Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cryopreservation of Papaya (Carica papaya L.) Seed: Overcoming Dormancy and Optimizing Seed Desiccation and Storage Conditions

Protocols for efficient storage and germination of fresh and desiccated seeds of Carica papaya are needed for improved management of seed stocks by the industry. Two genotypes of papaya of importance to Australia were investigated: the tropical cultivar 'Solo' and a Queensland line '007'. Germination of fresh seed was close to zero, but high proportions of the seeds were found to be viable by tetrazolium staining: 93% for 'Solo' and 94% for '007'. We aimed to overcome the dormancy blocking by pre-soaking seeds in gibberellic acid (for up to 60 min) or potassium nitrate (for up to 24h). The most effective treatments were: 2 mM GA 3 for 30 min; and 2 or 3h in 0.25 M KNO 3 . All treatments resulted in 61-65% germination. Seeds of both cultivars tolerated drying to low moisture contents, but required GA 3 pre-treatment to stimulate 30-60% germination; KN0 3 pre-treatment was much less effective in stimulating germination in desiccated seeds. Desiccated seeds (5, 15 and 30% RH) germinated (>70%) after storage in liquid nitrogen(-196°C) for 3 months if GA 3 pre-treatment was applied. Recovery from storage at the standard genebank storage temperature of -20°C was very low (1-36%). These results provide valuable information for improved seed handling practices in the papaya industry.
In situ analysis of cotton fibre cell wall polysaccharides

The cotton fibre is one of the most economically important cells in the world. Each year, over 25 million tonnes are harvested and the industry is responsible for 300 million jobs world-wide, with revenues of over $120 billion in the USA alone. For such an important cell there is little known about its cell wall composition as well as the functional roles of these polysaccharides during fibre development. Although much work has already been done on the cotton fibre transcriptome, a study of cell wall composition during development and maturation is crucial in linking these data to further understand fibre differentiation. This research explored the developmental biology of the cotton fibre in relation to key polysaccharide structures and architectural properties in the context of cell wall development. This has been achieved by the development of methodologies for the detection and imaging of low level polysaccharide epitopes of the cotton fibre using molecular probes known as monoclonal antibodies (mABs) and carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs), directed in-situ to these glycans. Key polysaccharide changes were observed during fibre development, maturity and processing. Upon maturity, pectic homogalacturonan and xyloglucan were readily detectable at the surface of fibres after removal of the waxy outer layer. Other polysaccharides including arabinan, xylan and mannan, as well as cell wall glycoproteins were detected after treatments that removed the pectin-rich primary cell wall layer. This research shows that cell wall probes are powerful and useful tools to study cotton fibres throughout development, maturity and processing in the context of cell wall biology, though these polysaccharide changes need to be explored one by one to establish structure-function relationships. With the upcoming sequencing of the G. hirsutum genome, cotton fibre research will be an exciting field and the work presented here will provide a base for future studies, with potential for the manipulation of key developmental polysaccharides to alter the final fibre properties. The ultimate goal of improving cotton fibre properties will have significant economic, ecological and societal impacts for decades to come.
Multilayered Circular Dielectric Structure SAR Imaging Based on Compressed Sensing for FOD Detection in NDT

