Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CD82 Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cell - Niche Adhesion

The spatial organization and dynamics of proteins and lipids within the cell membrane is important for the regulation of cell signaling, adhesion, and cell communication. Within the bone marrow niche, communication between hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) and niche cells is essential for regulating their proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Our previous work has ascertained that HSPCs utilize a polarized domain on the plasma membrane that serves as the contact site with osteoblasts, which are important members of the bone marrow niche. Using human primary CD34+ stem/progenitor cells and the progenitor-like KG1a cell line, we found this domain to be enriched in the specific tetraspanin proteins, CD63, CD81, and CD82. Tetraspanins are multi-spanning membrane proteins that act as scaffolds for the organization of membrane domains important for regulating adhesion and signaling. CD82 is of particular interest, as it is highly expressed on HSPCs and downregulated during HSPC differentiation. Our characterization of CD82 function using CD82blocking antibodies revealed a significant decrease in adhesion of HSPCs to niche cells as well as in the in vivo homing and engraftment capabilities of these cells. To determine the molecular mechanisms of CD82’s role in adhesion, we have generated CD82
Spatial Information Modulates the Neurocognitive Dynamics of Episodic Autobiographical Memory Retrieval

Episodic autobiographical memory (EAM) enables reliving past experiences, recalling the sensory information associated with that event. Spatial information is thought to play an early and important role in EAM, contributing to the dynamics of retrieval. Using a combination of behavioural, neuroimaging, and neurostimulation approaches, this dissertation aimed to examine the temporal dynamics of EAM and the role spatial information plays in its retrieval. Chapter 2 demonstrated a temporal precedence for spatial information at the behavioural level, but importantly found high individual variability in early recall of spatial information. Further, individual differences in spatial aspects of EAM were reflected in hippocampal and precuneus grey matter volumes. Chapter 3 examined the temporal dynamics of EAM at the neural level using magnetoencephalography (MEG). While cueing individuals with familiar locations altered the dynamics of retrieval, it did not confer an early neural advantage. Together with the findings from Chapter 2, these results indicate that early spatial information alters the dynamics of EAM retrieval, but does not play a ubiquitous or automatic role in EAM. This study also found that spatial perspective during EAM retrieval was associated with a well-established neural component of episodic memory recollection. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) administered to the precuneus disrupted this association, demonstrating that this region is crucially involved in neural processing of spatial perspective during EAM. In Chapter 4, I
Antimicrobial Activity of Drosera rotundifolia L.

Droseracae spp. is widely used in folk medicine. In the present study, the antimicrobial activities of the four Drosera rotundifolia L. (D8.11, D15.12, 18.10, 8.11) samples were investigated. The antimicrobial activities were determined by using agar disc diffusion method against grampositive bacteria ( Bacillus thurigiensis, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes ) and gramnegative bacteria ( Yersinia enterocolitica, Salmonella enteritidis ). The results of the disk diffusion method showed very different activity against all tested strains of microorganisms. The best antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extract Drosera rotundifolia L. against Salmonella enteritidis was found at Drosera rotundifolia (D8.11).
THE EFFECT OF TEA AND COFFEE ON THE COLOR STABILITY OF BULK AND INCREMENTAL FILL RESIN COMPOSITE

Objective: Two types of tea and coffee were selected to examine the color stability of bulk fill and incremental fill resin composite after storage for one and seven days. Materials and methods: A total of 150 resin composite discs (Filtek™ Z350), bulk fill (Xtra-fil) and (Filtek bulk) were prepared using a cylindrical mold (2x4). Ten specimens of each restorative material were left in distilled water for one day to be used for baseline color assessment. Then each tested material where either placed in black coffee, black tea, lemon ice tea or coffee milk beverages for one day or seven days inside an incubator at 36±1 °C. The relative spectral reflectance of each specimen was assessed using a spectrophotometer after storage in these beverages. Results: Kruskal-Wallis statistical test showed that there is a statistically significant difference between the three tested restorative materials after storage for one day and after 7 days in all the storage beverages where (p < 0.05). At the two aging periods, Z350 showed the statistically significant highest ΔE, X-tra fil showed the lowest statistically significant ΔE, while there was no statistically significant difference in the mean values of ΔE of Filtek bulk and these two materials. Regarding the effect of storage beverages on each restorative material at the two storage periods, black tea caused the highest statistically significant ΔE, while coffee milk caused the lowest statistically significant ΔE in the three tested resin composite.
Exploring the biofilm of Streptococcus agalactiae to identify virulence factors

