Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detection and in vivo fate of surface-expressed bacterial polysaccharides

The potential bioterrorism agents, Francisella tularensis and Burkholderia pseudomallei, are the etiologic agents of two life-threatening diseases, termed tularemia and melioidosis, respectively. An early diagnosis and a timely treatment regimen are crucial for successful therapeutic outcomes. However, bacterial isolation, which is known to be time-consuming and have low sensitivity, remains the ‘gold standard’ for diagnosis of these infections. Therefore, in the first study in this dissertation, we developed an antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) targeting bacterial surface-expressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for rapid F. tularensis detection. A murine monoclonal antibody (mAb) specific to F. tularensis LPS, 1A4 IgG3, and its subclass family (1A4 IgG1 and 1A4 IgG2b, bearing the same antigen-binding site as mAb 1A4 IgG3) were isolated and used for assay development. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and competition ELISA were used to assess the binding affinities of the mAbs. We found that the assay developed using 1A4 IgG1 or IgG2b had better assay sensitivity compared to when the IgG3 was used. Interestingly, while the assay sensitivity was improved, we also found a decrease in functional affinity as a result of subclass switching. Direct ELISA and SPR suggested that the higher affinity of 1A4 IgG3 might be related to selfassociation, which correlated to high assay background and low assay sensitivity. Altogether, we demonstrated that IgG subclass switch could improve assay sensitivity by reduction of the assay background (through elimination of IgG3 self-association). As for melioidosis, a rapid diagnostic targeting B. pseudomallei CPS (Active Melioidosis Detect (AMD) rapid test) has already been developed and is currently
Habitat preference and flight activity of Morphinae butterflies in a Bornean rainforest, with a note on sound production by adult Zeuxidia (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

Fruit-bait traps were used to study vertical stratification of morphinae butterflies in a perhumid rain forest in Sabah (East Malaysia), and transect walks were conducted to quantify habitat preferences along a gradient of anthropogenic disturbance. The subfamily Morphinae showed a prominant restriction to the understory of closed, relati vely undisturbed forest. The number of species as well as of individuals strongly decreased towards higher vegetation layers and in disturbed, partially open areas . Most species showed a tendency to crepuscular flight activity. There was only marginal overlap between the species sets recorded via bait-trapping (8 species) or transect walks (9 species), respectively. This difference can be attributed to deviating adult food resources. Sound production was observed in Zeuxidia butterflies for the first time and may be related to their crepuscular activity. In South-east Asia, Morphinae butterflies are suitable bioindicators for relatively intact rainforests, because they are bound to such habitats and can be exhaustively recorded in a limited time period by a combination of transect walks and bait-trapping.
Comparisons of morphology and esterase levels between Blattella germanica and Blattella nipponica (Blattodea: Blattellidae)

The habitat of the cockroach varies by species. The German cockroach, Blattella germanica, lives in human dwellings, while the Japanese field roach, Blattella nipponica, lives in a mountainous region. Based on phylogenetic analysis of mtCOI, the two species are closely related to each other and B. germanica is divergent from wild species such as B. nipponica. Their habitats and walking speed differ even though the two species have similar morphology. We hypothesized that habitats might influence walking speed by changes to appendage morphology and enzyme‐based physiological differences. We compared the length of the appendages and differences in a multifunctional enzyme superfamily, the esterases (EST, EC 3.1), including acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7), which is related to central nervous system function. We found that phenotypes such as appendage length and esterase isozyme expression were clearly different between the two species. These differences might be responsible for the observed difference in walking speed.
Cyclic use of saline and non-saline water to increase water use efficiency and soil sustainability on drip irrigated maize in a semi-arid region

