Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of pigment production on resistance to ultraviolet irradiation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 10145.

The effect of both growth rate and growth phase on the resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to ultraviolet irradiation damage was examined. With a decrease in growth rate there was an increase in UV-absorbing pigments (both pyocyanin and pyoverdine) and in resistance. It was also established, using batch culture, that resistance to UV irradiation was greatest in the stationary phase (by a three-log difference compared with log phase). The influence of pigment production was further examined and the two pigments, pyocyanin and pyoverdine, were found to provide physical protection for the cell. Pyocyanin also appeared to induce a resistant mechanism within cells. Increased pyocyanin levels resulted in increased radiation resistance. Since pigmented pseudomonads are common water and food spoilage organisms, these findings have implications for the efficacy of UV irradiation based treatment used in the control of these microorganisms.
INDUCCIÓN DE ESTRUCTURAS REPRODUCTIVAS EN Pseudotsuga menziesii

Pseudotsuga menziesii is a conifer widely used in Christmas tree plantations in Mexico, which increases the need for an efficient supply of quality germoplasm. In order to reduce the time required for seed production in this species, the effect of gibberelic acid (GA4/7) and trunk girdling on the formation of reproductive structures was evaluated in two field trials with juvenile trees. Four dosages of GA4/7 (0, 1.27, 2.55 and 5.10 mg cm-2) injected into the tree trunk were used, and one year later, the percentage of trees with a response and the number and position of reproductive structures were evaluated. The treatments were more effective on formation of female cones, with a response that varied from 37.5 % in site 1, to 62.5 % in site 2, whereas less than 20 % of the trees formed male cones in both sites. The phenological stage of the tree at the time of applying the treatments influenced (p£0.01) the number of male and female cones formed. Also, the effect of GA4/7 on the number of cones varied with each trial; in site 1 the lowest dose (1.27 mg cm-2) was the most effective for the induction of female cones, whereas in site 2, the high dose (5.10 mg cm-2) was the most effective. Trunk girdling increased (p£0.01) the number of cones when combined with low doses of GA4/7, but had no positive effect when high doses were used. The analysis of the results indicates that the application of GA4/7 combined with trunk girdling is effective in inducing flowering in sexually immature P. menziesii trees, which helps accelerate the production of seed in this species.
Orta Karadeniz’de Dip Trolünün Av Kompozisyonu ve Etkileyen Faktörler / Catch composition of bottom trawl and affected factors in the middle Black Sea

OZET: Bu calisma Orta Karadeniz de Eylul 2002 - Nisan 2003 tarihleri arasinda gerceklestirilmistir. Calismada ticari teknelerle avlanan, mezgit (Gadus merlangus euxinus), barbunya (Mullus barbatus ponticus), kalkan (Psetta maxima maeotica), istavrit (Trachurus mediterraneus) ve cinekop (Pomatomus saltator), baliklarinin sig ( 75m) su kesimlerine ait av verileri degerlendirilmistir. Calismada ozellikle mezgit ve barbunya baliklarinin buyukluklerinin, avlamanin yapildigi aylar ve derinliklere gore onemli olcude degistigi belirlenmistir (p 75 m). Length compositions on these species were also analysed. The mean lengths of whiting and red mullets were significantly different by months and depths (p<0.05). Most of these differences were observed in November and December. We conclude that, fishing season and depths at which trawlings were performed had significant effect on the size of species caught in the study area. But it was not the case for the all species concerned. Key words: Middle Black Sea, bottom trawl, catch composition
Genetic analysis of stoned B/stonin 2 function in vivo

