Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bioactive proteins from pipefishes

Marine organisms represent an excellent source for bioactive compounds. Fishes are one of the organisms that have managed to survive in a milieu of pathogenic organisms. Fishes live in intimate contact with an environment containing both saprophytic and pathogenic microbes capable of digesting and degrading fish tissues[1,2]. The slow adaptive immune response of fish makes innate immunity, which is fast acting and temperature independent predominant system of fish host defense[1]. This innate immune response is essential for the survival of this whole class of animals. The defense includes many elements such as antimicrobial peptides[3], antimicrobial lipid[4], and polypeptides[5]. Non-classical complement activation leads to release of cytokines, inflammation and phagocytosis[1,6]. Concisely, fish have evolved a number of innate immune responses to defend themselves against infection. Seahorses are used as a traditional medicine and invigorant for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) due to the compellent activity. However, antimicrobial effects of pipefishes are not yet studied. Hence the present study is an attempt to screen PEER REVIEW ABSTRACT
Modern apple breeding is associated with a significant change in the allelic ratio of the ethylene production gene Md-ACS1

Summary Inreasing consumer demand for firm apple fruit has raised interest among scientists and breeders to identify heritable traits that affect fruit texture. One such candidate gene is the bi-allelic Md-ACS1 locus, that shows a strong association between genotype and internal ethylene content in ripening fruit. However, associations between genotype and fruit firmness, or between genotype and fruit softening during storage, have been somewhat unclear. In order to determine the potential importance of allelic variation at this locus, we used PCR methods to investigate Md-ACS1 alleles in 137 apple cultivars. In addition, we also compiled data from previously published studies, to achieve an eventual dataset with 270 cultivars. Allele 1, associated with higher ethylene concentrations in ripening apples, was much more common in older cultivars (relative frequency = 0.88 in cultivars introduced before 1800; 0.84 in cultivars introduced between 1800 – 1899; and 0.70 in cultivars introduced in 1900 – 1959). Conversely, allele 2 associated with lower ethylene concentrations, was more common in modern cultivars (relative frequency = 0.57 in cultivars introduced since 1960). The frequencies of the three Md-ACS1 genotypes (1/1, 1/2, 2/2), as well as the relative allele frequencies (1 vs. 2), varied significantly depending on the date of introduction of the investigated cultivars ( i.e., 1800 – 1899 vs. 1900 – 1959; and 1900 – 1959 vs. ≥ 1960). The significant shift in allelic ratios at the Md-ACS1 locus observed during the 20th century was probably associated with the substantial impact that a small number of heterozygous cultivars have had on modern apple breeding. Allelic variation at the Md-ACS1 locus may thus be one of the most influential factors in modern apple breeding.
Assessment of mismatch repair deficiency in ovarian cancer

Background Hereditary causes of ovarian cancer include Lynch syndrome, which is due to inherited pathogenic variants affecting one of the four mismatch repair genes involved in DNA repair. The aim of this study was to evaluate tumour mismatch repair deficiency and prevalence of Lynch syndrome in high-risk women referred to the Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine with ovarian cancer over the past 20 years. Methods Women with ovarian cancer diagnosed before the age of 35 years and/or with a suggestive personal or family history of Lynch syndrome cancers underwent tumour testing with immunohistochemistry for mismatch repair deficiency and, where indicated, MLH1 promoter methylation testing followed by constitutional testing for Lynch syndrome. Results In total, 261 ovarian cancers were tested and 27 (10.3%; 95% CI 6.9% to 14.7%) showed mismatch repair deficiency by immunohistochemistry. Three of 7 with MLH1 loss showed MLH1 promoter hypermethylation, and 18 of the remaining 24 underwent constitutional testing for Lynch syndrome. A further 15 women with mismatch repair proficient tumours underwent constitutional testing because of a strong family history of Lynch syndrome cancers. Pathogenic variants were identified in 9/33 (27%) women who underwent constitutional testing, aged 33–59 years (median 48 years), including one whose tumour was mismatch repair proficient. Most Lynch syndrome tumours were of endometrioid histological subtype. Conclusions Tumour mismatch repair deficiency identified by immunohistochemistry is a useful prescreen for constitutional testing in women with ovarian cancer with personal or family histories suggestive of Lynch syndrome.
Multi-omics analysis reveals the influence of genetic and environmental risk factors on developing gut microbiota in infants at risk of celiac disease

