Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Use of a new paste preparation of Beauveria bassiana in the forest to control Zeuzera multistrigata (Lep.: Cossidae).

In the studies carried out in 1985-1989, living spores of 3. bassiana were mixed with waste molasses from the sugarcane mills and sweet potato starch, to form a paste preparation. Smearing the paste on the excretion holes of Z. multistrigata and Arbela bailbarana [Lep. : Cossidae] infesting Casuarina trees resulted in 93.6-96.8% mortalities of the pests. But the paste showed no control effect against Anoplophora chinensis [Col.: Cerambycidae]. Application of the paste in 583.7 ha. of forests at a cost of 0.128 Yuan (US$0.03) per hectare produced 88.5-98,4% mortality of Z. multistrigata. The paste retained its infectivity after 90 days of storage at room temperature.
In vitro Evaluation of Antioxidant properties of Hodgsonia heteroclita (Cucurbitaceae) fruit

Hodgsonia heteroclita fruits have been used as traditional drug for antidiabetic in Western Assam, India. The study aimed to investigate antioxidant activity of methanolic fruit extract of H. heteroclita. The antioxidant activity of fruit was determined by employing different in vitro assays such as DPPH•, ABTS•+ radical scavenging capacities and reducing power assay-phosphomolybdenum. The results of the present study revealed that the methanol fruit extract exhibited strong scavenging effect on DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1picrylhydrazyl) with IC50 =20.98±0.17 than ABTS [2,2´-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonate) with IC50 =28.58±0.42. The reducing power phosphomolybdenum assay showed inhibition with ascorbic acid as standard. Fruit extract exhibit free radical scavenging and reducing properties which might constitute an important source of natural antioxidants. Thus the study indicates that this plant has a potential to be used as an antioxidant and also can be used to prevent diseases directly linked to oxidative stress.
Impedance Network Design of the Quasi-Z-Source Inverter

The z-source inverter (ZSI) has been widely used for single-stage power conversion since its inception. There are just a few limitations to the ZSI, viz., the input current to the inverter is discontinuous because of the presence of the diode at the front, and the capacitors in the impedance network sustain high voltage stress. With the quasi-Z-source inverter (qZSI), these problems have been resolved. Like the ZSI, the qZSI has three operating states: traditional zero, active, and shoot-through. Along with the above desired dynamic states, three static states that may occur are being discussed. The impedance network should be appropriately designed to prevent these static states. In this paper, the impedance network of the qZSI is illustrated using a design example. Computer simulations utilizing MATLAB/SIMULINK and laboratory experiments are used to validate the design data.
NANO-SCALED FET DEVICE FOR CMOS TECHNOLOGY

Pathak, Prabhat Ranjan. NANO-SCALED FET DEVICE FOR CMOS TECHNOLOGY. (Major Advisor: Alvernon Walker), North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. In this work the 3-D structure of the Accumulation mode (ACM) and Enhance mode (ECM) FinFET was developed by the Taurus-Device Editor. The design of both ACM and ECM FinFET was optimized for high-performance IC applications to meet ITRS specification for Ioff current, for 9nm gate length. The design of ACM and ECM FinFET is optimized, analyzed and compared against each other with respect to Darin Induced Barrier Lower (DIBL), Sub-threshold Swing(SS), operation and performance characteristics with varying electrical and physical parameters Silicon thickness (Tsi), Source/Drain doping gradient (σsd), electrical channel length (Leff ), lacer spacer width (Lsp) and Source/Drain Contact Resistance (rsd). Finally, both designs were optimized for 9nm gate length for on current (Ion) to meet ITRS specifications for Ioff. The simulation solves and includes Poisson, drift-diffusion transport equation and 3D-Schrodinger equation self-consistently.
Chronic Wasting Disease of Deer and Elk: A Review with Recommendations for Management

