Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Caracterização e identificação das cultivares de pessegueiro Tropical e Douradão através de marcadores RAPD

The genetic characterization for peach varieties Tropical and Douradao was realized by the RAPD method, also comparing with Dourado-1, Tutu, Maravilha, Rubro-sol, Flordaprince, Aurora-1 and Talisma varieties, from IAC "Frutas de Caroco" Germplasm Active Bank, maintained in Nucleo de Agronomia de Capao Bonito, using DNA extracted of young leaves, with the purpose of establishing efficient markers in the variety identification. Were obtained 31 markers from highly polimorphic primers OPAD10, OPAE04, OPAE07, OPAE09, OPAE11, OPAJ04 and OPAJ06, selected from 96 primers evaluated. The RAPD markers used, indicated the relationship degree among varieties in an efficient way; except in varieties of free polinization origin. Even among the varieties siblings as Tutu and Talisma had certain genetic distance (0,29), showing that the RAPD is capable to characterize kindred materials. The Tropical and Douradao peaches varieties were well characterized in relation to the parents and others varieties, with genetic distances varying fron 0,26 to 0,89.
Automatic mass detection in mammograms using deep convolutional neural networks

Abstract. With recent advances in the field of deep learning, the use of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) in medical imaging has become very encouraging. The aim of our paper is to propose a patch-based CNN method for automated mass detection in full-field digital mammograms (FFDM). In addition to evaluating CNNs pretrained with the ImageNet dataset, we investigate the use of transfer learning for a particular domain adaptation. First, the CNN is trained using a large public database of digitized mammograms (CBIS-DDSM dataset), and then the model is transferred and tested onto the smaller database of digital mammograms (INbreast dataset). We evaluate three widely used CNNs (VGG16, ResNet50, InceptionV3) and show that the InceptionV3 obtains the best performance for classifying the mass and nonmass breast region for CBIS-DDSM. We further show the benefit of domain adaptation between the CBIS-DDSM (digitized) and INbreast (digital) datasets using the InceptionV3 CNN. Mass detection evaluation follows a fivefold cross-validation strategy using free-response operating characteristic curves. Results show that the transfer learning from CBIS-DDSM obtains a substantially higher performance with the best true positive rate (TPR) of 0.98 ± 0.02 at 1.67 false positives per image (FPI), compared with transfer learning from ImageNet with TPR of 0.91 ± 0.07 at 2.1 FPI. In addition, the proposed framework improves upon mass detection results described in the literature on the INbreast database, in terms of both TPR and FPI.
Feet deformities in patients with hip osteoarthritis

Background: The lower limb constitutes a complex motor system consisting of interdependent components. Any feet disorder may cause disturbances in the biomechanics of the entire lower limb and in consequence can lead to joint degeneration and affect gait. Methods: Participants were divided into two groups. The research group consisted of n = 60 patients with hip osteoarthritis, aged 52–84 and the control group consisted of n = 32 individuals without hip osteoarthritis, aged 50–74. A dynamic pedobarographic analysis was conducted using a RSScan® International Footscan system — a two-meter-long plantar pressure platform with an interface box. Upon completion of the measurement, results were printed and foot deformity was assessed using: Wejsflog index, Clarke’s angle, hallux Valgus ALFA angle, pronation-supination index. Results: The research group had a significantly lower mean Wejsflog index compared to the control group (2.32 vs 2.59). Results showed also that Hallux Valgus ALFA angle was significantly higher and Clarke’s angle significantly lower in the research group when compared to the control group. Conclusions: Foot deformities are significantly more common among patients with hip osteoarthritis. Fallen medial longitudinal arch, fallen transverse arch and hallux valgus are factors to consider in prevention and treatment of hip osteoarthritis.
The Hardware Trojan War Attacks, Myths, and Defenses

Part I. Hardware Trojan Preliminaries -- Chapter 1.Introduction -- Chapter 2.Introduction to Hardware Trojans -- Part II. Hardware Trojan attacks: Threat Analysis -- Chapter 3.Hardware Trojan Attacks in SoC and NoC -- Chapter 4. Hardware IP Trust -- Chapter 5. Hardware Trojans in Analog, Mixed-Signal and RF ICs -- Chapter 6. Hardware Trojans and Piracy of PCBs -- Part III. Detection-Logic Testing -- Chapter 7. Logic Testing for Hardware Trojan Detection -- Chapter 8. Formal Approaches to Hardware Trust Verification -- Chapter 9. Golden-free Trojan Detection -- Part IV-Detection-Side Channel analysis -- Chapter 10. Detecting Hardware Trojans using Delay Analysis -- Chapter 11. Reverse-Engineering Based Hardware Trojan Detection -- Part VI. Emerging Trent, Inductrial Practices, New Attacks -- Chapter 15. Hardware Trust in Industrial SoC Designs: Practice and Challenges -- Chapter 16.Conclusion and Future Work.
Construction of lncRNA-mediated ceRNA network to reveal clinically relevant lncRNA biomarkers in glioblastomas

