Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the combustion characteristics of four perennial energy crops (Arundo donax, Cynara cardunculus, Miscanthus x giganteus and Panicum virgatum)

The perennial crops giant reed, switchgrass, miscanthus and cardoon were investigated in laboratoryscale and pilot-scale combustion test runs. Laboratory-scale test runs were conducted in a fixed bed pot reactor monitoring the temperature in the fuel bed and the release of gaseous components while pilot-scale test runs where conducted in a 150 kWth rotating grate fired combustion plant measuring formed emissions of CO, NOX, SO2, HCl, and particulates as well as performing deposit probe measurements. The results revealed that the high concentration of ash and slag forming elements such as Si, K and Ca cause severe problems regarding slagging if not specially considered during combustion. Moreover, high concentrations of N are another challenge regarding measures in order to avoid high emissions of NOx. Moreover, also HCl and SO2 emissions are considerably higher compared to wood fuels due to the higher concentrations of Cl and S in these fuels.
MicroRNA-mRNA Co-sequencing Identifies Transcriptional and Post-transcriptional Regulatory Networks Underlying Muscle Wasting in Cancer Cachexia

Cancer cachexia is a metabolic syndrome with alterations in gene regulatory networks that consequently lead to skeletal muscle wasting. Integrating microRNAs-mRNAs omics profiles offers an opportunity to understand transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory networks underlying muscle wasting. Here, we used RNA sequencing to simultaneously integrate and explore microRNAs and mRNAs expression profiles in the tibialis anterior (TA) muscles of the Lewis Lung Carcinoma (LLC) model of cancer cachexia. We found 1,008 mRNAs and 18 microRNAs differentially expressed in cachectic mice compared with controls. Although our transcriptomic analysis demonstrated a high heterogeneity in mRNA profiles of cachectic mice, we identified a reduced number of differentially expressed genes that were uniformly regulated within cachectic muscles. This set of uniformly regulated genes is associated with the extracellular matrix (ECM), proteolysis, and inflammatory response. We also used transcriptomic data to perform enrichment analysis of transcriptional factor binding sites in promoter sequences, which revealed activation of the atrophy-related transcription factors NF-κB, Stat3, AP-1, and FoxO. Furthermore, the integration of mRNA and microRNA expression profiles identified post-transcriptional regulation by microRNAs of genes involved in ECM organization, cell migration, transcription factors binding, ion transport, and the FoxO signaling pathway. Our integrative analysis of microRNA-mRNA co-profiles comprehensively characterized regulatory relationships of molecular pathways and revealed microRNAs targeting ECM-associated genes in cancer cachexia.
Combining ability of resistance to pod shattering and selected agronomic traits of soybean

*Corresponding Author E-mail: richardkataliko23@gmail.com Eight parents Nyala and SB-8, SB-25, SB-93, SB-19, 915/5/12, 835/5/30 and SB-98 were crossed in a diallel mating scheme to generate 28 F1 progenies in a greenhouse at Kabete, University of Nairobi. The F1 and their parents were evaluated at KALRO-Embu and Mwea Research Centers between December 2016 and May 2017. The trials were laid out in an alpha-lattice design arranged in a 6 × 6 pattern with 3 replicates. Data was collected on maturity, plant height, grain yield and pod shattering. General and specific combining ability were determined according to Griffing’s diallel, Method 2. General and specific combining ability (GCA and SCA) were significant (P<0.05) for all the traits indicating that additive and non-additive gene action were important in the inheritance of pod shattering and other traits. GCA/SCA ratio varied from 0.00124 to 0.0742. Although the ratio was higher for pod shattering (0.0742) compared to other traits (less than 0.0132), the ratio in general was close to zero. This indicated that non-additive gene action played a more important role over additive gene action in the inheritance of these traits. Parents SB-93, SB-19, SB-98, 835/5/30 and Nyala, were the best combiners for early maturity. SB-19, 915/5/12, Nyala, SB-93 and SB-98 significantly contributed towards reduced plant height. Parent 835/5/30 followed by SB-8 had the higher GCA gene action thus were the best combiners for high grain yield. Parents SB-8 and Nyala had the highest negative and significant GCA effects for pod shattering indicating that these lines had favorable gene frequencies of resistance to pod shattering. Progenies of SB-25 x SB-8 were the best combiners for pod shattering resistance across environments. This study found non-additive gene action to be more important over additive and suggested that heterosis breeding and selection of late segregating generations would be effective to improve pod shattering resistance ability and other agronomic traits in soybeans.
Taxonomical Investigation on Some Species of Genus Allium Based on the Pollen Morphology

