Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HORMONAL CONTROL OF ORGANOGENESIS IN OPUNTIA POLYACANTHA (CACTACEAE)

stem becomes quiescent. When the axillary bud is excised and cultured with benzylaminopurine (BAP), the apical meristem increases in complexity and produces leaves on an elongated axis. Gibberellic acid (GA) induces spine production with no elongation of the axis. Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) causes no structural change in the meristem but induces root formation in adjacent tissue. The initiation of roots, spines, or leaves is visible within three days. Explants on medium lacking hormones show no structural change, but by the tenth day are insensitive to BAP or NAA. These aged explants can be made to respond to BAP or NAA by merely rewounding them at the time of hormone application. With concentrations previously found to be optimal for single hormone responses, NAA in combination with BAP prevents shoot formation, or- in combination with GA prevents spine production. When all three hormones are combined, spines are produced, indicating that GA is active morphologically while BAP and NAA counteract each other. If the level of NAA is decreased, BAP counteracts the NAA and also overrides the GA and leafy shoots are produced. By varying the proportions of BAP and GA, in the absence of NAA, four types of lateral appendage can be produced: leaves, mildly altered leaves, leaf-spine transition forms, and spines.
Chelystachya, a new genus of the subtribe Polystachyinae (Orchidaceae)

Chelystachya, a new genus of the subtribe Polystachyinae (Orchidaceae) A new genus of Orchidaceae (Polystachyinae), Chelystachya Mytnik & Szlach. is described and illustrated basing on results of molecular and morphological studies. It is related to Polystachya Hook. but is distinct in having large, single-noded, spherical, succulent pseudobulbs flattened on the substratum, pendent and densely pubescent inflorescence, lowermost lip, and lip veins directed to the lip base. Results of phylogenetic analyses based on plastid markers validate the reason for a new genus. Keys for determination of all genera of the subtribe Polystachyinae and both species of Chelystachya are included. Two new combinations are made. A comprehensive description and full synonymy, as well as detailed ecological, phenological and distribution data and a list of 125 examined specimens are provided for each taxon treated. Because Polystachya affinis Lindl. is considered a holotype of Polystachya Hook. sect. Affines Kraenzl. , this name is automatically a synonym of the newly introduced generic name Chelystachya. Other species of the former section Affines are classified within the section Humiles.
Phenology of two Acanthophora najadiformis (Rhodophyta, Ceramiales) Populations in the Ionian Sea (Mediterranean Sea)

Abstract Both an intertidal and a subtidal population of Acanthophora najadiformis near the Cheradi Islands (Ionian Sea, Mediterranean Sea) were studied in order to know the life cycle of the species and both seasonal variation in plant size and the phenology of reproduction. The proportions of gametophytes, tetrasporophytes and propagule-bearing plants were analysed. Acanthophora najadiformis proved to be a perennial alga present only with the overwintering basal system in winter and spring and well developed fronds in summer and autumn, when it is the dominant species in the subtidal community. Differences in both plant size and reproductive plant number were detected between the intertidal and subtidal levels. In the intertidal zone plants grow faster and reach greater sizes than the subtidal ones; tetrasporophytes and propagule-bearing plants are more numerous than at the subtidal level. In both zones, tetrasporophytes seem to be dominant and propagule-bearing plants are by far the most numerous.
Development of an artificial host egg for in vitro egg laying of Trichogramma galloi and T. pretiosum using plastic membranes

An artificial host egg was developed as a first attempt to improve the techniques for in vitro rearing of Trichogramma galloi Zucchi and T. pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera, Trichogrammatidae). Plastic membranes (polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene) of different thickness were tested for their usefulness in manufacturing artificial eggs, using a thermal system to produce semi‐spherical cupules on the plastic surface. These artificial eggs were filled with larval hemolymph of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), and the optimal size of the artificial egg and density of females/artificial egg for the highest host acceptance (percentage of artificial eggs with at least one parasitoid egg) as well as the ideal level of parasitism (eggs/artificial egg) were determined. High‐density polyethylene 7–8 and 9–10 μm thick resulted in the best acceptance and level of parasitization for both parasitoid species. Six females per artificial egg resulted in the best rate of parasitization for these parasitoids, although these data were not different when using 4 or 5 females of T. galloi. The size, shape and surface texture of the artificial eggs were found to provide enough cues to elicit parasitization behavior in Trichogramma females, since no chemical stimulus was provided.
Desenvolvimento do sistema digestório de frangos de corte alimentados com farinha de batata doce

