Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of some plant species for their resistance against root-knot nematode Meloidogyne spp.

The resistance of 4 cotton, 2 sesame, and 6 flax cultivars to the root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne arenaria (Ma), M. incognita race 1 (Mil) and/or M. javanica (Mj) was determined in green house studies. The results showed that the cotton cvs Giza 77, Giza 85, Giza 88, Giza 89 and sesame cvs Shandwil 1 and Toshka 1 were resistant (R) to the tested nematode species. On the other hand, six flax cultivars were tested, among them Giza 1 and Giza 5 were susceptible (S) to all the tested nematode species; Giza 6 was susceptible to Ma and Mj, while Sakha 1 was susceptible to Ma only. Giza 6 was highly susceptible (HS) to Mj only whereas Sakha 1 was highly susceptible to Mi and Mj. The flax cultuvars Giza 7 and Giza 8 were susceptible to Ma and Mi while these were moderately susceptible (MS) to Mj only. In three separate experiments the response of 4 banana cultivars (Baladi, Grand Naine, Magraby and Williams), 3 peach rootstocks (Bitter almond, Baladi, and Nemaguard), and 6 ornamental palm trees (California Washington palm, Mexican Washington, Canary date palm, Queen palm, Common palmetto, and Date palm) were tested for resistance to Mi1 and Mj. The banana and peach rootstock Bitter almond were highly susceptible to Mil and Mj. Baladi peach rootstock was highly susceptible to Mj. but resistant to Mil, whereas Nemaguard rootstock was resistant to both Mil and Mj. The tested palm trees viz., date palm, California and Mexican Washington palms were susceptible to Mil and Mj. whereas Canary date palm was moderately susceptible to both nematode species. The Queen palm was susceptible to Mil but moderately resistant to Mj. Common palmetto palm was moderately resistant to both Mil and Mj.
A New Stand-Alone Microwave Instrument for Measuring the Complex Permittivity of Materials at Microwave Frequencies

This article reports the development of a stand-alone and portable instrument designed to measure the complex permittivity of dielectric materials at microwave frequencies. The equipment consists of an in-house single-port vectorial reflectometer and a resonant coaxial bireentrant microwave cavity where the material under test (MUT) is placed inside a Pyrex vial, making the device appropriate for measuring liquids, semisolids, powders, and granular materials. The relationship between the dielectric properties of involved materials and the cavity resonance has been determined by numerical methods based on mode-matching and circuit analyses. In order to increase the measurement range, so that low to high loss materials can be characterized in the same cavity, the effect of the coupling network is deembedded from the resonance measurements. The performance of the newly devised instrument is evaluated by error/uncertainty analysis and comparative studies with other well-established instruments and methods. Errors lower than 2% in the dielectric constant and 5% in the loss factor are found. This simple, portable, affordable, and robust device could help nonspecialized personnel to accurately measure the dielectric properties of materials used in a wide range of microwave applications.
Learning Entrepreneurship in Higher Education Through Flow Theory and FLIGBY Game

This article performs an exploratory study of the potential of flow theory and FLIGBY game to contribute to develop entrepreneurship competencies among higher education students. For this purpose, this study considers the use of a focus group consisting of eight students enrolled in the entrepreneurship course in a higher educational institution in Portugal, in which students for two months explored FLIGBY. The results obtained allowed us to conclude that FLIGBY was also suitable to be explored in the context of entrepreneurship classes. Students emphasized the potential of the game to be applied for training of management skills, the recognition of their leadership skills, and the exploration of new approaches to the management challenges. Finally, it should be noted that the benefits offered by FLIGBY were experienced differently by students with professional experience in IT and management fields. Those students emphasized the application of the game to the real world and the potential offered for FLIGBY for allowing students to explore new skills and actions.
Effects of Mixing Feldspathic Sandstone and Sand on Soil Microbial Biomass and Extracellular Enzyme Activities—A Case Study in Mu Us Sandy Land in China

