Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EFFECT OF DIFFERENT SPROUTING CONDITIONS ON ALPHA AMYLASE ACTIVITY, FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF WHEAT FLOUR AND ON SHELF-LIFE OF BREAD SUPPLEMENTED WITH SPROUTED WHEAT

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT SPROUTING CONDITIONS ON ALPHA AMYLASE ACTIVITY, FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF WHEAT FLOUR AND ON SHELF-LIFE OF BREAD SUPPLEMENTED WITH SPROUTED WHEAT Saba Shafqat Advisor: University of Guelph, 2013 Dr. Koushik Seetharaman In this study sprouting two different wheat cultivars under various environmental conditions revealed that varietal variation is the most important factor affecting α-amylase quantity as well as quality to modify flour functionality significantly, followed by pre-soaking duration and temperature. Sprouted wheat flour post five days germination was utilized at different rates to prepare 100 g composite breads. There was an improvement in baking quality and shelf life of breads containing 1% and 5% sprouted flour resulting in a significantly increased loaf volume, better texture, and less retrogradation during 7 days post baking than the control. This study presents opportunities for industry to fortify baked products with sprouted wheat flour to yield functional whole grain products that are nutrient dense and naturally shelfstable.
Multilevel Inverters Fed PMSM Drive using Carrier Based Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation

-Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation (SVPWM), one of the advanced computation based PWM techniques, has many advantages over conventional carrier-based PWM methodologies. This paper presents a systematic approach and simplified algorithm of space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) for a two-level & three level three-phase inverter, which can operate in under modulation and over modulation modes. This method is called as Carrier Based Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation (CBSVPWM) which is based on description of controllable redundant parameters in the modulating signals. The CBSVPWM methods can be described in a unified mathematical formulation, and obtain the same outputs similarly as of corresponding SVPWM. The simulation and analysis of CBSVPWM to the two and three level inverters fed to Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor drives and their differences and advantages are also presented.
Aspects of the Growth and Reproductive Biology of the Guinean Tilapia, Tilapia guineensis (Bleeker, 1862) in a Tropical Freshwater Lake, Nigeria

Aspects of the growth and reproductive biology of the Guinean Tilapia, Tilapia guineensis from Asejire Lake was investigated from January, 2013 to December, 2013. Significant relationships(r> 0.89) occurred between the length and weight of T.guineensis for the combined, male, female and every month. The values of the parameter slope (b) in the length-weight relationship being less than 3 indicated negative allometric growth. The mean condition factor (2.023 ± 0.01) being greater than one showed the fish is in good condition in the freshwater environment. The multiple peaks observed in the gonadosomatic index signify the species is a multiple spawner. Fecundity of Tilapia guineensis ranged from 3418 – 9852 eggs for a fish with total length 18.9 cm to 29.7 cm respectively Keywords: Tilapia guineensis , length weight relationship, gonad maturity stages, fecundity, freshwater environment
Caribbean Myotis (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae), with description of a new species from Trinidad and Tobago

We describe a new species of Myotis (Vespertilionidae, Myotinae) from the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Tobago Island. The new species (Myotis attenboroughi sp. nov.) can be distinguished from all other Neotropical congeners by cranial features and cytochrome-b gene sequences. Myotis attenboroughi sp. nov. is allied morphologically with species in the albescens group (like M. nigricans), and is sister to a clade including M. cf. handleyi, M. nesopolus, and 3 possibly undescribed species from Central and South America. A review of Myotis collections from the Caribbean confirms M. nyctor for Barbados and Grenada; M. dominicensis for Dominica and Guadeloupe; M. martiniquensis for Martinique; M. pilosatibialis and M. riparius for Trinidad; and M. attenboroughi for Tobago. The occurrence of M. attenboroughi on Trinidad is still an open question.
Topical Toxicity of Imidacloprid, Fipronil, and Seven Conventional Insecticides to the Adult Convergent Lady Beetle (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

