Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dissecting the GA regulation of cell expansion in the root Arabidopsis thaliana

Gibberellins (GAs) represent an important class of hormonal signal that regulate growth and developmental processes during the plant life cycle. GA promotes growth through the targeted degradation of the nuclear localized DELLA repressor proteins via the ubiquitin proteasome pathway. Whilst DELLAs do not appear to bind directly to DNA, recent evidence suggests that they interact with several different classes of transcription factors to control the expression of downstream genes in a GA-dependent manner. In order to pinpoint the genes targeted by GA to promote root growth, several genetic approaches have been pursued in this thesis. These approaches took advantage of the previous observation that targeting expression of a steroid regulated non-degradable form of DELLA in endodermal cells (using the SCR:gai-GR transgene) blocked root elongation (Ubeda-Tomas et al., 2008, 2009). The SCR:gai-GR line was initially mutagenized to select mutants that no longer exhibit steroid-inducible root growth inhibition. Several mutant lines have been selected, characterised and subjected to next-generation sequencing to reveal whether they disrupt novel downstream components of the GA signalling pathway. The SCR:gai-GR line has also been used in transcriptomic studies and a number of novel downstream targets identified for functional characterisation. Finally, several GA-regulated genes encoding cell wall modifying enzymes belonging to the xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/ hydrolase (XTH) family have been functionally characterised. Multiple XTH mutant combinations exhibit root elongation defects and altered cell expansion dynamics, hence providing new insight into how GAs may regulate cell wall remodelling enzymes to promote root cell expansion.
Synthesis of Bismuth Ferrite Nanoparticles by Modified Pechini Sol-Gel Method

Different methods have been adopted for preparing BiFeO3 nanopowder. Recently, wet chemical methods [1] have received abundant attention. Among the wet chemical methods, the modified Pechini sol-gel method is very cost effective, simple and suitable for synthesis of highly homogenous and very fine crystalline nanopowder. The process is based on the mixing of reactants that oxidize easily, such as metal nitrates, and an organic chelating agent that acts as reducing agent. KeywordsMultiferroic Nanoparticles, Pechini Sol-Gel Method, Bismuth Ferrite (BFO)
Interannual variability of plant phenology in tussock tundra: modelling interactions of plant productivity, plant phenology, snowmelt and soil thaw

We present a linked model of plant productivity, plant phenology, snowmelt and soil thaw in order to estimate interannual variability of arctic plant phenology and its effects on plant productivity. The model is tested using 8 years of soil temperature data, and three years of bud break data of Betula nana. Because the factors that trigger the end of the growing season of arctic vegetation are less well known than those of the start of the growing season, three hypotheses were formulated and tested for their effects on productivity and its sensitivity to climate change; the hypothesised factors determining the end of the growing season were frost, photoperiod and periodic constraints.
Single-Phase SOGI-PLL Based Reference Current Extraction for Three-Phase Four-Wire DSTATCOM

This paper describes a novel control algorithm based on single-phase SOGI (Second Order Generalized Integrator) PLL (Phase Locked Loop) for a three-phase fourwire DSTATCOM (Distribution Static Compensator). The proposed DSTATCOM performs various functions such as load balancing, harmonic mitigation, reactive power compensation and neutral current compensation under distorted load conditions. This control algorithm extracts the fundamental component of the load currents for estimating the reference currents based on three single-phase SOGI-PLLs. The main objective of the controller is to reduce the overall complexity and computational burden. SOGI-PLL is enhancing the capability of reference current tracking for compensation under the step changes in load currents. During the design procedure, the effects of load unbalancing and sudden increase/decrease in loads are also taken into account and performance is found satisfactory. The effectiveness of the design is simulated and shown using MATLAB/Simulink.
The availability of nitrogen in liquid sewage sludges applied to grassland

