Life Sciences Commons^™

Study On Photoelectric Detection Method Of Nitrite Content In Food With Microfluidic Mixer Chip, Pang Hao-Ran, Xie Jia-Qing, Guan Qi-Feng, Meng Xiao-Yu, Sun Ru-Qian, Zhou Fu-Yang

Food and Machinery

Objective: A high-precision, low-cost quantitative and rapid detection method of nitrite in food based on photoelectric detection principle was proposed, and a portable nitrite detector equipped with microfluidic mixer chip was constructed. Methods: The microfluidic mixer chip was designed to realize the rapid mixing of test samples. The mixing efficiency of the chip was verified by peristaltic fluid simulation. The influence of UV curing parameters on the microfluidic mixer chip channel accuracy was analyzed, the microfluidic mixer chip was prepared. The photoelectric detection system of nitrite was designed and established. The relationship between nitrite content and induced voltage was analyzed, …

An Aptamer Colorimetric Method Was Established To Detect Chloramphenicol In Eggs Based On Dnase-Catalyzed Reaction, Cheng Hui, Liu Shun, Li Bo, Huang Yu-Lan, Zhou Tao

Food and Machinery

Objective: A new method for the rapid detection of chloramphenicol in eggs was established, by preparing the aptamer magnetic bead complex, based on the mechanism of inhibiting the catalytic color reaction between the DNase and heme. Methods: The aptamer and DNase was combined through complementary base pairing, and it was combined with aptamer composite magnetic beads. Furthernore, by adding different concentrations of chloramphenicol solution, the DNase and chloramphenicol nucleic acid adaptation was disintegrated by dissociation of DNase catalytic chromogenic reaction combined with hemoglobin. Results: The linear range of chloramphenicol was 0.001~100.000 mg/kg, and the absorbance was linearly correlated with the …

Real Time Detection Method Of Fruit Defects Based On Deep Learning, Zhou Sheng-An, Huang Geng-Sheng, Zhang Yi-Yun, Gao Dong-Fa

Food and Machinery

Objective: This study aimed to optimize and improve the CenterNet method for detecting fruit defects. Methods: the lightweight convolutional neural network of MobileNetV3 was used to replace the original backbone network of CenterNet accelerate the detection speed, improve the module of MobileNetV3, enhance the detection ability of the model for small and medium-sized defective blocks of fruit, and optimize the pre detection stage of CenterNet to increase its detection accuracy. Results: The recognition rate of significant defects such as apples with diameter > 4 mm was 99.7%, and the detection speed was 113 FPS, with the model volume of 1.31 MB. …

Simulation Analysis Of Tobacco Leaf Redrying And Drying Process Based On Comsol, Qin Ji-Wei, Wang Li-Hua, Jiang Wei, Wang Jiong-Li, Jia Tong-Peng

Food and Machinery

Objective: To study the drying shrinkage mechanism of tobacco leaves during the redrying process. Methods: Based on the theory of porous media and elasticity, combined with Fourier's law and Fick's law, the numerical simulation of the thermal expansion, hygroscopic expansion and temperature coupling process in the tobacco leaf drying process was realized. Results: During the redrying process, the maximum stress occurred when the tobacco leaves were dried for about 3 minutes. The moisture stress during the drying process was much greater than the thermal stress; During the low-temperature slow-curing process, the internal moisture evaporation rate of the tobacco leaves was …

Hypoglycemic Effect Of Perilla Leaf Extract On Type 1 Diabetic Mice, Qi Xin, Lu Xin-Tong, Lin Chang-Qing, Cui Cheng-Bi

Food and Machinery

Objective: This study focuses on exploring the effect of perilla leaf extract on hypoglycemic in type 1 diabetic mice. Methods: Streptozotocin （STZ） was used to induce the establishment of type 1 diabetes （T1DM） mouse model, and then the normal group, model group, perilla leaf extract high-dose group （400 mg/kg）, perilla leaf extract low-dose group （200 mg/kg）, positive group （150 mg/kg） were investigated. During the test, the food intake and water consumption of the mice were recorded, and the fasting blood glucose （FBG） of T1DM mice was measured every week, and the glucose tolerance level （OGTT） was measured on the 28th …