Background Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune digestive disorder that occurs in genetically susceptible individuals in response to ingesting gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Research shows that genetic predisposition and exposure to gluten are necessary but not sufficient to trigger the development of CD. This suggests that exposure to other environmental stimuli early in life, e.g., cesarean section delivery and exposure to antibiotics or formula feeding, may also play a key role in CD pathogenesis through yet unknown mechanisms. Here, we use multi-omics analysis to investigate how genetic and early environmental risk factors alter the development of the gut microbiota in infants at risk of CD. Results Toward this end, we selected 31 infants from a large-scale prospective birth cohort study of infants with a first-degree relative with CD. We then performed rigorous multivariate association, cross-sectional, and longitudinal analyses using metagenomic and metabolomic data collected at birth, 3 months and 6 months of age to explore the impact of genetic predisposition and environmental risk factors on the gut microbiota composition, function, and metabolome prior to the introduction of trigger (gluten). These analyses revealed several microbial species, functional pathways, and metabolites that are associated with each genetic and environmental risk factor or that are differentially abundant between environmentally exposed and non-exposed infants or between time points. Among our significant findings, we found that cesarean section delivery is associated with a decreased abundance of Bacteroides vulgatus and Bacteroides dorei and of folate biosynthesis pathway and with an increased abundance of hydroxyphenylacetic acid, alterations that are implicated in immune system dysfunction and inflammatory conditions. Additionally, longitudinal analysis revealed that, in infants not exposed to any environmental risk factor, the abundances of Bacteroides uniformis and of metabolite 3-3-hydroxyphenylproprionic acid increase over time, while those for lipoic acid and methane metabolism pathways decrease, patterns that are linked to beneficial immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. Conclusions Overall, our study provides unprecedented insights into major taxonomic and functional shifts in the developing gut microbiota of infants at risk of CD linking genetic and environmental risk factors to detrimental immunomodulatory and inflammatory effects. Video Abstract
Effects of Host Plant Resistance and Fungicides on Severity of Cucumber Downy Mildew

Cucurbit downy mildew caused by the oomycetePseudoperonospora cubensis (Berk. And Curt) Rostov is a major disease of cucumber (Cucumis sativusL.) (Palti and Cohen, 1980) globally. Chemical control of downy mildew is necessary to achieve high yields in the absence of adequate host plant resistance. Most of the currently grown cultivars have some resistance to downy mildew. Before the resurgence of the disease in 2004, host plant resistance was sufficient to control the disease without fungicide use, and downy mildew was only a minor problem on cucumber. There are currently no cultivars that showresistance at alevelequal tothat observed before 2004.However, differences in resistance exist amongcultivars, rangingfrom moderately resistant to highly susceptible. In this study, we evaluated the disease severity and yield of four cucumber cultivars that differed in disease resistance and were treated with fungicide programs representing a range of efficacy levels. The experiment was a split plot design with six replications and four years. Disease was evaluated as chlorosis, necrosis, and reduction in plant size on a 0 to 9 scale. Cultigen had a large effect in all four years. Fungicide has a smaller effect on resistance component traits and a larger effect on yield traits. The effects of cultivar resistance and fungicides appear to be additive until a threshold where maximum yield is reached. Highly resistant cultigens such as PI 197088 required only the least effective fungicides to achieve highest yields, whereas moderately resistant cultigens required a more effective fungicide to reach a similar level of yield. Susceptible cultigens did not achieve high yield even with the most effective fungicide treatments. It is likely that, even as highly resistant cultivars are released, growers will need to continue a minimal fungicide program to achieve maximum yield.
Reproductive Patterns and Relative Abundance of Two Microteiid Lizard Species in Panama

During two years observation the lizard fauna of a residential yard in the City of Panama, Republic of Panama consisted of five common species: Gymnopthalmus speciosus and Gonatodes albogularis fuscus were most abundant, comprising 39% and 32% of the total sample (N = 229); less common were Leposoma rugiceps (13%), Anolis tropidogaster (12%) and Anolis auratus (4%). Only Gymnopthalmus and Gonatodes showed marked seasonal differences in abundance; Gymnopthalmus was most common from late October to early May, Gonatodes from June to September.
Microbiological Characteristics and Sensory Evaluation of White Cheese Produced by Using Camel Milk and Mixture of Camel and Cow Milk

