Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influencia de Rizobacterias en la Germinación y Vigor de Semillas de Chile jalapeño (Capsicum annuum L. 'var. Grande')

espanolSe aislaron cepas de Azospirillum, Acetobacter y Azotobacter sp. presentes en raices de nopal, tomate y chile, las cuales fueron caracterizadas por su actividad nitrogenasa y produccion de acido indolacetico. Las mejores fueron seleccionadas para evaluar su efecto en la germinacion y vigor de semillas de chile jalapeno (Capsicum annuum L. 'var. Grande'). Se realizo la inoculacion en semillas con diferente concentracion de inoculo (104, 106 y 108 UFC mL-1) de cada cepa. Se uso un diseno experimental completamente al azar: 2 factores A) cepas y B) concentracion de inoculo. La cepa AzTCH3 aislada de la rizosfera de chile de Torreon promovio 7% la germinacion. La ganancia de biomasa fresca fue estimulada 20% por Azotobacter sp. AzoGN. La biomasa seca se favorecio mediante la cepa AzTT2 de Azospirillum sp. al inocular con dosis de 108 UFC mL-1, la elongacion radicular se incremento un 32% con Acetobacter sp. AceTT aislada de tomate de Torreon. De acuerdo con la caracterizacion, la cepa aislada de la rizosfera de nopal AceGN2 de Acetobacter sp. produjo la mayor concentracion de acido indolacetico, sin causar efecto significante en el desarrollo vegetal. Por lo que, al realizar una correlacion entre variables, esta resulto positiva y se concluye que las rizobacterias nativas que presentaron potencial para estimular el crecimiento y desarrollo vegetal de semillas de chile jalapeno se debio a sus capacidades productoras de acido indolacetico y actividad nitrogenasa EnglishAzospirillum strains, Acetobacter and Azotobacter sp. were isolated from roots of prickly pear, tomato and pepper, and characterized according to nitrogenase activity and indoleacetic acid production. The best strains were selected to evaluate their effect on seed germination and vigor in jalapeno pepper (Capsicum annuum L. ‘var. Grande’). Inoculation of seed was performed with different inoculum concentration (104, 106 and 108 CFU mL-1) of each strain. A completely randomized design with two factors: A) strains and B) inoculum concentration, was used. AzTCH3 strain isolated from the rhizosphere of pepper in Torreon, promoted 7% seed germination. Fresh biomass was stimulated 20% by Azotobacter sp. AzoGN. Dry biomass was favored by AzTT2 Azospirillum sp. inoculating dose of 108 CFU mL-1. Root elongation was increased 32% with Acetobacter sp. AceTT isolated the tomato of Torreon. According to the characterization, of the strains isolated from the rhizosphere of prickly pear (AceGN2), Acetobacter sp. showed the highest production of indoleacetic acid, causing no significant effect on plant development. So, a correlation between variables, it was positive and it is concluded that native rhizobacteria have potential to stimulate plant growth and seed development in jalapeno pepper was due to its production capabilities indoleacetic acid and nitrogenase activity
Talk Bursts: The Role of Spikes in Prerelease Word-of-Mouth Dynamics

Before their launch, many new products generate word of mouth (WOM) on social media. Such WOM typically increases toward the release date and contains sudden spikes. These spikes capture manifestations of peak consumer attention and are therefore of managerial importance, yet they have not received research attention. This article is the first to provide a comprehensive descriptive treatment of WOM spikes. The authors propose a conceptual framework to present spikes as a standalone WOM dimension and explain their emergence. They employ a robust filtering procedure to detect spikes and apply it in a data set of 90,000 prerelease online WOM messages on 157 Hollywood movies. The results indicate that prerelease spikes are widely prevalent: While some of them are event-driven, emerging in response to firm-created communications (e.g., trailer release), they are far more likely to emerge spontaneously. Content analysis reveals that WOM in spikes is more positive in sentiment and is more likely to deal with factual details than is WOM outside spikes. Prerelease WOM spikes also contribute significantly to the predictability of future product sales.
IL-1β and TNF-α Regulation of the Adenosine Receptor (A2A) Expression: Differential Requirement for NF-κB Binding to the Proximal Promoter1

