Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Revisiting niche fundamentals with Tukey depth

The first attempts to describe species ecological niches were simple geometric procedures that depict the niche boundaries directly from environmental data. The convex hull was one of such procedures, popular for its simplicity, clear ecological rational and precise definition of the niche. However, it lacked the ability to differentiate areas of the niche with different probabilities of occurrence according to environmental suitability. We incorporate the Tukey depth, a mathematical tool to measure the centrality of a point within a cloud of points on a multidimensional space, in the convex hull approach to (i) propose a new procedure (CH‐Tukey) to estimate species’ environmental suitability, and (ii) estimate niche overlap coherently. In addition to a clear ecological rational and simplicity the CH‐Tukey procedure has a number of attractive features: use of presence‐only data; independence from background data; invariance to scale; robustness to outliers; and the decomposition of the niche into a finite number of iso‐suitability levels, permitting the computation of consistent overlap indices. We illustrate the use of CH‐Tukey, using occurrence data of the main Quercus species and subspecies from Western Mediterranean Europe, comparing its outputs with BIOCLIM and MaxEnt. Results showed distinct niche geometries among the different approaches. BIOCLIM produced rectilinear niches reflecting the assumption that ecological variables are independent in their action on the species. CH‐Tukey, relaxing this assumption, adjusts niche outer boundary and the inner suitability levels to the known occurrences. MaxEnt produced unbounded niche geometries, showing abrupt shifts in the species response to the environmental variables. The niche predictions obtained with geometric approaches, BIOCLIM and CH‐Tukey, are simpler but better aligned with Hutchinson's niche concept than those obtained with MaxEnt, this latter showing ecologically implausible relationships with the environmental variables. CH‐Tukey and the related overlap measures provide an adequate tool to explore niche properties and species–environment relationships.
Postnatal Care of Patients with Gestational Diabetes in Primary Care

Background: Pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and their children carry high risk of future type 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic abnormalities. Early diagnosis of GDM and prompt management, as well as postpartum follow up and preventative care can reduce this future risk. The main objective of this study was to assess the postpartum follow up of GDM patients and to examine the local protocols and policies in place to ensure adherence to national guidelines. Methods: An initial audit was completed at a local health practice in Scotland, UK by enquiring about the local protocols in place for high risk patients, from all partners and practice staff, by searching for any printed forms or tools available in practice locally and by searching for any online protocols or guidelines at NHS Lanarkshire website. Based on the initial findings, several changes were proposed, agreed by all the staff and implemented for appropriate follow-up of GDM patients postnatally. Secondary data collection was performed 8 weeks after implementation to assess adherence to proposed changes. Literature Review: A short literature review was conducted to obtain evidence-based recommendations from national guidelines and protocols for appropriate identification and management of GDM patients postnatally. Results: Preliminary data revealed that there were no formal follow up protocols in place however after the Proforma suggestion it was decided to make the necessary changes for follow up of high risk discharged patients. Data collection over a 2 month period revealed successful implementation of the suggested protocol resulting in identification and follow up of all GDM patients. Conclusion: Initially there was no formal mechanism in place to identify high risk GDM patients postnatally for follow up. Once the necessary changes were implemented, it led to successful identification and management of all GDM patients in primary care after discharge from hospital. However, this approach does have some limitations due to additional factors such as the availability and experience of the workforce, IT related issues, and geographical relocation of patients which are beyond control and scope of this project.
LIPOSSOMAS DE LONGA-CIRCULAÇÃO COMO ESTRATÉGIA PROMISSORA PARA O TRANSPORTE E BIODISPONIBILIZAÇÃO DE FÁRMACOS NO TRATAMENTO DO CÂNCER

In recent years, nanotechnology has been a strong ally to Medicinal Chemistry. Liposomes stand out, being cell membrane models and excellent biocompatible drug delivery systems. However, liposomes have limitations due to their low stability in solutions and rapid elimination from the blood stream. These factors prevent the accumulation of these structures in tumor tissues, as well as the effects of permeability and retention (EPR effect). Given this scenario, several strategies have been developed aiming to increase the stability and the circulation of liposome in the blood stream. Recent research has shown that surface-modified liposomes with polyethylene glycol (PEG), triblock ABA-like copolymers or site-specific ligands are able to overcome these issues. With that in mind, this article brings a review of the main scientific contributions in the development, optimization and improvement of liposomes as long circulation systems aiming at new strategies for drug formulation in cancer treatment.
Screening mined-out indigenous mycorrhizal fungi for the rehabilitation of mine tailing areas in the Philippines

