Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of the SMOS soil moisture for agricultural drought monitoring: Assessment with the Soil Water Deficit Index

A comparison analysis was made between the SWDI (Soil Water Deficit Index) calculated with in situ and SMOS (Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity satellite) soil moisture series (June-2010 to December-2014), over an agricultural area in Spain. Additionally, both SWDI have been compared with two well-known agricultural drought indices, the CMI (Crop Moisture Index) and the AWD (Atmospheric Water Deficit index), used as reference indicators. The main goal was to assess the feasibility of SMOS data for agricultural drought monitoring. The results show that the SMOS-based index correlates very well with the in situ one, both using surface and root-zone soil moisture data. The comparison was also acceptable in the case of the CMI but was much better when the AWD was used, showing that the SWDI calculated with SMOS data is able to track the soil water dynamics and that it is a suitable tool for agricultural drought monitoring.
Identifying positional homologs as bidirectional best hits of sequence and gene context similarity

Identifying corresponding genes (orthologs) in different species is an important step in genome-wide comparative analysis. In particular, one-to-one correspondences between genes in different species greatly simplify certain problems such as transfer of function annotation and genome rearrangement studies. Positional homologs are the direct descendants of a single ancestral gene in the most recent common ancestor and by definition form one-to-one correspondence. In this work, we present a simple yet effective method (BBH-LS) for the identification of positional homologs from the comparative analysis of two genomes. Our BBH-LS method integrates sequence similarity and gene context similarity in order to get more accurate ortholog assignments. Specifically, BBH-LS applies the bidirectional best hit heuristic to a combination of sequence similarity and gene context similarity scores. We applied our method to the human, mouse, and rat genomes and found that BBH-LS produced the best results when using both sequence and gene context information equally. Compared to the state-of-the-art algorithms, such as MSOAR2, BBH-LS is able to identify more positional homologs with fewer false positives.
Daily regulation of body temperature rhythm in the camel (Camelus dromedarius) exposed to experimental desert conditions

In the present work, we have studied daily rhythmicity of body temperature (Tb) in Arabian camels challenged with daily heat, combined or not with dehydration. We confirm that Arabian camels use heterothermy to reduce heat gain coupled with evaporative heat loss during the day. Here, we also demonstrate that this mechanism is more complex than previously reported, because it is characterized by a daily alternation (probably of circadian origin) of two periods of poikilothermy and homeothermy. We also show that dehydration induced a decrease in food intake plays a role in this process. Together, these findings highlight that adaptive heterothermy in the Arabian camel varies across the diurnal light–dark cycle and is modulated by timing of daily heat and degrees of water restriction and associated reduction of food intake. The changed phase relationship between the light–dark cycle and the Tb rhythm observed during the dehydration process points to a possible mechanism of internal desynchronization during the process of adaptation to desert environment. During these experimental conditions mimicking the desert environment, it will be possible in the future to determine if induced high‐amplitude ambient temperature (Ta) rhythms are able to compete with the zeitgeber effect of the light–dark cycle.
A Dynamic Clamp on Every Rig

Abstract The dynamic clamp should be a standard part of every cellular electrophysiologist’s toolbox. That it is not, even 25 years after its introduction, comes down to three issues: money, the disruption that adding dynamic clamp to an existing electrophysiology rig entails, and the technical prowess required of experimenters. These have been valid and limiting issues in the past, but no longer. Technological advances associated with the so-called maker movement render them moot. We demonstrate this by implementing a fast (∼100 kHz) dynamic clamp system using an inexpensive microcontroller (Teensy 3.6). The overall cost of the system is less than USD$100, and assembling it requires no prior electronics experience. Modifying it—for example, to add Hodgkin–Huxley-style conductances—requires no prior programming experience. The system works together with existing electrophysiology data acquisition systems (for Macintosh, Windows, and Linux); it does not attempt to supplant them. Moreover, the process of assembling, modifying, and using the system constitutes a useful pedagogical exercise for students and researchers with no background but an interest in electronics and programming. We demonstrate the system’s utility by implementing conductances as fast as a transient sodium conductance and as complex as the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck conductances of the “point conductance” model of synaptic background activity.
Effects of salt stress on water status, photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence of rocket

