Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative Efficacy of Different Brands of Baker’s Yeast Used in Bread Production in Jos Metropolis, Nigeria

Consumption of bread and other baked aerated wheat flour products has spurred the needs to determine the leavening ability of different brands of baker’s yeast used in bread production. In this study we assessed the leaving ability of different brands of baker’s yeast in production of quality bread and the flour used in baking test was Dangote flour. Seven brands of different commercial baker’s yeast were collected from the 13 different brands sold in Jos market. These brands includes: Angel instant active dry yeast (ANGY), Saf-instant active dry yeast (SAFY), Food mont instant active dry yeast (FOMY), Pasha instant active dry yeast (PASY), STK- Royal active dry yeast (ROYA), Vahine active dry yeast (VAHY) and Fermipan active dry yeast (FEMY). The results of the viability tests for the different brands of active dry yeast indicated that six out of the seven brands were 100% viable while one had only one dead cell. Statistical analysis (one-sample-t- test) revealed that there was significant different among the different brands of yeasts used (p<0.05), however ANGY had the highest performance viability (p<0.002) and PASY had the least (p<0.039) as shown in Table 3 in appendix. The result of the pH variation as function of time at 260C shows steady decrease in pH values of all the different brands of yeast suspension. Using regression analysis, pH at 150 minutes contribute 96 percent to the leavening ability of different brands of baker’s yeast used in bread production and 30 minutes contribute the lowest 9.1 percent as shown in the Table 4 in the appendix. It was concluded that all the seven brands of baker’s yeast tested were suitable for use in bread production when compared with the standard.
Choline Kinase Emerges as a Promising Drug Target in Gram-Positive Bacteria

Both nosocomial pathogens, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae and food-borne pathogens, such as Bacillus cereus and Clostridium perfringens are known to be detrimental to human and animal health. The effectiveness of currently used treatments for these pathogens becomes limited as resistant strains emerge. Therefore, new methods for eliminating bacterial pathogens must be developed continuously. This includes establishing novel targets to which drug discovery efforts could be focused. A promising method for discovering new drug targets in prokaryotes is to take advantage of the information available regarding the enzymatic pathways that have been established as drug targets in eukaryotic systems and explore the analogous pathways found in bacterial systems. This is an efficient strategy because the same inhibitors developed at considerable expense to block these pathways in eukaryotic systems could also be employed in prokaryotes. Drugs that are used to prevent diseases involving eukaryotic cells could be repurposed as antibiotics and antimicrobials for the control of bacteria pathogens. This strategy could be pursued whenever the primary and tertiary structures of a target are are conserved between eukaryotic and prokaryotes. A possible novel target fitting these parameters is choline kinase (ChoK), whose active site sequences are conserved (Figure 1) and whose tertiary structure (Figure 2) is maintained. Here, we describe why ChoK is a putative drug target by describing its role in the growth and pathogenesis of Gram-positive bacteria S. pneumoniae and the Gram-negative bacteria H. influenzae. Using S. pneumoniae as a model, we also present promising preliminary information that repurposing of drugs known to inhibit the human isoform of ChoK (hChoK), is a promising strategy for blocking the growth of S. pneumoniae cells and inhibiting the activity of the S. pneumoniae isoform of ChoK (sChok), with downstream physiological effects on the cell wall.
Effect of Pregelatinization and Retrogradation on Some Physicochemical Changes of Wheat-Potato Starches

The freezable (FW) and unfreezable water (UFW) contents of wheat and potato starches and their physically modified forms [pregelatinized (PGS) and retrograded (RS)] were analyzed by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) at various hydration levels (25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75 and 85%). In all the starch samples, the UFW content increased with increasing hydration level. Potato starch samples (native, pregelatinized and retrograded) had higher UFW contents than wheat starch samples at all hydration levels. Similarly, with the increase of hydration level in all starch samples, onset (To), peak (Tp) and endset (Te) temperatures of the peaks also increased. It was obtained that physical modifications in starches had significant effects (P<0.05) on water absorption index (WAI) and water solubility index (WSI) of starch samples. The highest WAI (10.51) and WSI (2.31) values were determined in pregelatinized potato starches. Rapid Visco Analyzer (RVA) profiles revealed that physically modified starches had higher viscosity values than native starches. The results clearly showed that pregelatinization and retrogradation had positive effects on the physicochemical properties studied.
The CRY1 tail controls circadian timing by regulating its association with CLOCK:BMAL1

