Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Scale-Norming Is a Concern for Life Satisfaction Research: Evidence From a New Metric

Almost all research into “evaluated wellbeing” in subjective well-being (SWB) scholarship to date has been conducted using life satisfaction scale questions. The majority of SWB scholars take the data these scale questions produce at face value and interpret what they see therein as “strong adaptation. ” This is the idea that people rapidly acclimatise to shocks to their life satisfaction and return to a baseline or “set-point” level of life satisfaction. This paper presents an alternate interpretation: people “scale-norm” in response to shocks. This means that they use qualitatively different scales to respond to life satisfaction scale questions in different waves of a survey. Scale-norming can make responses to different scale questions neither inter-personally nor inter-temporally comparable, even ordinally. This paper presents results from a study using a novel life satisfaction metric designed in part to identify scale norming. 15% of the sample appear to be scale norming, which calls into question most regression-derived results in existing life satisfaction research. The extent and severity of scale-norming demands further investigation.
Nuevo subgénero de Ateleia (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae: Swartzieae) de México A new subgenus of Ateleia (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae: Swartzieae) from Mexico

Ruddia J. Linares et M. Sousa, a new Mexican endemic subgenus of Ateleia (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae) is described, and the species of the new subgenus are redescribed. Its taxonomic position and affi nities with Cyathostegia are discussed and Ateleia arsenii, one species of the new subgenus, is illustrated.
Time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance imaging

Continuous wave electron paramagnetic resonance imaging (EPRI) experiments often suffer from low signal to noise ratio. The increase in spectrometer time required to acquire data of sufficient quality to allow further analysis can be counteracted in part by more processing effort during the image reconstruction step. We suggest a simultaneous iterative reconstruction algorithm (SIRT) for reconstruction of continuous wave EPRI experimental data as an alternative to the widely applied filtered back projection algorithm (FBP). We show experimental and numerical test data of 2d spatial images and spectral–spatial images. We find that for low signal to noise ratio and spectral–spatial images that are limited by the maximum magnetic field gradient strength SIRT is more suitable than FBP. 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Monitoring the trade: using the CITES trade database to examine the dynamics of the trade in live monitor lizards (Varanus spp.)

Previous research has shown particular monitor lizard species to be the subject of intense exploitation for the global trade in reptile skins. However, to date there has not been a review of the CITES - declared trade in live monitor lizards. This paper examines the dynamics of the trade in live monitor lizards between 1975 and 2005, based on CITES import data to determine the countries involved, as both exporters and importers. In addition, the species involved in the trade and their source are explored. The results are then discussed with regards to the conservation implications of this trade.
Organic carbon as an indicator of variations in the trophic state of two lakes located in the upper reaches of the Lyna River (Mazurian Lakeland, Poland)

Seasonal variations in the content of the dissolved (DOC) and particulate (POC) fractions of organic carbon were investigated in the waters of lakes Œwiête and £añskie. The SUVA260 parameter, which is the value of absorbance normalized against DOC, was used in the qualitative description of dissolved organic matter. The results of the investigations indicated that the concentration of organic carbon was higher in Lake Œwiête, which is evidence that this basin is more productive. High concentrations of DOC in summer accompanied by low SUVA260 values indicate that the main source of organic matter in this basin is primary production. This is confirmed by the high chlorophyll content, low visibility, and oxygen over-saturation in the surface water layer. In accordance with the criteria proposed by Thurman (1985), while both of the studied lakes are mesotrophic, the range of DOC concentration in Lake Œwiête indicates that the eutrophication process there is more advanced.
Study of the dark components of the Universe with the Euclid mission

The concordance model of cosmology, called ΛCDM, is a success, since it is able to reproduce the main cosmological observations with great accuracy and only few parameters. However, it predicts the existence of cold dark matter and dark energy in the form of a cosmological constant, which have not been directly detected yet. Therefore, it is important to consider models going beyond ΛCDM, and confront them against observations, in order to improve our knowledge on the dark sector of the Universe. The future Euclid satellite from the European Space Agency will probe a huge volume of the large-scale structure of the Universe using mainly the clustering of galaxies and the distortion of their images due to gravitational lensing. In this work, we quantitatively estimate the constraining power of the future Euclid data for the concordance model, as well as for some phenomenological extensions of it, modifying both dark components of the Universe. In particular, we pay special attention to the cross-correlations between the different Euclid probes when combining them, and assess their impact on the final results. On one hand, we show that Euclid will provide exquisite constraints on cosmological models that will definitely shed light on the dark sector. On the other hand, we show that cross-correlations between Euclid probes cannot be neglected in future analyses, and, more importantly, that the addition of these correlations largely improves the constraints on the cosmological parameters.
Microcantilever biosensors with chitosan for the detection of nucleic acids and dopamine