Hniličková H. , Hnilička F. , Martinková J., Kraus K. (2017): Effects of salt stress on water status, photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence of rocket. Plant Soil Environ. , 63: 362–367. Salinity is a significant environmental factor affecting physiological processes in plants. This study monitors the effect of salt stress induced by the NaCl solution (0 – deionized water; 50, 100, 200, 300 mmol/L) in rocket (Eruca sativa (L.) Mill. ) cv. Astro over the course of 50 days. Salt stress significantly affected the monitored parameters. The osmotic potential decreased with increasing NaCl concentrations, while relative water content decrease did not take place until 200 mmol/L NaCl. Compared to the control group, transpiration (E) decreased at the concentration of 50 mmol/L NaCl and stomatal conductance (gs) and net photosynthetic rate (Pn) decreased at 100 mmol/L NaCl. Further increase of salt concentrations did not affect Pn and no significant differences gs, E and substomatal concentration CO2 were measured between the concentrations of 200 and 300 mmol/L NaCl. A decrease of Fv/Fm took place from the concentration of 100 mmol/L NaCl, while differences between 200 and 300 mmol/L NaCl were also not significant. The obtained results therefore prove the tolerance of the E. sativa cv. Astro to salt stress.
Effects of Spinal Section and of Positive-Feedback Excitatory Reflex on Sympathetic and Heart Rate Variability

The sympathetic outflow appears to be capable of displaying a rhythmicity synchronous with cardiovascular Mayer’s waves even after spinal section. To test the hypothesis that spinal sympathetic low frequency (LF) oscillation can be enhanced during sympathetic excitation, we recorded cardiac sympathetic nerve activity (SNA), R-R interval, arterial pressure, and ventilation in 9 unanesthetized decerebrate-vagotomized cats before and after C1 spinal section. LF and high frequency (HF) components were detected in the variability of SNA, R-R interval, and systolic arterial pressure both before and after spinal section. In this latter condition, a significant coherence between LFSNA and LFR-R was present in 5 animals, whereas HFSNA and HFR-R were correlated in 4 animals. During an excitatory sympathetic spinal reflex elicited by aortic constriction, the efferent sympathetic firing was markedly enhanced (from 7±2 to 33±7 spikes/s); concomitantly, the powers of both LFSNA and HFSNA were also increased. Coherence between LFSNA and LFR-R became significant in all cases, whereas HFSNA and HFR-R became correlated in 6 animals. In 3 animals, the reflex sympathetic excitation was no longer elicitable after interrupting a vast contingent of sympathetic afferents by means of thoracic dorsal root section. We report for the first time that LF and HF oscillations are detectable in SNA, R-R interval, and systolic arterial pressure variabilities of decerebrate-vagotomized spinal cats and that an excitatory spinal reflex is capable of increasing the power of both SNA spectral components.
A Real Options Approach for the Valuation of Highway Concessions

The theory of real options offers an approach for the valuation of investments in real assets, based on the methodology developed for financial options. This approach is especially appropriate in the context of strategic decision making under conditions of uncertainty. This is the case for the valuation of highway concessions, where real options arise from certain clauses of the contracts, for example, a minimum traffic guarantee. The possible exercise of these kinds of rights means an added value for the project that cannot be easily captured using traditional procedures for investment valuation. In this paper, we develop a methodology to value these clauses of highway concessions and, for that purpose, we consider the traffic on the highway as the underlying asset in an option contract, taking into account that, when a nonfinancial asset is used, some adjustments have to be made to the options approach. This methodology is applied to the case of an already operating highway concession, using real data, and the authors obtain an estimate of the value of a minimum traffic guarantee, which depends on several parameters that are analyzed. The authors conclude that this methodology is an appropriate tool for the valuation of highway concessions that have operational flexibility.
Mandometer treatment not superior to treatment as usual for anorexia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE A comparison of the efficacy of a novel treatment method for anorexia nervosa (AN), the Mandometer treatment (MT), with treatment as usual (TAU). METHOD During treatment data were collected to determine weight recovery and outcome as assessed by the Morgan Russell Outcome Assessment Schedule (MROAS). RESULTS After treatment 63% of the MT group and 85% of the TAU group had reached a normal weight level and both MT and TAU showed a good outcome on the MROAS (75 and 71%, respectively). After two years more MT than TAU patients were still in treatment and more MT patients had relapsed. DISCUSSION The outcome for both treatments in our study were similar and comparable with, if not better than outcome data of other AN studies. MT is not superior to TAU in outcome results and in relapse rate during the first two years following admission for AN treatment.
Leptin Stimulates Protein Synthesis-Activating Translation Machinery in Human Trophoblastic Cells1

