Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Potential of New Streptomyces Isolates as Biocontrol Agents Against Fusarium Spp

Abstract The excessive use of synthetic pesticides for plant pathogens control could cause possible harmful side-effects to humans and animals, environmental pollution, residual toxicity, affects soil characteristics or induce the development of fungal resistance. Alternative ways for fungal contamination control involve natural products, based on microorganisms, many of them being already available for use. The selection and characterization of new biological agents useful for plant pathogens control are permanent goals for plant protection researches. In the last decade, several studies revealed that Streptomyces species are promising biocontrol agents against a wide range of phytopathogenic fungi, including Fusarium spp. , one of the most important wheat pathogens. In our study, 60 strains of Streptomyces spp. were isolated from soil or compost and evaluated for in vitro antifungal abilities by dual confrontation method. At least 30% of the isolates presented inhibitory activity against F. culmorum and F. graminearum. The bacterial strains were also tested for their ability to produce various bioactive compounds, possible involved in fungal inhibition. The capacity of some of the bacterial isolates to produce cellulases, amylases, lipases and volatile metabolites was proved. In addition, a new screening method for chitinases production was developed, based on the use of a combination of Congo red and Lugol solutions, which allowed the detection of chitinases in several Streptomyces spp. strains. Moreover, the reduction of the level of some Fusarium mycotoxins was detected by HPTLC analysis. As a conclusion, antagonistic interactions between Streptomyces isolates and fusaria could involve antibiosis, competition and parasitism and suggested that at least some of the selected isolates could be used in obtaining biological control products.
Predicting recurrent PDV epizootics in European harbour seals ( Phoca vitulina )

Phocine Distemper Virus (PDV) caused mass mortality in European harbour seals ( Phoca vitulina ) in 1988 and in 2002. Both epizootics likely originated from refugia in Arctic seals, where data indicate PDV hops among populations and species. The metapopulation structure of host populations is suggested to be the reason why PDV is preserved among Arctic seals, since the high rate of spread of PDV would require much larger panmictic populations to maintain an infection. The pattern of sudden outbreaks of PDVis also seen in grey seals ( Halichoerus grypus ), the only to date identified species that could act as a vector between Arctic and North Sea seal populations. Harbour seal populations along mainland Europe were below critical herd immunity levels by 3-5 years after the events, and thus vulnerable for new outbreaks, but historical data and the 14 years between the 2 epizootics suggest that harbour seals in the North Sea area are only rarely exposed to the infective agent. The risk for new outbreaks of the seal plague in North Sea harbour seals is likely linked to the dynamics of the disease in Arctic seal species as well as vector species.
MATLAB CODE FOR VIBRATING PARTICLES SYSTEM ALGORITHM

In this paper, MATLAB code for a recently developed meta-heuristic methodology, the vibrating particles system (VPS) algorithm, is presented. The VPS is a population-based algorithm which simulates a free vibration of single degree of freedom systems with viscous damping. The particles gradually approach to their equilibrium positions that are achieved from current population and historically best position. Two truss towers with 942 and 2386 elements are examined for the validity of the present algorithm; however, the performance VPS has already been proven through truss and frame design optimization problems.
Relationship Marketing Tactics and Customer Loyalty-A Case of the Mobile Telecommunication Industry in Ghana

The study was aimed at assessing the impact of relationship marketing tactics on customer loyalty in the Ghanaian mobile industry where deregulation has led to intense competition and scramble for market share. Marketers in the industry are employing variety of relationship marketing tactics to attract and retain customers. This research study adopted four relationship marketing tactics (service quality, price perception, brand image and value offered) typical of a service industry and examined their impact on customer loyalty in the Ghanaian mobile industry. A self-completion questionnaire with a total of 40 closed questions was developed to gather field data. All of the items were measured by using a five-point Likert-type response scales, defined with 5 as strongly agree and 1 as strongly disagrees. Reliability test and some parametric and non-parametric tests were conducted and the results showed that there exist a positive significant relationship between each of the four relationship marketing tactics (namely service quality, price, value offered and brand image) and customer loyalty. The results are consistent with evidence in the extant literature. The study provides insight and significant feedback from mobile phone users to the telecommunication operators. As the competitive environment increasingly becomes fierce, the voice and preferences of the customers are also becoming the priority. This finding is expected to serve as a guide and help to telecommunication managers in making informed judgment about the relationship marketing mix relevant to the present customer’s need that yields increase in revenue and profit.
Imaging of Hypoxia in Retinal Vascular Disease

