Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Statistical models for the long-term monitoring of songbird populations : a Bayesian analysis of constant effort sites and ring-recovery data

To underpin and improve advice given to government and other interested parties on the state of Britain’s common songbird populations, new models for analysing ecological data are developed in this thesis. These models use data from the British Trust for Ornithology’s Constant Effort Sites (CES) scheme, an annual bird-ringing programme in which catch effort is standardised. Data from the CES scheme are routinely used to index abundance and productivity, and to a lesser extent estimate adult survival rates. However, two features of the CES data that complicate analysis were previously inadequately addressed, namely the presence in the catch of “transient” birds not associated with the local population, and the sporadic failure in the constancy of effort assumption arising from the absence of within-year catch data. The current methodology is extended, with efficient Bayesian models developed for each of these demographic parameters that account for both of these data nuances, and from which reliable and usefully precise estimates are obtained. Of increasing interest is the relationship between abundance and the underlying vital rates, an understanding of which facilitates effective conservation. CES data are particularly amenable to an integrated approach to population modelling, providing a combination of demographic information from a single source. Such an integrated approach is developed here, employing Bayesian methodology and a simple population model to unite abundance, productivity and survival within a consistent framework. Independent data from ringrecoveries provide additional information on adult and juvenile survival rates. Specific advantages of this new integrated approach are identified, among which is the ability to determine juvenile survival accurately, disentangle the probabilities of survival and permanent emigration, and to obtain estimates of total seasonal productivity. The methodologies developed in this thesis are applied to CES data from Sedge Warbler, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus, and Reed Warbler, A. scirpaceus.
Big Data Exclusions and Disparate Impact

There have been seemingly endless hopes and claims made about the potential benefits of Big Data for society. The phenomenon has spurred the publication of countless media reports and fostered significant academic research in a variety of fields. However, despite this abundance of literature, the Big Data phenomenon suffers from considerable research gaps. Specifically, there has recently been a growing interest in the social consequences of Big Data with particular attention given to the phenomenon’s potential to aggravate structural inequalities. This study offers an inquiry into the phenomenon’s impact in terms of social exclusion and its potential for harmful discrimination. By conducting semi-structured elite interviews, this paper seeks to assess the apparent contradiction between Big Data’s dynamics of exclusion and the dominant conceptual projection of Big Data, which often portrays the phenomenon as inclusive and beneficial for society at large. To this effect, it seeks to investigate how those who hold a privileged position in the field of Big Data appraise the phenomenon’s exclusionary dynamics as well as critically assess their recommendations.
CLINICAL STUDY REGARDING THE EFFECT OF NUTRICEUTICAL FOODS WITH ISOFLAVONES IN HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA AND METABOLIC DISORDERS

The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of the nutriceutical foods with isoflavones in hipercholesterolemic conditions and metabolic disorders. A daily intake of 250g nutriceutical foods, offers 40-50mg isoflavones/d that correspond with the literature reports about the hypocholesterolemic effect of isoflavones. Nutriceutical foods have been obtained in two National Research Programs: • BIOTECH 408/2002 - „Obtaining of some nutriceutical foods from vegetal proteins” and •BIOTECH 503/2002 -„Methods for obtaining some vegetal foods for the persons with metabolic disorders” that happen in the 2002-2006 period. This study has been performed at the Clinical Center of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases Cluj-Napoca and the study group included 24 persons with following conditions: 95,8% were dislipidemic, 66,6% were overweigh, 58,3% had diabetes mellitus or an alteration of the glucose tolerance. The results of this study showed a statistically significant decrease of MCI and body weight (p<0,01)by 8,6% and 5%, respectively. There was also a statistically significant decrease of basal glicemic levels at the entire group of the study, by 13,4% (p=0,000), the most important decrease being registrate at the persons with diabetes mellitus, by 27,5% (p=0,0006). Lipid indicators, in special total cholesterol, as major cardiovascular risk factor, didn’t demonstrate a significant variation, except the HDL cholesterol(„good cholesterol”)that demonstrate an important increase with 3,4% (p=0,01), after three month of study. The conclusion of the study is that the nutriceutical foods with isoflavones obtained from soy protein can be used as an alternative solution in order to prevent obesity, diabetes mellitus and into the diets that endorse the reducing of cardiovascular risk factors.
Natural History of Sydney's Marine Fishes: where south meets north

