Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detoxifying effect of Nelumbo nucifera and Aegle marmelos on hematological parameters of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

Detoxifying effect of Nelumbo nucifera and Aegle marmelos on hematological parameters of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of Nelumbo nucifera and Aegle marmelos on common carp exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of combined heavy metals (5 ppm) under laboratory conditions. The fish were treated with Nelumbo nucifera (500 mg/kg bwt) and Aegle marmelos (500 mg/kgbwt) for 30 days as a dietary supplement. The blood biochemical parameters of the fish were evaluated by analyzing the level of red blood cells (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin concentration, glucose, cholesterol, iron and copper. The findings of the present investigation showed significant increase in hemoglobin (p<0.001), RBC (p<0.01) and PCV (p<0.01) of herbal drug-treated groups compared with metal-exposed fish. Conversely, glucose and cholesterol level in blood of common carp showed significant reduction compared with heavy-metal-exposed groups. All the values measured in Nelumbo nucifera and Aegle marmelos treated fish were restored comparably to control fish. Our results confirmed that Nelumbo nucifera and Aegle marmelos provide a detoxification mechanism for heavy metals in common carp.
UvA-DARE (Digital Academic Repository) Nature Conservation Drones for Automatic Localization and Counting of Animals

This paper is concerned with nature conservation by automatically monitoring animal distribution and animal abundance. Typically, such conservation tasks are performed manually on foot or after an aerial recording from a manned aircraft. Such manual approaches are expensive, slow and labor intensive. In this paper, we investigate the combination of small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or “drones”) with automatic object recognition techniques as a viable solution to manual animal surveying. Since no controlled data is available, we record our own animal conservation dataset with a quadcopter drone. We evaluate two nature conservation tasks: i) animal detection ii) animal counting using three state-of-the-art generic object recognition methods that are particularly well-suited for on-board detection. Results show that object detection techniques for human-scale photographs do not directly translate to a drone perspective, but that light-weight automatic object detection techniques are promising for nature conservation tasks.
pTRIDENT, a novel vector family for tricistronic gene expression in mammalian cells.

We constructed tricistronic expression vectors for the simultaneous and coordinated expression of three independent genes in mammalian cells. One single promoter allows high level and, in some vectors, adjustable transcription of all three cistrons. Whereas the first cistron is translated in a cap-dependent manner, the subsequent ones utilize intercistronic regions of viral origin such as the internal ribosomal entry site of poliovirus or the cap-independent translation enhancer of encephalomyocarditis virus for enhanced translation. Three multiple cloning sites with a total of up to 18 unique restriction sites allow sequential cloning of the genes of interest. The modular structure of this pBluescript(R)-based high copy number vector system allows straightforward movement of individual cistrons among members of the pTRIDENT family, and facilitates their combination with existing expression vectors.
Citizenship education: an international comparison across sixteen countries

These aspects of citizenship education, for students aged five to 16/18, are used to structure the study. The study combines material from: the International Review of Curriculum and Assessment Frameworks Project (the International Review, comprising INCA and previous thematic studies); specific enquiries about citizenship education addressed to the 16 countries; discussion at the invitational seminar on citizenship education held by QCA in January 1999 and published sources such as the National Case Study chapters from Phase 1 of the IEA Civics Education Project3 and others (see Appendix 1). Practice in the 16 countries studied is outlined where known, although complete information is not available for all of them at this stage. References are to the 16 countries in the International Review and cannot be generalised beyond these.
Illuminant estimation and detection using near-infrared