Retinal tissue hypoxia is a key mediator in the pathogenesis of many leading causes of irreversible vision loss, including diabetic retinopathy. Retinal hypoxia in diabetic retinopathy has been shown to drive the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and pro-angiogenic growth factors. Together, these factors contribute to disease progression by causing unregulated growth of new blood vessels, increased vascular permeability and cell death within the retina. Studies have shown that retinal hypoxia precedes many of the pathologic events that occur during the progression of diabetic retinopathy such as angiopathy, microaneurysms, and capillary dropout. Therefore, early detection of hypoxia in the retinas of diabetic patients could help clinicians identify problems in patients before irreversible damage has occurred. Currently, oxygen sensitive electrodes remain the gold standard for direct measurement of oxygen tension within the retinal tissue; however the procedure is highly invasive and is therefore limited in its applicability towards preclinical models. Less invasive techniques such as retinal oximetry, phosphorescence-lifetime imaging, and hypoxia-sensitive fluorescent probes have shown promising diagnostic value in facilitating detection of oxygen imbalance correlated with neurovascular dysfunction in DR patients. This review highlights the current progress and potential of these minimally invasive hypoxia-imaging techniques in diabetic retinopathy.
Hybridization between Ischnura graellsii (Vander Linder) and 2. elegans (Rambur) (Odonata: Coenagrionidae): are they different species?

Two closely related damselflies, Ischnura graellsii and I. elegans, were analysed for morphological differences and reproductive isolation in the north coast of Galicia (NW Spain). We compared animals from sympatric and allopatric localities, including I. elegans from Belgium and I. graellsii from southern Spain as pure allopatric populations. A set of morphometric characters were studied by means of multivariate discriminant analysis to determine if these two species can be unambiguously distinguished. Discriminant analysis revealed that I. graellsii and I. elegans are well differentiated on the first two axis (86% and 11%, respectively). I. graellsii individuals are distinguished from I. elegans by their smaller size and, specifically, by their narrower and shorter wings and shorter tibiae. In addition, I. elegans has a narrower space between the branches of each cercus, and greater distance between the branches of each paraproct. Sympatric individuals are morphologically intermediate, suggesting hybridization. When the species were put together in the laboratory, they showed partial temporal separation in mating behaviour, but males of I. elegans readily mated with females of I. graellsii, and hybrid individuals were obtained. The opposite heterospecific cross was almost impossible, apparently because of mechanical problems with the tandem linkage. Laboratory-reared hybrids (from male I. elegans ¥ female I. graellsii) are morphologically intermediate, mainly resembling the maternal phenotype. Although hybridization between both taxa is common, we suggest maintaining the specific status for both phenotypes because they show incipient reproductive isolation, as it is reported in the literature. © 2002 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2002, 76, 225‐235. ADDITIONAL KEYWORDS: hybrids ‐ morphological differentiation ‐ Odonata ‐ reproductive barriers ‐ speciation.
12-Weeks of Aqua Zumba Fitness® and Metabolic Syndrome in Obese Women

