Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Whole-Plant and Seed Bioassays for Resistance Confirmation

Much of agriculture-related research today involves weed resistance to herbicides. Resistance evolution is perhaps the strongest driver for the quest for new herbicide targets, novel weed intervention technologies, and the promotion of best management practices for sustainable crop production (Burgos et al., 2006; Norsworthy et al. 2012; Vencill et al. 2012). To date, 222 weedy species collectively have evolved resistance to 150 herbicides representing 21 sites of action (Heap 2014). For decades, scientists have developed numerous protocols for resistance confirmation using seeds, different plant parts, or whole plants. These have been reviewed by Beckie et al. (2000) and Burgos et al. (2013). We draw from these and other sources to present general guidelines for resistance confirmation that students and new researchers can use in planning their experiments. The most immediate questions that stakeholders seek to answer with resistance bioassays include: 1. Is the population resistant? 2. What is the level of resistance? 3. What alternative herbicides can be used?
AN ANNOTATED LIST OF INSECTS ASSOCIATED WITH CANADA THISTLE (CIRSIUM ARVENSE) IN CANADA

Abstract As part of the biological control of Canada thistle, Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. , in Canada, a survey of the insect fauna showed 80 identified or apparent phytophagous species representing 24 families and seven orders and 47 species of visitors, insect parasites, and predators representing 28 families and six orders. Thirty-eight per cent of the phytophagous insects attack economic plants. Three species, Altica carduorum, Ceutorhynchus litura, and Urophora cardui, are specific to C. arvense and were introduced as control agents.
Reproductive compensation of cotton after salt stress relief at different growth stages.

Differential salt sensitivity during growth stages and reproductive compensation of plants after salt stress relief are important factors for adopting appropriate irrigation strategies with saline waters. Consequently, recovery of cotton after exposure to different levels of salt stress was evaluated. An outdoor, sand culture experiment was conducted with cotton. Water salinities were 2, 10 and 20 dS m ―1 , and the growth phases were vegetative (G1), reproductive (G2) and boll development (G3). G1 and G3 were the least and the most salt tolerant phases, respectively. The significant yield reduction in all of the saline water treatments as compared to control was mainly due to the reduction in number of bolls per plants. In general, cotton plants were capable of producing seed cotton under salt stress, as well as, after salt stress relief. However, as the salt stress severity increased the ability of cotton to compensate yield loss decreased. Irrigation of cotton at G1 stage with either moderate (10 dS m ―1 ) or high (20 dS m ―1 ) salinity waters should be avoided. Moderate saline water could be applied either at G2 or G3 stage. High salinity water can be used for irrigation only at G3 stage to produce acceptable cotton seed yield.
Walkability 101: A Multi-Method Assessment of the Walkability at a University Campus

The aim of this study is to evaluate objective and perceived campus walkability as an environmental support for physical activity within a large Southeastern university. Ten university routes were evaluated twice for 24 key walkability characteristics. Eighty-three campus member surveys (62 students, 21 faculty/staff) were administered and assessed campus members’ familiarity with walkability, attitudes about walking as a form of physical activity, and perceptions of whether specific elements of the campus layout encouraged physical activity. At least 90% of routes had sidewalks, curb cuts, and crosswalks. Likewise, over 85% of participants perceived the campus layout to encourage physical activity. Faculty/staff members were more familiar with the term walkability and considered walking as a form of physical activity than students (p < .05). Both campus members’ perceptions and environmental audits identified strengths and weaknesses for diverse walkability attributes. Results will be used to improve campus infrastructure and promote increased walking and physical activity at the university.
Quantification of isoprene in coastal ecosystems by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry using cumulative headspace injections

Isoprene is a biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC), which is predominantly emitted by terrestrial plants but also from marine systems. However, the marine contribution to isoprene emissions is less understood due to the difficulty of measuring trace concentrations in seawater. Previous methods using “purge and trap” coupled with flame ionization detection and/or chemiluminescence have been developed, although these methods have limitations including large sample sizes, excessive manipulation, and potential interference from other BVOCs. These limitations could lead to overestimations or sample loss due to the high volatility and reactivity of isoprene. Here, we present an improved method for measuring isoprene in coastal marine ecosystems with elevated isoprene concentrations using cumulative headspace injection coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). Sampling technique, preservation, and analytical conditions were tested and optimized using an analytical cycle time of 13 min. The analytical precision was 2.6% (n = 7), limit of detection was 15 pM, limit of quantification was 285 pM, accuracy based on recovery was 79% ± 2.8%, and reproducibility yielded a coefficient of variation of 15%. This method provides an improved way to measure isoprene from seawater using a simple sampling technique and fast, automated analysis, reducing isoprene loss through sample manipulation, and human error. This method meets analytical requirements to accurately measure isoprene at pM concentrations, which are typical of tropical coastal marine habitats. This method can also be adapted to measure other BVOCs in seawater such as dimethyl sulfide, providing a versatile method for marine research.
Recombinant Oncorhyncin II Effect on the Treatment of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Skin Infection