Foi avaliado o desenvolvimento do sistema digestorio de frangos de corte alimentados com farinha de batata doce em substituicao parcial ao milho, com ou sem suplementacao de um complexo enzimatico. Cento e cinquenta pintos de um dia de idade, machos, da linhagem Cobb, foram alojados em 40 boxes de duas baterias metalicas onde permaneceram ate os 28 dias de idade. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso em arranjo fatorial 3 x 2, com tres niveis de farinha de batata doce (0, 20 e 40%) e dois do complexo enzimatico (0 e 200 g/ton), com 5 repeticoes de 5 aves por tratamento. Aos 14, 21 e 28 dias de idade, foram pesadas e sacrificadas por deslocamento crânio-cervical, 5 aves por tratamento, para avaliacao alometrica do coracao, figado, proventriculo e moela e biometrica do duodeno, jejuno, ileo, colon-reto e cecos. Os dados foram submetidos a analise da variacao e regressao polinomial. O aumento de farinha de batata doce em substituicao ao milho na dieta de frangos de corte interfere negativamente no peso corporal e no desenvolvimento de orgaos. A suplementacao do complexo enzimatico nao in- fluencia a alometria de orgaos e a biometria intesti- nal dos frangos de corte.
The Novel coronavirus outbreak: A challenge beyond borders

Coronaviruses infect mammals and birds worldwide, and some of these viruses infect humans to cause mild to moderate lower-respiratory tract illnesses and rarely a severe illness. Like other viruses, coronaviruses evolved (change their genetic material and protein structure) and spread from animals to humans. The world has witnessed coronavirus evolving into severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) in 2003 and the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2012. Other recent examples include Dengue, Ebola, Chikungunya, Influenza and Zika virus outbreaks. It may or may not be relevant to note that first cases of both SARS-CoV in 2003 avian influenza virus (H5N1) in 1997 were isolated and identified at the same hospital in Hong Kong where the first case of the current outbreak of the Wuhan coronavirus has been identified. The new virus has been named as the Novel coronavirus (2019 nCoV).
Differences in body size and lipid reserves between maturing and nonmaturing Atlantic salmon parr, Salmo salar L.

Body size and lipid reserves of a group of sibling 0 + salmon parr were monitored monthly from January 1990 until the start of the breeding season in October. Those males that subsequently matured as parr were larger and had a higher fat content than the nonmaturing fish. The size differences were apparent in January and continued throughout the study period. The differences in fat content were apparent in February and continued until October, when the fat content of maturing fish dropped to that of the nonmaturing fish. By the use of logistic regressions basesd on fat reserves and body size it was possible to predict, in late winter, the probability that a male parr would mature in the following autumn. The relative importance of body size and fat content in the maturation process was masked by the strong positive correlation between these two variables.
Recent Developments in Construction Post Contract Cost Control Systems

