Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploiting natural history variation: looking to fishes for quantitative genetic models of natural populations

Abstract – Quantitative genetic techniques are contributing greatly to our understanding of evolutionary processes in the wild. However, the vast majority of applications of quantitative genetic methodologies to natural populations have been conducted in very narrow ranges of the ‘life history space’ expressed by organisms in nature. Recent and ongoing technological and analytical advances are making expansion of the taxonomic scope of such studies both possible and highly desirable. I review a number of ways in which fishes can be exploited to better understand the phenotypic expression of genetic variation in the wild. In particular, I argue that the culturability of fishes can be exploited in the execution of study designs where pedigrees can be manipulated, while maintaining the ecological relevance of phenotypic and genetic variation as expressed in the wild. In general, the model organisms which are currently most intensively studied in a quantitative genetic framework in the wild are not easily culturable. Thus, at least among vertebrates, the proposed approaches are uniquely suited to fishes. I highlight how fishes may provide particularly good models with which to study the genetic basis of variation in phenotypic plasticity, the genetic basis of the environmental dependence of genetic parameters and to detect adaptive phenotypic microevolution.
Implementation, Scale, and Spread of Telemonitoring for the Management of Heart Failure

Despite evidence of positive impact, telemonitoring (TM) interventions for the management of heart failure (HF) have seen limited adoption in Canada. Following a literature review that explains evidence inconsistencies on contextual differences between trials, a single case study of the Medly TM program sought to understand the factors that influence the successful implementation, scale, and spread of HF TM. First, an implementation evaluation found that the Medly program was successfully implemented due to facilitators related to characteristics of the clinic and of the adopting clinicians. Barriers that could limit the program’s sustainability, scale, and spread included complexity of the intervention, costs, and the lack of implementation plan. Because successful spread is only possible if interventions are used as intended, the second study explored patient adherence to taking daily TM readings. Results showed an overall average adherence rate of 73.6% (SD 25.0) with a significant decline over time; the decline was significantly steeper in patients of younger compared to older age groups (P=0.04). Adherence rates were further explained by patients’ perceptions of the program’s benefits, ease of use,
THE PECULIARITIES OF THE CULTURAL DIPLOMACY ACTIVITY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA IN THE CONTEXT OF REALIZATION OF EUROPEAN PATH

This article analyzes the peculiarities of the cultural diplomacy activity of the Republic of Moldova in the context of the realization of the European path. The authors investigate cultural diplomacy as a distinct sphere within the foreign policy of states, with specialized bodies and autonomous means. They set the strategic objectives of cultural diplomacy, distinguishing the tasks of cultural diplomacy. It analyzes the peculiarities of the activity of cultural diplomacy of the European Union and of the Republic of Moldova, as well as the general objectives and directions for developing the cultural policy of the Republic of Moldova. The main instruments of cooperation in the European area are bilateral and multilateral agreements and cultural collaboration programs with different countries. The practices of Moldovan cultural diplomacy in the European space are based on the fundamental objective, that of European integration, which has become the major force of political and social cohesion. The image and interests of the Republic of Moldova must be realized through proper cultural diplomacy and appropriate measures.
Infertilité masculine : fragmentation de l'ADN spermatique, ségrégation méiotique et facteurs génétiques

