Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Elimination of Sweet Potato Virus Disease Agents by Meristem Tip Culture

Abstract Sweet potato vein clearing disease agents have been eliminated from 20 elite clones of sweet potato through meristem tip culture. Meristem tips of 0.25 to 0.4 mm length were cultured in a modified Murashige and Skoog medium. Plantlets were obtained after two months and transferred to soil. Indexing was accomplished by approach grafting to Ipomoea setosa. About 80% of the plants obtained by meristem tip culture indexed negatively. Rapid multiplication was accomplished using single node cutting in vitro. A multiplication rate of 4.2 /month was obtained. The material can be stored in tissue culture for one year without transfer to fresh medium. Virus-free material of IITA elite clones of sweet potato is available for distribution.
Future atmospheric CO2 leads to delayed autumnal senescence

Growing seasons are getting longer, a phenomenon partially explained by increasing global temperatures. Recent reports suggest that a strong correlation exists between warming and advances in spring phenology but that a weaker correlation is evident between warming and autumnal events implying that other factors may be influencing the timing of autumnal phenology. Using freely rooted, field‐grown Populus in two Free Air CO2 Enrichment Experiments (AspenFACE and PopFACE), we present evidence from two continents and over 2 years that increasing atmospheric CO2 acts directly to delay autumnal leaf coloration and leaf fall. In an atmosphere enriched in CO2 (by ∼45% of the current atmospheric concentration to 550 ppm) the end of season decline in canopy normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) – a commonly used global index for vegetation greenness – was significantly delayed, indicating a greener autumnal canopy, relative to that in ambient CO2. This was supported by a significant delay in the decline of autumnal canopy leaf area index in elevated as compared with ambient CO2, and a significantly smaller decline in end of season leaf chlorophyll content. Leaf level photosynthetic activity and carbon uptake in elevated CO2 during the senescence period was also enhanced compared with ambient CO2. The findings reveal a direct effect of rising atmospheric CO2, independent of temperature in delaying autumnal senescence for Populus, an important deciduous forest tree with implications for forest productivity and adaptation to a future high CO2 world.
Diel variation in acoustic density measurements of overwintering herring (Clupea harengus L.)

Survey data from nine herring (Clupea harengus L.) assessment cruises in the wintering areas of spring-spawning Norwegian herring were analysed with regard to variation in vertical distribution and acoustically measured estimates of abundance with time of day. The main features of the vertical distribution were a downward vertical migration at dawn and an upward migration at dusk, although some of the herring remained at depth, independent of time. In a non-feeding overwintering situation this behaviour was attributed to schooling and predator avoidance during the day, and energy conservation and possible swimbladder refilling during the night. There were generally higher average acoustic area backscattering coefficient (s A ) values during the short winter day compared to low values at night, and a minimum at dusk. The diel variation in s A values is attributed to variation in angular distribution of individual herring, from daytime schooling to dusk and dawn vertical migration to swim/sink/glide behaviour during the night, and also to survey ship avoidance by shallow layers of herring at night. These implications as they relate to assessment surveying are discussed.
Efficacy Versus Equity

We investigate the efficacy and equity of college admissions criteria by estimating the effect of multiple measures of college readiness on college performance in the context of race-blind automatic admissions policies. We take advantage of a unique institutional feature of the Texas higher education system to control for selection into admissions. We find that SAT/ACT scores, high school exit exams, and advanced coursework are all predictors of student success in college. However, when we simulate changes in college enrollment and outcomes with additional admissions criteria, we find that adding SAT/ACT or exit exam criteria to an existing rank-based admissions policy significantly decreases enrollment among minorities, low-income students, and students who attend low socioeconomic status high schools, with the most negative effects generated by the SAT/ACT, while inducing only minimal gains in college grade point average and 4-year graduation rates.
Fluid and hybrid simulations of the ionization instabilities in Hall thruster