Leptin was originally considered as an adipocyte-derived signaling molecule for the central control of metabolism. However, pleiotropic effects of leptin have been identified in reproduction and pregnancy, particularly in placenta, where it may work as an autocrine hormone, mediating angiogenesis, growth, and immunomodulation. Leptin receptor (LEPR, also known as Ob-R) shows sequence homology to members of the class I cytokine receptor (gp130) superfamily. In fact, leptin may function as a proinflammatory cytokine. We have previously found that leptin is a trophic and mitogenic factor for trophoblastic cells. In order to further investigate the mechanism by which leptin stimulates cell growth in JEG-3 cells and trophoblastic cells, we studied the phosphorylation state of different proteins of the initiation stage of translation and the total protein synthesis by [3H]leucine incorporation in JEG-3 cells. We have found that leptin dose-dependently stimulates the phosphorylation and activation of the translation initiation factor EIF4E as well as the phosphorylation of the EIF4E binding protein EIF4EBP1 (PHAS-I), which releases EIF4E to form active complexes. Moreover, leptin dose-dependently stimulates protein synthesis, and this effect can be partially prevented by blocking mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PIK3) pathways. In conclusion, leptin stimulates protein synthesis, at least in part activating the translation machinery, via the activation of MAPK and PIK3 pathways.
Paper-based scribble simplification: where do we stand?

This paper presents a formal evaluation of the paper-based scribble simplification algorithm described in [BCFB07] and [BCFB08]. A comparative analysis of different aspects of the algorithm with other algorithms described in the literature such as Sparse Pixel Vectorization, spatial moving average filtering and Principal Component Analysis is performed, hence establishing the qualities of this paper-based scribble simplification algorithm. To quantify the performance of the algorithm, performance measures established in the literature, such as the Pixel Recovery Index are used when suitable. However, since there exists no quantitative measure which measures scribble simplification, this paper proposes a new methodology with which scribble simplification may be quantitatively assessed. Through the evaluation described in this paper, we will be able to determine remaining difficulties in the interpretation of paper-based scribbles and hence identify future research areas.
Tofogliflozin, a novel sodium–glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitor, improves renal and pancreatic function in db/db mice

Although inhibition of renal sodium–glucose co‐transporter 2 (SGLT2) has a stable glucose‐lowering effect in patients with type 2 diabetes, the effect of SGLT2 inhibition on renal dysfunction in type 2 diabetes remains to be determined. To evaluate the renoprotective effect of SGLT2 inhibition more precisely, we compared the effects of tofogliflozin (a specific SGLT2 inhibitor) with those of losartan (an angiotensin II receptor antagonist) on renal function and beta‐cell function in db/db mice.
Fine-grained Opinion Topic and Polarity Identification

This paper presents OMINE, an opinion mining system which aims to identify concepts such as products and their attributes, and analyze their corresponding polarities. Our work pioneers at linking extracted topic terms with domain-specific concepts. Compared with previous work, taking advantage of ontological techniques, OMINE achieves 10% higher recall with the same level precision on the topic extraction task. In addition, making use of opinion patterns for sentiment analysis, OMINE improves the performance of the backup system (NGram) around 6% for positive reviews and 8% for negative ones.
Service source and channel choice in G2C service environments: a model comparison in the anti/counter‐terrorism domain 1