Circadian rhythms are generated by a transcription-translation feedback loop that establishes cell-autonomous biological timing of ~24-hours. A prevalent human variation in the core clock gene cryptochrome 1, Cry1Δ11, lengthens circadian period to cause Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder (DSPD). CRY1 has a 55 kDa photolyase homology region (PHR) followed by a ~100 residue tail that is intrinsically disordered; the Δ11 variant lacks a short segment encoded by Exon 11 within its tail. We show here that the disordered tail of CRY1 interacts directly with its PHR, and that Exon 11 is necessary and sufficient to disrupt the interaction between CRY1 and CLOCK, a subunit of the primary circadian transcription factor. Competition between PER2 and the tail for the CRY1 PHR suggests a regulatory role for the tail in the early morning, when CRY1 binds to CLOCK:BMAL1 on DNA independently of PER2. Discovery of this autoregulatory role for mammalian CRY1 highlights functional conservation with plant and insect cryptochromes, which also utilize PHR-tail interactions to reversibly control their activity. One Sentence Summary The disordered tail of the CRY1 protein regulates interactions between CRY1 and other core circadian rhythm proteins.
The impact of Acacia saligna and the loss of mobile dunes on rodent populations: a case study in the Ashdod-Nizzanim sands in Israel

The Mediterranean coastal dune habitat of Israel is diminishing rapidly, mostly due to massive urbanization, changes in habitat characteristics caused by dune stabilization and the presence of Acacia saligna, an invasive species brought to Israel for the purpose of dune stabilization. In this study we document the effect of sand stabilization on the composition of small mammal communities in the Ashdod-Nizzanim sands, Israel. We analyzed differences in species diversity and abundance for species of rodents in four types of habitat: unstable (mobile) sand dune, semi-stabilized dune, inter-dune depression and a plot of the invasive Acacia saligna. Rodent communities were found to undergo gradual changes concurrently with the stabilization of the sands. The mobile dune was the only habitat in which the strict psammophiles Jaculus jaculus and Gerbillus pyramidum were captured in abundance. No species commensal with human were captured neither in the mobile nor in the semi-stabilized dunes. However, in the inter-dune depression there was quite a large representation of Mus musculus, a rodent commensal with humans. The Acacia saligna plot had the lowest number of captures and the lowest rodent biomass calculated, with Mus musculus composing nearly half of the captures. The results of this study demonstrate that stabilization of the sands in Ashdod-Nizzanim area is associated with the disappearance of psammophile rodents and the appearance of species commensal with humans. In order to preserve the habitat for psammophile rodents, measures should be taken to halt the spread of acacia and the continuing stabilization of the sands.
Dietary supplementation of probiotics and influence on feed efficiency, growth parameters and reproductive performance in female rainbow trout (
 Oncorhynchus mykiss
 ) broodstock

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of dietary probiotics on reproductive performance, growth, haematological and biochemical parameters of female rainbow trout broodstock. A total of 60 broodstocks with an average initial weight of 2,267.4 ± 54.9 g were divided into four groups and three replicates in raceway ponds. Fish were fed with diets containing 0 (control), 1 × 10⁹ (P1), 2 × 10⁹ (P2) and 4 × 10⁹ (P3) CFU probiotic per kg diet twice a day for 8 weeks before spawning season. Results revealed that higher levels of dietary probiotics (P3) enhanced protein efficiency ratio and decreased feed conversion ratio (p < .05). There were no significant differences in haematological and other growth parameters among different treatments. According to the results, probiotic‐fed treatments had the lowest levels of cholesterol (237.7 ± 4.3 mg/dl) and the highest levels of total protein (11.3 ± 0.3 g/dl) and albumin (6.9 ± 0.3 g/dl), so that differences were found between P3 and control groups in all cases (p < .05). Based on the observations from reproductive parameters, the highest egg diameter, working and relative fecundities, fertilization and hatching rates, eyed eggs survival and alevins survival rates up to the absorption of the yolk sac were observed in P3 treatment (p < .05). Moreover, eyeing, hatching and yolk sac absorbing stages in P3 treatment were earlier than those in other treatments (p < .05). The results of present study demonstrated that probiotic supplementation improved reproductive performance and some growth and biochemical parameters in female rainbow trout broodstock and the best performance was observed in fish fed 4 × 10⁹ CFU probiotic per kg diet. Due to an increase in egg production and egg size in probiotic‐fed treatments, this feed additive can be used as a suitable ingredient to increase high‐quality egg production in rainbow trout breeders.
Valuing Carbon Sequestration to Finance Afforestation Projects in China