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is known to be one of the most potentially pathogenic organisms in the world. Skin infections are one of the significant infections of S. aureus. Therefore, therapeutic constraints have challenged researchers to seek new strategies to produce new medicines. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a new generation of natural drugs with antimicrobial properties and high fatality potency. Oncorhyncin II AMP is a group of peptides with bacteriostatic activity and antimicrobial effect against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Therefore, the development and promotion of antimicrobial peptides can be a new step in the treatment of skin infections due to bacterial resistant S. aureus in hospitals. Objectives: The objective of this study was to produce recombinant Oncorhyncin II protein and evaluate its antimicrobial effects on MRSA to determine the outcomes of the treatment. Methods: In this experimental study, the Oncorhyncin II Antimicrobial peptide was synthesized by the recombinant method. The effectiveness of this peptide was assessed by the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test. The activity of recombinant protein against S. aureus was investigated using in vitro and in vivo experiments. Results: The effectiveness of this peptide obtained by the MIC test was 225 μg/mL. The activity test confirmed the MIC test and showed that this antimicrobial peptide has been able to reduce MRSA cell growth. All mice infected with MRSA responded positively to the protein treatment. Conclusions: According to Oncorhyncin II antimicrobial peptide activity studies, this peptide, as a new generation of antibiotics, was expected to have positive outcomes in the improvement of S. aureus skin infections. Therefore, the results of the efficacy require further studies to be confirmed.
Expression of a novel immune checkpoint B7-H6 ligand in human small cell lung cancer

Background B7-H6 is a novel co-stimulatory ligand that is detected in most malignancies. However, the significance of B7-H6 in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) remains unknown. Methods B7-H6 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 103 collected SCLC samples, and its association with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis was analyzed. The 2-year survival rates were also investigated. Results B7-H6-positive staining was detected in 58 (56.31%) SCLC cases, and found to be localized mainly in the intracellular space of SCLC. Weak staining in lung tissues was observed in 4 (8%) cases. B7-H6 positive staining was significantly related to tumor-node-metastasis stage (P=0.028), age (P=0.001), and distant metastasis (P=0.033), whereas there was no association with smoking status, sex, mass size, limited-stage SCLC/extensive-stage SCLC, Karnofsky performance status, or nodal metastasis status. The 2-year survival rates showed that there were more patients whose survival was shorter than 2 years in the B7-H6-positive group compared with the B7-H6-negative group (P=0.042). Conclusions Our findings suggest that B7-H6 is involved in early-stage SCLC and could serve as an early marker to predict human SCLC progression and distant metastasis. B7-H6 may be a valuable therapeutic target with potential clinical applications in the future.
Clinical presentation and diagnosis of delayed postoperative spinal implant infection.

One of the most significant complications of spinal surgery remains postoperative spinal implant infection (PSII), which leads to increased patient mortality and morbidity as well as poor long-term outcomes and high health-care costs (1). While in other orthopedic fields, such as arthroplasty, clear definitions, clinical diagnostic guidelines, and therapeutic algorithms have been established for periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs), these definitions, guidelines, and algorithms for spine surgery are still lacking even though with 0.7–20% the rate of postoperative infections is higher after spine surgery than after arthroplasty (2). Depending on microbial virulence, PSII can either manifest early, typically within four weeks of surgery, or delayed, after more than four weeks up to years after surgery. These two types of infection differ in their clinical presentations, microbiological characteristics, and therapeutic strategies, which is why differentiation is highly important. As the number of spine surgeries steadily increases, the number of PSII cases also rises. Currently, the diagnosis and treatment of PSII is mainly based on findings in arthroplasty. A clear definition as well as diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms are still missing for PSII. However, an understanding of its pathogenesis, risk factors, and treatment is essential to prevent or detect and successfully treat PSII. Here, we present published patient-related and surgical risk factors that need to be taken into account preoperatively, as well as clinical, laboratory, imaging and intraoperative examinations that need to be part of every perioperative workup for cases of suspected delayed infection to diagnose infection as early as possible and to initiate specific treatment.
Composition and Molluscicidal Properties of Essential Oils of Five Moroccan Pinaceae

