White Stripes Research Articles

“Red stripe” – parents' opinions on school reports with distinction

Every year, on the day of the end of the school year, many parents upload posts on social media, proud of their children, who received a school report with distinction represented by the so-called “red stripe” (or rather, a white and red stripe). In reaction to such posts, however, one can see not only congratulations but also opinions that such loud boasting about one’s children’s success disregards the feelings and emotions of other parents and children who have received their reports without distinction.Based on an online survey conducted after the end of the 2021/2022 school year, the paper presents the answers to the following questions: What, in parents’ opinion, determines whether a child receives a report with distinction or not? According to parents, what are the most significant advantages and disadvantages of using the “red stripe” system? What do parents think about boasting about children’s “red stripes” on social media? Are they in favour or against doing away with the system of reports with distinction?The answers to the above questions often turn out surprising and depend to the greatest extent on whether the subject’s children received a school report with distinction. The research conclusions can serve as a starting point for a deeper reflection on the grading system in Polish schools.

Flax lines mutant for chlorophyll coloration in the genetic collection of VIR

Photosynthesis is one of the main biological processes that ensure life on the planet. The use of knowledge about the genetic control of chlorophyll biosynthesis will help to increase the productivity of flax. The paper presents a study of hybrids from the crosses of five lines defective in chlorophyll coloration and five with green coloration of the plant, differing in other morphological characteristics.Inheritance of 4 nuclear genes controlling the chlorophyll coloration of the plant has been established. The independent genes ygp1 (in the gc-210 line) and ygp2 (in the gc-473 line) control the yellow-green coloration of a young plant (Xanthovirescens). The complementary interaction of these genes, which causes the yellow color of a young plant, has been demonstrated. The genes ygp2 (in gc-473) and ygp2-2 (in gc-570) were proved to be allelic but not identical, since mutations were obtained independently. The non-cumulative polymeric gene interaction which has been established in the case of zeb1 and zeb2 genes (both in the gc-281 line), cause an increase in photosensitivity and alternation of white and green stripes of leaves (Viridoalbostriata). These genes mask the action of the ygp1 and ygp2 genes. For the first time in the world, the maternal type of inheritance of the chlorophyll coloration of the plant, controlled by the chloroplast gene ygp3 of the gc-480 line, has been established in flax. It was found that the gc-570 line, in addition to the ygp2-2 gene, is homozygous for the genes CSB1 (ciliation of the false septa of the boll) and YSED1 (dominant yellow seeds), while the gc-480 line, in addition to the ygp3 gene, is homozygous for the CSB1 and dlb3 genes (light blue corolla). The allelism but not equality of the dlb3 genes in the gc-480 and gc-210 lines has been proven. The genes ygp1 and ygp2, which are responsible for chlorophyll coloration may be promising for labeling varieties. It is necessary to study them in more detail for the possible creation of plastic varieties capable to endure unfavorable environmental conditions at early stages of development.

Characterization and fine mapping of a white stripe leaf mutant in rice

Characterization and fine mapping of a white stripe leaf mutant in rice

The maize striate leaves2 (sr2) gene encodes a conserved DUF3732 domain and is homologous to the rice yss1 gene.

Maize striate leaves2 (sr2) is a mutant that causes white stripes on leaves that has been used in mapping studies for decades though the underlying gene has not been identified. The sr2 locus has been previously mapped to small regions of normal chromosome 10 (N10) and a rearranged variant called abnormal chromosome 10 (Ab10). A comparison of assembled genomes carrying N10 and Ab10 revealed only five candidate sr2 genes. Analysis of a stock carrying the sr2 reference allele (sr2-ref) showed that one of the five genes has a transposon insertion that disrupts its protein sequence and has a severe reduction in mRNA. An independent Mutator transposon insertion in the gene (sr2-Mu) failed to complement the sr2-ref mutation, and plants homozygous for sr2-Mu showed white striped leaf margins. The sr2 gene encodes a DUF3732 protein with strong homology to a rice gene with a similar mutant phenotype called young seedling stripe1 (yss1). These and other published data suggest that sr2 may have a function in plastid gene expression.

Fascial structure of the anterior mediastinum: the surgical figure of the sternopericardial ligament and the role of affixing the thymus to the pericardium.

