Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Farmers’ Attitude and Adoption of Improved Maize Varieties and Chemical Fertilizers in Mozambique

In Mozambique, maize crop (Zea mays L.) is important for provision of food and income to the rural poor, yet adoption of improved seed and chemical fertilizers to boost production is still limited. This study determined the influence of farmers’ characteristics, attitudes, source of information, and agro-ecological conditions on adoption of hybrid maize SC513, application of NPK and urea fertilizers in Manica district. A questionnaire was administrated to a randomly selected sample of 293 households. The findings showed that farmers do support the use of improved maize varieties and chemical fertilizers. The three most important factors associated with adoption of improved maize were agro ecological conditions, attitudes toward production, traits of improved maize and knowledge of improved varieties. Information on fertilizer use, knowledge of fertilizer application, and agro-ecological conditions had significant influence on adoption of chemical fertilizers. To contribute to a widespread adoption, researchers should develop fertilizer recommendations which are attuned to agro-ecological region, and maize varieties that have wide adaptation. Extension should strengthen positive attitudes toward improved maize and farmers’ knowledge of fertilizer application. Input suppliers should tailor their marketing campaigns emphasizing knowledge, attitudes and agro-ecological conditions.
EFECTO DE LA LISOFOSFATIDILCOLINA EN LA REACCIÓN DEL ACROSOMA DE ESPERMATOZOIDES CANINOS Effect of Lysophosphatidylcholine on Acrosome Reaction in Canine Spermatozoa

Lysophospholipids desestabilize the sperm plasma membrane and promote its fusion with outer acrosomal membranes, by accelerating acrosome reaction (RA). Lysophosphatidylcholine (LC) has been used to induce the RA on capacitated sperms from different mammals. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of LC on RA in canine spermatozoa. Different concentrations of LC (0, 100, 200 and 300 µg/mL) were utilized during 15 minutes to induce RA in spermatozoa incubated during 0, 3 and 4 hours in capacitation medium (mCCM). Sperm viability and acrosomal status were determined using double fluorescence Pisum sativum aglutinin with fluorescein isothiocyanate (PSA-FITC) and Hoechst 33258 The analysis of varience (ANOVA) test was utilized for statistical analysis. The sperm viability was significantly reduced with 200 and 300 µg/mL of LC (P 0.05) between groups with 0 and 100 µg/ml of LC incubated to 0 hour (21.0 ± 4.2% vs. 21.0 ± 6.6%), 3 hours (43.8 ± 4.7% vs. 49.1 ± 5.2%) and 4 hours (51.3 ± 14.8% vs. 57.6 ± 9.9%). Nevertheless the percentage of live spermatozoa with RA increased (P<0.05) with incubation at 3 and 4 hours. In conclusion, LC (100 µg/mL) shows no significant effect for inducing the acrosome reaction in canine spermatozoa incubated in mCCM mediun free of glucose.
Role of Map4k4 in Skeletal Muscle Differentiation: A Dissertation

Skeletal muscle is a complicated and heterogeneous striated muscle tissue that serves critical mechanical and metabolic functions in the organism. The process of generating skeletal muscle, myogenesis, is elaborately coordinated by members of the protein kinase family, which transmit diverse signals initiated by extracellular stimuli to myogenic transcriptional hierarchy in muscle cells. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) including p38 MAPK, c-Jun N terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) are components of serine/threonine protein kinase cascades that play important roles in skeletal muscle differentiation. The exploration of MAPK upstream kinases identified mitogen activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 4 (MAP4K4), a serine/threonine protein kinase that modulates p38 MAPK, JNK and ERK activities in multiple cell lines. Our lab further discovered that Map4k4 regulates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) translation in cultured adipocytes through inactivating mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), which controls skeletal muscle differentiation and hypotrophy in kinase-dependent and -independent manners. These findings suggest potential involvement of Map4k4 in skeletal myogenesis. Therefore, for the first part of my thesis, I characterize the role of Map4k4 in skeletal muscle differentiation in cultured muscle cells. Here I show that Map4k4 functions as a myogenic suppressor mainly at the early stage of skeletal myogenesis with a moderate effect on myoblast fusion during late-stage muscle differentiation. In agreement, Map4k4 expression and protein kinase activity are declined with myogenic differentiation. The inhibitory effect of Map4k4 on skeletal myogenesis requires its kinase activity. Surprisingly, none of the identified Map4k4 downstream effectors including p38 MAPK, JNK and ERK is involved in the Map4k4-mediated myogenic differentiation. Instead, expression of myogenic regulatory factor Myf5, a positive mediator of skeletal muscle differentiation is transiently regulated by Map4k4 to partially control skeletal myogenesis. Mechanisms by which Map4k4 modulates Myf5 amount have yet to be determined. In the second part of my thesis, I assess the relationship between Map4k4 and IGF-mediated signaling pathways. Although siRNA-mediated silencing of Map4k4 results in markedly enhanced myotube formation that is identical to the IGF-induced muscle hypertrophic phenotype, and Map4k4 regulates IGF/Akt signaling downstream effector mTOR in cultured adipocytes, Map4k4 appears not to be involved in the IGF-mediated ERK1/2 signaling axis and the IGF-mediated Akt signaling axis in C2C12 myoblasts. Furthermore, Map4k4 does not affect endogenous Akt signaling or mTOR activity during C2C12 myogenic differentiation. The results presented here not only identify Map4k4 as a novel suppressor of skeletal muscle differentiation, but also add to our knowledge of Map4k4 action on multiple signaling pathways in muscle cells during skeletal…
Effects of Insecticides In Vitro on Acetylcholinesterase Purified from Body Muscle of Koi Carp (Cyprinus carpio)