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has emerged as an important disease of wild and farmed cervids in North America. Of the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), or prion diseases, CWD is the only 1 found in free-ranging species. Because the TSEs include infamous diseases like bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) of cattle and variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease of humans, CWD by association has become a disease of interest beyond the parochial concerns where it is found. Consequently, wildlife managers are faced with developing programs for addressing CWD. Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), white-tailed deer (O. virginianus), and Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) are the only species known to be naturally susceptible to CWD. Although implications of CWD are not entirely clear at this time, we know that CWD is a fatal, contagious disease of mature reproductive segments of deer and elk populations. It has been endemic in free-ranging cervids in a core area of contiguous portions of southeastern Wyoming and northeastern Colorado, USA, for a minimum of 20 years and probably longer. The known geographic distribution of endemic CWD is relatively limited at this time, although as results of intensified surveillance become available, this may change. Foci of CWD in free-ranging deer have been identified distant from the core endemic area as far east as Wisconsin. Distribution has greatly expanded in the last decade or more via commerce in infected farmed elk; as a result, CWD recently has been found in multiple jurisdictions of the plains, foothills, and Rocky Mountains of western North America, and in South Korea. Studies of the biology and natural history of CWD over the last few years have resulted in a better understanding of its pathogenesis and epidemiology. Chronic wasting disease is transmitted horizontally from infected to susceptible cervids. Early involvement of alimentary tract-associated lymphoid tissues during incubation suggests plausible routes for transmission via feces or saliva. Residual environmental contamination also appears to be important in sustaining epidemics. Studies of CWD epidemiology led to development of models to help explain the history of CWD as well as forecast its impacts on deer and elk populations. Improved tests allow CWD to be diagnosed early in incubation, long before clinical signs appear. Where CWD is not known to occur, managers should be, and in some cases are, developing surveillance programs and regulations that prevent or reduce the likelihood that CWD will be introduced into their jurisdictions. Where CWD is already endemic, responsible agencies are conducting surveillance to assess status and trends in prevalence and geographic distribution, managing deer and elk populations to limit spread, and developing and evaluating techniques for further controlling and perhaps eradicating CWD. Programs for addressing the challenges of CWD management will require interagency cooperation, commitment of funds and personnel, and applied research.
A comparison of DNA extraction methods for biodiversity studies of eukaryotes in marine sediments

There is increasing interest in understanding the diversity of eukaryotic microorgan- isms living in marine sediments, particularly to assess the effects of anthropogenic activities. Sequencing technologies generate high-resolution data for biodiversity studies that are useful for environmental monitoring. However, there are challenges in coupling classical monitoring with new sequencing technology and, consequently, there is a requirement for stringent optimization and standardization of any new protocol. Sample preparation is a critical factor because errors introduced during this step will severely affect further analyses and conclusions. This is particu- larly important in studies where biodiversity between different samples is compared, such as in environmental monitoring programs. Several protocols for extracting genomic DNA from soil and sediment samples have been developed, but most are optimized for prokaryotes in terrestrial soils and may therefore not be optimally adapted for investigating benthic marine eukaryotes. In this study, we compared existing and modified genomic DNA extraction methods on 2 different mar- ine sediments with the aim to find an optimal protocol for processing a high number of sediment samples for further sequencing analysis. The protocols were evaluated based on quantity and quality of genomic DNA and recovered biodiversity. Results indicated significant variations in overall genomic DNA yield and purity among protocols. Further, our data suggest an effect of genomic DNA extraction procedure on eukaryotic diversity profiles, particularly for sediments with a high content of silt and clay.
The relationship between electron transport components and photosynthetic capacity in pea leaves grown at different irradiances

Pea plants (Pisum sativum) were grown under different irradiances and the photosynthetic characteristics and chloroplast properties were determined on young, fully expanded leaves. The light-saturated rate of oxygen evolution for leaf discs, measured in 1% CO2, correlated closely with the uncoupled whole- chain electron transport activity by the thylakoid membranes. When expressed on a chlorophyll basis, the photosynthetic rate was proportional to both the cytochrome f content and the coupling factor activity. The ratio of coupling factor activity to cytochrome f content was constant across all the growth irradiance treatments. The content of photosystem II reaction centres, determined by [14C]atrazine binding, varied to a small extent while the content of photosystem I reaction centres was unaltered by growth irradiance. Reaction centres do not seem to limit the rate of non-cyclic electron transport. Analysis of the CO2 response curves suggested that the ratio of electron transport capacity to RuP2 carboxylation capacity was greater for plants grown at higher irradiances than for plants grown at lower irradiances. Within any irradiance treatment, the ratio of the two capacities was approximately constant. The proportion of leaf nitrogen allocated to thylakoid proteins (27%) was independent of growth irradiance. Adaptation to low irradiance was associated with a reduction in the electron transport components and an increase in the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein such that the amount of chlorophyll per unit of thylakoid protein nitrogen increased. By contrast, adaptation to high irradiance was associated with an increase in the electron transport capacity per unit of chlorophyll such that the electron transport rate per unit of thylakoid nitrogen was increased.
Maximal Activities of Enzymes of Energy Metabolism in Cephalopod Systemic and Branchial Hearts