Summary The availability to grass of the nitrogen in liquid anaerobically digested sludge (LDS) and liquid aerobic sludge (LAS) was investigated in a 2-year field trial. The mean availability of the nitrogen in the LDS over the 2 years was 44% on a freely drained sandy soil and 34% on a poorly drained clay soil. The corresponding values for the LAS were 56 and 44%. A greater inhibition or organic-matter decomposition by clay particles or a greater loss of nitrogen by either ammonia volatilization or denitrification were all possible reasons for the lower availability of the sludges on the clay soil. Investigation of the magnitude of gaseous losses of nitrogen from sludge-amended grassland under U.K. conditions is required. Current models of the availability of the nitrogen in liquid sludges may not be realistic if these losses are significant.
Campylobacter mustelae, a New Species Resulting from the Elevation of Campylobacter pylori subsp. mustelae to Species Status

The name Campylobacter pylori subsp. mustelae was recently proposed for strains belonging to the genus Campylobacter that were isolated from the gastric mucosa of ferrets because of the high levels of deoxyribonucleic acid relatedness (85 to 100%) of these strains to the type strain of Campylobacter pylori. Subsequent deoxyribonucleic acid relatedness studies done independently in three laboratories by three different methods indicate that the original results were in error. Strains isolated from ferrets in the United States, England, and Australia are members of a single species that is substantially different from C. pylori (10 to 20% relatedness at 50°C and 3 to 10% relatedness at 65°C as determined by the hydroxyapatite method; less than 10% relatedness at 65°C as determined by the nylon membrane blot method; and 30 to 49% relatedness at 66 to 68°C as determined by the spectrophotometric method). The strains isolated from ferrets also differ from human C. pylori strains in their ability to reduce nitrates, their negative leucine arylamidase reaction, their susceptibility to nalidixic acid, and their resistance to cephalothin. The strains from ferrets possess both polar and lateral flagella, whereas only polar flagella have been demonstrated in human C. pylori strains. Thus, the strains isolated from ferrets are members of a species that is distinct from C. pylori, and we propose elevating C. pylori subsp. mustelae to species status as Campylobacter mustelae sp. nov.
Planktonic production and respiration in oligotrophic Shield lakes

A precise oxygen method was used to measure primary production, community respiration and to determine the importance of exogenous organic carbon as an energy source to planktonic communities in the epilimnion of 12 oligotrophic to mesotrophic Shield lakes. Median photosynthetic parameters observed with the oxygen method were up to twice as high as those measured with 14C in other oligotrophic Shield lakes. Gross photosynthesis was almost always larger than community respiration, with a median P:R ratio of 1.7. We observed strong relationships between respiration and gross photosynthesis, but could not detect any significant trend between respiration or the P:R ratio and the concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). DOC appeared to depress both photosynthesis and respiration. These results argue against the importance of exogenous organic carbon supply as a significant energy source to freshwater planktonic communities. Previously low P:R ratios reported for oligotrophic fresh waters may be due to the uncertain meaning of 14C production data.
Stress and Coping Strategies of University Teachers in Pakistan

The purpose of the present study was to identify the perceived job stressand stress coping strategies used by the teachers in Pakistani universities.The study used a survey research design comprising two segments: a)first section identifies how the presence of negative factors and theabsence of positive factors cause stress for university teachers in theircareers. b) The second part identifies the coping strategies used by themto explore the ways for effective stress management. The data wascollected by the instruments Perceived Job Stressors (Kanner, Kafry, &Pines, 1978) and The Coping Inventory (Carver, Scheier, & Weintraub,1989) to identify the stressors and the preferred coping strategies used bythe faculty. The data indicate that university faculty experience stressboth due to presence of negative factors and absence of positive factors.The most important stress coping strategy used by them was positivereinterpretation & growth, followed by turning to religion, planning,suppression of competing activities, active coping, restraining coping,seeking social support for emotional reasons, acceptance, mentaldisengagement, alcohol-drug disengagement, focusing on & venting ofemotions. Moreover, age of teachers influence the adaptation of abovementioned three coping strategies namely positive reinterpretation &growth, turning to religion, and mental disengagement.
Coupling Heterogeneous Graph Embeddings with Convolution Neural Networks Improves Mortality Prediction

Computational prediction of in-hospital mortality in the setting of an intensive care unit can help clinical practitioners guide care and make early decisions for interventions. In this work, we train a Heterogeneous Graph Relational Model on Electronic Health Record data and use the resulting embedding vector as additional information added to an Convolution Neural Network model for predicting in-hospital mortality. We show that the additional information provided from including time as a vector in the embedding captures the relationships between medical concepts, lab tests, and diagnosis and aids in predictive performance. We find that adding HGM to a CNN model can increase the mortality prediction accuracy to a certain extent. This framework can serve for a foundation for future experiments involving more EHR data types on other important healthcare prediction tasks .
The Pleistocene demography of an alpine juniper of the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau: tabula rasa, cryptic refugia or something else?