L'infertilite affecte environ 15% des couples et l'etiologie est masculine dans la moitie des cas.Cette these etudie trois facteurs de l'infertilite masculine et se divise en deux parties decrites ci-dessous. Dans la premiere partie,l'equipement chromosomique et la fragmentation de I'ADN spermatique dans les gametes d'hommes infertiles ont ete etudies par la technique FISH et TUNEL. Chez 4 patients presentant une mosaique gonosomique, un taux eleve de gametes aneuploides et de fragmentation de I'ADN spermatique a ete observe. Concernant les l3 patients ayant une anomalie chromosomique de structure, l'equipement chromosomique et l'etat de I'ADN spermatique ont ete analyses dans chaque gamete. Les resultats montrent que les gametes chromosomiquement desequilibres ont un ADN plus fragmente que ceux dont l'equipement chromosomique est normal ou equilibre. Dans la deuxieme partie, la mise au point d'une technique d'etude du transcriptome dans les spermatozoides a ete faite sur des echantillons de sperme frais et congele. La combinaison d'un gradient de densites discontinues et d'une lyse des cellules somatiques permet d'eliminer completement des cellules somatiques en recuperant le maximum possible de spermatozoides dans le sperme. Le kit NucleoSpin RNA XS (Macherey Nagel) est plus adapte pour I'extraction d'ARN spermatiques que le kit d'extraction d'ARN de chez Qiagen. La purete des ARN spermatiques est verifiee par RT-PCR et le Bioanalyzer 2700. Ces deux methodes donnent des resultats similaires et concordants. L'analyse de microarray montre que les spermatozoides frais ne partagent pas le meme profil d'expression genetique que les spermatozoides congeles.
Isolierung und Charakterisierung von Bindungspartnern des Multi-PDZ-Domänen Proteins Bazooka aus Drosophila melanogaster

Das Multi-PDZ-Domanen Protein besitzt sowohl bei der Entstehung und Aufrechterhaltung von Epithelpolaritat, als auch bei der asymmetrischen Teilung der aus dem Epithel entstehenden Neuroblasten eine Funktion. In einem Two-Hybrid-Screen wurden Interaktionspartner fur die PDZ-Domanen identifiziert. Baz bindet direkt an DaPKC, DPten, Toll-7, ein VSM1-Homolog (CG4420) und an ein LIM/RING-Domanen-Protein (CG18253). Das in einem Komplex mit Baz vorliegende Protein Inscuteable bindet direkt an DaPKC und so indirekt an Baz. DaPKC und DPten Protein zeigen eine der von Baz entsprechende Lokalisation am apikalen Cytocortex in Epithel und Neuroblast.
Phylogenetic engineering of the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Thirty-four residues in the large subunit of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) may account for the kinetic differences between Rubisco enzyme from green algae and land plants. By substituting these "phylogenetic residues" as groups and combinations of groups in the large subunit of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii with those of land-plant Rubisco, the functions and relationships of these "phylogenetic groups" were determined. A phylogenetic-group substitution at the base of catalytic loop 6 of the large subunit decreases the CO 2 /O 2 specificity of the enzyme, but function is restored by a further phylogenetic-group substitution at the carboxy-terminal tail. Therefore, these two regions of the large subunit, which sandwich loop 6, are complementary. In addition, combining substitutions at the base of loop 6 and the large/small-subunit interface region produces a mutant enzyme that has to be complemented by the land-plant small subunit for function in Chlamydomonas. On the other hand, substitutions in -helix G of the large subunit reduce the holoenzyme level, and, because Chlamydomonas mutants with additional substitutions in α-helices 7 and 8 cannot be recovered as photosynthetic-transformants, the three α helices appear to influence holoenzyme assembly. A previous study showed that substituting five large-subunit residues and a small-subunit loop with land-plant identities produced an enzyme (termed "penta/ABSO") with land-plant catalytic properties. In the present study, through structural dissection, it is concluded that all the residues substituted in penta/ABSO are required for the shift towards land-plant catalysis. Among the residues substituted in penta/ABSO is methyl-Cys-256, which indicates that posttranslational modifications of the large subunit may also play a role in catalysis. Further study of cysteine methylation and proline hydroxylation showed that mutations of methyl-Cys-256 and hydroxy-Pro-104 influence catalysis. The current study complements previous knowledge about Rubisco, and provides further structural targets for the beneficial engineering of Rubisco. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am grateful to my Ph. D. advisor, Dr. Robert J. Spreitzer, for providing the opportunity to undertake such an interesting and challenging project. His generosity, patience, and guidance have been essential to the success of this research, and for my development as a scientist. I am also thankful to my committee members, Drs. for their time and willingness to evaluate the research as it progressed, especially to Drs. Stone and Wilson for critically reading this dissertation. Of course, this research would not be possible without the previous work conducted by past members in our laboratory. Special thanks is due to …
Risk Factors Assessment and Clinical Profile of Neonatal Sepsis in Blood Culture Proven Neonates.