Aims: The aim of this research was to investigate the morphological characteristics of the pollen grain of some species of genus Allium. Methodology: The pollen grains were examined by using Light Microscopy (LM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and the pollen grains of one species under Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Results: The pollen grains were oblate and medium in shape and size. The pollen ornamentation of exine surface, exine ornamentation on sulcus edge, lumina number in the exine surface and the state of pollen grain apex in the examined species were different. Semitectate and columellate ectexine with discontinuous endexine were seen in the pollen wall structure (sporoderm). The dendrogram obtained from the pollen characters in SEM observations by using the numerical taxonomy system (NTSYS) software placed the studied species in two types. Conclusion: Our palynological dendrogram can be used for segregation the sections and subgenera taxonomical levels in the studied species of genus Allium and confirmed the phylogram of the recent phylogenetic research.
Achnanthes sensu stricto belongs with genera of the Mastogloiales rather than with other monoraphid diatoms (Bacillariophyta)

Despite variation in their protoplast organization and wall structure, monoraphid diatoms have traditionally been grouped as a single family or order, intermediate between the araphid and biraphid diatoms. However, the predominantly marine or brackish species of Achnanthes sensu stricto share protoplast and frustule features with representatives of the Mastogloiales rather than with other monoraphid diatoms. Meanwhile, studies of morphogenesis in Achnanthes have revealed that cells become monoraphid by filling in one raphe system during valve formation, indicating that the monoraphid condition is derived rather than primitive. Evidence from light and electron microscopy is presented to support the transfer of Achnanthes to the Mastogloiales, and an emended description of the order is given. It is concluded that the Achnanthales sensu Round et al. is a paraphyletic group and that the closest relatives of the various monoraphid genera must be sought among other raphid diatoms.
GSTM1 and GSTT1 Polymorphisms and Susceptibility to Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Case-control Study of the Sudanese Population

Background: Glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzyme levels are associated with risk of many types of cancers, including hematological malignancies. In this study we here aimed to investigate the relationship between GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms and the risk of AML. Conflicts in the published results and the absence of similar in-depth studies in Sudan prompted us to perform the present case-control study to determine the frequency of GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms in AML patients and their possible association with AML in a Sudanese population.Materials and Methods: A total of 40 patients with AML and 40 control subjects were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were collected from all patients in EDTA containing tubes. Genomic DNA was extracted from all blood samples using salting out method. Genotyping for detection of GSTM1, and GSTT1 polymorphisms was performed for both patients and controls using a multiplex PCR. Results: We reported that there is an association between the GSTM1 null genotype and AML risk (OR= 2.7, 95% CI= 1.2-6.04; P.value = 0.012), the GSTT1 null genotype appeared also to have an influence in the development of AML (OR= 4.93, 95% CI= 1.6-15.07; P.value = 0.005). Conclusion: These findings indicate that genetic variants of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes may increase individual susceptibility to AML.
Example Based Hebbian Learning may be sufficient to support Human Intelligence

In this hypothesis paper we argue that a simple Hebbian learning mechanism, along with reinforcement through well-known neuromodulatory systems, can form the basis of a computational theory of learning that can support both low level learning and the development of human level intelligence. We show that when driven by example behavior Hebbian learning rules can support procedural, episodic and semantic memory. For humans, we hypothesize that the abilities to manipulate an off-line world model and to abstract using language allow for the generation and communication of rich example behavior, respectively, and thereby support human learning and a gradual increase of collective human intelligence across generations. We also compare the properties of Example Based Hebbian (EBH) learning with those of backpropagation-based learning and argue that the EBH mechanism is more consistent with observed characteristics of human learning.
Morphology, development, and reproduction of Eyprepocnemis plorans ibandana (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in South Cameroon rainforests

