Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Selenium × zinc interaction on growth performance, carcass traits and semen quality of Large White × Landrace and Kolbroek boars.

The current study sought to determine the effect of genotype × selenium × zinc interaction on growth performance of Large White × Landrace (LW × LR) and Kolbroek boars. The boars were assigned to four experimental groups in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design with six boars per treatment. Forty-eight boars of 7 8-month age and with average body weight of 44.5 ± 0.5 kg for LW × LR (n=24) and 41.2 ± 1.9 kg for Kolbroek (n=24) were used. Six boars of each genotype were fed one of four treatment combinations with high selenium (0.65 mg/kg), high zinc (0.74 mg/kg) and low selenium (0.26 mg/kg) and low zinc (0.35 mg/kg) namely: high selenium high zinc (HSHZ), high selenium low zinc (HSLZ), low selenium high zinc (LSHZ) and low selenium low zinc (LSLZ). Weekly body weights and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were measured. Average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were estimated. Selenium and zinc supplementation did not increase final weight, ADG, ADFI and FCR of both Large White × Landrace and Kolbroek pigs (P>0.05). The were no interaction amoung Se, Zn and genotype no effect on growth performance (P > 0.05). In conclusion, selenium and zinc supplementation did not improve growth performance of pigs.
IMPACT OF RESISTANCE AND ENDURANCE EXERCISE AND INGESTION OF VARYING PROTEIN SOURCES ON CHANGES IN HUMAN SKELETAL MUSCLE PROTEIN TURNOVER

Both resistance and endurance exercise elicit an increase in muscle protein synthesis during recovery from exercise. Ingestion of amino acids augments the exercise-induced stimulation of muscle protein synthesis following resistance exercise. Our work showed that 8 wk of unilateral resistance training induced muscle hypertrophy only in the exercised limb. Importantly, using this unilateral model we showed that muscle hypertrophy was confined to the exercised leg and occurred without measurable changes in circulating anabolic hormones. We then went on to use the unilateral leg resistance exercise model to study how animal-derived (milk) and plant-derived (soy) proteins impacted acute post-exercise protein turnover. We observed that ingestion of soy or milk protein resulted in a positive net protein balance following resistance exercise. Moreover, milk promoted a greater net protein balance and muscle protein synthesis than soy protein. In the final study, a key finding was that acute endurance and resistance exercise differentially stimulated myofibrillar and mitochondrial protein synthesis and also differentially affected cellular signaling proteins involved in the regulation of the protein synthetic response. Specifically, the acute, untrained state response showed that resistance exercise stimulated myofibrillar and mitochondrial protein synthesis while endurance exercise stimulated mitochondrial protein synthesis. Following resistance training only myofibrillar protein synthesis increased after exercise, while mitochondrial protein synthesis was unchanged. Endurance exercise training did not affect the acute protein synthetic response and so following training mitochondrial protein synthesis was stimulated as it was acutely, prior to training. In conclusion, the studies within this thesis
SEASONAL ACTIVITY AND SAMPLING METHODS FOR THE DECTES STEM BORER, DECTES TEXANUS LECONTE, IN NEBRASKA SOYBEANS

