Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nondestructive DNA Extraction Techniques for Soybean (Glycine Max) Seeds

ABSTRACT While maintaining high germination rates, genotyping single seeds are useful in breeding and genetics. Nondestructive single-seed genomic DNA extraction protocols using 12 mg cotyledon tissue with a modified cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) technique and a commercial seed DNA extraction kit using 1 mg cotyledon tissue were developed for dry soybean seeds and cross-verified with leaf DNA analysis. The DNA extracted by these methods was sufficient for polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the results were reproducible for several endogenous genes and transgenes in D-myo-inositol 3-phosphate synthase (MIPS) mutant seeds (GM-lpa-TW1). This single-seed DNA-analysis method is amenable to rapid high-throughput genotype screening and verifying the genetic purity of seed stocks.
Relationship between Skull Form and Prey Selection in the Thamnophiine Snake Genera Nerodia and Regina

Results from principal component and discriminant function analyses of 21 metric skull characters from six thamnophiine snakes (Regina alleni, R. grahamii, R. rigida, R. septemvittata, Nerodia erythrogaster, N. rhombifer) allowed clear distinction of taxa in concordance with the most current taxonomy. Positions of the species in thamnophiine morphospace also indicated that the six taxa might be classified morphometrically across the genetic boundary by their prey selection. A regression analysis better aligned R. grahamii and R. septemvittata with the two species of Nerodia than with their two congeners. Since variables important in prey ingestion provided the best differentiation between taxa, this non-taxonomic alignment might be linked to the different degrees of feeding specialization observed in the six taxa. Regina alleni and R. rigida specialize on hard-shelled crayfish and occupied the most extreme morphospace posi- tions, potentially an indication of a skull design for greater crushing capacity. Conversely, alignment of the other four taxa might indicate a skull morphology more suitable for other types of prey.
Fragility of the Kondo insulating gap against disorder: Relevance to recent puzzles in topological Kondo insulators

Kondo insulators are strongly correlated system in which a clean insulating gap emerges only at very low temperature due to many-body effects involving localized $f$-electrons. However, certain Kondo insulators, like SmB$_6$ and Ce${_3}$Bi${_4}$Pt${_3}$, display metallic behaviors at extremely low temperatures, that have defied current understanding. Recent advances in topological effects in materials has raised the attention on the protected surface states in these "topological Kondo insulators" as a potential resolution to some of the puzzling behaviors. Here we resolve these puzzles via a different route, by showing that the emergent Kondo insulating scale is extremely vulnerable against moderate degree of disorder, such that the gap is filled with a small number of states. Therefore, the real samples are probably never truly insulating and this in turn compromises the essential building block of topological considerations. Our results suggest strongly that systems like the Slater insulators would be a more promising direction to extend the realm of topology to strongly correlated systems.
SIEVE: Speculative Inference on the Edge with Versatile Exportation

This paper proposes SIEVE, Speculative Inference on the Edge with Versatile Exportation, which dynamically distributes CNN computation between the cloud and edge device based on the input data and environmental conditions to maximize efficiency and performance. A speculative CNN is created through aggressive precision reduction techniques to run most of the inferences on the edge device, while the original CNN is run on the cloud server. A runtime system directs each input to either the edge or cloud and decides whether to accept speculative inferences made on the edge or invoke recovery by replaying the inference on the cloud. Compared to the cloud-only approach, SIEVE reduces energy consumption by an average of 91%, 57% and 26% and increases performance by an average of 12.3×, 2.8× and 2.0× for 3G, LTE and WiFi connections without accuracy loss across a range of nine CNNs.
The Association between Inflammation and Pulse Wave Velocity in Dyslipidemia: An Evidence-Based Review

