Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Apprendre la programmation par l'exemple : méthode et système

Alors que micro-ordinateurs et programmes informatiques se sont implantes dans de nombreuses disciplines scientifiques en tant qu'outils d'analyse ou qu'instruments de mesure (physique, chimie, sciences de la vie. on parle meme dans ce dernier cas de bio-informatique),l'acquisition des competences requises pour la conception de programmes ne se fait pas aisement. Kaasboll rapporte que, de par le monde, entre 25 et 80 % des etudiants dans un cursus d'initiation a la programmation sont en situation d'echec ou d'abandon. Nous presentons de maniere synthetique une typologie des erreurs et des difficultes des programmeurs debutants. Nous explorons les utilisations pedagogiques d'un paradigme de programmation alternatif, la « Programmation sur Exemple ». Enfin, nous presentons un environnement d'apprentissage de la programmation et de l'algorithmique, MELBA (Metaphor-based Environment to Learn the Basics of Algorithmic), ainsi que la demarche didactique qu'il supporte.
Requirement for Wnt and Planar Cell Polarity pathway genes in asymmetric neuroblast division in Caenorhabditis elegans

One mechanism to generate neuronal diversity during nervous system development is through asymmetric cell division. Specifically, we have focused on the molecular control of asymmetric neuroblast divisions that generate the PHA and PHB neurons, the sensory (phasmid) neurons in the tail of Caenorhabditis elegans. In the lineage that generates the PHA neuron, mutations in a C. elegans dishevelled homolog (dsh-2) and a frizzled homolog (mom-5) disrupt asymmetric division of ABpVrpppa, resulting in a cell fate transformation that leads to duplications of PHA neurons. In the PHB lineage, asymmetric localization of a novel protein, HAM-1, is required to polarize a neuroblast. Loss of ham-1 function causes a cell fate transformation that results in duplicated PHB neurons. Through yeast two-hybrid analysis, two other dishevelled homologs, DSH-1 and MIG-5, were identified to physically interact with HAM-1. Dishevelled and Frizzled are components of two cell signalling pathways: the Wnt and the planar cell polarity (PCP) pathways. This suggests that these cell signalling pathways may play a role in dictating cell fate in the C. elegans phasmid neuron lineages. The goal of this thesis was to determine which of these two pathways affect asymmetric cell division in the phasmid neuron lineages and to identify additional genes required for cell polarization. To address this, the expression of C. elegans Wnt and PCP pathway gene homologs were reduced using RNA interference. To score for defects in the asymmetric cell division in the phasmid neuron lineages, changes in the number of PHA and PHB neurons were visualized using cell specific GFP reporters. In total, RNA interference experiments for 30 putative homologs of Wnt and PCP pathway genes were performed. These experiments identified specific Wnt and PCP pathway associated genes that resulted in low penetrance duplications and/or losses of phasmid neurons when gene expression was reduced. These studies indicated that loss of apr-1 function, an APC homolog, produces PHB neuron duplications. Analysis of an apr-1 mutant revealed that zygotic loss of apr-1 function causes PHB neuron loss. Losses of the HSN neuron, a sister cell to PHB, were also observed in the apr-1 mutant. As well, an apr-l;ham-1 double mutant resulted in a phenotype that was similar to that of the apr-1 mutant. In addition, HAM-1 localization was not perturbed in the aprI mutant. These findings suggest a role for apr-1 in the asymmetric divisions in the lineages that give rise to the PHB neuron. 5% my aunt, Susan Woh
Development of new approaches to identify and characterise Campylobacter jejuni genes.