Low-frequency axial oscillations in the range of 5–50 kHz stand out as a pervasive feature observed in many types of Hall thrusters. While it is widely recognized that the ionization effects play the central role in this mode, as manifested via the large-scale oscillations of neutral and plasma density, the exact mechanism(s) of the instabilities remain unclear. To gain further insight into the physics of the breathing mode and evaluate the role of kinetic effects, a one-dimensional time-dependent full nonlinear low-frequency model describing neutral atoms, ions, and electrons is developed in full fluid formulation and compared to the hybrid model in which the ions and neutrals are kinetic. Both models are quasi-neutral and share the same electron fluid equations that include the electron diffusion, mobility across the magnetic field, and the electron energy evolution. The ionization models are also similar in both approaches. The predictions of fluid and hybrid simulations are compared for different test cases. Two main regimes are identified in both models: one with pure low-frequency behavior and the other one, where the low-frequency oscillations coexist with high-frequency oscillations in the range of 100–200 kHz, with the characteristic time scale of the ion channel fly-by time, 100–200 kHz. The other test case demonstrates the effect of a finite temperature of injected neutral atoms, which has a substantial suppression effect on the oscillation amplitude.
Cost of quality management: An empirical study from Turkish marble industry

In this study, a quality cost model to measure and control costs of quality (COQ) occurring in marble plants was developed. In the marble industry, most properties associated with quality depend on uncontrolled and mostly immeasurable natural and geological conditions. And because of these naturerelated problems, it is difficult to apply commonly used quality cost models to the marble industry and there has not been any application of cost models to the marble industry in literature. For the first time, quality costs occurring in marble production systems are determined, classified and calculated. A computer program containing this model and statistical quality control tools was developed. The software was tested using data from marble plants located in the Diyarbakir (Turkey) Region that has a significant share of the Turkish natural stone industry. It was found that quality costs vary depending on product types in range from 9 to 34% of total production costs for three different stone types.
On a port Hamiltonian approach to the Aircraft Phugoid Dynamics

The long-period of phugoid mode in aircraft dynamics involves a trade between kinetic and potential energy. In this mode, the aircraft, at nearly constant angle of attack, climbs and slows, then dives, losing altitude while picking up speed. This energy conserving process suggest a port Hamiltonian formulation. In this paper, we formulate the phugoid dynamics as a port Hamiltonian system and we explore the implications for control of the aircraft longitudinal dynamics.
Analyzing the speed of sound in neutron star with machine learning

In this work we have analyzed the variation of speed of sound and trace anomaly inside a neutron star using neural network. We construct family of agnostic equation of state by maintaining thermodynamic stability, speed of sound bound with constraints from recent observation of neutron stars. The data of mass and radius serves an input for the neural network and we obtain speed of sound as an output. The speed of sound shows non-monotonic behaviour and the trained data predicts softer equation of state. The neural network predicts stiff equation of state at the centre of intermediate mass stars and massive stars have relatively softer equation of state at their centre. The trace anomaly shows a non-monotonic behaviour for the untrained data however, when we train our data; with neural network the trace anomaly shows monotonic behaviour and the condition of $\Delta \ge 0$ is maintained.
Cryopreservation of Cells in 3D Constructs Based on Controlled Cell Assembly Processes

Cryopreservation technology plays an important role in conserving three dimensional (3D) constructs containing cells. Besides preserving the characteristics of the construct, it can also save a lot of resources in many aspects, such as cell culture space, culture vessel, culture medium etc. Otherwise, the biological properties of the cells and the 3D geometrical configuration will disappear with the death of cells and breakage of configuration. Consequently, a cryopreservation method for the 3D construct fabricated with a controlled cell assembling technology was studied. 10% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) was incorporated into the adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC)/gelatin/ alginate/fibrinogen mixture before assembling. Results indicate that the 3D construct containing cells can be preserved below —80°C for more than 1 week. After the construct underwent the thawing process, cell viability and proliferation ability were regained. This technique holds potential to be used widely in tissue engineering and organ manufacturing fields.
Probability of competition between introduced and native rodents in Madagascar: an estimation based on morphological traits.