Dyslipidemia is associated with increased arterial stiffness (AS) which may lead to hypertension. Among the methods to assess AS are carotid-femoral and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity. Dyslipidemia is also known to trigger inflammation. C-reactive protein (CRP) is one of the commonest inflammatory markers measured in the clinical setting. However, the association between inflammation and pulse wave velocity (PWV) in people with dyslipidemia is less studied. Therefore, this review investigated the association between inflammation (as measured by CRP) and PWV in dyslipidemia patients. The search of the literature was conducted via PubMed and Scopus database. The keywords used were “aortic stiffness” OR “arterial stiffness” OR “pulse wave velocity” OR “vascular stiffness” OR “carotid femoral pulse wave velocity” OR “pulse wave analysis” AND “inflammation” OR “c reactive protein” OR “c-reactive protein” OR “high sensitivity c reactive protein” AND “dyslipidemia” OR “hyperlipidemia” OR “hypercholesterolemia” OR “hyperlipoproteinemia” OR “hypertriglyceridemia”. The following criteria were used: (1) only full-length original articles published in English language, (2) articles that reported the association between arterial stiffness measured as carotid-femoral PWV (cfPWV) or brachial-ankle PWV (baPWV) and CRP or high-sensitivity CRP, and (3) study involving human subjects. The search identified 957 articles published between 1980 and February 2020. Only eight articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were used for data extraction. Five of the studies were cross-sectional studies while another three studies were interventional studies. Seven out of eight papers found a significant positive association between AS and CRP, and the correlation ranged from mild to moderate association (Pearson r = 0.33 to r = 0.624). In conclusion, inflammation is associated with increased PWV in patients with dyslipidemia. This supports the involvement of inflammation in the development of AS in dyslipidemia.
Intake and digestibility of low and high quality forage diets by purebred and cross-bred steers of tropically adapted breeds.

To improve the overall value of calves from the southern U.S. beef cow herds, tropically adapted Bos indicus and Bos taurus breeds are being evaluated. The objectives of these studies were to determine the impact of tropically adapted breed type on dry matter intake (DMI) and digestibility of low(LQ) and high-quality (HQ) diets. In Exp. 1, steers sired by tropically adapted beef breeds (Boran, Brahman, and Tuli) had similar DM and N digestibility coefficients as steers sired by Gelbvieh bulls for both HQ and LQ diets. In Exp. 2, DMI of a LQ diet was increased when supplemental protein was fed at 0.4% of BW. Steers with 25% Senpol or Tuli breeding had greater DMI than steers with 25% Brahman breeding or purebred Romosinuano steers. We concluded that previously developed concepts describing the interaction of low quality forage diets and protein supplementation is applicable to the breeds types used in this experiment. In these experiments, alternative sources of tropical adaptation in beef cattle were explored. New tropically adapted beef breeds can be incorporated into U.S. cow herds. The resulting prodigy can enter existing production systems without changing management strategies.
Genomic characterisation of chromosomally integrated human herpesvirus

Distinctions in the biological features of human herpesvirus-6A (HHV-6A) and -6B (HHV-6B) have recently led to their reclassification from variants to distinct viral species. Unique for human herpesviruses, these viruses also exist in an endogenous form in ~1% of the human population, resulting from germ-line chromosomal integration. Chromosomally integrated human herpesvirus-6A (CI-HHV-6A) and -6B (CI-HHV-6B) genomes are inherited in a Mendelian manner, leading to the potential for viral gene expression and/or reactivation in every cell of the body. As yet, the effects of these integrated viral genomes on health and their relationship to circulating viral strains remain unclear. To address this, next generation sequencing (NGS) methods were established, to define a readily utilisable pipeline for genomic sequencing of these herpesviruses directly from cell or tissue samples. This was first tested to derive the complete genome sequence of a third HHV-6A strain, AJ. This showed close conservation with a recent North American isolate despite distinct geographic origins, which may reflect highly evolved viral status or recent emergence. Subsequently, using this defined NGS methodology, supplemented by Sanger sequencing, integrated viral genomes were characterised. Integration site analyses revealed a high prevalence of integration on chromosome 17, all with a shared junctional architecture, indicative of a single ancestral germ-line integration event at this chromosome. Genomic analyses revealed CI-HHV-6A retains the full HHV-6A gene complement, with no interrupted open reading frames, and important cis acting signals likely required for any viral replication/reactivation mechanism. Deep sequencing with minority variant analysis suggested a potential reactivation mechanism, resulting from superinfection with circulating viral strains. CI-HHV-6A was also found to diverge at a set of genes which have been used as markers of speciation amongst roseoloviruses, while retaining many of the features of HHV-6A. One of the key viral immunomodulatory genes, the chemokine receptor U51, was investigated further. This showed specific coding changes and a panel of viral-human chimeric and viral mutant receptor expression vectors were generated to investigate this. Initial structural modelling and functional characterisations were made showing distinctions. Overall, the results identify unique characteristics of the integrated genomes compared to known circulating viral strains.
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN RETRACTED: Diminished Glutathione Levels Cause Spontaneous and Mitochondria‐Mediated Cell Death in Neurons from Trisomy 16 Mice:

