Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Winter Herbicide Applications on Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) and Giant Salvinia (Salvinia molesta)

Abstract Immense stands of bald cypress [Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich. ] make it difficult for herbicide applicators to access the free-floating fern giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta Mitchell), which can be found growing under the canopy of the trees. The difficulty of accessing these areas, as well as avoiding direct contact of herbicides with tree foliage, provides a substantial amount of nonmanaged plant material capable of rapidly reinfesting treated sites, thus making management efforts null and void. Herbicide application during the winter, when bald cypress sheds its leaves, may be an ideal time to manage S. molesta and minimize negative impacts on the nontarget tree. Therefore, the herbicides diquat, glyphosate, flumioxazin, and glyphosate + diquat were evaluated at one of the three application timings (December, January, or February) against S. molesta and immature bald cypress during the winter. All herbicide treatments, except diquat applied in February of year 1, reduced S. molesta biomass 40% to 100%. In addition, flumioxazin applications during December, January, and February provided ≥70% S. molesta control with little or no negative impacts to bald cypress health. A treatment by timing interaction revealed that trees exposed to flumioxazin did not result in a significant decrease in average leaf length when compared with reference trees 20 wk after bud break at any of the three application timings. In addition, bald cypress exposed to flumioxazin produced the highest probability of a refoliation pattern equivalent to the nontreated reference trees. Although complete tree mortality was not documented in either study, delayed and abnormal leaf formation, reduced leaf length, irregular canopy formation, or no negative effects were observed among herbicide-treated bald cypress. This research suggests that winter herbicide applications over the top of dormant bald cypress may be a practical management technique for controlling severe infestations of S. molesta.
Extraction and antibacterial activity of nahar (Mesua ferrea) seed kernels’ oil

There is a growing need to explore more sustainable and alternative sources of oil as a result of the increasing demands for oils both for human consumption and other industrial applications. The aims of this work were thus; to determine the effect extraction temperature, time and solvent type on oil yield from Nahar (Mesua ferrea L.) seed kernels (NSK) and also to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the oil. The NSK oil extraction was carried out using soxhlet apparatus with n-hexane, ethanol, methanol, petroleum ether and chloroform, while the antibacterial activity was evaluated using disc diffusion and broth dilution methods. Chloroform gave the highest oil yield in all the experiments, while the yields of n- hexane, petroleum ether and ethanol were close. The crude oil yields obtained from the seed kernels for all the solvents, except methanol, at extraction time of 6hours and above, ranged from 70 - 84% of the seed kernel on dry weight basis. Chloroform gave the highest oil yield in all the experiments, while the oil yields of n- hexane, petroleum ether and ethanol were close. The antimicrobial assay of the crude oil extracts showed remarkable inhibitions against all the tested bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the oil for all the tested organisms ranged from 240-980μg/ml, while the minimum bactericidal concentration MBC) was 2mg/ml.
Measurements of retinal microvasculature in mice and humans with deep learning

Retinal microvascular changes can occur in retinal diseases including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathies (DR), and radiation retinopathies (RR). For instance, some of these diseases show sparser microvasculature around the foveal area as an early symptom. Therefore, automatically segmenting and analyzing retinal microvasculature may help diagnose and understand the underlying mechanisms of ocular diseases. However, due to the limitations of the image quality and the difficulties of manual tracing, this is not a trivial problem to solve and very few studies address automated segmentations of microvascular networks. In this thesis, automated approaches with deep learning are developed to analyze microvasculature in fluorescein angiography (FA) and recently developed optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). These approaches accurately quantify retinal microvasculature in mice and humans. First, we develop an automated approach to simultaneously segment retinal structures including the optic nerve head (ONH), main vessels, and the microvascular network in mouse FA images. By combining model-based approaches with deep learning, we can automatically segment these structures and require fewer manual tracings for training. Then, multiple methods are developed to automatically analyze the microvasculature in human OCTA enface images. The key novelties in these approaches involve the use of deep learning to not only segment the microvasculature but also directly find regions with different microvascular status. Furthermore, we investigated and analyzed the clinical significance of our region-based OCTA en-face segmentations. In order to achieve this goal, we first analyzed the effectiveness of regional vascular measurements as an indication of RR severity. Additionally, the microvascular differences between affected and unaffected eyes of the RR patients were also studied and compared to healthy subjects. These studies show that the usage of deep-learning networks provides accurate results for the analysis of retinal vasculature. Overall, the main contributions of this thesis include: 1) combining model-based
A possible connection between circulating 25-hydroxy-vitamin D and molecular response in chronic myeloid leukemia.

