Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Low temperature effects on hatch of northern corn rootworm eggs (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).

This study determined the survival of northern corn rootworm eggs exposed to different experimental low temperatures for up to 16 weeks. Eggs were obtained from adults collected in maize fields that had been in continuous maize for > 2 years. Eggs were placed in the field in September to simulate soil temperatures experienced by feral eggs. In November they were brought into the laboratory and subjected to temperatures of 0, -2.5,-5,-7.5, or-10? C for 2 to 16 weeks. Percent egg hatch following treatment declined as temperature decreased and as duration of exposure at reduced temperature increased. This relationship was described by the equation HATCH = 42.70 - 5.51*TP + 5.67*TM - 0.54*(TP)2 - 0.26*(TM)2 + 0.42*TP*TM (r2 = 0.70), where TP and TM denote exposure temperature (? C) and temperature duration (weeks), respectively. The northern corn rootworm (NCR), Diabrotica barberi Smith and Lawrence, is a major pest of maize in North America and one member of a complex of Diabrotica spp. that annually costs maize growers approximately $1 billion in yield losses and control expense (Metcalf, 1986). Since the NCR overwinters as an egg in the soil, the presence of an economic infestation depends in part on the overwintering survival rate of those eggs. Chiang (1965) and Calkins and Kirk (1969) determined that soil temperatures during the winter are routinely low enough to cause mortality of overwintering northern corn rootworm eggs in the northern midwest Great Plains of the USA. Chiang et al. (1972) found that hatch increased with an increase in chill duration at 5? C; however, hatch decreased with increasing chill duration at 0, ? 5, and -10? C. Patel and Apple (1967) concluded that hatch was reduced at -2? C and was prevented when they were held at ? 10 and -23? C for six or more weeks. These studies were insufficient for modeling purposes in several respects; they examined a small range of temperatures 0, ? 2, ? 5, ? 10, and ? 23? C, eggs in both cases were plated on moist filter paper, and eggs were not conditioned to the gradual decline in temperatures observed in nature. In contrast, Gustin (1983), using temperature conditioned eggs and maintaining eggs in soil, determined that hatch occurred after 6 weeks at - 10? C. However, the data were variable and may have reflected the small samples used in the study. NCR egg survival needs to be assessed over a wider range and duration of overwintering temperatures. The purpose of this study was to derive a function that predicts survival of NCR eggs exposed to a range of low temperatures for periods up to 16 weeks. This information is critical for models to forecast egg survival and, consequently, to determine the potential for larval damage to maize the following spring.
Characterisation of stress responses in Lactobacillus paracasei and Bifidobacterium animalis (syn. lactis)

This thesis describes a study of the nature of the responses to stress, particularly acid stress, in Lactobacillus paracasei and Bifidobacterium anitnalis (syn. lactis). The aims of the study were validate the identification of the bacteria being studied, to determine the nature of their stress responses and compare them to known responses and to gain information regarding the proteins up-regulated during stress.
Bipartite Perfect Matching in Pseudo-Deterministic NC

We present a pseudo-deterministic NC algorithm for finding perfect matchings in bipartite graphs. Specifically, our algorithm is a randomized parallel algorithm which uses poly(n) processors, poly(log n) depth, poly(log n) random bits, and outputs for each bipartite input graph a unique perfect matching with high probability. That is, on the same graph it returns the same matching for almost all choices of randomness. As an immediate consequence we also find a pseudo-deterministic NC algorithm for constructing a depth first search (DFS) tree. We introduce a method for computing the union of all min-weight perfect matchings of a weighted graph in RNC and a novel set of weight assignments which in combination enable isolating a unique matching in a graph. We then show a way to use pseudo-deterministic algorithms to reduce the number of random bits used by general randomized algorithms. The main idea is that random bits can be reused by successive invocations of pseudo-deterministic randomized algorithms. We use the technique to show an RNC algorithm for constructing a depth first search (DFS) tree using only O(log^2 n) bits whereas the previous best randomized algorithm used O(log^7 n), and a new sequential randomized algorithm for the set-maxima problem which uses fewer random bits than the previous state of the art. Furthermore, we prove that resolving the decision question NC = RNC, would imply an NC algorithm for finding a bipartite perfect matching and finding a DFS tree in NC. This is not implied by previous randomized NC search algorithms for finding bipartite perfect matching, but is implied by the existence of a pseudo-deterministic NC search algorithm.
The Fates of Dendritic Cells and Antigen Regulate CD4+ T Cell Responses

