Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Droplet Size Impact on Efficacy of a Dicamba-plus-Glyphosate Droplet Size Impact on Efficacy of a Dicamba-plus-Glyphosate Mixture Mixture

Chemical weed control remains a widely used component of integrated weed management strategies because of its cost-effectiveness and rapid removal of crop pests. Additionally, dicamba-plus-glyphosate mixtures are a commonly recommended herbicide combination to combat herbicide resistance, specifically in recently commercially released dicamba-tolerant soybean and cotton. However, increased spray drift concerns and antagonistic interactions require that the application process be optimized to maximize biological efficacy while minimizing environmental contamination potential. Field research was conducted in 2016, 2017, and 2018 across three locations (Mississippi, Nebraska, and North Dakota) for a total of six site-years. The objectives were to characterize the efficacy of a range of droplet sizes [150 µ m (Fine) to 900 µ m (Ultra Coarse)] using a dicamba-plus-glyphosate mixture and to create novel weed management recommendations utilizing pulse-width modulation (PWM) sprayer technology. Results across pooled site-years indicated that a droplet size of 395 µ m (Coarse) maximized weed mortality from a dicamba-plus-glyphosate mixture at 94 L ha – 1 . However, droplet size could be increased to 620 µ m (Extremely Coarse) to maintain 90% of the maximum weed mortality while further mitigating particle drift potential. Although generalized droplet size recommendations could be created across site-years, optimum droplet sizes within each site-year varied considerably and may be dependent on weed species, geographic location, weather conditions, and herbicide resistance(s) present in the field. The precise, site-specific application of a dicamba-plus-glyphosate mixture using the results of this research will allow applicators to more effectively utilize PWM sprayers, reduce particle drift potential, maintain biological efficacy, and reduce the selection pressure for the evolution of herbicide-resistant weeds.
Global-Feature Encoding U-Net (GEU-Net) for Multi-Focus Image Fusion

The convolutional neural network (CNN)-based multi-focus image fusion methods which learn the focus map from the source images have greatly enhanced fusion performance compared with the traditional methods. However, these methods have not yet reached a satisfactory fusion result, since the convolution operation pays too much attention on the local region and generating the focus map as a local classification (classify each pixel into focus or de-focus classes) problem. In this article, a global-feature encoding U-Net (GEU-Net) is proposed for multi-focus image fusion. In the proposed GEU-Net, the U-Net network is employed for treating the generation of focus map as a global two-class segmentation task, which segments the focused and defocused regions from a global view. For improving the global feature encoding capabilities of U-Net, the global feature pyramid extraction module (GFPE) and global attention connection upsample module (GACU) are introduced to effectively extract and utilize the global semantic and edge information. The perceptual loss is added to the loss function, and a large-scale dataset is constructed for boosting the performance of GEU-Net. Experimental results show that the proposed GEU-Net can achieve superior fusion performance than some state-of-the-art methods in both human visual quality, objective assessment and network complexity.
AtBTH1, a BTB domain-containing protein, influences sugar-responsive germination and seedling growth in Arabidopsis

Sugars function as signal molecules that regulate gene expression, growth, and development in plants, animals, and yeasts. As a contribution to understanding the molecular mechanisms of sugar responses, we identified and characterized an Arabidopsis thaliana BTB domain-containing protein of the H subfamily 1 (designated AtBTH1). The relative expression level of AtBTH1 was enhanced by exogenous sugar treatment. To determine the function of AtBTH1 in sugar response, we identified two T-DNA insertion mutants, atbth1-1 and atbth1-2, which displayed an insensitive response to sugar-mediated inhibition of seed germination. The relatively early seedling growth of the atbth1-1 and atbth1-2 mutants was promoted by exogenous sugar treatment. Light-grown seedlings of the atbth1-1 and atbth1-2 mutants developed long roots when grown on medium containing a high sugar concentration. Dark-grown atbth1-1 and atbth1-2 seedlings showed sugar-insensitive hypocotyl elongation and development. These findings revealed that expression changes caused by mutation of AtBTH1 altered sugar-responsive seed germination and seedling growth. Taken together, the results suggest that AtBTH1 plays an important role in sugar responses in Arabidopsis.
Engrafted parenchymal brain macrophages differ from host microglia in transcriptome, epigenome and response to challenge

