Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic diversity analysis among pre-green revolution, post-green revolution era cultivars, and wheat landraces as revealed by microsatellite markers

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the most widely grown crop in the world, and India is the second largest wheat producer after China. Introduction of input-responsive, semi-dwarf varieties set the foundation for the green revolution in the mid-1960s. To meet the future challenge of increasing food production with a shrinking land base, new varieties with higher yield potential and increased yield stability have to be developed by using the diverse genetic resource. The objective of this study was to evaluate genetic diversity in 74 wheat genotypes including released varieties in India occupying the pre-green revolution period (before 1965) and post-green revolution period (after 1965) and land races with microsatellite markers. SSRs represent a powerful tool to quantify genetic diversity in wheat. In total, 170 alleles were detected with an average of 3.3 alleles per locus. Overall, 24 rare alleles were present and 11 unique alleles were found in the studied landraces only. A positive correlation was found between the number of alleles and genetic diversity. Genetic relationships as determined by UPGMA (NTSYS-pc) and structure analyses grouped all modern wheat cultivars under one node. The traditional tall varieties released during the pre-green revolution era were clustered along with some of the landraces, indicating that they had possibly been developed through selection among the landraces. Diversity among the released varieties in the post-green revolution era has widened rather than narrowing down. Molecular variance analysis showed that variance was mainly distributed within (91.9%) rather than among (8.01%) the bread wheat varieties and landraces. The diversity obtained within the landraces proves them to be an important reservoir of biodiversity and source of novel alleles for use in breeding programs. Landraces such as MPG 62 and MPG 82 can be used for introgressing rare and unique alleles in the genetic background of high-yielding varieties.
Soybean (Glycine max) Response to Glyphosate and Soybean Cyst Nematode (Heterodera glycines)1

Field observations in Ohio suggested a possible interaction between soybean cyst nematode (SCN) and glyphosate in Countrymark 316 soybean, a transgenic glyphosate-resistant (R) variety that also expresses SCN resistance derived from ‘PI88788’ soybean. To investigate this possible interaction under controlled conditions, greenhouse experiments were conducted in which Countrymark 316 (R) and Corsoy 79 (S = susceptible to glyphosate and SCN) soybean root and shoot weights were measured in response to three concentrations of race 3 SCN inoculum and five glyphosate doses. Experiments were conducted in which glyphosate was applied 9, 18, or 27 d after inoculation (DAI). Data from SCN treatments in the (S) soybean experiments were regressed on glyphosate dosage and fit to a log-logistic dose–response model. SCN–glyphosate interaction in the (S) soybean variety reduced root dry weight of SCN-inoculated plants 6% compared with noninoculated plants when 1.0 kg/ha glyphosate was applied 18 DAI. The most significant interaction of SCN and glyphosate in the (S) variety occurred when glyphosate was applied 27 DAI; the glyphosate dose required to reduce shoot fresh weight 25% was 0.55 kg/ha in the noninoculated control compared with 0.32 kg/ha in plants inoculated with 1,000 SCN eggs/200 cm3 soil. Glyphosate rates of 0.84 and 1.69 kg/ha reduced root dry weights of Countrymark 316 (R) soybean 10 to 13% at the 18 DAI application timing only. Inoculation with SCN reduced shoot fresh weight of (R) soybean 8 to 29% across all experiments, but there was no interaction of glyphosate and SCN in (R) soybean. Nomenclature: Glyphosate; soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr. ‘Countrymark 316’ and ‘Corsoy 79’; soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines Ichinohe. Additional index words: Herbicide–nematode interaction, integrated pest management. Abbreviations: DAI, days after inoculation; EPSPS, 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EC 2.5.1.19); GR25, dose required to reduce root or shoot growth by 25%; I50, dose corresponding to biomass halfway between upper- and lower-response limits; POST, postemergence; R, glyphosate + SCN resistant; S, glyphosate + SCN susceptible; SCN, soybean cyst nematode.
Exploring the role of Alzheimer's amyloid-β precursor protein APP and its relative APLP2 in Xenopus intermediate pituitary

