Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization and mapping of QTL used in breeding of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)

Abstract This paper reports the construction a map based on Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphic DNA (AFLP) in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). The main purpose of map construction was its application to quantitative traits loci (QTL) mapping for breeding traits economically important in Scots pine breeding program such as tree height and diameter at breast height, number of needles and their length, width, and area. Genomic DNA of needles and haploid megagamethophytes from seeds originating from a single tree were amplified with 25 AFLP primer-enzyme combinations with three or four selective nucleotides. Sixteen of them generated easily readable patterns and revealed a polymorphism. Each analyzed marker was tested for the expected 1 : 1 segregation ratio using χ2 - test and only 6 were significant with (α ≤ 0.05). The total map size equaled 291,7 cM and all markers were distributed within one linkage group. For all traits only one QTL associated with tree height (H) was detected.
Drones of Apis dorsata (Fabricius 1793) congregate under the canopy of tall emergent trees in Borneo

Chez A dorsata, un mâle produit 2 millions de spermatozoides et l'on a trouve jusqu'a 6 millions de spermatozoides dans la spermatheque d'une reine qui pondait (Koeniger et al, 1990). L'accouplement multiple est donc evident chez A dorsata. Mais on connait peu de choses concernant leur comportement d'accouplement et on ne sait pas, entre autres, si les mâles se rassemblent en des endroits particuliers (lieux de ras semblement de mâles: DCA). Des experiences et des observations ont ete faites de decembre 1992 a mars 1993 a la station de recherche agricole a Tenom (Sabah, Malaisie). La, a la tombee de la nuit, les mâles s'envolent et quittent en grand nombre les colonies
Implementation and evaluation of smart contracts using a hybrid on‐ and off‐blockchain architecture

Smart contracts can be implemented using either centralized or decentralized (blockchain) platforms. However, for a large class of applications, neither of these two alternatives on its own can provide adequate scalability, performance, quality of service, security, and trust requirements. We argue that for many applications, hybrid solutions that combine both on and off‐blockchain components are more adequate. In this article, we introduce the design and implementation of a novel hybrid smart contract architecture built using the Ethereum blockchain connected to a centralized smart contract management system developed by us. We then compare and evaluate the implementation of an asset tracking service using three different architectures: on‐chain, off‐chain, and hybrid. We demonstrate that using a hybrid architecture, we can substantially improve performance of applications while retaining security and trust for critical tasks.
Leaf area index and above-ground biomass of terra firme rain forest and adjacent clearings in Amazonia

Leaf area index (L*) and above-ground biomass were determined by destructive sampling for a 400m2 area of terra firme Amazonian rain forest and for an adjacent clearing. While L* in the forest varied considerably with height though the canopy for four separately sampled 100m2 subplots, the cumulative L* was similar with a mean value of 5.7 + ou - 0.5. The total above-ground dry biomass of the forest was 265 + ou - 95t ha-1, while the leaf dry biomass was 6.3 + ou - 0.5t ha-1. The specific leaf area (SLA, cm2g-1) was determined, and found to vary linearlywith canopy depth rising from 65cm2g-1 at the canopy top, to 114cm2g-1at 5m above the forest floor. The average for the four subplots was 90cm2g-1. The leaf area index of grass in the clearing (blade only) averaged 0.8 + ou - 0.4, and total green area index (blade + stem) averaged 1.2 + ou - 0.6. Total above-ground dry biomass (blade, stem) was 2.3 + ou - 0.6t ha-1, while including dead plant material gave a total dry biomass of 5.6 + ou - 2.1t ha-1. Specific leaf area of the grass was 79cm2g-1. The results clearly demonstrate the profound change in leaf area and biomass which accompany Amazonian deforestation.
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy: benefits, trade-offs and future developments