Streptococcus agalactiae, also known as Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is the primary colonizer of the anogenital mucosa of up to 40% of healthy women and an important cause of invasive neonatal infections worldwide. Among the 10 known capsular serotypes, GBS type III accounts for 30-76% of the cases of neonatal meningitis. Biofilms are dense aggregates of surface-adherent microorganisms embedded in an exopolysaccharide matrix. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 65% of human bacterial infections involve biofilms (Post et al., 2004). In recent years, the ability of GBS to form biofilm attracted attention for its possible role in fitness and/or virulence. Here, a new in vitro biofilm formation protocol was developed to guarantee more stringent conditions, to better discriminate between strong-, low- and non- biofilm forming strains and reduce ambiguous data interpretation. This protocol was applied to screen the in vitro biofilm formation ability of more than 350 GBS clinical isolates from pregnant women and neonatal infections belonging to different serotype, in relation to media composition and pH. The results showed the enhancement of GBS biofilm formation in acidic condition and identified a subset of isolates belonging to serotypes III and V that forms strong biofilms in these conditions. Interestingly, the best biofilm formers belonged to the serotype III hypervirulent clone ST-17.It was also found that pH 5.0 induces down-regulation of the capsule but that this reduction is not enough by itself to ensure biofilm formation. Moreover, the ability of proteinase K to strongly inhibit biofilm formation and to disaggregate mature biofilms suggested that proteins play an essential role in promoting GBS biofilm formation and contribute to the biofilm structural stability. Finally, a set of proteins potentially expressed during the GBS in vitro biofilm formation were identified by mass spectrometry.
Comparison between email and twitter as knowledge platforms in small South African businesses located in the Western Cape

iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . iv LIST OF CONTENTS . v LIST OF FIGURES . ix LIST OF TABLES . x ABBREVIATIONS . xi CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . 10 1.1 Background . 12 1.2 The Research Problem . 14 1.3 Motivation for the Research Study . 14 1.4 Research Paradigm . 16 1.5 Research Approach . 16 1.6 Research Design . 17 1.7 Data Collection Methods . 17 1.8 Data Analysis Methods . 17 1.9 The Research Purpose of the Study . 18 1.10 Chapter Conclusion . 19 CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE . 21 2.1 Citation Management and Reference Method. 22 2.2 Literature Review Approach . 22 2.3 Knowledge Sharing . 22 2.3. 1 Knowledge sharing: an international perspective . 28 2.3. 2 Knowledge sharing: a South African perspective . 29 2.3. 3 Knowledge sharing: an organisational perspective . 31 2.4 Organisational Culture . 33 2.5 Traditional Knowledge Sharing Platforms. 34 2.6 Alternative Knowledge Sharing Platforms . 36 2.7 Micro-blogs . 38 2.7. 1 Micro-blogging as knowledge sharing platform . 39 2.7. 2 Twitter . 39
Later-life Effects of Mitochondrial DNA Damage During Development in the Whole Organism Model Caenorhabditis elegans

Later-life Effects of Mitochondrial DNA Damage During Development in the Whole Organism Model Caenorhabditis elegans by Maxwell C. K. Leung Environment Duke University Date:_______________________ Approved: ___________________________ Joel N. Meyer, Supervisor ___________________________ Shawn Ahmed ___________________________ Jonathan H. Freedman ___________________________ David E. Hinton An abstract of a dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Environment in the Graduate School of Duke University 2012 Copyright by Maxwell C. K. Leung 2012
Screening of taurine and crossbred breeding bulls for A1/A2 variants of β-casein gene

