Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IMPROVEMENT OF DIRECT REGENERATION OF MEXICAN SOYBEAN FROM COTYLEDONARY NODES

Plant tissue culture provides an alternative approach to improve the quality of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) cultivars. This study was undertaken to analyze the susceptibility of Mexican soybean for direct shoot regeneration and to determine the critical factors that affect in vitro performance. Our hypothesis was that Mexican soybean is suitable for in vitro regeneration using a cotyledonary node as explant. The effects of the seed disinfection procedure, soaking pretreatment before germination, soybean variety, as well as the culture medium composition of the shoot induction medium, were evaluated by two split-plot statistical designs. According to the statistical analysis, the seed disinfection procedure, the soaking pretreatment before germination, and the soybean genotype were the factors that brought about a significant effect (p£0.01), while the hormones composition of the shoot induction medium did not have a significant effect. The best response for multiple shoot formation was observed using a chlorine gas seed disinfection method, 3% hydrogen peroxide soaking pretreatment, and Huasteca-100, Nainari and Suaqui soybean genotypes. A robust protocol was developed, and under these selected conditions, it is possible to obtain more than 10 shoots per explant. Well-developed plantlets were obtained after 60 d of in vitro culture.
Non-visual access to graphical information on COVID-19

A critical component of the worldwide response to the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic has been providing the general public with information about the virus and the health measures designed to slow its spread. Much of this information has been presented as visual graphics. Have people who are blind or have low vision (BLV) been able to gain access to this information through nonvisual media and, if so, how? We investigate this issue using Australia as a case study.
Mutational meltdown of microbial altruists in Streptomyces coelicolor colonies

In colonies of the filamentous multicellular bacterium Streptomyces coelicolor, a sub-population of cells arise that hyper-produce metabolically costly antibiotics, resulting in division of labor that maximizes colony fitness. Because these cells contain large genomic deletions that cause massive reductions to individual fitness, their behavior is altruistic, much like worker castes in social insects or somatic cells in multicellular organisms. To understand the reproductive and genomic fate of these mutant cells after their emergence, we use experimental evolution by serially transferring populations via spore-to-spore transfer for 25 cycles, reflective of the natural mode of bottlenecked transmission for these spore-forming bacteria. We show that, in contrast to wild-type cells, altruistic mutant cells continue to significantly decline in fitness during transfer while they delete larger and larger fragments from their chromosome ends. In addition, altruistic mutants acquire a roughly 10-fold increase in their base-substitution rates possibly due to mutations in genes for DNA replication and repair. Ecological damage, caused by reduced sporulation, coupled with irreversible DNA damage due to point mutations and deletions, leads to an inevitable and irreversible type of mutational meltdown in these cells. Taken together, these results suggest that the altruistic cells arising in this division of labor are analogous to reproductively sterile castes of social insects.
Single-trial dynamics of hippocampal spatial representations are modulated by reward value

Reward value is known to modulate learning speed in spatial memory tasks, but little is known about its influence on the dynamical changes in hippocampal spatial representations. Here, we monitored the trial-to-trial changes in hippocampal place cell activity during the acquisition of place-reward associations with varying reward size. We show a faster reorganization and stabilization of the hippocampal place map when a goal location is associated with a large reward. The reorganization is driven by both rate changes and the appearance and disappearance of place fields. The occurrence of hippocampal replay activity largely followed the dynamics of changes in spatial representations. Replay patterns became more selectively tuned towards behaviorally relevant experiences over the course of learning. These results suggests that high reward value enhances memory retention via accelerating the formation and stabilization of the hippocampal cognitive map and enhancing its reactivation during learning.
A review of artificial neural network learning rule based on multiple variant of conjugate gradient approaches

The evolution of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) begins in1940s when McCulloch and Pitts published research articles in 1943 discussing about the idea of neural network in general. Basically, the concept of ANN has been inspired by biological human brain model. Then, this concept is transformed into a mathematical formulation and lastly become a machine learning used to solve many problems in this world. Mathematic formulations, design concept, algorithm and computer program can be constructed from ANN. Artificial neural network had undergone many changes on its algorithm and its execution. Otherwise, areas of applications are numerous involving different techniques and approaches of algorithms. ANN algorithm use optimization techniques as a way to find the best outcome based on the problem to be solved. Conjugate Gradient (CG) is one of the popular optimization practices used in ANN to improve learning algorithm nowadays. Therefore, this paper is intended to find out the function and role of modified conjugate gradient method in neural networks and potential related approaches along the age of its advancement. This paper also projected to give an overview approach of ANN with CG method especially on modified CG and overalls performances of those selected models.
A Wnt5a-Cdc42 axis controls aging and rejuvenation of hair-follicle stem cells

