Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epidemiological measures of peste des petits ruminants in small ruminants in Tamil Nadu, India.

An epidemiological study was undertaken to assess the crude and specific measures of morbidity, mortality and case fatality against Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in small ruminants. A total of 18 PPR outbreaks were selected by active and passive surveillances in North-west agroclimatic zone of Tamil Nadu, India. Overall morbidity, mortality and case fatality rates were 3.18%, 1.09% and 34.28% respectively which is lower than the earlier reports. Morbidity and mortality rates were higher in goats in comparison with sheep indicating that goats are more susceptible to infection. Morbidity, mortality and case fatality rates were higher in young animals than adults for both species. Infection and severity of the disease were more in non-descript and Mecheri breeds of sheep and Tellicherry and Jamunapari breeds of goats. Infection rate and severity of the disease were more in males and females of both species respectively. The present study concludes that species, age, breed and gender predisposing exist in the outbreaks of PPR.
Anticlastogenic potential of Thai vegetable, Siamese cassia, using mouse erythrocyte micronucleus assay

Abstract Background: Some Thai vegetables may enhance the activities of some phase II enzymes and decrease activities of phase I enzymes. Thus, they may possess cancer chemo-preventive potentials. Objective: Determine the anti-clastogenic activity of Thai vegetable, Siamese cassia (SC), against an indirectacting clastogens, cyclophosphamide (CYP), and 7, 12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA). Methods: Male mice were fed either with semi-purified diet, containing 2% or 4% of ground lyophilized SC leaves, for two weeks prior to administration of clastogens. The anti-clastogenicity of SC leaves using the in vivo erythrocyte micronucleus assay in mice was performed. Blood samples were collected and counted for reticulocytes with and without a micronucleus using the fluorescent microscope. Results: Feeding SC leaves at 2% or 4% in the diets reduced the number of micronucleated peripheral reticulocytes (MNRETs) induced by both CYP and DMBA. However, the effect was statistically significant only at 4% in CYP-induced mice. Conclusion: Siamese cassia leaves possess anti-clastogenic activity against clastogens in mice, particularly in a high dose.
Evaluation of genetic diversity in Alcea (Malvaceae) using SRAP markers

In this work, sequence-related amplifi ed polymorphism (SRAP) marker was employed to assess the genetic diversity and genetic similarity relationships among14 species of Alcea collected from northwest of Iran. Seventeen SRAP primer combina- tions generated 104 fragments, of which 97 (93%) were polymorphic, with an average of 5.7 polymorphic fragments per primer. Percentage of polymorphism ranged from 50% (ME2-EM6) to a maximum of 100%, and mean polymorphism information content value obtained was 0.3. The lowest genetic similarity (0.17) was observed between A. sophiae and A. fl avovirens, while the highest was found between A. digitata and A. longipedicellata (0.68). Two main clusters were detected using UPGMA, which did not correspond to geographical origin of the species. The study indicates that SRAP markers could be good candidates for assessing genetic variation in Alcea.
A Lesson in Climate Change Education: Examining how Climate Change is taught in the Nova Scotia Public School Curriculum

As young Nova Scotians grow up, they will have to face the negative impacts of climate change in the province, including sea level rise and increasing storm surges. It is therefore important that this demographic be well informed about the causes and consequences of climate change, and how to adapt to these impacts. Climate Change Education (CCE) is an effective tool to communicate this information. Understanding the positive impact that CCE can have on youth in Nova Scotia, this study seeks to identify the way CCE is taught in Nova Scotia, namely by identifying the dominant CCE framework within the Nova Scotia 9-12 curriculum. To do so, the 9-12 curriculum was read, and every instance of CCE was identified. These examples of CCE were sorted based on content into either a Scientific or Interdisciplinary Framework, and these frameworks are then measured by frequency to discern the dominant way climate change is taught in the classroom. This study reveals that the Nova Scotia curriculum teaches CCE from a mainly interdisciplinary framework, but is very well rounded overall, with a near even balance between the two frameworks. This ensures that students receive a well-rounded education regarding climate change. CCE in the curriculum could be improved by undergoing updates, including more CCE overall, and dedicating more individual lessons and full class units to CCE. This would ensure the continued quality of CCE in Nova Scotian public schools.
STAT3 CONTROLS THE NEUTROPHIL MIGRATORY RESPONSE TO CXCR2 AND ITS LIGAND MIP-2 (CXCL2)

