Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Small‐scale dispersal of the European corn borer and its relevance for resistance management in Bt maize

The small‐scale dispersal of the European corn borer (ECB) was studied in a release–recapture experiment using reared dye‐marked adults. Thereby, six light trap cages were set up across two maize fields at 50‐m intervals. In total, 736 marked ECBs were released, of which 10.2% were recaptured together with 212 unmarked naturally occurring adults after a period of 48 h. All marked–released individuals left the release point, with a mean dispersal distance of 195 m. Eighty‐two per cent of the recaptured ECBs moved to the second maize field across a ditch and associated shrubs. The spatial and temporal patterns of incidence of naturally occurring ECBs in the traps were consistent with those of the marked moths and showed an inhomogeneous distribution. There was a highly significant relationship between male and female densities in the cages. No ECBs were caught during a period of adverse weather conditions. Dispersal distances may be influenced by plant size, weather conditions during the flight, pheromonal patterns in the field and the timing of the flight.
Emerging views of genome organization in Archaea

ABSTRACT Over the past decade, advances in methodologies for the determination of chromosome conformation have provided remarkable insight into the local and higher-order organization of bacterial and eukaryotic chromosomes. Locally folded domains are found in both bacterial and eukaryotic genomes, although they vary in size. Importantly, genomes of metazoans also possess higher-order organization into A- and B-type compartments, regions of transcriptionally active and inactive chromatin, respectively. Until recently, nothing was known about the organization of genomes of organisms in the third domain of life – the archaea. However, despite archaea possessing simple circular genomes that are morphologically reminiscent of those seen in many bacteria, a recent study of archaea of the genus Sulfolobus has revealed that it organizes its genome into large-scale domains. These domains further interact to form defined A- and B-type compartments. The interplay of transcription and localization of a novel structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) superfamily protein, termed coalescin, defines compartment identity. In this Review, we discuss the mechanistic and evolutionary implications of these findings. Summary: A review of recent work on archaea of the genus Sulfolobus that has revealed intriguing parallels between genome organization in these prokaryotes and in metazoan organisms.
The word length effect in backward recall: the role of response modality

ABSTRACT In immediate serial recall, it is well known that participants are better at recalling short rather than long words. This benchmark memory effect, known as word length effect, has been observed numerous times in forward recall. However, in backward recall, when participants are required to recall items in the reverse order, contradictory findings have been reported. For instance, in some studies, the word length effect was abolished in backward recall, whereas in others it was maintained. In the present study, we investigated the role of response modality in accounting for this discrepancy. Our results showed that in forward recall, the word length effect is unaffected by response modality. In backward recall with a manual response (click or written), the word length effect is as large as in forward recall. Critically, when participants recalled a word orally, the word length effect was severely reduced in backward recall. We concluded that response modality interacts with the processes called upon in backward recall.
iTRAQ‐based proteomic analysis reveals potential serum biomarkers of allergic and nonallergic asthma

Asthma is heterogeneous disease with different phenotypes, endotypes and severities. Definition of these subgroups requires the identification of biomarkers in biological samples, and serum proteomics is a useful and minimally invasive method for this purpose. Therefore, the aim of this study was to detect serum proteins whose abundance is distinctively associated with different asthma phenotypes (allergic vs nonallergic) or severities.
Breaking Down the Compatibility Problem in Smart Homes: A Dynamically Updatable Gateway Platform

Smart home is one of the most promising applications of the Internet of Things. Although there have been studies about this technology in recent years, the adoption rate of smart homes is still low. One of the largest barriers is technological fragmentation within the smart home ecosystem. Currently, there are many protocols used in a connected home, increasing the confusion of consumers when choosing a product for their house. One possible solution for this fragmentation is to make a gateway to handle the diverse protocols as a central hub in the home. However, this solution brings about another issue for manufacturers: compatibility. Because of the various smart devices on the market, supporting all possible devices in one gateway is also an enormous challenge. In this paper, we propose a software architecture for a gateway in a smart home system to solve the compatibility problem. By creating a mechanism to dynamically download and update a device profile from a server, the gateway can easily handle new devices. Moreover, the proposed gateway also supports unified control over heterogeneous networks. We implemented a prototype to prove the feasibility of the proposed gateway architecture and evaluated its performance from the viewpoint of message execution time over heterogeneous networks, as well as the latency for device profile downloads and updates, and the overhead needed for handling unknown commands.
Acetolactate Synthase Target-Site Mutations and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Genotyping in ALS-Resistant Kochia (Kochia scoparia)