Essential oils from Pinus halepensis, P. brutia, P. pinaster, P. pinea and Cedrus atlantica were chemically analyzed by gas chromatographic and gas chromatographic mass-spectra, and tested for molluscicidal activity against Bulinus truncatus. The oil from C. atlantica was found the most active (LC 50 = 0.47 ppm). Among their main constituents, a-pinene, ß-pinene and myrcene exhibited potent molluscicidal activity (LC 50 = 0.49; 0.54 and 0.56 ppm, respectively). These findings have important application of natural products in combating schistosomiasis.
Biology of Microplitis mediator Haliday (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) parasitizing the wheat armyworm Mythimna (Pseudaletia) sequax Franclemont (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The larval endoparasitoid Microplitis mediator Haliday is described for the first time in the Neotropical Region, parasitizing the wheat armyworm Mythimna (Pseudaletia) sequax Franclemont. Females successfully parasitized the four first instars of the host, with a significant preference for the second and third, in relation to either the first or fourth instars. No parasitoids emerged from caterpillars parasitized in the fifth and sixth instars. Development of M. mediator was determined at four constant temperatures between 15°C and 30°C. The duration of the egg-larval stages varied from 32.3 days at 15°C to 8.0 days at 30°C. The pupal stage lasted 24.3 and 5.1 days at 15°C and 30°C, respectively. Development of the parasitoid from oviposition to adult emergence required the total of 251.3 degree-days (DD) above the threshold of 10.3oC. At 20°C, longevity of females was significantly shorter when kept in oviposition activity (16.8 ± 1.81 days) in comparison to females kept without hosts (29.7 ± 1.83 days). Parasitoid females remained reproductively active until one day before death, and parasitized an average of 60.6 ± 8.40 second instar hosts during their adult life, with an average of 3.9 parasitized caterpillars/day.
Recent accretion in mangrove ecosystems based on137Cs and210Pb

Accretion rates were measured in fringe and basin mangrove forests in river and tidally dominated sites in Terminos Lagoon, Mexico, and a basin mangrove forest in Rookery Bay, Florida, USA. Accretion rates were determined using the radionuclides210Pb and137Cs. Consolidation-corrected accretion rates for the Rookery Bay cores, ranged from 1.4 to 1.7 mm yr−1, with an average rate of 1.6 mm yr−1. Rates at the Mexico sites ranged from 1.0 to 4.4 mm yr−1, with an average of 2.4 mm yr−1. Determination of rates in these mangrove forests was greatly affected by the consolidation corrections which decreased the apparent accretion rate by over 50% in one case. Accretion rates at basin sites compare favorably with a reported 1.4 to 1.6 mm yr−1 rate of sea-level rise, indicating little or no subsidence at inland locations. Accretion rates in fringe sites are generally greater than basin sites, indicating greater subsidence rates in these sediments over longer time intervals.
Psychological Distress Among Healthcare Professionals Involved in the Covid-19 Emergency: Vulnerability and Resilience Factors

The aim of this paper is to outline some considerations about the psychological distress in healthcare professional during the COVID-19 pandemic. We summarize available literature both on ‘protective’ and ‘predisposing’ factors potentially involved in the occurrence of psychological distress, including PTSD, in frontline healthcare operators. Valid social support, self-efficacy, internal locus of control (LOC) and sense of coherence (SOC) have been considered as resilience factors, in previous studies. Likewise, several observations pointed on the relevance of individual and environmental vulnerabilities. No real evidence is available about strategies to face the emotional burden for healthcare operators due to present COVID-19 scenario. However, we strongly believe that the containment of isolation anxiety with an appropriate emotional support should be the first instrument to minimise the psychological effect of pandemic on the more exposed healthcare professionals.
Storm event sediment fingerprinting for temporal and spatial sediment source tracing

Sediment fingerprinting has been widely used to distinguish discrete sediment sources; however, application to intra‐storm sediment source variability has received relatively little focus despite the benefit being long recognized. In this investigation, sediment fingerprinting was applied to a 53‐hr storm event sampled hourly to determine sediment source dynamics throughout the event. Sediment sources were differentiated using 16 variables, and source contribution determined using Bayesian and Frequentist mixing models for comparison. Both models provided comparable source predictions for the dominant source estimates and the general temporal pattern. The Frequentist model appeared to exhibit some unreliable values coinciding with low GOF and attributed to inherent model structure. The Bayesian model showed higher uncertainty, likely due to the “process error” utilized associated with single sample mixtures. High variability in sediment source contribution was observed between hourly time steps; however, local smoothing reveals temporal trends during the event. A higher average proportion of mudstone is found in the falling limb (0.544) compared with the rising limb (0.464), and the reverse is observed for mountain range (0.218 vs. 0.283) and unconsolidated (0.073 vs. 0.055). In the initial hours of the storm, mudstone source contribution significantly drops, whereas mountain range and unconsolidated contributions peak. The SSC‐Q clockwise hysteresis indicates proximal sediment sources, suggesting the mudstone sediment is stored channel sediment and easily entrained. This sediment flushes through, coinciding with a drop as the distal mountain range and unconsolidated sources arrive to peak contribution. The wider Manawatū discharge and sediment load then arrive, delivering increasing levels of mudstone throughout the remainder of the event while mountain range sediment diminishes. Spatial representation of the sediment source contribution was derived from distributing sediment source loads to the spatial extent of the source material according to sub‐catchment sediment loads and was weighted according to slope. This provided an effective means to visualize the origin of the sediment and a better spatial interpretation of sediment fingerprinting results, which is typically limited by poor spatial resolution.
The effect of factors on degree of disclosing accounting information: Evidence from food industry

