Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Complementary ecosystem services provided by pest predators and pollinators increase quantity and quality of coffee yields

Wild animals substantially support crop production by providing ecosystem services, such as pollination and natural pest control. However, the strengths of synergies between ecosystem services and their dependencies on land-use management are largely unknown. Here, we took an experimental approach to test the impact of land-use intensification on both individual and combined pollination and pest control services in coffee production systems at Mount Kilimanjaro. We established a full-factorial pollinator and vertebrate exclosure experiment along a land-use gradient from traditional homegardens (agroforestry systems), shaded coffee plantations to sun coffee plantations (total sample size = 180 coffee bushes). The exclusion of vertebrates led to a reduction in fruit set of ca 9%. Pollinators did not affect fruit set, but significantly increased fruit weight of coffee by an average of 7.4%. We found no significant decline of these ecosystem services along the land-use gradient. Pest control and pollination service were thus complementary, contributing to coffee production by affecting the quantity and quality of a major tropical cash crop across different coffee production systems at Mount Kilimanjaro.
The collective-risk social dilemma and the prevention of simulated dangerous climate change

Will a group of people reach a collective target through individual contributions when everyone suffers individually if the target is missed? This “collective-risk social dilemma” exists in various social scenarios, the globally most challenging one being the prevention of dangerous climate change. Reaching the collective target requires individual sacrifice, with benefits to all but no guarantee that others will also contribute. It even seems tempting to contribute less and save money to induce others to contribute more, hence the dilemma and the risk of failure. Here, we introduce the collective-risk social dilemma and simulate it in a controlled experiment: Will a group of people reach a fixed target sum through successive monetary contributions, when they know they will lose all their remaining money with a certain probability if they fail to reach the target sum? We find that, under high risk of simulated dangerous climate change, half of the groups succeed in reaching the target sum, whereas the others only marginally fail. When the risk of loss is only as high as the necessary average investment or even lower, the groups generally fail to reach the target sum. We conclude that one possible strategy to relieve the collective-risk dilemma in high-risk situations is to convince people that failure to invest enough is very likely to cause grave financial loss to the individual. Our analysis describes the social window humankind has to prevent dangerous climate change.
Flow effect on lesion formation in RF cardiac catheter ablation

This study investigated the flow effect on the lesion formation during radio-frequency cardiac catheter ablation in temperature-controlled mode. The blood flow in heart chambers carries heat away from the endocardium by convection. This cooling effect requires more power from the ablation generator and causes a larger lesion. The authors set up a flow system to simulate the flow inside the heart chamber. They performed in vitro ablation on bovine myocardium with three different flow rates (0 L/min, 1 L/min and 3 L/min) and two target temperatures (60/spl deg/C and 80/spl deg/C). During ablation, the authors also recorded the temperatures inside the myocardium with a three-thermocouple temperature probe. The results show that lesion dimensions (maximum depth, maximum width and lesion volume) are larger in high flow rates (p<0.01). Also, the temperature recordings show that the tissue temperature rises faster and reaches a higher temperature under higher flow rate.
The opioid receptor antagonist nalmefene reduces responding maintained by ethanol presentation: preclinical studies in ethanol-preferring and outbred Wistar rats.