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis at presynaptic nerve terminals is a regulated process tightly coupled to the exocytotic fusion event that requires clathrin, dynamin, AP2 as well as synaptotagmin 1. Stonin 2 is a brain-enriched protein which localizes to axonal vesicle clusters in neurons and clathin/AP2-coated pits in astroglial cells. Its Drosophila orthologue stoned B has a putative role in synaptic vesicle recycling, especially sorting and endocytosis of synaptotagmins. Mammalian stonin 2 interacts with the heterotetrameric clathrin adaptor AP2, via three novel WVXF motifs, and with other endocytic accessory proteins eps15 and intersectin 1 by virtue of its two NPF motifs in its amino-terminal domain. The carboxy-terminal µHD binds to synaptotagmin 1 and is required for proper localization of stonin 2 to synapses in neurons and to coated-pits in astroglial cells. We have recently developed an in vivo interaction assay, to test the interactions between stonins and synaptotagmin family members (1-11). Predominantly cytosolic stonin 2, translocates to the plasmalemma and colocalizes with AP2-coated pits when co-expressed together with synaptotagmins 1, 2, and 9. Transgenic expression of stonin 2 in a stable HEK293 cell line expressing lumenally FLAG-tagged synaptotagmin 1, stimulates endocytic internalization of plasma membrane-stranded synaptotagmin 1 more than 20-fold. Stonin 2 thus physically links synaptotagmin 1 and AP2 and this linkage is required for synaptotagmin 1 endocytosis. Disruption of the stonin 2-AP2 interaction by mutagenesis of WVXF motifs or RNAi-mediated silencing of AP2 expression, inhibits stonin 2-assisted synaptotagmin 1 uptake. In neuroendocrine PC12 cells, stonin 2 assists in targeting of internalized synaptotagmin 1 to SLMVs in addition to facilitating its endocytosis. For a better characterization of its functions, a stonin 2-deficient mouse strain was created by targeted disruption of the stonin 2 gene. Stonin 2 knock-out animals are viable and fertile. Preliminary analysis of synapto tagmin 1 distribution, endocytic recycling, number and morphology of synaptic vesicles in stonin 2 deficient nerve terminals did not display any abnormalities compared to wild-type littermates. Therefore refined experimental procedures seem to be required for characterization of stonin 2 deficiency in neurons and astrocytes. We propose that stonin 2 is an endocytic sorting adaptor for clathrin-mediated endocytosis of synaptotagmins in neurons and neurosecretory cells, as well as yet unidentified cargo molecule(s) in astroglial cells.
Yorkie and Scalloped signaling regulates progenitor maintenance and differentiation in Drosophila hematopoiesis

Hematopoiesis is a highly complex developmental process that is remarkably conserved at the molecular level across higher order eukaryotes. An organ termed the lymph gland resides within the Drosophila larva which is the site of the majority of hematopoietic processes in the organism. The lymph gland contains a population of differentiating blood cells in addition to a pool of quiescent hematopoietic progenitors that are maintained by a small niche. While there has been a number of signaling pathways and mechanisms characterized in the regulation of lymph gland homeostasis, questions still remain unanswered in regards to the nature and requirement of progenitor cells and the mechanisms that promote differentiation in the lymph gland.In this dissertation, we use genetic approaches to characterize the roles of the Hippo Pathway effectors Yorkie and Scalloped in regulating the maintenance and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitors through modulation of conserved signaling pathways. We show that differentiation of the crystal cell lineage of hemocytes is reliant on Yorkie and Scalloped dependent regulation of the Notch ligand Serrate in lineage specifying cells. Furthermore, Scalloped regulates organ size and differentiation of progenitors through modulation of the secreted factor PVF2 and its receptor PVR, respectively. Finally, we utilized an immune challenge model to interrogate the function of Yorkie and Scalloped in the cell fate decisions that are incurred during the cellular immune response induced by wasp parasitizaion. Using this immune challenge model, we demonstrated that wasp parasitization induces unique changes to Yorkie and Scalloped expression in the lymph gland. We also report that Serrate down-regulation in lineage specifying cells is critical for the cellular immune response, leading to a loss in crystal cell differentiation. Finally, we demonstrate a unique mechanism where-in Scalloped expression is enforced in the Posterior Signaling Center (PSC) of the lymph gland upon immune challenge by wasp parasitization as Scalloped function is required for maintenance of the PSC and differentiation of lamellocytes in the cellular immune response.
Integrating the role of stressors through carbohydrate dynamics

Biological stress is defined as any environmental factor (stressors) capable of inducing a potentially injurious strain in living organisms (Levitt 1972). Organisms respond to these stresses physiologically or developmentally, and depending on the duration and severity of the stress, may or may not be injured.
Estimation of breeding values and their accuracies using multivariate animal model analysis for growth traits in three local strains of chickens.