Today, the stock market has increasingly proven its important role and become a focus of many participants with different purposes and positions. In the stock market, the information is like a blood vessel and energy source which feed the market especially financial information. The securities market of a country that wants to be active and attracts many investors, the transparency of information is considered as an important factor. This paper studies the extent of factors influencing the disclosure in the financial statement of listed food industry companies on the Vietnam’s stock market. Based on the information of 60 companies that belong to food industry listed on the Vietnam’s stock market, the disclosure indexes and regression model are employed to measure the disclosure by SPSS 22.0. The results demonstrate that, the extent of disclosure is significantly influenced by efficient use of assets, liquidity, independent audit, size, the percentage of board members not participating in management and the number of board members.
Influences of SNS (Social Network Service) Uses and Musical Consumption on City Branding: A Focus on Broadway, New York and the West End, London

This study explored the role the musical industry plays in creating city brand images. The results showed that younger consumers were found to have more favorable visit intentions in New York and London due to their image as musical cities. Instagram users wanted to visit New York, but Twitter users had negative visit intentions in New York. Sensation-seeking orientation toward musicals influenced visit intention in New York. Broadway familiarity was linked to visit intention. In London, only sensation-seeking orientation influenced visit intention. Uses of SNS did not influence London visit intention and West End familiarity was not related to London visit intention. These results could provide academic and managerial implications for city branding.
Benzocaine as an anesthetic for striped bass

Abstract Benzocaine was tested as an anesthetic on juvenile and mature adult striped bass (Morone saxatilis). Concentrations of 55 mg/L at 22°C to 80 mg/L at 11°C effectively anesthetized fish in about 3 min. Recovery was more rapid as temperature increased. Fish survived concentrations of twice the effective concentration and exposure times up to 60 min at the effective concentration. Striped bass required higher concentrations for anesthetization than had been previously demonstrated for salmonid fishes, but safety margins for both concentration and exposure time were wider than for the salmonids.
Shortening the Period from Crossing to the Seedling Stage through Ovule Culture of Interspecific Crosses of Azalea (Rhododendron spp.)

To establish a technique of obtaining azalea (Rhododendron spp.) seedlings precociously, ovules (immature seeds) from a diallel cross among 5 species and 1 variety were cultured in vitro. Adding 50 mg·liter-1 GA3 to the medium accelerated ovule germination, so that in the fastest case, 3 months after crossing (3 MAC) ovules from 20 crosses germinated, but the germination rates were low and less than 30%. When ovules 4 MAC were cultured, seedlings were obtained from all crosses ; more than 50% of seedlings from crosses with R. kiusianum and R. kaempferi as seed parents were obtained within 1 and 2 months after culturing. These results indicate that by exposing ovules of 4 MAC to 50mg·liter-1 GA3, one can obtain hybrid seedlings precociously ; the period from crossing to the seedling stage was 1.5 to 2.5 months shorter than with 6 MAC cultured seeds.
Dissipativity and stability for semilinear anomalous diffusion equations involving delays

We analyze the dissipativity and stability of solutions to a class of semilinear anomalous diffusion equations involving delays. The existence of absorbing set, the stability, and weak stability will be shown under suitable assumptions on the nonlinearity. Our analysis is based on new Halanay‐type inequality, local estimates, and fixed‐point arguments.
Identification of post-stroke EEG signal using wavelet and convolutional neural networks

Post-stroke patients need ongoing rehabilitation to restore dysfunction caused by an attack so that a monitoring device is required. EEG signals reflect electrical activity in the brain, which also informs the condition of post-stroke patient recovery. However, the EEG signal processing model needs to provide information on the post-stroke state. The development of deep learning allows it to be applied to the identification of post-stroke patients. This study proposed a method for identifying post-stroke patients using convolutional neural networks (CNN). Wavelet is used for EEG signal information extraction as a feature of machine learning, which reflects the condition of post-stroke patients. This feature is Delta, Alpha, Beta, Theta, and Mu waves. Moreover, the five waves, amplitude features are also added according to the characteristics of the post-stroke EEG signal. The results showed that the feature configuration is essential as distinguish. The accuracy of the testing data was 90% with amplitude and Beta features compared to 70% without amplitude or Beta. The experimental results also showed that adaptive moment estimation (Adam) optimization model was more stable compared to Stochastic gradient descent (SGD). But SGD can provide higher accuracy than the Adam model.