Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic variation of early height growth traits at the xeric limits of Austrocedrus chilensis (Cupressaceae)

The study of the genetic variation of early height growth traits in seedlings helps to predict the possible outcomes of tree populations in the face of climate change. Second-year height growth of 10 geographically marginal populations of Patagonian cypress (Austrocedrus chilensis (D. Don) Pic. Ser. et Bizzarri) (Cupressaceae) was characterized under greenhouse conditions. Variation among and within an average of 15 open-pollinated families (comprising 21 seedlings per family) for each population was analysed for six size and timing traits obtained from fitted Boltzmann growth curves. The among-family and among-population variances were 4.03% and 2.74% of the total phenotypic variation, while the residual variance was 84.57% on average. Genetic differentiation among populations was low, except for the maximum growth rate (QST = 0.35) and for growth initiation (QST = 1). For most traits, genetic variation and heritability were variable across populations, except for growth initiation, which showed in general null intra-population levels of genetic variance. Although no direct associations were found between the additive genetic variation and latitude or altitude, the north range of the distribution was more variable for the pool of the analysed traits. Although most extreme-marginal populations of A. chilensis would be very limited in their ability to evolve if climate in north-west Patagonia turns drier and warmer, their long-term persistence could largely rely on a phenotypic diversification strategy.
Determination of Physiographic Characteristics of an Ungauged Watershed in North Central Nigeria

Watershed characteristics such as basin length, shape, area, stream order, drainage density and steam density are some of the factors affecting various aspects of runoff. This research work presents the determination of some physiographic and geological factors of a small catchment in North Central Nigeria. The perimeter of the catchment was delineated with the aid of a Global Positioning System (GPS) using the co-ordinate of the concrete dam located at Elerinjare community and software such as Google Earth and Arc GIS were also utilized. The catchment was found to include some local communities among which are Okanle, Fajeromi, Amodu-Asungbolu, Igberi, Arugbo, Irapa and Basanyin. The total Basin Area for the catchment determined using ArcGIS, was found to be 61.115 km2, with the total length of the catchment as 13.598 km. Other catchment characteristics determined include the catchment drainage density, found to be 0.656; this is an indication of the drainage condition within the catchment; higher drainage densities are expected where the soils are easily eroded, or relatively impermeable, with steep slopes and scanty vegetation. The average length of overland flow within the basin is indirectly proportional to the drainage density within the watershed, it was determined to be 0.62/km for this catchment. The stream density/stream frequency was found to be 0.245/km2. Some of the factors determining the shape of the basin were also determined; these include the circulatory ratio, elongation ratio and compactness coefficient, found to be 0.327, 0.649 and 1.749/km, respectively. This study reveals the physical/hydrological characteristics of this watershed that will lead to hydrological modeling of the watershed for water resource utilization for the communities located within the watershed.
The SERK1 protein complexes

Cell fate in plant cells is highly flexible and even differentiated cells can change fate back to the totipotent state. In this study we show that plant steroid hormones are required for this cell fate change. Brassinosteroids are perceived by receptors of the BRI1 and SERK type present in the plasma membrane of plant cells. SERK1 phosphorilation status in vivo is enhanced by brassinosteroid perception and in vitro SERK1 appears to be the most active kinase compared with the other members of the family. Using a combination of biochemical, molecular and cell biological tools the work presented in this thesis shows that the BRI1 and SERK1 receptors transduce the signal from the membrane directly to the nucleus via a transcription factor, AGL15. This is a novel finding in plants where it was not shown that such short signaling transduction pathways are operational.
Applications and Improvements in the Molecular Modeling of Protein and Ligand Interactions