The fascial anatomy of the anterior mediastinum has not been thoroughly investigated. Only the sternopericardial ligament (SPL) has been defined and is often described as two independent tendons. However, these descriptions differ from our observations of thoracic surgery. Here, we aimed to precisely investigate the fascial anatomy, particularly the SPL, of the anterior mediastinum. We surgically and radiologically observed and analyzed the fascial anatomy of the anterior mediastinum in patients who underwent surgery for anterior mediastinal disease at our institution between July 2009 and August 2018. A total of 55 thoracoscopic surgeries were performed. We observed a sagittal layer of fibrous tissue bridging the pericardium and sternum, in addition to the well-known fascial layers. Behind the lower bifurcation of the thymic glands, the thymic capsule was firmly fixed to the pericardium around the anterior aortopulmonary trunk. It thickened locally, formed a small white stripe, and occasionally deformed the pericardium by pulling it anteriorly. No other tendon-like structure was observed. Our observation of the SPL showed differences from classical descriptions. The SPL is a sagittal fibrous collection showing a unique figure. Part of the SPL is thickened behind the thymus, anchoring the thymus to the pericardium in the midline. The SPL is part of the bottom of Grodinsky's Space 3 in the thorax. The SPL is visible in radiologic images, such as the anterior junction line on a plain chest radiograph.

Implications of heat exchange for a free-living endangered marsupial determined by non-invasive thermal imaging.

We used thermal imagining and heat balance modelling to examine the thermal ecology of wild mammals, using the diurnal marsupial numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus) as a model. Body surface temperature was measured using infra-red thermography at environmental wet and dry bulb temperatures of 11.7-29°C and 16.4-49.3°C, respectively; surface temperature varied for different body parts and with environmental temperature. Radiative and convective heat exchange varied markedly with environmental conditions and for various body surfaces reflecting their shapes, surface areas and projected areas. Both the anterior and posterior dorsolateral body areas functioned as thermal windows. Numbats in the shade had lower rates of solar radiative heat gain but non-solar avenues for radiative heat gain were substantial. Radiative gain was higher for black and lower for white stripes, but overall, the stripes had no thermal role. Total heat gain was generally positive (<4 to >20W) and often greatly exceeded metabolic heat production (3-6W). Our heat balance model indicates that high environmental heat loads limit foraging in open areas to as little as 10min and that climate change may extend periods of inactivity, with implications for future conservation and management. We conclude that non-invasive thermal imaging is informative for modelling heat balance of free-living mammals.

Influence of polarized light, disruptive visual patterns, and chemical cues on oviposition in the aquatic midge, Chironomus riparius (Diptera: Chironomidae).

Chironomid nonbiting midges are common in many waterbodies, occurring at high densities in sediment and also when flying adults emerge. Although important for food webs and ecosystem processes, the mass emergences of chironomid adults make some species nuisance pests. As part of an effort to develop "push-pull" strategies for managing midge populations, we investigated the importance of visual and chemical cues used by gravid females when selecting sites for oviposition. Field and laboratory oviposition choice tests with Chironomus riparius (Meigen) were used to assess the attractiveness of dark container colors and polarized light for females seeking water for egg laying. Females were not sensitive to increased intensity of polarized light, but they laid fewer eggs in containers with white color above the water's edge but black below the surface. A disruptive pattern of vertical black and white stripes at the water's edge reduced egg laying to a similar degree as white. To investigate the importance of olfactory or gustatory cues in oviposition decisions, we tested 3 potential chemical repellents (damaged larvae simulating predator presence, azadiractin, and picaridin) and 5 potential attractants (a tannin-molasses mixture, leaf detritus, live Hydrilla plants, periphyton, and fermented alfalfa infusions used to bait mosquito oviposition traps). Chemical cues appeared to play a weak role, if any, in oviposition choices. Onlyazadiractin (0.02 and 0.11 ppm) reduced the number of egg ropes deposited, but the mechanism may have been from mechanical trapping and drowning, not deterrence.

