Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Risk, Trust, and Consumer Acceptance of Plant Biotechnology

Abstract This discussion summarizes current knowledge about rewards, risks, and reality surrounding the public's perception of genetically modified (GM) plants and foods. Differences in perception and acceptance of GM products between European and US publics are briefly described. The discussion includes recommendations for effective communication with the public. Pitfalls are identified that restrict credible discourse about the risks and benefits of GM ornamental plants and biotechnological products. The U.S. gardening public is increasingly informed about technologies that influence their hobby interests, including plant biotechnology. Results of a preliminary and on-going survey of Tennessee Master Gardener Volunteers are presented that reveal consumer concerns similar to ones already voiced in the U.S. about GM foods. Discussion concludes by integrating these considerations, within the context of ongoing debate about GM foods, to provide implications about the success of novel GM ornamental plant introductions in the near future.
Bioprocess Studies of Biomass and Recombinant Protein Production by the Methylotrophic Yeast Pichia Pastoris

Pichia pastoris (P. pastoris) expression systems are gaining increased interest in industry due to their ability to achieve high cell densities and production levels. This thesis aims to characterise the following critical elements of P. pastoris upstream bioprocessing: cell growth, cell productivity and bioprocess monitoring. Methanol is the principle carbon source and gene expression induction agent in most P. pastoris fermentation strategies. Monitoring of methanol levels during fermentation enables cell growth and productivity to be optimised, whilst methanol toxicity is avoided. A novel approach to at-line methanol monitoring was investigated, seeking to exploit the chromogenic reactivity of dehydroascorbic acid (DHAA) with methanol. Recombinant variants of the human reporter enzyme, placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) were used as a model fermentation product, and the performance of two mechanistically distinct commercial assays was compared for their applicability to high cell density process streams. In total four new P. pastoris strains expressing PLAP variants were successfully created and the impact of methanol carbon source feed strategies on the strain performance investigated in terms of growth rate and recombinant protein production. A 2-fold increase in rate of methanol feed resulted in a final biomass increase of about 40% and in a volumetric productivity decrease of about 75%. A novel method, combining phases of low and high methanol feed rates, matched but did not exceed conventional methanol feed rate strategies.
The Response of Terrestrial Ecosystems to Climate Variability Associated with the North Atlantic Oscillation

Climatic factors influence a variety of ecological processes determining patterns of species density and distribution in a wide range of terrestrial ecosystems. We review the effects of the NAO on processes and patterns of terrestrial ecosystems, including both plants and animals. In plants, the NAO index correlates with date of first flowering, tree ring growth and with quality of agricultural crops (wheat and wine grapes). Also, breeding dates are earlier after high NAO index winters for amphibians and birds in Europe. Population dynamical consequences of the NAO have also been reported for birds, and the differential impact of the NAO on two similar species may prevent competitive exclusion. Different effects of the NAO on large herbivore populations have been reported for different regions, depending on limiting factors and the correlation with local weather parameters. The NAO synchronizes population dynamics of lynx and some other carnivore populations in the eastern U.S. Most effects are on an ecological time scale; the evolutionary consequences of long term trends in the NAO are poorly documented. Important for predator and prey dynamics is (1) the disruption of phenology (the match-mismatch hypothesis), (2) that there may be delayed effects (cohort-effects), and (3) that effects of the NAO may interact with other factors such as density. We discuss the challenges related to nonlinearity, of using different climate indices, and how we can progress using these pattern-oriented NAO studies at coarse scales to conduct better process-oriented small-scale experiments.
EVALUATION OF THE ROLE OF CHLOROPHYLLIN IN MODULATING THE IN VIVO CLASTOGENICITY OF THE ANTICANCER DRUG 5-FLUOROURACIL IN MICE -

