Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetics and resistance / Génétique et résistance Genetic variation for virulence and RFLP markers in Pyrenophora teres

Pyrenophora teres f. teres (causing net blotch) and Pyrenophora teres f. maculata (causing “spot form” of the disease) are important foliar pathogens of barley. In breeding for resistance to disease, it is important to have a thorough knowledge of the degree of genetic variation in the pathogen. This study was undertaken to assess genetic variation in a small, but geographically diverse collection of P. teres isolates. Isolates derived from single conidia were evaluated for their virulence phenotypes on 25 differential barley genotypes. Fifteen pathotypes were identified from a collection of 23 P. t. f. teres isolates, and 4 pathotypes, from a collection of 8 P. t. f. maculata isolates. In general, the P. t. f. teres isolates exhibited a broader spectrum and a higher level of virulence on the host differentials than the P. t. f. maculata isolates. Eight barley genotypes were resistant to all 19 pathotypes identified and should be useful in breeding barley for resistance to both forms of P. teres. Genetic variation was also examined by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. A 0.46-kb DNA fragment (ND218) generated by the polymerase chain reaction from genomic DNA of a California isolate of P. t. f. teres was used as a probe. Every P. teres isolate tested with ND218 exhibited a unique RFLP pattern. Cluster analysis, based on both the virulence phenotypes and RFLP patterns, indicates that P. teres possesses a high degree of diversity at the species and subspecies levels. The high degree of polymorphism revealed by ND218 will make this probe a useful tool for the DNA fingerprinting of P. teres isolates.
Special Issue Article: Environmental DNA Quantifying effects of UV-B, temperature, and pH on eDNA degradation in aquatic microcosms

abstract Environmental DNA (eDNA) degradation is a primary mechanism limiting the detection of rare speciesusing eDNA techniques. To better understand the environmental drivers of eDNA degradation, we con-ducted a laboratory experiment to quantify degradation rates. We held bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus)tadpoles in microcosms, then removed the tadpoles and assigned the microcosms to three levels each oftemperature, ultraviolet B (UV-B) radiation, and pH in a full factorial design. We collected water samplesfrom each microcosm at six time steps (0 to 58 days). In all microcosms, most degradation occurred in theﬁrst three to 10 days of the experiment, but eDNA remained detectable after 58 days in some treatments.Degradation rates were lowest under cold temperatures (5 C), low UV-B levels, and alkaline conditions.Higher degradation rates were associated with factors that contribute to favorable environments formicrobial growth (higher temperatures, neutral pH, moderately high UV-B), indicating that the effectsof these factors may be biologically mediated. The results of this experiment indicate that aquatic habi-tats that are colder, more protected from solar radiation, and more alkaline are likely to hold detectableamounts of eDNA longer than those that are warmer, sunnier, and neutral or acidic. These results can beused to facilitate better characterization of environmental conditions that reduce eDNA persistence,improved design of temporal sampling intervals and inference, and more robust detection of aquaticspecies with eDNA methods. 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Low blood pressure and cardio-protective impacts of Garlic (Allium sativum) and Ginger (Zingiber officinale) extracts in experimental animals

