25 research outputs found
Plasmodium vivax populations are more genetically diverse and less structured than sympatric Plasmodium falciparum populations
No full textThe human malaria parasite, Plasmodium vivax, is proving more difficult to control and eliminate than Plasmodium falciparum in areas of co-transmission. Comparisons of the genetic structure of sympatric parasite populations may provide insight into the mechanisms underlying the resilience of P. vivax and can help guide malaria control programs.; P. vivax isolates representing the parasite populations of four areas on the north coast of Papua New Guinea (PNG) were genotyped using microsatellite markers and compared with previously published microsatellite data from sympatric P. falciparum isolates. The genetic diversity of P. vivax (He = 0.83-0.85) was higher than that of P. falciparum (He = 0.64-0.77) in all four populations. Moderate levels of genetic differentiation were found between P. falciparum populations, even over relatively short distances (less than 50 km), with 21-28% private alleles and clear geospatial genetic clustering. Conversely, very low population differentiation was found between P. vivax catchments, with less than 5% private alleles and no genetic clustering observed. In addition, the effective population size of P. vivax (30353; 13043-69142) was larger than that of P. falciparum (18871; 8109-42986).; Despite comparably high prevalence, P. vivax had higher diversity and a panmictic population structure compared to sympatric P. falciparum populations, which were fragmented into subpopulations. The results suggest that in comparison to P. falciparum, P. vivax has had a long-term large effective population size, consistent with more intense and stable transmission, and limited impact of past control and elimination efforts. This underlines suggestions that more intensive and sustained interventions will be needed to control and eventually eliminate P. vivax. This research clearly demonstrates how population genetic analyses can reveal deeper insight into transmission patterns than traditional surveillance methods
Development of the <em>BonnMu</em> transposon resource in maize (<em>Zea mays</em> L.) and its application in characterizing the <em>magenta root dwarf 1 (mrd1)</em> mutant
No full textGenome-wide insertional mutagenesis is a tool to generate loss-of-function mutations for virtually all genes in a genome. In this process, mutations are naturally generated by random integration of mobile DNA elements within a genome. The BonnMu resource is a European transposon-tagged mutant collection designed for functional genomics studies in maize. In this thesis the mutant repository was expanded by crossing an active Mutator (Mu) line with dent (B73, Co125) and flint (DK105, EP1 and F7) germplasms, resulting in the generation of 8,064 mutagenized BonnMu F2-families. Sequencing of these Mu-tagged families identified 425,924 heritable Mu insertions affecting 36,612 (83%) of the 44,303 high-confidence gene models of maize. On average, 12 Mu insertions per gene (425,924 total insertions/ 36,612 affected genes) and 53 insertions per BonnMu F2-family (425,924 total insertions/ 8,064 families) were observed. Mu insertions and photographs depicting seedling phenotypes from segregating BonnMu F2-families are available for access through the Maize Genetics and Genomics Database (MaizeGDB). Downstream examination via the automated Mutant-seq Workflow Utility (MuWU) identified 94% of the germinal insertion sites in genic regions and only a small fraction of 6% inserting in non-coding intergenic sequences of the genome. Consistently, Mu insertions aligned with gene-dense chromosomal arms. In total, 42% of all BonnMu insertions were located in the 5’ untranslated region (UTR) of genes, corresponding to accessible chromatin. Furthermore, for 38% of the insertions (163,843 of 425,924 total insertions) Mu1, Mu8 and MuDR were confirmed to be the causal Mu elements. In summary, the publicly accessible European BonnMu resource has archived insertions covering two major germplasm groups, thus facilitating both forward and reverse genetics studies.
