Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Virulence of Metarhizium isolates against the polyphagous defoliator pest, Spilarctia obliqua (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae).

SAPNA BAI N, SASIDHARAN TO, REMADEVI OK, RAJAN PD & BALACHANDER M. 2010. Virulence of Metarhizium isolates against the polyphagous defoliator pest, Spilarctia obliqua (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae). Species of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium are some of the most promising biocontrol agents against Lepidopteran pests. Laboratory bioassays were conducted to study the virulence of five isolates of Metarhizium sp. against larvae of the polyphagous pest, Spilarctia obliqua (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae). The Metarhizium isolates used in the study were recovered from soil and various insect hosts belonging to Lepidoptera, Coleoptera and Isoptera. Initially, a preliminary assay was carried out involving 18 Metarhizium isolates at a spore concentration 10" conidia ml"1 and five isolates, MIS 1, MIS 2, MIS 3, MIS 8 and MIS 9, which caused more than 50% mortality were chosen for the detailed bioassay. The assay was carried out with four different spore concentrations of each isolate, ranging from 104-107 conidia ml"1. The lethal concentration LC50 of these five isolates ranged from 2.1 x 105 to 38.9 x 105 conidia ml"1. The lethal time LT50of the isolates ranged from 7.0-8.1, 6.0-7.7, 5.1-6.7, 4.6-5.4 days at concentrations 1 x 104, 1 x 105, 1 x 106, 1 x 107 conidia ml"1 respectively. The most pathogenic among the five isolates was the MIS 2 isolate with the lowest LC50 of 2.11 x 105 conidia ml"1 and LT50 of 4.6, 5.1, 6.0 and 7.0 days respectively at concentrations 1 x 107, 1 x 106,1 x 105,1 x 104 conidia ml"1. Isolate MIS 3 was second in effectiveness. These two isolates showed promise for use as biocontrol agents against S. obliqua.
Genetic parameters for production traits and somatic cell scores estimated with a multiple trait random regression model in Italian Holsteins

INTRODUCTION In Italy a random regression (RR) test day (TD) model, analogous to the one adopted in Canada for breeding value estimation (Schaeffer et al., 2000), is under study for genetic evaluation of Holstein dairy cows. Italian and Canadian Holstein populations have similar size, and comparable selection objectives and recording systems. Nevertheless, in Italy, specific covariance parameters need to be estimated to be used in a RR TD model that will substitute the lactation model actually in use. The objectives of this study were: 1) the estimation of (co)variance parameters for production traits and somatic cell scores in Italian Holstein to be used in a national RR TD model; and 2) the comparison of TD RR (co)variance estimates from Italian and Canadian Holstein populations.
Activation and functional studies of the Type VI secretion systems in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a versatile and prevalent opportunistic pathogen. It encodes a large arsenal of pathogenicity factors, and secrets a plethora of proteins using specialised protein secretion systems. The type VI secretion system (T6SS) delivers proteins directly into neighbouring bacteria or eukaryotic cells using a mechanism homologous to the T4 bacteriophage tail spike. Three T6SS are encoded on the P. aeruginosa genome. The study of the H1-T6SS has been facilitated by the fact it can be activated by the manipulation of the RetS/Gac/Rsm regulatory cascade by deletion of retS. However, the precise signals required for activation of this cascade, resulting in H1-T6SS activation, are unknown. This work investigates the role of subinhibitory concentrations of antibiotics in activating the system, and shows that kanamycin is able to induce production of core H1-T6SS components. This activation requires a functional Gac/Rsm cascade, but it is not known if this is due to direct signalling via the cascade, or due to a dominant effect of RsmA repression. The H2-T6SS is characterized in this work. We highlight key differences between the H2-T6SS cluster in PAO1 and PA14, including the presence of additional core T6SS components and putative secreted effectors. A strain is generated in which expression of the PA14 H2-T6SS cluster can be activated and tightly controlled by arabinose inducible promoters. The activity of the promoters is confirmed by the H2-T6SS dependent secretion of Hcp2 specifically upon arabinose induction. We further consider two putative H2-T6SS secreted substrates, VgrG14 and Rhs14. Production of these proteins is observed following arabinose induction, but their secretion is not detected. The Rhs14 protein is characterised, and its possible role as a H2-T6SS dependent effector is discussed. Finally, the H2-T6SS system in PA14 is shown to inhibit the internalisation of P. aeruginosa PA14, in contrast to the previously published observations of the H2-T6SS promoting internalisation of PAO1.
Multimethod assessment of social-emotional competence in children with selective mutism

