Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MORPHO-MOLECULAR STUDIES IN THE NATURAL POPULATIONS OF DIOSCOREA BULBIFERA LINN. IN NIGERIA

Dioscorea bulbifera Linn. is a unique wild yam able to thrive in a wide range of ecological zones. Mopho-molecular studies were carried out with a view to relating the observed morphological variation to its genetics. For morphometric study,30 representative herbarium vouchers were studied while recently expanded leaf tissue samples of 34 accessions of five natural populations were submitted for genomic DNA using sixteen SSR markers. Bulbil size and shape, petiole length, leaf colour and shape varied among populations. A low level of genetic variability characterized the two geographically closest of the five populations (with P=15.15 and 6.06%,; H=0.0646 and 0.0251 ) while the other populations showed higher values (P varied from 66.6 and 84.85%; H varied from 0.1992 and 0.1992). That the highest value of genetic distance (0.1964) occurred between Iwo and Polytechnic populations was unexpected. The highest value (0.9869) of genetic identity occurred between the Polytechnic and Pebble Road populations as expected. Clustering typically occurred at lower distance scale reflecting the proximity of their genetic distances and therefore low divergence. Conclusively, the use of microsatellite markers allowed the identification of genetic variability among the natural populations of D. bulbifera .
Structural changes and permeability of ivy (Hedera helix L.) leaf cuticles in relation to leaf development and after selective chemical treatments

summary The fine structure of ivy leaf cuticles was investigated as a function of leaf development before and after cuticle isolation as well as after selective extraction of cuticle components. Cuticle mass increased with increasing age from 234°3 to 539.1 μg cm−2 Waxes increased from 12.3 to 18.6%, of cuticle mass from young to old leaves. However, percentages of cutin and non-lipid constituents did not vary significantly with leafage. They represented approx. 58 and 26%, of the cuticle mass, respectively. Cuticle thickness determined from electron and light microscopy increased 12–fold during leaf growth to reach 4.25 μm for mature leaves. Transmission electron microscopy of transverse sections of non-isolated and isolated cuticles showed an outer lamellate zone gradually merging from an inner reticulate zone the thickness of which increased with leaf growth. The lamellate zone appeared very early (in vitro unexpanded leaf) and was characterized by a constant thickness (0.2 μm). Cuticle lamellation seemed to disappear after extraction of soluble cuticular wax, which confirmed intracuticular wax localization in lamellae. Electron-dense fibrillae observed in the reticulate zone disappeared after acid hydrolysis showing that they are made of non-lipid components. X-ray diffraction confirmed the presence of crystalline structures and revealed a cuticle disorganization alter wax extraction. Permeability measurements showed an increase rather than a decrease in glyphosate and isoproturon diffusion through cuticles with increasing leafage, suggesting that the main barrier to diffusion is the outer lamellate zone. A considerable increase in isoproturon penetration through cuticles resulted from the wax extraction, demonstrating the major role of wax in the control of cuticular permeability to this herbicide.
β-l, 3 GLUCAN ACTIVATION OF CRUSTACEAN HEMOCYTES IN VITRO AND IN VIVO

The effects of β-1,3 glucans on the hemocytes of the freshwater crayfish, Astacus astacus, and the shore crab, Carcinus maenas, were studied in vitro and in vivo to determine the role of the prophenoloxidase activating system, in the cellular defense reactions of crustaceans.In vitro, phagocytosis of the bacterium, Moraxella sp. was significantly raised by addition of laminarin, a β-l,3 glucan, simultaneously with the test particles to the hemocytes in monolayer cultures. Both the proportion of cells ingesting one or more bacterial particles and the number of bacteria taken up by individual cells were increased, and the responses were found to be time dependent and dose related. Glucose, dextran, cellulose, and chitin had no stimulatory influence on the cells, and the agglutination of erythrocytes by crab hemocytes or serum was unchanged by glucan incubation. Examination of the monolayers under phase contrast microscopy, revealed that the glucans induced degranulation and occasionally lysis in the crayfis.
A PRACTICAL MODEL OF BICKNELL'S THRUSH DISTRIBUTION IN THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES

Abstract Bicknell's Thrush (Catharus bicknelli) is a rare habitat specialist that breeds in dense balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and red spruce (Picea rubens) forests at high elevations in the northeastern United States. Ongoing and projected loss of this forest type has led to increased demand for information on the species' status throughout the region. We used elevation, latitude, and forest type to construct a model of Bicknell's Thrush distribution in New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. The model predicts the species to be present in conifer-dominated forests above an elevation threshold that descends with increasing latitude. The slope of the threshold (−81.63 m/1° latitude) reflects climatic effects on forest composition and structure. The distribution model encompasses 136,250 ha of montane forest, including extensive areas of the White Mountains in New Hampshire and Adirondack Mountains in New York. To test model performance, we conducted point count and playback surveys along 1-km routes established in conifer forests above and below the threshold. The model accurately predicted the presence or presumed absence of Bicknell's Thrush on 61 of 72 routes (84.7%). When areas within 50 vertical m of the threshold were excluded, accuracy improved to 98.1%. The distribution model is a practical tool for conservation planning at local and regional levels. Potential applications include projecting effects of climate change on Bicknell's Thrush distribution, assessing risks of habitat alteration, and setting priorities for conservation and management.
Necrotic enteritis; a continuing challenge for the poultry industry

Necrotic enteritis is a disease in poultry that can have a high economic and animal welfare cost, and has become increasingly prevalent in the European Union due to factors such as the removal of antibiotic growth promoters and the requirement to exclude animal by-products from diet formulations. Estimates of the prevalence of necrotic enteritis vary widely (1–40 %) as does the cost of the disease, and the sub-clinical form may be the most important manifestation of the disease as this is likely to go undetected and hence untreated. An outbreak of necrotic enteritis is primarily associated with rapid proliferation of the anaerobic bacterium, Clostridium perfringens type A or C, leading to gaseous extension of the small intestine, the production of one or more exotoxins, and enteric toxicosis. The molecular progression of the disease is quite complex and at the bacterial level involves quorum sensing, toxin production and secretion, and interactions of the pathogen with the innate immune system of the chicken. Intestinal cell permeation by the toxin activates a series of intracellular pathways including protein kinase cascades, and ultimately results in cell death. The precise molecular signals that set off this cascade are still unclear. The various predisposing environmental, health and dietary factors that modify the gut environment and promote colonisation with C. perfringens, are discussed. With such a multi-factorial disease, a working and reproducible experimental model with which to study bacterial/host and dietary/host interactions is an essential tool in the search for appropriate control or management strategies for the poultry industry.
Proximate Analyses of Some Selected Fish Species In Lake Geriyo, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Crude protein, crude lipid and moisture content were determined from five fish species (Oreochromis niloticus, Clarias lazera, Lates niloticus, Citharinus citherus and Synodontis clarias) in both wet and corresponding dry samples. Standard analytical methods were used. Oreochromis niloticus had the least crude protein content (11.21% and 13.26%) in the wet and dry samples respectively. Lates niloticus had the highest crude protein content of 12.9% and 16.11% in the wet and dry samples respectively. There was no significant difference at P>0.05 between dry and wet sample and between the five species of fish sampled. Similarly, crude lipid content for O. niloticus was the lowest (3.0% and 3.4%) for wet and dry samples respectively. While Synodontis clarias showed the highest lipid content 5.6% and 13.1% for wet and dry samples respectively. Percentage moisture content was measured and O. niloticus showed the highest value of 82.08% while Synodontis clarias showed the lowest value of 65.78%. There was no significant difference at P > 0.05 between moisture content and all the five species of fish sampled.
Effects of Rheum rebis Extract on the Blood Parameters and Responses of Rutilus frisii kutum under Heat Stress