: 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is an analogue of uracil that is widely used in the treatment of a variety of cancers such as breast, ovarian, uterine and colon cancers. However, it has a narrow margin of safety and is a highly toxic drug. It causes serious side effects such as myleosupression and its clastogenic potential has been reported in many studies. Several reports have suggested that dietary supplementation with antioxidants can influence the undesired side effects that result from treatment with anticancer agents. Chlorophyllin (CHL) is an antioxidant that has been reported to protect against clastogenesis in vivo and in vitro assays. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the ability of CHL to protect against the clastogenic action of the anticancer drug 5-FU in mice bone marrow cells. The mice were injected i.p. with CHL (2, 4 and 6 mg/kg BW) 24 h before i.p. administration of 5-FU (10 mg/kg BW) and then sacrificed 24 h after treatment. The clastogenic potential of 5-FU was determined by chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and micronucleus (MN) assays. To evaluate the possible modification of the antitumor activity of 5-FU by CHL, we studied their interaction in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) bearing mice. The results of the present study revealed that CHL pretreatment at the three tested dose levels caused a significant decrease in the total number of cells with CAs and in the number of polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs) with MN in a dose-dependent manner. Despite the reduction of 5-FU clastogenicity by CHL, the results revealed that CHL reduced also the antitumor activity of 5-FU.
Identification of Varieties and Testing of Hybrid Purity of Rice by Ultrathin-Layer Isoelectric Focusing of Seed Protein

Variety characterization and purity are among the most important requirements of a rice seed lot for sale. Therefore, variety identification, especially through examination of seeds, becomes increasingly important in terms of seed quality control and protection of breeders’ rights. Ultrathin-layer isoelectric focusing (UTLIEF) of seed protein is considered a convenient, quick, cheap, and reliable laboratory method and has been included in the International Seed Testing Association rules for variety verification (ISTA 1999). The cost per kernel of maize purity testing is US$0.14, $0.49, and $1.87 when analyzed by UTLIEF, simplesequence repeat (SSR) DNA markers, and isozymes, respectively (LUFA Augustenberg, unpubl. data). So far, UTLIEF has not been used in variety testing of rice. The objective of this study was to identify 20 rice varieties (Fig. 1) collected by the Seed Testing and Applied Botany, State Institute for Agricultural Testing and Research, Augustenberg, Germany, from different countries by UTLIEF.
Science Meltdown in Venezuela

Los principales indicadores de un sistema cientifico: recursos humanos, infraestructura, finanzas y productos, son analizados a fin de revisar la dinamica actual de la comunidad cientifica venezolana. En la primera mitad del siglo XX, Venezuela no tuvo actividad cientifica institucional organizada. Entre 1954 y 1983 fue construido un numero importante de instituciones de investigacion y desarrollo en el sector publico, el mayor proveedor de fondos. Mientras el personal cientifico actual es de 0,61 investigadores activos por 10000 habitantes, un analisis demografico revela que envejece con rapidez, siendo mas los que abandonan la profesion que los que ingresan. La productividad, despues de alcanzar un maximo en 1993, ha descendido a su mas bajo nivel el ano pasado. Mientras algunos parametros sistemicos, tales como infraestructura o numero de investigadores o publicaciones en revistas indexadas muestran incrementos pirricos (4-7%), los numeros oficiales acerca de investigadores o inversiones reivindican aumentos de varias veces en anos recientes. El sistema cientifico es ineficiente o los fondos no llegan a los laboratorios. En cualquier caso, mientras la tasa de crecimiento de parametros criticos como el numero de cientificos y produccion se mantienen cerca del crecimiento vegetativo del pais, le brecha en CyT entre Venezuela y otras naciones no se reducira. En conjunto, pareceria que la ciencia venezolana esta en peligro. Esto debe ser materia de preocupacion, ya que la generacion actual de investigadores y academicos en Venezuela pudo haber sido uno de los logros mas significativos de su democracia
Genome sequence of the hyperinvasive Campylobacter jejuni strains

Campylobacter jejuni is the world’s major cause of gastroenteritis in humans. Although motility, toxin production, adhesion and invasion are some of the key factors associated with C. jejuni pathogenesis, their mechanism in the disease process remains unclear. The key aim of this project is to study the genetic basis of hyperinvasiveness in a group of six C. jejuni strains which have been reported as hyperinvasive into human intestinal cell lines. Here, genomotyping of the hyperinvasive C. jejuni was performed by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) against four low invasive C. jejuni strains. A group of 67 genes were identified as being present or highly divergent/absent in the hyperinvasive versus low invasive C. jejuni strains. Of these, nine genes were present and six genes were highly divergent/absent in all hyperinvasive C. jejuni. The PCR screening of these 15 genes in nine additional low invasive C. jejuni strains showed a significant association with the hyperinvasive phenotype. The majority of identified genes encoded proteins with essential cellular and metabolic functions along with some genes with known virulence related roles. Thus, the hyperinvasive phenotype is characterised by different functional networks rather than a single gene or gene cluster. All strains showed an overall genetic variability and the capsule, lipooligosaccharide, flagellar biosynthesis and restriction modification regions were the most diverse. The hierarchical clustering based on comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) did not group together the hyperinvasive C. jejuni as a single group and these strains possessed different MLST profiles.
Chemical control of two spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) on rose under polyhouse conditions