Digital camera sensors are sensitive to wavelengths ranging from the ultraviolet (200-400nm) to the near-infrared (700-100nm) bands. This range is, however, reduced because the aim of photographic cameras is to capture and reproduce the visible spectrum (400-700nm) only. Ultraviolet radiation is filtered out by the optical elements of the camera, while a specifically designed "hot-mirror" is placed in front of the sensor to prevent near-infrared contamination of the visible image. We propose that near-infrared data can actually prove remarkably useful in colour constancy, to estimate the incident illumination as well as providing to detect the location of different illuminants in a multiply lit scene. Looking at common illuminants spectral power distribution show that very strong differences exist between the near-infrared and visible bands, e.g., incandescent illumination peaks in the near-infrared while fluorescent sources are mostly confined to the visible band. We show that illuminants can be estimated by simply looking at the ratios of two images: a standard RGB image and a near-infrared only image. As the differences between illuminants are amplified in the near-infrared, this estimation proves to be more reliable than using only the visible band. Furthermore, in most multiple illumination situations one of the light will be predominantly near-infrared emitting (e.g., flash, incandescent) while the other will be mostly visible emitting (e.g., fluorescent, skylight). Using near-infrared and RGB image ratios allow us to accurately pinpoint the location of diverse illuminant and recover a lighting map.
Characterization of active recombinant 2,3-dihydro-2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl dehydrogenase from Comamonas testosteroni B-356 and sequence of the encoding gene (bphB)

2,3-Dihydro-2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl-2,3-dehydrogenase (B2,3D) catalyzes the second step in the biphenyl degradation pathway. The nucleotide sequence of Comamonas testosteroni B-356 bphB, which encodes B2,3D, was determined. Structural analysis showed that the dehydrogenases involved in the bacterial degradation of aromatic compounds are related to each other and that their phylogenetic relationships are very similar to the relationships observed for dioxygenases that catalyze the initial reaction in the degradation pathway. The bphB sequence was used to produce recombinant active His-tagged B2,3D, which allowed us to describe for the first time some of the main features of a B2,3D. This enzyme requires NAD+, its optimal pH is 9.5, and its native M(r) was found to be 123,000, which makes it a tetramer. These characteristics are very similar to those reported for the related enzyme cis-toluene dihydrodiol dehydrogenase. The Km value and maximum rate of metabolism for 2,3-dihydro-2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl were 73 +/- 16 microM and 46 +/- 4 nmol min-1 microgram-1, respectively. Compared with the cis-toluene dihydrodiol dehydrogenase, B2,3D appeared to be more substrate specific since it was unable to attack cis-1,2-dihydroxy-cyclohexa-3,5-diene.
Plant communities preferences of terrestrial crustaceans (Isopoda: Oniscidea) in a protected coastal area of southeastern Sicily (Italy)

We studied the plant communities preferences of oniscidean isopods in a protected coastal area in southeastern Sicily that is characterized by ponds, dunes and rocky coast. In total, five sites were sampled between March 2003 and February 2004 using pitfall traps. A total of 7,326 specimens were found, belonging to 23 species. The vegetation analysis, using the phytosociological method, recognized a total of 11 types of plant communities, with specific ecological features. Measuring the species richness, diversity and annual activity density (aAD) values of the terrestrial isopod communities from each sampling site revealed differences among the various plant communities. PCA analysis confirmed the correlation between isopods species and specific plant communities. Moreover our results show that the high species richness is associated with a high vegetation cover and number of plants.
Fast computing of discrete cosine and sine transforms of types VI and VII

We propose fast algorithms for computing Discrete Sine and Discrete Cosine Transforms (DCT and DST) of types VI and VII. Particular attention is paid to derivation of fast algorithms for computing DST-VII of lengths 4 and 8, which are currently under consideration for inclusion in ISO/IEC/ITU-T High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) standard.
The Role of Alpha Activity in Spatial and Feature-Based Attention

