Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Glucosinolates Determined by HPLC in the Seeds of Microspore‐Derived Homozygous Lines of Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)*

Microspore culture was employed to measure the relative efficiencies of anther culture and isolated microspore culture for the regeneration of embryoids and plants of Brassica napus. The yield of embryoids and plants was at least 10-fold greater from isolated microspores than from anther cultures. Approximately 1400 microspore-derived homozygous line's, the parental varieties and the corresponding F2 plants were grown in a field trial. Important agricultural characteristics, such as morphological homogeneity, growth rate, onset of flowering and seed setting were evaluated subjectively and seed yield and glucosinolate content of individual plants were determined. The relative concentrations of up to S different glucosinolates in these seeds were measured via an automated high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system. The alkenyl and indole glucosinolates, the two most important categories of glucosinolates, were found in varying proportions and were independently determined in these line's. Our results do not support the previously suggested connection between low concentrations of glucosinolates and weak growth and/or poor seed yield. Additionally, no evidence was found that the lines derived from isolated microspore culture were subjected to unexpected selection pressures that might adversely affect the diversity of the lines obtained. These results demonstrate that microspore culture is a powerful tool not only for genetic analysis bur also for practical plant breeding.
Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals the Involvement of lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA Networks in Hair Follicle Induction in Aohan Fine Wool Sheep Skin

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) and microRNAs (miRNA) are new found classes of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that are not translated into proteins but regulate various cellular and biological processes. In this study, we conducted a transcriptomic analysis of ncRNA and mRNA expression in Aohan fine wool sheep (AFWS) at different growth stages (embryonic day 90, embryonic day 120, and the day of birth), and explored their relationship with wool follicle growth. In total, 461 lncRNAs, 106 miRNAs, and 1,009 mRNAs were found to be differentially expressed during the three stages of wool follicle development. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed to clarify the roles of the differentially expressed lncRNA, miRNA, and mRNA in the different stages of wool follicle development. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to validate the results of RNA-seq analysis. lncRNA (MSTRG.223165) was found to act as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) and may participate in wool follicle development by acting as an miR-21 sponge. Network prediction implicated the MSTRG.223165-miR-21-SOX6 axis in the wool follicle development. The targeting relationships of miR-21 with SOX6 and MSTRG.223165 were validated in dual-luciferase assays. This is the first report indicating the association of the lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA network with wool follicle development in AFWS. This study provides new insights into the regulation of the wool follicle growth and represents a solid foundation for wool sheep breeding programs.
Photosynthesis and growth in diverse willow genotypes

During a study of the contribution of photosynthetic traits to biomass yield among 11 diverse species of willow, the light and CO2 dependence of photosynthesis were found to differ, with absolute rates at ambient and saturating CO2, together with maximum rates of Rubsico-limited and electron-transport-limited photosynthesis (Vcmax and J, respectively) varying by factors in excess of 2 between the extremes of performance. In spite of this, the ratio, J/Vcmax – indicative of the relative investment of resource into RuBP regeneration and RuBP carboxylation – was found to fall within a narrow range (1.9–2.5) for all genotypes over two successive years. Photosynthetic rate (μmol CO2 fixed m−2 sec−1) showed a strong, inverse correlation with total leaf area per plant. Photosynthetic capacity, expressed on a leaf area basis, showed a strong, positive correlation with yield among some of the species, but when expressed on a whole plant basis all species indicated a positive correlation with yield. Thus, both leaf area per plant and photosynthetic rate per unit leaf area contribute to this relationship. The abundance and kinetic characteristics of Rubisco play a pivotal role in determining photosynthetic rate per unit leaf area and so were determined for the chosen willow species, in parallel with Rubisco large subunit (LSU) gene sequencing. Significant differences in the rate constants for carboxylation and oxygenation as well as the affinity for CO2 were identified, and rationalized in terms of LSU sequence polymorphism. Those LSU sequences with isoleucine instead of methionine at residue 309 had up to 29% higher carboxylase rate constants. Furthermore, the A/Ci curves predicted from each distinct set of Rubisco kinetic parameters under otherwise identical conditions indicated substantial differences in photosynthetic performance. Thus, genetic traits relating specifically to Rubisco and by implication to photosynthetic performance were also identified.
Effectiveness of Technetium-99 m monoclonal antibody scintigraphy for the detection of infectious focus in a case series in cirrhotic patients

tients. Therefore, the most appropriate approach is early detection of the infection focus and the responsible microorganism and then initiating appropriate targeted treatment. Localizing the infectious site switches the empirical treatment to targeted treatment. This study was designated to investigate the effectiveness and reliability of Tc-99m monoclonal antibody scintigraphy (Leukoscan) in localizing infection focus.
Temporal variation of energy sources in a floodplain lake fish community