It is well know that certain blood parameters serve as reliable indicators of fish health. So, in the present investigation we focus on hematological parameters as indicator to For evaluation of the effect of extract from rheum rebis on health and resistance of Kutums to high temperature stress. Kutum fingerlings were divided randomly into four groups: a control group on basal diet, three treatment groups fed a basal diet supplemented with 0.5%, 1% and 2% anthraquinone extract, respectively. After 8 weeks feeding, blood samples were obtained in two stages (before and after stress) for CBC test and cortisol evaluation. Water temperature was set up at 31 ± 0.5°C. We concluded that 0.5%-2% extract from Rheum ribes that added to the basal diet of Rutilus frisii kutum can have significant effect on the blood parameters and improve responses of Rutilus frisii kutum to heat stress.
TEACHING PROTEIN SCIENCE WITH APPLICATION OF COMPUTERS - CASE STUDY OF BCL-2 PROTEIN FAMILY

Proteins constitute the main group of molecular targets for most approved drugs. Moreover, more than 50% of drugs target proteins are derived from only four gene families: class I G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), nuclear receptors, ligand-gated ion channels and voltage-gated ion channels. The above facts make the prediction of protein structures and the design of ligands which modulate their activity an essential skill for a contemporary medicinal chemist. However, both medicinal chemistry and bioinformatics are often neglected in circulars for chemistry and pharmacy studies. This article presents a proposal of computer classes on protein structure and function (10 hours), designated for the students of the third or fourth year of biology, chemistry or pharmacy. The course gets the students familiar with protein databases (eg. SwissProt and Protein Data Bank) as well as typical software for visualization of protein structures (eg. SPDBV, PyMol, Yasara). The participants get to know the diversity of proteins (GPCRs, ion channels, enzymes), learn how to analyze different levels of protein structures, to make a sequence alignment, to create a simple homology model and to analyze ligand-protein interactions. Most practical exercises concern the family of BCL-2 proteins which are apoptosis regulators.
Creation of a Retroviral RNAi Knockdown System to Investigate Gene Variants in SLE

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the production of autoantibodies against self-antigens. SLE has a complex multifactorial genetic basis. Genome wide association studies (GWAS) have implicated polymorphisms causing decreased expression in many genes in SLE etiology and will likely continue to implicate new genes. Therefore, the aim of my project was to create a modular system where the effect of knocking down a gene of interest can be studied in cell culture in a timely manner. This was accomplished by inserting shRNAmirs targeting our validation gene, A20, into a retroviral vector, creating viral particles using a packaging cell line, and infecting cultured cells. Two shRNAmirs were determined to be effective by qRT-PCR and Western blots on infected cells. Vectors carrying these shRNAmirs were used to infect ex vivo B cells and BMDCs, and results suggested that A20 knockdown may mediate functional changes in both cell types. %%%%MAST
Total Protein Determination Using Micro Plate Assay

4 Introduction 5 Food Allergens 5 Effect of Food Allergens on Food Manufacturing 6 Allergen Test Kits 7 Materials and Instruments 12 Materials used for analysis 12 Instruments used for analysis 12 Method 12 Sensitivity Determination of the 3MTM Clean-TraceTM Surface Protein (Allergen) Swab Tests 12 Results and Discussion 13 Conclusions 17 Acknowledgement 18 References 19 Figure 1: 3MTM Clean-TraceTM Surface Protein (Allergen) swab test 21 Figure 2: Photos of BSA Results 22 Figure 3: Photos of Ambiguous Swab Tests Results 23 Table 1: BSA Results 25 Table 2: Egg White Results 26 Table 3: NFDM Results 27 Table 4: Soy Protein Isolate Results 28 Figure 5: Linear Regression of BSA Results 29 Figure 6: Linear Regression of Egg White Results 30 Figure 7: Linear Regression of NFDM Results 31 Figure 8: Linear Regression of Soy Isolate Results 32 Table 5: Summary of Limit of Detection Results 33
Interest Matters

