Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Profiling of odontogenic tumors in western Uttar Pradesh population in India

Objective: This institutional study was sought to determine the relative frequency of odontogenic tumors (OTs) in a western Uttar Pradesh population and to compare these data with previous reports. Study Design: In this retrospective study, all the accessioned cases were retrieved from the histopathology records of Subharti Dental College and Hospital between January 2003 and December 2015. Lesions with histological diagnosis of OTs (based on the World Health Organization classification, 2005) were analyzed. Clinical data were reviewed, and microscopic diagnoses were confirmed for cases in which diagnoses were ambiguous. The relative incidence of each tumor type, patient age, gender, and site of occurrence are compared with similar reports from other selected large series. Results: From a total of 3182 oral biopsies accessioned during 13-year interval, 255 lesions were diagnosed histopathologically as OTs, which constituted 8.01% of all the oral biopsies. Of these cases, 98.43% of the tumors were benign. The most frequent histological type was keratinizing cystic OTs (41.96%), followed by ameloblastoma (34.50%) and while odontomas, generally regarded as the most frequent OT in many large series, only accounted for 7.45%, the third most common tumor in the present study. In general, the OTs showed a predilection for the mandible and the posterior regions of the jaws. Males outnumbered females for benign tumors while the reverse was true for malignant tumors. Conclusions: OTs show a definite geographic variation. In western Uttar Pradesh population in India, the most frequent OTs had a comparatively younger age predilection.
The role of potassium phosphite in chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthetic parameters of downy mildew-challenged cucumber Cucumis sativus plants

Abstract The effect of potassium phosphite (KPhi) on the photosynthetic parameters of cucumber plants inoculated with Pseudoperonospora cubensis was investigated in the present study. Cucumber plants were treated with KPhi before or after inoculation with P. cubensis and leaf samples were collected at different time courses for assessments. Results showed that in pathogen-inoculated plants Fv/Fm was decreased up to 3%. The rate of quantum photosynthetic was also decreased significantly in inoculated plants. Downy mildew led to a decrease in chlorophyll amount which in turn reduced the efficiency of photosystem II. In the KPhi-treated leaves, chlorophyll a and b decreased by 72% and 68%, respectively. Remarkable reduction in the efficiency of photosystem II as well as increased lipid membrane disruption, led to increased lipid peroxidation rate of the membranes up to 52%. The results of this study indicate the mitigating role of potassium phosphite in reducing the adverse effects of pathogen and maintaining the photosynthetic apparatus efficiency in cucumber plants.
Quantitative genetics, genomics and plant breeding

Abstract This book contains 20 chapters, divided into two sections: (i) Quantitative Genetics: Plant Breeding, Bioinformatics, Genome Editing and G×E Interaction (Chapters 2-12) and (ii) Intersection of Breeding, Genetics and Genomics: Crop Examples (Chapter 13-20). Section 1 emphasizes the application of genomics, and genome and epigenome editing techniques, in plant breeding, bioinformatics, quantitative trait loci mapping, and the latest approaches of examining and exploiting genotype—environment interactions. Section 2 describes the use of cutting-edge molecular breeding and quantitative genetics techniques applied to wheat, rice, maize, root and tuber crops and pearl millet. Overall, the book focuses on using genomic information to help evaluate traits that can combat biotic/abiotic stresses, genome-wide association mapping, high-throughput genotyping/phenotyping, biofortification, use of big data, orphan crops, and gene editing techniques.
Karyomorphological Studies of the Populations Belonging to Psephellus aucherianus (DC.) Boiss. (Asteraceae) Complex

The chromosome numbers and karyotypes belonging to populations of Psephellus aucherianus complex were discussed by this paper. The chromosome numbers of all populations were determined as 2n=30. Karyomorphological results indicated that the populations of Ps. aucherianus complex display a broad variation and differ from each other in some aspects. Mainly, the karyotype formula could be evaluated as very specific and discriminative for each taxa, even their populations. Otherwise, the chromosomal indices indicated that all populations had largely symmetrical karyotypes and low chromosomal heterogeneity as a common chromosomal pattern within this complex. As a general result, we can infer that the species of these complex can be clearly characterized and separated according to karyomorphologic features and more importantly, chromosome pattern and rearrangements are very useful and informative to explain theirs evolutionary interactions as well changes.
The Effects of Probiotics on Performance and Immune Response of Broiler Chickens during Coccidiosis

