Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic Enhancement for Biotic Stress Resistance in Basmati Rice through Marker-Assisted Backcross Breeding

Pusa Basmati 1509 (PB1509) is one of the major foreign-exchange-earning varieties of Basmati rice; it is semi-dwarf and early maturing with exceptional cooking quality and strong aroma. However, it is highly susceptible to various biotic stresses including bacterial blight and blast. Therefore, bacterial blight resistance genes, namely, xa13 + Xa21 and Xa38, and fungal blast resistance genes Pi9 + Pib and Pita were incorporated into the genetic background of recurrent parent (RP) PB1509 using donor parents, namely, Pusa Basmati 1718 (PB1718), Pusa 1927 (P1927), Pusa 1929 (P1929) and Tetep, respectively. Foreground selection was carried out with respective gene-linked markers, stringent phenotypic selection for recurrent parent phenotype, early generation background selection with Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, and background analysis at advanced generations with Rice Pan Genome Array comprising 80K SNPs. This has led to the development of Near isogenic lines (NILs), namely, Pusa 3037, Pusa 3054, Pusa 3060 and Pusa 3066 carrying genes xa13 + Xa21, Xa38, Pi9 + Pib and Pita with genomic similarity of 98.25%, 98.92%, 97.38% and 97.69%, respectively, as compared to the RP. Based on GGE-biplot analysis, Pusa 3037-1-44-3-164-20-249-2 carrying xa13 + Xa21, Pusa 3054-2-47-7-166-24-261-3 carrying Xa38, Pusa 3060-3-55-17-157-4-124-1 carrying Pi9 + Pib, and Pusa 3066-4-56-20-159-8-174-1 carrying Pita were identified to be relatively stable and better-performing individuals in the tested environments. Intercrossing between the best BC3F1s has led to the generation of Pusa 3122 (xa13 + Xa21 + Xa38), Pusa 3124 (Xa38 + Pi9 + Pib) and Pusa 3123 (Pi9 + Pib + Pita) with agronomy, grain and cooking quality parameters at par with PB1509. Cultivation of such improved varieties will help farmers reduce the cost of cultivation with decreased pesticide use and improve productivity with ensured safety to consumers.
Recent Advancements in Mechanistic Studies of Palladium- and Nickel-Catalyzed Ethylene Copolymerization with Polar Monomers

The introduction of polar functional groups into polyolefin chain structures creates opportunities to enhance specific properties, such as adhesion, dyeability, printability, compatibility, thermal stability, and electrical conductivity, which widen the range of potential applications for these modified materials. Transition metal catalysts, especially late transition metals, have proven to be highly effective in copolymerization processes due to their reduced Lewis acidity and electrophilicity. However, when compared to the significant progress and summary of synthetic methods, there is a distinct lack of a comprehensive summary of mechanistic studies pertaining to the catalytic systems involved in ethylene copolymerization catalyzed by palladium and nickel catalysts. In this review, we have provided a comprehensive summary of the latest developments in mechanistic studies of ethylene copolymerization with polar monomers catalyzed by late-transition-metal complexes. Experimental and computational methods were employed to conduct a detailed investigation of these organic and organometallic systems. It is mainly focused on ligand substitution, changes in binding modes, ethylene/polar monomer insertion, chelate opening, and β-H elimination. Factors that control the catalytic activity, molecular weight, comonomer incorporation ratios, and branch content are analyzed, these include steric repulsions between ligands and monomers, electronic effects arising from both ligands and monomers, and so on.
A Review of Semantic Application of MI Theory and Effects for Teacher Training