Here, I briefly summarise the patterns of species richness of Sydney’s marine ichthyofauna, and highlight habitat-related patterns and the life histories of several iconic local species. The connectivity of local fish populations to those along the coast is also discussed. I then discuss some of the key threats to marine fish populations locally, and some of the possible solutions. The paper does not represent a comprehensive review of published research into Sydney’s marine fishes.
Dental Microwear Analysis of Cercopithecoides Williamsi

Cercopithecoides williamsi, a Plio-Pleistocene primate, is believed to have been a terrestrial colobine monkey. Dental microwear analysis of C. williamsi specimens from South African cave sites was employed to test these assumptions. Analysis of the features shows that although the microwear signature of C. williamsi is similar to that of folivorous primates, there are also similarities with terrestrial papionins. Overall, the dental microwear analysis demonstrates that C. williamsi could have indeed been a folivorous, terrestrial monkey. A high amount of puncture pits also points to a substantial amount of grit in the diet. Similarities between the microwear features of C. williamsi and Cebus apella indicate that fruit or hard objects could have been a supplemental food of C. williamsi. The consumption of underground storage organs covered in grit would explain the heavy pitting of C. williamsi teeth. Being terrestrial, C. williamsi would have been in direct competition with terrestrial papionins. INDEX WORDS: Dental microwear analysis, Cercopithecoides williamsi, Terrestrial leafmonkey, Plio-Pleistocene monkey DENTAL MICROWEAR ANALYSIS OF CERCOPITHECOIDES WILLIAMSI
Osteology of the southwestern darters, Ethostoma (Oligocephalus) (Teleostei, Percidae) - with comparison to other North American percid fishes

Osfeology of tile s~uthruestm darters, Etheostoma (Oligoccphal~~s) (Teleostez, I'er(:idae)-ruith comparison lo otlter North American percid fshes. Occ. Pap. Mus. 201. Univ. Micl~,igan, 733: 1-44,18 figs. Darters are small, benthic fishes comprising an exclusively North American asscmblagc of thc family Percidac. Although they form a largc and important component of the North American fish fauna, there is but scant reference to thcir osteology in published literature. The osteology of a discrete group of species within the genus Etheostoma, subgenus Oligoc~hnlus, from the southwestern United States and northern Mexico is provided here, with reference to other darter and percid taxa. Understanding of darter osteology can offcr important insight into the systematics and phylogenetics of lhis group.
CLONE PRODUCTION FROM PELARGONIUM GRAVEOLENS L,HERIT. TOLERANT TO WILT THROUGH TISSUE CULTURE

This work was carried out in the plant tissue culture laboratory of the Vegetable and Medicinal Plant Research Department, Horticulture Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, during the period of 2004 to 2008 to produce geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L, Herit.) clones that tolerate to fusarium wilt through tissue culture. The study included three items: 1Callus induction, callus differentiation and acclimatization. 2Fungal infection of fusarium in the pots of the tested clones. 3Evaluation of clones compared with mother plants. Wilt percentage after the plants were infected with fusarium fungal Morphological characteristics for clones and mother plants and essential oil percentage & constituents. DNA and protein isolation for clones and mother plants The obtained results were as follow:Obtaining of two clones from Pelargonium graveolens L, Herit. , tolerate to fusarium wilt There were true significant different between two clones and mother plant in leaves area characteristics and oil percentage There were variation in DNA isolation between two clones and mother plant As such we recommended propagating this clones and increasing its cultivated area to come over geranium wilt disease.
DJ-1 AND ATP13A2: TWO PROTEINS INVOLVED IN PARKINSON’S DISEASE

