Life Sciences Commons^™

The Use Of Artificial Neural Network To Optimize The Ph Response Range Of Chlorophenol Red, Wong F., Ahmad M., Heng L. Y.

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Artificial Neural Network (ANN) had been used in this study to extend the response range of the pH indicator. The input from absorbance values of the absorbance spectra of chlorophenol red at different pH was used to train the ANN. During the training process, the coefficient values of the ANN will be adjusted to obtain the desire output. In this research, back propagation algorithm had been used for optimizing the response range of the pH indicator chlorophenol red in solution. The result indicates that the use of ANN enable the pH response range to be extended from 4.8-6.8 to 1.0-10.0.

Entropy Learning In Neural Network, Ng Geok See, Shi D., Wahab A., Singh H.

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

In this paper, entropy term is used in the learning phase of a neural network. As learning progresses, more hidden nodes get into saturation. The early creation of such hidden nodes may impair generalisation. Hence entropy approach is proposed to dampen the early creation of such nodes. The entropy learning also helps to increase the importance of relevant nodes while dampening the less important nodes. At the end of learning, the less important nodes can then be eliminated to reduce the memory requirements of the neural network.

Design Of A Hvdc-Based Controller For Load Change Compensation And Stabilization Of Inter-Area Oscillations, Ngamroo I.

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

As an interconnected power system via a High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) link is subjected to a rapid load change with the frequency of inter-area oscillation mode, system frequency and tie line power may be severely disturbed and oscillate. To compensate for the rapid load change and stabilize both frequency and tie line power oscillations due to the inter-area mode, the dynamic power flow control via a HVDC link can be exploited. To implement this concept, a new design method of HVDC-based controller is proposed. To grasp a physical characteristic of the inter-area oscillation frequency, the technique of overlapping decompositions is …

Genetic Diversity Of Introduced (Pomacea Canaliculata) And Native (Pila) Apple Snails In Thailand Revealed By Randomly Amplified Polymorphic Dna (Rapd) Analysis, Thaewnon-Ngiw B., Klinbunga S., Phanwichien K., Sangduen N., Lauhachinda N., Menasveta P.

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Genetic diversity of the introduced golden apple snail, Pomacea canaliculata (Lamarck, 1822) and four native apple snails; Pila ampullacea (Linneaus, 1758), P. angelica (Annandale, 1920), P. pesmei (Morelet, 1889) and P. polita (Deshayes, 1830) in Thailand were studied by RAPD analysis. Two hundred and two polymorphic fragments (180-1500 bp in length) were generated across overall investigated samples (N = 254) using three informative primers (OPA07, OPB10 and UBC122). The percentages of polymorphic bands were 98.86%, 94.56%, 90.91%, 96.94% and 95.51% for Pomacea canaliculata, P. ampullacea, P. angelica, P. pesmei and P. polita, respectively. This indicated high genetic polymorphism of these …

Empirical Models For Power And Energy Requirements Ii : A Powered Implement Operation In Serdang Sandy Clay Loam, Malaysia, Kheiralla A. F., Yahya A., Zohadie M., Ishak W.

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Power and energy requirements were measured with an instrumented tractor for rotary tilling in Serdang sandy clay loam soil. The effects of travel speed and rotor speed upon the measured data were investigated. Power model from orthogonal regression analysis was formulated based on linear and quadratic functions of travel speed and bite length. Fuel consumption model from regression analysis was formulated based on linear tractor PTO power as well as linear equivalent tractor PTO power. Fuel consumption rates predicted by ASAE D497.3 were found to be 25% to 28% overestimates of the values predicted by the model developed. However, fuel …

Efficient Reactive Power Compensation Algorithm For Distribution Network, Jerome J.

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The use of automation and energy efficient equipment with electronic control would greatly improve industrial production. These new devices are more sensitive to supply voltage deviation and the characteristics of the power system that was previously ignored are now very important. Hence the benefits of distribution automation have been widely acknowledged in recent years. This paper proposes an efficient load flow solution technique extended to find optimum location for reactive power compensation and network reconfiguration for planning and day-to-day operation of distribution networks. This is required as a part of the distribution automation system (DAS) for taking various control and …

Neurofeedback With Fmri: A Critical Systematic Review, Robert T. Thibault, Amanda Macpherson, Michael Lifshitz, Raquel R. Roth, Amir Raz

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Neurofeedback relying on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI-nf) heralds new prospects for self-regulating brain and behavior. Here we provide the first comprehensive review of the fMRI-nf literature and the first systematic database of fMRI-nf findings. We synthesize information from 99 fMRI-nf experiments—the bulk of currently available data. The vast majority of fMRI-nf findings suggest that self-regulation of specific brain signatures seems viable; however, replication of concomitant behavioral outcomes remains sparse. To disentangle placebo influences and establish the specific effects of neurofeedback, we highlight the need for double-blind placebo-controlled studies alongside rigorous and standardized statistical analyses. Before fMRI-nf can join the …

Application Of Deswirl Device In Cyclone Dust Separator, Abdullah M. Z., Husain Z., Fraser S. M.

