Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE USE OF CHLAMYDOMONAS (CHLOROPHYTA: VOLVOCALES) AS A MODEL ALGAL SYSTEM FOR GENOME STUDIES AND THE ELUCIDATION OF PHOTOSYNTHETIC PROCESSES

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Dangeard is a unicellular, haploid green alga that has been used as a model genetic system to investigate basic biological processes in photosynthetic eukaryotes. This organism has been particularly useful for dissecting photosynthesis because it can grow heterotrophically as well as photoautotrophically; this has allowed for the isolation and characterization of a large number of mutants that are completely devoid of photosynthetic CO2 fixation. Over the past 10 years there has been a dramatic increase in the number of molecular technologies that can be applied to studies of Chlamydomonas, enhancing its value as a model organism. Nuclear transformation has enabled researchers to generate and complement a range of different mutants and to investigate transcriptional control of gene expression in vivo. The development of methods for chloroplast transformation has helped elucidate the functions of chloroplast genes and the factors that modulate their expression. Genome‐wide studies will further enhance the value of Chlamydomonas as a resource for the biological community and will have a profound effect on the types of experimentation for which this alga is used. For example, the generation and characterization of a library of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) would identify cDNAs for most of the genes present on the Chlamydomonas genome. DNA microarray technology could be used to place these cDNAs on “chips,” configured from microscope slides, that would enable investigators to monitor changes in gene expression of essentially the entire genome simultaneously. The development of methods to identify strains harboring insertions in specific genes would help elucidate the functions of the genes that are represented in the EST library and that have been characterized for expression via the microarray technology. The production of linked physical and genetic maps would facilitate the map‐based cloning of any gene identified by a mutant phenotype. Finally, completing the sequence of the chloroplast genome and analyzing the function and expression of individual chloroplast genes would enhance our knowledge of the activities and biogenesis of this organelle. In thisreview we discuss the application of genomic technologies to studies of Chlamydomonas and how they would help elucidate the metabolism of plants, especially with respect to photosynthetic processes.
SARS – COV-2 (COVID-19) Pandemic: A Critical Review on Novel Coronavirus Pathogenesis, Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment

The 2019-nCoV is officially called SARS-CoV-2 and the disease is named COVID-19 The Novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) caused pneumonia in Wuhan, China in December 2019 is a highly contagious disease The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it as a global public health emergency This is the third serious Coronavirus outbreak in less than 20 years, following SARS in 2002-2003 and MERS in 2012 Currently, the research on novel coronavirus is still in the primary stage It is currently believed that this deadly Coronavirus strain originated from wild animals at the Huanan market in Wuhan by Bats, snakes and pangolins have been cited as potential carriers On the basis of current published evidence, we systematically summarize the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of COVID-19 This review in the hope of helping the public effectively recognize and deal with the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and providing a reference for future studies
A Movie Recommender System: MOVREC using Machine Learning Techniques

: This paper discuss about recommendations of the movies. A movie recommendation is important in our social life due to its strength in providing enhanced entertainment. Such a system can suggest a set of movies to users based on their interest, or the popularities of the movies. A recommendation system is used for the purpose of suggesting items to purchase or to see. They direct users towards those items which can meet their needs through cutting down large database of Information. A recommender system, or a recommendation system (sometimes replacing 'system' with a synonym such as platform or engine), is a subclass of information filtering system that seeks to predict the "rating" or "preference" a user would give to an item[1][2]. They are primarily used in commercial applications. MOVREC also help users to find the movies of their choices based on the movie experience of other users in efficient and effective manner without wasting much time in useless browsing.
The University of Helsinki Submission to the IWSLT2020 Offline SpeechTranslation Task

This paper describes the University of Helsinki Language Technology group’s participation in the IWSLT 2020 offline speech translation task, addressing the translation of English audio into German text. In line with this year’s task objective, we train both cascade and end-to-end systems for spoken language translation. We opt for an end-to-end multitasking architecture with shared internal representations and a cascade approach that follows a standard procedure consisting of ASR, correction, and MT stages. We also describe the experiments that served as a basis for the submitted systems. Our experiments reveal that multitasking training with shared internal representations is not only possible but allows for knowledge-transfer across modalities.
Does Strategic Supply Chain Information System Leads To Efficient Supply Chain and Improved Performance in Indonasin Firms

