Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Control of floodwater mosquitoes in wetlands.

Flood water mosquitoes have been successfully controlled in Switzerland for 25 years with products based on Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti). These mosquitoes have a flying range of up to 10 km in search of a blood meal. Before the interventions the quality of life of residents in villages near the mosquito breeding areas was greatly reduced, and tourism suffered financial losses. The logistic to block the mass development of the flood water mosquitoes, dominated by Aedes vexans and Ochlerotatus sticticus is demanding. Accurate forecast of precipitation in the breeding areas is an important for the planning stage. Flooded breeding sites require monitoring for the presence of mosquito larvae. Only a few days are available for Bti-interventions. Time slots for aerial treatments by helicopter have to be obtained. Ground application equipment has to be ready. Mosquito larvae have to be eliminated in their third instar, once in the fourth instar the efficacy of Bti drops. Post-treatment monitoring has to show 95% to 99% elimination of mosquito larvae. It is the goal to limit the Bti-treatments to one or two interventions per year. Bti-treatments to control flood water mosquitoes requires governmental approval.
Cell Cycle Vignettes The Cell Cycle of Budding Yeast

The cell cycle of budding yeast has become a hallmark problem of molecular systems biology for a number of reasons. (1) The cycle of DNA replication, mitosis and cell division is crucial to all aspects of biological growth, development and reproduction. (2) The genes and pathways for cell cycle control seem to be very similar in all eukaryotes, including mammals. (3) Budding yeast is exceptionally good for genetic analysis of cell cycle controls because it can proliferate as haploid cells, and its genetic makeup can be easily altered by standard tools of molecular genetics. For this reason, a great deal is known about the molecular machinery regulating the events of the budding yeast cell cycle. (4) The machinery is very complicated, and its properties cannot be worked out reliably by intuitive reasoning alone. (5) Comprehensive mathematical models of the budding yeast cell cycle have been built and tested against a wide range of experimental observations. (6) The models make interesting predictions that have been confirmed, in large part, by experimental tests.
Biosensors for detection of food borne pathogens

A biosensor is an analytical device, which converts a biological response into an electrical signal. Food processing industry faces various challenges; one of the foremost challenges is the need for quick and cost effective methods to detect the presence of allergenic components and pathogens in the food. Biosensors pave way for the rapid detection of pathogens, allergens as well as pesticide residues in food. Detection of contaminants, verification of product contents, product freshness and monitoring of raw materials conversion are the areas of potential biosensor applications. Biosensors have the potential to produce an analytical revolution to resolve the challenges in the agricultural and the food industries. This review focuses on the application of biosensors for contaminants in food system.
Genotype by Environment Interaction for Protein Content of Malt Barley Genotypes Using the Additive Main Effect and Multiplicative Interaction Effect Model (AMMI) and Genotype Plus Genotype by Environment Interaction (GGE) Biplot

Protein content is a prerequisite for malting quality and it is highly affected by environment. The objective of this study was to quantify the magnitude of genotype by environment interaction and assess the protein content of malt barley genotypes in diversified locations. Eight malt barley genotypes were evaluated in randomized complete block design using three replications at six locations of Tigray, Ethiopia durining 2013/2014 main cropping season. The additive main effect and multiplicative interaction effect model (AMMI) analysis revealed significant differences (p<0.01) for genotype, location and genotype by location interaction for protein content. The magnitude of location was twice the magnitude of genotype. Hence, the malt barley genotypes had not a consistent rank across location. The AMMI model clearly indicated the presence of large magnitude of genotype by location interaction which can be partitioned into four significant interaction principal components. The malt barley genotypes were best explained by the AMMI2. Therefore, this model is vital for protein content study in the area. According to the additive main effect and multiplicative interaction effect biplot 1 analysis and ranking biplot f the GGE the genotypes Holkler and Bekoji were stable for desirable protein content for malting. The AMMI1 biplot indicated that locations Korem, Emba-hasti and Astella were unfavorable having protein content less than the grand mean. However, Hashange Mekhan and Hagara-Selam were favorable with protein content greater than the grand mean. In the malting industry protein content is not the only indicator and other quality requirements have to be incorporated for full packaged recommendation of the malt barley genotypes.
Japanese Encephalitis Virus in Pigs and Vectors in the Mekong Delta With Special Reference to Urban Farming