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The experimental investigations of the vortex flow inside the vortex finder (outlet duct) of the cyclone dust separator have been carried out. Preliminary study from the visualization experiment has been performed and discovered vortex instability inside the conventional vortex finder. In order to minimize the instabilities, the streamlined entry shape was inserted at the vortex finder entrance and the results showed remarkable improvement of the vortex flow instability inside the vortex finder. The velocity measurements of two main components of velocity were performed using a laser-Doppler anemometry at the cyclone vortex finder outlet. The experiments were conducted at a constant …

Effect Of Substrate Feeding Concentration On Initial Biofilm Development In Anaerobic Hybrid Reactor, Suraraksa B., Nopharatana A., Chaiprasert P., Bhumiratana S., Tanticharoen M.

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

To elucidate the effect of substrate concentration on biofilm development, glucose concentrations of 500 and 1,000 mg/L were used. At an early stage, biofilm development at both concentrations was not significantly different (P=0.621). After removing suspended biomass at 24 operational hours, the biofilm development at high substrate concentration was higher than at lower concentration. At 72 operational hours, the amounts of attached biomass at low and high glucose feeding were 9.04±1.17 and 28.58±2.72 g VSS/m2, respectively. The activities of acidogens, acetogens, and methanogens at the low glucose concentration were 0.334, 0.016 and 0.003 g COD/g VSS/h, and those at the …

Tfpiα Interacts With Fva And Fxa To Inhibit Prothrombinase During The Initiation Of Coagulation, Jeremy P. Wood, Helle H. Petersen, Bingke Yu, Xiaoai Wu, Ida Hilden, Alan E. Mast

Gill Heart & Vascular Institute Faculty Publications

Tissue factor pathway inhibitor α (TFPIα) inhibits prothrombinase, the thrombin-generating complex of factor Xa (FXa) and factor Va (FVa), during the initiation of coagulation. This inhibition requires binding of a conserved basic region within TFPIα to a conserved acidic region in FXa-activated and platelet-released FVa. In this study, the contribution of interactions between TFPIα and the FXa active site and FVa heavy chain to prothrombinase inhibition were examined to further define the inhibitory biochemistry. Removal of FXa active site binding by mutation or by deletion of the second Kunitz domain (K2) of TFPIα produced 17- or 34-fold weaker prothrombinase inhibition, …

Serine-Dependent Sphingolipid Synthesis Is A Metabolic Liability Of Aneuploid Cells, Sunyoung Hwang, H. Tobias Gustafsson, Ciara O’Sullivan, Gianna Bisceglia, Xinhe Huang, Christian Klose, Andrej Schevchenko, Robert C. Dickson, Paola Cavaliere, Noah Dephoure, Eduardo M. Torres

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Aneuploidy disrupts cellular homeostasis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the physiological responses and adaptation to aneuploidy are not well understood. Deciphering these mechanisms is important because aneuploidy is associated with diseases, including intellectual disability and cancer. Although tumors and mammalian aneuploid cells, including several cancer cell lines, show altered levels of sphingolipids, the role of sphingolipids in aneuploidy remains unknown. Here, we show that ceramides and long-chain bases, sphingolipid molecules that slow proliferation and promote survival, are increased by aneuploidy. Sphingolipid levels are tightly linked to serine synthesis, and inhibiting either serine or sphingolipid synthesis can specifically impair the fitness …

Evaluating Behavioral Responses Of Nesting Lesser Snow Geese To Unmanned Aircraft Surveys, Andrew Barnas, Robert Newman, Christopher J. Felege, Michael P. Corcoran, Samuel D. Hervey, Tanner J. Stechmann, Robert F. Rockwell, Susan N. Ellis-Felege

Publications and Research

Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are relatively new technologies gaining popularity among wildlife biologists. As with any new tool in wildlife science, operating protocols must be developed through rigorous protocol testing. Few studies have been conducted that quantify the impacts UAS may have on unhabituated individuals in the wild using standard aerial survey protocols. We evaluated impacts of unmanned surveys by measuring UAS-induced behavioral responses during the nesting phase of lesser snow geese (Anser caerulescens caerulescens) in Wapusk National Park, Manitoba, Canada. We conducted surveys with a fixed-wing Trimble UX5 and monitored behavioral changes via discreet surveillance cameras at 25 nests. …

