Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Management of the Twospotted Spider Mite Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) in North Carolina Tomato Systems

MECK, ELIJAH DANIEL. Management of the Twospotted Spider Mite Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) in North Carolina Tomato Systems. (Under the direction of James F. Walgenbach and George G. Kennedy.) In recent years the twospotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch has become an important pest of vegetables in central and western North Carolina, particularly on tomatoes. The objectives of this project were to 1) determine the effect of T. urticae feeding on tomato fruit, 2) determine the effects of T. urticae on total and marketable tomato yields, and 3) to develop economic injury levels and economic thresholds as well as determine the spatial distribution of T. urticae in tomato fields and develop a sampling plan. A series of experiments were untaken in the greenhouse, field, and laboratory to assess feeding damage known as gold fleck. Caged T. urticae on tomato fruit in the greenhouse were found to damage fruit. Fields trials showed that as T. urticae density increased, the proportion of fruit affected by gold fleck also increased. Laboratory studies showed that placing T. urticae directly on mature green and breaker stage fruit for 14 days resulted in gold fleck damage. Yields from small plot studies were evaluated from five different T. urticae threshold densities in 2007 (0, 1, 25, 50 mites per leaflet, and non-treated control) and seven in 2008 and 2009 (0, 1, 8, 17, 25, 50, and non-treated control). Results from 2007 and 2008 showed that total and marketable yield was higher in plots with low versus high densities of T. urticae, and that yield differences were mostly due to number of fruit harvested. In 2009 there were no differences in yields between treatments. Yield response of tomatoes was used to establish economic injury levels for T. urticae. Resulting economic thresholds were very low (<1-2.4 T. urticae per leaflet), indicating little tolerance for T. urticae feeding. Sampling was conducted in commercial tomato fields, and T. urticae populations were found to be highly aggregated. The numbers of random samples required for 60, 80, and 90% precision levels were too large for sampling to be economically practical. Management of the Twospotted Spider Mite Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) in North Carolina Tomato Systems by Elijah Daniel Meck A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty of North Carolina State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Syncytial giant cell component. Review of 55 renal cell carcinomas.

Different types of multinucleated giant cells (MGC) have been documented in tumors with osteoclast-like appearance, with trophoblastic differentiation or as tumoral malignant giant cells. A new variety of MGC has been described in renal cell carcinoma. In order to study the frequency, nature and significance of this cellular type, we have reviewed our files. To assess the presence, nature and significance of these MGC in renal cell carcinomas and associated histologic subtype. To review all malignant renal tumors diagnosed in the last 5 years in our hospital and to carry out a morphologic and immunohistochemical study in renal cell carcinomas with syncytial type MGC. 55 renal cell carcinomas were reviewed. Clear cell (conventional) renal cell carcinoma was the most common type encountered (40 cases); two of these cases showed syncytial type MGC and low grade malignancy. Microscopically the MGC contained from 5 to 40 nuclei. Immunohistochemically, mononucleated and multinucleated cells were positive for cytokeratin CAM 5.2, cytokeratin AE1/AE3 and weakly positive for vimentin. Histiocytic, muscular, neural markers, beta- HCG and alpha-fetoprotein were negative. The presence of syncytial type MGC in renal cell carcinomas is an exceptional event. Among 55 renal cell carcinomas we found two cases, both of which were of clear cell subtype and low grade malignancy. The MGC proved positive for epithelial markers and probably are the result of mononucleated tumoral cell fusion. We are unaware of the impact of this MGC in the outcome of patients; such cells appear in low grade carcinomas and do not seem to be of dismal prognosis.
Chitin hydrolysis and N-acetylglucosamine utilization by solventogenic clostridia

