Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Temporal relationship between the circulating profiles of melatonin and ovarian steroids under natural photo-thermal conditions in an annual reproductive cycle in carp Catla catla

A temporal relationship between the serum profiles of pineal-hormone melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) and two major ovarian steroids, i.e., 17-β estradiol (E2) and 17α, 20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17α, 20β DHP) or maturation inducing hormone (MIH), has been sought for the first time in any free-living teleost. The study was carried under natural conditions in a carp Catla catla following collection of blood samples at different time-points in a diurnal cycle during each of the four distinct reproductive phases in an annual cycle. The levels of melatonin and the steroids were measured following specific RIA and ELISA techniques, respectively. A time-bound change in the serum melatonin was noted in a 24 h cycle, though the pattern of fluctuations was not identical throughout the reproductive cycle. Melatonin reached its peak during the mid-night in each reproductive phase, other than the preparatory phase (January–March) when the diurnal peak value was recorded in the late dark phase. In an annual cycle, melatonin titer was found to be maximum during the post-spawning phase (September–December). However, in each reproductive phase, a minimum daily value of melatonin was recorded in the mid-day. Serum E2, irrespective of reproductive phase, exhibited a daily peak in the mid-day and nadir in the early morning. However, in a seasonal cycle, E2 was found to be maximum in the spawning phase (July–August). The serum MIH, however, did not show any significant daily variations, and underwent significant changes in an annual cycle with a very low value in the preparatory phase followed by a gradual increase in the pre-spawning (April–June), a peak in the spawning phase, and was undetectable during the post-spawning phase. The simple correlation-coefficient analysis of the seasonal peak values of melatonin revealed a significant negative correlation with photoperiods, water temperature and serum E2, while a positive correlation was found between the seasonal values of serum E2, photoperiod and water temperature. In a seasonal cycle, serum MIH values exhibited a positive correlation with both water temperature and serum E2, and a negative correlation with melatonin. Collectively, the present study underlines the importance of environmental photo-thermal conditions, especially water temperature, as the functional correlate of seasonal changes in serum melatonin and ovarian steroids in carp.
Evaluation of the Genotoxicity of Aqueous Extracts of Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil. (Aquifoliaceae) Using the Allium Test

Infusions and concoctions of Ilex paraguariensis are used as medicinal, nutritional and stimulant beverages in southern South America. Crop production is about 300,000 tons/year in Argentina, where the consumption rate reaches 5–9 kg/capita/year. In this study, we assessed the cytotoxicity of aqueous extracts of I. paraguariensis in the Allium test and Artemia salina microwell test. The extracts were prepared from commercial and “home processed” (laboratory) and were tested at concentrations of 5–40 g/l. Both extracts significantly decreased root growth and the mitotic index (MI). These effects were greater for the commercial material for which concentrations ≥10 g/l virtually abolished mitosis. The disturbance of mitotic behaviour was significant at 5–10 g/l of the “home-processed” product and included c-mitotic phenomena (over-condensed and disorganized metaphases, sticky metaphases, arrested anaphases, binucleated interphases) which could contribute to the increase in metaphase and anaphase indexes. None of the extracts were cytotoxic in the Artemia salina test. It is concluded that the Allium test is adequate for a preliminary screening of genotoxicity of medicinal plants and that genotoxic effects can be increased by the commercial manipulation of the raw product.
Chromosome evolution and affinity of certain genera of Orchidaceae.