Probiotic Strain Stenotrophomonas Acidaminiphila Bj1 Degrades And Reduces Chlorothalonil Toxicity To Soil Enzymes, Microbial Communities And Plant Roots, Qingming Zhang, Muhammad Saleem, Caixia Wang

Plant and Soil Sciences Faculty Publications

Chlorothalonil, a non-systemic and broad-spectrum fungicide, is widely used to control the pathogens of agricultural plants. Although microbial degradation of chlorothalonil is known, we know little about the colonization and degradation capacity of these microbes in the natural and semi-natural soil environments. Therefore, we studied the colonization and detoxification potential of a chlorothalonil degrading Stenotrophomonas acidaminiphila probiotic strain BJ1 in the soil under green conditions. The results from polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis demonstrated that probiotic strain BJ1 successfully colonized the soil by competing with the native biota. Moreover, the bacterial inoculation stimulated some members of indigenous soil microbial …

Expression Of Wnt-Signaling Pathway Genes And Their Associations With Mirnas In Colorectal Cancer, Martha L. Slattery, Lila E. Mullany, Lori C. Sakoda, Wade S. Samowitz, Roger K. Wolff, John R. Stevens, Jennifer S. Herrick

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Publications

The Wnt-signaling pathway functions in regulating cell growth and thus is involved in the carcinogenic process of several cancers, including colorectal cancer. We tested the hypothesis that multiple genes in this signaling pathway are dysregulated and that miRNAs are associated with these dysregulated genes. We used data from 217 colorectal cancer (CRC) cases to evaluate differences in Wnt-signaling pathway gene expression between paired CRC and normal mucosa and identify miRNAs that are associated with these genes. Gene expression data from RNA-Seq and miRNA expression data from Agilent Human miRNA Microarray V19.0 were analyzed. We focused on genes most strongly associated …

Comparative Study Of Spinning Field Development In Two Species Of Araneophagic Spiders (Araneae, Mimetidae, Australomimetus), Mark A. Townley, Danilo Harms

Molecular, Cellular & Biomedical Sciences

External studies of spider spinning fields allow us to make inferences about internal silk gland biology, including what happens to silk glands when the spider molts. Such studies often focus on adults, but juveniles can provide additional insight on spinning apparatus development and character polarity. Here we document and describe spinning fields at all stadia in two species of pirate spider (Mimetidae: Australomimetus spinosus, A. djuka). Pirate spiders nest within the ecribellate orb-building spiders (Araneoidea), but are vagrant, araneophagic members that do not build prey-capture webs. Correspondingly, they lack aggregate and flagelliform silk glands (AG, FL), specialized for forming prey-capture …

Urologist Burnout: Frequency, Causes, And Potential Solutions To An Unspoken Entity, Julie Franc-Guimond, Brian Mcneil, Steven M. Schlossberg, Amanda C. North, Alp Sener

Anatomy and Cell Biology Publications

Physician burnout has been linked to decreased job performance, increased medical errors, interpersonal conflicts, and depression. Recent multispecialty studies suggest that urologists have higher rates (up to 63.6%) of burnout compared to physicians in other specialties; however, these reports were limited by low sample sizes.1 We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of urologist burnout, verify risk factors, and recommend preventative measures and solutions for colleagues at risk or suffering from burnout. Urologist burnout is a true entity that transcends level of training and nationality. Its roots appear to be deep-seated in our tireless efforts to strive for excellence in care …

Increased Striatal Vulnerability To 3-Nitropropionic Acid In Male, But Not Female, Mice Lacking Interleukin-1r1, Matthew Frederick Allen

Theses - ALL

Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), classically considered as a pro-inflammatory cytokine, has proven essential to cellular defense in nearly all tissues (Kaur et al., 2014, Ren and Torres, 2009). In brain, studies suggest that IL-1β has pleiotrophic effects. It acts as a neuromodulator, has been implicated in the pathogenic processes associated with a number of CNS diseases, but has also been shown to provide protection to the injured CNS. With respect to the latter, IL-1β signalling appears to mitigate pathology and motor symptoms in a mouse model of Huntington’s disease (HD), a progressive neurodegenerative condition that targets the striatum. Specifically, HD mice bred …

Ability Of Functional Performance Tests To Identify Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis, Adam B. Rosen, Alan R. Needle, Jupil Ko

Health and Kinesiology Faculty Publications

Objective:

The purpose of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to determine the effectiveness of functional performance tests (FPTs) in differentiating between individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) and healthy controls.

