Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Large-Scale Studies of the Protein Biochemistry Regulating Meiotic Exit and Fertilization

Dynamic post-translational modifications are central to coordinating complex biological processes. This is especially evident after fertilization, where the modification or destruction of the egg’s existing proteins is sufficient to guide the embryo through early embryogenesis. In particular, protein phosphorylation and degradation drive the rapid release of the meiotic arrest and numerous other events, such as the blocks to polyspermy. Despite decades of study, the full extent of protein loss and phospho-regulation following fertilization is still unknown. This is largely because comprehensive and quantitative analysis of such biochemical regulation is currently difficult. The following work examines protein and phosphosite dynamics of the fertilization response by mass spectrometry-based proteomics in Xenopus eggs, which have long served as an informative cell cycle and developmental model. To interpret the function of the biochemical changes, it is informative to observe quantitative features like absolute rates and the stoichiometry of modifications. This motivated the development of two analytical approaches: the first to estimate protein concentration from label-free proteomics, the second to calculate the stoichiometry of phosphosites from multiplexed proteomics with confidence intervals. The data suggest that the rapid transition after fertilization is achieved by two contrasting and parallel programs: 1) protein degradation is limited to a few low abundance targets. However, this degradation promotes extensive dephosphorylation that occurs over a wide range of abundances during meiotic exit. 2) A large amount of protein is released from the egg into the medium just after fertilization, most likely related to the blocks to polyspermy. Concomitantly, there is a substantial increase in phosphorylation, which is likely tied to the signal transduction downstream of the calcium-activated kinases. The analytical approaches developed and demonstrated here are broadly applicable to many classes of post-translational modification and for studies of dynamic biochemical regulation of diverse biological systems.
Beteiligung systemischer Signale an der Symptomauslösung bei Brassica napus nach Infektion mit Verticillium longisporum und V. dahliae

The main objective of this work was to study the induction of premature ripening and the appearance of stunting in the interaction between V. longisporum/B. napus by xylemsap-assumed signaling molecules under greenhouse conditions. We focused on hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide because of their properties and function in the signal transduction of abiotic and biotic stress. As an influence of infection on plant growth is presumably associated with alterations of phytohormone status, parallel analysis concerning the stress and pathogen attack indicating hormones abscisic acid, jasmonic acid, salicylic acid and indole-3-acetic acid were carried out. No resistant oilseed rape genotypes exist; therefore all experiments during the time course of symptom development were performed simultaneously with the symptomless interaction of V. dahliae and B. napus to associate alterations of parameters with symptom development.
Walker's bats of the world

From the African long-tongued fruit bat to the wrinkle-faced bat of Mexico and Central America, Walker's Bats of the World is an astonishingly complete guide to this fascinating, beneficial, and varied order of mammals. It includes scientific and common names, as well as the number and distribution of species, measurements and physical traits, habitat, daily and seasonal activity, population dynamics, home range, social life, reproduction, and longevity. Textual summaries present accurate, well-documented descriptions of the physical characteristics and living habits of bats in every part of the world. Endangered species and those having singular economic importance are given particular attention. Through five highly praised editions Walker's Mammals of the World has remained the most comprehensive-the preeminent-reference work on mammals. Now for the first time a single large segment of that encyclopedic work-the section on Chiroptera, or bats-is available in paperback as a separate volume. Lavishly illustrated with pictures by noted wildlife photographers, the book includes photographs of many rarely seen bats. As in the complete Walker's Mammals, most photographic illustrations depictlive animals rather than skins or skeletons. Since publication of the first edition in 1964, Walker's Mammals of the World has become a favorite guide to the natural world for general readers and an invaluable reference for professionals. Now Walker's Bats makes a significant portion of that work accessible to a new audience
Regulation of human protein S gene (PROS1) transcription

This thesis describes the investigation of the transcriptional regulation of the gene for anticoagulant plasma Protein S, PROS1. Protein S is a cofactor for Protein C in the Protein C anticoagulant pathway. The coagulation cascade is negatively regulated by this pathway through inactivation of activated clotting factors V and VIII. Protein S deficiency is associated with an increased risk for the development of deep venous thrombotic disease and the deficiency can either be hereditary or acquired. The presented research was mainly aimed at resolving several basic scientific issues regarding the regulation of transcription of PROS1. In Chapter 2 we identified 3 transcription start sites through which transcription is mainly driven. In chapters 3 and 4 we investigated which transcription factors are involved in PROS1 transcription. We found an interaction of several transcription factors with the Protein S gene promoter and showed that constitutive transcriptional activity is mainly directed by transcription factor Sp1. Chapter 5 describes the regulation of Protein S levels by inflammatory mediator interleukin 6. The effect of interleukin 6 on Protein S levels was shown to be mediated though a direct interaction of transcription factor STAT3 with the Protein S gene promoter. In Chapter 6 an alternative PROS1 transcript is described. The protein that is generated from this transcript in vitro was shown not to be excreted from the cell but instead retained in the cell. Finally, our findings are discussed in Chapter 7.
ELT in Asia in the Digital Era: Global Citizenship and Identity