The relative toxicities (comparing LD50 and LT50s) of two synthetic pyrethroids (cypermethrin and fenvalerate), two organophosphorus insecticides (chlorpyrifos, diazinon), three carbamates (propoxur, carbaryl, bendiocarb), a phenylpyrazole representative (fipronil), and a heterocyclic nitromethylene representative (imidacloprid or NTN 33893) were assessed with topical bioassays in the laboratory against the convergent lady beetle, Hippodamia convergens Guerin Meneville. LD50 values decreased (i.e., toxicity increased) with an increased time after application of a specific insecticide. The differences between the LD50 values caused by various insecticides were significant. Among tested insecticides, cypermethrin and bendiocarb were the most toxic; fipronil was the least toxic. H. convergens responded differently to different insecticides within the same class. Beetles exhibited similar responses to both organophosphorothionates chlorpyrifos and diazinon 24 to 72 h after application. Of the carbamates, prop.
Bioassay of Plant Extracts Against Aleurodicus dispersus (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

Abstract The spiraling whitefly, Aleurodicus dispersus Russell (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is a destructive invasive pest in many parts of the world. Topical spray and dry film contact assays were conducted to measure the toxicity of 8 plant extracts and their mixtures traditionally used as insecticides in South Asian countries such as Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. The highest mortality (100%) of adults was recorded for neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.; Meliaceae) (ethanol) extract (500 mg/L) at 6 h after topical spray. This was followed by 5-leaved chaste tree (Vitex negundo L.; Lamiaceae) (ethanol), sweet sop (Annona squamosa L.; Annonaceae) (acetone), water pepper (Polygonum hydropiper L.; Polygonaceae) (acetone), banyan (Ficus benghalensis L.; Moraceae) (ethanol), banyan (acetone), and crown flower (Calotropis gigantea [L.] W. T. Aiton; Apocynaceae) (ethanol) extracts at 500 mg/L at 12 h after the spray. For the dry film method, the highest mortality (100%) of adults was also recorded for neem (ethanol) extract (500 mg/L) at 18 h after the treatment. Bioassay results indicate that neem (ethanol) extract mixed with crown flower (acetone), oleander (Nerium indicum Mill.; Apocynaceae) (acetone), or sweet sop (ethanol) (in the ratio of 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 for each plant extract) showed synergism. Neem (ethanol) extract also showed the highest mean repellency rate (93%). In conclusion, neem, 5-leaved chaste tree, sweet sop, water pepper, banyan, and crown flower extracts showed good potential to control A. dispersus, and the mixtures of these plant extracts showed synergistic activity against A. dispersus.
On the occurrence in Acre of four poorly-known bird species in southwestern Brazilian Amazon

The geographical ranges of many bird species are neither uniform nor continuous. Species that are common in some regions may be rare in others, or their status of occurrence may be uncertain. Here, we present the first documented record of Azure Gallinule (Porphyrio flavirostris) as well as details and discussion on the distribution and status of previous records of the Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis), Paint-billed Crake (Neocrex erythrops), and Plain-breasted Ground-dove (Columbina minuta) in the Brazilian state of Acre. While all these species have relatively wide ranges, little is known of their distribution in the southwestern Amazon basin.
The Efficiency of Enzymatic L-Cysteine Oxidation in Mammalian Systems Derives from the Optimal Organization of the Active Site of Cysteine Dioxygenase

ii Acknowledgments . iv Table of contents . v List of tables . ix List of figures . x List of abbreviations . xiv Chapter One: Literature Review . 1 1.1. Cysteine metabolism . 1 1.2. Biosynthesis of cysteine . 2 1.3. Incorporation of cysteine into proteins . 4 1.4. Incorporation of cysteine into biomolecules . 10 1.4. 1. Glutathione biosynthesis . 10 1.4. 2. Coenzyme A biosynthesis . 12 1.5. Cysteine catabolism . 14 1.5. 1. Non oxidative catabolism of cysteine . 14 1.5. 2. Oxidative catabolism of cysteine . 17 1.6. The cupin superfamily . 21 1.6. 1. Germin . 22 1.6. 2. Quercetin dioxygenase. 24
The Role of MicroRNAs in Age-Related Disorders : From population-based genetic studies to experimental validation