OBJECTIVE In this study we aimed to evaluate whether there is a link between circulating 25-OH-D levels and molecular response in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). MATERIAL AND METHOD A total of 61 patients with CML (31 women, 30 men) were recruited in this cross-sectional study. RESULTS Binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated that increased vitamin D levels were independently associated with molecular response in subjects with CML. CONCLUSION Our results indicated for the first time in the literature that severe deficiency of vitamin D was independently associated with molecular unresponsiveness in subjects with CML. 25-OH-D may be contributing to molecular response in the patients (Tab. 3, Ref. 24).
Pyrolysis - GC/MS Data Book of Synthetic Polymers: Pyrograms, Thermograms and MS of Pyrolyzates

In this data book, both conventional Py-GC/MS where thermal energy alone is used to cause fragmentation of given polymeric materials and reactive Py-GC/MS in the presence of organic alkaline for condensation polymers are compiled. Before going into detailed presentation of the data, however, acquiring a firm grip on the proper understanding about the situation of Py-GC/MS would promote better utilization of the following pyrolysis data for various polymers samples. This book incorporates recent technological advances in analytical pyrolysis methods especially useful for the characterization of 163 typical synthetic polymers. This book briefly reviews the instrumentation available in advanced analytical pyrolysis, and offers guidance to perform effectually this technique combining with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Main contents are comprehensive sample pyrograms, thermograms, identification tables, and representative mass spectra (MS) of pyrolyzates for synthetic polymers. This edition also highlights thermally-assisted hydrolysis and methylation technique effectively applied to 33 basic condensation polymers. It includes coverage of Py-GC/MS data of conventional pyrograms and thermograms of basic 163 kinds of synthetic polymers together with MS and retention index data for pyrolyzates, enabling a quick identification. It covers aAdditional coverage of the pyrograms and their related data for 33 basic condensation polymers obtained by the thermally-assisted hydrolysis and methylation technique. All compiled data measured under the same experimental conditions for pyrolysis, gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to facilitate peak identification. It features surveyable instant information on two facing pages dedicated to the whole data of a given polymer sample .
Relationship between Humour Styles, Optimism and Self Esteem

Humour is the essence of life. It is a special part of one’s life that often rules one’s memories and shapes and defines the individual. This study aimed at finding the relationship between humour style, optimism and self esteem among college students (18 – 25 years) who have finished their schooling and are entering adulthood while learning to be independent. The study investigates to which extent the four humour styles (Affiliative, Self enhancing, Aggressive & Self defeating) are associated with optimism and self esteem and also to find out the significant difference in the variables, among male and female students. Questionnaires were distributed online to males and females (n= 108). A cross sectional research design which comprised of college students (males= 46, females= 62) was adopted. The tools used were HSQ- humour styles questionnaire (Martin, Puhlik-Doris, Larsen, Gray, & Weir, 2003); LOT-R – life orientation test- revised (Scheier, Carver, & Bridges, 1994) and self esteem scale (Rosenberg, 1965). Pearson product moment correlation was used to find out the significant relationship between the variables. Independent ’t’- tests was used to compare male and female samples pertaining to the variables. The results and findings have been discussed in the article.
Chilling Regimes Affect Bud Break in ‘Tifblue’ Rabbiteye Blueberry1

‘Tifblue’ rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade) plants were subjected to constant and intermittent artificial chilling (7°C) and natural chilling. Insufficient artificial and natural chilling hours affected vegetative-bud break less than floral break. Plants flowered normally only after receiving 500 or more hours constant or intermittent artificial chilling. A high temperature of 23 ± 3°C when alternated with low temperature slowed, but did not nullify, the low temperature effect. A high temperature (18°C) did not nullify low temperature effects. A close association is evident between artificial constant chilling and natural chill-unit data on floral- or vegetative-bud break. Chill-unit models have potential use in predicting completion of the rest period in rabbiteye blueberry.
The Application of PGPR (Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria) on Chili Plant as an interposed Plant between Salak Plant in Sub-District Srumbung

Chili plant is one of the commodities grown as interposed plant because it has high selling values and stable that can be the source of extra money for farmers when their salak plants not producing after Merapi eruption in Sub-district Srumbung, District Magelang. Planting chilli becomes the choice because it harvest quicker and indirectly will help cultivating the land around salak plants. The application of PGPR will triggered the growth of chili plant element in absorbing hara. This research aimed to study the response of PGPR application to the growth and crop yield chilli. This research using partition divided factorials design that repeated for three times. For the major partition, the chili seed is immersed with PGPR consists of two cedar and for the peak partition, the frequency of PGPR basin consists of four cedar. The result showed that the application of PGPR is able to increase crop yield chilli, growth and there is an interaction between soaking seed chilli and the frequency of watering PGPR, and the combination of best treatment is P1F2 ( soaking seeds with PGPR and the frequency of watering the PGPR is for two weeks ). Keywords: chili, PGPR
Attaining the Elusive: Efficacy, Math Education and Black and Latino Students