The Dectes stem borer, Dectes texanus Leconte, has caused significant economic damage to soybean fields in south central Nebraska during recent years. Most economic injury occurs when soybean plants become susceptible to late season lodging due to larval girdling. Developing a comprehensive management plan for Dectes stem borer in Nebraska is limited by lack of knowledge of seasonal activity and effective sampling plans to monitor adult populations. Field studies were conducted in 2013 and 2014 to describe Dectes stem borer adult emergence patterns, female ovipositional period and adult densities in soybean fields. Calendar date predictions for adult emergence varied, while degree-day predictions were similar across multiple years as the inflection point of both year's emergence curves occurred near 1250 degree-days since January 1 (50° F. base). Female Dectes stem borer beetles reached peak fecundity during the second and third weeks after emergence and densities in soybean fields peaked during mid-July, after a majority of adults had emerged according to degree-day predictions. Field studies were conducted during 2013 and 2014 to develop a cost effective sampling plan for monitoring adult Dectes stem borer activity. Sticky traps, drop cloths and sweep nets were tested as potential sampling methods. Sweep net sampling was found to be a superior method while sticky traps and drop cloths resulted in low beetle counts. Efficient sweep net sampling schemes were developed to minimize the cost required to achieve a given precision level. A plan consisting of two samples of 150 sweeps each was developed to minimize the field costs for an acceptable precision level for making pest management decisions. i ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank my advisor Dr. Robert Wright for being a good mentor and providing me with guidance for my research and future goals. Thank you also to Drs. Lance Meinke and Tom Hunt for serving on my committee and for suggestions, encouragement and useful insights throughout my program. I thank Dr. Erin Blankenship for taking time out of her schedule to ensure that I understood my statistical analyses. Laboratory for assisting me in my field studies. I would like to thank Terry DeVries for offering practical advice for my field studies and providing opportunities to gain field research experience. Thank you Lia Morales and Guilherme Gotardi for helping me collect data for field experiments. I would like to thank the Nebraska Soybean Board for funding this work and all the grower cooperators who …
Effect of frugivorous birds on seed dispersal and germination of multi-seeded fruits

Ce travail traite des fruits a plusieurs graines manges par les oiseaux frugivores. Nous avons etudie les modalites temporelles et spatiales de dispersion des graines, et leurs effets sur le succes de la germination. Des fruits charnus a plusieurs graines de Morus nigra et Solanum luteum ont ete proposes a deux especes d'oiseaux frugivores: Pycnonotus xanthopygos et Turdus merula. Les fruits ont ete consommes immediatement, mais les graines ont ete defequees peu a peu au cours de quelques heures, en nombre nettement inferieur a celui du fruit entier (.)
Dry matter production and nutrient uptake pattern of two rice varieties grown under upland conditions.

Two rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties, Krishnasal (tall, upland) and Pusa-33 (dwarf, lowland) grown under upland conditions were compared for their dry matter production and N, P, K, Fe and Mn concentrations in various plant parts at different stages of growth. Krishnasal recorded higher dry matter and uptake of these nutrients in various plant parts at different growth stages as compared to Pusa-33. Nutritional imbalance in respect of Fe and Mn, particularly at tillering stage was observed in Pusa-33.
Improving Viral Tools for Neural Circuit Dissection: Monosynaptic Anterograde Tracing and Recombinase-Dependent AAV Expression of Sensitive Transgenes

Author(s): Fischer, Kyle | Advisor(s): Callaway, Edward M | Abstract: The complex tangle of synaptic connections made by the myriad of neural cell types in mammalian nervous system, each with their own genetic, chemical, and electrophysiological properties, are the basis of neural computation and thus perception, motivation, and behavior. As such, it is a fundamental task of neuroscience to map neural connectivity in a cell-type specific manner and develop robust technologies to this end. This dissertation describes two such technologies. First, targeted deletion and in vivo transcomplementation of the Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV) gene UL6 in the anterograde strain H129 allows for the selective labeling of postsynaptic populations from specific neuronal cell types in a cre-dependent manner. Second, the cause of transgene expressing in off-target cells from recombinase-dependent recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) will be described, along with efforts toward improved methods in AAV production for “leakless” expression of sensitive transgenes. Both techniques will expand the available toolkit of the modern systems neuroscientist and provide a means by which to tackle previously intractable questions.
Dietary crude protein requirement of Tilapia nilotica fry.

To determine growth and survival of Tilapia nilotica fry fed formulated practical dry diets with varying crude protein levels, fish were subjected to 3 seperate feeding trials. Isocaloric practical diets containing 20, 25, 30 and 35% crude protein were fed to fry at 15% fish biomass daily for 7 weeks in 2 trials and another set containing 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50% was given for 8 weeks. On the basis of growth, survival and feed conversion, T. nilotica fry required 35% crude protein in the practical diets given at 15% fish biomass.
On the economy of plant form and function.