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a conserved class of small non-coding RNAs, serve as key post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. MiRNAs have already been implicated in many human diseases through regulating diverse biological processes. Given the broad clinical and therapeutic potentials of miRNAs, it is of interest to know whether miRNAs may play a role in age-related disorders. Genetic variations in miRNA genes or in their binding sites within gene 3’UTRs are expected to affect miRNA function and substantially contribute to disease risk. In this thesis, the association of miRNA-related genetic variants with cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and ophthalmic disorders was systematically investigated followed by various in silico and in vitro validation studies. We found a number of miRNAs that are significantly associated with age-related disorders and can modify gene expression profiles in these complex disorders. Moreover, we showed that genetic variants in miRNAs and miRNA-binding sites could constitute part of the functional variants involved in these age-related disorders. These findings contribute to improve our understanding of the pathophysiology of cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and ophthalmic disorders.
Principles of excitatory and inhibitory functional connectivity in cerebellar cortex in vivo

Determining the functional impact of single interneurons on neuronal output, and how interneurons are recruited by physiological patterns of excitation, are crucial to our understanding of inhibition. In the cerebellar cortex, molecular layer interneurons and their targets, Purkinje cells, receive excitatory inputs from granule cells and climbing fibres, the latter signalling to interneurons via glutamate spillover. How these feed-forward pathways are engaged by physiological patterns of activity in vivo is insufficiently understood. Using dual patch-clamp recordings from interneurons and Purkinje cells in mice in vivo, I have probed the spatiotemporal interactions between these circuit elements. I demonstrate that single spikes in single interneurons can potently inhibit the spiking of Purkinje cells. Granule cell input activates both interneurons and the Purkinje cells they inhibit, generating local feed-forward inhibition. Climbing fibre input activates interneurons via glutamate spillover, but only rarely activates interneurons that inhibit spiking of the same Purkinje cell receiving the climbing fibre input. Rather, by activating inhibition among interneurons, climbing fibre glutamate spillover results in delayed inhibition of interneurons controlling Purkinje cell spike output, forming a disinhibitory motif. Functional climbing fibre-interneuron inhibition, inhibition among interneurons, and interneuron-Purkinje cell inhibition are vertically organised in the molecular layer, providing an anatomical substrate for this microcircuit motif. During sensory processing, these motifs account for pathway-specific recruitment of interneurons, generating fast and delayed excitatory interneuron responses via the granule cell and climbing fibre pathway, respectively. Sensory stimulation recruits granule cell input into INs and PCs near-simultaneously, resulting in rapid feed-forward inhibition. Together, these findings quantify the functional impact of single interneurons on their targets in vivo, and reveal how granule cell and climbing fibre inputs differentially recruit inhibitory microcircuits to diversify cerebellar computations.
Combining ability studies for grain yield other agronomic traits in maize (Zea mays L.)

The present study was aimed to investigate combining ability among twelve elite maize inbred lines in a complete diallel mating design for twelve yield and yield contributing traits. Twelve parents along with their 132 F 1 ’s including reciprocals were planted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The analysis of variance indicated significant differences among parents for most of the traits studied except for ear diameter. Variance due to GCA and SCA were highly significant for the traits studied indicating importance of both additive and non-additive types of gene action. Preponderance of additive gene action was observed for most of the traits studied except for the grain yield plant -1 , number of kernel rows ear -1 , number of kernels row -1 and ear length which showed preponderance of non-additive gene action. Parent P10 was the best general combiner for grain yield followed by P9 and P1. Parent P9 was also found to be best general combiner for the all traits studied including grain yield. Parent P10 was also found to be best general combiner for early maturity, number of kernel rows ear -1 and 100 kernels weight. For the trait early maturity parent found to be best general combiners were P10, P3 and Parent P7. Total 79 cross combinations were possessing significant desirable SCA effects for grain yield. The top cross combinations possessing significant desirable SCA effects for grain yield were P2 x P6, P7 x P8, P3 x P7 and P7 x P9 which may be used for obtaining high yielding hybrids in maize.
Amniotic membrane allografts maintain key biological properties post SCCO2 and lyophilization processing