It has been suggested that the increased neuronal death in cultures from trisomy 16 (Ts16) mice, a model of Down's syndrome, might result from a diminished concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH). In this study we used microfluorometric techniques to investigate the effect of GSH levels on neuronal survival in diploid and Ts16 cultures. Addition of the GSH precursors cysteine and cystine and the antioxidant tocopherol to the culture medium increased the GSH concentration up to 126.0% in diploid and up to 111.9% in Ts16 neurons. Moreover, we observed a reduced spontaneous neuronal death rate in diploid and Ts16 cultures. Following the application of 50‐100 μM glutamate to culture medium, we found a GSH increase in the presence of cysteine, cystine, tocopherol, and cyclosporin A, an inhibitor of mitochondrial permeability transition (diploid, 105.8‐110.8%; Ts16, 83.1‐96.3%). However, only tocopherol and cyclosporin A had a protective effect on glutamate‐induced neuronal death. The results suggest that reduced GSH levels affect the increase of a spontaneous and a mitochondria‐mediated, cyclosporin A‐sensitive type of neuronal cell death. Therefore, elevating intracellular GSH concentration may have neuroprotective effects in Down's syndrome and Alzheimer's disease.
Susceptibility pattern and development of resistance in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L, to Bacillus thuringiensis Berl var kurstaki in India

Base-line susceptibility for six-day-old larvae of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, against Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki (Biobit®) was studied by a cabbage leaf disc dip bioassay technique. Diamondback moth from 13 locations in seven different states spread over a distance of about 3000 km longitudinally was used for these studies. Forty-eight-hour LC50 values varied from 1.0 to 10.97 mg AI litre−1. Further investigations on the development of resistance under laboratory conditions showed an increase in LC50 from 2.76 (for unselected F1 generation) to 5.28 mg AI litre−1 (for selected F9 generation), using a selection concentration of 6.4 mg AI litre−1. This suggested a possibility of the development of resistance under field conditions if there were to be extensive and indiscriminate use of B thuringiensis. These findings are discussed in relation to integrated pest management and the mechanisms of resistance in resistance management tactics. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry
Neurotoxic Effect Induced by Prasiola Crispa Antarctic-Algae Methanolic Extract in Cockroaches

In this work we have demonstrated the direct neurotoxic e ect of Prasiola crispa methanolic extract at cockroach neuromuscular junctions. At in vivo cockroach neuromuscular preparations the extract induced a progressive and irreversible neuromuscular blockade, which was preceded by an increase in the muscular tonus with the appearance of spontaneous twitches. e previous application of chloral hydrate, a n-methyl-d-aspartate receptor blocker, increased the time to blockade of the muscle twitches by 50%, whereas it extinguished both the previous increase of tonus and the appearance of spontaneous twitches, before the onset of neuromuscular blockade. Together, these results suggest that P. crispa extract induced an insecticide activity by acting mainly at insect neuromuscular junctions. erefore, the NMDA receptors must be the target of this pharmacological interaction. A further phytochemical and pharmacological investigation will increase the knowledge about the cellular and molecular aspects of P. crispa insecticide e ect.
Exact solution for the heat conductance in harmonic chains

We present an exact solution for the heat conductance along a harmonic chain connecting two reservoirs at different temperatures. In this model, the end points correspond to Brownian particles with different damping coefficients. Such analytical expression for the heat conductance covers its behavior from mesoscopic to very long one-dimensional quantum chains and validates the ballistic nature of the heat transport in the latter example. This implies the absence of the Fourier law for classical and quantum harmonic chains. We also provide a thorough analysis of the normal modes of system which helps us to satisfactorily interpret these results.
Efectos de la Extracción de Maderas sobre la Diversidad de Mamiferos Pequeños en Bosques de Tierras Bajas de la Guayana Venezolana1