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play a significant role for mine tailing rehabilitation due to their sensitivity towards a range of soil pollutants. This beneficial biological agent can enhance plant tolerance to heavy metal contamination. This study screened indigenous AMF associated with growing indigenous ferns and grasses in the mine tailings for potential use in rehabilitating a 3-decade abandoned mined out area in Mogpog, Marinduque. Pterocarpus indicus Willd. (narra) was used as the host plant to establish mycorrhizal fungi association. Among the treatments, indigenous AMF associated with Ferns 1, 2 and 5 generally improved the height and shoot diameter of the narra seedlings and the effect was comparable with commercially available AMF inoculants, MYKOVAM® and MYKORICH®. The dry weight of the roots and nodules was consistently improved by indigenous AMF from Fern2 and Grass1, which had comparable effect with MYKOVAM® and MYKORICH®. Overall, the total seedling dry matter of narra seedlings was significantly stimulated by AMF, irrespective of isolates’ origin. The mycorrhizal root infection by AMF and number of spores in the soil were all high as compared with the uninoculated control counterpart. Lastly, AMF inoculation induced Cu retention in the roots of the seedlings. Thus the results imply that, the mined out indigenous AMF are potential agents to rehabilitate the abandoned mine tailings in the Philippines.
ANALISIS FAKTOR-FAKTOR YANG MENENTUKAN KEPUTUSAN PEMBERIAN KREDIT UNTUK USAHA MIKRO, KECIL, DAN MENENGAH (UMKM) PADA LEMBAGA PEMBIAYAAN PEER TO PEER LENDING (Studi Kasus pada Koinworks Financial Technology 2019)

The objective of this research is to analyze factors influencing the approval loans for MSMEs in the peer-to-peer lending platform. This research identifies the influence of the age of debtor, sex of debtor, length of business, loan purposes, term loan, credit scores, business turnover, leverage ratio, and loan amount as the variables of this research. Moreover, the quantitative method used in this research within the data of obtained from koinworks.com, as a Peer to Peer Lending service provider. The purposive sampling method was used resulting in 45 MSMEs that were selected as the samples and also the logistic regression analysis with IBM SPSS Statistics 24 was also used to analyze the data. The results of this research show that the sex a of debtor, credit scores, business turnover, and loan amount have positive and significant influences on the extension of credit decisions. In addition, the age of a debtor, length of business, loan purpose, term loan, and leverage ratio insignificantly influences the loan extension of credit decisions on the peer-to-peer lending institutions for MSMEs. Keywords : Peer-to-Peer Lending, MSMEs, Logistic Regression
GIGANTEA promotes sorghum flowering by stimulating floral activator gene expression

iv. Funding This work was supported by USDA-ARS CRIS projects 2030-21000-039-00D and 2030-21000-049-00D to F.G. H. v. Abstract The C4 grass Sorghum bicolor is an important grain and subsistence crop, animal forage, and cellulosic biofuel feedstock that is tolerant of abiotic stresses and marginal soils. Sorghum is short-day flowering, an obstacle for adaptation as a grain crop but a benefit as a biofuel feedstock. To identify genes underlying sorghum photoperiodic flowering behavior this study characterized the Sbgi-ems1 nonsense mutation in the sorghum GIGANTEA (SbGI) gene from a sequenced M4 EMS-mutagenized BTx623 population. Sbgi-ems1 plants had reduced stature and leaf blades exhibiting increased lateral growth combined with reduced proximal-distal growth. Mutant plants flowered later than normal siblings under long-day conditions provided by greenhouse or field. Delayed flowering in Sbgi-ems1 plants accompanied by an increase in internode number, indicating an extended vegetative growth phase prior to flowering. Sbgi-ems1 plants had reduced expression of floral activator genes SbCO and SbEhd1 and downstream FT-like florigen genes SbFT, SbCN8, and SbCN12. Therefore, SbGI accelerates flowering by promotion of SbCO and SbEhd1 expression. Circadian clock-associated genes SbTOC1 and SbLHY had disrupted expression in Sbgi-ems1 plants. This work demonstrates SbGI is a key upstream activator in the regulatory networks dictating sorghum flowering time and growth, as well as gene expression regulation within the circadian clock. Summary Statement Sorghum GIGANTEA contributes to flowering time, growth, and the circadian clock with activities opposite to its maize homolog. GI occupies a conserved position within regulatory networks but has plastic activity.
Agrégation, percolation et séparation de phase d'une assemblée de sphères dures browniennes adhésives : approche par simulation hors réseau

