Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Selected Plant Growth Regulators and Carbohydrates on In Vitro Shoot Multiplication and Bulbing of the Tulip (Tulipa L.)

The aim of this study was to check the effects of sugar type on the in vitro shoot multiplication of the tulip cultivar ‘Heart of Warsaw’ and the effects of paclobutrazol (PBZ) and 1-naphthylacetic acid (NAA) on the bulbing of previously multiplied shoots. In addition, the subsequent effects of previously used sugars on the in vitro bulb formation of this cultivar were checked. First, the optimum supplementation of Murashige and Skoog medium with plant growth regulators (PGRs) was selected for shoot multiplication. Of the six tested, the best results were obtained using a combination of 2iP 0.1 mg·L−1, NAA 0.1 mg·L−1, and mT 5.0 mg·L−1. The effects of different carbohydrates (sucrose, glucose, and fructose at 30 g·L−1 and a mixture of glucose and fructose at 15 g·L−1 each) on multiplication efficiency was then tested on this medium. The microbulb-forming experiment was carried out taking into consideration the effects of previously applied sugars, and at week 6, the agar medium was flooded with liquid medium containing NAA 2 mg·L−1, PBZ 1 mg·L−1, or medium without PGRs; in the first combination, the cultures were left on a single-phase medium, solidified with agar, as a control. After 2 months of treatment at 5 °C, the total number of microbulbs formed and the number and weights of mature microbulbs were assessed. The results obtained indicate the ability of using meta-topolin (mT) in tulip micropropagation and point to sucrose and glucose as the optimal carbohydrates for intensive shoot multiplication. The results lead to the conclusion that it is most advantageous to multiply tulip shoots on glucose medium and then to carry out cultures on a two-phase medium with PBZ, which results in a higher number of microbulbs and their faster maturation.
Nonlinear observer/controller design for a class of nonlinear systems

We develop a global output-feedback stabilization and tracking method for a subclass of strict-feedback nonlinear systems. This subclass is characterized by nonlinearities that are affine functions of the derivative of the measured output, with coefficients that are smooth nonlinear functions of the measured output. The novelty of our method is a nonlinear transformation of the unmeasured states in the observer design, which eliminates the dependence of the nonlinearities on the derivative of the measured output. The combination of the nonlinear observer and the nonlinear controller stabilizes the system and guarantees exponential convergence of the tracking error to zero.
Association Between Multiple Chronic Conditions and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults in China: Evidence From the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS)

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the association between multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) and depressive symptoms among older adults in China. Methods: We used the fourth round of data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, and included 9789 older adults aged 60 years old and above. Results: Compared with the older adults without chronic disease, older adults with MCCs and those with one chronic disease had a high risk of depression (MCCs: OR-adjusted: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.37 to 1.75; one chronic disease: OR-adjusted: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.05–1.37). In urban areas, the prevalence among older adults with MCCs was 2.01 times higher than that among older adults without chronic disease (OR-adjusted: 2.01, 95% CI: 1.56–2.60), while it was 1.44 times higher in rural areas (OR-adjusted:1.44, 95% CI: 1.25–1.65). Self-reported health, duration of sleep, social activities, and type of medical insurance were the influencing factors of depressive symptoms in older adults. Conclusion: This study contributed to enriching the research on the relationship between MCCs and depressive symptoms in older adults in China.
Bayesian inference for partially observed stochastic epidemics

The analysis of infectious disease data is usually complicated by the fact that real life epidemics are only partially observed. In particular, data concerning the process of infection are seldom available. Consequently, standard statistical techniques can become too complicated to implement effectively. In this paper Markov chain Monte Carlo methods are used to make inferences about the missing data as well as the unknown parameters of interest in a Bayesian framework. The methods are applied to real life data from disease outbreaks.
Genetic diversity and population structure of Capitulum mitella (Linnaeus, 1767) in Fujian (China) revealed by mtDNA COI sequences

Background: Capitulum mitella is a widely distributed and ecologically important stalked barnacle that settles extensively on rocky shores. This species contributes to the structural complexity of intertidal habitats and plays a critical role in the marine ecosystem. This study aimed to reveal the genetic diversity and population structure of C. mitella by analyzing the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene. Methods: A 683bp fragment of the COI gene was sequenced from 390 individuals sampled from six localities in Fujian, China. Results: A total of 84 distinct haplotypes were identified through the analysis of 82 polymorphic sites, resulting in an average haplotype diversity (h) of 0.660 and nucleotide diversity (π) of 0.00182. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) and pairwise F ST statistics showed no significant population structure. Neutrality tests and mismatch distributions provided evidence of recent population expansion for the species. Conclusions: We suggest that the species' high dispersal ability, and ocean currents coupled with limited physical barriers in the region, contribute to its current phylogeographic structure. These findings enhance our comprehension of the genetic diversity and population structure of C. mitella, providing valuable insights for future conservation efforts.
Detecting Cotton Leaf Curl Virus Resistance Quantitative Trait Loci in Gossypium hirsutum and iCottonQTL a New R/Shiny App to Streamline Genetic Mapping