Japanese encephalitis Virus (JEV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus in East and South Asia, estimated to cause 60 000 human cases of Japanese encephalitis each year. The main transmission cycle for JEV is via mosquito vectors, mainly Culex species, between pigs and wading birds, the reservoir hosts. Incidental infection in humans can result in encephalitis with 30% case fatalities, and half of the survivors may have neurological sequelae. Some of the most important vectors, such as Culex tritaeniorhynchus, commonly breed in rice fields, and the disease is therefore mainly considered to be a risk in rural areas. However, increasing urbanisation creates needs and opportunities for urban agriculture, and since pork is popular in Southeast Asia, it is common to keep pigs in cities. With this in mind, this thesis focuses on three important aspects of JEV circulation; the pig, the vectors and the virus itself. Pigs are usually only clinically affected by JEV during pregnancy. Sows in the area around Can Tho city in the Mekong delta region of South Vietnam, where JEV occurs endemically, were investigated for the association between JEV seropositivity and reproduction. In total 315 sows were included, with 60% seropositive. In sows less than 1.5 years of age, seropositivity was associated with the occurrence of more stillborn piglets, but this association could not be observed when all sows were included in the analysis. Mosquitoes were collected in households within and surrounding Can Tho city. The numbers of the zoophilic vectors Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and Culex gelidus were positively associated with pigs, whereas Culex quinquefasciatus, an anthropophilic vector, was positively associated with the number of people in the household. Of the 7885 mosquitoes collected, seven mosquito pools, collected close to pigs, were positive for JEV using nested RT-PCR. Four PCR fragments were similar to JEV genotype III and three to genotype I, indicating that both genotypes circulate in Can Tho city at the same time. Within Can Tho city all pigs sampled (43/43) were seropositive for JEV. These findings demonstrate that JEV can be a public health issue in urban as well as in rural areas and that it is associated with few reproductive problems in sows in an endemic area.
Soil Compaction in different ages vineyards in Pannonian Croatia. Part II. Modeling spatial variability of soil compaction parameters in vineyard

Geostatistical modeling with different interpolation methods represents progress in describing and monitoring the spatial variability of soil properties. By choosing the proper interpolation method it is possible to produce distribution maps of investigated soil properties which are characterized by significant accuracy, and thus reduced required number of samples for the soil description and determination. On the example of determined soil penetration resistance and collected undisturbed soil samples from thirty years and seven years vineyards, and with geostatistical data analysis followed by comparison of interpolation models, spatial maps of soil resistance, bulk density and soil moisture are produced. This paper presents the applicability of GIS for characterization the spatial variation of soil resistance, bulk density and soil moisture based on 72 undisturbed samples collected at three depths (0-10 cm, 11-20 cm and 21-30 cm) and 177 measured soil penetration resistance in each of the studied vineyards located in central Croatia. The study points to the usefulness of geostatistical techniques analysis of spatial distribution of some physical soil properties. The results provided in graphical form and their associated variance, indicating the possibility of using geostatistical analysis for the sustainable management of soils in the vineyards and plans for soil conservation in the study area.
Molecular cloning of human T-cell leukaemia virus type I (HTLV-I) proteins and the role of HTLV-I infection in multiple drug resistance (MDR)

