Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Subgenome evolutionary dynamics in allotetraploid ferns: insights from the gene expression patterns in the allotetraploid species Phegopteris decursivepinnata (Thelypteridacea, Polypodiales)

Allopolyploidization often leads to disruptive conflicts among more than two sets of subgenomes, leading to genomic modifications and changes in gene expression. Although the evolutionary trajectories of subgenomes in allopolyploids have been studied intensely in angiosperms, the dynamics of subgenome evolution remain poorly understood in ferns, despite the prevalence of allopolyploidization. In this study, we have focused on an allotetraploid fern—Phegopteris decursivepinnata—and its diploid parental species, P. koreana (K) and P. taiwaniana (T). Using RNA-seq analyses, we have compared the gene expression profiles for 9,540 genes among parental species, synthetic F1 hybrids, and natural allotetraploids. The changes in gene expression patterns were traced from the F1 hybrids to the natural allopolyploids. This study has revealed that the expression patterns observed in most genes in the F1 hybrids are largely conserved in the allopolyploids; however, there were substantial differences in certain genes between these groups. In the allopolyploids compared with the F1 hybrids, the number of genes showing a transgressive pattern in total expression levels was increased. There was a slight reduction in T-dominance and a slight increase in K-dominance, in terms of expression level dominance. Interestingly, there is no obvious bias toward the T- or K-subgenomes in the number and expression levels overall, showing the absence of subgenome dominance. These findings demonstrated the impacts of the substantial transcriptome change after hybridization and the moderate modification during allopolyploid establishment on gene expression in ferns and provided important insights into subgenome evolution in polyploid ferns.
Resource Efficiency: Potential and Economic Implications

Despite enormous progress in the past decades towards improving human prosperity and well-being, this has come at the lasting cost of degradation of the natural environment and depletion of natural resources. Meeting the needs of a growing and increasingly affluent population, will require natural resource extraction to increase from 85 to 186 billion tonnes by 2050. This can cause irreversible environmental damage and endanger the capacity of Earth to continue to provide resources which are essential for human survival and development. Analysis in the report shows that policies and initiatives to improve resource efficiency and tackle climate change can reduce global resource extraction by up to 28 per cent while also boosting the value of world economic activity by 1 per cent in 2050, against the baseline. Such policy actions can also cut global greenhouse gas emissions by around 60 per cent in 2050 relative to 2015 levels. This report has been produced by the UNEP’s International Resource Panel in response to a request by leaders of the G7 nations in the context of efforts to promote resource efficiency as a core element of sustainable development. The report conducts a rigorous survey to assess and articulate the prospects and solutions for resource efficiency. It considers how more efficient use of resources can contribute to economic growth, employment and development, at the same time as reducing the world’s use of materials, energy, biomass and water, and the resulting environmental impacts. The report documents many examples of best practices for increasing the resource efficiency of different sectors from countries around the world. The challenge for policy-makers is to learn from and scale up these good practices, and to conceive and implement a set of transformative policies that will enable countries to reap the associated social, environmental and economic benefits. Ambitious action to use resources in a more efficient and sustainable manner can help place the world on the right track to meet its commitments under the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development and the Paris Climate Change Agreement, and thereby to realise a more equitable and sustainable future.
Re-Envisioning Undergraduate Research Experiences to Increase Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Harness the Power of Diversity in Ocean Sciences

Diversity in ocean sciences lags far behind US demographics. A substantial body of research highlights barriers that limit the participation and success of students from underrepresented minoritized (URM) and other marginalized groups in STEM disciplines, and a wealth of studies highlight successful interventions that improve the persistence of these groups in STEM higher education. Despite this knowledge, over the past four decades, ocean sciences has made limited progress in growing diversity within its workforce, suggesting new strategies are needed. Undergraduate research experiences are a pivotal pathway toward graduate education and future careers in ocean sciences, but they are plagued by many issues that limit the participation and success of persons from URM and other marginalized backgrounds. Here we summarize obstacles that limit participation of diverse populations in ocean sciences and highlight successful strategies for overcoming these obstacles. By re-envisioning how we approach undergraduate research experiences and bringing intentionality to the recruitment of students and the training environments that they experience, we can more effectively grow diversity in ocean sciences and unleash the power of diversity to address the pressing local and global problems facing marine ecosystems.
Magma immiscibility in the Box Elder laccolith of north-central Montana

