Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Maize seedlings characters as affected by soaking in some natural and artificial substances

To enhancing seedlings parameters of maize hybrid TWC 352 of both old and new harvested grains by soaking in different times in some natural and artificial substances a laboratory experiment was conducted at Agronomy Department Laboratory of Seed Testing, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Egypt, during May 2014. Each type of maize grain of both old or new harvested grains was performed in separate experiment. Every experiment of grain types was carried out in factorial experiment in completely randomized design (CRD). The results revealed that new harvested maize grains significantly exceeded old harvested maize grains in radical length, plumel length, seedling vigor index (SVI), radical dry weight, plumel dry weight an d total chlorophyll content, which recorded highest values of these characters. Soaking ma ize grains in ascorbic acid (AA) at the rate of 100 ppm significantly increased all studied seedlings characters. Generally, increasing times of soaking significantl y increased all studied seedlings characters. Highest percentages of these characters were produced from soaking maize grains in different substances for 18 hours. It could be concluded that for maximizing seedlings parameters of both old or new harvested grains maize hybrid TWC 352, soaking in antioxidant substances such as ascorbic acid or cit ric acid or salicylic acid or natural substances like yeast extract at the rate of 100 ppm of each one for 18 hours.
The Phylogeny of Linum and Linaceae Subfamily Linoideae, with Implications for Their Systematics, Biogeography, and Evolution of Heterostyly

Abstract The genus Linum consists of over 180 species, the most famous being L. usitatissimum, the source of linen and linseed oil. The eight genera of Linaceae subf. Linoideae, of which Linum is the largest, exhibit a complex biogeographic distribution, inhabiting all continents except Antarctica. Numerous species in Linoideae are heterostylous, but the ancestral breeding system of the group has not been determined. We present phylogenetic analyses of 44 species representing all eight genera of subf. Linoideae and 37 species of Linum, with data from the chloroplast (ndhF, trnL-F, trnK 3′ intron) and the nuclear ITS, with Hugonia (Linaceae subf. Hugonioideae) as outgroup. Sequences of rbcL from 48 species of Linaceae, including five species from Hugonioideae and seven species from other families of Malpighiales, were analyzed independently. Our results suggest that Linaceae and subf. Linoideae are monophyletic, but Linum is not. Anisadenia, Reinwardtia, and Tirpitzia are found to be the basal members of Linoideae. The rest of the subfamily forms two major lineages: a blue-flowered clade (Linum sections Linum and Dasylinum) and a yellow-flowered clade (Linum sects. Linopsis, Syllinum, and Cathartolinum, and the genera Cliococca, Hesperolinon, Radiola, and Sclerolinon). Diversification of Linoideae may have begun 46–51 mya, probably in Southeast Asia. Linum appears to have arisen in Eurasia, from which it spread to Africa, North America, South America, and Australasia. Our analyses indicate that neither heterostyly nor homostyly can yet be confirmed as the ancestral state in Linoideae or Linaceae, but provide strong evidence that breeding system is evolutionarily labile in this group.
Genetic Analysis of Strawberry Root System Traits in Fumigated and Nonfumigated Soils II. Relationships among Root System and Above-ground Traits of Strawberry Seedlings

Genotypic and phenotypic relationships among root system and above-ground traits of strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa Duch.) were evaluated for seedlings grown in annual hill culture, with soil treatments consisting of 1) preplant fumigation with methyl bromide and chloropicrin or 2) nonfumigation. Seedlings were from crosses among 10 genotypes within the University of California strawberry improvement program that had been selected previously for yield and other production traits. Root mass had positive genotypic correlations with plant diameter 5 months after planting in both fumigated (r = 0.58) and nonfumigated (r = 0.69) soils. Genotypic correlations between root mass and two production traits, yield and fruit size, were nonsignificant. However, plant diameter had positive genotypic correlations with yield (r = 0.36 to 0.51) and negative genotypic correlations with fruit size (r = -0.47 to -0.60). In general, root appearance scores were uncorrelated with production traits, but their genotypic correlations with vegetative traits were occasionally strong. Genotypic path coefficient analyses conducted separately for fumigated soils and nonfumigated soils both indicated that plant diameter had positive direct effects on yield that were twice the magnitude of that for any other trait. Root mass had a small negative direct effect on yield in each fumigation environment, while root appearance scores had small to moderate direct effects on yield that were more positive for samples obtained after fruiting (in April) versus before fruiting. Pleiotropic relationships appear to exist between root traits and plant diameter, but plant diameter is the best single predictor of genotypic variation for yield in both soil fumigation environments.
Signature-Based DDoS Attack Mitigation: Automated Generating Rules for Extended Berkeley Packet Filter and Express Data Path

