Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
AN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR RAPID IN-LINE LABEL-FREE HUMAN PLURIPOTENT STEM CELL COUNTING AND QUALITY ASSESSMENT

The current state-of-the-art in hPSC culture is a bespoke and user-dependent process limiting the scale and complexity of the experiments performed and introducing operator-to-operator and day-to-day variation. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers the speed and flexibility to bridge the gap between a human-dependent process and industrial-scale automation. We evaluated an AI approach for counting exact cell numbers of undifferentiated human induced pluripotent stem cells in brightfield images for automating hPSC culture. The neural network generates a topological density map for accurate cell counts. We found that the image-based AI algorithm can determine a precise number of hPSCs and is superior to fluorescence-labeled object detection; the algorithm can ignore well edges, meniscus effects, and dust, achieving an average error of 5.6%. We have built a prototype capable of making a go/no go decision for stem cell passaging to perform 26,400 individual well-level counts from 422,400 images in 12 hours at low cost.
Effects of Thymol and Carvacrol on Productive Performance, Antioxidant Enzyme Activity and Certain Blood Metabolites in Heat Stressed Broilers

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of thymol and carvacrol supplementation on performance, immune response, antioxidant enzyme activity and blood parameters of heat stressed broilers. Broilers were fed with commercial diet till 25 d of age, then they were allocated to a completely randomized design with a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement with 6 treatments including 3 levels of carvacrol (0, 300 and 500 mg/kg of diet) and 2 levels of thymol (0 and 250 mg/kg of diet) in 4 replicates of 9 birds each. To induce heat stress, diurnal cyclic temperature at 35 ˚C for 8 h from 09:00 h to 17:00 h, were used from 26 day of age until the end of the experiment. Dietary carvacrol did not affect performance parameters of broilers but feeding 250 mg/kg thymol increased body weight gainand decreased feed conversion ratio by 6 and 4%, respectively (P<0.05). Red and white blood cells, hematocrit and hemoglobin were not influenced by treatments, but heterophile and heterophile to lymphocyte ratio decreased in the birds fed on thymol- and carvacrol- added diets (P<0.05). Carvacrol and thymol supplementation decreased (P<0.05) serum cholesterol level but had no effect on triglyceride, low and high density lipoproteins and glucose. Both thymoland carvacrol elevated(P<0.05) serum glutathione peroxidase activity compared to the control group. Carcass and breast percentage were increased (P<0.05) in the birds received thymol-added diet (P<0.05). No carvacrol and thymol effect were observed on relative weight of internal organs in broilers. It was concluded that dietary thymol at an inclusion rate of 250 mg/kg diet might positively modulate the negative effect of heat stress in broiler chickens through improved feed conversion ratio (FCR), increased water intake and antioxidative potential of blood tissue.
Public attitudes toward wildlife are changing : A trend analysis of New York residents

Many people involved in wildlife management believe that attitudes toward wildlife have recently become more "protectionist" or less "utilitarian. " However, very few researchers have had the opportunity to examine data that allow analysis of such trends. The Human Dimensions Research Unit of Cornell University has archived surveys containing a standard scale to measure wildlife attitudes and values (WAVS) since 1984. This study combines data from 17 of these surveys conducted during the period 1984-1996, including responses from 7,589 stakeholders in New York State. Principal-components factor analysis indicated that attitudes about wildlife reflect 4 broad themes. The "social benefits" theme is characterized by responses to items about the appreciation and existence of wildlife. The "communication benefits" theme focuses on observing and talking about wildlife. The "problem tolerance" theme clusters around items concerning risks associated with human-wildlife interaction. The "traditional conservation" theme includes items involving management for sustainable use. A multivariate trend analysis indicated declining problem tolerance in New York, regardless of stakeholder group. Traditional conservation attitudes have gained proponents among men. Communication attitudes have been consistently high in New York, although there is evidence of a growing division of rural and nonrural residents' agreement that communication is important. Our research suggests the need for re-evaluation of the hypothesis that wildlife attitudes are evolving toward a more protectionist view.
When troglomorphism dupes taxonomists: morphology and molecules reveal the first pyramidopid harvestman (Arachnida, Opiliones, Pyramidopidae) from the New World