The inhibitory effects of various insecticides and their derivatives on acetylcholinesterase(AChE)purified from the body muscle homogenate of Koi carp(Cyprinus carpio)were examined in vitro. The p(IC50), negative logarithm of inhibitor concentration(M)required for 50% inhibition, of individual chemicals was estimated to be 3.2-8.2 and 5.4-6.1 for the organophosphates and carbamates tested, respectively. Of the 35 chemicals examined, isoxathion oxon was the most potent inhibitor as shown by p(IC50)of 8.2, and oxono organophospate compounds(with P=O)were hundreds to thousands times more inhibitory than their thiono analogues(with P=S). Azinphos, chloropyrifos, paraoxon and parathion in the form of diethyl ester were slightly more inhibitory than their dimethyl analogues, respectively. Effects of combination of different insecticides were also examined, and various combinations tested showed an additive inhibitory effect.
EFFECT OF OMEGA-3 FATTY ACID ENRICHED FEED SUPPLEMENT ON BROILER PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS QUALITY

A study was conducted to determine the effect of omega-3 fatty acid enriched feed supplement on performance and carcass quality of broilers. A total of 250 seven day-old Cobb broiler chicks were randomly assigned to five treatments in a completely randomized design. The treatments were: diet with coconut oil (control) and diets with omega-3 fatty acid enriched feed supplement (n-3 FAS) replacing coconut oil at 25, 50, 75 and 100% (full replacement). Performance parameters (body weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency, livability rate and dressing percentage) and organoleptic characteristics and fatty acid composition of meat were determined. The performance and organoleptic characteristics of broiler meat did not differ (P > 0.05) among treatments. The concentration of omega-3 fatty acid (alpha linolenic acid) in thigh meat increased (P Keywords: alpha-linolenic acid, broiler, omega-3 fatty acid, organoleptic characteristics, performance parameters
Cosmopolitan Care

I develop the foundation for cosmopolitan care, an underexplored variety of moral cosmopolitanism. I begin by offering a characterization of contemporary cosmopolitanism from the justice tradition. Rather than discussing the political, economic or cultural aspects of cosmopolitanism, I instead address its moral dimensions. I then employ a feminist philosophical perspective to provide a critical evaluation of the moral foundations of cosmopolitan justice, with an eye toward demonstrating the need for an alternative account of moral cosmopolitanism as cosmopolitan care. After providing an explanation of how care ethics in connection with Kantian ethics generates a duty to care, I consider one main feature of cosmopolitan care, namely the theory of obligation it endorses. In developing this account, I place special emphasis on the practical ramifications of the theory by using it to analyze gender violence in conflict zones.
DECODING THE TRANSCRIPTIONAL LANDSCAPE OF TRIPLE-NEGATIVE BREAST CANCER USING NEXT GENERATION WHOLE TRANSCRIPTOME SEQUENCING