The amyloid-precursor protein APP is involved in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease. Its normal physiological function however still remains elusive. We decided to study the role of APP and its relative APLP2 in the intermediate pituitary melanotrope cells of the South-African claw-toed frog Xenopus laevis. These cells regulate the process of background adaptation, e.g. when the animal is on a black background its skin becomes black, while on a white background its skin becomes white. Our analysis revealed that the levels of APP are threefold up-regulated in the melanotrope cells of black-adapted animals compared to white animals. In contrast, APLP2 levels were similar in the melanotrope cells of black compared to white animals. Additional experiments suggested that both APP and APLP2 play a role in intracellular protein transport, although APP is probably involved in transport of proteins involved in background adaptation, whereas APLP2 fulfills a similar role for proteins that are not involved in this process. Together, the research described in this thesis has resulted in a better understanding of the role of these proteins involved in the pathology of Azlheimer's disease.
Production and decomposition in floating soils of the Iberá wetlands (Argentina)

Floating soils grow due to the deposition of dead material onto their surface as well as the increment in belowground biomass. The imbalance between biomass production and decomposition is the source of organic matter accumulation. The Esteros del Ibera wetland (Argentina) features extensive areas of floating soils, locally known as “embalsados”. The annual aboveground biomass production, decomposition rate, and changes in nitrogen content in Thalia multiflora, a common species of Ibera, were determined in order to assess the organic matter addition and the nitrogen dynamics in the floating soils dominated by this species. The aboveground net primary production was estimated by measuring the standing crop at the peak registered during the sampling period. The decomposition rates of leaves and stems were determined by the litterbag method. The litterbags were collected periodically during a year. The annual organic matter addition was estimated from the relation between aboveground production and the amount of mass lost in a year. The maximum aboveground biomass was 1368 g/m 2 (± 271 SD), 71 % stems and 29 % leaves. The loss of weight in the sampling period (399 days) corresponds to 78 % of the initial mass: the total biomass exponential decay coefficient was significantly (ANCOVA; p<0.001) lower in stems (k = 0.0036) than in leaves (k = 0.0040). Both the decomposition rate value as well as the P/D ratio = 1.37, indicate that in T. multiflora stands the organic matter incorporated to the floating soil’s surface is small when compared to other peatlands. Initial nitrogen concentration in leaves and stems was 1.07 % and 0.32 %, respectively, this value increased to 1.76 % and 1.25 % in both substrates. Immobilization was observed in intermediate stages; by day 399, when leaves and stems lost nearly 2/3 of their initial weight, N values were similar to the initials, in agreement with the low nutrient availability that is characteristic of peatlands.
Synthesis and synergistic antimycobacterial screening of chlorpromazine and its metabolites

The antimycobacterial activities of chlorpromazine and its metabolites were evaluated alone and in combination with antitubercular drugs. Although associated with limited antimycobacterial activity when tested individually, chlorpromazine and its metabolites exhibited clear synergy when tested in combination with a number of aminoglycosides as well as the active metabolite of rifampicin, 25-desaceteylrifampicin. The combination of chlorpromazine and spectinomycin was associated with the greatest synergy, yielding a fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) of 0.31. Synergistic interactions were also observed for combinations of 7-hydroxychlorpromazine or nor-chlorpromazine with kanamycin, streptomycin, spectinomycin and 25-desacetylrifampicin (FICI 0.19–0.5).
Testing the functional redundancy of Limnodrilus and Tubifex (Oligochaeta, tubificidae) in hyporheic sediments : an experimental study in microcosms