Adenosine is a potent endogenous regulator of airway inflammation that acts through specific receptor subtypes that can either cause constriction (A1R, A2BR, and A3R) or relaxation (A2AR) of the airways. We therefore examined the effects of key inflammatory mediators on the expression of the A2AR in a lung epithelial cell line (A549). IL-1β and TNF-α increased the expression of the A2AR gene at the mRNA and protein levels. In contrast, LPS had no effect on A2AR gene expression. IL-1β and TNF-α rapidly activated p50 and p65, but not C-Rel, RelB, or p52, and both IL-1β- and TNF-α-stimulated A2AR expression was inhibited by the IκB kinase 2 inhibitor AS602868 in a concentration-dependent manner. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we demonstrate that IL-1β can enhance p65 association with putative κB binding sites in the A2AR promoter in a temporal manner. In contrast, TNF-α failed to enhance p65 binding to these putative sites. Functionally, the two most 5′ κB sites were important for IL-1β-, but not TNF-α-, induced A2AR promoter reporter gene activity. Finally, neither TNF-α nor Il-1β had any effect on A2AR mRNA transcript degradation. These results directly implicate a major role for NF-κB in the regulation of A2AR gene transcription by IL-1β and TNF-α but suggest that the effects of TNF-α on A2AR gene transcription are not mediated through the proximal promoter.
Reconstruction of the most recent common ancestor sequences of SARS-Cov S gene and detection of adaptive evolution in the spike protein

The genome organization and expression strategy of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) have been described extensively. As a structural glycoprotein on the virion surface, the spike protein is responsible for binding to host cellular receptors and for the fusion between the viral envelope and the cellular membrane. It also induces neutralizing antibodies in
Association of interleukin-10 polymorphism and malarial susceptibility in Pakistani population

Abstract Background: Malaria is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide resulting in approximately 350 to 500 million clinical cases and up to two million deaths. In Pakistan, 1.5 million cases of malaria are reported annually. The genetic factors of both host and pathogen are related to the severity of the disease. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is an anti-inflammatory cytokine that can play a key role in plasmodium falciparum infection. Variations in IL-10 production are genetically related to polymorphisms within the IL-10 promoter region. Objective:We investigated the association of IL-10 gene promoter -1082 G/A, -819 C/T, and -592 C/A polymorphism with malarial susceptibility in Pakistani individuals. Methods: Ninety malarial patients and 99 healthy control subjects were enrolled. IL-10 genotyping was performed by amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR). Results: There was no significant difference observed in inheritance pattern of studied single nucleotide polymorphisms. All the alleles, genotypes, and haplotypes had almost similar frequencies among diseased and healthy control groups. IL-10 -1,082 homozygous G was comparatively higher in healthy subjects but difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: We have found no significant association between IL-10 promoter polymorphism and plasmodium falciparum infection in Pakistan. Our result from Pakistani population confirm previous association in studies from Thailand, Gambia, Republic of Mali, Tanzania, and contradict one from Kenyan population.
Restoration of fertility to oophorectomized sheep by ovarian autografts stored at-196°C

Cortical slices were prepared from the right ovaries of six lambs and either grafted directly to the ovarian pedicles of origin or cooled slowly to liquid nitrogen temperatures in medium containing dimethylsulphoxide. Three weeks later, the contra-lateral ovary was removed and replaced with frozen-thawed slices from the same animal. Two of the animals mated during their second oestrous cycle 3-4 months later and the remainder had at least one ovulatory cycle. The pregnancies reached full-term development, one lamb being derived from an ovulation in a fresh graft and the other from a frozen-thawed graft. None of the sheep had peripheral plasma concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone or luteinizing hormone consistently in the castrate range, and only one graft was devoid of follicles when the animals were slaughtered 9 months after the operations. Grafts with primordial follicles always contained developing follicles, which occasionally attained pre-ovulatory sizes of 7 mm in diameter. A corpus albicans was present in five grafts. Since all developing follicles had degenerated 1 week after grafting in an additional ewe, the large follicles in long-term grafts had presumably commenced growing after the operation. There were no obvious differences between fresh and frozen-thawed grafts in either appearance or weight, and all had apparently grown since implantation. Despite substantial depletion of primordial follicle numbers, the results indicated that frozen storage and replacement of a patient's own ovarian tissue might be practicable when fertility potential is threatened by chemotherapy/radiotherapy.
Microbiological challenges of poultry egg production in the US