The present paper deals with a detailed chromosome study of 35 species including cytotypes of the tribe Kerosphaereae of Orchidaceae. There are 17 new reports from Eastern Himalayas and the Khasia hills. On the basis of the chromosome behaviour and karyotype analysis it has been concluded that in the subtribe Coelogyneae, the genus Pholidota is allied to Coelogyne and those two represent homogeneous assemblages. In the subtribe Dendrobeae, the genus Dendrobium is quite homogeneous in which polyploidy and aneuploidy along with chromosome changes have played an important role in evolution. Intraspecific chromosome races are common and a clear case has been demonstrated in D. chrysanthum where such cytotypes are correlated with distinct environmental conditions. Dressler (1961) described the northern epiphytes of Mexico and also recorded the severe frost-damage in them excepting Epidendrum conopseum R. Br. (Dressler 1964). In the subtribe Sarcanthineae, the affinity of Aerides with Sarcachilus has been revealed and presence of supernumerary constriction indicates the extent to which structural changes of chromosomes are operating in evolution. The cytological affinity of Stauropsis with Vanda has been shown. The position of the species Hexisea reflexa, newly recorded here from India, has been assigned under Sarcanthineae. In Vanda, polyploidy and aneuploidy occurring at intra and interspecific level as well as cryptic structural alterations have been considered to be the factors which have contributed to the wide geographical distribution and adaptation of the genus. In general, genera cannot be categorised on the basis of their karyotypes. In broad features of the karyotype, the family as a whole represents a normal grouping, as karyotype alterations, though playing a role in evolution, are equally effective at an intra and interspecific level. An illustrated work was published on Orchid pollination and evolution (Dodson 1961).
Effect of hydropriming method on maize (Zea mays) seedling emergence

The research work was carried out at the Seed Laboratory of Agronomy Department of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during the period from February to April in 2008 to find out the effect of hydropriming methods on maize seedling emergence. The hydropriming methods were- T 1 (Non-priming), T 2 (14 hours soaking + drying + storing), T 3 (18 hours soaking + drying + storing), T 4 (22 hours soaking + drying + storing), T 5 (14 hours soaking + surface drying), T 6 (18 hours soaking + surface drying), and T 7 (22 hours soaking + surface drying). Effect of different hydropriming methods on seedling emergence performance of maize was evaluated at two moisture levels viz., 30% and 60% moisture of saturated sand in the experiment. Germination percentage, germination index and mean germination time were influenced significantly by hydropriming methods. The highest germination percentage, germination index, and lowest mean germination time were recorded with T6 (18 hours soaking + surface drying). DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/bjar.v39i1. 20164 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 39(1): 143-150, March 2014
Influence of Nitrogen Sources on Growth, Hydrocarbon and Fatty Acid Production by Botryococcus braunii

Biomass and hydrocarbon productivities of Botryococcus braunii under the influence of different nitrogen sources, pH and culture age were evaluated. Potassium nitrate was found to be the best source of nitrogen for growth and hydrocarbon yields in B. braunii. Oleic acid and palmitic were found to be the predominant fatty acids produced by the algae B. braunii (LB-572 and SAG 30.81) and they also produced alkyl substituted fatty acids such as 12-methyl hexadecanoic acid, -methyl tetradecanoic acid, -methyl heptadecanoic acid and 25-methyl heptacosanoic acid in trace amounts as identified by GCMS. The algae B. braunii (LB-572 and SAG 30.81) exhibited tolerance to pH in the range of 6.0 to 8.5. The biomass yields of 1.2 and 0.56 g L-1 with 30-35% (w/w) hydrocarbon yields was observed respectively for B. braunii strains LB 572 and SAG 30.81.
The influence of copper of the total sulphur amino acids requirement of broilers during two growing periods

A study was conducted to assess the influence of copper on the total sulphur amino acid requirements of broiler chickens reared under two growing periods. The TSAA levels used were 0.73, 0.83, 0.93% with copper levels of 0, 125, 250 and 375 mg/kg for the starter period and the TSAA levels of 0.72, 0.79 and 0.86% with copper levels of 0, 125, 250 and 375 mg/kg for the grower period. Total feed consumption, body weight gain and feed L gain ratio were used as the parameters for the assessment. The results showed that adding copper at 250 mg/kg to the diets improved feed : gain ratio of the starter broilers and resulted in small improvement of body weight gain and feed : gain ratio of the grower broilers. Growth was depressed in relation to the reduction of feed intake on the chicks fed diet containing 375 mg/kg copper. There was a significant interaction between dietary TSAA and copper levels for feed intake, hence, indicating that the supplementation of copper at the level of 375 mg/kg increased the TSAA requirement of the starter broilers, although no interference with the requirement of grower broilers.
Amino acid composition of TopCross high-oil maize grain