Afforestation programs have huge potential to store carbon, thereby contributing to mitigate climate change. However, the voluntary acceptance by landowners crucially depends on their economic outcome. We (i) assess the carbon sequestration potential of afforestation projects in various Chinese regions by comparing different tree species, project durations and regional particularities, (ii) analyze the costs and benefits of tree species used for timber and fruit production as well as bamboo, and (iii) compare them with alternative crops under different climatic and economic conditions. Finally, we calculate the minimum compensation required by farmers to convert cropland to forests assuming a joint production of timber or fruits and carbon sequestration. No compensation is needed when cropland with relatively low revenues is to be converted. In contrast, compensation payments must be high for converting land used for cash crops, such as sugarcane. For fruit trees, the amount of carbon sequestered is low, but selling fruits and nuts is quite profitable. Consequently, in most cases there is no compensation needed. The minimum price per carbon credit decreases with increasing project duration because more carbon is stored per hectare, and in consequence, the required payments per credit are lower. This does not hold for fast-growing trees like eucalyptus and poplar, for which the minimum price increases with extended project duration. Bamboo shows a high carbon sequestration potential, and becomes economically more attractive by including carbon revenues. Carbon credits can often compensate the opportunity costs of alternative land uses, except for afforestation on highly productive cropland. We demonstrate that the economic attractiveness of afforestation projects is strongly context dependent and varies substantially across regions. The findings can contribute to the cost-efficient design of carbon sequestration projects. The methodology can be applied to other regions in the developing world.
Prevalence of thyroid disorders and associated risk factors with various glycemic status in North China

Abstract The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate whether abnormal glycemic status (diabetes and prediabetes) is associated with increased prevalence of thyroid disorders in North China. A total of 10,860 adult participants were enrolled based on the REACTION study [Ning G. J Diabetes. 2012;4(2):172–173]. They were divided into three groups by glucose levels according to the American Diabetes Association 2010 criteria. The basic characteristics of the study population were analyzed. The prevalence and effects of thyroid disorders, cardio-cerebrovascular disease, and risk factors of thyroid disorders, among the study groups, were investigated. The study population comprised 2994 diabetic patients (27.57%) and 6386 prediabetic patients (58.80%), with the mean age of 55.37 ± 8.82 years. Compared to those subjects with normal glucose status (8.11%), thyroid disorders were more common in the diabetic (15.97%) and prediabetic patients (13.48%) (P < 0.001). Impacts of female gender related to the presence of thyroid disorders were even more profound in the diabetic patients than in those with other glucose status. The results indicate that screening for thyroid disorders among patients with diabetes or prediabetes should be regularly performed, especially in females.
Vitamin D, reproductive disorders and assisted reproduction: evidences and perspectives

Abstract Vitamin D is an important nutrient involved in many fundamental health outcomes. However, its influence on female reproductive function remains ambiguous. Cholecalciferol seems to have a role in the reproductive processes and in the patients affected by polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, uterine myomas and premature ovarian failure. Moreover, it may play an important role in the assisted reproductive techniques, given that it is capable of influencing oocyte quality, but also an adequate preparation of the endometrium for embryonic implantation. Although promising, available evidence is based on a limited number of in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies. We provide an overview of the association between vitamin D and female infertility reporting the most recent data published in the literature. Nevertheless, properly randomised clinical trials are mandatory to achieve more conclusive results about the promising role of vitamin D in the management of female assisted reproduction.
A backpack method for attaching GPS transmitters to bluetongue lizards (Tiliqua, scincidae)