Most tubificid worms are classified in the same functional group by their similar bioturbation and feeding activities in fine sediments of lakes. The objective of this study was to test the functional redundancy of two genera of tubificids (Limnodrilus and Tubifex) at two densities in coarse sediments using slow filtration columns. We measured the effects of the worms on particle redistribution, organic matter processing, nutrient fluxes, and microbial characteristics. The results showed that Limnodrilus and Tubifex created the same stimulation of aerobic and anaerobic microbial activities in the sediment. However, 50 Tubifex had a greater effect than 50 Limnodrilus on microbial processes. Furthermore, at a density of 100 oligochaetes per column, only Tubifex significantly increased particle redistribution and oxygen consumption in the first centimetre of the sediment. In contrast, Limnodrilus more often modified microbial activity in the deeper layers of the columns. The functional redundancy of the two .
Absorption and Translocation of Glyphosate, Metsulfuron, and Triclopyr in Old World Climbing Fern (Lygodium microphyllum)

Abstract Old World climbing fern is one of the most invasive plants in natural areas of central and southern Florida. The fern spreads across the landscape by wind-blown spores and invades isolated and undisturbed habitats such as interior portions of the Florida Everglades. Land managers in Florida have reported that multiple herbicide treatments are required to control the fern, which could indicate that herbicides do not translocate throughout the plant in long-established populations. We conducted a greenhouse study to determine the absorption and translocation patterns in Old World climbing fern using the three herbicides most commonly used for management of this plant by land managers in Florida. Using 14C-labeled herbicides, we evaluated absorption and translocation of glyphosate (2.25 kg ai ha−1), metsulfuron (0.10 kg ai ha−1), and triclopyr (1.68 kg ai ha−1) in Old World climbing fern using five different application scenarios (cut-and-spray, basal spray, 25% foliar spray, 50% foliar spray, and 100% foliar spray). Triclopyr was absorbed to the greatest extent (60.3%) of applied radioactive compounds compared to glyphosate (31.2%) and metsulfuron (19.8%). The majority of radioactivity remained in treated leaves for all herbicides with only small percentages of the absorbed radioactivity being detected in other plant parts. All three herbicides translocated acropetally and basipitally to some extent. Radioactivity, for the most part, translocated evenly throughout the plants but the greatest amount of radioactivity derived from triclopyr occurred in rhizomes when the cut-and-spray and basal applications were used. The radioactivity in rhizomes derived from glyphosate was greater in those treated using cut-and-spray. Based on autoradiographs, there was limited horizontal movement of any herbicide in the rhizomes of Old World climbing fern which could explain why resprouts are observed several weeks following treatment. Nomenclature: Glyphosate, metsulfuron; triclopyr; Old World climbing fern, Lygodium microphyllum (Cav.) R. Br
Key Factors Affecting Students’ Satisfaction and Intention to Use e-Learning in Rwanda’s Higher Education

This study aims to explore key factors which influence user’s decision-making on the adoption of e-learning. We integrated UTAUT and Information Success Models to test that four independent factors affect student satisfaction to use e-learning in Rwanda‘s higher education. Data was collected by surveying students of University of Rwanda and Protestant Institute of Social Sciences (n=206). The analysis results showed that performance expectancy, facilitating conditions and effort expectancy except for social influence have a significant effect on students’ satisfaction. This can help university administrators understand the factors that influence students’ adoption of e-learning and incorporate these results into Rwanda's e-learning design and implementation. In final, Rwanda’s government can contribute to establishing the e-learning policy and allocating its relevant resources centered on student needs.
REDUCTION OF STORED BEAM OSCILLATIONS DURING INJECTION AT DIAMOND LIGHT SOURCE

At Diamond injection is performed by means a of a four kicker off-axis system, relying on a perfect timing and amplitude setting to produce a closed bump. Ageing of some of the kicker vessel components has progressively spoiled the performance of the system, causing oscillations in the stored beam. Various schemes to control these oscillations have been considered including introducing an additional compensating kicker, and installing a non-linear injection kicker. Results of simulations analysing these schemes are presented, along with measurements taken in the storage ring using an existing pinger magnet. The effects of the reduction on the quality of beam seen by beamlines is also considered.
Emotive Type

A BSTRACT Communication involving the expression of emotion is often more challenging online than in face-to-face interactions. Kinetic typography offers the possibility of more effectively encoding expressions of affect in social online interaction. The Emotive Type project explores the development of a framework for the mapping of affective states to kinetic letterforms for the explicit expression by a user in online social interaction. This project seeks to identify forms of kinetic text that effectively encode the expression of affect.
QUALITATIVE PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING, TOTAL PHENOLIC CONTENT AND IN-VITRO ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY IN METHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF MORCHELLA ESCULENTA Fr.