Rose is an ornamental plant of great commercial value and large number of insect pest attacks its cultivation. Among them two-spotted red spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch is a ubiquitous species present worldwide and considered a key pest for rose and other ornamental plants. Nymphs and adults of the mite feed with chelicerate type of mouthparts which pierce and suck the cell sap from epidermis of leaves. Webbing around flowers can be seen after the heavy attack of the mite. An experiment was conducted to evaluate bio-efficacy of six pesticides against red spider mite on rose under poly house conditions. Fenazaquin at 0.0025% concentration was found to be most effective while HMO at 0.5% concentration was least effective in control of the two spotted spider mite. The order of effectiveness of treatments based on per cent reduction of mite were fenazaquin (0.0025%) > propargite (0.0057%)> HMO (2.5%)> dimethoate (0.03%)> HMO (2%) > dicofol (0.05%)> imidacloprid (0.015%)> HMO (1.5%)> HMO (1%)> HMO (0.5%), respectively.
Effects of river bed regulation on habitats and communities: A case study for ostracods in the Oder River, Poland

The effects of damming, groyne building, and channelizing on habitats and ostracod assemblages in the Oder River, one of the six largest European river systems, were analyzed. Regulation works had been conducted on the river from the 18th to the beginning of the 20th century. Main objectives of the study were to detect the effect of river bed regulation on attributes of habitats and ostracod communities. The values of nitrogen were the highest in the dammed stretch and the lowest in the channelized one. As for conductivity, TDS (total dissolved solids) and salinity were the highest in the groyned stretch. Hardness had the highest values in the channelized and groyned stretches. The lowest visibility was noted in the dammed stretched. The stretch influenced by damming was dominated by habitats with a considerable proportion of detritus in sediments. In the stretch influenced by groynes, the proportions of habitats with mineral and organic substrates were similar and the proportion of habitats covered with vegetation was the highest. Habitats with rocky, sandy bottoms dominated in the channelized stretch and nearly half of the habitats were covered with vegetation. The highest ostracod density characterized the groyned stretch (658 ind · m−2), was moderate in the case of the dammed stretch (290 ind · m−2) and the lowest in the channelized one (107 ind · m−2). Bradleystrandesia reticulata, Candona neglecta, and Limnocythere inopinata dominated in the groyned and channelized stretches. Cypridopsis vidua, Darwinula stevensoni, and Pseudocandona compressa dominated in the dammed stretch. The type of river bed regulation significantly differentiated both habitats and ostracod assemblages. Differences among ostracod assemblages were related to particular species, but also regarding density and evenness. The degree of vegetation coverage and detritus content in the sediments were strong predictors for ostracod community composition.
Studies on the improvement of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) cv Co 4 for quality characters through hybridization.

Studies on hybridization were undertaken for the improvement of CO 4 by making direct and reciprocal crosses using CO 4 as one of the parents for quality aspects such as high capsaicin, oleoresin, capsanthin and ascorbic acid content at the Department of Vegetable Crops, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during 2003–2005. The genotypes viz. Ujwala, Pusa Jwala, CHD 8, Arka Abir, Arka Lohit, Byadagi Kaddi, Punjab Lal, K 2 and PKM 1 were chosen for the investigation as parents. Capsaicin content was the highest in the hybrid, Punjab Lal x CO 4 (0.79 per cent). It also registered highly significant positive heterosis over mid parent, better parent and best parent for this trait. Other hybrids which also showed greater attributes in this aspect are Arka Lohit x CO 4, Ujwala x CO 4, CHD 8 x CO 4, CO 4 x Punjab Lal, CO 4 x Arka Lohit, Pusa Jwala x CO 4 and CO 4 x Pusa Jwala. In case oleoresin and capsanthin, CO 4 x Byadagi Kaddi exhibited the highest for both. It was comparatively higher than the oleoresin and capsanthin content of CO 4. It also registered significant positive heterosis over mid parent, better parent and best parent. Ascorbic acid content was the highest in K 2 among the parents. The hybrid PKM 1 x CO 4 recorded the highest ascorbic acid content. The cross combination PKM 1 x CO 4 also recorded the highest positive significant heterosis over mid parent, better parent and best parent.
Evaluation of culinary Musa germplasm for fibre yield and quality