Use of saline water for irrigation is a strategy to mitigate water shortage. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of the cyclic and constant use of saline and non-saline water on drip irrigated maize yield and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE). Nine field treatments were laid out based on alternative irrigation management of non-saline and saline water combinations. The treatments were: two salinity levels of 3.5 and 5.7 dS/m and freshwater (0.4 dS/m) application in every one, three and five saline water application (1:1, 3:1 and 5:1, respectively). Results showed that the 1:1 combination management was the best in terms of crop yield and IWUE. In this treatment, salt concentration at the end of growing season was not significantly changed compared to its initial condition. If off-season precipitation or leaching was available, the 3:1 and 5:1 treatments were appropriated. Highest and lowest values of IWUE were 15.3 and 8.7 kg/m 3 for the 1:1 management using water salinity of 3.5 dS/m and the treatment of constant irrigation with water salinity of 5.7 dS/m, respectively. Under low off-season precipitations, artificial leaching is essential for land sustainability in most treatments.
Determining Optimal Dose of Chemical Fertilizer on Biofortified Bean in Sud-Kivu Highlands

Rational application of chemical fertilizer increases crop yield of biofortified bean. This study aimed at determining the optimal dose of chemical fertilizer to apply on two biofortified bean varieties used in the community in order to maximize their yield. Following a split-plot design, a field experiment was carried out on CODMLB001 and HM21-7 varieties, in Kashusha (Kabare territory) in Sud-Kivu Highlands, after a strategic application of increasing doses of chemical fertilizer NPK 17-17-17 (D 0 : Control; D 1 : 50 kg ha -1 ; D 2 : 75 kg ha -1 ; D 3 : 100 kg ha -1 ; D 4 : 125 kg ha -1 and D 5 : 150 kg ha -1 ). The said doses were applied on the sowing day in a parallel gutter at 5cm from the sowing line. The germination rate, the number of days at both the flowering stage and the stage of physiological maturity, as well as the number of harvested crops and beans per plant, number of beans per pod, weight per 1000 grains and yield were observed. Positive and negative interaction between different increasing doses of chemical fertilizers regarding the two varieties were observed. This strategic application allows increased performance according to considered varieties and doses. For instance, the HM21-7 variety gave the best performance with the D 5 dose, while the CODMLB001 variety did better under D 2 .
Starch bound phosphate in potato as studied by a simple method for determination of organic phosphate and 31P-NMR

Zur Bestimmung von an das C-Atom 6 der Glucosereste (C-6-gebundenes P) in Kartoffelstaerke gebundenem Phosphat wurde ein einfaches, leistungsfaehiges Verfahren entwickelt. Das Verfahren basiert auf enzymatischer Analyse und der Verwendung eines Mikroplatten-Lasers. Die Analyse von 26 verschiedenen Kartoffelaufwuechsen zeigt, dass der gesamte Gehalt an gebundenem Phosphat von dem gemessenen C-6-gebundenen P hergeleitet werden kann. Unter Verwendung der vereinfachten Methode zur Bestimmung des C-6-gebundenen P wird gezeigt, dass der Phosphorylierungsgrad von 50% in der Schale zum Kern der Kartoffelknolle zunimmt. Die Analyse einzelner Knollen verschiedener Pflanzen zeigt, dass die Variation von Pflanze zu Pflanze bezueglich des Phosphorylierungsgrades gering war und unter einzelnen Pflanzen Abweichungen widerspiegelte. Staerkegebundenes Phosphat wurde auch durch (31)P-NMR analysiert.
The effect of overexpression of rat clusterin in l929 fibroblasts

Oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide are powerful inducers of cell damage, ageing, and apoptosis. Since clusterin, a 75- 80 kDa mammalian glycoprotein, is frequently found to be inducible in apoptotic cells and tissues, this study inquired into whether this would be a protective mechanism against further cell death. The aim was to find out whether overexpression of clusterin could protect cells from oxidant-induced stress and apoptosis. To clarify this issue, we generated and analyzed stable cell lines expressing fusion proteins of a rat clusterin with an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). When treated with varying concentrations of hydrogen peroxides, clusterin transfectants indeed showed increased resistance to apoptosis and exhibited a much higher survival rate than mock-transfected cells. On the other hand, neither intracellular re-distribution nor local concentration of clusterin-EGFP was observed, which leaves the question open about its anti-apoptotic mechanism. In conclusion, the overexpression of clusterin provides a means for protecting cells against oxidative stress and subsequent cell death.
Resveratrol Induces Cell Death through ROS-dependent MAPK Activation in A172 Human Glioma Cells