Cavernicolous species that exhibit a high degree of troglomorphism often provide some of the most intriguing evolutionary riddles. For such taxa, the correct systematic arrangement is difficult to determine and becomes problematic when based solely on highly convergent external morphological characters, leading to exaggerated support of spurious relationships. For the arachnid order Opiliones, examination of male genitalia morphology often aids in determining the family to which a particular taxon belongs. However, many taxa described prior to the 1990s lack detailed descriptions or drawings of this important character and, for highly-derived species, it is may still be necessary to seek support from additional sources of characters (e.g. molecular data) to accurately assess systematic placement. The enigmatic species Stygnomma pecki Goodnight & Goodnight, 1977 from a cave in Belize proved to be especially difficult to place based on morphological characters alone. Thus, using a previously published dataset for laniatorean harvestmen, we carried out a robust phylogenetic analysis aiming to determine the evolutionary relationship of this Neotropical troglomophic species. Informed by the results of the molecular phylogenetic analysis of 88 terminals representing Laniatores, we describe Jarmilana gen. nov. and provide a redescription of the type species Jarmilana pecki (Goodnight & Goodnight, 1977) comb. nov. Morphological evidence, including male genitalia morphology, supports the inclusion of J. pecki in the family Pyramidopidae. This represents the first record for the family Pyramidopidae in the New World, raising the question of whether this represents transoceanic dispersal or a relict of an ancient widespread tropical Gondwanan distribution.
Paclobutrazol induced growth retardation of mango seedlings

Mango seedlings of polyembryonic cv. Bappakai were given soil-drenching treatment of paclobutrazol (PBZ) at 0, 0.34, 0.85 or 1.71 mM. Observations were recorded on morphological characters at weekly interval and on leaf water potential (Ψ w ) and levels of chlorophyll, total phenols and endogenous plant growth substances [ABA, cytokinins (t-ZR and DHZR) and IAA] at a monthly interval one month after PBZ treatment. There was reduction in seedling vigour after 2 months of PBZ treatment, the effect being more prominent at 1.71 mM. The fresh weights of root, leaves and stem also showed reduction. The Ψ w was less negative and total phenols and chlorophyll content showed increase in response to PBZ application. The contents of leaf ABA and cytokinins (t-ZR and DHZR) were higher in treated seedlings. Thus it was suggested that PBZ induced growth retardation in mango seedlings is associated with increased levels of ABA and cytokinins together with higher Ψ w and phenols in leaves.
Observations on levels of internal parasites in free living Rhodesian wild life. 1. Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros (Pallas, 1766))

Since wild animals have assumed greater importance as a natural resource in developing countries, it has become imperative that more be known of the natural mechanisms which control the size and density of their populations. Under natural conditions internal parasites are rarely pathogenic in wild mammals and birds. When factors, such as poor nutrition or disease, are present, however, internal parasites may aggravate the already existing disease and thereby jeopardise the survival of the species.
Molecular genetic, life‐history and morphological variation in a coastal warm‐temperate sciaenid fish: evidence for an upwelling‐driven speciation event

The Benguela Upwelling System (BUS) is a major biogeographical boundary in the south‐eastern Atlantic, but little is known of the effect of historical permeability of the barrier on species distributed across the region. We used phylogenetic, life‐history and morphological analyses to test the influence of regional oceanographic features on genetic divergence, evolutionary history and ecological divergence in a warm‐temperate fish, Atractoscion aequidens.
The Effect of Inflammation and Infection on Lipids and Lipoproteins

Chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and psoriasis and infections, such as periodontal disease and HIV, are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Patients with these disorders also have an increase in coronary artery calcium measured by CT and carotid intima media thickness measured by ultrasound. Inflammation and infections induce a variety of alterations in lipid metabolism that may initially dampen inflammation or fight infection, but if chronic could contribute to the increased risk of atherosclerosis. The most common changes are decreases in serum HDL and increases in triglycerides. The increase in serum triglycerides is due to both an increase in hepatic VLDL production and secretion and a decrease in the clearance of triglyceride rich lipoproteins. The mechanisms by which inflammation and infection decrease HDL levels are uncertain. There is also a consistent increase in lipoprotein (a) levels due to increased apolipoprotein (a) synthesis. LDL levels are frequently decreased but the prevalence of small dense LDL is increased due to cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) mediated exchange of triglycerides from triglyceride rich lipoproteins to LDL followed by triglyceride hydrolysis. In addition to affecting serum lipid levels, inflammation also adversely effects lipoprotein function. LDL is more easily oxidized as the ability of HDL to prevent the oxidation of LDL is diminished. Moreover, there are a number of steps in the reverse cholesterol transport pathway that are adversely affected during inflammation. The greater the severity of the underlying inflammatory disease, the more consistently these abnormalities in lipids and lipoproteins are observed. Treatment of the underlying disease leading to a reduction in inflammation results in the return of the lipid profile towards normal. The changes in lipids and lipoproteins that occur during inflammation and infection are part of the innate immune response and therefore are likely to play an important role in protecting the host. The guidelines for the management of lipid disorders and the standard risk calculators for predicting cardiovascular disease (ACC/AHA, Framingham, etc.) underestimate the risk in patients with inflammation. It has been recommended to increase the calculated risk by approximately 50% in patients with severe inflammatory disorders. The treatment of lipid disorders in patients with inflammatory disorders is similar to patients without inflammatory disorders. Of note statins, fibrates, and fish oil have anti-inflammatory properties and have been reported to have beneficial effects on many of these inflammatory disorders.
IN VITRO AND EX VITRO ROOTING AND PLANTLET ACCLIMATIZATION IN NERIUM OLEANDER

Oleander (Nerium oleander L.) is cultivated recently as a flowering pot plant and therefore abundant propagation plant material for commercial use is of great importance. In this study an effort was undertaken to investigate microcutting rooting in vitro and ex vitro and also acclimatization of young microplants. A single white flower clone of oleander was used for the experiments. Microshoots derived from in vitro stock cultures were used as microcuttings and placed for rooting in vitro or ex vitro. For in vitro rooting, the microcuttings were placed in WPM supplemented with IAA or NAA in various concentrations (0, 0.5, 1 or 2 pM). The best rooting was achieved with 2 pM NAA (23%). For ex vitro rooting, the microcuttings were first dipped in various concentrations (0, 0.13, 0.25 or 0.5 g l -1 ) of K-IBA and then were planted in perlite and kept in a fog system with relative humidity adjusted to 96-99%. Rooting was up to 70% with 0.5 g l -1 K-IBA. After rooting in vitro or ex vitro, the young plantlets were transplanted in pots and placed for hardening in a fog system with initial relative humidity at 95%, which then was decreased gradually to 80% in two weeks. The plantlets in the fog system were either under direct sunlight or under 50% shading provided by a net which lasted for 1 week and was removed afterwards. The transplanting losses for those rooted in vitro for both treatments were less than 5%, whereas no losses were noticed in those plantlets derived from ex vitro rooting.
Use of DNA markers for identifying inbreds and hybrid seeds in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was used to detect molecular markers that could be used for identifying cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) hybrid at the seed stage. Screening of DNAs from the inbred lines with 160 decanucleotide arbitrary primers led to the identification of five random primers that showed a polymorphism between the inbreds. Studies on the amplified polymorphic bands revealed that these markers are inherited as dominant markers. The results obtained so far from RAPD for the different hybrid seed lots agree with the grow out test results.
WEED-CROP COMPETITION EFFECTS ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF SUGARCANE PLANTED USING TWO METHODS