To facilitate the structural and functional analysis of Human T-cell leukaemia virus typeI (HTLV-I) a recombinant proviral expression system was to be employed in which viral protein expression is uncoupled from the inefficient process of infection. Several molecular genomic HTLV-I proviral clones were isolated and used to express viral proteins. However, none of these molecular HTLV-I proviral clones were found to be fully competent for virus expression and did not allow the further development of the expression system. HTLV-I is etiologically linked to a rapidly progressing T-cell malignancy known as adult T-cell leukaemia (ATL) and a degenerative neurological disorder called HTLV-I associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). These diseases are noted for their poor response and high resistance to chemotherapy. Clinical drug resistance has been associated with the overexpression of the mdr-1 gene and its protein product P-glycoprotein (PGP). The presence of multiple drug resistant (MDR) cell phenotypes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from HTLV-I infected patients was assessed and enhanced mdr-1 mRNA expression and PGP drug efflux activity was observed. MDR phenotypes were found in nine out of ten HTLV-I infected subjects tested. Development of MDR was independent of disease type or status with significant MDR activity being found in ATL, lymphoma type ATL, TSP/HAM and asymptomatic individuals. Furthermore the demonstration of stimulation and trans-activation of the mdr-1 gene suggests potential molecular mechanisms for the development of drug resistant cell phenotypes induced by HTLV-I infection.
Defining The Genetic Basis Of Three Hereditary Neurological Conditions In Families From The Indian Subcontinent

Neurogenetic studies have revolutionised our understanding of the genetic and molecular basis of inherited neurological disorders, primarily as a result of the identification of single disease-causing genes. The incidence of such disorders is increased amongst populations with common shared ancestry or a high rate of consanguinity. Hence, the investigation of inherited neurological conditions in genetic isolates provides a robust opportunity to define the molecular pathogenic basis of these conditions. Neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders present important public health issues in the developing countries in the Indian subcontinent. The global burden of these disorders is worsened by the lack of targeted research funding and relevant in-country research capacity. This project, undertaken as part of a wider research study investigating inherited disorders in the Indian subcontinent, aimed to define the molecular genetic bases of three extended families with distinct neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders. In the first family with multiple individuals affected by a severe autosomal recessive form of neurodevelopmental delay with microcephaly, genetic studies identified mutation in a gene (MFSD2A), not previously associated with inherited disease, which led to a reduction of fatty acid transportation in patients homozygous for the disease-causing mutation. In the second family, genotyping identified a complex chromosomal rearrangement associated with diverse clinical outcomes including Wolf Hirschorn-, 3p deletion-, and 4p duplication syndrome, among ten chromosomally-imbalanced affected individuals. In the third family, a duplication event on chromosome 15q24 encompassing the LINGO1 gene was identified as a likely cause of dystonic tremor in affected individuals. Together these molecular discoveries provide fundamentally important biological insight into the pathogenic basis of abnormal brain growth and control of movement with the potential diagnostic and treatment applications.
Complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of globe fish Tetraodon lineatus (Linnaeus, 1758) and the phylogenetic analysis of tetraodontidae

Abstract Globe fish, Tetraodon lineatus (Linnaeus, 1758) is an ornamental freshwater fish in China. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of globe fish was first determined. The entire mitochondrial DNA sequence (mtDNA) sequence was 164595bp in length and consisted of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), 2 ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs) and a control region (CR). Its mitochondrial genome had the common features with those of other bony fishes with respect to gene arrangement, base composition, and tRNA structures.
Tamanho de parcela amostral para inventários florestais .

Resultado da investigacao sobre o tamanho ideal de parcela amostral para Inventarios Florestais, feita com base em 32 diferentes tamanhos, simulados, um a um, sobre o Inventario Florestal a 100% de uma area de 80 hectares de floresta tropical umida de terra firme, com arvores de DAP maior ou igual a 25 cm. A parcela que apresentou os melhores resultados foi a de dimensoes de 37,5 x 150 metros.
Microbiological Considerations: Pasteurized Milk

Milk is an ideal medium for the growth and multiplication of diverse microorganisms resulting in its early deterioration. Consumption of raw milk should be discouraged, as numerous epidemiological outbreaks even death have been recorded. Amongst various methods, pasteurization is the widely adopted technology to render milk safe for human consumption. Microbiological quality of pasteurized milk is resultant of various factors including quality of raw milk, heat-treatment employed, storage conditions and extent of post-pasteurization contamination. In the present endeavor, attempts have been made to highlight microbiological considerations for the safety of pasteurized milk. Endeavour has been made to explore various factors affecting the microbiological quality of pasteurized milk and hygienic practices to be implemented for quality improvement. Reviewed literature indicated that to ensure safe pasteurized milk, an improvement in the microbiological quality of raw milk, proper pasteurization and prevention of postpasteurization contamination is important. Introduction of microfiltration prior to pasteurization is suggested to ensure complete removal of spores thereby enhancing the microbiological safety of pasteurized milk.
A Ribosome Footprinting Protocol for Plants

