Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Degradation kinetics of trisaccharides comprised of glucose residues in subcritical water

ABSTRACT Degradation kinetics of three trisaccharides, i.e., maltotriose, isomaltotriose, and panose, in subcritical water at 190, 200, 220, and 240°C were studied and compared. Irreversible, first-order reaction for each step of the degradation was applied to evaluate the rate constants for trisaccharide, disaccharide, and monosaccharide degradations. Estimation of reaction rate constants indicated that the overall degradation rates decreased in the following order: maltotriose > panose > isomaltotriose; therefore, it could be concluded that α-1,4-glycosidic bond is more easily cleaved than α-1,6-glycosidic bond in subcritical water. The temperature dependency for rate constants could be described by the Arrhenius equation. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
A computational tool for investigating mechanistic relationships in the colon-diet-flora complex

A computational tool for investigating mechanistic relationships in the colon-diet-flora complex Arun S. Moorthy Advisor University of Guelph, 2015 Prof. Hermann J. Eberl The composition of the microflora inhabiting the colon and its affect on health has been a topic of international and cross-disciplinary interest for the better part of this century. With the advance of laboratory experiment and data acquisition techniques, there exists an excess of observation-based hypotheses circulating the gut literature. Many of these hypotheses have limited mechanistic evidence due to significant variability in methods and results. The general costs of experimentation make systematic and repeated investigation for improved reliability challenging. The compuGUT is a simulation tool developed to aid in the construction of mechanistic understanding underlying the interactions of intestinal microflora and their physical environment. It can be used to test existing hypotheses, evaluate contradictory claims, and suggest novel mechanisms. In this thesis I describe: (1) The construction of the underlying deterministic models, (2) the development and analysis of the compuGUT as a software tool, and (3) preliminary simulation investigations with potential biological implications, through the presentation of published and unpublished manuscripts and communications. The compuGUT is an important development in promoting a modeling-experimental iterative approach to studying intestinal microbiota. It will guide detailed investigation of the microbiota, its interactions, and its affects on health. Dedicated to my sister Thulasi. For never hesitating to lend a helping shoulder.
Growth of eucalyptus seedlings irrigated with different wastewaters

This study aimed to evaluate the growth of two species and one eucalyptus hybrid irrigated with different wastewaters. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse in a completely randomized split-plot experimental design with three replications. The effluent included: Urban source, beef cattle slaughterhouse, poultry/swine slaughterhouse and soy processing/dairy plant from the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). In the subplot, the wastewater was diluted to the concentrations of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%. In the subplot, two species (Eucalyptus citriodora and Eucalyptus urophylla) and a eucalyptus hybrid (Eucalyptus urophylla x Eucalyptus grandis) were tested. The following physiological attributes were evaluated: mortality, root area, leaf area, stem diameter, plant height, green matter mass and dry matter weight. The results showed that the water from the beef cattle slaughterhouse WWTP, at 50% concentration, impaired growth of genotypes and promoted higher mortality values. As the concentrations of the four wastewater types increased, there was a significant variation for all characteristics except for: leaf area, plant height and dry matter weight with the soy processing/dairy WWTP water. The tested waters might be used in seedling irrigation of the two Eucalyptus plant species and the hybrid. Key words: Sewage sludge, water reuse, seedling production.
Larvicidal Activity of Medicinal Plant Extracts Against Culex Quinquefasciatus Say and Aedes Aegypti L. Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae)

The aim of the present study was to assess the larvicidal activity of medicinal plant extracts against Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti larvae. Three solvents viz., hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol were used to prepare the extracts from shade dried leaves of five medicinal plants viz., Aegle marmelos, Limonia acidissima, Sphaeranthus indicus, Sphaeranthus amaranthoides and Chromolaena odorata. The results of larvicidal activity clearly showed that the hexane extract of L. acidissima was the most potent larvicide among five different plant extracts screened against both vector mosquitoes. The LC50 and LC90 values of L. acidissima hexane extract were 101.51, 313.56 ppm and 136.82, 325.07 ppm, respectively against Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti larvae. The hexane extract of L. acidissima could be used in integrated mosquito control programme.
Rapid and specific detection of luminous and non-luminous Vibrio harveyi isolates by PCR amplification