Cotton leaf curl virus (CLCuV) causes devastating losses to fiber production in Central Asia. Viral spread across Asia in the last decade is causing concern that the virus will spread further before resistant varieties can be bred. Current development depends on screening each generation under disease pressure in a country where the disease is endemic. We utilized quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping in four crosses with different sources of resistance to identify single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers associated with the resistance trait to allow development of varieties without the need for field screening every generation. To assist in the analysis of multiple populations, a new publicly available R/Shiny App was developed to streamline genetic mapping using SNP arrays and to also provide an easy method to convert and deposit genetic data into the CottonGen database. Results identified several QTL from each cross, indicating possible multiple modes of resistance. Multiple sources of resistance would provide several genetic routes to combat the virus as it evolves over time. Kompetitive allele specific PCR (KASP) markers were developed and validated for a subset of QTL, which can be used in further development of CLCuV-resistant cotton lines.
Dynamique des Variétés Affines

An n‐affine manifold is a differentiable manifold endowed with an atlas whose transition functions are locally affine transformations of Rn. The paper studies affine dynamic, that is, affine endomorphisms of affine manifolds. The main goal is to relate the dynamical viewpoint to the completeness problem. In particular, it is shown that the Markus conjecture is true when dim Aff(M, ▿) > dim M − 2.
Adopting an Extended Theory of Planned Behaviour to Examine Buying Intention and Behaviour of Nutrition-Labelled Menu for Healthy Food Choices in Quick Service Restaurants: Does the Culture of Consumers Really Matter?

This research aims to examine an extended model of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to understand the determinants of consumers’ intentions to buy and recommend nutrition-labelled menu (NLM) items for making healthy food choices. The research examines the influence of attitude towards behaviour (ATT), subjective norms (SNs), perceived behavioural control (PBC) and health consciousness on consumers’ intentions to buy and recommend NLM. The research also examines the role of culture in shaping buying and recommendation intentions of NLM by undertaking a comparative study of the extended model among consumers in two different countries that have enough variation based on Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, i.e., the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the United Kingdom (UK). The results of questionnaire surveys analysed with SmartPLS version 4 showed that ATT, SNs and health consciousness significantly predict intentions to buy NLM items among KSA consumers in quick service restaurants (QSRs). However, PBC did not have a significant influence on KSA consumers’ intentions to buy NLM items. On the other hand, ATT, PBC and health consciousness significantly predict intentions to buy NLM items among UK consumers in QSRs. Nonetheless, SNs did not have a significant influence on UK consumers’ intentions to buy NLM items. The intention to buy NLM significantly predicts the intentions to recommend NLM among consumers in both countries (KSA and UK). The results of a multi-group analysis showed significant differences between the KSA and the UK regarding the influence of both SNs and PBC on consumers’ intentions to buy NLMs as well as on their indirect influence on intentions to recommend NLM items. The results value the role of culture in shaping consumers’ intentions to buy and to recommend NLM items for healthy food choices, which has numerous implications for international QSRs, policy makers, and academics.
A ROSAT High Resolution Imager survey of bright nearby galaxies

We use the extensive public archive of ROSAT High Resolution Imager (HRI) observations to carry out a statistical investigation of the X-ray properties of nearby galaxies. Specifically we focus on the sample of 486 bright (BT12.5) northern galaxies studied by Ho, Filippenko and Sargent (HFS) in the context of their exploration of the optical spectroscopic properties of nearby galactic nuclei. Over 20 per cent of HFS galaxies are encompassed in ROSAT HRI fields of reasonable (10 ks) exposure. The X-ray sources detected within the optical extent of each galaxy are categorized as either nuclear or non-nuclear, depending on whether the source is positioned within or outside a 25-arcsec radius circle centred on the optical nucleus. A nuclear X-ray source is detected in over 70 per cent of the galaxies harbouring either a Seyfert or LINER nucleus, compared with a detection rate of only ∼40 per cent in less active systems. The correlation of the Hα luminosity with nuclear X-ray luminosity previously observed in QSOs and bright Seyfert 1 galaxies appears to extend down into the regime of ultra-low luminosity (LX∼1038–1040 erg s−1) active galactic nuclei (AGN). The inferred accretion rates for this sample of low-luminosity AGN are significantly sub-Eddington. In total, 142 non-nuclear sources were detected. In combination with published data for M31, this leads to a luminosity distribution (normalized to an optical blue luminosity of 1010 L⊙) for the discrete X-ray source population in spiral galaxies of the form where L38 is the X-ray luminosity in units of 1038 erg s−1. The implied LXLB ratio is ∼1.1×1039 erg s−1(1010 L⊙)−1. The nature of the substantial number of ‘superluminous’ non-nuclear objects detected in the survey is discussed.
The predictability of precipitation episodes during the West African dry season