Among the first white blood cells to respond to bacterial and fungal infections, neutrophils are produced in the bone marrow, released into circulating blood, and recruited to inflamed tissue. The cytokine granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is used clinically to induce neutrophil mobilization from the marrow. This process was previously demonstrated to require the STAT3 transcription factor (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3), the principal signaling molecule activated upon G-CSF-binding of its receptor, but the mechanism was unknown. The chemokines KC (Cxcl1) and MIP-2 (Cxcl2), and their shared receptor CXCR2 (l8rb), also stimulate neutrophil mobilization, in contrast to SDF-1 (Cxcl12), which contributes to neutrophil retention in the bone marrow, requiring downregulation to promote neutrophil release. Using a murine model with conditional STAT3 deletion in bone marrow, we demonstrate that STAT3 regulates G-CSF-dependent changes in bone marrow chemokine and chemokine receptor expression levels. We found that G-CSF/STAT3 signals increase transcription of Cxcl1, Cxcl2, and Il8rb, and concomitantly suppress
Feline Lentivirus: Molecular Analysis and Epidemiology in Southern African Lions

I am submitting herewith a dissertation written by Hayley Rebecca Adams entitled Feline Lentivirus: Molecular Analysis and Epidemiology in Southern African Lions. I have examined the final copy of this dissertation for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, with a major in Comparative and Experimental Medicine.
The Effects of the Nitric Oxide (NO) System and Nutritional Plane on Ovarian Function

iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . iv LIST OF TABLES . x LIST OF FIGURES . xi LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS . xiii CHAPTER 1: LITERATURE REVIEW . 1 Nutritional Effects on Reproduction . 1 Nutritional Effects on Metabolic Hormones . 1 Nutritional Effects on Reproductive Hormones . 5 Nutritional Effects on Ovarian Function. 8 Nutritional Effects on Oocyte Quality . 9 Nutritional Effects on Early Embryonic Development . 12 Angiogenesis. 13 Angiogenic Process . 13 Ovarian Angiogenesis . 15 Regulation of Ovarian Angiogenesis and Angiogenic Factors . 18 Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor . 18 Placental Growth Factors . 21 Angiopoietins. 23 Basic Fibroblast Growth Factors . 25 Regulation of Corpora Lutea Function . 27 Corpora Lutea Growth . 27
French's nomenclature use: in vivo chlorophyll complexes.

La spectroscopie dans le visible de limbes de feuilles intactes est utilisee pour demontrer la presence de 22 bandes discontinues dans le complexe de la bande rouge de la chlorophylle chez le Ble et cinq autres especes d'Angiospermes. Des correlations entre ces bandes et les bandes de la nomenclature de French modifiee sont etablies
Bizarre fossil insects: web‐spinning sawflies of the genus Ferganolyda (Vespida, Pamphilioidea) from the Middle Jurassic of Daohugou, Inner Mongolia, China

Abstract: Three new species, attributed to the extinct family Xyelydidae of the Pamphilioidea (Order Vespida = Hymenoptera), are described from the Middle Jurassic of Daohugou, Inner Mongolia, China: Ferganolyda scylla sp. nov., F. charybdis sp. nov. and F. chungkuei sp. nov. The new material demonstrates that the genus Ferganolyda, which was previously considered to be a morphologically ordinary group of web‐spinning sawflies, is in fact a highly unusual insect taxon. It is characterised, particularly in the male sex, by a huge head (about half as wide as the entire body length) and unusual modification of the antennae. Interpretation of the function of the unusual head and antennae is intriguing but unresolved.
Regulation of Expression of the gabDTP Operon and Utilization of GABA as a Sole Nitrogen Source in Escherichia coli

