Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transfer of Drought Resistant Character from Wild Rice (Oryza meridionalis and Oryza nivara) to Cultivated Rice (Oryza sativa L.) by Backcrossing and Immature Embryo Culture

Drought is an abiotic stress to be continuing threat to rice production. The characteristics supporting to drought resistance are restricted in cultivars while wild species of Oryza are an important reservoir of useful genes for rice improvement. The objective of this study was to transfer drought resistant character from wild species ( O. meridionalis and O. nivara) to cultivated rice varieties RD23 and CN1 by backcrossing in combination with immature embryo culture. Hybridization between cultivated rice and wild species was made to produce six interspecific hybrid crosses. Crossability between cultivated rice and wild species of all crosses varied from 21.2 to 50% with an average of 35.3%. The F1 hybrid embryos obtained were rescued by culturing on the half-strength MS medium. Germination ability of the hybrid embryos of all crosses ranged from 36.2 to 62.1% with an average of 52.0%. The F1 hybrid plants obtained showed low pollen fertility and relatively poor agronomic characters. They were then backcrossed to their cultivated recurrent parents to restore fertility and good agronomic performance from cultivated rice. The 299 BC1F1 plants were produced from six backcrosses of which 235 plants could set BC1F2 seeds. The 452 BC1F2 progenies from six backcrosses were screened for drought resistance at vegetative growth stage by visual scoring of leaf rolling, leaf drying and plant recovery. Selection was made for 39 BC1F2 plants resistant to drought and having high seed yield per plant and good agronomic performance. They will be grown to be BC1F3 lines for further evaluation on
The use of accelerometry to evaluate the BMX cycling starting hill. Effect of the Q-Ring™ on the acceleration profile

ABSTRACT Accelerometers are becoming popular in sport performance, as they are easy to wear, affordable, and usable in the field. Eccentric chainrings have been commercialised to improve pedalling performance, but little is known about their possible effects in the first pedal strokes (PS) of maximal sprint starts. To analyse the effects of the Q-Ring chainring (Q) on pedalling mechanics and performance in the BMX starting hill, 12 Spanish-National-Team BMX athletes performed 3 maximal sprints comparing Q vs No-Q. Time was measured in the first three meters. Acceleration output was registered with a triaxial 6 g accelerometer (200 Hz) in the first four PS. Discrete time, acceleration and statistical parametric mapping (SPM) were used to compare between conditions. Q showed no improvement in performance, despite a force-application time increasing (p = 0.013, ES = 0.39) and a reduction in the dead spot time (p = 0.028, ES = −0.73). Time after the four PS was greater (p = 0.006, ES = 0.63), and 3-m time did not change. Likewise, SPM 1D comparison showed no differences along the four PS. Therefore, accelerometry confirms its potential to evaluate pedalling technique in BMX, where Q-Ring fails to improve the pedalling mechanics in the starting hill.
The relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety in autism: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis

The association between intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety has proved robust in neurotypical populations and has led to effective interventions targeting intolerance of uncertainty. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate this association in autistic people, given the high prevalence of anxiety in this population and the limited effectiveness of therapies used currently to treat anxiety in autism. A protocol was published on the Prospero database (CRD42019125315), and electronic databases were searched using terms related to intolerance of uncertainty, anxiety and autism. Included in the systematic review were 12 studies, of which 10 were included in a meta-analysis. Results showed that anxiety and intolerance of uncertainty were consistently elevated in autistic participants. Examining the correlation between these two constructs, the meta-analysis revealed a large sample-weighted effect size, r = 0.62, 95% confidence interval = [0.52, 0.71], p < 0.001. The strength of this association was comparable to meta-analyses conducted on neurotypical populations, and therefore, it was concluded intolerance of uncertainty may be an appropriate target for intervention for autistic individuals. However, conclusions were limited due to the small number of relevant studies that were available and due to issues with methodological quality. Lay abstract People who find it especially hard to cope with the unexpected or unknown are said to have an intolerance of uncertainty. Autistic individuals often report a preference for certainty and experience levels of anxiety that can interfere with their daily life. Understanding more about the link between the intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety in autistic people might lead to better treatments for anxiety being developed. Therefore, this work aimed to review previous research in order to explore this link. Twelve studies were found and their results were compared and contrasted. The autistic people who participated in the studies completed questionnaires that suggested a large number of them experienced very high levels of anxiety and intolerance of uncertainty. Of 10 studies that used relevant statistics, nine found a statistically significant link between anxiety and the intolerance of uncertainty. In general, the strength of the link was about the same as previous research found in people who did not have a diagnosis of autism. This might mean that interventions that aim to help people who are intolerant of uncertainty could be effective for autistic individuals.
Sex-Specific Modulation of Blood Pressure and the Renin-Angiotensin System by ACE (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme) 2