Neonatal sepsis refers to infection occurring within the neonatal period i.e. the first 28 days of life for a term baby, and up to 4 weeks beyond the expected date of delivery in a preterm baby. Neonatal sepsis is still a major cause of morbidity and mortality during the first year of life.Assessment of risk factors and clinical profile of neonatal sepsis was done on 42 cases with blood culture proved neonatal sepsis of total 102 cases with clinically suspected neonatal sepis admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) in El Menoufia and El Kalyoubia governorates hospitals versus 30 age and sex matched healthy controls. Complication during labour, Birth weight and Gestation age were the common risk factors were associated with the development of neonatal sepsis where Respiratory distress, Lethargy, Poor feeding, abdominal distension, Apnea and Cyanosis were the most common clinical signs represent clinical profile of neonatal sepsis.
MULTIPLICITY REACTIVATION AND REPAIR OF LETHAL LESIONS INDUCED BY NITROUS ACID OR ULTRAVIOLET IRRADIATION IN BACTERIOPHAGE T4

An effort was made to define the gene functions that are in­ volved in the multiplicity reactivation of damaged T*f phage particles. First, wild type phage were either treated with nitrous acid or ex­ posed to ultraviolet irradiation. The treated phage were used to in­ fect two populations of bacteria: one population was singly infected by the phage and is referred to as monocomplexes, the second popula­ tion was infected with an average of two or more damaged phage and is referred to as multicomplexes. When the log of the fractional survival was plotted as a function of increasing dosage it was found that the multicomplexes were inactivated less rapidly than the monocomplexes. This increased survival ability of the multicomplexes is referred to as multiplicity reactivation. Then phage carrying mutations in genes whose products had previously been shown to be needed for normal levels of genetic recombination were used. These phage mutants were defective either in gene ^7, ^6, 32, jsx or Growth of host-phage monocomplexes and multicomplexes was carried out at semi-permissive or semi-restrictive conditions. At semi-restrictive growth conditions, levels of multiplicity reactivation were substantially reduced, while under semi-permissive conditions multiplicity reactivation returned to a level closer to that of wild type. When phage were used which had mutations in genes v, 30 or Mf, multiplicity reactivation of nitrous acid damaged phage occurred at the wild type level. These results viii indicate that the same gene functions that are required for marker ex­ change are also required for multiplicity reactivation which implies that both processes occur by the same or similar recombination path­ ways. In addition, it was found that host-phage monocomplexes formed from phage that are defective in gene ^6, W? or 32 were more sensitive to nitrous acid inactivation than monocomplexes formed from wild type phage. Quantitation of this increased sensitivity revealed that about 20% of the nitrous acid induced lethal lesions remain unrepaired in the mutant monocomplexes. These results sire indicative of a postreplicative recombination repair pathway in bacteriophage Ik.
In vitro antibacterial activity of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) root bark extract against some microorganisms associated with urinary tract infections

The medicinal plant Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) was screened for the phytochemical components and antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa which are associated with urinary tract infections. Aqueous solutions are more potent than methanolic solutions and activity is concentration dependent. P. aeruginosa is least susceptible than the other organisms.
Enquête sur les connaissances et pratiques professionnelles à propos de l’allaitement maternel au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux

Introduction : l’objectif etait de realiser un etat des lieux des connaissances et des pratiques concernant l’allaitement maternel (AM) au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Bordeaux. Ce travail etait prealable a l’elaboration d’une formation continue ciblee et adaptee aux professions accompagnant les meres et leur enfant (dyade M-E). Methode : un questionnaire etait elabore a partir d’une revue exhaustive de la litterature sur 8 themes predefinis par le groupe de travail « Allaitement » du CHU : benefices de l’AM, idees recues, methodes de recueil du lait maternel (LM), peau a peau, bouts de sein, insuffisances de lactation, conservation et don du LM, generalites. Pour chacun, le questionnaire comprenait des questions de connaissances et des questions declaratives sur les pratiques. Il etait adresse aux soignants des unites impliquees dans la prise en charge des dyades M-E (neonatologie et maternite). Resultats : trente-neuf articles ont ete retenus pour elaborer le questionnaire. Trois cent vingt-trois personnes ont repondu a l’enquete (taux de reponse de 63%). Concernant les connaissances theoriques, le taux moyen de bonnes reponses variait entre 45% (insuffisances de lactation) et 88% (conservation du LM) en neonatologie, et 43% (insuffisances de lactation) et 79% (conservation du LM) a la maternite. L’evaluation des pratiques montrait des variations selon les services, les professions, et la nature des soins apportes aux dyades M-E. Conclusion : notre etude a objective des disparites sur les connaissances et les pratiques des soignants du CHU. L’analyse de celles-ci permettra la mise en place d’une formation continue adaptee afin d’harmoniser les pratiques dans l’accompagnement de l’AM.
Comparative population dynamics of Eucalyptus cladocalyx in its native habitat and as an invasive species in an urban bushland in south‐western Australia

