Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
GENOTYPE × ENVIRONMENT × MANAGEMENT: IMPLICATIONS FOR SELECTION TO HEAT STRESS TOLERANCE AND NITROGEN USE EFFICIENCY IN SOFT RED WINTER WHEAT

OF DISSERTATION GENOTYPE × ENVIRONMENT × MANAGEMENT: IMPLICATIONS FOR SELECTION TO HEAT STRESS TOLERANCE AND NITROGEN USE EFFICIENCY IN SOFT RED WINTER WHEAT The complex interaction of genetics, environment and management in determination of crop yields can interfere with selection progress in breeding programs. Specifically, the impact on selection for nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under changing climatic conditions can be confounded by these interactions. Temperature increases for the southeastern United States are projected to range from 1-3°C by 2050 with nighttime temperatures increasing more rapidly than day temperatures. High temperatures are known to affect crop development and breeding for tolerance to heat stress is difficult to achieve in field environments. We utilized a multienvironment trial to assess variation in traits associated with NUE based on interactions of genotype x environment x management (G×E×M). All genotypes in the study responded favorably to lower than recommended nitrogen rates. Incremental application of N rates increased yield and post-anthesis N uptake significantly. Additionally, two multi-year studies investigating the effects of heat stress on soft red winter wheat varieties were conducted during the 2015-2016 growing seasons at the University of Kentucky Spindletop Research Farm in Lexington, KY. Thirty-six to 40 genotypes were chosen based on the combination of traits for vernalization and photoperiod sensitivity determined using marker analysis. Warmed environments were created through active and passive warming. Heading date, averaged across genotypes, shifted 1-5 days earlier in the actively warmed environment compared to the ambient environment across both years (p ≤0.05). Grain yield, averaged across genotypes, was significantly reduced in the actively warmed environment by 211.41 kg ha (p ≤0.05) or 4.84%; however yield response to environment varied among genotypes with several genotypes displaying an increased yield in the warmed environment. Night temperature increases ranged from 0.27-0.75 °C above ambient temperature in the passively warmed environment. Grain yield, averaged across genotypes, was significantly reduced in the passively warmed environment by 224.29 kg ha (p ≤0.05) or 6.44%; however, yield response to environment varied among genotypes with several genotypes displaying an increased yield in the warmed environment. Yield reductions are attributed to nitrogen utilization being reduced by 9.4% (p ≤0.001) under increased night temperatures.
BoCNT: A Bayesian Optimization Framework for Global CNT Interconnect Optimization

As the prevailing copper interconnect technology advances to its fundamental physical limit, interconnect delay due to ever-increasing wire resistivity shows a significant impact on circuit performance. Bundled single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) interconnects have emerged as a promising candidate technique to replace copper interconnects thanks to their superior conductivity and immunity to electromigration. To deliver satisfying performance within low power consumption, the CNT interconnect timing is optimized by adjusting either the interconnect geometry, e.g., CNT diameter and nanotube pitch, or the buffer insertion. These two operations are normally optimized separately, which leads to an inferior design that is not global optimum. To resolve this problem, we first propose a model that parameterizes SWCNT interconnects. We then leverage the known Bayesian optimization to optimize SWCNT global interconnect and buffer insertion simultaneously to promote interconnect performance. The proposed method is assessed based on a set of interconnect benchmarks at 22nm technology node. Compared to the state-of-the-art methods, the Bayesian co-optimization technique can reduce more than 17% power delay product (PDP). Additionally, we evaluate the SWCNT interconnect performance at 32nm, 22nm and 16nm technology nodes. Compared to the SOTA method with the same wire dimension, SWCNT interconnects optimized by the proposed method can further reduce delay and PDP relative to copper by 35% and 45% on average, which highlights the promising prospect of the SWCNT interconnect technology and the effectiveness of our proposed technique.
Clinical Observation of a Novel, Complementary, Immunotherapeutic Approach based on Ketogenic Diet, Chondroitin Sulfate, Vitamin D 3 , Oleic Acid and a Fermented Milk and Colostrum Product

Here we describe the results of a novel type of complementary immunotherapy of cancer that is based on a combination of ketogenic diet, administration of an emulsion made of chondroitin sulfate, vitamin D3 and oleic acid and of a fermented milk and colostrum product. The results here reported are consistent with current knowledge concerning the biological and clinical effects of each one of the elements used in the approach described in this study. Based on our results, we suggest that, among the different approaches to the complementary immunotherapy of cancer, those strategies based on ad-hoc formulated nutritional plans and on food supplements that stimulate the immune system and fight inflammation appear to be most promising. Thus, these approaches are characterized by inherent low toxicity and the possibility to use them in conjunction with conventional anti-cancer therapies targeting cancer cells such as radiation or chemotherapies.
Generative Semantic Modeling for Structured Data Source with Large Language Model