The goal of this study is to explore the association among supply chain strategy (SCS) and supply chain information systems (SCIS) strategy and also its influence on efficient supply chain and firm performance (FP). Based on information processing theory (IPT), established hypotheses presenting moderating impact of two supply chain information system strategies (SCIS), information system for efficiency and information system for flexibility. These hypotheses are based on the separate relationship among the two SC approaches i.e. Lean and Agile, and SC efficiency and FP. On the basis of data gathered from top management working in procurement, logistics and SC departments of 250 Indonesian firms, for the survey. The gathered data were analysed by using tools like confirmatory analysis and structural equation modelling (SEM), validated our hypotheses. The result shows that IS for efficiency and flexibility, IS strategy strengthen the association among Lean (Agile) SC strategy and SC efficiency. Moreover, there is positively significant association was revealed among SC efficiency and FP and moderating association among SC efficiency on the association among SC strategy and FP was also found. This research offers novel addition in available research by offering theoretical foundation and supportive results that SC efficiency can be enhanced if SC and IS strategies are implemented simultaneously.
Why students choose to study for a forestry degree and implications for the forestry profession

Summary This paper is concerned with university undergraduate science students; their sources of information and the influences acting upon them regarding their degree choice, including communication with members of the forestry profession. In a study of responses from 119 students studying forestry units at The Australian National University it became clear that students felt that what foresters do, and the nature of the discipline, could be better communicated. When professional foresters had communicated with potential students, however, they had an important and positive influence on students' degree choice. Work experience in resource management, personal acquaintance with forestry professionals, and environmental or forestry management issues also had a strong influence on the degree choice of the students. The premise that university students reject forestry as a degree or a profession because of adverse community perceptions was not strongly supported.
An approach for understanding the heredity of two quality traits (head color and tightness) in globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.)

The inheritance of head color and tightness in globe artichoke was studied utilizing crosses between inbreed lines and between clones and self-pollinated clones from different genetic origins. These genetic materials were sowed in a completely randomized design with 20 plants per plot and genotype. Globe artichoke heads were classified into three colors (purple-green, purple and green) and three head tightness types (compact, fairly compact and soft) and the segregating ratios for these traits tested in each offspring using the chi-square test. Crosses between green and purple inbreed lines produced only purple-green heads but F2 generation segregated at a purple-green:purple:green ratio of 9:3:4. The self-pollinated compact head clones produced a compact head:fairly compact head:soft head ratio of 12:3:1. The remaining crosses between lines and among clones and backcrosses verified these ratios. These results suggest that two loci with a simple recessive epistasis are involved in the inheritance of head color and that two loci with simple dominant epistasis are involved in the expression of the different head tightness types. The inheritance models proposed here could be helpful in predicting the appearance of artichoke heads if breeders need to obtain hybrid seeds for a desirable phenotype.
Calibrating molecular estimates of substitution rates and divergence times in birds

Many evolutionary studies of birds rely on the estimation of molecular divergence times and substitution rates. In order to perform such analyses, it is necessary to incorporate some form of calibration information: a known substitution rate, radiometric ages of heterochronous sequences, or inferred ages of lineage splitting events. All three of these techniques have been employed in avian molecular studies, but their usage has not been entirely satisfactory. For example, the ‘traditional’ avian mitochondrial substitution rate of 2% per million years is frequently adopted without acknowledgement of the associated uncertainty. Similarly, fossil and biogeographic information is almost always converted into an errorless calibration point. In both cases, the resulting estimates of divergence times and substitution rates will be artificially precise, which has a considerable impact on hypothesis testing. In addition, using such a simplistic approach to calibration discards much of the information offered by the fossil record. A number of more sophisticated calibration methods have recently been introduced, culminating in the development of probability distribution-based calibrations. In this article, I discuss the use of this new class of methods and offer guidelines for choosing a calibration technique.
Methylphenylpyridium ion (MPP+) enhances glutamate‐induced cytotoxicity against dopaminergic neurons in cultured rat mesencephalon

Parkinson's disease is characterized by chronic progression of dopaminergic neuronal death, the mechanism of which is still unknown. Although methyl‐4‐phenylpyridium ion (MPP+) or MPP+‐like substance, that can reduce mitochondrial complex I activity, is supposed to be a causative agent for Parkinson's disease, it is difficult to explain the chronic neuronal degeneration for years. It is important to identify other putative agents capable of causing chronic cell death besides MPP+. We hypothesized that treatment with small doses of MPP+, not causing severe damage to dopaminergic neurons but merely reducing the activity of mitochondrial complex I, can be a model of Parkinson's disease, and that glutamate can be a putative agent causing chronic neuronal degeneration. Using primary culture of the rat mesencephalon, we investigated glutamate‐induced cytotoxicity against dopaminergic and non‐dopaminergic neurons with or without the pretreatment with MPP+. Brief exposure to glutamate showed similar cytotoxicity against both dopaminergic and non‐dopaminergic neurons. An N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor antagonist completely blocked the glutamate‐induced cytotoxicity against both dopaminergic and non‐dopaminergic neurons. In the dopaminergic neurons, MPP+ caused cytotoxicity that was not blocked by co‐administration of MK‐801. After pretreatment with small doses of MPP+, sub‐lethal doses of glutamate caused severe cell damage restricted to dopaminergic neurons, suggesting that MPP+ potentiates the glutamate‐induced cytotoxicity only against dopaminergic neurons. As glutamate is putatively capable of causing cytotoxicity against dopaminergic neurons, the present findings might be important in considering the pathogenesis of dopaminergic neuronal degeneration and a possible therapeutic application of glutamate receptor antagonists in Parkinson's disease. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Ellenberg index of temporal change in vascular plants (Änderungstendenz) tested in southern Sweden

