Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
FROM GENES TO BEHAVIOR: VARIATION IN THE VISUAL SYSTEMS OF LAKE MALAWI CICHLID FISHES

Title of Document: FROM GENES TO BEHAVIOR: VARIATION IN THE VISUAL SYSTEMS OF LAKE MALAWI CICHLID FISHES Adam Ray Smith, Doctor of Philosophy, 2011 Directed By: Dr. Karen Carleton, Department of Biology Visual systems are ideal models for the study of sensory evolution. The cichlids of Lake Malawi possess an elaborated complex of genes (opsins) that encode chromatic visual pigments, which allows us to study the evolution and diversification of chromatic vision in great detail. In this dissertation, we investigated the molecular and behavioral properties of cichlid visual systems in order to more thoroughly understand the diversification of visual systems and the behavioral consequences of these changes. The work is organized into three research projects, with the following results: (1) Opsin gene sequence variation, with corresponding functional sensitivity changes, were found for the SWS1 (ultraviolet-sensitive), SWS2B (violet-sensitive), RH2Aβ (green-sensitive), and LWS (red-sensitive) opsin genes. Of the two genera profiled, each had two variable genes, suggesting that diversifying selection acts on different opsins in each genus. Furthermore, our data suggest that the variation in the SWS1 gene has arisen recently in Lake Malawi and is under rapid selection. (2) Intraspecific cone opsin gene expression variation was found in wild populations of multiple species. Expression variation was found primarily for the LWS and SWS1 genes, while the other genes were relatively consistent within species. This finding suggests that expression can be modulated by adding genes to what may otherwise be considered a species-specific expression pattern. Quantitative models suggested that this expression variation was not the result of environmental constraint. (3) Fish raised in different ambient developmental light environments had different cone opsin gene expression, primarily in the LWS opsin gene. These expression differences caused an increase in behavioral sensitivity in the optomotor response. Furthermore, analyses indicated that the OMR response is determined solely by the LWS cone pigment, rather than a complement of different cone types. Taken together, these findings shed new light on how visual systems diversify over short evolutionary time-scales, and the possible linkage of early determinants of visual sensitivities (opsin genes) and processes that directly influence speciation (behavior). FROM GENES TO BEHAVIOR: VARIATION IN THE VISUAL SYSTEMS OF LAKE MALAWI CICHLID FISHES
Aromaterapi Lemon Menurunkan Mual Muntah pada Ibu Hamil Trimester I

Nausea vomiting (Emesis gravidarum) is most commonly complaint occur in pregnant women by 50-90%, with 2% ending into excessive nausea vomiting (hyperemesis gravidarum) that can harm the mother and fetus. One of the safest non-pharmacological therapies to be given to nausea moms of vomiting during pregnancy is lemon aromatherapy. The objective of this study was to know the effect of lemon aromatherapy in decreasing nausea at the first trimester gravid. The method were used in this research is pre experimental with the design of One Group Pre-Post Test Design. The population the first trimester gravida who experienced nausea vomiting using consecutive sampling technique that fulfilled the inclusion criteria amounted to 36 respondents. Data were analyzed by using Wilcoxon Sign Rank Test with α = 0,05. The results showed that the scale of nausea vomiting at the first trimester gravid before giving aromatherapy Mean + SD 23,33 + 3,913 while after giving aromatherapy Mean + SD 13,67 + 4,071. Result of Wilcoxon Sing Rank Test with significance level α = 0,05 got p = 0.0001 (P <α 0,05) then H1 accepted and H0 rejected. Conclusions of the study showed that lemon aromatherapy had significant effect in reducing nausea vomiting in the first trimester gravid. Suggestion for health officer (midwife) can apply alternative therapy of lemon aromatherapy to reduce and overcome nausea vomiting and can be developed for more research about complementary therapy to overcome nausea vomiting.
The Mechanisms And Roles Of Feedback Loops For Visual Processing