Abstract The molecular basis for acetolactate synthase (ALS)–inhibitor resistance was determined for 6 susceptible (HS) and 24 resistant (HR) kochia populations from western Canada. The latter included 3 HR populations from Alberta (AB), 3 from Manitoba (MB), and 18 from Saskatchewan (SK). HR plants survived application of the ALS-inhibitor herbicide thifensulfuron–tribenuron mixture in the greenhouse. Most of the HR populations were heterogeneous and contained both HR and HS individuals. The molecular basis for resistance was determined in 273 HR individuals by sequencing the ALS gene (2,270 base pair [bp]) or by conducting a TaqMan genotyping assay developed in this study using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) 1709, where a G to T substitution resulted in a Leu for Trp substitution at amino acid position 574 (Trp574Leu mutation). A total of 16 SNPs were identified in the ALS gene sequences (0.7% polymorphism), 5 of which resulted in amino acid changes that confer resistance to ALS-inhibiting herbicides. The SNPs correspond to three target-site mutations: Pro197 (SNPs 565 and 566), Asp376 (SNP 1116), and Trp574 (SNPs 1708 and 1709). The Trp574Leu mutation was predominant (189 HR plants). The next most common mutation was the highly variable residue Pro197 (44 HR plants) with substitution by one of nine amino acids. The least-frequent were Asp376Glu (9 plants) and Trp574Arg (3 plants) substitutions. The presence of two ALS target-site mutations was found in 30 individual kochia plants, the first report from field-selected weed populations. These include combinations Pro197 + Trp574 (23 plants) and Pro197 + Asp376 (7 plants). The detection of Pro197, Asp376, and Trp574 mutations, as well as both combinations, from geographically separate regions suggests multiple origins of these mutations. Nomenclature: Thifensulfuron; tribenuron; kochia, Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad. KCHSC, synonym: Bassia scoparia (L.) A.J. Scott
The Use of Donor-Derived Cell-Free DNA for Assessment of Allograft Rejection and Injury Status

Patient monitoring after kidney transplantation (KT) for early detection of allograft rejection remains key in preventing allograft loss. Serum creatinine has poor predictive value to detect ongoing active rejection as its increase is not sensitive, nor specific for acute renal allograft rejection. Diagnosis of acute rejection requires allograft biopsy and histological assessment, which can be logistically challenging in some cases and carries inherent risk for complications related to procedure. Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA), DNA of donor origin in the blood of KT recipient arising from cells undergoing injury and death, has been examined as a potential surrogate marker for allograft rejection. A rise in dd-cfDNA levels precedes changes in serum creatinine allows early detections and use as a screening tool for allograft rejection. In addition, when used in conjunction with donor-specific antibodies (DSA), it increases the pre-biopsy probability of antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) aiding the decision-making process. Advancements in noninvasive biomarker assays such as dd-cfDNA may offer the opportunity to improve and expand the spectrum of available diagnostic tools to monitor and detect risk for rejection and positively impact outcomes for KT recipients. In this this article, we discussed the evolution of dd-cfDNA assays and recent evidence of assessment of allograft rejection and injury status of KT by the use of dd-cfDNA.
Influence of different dietary oil sources on performance and fatty acid profile of egg yolk in laying hens

Laying hens were fed diets containing sunflower, fish, linseed and rapeseed oil with 2 levels of inclusion (1.5 and 3.0%) for 12 weeks. Egg production, egg weight, feed intake, feed conversion and liveweight were not significantly affected by the treatments. Hens receiving sunflower oil produced less intensively coloured egg yolks than those received other oils in their diet (P<0.01). The fatty acid composition of the egg yolk was significantly (P<0.01) affected by the treatment, while cholesterol content was not influenced. There was a significant (P<0.05) interaction between fat source and the level of inclusion in the diet, linolenic acid content increased when hens were fed diet with 3% of linseed and rapeseed oil. Dietary fish oil significantly (P<0.01) increased the deposition of docosohexaenoic acid in the egg yolk. Sensory panelists scored as unacceptable those eggs from hens provided feed with 3% fish oil.
Arching effect on fish body shape in geometric morphometric studies

Upward and downward arching of the body was observed during a study on redfishes Sebastes sp. population structure in the north-west Atlantic Ocean. The present study investigated the potential causes of this arching artefact. The results suggested that it is not related to biological factors (size or species) or to the preservation technique (freezing), but is rather due to slight posture differences between fishes during landmark capture. The consequences of the arching artefact on data analysis are discussed. An approach coupling a PCA-based model of the arching with Burnaby’s orthogonal projection is proposed for removing the artefact from the data.
GC-MS Analysis and Antifungal Activity of Essential oils of Angelica glauca, Plectranthus rugosus, and Valeriana wallichii