In situ precipitation of high efficiency and high thermostability CsPbBr3 quantum dots in borosilicate glass for wide color gamut display

In situ precipitation of CsPbBr3 quantum dots (QDs) in glass is considered as one of the effective methods to overcome its instability and to achieve practical applications. However, it still faces the great challenges of low photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY), poor thermostability and photostability at present. Herein, we successfully prepared CsPbBr3 QDs in situ within a well-designed glass matrix (CsPbBr3 QDs@glass), which exhibits symmetric narrowband emission at 523 nm with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 25 nm, giving a PLQY of up to 52.15 % under 455 nm excitation. Meanwhile, it can keep 45.25 % of the initial luminescence intensity at 373 K, better than that of most reported CsPbBr3 QDs@glass materials. As a demonstration of a conceptual application, a white LED backlight strip was fabricated at home by encapsulating CsPbBr3 QDs@glass composite and K2SiF6:Mn4+ red phosphor on blue chips with silicone, achieving a wide color gamut of 128.6 % and 95.8 % of NTSC and Rec. 2020 color gamut, respectively. The assembled CsPbBr3 QDs@glass-based LCD screen exhibits excellent color reproduction and color saturation. All these results demonstrate that this CsPbBr3 QDs@glass composite material is a promising green emitter for wide color gamut LCD display.

Studies on inheritance of achene colour and markings among confectionary germplasm of sunflower

To study the genetic control of achene colour in sunflower, a cross was made between EC-734846 × EC734849-II having white and black kernels respectively and another cross was made between EC-734863-II and EC734846 having black striped and white achene colour. The first cross revealed typical monohybrid segregation of 3:1 for black to white seeds. The backcross with recessive parent exhibited 1:1 ratio suggesting achene colour to be single gene controlled with white seed colour controlled by recessive allele. The second cross revealed the ratios of grey seeds with white stripes, greyish black and white seeds with black stripes colour seeded plants to be 9:3:4 suggesting supplementary gene interaction among two genes controlling the seed colour and distinctive markings.

White Stripes, White Rock: The Uncontested Blues Appropriations of the White Stripes

ABSTRACT Despite the prevalence of the cultural appropriation debate in popular music discourse, white, popular rock band, the White Stripes, appropriated African-American Delta blues culture, particularly from Son House and his song “Death Letter Blues,” without causing contestation. Appropriation of Black culture has occurred ubiquitously throughout recent music history, causing widespread contestation due to power disparity and misrepresentation. Through reviewing literature regarding cultural appropriation, and semiotically analyzing the band’s 2003 performance of “Death Letter” at Sydney’s Livid Festival, we find that the White Stripes’ intentional methods of respectful representation and stylistic disguise mitigated the perception of cultural appropriation in their performance. We posit that the band emulated a pre-established process of transculturation whereby Delta blues traits were absorbed into the 20th century evolution of rock music.

MISPEL: A supervised deep learning harmonization method for multi-scanner neuroimaging data.

Large-scale data obtained from aggregation of already collected multi-site neuroimaging datasets has brought benefits such as higher statistical power, reliability, and robustness to the studies. Despite these promises from growth in sample size, substantial technical variability stemming from differences in scanner specifications exists in the aggregated data and could inadvertently bias any downstream analyses on it. Such a challenge calls for data normalization and/or harmonization frameworks, in addition to comprehensive criteria to estimate the scanner-related variability and evaluate the harmonization frameworks. In this study, we propose MISPEL (Multi-scanner Image harmonization via Structure Preserving Embedding Learning), a supervised multi-scanner harmonization method that is naturally extendable to more than two scanners. We also designed a set of criteria to investigate the scanner-related technical variability and evaluate the harmonization techniques. As an essential requirement of our criteria, we introduced a multi-scanner matched dataset of 3T T1 images across four scanners, which, to the best of our knowledge is one of the few datasets of this kind. We also investigated our evaluations using two popular segmentation frameworks: FSL and segmentation in statistical parametric mapping (SPM). Lastly, we compared MISPEL to popular methods of normalization and harmonization, namely White Stripe, RAVEL, and CALAMITI. MISPEL outperformed these methods and is promising for many other neuroimaging modalities.

Pre-existing visual preference for white dot patterns in estrildid finches: a comparative study of a multi-species experiment.