—Global positioning system (GPS) transmitters provide detailed information but require external attachment of relatively large units. We describe a backpack system that we developed to attach GPS units to freeranging bluetongue lizards (Tiliqua multifasciata and T. scincoides intermedia). An inner layer of supergrip fabric was glued to an outer layer of nylon mesh, to form a vest around the animal’s chest and a collar around its neck, secured with superglue and cable-ties. We fitted 16 lizards with backpacks mounted with GPS units and successfully tracked them for up to 86 days to obtained detailed data on movement patterns and habitat use. Field monitoring in northern Australia showed that the units were durable and stayed in place unless the lizard wore through the backpack or shed its skin. No lizards became entangled in vegetation.
Spatiotemporal expression patterns of natriuretic peptides in rat testis and epididymis during postnatal development

Natriuretic peptide (NP) family is composed of atrial, brain and C‐type NP (NPPA, NPPB and NPPC). Here, we aimed to investigate NP expression in testis and epididymis during postnatal development. NPPA expression was observed in gonocytes at prepubertal period but in only spermatocytes in pachytene and leptotene/zygotene stage at pubertal period. In prepubertal and pubertal periods, we detected NPPB expression in only Leydig cells. However, NPPC expression was detected in all of the gonocytes and Sertoli cells, spermatocytes and some interstitial cells in prepubertal and pubertal periods. In postpubertal and mature periods, NPPA and NPPB staining were detected in Leydig cells, elongated and round spermatids but not in spermatogonia and spermatocytes. However, we observed NPPC expression in all cells of the seminiferous tubules and Leydig cells in the postpubertal and mature periods. Epididymal epithelium showed intense NPPC expression during postnatal period but weak NPPA and NPPB expression in prepubertal and pubertal periods. The expression of three NPs in the testis significantly increased after puberty. In conclusion, puberty had a significant effect on NP expression in testis. Unlike NPPA and NPPB, expression of NPPC in all cells of the seminiferous tubule suggests that NPPC is effective in each step of spermatogenesis.
Pollinator diversity and effect of Apis cerana F. pollination on yield of mango (Mangifera indica L.)

Pollinator diversity and effect of Apis cerana F. pollination on yield of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) was studied at Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat during the year 2014-15 and 2015-16 from mid of February to August. The diversity of insect forager on Mango (Mangifera indica L.) was recorded and all total 11 (eleven) insect foragers were documented. Out of which, Apis cerana was found to be the most dominant forager (46.66%) followed by A. mellifera (08.00%), A. florea (07.00%), Vespa magnifica (8.00%), Coccinella septempunctata (05.00%), Oecophylla smaragdina (03.33%), Pieris rapae (02.66%) and Papilio demoleus (01.33%). The peak period of foraging activity on mango flower was found to be 0900-1000 hours. Fruit setting was more in the Apis cerana treated plots (42.29%) compared to that of open pollination (OP, 33.36%) and pollinator exclusion (PE, 31.03%). Maximum yield was recorded in Apis cerana treated plots (84.75q/ha) and lowest in PE (58.18q/ha). Foraging activity of honey bees had also been correlated with meteorological factors. The number of Apis cerana visited on mango flower showed a positive significant relationship with temperature and bright sunshine hours and negative with relative humidity and rainfall.
Effects of Organic and Inorganic Fertilzer on the Early Growth Response of Afzelia africana

