Life Sciences Commons^™

Antiformer: Graph Enhanced Large Language Model For Binding Affinity Prediction, Jianguo Wen, Xiaobo Zhou, Qianqian Song

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Antibodies play a pivotal role in immune defense and serve as key therapeutic agents. The process of affinity maturation, wherein antibodies evolve through somatic mutations to achieve heightened specificity and affinity to target antigens, is crucial for effective immune response. Despite their significance, assessing antibody-antigen binding affinity remains challenging due to limitations in conventional wet lab techniques. To address this, we introduce AntiFormer, a graph-based large language model designed to predict antibody binding affinity. AntiFormer incorporates sequence information into a graph-based framework, allowing for precise prediction of binding affinity. Through extensive evaluations, AntiFormer demonstrates superior performance compared with existing methods, …

Wheat Response To Foliar-Applied Phosphorus Is Determined By Soil Phosphorus Buffering, Raj Malik, Craig Scanlan, Andrew Van Burgel, Balwinder Singh

Grain and Other Field Crops Research Articles

In no-till cropping systems, banding of phosphorus (P) fertiliser at seeding results in low use efficiency due to chemical reactions in soil. Foliar P has the potential to allow grain producers to respond tactically with P application after sowing when P supply from soil and fertiliser is not meeting crop demand. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of foliar P on wheat grain yield, grain quality, biomass yield, P uptake and P use efficiency indices. Nine field experiments were conducted to investigate the response of wheat to foliar P. Three rates of P, 0, 2.5 and …

Gender Differences In Job Satisfaction Among Gig Workers In Bangladesh, Mou Rani Sarker, Tanjum Afrin Taj, Md Abdur Rouf Sarkar, Md. Fuad Hassan, Andrew M. Mckensie, Md Abdullah Al Mamun, Dweep Sarker, Humnath Bhandani

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

The gig economy (temporary, contract, and freelance online jobs rather than permanent positions) is a component of the fourth industrial revolution and preview of future work. The rise of digital platforms has increased career opportunities and income potential, particularly for women. Yet, the sex-disaggregated evidence regarding platform usage, employment characteristics, and working motivations and satisfaction remains untapped. Using data from a quantitative survey of Bangladeshi gig workers (242 men and 201 women) conducted in 2022, this paper addresses these gaps between male and female workers. The gig economy appears to be gender-segregated across digital platform usages and working categories. Women …

Tert Activation Targets Dna Methylation And Multiple Aging Hallmarks, Hong Seok Shim, Jonathan Iaconelli, Xiaoying Shang, Jiexi Li, Zheng D Lan, Kayla Nutsch, Luke L Lairson, Adam T Boutin, Michael J Bollong, Peter G Schultz, Ronald A Depinho

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Insufficient telomerase activity, stemming from low telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene transcription, contributes to telomere dysfunction and aging pathologies. Besides its traditional function in telomere synthesis, TERT acts as a transcriptional co-regulator of genes pivotal in aging and age-associated diseases. Here, we report the identification of a TERT activator compound (TAC) that upregulates TERT transcription via the MEK/ERK/AP-1 cascade. In primary human cells and naturally aged mice, TAC-induced elevation of TERT levels promotes telomere synthesis, blunts tissue aging hallmarks with reduced cellular senescence and inflammatory cytokines, and silences p16INK4a expression via upregulation of DNMT3B-mediated promoter hypermethylation. In the brain, …

The Potential Influence Of Immune Modulatory Molecules (Tgf-Βiii And Ctla-4) In Pathogenicity Of Pcos, Mustafa Riyadh Abdullah, Hazima Mossa Alabassi