Construction Cost control is an integral part of Cost management processes of Construction projects. Project cost management involves all the processes involved in planning, estimating, budgeting, financing, Funding, managing and controlling costs so that the project can be scheduled for completion within the approved budget. Cost overrun is a major global issue in construction project performance which occurs predominantly during the construction phase of a project. Different cost control techniques and models have been in practice to ensure cost performance, yet construction projects are rarely completed within the scheduled budget. Due to this incessant cost variances in projects, cost control systems are still being reviewed. Different construction outfits employ different techniques or similar methods just to ensure that cost is within budget. The ultimate concern of the Quantity Surveyor (QS) is to ensure that track records of all activities during construction is well articulated to nearest accuracy for monitoring site expenditures. For this reason, the QS on site daily does the routine work of cost data collections, recordings, analysis and reporting to keep expenditure within budget. This is usually the normal routine in most construction outfits in developing and underdeveloped countries. Different technologies are currently and methods have been employed to increase the efficiency and accuracy of construction data for cost effectiveness. The current technological trend and innovations is therefore reshaping cost control systems with the use of new technologies and software. There are new developments in the methods of controlling cost during construction due to the recent construction innovations. This paper presents the recent developments involved in controlling the cost of construction projects at the construction phase with emphasis laid on the construction innovations and technological advancement. The current different technologies used in implementing cost control were X-rayed and how the present-day cost managers are utilizing the new developments.
Physiological State and Learning Ability of Students in Normal and Virtual Reality Conditions: Complexity-Based Analysis

Background Education and learning are the most important goals of all universities. For this purpose, lecturers use various tools to grab the attention of students and improve their learning ability. Virtual reality refers to the subjective sensory experience of being immersed in a computer-mediated world, and has recently been implemented in learning environments. Objective The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of a virtual reality condition on students’ learning ability and physiological state. Methods Students were shown 6 sets of videos (3 videos in a two-dimensional condition and 3 videos in a three-dimensional condition), and their learning ability was analyzed based on a subsequent questionnaire. In addition, we analyzed the reaction of the brain and facial muscles of the students during both the two-dimensional and three-dimensional viewing conditions and used fractal theory to investigate their attention to the videos. Results The learning ability of students was increased in the three-dimensional condition compared to that in the two-dimensional condition. In addition, analysis of physiological signals showed that students paid more attention to the three-dimensional videos. Conclusions A virtual reality condition has a greater effect on enhancing the learning ability of students. The analytical approach of this study can be further extended to evaluate other physiological signals of subjects in a virtual reality condition.
Interactive effects of elevated atmospheric CO2, mycorrhization and drought on long‐distance transport of reduced sulphur in young pedunculate oak trees (Quercus robur L.)

Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) was germinated and grown under nutrient non-limiting conditions for a total of 10–15 weeks at ambient CO2 concentration and 1100 μmol mol–1 CO2 either in the presence or the absence of the mycorrhizal fungus Laccaria laccata. Half of the oak trees of these treatments were exposed to drought during final growth by suspending the water supply for 21 d. Mycorrhization and elevated atmospheric CO2 each enhanced total plant biomass per tree. Whereas additional biomass accumulation of trees grown under elevated CO2 was mainly attributed to increased growth of lateral roots, mycorrhization promoted shoot growth. Water deficiency reduced biomass accumulation without affecting relative water content, but this effect was more pronounced in mycorrhizal as compared to non-mycorrhizal trees. Elevated CO2 partially prevented the development of drought stress, as indicated by leaf water potential, but did not counteract the negative effects of water deficiency on growth during the time studied. Enhanced biomass accumulation requires adaption in protein synthesis and, as a consequence, enhanced allocation of reduced sulphur produced in the leaves to growing tissues. Therefore, allocation of reduced sulphur from oak leaves was studied by flap-feeding radiolabelled GSH, the main long-distance transport form of reduced sulphur, to mature oak leaves. Export of radiolabel proceeded almost exclusively in basipetal direction to the roots. The rate of export of radioactivity out of the fed leaves was significantly enhanced under elevated CO2, irrespective of mycorrhization. A higher proportion of the exported GSH was transported to the roots than to basipetal stem sections under elevated CO2 as compared to ambient CO2. Mycorrhization did not affect 35S export out of the fed leaves, but the distribution of radiolabel between stem and roots was altered in preference of the stem. Trees exposed to drought did not show appreciable export of the 35S radioactivity fed to the leaves when grown under ambient CO2. Apparently, drought inhibited basipetal transport of reduced sulphur at the level of phloem loading and/or phloem transport. Elevated CO2 seemed to counteract this effect of drought stress to some extent, since higher leaf water potentials and improved 35S export out of the fed leaves was observed in oak trees exposed to drought and elevated CO2 as compared to trees exposed to drought and ambient CO2.
Hydrolyzed tilapia fish collagen modulates the biological behavior of macrophages under inflammatory conditions

