Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HETEROTIC POTENTIAL OF UPLAND COTTON HYBRIDS FOR EARLINESS AND YIELD RELATED ATTRIBUTES

Cotton is a long duration crop which effects the timely sowing of wheat in Pakistan. Information of various earliness and yield related traits are pre-requisite to develop early maturing and high yielding cotton cultivars. Therefore, the present research was conducted to determine the heterotic potential for six earliness and six yield related. For this purpose, 10 F1 hybrids were developed through crossing between nine upland cotton cultivars. These hybrids along with their parental lines were sown in the field conditions of Faisalabad, Pakistan. All the hybrids showed significant differences for observed traits. The maximum recorded values of heterosis for earliness index and seed cotton yield were 66.05% and 70.39%, respectively. Hybrid VH-289 × AGC-501 showed maximum significant heterosis (66.05%), heterobeltiosis (50.43%) and standard heterosis (32.52%) for earliness index was due to the negative heterosis in days to flowering, days to first boll opening, node number for first fruiting branch and height of first fruiting branch. Hybrid ARK-3 × AGC-501 showed maximum significant heterosis (70.39%), heterobeltiosis (28.52%) and standard heterosis (72.01%) for seed cotton yield was due to the positive heterosis showed by its yield contributing traits. This study can be used for breeding program to develop early maturing and high yielding varieties.
CRISPR/Cas9 editing of the polygalacturonase FaPG1 gene improves strawberry fruit firmness

Abstract Firmness is one of the most important fruit quality traits in strawberries. The postharvest shelf life of this soft fruit is highly limited by the loss of firmness, where cell wall disassembly plays an important role. Previous studies demonstrated that the polygalacturonase FaPG1 has a key role in remodelling pectins during strawberry softening. In this study, FaPG1 knockout strawberry plants have been generated using the CRISPR/Cas9 system delivered via Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Ten independent lines, cv. “Chandler”, were obtained, and all of them were successfully edited as determined by PCR amplification and T7 endonuclease assay. The targeted mutagenesis insertion and deletion rates were analyzed using targeted deep sequencing. The percentage of edited sequences varied from 47% up to almost 100%, being higher than 95% for seven of the selected lines. Phenotypic analyses showed that 7 out of the eight lines analyzed produced fruits significantly firmer than the control, ranging from 33 to 70% increase in firmness. There was a positive relationship between the degree of FaPG1 editing and the rise in fruit firmness. Minor changes were observed in other fruit quality traits, such as colour, soluble solids, titratable acidity or anthocyanin content. Edited fruits showed a reduced softening rate during postharvest, displayed a reduced transpirational water loss, and were less damaged by Botrytis cinerea inoculation. The analysis of four potential off-target sites revealed no mutation events. In conclusion, editing the FaPG1 gene using the CRISPR/Cas9 system is an efficient method for improving strawberry fruit firmness and shelf life.
Study on Calculation Method of Foundation Nonlinear Settlement Based on In Situ Loading Test

In this paper, a nonlinear deformation modulus method is proposed for foundation settlement calculation. In the proposed method, the nonlinear deformation modulus under different stress levels is obtained from the load-settlement curve of in situ loading test, which are then applied to the layerwise summation method for calculating foundation settlement. On this basis and referring to the Duncan-Chang model, a variable modulus constitutive model suitable for numerical calculation of foundation settlement is further proposed. The required parameters of this model are the same as those of the nonlinear deformation modulus method and can be determined by the in situ loading test. The validity of the proposed calculation methods of foundation settlement is verified by the in situ loading tests under different plate sizes. The results illustrate that both the nonlinear deformation modulus method and the variable modulus constitutive model compare quite well with the test results, and the deduced results can better reflect the nonlinearity of foundation settlement.
Detailed investigation of energy transfers in homogeneous stratified turbulence