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)%%%%Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are negative for the expression of estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR), and HER-2 receptors. TNBC accounts for 15% of all breast cancers and results in disproportionally higher mortality compared to ER & HER2-positive tumours. Moreover, there is a paucity of therapies for this subtype of breast cancer resulting primarily from an inadequate understanding of the transcriptional differences that differentiate TNBC from normal breast. To this end, we embarked on a comprehensive examination of the transcriptomes of TNBCs and normal breast tissues using next-generation whole transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq). By comparing RNA-seq data from these tissues, we report the presence of differentially expressed coding and non-coding genes, novel transcribed regions, and mutations not previously reported in breast cancer. From these data we have identified two major themes. First, BRCA1 mutations are well known to be associated with development of TNBC. From these data we have identified many genes that work in concert with BRCA1 that are dysregulated suggesting a role of BRCA1 associated genes with sporadic TNBC. In addition, we observe a mutational profile in genes also associated with BRCA1 and DNA repair that lend more evidence to its role. Second, we demonstrate that using microdissected normal epithelium maybe an optimal comparator when searching for novel therapeutic targets for TNBC. Previous studies have used other controls such as reduction mammoplasties, adjacent normal tissue, or other breast cancer subtypes, which may be sub-optimal and have lead to identifying ineffective therapeutic targets. Our data suggests that the comparison of microdissected ductal epithelium to TNBC can identify potential therapeutic targets that may lead to be better clinical efficacy. In summation, with these data, we provide a detailed transcriptional landscape of TNBC and normal breast that we believe will lead to a better understanding of this complex disease.
Caboxylesterases in the metabolism and toxicity of pesticides

5.3 Carbamates 63 5.3. 1 Structural and Chemical Basis of the Carboxylesterase-Carbamate Interaction 63 5.3. 2 Vertebrate Metabolism of Carbamates via CarbE Activity 64 5.3. 3 Physiological Effects of CarbE Inhibition by Carbamates 65 5.3. 4 Invertebrate Metabolism of Carbamates by CarbEs 65 5.4 Synthetic Pyrethroids 66 5.4. 1 Structural and Chemical Basis of the Synthetic Pyrethroid Carboxylesterase Interaction 66 5.4. 2 The Role of CarbEs in SP Metabolism in Vertebrates 68 5.4. 3 Physiological Effects of CarbE Inhibition by SPs 68 5.4. 4 The Role of CarbEs in SP Metabolism in Invertebrates 68 5.5 Conclusions 69 References 69
Novel Roles for Reelin in Retinogeniculate Targeting

ix Introduction.1 Materials and Methods.30 Results.40 Reelin protein expression is high in the vLGN and IGL.40 RGC projections to the vLGN and IGL are diminished in the reeler mutant.42 ipRGCs are morphologically normal in reeler mutants.46 ipRGC axon targeting to the vLGN and IGL is disrupted in the reeler mutant.48 Image forming RGCs and their dLGN projections are normal in the reeler mutant . 48 Layer VI corticothalamics to dLGN are normal in reeler.49 Cytoarchitecture of the LGN is normal in reeler.50 Discussion.80 References.90
Sexuality in Fishes

Introduction-Life span and sexual maturity Spawning process Fecundity Egg size Sperm count and sperm cells Breeding sites Breeding times Breeding systems Sexual pattern Intersexuality Gonochorism-Gonadal differentiation Morphotypes Sex ratio Operational sex ratio Unisexualism-Hybridization Polyploidization Poecilia formosa Menidia clarkhubbsi Carassius auratus Cobitis complex Poeciliopsis monacha-lucida Phoxinus eos. neogaeus Rutilus alburnoides Simultaneous hermaphroditism-Self-fertilizing hermaphrodites Egg trading hermaphrodites Potential self-fertilizers Sequential hermaphroditism Protogynous hermaphroditism-Transition load Classification Pathways and duration of sex change Sex ratio Protandric hermaphroditism-Gonadal organization Sex ratio Pathways of sex change Serial hermaphroditism-Marian hermaphroditism Okinawan hermaphroditism Serial sex change Cascade and causes of sex change Mating systems-Monogamy Alternate mating strategies Morphism Lekking and promiscuity Parental care References * Author index * Species index * Subject index
Mechanisms for the generation of reactive oxygen species in plant defence – a broad perspective