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a vibrational spectroscopy technique with sensitivity down to the single molecule level that provides fine molecular fingerprints, allowing for direct identification of target analytes. Extensive theoretical and experimental research, together with continuous development of nanotechnology, has significantly broadened the scope of SERS and made it a hot research field in chemistry, physics, materials, biomedicine, and so on. However, SERS has not been developed into a routine analytical technique, and continuous efforts have been made to address the problems preventing its real-world application. The present minireview focuses on analyzing current and potential strategies to tackle problems and realize the SERS performance necessary for translation to practical applications.
Adaptive changes in microbial synthesis and nitrogen balance with progressing dietary feeding periods in sheep fed diets differing in their ruminal degradation synchronicity between nitrogen and organic matter

Two diets differing in their degrees of ruminal degradation synchronicity between nitrogen (N) and organic matter (OM) were fed to six adult rams at a maintenance level for three months in a two-way layout design combining a randomized block design. Adaptive changes in microbial N (MBN) supply and N balance were investigated for both diets. The in situ rumen degradation parameters of OM and N were determined for four feeds and subsequently were used to formulate the two diets to have different ruminal degradation synchronicity and to be identical with metabolizable energy (ME), metabolizable protein (MP) and ruminally degradable N concentrations. The animals were divided into two groups and fed asynchronous (ASYNC) or synchronous (SYNC) diet, respectively. On days 30, 60 and 90 of each feeding period, a five-day metabolism trial was carried out. Animals consumed their diets thoroughly and did not show marked body weight change during the observation. The apparent digestibility of OM and N did not differ significantly between the diets throughout the periods. The MBN supply was significantly greater for ASYNC than that for SYNC (P < 0.01) and was greater on days 60 and 90 than that on day 30 (P < 0.05). Neither diets nor periods had a significant effect on the efficiency of MBN synthesis. There was a significant period effect on N retention (P < 0.05) together with tendency of diet x period interactions (P = 0.1). There was no significant dietary effect. An improvement in N retention with advancing feeding period was observed for both diets. The plasma urea concentration decreased with feeding period (P < 0.01) and there was a concomitant decrease in urinary N excretion. Plasma glucose concentration tended to increase (P = 0.07). The results suggest that lengthening feeding duration from 30 days might have caused ameliorative changes in the utilization of ME and MP, and may have improved microbe synthesis irrespective of the degradation synchronicity.
Does myocardial viability detection improve using a novel combined 99mTc sestamibi infusion and low dose dobutamine infusion in high risk ischemic cardiomyopathy patients?

Objective: Early identification of viable myocardium in ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) patients is essential for early intervention and better clinical outcome. 99mTechnetium (99mTc) sestamibi gated myocardial perfusion imaging (gMPI) is a well-established technique for myocardial viability evaluation. Detection of potentially viable segments is a predictor of hibernating myocardium. ICM patients with hibernation have a better prognosis after revascularization. We used a novel infusion technique to determine better viability detection preoperatively in challenging situations. Like thallium, does prolonged availability of sestamibi in circulation with additional low dose dobutamine steady infusion (DS Inf) facilitate improved myocardial viability? Methods: A total of 58 ICM patients with infarct and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <45% underwent 99mTc sestamibi bolus injection followed by slow intravenous infusion single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using a 2 day protocol. After acquiring the second set of 99mTc sestamibi infusion images, a third SPECT gMPI was performed during DS Inf. Results: A 17-segment myocardial model was used; 52 of 58 patients (548/986 segments) demonstrated perfusion defects (nonviable myocardium) on bolus study. Only 24 patients demonstrated viable segments by standard bolus imaging protocol. The slow MIBI infusion study demonstrated 158 viable segments (12 ICM patients), while combined infusion (99mTc sestamibi+DS Inf) exhibited an additional 6 patients with improved myocardial viability. Thus, 18 high risk patients benefited by this novel infusion technique to demonstrate viable myocardium on SPECT. There was a significantly higher sensitivity (p=0.05) and positive predictive value (p=0.01) in viability identification with the combined DS Inf technique. In dysfunctional segments, the rate of concordance for detecting viability between infusion and bolus techniques was 65%. Paired t test showed statistically significant improvement in viability detection with combined infusion compared to the bolus study (p=0.001). Conclusion: This novel infusion technique was shown to be feasible and incremental in viability detection in ICM patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction. It is a robust tool to guide revascularization, in high risk ICM patients. This study also showed that patients with large transmural MI demonstrated no significant improvement in myocardial perfusion status using either protocol.
Occupational Cancer Protection by Most Recommended International Administrative Control

