Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic Improvement in Grain yield and Yield Related Traits of Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum var.durum L.) in Ethiopia

36 durum wheat varieties released since 1966 were evaluated in three replications of the Alpha lattice Design at DebreZeit and Akaki, Ethiopia during the 2016 cropping season to estimate the amount of genetic gain made over time in grain yield potential,yield-associated traits and in protein content. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among varieties for all 16 quantitative traits, protein content and protein harvest in Kg ha -1 at each of the locations.Grain yield was increased from 2705.92kg ha -1 to 3766.67. 4kg ha -1 over the past 49 years. Regression analysis revealed that grain yield has increased by 22.24 kg ha -1 year -1 with relative genetic gain of 0.83% year -1 for the period of 19662015. A significant decline of 11.4% in spike length, 6.7% in spikelets spike -1 , 17.9% in protein content and 31.2% in protein yield ha -1 and a significant increase of 41.1% in grains spikelet -1 , 32.9% in number of grains spike -1 , 22.3% in thousand grain weight, 17.8% in grain filling period, 23.9% in seed grwoth rate, 40.1% in grain yield production rate, 7.9% in harvest index, 6.5% decrease in days to flowering and a 1.0% extension in days to maturity were statistically nonsignificant, this has significantly extended the grain filling period. Plant height, Tilleers plant -1 , biomass production rate, hectoliter weight and biomass yield ha -1 have remained unchanged over the 50 years of durum wheat improvement.
Noise induced bimodality in genetic circuits with monostable positive feedback

The expression of individual genes can be maintained through positive feedback loop mechanisms. If genes are expressed in bursts, then feedback either affects the frequency with which bursts occur or their size. Here we use a tractable hybrid modelling framework to evaluate how noncooperative positive feedback in burst frequency or burst size impacts the protein-level distribution. We confirm the results of previous studies that noncooperative positive feedback in burst frequency can support bimodal distributions. Intriguingly, bimodal distributions are unavailable in the case of feedback in burst size in the hybrid framework. However, kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of a full discrete model show that bimodality can reappear due to low-copy number effects. The two types of feedbacks lead to dramatically different values of protein mean and noise. We show that small values of leakage imply a small protein mean for feedback in burst frequency but not necessarily for feedback in burst size. We also show that protein noise decreases in response to gene activation if feedback is in burst frequency but there is a transient noise amplification if feedback acts on burst size. Our results suggest that feedback in burst size and feedback in burst frequency may play fundamentally different roles in maintaining and controlling stochastic gene expression.
A study on maternal and perinatal outcome of abruptio placentae in a tertiary Centre

Background: Placental abruption refers to partial or complete separation of the placenta prior to delivery of the fetus. Methods: It was a retrospective study carried out between March 2019 and March 2020 at SMGS Hospital Jammu in which case records of all cases of abruption were analyzed. Results: Incidence of Abruptio placenta in our study was 2.33. It was most common in the women of age group 20-25yrs. 45.9% of cases were associated hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. Live births were 68.9% while stillbirths were 31.1%. PPH occurred in 20.2% of cases. DIC accounts for 15% of the maternal complications. Birth asphyxia, hyperbilirubinemia and neonatal sepsis were commonest complications in our study. Conclusion: Abruptio placentae is associated with poor maternal and fetal outcome. Hence early diagnosis and prompt resuscitative measures would prevent both perinatal and maternal mortality and morbidity.
Comparative modelling of a novel enzyme: Mus musculus leucine decarboxylase

Leucine decarboxylase (LDC) is a recently proposed enzyme with no official enzyme commission number yet. It is encoded by the Mus musculus gene Gm853 which is expressed at kidneys, generating isopentylamine, an alkylmonoamine that has not been described to be formed by any metazoan enzyme yet. Although the relevance of LDC in mammalian physiology has not been fully determined, isopentylamine is a potential modulator which may have effects on insulin secretion and healthy gut microbiota formation. The LDC is a stable enzyme that specifically decarboxylates L-leucine but does not decarboxylate ornithine or lysine as its paralogues ornithine decarboxylase (ODC; EC: 4.1.1.17) and lysine decarboxylase (KDC; EC: 4.1.1.18) do. It does not act as an antizyme inhibitor and does not decarboxylate branched amino acids such as valine and isoleucine as it is another paralogue valine decarboxylase (VDC; EC: 4.1.1.14). The crystal structure of the enzyme has not been determined yet but there are homologous structures with complete coverage in Protein Data Bank (PDB) which makes LDC a good candidate for comparative modelling.In this study, homology models of LDC were generated and used in cofactor and substrate docking to understand the structure/function relationship underlying the unique selectivity of LDC enzyme.
Direct insolation models