Effect of planting techniques and weed-crop competition periods on yield potential of spring planted sugarcane variety HSF-240 was studied at the Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan. The experiment was laid out in RCBD with a split-plot arrangement, with four replications and net plot size of 3.6m x 10m. In the experiment, two planting techniques viz., 60 cm apart rows in flat sowing technique and 120 cm apart rows in trench sowing technique were randomized in main plots. Seven weed-crop competition periods viz., Zero (weed free), weed-crop competition for 45, 60, 75, 90, 105 days after sowing (DAS) and weedy check (full season weedcrop competition) were randomized in sub-plots. Sugarcane sown by trench method exhibited more leaf area index (LAI), average crop growth rate (ACGR) and yield contributing attributes. Trench sowing by yielding 72.22 and 75.08 t ha -1 stripped cane yields, significantly showed superiority over the flat sowing, which gave 64.13 and 66.04 t ha -1 stripped cane yields in 2005-06 and 200607, respectively. Generally, there was an increase in weed population and biomass but decrease in leaf area index, crop growth rate and yield components with an increase in weed-crop competition period. A decrease of 10.06, 17.90, 22.42, 28.65, 37.64 and 56.89% in stripped cane yield was observed for weed-crop competition periods of 45, 60, 75, 90, 105 DAS and weedy check as compared with zero competition in 2005-06, respectively. In 2006-07, the respective decrease in stripped cane yield was 9.84, 18.76, 22.92, 27.98, 38.75, and 54.98%. Trench sowing at 1.2 m row spacing proved better sowing technique and 45 DAS was the critical period of weed-crop competition.
Genetic variability of Fusarium fujikuroi populations associated with bakanae of rice in Italy

The heterothallic ascomycete Fusarium fujikuroi (teleomorph: Gibberella fujikuroi) is the causal agent of bakanae of rice, a disease of increasing economic importance in the major rice-producing areas in the world and a serious threat for Italian rice cultivation. A few studies have characterized F. fujikuroi isolates in America and the Philippines but no data are available on the genetic structure of Italian pathogen populations. Microsatellite SSRs are useful tools to study the intraspecific diversity at population level. In this study, 19 polymorphic SSRs have been identified and applied to characterize the genetic variation of 334 isolates of F. fujikuroi coming from eight Italian rice-growing areas. A high degree of diversity at haplotype level has emerged: in the eight populations, 107 unique haplotypes were scored. Analysis of molecular variance (amova) showed that 98% of genetic variability occurred within F. fujikuroi Italian populations, as confirmed by the allelic Shannon index ranging from 0.56 to 1.06. The presence of a 1:1 ratio of mating type alleles in six out of eight of the Italian fungal populations suggests a potential for sexual reproduction in the field. However, the high fraction of clonality (43%), confirmed by neighbour-joining clustering analysis, and the high level of linkage disequilibrium observed, indicates that reproduction of F. fujikuroi is mostly clonal in Italy. All data suggest that the observed genetic variability was probably mediated by human activity and transmission by rice seeds.
SPONTANEOUS AND INDUCED METAMORPHOSIS OF AMBYSTOMA DUMERILII (DUGES), A PAEDOGENETIC MEXICAN SALAMANDER, UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS

Although Ambystoma dumerilii is not known to transform in nature, 32% of wild-caught adults maintained in a laboratory colony and 35% of first generation laboratory-bred animals under- went spontaneous metamorphic changes. Metamorphosis began after wild-caught animals had been in captivity 7 to 18 mo and in the laboratory-bred animals when they were 11 to 36 mo old. No animal survived > 5 mo after metamorphosis began; nearly half died within 1 mo. Nine 4-mo-old and three 6-mo-old laboratory bred larvae and three wild-caught animals all transformed when treated with L-thyroxine at concentrations between 0.5 and 4.0 ppm. None lived > 48 days after metamorphosis began.
Resurrection of Blistum tomentosum and its exclusion from Polycephalomyces (Hyphomycetes, Deuteromycota) based on 28S rDNA sequence data