The rapid activation of effector T cells by antigen-presenting dendritic cells (DCs) is necessary to contain and eradicate pathogens. Upon eradication of the pathogens by effector T cells, the immune response eventually resolves, and the clearance of residual antigen is necessary to prevent immune cell exhaustion or immunopathology. It has been proposed that the elimination of antigen-presenting DCs by CD8+ cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) limits the duration of antigen presentation, hence resolving ongoing immune responses. However, inter-DC antigen transfer spreads antigens for further antigen presentation and may reduce the effect of CTL-mediated DC killing. The aim of my thesis was to examine the impact of CTL-mediated DC killing and inter-DC antigen transfer on the induction and the quality of resulting T cell responses. Initial experiments established that CTLs eliminated antigen-bearing DCs mainly through the cytolytic molecule perforin, whereas FasL played a minor role. CTL-mediated DC killing prevented antigen-bearing DCs from stimulating naive CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the draining lymph nodes. Thus, CTLs regulated the clonal expansion of naive T cells by controlling the survival of antigen-presenting DCs. The efficiency of CTL-mediated DC killing depended on the method of antigen loading onto DCs, and to a lesser extent, the method of generating CTLs. Surprisingly, efficient CTL-mediated DC killing that completely prevented the accumulation of injected DCs in the lymph nodes did not abolish T cell proliferation, indicating that other antigen presenting cells (APCs) were inducing the residual T cell proliferation when the antigen-bearing DCs were eliminated by CTLs. Further investigations revealed that the antigen from the injected DCs was transferred to host DCs. In the absence of direct antigen presentation by injected DCs, host DCs stimulated local T cell proliferation but did not induce a systemic effector T cell response. In contrast, in the presence of efficient CTL-mediated DC killing, inter-DC antigen transfer enabled the host DCs to stimulate T cell proliferation. These T cells then developed into iii functional effector T cells. In conclusion, in the absence of inter-DC antigen transfer, CTLmediated DC killing reduces the size of T cell responses. However, in the presence of inter- DC antigen transfer, the impact of CTL-mediated DC killing is reduced, hence influencing the size and quality of T cell responses. My findings shed light on how CTL-mediated DC killing and inter-DC antigen transfer regulate immune responses and how DC vaccine regimens for immunotherapy can be improved.
Engaging Digital Natives through Social Learning

Digital natives account for a substantial portion of the total enrollment in higher education. This calls for significant educational reforms because traditional education systems do not cater to the needs and interests of digital natives. The most effective way that both students and instructors can benefit from this paradigm shift is to integrate technology that is appropriate to the cognitive learning patterns of the digital natives into the curriculum. This paper builds upon previous research in technology/personality theory and specifically attempts to provide examples of technology that will address the instructional needs of digital natives. Further this paper provides empirical evidence of the impact of technology integration on the learning outcomes of digital natives. In this study, the authors explored the impact of targeted technology on academic performance in three businesses courses. Three functional technologies were used by the authors to build engaging course content, efficiently manage course content, and to interact with digital native students. This study found that these technologies can assist digital natives in the learning process and lead to better academic performance. Keywords, of the Abstract: e-learning, digital natives; technology; learning styles, academic performance.
Partitioning and purification of extracellular β-1,3-1,4-glucanase in aqueous two-phase systems