We showed ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) 2 is higher in the kidney of male compared with female mice. To further investigate this sex difference, we examined the role of ACE2 in Ang-[1–8] (angiotensin [1–8])–induced hypertension and regulation of the renin-angiotensin system in the kidney of WT (wild type) and Ace2 KO (knockout) mice. Mean arterial pressure rose faster in WT male than WT female mice after Ang-[1–8] infusion. This sex difference was attenuated in ACE2 KO mice. Ang-[1–8] infusion reduced glomerular AT1R (angiotensin type 1 receptor) binding in WT female mice by 30%, and deletion of Ace2 abolished this effect. In contrast, Ang-[1–8] infusion increased glomerular AT1R binding in WT male mice by 1.2-fold, and this effect of Ang-[1–8] persisted in Ace2 KO male mice (1.3-fold). ACE2 also had an effect on renal protein expression of the neutral endopeptidase NEP (neprilysin), the enzyme that catabolizes Ang-[1–10] (angiotensin [1–10]), the precursor of Ang-[1–8]. Ang-[1–8] infusion downregulated NEP protein expression by 20% in WT male, whereas there was a slight increase in NEP expression in WT female mice. Deletion of Ace2 resulted in lowered NEP expression after Ang-[1-8] infusion in both sexes. These findings suggest sex-specific ACE2 regulation of the renin-angiotensin system contributes to female protection from Ang-[1–8]–induced hypertension. These findings have ramifications for the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, especially in hypertension since ACE2 is the SARS-CoV-2 receptor and hypertension is a major risk factor for poor outcomes.
Clinical Spectrum of Primary Adrenal Lymphoma: Results of a Multicenter Cohort Study.

PURPOSE We sought to refine the clinical picture of primary adrenal lymphoma (PAL), a rare lymphoid malignancy with predominant adrenal manifestation and risk of adrenal insufficiency. METHODS 97 patients from 14 centers in Europe, Canada and the United States were included in this retrospective analysis between 1994 and 2017. RESULTS Of 81 patients with imaging data, 19 (23%) had isolated adrenal involvement (iPAL), while 62 (77%) had additional extra-adrenal involvement (PAL+). Among patients who had both CT and PET scans, 18FDG-PET revealed extra-adrenal involvement not detected by CT scan in 9/18 cases (50%). The most common clinical manifestations were B symptoms (55%), fatigue (45%), and abdominal pain (35%). Endocrinological assessment was often inadequate. With a median follow-up of 41.6 months, 3-year progression-free (PFS) and overall (OS) survival rates in the entire cohort were 35.5% and 39.4%, respectively. The hazard ratios of iPAL for PFS and OS were 40.1 (95% CI: 2.63-613.7, p=0.008) and 2.69 (95% CI: 0.61-11.89, p=0.191), respectively. PFS was much shorter in iPAL versus PAL+ (median 4 months vs. not reached, p=0.006), and OS also appeared to be shorter (median 16 months vs. not reached), but the difference did not reach statistical significance (p=0.16). Isolated PAL was more frequent in females (OR=3.81; P=0.01) and less frequently associated with B symptoms (OR= 0.159; p=0.004). CONCLUSION We found unexpected heterogeneity in the clinical spectrum of PAL. Further studies are needed to clarify whether clinical distinction between iPAL and PAL+ is corroborated by differences in molecular biology.
Adaptation of the Photosynthetic Apparatus of Scenedesmus obliquus to Strong and Weak Light Conditions

Homocontinuous cultures of the unicellular green alga Scenedesmus obliquus were grown under strong (28 W/m2∼28,000 lux) and weak (5 W/m2∼5000 lux) light conditions to simulate the conditions of ‘sun’ and ‘shade’ plants. As in higher plants the cells adapted to strong light had less chlorophyll but demonstrated a higher photosynthetic capacity and a higher respiration rate, so that their compensation point was reached at three times higher energy than in the cells grown under low light intensities. The CO2 fixation rate and the RuDP carboxylase activity under saturating light intensities were both higher in the cells grown in strong light. In spite of the differences in the pigment content and in the light saturated photosynthetic capacities for both cultures, the quantum yields of photosynthetic oxygen evolution were equal. As documented for some species of higher plants Scenedesmus is not genetically determined to be either a ‘sun’ or ‘shade’ organism but can adapt its photosynthetic apparatus to the different light intensities.
Analysis of scoliosis deformation in the Zebris computer study as an assessment of the effectiveness of the FED method in the treatment of idiopathic scolioses.