An ecomorphological approach was used to estimate the probability of interspecific competition between introduced and native rodents in Madagascar. Comparison of body size, body construction, and craniodental characters leads to the conclusion that there is a high probability of competition between introduced Rattus rattus and the following native taxa: all species of Nesomys, larger semiarboreal Eliurus species (e.g. E. tanala, E. webbi), and especially Gymnuromys roberti. The competitive relationships between introduced rodents and the remaining species of the Nesomyinae have a low probability or are improbable, except possibly for Mus musculus and the so far poorly studied Monticolomys koopmani and Voalavo species.
Climate, oceanography, and recruitment: the case of the Bay of Biscay anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus)

The Bay of Biscay anchovy has experienced, since 2001, a succession of low recruitments, resulting in the collapse of the stock in 2005; this has led to successive closures of the fishery. This study investigates the possible impact of different controlling factors [North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), East Atlantic (EA) pattern, turbulence, upwelling, and river flow] upon anchovy recruitment and fishery catches. Fifty-five percent of the recruitment variability of this fishery can be explained by upwelling over the spawning area; this is related, in turn, to the EA pattern. The conceptual understanding of the system proposed for the Bay of Biscay anchovy suggests that negative EA periods are associated with northeasterly wind circulation, which produces weak upwelling over the continental shelf. This pattern results in hydrodynamic stability over the area, leading, probably, to adequate food availability. A positive EA (which extends onwards, from 1998) is associated with southwesterly winds and downwelling over the continental shelf; this leads, probably, to the dispersion of anchovy food and larvae, together with increasing mortality.
Induction and repression effects on CYP and transporter protein abundance by azole mixture uptake in rat liver

Detection of mixture effects is a major challenge in current experimental and regulatory toxicology. Robust markers are needed that are easy to quantify and responsive to chemical stressors in a broad dose range. Several hepatic enzymes and proteins related to drug metabolism like cytochrome-P-450 (CYP) enzymes and transporters have been shown to be responsive to pesticide active substances in a broad dose range and are therefore good candidates to be used as markers for mixture toxicity. Even though they can be well quantified at the mRNA level, quantification on the protein level is challenging because most of these proteins are membrane bound. Here we report the development of mass spectrometry-based assays using triple-x-proteomics (TXP) antibodies in combination with targeted selected ion monitoring (tSIM) to quantify changes of protein levels due to exposure to mixtures of pesticide active substances. Our results indicate that changes on the protein level of CYP1A1, ABCB2, ABCC3 are in line with observations on the mRNA and enzyme activity level and are indicative of mixture effects. Therefore, the tests are promising to reveal effects by chemical mixture effects in toxicological studies in rats.
Comparison of irrigation scheduling strategies for achieving water use efficiency in highbush blueberry

A glasshouse experiment was carried out to assess the feasibility of applying partial rootzone drying (PRD) to highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum). A subsequent field experiment was established to assess four irrigation strategies with the aim of improving water use efficiency in blueberry production. Applying PRD to plants during a glasshouse experiment reduced stomatal conductance without reducing plant water potential. Hindered by high rainfall, a physiological response to PRD was not repeated in field grown plants. However, irrigation scheduled using a Kc (crop coefficient) curve constructed from Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 56 guidelines and post-harvest regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) delivered annual water savings of 0.8 ML ha−1 and 1.3 ML ha−1, respectively, compared with a total 3.6 ML ha−1 applied using a ‘rule-of-thumb’ approach commonly adopted by Australian blueberry growers. These savings were achieved without reducing berry yield or quality. This study is the first to report on the feasibility of applying FAO 56 guidelines, RDI and PRD as strategies to maximize water use efficiency in highbush blueberry production.
Coordinate Regulation of IκB Kinases by Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinase Kinase 1 and NF-κB-Inducing Kinase

