Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seasonal and needle age-dependent changes of the endophytic mycobiota in Pinus thunbergii and Pinus densiflora needles

Monthly changes in the endophytic mycobiota in Pinus thunbergii Parl. and Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc. needles were detected by tissue culture. Endophytic mycobiota of these pine needles were dominated by four taxa: the Leptostroma anamorph of the Lophodermium pinastri (Schrad. ex Hook.) Chev. complex, Phialocephala sp. , Cenangium ferruginosum Fr. :Fr. , and an unidentified hyphomycete species (BrS). The mycobiota differed with host pine species, position on the needle, and needle age. Virtually no endophytes were detected in needles just after emergence, but most segments of the older needles harbored endophytes. The endophytic mycobiota changed slowly with needle aging, except for the periods of rapid increase in the detection frequency of Leptostroma and Phialocephala sp. Detection frequency of Leptostroma, the most frequently detected endophyte taxon in the needles of the two pine species, continuously increased with needle aging, while that of Phialocephala sp. , the endophyte mainly detected from th.
4-Hydroxynonenal Prevents NF-κB Activation and Tumor Necrosis Factor Expression by Inhibiting IκB Phosphorylation and Subsequent Proteolysis*

Extensively oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), a modulator of atherogenesis, down-regulates the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced activation of transcription factor NF-κB. We investigated whether 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), a prominent aldehyde component of ox-LDL, represents one of the inhibitory substances. NF-κB activation by stimuli such as LPS, interleukin (IL)-1β, and phorbol ester, but not tumor necrosis factor (TNF), was reversibly inhibited by HNE in a dose-dependent manner in human monocytic cells, whereas AP-1 binding was unaffected. Using similar HNE concentrations, LPS-induced κB- and TNF or IL-8 promoter-dependent transcription was prevented. Furthermore, pretreatment with HNE suppressed TNF production but not lactate dehydrogenase levels. Under these conditions the binding of LPS to monocytic cells was not significantly affected. However, induced proteolysis of the inhibitory proteins IκB-α, IκB-β, and, at a later time point, IκB-ε was prevented. This is not due to inhibition of the proteasome, the major proteolytic activities of which remain unaffected, but rather to a specific prevention of the activation-dependent phosphorylation of IκB-α. This is the first report which demonstrates that HNE specifically inhibits the NF-κB/Rel system. Down-modulation of NF-κB-regulated gene expression may contribute at certain stages of atherosclerosis to low levels of chronic inflammation and may also be involved in other inflammatory/degenerative diseases.
Monitoring Driver’s Vigilance Level Using Real-Time Facial Expression and Deep Learning Techniques

Road accidents caused by human error are amongthe main causes of the death in the world. Specifically, drowsiness and unconsciousness while driving are responsible for many fatal accidents on highways. Accuracy and performance are key metrics related to many researched techniques for the detection of drivers’ drowsiness. To improve these metrics, in this paper,a new method based on image processing and deep learning is proposed. The proposed method is based on facial region diagnosing using the Haar-cascade method and convolutional neural network for drowsiness probability detection. Evaluation analysis of the proposed method on the UTA-RLDD dataset with stratified 5-fold cross-validation showed a high accuracy of 96.8% at a speed of 10 frames per second, which is higher than those that have previously been reported in the literature. For further investigation, a custom dataset including 10 participants in different light conditions was collected. The result of all experiments showed the great potential of the proposed methodfor practical applications in intelligent transportation systems
Toward community predictions: Multi‐scale modelling of mountain breeding birds' habitat suitability, landscape preferences, and environmental drivers