Abstract. Eucalyptus cladocalyx F. Muell. , is a tree with a restricted distribution in the Southern Flinders Ranges, South Australia. It was originally introduced into the urban bushland of Kings Park, Perth, Western Australia in 1932 as an ornamental. Since its planting, E. cladocalyx has become invasive, spreading into the bushland up to 70 m away from planting sites. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the E. cladocalyx population is increasing at a greater rate than the two principal native tree species, E. gomphocephala DC. and E. marginata Donn ex Smith, but little is known about the factors influencing its invasion, or its biology. This study describes the population structure of E. cladocalyx, E. gomphocephala and E. marginata in Kings Park and the role of fire in the recruitment process. The study indicated that the three species have characteristics common to temperate Eucalyptus species that mass recruit seedlings following fire, with high numbers of seedlings found in recently burnt areas and low numbers in unburnt areas. Seedling survival in E. cladocalyx was higher than either of the native species. Furthermore, E. cladocalyx adults showed higher rates of canopy recovery following fires. It is argued that although fire in Kings Park is providing opportunities for E. cladocalyx, E. gomphocephala and E. marginata recruitment, the E. cladocalyx population is more resilient in an environment frequently disturbed by fire compared with the native populations.
Relationships between bone growth rate, body mass and resting metabolic rate in growing amniotes: a phylogenetic approach

We explored the factors that explain the variation in resting metabolic rates (RMR) in growing amniotes by using the phylogenetic comparative method. For this, we measured raw RMR (mL O2 h−1), body mass, body mass growth rate, and periosteal bone growth rate in a sample of 44 growing individuals belonging to 13 species of amniotes. We performed variation partitioning analyses, which showed that phylogeny explains a significant fraction of the variation of mass-specific RMR (mL O2 h−1 g−1), and that the cost of growth is much higher than the cost of maintenance. Moreover, we tested the hypothesis of the independence of energy allocation, and found that maintenance metabolism and growth rates are not significantly related. Finally, we calculated the statistical parameters of the relationship between geometry-corrected RMR (mL O2 h−1 g−0.67) and bone growth rate. This relationship could potentially be used in palaeobiology to infer RMR from bone tissue samples of fossil species by assuming Amprino’s rule (according to which bone tissue types reflect bone growth rates). These estimates would be especially interesting for Mesozoic non-avian theropod dinosaurs and Permian and Triassic therapsids to investigate, respectively, the origin of avian and mammalian endothermy. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 92, 63–76.
Applying Machine Learning for Troubleshooting Credit Exposure and xVA Profiles

We explore the possibility of applying machine learning techniques to characterizing and troubleshooting problem in credit exposure profiles used in counterparty credit risk management and XVA. Machine learning models are trained to identify characteristics from the daily credit exposure profiles generated through Monte Carlo simulation and identify anomalies due to either counterparty behavioral changes or errors in inputs or calculation. In the paper, we have trained both K-means clustering and Convolutional Neural Network to a training data set containing more than 400,000 credit exposure profiles. The performance of models is satisfactory and we believe this is a promising area for further exploration. Identifying anomalies provides credit analysts early insight into emerging credit risk and errors in the data lineage.
Uso de espectrofotometria FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) e mineração de dados para a detecção e identificação de adulterantes no leite cru