Acknowledgments Introduction Part I. Economics of Gas Exchange: 1. The photosynthesis-nitrogen relationship in wild plants Christopher Field and Harold A. Mooney 2. Modifications of solar-radiation absorption patterns and implications for carbon gain at the leaf level James R. Ehleringer and Kenneth S. Werk 3. Form and orientation in relation to PAR interception by cacti and agaves Park S. Nobel 4. Unusual strategies of light absorption in rain-forest herbs David W. Lee 5. Economics of carbon fixation in higher plants Ian R. Cowan 6. Optimal stomatal conductance, allocation of energy between leaves and roots, and the marginal cost of transpiration Thomas J. Givnish 7. Internal leaf structure: a three-dimensional perspective David F. Parkhurst 8. Competing root systems: morphology and models of absorption Martyn M. Caldwell and James H. Richards 9. Belowground costs: hydraulic conductance Edwin L. Fiscus 10. Economy of symbiotic nitrogen fixation John S. Pate 11. Ecological patterns of xylem anatomy Pieter Baas 12. Turgor maintenance in Hawaiian Dubautia species: the role of variation in tissue osmotic and elastic properties Robert H. Robichaux, Kent E. Holsinger and Suzanne R. Morse 13. Adaptations for water and thermal balance in Andean giant rosette plants Frederick Meinzer and Guillermo Goldstein Part II. Economics of Support: 14. Evolution of plant life forms John A. Raven 15. Branching patterns and angles in trees Jack B. Fisher 16. Biomechanical constraints on crown geometry in forest herbs Thomas J. Givnish 17. The roles of carbon balance and branching pattern in the growth of woody species E. -Detlef Schulze, Manfred Kuppers and Rainer Matyssek 18. Seaweeds in moving water: form and mechanical function Mimi A. R. Koehl 19. Functional geometry of seaweeds: ecological consequences of thallus layering and shape in contrasting light environments Mark E. Hay Part III. Economics of Biotic Interactions: 20. Costs of defense and their effects on plant productivity Sherry L. Gulmon and Harold A. Mooney Index.
Owls of the United States and Canada: A Complete Guide to Their Biology and Behavior

There is no group of birds more mysterious and fascinating than owls. The loudmouths of the raptor world, they peep, trill, toot, bark, growl, shriek, whistle, chittle, whoop, chuckle, boom, and buzz. Indeed, very few actually "hoot. " They have become the stuff of lore and legend-from the Roman myth that an owl foot could reveal secrets to the First Nations belief that an owl feather could give a newborn better night vision. But the truth about owls is much more exciting. In this gorgeous book, celebrated natural history writer and wildlife photographer Wayne Lynch reveals the secrets of this elusive species with stunning photographs, personal anecdotes, and accessible science. The photos alone are masterpieces. Unlike most published owl photos, which are portraits of birds in captivity, the vast majority of these were taken in the wild-a product of the author-photographer's incredible knowledge and patience. Lynch complements the photos with a wealth of facts about anatomy, habitat, diet, and family life. For each of the nineteen species that inhabit Canada and the United States, he provides a range map and a brief discussion of its distribution, population size, and status. Lynch debunks myths about owls' "supernatural" powers of sight and hearing, discusses courtship rituals, and offers personal tips for finding owls in the wild. From the great horned to the tiny elf owl, this amazing volume captures the beauty and mystery of these charismatic birds of prey.
High Abundances of Species in Protected Areas in Parts of their Geographic Distributions Colonized during a Recent Period of Climatic Change

It is uncertain whether Protected Areas (PAs) will conserve high abundances of species as their distributions and abundances shift in response to climate change. We analyzed large datasets for 57 butterfly and 42 odonate species (including four that have recently colonized Britain). We found that 73 of 94 species with sufficient data for analysis were more abundant inside than outside PAs in the historical parts of their British distributions, showing that PAs have retained high conservation value. A significant majority (61 of 99 species) was also more abundant inside PAs in regions they have colonized during the last 30–40 years of climate warming. Species with relatively high abundances inside PAs in long‐established parts of their distributions were also disproportionately associated with PAs in recently colonized regions, revealing a set of relatively PA‐reliant species. Pas, therefore, play a vital role in the conservation of biodiversity as species’ ranges become more dynamic.
Acclimation responses of gill ionocytes of red tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus × O. niloticus) to water salinity and alkalinity