Aim Numerous palaeoecological and genetic studies have shown that different tree species responded in very different ways to Pleistocene climatic oscillations. Some were forced into small refugia far from their current range, while others were able to survive in small refugia close to, or even within, their current natural range. In this study we examine the Pleistocene demography of a juniper species (Juniperus przewalskii, Cupressaceae) from the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau.
Assessment of Motor Activities of Daily Living: Spanish Cross-Cultural Adaptation, Reliability and Construct Validity of the DCDDaily-Q

The DCDDaily-Q is an instrument that aims to comprehensively assess motor performance in a broad range of activities of daily living (ADL) and to identify risk of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) in children. The aim of this study was to cross-culturally adapt the DCDDaily-Q into European Spanish (DCDDaily-Q-ES) and to test its psychometric properties in Spanish 5 to 10 year old children. The DCDDaily-Q was translated and cross-culturally adapted into Spanish following international guidelines. Two-hundred and seventy-six parents of typically developing Spanish children completed the final version of the DCDDaily-Q-ES (M = 7.5 years, SD = 1.7; girls = 50%). Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), internal consistency, and corrected item-total correlations were conducted to test construct validity, internal consistency, and homogeneity of the DCDDaily-Q-ES. The DCDDaily-Q-ES achieved good semantic, conceptual, and cultural equivalence. CFA supported construct validity of the DCDDaily-Q-ES. Reliability values were also good (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.703–0.843; corrected item-total correlations = 0.262–0.567). This is the first study to cross-culturally adapt and examine the DCDDaily-Q outside the Netherlands. The findings suggest that the DCDDaily-Q-ES is a reliable and valid measure to assess learning, participation, and performance in a broad range of ADL.
Biogenic controls on the air—water carbon dioxide exchange in the Sundarban mangrove environment, northeast coast of Bay of Bengal, India

The Sundarban mangrove forest (4,264 km2) constitutes about 3% of the total area of the world mangrove. We measured diurnal and seasonal variations of air—water CO2 exchange in relation to the occurrence of phytoplankton during January—December 2001. Diurnal variations of airflows showed that the minimum and maximum CO2 flux of ‐16.2 µmol m−2 h−1 and 49.9 µmol m−2 h−1, respectively, occurred during the higher sea breeze. The average ratio of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN = 13.85 କ 7.19 µmol L−1) to dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP = 1.23 କ 0.57 µmol L−1) was 11 କ 4 and the surface water was undersaturated with respect to dissolved oxygen. The mean value of 0.1 କ 0.08 for the ratio of phytoplankton production (P) to community respiration (R) indicated that the ecosystem was heterotrophic. The saturation of dissolved carbon dioxide with respect to the atmosphere varied seasonally between 59% and 156%, with minimum levels in postmonsoon and maximum levels in premonsoon/ early monsoon (June/July). Out of the 36 genera of diatoms, 1 blue green alga, and 3 dinoflagellates that occurred throughout the year, only 6 reached bloom proportions in postmonsoon, when mangrove water was a sink of atmospheric CO2. Although 59.3% of the emitted CO2 was removed from the atmosphere by biological processes, on an annual basis, the Sundarban mangrove forest supplies 13.8 kg C ha−1 yr−1 of CO2 from water surface to the atmosphere. Even though it is important to compare all in and out fluxes, there is no direct link between CO2 emission and the later CO2 removal by biological processes.
Evaluation of three potential botanicals against sorghum covered smut (Sphacelotheca sorghi ) at Bako, Western Oromia Ethiopia