Abstract Modulations in alpha oscillations (∼10 Hz) are typically studied in the context of anticipating upcoming stimuli. Alpha power decreases in sensory regions processing upcoming targets compared to regions processing distracting input, thereby likely facilitating processing of relevant information while suppressing irrelevant. In this electroencephalography study using healthy human volunteers, we examined whether modulations in alpha power also occur after the onset of a bilaterally presented target and distractor. Spatial attention was manipulated through spatial cues and feature-based attention through adjusting the color-similarity of distractors to the target. Consistent with previous studies, we found that informative spatial cues induced a relative decrease of pretarget alpha power at occipital electrodes contralateral to the expected target location. Interestingly, this pattern reemerged relatively late (300–750 ms) after stimulus onset, suggesting that lateralized alpha reflects not only preparatory attention, but also ongoing attentive stimulus processing. Uninformative cues (i.e., conveying no information about the spatial location of the target) resulted in an interaction between spatial attention and feature-based attention in post-target alpha lateralization. When the target was paired with a low-similarity distractor, post-target alpha was lateralized (500–900 ms). Crucially, the lateralization was absent when target selection was ambiguous because the distractor was highly similar to the target. Instead, during this condition, midfrontal theta was increased, indicative of reactive conflict resolution. Behaviorally, the degree of alpha lateralization was negatively correlated with the reaction time distraction cost induced by target–distractor similarity. These results suggest a pivotal role for poststimulus alpha lateralization in protecting sensory processing of target information.
Alternative factor models of the Expagg scale: A re-evaluation using confirmatory factor analysis

In order to measure expressive and instrumental social representations of aggression, Campbell, Muncer and Coyle (1992) devised the Expagg scale. Since its development the Expagg has been the subject of numerous research papers both by Campbell and colleagues, and Archer and Haigh (1997) who expanded this work by producing the Revised Expagg. Archer and Haigh (1999) modified the Revised Expagg by incorporating the mediating variables of "type of opponent" and "form of aggression" to form four new versions of the measure. This study uses confirmatory factor analysis to test three factor analytic models based upon the previous theoretical arguments. It was demonstrated that none of these models provide adequate explanations for the sample data presented in Archer and Haigh (1999). The results were discussed, along with consideration of how this evidence influences the recent debate in this area. [119] -------------[120]
Extensive scar formation and regression during heart regeneration after cryoinjury in zebrafish

The zebrafish heart has the capacity to regenerate after ventricular resection. Although this regeneration model has proved useful for the elucidation of certain regeneration mechanisms, it is based on the removal of heart tissue rather than its damage. Here, we characterize the cellular response and regenerative capacity of the zebrafish heart after cryoinjury, an alternative procedure that more closely models the pathophysiological process undergone by the human heart after myocardial infarction (MI). Localized damage was induced in 25% of the ventricle by cryocauterization (CC). During the first 24 hours post-injury, CC leads to cardiomyocyte death within the injured area and the near coronary vasculature. Cell death is followed by a rapid proliferative response in endocardium, epicardium and myocardium. During the first 3 weeks post-injury cell debris was cleared and the injured area replaced by a massive scar. The fibrotic tissue was subsequently degraded and replaced by cardiac tissue. Although animals survived CC, their hearts showed nonhomogeneous ventricular contraction and had a thickened ventricular wall, suggesting that regeneration is associated with processes resembling mammalian ventricular remodeling after acute MI. Our results provide the first evidence that, like mammalian hearts, teleost hearts undergo massive fibrosis after cardiac damage. Unlike mammals, however, the fish heart can progressively eliminate the scar and regenerate the lost myocardium, indicating that scar formation is compatible with myocardial regeneration and the existence of endogenous mechanisms of scar regression. This finding suggests that CC-induced damage in zebrafish could provide a valuable model for the study of the mechanisms of scar removal post-MI.
A paradigm for controllable QoS-based medium access control in local and ad hoc wireless networks

The carrier sense multiple access/ID countdown (CSMA/IC) is an emerging MAC protocol designed for multi-hop ad hoc wireless networks that differs from CSMA/CA. In this paper, we propose two techniques supporting differentiated service for different priority packets for CSMA/IC, differentiated fair ID countdown (DFIC) and controllable fair ID countdown (CFIC). DFIC supports absolute service differentiation among classes through the use of an explicit priority segment, while CFIC achieves prioritized access through assigning different waiting times for nodes to access the medium. Both of DFIC and CFIC can achieve fairness among nodes of same priority group. CFIC also achieves controllable relative throughout differentiation among different priority levels and can guarantee starvation-free access for all nodes.
An inverse theorem for Gowers norms of trace functions over Fp