OF THE DISSERTATION Mechanisms and roles of feedback loops for visual processing By Jing Shao Doctor of Philosophy in Physics Washington University in St. Louis Professor Ralf Wessel, Chairperson Signal flow in the brain is not unidirectional; feedback represents a key element in neural signal processing. To address the question on how do neural feedback loops work in terms of synapses, microcircuitry, and systems dynamics, we developed a chick midbrain slice preparation to study and characterize one important feedback loop within the avian visual system: isthmotectal feedbackloop. The isthmotectal feedback loop consists of the optic tectum (OT) and three nucleus isthmi: Imc, Ipc and SLu. The tectal layer 10 neurons project to ipsilateral Imc, Ipc and SLu in a topographic way. In turn Ipc and SLu send back topographical (local) cholinergic terminals to the OT, whereas Imc sends nontopographical (global) GABAergic projections to the OT, and also to the Ipc and the SLu. We first study the cellular properties of Ipc neurons and found that almost all Ipc cells exhibited spontaneous activity characterized with a barrage of EPSPs and occasional spikes. Further experiments reveal the involvement of GABA in mediating the spontaneous synaptic inputs to the Ipc neurons. Next we
Possibilités de bouturage in situ de Lawsonia inermis L. (henné)

Le travail presente determine les conditions et les techniques de multiplication vegetative du henne (L. inermis) au Senegal. La multiplication vegetative a concerne le bouturage de tiges de differents âges (six mois, un an et neuf ans), de differentes positions sur le rameau (basale, apicale) et de differentes longueurs (15 et 40 cm). Les boutures jeunes (six mois, un an) ainsi que les boutures basales de 15 cm de long ont donne les meilleurs taux de reprise. En revanche, la croissance est plus importante pour les boutures adultes (neuf ans). L'evaluation des divers traitements pour la production de biomasse seche sur les sujet adultes au bout de quatre mois a montre que les boutures basales de 40 cm donnent plus de biomasse seche (24 g) que les boutures basales de 15 cm (11 g) et les apicales de 15 ou 40 cm (3 g respectivement).
Comparison of Salivary Uric Acid Level among Healthy Individuals without Periodontitis with that of Smokers and Non-smokers with Periodontitis

Objectives: Antioxidative defense system of saliva with various molecules and enzymes has gained importance. Uric acid contributes approximately 70-85% antioxidative capacity of saliva of healthy as well as periodontally compromised individuals. Aim: Purpose of this study was to estimate and compare the salivary uric acid level of healthy individuals and that of smokers and non-smokers with periodontitis. Materials and Methods: Unstimulated whole saliva samples were collected from 30 subjects divided into three groups (10 healthy without periodontitis; 10 smokers with periodontitis, and 10 non-smokers with periodontitis) by employing exclusion criteria. The salivary uric acid level was measured by the enzymatic method. All values were reported as mean and standard deviations. Differences in mean salivary uric acid levels between the three groups were compared by Analysis of variance test and Scheffe’s multiple comparison tests. The level of significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. Results: Mean salivary uric acid levels of 5.39 ± 1.49 mg/dl, 3.01 ± 0.68 mg/dl, and 2.00 ± 0.57 mg/dl were observed among periodontally healthy, non-smokers with periodontitis, and smokers with periodontitis groups, respectively. Significantly higher mean salivary uric acid levels in periodontally healthy group was observed as compared to smoker and non-smoker groups with periodontitis (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Salivary uric acid levels reduced significantly among smoker and non-smoker periodontitis patients compared to periodontally healthy individuals. Therefore, uric acid level in saliva could be a helpful estimator of the oxidative stress produced by smoking and periodontitis.
Identification and molecular characterisation of chemotaxis genes in Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Using heterologous probing, with fragments from the S. meliloti che operon, putative chemotaxis genes were identified in A. tumefaciens. The cosmid pDUB1911, from a representative genomic library of C58C1, was identified and found to contain a cluster of chemotaxis-related genes. A 9.6kb region of pDUB1911 was completely sequenced (GenBank Accession No. AF044495), in both directions, and found to contain an 8kb chemotaxis cluster. The cluster begins with orf1, followed by orf2, cheYl, cheA, cheR, cheB, cheY2, orf9 and orflO. All of the identified homologues showed a high degree of sequence conservation with their counterparts in the chemosensory regions of the related bacteria S. meliloti and R. sphaeroides, and were arranged in a similar order. A homologue of the flagellar gene fliF was identified directly downstream of the che cluster. This arrangement is similar to that seen in S. meliloti, where the che operon is followed by a large region containing flagellar/motility-related genes. It was therefore postulated that the region identified in this work could be linked to the cluster of flagellar/motihty-related genes previously identified in A. tumefaciens. Mutant strains were created by in-frame deletion of cheA and orflO, and insertion of a neomycin resistance cassette in orfl, cheA and fliF. The oifl and cheA mutants showed wild type motility, but impaired chemotactic capabilities. Deletion of orflO appeared to have no effect on either motility or chemotaxis, under the conditions studied. Mutation of fliF resulted in a non-motile, non-flagellate phenotype. A "gutted" strain was created by deletion of the entire che cluster. As with the orfl and cheA mutant strains, the gutted strain showed severely impaired chemotaxis, but wild type patterns of motility. Preliminary work was conducted on the construction of a selectively-infective phage (SIP) system for studying bimolecular interactions within, and between, the che and vir systems of A. tumefaciens. A phage vector was constructed, which following further testing, should allow such work to begin. Probing with a fragment coding for the conserved region of an MCP recently identified m R. leguminosarum, suggested that A. tumefaciens could contain a number of proteins resembling the classical MCPs of E. coli. A putative MCP homologue was also identified in pDUB1911, downstream of the main che cluster. Although the che cluster was found not to contain a homologue of cheW, heterologous probing and PGR using consensus primers indicated that c/ieWmaps elsewhere in the A. tumefaciens genome.
Reliability of three urinalysis methods used in the assessment of hydration