This study evaluated the blood pressure effects and cardio-protective function of ginger and garlic extracts in laboratory animals. Wistar rats of both sexes were assigned into the following groups: Group I: Served as control + distilled water; Group II: 20 mg/kg of garlic; Group III: 40 mg/kg of garlic; Group IV: 20 mg/kg of ginger; Group V: 40 mg/kg of ginger; Group VI: garlic 10 mg and ginger 10 mg/kg; Group VII: garlic 20 mg and ginger 20 mg/kg. Animals were euthanized after four weeks of treatment. Blood samples were collected and serum separated for lipid profile assay. The effect of extracts on perfused rabbit heart was also investigated. Moreover, the effect of extract on blood pressure was tested in anaesthetized cats. The results obtained in the study showed a statistically significant decrease (p<0.05) of serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride and low density lipoprotein-cholestero (LDL-C) levels at all single and combined doses of the extract when compared with the control group. The extract single and combined doses significantly increased (p<0.05) serum high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) level in the treated animals when compared with the control group. The results showed a significantly decreased rate and force of contraction at the combined doses when compared with the baseline line control level (p<0.05). The study also revealed that the administration of only garlic at dose of 0.1 and 1 mg/ml produced a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the diastolic blood pressure. There was a statistically significant decrease (p<0.05) in diastolic blood pressure in all single doses of garlic as well as the combined doses of garlic and ginger extract administered. The result obtained showed that administration of only single doses of ginger produced a significant decrease in p < 0.05. Administration of single doses of garlic (0.1 and 1 mg/ml) produced significant reduction (P < 0.05) in mean arterial pressure (MAP) when compared with control group. In conclusion, the findings suggest that the extract as well as its combination improved lipid profile and may have a cardio-protective effect.
Habitat use and population status of Yellow-billed and Pacific loons in western Alaska, USA

ABSTRACT Effective conservation of sympatric avian populations depends on unbiased estimates of population size, distribution, and habitat use. For populations of Yellow-billed Loons (Gavia adamsii) and Pacific Loons (G. pacifica) co-occurring in Arctic wetland communities in Alaska, USA, such data are limited and difficult to obtain, hindering population assessments and decision making. The Yellow-billed Loon is also under consideration for additional protections under the Endangered Species Act due to small global population size, specific habitat requirements, and low fecundity, further increasing the need for information at the landscape scale. To help evaluate the population status and habitat use of both species, we used repeated aerial surveys and a dynamic multistate occupancy modeling approach to jointly estimate 1) probability of lake use and 2) probability of use for nesting for Yellow-billed and Pacific loon populations at the landscape scale on the Seward Peninsula and Cape Krusenstern, Alaska, in 2011 and 2013. We also estimated state-specific transition probabilities and degree of interspecific competition to assess population stability and degree of species interactions. We found that probability of site reuse (φYellow-billed = 0.73 [0.44–0.94]; φPacific = 0.86 [0.72–0.98]) or reuse for nesting (φYellow-billed = 0.72 [0.46–0.97]; φPacific = 0.59 [0.38–0.85]) in 2013 was high, as was overall use of lakes >7 ha by loons (>80%). These results suggested that lake habitats may have been saturated, and that populations of both species were stable over the two-year interval between surveys. Our estimates indicated that nesting populations in western Alaska were much larger than previously thought for both Yellow-billed (∼2.5 times larger) and Pacific loons (∼1.5–2.0 times larger). Together our results indicate that Arctic wetlands in western Alaska are important for both species and that loon populations in this area warrant additional consideration for conservation.
Efficient distributed solutions for sharing energy resources at the local level: a cooperative game approach

Local energy generation as well as local energy storage represent key opportunities for energy transition. Nevertheless, their massive deployment is being delayed mainly due to cost reasons. Sharing resources at the local level enables not only reducing these costs significantly, but also to further optimize the cost of the energy exchanged with providers external to the neighbourhood. A key question that arises while sharing resources is how to distribute the obtained benefits among the various local players that cooperate. In this paper we propose a cooperative game model, where the players are the holders of energy resources (generation and storage); they cooperate in order to reduce their individual electricity costs. We prove that the core of the game is non-empty; i.e., the proposed cooperative game has a stable solution (distribution of the payoffs among the players) for the case where all players participate in a unique community, and no strict subset of players can obtain a better gain by leaving the community.We propose a formulation of this game, based on the theory of linear production games, which lead us to the two main contributions of this paper. First, we propose an efficient (with linear complexity) centralized algorithm for finding a stable payoff. Second, we provide an efficient distributed algorithm that computes an allocation in the core of the game without any requirement for the players to share any private information. The distributed algorithm requires the exchange of intermediate solutions among players. The topology of the network that enables these exchanges is closely related to the performance of the distributed algorithm. We show, by way of simulations, which are the best topologies for these communication graphs.
Niche conservatism and the potential for the crayfish Procambarus clarkii to invade South America

