Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Morphometry, energetics and diversity of free-living nematodes from coasts of Bizerte lagoon (Tunisia): an ecological meaning

Analyses of water quality in the Bizerte lagoon showed their relative low oxygenation during September 2002 compared to December 2001. Sediment variables appeared directly dependent on the silt/clay distribution and sewage from the metallurgic factory "El Fouledh". Nematode abundances were negatively influenced by silt/clay, organic matter, metals and chlorophyll a content. The individual nematode body size was clearly related to the distribution of two dominant species, Terschellingia longicaudata (Linhomoeidae) and Paracomesoma dubium (Comesomatidae). Shannon-Wiener diversity index values were the lowest in the South-Western stations characterized by higher level of organic matter and a weaker effect of pollution, in "Baie des carrieres" and "Menzel Jemil" areas. The sediment metals were the key factors con- trolling the respiration rate of meiobenthic nematodes.
Avaliação do bem-estar de aves poedeiras comerciais: efeitos do sistema de criação e do ambiente bioclimático sobre o desempenho das aves e a qualidade de ovos

Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos de dois sistemas de criacao (gaiolas e cama) no desempenho produtivo e na qualidade de ovos de aves poedeiras. O experimento foi conduzido durante cinco periodos experimentais de 28 dias. Foram utilizadas 64 poedeiras da linhagem Isabrown e 64 da linhagem Hy-line W-36 com 19 e 21 semanas de idade, respectivamente. Avaliou-se a combinacao dos dois sistemas de criacao (gaiolas convencionais e sistema de criacao em cama) e de duas linhagens em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado em arranjo fatorial 2 × 2 com quatro repeticoes. A avaliacao termica foi realizada por meio das temperaturas de bulbo seco e da umidade relativa. Para a avaliacao do desempenho produtivo, foram avaliadas a producao de ovos e a conversao alimentar. Na analise da qualidade dos ovos, foram avaliados o peso, a unidade Haugh, a gravidade especifica, a espessura, a integridade e a limpeza da casca dos ovos. Nao foram observadas diferencas no desempenho produtivo entre sistemas de criacao e linhagens. O sistema de criacao em cama, quando devidamente projetado, pode ser compativel ao de criacao em gaiolas quanto ao desempenho produtivo e a qualidade de ovos produzidos. Alem disso, quando em condicoes menos favoraveis ao conforto termico, esse sistema de criacao pode propiciar melhores resultados de qualidade da casca, com menores perdas de ovos, no entanto, pode resultar em maior porcentagem de ovos sujos, principalmente para a linhagem semipesada.
Development of a novel mitochondrial cleavage site predictor

報告番号: ; 学位授与年月日: 2011-09-27 ; 学位の種別: 修士 ; 学位の種類: 修士(科学) ; 学位記番号: 修創域第4109号 ; 研究科・専攻: 新領域創成科学研究科情報生命科学専攻
Opportunistic animals diet depend on prey availability: spring dietary composition of the Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Nepal

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a least concerned omnivore, distributed widely between 2,500m and 4,500m in different protected areas of Nepal. We investigated the spring feeding habits of the red fox in the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve of Nepal. Livestock depredation by red fox, wolf and leopard, and the consequently retaliatory killings of these carnivores by local livestock herders, is becoming a serious issue for the conservation of these carnivores. At the same time, it leads to an increase in the number of prey animals by reducing the predators. Due to this situation, red fox change their dietary preference towards pika (Ochotona roylei), wild boar (Sus scrofa), and other ungulates. However, its main diet consists of insects (Coleoptera and Orthoptera)in other parts of its range. There is no significant difference (χ2 = 0.86, df = 12, p > 0.05) in the frequency of occurrence of different prey species in the scats of red foxes. The pika (Ochotona roylei) made up 30% of the scats of fox, making it the most abundant species in their diet. Keys words: Omnivores, diet, Vulpes vulpes, prey, predators.
The Faà di Bruno formula and determinant identities

