Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification and validation of an over-dominant QTL controlling soybean seed weight using populations derived from Glycine max × Glycine soja.

Heterosis, or hybrid vigour, has been used to improve seed yield in several important crops for decades and it has potential applications in soybean. The discovery of over-dominant quantitative trait loci (QTL) underlying yield-related traits, such as seed weight, will facilitate hybrid soybean breeding via marker-assisted selection. In this study, F2 and F2 : 3 populations derived from the crosses of ‘Jidou 12’ (Glycine max) × ‘ZYD2738’ (Glycine soja) and ‘Jidou 9’ (G. max) × ‘ZYD2738’ were used to identify over-dominant QTL associated with seed weight. A total of seven QTL were identified. Among them, qSWT_13_1, mapped on chromosome 13 and linked with Satt114, showed an over-dominant effect in two populations for two successive generations. This over-dominant effect was further examined by six subpopulations derived from ‘Jidou12’ × ‘ZYD2738’. The seed weight for heterozygous individuals was 1.1- to 1.6-fold higher than that of homozygous individuals among the six validation populations examined in different locations and years. Therefore, qSWT_13_1 may be a useful locus to improve the yield of hybrid soybean and to understand the molecular mechanism of heterosis in soybean.
Public Blockchain - a Systematic literature Review on the Sustainability of consensus Algorithms

Blockchain has the potential to change business transactions to a major extent. Thereby, underlying consensus algorithms are the core mechanism to achieve consistency in distributed infrastructures. Their application aims for transparency and accountability in societal transactions. As a result of missing reviews holistically covering consensus algorithms, we aim to (1) identify prevalent consensus algorithms for public blockchains, and (2) address the resource perspective with a sustainability consideration, whereby we address the three spheres of sustainability. Our systematic literature review identified 33 different consensus algorithms for public blockchains. Our contribution is twofold: first, we provide a systematic summary of consensus algorithms for public blockchains derived from the scientific literature as well as real-world applications and systematize them according to their research focus; second, we assess the sustainability of consensus algorithms using a representative sample and thereby highlight the gaps in literature to address the holistic sustainability of consensus algorithms.
The psychometric properties of the Italian translation of the Astley-Francis Scale of Attitude toward Theistic Faith: a study across the age range 13- to 80-years

ABSTRACT The Italian translation of the Astley-Francis Scale of Attitude toward Theistic Faith was tested among a sample of 934 Italian-speaking participants (517 females and 417 males) between the ages of 13–80 years (mean age 30.1 years, SD = 16.0). The data supported the unidimensionality, internal consistency reliability and construct validity of the instrument and commended it for further use in contributing to comparative empirical research within the empirical psychology of religion.
Comparison of Oxidant and Antioxidant Parameters in Patients with Sjögren’s Syndrome and Healthy Subjects