Microglia are yolk sac-derived macrophages residing in the parenchyma of brain and spinal cord, where they interact with neurons and other glial cells by constantly probing their surroundings with dynamic extensions. Following different conditioning paradigms and bone marrow (BM) / hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation, graft-derived cells seed the brain and persistently contribute to the parenchymal brain macrophage compartment. Here we establish that these cells acquire over time microglia characteristics, including ramified morphology, longevity, radio-resistance and clonal expansion. However, even following prolonged CNS residence, transcriptomes and epigenomes of engrafted HSC-derived macrophages remain distinct from yolk sac-derived host microglia. Furthermore, BM graft-derived cells display discrete responses to peripheral endotoxin challenge, as compared to host microglia. Also in human HSC transplant recipients, engrafted cells remain distinct from host microglia, extending our finding to clinical settings. Collectively, our data emphasize the molecular and functional heterogeneity of parenchymal brain macrophages and highlight potential clinical implications for patients treated by HSC gene therapy.
PREDICTING CROPS WATER REQUIREMENTS AND IRRIGATION SCHEDU-LING IN WADI-HADRAMOUT

Water requirements and irrigation scheduling for seasonal crops and trees grown in Wadi-Hadramout, Republic of Yemen, were predicted on the basis of climate, soil type and crop coefficients using computer model. The result showed that water requirements of Summer crops were higher than those of the same Winter crops. Except for sorghum whose water requirements were found 423 mm in Summer and 439 mm in Winter, the highest water requirement of 1684 mm was found for date palm and the lowest was 154 mm for Winter squash for each crop, frequency and depth of irrigation in Summer were found more than in winter. Summer onion required highest number of irrigations (27), while Winter sorghum required only 3 irrigations. Irrigation requirements of citrus and date palm ranged from 100 mm to 142 mm, each irrigation at 37-40 days intervals during October to March, respectively and at around 25 days intervals during April to September. Irrigation water requirements were decreased by 33% and 20% when using drip and sprinkler irrigation systems, respectively, compared with surface irrigation.
MRtrix3: A fast, flexible and open software framework for medical image processing and visualisation

MRtrix3 is an open-source, cross-platform software package for medical image processing, analysis and visualization, with a particular emphasis on the investigation of the brain using diffusion MRI. It is implemented using a fast, modular and flexible general-purpose code framework for image data access and manipulation, enabling efficient development of new applications, whilst retaining high computational performance and a consistent command-line interface between applications. In this article, we provide a high-level overview of the features of the MRtrix3 framework and general-purpose image processing applications provided with the software.
Knocking out the pptA gene in Aspergillus fumigatus could result in new protein profile and promising targets for antifungals

Article History: Received: 04/08/2018 Accepted: 15/09/2018 Published: 28/10 /2018 The filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus is the most considerable common opportunistic pathogen. This is due to the prevalence of its occurrence in patients with immune debilities. It can cause diseases with impact extends to life-threatening seriousness. This fungus recently showed interesting means of adaptation, biofilm formation, and morphogenesis within the host biome. Its ability to invade and systematically disperse in the patient’s body is of great concern. The complications of antifungal therapy and the limited target available to treat such infections, urge intensive and thorough research to uncover new more effective targets. The present study revealed a novel possibility of making the pptA an effective address in the fungus for antifungal treatment. Knocking-out the pptA gene resulted in halting pathogenecity as it correlated with essential genes of pathogenecity medA which showed considerable down regulation. Significant increase of protein profile has been discovered in ∆pptA strains as UBC gene highly activated and protein assay revealed high rate of production. In conclusion, the present study emphasize pptA as a possible strong antifungal target and declares high protein output from ∆pptA which may be a promised strain for industrial and beneficial protein production.
Long-Term Persistence of blaCTX-M-15 in Soil and Lettuce after Introducing Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL)-Producing Escherichia coli via Manure or Water