Nalmefene, the 6-methylene derivative of naltrexone, was examined after subcutaneous (s.c.) (0.0001 to 8.0 mg/kg) and oral (10 to 80.0 mg/kg) administration in ethanol (EtOH)-preferring rats whose responding (i.e., lever pressing) was maintained by the presentation of EtOH. Naltrexone (0.01 to 40 mg/kg) was used as a reference opioid antagonist. EtOH (10% v/v) and saccharin (0.025 to 0.1% w/v) solutions were concurrently available for 1 hr each day under a two-lever, fixed-ratio schedule in which four responses on one lever produced the EtOH solution and four responses on the other lever produced the saccharin solution. When basal response rates for saccharin were 10% that of EtOH, all routes of nalmefene administration reduced control levels of responding maintained by EtOH by 38 to 84%. When basal response rates for saccharin-maintained responding were 60% or 82% that of EtOH, only lower s.c. naltrexone (e.g., 0.01 to 0.025 mg/kg) and nalmefene (e.g., 0.01 to 0.10 mg/kg) doses produced a selective dose-dependent suppression of EtOH-maintained responding. Higher nalmefene (0.25 to 8.0 mg/kg) and naltrexone (1.0 to 20.0 mg/kg) doses failed to produce a dose-dependent suppression on EtOH or saccharin maintained responding. Both antagonists suppressed responding maintained by EtOH primarily during the initial 10-min period, with little additional suppression occurring across the remainder of the 60-min period. Subcutaneous nalmefene was 3200- to 6400-fold more potent than oral nalmefene, suggesting bioavailability was optimized using the s.c. route. Nalmefene (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.) treatment for 10 consecutive days produced mild tolerance development, whose effects dissipated by day 8. Naltrexone (10 to 40 mg/kg) and nalmefene (1.5 to 3.0 mg/kg), given 8 to 24 hr before the test session, reduced control levels of responding maintained by EtOH by 82%. Thus, immediate opioid receptor occupancy was not required to observe antagonism. These data demonstrate that, under a variety of experimental conditions, nalmefene is an effective antagonist of responding maintained by EtOH and lend support to clinical reports that nalmefene may function as an alternative pharmacotherapy to naltrexone to reduce EtOH-motivated behavior and prevent relapse.
Regulation of Neurotrophin Receptor Expression by Retinoic Acid in Mouse Sympathetic Neuroblasts

We have studied the effect of retinoic acid on the expression of the neurotrophin receptors trkA, trkC, and p75 by neuroblasts and neurons at different axial levels along the embryonic mouse paravertebral sympathetic chain. In dissociated cultures of sympathetic neuroblasts, retinoic acid inhibited the developmental increase in trkA mRNA expression and the developmental decrease in trkC mRNA expression that normally occurs in these cells but did not affect p75 mRNA expression. At higher concentrations, retinoic acid also increased the proliferation of sympathetic neuroblasts. After sympathetic neuroblasts became postmitotic, retinoic acid no longer affected receptor expression. Studies with retinoic acid receptor agonists and antagonists indicated that the effects of retinoic acid on neurotrophin receptor expression were mediated mainly by α retinoic acid receptors, not β or γ receptors. The observation that α-antagonists increased trkA mRNA expression in intact sympathetic ganglion explants suggests that endogenous retinoic acid is a physiological regulator of trkA receptor expression.
Postprandial blood glucose control in type 1 diabetes for carbohydrates with varying glycemic index foods

Treatment of type 1 diabetes consists of maintaining postprandial normoglycemia using the correct prandial insulin dose according to food intake. Nonetheless, it is hardly achieved in practice, which results in several diabetes-related complications. In this study we present a feedforward plus feedback blood glucose control system that considers the glycemic index of foods. It consists of a preprandial insulin bolus whose optimal bolus dose and timing are stated as a minimization problem, which is followed by a postprandial closed-loop control based on model predictive control. Simulation results show that, for a representative carbohydrate intake of 50 g, the present control system is able to maintain postprandial glycemia below 140 mg/dL while preventing postprandial hypoglycemia as well.
Experimental analysis and characterization of a wireless sensor network environment

Existing testbeds, even though rare and specialized, are not often exploited to their full potential. Data collected during experimentation are usually used to evaluate some specific tested aspect. To further benefit from the knowledge gathered on a testbed and to obtain the insight into the WSN environment itself, we propose a thorough statistical analysis. Some of our analysis include radio link characterization, its correlation with environmental parameters as well as an insight into network dynamics from the point of view of a node and a link. We also discuss how testbeds should be designed or improved to provide more detailed information necessary for an advanced analysis.
Membrane‐initiated effects of progesterone on calcium dependent signaling and activation of VEGF gene expression in retinal glial cells