The partition behaviors of β-1,3-1,4-glucanase, α-amylase and neutral proteases from clarified and whole fermentation broths of Bacillus subtilis ZJF-1A5 were investigated. An aqueous two-phase system (polyethylene glycol (PEG)/MgSO4)was examined with regard to the effects of PEG molecular weight (MW) and concentration, MgSO4 concentration, pH and NaCl concentration on enzyme partition and extraction. The MW and concentration of PEG were found to have significant effects on enzyme partition and extraction with low MW PEG showing the greatest benefit in the partition and extraction of β-glucanase with the PEG/MgSO4 system. MgSO4 concentration influenced the partition and extraction of β-glucanase significantly. pH had little effect on β-glucanase or proteases partition but affected α-amylase partition when pH was over 7.0. The addition of NaCl had little effect on the partition behavior of β-glucanase but had very significant effects on the partitioning of α-amylase and on the neutral proteases. The partition behaviors of β-glucanase, α-amylase and proteases in whole broth were also investigated and results were similar to those obtained with clarified fermentation broth. A two-step process for purifying β-glucanase was developed, which achieved β-glucanase recovery of 65.3% and specific activity of 14027 U/mg, 6.6 times improvement over the whole broth.
Polymorphisms in Nucleotide Excision Repair Genes and Risk of Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review

Various DNA alterations can be caused by exposure to environmental and endogenous carcinogens through direct binding of metabolites (adduct formation). If not repaired the DNA lesions may lead to genetic instability, mutagenesis and oncogenesis. Thus, DNA repair constitutes a first line of defence against cancer. Environmental factors are likely to cause damage to DNA through direct binding of metabolites (adduct formation). The nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway is the primary mechanism for removal of large and bulky adducts from DNA.
Spawning Female‐Specific Egg Envelope Glycoprotein‐Like Substances in Oryzias latipes

In addition to the spawning female‐specific (SF) substance (3, 6), a group of new higher molecular weight proteins cross‐reacting with anti‐egg envelope (chorion) glycoprotein (F1) antibody (original antibody) were found in the liver, blood plasma and the ovary of spawning female fish and in the ascites of the estrogenized fish of Oryzias latipes. Exploiting the antibodies specific for the SF substance and the new proteins, which were made of the original antibody by absorbing with the new proteins or the SF substance, the new proteins were found to behave very similarly to the SF substance concerning their localization in the inner layer of the oocyte envelope, intrahepatic formation in response to estrogen etc. They include the protein bands corresponding to Zl‐1 and ‐2, two major constituent glycoproteins of the oocyte envelope, while the SF substance corresponds to ZI‐3, the third major constituent of the envelope. Thus the three major constituent proteins of the inner layer of oocyte envelope are probably formed in the liver under the influence of estrogen in this fish.
The Nature of Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) Song

The nature of humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) song has long interested both scientists and the general public. Research strongly indicates that humpback whale song is an important component in the social behaviour of breeding humpback whales, with proposals that the song has an intraand/or inter-sexual selection component. Some scientists, however, have alternate hypotheses, such as song being a means of sonar for detecting females. Song is not the only factor involved in humpback whale breeding behaviour, as groups of males follow and may physically compete for females. Hence, the exact nature of humpback whale song and its relation to their breeding behaviour is unclear. Why does whale song continuously change throughout the breeding season, and why do new songs spread so quickly throughout a population? In many respects, the nature of humpback whale song may resemble and parallel bird song. For example, many bird species that display innovation in the male’s song also have increased reproductive fitness, and a similar situation may occur in male humpback whales. To explain why such innovation may be selected for in humpback whales, this paper postulates that sexual selection in humpback whales may have both a physical and cognitive fitness component. —————————————————————————————————— “No one knew why humpbacks sang. Nate had been listening to them, observing them, photographing them, and poking them with sticks for twenty-five years, and still he had no idea why, exactly, they sang”. From Christopher Moore. Fluke. Or I know why the winged whale sings. Harper Collins. 2004.
Influence of pre-flowering pinching and Maleic hydrazide spray on plant growth, seed yield and quality attributes in fenugreek

Apical pinching and application of growth retardant Maleic hydrzide (MH) to enhance seed yield in fenugreek during rabi, 2006 revealed that among the pinching treatments, non-pinched plants (T1) recorded significantly higher plant height at 60 DAS (41.24cm) and at harvest (59.69cm). Seed yield attributes like number of pods per plant, pod weight per plant and pod weight per hectare were significantly higher (46.65, 28.93g and 3214kg, respectively) in T3 (MH @ 500ppm). However, seed yield per plant and seed yield per hectare was significantly higher in T2 over T1 and T3 (16.36, 20.07g and 2230kg, respectively). Seed quality attributes like germination (95.40%), seedling vigour index-I (2271), seedling vigour index-II (1584) and field emergence (87.20%) were superior in seeds obtained from pinched plants with lower electrical conductivity (126 dSm-1). Therefore, apical pinching could be advocated to the fenugreek in order to obtain higher seed yield with better quality.
Phenolic Compound Biochemistry