The number of environmental antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) has increased dramatically since the start of antibiotic mass production for broad bacterial infection treatment in 1944. Nowadays, ARB and their resistance-determining genes (ARGs) are readily detected in all environments, including the human food chain. A highly relevant food group in this context is fresh produce, frequent raw consumption of which facilitates direct transfer of ARB and ARGs to the consumer. Here, we investigate the persistence of an extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) pEK499 and its clinically most important ARG (blaCTX-M-15), after introduction via irrigation water or manure into a lettuce-growing system. Culturable ESBL-producing E. coli persisted longest in soil and when introduced via manure (until 9 weeks after introduction), while being undetectable on lettuce beyond day 7. In contrast, qPCR detection of blaCTX-M-15 was much more frequent: introduction via water significantly increased blaCTX-M-15 on lettuce until week 4, as opposed to manure, which affected the soil in the long-term (9 weeks) while leading to blaCTX-M-15 detection on lettuce until day 7 only. Our findings demonstrate long-term persistence of undesired ARB and ARG after their introduction via both irrigation and amendment. Such an understanding of the persistence kinetics of an ESBL-producing E. coli and plasmid-encoded blaCTX-M-15 aids the determination of critical actions in order to mitigate their transfer to the consumer.
Development and Application of Creative Problem Solving in Mathematics and Science: A Literature Review

The purpose of this study is to review the development and application of creative problem solving learning model especially in the last 1 decades. Research method used in this study was literature review. We collected more than 20 references related to the history, development, and application of the CPS model. Data collection technique used was through literature study. The results of this study obtained some types of CPS models such as CPS version Treffinger, CPS version Osborn, and CPS published by Creative Education Foundation. The CPS model proposed by the Creative Education Foundation is the latest and best model because it was developed to improve the previous CPS model. Each CPS Model has different steps with some similar goals. CPS is applied at several levels of education for learning Natural Sciences and Mathematics. CPS has a significant influence on the achievement of cognitive competence and problem solving skills
Identificação e caracterização de genes provenientes de Burkholderia seminalis TC3.4.2R3 relacionados ao controle da fusariose

9 LISTA DE FIGURAS . 10 LISTA DE TABELAS . 11 1. INTRODUÇÃO. 13 2. REVISÃO DE LITERATURA.17 2.1. Doenças fúngicas em plantas causadas pelo gênero Fusarium.17 2.2. Controle biológico e os mecanismos de ação envolvidos no antagosnismo microbiano.18 2.2.1. Controle biológico. 18 2.2.2. Mecanismos de ação no controle biológico. 19 2.3. Utilização de bactérias endofíticas como fonte de novos produtos biotecnológicos. 20 2.3.1 Microrganismo endofítico. 20 2.3. 2 Aplicações do gênero Burkholderia no controle de fitopatógenos. 20 2.4 Metabólitos, peptídeos ribossomais e não ribossomais em microrganismos.22 2.4.1 Sistema Tol-Pal e sua função. 23 2.4. 2 Glutamato Sintase.24 2.5 Mutantes obtidos a partir do transposson Tn5.25 3. JUSTIFICATIVA.27 4. OBJETIVOS.29 4.1 Objetivo geral.29 4.1. 1 Objetivos específicos. 29 5. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS. 31 5.1. Material Biológico. 31 5.2. Atividade antimicrobiana in vitro da linhagem TC3.4. 2R3 contra Fusarium spp. 32 5.3 Seleção de mutantes defectivos na inibição de F. verticilioides FV-01 CTC . 33 5.4 Avaliação da produção de compostos antifúngicos termoestáveis pela linhagem TC3.4. 2R3 e seus mutantes defectivos para controle de F. verticilioides FV-01-CTC.34 5.5 Avaliação da produção de metabólitos livres de células pela linhagem TC3.4. 2R3 selvagem e seus mutantes defectivos pra o controle de F. verticilioides FV-01-CTC.34 5.6 Avaliação da atividade antagônica de Fusarium spp. pelos mutantes defectivos para F. verticilioides FV-01CTC.35 5.7 Caracterização, clonagem e sequenciamento das regiões que flanqueam o transposon em mutantes defectivos para inibição do crescimento do F. verticilioides FV-01-CTC.35 5.7. 1 Extração do DNA bacteriano.35 5.7. 2 Comprovação da presença do transposon Tn5 nos mutantes selecionados por PCR.36 5.7. 3 Clonagem dos genes nocauteados por Tn5.36 5.7. 3.1 Obtenção de células competentes.36
Differential ceRNA Expression and Interaction Analysis in Coronary Artery Disease