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the intratester and intertester reliability of three common methods of assessing hydration; urine color chart (UCC), dipstick reagent strip (DRS) and refractometer (REF). Methods: Twenty-three male collegiate wrestlers (n = 23, age = 20.09 ± 1.35, weight = 78.73 ± 11.25 kg, height = 174.49 ± 7.23 cm) provided urine samples on three separate occasions totaling 69 samples (n = 69). Samples were analyzed with repeated measures by three testers, three trials, and three separate methods of assessment. Results: All methods had very high intertester reliability as demonstrated by Cronbach’s Alpha coefficients; DRS (r = .985), UCC (r = .973) and REF (r = .968). Intraclass correlation coefficient ranges were also very high; DRS . 983 . 994, UCC 964-. 983, and REF . 829-. 996. Conclusions: The three modes of urine hydration assessment are highly reliable, and are a practical, noninvasive method to evaluate hydration status in the field.
Testes de vigor para avaliao de sementes de pepino

RESUMO – Dentro de um programa de controle de qualidade, a avaliacao do vigor de sementes efundamental e necessaria para o sucesso da producao. O trabalho teve por objetivo comparardiferentes metodos para avaliacao do potencial fisiologico de sementes de pepino. Para tanto,cinco lotes de sementes do hibrido Safira foram submetidos aos seguintes testes: germinacao,primeira contagem de germinacao, condutividade eletrica (4x50 sementes; 25oC; 50 e 75mL; 12, 18e 24h), germinacao a baixa temperatura (4x50 sementes; 18oC; contagens aos quatro e oito diasapos a semeadura); envelhecimento acelerado tradicional (41oC; 48, 72 e 96h) e com solucaosaturada de NaCl (41oC; 72 e 96h). Pelos resultados obtidos, pode-se concluir que os testes decondutividade eletrica (50 e 75mL; 12, 18 e 24h) e de envelhecimento acelerado com o uso desolucao salina (41oC, por 72h), possibilitam a melhor identificacao de lotes com diferentes niveis dequalidade fisiologica.Termos para indexacao:
Seismic Loss and Downtime Estimates of Existing Tall Buildings and Strategies for Increased Resilience