An experiment was conducted in the nursery of Department of Forestry Technology at the Federal College of Forestry Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria to determine the effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on early growth response of Afzelia africana. Seedlings were collected from Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan, Oyo State and were transplanted into 2kg perforated polythene pots. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with five treatments replicated three times. The treatments were: 20 t ha-1 water hyacinth compost (T1), 20 t ha-1 water hyacinth + poultry manure compost (T2), 20 t ha-1 poultry manure (T3) and 50 kg ha-1 NPK 20:10:10 (T4) and T5 - control (no fertilizer application). The compost was applied two (2) weeks before planting, while NPK 20:10:10 was applied two 2 weeks after planting. The experiment was monitored for eight (8) weeks after transplanting (WAT), while growth parameters were measured. The results of the study showed that application of fertilizers gave significant (p=0.05) increase in plant height (cm), stem diameter (mm), leaf production, and leaf area (cm2) of A. africana. Plant height ranged from 41.43 cm in the control to 47.96 cm in the pots where 20t ha-1 water hyacinth compost was applied. Stem diameter also increased across treatments, while leaf production ranged from 9 in the control treatment to 14 in the pots with 20t ha-1 poultry manure. These results suggested that the incorporation of organic and inorganic fertilizers increased productivity of A. africana. However, application of 20 t ha-1 water hyacinth compost is recommended because it is available, affordable and environmentally friendly for the production of A. africana especially in the study area.
Host range and banana cultivars’ susceptibility to Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum in Rwanda

Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum (Xcm), a bacterium causing banana xanthomonas wilt (BXW) disease, is widely spread in the East and Central Africa and infects all cultivated bananas. The first objective of this study was to identify plant species produced in banana cropping systems of Rwanda that may act as host of Xcm, and to evaluate the susceptibility of different banana cultivars in Rwanda. Eighteen plant species including banana, banana-intercrop species and plant species closely related to banana were used to study the host range of Xcm. Similarly, five banana cultivars (Fhia-17, Fhia-25, Injagi, Mpologoma and Nkazikamwa) were used to assess their susceptibility level to Xcm. Tested plant species and banana cultivars were inoculated with Xcm isolate in a controlled environment. Only banana and its relatives (enset, blood banana, achira, African arrowroot, and Indian shot) developed xanthomonas wilt symptoms. Time to first symptoms expression and to complete wilting varied significantly (P < 0.0001) between susceptible plant species. Longer survival times (P < 0.0001) were observed in wild (blood) banana, Canna species and enset compared to cultivated banana. Since these susceptible plant species could host the bacteria, they should be avoided in farms or gardens neighbouring banana fields. All the five banana cultivars tested were susceptible to Xcm. Among the cultivars, Mpologoma was first to express disease symptoms and to wilt completely; while the longest incubation period and time to complete wilting were recorded in cultivar Fhia-17. Due to the broad host range and high susceptibility of banana cultivars to Xcm, information about how to limit the spread of the bacteria is crucial for disease control.
High-throughput living-cell protein crosslinking analysis uncovers the physiological relevance of forming the “inserted” state of the ATP synthase ε-subunit

ATP synthase, a highly conserved multi-subunit enzyme complex having a common stoichiometry of α3β3γδεab2c8-15, functions to supply ATP as the universal energy currency for cells. It comprises of the peripheral F1 sector (α3β3γδε) and the membrane-integrated Fo sector (ab2c8-15). In vitro structural analyses revealed that the C-terminal domain of the ε-subunit could adopt either an “inserted” or “non-inserted” state (with or without interacting with the α/β-subunits), with the former being viewed as inhibitory for the ATP hydrolysis activity of ATP synthase. Nevertheless, as common in current protein researches, the physiological relevance of such an “inserted” state for ATP synthase functioning is hardly known. To decipher this, designed an unnatural amino acid-mediated living-cell protein photocrosslinking analysis pipeline by developing the scarless genome-targeted site-directed mutagenesis and the high-throughput gel polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (HT-PAGE) techniques. Employing this powerful approach, we systematically examined the interactions involving the C-terminal helix of the ε-subunit in cells living under a variety of experimental conditions. These studies enabled us to uncover that the “inserted” and “non-inserted” states of the ε-subunit exist as an equilibrium in cells cultured under common experimental conditions, shifting to the former upon the appearance of unfavorable conditions, acting as a low-gear state to strengthen the ATP synthesis function. Such a fine-tuning mechanism allows the ATP synthase to reversibly and instantly switch between two functional states. Further, the two powerful techniques that we developed here might be applied to many aspects of protein researches.