Abstract We study the Gowers uniformity norms of functions over Z/pZ which are trace functions of ℓ-adic sheaves. On the one hand, we establish a strong inverse theorem for these functions, and on the other hand this gives many explicit examples of functions with Gowers norms of size comparable to that of “random” functions.
Robustness of group-delay-based method for extraction of significant instants of excitation from speech signals

We study the robustness of a group-delay-based method for determining the instants of significant excitation in speech signals. These instants correspond to the instants of glottal closure for voiced speech. The method uses the properties of the global phase characteristics of minimum phase signals. Robustness of the method against noise and distortion is due to the fact that the average phase characteristics of a signal is determined mainly by the strength of the excitation impulse. The strength of excitation is determined by the energy of the residual error signal around the instant of excitation. We propose a measure for the strength of the excitation based on Frobenius norm of the differenced signal. The robustness of the group-delay-based method is illustrated for speech under different types of degradations and for speech from different speakers.
Noise-induced gastric lesions: a light and electron microscopy study of the rat gastric wall exposed to low frequency noise.

CONTEXT Only a few studies evaluated the digestive alterations caused by low frequency noise (LFN) and most focused only on mucosal alterations. OBJECTIVES To investigate the morphological injury of LFN-exposed gastric wall, beyond the epithelial layer. METHODS Wistar rats were exposed to low frequency noise (LFN), during increasing periods, 1 to 13 weeks. A control group was kept in silence. Gastric specimens were studied using: (i) light microscopy with hematoxylin-eosin and immunostaining for collagens; (ii) transmission electron microscopy; (iii) morphometry allowing statistical analysis. RESULTS Submucosa of all LFN-exposed animals exhibit increased thickness with fibrous proliferation. Transmission electron microscopy showed massive collagen deposition. Immunostaining identified collagen IV as responsible for the increased thickness. Morphometry allowed the demonstration of a significant difference of thickness between control and exposed groups. Vascular alterations included: i) intima proliferation and thickening, rupture of the internal elastic lamina, thrombotic changes; ii) thickening of the media; iii) after 9 weeks of LFN-exposure, we found new formed vessel presenting tortuous and twisted. There is a significant difference of arterial wall thickness between control and exposed groups. CONCLUSIONS Deeper layers of gastric wall undergo alterations, including fibrosis of the submucosa caused by collagen IV deposition, an early marker of neoangiogenesis. Vascular alterations included thickening and thrombotic phenomena, but also images of newly formed vessels. This study suggests that, at least in the stomach, LFN-induced fibrosis could be linked with neoangiogenesis.
Multicenter study of infliximab for refractory uveoretinitis in Behçet disease.

OBJECTIVE To describe the effects of infliximab on refractory uveoretinitis in patients with Behçet disease during the first year of treatment. METHODS Data were collected prospectively at 8 tertiary uveitis centers. Safety was analyzed in 63 patients. Efficacy was analyzed in 50 patients, after exclusion of those who had received infliximab for various reasons before the study. RESULTS Eighty-nine percent (56 of 63) of the patients were male, with 70% (44 of 63) of the patients aged 25 to 44 years. The safety analysis demonstrated that 34 episodes of adverse effects occurred in 46% (29 of 63) of patients during 1 year, including 3 episodes of infusion reactions. No adverse effects were deemed serious. The efficacy analysis at 1 year showed that uveoretinitis had improved in 69% (33 of 48), had improved somewhat in 23% (11 of 48), was unchanged in 8% (4 of 48), and had worsened in no patients. The mean number of ocular attacks per 6-month period decreased from 2.66 at baseline to 0.44 during months 1 through 6 of infliximab therapy and to 0.79 during months 7 through 12. Forty-four percent (21 of 48) of patients had no ocular attacks during the 1-year period. Efficacy was best for patients with uveoretinitis duration of less than 5 years. The mean best-corrected visual acuity improved logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution from 0.736 at the first infliximab infusion to 0.616 at the end of 1 year (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS Infliximab treatment for Behçet disease uveoretinitis was well tolerated, with nonserious adverse effects occurring in about half of the patients. At the end of 1 year, uveoretinitis had improved or improved somewhat in 92% (44 of 48) of patients, accompanied by improvement in the mean visual acuity.
African families and the crisis of social change