Environment pollution and energy supply are among the huge problems which threaten the world, especially in industrialised countries. Several studies have considered how to exploit waste materials as renewable substrates for various industries to obtain different products. Some wastes from the aquatic food industry contain a considerable amount of the N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) polymer chitin, which has potential as a substrate for the solventogenic clostridia in the acetone-butanol-ethanol fermentation. Development of an effective process will, however, depend on a detailed understanding of the mechanism and control of chitin hydrolysis and NAG metabolism. Clostridium beijerinckii NCIMB 8052 was shown to exhibit chitinase activity and to be able to grown on NAG. The predominant mechanism for uptake of sugars and sugar derivatives in the clostridia is the phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP)-dependent phosphotransferase system (PTS). Extracts of C.beijerinckii grown on NAG exhibited a phosphotransferase activity for NAG which was also present in extracts of cells grown on glucose, consistent with the observation that glucose did not repress utilization of NAG in media containing both substrates. Genomic analysis has identified genes encoding a putative nag-pts that belongs to the glucose family of PTS permeases. Two divergent genes encode the IIA and IICB domains of the PTS, and are associated with a gene encoding a putative transcriptional antiterminator. These genes were found to be expressed in cells growing on NAG or glucose, but not glucitol. The role of the putative nag-pts genes in NAG uptake was confirmed by functional analysis. An artificial NAG operon was constructed in which the nag-pts genes were in series and expression of the operon in Escherichia coli mutants provided evidence for the ability of the PTS to transport and phosphorylate NAG and glucose, but not mannose. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Thankful Allah The first of all I would to express my sincere thanks to my supervisor Dr. Wilfrid J Mitchell for support and advise me during my research. Also, I would like to thank my co-supervisor Dr. Peter C Morris. I would to extend my thanks to Dr. Derek J Jamieson, Dr. Susan J Dewar and Dr. Tony Gutierrez for their valuable advices. Many thanks to Professor Nigel Minton and his research group at Nottingham University for their kind hospitality and assisting with my experiments. Thanks to Sarah Mastrangelo for her advising and helping. Thanks to all my friends in the lab, many thanks to Dr. Eve Bird for helping at Napier University. A heart-felt gratitude for the Saudi government, King Abdul-Aziz University, and HeriotWatt University for providing me with the opportunity to study for this PhD. Great thanks to my family for all their patience, encouragement, and support,,, Finally,
The use of functional electrical stimulation to improve upper limb function in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: A feasibility study

Background Grasping and manipulating objects are common problems for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Multichannel-functional electrical stimulation may help facilitate upper limb movements and improve function. Objective To evaluate the feasibility of multichannel-functional electrical stimulation to improve grasp and upper limb function in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy to inform the development of a clinical trial. Methods A prospective pre-/post-test/follow-up (six months) design with three children, aged 6–13 years, was used. Multichannel-functional electrical stimulation (mFES) was applied to the hemiplegic upper limb for up to 48 sessions over 16 weeks. Feasibility indicators included recruitment of participants and adherence rates, safety, and discomfort/pain. Effectiveness was assessed using the grasp domain of the Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test, and other secondary clinical outcome measures with “success” criteria set a priori. Results Participant recruitment target was not met but adherence was high, and multichannel-functional electrical stimulation was found to be safe and comfortable. Of the three participants, two improved in grasp at post-test, whereas one child’s ability deteriorated. Only one child met success criteria on most outcomes at post-test. Conclusions Feasibility indicators met success criteria, except for participant recruitment. Treatment effectiveness was mixed. A future case comparison investigation with a larger but more selected sample is suggested.
Sulfentrazone for Weed Control in Soybean (Glycine max)

Field studies were conducted over 4 yr to evaluate weed control and soybean injury with sulfentrazone applied preplant incorporated or preemergence alone and in combination with imazaquin, metribuzin, or cloransulam. Sulfentrazone at 280 g ai/ha controlled yellow nutsedge, common waterhemp, ivyleaf morningglory, and velvetleaf 92 to 100% 56 days after planting (DAP). At 420 g/ha, sulfentrazone controlled giant foxtail 80 to 94% 21 DAP. Sulfentrazone controlled common ragweed 17 to 93% and common cocklebur 57 to 91%. Giant foxtail, common cocklebur, and common ragweed control with sulfentrazone at lower rates was improved with the addition of metribuzin or cloransulam. Sulfentrazone caused no visual soybean injury and did not reduce yield compared with standard herbicides.
Danos causados pelo adulto da cigarrinha Zulia entreriana na produção e qualidade de Brachiaria decumbens