Data Sources:

The National Library of Medicine Catalog (PubMed), the Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and the SPORTDiscus, from inception to June 2017 were searched. Search terms consisted of: “Functional Performance Test*” OR “Dynamic Balance Test*” OR “Postural Stability Test*” OR “Star Excursion Balance Test*” OR “Hop Test*” AND “Ankle Instability” OR “Ankle Sprain.” Included articles assessed differences in FPTs in patients with CAI compared …

Concise Review: Translating Regenerative Biology Into Clinically Relevant Therapies: Are We On The Right Path?, Jennifer Simkin, Ashley W. Seifert

Biology Faculty Publications

Despite approaches in regenerative medicine using stem cells, bio-engineered scaffolds, and targeted drug delivery to enhance human tissue repair, clinicians remain unable to regenerate large-scale, multi-tissue defects in situ. The study of regenerative biology using mammalian models of complex tissue regeneration offers an opportunity to discover key factors that stimulate a regenerative rather than fibrotic response to injury. For example, although primates and rodents can regenerate their distal digit tips, they heal more proximal amputations with scar tissue. Rabbits and African spiny mice re-grow tissue to fill large musculoskeletal defects through their ear pinna, while other mammals fail to regenerate …

Including Pork In The Mediterranean Diet For An Australian Population: Protocol For Arandomised Controlled Trial Assessing Cardiovascular Risk And Cognitive Function, Alexandra T. Wade, Courtney R. Davis, Kathryn A. Dyer, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Richard Woodman, Hannah A. Keage, Karen J. Murphy

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background

The Mediterranean diet is characterised by the high consumption of extra virgin olive oil, fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes and nuts; moderate consumption of fish, poultry, eggs and dairy; and low consumption of red meat and sweets. Cross sectional, longitudinal and intervention studies indicate that a Mediterranean diet may be effective for the prevention of cardiovascular disease and dementia. However, previous research suggests that an Australian population may find red meat restrictions difficult, which could affect long term sustainability of the diet.

Methods

This paper outlines the protocol for a randomised controlled trial that will assess the cardiovascular and cognitive …

Structural Evidence Of A Major Conformational Change Triggered By Substrate Binding In Dape Enzymes: Impact On The Catalytic Mechanism, Boguslaw Nocek, Cory Reid, Anna Starus, Tahirah Heath, David Bienvenues, Jerzy Osipiuk, Robert Jedrzeczak, Andrzej Joachimiak, Daniel P. Becker Ph.D., Richard C. Holz

Chemistry: Faculty Publications and Other Works

The X-ray crystal structure of the dapE-encoded N-succinyl-l,l-diaminopimelic acid desuccinylase from Haemophilus influenzae (HiDapE) bound by the products of hydrolysis, succinic acid and l,l-DAP, was determined at 1.95 Å. Surprisingly, the structure bound to the products revealed that HiDapE undergoes a significant conformational change in which the catalytic domain rotates ∼50° and shifts ∼10.1 Å (as measured at the position of the Zn atoms) relative to the dimerization domain. This heretofore unobserved closed conformation revealed significant movements within the catalytic domain compared to that of wild-type HiDapE, which results in effectively closing off access to …

Investigation Of Conical Spinneret In Generating More Dense And Compact Electrospun Nanofibers, Aya Hamed, Nader Shehata, Mohammad Elosairy

Biology Faculty Publications

Electrospinning is an important, widely used process to generate nanofibers. However, there is still an open window for different designs of both spinneret and collector electrodes to be investigated. This paper introduces the impact of new design of conical spinneret electrode on the generated electrospun nanofibers. In this work, the conical feeder is used to generate electrospun Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofibers, and being compared to the traditional needle feeder at the same processing conditions. The jet’s mechanism is simulated using discrete bead model along with estimated calculations of both deposition area and fiber radius. The electric field distribution that is …

Are Fireworms Venomous? Evidence For The Convergent Evolution Of Toxin Homologs In Three Species Of Fireworms (Annelida, Amphinomidae), Aida Verdes, Danny Simpson, Mandë Holford

Publications and Research

Amphinomids, more commonly known as fireworms, are a basal lineage of marine annelids characterized by the presence of defensive dorsal calcareous chaetae, which break off upon contact. It has long been hypothesized that amphinomids are venomous and use the chaetae to inject a toxic substance. However, studies investigating fireworm venom from a morphological or molecular perspective are scarce and no venom gland has been identified to date, nor any toxin characterized at the molecular level. To investigate this question, we analyzed the transcriptomes of three species of fireworms— Eurythoe complanata, Hermodice carunculata, andParamphinome jeffreysii—following a venomics approach to identify putative …