The Faà di Bruno formula on higher derivatives of composite functions and formal power series iteration is applied to the combinatorial determinant evaluation. Several determinant identities on composite function derivations and formal power series iterations, as well as their weighted versions, are established. They contain, as particular cases, the determinant evaluations due to Mina (Mina, L., 1905, Formule generali delle successive d'una funzione espresse mediante quelle della sua inversa. Giornale di Matematiche, 43, 196–212.), Kedlaya (Kedlaya, K.S., 2000, Another combinatorial determinant. Journal of Combinatorial Theory (A), 90, 221–223. ), and Wilf (Wilf, H.S., A combinatorial determinant. http://www.cis.upenn.edu/~wilf.).
Dissection of the Interplay Between HPV E6 and Its Cellular and Viral Targets

Whilst numerous studies have assigned different activities to the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) proteins, most of these analyses have been performed using only individual viral proteins, in the absence of other viral gene products that would be encountered in the context of a normal viral infection. Because of this, we initiated a series of studies to investigate the biological consequences of coexpressing various combinations of the HPV-encoded proteins. We show that HPV E2 and E6 exert dramatic regulatory effects upon each other's activities, which are mediated by a direct protein-protein interaction. These include relocalisation and alteration of substrate specificity, as well as the fine tuning of viral DNA replication and gene expression. At the same time L2 was found to induce enhanced accumulation of E6 in promyeloitic leukemia oncogenic domains (PODs); one consequence of which is the targeting of the POD-associated protein Daxx for proteasome mediated degradation. These findings provide unique insights into the complexity of the viral life cycle, and suggest alternative models for the role of loss of E2 and potentially of L2 during malignant progression. Using peptides isolated from an E6-specific library the significance of the E6/E6-AP interaction for E6 target degradation was also investigated. These studies reveal striking differences in the mechanism by which E6 targets its cellular substrates for degradation and provide compelling evidence for the role of E6-associated ubiquitin ligases other than E6-AP in the degradation of certain E6 targets. This has profound importance for studies aimed at developing therapeutics to target the E6/E6-AP interaction.
Antibacterial activity of Asperugo procumbens L. against some human pathogenic bacteria

Petroleum ether, chloroform (CHCl3), ethanol (EtOH), methanol (MeOH) and aqueous (H2O) extracts of leaves of Asperugo procumbens L. were evaluated for antibacterial activity against five human pathogenic bacterial strains with the agar-well diffusion method. The methanol extract was highly active against all the test bacteria, followed by the ethanol and aqueous extracts. The chloroform and petroleum ether extracts did not show any antibacterial activity. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the methanol extract ranged between 1.56 and 12.5 mg/ml. The results of this study provide support for the use of A. procumbens L. in Iran for traditional medicines.
Isolation and Identification of some halotolerant Actinomycetes having antagonistic activities against some plant pathogens (i.e., Tobacco mosaic virus, Aspergillus Sp., Fusarium Sp.) from soil of Taif Governorate KSA

Actinomycetes are considered one of the important bacteria due to their ability to produce several substances as secondary metabolites, found to be effective in the control of some plant pathogens. In this study, a number of soil samples were collected from different locations of Taif as well as Jeddah and Makah. This was followed by determination of the microbial total counts, i.e., bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes. Actinomycetes were isolated and purified and their color groups were determined. The actinomycete isolates were identified based on their cultural and morphological properties as Streptomycetes. The salt tolerance range of the purified Streptomyces isolates were determined by growing them on starch nitrate agar medium supplemented with different NaCl concentrations ranged from 3.5 to 10.5%. The highly tolerant streptomycete isolates were grown on a starch nitrate broth medium for 6 days under shaking conditions at 28-30 o C. Then, their antiviral and antifungal activities against TMV, Aspergillus sp. and Fusarium sp. were determined. The halotolerant Streptomycete isolates having antifungal and/or antiviral activities were completely identified based on their cultural, morphological and physiological properties. The DNA of the identified isolates was extracted and used for determination of DNA fingerprinting of these isolates using the RAPD-PCR molecular tool.
Can changes in the fisheries yield in the Kattegat (1950–1992) be linked to changes in primary production?

