Can DNA sequences help with sorting biodiversity samples?

Master'sMASTER OF SCIENC

Precision in medicinal chemistry: Harnessing enzymes for advanced halogenation

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Conservation defines functional motifs in the squint/nodal-related 1 RNA dorsal localization element

RNA localization is emerging as a general principle of sub-cellular protein localization and cellular organization. However, the sequence and structural requirements in many RNA localization elements remain poorly understood. Whereas transcription factor-binding sites in DNA can be recognized as short degenerate motifs, and consensus binding sites readily inferred, protein-binding sites in RNA often contain structural features, and can be difficult to infer. We previously showed that zebrafish squint/nodal-related 1 (sqt/ndr1) RNA localizes to the future dorsal side of the embryo. Interestingly, mammalian nodal RNA can also localize to dorsal when injected into zebrafish embryos, suggesting that the sequence motif(s) may be conserved, even though the fish and mammal UTRs cannot be aligned. To define potential sequence and structural features, we obtained ndr1 3′-UTR sequences from approximately 50 fishes that are closely, or distantly, related to zebrafish, for high-resolution phylogenetic footprinting. We identify conserved sequence and structural motifs within the zebrafish/carp family and catfish. We find that two novel motifs, a single-stranded AGCAC motif and a small stem-loop, are required for efficient sqt RNA localization. These findings show that comparative sequencing in the zebrafish/carp family is an efficient approach for identifying weak consensus binding sites for RNA regulatory proteins

SoccerNet 2023 Challenges Results

peer reviewedThe SoccerNet 2023 challenges were the third annual video understanding challenges organized by the SoccerNet team. For this third edition, the challenges were composed of seven vision-based tasks split into three main themes. The first theme, broadcast video understanding, is composed of three high-level tasks related to describing events occurring in the video broadcasts: (1) action spotting, focusing on retrieving all timestamps related to global actions in soccer, (2) ball action spotting, focusing on retrieving all timestamps related to the soccer ball change of state, and (3) dense video captioning, focusing on describing the broadcast with natural language and anchored timestamps. The second theme, field understanding, relates to the single task of (4) camera calibration, focusing on retrieving the intrinsic and extrinsic camera parameters from images. The third and last theme, player understanding, is composed of three low-level tasks related to extracting information about the players: (5) re-identification, focusing on retrieving the same players across multiple views, (6) multiple object tracking, focusing on tracking players and the ball through unedited video streams, and (7) jersey number recognition, focusing on recognizing the jersey number of players from tracklets. Compared to the previous editions of the SoccerNet challenges, tasks (2-3-7) are novel, including new annotations and data, task (4) was enhanced with more data and annotations, and task (6) now focuses on end-to-end approaches. More information on the tasks, challenges, and leaderboards are available on https://www.soccer-net.org. Baselines and development kits can be found on https://github.com/SoccerNet

Fuzzy rule-based emotional advisor for assisting children with autism in a social communication

Children diagnosed with autism are thought to lack or possess impairment in certain representational sets of abilities. As a result, they face difficulties operating in our highly complex social environment. Specifically, they are unable to understand other people’s emotions and react accordingly. To allow children with autism to be able to react and respond in ways that other individuals are able to understand them, we propose a portable computer-based device called Fuzzy Rule-Based Emotional Advisor to assist autistic children in engaging in meaningful conversations where people are able to ascertain how they are feeling during communication. In this project, a device will be developed with camera connecting to a mobile PC. The software running on the mobile PC receives the image from camera and recognizes the emotional states and based on the emotion detected, the system generates an advice to the autistic children that suggests an appropriate reaction that they can give during communication. The system is real-time so that computation time is vital to enable real-time interactive training for the system to learn and analyze the human emotions for autistic children. This research is believed to be the first attempts based on the combination of fuzzy logic, machine learning and pattern recognition together with a neuroscience understanding of cognitive and visual signal interplay in bridging the communication chasm between autistic children and the world.Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Engineering

SYSTEMATICS AND REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF Tacca J.R. Forst. & G. Forst.

The genus Tacca comprises an enigmatic group of tropical perennial acaulescent herbs. These plants are characterized by unique bracteate reproductive displays, which have excited interest in their reproductive biology. This dissertation examines aspects of systematics and reproductive biology in Tacca. The first chapter puts forward a phylogenetic study of relationships within Tacca J.R. Forst. & G. Forst., supplementing previous molecular phylogenetic and pre-cladistic taxonomic studies. Species, exemplar, and outgroup sampling are expanded. Multiple sources of data, molecular and morphological, are used for phylogenetic inference. This is used to interpret morphological evolution in various plant organs in the genus. The second chapter presents a comparative analysis of the genes and plastome structures of single representatives from Tacca and sister genus Thismia. The plastomes were sequenced using next-generation technology and generated using de novo assembly programs. The plastid genome of Thismia is among the smallest known quadripartite plastomes. The plastome of Tacca is more similar to other autotrophic members of Dioscoreaceae than to Thismia The third chapter documents an investigation into floral visitors of Tacca cristata Jack. Existing research on the pollination and reproductive biology of Tacca demonstrate low levels of outcrossing and likely autogamous selfing. Based on visual observations and field collections of insect visitors to natural populations, this study suggests that insect visitation may result in pollination of showy members of Tacca to some extent. The fourth chapter proposes to resurrect and lectotypify Tacca artocarpifolia Seem., a species currently in taxonomic synonymy. This is done based on examination and measurements made from photographs, live material, and herbarium specimens, including all named syntypes

The green house effect

The Green House Effect is a feature writing project about green buildings in Singapore. It explores the rising popularity of environmentally friendly buildings and the impact it would have on Singaporeans in terms of energy savings and protection from the effects of global warming. Green buildings are defined as environmentally-friendly buildings which are constructed and maintained in a way that minimises damage to the Earth’s ecosystem and the natural environment. Such buildings are equipped with energy-producing abilities (such as solar power panels), energy-saving abilities (such as energy-efficient lighting and air-conditioning), rooftop gardens and an intelligent architectural design that maximises ventilation, natural lighting while minimising heat entry into the building interior. Green is a vague word and many businesses, commercial products and celebrities have labelled themselves ‘green’. However, in the The Green House Effect, we have adopted Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority’s definition of green building as a starting point. Green buildings are Singapore are recognised as so after receiving the Green Mark Award, a scheme launched by the BCA in 2005 to certify buildings that are environmentally friendly.Bachelor of Communication Studie

The impact of consumer perceptions of inflation and economic recession on house brand consumption : an exploratory study.

This exploratory paper aims to examine consumers’ perceptions and behaviors relating to House Brand purchases in Singapore’s supermarkets during times of inflation and recession. An in-depth interview was carried out based on a sample of housewives and students. Both groups viewed price as the most attractive attribute for House Brands and results indicated that consumers primarily purchase these due to the economical pricings. However, respondents mentioned that quality is an important attribute too and that significant differences exist between House Brands and National Brands. In order to effectively compete with National Brands, retailers should positively convey the quality of their House Brands to dissipate any perceived lack of quality. The results highlight that consumers make more House Brand purchases during periods of recession as opposed to times of inflation.BUSINES

Answer

Feeling the absence of his girlfriend, a man spends his third anniversary with a peculiar girl who turns out to be an entity willed to grant his wish but in a way that raises far more questions than answers.Bachelor of Communication Studie

Answer

Feeling the absence of his girlfriend, a man spends his third anniversary with a peculiar girl who turns out to be an entity willed to grant his wish but in a way that raises far more questions than answers.Bachelor of Communication Studie