To understand the acclimation strategies of red tilapia to different environments, this study aimed to evaluate different responses of red tilapia (O. mossambicus × O. niloticus) to salinity (10-30‰), alkalinity (1-3 gL -1 NaHCO3) and salinity and alkalinity (10/1-30/3 ‰/gL -1 NaHCO3) environments. Localization, type, size, and numeration of gill ionocytes were investigated on the same specimens by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) with antibodies of Na + /K + -ATPase (NKA), Na + /K + /2Cl - contransporter (NKCC), cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and carbonic anhydrase (CA). Ionocytes were only located on filaments conducted by SEM. Four types of ionocytes namely pit, convex, concave and transitory types were determined morphologically by their apical openings of which concave and transitory type were not present in freshwater (FW) and saltwater (SW) fish (10). Both ionocytes size and number increased with elevated stress levels. In comparison to FW, density of ionotypes increased to about 4.75, 3.00 and 3.44 fold in SW (30), AW (3) and S&AW (30/3) respectively. Immunoreactive cells on gill filaments confirmed branchial distribution of ionocytes. Immunoreaction of NKA, NKCC and CA appeared in FW except for CFTR while they all appeared in SW (30), AW (3) and S&AW (30/3).
Blood and Other Body Fluids

Blood and Other Body Fluids is the first of the biological handbooks to appear under the general direction of the Committee on Biological Handbooks, Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. This volume, however, does not inaugurate a new series, but is in fact a continuation of the handbooks prepared under the auspices of the National Academy of Sciences—National Research Council. This handbook presents comprehensive data on blood and other body fluids specifically compiled for reference purposes. The material is conveniently organized in the form of tables, graphs, diagrams, nomograms and line charts.
Appraise a combination of fungicides against blast and sheath blight diseases of paddy (Oryza sativa L.).

In present study various fungicides were screened against blast (leaf and neck) and sheath blight disease of rice. Among them, Conika 50% WP (Kasugamycin 5% + Copper Oxychloride 45% WP), Dhanucop Team (Tricyclazole 75% WP) and RIL-068/F1 48 WG (Kresoxim methyl 40% + Hexaconazole 8% WG) were found effective against blast diseases. While, the seed treatment fungicide Isotianil SC 200 and its combination with Trifloxystrobin 500 SC were found least effective against leaf and neck blast diseases. However, in case of sheath blight, Thifluzamide 24% SC, RIL-068/F1 48 WG (Kresoxim methyl 40% + Hexaconazole 8% WG), Propiconazole 25% EC (Tilt), Tricyclazole 75% WP (Beam) and a new combination fungicide, Fluxapyroxad 62.5 g/l + Epoxiconazlle 62.5 g/l EC (Adexar w/v EC) were found effective. Prasanna Kumar M K 1 and Veerabhadraswamy A L 2*
Investigations of substrate channeling in the proline oxidative pathway