Foreword by Beatrice Whiting and John Whiting Introduction: Crisis in the African Family by Candice Bradley and Thomas S. Weisner Human Development, Values, and Family Change Psychological and Institutional Defense Mechanisms in Times of Change by Joshua Akong'a Support for Children and the African Family Crisis by Thomas S. Weisner Morality and Change: Family Unity and Paternal Authority among Kipsigis and Abaluyia Elders and Students by Carolyn Pope Edwards Gender, Status, and Values among Likuyu and Appalachian Adolescents by Susan Abbott Health HIV/AIDS Risk Factors and Changing Sexual Practices in Kenya by A. B. C. Ocholla-Ayayo The Social and Cultural Contexts of Food Production in Uganda and Kenya by Michael A. Whyte Malnutrition and Gender Relations in Western Kenya by Susan Reynolds Whyte and Priscilla Wanjiru Kariuki Aging The Discourse of Neglect: Family Support for the Elderly in Samia by Maria G. Cattell Pronatalism and the Elderly in Tiriki, Kenya by Walter H. Sangree Stigma, Role Overload, and Delocalization among Contemporary Kenyan Women by Philip L. Kilbride and Janet C. Kilbride Gender and Reproduction Why Fertility is Going Down in Maragoli by Candice Bradley Gender and Life Course Strategies among the Gusii by N. Thomas Hakansson and Robert A. LeVine Resource Allocation and Polygyny in the Lake Victoria Basin by Joseph W. Ssennyonga Changing Women's Rights over Property in Western Kenya by Ruth Nasimiyu Logoli Childhood and the Cultural Reproduction of Sex Differentiation by Robert L. Munroe and Ruth H. Munroe Culture, Family, and Economy Right Values and Good Fortune: Bukusu Responses to Ecological Opportunity by Jan J. de Wolf Changing Roles in the Bukusu Family by Simiyu Wandibba Modernization, Family Life, and Child Development in Kokwet by Charles M. Super and Sara Harkness Index
Impact of exposure to combat during deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan on mental health by gender

Background Interest in the mental health of women deployed to modern military campaigns is increasing, although research examining gender differences is limited. Little is known about experiences women have had on these deployments, or whether men and women respond differently to combat exposure. Method The current study used data from a representative sample of UK Armed Forces personnel to examine gender differences among those deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan (n=432 women, n=4554 men) in three measures of experience: ‘risk to self’, ‘trauma to others’ and ‘appraisal of deployment’. We examined the impact of such experiences on post-deployment symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), symptoms of common mental disorder (CMD) and hazardous alcohol use. Results After adjustment, men reported more exposure to ‘risk to self’ and ‘trauma to others’ events and more negative appraisals of their deployment. Among both genders, all measures of combat experience were associated with symptoms of PTSD and CMD (except ‘risk to self’ events on symptoms of CMD among women) but not with alcohol misuse. Women reported higher scores on the PTSD Checklist – Civilian Version (PCL-C) among those exposed to lower levels of each experience type but this did not hold in the higher levels. Women reported greater symptoms of CMD and men reported greater hazardous alcohol use across both levels of each experience type. Examining men and women separately suggested similar responses to exposure to adverse combat experiences. Conclusions The current findings suggest that, although gender differences in mental health exist, the impact of deployment on mental health is similar among men and women.