Cross-talk between competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) play key roles in tumor development. In this study, we performed exon-level expression profiling on 26 glioblastomas (GBMs) and 6 controls to identify long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) of GBM initiation and progression using lncRNA-mediated ceRNA network (LMCN). The mRNA and lncRNA expression data, as well as miRNA-target interactions were firstly collected. Then, we used hypergeometric test to detect the lncRNA-mRNA interactions, followed by the construction of LMCN based on Pearson correlation coefficient. With the goal of investigation of the network organization, degree distribution of LMCN was performed. Next, the synergistic, competing lncRNA modules were identified using jActiveModule plug-in of Cytoscape. Moreover, we implemented the pathway analysis for its mRNAs in the module to explore the functions of significant lncRNAs. Using the criteria of degrees >50, 8 hub genes were identified, including EPB41L4A-AS1, ZRANB2-AS2, XIST, HOTAIR, TRAF3IP2-AS1, TPT1-AS1, PVT1 and DLG1-AS1. Furthermore, 1 synergistic, competitive module was identified. In this module, lncRNAs XIST and PVT1 were also the hubs in the synergistic, competing lncRNA module. Functional annotation demonstrated that 5 pathways were identified, including cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, and mTOR signaling pathway. We have successfully identified several hubs (such as XIST and PVT1) and significant pathways (for instance, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions) for GBM via establishing the LMCN. These findings might offer potential biomarkers to early diagnose, and predict GBM prognosis in the future.
Modulation of peripheral blood immune cells by early use of steroids and its association with clinical outcomes in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors

Background Steroids are frequently used in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC), but they could be detrimental for patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Here, we assessed the association between early use of steroids, clinical outcomes and peripheral immune blood cells modulation in patients with mNSCLC treated with ICIs. Methods We reviewed patients with mNSCLC treated at our institution between April 2013 and December 2017. Early use of steroids was defined as the use of a daily prednisone-equivalent dose ≥10 mg for at least 1 day within 28 days after ICI initiation. Peripheral immune blood cell counts were retrieved at baseline and at 4 and 6 weeks after ICI initiation. Results Out of 151 patients included, 35 (23%) made early use of steroids that was associated with poor disease control (OR 0.32, p=0.006), progression-free survival (HR 1.80, p=0.003) and overall survival (HR 2.60, p<0.001). Early use of steroids significantly correlated with higher median absolute neutrophil count, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and derived NLR, and lower median absolute and relative eosinophil count, both at 4 and 6 weeks after ICI initiation. Conclusions In patients with mNSCLC treated with ICIs, early use of steroids was associated with worse clinical outcomes and remarkable modulation of peripheral blood immune cells, which could contribute to restraining the activation of antitumour immunity. If confirmed in prospective studies, these findings would highlight the importance of carefully evaluating and, whenever possible, avoiding steroids during early phases of ICI treatment.
Pollution Biomarkers in Environmental and Human Biomonitoring

Environmental pollutants generate harmful conditions for living organisms, including humans. This accounts for the growing interest to early warning tools for detection of adverse biological responses to pollutants in both humans and wildlife. Molecular and cellular biomarkers of pollution meet this requirement. A pollution biomarker is defined as an alteration in a biological response occurring at molecular, cellular or physiological levels which can be related to exposure to or toxic effects of environmental chemicals.Pollution biomarkers have known a growing development in human and environmental biomonitoring representing a valuable tool for early pollutant exposure detection or early effect assessment (exposure/effect biomarkers). The review discusses the recent developments in the use of pollution biomarker in human and environmental biomonitoring and analyzes future perspectives in the application of this tool such as their potentiality for bridging human and environmental issued studies.
Selectivity and Growth of the Generalist Herbivore Dolabella Auricularia Feeding Upon Complementary Resources