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common and most aggressive type of primary brain tumor in humans. Despite intensive treatment, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, most patients die of the disease. Although the anti-cancer activity of resveratrol has been demonstrated in various cancer cell types, its underlying mechanism in glioma cells is not fully elucidated. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of resveratrol on cell viability and to determine the molecular mechanism in A172 human glioma cells. Resveratrol caused the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and resveratrol-induced cell death was prevented by antioxidants (N-acetylcysteine and catalase), suggesting that an oxidative mechanism is responsible for resveratrol-induced cell death. Resveratrol-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38 kinase, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and resveratrol-induced cell death were prevented by inhibitors of these kinases. Resveratrol-induced activation of caspase-3 and cell death were prevented by the caspase inhibitors. ERK activation and caspase-3 activation induced by resveratrol was blocked by N-acetylcysteine. Taken together, these results suggest that resveratrol causes a caspase-dependent cell death via activation of ERK, p38, and JNK, mediated by ROS generation, in human glioma cells.
Density-dependent potentials for simple metals

The authors have calculated the total energy for a simple metal within pseudopotential theory to second order in the pseudopotential. Their work is based on a first-principles nonlocal pseudopotential. The results presented here contain an extra term accounting for the density dependence of the higher-order terms in the total energy. This term is required to equilibrate the system at the observed density and should be included in any low-order expansion of the total energy. A closed-form expression for the energy-wavenumber characteristic is given, from which the pair potential can readily be obtained by a Fourier transform. Also included is a simple and accurate expression for the local field, which gives the electron gas screening.
Épidémiologie des helminthoses des moutons et des chèvres dans la région des savanes du Nord de la Côte d'Ivoire

Une etude epidemiologique des helminthoses des moutons et des chevres a ete realisee dans la region des savanes du nord de la Cote d'Ivoire. Cent quarante-quatre moutons ont ete autopsies a raison de six par mois, d'aout 1994 a juillet 1996 : tous etaient infestes par au moins une espece de parasite. Trois trematodes (Paramphistomides, Fasciola gigantica, Dicrocoelium hospes), six especes de cestodes (Moniezia expansa, Moniezia benedeni, Stilesia sp, Avitellina sp, Cysticercus tenuicollis et Echinococcus granulosus), dix especes de nematodes ainsi que des protozoaires ont ete identifies. Les nematodes les plus prevalents ont ete Trichostrongylus colubriformis (chez 88 % des moutons examines), Haemonchus spp (66 %), Strongyloides papillosus (63 %), Trichostrongylus axei (62 %), Oesophagostomum columbianum (43 %) et Gaigeria pachyscelis (42 %). Seule la population de T axei augmente significativement avec l'âge des animaux (p < 0.05). Le nombre d'oeufs excretes etait en correlation positive avec la pluviometrie se traduisant par un pic d'elimination entre juin et octobre au cours de la saison des pluies. En saison seche, l'hypobiose larvaire a ete limitee, et une baisse de la fecondite des femelles a ete observee. Soixante-douze chevres ont ete autopsiees a raison de six par mois, de janvier a decembre 1998. Toutes hebergeaient au moins une des 19 especes de parasites qui ont ete trouvees. La prevalence des nematodes gastro-intestinaux a ete: Trichostrongylus colubriformis (chez 96 % des chevres examinees), Haemonchus spp (82 %), Oesophagostomum columbianum (54 %), Trichostrongylus axei (46 %), Strongyloides papillosus (31 %), Trichuris sp (29 %), Gaigeria pachyscelis (17 %) et Cooperia curticei (10 %). La digestion de la muqueuse abomasale a revele des larves d'Haemonchus spp pendant les mois secs, temoignant d'une inhibition larvaire limitee. Les animaux de plus d'un an etaient les plus infestes. L'intensite des nematodes gastro-intestinaux ainsi que l'elimination des oeufs ont ete maximales en octobre, a la fin de la saison des pluies avec une relation significative pour Haemonchus spp (p < 0,05). Le controle des nematodes gastro-intestinaux est discute sur la base de ces observations.
Statistical analyses and markov modeling of duplication in genome evolution