Title of Document: MICROCANTILEVER BIOSENSORS WITH CHITOSAN FOR THE DETECTION OF NUCLEIC ACIDS AND DOPAMINE Stephan Koev, Master of Science, 2007 Directed By: Professor Reza Ghodssi Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Abstract: Microcantilever biosensors allow label-free detection of analytes within small sample volumes. They are, however, often limited in sensitivity or specificity due to the lack of proper bio-interface layers. This thesis presents the use of the biopolymer chitosan as a bio-interface material for microcantilevers with unique advantages. Sensors coated with chitosan were designed, fabricated, and functionalized to demonstrate two distinct applications: detection of DNA hybridization and detection of the neurotransmitter dopamine. The first demonstration resulted in signals from DNA hybridization that exceed by two orders of magnitude values previously published for sensors coated with SAM (self assembled monolayer) interface. The second application is the first reported demonstration of using microcantilevers for detection of the neurotransmitter dopamine, and it is enabled by chitosan’s response to dopamine electrochemical oxidation. It was shown that this method can selectively detect dopamine from ascorbic acid, a chemical that interferes with dopamine detection in biological samples. MICROCANTILEVER BIOSENSORS WITH CHITOSAN FOR THE DETECTION OF NUCLEIC ACIDS AND DOPAMINE
Standardization of qPCR and RT-qPCR

T he perceived ease of use of real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) and reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) technology has revolutionized life science research. Its effectiveness at amplification and quantification of low levels of nucleic acids has driven the emergence of numerous applications, including cellular mRNA and miRNA quantification, biomarker discovery and validation, microbial quantification, cancer risk assessment, gene dosage determination, and detection of extremely low copy targets for forensic investigations. This, in turn, has resulted in an abundance of publications utilizing qPCR data obtained with diverse reagents, protocols, analysis methods, and reporting formats. Unfortunately, few papers report in detail how these results were obtained. This lack of clarity and transparency has led to concern in the research community over the reliability of qPCR data interpretation and the real danger of the scientific literature being corrupted with publications reporting erroneous and conflicting results. This has already occurred in some cases, resulting, for example, in retraction of a Science “Breakthrough of the Year 2005” report1. Now that qPCR has come of age, standardization is needed to ensure its validity, prompting the recent formulation of guidelines to increase experimental transparency, promote consistency between laboratoReprint from
Ligand-Independent Down-Regulation of IFN-γ Receptor 1 Following TCR Engagement1

Activated T lymphocytes modulate the level of many molecules on their cell surface, including cytokine receptors. This regulation of cytokine receptor expression affects the ability of T cells to respond to cytokines and thus influences the outcome of an immune response. The receptor for IFN-γ, a proinflammatory cytokine, consists of two copies of a ligand binding chain (IFN-γR1) as well as two copies of a second chain (IFN-γR2) required for signal transduction. The expression of IFN-γR2 is down-regulated at the mRNA level on CD4+ T cells when they differentiate into the Th1, but not the Th2, phenotype. This down-regulation has been demonstrated to depend on the ligand, IFN-γ, which is produced by Th1 but not Th2 T cells. The regulation of the cell-surface expression of IFN-γ receptors during primary T cell activation has not been reported. Naive and differentiated T lymphocytes express IFN-γR1 at the mRNA level and as a cell-surface protein. In this study, we present evidence that cell-surface expression of IFN-γR1 is transiently down-regulated on the surface of naive CD4+ T cells shortly after TCR engagement. Furthermore, this down-regulation is not mediated by the ligand, IFN-γ, but results from TCR engagement and can be inhibited by cyclosporin A.
Effect of different illumination types on in vitro microplants of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

As light plays an important role for the development of microplants thus, this investigation was aim to identifying different developmental stages includes shoot length, number of leaves, number of nodes and number of roots under six illumination types (white, blue, red, blue-red, blue-white and red-white). The results reveals that the red light is more effective for increasing shoot length per microplants instead of other light condition and blue light which were reduce the plant height. The highest number of leaf per microplants was obtained under blue light and approximately resemble at the combination of blue-white light and red light is responsible to reduce the number of leaves. In case of nodal development the highest number of node were formed by blue-red light. The number of root was increased by red-white light but it was decreased in red light with increased thickness of roots.
The predominant protein in an aphid endosymbiont is homologous to an E. coli heat shock protein.