Abstract Fresh plant material of Angelica glauca, Plectranthus rugosus and Valeriana wallichii, growing wild in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, collected from different locations at different days were subjected to Clevenger-type hydro distillation apparatus. The essential oils were analyzed by GC-MS. A. glauca yielded about 0.12 % pale coloured oil. Twenty four compounds were identified from A. glauca which yields about 75 % of the essential oil. The major constituents of A. glauca essential oil were α-phellandrene (13 %), β-pinene (11 %), β-caryophyllene (7.0 %). P. rugosus yields 0.17 % oil. Twenty three compounds were identified from p. rugosus which yields about 83 % of the essential oil. Major constituents were spatulenol (21 %), germacene D (20 %) and β-caryophyllene (10.6 %). Twenty four components were identified from V. wallichii constituting about 83.2 % oil. 3-Methylvaleric acid (25.7 %), maaliol (35.2 %) and β-eurjunene (7.2 %) were the major constituents of the essential oil V. wallichii. The essential oil of the title plants showed in vitro antifungal activity against Microsporum canis and Fusarum solani.
Small dense low-density lipoprotein-lowering agents

Abstract Metabolic disorders, including obesity, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, as well as cardiovascular diseases (CVD), particularly atherosclerosis, are still leading causes of death worldwide. Plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) are currently being considered as a critical risk factor for the diseases mentioned above, especially atherosclerosis. Because of the heterogeneous nature of LDL, many studies have already been conducted on its subclasses, especially small dense LDL (sdLDL). According to available evidence, sdLDL levels can be considered as an ideal alternative to LDL levels for monitoring CVD and early diagnosis of atherosclerosis. Recently, several researchers have focused on factors that are able to decrease sdLDL levels and improve health quality. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to describe the production process of sdLDL particles and review the effects of pharmaceutical and dietary agents as well as lifestyle on sdLDL plasma levels. In brief, their mechanisms of action are discussed. Apparently, cholesterol and LDL-lowering compounds are also effective in the reduction of sdLDL levels. In addition, improving lipid profile, especially the reduction of triglyceride levels, appropriate regimen, and lifestyle can decrease sdLDL levels. Therefore, all the aforementioned parameters should be taken into consideration simultaneously in sdLDL levels reducing strategies.
Automated Procurement of Training Data for Machine Learning Algorithm on Ship Detection Using AIS Information

Development of convolutional neural network (CNN) optimized for object detection, led to significant developments in ship detection. Although training data critically affect the performance of the CNN-based training model, previous studies focused mostly on enhancing the architecture of the training model. This study developed a sophisticated and automatic methodology to generate verified and robust training data by employing synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images and automatic identification system (AIS) data. The extraction of training data initiated from interpolating the discretely received AIS positions to the exact position of the ship at the time of image acquisition. The interpolation was conducted by applying a Kalman filter, followed by compensating the Doppler frequency shift. The bounding box for the ship was constructed tightly considering the installation of the AIS equipment and the exact size of the ship. From 18 Sentinel-1 SAR images using a completely automated procedure, 7489 training data were obtained, compared with a different set of training data from visual interpretation. The ship detection model trained using the automatic training data obtained 0.7713 of overall detection performance from 3 Sentinel-1 SAR images, which exceeded that of manual training data, evading the artificial structures of harbors and azimuth ambiguity ghost signals from detection.
Patterns of evolution and multidimensional systematics in graylings (Lepidoptera

The difficult and controversial attribution of Hipparchia (Parahipparchia) populations to species or subspecies rank led us to use a comparative, quantitative approach to clarify evolutionary and taxonomic relationships among taxa. Seventeen populations from the Mediterranean area belonging to nine presumptive species or subspecies were sampled, and multivariate analyses were employed to study three character sets: allozymes, morphometric profiles of male genitalia, and quantitative descriptors of wing pattern and shape. Comparative analyses of distance matrices, trees and ordination patterns enabled us to outline evolutionary relationships among taxa and to assess the relative value of each character set. Congruent relationships among taxa were obtained from allozymes and male genital morphometrics, suggesting that divergence in genital morphology is a fairly good marker of the overall genetic divergence. On the other hand, discordant results from wing pattern descriptors suggest these might be subjected to different evolutionary trajectories and rates because of their particular adaptive significance, and might not represent reliable tracers of phylogeny.
Blinded, Multicenter Evaluation of Drug-induced Changes in Contractility Using Human-induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Cardiomyocytes

Abstract Animal models are 78% accurate in determining whether drugs will alter contractility of the human heart. To evaluate the suitability of human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) for predictive safety pharmacology, we quantified changes in contractility, voltage, and/or Ca2+ handling in 2D monolayers or 3D engineered heart tissues (EHTs). Protocols were unified via a drug training set, allowing subsequent blinded multicenter evaluation of drugs with known positive, negative, or neutral inotropic effects. Accuracy ranged from 44% to 85% across the platform-cell configurations, indicating the need to refine test conditions. This was achieved by adopting approaches to reduce signal-to-noise ratio, reduce spontaneous beat rate to ≤ 1 Hz or enable chronic testing, improving accuracy to 85% for monolayers and 93% for EHTs. Contraction amplitude was a good predictor of negative inotropes across all the platform-cell configurations and of positive inotropes in the 3D EHTs. Although contraction- and relaxation-time provided confirmatory readouts forpositive inotropes in 3D EHTs, these parameters typically served as the primary source of predictivity in 2D. The reliance of these “secondary” parameters to inotropy in the 2D systems was not automatically intuitive and may be a quirk of hiPSC-CMs, hence require adaptations in interpreting the data from this model system. Of the platform-cell configurations, responses in EHTs aligned most closely to the free therapeutic plasma concentration. This study adds to the notion that hiPSC-CMs could add value to drug safety evaluation.
Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation of White Clover in a Mixed Sward is not Limited by Height of Repeated Cutting

