Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Beacon in the Dark: Grey Literature Data Mining and Machine Learning Enlightening Historical Plankton Seasonality Dynamics in the Ligurian Sea

The Mediterranean Sea, as one of the world’s most climate-sensitive regions, faces significant environmental changes due to rising temperatures. Zooplankton communities, particularly copepods, play a vital role in marine ecosystems, yet their distribution dynamics remain poorly understood, especially in the Ligurian Sea. Leveraging open-source software and environmental data, this study adapted a methodology to model copepod distributions from 1985 to 1986 in the Portofino Promontory ecosystem using the Random Forest machine learning algorithm to produce the first abundance and distribution maps of the area. Five copepod genera were studied across different trophic guilds, revealing habitat preferences and ecological fluctuations throughout the seasons. The assessment of model accuracy through symmetric mean absolute percentage error (sMAPE) highlighted the variability in copepod dynamics influenced by environmental factors. While certain genera exhibited higher predictive accuracy during specific seasons, others posed challenges due to ecological complexities. This study underscores the importance of species-specific responses and environmental variability in predictive modeling. Moreover, this study represents the first attempt to model copepod distribution in the Ligurian Sea, shedding light on their ecological niches and historical spatial dynamics. The study adhered to FAIR principles, repurposing historical data to generate three-dimensional predictive maps, enhancing our understanding of copepod biodiversity. Future studies will focus on developing abundance distribution models using machine learning and artificial intelligence to predict copepod standing crop in the Ligurian Sea with greater precision. This integrated approach advances knowledge of copepod ecology in the Mediterranean and sets a precedent for integrating historical data with contemporary methodologies to elucidate marine ecosystem dynamics.
Brain Mapping of Epileptic Activity in a Case of Idiopathic Occipital Lobe Epilepsy (Panayiotopoulos Syndrome)

Summary: The Panayiotopoulos type of occipital lobe epilepsy has generated great interest, but the particular brain areas involved in the peculiar seizure manifestations have not been established. We studied a patient with the syndrome, using high‐resolution EEG and simultaneous EEG and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Resolution of the scalp EEG was improved using a realistic spline Laplacian algorithm, and produced a complex distribution of current sinks and sources over the occipital lobe. The spike‐related blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) effect was multifocal, with clusters in lateral and inferior occipital lobe and lateral and anterior temporal lobe. We also performed regional dipole seeding in BOLD clusters to determine their relative contribution to generation of scalp spikes. The integrated model of the neurophysiologic and vascular data strongly suggests that the epileptic activity originates in the lateral occipital area, spreading to the occipital pole and lateral temporal lobe.
Association of indoor nitrogen dioxide exposure with respiratory symptoms in children with asthma.

RATIONALE Chronic exposure to indoor nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a public health concern. Over half of U.S. households have a source of NO2, and experimental data suggest potential for adverse respiratory effects. OBJECTIVE To examine associations of indoor NO2 exposure with respiratory symptoms among children with asthma. METHODS NO2 was measured using Palmes tubes, and respiratory symptoms in the month before sampling were collected during home interviews of mothers of 728 children with active asthma. All were younger than 12 yr, lived at the sampled home for at least 2 mo, and had asthma symptoms or used maintenance medication within the previous year. MEASUREMENTS Respiratory symptoms (wheeze, persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest tightness). RESULTS Mean (SD) NO2 was 8.6 (9.1) ppb in homes with electric ranges and 25.9 (18.1) ppb in homes with gas stoves. In models stratified by housing type (a factor associated with socioeconomic status), gas stove presence and elevated NO2 were each significantly associated with respiratory symptoms, controlling for age, ethnicity, medication, mold/mildew, water leaks, and season of sampling. Among children in multifamily housing, exposure to gas stoves increased likelihood of wheeze (odds ratio [OR], 2.27; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.15, 4.47), shortness of breath (OR, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.12, 5.06), and chest tightness (OR, 4.34; 95% CI, 1.76, 10.69), whereas each 20-ppb increase in NO2 increased both likelihood of any wheeze (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.04, 2.21) or chest tightness (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.04, 2.49), and days of wheeze (rate ratio (RR), 1.33; 95% CI, 1.05, 1.68) or chest tightness (RR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.18, 1.91). CONCLUSION Exposure to indoor NO2 at levels well below the Environmental Protection Agency outdoor standard (53 ppb) is associated with respiratory symptoms among children with asthma in multifamily housing.
Design and evaluation of two geocast protocols for vehicular ad-hoc networks