Background and purpose: Microwave and radio waves are a class of non-ionizing beams that have a variety of applications in different environments, and uncontrolled exposure to these beams can lead to cancer. Implementation of management measures can result in lower exposure and acceptable efficiency in controlling occupational exposure to these beams. Using a descriptive review, this study examines the most managerial measures recommended by international organizations to control occupational exposure to these beams. Analysis method: Initially, the relevant sciences and reference organizations were identified concerning the research topic. Then, keywords were designed based on the PICO principle. Information published by related organizations that were in the form of a Governmental Document, Legal Rule or Regulation, Publication, Report, Guideline, Manual was reviewed without time limitation in English. Besides, searches were made on two external databases (BING and GOOGLE). Then, the process of reviewing, screening and deleting duplicate, unrelated information as well as retrieving resources was performed. After providing the full text of the relevant material, the process of translating and extracting information related to the research subject was carried out, with the focus on organizations and suggested management measures. This study did not include studies such as animal studies, descriptive studies, empirical studies, meta-analysis, and systematic review. Also, documents with incomplete and obscure information were not used.
Gene Evaluation Algorithm for Reconfiguration of Medium and Large Size Photovoltaic Arrays Exhibiting Non-Uniform Aging

Aging is known to exert various non-uniform effects on photovoltaic (PV) modules within a PV array that consequently can result in non-uniform operational parameters affecting the individual PV modules, leading to a variable power output of the overall PV array. This study presents an algorithm for optimising the configuration of a PV array within which different PV modules are subject to non-uniform aging processes. The PV array reconfiguration approach suggests maximising power generation across non-uniformly aged PV arrays by merely repositioning, rather than replacing, the PV modules, thereby keeping maintenance costs to a minimum. Such a reconfiguration strategy demands data input on the PV module electrical parameters so that optimal reconfiguration arrangements can be selected. The algorithm repetitively sorts the PV modules according to a hierarchical pattern to minimise the impact of module mismatch arising due to non-uniform aging of panels across the array. Computer modelling and analysis have been performed to assess the efficacy of the suggested approach for a variety of dimensions of randomly non-uniformly aged PV arrays (e.g., 5 × 5 and 7 × 20 PV arrays) using MATLAB. The results demonstrate that enhanced power output is possible from a non-uniformly aged PV array and that this can be applied to a PV array of any size.
Dimethoxypyrimidines as Novel Herbicides. Part 2. Synthesis and Herbicidal Activity of O‐Pyrimidinylsalicylates and Analogues

A new series of the O-pyrimidinylsalicylates was synthesized and their herbicidal activity was examined. Some of these compounds showed very strong herbicidal activity under pre- and post-emergent treatment conditions against various kinds of grass and broadleaf weeds. Among these compounds, O-(4, 6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl) salicylic acid and its methyl ester were found to exhibit the highest activity. The herbicidal symptoms observed after the treatments included early cessation of plant growth followed by chlorosis, necrosis and plant death. The symptoms were similar to those caused by sulfonylureas and imidazolinones, which inhibit branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis.
Characterization of microsatellite loci in the spruce bark beetle Ips typographus (Coleoptera: Scolytinae)

Ips typographus is an economically important pest of Norway spruce stands. We developed five polymorphic microsatellite markers using a biotin enrichment protocol. The number of alleles ranged from three to 11 per locus and no strong evidence for null alleles was found. Heterozygosity ranged from 0.3 to 0.97. These markers could be useful tools to study the population structure and genetic consequences of I. typographus population outbreaks.
Terrobittacus, a new genus of the Chinese Bittacidae (Mecoptera) with descriptions of two new species

