Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of osmotic priming on dormancy and storability of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) seeds

Abstract Freshly harvested tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill, cv. Moneymaker) seeds were osmotically primed for 8 d in −1.0 MPa PEG-6000 solution and dried to about 6% water content for storage. Such so–called ‘fresh PEG priming’ enhanced seed germination and improved seedling performance as compared with the untreated control. Fresh PEG priming neither alleviated seed dormancy nor promoted DNA replication as was the case when seeds were dried upon harvest and subsequently primed in PEG (normal PEG priming). However, the addition of 10 μM GA4+7 to the osmotic priming solution triggered replicative DNA synthesis of fresh-priming seeds and further enhanced the germination process. After 5 months of storage in ambient temperature conditions, fresh PEG-primed seeds maintained more positive effects gained from priming, whereas, normal PEG-primed seeds had lost the promoting effects on germination. Normal PEG-primed seeds were much more susceptible to controlled deterioration than fresh PEG-primed seeds. It is suggested that the advancement of germination is negatively correlated with seed storability. The mechanisms of seed priming in relation to nuclear replication activities and physical changes are discussed.
Antarctic marine chemical ecology: what is next?

Antarctic ecosystems are exposed to unique environmental characteristics resulting in communities structured both by biotic interactions such as predation and competition, as well as abiotic factors such as seasonality and ice-scouring. It is important to understand how ecological factors may trigger chemical mechanisms in marine Antarctic organisms as a response for survival. However, very little is known yet about the evolution of chemical compounds in Antarctic organisms. Investigations in chemical ecology have demonstrated over the last several years that defensive metabolites have evolved in numerous representative Antarctic species. This contradicts earlier theories concerning biogeographic variation in predation and chemical defenses. As reviewed here, a number of interesting natural products have been isolated from Antarctic organisms. However, we believe many more are still to be discovered. Currently, many groups such as microorganisms, planktonic organisms and deep-sea fauna remain almost totally unknown regarding their natural products. Furthermore, for many described compounds, ecological roles have yet to be evaluated. In fact, much of the research carried out to date has been conducted in the laboratory, and only in a few cases in an ecologically relevant context. Therefore, there is a need to extend the experiments to the field, as done in tropical and temperate marine ecosystems, or at least, to test the activity of the chemicals in natural conditions and ecologically meaningful interactions. Defense against predators is always one of the main topics when talking about the roles of natural products in species interactions, but many other interesting aspects, such as competition, chemoattraction, fouling avoidance and ultraviolet (UV) protection, also deserve further attention. In our opinion, challenging future developments are to be expected for Antarctic marine chemical ecology in the years to come.
Position and development of oocytes in velvet worms shed light on the evolution of the ovary in Onychophora and Arthropoda

Onychophora or velvet worms are of considerable importance in current reconstructions of animal phylogeny.Despite their otherwise conservative morphology, the detailed anatomy of the onychophoran ovary displayssigniﬁcant variation. However, the evolutionary signiﬁcance of this variation is not well understood. We recognizethree major ovarian types in the Onychophora: (1) the exogenous ovary; (2) the pseudoendogenous ovary; and (3)the endogenous ovary. The germ cells in all three ovarian types are intraepithelial in that they occur between thebasal lamina and the epithelial cells that line the cavity of the gonad. This is the condition found in the endogenousovary. Even in the exogenous ovary, with stalked oocytes projecting into the haemocoel, the maturating oocytes arestill covered by a basal lamina. Stalked oocytes that are similar to those found in the exogenous ovary, but retaintheir intra-ovarian position, characterize the pseudoendogenous ovary. This and additional observations supportthe assumption that the pseudoendogenous ovary is derived from an exogenous type and the similarities with theendogenous ovary are superﬁcial. Embryological data and an outgroup comparison with arthropods suggest thatthe exogenous ovary is the ancestral condition in velvet worms and a synapomorphy of Onychophora andArthropoda. The embryonic origin, growth, and position of oocytes outside the ovarian lumen in Onychophora andvarious groups of Arthropoda do not support the Articulata hypothesis, which proposes a sister-group relationshipof Panarthropoda and Annelida. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London,
SELF DIRECTED LEARNING BERBASIS LITERASI DIGITAL PADA MASA PANDEMI COVID-19 DI MADRASAH IBTIDAIYAH