Several recently published models of the direct component of the broadband insolation are compared for clear sky conditions. The comparison includes seven simple models and one rigorous model that is used as a basis for determining accuracy. Where possible, the comparison is made between the results of each model for each atmospheric constituent (H/sub 2/O, CO/sub 2/, O/sub 3/, O/sub 2/, aerosol and molecular scattering) separately as well as for the combined effect of all of the constituents. Two optimum simple models of varying degrees of complexity are developed as a result of this comparison. The study indicates: aerosols dominate the attenuation of the direct beam for reasonable atmospheric conditions; molecular scattering is next in importance; water vapor is an important absorber; and carbon dioxide and oxygen are relatively unimportant as attenuators of the broadband solar energy.
A Foliar Endophyte of White Spruce Reduces Survival of the Eastern Spruce Budworm and Tree Defoliation

Wild eastern spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana Clemens) were reared on white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) trees, half of which had been previously inoculated with a native endophytic fungus, Phialocephala scopiformis DAOM 229536 Kowalski and Kehr (Helotiales, Ascomycota). Survival up to pupation and up to adult emergence was approximately 27% higher for budworm juveniles that developed on control trees compared to trees inoculated with the endophyte. The endophyte did not influence the size or sex of survivors but did reduce defoliation by approximately 30%. Reductions in defoliation on endophyte-inoculated versus control trees, due to reductions in survival of juvenile budworms, suggests that tree inoculations with P. scopiformis could play an important role in integrated management programs against the eastern spruce budworm.
An Assessment of the Effect of World Oil Price Shocks on Uganda’s Official Development Assistance

This study assesses the effect of world oil price shocks on Ugandaâ€™s official development assis-tance using Structural Vector Autoregressive Model (SVAR). The results in this study show in-significant pass-through effect of world oil price shocks to Ugandaâ€™s Official Development As-sistance received in the period under the study. The policy implication in this study is that Offi-cial Development Assistance received by Uganda is independent of world oil price shocks.
Mixing and internal dynamics of a medium‐size and deep lake near the Arctic Circle

The goal of the research was to identify the mixing features that distinguish wind forced, medium‐size fjord‐type lakes near the Arctic Circle from systems of similar geometry, but in a temperate climate. Experimental data and the results of 3D numerical hydrodynamic simulations were analyzed for Lake Lagarfljót (27 km long; 2 km wide; 110 m maximum depth; 65°N) during the 5‐month ice‐free period in 2009. The results showed that probably the most distinctive feature of arctic lakes is their low water column stability, one order of magnitude lower than that of mid‐latitude lakes, even in mid‐summer. The second characteristic is the high rate of energy imparted by wind in the Arctic, estimated as one order of magnitude larger than in a temperate climate. Frequent wind events with Lake and Wedderburn numbers below 1 occurred during the ice‐free period, leading to a strong shear at the base of the surface mixed‐layer and the upwelling of deep metalimnetic layers. As a result, nearly continuous density stratification developed in the shallowest 70 m of the water column, and longitudinal temperature gradients may therefore be very significant. On average, 15% of the wind forcing drove large‐scale internal motions. This energy was rapidly dissipated, partly as a result of stronger bottom velocities, nonlinear surges, and hydraulic jumps that repeatedly formed in the lake. The initial V1H1 setup rapidly evolved into spatially complex oscillatory modes, which, given the high latitude, are affected by the Earth's rotation, even in narrow basins.
Segregation, nestedness and homogenisation in plant communities dominated by native and alien species