Abstract The responses of small mammal communities to forest disturbance by logging were evaluated. The study area was located in the Imataca Forest Reserve (Venezuelan Guayana Region), where vegetation was predominantly lowland rain forest. Field analyses were based on a comparative inventory of species inhabiting primary forests and areas disturbed by selective logging. The taxonomic groups used as indicators of the ecological impact of logging belonged to the orders Didelphimorphia, Chiroptera, and Rodentia (families Sciuridae, Muridae, and Echimyidae). The following sampling methods were used: (1) mist nets; (2) traps in 2.4 ha grids (each with 120 stations: 60 at ground level and 60 in trees); and (3) diurnal and nocturnal sight surveys. Total sampling effort consisted of 1904 net-hours, 10,320 trap-nights, and 567 h of direct observations. At least 83 mammalian species inhabited the evaluated forests (74.7 percent corresponding to Chiroptera), of which 15.3 percent were restricted to primary forest.
Responses of Soil Microbial Community Structure and Potential Mineralization Processes to Solidago canadensis Invasion

Abstract Solidago canadensis is a noxious invasive weed of Eastern China. It is still unclear how its invasion affects the soil microbial community structure and mineralization processes. Therefore, the microbial community structure (assessed by phospholipid fatty acid [PLFA]) and potential mineralization processes associated with its invasion were measured in five field areas in Zhejiang Province, China. Phospholipid fatty acid abundances of bacterial, fungal, actinomycete, two function groups (i.e., Gram-negative bacteria and mycorrhizae), and two ratios for Gram-negative/positive bacterial PLFAs and fungal/bacterial PLFAs were significantly higher in soils invaded by Solidago than in the native soil (P < 0.05), whereas the ratio cy17:0/16:1&ohgr;7 decreased (P < 0.05). Ammonification, cellulose, and organic phosphorus mineralization also significantly increased following the invasion of Solidago, respectively, but the nitrification significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Principal components analysis for the PLFA data sets clearly discriminated the native plots from the invaded plots. Redundancy analysis with Monte Carlo permutation tests showed that some PLFAs such as 10:0, 12:0, cy17:0, cy19:0, 16:1&ohgr;7, 18:1&ohgr;9, 18:1&ohgr;7, 18:2&ohgr;6, 16:1&ohgr;5, 10Me18:0, 10ME17:0, 10Me16:0, 17:1&ohgr;8, and 18:0 were strongly correlated with rates of ammonification, nitrification, and cellulose and organic phosphorus decomposition. These results suggest that the invasion-induced changes in soil microbial community structure and nutrient transformation processes (especially nitrification inhibition and ammonification promotion) may be one of the reasons why Solidago becomes predominant in competition with indigenous species for soil nutrients in the invaded ecosystem.
What do the Neighbours Think? Computing Web Page Reputations.

The textual content of the Web enriched with the hyperlink structure surrounding it can be a useful source of information for querying and searching. This paper presents a search process where the input is the URL of a page, and the output is a ranked set of topics on which the page has a reputation. For example, if the input is www.gamelan. com, then a possible output is “Java. ” We describe a simple formulation of the notion of reputation of a page on a topic, and report some experiences in the use of this formulation.
Social interrelations involved in migratory orientation of birds: Possible contribution of field studies

The question is discussed whether flocking of bird migrants improves the accuracy of orientation toward the intended direction of a population. Statistical implications are described and outlines for possible analyses of field observation data are given. In nocturnal migration of small passerines it is not yet clear whether social relationships exist at all. Suggestions on how to investigate this question are presented.
Predicting breeding success of Atlantic Population Canada geese from meteorological variables