Detection Of Mixing Proportion Of Stem By Near Infrared Spectroscopy Combined With Linear Non-Negative Regression Coefficient Regression Method, Liu Jing, Hu Jian-Xi, Yang Fang-Fang, Gao Hui, Yang Pan-Pan

Food and Machinery

Objective: To establish a rapid method for the determination of stem content in finished tobacco by near infrared spectroscopy. Methods: The finished tobacco mixed with different proportion of stem silk （5%, 8%, 11% and 14%） was used as the test object. The near infrared spectrum information of pure stem silk, pure leaf silk and tobacco mixed with different proportion of stem silk was collected, respectively. Orthogonal Partial Least Squares Discrimination Analysis （OPLS-DA） was used to identify the overall difference of the near infrared spectral information of the above three kinds of samples. Variable Importance for the Projection （VIP） feature spectrum …

Evaluation Of Cigarette Quality Stability Based On Similarity Analysis Of Smoke Components, Zhang Wei, Yu Qi-Chang, Qi Da-Wei, Zhou Yan, Wu Da, Lu Jie

Food and Machinery

Objective: The evaluation methods of cigarette quality stability based on different indexes are compared, which provides a theoretical basis for the selection of evaluation indexes of cigarette product quality stability. Methods: Used the heart-cutting two-dimensional gas chromatography （HC-2D-GC） to analyze the key components in cigarette smoke components. The fingerprint of qualified products was established, and the stability of cigarette product produced in different places within three years was evaluated by Euclidean distance similarity. The results were compared with the method based on the conventional parameters of cigarette smoke. Results: The smoke stability evaluation method based on the conventional smoke gas …

Advances In Research On The Rapid Detection Of Probiotics, Lu Xiu-Li, Li Bai-Liang, Huo Gui-Cheng, Yue Ying-Xue, Guo Jia-Yao

Food and Machinery

The rapid detection methods of traditional probiotics， the next-generation probiotics based on immunological detection technology and molecular biology detection technology was reviewed, and the rapid detection technology development was prospected.

Research Progress On Biological Activity And Quality Control Of Panacis Japonici Rhizoma, Shen Pei-Yao, Zhang Ye, Li Yu-Qin, Yan Jian-Ye, Wang Yuan-Qing

Food and Machinery

The biological activities of Panax japonicus, including the effects on nervous system, digestive system, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular system, immune system, endocrine system and other systems were summarized and the quality control of saponins, nucleosides, polysaccharides and amino acids in Panax japonicus was analyzed in this paper. And its future research was prospected.

The Development Experience Of British Food Gdas Labeling And Several Enlightenments To China, Huang Ze-Ying, Huang Bei-Xun

Food and Machinery

This study carried out a case study on food GDAs （Guideline Daily Amounts） labeling in British. It was found that GDA_S labeling which has been implemented for over 20 years, changed from BOP （Back of Package） labeling to FOP labeling. The labeling shows the amount of energy, sugar, fat, saturated fat, and salt per serving, as well as the percentage of the recommended daily intake by using the specific nutrient system measurement model. The labeling lacks of color coding and visual icon, and its implementation is not as effective as most FOP labels. Therefore, it is suggested to display …

Changes Of Forages Fed To Dairy Cows In The Whole Year In Taiwan, F. H. Hsu, C. H. Lu

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Objectives of this study were to determine the kinds and the percents of forages fed to dairy cows in the whole year. Data were taken weekly by the dairy farmers for one year, including kinds and weights of forages fed to dairy cows, the heads of milking cows, dry cows and heifers. Dairy farmer A used napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum) green chop 68.2%, napiergrass silage 15.3%, pangolagrass (Digitaria decumbens) hay 3.2% and imported bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) hay 13.3% to feed cows. Dairy farmer B fed cows with napiergrass green chop 65.1%, pangolagrass 13.0% and imported …