Normal hair growth occurs in cycles, comprising growth (anagen), cessation (catagen) and rest (telogen). Upon aging, the initiation of anagen is significantly delayed, which results in impaired hair regeneration. Hair regeneration is driven by hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs). We show here that aged HFSCs present with a decrease in canonical Wnt signaling and a shift towards non-canonical Wnt5a driven signaling which antagonizes canonical Wnt signaling. Elevated expression of Wnt5a in HFSCs upon aging results in elevated activity of the small RhoGTPase Cdc42 as well as a change in the spatial distribution of Cdc42 within HFSCs. Treatment of aged HFSC with a specific pharmacological inhibitor of Cdc42 activity termed CASIN to suppress the aging-associated elevated activity of Cdc42 restored canonical Wnt signaling in aged HFSCs. Treatment of aged mice in vivo with CASIN induced anagen onset and increased the percentage of anagen skin areas. Aging-associated functional deficits of HFSCs are at least in part intrinsic to HFSCs and can be restored by rational pharmacological approaches.
The Wood, Cayley, Godwin and Shaw fields, Blocks 22/17s, 22/18a and 22/22a, UK North Sea

Abstract The Upper Jurassic Wood, Godwin, Shaw and Cayley fields lie in Quadrant 22 on the Forties–Montrose High (FMH), a major intra-basinal high bisecting the Central Graben. The Wood Field was the first to be discovered in 1996 by Amoco. The field was later developed by Talisman Energy in 2007 via a single subsea horizontal producer tied back to the Montrose Alpha Platform. The Cayley, Godwin and Shaw discoveries followed during a drilling campaign carried out by Talisman Energy between 2007 and 2009 and were later developed, with the last field coming online in 2017. The fields are all complex structural and stratigraphic traps with reservoir in the Fulmar Formation. The Fulmar Formation on the FMH records an overall transgression, becoming progressively younger updip, with each field exhibiting a different diagenetic and depositional history in response to the unique evolution of the inter-pod in which they reside. The combined oil in place for the fields is currently estimated at 222 MMboe with an expected ultimate recovery of 84 MMboe. The addition of these reserves has been instrumental in helping to extend the life of the Montrose and Arbroath Platforms beyond 2030.
Strength characteristics and dilatation of food powders

Thestrength characteristics of fine milk, agglomerated milk and potato starch were examined. Experiments were performed using the Jenike shear tester according to Euro- code 1 recommendations. The tester was 60 mm in diameter and the displacement velocity was 0.03 mm s -1 . A reference normal stress ranging from 30 to 240 kPa was applied. Experiments revealed a significant effect caused by shear stress vibration re- sulting from dilatation and hardening of the material during the slow shearing phase of these tests. The frequency of these vibra- tions were found to decrease with an increase in normal stress. Two components of the total strength were suggested: the physical friction strength and the extra component of strength caused by dilatation.
The body condition and reproduction performances of Bali cattle cows through the improved feeding in the intensive management system

Bali cows are native livestock in Indonesia which are widely farmed by farmers in eastern Indonesia, due to their high level of adaptation to the environment, but with traditional management, performance is very low. Therefore it is necessary to improve management through improved feed. A study was conducted to determine body condition and reproductive performance of Bali cattle in the breeding period with an intensive management system. A total of 15 dams of Bali cattle reared in a group pen with one head bull. The breeding system, which was implemented in a natural mating system, where the male bull was released together in one pen continuously. Concentrate feed was given 1.5 % of body weight of livestock and forage/grass ad-libitum. Parameters were observed included body condition score (BCS), the first postpartum estrus, pregnancy rate and service per conception (S/C). The results showed that the improvement of feeding the management in the breeding period after calving: 1) improving the body condition of the dam cows from 5.4±0.8 to 6.3±1.0 during the first 3 months with an intensive maintenance system and 6.7±0.8 during the first 6 months of maintenance. 2) The first estrus post parturition was 64.5±31.5 days. 3) Gestation/pregnancy rate for 3 months in the improved feeding on the intensive rearing was 53.8% with S/C 2.2±0.5 and 100% pregnancy rates with S/C 2.5±0.8 during the first 6-months in the improved feeding on the maintained intensive system.
The Abelson tyrosine kinase and the Nedd4-family ubiquitin ligase Suppressor of Deltex converge at the Notch PPxY motif to regulate endosomal trafficking and signaling