Kuhn, Paul W. , M. S . , March 1983 Geology Magma Im m is c ib i l i ty in the Box Elder Lacco lith o f N orth -cen tra l Montana D ire c to r : Don Hyndman Geologic evidence a t Box Elder B u tte , approximately 40 kilom eters southwest o f Havre, Montana, s trong ly suggests th a t d i f f e r e n t ia t io n by in s i tu immiscible separation occurred during and a f te r in tru s io n o f the la c c o l i th . Syenite magma separated from a parent shonk in ite magma, rose toward the top o f the in t r u s iv e , coalesced in to g lobu les, and even­ tu a l ly accumulated in to a la ye r o f syen ite ly in g above. ^he shonk in ite . Small and la te -fo rm ing globules o f syenite were trapped in the hardening shonkin ite and were preserved as syen ite segregations throughout the la c c o l i th . Data from chemical analyses in d ica te th a t major-element p a r t i t io n in g in to syenite and shonkin ite magmas supports the f i e l d and pétrographie evidence fo r d i f fe re n t ia t io n by im m is c ib i l i t y . S i l ic a content o f the rocks decreases upwards through the sh o nk in ite , wh ile i r o n , magnesium, and calcium increase upwards, as the percentage o f mafic minerals i n ­ creases up through the shonk in ite . Phosphorus and t i ta n iu m are enriched in the mafic portions o f the la c c o l i th . Density o f the rocks increases upwards through the sho n k in ite , and no cumulate tex tu re is present. The syenite la ye r is enriched in the major elements th a t e a s i ly f i t in to the s i l i c a te trahedra. Sodium, potassium, and aluminum are s trong­ ly p a r t i t io n e d in to the syen ite . Trace-element data does not show c le a r p a r t i t io n in g trends th a t have been recorded in experimental work w ith simple systems, perhaps due to low phosphorus concentrations in the Box Elder system and low concentration o f a number o f the trace elements. Laboratory experiments show th a t im m is c ib i l i t y in s i l i c a t e magmas is possible under ce rta in ranges o f composition, temperature, and pressure Evidence from Box Elder la c c o l i th corroborates the lab experiments and supports the v i a b i l i t y o f magma im m is c ib i l i t y fo r s i l i c a t e magma systems. This paper is dedicated to my mother and fa th e r fo r t h e i r u n fa i l in g love and support.
DPXception: a lightweight CNN for image-based date palm species classification

Introduction Date palm species classification is important for various agricultural and economic purposes, but it is challenging to perform based on images of date palms alone. Existing methods rely on fruit characteristics, which may not be always visible or present. In this study, we introduce a new dataset and a new model for image-based date palm species classification. Methods Our dataset consists of 2358 images of four common and valuable date palm species (Barhi, Sukkari, Ikhlas, and Saqi), which we collected ourselves. We also applied data augmentation techniques to increase the size and diversity of our dataset. Our model, called DPXception (Date Palm Xception), is a lightweight and efficient CNN architecture that we trained and fine-tuned on our dataset. Unlike the original Xception model, our DPXception model utilizes only the first 100 layers of the Xception model for feature extraction (Adapted Xception), making it more lightweight and efficient. We also applied normalization prior to adapted Xception and reduced the model dimensionality by adding an extra global average pooling layer after feature extraction by adapted Xception. Results and discussion We compared the performance of our model with seven well-known models: Xception, ResNet50, ResNet50V2, InceptionV3, DenseNet201, EfficientNetB4, and EfficientNetV2-S. Our model achieved the highest accuracy (92.9%) and F1-score (93%) among the models, as well as the lowest inference time (0.0513 seconds). We also developed an Android smartphone application that uses our model to classify date palm species from images captured by the smartphone’s camera in real time. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work to provide a public dataset of date palm images and to demonstrate a robust and practical image-based date palm species classification method. This work will open new research directions for more advanced date palm analysis tasks such as gender classification and age estimation.
Impact of exercise modalities on blood pressure control in hypertensive patients

Hypertension poses a significant health burden, necessitating effective interventions to manage blood pressure and mitigate associated cardiovascular risks. Exercise has emerged as a cornerstone non-pharmacological strategy in the management of hypertension. This comprehensive review synthesizes current evidence regarding the impact of various exercise modalities on blood pressure regulation in hypertensive individuals. The review commences by elucidating the physiological mechanisms underpinning exercise-induced blood pressure alterations, highlighting factors influencing blood pressure responses during different exercises. It delineates the differential impacts of aerobic and resistance training, examining their effectiveness in blood pressure reduction among diverse populations, considering age, fitness levels, and comorbidities. Moreover, the review explores the emerging prominence of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), showcasing its unique effects on blood pressure regulation and cardiorespiratory fitness improvement compared to traditional continuous aerobic exercises. Additionally, alternative mind-body exercises, including tai chi, qigong, and mindfulness-based interventions, are investigated for their potential to influence blood pressure levels among hypertensive populations. Furthermore, the review identifies novel exercise approaches such as deep breathing exercises and multi-modal isometric exercise training (MIET) as promising strategies for blood pressure control in hypertensive individuals, emphasizing their potential benefits and implications for tailored exercise prescriptions.
Migration, Remittances and Rural Agricultural Transformation in Ethiopia