Comparative Growth Performance Of West African Dwarf Goat Supplemented With Calliandra Calothyrsus, Leucaena Leucocephala, Or Cotton Seed Cake In West Cameroon, E. Tedonkeng Pamo, G. D. Assontia, C. Njehoya

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A comparative growth performance study of African Dwarf Goats supplemented with Calliandra calothyrsus, Leucaena leucocephala or cotton seed cake was carried out on farm around Dschang and in the University Experimental Farm. Goats between 12 and 16 months of age were divided into 4 groups of 11 goats each with one group kept as a control. The supplemented animals received respectively 390 g of L. leucocephala, 380 g of C. calothyrsus (fresh matter) and 88.8 g of cotton seed cake each, corresponding to 6 g of nitrogen per animal per day. The animals were weighed every 21 days …

Voluntary Intake Of Tanzania Grass (Panicum Maximum) Under Rotational Grazing By Lactating Cows, M. L. P. Lima, T. T. Berchielli, J. R. Nogueira, A. K. D. Salman, Ana C. Ruggieri, Paulo Roberto Leme, L. J. M. Aroeira, J. P. G. Soares

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The study was conducted at Nucleo de Pesquisas Zootecnicas Nordeste of the Instituto de Zootecnia, Ribeirão Preto, SP, in a rotational grazing area of Tanzania grass (Panicum maximum), to estimate the dry matter intake by lactanting cows. The estimation of dry matter intake was calculated from the feces production estimated using extrusa Chromium-mordent and the in vitro digestibility of diet. The three treatments were crossbreed cows fed 3 kg.day^-1 of concentrate, crossbred cows without concentrate suplementation and pure Gir cows also without concentrate supplementation. The milk production was 11.98, 6.53 and 5.46 kg per cow per day, …

The Effect Of Browse Species When Fed As A Supplement To Low Quality Native Grass Hay On Animal Performance, A. Elgersma, J. F. Oerlemans, D. B. Coates

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A pen trial was conducted to measure the impact of some browse species when fed as a supplement on the nitrogen (N) and dry matter intake of cattle receiving low quality native grass hay. There were 8 treatments consisting of a nil-supplement control treatment, a urea supplement control, a green oaten hay control and 5 treatment groups based on browse supplements (Albizia lebbeck, Carissa spp. and Bursaria spp.). Treatment effect on increased native pasture intake was related to the amount of supplementary nitrogen (N), such that there was a significant linear relationship between dry matter intake of native …

Effects Of Different Levels Of Energy Supplementation On Growth Of Grazing Holstein Heifers, L. P. Novaes, C. E. Polan

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Growth of Holstein heifers was studied for 1987 grazing season to evaluate pasture-drylot systems for raising dairy replacements. Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb), bluegrass (Poa pratensis L) and white (Trifolium repens L) and red clover (Trifolium pratense, L) were the principal components of the grass-legume mixture in six paddocks of 1.5 ha each. Carrying capacity was estimated at six animals/ha (3.1 animal units) and excess forage was harvested as hay to control forage growth and quality. Grazing days were 140 days. None or 2.0 kg/d …

Intake And Growth Of Steers Offered Different Allowances Of Autumn Grass And Concentrates, Edward G. O’Riordan, P. French, Padraig O’Kiely, A. P. Moloney

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The aim of this experiment was to quantify the relationship between autumn grass supply and concentrate supplementation level on grass intake and animal performance. One hundred and ten continental steers (567kg) were assigned to ten treatments in a three grass allowances: (6, 12 and 18kg dry matter (DM) per head daily) by three concentrate levels: (0, 2.5 and 5kg/head/daily) factorial design with a positive control group offered concentrates ad-libitum. Grass allowance was offered daily and concentrates were fed individually. The experiment began on August 22 and all animals were slaughtered after a mean experimental period of 95 days. Grass …