Eyprepocnemis plorans ibandana is a very common grasshopper species in open environments and agricultural systems of tropical Africa. It is a pest that significantly benefits from forest degradation in southern Cameroon, hence the need to study the bioecology of this subspecies. We studied the reproduction as well as the morphological characteristics and development times of the post-embryonic instars of E. p. ibandana. Sixty-one adult pairs were obtained from sixth instar nymphs caught in grassy vegetation in the Nkolbisson area (Yaoundé) and bred in the laboratory. After hatching, the first instar nymphs were individually placed in cages and fed every two days using fresh leaves of Manihot esculenta. The postembryonic development of E. p. ibandana took six instars in the male and six to seven instars in the female. Mean nymphal development took 79.16 ± 0.51 days in males, 89.93 ± 0.58 days in 6 instar females and 94.96 ± 1.22 days in 7 instar females. The survival rate of the first instar was low (53%). However, from the second instar on the survival rate was very high (> 87%). Sexual dimorphism is distinct in adults, fifth and sixth nymphal instars. Adults of E. p. ibandana took on average 32.57 ± 3.88 days to start mating, and mating lasted 2.12 h on average (1–3 h). Oviposition took place on average 52.03 ± 5 days after first mating; each female deposited one to eleven oothecae with an average of 34.93 ± 2.37 eggs per ootheca. Our study provides important information for the control of this subspecies in southern Cameroon.
Growth, body composition, mineralisation and Na+/K+-ATPase activity of fingerling Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) fed diets with different levels of potassium

ABSTRACT A growth trial was performed to optimise the inclusion of potassium (K) in feeds of Heteropneustes fossilis (body weight [BW] 6.92 ± 0.1 g). Eight isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets with varying dietary K levels were prepared by supplementing 0, 1.91, 3.82, 5.73, 7.64, 9.55, 11.46 and 13.37 g KCl/kg basal diet. Analysed dietary K levels were 0.16, 1.12, 2.08, 3.19, 4.18, 5.16, 6.11, 7.14 and 8.16 g/kg dry matter. BW gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein gain (PG) and gill Na+/K+-ATPase activity were best in fish fed 4.18 g K/kg diet. The K concentrations in the whole body and vertebrae increased linearly with the increase up to 5.16 g K/kg diet and reached then a plateau. The K-retention [%] was highest in fish fed the basal diet and decreased with the further inclusion of dietary K up to 2.08 g/kg followed by no change up to diet containing 4.18 g K/kg and then declined further in fish fed higher levels of dietary K. Serum alkaline phosphatase activity was found to increase up to 4.18 g K/kg diet. Regression of BW gain, PG, gill Na+/K+-ATPase and vertebrae K concentration against varying levels of dietary K using broken-line model indicated that an inclusion of 5.44 g K/kg diet is the optimum for maximising growth and mineralisation of H. fossilis.
Time-triggered camera traps versus line transects – advantages and limitations of multi-method studies for bird surveys

ABSTRACT Capsule: Time-triggered camera traps and line transects were compared in order to identify advantages and limitations of multi-method studies for bird surveys. Aims: To test whether, compared to traditional line transects, the use of time-triggered cameras with a short trigger interval of 20 s is an effective method for monitoring farmland birds, and to provide a detailed description of this monitoring method. Methods: We set up camera traps in flower strips and field margins in the county of Rotenburg, Germany, during winter (2012/13, 2013/14), summer (2013) and autumn (2013). In order to assess the results of camera traps, we conducted a comparative study by using line transects at the same study sites. Results: In total, we observed 20 bird species by camera trapping and 20 species by line transects but only 14 of these species were observed with both methods. Combining both methods leads to a higher number of 26 species. In flower strips, however, significantly more species were recorded by line transects than by camera traps. On the other hand, in field margins, line transects and camera traps contributed equally, indicating the advantage of combining the methods. Conclusions: The combination of camera traps and line transects is recommended for more reliable recording of bird communities. This combination was particularly beneficial in study sites with low bird densities and bird activity, such as field margins. However, in order to achieve reliable bird detections using time-triggered camera traps, a short interval between the pictures is needed. The limiting factor of time-triggered camera traps is the time-consuming viewing of the recorded images. Nevertheless, the benefit is that it can be conducted independently of time and space and it is weather- and researcher-independent. Moreover, camera traps allow multi-hour observations and necessary fieldwork time is short.
Ubiquitylated H2A.Z nucleosomes are associated with nuclear architectural proteins and global transcriptional silencing

