Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Natural depletion of H1 in sex cells causes DNA demethylation, heterochromatin decondensation and transposon activation

Transposable elements (TEs), the movement of which can damage the genome, are epigenetically silenced in eukaryotes. Intriguingly, TEs are activated in the sperm companion cell – vegetative cell (VC) – of the flowering plant Arabidopsis thaliana. However, the extent and mechanism of this activation are unknown. Here we show that about 100 heterochromatic TEs are activated in VCs, mostly by DEMETER-catalyzed DNA demethylation. We further demonstrate that DEMETER access to some of these TEs is permitted by the natural depletion of linker histone H1 in VCs. Ectopically expressed H1 suppresses TEs in VCs by reducing DNA demethylation and via a methylation-independent mechanism. We demonstrate that H1 is required for heterochromatin condensation in plant cells and show that H1 overexpression creates heterochromatic foci in the VC progenitor cell. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the natural depletion of H1 during male gametogenesis facilitates DEMETER-directed DNA demethylation, heterochromatin relaxation, and TE activation.
The Journey of the Potato Tuberworm Around the World

Potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) production is challenged by many factors including pests and diseases. Among insect pests, Phthorimaea operculella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), known as the potato tuber worm or potato tuber moth, is considered one of the most impor- tant potato pests worldwide. Phthorimaea operculella is a cosmopolitan pest of solanaceous crops including potato, tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.), and other important row crops. Adults oviposit in leaves, stems, and tubers; immature stage mines leaves causing foliar dam- age, but most importantly, burrows into tubers rendering them unmarketable. Currently, pest management practices are effective in controlling P. operculella, but the effectiveness depends on many factors that will be discussed later in this chapter. Each section includes up-to-date information related to P. operculella biology, ecology, and control, including ori-gins, host range, life cycle, distribution, seasonal dynamics, and control methods.
Compressive strength of partially stiffened cylinders at elevated temperatures

This work presents the finite element analysis of partially stiffened cylinders subjected to axial compression at elevated temperatures. The compressive strength is calculated for self-weight conditions and the influence of the temperature on the material response is also investigated. In the oil industry, pressure vessels are commonly used operating at complex design conditions such as high-pressure profiles and/or elevated temperature gradients which affect considerably the structural response of inner components. Among them, risers become sensitive steel elements withstanding heavy compressive loading due to self-weight, as well as, insulation elements added toprotect them from the elevated temperature gradient. Most risers structurally fail at the bottom end due to buckling caused by self-weight and temperature effects. To remediate this situation and to guarantee the integrity of the riser, longitudinal stiffeners are welded at the bottom end. Hence, a proper determination of the compressive strength of the cylinder, taking into account the influence of the longitudinal stiffening and the corresponding temperature, is required.Results indicate that the use oflongitudinal stiffeners in deformed cylinders increases the strength to buckling in percentages that vary according to the cross-section of the profiles.
Adaptive Fault-Tolerant Control and Performance Recovery Against Actuator Failures With Deferred Actuator Replacement

In this article, an adaptive fault-tolerant control (FTC) scheme is proposed for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems with actuator failures, in which a backup actuator is available. Different from existing FTC methods applying dynamic redundant actuators, a situation of deferred actuator replacement is firstly taken into account, i.e., the backup one cannot connect to plant right after failure detection. To recover the tracking error into prescribed performance within a specified time, an error transformation is introduced to render tangent barrier Lyapunov functions valid at the replacement instant, by which reconfigurable controller can be designed for the backup actuator. Simulation results on a flight control system are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the FTC scheme.
Finite-Time Adaptive Fuzzy Control for MIMO Nonlinear Systems With Input Saturation via Improved Command-Filtered Backstepping

