Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic Basis of the Low‐Phytate Trait in the Soybean Line CX1834

The low-phytate (LP) trait in plant seeds offers important nutritional and environmental benefits for food and feed uses. Mutants with reduced phytate content are commonly produced by chemical mutagenesis, as is the case for soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] line CX1834. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) for LP in CX1834 have previously been reported, however the genetic basis for this trait has not been identified. In this study, we examined several possible chromosomal map locations for the LP mutation in CX1834. After eliminating the myo-inositol phosphate synthase (MIPS) gene family as the location of the LP mutations based on mapping studies, we focused on candidate genes in regions of known low-phytate QTL on linkage groups (LGs) L and N. Using the soybean whole-genome sequence, we identified genes encoding two putative multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRPs). The sequence of a segment of the CX1834 MRP gene on LG N was compared with sequences from 16 other soybean lines with normal phytate content. A single nucleotide mutation from A to T, resulting in substitution of a stop codon for an Arg residue, was detected in the MRP gene on LG N of the low phytate line, but not in the normal counterparts. Further comparative sequence analysis of normal and LP progeny from a cross of CX1834 with V99-3337 (normal phytate) also indicated the A to T substitution in LP individuals, suggesting a mutation in an MRP gene as the possible cause of the low-phytate phenotype.
Model-based Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Atorvastatin Drugs for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases in Iran

Background: Today, cardiovascular disease is one of the main causes of mortality and disability in most developed and developing countries. The prediction of the major causes of deaths all over the world at all ages shows that 61% of deaths are due to chronic diseases, of which 30% is due to cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to assess the cost-utility analysis of atorvastatin for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases using the Markov model. Methods: Markov model with a lifetime horizon was developed to evaluate economic and health outcomes for atorvastatin drugs for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases for a cohort of 1,000 patients. The effectiveness indicator in this study was quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs); robustness of results was examined by one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analysis. Results: The results showed that the use of atorvastatin compared to no drug intervention was highly cost-effective with USD173 per additional QALY. The results of one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analysis confirmed the results of this study. The findings of this study also showed that the highest cost items were hospitalization costs in the cardiac care unit (CCU). Also, the highest cost items in para-clinical services were related to echocardiography costs, and troponin constituted the largest cost of laboratory tests. Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that cardiologists use atorvastatin in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
MILLENNIAL LECTURERS’ ATTITUDES IN INCORPORATING THE ONLINE APPLICATION IN THE EFL CLASSROOM

Millennial lecturers are considered to be proficient in teaching by making use of the technology in their classrooms. Nine millennial lecturers were involved in this study. It was carried out as qualitative research. The data collection technique was open-ended questionnaires then analyzed through thematic analysis. Three research questions were aimed to be examined. The first one was the investigation on the variety of the online applications used in the EFL classrooms; the second one was questioning about the lecturers’ attitudes in getting the benefits of online application, and the third one was observing the lecturers’ attitudes in overcoming the limitations that they found in incorporating the online application in the EFL classroom. The results showed that seventeen types of the online mobile application that were used by the nine millennial lecturers in this study. The millennial lecturers took advantage of the online applications by establishing communication, encouraging students’ self-study, improving the assessment, motivating the students, and improving the teaching instruction. Other result showed that they overcame the limitations of online mobile applications by giving more information and giving assignment to solve the learning management issues and also adjusting the learning when tools issues occur. Keywords: millennial, lecturer, online application, EFL
Commercial Bumble Bee Pollination of Lowbush Blueberry