The notion of “multiple intelligences” (MI) was established by Howard Gardner, a psychologist from the United States, during the latter part of the 1970s and the early part of the 1980s. Gardner introduced the concept of MI in his 1983 publication titled Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences, positing that individuals possess unique cognitive abilities across eight discrete domains. As per the theory, there exist nine discrete categories of intelligence, such as logical-mathematical, visual-spatial, musical-rhythmic, verbal-linguistic, bodily-kinesthetic, intrapersonal, interpersonal, existential, and naturalistic. Individuals construct their distinct cognitive frameworks by engaging in activities that are highly valued within their respective cultural contexts. The present article furnishes a comprehensive outline of the rationales and plausible scenarios for deliberating MI theory with pre-service educators during their teacher training. This study examines the significance of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and comparable models in the context of teacher training, taking into account the distinctions between the semantic theoretical foundations of intelligence in Multiple Intelligences (MI) theory and learning styles theory.
Holiday experiences of women and girls over the life-course

This thesis focusses on the lived experiences of women and girls as tourists. While scholarly interest in gender and tourism has developed in recent years, a gendered analysis of the central element of tourism – the tourist – is rare. The study examines the tourist experiences of women of different ages: ages 12, 20, 40 and 65+ years. The conceptual framework for the study is social constructionism, the premises being that the holiday experience is gendered and that there is no one woman’s experience. To understand how the experience has been constructed, the women have reported their memories of contemporary holidays and memories of holiday experiences at previous ages of their life-course. This thesis examines how the intersection of gender, age/family life stage and historical time produces the tourist/holiday experience. To hear female voices in first person narration and to identify any patterns in their experiences were intentions of the research. The feminist, social constructionist method “memory-work” developed by Haug and Others (1987) was employed. The method assumes that women’s memories of their life experiences are the basis of their knowledge. The aim of memory-work is consciousness raising and empowerment for women. In the present study I was interested in understanding differences amongst women and whether patriarchal structures were more oppressive for some groups than others. As a form of leisure with the implied notion of choice, tourism can be a site of contestation and resistance to existing stereotypes of gender. That there are many women’s tourist experiences was evident in the findings. Differences between age groups/family life stages and historical times suggest women’s subjectivity is both contextual and multiple. Holidays could be characterised as: “The Physical Me” at age 12; “The Social Us” at age 20; “Freedom from Them” at age 40 and; “Beyond Me, Us and Them” at age 65+. Nonetheless, there were themes which were common to women’s and girls’ holiday experiences and which cut across age groups. The primary theme concerned the girls’ and women’s relationships to others: social connectedness, attentiveness to others and freedom from others. Another theme was the embodiment of the tourist experience.
Z-Tem (Airborne Afmag) tests over unconformity uranium deposits

Introduction A series of demonstration tests were conducted using the Z-TEM, airborne AFMAG system over deep targets in the Athabasca Basin of Saskatchewan, Canada. These tests were conducted in mid-2008 and were flown to test Z-TEM’s ability to detect large conductive targets at depth; deeper than conventional airborne EM methods. Data are presented over areas where the conductors are located 800 metres beneath the surface. As well, a case of Z-TEM following the plunge of a conductor to over 800 metres depth is shown.
Exploring the influence of leader emotional intelligence on faculty engagement in Ethiopian higher education

Abstract Emotional intelligence is increasingly recognized as a key factor in identifying and developing potential leaders. However, there is little empirical support for the application of EI for leadership in higher education. This study explores faculty perceptions of leader EI behavior and its impact on engagement. We used semi-structured interviews and a qualitative descriptive design to analyze the effect of EI leadership on faculty engagement. The study revealed that emotional intelligence is a crucial skill for academic leadership. Findings also indicate that relationship management, empathy, self-management, and self-awareness are critical EI abilities for academic leadership, leading to more staff engagement. We, therefore, encourage university administrators and policymakers to consider emotional intelligence as a criterion for leadership selection and placement in higher education.
University teachers’ didactic-mathematical knowledge for teaching the effect of coefficient b on the quadratic function