Abstract Objective Oxidative stress may have an effect on the pathogenesis of diseases, including autoimmune rheumatic diseases. We aimed to investigate the serum paraoxonase activity and other oxidant/antioxidant parameters in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) and healthy controls. Methods 85 patients with SS and 65 healthy subjects were included in the study. Groups were age and gender-matched and had no liver disease. Serum paraoxonase (PON)-1 activity, stimulated paraoxonase (SPON), PON-1 phenotypes that represent polymorphism (Q192R; QQ, QR, RR), arylesterase (ARE), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), oxidative stress index (OSI), advanced oxidative protein products (AOPP), total thioles (TTL) and ischaemia-modified albumin (IMA) were measured in all study participants. Results Statistically significant differences were found in the QQ and QR+RR phenotype of PON-1 for TAC, TOS and TTL (p<0.001) between SS and healthy groups. The other parameters were statistically insignificant. Conclusion Antioxidant parameters were lower in SS patients compared with healthy controls. Conversely, oxidant parameters were higher. This imbalance may play a role in SS pathogenesis. Zusammenfassung Ziel Oxidativer Stress kann die Pathogenese von Krankheiten, einschließlich rheumatischer Autoimmunerkrankungen, beeinflussen. Wir wollten die Paraoxonase-Aktivität im Serum und andere oxidative / antioxidative Parameter bei Patienten mit Sjögren-Syndrom (SS) und gesunden Kontrollpersonen untersuchen. Methode 85 Patienten mit SS und 65 gesunde Probanden wurden in die Studie eingeschlossen. Die Gruppen waren alters- und geschlechtsgleich und hatten keine Lebererkrankungen. Bei allen Studienteilnehmern wurden Serum-Paraoxonase (PON) 1-Aktivität, stimulierte Paraoxonase (SPON), PON 1-Phänotypen, die Polymorphismus darstellen (Q192R; QQ, QR, RR), Arylesterase (ARE), Gesamtoxidationsstatus (TOS), Gesamtantioxidationskapazität (TAC), oxidativer Stress-Index (OSI), fortgeschrittene oxidative Proteinprodukte (AOPP), Gesamtthiole (TTL) und Ischämie-modifiziertes Albumin (IMA) gemessen. Ergebnisse Es gab statistisch signifikante Unterschiede im QQ- und QR+RR-Phänotyp von PON-1 für TAC, TOS und TTL (p<0,001) zwischen SS- und gesunden Gruppen. Die anderen Parameter waren statistisch nicht signifikant. Schlussfolgerung Die Antioxidationsparameter waren bei SS-Patienten im Vergleich zu gesunden Kontrollen niedriger, und umgekehrt waren die Oxidationsparameter höher. Dieses Ungleichgewicht kann eine Rolle bei der SS-Pathogenese spielen.
The responses of prophenoloxidase and MAPK/Nrf2 pathway to cadmium stress in red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii

ABSTRACT The immune response is a complex network composed of various molecules, cells and signaling pathways in crustacean. Cadmium-induced immunosuppression has been widely researched, but its underlying mechanism on crayfish proPO remains to be elucidated. In this study, the relationship between proPO activity in haemolymph and the activation of p38MAPK and Nrf2 in hepatopancreas was evaluated after red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii were subjected to sub-lethal Cd2+ concentrations (i.e. 1,5 and 10 mg/L) for 96 h. Results indicated that there was a significant decrease in haemolymph THC and proPO levels accompanied by the increasing contents of hepatopancreas ROS (P < 0.01) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. By IHC detection, the expression and activation of p38MAPK and Nrf2 were remarkably increased in Cd2+ treatment groups compared with the control group, and the level of both p-p38/p38 and Nrf2 was closely related to proPO activity (P < 0.01). Hepatopancreas might be implicated in systemic proPO activity via ROS-mediated MAPK/Nrf2 pathway.
Influence of Inorganic Fertilizer (NPK 15:15:15) and Cacao (Theobroma cacao L) Leaf Litter Application Rates on Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) Performance in the Tropics

Influence of inorganic fertilizer (NPK 15:15:15) and cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) leaf litter application rates on cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) performance in the tropics was studied for 24 months (January, 2017 – December, 2018) at Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) Ibeku Sub-Station, Umuahia, Nigeria. Three 3 x 3 factorial experiments, each in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates/blocks were used to study the responses of cowpea to three NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer rates 0 kg, 500 kg and 1000 kg ha-1 represented by (Factor F) F0, F1 and F2, respectively, and cocoa leaf litter rates 0 t, 10 t and 20 t ha-1 which were also represented by Lo, L1 and L2 (Factor L), respectively. The results obtained from the study show that the application of either 10 or 20 t ha-1 cocoa leaf litter alone or complementary application of either 10 or 20 t ha-1 cocoa leaf litter plus 500 or 1000 kg ha-1 NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer significantly increased the various cowpea growth and yield components than the fertilizer rates alone. The treatment without fertilizer and leaf litter, i.e. topsoil only (F0L0) gave significantly the least cowpea growth and yield components. The highest values were obtained with the application of 1000 kg ha-1 NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer with 20 t ha-1 cocoa leaf litter (F2L2). The cowpea crop performance in terms of growth, yield and yield components over the study periods, 2017 and 2018 were statistically similar. Therefore, the inclusion of leaf litter has greater potential for improving cowpea yield than when fertilizer was used alone. Leaves are potential sources of valuable nutrients providing a high quality of organic matter, which should be returned to the soil.
Effect of addition of sucrose and aspartame on the compression resistance of hydrocolloids gels