We compared the stable isotope ratios of δ 13C and δ 15N of four basal food sources and eight fish species collected in spring and summer from the largest freshwater lake in China, Lake Poyang. The aim was to study the temporal variations in the fishes’ energy sources. The δ 13C and δ 15N ratios of all eight species of fish were higher in summer. Employing the IsoSource mixing model, we identified that the terrestrial plant Carex spp. was the most important primary producer supporting fish biomass in spring when the water level was low; meanwhile, the submerged macrophyte Potamogeton malaianus made consistent contributions to fish. However, in summer, when the water level was high, the submerged macrophyte Ceratophyllum demersum was the most important primary production source for fish. Our study indicated that feeding links in floodplain lakes are complex and modified by hydrologic seasonality.
When AIs Say Yes and I Say No: On the Tension between AI’s Decision and Human’s Decision from the Epistemological Perspectives

Let’s start with a thought experiment. A patient is waiting in the clinic room for the diagnosis result to decide whether he needs the brain surgery for his medical conditions. After SaMD processed, the result shows that the patient is classified into the high-risk group with 99.9% of death rates and needs brain surgery immediately. But the result is opposite to your diagnosis that the patient needs not the surgery. Will you, as a physician in this scenario, object the result that SaMD has made?
The Carbon Balance of the Terrestrial Biosphere: Ecosystem Models and Atmospheric Observations

Precise measurements in air are helping to clarify the fate of CO2 released by human activities. Oxygen-to-nitrogen ratios in firn (the transition state from snow to ice) and archived air samples indicate that the terrestrial biosphere was approximately carbon-neutral on average during the 1980s. CO2 release by forest clearance during this period must have been compensated for by CO2 sinks elsewhere on land. Direct atmospheric O2:N2 measurements became available during the 1990s. These measurements indicate net terrestrial CO2 uptake of ∼2 Pg C/yr. From the north–south O2:N2 gradient, it has been inferred that about this amount was taken up by terrestrial ecosystems in the northern nontropics while additional CO2 released by tropical-forest clearance must have been compensated for by additional, tropical, terrestrial CO2 sinks. These and other atmospheric observations provide independent tests of carbon-cycle reconstructions made with process-based terrestrial ecosystem models. Such models can account for major features of the atmospheric-CO2 record, including the amplitude and phase of the seasonal cycle of atmospheric-CO2 concentration at different latitudes, and much of the interannual variability in the rate of increase of atmospheric CO2. Models also predict direct effects of rising atmospheric-CO2 concentration on primary production, modified by feedbacks at the plant and ecosystem levels. These effects translate into a global carbon sink the right order of magnitude to compensate for forest clearance during the 1980s. The modeled sink depends on continuously increasing CO2 to maintain disequilibrium between primary production and carbon storage. There are still substantial differences among the carbon-balance estimates made by different models, reflecting limitations in current understanding of ecosystem-level responses to atmospheric-CO2 concentration, especially with regard to the interactions of C and N cycling and interactions with land-use change. Scenario calculations nevertheless agree that if atmospheric CO2 continues its rise unchecked then the terrestrial sink will start to decline by the middle of the next century, for reasons including saturation of the direct CO2 effect on photosynthesis.
Novel approach for automatic mid-diastole frame detection in 2D echocardiography sequences for performing planimetry of the mitral valve orifice

The mitral valve orifice area is a reliable measure for evaluating mitral valve stenosis (MS) severity, which is obtained by the planimetry of the mid-diastole frame in the echocardiography sequences. Since the manual method for determining this frame is time-consuming and user-dependent, a novel automatic method has been proposed in this study. First, the region of interest (ROI) containing the mitral valve orifice region is detected using circular Hough transform and k-means algorithms. Then, the dimension reduction method is applied to the ROI of each frame to map it into a point in a 2D space. The performance of the local linear embedding (LLE), isometric mapping, kernel principal component analysis (PCA), and linear PCA algorithms has been evaluated in this study. Finally, a distance curve is obtained by calculating the Euclidean distance between consecutive points in 2D space, and the mid-diastole frame is determined by interpreting this curve. The proposed algorithm was validated using 2D echocardiography of the 20 MS patients. Finally, the LLE method showed the best result, and the average frame difference for 20 cases using the proposed method compared with the gold standard (the echo-cardiologist opinion) was 1.40.
An integrated conceptual framework of decision-making in soccer refereeing