This article presents a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging algorithm based on a compressed sensing (CS) reconstruction approach, which is suitable for the detection of foreign object debris (FOD) located in a multilayered circular dielectric structure for nondestructive testing (NDT) application. The method proposed considers the refraction model at the boundaries between each two adjacent layers. This method is different from free space as imaging background assumption in previous CS-based SAR imaging applications. In addition, the prior information that the FOD is displayed with a sparse distribution is applied. Therefore, the method proposed could obtain better focus on effectiveness than time-reversal imaging algorithm with the same measurement points. Further, the CST simulations and the experiment were conducted by taking two small metallic targets as FOD embedded in the three-layered circular dielectric structure. The results of simulations and experiment demonstrated that the proposed method has better effect than previous methods.
Correlation and path analysis in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is an important vegetable crop grown worldwide. For evaluating the yield potential of any variety of egg plant, it is necessary to give attention to all the yield contributing characters. It is essential to assess the degree of association of various quantitative characters in order to initiate effective selection programme. The knowledge of association of the various plant characters with yield and among themselves is required so that a rational choice of characters for selection can be exercised. An exclusively self pollinated vegetable is improved by selection. Efficiency of selection in any breeding programme mainly depends on the knowledge of association of characters. Therefore, information on the cause and effect of various yield attributes and the relative importance of their direct and indirect effects on yield are essential in crop improvement programmes. Path coefficient analysis facilitates the partitioning of correlation coefficients into direct and indirect effects of various characters on yield. The results of correlation and path analysis carried out in eggplant are presented in this paper. The material under investigation consist of 65 genotypes with diverse morphological characters like fruit shape, fruit colour, growth habit and spiny ness characteristics and were collected from different parts of India and maintained at All India Coordinated Research Project on Vegetable Crops, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with three replication during kharif 2009. The recommended cultural practices for growing brinjal crops were adopted. Five plants from each genotype in each replication were selected at random for recording observation on fourteen quantitative characters viz. plant height (cm), plant spread (cm), number of primary branches per plant, days to 50% flowering, days to first harvest, length of fruit (cm), breadth of fruit (cm), girth
Points de vue d’usagers sur la déprescription de médicaments en maison de retraite

Cet article est issu d’une recherche interdisciplinaire en pharmacie et sciences sociales sur la polymedication et la deprescription en maison de retraite menee en Suisse romande. Si les facteurs psycho-sociaux sont souvent mobilises pour expliquer la difficile deprescription (reduction encadree de la consommation de medicaments pour reduire ses effets deleteres identifies), les propos des usagers interviewes mettent en lumiere les facteurs structurels du fonctionnement des etablissements pour comprendre le phenomene de polymedication et sa persistence. Perdant leur autonomie sur beaucoup d’aspects de leur vie quotidienne, la plupart des residents deleguent integralement la gestion des medicaments aux professionnels et estiment ne plus vraiment avoir de prise sur l’evolution des prescriptions. L’enquete montre pourtant qu’entre recherche d’efficacite et crainte des effets secondaires, les usagers se revelent permeables aux discours des professionnels et accessibles a la sensibilisation aux risques de la polymedication. L’article conclut sur des pistes qui pourraient faciliter une demarche de deprescription concertee, et favoriser le partage des decisions avec les residents de maisons de retraite a partir du levier des consommations de medicaments.
Comprehensive evaluation of DNA barcoding for the molecular species identification of forensically important Australian Sarcophagidae (Diptera)

Abstract. Carrion-breeding Sarcophagidae (Diptera) can be used to estimate the post-mortem interval in forensic cases. Difficulties with accurate morphological identifications at any life stage and a lack of documented thermobiological profiles have limited their current usefulness. The molecular-based approach of DNA barcoding, which utilises a 648-bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene, was evaluated in a pilot study for discrimination between 16 Australian sarcophagids. The current study comprehensively evaluated barcoding for a larger taxon set of 588 Australian sarcophagids. In total, 39 of the 84 known Australian species were represented by 580 specimens, which includes 92% of potentially forensically important species. A further eight specimens could not be identified, but were included nonetheless as six unidentifiable taxa. A neighbour-joining tree was generated and nucleotide sequence divergences were calculated. All species except Sarcophaga (Fergusonimyia) bancroftorum, known for high morphological variability, were resolved as monophyletic (99.2% of cases), with bootstrap support of 100. Excluding S. bancroftorum, the mean intraspecific and interspecific variation ranged from 1.12% and 2.81–11.23%, respectively, allowing for species discrimination. DNA barcoding was therefore validated as a suitable method for molecular identification of Australian Sarcophagidae, which will aid in the implementation of this fauna in forensic entomology.
Genotype x Environment Interactions in Sugarcane under Irrigation for Agronomic Traits at Advanced Screening Stage in Ferké, Northern Ivory Coast