Abstract Across a large mountain area of the western Swiss Alps, we used occurrence data (presence‐only points) of bird species to find suitable modelling solutions and build reliable distribution maps to deal with biodiversity and conservation necessities of bird species at finer scales. We have performed a multi‐scale method of modelling, which uses distance, climatic, and focal variables at different scales (neighboring window sizes), to estimate the efficient scale of each environmental predictor and enhance our knowledge on how birds interact with their complex environment. To identify the best radius for each focal variable and the most efficient impact scale of each predictor, we have fitted univariate models per species. In the last step, the final set of variables were subsequently employed to build ensemble of small models (ESMs) at a fine spatial resolution of 100 m and generate species distribution maps as tools of conservation. We could build useful habitat suitability models for the three groups of species in the national red list. Our results indicate that, in general, the most important variables were in the group of bioclimatic variables including “Bio11” (Mean Temperature of Coldest Quarter), and “Bio 4” (Temperature Seasonality), then in the focal variables including “Forest”, “Orchard”, and “Agriculture area” as potential foraging, feeding and nesting sites. Our distribution maps are useful for identifying the most threatened species and their habitat and also for improving conservation effort to locate bird hotspots. It is a powerful strategy to improve the ecological understanding of the distribution of bird species in a dynamic heterogeneous environment.
Modified Planar Log Periodic Dipole Array Antenna For IEMI Detection

We are interested in designing an antenna in the frequency band of 0.5 GHz to 2 GHz for Intentional Electromagnetic Interference (IEMI) detection application. We modify the conventional planar log-periodic dipole array (CPLPDA) antenna, and design a modified planar log-periodic dipole array (MPLPDA) antenna to achieve better gain over the desired frequency band. The gain improvement in MPLPDA antenna is done by increasing the length of the dipole which is loaded at low frequency. We provide the design of MPLDA antenna and obtain its performance through simulations using Ansys High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS) 2019 R3.7 electromagnetic simulation software. Using simulations, we show that MPLPDA antenna achieves an average gain of 4 ±0.5 dB. Also, compared to CPLPDA antenna, the MPLPDA antenna has a better gain performance at low frequencies by around 1.5 dB. The proposed MPLPDA antenna will revolutionise the safety of electronic systems from IEMI attacks.
Parallel flowering time clines in native and introduced ragweed populations are likely due to adaptation

Abstract As introduced species expand their ranges, they often encounter differences in climate which are often correlated with geography. For introduced species, encountering a geographically variable climate sometimes leads to the re‐establishment of clines seen in the native range. However, clines can also be caused by neutral processes, and so it is important to gather additional evidence that population differentiation is the result of selection as opposed to nonadaptive processes. Here, we examine phenotypic and genetic differences in ragweed from the native (North America) and introduced (European) ranges. We used a common garden to assess phenotypic differentiation in size and flowering time in ragweed populations. We found significant parallel clines in flowering time in both North America and Europe. Height and branch number had significant clines in North America, and, while not statistically significant, the patterns in Europe were the same. We used SNP data to assess population structure in both ranges and to compare phenotypic differentiation to neutral genetic variation. We failed to detect significant patterns of isolation by distance, geographic patterns in population structure, or correlations between the major axes of SNP variation and phenotypes or latitude of origin. We conclude that the North American clines in size and the parallel clines seen for flowering time are most likely the result of adaptation.
Development of a species-specific and sensitive detection assay for Phytophthora infestans and its application for monitoring of inoculum in tubers and soil

A specific and sensitive PCR assay for the detection of Phytophthora infestans , the cause of late blight of potato, in soil and plant tissues was developed. A P. infestans -specific primer pair (INF FW2 and INF REV) was designed by comparing the aligned sequences of rDNA internal transcribed spacer regions of most of the known Phytophthora species. PCR amplification of P. infestans DNA with primers INF FW2 and INF REV generated a 613 bp product, and species specificity was demonstrated against DNA from nine other Phytophthora species and seven potato-blemish pathogens. In a single-round PCR assay, 0·5 pg pure P. infestans DNA was detectable. Sensitivity was increased to 5 fg DNA in a nested PCR assay using Peronsporales-specific-primers in the first round. As few as two sporangia or four zoospores of P. infestans could be detected using the nested assay. Procedures are described for detection of P. infestans in leaves, stem and seed potato tubers before expression of symptoms. A soil assay in which 10 oospores per 0·5 g soil were detectable was developed and validated using samples of field soil. The PCR assay was used to examine the long-term survival of sexual (oospores) and asexual (sporangia and mycelium) inoculum of P. infestans in leaf material buried in a replicated experiment under natural field conditions. Oospores were consistently detected using the PCR assay up to 24 months (total length of the study) after burial in soil, whereas the sporangial inoculum was detected for only 12 months after burial. Sporangial inoculum was shown to be nonviable using a baiting assay, whereas leaf material containing oospores remained viable up to 24 months after burial.
Seasonal changes in arthropod diversity patterns along an Alpine elevation gradient