Campylobacter jejuni is now recognised as a major cause of food-borne enteritis. Characteristics of Campylobacter spp. make them less amenable to genetic analysis using standard molecular biology teclmiques. These problems can prevent the isolation and characterisation of Campylobacter loci, hi the absence of an efficient method for the generation of random mutations, the only mutagenesis strategy available is that which targets specific genes. The two approaches described were developed specifically for the analysis of specific genes. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with degenerate oligonucleotide primers (PCRDOPyinverse PCR mutagenesis (IPCRM) and inverse PCR strategies are designed to isolate and utilise small regions of DNA for the defined mutagenesis of targeted Campylobacter genes. Moreover with the development of the IPCR mutagenesis, a small amount of sequence is the only requirement for the application of this approach. To evaluate the potential of both of these approaches, they were used to isolate and characterise potential virulence genes from C jejuni. This study focused on the role of two classes of putative virulence determinants, stress response proteins of the Hti A family and response regulator proteins which are involved in the adaptation of bacteria to differing environmental stresses. A defined htrA mutant was constructed and phenotypic analysis established that this gene is not involved in the response to either temperature or oxidative stress, imlike many other homologues of HtrA. Three response regulator genes were isolated during this study, one of which is thought to encode CheY. Attempts to construct regX2 and regXS mutants were unsuccessful. The flanlcing regions of htrA, regX2 and regX3 were isolated to facilitate the further characterisation of these loci. The work described in this study has verified that the PCRDOP/IPCRM and IPCR methodologies represent powerfril approaches for the genetic analysis of Campylobacter spp.
Phagocytic polymorphonuclear function in patients with progressive uremia and the effect of acute hemodialysis.

Background. Susceptibility to infections is a major cause of high morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) play a major role in the host defense against various infections. Although the phagocytic function of PMNs in uremic patients has been subjected to repeated evaluation, results have been inconsistent. Also, the effects of progressive uremia and acute hemodialysis (HD) on polymorphonuclear function have been scarcely evaluated. Methods. In this study, we assessed the phagocytic index (PI) of PMNs following their uptake of IgG-coated sheep erythrocytes in patients with varying severity of CKD and in healthy controls. In patients with advanced renal failure, the effects of acute HD on PI pre- and post-HD were also studied. Results. A total of 30 patients with CKD and 15 healthy controls were studied. Patients with CKD were categorized into two groups: mild to moderate renal failure (S. Creatinine 2–6 mg/dL) and advanced renal failure (S.
Organization of the circadian clock and control of rhythmicity in fungi

Organization of the Circadian Clock and Control of Rhythmicity in Fungi. (August 2005) Andrew Vanderford Greene, B.S., The Ohio State University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Deborah Bell-Pedersen Circadian rhythms in biological processes occur in a wide range of organisms and are generated by endogenous oscillators. In Neurospora crassa, the FRQ-oscillator (comprised of FRQ, WC-1 and WC-2) is essential for rhythms in asexual sporulation and gene expression. How this oscillator signals to the cell to control rhythmicity is unknown. Furthermore, under certain growth conditions, rhythms are observed in FRQnull strains, indicating the presence of one or more FRQ-less oscillators (FLOs). Interestingly, while circadian rhythms are observed in the related Aspergillus spp. , they lack the frq gene, leading to the hypothesis that a FLO is responsible for rhythms in Aspergillus. Thus, Aspergillus provides a useful organism to investigate the components of the FLO. To investigate how an oscillator controls circadian output, we characterized the role of N. crassa NRC-2. The nrc-2 gene is under control of the clock and encodes a putative serine-threonine protein kinase. In a NRC-2-null strain cultured in low glucose conditions, FRQ-oscillator-dependent outputs are arrhythmic, but are rhythmic in high glucose. Our data suggests a model whereby NRC-2 relays metabolic information to the iii
Histopathological alterations, physiological limits, and molecular changes of juvenile Sparus aurata in response to thermal stress