Summary The effect of adding sucrose (5–25% w/w) and aspartame (0.04–0.16% w/w) on the compression resistance of three hydrocolloid gelled systems: κ-carrageenan, gellan gum and κ-carrageenan/locust bean gum at three different concentrations (0.3, 0.75 and 1.2% w/w) was studied. Sucrose addition increased true rupture stress in the three-gelled systems, this effect being stronger in gellan gels. The deformability modulus increased with sucrose concentration in gellan gels, but not in the other systems. Rupture stress and deformability modulus increased with the addition of sucrose only in the harder gels (0.75 and 1.2% w/w). The effect of sucrose addition on the true rupture strain was significant but, in general, not important, mainly for lower gum concentrations. Aspartame addition did not affect the compression parameters.
Highly sensitive detection of Ralstonia solanacearum in latently infected potato tubers by post-enrichment enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay on nitrocellulose membrane

A post-enrichment enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) on nitrocellulose membrane (NCM-ELISA) is described for the detection of Ralstonia solanacearum in latently infected potato tubers. The polyclonal antiserum specificity was significantly improved by adsorption with cross-reacting bacteria. The detection efficiency after enrichment was compared with those of nucleic acid spot hybridization (NASH), double-antibody-sandwich immunoassay (DAS-ELISA) and plating on modified Kelman's medium. After 48 h of incubation of the tuber extracts with modified SMSA broth at 30°C, sensitivities of post-enrichment NCM-ELISA, DAS-ELISA and NASH were similar. As few as 10cells mL−1 were detected in either inoculated or naturally infected tuber extracts. Of 255 field samples, no cross-reactivity of NCM-ELISA was observed. Post-enrichment NCM-ELISA thus provides a reliable and sensitive low-cost method that is rapid and easy to use, making it suitable for assessing susceptibility of breeding lines to bacterial wilt, ecological studies and seed quality control in developing countries.
Stage of Taxon Cycle, Habitat Distribution, and Population Density in the Avifauna of the West Indies

The number of habitats occupied and relative abundance of birds on the West Indian islands of Jamaica, St. Lucia, and St. Kitts were compared for species in different stages of the taxon cycle. Each species was assigned to one of four taxon cycle categories: (I) expanding and undifferentiated, (II) widespread but differentiated, (III) with a fragmented distribution, and (IV) endemic. Nonpasserines exhibit no distinct trends in relation to stage of taxon cycle. Among passerines, species tend to have more restricted habitat distributions, which are shifted toward tall forest and montane habitats, and reduced population densities as they progress through the taxon cycle. These trends are well marked on Jamaica, with a fauna of 35 passerine species, but they are difficult to detect on St. Kitts, with 13 species, none of which are endemic. Patterns of ecological release and density compensation evident within the islands are due mostly to the absence of late-stage species with low abundance on small islands with few species. On Jamaica, several stage IV passerines exhibit uncharacteristically broad habitat breadths representing, perhaps, incipient cycles of expansion. Furthermore, stage IV species in genera endemic to the Caribbean had broader habitat occupancy than stage IV species belonging to wide-ranging genera. This suggests that with continued persistence in the islands, populations may become sufficiently differentiated that new colonists do not compete strongly with them. This study reinforces the general conclusion that the geographical and taxonomic patterns on which the taxon cycle is based are paralleled by changes in habitat breadth and abundance in individual islands. The mechanism that drives the cycle remains to be described.
Limitations to plant establishment on eroded slopes in southeastern Spain