The gabDTP operon is regulated by a number of different signals and stress conditions including general stress via as, carbon limitation, cell-to-cell signaling, alkaline pH and nitrogen limitation. The mechanism of regulation by many of these conditions is unclear. Operon lacZ-fusions to the genes of the gabDTP operon, isolated in a previous search for rpoS-dependent genes in E. coli, showed a 10-fold rpoS-dependence in rich LB media. Here we provide evidence, utilizing Northern analysis of wildtype E. coli strains without any insertions in the gabDTP operon, that expression of the gabDTP operon was highly RpoSand stationary phase-dependent. The corresponding enzymes GabD (SSDH) and GabT CGSST) showed a 20 fold higher activity in stationary phase cultures of wildtype cells compared to isogenic rpoS-mutant strains. However, contrary to expected results, growth on GABA as a sole nitrogen source is better in rpoSmutants relative to wildtype strains. Similar growth patterns are observed when the same strains are grown on L-glutamate as the sole nitrogen source, suggesting that the limitation for growth with GABA as the nitrogen source may be due to an inability to utilize glutamate efficiently as a sole nitrogen source. These results confirm that the gabDTP operon is part of the RpoS regulon, and suggest the metabolism of GABA plays a role in stationary phase stress resistance in E. coli.
Geostatistical mapping of soil permeability in flooding areas: the case of Pla de Sant Jordi (Balearic Islands, Spain)

Since the last decades until nowadays, Pla de Sant Jordi area (Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain) experiences specific events of flood due to the progressive rise of piezometric levels, although other factors also interfere. Depending on the intensity of the torrential rain events, these floods are more or less extensive and devastating (Robledo, 2016). In many cases they cause several problems: waterlogging of agricultural fields, mosquito plagues and damages in urbanized areas and transport infrastructure (e.g. the third Spanish airport, in terms of total passenger numbers, is located in the study area).
First record of Norwegian killer whales attacking and feeding on a harbour porpoise

Orcinus orca is a cosmopolitan species and the most widely distributed marine mammal. Its diet includes over 140 species of fish, cephalopods, sea birds and marine mammals. However, many populations are specialised on certain specific prey items. Three genetically distinct populations have been described in the North Atlantic. Population A (that includes the Icelandic and Norwegian sub-populations) is believed to be piscivorous, as is population C, which includes fish-eating killer whales from the Strait of Gibraltar. In contrast, population B feeds on both fish and marine mammals. Norwegian killer whales follow the Norwegian spring spawning herring stock. The only description in the literature of Norwegian killer whales feeding on another cetacean species is a predation event on northern bottlenose whales in 1968. Daily land-based surveys targeting sperm whales were conducted from the Andenes lighthouse using BigEyes ® binoculars (25×, 80 mm). The location of animals at sea was approximated through the use of an internal reticule system and a graduated wheel. On 24 June 2012 at 3:12 am, an opportunistic sighting of 11 killer whales was made off Andenes harbour. The whales hunted and fed on a harbour porpoise. Despite these species having overlapping distributions in Norwegian waters, this is the first predatory event reported in the literature.
Quantitative Molecular Pharmacology and Informatics in Drug Discovery

Drug Discovery. Measurement of Drug Affinity. Efficacy. Pharmacological Assays Used in Screening for Therapeutic Ligands. Finding the Optimal Assay Format for the Chemical Target. Mathematical and Statistical Framework for Problems in Drug Discovery. Statistical Methods for Target Identification and Validation. Experimental Design. Analysis and Interpretation of Data. Index.
Monetary Integration Tests for the OCA’s Business Cycles Synchronicity Criteria in the WAMZ

A theoretical underpinning of the Optimum Currency Area (OCA) is that countries are better suited to form a currency union the more their business (output) cycles are synchronised or symmetric. If countries within a monetary union have similar business cycles or rather experience identical shocks, separate economic policies are therefore not necessary, this implying that asymmetries in output fluctuations and shocks would appropriately necessitate individual policy responses. Negative correlation of business cycles and shocks would therefore weaken the case for a common currency. This paper consequently tested business cycle synchronicity across the WAMZ by investigating the similarity and the co-movements between the two main components of business cycles: (i) the classical business cycles and (ii) the deviation business cycles, employing simple correlation analyses and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) to establish homogeneities or otherwise. The observation of the closeness of coefficient of variations of classical and deviation business cycles of individual WAMZ country were also examined. The Hodrick-Prescott (HP) filtering method (at lambda=100) was employed in filtering and decomposing the real output (GDP) of individual WAMZ countries into transitory and permanent components required for the assessment of classical and deviation business cycles in these countries. Correlation tests as well as tests of homogeneity of variance (Levene Statistics) in business cycles were performed. There were further investigations of the transitory and deviation (output gap) business cycles so as to determine the extent of cyclical convergence of member countries. This is relevant for the conduct of the future common monetary policy. Fifteen bilateral Euclidean distances between output gaps in the WAMZ countries were also measured in order to reveal the extent of business cycle co-movements among member countries. Time span covered by this study were split into two periods: (i) pre-convergence period (1981-2000); (ii) convergence period (2001-2015). This split is significant in bringing about comparative results in these two periods because of the possibility of these WAMZ countries behaving ‘artificially’ in their business attitudes during the convergence era, when efforts were being made to meet the convergence criteria. This research work yielded various results and findings which on the overall produced evidences to suggest that business cycles across the WAMZ are not synchronised. This thus weakens the case for a common currency with the WAMZ enclave.
Some physiological and growth responses of three eucalyptus clones to soil water supply.