SUMMARY 1. Invasive species are one of the most severe threats to biodiversity, and an ability to predict the extent of potential invasions can help conservation strategies. Species distribution models (SDMs) have been widely used to project the potential range of invasive species. These models assume that species retain their niche properties during invasion (niche conservatism), although this assumption is seldom verified. 2. We gathered occurrence records for the crayfish Procambarus clarkii from the U.S.A. and Mexico (native + invasive ranges) and from the Iberian Peninsula (invasive) to test for niche conservatism across continents using niche overlap metrics (Schoener’s D). To test for differences in the climate space occupied by the species on the different continents, we performed two principal component analyses (PCAs) on the environmental data extracted from occurrence records: first, separately for each occurrence data set (i.e. each continent) and secondly, using the pooled data. Subsequently, we projected the model to South America, where this species has the potential to become invasive. 3. Schoener’s D showed high overlap (0.68) between the two regions (the Americas and Iberia), and there was no difference between the regions in both PCAs. The crayfish has conserved its niche across continents, and therefore, our model projection to South America may accurately demonstrate where invasion is most likely to occur. 4. Large parts of South America are apparently suitable, mainly Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay and southern Brazil. This result is of great concern since this invasive species can spread quickly in suitable areas. Stronger laws and regulations should be made to protect native biodiversity and agricultural land. Our approach could be replicated for the study of invasions by other species where extensive data on the potentially invaded areas are available.
Theoretical Study of the Electronic Properties of X2YZ (X = Fe, Co; Y = Zr, Mo; Z = Ge, Sb) Ternary Heusler: Abinitio Study

Abstract In the purpose of exploring new Heusler alloys with different magnetic applications, we have employed first principles calculations method within density functional theory. After checking the structural stability of X2YZ Heusler alloys (X = Fe, Co; Y =Zr, Mo and Z = Ge, Sb), we found that Cu2MnAl type structure is more favorable for most compounds except for X2MoGe and Co2MoSb, were the Hg2CuTi structure is energetically more stable. The trends in magnetic and electronic structures can be predicted by the structure types as well as the different kinds of hybridizations between the constituents. Among the two series only two compounds were identified to be true half metals with potential applications in spintronic devices. While one compound was classified as a nonmagnetic semiconductor with a small band gap. For the rest of materials, we found that the metallic behavior is dominant. These materials show possible interesting features in technical applications as well. The effect of distortion on the magnetic properties of Co2ZrGe and Fe2ZrSb showed that the half metallic character was preserved within a moderate range of volume changes, which makes it possible to grow these materials as thin films with modern techniques.
Efeitos de genótipos, ambientes e de tratamentos hidrotérmicos na concentração de isoflavonas agliconas em grãos de soja

Abstract – The objective of this work was to assess the effects of hydrothermal treatments and theenvironmental and genetic variability on the isoflavone aglycones concentration in soybean [ Glycinemax (L.) Merrill] grains. The study was carried out with the soybean cultivars BR 36, FEPAGRO RS-10,and BRS 155, cultivated in three locals of Parana State (Londrina, Capanema, and Palmas), during 1999/2000 soybean season, submitted to hydrothermal treatments at 40, 50 and 60°C for 12 and 18 hours.Higher concentrations of total isoflavones (280 mg/100 g) were observed in grains harvested in Palmas,where the average temperature during pod filling was 19oC. In Londrina (23oC), there was lower concen-tration of isoflavones (140 mg/100 g). The cultivar BRS 155 presented the highest content of totalisoflavones in Palmas and in Londrina. Non-treated grains of BRS 155 showed in average 4.0 mg/100 gof aglycones, which increased to 52 mg/100 g, after hydrothermal treatments. The treatment at 50oC for12 hours was the most effective in developing isoflavone aglycones. At 60°C, there was a decrease ofthe aglycones, due to inactivation of β-glycosidases. Malonyl forms, which are thermal unstable, werereduced at higher temperatures.Index terms:
Low species diversity of hermatypic corals on an isolated reef, Okinotorishima, in the northwestern Pacific