The paper introduces a generative semantic model for representing human knowledge in a way that enables computer understanding and reasoning. The current approach to semantic modeling involves mapping between the space of plausible semantic models and the provided data source. However, this approach has limitations, as the score functions used to search for the best candidate semantic model are either trained on a specific integration knowledge graph or rely on manually designed features. To address these limitations, the authors propose a new approach that combines an encoder made with a pre-trained large language model (LLM) with a graph decoder customized to generate semantics. The encoder-decoder system is designed to be trained on knowledge graphs, and the authors introduce an algorithm to generate training samples from the big knowledge graph by decomposing training samples into construction actions using a method similar to the transition system of the Syntax Parser. The proposed method is novel, as it is the first time a generative method has been applied to the semantic modeling task, empowered with an LLM, and trained on knowledge graphs to achieve better performance on standard benchmarks than in past work. In conclusion, the proposed generative semantic model offers a promising new approach to representing and organizing human knowledge in a more generalizable way, using a combination of a pre-trained LLM and a customized graph decoder trained on knowledge graphs. The approach has shown improved performance on standard benchmarks and has the potential to advance the field of semantic modeling.
Shrinking the Tube: A New Support Vector Regression Algorithm

A new algorithm for Support Vector regression is described. For a priori chosen ν, it automatically adjusts a flexible tube of minimal radius to the data such that at most a fraction ν of the data points lie outside. Moreover, it is shown how to use parametric tube shapes with non-constant radius. The algorithm is analysed theoretically and experimentally.
Effects of macrophage colony-stimulating factor on antifungal activity of mononuclear phagocytes against Aspergillus fumigatus.

The effects of recombinant human macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) on antifungal activity of human monocytes (MNC), MNC-derived macrophages (MDM), and rabbit pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM) against Aspergillus fumigatus were studied. MNC-induced hyphal damage was augmented by incubation with M-CSF (P = .027); PAM-induced hyphal damage was moderately enhanced by M-CSF (P = .046). Phagocytosis of Aspergillus conidia by MDM and PAM was strongly enhanced by M-CSF (P < .01). MNC pretreated with M-CSF exhibited enhanced superoxide anion production in response to PMA (P = .026). This effect was not associated with increased levels of mRNA transcripts of the components of NADPH oxidase, the enzyme responsible for superoxide anion production. M-CSF augments antifungal activity of mononuclear phagocytes against both conidia and hyphae of Aspergillus fumigatus partly by enhancement of oxidation-dependent mechanisms and may have an important immunomodulatory role in prevention and treatment of invasive aspergillosis in leukopenic patients.
A specification of generic robotics software components: future evolutions of G/sup en//sub o/M in the Orocos context

Robotics systems and software are becoming more and more complex: the need of standard specifications is certainly a key issue in the near future. There is a need to define, from the software point of view, a generic robot. The Orocos project was started to address this problem. It aims at developing a set of robotics software in particular domains and, as a first step, will define a software framework to do that. This paper presents the future evolutions of G/sup en/oM (component generator) which we propose as a programming framework in the context of the project. G/sup en/oM proposes the definition of generic components that are used to implement robotics functionalities (vision, control, motion planning, .), and the paper presents the definition of those components. They have been designed so that they can be connected together and externally controlled to form a modular functional layer on robots. We have defined three main entities of which components are made: a set of algorithms, an execution engine, and a communication library. The paper explains their role and presents a formal description language that let us achieves a real decoupling between code of the components (the algorithms) and the execution engine.
Yield Response of Maize (Zea mays L.) Varieties to Row Spacing Under Irrigation at Geleko, Ofa Woreda, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

A field study was conducted at Ofa district-Geleko irrigation site during the off-season of 2016/17 cropping season with the objective of evaluating different varieties and row spacing on growth, yield and yield components of maize. Four plant row spacing (45 cm, 55 cm, 65 cm and 75 cm) and three maize varieties (‘BH-540’, Lemu‘P3812W’and Jabi ‘PHB 3253’) were tested in factorial arrangement laid out in RCBD replicated three times. Data on yield and yield components of the crop were recorded. The result indicated that most of the parameters such as number of ears per plant, ear diameter, 1000 kernel weight, number of kernels per ear, number of kernels per rows, grain yield per hectar were significantly influenced by the interaction effect of row spacing and varieties. Short Communication Eyasu et al.; JEAI, 20(1): 1-10, 2018; Article no.JEAI. 37096 2 Significantly highest grain yield were produced by maize variety Lemu grown at row spacing of 65 cm, which is statistically similar with variety BH-540 grown at row spacing of 65 and 75 cm and also the same variety grown at row spacing of 75 cm, while lowest was recorded for variety Jabi grown at row spacing of 45 cm. Based on these results, it can be concluded that under irrigated condition Lemu and BH-540 maize varieties at 65-75 cm row spacing resulted higher biomass and grain yield of maize and may be used by farmers of the area. However, since the study was at only one location and for single cropping season repeating the experiment across different locations and years is needed to reach at conclusive recommendations.
Analysis of Volatile Compounds from Solanum betaceum Cav . Fruits from Panama by Head-Space Micro Extraction

