Search

Advancements in phenotyping technology have enabled plant science researchers to gather large volumes of information from their experiments, especially those that evaluate multiple genotypes. To fully leverage these complex and often heterogeneous data sets (i.e. those that differ in format and structure), scientists must invest considerable time in data processing, and data management has emerged as a considerable barrier for downstream application. Here, we propose a pipeline to enhance data collection, processing, and management from plant science studies comprising of two newly developed open-source programs. The first, called AgTC, is a series of programming functions that generates comma-separated values file templates to collect data in a standard format using either a lab-based computer or a mobile device. The second series of functions, AgETL, executes steps for an Extract-Transform-Load (ETL) data integration process where data are extracted from heterogeneously formatted files, transformed to meet standard criteria, and loaded into a database. There, data are stored and can be accessed for data analysis-related processes, including dynamic data visualization through web-based tools. Both AgTC and AgETL are flexible for application across plant science experiments without programming knowledge on the part of the domain scientist, and their functions are executed on Jupyter Notebook, a browser-based interactive development environment. Additionally, all parameters are easily customized from central configuration files written in the human-readable YAML format. Using three experiments from research laboratories in university and non-government organization (NGO) settings as test cases, we demonstrate the utility of AgTC and AgETL to streamline critical steps from data collection to analysis in the plant sciences.

Advancements in hyperspectral imaging (HSI) together with the establishment of dedicated plant phenotyping facilities worldwide have enabled high-throughput collection of plant spectral images with the aim of inferring target phenotypes. Here, we test the utility of HSI-derived canopy data, which were collected as part of an automated plant phenotyping system, to predict physiological traits in cultivated Asian rice (Oryza sativa). We evaluated 23 genetically diverse rice accessions from two subpopulations under two contrasting nitrogen conditions and measured 14 leaf- and canopy-level parameters to serve as ground-reference observations. HSI-derived data were used to (1) classify treatment groups across multiple vegetative stages using support vector machines (≥ 83% accuracy) and (2) predict leaf-level nitrogen content (N, %, n=88) and carbon to nitrogen ratio (C:N, n=88) with Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) following RReliefF wavelength selection (validation: R2 = 0.797 and RMSEP = 0.264 for N; R2 = 0.592 and RMSEP = 1.688 for C:N). Results demonstrated that models developed using training data from one rice subpopulation were able to predict N and C:N in the other subpopulation, while models trained on a single treatment group were not able to predict samples from the other treatment. Finally, optimization of PLSR-RReliefF hyperparameters showed that 300-400 wavelengths generally yielded the best model performance with a minimum calibration sample size of 62. Results support the use of canopy-level hyperspectral imaging data to estimate leaf-level N and C:N across diverse rice, and this work highlights the importance of considering calibration set design prior to data collection as well as hyperparameter optimization for model development in future studies.

Achieving high cell transfection efficiency is essential for various cell types in numerous disease applications. However, the efficient introduction of genes into natural killer (NK) cells remains a challenge. In this study, we proposed a design strategy for delivering exogenous genes into the NK cell line, NK-92, using a modified non-viral gene transfection method. Calcium phosphate/DNA nanoparticles (pDNA-CaP NPs) were prepared using co-precipitation methods and combined with low-voltage pulse electroporation to facilitate NK-92 transfection. The results demonstrated that the developed pDNA-CaP NPs exhibited a uniform diameter of approximately 393.9 nm, a DNA entrapment efficiency of 65.8%, and a loading capacity of 15.9%. Furthermore, at three days post-transfection, both the transfection efficiency and cell viability of NK-92 were significantly improved compared to standalone plasmid DNA (pDNA) electroporation or solely relying on the endocytosis pathway of pDNA-CaP NPs. This study provides valuable insights into a novel approach that combines calcium phosphate nanoparticles with low-voltage electroporation for gene delivery into NK-92 cells, offering potential advancements in cell therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advancements in phenotyping technology have enabled plant science researchers to gather large volumes of information from their experiments, especially those that evaluate multiple genotypes. To fully leverage these complex and often heterogeneous data sets (i.e. those that differ in format and structure), scientists must invest considerable time in data processing, and data management has emerged as a considerable barrier for downstream application. Here, we propose a pipeline to enhance data collection, processing, and management from plant science studies comprising of two newly developed open-source programs. The first, called AgTC, is a series of programming functions that generates comma-separated values file templates to collect data in a standard format using either a lab-based computer or a mobile device. The second series of functions, AgETL, executes steps for an Extract-Transform-Load (ETL) data integration process where data are extracted from heterogeneously formatted files, transformed to meet standard criteria, and loaded into a database. There, data are stored and can be accessed for data analysis-related processes, including dynamic data visualization through webbased tools. Both AgTC and AgETL are flexible for application across plant science experiments without programming knowledge on the part of the domain scientist, and their functions are executed on Jupyter Notebook, a browser-based interactive development environment. Additionally, all parameters are easily customized from central configuration files written in the human-readable YAML format. Using three experiments from research laboratories in university and non-government organization (NGO) settings as test cases, we demonstrate the utility of AgTC and AgETL to streamline critical steps from data collection to analysis in the plant sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are key regulators of lineage specification during development. Here, the authors investigate remodeling of enhancers and regulation of the lncRNA transcriptome during mesendoderm specification, and identify a pluripotent stage-specific transcribed enhancer controlling adoption of the mesendodermal cell fate.