Les fluides et systemes complexes constituent une classe de "materiaux" au sens large dont l'originalite des proprietes statiques et dynamiques resulte a la fois de la structure chimique des particules elementaires qui les constituent et de leur organisation dans l'espace en particulier aux echelles mesoscopiques. Ces systemes sont souvent le lieu de phenomenes d'agregation, de gelification et/ou de separation de phase dus aux interactions entre les entites constituantes. Les structures complexes ainsi formees peuvent s'etendre sur des echelles allant du nanometre au macroscopique et sont parfois transitoires ou reversibles ce qui genere l'apparition de proprietes rheologiques remarquables. Si les systemes presentent une grande diversite au niveau des interactions responsables des structures et au niveau de leur energie (polymeres associatifs, systemes heterogenes nanophases, melanges de colloides et de polymeres, gels chimiques et physiques, biopolymeres), au-dela des specificites propres a chaque systeme nous sommes particulierement interesses par la recherche de lois de comportements "universelles" resultant de l'organisation spatiale des structures. L'objectif de cette these est de comprendre la formation de ces structures et leur facon de remplir l'espace par modelisation des processus a l'aide de la simulation numerique. Le modele numerique est base sur un systeme de spheres dures hors reseau qui modelise par exemple un ensemble de micelles spheriques en interaction (attraction, repulsion). La premiere etape consiste a distribuer les spheres dures dans une boite cubique puis a les animer d'un mouvement brownien afin d'aboutir a un systeme parfaitement bien equilibre. L'introduction de parametres decrivant la portee et l'intensite des forces attractives entre les spheres permet une etude "statique" de la transition sol-gel. Les phenomenes d'agregation irreversible limitee par la diffusion (DLCA) conduisent a des structures fractales qui sont modelisees par l'intermediaire d'une probabilite de collage entre amas egale a 1 (deux amas qui se rencontrent se collent toujours de facon irreversible). Les resultats obtenus, temps de gel, dimension fractale sont analyses et compares avec d'autres modeles, notamment sur reseau. La modelisation hors reseau permet une etude a toutes les echelles spatiales (y compris locales). Une autre partie de ce travail a porte sur l'etude des phenomenes d'agregation reversible. La ligne de percolation de notre modele est comparee a celle obtenue dans l'approximation de Percus-Yevick avec les relations de fermeture de Ornstein-Zernike. La separation de phase est clairement observee dans une certaine gamme d'interaction (distance et force) et comparee par l'intermediaire du parametre d'adhesivite (tau^-1) aux resultats experimentaux et theoriques.
Mentalisieren als Voraussetzung für feinfühliges Verhalten von pädagogischen Fachkräften: Methodenentwicklung und Ergebnisse einer Pilotstudie

Ziel des vorliegenden Projektes ist es, ein Interview zu entwickeln, das die mentalisierenden Fähigkeiten von pädagogischen Fachkräften im Hinblick auf ihre Beziehung zum Kind erfasst. Der vorliegende Beitrag stellt die Instrumentenentwicklung und die Ergebnisse der Pilotstudie dar. Den inhaltlichen Schwerpunkt des Interviews bildet die Nähe-Distanz-Regulation in der Beziehung zum Kind (Bindungs- Explorations-Balance). Der auf Grundlage des Parent Development Interviews (PDI) entwickelte halbstrukturierte Interviewleitfaden des ErzieherIn-Entwicklungs-Interviews (EEI) sowie die für den Kontext der Kindertagesbetreuung adaptierten Auswertungsmanuale nach der Reflective Functioning Scale (RF) und des Assessments of Representational Risk (ARR; z.B. Feindseligkeit, Hilflosigkeit, unterstützende Präsenz) wurden anhand von N=12 pädagogischen Fachkräften pilotiert. Die Ergebnisse der Pilotierung deuten darauf hin, dass das entwickelte Interview dafür geeignet ist, eine breite Varianz an Fähigkeiten zum Mentalisieren (RF) und Beziehungsrepräsentationen (ARR) von pädagogischen Fachkräften erfassen zu können. Erste Ergebnisse zu Zusammenhängen zwischen den Fähigkeiten zum Mentalisieren von pädagogischen Fachkräften und verschiedenen Aspekten der Beziehungsrepräsentation geben Hinweise auf die Konstruktvalidität des Instrumentes. Abschließend wird der neue methodische Zugang auf der Ebene der Repräsentationen für den Bereich der Frühpädagogik diskutiert und ein Ausblick auf die weiteren Forschungsfragen des Projektes gegeben, die im Rahmen der Hauptstudie untersuchten werden.
Assessing Rooting Media and Hormone on Rooting Potential of Stem Cuttings of Bougainvillea