Selective mutism (SM) is a rare childhood anxiety disorder associated with significant psychosocial impairment. Despite the understanding that social-emotional functioning is essential to mental health and well-being, few studies to date have examined the social-emotional competencies of children with SM. The current study documents the social lives of 31 children aged 4 to 10 years old with SM through a multi-method assessment procedure. Specifically, the social-emotional competence of children with SM was assessed using (1) parent reports obtained in semi-structured interviews, (2) parent and teacher reports of social skills using established rating scales, and (3) multiple, direct measures of emotion recognition abilities using standardized norm-referenced assessments. This is one of the most extensive studies of the social-emotional competence in children with SM to date, and thus, contributes greatly to our understanding of this disorder. Consistent with previous research, parents and teachers in the current study reported that children with SM have “Below Average” social skills. A unique contribution of the present study is the finding that children with SM made more errors labelling the emotions depicted on child and adult faces compared to the normative sample, and tended to make the most errors on angry faces compared to happy faces on child and adult facial stimuli. Further, results from correlational analyses revealed that parent, but not teacher, ratings of poorer social skills were related to more emotion recognition errors, which is the first study to document a relationship between errors at various stages of social-information processing (i.e., encoding/interpreting facial stimuli and social skill problems). Results from the current study indicated that children with SM have problems in various areas of social-emotional competence that extend beyond our previous understanding of the disorder.
Income Inequality of Oil Palm Plasma Farmers in South Sumatra, Indonesia

One of the critical policies to encourage oil palm development in Indonesia is the Nucleus Estate Smallholders Project. This project involves engaging farmer organizations in operating and managing oil palm plantations. However, there are gaps in the organizational performance of plasma farmer cooperatives, which consequently affect oil palm productivity and farmersâ€™ welfare. This paper analyzes the income gaps among oil palm plasma farmers who are associated with state and private companies in Musi Banyuasin regency, South Sumatra, Indonesia. The results of the analysis show that the income of plasma farmers from the private company is higher than that of the state company plasma farmers. The type of nucleus company has a significant effect on the plasma farm householdsâ€™ income due to the differences in the organizational performance of the private- and state-sponsored cooperatives and the differences in the nucleus-plasma farmer relations. The cooperative that operates in a private company performs well, whereas the cooperative in a state company has ceased its operations. This research also found out that the number of household working members, income share from oil palm production, and land area have significant effects on the income of plasma farm households.
Muscarinic Receptor Subtypes in Smooth Muscle

Muscarinic Receptor Classification, M. Caulfield Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor Signaling Pathways in Smooth Muscle, R.A. J. Challiss and J.L. Blank Muscarinic Receptors and Gastrointestinal Smooth Muscle, F.J. Ehlert, E.A. Thomas, E.H. Gerstin, and M.T. Griffin Muscarinic Receptors and Genitourinary Smooth Muscle, R.M. Eglen and S.S. Hegde Prejunctional Muscarinic Receptors and Smooth Muscle, N. Watson Index
Enzymology of DHHC-mediated Protein S-Acylation

of the Dissertation ii Acknowledgements iv List of Figures and Tables vii Abbreviations ix Chapter 1: Introduction 1 Chapter 2: Development of Assays to Monitor DHHC-mediated Protein 24 S-acylation. Chapter 3: DHHC Protein S-Acyltransferases Use A Similar Ping-Pong 44 Kinetic Mechanism But Display Different Acyl-CoA Specificities. Chapter 4: 2-Bromopalmitate and 2-(2-Hydroxy-5-nitro-benzylidene)70 benzo[b]thiophen-3-one Inhibit DHHC-Mediated Palmitoylation In Vitro Chapter 5. Implications and Future Directions 100 Appendix: Characterization of DHHC9 in Ras Signaling and X-linked 111 Mental Retardation. References 121 Curriculum Vitae 137
Kadar Mineral Makro dalam Serum Kambing Peranakan Ettawa yang Secara Klinis Sehat (SERUM MACROMINERALS CONCENTRATIONS IN CLINICALLY HEALTHY ETTAWA CROSSBRED GOATS)