Previous studies had shown that mRNA, miRNA and lncRNA wer e associated with cardiovascular diseases. The study was aimed to explore the differential expressions of mRNA, lncRNA and miRNA between coronary artery disease (CAD) and healthy control, and their interaction in CAD. We investigated the differential expression of ceRNA between CAD and healthy control through data collected from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) microarrays. Furthermore, we investigated the biological function of these differential expressions of ceRNAs by Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was created to identify the hub genes. Biosystems and literature search were performed for signaling pathways and their function of the included differential expression ceRNAs. A total of 456 miRNA expression profiles, 16,325 mRNA expression profiles, and 2,869 lncRNA expression profiles were obtained . Eleven Go and KEGG pathways (count ≥9), top 15 of PPI network node connectivity rank, and top 15 of ceRNA network node degree centrality rank were achieved at the statistical significance level (P<0.05). We further identified that several differential expressions of ceRNAs and their signaling pathways were associated with CAD through biosystems and literature search. Based on eleven Go and KEGG pathways, top 15 of PPI network node connectivity rank, and top 15 of ceRNA network node degree centrality rank in CAD population, our findings would contribute to further exploration for the molecular mechanism of CAD.
Comparative morpho-physiological response of in vitro selected somaclones of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and explant donor parent to drought stress

Drought stress is the most prevalent environmental factor limiting wheat productivity globally and demands integration of new plant improvement approaches. Plant tissue culture, being a mutagenic process induces somaclonal variations, which can be manipulated for improving drought tolerance of wheat. An in vitro selection system was employed to regenerate PEG-6000 tolerant callus lines into R1 somaclones. Comparative morpho-physiologcial responses of R1 somaclones and explant donor parent cultivar to osmotic stress were studied at seedling and booting stages by inducing artificial drought stress along with the control of unstressed. Both R1 somaclones and explant donor parent exhibited differential responses to drought stress at both growth stages and the selected somaclones were less affected by drought stress over their donor parent. At seedling stage, the R1 somaclones exhibited significantly higher root length, shoot length, root to shoot length ratio and relative water contents (RWC) under PEG- 6000 induced osmotic stress. Similarly, at booting stage the R1 somaclones accumulated significantly higher proline, protein, sugar and potassium ion (K+) contents and maintained higher membrane stability index (MSI) than the original cv. GA-2002 under drought stress conditions. The results revealed that the R1 somaclones of wheat regenerated from PEG-6000 tolerant calli have better drought tolerance than the explant donor parent cv. GA-2002, suggesting that in vitro immature embryo culture can be employed to produce drought tolerant plants of wheat.
Comparison of the Visibility of Fetal Tooth Buds on 1.5 and 3 Tesla MRI