The characterization of the volatile compounds of two varieties of Solanum betaceum Cav. by means of headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is presented. The HS-SPME method for extrac tion of the volatiles compounds was optimized by us ing a 2 central composite design. Maximum extraction of vo latile compounds was achieved by using a divinylbenzene-carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane (DVB/C AR/PDMS) fiber, extraction temperature 76° C, incubation time 44 min, and extraction time of 46 m in. The main types of compounds detected in both varieties are terpenoids, followed by aromatics, esters, and aldehydes. Golden-yellow cultivars contained higher levels of esters and terpenes, while the reddish-purple varie ty contained a significant amount of aromatic compo unds. The data structure of the chemical information obtained as well as the relationship between variables was ev luated by means of principal component analysis and cluste r analysis.
Gene Expression Profiling Reveals Defined Functions of the ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter COMATOSE Late in Phase II of Germination 1(W)(OA)

Phase II of germination represents a key developmental stage of plant growth during which imbibed seeds either enter stage III of germination, completing the germination process via radicle protrusion, or remain dormant. In this study, we analyzed the influence of the peroxisomal ATP-binding cassette transporter COMATOSE (CTS) on the postimbibition seed transcriptome of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and also investigated interactions between gibberellin (GA) and CTS function. A novel method for analysis of transcriptome datasets allowed visualization of developmental signatures of seeds, showing that cts-1 retains the capacity to after ripen, indicating a germination block late in phase II. Expression of the key GA biosynthetic genes GA3ox1 and 2 was greatly reduced in cts seeds and genetic analysis suggested that CTS was epistatic to RGL2, a germinationrepressing DELLA protein that is degraded by GA. Comparative analysis of seed transcriptome datasets indicated that specific cohorts of genes were influenced by GA and CTS. CTS function was required for expression of the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway. Confocal imaging demonstrated the exclusive accumulation of flavonoids in the epidermis of wild-type seeds. In contrast, flavonoids were absent from cts and kat2-1 mutant seeds, but accumulated following the application of sucrose, indicating an essential role for b-oxidation in inducing flavonoid biosynthetic genes. These results demonstrate that CTS functions very late in phase II of germination and that its function is required for the expression of specific gene sets related to an important biochemical pathway associated with seedling establishment and survival.
Oesophagography and oesophagoscopy are not necessary in patients with spontaneous pneumomediastinum

Background: Because the condition is rare, the proper assessment of spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine whether additional oesophageal investigations beyond chest x ray and chest computed tomography (CT) scan are necessary for the diagnosis of SPM. Methods: The medical records of 25 patients diagnosed and treated for SPM from March 1986 to December 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: There were 22 men and 3 women, with a median age of 19 years (range 15–57 years). All patients received chest x rays, which revealed air shadows within the mediastinum or subcutaneous emphysema in 24 patients. Twenty-two patients underwent chest CT scans, which showed pneumomediastinum in all cases. Oesophagography was performed in 14 patients and oesophagoscopy in three. All oesophagographies and oesophagoscopies were clear. Despite conservative treatment, no patients developed mediastinitis or complications associated with oesophageal injury. Conclusions: Chest x ray and CT scan are sufficient to diagnose SPM. Additional diagnostic assessments such as oesophagography and oesophagoscopy are not necessary in patients without evidence of mediastinitis or a history of oesophageal injury.
Effect of low-and high-dose atorvastatin on carotid artery distensibility using carotid magnetic resonance imaging -a post-hoc sub group analysis of ATHEROMA (Atorvastatin Therapy: Effects On Reduction Of Macrophage Activity) Study.