Ninety-three coral species have been identifi ed at Okinotorishima (Okinotori Island), an isolated table reef located in the center of the Philippine Sea. The species composition of the island is similar to that of other islands in the northwestern Pacifi c, but the number of species is small in comparison with surrounding islands. The coral fauna at the island is characterized by a unique species composition that is independent of the Ryukyu Islands, mainland Japan, Palau, and the Mariana Islands. No endemic species were found, but the dominant Acropora species (A. aculeus, A. sp. aff. divaricata, and A. globiceps) were morphologically different from corresponding species at the Ryukyu Islands. The relatively low species diversity at the island despite the close proximity to an area of high diversity is explained by its small habitat diversity and isolation from other islands. The island is located in a subtropical gyre and is isolated from major currents. Thus, only coral larvae with a long competency period (as long as 70 days) can settle at the island from surrounding islands. This unique species composition seems to have been maintained for at least the last 7600 years, since the last stage of sea level rise in the postglacial period (Holocene).
Multi-objective optimization of population partitioning problem under interval uncertainty

This paper addresses a bi-objective mixed integer optimization model under uncertainty for population partitioning problem. The objective functions are to minimize the number of communications between partitions and to balance their population. The main constraints are defined for creating contiguous and compact partitions as well as assigning uniquely each basic unit to one partition. To deal with the uncertainty of parameters, a robust programming method is proposed that causes the uncertainty parameters lie between the interval of best-case (the deterministic mode) and worst-case (the highest uncertainty level for all parameters). As the suggested method is NP-Hard, three meta-heuristic algorithms NSGAII, PESA, and SPEA are developed and, to evaluate the efficiency of the algorithms, 10 small-size examples, 10 medium-size examples and, 10 large-size examples are generated and solved. According to computational results, the SPEA has the best performance. The method is examined for a real-world application, as a case study in Iran.
Impact of copper and its nanoparticles on growth, ultrastructure, and laccase production of Aspergillus niger using corn cobs wastes

The influence of copper and its nanoparticles was studied relative to growth and ultrastructure of Aspergillus niger. Laccase production by A. niger using corn cobs as substrate at different concentrations of CuSO4 and copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) is reported. Fungus growth was induced at 100 ppm of CuNPs and CuSO4, while at 300 ppm, the growth inhibition was 65.6% and 86.9%, respectively. Fungus sporulation was reduced to 30.4% and 47.6% at 300 ppm of CuNPs and CuSO4, respectively, compared to the control (100%). Transmission electron microscopy revealed that CuSO4 and CuNPs treatments encouraged the deformed appearance of the fungus at 200 ppm and 300 ppm, particularly CuNPs. The CuNPs and CuSO4 induced laccase production at 1.67 U/mL and 1.51 U/mL at optimum concentrations 0.15 mM and 0.25 mM, respectively. The optimum concentrations of CuNPs and CuSO4 led to reduced incubation periods of 12 d and 14 d, respectively, required to produce the highest amount of laccase (1.66 U/mL and 1.53 U/mL), while without treatments, the incubation period increased to 16 d required for the highest amount of laccase production (1.36 U/mL). Induction of laccase production at acidic pH and at 30 °C was recorded with the addition of CuSO4 and CuNPs, while its effects were slight at pH above 6.
Machine Learning Application in Car Insurance Direct Marketing

Direct marketing such as telemarketing or mailing is an important method for companies to boost their business. Identifying the right proportion of target market could largely cut operational expense and improve efficiency. In this research, a secondary dataset from a car insurance company will be used to study this problem of market targeting. Basing on existing literature study, three classifiers are picked, Naive Bayesian, Decision Tree, and Neural Network. Some literature researches on each of the algorithm are conducted. Later modelling experiments are performed to predict whether the final customer will purchase the insurance or not.
Significance of Learning and Memories in Computational Methods