The response of three Eucalyptus spp. clones (GC550, GU210 and TAG14) to water availability was assessed in terms of growth, plant water status, leaf gas exchange, whole plant hydraulic characteristics (both root and shoot), stem xylem vulnerability. Furthermore, to experimentally assess the influence of hydraulic conductance on leaf physiology and plant growth, specimens of two of the clones were subjected to long-term root chilling. Prior to harvesting data were collected on the diurnal variation in leaf water potential (ΨL), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (gs) and net CO2 assimilation rate (A). Main stem xylem vulnerability was assessed using ultrasonic acoustic emissions (UAE). Vulnerability of the main stem was assessed as the leaf water potential corresponding to the maximum rate of acoustic emissions (ΨL, EPHmax), and as the critical water potential triggering cavitation events, calculated as the mean of the water potentials of data points lying between 5 and 10% of the total accumulated emissions (ΨCAV,cUAE,%). Hydraulic conductance was measured on roots and shoots using the high-pressure flow meter (HPFM). Root data were expressed per unit root dry mass (Kr/trdw) and per unit leaf areas (Kr/LA), shoot data expressed per unit shoot dry mass (Ks/tsdw) and per unit leaf area (Ks/LA), and whole plant conductance was expressed per unit leaf area (KP/LA). Soil-to-leaf hydraulic conductance was also assessed as the inverse of the slope of the relationship between leaf water potential and transpiration rate (the evaporative flux, EF, method). A field study was undertaken on three month old TAGl4 and GU210 plants. Diurnal values of leaf water potential ΨL, E and gs were consistently higher in TAG14 than GU210, but A did not differ among the clones. Main stem xylem vulnerability (ΨCAV, cUAE,%) was higher in TAG14 than GU210. In both clones midday ΨL fell below ΨcAv,cUAE,%, suggesting lack of stomatal control of xylem cavitation. Kr/LA was higher in TAGl4 than GU210, whereas, Ks/LA and Ks/tsdw was higher in GU210 than TAGI4. A greater proportion of hydraulic resistances resided in the roots, particularly in GU210. Kp/LA was higher in TAGl4 than GU210 clone, although the significance was marginal (P=0.089). However, all the physiological measurements, were consistent with the concept of higher hydraulic conductances in TAGl4 leading to lower leaf level water stress. Above ground biomass was higher in TAG14 than GU210, in agreement with this concept, although this clone was more vulnerable than GU210. Material grown for 14 months in 25 l pots clones showed no differences in ΨSoil between the high and low watering supply, indicating that even the 'high' supply was inadequate to prevent water stress. In accordance with this, diurnal values of ΨL, gs, E and A did not differ significantly between treatments and clones. Early stomatal closure was apparent, maintaining ΨL constant during the middle of the day. Stem xylem vulnerability, assessed as both ΨL,EPHrnax and ΨCAV,cUAE,% showed that the main stem of GC550…
Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction-based detection of Arabis mosaic virus and Strawberry latent ringspot virus in vector nematodes.