Tall buildings play an important role in the socio-economic activity of major metropolitan areas. The resilience of these structures is critical to ensure a successful recovery after major disasters. Events such as the Canterbury earthquake in 2011 have highlighted the impact of poor performing buildings on the business continuity of downtown districts, where tall buildings are typically clustered together. Following the 2011 earthquake, Christchurch’s Central Business District (CBD) red zone covered a significant area of the city and more than 60% of the businesses were displaced (CERC 2012). Until the introduction of Performance Based Seismic Design (PBSD) in the 1990s, buildings were designed using conventional building codes, which follow a prescriptive force-based approach based on the first mode translational response of the structure (FEMA 2006). Researchers and engineers have raised concerns that the prescriptive approach of building codes is not suitable for tall building design due to the significant contribution of higher mode effects (PEER 2010a). As a result of these shortcomings, several jurisdictions in areas of high seismicity throughout the Unites States (e.g. Los Angeles and San Francisco) have adopted a PBSD approach for the design of new tall buildings. While new designs follow a more adequate approach, little is known about the seismic performance of older existing tall buildings that were designed prior to the adoption of PBSD (Almufti et al. 2012). This paper presents an assessment of the seismic performance of existing tall buildings in a case study city, San Francisco, where an archetype tall building is designed based on an inventory of the existing tall building stock. Non-Linear Response History Analysis (NLRHA) are conducted with ground motions representative of the design earthquake hazard level defined in current building codes, with explicit consideration of near-fault directivity effects. In order to influence decision making, performance is reported as the expected consequences in terms of direct economic losses and downtime. Once the performance of the archetype building is assessed, a range of structural and nonstructural enhancements are explored for enhanced performance as well as mitigation measures for increased resilience. Expected direct economic losses for the archetype building are in the order of 34% of building cost and downtime estimates for functional recovery are 87 weeks. The strategies presented in this paper enable up to a 92% reduction in losses and minimize downtime for functional recovery to 1 day.
Comparison of TNF-alpha and TNF-beta cytolytic biological activities in a serum-free bioassay.

: The effect of temperature and serum-free conditions on the cytolytic biological activities of TNF-alpha and TNF-beta were evaluated using murine connective tissue L-M as the target cell line. Serum-free assay medium and a 39 degrees C incubation temperature substantially enhanced the activity of both cytokines. L-M cells were 3 to 4 times more sensitive to cytolysis by TNF-beta than TNF-alpha under serum-free assay conditions.
Residual toxicities of synergized pyrethrins and methoprene applied as aerosol insecticides

Tribolium spp. are major pests in structures used for the processing and storage of grainbased products (e.g., flourmills, warehouses, retail stores). Consumers and regulators have little tolerance for insect-damaged or contaminated food products. The direction and breadth of pestcontrol strategies in the food industry have changed significantly over the past few years, creating the need to optimize insecticides through improved integrated pest management (IPM) techniques, specifically through the identification of new control agents that are low in mammalian toxicity, as well as any factors that might affect susceptibility to these agents. There is currently renewed interest in developing reduced-risk, low toxicity chemicals that can be effectively utilized in a setting in which grain and other food commodities are vulnerable to insect infestation, as a means of replacing outdated, and at times, less effective methods of insect control. Over the past decade, developed countries have made significant progress toward alternative insect control strategies by employing a variety of applied insecticides. Two classes of insecticide include natural pyrethrum and insect growth regulators (IGRs), which are substances that mimic insect hormones essential to normal development and reproduction. Pyrethrin is a highly efficient, broad spectrum, botanical insecticide that causes a rapid knockdown in exposed insects. Synergists are used to extend the economic usage of natural pyrethrins and because pyrethrum is rapidly metabolized, it is often mixed with a synergist. Methoprene, a juvenile hormone analog, is labeled as an aerosol and surface treatment inside mills, warehouses and other food storage facilities. There is little recent research with large-scale aerosol applications in stored-food facilities; furthermore, there are few published references regarding the efficacy of using methoprene in combination with synergized pyrethrin, in aerosol form. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to evaluate the use of aerosol applications of two aerosol concentrations on flour and finished stored-product packaging materials for the control of Tribolium spp. Results of this research show that T. castaneum are effectively controlled with 1% aerosol application, while the 3% formulation is required to effectively control T. confusum. With regards to the various packaging material surfaces, few differences between the surfaces emerged.
Oral Health Knowledge, Practices and Attitude among Parents/Caretakers of Children with Heart Disease on Follow up at Tikur Anbessa Hospital