A study to evaluate the serum macrominerals status in clinically healthy Ettawa crossbred goatshave been carried out in order to obtain the baseline data for monitoring health condition. A total of 60Ettawa crossbred goats were used in the study. The demographic characteristics of the animals groupwere: (i) young male and female goats (5-8 months); (ii) adult male and female goats (1.5 – 4 years); (iii)pregnant, and (iv) lactating animals. The serum macrominerals concentrations were within the referencestatus of other small ruminant species. The mean calcium (Ca), potassium (K), and chloride (Cl)concentrations were not significantly difference (P>0.05) between the animals groups. The Na concentrationof adult female goats was 139.33 ± 1.94mmol/L and was significantly lower compared to the animals inthe other groups (P<0.05). The inorganic phosphor (Pi) concentrations in pregnant and lactating animalswere significantly lower (P<0.05) compared to that in young, adult, male and female goats. The macromineralsconcentration in serum was influence by the physiological status of the animals.
Fertilization and Supplementation Strategies for Steers Grazing Smooth Bromegrass Pastures

A 5-year study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different grazing and supplementation strategies on both cattle and pasture performance utilizing yearling steers grazing smooth bromegrass pastures. Forty-five steers were used each year for a total of 225 animals in a RCBD. The supplemented group received 0.6% of BW in dry distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) pellets daily and were stocked at 9.9 AUM/ha (SUPP). Steers receiving no supplement but grazing pastures fertilized in the spring with 90 kg N/ha were also stocked at 9.9 AUM/ha (FERT). Non-supplemented cattle grazing non-fertilized pastures were stocked at 6.8 AUM/ha (CONT). Paddock was the experimental unit and was replicated 3 times per year. Paddocks were blocked by location and rotationally grazed. Put-and-take cattle were used to maintain similar grazing pressure among the different treatment paddocks. In-vitro DM digestibility of forage samples declined quadratically over the grazing season (P < 0.01) while CP content and forage production showed cubic responses (P < 0.05) over the grazing season. Forage production was greatest for the FERT paddocks, intermediate for SUPP paddocks, and least for CONT paddocks (P < 0.01). The UIP content averaged 2.03% of DM and varied between 2.89 and 1.55% of DM. There were no differences between 35 fertilized and unfertilized samples (P = 0.79). Final BW was increased for SUPP steers compared to both FERT and CONT steers (P < 0.01). Over the grazing season, ADG declined as forage quality declined. As ADG declined, the extra gain of the SUPP steers over both FERT and CONT steers increased. Stocking rates were greater for SUPP pastures compared to non-fertilized pastures because of increased forage production and replacement of approximately 0.79 kg of forage for each 1 kg of supplement fed. Dried distillers grains can be used to increase yearling steer performance while grazing smooth bromegrass pastures.
Construction of orthogonal designs and baseline designs

