hence, the particularity and functional diversity of immune system lie in the mode of regulation of all of its components. There are different factors which regulate the proper function and modus operandi of several components of immune system. Among them, one most important factor is regulation through hormones. There are different classes of hormones, but in context of immune system, hormones are immune-enhancing, immune-inhibitory, or immune-neutral. In-depth studies have shown that response of immune system varies with hormones of different kinds. It depends on the context (in vivo and in vitro), nature of hormone (steroid, proteinaceous, peptide, amino acid, and amino acid derivative), body condition (healthy vs. under pathological/clinical), and their behavior when in combination with other hormones and in contact with cellular and non-cellular components of immune system. It is notable that males and females of any animal differ physiologically and one of the reasons behind different physiology is involvement of hormones. Thus, it is a matter of investigation how gender-wise differentiation exists at immunological level. Till date, very little is known in this aspect and in-depth molecular studies are on the way to explore out the reason. This review, however, in brief, encompasses the dimorphism of immunity and immune response in terms of gender under hormonal regulation.
Ebb-and-flow Subirrigation Strategies Increase Biomass and Nutrient Contents and Reduce Nitrate Levels in Lettuce

Overhead irrigation is widely used to water lettuce during commercial production in China but exerts potential water wastage and pollution. Subirrigation is thought as a water-saving, high-efficiency fertigation strategy. However, few studies have compared the nutritional value and nitrate content of lettuce grown using subirrigation with plants cultivated with overhead irrigation. Therefore, this study explored the ability of ebb-and-flow subirrigation strategies to produce high yields of a leafy lettuce (cultivar Biscia Rossa) with high nutritional value and low nitrate content. Lettuce plants were cultivated in an ebb-and-flow subirrigation system with different irrigation frequencies (every 2 or 3 days) and immersion times (5, 10 or 15 minutes); overhead irrigation was used as control. Ebb-and-flow subirrigation significantly enhanced several lettuce growth parameters, significantly increased the level of vitamin C, and significantly decreased the nitrate content of lettuce leaves compared with overhead irrigation. The optimal subirrigation strategy for lettuce production was irrigation every 3 days with 15 minutes immersion; this ebb-and-flow subirrigation protocol could potentially be used to save water and resources, improve yield and nutrient contents and reduce nitrate content in commercial greenhouse lettuce production.
Ammonium alleviates iron deficiency of drip-irrigated rice seedlings in low soil temperature in calcareous soil

ABSTRACT Paddy rice (Oryza sativa L.) is easy to suffer from iron (Fe) deficiency in drip-irrigated (DI) calcareous soils, especially at the seedling stage. Low soil temperature and the soil nitrogen (N) is dominated by nitrate () is probably the reason of Fe chlorosis in this stage. The objective of this experiment was to elucidate the causes of Fe deficiency induced by low soil temperature and the mechanism of ammonium () alleviate Fe deficiency of DI rice. Applying different N forms ( or ) to two rice cultivars (cv. ‘T43’ and ‘T04’, Fe-efficient and Fe-inefficient genotype, respectively) under different soil temperatures to study the growth and Fe uptake of DI rice. The results showed that low soil temperature reduced the root biomass and root activity of rice significantly, which in turn, resulted in low leaf SPAD value and Fe uptake of rice. The rice fed with had improved root activity and bigger root surface area, higher rhizosphere soil DTPA-Fe concentration and more Fe uptake than fed with under low soil temperature. The results indicated alleviates Fe deficiency of DI rice by improving the availability of rhizosphere soil Fe, increasing the root surface area and root activity. Application of to DI rice is a promise agronomic measure to alleviate Fe deficiency.
Crucifer clubroot disease changes the microbial community structure of rhizosphere soil

To determine the effects of clubroot disease on microbial diversity of rhizosphere soils, the bacterial 16S rDNA region and fungal ITS region from the rhizosphere soils of clubroot⁃infected and healthy Chinese cabbage were sequenced and analyzed to evaluate the microbial community composition and structure. Moreover, we also measured the physiochemical properties of the two groups of soil samples, aiming to establish the relationship among clubroot occurrence, microbial community structures, and soil environmental factors. Soil pH and the contents of total phosphorus, total potassium, available nitrogen, and available phosphorus were significantly lower in the rhizosphere soil of clubroot⁃infected Chinese cabbage than those of healthy plants, whereas the exchangeable calcium content was increased in diseased soil. The
Influence of Antenna Pattern on Synthetic Aperture Radar Resolution for NDE Applications

The effect of antenna gain pattern on synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging is analyzed in this article. In prior investigations, only the effect of antenna half-power beamwidth (HPBW) on the resultant image spatial resolutions were described using approximations that are valid only at very large distances or at small distances with relatively wide HPBW. This article illustrates that this approximation is not valid in the near-field of the synthetic array when the antenna used is highly directive. In this article, the effect of the entire antenna (gain) pattern, instead of just assuming a constant pattern within the HPBW, on SAR image spatial resolutions (both range and cross-range) is demonstrated. Additionally, the effect of approximations which are necessary for implementing fast Fourier transform (FFT)-based algorithms (e.g., <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\omega $ </tex-math></inline-formula>-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$k$ </tex-math></inline-formula> SAR algorithm) on the image resolutions are also studied. The concept of effective synthetic aperture length is introduced and corresponding empirical formulas are derived. Subsequently, this effective aperture length is used to calculate the image spatial resolutions. Finally, representative measurements were performed to verify the simulation results.
Perception of workers about inhibitors and fuels of professional
 development

Career building is an active process that is built objectively and subjectively throughout life. This study aimed to identify the perception of workers about the fuels and inhibitors of their professional development. We conducted this study in two methodological steps. The first stage consisted of data collection and had the participation of 408 workers (53.9% men), who addressed the elements that acted as fuels or inhibitors of their professional development. In the second stage, we invited ten experts to evaluate indicating the appropriate dimensions for each fuel or inhibitor of professional development, according to the theoretical models. The study contributes with a set of 39 fuels and inhibitors of professional development, distributed in four categories: psychological elements, relational elements, contextual elements, intentional and experiential learning. The results contribute to career studies, and workers can use the findings of this research to reflect and elaborate professional development plans.