The conserved Notch signaling pathway coordinates diverse cellular processes during animal development. Unlike most cell surface receptors that use a cytoplasmic cascade to amplify and diversify signaling dynamics, Notch itself transduces external cues directly to the nucleus. How appropriate signaling dynamics and transcriptional responses are achieved with this pathway architecture remains unclear. Here, we report that the cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase Abelson (Abl) fine-tunes Notch signaling by regulating Notch endocytic trafficking. We show that Abl can directly phosphorylate a PPxY motif important for Nedd4-family ubiquitin-ligase-mediated transfer of Notch into degradative endosomal compartments. Consistent with this, loss of Abl or inhibition of its kinase activity results in aberrant endosomal accumulation of Notch, while mutation of the PPxY tyrosine renders Notch insensitive to such regulation. Phenotypic and genetic interaction studies in the wing, together with parallel assays in cultured cells, show that loss or gain of Abl activity can respectively increase or decrease Notch output. We propose that the Notch PPxY motif operates as a molecular hub that integrates multiple post-translational modifications to regulate Notch trafficking and fine-tune signaling output.
Acidic Corrosion Inhibition of Piper guineense Seed Extract on Al Alloy

Many attempts are being made to curb the menace of corrosion. Recently, green inhibitors are widely considered due to their comparative advantage over other means of corrosion control and prevention. In this study, gravimetric technique was employed to study the inhibitive behaviour of Piper guineense seed extract on Al alloy in acidic environment. The investigation showed optimal inhibition efficiency of about 95.34%. Piper guineense seed extract was adsorbed on the Al alloy surface in accordance with Langmuir adsorption isotherm models. The negative adsorption energy obtained inferred that the adsorption rates were spontaneous and the interaction between the inhibitive molecules was found to be repulsive.
Public Perception and Perceived Landscape Function of Urban Park Trees in Tabriz, Iran

Landscapes of parks may contribute an important function in the urban park with a wide range of benefits. However, there is a lack of understanding of the publics‘ preferences for parks‘ landscape funtions and benefits in middle-east countries such as Iran. About 275 park users were interviewed using photo-questionnaire in Tabriz, Iran using five point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree,. 5 = strongly agree) for measuring their preference level. Descriptive analysis, factor analysis, and variance analysis (Independent sample t-test and ANOVA) were used for analyzing the data. The results revealed the majority of the participants were male (54.5%), single (65.09%), highly educated (71.4%), below 40 years old (62.9%), and visit the park with family members (43.3%) in the evenings (54.5%). The participants preferred the presence of Salix alba followed by Pinus nigra, Platanus occidentalis, and Morus alba in the urban park, respectively. “Flowering purpose“ (mean= 4.21) and “green enlargement“ (mean= 4.20) were important functional dimensions, whilst, “health care“ (mean= 4.33) and “mental recovery“ (mean= 4.29) landscape benefits in urban parks. It is concluded that, perhaps, attributions of trees such as creating shade, with the canopy on top, and having large leaves are significant factors on publics‘ landscape preferences.
Structural Estimation of Decision Making under Natural Hazard Risk

The use of structural models for decision-making under risk and uncertainty in applied economics is scarce compared to reduced form approaches. This is unfortunate, as structural models have clear connections to theory and permit direct tests of hypotheses and exploration of potential causal mechanisms. In this paper, we derive and estimate a structural model of decision making in the presence of natural hazard risk. Utilizing a unique data set that includes information on risk preferences, subjective likelihood of hurricane strike, and expectations of damage, we estimate several variants of a subjective expected utility model for coastal households’ decisions to purchase flood insurance. We benchmark our model’s out of sample accuracy by comparing it against both reduced-form and machine learning estimates. Overall, we find our structural models perform about as well as a reduced-form probit model in predicting out of sample behavior, but offer increased external validity and insight into theory and mechanisms.
LEVERAGE AND IPO PRICING: EVIDENCE FROM MALAYSIA

The pricing of IPOs is a challenging task among underwriters as they require resources from firms. Contrary to the non-financial information presented in a prospectus to set an offer price, pre-IPO accounting information could arguably influence IPO offer price. This study aims to investigate the relationship between leverage and IPO offer price. A crosssectional Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression was implemented to investigate the relationship between leverage and offer price based on a sample of 129 Malaysian IPOs issued between January 2009 and December 2018. As a result, it was proven that leverage was negatively related to offer prices. Accordingly, it was proposed in the findings that fit, which issued higher leverages prior to IPO listing, often posed high financial risks. Subsequently, underwriters and issuers set a lower price for IPOs to 2 The International Journal of Banking and Finance, Vol. 15, No 1, 2020 : 1-19
Hemodynamic Analysis of VenaTech Convertible Vena Cava Filter Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