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterised by chronic anovulation, hyperandrogenism, polycystic ovaries, and immunological dysregulation. Immune homeostasis and inflammation management require immune functions. T-regulatory cells (Tregs) regulate PCOS's immune system, inflammation, insulin resistance, ovarian function, and homeostasis. Transforming growth factor βIII (TGF-βIII) and Cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte-associated-protein-4 (CTLA-4) receptors on the surfaces of Treg cells are important for controlling the immune system. The study included 68 PCOS patients and 22 non-PCOS women controls aged 20–45. The waist-hip ratio (WHR) determines obesity. We evaluated serum levels and gene expression of TGF-βIII and CTLA-4 via ELISA and real-time PCR. Women with PCOS had significantly higher …

Enhanced Optoelectronics Performance Of Hybrid Self Power Photodetectors Go: Tio2- Ad / N-Si Heterojunctions, Mohammed J. Alsultani, Maysoon F. Alias

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

A GO:TiO₂/n-Si heterostructure has been submerged in an anthocyanin dye solution that extracted from the red cabbage plant creates a high responsivity, self-powered UV, and visible photodetectors fabricated by the spray pyrolysis technique. The GO concentrations are varied, whereas TiO₂ is fixed. Thin films' structure, shape, and optical characteristics were examined using X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and UV-Vis spectrophotometers respectively. Island-like polycrystalline film powders with grain boundaries and granular shapes are created. Two direct energy gaps between 3.33-3.02 and 2.39-2.04 eV exist in all films. J-V characteristics were examined. The saturation current density (J …

The Effect Of Moon Phase On Predator And Prey Activity Levels On Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, Jeff Schell, Charlotte Milling

2024 Symposium

Variation in nighttime illumination linked to moon phase has been demonstrated to affect the activity patterns of both prey and predator species. However, evidence of lunarphobia in ungulates is mixed. Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge (TNWR) in Spokane County spans 23,000 acres; features a diverse landscape of channeled scablands, wetlands, and Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa); and is situated within 20 km of the second largest city in Washington. Our objective was to assess the influence of nighttime illumination on activity levels of common mammals on TNWR by quantifying the relationship between moon phase and visitation rate at trail cameras …

Editorial: Recent Advances In Research And Development For Vegetable Crops Under Protected Cultivation, Giao N. Nguyen, Zora Singh

Horticulture Research Articles

Protected cultivation is the production of horticultural crops including vegetables under structures such as forced-ventilated greenhouses, shade net houses, poly houses, net houses, high and low plastic tunnels, where the external growing environment can be controlled or modified to suit crop growth requirements. In regions where the environmental conditions such as weather, soil and water are not suitable to grow specific vegetables, or in urban areas with limited arable land, this farming system is very important to ensure high, stable productivity and good quality vegetables. This enables a stable supply for the market all year round, bringing high economic return …

Lure Specificity, Phenology, And Damage Caused By Epiphyas Moths (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) In Western Australian Apple Orchards, Maryam Yazdani, Elliot T. Howse, Wee Tek Tay, Helen Spafford, Rieks Van Klinken

Horticulture Research Articles

Multiple Epiphyas species inhabit southwestern Western Australia, including Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM) Epiphyas postvittana (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), a globally significant, polyphagous pest. This study evaluated the efficacy and specificity of lures designed for 3 Epiphyas species: E. postvittana, Epiphyas pulla (Turner), and the undescribed Epiphyas sp. (1) (Common). Additionally, the study sought to determine the presence and distribution of Epiphyas species in 3 significant apple-growing localities. Trapping, together with partial sequencing of the mitochondrial COI gene, found LBAM to be restricted to the Perth Hills and E. pulla, to apple orchards near Manjimup and Pemberton. This geographic …

Ideas For Estate And Transition Planning: Gifting Ownership, Jessica J. Groskopf

Cornhusker Economics

For many farm and ranch families, bringing children or grandchildren into the operation is the ultimate goal. Successfully bringing additional family members into the operation may require some creativity as all parties need to maintain a viable standard of living. This article is part of a series that will highlight ideas and tactics for bringing another family member into the operation. If this is the first article you are seeing in this series, I would encourage you to go back to the for background and additional guidance.