The increase in fisheries yield in the Kattegat during the last four decades can be correlated with a concomitant increase in annual primary production in the region. However, this correlation does not necessarily indicate cause and eVect. Other changes have occurred during this period that may also aVect fisheries yield (changes in fishing eVort, market demand, fleet composition, etc.). This paper examines some of these factors in an eVort to identify the underlying cause(s) of the observed increase in fisheries yield. It is concluded that, although there have been major changes in the structure of the fishing fleet and fishing eVort in the Kattegat during this period, the observed increase in fisheries yield probably reflects, at least in part, a real increase in fish biomass. It is not possible to document a direct link between this suspected increase in biomass and an increase in primary production. It is, however, noted that the changes in the relative proportion of benthic to pelagic species in the fishery are consistent with the changes which are predicted to occur following an increase in primary production. 1996 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
STEADY STATE GROWTH OF PHYTOPLANKTON IN CONTINUOUS CULTURE: COMPARISON OF INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL NUTRIENT EQUATIONS 1, 2

Previously, there have been conflicts over whether external or internal nutrient concentrations control phytoplankton growth rates at steady state in continuous culture. To experimentally demonstrate that both equations equally describe steady state growth, continuous culture studies with phosphorus‐limited growth of the chrysophyte Monochrysis lutheri Droop were carried out over the entire growth rate region up to biomass washout. Data were examined using both the Monod and Droop equations, and, even though there were significant variations in the yield coefficient with growth rate, the data fit both equations reasonably well. Because of their relative simplicity, the Droop equation and an equation combining both the Monod and Droop equations are better suited for expressing kinetic data than the Monod equation. It is crucial, though, that the criteria necessary to achieve steady state be fulfilled.
The nutrient status of organic soil amendments from selected wards of Chivi district, Zimbabwe

The potential of animal manure, leaf litter, anthill soil, ash, and compost to supply nutrients was investigated in samples collected from 16 villages from four wards in Chivi district, Zimbabwe. The objective of the study was to generate a biophysical knowledge base on the nutrient status of soil amendments. A total of 134 samples of amendments were collected from homesteads and analyzed for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and boron (B). With the exception of Cu, no significant differences (P > 0.05) in selected nutrients were found among the different types of soil amendments. Most of the amendments sampled had medium to low levels of nutrients. It was concluded that most of the soil amendments in the selected villages are of poor nutrient status. It is recommended to find management practices that minimize nutrient losses as well as to supplement the nutrients with inorganic fertilisers. Key words: Soil amendments, nutrients, villages, communal areas.
Towards a population ecology of stressed environments : the effects of zinc on the springtail Folsomia candida

Summary 1 To understand population dynamics in stressed environments it is necessary to join together two classical lines of research. Population responses to environmental stress have been studied at low density in life table response experiments. These show how the population's growth rate (pgr) at low density varies in relation to levels of stress. Population responses to density, on the other hand, are based on examination of the relationship between pgr and population density. 2 The joint effects of stress and density on pgr can be pictured as a contour map in which pgr varies with stress and density in the same way that the height of land above sea level varies with latitude and longitude. Here a microcosm experiment is reported that compared the joint effects of zinc and population density on the pgr of the springtail Folsomia candida (Collembola). 3 Our experiments allowed the plotting of a complete map of the effects of density and a stressor on pgr. Particularly important was the position of the pgr= 0 contour, which suggested that carrying capacity varied little with zinc concentration until toxic levels were reached. 4 This prediction accords well with observations of population abundance in the field. The method also allowed us to demonstrate, simultaneously, hormesis, toxicity, an Allee effect and density dependence. 5 The mechanisms responsible for these phenomena are discussed. As zinc is an essential trace element the initial increase in pgr is probably a consequence of dietary zinc deficiency. The Allee effect may be attributed to productivity of the environment increasing with density at low density. Density dependence is a result of food limitation. 6 Synthesis and applications. We illustrate a novel solution based on mapping a population's growth rate in relation to stress and population density. Our method allows us to demonstrate, simultaneously, hormesis, toxicity, an Allee effect and density dependence in an important ecological indicator species. We hope that the approach followed here will prove to have general applicability enabling predictions of field abundance to be made from estimates of the joint effects of the stressors and density on population growth rate.
Effects of Stratification on Western Hemlock Germination