A trial was conducted during 280143 to evaluate 50 Indian culinary banana varieties for their suitability to fibre extraction and various methods of extraction. More than 50% of the cultivars grown in Indian subcontinent are suitable for fibre extraction as they exhibited high fibre yield. Of these highest fibre yield was exhibited by varieties, like 'Enna Benian' (0.96%), 'Singhlal' (0.67%) and 'Monthan' (0.68%). Quality in terms of brightness, moisture, lignin and cellulose contents was best in 'Singhlal', 'Mallu Monthan', 'Kullap Kunnara', 'Enna Benian', 'Manja Vazhai' and 'Shakl Kela'. Among the different methods of extraction, machne extraction gave 25% higher fibre yield than the manual extraction while fibre quality was better in manually extracted fibre. Bananas (Musa spp) are cultivated in over 120 countries over an area of 60 million hectares with an annual production of 98 million metric tonnes. They are consumed both as dessert and cooking bananas. Indian banana production is 16 million tonnes from an area of 482.8 thousand hectares. About 17% of world's bananas are produced in India and the unique feature is that the production is entirely through small farming system. Most of the commercial dessert cultivars belong to AAA and culinary banana AAB genomes and this paper deals with culinary/cooking banana cultivars belonging to ABB genomic group which are commercially important in India. The area under cooking banana accounts to about 1.28 comprising of 7 5% each under plantains and MonthanBBuggoe. Cooking bananas contribute 12% of total production accounting for approximately 2.1 million tonnes annually. Cooking bananas are generally restricted to home gardens and considered as backyard cultivars. Of late, owing to their broad spectrum of utility, cooking bananas have assumed the status of commercial cultivation in many Indian states. By virtue of their ABB genomic status, cooking banana produces a lot of biomass (Uma et al. 2005) which is usually discarded after bunch harvest. The use of plant cellulose waste and pseudostem for fibre extraction is a novel idea and has slowly gained importance across the globe. In South-East Asia, especially in Philippines, banana fibre is commercially extracted from Musa textilis for corninercial applications like preparation of marine cordages, high quality paper and boards, tea bags, string thread, high quality fabric material and as paper for printing currency note2 Though fibre can be 'Senior Scientist, 'Research Associate, 3Scientist (Senior Scale),
Seasonal incidence of natural enemies of key insect pests of cotton and their relationship with weather parameters

The population of spider feeding on insect pests of cotton was observed throughout the growth period of the crop, being maximum in the month of July. Chrysoperla was observed from second fortnight of June to harvesting of the crop being maximum in November. The incidence of coccinellids was recorded from the middle of August to middle of September and remained till harvesting of the crop being maximum in the first fortnight of November. A positive significant effect of maximum and minimum temperature on spider and negative significant effect on population of chrysoperla and coccinellids was recorded. Evening RH exerted positive significant effect on spider and negative significant effect on coccinellids.
海洋浮游藻(Emiliania huxleyi)无机碳利用机理

探讨了海洋浮游藻Emilianiahuxleyi无机碳利用机制以及与藻龄间的关系．结果表明Emilianiahuxleyi细胞在其指数（生长）期和静止（生长）期对无机碳利用的途径不同．指数期细胞是通过HCO-3直接吸收途径，同时还与钙化作用有关，而静止期细胞则是通过CO2吸收途径，存在细胞外碳酸酐酶．
Ex-situ management study of some high value medicinal plant species in Swat, Pakistan.