In the present study, we have purified symbionin from the aphid tissues and characterized its chemical and physical properties. Also, to understand biological functions of symbionin we have searched E. coli total proteins for a protein homologous to symbionin. The search was justified by the reported close similarity between the rRNAs of the primary endosymbiont and E. coli
Characterisation of recombinant aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligand binding domain

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor, which mediates the toxicity of dioxin and related compounds, and has an important role in development. However, a structural basis for ligand binding to the AhR remains unclear and the study was hindered by the low abundance and inherited instability of the AhR. Based on a previously defined minimal ligand-binding domain (LBD, residues 230-421), in the present study a series of truncated LBD constructs were created and expressed in insect cells (Sf9) using a baculovirus expression system. An antibody was produced to analyze the expressed. The antisera can detect as low as 0.3ng of AhR LBD from cytosol of Sf9. An in vitro [3H]TCDD binding assay was developed to characterized the expressed LBD. The assay yielded an estimate for the KD of C57Bl/6 mouse liver binding at 1.4nM. The present expression system yields soluble AhR LBD protein at ~0.15% of cytosol protein. Supplementation of the Sf9 culture medium with additional glucose resulted in an increase in the amount of soluble AhR, due to an increase in intracellular ATP level. However, cotransfection of LBD with hsp90 interaction protein p23 made no substantial change in the amount of cytosolic AhR. The soluble recombinant LBD retains functionality in the form of specific binding to dioxin, and its thermal stability was indistinguishable from that of mouse liver. However the ligand-binding activity of LBD was molybdate dependent, indicating a weaker association of mouse AhR LBD with Sf9 hsp90. A differential effect of Triton X-100 on the recombinant AhR LBD and native AhR also suggests that the interaction between AhR and Sf9 hsp90 is less stable. The study refined the minimal LBD to a region of 125 amino acids, which should be amenable for structural studies of the LBD.
ANALYSIS OF SULPHUR CONTENT IN COPRA

Agriculture is the largest economic sector in India. Coconut is one of the most demanded fruit amongst all. The dried coconut, copra is the main source of coconut oil. Naturally it contains 70% of moisture content and it is dried to about 7% for production of coconut oil. The sulphur is added as preservative which acts as anti-microbial agent for preventing bacteria, fungus etc. Sulphur is a toxic food preservative which restricts lung performance and leads to direct allergenic reactions. The survey of World Health Organisation says that 65% of asthmatic children are sensitive to sulphur and 75% of children exposed to sulphur exhibits changes in their behaviour. The sulphur fumigation over coconut affects human both externally and internally. Fumigation leads to cancer and environmental pollution. In order to prevent this devastating effect, copra is examined using image processing. The proposed idea is to identify the presence and percentage of sulphur region present in copra. The region of interest is segmented by method of superimposition thereby segmenting white layers in copra. The RGB colour features are extracted to differentiate the sulphur added copra from normal copra. The coconut is dried under 60°C in a tray drier and shapes of copra decreases at regular interval of time are extracted using image processing. The decreasing percentage of shape features are measured to identify the sulphur added in the copra. The k-means clustering technique is used to discriminate the copra at different levels. The segmented patch area is measured to determine the percentage of sulphur present in copra. The percentage of sulphur over copra is divided into three levels (low sulphur added region, medium sulphur added region and high sulphur added region). The K-Nearest Neighbour classification is also used to classify the sulphur added copra at different levels. The proposed algorithm classifies the sulphur added copra at three different levels with 86% accuracy.
Organisational commitment and employee turnover at an Engineering faculty of a tertiary institution

ii List of abbrieviations.iii List of figures and tables. iii Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Problem statement. 1 1.2 Research objectives . 4 1.2. 1 General objective . 4 1.2. 2 Specific objectives . 4 1.3 Expected contribution of the study . 5 1.4 Limitations of the study . 5 1.5 Ethical considerations . 5 1.6 Chapter division . 6 Chapter 2: Literature review 2.
A revision of the Monopis monachella species complex (Lepidoptera: Tineidae) from China

The Monopis monachella species complex from China is revised, and its relationship to other species complexes of the genus Monopis is discussed with reference to morphological, and molecular evidence. Principal component analysis on all available specimens provided supporting evidence for the existence of three species, one of which is described as new: Monopis iunctio Huang & Hirowatari sp. nov. All species are either diagnosed or described, and illustrated, and information is given on their distribution and host range. Additional information is given on the biology and larval stages of Monopis longella. A preliminary phylogenetic study based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (CO1) sequence data and a key to the species of the M. monachella species complex in China is presented. The types of the new species have been deposited in the Institute of Entomology, Hunan Agricultural University, China and Entomological Laboratory, Osaka Prefecture University, Japan. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 163, 1–14.
From genes to communities : stress tolerance in eelgrass (Zostera marina)