The diverse characteristics of animal signal designs can be explained by the sensory bias hypothesis, which suggests that natural selection shapes sensory bias and preferences associated with signal design. Traditionally, this hypothesis has focused on female sensory biases and male sexual traits. However, considering shared sensory systems between males and females in non-sexual contexts, existing sensory bias possibly contributes to the evolution of shared social and sexual traits. Our previous studies on the family Estrildidae supported this idea. An evolutionary relationship probably existed between diet and white dot plumage, and a species of estrildid finches showed a visual preference for white dot patterns. To investigate this further, we examined hunger-related visual preferences using phylogenetic comparative methods and behavioural experiments. Specifically, we compared the gazing responses of 12 species of estrildids to monochromatic printed white dot and stripe patterns, considering their phylogenetic relationships. The results support our idea that the common estrildid ancestor had a hunger-related visual preference for white dot patterns. Subject species generally preferred white dots to stripes. Furthermore, males and females showed a similar preference towards dots. Our findings provide insights into the role of sensory bias in the evolution of mutual ornamentation.

SeBLOS2 knockout via CRISPR/Cas9 leads to the loss of larval integument coloration in Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

CRISPR/Cas9 technology is a precise and powerful tool for functionally exploring insect genes. The present study tested CRISPR/Cas9 as a way of undertaking effective gene mutagenesis in an important agricultural pest, the beet armyworm Spodoptera exigua. Based on a S. exigua transcriptome database, the entire complementary DNA sequence of SeBLOS2 encoding 140 amino acid residues was cloned. The gene was highly expressed in late larval stages (L3-L5). Using the CRISPR/Cas9 method, SeBLOS2 was knocked out by altering two sites in the coding region. This resulted in 70%-74% of the G0 generation (L4-L5) larvae displaying mosaic translucent integument. Four different mutations occurred at SeBLOS2-specific target sites, as demonstrated by further polymerase chain reaction-based genotypic analysis. Homozygote mutant L3 larvae were obtained in the G1 generation, with complete loss of white stripes and spots on their larval integument. These results demonstrate a crucial role of SeBLOS2 in integument pigmentation and suggest that the gene can act as a suitable nonlethal marker for functional research on genes in S. exigua and other Lepidopteran pests.

Tapinella phuketensis n. sp. - a new species from Thailand (Insecta: Psocoptera)

A new species of Tapinella Enderlein, 1908 from Phuket Island, Thailand named Tapinella phuketensis n. sp. was described. It was found in a rain forest east of Karon Village at the west coast of the island. The species is unique in having blackish-brown wings with a white stripe in their middle part.

Infection with Trematodes in Littorina obtusata Snails (Gastropoda: Littorinidae) with Different Shell Color Genotypes

The prevalence of infection with trematode parthenitae was studied in Littorina obtusata littoral periwinkles with different shell color genotypes. Activities of genes responsible for a purple or orange single-pigment background shell coloration was not found to affect the prevalence of trematode infection in periwinkles. In L. obtusata with a yellow-purple background shell color and a pattern of white pigment spots on the shell, the prevalence of infection with Microphallus piriformes and M. pygmaeus was lower than the theoretical expectation. The prevalence of infection in periwinkles with purple, orange, or white stripes on the shell did not differ from that of unstripped periwinkles. The differences found were presumably associated with genetically determined susceptibility to infection. Possible consequences of differential infection with trematodes in periwinkles with different shell color genotypes are discussed in terms of the stability of parasitic systems and possible changes in the phenotypic structure of the host population.

A new snake of the genus Dendrelaphis Boulenger, 1890 (Squamata: Colubridae) from the coastal area of southern Vietnam.

We describe a new species of Dendrelaphis from the coastal area in southern Vietnam based on morphological data and nucleotide sequences from one partial mitochondrial gene (Cytb). Dendrelaphis binhi sp. nov. is diagnosed by the following morphological characters: body scale rows 13 at neck and midbody, 9-11 before vent; vertebral scale row feebly enlarged; ventrals 154-158 in males and 161-170 in females; subcaudals 95-106 in males and 95-102 in females; one supralabial touching the eye; 18 or 19 maxillary teeth; hemipenis spinose, reaching 10th or 11th SC, with a slender papilla; cloacal plate divided; dorsum dark brown; and a white stripe along the lower flank. The new species differs from its congeners by an uncorrected p-distance in Cytb sequences of at least 8.1%.