Abstract Increased amino acid content in high-oil maize (Zea mays L.) grain may add further value to its use in livestock rations, especially if this enhanced amino acid content is consistent across varying growing conditions. Most high-oil maize (HOM) grown in the USA utilizes the TopCross system which involves planting a blend (TC Blend) of two types of maize. Field experiments and on-farm studies were conducted in 1997 and 1998 to compare the amino acid profile of grain from HOM TC Blends with that of their normal-oil maize (NOM) counterparts across a range of production environments in Ohio. In 1997, the composition of four amino acids (lysine, methionine, glycine and arginine) was significantly higher in HOM compared to NOM grain. In 1998, nine amino acids (lysine, methionine, glycine, arginine, asparagine, threonine, serine, cysteine and tryptophan) were greater in HOM than in NOM grain. Lysine and methionine content in HOM grain averaged 12 and 13% higher than in NOM grain in both years. The number of amino acids significantly affected by the grain parent was greater than that for maize type each year. A significant maize type × grain parent interaction for a limited number of amino acids suggest that TC Blend grain parents may affect the consistency of amino acid composition in HOM grain. Results of this study demonstrate that the levels of several amino acids, including economically important lysine and methionine, were consistently greater in HOM than in NOM grain across a range of production environments. Modelling with livestock ration balancing software showed that the additional amino acids and oil in HOM added 12–20% to its value as livestock feed.
IMPACT OF AIR POLLUTION ON RING WIDTH AND TRACHEID DIMENSIONS IN ABIES RELIGIOSA IN THE MEXICO CITY BASIN

Annual ring width and characteristics of latewood tracheids were characterized for the past 100 years for old trees of Abies religiosa growing in the Desierto de Los Leones within the air-polluted Mexico City basin. Sampled trees had lost nearly 50% of their branches and leaves. Radial variation in most measured characteristics followed typical trends for maturation until the 1970s, when trees were about 70 years old. From that decade onward, there was a continued reduction in annual ring width as well as a reduction in cell wall thickening and tracheid length, but an increase in lumen diameter. These xylem modifications started before the first visual symptoms of leaf damage were detected. We suggest that changes in annual ring width and tracheid size are caused by air pollution rather than by tree age.
Season length and cultivar determine the optimum evapotranspiration deficit in cotton

In areas where the growing-season length limits cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production, irrigation practices that meet the maximum evapotranspiration (ET) demand have been shown to promote excessive vegetative growth and to reduce yield. Past experiments using limited irrigation in cotton do not provide generalized information on the magnitude of ET deficits that optimize lint yields, however. A study was conducted to determine how season length and cultivar maturity affected the response functions to ET deficits in cotton. Four cultivars (Acala SJ-C1, GC-510, Coker-310, and Jaen) were studied at Cordoba (southwestern Spain) on a Typic Xerofluvent soil under variable irrigation (.)
STRUCTURE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CRYPTOMONAD FLAGELLAR APPARATUS. I. CRYPTOMONAS OVATA (CRYPTOPHYTA) 1

The absolute configuration of the flagellar apparatus in Cryptomonas ovata has been elucidated and found to be similar to that reported for Chilomonas paramecium. Variations apparent in the flagellar apparatus of Cryptomonas ovata include the presence of striations in the mitochondrion associated lamella, a rhizostyle which does not bear wing‐like extensions from the microtubules and does not lie close to the nucleus, and a striated fibrous anchoring structure associated with one basal body which has not hitherto been described. The flagellar apparatus also includes a four stranded microtubular root which traverses into the anterior dorsal lobe of the cell, a striated fibrous root which is associated with a five stranded microtubular root, and a two stranded Cr root. The homologous nature of these roots to those in the larger cryptomonads is discussed in relation to the apparent reduction in flagellar apparatus size and complexity among the smaller cryptomonads. A diagrammatic reconstruction of the flagellar apparatus of Cryptomonas ovata is also presented.
Initial Poststocking Mortality, Oxytetracycline Marking, and Year-Class Contribution of Black-Nosed Crappies Stocked into Tennessee Reservoirs