This paper investigates some irreversible mechanisms occurring in homogeneous stably stratified turbulent flows. In terms of the eigenmodes of the linear regime, the velocity‐temperature field is decomposed into a vortex and two wavy components. Using an eddy‐damped quasinormal Markovian (EDQNM) closure with the axisymmetry hypothesis, an analysis of the anisotropic energy transfers between the vortex kinetic energy, the wave kinetic and potential energy is made. Within the light of triadic exchanges, and by analogy of the resonance condition for three linearly interacting gravity waves, the closure model allows one to compute the detailed transfers for eight types of interactions. Results of the calculations include time evolution plots, for the isotropic closure model as well as two different types of the anisotropic closure. The pure vortical interactions are shown to be responsible for the irreversible anisotropic structure created by stable stratification, and this structure prevents the inverse casc.
Effectiveness of Intra-Arterial Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Intraocular Retinoblastoma: Relevance of a Multidisciplinary Setting

Purpose We aim to report about effectiveness and safety in the context of our centers’ setting in the management of retinoblastoma with intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) in a 5-year retrospective analysis of the Portuguese population. Patients and Methods Retrospective analysis of consecutive cases of retinoblastoma selected to initiate IAC between 2015 and 2020, at the Portuguese National Reference Center. All included patients underwent complete ophthalmological evaluation under anesthesia with fundus photography. Diagnosis and classification of retinoblastoma was made according to the International Classification of Intraocular Retinoblastoma (ICRB). The patients were further divided into two groups: Group I for primary IAC and Group II for secondary IAC. Tumor recurrence or relapses, systemic metastasis and deaths were documented. Main efficacy outcome included ocular salvage and recurrence-free survival rates estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Results Twenty-eight eyes (19 eyes included in Group I and 9 eyes included in Group II) were eligible and a total of 130 IAC procedures were performed, with a median number of sessions of 4 (range 1–8) for each treated eye, during a median follow-up of 21 months (range 4–64). Of the included eyes, 22 (78.6%) were preserved. An overall survival of 100% was achieved. Considering the preserved eyes, the overall median decimal visual acuity achieved at the last visit was 0.15 (range 0.02–0.8). Three patients had permanent adverse events related to IAC (cataract, vitreous hemorrhage and choroidal ischemia). Considering the survival analysis of recurrence, the mean survival without recurrence was 84.2% for Group I and 66.7% for Group II, and the mean survival without enucleation was 78.6% (no events in Group II). Conclusion IAC has been shown to be an effective and safe treatment for children with intraocular retinoblastoma. This study demonstrates that IAC is effective even in moderate sample sizes, when a multidisciplinary approach is available.
miR-124-2, miR-92-A1 and miR-372 regulate differential gene expression in a mathematical model of the progression of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to microinvasive breast cancer (MIBC)

Breast cancer is a widely studied genetic disease that has a clear division between an initial stage, starting with the atypical ductal hyperplasia progressing to ductal carcinoma in situ and ending, although not necessarily, with invasive breast cancer. Nonetheless, if the invasive breast cancer has only colonized less than 1mm of healthy estroma it is classified as microinvasive breast carcinoma. We hypothesized that differentially expressed genes in tumoral cells of early carcinoma are regulated by specific miRNAs and TF that stimulate the progression to an invasive stage. Our main goal was to reach a minimal model that can explain this behavior and identify promising miRNA targets with therapeutic potential. Using BioNetUCR and COPASI for a systems biology approach, we identified miRNAs miR-372, miR-124-2 and miR-92-A1 that modify the differential gene expression in MIBC stage. These miRNAs have potential as therapeutic targets for future treatment strategies by suppressing the transition from DCIS to IBC. There are few studies about DCIS to MIBC transition, but with this computational approach we present one of the first in silico models for this type of cell transition.
The Dirichlet Problem for the Degenerate Monge-Ampère Equation.