Low enrollment of Latino, African American, Native American, and Southeast Asian American students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) classes, via advanced placement (AP) courses, remains a problem for high schools, and education leaders across the United States. More than just examining the factors behind this enrollment issue, we wanted to understand the focal factors underpinning success in AP courses of those few who do enroll. For that purpose, we grounded this case study on social cognitive theory’s central variable of self-efficacy. We found that teacher facilitated experience plays a pivotal function in students’ success in STEM education, more specifically, AP math.
Juvenile social experience generates differences in behavioral variation but not averages

Abstract Developmental plasticity is known to influence the mean behavioral phenotype of a population. Yet, studies on how developmental plasticity shapes patterns of variation within populations are comparatively rare and often focus on a subset of developmental cues (e.g., nutrition). One potentially important but understudied developmental experience is social experience, as it is explicitly hypothesized to increase variation among individuals as a way to promote “social niches. ” To test this, we exposed juvenile black widow spiders (Latrodectus hesperus) to the silk of conspecifics by transplanting them onto conspecific webs for 48 h once a week until adulthood. We also utilized an untouched control group as well as a disturbed group. This latter group was removed from their web at the same time points as the social treatment, but was immediately placed back on their own web. After repeatedly measuring adult behavior and web structure, we found that social rearing drove higher or significant levels of repeatability relative to the other treatments. Repeatability in the social treatment also decreased in some traits, paralleling the decreases observed in the disturbed treatments. Thus, repeated juvenile disturbance may decrease among-individual differences in adult spiders. Yet, social rearing appeared to override the effect of disturbance in some traits, suggesting a prioritization effect. The resulting individual differences were maintained over at least one-third of the adult lifespan and thus appear to represent stable, canalized developmental effects and not temporal state differences. These results provide proximate insight into how a broader range of developmental experiences shape trait variation.
Development and Validation of Test for Instagram Addiction (TIA)

The study deals with the development and validation of a test for Instagram addiction for adolescents and adults. Now a days there is a drastic shift in the usage of Facebook to Instagram, the authors planned to develop and validate a new test for Instagram addiction. A total of 327 individuals ranging from students in various disciplines to adults working in various fields was selected through simple random sampling and considered for the present investigation. The authors in consultation with the experts formulated an inventory having 34 statements pertaining to Instagram addiction among adolescents and adults. After initial face validation, the test was administered to more than 400 individuals, only 327 filled inventories were considered for development of TIA, after filtering the inventories for completeness and erratic answering. Later, the data were subjected to factor analysis and 6 components were derived through Factor analysis, which included components like Lack of control, Disengagement, Escapism, Health and interpersonal troubles, Excessive use and Obsession. The total variance explained in this inventory was 59.48%. To find out the reliability, the Cronbach’s reliability test was done and the alpha value obtained for the total inventory was 0.931 and for various components varied from 0.680 to 0.863. Further, when item to total scores correlations were performed; all the correlation coefficients obtained through Pearson’s product moment correlation techniques were found to be highly significant, indicating that the TIA has high reliability and validity. Even the correlation coefficients obtained between components were found to be highly significant.
Lokalisationsmikroskopie mit mehreren Farben und ihre Anwendung in biologischen Präparaten

Fluorescence microscopy is an important method for studying biological structures. By intrinsic properties of the fluorophores it is possible to separate and individually localize their signals. These quantitative position information enable an improved structural resolution and a statistic analysis of the data. In this thesis, localization microscopy was applied for multiple spectral markers within the observed biological samples. Several algorithms to compensate mechanical and chromatic shift and to correct and analyze the position data were developed. For example, the relative distribution of a structural protein of the DNA (H2A) and a DNA remodeler protein (SNF2h) was examined. The experimental results were compared with random distributed signal positions within the same global structures. It could be shown that the real distributions are significantly different from the random ones. It is also possible to check the data for signal clusters and determine their properties. This was first tested on simulated distributions and later applied in the analysis of signal accumulations in biological structures like centromere protein clusters (CENP- A, CENP-B and CENP-C) within the human kinetochore. In addition, the axial position of the localization data within the structure can be determined with a precision of about 50nm. A model for the distribution of the fluorophores in tobacco mosaic virus structures was developed and fitted to the data. The width of these structures determined by electron microscopy to be 18nm could be confirmed. The mean localization accuracy in this case was 8nm. A new microscope setup was build to split the fluorescence signal emitted by the sample due to its different properties like direction of polarization or spectral range. Both parts of the signal could be imaged simultaneously on the same detector. This results in a shorter acquisition time for a two color measurement. Additionally, no mechanical drift between two measurements is apparent.
Search for Early Pancreatic Cancer Blood Biomarkers in Five European Prospective Population Biobanks Using Metabolomics