Abstract Initial poststocking mortality, oxytetracycline mark persistence, and year-class contribution were evaluated for black-nosed crappies, a morphological variant of the black crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus, stocked into Tennessee reservoirs during 1997–1999. Average initial poststocking mortality was low (x = 13%, N = 44). Lake temperature and the difference between lake and hauling tank water temperatures were significant in explaining variability in arcsine-transformed mortality estimates; however, the variability explained by these factors was low (R 2 = 0.15). Oxytetracycline immersion was a highly effective marking tool; 97–100% of all crappies treated were marked, and 99% of the marks were visible 36–110 weeks after marking. All control otoliths were correctly scored as unmarked during the evaluation, and mortality rates did not differ between marked and unmarked crappies. Year-class contribution was variable across reservoirs and was highest in Normandy Reservoir (34–93% at ages 1–3). Contrib.
STRUCTURE AND AFFINITIES OF ATHROTAXITES BERRYI BELL, AN EARLY CRETACEOUS CONIFER

Compressions and impressions of leafy twigs, pollen cones, and seed cones of Athrotaxites berryi are abundant in certain layers of the Kootenai Formation (Aptian) in Montana and the Lower Blairmore Formation in adjacent Alberta. The twigs are densely covered by helically arranged leaves that are about 2 mm long and wide. Pollen cones are borne laterally on ultimate branch segments. Some are sessile, while others terminate a minute lateral branch. The cones are 3-4 mm in diam and about 10 mm long. Each sporophyll has a stalk that is about 0.7 mm long and an upturned laminar tip that is 1-1.5 mm long by 1 mm wide. At least two pollen sacs are attached to the abaxial side of each sporophyll. Seed cones are borne terminally on lateral branches that are often curved. These cones are about 10 mm at their widest diameter and about 15 mm long. Each bract and associated ovuliferous scale are fused to form a wedgeshaped complex that is 4-5 mm long. The complex is 0.7 mm wide at its base and expands to about 2.5 mm wide and thick near its apex. The tip of the complex narrows abruptly to a point and terminates in a spine that is about 0.5 mm long. At least one seed occurs on the adaxial side of each complex. Athrotaxites berryi belongs to the Taxodiaceae. It resembles modern Athrotaxis cupressoides but differs from it in too many aspects to be included in the modern genus.
Relationships between the number of inputs and other complexity measures of Boolean functions

We generalize and extend the ideas in a recent paper of Chiarelli, Hatami and Saks to prove new bounds on the number of relevant variables for boolean functions in terms of a variety of complexity measures. Our approach unifies and refines all previously known bounds of this type. We also improve Nisan and Szegedy's well-known block sensitivity vs. degree inequality by a constant factor, thereby improving Huang's recent proof of the sensitivity conjecture by the same constant.
Independent Set on Pk-Free Graphs in Quasi-Polynomial Time

We give an algorithm that takes as input a graph $G$ with weights on the vertices and outputs a maximum weight independent set of $G$. If $G$ does not contain any cycle on $k$ or more vertices as an induced subgraph ($G$ is a $C_{\geq k}$-free graph), the algorithm runs in time $n^{O(k^3 \log^5 n)}$, and therefore for fixed $k$ is a quasi-polynomial time algorithm. $C_{\geq 4}$-free graphs (also known as chordal graphs) have a well known polynomial time algorithm. A subexponetial time algorithm for $C_{\geq 5}$-free graphs (also known as long-hole-free graphs) was found in 2019 [Chudnovsky et al., Arxiv'19] followed by a polynomial time algorithm for $C_{\geq 5}$-free graphs in 2020 [Abrishami et al., Arxiv'20]. For $k > 5$ only a quasi-polynomial time approximation scheme [Chudnovsky et al., SODA'20] was known. Our work is the first to exhibit conclusive evidence that Independent Set on $C_{\geq k}$-free graphs is not NP-complete for any integer $k$. This also generalizes previous work of ours [Gartland and Lokshtanov, FOCS'20], with an additional factor of $\log^2(n)$ in the exponent, where we provided a quasi-polynomial time algorithm for graphs that exclude a path on $k$ vertices as an induced subgraph.
Composition, abundance, distribution and seasonality of larval fishes in the Mngazi Estuary, South Africa