The aim of this study was to investigate whether symbiotic nitrogen fixation in white clover nodules limits nitrogen supply and hence clover growth by repeated defoliation at two cutting heights. Other possible factors governing symbiotic nitrogen fixation in the field were also elucidated. Using 15N, a 2-year field experiment including white clover (Trifolium repens L. cv. Ladino) and perennial ryegrass (Loliumperenne L. cv. Bastion) in monocultures and in mixtures was conducted in Eschikon, Switzerland. The effect of two cutting heights (4 cm and 10 cm above ground level) on the performance of symbiotic nitrogen fixation of white clover in the different sward-types was investigated. After each harvest, the plots were fertilized with 3 g N m-2(equivalent to 30 kg N ha-1 cut-1 or 210 kg N ha-1 year-1). In both years, white clover grown in a mixture with grass received a significantly higher percentage of nitrogen from symbiotic fixation compared with clover grown in monoculture. This phenomenon is attributed to the strong competitiveness of ryegrass in soil nitrogen uptake. Consequently, white clover in the clover-ryegrass mixture was more dependent on symbiotic nitrogen fixation than that grown in monoculture. The cutting height did not preferentially influence symbiotic nitrogen fixation, as opposed to the uptake of mineral nitrogen from the soil. From this finding it is suggested that symbiotic nitrogen fixation did not limit the supply of nitrogen to clover and hence its growth. It is proposed that symbiotic nitrogen fixation in white clover is regulated by the demand for nitrogen rather than by the availability of carbohydrate reserves in the stolons. Symbiotic nitrogen fixation should thus be looked upon as an integrated plant growth factor and not as an isolated phenomenon.
Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Inflammation, Colonic Cell Kinetics, and Microbiota in Colitis: A Review

Vitamin D is widely known to regulate bone health, but there is increasing evidence that it may also ameliorate colitis through inflammation, cell proliferation and apoptosis, and the microbiota. The purpose of this review is to systematically examine the mechanisms by which vitamin D reduces colitis. PubMed and Web of Science were searched for articles published between 2008 and 2019 using key words such as “vitamin D,” “colitis,” “inflammatory bowel disease,” “inflammation,” “apoptosis,” “cell proliferation,” and “gut bacteria”. Retrieved articles were further narrowed and it was determined whether their title and abstracts contained terminology pertaining to vitamin D in relation to colitis in human clinical trials, animal studies, and cell culture/biopsy studies, as well as selecting the best match sorting option in relation to the research question. In total, 30 studies met the established criteria. Studies consistently reported results showing that vitamin D supplementation can downregulate inflammatory pathways of COX-2, TNF-α, NF-κB, and MAPK, modify cell kinetics, and alter gut microbiome, all of which contribute to an improved state of colitis. Although vitamin D and vitamin D analogs have demonstrated positive effects against colitis, more randomized, controlled human clinical trials are needed to determine the value of vitamin D as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of colitis.
Optimization and Pretreatment for Hot Water Extraction of Korean Deer (Cervus canadensis Erxleben) Velvet Antlers

Velvet antler (VA) is a historically traditional medicinal supplement and is well known in Asian countries for its pharmaceutical and health benefits. The objectives for this study were to optimize the hot water extraction (HWE) of VA for the Korean VA industry, and to determine the most effective pretreatment method among microwave (MW), ultrasonication (US), and enzymatic (EZ) techniques. Using response surface methodology, optimum extraction temperatures and times were determined by central composite design configuration based on extraction yield and sialic acid content. Various quality parameters of VA extract including yield, soluble solid, protein, and sialic acid contents were also compared with the conjunction of HWE and pretreatment. The yield and sialic acid content of VA extract were determined to be 40% and 0.73 mg/g, respectively, under an optimum temperature of 100°C at 24 h of extraction time. The yields from VA extracts pretreated with MW, US, and EZ were 17.42%, 19.73%, and 29.15%, respectively. Among the tested commercial enzymes, pepsin was the most effective proteolytic enzyme and led to the highest yield (47.65%), soluble solids (4.03 ˚brix), protein (1.12 mg/ml), and sialic acid (3.04 mg/ml) contents from VA extract.