Fatty Acid Composition And Eating Quality Of Muscle From Steers Offered Grazed Grass, Grass Silage Or Concentrate-Based Diets, A. P. Moloney, P. French

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The effects of grazed grass, grass silage or concentrates on the eating quality and fatty acid composition of intra-muscular fat of steers fed to achieve similar carcass growth rates were investigated. Fifty steers were assigned to one of five dietary treatments. The experimental rations offered daily for 85 days pre-slaughter were (a) grass silage plus 4 kg concentrate, (b) 8 kg concentrate plus 1 kg hay, (c) 6 kg grazed grass dry matter (DM) plus 5 kg concentrate, (d) 12 kg grazed grass DM plus 2.5 kg concentrate or (e) 22 kg grazed grass DM. Decreasing the proportion of concentrate …

Supplementation Of Lactating Cows Grazing Stargrass (Cynodon Nlenfuensis Var. Nlenfuensis) With Conjugated Linoleic Acid: Effects On Persistency And Estimated Net Energy Balance, S. R. Medeiros, D. E. Oliveira, L. J. M. Aroeira, M. Mcguire, D. P. D. Lanna

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Thirty crossbread cows grazed stargrass (Cynodon nlenfuensis var. nlenfuensis) receiving 4kg/d of a supplement formulated to provide 115% of metabolizable protein requirements from the 4^th to the 11^th week of lactation. The cows received either 150g/head/day of Megalac (Control) or 150g/head/day of a Ca-protected conjugated linoleic acid (CLA, Church & Dwight). Residual effects of treatment were evaluated in weeks 12^th and 13^th. Milk production increased in CLA treated cows (P< 0.05). CLA decreased milk fat content (P< 0.0001) and yield (P< 0.01). Protected CLA increased protein content (P< 0.01) and yield (P< 0.01). The CLA residual effect on milk fat ends within one week after withdrawal but the benefits on milk yield and total solids production continued, due to the increased persistency. The estimated energy balance and intake were not greatly affected by treatment, as treated cows had higher milk volume and had higher protein productions.

Evaluation Of Deep Neural Network Prospr For Accurate Protein Distance Predictions On Casp14 Targets, Jacob A. Stern, Bryce Eric Hedelius, Olivia Fisher, Wendy M. Billings, Dennis Della Corte

Faculty Publications

The field of protein structure prediction has recently been revolutionized through the introduction of deep learning. The current state-of-the-art tool AlphaFold2 can predict highly accurate structures; however, it has a prohibitively long inference time for applications that require the folding of hundreds of sequences. The prediction of protein structure annotations, such as amino acid distances, can be achieved at a higher speed with existing tools, such as the ProSPr network. Here, we report on important updates to the ProSPr network, its performance in the recent Critical Assessment of Techniques for Protein Structure Prediction (CASP14) competition, and an evaluation of its …

Deciphering The Unique Microrna Signature In Human Esophageal Adenocarcinoma: Dissecting Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Progressive Profile And Its Distinctions From Gastric Cancer, Rama Ahmed Saad Ahmed Ali

Archived Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Three-Dimensional Graph Matching To Identify Secondary Structure Correspondence Of Medium-Resolution Cryo-Em Density Maps, Bahareh Behkamal, Mahmoud Naghibzadeh, Mohammad Reza Saberi, Zeinab Amiri Tehranizadeh, Andrea Pagnani, Kamal Al Nasr

Computer Science Faculty Research

Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is a structural technique that has played a significant role in protein structure determination in recent years. Compared to the traditional methods of X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy, cryo-EM is capable of producing images of much larger protein complexes. However, cryo-EM reconstructions are limited to medium-resolution (~4–10 Å) for some cases. At this resolution range, a cryo-EM density map can hardly be used to directly determine the structure of proteins at atomic level resolutions, or even at their amino acid residue backbones. At such a resolution, only the position and orientation of secondary structure elements (SSEs) such …