The objective of the present study was to assess the quality of white cheese produced using raw camel milk, and a mixture of camel milk and cow milk (1:1). Raw milk samples obtained from Wad Medani local markets were subjected to microbiological analysis before production of cheese. Results showed that raw camel and cow milk samples contained 1x104 and 1x106c.f. u/ml total bacterial count and devoid from any coliforms or Staphylococcus aureus cells. Cheeses were prepared by acidification using10% citric acid and by adding lactic acid bacteria (LAB) starter culture (5%). The total bacterial count were 15x106, 9x105 and 11x105 (c.f.u/ml), respectively, while the yeast and moulds counts were 2x103, 6x102 and 8x102 (c.f.u/ml), and the lactic acid bacterial were 1.5x108 3x105and 4x105c.f. u/ml in PCM, MCCM1 and MCCM2, respectively, in cheeses produced from pure camel milk (PCM), mixture of camel milk and cow milk coagulated with acidification (MCCM1) and mixture of camel milk and cow milk coagulated with lactic acid bacterial culture (MCCM2). On the other hand, all samples contained coliform bacterial which ranged between 2.5x105 and 1x106c.f. u/ml, and devoid from any Staphylococcus aureus cells except in the MCCM2 which contained 2x105c.f. u/ml. Mixing of camel milk with cow milk improved the microbiological and sensory quality of the resultant cheese. The sensory evaluation indicated acceptance of all cheeses with preference to those prepared with lactic acid bacteria.
Field efficacy of insecticide mixtures against the pod borer and leaf eating caterpillar in cowpea

Efficacy of insecticide mixtures viz., chlorantraniliprole 8.8% + thiamethoxam 17.5% SC @ 150 g a.i. ha , lambda cyhalothrin 4.6% + chlorantraniliprole 9.3% ZC @ 30 g a.i. ha, thiamethoxam 12.6% + lambda cyhalothrin 9.5% ZC @ 27.50 g a.i. ha, beta cyfluthrin 8.49%+ imidacloprid 19.81% SC @ 15.75+36.70 g a.i. ha, flubendiamide 19.92% w/w + thiacloprid 19.92% w/w SC @ 48+48 g a.i. ha against the spotted pod borer, Maruca vitrata and leaf eating caterpillar, Spodoptera litura Fab. infesting cowpea was studied at Vegetable farm, Kalliyoor, Thiruvananthapuram during August November 2017. Lambda cyhalothrin 4.6% + chlorantraniliprole 9.3% ZC @ 30 g a.i ha, thiamethoxam 12.6% + lambda cyhalothrin 9.5% ZC @ 27.5 g a.i ha and chlorantraniliprole 8.8% + thiamethoxam 17.5% SC @ 150 g a.i ha were found superior in the management of M. vitrata and S. litura over other treatments.
THE DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF CMOS READOUT INTEGRATED CIRCUIT FOR 1x128 LINEAR INFRARED PHOTODETECTOR ARRAY

In this thesis, a CMOS readout structure is proposed, developed, and applied to the implementation of photon signal readout integrated circuit for 1x128 linear InGaAs infrared photodetector array. The silicon readout circuit is an important interface circuit of detector array and signal processing stage in the IR image system. To achieve high performance readout and fit the working characteristic of IR detector material, a CMOS readout structure has been developed and fabricated. The functions and superior readout performance of the proposed CMOS readout structure have been verified by experimental measurement under 298K environment or simulations. By using the buffered direct injection (BDI) circuit, it can improve the performance and
Neural H2 Control Using Reinforcement Learning for Unknown Nonlinear Systems

In this paper we discuss discrete-time ${\mathcal{H}_2}$ control for unknown nonlinear system. We use recurrent neural networks to model the system identification, then apply ${\mathcal{H}_2}$ tracking control. The neural networks based critic control does not require the system dynamics. Our optimal control policy uses a recursive solution of the discrete algebraic Riccati equation and reinforcement learning. The stabilities of system identification and ${\mathcal{H}_2}$ tracking control are proven. he convergence of the approach is also given by the use of Lyapunov stability theory. The proposed method is validated with the control of a surge tank.
Peatlands in the Earth's 21st century climate system