Amniotic membrane (AM) has been shown to enhance corneal wound healing due to the abundance of growth factors, cytokines, and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins inherent to the tissue. As such, AM has garnered widespread clinical utility as a biological dressing for a number of ophthalmic and soft tissue applications. The preparation, sterilization, and storage procedures used to manufacture AM grafts are extremely important for the conservation of inherent biological components within the membrane. Current processing techniques use harsh chemicals and sterilization agents that can compromise the fundamental wound healing properties of AM. Furthermore, commercially available cryopreserved AM products require specific storage conditions (e.g., ultra-low freezers) thereby limiting their clinical availability in austere environments. Supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2) technology allows for the sterilization of biological tissues without the resulting degradation of integral ECM proteins and other factors often seen with current tissue sterilization processes. With this study we demonstrate that lyophilized AM, sterilized using SCCO2, maintains similar biochemical properties and biocompatibility as that of commercially available AM products requiring specialized cold storage conditions.
Chromatin domains are encoded and molded by isochores: Isochores encode chromatin domains and chromosome compartments

The formation of mammalian chromatin domains was investigated by analyzing the domain/isochore connection. This showed that LADs correspond to GC-poor isochores and are compositionally flat, flexible chromatin structures because of the local nucleosome depletions associated with the presence of oligo-A’s. In contrast, TADs correspond to GC-rich isochores that consist of single or (much more frequently) multiple, GC peaks that shape the single or multiple, loops of TADs. Indeed, the increasing nucleosome depletions linked to the GC gradients of isochore peaks lead to an increasing chromatin flexibility (accompanied by an increasing accessibility and decreasing supercoiling). In conclusion, isochores not only encode but also mold chromatin architecture; while architectural proteins play a role in closing and insulating TAD loops. An extension of this model concerns the encoding of open and closed chromosome compartments by alternating GC-rich and GC-poor isochores, the interactions among compartments defining the 3-D chromosome folding.
Characterization of the mating-type locus (MAT) reveals a heterothallic mating system in Knightiella splachnirima

Abstract In the present study, we characterized the mating-type locus of Knightiella splachnirima (Icmadophilaceae) using degenerate and inverse PCR techniques. We screened for the presence of both mating-type locus idiomorphs in DNA extracts of minuscule samples of haploid thalline tissue. We found that only one of the two idiomorphs was present in each sample, and the mating-type ratio (MAT1-1:MAT1-2) was very balanced, being 8:10 and 13:14 at local and global scales, respectively. This indicates that the species is probably self-incompatible and requires the presence of compatible mating partners for sexual reproduction (heterothallic mating system). Furthermore, we provide a mating-type screening protocol with K. splachnirima specific mating-type locus primers, which could serve as an essential tool for the conservation management of this rare Australasian endemic.
The influence of Toll-like receptors on murine invariant natural killer T cell activation

THE INFLUENCE OF TOLL-LIKE RECEPTORS ON MURINE INVARIANT NATURAL KILLER T CELL ACTIVATION Alexander Ian Villanueva Advisor: University of Guelph, 2013 Professor Shayan Sharif Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are a versatile subclass of T lymphocytes which recognize glycolipid antigens. iNKT cells are capable of rapidly producing a broad array of cytokines in response to stimulation; thus, they play an important role in the early regulation of a variety of immune responses. It was hypothesized that iNKT cells express functional Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and that stimulation of TLRs by their ligands modulates iNKT cells responses. In the first objective, it was revealed that upon stimulation with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody and interferon (IFN)-α, expression of TLRs was enhanced in iNKT cells. Furthermore, stimulation of iNKT cells with TLR ligands led to a significant increase in the expression of several cytokines. In the second objective, the mechanisms behind the modulatory effects of the TLR9 ligand (CpG-ODN) on iNKT cells were determined. Altogether, these findings suggest a direct role for TLRs in iNKT cell activation.
Increasing phylogenetic support for explosively radiating taxa: The promise of high‐throughput sequencing for Oxytropis (Fabaceae)