Implantation of a biomaterial causes an early and local inflammatory reaction, and regulation of the biological behavior of macrophages under inflammatory conditions caused by biomaterials is imperative for the full realization of their function after being implanted. In recent years, hydrolyzed fish collagen has attracted extensive attention resulting from its biological activity. However, to date, no studies have investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of hydrolyzed fish collagen. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of hydrolyzed tilapia fish collagen (HFC) on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses in RAW264.7 macrophages at the gene and protein level and to elucidate its potential mechanism. The results show that glycine rich in HFC can activate the glycine receptor (GlyR) of macrophages, leading to decreased calcium concentration in macrophages, this decrease inhibits the activation of NF-κB, and then the inhibition of NF-κB further attenuates the inflammatory cytokine gene expression and protein secretion. The current study reveals for the first time that by regulating the biological behavior of the macrophages under an inflammatory state, HFC exhibits specific anti-inflammatory effects. More importantly, the presence of GlyR in RAW264.7 cells is verified for the first time. These findings provide a scientific basis for the future application of HFC in anti-inflammatory biomaterials.
Integrating Peer – Teacher Corrective Feedback in Writing Instruction in a Private Teachers College in Nagekeo – East Nusa Tenggara

This article aims at describing the process of applying the model of integrating peer-teacher corrective feedback in order to improve writing instruction in one of private teachers colleges in Nagekeo – East Nusa Tenggara. The research was designed by employing a Classroom Action Research (CAR) which was conducted within two cycles. The process of the research embraced a preliminary reflection, planning, actions, observations, and reflections. The research was conducted in one of the private teachers college in Nagekeo – East Nusa Tenggara and the participants of the study were the second semester students of English Study Program. They consisted of six students. The data were collected through a preliminary observation, interviews, writing tests, and field notes. The research was guided by several prominent studies under the issues of corrective feedback. Based on the data obtained, this study has identified that the implementation of peer – teacher corrective feedback improved the writing instruction in one of the private teachers college in Nagekeo – East Nusa Tenggara.
CaV3.1 (α1G) Controls von Willebrand Factor Secretion in Pulmonary Microvascular Endothelial Cells.

Netherlands The release of von Willebrand factor (vWF) resulting from the exocytosis of Weibel‐Palade bodies (WPBs) contributes to hemostasis and inflammation. The exocytosis of WPBs stimulated by Gq‐linked inflammatory agonists (e.g. thrombin) requires Ca2+ entry from the extracellular space. We have previously demonstrated that pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs), but not pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs), express a CaV3.1 T‐type Ca2+ channel that is activated by thrombin, and the activation of this channel induces a procoagulant endothelial phenotype. In the present study, we sought to assess the role of the CaV3.1 channel in WPB exocytosis and consequent vWF release. In PMVECs and PAECs transduced with a GFP‐tagged vWF chimera, we examined the real time dynamics and secretory process of the GFP‐containing vesicles, which closely resembled WPBs, in response to thrombin and a cAMP‐elevating agent, isoproterenol. While both thrombin and isoproterenol stimulated a rapid, progressive decrease in the number of GFP‐containing vesicles in the two cell types, only in PMVECs was the thrombin‐induced decrease in numbers of GFP‐containing vesicles nearly abolished by mibefradil (10 μM), the T‐type Ca2+ channel blocker. Collectively, these data indicate that the exocytosis of WPBs in lung endothelial cells is regulated by two distinct pathways that are Ca2+‐ or cAMP‐dependent. These results further support the hypothesis that activation of the T‐type Ca2+ channel in PMVECs provides a unique [Ca2+]i source important for the Gq‐linked agonist‐induced exocytosis of WPBs.
Yield, nutrient concentration and quality of mustard crops as influenced by nitrogen and sulphur fertilizers