ABSTRACT Background: Highly modified landscapes offer the opportunity to assess how environmental factors influence the integration of alien plant species into native vegetation communities and determine the vulnerability of different communities to invasion. Aims: To examine the importance of biotic and abiotic drivers in determining whether alien plant species segregate spatially from native plant communities or become integrated and lead to biotic homogenisation. Methods: Ordination and classification of a floristic survey of over 1200 systematically located 6 m × 6 m plots were used to examine how plant community segregation, nestedness and homogenisation varied in relation to climate, environmental and human-related factors across Banks Peninsula, New Zealand. Results: The analyses of community structure indicated that native and alien plant communities were spatially and ecologically segregated due to different responses primarily to an anthropogenic impact gradient and secondly to environmental factors along an elevation gradient. Human-land use appeared most strongly linked to the distribution of alien species and was associated with increased vegetation homogenisation. However, despite spatial segregation of alien and native plant communities, biotic homogenisation not only occurred in highly managed grasslands but also in relatively less managed shrublands and forest. Conclusions: The role played by anthropogenic factors in shaping alien and native plant species community structure should not be ignored and, even along a marked environmental gradient, if the recipient sites have a long history of human-related disturbance, biotic homogenisation is often strong.
MENSTRUAL HYGIENE KNOWLEDGE, PRACTICES AND ACNE PROBLEMS AMONG ADOLESCENT AND YOUNG ADULT FEMALES: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Introduction: Menstruation is a natural and healthy process which occurs monthly in female. Acne often found out to be associated with menstruation due to hormonal fluctuation throughout menstrual cycle. Objective: To assess the menstruation related knowledge, practice and treatment behavior of acne associated with menstruation among adolescent and young adult females. Methods: Adolescent and young adult female between the age group of 14 to 30 years who had been reached menarche at the time of study were selected for the study. Data was collected through pre-designed, closed-ended and structured questionnaire through personal interview. Result: 64% of participants had knowledge regarding menstruation before their menarche. 57% of participant’s first informant regarding menstrual cycle before menarche was their mothers followed by their 20% friend. Most of the participants in the study were not aware of the cause and the source of the bleeding. 96% of participants practices restriction on religious occasion related to menstruation. 51% participants experienced their acne flaring up during menstruation. 92% of participants did not consulted any doctor for their acne flaring-up during menstruation and preferred self-medication. Conclusion: The study revealed that the knowledge on menstruation is average and therefore the menstruation practices are hygienic among the adolescent and young woman of the study area.
Root endophytes and invasiveness: no difference between native and non‐native
 Phragmites
 in the Great Lakes Region

Microbial interactions could play an important role in plant invasions. If invasive plants associate with relatively more mutualists or fewer pathogens than their native counterparts, then microbial communities could foster plant invasiveness. Studies examining the effects of microbes on invasive plants commonly focus on a single microbial group (e.g., bacteria) or measure only plant response to microbes, not documenting the specific taxa associating with invaders. We surveyed root microbial communities associated with co‐occurring native and non‐native lineages of Phragmites australis, across Michigan, USA. Our aim was to determine whether (1) plant lineage was a stronger predictor of root microbial community composition than environmental variables and (2) the non‐native lineage associated with more mutualistic and/or fewer pathogenic microbes than the native lineage. We used microscopy and culture‐independent molecular methods to examine fungal colonization rate and community composition in three major microbial groups (bacteria, fungi, and oomycetes) within roots. We also used microbial functional databases to assess putative functions of the observed microbial taxa. While fungal colonization of roots was significantly higher in non‐native Phragmites than the native lineage, we found no differences in root microbial community composition or potential function between the two Phragmites lineages. Community composition did differ significantly by site, with soil saturation playing a significant role in structuring communities in all three microbial groups. The relative abundance of some specific bacterial taxa did differ between Phragmites lineages at the phylum and genus level (e.g., Proteobacteria, Firmicutes). Purported function of root fungi and respiratory mode of root bacteria also did not differ between native and non‐native Phragmites. We found no evidence that native and non‐native Phragmites harbored distinct root microbial communities; nor did those communities differ functionally. Therefore, if the trends revealed at our sites are widespread, it is unlikely that total root microbial communities are driving invasion by non‐native Phragmites plants.
Low-Load Resistance Training Performed to Muscle Failure or Near Muscle Failure Does Not Promote Additional Gains on Muscle Strength, Hypertrophy, and Functional Performance of Older Adults