In this article, the problem of finite-time adaptive fuzzy tracking control for multi-input and multi-output (MIMO) nonlinear systems with input saturation is investigated. The new finite-time command filter is introduced for generating command signals and their derivatives to work out the matter of “explosion of complexity,” and the modified fractional power-based error compensation mechanism (ECM) serves as removing the effect of filter error. Then, the finite-time adaptive control scheme is established via the backstepping recursive design technique. It guarantees all the signals of the closed-loop system (CLS) are finite-time bounded while the output tracking errors are regulated to a sufficiently small neighborhood of the origin in finite time. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed finite-time control scheme is verified by a numerical comparison example.
Development of Next Generation Sequencing Protocols for dsRNA Viruses

Next-generation sequencing methodologies is now changing the way that we understand viruses, particularly in the areas of genome sequencing, evolution, ecology, discovery and transcriptomics. These technologies have opened further applications in virology including routine diagnostic work and new understanding of the interaction between viral and host transcriptomes. Although this opens an exciting era of viral exploration yet we expect new challenges to understand the role of newly discovered viral diversity in both disease and health (Radford et al., 2012, Marston et al., 2013).
Early life experience drives structural variation of neural genomes in mice

Genomic plasticity during brain development Mice genomes contain many mobile retrotransposons. Bedrosian et al. analyzed DNA from the mouse hippocampus during development (see the Perspective by Song and Gleeson). They found that the amount of maternal care in the first few weeks of a mouse pup's life affected the number of copies of the L1 retrotransposon. The experience of maternal care was thus “recorded” in the DNA of these mice pups during a time when the brain was still actively developing. Science, this issue p. 1395; see also p. 1330 Natural variations in maternal care alter neuronal DNA sequences through mobilization of L1 retrotransposons. The brain is a genomic mosaic owing to somatic mutations that arise throughout development. Mobile genetic elements, including retrotransposons, are one source of somatic mosaicism in the brain. Retrotransposition may represent a form of plasticity in response to experience. Here, we use droplet digital polymerase chain reaction to show that natural variations in maternal care mediate the mobilization of long interspersed nuclear element–1 (LINE-1 or L1) retrotransposons in the hippocampus of the mouse brain. Increasing the amount of maternal care blocks the accumulation of L1. Maternal care also alters DNA methylation at YY1 binding sites implicated in L1 activation and affects expression of the de novo methyltransferase DNMT3a. Our observations indicate that early life experience drives somatic variation in the genome via L1 retrotransposons.
Evaluation of Dietary Inclusion of Mango Kernel Meal and Oat Extract on Performance and Immunity of Oreochromis niloticus

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with mango (Mangifera indica) kernel meal (MKM) and oat (Avena sativa) extract (OE) on growth performance, some serum biochemical parameters, immune status and protection of Oreochromis niloticus against Aeromonas hydrophila infections. A total of 180 Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings were divided to three experimental groups (each of 60 and each group was divided into four aquaria, 15 fish/aquarium); The first group was fed the control diet (without any additive) and the second group was fed diet supplemented with MKM, while the third group was fed diet supplemented with OE for 60 days. Growth performance and immunological parameters (lysozyme, immunoglobulin M) were examined at 2 months of age. Fish were challenged by A. hydrophila and the mortality were recorded after 14 days post-challenge. Fish fed diet contained OE had a higher final body weight, body weight gain and body weight gain percentage when compared with other groups. Immunological parameters estimated in this work were significantly improved (P<0.05) in MKM and OE fed groups when compared with the control group. Survivability after 14 days post-challenge was lower in control group (60%) and higher in other dietary groups. In conclusion, MKM and OE improved the growth performance, blood constituents, immune status and enhanced the challenging ability of Oreochromis niloticus against A. hydrophila.
Morpho- histological observations on somatic embryogenesis in mature embryo derived callus of Oryza sativa L. cv. Sakha 101