This paper compares the relative advantages of two models (a) a two‐factor (i.e. source and channel) choice model; and (b) a theory of planned behaviour (TPB)–based acceptance model, developed to explain electronic government (e‐government) service adoption. The models were empirically validated in the government‐to‐citizen (G2C) anti/counter‐terrorism (ACT) service domain by a telephone survey administered to a sample of 500 US residents systematically drawn from the mainland USA. The structured telephone survey questionnaire measured respondents' intentions to use Web‐based ACT services and their beliefs and attitudes towards various ACT service providers (e.g. the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, local police, non‐governmental organisations (NGOs) and news companies) and media (e.g. Web, email, telephone, TV, newspapers, postal mail). The results of multiple‐regression analysis of the 500 interview responses show that the source–channel choice model can explain the service usage intentions as well as, or better than, the TPB‐based acceptance model. Both service source and channel exerted consistent and substantive effects on citizens' intention to use ACT services, explaining, on average, more than 43% of variance in the dependent variable. In contrast, subjective norms in the TPB‐based model seemed to have a marginal effect. Privacy protection and integrity of the service source appeared to be key antecedents of source preference, while the influence of channel attributes on channel preference varied widely depending on the type of services. This study provides an empirical basis for the validity and applicability of the source–channel choice model and offers insightful and prescriptive knowledge for e‐government initiatives and service providers.
Voltage-dependent gating of Shaker A-type potassium channels in Drosophila muscle

The voltage-dependent gating mechanism of A1-type potassium channels coded for by the Shaker locus of Drosophila was studied using macroscopic and single-channel recording techniques on embryonic myotubes in primary culture. From a kinetic analysis of data from single A1 channels, we have concluded that all of the molecular transitions after first opening, including the inactivation transition, are voltage independent and therefore not associated with charge movement through the membrane. In contrast, at least some of the activation transitions leading to first opening are considerably voltage dependent and account for all of the voltage dependence seen in the macroscopic currents. This mechanism is similar in many ways to that of vertebrate neuronal voltage-sensitive sodium channels, and together with the sequence similarities in the S4 region suggests a conserved mechanism for voltage-dependent gating among channels with different selectivities. By testing independent and coupled models for activation and inactivation we have determined that the final opening transition and inactivation are not likely to arise from the independent action of multiple subunits, each with simple gating transitions, but rather come about through their aggregate properties. A partially coupled model accurately reproduces all of the single- channel and macroscopic data. This model will provide a framework on which to organize and understand alterations in gating that occur in Shaker variants and mutants.
Discontinuation of mycophenolate mofetil from a tacrolimus‐based triple regimen 2 months after renal transplantation: a comparative randomized multicentre study

Previous clinical data suggested that with a tacrolimus‐based regimen adjunctive immunosuppressives may be withdrawn after an initial treatment period. This study investigated the early discontinuation of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) from a standard triple regimen. Patients were randomized either to receive a continued tacrolimus/MMF/steroids triple regimen (control group) or to reduce and then stop the MMF dose (MMF stop group). Both groups received identical daily tacrolimus and corticosteroid doses. The initial MMF dose was 1 g/day in both arms, but in the MMF stop group the dose was reduced to 0.5 g/day from week 7 to week 12 and then stopped. The intent‐to‐treat population consisted of 74 (control) and 78 (MMF stop) patients. MMF was tapered off as planned in 82.9% of the patients in the MMF stop arm. The 6‐month incidence of biopsy‐proven acute rejection was similar in both arms (21.6% control, 16.7% MMF stop). Graft loss occurred in 5.4% (control) and 3.8% (MMF stop) of the patients. MMF could be safely discontinued from a tacrolimus‐based triple therapy early after transplantation without any rebound in efficacy during the 6‐month follow‐up period.
FasL Gene–Deficient Mice Display a Limited Disruption in Spermatogenesis and Inhibition of Mono-(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate–Induced Germ Cell Apoptosis