Dental anomalies coincide with genetic disorders, and prenatal identification may contribute to a more accurate diagnosis. The aim of this study was to assess whether fetal Magnet Resonance Imaging (MRI) is suitable to visualize and investigate intrauterine dental development in the upper jaw, and to compare the quality of visibility of tooth buds between 1.5 Tesla (T) and 3T images. MR images of fetuses Gestational Week (GW) 26.71 ± 4.97 from 286 pregnant women with diagnoses unrelated to dental anomalies were assessed by three raters. We compared the visibility between groups and field strengths in five gestational age groups, using chi square and Fisher’s exact tests. All ten primary tooth buds were identifiable in 5.4% at GW 18–21, in 75.5% at GW 26–29, and in 90.6% at GW 34+. Before GW 30, more tooth buds were identifiable on 3T images than on 1.5T images. Statistical significance was only reached for identification of incisors (p = 0.047). Therefore, 1.5T and 3T images are viable to visualize tooth buds, particularly after GW 25, and their analysis may serve as diagnostic criterion. MRI tooth bud data might have an impact on various fields of research, such as the maldevelopment of teeth and their causes. Analyzing tooth buds as an additional diagnostic criterion is not time consuming, and could lead to an improvement of syndrome diagnosis.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA; Kennedy–Kassebaum Act, or Kassebaum–Kennedy Act) consists of 5 Titles.Questions To ConsiderWhy was the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) established? Whom does HIPAA cover? What are basic HIPAA goals? What health information is protected? Differentiate between HIPAA privacy rules, use and disclosure of information? What are the legal exceptions when health care professionals can breach confidentiality without permission? What types of data does HIPAA protect? What types of electronic devices must facility security systems protect? What is the job of a HIPAA security officer? What does a security risk assessment entail? What are physical safeguards? What type of employee training for HIPAA is necessary? What type of reminder policies should be in place? How should a sanctions policy for HIPAA violations be written? What discussions regarding patient information may be conducted in public locations? How do you protect electronic information? How do you ensure password protection? How do you select a safe password?
The human non-visual opsin OPN3 regulates pigmentation of epidermal melanocytes through interaction with MC1R

Opsins form a family of light-activated, retinal-dependent G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) that serve a multitude of visual and non-visual functions. Opsin3 (OPN3 or encephalopsin), initially identified in the brain, remains one of the few members of the mammalian opsin family with unknown function and ambiguous light-absorption properties. We recently discovered that OPN3 is highly expressed in human epidermal melanocytes—the skin cells that produce melanin. The melanin pigment is a critical defense against ultraviolet radiation and its production is mediated by the Gαs-coupled melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R). The physiological function and light-sensitivity of OPN3 in melanocytes is yet to be determined. Here we show that in human epidermal melanocytes OPN3 acts as a negative regulator of melanin production by interacting with MC1R and modulating its cAMP signaling. OPN3 negatively regulates the cAMP response evoked by MC1R via activation of the Gαi subunit of G-proteins, thus decreasing cellular melanin levels. In addition to their functional relationship, OPN3 and MC1R colocalize at both the plasma membrane and in intracellular structures and form a physical complex. Remarkably, OPN3 can bind retinal, but does not mediate light-induced signaling in melanocytes. Our results identify a novel function for OPN3 in the regulation of the melanogenic pathway in epidermal melanocytes. Our results reveal a light-independent function for the poorly characterized OPN3 and a novel pathway that greatly expands our understanding of melanocyte and skin physiology. Significance Our data reveals a novel function for the non-visual opsin OPN3 in regulating the pigmentation of human melanocytes by interacting with and modulating the activity of MC1R.
USP15 participates in HCV propagation through the regulation of viral RNA translation and lipid droplet formation

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) utilizes cellular factors for an efficient propagation. Ubiquitin is covalently conjugated to the substrate to alter its stability or to modulate signal transduction. In this study, we examined the importance of ubiquitination for HCV propagation. We found that inhibition of de-ubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) or overexpression of non-specific DUBs impaired HCV replication, suggesting that ubiquitination regulates HCV replication. To identify specific DUBs involved in HCV propagation, we set up an RNAi screening against DUBs and successfully identified ubiquitin-specific protease 15 (USP15) as a novel host factor for HCV propagation. Our studies showed that USP15 is involved in translation of HCV RNA and production of infectious HCV particles. In addition, deficiency of USP15 in human hepatic cell lines (Huh7 and Hep3B/miR122 cells) but not in a non-hepatic cell line (293T cells) impaired HCV propagation, suggesting that USP15 participates in HCV propagation through the regulation of hepatocyte-specific functions. Moreover, we showed that loss of USP15 had no effect on innate immune responses in vitro and in vivo. We also found that USP15-deficient Huh7 cells showed reductions in the sizes and numbers of lipid droplets (LDs), and addition of palmitic acids restored the production of infectious HCV particles. Taken together, these data suggest that USP15 participates in HCV propagation by regulating the translation of HCV RNA and formation of LDs.