Amongst the 13 known allelic variants of b-casein gene, A1 and A2 are reported to be the most common forms in dairy cattle. A1 allele of β-casein has been implicated as a risk factor to several health disorders in human beings whereas milk with A2 allele, β-casein is considered safe for human consumption. Different studies in recent past have shown widespread presence of β-casein A1 allele in European Bos taurus cattle. In our country, extensive use of taurine germplasm under genetic improvement program could disseminate such undesirable allele in Indian native cattle breeds. The present study targeted several exotic (51 Holstein Friesian, 40 Jersey) and crossbred (89) bulls approved for genetic improvement programmes in India so as to determine their existing status of A1/A2. The frequency data indicated predominance of the desirable A2 allele across all cattle types studied with a mean frequency of 0.645. Among the genotypes, A1A2 was more common in Holstein Friesian and Jersey while A2A2 was at higher frequency in the crossbreds. The study suggested that screening of all breeding bulls for their A1/A2 variant status would be a promising way to check the flow of undesirable alleles in our native breeds. The study also revealed that moderate to high frequency of A2 allele among the crossbred bulls further favours the current belief that milk being marketed in India is safe for human consumption.
GLOBAL-SCALE ANALYSIS OF THE DYNAMIC TRANSCRIPTIONAL ADAPTATIONS WITHIN SKELETAL MUSCLE DURING HYPERTROPHIC GROWTH

OF DISSERTATION GLOBAL-SCALE ANALYSIS OF THE DYNAMIC TRANSCRIPTIONAL ADAPTATIONS WITHIN SKELETAL MUSCLE DURING HYPERTROPHIC GROWTH Skeletal muscle possesses remarkable plasticity in responses to altered mechanical load. An established murine model used to increase mechanical load on a muscle is the surgical removal of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, thereby placing a functional overload on the plantaris muscle. As a consequence, there is hypertrophic growth of the plantaris muscle. We used this model to study the molecular mechanisms regulating skeletal muscle hypertrophy. Aged skeletal muscle demonstrates blunted hypertrophic growth in response to functional overload. We hypothesized that an alteration in gene expression would contribute to the blunted hypertrophic response observed with aging. However, the difference in gene expression was modest, with cluster analysis showing a similar pattern of expression between the two groups. Despite ribosomal protein gene expression being higher in the aged group, ribosome biogenesis was significantly lower in aged compared with young skeletal muscle in response to the hypertrophic stimulus (50% versus 2.5-fold, respectively). The failure to fully up-regulate pre-47S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) expression in old skeletal muscle undergoing hypertrophy indicated ribosomal DNA transcription by RNA polymerase I was impaired. Contrary to our hypothesis, the findings of the study suggest that impaired ribosome biogenesis was a primary factor underlying the blunted hypertrophic response observed in old skeletal muscle rather than dramatic differences in gene expression. As it appears ribosomal biogenesis may limit muscle hypertrophy, we assessed the dynamic changes in global transcriptional output during muscle hypertrophy, as the majority of global transcription is dedicated to ribosome biogenesis during periods of rapid growth. Metabolic labeling of nascent RNA using 5-ethynyl uridine permitted the assessment of cell type specific changes in global transcription and how this transcription is distributed within the myofiber. Using this approach, we demonstrate that myofibers are the most transcriptionally active cell-type in skeletal muscle, and furthermore, myonuclei are able to dramatically upregulate global transcription during muscle hypertrophy. Interestingly, the myonuclear accretion that occurs with hypertrophy actually results in lower transcriptional output across nuclei within the muscle fiber relative to sham conditions. These findings argue against the notion that nuclear accretion in skeletal muscle is necessary to increase the transcriptional capacity of the cell in order to support a growth response.
Control of speckled leaf blotch of wheat with fungicides

Two field trials were conducted in autumn-sown wheat cv. Domino, which is highly susceptible to speckled leaf blotch, in Central and South Canterbury. Eighteen fungicide treatments were applied at two growth stages (tillering and ear emergence) at the manufacturer’s recommended rates. Severity of speckled leaf blotch and other diseases was assessed on several occasions. Speckled leaf blotch was severe in the South Canterbury trial, but only low levels of the disease were recorded in the central Canterbury trial. Most fungicides reduced disease severity and increased yield, especially in the South Canterbury trial, where disease pressure was highest and yield increases greater than 30% were recorded. The second fungicide application appeared to provide most of the increase in yield. The increases in thousand grain weights following fungicide applications contributed approximately one-third of the total yield increases in the South Canterbury trial and half in the
Effect of supplementation of diets with BMD and Virginiamycin on the growth performance, carcass characteristics and bacterial population in broiler chickens