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks are malicious attempts to disrupt a service from the target by overwhelming it by network packets. DDoS attacks are continuously rising in size and diversity. In 2018, Netscout reported a peak of 1.7 Tbps in size [1] and Akamai’s annual report of 2018 [2] states that those spikes are still growing with an increasing growth curve. As an example from the beginning of 2018, with the new memcached attacks, attackers are still finding new ways to perform DDoS attacks. Cloudflare is one of the biggest vendors on the market providing solutions the defend against DDoS attacks. Their defending methods include the filtering of malicious packets by generated rules from attack signatures. The extended Berkeley Packet Filter (eBPF) and eXpress Data Path (XDP) form an important part in those defending methods. With the ability to filter packets at a very high speed, eBPF and XDP prove in existing solutions that it can perform in the fight against DDoS attacks. With eBPF and XDP, malicious packets can be dropped based on rules specified inside the eBPF program. Studies show that eBPF and XDP are tools that are able to drop packets at higher rates than former tools. However those studies only show this with plain packets and not in the case of an actual DDoS attack. Altough eBPF and XDP are open-source, the tools can not directly be used to mitigate DDoS attacks. In practice a network operator has to know how to use this tools and what the implication of different scenarios can be. Therefore, the overall goal of this study is to research how to use eBPF and XDP to mitigate DDoS attacks and to research how effective the tools can be. A DDoS mitigation system is proposed in this study with the use of eBPF and XDP. With this system a network operator is able to drop packets up to a 100% accuracy when deep packet layers are considered. The XDP filter allows higher packet processing speeds than an Iptables filter with the same rules. The contribution of this study is two-fold. It adds new scientific findings on which new studies can build upon and the study can be put in practice by network operators in real network environments.
The use of wearable technology to measure and support abilities, disabilities and functional skills in autistic youth: a scoping review

Abstract Background: Wearable technology (WT) to measure and support social and non-social functioning in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has been a growing interest of researchers over the past decade. There is however limited understanding of the WTs currently available for autistic individuals, and how they measure functioning in this population. Objective: This scoping review explored the use of WTs for measuring and supporting abilities, disabilities and functional skills in autistic youth. Method: Four electronic databases were searched to identify literature investigating the use of WT in autistic youth, resulting in a total of 33 studies being reviewed. Descriptive and content analysis was conducted, with studies subsequently mapped to the ASD International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core-sets and the ICF Child and Youth Version (ICF-CY). Results: Studies were predominately pilot studies for novel devices. WTs measured a range of physiological and behavioural functions to objectively measure stereotypical motor movements, social function, communication, and emotion regulation in autistic youth in the context of a range of environments and activities. Conclusions: While this review raises promising prospects for the use of WTs for autistic youth, the current evidence is limited and requires further investigation.
A contribution to the study of the cortinarioid mycoflora of New Zealand, VII

ABSTRACT Fourteen new species are described from New Zealand, Cortinarius amblyonis, Cortinarius chrysoconius, Cortinarius cremeorufus, Cortinarius cypripedii, Cortinarius dulcamarus, Cortinarius entheosus, Cortinarius lachanus, Cortinarius mycenarum, Cortinarius mysoides, Cortinarius psilomorphus, Cortinarius trichocarpus, Cortinarius urbiculus, Cortinarius vitreofulvus and Cortinarius xenosmatoides. Also two new sections, Cortinarius sect. Cremeolinae and Cortina-rius sect. Cycnei, are proposed, and a new form of Cortinarius lubricanescens is described. The Patagonian taxon Cortinarius rapaceus var. luridus is raised to species rank under the replacement name Cortinarius austrorapaceus.
CLUSTER ANALYSIS OF GROUP TYPES IN SOUTHERN RIGHT WHALE (EUBALAENA AUSTRALIS)