Terrobittacus Tan and Hua, gen. nov., the third genus of the family Bittacidae from the Oriental part of China, is established with Bittacus implicatus Huang and Hua, 2006 as its type species. Terrobittacus longisetus sp. nov. and Terrobittacus xiphicus sp. nov. are described from Hunan and Guizhou, respectively. Terrobittacus implicatus (Huang and Hua, 2006) and Terrobittacus echinatus (Hua and Huang, 2008), two new combinations, are transferred from Bittacus Latreille. A key to the species of the genus Terrobittacus is provided. The biology of T. implicatus is briefly noted with descriptions and illustrations of its eggs and larvae.
Soil nitrogen amendment effects on nitrogen uptake and grain yield of maize

Efficient use of soil N amendments in maize (Zea mays L.) production is necessary to maximize producer's economic returns and to maintain soil and water quality. A 5-year field experiment was conducted on a Brandon loam soil (fine loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Endoaquoll) (Orthic Humic Gleysol) with the objective of measuring N uptake and grain yield of two maize hybrids under different N amendments [no amendment. NH 4 NO 3 at 100 and 200 kg N ha 1 , and stockpiled and rotted dairy manure at 50 and 100 Mg ha 1 (wet wt.)] to determine differences in N use efficiency (NUE) and its components, N uptake efficiency and N utilization efficiency. The N amendments increased the grain yield (by an average of 20%) and NUE (by an average of 17.5%) of a modern hybrid (Pioneer 3902') more than that of an old hybrid (Pride 5'). The difference method that was used to estimate N recovery indicated that over the course of the study, Pioneer 3902 took up 48% of inorganic fertilizer N and 20% of the manure N, compared with 42 and 16%, respectively, for Pride 5. Manure application resulted in total N uptake comparable to the 200 kg N ha ' treatment. Grain yields of manure treatments in 1993 and 1994 were generally lower (5-15%) than the 200 kg N ha 1 treatment. During the latter periods (1995 and 1996) of the study with repeated application under continuous maize, all manure treatments produced grain yields equal to or slightly greater (6-13%) than the fertilizer treatment. Dairy manure application increased N uptake and grain yield of maize. The NUE, based on added mineral N levels, for all manure treatments was greater than for the 200 kg N ha ' treatment.
Characterization and toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis isolates from warehouses to Spodoptera exigua (Lep., Noctuidae)

Bacillus thuringiensis was isolated from 122 of 413 samples obtained from warehouses. Eighty‐seven (71.31%) of these B. thuringiensis isolates were toxic to Spodoptera exigua, causing more than 60% mortality. Twenty‐seven isolates were highly toxic to S. exigua, causing more than 95% mortality. Isolates 133, 47 and 58, which belonged to serotype H7, H4, H4, respectively, were more active than the other isolates and their 50% lethality concentration (LC50) values were 17.93, 14.78 and 15.55 μg/ml, respectively. The isolate 133, 47 and 58 were analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that they contained ~135 and 65 kDa crystal proteins, that were similar with reference strain HD‐1. Isolate 133 contained the cryIA(a), cryIA(b), cryIA(c), cryIE and cryII genes whereas both isolate 47 and 58 contained the cryIA(b), cryIA(c), cryIE and cryII genes; but they did not contain cryIII gene.
Improved GOES-R ABI image navigation and registration using maximum likelihood parameter estimation