In a survey of rose and lily plantations in experimental fields of the Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, a number of symptoms characteristic of nepoviruses were observed. Symptomatic rose and lily leaves were tested for the presence of nepoviruses. Strawberry latent ringspot virus (SLRSV) and Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV) were detected by ELISA and RT–PCR using virus-specific antibodies and primers respectively, in rose cultivars Raktgandha, Landora and Sonia. Only SLRSV was detected in lily cultivars Galeili, Star Gazer Max and White Merostar. To ascertain the presence of viruliferous nematodes, soil samples were collected from around the roots of rose and lily cultivars. Xiphinema diversicaudatum and Longidorous macrosoma isolated from soil were placed separately into 5–10 ml each of RNAlaterTM and sterile water. Total RNA from these nematodes was isolated using three different RNA isolation kits, viz. RNAqueousTM, RNeasy Plant mini kit and RNAwizTM. RT–PCR was performed using virus-specific primers for SLRSV and ArMV. Out of the three RNA isolation kits used, only RNAaqueousTM gave reproducible results. Nematodes isolated and stored in RNAlaterTM gave amplification of expected size (over a period of one month storage at –20°C) for both the viruses, while nematodes stored in water did not give any amplification (even after one week of storage) with RT–PCR. Cucumis sativus was used as bait plant for confirming the nematode transmission of these viruses. In the present study RNAlaterTM was found to be the best nematode storage solution and RNAqueousTM the best RNA isolation kit for virus detection in viruliferous nematodes by RT–PCR.
Study of Secondary Metabolite Gene Expression in Marine Microbial Co-Cultures Using Quantitative Real-Time PCR

Interactions among microbial organisms often cannot be observed directly, but they can be inferred genetically using new molecular techniques. The analysis of secondary metabolite gene expression produced by co-cultured marine microbial species allows us to see how these organisms interact with one another when kept in the same environment. Co-cultures of three different strains of marine bacteria, P. aeruginosa PAO1, Roseobacter denitrificans OCH114, and Salinispora arenicola CNS-205 were grown in a laboratory setting, and using the Real-Time qPCR method gene expression levels of two different secondary metabolite producing genes from each organism was accessed across three time points. P. aeruginosa PAO1’s secondary metabolite genes RdhA and PhzH stayed repressed through all co-cultures and time points in this study, and Roseobacter denitrificans OCH-114’s secondary metabolite genes metallo-beta-lactamase and DMSP lyase were up-regulated after the 30 minute time point in the P. aeruginosa-R. denitrificans co-culture and at the 0 minute time point in the R. denitrificans-S. arenicola co-culture.
IMPACT OF DIETARY ARGININE ON IMMUNITY IN BROILER CHICKS

Arginine (ARG) is an immunologic modulator due in part to its role as a substrate for leukocytes. Therefore, the objective of these studies was to evaluate the impact of dietary ARG on ARG utilization in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and thymocytes in broiler chicks as they provide a model that is not confounded by de novo ARG synthesis. Several experiments were performed to measure: 1) ARG transporters as markers of ARG utilization by leukocytes; 2) thymocyte proliferation; 3) PBMC phenotype, and 4) ARG's impact on the acute phase response (APR). In experiment 1, chicks were fed diets containing 1.20% or 1.35% dietary ARG. On d7, PBMC CAT-1 mRNA abundance was 2-fold higher in chicks fed 1.35% ARG than in those fed 1.20% ARG (P<0.05). Between d3 and d14, 1.20% ARG increased thymocyte y + LAT-2 mRNA abundance 2.5-fold (P<0.05) while 1.35% ARG did not. In experiments 2 and 3, chicks were fed diets containing 1.1%, 1.3%, and 1.5% dietary ARG. On d10, 1.5% ARG reduced thymocyte proliferation compared to 1.1% and 1.3% ARG (P<0.05). The percentage of peripheral blood B cells tended (P=0.06) to have an age by ARG interaction. On d14, but not on d10 or 17, the percentage of monocytes from chicks fed 1.5% was higher than from those fed 1.1% and 1.3% ARG (P<0.05). In experiment 3, chicks from four replicate pens per treatment were not injected (control) or injected subcutaneously with Salmonella typhimurium lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 1 mg/kg BW) to initiate the APR. At 2 h post LPS injection, there tended (P=0.08) to be a LPS by ARG interaction for TGF-β4 mRNA abundance. Therefore, these studies indicate that the v optimal level of dietary ARG supplementation for utilization by ARG transporters in leukocytes is higher than what is sufficient for growth and is both age and leukocyte dependent. Additionally, these studies indicate that dietary ARG levels above the NRC requirement may be beneficial for the abundance of PBMC sub-populations. These studies also indicate that the APR may be manipulated by dietary ARG. vi DEDICATION To my parents, Ralph and Linda D'Amato, who have always believed in me, and encouraged me. Without their support, I could never have faced the many challenges life has provided especially in my academic work. One could not ask for better parents. Thank you so very much for your love and encouragement. vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This thesis could not have been written without …