Damage caused by spittlebugs reducing pasture stocking densities, is of great importance in several Central and South-American countries. The present work was conducted, in order to obtain further elements which could be useful in developing strategies for the control of such insects. The objective was to evaluate damage caused by the adult of Zulia entreriana (Berg 1879) (Homoptera: Cercopidae) in the production and quality of Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. cv. Basilisk. Four population densities were evaluated (zero, 25, 50 and 100 adults/square meter) with the use of cages. Plants within these cages were cut at a standard height of 25 cm. Infestations were maintained for ten days. After this period, evaluations for production and quality were undertaken. Significant reductions (P <0.05) in production were observed. The density of 25 adults/m 2 reduced by 30% dry matter production of B. decumbens. In relation to forage quality, the insects reduced, significantly (P <0.05), levels of crude protein, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium and potassium, and increased (P <0.05) dry matter and fiber contents.
Assessment of laboratory modeling for detecting immunomodulatory compounds

Veterinary Medicine Different models for the antibody responses to sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) have been reportedto be sensitive and predictive functional immune assays for detecting immunomodulatory compounds. inthe present study, four different species of laboratory animals(rat, mouse, rabbit and chicken) were chosenfor the assessment of modeling. Animals of each species were divided into two groups. Animals of thefirst group were immunized with SRBC at days zero and 15 whereas animals of the other group wereimmunized with SRBC after 3 days of treatment with Cyclophosphamide (CY). Estimation of totalserum Igs, IgM and IgG was performed by the solid phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)using whole sheep red blood cells at days 0 (pre-immunization), 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 (postimmunization). Leukogram, viable splenocytes number and histopathology of spleen were also evaluatedin order to complete the assessment parallelogram. Slight antibody response was detected in preimmunizationsamples. The IgM titer was reached its peak 7 days after the first injection of SRBC andthen gradually decreased over time. The IgG titer reached its peak 7 days after the second injection andwas maintained until the end of the experiment. Immunizations with SRBC after 3-days CY treatmentgreatly suppressed all immune and peripheral leucocytic parameters. There was return back all lowerlevels with a significant increase in neutrophils in mice, heterophil in poultry and a decrease inlymphocyte in rabbit without return back splenic cell viability in all animals as compared to theimmunized group. Histological structure of spleen showed normal cellular compartmentalization in rat,mice and rabbit immunized with SRBC group. Variety of immune cell depletion of white bulb lymphoidfollicle of mice, chicks and rabbits were observed in animal group immunized after 3 days CYtreatment. It is concluded that this work offers four laboratory models validated for testingimmunomodulating compound after SRBC challenge.Key words: SRBC, Titers, CY, models, ELISA .
Hepatitis C Virus E1E2 co-evolving networks unveil their functional dialogs and highlight original therapeutic strategies

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infects more than 170 million people worldwide but no vaccine is available yet. HCV entry may represent a promising target for therapies and is mediated by two envelope glycoproteins, E1 and E2, assembled as heterodimer onto the virus surface. However, how E1 and E2 dialog, structurally rearrange and act together during these steps remain poorly defined. In this work, we aimed to clarify the interrelation of E1E2 during virus entry, thus opening ways to potential new therapeutic strategies. We first investigated whether a strong genetic divergence between E1E2 heterodimers may highlight distinct functions. We observed that B-cell derived E1E2 were specialized for B-cell infection, suggesting that new functions can emerge from the E1E2 conformational plasticity. In a second approach, we identified a conserved dialog between E1 and the domain III of E2 that was critical for virus binding and fusion. Moreover, a computational model predicted a strong co-evolution between E1 and E2 as well as potential structural rearrangements, suggesting that HCV E2 is likely a fusion protein able to fold over via its domain III through the mediation of E1. Altogether, these different works highlight that E1 and E2 are involved in complex dialogs that regulate the heterodimer folding and functions, suggesting that E1E2 heterodimer is more likely a single functional protein entity than an association of two proteins with specific functions.
Applying decision analysis in therapeutic drug monitoring: using decision trees to interpret serum theophylline concentrations.