Background: The rate of obesity is consistently increasing in Malaysia, especially among women, which exposes the population to various metabolic and other mortality diseases. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of 12 weeks of Aqua Zumba® Fitness programmes on metabolic diseases indicators for obese young and middle-age women. Methods: Eighty previously sedentary obese (BMI >30 kg/m2) women (age 20-59 years old) were randomized to either a 12-week Aqua Zumba® regimen (AZ, n=40) or control group (C, n=40). Experiment group were involved in 12-weeks of Aqua Zumba® Fitness programmes, 3 times per week, 60 minutes per session, with an intensity of 50-75% of maximum heart rate. Body fat percentage (BF%), visceral fat (VF), waist circumference (WC), resting blood pressure (RBP), blood glucose (BG), and blood lipids (HDL and TG) were measured at baseline (week-0) and post-exercise intervention (week-13). Result: A significant difference (p<0.05) was found in changes of BF%, VF, WC, RBP, BG, HDL, and TG following 12-weeks of Aqua Zumba® Fitness programmes in both obese young and middle-age groups. However, the obese young group demonstrated significant superior changes with improvements of BF%, WC, and BG (p<0.05) compared to obese middle-age group. Conclusion: As a result, Aqua Zumba® Fitness elicits favorable changes in all metabolic parameters among obese women. Furthermore, the aging process affects metabolic responses towards exercise, with less prolific results in improvement of BF%, WC, and BG found in the middle-age group.
Spectral and binaural loudness summation in bilateral hearing aid fitting

Aversiveness of loud sounds is a frequent complaint by hearing-aid users, especially when fitted bilaterally. This study investigates whether loudness summation can be held responsible for this finding. Two aspects of loudness summation should be taken into account: spectral loudness summation for broadband signals and binaural loudness summation for signals that are presented binaurally. In this study different aspects were investigated: (1) the effect of different symmetrical hearing losses according to the classification of Bisgaard et al. (2010): N2, N3, N4, S2, and S3, and (2) the effect of spectral shape of broadband signals, by using high frequency noise and low frequency noise. For the measurements we used a well-standardized technique “Adaptive Categorical Loudness Scaling” (ACALOS). Also loudness matching was applied as a potentially clinical technique to get information about the individual loudness perception. Results show large individual differences in binaural loudness perception especially for broadband stimuli.
Factors influencing peer learning and performance in MOOC asynchronous online discussion forum

Most studies on traditional asynchronous online discussion suggest that facilitating dialogue, that is, commenting forum activities, result in better learning and performance. However, due to open entry and diverse learner backgrounds, learner behaviour in massive open online courses (MOOCs) may be different. Viewing forum messages, which involves fewer mental and physical actions as well as less cognitive processing, rather than posting forum massages, might better match the learner’s study purpose. In this study, we investigated the effects of three common types of online MOOC discussion forum activities (viewing, voting and commenting) on student peer learning (peer reviews) and performance (quiz scores). We used stepwise regression models to analyse two data samples of a humanity and art MOOC provided by a private university in the United States for exploring factors influencing peer learning and performance. The results indicate that peer learning and performance were primarily predicted by viewing, and to a lesser extent by commenting. The three plausible explanations for the findings are the learner’s study purpose, weaker instructor-learner ties, and voluntary forum participation. We suggest ways to encourage viewing messages in forums and present limitations and further directions.
Selective integrin endocytosis is driven by α chain:AP2 interactions

Integrins are heterodimeric, cell-surface adhesion molecules comprised of one of 18 a-chains and one of 8 b-chains which control a range of cell functions in a matrix and ligand specific manner. Integrins can be internalised by clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) using b-subunit based motifs found in all integrin heterodimers. Whether selective CME also applies to specific integrin heterodimers was unknown. We found that a subset of a-subunits harbour an evolutionarily conserved and functional YxxF motif directing integrins to selective internalisation by the most abundant endocytic clathrin adaptor AP2. We determined the structure of the human (homo sapiens) integrin a4-tail motif in complex with AP2 C-m2 and confirmed the binding by ITC. Mutagenesis of the motif impaired selective heterodimer endocytosis and attenuated integrin-mediated cell migration. We propose that integrins evolved to enable selective integrin receptor turnover in response to changing matrix conditions. Running title: novel integrin endocytosis motif
MOLECULAR MODELING OF THE NUCLEOTIDE-BINDING DOMAIN OF THE WILSON' DISEASE PROTEIN: THE ATP-BINDING SITE AND DOMAIN DYNAMICS