Broiler chicks of a commercial strain were fed diets containing Bacitracin Methylene Disalicylate @150 g and 200 g/MT and Virginiamycin 500g/MT feed upto 6 weeks of age to evaluate their effects on growth, feed efficiency, carcass characteristics and bacterial population (Salmonella and E. coli). Both BMD and virginiamycin significantly increased (P<0.01) the body weight gains as compare to the control and also improve the feed conversion ratio. The carcass characteristics showed the highest edible weight was recorded in treatment IV where virginiamycin @ 500g/MT feed was incorporated (76.86%), followed by treatment III (71.92%), treatment II (71.41%) and the lowest (70.68) in control (T-I). The sample of excreta collected during II, IV and VI week of experiment did not show any incidences of Salmonella in any treatment groups, however, the excreta of six week in all the treatment groups showed the incidences of E. coli.
Liquid swine manure for the control of Meloidogyne javanica(Treub) Chitwood

Heck, D. W. , I. Santos, R. Dallemole-Giaretta, and E. A. Lopes. 2014. Liquid swine manure for the control of Meloidogyne javanica (Treub) Chitwood. Nematropica 44:93-100. Liquid swine manure (LSM) is produced on a large scale in swine production and can be useful for the control of plant diseases. The effect of incorporation of LSM (0, 5, 10, 15, or 20%; v:v) into the soil for the control of Meloidogyne javanica on tomato plants was studied at soil pH levels of 5.0, 5.9, and 7.5 under greenhouse conditions. In a separate experiment, the interaction of three pH levels and five doses of LSM, with or without biofumigation (covering amended soil with plastic for seven days), was investigated. Increasing doses of LSM up to 20% increased shoot mass of tomato at all three pH levels. Amending the soil with 15.84% and 18.17% of LSM resulted in the lowest number of galls and eggs on tomato roots at soil pH 5.0. At soil pH of 5.9 and 7.5, the greatest reduction in gall and egg numbers varied from 5.26 to 5.55% and 3.85 to 8.33% of LSM amendment. There was a significant interaction for soil pH levels × LSM doses on the number of galls. A low level of galling occurred on plants from soil amended with LSM at doses of 17.22% (pH 5.0), 16.85% (pH 5.9), and 16.20% (pH 7.5). Increasing levels of LSM reduced the number of eggs in non-biofumigated plots at all pH levels. Soil amendment with 20% of LSM reduced the number of eggs of the nematode by more than 80%, and maximum suppression of nematode reproduction was observed in soils amended with 19.78% (pH 5.0), 16.08% (pH 5.9), and 15.33% (pH 7.5) of LSM. Soil microbial activity increased linearly in both biofumigated and non-biofumigated treatments with increasing levels of LSM at all pH levels. This study provides evidence that soil amendment with 12 to 14% of soil volume with liquid swine manure can reduce the population of M. javanica and improve tomato plant growth.
Sexual and mating system in a caridean shrimp symbiotic with the winged pearl oyster in the
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 oral
 T
 riangle

For symbiotic crustaceans, theory predicts that monogamy is adaptive when species inhabit scarce, relatively small and morphologically simple hosts in tropical environments where predation risk away from hosts is high. We tested this prediction in the shrimp Paranchistus pycnodontae, which inhabits the mantle cavity of the winged pearl oyster Pteria penguin in the Coral Triangle. In various symbiotic crustaceans, males are smaller than females, and this sexual dimorphism has been used as evidence of sex change (protandry) in these organisms. Preliminary observations in Pa. pycnodontae suggested that males were smaller than females. Thus, we first investigated the sexual system of Pa. pycnodontae to determine if the species was protandric. Morphological identification and size frequency distributions indicated that the population comprised small males, small immature females and larger mature females, which was confirmed by dissections. No transitional individuals were found. Thus, Pa. pycnodontae is a gonochoric species with reverse sexual dimorphism. Pa. pycnodontae inhabit as heterosexual pairs in the mantle cavity of hosts more frequently than is expected by chance alone. Pairing was size assortative; both carapace length and propodus length of the major cheliped were positively correlated between males and females forming pairs. Males occur with females in the same host, independent of the female gravid condition or of the stage of development of the brooded eggs. Lastly, the major cheliped did not exhibit positive allometry in males. All the available information suggests that Pa. pycnodontae has adopted a socially monogamous mating system with males and females forming exclusive pairs from other adults. Symbiotic shrimps can be used as a model system to understand behavioural diversity within socially monogamous marine invertebrates.
Development of a Hierarchical Zinc Oxide Photocatalyst for the Removal of Emerging Contaminants from Water