Peatlands occupy a relatively small fraction of the Earth's land area, but they are a globally important carbon store because of their high carbon density. Undisturbed peatlands are currently a weak carbon sink (~0.1 Pg C y -1 ), a mod- erate source of methane (CH4; ~0.03 Pg CH4 y -1 ), and a very weak source of nitrous oxide (N2O; ~0.00002 Pg N2O- Ny -1 ). Anthropogenic disturbance, primarily agriculture and forestry drainage (10%-20% of global peatlands), results in net CO2 emissions, reduced CH4 emissions, and increased N2O emissions. This likely changes the global peatland greenhouse gas balance to a C source (~0.1 Pg C y -1 ), a 10% smaller CH4 source, and a larger (but still small) N2O source (~0.0004 Pg N2O- Ny -1 ). There is no strong evidence that peatlands significantly contributed to 20th century changes in the atmospheric burden of CO2 ,C H4 ,o r N2O; will this picture change in the 21st century? A review of experimental and observational stud- ies of peatland dynamics indicates that the main global change impacts on peatlands that may have significant climate im- pacts are (1) drainage, especially in the tropics; (2) widespread permafrost thaw; and (3) increased fire intensity and frequency as a result of drier climatic conditions and (or) drainage. Quantitative estimates of global change impacts are lim- ited by the sparse field data (particularly in the tropics), the large variability present in existing data, uncertainties in the fu- ture trajectory of peatland use, interactive effects of individual impacts, and the unprecedented rates of climate change expected in the 21st century.
To study the population dynamics of gram pod borer ( Helicoverpa armigera Hubner ) in chickpea and to evaluate the benefit-cost ratio of different intercrop patterns

The present investigation entitled “To study the population dynamics of gram pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera Hubner) in chickpea and to evaluate the benefit-cost ratio of different intercrop patterns”. An experiment with randomized complete block design including three replications and nine treatments was carried out in investigation field of SHUATS, Allahabad to compare various combinations of chickpea intercropping. Among all the intercrops chickpea equivalent yield revealed that, the highest yield was recorded in chlorpyriphos treated treatment of 19.48 q ha, Followed by Chickpea + Marigold, Chickpea + Wheat, Chickpea + Coriander and Chickpea + Mustard with 19.13, 16.55, 16.43 and 15.52 q ha respectively. Chickpea sole was recorded with 14.28 q ha. The highest cost benefit ratio was recorded in chlorpyriphos, Followed by Chickpea intercropped with Coriander, Marigold, Mustard and Lentil. Seasonal incidence study revealed that, incidence of gram pod borer larvae (0.84) was observed during 06standard week i.e., in first week of February. Later number of larvae was increased gradually and reached peak (3.94) during 10 standard weeks i.e., in first week of March but in 11standard week declined trend was observed.
Impact of weather parameters on incidence of whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) on chilli in Andhra Pradesh

To know the initial occurrence and subsequent build up of whitefly population on chilli crop in relation to weather parameters, the field experiments were carried out from 2014-16 at Horticultural Research station, Lam, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. Seasonal incidence of whitefly was recorded from leaves and fruits at weekly intervals during the crop growth period. In 2014-15, Correlation coefficients worked out between whitefly population and weather parameters of preceding one week indicated that among the various weather parameters, significant positive correlation was observed between morning relative humidity (0.25**), evening relative humidity (0.33*) and minimum temperature (0.04**) whereas significant negative correlation was observed with maximum temperature (-0.22**) and non significant negative impact of rain fall (-0.27) with whitefly population. Similar trend was observed at preceding two weeks and also in 2015-16 year. The combined effect of weather parameters ranged from 22 to 62 per cent.
Enhancing CNN-based Image Steganalysis on GPUs

Blind image steganalysis (BIS) is the process of detecting whether an input image has hidden data or not, without any prior known information ( i.e., blind) on the applied steganography technique. Recent BIS approaches typically suﬀer from limited detection accuracy and higher computational cost due to, e.g., pre-processing. In this paper, the proposed BIS approach discards the pre-processing step, so that the computational cost is reduced. As well, signiﬁcant modiﬁcations on a recent convolution neural network (CNN)-model are considered in order to enhance the detection accuracy. First, an eﬃcient parameters initialization is considered. Second, a cyclic learning rate and the LReLU activation function are used, during the learning phase, for faster convergence with noticeably higher detection accuracy. Finally, a hybrid technique of model and data parallelism techniques is performed in both convolution and fully connected layers, respectively, thus signiﬁcantly reducing the computational cost. Given stego-images exposed to the S-UNIWARD, WOW and HILL steganography techniques with diﬀerent payloads, the results show that the proposed approach outperforms competing approaches by an enhancement of up to 13.3% and 21.2X in terms of detection accuracy and speed-up factor, respectively.
Evaluation of Proximal Primary Feather Criteria for Aging Wild Pheasants