Microbial biomass, extracellular enzyme activity, and their stoichiometry in soil play an important role in ecosystem dynamics and functioning. To better understand the improvement of sand soil quality and the limitation of soil nutrients after adding feldspathic sandstone, we investigated changes in soil microbial activity after 10 months of mixing feldspathic sandstone and sand, and compared the dynamics with soil properties. We used fumigation extraction to determine soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC), nitrogen (MBN), phosphorus (MBP), and microplate fluorometric techniques to measure soil β-1,4-glucosidase (BG), β-1,4-xylosidase (BX), β-D-cellobiohydrolase (CBH), N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase (NAG), and Alkaline phosphatase (AKP). We also measured soil organic carbon (SOC), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), soil inorganic carbon (SIC), and soil water content (SWC). Our results showed that the soil microbial biomass C, N, P, and individual extracellular enzyme activities significantly increased in mixed soil. Similarly, the soil microbial biomass C:N, C:P, N:P, MBC:SOC, and BG:NAG significantly increased by 54.3%, 106.3%, 33.1%, 23.0%, and 65.4%, respectively. However, BG:AKP and NAG:AKP decreased by 19.0% and 50.3%, respectively. Additionally, redundancy analysis (RDA) and Pearson’s correlation analysis showed that SWC, SOC, porosity and field capacity were significantly associated with soil microbial biomass indices (i.e., C, N, P, C:N, C:P, N:P in microbial biomass, and MBC:SOC) and extracellular enzyme activity metrics (i.e., individual enzyme activity, ecoenzymatic stoichiometry, and vector characteristics of enzyme activity), while pH, EC, and SIC had no correlation with these indices and metrics. These results indicated that mixing feldspathic sandstone and sand is highly susceptible to changes in soil microbial activity, and the soil N limitation decreased while P became more limited. In summary, our research showed that adding feldspathic sandstone into sand can significantly improve soil quality and provide a theoretical basis for the development of desertified land resources.
Occupancy Estimation in Buildings Based on Infrared Array Sensors Detection

Along with methods such as Hidden Markov Model and Linear Discriminant Analysis, environmental sensors including temperature, humidity or carbon dioxide are used to estimate indoor occupancy, which have various applications. Most of the previous studies have neglected the time-dependent character of the indoor occupancy information or real-time response of the system. In this paper, we propose to use low invasive, fast-sampling infrared array sensors to collect data from the actual scene and establish the Inhomogeneous Hidden Markov Model to capture the time dependence of occupancy for buildings occupancy estimation. First, to avoid raw sensor datas susceptibility to external influences, the non-negative matrix factorization is adopted to reduce the dimension of the raw matrix and eliminate interferences caused by environmental changes. Second, the Softmax Regression Model is used to calculate the emission probability matrix for clarifying the dynamic relationship between environmental parameters and indoor occupancy, which is weak. Third, the Forward algorithm and the Viterbi algorithm are applied to achieve online and off-line estimation. Experiments are made with real recorded data. Our performance results demonstrate that method we proposed is effective for indoor occupancy estimation.
Comparative analysis between four model nanoformulations of amphotericin B-chitosan, amphotericin B-dendrimer, betulinic acid-chitosan and betulinic acid-dendrimer for treatment of Leishmania major: real-time PCR assay plus

Background Amphotericin B (Amp) and Betulinic acid (BA) as antileishmanial agents have negligible water solubility and high toxicity. To solve these problems, for the first time, chitosan nanoparticles and Anionic Linear Globular Dendrimer (D) were synthesized for the treatment of Leishmania major (L. major). Method Chitosan and dendrimer nanoparticles were synthesized, and Amp and BA were loaded into the nanoparticles. The particles were then characterized using various methods and their efficacy was evaluated in vitro and in vivo environments (parasite burden was confirmed using pathological studies and real-time PCR methods). Result The results of docking showed that Amp and BA can be loaded into chitosan and dendrimer nanoparticles. The results of physically drug loading efficiency for AK (Amphotericin B-chitosan), BK (Betulinic acid-chitosan), AD (Amphotericin B-Dendrimer) and BD (Betulinic acid- Dendrimer) were 90, 93, 84 and 96 percent, respectively. The characterization results indicated that the drugs were loaded into nanoparticles physically. Moreover, the increased solubility rate for AD=478, BD=790, AK=80 and BK=300 folds. Furthermore, the results of the drug delivery system showed the slow controlled drug release pattern with cellular uptake of more than 90%. The treatment results showed a 100 percent decrease of toxicity for the all nanodrugs was observed in vivo and in vitro environments. Moreover, AK10 and BK20 mg/kg reduced parasite burden by 83 percent (P<0.001), while AD50 and BD40 mg/kg reduced it to a lesser extent compared to glucantime. Conclusion All the synthesized nanodrugs were completely succeeded by 100% to recovery the L. major induced pathological effects in the infected footpad. Also, the results of present study were confirmed with real-time PCR and the results showed that AK and BK were succeeded in a large extent to the treatment of L. major infection (P<0.001), therefore AK and BK could be considered as proper alternatives of choices drugs.
The Use of UAVs for Performing Safety-Related Tasks at Post-Disaster and Non-Critical Construction Sites