ABSTRACT IκB kinases (IKKα and IKKβ) are key components of the IKK complex that mediates activation of the transcription factor NF-κB in response to extracellular stimuli such as inflammatory cytokines, viral and bacterial infection, and UV irradiation. Although NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) interacts with and activates the IKKs, the upstream kinases for the IKKs still remain obscure. We identified mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 1 (MEKK1) as an immediate upstream kinase of the IKK complex. MEKK1 is activated by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 and can potentiate the stimulatory effect of TNF-α on IKK and NF-κB activation. The dominant negative mutant of MEKK1, on the other hand, partially blocks activation of IKK by TNF-α. MEKK1 interacts with and stimulates the activities of both IKKα and IKKβ in transfected HeLa and COS-1 cells and directly phosphorylates the IKKs in vitro. Furthermore, MEKK1 appears to act in parallel to NIK, leading to synergistic activation of the IKK complex. The formation of the MEKK1-IKK complex versus the NIK-IKK complex may provide a molecular basis for regulation of the IKK complex by various extracellular signals.
Inheritance of Traits Mediating a Major Host Shift by a Seed Beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae)

ABSTRACT The genetic basis by which insects adapt to novel host plants is poorly understood, in part because genetic changes that accompany host-range expansions often cannot be distinguished from those that occurred well after the shift. We examined the inheritance of traits mediating rapid adaptation to a poor host by the seed beetle Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae). For an Asian beetle population, larval survival in lentil, Lens culinaris Medikus, was initially ≈1%, but three separate mass-selection experiments produced lines with >80% survival in <20 generations. Each lentil-adapted line (L1–3) was then crossed with the ancestral line (M) from which it had been recently derived. Survival in the parental lines was extremely divergent: >90% in all L lines versus 0% in the M line. Survival of reciprocal F1 and F2 progeny suggested additive (intermediate) inheritance, with a small dominance deviation toward the M-line parent (in the L1 cross) or the L-line parent (in the L2 and L3 crosses), and no evidence of sex-linkage or cytoplasmic effects. Progeny from backcrosses to the M line survived at a much lower rate than would be expected by additive inheritance, but the survival of L1-backcrossed progeny was consistent with simple additivity. A potential explanation for this asymmetry is that larvae deriving 75% of their genes from the M line only rarely reach a threshold of enzymatic activity needed to detoxify lentil seeds. Two other fitness components, egg-to-adult developmental time and adult mass, also were intermediate in hybrids, but quantitative comparisons were precluded by a lack of M-line adults emerging from lentil. Additive expression of initially rare alleles can account for rapid colonization of a marginal host.
Propriedade inseticida dos óleos essenciais de Piper hispidinervum C. DC.; Piper aduncum L. e Tanaecium nocturnum (Barb. Rodr.) Bur. & K. Shum sobre Tenebrio molitor L., 1758

Oleos essenciais das piperaceas Piper aduncum L. , Piper hispidinervum C. DC. e da bignoniacea Tanaecium nocturnum (Barb. Rodr.) Bur. & K. Shum foram avaliados para o controle de larvas de Tenebrio molitor L. , 1758. Para a avaliacao do efeito por contato em superficie contaminada, foram utilizados papeis-filtro impregnados com diferentes quantidades dos oleos essenciais. Para a avaliacao do efeito topico foram aplicados 5 mL de solucoes com diferentes concentracoes dos oleos sobre larvas de quinto instar do inseto. A taxa de mortalidade foi a variavel utilizada para avaliar os experimentos. Todos os oleos essenciais apresentaram efeito inseticida sobre larvas de T. molitor, sendo que as respostas variaram em funcao da concentracao utilizada, assim como do metodo de exposicao do inseto. A toxicidade dos oleos essenciais foi elevada apresentando os seguintes valores de CL50: 0,045; 0,033 e 1,515 mL de oleo cm-2 para exposicao por contato (papel filtro) aos oleos de P. hispidinervum,P. aduncum e T. nocturnum, respectivamente. Para a aplicacao topica, os valores da DL50 foram de: 0,000025; 0,009 e 0,000015 mL de oleo mg de inseto -1 para os oleos essenciais de P. hispidinervum,P. aduncum e T. nocturnum, respectivamente. Resultados promissores para o emprego desses oleos essenciais como inseticidas foram obtidos utilizando-se concentracoes acima de 3,0% (v v-1) para P. hispidinervum e 2,5% (v v-1) para P. aduncum e T. nocturnum.
Subcellular and tissue Mn compartmentation in bean leaves under Mn toxicity stress