Precipitation episodes in tropical West Africa (7–15°N, 10°W–10°E) during the dry season from November to March are rare, but can have significant impacts on human activities reaching from greening of pastures to spoiling harvests and health implications. Previous work has shown a link between these unseasonal rainfalls and extratropical disturbances via a decrease of surface pressure over the Sahara/Sahel and a subsequent inflow of moist air from the Gulf of Guinea. This paper supports the previously stated hypothesis that the extratropical influence leads to a high rainfall predictability through a careful analysis of operational 5 day forecasts from the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts' (ECMWF) ensemble prediction system (EPS), which are evaluated using Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) and Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) precipitation estimates for the 11 dry seasons 1998/99‐2008/09. The long‐term regional average of ensemble‐mean precipitation lies between the two observational datasets, with GPCP being considerably wetter. Temporal correlations between the ensemble mean and observations are 0.8. Standard probabilistic evaluation methods such as reliability and relative operating characteristic (ROC) diagrams indicate remarkably good reliability, sharpness and skill across a range of precipitation thresholds. However, a categorical verification focusing on the most extreme ensemble mean values indicates too many false alarms. Despite the considerable observational uncertainty the results show that the ECMWF EPS is capable of predicting winter rainfall events in tropical West Africa with good accuracy, at least on regional spatial and synoptic time‐scales, which should encourage West African weather services to capitalize more on the valuable information provided by ensemble prediction systems during the dry season. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Dense and half-dense NiZnCo ferrite ceramics: Their respective relevance for antenna downsizing, according to their dielectric and magnetic properties at microwave frequencies

Spinel ferrite Ni0.5Zn0.3Co0.2Fe1. 98O4x nanoparticles were synthesized by co-precipitation method, and samples were realized by moulding and annealing at key temperatures (TM¼800 C, 900 C, 1050 C, determined beforehand through shrinkage measurements) going with calcining and sintering processes. Annealing at 800 C and 900 C led to half-dense ceramics (porosity 50 vol. %), whereas bulky ferrite was obtained after annealing at 1050 C. Elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction and ion chromatography analysis were performed. Complex dielectric permittivity (e*) and magnetic permeability (l*) were investigated up to 6 GHz. With increasing TM, a decreasing amount of Fe2þ was observed, going with increasing sample density. Coupled effects of the Fe2þ concentration and of the porosity, both on dielectric and magnetic properties, were chiefly investigated and discussed. The materials show almost constant permittivities (e0 ¼5.0, 6.0, and 14.8 for TM¼800 C, 900 C and 1050 C, respectively). The bulk value at f¼1 GHz (e0 ¼14.8) can be interpreted well according to Shannon’s theory. The permittivities of the half-dense ceramics are discussed on the basis of Bruggeman’s Effective Medium Theory. The materials annealed at 800 degC and 900 degC show almost constant magnetic permeabilities in the frequency range from 0.2 to 1GHz (l0 ¼3.4 and 6.0 for TM¼800 degC and 900 degC). The observed permeability behavior is typical of monodomain particles, except for the sample annealed at 1050 degC, for which domain wall contribution to l* is suspected because of non-negligible losses at low frequency (l00 ¼1.3–1.8 at f<0.3 GHz). This finding is supported by estimations of the upper and lower values for the critical grain size, on the basis of Brown–Van der Zaag’s theory. Facing bulk ceramics, and in view of using Ni0.5Zn0.3Co0.2Fe1. 98O4x ferrite as substrate for antenna miniaturization, the electromagnetic properties of half-dense ceramics materials seem to be very competitive at frequencies beyond 0.2 GHz, and up to 0.7–0.8 GHz.
Interplay between microRNAs, Serum Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9), and Lipid Parameters in Patients with Very High Lipoprotein(a) Treated with PCSK9 Inhibitors