The possible causes for the lack of vegetation in five badland sites from southeast Spain were experimentally tested. The main factors affecting seed germination and seedling survival considered were seed availability, regolith water dy- namics in relation to rain events, regolith salinity, seedling predation by herbivores and seedling removal by erosion. Four issues are addressed: 1. Both rainfall and the tempo- ral and spatial dynamics of regolith water during the seedling emergence period were monitored in five different zones at one site (Petrer, Alicante). 2. Effects of salinity and water potential on the rate and speed of germination of local seeds were determined. 3. Seed reserve and seedling emergence and mortality were followed throughout one season. 4. Regolith characteristics of all five sites were compared and the conse- quences for plant colonization discussed. The main factor limiting plant colonization in these sites was the very short duration of available water in the soil, due to the physical and chemical characteristics of the regolith. In addition, high regolith salinity and its effects on seed germina- tion, the aspect of the site and the pattern of rain events, played a very important role reducing germination and survival. Herbivory and erosion were seldom responsible for seedling mortality. However, there were no highly erosive rain events during the study period, although several have been measured during the past few years.
NORTH AMERICAN SPECIES OF CHRYSOMYXA

The adaptation of the genus Chrysomyxa to a short growing season is discussed. Keys are given to the aecial and to the uredinial or telial stages of species that occur in North America. Range extensions are given, particularly for northern Canada. C. Rhododendri, newly reported in North America, and C. Cassandrae are shown to be barely distinguishable from C. Ledi and are made varieties of it. C. Woronini is reported for the first time in North America.
Yield and Yield Components of Six Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) Cultivars II. Variability and Possible Sources of Variation

SUMMARY Variabilities in total yield, marketable yield and components of yield (tuber numbers and mean tuber weights) were studied in six sweet potato cultivars over two seasons, in crops harvested at two dates. Yield variability was high, particularly in marketable tubers, and was related to either or both components of yield. High-yielding cultivars had lower variabilities and the commercial cultivar 049 the lowest. The contribution of yield components to variability in total yield was evaluated and sources of yield variation were attributed to planting material, tuber development and season.
Present trans‐Pacific disjunct distribution of Aristolochia subgenus Isotrema (Aristolochiaceae) was shaped by dispersal, vicariance and extinction

Isotrema is a monophyletic subgenus of Aristolochia with species in East Asia and North/Central America. Earlier studies, based on limited sampling, suggested that the Asian and American species do not form two reciprocal sister clades. We reconstructed phylogenetic relationships within Isotrema to infer the biogeographical events that have shaped its present‐day distribution.
Inter-organizational collaboration challenges and preconditions in industrial engineering projects

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to achieve an understanding of the challenges and preconditions for inter-organizational collaborative project practices in industrial engineering projects. A framework for identifying the challenges and preconditions for inter-organizational collaboration is presented.Design/methodology/approachThe adopted research method is qualitative, and empirical data were collected from the industrial engineering project sector in Finland. The literature related to industrial engineering projects and inter-organizational collaborative project management practices is summarized, informing the qualitative design of the study.FindingsBy analyzing empirical data from industrial engineering projects, the challenges for inter-organizational collaboration are identified in each industrial engineering project stage. A framework of preconditions for inter-organizational collaboration is identified, in which investors are advised to pay attention when deciding on the use of collaborative project management methods.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study help practitioners deal effectively with mechanisms aimed at fostering and hindering inter-organizational collaborative practices. The identified preconditions for inter-organizational collaboration provide support for decision-making in every phase of an engineering project and can be used as guidelines throughout the process.Originality/valueInter-organizational collaborative project management practices have recently been attracting attention in the industrial engineering project setting. This research is an attempt to identify the underlying forces supporting and preventing inter-organizational collaboration in industrial engineering projects. This study offers a framework that can help academics and project management practitioners deal with the challenges affecting inter-organizational collaboration at each project stage and consider preconditions for inter-organizational collaboration in industrial engineering project settings.
The Cost Stickiness of Information Technology Material Weaknesses: An Intertemporal Comparison between IT-Related and Other Material Weaknesses