The commercial bumble bee, Bombus impatiens, has been used in Maine lowbush blueberry since the late 1990s. Studies conducted in 1995–1998 and published in 2001 showed that B. impatiens was a good pollinator of lowbush blueberry. Stocking density was estimated at ¾–1 quad (set of four, 250-bee colonies) per acre. Subsequent research reported here has shown that on an individual bee basis, B. impatiens is 2.5 times more efficient per floral visit in placing pollen on the stigma. Foraging behavior suggests that bumble bees may be more consistent at producing outcrossing among clones than honey bees, although individual honey bees are more likely to be floral constant than bumble bees. By 2004, some blueberry growers questioned the efficacy of commercial bumble bees. To address these concerns, a three-year validation experiment was conducted from 2005–2007. Seven to nine isolated individual small blueberry fields (2–25 acres) were selected each year to compare bumble bees with honey bees or no commercial pollinators (n = 3 to 5 fields per treatment) It was verified that 2.5 quads/ha was a suitable stocking density and did not differ in pollination level from 7.5–10 honey bee hives per ha. A central place foraging behavior could not be demonstrated with bumble bees in these smaller fields. It was established that as the foraging force of bumble bees increased, which varied between hives and fields, better fruit set resulted.
Calcium Channels in the Vacuolar Membrane of Plants: Multiple Pathways for Intracellular Calcium Mobilization

An increasing number of studies imply that Ca 2+ mobilization from intracellular stores plays an important role in stimulus evoked elevation of cytosolic free calcium during signal transduction in plants. It is believed that Ca 2+ is released mainly from the vacuole, which contains a high Ca 2+ concentration in a large volume, and can be regarded as the principal Ca 2+ pool in mature higher plant cells. The large size of the organelle confers unique experimental advantages to the study of endomembrane ion channels. The patch-clamp technique can be directly applied to isolated vacuoles to characterize Ca 2+ release pathways at the single channel level and confirm their membrane location. Using radiometric, ligand-binding and electrophysiological techniques we characterized two different pathways by which Ca 2+ can be mobilized from the vacuole of Beta vulgaris tap roots. Inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate (Ins P 3 )-elicited Ca 2+ release from tonoplast enriched vesicles is dose-dependent, highly specific for Ins P 3 , and is competitively inhibited by low M r heparin ( K i = 34 nM). This striking resemblance to the animal counterpart which is probably located in the ER is further reflected by the binding properties of the solubilized Ins P 3 receptor from beet, which bears similarities to the Ins P 3 receptor of cerebellum. Thus, Ins P 3 and heparin bind to a single site with sub-micromolar K d s, whereas other inositol phosphates have affinities in the supra-micromolar range. The second Ca 2+ channel in the beet tonoplast is voltage-sensitive and channel openings are largely promoted by positive shifts in the vacuolar membrane potential over the physiological range. Channel activity is neither affected by Ins P 3 addition nor by alteration of cytosolic free calcium, and from a large range of Ca 2+ antagonists tested, only Zn 2+ and the lanthanide Gd 3+ proved to be effective inhibitors. With Ca 2+ as a charge carrier the maximum unitary slope conductance is about 12 pS and saturation occurs at 2+ . The channel has an approximately 20-fold higher selectivity for Ca 2+ over K + which is achieved by a Ca 2+ binding site in the channel pore. The unique properties of this novel Ca 2+ release pathway suggests that it is specific for plants. The presence of both Ins P 3 -gated and voltage-gated Ca 2+ channels at the vacuolar membrane implies flexibility in the mechanism of intracellular Ca 2+ mobilization in plant cells.
Levantamento florístico da floresta serrana da reserva biológica de Serra Negra, microrregião de Itaparica, Pernambuco, Brasil

A floristic survey was carried out in the Biological Reserve of Serra Negra, between the municipalities of Inaja and Floresta (8o35'-8o38' S and 38o02'-38o04' W), in order to assess the floristic relationship between two sites, a dense forest on the plateau, and an open forest, located on the southern scarp. Nineteen trips were accomplished to collect Bryophyta, Pteridophyta and Magnoliophyta. 319 taxa, 255 on the plateau and 117 on the southern scarp were registered. The presence of distinct abiotic factors, the southern scarp being has drier than the plateau, justify the floristic difference. In spite of the low similarity level between the two sites (12,5%), the cluster analysis grouped both with a other surveys realized in other montane forests in the northeast region. The dense forest has many species with a wide distribution in the Amazon and Atlantic regions, while in the open forest some species are more related with the thorny decidual woodland (caatinga), white others have a wide distribution in neotropical forests.
Synergistic Emission Reduction of Particulate Pollutants in Coal-fired Power Plants Using Ultra-low Emission Technology

