Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative analysis of seed yield and biochemical attributes in different sunflower genotypes under different levels of irrigation and salinity

SUNFLOWER (Helianthus annus L.) is an important oilseed crop in so many countries which suffer from seed and oil yield reduction by limited water or soil salinity. Since some responses to water and salt stress are common, other responses may vary according to the genotype and/or stress level. The role of the genetic diversity on the responses of sunflower yield, oil quality and the fatty acid composition to the different levels of irrigation and soil salinity in two field experiments were investigated. Three registered parental lines; HA 429, HA 430 and HA 20 and two hybrids; H (A9xRF6) and H (A9xRF8), in addition to one cultivar; Sakha 53 were used in this study. The results showed significant effects of genotype, level of stress and their interactions on most of the examined characteristics. Water stress caused a major reduction of protein content and oil yield than salinity stress. Different genotypes with similar oil contents had different oil yields under stress treatments. The hybrids H (A9xRF6) and H (A9xRF8) showed less reduction in oil content by both irrigation and salinity treatments, compared to the other genotypes and this candidate them for cultivation in stressed regions. The results also showed that some fatty acids, particularly stearic acid and oleic acid, were dependent on the genotype and the stress level in both experiments.
Population-specific FST and Pairwise FST: History and Environmental Pressure

Appropriate estimates of population structure are the basis of population genetics, with applications varying from evolutionary and conservation biology to association mapping and forensic identification. The common procedure is to first compute Wright9s FST over all samples (global FST) and then routinely estimate between-population FST values (pairwise FST). An alternative approach for estimating population differentiation is the use of population-specific FST measures. Here, we characterize population-specific FST and pairwise FST estimators by analyzing publicly available human, Atlantic cod and wild poplar data sets. The bias-corrected moment estimator of population-specific FST identified the source population and traced the migration and evolutionary history of its derived populations by way of genetic diversity, whereas the bias-corrected moment estimator of pairwise FST was found to represent current population structure. Generally, the first axis of multi-dimensional scaling for the pairwise FST distance matrix reflected population history, while subsequent axes indicated migration events, languages and the effect of environment. The relative contributions of these factors were dependent on the ecological characters of the species. Given shrinkage towards mean allele frequencies, maximum likelihood and Bayesian estimators of locus-specific global FST improved the power to detect genes under environmental selection. In contrast, bias-corrected moment estimators of global FST measured species divergence and enabled reliable interpretation of population structure. The genomic data highlight the usefulness of the bias-corrected moment estimators of FST. The R package FinePop2_ver. 0.2 for computing these FST estimators is available at CRAN.
Cryptotokens and cryptocurrencies: the extensive margin

The supply of cryptotokens or cryptocurrencies can be indefinitely expanded on the extensive margin by introducing new cryptotokens and cryptocurrencies. Here we propose a theoretical model in which this extensive margin is endogenous. We do so by considering the choice of entry and subsequent competitive dynamics among blockchain-based decentralized digital platforms, each having an associated cryptotoken. We find that, if there are developers who can self-finance the development of their platforms, then the equilibrium is a monopoly in which a single platform enters the market. If these developers are absent, then entry is possible only by holding an Initial Coin Offering (ICO). We show that ICOs weaken incentives, because in equilibrium there is a strictly positive probability that a developer who held an ICO will then liquidate all his tokens and hence stop the development of his platform. This, however, stimulates entry because each developer might become a monopolist with strictly positive probability. We show that, under certain conditions, aggregate effort is higher when multiple developers enter via ICOs than when a single developer self-finance the development of the platform. JEL classification: D25, O31, L17, L26
Diversity of The Ornate Lorikeet (Trichoglossus ornatus) Birds Based on Mitochondrial DNA Protein Coding Gene

Ornate lorikeet (Trichoglossus ornatus) is an endemic bird in Sulawesi. Endemism is one of the factors in declining bird’s population. In the case of the birds conservation programme, information about gene diversity is important for basic strategy. Mitochondrial DNA of animals consists of protein coding genes including ND2 gene. This study informs diversity of the Ornate Lorikeet (Trichoglossus ornatus) birds based on DNA sequences of ND2 gene. DNA total was extracted from blood samples of 21 birds. PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) was performed and successfully amplified a single DNA fragment of ND2 gene for all birds. DNA fragments were sequenced and totally 997 base pairs were analyzed. NJ tree was constructed using MEGA5. All DNA sequence data showed that between the birds there were 20 polymorphic (segregating) sites with mean genetic distance was 0.004 ± 0.002 (ranged from 0,000 – 0,008), and had 17 sequence haplotypes (HTor1- HTo17). Haplotype diversity (Hd) was 0.967 ± 0.30387 and nucleotide diversity (Pi) was 0.00439 ± 0.0012. Genetic diversity information could be potential relevance to the breeding management for conservation of the birds.
MolMeDB: Molecules on Membranes Database