Thanks to the wide diffusion of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), geomatics solutions have actively contributed to the field of safety enhancement and disaster risk reduction, supporting rapid mapping and documentation activities of the damages that have occurred to heritage buildings after natural disasters (such as earthquakes) where, in this scenario it is even more important to plan and execute disaster assessment and response operations in safe conditions. In fact, the planning and execution of technical countermeasures in a seismic emergency response involve higher risks for the safety of the operators as compared with responses related to the activities performed at non-critical construction sites. After an analysis of the state of the art, this study aims to underline the possibilities offered by the use of UAVs for performing safety-related tasks, both at post-disaster and non-critical construction sites. First, a survey has been conducted concerning the main user expectations and characteristics that an ideal UAV platform should have in order to perform safety-related tasks at construction sites that are created following the initial emergency phases. The answers that were obtained have been compared with similar studies retrieved from the literature validating previously conducted research. The legislative context is also considered, as it is an important factor that influences the applicability of these platforms and technology. Along with a method for assessing and mitigating the intrinsic risk of using an UAV, the results of a survey submitted to experts in the field of safety at construction sites is also discussed, intending to identify requirements of the ideal platform and the related user expectations. The results are reported, together with a summary of considerations on the use of these strategies in the analyzed contexts.
Hue tuning curves in V4 change with visual context

Neurons are often probed by presenting a set of stimuli that vary along one dimension (e.g. color) and quantifying how this stimulus property affect neural activity. An open question, in particular where higher-level areas are involved, is how much tuning measured with one stimulus set reveals about tuning to a new set. Here we ask this question by estimating tuning to hue in macaque V4 from a set of natural scenes and a set of simple color stimuli. We found that hue tuning was strong in each dataset but was not correlated across the datasets, a finding expected if neurons have strong mixed selectivity. We also show how such mixed selectivity may be useful for transmitting information about multiple dimensions of the world. Our finding suggest that tuning in higher visual areas measured with simple stimuli may thus not generalize to naturalistic stimuli. New & Noteworthy Visual cortex is often investigated by mapping neural tuning to variables selected by the researcher such as color. How much does this approach tell us a neuron’s general ‘role’ in vision? Here we show that for strongly hue-tuned neurons in V4, estimating hue tuning from artificial stimuli does not reveal the hue tuning in the context of natural scenes. We show how models of optimal information processing suggest that such mixed selectivity maximizes information transmission.
Directional Loudness of Low-Frequency Noises Actually Presented Over Loudspeakers And Virtually Presented Over Headphones

Previous studies have revealed that the loudness of low-frequency pure tones increased with the interaural time difference (ITD). This effect accounts for the directional loudness phenomenon at low frequencies, where ITD is the main localization cue. So far, this effect has only been studied for sounds generated and presented directly over headphones, which are not natural listening conditions. The present study aims at investigating this effect on low-frequency noises stemming from real sources. Twenty subjects assessed the loudness of stimuli that were actually displayed by loudspeakers arranged at various locations within a listening room or that were recorded with a dummy head and virtually reproduced through headphones. Results show that the directional loudness sensitivity (DLS) is in agreement with the previously revealed ITD effect. Moreover, the DLS was higher when stimuli were reproduced over headphones than over loudspeakers, speciﬁcally when frontal sources were located at a short distance from the listeners. One hypothesis on this effect relies on visual cues that were available to the listeners only when sounds were reproduced over loudspeakers, providing information about the source distance. Listeners were also aware that sounds were reproduced on loudspeaker or headphones, possibly involving different loudness processings, leading to DLS differences.
Rapid evolution at the telomere: transposable element dynamics at an intrinsically unstable locus