In Sweden, public awareness of change in the environment has increased in recent decades (Gillberg 1999). An important tool which contributed to an understanding of how the flora is affected by changes in the environment was created by Ellenberg (1974). Six ecological factors, namely light, temperature, continentality, moisture, reaction and nitrogen, were each divided into 9 (in the case of moisture 12) so-called indicator values. A species given a low value occurs mainly where the factor is less pronounced, and vice versa, species in light class 1 prefer full shadow, 5 half shadow, and 9 full light.
Adaptive ensemble PTV

Ensemble particle tracking velocimetry (EPTV) is a method to extract high-resolution statistical information on flow fields from particle image velocimetry (PIV) images. The process is based on tracking particles and extracting the velocity probability distribution functions of the image ensemble in averaging-regions deemed to contain a sufficient number of particle pairs/tracks. The size of the averaging regions depends on the particle density and the number of snapshots. An automatic adaptive variation of the ensemble PTV is presented to further push the spatial resolution of the method. The proposed adaptive-EPTV is based on stretching and orienting the averaging regions along the direction of maximum curvature of the velocity fields. The process requires a predictor calculation with isotropic-window EPTV to compute the second derivatives of the mean velocity components. In a second step, the principal directions of the Hessian tensor are calculated to tune the optimal orientation and stretch of the averaging regions. The stretching and orientation are achieved using a Gaussian windowing with different standard deviation along the local principal direction of the Hessian tensor. The algorithm is first validated using three different synthetic datasets: a sinusoidal displacement field, a channel flow and the flow around a NACA 0012 airfoil. An experimental test case of an impinging jet equipped with a fractal grid at the nozzle outlet is also carried out.
Rice yield prediction and optimization using association rules and neural network methods to enhance agribusiness

Objectives: This study aims to implement data analytics andmachine learning approaches to rice data and to establish association rules on fixed attributes and their correlations for yield prediction of crops. Methods: The data of rice crop is collected fromdistrict Larkana as per defined parameters: area, production, yield, temperature, rainfall, humidity and wind speed. The pre-processing operations are applied on prepared dataset to execute data analytics and machine learning algorithms. The processed data are then input into an Apriori algorithm for generating association rules. Neural network model is used to perform optimization on resulted association rules. Findings: Minimum support and confidence values equal to 3 and 80 respectively were set using Apriori algorithm on prepared rice dataset and obtained 88 association rules. Among them, results of 28 associated rules predicted `High Yield Production'. Neural network model is experimented to optimize the predicted yield of district Larkana through which overall network performance of 97.8% is calculated. Previously, rice yield data of Larkana were not statistically and digitally predicted and investigated. Application : Group of effective and well-built association rules of yield prediction are core outcome of this study which will be helpful for researchers, farmers and government officials to improve the productivity of rice crop.
STATISTICAL METHODS OF ESTIMATING PERCENTILES

In a recent paper, Murphy and Abbey’ have suggested that the usual “norms” found in medical literature are largely irrelevant to the decision problems faced in practice. The proper approach, according to them, is to locate a critical value for decision by minimizing some cost function. The circumstances under which it is possible to adopt this suggestion are: (1) there must be a specific problem in which, for some well-defined class (or subclass) of persons, it is appropriate to reach a decision solely on the basis of a set of laboratory measurements; and (2) this specific problem must be one in which quantitative terms can be expressed for the relative penalty (or cost) of a false-positive and a false-negative result. When faced with a problem that has both of these properties, few people, statisticians or clinicians, would disagree with the Murphy-Abbey approach. We have never met such a problem in connection with clinical “norms” and believe that such problems are few and far between. Usually, we have only vague qualitative indications of the “cost” of wrong decisions. It is our purpose to discuss a problem that we believe arises much more frequently than the mathematically precise one of Murphy and Abbey. Whether our concern is with errors in laboratory measurements, variability over time of the laboratory values for an individual, individual variability among healthy persons, or variability between states of health and disease, and whether the problem is univariate or multivariate, the characteristics of some frequency distribution(s) have to be determined on the basis of empirical observations. We shall consider the estimation of some percentage point of a frequency distribution. In our illustrations we have chosen the 95th percentile. In making such an estimate, we may have any one of several different purposes in mind:
COVID-19 Helicopter Money, Monetary Policy and Central Bank Independence: Economics and Politics