The VenaTech convertible filter (VTCF) has been widely used as an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter to prevent fatal pulmonary embolism in patients. However, its hemodynamics that greatly affect the filter efficacy and IVC patency are still unclear. This paper uses computational fluid dynamics with the Carreau model to simulate the non-Newtonian blood flows around the VTCF respectively deployed in the normal, reverse and three converted states in an IVC model. The results show that the prothrombotic stagnation zones are observed downstream from the normal, reverse and small open VTCFs, with the streamwise length is nearly eight times the IVC diameter. The no-slip boundary conditions of the thin-wire VTCF arms lead to the “viscous block” effect. The viscous block accelerates the blood flow by 5–15% inside the IVC and enhances the filter wall shear stress up to nearly 20 times that of the IVC only, which contributes to clot capture and thrombus lysis. The relative flow resistance is defined to evaluate the filter-induced resistance on the IVC blood flow that can be regarded as an index of IVC patency with the filter deployment. The flow resistance of the normal VTCF deployment increases dramatically by more than 60% compared with that of the IVC only and is a little higher (6%) than that of the reverse case. As the VTCF converts to a fully open configuration, the flow resistance gradually decreases to that of no filter. This work shows that even very thin VTCF arms can result in the viscous block effect and may cause significant hemodynamic impacts on clot capture, potential thrombosis and flow impedance inside the IVC. The present study also shows that CFD is a valuable and feasible in silico tool for analyzing the IVC filter hemodynamics to complement in vivo clinical and in vitro experimental studies.
Plasma IGF1 and 17β-Estradiol Concentrations During the Follicular Wave in Llamas

The aim of this study was to characterize the temporal association between follicular waves and circulating concentrations of 17β-estradiol (E2) and IGF1 in llamas. Follicular waves could be clearly divided in three phases: growth, plateau and regression; with a mean duration of 18.8 ± 0.32 days. All follicular waves showed overlapping, so that as one dominant follicle was regressing, another one was growing. E2 plasma concentration showed a wavelike pattern, similar to that followed by the dominant follicle; reaching its maximum concentration at the end of the growth phase and decreasing at the end of the plateau phase. IGF1 also showed variations during the follicular wave. It tended to increase during the growth phase and decreased toward Days 14 and 16. IGF1 reached its maximum concentration before E2 did (5 ± 0.8 vs. 7.2 ± 0.5 days after wave emergence) and before the maximum follicular diameter was attained (10.2 ± 0.46 days after wave emergence). Both hormones started to rise again in coincidence with the development of a new follicular wave. The observed profiles allow to suggest that IGF1 could have a role on folliculogenesis and ovarian steroideogenesis in llamas, as reported for other species.
Evaluation of the Kundasang Ground Movement based on Geological, Geotechnical Investigations and Stability Modelling

Kundasang is located in a geohazard zone that consists of two active major regional faults and weak geomaterials with highly weathered, jointed and fractured rock. The existence of active faults are considered as one of the factors which influence the occurrence of large ground movement in the Kundasang area. Kg Lembah Permai which is located adjacent to the Kundasang town is one of the critical affected areas by progressively ground movement that had caused significant destruction to the permanent structures and infrastructures that lead to economic loss to the government and residents, respectively. This paper describes past and new data, and also the outcomes that have been integrated to redefine and update the ground instability mechanism in Kg Lembah Permai. Two new approaches of mapping have been applied. The first is remote mapping which involved detection and interpretation of local faults using Digital Terrain Model (DTM) derived from Lidar image. The second is on-site mapping of geodynamic features in the field using 3D approach. Results showed that most of the destruction exhibited towards +Y and -Z direction which represent the movement towards northeast and vertical downward respectively. From landslide modelling, the rate of displacement, geometry of the sliding surface and the current stability condition of the landslide can be quantified. It is expected that with detailed and comprehensive knowledge, a suitable design of geotechnical solution at difficult ground can be conducted accurately and objectively which eventually could promote sustainable development and enhancing public safety in the Kundasang area.
Epstein-Barr virus promotes survival through germinal center light zone chromatin architecture

BFL-1 is an understudied anti-apoptotic protein upregulated in cancer and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-immortalized lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). We have previously shown that BFL-1 is regulated through viral EBNA3A-mediated alterations in B-cell chromatin conformation (Price et al., 2017). Here, we extend those findings to define cis- and trans-acting factors that regulate BFL-1 in LCLs and reliance on BFL-1 for survival from extrinsic apoptosis. Beyond LCLs, BFL-1 is expressed in B cells maturing in the germinal center (GC). We therefore characterized the gene expression profiles and chromatin landscape of maturing human tonsillar B-cell subsets. While chromatin accessibility at the BFL-1 locus increases as naïve B cells enter the GC reaction, BFL-1 expression increases during the transition from dark zone to light zone (LZ) correlating with association between enhancer regions and the transcriptional start site. The relationship between LCLs and LZ B cells suggests that EBV phenocopies GC biology to enhance their survival in establishing latent infection.