Background: The selection procedure of commercial sugarcane varieties introduced in Ivory Coast involves two different stages. Four varieties pre-selected at the first stage regarding a previous trial were due to be tested at the advanced stage. Aims: The study aimed to determine the best performing sugarcane genotypes at the advanced selection stage under sprinkler irrigation, in comparison with to two check varieties (R579, SP701006). Methodology: The same field experiment was carried out on two different locations in Ferké 2 sugar estate of Northern Ivory Coast. The experimental design used was a randomized complete block (RCB) with six cane genotypes in four replications. Every plot consisted of five dual rows of ten meters with 0.5 and 1.90 m of inter-row spacing, i.e. 95 m2 per plot and about 3000 m2 for each experiment. Both experiments were conducted over two seasons (plant cane and first ratoon) as early-season crops from early November, 2017 to mid-December, 2019. Over each micro-plot, data based on different agro-morphological traits were collected at harvest from three central dual rows. Original Research Article Péné and Béhou; JEAI, 42(2): 97-115, 2020; Article no.JEAI. 55656 98 Results: The study showed that most relevant traits in genotype clustering were related to juice quality (recoverable sucrose, sucrose content, purity), yields and yield components (Millable stalk number/ha, stalk height, stalk diameter, internode number). Based on sugar yields, two genotypes (N47, ECU01) superior to both check varieties were found promising with, respectively, 13.7 and 13.5 t sugar/ha. Their cane yield performances gave 124 and 123 t/ha, respectively, compared to 126.8 t/ha for the best performing check. Conclusions: Not only sugar yield, but also flowering rate, stem borer infestation rate, stalk diameter, average stalk height and the number of tillers per hectare were found as the most relevant agronomic traits in the genetic variation of sugarcane genotypes tested. It came out also that GxE interactions were highly significant for five different traits, namely, cane and sugar yields, stalk borer infestation rate, fiber content and the average stalk height.
How does Islamic fintech promote the SDGs? Qualitative evidence from Indonesia

This study aims to explore the existing Islamic financial technology (fintech) lending in Indonesia. Doing so is to better understand in what way the fintech firms have been promoting the global movement of sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the local context. ,This study engages qualitative methods. This paper first reviews relevant literature related to fintech and establishes the substantive definition of Islamic fintech. Further, the existing literature of SDGs is explored to understand its original idea and its recent implementation, particularly in Indonesia. Following this, the official reports from the domestic regulators are referred to select the fintech firms which meet the criteria of Islamic fintech lending based on the proposed definition. The selected firms are then analysed based on several themes which best capture their position in promoting the SDGs. Finally, the discussion is linked to the recent performance of Indonesia in implementing SDGs. ,This work finds that the reviewed fintech firms have been promoting the idea of financial inclusion, for example, financing the underdeveloped sectors such as agriculture and small and micro enterprises (SMEs). Furthermore, the selected fintech firms are also found to collect and distribute Islamic social funds such as infaq (charity spending), waqf (endowment) and sadaqah (voluntary charity). Besides, the firms are also found to initiate charity programmes for underprivileged community. In some degree, these findings are synonymous of the firms’ effort in promoting SDG of ending poverty (SDG 1) and hunger (SDG 2) and reducing the inequalities (SDG 10). ,The discussion of this work does not provide any positivist generalisation due to the method used. ,The Indonesian Government is advised to legally engage with the existing fintech firms and other related stakeholders to best solve its recent issue of the declining trend in SDG 15 (life on land). ,This work elaborates in what way the Islamic fintech lending has been promoting the SDGs in Indonesian context. In some extent, such discussion can best challenge the social issue of fintech which has been stigmatised of bringing mafsadah (harm), as subjectively claimed by one particular religious group in Indonesia. ,This study is among the pioneers which offers the definition of Islamic fintech and further explains its position in endorsing the global movement of SDGs.
Dissecting the illicit practice of wage underreporting: some evidence from Croatia