ABSTRACT The total particulate matter (TPM) is a crucial indicator when evaluating flue gas emissions from coal-fired units. TPM contains solid and liquid contaminants and condensable particulate matter (CPM), which is mainly composed of sulfate and various anions, cations, and metal ions. This study selected three typical large-capacity coal-fired power plants in Shanghai retrofitted with ultra-low emission technology and monitored their emissions of PM2.5, SO3, and CPM during power generation. The results showed that the plants achieved comprehensive removal rates of 99.689–99.878% and 86.99–92.92% for PM2.5 and SO3, resulting in emitted concentrations of approximately 0.99–1.79 and 1.91–2.50 mg m–3, respectively, which are considerably lower than those associated with the traditional flue gas process. Additionally, a significant decrease in the emitted filterable particulate matter (FPM) caused a simultaneous decrease in CPM. After being equipped with the ultra-low emission technology, the units displayed a 76% reduction in the emitted FPM concentration and a smaller FPM/CPM ratio (1:2 vs. 1:1). The emitted TPM (the sum of CPM and FPM) was reduced by 82%, with an average measured concentration of 7.36 ± 3.56 mg m–3. The values we obtained are representative and provide basic data for environmental assessment and local environmental policy formulation.
Abundance and dimensions of naturally occurring macropores along stream channels and the effects of artificially constructed large macropores on transient storage

Macropores are connected void spaces in the subsurface and can act as preferential flow paths for groundwater transport, but their dimensions and distribution patterns have not been well characterized in stream banks and hyporheic sediments. We ran field surveys in 5 streams of varying size, bed slope, and watershed land use in the Appalachian Mountains of southwestern Virginia. Natural surface-connected macropores were nearly ubiquitous. Macropores in this region arise by a variety of mechanisms, including soil piping, tree root decay, erosion around hardened structures, macroinvertebrate burrows, and invertebrate burrows. Macropore openings were slightly wider than tall, with median cross-sectional widths and heights of 3.5 cm and 3.0 cm, respectively. The median and maximum macropore lengths to first bend were 15.0 cm and 120.5 cm into the bank, respectively. True (tortuous) macropore lengths probably are often greater, and methods to map macropores are needed. Median interspacing of macropores across all streams was 0.38 m, but mean interspacing was 1.12 m, indicating that macropores were clustered in space. Macropores were inundated at different times because of differences in their heights on the stream bank, channel geometry, and stream stage. HEC-RAS modeling of channel hydraulics indicated that only 1 to 32% of macropores were inundated by channel water at base flow, whereas up to 97% were inundated during the largest storms. We ran conservative-tracer injection experiments at base flow in a 30-m reach of a small tributary to 1 study stream. We calculated transient-storage parameters for 2 treatments: 1 without macropores and 1 with artificially created macropores. Our results suggest that constructed macropores weakly increased transient storage (channel:storage zone cross-sectional area [As/A] by 15.0% and fraction of median travel time spent in the transient-storage zone [Fmed] by 31.0%) and may affect surface-water–groundwater interactions. Many macropore openings were above typical baseflow water levels, so macropores may enhance bank storage, a possibility that bears further research.
The effect of sowing date and spacing on rosette disease of groundnut in Northern Nigeria, with observations on the vector, Aphis craccivora.