Learning is perpetual, support for learning is memories. Making machine learn requires abundant utilization of memory structures. Neural Networks plays catalytic role for the artificial intelligence and learning processes. Deeper learning was made possible with multiple neural networks playing in synchronization with artificial intelligence, machine learning and convolutional neural networks. Convolution is the basic psychological phenomenon right from the infancy to the adulthood in learning and classifying the real world inputs. Images can be understood by classifying the color palletes and the schemes. Voice is is differentiated with the help of acoustic models and the infra sound detection models. Contribution of Convolution Neural Networks is a great gift to the world in making the machine understands the vitals aspects of sound and images. In this paper a study is presented on the influences of convolutional neural networks and long short-term memory networks that impose new ideas to develop intensive learning frameworks.
Reply to Johannesson & Johannesson

Johannesson & Johannesson (1993) contend that we have misread their earlier paper (Johannesson & Johannesson, 1990). They write that it is only possible to use neutral loci to study genetic relationships in closely related taxa (Johannesson & Johannesson, 1993) and that, there-fore, they had dismissed the variation in Aat-1 when considering the taxonomic status of Littorina neglecta (Johannesson & Johannesson, 1993). However, in their earlier paper they write: & ldquo;This [the pattern of variation in Aat-1] indicates that the within-site differentiation at Aat-1 is caused by diversifying selection in the two different micro-habitats rather than to a reproductive barrier between neglecta and saxatilis type snails” (Johannesson & Johannesson, 1990, p. 94). Therefore, after dealing separately with the pattern of variation at four loci which are ‘presumably neutral’ (Johannesson & Johannesson, 1990, p. 96), the Aat-1 variation is considered by these authors in the context of a putative reproductive barrier. The argument is repeated at the beginning of the discussion in Johannesson & Johannesson (1990, p. 95).
High-Performing and Low-Performing Schools in Makassar Indonesia

Although the Education Department of South Sulawesi Province reported that the performance of Secondary Schools in Makassar is at unsatisfactory level, but there were some schools achieved high performance level. The varying performance of the schools has prompted the researcher to conduct a multi-site case study to identify whether leadership styles of principals have any relationship with high-performing and low-performing schools in Makassar. In order to achieve the objective of this study, a qualitative approach, using multi-case study research design was utilized. Semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analysis were used to collect data. The sample consisted of two high performing and two low-performing secondary schools in the city of Makassar. Four school principals and 12 teachers of the schools were purposely chosen as respondents of the study. Data were analysed using theme analysis technique. This study found that principals in high-performing schools and low-performing schools were used the different styles of leadership. High-performing schools’ principals emphasized more on teaching and learning, controlling students’ discipline, ensuring teachers’ understanding of the school’s vision, and conducting staff developmental programs. This study has contributed to the development of knowledge in the field of high-performing schools in Indonesia. This study suggests that if a school wants to achieve high-performing level, principals must ensure that the teachers teach and students learn.
Design of Type 2 Fuzzy Logic Controller Based Inverter for Isolated PV System

In this article, a Type 2 fuzzy logic controller (T2FLC) is implemented in the PV system to improve the magnitude and frequency as well as the transient time response of the photovoltaic (PV) system. T2FLC is capable to handle more uncertainty because of the PV characteristic variable with atmospheric temperature and irradiation of the sun. Simple and most widely used Perturb & Observation (P& O) based MPPT technique has been implemented to extract maximum power to generate the desired switching pulse for DC-DC converter in the proposed standalone PV system. Deployed T2FLC based inverter in the proposed standalone PV system with different loads can improve the response of the system and reduce the oscillations as well as noise. The performance of the system validates over with proportional-integral (PI) and T1FLC controller. The proposed T2FLC algorithm deployed in a standalone three-phase PV system shows performance better than the other two controllers and simulate in MATLAB/SIMULINK environment.