Among wild edible species of mushrooms, morels rank first in choice and delicacy and have been one of the highly prized wild edible mushrooms in the world. The bioactive components present in Morchella esculenta are responsible for the nutraceutical potential of the mushroom. The present study was carried out to assess the phytochemical screening, total phenolics and antioxidant activities of methanolic extracts of M. esculenta. Qualitative phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, anthraquinone, anthocyanins, tannins, saponins, glycosides, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenols, carbohydrates as well as proteins and amino acids, only steroids are absent. The total phenolic content of methanolic extracts of morel was 238.52±0.021 (mg gallic acid equivalents per gram weight). The in-vitro antioxidant potential was analyzed by DPPH and hydrogen peroxide method. The DPPH scavenging activity was 85.2±0.371 % and peroxide was 84.1±0.281 % at 500 µg/ml concentration, comparable to that of ascorbic acid.
Diversity of the Southeast Asian leaf turtle genus Cyclemys: how many leaves on its tree of life?

In the present study, we use mtDNA sequence data (cyt b gene) in combination with nuclear DNA sequences (C‐mos, Rag2 genes, R35 intron), nuclear genomic fingerprints (ISSR) and morphological data to reveal species diversity within the Southeast Asian leaf turtle genus Cyclemys, a morphologically difficult group comprising cryptic species. Two morphologically distinct major groupings exist, a yellow‐bellied species group with three taxa (Cyclemys atripons, C. dentata, C. pulchristriata) and a dark‐bellied species group. The latter contains besides the morphologically variable C. oldhamii three additional new species (C. enigmatica n. sp., C. fusca n. sp., C. gemeli n. sp.). According to mtDNA data, C. fusca and C. gemeli constitute with high support the sister group of a clade comprising all other species, indicating that the dark‐bellied species are not monophyletic, despite morphological similarity. mtDNA sequences of C. enigmatica, being highly distinct in nuclear genomic markers, do not differ from the sympatric C. dentata, suggesting that the original mitochondrial genome of C. enigmatica was lost due to introgressive hybridization. Morphological discrimination of Cyclemys species is possible using multivariate methods. However, gross morphology of most dark‐bellied species on the one hand and of C. atripons and C. pulchristriata on the other is so similar that reliable species determination is only possible when genetic markers are used. The high diversity within Cyclemys requires revision of the IUCN Red List Categories for leaf turtles because the former assessment was based on the wrong assumption that in the entire range of the genus occurs only a single species.
Nutritional requirements and feed management of meat type ducks

This review discusses the different duck species and their feeding management used in meat production in various countries. The initial review describes the requirements of meat type ducks for energy, proteins and amino acids and minerals, vitamins and trace-elements. Other areas discussed include recommendations regarding feed management (feed presentation, feed restriction, use of enzymes and feedstuffs, fatty acid composition of diets). The main breeds used for meat production in the world are Pekin, Muscovy and mule ducks. As growth rate, efficiency and body composition of these three genotypes are different, the specific features of each type of duck are examined when reared under intensive production systems.
NO donors with anticancer activity

Nitric oxide (NO) radicals, endogenously produced from L-arginine or supplied by NO-releasing donors, are involved in numerous physiological and pathological processes. Although there has been rapid growth in NO research, cancer research still remains in its infancy. A few reports suggest that NO has some anticancer properties, yet others implicate NO in tumour promotion. This article will focus on the anticancer activity of NO donors that have been claimed in patents between 1998 and 2001.
Characterization and screening of antimicrobial activity of Micromonospora strains