Families of Phenolic Compounds and Means of Classification. - Chemical Properties of Phenolic Compounds. - Biosynthesis of Phenolic Compounds. - Isolation and Identification of Phenolic Compounds. - Analysis of Phenolic Compounds with Mass Spectrometry. - The Role of Phenols in Plant Defense. - Phenolic Compounds and their Effects on Human Health.
Biochemical Genetics of Sunfish. II. Genic Similarity between Hybridizing Species

Electrophoretic variation in proteins encoded by 18 genetic loci was examined in 1,099 specimens of 10 species of sunfish (Lepomis), a group renowned for its ability to hybridize, both in the laboratory and in nature. Populations belonging to the same species show very little genic differentiation over considerable geographic ranges. Species pairs show major differences in allelic composition at an average of about one-half of their loci, although the range is considerable. Thus despite ability to hybridize to the F1, Lepomis species have very different gene pools. Close genic similarity is not a necessary corollary of hybridizing propensity. A dendrogram formed by a cluster analysis of genic similarity coefficients corresponds only mildly with previously developed classifications based on morphology. Biochemical species groups in Lepomis appear as follows: (1) L. cyanellus; (2) L. macrochirus, L. humilis, L. gulosus; (3) L. marginatus, L. megalotis, L. microlophus; and (4) L. gibbosus, L. punctatus, L. auritus. Groups 3 and 4 appear quite similar and could be lumped into one cohort. The rather close genic similarity of L. gulosus to L. macrochirus is surprising and is not supported by morphological evidence. The discrepancy in similarity matrices based on morphology and proteins of Lepomis species makes it clear that electrophoretic methods provide additional information relevant to the subgeneric systematics of fishes.
HCH and DDT Residues in Bovine Milk and Milk Powder

Nine bovine milk samples and six popular brand milk powder samples collected locally showed the presence of HCH residues. Five bovine milk samples showed β HCH above MRL. No milk powder sample showed α and δ HCH residues but one milk powder sample was found to contain β and γ HCH above maximum residue limit (MRL) None of the samples contained DDT residues.
Danicamtiv increases myosin recruitment and alters the chemomechanical cross bridge cycle in cardiac muscle

Modulating myosin function is a novel therapeutic approach in patients with cardiomyopathy. Detailed mechanism of action of these agents can help predict potential unwanted affects and identify patient populations that can benefit most from them. Danicamtiv is a novel myosin activator with promising preclinical data that is currently in clinical trials. While it is known danicamtiv increases force and cardiomyocyte contractility without affecting calcium levels, detailed mechanistic studies regarding its mode of action are lacking. Using porcine cardiac tissue and myofibrils we demonstrate that Danicamtiv increases force and calcium sensitivity via increasing the number of myosin in the “on” state and slowing cross bridge turnover. Our detailed analysis shows that inhibition of ADP release results in decreased cross bridge turnover with cross bridges staying on longer and prolonging myofibril relaxation. Using a mouse model of genetic dilated cardiomyopathy, we demonstrated that Danicamtiv corrected calcium sensitivity in demembranated and abnormal twitch magnitude and kinetics in intact cardiac tissue. Significance Statement Directly augmenting sarcomere function has potential to overcome limitations of currently used inotropic agents to improve cardiac contractility. Myosin modulation is a novel mechanism for increased contraction in cardiomyopathies. Danicamtiv is a myosin activator that is currently under investigation for use in cardiomyopathy patients. Our study is the first detailed mechanism of how Danicamtiv increases force and alters kinetics of cardiac activation and relaxation. This new understanding of the mechanism of action of Danicamtiv can be used to help identify patients that could benefit most from this treatment.
Inventory of insects damaging the plants of rice and vectors of diseases in the irrigated area of Bugorhe in Kabare district in the South Kivu Province in East of Democratic Republic of Congo