Abstract The PCAOB's audit firm inspections drive audit focus and costs. The PCAOB's 2010-initiated increased emphasis on internal control audit work intensified concern over internal control weaknesses (ICW). IT-related material weaknesses (ITMW) have emerged as particularly significant with PCAOB reports (2008, 2012) highlighting on-going deficiencies in IT controls auditing and the 2015 PCAOB brief noting an on-going focus on recurring audit deficiencies. We explore how ICW affect audit fees and how alternative types of ITMW lead to varying degrees of persistence in fee premiums. Using propensity score matched samples, we find fee premiums associated with ITMW linger longer than premiums for non-IT entity-level material weaknesses (ELMW) or firms reporting account-specific material weaknesses. Moreover, we find that audit fee premiums by type of ICW remediated is overall strongest for ITMW linked to data processing integrity. Our findings underscore the importance of distinguishing not only between non-IT ELMW and ITMW but also types of ITMW as identified in data quality research.
Encouraging Extensive Listening in Language Learning

This study aims to generate an analysis of how to encourage extensive listening in an English Preparatory Program with listening worksheets in an enjoyable way, to identify the learners’ responses, and to establish the feedback from students which could provide more productive activities. For many of the students listening in target language is a challenging task. Extensive listening aims to get the learners listen and enjoy it. To improve the listening fluency, extensive listening is one of the functional and practical ways thanks to easy and interesting materials. Extensive listening encourages the learners to get fluent in a qualified way. The main value in extensive listening is to allow the students’ self-selection and the decision of how to spend time effectively to improve their listening skill in the target language. 6 Turkish learners of English were the participants of this study; and they completed worksheets after each listening activity for 5 weeks in the spring term of 2018-2019 academic year in the prep school of a state school. The results of the analyses showed that all of the participants showed positive tendency towards listening and they developed their level of listening skill, along with some other skills in the target language.
SARS - CoV-2, Pandemic COVID 19: A Brief Review

As a novel coronavirus now known as SARS-COV-2 first reported in Wuhan china in late December 2019, the severe corona respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV) is responsible for an acute human respiratory syndrome and is linked to Wuhan wholesale sea food market. The virus spread rapidly involving who country and with span of three months WHO had to declare it as pandemic. Although its origins are not entirely understood, these genomic analyses suggest that SARS-CoV-2 probably evolved from a strain found in bats. SARS-COV-2 is zoonotic but human-to-human transmission is also possible. Surveillance and phylogenetic researches indicate SARS-CoV-2 to be closely associated with bats’ corona viruses, suggesting bats as reservoirs, although unconfirmed. With no vaccine currently available for SARS-COV-2 nor approved prophylactics, its global spread to over 150 countries with high virulence highlights its role as ongoing public health threat. An articulated action plan ought to be taken, preferably from a One Health perspective, for appropriately advanced counter measures against COVID 19.
Delayed Cooling or Suboptimal Storage Temperatures Reduce Butterhead Lettuce Shelf-Life

Crated or uncrated butterhead lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) var. Lores responds to environmental conditions during early postharvest, the first 24 h after harvest. The present work examines the effects of environmental conditions during early postharvest on quality indices in refrigerated storage. Additionally, effects on shelf-life were estimated using the modified Global Stability Index methodology. Quality indices at the start of storage were higher for heads exposed to optimal conditions immediately after harvest than for heads exposed to suboptimal ones. Despite these initial differences, changes in almost all quality indices were independent of storage condition. Similar responses were found for water content, bound and free water, ascorbic acid, total chlorophyll, and overall visual quality. Changes in relative water content and mesophilic bacteria counts during refrigerated storage were a function of environmental condition during the first 24 h after harvest. Maintenance of optimal environmental conditions during the first hours after harvest prolonged shelf-life to 12 days compared to heads exposed to suboptimal conditions during the early postharvest period. These results impact marketing of the produce and support the idea that proper handling during early postharvest diminishes quality loss and prolongs shelf-life, allowing butterhead lettuce to reach more distant markets.