Polymerization of the Z variant alpha-1-antitrypsin (Z-1AT) results in the most common and severe form of form of 1AT deficiency (1ATD), a debilitating genetic disorder whose clinical manifestations range from asymptomatic to fatal liver or lung disease. As the altered conformation of Z-1AT and its attendant aggregation are responsible for pathogenesis, the polymerization process per se has become a major target for the development of therapeutics. Based on the ability of Z-1AT to aggregate by recruiting on its s4A cavity the reactive center loop (RCL) of another Z-1AT, we developed a high-throughput screening assay that uses a modified 6-mer peptide mimicking the RCL to screen for inhibitors of Z-1AT polymer growth. A subset of a commercially available library of small compounds with MWs ranging from 300 to 700 Da was used to test the assay‘s capabilities, and the inhibitor S-(4-nitrobenzyl)-6thioguanosine was found. To validate S-(4-nitrobenzyl)-6-thioguanosine, an in silico strategy was pursued and the intermediate 1AT M* state modeled to allow molecular docking simulations, which explore various potential binding sites. Docking results predict that S-(4-nitrobenzyl)-6-thioguanosine can bind at the s4A cavity or at the edge of β-sheet A. The former binding site would block RCL insertion whereas the latter site would prevent β-sheet A from expanding between s3A/s5A, and thus indirectly impede RCL binding. Altogether, our investigations have revealed a novel compound that specifically inhibits the formation of Z-1AT polymers, as well as in vitro and in silico strategies for identifying small molecules for treatment of 1ATD.
Gamma ray attenuation for determining soil density: laboratory experiments for Environmental Physics and Engineering courses

In this paper, we present in details a method for determining the soil density of disturbed samples. The mass attenuation coefficient was also evaluated by using the relation between the number of photon counts and the path length (soil density ×thickness). A typical student laboratory setup (PASCO) was utilized in the measurements. A gamma ray source of 137Cs and soils with four different textural classes were employed. The experimental apparatus here proposed, that uses an educational gamma ray attenuation system, permitted measuring, with very good agreement with the traditional method, the density of soil samples. The experiment can be somehow extended by proposing the investigation of soil bulk variations due, for instance, to soil compaction, a subject of interest for engineering and environmental physics students.
Daytime incubation temperatures in nests of the Nankeen Kestrel, Falco cenchroides

Abstract Telemetric eggs were used to monitor daytime incubation temperatures at Nankeen Kestrel, Falco cenchroides, nests on the outskirts of Canberra, Australia. During monitoring, only the females incubated. Once the second-last egg in the clutch was laid incubation began in earnest and temperatures averaged about 37°C. Incubation temperature was not constant; rather, it varied according to the day of incubation and showed marked variation over the course of the day and between individuals. On average, temperatures increased about 0.6°C per day until five days after the first egg was laid. After this, average temperature began to level off but continued to increase throughout incubation, at a rate of about 0.2°C per day. Mean temperature was positively correlated with chick condition at banding; we suggest that this was because better-fed females have little need to hunt and can thus maintain higher mean temperatures. At successful nests the eggs were incubated for about 73% of observation time, less than for kestrels’ colder-climate congeners and suggesting that for kestrels in warmer climates such as in Australia the costs of incubation may be comparatively low.
Factors associated with participation over time in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children: a study using linked education and primary care data

Abstract Background In observational research, choosing an optimal analysis strategy when variables are incomplete requires an understanding of the factors associated with ongoing participation and non-response, but this cannot be fully examined with incomplete data. Linkage to external datasets provides additional information on those with incomplete data, allowing examination of factors related to missingness. Methods We examined the association between baseline sociodemographic factors and ongoing participation in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. We investigated whether child and adolescent outcomes measured in linked education and primary care data were associated with participation, after accounting for baseline factors. To demonstrate the potential for bias, we examined whether the association between maternal smoking and these outcomes differed in the subsample who completed the 19-year questionnaire. Results Lower levels of school attainment, lower general practitioner (GP) consultation and prescription rates, higher body mass index (BMI), special educational needs (SEN) status, not having an asthma diagnosis, depression and being a smoker were associated with lower participation after adjustment for baseline factors. For example, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for participation comparing ever smokers (by 18 years) with non-smokers was: 0.65, 95% CI (0.56, 0.75). The associations with maternal smoking differed between the subsample of participants at 19 years and the entire sample, although differences were small and confidence intervals overlapped. For example: for SEN status, OR = 1.19 (1.06, 1.33) (all participants); OR = 1.03 (0.79, 1.45) (subsample). Conclusions A range of health-related and educational factors are associated with ongoing participation in ALSPAC; this is likely to be the case in other cohort studies. Researchers need to be aware of this when planning their analysis. Cohort studies can use linkage to routine data to explore predictors of ongoing participation and conduct sensitivity analyses to assess potential bias.
Biological activity of mesenchymal stem cells secretome as a basis for cell-free therapeutic approach