O leite e um alimento de alto valor biologico frequentemente envolvido em fraudes, cuja pratica gera nao apenas prejuizos economicos, mas tambem riscos a saude do consumidor. Atualmente, os metodos de deteccao de adulterantes no leite cru previstos pela legislacao brasileira apresentam limitacoes em relacao a sua sensibilidade analitica, alem de serem demorados, consumirem grandes quantidades de reagentes e gerarem residuos poluentes. Por esses motivos, vem sendo substituidos por metodos instrumentais mais eficientes, a exemplo da espectroscopia FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared), associadas a tecnicas de mineracao de dados, que permitem a deteccao e identificacao desses adulterantes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi detectar e identificar as adulteracoes nos dados espectrais das amostras de leite analisadas pelo espectrofotometro FTIR, por meio das classificacoes por aprendizagem profunda e aprendizagem em conjunto. Foram avaliadas 9.788 amostras de leite, das quais 2.376 foram adicionadas de amido, sacarose, bicarbonato de sodio, peroxido de hidrogenio e formaldeido, em concentracoes, temperaturas e tempos de armazenamento distintos. Diferentes classificadores foram utilizados para treinar modelos capazes de reconhecer as alteracoes provocadas pelos adulterantes nas caracteristicas de composicao normal do leite. Foram realizadas as classificacoes binarias e multiclasse com os subconjuntos selecionados de treinamento e testes para os classificadores Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM), Random Forests (RF) e Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN). A classificacao foi realizada usando dois tipos de dados: o espectro total do infravermelho foi analisado pela CNN, e os componentes numericos extraidos do equipamento, pelos classificadores GBM e RF. Para os metodos em conjunto (GBM e RF), as precisoes de classificacao variaram de 93,18% a 98,72%. Ja a CNN proposta produziu precisoes de ate 99,34%. Ambos os metodos apresentaram alta precisao, porem a CNN obteve melhores resultados, uma vez que utiliza um conjunto de dados mais denso (coordenadas espectrais). Assim, de acordo com a arquitetura CNN proposta, pode-se predizer, com mais de 99% de acuracia, que a amostra analisada esta ou nao adulterada (metodo de triagem) e, ainda mais, em caso positivo, identificar qual o adulterante adicionado no modelo treinado. Portanto, o presente trabalho contribui sobremaneira para a fiscalizacao agropecuaria nacional, uma vez que fornece respaldo metodologico para a deteccao de fraudes, visando a garantia de autenticidade, qualidade e de saude publica na cadeia produtiva do leite.
Can we use Maize (Zea mays) Rhizobacteria as Plant Growth Promoter

Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) is a group of bacteria that has the ability to enhance plant growth and yield via various plant growth promoting substances as well as biofertilizers. Ten bacterial isolates screened from rhizosphere of maize growing at Indo-Gangetic plain of eastern Uttar Pradesh, India showed potential nutrients solubilization and plant growth promoting activities. Rhizobacterial were able to produce phytohormone auxin (IAA) in the tryptophan supplemented medium which showed maximum production by strain BHU8. Phosphate solubilization activity was highly observed in isolate BHU8 followed by BHU3, BHU9 and BHU10. Plant cell wall hydrolyzing enzymes (Cellulase and Pectinase) were expressed in BHU3, BHU8, BHU9 and BHU10 and among ten rhizobacterial strains only six strains (BHU1, BHU2, BHU3, BHU5, BHU8 and BHU10) produced siderophore. Based on 16S rDNA gene sequence strains BHU1, BHU2, BHU3, BHU8, BHU10 showed 99.6%, 99.8%, 99.8%, 99.7% and 99.9% sequence alignment respectively with Pseudomonas brassicacearum, Pseudomonas taiwanensis Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas saponiphila and Pseudomonas oryzihabitans, respectively whereas strains BHU4 and BHU5 showed 99.7% similarity with Rhizobium radiobacter and strains BHU6 and BHU9 showed 99.9% sequence aligned with Bacillus oceanisediminis and Bacillus flexus, respectively. Strain BHU7 exhibited 99.9% similarity with Enterobacter asburiae.