Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Successful genetic transformation in date palm (Phoenix dactylifera)

The introduction of foreign genes into most of the Phoenix spp using recombinant DNA technology is not a straight forward task. In Phoenix spp application of this technology towards successful transformation proved to be a more difficult one – so far no report on the successful regeneration of transgenic date palm plants has been published. We developed an efficient and reproducible variety-independent method for producing transgenic date palm (Phoenix spp) via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Agrobacterium rhizogenes strains LBA 9402 were used and for cotransformation experiments the strain LBA 9402 with the binary vector pBIN19 with the p35S GUS INT gene was used. Off-shoot segments from different Phoenix spp cultivars were infected with Agrobacterium rhizogenes. The development of ‘hairy roots’ at a high frequency only on infected tissue pieces showed that transformation is possible. Various parameters like, effect of different genotypes on root initiation, root number and root length have been studied. Regeneration of transformed root cultures to plantlets was also attempted. Histochemical GUS assay and polymerase chain reaction analysis of hairy roots confirmed the presence of GUS gene. Agrobacterium tumifaciensmediated transformation was also performed using the leaves of off-shoot explants. Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains: I) GV3101 with the vir plasmid pMP90 the strain C58C1 ATHV with the vir-plasmid pTiBo542 (=pEHA101; Hood et al. 1986) was used. The nptII gene (neomycin phosphotransferase) was used as a selectable marker gene. The β-Glucuronidase-gene (GUS-Gene: Jefferson et al. 1987) under control of the Ubi- and 35S-Promotors, with an Intron (Vancanneyt et al. 1990), was used as the reporter gene. We also used the genetically engineered Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 as a vector for infection in the transformation experiment, which contains plasmid pBI121 of 14 KDa (binary vector). This binary vector contains following genes within the right border (RB) and left border (LB) region of the construct: The udiA gene (Jefferson, 1986) predetermining GUS (β-glucuronidase), driven by CaMV promoter and NOS terminator. This reporter gene can be used to assess the efficiency of transformation. The nptII gene (Herrera-Estrella et al., 1983) encoding neomycin phosphotransferase II (nptII) conferring kanamycin resistance, driven by NOS promoter and NOS terminator. The bacterium also contains plasmid pAL4404 which is a disarmed Ti plasmid (132 KDa) containing the virulence genes. For the confirmation of transgenes, calli were taken from the growing callus mass for DNA isolation. PCR- and Southern analysis was performed to determine the integration and the copy number of the transgene. The GUS-test was performed to demonstrate s-glucuronidase expression. The transgenic plantlets were kept in a hardening room for four weeks and they will be transferred to a growth chamber with controlled environment for further establishment.
An Extension of a Variant of a Predictor-Corrector Primal-Dual Method from Linear Programming to Semidefinite Programming

We extend a variant of a predictor-corrector primal-dual method for Linear Programming to Semidefinite Programming. Two versions are proposed. One of the versions uses the HKM direction and the other the NT direction. We present the algorithms associated with these versions and the computational experience using the SDPLIB 1.2 collection of Semidefinite Programming test problems. We show that, in general, the algorithm using the HKM direction is the best and is also better than the one relative to the classical method.
Effects of peer relationships on parent–youth relationships and self-differentiation

We aimed to explore how romantic relationship status affects the moderating effect of peer relationships on associations between parent–youth relationships and Self-differentiation. Chinese college students (N=389) completed measures to assess the Self-differentiation, parent–youth relationships, peer relationships, and romantic relationships. Results revealed that the interaction effect between peer discord and father–youth discord was not significant for romantically involved participants (γ=0.22, SE=0.02, p=0.13), while the interaction effect between peer discord and father–youth discord was significant for single participants (γ=0.20, SE=0.01, p<0.05). In other words, the protective effect of peer relationships on the associations between parent–youth relationships and differentiation of self was effective only for single participants. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Regional and Gender Differences in Various Forms of Mathematics Assessment within the Victorian Certificate of Education.