Mesenchymal stem (stromal) cells (MSCs) are self-renewing, cultured adult stem cells which secrete a complex set of multiple soluble biologically active molecules such as chemokines, and cytokines, cell adhesion molecules, lipid mediators, interleukins (IL), growth factors (GFs), hormones, micro RNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), messenger RNAs (mRNAs), exosomes, as well as microvesicles, the secretome. MSCs of various origin, including adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs), human uterine cervical stem cells (hUCESCs), may be good candidates for obtaining secretome-derived products. Different population of MSCs can secret different factors which could have anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-fibrotic activities, a neuroprotective effect, could improve bone, muscle, liver regeneration and wound healing. Therefore, the paracrine activity of conditioned medium obtained when cultivating MSCs, due to a plethora of bioactive factors, was assumed to have the most prominent cell-free therapeutic impact and can serve as a better option in the field of regenerative medicine in future.
Optimal design of electrical machines assisted by hybrid surrogate model based algorithm

 Abstract—In this paper, for design of large-scale electromagnetic problems, a novel robust global optimization algorithm based on surrogate models is presented. The proposed algorithm can automatically select a proper meta-model technique among multiple alternatives. In this paper, three representative meta-modeling techniques including ordinary Kriging, universal Kriging, and response surface method with multi-quadratic radial basis functions are applied. In each optimization iteration, the above three models are used for parallel calculation. The proposed hybrid surrogate model optimization algorithm synthesizes advantages of these different meta-models. Without verification of a specific meta-model, a suitable one for the engineering problem to be analyzed is automatically selected. Therefore, the proposed algorithm intends to make a better trade-off between numerical efficiency and searching accuracy for solving engineering problems, which are characterized by stronger non-linearity, higher complexity, non-convex feasible region, and expensive performance analysis.
mtDNA evidence for a local northern latitude Pleistocene refugium for the root vole (Microtus oeconomus, Arvicolinae, Rodentia) from Eastern Poland

We analysed the genetic structure of 33 populations of the root vole (tundra vole, Microtus oeconomus, Pallas, 1776) inhabiting their typical habitats, located at different distances from the southern boundary of the species’ range (52°14′–53°56′ N) in eastern Poland. We determined its phylogeographic pattern as well as the possible occurrence of a small, local high-latitude refugium of this species in southern Poland, previously suggested in palaeontological studies. 908 bp of cytochrome b sequences were analysed from 439 root voles, and 21 mtDNA cytb haplotypes belonging to the Central European (CE) phylogroup were found. Haplotype diversity in the examined populations varied between 0 and 0.872 (mean: 0.425 ± 0.332), while nucleotide diversity ranged between 0 and 0.62% (mean: 0.235% ± 0.217). Within the CE phylogroup of M. oeconomus, we identified with high bootstrap support a newly separated group of M. oeconomus that evolved from CE, denoted CE-PL S. This group is located in the southern and central part of eastern Poland and most likely diverged from phylogroup CE in a small, cryptic refugium situated in southern Poland, in the Krakow-Czestochowa Upland and/or the Holy Cross Mountains during the LGM and Younger Dryas.
Implementing Digital Life Story Work for People with Dementia: Relevance of Context to User Experience