Abstract Even though quasi-formal employment has become an integral part of European labour markets, not much is known about the functioning of this ingenious tax evasion scheme. To start to fill this gap, this paper elaborates the most important findings from qualitative interviews with 30 quasi-formal workers and 9 representatives of relevant institutions in Croatia. Among other important issues, this in-depth study, conducted during 2015 and 2016, aimed to explore the strategies that employers apply to ensure their workers’ collaboration, as well as the schemes through which they extract cash for the unreported portion of the wage. The study revealed that not only can this practice subsist independently from undeclared work, but in certain circumstances it can even rely on cash flows that are fully visible to the authorities. Furthermore, we show that many quasi-formal workers are actually happy with their employment due to the mistaken belief that they earn more money this way. In addition to its theoretical significance, this paper also provides valuable practical information that could assist the authorities in their fight against this phenomenon.
Indole glucosinolates are an important first layer defense of Arabidopsis against Phytophthora brassicae

Summary We are interested in the role of indole glucosinolates (iGS) and the phytoalexin camalexin in diseases resistance of Arabidopsis to the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora brassicae. Transcript profiling revealed that many genes involved in iGS or camalexin biosynthesis are up-regulated upon inoculation. Mutants with defects in either iGS metabolism or camalexin accumulation remain resistant to P. brassicae. Interestingly, the combined deficiency in iGS and camalexin in the double mutants cyp79B2 cyp79B3 and pen2-1 pad3-1 results in susceptibility. Hence, Arabidopsis defence against P. brassicae relies on the combined action of iGS and camalexin. The constitutively produced iGS appear to play an early role in penetration resistance whereas the inducible camalexin is important at later stages of the infection.
Development and Initial Evaluation of a Dynamic Marksmanship Battery: Sensitivity to Vestibular Disturbances Relevant to Return-to-Duty

Abstract Mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) have been diagnosed in 261,480 service-members in the past decade. This study aimed to evaluate the initial reliability and validity of a military-specific task battery to assess gross vestibular function and functional balance in service-members to aid in return-to-duty decision making. Four dynamic marksmanship tasks was developed to mimic the types of balance and movement challenges well-documented among patients with mTBI, including head turns (pivot and shoot task), picking up an object from the floor (pick-up and shoot task), rapidly walking a straight line (traverse beam and shoot task), and balancing with a reduced base of support (kneel and shoot task). Test-retest reliability, sensitivity to vestibular disturbance created by chair rotation (construct validity), and ability to distinguish soldiers with and without mTBI (known-groups validity) were evaluated. Results showed acceptable test-retest reliability for two of the four tasks and found the other two tasks to be sensitive to temporary vestibular insult in healthy controls. Additionally, the pick-up and shoot task distinguished mTBI soldiers with vestibular symptoms from a control group. The pick up and shoot task showed acceptable test-retest reliability and support for known-groups validity, thus likely the best task from the battery for future research.
The Use of Lactic Acid Bacteria in the Fermentation of Fruits and Vegetables — Technological and Functional Properties

The relationship between food and health has been investigated for many years, and therefore, the development of foods that promote health and well-being is a key research priority of the food industry [1]. Fruits and vegetables are an essential part of human nutrition. Unfortu‐ nately, the daily intake of fruits and vegetables is estimated to be lower than the recommen‐ dation of the World Health Organization (WHO) [2], who suggest a dietary intake of 450 and 500 g of fruits and vegetables, respectively. Vegetables are strongly recommended in the human diet because they are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, dietary fibres and minerals. The majority of vegetables consumed in the human diet are fresh, minimally processed, pasteurised or cooked by boiling in water or microwaving, and vegetables can be canned, dried, or juiced or made into pastes, salads, sauces, or soups. Fresh vegetables or those that have been minimally processed have a particularly short shelf-life because they are subjected to rapid microbial spoilage. In addition, the above cooking processes can cause a number of potentially undesirable changes in physical characteristics and chemical composition [3,4].
Latitudinal patterns in tachinid parasitoid diversity (Diptera: Tachinidae): a review of the evidence