Background and aim Most patients with pancreatic cancer present with advanced disease and die within the first year after diagnosis. Predictive biomarkers that signal the presence of pancreatic cancer in an early stage are desperately needed. We aimed to identify new and validate previously found plasma metabolomic biomarkers associated with early stages of pancreatic cancer. Methods The low incidence rate complicates prospective biomarker studies. Here, we took advantage of the availability of biobanked samples from five large population cohorts (HUNT2, HUNT3, FINRISK, Estonian biobank, Rotterdam Study) and identified prediagnostic blood samples from individuals who were to receive a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer between one month and seventeen years after blood sampling, and compared these with age- and gender-matched controls from the same cohorts. We applied 1H-NMR-based metabolomics on the Nightingale platform on these samples and applied logistic regression to assess the predictive value of individual metabolite concentrations, with gender, age, body mass index, smoking status, type 2 diabetes mellitus status, fasting status, and cohort as covariates. Results After quality assessment, we retained 356 cases and 887 controls. We identified two interesting hits, glutamine (p=0.011) and histidine (p=0.012), and obtained Westfall-Young family-wise error rate adjusted p-values of 0.43 for both. Stratification in quintiles showed a 1.5x elevated risk for the lowest 20% of glutamine and a 2.2x increased risk for the lowest 20% of histidine. Stratification by time to diagnosis (<2 years, 2-5 years, >5 years) suggested glutamine to be involved in an earlier process, tapering out closer to onset, and histidine in a process closer to the actual onset. Lasso-penalized logistic regression showed a slight improvement of the area under the Receiver Operator Curves when including glutamine and histidine in the model. Finally, our data did not support the earlier identified branched-chain amino acids as potential biomarkers for pancreatic cancer in several American cohorts. Conclusion While identifying glutamine and histidine as early biomarkers of potential biological interest, our results imply that a study at this scale does not yield metabolomic biomarkers with sufficient predictive value to be clinically useful per se as prognostic biomarkers.
Biomass yield and fodder quality of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) as affected by Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) intercrop and planting distance

The study sought to investigate the effect of two planting distances and Pigeon Pea ( Cajanus cajan ) intercrop on the biomass yield, chemical composition and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) of Napier grass ( Pennisetum purpureum ). The treatments were laid in a 2x2 factorial RCBD. The factors were two planting distances (0.5x0.5 and 0.5x1m) and two levels of intercrop (Pigeon Pea intercrop and sole Napier grass). At 90-days, the grasses were harvested and biomass yield measured. The fodder was separated into leaves and stems for chemical and digestibility analysis in 2x2x2 factorial in CRD. The interaction at all levels was not significant for all the parameters. There was a significant main effect of planting distance, intercrop and botanical fraction on biomass yield, plant height, tiller number and fodder quality. Whilst biomass yield was higher (P=0.02) in the 0.5x0. 5m, no significant difference was recorded in the effect of the intercrop. Whilst intercrop affected (P<0.05) IVOMD and ME, botanical fraction significantly affected DM, CP and ME. The leaf fraction had more (P<0.05) DM, CP and ME than the stem fraction. The study revealed that close planting distance enhanced biomass yield whilst Pigeon Pea intercrop and botanical fraction affected fodder quality of Napier grass.
Stable isotope compositions of dominant zooplankton species in relation to environmental factors in the Dardanelles

Samples were collected seasonally from three stations in the Dardanelles between April 2016 and October 2017 to determine the effects of biological and physicochemical properties of the coastal system on the isotopic compositions of the most abundant copepod species, Acartia clausi and Calanus helgolandicus, and a cladoceran, Penilia avirostris. Plankton samples were collected horizontally with a 200-? m-mesh plankton net and isotopic analyses were performed by mass spectrometry after identification to species level. Total zooplankton abundance reached its maximum in spring and summer. The ? 13C values of copepods showed statistically significant differences both between stations and seasons. As a selective feeder, C. helgolandicus had the highest values in both ? 13C and ? 15N. Being a filter feeder, P. avirostris distinctly differed from C. helgolandicus and A. clausi. Enrichment was observed in ? 15N values of copepods in winter, when the highest values of total suspended solids and chlorophyll-a were determined. The results showed that ? 13C values of the copepods were under the influence of environmental and biological factors. Additionally, dietary differences between herbivorous groups and other groups were clearly demonstrated, as well as differences in the diets of filter-feeding and selectively-feeding zooplanktonic species.