Groups of Eubalaena australis in the Gulf of San Jose, Argentina were characterized and classified. A one-zero sampling method was used for collecting data. A distance matrix was calculated with the 124 groups recorded and 10 characters including composition, size, activities, belly-up and tail-up positions, flipper and tail slaps, and breaching. Cluster analysis separated groups into 12 types. Six low-interaction group types were differentiated primarily by their composition, and extent of swimming and resting behaviors. Six interaction group types were characterized by the presence of whales in the belly-up position, by group size, by the absence of females with calves, and by sexual activity. Some interpretations of the possible functional meaning of the observed group types are discussed.
Assessment of fecal testosterone metabolite analysis in free-ranging Saccopteryx bilineata (Chiroptera: Emballonuridae)

ABSTRACT Acquiring hormonal data from small, free-ranging mammals can be challenging when conventional techniques pose too much stress on animals, e.g., by trapping, handling, and bleeding. We assessed the feasibility of measuring plasma testosterone levels indirectly via fecal testosterone metabolites (Tmet) in a small, tropical mammal, the greater sac-winged bat. Saccopteryx bilineata forms stable, harem-polygynous societies, in which males defend female groups throughout the whole year. Firstly, we validated fecal Tmet measurements by performing a challenge experiment using gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). Secondly, we compared Tmet concentrations of harem males and subordinate males in fecal samples collected during the mating season, expecting that fecal Tmet concentrations should be higher in harem than in subordinate males. Thirdly, we monitored fecal Tmet concentrations, courtship intensity and territoriality of harem males during and after the mating season, expecting that fecal Tmet values in conjunction with courtship intensity and territoriality drop after the estrous period of females passed. Our study shows that fecal Tmet concentrations responded to injections of GnRH in male S. bilineata. Fecal Tmet concentrations were higher in harem males than in subordinate males, suggesting that plasma testosterone values were related to either age or social status. Intensity of courtship and territoriality of harem males decreased towards the end of the mating season, but fecal Tmet concentrations remained constant. Male courtship intensity and territoriality were not related to fecal Tmet levels, either because short-term social challenges are not reflected in fecal hormone measurements owing to the propensity of fecal hormone metabolites to integrate over several hours, or because androgen levels are not strongly related to social activities in this species.
Observations of the mass and flow field at Porcupine Bank

During spring 1994 and summer 1995 hydrographic transects across thePorcupine Bank, an elliptical topographic structure adjoining the shelf-edge west ofIreland, were carried out to investigate the mass and flow field characteristics in thevicinity of the bank. The observations show a dome-like deformationof the temperature and density field together with an intrusion of cold, densewater above the bank summit. The dome-like perturbation of the mass field isaccompanied by an anti-cyclonic circulation along the flanks of the bank,which is evident during all observational periods. Its intensity varies stronglyin accordance with the strength of the background stratification. The currentfield results either fromTaylor cap formation above a topographic singularity in a steady flow or due tonon-linear rectification of topographically trapped waves through resonance with thediurnal tide. It is suggested, that the flow field at Porcupine Bank providesan important mechanism for the retentionof pelagic eggs and larvae of various marine species spawning in the area.
A new local estimator of regional species diversity, in terms of ‘shadow species’, with a case study from Sumatra

In a local biodiversity inventory the locally rare species are of particular importance. The main problem of sample-based inventories is that many species are so rare that they will not be observed. The observed frequencies of species in the sample provide an estimate of the species proportion in the population. This may be used to estimate the number of species which exist in the population, but which were not observed in the sample (shadow species). This non-parametric approach provides an unbiased estimate of the relative frequency distribution of the species in the population, which differs very significantly from the sample distribution, particularly for the rare species. The approach leads to a new and ecologically meaningful estimator of the Rényi–Hill generalized species diversity measure, which includes species abundance, the Shannon–Weaver and Simpson's diversity measures, amongst others. The use of the estimator is illustrated on data from a biodiversity inventory of trees on a 3-ha forest sample plot in Sumatra.
Sexual reproduction in British populations of Adoxa moschatellina L.