In this thesis, we study the construction of designs for computer experiments and for screening experiments. We consider the existence and construction of orthogonal designs, which are a useful class of designs for computer experiments. We first establish a non-existence result on orthogonal designs, generalizing an early result on orthogonal Latin hypercubes, and then present some construction results. By computer search, we obtain a collection of orthogonal designs with small run sizes. Using these results and existing methods in the literature, we create a comprehensive catalogue of orthogonal designs for up to 100 runs. In the rest of the thesis, we study designs for screening experiments. We propose two classes of compromise designs for estimation of main effects using two-level fractional factorial designs under baseline parameterization. Previous work in the area indicates that orthogonal arrays are more efficient than one-factor-at-a-time designs whereas the latter are better than the former in terms of minimizing the bias due to non-negligible interactions. Using efficiency criteria, we examine a class of compromise designs, which are obtained by adding runs to one-factor-at-a-time designs. A theoretical result is established for the case of adding one run. For adding two or more runs, we develop a complete search algorithm for finding optimal compromise designs. We also investigate another class of compromise designs, which are constructed from orthogonal arrays by changing some ones to zeros in design matrices. We then use a method of complete search for small run sizes to obtain optimal compromise designs. When the complete search is not feasible, we propose an efficient, though incomplete, search algorithm.
Stimulation of thrombocytopoiesis decreases platelet β2 but not β1 or β3 integrins

The expression of CD29, CD61, CD18 and CD11a on platelets was examined by flow cytometry in mice treated with leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) or megakaryocyte growth and development factor (PEG‐rHuMGDF or mpl‐ligand). Treatment for 7–14 d with PEG‐rHuMGDF or LIF increased the number of platelets in peripheral blood from 0.9 up to <2.0×106/μl. These treatments decreased the expression of CD11a and CD18, whereas that of CD29 or CD61 was not markedly changed. Study after various doses or times of PEG‐rHuMGDF administration indicated that a decrease of CD18 expression occurred when platelet counts started to rise. Platelet RNA content was increased in mice treated with PEG‐rHuMGDF but double staining indicated that expression of CD18 was not correlated with RNA content. To evaluate integrin expression as a function of time in circulation, platelets were biotinylated in vivo. In normal or PEG‐rHuMGDF‐treated mice, the expression of CD29 or CD61 did not change, whereas that of CD18 decreased significantly as a function of time in circulation. These findings indicate, firstly, that stimulation of thrombocytopoiesis leads to the release of platelets with a low content of β2 integrin and, secondly, that this integrin is also selectively lost while in the circulation.
Foraging Preference of Apis cerana F. and Apis mellifera L. to Broccoli under Caged and Open Conditions in Chitwan

A study was conducted to evaluate foraging behavior of Apis cerana F. and A. mellifera L. in broccoli blooms under caged and open conditions in Chitwan, Nepal during 1999-2000. The study showed that both the bee species preferred open plot for foraging and A. cerana F. foraged significantly (P < 0.05) higher number of broccoli flowers (an average of 11.39 and 12.11 flowers per minute) as compared to A. mellifera L. (an average of 9.03 and 10.89 flowers per minute) under caged and open conditions, respectively. The number of bees foraging per plant was not significantly different, showing broccoli bloom equally preferable to both honeybee species. Key words: Apis cerana F. , A. mellifera L. , foraging, broccoli blooms, open and caged plots J. Inst. Agric. Anim. Sci. 26:167-168 (2005)
Patient Experience of Kneeling Ability Following Knee Arthroplasty - A Preliminary Study of a Kneeling-Specific Questionnaire.

Background: Kneeling after knee replacement is an underemphasized functional outcome and one that can be significantly altered by surgery. To better understand patient experience of kneeling, we set out to create a novel questionnaire. Materials and Methods: We identified 162 sequential patients (80 Total, 82 Partial knee replacements). All had a minimum follow up of 12 months. Results: 84 questionnaires were returned (45 TKR, 39 PKR). 60% TKR and 69% PKR patients reported some form of kneeling ability. If achieved, kneeling was rarely possible before 7 months. 65% of all patients who could kneel reported comfortable kneeling on hard surfaces such as concrete. 10% of all patients completely lost ability to kneel. Lost kneeling significantly impacted on employment opportunities and quality life. Conclusion: Patients are concerned about kneeling and the potential impacts on quality of life and employment should be discussed during the consent process along with the approximate time scales for re-achieving kneeling and surfaces upon which this may be possible.
Description et distinction des larves et des exuvies de Rhynocoris albopilosus Signoret (Heteroptera: Reduviidae)