H2A.Z mono-ubiquitylation has been linked to transcriptional repression, but the mechanisms associated with this process are not well understood due to the lack of reagents specific for this modified form of H2A.Z. To address this, we developed a biotinylation-based approach to specifically purify ubiquitylated H2A.Z (H2A.Zub) mononucleosomes and characterize their biochemical composition and genomic distribution. We observe that H2A.Zub nucleosomes are enriched for the repressive histone post-translational modification H3K27me3, but depleted of H3K4 methylation and other modifications associated with active transcription. Consistent with these findings, ChIP-Seq analyses reveal that H2A.Zub-nucleosomes are enriched over non-expressed genes. However, the genomics data also suggest that it is the relative ratio of ubiquitylated to non-ubiquitylated H2A.Z, rather than the absolute presence or absence of H2A.Z ubiquitylation, that correlates with gene silencing. Finally, we observe that H2A.Zub-eniched mononucleosomes preferentially co-purify with transcriptional silencing factors as well as proteins involved in higher order chromatin organization such as CTCF and cohesin. Collectively, these results suggest an important role for H2A.Z ubiquitylation in the genome-wide regulation of chromatin and transcription through its recruitment of transcriptional silencing factors and nuclear architectural proteins.
TECHNOLOGY OF WINTER OILSEED RAPE WITH FOLIAR FERTILIZATION

Background. Effective fertilizer management strategies are a prerequisite to ensure optimum seed yields and seed quality of oilseed rape. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of the autumn or autumn and spring foliar application of potassium, phosphorus, boron and molybdenum (Phostrade® BMo) on biometric features, overwintering and the quantity and quality of winter oilseed rape yield. Material and methods. The subject of the study was winter oilseed rape, cv. ‘Chagall’, cultivated in the successive years 2013-2015, after winter wheat. This study was based on a single-factor field experiment conducted in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian region, Poland, 53°13′ N; 17°51′ E, on Alfisol, in a randomized block design, with four replications. The effect of the different time and a dose of foliar fertilizer Phostrade® BMo (P2O5 15% w/w, K2O 14% w/w, B 0.9% w/w; Mo 0.1% w/w) application was evaluated as follows: 5 dm3∙ha-1 applied in autumn at 5 leaves stage (BBCH 15) or 3 dm3∙ha-1 in autumn (BBCH 15) and 3 dm3∙ha-1 in spring at beginning of stem elongation stage (BBCH 30) and the control. Results. This study has shown that the application of this fertilizer in autumn, at a dose 5 dm3∙ha-1 or 3 dm3∙ha-1 had a positive effect on the roots dry weight and the roots length of oilseed rape before winter. The influence of the fertilization on the shoots dry weight, the number of pods per plant and the number of seeds per pod as well as the yield of oilseed rape was higher in the year characterized by precipitation deficiency during the spring growth and the generative development. Two-time application of fertilizer, as well as single application in autumn, had a positive effect on the number of seeds per pod and the seed yield as well as the chlorophyll index and the shoots dry weight at the end of flowering. Conclusion. Sequential application of Phostrade® BMo at doses 3 dm3∙ha-1 in autumn and 3 dm3∙ha-1 in spring, as well as single application at a dose 5 dm3∙ha-1 in autumn, increased the seed yield of open-pollinated variety ‘Chagall’ of oilseed rape. Further studies are necessary to determine the optimal method of application of this foliar fertilizer in the cultivation of hybrid cultivars of winter oilseed rape.
DNA Barcoding for Efficient Identification ofTriticumSubspecies: Evaluation of Four Candidate Loci on Phylogenetic Relationships