Let O be a bounded convex domain in Rn with smooth, strictly convex boundary ¶O, i.e. the principal curvatures of ¶O are all positive. We study the problem of finding a convex function u in O such that: det (uij) = 0 in O u = f given on ¶O.
The waiting time and related statistics in the multinomial scheme: a survey

The sequential allocation of particles in the multinomial scheme is considered. The multinomial trials are conducted until the frequences of k, 1 < k < N, outcomes become for the first time no less than the corresponding levels. Decomposable statistics (DS) are studied, where N is the number of outcomes, QJ, 1 < j < Nt are functions of an integer-valued argument and fyis the frequency of the jth outcome at the stopping time. The exact and asymptotic results related to L^k and their various specializations are presented and some applications to the statistical inference for the multinomial scheme are given.
The impact of football fanaticism on the wellbeing of young men in Nigeria: Implication for social work practice

Abstract Football is a very popular sport among Nigerian youth. However, football, which was intended to entertain, has engendered hostility as well as other negative effects among fans. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of football fanaticism on the well-being of young men in Nigeria. We invited 24 male participants to a single in-depth semi-structured interview using a qualitative descriptive design. We utilized thematic analysis approach while analyzing the qualitative data. Our findings showed that younger men in Nigeria hold some positive perceptions about football fandom. However, fandom has had an unexpected impact on young adults, increasing physical and psychological risk factors such as violence, anxiety, and suicide. Our research adds to the emerging field of social work and sports in Nigeria and globally as well as fandom as a risk factor for suicide, for the consideration of social workers. Social workers, in roles such as program facilitators, psychotherapists, tele-counseling, and educators, could assist young people in developing a healthy football support life.
Exploring driver and user perspectives of service quality in sharing economy transport platforms

With the rise of the sharing economy, companies such as Uber have emerged as an alternative to traditional transport methods. Digital sharing economy platforms enable the encounter of two types of ‘users’: peer providers (i.e. drivers) and travellers (commonly referred as users). To acknowledge the needs of both the user and the provider, we must understand their perceptions of service quality (SQ) in this new context. However, existing research about SQ in platform-based transport focuses only on the users’ perspective. Given that peer providers are an essential part of peer-to-peer transport services, this exploratory study aims to capture the perceptions of SQ from the perspective of users and drivers. Relying on service quality theory, two quality assessment scales are designed for the users and the providers, respectively. Based on the data obtained from 646 users and drivers, Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) is used to validate the proposed scales. This study contributes to the literature of quality management in the sharing economy and provides valuable insights for platform managers.
Radiative decays of the n = 2 states of He-like ions

The relativistic random-phase approximation (RRPA) is applied to study radiative transitions from n = 2 states along the He isoelectronic sequence. The strengths of various decay modes and the energy splittings of the n = 2 multiplets are investigated. At low Z the present results agree with earlier nonrelativistic studies, whereas at high Z our results provide new information about oscillator strengths, branching ratios, and multiplet structure for the n = 2 states. (AIP)
Mosquito abundance and pig seropositivity as a correlate of Japanese encephalitis in human population in Assam, India