Biological membranes act as barriers or reservoirs for many compounds within the human body. As such, they play an important role in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs and other molecular species. Until now, most membrane/drug interactions have been inferred from simple partitioning between octanol and water phases. However, the observed variability among membrane composition and among compounds themselves stretches beyond such simplification as there are multiple drug-membrane interactions. Numerous experimental and theoretical approaches are used to determine the molecule-membrane interactions with variable accuracy, but there is no open resource for their critical comparison. For this reason, we have built Molecules on Membranes Database (MolMeDB), which gathers data about over 2000 compound-membrane interactions including partitioning, penetration, and positioning. The data have been collected from scientific articles published in peer-reviewed journals and complemented by inhouse calculations from high-throughput COSMOmic approach to set up a baseline for further comparison. The data in MolMeDB are fully searchable and browsable by means of name, SMILES, membrane, method, or dataset and we offer the collected data openly for further reuse. MolMeDB can be a powerful tool that could help researchers better understand the role of membranes and to compare individual approaches used for the study of molecule/membrane interactions. Database URL: http://molmedb.upol. cz.
POLITECNICO DI TORINO Repository ISTITUZIONALE

—The choice for image descriptor in a visual navigation system is not straightforward. Descriptors must be distinctive enough to allow for correct localization while still offering low matching complexity and short descriptor size for real-time applications. MPEG Compact Descriptor for Visual Search is a low complexity image descriptor that offers several levels of compromises between descriptor distinctiveness and size. In this work we describe how these trade-offs can be used for efﬁcient loop-detection in a typical indoor environment.
A simple synthesis and characterization of LaMO3 (M=Al, Co, Fe, Gd) perovskites via chemical co-precipitation method

Nanocrystalline LaMO3 (M = Al, Fe, Co, Gd) perovskites were synthesized by the co-precipitation method using metal nitrate and carbonate salts as starting materials. The products were characterized with X-ray diffractometer (XRD), energydispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), BrunauerEmmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area measurement, and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The XRD patterns confirmed the formation of the perovskite phase. The SEM micrographs indicated that perovskite samples were nanosized particles with morphology containing porosity due to inter-particle voids. The measured pHpzc of LaAlO3, LaCoO3, LaFeO3, and LaGdO3 in this work were 8.6, 9.2, 9.0, and 8.1, respectively. From the DRS spectra, the band gap energies of LaAlO3, LaCoO3, LaFeO3, and LaGdO3 were calculated as 2.60, 1.50, 2.00, and 2.90 eV, respectively. The preparation of LaMO3 (M = Al, Fe, Co, Gd) perovskites in this work have several advantages such as simplicity, low cost, and no waste compared with other methods.
Secretory expression of human insulin precursor in Pichia pastoris employing truncated α-factor leader sequence and a short C-peptide

In the past ten years, diabetes prevalence has increased rapidly in low- and middle-income countries due to lifestyle changes. This increased number of diabetic patients leads to the escalation of recombinant insulin demand, which is creating a large global insulin market. Pichia pastoris has appeared as an alternative host to produce recombinant proteins. It has excellent qualifications as an expression host for large-scale production of recombinant proteins for therapeutic use. In this study, we attempted to express the insulin precursor (IP) in P. pastoris. We used a synthetic IP-encoding gene constructed in frame with the truncated α-factor secretory signal and a short C-peptide (DGK) linked A- and B-chain of human insulin in a pD902 expression vector. Several zeocin resistant clones were successfully obtained and verified with PCR using AOX1 specific primers for the integration of the expression cassette into the P. pastoris genome and for the identification of Mut phenotypes. The secretion of IP by the Pichia pastoris clone in the culture supernatant was confirmed using SDS-PAGE, where a single band of the secreted IP with a molecular mass above 6.5 kDa was found.
Review on Feature Selection of Gene Expression Data for Autism Classification

: The objective of microarray experiments is to identify the genes whether differentially transcribed with respect to different biological conditions of cell cultures or tissue samples. With the development of the microarray technology, the necessary processing and analysis methods grow increasingly critical. The microarray analysis has modernized the approach of biology research in such a way that scientists can now measure the expression levels of thousands of genes simultaneously in a single experiment. Gene expression profiles, which represent the state of a cell at a molecular level, have great potential as a medical diagnosis tool. But compared to the number of genes involved, available training data sets generally have a fairly small sample size for classification. These training data limitations constitute a challenge to certain classification methodologies. Feature selection techniques can be used to extract the marker genes which influence the classification accuracy effectively by eliminating the unwanted noisy and redundant genes This paper presents a review of feature selection techniques that have been employed in microarray data based Autism classification.
The mitochondrial genome for tadpole of Emei moustache toad (Leptobrachium boringii: Anura: Megophryidae) from the Southwest China and its phylogenetic analysis