In cell metabolism, substrate channeling is a phenomenon where the product of one reaction is transported to a second enzyme active site without equilibrating into bulk solvent. Chapter 1 reviews the rationale and evidence for substrate channeling with the specific example of proline metabolism. Oxidation of proline to glutamate is catalyzed in consecutive reactions by proline dehydrogenase (PRODH) and pyrroline-5-carboxylate dehydrogenase (P5CDH). The intermediate Δ 1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate reportedly tends to be labile and inhibitory towards several metabolic pathways. One of the main objectives of this dissertation was to investigate substrate channeling between independent proline oxidative enzymes from Thermus thermophilus-TtPRODH and TtP5CDH. Chapter 2 establishes that TtPRODH and TtP5CDH are capable of interacting with a dissociation constant (K D) of 3.03 µM as demonstrated using Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR). As observed in the present study, this interaction is possible only with a specific orientation of TtPRODH relative to TtP5CDH. A docking model of the two enzymes predicts an orientation of the active sites which is supportive of substrate channeling. Corroborating observations are made with kinetic studies. We observe that interference of TtPRODH-TtP5CDH complex by catalytically inactive mutants TtPRODH R288M/R289M and TtP5CDH C322A lead to significant decrease in glutamate formation. The results pave the way for testing substrate channeling in eukaryotic enzymes. In chapter 3, two novel eukaryotic enzymes from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Put1p (PRODH) and Put2p (P5CDH), have been characterized. Particular attention was focused on the oxidative half-reaction of Put1p for gaining insight into possible redox functions of human PRODH. Previous studies show that bifunctional enzyme from Gram-negative Bradyrhizobium japonicum (BjPutA) containing PRODH and P5CDH domains, exhibits substrate channeling via an elegant internal tunnel. BjPutA and its channeling variants were used to test the role of substrate channel in hydrolysis of P5C, an essential step in proline oxidation. These aspects of substrate channeling are discussed in chapter 4. Overall, this study provides an improved understanding of: (1) Substrate channeling in proline oxidation; and (2) a model for investigating substrate channeling between other individual enzymes that catalyze consecutive reactions. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Firstly, I would like to express sincere gratitude to my advisor, Dr. Donald F. Becker, for his invaluable guidance throughout my graduate career. His constant encouragement and thoughtful critique of experimental ideas have shaped me into a better scientist. I will always be inspired by his dedication to fostering young students towards a career in scientific research. I would also like to thank …
Functional analysis of low-moderate risk susceptibility genes emerging from pathway based approaches and genome wide association studies in epithelial ovarian cancer

Pathway based and genome wide association studies aim to identify alleles of low/moderate risk that may account for the development of EOC not attributed to high risk susceptibility genes. The aim of this study was to investigate the functional role of low/moderate susceptibility SNPs and candidate genes that emerge from candidate gene approaches and GWAS using tumour tissues or appropriate models from the proposed cells of origin for EOC, normal Ovarian Surface Epithelium (NOSE), Fallopian Tube Epithelium (FTE) respectively. Part of this study focused in establishing NOSE, FTE and EOC cell lines to study differential expression of candidate genes in post-GWAS functional characterisation studies. Additionally, I have established 3D FTE cultures and propose they more closely resemble the in vivo characteristics than 2D cultures. A candidate gene approach has identified nine candidate genes. I tested 301 invasive EOC tumours and found frequent LOH for tagging SNPs in those genes. LOH was associated with worse survival for AXIN2, CASP5, RRBBP8 and AIFM2 but the result for AXIN2, CASP5 and AIFM2 were associated with stage. Additionally, one SNP in STAG3 showed significant preferential loss of the common allele. Six loci containing susceptibility SNPs were identified in an ovarian cancer GWAS. I found compelling evidence for the somatic role of several genes within these loci in EOC development based on their differential expression between normal (NOSE & FTE) and EOC cell lines. These genes included PVT1, SP2, CBX1, PNPO, HAUS8, USE1, SKAP1, MERIT40 and members of the HOXB family of genes with an observed gain of function role and TIPARP and BNC2 with an observed loss of function role in EOC development. Additionally, I found weak associations of susceptibility SNPs’ genotypes with CBX1, SNX11, SP2 and HOXD1 expression and compelling evidence of genotype specific methylation of HOXB5 using non tumour samples. I further knocked down MERIT40 in EOC cell lines to study the potential role of the gene in EOC development. I found that MERIT40 depletion led to increased accumulation of spontaneous DNA damage and cell cycle arrest characterised by reduction in ploidy of the mucinous EOC cell line EFO27. This study provides functional evidence that GWAS are powerful tools for identifying novel genes implicated with EOC and that further functional investigation of GWAS identified loci leads to a better understanding of the molecular players involved in EOC initiation, development and survival.