Idiopathic scoliosis is one of the most difficult problems of contemporary orthopaedics and physiotherapy, and its unknown etiology hinders initiation of effective causative therapy. A tendency for progression of scoliosis, and failure of many conservative treatment methods stimulated a search for new and more effective methods which will not only stop a progress of the deformation, but actually correct it. The FED method is a relatively new, but promising method used for conservative treatment of idiopathic scoliosis. It is based on the use of a special device, which enables corrective forces to act at a level of the scoliotic curve. AIM The aim of this study was a comparative analysis of effectiveness of idiopathic scoliosis treatment using the FED method versus FITS, during 3 weeks of observations of girls aged 11 to 15 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was conducted in 60 girls, aged from 11 to 15 years (mean 13.58 ± 1.33 years) randomly qualified which were suffered with double-curve scoliosis of the 2nd degree according to Cobb. According to the randomization, the girls were assigned to two groups based on the therapeutic strategy, the study group of patients treated with the FED method, and the control group treated with the FITS method. The therapy results were evaluated by computer examination of the posture using the Zebris CMS10 system. The degree of the spine deformity in the frontal plane was described with the total scoliotic deformation (SD) angle. RESULTS In the conducted study, no statistically significant difference was noted between groups for any of the analyzed variables. It means that these groups did not differ statistically in terms of subjects' number, age, type of scoliosis, Cobb angle value for primary and secondary scoliosis, Risser sign, Raimondi rotation, and scoliosis type. Statistically significant differences were found between the two groups for the scoliosis degree, however, after the therapy, the girls treated with the FED method were characterized by a greater improvement in this parameter versus the control group. CONCLUSIONS Both FED and FITS methods significantly influence the improvement in the scoliotic deformation degree in the Zebris computer examination during a 3-week follow-up; however, when both treatment methods are compared, it can be concluded that the therapy by the FED method is statistically more effective. The treatment of the 2nd degree scolioses with the FED method requires further analyses supplemented with other parameters of postural examination, as well as long-term diagnostics in a larger group of patients.
Entrepreneurial Orientation and the Family Firm: Mapping the Field and Tracing a Path for Future Research

Despite several calls for the further study of entrepreneurial orientation in family firms, we still have a fragmented understanding of this topic, whose full potential has yet to be reached. To shed new light on this issue, this article first maps the family business field by carrying out a systematic review and content analysis of the 78 articles identified at the confluence of entrepreneurial orientation and family firms. Our study describes and critically assesses previous research as well as the conclusions reached. Second, this article identifies the main research gaps and provides a path for future investigations.
Sucrose thresholds and genetic polymorphisms of sweet and bitter taste receptor genes in children

SUCROSE THRESHOLDS AND GENETIC POLYMORPHISMS OF SWEET AND BITTER TASTE RECEPTOR GENES IN CHILDREN Paule Valery Joseph Charlene Compher, PhD, RD Background: Many illnesses of modern society are due to poor food choices. Excess consumption of sugars has been associated with obesity and diabetes. Children, due to their basic biology, are more vulnerable than adults to overeat foods rich in sugars. Little research has focused on whether there are individual differences among children in their sensitivity to sweet taste and if so the biological correlates of such differences. Aims: The goal of this study was to determine whether variations in children’s sucrose detection thresholds relate to their age and sex, taste genotype, added sugar or caloric intake, temperament or food neophobia and adiposity. Methods: Sucrose detection thresholds in children age 7-14 years were tested individually using a validated two-alternative, forced-choice, paired-comparison tracking method. Genetic variants of taste receptor genes were assayed: TAS1R2, TAS1R3 and GNAT3 (sweet taste receptor genes; one variant each) and the bitter receptor gene TAS2R38 (three variants). Children (n=216) were measured for body weight and height. A subset of 96 children was measured for percent body fat, waist to height ratio and added sugar and kcal intake. Results: Mean sucrose threshold was 12.0 (SD 12.9), 0.23 to 153.8 mM. Girls were more sensitive than boys [t(214) = 2.0, p=0.047] and older children more sensitive than younger children [r(214) = -0.16, p = 0.016]. Variants in the bitter but not the sweet taste receptor genes were related to sucrose threshold and sugar intake; children with two bitter-sensitive alleles could detect sucrose at lower concentrations [F(2,165) = 4.55, p = 0.012; rs1726866]. Children with these variants also reported eating more added sugar (%kcals; [F(2, 62) = 3.64, p = 0.032]) than did children with less sensitive alleles. Sucrose detection thresholds predicted central adiposity [F(2, 59) = 6.1, p = 0.016), but not percent body fat [F(2, 58) = 1.4, p = 0.238]) when adjusted for added sugar intake, temperament, age, sex and negative reaction to foods. Conclusions: Differences in sweet taste sensitivity may affect childhood dietary sugar intake with long-term health consequences, including obesity. There may be a more complex interplay between the bitter and sweet taste systems during development than previously appreciated. Understanding taste related parameters as well as other dimensions that may affect food consumption might help in developing weight management to minimize childhood obesity risk. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) This dissertation is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn. edu/edissertations/1793 Graduate Group Nursing First Advisor Charlene W. Compher Second Advisor Danielle R. Reed
Effects of dietary propionic acid, sodium citrate, and phytase on growth performance, mineral digestibility, and tibia properties in broilers