SUMMARY In Northern Nigeria, groundnuts planted in June outyielded those planted in July, and, in rows I yard apart, plants spaced at 9 in. gave a heavier total crop than those at 18 in. In two experiments, early sowing reduced the number of rosetted plants per acre; close spacing merely reduced the percentage of plants infected. There was a correlation between the total of aphid-infested plants during the growing period and the number of diseased plants. Late-sown crops support more Aphis maccivora, both apterae and alatae. The principal host of the vector during the 6 months dry season is Euphorbia hirta, whereas in East Africa groundnut is the principal host throughout the year. A list of predators is given, with observations on relative numbers of syrphid larvae and aphids.
Effects of 2-benzoxazolinone on the germination, early growth and morphogenetic response of mung bean (Phaseolus aureus)

2-Benzoxazolinone (BOA), a type of hydroxamic acid present in cereals and implicated in allelopathy, is now being viewed as a potential candidate for the development of natural herbicides. A study was conducted to determine the effect of BOA on mung bean (Phaseolus aureus) through a multitude of bioassays to understand its physiological and biochemical action. It was observed that BOA significantly decreased the germination of mung bean and its early growth (measured in terms of seedling length and dry weight). A typical dose-response relationship was observed with BOA treatment, and I 50 values (concentrations at which 50% inhibition occurs) for germination, seedling length and seedling dry weight were calculated to be 4.3, 0.71 and 0.77 mM, respectively. There was therefore a greater inhibitory effect on seedling growth than on germination. Treated seedlings were characterised by a loss of chlorophyll and decreased respiratory activity, indicating a possible adverse effect of BOA on photosynthetic and respiratory metabolism. Mitotic activity in root-tip cells of onion (Allium cepa) was completely arrested in response to BOA treatment, and the cells exhibited abnormality in shape and size. BOA also adversely affected rhizogenesis in hypocotyl cuttings of mung bean, indicating an impact on morphogenetic potential. It was associated with significant changes in the protein content and activities of proteases and polyphenol oxidases during the root development phase. This study concludes that BOA interfered with essential biochemical processes in mung bean. Such studies provide useful information on the biochemical and physiological modes of actions of BOA, with a view to its use as a herbicidal compound.
Social networking sites use and life satisfaction. A quantitative study on older people living in Europe

ABSTRACT The European ageing population poses unprecedented challenges to society as a whole. Social Networking Sites might be important tools to boost older people's well-being, strengthening and creating social connections in old age. Despite of its potentialities, there is relatively little knowledge on the impact of SNS use on older people's well-being, especially in Europe. Our study investigates the relationship between SNS use and life satisfaction (a key measure of well-being) in old age. We use data from the 2017 Standard Eurobarometer 88 survey, performing a set of multilevel regression models. To fully understand the specificity of the relationship between SNS use and life satisfaction in old age population, we perform a multi-cohort analysis. We find a positive association between SNS use and life satisfaction in old age, association that persists after controlling for a number of possible confounding effects.
Access to outside areas during March and April in Denmark has negligible effect on the vitamin D3 status of organic dairy cows

Abstract Use of artificial fat-soluble vitamins in feed for dairy cows does not conform to organic production principles. Therefore sunlight is the only natural source of vitamin D3 for organic dairy cows. In order to establish the effect of sunlight on the vitamin D3 status of high yielding dairy cows in spring when sunlight is scarce, 78 Danish Holstein cows from two different organic farms (farm 1 and farm 2) were blood sampled four times between November 2005 and April 2006. Use of artificial vitamin D3 supplements in feed was terminated prior to first blood sampling and the cows in each herd were divided into two groups: one with access to outside areas during March and April (outdoor group), and one kept in confinement during the same period (indoor group). Blood samples were analysed for the major circulating metabolite of vitamin D3, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3), as an indicator for the vitamin D3 status of the cows. The effects of treatment and sampling time in March and April were analysed together with the interaction between treatment and sampling time. Results from this survey showed that sunlight in March and April in Denmark can not efficiently stimulate endogenous synthesis of vitamin D3 in dairy cows.
WARMED‐OVER FLAVOR IN COOKED MEATS