The origin and evolution of alpine biota are not yet fully understood, particularly in the vast Asian mountain regions. In addition, in these regions, most studies have concentrated on taxa occurring in areas benefitting from relatively generous rainfall from the summer monsoon. In this study, we collected a large number of Oxytropis species throughout their distribution range, and investigated the taxonomy and evolution of this diverse legume genus, which also occurs in mountainous areas prone to drought. Using nuclear (ITS) and plastid (trnL‐F) markers, we reconstructed phylogenetic relationships within Oxytropis, conducting maximum parsimony, fasttree‐like, maximum likelihood, Bayesian, and BEAST analyses. We also used Anchored Hybrid Enrichment (AHE) to test the power of this method to resolve relationships among a small subset of Oxytropis species. For AHE, we sampled eight species and obtained 527 low‐copy and orthologous nuclear loci. We show that the taxonomy of this genus that radiated explosively in Asian mountains will remain recalcitrant based on conventional molecular methods. Because of a severe lack of resolution, none of the available taxonomic treatments for Oxytropis could either be confirmed or refuted based upon ITS and trnL‐F. Nevertheless, we confirm the status of several species, and identify morphological or genetic particularities for some groups of species. The AHE approach yielded a highly supported phylogenetic tree, suggesting that increased taxon sampling coupled with AHE methods promise advances in the study of the taxonomy and evolution of Oxytropis, thus providing further analytical opportunities, such as diversification rate and biogeographical analyses.
Individual variance in the attributes of Clusia salvinii Donn. Smith associated with the attraction of frugivores in the dispersal of fruits and seeds

La dispersion de semillas es uno de los procesos de las interacciones planta-frugivoro que involucra caracteristicas propias de la planta con efecto en la atraccion de los frugivoros. En este trabajo se estudio la variacion individual en los atributos de Clusia salvinii, relacionados con la atraccion de frugivoros, y su efecto en la dispersion de frutos y semillas en la Reserva de Nanchititla, Estado de Mexico. Las caracteristicas morfometricas de 25 arboles de C. salvinii fueron evaluadas (altura, cobertura, numero de frutos, numero de semillas por fruto y frutos bajo las copas). Tambien se estimo la remocion de frutos y semillas (dispersion) y algunos de sus atributos como estimadores de la cantidad de biomasa asignada para la reproduccion o como recompensa para los dispersores (peso promedio por arbol, peso promedio de arilos por arbol). Acorde con los resultados, la altura de los arboles y el tamano de la cosecha o produccion de frutos tienen efecto sobre la remocion de semillas. Por otra parte, la masa del fruto, del arilo y de la semilla no presento relacion con la remocion de frutos. La altura de los arboles y la cantidad de frutos juegan un papel importante en la atraccion de dispersores
Phylogeography of the subfamily Scaphidiinae (Coleoptera、 Staphylinidae) in Sulawesi, with its systematic revision

1 Declaration . 2 Chapter 1 ― Introduction . 3 1. 1 Family Staphylinidae . 4 1. 1. 1 Phylogeny of the Staphylinidae . 4 1. 1. 2 Mycophagy, myxomycophagy, and termitophily . 5 1. 2 Subfamily Scaphidiinae . 6 1. 2. 1 Phylogeny of the Scaphidiinae . 7 1. 2. 2 Sulawesian scaphidiines . 7 1. 3 Sulawesi Island . 8 1. 3. 1 Wallacea . 8 1. 3. 2 Geological history of Sulawesi . 10 1. 3. 3 Invertebrate biogeography of Sulawesi . 11 1. 4 Aims of this study . 11 References . 12 Chapter 2 ― Materials and Methods . 17 2. 1 Sampling methods . 18 2. 1. 1 Sampling localities . 19 2. 1. 2 Deposition of voucher specimens . 19 2. 1. 3 Taxon sampling for molecular phylogenetics . 20 2. 2 Dissection and morphological observation. 20 2. 3 Morphological terminology . 20 2. 4 DNA extraction, amplification, and sequencing . 21 2. 5 Sequence alignment, model selection, and phylogenetic analyses . 22