A strategy that is gaining popularity is the gifting of shares or a …

Evaluating Mountain Lion Diet Before And After A Removal Of Feral Horses In A Semiarid Environment, Peter C. Iacono, Kathryn A. Schoenecker, Kezia R. Manlove, Pat J. Jackson, David C. Stoner

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

Non-native species can affect ecosystems by influencing native predator-prey dynamics. Therefore, management interventions designed to remove non-natives may inadvertently lead to increased predation on native species. Feral horses are widely distributed throughout the arid parts of western North America. A growing body of research indicates that horses can be an important prey species to mountain lions in ecosystems where they overlap. In December 2020, the Bureau of Land Management removed 455 horses from the Delamar Mountains, Nevada, USA. We leveraged this management intervention to implement a before–after–control–impact study to test hypotheses about predation on horses and native ungulates. We predicted …

Effect Of Esketamine On Hypotension In Women With Preoperative Anxiety Undergoing Elective Cesarean Section: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial, Qinyu Jiang, Yanyu Li, Xinghe Wang, Jia Sun, Hai Zhou, Zhengquan Hu, Liwei Wang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

To investigate the effect of low-doses esketamine on spinal anesthesia-induced hypotension in women with preoperative anxiety undergoing elective cesarean section, the randomized controlled trial enrolled 120 women aged 18-35 years who preoperative State-Trait Anxiety Inventory State scores > 40, conducted from September 2022 to August 2023 in Xuzhou Central Hospital, China. Women in the esketamine group received a single intravenous injection of 0.2 mg/kg esketamine after sensory block level achieved. The incidence of hypotension in the esketamine group was significantly lower than the control group at T2 (10% [6 of 60]; P < 0.001), T3 (5.0% [3 of 60]; P = 0.007) and T4(5.0% [3 of 60]; P = 0.004). Despite being higher in the esketamine group, the overall rates of hypertension (11.7% [7 of 60]; P = 0.186), tachycardia (23.3% [14 of 60]; P = 0.246), and bradycardia (0.0% [0 of 60]; P = 0.079) were no significantly difference between the two groups. STAI-S scores was significantly lower in the esketamine group (mean [SD] 37.52[7.14]) than in the control group (mean [SD] 41.03[9.66], P = 0.39) in postoperative day 1. Spinal anesthesia combined with intravenous low-doses esketamine infusion can significantly reduce the incidence of hypotension in women with preoperative anxiety undergoing elective cesarean section.

Patients' Perceptions Of Using Technology For Self-Reporting Cancer Medication Safety Events From Home, Yang Gong, Yun Jiang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Frequent transitions of care among patients with cancer increase their risks for medication safety events (MSEs). Patients and families need to become "vigilant partners" in MSE self-reporting when transitioning back home. However, limited evidence is available to guide patient and family engagement in preventing and managing MSEs. This study explored patients' perceptions of using technology for MSE self-reporting by interviewing 41 patients with breast, prostate, lung, or colorectal cancer. The findings revealed that patients with cancer perceived technology as convenient and easy to use to address urgent MSE concerns. However, the lack of access to technology and being unconfident in …

Diesel Exhaust Particles Alter Mitochondrial Bioenergetics And Camp Producing Capacity In Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells, Isabella Cattani-Cavalieri, Marina Trombetta-Lima, Hong Yan, Ana L. Manzano-Covarrubias, Hoeke A. Baarsma, Asmaa Oun, Melissa Mol Van Der Veen, Emily Oosterhout, Amalia M. Dolga, Rennolds S. Ostrom, Samuel Santos Valenca, Martina Schmidt

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Introduction: Air pollution from diesel combustion is linked in part to the generation of diesel exhaust particles (DEP). DEP exposure induces various processes, including inflammation and oxidative stress, which ultimately contribute to a decline in lung function. Cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling is critical for lung homeostasis. The impact of DEP on cAMP signaling is largely unknown.