Pedestrian Crossing Sensing Based on Hough Space Analysis to Support Visually Impaired Pedestrians.

There are many visually impaired people globally, and it is important to support their ability to walk independently. Acoustic signals and escort zones have been installed on pedestrian crossings for the visually impaired people to walk safely; however, pedestrian accidents, including those involving the visually impaired, continue to occur. Therefore, to realize safe walking for the visually impaired on pedestrian crossings, we present an automatic sensing method for pedestrian crossings using images from cameras attached to them. Because the white rectangular stripes that mark pedestrian crossings are aligned, we focused on the edges of these rectangular stripes and proposed a novel pedestrian crossing sensing method based on the dispersion of the slope of a straight line in Hough space. Our proposed method possesses unique characteristics that allow it to effectively handle challenging scenarios that traditional methods struggle with. It excels at detecting crosswalks even in low-light conditions during nighttime when illumination levels may vary. Moreover, it can detect crosswalks even when certain areas are partially obscured by objects or obstructions. By minimizing computational costs, our method achieves high real-time performance, ensuring efficient and timely crosswalk detection in real-world environments. Specifically, our proposed method demonstrates an impressive accuracy rate of 98.47%. Additionally, the algorithm can be executed at almost real-time speeds (approximately 10.5 fps) using a Jetson Nano small-type computer, showcasing its suitability as a wearable device.

Crocus heuffelianus-A New Species for the Bulgarian Flora from Series Verni (Iridaceae).

In the Pirin Mountains, at an elevation of around 1000 m, three populations of a new species of Bulgarian flora from the genus Crocus, series Verni, were discovered. The species was compared to the morphologically related C. veluchensis, and presented with diagnostic morphological and anatomical features. Despite the high degree of morphological similarity, the molecular analysis, which included sequences from all related species (C. cvijicii, C. dalmaticus, C. jablanicensis, C. rujanensis, C. sieberi subsp. atticus, and C. veluchensis), distinguished the Pirin Mountains' populations, and revealed the closest relationship to C. heuffelianus. Despite the C. heuffelianus/C. verni complex's uncertain taxonomic status, our findings on the local population, based on morphometric, anatomical, molecular, and geographic analyses, indicate its belonging to the putative allotetraploid C. heuffelianus of south-eastern Europe and the Balkans, and an expansion of its range to the southeast. Given the taxonomic uncertainty and unclear phylogenetic relationships of the taxa in the Crocus vernus complex, we considered it appropriate to accept our taxon as Crocus heuffelianus. So far, only C. tommasinianus Herb. has been found in Bulgarian flora from the Crocus series Verni, but in terms of altitude and morphological features, the species from our collection is close to the Balkan endemic C. veluchensis, which belongs to the C. sieberi aggregate. Morphologically, it differs by the dark, heart-shaped spots on the tip of the tepals, and the presence of one bract. A detailed comparative anatomical analysis between the three species of crocuses from the series Verni in Bulgaria shows discrete differences: the width of the white stripe and lacunar area are good distinguishing features, as are the number of conducting vessels.

Broiler White Striping: A Review of Its Etiology, Effects on Production, and Mitigation Efforts

With an increase in the demand and production of chicken products, broilers have been bred to grow larger at a faster rate. This has led to several myopathies, one of which being white striping, which is now common to almost all broilers and is characterized as the deposition of fat within the broiler breast muscles. The purposes of this review are to examine the change in chicken production over the years, and to consider normal muscle growth physiology and the suspected pathological process and causes of white striping, as well as white striping visualization and detection in fast-growing broilers. With the increase in growth rate and size, multiple biochemical processes are affected in broilers, leading to hypoxia and inflammation, subsequent formation of foam cells from macrophages, and the deposition of fat in the form of white stripes along the muscle tissues. The negative effects of white striping include increased fat content and calories and decreased protein content, as well as reductions in palatability and drip loss. Thus, this review also explores the effects of white striping on meat quality, and finally evaluates several strategies attempted to mitigate white striping.

Birefringent nanospheres help give a shrimp its bright white stripe

Birefringent nanospheres help give a shrimp its bright white stripe