Annotated List Of Ontario Lepidoptera, By J. C. E. Riotte. 1992. Royal Ontario Museum, Publications In Life Sciences, Miscellaneous Publication. Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen's Park, Thronto, Ontario, Canada M5s 2c6. 208 Pp. Soft Cover, 15 X 22.5 Cm. Isbn 0-88854-397-2. $19.95 Canadian (About $16.00 U.S.), Eric H. Metzler

The Great Lakes Entomologist

(excerpt)

I was eager to review this publication. When I was a young person, first starting the pursuit of Lepidoptera, any literature that increased my knowledge was as valuable as the specimens I collected. Checklists were especially welcome. A primary purpose for the formation of The Ohio Lepidopterists society was to record the occurrence of Lepidoptera in Ohio. My ardent commitment to document Ohio's fauna over the past 20 years gives me insight into the work necessary to create and produce a publication of this type.

Notes On The Life Histories Of Chlosyne (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) And Agrypon (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), Andrew H. Williams

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Ambrosia trifida is reported for the first time as a larval food plant of Chlosyne nycteis. Chlosyne nycteis and C. harrisii are reported as hosts of Agrypon prismaticum and A. alpinum, respectively; the first report of wasps in Agrypon parasitizing species in Nymphalidae.

New Food Plants And First Wisconsin Records Of Publilia Modesta Var. Brunnea (Hemiptera: Membracidae), Andrew H. Williams

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Publilia modesta var. brunnea was found feeding on 14 species of Aster­aceae at three sites in three Wisconsin counties in 1994-1996. This is the first report of P. modesta using these plants and of its occurrence in Wisconsin, an eastward extension of its reported distribution.

First Report Of The Alfalfa Blotch Leafminer (Diptera: Agromyzidae), And Selected Parasites (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) In Minnesota And Wisconsin, Usa, W. D. Hutchison, P. K. O'Rourke, D. W. Bartels, E. C. Burkness, J. C. Luhman, J. Heard

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Alfalfa blotch leafminer, Agromyza frontella, has been a serious pest of alfalfa, Medicago sativa, in the northeastern U.S. and in eastern Ontario, Canada. Until recently, the western edge of the A. frontella distribution in the U.S. was limited to eastern Ohio. We document for the first time, the occurrence of A. frontella in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Alfalfa stems damaged by A. frontella, based on adult feeding punctures, obvious blotched leafmining or the presence of larvae, were first found in 3 northern Minnesota coun­ties during October, 1994. Infested counties included Lake of the Woods, Cook and Lake, all …

Unusual Sex Allocation In A Solitary Parasitoid Wasp, Sphaeropthalma Pensylvanica (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae), Robert W. Matthews

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Sphaeropthalma pensyluanica reared from cocoons of the organ pipe mud dauber, Trypoxylon politum from Georgia over several years yielded only adult males. Possible explanations for this sex-biased emergence from this host are (1) obligatory heteronomous heterotrophy, in which the two sexes develop on entirely different hosts; (2) differential mortality in the immature stage, with female larvae dying during development; and (3) facultative size- dependent sex allocation, with female eggs laid only on hosts smaller than T. politum.

Sex-Related Color Patterns In Elytral Vittae Of Diabrotica Virgifera Virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), Louis S. Hesler, Leslie Hammack

The Great Lakes Entomologist

We evaluated the color patterns of elytral vittae by sex in adults of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera leConte. Our study examined >1000 beetles taken from a field population, a laboratory colony, and a reference collection containing 712 specimens from 15 of the United States and from the province of Ontario, Canada. The humeral and sutural vittae of each beetle's elytra were classified as being separate, partially confluent, or totally confluent with each other. The distribution of these elytral patterns was not independent of sex. Males tended to have confluent or partially confluent vittae, whereas females largely had separate vittae. Nonetheless, all …

Chemiluminescent Tags For Tracking Insect Movement In Darkness: Application To Moth Photo-Orientation, Joseph L. Spencer, Lawrence J. Gewax, James E. Keller, James R. Miller

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The flight tracks of Manduca sexta (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) flying toward a 5 watt incandescent light bulb were recorded under low light conditions with the aid of a camera-mounted photomultiplier and a glowing marker technique. Small felt pads bearing a chemiluminescent (glowi ma­erial, Cyalume®, were affixed to the abdomens of free-flying moths. insects orienting to a dim incandescent bulb were easily visible to the naked eye and were clearly captured on videotape. On their initial approach to the light source, M. sexta were found to orient at a mean angle of -0.220 ± 2.70 (mean ± SEM). The speed of the …