[Abstract] Ribosome footprinting, or Ribo-seq, has revolutionized the studies of translation. It was originally developed for yeast and mammalian cells in culture (Ingolia et al ., 2009). Herein, we describe a plant-optimized hands-on ribosome footprinting protocol derived from previously published procedures of polysome isolation (Ingolia et al ., 2009; Mustroph et al ., 2009) and ribosome footprinting (Ingolia et al ., 2009; Ingolia et al ., 2013). With this protocol, we have been able to successfully isolate and analyze high-quality ribosomal footprints from different stages of in vitro grown Arabidopsis thaliana plants (dark-grown seedlings [Merchante et al ., 2015] and 13-day-old plantlets in plates and plants grown in liquid culture [unpublished results]).
ROLE OF PHYTOESTROGENS IN POSTMENOPAUSAL OSTEOPOROSIS: A REVIEW

Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring plant compounds that are similar in some ways to estradiol, the most potent naturally occurring estrogen. Isoflavones are phyto-estrogens similar to women's estrogens and are bound to cellular estrogen receptors in various organs. Osteoporosis is a serious problem for postmenopausal women which increases the risk of bone fracture and worsens with age . Compounds with estrogen-like biological activity similar to "Isoflavones" present in plants, may reduce bone loss in postmenopausal women as they are similar in structure to estrogens.
Trophic niche and spatio-temporal changes in the feeding ecology of two sympatric species of coral trout (Plectropomus leopardus and P-laevis)

This research was conducted under research permits from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (G12/35236.1 and G14/36624.1) and Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (144482). This project was funded by the Australian Government's National Environmental Research Program (Tropical Ecosystems Hub Project 6.1). M.R. H. was supported by an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship (#FT100101004). Additional funding was granted to J.K. M. from the James Cook University College of Marine and Environmental Sciences and the Graduate Research School; an Australian Coral Reef Society (ACRS) Award and a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) PGS D scholarship. All research was conducted under JCU Animal Ethics Permit A1933. Laboratory analysis was assisted by A. Hussey and K. Johnson. The authors thank crew from the R/V 'James Kirby', F. de Faria, S. Moore, P. Yates, M. Espinoza, and E. Ledee.
Comparative characteristics of the biological properties of small ruminant lentiviruses

: The infections caused by small ruminant lentiviruses include diseases, such as Maedi-Visna (MV) and caprine arthritis-encephalitis (CAE). According to phylogenetic findings and their common origination, small ruminant lentiviruses were divided into Groups A, B, C, D, and E. Cultivation of the lentiviruses displayed the cytopathic effect of the CAE virus strain 75 G-63 in the primary culture of goatling synovial membrane cells, which was shown by monolayer destruction and polynuclear cell formation; this was uncharacteristic for M-88, K-796, and Tverskoy strains. A high homology was found for the Tverskoy strain with Group B small ruminant lentiviruses and the M-88 and K-796 strains with their Group A.
Structure of the Air-Breathing Organs of a Swamp Mud Eel, Monopterus cuchia

The structure of the air-breathing organs ofMonopterus (=Amphipnous)cuchia has been studied by using light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy and the morphological basis for buccopharyngeal respiration, aerial as well as aquatic has been established. Respiratory islets are well distributed over the surface of the buccopharynx, hypopharynx and branchial arches extending deep into the gill clefts but occupy only the anterior two-thirds of the air sacs, the remaining posterior one-third part seems to be non-respiratory in function and may serve as a reservoir for residual air. Arterioles penetrate deep into the epithelial region of air sacs and buccopharynx in spiral-like fashion to form the characteristic vascular papillae of the respiratory islets. In juvenile fish new respiratory islets develop in the non-vascular part of the air sac in between large older islets as sprout-like structures. The respiratory area, capillary loading, thickness of air-blood tissue barrier, and the diffusing capacity of the respiratory membrane of a 200 g fish were found to be 20 cm2, 2.72 cm3/m2, 0.72 × 10−4 cm, and 0.00165 ml O2/min/mmHg/kg, respectively.
The Effects of Hypoxia on Centrosome Function in Prostate Cancer