Asiago, Josephat M. Ph.D., Purdue University, December, 2014. DJ-1 and ATP13A2: Two Proteins Involved In Parkinson’s Disease. Major Professor: JeanChristophe Rochet. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease, affecting approximately 0.3% of the total U.S. population, and its prevalence increases with age. Two neuropathological hallmarks of PD are the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, a region in the midbrain involved in initiating and sustaining movement, and the presence of cytosolic inclusions called Lewy bodies (LBs) in various brain regions. LBs are enriched with fibrillar forms of the presynaptic protein α-synuclein (aSyn). Two autosomal recessive genes implicated in familial PD are PARK9, encoding the P-type ATPase ATP13A2, a lysosomal ATPase; and PARK7, encoding DJ-1, a protein with proposed antioxidant and chaperone activities. Understanding the biochemical mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective functions of DJ-1 and mechanistic details accounting for functional overlap between ATP13A2 and DJ-1 can provide insight into the cellular pathways relevant to PD pathogenesis. DJ-1 belongs to the DJ-1/ThiJ/PfpI superfamily, consisting of proteins that typically function as proteases and chaperones. Most members of this
Increased Gut Microbiome Diversity Following a High Fiber Mediterranean Style Diet

We investigated the effects of a Mediterranean style diet on the composition of the gut microbiome, and on fasting lipids. Nine men and women age 50–65 years with BMIs 25–35 kg/m2 and with impaired fasting glucose collected fecal samples during a 2‐week run‐in period, and after the 2‐week calorically‐neutral diet intervention, and provided blood for the analysis of fasting lipids. Bacterial RNA was extracted from pre and post intervention fecal samples, and 454 pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA transcripts (as cDNA) was performed. We sequenced 391,870 high‐quality 16S reads. There was a mean 14% decrease in triglyceride levels (180.8 mg/dl vs 156.8 mg/dl; SD = ± 57.5, p= 0.25), and a mean 12% decrease in LDL cholesterol levels (157.8 mg/dl vs 139.2 mg/dl; SD = ± 16.4, p= 0.009). We observed clustering of individuals’ microbial profiles; (e.g. each microbiome appears to be unique, and within each individual cluster, pre‐diet datapoints cluster separately from post diet datapoints). The number of species‐level operational taxonomic units increased following the diet intervention (+9.64% on average); richness as calculated by the Chao1 (+8.22%) and Ace estimates (+6.37%) increased, as well as the Simpson diversity index (+34%). Ongoing studies focus on identifying which specific group of microbes is responsible for this increase in diversity and their associations with metabolic and inflammatory markers.
Regulation and function of the heat shock response in Escherichia coli.

The heat shock response is a highly conserved genetic mechanism which is induced by a wide range of environmental stimuli. Although intensively studied in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, no regulatory mechanism has been identified by which the environmental stimuli affect expression of the heat shock genes. In addition, although many inducers of the heat shock response are known to cause DNA damage, the role of heat shock in repair of DNA damage remains unclear. Mutants of Escherichia coli defective in the recA, uvrA, and xthA genes are more sensitive to heat than wild type. However, these mutants are able to develop thermotolerance, suggesting that thermotolerance is an inducible response capable of repairing heat-induced DNA damage independent of recA, uvrA, and xthA. Thermotolerance itself is shown to depend on the dnaK gene, directly linking the ~. coli heat shock response to thermotolerance. In addition, the dnaK mutant is sensitive to heat and H202, but not to UV suggesting 10
Comparative efficacy of biological control agents for the management of cumin wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cumini

Field experiments were conducted during rabi 2008-09 and 2009-10 for the management of cumin wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cumini. The results showed that seed treatment with Trichoderma viride (10 g kg-1 of seed) and soil application (2.5 kg ha-1) recorded minimum percent disease incidence (PDI) of 18.5 (disease reduction of 51.8%) versus 38.4 in the control. It was on par with seed treatment and soil application with Aspergillus versicolor at 10 g kg-1 of seed and 2.5 kg ha-1, respectively which reduced the disease incidence by 45.4%. The chemical treatment i.e. seed treatment with carbendazim at 2.5 g kg-1 seed recorded PDI of 23.9 with 37.7% disease reduction. Among different treatments seed treatment and soil application with A. versicolor gave a seed yield of 246 kg ha-1 followed by P. fluorescens (222.6 kg ha-1). Treatment T. viride, recorded the highest yield of 258.2 kg ha-1. Hence, seed treatment at 10 g kg-1 and soil application at 2.5 kg ha-1 of T. viride was the most effective, eco-friendly disease management.
Control of MHC Restriction by TCR Vα CDR1 and CDR2