Insect parasitoids may be an exception to the typical biogeographic pattern of increasing species richness at lower latitudes exhibited by most taxa. Evidence for this ‘anomalous’ latitudinal gradient has been derived from observations of hymenopteran parasitoids and it has been argued that other parasitoid groups should show a similar pattern of diversity. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain this disparity, most notably the nasty host and resource fragmentation hypotheses. We review and evaluate these hypotheses with respect to tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae), and bring to the argument evidence from eight trapping surveys from temperate and tropical regions in the Americas including the United States, Costa Rica, and Ecuador. We find no evidence that tachinid fly diversity is lower in the tropics than in the temperate region. Our results, along with other lines of evidence, rather suggest that New World Tachinidae likely conform to the same negative relationship between latitude and richness as their largely phytophagous host taxa. We discuss geographic patterns of tachinid diversity in relation to ecological and evolutionary processes, and why they may differ from their hymenopteran parasitoid counterparts. Parasitoid taxa appear to vary strongly in their diversity responses to latitude and we concur with previous researchers that more survey data are necessary to reach strong conclusions about parasitoid latitudinal diversity patterns.
Bio-efficacy of Selected Insecticides against Pest Complex in Chilli (Capsicum annuum Linn)

A field experiment was carried out during Kharif 1997–98 to evaluate the bio-efficacy of four test insecticides viz., triazophos (350 & 700 g a.i. ha−1), acephate (1000 & 1500 g a.i. ha−1), cypermethrin (150 & 300 g a.i. ha−1) and imidacloprid (50 & 70 g a.i. ha−1) against major pest complex of chilli. Imidacloprid at 70 g a.i. ha−1 was the best treatment in controlling aphids. Acephate 1500 g a.i. ha−1 was effective in controlling thrips. Cypermethrin 300 g a.i. ha−1 was adjudged to be the most effective insecticide against borers.
Serpentinite enigma of the Rakhabdev lineament in western India: Origin, deformation characterization and tectonic implications

Serpentine mineralogy controls fault rheology in the ocean and continental rift settings to subduction settings and hence can be used to discern the paleo deformational conditions. The Rakhabdev lineament from Rajasthan, India, provides a unique opportunity to understand its tectonic evolution inferred from the deformation microstructures. However, the complexity of surrounding calc – silicate rocks had resulted in a long – driven debate on the origins of these serpentinite rocks. The source rocks of the serpentinites also cannot be determined pre-viously due to complete serpentinization and metasomatism rendering complete alteration of the source rocks. In this study, the serpentinite mineral was analyzed using Raman spectroscopy to accurately characterize its molecular structure. The presence of the antigorite – variety of serpentine mineral indicate towards the origin of Rakhabdev serpentinites in the upper mantle condition. The antigorite serpentinite of Rakhabdev is a hydration product of mantle materials showing high Mg# values obtained from EPMA data. The microstructural and EBSD analysis also indicates two stages of deformation, with deformation of antigorite at upper mantle conditions, followed by their shallow crustal carbonate metasomatism and subsequent deformation of the carbo-nates, with later stage calcite vein intrusion. This resulted in the appearance of antigorite in contact with calcite, dolomite, talc, tremolite, and chlorite. The exhumation of mantle wedge antigorite serpentinite is, therefore, indicating a paleo – subduction zone culminating in a crustal – scale collision boundary expressed as arcuate dis-continuous bodies forming the Rakhabdev lineament.