In a laboratory study stratification had little or no effect on the germination capacity, but it significantly increased the rate of germination in western hemlock seedlots. The greatest increase occurred after 1–2 weeks of chilling on moist filter paper. Naked stratification in plastic bags produced nearly the same response. For stratification longer than 2 weeks, increments in germination rate became progressively smaller. Excellent germinability was indicated by germination values over 30, poor germination by germination values below 13.
Aggregating the amyloid Aβ11–25 peptide into a four‐stranded β‐sheet structure

We present a detailed analysis of the structural properties of one monomer of Aβ11–25 as well as of the aggregation mechanisms for four chains of Aβ11–25 using the activation–relaxation technique coupled with a generic energy potential. Starting from a random distribution of these four chains, we find that the system assembles rapidly into a random globular state that evolves into three‐ and four‐stranded antiparallel β‐sheets. The aggregation process is considerably accelerated by the presence of preformed dimers. We also find that the reptation mechanism already identified in shorter peptides plays a significant role here in allowing the structure to reorganize without having to fully dissociate. Proteins 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genetic and molecular studies of ced-5 and ced-7, two genes required for cell-corpse engulfment in C. elegans

One characteristic feature of programmed cell death is the engulfment of cell corpses. This process involves both the recognition and phagocytosis of cell corpses by engulfing cells. At least six genes are required for the engulfment of cell corpses in C. elegans. To understand the engulfment process, I have molecularly and functionally characterized two of these genes, ced-5 and ced-7. ced-5 encodes a protein similar to the human protein DOCK180 and the Drosophila melanogaster protein Myoblast City, both of which have been implicated in the extension of cell surfaces. The ectopic expression of a ced-5 cDNA in the engulfing cells of a ced-5 mutant rescued the engulfment defect, indicating that ced-5 is likely to function in engulfing cells. ced-5 mutants are defective not only in the engulfment of cell corpses but also in the migration of specific cells. Both engulfment and migration require a cell to extend its cell surface, consistent with the hypothesis that CED-5 protein functions in the extension of cell surfaces. The expression of human DOCK180 in C. elegans can rescue the cell migration defect seen in ced-5 mutants, suggesting that ced-5 and DOCK180 are functionally similar. CED-5 may function in the cytoskeletal reorganization that occurs as an engulfing cell extends its cell surface around a dying cell. ced-7 encodes a protein similar to the family of ABC (ATP-Binding Cassette) transporters. The CED-7 protein is localized to the plasma membrane and is widely expressed during embryogenesis. Mosaic analysis of ced-7 shows that ced-7 functions in both dying cells and engulfing cells during the engulfment of cell corpses. CED-7 may function to translocate molecules mediating the interaction between cell surfaces of the dying and engulfing cells during engulfment. Thesis supervisor: Dr. H. Robert Horvitz Title: Professor of Biology
Acid catalysed transesterification of animal waste fat.