Neurosteroids, such as progesterone, influence central nervous system development and function by regulating a broad spectrum of physiological processes. Here, we investigated membrane‐initiated actions of progesterone in the retina and identified the membrane‐associated progesterone receptor component 1 (PGRMC1). We found PGRMC1 expressed mainly in retinal Muller glia (RMG) and retinal pigment epithelium, and localized uniquely to microsomal and plasma membrane fractions. In RMG, membrane‐impermeable progesterone conjugate induced calcium influx and subsequent phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase‐mediated phosphorylation of PKC and ERK‐1/2. Induction by progesterone also led to PKC‐dependent activation of VEGF gene expression and protein synthesis, suggesting a contribution of membrane‐initiated hormone effects to VEGF induced neovascularization within retina. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Regulation of hematopoiesis in vitro by alloreactive natural killer cell clones

Natural killer (NK) cells lyse autologous and allogeneic target cells even in the absence of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigens on the target cells. Recently, however, human allospecific NK cell clones have been generated that recognize at least five distinct specificities inherited recessively and controlled by genes linked to the MHC. Because the genetic specificity of these alloreactive NK cells in vitro appears analogous to that of in vivo NK cell-mediated murine hybrid resistance, i.e., the rejection of parental bone marrow in irradiated F1 animals, we tested the ability of human alloreactive NK clones to recognize allogeneic hematopoietic progenitor cells. NK cells from two specificity 1 alloreactive NK clones, ES9 and ES10, significantly and often completely suppressed colony formation by purified peripheral blood hematopoietic progenitor cells from specificity 1-susceptible donors, but had no significant effect on the cells of specificity 1-resistant donors. Activated polyclonal NK cells were less efficient than the NK clones in inhibiting colony formation and had a similar effect on cells from both specificity 1-susceptible and -resistant donors. The alloreactive NK clones produced cytokines with a suppressive effect on in vitro hematopoiesis, such as interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), when exposed to phytohemagglutinin blasts from specificity 1-susceptible, but not -resistant donors. However, the mechanism by which alloreactive NK cells inhibit colony formation is more consistent with a direct cytotoxic effect than with the production of inhibitory cytokines because antibodies (anti-IFN-gamma, alpha-TNF-alpha, and -lymphotoxin) that completely blocked the inhibition by polyclonal NK cells had only a minimal effect on the inhibition by the alloreactive clones. Moreover, the alloreactive clones were directly cytolytic in a 51Cr release assay against enriched preparations of peripheral blood progenitor cells from specificity 1-susceptible donors. These data indicate that the alloreactive NK cells are likely the human counterpart of the cells mediating murine hybrid resistance and that these cells might play clinically important roles in rejection or in graft-versus-leukemia reactions after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.
End to end architecture and mechanisms for mobile and wireless communications in the Internet. (Architecture et mecanismes de bout en bout pour les communications mobiles et sans fil dans l'internet)

Wireless networks, because of the potential pervasive and mobile communication services they offer, are becoming the dominant Internet access networks. However, the legacy Internet protocols, still dominant at that time, have not been designed with mobility and wireless in mind. Therefore, numerous maladjustments and “defaults of impedance” can be observed when combining wireless physical and MAC layers with the traditional upper layers. This thesis proposes several solutions for a pacific coexistence between these communication layers that have been defined and designed independently. Reliable mobility management and Low layer performance enhancements are two main challenging issues in the context of wireless networks. Mobility management (which is mostly based on mobile IP architecture nowadays) aims to continuously assign and control the wireless connections of mobile nodes amongst a space of wireless access networks. Low layer performance enhancements mainly focus on the transmission efficiency such as higher rate, lower loss, interference avoidance. This thesis addresses these two important issues from an original and innovative approach that, conversely to the traditional contributions, entails a minimum impact on the legacy protocols and internet infrastructure. Following the “end to end” and “cross layer” paradigms, we address and offer efficient and light solutions to fast handover, location management and continuous connection support through a space of wireless networks. Moreover, we show that such an approach makes it possible to enhance transmission efficiency and solve efficiently several syndromes that plague the performances of current wireless networks such as performance anomaly, unfairness issues and maladjustment between MAC layer and upper layers. This thesis tackles these issues by combining analytical models, simulations and real experiments. The resulting mechanisms have been developed and integrated into adaptive mobility management communication architecture that delivers high performing communication services to mobile wireless systems, with a focus on WIFI and WIMAX access networks.
7‐OH‐DPAT Differentially Reverses Clozapine‐ and Haloperidol‐induced Increases in Fos‐like Immunoreactivity in the Rodent Forebrain