An assumption of most optimal diet theory is that different resources are substitutable, that is, that they are identical in all relevant aspects and so can be ranked in value using a single currency, such as energy. However, this assumption is probably not valid in many cases. The sea hare Dolabella auricularia (Gastropoda: Opisthobranchia: Anaspidea) grew far better upon an ad libitum mixture of four species of algae than upon any of the algal species alone, suggesting that algae were complementary resources. When offered three pairs of algae in 4:1 and 1:9 ratios, Dolabella changed its foraging behavior so that the rarer alga was preferred. Consequently, the mixtures of algae consumed were more similar between treatments (ratios) than the mixtures of algae offered. Replicate Dolabella were maintained on six single algal diets for 6-7 d and then offered the main- tenance alga and another alga at equal abundances. Preference for a species of algae was always higher when it was not the maintenance diet compared to when it was. These results suggest that Dolabella actively maintains a mixed diet because it is nutritionally superior to any single diet. An alternative hypothesis (the nonadditive toxin hypothesis) suggests that herbivores might consume a mixed diet because a mixture of plant secondary metab- olites is less toxic than any one metabolite alone; consequently, herbivores can consume more total biomass of a mixed than of a single diet. However, sea hares fed single- and mixed-species diets did not consume more of mixed diets than of single-species diets, and animals fed a mixed diet grew better than those fed single diets even when the biomass of algae offered was held constant. If resources are complementary, as suggested here, several important implications follow: (1) consumers will not rank resources in any absolute way because the value of each will depend upon what else is consumed, (2) consumer special- ization will be opposed by the benefits of a mixed diet, and (3) consumer foraging will tend to destabilize the resource community, because rarer resources will be disproportionately consumed.
Variation in pathogenicity, morphology, and RAPD marker profiles in Colletotrichum graminicola from Turfgrasses

Anthracnose basal rot (ABR), caused by Colletotrichum graminicola (Ces.) Wils. , is a destructive disease of annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) and creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds.) golf course putting greens in North America and western Europe. Typically, only one of these turfgrass species is affected by ABR when both are present in putting greens. The objectives of this study were to determine if isolates of C. graminicola from annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass are host specific and if differences in pathogenicity, morphology, and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker profiles occur among isolates from annual bluegrass, creeping bentgrass, and corn (Zea mays L.). One isolate of C. sublineolum P. Henn. apud Kabat & Bub. from sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] was included for comparison in morphology and RAPD marker studies. Pathogenicity studies using C. graminicola isolates were conducted in growth chambers on annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass. Although several isolates were more virulent on the host species from which they were isolated, strict host specificity was not observed. No consistent differences in conidia length were found between annual bluegrass isolates and those from creeping bentgrass. However, differences in conidia length were found between corn isolates and isolates from turfgrasses and sorghum. Cluster analyses of RAPD markers showed that isolates from annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass separated into two distinct groups. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that significant genetic differences (P = 0.001) exist between isolates obtained from annual bluegrass and isolates from creeping bentgrass.
Natural mating in broiler breeders: present and future concerns

Intensive selection based on growth traits in meat-type breeder flocks has resulted in new breeds expressing early sexual precocity but limited persistence of gonad development. This can be in part circumvented by adequate use of specific light regimes. However, these breeds require environmentally controlled housing in which light, temperature and ventilation can be properly balanced, a situation which to date is technically feasible only under relatively mild climatic conditions. In recent years there has been a progressive shift in chicken production to warm geographic regions. As a consequence, increasing numbers of breeder flocks are now raised in open houses in which light regimes are only partly controlled. In most instances, reproductive performance in standard meat-type breeds remains satisfactory if sexual precocity can be delayed until 23–25wks of age. However, the early maturation of flocks stimulated by external photoperiods may result in small eggs during the early parts of the season. Early sexual precocity in breeder males is generally followed by a rapid decline in reproductive performance, resulting in their partial or even total replacement to maintain acceptable fertility rates throughout the season. Such changes, which are currently performed on a large scale, are costly, pose health risks and are only partly effective in maintaining adequate fertility rates. In addition to photoperiod, another common practice to for controlling sexual precocity and reproductive performance in meat-type chickens is based on strict control of feed allowance for each sex. In countries where housing and feed equipment are accessible, techniques such as sex-separate feeding combined with quantitative feed restriction have been of practical value to limit body growth. However, such equipment is costly and requires strict management practices. Severe feed restriction in maturing breeder flocks may be stressful and, which induces heterogeneity in body growth. Another concern is the moderate but constant decline in fertilising potential. A Furthermore a negative correlation between reproductive and growth traits may be responsible for such the decline in fertilising potential of birds selected for rapid growth. This may ultimately favour the emergence of breeds with less intensive growth rates and/or the extension of artificial insemination.
Quantificação de propágulos de Gibberella zeae no ar e infecção de anteras em trigo