Literature shows a tendency to relegate the role of coefficient b to second place in the teaching of the quadratic function. We report an experience with Chilean university teachers, who designed a teaching and learning sequence with this function for construction engineering students. Our focus was on the didactic-mathematical knowledge about the effects of varying coefficient b on the graphical representation of this function that the participating teachers made evident. We constituted a focus group with 10 teachers and then qualitatively analyzed their dialogues using the mathematics teacher’s didactic-mathematical knowledge and competencies model. We highlight the following results: (a) the importance of mathematical knowledge and that of the epistemic facet to interpret the effect of coefficient b on the graphical representation of the quadratic function and (b) the proposal of an interpretation for the graphical behavior of coefficient b that contributes to the teaching of the quadratic function.
Factors Affecting Systems Thinking Management: Educational Administration, Educational Organization and Educational Leadership

The Influence of Educational Administration, Educational Organization and Educational Leadership on Systems Thinking Management is a scientific article of literature study within the scope of the field of science. The purpose of this article is to build a hypothesis of influence between variables that will be used in future research. Research objects in online libraries, Google Scholar, Mendeley and other academic online media. Research methods with risearch libraries are sourced from e-books and open access e-journals. Qualitative descriptive analysis. The results of this article: 1) Educational Administration influences Management Thinking Systems; 2) Educational organizations influence Management Thinking Systems; and 3) Educational Leadership influences Systems Thinking Management.
The effects of phenology on indirect measures of aboveground biomass in annual grasses

Remote sensing is increasingly being used to quantify vegetation biomass across large areas, often with algorithms based on calibrated relationships between biomass and indices such as the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). To improve capacity to evaluate grassland dynamics over time, we examined the influence of phenological changes on NDVI–biomass relationships in annual grasses. Our findings support the use of NDVI throughout early growth and the beginning stages of canopy maturation, but suggest caution for later stages. In contrast, measurements of fractional photosynthetically active radiation (fAPAR) absorbed by the canopy and leaf area index (LAI) served as good season‐long surrogates for canopy biomass. Canopies reached maximum biomass approximately 40 days after maximum greenness, with biomass increasing by approximately 20% during senescence. For multi‐year studies of management impact (i) avoid using seasonal comparisons from dates much after the point of maximum greenness or (ii) consider non‐NDVI‐based approaches.
Advancing the Role of Proton Therapy for Spine Metastases Through Diagnostic Scan–Based Planning

Purpose Many patients with metastatic cancer live years beyond diagnosis, and there remains a need to improve the therapeutic ratio of metastasis-directed radiation for these patients. This study aimed to assess a process for delivering cost-effective palliative proton therapy to the spine using diagnostic scan–based planning (DSBP) and prefabricated treatment delivery devices. Materials and Methods We designed and characterized a reusable proton aperture system that adjusts to multiple lengths for spine treatment. Next, we retrospectively identified 10 patients scan treated with thoracic proton therapy who also had a diagnostic computed tomography within 4 months of simulation. We contoured a T6-T9 target volume on both the diagnostic scans (DS) and simulation scans (SS). Using the aperture system, we generated proton plans on the DS using a posterior–anterior beam with no custom range compensator to treat T6-T9 to 8 Gy × 1. Plans were transferred to the SS to compare coverage and normal tissue doses, followed by robustness analysis. Finally, we compared normal tissue doses and costs between proton and photon plans. Results were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results Median D95% on the DS plans was 101% (range, 100%–102%) of the prescription dose. Median Dmax was 107% (range, 105%–108%). When transferred to SS, coverage and hot spots remained acceptable for all cases. Heart and esophagus doses did not vary between the DS and SS proton plans (P >.2). Robustness analysis with 5 mm X/Y/Z shifts showed acceptable coverage (D95% > 98%) for all cases. Compared with the proton plans, the mean heart dose was higher for both anterior–posterior/posterior–anterior and volumetric modulated arc therapy plans (P < .01). Cost for proton DSBP was comparable to more commonly used photon regimens. Conclusion Proton DSBP is technically feasible and robust, with superior sparing of the heart compared with photons. Eliminating simulation and custom devices increases the value of this approach in carefully selected patients.
Impact of same-admission percutaneous coronary intervention on periprocedural outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Abstract Background Current guidelines recommend percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) prior to transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) if significant coronary artery disease is present, but whether PCI should be done in the same admission as TAVI is not determined. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the National Inpatient Sample from 2016 to 2019 to compare TAVI with and without same-admission PCI and compare in-hospital outcomes after propensity score matching. Results Among 170,030 hospitalizations for TAVI, 4425 (2.6%) had same-admission PCI performed. After propensity score matching, 4425 hospitalizations were allocated to those with and without same-admission PCI. No difference in in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR] 1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.81–3.12) was observed between the two groups. However, TAVI with same-admission PCI was associated with higher odds of cardiac arrest (OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.02–4.98), cardiogenic shock (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.29–3.79), and acute myocardial infarction (OR 3.23, 95% CI 2.11–4.93). It was also associated with longer length of stay and more expensive hospital cost. Conclusion TAVI with same-admission PCI was associated with higher odds of periprocedural complications and higher immediate cost. Our findings should be interpreted in the context of the same-admission PCI and TAVI cohort potentially being sicker and the isolated TAVI control group may or may not having obstructive coronary artery disease.
ESTUDIO PRELIMINAR DE DISPERSIÓN DE SEMILLAS POR MICOS CHURUCOS (LAGOTHRIX LAGOTRICHA) EN EL PARQUE NACIONAL TINIGUA, COLOMBIA