Adoxa moschatellina L. is a small perennial herb found mainly in damp woodlands. Little is known about the ecology and biology of this species. The aim of this investigation was to examine seed production and the factors that influence seed set in natural populations in Worcestershire and Shropshire. Phenological studies in this species suggest the possibility of limited protogyny. Self-pollination within an inflorescence is likely, due to the overlap in anther maturation within the several flowers in an inflorescence, coupled with the foraging behaviour of the pollinators. This species is apparently adapted for pollination by small flying insects, mainly Diptera; caddis flies and moths also appear to be acting as pollinators. Potential seed set was less than 10% of that possible. Very few (about 20%) inflorescences survived to fruit. This loss of reproductive potential can be explained in terms of herbivore activity and pathogens. Of the inflorescences that did survive until mid-late June, very few (10%) produced seed. This may be due to a sporophytic and/or late acting self-incompatibility mechanism. Pollen viability (68%) does not appear to be a limiting factor.
Spatiotemporal patterns of carbon remineralization and bio‐irrigation in sediments of Casco Bay Estuary, Gulf of Maine

We measured the seasonal and spatial rates of organic matter decomposition and pore‐water irrigation at four subtidal stations in Casco Bay estuary, Gulf of Maine. Organic carbon decomposition and associated flux from sediments showed strong seasonal fluctuations, with averaged highs of 44.9 (±4.9) mmol dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) m−2 d−1 during August and lows of 8.6 (±1.6) mmol DIC m−2 d−1 during January. Apparent activation energies (Ea‐app) ranged from 61 (±5.5) to 83 (±14.5) kJ mol−1 in the 0–1 and 2–3 cm layers of sediments, respectively, which reflects a decrease in carbon reactivity with depth. Spatial differences in surface Ea‐app correlate with C:N ratios in pore water, with lowest Ea‐app levels at stations with lowest C: N; ratios, which is consistent with the remineralization of recently formed organic matter. In addition, there was a significant time‐dependent change in the transport mechanism between sediments and overlying water. Br2 tracer experiments, comparison of flux estimates, and diagenetic transport‐reaction models all independently showed that transport increases significantly because of the activities of benthos during spring, summer, and fall, when rates are ~3 times higher than simple diffusion alone. Biologically enhanced transport resulted from the high density of benthos (≫1.0 mm, ~7,000 m−2), with the nephtyid polychaete Aglaophamus neotenus and the spionid polychaete Prionospio steenstrupi being most abundant. The polychaete Owenia fusiformis and the burrowing, deposit‐feeding amphipod Casco bigelowi were also important. These results further confirm the importance of understanding seasonal variability in both carbon degradation and the influence of benthic organisms in controlling material exchange between sediments and water in estuarine systems.
A study of corpuscular DNA and midgut gland occupancy by putative symbiotic elements in Pomacea canaliculata (Caenogastropoda, Ampullariidae).

Morphology of pigmented corpuscles (C and K types) in the midgut gland of Pomacea canaliculata has suggested that they may be morphotypes of a prokaryotic symbiont. Both corpuscles were isolated from midgut gland tissue to (1) quantify gland occupancy in different experimental conditions and (2) determine and preliminarily characterize DNA present in them. Pigmented corpuscles occupied 8.2‐11% of the gland, and this percentage did not vary significantly according to sex or diet (either a mixed or a paper-only diet, during eight weeks). DNA was detected in both corpuscular types. DNA content in C corpuscles was estimated as 57 fg/corpuscle. Determination of the DNA/protein ratio in lysates of C corpuscles yielded values similar to those of bacterial cells used as controls (Escherichia coli, Synechococcus sp.). The DNA/protein ratio in K corpuscles, however, was much lower than in C corpuscles, probably owing to the high protein content of K corpuscles' envelop. PCR amplification of a ~1,500 bp fragment corresponding to the 16S rRNA gene was obtained when using template DNA extracted from both C and K corpuscles, as well as from an Escherichia coli culture used as control. The current results are consistent with the idea of a bacterial nature of C and K corpuscles.
Dynamics of the 64 Integrin in Keratinocytes □ V