ABSTRACT Decision-making (DM) is a critical aspect of soccer refereeing. Referees make numerous repetitive decisions, many of which are dependent on appropriate field location and effective interaction with their assistants. Considering the complexity of the sequential DM process, it is not surprising that referees exhibit high decision error rates. Most extant research has focused on the underlying mechanism of the DM process as well as on various influential factors. Less attention has been given to models that consider the range of influential factors which affect the DM process. This article, therefore, presents a new conceptual framework of sequential DM for soccer referees that relies on Tenenbaum’s (2003. Expert athletes: An integrated approach to decision making. In J. Starkes & A. Ericsson (Eds.), Expert performance in sports: Advances in research on sport expertise (pp. 191–218). Human Kinetics) conceptual framework and the existing literature. We start by reviewing research on DM in soccer refereeing and then discuss conceptual considerations. We then present the new conceptual framework. This model incorporates a range of factors, including physical fitness and fatigue, field positioning, visual attention, contextual factors, game management, expertise, psychological factors, and team factors. Data obtained from a sample of 20 elite referees and assistants demonstrated the face validity of the new model. Finally, we introduce implications for training referees’ DM skills and highlight avenues for future research and conceptual developments.
The combined effects of the fungus Metarhizium flavoviride Gams & Rozsypal and the insecticide cypermethrin on Locusta migratoria migratorioides (Reiche & Fairmaire) in the laboratory

Abstract A problem in the use of the fungus Metarhizium flavoviride Gams & Rozsypal to control locusts is that the locust continues eating for the first few days after the fungus has been applied. Applying a dose of 13 000 spores per locust to adult Locusta migratoria migratorioides (Reiche & Fairmaire) in 10 ppm cypermethrin (approximately LC10, even 7 days after dosing) inhibited feeding by 50% on day 1 after treatment and advanced the onset of locust mortality from the fungus by 48 h. A similar inhibition of feeding from the cypermethrin also occurred in combination with doses of fungus as low as 375 spores per locust, but the earlier locust mortality was not then observed. It was also determined that cypermethrin was not toxic to M. flavoviride in in vitro tests.
Global patterns in seed germination after ingestion by mammals

Mammals play an important role in seed germination through the ingestion of fruits and seeds. Since seed germination is a basic step in seedling recruitment, understanding how mammals affect germination improves our understanding of the effect of loss of mammal populations on the dynamics of plant communities. We used meta‐analytical methods to describe global patterns in the effect of seed ingestion by mammals on seed germination success and rate. We collected data from 154 studies that included 115 mammal species and 448 plant species. Our results showed a positive cumulative effect of mammals on seed germination. However, this effect differed between mammalian orders; thus, some groups such as elephants, primates, and new world marsupials emerged as important enhancers of seed germination. Also, the effect varied depending on the plant family and the bioregion. Increased seed germination after ingestion was positively related to fast germination. This meta‐analysis, the first to synthesise and compare most of the information presently available on how mammals affect seed germination after ingestion, shows a global positive effect of mammals as enhancers of seed germination. However, behind that positive effect lies a diversity of neutral, negative, and positive effects of different magnitudes, which may have multifactorial explanations. We hope that the patterns presented here open up new questions and help guide future research efforts.
Progress on efficient current‐induced magnetization switching

As efficient current‐induced magnetization switching schemes, thermally assisted spin transfer torque (STT) switching, spin orbit torque (SOT) switching of rare‐earth transition metal films, and electric‐field–assisted SOT switching were briefly reviewed. For thermally assisted STT switching, hybrid memory layer with a low curie temperature (TC) and high TC layers were found to be effective to reduce the critical current density Jc without sacrificing the thermal stability Δ at room temperature. In SOT switching of GdFeCo, the large SOT was confirmed even at the compensation composition of GdFeCo. In SOT switching of MgO / Co / Pt films, the switching current density Jc was confirmed to be modified around 20% by applying an electric field of 1 V/nm through the insulator film.
Canopy‐borne seed store in three Western Australian plant communities

The canopy-borne store of seed in the kwongan plant communities at Kulin and Eneabba, and in the forest understorey stratum at Jarrahdale, Western Australia was found to average 1121, 305 and 7 seeds m-2, respectively. The bradysporous seed reserve of the plant communities increased with decreasing average annual rainfall. In comparisons between species of the same genus, obligatory reseeding bradysporous species tended to have greater numbers of seed per plant than resprouting species. The bradysporous species richness and the average seed content per plant within a species did not vary significantly with soil type, although the bradysporous species composition changed.
The utilization of remote sensing technology