Rendering plant fat (RPF) was collected and different conditions were used for transesterification. The course of transesterification of RPF was compared with that of transesterification of lard under the same conditions. Significant diffe- rences were found between transesterification of RPF and that of lard. Optimum methanol excess for lard transesterification was found to be 30-fold, for RPF 10-fold, optimum sulfuric acid concentration was 1% for lard, 2.5% for RPF. Optimum temperature as well as optimum reaction time were similar in both cases. The fatty acid composition is similar but not identi - cal in both fats. RPF contains a higher amount of free acid which could be the reason for the differences observed.
FPGA Control of Cascaded Multilevel Inverters: Implementation with Experiments

The main objective of this paper is to design and development of a FPGA based cascaded multilevel inverter with reduced harmonic distortions on the output. Due to the increased usage of power electronic converters for processing the power, the power quality issues become the hot research topic in the recent past. As the power level increases, the voltage level is increased accordingly to obtain satisfactory efficiency. During the last decades, the voltage rating of fast switching high voltage semiconductors such as the Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) has increased. Still, there is a need for series connection of switching devices. The multilevel power converter has shown growing popularity. The fundamental advantages of the multilevel converter topologies are low distorted output waveforms and limited voltage stress on the switching devices and hence the reduced electromagnetic interferences on the output waveforms. The main disadvantages are higher complexity and more difficult control but it can be overcome by using modern digital controllers. In this work, the performance parameters are analyzed with the developed prototype of a three phase cascaded multilevel inverter designed with digital controller for reduced power quality issues with induction motor drive experimentally with the options to use it for harnessing the renewable energy too. The main focus has been on the quality of output waveform and the result obtained with the developed experimental hardware setup proves the same.
Seasonal gas exchange of black spruce using an automatic branch bag system

Four large cuvettes were used to measure whole-branch CO2 and H2O vapour exchange at the Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study, Southern Study Area, Old Black Spruce site. Measurements started before the spring thaw and continued until after the winter freeze-up. Daytime photosynthesis, nighttime respiration, transpiration rate, and branch conductances were zero at the start and the end of the measurement period. Maximum photosynthetic uptake rates were ca. 6 µmol·m-2·s-1 (0.02 µmol·g-1·s-1). Maximum nighttime respiration was ca. 0.8 µmol·g-1·s-1. Maximum transpiration rates were ca. 2 mmol·m-2·s-1 (7.1 µmol·g-1·s-1). Maximum branch conductance was ca. 35 mmol·m-2·s-1 (0.123 mmol·g-1·s-1). A simple model combining light and temperature responses accounted for 80-90% of the day-to-day variation in daytime carbon uptake. Total annual daytime carbon uptake ranged from 151 to 271 g·m-2 (530-868 mg·g-1). Total nighttime loss ranged from 12.7 to 15.5 g C·m-2 (22.4-27.3 mg C·g-1). Total transpiration ranged from 20.
Production, turnover and mycorrhizal colonization of root systems of three Populus species grown under elevated CO2 (POPFACE).

A fast growing high density Populus plantation located in central Italy was exposed to elevated carbon dioxide for a period of three years. An elevated CO2 treatment (550 ppm), of 200 ppm over ambient (350 ppm) was provided using a FACE technique. Standing root biomass, fine root turnover and mycorrhizal colonization of the following Populus species was examined: Populus alba L. , Populus nigra L. , Populus x euramericana Dode (Guinier). Elevated CO2 increased belowground allocation of biomass in all three species examined, standing root biomass increased by 47–76% as a result of FACE treatment. Similarly, fine root biomass present in the soil increased by 35–84%. The FACE treatment resulted in 55% faster fine root turnover in P. alba and a 27% increase in turnover of roots of P. nigra and P. x euramericana. P. alba and P. nigra invested more root biomass into deeper soil horizon under elevated CO2. Response of the mycorrhizal community to elevated CO2 was more varied, the rate of infection increased only in P. alba for both ectomycorrhizal (EM) and arbuscular mycorrhizas (AM). The roots of P. nigra showed greater infection only by AM and the colonization of the root system of P. x euramericana was not affected by FACE treatment. The results suggest that elevated atmospheric CO2 conditions induce greater belowground biomass investment, which could lead to accumulation of assimilated C in the soil profile. This may have implications for C sequestration and must be taken into account when considering long-term C storage in the soil.