Individual T cell receptor (TCR) Vα elements are expressed preferentially in CD4 or CD8 peripheral T cell subsets. The closely related Vα3. 1 and Vα3. 2 elements show reciprocal selection into CD4 and CD8 subsets, respectively. Transgenic mice expressing site-directed mutants of a Vα3. 1 gene were used to show that individual residues in either the complementarity-determining region 1 (CDR1) or CDR2 were sufficient to change selection from the CD4 subset to the CD8 subset. Thus, the germline-encoded Vα elements are a major influence on major histocompatibility class complex (MHC) restriction, most likely by a preferential interaction with one or the other class of MHC molecule.
ANALISIS PENGARUH CORPORATE TAX, LEVERAGE EFFECT, RISKY DEBT, MULTIACTIVITY FIRM DAN DEGREE OF OPERATING LEVERAGE TERHADAP SYSTEMATIC RISK PADA PERUSAHAAN NON-KEUANGAN KOMPAS100 TAHUN 2010-2015

This Research aimed to analyze the influence of Corporate Tax, Leverage Effect, Risky Debt, Multiactivity Firm and Degree Of Operating Leverage to Systematic Risk. Case study on non-financial company in KOMPAS100 during the period 2010- 2015. By using purposive sampling method obtained a sample of 22 companies. Company data used in this study was obtained from the Indonesian Capital Market Directory for 2010-2015 and www.bloomberg. co m. The analysis technique used is Ordinary Least Squares Regression (OLS). The results showed only a Corporate Tax which has positive and not significant against Systematic Risk. Leverage Effect, Risky Debt and Multiactivity Firm which has positive and significant against Systematic Risk, while DOL does not affect the Market Value Added.
Investment in Tertiary Education: A Study for Sustainable Development

Facing the challenges of globalization and raising the quality of tertiary education to global standard require that the tertiary education is to enable human capital to perform with a set of new competencies. Policy makers in developing countries have set out procedures to build a tertiary education in which higher priorities and future strategies form the center of the sustainable development strategy. The low-income economies are keen to invest in tertiary levels of education but the government budget is a constraint. This study recommends the need for formation of financing sources. In addition, it is necessary to develop an effective lifelong learning system to provide continuing higher education and skill upgrading for persons graduating with higher education in order to acquire new skills necessary to be competitive in the new global economy. This paper analyses the importance of investment in tertiary education with low-income economies to ensure a sustainable development over the years. It is apparent that Bangladesh will acquire potential gains from investment in tertiary education.
Etude de la regulation globale du metabolisme des sucres chez lactobacillus sakei