Hypoxia and centrosome aberrations are both prominent features of prostate cancer and have been shown to be markers of poor clinical prognosis. Hypoxia has been linked to increased genomic instability and aggressive tumor phenotype. Centrosome aberrations have also been directly linked to chromosomal instability. I hypothesized that hypoxia causes centrosome aberrations in prostate cancer cells, as a potential mechanism of hypoxia-induced genomic instability. Analyses of centrosome gene expression in DU14 prostate cancer cells demonstrated that hypoxia causes centrosome gene deregulation. Centrosome structure assays revealed that hypoxia leads to accumulation of centriolar satellites in a cell line and reoxygenation independent manner. If centrosome aberrations are specific to hypoxic cancer cells, centrosome and mitosis targeting drugs could provide a high therapeutic ratio and better outcome for patients with high hypoxic tumor fraction.
Trophic role of demersal mesopredators on rocky reefs in an equatorial Atlantic Ocean island

Summary The decrease in the number of sharks around Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago (SPSPA) may impact food web structure. We investigated trophic relationships in the shallow rocky reefs of the SPSPA using stable isotopes and stomach contents with a particular focus on three abundant mesopredators: Caranx lugubris, Enchelycore nigricans and Muraena pavonina. Food web structure was described using samples of the most abundant basal resources, fishes and invertebrates, which were collected in April and October 2012. Individuals of the three focal species (n = 138: C. lugubris, n = 56; E. nigricans, n = 18; M. pavonina, n = 64) were collected during four expeditions to SPSPA (April and October of 2011 and 2012). Results suggest that this shallow water food web is supported by trophic pathways originating from benthic resources. Stable isotope data suggest potential competitive interactions between the whitespot moray and the other two mesopredators. Conversely, stomach content data suggest little niche overlap in the three focal species, but these data must be interpreted carefully because of the small sample sizes and restricted temporal sampling windows. All three mesopredators have a significant, albeit weak, relationship between body size and δ15N, suggesting ontogenetic diet shifts. These data contribute baseline information to assess shifts in food web structure that may stem from top predator decline in this unique ecosystem.
Does digestion of red meat cause more procarcinogenic DNA adducts in healthy subjects as opposed to white meat

Several studies have demonstrated that the consumption of red and processed meat can contribute to the risk of colorectal cancer. One of the hypotheses for the causal mechanism is that red and processed meat stimulate the formation of Nnitroso compounds (NOCs) in the gut. NOCs are able to alkylate and thus alter the composition of cellular DNA. It has already been reported that feces of volunteers on a high red meat diet contains high levels of NOCs. Furthermore, the occurrence of O-CMG, a NOC-specific DNA adduct in colonic cells in vivo, has also been confirmed. In our previous work we demonstrated that the formation of O-CMG specifically occurs in the colon and depends on the individual microbiota. In the present study we aimed to screen the colonic microbiota of 15 healthy volunteers for their ability to produce OCMG in in vitro digestions of meats. The production of O-CMG was monitored by means of UHPLCMS/MS. We found that O-CMG adduct formation in digesta of different meats is indeed possible, but is very much reflected by the individual microbiota of volunteers. In general, a higher formation of OCMG was observed for red meat, which proved significant for individuals but not throughout the entire test survey.
PERSISTENCE OF AN INTRODUCED NON-INDIGENOUS ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGUS, RHIZOPHAGUS IRREGULARIS AND THE IMPACT ON INDIGENOUS ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGAL COMMUNITIES AND SUBSEQUENT GROWTH OF PULSE CROPS

iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. v DEDICATION. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS. vii LIST OF TABLES. xiii LIST OF FIGURES. xv LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS. xx 1.0 GENERAL INTRODUCTION. 1 1.