An intensive study ofseed dispersa! by woolly monkeys (Lagothrit /agotriclza) was made at Tinigua National Park, Colombia. The feeding time in different fruit species recorded o ver focal animals. The number of seeds of each species found in depositions and the spatiallocation of feces was also noted. Results show that woolly monkeys play a majar role in seed dispersa! , because they defecate intact seeds of most of the fruit species consumed. Further indications. that woolly monkeys act as efficient dispersa! agents are their prolonged retention time through the digestive tract, their extensive use of the home range, the large number of depositions with one or two seeds per species and the fact that dispersed seeds are capable to germinate.
Elevation Based Classification of Streams and Establishment of Regime Equations for Predicting Bankfull Channel Geometry

Since past more than hundred years, fluvial geomorphologists all across the globe have been trying to understand the basic phenomena and processes that control the behavioral patterns of streams. A large number of stream classification systems have been proposed till date, but none of them have been accepted universally. Lately, a large amount of efforts have been made to develop bankfull relations for estimating channel geometry that can be employed for stream restoration practices. Focusing on these two objectives, in this study a new stream classification system based on elevation above mean sea level has been developed and later using elevation as one of the independent and nondimensionalising parameters, universal and regional regime equations in dimensionless forms have been developed for predicting channel geometry at bankfull conditions. To accomplish the first objective, 873 field measurement values describing the hydraulic geometry and morphology of streams mainly from Canada, UK and USA were compiled and statistically analyzed. Based on similar mode values of three dimensionless channel variables (aspect ratio, sinuosity and channel slope), several fine elevations ranges were merged to produce the final five elevation ranges. These final five zones formed the basis of the new elevation based classification system and were identified with their unique modal values of dimensionless variables. Performing joint probability distributions on each of these zones, iii trends in the behavior of channel variables while moving from lowland to upland were observed. For the completion of second objective, 405 data points out of initial 873 points were selected and employed for the development of bankfull relations by using bankfull discharge and watershed variables as the input variables. Regression equations developed for width and depth established bankfull discharge as the only required input variable whereas all other watershed variables were proved out to be relatively insignificant. Channel slope equation did not show any dependence on bankfull discharge and was observed to be influenced only by drainage area and valley slope factors. Later when bankfull discharge was replaced by annual average rainfall as the new input variable, watershed parameters (drainage area, forest cover, urban cover etc.) became significant in bankfull width and depth regression equations. This suggested that bankfull discharge in itself encompasses the effects of all the watershed variables and associated processes and thus is sufficient for estimating channel dimensions. Indeed, bankfull discharge based regression equation demonstrated its strong dependence on watershed and rainfall variables.
Unraveling the transcriptomic signatures of Parkinson’s disease and major depression using single-cell and bulk data