An experiment was conducted at Lamjung Campus, Lamjung to assess the rooting performance and bud sprouting of Bougainvillea, an evergreen ornamental vine. The study was conducted in partially controlled environment with two factorial treatments considering factor A in four levels(coco peat + sand, sand + FYM, garden soil, garden soil + FYM and garden soil )and factor B (with and without NAA 3000ppm) were arranged in completely randomized design (CRD) with three replication during September- November, 2016. 18 cuttings having 15 cm in length with 4 buds were planted in each treatment. Root length (7.83cm) found in Sand & FYM was significantly different to other media but rooting percentage (77.77%) was found statistically at par with other media except garden soil. Effect of hormone was found non-significant on total sprouted plant, sprout diameter and number of sprouts/cuttings whereas other parameters were affected significantly. Interaction effect of rooting media and hormone significantly affects root length (11.6cm) and rooting percentage (83.33%) which was found on sand & FYM along with NAA 3000ppm followed by Garden soil & FYM in combination with NAA 3000ppm while others parameters were non-significant. Thus it is advisable to use a good rooting media along with application of NAA 3000 ppm for better rooting in cuttings.
Yeast Genomic Screens Identify Kinesins as Potential Targets of the Pseudomonas syringae Type III Effector, HopZ1a

Gram-negative bacterial pathogens inject type III secreted effectors (T3SEs) directly into host cells to promote pathogen fitness by manipulating host cellular processes. Despite their crucial role in promoting virulence, relatively few T3SEs have well-characterized enzymatic activities or host targets. This is in part due to functional redundancy within pathogen T3SE repertoires as well as promiscuous individual T3SEs that can have multiple host targets. To overcome these challenges, we conducted heterologous genetic screens in yeast, a non-host organism, to identify T3SEs that target conserved eukaryotic processes. We screened 75 T3SEs from the plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae and identified 16 that inhibited yeast growth on rich media and eight that inhibited growth on stress-inducing media, including the acetyltransferase HopZ1a. We focused our further analysis on HopZ1a, which interacts with plant tubulin and alters microtubule networks. We first performed a Pathogenic Genetic Array (PGA) screen of HopZ1a against ~4400 yeast carrying non-essential mutations and found 95 and 10 deletion mutants which reduced or enhanced HopZ1a toxicity, respectively. To uncover putative HopZ1a host targets, we interrogated both the genetic- and physical-interaction profiles of HopZ1a by identifying yeast genes with PGA profiles most similar (i.e. congruent) to that of HopZ1a, performing a functional enrichment analysis of these HopZ1a-congruent genes, and by analyzing previously described HopZ physical interaction datasets. Finally, we demonstrated that HopZ1a can target kinesins by acetylating the plant kinesins HINKEL and MKRP1. ARTICLE SUMMARY Bacterial pathogens utilize secretion systems to directly deliver effector proteins into host cells, with the ultimate goal of promoting pathogen fitness. Despite the central role that effectors play in infection, the molecular function and host targets of most effectors remain uncharacterized. We used yeast genomics and protein interaction data to identify putative virulence targets of the effector HopZ1a from the plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae. HopZ1a is an acetyltransferase that induces plant microtubule destruction. We showed that HopZ1a acetylated plant kinesin proteins known to regulate microtubule networks. Our study emphasizes the power of yeast functional genomic screens to characterize effector functions.
Fusarium Species Complex Causing Pokkah Boeng in China