Migration is intensifying following globalization. A growing body of literature investigates its impact on various development outcomes. This study examines the impact of migration and remittances on rural households’ productivity enhancement choices, namely technology adoption measured by chemical fertilizer use and improved seeds. It uses endogenous switching regression model based on the panel datasets of the World Bank Living Standards Measurement Study (LSMS). Moreover, for robustness checks the instrumental variable model among others is estimated. The findings show that migration and the resulting remittances have positive and significant effect on agricultural technology adoption of farm households. Thus, to harness the benefits from migration and to minimize its negative impacts the Ethiopian government should design a comprehensive migration and remittance policy.
Argon cold atmospheric plasma eradicates pathogens in vitro that are commonly associated with canine bacterial keratitis

Purpose To investigate the antimicrobial effect of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) on pathogens associated with canine bacterial keratitis. Materials and methods Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, and Streptococcus canis strains, which were obtained from dogs with infectious keratitis, were subjected to testing. For each species, four isolates and a reference strain were cultivated on Columbia sheep blood agar and treated with the kiNPen Vet® plasma pen from Neoplas GmbH, Greifswald, Germany. Various continuous treatment durations (0.5, 2, and 5 min) were applied, along with a 0.5-min treatment repeated four times at short intervals. These treatments were conducted at distances of 3 and 18 mm between the agar surface and the pen. Results CAP treatment reduced bacterial growth in all three species. The most effective treatment duration was 5 min at 3 mm distance, resulting in inhibition zones ranging from 19 to 22 mm for P. aeruginosa, 26–45 mm for S. pseudintermedius and an overall reduction of bacterial growth for Str. canis. Inhibition zones were smaller with decreasing treatment duration and larger distance. Treatment times of 30 s repeated four times and 2 min showed comparable results. Treatment with argon alone did not lead to visible reduction of bacterial growth. Conclusion Argon cold atmospheric plasma demonstrated a potent in vitro antimicrobial effect on P. aeruginosa, S. pseudintermedius and Str. canis strains with the latter showing the highest sensitivity.
The origin of crop residue burning impact on air quality of Nanjing

The regional transport and local sources of air pollution inducing by crop residue burning was discussed by using satellite remote sensing of fire hot spots data,cloud cover information and back trajectory analysis.The results showed that the polluted air mass could dispersion in regional scale in certain meteorological condition and the relationship between upstream fire hot spots and downstream city Air Pollution Index was obviously.We categorized the air pollution events into three types,which were local(e.g.,31May 2006,8November 2009),regional(e.g.,28October 2008),and the integration of the two(e.g.,14June 2006,5June 2007,2June 2008) respectively.By using fire hot spots and air mass back trajectory analysis,the source of pollutants could be conformed in cloudy days.Weather conditions of air pollution analysis showed that crop residue burning accompanies 500hPa trough(in or in front),low shear and weak convergence in atmospheric boundary layer,sparse isobar,low wind speed/calm wind,are not convenience for air pollutants dispersion.On the other hand,inversion layer confined the pollutants in the mixing layer and high relative humidity was in favor of the formation of haze,intensifying air pollution.
Analysis of cuticular hydrocarbons of Frankliniella occidentalis

The western flower thrip (WFT) Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) is a serious pest responsible for causing substantial economic losses in a broad range of crops worldwide.The cuticular hydrocarbons from the cuticle of WFT were analyzed by gas charomatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) without solvent.The composition of the cuticular hydrocarbons was then determined by the area normalizing method.Searching the NIST database and comparison with standard mass spectra identified nine constituents in the cuticular hydrocarbons of adults,and eight in those of nymphs.With the exception of 9-methylpentacosane,which was detected only in adults,the same hydrocarbon patterns were found in both adults and nymphs.The principal components of WFT cuticular hydrocarbons were straight and branched-chain saturated hydrocarbons ranging from C25 to C29.
Brucellosis Seropositivity Using Three Serological Tests and Associated Risk Factors in Abattoir Workers in Gauteng Province, South Africa