Deciphering patterns in species distributions and species interactions along ecological gradients are fundamental topics in ecology. Theory holds that species diversity is greater and interactions are stronger under warmer and more stable environments, such as low elevations and latitudes. However, recent findings have shown conflicting evidence, potentially due to seasonal effects. We aimed to address this gap by studying seasonal changes in arthropod communities over an elevation gradient in the Swiss Alps, as well as herbivore‐predator interactions and their resulting consequences on plant herbivory levels. Overall, we found hump‐shaped patterns in arthropod abundance, richness and diversity with increasing elevation, with all factors peaking below the tree line. However, these patterns varied seasonally, with strong mid‐elevation peaks at the beginning of the summer, shifting to a pattern of linear decrease at the beginning of the fall. In searching for mechanisms explaining these changes, we found that shifts in arthropod communities over elevation and seasons usually followed shifts in vegetation productivity estimates. Other factors, such as top‐down control by natural enemies, which was generally stronger at low elevations, and plant species‐specific resistance rates along elevation gradients were also implicated as drivers of diversity and herbivory rates. These results highlight the complexity of arthropod communities' responses to environmental gradients, which vary during the season in response to relative changes in both bottom‐up and top‐down forces.
Manipulation of acrotony in one-year-old apple shoots

Unbranched rooted layers of the rootstock Mailing 9 (M.9 clone Nie 29) ≈600 mm long were treated twice in autumn (4 and 13 October 1995) in the stoolbed as follows: a) non-treated control; b) the distal 300 mm of the shoot was painted with an aqueous solution of TIBA [250 mg 1−1 2,3,5-triiodo-benzoic acid with 2 ml l−1 Tensospray wetting agent (100 g l−1 alkyl-aryl-polyethyleneglycol)]; c) the proximal ®300 mm of the shoot was painted with an aqueous solution of Promalin® (3000 mg 1−1 N-(phenylmethyl)-1H-purine 6-amine and 3000 mg 1−1 gibberellins A4+A7 without a wetting agent); d) the above TIBA and Promalin treatments combined on the same shoot. Twenty rooted stoolshoots per treatment were forced on 20 October 1995 (autumn), 5 December 1995 (mid-winter), and 21 February 1996 (late winter). The growth rates of the terminal bud, an upper lateral bud (≈200 mm from the apex) and a lower lateral bud (≈400 mm from the apex) were observed. Twenty additional rooted shoots per treatment were allowed to grow in situ. Budburst relative to bud position was regularly recorded until no further change was observed. Two months later, length and position of the new shoots was recorded. The application of TIBA to the distal shoot half reduced the ability of the distal buds to establish dominance. The application of Promalin to the proximal lateral buds increased the growth rate sufficiently to overcome the distal inhibitions associated with acrotony, and burst simultaneously with the terminal bud. Promalin increased the basitonic branching from proximal buds. The data suggest the hormonal control of the correlative phenomena that determine tree architecture.
Synthesis and Characterization of Molecularly Imprinted Polymer as Adsorbent for D-arabinitol

D-arabinitol is a metabolite product typically of several Candida species that are pathogenic and potentially used for candidiasis markers. In this study, a molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) of D-arabinitol has been synthesized and functions as D-arabinitol adsorbent. MIPs will functioned as an adsorbent after removing the template. The resulting polymers was characterized by FTIR, LC-MS and its binding efficiency tested with a batch binding assay. The results of FTIR analysis showed that the MIPs produced contained both monomers and templates. The template removal process was successful enough to see a significant reduction in the D-arabinitol area (no template detected) with LC-MS. The results of the batch binding assay indicated that MIPs has a binding capacity value (Q) of 1.075 mg/g whereas NIPs has a value (Q) of 0.131 mg/g. The results showed that the MIPs produced was potentially used as an adsorbent of D-arabinitol.
Evaluation of honey quality of Northeast of Brazil: botanical origin and heavy metals content