Non-aqueous fractionation was used to characterize subcellular and tissue Mn compartmentation of mature and immature leaves of two common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars contrasting in their response to Mn toxicity. Excess Mn decreases leaf CO2 assimilation through a reduction of chlorophyll content in immature leaves with no effect detected on mature leaves. We hypothesized that differential accumulation of Mn in chloroplasts occurs at different leaf developmental stages. Chloroplasts of immature leaves accumulated at least three times as much Mn as those of mature leaves at equivalent total foliar Mn. Chlorosis was positively correlated with Mn concentration in chloroplasts from high-Mn plants (r2 = 0.96; P = 0.003) but was not correlated with Mn in unfractionated tissue (r2 = 0.026; P = 0.793) nor with Mn in the epidermis-enriched fraction (r2 = 0.33; P = 0.314). Both cultivars showed high accumulation of Mn in the vacuoles as determined by the co-localization of α-mannosidase and Mn content on a continuous density gradient. Cultivars differed significantly in Mn concentration in an epidermis-enriched fraction, with the tolerant cultivar Calima accumulating more Mn in this fraction than the sensitive cultivar ZPV-292. In both cultivars, Mn was accumulated up to 2400 µg g–1 dry weight in crystal-type structures whereas the unfractionated leaf tissue contained about 500 µg g–1 dry weight. The results demonstrate that Mn compartmentation occurs at both the tissue and the organelle level and that Mn accumulation in the epidermis-enriched fraction could contribute to Mn tolerance in common bean. The role of Mn accumulation in structures resembling oxalate crystals is discussed.
An angiogenic laminin site and its antagonist bind through the αvβ3 and α5β1 integrins

Angiogenesis is important for wound healing, tumor growth, and metastasis. Endothelial cells differentiate into capillary‐like structures on a laminin‐1‐rich matrix (Matrigel). We previously identified 20 angiogenic sites on laminin‐1 (α1β1γ1) by screening 559 overlapping synthetic peptides. C16, the most potent γ1 chain peptide, blocked laminin‐1‐mediated adhesion and was the only γ1 chain peptide to block attachment to both collagen I and fibronectin. This suggested that C16 was acting via a receptor common to these substrates. We demonstrated that C16 is angiogenic in vivo. Affinity chromatography identified the integrins α5β1 and avβ3 as surface receptors. Blocking antibodies confirmed the role of these receptors in C16 adhesion. C16 does not contain an RGD sequence and, as expected, an RGD‐containing peptide did not block C16 adhesion nor did C16 act via MAP kinase phosphorylation. Furthermore, we identified a C16 scrambled sequence, C16S, which antagonizes the angiogenic activity of bFGF and of C16 by binding to the same receptors. Because the laminin γ1 chain is ubiquitous in most tissues, C16 is likely an important functional site. Since the biological activity of C16 is blocked by a scrambled peptide, C16S may serve as an anti‐angio‐genic therapeutic agent. —Ponce, M. L. , Nomizu, M. , Kleinman, H. K. An angiogenic laminin site and its antagonist bind through the avβ3 and α5β1 integrins. FASEB J. 15, 1389–1397 (2001)