Abstract In response to attempted invasion by a pathogen, plants mount a broad range of defence responses, including the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The most spectacular and one of the earliest observable aspects of this mechanism is the oxidative burst – a rapid and transient production of large amounts of ROS. This review is intended to provide a broad perspective on the multiplicity of mechanisms and signal transduction pathways leading to a single phenomenon of ROS generation in plant defence reaction to microbial infection. Thus, two major models describing the origin of ROS in the oxidative burst are presented, namely: the NADPH oxidase system analogous to that of mammalian phagocytotic cells, and the pH-dependent generation of hydrogen peroxide by exocellular peroxidases. Additionally, the involvement of other plasma membrane-bound proteins, utilizing NADH or NADPH, in ROS generation is also demonstrated. Furthermore, other exocellular enzymes, like germin/oxalate oxidases and amine oxidases producing ROS in response to pathogen infection are described. The potential participation of protoplastic ROS-generating systems residing in mitochondria, peroxisomes, and glyoxysomes constitutes the next part of this review. Finally, the potential elements of the signal transduction pathways leading to the activation of various mechanisms of ROS production are indicated.
Nutritional and Physiological Control of Metabolic Pathways That Alter Milk Protein and Lactose Synthesis by the Mammary Gland

Title of Document: NUTRITIONAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF METABOLIC PATHWAYS THAT ALTER MILK PROTEIN AND LACTOSE SYNTHESIS BY THE MAMMARY GLAND Katie Marie Schoenberg, M.S., 2006 Directed By: Assistant Professor, Brian J. Bequette Animal and Avian Sciences The objectives of this research were to develop a [U-C]glucose tracer approach establishing the pathways and substrates for milk lactose and casein synthesis, and determine the influence of protein intake on murine mammary gland metabolism. Milk samples were collected after one, three and five days of feeding tracer (as 10% of dextrose). C-Isotopic and isotopomer plateaus were attained by day three, establishing the time-course necessary for tracer feeding. 23% of lactose-derived glucose originated from sources other than blood glucose. Six paired (intake and pups equal) sets of lactating mice were fed either a normal (20%) or low (10%) protein diet. C-mass isotopomer distribution (MID) in lactose-derived glucose and galactose did not differ, indicating common mammary metabolic pools. C-MID in blood versus casein indicated significant mammary synthesis of glutamate (Normal:51%, Low:50%), alanine (Normal:32%, Low:29%), and serine (Normal:18%, Low:37%, P < 0.05), suggesting additional requirements for glucose and/or EAA for NEAA synthesis. NUTRITIONAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF METABOLIC PATHWAYS THAT ALTER MILK PROTEIN AND LACTOSE SYNTHESIS BY THE MAMMARY GLAND
Creating sense from non-sense DNA: de novo genesis and evolutionary history of antifreeze glycoprotein gene in northern cod fishes (gadidae)

Antifreeze glycoproteins (AFGP) are a novel evolutionary creation in members of the northern cod fish family (Gadidae), crucial in preventing death from inoculative freezing by environmental ice in their frigid Arctic and sub-Arctic habitats. However, the genomic origin and mechanism evolution of this important new adaptive genetic trait remained elusive. To solve these evolutionary questions, we constructed large insert genomic DNA BAC (bacterial artificial chromosome) libraries of two gadids, the high Arctic polar cod Boreogadus saida and the coldtemperate Atlantic tomcod Microgadus tomcod, to isolate their AFGP genomic loci for analyses. The polar cod BAC library contained 92,160 clones with an average insert size of 94.7 kbp, and the Atlantic tomcod library contained 73,728 clones with an average insert size of 89.6 kbp. The genome sizes of B. saida and M. tomcod were estimated by cell flow cytometry to be 836 Mbp and 645 Mbp respectively, thus their BAC libraries have approximately 10and 9.7-fold genome coverage respectively. The inclusiveness and depth of coverage were empirically confirmed by screening the libraries with three housekeeping genes. The BAC clones mapping to the AFGP genomic loci of the two gadids were then isolated by screening the BAC libraries with gadid AFGP gene probes. The minimal tiling path (MTP) clones were identified, sequenced and assembled. The B. saida AFGP locus reconstruction produced both haplotypes, and the locus comprises three distinct AFGP gene clusters, containing a total of 16 AFGP genes and spanning
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) reduces the elastic modulus of osteoblasts through disruption of the actin cytoskeleton