As part of the new Victorian Certificate of Education, the state of Victoria, Australia, implemented changes to secondary mathematics courses in order to cater to the needs and aspirations of all students by using a variety of teaching and assessment strategies. The first year that the changes were fully implemented for grade 12 was 1992. A statistical analysis examined the influence of locale (rural versus urban) and sex of student on mean achievement on the various Common Assessment Tasks (CATs). There were 6 mathematics subjects in year 12, attended by 19,413 females and 22,567 males, for which there were four CATs. CATs 1 and 2 required the students to communicate their findings in written reports, were assessed within the school by their teacher, and were performed over an extended period of time. CATs 3 and 4 were multiple-choice and extended-answer examinations respectively, and were marked externally. Findings indicate that females were not as disadvantaged in mathematics assessment as they had been in earlier mathematics courses in Victoria. The largest disadvantage for females occurred in terms of participation, particularly in advanced mathematics courses. Females generally performed better than males in CATs 1 and 2, and males generally performed better than females in CATs 3 and 4. There was a significant regional effect in that rural students, particularly males, performed worse than their metropolitan counterparts in CATs 1, 2, and 3. Implications concerning equality of opportunity and gender differences in test taking are discussed. Seventeen tables and four graphs depict data and results. (Contains 36 references.) (TD) ******************************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ********************************************************************************
A comparison of techniques for combining specialized problem solvers in a spacecraft operations domain

Space exploration demands planning and scheduling systems that are expressive enough to encode real-world problems, flexible enough to keep up with shifting problem requirements, and powerful enough to provide high quality solutions within reasonable time bounds. These competing demands are particularly difficult to meet for the many NASA planning and scheduling problems that contain interacting combinatorial optimization sub-problems. General purpose planners are expressive and flexible, but perform poorly on these complex problems. Combinatorial optimization solvers have excellent performance, but are only applicable to sub-problems. This paper describes a simple method for integrating certain kinds of combinatorial sub-problem solvers within a general purpose planner/scheduler framework that demonstrably increases solution speed and quality.
Comparison of The Neurocognitive Skills Between Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Patients: A Controlled Study

Background: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of the cyclic reproductive hormonal changes on neurocognitive functions in the female of childbearing age. In the study, Generalized Anxiety disorder (GAD) patients and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) patients were compared with the healthy controls. Methods: One of the two psychiatric samples was the group of GAD (n = 38) which had 20 and higher on Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) score and the other was the group of PMDD (n = 48). Age matched healthy control group (n = 42) was also included into the study. Venous blood samples were taken twice for hormonal assays according to the menstrual phases. Frontal assessment battery, stroop test, and weschler verbal memory tests were also applied for the evaluation of neurocognitive changes with respect to menstrual phases. Results: Taken together with the repeated measures and the data analysis, the GAD group had significantly worse performance regarding overall neurocognitive functions (particularly memory skills, attention and psychomotor function) in their late luteal phase compared to the PMDD group. The control group had significantly better performance than the other two groups. Additionally, cyclic hormonal change rates of the both patient groups were significantly higher throughout the menstrual cycle than the control group. Conclusions: Previous studies indicate PMDD patients suffer from some neurocognitive impairment during late luteal phase due to the central role of female reproductive hormones. However, this study finds GAD patients had worse neurocognitive impairments than the PMDD patients. Therefore, further research should be conducted on complex information processing which involved in GAD patients.
Genetic variability of Indian yaks using random amplified polymorphic DNA markers

Indian yaks are categorized into common yaks, bisonian yaks and bareback yaks. Genetic similarities and divergence among them was analyzed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique using ten decamer oligonuclotide primers. Only five primers (ILO 526, OPAV 15, ILO 1127, ILO 1065 and ILO 876) out of the ten primers tried produced consistant polymorphic fingerprints. Of the 76 fingerprints produced, 49 were present in all types, 21 were individual specific and 6 were polymorphic for different types. The pair wise comparison studied for different primers indicated the average bands sharing ranged from 78% in bareback to 88% in common type. There was no significant difference (P .0.05%) between the mean average percentage (MAPD) values observed between Indian yaks. Key words : Yak types, RAPD, DNA fingerprints.
acute and session rPe responses during resistance training: Bouts to failure at 60% and 90% of 1rM