Abstract. Image navigation and registration (INR) for the GOES-R series advanced baseline imager (ABI) is performed in ground processing of the raw image data. A Kalman filter processes ABI star measurements to compute time-varying optical misalignment parameters that allow real-time alignment of image samples to the GOES-R Fixed Grid. For the system to meet INR requirements, the filter measurements noise covariance (R) and process noise covariance (Q) matrices must closely approximate behavior of the true system. Prelaunch estimates of the Q and R parameters did not match actual GOES-16 performance. Several attempts to manually determine improved Q&R parameters were not completely successful. Instead, the Kalman filter was calibrated (tuned) using maximum likelihood (ML) estimation of the parameters: computed utilizing partial derivatives of the Kalman equations, Gauss–Newton iteration, and nonlinear optimization logic. The updated parameters significantly improved performance and are currently operational for GOES-16 and 17. ML estimation of Kalman filter parameters has been used successfully for other systems but has not widely been documented. Greater use is encouraged. We also include a review of ABI INR theory and implementation.
Human Genetic Diversity Possibly Determines Human's Compliance to COVID-19

The rapid spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a serious threat to public health systems globally and is subsequently, a cause of anxiety and panic within human society. Understanding the mechanisms and reducing the chances of having severe symptoms from COVID-19 will play an essential role in treating the disease, and become an urgent task to calm the panic. However, the COVID-19 test developed to identify virus carriers is unable to predict symptom development in individuals upon infection. Experiences from other plagues in human history and COVID-19 statistics suggest that genetic factors may determine the compliance with the virus, i.e., severe, mild, and asymptomatic. Here, a hypothesis is put forward based on the epidemiological characteristics and traits of COVID19, and our gene expression analysis. It proposes that COVID-19 inactivation in the blood by blocking virus entry into other internal organs for reproduction through the blood circulation after lung cell invasion prevents severe symptoms. Additionally, we investigated a genetic connection between candidate genes and severe COVID-19 symptoms through the utilization of strategies combining hypothesis and data-driven approaches. A list of genes and important SNPs that require further investigation to aid the screening of individuals who may suffer severe illness if exposed to the virus is present. Those individuals should be intensively safeguarded and prioritised for treatment. Concurrently to further research on the COVID19 pathogenesis, our results also offer a new research strategy for pandemic prevention and health maintenance. Preprints (www.preprints.org) | NOT PEER-REVIEWED | Posted: 16 April 2020
Variation in Maternal Responsiveness in Free-Ranging Vervet Monkeys: A Response to Infant Mortality Risk?

A playback experiment was designed to examine whether maternal responsiveness (i.e., an aspect of parental care) to the threat of predation varies as a function of infant mortality risk in free-ranging vervet monkeys. Results show that mothers responded most intensely to the threat of predation before two periods when infant mortality risk was highest. In contrast, control females, who did not have infants during the test periods, showed no difference in responsiveness to the threat of predation. Vervet mothers appear to increase their parental care before periods of high infant mortality in order to increase their offspring's chances of survival.
A Review of VSLAM Technology Applied in Augmented Reality

With the development of the Internet, new technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, block chains and quantum communications are emerging regularly and progressing. Augmented reality, as one of the important frontier directions of the new generation of information science and technology, integrates multi-media, sensors, new display technology, the Internet and artificial intelligence, and is gradually becoming a new focus of innovative applications in various industries. This paper details the development of VSLAM technology over recent years, and its application in augmented reality. We describe VSLAM’s development status, the classical schemes, and the specific system architecture of each scheme. The schemes are distinguished by their respective approaches to the four basic algorithmic frameworks: visual odometry, optimization, loop closing and mapping. We summarize current developments and existing problems and also consider the prospects.
First report on detection of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia' (group 16SrII) affecting sapodilla in eastern Cuba.

Lettuce ( Lactuca sativa ), carrot ( Daucus carota ) and French bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) are important staple food crops in India. Symptoms of leaf yellowing, chlorosis, and little leaf were recently observed in these species at the Vegetable Research Center, Pantnagar, India. Plants of Amaranthus sp. growing in adjacent hedges also exhibited leaf yellowing symptoms. Three leaf samples of each plant species with symptoms were collected, including healthy looking plants. Total DNA was extracted and indexed in a nested PCR assay with universal primers R16mF2/R1 and fU5/rU3 that target the phytoplasma