Nucleic Acid-Sensing And Interferon-Inducible Pathways Show Differential Methylation In Mz Twins Discordant For Lupus And Overexpression In Independent Lupus Samples: Implications For Pathogenic Mechanism And Drug Targeting., Miranda C Marion, Paula S Ramos, Prathyusha Bachali, Adam C Labonte, Kip D Zimmerman, Hannah C Ainsworth, Sarah E Heuer, Robert D Robl, Michelle D Catalina, Jennifer A Kelly, Timothy D Howard, Peter E Lipsky, Amrie C Grammer, Carl D Langefeld

Faculty Research 2021

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, multisystem, autoimmune inflammatory disease with genomic and non-genomic contributions to risk. We hypothesize that epigenetic factors are a significant contributor to SLE risk and may be informative for identifying pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic targets. To test this hypothesis while controlling for genetic background, we performed an epigenome-wide analysis of DNA methylation in genomic DNA from whole blood in three pairs of female monozygotic (MZ) twins of European ancestry, discordant for SLE. Results were replicated on the same array in four cell types from a set of four Danish female MZ twin pairs discordant …

Examination Of Athlete Triad Symptoms Among Endurance-Trained Male Athletes: A Field Study, Erin M. Moore, Clemens Drenowatz, David F. Stodden, Kelly Pritchett, Thaddus C. Brodrick, Brittany T. Williams, Justin M. Goins, Toni M. Torres-Mcgehee

All Faculty Scholarship for the College of Education and Professional Studies

Background: Studies examining the physiological consequences associated with deficits in energy availability (EA) for male athletes are sparse.

Purpose: To examine male athlete triad components; low energy availability (LEA) with or without an eating disorder risk (ED), reproductive hormone [testosterone (T)], and bone mineral density (BMD) in endurance-trained male athletes during different training periods.

Methods: A cross-sectional design with 14 participants (age: 26.4 ± 4.2 years; weight: 70.6 ± 6.4 kg; height: 179.5 ± 4.3 cm; BMI: 21.9 ± 1.8 kg/m2) were recruited from the local community. Two separate training weeks [low (LV) and high (HV) training volumes] were used …

Rapid And Direct Action Of Lipopolysaccharide (Lps) On Skeletal Muscle Of Larval Drosophila, Rachel Potter, Alexis Meade, Samuel Potter, Robin L. Cooper

Biology Faculty Publications

The endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Gram-negative bacteria exerts a direct and rapid effect on tissues. While most attention is given to the downstream actions of the immune system in response to LPS, this study focuses on the direct actions of LPS on skeletal muscle in Drosophila melanogaster. It was noted in earlier studies that the membrane potential rapidly hyperpolarizes in a dose-dependent manner with exposure to LPS from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens. The response is transitory while exposed to LPS, and the effect does not appear to be due to calcium-activated potassium channels, activated nitric oxide synthase …

Arrhythmogenic Hearts In Pkd2 Mutant Mice Are Characterized By Cardiac Fibrosis, Systolic, And Diastolic Dysfunctions, Farideh Amirrad, Rajasekharreddy Pala, Kiumars Shamloo, Brian S. Muntean, Surya M. Nauli

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a hereditary disorder affecting multiple organs, including the heart. PKD has been associated with many cardiac abnormalities including the arrhythmogenic remodeling in clinical evaluations. In our current study, we hypothesized that Pkd2 gene mutation results in structural and functional defects in the myocardium. The structural and functional changes of Pkd2 mutant hearts were analyzed in the myocardial-specific Pkd2 knockout (KO) mouse. We further assessed a potential role of TGF-b₁ signaling in the pathology of Pkd2-KO hearts. Hearts from age-matched 6-month-old MyH6•Pkd2^wt/wt (control or wild-type) and MyH6 …