SUMMARY –Conditions leading to the development of warmed-over flavor in uncured cooked meat were studied. Beef muscle which had been thoroughly extracted with water did not develop warmed-over flavor indicating that the substance responsible for initiating the reaction was water soluble. A water extract from muscle tissue was fractionated by dialysis and column chromatography, and the various fractions were added back to water-extracted tissue. The development of warmed-over flavor in this system was followed by TBA analysis and odor evaluation. Heme compounds were found to have little effect on the development of warmed-over flavor in this system. The reaction was apparently catalyzed by ferrous iron and ascorbate. It is considered that ascorbic acid functions by keeping at least a portion of the iron in the ferrous state. At higher levels ascorbic acid inhibited the reaction, possibly by upsetting a balance between ferrous and ferric iron.
Critical Perspectives on Cultural Memory and Heritage

This chapter is a study in order and disorder, creation and destruction, viewed as separable but contingent events. Taking Indigenous Australian cultural heritages as the point of engagement, here configured as ancestral land and seascapes, this chapter explores the reflexive responsibility that defines Indigenous relationships with heritage – in contrast to a broadly configured settler-colonial ambivalence to such heritage. It also discusses a series of events that led to the destruction of an ancestral dugong maintenance site in the Gulf of Carpentaria, northern Australia – a place of cultural significance to the Marra and Yanyuwa people. 1 In considering how dispositions of responsive reflexivity, retreat and ambivalence co-exist within this context – and, more broadly, in relation to Australian Indigenous cultural heritages – this chapter lays bare the competing ontics that underscore and undermine heritage value, as well as efforts at safeguarding and ongoing sustenance of important heritage places in settler-colonial contexts. In the context of this chapter, ontics are those aspects of everyday life that take on physical, real or factual elements of existence; this may take the form of human action or place features. Framing the discussion of heritage and destruction through a discourse
Effects of removing duck-nest predators on nesting success of grassland songbirds

During 1995 and 1996 we monitored natural and simulated nests of grassland songbirds following removal of duck-nest predators, primarily raccoons (Procyon lotor), striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), in North Dakota, U.S.A. We were unable to detect an effect of predator removal on survival of natural (n = 153 nests) or simulated (n = 2264 nests) nests of grassland songbirds in either year. However, the assemblage of predators destroying simulated nests differed between removal and non-removal sites in 1995, when medium-sized carnivores and small mammals were the most important predators on non-removal sites, whereas ground squirrels were most important on removal sites. Our study indicates that grassland songbirds were not negatively affected, at least in the short term, by removal of duck nest predators. However, changes in the relative importance of predators on removal sites in 1995 suggest that smaller predators that were not targeted by removal efforts (i.e., ground squi.
Farrowing response and piglet viability following Cloprostenol-induced farrowing in Duroc sows with prolonged gestation

A trial was carried out to assess the effect of controlled induction of farrowing on sow performance and piglet viability in sows with prolonged gestation. Thirty healthy pregnant Duroc sows were randomly assigned into two groups balanced across the treatment for parity and day of gestation. Group I (n = 13) received a single intramuscular dose of prostaglandin analogue (2 ml Cyclix® containing 263 µg/ml Cloprostenol) on day 114 of gestation. Sows in the Group II (n = 17) were allowed to farrow naturally and kept as control group. Treatment effects were significant (P < 0.01) on litter size and weight at weaning. Significantly higher litter weight at birth was also observed in Group I (9.8 vs 5.04 kg; P < 0.01). Parturition loss was comparatively lesser in induced farrowing and a relatively higher percentage of piglet survivability was observed in Group I (90.2% vs 80.0%). Treatment effects were significant (P < 0.05) on incidence of stillbirth (8.0% vs 24.4% in Group I and II, respectively). Relatively higher number of animals farrowed during daytime (53.85%) in Group I as compared to Group II (29.41%). In prolonged gestational cases, induction of farrowing can be a useful managerial tool for improving the piglet survival and facilitating greater supervision of farrowing.