Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are major health issues with few known genetic explanations. This project used the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) model to identify genes and gene networks that influence alcohol intoxication, a phenotype related to alcohol abuse in humans. We used bioinformatic tools to build gene networks based on 24 published Drosophila ethanol-responsive genes with human orthologs. We then assessed the role of these networks in ethanol sedation by testing two of the networks seeded on IP3K2, a gene that regulates calcium signaling, and CG14630, a gene involved in carnitine biosynthesis. We knocked down several genes in each of the networks using RNAi and tested the knockdown flies in a behavioral assay for ethanol sedation. Nervous system RNAi expression against 7 of 20 genes in the IP3K2 network and 4 of 30 genes in the CG14630 network significantly affected the sensitivity of flies to ethanol. To determine whether the hit rates in these two networks were greater than would be expected by random chance alone, we also assessed the effects of nervous system RNAi targeting a random set of fly genes. Unexpectedly, the fraction of randomly selected genes that affected ethanol sensitivity in a primary screen was comparable to or even larger than that from bioinformatically-derived gene networks. Our data are consistent with two possibilities that are not mutually exclusive. One possibility is that there are a very large number of genes that impact ethanol sedation and our bioinformatic analyses did not substantially enrich for these genes. A second possibility is that expression of RNAi could influence ethanol sedation independent of target gene knock-down. These two possibilities will be examined in future experiments.

The thesis focuses on segmentation of images with leaves of woody species. The main aim was to investigate existing image segmentation methods, choose suitable method for given data and implement it. Inputs are scanned leaves and photographs of various quality. The thesis summarizes the general methods of image segmentation and describes algorithm that gives us the best results. Based on the histogram, the algorithm decides whether the input is of sufficient quality and can be segmented by Otsu algorithm or is not and should be segmented using GrowCut algorithm. Next, the image is improved by morphological closing and holes filling. Finally, only the largest object is left. Results are illustrated using generated output images. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

Water systems in buildings have been reported to contribute to pseudomonal infection transmission and have been associated with Legionnaires’ disease (LD) outbreaks, for they provide the perfect conditions for bacteria proliferation and biofilms formation. An overview of the problem has highlighted that the economic burden, the healthcare and mortality costs of both LD and pseudomonal infections are significant. Although critical to the safe delivery of water, pathogen control continues to remain a challenge as current hot water treatments are not always effective, are often energy intensive and require expensive maintenance. This thesis was set out to evaluate the potential use of electrochemical disinfection (ED) in controlling pathogens in hot water systems of buildings. In this project, we performed a fundamental systematic study on the effect of geometrical and operational parameters in a flask, to gather an understanding of the effect of each parameter on the rate of bacteria elimination, crucial for the design and optimization of electrolytic cells. ED prototypes were then installed in in the hot water systems of two different buildings operating at 60°C, the temperature recommended for Legionella control (HSE, 2013), and their efficacy was monitored long term. In one of the buildings, 2 to 4– log reductions in total bacteria counts was observed, while Pseudomonas species counts were reduced by 3 log. The apparent failure in the other building was due to the inadequate operation of the water system. In order to achieve the 2019 zero carbon targets for new non-domestic buildings set by the UK government, the energy demand associated with heating water needs to be addressed, but maintaining systems at such high temperatures renders difficult the use of greener technologies that could further reduce the CO2 impact of heating water. Given that ED generates disinfectants and that the Health and Safety Executive advises that if hot water is treated with biocides, water temperatures can be reduced, the efficacy of the prototype device was evaluated under laboratory conditions at temperatures between 30 and 45˚C. The prototype was found to be effective both on laboratory-grown biofilm and on planktonic Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1, with 5-log reduction on bacteria counts.

This dissertation addresses the question of how leaf litter from trees affects animals that live in aquatic environments, with an emphasis on the effect of Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera) leaf litter on anuran larvae (i.e., frog tadpoles). This question is important to our understanding of how allochthonous inputs to aquatic habitats drive biodiversity in wetlands. It also addresses a timely conservation concern in southeastern Louisiana where invasion by Chinese tallow trees (Triadica sebifera) is displacing native trees. The invasion process is homogenizing forest composition and changing the quantity and quality of litter inputs to ponds from those produced by a mixture of native species to that of a single invasive species. This change in litter quality may have important effects on aquatic animals because leaf litter that falls into ponds is an important source of nutrients and energy in wetland foodwebs. Leaf litter also affects water quality via effects on dissolved oxygen and leaching of defensive compounds, which may subsequently affect the diversity and performance of aquatic animals. Herein I address these issues by presenting a series of studies in which tadpole and aquatic invertebrate responses were tested using leaf litter from Chinese tallow leaves and three native tree species. The major findings of this research are: (1) Leaf litter has a direct effect on water quality (2) Chinese tallow can cause differential survival and performance of tadpoles (3) Differences in water quality due to leaf litter can cause changes in tadpole behavior (4) Chinese tallow leaf litter breaks down much faster than litter from native trees (5) Difference in litter breakdown rates influence aquatic community composition.