Les genes codant pour la proteine hpr et l'enzyme i du systeme des phosphotransferases (pts) de lactobacillus sakei ont ete clones et sequences. Une collection de mutants a ete obtenue : deux mutants ponctuels isoles comme resistants au 2 deoxyglucose, une serie de mutants obtenus par integration, un mutant ponctuel de ptsi contenant une mutation ala 190 et un mutant possedant une large deletion de ptsi. L'etude du phenotype de ces mutants suggere que le pts regule negativement l'utilisation du ribose et de l'arabinose, puisque les mutations conduisaient a une croissance acceleree sur les deux sucres. Nous nous sommes interesse au metabolisme du ribose. Un fragment de 7 kb qui contient les genes rbsu, rbsd, rbsk et rbsr qui interviennent dans le transport et la phosphorylation du ribose a ete sequence. Les genes codant pour rbsa, rbsb et rbsc, les sous-unites du transporteur abc du ribose chez escherichia coli et bacillus subtilis, ne sont pas presents dans l'operon rbs. De plus, un nouveau gene, rbsu, dont le produit est homologue a glta, un transporteur de glucose chez staphylococcus aureus, a ete observe en amont de rbsd. Rbsu, rbsd et rbsk sont cotranscrits, et l'expression de ces genes est regulee par rbsr. Des mesures de transport et de phosphorylation du ribose chez la souche sauvage et les differents mutants ptsi, ont montre que la vitesse de transport et de phosphorylation etait augmentee chez les mutants. En amont de l'operon rbs, le gene acka codant pour une acetate kinase a ete observe. La presence de ce gene en amont des genes rbs n'est peut-etre pas fortuite puisque la dephosphorylation de l'acetyl-p par l'acetate kinase constitue la derniere etape de la degradation du ribose. Un deuxieme gene codant pour une acetate kinase, ackb, a ete clone, ackb se trouve dans une region eloignee du chromosome par rapport a acka. La presence de deux copies du gene codant pour une acetate kinase n'avait pas encore ete observee chez d'autres microorganismes.
Ascomycetes: the Candida MAT Locus: Comparing MAT in the Genomes of Hemiascomycetous Yeasts

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, sexual reproduction has been studied for decades and remains an active field of genetic, biochemical, and structural studies in the actors of the signal transduction cascade that governs mating. Additional genes are in fact part of additional loci, similar to the silent HML and HMR loci in S. cerevisiae. The species closest to S. cerevisiae that have several sexual loci represent the majority of species examined and are discussed in this chapter. The chapter describes homologs of these genes encoded by putative MAT-like cassettes in the genomes of species containing multiple cassettes. The a1 gene from S. cerevisiae contains two introns that are conserved in Candida glabrata, the most closely related species among the yeasts with completely assembled genomes. Heterochromatin formation in hemiascomycetous yeasts is essential for the silencing of HMR- and HML-like loci to ensure mating-type determination. In the genomes of more-distant species with multiple cassettes, Kluyveromyces lactis and Kluyveromyces thermotolerans, only relics of HO are found, in which the LAGLIDADG motifs are conserved. HO gene sequences in genomes indicate that it was acquired at the same time as the appearance of the silent cassettes at the divergence of Candida and Kluyveromyces species. Further analyses of the natural habitat, lifestyle, and even ploidy of these species, and of the more recent adaptations of their genomes to the conditions under which we now study them, will help us to decipher the evolutionary strategies followed by each species.
Discovering self and 'home' abroad : international student mobility from Canada to the Global South

This thesis explores how international mobility and place influence international students’ sense of self and ‘home’. The study contributes to the literature on mobility and selfdiscovery and an emerging body of work on international student mobility, emotional geographies and mobile geographies of home. In doing so, it explores the process of young people’s search for self-discovery and their (re)discovery of ‘home’ through the contextual lens of international student mobility. More specifically, it critically examines the predominant trope of self-discovery and self-change within young people’s mobility narratives. Drawing on a qualitative longitudinal approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted over time (i.e. pre-departure, mid-point and return) with Canadian exchange students studying or interning in the Global South. Photo-elicitation was also combined with the final return interviews through the use of participant-directed photography. Analysis of the empirical qualitative material reveals the role of comfort, familiarity, everyday life, social networks, place and temporality in enabling and facilitating students’ self-discovery, (re)discovery of ‘home’ and distinction. Leaving the comfort zone is a predominant motivation for mobility and this thesis demonstrates how feelings of (dis)comfort are productive for self-discovery, home-making and distinction. The findings reveal that ‘home’ is an idea and feeling that is (re)discovered during the sojourn abroad. The thesis supports a notion of self-discovery as processual rather than an ultimate ‘true’ discovery. The findings suggest that the return to the place of origin is a process of showcasing self-discovery and self-change and performing distinction and difference to validate the sojourn and personal changes. I also develop and propose the notions of collective and individual distinctions whereby students navigate and negotiate a tension between these two competing forms of distinctions. I thus argue that international exchanges and international mobility away from a (home)place of origin allow students to engage in a particular process of self-discovery, distinction and (re)discovery of ‘home’.