Bone responds to mechanical stimulation with an increase in bone formation, in vivo, yet mechanosensitivity is lost upon continued stimulation. Osteoblasts rapidly increase actin stress fibers in response to mechanical loading and we predict that this increase may induce mechanical desensitization. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) enhances the response of bone to mechanical loads and briefly destabilizes the actin cytoskeleton. We postulate that PTH increases cellular elasticity, and hence mechanosensitivity, through disruption of actin stress fibers. The cellular elasticity of MC3T3‐E1 osteoblasts was quantified using atomic force microscopy in ramping mode to establish the stress‐strain curve of the cell. We found that PTH treatment for 30 min increased the elasticity of an osteoblast two‐fold. Confocal microscopy studies demonstrate that actin stress fiber formation is increased in MC3T3‐E1 cells within 15 min of initiation of fluid shear and that addition of 50 nM PTH prevents this increase in actin organization. These results indicate that PTH increases the intracellular elasticity of osteoblasts by disrupting the actin cytoskeleton that may explain the PTH‐enhanced response of bone to mechanical loads. Continuing studies will define the elastic modulus of osteoblasts during fluid shear and cytoskeletal disruption and correlate the elastic modulus with cellular responses to mechanical load.
Classical transmitters and transmitter receptors in the CNS

I. Histochemical distribution of acetylcholinesterase in the central nervous system: clues to the localization of cholinergic neurons (L.L. Butcher and N.J. Woolf). II. Choline acetyltransferase-containing neurons in the rat brain (H. Kimura, P.L. McGeer and Jeng-Hsiung Peng). III. Serotonin-immunoreactive neurons and their projections in the CNS (H.W.M. Steinbusch). IV. Immunohistochemical localization of histamine in neurons and mast cells in the rat brain (H.W.M. Steinbusch and A.H. Mulder). V. Neurons containing or accumulating transmitter amino acids (O.P. Ottersen and J. Storm-Mathisen). VI. GABA-T-intensive neurons in the rat brain (T. Nagai, P.L. McGeer, M. Araki and E.G. McGeer). VII. Cholinergic receptors (A. Rotter). VIII. Serotonergic receptors (R.C. Meibach). IX. Catacholamine receptors (J.M. Palacios and J.K. Wamsley). X. Amino acid and benzodiazepine receptors (J.K. Wamsley and J.M. Palacios). XI. Histaminergic receptors (J.K. Wamsley and J.M. Palacios). Subject index.
Magnitude and clinico-etiological profileof renal disorders in children – a retrospective study in tertiary care hospital

Objectives: This study was undertaken to know about the magnitude, clinical spectrum and etiologyof renal diseases in children in a tertiary care teaching hospital.Materials and Methods: Thisis a hospital based, retrospective, descriptive study, done on children with renaldiseases admitted to pediatric department of Velammal Medical College, Madurai from Jan 2016 – Dec 2016. Results: Renal disorders are contributing to 4.6% of total admissions. Males (61.1%%), outnumbered, females (38.9%) in our study. Children less than 5 years of age were most commonly affected (47%). Most common symptom in children with renal disorders were burning micturition/increased frequency/urgency(36.4%), fever (29.4%), decreased urine output (28.4%), abdomen distension (25.4%), pain abdomen (18.4%), vomiting (17.6%), red/cola coloured urine (11.6%). The most common sign observed wasperi-orbital puffiness (22.3%), pedal edema and ascitis in (18.8%) each, tachypnea in (10.5%) of children. The most common etiologyof renal disorders was UTI (36.4%), PUJ obstruction (18.8%), Nephrotic syndrome in (16.4%), and renal calculi (14.1%). Conclusion: Our present study has revealed that, the magnitude of childhood renal disorders is in the increasing trend, associated with wide clinical spectrum and predominance of infective etiology. Emphasis is therefore placed on high index of suspicion for atypical presentation of renal disorders andpreventing progression to chronicity.
Conflict and legitimacy: explaining tensions in Swedish hunting policy at the local level

This article reveals the existence of a so-called “ghost policy” (informal tradition and/or obsolete policy rules) that resists new official policy concerning the management of natural resources in Sweden. These ghost policies are often ignored in the Swedish policy making process inhibiting, therefore, viable and legitimate solutions to the profound negative consequences that costly local conflicts of interest have on democracy. These conflicts of interest expose and represent a classic and current problem intrinsic to the communitarian policy process in Sweden. That is, since the Swedish policy process has a blind spot, it focuses on the views of experts and interest organisations and, subsequently, overlooks the perceptions of those stakeholders (in this case local game hunters) affected by policy. This undermines the policy's goals since they are alien to local tradition. Furthermore, not just the existence and ubiquity of ghost policies, but even social facts such as the physical size and membership of an organisation influence conflicts of interest. This implies that there is still room for collaborations with locals as well as social engineering in the policy process. In order then for the Swedish policy process to gain more legitimacy from stakeholders involved with natural resource management the government must review and change its present processes of policy making.