Vibrio harveyi is the major causal organism of luminous vibriosis, which causes potential devastation to diverse ranges of marine invertebrates over a wide geographical area. These microorganisms, however, are extremely difficult to identify because they are phenotypically diverse. Biochemical identification techniques involve many tests which may be time-consuming and expensive. The development and sustainability of shrimp aquaculture industry requires a simple, fast and reliable technique for species-specific identification of V. harveyi in order to control it effectively. The present communication describes a simple, cost-effective and rapid PCR-based and species-specific detection technique to facilitate early detection and identification of luminous and non-luminous V. harveyi isolates. Many of these isolates are also resistant to multiple antibiotics such as ampicillin, chloramphenicol, nalidixic acid, rifampin, polymyxin-B, trimethoprim and penicillin.
Call-response surveys to monitor marsh bird population trends

Most marsh birds are inconspicuous, occupy dense habitats, and are difficult to detect by sight or vocalization. They are seldom recorded by local or national monitoring efforts, such as the United State Geological Survey's Breeding Bird Survey. Taped call-response surveys can increase the detection rates of secretive birds such as American bitterns (Botaurus lentiginosus), pied-billed grebes (Podilymbus podiceps), soras (Porzana carolina), and Virginia rails (Rallus limicola). Using tape-playback calls, we demonstrated that the sample size required to effectively establish a monitoring program to detect a 5% population change in 5 secretive marsh-bird species over a 5-year period was 24 stations for American bitterns, 28 for least bitterns, 31 for pied-billed grebes, 27 for soras, and 13 for Virginia rails.
Antibody microarray as a proteomic tool for effective diagnosis and prediction of prognosis in cancer

Effective prediction of diagnosis and prognosis in cancer is an important step for selection of a suitable treatment regimen. In this dissertation, the importance of using antibody microarray for effective diagnosis and prognosis of cancer was studied using bladder and gastric cancers. In the first part of study, establishment of a protein signature to predict recurrence of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer was aimed at. Antibodies against cancer-related proteins were spotted and proteins from recurrent and non-recurrent non-muscle invasive bladder cancer tissues incubated. The protein profiles of the samples were analyzed for statistical significance and differential expression of proteins among the cancer groups. After a series of analysis using bioinformatic tools, a 20 protein-signature predicting recurrence of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer was identified along with important molecular mechanisms underlying recurrence. High grade gastric adenocarcinomas are often lethal with metastasis and frequent recurrence. The second study concentrated on more personalized cancer medicine by direct comparison of healthy controls and gastric adenocarcinoma tissues from the same patient. Antibody microarray was used to study the protein profiles of gastric cancer by incubating protein samples from healthy controls in tandem with the cancer protein from the same patient. Statistically and clinically significant proteins were identified including a 16 protein signature for betterment of individual-based cancer treatment regimen. Identified biomarkers included known therapeutic targets such as VEGFA, S100A9 and newly identified markers like OCLN and TIA1. The analyses on two cancer types revealed two different protein signatures with high specificity and sensitivity. Moreover, our findings were clinically relevant and superior to many other approved available methods for diagnosis and prognosis.
Influence of polyethylene glycol inclusion on growth performance and serum biochemistry of growing pigs fed on Acacia tortilis leaf meal.

iii Acknowledgements . v Dedication . vi List of Tables . x List of Figures . xi List of Appendices . xii CHAPTER 1: General Introduction . 1 1.1 Background . 1 1.3 Objectives . 4 1.4 Hypotheses . 5 1.5 References . 5 CHAPTER 2: Review of Literature . 10 2.
SYSTEMATIC IDENTIFICATION OF AFRICAN SAPINDACEAE USING DNA BARCODING *