Objective . To compare resistance bouts performed to failure at low (60% 1RM) and high (90% 1RM) workloads for acute rate of perceived exertion (RPE) (per exercise), session RPE (S-RPE) (30 min post), HR (per exercise) and total work (per session, and per exercise). Background . RPE is a convenient method for quantifying intensity in aerobic exercise. However, RPE has recently been extended to exercise modalities dominated by anaerobic pathways such as resistance training (RT). Method. Subjects (N=12) were assessed using an exercise-specific 1 repetition maximum (1RM) for 6 exercises. On separate days in a counterbalanced order, subjects performed 3 sets of each exercise to volitional failure at a low intensity (LI) and a high intensity (HI) with 2 minutes rest between sets and exercises. At the end of each set, subjects estimated acute RPE for that set using a 10-point numerical scale. Thirty minutes after the end of the exercise session subjects estimated their S-RPE for the entire workout. HR, total work, and acute RPE were compared (HI v. LI) using repeated measures ANOVA. Results . A paired samples t-test showed LI was significantly higher (p=0.039) than HI for session RPE (LI=8.8±0.8, HI=6.3±1.2) and total work (LI=17461±4419, HI=8659±2256) (p=0.043). Per exercise, total work and acute RPE were significantly greater (p=0.01) for LI for all exercises. Peak HR was significantly higher per exercise during LI for leg press (p=0.041), bench press (p=0.031), lat pull-down (p=0.037) and shoulder press (p=0.046).
Natural Hydroxyapatite Extracted From Bovine Bone

The aim of this study is to extract natural hydroxyapatite (HAP) from bovine bone. Hydrothermal method followed by calcination treatment at different temperatures is used in this current research. Bovine bone has potential for producing hydroxyapatite, a chief component present in bone and teeth of vertebrates. HAP is an excellent material used in bone restoration and tissue regeneration. Characterizations of the bovine bone natural HAP powder were done by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) and energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. The FTIR result confirms the presence of phosphate (PO4-3), hydroxyl (OH)- and carbonate (CO3-2) groups in the powder. SEM displays the surface morphology whereas EDX provides calcium (Ca) to phosphorous (P) ratio in the HAP samples. The results of the EDX analysis indicate that the Ca/P ratio of HAP varies from 1.67 to 1.83. The extracted HAP material is found to be thermally stable up to 1100oC.
Towards spatial frequency domain optical imaging of neurovascular coupling in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

Early neurovascular coupling (NVC) changes in Alzheimer's disease can potentially provide imaging biomarkers to assist with diagnosis and treatment. Previous efforts to quantify NVC with intrinsic signal imaging have required assumptions of baseline optical pathlength to calculate changes in oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin concentrations during evoked stimuli. In this work, we present an economical spatial frequency domain imaging (SFDI) platform utilizing a commercially available LED projector, camera, and off-the-shelf optical components suitable for imaging dynamic optical properties. The fast acquisition platform described in this work is validated on silicone phantoms and demonstrated in neuroimaging of a mouse model.
IGBTs working in the NDR region of their I-V characteristics

This paper demonstrates the detailed work on high voltage IGBTs using simulations and experiments. The current-voltage characteristics were measured up to the break through point in forward bias operating region at two different temperatures for a 50 A/4.5 kV rated IGBT chip. The experimentally measured data were in good agreement with the simulation results. It was also shown that the IGBTs are able to clamp high collector-emitter voltages although a low gate turn-off resistor in combination with a high parasitic inductance was applied. Uniform 4-cell and 8-cell IGBT models were created into the TCAD device simulator to conduct an investigation. An engendered filamentation behaviour during short-circuit turn-off was briefly reviewed using isothermal as well as thermal simulations and semiconductor approaches for development of filaments. The current filament inside the active cells of the IGBT is considered as one of the possible destruction mechanism for the device failure.
A Class of Optimal Portfolio Liquidation Problems with a Linear Decreasing Impact

A problem of an optimal liquidation is investigated by using the Almgren-Chriss market impact model on the background that the agents liquidate assets completely. The impact of market is divided into three components: unaffected price process, permanent impact, and temporary impact. The key element is that the variable temporary market impact is analyzed. When the temporary market impact is decreasing linearly, the optimal problem is described by a Nash equilibrium in finite time horizon. The stochastic component of the price process is eliminated from the mean-variance. Mathematically, the Nash equilibrium is considered as the second-order linear differential equation with variable coefficients. We prove the existence and uniqueness of solutions for the differential equation with two boundaries and find the closed-form solutions in special situations. The numerical examples and properties of the solution are given. The corresponding finance phenomenon is interpreted.
A Longitudinal Categorization of US Airline Industry via Dynamic Stock Return Method

In this exploratory paper, the dynamic stock return method (DSRM) initially proposed as an effective and replicable method by [14], [4], [5], [6] is deliberately applied to the US airline industry over the period from 1979 to 1992 (14 years). The longitudinal categorization or strategic group (SG) results from the DSRM show good face validity. They are consistent with the industry’s fact-based historical progress. We also observe that the operational measures such as market share or productivity tend to support the grouping results. Furthermore, the results of 15- and 7-year analysis of relative closeness of stock responsive movements between two representative airline firms (American and Hawaiian airlines, respectively) could be inferred that the SGs derived from the DSRM are valid and robust over a longer time span. We conclude that the DSRM could be a good alternative instrument for the longitudinal study of industry substructure.
Social and Emotional Learning Programs for Elementary School Students: A Pilot Study.