The pattern of neurons which display haloperidol‐induced Fos‐like immunoreactivity closely matches the distribution of striatal D2 dopamine receptors, whereas clozapine‐induced Fos‐like immunoreactivity occurs primarily in regions that contain high levels of the D3 dopamine receptor. These neuroanatomical correlations suggest that haloperidol and clozapine may elevate Fos‐like immunoreactivity by blocking D2 and D3 receptors respectively. In order to test this hypothesis, the abilities of prior administration of the D3 receptor‐preferring agonist 7–hydroxy‐N, N′‐di‐n‐propyl‐2‐aminotetraline (7–OH‐DPAT) to competitively reverse haloperidol‐ and clozapine‐induced increases in Fos‐like immunoreactivity were compared. Administration of 7–OH‐DPAT (0.05 mg/kg, s.c.) 30 min before clozapine (20 mg/kg, s.c.) produced a 60% reduction in the number of neurons that displayed clozapine‐induced Fos‐like immunoreactivity in the major island of Calleja, nucleus accumbens and medial aspect of the striatum, while prior administration of 0.5 mg/kg (s.c.) of 7‐OH‐DPAT completely reversed these increases in Fos‐like immunoreactivity. In contrast, the increases in Fos‐like immunoreactivity in the major island of Calleja, nucleus accumbens and striatum (medial and dorsal aspects) induced by haloperidol (0.1 mg/kg, s.c.) were only reduced by the high dose of 7‐OH‐DPAT (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.). Hence, clozapine‐induced increases in Fos‐like immunoreactivity were more readily reversed by 7‐OH‐DPAT than elevations in Fos‐like immunoreactivity produced by haloperidol. These results suggest that D3 receptor blockade plays a larger role in mediating clozapine‐ than haloperidol‐induced increases in Fos‐like immunoreactivity.
Diffractive and refractive timescales at 4.8 GHz in PSR B0329+54

Aims. We present the results of flux density monitoring of PSR B0329+54 at the frequency of 4.8 GHz using the 32-m TCfA radiotelescope. The observations were conducted between 2002 and 2005. The main goal of the project was to find interstellar scintillation (ISS) parameters for the pulsar at the frequency at which it was never studied in detail. To achieve this, the 20 observing sessions consisted of 3-min integrations, which on average lasted 24 h. This gave us sufficient sensitivity to all types of flux density variations over a wide range of timescales. The character of the observations makes our project unique amongst other ISS oriented observing programs, at least at high frequency. Methods. Flux density time series obtained for each session were analysed using structure functions. For some of the individual sessions as well as for the general average structure function we were able to identify two distinctive timescales present, the timescales of diffractive and refractive scintillations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case when both scintillation timescales, tDISS = 42. 7m in andtRISS = 305 min, were observed simultaneously in a uniform data set and estimated using the same method. Results. The obtained values of the ISS parameters combined with the data found in the literature allowed us to study the frequency dependence of these parameters over a wide range of observing frequencies, which is crucial for understanding the ISM turbulence. We found that the Kolmogorov spectrum is not best suited for describing the density fluctuations of the ISM, and a power-law spectrum with β = 4 seems to fit better with our results. We were also able to estimate the transition frequency (transition from strong to weak scintillation regimes) as νc = 10.1 GHz, much higher than was previously predicted. We were also able to estimate the strength of scattering parameter u = 2.67 and the Fresnel scale as rF = 6.7 × 10 8 m.
Cervical Pedicle Screws Versus Lateral Mass Screws: Anatomic Feasibility and Biomechanical Comparison