Breeding values and their accuracies were estimated using multi-traits Animal Model for birds with and without records of three local strains of chickens. A total number of 916, 1137 and 1030 chicks from Golden Montazah (GM), Silver Montazah (SM) and Matrouh (MA) strains, respectively, were used. Data of individual body weight at hatch (BW0), 4(BW4), 8 (BW8) and 12 (BW12) weeks of age were collected from a breeding experiment of one generation. Daily gain (DG) traits between intervals of hatch-4 (DG4), 4-8 (DG8) and 8-12 (DG12) weeks were also used. Results show that estimates of heritability ( ha 2 ) in GM and SM strains for BW at hatch were higher than that at 12 weeks. The estimates are 0.45 and 0.22 for BW0 and 0.21 and 0.18 for BW12 in GM and SM strains, respectively. For birds with records, the ranges in estimates of predicted breeding value (PBV) in GM, SM and MA strains were 4.6, 4.7 and 4.0 grams for BW0, 31.5, 18.7 and 52.9 grams for BW4, 37.9, 111.2 and 68.2 grams for BW8 and 121.8, 178.2 and 288.8 grams for BW12, respectively. The respective ranges in estimates of PBV for DG traits were 1.15, 0.58 and 1.82 grams for DG4, 2.99, 4.05 and 3.31 grams for DG8 and 9.54, 4.23 and 8.73 grams for DG12. For sires and dams without records in GM, SM and MA strains, the minimum and maximum estimates of breeding values predicted for sires (PBVS) and dams (PBVD) of birds and their ranges for BW and DG traits had the same trend obtained for birds with records. MA strain recorded the highest ranges of PBV, PBVS and PBVD for most growth traits compared to those recorded by GM and SM strains. Accuracies of minimum and maximum estimates of sires breeding values for
Extracción y purificación del inhibidor de ¿-amilasa de diferentes variedades mejoradas de frijol (Phaseolus vulgaris) y su efecto in vivo

Alpha-amylase inhibitors are being used as a strategy for the control of obesity and diabetes. These inhibitors are mainly found in leguminous, such as white kidney bean, and function as natural insecticides for the plant. On the other hand, several reports indicate a relationship between ? -amylase inhibitor and phenolic contents in common bean. Therefore, improved Mexican varieties of Phaseolus vulgaris, resistant to drought and insects, could be an alternative source for these inhibitors. The aim of this study was to obtain protein extracts from fourteen improved varieties of common bean, to evaluate the ? -amylase inhibitory activity and purify that with better properties for the in vivo studies. Total phenol content was in the range of 0.12-0.07 mg GAE/g, condensed tannins from 3.36 to 13.45 mg CAE/g and anthocyanins from 0.02 to 0.03 mg GCE/100 g. Based on the lowest hem agglutination activity and highest ? -amylase inhibition, as well as both temperature (25, 30, 37, 40, 50, 60 and 100°C at pH 6.9) and pH (2, 2 to 6.9) stability, varieties C-72, Bayo Chileno and Negro Otomi were the most suitable. On the other hand, there was no correlation between phenolic content and inhibition activity. As Bayo Chileno showed the best properties, we proceed to purify the inhibitor to further evaluate in vivo. Therefore, the proteic extract from varieties Bayo Chileno and C.72 (less stable) and the purified inhibitor of Bayo Chileno were intragastrically administered to rats at different doses (0, 5, 15, 25 and 50 mg of the inhibitor/kg) against a starch load, being 25 and 50 mg/kg the most effective doses for both samples of Bayo Chileno and exerting similar hypoglucemic effect to that of commercial acarbose. Therefore, the results indicate that certain improved bean varieties could be employed as source for ? -amylase inhibitor and have the potential to be used in dietary regimes that are designed to promote human health.
Fine tuning of the Bacillus cereus stress respons: role of transcriptional regulators

The bacterium Bacillus cereus is able to survive and grow in a high diversity of environments, including foods, such as milk and pasta. Consequently, B. cereus can cause foodborne illnesses and food spoilage. During its time in food B. cereus encounters many changes in its environment, as the food is for instance heated and eaten. In order to cope with these changes in its environment B. cereus is able to switch on different sets of genes. This so-called gene regulation is regulated by an array of regulators. The performed research expands the understanding of the role of these regulators in fine tuning of gene regulation in response to changing environment in food.
Male maturation response to selection of the pollen-hoarding syndrome in honey bees (Apis mellifera L.)