Background & objectives: Assam is the most vulnerable state for Japanese encephalitis (JE) in India. The situation warrants characterization of epidemiological patterns of JE in vectors, pigs and human population. This investigation was aimed to determine the relative abundance of mosquito species and seroprevalence of JE in pigs in order to draw an epidemiological association with reported human JE cases in Assam. Methods: Pig sera and mosquitoes from selected farms in Sivasagar and Kamrup districts of Assam were collected fortnightly for one year during June 2015–May 2016. Pig sera were tested for JE antibodies by haemagglutination and virus neurtralization tests. Mosquito species were identified microscopically following the taxonomic keys. The results were analyzed with data on confirmed human JE cases in the selected districts. Results: Culex gelidus (26.07%) and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus (24.07%) were the most abundant species in collected mosquitoes (n = 997). A total of 22.99% of pigs (n = 335) were JEV seropositive and 45.65% of human acute encephalitis syndrome cases (n = 230) were positive for JE virus (JEV) infection. Relative mosquito abundance, pig positivity and human cases were highest during monsoon (June–September) and least during winter (December–February). Rise in mosquito population was observed during pre-monsoon season (March–May) and concurrently higher number of human cases and pig seropositivity were recorded. A good correlation was observed between mosquito number and JEV positivity in pigs/human, and between pigs and human cases (p < 0.05). Human population in Sivasagar was at higher risk for JE infection (OR: 6.46, p < 0.0001) than in Kamrup rural district. Interpretation & conclusion: This study indicates that a seasonal correlation exists between mosquito abundance and JEV seroconversion in pigs with concurrent human JEV outbreaks under field conditions in Sivasagar and Kamrup rural districts of Assam and that monitoring mosquito abundance/density and pig JEV seropositivity may help in predicting JEV outbreak in human population in the region.
Steady streaming in an oscillatory inviscid flow

Steady streaming, arising within a fluctuating flow field, is commonly associated with attenuation due to viscosity. In this paper we show that such streaming may be induced within an inviscid fluid when the underlying fluctuating flow is the result of a nonconservative body force. In such a situation the induced streaming is significantly greater than that in a viscous fluid brought about by a fluctuating conservative body force. The vehicle we choose to illustrate this is a unidirectional buoyancy force, otherwise known as g-jitter. In particular the flow about a heated sphere in an otherwise gravity-free environment is analyzed. The relationship with the analogous viscous-flow problem is investigated.
On the spin-up and spin-down of a rotating fluid. Part 1. Extending the Wedemeyer model

The Wedemeyer model describing the spin-up of a fluid in a rotating cylinder is generalized to include the case of spin-down. Attention is focused on spin-up and spin-down at a finite (constant) acceleration for small Ekman numbers En. It is found that when the full nonlinear Ekman suction is included for spin-up from rest, the characteristics near the propagating wave front intersect, thus yielding an O(1) velocity discontinuity for the inviscid model. This anomalous behaviour is limited to only a small range of Rossby numbers and does not appear in any of the spin-down solutions. Transient spin-down velocity profiles in the O(E1/4Ω) shear layer at the cylindrical wall are calculated for the quasi-steady flow which occurs for sufficiently small decelerations. Results for impulsive spin-up and spin-down between infinite parallel plates are presented and compared with the asymptotic solutions given by Greenspan & Weinbaum and Benton. Finally, characteristic spin-up and spin-down times are computed for both the contained cylinder and the infinite-parallel-plates geometry.
Determinan Fraud Hexagon Theory dan Indikasi Financial Statement Fraud

This study aims to test the influence of fraud hexagon theory on financial statement fraud. Elements of the causative factors of fraud based on fraud hexagon theory cannot be directly investigated but require proxy variables. Stimulus is projected with financial stability. Opportunity is projected with nature of industry and ineffective monitoring. Rationalization is projected by a change of auditor. Capability is projected with a change of director. Arrogance is projected with a frequent number of CEO's picture. Collution is projected by the ownership of the company by the government or a State-Owned Enterprise or is a private company. The test was conducted on healthcare companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange during the period 2016-2020. Sample selection is done using purposive sampling techniques. Data analysis uses regression panel data. Based on the results of the analysis showed that the variables of financial stability, ineffective monitoring, change in auditor, frequent number of CEO's picture, and state-owned enterprises positively affect financial statement fraud. Nature of industry and change of director have no effect on financial statement fraud. This research provides implications for those who need information about the possibility of financial statement fraud in healthcare companies taking into account influencing factors. Keyword : Fraud Hexagon Theory; Financial Statement Fraud; Healthcare Company
Oral Administration of TrkB Agonist, 7, 8–Dihydroxyflavone Regenerates Hair Cells and Restores Function after Gentamicin–Induced Vestibular Injury in Guinea Pig