: In the second of a three-part series, decision analysis is applied to therapeutic drug monitoring decisions that affect individual patients, using theophylline concentration and toxicity data to illustrate general concepts. Likelihood ratios and conditional probability curves were developed. The curves were used to determine the probability of toxicity based on the clinician's assessment of patient status and a measured serum theophylline concentration. A decision tree to "rule in" or "rule out" toxicity was constructed. Selection of a serum concentration cutoff level for classifying patients as toxic or nontoxic depends on the probabilities of the possible outcomes of the decision process and the clinician's assessment of the value of each possible outcome; therefore, no single concentration value is best for classifying patients. A decision tree was also constructed for evaluating therapeutic options when the clinician is confronted with adverse effects that may be drug related. In three prototype cases, the expected utility for discontinuing theophylline, continuing the drug at the same dosage, or lowering the dosage was determined and used to evaluate the relative worth of each therapeutic option. A more comprehensive interpretation of the serum theophylline concentration is provided by decision-analysis techniques than by observation of pharmacologic effect alone, because other factors such as merit, risk, and consequences of alternative decisions are considered.
Détection et validation de marqueurs génétiques impliqués dans la qualité de la viande bovine.

En l'absence de mesures de routine des qualites sensorielles de la viande bovine, les eleveurs et les unites de selection s'interrogent sur les possibilites d'exploiter la variabilite genetique de ces caracteres au niveau moleculaire. La these consiste a realiser les recherches relatives a l'analyse des associations entre polymorphismes genetiques et phenotypes enregistres dans le programme Qualvigene. L'objectif est de proposer aux eleveurs et aux unites de selection des marqueurs genetiques comme criteres de selection. Des SNP situes dans des genes candidats ont ete genotypes chez les 3349 Jeunes Bovins du programme (1114 en race Charolaise, 1254 en race Limousine et 981 en race Blonde d'Aquitaine) ainsi que chez les 114 peres et une majorite des meres. Ces genes ont ete mis en evidence pour leur association avec la tendrete, le persille de la viande ou encore la croissance des animaux dans la bibliographie ou dans des etudes de genomique fonctionnelle a l'INRA. Des analyses d'association ont ete effectuees. Un genome scan sur microsatellites dans 6 familles Limousine et Blonde d'Aquitaine a permis une primo-localisation peu precise de regions chromosomiques d'interet. En 2010, la puce Illumina "Bovine SNP50®" a ete utilisee pour mettre en place une cartographie fine de QTL de qualite de la viande. Des premiers resultats en race Blonde ont permis de confirmer et de localiser plus finement des regions QTL detectees avec les microsatellites et aussi d'en localiser de nouvelles. La recherche de mutations causales devrait nous permettre de mettre en place un kit de detection des animaux presentant une superiorite genetique quant aux qualites organoleptiques de la viande.
Measures of the developmental stability, body size and body condition in the black-striped mouse (Apodemus agrarius) as indicators of a disturbed environment in northern Serbia