Methods: We exposed human bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells to DEP for 24–72 h and evaluated mitochondrial bioenergetics, markers of oxidative stress and inflammation and the components of cAMP signaling. Mitochondrial bioenergetics was measured at 72 h to capture the potential and accumulative effects of …

Differential Lipid Binding Specificities Of Rap1a And Rap1b Are Encoded By The Amino Acid Sequence Of The Membrane Anchors, Mussie K Araya, Wei Chen, Yuepeng Ke, Yubin Zhou, Alemayehu A Gorfe, Junchen Liu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

RAP1 proteins belong to the RAS family of small GTPases that operate as molecular switches by cycling between GDP-bound inactive and GTP-bound active states. The C-terminal anchors of RAP1 proteins are known to direct membrane localization, but how these anchors organize RAP1 on the plasma membrane (PM) has not been investigated. Using high-resolution imaging, we show that RAP1A and RAP1B form spatially segregated nanoclusters on the inner leaflet of the PM, with further lateral segregation between GDP-bound and GTP-bound proteins. The C-terminal polybasic anchors of RAP1A and RAP1B differ in their amino acid sequences and exhibit different lipid binding specificities, …

Autumn Grass Growth- The Effect Of Rest Interval, R Neilan, E G. O'Riordan, G Keane

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The effect of closing dates (Experiment 1: August 1, August 14 and September 18) and grass regrowth interval (Experiment 2) on herbage yield in the autumn/winter and in the following spring were investigated on a previously grazed Lolium perenne sward. In Experiment 1, similar yields were obtained for the August 1 and August 14 closing. Yields decreased and the proportion of dead material increased from 0.19 to 0.61 between mid-October and late- December. In Experiment 2, dry matter yield increased linearly (P < 0.05) with rest interval up to 7 wks in swards closed in September. There was no significant yield advantage for rest intervals greater than 5-6 wks. It is concluded that accumulated autumn and spring yields showed increased DM production with the shorter regrowth intervals.

Improving Pasture Composition Increases Wool Returns In Eucalypt Woodlands, T J. Hall, R G. Silcock, J J. Sevil, J R. Van Der Meulen

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A sheep grazing experiment in red earth Eucalypt country on semiarid pastures dominated by either Gayndah buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) or wiregrass (Aristida jerichoensis) quantified liveweight, wool production and quality, and financial returns. Wethers were grazed at 0.32 and 0.6 ha/sheep. In year 1 there was no significant effect of either stocking rate or pasture type on liveweight or wool growth rate. Vegetable fault was greater in the fleeces from the wiregrass. The sheep grazing buffel grew better than those on wiregrass when stocking rates were doubled in year 2, while pasture yields remained high. The …

Responses Of Artemisia Herba-Alba Asso. And Its Associated Species To Grazing Frequency (Midelt, Morocco), M Mejjati Alami, O Berkat, C Bensalem

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objective of this study (conducted in 1994) was to assess the effects of season and grazing frequency (control, continuous, intermittent during 2 days per week) on vegetation attributes, and animal feeding behavior. Mean standing crop, for which Artemisia herba alba contributed 72%, attained 533 for the control while it was maintained at 394 and 322 Kg DM/ha, for the continuous and the intermittent grazing, respectively. Mean productivity of Artemisia herba alba varied according to treatment and had values of 5.3, 3.0 and 2.5 Kg DM/ha/day, under the ungrazed control, the continuous and the intermittent grazing regimes, respectively. Percent utilization …

Grazing Management Of An Italian Ryegrass Sward With Dairy Sheep In The Mediterranean Environment, M Sitzia, P P. Roggero, N Fois, G Molle

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A grazing experiment was conducted in North-West Sardinia with the aim of testing the sward height as a mean to set up an efficient spring management of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.). Three fields were continuously grazed during spring 1992 by three groups of 12 dairy Sarda ewes, at three different sward heights (SH): 30 - 60 - 90 mm. The target sward height was obtained by continuously adjusting the field sizes. The results showed that the different grazing managements influenced the above ground biomass production and partitioning of the Italian ryegrass and the animal performances. During the vegetative …