: Current concerns about climate change have led to a great body of literature on thermal tolerance. However, it is still difficult to understand and relate biological changes at different organizational levels. This is especially important in commercial species. We aimed to test the effects of temperature stress in juvenile gilthead seabream Sparus aurata in order to contribute to the understanding of the vulnerability of this species to temperature changes, heat waves, and potentially climate warming. Here we applied an integrative approach, considering indicators at the biochemical, cellular, and physiological levels. Firstly, the upper thermal limit was estimated via the critical thermal maximum (CTMax); secondly, levels of Hsp70 (reversible protein damage) and total ubiquitin (irreversible protein damage) were quantified in several tissues via ELISAs; and thirdly, histological analyses were performed to identify cellular structural damage due to temperature and how it correlates to biochemical alterations. Results showed that mean (±SD) CTMax was 35.5 ± 0.5°C. Absolute amounts of both Hsp70 and total ubiquitin varied significantly among organs, with gills having the highest amounts of both. Biomarker and histopathological results indicated that S. aurata might be particularly sensitive to water temperatures ≥ 28°C. At 30°C, S. aurata juveniles showed severe signs of stress, with increased biomarker levels in almost every organ tested and significant cellular damage (atrophy, inflammation, micro-hemorrhage, hyperemia, hyperplasia). Therefore, S. aurata may be vulnerable to heat wave events that currently make water temperature attain 28°C for several weeks (30°C by 2100 under a climate change scenario). Thus, this species might be vulnerable to a rise in sea temperature, and our research may be important from a management perspective, as S. aurata is a major commercial species.
Limited uptake of nutrient input from sewage effluent in a tropical landscape

Collection and treatment of sewage in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) reduces the most deleterious effects of sewage on streams, but the treated effluent still has potentially important effects on stream ecosystems. Very little is known about the fate of these treated effluents in tropical streams. Short-term nutrient additions often are used to assess the fate of nutrients in streams, but long-term additions, such as those from sewage treatment plants, are likely to follow different uptake kinetics. Here we examined the longitudinal changes in Cl−, NO3−-N, NH4+-N, dissolved organic N (DON), total dissolved N (TDN), soluble reactive P (SRP), and dissolved organic C (DOC) concentrations downstream from chronic WWTP inputs in 6 streams across the island of Puerto Rico. We applied the nutrient-uptake framework to these long-duration and high-magnitude nutrient additions to examine net nutrient uptake in these streams. On average, nutrient concentrations were increased more than 2× by sewage effluent at the study streams while DOC concentrations increased 30%. Net nutrient uptake was sporadic, and on many dates, no evidence of measurable uptake was found. Biogeochemical processes, such as nitrification and remineralization, appeared to be responsible for some of the longitudinal increases in nutrient concentrations. Limited nutrient uptake and increasing nutrient concentrations along the reaches suggested that most of the time, nutrients were being transported downstream with no significant net retention. This result suggests that downstream transport of nutrients is large with the potential to create water-quality problems in downstream ecosystems. Our study highlighted the profound effects that inputs from point sources may have on stream chemistry and nutrient cycling in tropical receiving streams.
Cadmium Uptake by Winter Wheat Seedlings in Response to Interactions Between Phosphorus and Zinc Supply in Soils

ABSTRACT Effects of application of zinc (Zn) (0, 1, 5, 10 mg kg−1 soil) and phosphorus (P) (0, 10, 50, 100 mg kg−1 soil) on growth and cadmium (Cd) accumulations in shoots and roots of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings were investigated in a pot experiment. All soils were supplied with a constant concentration of Cd (6 mg kg−1 soil). Phosphorus application resulted in a pronounced increase in shoot and root biomass. Effects of Zn on plant growth were not as marked as those of P. High Zn (10 mg kg−1) decreased the biomass of both shoots and roots; this result may be ascribed to Zn toxicity. Phosphorus and Zn showed complicated interactions in uptake by plants within the ranges of P and Zn levels used. Cadmium in shoots decreased significantly with increasing Zn (P < 0.001) except at P addition of 10 mg kg−1. In contrast, root Cd concentrations increased significantly except at Zn addition of 5 mg kg−1 (P < 0.001). These results indicated that Zn might inhibit Cd translocation from roots to shoots. Cadmium concentrations increased in shoots (P < 0.001) but decreased in roots (P < 0.001) with increasing P supply. The interactions between Zn and P had a significant effect on Cd accumulation in both shoots (p = 0.002) and roots (P < 0.001).
Practical and simulation implementation of Bi-directional DC/DC converter controlled by ARDUINO using MATLAB-SIMULINK