This article discusses a form of fiscal monetization that produces losses in the central bank’s balance sheet, without a permanent increase in the money base. If an independent central bank acts as a long-sighted policymaker, an optimal helicopter monetary policy can be identified. At the same time, if the government in charge is made up of career-concerned politicians and citizens are heterogenous, then the policy mix will produce distributional effects, and conflicts between politicians and central bankers will be likely. Political pressures will arise and the helicopter money option will be less likely. The framework is applied in a discussion of the economics and politics of issuing COVID-19 perpetual bonds with the European Central Bank as the buyer.
Functionalised bilayer vesicle as a catalyst for transamination: artificial transaminase

The non-enzymic transamination reaction of α-amino acids with α-keto acids was investigated in aqueous media at 30.0 °C. The functionalised single-walled co-vesicle composed of a synthetic peptide lipid, NN-dihexadecyl-Nα-[6-(trimethylammonio)hexanoyl]-L-histidinamide bromide, and a hydro-phobic pyridoxal derivative, 1-(NN-dihexadecylcarbamoylmethyl)-2-methyl-3-hydroxy-4-formyl-5-hydroxymethylpyridinium chloride, effectively catalysed amino-group transfer from L-phenylalanine to pyruvic acid in the presence of copper(II) ions, showing turnover behaviour. The catalytic activity of the vesicular system was much higher than those of 1,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-4-formyl-5-hydroxymethyl-pyridinium chloride and pyridoxal examined in aqueous media containing copper(II) ions. The rate-determining step involved in the catalytic cycle performed with the vesicular catalyst is primarily assigned to the product-releasing process, the hydrolysis of the copper(II) chelate of the aldimine Schiff's base to afford alanine.
A test of ecological and sexual selection hypotheses for geographical variation in coloration and morphology of golden‐crowned kinglets (Regulus satrapa)

Aim To date, studies on geographical variation have extensively investigated Bergmann’s rule, yet Gloger’s rule remains infrequently tested, and climatic predictors of variation in carotenoid coloration have not yet been studied. In addition, hypotheses based on sexual selection, which predict that sexual dimorphism should vary with population density and climatic conditions, have received little attention. Our goals were to characterize geographical variation in the coloration and morphology of golden‐crowned kinglets, Regulus satrapa (Passeriformes, Regulidae), and to investigate possible ecological and sexual selection correlates of this variation.
A simple and precise method for measuring ammonium in marine and freshwater ecosystems

The accurate measurement of ammonium concentrations is fundamental to understanding nitrogen biogeochemistry in aquatic ecosystems. Unfortunately, the commonly used indophenol blue method often yields inconsistent results, particularly when ammonium concentrations are low. Here, we present a fluorometric method that gives precise measurements of ammonium over a wide range of concentrations and salinities emphasizing submicromolar levels. The procedure not only solves analytical problems but also substantially simplifies sample collection and preservation. It uses a single working reagent (consisting of orthophthaldialdehyde, sodium sulfite, and sodium borate) that is stable for months when stored in the dark. The working reagent and sample can be mixed immediately after sample collection and the reaction proceeds to completion within 3 h at room temperature. Matrix effects and background fluorescence can be corrected without introducing substantial error. This simple method produces highly reproducible re.
Lack of Endothelin ETBReceptor Binding and Function in the Rat with a Mutant ETBReceptor Gene

Abstract Congenital aganglionosis rat is a mutant with an autosomal recessive gene (sl). Recent studies have revealed that the endothelin ETBreceptor gene ofsl/slrat has a deletion of 301-bp region spanning exon 1 and intron 1 corresponding to the first and the second transmembrane domains of the receptor. In the present experiments, we examined the functions of ETBreceptors in thesl/slrats. In the membranes of cerebellum, heart, and lung of control (+/+ andsl/+) rats, ET-1 induced a monophasic, competitive displacement of [125I]ET-1 binding, whereas ET-3, IRL 1620, and BQ-123 showed biphasic displacement. In the membranes ofsl/slrats, in contrast, ET-1, BQ-123, ET-3, and IRL 1620 showed only monophasic displacement. Scatchard analysis revealed a single [125I]ET-3 binding site in the membrane of control heart but not in thesl/slrat heart, and the specific binding sites for [125I]ET-1 in both control andsl/slrat hearts. In the control rat aorta but not in thesl/slrat aorta, ET-3 induced endothelium-dependent relaxation. These results suggest thatsl/slrats do not have functional ETBreceptors.