iii Lay summary . iv Preface . v Table of contents . vi List of Tables . xii List of Figures . xv Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 1.1 Background . 1 1.2 Purpose of the study . 2 1.3 Significance of the study . 3 1.4 Research question . 3 Chapter 2: Literature review . 4 2.1 Interactive Information Retrieval (IIR) research . 4 2.1.1 Experiment variables and behavior measures . 5 2.1.2 Search tasks . 7 2.1.3 Related work: interest in search tasks . 10 2.2 Interest. 11 2.2.1 Definition of terms . 11 2.2.2 Core concepts . 12 2.2.2.1 State interest . 13
Population Genetics of the Oriental Fruit Fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae), in Yunnan (China) Based on Mitochondrial DNA Sequences

Abstract The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel, is one of the most destructive pest insects of tropical and subtropical fruits and vegetables. It is thought to be an introduced species in Yunnan Province, China, where it causes severe damage. Depending on the latitude, the fly occurs year-round or only during the warm season. To assess the genetic diversity of the fly and to understand the relative isolation of its populations in this mountainous region, we conducted an analysis of population genetic structure using mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase (COI) gene sequences. Twenty-eight haplotypes were detected among 37 individuals with up to 13 mutations between haplotypes. Within-population diversity was high, and genetic distances between haplotypes reached 2.2%. The haplotype network showed that many haplotypes were missing in the sampled populations. Intraspecific variability in Bactrocera dorsalis was thus high in Yunnan. The data suggested either a longer residence of the fly in Yunnan than recognized previously or a recurrent colonization process from different origins. One population, namely Ruili, was significantly isolated from the others, probably because of geographic barriers to gene flow. This population seemed to be in a contact zone with flies originating from surrounding regions. In contrast, some populations separated by >300 km were not significantly structured. We suggest that the insects engage in long range dispersal, most probably taking advantage of prevailing air currents. The data also suggested that the region of Kunming, where the fly only occurs seasonally, is recolonized each year by migrating flies from several southern regions.
Importance of the Different |β Subunits in the Membrane Expression of the α1A and α2 Calcium Channel Subunits: Studies Using a Depolarization‐sensitive α1A Antibody

The plasma membrane expression of the rat brain calcium channel subunits α1A, α2‐Δ and the β subunits β1b, β2a, β3b and β4 was examined by transient expression in COS‐7 cells. Neither α1A nor α2‐Δ localized to the plasma membrane, either alone or when coexpressed. However, coexpression of α1A or α2‐Δ/α1A with any of the p subunits caused α1A and α2 to be targetted to the plasma membrane. The α1A antibody is directed against an exofacial epitope at the mouth of the pore, which is not exposed unless cells are depolarized, both for native α1A channels in dorsal root ganglion neurons and for α1A expressed with a β subunit. This subsidiary result provides evidence that either channel opening or inactivation causes a conformational change at the mouth of the pore of α1A. Immunostaining for α1A was obtained in depolarized non‐permeabilized cells, indicating correct orientation in the membrane only when it was coexpressed with a subunit. In contrast, β1b and β2a were associated with the plasma membrane when expressed alone. However, this is not a prerequisite to target α1A to the membrane since β3 and β4 alone showed no differential localization, but did direct the translocation of α1A to the plasma membrane, suggesting a chaperone role for the β subunits
Influence of different tillage systems on soil physical properties and crop yield

An experiment with five different tillage systems and their influence on physical properties of a silty loam soil (Albic Luvisol) was carried in north-west Slavonia in the period of 1997-2000. The compared tillage systems were: 1. conventional tillage (CT), 2. reduced tillage (RT), 3. conservation tillage I (CP), 4. conservation tillage II (CM), 5. no-tillage system (NT). The crop rotation was soybean (Glycine max L.) - winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) - soybean - winter wheat. Differences between tillage systems in bulk density, porosity, water holding capacity, and air capacity were not significant in winter wheat seasons. In soybean seasons, significant differences between some tillage systems were recorded in bulk density, porosity, soil moisture, and air capacity. The deterioration trend of physical properties was generally increasing in the order CM, CT, CP, NT and RT. The highest yield of soybean in the first experimental year was achieved under CT system and the lowest under CP system. In all other experimental years, the highest yield of winter wheat and soybean was achieved under CM system, while the lowest under RT system.
Metabolic Responses to Heat Stress under Elevated Atmospheric CO2 Concentration in a Cool-season Grass Species