I carried out several large, manipulative greenhouse and controlled-setting experiments to elucidate Panicum hemitomon growth response as influenced by environmental conditions associated with restoring thick-mat floating marsh. Initially, Panicum hemitomon growth response was assessed in conjunction with manipulated nutrient availability and hydrology. Next, I assessed Panicum hemitomon growth response in conjunction with a suite of substrate and mat or containment materials. Finally, I evaluated Panicum hemitomon growth response, as well as overall created floating marsh vegetated development, using both a multi-species planting approach and a suite of Panicum hemitomon establishment techniques. All partitions of Panicum hemitomon biomass (shoot, rhizome, and root material) were enhanced under nitrogen, and to a lesser extent, phosphorous enrichment. Saturated (not inundated) hydrologic conditions were most conducive for robust growth by all partitions of Panicum hemitomon biomass. Substrate and mat or containment materials had a significant effect on Panicum hemitomon vigor, with peat and peat-containing blended substrate materials being most conducive for vigorous Panicum hemitomon growth. Duralast coconut fiber was the most suitable mat or containment material based not only on measures of plant vigor, but also for reasons associated with strength and stability, as well as buoyancy. The combination of Panicum hemitomon and Ludwigia peploides was superior to any other multi-species treatment tested. Ludwigia peploides was highly resilient to transplanting, grew vigorously in a lateral fashion, produced significantly more biomass than any other secondary species, and enhanced overall mat buoyancy, all key metrics regarding successful floating marsh restoration. Equally as important, the large amount of biomass attained by Ludwigia peploides was not totally at the expense of vigorous Panicum hemitomon growth. With respect to establishment technique, the positive response of Panicum hemitomon rhizome growth to humic acid amendment warrants further study. This research generated data that not only advance the body of general ecological knowledge pertaining to Panicum hemitomon, the dominant macrophyte of thick-mat floating marsh, but equally as important, data that are likely to augment or enhance the creation and restoration of this important freshwater marsh type.

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand In fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Johannesburg, 2003 / Dietary iron (Fe) overload, originally referred to as Bantu Visceral Siderosis, is an Reloading condition that is still prevalent in rural populations of sub-Saharan Africa. The better known Fe loading disease, hereditary haemochromatosis (HFI) is frequently complicated by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and, in rare instances this occurs in the absence of cirrhosis. The latter, together with recent evidence that dietary Fe overload in the Black African carries an increased risk for HCC, suggests that excessive hepatic iron may itself be carcinogenic. The aim of the study was to determine if Fe alone could induce HCC in experimental rat models and, if so, to investigate possible mechanisms of hepatocarcinogenesis. 360 Wistar albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) were divided into 6 groups. The first group, the control animals, was designated C group. Groups 2-6 were Fe-fed alone or in combination with other chemicals: group 2 Fe alone (Fe group), group 3 (Fe + V) vitamins A & E supplementation [50 mg all trans-retinol (vitamin A) and 500 mg a-tocopherol (vitamin E) per kg diet], group 4 (Fe - V) received a diet totally devoid of vitamins A & E, group 5 (Fe + ASA) received 20 mg aspirin (ASA) per day, group 6 (Fe + Cu) received 300 mg/kg diet of copper sulphate (CuS04) supplementation for 12 months followed by 3% copper hydroxide carbonate [CuC03»Cu(0H)2] / IT2018

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand In fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Johannesburg, 2003 / Dietary iron (Fe) overload, originally referred to as Bantu Visceral Siderosis, is an Fe- loading condition that is still prevalent in rural populations of sub-Saharan Africa. The better known Fe loading disease, hereditary haemochromatosis (HH) is frequently complicated by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and, in rare instances this occurs in the absence of cirrhosis. The latter, together with recent evidence that dietary Fe overload in the Black African carries an increased risk for HCC, suggests that excessive hepatic iron may itself be carcinogenic. The aim of the study was to determine if Fe alone could induce HCC in experimental rat models and, if so, to investigate possible mechanisms of hepatocarcinogenesis. 360 Wistar albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) were divided into 6 groups. The first group, the control animals, was designated C group. Groups 2 - 6 were Fe-fed alone or in combination with other chemicals: group 2 Fe alone (Fe group), group 3 (Fe + V) vitamins A & E supplementation [50 mg all trans-retinol (vitamin A) and 500 mg a-tocopherol (vitamin E) per kg diet], group 4 (Fe - V) received a diet totally devoid of vitamins A & E, group 5 (Fe + ASA) received 20 mg aspirin (ASA) per day, group 6 (Fe + Cu) received 300 mg/kg diet of copper sulphate (CuS04) supplementation for 12 months / IT2018