Division of labour in social insect colonies relies on behavioural functional differentiation (specialization) of individuals with similar genomes. However, individual behavioural traits do not evolve independently of each other (behavioural syndromes). A prime example is the suite of behavioural differences in honeybee workers that has evolved in response to bidirectional selection on pollen hoarding of honeybee colonies (pollen-hoarding syndrome). More generally, these differences reflect functional differentiation between nectar and pollen foragers. We demonstrate here that this pollen-hoarding syndrome extends to drones. Similar to what has been shown in workers, drones from the high-pollen-hoarding strain had a higher locomotion activity after emergence, and they initiated flight earlier than did males derived from the low-pollen-hoarding strain, with hybrids intermediate. However, these two behavioural traits were unlinked at the individual level. We also found that social environment (the colony) affects the age at which drones initiate flight. The indirect selection responses of male behaviour suggest that male and worker evolution are not independent and may constrain each other’s evolution. Furthermore, we identified three distinct peaks in the probability of flight initiation over the course of the experiment and a decreased phenotypic variability in the ‘hybrid’ males, contrary to quantitative genetic expectations.
Molecular and Phylogenetic Analysis of Hepatitis C Virus and Its Implication in Lagos State

Hepatitis C infection is a progressing and devastating live threatening health care problem in developing and developed countries worldwide caused by hepatitis C virus. The virus belongs to the family Flaviviridae and genus hepacivirus. Hepatitis C virus continues to be a disease burden in Nigeria and the world at large, and man is known to be its natural host. However, Information on genotype of HCV in Nigeria is limited, hence the need for more work. This study will help to determine the prevalent genotype as this will have influence on management of patients and expected therapeutic response because response to treatment varies according to genotype and treatment may prevent progression of infection to hepato-cellular carcinoma. This research was conducted with 40 sero-positive blood samples consisting of 23 females and 17 males. The samples were analyzed by Reverse transcriptase- Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT- PCR) and two samples were positive for HCV RNA. This extracted viral genome was sequenced and a phylogenetic tree was constructed from its analysis. This phylogenetic analysis showed that the strain did not cluster with known strains from the zone hence suggestive of a possible new strain or unidentified strain or strain yet to be reported in this zone, hence the recommendation for expanded and further research. The RT-PCR test confirmed the presence of hepatitis C virus in Lagos and that sero-positive samples may not definitely be positive for RT- PCR test.
The Balance of Nature?: Ecological Issues in the Conservation of Species and Communities

Ecologists, although they acknowledge the problems involved, generally conduct their research on too few species, in too small an area, over too short a period of time. In The Balance of Nature? , a work sure to stir controversy, the distinguished theoretical ecologist Stuart L. Pimm argues that ecology therefore fails in many ways to address the enormous ecological problems now facing our planet. Ecologists describing phenomena on larger scales often use terms like "stability," "balance of nature," and "fragility," and Pimm begins by considering the various specific meanings of these terms. He addresses five kinds of ecological stability--stability in the strict sense, resilience, variability, persistence, and resistance--and shows how they provide ways of comparing natural populations and communities as well as theories about them. Each type of stability depends on characteristics of the species studied and also on the structure of the food web in which the species is embedded and the physical features of the environment. The Balance of Nature? provides theoretical ecology with a rich array of questions--questions that also underpin pressing problems in practical conservation biology. Pimm calls for nothing less than new approaches to ecology and a new alliance between theoretical and empirical studies.
INHIBITORY ACTIVITY OF PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS FROM EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OILS ON THE ENZYMES INVOLVED IN DIABETES, OBESITY AND HYPERTENSION