An experiment was conducted at Bako Agricultural Research Center for two cropping seasons (2007 and 2008) with the objective of determining the effectiveness of some locally available plant species (botanicals) in controlling covered smut (Sphacelotheca sorghi) of sorghum. The botanicals tested were Calpurnia aurea, Maesa lanceolata andVernonia amygdalina. These botanicals were compared with thiram (fungicide) as standard check and untreated check. Smut inoculated sorghum seed of variety Birrmash was treated with the filtrate of the crude aqueous extracts of the botanicals at the rate of 20 ml extract diluted with the same amount of water; 200 g of the seeds were treated and then air dried before planting. The first year result showed that M. lanceolatasignificantly (P≤0.05) controlled the disease more than the untreated check. Infection percentage and number of plants infected by covered smut were significantly (P≤0.05) reduced by thiram and M. lanceolata treatments. Statistically significant (P≤0.05) difference in yield was observed among the treatments. The second year result showed that, thiram and M. lanceolata significantly (P≤0.05) controlled the disease although the botanical was a bite lower to the fungicide in controlling the disease. The over all result indicated that the use of M. lanceolata leaf extract, as a seed treatment against sorghum smut is potentially useful for resource poor farmers of Bako and similar agro-ecological areas of Sub Saharan Africa. The two botanicals Vernonia amygdalina andCalpurnia aurea did not control the disease effectively. Key words: Covered smut, sorghum, botanicals, leaf extract, bio-fungicide.
Development of vehicle tracking system with low-cost wireless method

It is possible to reduce personnel, vehicle cargo security, and cost with a vehicle tracking system. Algorithm and architecture were created using open source code programs, and elements such as software, cost efficiency, personal security, efficient fleet management, and time savings were measured. In the study, it is aimed to develop the existing systems by considering the plus and minus aspects of vehicle tracking systems. It was emphasized that the system was easy to apply, and low cost and comparisons were made with the advantages and disadvantages of the system. The most critical factor in fleet management is vehicle tracking systems. In our study, the problem was studied with a mechatronic system approach, open to development, and analytical approach. The system has been developed as a modular structure that is easily integrated into existing infrastructures. With the system created, it was aimed to increase the working efficiency of the company vehicles, to provide optimum solutions for vehicle maintenance processes, and to save fuel and time, by considering the safety of the driver.
Patterns of Urediospore Movement and Monitoring Epidemics of Stem Rust ( Puccinia graminis f.sp.tritici) on Durum Wheat in Southeastern Ethiopia

Abstract: Stem rust caused by Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici is a significant wheat production constraint in southeastern Ethiopia. Burkard 7-days volumetric spore trap was mounted in a field at Sinana Agricultural Research Center to examine the seasonal movement of urediospores of P. graminis f.sp. tritici during the cropping seasons of 2001-2006. Disease trap plots were also established to monitor the epidemics of stem rust on durum wheat at three major wheat growing and rust prone districts of Bale highlands viz., Sinana, Agarfa and Herero. Results showed that urediospores exist in the air throughout the year though the concentration considerably varied among the months and seasons, possibly because of the variation in weather condition and cropping time. The highest urediospores catch (613.8 - 2629.7 urediospores per m3 of air) was observed during the months of October/November-January. Number of urediospores per m3 of air was generally low but was rarely reduced to zero during the months of crop free period. Low to moderate levels of stem rust epidemics (not exceeding 30%) were recorded on durum wheat cultivars used for traps. Exceptions were at Sinana in 2001 and at Herero in 2002 and 2005 cropping seasons during which up to 60% stem rust severity levels were recorded. On the other hand, the level of stem rust severity (up to 80%) on some commercial bread wheat varieties included in this study for comparison revealed the development of high disease pressure. Durum wheat cultivars Cocorit 71, Gerardo, DZ 1928-2, DZ-2234 and CD 95759-11M showed resistant reaction to stem rust consistently over locations and years. This points to the existence of a high level of durable resistance in the tetraploid wheat species to the existing stem rust pathotypes in the most suitable environment for the development of the disease. Keywords: Durum Wheat; Epidemics; Stem Rust; Urediospores
MORPHOLOGY AND ECOLOGY: FUNCTIONAL BASIS OF FEEDING CONSTRAINTS IN CARIBBEAN LABRID FISHES'