In the present study, an additional combination of end-points was used to evaluate the effects of industrial development on the natural population of the black-striped mouse (Apodemus agrarius), previously estimated using cytogenetic and morphometric assays. Developmental stability was assessed by determining the level of fluctuating asymmetry (FA) and the total amount ofphenotypic variability (PV). Body weight (BW) and body length (BL) were also used as indices of body size, while the quotient between observed and expected values of body weight presented an index of body condition (BC1). The experimental design employed in this study is unique because only a few studies have been conducted with A. agrarius and because no investigator has previously used this combination of end-points in an environmental quality monitoring study. FA was increased in the polluted area for foramen parietalis, foramen dentale. foramen palatinum and foramen angularis. Males from the polluted site had significantly higher FA for foramen parietalis compared with male mice from the reference area. Juvenile animals from the polluted area had significantly higher FAs for foramen dentale and foramen palatinum compared to adults. However, when all the foramina were considered together, a three-way analysis of variance revealed that there was no significant interaction between the factors (sex x age category x site) on the FA (average value). A comparison of'PVs indicated higher values in the polluted area for all analyzed characters. For foramen parietalis and foramen dentale, PVs were significantly greater in the polluted site than in the control area. Within the same sex, PVs were significantly greater in mice from the polluted site compared with mice from the control area. The results also indicated that mice trapped at the contaminated site had a reduced body size and poorer body condition. Adult mice exhibited better body condition than juveniles, as revealed by the significantly higher BCI values. Finally. to investigate the relative importance of the three potential biomarkers. a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA procedure) was performed. The MANOVA's results revealed the significant effects of age category, site and interaction for sex x site on FA (average value), size and body condition. In conclusion, the results indicated that despite A. agrarius \ high tolerance to contaminants it may he an important species for environmental quality evaluation studies.
Building-up an Aircraft Reliability Program: An Application of Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)

The paper is about the study of building a Reliability Program for the Leonardo AW139 Fleet of a start-up company that is based in the Middle East. The start-up helicopter company started its operations in 2018 with an initial fleet of 2 AW139 and grew to 10 helicopters in 2021 and is expected to have a total of 30 to 40 AW139 in the next 5 years. All helicopters purchased were brand new except for the first two helicopters that were leased from another company, hence, the initial maintenance did not require a reliability program. However, in the last 3 years, the fleet slowly accumulated system, component and/or structural defects and findings that prompted the Continuous Airworthiness Department to build a reliability program in anticipation and preparation to revise and update the maintenance program, as applicable, for the upcoming aircraft. A historical data from 2020 to 2022 was collected and computed for the standard deviation multiplied by 3 for the aircraft system, component per ATA chapter and structural defect's upper control limit or alert level. This will be determined and analyzed per 1000 flying hours to provide a reliability report, mitigation and corrective action to improve the maintenance reliability of the fleet. Moreover, the study will research for other monitoring and/or data collection apart from the current practice to be able to obtain more data and have a better projection in the reliability report that will also cover the on-time-performance of the aircraft. Fish-bone diagram and FMEA will be used to determine the root cause and provide potential solutions based on the trend monitoring of the defect rate. Apart from the study, the other objective of the paper is to present it to the management of the start-up helicopter company and be able to utilize this as basis or foundation of the actual Reliability Program of the company.
HYBRID, ROW WIDTH, AND PLANT POPULATION EFFECT ON CORN YIELD IN KENTUCKY

OF THESIS HYBRID, ROW WIDTH, AND PLANT POPULATION EFFECT ON CORN YIELD IN KENTUCKY Studies were conducted in 2011 and 2012 to determine if narrow row corn (Zea mays L.) and/or greater plant populations could affect yield, time to silking, and other physiological characteristics. Main plots of six hybrids were arranged as a randomized complete bock design with three replications. Split plots were row widths of 76-cm (wide rows) and 20-cm rows on 76-cm spacing (twin rows). Split-split plots were target plant populations of 75 000 and 111 000 plants ha. Corn was no-till seeded into soybean stubble near Lexington, KY in 2011 and 2012. Year interacted with most factors analyzed in the study. This was expected, given the extreme differences in weather. 2011 ASI (days) approached zero as plant population increased in wide rows in two out of four hybrids. ASI response to plant population in twin rows was not significant for any hybrid. In 2011, yield was greater in twin rows than wide rows. For significant equations, in 2011 grain yield increased as plant population increased, but in 2012 grain yield decreased as plant population increased, across both row widths. Kernel number per ear decreased as plant population increased in 2011 and 2012, but at different rates for wide and twin rows.