ABSTRACT Mediterranean diet health benefits have been partially attributed to the dietary consumption of extra virgin olive oil (VOO). Most recent interest has focused on the biologically active phenolic compounds naturally present in VOO. Selected VOO from Italy were investigated for their phenolic profile and inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase and α-amylase, as well as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). These enzymes have been linked to hyperglycemia-associated to hypertension. The total phenolic content (Folin-Ciocalteu) ranged from 109 to 250 mg/kg of oil and was well correlated with the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) data (r2 = 0.8533). The phenolic profile obtained by HPLC revealed the presence of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethanol (3,4-DHPEA; 2.9 ± 2 mg/kg) and p-hydroxyphenylethanol (p-HPEA; 2.6 ± 1.3 mg/kg), as the main phenolic alcohols. Secoiridoids and their derivatives were also detected in high concentration in all samples, particularly 3,4-DHPEA-EDA (55 ± 38 mg/kg) and p-HPEA-EDA (42 ± 14 mg/kg). Vanillic acid (1.8 ± 1.1 mg/kg), vanillin (1.2 ± 0.5 mg/kg), p-coumaric acid (0.94 ± 0.7 mg/kg), apigenin (1.0 ± 0.2 mg/kg) and luteolin (2.4 ± 0.5) were also identified. All samples demonstrated a stronger activity against α-glucosidase with respect to α-amylase. The sample that was richer in phenolics showed a half maximal inhibitory concentration of 184 and 258 µg/mL against α-glucosidase and α-amylase, respectively. The same sample exhibited the highest activity against the ACE. In conclusion this in vitro study evidenced the hypoglycemic and ACE inhibitory activities of VOOs phenolic extracts. The multivariate statistical model pointed out that the effect of secoiridoids was more pronounced than flavonoids. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS In this study potential health benefits of extra virgin olive oil micronutrients (phenolic compounds) were confirmed through assays for the two major carbohydrate digestive enzymes, α-glucosidase and α-amylase as well as for the angiotensin I-converting enzyme. These enzymes have been linked to hyperglycemia-associated to hypertension that is a common condition especially in a late diabetic stage. The in vitro inhibitory activities that were encountered for these enzymes provide a strong biochemical rationale for further in vivo studies and dietary management strategy for patients affected by diabetes type 2 and/or hypertension.
Changing demography and population decline in the Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris: a multisite approach to Integrated Population Monitoring

Understanding demography is critical for understanding the causes underlying population declines, and for initiating and monitoring policies to reverse them. A method of fitting demographic models directly to avian count data recorded at a sample of census sites is described. The model is applied to national and regional counts of Common Starling Stumus vulgaris in Britain for the period 1965-2000. Starlings have declined markedly during this time and are now on the list of birds of highest conservation concern. Although there have been small changes in various aspects of breeding success over this time, the analysis shows that these are unlikely to have made much impact on the long-term status of the species. By incorporating estimates of survival, based upon recoveries of ringed birds, the model suggests that the pronounced national decline in Starling numbers since a period of stability in the 19 70s is most likely to be due to changes in the survival of first-year birds. This narrows the candidate range of environmental factors which might influence the decline and implicates changes in resource availability.
Driverless: Intelligent Cars and the Road Ahead

This book provides awareness of the risks and benefits of driverless cars. The book shows how new advances in software and robotics are destroying barriers that have confined self-driving cars for decades. A new kind of artificial intelligence software called deep learning enables cars rapid and accurate visual perception so that human drivers can relax and take their eyes off the road. Driverless cars will offer billions of people all over the world a safer, cleaner, and more convenient mode of transportation. Although the technology is just about ready, car companies and policy makers are not.
Factors Contributing to Domestic Violence Among Hindu Asian Indian Immigrant Women in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania: A Feasibility Study

While there is research on survivors of domestic violence in India and the United States (U.S.), little is known about the sociocultural factors related to domestic violence among Hindu Asian Indian immigrant women (AIIW) in the U.S. The objectives of this study were to a) test the feasibility of conducting domestic violence research among Hindu AIIW; b) investigate domestic violence prevalence and correlations with other characteristics; and c) test the cultural appropriateness of completed measures on social support, acculturation status, and domestic violence. Over 50% of respondents had experienced abuse, often perpetrated by family. Participants had high levels of social support and acculturation, regardless of their abuse status. Participants were receptive to this research, suggesting that domestic violence research among Hindu AIIW is feasible. High prevalence of violence among Hindu AIIW suggests they are at high risk for experiencing abuse; lack of variability in social support and acculturation scale responses suggest the need to further test instruments among Hindu AIIW.