A chemical and palynological study was performed on honey of Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) produced and marketed in the nine states that comprise the Northeast Region of Brazil. A total of 58 samples were obtained from markets between the years 2015 and 2017. The pollen spectra of the samples encompassed 232 pollen types of defined botanical origin, with 31 samples possessing predominant pollen in their spectra, which represent species with beekeeping potential: Angelonia, Borreria verticillata, Copaifera, Mimosa caesalpiniifolia, M. pudica, M. tenuiflora, Myrcia 1, Schinus terebinthifolia, Tapirira guianensis, Tarenaya, and Ziziphus joazeiro. Leguminosae was the most represented botanical family in all the studied honey samples, with Mimosa L. being the most diverse and frequent genus. The richness of different pollen types varied among states, but similarities in pollen spectra were minimally related to geographical proximity to the municipalities of origin. Thus, some pollen types, alone or in combination, can be considered good indicators of honey produced in Northeast Brazil. The levels of the main metallic contaminants of honey (i.e., As, Cd, Cr, Hg, and Pb) were found to be below their respective limits, suggesting that honey samples from the Northeast are safe for human consumption. The studied samples presented heterogeneous botanical constitutions that reflect the diversity of plant species of the Caatinga biome and the generalist habit of A. mellifera.
Heterochrony: Developmental mechanisms and evolutionary results

The concept of heterochrony, that the relative timing of ontogenetic events can shift during evolution, has been a major paradigm for understanding the role of developmental processes in evolution. In this paper we consider heterochrony from the perspective of developmental biology. Our objective is to redefine heterochrony more broadly so that the concept becomes readily applicable to the evolution of the full range of ontogenetic processes, from embryogenesis through the adult. Throughout, we stress the importance of considering heterochrony from a hierarchical perspective. Thus, we recognize that a heterochronic change at one level of organization may be the result of non‐heterochronic events at an underlying level. As such, heterochrony must be studied using a combination of genetic, molecular, cellular, and morphological approaches.
DIFFÉRENCE GÉNÉTIQUE DANS LA DÉCHARGE OVULANTE (LH) CHEZ DES BREBIS DE RACE ILE-DE-FRANCE; RELATIONS AVEC LE NOMBRE D'OVULATIONS

RÉSUMÉ Les caractéristiques de la décharge de LH avant l’ovulation ont été étudiées par dosage radio-immunologique de la LH plasmatique chez 35 brebis de race Ile-de-France provenant de deux troupeaux. La quantité de LH déchargée, la durée du pic de décharge, les taux plasmatiques maximaux observés ne diffèrent pas en fonction du nombre d’ovulations. En revanche, ces paramètres di$èrent hautement significativement (P < o,oi) suivant que les brebis proviennent de l’un ou l’autre troupeau. En particulier, les taux plasmatiques maximaux sont deux fois plus élevés chez les femelles du troupeau 1 que chez celles du troupeau II (tabl. 5 et fig. i). Ces résultats indiquent qu’il existe des différences génétiques selon les souches au sein d’une même race dans le fonctionnement hypothalamo-hypophysaire. En outre, nous mettons en évidence une différence en fonction du nombre d’ovulations de la durée de l’intervalle entre le début de l’oestrus et celui de la décharge : cet intervalle est significativement plus élevé chez les femelles ayant deux ovulations (P < 0,02). Il en ressort donc que le taux d’ovulation ne dépend pas de l’importance et de la durée de la décharge de LH
Effective arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the roots of Tetraclinis articulata and Lavandula multifida in Moroccan Tetraclinis woodlands

The diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in roots of two plant species (arar, Tetraclinis articulata and lavender, Lavandula multifida) that exist alone or co-occur in Moroccan Tetraclinis woodlands was characterized using molecular techniques. The interaction between the two plant species on their root AMF communities was also studied. We analysed the large subunit (LSU) ribosomal RNA gene amplified by nested PCR from a root DNA extract using AM fungal-specific primers. A total of 200 cloned fragments from five root bulk samples of the two plant species were analysed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and 30 of them were sequenced. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that these RFLP types correspond to eight phylotypes: five belonged to the Gigasporaceae and three to the Glomeraceae. The highest diversity was found in the roots of T. articulata alone, followed by the association T. articulata/L. multifida and, finally, L. multifida alone. Many AMF were shared between the two species, although a few of them had a preference for one or the other. In addition, PCA analysis showed clearly that the AMF community colonizing T. articulata differed significantly from that colonizing L. multifida. Our results reveal an impact of plant interactions on the AMF community.
Gyrus And Sulcus Modelling Utilizing a Generic Topography Analysis Strategy for Processing Arbitrarily Oriented 3d Surfaces

Accurate and robust identification of the gyri and sulci of the human brain is a pre-requisite of high importance for modelling the brain surface and thus to facilitate quantitative measurements and novel classification concepts. In this work we introduce a watershedinspired image processing strategy for topographical analysis of arbitrary surfaces in 3D. Thereby the object’s topographical structure represented as depth profile is iteratively transformed into cyclic graph representations of both, the lowest and the highest characteristics of the particular shape. For graph analysis, the surface elements are partitioned according to their depth value. Neighbouring regions at different depth levels are iteratively merged. For region merging, the shape defining medial axes of the involved regions have to be connected by the optimum path with respect to a fitness function balancing shortness and minimal depth level changes of the solution.
Study on the Reliability of SemGCN in Gait Analysis

The purpose of research is to analyze the gait parameters of figure in the video when he is not 90 degrees to the camera position through the trained SemGCN model, and analyze its reliability. Two groups of video data in the experiment are collected in the same time, meaning experimental group and reference group. In the video data of experimental group, the angle between figure and camera position is 120 degrees, while it is 90 degrees in the video data of reference group. The 2D joint point coordinate information of video data in experimental group is obtained firstly through 2D network, and then it is delivered to trained SemGCN model to regress 3D model and extract 3D joint point coordinate information, then output knee angle curve, which would be processed for filtering and smoothing by Savitzky-Golay wave filter. The video data in reference group is directly processed through Openpose algorithm, and the knee angle curve is output. Finally, the relevance of data in two groups are analyzed by adopting intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC). The result shows that the correlation of a single measurement is 0.898, meaning the data in two groups are strongly correlated. The reliability of gait parameters of figure in the video which are analyzed by using SemGCN model is good, which can be applied for the measurement of figure joint angle in video or other relevant fields.
Relationships between climatic factors and flower and boll production in Egyptian cotton (Gossypium barbadense)

Abstract Fruiting of cotton plant is determined and influenced by cultivar, climatic conditions, management practices and pests. An understanding of the flowering and boll retention patterns of cotton cultivars can contribute to more efficient and economical crop management. The objective of this investigation was to study the effect of various climatic factors on flower and boll production of Egyptian cotton. This could be used in formulating advanced predictions of the effect of certain climatic conditions on the production of Egyptian cotton. Two uniform field trials, using cotton Gossypium barbadense cv. Giza 75 were carried out in 1992 and 1993 at the Agricultural Research Station, Agricultural Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture, Giza, Egypt, to investigate the relationships between climatic factors, flower and boll production. Climatic factors included maximum and minimum air temperatures along with their difference, evaporation, surface soil temperature (grass temperature or green cover temperature) at 0600 and 1800 h°C−1, sunshine duration, maximum and minimum humidity and wind speed. The effects of climatic factors on flower and boll production were quantified in the absence of water and nutritional deficits and damage effects of insects. Results obtained indicate that evaporation, sunshine duration, humidity, surface soil temperature at 1800 h, and maximum air temperature, were the important climatic factors that significantly affect flower and boll production of Egyptian cotton. Consequently, applying appropriate specific cultural practices that minimize the deleterious effect of these factors will lead to an improvement in cotton yield.