In this paper, a bidirectional DC/DC converter with control to guarantee a stable system has been designed and implemented via simulation and experimentally. This system provides uninterrupted power to the loads. This bidirectional converter is controlled to deliver power from the source to the load and charging the battery in case of surplus power is generated. Or, compensating any shortage in the source by supplying the load from the battery. The control has been achieved using the interface between MATLAB simulation and Arduino microcontroller. The simulation and experimental design and results are presented and compared.
Effects of Formic Acid Administration in the Drinking Water on Production Performance, Egg Quality and Immune System in Layers during hot Season

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of formic acid on egg production, egg weight, feed conversion ratio, egg quality and immunity in commercial layer reared during the hot season. In this study, 360 Hy-Line W-98 commercial White Leghorn, 68-week old hens were randomly assigned into four groups. The first group (control) continued receiving normal drinking water and other three groups consumed drinking water containing formic acid at levels of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mL L−1. The results showed that the laying hens that consumed drinking water with formic acid had greater egg production, egg weight and egg mass than the control. Similarly, feed conversion improved with the administration of formic acid in water. Haugh units, egg shell thickness and egg grading from hens consuming acidified water containing 1.0 or 1.5 mL L−1 were significantly greater than those from the control group. Formic acid had no effect on yolk colour. In addition, the geometric means HI titres against Newcastle disease of birds consuming water containing formic acid were higher on all sampling days than those consuming water without acid. This study showed that formic acid at levels of 1.0 or 1.5 mL L−1 positively influences egg production, egg weight, shell quality, egg grading and enhances the immunity in older commercial layers during the hot season.
Developing a Framework for Measuring and Evaluating the Quality of Libyan Locally Developed Software Products

There is a noticeable increase in the number of locally developed software systems to support the growing demand for such systems, in both the private and public Libyan sectors. For most of such systems, the international software quality standards are not applied as part of the software development life cycle. Somehow, this affects the success and sustainability of those systems, and calls for an action to maintain and ensure user satisfaction. This paper proposes a framework derived from the ISO/IEC 9126 quality standard, aimed for measuring and evaluating locally developed software systems, taking into consideration the points of view of both the developers and users of these systems. The proposed framework was implemented as a website.
THE GROWTH, DISTRIBUTION AND NEIGHBOUR RELATIONSHIPS OF TRIFOLIUM REPENS IN A PERMANENT PASTURE

SUMMARY (1) Ramets of Trifolium repens were sampled from sites in a field of permanent pasture dominated by a mosaic of Lolium perenne, Holcus lanatus, Cynosurus cristatus and Agrostis tenuis. After multiplication of the ramets in a glasshouse, they were transplanted back into the original swards in all combinations of clover 'type' and site of origin. The pre-existing vegetation on the sites was either destroyed by herbicide or left as a control. (2) Clover 'types' were also transplanted into experimental sown swards of the four grass species. (3) Differences were found in aggressiveness of the grass swards and species, and between the clover 'type', and these were most clearly expressed in the growing swards. Most striking was a 'principal diagonal effect', in which each clover 'type' made most growth when transplanted back into its sward of origin-or into a pure stand of the grass that had dominated that sward. (4) This is interpreted as a micro-evolutionary response of clover to the diversifying selection imposed by a variety of grass neighbours, and is discussed in relation to the ecological significance of the outbreeding habit and 'Sisyphean fitness'.
Effects of promalin, SADH and chlormequat on tree growth, flowering, fruit-set, yield and fruit quality of ‘Gola’ pear

SummaryPost-bloom sequential foliar sprays of two levels each of promalin, SADH or chlormequat were applied to four year old pear (Pyrus pyrifolia (Burm) Nakai) cv Gola trees. Spray of 250 mg I-1 a.i. promalin, 1000 mg I-1 SADH or chlormequat controlled excessive upright growth and enhanced productivity of the trees. However, due to favourable effects on tree shaping, side shoot (lateral) growth and fruit quality, promalin is more advantageous than SADH or chlormequat.
Effects of ciprofloxacin on microbial biomass carbon and carbon metabolism diversity of soil microbial communities