The study of the insects damaging the crops and vectors of diseases of rice culture in the marshy high land of Bugorhe area in Kabare district in South Kivu province in the East of Democratic Republic of Congo was conducted from August 2012 to December 2013 on the different phases of development of the culture. Samples were collected by means of a harvest spider and a suction device after each three days for a period of three cultural seasons. Information relating to the incidence of insects, frequency and the density of destruction of plants were recorded. The methods of observation and triangulation were adopted at random to select the lots of rice and collect insects. To identify insects, all keys were adopted. Other keys as for comparing species between them, were resorted to determine the number of insects studied, we resorted to the International Rice Research Institute Key. As result we have come up to notice: Insects damaging plants vary in number and quality of the different stages of the growth of rice culture.36 Species of insects have been recorded distributed into 16 families mainly Thripidae, pentatomydae, Coeidae, Cecidomyidae, Diopsidae, Pyralidae, Noctuidae, Acridoidae, Alididae, Delphacidae, Cynipidae, Coccinellidae, Chrysamelidae, Meloidae, Cynipidae, Scarabeidae and 7orders suck as Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Orthoptera, Thysanoptera, and Heteroptera. All the varieties of rice were attacked by the diseases of Bacteriosis, Pyriculariosis and the Rice Yellow Monttle Virus (RYMV) at the different stages of development of the plant. Species suck Nephottetis spp, are reported to be responsible of the Rice Yellow Mottle Virus (RYMV) and the bacteria as Pseudomonas fuscovaginae and the fugus sarocladium oryzae causes different forms of bacteriosis observed in the rice culture in Bugorhe area.
Efficacy of Indigenous Plant Materials and Modified Storage Structures to Insect Pests of Maize Seed During On-Farm Storage

Four different modified storage structures such as bamboo mat with mud plastering, jute bag with inner plastic lining, metal bins and kuniyu (control treatment) were evaluated for their suitability for maize seed storage for eleventh months in 2001 at Rising Patan (450 m asl) and Budhakot (911 m asl) of western Nepal. Forty adults maize weevils ( Sitophilus zeamays Mostachusky) per storage structures were inoculated before treating them with individual plant materials and chemical pesticides. Plant materials and safe chemical pesticides such as timur ( Xanthophylum sp.) 25 g/kg, bojho ( Acorus calamusI L.) 50 g/kg, common salt 50 g/ kg, acetallic super 1 mg/kg and aluminum phosphide 0.5 tab/10 kg (chemical check) were applied in the individual treatments. The experiments were evaluated into factorial design. Quality assessment and insect pests infestation of maize seeds in storage structures have revealed, metal bin and jute bag with inner plastic lining were the best storage structures. Metal bin was found superior in terms of its ability to give 91% germination within six months of storage followed by jute bag (88 %) and bamboo mat (73.50%). Similarly, bojho has given very effective control to maize weevil, where the infestation was only 2.25% during the period of nine months of storage. In this regard, bojho can be recommended as effective plant material to control weevils at par with acetallic super, whereas, the common salt did not work at all. Key words: Bojho, germination, maize seed storage, maize weevil, storage structures J. Inst. Agric. Anim. Sci. 27:69-76 (2006)
Reproductive success and male traits in the spotless starling, Sturnus unicolor

9 Chapter 1. Reproductive Success and Male Traits in the Spotless Starling (S. unicolor): An Introduction.10 Sexual Selection.10 Sexually Selected Traits . 13 Conspicuous Colouration.13 UV Reflectance.16 Long Feathers.18 Song . 19 Green Nesting Material . 21 Multiple Sexually Selected Traits.23 Reproductive Success.25 Molecular methods for parentage analysis . 26 The Spotless Starling, Sturnus unicolor Temminck . 27 Aims . 31 Chapter 2. Acquiring Microsatellites via Cross-species Amplification and Direct Isolation from Spotless Starlings (Sturnus unicolor). 33 Introduction.33 Materials and Methods . 34 Results . 37 Discussion . 42