Abstract: The Implementation of Educational Policy in the Corona Virus Disease Emergency Period, requires educators to make a learning innovation, namely learning self directed learning based on digital literacy. This study aims to discuss 1) the concept of self directed learning, 2) the concept of digital literacy, 3) analysis of self directed learning based on digital literacy based on the co-19 pandemic at Madarasah Ibtidaiyah. This type of research used in this study is a qualitative study of literature approach with technical content analysis, the results of this study are 1) Self directed learning learning is independent learning to increase the responsibilities of students in the learning process. 2) Digital literacy is the knowledge and skills to use digital media, communication tools, or networks in finding, evaluating, using, making information, and using it in a healthy, wise, intelligent, accurate, precise, and law-abiding manner in order to foster communication and interactions in everyday life. 3) implement the implementation of digital literacy-based self direct learning during the Covid-19 pandemic, as follows; Provision of Educative Sites as School Community Learning Resources, Use of Educational Applications as School Community Learning Resources and online learning by making learning programs from home that are broadcast through the National TV channel of the Republic of Indonesia by the Ministry of Education and Culture Abstrak: Pelaksanaan Kebijakan Pendidikan dalam Masa Darurat Corona Virus Disease , menuntut pendidik untuk melakukan sebuah inovasi pembelajaran, yaitu pembelejaran self directed learning berbasis literasi digital. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk membahas 1) konsep pembelajaran self directed learning , 2) konsep literasi digital, 3) analisis self directed learning berbasisi literasi digital pada masa pandemi covid-19 di Madarasah Ibtidaiyah. Jenis penelitian yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah studi kepustakaan pendekatan kualitatif dengan teknis analisis isi, hasil penelitian ini adalah 1) Pembelajaran self directed learning adalah belajar mandiri untuk meningkatkan tanggung jawab peserta didik dalam proses pembelajaran. 2) Literasi digital adalah pengetahuan dan kecakapan untuk menggunakan media digital, alat-alat komunikasi, atau jaringan dalam menemukan, mengevaluasi, menggunakan, membuat informasi, dan memanfaatkannya secara sehat, bijak, cerdas, cermat, tepat, dan patuh hukum dalam rangka membina komunikasi dan interaksi dalam kehidupan sehari-hari . 3) mplementasikan pelaksanaan pembelajaran self direct learning berbasis litersi digital pada masa pandemi Covid-19, sebagai berikut; Penyediaan Situs-Situs Edukatif sebagai Sumber Belajar Warga Sekolah, Penggunaan Aplikasi-Aplikasi Edukatif sebagai Sumber Belajar Warga Sekolah dan pembelajaran daring dengan membuat progam belajar dari rumah yang ditayangkan melalui saluran TV Nasional Republik Indonesia oleh Mendikbud
Cotton Response to the Rate and Source of Sulfur on a Sandy Coastal Plain Soil

Cotton acreage in the Coastal Plain of the Southeast has increased in recent years. The soils in this region are sandy and typically have a low retention capacity for sulfate S. A 3-yr (1993-1995) field test was conducted in south Alabama on a Lucy loamy sand (loamy, kaolinitic, thermic Arenic Kandiudults) to evaluate the response of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) to the source, rate, and timing of S fertilizer applications. Sulfur was broadcast preplant as either ammonium sulfate, elemental S, potassium sulfate, potassium thiosulfate, or K-Mg-sulfate at rates of 0, 10, 20 and 40 lb S/acre. Additionally, ammonium sulfate was applied at first square to evaluate timing effects. Lint yields were increased each year and they peaked at a rate of approximately 20 lb S/acre on this Lucy Is soil. Averaged across sources, 20 lb S/acre increased lint yields by an average of 21% as compared with the no S check treatment. Lint yields were not affected by time of S application in 1993 or 1995, but a preplant application of S increased yield compared with S applied at first square in 1994. The response to time of S application was attributed to heavy rainfall that was received soon after the first square application of S. Sources of S did not affect lint yield in 1993 or 1995, but ammonium sulfate and K-Mg-sulfate produced slightly higher yields than those of other sources in 1994, an extremely wet growing season. Lint quality, as measured by high volume instrumentation (HVI), was not affected by any S treatment in 1993 or 1994. In 1995, fiber length increased with S rate, but the differences among sources were inconsistent. Results of this test suggest that cotton produced on sandy Coastal Plain soils that are low in S may require annual applications of 20 lb S/acre to ensure high yields. The S should be applied preplant, although delaying application to first square should not limit yields. For lint production, differences among commercial S fertilizer sources should be minimal.
Estrogen activity of Silkworm (Bombyx mori) Pupa water extract and its fractions