Sapindaceae Jussieu is a family of flowering plants in the Order Sapindales. Members of the family exist as trees and shrubs, and tendril-bearing vines with about 140-150 genera and 1400-2000 species worldwide. They are economically, medicinally and aesthetically useful. This research aimed at exploring the diversity of Sapindaceae in West and Central Africa with particular emphasis on identification of the plant samples as well as generation of DNA barcodes with a view to sharing the DNA barcode sequence(s) in a public database. These were achieved following standard protocols. Extracted DNA samples (119) were deposited at the DNA Bank of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond and voucher specmens were deposited at the University of Lagos Herbarium, Lagos, Nigeria. Silica gel dried specimens yielded good quality DNA unlike the old dried herbarium leaf samples. DNA samples were sent to International Barcode of Life (IBOL) Centre in Guelph, Canada for analysis of the barcode region and sixty-nine (69) DNA barcodes were generated. Barcode data which was hinged on matK and rbcL sequence data have been deposited at the Barcode of Life database (BOLD) website and GenBank for public use. This research therefore forms a basis for further taxonomic work on the family Sapindaceae especially in Africa.
Studies in the Metabolism of Plant Cells

The respiratory activity and ionic balance of mitochondria isolated from carrot and beet tissues by differential centrifugation have been studied. The oxygen uptake of the mitochondria with different substrates was investigated. The mitochondria hold both cations and anions in concentrations greater than those in the supernatant. Experiments on the time of adjustment to a changed concentration of chloride in the supernatant solution have been used to calculate the diffusion constant of salt in the particle. On the assumption that most of the resistance to diffusion is in the surface membrane (thickness about 200 A), the apparent diffusion constant of chloride in the membrane was shown to be of the order of 10-1:> cm~/sec. This agrees with that found for heart muscle sarcosomes under similar conditions and is of the order expected in a ! ipo-protein membrane. The concentrations of mobile cations (Na + and K +) in the mitochondria are considerably greater than those in the supernatant. It is suggested that the internal concentrations are largely due to a Donnan equilibrium based on the immobile anions of the particle. Since no simple Donnan equilibrium will account for the simultaneous concentration of both mobile cations and mobile anions, it is suggested that the mobile anions might be accumulated by an accumulatory mechanism. The anion concentration difference between the inside and outside of the particles is of the order of magnitude to be expected if the electron carrier of· respiration were acting as the anion carrier of accumulation. The results are therefore not inconsistent with the em'lier hypotheses for the interdependence of the two processes. The results support the hypothesis that mitochondria are probably involved in electrolyte accumulation in plant cells and in secretion in animal cells such as those of the gastric mucosa.
Establishment of Scolytus schevyrewi Semenov (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in the Prairies: life cycle, hosts and impact

The banded elm bark beetle, Scolytus schevyrewi, was first observed in Canada in Alberta in 2006. In 2007, it was found in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The beetle's hosts include the American elm, Ulmus americana, and so, it has the potential to transmit Dutch elm disease, Ophiostoma ulmi and O. novo-ulmi. In order to learn about the biology of S. schevyrewi in the Prairies, the beetle was studied in six communities each year in Manitoba and Saskatchewan in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Baited sticky traps revealed that the adult flight period is from June until October, with a peak in late summer. Unbaited sticky traps and trap logs revealed that stressed Siberian elm, U. pumila, is the preferred host. Although S. schevyrewi larvae overwintered successfully, only 15% of the overwintering individuals emerged in the spring. The main impact of the invasive beetle is expected to be the killing of stressed Siberian elms. Such trees should be removed to avoid population outbreaks that might result in attacks on healthy Siberian and American
Fecal nitrogen and 2,6-diaminopimelic acid as indices to dietary nitrogen in white-tailed deer