FasL (TNFSF6, CD95L) is hypothesized to trigger testicular germ cell apoptosis that normally occurs during a distinct peripubertal period as well as in response to toxicant-induced Sertoli cell injury. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated the testis of FasL gene–deficient mice (FasL−/−) at two distinct developmental ages (postnatal day [PND] 28 and 44) and after toxicant-induced Sertoli cell injury. Testicular cross sections from peripubertal (PND 28) FasL−/− mice showed significant increases in the basal germ cell apoptotic index (AI; 20.58 ± 4.59) as compared to the testis of C57BL/6J wild-type mice (5.16 ± 0.08) and closely correlated with increased expression of TRAIL protein in the testis of FasL−/− mice. A limited, but significant, number of seminiferous tubules in the testis of PND 28 FasL−/− mice showed a severe loss of germ cells with only Sertoli cells present. In contrast, no apparent gross histological changes were observed in the testis of adult (PND 44) FasL−/− mice. However, PND 44 FasL−/− mice did show a 51% reduction in homogenization-resistant elongate spermatids as compared to age-matched C57BL/6J mice. Exposure of PND 28 FasL−/− mice to mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), a well-described Sertoli cell toxicant, unexpectedly caused a rapid decrease in the germ cell AI that paralleled increased levels of the CFLAR (c-FLIP) protein, a known inhibitor of death receptor signaling. In contrast, MEHP treatment did not decrease c-FLIP levels in PND 28 C57BL/6J mice. Taken together, these findings indicate that FasL protein expression is required during the peripubertal period for the proper regulation of germ cell apoptosis that occurs normally during this period. The influence of FasL on the cellular regulation of c-FLIP protein levels appears to be a unique mechanism for modulating germ cell apoptosis after toxicant-induced Sertoli cell injury.
Systemic Inflammation Impairs Tissue Reperfusion Through Endothelin-Dependent Mechanisms in Cerebral Ischemia

Background and Purpose— Systemic inflammation contributes to diverse acute and chronic brain pathologies, and extensive evidence implicates inflammation in stroke susceptibility and poor outcome. Here we investigate whether systemic inflammation alters cerebral blood flow during reperfusion after experimental cerebral ischemia. Methods— Serial diffusion and perfusion-weighted MRI was performed after reperfusion in Wistar rats given systemic (intraperitoneal) interleukin-1&bgr; or vehicle before 60-minute transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. The expression and location of endothelin-1 was assessed by polymerase chain reaction, ELISA, and immunofluorescence. Results— Systemic interleukin-1 caused a severe reduction in cerebral blood flow and increase in infarct volume compared with vehicle. Restriction in cerebral blood flow was observed alongside activation of the cerebral vasculature and upregulation of the vasoconstricting peptide endothelin-1 in the ischemic penumbra. A microthrombotic profile was also observed in the vasculature of rats receiving interleukin-1. Blockade of endothelin-1 receptors reversed this hypoperfusion, reduced tissue damage, and improved functional outcome. Conclusions— These data suggest patients with a raised inflammatory profile may have persistent deficits in perfusion after reopening of an occluded vessel. Future therapeutic strategies to interrupt the mechanism identified could lead to enhanced recovery of penumbra in patients with a heightened inflammatory burden and a better outcome after stroke.
Single Ca2+ entry and transmitter release systems at the neuromuscular synapse

The possibility that there exists more than one voltage‐gated Ca2+ channel system subserving quantal release of neurotransmitter at nerve endings was examined by measuring the sensitivity of quantal release to agents that block Ca2+ or Ba2+ entry, namely Cd2+, Mg2+, neomycin, and bekanamycin. The results show equal effectiveness vs. release evoked by presynaptic action potentials, brief intense presynaptic depolarizations, or prolonged relatively mild depolarizations, from which it is concluded that the same channel system is involved in each case. In the presence of Ba2+ and no Ca2+ there occur essentially normal (but small) endplate potentials (epps), while in the presence of Ba2+ epp amplitude and frequency of miniature epps co‐modulate with stimulation frequency in a manner which corresponds to a residual Ba2+ model for augmentation. It is therefore also concluded that a single transmitter release system is responsible for normal phasic release and the asynchronous release that is mediated by Ba2+.