Coccidiosis is an inherent risk in the commercial broiler industry and inflicts devastating economic losses to poultry operations. Probiotics may provide a potential alternative to the prophylactic use of anticoccidials in commercial production. This study evaluated the effects of probiotic applications (feed and water) on bird performance and resistance to a mixed Eimeria infection in commercial broilers. on day of hatch, 1,008 commercial male broilers (Cobb 500) were assigned to 1 of 6 treatments (8 replicate floor pens; 21 birds/pen), including noninfected negative control (NEG), Eimeria-infected positive control (PoS), anticoccidial control (0.01% salinomycin, SAL), intermittent high-dose water-applied probiotic (WPI), continuous low-dose water-applied probiotic (WPC), and feed-supplemented probiotic (FSP). on d 15, all birds except those in NEG were challenged with a mixed inoculum of Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria maxima, and Eimeria tenella. Measurements were taken on d 7, 15, 21, 28, 35, and 42. Fecal samples were collected from d 20 to 24 for oocyst counts, and lesion scores were evaluated on d 21. Data were analyzed using the Fit Model platform in JMP Pro 10.0 (SAS Institute Inc.). Differences in experimental treatments were tested using Tukey’s honestly significant difference following ANoVA with significance reported at P ≤ 0.05. overall, NEG birds outperformed all other groups. For performance, the probiotic groups were comparable with the SAL-treated birds, except during the 6 d immediately following the Eimeria species challenge, where the SAL birds exhibited better performance. The WPC birds had lower duodenal and jejunal lesion scores, indicating a healthier intestine and enhanced resistance to Eimeria species compared with PoS. Birds in the WPI treatment shed fewer oocysts in the feces, although this was not a trend for all of the probiotic treatment groups. The results of this study suggest probiotic supplementation without anticoccidials can enhance performance and help alleviate the negative effects of a mixed Eimeria infection.
Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Chromium Yeast Alone and in Combination with Antioxidants on Performance of Broilers

| The present study was conducted to evaluate the impacts of dietary supplementation of chromium yeast alone and in combination with antioxidants on growth, feed conversion and nitrogen retention in broilers during winter season. A total of 180, Cob-400 straight run broiler chicks at one day-old, were randomly distributed into four equal groups replicated three times with 15 birds per replicate. The treatments consisted of 4 experimental groups as follows: T0, T1, T2 and T3. Chicks were fed corn-soya based broiler mash (basal diet) maintained as control (T0), the basal diet supplemented with chromium (Cr)at 0.5 mg Cr/kg diet from chromium yeast (T1), the basal diet + 0.5 mg Cr /kg diet from chromium yeast + 250 mg of ascorbic acid /kg of diet (T2), and the basal diet + 0.5 mg Cr /kg diet from chromium yeast + 250 mg vitamin E /kg of diet (T3). Body weight and feed consumption were recorded to evaluate the growth performance and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Nitrogen retention was observed by conducting metabolic trial during 6th week. The climatic data revealed that there were huge variations in house air temperatures within a day. In house relative humidity ranged from 29.01% to 44.21% during the experimental period. The average weight gains were numerically higher and FCR values were lower in supplemented groups particularly in T2 group than T0 group. The significantly higher (p< 0.05) nitrogen retention values were recorded in T2 group followed by T1than T0 group. It was concluded that Cr in combination with ascorbic acid yielded better results in terms of performance in broilers, thus suggesting some synergetic action of both Cr and ascorbic acid that need to investigate further with specially designed projects.
Stepwise Penalty Index Selection from Populations with a Hierarchical Structure

Abstract By adding a penalty to a candidate’s breeding value for its relationship with the selected individuals, two indexes were constructed as criteria for stepwise selection of superior individuals from populations with a hierarchical structure. The relationship was expressed in terms of either family contribution or group coancestry. One of the indexes was derived from an optimal selection model. A stepwise procedure that screened superior individuals one by one was introduced to make selection based on these indexes possible. Two penalty selection methods exclusively maximized gain at given coancestry. Both methods produced all identical solutions in most of the populations simulated, and were nearly equivalent in the remaining populations, particularly when heritability was high and the population structure was simple. A better balance between gain and coancestry following penalty index selection can be obtained by avoiding the two extreme solutions: combined- index and within-family selection, and using simple mating designs rather than complex ones.
Improved dynamics modelling for drainage sediment prediction and management

The study reported in this thesis aims to further knowledge of sediment behaviour and provides engineers with appropriate tools and methods to facilitate proactive sediment management. The techniques developed during this investigation are therefore able to predict the locations and quantities of sediment deposits through improved sediment transport methods and offer a strategy of sediment control using sediment traps where appropriate. To facilitate these methods, a number of the previous shortcomings of drainage sediment modelling required to be addressed. Most notably these included: single particle size limitation, impractical processing times; the use of purely granular analysis; and no feedback between sediment and hydraulic models. A programme of data collection was devised to develop and test the techniques of this investigation, focussing on sediment processes in sewer pipes and sediment traps. The data collected included, suspended and near bed transport rates, long-term sediment bed development and sediment trap filling patterns. These data and previous data sets were then used in the development of analytical methods for the prediction of sediment behaviour. Field tests were also undertaken to assess the performance of an alternative form of sediment trap using partial covers. These tests highlighted the importance of good site selection for sediment traps as no improvement in trap performance could be achieved at a poor trap location through the alteration of trap form. The resulting sediment transport models were typically developed using a combination of the historical and new short-term data sets, and were then verified using newly collected long-term data. Models were developed for rapid hydraulic simulation, sediment location prediction, sediment erosion, sediment movement, sediment deposition and trap filling. The current limitations of sediment modelling were addressed through a number of innovations which have built on the experience of CIRIA report 141. Following the development of each component model, an overall sediment prediction model was created in the SIMULINK programming
First Record of the Yellowfin Soldierfish, Myripristis chryseres Jordan & Evermann, 1903, in the Easter Island Ecoregion1