SUMMARY This study was conducted to evaluate the estrogen activity of silkworm (Bombyx mori) pupa extracts and their fractions. Powdered samples of freeze-dried silkworm pupa were extracted at room temperature (RT), 40 oC, 60 oC, 80 oC, and 100 oC in water (D.W), chloroform, ethyl acetate, and methanol for 6h and then filtered (0.45 um). The extracts were then freeze-dried. The estrogenic activity of these extracts was then investigated by competition binding assays using estrogen receptor α (ERα) and ERβ, and by evaluating their effects on the proliferation of the human breast cancer cell line, MCF-7. Among the extracts evaluated, water extracts prepared at RT showed the highest binding affinity to ERα (IC , 1.76 ug/ml) and ERβ (IC , 0.07 ug/ml). In addition, MCF-7 cells that were treated with 62.5 ug/ml of the RT extract showed the greatest increase in proliferation (2-fold; 1291.79%) when compared to control cells (659.82%). Next, the water extract that was prepared at RT (sample 1) was dissolved in D.W. and further fractionated using a Dowex 50W - 8X (H ) column. The flow-through and wash were then pooled together and freeze-dried (sample 2). The bound materials were then eluted with 20 mM NaCl, after which they were applied to a Dowex 1X2 - 200 (Cl ) column and washed with D.W. to remove the sodium ions. The eluants were then freeze-dried (sample 3). Of these fractions, sample 2 showed the highest binding affinity to ERα (IC , 1.44 ug/ml) and ERβ (IC , 1.18 ug/ml). In addition, MCF-7 cells that were treated with sample 2 (15.6 ug/ml) showed the largest increase in growth (1159.39%) when compared to control cells (525.26%). Taken together, these results suggest that the fraction of the RT water extract of silkworm pupa referred to as sample 2 may be useful as a phytoestrogen.
Nutritional and antigenic characterization of an enzymatic whey protein hydrolysate

The present work was mainly undertaken to describe a method of characterizing protein hydrolysates suitable for use in enteral formulas. A commercial enzymatic whey protein hydrolysate was studied. Its chemical composition, molecular weight distribution, nutritional qualities (assessed by the measurement of the digestive and metabolic nitrogen utilization in growing rats), and potential antigenicity (by in vitro and in vivo tests) were determined. The large majority of this hydrolysate consisted of small peptides with only a small fraction (7.42%) higher than 10 3 Da but lower than 3×10 3 Da. The nutritional quality of the whey protein hydrolysate was good as it resulted in high nitrogen protein utilization and biological value as compared to the protein of reference (casein plus 5% DL-methionine). However, the protein efficiency ratio was slightly lower for the whey protein hydrolysate as compared to the control protein. The antigenicity of the whey protein hydrolysate was about 5 orders of magnitude lower than that of β-lactoglobulin, and it showed therapeutic and prophylactic properties in guinea pigs sensitized with either the native whey protein or the hydrolysate. The chemical, nutritional, and low antigenic properties of the whey protein hydrolysate make it appropriate for inclusion in enteral formulas, although clinical trials should first be carried out
Perception of consonant length in familiar and unfamiliar languages by native speakers of Mandarin, Italian and Japanese