The causes of vestibular dysfunction include the loss of hair cells (HCs), synapses beneath the HCs, and nerve fibers. 7, 8–dihydroxyflavone (DHF) mimics the physiological functions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. We investigated the effects of the orally-administered DHF in the guinea pig crista ampullaris after gentamicin (GM)-induced injury. Twenty animals treated with GM received daily administration of DHF or saline for 14 or 28 days (DHF (+) or DHF (−) group; N = 5, each). At 14 days after GM treatment, almost all of the HCs had disappeared in both groups. At 28 days, the HCs number in DHF (+) and DHF (−) groups was 74% and 49%, respectively, compared to GM-untreated control. In the ampullary nerves, neurofilament 200 positive rate in the DHF (+) group was 91% at 28 days, which was significantly higher than 42% in DHF (−). On day 28, the synaptic connections observed between C–terminal–binding protein 2-positive and postsynaptic density protein-95-positive puncta were restored, and caloric response was significantly improved in DHF (+) group (canal paresis: 57.4% in DHF (+) and 100% in DHF (−)). Taken together, the oral administration of DHF may be a novel therapeutic approach for treating vestibular dysfunction in humans.
PVDF piezoelectric flow sensor for velocity measurements aiming malaria diagnostics: a preliminary approach*

Malaria is a parasitic disease widely spread in the tropical and subtropical regions of the globe, commonly associated with underdeveloped countries with poor healthcare conditions. Appropriate diagnosis and treatment are essential for reducing malaria mortality. The measurement of the blood velocity in capillary vessels can be used as a principle for malaria diagnostics. Therefore, this work focuses on developing the actuation, acquisition and readout electronics systems of a piezoelectric acoustic transducer for measuring the velocity of a liquid, aiming malaria diagnostics. The measurement is based on the phase differences between the emitted and the received acoustic signals that interact with the fluid, driven by a voltage-controlled oscillator that generates an 8.5 MHz acoustic wave. The material of the piezoelectric transducer is based on the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer placed in a water chamber. The system was tested in water with different flow conditions, from rest up to 30 ml/min. It was compared the effect of two different thin-film PVDF transducers, with 28 and 110 µm thickness, and it was observed that both allowed to detected flows above 5 ml/min, with 84% and 77% linearity, respectively. Therefore, the developed prototype system of the acoustic transducer for measuring the velocity of a liquid sample may be reliable, since it detects velocity variations within the typical range of blood flow velocities in capillary vessels. Future work is essential to improve the sensor overall characteristics to make it a reliable tool for malaria diagnostics.
The Crucial Role of Chloroplast-Related Proteins in Viral Genome Replication and Host Defense against Positive-Sense Single-Stranded RNA Viruses

Plant viruses are responsible for worldwide production losses of numerous economically important crops. The most common plant RNA viruses are positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses [(+)ss RNA viruses]. These viruses have small genomes that encode a limited number of proteins. The viruses depend on their host’s machinery for the replication of their RNA genome, assembly, movement, and attraction to the vectors for dispersal. Recently researchers have reported that chloroplast proteins are crucial for replicating (+)ss plant RNA viruses. Some chloroplast proteins, including translation initiation factor [eIF(iso)4E] and 75 DEAD-box RNA helicase RH8, help viruses fulfill their infection cycle in plants. In contrast, other chloroplast proteins such as PAP2.1, PSaC, and ATPsyn-α play active roles in plant defense against viruses. This is also consistent with the idea that reactive oxygen species, salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and abscisic acid are produced in chloroplast. However, knowledge of molecular mechanisms and functions underlying these chloroplast host factors during the virus infection is still scarce and remains largely unknown. Our review briefly summarizes the latest knowledge regarding the possible role of chloroplast in plant virus replication, emphasizing chloroplast-related proteins. We have highlighted current advances regarding chloroplast-related proteins’ role in replicating plant (+)ss RNA viruses.