This study applied the theoretical frameworks of emotional and social intelligence to the development and implementation of an education program for elementary school children. The key component in strengthening emotional intelligence involves the correct identification and understanding of internal physiologically anchored emotional states and of the situations that elicit them. In contrast, the key component in strengthening social intelligence involves understanding of emotions, and therefore, both emotional and social intelligence are interdependently related. To enhance emotional and social intelligence, a year-long program consisting of five units (Listening, Feelings, Anger Management, Decision-Making, and Perspective-Taking) was devised and implemented in two third-grade classrooms in a suburban elementary school in the northeastern United States. The program was administered on a weekly basis and was under the supervision of a guidance counselor. The effectiveness of the program was assessed through a within-subject analysis of preand post-test measures of emotional identification, pro-social and anti-social responding, anger management strategies, and a teacher rating scale. Findings provide partial support the hypothesis that the program would enhance students' capacity to identify emotional states accurately. Findings, however, fail to support the hypothesis that participation would increase pro-social responding and reduce anti-social responding. (Contains 31 references.) (HTH) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the ori inal document. Social and Emotional Learning Programs for Elementary School Students: A Pilot Study
Weed selection by sheep grazing dryland lucerne

Diet selection by sheep grazing dryland lucerne with a high proportion of weeds was assessed in two consecutive years (2005/2006). The study was performed on 2.66 ha of pasture divided in two homogeneous paddocks subjected to a stocking rate of either 10 or 20 sheep/paddock, and grazed for 17 days. Before and after each grazing trial, an inventory was conducted to assess the frequency and the phenological state of each plant species. The amount of biomass was determined pre- and post-grazing in each paddock and for each year, and the different species identified were separated by hand, dried and weighed to calculate their contribution to the total biomass. The plants that showed the higher "selection score" were Medicago sativa, Lolium rigidum, Eruca vesicaria (ssp. sativa) and Diplotaxis erucoides, regardless of the stocking rate or the year of study (P 0.05). The n-alkanes concentration in the consumed fraction of each eaten plant was also analysed, and the values expressed as proportion of the total alkanes subjected to a stepwise discriminant analysis. n-Alkane profiles in the eaten fraction of the consumed species were different enough to allow their identification as components of the diet.
Effect of proportional integral controller in the stability of direct current motor

Direct Current (DC) motor has become an important drive for many applications across a wide area of powers and stability. The ease of control and excellent performance of the DC motors will ensure that the number of applications using them will continue grow for the future. The aim of this paper is to show the effect of proportional integral (PI) controller in stability of DC motor. The MATLAB code has been designed simply to show the effect of the PI controller in the DC motor. From the simulation, the result performance of the PI controller is compared in term of response and the assessment is presented.
The Small, the Young and the Innovative. A Panel Data Analysis of Constraints on External Innovation Financing

This article investigates how access to external financing for innovation activities is affected by firm-specific structural, behavioral and outcome characteristics. External financing represents a critical factor in determining industrial evolution and technical change as well as firm's ability to survive, grow, and engage in innovative activities. Some characteristics of firms particularly associated with innovative and entrepreneurial ventures driving technological change are said to cause information asymmetries between financiers and finance seekers, making them less likely raise necessary external capital to fund innovation projects. Yet, there is little known about how different combinations of these characteristics affects their access to external financing and how contextual factors matter. Deploying a two-stage Heckman probit model on a panel data set spanning the period 2000-2013 and covering 1,169 Danish firms, we test hypotheses derived from the literature regarding the impacts of firms structural, behavioral and outcome characteristics on the firm's likelihood to get constrained in their access to external innovation finance. In line with earlier research we find that indeed the type of innovation matters for the access to external finance, but in a more nuanced way than generally portrayed. While incremental innovation activities have little negative effect on the access to external finance, radical innovation activities tend to be penalized by capital markets.