Over the past 40 years there have been many changes in egg production and processing, as well as, the egg itself. Many of these changes have contributed to the microbial challenges of the egg that we face today. Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (SE) and more recently Salmonella enterica serovar Heidelberg (SH) are the two organisms of most concern associated with eggs. Most U.S. egg producers utilize some type of control programme to ensure egg safety. Many use the United Egg Producers' “5-Start” Food Safety Programme. Commercial egg washing significantly reduced concentrations of aerobic bacteria, yeasts and moulds, Enterobacteriaceae, and E. coli on shell egg surfaces. However, refrigeration of eggs is often identified as one the most critical issues in minimizing the risks associated with Salmonella contamination in eggs. The condensation question always arises any time egg refrigeration is discussed. Moisture often condenses on the shell surface when cold eggs are moved from the cool storage into hot and/or humid conditions. Research has shown that the ability of any microbes present on the shell to penetrate the shell was not increased with egg sweating. Also, heat sensitivity of SE can be induced by exposure to low temperatures. Although low numbers of SE and SH can contaminate eggs via the transovarian or shell penetration route, these small numbers cannot be ignored. Storage at temperatures as low 4°C combined with natural defences does not completely prevent growth. Furthermore, rapid growth occurs at 25°C, so minimal temperature abuse could result in high levels of contamination within eggs. The need for proper management during production, properly controlled storage, cooking and serving is critical.
Large-scale recruitment limitation in Mediterranean pines: the role of Quercus ilex and forest successional advance as key regional drivers

Aim Large-scale patterns of limitations in tree recruitment remain poorly described in the Mediterranean Basin, and this information is required to assess the impacts of global warming on forests. Here, we unveil the existence of opposite trends of recruitment limitation between the dominant genera Quercus and Pinus on a large scale and identify the key ecological drivers of these diverging trends. Location Spain Methods We gathered data from the Spanish National Forest inventory to assess recruitment trends for the dominant species (Pinus halepensis, Pinus pinea, Pinus pinaster, Pinus nigra, Pinus sylvestris, Pinus uncinata, Quercus suber, Quercus ilex, Quercus petraea, Quercus robur, Quercus faginea and Quercus pyrenaica). We assessed the direct and indirect drivers of recruitment by applying Bayesian structural equation modelling techniques. Results Severe limitations in recruitment were observed across extensive areas for all Pinus species studied, with recruitment failure affecting 54-71% of the surveyed plots. In striking contrast, Quercus species expanded into 41% of the plots surveyed compared to only 10% for Pinus and had a lower local recruitment failure (29% of Quercus localities compared to 63% for Pinus species). Bayesian structural equation models highlighted the key role of the presence of Q.ilex saplings and the increase in the basal area of Q.ilex in limiting recruitment in five Pinus species. The recruitment of P.sylvestris and P.nigra showed the most negative trends and was negatively associated with the impacts of fire. Main conclusions This study identified Q.ilex, the most widespread species in this area, as a key driver of recruitment shifts on a large scale, negatively affecting most pine species with the advance of forest succession. These results highlight that the future expansion/contraction of Q.ilex stands with ongoing climate change will be a key process indirectly controlling the demographic responses of Pinus species in the Mediterranean Basin.
An Unsteady MHD Flow Past a Vertical Porous Plate Under a Variable Suction Velocity with Soret-Dufour and Second-order Chemical Reaction