The pre-metamorphic behaviors and settlement preferences of larvae can have significant effects on the success of adult invertebrates. This study describes various aspects of pre-metamorphic and post-metamorphic life stages of the bryozoan

Recently, it was reported that humans treat animals that they perceive as aesthetically attractive unequally to the "ugly" ones, turning more attention to them and setting more conservation programs for their protection. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the issue focusing around animal beauty in more detail by examining human preferences towards one of the most popular animal taxon, the birds. In three subsequent studies, we assessed human preferences towards selected bird species: all members of the order of parrots, randomly selected representatives of all non- passerine bird families, and all members of the vividly colored passerine family Pittidae. The first study revealed that the preferred parrots were kept in zoos in higher numbers, regardless of their conservation priority (IUCN status). We discussed possible consequences of this finding and the benefits that may arise in the light of animal conservation if this bias in species preferences was to be considered by conservation specialists. We also found that people preferred long-tailed parrots possessing blue and yellow colors over green ones, which were probably perceived as dull and uninteresting as the majority of the parrots are fully or partially green. In the next two studies, we found that shape, pattern, and overall...

Orientador: Carlos Roberto Ceron / Banca: Cláudia Maria Aparecida Carareto / Banca: Maura Manfrin / Banca: Rogério Pincela Mateus / Banca: Ana Silvia Lapenda / Resumo: As espécies de Drosophila pertencentes ao cluster buzzatii se distribuem pelo território sul americano, na área compreendida desde a Amazônia brasileira até o chaco argentino. São espécies tipicamente cactofílicas, por utilizarem cladódios de cactos em decomposição para realizarem seu ciclo de vida. Neste trabalho investigamos as relações filogenéticas entre as seguintes espécies pertencentes ao cluster buzzatii: D. richardson (cluster stalkeri), D. koepferae (linhagem B26D2), D. seriema (linhagens D54M e D40F1M), D. serido (linhagens 1431.3 e H49F1M) e D. borborema (linhagem 1282.2). Dentre as 690 posições analisadas, foram encontrados 152 sítios conservados e 173 sítios informativos para parcimônia quando todas as seqüências foram alinhadas. O número médio total de nucleotídeos obtido para alinhamento foi de 493.4, sendo que nestes foi encontrada uma porcentagem superior no conteúdo de A-T, cerca de ~70%, em relação ao conteúdo de G-C, cerca de ~30%. Os métodos da máxima parcimônia e de distância foram utilizados para o estabelecimento das relações filogenéticas entre as seqüências analisadas e demonstraram topologias semelhantes. Nossos resultados mostram que as espécies analisadas do cluster buzzatii constituem um grupo monofilético, e que D. richardsoni (cluster stalkeri) apresenta-se como uma espécie irmã colocada Resumo em uma posição basal em relação às outras espécies. Ainda com base em nossos resultados verificamos que a análise das seqüências do espaçador intergênico ITS-1 forneceu relações filogenéticas resolvidas, sem quaisquer politomias, embora o grupo de espécies analisadas seja constituído por espécies com baixa divergência genética. / Abstract: Drosophila species belonging to cluster buzzatii are cactophilic species found in South América with a distribution from Amazonian region until Argentina. In this work we investigate the phylogenetic relationship among four species of the cluster buzzatii: D. koepferae (linhagem B26D2), D. seriema (linhagens D54M e D40F1M), D. serido (linhagens 1431.3 e H49F1M) e D. borborema (linhagem 1282.2) as well as D. richardsoni (stalkeri cluster), analised as outgroup species by comparison of intergenic ITS-1 sequences of ribosomal DNA. This spacer sequences presented a length of ~550 bp in all of analysed species. It was not found any restriction site for Eco RI, Alu I, Hind III, Sal I e Hae III inside ITS-1 amplified fragments, indicating a similarity among them. Higher proportion of A-T content (~70%) was found for all analysed ITS-1 fragments, as expected for non-coding sequences. In respect to phylogenetic relation among species belonging to cluster buzzatii our data suggest that this cluster is monophyletic. However, was observed that D. serido lineages presented polymorphism higher than other species. / Doutor