Infusing online project to support instruction quality in facing digital learning environment is considered crucial. The contribution of teacher-made tools, however, are still important to maintain regarding to the diverse area condition in the technology development. This paper presents pre-service teachers’ learning experience in creating teaching media through project activities. This study also investigates the drawbacks that affect the accomplishment process, and examines students’ opinion on the project significance through their preferences. Various perceptions were expressed during the implementation which implies that in preparing the teacher candidates to be ready in facing digital generation, educators need to bring technology closer to the students without leaving the essential part of teacher-made teaching aids with low cost materials.
Increased atom-cavity coupling and stability using a parabolic ring cavity

Optical cavities are one of the best ways to increase atom-light coupling and will be a key ingredient for future quantum technologies that rely on light–matter interfaces. We demonstrate that traveling-wave ‘ring’ cavities can achieve small mode waists w (i.e. large atom-cavity coupling) while maintaining stability to fluctuations and large mirror separation. Additionally, our ring cavity design can achieve arbitrary transverse-mode spacing simultaneously with the large mode-waist reductions. Following these principles, we build a parabolic atom-ring cavity system that achieves strong collective coupling NC = 15(1) between N = 103 Rb atoms and a ring cavity with a single-atom cooperativity C that is significantly larger than what could be achieved with a near-confocal two-mirror cavity with the same mirror separation and finesse. By using parabolic mirrors, we eliminate astigmatism–which can otherwise preclude stable operation–and increase optical access to the atoms. Cavities based on these principles, with enhanced coupling and large mirror separation, will be particularly useful for achieving strong coupling with ions, Rydberg atoms, or other strongly interacting particles, which often have undesirable interactions with nearby surfaces.
Proteomic and transcriptomic analysis of the protozoan parasite Neospora caninum

Neospora caninum is an economically significant parasitic protozoan causing the disease neosporosis in cattle and dogs. Although a close relative of the zoonotic apicomplexan Toxoplasma gondii, the two organisms exhibit differing host ranges and infection dynamics. T. gondii is a model organism that has been much studied, and a great deal is known about the genes and proteins involved when it invades a host cell. This thesis explores protein expression in the proliferative and invasive tachyzoite stage of N. caninum, in particular the expression of proteins pertaining to the apical complex of organelles; those responsible for entry and establishment within a host cell. Almost 20 % of the predicted proteome has been identified by this analysis to be expressed in the tachyzoite stage, with approximately 50 % of the predicted repertoire of apical proteins being detected. The discovery of differences between these two parasites’ highly syntenic genomes could lead to a better understanding of the process by which T. gondii is able to cause disease in humans, while N. caninum has not been observed to do so. One finding of the recent genome sequencing and annotation project in N. caninum was that a key T. gondii virulence determinant, rhoptry gene 18 (ROP18) was pseudogenised in N. caninum. This finding was investigated further in this thesis to demonstrate that the pseudogenisation of ROP18 was conserved across a range of N. caninum isolates and that in vitro, N. caninum was not able to subvert the murine interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) immune response using ROP18 in the way that virulent T. gondii tachyzoites do. The tissue-dwelling Coccidia have a multi-stage life cycle which includes a latent tissue cyst-encapsulated stage called the bradyzoite. Tachyzoites convert to this more quiescent form when induced by cellular stress, and are able to remain as such for long periods, even years. At times of weakened host immunity, bradyzoites can recrudesce to produce an active infection, which can cross the placenta in a pregnant animal to infect the foetus. This a major route by which N. caninum infection is maintained within cattle herds, therefore the biology of stage conversion from tachyzoite to bradyzoite and vice-versa is of interest to researchers. An RNA-Seq analysis of cultured tachyzoites and bradyzoites identified a marked reduction in rhoptry gene expression, and differing expression profiles of other invasion-related genes from the micronemes and dense granules. Overall, these data identify proteins released from the apical organelles in N. caninum and give an insight into the different repertoires expressed by the tachyzoite and bradyzoite life stages. Furthermore, a comparison between N. caninum and T. gondii predicted apical proteomes indicates that although most genes are shared in a one-to-one orthologous relationship between the two organisms, there are a small number of differences which may turn out to be important to the biology of the parasite, as in the case of ROP18.
Genetic analysis of the hybrids, involving monostem/shy branching genotypes in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