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) has an important function in the regulation of lipid metabolism. PCSK9 reduces hepatic low-density lipoprotein receptors, thereby increasing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. However, its regulation remains to be elucidated, including post-transcriptional regulation by microRNAs (miRNAs). We aimed to explore the interplay between miRNAs, total serum PCSK9, and lipids during treatment with PCSK9 inhibitors. A total of 64 patients with stable coronary artery disease and very high lipoprotein(a) levels and 16 sex- and age-matched control subjects were enrolled. Patients received a PCSK9 inhibitor (evolocumab or alirocumab). Total serum PCSK9 levels were measured by immunoassay. RNA was isolated from plasma using magnetic beads, and expression of selected miRNAs was analyzed by quantitative PCR. Total serum PCSK9 levels were significantly higher in control subjects compared with patients. After 6 months of treatment with PCSK9 inhibitors, total serum PCSK9 levels increased significantly. The expression of miR-191-5p was significantly lower, and the expression of miR-224-5p and miR-483-5p was significantly higher in patients compared with control subjects. Using linear regression, the expression of miR-483-5p significantly predicted the serum PCSK9 level at baseline. After the 6-month period of therapy, the expression of miR-191-5p and miR-483-5p significantly increased. Our results support a role for miR-483-5p in regulating circulating PCSK9 in vivo. The difference in expression of miR-191-5p, miR-224-5p, and miR-337-3p between patients and control subjects suggests their possible role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease.
Brown dwarf candidates in Praesepe

We present a deep R-, 1and Z-band photometric survey of the open cluster Praesepe. 26 new photometric candidates have been found with I> 17.8, extending Praesepe's main sequence down to 1=21.5. 19 of the new members are brown dwarf candidates, and two could be binary brown dwarfs. Praesepe's mass function is derived, and found to be rising into the brown dwarf range with (X ~ 1.5.
A Validated Chiral LC–MS/MS Method for the Enantioselective Determination of (S)-(+)- and (R)-(-)-Ibuprofen in Dog Plasma: Its Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study

The purpose of this study was to develop a method for simultaneously separating ibuprofen enantiomers using electrospray ionization (ESI) liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). LC–MS/MS was operated with negative ionization and multiple reaction monitoring modes; transitions were monitored at m/z of 205.1 > 160.9 for ibuprofen enantiomers, 208.1 > 163.9 for (S)-(+)-ibuprofen-d3 [internal standard 1 (IS1)], and 253.1 > 208.9 for (S)-(+)-ketoprofen (IS2), respectively. In a one-step liquid–liquid extraction, 10 μL plasma was extracted with ethyl acetate:methyl tertiary-butyl ether of 7:3. Enantiomer chromatographic separation was carried out with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of 0.008% formic acid in water–methanol (v/v) at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min on a CHIRALCEL® OJ-3R column (150 × 4.6 mm, 3 µm). This method was fully validated for each enantiomer and results were in compliance with the regulatory guidelines of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The validated assay was executed for nonclinical pharmacokinetic studies after oral and intravenous administration of racemic ibuprofen and dexibuprofen in beagle dogs.
A perspective on doubling constructions in Dutch

Scope-bearing elements for negations and questions may appear in Dutch child language as “doubling” constructions. The doublings are not part of the adult system. They arise spontaneously in early and later child language. The early doublings have a -element or a -element in sentence-initial position and double it by means of a sentence adverb in a sentence-final position. These doublings disappear in child Dutch after the acquisition of V-second. A later temporary doubling appears in negative constructions that contain a quantifier. The analysis below will consider the temporary doublings in child Dutch as attempts to maintain an earlier, more simplified construction. Temporary options in child language may result from a learnability hierarchy.
First morphological and molecular investigation of the mycobiota associated with Astragalus nebrodensis in its natural environment (Madonie mountains, Sicily)

Abstract Although Astragalus nebrodensis plays a fundamental ecological role, mycorrhizal fungi associated with this species have never been investigated in natural habitats. Our aim was to check the presence and occurrence of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) in roots of A. nebrodensis in a natural habitat and to screen the fungal diversity in the surrounding soil, considering the positive influence of mycotrophic shrub species on soil microbiota. A morphological analysis was performed on A. nebrodensis roots samples from the Madonie mountains (Sicily, Italy), while high-throughput-sequencing was carried out in A. nebrodensis roots and in the associated soil. Observations of A. nebrodensis roots revealed typical structures of AMF. Sequencing revealed that Ascomycota was the most abundant phylum in both roots and soil samples, followed by Basidiomycota and Mucoromycota. A. nebrodensis roots host a fungal community with lower richness as compared to soil and specific taxa were differentially abundant between roots and soil. The endomycorrhizal symbiosis in A. nebrodensis from a natural habitat is reported here for the first time. The fungal diversity between the two matrices (soil vs roots) supports the notion of a specialised and well-established root microbiome in A. nebrodensis enabling it to survive the stressful conditions of its harsh environment.
Standing capillary-gravity waves of finite amplitude

Standing surface waves in an inviscid incompressible fluid of finite depth are considered, taking into account the effect of capillary forces. Perturbation solutions for the surface profile, velocity potential, frequency of oscillation, and pressure are found to third order in the amplitude of the waves. A graph is given showing the regions in which the frequency of oscillation increases with amplitude and those in which it decreases with amplitude. These regions are defined as a function of the depth of the fluid and a parameter called the relative capillarity. A graph is also given showing the surface profile of a wave.