The maximal in vitro activities of enzymes of energy metabolism were assessed in systemic ventricle and the branchial hearts of the cephalopods Loligo forbesi, Sepia officinalis, Eledone cirrhosa, and Octopus vulgaris. Within each species, activity levels of enzymes of glycolysis (hexokinase, phosphofructokinase, pyruvate kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and octopine dehydrogenase), citrate synthase, cytochrome oxidase, and total ATPase were higher in the systemic ventricle than in branchial hearts. The greater metabolic potential is consistent with the higher levels of pressure development and subsequent energy demand in the ventricle than in branchial hearts. The systemic ventricle is nourished by oxygenated blood, whereas branchial hearts receive deoxygenated venous blood. Despite differences in oxygen delivery, there is no suggestion from the enzyme profile that anaerobic metabolism is enhanced in branchial hearts. Pairwise regressions were assessed for all marker enzymes from ventricles and branchial hearts of the four species. There are strong linear correlations between phosphofructokinase and citrate synthase activities, and between hexokinase and cytochrome oxidase activities. This suggests that, as interspecific demand for carbon to support the citric acid cycle is increased, there is a concomitant expansion of carbohydrate flux. Consideration of the ventricle alone reveals higher activity levels of phosphofructokinase, citrate synthase, and ATPase in decapods than in octopods. This is consistent with the greater sustainable swimming capability of the former group and may reflect maximum rates of cardiac energy metabolism.
Genetic Assessment of Salmon and Sea Trout Stocking in a Baltic Sea River

Microsatellite DNA variation were used to assess the outcome of stocking salmon and trout in River Saevara, N Sweden. No information on pre-stocking genetic composition of salmon and trout in R Saevara was available. In two year classes of salmon smolt microsatellite data indicated that post-stocking genetic composition differed markedly (Fst = 0.048) from the main donor strain, Byskeaelven salmon, and from other Gulf of Bothnia salmon stocks (Fst 0.047- 0.132). The STRUCTURE program failed to detect any sub structuring within Saevara salmon. It was concluded that only minor introgression estimated to a proportion of 0.11 (95% CI 0.07 - 0.16) has occurred in salmon. Sea migrating trout showed overall low differentiation among populations with maximum Fst of 0.03 making analysis more cumbersome than in salmon. Still, the Saevara trout deviated significantly from potential donor populations and structure software supported that majority of trout in Saevara formed a distinct genetic population. Admixture was more extensive in trout and estimated to 0.17 (95% CI 0.10 - 0.25).
EFFECTS OF SOIL MOISTURE AND TEMPERATURE ON THE SAPROPHYTIC ABILITY OF TRICHODERMA HARZIANUM

Measurements of competitive saprophytic colonization were used to evaluate the activity of Tricho? derma harzianum in non-sterile soil under conditions of varying soil moisture and temperature. Esti? mates of activity based on levels of colonization, determined after homogenization of substrate pieces, were more discriminating than those based on the number of colonized pieces. T. harzianum was found to be most active at soil matric potentials from -0.5 to -1.0 bar, with activity declining at matric potentials of 0.0, -7.5, and -15.0 bars. The saprophytic activity of T. harzianum was greatest at temperatures from 15 to 21 C. The optimum temperature for competitive colonization was several
Temperature effects on Calanus finmarchicus vary in space, time and between developmental stages

Further background on generalised additive models (GAMs) can be found in Hastie & Tibshirani (1990) and Wood (2006). Note that the smooth terms are constrained to have a mean of 0 in order for the model to be identifiable (Wood 2006). Random effects are treated as smooths by setting ‘bs = re’ when specifying the smooth in the mgcv library (Wood 2013). Smooth functions varying with a linear or factor variable are implemented using the ‘by’ operator within the smooth function in the mgcv library. We used a tensor product (setting ‘te’ instead of ‘s’ when formulating the GAMs in the mgcv library) for the effect of geographical position because the isotropy in longitude and latitude measurements is reduced when we approach the poles.
Characterization of an EPG Waveform Library for Redbanded Stink Bug, Piezodorus guildinii (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), on Soybean Plants

Abstract Feeding behaviors of the redbanded stink bug, Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood), on vegetative (stem and leaflet) and reproductive (pod) tissues of soybean, Glycine max (L.), were recorded using an AC-DC electropenetrograph (EPG) apparatus. Eight different probing waveforms were characterized and defined: Pg1a, Pg1b, Pg1c, Pg1d, Pg2, Pg3a, Pg3b, and Pg4 grouped into three different families, P, I, and N. Histological studies of intact stylets within salivary sheaths observed during Pg1b, Pg1c, Pg2, and Pg3 waveforms were correlated with the specific penetration sites. Waveforms Pg1a, Pg1b, Pg1c, and Pg1d (pathway—family P) occurred at the start of probing activities and represent stylet penetration deep into plant tissue. Waveforms Pg2, Pg3a, and Pg3b (family I) represent the food ingestion phase. Pg2 waveform represents xylem sap ingestion primarily on leaves and stems. During Pg3a, stylets were moving, lacerating deeply into pod tissue and partially retracting; during Pg3b, stylets were motionless inside the pod tissue. Pg3b occurred interspersed with waveform Pg3a. Waveform Pg4 (family N) represented short interruptions that occurred within waveform Pg2. The study demonstrated that P. guildinii uses the cell rupture strategy to ingest from endosperm in soybean pod, and the same insect could switch to salivary sheath feeding to ingest from xylem in soybean leaves and stems. This unusual behavior explains symptoms of stink bug damage to soybean. The P. guildinii waveforms defined herein will allow future EPG studies to aid in development of soybean varieties that resist the feeding and damage caused by this and other stink bug pests.
Immunohistochemical expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog in endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma

Introduction The phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) gene is localized on chromosome 10q23. It is a tumor suppressor gene that inhibits cell proliferation by regulating intracellular signaling pathways, and this activity can be abolished by mutations of the PTEN gene. PTEN is frequently mutated in a wide range of human tumors. Aim of the study In this study, we evaluated the use of PTEN gene as a diagnostic marker to differentiate between endometrioid adenocarcinoma and premalignant lesions of the endometrium. Materials and methods We used an immunohistochemical technique to evaluate the alteration of PTEN in 53 biopsy cases of normal, hyperplastic, and neoplastic endometrial tissue. Results We found that PTEN expression was decreasing from hyperplasia (seven of 12 cases) to atypical hyperplasia (three of six cases), to endometrioid carcinoma (six of 21 cases), with statistically significant relationships. Conclusion PTEN alteration of expression is one of the earliest changes in the process of endometrial tumorigenesis from hyperplasia to the carcinoma stage.
Photosynthetic Heterosis in Maize

Differences in net C02 uptake of single, attached leaves among slngle cros;s F1's of two combinations, parental inbred lines, a varietal cross F1 and parental open-pollinated varieties were observed. Heterozygous types, i, e. single-cross and varietal cross F1's and open-pollinated varieties, showed a definitely higher photosynthetic rate per unit leaf area as compared with inbreds. The photosynthetic rate per unit leaf area (PA) tended to be positively related to the nitrogen, chlorophyll and d, ry matter cc, ntent per unit leaf area. High PA of the heterozygous types was partly attributable to their higher nitrogen, chlorophyll and dry matter content per unit leaf area. Within inbreds as well as within heterozygous types, photosynhtetic rate per unit leaf nitrogen (nitrogen efficiency), the rate per unit chlorophyll (chlorophyll efiiciency) and the rate per unit leaf dry matter (dry matter efficiency) tended to be negatively related to the nitrogen, chlorophyll and the dry matter content per unit leaf area, respectively. Taking this general trend into account, the authors pointed out that the nitrogen, chlorophyll and dry matter efficiencies of the heterozygous types were definitely higher than those of inbreds. High PA of the heterozygous types seems to be primarily related to their high nitrogen, chlorophyll and dry matter efficiencies. High PA of the heterozygous types was closely associated with their high relative growth rate. Estimation of PA with a fcw leaves of a fcw plants may be useful In predicting the hybrid vigor.
Biological characteristics of Streptomyces albospinus CT205 and its biocontrol potential against cucumber Fusarium wilt

ABSTRACT In a dual-culture assay, Streptomyces albospinus CT205 inhibited the growth of Fusarium oxysporum in vitro, the casual agent of widespread Fusarium wilt, probably due to the production of chitinase, β-glucanase, and a heat-resistant antagonistic substance. Pot and field experiments were performed to investigate the effects of S. albospinus CT205 alone or combined with organic fertiliser (BOF-CT205) on control of Fusarium wilt. Pot experiments showed that BOF-CT205 treatments obtained the lowest disease index (23.2), compared with organic fertiliser (OF, 55.3), strain CT205 (66.2), and control (72.5) treatments. In the field experiment, BOF-CT205 treatment yielded significantly lower disease incidences than the control, with reductions of ca. 55%. Cucumber yields in the same treatments were significantly higher than in the control, with increases of approximately 30% in the OF treatment. The cucumber yield was maximised in the BOF-CT205 in field experiments, reaching 8.3 × 104 kg ha−1. The application of BOF-CT205 reduced the presence of the pathogen in the cucumber rhizosphere. In conclusion, S. albospinus CT205 was demonstrated to be a promising biocontrol agent for cucumber wilt, and the most effective treatment was the application of BOF-CT205.
IoT Medical Device Architecture to Estimate Non-invasive Arterial Blood Pressure

High blood pressure (BP) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Besides being a treatable condition, alongside medication and a healthy diet, it requires regular BP measurements to assess whether a patient is properly responding to treatment. There have been many attempts to use the photoplethysmography (PPG) signal to estimate BP continuously, but there has yet to be an effective solution. This work presents our efforts to develop a new method for estimating BP from PPG and infrastructure to collect, process, and store this information. PPG signal is measured from a smartband; our App reads the data from the smartband to a smartphone, processes them using a machine learning method, and estimates BP, which is sent to a server that stores and displays the data.