An experiment was conducted with thirty hybrids produced by line x tester mating design from eleven sesame genotypes involving five branched and six monostem/shy branching types. Observations were recorded on days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, number of branches per plant, number of capsules per plant, capsule length, capsule breadth, number of seeds per plant, 100 seed weight, seed yield per plant and oil content. The traits, number of branches per plant, number of capsules per plant and seed yield per plant showed high PCV and GCV estimates. There is enough scope for selection based on these characters, and the diverse genotypes can provide materials for a sound breeding programme. High heritability combined with high genetic advance (as per cent of mean) observed for plant height, number of branches, number of capsules and seed yield per plant showed that these characters were controlled by additive gene effects and phenotypic selection for these characters would likely to be effective. The characters, plant height, number of branches per plant, number of capsules per plant, days to 50% flowering, days to maturity and 100 seed weight showed significantly positive correlation with seed yield per plant. The trait capsule breadth showed significantly negative association with seed yield per plant.
Delineation of the roles of FadD22, FadD26 and FadD29 in the biosynthesis of phthiocerol dimycocerosates and related compounds in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Phthiocerol and phthiodiolone dimycocerosates (DIMs) and phenolic glycolipids (PGLs) are complex lipids located at the cell surface of Mycobacterium tuberculosis that play a key role in the pathogenicity of tuberculosis. Most of the genes involved in the biosynthesis of these compounds are clustered on a region of the M. tuberculosis chromosome, the so‐called DIM + PGL locus. Among these genes, four ORFs encode FadD proteins, which activate and transfer biosynthetic intermediates onto various polyketide synthases that catalyze the formation of these lipids. In this study, we investigated the roles of FadD22, FadD26 and FadD29 in the biosynthesis of DIMs and related compounds. Biochemical characterization of the lipids produced by a spontaneous Mycobacterium bovis BCG mutant harboring a large deletion within fadD26 revealed that FadD26 is required for the production of DIMs but not of PGLs. Additionally, using allelic exchange recombination, we generated an unmarked M. tuberculosis mutant containing a deletion within fadD29. Biochemical analyses of this strain revealed that, like fadD22, this gene encodes a protein that is specifically involved in the biosynthesis of PGLs, indicating that both FadD22 and FadD29 are responsible for one particular reaction in the PGL biosynthetic pathway. These findings were also supported by in vitro enzymatic studies showing that these enzymes have different properties, FadD22 displaying a p‐hydroxybenzoyl‐AMP ligase activity, and FadD29 a fatty acyl‐AMP ligase activity. Altogether, these data allowed us to precisely define the functions fulfilled by the various FadD proteins encoded by the DIM + PGL cluster.
Studies on resistance to shoot and fruit borer (Leucinodes orbonalis) and interspecific hybridization in eggplant.

The interspecific crosses of S. melongena were made and hybrid seeds of Pusa Kranti × S. incanum, Pusa Kranti × S. indicum, Pusa Kranti × S. gilo, Annamalai × S. gilo and Aushey × S. gilo were produced. These hybrids and parental lines were screened for shoot and fruit borer infestation under natural field condition. All the 3 related species and interspecific hybrids were found resistant to this pest, whereas Aushey and P*usa Kranti were susceptible. The pollen fertility of all hybrids were less than their respective parents. The frequency of univalents were found to be 16.73, 22.60 and 14.40 in Pusa Kranti × S. gilo, Annamalai × S. gilo and Aushey × S. gilo, respectively. Maximum univalent coupled with high degree of sterility of these hybrids indicated high degree of dissimilarities of parental chromosomes. Low frequency of chiasmata further revealed lack of homology between two genomes. All the hybrids of S. melogena × S. gilo produced small parthenocarpic fruits which may be due to diplontic sterility.
The Effects of Tris(2,3-Dibromopropyl)Phosphate on the Reproductive System of Male Rats

Tris(2,3-dibromopropyl)phosphate (TRIS) administered intraperitoneally to adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats for 12 weeks at concentrations of 85.1 to 340.5 mg/week caused significant, dose-related declines in the weights of the testes, epididymides, and seminal vesicles. Sperm production by the testes and sperm storage in the epididymides were also reduced. Although prostate weight declined, the effect was not correlated with the dose of TRIS. Neither serum concentrations of testosterone nor the testicular capacity to produce testosterone in vitro were affected by any dose of TRIS.
Leaf area determinations in sorghum and maize by the length-width method