We investigated the larval fish assemblage in the intermittently-open Mngazi Estuary, in the subtropical/warm-temperate biogeographic boundary region of South Africa. Larvae were collected by means of boat-based plankton tows in summer and winter for a period of three years between 2003 and 2005. Within the Mngazi Estuary, salinity ranged from 10.1–37.4, temperature ranged from 15.5°C–27.3°C, pH ranged from 6.8–8.3ppt and oxygen ranged from 2.6mg l−1–8.8mg l−1. In total, 8 343 larval fishes were collected, representing 18 families and 31 species. Clupeidae and Gobiidae were the dominant fish families whilst the dominant species was the estuary-resident Gilchristella aestuaria (Clupeidae). Estuary-resident larvae were the dominant group in the system. Larval fish density ranged from 0–38 600 individuals per 100m3 in summer and from 0 to 638 individuals per 100m 3 in winter. Species diversity also varied seasonally. Salinity zones played a significant role in terms of species distribution. The euhaline zone supported the highest species diversity while the mesohaline zone supported the highest densities of larval fishes. Salinity, temperature and turbidity were identified as important variables governing larval fish dynamics in the system.
Modeling User Behaviors in Machine Operation Tasks for Adaptive Guidance

An adaptive guidance system that supports equipment operators requires a comprehensive model, which involves a variety of user behaviors that considers different skill and knowledge levels, as well as rapid-changing task situations. In the present paper, we introduced a novel method for modeling operational tasks, aiming to integrate visual operation records provided by users with diverse experience levels and personal characteristics. For this purpose, we investigated the relationships between user behavior patterns that could be visually observed and their skill levels under machine operation conditions. We considered 144 samples of two sewing tasks performed by 12 operators using a head-mounted RGB-D camera and a static gaze tracker. Behavioral features, such as the operator's gaze and head movements, hand interactions, and hotspots, were observed with significant behavioral trends resulting from continuous user skill improvement. We used a two-step method to model the diversity of user behavior: prototype selection and experience integration based on skill ranking. The experimental results showed that several features could serve as appropriate indices for user skill evaluation, as well as providing valuable clues for revealing personal behavioral characteristics. The integration of user records with different skills and operational habits allowed developing a rich, inclusive task model that could be used flexibly to adapt to diverse user-specific needs.
A binning-free method reveals a continuous relationship between galaxies’ AGN power and offset from main sequence

Studies investigating the relationship between active galactic nucleus (AGN) power and the star formation rates (SFRs) of their host galaxies often rely on averaging techniques – such as stacking – to incorporate information from non-detections. However, averages, and especially means, can be strongly affected by outliers and can therefore give a misleading indication of the ‘typical’ case. Recently, a number of studies have taken a step further by binning their sample in terms of AGN power (approximated by the 2–10 keV luminosity of the AGN), and investigating how the SFR distribution differs between these bins. These bin thresholds are often weakly motivated, and binning implicitly assumes that sources within the same bin have similar (or even identical) properties. In this paper, we investigate whether the distribution of host SFRs – relative to the locus of the star-forming main sequence (i.e. RMS) – changes continuously as a function of AGN power. We achieve this by using a hierarchical Bayesian model that completely removes the need to bin in AGN power. In doing so, we find strong evidence that the RMS distribution changes with 2–10 keV X-ray luminosity. The results suggest that higher X-ray luminosity AGNs have a tighter physical connection to the star-forming process than lower X-ray luminosity AGNs, at least within the 0.8 < z < 1.2 redshift range considered here.
Probing the Probing Paradigm: Does Probing Accuracy Entail Task Relevance?

Although neural models have achieved impressive results on several NLP benchmarks, little is understood about the mechanisms they use to perform language tasks. Thus, much recent attention has been devoted to analyzing the sentence representations learned by neural encoders, through the lens of ‘probing’ tasks. However, to what extent was the information encoded in sentence representations, as discovered through a probe, actually used by the model to perform its task? In this work, we examine this probing paradigm through a case study in Natural Language Inference, showing that models can learn to encode linguistic properties even if they are not needed for the task on which the model was trained. We further identify that pretrained word embeddings play a considerable role in encoding these properties rather than the training task itself, highlighting the importance of careful controls when designing probing experiments. Finally, through a set of controlled synthetic tasks, we demonstrate models can encode these properties considerably above chance-level, even when distributed in the data as random noise, calling into question the interpretation of absolute claims on probing tasks.