The purpose of this study was to explore user experiences of three different implementations of digital LSW. Sixteen individuals, including people with dementia (n = 6), family caregivers (n = 6), and care staff (n = 4) working in a dementia care home took part. Participants were interviewed about their experience of learning to use a digital life storybook in one of three contexts: a community group; one-on-one sessions at home; or in a care home. People with dementia and family caregivers took part in weekly workshops for six weeks. Care staff received six weeks of training and were then encouraged to use digital life storybooks with residents. Thematic analyses of each dataset were carried out. Participants enjoyed the intervention, found it useful, and valued the ability to use multimedia stimuli in the digital life storybooks. Limited information and communication technology (ICT) skills was the most frequently cited barrier, and the digital life storybooks were used for some additional unanticipated, but useful purposes. Results of this work provide evidence for the feasibility and positive impact of a supported digital LSW intervention, and the use of digital life storybooks in three contexts. Results also provide useful insight and feedback for the future development and implementation of this approach in research and practice.
Effect of Integrated Neuromuscular Inhibition Technique in the Management of Piriformis Syndrome: A Case Report

Introduction: Piriformis syndrome (PS) is one of the most commonly misdiagnosed neuromuscular conditions characterized by buttock pain which radiates down the ipsilateral lower extremity. This case report describes the use of integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique (INIT) in the management of a patient with piriformis syndrome (PS). Case Presentation: A 40-year-old man presented with a complaint of right buttock pain which radiated to the ipsilateral lower limb. The patient was diagnosed as having PS. The treatment of the patient included INIT followed by stretching exercises for 6-weeks. Outcome measurements included visual analogue scale (VAS), Rolland-Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ), Sciatica bothersome index (SBI), Sciatica frequency index (SFI), and global rating of change scale (GROC) and were assessed at baseline (T0), at 3 (T1) and 6-weeks (T2) of intervention, and then at 12-weeks (T3) follow-up. Conclusions: At 12-weeks follow-up (T3), the outcomes indicated improvement in all symptoms (VAS = 0, RMDQ = 0, SBI = 0, SFI = 0, and GROC = +7). Integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique is effective in the management of a patient with piriformis syndrome.
Extended π-Systems in Diimine Ligands in [Cu(P^P)(N^N)][PF6] Complexes: From 2,2′-Bipyridine to 2-(Pyridin-2-yl)Quinoline

We describe the synthesis and characterization of [Cu(POP)(1)][PF6], [Cu(POP)(2)][PF6], [Cu(xantphos)(1)][PF6], and [Cu(xantphos)(2)][PF6] in which ligands 1 and 2 are 2-(pyridin-2-yl)quinoline and 2-(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)quinoline, respectively. With 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) as a benchmark, we assess the impact of the extended π-system on structural and solid-state photophysical properties. The single crystal structures of [Cu(POP)(2)][PF6], [Cu(xantphos)(1)][PF6], and [Cu(xantphos)(2)][PF6] were determined and confirmed a distorted tetrahedral copper(I) coordination environment in each [Cu(P^P)(N^N)]+ cation. The xanthene unit in [Cu(xantphos)(1)][PF6] and [Cu(xantphos)(2)][PF6] hosts the quinoline unit of 1, and the 6-methylpyridine group of 2. 1H NMR spectroscopic data indicate that these different ligand orientations are also observed in acetone solution. In their crystal structures, the [Cu(POP)(2)]+, [Cu(xantphos)(1)]+, and [Cu(xantphos)(2)]+ cations exhibit different edge-to-face and face-to-face π-interactions, but in all cases, the copper(I) centre is effectively protected by a ligand sheath. In [Cu(POP)(2)][PF6], pairs of cations engage in an efficient face-to-face π-stacking embrace, and we suggest that this may contribute to this compound having the highest photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY = 21%) of the series. With reference to data from the Cambridge Structural Database, we compare packing effects and PLQY data for the complexes incorporating 2-(pyridin-2-yl)quinoline and 2-(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)quinoline, with those of the benchmark bpy-containing compounds. We also assess the effect that Cu⋯O distances in the {Cu(POP)} and {Cu(xantphos)} domains of [Cu(P^P)(N^N)][X] compounds have on solid-state PLQY values.
MICROPROPAGACIÓN DE Cattleya mossiae PARKER EX HOOK MEDIANTE BROTACIÓN AXILAR INDUCIDA POR TIDIAZURÓN