The objective of this work to study the combined effect of Soret-Dufour, radiation and second order chemical reaction on unsteady MHD(magnetohydrodynamics) flow past a vertical porous plate immersed in a porous medium under variable suction velocity. In this model, the nonlinear partial differential equation of flow problem has been solved numerically using the Crank-Nicolson implicit finite difference method. Characteristics of velocity, temperature and concentration are shown through graphically and characteristics of skin friction, Nusselt number and Sherwood number are discussed with the help of the table. MSC: 76W05, 80A20, 80A21, 80A32, 80M20.
Influence of Histidine Administration on Ammonia and Amino Acid Metabolism: A Review.

Histidine (HIS) is an essential amino acid investigated for therapy of various diseases, used for tissue protection in transplantation and cardiac surgery, and as a supplement to increase muscle performance. The data presented in the review show that HIS administration may increase ammonia and affect the level of several amino acids. The most common are increased levels of alanine, glutamine, and glutamate and decreased levels of glycine and branched-chain amino acids (BCAA, valine, leucine, and isoleucine). The suggested pathogenic mechanisms include increased flux of HIS through HIS degradation pathway (increases in ammonia and glutamate), increased ammonia detoxification to glutamine and exchange of the BCAA with glutamine via L-transporter system in muscles (increase in glutamine and decrease in BCAA), and tetrahydrofolate depletion (decrease in glycine). Increased alanine concentration is explained by enhanced synthesis in extrahepatic tissues and impaired transamination in the liver. Increased ammonia and glutamine and decreased BCAA levels in HIS-treated subjects indicate that HIS supplementation is inappropriate in patients with liver injury. The studies investigating the possibilities to elevate carnosine (? -alanyl-L-histidine) content in muscles show positive effects of ? -alanine and inconsistent effects of HIS supplementation. Several studies demonstrate HIS depletion due to enhanced availability of methionine, glutamine, or ? -alanine.
RADIATION DEGRADATION OF BIOLOGICAL RESIDUES (AFLATOXINS) PRODUCED IN FOOD LABORATORY

Some molds have the capacity to produce substances that are toxic and generally cancer-causing agents, such as aflatoxins, that stand between the most important carcinogenic substances (class one of the agents which are certainly carcinogenous for human people according to the “International Agency for Research on Cancer”). Aspergillus spp. is present in world-wide distribution, with predominance in tropical and subtropical regions growing in any substratum. The aim of this work is establish a minimum dose of radiation that degrades aflatoxins produced by fungi Aspergillus spp. The Aspergillus spp. colonies will be cultivated in coconut agar medium and the samples will be conditioned in appropriate bags for irradiation treatment of contaminated material and processed in the Gammacell 220 with dose of 20kGy.
Maximising the photobiological production of hydrogen using leachate, while monitoring algal photosynthesis using pam fluorometry.

ii DECLARATION 1 PLAGIARISM.iv DECLARATION 2 PUBLICATIONS . v SANPAD Research Capacity Initiative (RCI) 2011/2012 Cohort . vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . viii TABLE OF CONTENTS . ix LIST OF FIGURES . xiii LIST OF TABLES . xvii ABBREVIATIONS AND NOTATIONS . xix CHAPTER ONE . 23 General Introduction . 23 1.1 Sustainable Energy . 23 1.1.1 Global Waste to Energy from Landfills . 24 1.1. 2 Environmental Issues of Landfills . 24 1.1. 3 Landfill and Leachate Processing in Durban, South Africa . 25 1.1. 4 Leachate as a Feedstock for Microalgae . 26 1.1. 5 Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as a suitable candidate for leachate treatment . 28 1.1. 6 Hydrogen Gas as a Source of Energy . 30 1.1. 7 Current Fuel Cell Technologies . 30 1.1. 8 Hydrogen Synthesis from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii . 32 1.1. 9 Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Electron Transport Chain . 34 1.1.10 Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate (NADPH) Fluorescence . 35 1.1.11 Pulse Amplitude Modulated (PAM) Fluorometry . 36 1.1.12 Pilot Scale Bioprocessing Systems . 36 CHAPTER TWO . 39 The Effect of Landfill Leachate on Hydrogen Production in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as monitored by PAM Fluorometry . 39 Abstract . 39 2.
ADVANCED SECURITY TECHNOLOGIES FOR REMOTE SURVEILLANCE IN DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS

: This paper presents the achievements of UTI in security technology research, focused on remote security monitoring technology in distributed systems. Particularly, the results of two security research projects on advanced security topics are presented: advanced automatic video surveillance and remote people tracking and monitoring. The first project explores advanced video processing techniques used for automatic unattended baggage detection in distributed environment, while the second combines people tracking techniques with real time reading of the vital signs in order to achieve real time people monitoring for safety and security. Both projects were developed under the Romanian National Research, Development and Innovation Plan, the Security Research Program and Aerospace Research Program, respectively.
The coexistence of two frugivorous bat species and the phenology of their food plants in Brazil

ABSTRACT Carollia perspicillata and Sturnira lilium are two species of abundant and widely distributed phyllostomid bats. Both are frugivorous and frequently found coexisting in the same areas. A study on feeding habits and morphology of C. perspicillata and S. lilium was conducted at Serra do Japi, Sấo Paulo, south-eastern Brazil, investigating the mechanisms associated with their coexistence. The two species are fairly similar in morphology and feeding habits. Analysis of faeces produced by captured bats revealed that there is a significant difference in diet between the two species. C. perspicillata tends to specialize in fruits of the genus Piper and S. lilium specializes in Solarium fruits. The fruiting periods of the four species of Piper eaten by bats at the study site are successive, with little overlap and high productivity. The species of Solarium have long and overlapping fruiting periods, with very low productivity. Piper and Solarium provide food resources almost all year, allowing the food specialization that may be an important mechanism of resource partitioning between C. perspicillata and S. lilium.
The Phylogenetic Study of Adaptive Zones: Has Phytophagy Promoted Insect Diversification?

Simpson's postulate that rapid diversification follows entrance into a new "adaptive zone" is frequently invoked a posteriori for groups of unusual diversity. The postulate can be tested more rigorously by defining an adaptive zone according to ecological criteria, independent of particular groups of organisms. The adaptive-zone hypothesis predicts that if multiple lineages have invaded a new adaptive zone, they should be consistently more diverse than their (equally old) sister groups, when the latter retain the more primitive way of life. Higher-plant feeding among insects is an independently defined, repeatedly invaded adaptive zone, to which a profound acceleration of diversification rate has been attributed. We have quantified the evidence for this hypothesis by comparing sister groups and species diversity of as many phytophagous insect groups as current taxonomic evidence allows. A sign test showed significant association of diversification rate with the adoption of phytophagy. The possible artifactual bases for this trend are discussed and provisionally rejected. We discuss several possible biological explanations for the association, including models of phylogenesis either dependent on or independent of ecological role.
Associations between body size, mating pattern, testis size and sperm lengths across butterflies

This paper investigates mechanisms of sperm competition by comparing reproductive characteristics across 74 butterfly species. Testis size scales with body size and, after controlling for this allometry, relative testis size increases with risk of sperm competition, as defined by female mating frequency. Both eupyrene (fertilizing) and apyrene (non-fertile) sperm lengths correlate positively with body size. After controlling for body size, relative eupyrene sperm lengths are greater in species where males experience higher risks of sperm competition. These results suggest that sperm competition in butterflies selects for increased investment in spermatogenesis, and specifically longer fertilizing sperm. Because longer sperm may be faster and more powerful, eupyrene sperm may therefore compete energetically, and are not selected to be minimally sized to maximize numbers for a purely raffle-based sperm competition mode. Apyrene sperm lengths are not affected directly by risk of encountering rival sperm. Instead, apyrene sperm show closer associations with body size which, if female tract morphometry correlates with body size, is consistent with the hypothesis that apyrene sperm retard female sexual receptivity by moving while in storage.