Heat is a major factor limiting growth of C-3 grass species. Elevated CO2 may mitigate the adverse effects of heat stress or enhance heat tolerance. The objective of this study was to determine metabolic changes associated with improvement of heat tolerance by elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). Plants (cv. Rembrandt) were exposed to ambient day/night temperature (25/20 degrees C) or heat stress (35/30 degrees C) and ambient CO2 concentration (400 +/- 10 mu mol.mol(-1)) or double ambient CO2 concentration (800 +/- 10 mu mol.mol(-1)) in growth chambers. Turf quality (TQ), shoot growth rate, and leaf electrolyte leakage results demonstrated that heat stress at ambient CO2 concentration inhibits turf growth and reduces cell membrane stability, whereas heat-stressed plants under elevated CO2 concentration exhibit improved TQ, shoot growth rate, and membrane stability. Plants exposed to heat stress under elevated CO2 exhibited a significantly greater amount of several organic acids (shikimic acid, malonic acid, threonic acid, glyceric acid, galactaric acid, and citric acid), amino acids (serine, valine, and 5-oxoproline), and carbohydrates (sucrose and maltose) compared with heat-stressed plants at ambient CO2. The increased production or maintenance of metabolites with important biological functions such as those involved in photosynthesis, respiration, and protein metabolism could play a role in elevated CO2 mitigation of heat stress damage. Therefore, elevated CO2 conditions may contribute to improved heat stress tolerance as exhibited by better TQ and shoot growth of heat-stressed plants. Practices to harness the power of CO2 may be incorporated into turfgrass management for plant adaptation to increasing temperatures, particularly during summer months.
Terrestrial Habitat Use and Winter Densities of the Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica)

Abstract Few studies have systematically investigated the overwintering ecology of anurans. We used large-scale field enclosures to measure the winter densities of Wood Frogs (Rana sylvatica) in an upland deciduous forest adjacent to two breeding pools in eastern Massachusetts. Pitfall traps associated with one of our enclosure arrays were operated continuously from March to December 2000. Wood Frog densities ranged from 0–6.3 Wood Frogs/100 m2 (x̄ = 1.4, SD = 1.6, N = 17 enclosures) and declined as distance to the nearest breeding pond increased. The sex ratio of Wood Frogs wintering close (< 65 m) to the pond was more highly skewed toward males than the sex ratio of Wood Frogs wintering further from the pond (8:1 vs. 1.6:1). Adult Wood Frogs apparently only occupied this upland forest habitat during late fall and winter and did not use it during the summer active period. These results suggest that few wintering females may be protected within narrow regulatory buffers adjacent to breeding ponds and that the effects of habitat destruction on Wood Frog mortality may vary dramatically by season.
AN UPDATE OF THE HOST RANGE OF TOMATO SPOTTED WILT VIRUS

SUMMARY Among plant viruses, Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is considered as the most widespread and to have the largest host-range. This virus is responsible for numerous epidemics in different regions of the world, mainly in horticultural and floral crops, which are often destructive and cause heavy economic losses. The highly polyphagous nature, the efficiency of virus transmission and the biological activity of its vectors, the rapidity with which new variants arise, and difficulties in the control of the vectors, make TSWV one of the most feared plant viruses by growers of agricultural crops. Preventive and integrated cultural practices such as the eradication of weed hosts able to serve as virus reservoirs, combined with vector management strategies, play a crucial role in the control of the virus. Thus, the availability of an up-to-date list of TSWV host plants is a potentially useful reference for researchers and farmers. The current list of TSWV hosts consists of 1090 plants species belonging in 15 families of monocotyledonous plants, 69 families of dicotyledonous plants and one family of pteridophytes.