Background Drosophila telomeres have been maintained by three families of active transposable elements (TEs), HeT-A, TAHRE and TART, collectively referred to as HTTs, for tens of millions of years. The conservation of this arrangement contrasts with an unusually high degree of HTT interspecific variation. While the impacts of conflict and domestication are often invoked to explain HTT variation, the telomeres are unstable structures such that neutral mutational processes and evolutionary tradeoffs may also drive HTT evolution. Results We leveraged population genomic data to analyze nearly 10,000 HTT insertions in 85 D. melanogaster genomes and compared their variation to TE families evolving under more typical dynamics. We find that distinct aspects of HTT copy number variation and sequence diversity largely reflect telomere instability, with HTT insertions being lost at much higher rates than other TEs elsewhere in the genome. However, occasional copy number expansions of both HTTs and other TE families occur, highlighting that the HTTs are, like their feral cousins, typically repressed but primed to take over given the opportunity. We further find that some HTT families may be activated by the erosion of whole telomeres, suggesting the existence of HTT-specific host control mechanisms. Conclusions Even the persistent telomere localization of HTTs may not reflect domestication, but rather a highly successful evolutionary strategy to reduce their impact on the host genome. We propose that HTT evolution is driven by multiple processes including domestication, genetic conflict, niche specialization, and telomere instability, with the latter two being previously underappreciated and likely predominant.
In vivo Modulatory Effect of Coffee (Coffea canephora var. Robusta) on the Expression Levels of Murine microRNA-124-3p Associated with Antioxidant Defenses

1Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology Section, The University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy 2Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, The University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy 3Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy 4International Research Center for Food Nutrition and Safety, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
STUDI EVALUASI KINERJA GURU KELAS MI BERSERTIFIKASI IJAZAH NON-PGMI TERHADAP KOMPETENSI PEDAGOGIK DAN PROFESIONAL DI KABUPATEN MAGELANG

Penelitian berjudul : Studi Evaluasi Kinerja Guru MI Bersertifikasi Ijazah Non-PGMI Terhadap Kompetensi Pedagogik dan Profesional Di Kabupaten Magelang. Tujuan penelitian 1) mengetahui tingkat ketercapaian penataan linieritas guru MI yang sesuai dengan kompetensi sertifikat pendidik, 2) mengetahui tingkat ketercapaian penataaan lineritas ijazah Non PGMI sebagai guru kelas MI. Penelitian ini merupakan field research dengan tahapan (1) telaah artikel ilmah dan dokumen sertifikat pendidik, (2) Observasi data, (3) Pengambilan data, (4) Pengujian Data, (5) Analisis Data. Hasil penelitian : 1) tingkat ketercapaian penataan linieritas guru MI yang sesuai dengan kompetensi sertifikat pendidik menunjukan ketidakseimbangan dengan fakta yang sebenarnya berdasarkan data dokumentasi sertifikat pendidik dengan jumlah 23 guru kelas yang linier dengan ijazah PGMI, PGSD dan Mata pelajaran Penjaskes dan 29 guru kelas yang non linier dengan ijazah yaitu ijazah PAI dan Bahasa Inggris dan total guru yang tersertifikasi pendidikan berjumlah 52 guru dari 11 MI Muhamamdiyah yang diteliti, 2) mengetahui tingkat ketercapaian penataaan lineritas ijazah Non PGMI sebagai guru kelas MI dalam kinerja guru (kinierja perencanaan pembelajaran “selalu” dan “sering” dengan jumlah 64 %, kinerja pelakasanaan pembelajaran “selalu” dan “sering” dengan jumlah 56 %, kinerja evaluasi pembelajaran “selalu” dan “sering” dengan jumlah 91 %, kinerja disiplin tugas “selalu” dan “sering” dengan jumlah 91 %), kompetensi pedagogik “selalu” dan “sering” dengan jumlah 87 % dan kompetensi profesional “selalu” dan “sering” dengan jumlah 71 % menunjukan keimbangan dengan tidak melihat latar belakang ijazah, disebabkan bukti dokumen sertifikat pendidik yang tertulis sebagai guru kelas maka belum ada kebijakan khusus bagi para guru tersertifikasi untuk melakukan penataan linieritas ijazah sebagai guru kelas MI.
Inducible degron-dependent depletion of the RNA polymerase I associated factor PAF53 demonstrates it is essential for cell growth and allows for the analysis of functional domains