Study Design. Biomechanical comparison of the pull-out strengths of lateral mass and pedicle screws in the human cervical spine. Measurements of pedicle dimensions and orientation were compiled. Objectives. To determine if transpedicular screws provide greater pull-out resistance than lateral mass screws and to investigate the anatomic feasibility of pedicle screw insertion. Summary of Background Data. Cervical pedicle screws have been reported in limited clinical and biomechanical studies, and some quantitative cervical pedicle anatomy has been reported. No direct biomechanical comparisons have been made between lateral mass and pedicle screws. Methods. Fifty-six fresh disarticulated human vertebrae (C2-C7) were evaluated with computed tomography to determine morphometry and vertebral body bone density. Lateral mass and pedicle screws were randomized to left versus right. A 3.5-mm cortical screw was used for both techniques, unless a pedicle was narrower than 5.0 mm; then a 2.7-mm cortical screw was used instead. Pedicle wall violations were recorded. Screws were subjected to a uniaxial load to failure. Mean pedicle height, width, and angle with respect to the vertebral midline were tabulated for each level. Results. The mean load-to-failure was 677 N for the cervical pedicle screws and 355 N for the lateral mass screws. No significant correlations for either screw type were found between pull-out strength and bone density, screw length, or vertebral level. Pedicle and lateral mass dimensions were highly variable and not predictive of pull-out strength. Seven (13%) minor pedicle wall violations were observed. Conclusions. Cervical pedicle screws demonstrated a significantly higher resistance to pull-out forces than did lateral mass screws. The variability in pedicle morphometry and orientation requires careful preoperative assessment to determine the suitability of pedicle screw insertion.
EMG analysis of concurrent activation potentiation.

PURPOSE This study evaluated the effect of remote voluntary contractions(RVC) on concentric isokinetic knee extensor and flexor peak torque, rate of torque development, power, and work, the activation of the affected muscles, and gender differences therein. METHODS Eleven men and 12 women were evaluated with EMG and isokinetic dynamometry during knee extension and flexion tests in RVC and baseline (NO-RVC) test conditions. The RVC condition included jaw clenching, hand gripping, and the Valsalva maneuver. A two-way mixed ANOVA with repeated measures for test condition was used to evaluate the main effects for each isokinetic measure, as well as the EMG of the prime movers, their antagonist,and the muscles involved in the RVC, and the interaction between test condition and gender. RESULTS Significant interactions between test condition and gender indicate differences in response to RVC during knee extension tests for power and work (P < or = 0.05) and for knee flexion tests for peak torque and power (P < or = 0.05). All subjects produced higher peak torque and power during knee extension in the RVC condition (P < or = 0.05). Men produced a higher rate of torque development and work during knee extension (P < or = 0.05) and a higher peak torque and power during knee flexion in the RVC condition (P < or = 0.05). Prime mover activation was greater in the RVC condition for most tests (P < or = 0.05). Women demonstrated lower bilateral flexor digitorum superficialis activation than men during all tests in the RVC condition (P < or = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS RVC increased the performance of several outcome variables assessed, which coincides with the concomitant increase in EMG of the prime movers.
Rollover Analysis of Passenger Bus as per AIS-031

—Road transport is the most commonly used way of transportation in India and in many countries. The passenger bus plays an important role in public transport. The capacity of carrying more passengers compared to other road transport medium is unfavourable in the event of major bus accident. The rollover crash accident of passenger bus, although occurs less frequently than any other type of accident, the fatality rate and severe injuries are highest in rollover crash. Hence the structure of the bus needs to be strong enough to ensure the minimum damage and at the same time it should absorb maximum impact energy. Safety regulations are in force defining minimum structural rigidity under rollover crash. The Automotive Industry Standard (AIS-031) is implemented in India since October 2008 which specifies the requirements and methods to calculate the strength of superstructure of buses during and after rollover. The AIS-031 specifies four different test methods viz. physical rollover test on a complete vehicle, rollover test on a body section, pendulum test on a body section, and verification of strength of superstructure by calculation (numerical simulation). In this work numerical simulation of rollover test using finite element method is followed. First the numerical model is build according to the guidelines provided in AIS-031 and validated by the experimental testing. A validated numerical model is used to evaluate the rollover performance of the superstructure of the bus.