AIM To assess the effect of low-(10 mg) or high-(80 mg) dose atorvastatin on carotid artery distensibility in patients with asymptomatic carotid artery disease using carotid magnetic resonance imaging. METHODS Eighteen patients underwent initial 2-dimensional ECG gated-phase contrast carotid MR imaging and off-line applanation tonometry for distensibility assessment before randomisation to receive low- or high-dose statins and this was repeated at 12 weeks. Phase and magnitude images from the 2-D phase contrast acquisitions were used for quantification of distensibility and compliance coefficients and were compared between the low- and high-dose statin groups. RESULTS Both groups were comparable with regards to their demographics, co-morbidities and baseline cholesterol levels. After 12 weeks of high-dose statin administration, a significant decrease in LDL (p=0.003) and CRP (p=0.03) was observed. At 12 weeks, the distensibility coefficient of the common and internal carotid artery was found to be significantly higher (with respect to baseline) in the high-dose group (p=0.004 and p=0.007, respectively). The compliance coefficient was likewise found to be raised in the high-dose group when compared with the low-dose group [common carotid (p=0.002), internal carotid (p=0.009)]. CONCLUSIONS High-dose atorvastatin tends to reduce carotid arterial stiffness, as suggested by increased distensibility and compliance coefficients; however, these results need validation through large-scale trials to fully establish their possible use in clinical practice.
INFLUENCES OF SHADING AND FERTILIZATION ON ON-FARM YIELDS OF COCOA IN GHANA

SUMMARY Most cocoa farms in Ghana are cultivated in complex agroforest systems, with plant growth and cocoa productivity being affected. The objective of this study was to investigate how shade trees affect cocoa yield, temperature and soil nutrients in low-input cocoa systems. Establishing plots on 24 farms in four locations (districts) in Ghana, we assessed the influence of varying canopy cover and fertilization on cocoa yields. Results showed no relationship between canopy cover and cocoa yields in the light crop season (February to August). For the main crop season (September to January), there was an interaction between shade and yields: Yields were higher on no-shade plots than on shaded plots in two districts, whilst there were no differences at the two other districts possibly due to differences in precipitation and soil nutrient status. On the other hand, there was a positive effect of increased canopy cover on yields within the shaded plots. Soil nutrient analyses revealed no significant differences between shaded and no-shade plots and adequate levels of N, K+, Fe2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ were recorded. However, soil contents of P, C, Mg2+ and Ca2+ were below recommended values. Peak temperatures recorded in the cocoa canopies were above the recommended range for this species. Although shade trees had a slight modifying effect on peak temperatures, the magnitude appeared too small to have any practical effects.
Major evolutionary transitions in ant agriculture

Agriculture is a specialized form of symbiosis that is known to have evolved in only four animal groups: humans, bark beetles, termites, and ants. Here, we reconstruct the major evolutionary transitions that produced the five distinct agricultural systems of the fungus-growing ants, the most well studied of the nonhuman agriculturalists. We do so with reference to the first fossil-calibrated, multiple-gene, molecular phylogeny that incorporates the full range of taxonomic diversity within the fungus-growing ant tribe Attini. Our analyses indicate that the original form of ant agriculture, the cultivation of a diverse subset of fungal species in the tribe Leucocoprineae, evolved ≈50 million years ago in the Neotropics, coincident with the early Eocene climatic optimum. During the past 30 million years, three known ant agricultural systems, each involving a phylogenetically distinct set of derived fungal cultivars, have separately arisen from the original agricultural system. One of these derived systems subsequently gave rise to the fifth known system of agriculture, in which a single fungal species is cultivated by leaf-cutter ants. Leaf-cutter ants evolved remarkably recently (≈8–12 million years ago) to become the dominant herbivores of the New World tropics. Our analyses identify relict, extant attine ant species that occupy phylogenetic positions that are transitional between the agricultural systems. Intensive study of those species holds particular promise for clarifying the sequential accretion of ecological and behavioral characters that produced each of the major ant agricultural systems.
Analyzing the Impact of Distractions on Driver Attention: Insights from Eye Movement Behaviors in a Driving Simulator

Driving distractions contribute significantly to the occurrence of road accidents worldwide. This study utilized a driving simulator to investigate the cognitive impact of distractions on driving performance. By analyzing eye movements and pupil size serving as an indicator of cognitive load. Participants experienced two types of visual distractions: complex distractions involving mathematical problem-solving and simple distractions in the form of number memorization. The results revealed no significant difference in pupil size between the two distraction types. However, a notable distinction emerged between distracted driving and driving without any distractions. This finding emphasizes the significant influence of distractions on participants’ attention levels, with their focus shifting towards completing math problems and memorization tasks during distractions. These preliminary insights offer valuable knowledge on the cognitive effects and causes of driver distraction, enabling the development of targeted interventions and initiatives to reduce distracted driving and enhance overall road safety.
Heuristic local search for fuzzy open shop scheduling

We consider the fuzzy open shop scheduling problem, where task durations are assumed to be ill-known and modelled as triangular fuzzy numbers. We propose a neighbourhood structure for local search procedures, based on reversing critical arcs in the associated disjunctive graph. We provide a thorough theoretical study of the structure and, in particular, prove that feasibility and asymptotic convergence hold. We further illustrate its good behaviour with experimental results obtained by incorporating the local search procedure to an existing genetic algorithm from the literature and provide a new benchmark of problem instances.