Sugarcane is one of the most important crops for sugar production in sugarcane-growing areas. Many biotic and abiotic stresses affected the sugarcane production which leads to severe losses. Pokkah boeng is now playing a very important role due to its economic threats. Currently, the occurrence and rigorousness of pokkah boeng disease have been spread like wildfire from major sugarcane-growing countries. Pokkah boeng is a fungal disease that can cause serious yield losses in susceptible varieties. Infection of the disease is caused either by spores or ascospores. It may cause serious yield losses in commercial plantings. However, there have been many reported outbreaks of the disease which have looked spectacular but have caused trade and industry loss. Fusarium species complex is the major causal agent of this disease around the world, but some researchers have documented the increased importance of Fusarium. Three Fusarium species have been identified to cause the sugarcane pokkah boeng disease in China. Moreover, Fusarium may be accompanied of its mycotoxin production, genomic sequencing, and association with nitrogen application in China. Many studies on disease investigations, breeding of disease-resistant varieties, and strategy of disease control have also been carried out in China.
Optimization of Recombinant Flavivirus Antigens for Infection Serology: Towards Syndrome-Based Multiplex Tests

Sensitive and specific pathogen detection is an essential prerequisite for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. The similarities of clinical symptoms and serological cross-reactivity of viral structural antigens make the diagnosis of flavivirus infection problematic. Therefore, the main aim of this thesis was the development of a non-structural protein 1 (NS1) based serological assay for the diagnosis of flaviviruses. Recombinant NS1 (rNS1) oligomers consistent with the native secreted form of the protein were purified for TBEV, WNV, ZIKV, USUV, and DENV 1-4. The ability of rNS1 proteins to detect specific antibodies was analyzed using sera of immunized mice and well-characterized human sera samples. These antigens were used in a standard ELISA format and shown to be highly sensitive and specific compared to commercial assays. The optimized NS1-based ELISA was used to assess the IgM/IgG responses to WNV and USUV in North-Eastern Italy. The results of the analysis confirmed the area as endemic for USUV and contributed to the characterization of the first human cases of USUV infection in blood donors. The NS1-based ELISA was also applied to 200 sera samples from patients exhibiting febrile illness who visited the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital in Nigeria. Only 11 of 200 serum samples were negative for all the flaviviruses tested, while all other samples were positive for at least one pathogen. Molecular analysis confirmed the circulation of flaviviruses in the region, including zika virus. In conclusion, rNS1 represents a valuable option for the serology of flaviviruses with reduced cross-reactivity and high sensitivity.
Extended Spectrum and AmpC Beta-lactamase Producing Salmonella Rough Strains Associated with Gastroenteritis in Piglets of Meghalaya (India)

DIK planned Authors HK, LD, LRD and IW collected the samples. Authors HK, EB and IW the tests of all samples analysed the data. ABSTRACT Aim: An investigative study for gastroenteritis in unorganised private pig farms of Meghalaya, a North East State of India. Materials and Methods: Faecal samples were collected from 32 pigs including severely diarrhoeic piglets and were processed for detection of Escherichia coli , Salmonella , Clostridium spp. , Rotavirus , as well as parasitic eggs and larvae. The isolates were screen by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for rotavirus and the presence of virulence associated genes of E. coli and Salmonella . An antibiotic sensitivity test was performed on isolated Salmonella and screened for the presence of drug resistance beta-lactamase genes. Results: A total of 40 E. coli were isolated, all of which were found to be negative for any putative virulence genes of shigatoxigenic E. coli , enterotoxigenic E. coli , enterohaemorrhagic E. coli and enteropathogenic E. coli pathotypes. From severely diarrhoeic piglets, four salmonellae were isolated, which were recorded as Salmonella Rough strains. All the 4 isolates detected positivity for ESBL ( bla TEM ) and ampC β-lactamase ( bla CMY-2 ) genes. However, no samples were found to be positive for viral and parasitic pathogens. Antibiotic susceptibility test revealed the Salmonella strains were resistant to commonly used drugs, such as enrofloxacin, cefalexin, tetracycline, amoxycillin, ampicillin and aztreonam. RAPD-PCR revealed the homogeneity of the strains associated with Salmonella infection in the area. Conclusion: The study indicated the involvement of Salmonella Rough strains with piglet diarrhoea in unorganised farms of Meghalaya. Detection of Salmonella possessing antibiotic resistance genes in food animal warranty immediate attention to hygienic practices and regulated use of antibiotics.