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among children has been recently increasing. The severity of symptoms greatly varies between individuals with ASD, ranging from relatively mild to extremely severe. It is important to have a clearer understanding of the possible adverse consequences resulting from this disorder, such as delayed motor development, autonomic dysregulation, and arterial stiffness. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate differences in motor skills, heart rate variability (HRV), and arterial stiffness between children with ASD and typically developing children. In this study, the school-aged children with mild symptoms of ASD (n = 17, 11.1 ± 1.0 years old) and typically developing peers (n = 15, 11.0 ± 0.5 years old) were recruited. Motor skills, HRV, and arterial stiffness were measured in these two groups. Motor skills were evaluated by the Bruininks–Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-Second Edition. Moreover, HRV was measured through a short-term recording using the Polar heart rate monitor, and arterial stiffness was assessed by non-invasive computerized oscillometry. Compared with the typically developing group, children with ASD displayed significant deficits in some areas of motor skills, including manual coordination, strength and agility, and total motor composite. Moreover, children with ASD exhibited significantly reduced HRV, including time- and frequency-domain measures. However, the results did not demonstrate any statistically significant differences in arterial stiffness between the groups. Our findings demonstrated the presence of motor skill deficits and autonomic dysregulation in children with ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seeds of some winged bean varieties have low germination due to the presence of water-impermeable hardseeds. Seeds of 'Taitung No.1' winged bean had only 31% germination because the remaining 69% of seeds had a water-impermeable seedcoat. Sandpaper abrasion and sulfuric acid immersion for 15 and 25 min effectively removed hardseededness of the seeds, resulting in more than 89% germination. As seed moisture content (MC) decreased from 14.8% to 7%, the percentage of seeds with a water-impermeable seedcoat increased. Seed lots with 14.8%, 11%, 9%, and 7% MC had 7%, 38%, 56%, and 78% of hardseeds, respectively, on day 7 in the germination test. It was found that the hilum was responsible for water loss from the whole seed, and the seedcoats began to become water-impermeable at 12% MC. The lens and micropylar regions were initial water entry sites in the Vaseline-blocking experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance: The Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini-CEX) is highly recommended for assessing interns' performance. Objective: To develop a pediatric occupational therapy–specific Mini-CEX and examine its psychometrics. Design: Stage 1 had a retrospective design; Stage 2 had a prospective design. Setting: Pediatric occupational therapy unit in a hospital in Taiwan. Participants: Thirty-four occupational therapy interns were evaluated with the Mini-CEX (physician version), and 57 were evaluated with the occupational therapy–specific Mini-CEX. Outcomes and Measures: The occupational therapy–specific Mini-CEX was developed with seven items on a 9-point scale categorized into three levels (unsatisfactory, satisfactory, highly satisfactory). Results: In Stage 1, the frequency of Mini-CEX (physician version) items receiving a rating of not applicable ranged from 1.9% to 88.1%. In Stage 2, the frequency of occupational therapy–specific Mini-CEX items receiving a rating of not applicable ranged from 3.5% to 31.6%. With the theme of evaluation taken into consideration, the frequency of not-applicable ratings was 0% to 8.8%. For the occupational therapy–specific Mini-CEX, content validity (item-level content validity index = 1, scale-level content validity index = 1) and internal consistency (Cronbach's α =.93) were excellent. The interns' scores on the second evaluation were significantly higher than those on their first evaluation, indicating good discriminant validity. Conclusions and Relevance: The occupational therapy–specific Mini-CEX appears to be reliable and valid, and it is appropriate for evaluating interns' skills and attitudes in pediatric occupational therapy practice. What This Article Adds: The results support the development of the occupational therapy–specific Mini-CEX and its application in pediatric internship training. The results of this study support the development of the occupational therapy–specific Mini-CEX and its application in evaluating interns' skills and attitudes in pediatric occupational therapy practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we demonstrate a facile technique for the fabrication of one-dimensional indium antimonide (InSb) nanowires using anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) template-assisted vacuum die-casting method. The filling mechanism of the vacuum die-casting process is investigated on varying AAO pore structures through different electrolytes. It is found that the anodizing electrolytes play a vital role in nanowire growth and structure formation. The as-obtained InSb nanowires from the dissolution process show a degree of high crystallinity, homogeneity, and uniformity throughout their structure. The TEM and XRD results elucidated the InSb zinc-blende crystal structure and preferential orientation along the c-axis direction. The thermoelectric characteristics of InSb nanowires were measured with a four-electrode system, and their resistivity, Seebeck coefficient, power factor, thermal conductivity, and ZT have been evaluated. Further, surface-modified nanowires using the reactive-ion etching technique showed a 50% increase in thermoelectric performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A flexible PI‐less micro‐LED display, 228 PPI, has been achieved by transferring the display devices from rigid glass to plastic. By forming this micro‐LED display on a mold with round edge and lowering the edge radius to 100um, a more cubic waterfall display is realized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]