In the second project, the magenta root dwarf 1 (mrd1) mutant, identified in a forward genetic screening of BonnMu F2-families, was functionally characterized. In comparison to the wild type, mrd1 mutants accumulate anthocyanins in primary, seminal and crown roots and exhibit a limited shoot growth under light and dark conditions. The identification of a causal candidate gene was facilitated by the combination of bulked segregant RNA-seq (BSR-seq) and the availability of the sequenced Mu-tagged BonnMu F2-families, which provided a limited number of candidate mutations for the BSR-seq mapping interval. This combinatory approach identified a constitutive photomorphogenesis 9 (cop9) signalosome complex subunit 4 as the causal candidate gene that underlie the mrd1 phenotype. The COP9 signalosome (CSN) is a multiprotein complex initially identified in Arabidopsis thaliana as a repressor of photomorphogenesis. Maize mrd1 mutants show similarities to csn mutants in Arabidopsis thaliana such as the constitutive photomorphogenesis, but different patterns of anthocyanin accumulation. PCR-based co-segregation analysis identified mrd1 mutants as homozygous for a Mu insertion in the mrd1 gene. The expression of the mrd1 gene was significantly reduced in the primary roots of mrd1 mutants, compared to heterozygous and wild type plants. Microbiome profiling of the rhizosphere from crown roots of mrd1 and wild type indicated an enrichment of specific bacterial genera. Additionally, RNA-seq analysis between mrd1 and wild type crown roots highlighted a down-regulation of the mrd1 gene in the mutant. The attempt to validate the gene using an independent mutant allele generated through CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing was unsuccessful. In a future approach, the mrd1 gene could be validated either by a gene silencing strategy using RNAi or by a novel allele from publicly available mutant resources, such as the in-house BonnMu collection, which is continuously expanding
Expanding the BonnMu sequence‐indexed repository of transposon induced maize (Zea mays L.) mutations in dent and flint germplasm
No full textThe BonnMu resource is a transposon tagged mutant collection designed for functional genomics studies in maize. To expand this resource, we crossed an active Mutator (Mu) stock with dent (B73, Co125) and flint (DK105, EP1, and F7) germplasm, resulting in the generation of 8064 mutagenized BonnMu F2‐families. Sequencing of these Mu‐tagged families revealed 425 924 presumptive heritable Mu insertions affecting 36 612 (83%) of the 44 303 high‐confidence gene models of maize (B73v5). On average, we observed 12 Mu insertions per gene (425 924 total insertions/36 612 affected genes) and 53 insertions per BonnMu F2‐family (425 924 total insertions/8064 families). Mu insertions and photos of seedling phenotypes from segregating BonnMu F2‐families can be accessed through the Maize Genetics and Genomics Database (MaizeGDB). Downstream examination via the automated Mutant‐seq Workflow Utility (MuWU) identified 94% of the presumptive germinal insertion sites in genic regions and only a small fraction of 6% inserting in non‐coding intergenic sequences of the genome. Consistently, Mu insertions aligned with gene‐dense chromosomal arms. In total, 42% of all BonnMu insertions were located in the 5′ untranslated region of genes, corresponding to accessible chromatin. Furthermore, for 38% of the insertions (163 843 of 425 924 total insertions) Mu1, Mu8 and MuDR were confirmed to be the causal Mu elements. Our publicly accessible European BonnMu resource has archived insertions covering two major germplasm groups, thus facilitating both forward and reverse genetics studies.Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/50110000165
An Investigation on the Effectiveness of Prepared Activated Carbon from Lignocellulosic Waste (Groundnut Shell) on the Decolourization of Fish Sauce
No full textThe present research work focused on the extraction of natural dye from Mangosteen peel (Garciniamangostana Linn). The physico-chemical properties such as moisture content, ash content, total solids content and pH of Mangosteen peel were determined by association of official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) method. The chemical compounds present in Mangosteen peel were investigated by phytochemical tests. Natural dye was extracted from Mangosteeen peel with pure water at 70ºC for 60 minutes. The physico-chemical properties of extracted natural dye were also determined by AOAC method. An attempt was made on the dyeing of cotton fabrics using extracted natural dye with three different mordants such as zinc sulphate, potassium dichromate, potash alum and three different dyeing methods such as pre-mordanting, post-mordanting and simultaneous mordanting and different dyeing methods on the properties of dyed cotton fabrics were also investigated. Moreover, washing and rubbing fastness properties, staining and colour change of dyed cotton fabrics were assessed by using standard Grey scale
Study on some Parameters for Removal of Color from Cottage Textile Industrial Effluent by Using Various Adsorbents
No full textTextile effluent causes many environmental problems and heavy metals are
persistent pollutants, non-biodegradable and can easily be accumulated in organism even at
low concentrations, causing serious illness. In this research, experiments were carried out to
remove the colour and heavy metal in cottage textile industrial effluents by adsorption
technique by using groundnut shell based adsorbents (activated groundnut shell carbon (AGC)
and alkali-modified groundnut shell ash (MGA)). Activated groundnut shell carbon (AGC)
was prepared by carbonization at 600◦C for 30 minutes and activation with 2N H2SO4. Alkalimodified
groundnut shell ash (MGA) was prepared by washing, drying, modification with 2N
NaOH solution. Physico-chemical properties of groundnut shell powder, activated groundnut
shell carbon and alkali-modified groundnut shell ash were measured by XRF, SEM and XRD
respectively. Selected different process parameters like adsorbent dosage, contact time and
initial effluent concentration were conducted for adsorption study to reduce colour and heavy
metal in cottage textile industrial effluent. Colour removal efficiencies of adsorbents were
determined by using UV spectrophotometer. The results obtained from this study were