Genome evolution, especially duplications, was studied using a computational approach. The motivation of the thesis work comes from the “evolution by gene duplication” theory proposed by Susumu Ohno in 1970's, which postulates that duplication is one of the main forces in driving genome evolution and creating genome complexity. The research described in this dissertation investigates the duplication process systematically by analyzing whole-genome data. In particular, it studies the molecular mechanisms of the segmental duplications in mammalian genomes; the influence of duplications and other evolutionary processes on the genome statistical structures; and the measurement of phylogenetic distances between genomes based on the number of duplications and other evolutionary events. During the process, we have developed computational methods and mathematical models that take into account the nature of the data and incorporate the dynamics of the evolutionary processes. Using a Markov model of the segmental duplication process in the mammalian genomes, we found that about 12% of these recent segmental duplications were caused by recombination mediated by the recent active interspersed repeats in the mammalian genomes. In addition, the physical instabilities in the DNA sequence may also affect the process by introducing “fragile” sites in the genomes. A “rich gets richer” dynamics of the duplication process is suggested by the results of the analysis on the copy number distributions of the segmental duplications as well as other genomic components. Based on these observations, we propose a parsimonious genome evolution model, which includes three elementary processes: substitution, duplication and deletion. Using this model as our prior, we further developed a novel alignment-independent method that estimates the genomic evolutionary distance based on their word copy number variations. The phylogenomic distance measured using our method reflects the total number of substitution, duplication and deletion events since the divergence of the two genomes. Combined with conventional phylogenomic methods, we can study the modulation of the three different evolutionary processes in different lineages.
In vitro hatching of Globodera pallida in response to Solanum vernei and S. tuberosum × X. vernei hybrids

SUMMARY The hatching activity of diffusates collected from Solanum tuberosum, S. vernei and S. tuberosum x S. vernei hybrids was studied. Diffusates were collected at weekly intervals and assessed by adding them in sequence to batches of cysts of Globodera pallida (Pa2) and individually in dilution series. S. vernei produced the least active diffusate though it stimulated a substantial hatch. The S. vernei hybrids hatched fewer eggs than the S. tuberosurn cv. Pentland Crown. The use of in vitro techniques for assessing the hatching activity of clones is discussed.
Correlation studies in dahlia (Dahlia variabilis L.).

The association between fourteen vegetative and floral parameters along with their magnitude towards number of flowers per plant was studied among twenty five accessions of dahlia. Correlations revealed that number of flowers per plant had positive and highly significant correlation with plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, stem girth, number of days for flower bud initiation, number of days for flowering, diameter of flower, number of ray florets per flower, individual flower weight, longevity of flower and vase life. Since, these associations are in desirable direction and selection of these traits may ultimately improve the yield.
The Relationship between Motivation and Job Satisfaction of Secondary School Teachers

This study aimed to find out the relationship between teachers’-who are on duty in Ayd? n’s Efeler town-motivation level and job satisfaction. The sample of this study is 268 teachers. Results of research showed that teachers’ organizational-administrational motivation level is higher than economic and psycho-social motivation level. In addition to this internal satisfaction level is higher than external satisfaction. According to demographic variables female teachers’ organizational-administrational motivation level is higher than male teachers. Teachers whose teaching department is mostly consist verbal lessons have higher organizational-administrational motivation level than quantitative department teachers. On the other hand, teachers whose teaching department is mostly consist skills lessons have higher internal and general satisfaction level than quantitative department teachers. There is a positive significant correlation between teachers’ motivation level and job satisfaction. The psycho-social motivation level and internal satisfaction have the highest rank.
Rj1 and rj1 soybean isolines: adsorption of rhizobia to roots and distribution of primary root nodules