Abstract Bergamasco, JGA, Gomes da Silva, D, Bittencourt, DF, Martins de Oliveira, R, Júnior, JCB, Caruso, FC, Godoi, D, Borghi-Silva, A, and Libardi, CA. Low-load resistance training performed to muscle failure or near muscle failure does not promote additional gains on muscle strength, hypertrophy, and functional performance of older adults. J Strength Cond Res 36(5): 1209–1215, 2022—The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of low-load resistance training (RT) protocols performed to failure (FAI), to voluntary interruption (VOL), and with a fixed low repetitions (FIX) on muscle strength, hypertrophy, and functional performance in older adults. Forty-one subjects (60–77 years) were randomized into one of the RT protocols (FAI, VOL, or FIX) and completed 12 weeks of RT at 40% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM), twice a week. The assessments included 1RM test, muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), rate of torque development (RTD), and functional performance (chair stand [CS], habitual gait speed [HGS], maximal gait speed [MGS], and timed up-and-go [TUG]). All protocols significantly increased 1RM values from Pre (FAI: 318.3 ± 116.3 kg; VOL: 342.9 ± 93.7 kg; FIX: 328.0 ± 107.2 kg) to Post (FAI: 393.0 ± 143.1 kg, 23.5%; VOL: 423.0 ± 114.5 kg, 23.3%; FIX: 397.8 ± 94.6 kg, 21.3%; p < 0.0001 for all groups). Regarding CS, all protocols showed significant improvements from Pre (FAI: 11.5 ± 2.4 seconds; VOL: 12.1 ± 2.5 seconds; FIX: 11.3 ± 1.1 seconds) to Post (FAI: 10.5 ± 1.1 seconds, −8.5%, p = 0.001; VOL: 10.3 ± 1.5 seconds, −15.1%, p = 0.001; FIX: 11.0 ± 1.1, −3.2%, p = 0.001). Habitual gait speed values increased significantly from Pre (FAI: 1.3 ± 0.2 m·s−1; VOL: 1.3 ± 0.1 m·s−1; FIX: 1.3 ± 0.1 m·s−1) to Post (FAI: 1.4 ± 0.2 m·s−1, 2.5%, p = 0.03; VOL: 1.4 ± 0.2 m·s−1, 5.2%, p = 0.036; FIX: 1.4 ± 0.1 m·s−1, 5.7%, p = 0.03). No significant differences between protocols were found (p > 0.05). In addition, there were no significant changes in CSA, RTD, MGS, and TUG for any protocols (p > 0.05). In conclusion, low-load RT performed without muscle failure promotes significant improvements in muscle strength and some parameters of functional performance in older adults.
Neural correlates of the effects of tDCS stimulation over the LIFG for phonological processing in dyslexia

Findings of neuroimaging and brain stimulation research suggest that the motor system takes part in phonological processing at least to some extent in healthy speakers. Phonological processing involves a core network of brain regions, the dorsal pathway, where motoric aspects of speech sounds are analysed by the left inferior frontal gyrus (LIFG) and auditory aspects by the left superior temporal gyrus (LSTG). The extent to which each node of the dorsal pathway takes part in phonological processing has been shown to depend on the nature of the task and on the functional integrity of the network. Tasks of speech production rely more on the LIFG, and tasks of speech perception rely more on the LSTG. Persons with dyslexia (PWD) are known to present a deficit in phonological processing. Neuroimaging research has shown that dyslexia typically affects the LSTG, with hypoactivation, and the LIFG, with hyperactivation. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been widely used for cognitive research in humans. It has been recently suggested in the literature that perturbations induced by brain stimulation can cause the weights of nodes in cognitive networks to transiently rearrange. In this study we used tDCS and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the functioning of the dorsal pathway for phonological processing in PWD with tasks of speech production and speech perception. We targeted the LIFG with anodal, cathodal and sham tDCS. For healthy speakers, cathodal tDCS should downregulate performance when the target had high relevance for the task, such as the LIFG for speech production. For targets of smaller relevance, improved performance should be observed due to compensation by the most relevant node(s). Anodal tDCS should improve performance as a function of the relevance of the target for the task. PWD were expected to deviate from this pattern to some extent, especially when compensation by the LSTG was needed during cathodal tDCS of the LIFG for a task of speech perception. Results corroborated the theoretical claim that codes for articulation take part in the processing of speech sounds. However, our findings showed that the PWD pattern of response to tDCS for phonological processing in tasks of speech production and speech perception differed from that expected for healthy speakers. Anodal tDCS of the LIFG induced larger facilitation for the speech perception than for the speech production task, as well as larger compensation for the latter under cathodal tDCS. Findings indicate that tDCS is a promising diagnosis tool for the investigation of alterations in phonological processing caused by dyslexia.
The Half-Full Landau Level