described by Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Treated Textile industrial
effluents were characterized by biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen
demand (COD) and total dissolved solid (TDS). Heavy metal contents were analyzed by
atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The results indicate that Freundlich adsorption
isotherm fitted the data better than the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Maximum colour
removal efficiencies 99.8% were obtained by treating with 1 g of MGA or AGC per 25 mL of
cottage textile industrial effluent for 2 hr contact time of each treatment. Results suggested
that AGC could be reduced (30.77) % of BOD and COD while MGA could be reduced
(10.77%) of BOD and COD of cottage texitile industrial effluent. In this research, highly
cadminum (Cd) removal efficiency (76%) of cottage texitile industrial effluent was obtained
by alkali-modified groundnut shell ash(MGA)
Geographical Analysis of Agricultural Systems and Its Potential for Rural Development in Sagaing Township
No full textIn Sagaing Township, the low flat plain occupies an area about 95 % of the total area of Township. Mu river valley which lines on its western part and Ayeyarwady River Valley which lies on its southern parts occupy the lowest parts of the plain. Due to its various physical features there are significant variations in the agricultural activities. Samples are selected and questionnaires are asked to the farmers in order to get information about their occupation. GIS method, Qualitative and Quantitative methods are employed to examine the primary data collected through the questionnaires. Spatial variation of agriculture is based on the physical conditions and temporal variation is apparent for seasonal change of crop patterns. There are four major types of agriculture as paddy cultivation all around the Yemyet In (lake) margin, drying farming or "Ya" cultivation, and market gardens on the selected land area. Several types of crops, vegetables and flowers are grown in this area. Agricultural system in the township is important not only for the socio- economic condition of the people but also for the environmental consequences. Implementing a national programme to increase the production of domestic fruits and vegetables are required to inform and to educate the farmers to get profit
Triterpenoids and Their Glycosides from Glinus Oppositifolius with Antifungal Activities against Microsporum Gypseum and Trichophyton Rubrum
No full textFour new triterpenoids, 3β,12β,16β,21β,22-pentahydroxyhopane (1), 12β,16β,21β,22-tetrahydroxyhopan-3-one (2), 3-oxo-olean-12-ene-28,30-dioic acid (3), and 3β-hydroxyoleana-11,13(18)-diene-28,30-dioic acid 30-methyl ester (4); 21 new triterpenoid saponins, glinusopposides A–U (5–25); and 12 known compounds (26–37) were isolated from the whole plants of Glinus oppositifolius. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated based on the analysis of one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS) data. All compounds from the plants were measured for antifungal activities against Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton rubrum. Glinusopposide B (6), glinusopposide Q (21), glinusopposide T (24), and glinusopposide U (25) showed strong inhibitory activities against M. gypseum (MIC50 7.1, 6.7, 6.8, and 11.1 μM, respectively) and T. rubrum (MIC50 14.3, 13.4, 11.9, and 13.0 μM, respectively). For those active compounds with an oleanane skeleton, glycosylation (21–26) or oxidation (3) of 3-OH was helpful in increasing the activity; replacement of the 30-methyl group (29) by a carboxymethyl group (26) enhanced the activity; the presence of 11,13(18) double bonds (20) decreased the activity
A Game-Theoretic Solution of Conflicts Among Competitive Agents
No full text. Recently the control of multi-agent behavior using two-player non-zero sum games, such as prisoner's dilemma, has been studied. In this paper we propose a two player game that includes a dilemmatic structure and extend it to the study of two teams consisting of many players. Iterative versions of dilemma games have been investigated extensively and many strategies for the games have been proposed. For multi-agent applications we extend our dilemma game to a multi-player version. Several decision strategies are studied with this model. The multi-player model is used to decide actions of agents in the burden carriage problem, which includes a typical situation of agents in competition. We show that the behavior of agents in the problem matches the results of team contests of the dilemma game. 1 Introduction and the Prisoner's Dilemma Using cooperative work by many agents to treat complex problems is a topic of distributed artificial intelligence. This approach is attractive because mu..
SUPPLEMENTATION OF MORINGA OLEIFERA LEAF MEAL AS PROTEIN SOURCE ON HAEMATOLOGICAL RESPONSES AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE IN BROILER
No full textThe study was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementation of different dietary levels of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) on growth performance and blood parameter of broilers in six weeks period. A total of 160 male broilers (Cobb- 500) were randomly divided into five treatment groups in a completely randomized design. Each treatment contained four replicates with eight chickens in each. The dietary treatments were T1 (control group without MOLM), T2 (diet containing 3% MOLM), T3 (diet containing 4 % MOLM), T4 (diet containing 5 % MOLM) and T5 (diet containing 6% MOLM). They were formulated to meet nutrient requirement of the National Research Council (1994).The average daily feed intake of broiler chicks fed with T1diet was significantly (P 0.05) from each other. Feed conversion ratios were not affected by all dietary treatments. Hundred percent liability was observed that in all treatment groups. There were no significant (p>0.05) differences among the treatments for total RBC count, PCV, Hb, MCV, and MCH except from total plasma protein. Therefore, the birds fed T1 was significantly lower than birds fed T2, T3, T4 and T5 diets in plasma protein. According to the findings, Moringa oleifera leaf meal up to 6 % dietary level of broiler diet did not give any adverse effects on their performance and blood parameters of broiler chickens indicating that Moringa oleifera leaf meal has nutritional potency in broiler diets