Estimation Of Herbage Intake Of High Producing Milking Cows Under Intensive Grazing With A Supplementary Feeding Method In Northern Japan, K Ohiai, K Sudo, T Ikeda, T Honma

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objective of this study was to estimate the herbage intake and to assess a supplementary feeding method for high producing milk cows under intensive grazing. Eight high producing milking cows were grazed rotationally on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L) dominant mixed pasture and on meadow fescue (Festuca elatior L) dominant mixed pasture, changing rotation period and grazing area ccording to seasonal pasture growth rate. Pasture intakes were estimated to be about 2% of body weight by TDN requirements estimation of animals. A supplementary feeding method is examined to be proper for high producing milking cows under …

Palatability Of Grasses And Grazing On Hungarian Grassland, Z Barcsak, I Kertesz, L Szeman

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Grasslands provide the most basic and cheapest forage diet for cattle. The palatability studies were carried out on pure and mixed swards sown in 1990 on the GATE experimental farm. The studies involved the following 12 species: Lolium perenne, Trifolium repens, Festuca arundinacea, Festuca rubra, Poa pratensis, Festuca pratensis, Bromus inermis, Phalaris arundinacea, Lotus corniculatus, Agropyron crystatum, Dactylis glomerata and a mixed sward. During the study the morning and afternoon grazings were investigated with the involvement of 60 Limousin cattle. The following observations were made: 1. On the basis of our ethological observations regarding the bite rates the animals found …

Selective Sheep Grazing In An Heterogeneous Wheatgrass Dominated Pasture Related To Stocking Rate, G L. Siffredi, M A. Brizuela, M S. Cid, C Cangiano

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

It has been hypothesized that patch and community selection are driven by forage quality and/or quantity. We assess the relationship between vegetation characteristics and community and patch selection by sheep under continuous grazing at different stocking rates in an heterogeneous pasture. Our results suggest that when communities strongly differed in nutritive value sheep recurrently select the higher quality community in spite of its low biomass. However, sheep do not completely exclude the poorer quality community, generating a patchy vegetation pattern.

Grazing Management Of Elephant-Grass For Milk Production, F Deresz, L L. Matos

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objectives of these experiments were to study the effects of three resting periods (RP) of elephant-grass pasture on milk production and composition of Holstein-Zebu cows. These trials were carried out during two consecutive rainy seasons (December to May) using 24 cows in each year. They were randomly assigned by blocks according to milk yield and live weight (LW) to four treatments: 30- day RP with no concentrate (30N), 30-day RP with concentrate (30C), 36 and 45-day RP with C (36C and 45C) in the first year. In the second year the treatments were: 30C, 30N, 36N and 45N. Concentrate …

Comparison Of Yield, Forage Quality And Persistence Of 11 Grasses Grown With Irrigation In A Semi-Arid Climate, D E. Glover, G A. Kielly, R H. Cohen, P G. Jefferson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Nutritive quality of many grass species used for forage in the Northern Great Plains of Canada and the United States is not well documented, especially at different maturity stages. This study compared agronomic and forage quality characteristics of eleven grasses common to Saskatchewan. Botanical separation and quality analysis was undertaken at three growth stages. Meadow Brome (Bromus riparius), Russian Wildrye (Psathyrostachys juceus) and Altai Wildrye (Elymus angustus) were shown to have high leaf to stem ratios which corresponded with high protein levels. Separations showed persistence of Reed Canarygrass (Phalaris arudinaceus), Creeping Foxtail …

The Effect Of Grazing On Leaf Development In Eight Grass Species, H A. Lardner, S.B M. Wright, R H. Cohen