We studied the temperature-sensitivity of nodule distribution and the adsorption of rhizobia to roots of the soybean cultivar Clark and its nodulationrestrictive isoline, Clark-rfi. Five tested Rhizobium japonicum strains nodulated Clark in plastic growth pouches. At 22°C or 27°C, most primary root nodules were clustered near the position occupied by the root tip at the time of inoculation. At 32°C, the nodules were positioned much lower on the root, the extent of clustering was reduced, and the total number of nodules per plant was decreased. Clark-rfi was nodulated by strains 61, 84, 94, and 119, but not by 110. The temperature-sensitivity of nodulation of Clark-rfi was similar to that of Clark, but secondary roots were preferentially nodulated. Although a few nodules formed near the position occupied by the root tip at the time of inoculation, the total number of nodules per Clark-rfi plant was much less than that of the normal isoline. Adsorption of strain 94 to both isolines and of strain 110 to Clark was roughly linear during a 120 min incubation period at 27°C. Adsorption in the nonnodulating combination of strain 110 and Clark-rjj was more rapid, and the total number of bound bacteria was greater. Reduction of the temperature from 27°C to 22°C, a treatment that enhances nodulation of Clark-rj'[ by strain 94, strongly reduced the adsorption of strain 94.
Reproductive Biology of the Whipfin Silverbiddy Gerres filamentosus Cuvier, 1829 from the Parangipettai Waters (SE coast of India)

The developmental stages of the whipfin silverbiddy Gerres filamentosus gonads were recorded macroscopically and microscopically. Histological sections of gonads characterized seven stages of ovary and four stages of testes in G. filamentosus . Ova diameter in G. filamentosus ranged between 12.0 and 501.8 µm. The composite histograms based on the diameters of all oocytes at successive stages of maturation showed three modes in ovaries at stages III, IV, V & VI. Most of the fully ripe ovaries characterized three batches of matured eggs showing that G. filamentosus spawns three successive batches within the same prolonged spawning season. Indication of previous spawning was ascertained by the ruptured ovarian follicles and resorbing ovulated ova and atretic ovarian follicles observed during October-February. The silverbiddy males reach maturity at 143.8 mm, while the females at 136.6 mm total length. The annual fecundity varied from 121,700 to 2,062,278 while batch fecundity varied from 171,596 to 740,844 oocytes.
Chemical profiling combined with multivariate analysis of unfractionated kernel-derived extracts of Zea mays landraces from central Colombia

Unfractionated extracts from twenty-five colored and uncolored Zea mays kernel landraces collected in Colombia were characterized according to tristimulus colorimetry parameters (L, C and h), antioxidant capacity (DPPH●, ABTS●+ and FRAP), total phenolic, flavonoids and anthocyanins contents (TPC, TFA and TAC, respectively), and RP-HPLC-MS-DAD analysis. Good correlations were found between TPC values and antioxidant capacity. All chemical data were also correlated using multivariate analysis in order to observe chemical variations and identify patterns. The multivariate analyses on quantitative and antioxidant activity data of all landraces separately resulted in differentiation regarding chemical data and origin. In addition, the clustering on chromatographic data using chemometrics was found to be correlated with quantitative values, antioxidant capacity, color and origin, indicating metabolite variability among extracts. The results therefore indicated that chemical composition can be considered a crucial factor to differentiate landraces as well as determine their variability regarding relative metabolite contents. TPC values and isoquercetin and cyanidin malonylglucoside relative contents were found to be the most discriminating factors among landraces. The present work constitutes the first study focused on chemical profiling combined with multivariate analysis as a tool for discriminating colored Zea mays kernels.