Management strategies for sustained harvest and long-term viability of Atlantic Population Canada geese (Branta canadensis) require evaluations of annual breeding success before establishing fall harvest regulations. The only quantitative measure of the annual breeding success of this population is the proportion of young geese in the fall harvest that is not available when harvest regulations are set in late July. Because the majority of Atlantic Population Canada geese breed in the sub-arctic regions of the Ungava Peninsula in northern Quebec, spring climatic conditions are potential predictors of annual production for this population. We used tail-fan data from the Maryland harvest to calculate an index of the proportion of young geese (Y,) in the fall population, 1963-94. We used 1963-87 weather data to develop multiple linear regression models to predict Y, and validated these models by predicting Y, for 1988-94. Models with the greatest predictive ability included the average daily mean temperature and the number of days of snowfall in May and June. The final model included 6 parameters and accounted for 78.7% of the total variability in Y, (P = 0.001). This analysis demonstrates the potential use of climatic data to predict an index of annual production derived from harvest age ratios. The usefulness of this technique will depend on periodic assessment of predictive models as more data is gathered, and evaluation of harvest tail-fan surveys as indices to breeding success.
Seed Morphology and Taxonomic Relationships in Calochortus (Liliaceae)

Seeds of 37 species of Calochortus were examined using scanning electron microscopy. Two major seed forms were observed. "Calochortoid" seeds are irregular in shape with roughly tetragonal to irregular testa cells lacking secondary thickenings in the outer cell walls. "Mariposoid" seeds are flattened and lenticular in outline with roughly hexagonal to irregular testa cells with secondary thickenings in the outer cell walls. Calochortoid seeds are characteristic of sect. Calochortus and of one species of sect. Cyclobothra (C. barbatus). Mariposoid seeds are characteristic of sect. Mariposa and of subsect. Weediani of sect. Cyclobothra. Both gross morphological evidence and SEM data indicate that sect. Cyclobothra may be polyphyletic. Subsection Weediani appears to have greater affinity to sect. Mariposa than to other members of sect. Cyclobothra. The remaining species in sect. Cyclobothra need further study to determine their affinities. Calochortus Pursh comprises approximately 60 species distributed in western North America from British Columbia to Guatemala. Calochor- tus differs from other Liliaceae in having a short or obsolete style, a septicidal capsule, sepaloid outer perianth segments, and polygonum em- bryo sac formation (Dahlgren et al. 1985; Own- bey 1940), and has been placed by Dahlgren et al. (1985) in its own family, the Calochortaceae. Its affinities with genera in Liliaceae are uncer- tain. Although Calochortus bears a superficial re- semblance to Fritillaria L. , Ownbey (1940) sug- gested that it was actually more closely related to Tulipa L. Calochortus comprises three sections: Calo- chortus, Mariposa, and Cyclobothra (Ownbey 1940). Section Calochortus is distributed throughout the western United States and its center of diversity is in the Pacific Northwest. It has a uniform base chromosome number of x = 10; short 3-winged capsules; membranaceous bulb-coats; conspicuous, persistent basal leaves; and irreg- ular seeds. Section Mariposa is also distributed throughout the western United States, but its center of diversity is in central and southern California. It has a variety of base chromosome numbers (i.e., x = 6-10); oblong to linear, 3-angled fruits; membranaceous bulb-coats; basal leaves that wither prior to anthesis; and flattened lenticular seeds. Section Cyclobothra is distributed in southern California and Mexico with a center of diversity in northern Mexico.
METABOLIC RATE AND THERMOREGULATION IN THE MACEDONIANMOUSE MUS MACEDONICUS

The metabolic and thermoregulatory capacities of the Macedonian mouse (Mus macedonicus) of a population from a post-fire habitat on Mount Carmel, Israel, were studied. Post-fire habitats in the Mediterranean ecosystem of Mount Carmel are invaded by species that exist in the forest margins, including M. macedonicus, which established the largest mice population at early stages ofrecovery. Therefore, it was of great interest to study its thermo regulatory physiology. Mice were acclimated to a photoperiod of 12L:12D at an ambient temperature of 27C. The aim of this study was to reveal the physiological capacities of M. macedonicus that enable its invasion into the exposed, dry and hot post-fire habitats on Mount Carmel at the early stages of recovery. The results of our study show that M. macedonicus has a relatively low metabolicrate, which is also reflected in its relatively low food and energy consumption. Its thermoneutral zone is 3237 C, with a high lower critical point, similar to desert-adapted roden.