Remote Sensing was introduced at the vocational school of Geomatics Engineering in 2013. Remote sensing is the science and technology relating to search information about an object without direct contact with the object. The purpose of this paper is to review research related to remote sensing in the last 5 years. Search results show that the scope of remote sensing topics includes (1) Environmental monitoring such as mapping mangrove forest carbon stocks, detection and monitoring of vegetation affected by oil spills (2) Interpreting land cover and change for paddy modeling, road detection and settlement quality (3) Mitigation and monitoring of natural disasters; Forest fire, Mapping flood areas and affected flooding (4) Identification of natural resources; copper mining, mapping ground water prospective (5) Plant identification; determination of species, identification of agricultural crops, etc. The images used are Landsat imagery, AQUA / TERRA, and others. The obstacle in this research is the storage of data that has a large volume. By reviewing the aspects studied there is a cheaper and more efficient way to improve the quality of objects. The conclusion from the search results is this review will be able to enrich the treasures of knowledge in remote sensing technology learning in Geomatics Engineering, especially with related to enrich learning content.
Days to heading, controlled by the heading date genes, Hd1 and DTH8, limits rice yield-related traits in Hokkaido, Japan

A key aspect of rice breeding programs is the optimization of days to heading (DTH) for maximizing grain productivity in cultivation areas. Here, the effects of genotypes for heading date on yield-related traits in rice (culm and panicle length (CL and PL), panicle number (PN), and total number of seeds) were investigated. Heading date 1 (Hd1) and Days to heading 8 (DTH8) are the main controllers of the variation in heading date in the rice population of Hokkaido, Japan. Thus, an F2 population (n = 192) derived from a cross between Kitaibuki (Hd1dth8) and Akage (hd1DTH8) was developed. Significant differences in DTH were found among all combinations. Each genotype for heading date showed variations in the yield-related traits without a significant difference. However, DTH exhibited high positive coefficient values (more than 0.709) with the yield-related traits except for PN, which had a negative coefficient value of –0.431. A later heading date resulted in a longer growth duration and a higher yield with a combination of longer PL and CL and lower PN. These results suggest that DTH limits the yield-related traits rather than the genotype for heading date.
Identity, Consumption and Ontological Security: Trying to Live on the Edge of the Aesthetic Norm

Abstract The body is an important element in identity management, and its transformations can, to a greater or lesser degree, be related to a reflexive project. Such identity projects are closely related to marketing stimuli, either aligning with or resisting its contents and values to keep a stable and secure identity narrative, building what Giddens (1984; 1991) calls ontological security. The aim of this study is to understand how body-related narratives and practices interact with market stimuli to produce a coherent and ontologically secure "self" that is capable of deviating from the dominant aesthetic standard. Discourse analysis of data indicated four instances that describe how such interaction happens: “struggles with self-demands”, “extreme disciplinary routines”, “self-confidence building”, and “partitions of the body”. Markets provide discursive objects that individuals use to mitigate their problems with deviating from the aesthetic norm, forming coherent narratives and ensuring their ontological security.
The two groups of sensilla in the ventral coxal hairplate of Carausius morosus have different roles during walking

Abstract. The ventral coxal hairplate (cxHPv) of the stick insect Carausius morosus Br. (Phasmida: Bacteriidae) contains two morphologically distinct groups of sensilla designated as group 1 and 2 (Gl, G2). The function of these sensilla during walking was tested by selectively ablating one or both groups on one middle leg in thirty‐four animals. It has previously been shown that ablation of the entire hairplate leads to two kinds of errors: the operated leg swings farther forward and the adjacent caudal leg ends its swing more to the rear relative to the operated leg. Following selective ablation of cxHPv Gl on the middle leg, the first kind of error is more pronounced, indicating that this group contributes more to limiting forward protraction during the swing. Following ablation of cxHPv G2, the second kind of error is more evident, indicating that during stance this group contributes more to the target information influencing the swing end‐point of the adjacent caudal leg. These results are interpreted to reflect the phasic and phasic‐tonic response characteristics of Gl and G2 hairs, respectively.
Lactuca sativa Stems as the Source of Bioactive Compounds as well as the Leaves

The stems of Lactuca sativa L. are usually not popular as the leaves in preparing the salads and therefore thrown away. The work is intended to compare the phytoconstituents of the leaves and stems extracts. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is applied for the petroleum ether extracts of the leaf and the stem of the selected varieties (L. sativa var. longifolia L. and L. sativa var. capitata L.). A total of fifty-eight compounds were identified and quantified from the studied extracts. These compounds have belonged to various categories such as fatty acid, volatile compounds, phytosterols, triterpenes, diterpenes, vitamin E isomers, and others. Triterpenes with phytosterols represented the superior percentage among other categories. Diterpenes were quantified only in the leaves of the studied varieties. The stems exhibited a higher percentage of phytosterols, triterpenes, and volatile compounds rather than the leaves of each variety.