This study builds on our previous research and provides additional analyses to determine if there is a relationship between the ability to process consonant length in familiar and unfamiliar languages for learners of Japanese whose native language is Italian or Mandarin. The emphasis is on L2-L3 (second-third language) phonetic influence. Japanese and Italian use consonant length contrastively, but not Mandarin. We thus asked if Mandarin learners with higher proficiency in Japanese are more or less accurate in length identification than Italian learners with first language (L1) experience of consonant length. Specifically, we focused on finding out if learners who accurately identify Japanese consonant length might also be accurate in their identification of the length category in Italian. Four groups of listeners differing in their L1 (Italian x 2 groups, Japanese, Mandarin) and experience with consonant length participated in forced-choice identification experiments. L1 Japanese and L1 Italian listeners identified the length category more accurately in their L1 than in the foreign language (FL). The ability to identify consonant length in Japanese and Italian by 18 advanced Mandarin-speaking learners of Japanese seemed unrelated. This suggests that speech processing skills acquired in one FL may not automatically transfer to another FL.
Stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen in the contemporary north American human food web

The use of stable carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen isotopes as dietary markers was investigated in ten healthy subjects living in metropolitan Chicago, USA. Forty foods were isotopically analyzed and compared with human plasma and hair. From isotopic analysis and average U.S. food intake data, the isotopic composition of dietary protein was estimated to be δ13CPDB = ‐18.0‰, δ13NAIR = 5.2‰, and δ2HSMOW = ‐69‰. Dietary lipid was estimated to be δ13C = ‐22.5‰ and dietary carbohydrate to be δ13C = ‐19.6‰. For comparison, the isotopic composition ±SD of plasma protein was δ13C = ‐17.9±0.7‰, δ13N = 9.4±0.5‰, and 2H = ‐57±5‰. Plasma lipid was δ13C = ‐21.6±1.0‰ and plasma carbohydrate was δ13C = ‐19.7±1.9‰. The isotopic composition of nitrogen and hydrogen in hair was similar, δ15N = 9.6±0.5‰ and δ2H=‐62±4‰ respectively, while carbon was slightly enriched in δ13C, 13C = ‐16.6±0.6. The enrichment of 15N in tissue relative to diet probably reflects in vivo isotope fractionation. The diet/tissue differences observed fo.
Response of orange trees to deficit irrigation strategies in the north of Iran

This work examines the effects of two deficit irrigation strategies, conventional deficit irrigation (DI) and partial root-zone drying (PRD), on mature navel orange trees. The study carried out during two consecutive years (2008 and 2009) in a semi-arid climate on a silty–clay–loam soil in the north of Iran. Both DI and PRD trees were irrigated at two levels, 75 and 50% (DI75, PRD75, DI50 and PRD50) of the full irrigation (FI). In DI, irrigation water was applied to both sides of the tree rows, similar to FI. In PRD, irrigation water was applied alternately to only one side, at each irrigation event. Results showed that DI treatments reduced fruit yield by ∼30% compared with FI, but PRD treatments caused no reduction in fruit yield. No negative impact was detected in fruit quality after applying DI and PRD treatments. Shoot growth decreased in all DI and PRD treatments in both years. In DI, stomatal resistance was higher (50%) than in FI, but it was not significantly affected in PRD. The irrigation water use efficiency of PRD trees increased to nearly twice that of FI. According to these two years' results, we recommend PRD as an acceptable deficit irrigation strategy in the region.
Relationship between hippocampal subfield volumes and memory function in adults born preterm with very low birth weight (VLBW)