Wild Illinois pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) captured in fall and winter, 1969-70 and 1970-71, and separated into juvenile and adult age-classes on the basis of bursa depths, were used to evaluate proximal (innermost or Number 1) primary measurements as age criteria. The proximal primary shaft diameters (PPSD) of 307 cocks, collected during fall, separated into juvenile and adult age-classes at 3.210 mm (0.1264 inch) with 92 percent reliability. A sample of 46 cocks, collected duxing winter, separated with 98 percent reliability at the same measurement. In a sample of 285 hens captured during fall, the separation point occurred at 2.908 mm ( 0.1145 inch) with 90 percent reliability. However, in a sample of 234 hens taken during winter, separation occurred at 2.858 mm (0.1125 inch) with 92 percent reliability. The reliability of PPSD as separation criteria could not be enhanced by taking into account the lengths of the proximal primaries. Oven-drying of proximal primaries was necessary to obtain repeatable measurements. Mean PPSD of juveniles of both sexes were significantly larger in the fall than in the winter, whereas those of adults showed no signi$icant difference. The fully grown PPSD of juveniles of both sexes, as measured in fall, were positively correlated with their estimated hatching dates. The PPSD of adults were inversely correlated with their estimated dates of molt initiation. Although there was no apparent explanation for seasonal differences in PPSD, the smaller PPSD of juveniles in winter suggested lower fall-to-winter survival rates of late-hatched juveniles (with large proximal primaries), compared with early-hatched juveniles. Dorney and Holzer ( 1957 ) used the diameter of the ninth primary shaft as a criterion for estimating the age of ruffed grouse ( Bonasa umbellus ) cocks in spring. Wishart (1969) extended this technique to game-farm-reared ring-necked pheasants, using the proximal (Number 1) primary because juvenile pheasants, unlike grouse, replace the outer two (Numbers 9 and 10) juvenal primaries during their post-juvenal molt (Wright and Hiatt 1943). The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the application of this technique to wild Illinois pheasants. Evidence will be presented on the possibility of age-specific differences in fall-towinter mortality. We thank W. R. Edwards, C. M. Nixon, Dr. G. C. Sanderson, and Helen C. Schultz 1 A contribution from Illinois Federal Aid Project W-66R, the Illinois Department of Conservation, the U. S. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, and the Illinois Natural History Survey, cooperat-
Effect of Restricted Feed Intake on Mineral Concentration in Blood and Colostrum of Periparturient Cows Calving During Autumn and Winter

秋季から冬季に分娩したホルスタイン種経産牛8頭を,分娩予定日の12週間前からTDNの維持要求量給与区と維持+妊娠末期2ヵ月間の要求量給与区に割り当て,乳牛のミネラル栄養に及ぼす分娩前の制限給与の影響を調べた. 維持要求量給与区の体重は維持+妊娠要求量給与区より少なかった. 維持+妊娠要求量給与区の分娩1週間前の飼料摂取量は設定量より4%減少したが,維持要求量給与区では残飼は認められなかった. 制限給与は乳牛の分娩前後における直腸温,血中ヘマトクリット値およびヘモグロビン濃度を低下させた. 分娩10日前から4日前の直腸温は,維持要求量給与区が維持+妊娠要求量給与区より低かった. 制限給与は乳牛の血漿中Fe, Zn濃度および血清中アルカリフォスファターゼ活性を低下させたが,分娩直後における初乳中Ca, P, Mg, FeおよびZn含量には制限給与による影響は認められなかった.
OR/17/002 Work Package 2: Monitoring to understand detailed flow processes and improve in situ quantification-Earthwise

The seismic responses of different reservoirs to CO2 injection involve a number of process‐related trade-offs. High quality (thick, permeable and mechanically compliant) reservoirs tend to have a large seismic sensitivity and relatively high potential for the spatial and temporal resolution of thin, spreading CO2 layers and the characterisation of layer properties. But they show rather small pressure increases, close to or beneath seismic detection limits. On the other hand, lower quality reservoirs tend to have a decreased seismic sensitivity with less potential for CO2 layer characterisation but, conversely, with larger and more seismically tractable pressure increases.