Abstract: Myripristis chryseres Jordan & Evermann, 1903, is recorded for the first time in the Easter Island Ecoregion. Two specimens were observed swimming along a rock cliff and entering a cavern at ∼163 m depth near the peak of Pukao seamount, located ∼85 km (46 nm) west of Easter Island. This report expands the geographic range of M. chryseres eastward by ∼3,800 km and is the first report of the species for the eastern Pacific. It is unclear whether this new record is indicative of a relatively recent range expansion or a lack of visual surveys in the region, which are especially important for surveying fishes that are less likely to be caught by line and trawls because of their behavior and the complex rocky habitats in which they live.
Morphology and molecular phylogeny of Thalassiosira sinica sp. nov. (Bacillariophyta) with delicate areolae and fultoportulae pattern

ABSTRACT Thalassiosira Cleve is one of the most species-rich marine diatom genera. Previous studies have mainly focused on polar and temperate areas, but recent studies on material from Asian waters suggested that a high and undescribed species diversity of Thalassiosira occurs in Asia. On the basis of plankton samples collected from the South China Sea, a new species, T. sinica sp. nov. Y. Li & Y. Q. Guo is described. The morphology of the cells was examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. The hypervariable region of the nuclear large-subunit ribosomal DNA and the relatively conserved region of the nuclear small-subunit ribosomal DNA were sequenced for information on phylogenetic relationships. The living cells are usually solitary and drum-shaped. The areolae on the valve are delicate, small and arranged in fascicles. In addition to a regular ring of marginal fultoportulae on the valve edge, T. sinica possesses one central fultoportula and a number of fultoportulae arranged into 2–3 irregular rings on the valve face. A rimoportula located inside the ring of marginal fultoportulae possesses a long and strong external tube. The valvocopula and the copulae have rows of pores, but the pores on the valvocopula are larger than those on the copulae. Thalassiosira sinica appears to be included in subgroup C sensu Gedde because of a rimoportula with a distinct external tube located on the valve face. The molecular phylogeny, inferred from both SSU and LSU sequences, does, however, not support the validity of subgroup C, as the closest allies of T. sinica here turned out to be T. diporocyclus and T. lundiana, species in which the rimoportulae are located on the valve margin.
Students’ conceptions of the carbon cycle: identifying and interrelating components of the carbon cycle and tracing carbon atoms across the levels of biological organisation

Abstract This study investigates students’ conceptions of the carbon cycle with regard to the components they believe to be relevant to the carbon cycle, how they interrelate these components, the ways in which they trace carbon atoms, and the different levels of biological organisation they consider when doing so. A total of 142 students aged 13–16 years (grades 8–10) participated in the study. A total of 130 students completed the diagnostic task, and an additional 12 students completed both the diagnostic task and were interviewed. The primary results show that the students identified few components of the carbon cycle, tended to trace carbon atoms exclusively at the level of the organism, and had difficulties identifying organic carbon compounds, especially during processes in which carbon compounds are transformed. Considering the main educational implications, we recommend using an instructional strategy that traces carbon atoms across the different levels of biological organisation whilst connecting fragmented knowledge by integrating knowledge from physiology, biochemistry and ecology when teaching the carbon cycle.
Multiple signaling in a variable environment: expression of song and color traits as a function of ambient sound and light

Many animals communicate using more than one signal, and several hypotheses exist to explain the evolution of multiple signals. However, these hypotheses typically assume static selection pressures, and previous work has not addressed how spatial and temporal environmental variation can shape variation in signaling systems. In particular, environmental variability, such as ambient lighting or noise, may affect efficacy (e.g., detectability/perception by receivers) of signals. To examine how signal expression varies intraspecifically as a function of habitat characteristics, we evaluated relationships between spatial environmental variation and song and plumage color expression in a tropical songbird, the Red‐throated Ant‐tanager (Habia fuscicauda) in Panama. We recorded male ant‐tanager song, plucked feathers to measure coloration, and quantified the acoustic and light environments from each male's territory. In addition, we took several morphological measurements from each male to assess the potential information content of song and plumage color. We found that males with redder and more saturated crown plumage occurred on darker territories, and males that sang shorter and lower frequency songs occurred on noisier territories. We also found that more colorful males tended to sing longer and lower frequency songs. Finally, we found that song and color correlated similarly with male morphology (e.g., tarsus length, body mass). Altogether, these results indicate that spatial variation in the environment is related to male coloration and song, and that males might be optimizing color and song expression for their particular territorial environment.
Prevalence and management through relative performance of organic mulches and fungitoxicants of noxious Phomopsis fruit rot (Phomopsis vexans, Sacc. & Syd.) Harter, in brinjal ecology of Kashmir