To evaluate the effects of ciprofloxacin(CIP) residues on the microbiological characteristics of soil,the microbial biomass carbon(MBC) and carbon-source metabolic functions of the soil microbial communities exposed to CIP were studied by the method of chloroform fumigation extraction and Biolog technology.The results showed that the content of MBC of groups treated with CIP(wCIP≥0.1μg/g) were significantly distinguished from that of CK,and they were decreased with the increasing concentration of CIP in soil,the content of MBC in soil exposed to 100μg/g CIP decreased 58.69%. Moreover,the carbon-source metabolic functions of the soil microbial communities exposed to CIP significantly decreased,too.Under the application of CIP,the microbial utilization rate of carbon sources,including carbohydrates,carboxylic acids,amino acids,polymers,phenols,and amines decreased.However,the carbon-source metabolic capacity and diversity of the soil microbial communities exposed to 0. 1μg/g,1μg/g,10μg/g and 100μg/g CIP were significantly influenced,in different patterns.I.e.,the carbon-source metabolic functions of the soil microbial communities exposed to 0. 1μg/g,1μg/g and 10μg/g CIP for 7 and 21-day were significantly lowered but no significant difference found after 35-day exposure to 0. 1μg/g,1μg/g and 10μg/g CIP,while that exposed to 100μg/g CIP for 7,21,and 35-day were all significantly lowered.It was concluded that a certain accumulation of CIP in soil,for instance,100μg/g CIP performed irreversible and long-term effects on the metabolic functions of the soil microbial communities.
Competition and resource availability in heath and grassland in the Snowy Mountains of Australia

Competition, resource availability and biomass were studied in three heath plots near the tree-line and three grassland plots 200 m higher in the Snowy Mountains of south-eastern Australia. Heath and grassland did not differ in root mass, but shoot mass was higher in heath. Available N and soil moisture, measured five times in one year, was higher in grassland than in heath. Transplants of a timberline tree, a mid-altitude grass, and a high-altitude rosette composite were grown for two summers and the intervening winter. Transplants were grown in subplots either unmodified, or with all neighbours removed, or with only neighbour roots present and neighbour shoots tied back (.)
Relationship between precipitation phase and air temperature : comparison between the Bolivian Andes and the Swiss Alps : Glacier shrinkage in the Andes and consequences for water resources

La determination de la phase de la precipitation-pluie ou neige-est un facteur important dans la modelisation de l'ecoulement des bassins de montagne. Au cours d'une etude menee dans la Cordillere des Andes tropicales externes de Bolivie, une determination bi-horaire des phases de precipitation a ete obtenue par un systeme expert approprie prenant en compte 11 parametres meteorologiques mesures a une altitude proche de 4800 m pendant 21 mois. Des relations simples entre la phase de precipitation ainsi determinee et la temperature de l'air observee ont ete analysees sous la forme d'histogrammes des pourcentages d'occurrence des evenements neigeux, pluvieux ou mixtes, associes a des classes de temperature de l'air de 0.5°C. Le graphique montre une distribution des pourcentages d'occurrence des precipitations neigeuses quasi identique a celle d'un site des Alpes suisses, a une altitude de 1600 m. Ce resultat suggere que le meme seuil de temperature pluie/neige peut etre applique lors de la modelisation hydrologique dans les Andes tropicales externes et dans le site suisse compare.
Clinical highlights in bipolar depression: focus on atypical antipsychotics.

Autism and other pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs) are associated with various dysfunctional and problematic behaviors, in addition to the core features of language and social skills dysfunction that define these conditions. Although there is currently no pharmacologic cure for the core features of PDDs, some of the behavioral symptoms may be treated pharmacologically. In addition to relieving some of the daily stress in the lives of patients and their families, improvement of these behavioral symptoms, which include hyperactivity, aggression, tantrums, and self-injury, removes some of the hindrances to other rehabilitative efforts. This article discusses the efficacy and tolerability of various medications and alternative interventions in addressing the symptoms of autism and other PDDs.