Few controlled studies have been conducted to determine how accurately fecal nitrogen (FN) and fecal 2,6-diaminopimelic acid (FDAPA) track changes in diet quality. Additionally, it is assumed that gender does not influence either index and that tannin consumption does not influence FDAPA concentrations, but these assumptions have not been tested. We examined effects of gender and tannin consumption on FN and FDAPA under controlled experimental conditions. In one experiment, we fed white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) tannin-free experimental diets holding dietary energy constant but varying dietary nitrogen (DN) from 1.3 to 4.1%. Fecal nitrogen concentrations tracked changes in DN (P<0.01), but FDAPA did not (P=0.47). Gender did not influence either FN (P=0.56) or FDAPA (P=0.54). In a second experiment, we fed deer 6 experimental diets with 2 levels of DN and 3 levels of tannin in a factorial arrangement. Presence of tannins elevated FN concentrations (P<0.01); however, the effect was more pronounced for animals consuming high nitrogen diets. Fecal DAPA was influenced by DN (P<0.01), but not by tannin level (P=0.45). The apparent response of FDAPA to DN may have been related to dietary energy differences between the low and high nitrogen tannin diets. Fecal nitrogen may be a useful method to monitor DN, provided the potential confounding effects of tannins are recognized. While FDAPA may be a useful method to monitor dietary energy, it should not be used to monitor DN.
Régulation des cellules NK par le TGF-β

Les cellules NK sont des lymphocytes de l'immunite innee impliques dans la reconnaissance et l'elimination de cellules tumorales ou infectees par des pathogenes intracellulaires. La biologie des cellules NK est regulee par des facteurs intrinseques comme les facteurs de transcription ainsi que par des facteurs environnementaux comme les cytokines, produites en condition homeostatique ou inflammatoire. Certaines cytokines, comme l'IL-15, l'IL-12 ou l'IL-18 sont connues pour potentialiser les fonctions effectrices des cellules NK. L'IL-15, en activant la voie STAT5 permet, d'une part, d'assurer la survie des cellules NK et, d'autre part via la kinase mTOR, d'induire leur proliferation, d'augmenter leur metabolisme ainsi que leurs fonctions effectrices. D'autres cytokines comme le TGF-s sont connues pour inhiber les fonctions des cellules NK. Le TGF-s1 est une des cytokines les plus immunosuppressives du systeme immunitaire et, en etant secrete´ par differents types de cancers, il participe a` l'echappement tumoral. Depuis longtemps, les effets du TGF-s in vitro sont connus pour contrer ceux de l'IL-15. L'objectif de ce travail a ete´ d'etudier les effets du TGF-s sur la biologie des cellules NK. Nous avons observe´ que l'ajout de TGF-s, in vitro, induit un blocage rapide de l'activation de la voie mTOR par l'IL-15, que le TGF-s a des effets tres proches de ceux de la rapamycine, un inhibiteur specifique de mTOR et que, in vivo chez la souris, l'activation constitutive des voies de signalisation activees par le TGF-s induit un phenotype proche de celui de la deletion de mTOR dans les cellules NK
SÉLECTION DES CÔNES DE PINS À CROCHETS Pinus uncinata PAR LES BECS-CROISÉS DES SAPINS Loxia curvirostra DANS LES PYRÉNÉES

At the subalpine level in the Pyrenees, Common Crossbills Loxia curvirostra feed exclusively on seeds of Mountain Pines Pinus uncinata. Cones of this exclusive subalpine tree species present a characteristic thick distal end of their scales (hooks). When cones are ripening from August to December when they open, crossbills forage only on a limited number of trees. They pick up and remove the closed cones from the branches and extract seeds by prying apart scales. Morphological traits and seed number of cones selected by crossbills were compared to those of cones from surrounding unpredated trees. Crossbills preferred smaller cones with thinner hooks and more seeds, presumably to limit energy expenses and to increase feeding performance. Comparatively with Northern crossbills species, Parrot and Scottish Crossbills, feeding on smaller cones of Scot Pines, Common Crossbills in the Pyrenees feed on bigger cones with higher distal scale thickness, but have a smaller bill. Earlier ripening and opening of the cones of Mountain Pines (in late November, making avaible high energetic seeds early in winter) regarding to the cones of Scot Pines which shed their seeds in May in Northern Europe may explain that a stronger bill would not be advantageous in the Pyrenees. Phenology of cone ripening seems to be the main selective agent independent of the cone structure acting against a stronger bill. Nevertheless as cone traits are known to evolve in response to crossbill predation, selection by crossbills may favour Mountain Pines that produce larger cones with thicker hooks, and reciprocal adaptation may occur, cone structure driving selection on bill traits of Pyrenean crossbills (in comparison with Alpine crossbills feeding on other conifer species) in a coevolution process.
Production of novel vitamin D3 loaded lipid nanocapsules for milk fortification