Background : Infective endocarditis is one of the most dreaded complications of structural heart disease. Poor oral hygiene has been implicated in the predisposition to infective endocarditis. The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge and practice of oral hygiene among parents of children with heart disease. Method : A cross sectional study using examiner administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on the oral health knowledge and practice of parents/caregivers of children with heart disease attending the pediatric cardiology clinic at Tikur Anbessa specialized Hospital. The study was conducted from April 1 to August 15, 2014. Results: A total of 384 caretakers of children participated in the study. About two-third (255) of the caretakers were informed on the importance of oral hygiene. Even though majority of the participants 317(82.6%) were aware about the benefits of tooth brushing, only 108(28.1%) reported using tooth brush and paste. The reason for not brushing teeth among the majority of caretakers (198, 71.7%) was that they did not think it was necessary. Lack of availability was mentioned by 53(19.2%) caretakers and unaffordability was mentioned by15 (5.4%). Caretakers’ knowledge on dental carries was also unsatisfactory. The role of the caretakers in the supervision of their children’s oral hygiene was also poor with only 19(4.9%) caretakers reportedly brushing their children’s teeth and 126(32.8%) watching and advising while the rest reportedly never cared, 89 (23.2%), or only gave advice but never watched, 150 (39.1%). Conclusion: This study has shown that the knowledge, attitude and practice of caretakers of children with heart disease on dental care to be poor. Many participants were not informed on the importance of oral hygiene on the prevention of infective endocarditis. Thus educating caretakers on the importance of regular tooth brushing habit, oral hygiene and regular preventive dental visit to reduce the risk of complication of the cardiac condition is recommended. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2018; 32(2):82-87] Key words: oral health, children, heart disease.
Genetic diversity analysis of Saccharum spontaneum germplasm using SSR-SSCP and RAPD markers.

Saccharum spontaneum, the most important wild species used in the evolution of modern sugarcane varieties, imparts vigour, cold hardiness and tolerance towards biotic and abiotic stresses. Fourteen genotypes of S. spontaneum genotypes being maintained at Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow, were subjected to genetic diversity analysis using microsatellites and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Nine sugarcane specific flanking sequences of di and trinucleotide SSR (simple sequence repeat) motifs of EST (expressed sequence tags) and genomic DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) origin and 68 random operons were used for amplification. Single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of SSR amplicons yielded 128 conformers and, through RAPD 961 bands were amplified. Use of two types of markers amplifying different regions of the genome, allowed better analysis of genetic diversity; extensive molecular variability corroborated by the wide range of Dice similarity coefficients (0.04 to 0.48 in SSR-SSCP and 0.09 to 0.60 in RAPD) was observed. UPGMA (unweighed pair group method of arithmetic average) of similarity coefficients separated the genotypes in two main clusters. Identification of genetically distant genotypes of S. spontaneum would augment sugarcane breeding through the use of diverse parents facilitating the selection of hybrids with maximum genetic diversity and hybrid vigour.
HIGH LEVEL AMINOGLYCOSIDE RESISTANT ENTEROCOCCUS SPECIES : A STUDY

Background and Objectives: The emergence of Enterococcus species as a causative agent of Health care Associated Infections, poses therapeutic challenge to clinicians. Enterococci are well equipped with intrinsic resistance to multiple antibiotics. Acquired resistance to commonly used antibiotics such as Penicillin, Aminoglycoside and Vancomycin have made the situation even worse. Detection of High Level Aminoglycoside Resistance (HLAR) in Enterococcus species can predict the loss of synergy between cell wall active antimicrobial agents and Aminoglycosides. Hence, the present study was undertaken to detect the incidence of High level Aminoglycoside Resistant (HLAR) Enterococcus species isolated in a rural hospital and to study their antibiotic susceptibility profile. Method: HLAR in Enterococcus species was detected by disk diffusion test using High level Streptomycin (HLS - 300 µg) disk and High level Gentamicin (HLG - 120 µg) disk and Agar dilution method as per CLSI guidelines. High Level Gentamicin Resistance (HLGR) was also confirmed by HiMedia Ezy MIC Strip. Antibiotic sensitivity test was done by Kirby Bauer Disc diffusion method as per CLSI guidelines. Result: Out of total 190 Enterococcus species isolated from different clinical samples, High Level Aminoglycoside Resistance was detected in 115 (60.5%) Enterococcus strains. Amongst 115 HLAR Enterococcus strains, 59 (51.4%) were E. faecalis and 56 (48.6%) were E. faecium. Conclusion: We hereby conclude that Enterococcus strains, isolated from different clinical specimens must be screened routinely for HLAR (High Level Aminoglycoside Resistance) by all Clinical Microbiology Laboratories to improve the therapeutic outcome.