Abstract The Emei moustache toad, Leptobrachium boringii, is an IUCN red-listed vulnerable endemic precious species in China. In this study, we first report the nearly complete mitochondrial genome of L. boringii, which was 16,557 bp in length, containing 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), and a putative control region. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the L. boringii was clustered with L. leishanense. This work will provide a set of useful reference information on further molecular evolution studies of this endangered species.
A NOVEL APPROACH TO INCORPORATE HETEROGENEITY IN GROUNDWATER FLOW MODELS

Legitimate models simplify reality without forgoing important components or traits of the simulated systems. Using automated parameter estimation, it is possible to fabricate well-calibrated groundwater models without proper depiction of crucialgeological and hydrological features in the simulated systems. Failing to reasonablyrepresent geology and hydraulic heterogeneity may limit the usability of groundwater models and make them susceptible to technical and legal criticism.Realistic and reasonable representation of the modelled groundwater system configuration and heterogeneity has been achieved in the Lower Manawatu Catchment groundwater flow model through coupling pilot point calibration with a three-dimensional stratigraphical model.The technique proved to be practical and produced a defensible representation of the modelled system.The approach is particularly critical for stratified heterogeneous aquifer systems as it can increase modelling confidence level.
Changing risk preferences while taking financial decisions: an experimental approach

With respect to the concept of risk preferences the Neoclassical Capital Mar ket Theory assumes stable and homogeneous ones. On the contrary, the Be havioral Finance Theory supposes variable and heterogeneous preferences. In the light of this conflict the research objective of the present paper is to de termine the risk preferences of undergraduate students of the Autonomous University of Queretaro within the financial decision-making process using an experimental study design. Performing two simple experiments with a total of 146 participants the following main results were obtained: The ma jority of students clearly show heterogeneous risk preferences which were also adapted to varying decision situations – a result that clearly contradicts the position of the Neoclassical Theories. Based on the results of the study it is recommended to further strengthen the position of behavioral concepts in the areas of financial teaching and research in order to better understand the financial decision-making process on a capital market and enterprise level.
Protecting the protected: reducing wildlife roadkill in protected areas

Social media discussions highlight public concern for wildlife‐vehicle collisions (WVCs) inside protected areas. Using a quasi‐experimental field trial, we investigated factors affecting the likelihood of WVCs within Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa, and assessed the comparative effectiveness of wildlife‐warning signage (WWS) for altering driver behaviour. We laid a dummy snake crosswise on roads across four combinations of habitat and road shape and recorded 10 driver‐related variables for 1454 vehicles that passed the dummy snake, including whether there was a collision. An interaction between speeding and driver occupation (staff/visitor) was the best indicator for WVC. When driving below the speed limit, visitors were almost three times more likely than staff to hit the dummy snake. Collision probabilities increased when speeding and became more similar between visitors and staff, although still significantly higher for visitors. We then investigated the effectiveness of roadside signage in modifying driver behaviour by erecting four variations of WWS, depicting a snake or a cheetah, and in photographic or silhouette form. We positioned the dummy snake 100 m or 1 km after the signage and recorded our 10 variables (n = 6400 vehicles). Sixty‐one per cent of drivers who passed a WWS changed their behaviour when they saw the dummy snake, compared to 37% with no sign present. Further, this behaviour change significantly reduced collisions, where 98% of drivers who changed their behaviour avoided a collision. Finally, an interaction between the animal depicted and distance before the dummy snake affected collisions. A WWS depicting a snake, and placed 100 m before the dummy snake, was most effective at reducing collisions. Our results suggest that drivers adapt their behaviour to signage that portrays smaller animals and awareness retention is low. Ultimately, to reduce WVCs within protected areas, we suggest steeper penalties for speeding and WWS placed in WVC hotpot areas.
Domain centralization and cross-modal reinforcement learning for vision-based robotic manipulation