Our knowledge of the mechanism of rDNA transcription has benefitted from the combined application of genetic techniques in yeast, and progress on the biochemistry of the various components of yeast rDNA transcription. Nomura’s laboratory derived a system in yeast for screening for mutants essential for ribosome biogenesis. Such systems have allowed investigators to not only determine if a gene was essential, but to analyze domains of the proteins for different functions in rDNA transcription in vivo. However, because there are significant differences in both the structures and components of the transcription apparatus and the patterns of regulation between mammals and yeast, there are significant deficits in our understanding of mammalian rDNA transcription. We have developed a system combining CRISPR/Cas9 and an inducible degron that allows us to combine a “genetics-like” approach to studying mammalian rDNA transcription with biochemistry. Using this system, we show that the mammalian homologue of yeast A49, PAF53, is required for rDNA transcription and mitotic growth. Further, we have been able to study the domains of the protein required for activity. We have found that while the C-terminal, DNA-binding domain (tWH) was necessary for complete function, the heterodimerization and linker domains were also essential. Analysis of the linker identified a putative DNA-binding domain. We have confirmed that the helix-turn-helix (HTH) of the linker constitutes a second DNA-binding domain within PAF53 and that the HTH is essential for PAF53 function.
Correlation of vitamin D receptor gene (ApaI) polymorphism with periodontitis: A meta‐analysis of Chinese population

Abstract Many studies have tried to elucidate the connection between vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene (ApaI) polymorphism and periodontitis; however, so far there is no consensus. To further assess the impact of ApaI polymorphism on periodontitis risk, we have conducted a meta‐analysis of Chinese population. Relevant literatures were searched according to PubMed and Chinese database in January 2019. The strength of correlation was evaluated by combining odds ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CIs). Six case–control studies were identified with inclusion criteria, including 734 cases of periodontitis and 687 controls. Based on the overall analysis, the VDR ApaI polymorphism was not due to the risk of periodontitis in all models. Subgroup analysis showed that the risk of periodontitis in North China was significantly reduced. To sum up, the study shows that VDR‐ApaI polymorphism may be connected with a lower risk of periodontitis in northern China. It is suggested that inferential studies should be conducted in other ethnic groups.
Digestibility and Ruminal Fermentation Characteristic of Native Grass Silage Supplemented with Different Levels of Leucaena leucocephala

This study was conducted to determine the digestibility of native grass silage supplemented with different levels of Leucaena leucocephala. The study was designed using completely randomized design with 3 levels supplementation of Leucaena (10, 20, and 30%) and each treatment was done in 6 replications. All of the silage treatments were inoculated with 4% Lactobacillus plantarum, and stored in mini-silos for 21 days. The results showed that supplementing native grass with 20% Leucaena resulted in the greatest (P<0.05) dry matter and organic matter digestibilities. However, the greatest digestibility of crude protein obtained at 10% Leucaena supplementation and that digestibility decreased linearly with the increasing levels of supplementation (P<0.05). Although there were no effects was detected due to Leucaena supplementation on culture rumen pH and VFA concentration, a significant decrease of NH3-N concentration and significant increase of rumen microbial protein were noticed (P<0.05) as the level of Leucaena supplementation was increased. These data indicate that supplementing native grass with 30% Leucaena is the best treatment in term of microbial protein yield, although nutrient digestibilities were lower than the other treatments.