The presence of emerging contaminants (ECs) such as antibiotics in water bodies has raised increasing concern since they are continuously introduced in aquatic ecosystem and may cause unpredictable environmental hazards and risks, even at trace concentrations. Conventional water treatment processes are known to be generally inadequate for the elimination of these persistent contaminants. As an alternative to conventional biological water treatment processes, photocatalytic degradation of antibiotics has been identified as a promising technique, as it may lead to the mineralization of contaminants into carbon dioxide, water and mineral acid. However, high energy consumption, fast recombination of photo-generated charges, low stability and difficulty in the separation of photocatalysts from treated solution are the main limitations of this process. Herein, to address these obstacles, a low energy consuming photoreactor was designed and built. Besides, the efficiency of process was improved by fluorination and exfoliation of synthesized hierarchical photocatalysts with magnetic properties based on ZnO and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) as a wide and narrow band gap photocatalyst, respectively. The synthesized photocatalysts were characterized by several characterization tests. The effect of operating parameters such as catalyst dosage, solution pH and airflow rate on the antibiotics removal efficiency and the optimization of process was studied by response surface methodology (RSM). Under the optimum conditions, the photocatalytic removal performance was examined in terms of sulfamethoxazole (SMX), ampicillin (AMP) and amoxicillin (AMX) removal and mineralization as well as detoxification of the solution and by-product formation. Moreover, the reaction kinetics, energy consumption, stability and reusability of photocatalysts were evaluated. Based on the LC-HR-MS/MS method, the formation of several by-products during the degradation of antibiotics was evaluated and a degradation pathway for SMX and AMX was proposed. The results showed that in comparison with a 500 W visible lamp, using a UV lamp (10 W) was considerably more effective for AMX removal, its mineralization and detoxification of the solution. Compared to reported values in the literature, the removal efficiency, mineralization, detoxification and energy consumption for the removal of examined antibiotics were improved in this study.
Milk Yield and composition in dairy goats fed different levels of extruded soyabeans

Sixteen dairy goats were assigned to a 4×4 Latin square design. Full-fat extruded soyabeans (EXSB) were fed at rates of 0, 150, 300, and 400 g/day, and grass hay was fed for ad libitum intake. Dietary EXSB had no effect on milk yield and milk fat content (P>0.05). Feeding increasing levels of EXSB linearly increased the concentrations of casein and whey protein in milk, and the concentration of conjugated linoleic acids in milk fat (P<0.05). Feeding EXSB has the potential to improve the quality of milk for processing as well as the nutritive value of milk fat.
Tick Size Tolls: Can a Trading Slowdown Improve Price Discovery?

This study examines how an increase in tick size affects algorithmic trading (AT), fundamental information acquisition (FIA), and the price discovery process around earnings announcements (EAs). Leveraging the SECâ€™s randomized â€œTick Size Pilotâ€ experiment, we show a tick size increase results in a universal decline across four commonly-used proxies for AT. This decrease in AT is accompanied by a sharp drop in abnormal volatility and volume around EAs. More importantly, we find causal evidence of increased FIA in the pre-announcement period. Specically, we show that with a larger tick size: (a) treatment firmsâ€™ pre-announcement returns better anticipate next quarterâ€™s standardized unexpected earnings (SUEs); (b) their pre-announcement returns capture more of their total returns; (c) they experience an increase in EDGAR web trac in the days leading up to EAs; and (d) they exhibit a drop in price synchronicity with index returns. Taken together, our evidence shows that while an increase in tick size reduces AT and abnormal market reaction after EAs, it also increases FIA activities prior to EAs.