Background: Being born preterm with very low birth weight (VLBW) is related to aberrant brain development. Hippocampus is a brain region particularly vulnerable to injury, for instance from consequences following preterm birth. The hippocampus is a complex structure with distinct subfields related to specific memory functions which are differently affected by neuropathological conditions. The relationship between deviations in hippocampal subfields and memory function has not been studied in adults born preterm with VLBW previously. Aims: In this long-term follow-up study of a geographically based cohort (birth years 1986-88) of VLBW individuals and term born controls with normal birth weight, the main aim was to examine group differences in memory function and hippocampal volumes at age 26 years. We also explored hippocampal structurefunction relationships in the VLBW group. Methods: Fifty-two VLBW and 82 control individuals aged 26 years were examined clinically of whom 44 VLBW and 70 controls had high-quality structural cerebral MRI at 3T. The participants were assessed with subtests from Wechsler Memory Scale and Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery on verbal, visual and working memory. From the T1 weighted 3D images, hippocampal subfield volumes were estimated in FreeSurfer 6.0. In addition to group comparisons, partial correlations were performed in the VLBW group between hippocampal subfields’ volumes and neonatal risk factors, and between reduced hippocampal subfields’ volumes and performance on the memory tests. Results: Adults with VLBW had lower verbal, visual and working memory scores compared with term born control adults. Absolute hippocampal total and most subfield volumes were smaller in the VLBW group than in the control group, but with different findings in men and women. When adjusting for intracranial volume, left and right cornu ammonis fields and left dentate gyrus were smaller in VLBW women, while the right subiculum was smaller in VLBW men compared with control women and men, respectively. There was a negative correlation between days on mechanical ventilation and volume of the left subiculum in the VLBW group. Smaller left dentate gyrus volume was associated with lower visual memory performance in the VLBW group. Conclusions: Adults born preterm with VLBW had lower performance on memory tests and smaller hippocampi compared with term born controls, and volume of dentate gyrus was associated with visual memory. Hippocampal subfield volumes seem to be differently affected following preterm birth in VLBW men and women. *Correspondence to: Synne Aanes, Department of Clinical & Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science & Technology, 7489 Trondheim, Norway, E-mail: Synne.aanes@gmail.com
Lapworthura: A Typical Brittlestar of the Silurian Age; with Suggestions for a New Classification of the Ophiuroidea

The anatomy, of the Palaeozoic Ophiuroidea has been far from exhaustively studied, though they possess features of great interest. The nature of the available material and the impossibility of obtaining conclusive evidence by the older methods of study are sufficient reasons for our imperfect knowledge of these primitive organisms. In the following paper an account is given of the structure of the Silurian Ophiurid Lapworthura miltoni (Salter), based upon a study of the fine series of this fossil in the Oxford Museum and of models made by the method described by one of us in 1901 (23), 1903 (24); other Palaeozoic Ophiuroidea are described and compared with Lapworthura, and the bearing of the facts upon the interpretation of the structure of modern types is considered.
Study of intrinsic rotation by the Gyrokinetic Electromagnetic Numerical Experiment code in the Joint Texas Experimental Tokamak

The core toroidal plasma intrinsic rotation has been studied by experiments and simulations in the Joint Texas Experimental Tokamak (J-TEXT). The direction of core intrinsic rotation in the J-TEXT plasma is counter-current. As the plasma density ramps up, the rotation velocity increases in the counter-current direction. By comparing four different electron densities, linear local gyrokinetic simulations have been performed by the Gyrokinetic Electromagnetic Numerical Experiment code for the first time on J-TEXT. It is found that the most dominant turbulence is the ion temperature gradient at $0.2a$, where $a$ is the minor radius of the plasma and this is unchanged during the plasma density ramp up. By scanning the radial wave vectors, it is found that the residual stress term reverses from negative to positive when the plasma density exceeds a certain threshold. The pinch term is larger than the residual stress term at all four electron densities, which means that the pinch term is always dominant in the core of a J-TEXT plasma.
Functional convergence in regulation of net CO2 flux in heterogeneous tundra landscapes in Alaska and Sweden

1 Arctic landscapes are characterized by extreme vegetation patchiness, often with sharply defined borders between very different vegetation types. This patchiness makes it difficult to predict landscape‐level C balance and its change in response to environment. 2 Here we develop a model of net CO2 flux by arctic landscapes that is independent of vegetation composition, using instead a measure of leaf area derived from NDVI (normalized‐difference vegetation index). 3 Using the light response of CO2 flux (net ecosystem exchange, NEE) measured in a wide range of vegetation in arctic Alaska and Sweden, we exercise the model using various data subsets for parameter estimation and tests of predictions. 4 Overall, the model consistently explains ~80% of the variance in NEE knowing only the estimated leaf area index (LAI), photosynthetically active photon flux density (PPFD) and air temperature. 5 Model parameters derived from measurements made in one site or vegetation type can be used to predict NEE in other sites or vegetation types with acceptable accuracy and precision. Further improvements in model prediction may come from incorporating an estimate of moss area in addition to LAI, and from using vegetation‐specific estimates of LAI. 6 The success of this model at predicting NEE independent of any information on species composition indicates a high level of convergence in canopy structure and function in the arctic landscape.