ABSTRACT An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of supplementing a low available phosphorous (P) diet (0.14%) with phytase, propionic acid, and sodium citrate on performance, mineral metabolism, and tibia properties of broilers. A 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments based a completely randomized design was used to evaluate the effects of phytase (0 and 300 units kg−1), propionic acid (0% and 0.2%), and sodium citrate (0% and 3%). The phytase improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) and increased feed intake (FI), digestibility of Ca, percentage Ca of tibia ash, and bone-breaking strength (P < .05). Broilers fed with a diet supplemented with sodium citrate had higher digestibility of Ca, and bone breaking strength than those fed the control diet (P < .01). Propionic acid increased the body weight gain (BWG) and FI was compared to the control group (P < .01). An interaction was found between phytase and sodium citrate on increasing BWG, digestibility of P, serum P content, percentage of tibia ash and P (P < .05). Supplemental sodium citrate or propionic had no significant effect on FCR, digestibility of Ca, and Ca in tibia ash (P > .05). Moreover, propionic acid supplementation to diet did not affect the percentage of tibia ash and bone breaking strength (P > .05). Results of this experiment indicated that supplementation of sodium citrate to the P-deficient diet improved the phytase effect, growth, and utilization of phytate-P.
Heat tolerance may determine activity time in coprophagic beetle species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Although reports have documented loss of species diversity and ecological services caused by stressful temperature changes that result from climate change, some species cope through behavioral compensation. As temperatures and magnitudes of temperature extremes increase, animals should compensate to maintain fitness (such as through temporary behavioral shifts in activity times). Appropriate timing of activity helps avoid competition across species. Although coprophagic dung beetles exhibit species‐specific temporal activity times, it is unknown whether temperature drives evolution of these species‐specific temporal activity times. Using nine dung beetle species (three each of diurnal, crepuscular, and nocturnal species), we explored differences in heat stress tolerance measured as critical thermal maxima (CTmax; the highest temperature allowing activity) and heat knockdown time (HKDT; survival time under acute heat stress) across these species, and examined the results using a phylogenetically informed approach. Our results showed that day‐active species had significantly higher CTmax (diurnal > crepuscular = nocturnal species), whereas crepuscular species had higher HKDT (crepuscular > nocturnal > diurnal species). There was no correlation between heat tolerance and body size across species with distinct temporal activity, and no significant phylogenetic constraint for activity. Species with higher CTmax did not necessarily have higher HKDT, which indicates that species may respond differently to diverse heat tolerance metrics. Acute heat tolerance for diurnal beetles indicates that this trait may constrain activity time and, under high acute temperatures with climate change, species may shift activity times in more benign environments. These results contribute to elucidate the evolution of foraging behavior and management of coprophagic beetle ecosystem services under changing environments.
Balancing immune response: crosstalk between adaptive and innate immune cells during breast cancer progression

Recent insights into the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying cancer development have revealed that immune cells functionally regulate epithelial cancer development and progression. Moreover, accumulated clinical and experimental data indicate that the outcome of an immune response toward an evolving breast neoplasm is largely determined by the type of immune response elicited. Acute tumor-directed immune responses involving cytolytic T lymphocytes appear to protect against tumor development, whereas immune responses involving chronic activation of humoral immunity, infiltration by Th2 cells, and protumor-polarized innate inflammatory cells result in the promotion of tumor development and disease progression. Herein we review this body of literature and summarize important new findings revealing the paradoxical role of innate and adaptive leukocytes as regulators of breast carcinogenesis.
Effectiveness of Self-Compassion Intervention on Criminal Thinking in Male Prisoners

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of self-compassion intervention on criminal thinking in male prisoners. A quasi-experimental design utilizing pre-test, post-test, and follow-up test and waiting-list control groups was conducted. A total of 24 male prisoners were selected by purposeful sampling and randomized into experimental and waiting list control groups. Participants of experimental group received eight sessions of self-compassion intervention; and all participants answered to psychological inventory of criminal thinking styles (PICTS) as dependent variable at three time points (pre-test, post-test, and 2-month follow-up). A repeated measures analysis of variance was used to analyze the data. Results showed criminal thinking was significantly decreased in experimental group, as compared to control, at post-test phase (p < .01); and improvement of criminal thinking in the follow-up phase has also been continued (p < .05). Therefore, to reduce criminal behaviors or rehabilitation of prisoners, self-compassion based intervention can be used.