The integrin 6 4 has been implicated in two apparently contrasting processes, i.e., the formation of stable adhesions, and cell migration and invasion. To study the dynamic properties of 6 4 in live cells two different 4-chimeras were stably expressed in 4-deficient PA-JEB keratinocytes. One chimera consisted of full-length 4 fused to EGFP at its carboxy terminus ( 4-EGFP). In a second chimera the extracellular part of 4 was replaced by EGFP (EGFP4), thereby rendering it incapable of associating with 6 and thus of binding to laminin-5. Both chimeras induce the formation of hemidesmosome-like structures, which contain plectin and often also BP180 and BP230. During cell migration and division, the 4-EGFP and EGFP4 hemidesmosomes disappear, and a proportion of the 4-EGFP, but not of the EGFP4 molecules, become part of retraction fibers, which are occasionally ripped from the cell membrane, thereby leaving “footprints” of the migrating cell. PA-JEB cells expressing 4-EGFP migrate considerably more slowly than those that express EGFP4. Studies with a 4-EGFP mutant that is unable to interact with plectin and thus with the cytoskeleton ( 4R1281W-EGFP) suggest that the stabilization of the interaction between 6 4 and LN-5, rather than the increased adhesion to LN-5, is responsible for the inhibition of migration. Consistent with this, photobleaching and recovery experiments revealed that the interaction of 4 with plectin renders the bond between 6 4 and laminin-5 more stable, i.e., 4-EGFP is less dynamic than 4R1281W-EGFP. On the other hand, when 6 4 is bound to laminin-5, the binding dynamics of 4 to plectin are increased, i.e., 4-EGFP is more dynamic than EGFP4. We suggest that the stability of the interaction between 6 4 and laminin-5 is influenced by the clustering of 6 4 through the deposition of laminin-5 underneath the cells. This clustering ultimately determines whether 6 4 will inhibit cell migration or not.
Unravelling the diversity Behind the Ophiocordyceps Unilateralis Complex: Three new species of zombie-ant fungi from the Brazilian Amazon

In tropical forests, one of the most common relationships between parasites and insects is that between the fungus Ophiocordyceps (Ophiocordycipitaceae, Hypocreales, Ascomycota) and ants, especially within the tribe Camponotini. Here, we describe three new and host-specific species of the genus Ophiocordyceps on Camponotus ants from the central Amazonian region of Brazil, which can readily be separated using morphological traits, in particular, ascospore form and function. In addition, we use sequence data to infer phylogenetic relationships between these taxa and closely related species within the Ophiocordyceps unilateralis complex, as well as with other members of the family Ophiocordycipitaceae.
Angiostrongylus vasorum and Crenosoma vulpis in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Newfoundland, Canada

Angiostrongylus vasorum and Crenosoma vulpis infect the pulmonary arteries and airways, respectively, of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Both are widespread in Europe, but within North America, A. vasorum occurs only on the island of Newfoundland. During 2000–2002, 366 red fox carcasses were examined from six regions of Newfoundland for the purpose of determining the distribution of both parasites, effects on the condition of their host, and whether infection with one affects that of the other. Crenosoma vulpis occurred island-wide with a prevalence of 87% and mean (±SE) intensity of 230 ± 20.8. Young-of-the-year red foxes had more C. vulpis (260 ± 39.4) than yearlings (91 ± 31.2) or adults (78 ± 41.1) (χ2 = 25.72, df = 2, p < 0.001), and numbers of adult worm were weakly related to fecal output of first-stage larvae (r2 = 0.20, p < 0.001) but not to host sex or body-fat index. Angiostrongylus vasorum occurred only in southeast Newfoundland where prevalence was 56% and mean intensity was 72 ± 7.6. Its distribu.