Phomopsis fruit rot is one of the most important diseases of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) worldwide. The present study was, therefore carried out to know the status of the fruit rot in Kashmir valley and to evolve an effective management strategy. The overall mean fruit rot incidence and intensity was 35.75 and 14.11 per cent, respectively. The maximum disease incidence of 42.25 and intensity of 16.24 per cent on fruits was observed in district Budgam and minimum disease incidence of 29.25 and intensity of 11.99 per cent was observed in district Pulwama. Among the fungitoxicants, propiconazole 25 EC proved to be most effective as it indicated maximum per cent disease control, followed by carbendazim 50 WP, copper oxychloride 50WP and metalaxyl + mancozeb 68 WP in the decreasing order of their efficacy. Among the mulches applied rice straw proved to be most effective followed by wheat straw over check. Among the interactions propiconazole 25 EC + rice straw proved to be most effective over check followed by carbendazim 50 WP + rice straw, propiconazole 25 EC + wheat straw, copper oxychloride 50 WP + rice straw, carbendazim 50 WP+ wheat straw, copper oxychloride 50WP + wheat straw, metalaxyl + mancozeb 68 WP + rice straw and metalaxyl + mancozeb 68 WP + wheat straw in the decreasing order of their efficacy.
Comparative diet of hedgehogs (Atelerix algirus) in two localities in Kabylia, Algeria

The present study is the first qualitative and quantitative analysis of the diet of Algerian hedgehogs ( Atelerix algirus ) in Kabylia, Algeria. The study was carried out between May and October 2014 and covered two different sites, Yakouren (a forested site) and Tizi-Rached (an agricultural site). In Yakouren, the analysis of droppings allowed us to identify 12,050 items grouped into 16 categories of eaten preys, while in Tizi-Rached, 13,543 items grouped into 13 categories of preys were identified. In both locations, the Hymenoptera category is the most eaten type of prey at a rate of 93% in Yakouren and 98% in Tizi-Rached. Moreover, the seasonal variation, the food selectivity, and comparative studies of the consumed categories between the two sites were analyzed in this study. In the Hymenoptera category, 99% of the consumed preys at both sites belonged to the family Formicidae. A deeper investigation revealed that 13 species were in that family in Yakouren and 11 species in Tizi-Rached. The species most consumed by the hedgehogs at both sites are Messor spp. at a rate of 49% in Yakouren and 91% in Tizi-Rached. In order to analyze the preference for some prey, a biochemical analysis of the energy intake was performed and discussed.
Effect of extrusion on protein quality, antinutritional factors, and digestibility of complementary diet from quality protein maize and soybean protein concentrate

The nutritional quality of food transcends the availability of nutrients in food to being utilizable by the consumer. In this study, a complementary diet for infants was formulated with quality protein maize, soybean protein concentrate, and cassava starch. The formulated diet was extruded and the effect of extrusion on some antinutritional factors and in vitro protein and starch digestibilities of the meals were assessed. The amino acid profile of the samples was determined while other protein quality indices were calculated. The essential amino acid index of the formulated meal ranged from 87.3 in tryptophan to 133.7 in tyrosine‐phenylalanine. Protein efficiency ratio of the formulated meal ranged from 1.20 to 2.45. The calculated biological value ranged from 92.57 to 95.20%. Extrusion cooking significantly improved the in vitro protein and starch digestibilities and significantly reduced some antinutritional factors of the formulated meals. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Adequate nutrition during infancy and early childhood is fundamental to the development of each child's full human potential. It is well recognized that the period from birth to 2 years of age is a “critical window” for the promotion of optimal growth, health, and behavioral development. Longitudinal studies have consistently shown that this is the peak age for growth faltering and common childhood illnesses. Nigeria is well endowed with adequate food supplies, however, more than one third of the children under the age of 5 are malnourished and of all deaths of children lower than 5 years of age are directly or indirectly attributable to malnutrition hence the reason for carrying out this study. Foods with balanced amino acid profile can be obtained by mixing legumes and cereal grains. Extrusion cooking utilizes the high temperature short time phenomenon which is effective for the improvement of the biological value of food.