This study examines the role of functional morphology of the feeding ap- paratus in constraining the food habits of Caribbean wrasses (Labridae) in the genus Hal- ichoeres. Like other wrasses, these fishes crush prey with powerful pharyngeal jaws. Esti- mates of pharyngeal jaw crushing strength were made, based on muscle size and architecture, for an ontogenetic series of fish from each of six species. The resultant scaling relationships indicated that, at any given body length, the six species differed in crushing strength. The ability to crush prey items was, therefore, predicted to vary among species. The relative importance of crushing strength and pharyngeal jaw gape in constraining predation was examined in laboratory feeding trials using three species that differed in estimated crushing strength: H. garnoti, H. bivittatus, and H. maculipinna. The feeding trials determined the largest individuals of three prey species that fishes could eat. Two hard-bodied prey species (a gastropod and a crab) and a softer bodied crab species were offered to wrasses. Feeding ability on the two hard-shelled prey was predicted best by crushing strength; fishes of equivalent crushing potential were able to eat the same maximum size prey, in spite of considerable interspecific variation in pharyngeal jaw gape and body length at any given crushing strength. The consequences of ontogenetic and interspecific differences in crushing ability for feeding habits were explored by analyzing the intestinal contents of fishes collected from the Belizean barrier reef. Crushing strength appeared to play a central role in constraining diets of these fishes. Ontogenetic diet analysis of three species revealed that fishes switched from soft-bodied to hard-shelled prey at 3-5 N crushing strength, even though this crushing strength occurred at a different body size and pharyngeal jaw gape in each species. This switch was followed by a reduction in dietary breadth as fishes specialized on hard- bodied prey. Few other Caribbean coral reef fishes are capable of crushing molluscs effec- tively. Wrasses thus utilize a relatively unexploited trophic niche on the prey-hardness resource dimension.
Validation of biological collections as a source of phenological data for use in climate change studies: a case study with the orchid Ophrys sphegodes

1. The scarcity of reliable long‐term phenological data has severely hindered the study of the responses of species to climate change. Biological collections in herbaria and museums are potential sources of long‐term data for such study, but their use for this purpose needs independent validation. Here we report a rigorous test of the validity of using herbarium specimens for phenological studies, by comparing relationships between climate and time of peak flowering derived from herbarium records and from direct field‐based observations, for the terrestrial orchid Ophrys sphegodes.
Evaluation of a chemosterilization strategy against Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Mallorca island (Spain)

A pest management programme using the chemosterilant lufenuron against the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata in Mallorca (Spain) is reported. The aim of this field trial was to monitor the reduction on C. capitata population and fruit infestation during the second and third years of an overall pest control programme. The insect growth regulator lufenuron (a phenylbenzoylurea) was placed within a Sevep device baited with the synthetic, female attractants (ammonium acetate, putrescine and amines), as well as the male attractant trimedlure (TML). A total of 7200 devices were placed on 300 ha within the municipalities of the Sóller Valley, at a density of 24 devices/ha. In order to measure the effectiveness of the chemosterilization, the C. capitata population was evaluated by Probodelt traps, baited either with the synthetic food attractants or TML, placed in three citrus orchards located at different altitudes. Fruit infestation was also evaluated. Results showed an average of 20% reduction in adult medfly population (37.2% for males vs. 2.7% for females). However, high differences were observed among the different orchards. In Site 1, where fallen oranges fruits were removed and phytosanitary treatments were applied, female captures decreased by 63.28%. Whereas at Site 2, where fallen fruits were neglected and no insecticide was applied, female captures increased by 19.90%. Ceratitis capitata population increase placed in Site 2 was probably due to the presence of unmanaged or mismanaged surrounding orchards. Summing up, it seems that the method based on lufenuron applied in the Sóller Valley was successful in decreasing medfly population, but the presence of the nearby improperly managed citrus orchards, as well as other hosts fruit trees for C. capitata, decrease the efficacy of the method.