Devido ao aumento da ocorrencia e da intensidade de epidemias nos ultimos anos, a giberela tem sido apontada como uma das doencas que mais danos causa em cereais de inverno. O principal inoculo do fungo patogeno (Giberella zeae) sao os ascosporos produzidos em peritecios sobre os restos culturais da maioria das especies cultivadas. Os esporos sao transportados a longas distâncias pelo vento e depositados sobre as anteras causando infeccao. Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram quantificar a densidade de esporos no ar, a incidencia da infeccao em anteras de trigo (Triticum aestivum), a intensidade da doenca no campo e elucidar o papel das anteras no processo infeccioso. Durante o periodo correspondente a antese do trigo, foram coletados, em media, 6,6 esporos/10 cm 2 /dia, em 1999 e 13,5 esporos/10 cm 2
Fault Waveform Regenerator and Its Digital Closed-Loop Modification Technique

In order to provide a novel and more effective alternative to the commonly used relay protection testing device that outputs only the sinusoidal testing signals, the concept of fault waveform regenerator is proposed in this paper, together with its hardware structure and software flow chart. Fault waveform regenerator mainly depends on its power amplifiers (PAs) to regenerate the fault waveforms recorded by digital fault recorder (DFR). To counteract the PA’s inherent nonlinear distortions, a digital closed-loop modification technique that is different from the predistortion technique is conceived. And the experimental results verify the effectiveness of the fault waveform regenerator based on the digital closed-loop modification technique.
Agonistic interactions among wild eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus)

Agonistic behaviour exhibited by free-living chipmunks (Tamias striatus) in a naturally established population at Heney Lake, Quebec, was grouped into 11 categories and combinations thereof. Agonistic behaviour patterns were described from field and laboratory observations. A scheme of interrelationships among action–reaction pairs was constructed from field data. This scheme permits one to predict the likelihood of the occurrence of possible reactions of a chipmunk to a given action performed by a conspecific.
Photosynthetic light and temperature responses of Eucalyptus cloeziana and Eucalyptus argophloia

Acclimation of gas exchange to temperature and light was determined in 18-month-old plants of humid coastal (Gympie) and dry inland (Hungry Hills) provenances of Eucalyptus cloeziana F.Muell. , and in those of a dry inland provenance of Eucalyptus argophloia Blakely. Plants were acclimated at day/night temperatures of 18/13, 23/18, 28/23 and 33/28°C in controlled-temperature glasshouses for 4 months. Light and temperature response curves were measured at the beginning and end of the acclimation period. There were no significant differences in the shape and quantum-yield parameters among provenances at 23, 28 and 33°C day temperatures. Quantum yield [μmol CO2 μmol–1 photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD)] ranged from 0.04 to 0.06 and the light response shape parameter ranged from 0.53 to 0.78. Similarly, no consistent trends in the rate of dark respiration for plants of each provenance were identified at the four growth temperatures. Average values of dark respiration for the plants of the three provenances ranged from 0.61 to 1.86 μmol m–2 s–1. The optimum temperatures for net photosynthesis increased from 23 to 32°C for the humid- and from 25 to 33°C for the dry-provenance E. cloeziana and from 21 to 33°C for E. argophloia as daytime temperature of the growth environment increased from 18 to 33°C. These results have implications in predicting survival and productivity of E. cloeziana and E. argophloia in areas outside their natural distribution.
Can seeds predict their future? Germination strategies of density-regulated desert annuals

Annual plants in unpredictable environments maintain dormant seeds to avoid extinction. Here, we present results for four desert annual species suggesting that germination rates are variable even in the absence of abiotic cues. Namely, seeds produced in a copious year had lower germination rates than seeds produced in drought years. Inspired by our data, we have extended previous bet-hedging models by including a structured seed bank. With density-dependence, the ESS (environmental stable strategy) involved a negative relationship between seed yield and subsequent germination probability. We suggest that heterogeneous germination rates are selected for by competition among seedlings after years with high seed production. In summary, our findings are suggestive of an intriguingly simple and effective mechanism that may allow annual plants to partly predict their future success.
Value of chicory crops to pasture-based dairy farms in the Waikato region of New Zealand

SUMMARY Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) crops can increase milk production on New Zealand dairy farms through providing high-quality feed in late lactation. Non-linear optimization models of three Waikato dairy farms, differing in the degree to which imported supplement is used, were employed to evaluate chicory crops in this environment. At a baseline milk price of $NZ 7/kg milk solids, it was only profitable for chicory to be used on a farm where no imported supplement was fed. However, even then, only 0·04 of the farm area was planted and profit only increased by $NZ 30/ha (0·006 of baseline profit), relative to where it was not used. It was not optimal to plant any chicory on farms where imported feed was available, at the baseline milk price and cost of establishment considered here. This was evident because imported feed is more flexible than chicory for filling temporary feed gaps; also its use does not displace pasture production. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the unprofitability of chicory is robust to broad variation in calving date and the relative growth of chicory and pasture. Overall, results indicate that farmers are unlikely to receive adequate reward for the additional complexity arising from the utilization of chicory crops, especially when imported supplement provides more flexibility.