ABSTRACT Lipid nanoparticles are carriers to improve stability, solubility, and efficacy of bioactive compounds. In this paper, novel vitamin D3 loaded lipid nanocapsules (LNC) were produced by phase inversion method. The produced nanocapsules were characterised by particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, and encapsulation load. LNC showed sizes in the range of 31.43 to 36.66 nm. Optimum LNC formulation was selected for further analysis (such as morphological study, analysis of chemical structure, release study, and sensory evaluation). Transmission electron microscopy revealed that particles had approximately spherical shape. The Fourier transform infrared spectra indicated that no adverse reactions occurred between vitamin D3 and lipid nanocapsules. About 9.6% of vitamin released in gastric simulated solution (pH: 1.2), which indicated that LNC can protect vitamin against acidic conditions. Sensory evaluation revealed the potential application of produced vitamin D3 loaded LNC for development of fortified milk.
Response of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars to late leaf spot disease (Passalora personata) under different sowing dates

Experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of date of sowing on groundnut cultivars against late leaf spot disease severity, defoliation, frequency and size of the leaf spot which revealed that all these aspects were significantly influenced by the date of sowing and crop varieties which directly affect the pod yield and test weight. The crop sown early on 25th June exhibited maximum mean late leaf spot disease severity (range 43.63 to 54.05%), defoliation (range, 17.22 to 22.30%), frequency (range, 1.32 to 1.78 / mm2) and size (range, 1.49 to 1.56 / mm2) and thereby gave reduced pod yield (range, 1225 to 1720 kg/ha) and test weight (28.66 to 32.97 g) followed by 10th July and 25th July. Among the groundnut cultivars, susceptible cv. JL 24 exhibited maximum mean disease severity (range, 35.94 to 54.05 %), defoliation (range, 11.61 to 22.30 %), frequency (range, 1.23 to 1.78 / mm2) and size (range, 1.26 to 1.56 / mm2), followed by TAG 24 and TG 26. However, LGN 1 exhibited least mean disease severity, defoliation, frequency and size with the highest pod yield (ranges, 1720 to 2332 kg/ha) and test weight (ranges, 32.97 to 38.59 g).
Soil influences on plant growth, floral density and nectar yield in three cultivars of mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium)

ABSTRACT Honey derived from the nectar of Leptospermum scoparium J.R. et G. Forst. Myrtaceae (mānuka) is a high-value product and there is considerable potential for economic growth in honey-growing regions of New Zealand through increased nectar yield from mānuka plantations. Leptospermum scoparium exhibits a significant amount of phenotypic plasticity throughout regions in New Zealand where it has established, although the influences on this plasticity are unknown. When assessing L. scoparium as a nectar source for honey in marginal land areas, the possible effect of soil on nectar chemistry and yield should be considered. We investigated whether phenological patterns of flowering, plant growth, nectar composition and nectar yield were influenced by soil composition. Three different cultivars of L. scoparium were grown on 10 different soils in glasshouse conditions. The soils chosen were representative of the range of New Zealand soils where mānuka is being considered as a commercial crop for the honey industry. ANOVA and general linear models revealed no significant effect of soils on nectar composition or production; however, significant but complex interactions between cultivars and soils influenced plant growth and flowering (P ≤ 0.05). Accordingly, the overall nectar yield was influenced by cultivar and soil interaction. Measured attributes of the soil such as cation exchange capacity, sulphate, iron, manganese, calcium and chloride were shown to influence the plant parameters assessed. Results allowed modelling of nectar potential against each soil type and established a mānuka soil index to determine the most appropriate soil for each cultivar. The results indicated that potential nectar yield increases will be dependent on cultivars being deployed according to the nature of the soil present. Furthermore, the mānuka cultivars displayed significantly greater growth in response to increased nutrients and some cultivars increased floral density, suggesting potential to improve nectar yield by greater plant growth using targeted fertilisation.