An ex-situ experiment was conducted to evaluate the growth performance of six medicinal species (Aconitum laeve Royle, Bunium persicum B. Fedtsch., Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch. , Podophyllum hexandrum Royle, Delphinium roylei Munz and Hypericum perforatum L. ) from upper Swat, Pakistan. Experiments were conducted at four different locations in the upper Swat valley at altitudes ranging from 1200 to 1900 m.a.s.l. The objectives were; 1) to determine the suitability of ex-situ cultivation of different medicinal species, and; 2) to assess the economic feasibility of growing medicinal plants in the area. A highest mean survival of 80.7% across all locations was observed for H. perforatum followed by 58.7% for B. persicum. The remaining four species exhibited very poor survival rates, although D. roylei, did show encouraging signs of growth and flowered, before experiencing high mortality rates late in the trial. Altitude generally seemed to enhance the degree of sprouting for all species except H. perforatum. However, the productive yield of H. perforatum was certainly not reduced, but rather slightly enhanced in the higher altitude sites. Overall, cultivation of only two of the investigated species, B. persicum and H. perforatum, appeared successful and potentially economically viable under farmland conditions at upper Swat.
The Changing Face of School Psychology: Trends in Data and Projections for the Future

Abstract Trends in data from the past to the present are described for demographic variables (gender, race and ethnicity, preparation levels, credentialing, age and experience) and ratio of students to school psychologists. School psychology in the United States will continue to be characterized as primarily Caucasian, specialist-level and female through 2020. Projections of personnel needs based on estimates of new school psychologists entering the field through graduation from university programs, as well as those exiting the field through estimates of retirement and attrition, indicate that there will be a severe shortage of school psychologists through 2010, with the shortage then continuing but declining through 2020. Implications are discussed and possible strategies and directions are offered for the field.
Tn5 transposon mutagenesis in Acidovorax citrulli for identification of genes required for pathogenicity on cucumber

An Acidovorax citrulli–cucumber pathosystem was established through which A. citrulli mutants with altered pathogenicity, generated by transposon mutagenesis, were identified on cucumber cotyledons. The A. citrulli group I strain FC440 was shown to grow faster in cucumber leaf tissues than a group II strain and was used for Tn5 transposon mutagenesis. A total of 2100 Tn5 insertional mutants were generated, and analysis of the mutant library showed that the transposon insertions were single, independent and stable. A conserved non-flagellar type III secretion system (NF-T3SS) ATPase gene hrcN was identified and confirmed to be essential for pathogenicity and functionality of NF-T3SS in A. citrulli. Comparative sequence analysis of the HrcN protein and its homologues in other representative bacterial plant pathogens revealed that the NF-T3SS of A. citrulli is close to that of Ralstonia solanacearum and Xanthomonas campestris, but distant from that of Pseudomonas syringae and Erwinia amylovora. The generated Tn5 insertional mutant collection is valuable for identification of genes required for A. citrulli pathogenesis, and the established A. citrulli–cucumber pathosystem will facilitate an improved understanding of A. citrulli biology and pathology.
Functional Genomics of the Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor in the Developing Brain

The mammalian brain expresses two angiotensin II specific receptors, the angiotensin II type 1 (AGTR1) and type 2 (AGTR2). Studies in humans and mice indicate a possible role for AGTR2 in learning, memory and behavior. However, AGTR2 gene function in the brain, and the molecular mechanisms by which AGTR2 exerts its physiological action, remains elusive. This study examines the possible role of AGTR2 in the developing brain and in brain function by employing three different approaches. To identify genes in the developing brain that depend on AGTR2 function, a microarray analysis was conducted that compared the gene expression of Agtr2 mouse brains to normal controls at embryonic day 15 and postnatal day 1. Genes involved in microtubule regulation, cell adhesion and glutamate metabolism were found to be up-regulated in Agtr2 mouse brains. These results suggest that AGTR2 may contribute to the developing brain by influencing cell morphology and synaptic connectivity. Using a yeast two-hybrid system, the amino-terminal extracellular domain and carboxy-terminal intracellular domain of AGTR2 were screened against a human fetal brain cDNA library to identify AGTR2 interacting proteins. Three novel AGTR2 interacting proteins, ASMTL, GNB2L1 and NGLY1 were identified. Lastly, a brain-specific isoform of a previously identified AGTR2 interacting protein, ATIP, was explored as a potential candidate gene for mental retardation.