Abattoir workers are liable to zoonotic infections from animals and animal products, primarily to diseases with asymptomatic and chronic clinical manifestations in animals, such as brucellosis. No published reports exist on the seroprevalence of brucellosis in abattoir workers in South Africa. Therefore, this cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the occurrence and risk factors for Brucella exposure in abattoir workers in Gauteng Province. A total of 103 abattoir workers and managers from 6 abattoirs, where brucellosis-positive slaughtered cattle and sheep were previously detected, were interviewed and tested with serological assays using the Rose Bengal test (RBT), BrucellaCapt, and IgG-ELISA. A pre-tested questionnaire was administered to consenting respondents to obtain information on risk factors for brucellosis. Of the 103 respondents tested, the distribution of female and male workers was 16 (15.5%) and 87 (84.5%), respectively. The seroprevalence for exposure to brucellosis was 21/103 (20.4%, 95%CI: 13.1–29.5) using a combination of RBT, BrucellaCapt, or IgG-ELISA. For test-specific results, seroprevalences by RBT, BrucellaCapt, and IgG-ELISA were 13/103 (12.6%, 95%CI: 6.9–20.6), 9/103 (8.74%, 95%CI: 4.1–15.9), and 18/103 (17.5%, 95%CI: 10.7–26.2), respectively. Low-throughput abattoirs were identified as associated risks, as 29.3% of workers were seropositive compared with 12.7% of workers in high-throughput abattoirs, which highlights that direct contact at abattoirs poses higher risk to workers than indirect and direct contact outside abattoirs. This study confirms the occurrence of Brucella spp. antibodies among abattoir workers in South Africa, possibly due to occupational exposure to Brucella spp. , and highlights the occupational hazard to workers. Furthermore, findings underscore that abattoir facilities can serve as points for active and passive surveillance for indicators of diseases of public health importance. We recommend periodic implementation of brucellosis testing of abattoir workers country-wide to establish baseline data for informing appropriate preventive practices and reducing the potential burden of infection rates among these high-risk workers.
Empirical modelling of site-specific errors in GPS observations

GPS is an essential element of the global geo-spatial information infrastructure, it is free, open and dependable. Precise positioning and navigation enabled by GPS has led to the development of hundreds of applications affecting every aspect of modern life, and is now found in everything from mobile phones to bulldozers. Underpinning the day-to-day operation of GPS is the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF). Without an accurate earth-centred, earth-fixed reference frame, such as ITRF, it would not be possible to accurately determine station location and position as a function of time. To achieve an accurate reference frame precise models of all aspects of the GPS system are required, including; the satellites, their orbits, the signal propagation medium, the ground receivers and antennas, and the orientation and motion of the Earth’s crust. For more than two decades GPS observations have been integral to the determination of the ITRF. GPS is the critical technique that provides the connection, through collocation, between other terrestrial observation systems, SLR and VLBI necessary to define accurately the origin, orientation and scale of the ITRF. GPS solutions provide the most precise and accurate estimates of polar motion, and is the geodetic technique most commonly used to access the ITRF. The main weaknesses of GPS observations today are due to unmodelled site-specific errors, particularly at collocated stations, orbit mismodelling errors (such as solar radiation pressure), errors in the conventional model for diurnal and semi-diurnal variations in Earth orientation due to ocean tides [Griffiths and Ray, 2013], and an under-determined TRF scale due to uncalibrated satellite antenna phase centre offsets Analysis and modelling techniques have continuously been refined and improved. Despite these advances there has been little progress on addressing site-specific biases in GPS processing. In this thesis we are mainly concerned with site-specific biases due to reflections of the incoming GPS signal, as well as errors in the antenna model. These site-specific errors can alias into the GPS station position time series producing time-correlated errors which do not average out over time. The result is a GPS time series which will have unmodelled biases that can affect the interpretation of geophysical signals. This is particularly a problem for reference frames if there are site-specific biases at GPS stations used to collocate the different observation techniques. This thesis presents a methodology that can account for site-specific errors at the
Seaweed as a Resilient Food Solution After a Nuclear War

Abrupt sunlight reduction scenarios such as a nuclear winter caused by the burning of cities in a nuclear war, an asteroid/comet impact or an eruption of a large volcano inject large amounts of particles in the atmosphere, which limit sunlight. This could decimate agriculture as it is practiced today. We therefore need resilient food sources for such an event. One promising candidate is seaweed, as it can grow quickly in a wide range of environmental conditions. To explore the feasibility of seaweed after nuclear war, we simulate the growth of seaweed on a global scale using an empirical model based on Gracilaria tikvahiae forced by nuclear winter climate simulations. We assess how quickly global seaweed production could be scaled to provide a significant fraction of global food demand. We find seaweed can be grown in tropical oceans, even after nuclear war. The simulated growth is high enough to allow a scale up to an equivalent of 45% of the global human food demand (spread among food, animal feed, and biofuels) in around 9–14 months, while only using a small fraction of the global ocean area. The main limiting factor being the speed at which new seaweed farms can be built. The results also show that the growth of seaweed increases with the severity of the nuclear war, as more nutrients become available due to increased vertical mixing. This means that seaweed has the potential to be a viable resilient food source for abrupt sunlight reduction scenarios.