Summary Motivation: Wilson’s disease protein (WNDP) is a copper-transporting ATPase that plays an essential role in human physiology. Mutations in WNDP result in copper accumulation in tissues and severe hepato-neurological disorder, Wilson’s disease. Several mutations were proposed to affect the nucleotide binding and hydrolysis by WNDP, however how the nucleotides bind to normal and mutated WNDP remains unknown. Results: To aid such studies, we carried out molecular modeling of spatial structure and dynamics of the ATP-binding domain of WNDP and its interactions with ATP. The 3D models of this domain were built using the X-ray structure of the Ca 2+ -ATPase in the E1 state. To study the functional aspects of the models, they were subjected to long-term molecular dynamics simulations in explicit solvent; similar calculations were performed for the ATP- binding domain of Ca 2+ -ATPase. In both cases, we found large-scale motions that lead to significant changes of distances between several functionally important residues. The ATP docking revealed two possible modes of ATP binding – via adenosine buried in the cleft near residues E1064, H1069, R1151, D1164, and via phosphate moiety “anchored” by H-bonds with residues in the vicinity of catalytic D1027. Furthermore, interaction of ATP with both sites occurs if they are spatially close to each other. This may be realized upon relative domain motions of the “closure” type observed in MD simulations. The results provide a framework for analysis of disease mutations and for future mutagenesis studies.
Energy and area minimizers in metric spaces

Abstract We show that in the setting of proper metric spaces one obtains a solution of the classical 2-dimensional Plateau problem by minimizing the energy, as in the classical case, once a definition of area has been chosen appropriately. We prove the quasi-convexity of this new definition of area. Under the assumption of a quadratic isoperimetric inequality we establish regularity results for energy minimizers and improve Hölder exponents of some area-minimizing discs.
Social Fun and Enjoyment: Viable Outcomes in Aquatics for Individuals With Physical Disabilities

This manuscript examines the literature pertaining to the effects of enjoyment and social fun and their application to individuals with disabilities in goal-oriented aquatic interventions. Literature related to the effects of positive emotion, disability issues related to positive emotion states, the nature of the aquatic environment, and programs that may facilitate positive emotions are examined. Research studies support the belief that participation in goal-oriented aquatics programs can provide individuals with realistic solutions for not only maintaining physical fitness and achieving rehabilitation goals, but also for attaining fun or enjoyment states that improve health and longevity. The paper highlights the implications of enjoyment and social fun states, generally and goal-oriented aquatic interventions, more specifically.
Comparative Analysis of the Multi-Sensor Global Ocean Colour Data Record

Comparative analysis of the multi-sensor global ocean colour data record S. Djavidnia, F. Mélin, and N. Hoepffner European Commission – Joint Research Centre, Institute for Environment and Sustainability, TP272, via Fermi, 2749, 21027, ISPRA, Italy now at: European Maritime Safety Agency, Cais do Sodré, 1249-206, LISBOA, Portugal Received: 16 July 2009 – Accepted: 17 July 2009 – Published: 23 July 2009 Correspondence to: F. Mélin (frederic.melin@jrc.ec.europa.eu) Published by Copernicus Publications on behalf of the European Geosciences Union.
Response fitting in low-cost radiation sensors

To obtain low-cost solar radiation sensors with energy applications, small commercial photovoltaic cells have been adapted. With the purpose to evaluate the resulting thermal drifts, a temperature sensor has been connected to a small electronic circuit. The calibration curve provided by the cells supplier is not useful in this case because it is made for a constant 20oC temperature. Besides, the additional circuit also affects the results. This work presents not only the design and implementation of the additional elements, together with the data acquisition system, but also the results of the calibration work, the fitting of new incident solar radiation functions regarding the temperature of the cell and the intensity of the resulting current, besides the validation of the results for four of these cells.
An Analysis of the Exponential Family Models to Predict Yield Loss of Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) Challenged with Water Stress and Redroot Pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.)