Cellular totipotency is one of the fundamental principles of plant biotechnology. The mature embryo is increasingly recorded as a valuable explant for somatic embryogenesis in rice biotechnology. In present study, rice cells dedifferentiation, proliferation and re-differentiation were investigated by culturing mature rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Sakha 101) embryos in modified MS media fortified with different growth regulators alone and in combination. Mature embryo tissues competent for tissue culture and the chronological changes of cells morphology and histology were observed. The results showed that callus was induced only from mature rice seed (explant) cultured on MS media supplemented with 2, 4-D (2 or 2.5 mg/l) alone while the rest treatments showed negative response. Callus was initiated after 5 days of culture in MS media fortified with the lower 2, 4-D dose as clusters of undifferentiated cell masses while callus initiation was delayed 4 days more by increasing the applied dose. At morphological level, Pale yellowish and friable calli was noted in both tested doses. Calli texture exhibited different appearance, while was slightly nodular in the lower dose it was soft in the higher one. High callus induction frequency (70%) was estimated for 2mg/l 2, 4-D application while decreased frequency (40%) was concomitant with dose increment. Histological analysis for somatic embryogenesis revealed that within two weeks of culturing explants on callus induction medium (CIM), somatic embryos development began as clusters of embryonic cells at the peripheral parts of the proliferated calli while non-embryonic cells were observed at the inner regions of the induced callus. Embryogenic cells at the outer cell layer were observed as small and isodiametric with dense cytoplasm and clear nucleus located in the center of the cells, whereas the non embryogenic cells were large, vacuolated and had a very small nucleus located near the cell wall. Embryogenic cells undergo series of ordered divisions and protodermis observed surrounding globular embryo was recorded at the end of culturing in CIM fortified with lower 2, 4-D dose. On the other hand, culture on MS fortified with higher dose delayed rice cells differentiation and globular stage was recorded two days after subculture embryonic callus into free hormone MS medium. After 2 days of subculture into free hormone MS medium, heart shaped embryo was observed in low dose of 2, 4-D. This study assists to draw attention to the use of a histological approach as a helpful tool to follow the chronological series of embryo development in vitro.
Analyses génétiques et génomiques de maladies neurologiques chez le chien comme modèle de maladies rares humaines

L’identification des mutations genetiques impliquees dans les maladies rares est un prerequis pour mieux les comprendre, les traiter et accompagner les patients. Pour se faire, des modeles animaux presentant des maladies spontanees homologues aux maladies humaines sont tres prometteurs. Le chien developpe spontanement des maladies genetiques, rares chez l’Homme, mais frequentes dans certaines races de chiens, ce qui simplifie les analyses genetiques. Ma these a porte sur deux maladies neurologiques : l’epilepsie et la neuropathie. Pour l’epilepsie, l’objectif etait d’identifier des variants genetiques a partir de donnees de genotypage et de sequencage de genomes complets de deux races canines predisposees. Un locus lie a la maladie a ete identifie dans une race et des variants ponctuels et structuraux candidats ont ete identifies dans les deux races et sont en cours de validation par sequencage cible. Pour la neuropathie, l’equipe avait identifie une mutation en amont du gene GDNF, responsable d’une neuropathie sensitive chez des chiens de chasse. J’ai participe a la validation fonctionnelle de cette mutation. De plus, GDNF etant un excellent gene candidat pour les neuropathies humaines, j’ai sequence ce gene chez 111 patients et extrait les variants de GDNF d’une base de donnees d’exomes et de genomes de plus de 600 patients. J’ai ainsi identifie 21 variants rares ou inconnus et les ai priorise selon leurs impacts predits in silico. Ces deux projets, alliant analyses genetiques, genomiques et fonctionnelles, chez l’homme et le chien, montrent le potentiel du chien pour l’identification de genes candidats dans des maladies rares et/ou complexes chez l’Homme.
Caractérisation phytochimique de l'espèce saharo-endémique Myrtus nivellei Batt & Trab (Myrtaceae)