Shallow coastal areas are dynamic habitats that are affected by a variety of abiotic and biotic factors. In addition to the natural environmental stress, estuarine and coastal seagrass ecosystems are exposed to effects of climate change and other anthropogenic impacts. In this thesis the effect of different abiotic (shading stress, salinity and temperature) and biotic stressors (presence of co-occurring species) and different levels and combinations of stressors on the performance and survival of eelgrass (Zostera marina) was assessed. To investigate the importance of scale for stress responses, varying levels of biological organization (genotype, life stage, population and plant community) were studied in field and aquarium experiments. Light limitation, decreased salinity and increased temperature affected eelgrass performance negatively in papers I, II and III, respectively. While co-occurring plant species had no notable effect on eelgrass in paper IV, the presence of eelgrass increased the biomass of Potamogeton perfoliatus. The findings in papers II and III confirmed that more extreme levels of salinity and temperature had stronger impacts on plant performance compared to intermediate levels, but intermediate levels also had more severe effects on plants when they were exposed to several stressors, as illustrated in paper II. Thus, multiple stressors had negative synergetic effects. The results in papers I, II and III indicate that future changes in light climate, salinity and temperature can have serious impacts on eelgrass performance and survival. Stress responses were found to vary among genotypes, life stages and populations in papers I, II and III, respectively, emphasizing the importance of study scale. The results demonstrate that while stress in general affects seagrass productivity negatively, the severity of effects can vary substantially depending on the studied scale or level of biological organization. Eelgrass genotypes can differ in their stress and recovery processes, as observed in paper I. In paper II, eelgrass seedlings were less prone to abiotic stress compared to adult plants, but stress also decreased their survival considerably. This indicates that recruitment and re-colonization through seeds might be threatened in the future. Variation among population responses observed in paper III indicates that long-term local adaptation under differing selection pressures has caused divergence in salinity tolerance between Baltic eelgrass populations. This variability in stress tolerance observed in papers I and III suggests that some eelgrass genotypes and populations have a better capacity to adapt to changes and survive in a changing environment. Multiple stressors and biological level-specific responses demonstrate the uncertainty in predicting eelgrass responses in a changing environment. As eelgrass populations may differ in their stress tolerance both within and across regions, conservation strategies at both local and regional scales are urgently needed in order to ensure the survival of these important ecosystems.
Inter-species interactions in microbial communities

Microorganisms are omnipresent and exist as communities within and around the human body. These communities, regardless of location, may cause disease: dysbioses within the gut microbiota are associated with obesity and inflammatory bowel disease, while differences in immune development and environmental exposures are linked to atopy and diabetes. It is thus crucial to characterize microbial communities and their interactions to better understand how they are formed, maintained, and manipulated. To better understand the ecology of communities on and around the human body, my work has explored lateral gene transfer (LGT) within human-associated microbial communities and the transfer of microbes between the human body and environmental surfaces. I developed the first method for detection of de novo LGT events from metagenomes termed WAAFLE, a Workflow to Annotate Assemblies and Find LGT Events. I applied WAAFLE to the Human Microbiome Project: LGT frequencies were highest in the gut and oral sites, and lowest in the vaginal and skin microbiomes. High frequency pairs corresponded with increased taxon abundances and close phylogenetic distances. Taxa found in multiple LGT pairs had strong partner preferences, and several had biases in transfer directionality. Enriched functions in LGT contigs included transposases, phage, and TonB membrane receptors. Taxa in high frequency LGT pairs may preferentially use LGT as a tool to maintain or change their community status.
DETERMINATION OF ADAPTIVE RESPONSES OF PEANUT GENOTYPES AND PATTERNS OF GENOTYPE × LOCATION INTERACTION USING THE CSM-CROPGRO-PEANUT MODEL

The adaptive responses of crop genotypes and patterns of genotype x location (G x L) interaction are important to crop improvement as they are the basis for selection for specific adaptation and for elucidation of the causes of G x L interaction. Their legitimate assessment, however, requires yield data for the test genotypes for a large number of sites and over multiple years. Such data are seldom available from actual trials but could be provided by a crop simulation model. The objectives of this study were to assess the adaptive responses of a set of diverse peanut genotypes and to determine the various patterns of G x L interaction between pairs of these genotypes using a modeling approach. Pod yield of 17 peanut lines was simulated for 112 locations covering all peanut production areas in Thailand over three seasons and 30 years with the Cropping System Model (CSM) CROPGRO-Peanut. The data were analyzed for the adaptive response to locations of each peanut genotype with linear regression. Patterns of G x L interaction for the individual pairs of genotypes were determined. The results showed that the test genotypes could be classified into five groups based on mean yield and adaptive response, i.e., average yield with a low ( 1.00) regression coefficient (Entries 13, 15, 17), below average yield with a low regression coefficient (Entry 1), and below average yield with an average regression coefficient (Entries 2, 4, 9, 14, 16). These characteristics are the basis for selection for either broad or specific adaptation. All three patterns of G x L interaction, i.e., no interaction, non-crossover interaction and crossover interaction, were also identified. Further analysis of these interaction patterns is recommended to elucidate the crop characters and environmental factors that are the causes of G x L interaction. The results indicate the potential of using crop simulation models as a tool to analyze adaptation of crop genotypes and to determine the pattern of G x L interaction for the individual genotype pairs.