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Grazing by herbivores affects grass species both morphologically and physiologically. A grazing study was conducted on an irrigated pasture near Outlook, Saskatchewan, Canada during the summers of 1991 and 1992 to determine morphological development of regrowth of reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.), slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus (Link) Gould ex Shinners subsp. trachycaulus), intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkw. & D.R. Dewey subsp. intermedium), orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), meadow bromegrass (Bromus beibersteinii Roem. & Schult.), smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea (Schreb.) Wimm.) and timothy (Phleum pratense L.) in order to …

The Effect Of Slurry And Dirty Water Application To Swards On Grazing Behaviour In Dairy Cows, S Danby, J A. Laws, P D. Penning, B F. Pain, E Owen

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In preference tests using pairs of turves in boxes (treated and control), dairy cows were more averse to surface spread than shallow injected slurry and more averse to slurry than dirty water. Effects of slurry persisted for up to 6 weeks, with fewer bites and less herbage removed from treated swards compared to control swards. Aversion to slurry may be decreased by injection. Effects of dirty water persisted for only 14 days.

Applications Of Height-Based Grazing Management In Mixed Swards, A Singh, J E. Johnston, E A. Clark

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Grazing efficiency and livestock performance were compared on swards rotationally grazed down to either 50 or 100 mm for three years. With a fixed entry height of 200-250 mm, standing swards of mixed grasses and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) were stratified into 50 mm vertical layers both pre- and post-grazing. Through four or five cycles of grazing each year for three years, a fixed entry height range stabilized total standing herbage at 3250 to 3690 kg OM ha-1. Organic matter on-offer above 100 mm was 36, 45, and 43% of total standing herbage in the three years, compared …

Ingestive Behavior Of Fistulated And Intact Sheep Grazing Grass And Legumes Indoors And Outdoors, Y M. Gong, J Hodgson, M G. Lambert

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Components of short-term ingestive behaviour were recorded for fistulated and intact sheep grazing turves in indoor crates, and for esophageal-fistulated sheep grazing swards in situ in outdoor cages. Perennial ryegrass, orchard grass and white clover at vegetative and reproductive growth stages were offered to the sheep. Bite weight, depth, area and volume did not differ between sheep grazing indoors and outdoors, nor between intact and fistulated sheep. Bite rate of fistulated sheep was slower indoors than outdoors (25.3 versus 32.1 bites/min), and intact sheep had a higher biting rate (36.7 versus 25.3 bites/min) than fistulated sheep. Bite weight was over-estimated …

Dairy Production From Pasture In Southern China, P.N P. Matthews, J Hodgson, A.C P. Chu, W L. Jiang, C B. Luo

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This paper covers the development of dairy production systems as part of the UNDP funded Agro-grasslands Systems Development Project in Guizhou Province, China. The basic philosophy for the project was for local adaptation of New Zealand technology for developing dairy production systems based on pastures. The dairy production systems were established and the outputs of the project successfully achieved. Net incomes of smallholder farmers increased from a baseline of RMB $140 to RMB $1740 per annum over a three year period. Based on the experienced gained in setting up these systems local researchers, administrators, extension personnel and smallholders were able …

Trace Mineral Status Of Beef Cattle Grazing Semiarid Rangelands Of North Mexico, J R. Kawas, G T. Armienta, E Olivares, O Torress, J J. Kawas, F Garza

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Trace mineral concentrations of soil, forage and serum of range cattle of the northeast Mexico state of Nuevo Leon were determined in both wet and dry seasons of 1992. For each season, collections were made at twenty-four ranches within eleven counties of three regions. A total of 220 soil, 680 forage and 220 blood samples were collected and analyzed. No differences (P<0.05) between regions were obtained for Zinc (28.0 to 34.9 ppm) or Copper (4.4 to 5.4 ppm). Molybdenum concentrations were greater in the northern (2.1 ppm) than in the central (1.6 ppm) or southern (1.5 ppm) regions. Considering the critical levels in forages for Zinc (30 ppm) and Copper (10 ppm) reported by the National Research Council (1984), Zinc concentrations may be marginally deficient, whereas Copper concentrations were deficient in all three regions, in both seasons, and in grasses and woody species.