Abstract: Vision-based robotic manipulation with deep learning method has achieved substantial advances in the field of automatic agriculture, which can be deployed and applied in the picking, sorting and transporting of agricultural products and so on. Deep reinforcement learning (DRL) is one of the learning-methods that help the robot learn the policy itself by exploration and exploitation. Training real robots with DRL would take a great price that limits its application scope. Some approaches train the DRL policy in simulation and deploy the model to real robot by transferring the images in simulator to that of the real world. However, this method requires pre-collected images as training data for each real scene. In this paper, a domain centralized approach is proposed as the sim-to-real perception module to capture the task-specific characteristics of the vision regardless of the reality gap between simulation and the real environments. Another challenge for vision-based manipulation is the learning difficulty caused by the high-dimensional vision input. Here we propose a cross-modal reinforcement learning scheme by leveraging the full system states to provide additional guidance. The experimental results show that the proposed method can perform a real robot grasping task without real-world data and outperforms current methods with the same experimental settings. Keywords: sim-to-real, robotic manipulation, agricultural application, domain centralization, cross-modal learning DOI: 10.33440/j.ijpaa. 20200302.77 Citation: Yang K, Zhang Z P, Cheng H, Wu H D, Guo Z Y. Domain centralization and cross-model reinforcement learning for vision-based robotic manipulation. Int J Precis Agric Aviat, 2020; 3(2): 48–55.
Detonation capturing for stiff combustion chemistry

We consider the numerical computation of one-dimensional detonation waves. Detonation waves are travelling wave solutions of the reactive Euler equations. An essential difficulty in the numerical computation of detonation waves is the occurrence of nonphysical solutions. In order to study this problem we consider a 2 x 2 model problem. For this model problem it is illustrated that nonphysical solutions are weak detonation waves. This is used to obtain a simple criterion which ensures that, also for relatively large mesh sizes, the numerical solution approximates the physically correct weak solution. Finally, we extend this criterion to the reactive Euler equations. Numerical results support the use of this criterion to exclude nonphysical weak detonation waves. A.M.S. Classifications:
Formal and Non-Formal Education and Training As an Instrument Fostering Innovation and Competitiveness in EU Member Countries

An important role in economic development and competitiveness is played by human capital, that is believed to lead to the growth of innovation. The innovative activities of companies, with a well-educated workforce as an essential component, are a necessary condition for any economy to achieve a competitive advantage in the international arena. The study objective was to investigate the relationship between the type of education (formal or non-formal) of individuals aged 25-64 and the level of innovation in the European Union member countries. The study uses data provided by Eurostat from three international surveys: The Labor Force Survey (LFS), Adult Education Survey (AES) and Community Innovation Surveys (CIS). The econometric analysis was carried out using tobit regression models. The study shows that innovation levels of EU countries, as measured by the synthetic SII index strongly depend on 1) the share of people with tertiary education undertaking additional formal or non-formal education, 2) the share of employees undertaking additional formal education, and 3) the share of persons undertaking additional formal or non-formal education. Among the variables studied, the smallest impact on the innovativeness of economies was that of the share of persons undertaking additional formal education. The results indicate a significant and positive role of additional education in increasing the level of innovation and competitiveness in the EU economies.
Spatio Temporal Variations in Decapod Crustacean Assemblages of Bathyal Ground in the Antalya Bay (Eastern Mediterranean)

The spatio-temporal distributions of decapod crustaceans caught by trawlers over the 200 m at 87 hauls on the bathyal ground in the gulf of Antalya (eastern Mediterranean) were investigated. Samples were collected during the monthly surveys from July 2010 to June 2011, and sampling area was divided in eight bathymetric strata (200-900 m: 100 m interval). Hypotheses about relationships of assemblages to depth stratum and consecutive four seasons were tested. Univariate (oneand two-way ANOVA) and multivariate analysis (BrayCurtis, nMDS, PERMANOVA and PERMIDS tests) showed differences in crustacean assemblages (abundance, biomass and species richness) according to depth stratum. No significant differences related to the consecutive seasons were detected. Analysis of the trawl catches shows two decapod assemblages: one on the upper slope (shallower than 500 m) characterized by Parapenaeus longirostris and Plesionika heterocarpus and another on the middle slope (500-900 m) with Aristaeomorpha foliacea, Aristeus antennatus and Plesionika martia.
Phylogenetic Relationships Of The Sarawak Microhyla(Amphibian: Anura: Microhylidae)

Microhyla is a genus of diminutive frogs that its taxonomic still remains misconceived. This study attempts to re-construct the relationships of the genus Microhyla in Sarawak by using 16S rRNA gene marker. Samples were collected from nine study areas in Northeastern and Southwestern region of Sarawak via forest and stream transects. Total of 498 bp of 16S rRNA gene were successfully sequenced from 29 individuals. All the phylogenetic topologies revealed two major clades strongly supported with slightly different topologies and groupings. Presumed the differences between these major group were relative of finger I length and numbers of metatarsal tubercles. M. berdmorei and M. borneensis (Clade A) can be grouped together considering relative of finger I is less than half of II and presence of two metatarsals tubercles. Per contra, M. petrigena and M. perparva (Clade B) have finger I present as a snub or pronounced bulge and single number of metatarsal tubercle. This study suggest that M. malang, M. nephenticola and M. borneensis are synonymous species as the results of low genetic divergence but there are lack of studies to prove this study.