Members of the form genus Polycephalomyces (Hyphomycetes, Deuteromycota) were morphologically and phylogenetically evaluated. The aberrant taxon P. tomentosus was earlier placed in Blistum, for which it was the type. Blistum was distinguished from other Hyphomycetes on the production of white synnemata, ornamented cells along the synnemous stipe, viscous conidial mass at synnemous apex and a myxomyceticolous habit. Observations of Polycephalomyces species revealed that P. tomentosus can be distinguished from other spedes in the genus by its myxomyceticolous habit, verrucose ornamented cells along the synnemous stipe, and production of conidia that are variable in size (2.4-7.6 x 1.6-3.2 μm) and shape (ovoid, broadly fusiform and subglobose). Phylogenetic analyses of 28S rDNA excluded P. tomentosus from the clade containing all other Polycephalomyces species, thus making the genus paraphyletic. However, all Polycephalomyces species were recovered in the Clavicipitaceae clade when analyzed using either Hypocreaceae or Nectriaceae as outgroups. Therefore, we have segregated P. tomentosus from Polycephalomyces and again classified it n the monotypic genus Blistum.
Optimizing Two Separation Methods for Characterizing the Conformation of the N-Terminal Region of the Coat Protein of Brome Mosaic Virus – PAGE & HPLC.

ii List of Figures . vi List of Tables . x Chapter 1. Background and Significance . 1 Brome Mosaic Virus (BMV) . 1 PolyAcrylamide Gel Electrophoresis . 9 Chapter 2. Unexpected Discovery: pH effect on the resolution of PAGE. 12 Procedures for Preparation of RNA samples . 12 PAGE of RNA samples: detailed protocols . 19 Unexpected Problems with the resolution of PAGE . 20 Investigation on pH effect on PAGE: Results and Discussion . 21 Possible mechanism behind the pH effect . 33 Chapter 3. The Basic Principles of Analytical Methods used for Structural studies on CPNT peptides. 35 1D NMR analysis. 35 Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy . 39 High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) . 42 Chapter 4. Result and discussion: NMR and CD studies for CPNT peptide. 48 CPNT-1 . 48 CPNT-2 . 55 Chapter 5. HPLC analysis for CPNT peptide. 63 Chapter 6. Conclusion . 73 References . 75
Seasonal changes in abundance and composition of the fish assemblage in Chiku lagoon, southwestern Taiwan

Seasonal changes in abundance, species composition, and life-style categories of the fish assemblage in a shallow tropical lagoon of southwestern Taiwan are described. Fish were sampled monthly by fyke nets in Chiku Lagoon for a period of 3 yrs from November 1995 to November 1998. In total, 5713 individuals from 111 species and 46 families were captured Liza macrolepis, Valamugil cummesius, Pelates quadrilineatus, Leiognathus brevirostris and Gerres abbreviatus were the dominant species and comprised over 50% of the total number. Only eight species (7.2%) in the lagoon were permanent residents, seven species (6.3%) were seasonal visitors, and 96 species (86.5%) might be transient visitors in this lagoon. The fish comprised 85 marine species, of which 47 were marine stragglers and 38 were marine estuarine-opportunists, together with 22 estuarine species and four freshwater species. The index of species richness, Shannon-Wiener diversity, and evenness each showed a consistent seasonal pattern each year. Species richness and diversity were higher in the wet season (from June to October) than in the dry season (from November to May). Classification analysis also showed that in each year, the fish assemblages were distinct between the wet and dry seasons. Ordination analysis demonstrated that the monthly samples consistently followed a seasonal cycle for three successive years. These changes were largely attributable to sequential immigration and emigration of the estuarine-dependent marine species. Correlation analysis indicated that water temperature and precipitation correlated with the seasonal patterns in the fish assemblage.
Body size but not colony size increases with altitude in the holarctic ant, Leptothorax acervorum

1. Bergmann's rule states that organisms inhabiting colder environments show an increase in body size or mass in comparison to their conspecifics living in warmer climates. Although originally proposed for homoeothermic vertebrates, this rule was later extended to ectotherms. In social insects, only a few studies have tested this rule and the results were ambiguous. Here, ‘body size’ can be considered at two different levels (the size of the individual workers or the size of the colony).