Résumé: Cette étude est basée sur la valorisation d'une plante endémique du Sahara Algérien: l'espèce Myrtus nivellei Batt & Trab. L’extraction de sa fraction aromatique volatile et de ses composés polaires offre de nouvelles perspectives sur ses éventuelles propriétés pharmacologiques. L'huile essentielle, extraite par entrainement à la vapeur, a donné un rendement de 2,91%. L'analyse de sa composition chimique par CG/SM a révélé la présence d'une forte proportion en sesquiterpènes hydrocarbonés (δ-elemene 15,69% et Azulène 6,18%), en monoterpènes oxygénés (1,8 cinéole 12,06%) et en alcools monoterpéniques (α-terpinéol 13,01%). L'analyse de l'extrait ethanolique a révélé sa richesse en polyphenols totaux (734 µg eq/mg ES), en flavonoïdes (181,1 µg eq/mg ES), en flavonols (711,75 µg eq/mg ES), en anthocyanes (25,5 µg eq/mg ES) et en sucres totaux (17,26 µg eq/mg ES), alors que l'extraits méthanolique a présenté des teneurs moindres mais s'est montré remarquablement riche en tanins (155,27 µg eq/mg ES). Mots clés: Myrtus nivellei Batt & Trab. ; huile essentielle; extraits; polyphenols.
Accurate IMU Factor Using Switched Linear Systems for VIO

Accurate motion estimation plays a crucial role in state estimation of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). This is usually carried out by fusing the kinematics of an inertial measurement unit (IMU) with the video output of a camera. However, the accuracy of existing approaches is hindered by the discretization effect of the model even at a high IMU sampling rate. In order to improve the accuracy, we propose a new IMU motion integration model for the IMU kinematics in continuous time. The kinematics are modeled using a switched linear system. A closed-form discrete formulation is derived to compute the mean measurement, the covariance matrix, and the Jacobian matrix. Thus, it is more accurate and more efficient for online estimation of visual-inertial odometry (VIO), particularly when there is a high dynamic change in the agent's motion or the agent travels with high speed. The proposed IMU factor framework is evaluated using both real public datasets and indoor environment under different scenarios of motion capture. Our evaluation shows that the proposed framework outperforms the state-of-the-art VIO approach by up to 22.71% accuracy improvement on the EuRoc dataset and 38.15% accuracy improvement for motion estimation under the indoor environment.
Coordination of Distribution Network Reinforcement and DER Planning in Competitive Market

Since distributed energy resources (DERs) can provide capacity in distribution system, distribution network reinforcement interacts with DER planning (DERP) for meeting load growth. This article proposes the coordination of distribution network reinforcement and DER planning in competitive market. The model is formulated as a multi-stage programming. In first stage, distribution companies (DISCOs) and DER aggregators (DERAs) make bidding plans for network reinforcements and DERP. In second stage, DSO checks the network security. If the check fails, DSO sends capacity signals to DISCOs and DERAs for more capacities. In third stage, the distributed market is cleared by DSO’s optimal operation problem and distribution locational marginal price (DLMP) is returned to DERAs as price signal. An iterative algorithm is proposed to solve the multi-stage model. The algorithm embodies the process of information interaction among DISCOs, DERAs, and DSO, where DISCOs and DERAs compete in capacity market under DSO’s supervision. Numerical results on IEEE 33-system and an actual 141-bus system demonstrate that the proposed model coordinates distribution network reinforcement and DERP in competitive market.
Toxicological Effects Induced by Chlorpyrifos Administration on Thyroid and Suprarenal Glands in Adult Male Albino Rats