At even-denominator Landau level filling fractions, such as ν = 1/2, the ground state, in most cases, has no energy gap, and there is no quantized plateau in the Hall conductance. Nevertheless, the states exhibit non-trivial low-energy phenomena. Open questions concerning the proper description of these systems have attracted renewed attention during the last few years. Issues at ν = 1/2 include consequences of particle-hole symmetry, which should be present for a spin-aligned system in the limit where one can neglect mixing between Landau levels. Other issues concern questions of anisotropy and geometry, properties at non-zero temperature, and effects of relatively strong disorder. In cases where one does find a gapped even-denominator quantized Hall state, such as ν = 5/2 in GaAs structures, major questions have arisen about the nature of the quantum state, which will be discussed briefly in this chapter. The chapter will also discuss phenomena that can occur in a two-component system near half filling, i.e., when the total filling factor νtot is close to 1.
Property Flood Resilience - Scottish Baseline study

This research provides an up-to-date baseline assessment of the potential for Property Flood Resilience (PFR) across Scotland. The findings will support the Scottish Government and its partners in the Property Flood Resilience Delivery Group deliver the Living with Flooding: action plan1. This plan, published in November 2019, outlines steps to promote PFR for delivering property flood resilience in Scotland, including building a better evidence base.
AB0082 INHIBITION OF TGFβ SIGNALING USING SB-505124 BLOCKS TH17 DIFFERENTIATION AND RESTORES THE TH17/TREG BALANCE IN VIVO, BUT DOES NOT SUPPRESS EXPERIMENTAL ARTHRITIS

TGFβ is an important growth factor that promotes the differentiation of T helper 17 (Th17) as well as regulatory T-cells (Treg). Due to its dual role, the potential of TGFβ as therapeutic target is unclear.In this study we aimed to investigate the effect of inhibition of TGFβ signaling with the ALK5 inhibitor SB-505124 on human Th17 differentiationin vitro, on cytokine production by human rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial explants, and study the effects of local SB-505124 treatmentin vivoduring innate immune and Th17-driven experimental arthritis models.Magnetic sorted naïve human T cells were differentiated into Th17 cells with CD3/CD28 activation beads, IL-2, TGFβ, IL-1β, IL-23, αIFNƳ and αIL-4 for 6 days. Human RA synovial biopsies were cultured for 24h w/o 5µM SB-505124, and supernatant was analyzed by Luminex. T cell-independent SCW arthritis and Th17-driven IL-1/mBSA arthritis were induced in C57Bl6, and mice were treated with SB-505124 by daily intra-articular injections from day 0-4.SB-505124 potently reduced human Th17 differentiationin vitroby decreasing IL-17 and RORƳt gene expression and IL-17 protein production. SB-505124 significantly suppressed IL-6 and TNFα protein production by human RA synovial explants. In addition, SB-505124 did not affect acute joint inflammation during SCW-arthritis (T-cell independent model). Interestingly, SB-505124 reduced Th17 levels in draining lymph nodes (dLN) during IL-1/mBSA arthritis while increased levels of Tregs were observed. Surprisingly, despite this skewed Th17/Treg balance, this did not result in suppression of joint inflammation and destruction in this Th17-driven arthritis model, whereas anti-IL-17 antibody treatment showed significant therapeutic effects.We revealed suppressive effects of SB-505124 on human Th17 differentiation and the Th17/Treg balance in arthritic mice. However, SB-505124 did not suppress joint inflammation and destruction. This indicates that despite the importance of TGFβ in Th17 differentiation, targeting TGFβ signaling is not enough to suppress experimental arthritis.None declared