Aims: Rare actinomycete strains were isolated from mountain soils and island soil collected in Thailand. They were screened for antimicrobial activity and characterized for their secondary metabolites. Methodology and results: The strains were isolated by the standard dilution technique using starch casein nitrate agar. They were identified and characterized based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic characteristics. The chemotaxonomic characteristics of ten isolates coincided with those of the genus Micromonospora. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequences and DNA-DNA relatedness, they were divided into 6 Groups, ASC19-2-1 (Group A) was identified as Micromonospora marina; AL8-8 and AL10-3 (Group B) were M. aurantiaca; AL75 (Group C) was M. chalcea; AL3-16 and AL9-20 (Group D) were identified as M. chokoriensis; AL9-13 and AL9-22 (Group E) were M. tulbaghiae; and AL1-15-2 and AL1-16B (Group F) were M. chersina. On the primary screening, only the isolate AL7-5 (Group C) could inhibit Kocuria rhizophila ATCC 9341. This isolate produced rakicidin when cultivated on A3M, A11M and A16 media and produced compound BU4664L only on A16 medium. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: The isolation and characterization of the rare actinomycetes from Thai soils will be useful for the taxonomic study and for the discovery of bioactive metabolites that are active against microorganisms.
Cross-cultural leadership research considers cultural factors relevant to leadership, its conditions, its processes, and its consequences, in the development of theoretical concepts

This chapter summarizes the field of cross-cultural and global leadership research. It starts with a brief historical overview and descriptions of international landmark projects of high impact until today. The progress achieved in the field since about the mid 1990s is critically reviewed along fundamental research questions, for example: Which definitions of leadership are appropriate for cross-cultural study? Which approaches to culture are suitable for studying leadership? Which focus on leadership to take – leadership differences or communalities across cultures? What is the magnitude of cultural effects on leadership? What is the moderating role of culture on the relationship between leadership and other relevant variables? What methodological issues have been and still need to be resolved in crosscultural leadership research? With that as a foundation, the chapter delineates how the findings of contemporary cross-cultural leadership research can enhance managerial practice. Targeting the future, seven recommendations are offered that specify fundamental conceptual, theoretical, methodological, and practical issues in which significant progress can be made. CROSS-CULTURAL AND GLOBAL LEADERSHIP WOP Working Paper No. 2012 /2 3
Water quality and benthic macroinvertebrate communities in karst landscapes of North Island, New Zealand: influences of water sources, habitat type and anthropogenic disturbances

Abstract In karst landscapes, aquatic habitats differ in terms of the relative contributions of different water sources (allogenic surface stream vs autogenic karst groundwater) and their geomorphology. Benthic macroinvertebrate community structure in these habitats is likely to vary in response to this heterogeneity, as well as to the physicochemical differences between water flowing through pasture vs native forest dominated catchments. Surveys were conducted to examine the influences of water source, habitat type (main stream-ways and side passages in caves, and epigean springs) and surrounding land use (native forest or pasture) on the water quality and benthic community structure in the Maniapoto Karst, North Island, New Zealand. Generally, springs and cave side passages received more autogenic water, indicated by lower temperatures and higher conductivities, than the main stream-ways of caves. However, in terms of community structure, the epigean springs and cave side passages were most distinct from each other, whilst the main stream-ways of caves were intermediate between the other two habitats. Temperature and nitrate concentrations were higher in sites surrounded by pasture than those in native forest, but surrounding land use exerted less influence on macroinvertebrate community structure than habitat type. A comparison of community structure in caves with high and low tourist traffic failed to identify any significant effects.
Prototype of Real-time Pedestrian Crossing Detection on Moving Automobile

In Thailand, there are approximately 75,000 accidents per year. These accident resulted in 13,000 casualties, 900,000 injuries, and cost around 100 billion BAHT. Within these numbers, 9.3% of casualties and 5.6% of injuries involves pedestrian. Thus, the prototype of real-time pedestrian crossing detection on moving automobile was develop in order to help reducing both casualties and injuries accident involving pedestrians. The prototype is an onboard device which can detect any pedestrians in the front and alert the driver. The pedestrian detection system adopted Histogram of Oriented Gradient (HOG) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) techniques with some modification to run in real-time. We manage to achieve the recall rate of 80% at 10 false positive per windows at an acceptable speed.