5 plant population trials were carried out in 1974 and 1975 with 5 sorghum and 4 maize cv. Each trial was sample harvested several times during the growing period. In 6080 leaves the leaf area was carefully determined and related to its length and width. By regression calculations an examination was made regarding the construction of the best calibration lines for the estimation of the product of length and width from leaf area. Plant population had no significant effect on the regressions. Drawing the regression lines through the origin was sometimes statistically rejected but if the regression lines were forced through the origin in spite of this, the loss of precision was very small. It is therefore concluded that forcing the regression lines through the origin involves an acceptable estimation error. The resulting regression lines which were established separately for each cv. and harvest proved to estimate the leaf area accurately. The values of the regression coefficients varied between 0.65 and 0.77. The lowest correlation coefficient was 0.968, but 55% of all correlation coefficients were >0.990. If data from different harvests were pooled (although not allowable statistically) the highest mean error of estimation of leaf area at any harvesting date was 8.5%
THE ROLE OF SOX9 DURING HUMAN PANCREAS DEVELOPMENT

The work presented in this thesis is a study of human pancreas development. Theprinciple goal of this work is to provide information that can be used in the developmentof treatments for Type 1 Diabetes and in pancreas regeneration methodologies.The transcription factor (TF) sex determining region Y homeobox gene 9 (SOX9) hasbeen identified as a key factor in human pancreas development but its role has not beenwell characterized. The expression of SOX9 during early pancreas development wasanalyzed by immunostaining of fixed embryonic and fetal sections in the context of otherdevelopmentally important TFs. Modulators of SOX9 function, downstream targets andupstream regulatory pathways were investigated in human cell lines using coimmunoprecipitation, small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown, quantitativepolymerase chain reaction (qPCR), luciferase assays and small molecule signalingpathway inhibitors.SOX9 was expressed in epithelial progenitors from initial human pancreas specification,but became excluded from the periphery of the epithelium and developing islet cells asdifferentiation proceeded. It was co-expressed with important endocrine and exocrinedifferentiation factors during the early stages of development. Some factors, such asNirenberg and Kim 2, homeobox family member, drosophila, homolog of, 2 (NKX2.2)showed differing expression profile compared to murine development, while thewidespread expression of endocrine factors before expression of the pro-endocrine geneneurogenin 3 (NGN3) suggested that these factors play an important role in initiatingendocrine specification.Two transcription factors, GATA-binding protein 4 (GATA4) and neurogenicdifferentiation 1 (NEUROD1), were found to interact with SOX9 in potentiallydevelopmentally relevant complexes. This prompted the search for downstream targets ofthese transcriptional complexes by in silico analysis, which identified an array of novelpotential downstream targets. Luciferase assay analysis of a subset of these genes showedSOX9 to activate a regulatory region of NGN3, and inhibit the regulatory regions ofcarboxy peptidase A6 (CPA6), v-ets avian erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene homolog1 (ETS1) and SPONDIN1. An additional target of SOX9, osteopontin (OPN), wasidentified from a microarray of Sox9 knockout mouse pancreata. Investigation of SOX9 and OPN regulation by the Hedgehog signalling pathway (HH) identified both factors tobe regulated by the pathway, suggesting SOX9 may act as a mediator of HH signalling.This is the first study to identify a range of SOX9 targets relevant to human pancreasdevelopment. While further characterization is required this work has provided essentialclues to the function of SOX9, and provides a detailed framework of SOX9 expressionand targets for future pancreatic studies to build upon.
The Influence of Application of Kinesio Taping on Pregnancy-Related Low Back Pain

Background: Back pain in pregnant women can reduce daily activity and cause functional disability. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Kinesio Taping (KT) and Transcutaneous Nerve Stimulation (TENS) added to paracetamol on pain intensity and disability in pregnant women suffering from back pain. Patients and Methods: A total of 130 pregnant women treated with paracetamol because of their back pain were divided randomly into two groups, the 1 st group received KT (n=65), two bands of KT were applied vertically on each side of the lumbar spine and 2 applied horizontally. The 2 nd group (n=65) were treated by TENS. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Roland-Morris Disability Questioner (RMDQ) were employed in the evaluation of pregnant patients with Low Back Pain (LBP) and disability before and after 3 weeks of treatment. Results: Both groups showed significant improvement in pain intensity and disability after 3 weeks compared with baseline (for all p<0.001). Nevertheless, considering the change data from baseline to 3 rd week, the KT group was significantly superior to the TENS group in all the outcome measures (for all p<0.001). Conclusion: KT and TENS added to paracetamol can decrease back pain related to pregnancy and improve disability. KT was found to be superior to TENS.