Micropropagation of Cattleya mossiae Parker ex Hook through thidiazuron-induced axillary branching High frecuency axillary branching was induced in shoots of Cattleya mossiae on Huangs modification of Murashige and Skoogs medium containing 1 mg/L of benzyladenine (BA) and 1.0 or 3.3 µM/L of thidiazuron (TDZ). Cumulative and residual effects of TDZ were detected. The first consisted in an increase of axillary branching and protocorm-like bodies (PLB) proliferation, and the second consisted in an increase of PLB and fasciated shoot formation. Concentrations of TDZ above 1 µM/L had an inhibitory effect on shoot elongation. No differences were detected by the use of polypropylene membranes or two levels of MS inorganic salts on root proliferation.
Using DEFORM Software for Determination of Parameters for Two Fracture Criteria on DIN 34CrNiMo6

The aim of this study was to calibrate a material model with two fracture criteria that is available in the DEFORM software on DIN 34CrNiMo6. The purpose is to propose a type of simple test that will be sufficient for the determination of damage parameters. The influence of the quantity of mechanical tests on the accuracy of the fracture criterion was explored. This approach was validated using several tests and simulations of damage in a tube and a round bar. These tests are used in engineering applications for their ease of manufacturing and their strong ability to fracture. The prediction of the time and location of the failure was based on the parameters of the relevant damage model. Normalized Cockroft-Latham and Oyane criteria were explored. The validation involved comparing the results of numerical simulation against the test data. The accuracy of prediction of fracture for various stress states using the criteria was evaluated. Both fracture criteria showed good agreement in terms of the fracture locus, but the Oyane criterion proved more suitable for cases covering larger triaxiality ranges.
Temporality and timework: Danish endometrial cancer patients’ experiences of an accelerated cancer patient pathway

Early diagnosis and rapid treatment are deemed essential in relation to cancer. In 2007, Denmark implemented accelerated cancer patient pathways with predetermined time frames to reduce waiting time. In this article, based on fieldwork with observations at two hospitals and ethnographic interviews, we examine temporal experiences of the cancer patient pathway for endometrial cancer of the uterus at stage I. Results show that while the cancer patient pathway helps suspend thoughts of death it also brings a sense of timely confusion and concerns about whether disease has spread. This ambivalence is linked to a political discourse of cancer in general as acute and a clinical, biomedical framing of endometrial cancer in particular as “good” due to its slow growth. We demonstrate how women customize their temporal experiences to accelerate or decelerate time and argue that waiting is not necessarily a passive state. We emphasize the need for professionals to be aware that the cancer patient pathway time and subjective patient time are not always synchronized.
Analysis of Line Contact Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication with the Particles under Rough Contact Surface

A numerical solution for line contact elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) occurring on the rough surface of heterogeneous materials with a group of particles is presented in this study. The film thickness disturbance caused by particles and roughness is considered into the solution system, and the film pressure between the contact gap generated by the particles and the surface roughness is obtained through a unified Reynold equation system. The inclusions buried in the matrix are made equivalent to areas with the same material as that of the matrix through Eshelby’s equivalent inclusion method and the roughness is characterized by related functions. The results present the effects of different rough topographies combined with the related parameters of the particles on the EHL performance, and the minimum film thickness distribution under different loads, running speeds, and initial viscosities are also investigated. The results show that the roughness morphology and the particles can affect the behavior of the EHL, the traction force on a square rough surface is smaller, and the soft particles have more advantages for improving the EHL performance.