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is a broad spectrum organophosphorus (OP) insecticide used in the control of a wide variety of insects. Its wide use in agriculture raises a growing public concern about the accumulation of these insecticides in food products and water supplies. The aim of this work was to evaluate the toxicological effect of CPF on thyroid and suprarenal glands. Twenty adult male albino rats were used in this work and divided into two groups: control (group І) and CPF-treated (group ІІ). The treated group received CPF daily in a dose of 5.4 mg/kg orally for 28 days. Serum T3, T4, TSH, corticosterone and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined. The thyroid and suprarenal glands were evaluated for oxidative stress and microscopically. Results showed that CPF induced a significant decrease of serum T3 and T4 and a significant increase of serum TSH. Serum corticosterone was increased but statistically insignificant. Serum and tissues MDA were significantly increased. Histological examination of thyroid gland revealed that most follicles appeared degenerated with empty lumen due to decrease colloid, obvious exfoliation of the follicular epithelial cells and vascular congestion. Adrenals showed increased vacuolations of zona granulosa cells. Thus, it was concluded that chlorpyrifos exposure for 28 days causes damage to thyroid and suprarenal glands.
Collaborative Recommendation System For Agriculture Sector

Agriculture is one of the most important sector in India and the farmers are one of the most essential members of society. The major economy of the country comes from the agricultural sector. Though there is no end to the woes of Indian Farmers. One of the major causes for the continuing Indian farmer distress is lack of knowledge and benefits of the agricultural programs and schemes proposed by the Government of India.The Collaborative Recommendation System For Agriculture Sector is one such way to solve this problem. There are various workshops conducted to create awareness about the government schemes to the farmers but still the results are not seen as expected. Even if they are aware they are not solved and hence many NGOs and and Institutes have come up with various measures to solve this problem. Our research system focuses on helping the farmers by answering their agricultural queries by generating a profile of basic requirements through a web application and recommends the proposed government schemes developed to help farmers.The recommendation system also periodically update farmers with the recent trends in agricultural field, new Government schemes and programs. Keywords - agriculture, government schemes, web application, recommendation, knn algorithm, cosine similarity, CRSAS- Collaborative Recommendation System For Agriculture Sector
Perceived Challenges of Working Environment Among Emergency Department Nurses in Saudi Arabia

Background: Emergency room nurses are faced with many challenges related to the nature of complex practices and the environment. Research has approved a number of characteristics of emergency department nurses in order to fulfill the required role. Objectives: To determine the perception of nurses of the Emergency Department to the challenges associated with their working environment. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used in four selected governmental hospitals in Hail. Among one hundred and seventy-five of Emergency registered nurses; One Hundred and Fifty-Eight emergency registered nurses were recruited conveniently based on the inclusion criteria. A closed ended questionnaire sheet was marked out by all the selected nurses to determine their perception towards challenges associated with their working environment. Results: In this study among the total population of Emergency Room staffs, 90 % of staffs were included; ages ranged between 23-29 yrs were 77.8%. Majority of female nurses were 88.6% most of the sample 83.5% hold bachelor’s degree in nursing. Moreover, 48.7% practicing as a nurse about 1-4 yrs. The ER nurses ranged from 1- 4 yrs of experience were 75.9%. Majority of 79.7% were working as a staff Nurse. More than half of the Non-Saudi were working in ER was 54.4%. The variables under the quality of environment for professionals, most of them shows bad perception in working environment so far in comfort zone were 27.8%, nursing assistance and technician, hours of work shift have higher in bad perception overall level of 22.7%. In regards the Cleaning were 29.7%, Quality of materials were 37.9%, Physician were 36.7%, Number of calls per shift were 39.2%. In determining the perception of Emergency Department nurse towards challenges associated with their working environment shows higher perception level with the mean value of 32.03 and standard deviation was 5.6. Conclusion: From this study we concluded that, the healthcare policy makers may have concern about health care providers. The working condition of the Emergency Room nurses Perceived that they have somewhat discouragement in their working environment. Some changes in reimbursement and the practice of health care delivery required hospital to change the way they operate. These results will also propagate the managers to re-define a development plan for the Emergency Department working Environment of the selected Hospitals, in hail. Keywords : Nurse, Perception, Emergency Department, Challenges, Working Environment. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/10-10-05 Publication date: May 31 st 2020