Since traditional taxonomic studies possess intrinsic limitations with plant species identification, combinations of DNA barcodes have been considered a powerful tool to discover undetected genetic variation within species across large geographic areas, providing more precise estimates of biodiversity. However, the lack of efficient and universal markers is often considered a peculiar challenge in molecular taxonomic studies across plant taxa. Similarly, many loci have been proposed for DNA barcodes; still stand-ardizing regions as a DNA barcode is vital for making them efficiently discriminate plant species. In this study, we tested the phylogenetic utility of nuclear (nrDNA) region (ITS2) with chloroplast (cpDNA) regions ( matK , psbA-trnH , and rbcL ) for efficient discrimination of Triticum species. A total of 109 accessions representing 16 recognized genotypes in the Triticum genus have been sampled to assess the efficiency of barcoding loci to resolve species discrimination. As expected from earlier studies, our results also revealed that a single locus has difficulty in discriminating Triticum species. Species discrimination in Triticum taxa was martially improved by using a combination of gene loci; however, the closely related species, T. aestivum and T. turgidum , had no DNA barcode to separate them. Thus, we recommend further research on finding species-specific SNP using intragenic regions as standard DNA barcode loci in Poaceae.
The cost of standing tall: wood nutrients associated with tree invasions in nutrient‐poor fynbos soils of South Africa

Tree invasions into native grasslands and shrublands are global phenomena, with alien tree invasions occurring on nearly every continent. We hypothesized that wood nutrient concentrations are a key trait to enable successful tree invasions in regions limited by soil nutrient availability, such as the fynbos vegetation of the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. We sampled wood and bark of a height range of indigenous and alien woody species within the Cape Floristic Region. We used linear regression and phylogenetic analyses to assess associations between wood nutrients and tree height and analysis of variance to assess how wood nutrients vary across vegetation types. Alien trees had lower wood nutrient concentrations than many native trees, and nutrient concentrations, especially not only N and P, but also Mg and K, were negatively associated with tree height. These results suggest that recent tree invasions into the nutrient-poor fynbos shrublands may be a result of low wood nutrient concentrations that allow the alien trees to successfully overtop the native vegetation. This indicates that wood nutrient concentrations may be a useful trait to predict whether an alien tree species has a greater potential of becoming invasive in regions with limited soil nutrients.
Social functioning as vulnerability marker in adolescents at high risk for Bipolar Disorder.

Background: Bipolar disorder (BD) is associated with deficits in social behavior and social cognition. The disorder typically begins to manifest in early adolescence, but the early symptoms are clinically difficult to distinguish from behavior during normal adolescence. In this study, adolescents at high risk to develop BD are investigated using behavioural, neuropsychological, and functional brain measures of social functioning to identify early vulnerability factors for BD. Methods: 47 offsprings of BD patients and 32 healthy controls (HC) aged between 10-16 years are included in this study. Social behaviour is measured using standardized ratings of the Social Responsiveness Scale and the ‘Junior Nederlandse Persoonlijkheids Vragenlijst’, social cognitive performance is measured by the ANT, and functional MRI data are acquired during an emotional rating task. Results: Adolescents at high risk for BD displayed impaired social behaviour compared to HC. Their scores were still below cut-off for actual problems in social functioning. No difference between adolescents at high risk and HC in social cognitive functioning was found. Finally, adolescents at high risk showed hyperactivation in the amygdala and hypoactivation in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) during affective processing. Conclusion: These results show that adolescents at high risk for developing BD already show deficits related to social functioning in a period essential for social development. The combination of behavioural, neuropsychological, and functional brain data may provide sensitive markers to identify vulnerability factors for the development of BD. These combined measures may guide novel treatments in adolescents geared towards preventing or minimizing the impact of BD. Bridge The current study is part of the BRIDGE study (Brain Imaging, Development & Genetics) at University Medical Centre Utrecht (UMCU). The purpose of the study is to identify how increased genetic risk for developing a psychotic disorder affects brain development by studying neurobiological and neuropsychological, clinical and environmental markers in off spring of patients with schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BD). The delineation of trait markers of vulnerability, or potential endophenotypes for psychiatric illnesses could facilitate (early) diagnosis and treatment.