The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Food Distribution At Emergency Food Assistance Organizations In The Southwestern United States: A Qualitative Investigation, Alexandra N Castro, Mamie A White, Ariun Ishdorj, Debbe Thompson, Jayna M Dave

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

This study aimed to identify changes in food distribution operations at emergency food assistance organizations (EFAOs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. EFAOs across the Houston metro area, TX (human service centers and food pantries) as well as the Houston Food Bank (HFB) participated in the qualitative study. Data were collected via individual semi-structured interviews and focus group (December 2020–February 2021), and coded using semi-structured thematic analysis. Categories were pre-identified based on the interview questions. Direct quotes supported subcategories. Directors from 18 EFAOs were interviewed; 8 HFB leadership staff participated in a focus group. Four major categories of change due to COVID-19 …

Methodological Challenges In Studying Trust In Natural Resources Management, Antonia Sohns, Gordon M. Hickey, Jasper R. De Vries, Owen Temby

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Trust has been identified as a central characteristic of successful natural resource management (NRM), particularly in the context of implementing participatory approaches to stakeholder engagement. Trust is, however, a multi-dimensional and multi-level concept that is known to evolve recursively through time, challenging efforts to empirically measure its impact on collaboration in different NRM settings. In this communication we identify some of the challenges associated with conceptualizing and operationalizing trust in NRM field research, and pay particular attention to the inter-relationships between the concepts of trust, perceived risk and control due to their multidimensional and interacting roles in inter-organizational collaboration. The …

Examining The Role Of Buzzing Time And Acoustics On Pollen Extraction Of Solanum Elaeagnifolium, Mandeep Tayal, Rupesh R. Kariyat

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

Buzz pollination is a specialized pollination syndrome that requires vibrational energy to extract concealed pollen grains from poricidal anthers. Although a large body of work has examined the ecology of buzz pollination, whether acoustic properties of buzz pollinators affect pollen extraction is less understood, especially in weeds and invasive species. We examined the pollination biology of Silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium), a worldwide invasive weed, in its native range in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) in south Texas. Over two years, we documented the floral visitors on S. elaeagnifolium, their acoustic parameters (buzzing amplitude, frequency, and duration of buzzing) and …

Genome-Scale Data Reveal Deep Lineage Divergence And A Complex Demographic History In The Texas Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma Cornutum) Throughout The Southwestern And Central Us, Nicholas Finger, Keaka Farleigh, Jason T. Bracken, Adam D. Leaché, Olivier François, Ziheng Yang, Tomas Flouri, Tristan Charran, Tereza Jezkova, Dean A. Williams, Christopher Blair

Publications and Research

The southwestern and central US serve as an ideal region to test alternative hypotheses regarding biotic diversification. Genomic data can now be combined with sophisticated computational models to quantify the impacts of paleoclimate change, geographic features, and habitat heterogeneity on spatial patterns of genetic diversity. In this study we combine thousands of genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) loci with mtDNA sequences (ND1) from the Texas Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum) to quantify relative support for different catalysts of diversification. Phylogenetic and clustering analyses of the GBS data indicate support for at least three primary populations. The spatial distribution of populations appears concordant …

Use Of Supplements For Maintenance Of Nelore Bullocks In Brachiaria Decumbens, During The Dry Season In Acre, Brazilian Amazon, J. C. Carneiro, Judson F. Valentim, L. A. R. Valle

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This study had the objective of evaluating animal performance and net economic returns of Nelore bullocks receiving: 1) mineral mixture (MM), 2) mineral mixture + urea (MMU), and 3) multiple supplement (MS), during the dry season of 1999 in Acre, Brazilian Amazon. The animals were maintained in pastures of Brachiaria decumbens, and liveweight gains, forage availability and chemical composition were assessed during the experimental period. Liveweight gains of 0.58, 0.65 and 0.60 kg/day, respectively, for MM, MMU and MS, were not different (P> 0.05). The use of MMU provided additional net economic return of 10.8% in comparison with the …