The performance of different yield loss models from an exponential family was evaluated in safflower-redroot pigweed systems in two field experiments conducted during 2007 and 2008 growing seasons at the research field of Agricultural College of Shiraz University, Iran. The yield loss of safflower was recorded as relative yield loss in experimental plots laid out in split plot design with three replicates. Three different irrigation treatments were allocated to the main plots and consisted of full irrigation or 100% field capacity (FC), 75% FC, and 50% FC, while five weed densities (0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeds m -2 ) were assigned to the sub-plots The Logistic and Gompertz models and a user defined Power-Exponential model were fitted to the data to relate crop yield loss to the weed densities under different water stress conditions. The Power-Exponential model was chosen as the best fit to the data with statistically acceptable model diagnostics. Logistic and Gompertz models showed good fit to the observed data, but underestimated the yield loss under three levels of irrigation. Model performance in all cases was influenced by water stress as models generally showed greater constant and systematic biases under severe water stress (50% FC). Model parameters were used to explain the impact of water stress in crop/weed system. The exponential family models globally performed better over common empirical models such as Spitters, Kropff and Lotz and Cousens models.
Carriage of Mobilizable Plasmid-Mediated b-Lactamase Gene in Ampicillin-Resistant Escherichia coli Strains with Origin of Normal Fecal Flora

r E. coli strains isolated from the stool samples of 21 healthy persons with no antibiotic use during at least three months were screened for TEM-, SHV-, or OXA-type β-lactamase genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The susceptibility of the strains to antibiotics was determined by disk diffusion method, and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ampicillin to the strains was determined by agar dilution method. Plasmid transfer assays were performed by broth mating technique. Plasmid DNA was isolated by alkaline lysis method. Digoxigenin-labeled TEM-1 probe was used in hybridization assays. Results: Two of 10 strains were found to be carrier for only TEM-type β-lactamase gene (blaTEM) by PCR, and their resistances to ampicillin were conjugatively transferred to a recombinant E. coli K-12 strain C600. MIC of ampicillin to two representative strains and their transconjugants was detected as >512 µg/ml. Moreover, β-lactamase inhibitor resistance was also observed in these two strains and their transconjugants. Digoxigenin-labeled TEM-1 DNA probe was hybridized to some non-conjugative but mobilizable plasmid DNAs purified from two of the TEM-gene-carrying organisms. Conclusions: These results indicate that commensal E. coli strains carrying β-lactamase gene in the bowel environment could retain resistance determinants on small-sized resistance plasmids (R plasmids) and become a potential reservoir for resistance genes in the community, even in the absence of recent antibiotic consumption. Amac: Bu cal›flman›n amac›, insan›n normal fekal floras›ndan izole edilen ampisiline direncli (Amp r ) Escherichia coli izolatlar›nda β-laktamaz genlerinin tafl›y›c›l›¤›n›n araflt›r›lmas›yd›. Yontemler: En az uc ay boyunca antibiyotik kullanmam›fl 21 sal›kl› kiflinin d›flk› orneklerinden izole edilen 10
Sublexical and syntactic processing during reading: evidence from eye movements of typically developing and dyslexic readers*

ABSTRACT Skilled, typically developing readers and children with dyslexia read correct sentences and sentences that contained verb errors that were pseudo-homophones, morphological over-regularisations or syntactic errors. All errors increased looking time but the nature of the error and participant group influenced the time course of the effects. The pseudo-homophone effect was significant in all eye-movement measures for adults (N = 26), intermediate (N = 37) and novice typically developing readers (N = 38). This effect was larger for intermediate readers than other groups in total duration. In contrast, morphological over-regularisations increased gaze and total duration (but not first fixation) for intermediate and novice readers, and only total duration for adult readers. Syntactic errors only increased total duration. Children with dyslexia (N = 19) demonstrated smaller effects of pseudo-homophones and over-regularisations than controls, but their processing of syntactic errors was similar. We conclude that dyslexic children's difficulties with reading are linked to overreliance on phonological decoding and underspecified morphological processing, which impacts on word level reading. We highlight that the findings fit well within the grain-size model of word reading [Grainger, J., & Ziegler, J. C. (2011). A dual-route approach to orthographic processing. Frontiers in Psychology, 2, 54. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2011. 00054].