L’objectif de cette etude est la reconnaissance des differents stades larvaires de Rhynocoris albopilosus. La description des larves et des exuvies a portee sur la coloration des differentes parties du corps, la presence de structures caracteristiques a chaque stade et la mesure de divers caracteres morphologiques. Les resultats ont permis d’etablir une cle d’identification des stades larvaires de R. albopilosus.
Identification and characterization of cold-responsive genes in perennial ryegrass

Freezing tolerance can be dramatically increased by a period of cold ac limation in perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne L.). To understand the mechanisms of cold acclimation and freezing tolerance in L. perenne, a microarray study was implemented by using total RNA from cold-acclimated and nonacclimated L. perenne to hybridize with Affymetrix barley gene chips. Our results indicate that selection of proper background correction and normalization method is critical for a cross-species microarray stud . By using a specific three-step normalization method, a total of 2,870 (12.6%) genes out of approximately 22,000 genes on the barley gene chip were identified as differentially regul at d by either 1 or 7 d of cold acclimation. Quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR) ana lysis confirmed that the expression patterns of fourteen selected genes are consistent with the si gnal intensity patterns observed in the microarray study, supporting the validity of the crossspecies microarray. Gene ontology analysis of differentially regulated genes indicates that different biological processes, cellular components and molecular functions responded dif ferently to cold acclimation in observable temporal patterns.
Evaluation of Yield and nutritive value of Alternanthera brasiliana at various stages of growth as a potential fodder for ruminants in the tropics

This study evaluated the potential yield and nutritive value of Alternenthera brasiliana (A.brasiliana) at differentstages of growth as fodder for ruminants in the tropics. A.brasiliana was established in a school plot in acompletely randomized block design with three replications and were harvested at 4, 8 and 12 weeks of growth.Results revealed that dry matter (DM) yield increased significantly (p < 0.05) with maturity, ranging from 0.47 to2.52 t/ha for 4 - 12 weeks respectively. The crude protein (CP) yield increased significantly from 0.03 -0.16 t/hain 4 – 12 week-old A.brasiliana respectively. Result of nutrient composition revealed that DM increasedsignificantly with age, ranging between 23.91 and 20.17 % in 12 week old stem and leaf plus stem respectively.The CP content decreased significantly from 4-12 week-old A.brasiliana. Highest CP (22.83 %) was obtained in 4week-old leaf, while the lowest (8.83 %) was obtained in 12 week-old stem. The neutral detergent fibre increasedsignificantly with maturity, recording the highest (66.81 %) in 12 week old stem and lowest (38.24 %) in 4 weekold leaf. Macro and micro minerals contents differed significantly (p<0.05). The mineral concentration of all partsdecreased with maturity. Leaf contained higher concentrations of macro and micro elements than other partsexcept for potassium that is highest in the stem. Anti-nutrients content was not significant, although the valuesobtained here are safe for animal consumption It can be concluded that Alternenthera brasiliana has potential asforage in animal nutrition in this region, as it contained adequate nutrients to meet the requirements ofruminants in the tropics. This research will go ahead to ensile A.brasiliana and feed to ruminant animals.
Phospholipids delay crystallisation of milk fat.

Differential scanning calorimetry studies demonstrated that isothermal crystallisation at 22 degrees C and non-isothermal crystallisation onset of anhydrous milk fat added 0.2 w/w% milk phosholipid were postponed compared to anhydrous milk fat without addition. Furthermore, pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance measurements also showed that addition of milk phospholipid to anhydrous milk fat delays crystallisation, since the increase in solid fat content was slower at isothermal crystallisation at 22 degrees C. To explain the mechanism responsible for delayed crystallisation of milk fat when phospholipid is added, small angle time resolved synchroton x-ray diffraction was used. The control sample started crystallizing in double lamellar structure of 46.3 angstrom followed by triple lamellar structure of 36.5 angstrom and 72.9 angstrom while the double lamellar structure of 46.3 angstrom was not present in milk fat added phospholipid. This indicates that the initial formation of a metastable double lamellar structure is inhibited by phospholipids, and this is a responsible mechanism for delaying of milk fat crystallisation in the presence of phospholipids.