Background Motor symptoms are well-characterized in Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, non-motor symptoms, such as depression, are commonly observed and can appear up to 10 years before motor features, resulting in one-third of individuals being misdiagnosed with a neuropsychiatric disorder. Thus, identifying diagnostic biomarkers is crucial for accurate PD diagnosis during its prodromal or early stages. Methods We employed an integrative approach, combining single nucleus RNA and bulk mRNA transcriptomics to perform comparative molecular signatures analysis between PD and major depressive disorder (MDD). We examined 39,834 nuclei from PD (GSE202210) and 32,707 nuclei from MDD (GSE144136) in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) of Brodmann area 9. Additionally, we analyzed bulk mRNA peripheral blood samples from PD compared to controls (GSE49126, GSE72267), as well as MDD compared to controls (GSE39653). Results Our findings show a higher proportion of astrocytes, and oligodendrocyte cells in the dlPFC of individuals with PD vs. MDD. The excitatory to inhibitory neurons (E/I) ratio analysis indicates that MDD has a ratio close to normal 80/20, while PD has a ratio of 62/38, indicating increased inhibition in the dlPFC. Microglia displayed the most pronounced differences in gene expression profiles between the two conditions. In PD, microglia display a pro-inflammatory phenotype, while in MDD, they regulate synaptic transmission through oligodendrocyte-microglia crosstalk. Analysis of bulk mRNA blood samples revealed that the COL5A, MID1, ZNF148, and CD22 genes were highly expressed in PD, whereas the DENR and RNU1G2 genes were highly expressed in MDD. CD22 is involved in B-cell activation and the negative regulation of B-cell receptor signaling. Additionally, CD86, which provides co-stimulatory signals for T-cell activation and survival, was found to be a commonly differentially expressed gene in both conditions. Pathway analysis revealed several immune-related pathways common in both conditions, including the complement and coagulation cascade, and B-cell receptor signaling. Discussion This study demonstrates that bulk peripheral immune cells play a role in both conditions, but neuroinflammation in the dlPFC specifically manifests in PD as evidenced by the analysis of single nucleus dlPFC datasets. Integrating these two omics levels offers a better understanding of the shared and distinct molecular pathophysiology of PD and MDD in both the periphery and the brain. These findings could lead to potential diagnostic biomarkers, improving accuracy and guiding pharmacological treatments.
School Budget Development and Financial Accountability of Public Secondary Schools in Khwisero Sub County, Kenya

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) raised concern about the misuse of funds in public secondary schools, warned principals in charge, and even indicated the interdiction of principals with financial anomalies. In Turkana South, the audit questioned the use of Kenya Shillings 29 million to buy three school buses, failing the school budget implementation plans. There were no logbooks for the said vehicles. According to audit reports on public secondary schools, financial statement anomalies have been reported in a number of schools in Khwisero Sub County. The school audit report indicated that some school managers had hidden fees that were not in line with the ones recommended by the government. The study objective was to assess the effect of school budget development on the financial accountability of public secondary schools in Khwisero Sub County. The study was guided by budget theory. The causal research design examined the cause-and-effect relationship between school budget development and financial accountability. A census survey was adopted in 25 public schools. Two respondents’ school bursar/accounts clerk and school principal were used for the study. This constituted 50 respondents. Data collection was aided by questionnaires and presented using tables. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted. The study found that school budget development had a beta value of 0.309 and a coefficient correlation of 0.890. The correlation R between the mean of school budget development and the mean of financial accountability had a beta term of β = 0.827, P = 0.000. This implies that statistically, budget development was significantly positive. The study recommends that public secondary schools should align budget-making with government policies and school demands. Furthermore, stakeholders such as parents and the school board should be involved in budget formulation.