Summary Field experiments were made for 3 years (1975–8) on soils deficient in both available N and S to test the effects of these nutrients applied as fertilizers on yellow mustard (Brassica campestris L.) and mustard (Brassica juncea L.). In all the 3 years, grain yield of both mustard crops significantly increased with increased N rates. The grain response to added S was not consistently significant, however; maximum yields were obtained only when high rates of N and S were applied together. N and S fertilizer significantly increased the concentration and uptake (kg/ha) of N and S in grain, and there was a significant positive N × S interaction. Adequate N/S ratio appears to be 7·5:1 or less for the grain of these mustard crops. Protein content of grain improved markedly with applied N and S. Application of 60 kg S/ha increased the oil content by 12% in yellow mustard and 16% in mustard. Although N had little effect on percentage oil, total oil production increased many fold. The combined application of N and S had the largest effect in determining the concentration and uptake of N and S, and on protein and oil content in grain. This study indicated that additions of 60 kg S/ha to mustard crops receiving adequate fertilizer N are likely to improve their yield and quality.
Modeling water exchange in the Oder River mouth area

Abstract A three-dimensional operational hydrodynamic model of the Baltic Sea (M3D_UG) developed based on the Princeton Ocean Model (POM) was applied to model water exchange in the Oder River mouth area. Due to wind-driven back flow in the Oder mouth, a simplified operational model of river discharge was also developed based on the water budget in a stream channel. Linking the Oder discharge and Baltic Sea models into a single system allowed simulating hydrodynamic conditions in the Szczecin Lagoon and the Pomeranian Bay. Since the model adequately approximates hydrodynamic variability, it is a reliable tool for modeling water exchange in the Oder River mouth area and for assessing Oder water spread in the Baltic Sea.
Response of Guayule to Alternating Periods of Low and High Moisture Stresses

1. Guayule nursery-transplants were grown for 14 months in alternating periods of low and high moisture stress of different durations. The dry weights and the carbohydrate, resin, and rubber contents of the plants were determined at the end of each period of moisture stress. During periods of high moisture stress, the rate of increase in dry weight of the entire plant was depressed, but most of this could be accounted for by the effect on leaf weight. The percentages of levulins, in roots and stems especially, during these periods increased markedly, while the percentages of the other carbohydrates-sugars, inulin, and pentosans-remained fairly constant. Except for the period from November 6 to March 6, the percentages of rubber increased during periods of high stress at a more rapid rate than during periods of low stress. 2. During periods of low stress following high stress, the percentage and absolute content of levulins per plant decreased. This indicated that the levulins were serving as the principal reserve compounds, inasmuch as the amount of the other carbohydrates did not change greatly. 3. The rubber content on a grams-perplant basis generally increased throughout the experiment, except for the period November 6-March 6, when it did not change. With this exception, the increase was greater during periods of high moisture stress than during low moisture stress. The absolute rubber content perplant was further increased, above that of plants continuously on low moisture stress, after each successive period of high moisture stress. 4. The results indicate that rubber accumulation can be forced in guayule plants by alternating periods of low and high moisture stress but that the periods of high stress must not be too short and, to induce maximum yields, should occur during seasons of the year other than the winter months.
Microwave-assisted Synthesis of Novel Chiral Receptors Derived from Deoxycholic Acid and Their Molecular Recognition Properties

Under microwave irradiation (MWI), novel chiral receptors derived from deoxycholic acid were synthesized by using deoxycholic acid methyl ester as the spacer, and arylhydrazine and amino acids as the arm. Selective recognition properties of these receptors for aromatic amines and D/L-amino acids have been investigated by UV-vis spectral titration and H-1 NMR spectral study. The results indicate this type of receptors can form a 1:1 supramolecular complex with an aromatic amine and a 1:2 supramolecular complex with D/L-tryptophan.