Vehicular ad-hoc networks (VANETs) offer a large number of new potential applications. One of the envisioned applications is of course Internet access, which can be provided with the help of some roadside basestations. Many of the applications benefit from multi-hop relaying of information, thus requiring a routing protocol. Characteristics unique to VANETs (such as high mobility and the need for geographical addressing) make many conventional ad hoc routing protocols unsuitable. In this paper we design and evaluate two different, so called, geocast protocols for VANETs. One protocol is designed for fast communication across a large area. The purpose of the other protocol is to provide a routing service for a future reliable transport protocol (enabling Internet applications). We evaluate the performance of the protocols using realistic network and traffic models. (Less)
Predictors of Immunotherapy Efficacy in Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Lung Immune Prognostic Index and Immune-Related Toxicity

Background Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been proposed as the standard first-line and subsequent treatment for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study analyzed whether patients with good lung immune prognostic index (LIPI) have a better response to ICIs and the relationship between immune-related adverse events (irAEs) and response in clinical practice. Methods This was an observational, retrospective, single-center study. Patients with stage IV NSCLC between 2016 and 2021 were included in the study. Toxicity was assessed according to The Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. Response assessment was performed according to RECIST 2.0 and immuno-related criteria. Descriptive and survival analyses were conducted. Degree of toxicity and response to treatment (based on treatment and histology) were assessed. LIPI and response were assessed. LIPI included dNLR (absolute neutrophil count/(white blood cell count - absolute neutrophil count)) ≥ 3 and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) greater than the upper limit of normal. Patients were stratified into good (G), intermediate (I), and poor (P) prognostic groups. Results A total of 168 patients were included (130 men and 38 women, mean age 64.3 years). ICI use in the first- or second-line treatment was 65% and 35%, respectively. Fifteen (9%) patients showed complete response (CR), 50 (30%) showed partial response (PR), 39 (22%) had stable disease (SD), 45 (28%) had progressive disease (PD), and 19 (11%) were not evaluated (NE). Patients with good prognostic LIPI (dNLR < 3 and normal LDH levels) showed a better response. Progression-free survival (PFS) was 19 months in G, 6 months in I, and 2 months in P. Overall survival (OS) was 27 months in G, 8 months in I, and 3 months in P. One hundred fourteen patients died (56% G, 76% I, 93% P). Patients with adenocarcinoma were 116 (77 with irAEs G1-4 (13 CR, 31 PR, 21 SD, eight PD, and four NE)), and without were 39 (three PR, six SD, 21 PD, and nine NE). Fifty-two patients had squamous carcinoma (27 with irAEs G1-4 (two CR, 12 PR, nine SD, and four PD)), and 25 did not (four PR, three SD, 12 PD, and six NE)). IrAEs appearance was observed in longer PFS (19 vs. 2 months) and OS (27 vs. 4 months; P < 0.0001). Conclusions LIPI was a positive predictor of response to ICI. The presence of irAEs is associated with a better immune response. In contrast, the absence of toxicity predicted a worse prognosis.
Cancer Mortality among Man‐Made Vitreous Fiber Production Workers

We have updated the follow‐up of cancer mortality for a cohort study of man‐made vitreous fiber production workers from Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy, from 1982 to 1990. In the mortality analysis, 22,002 production workers contributed 489,551 person‐years, during which there were 4,521 deaths. Workers with less than 1 year of employment had an increased mortality [standardized mortality ratio (SMR) = 1.45; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.37–1.53]. Workers with 1 year or more of employment, contributing 65% of person‐years, had an SMR of 1.05 (95% CI = 1.02–1.09). The SMR for lung cancer was 1.34 (95% CI = 1.08–1.63, 97 deaths) among rock/slag wool workers and 1.27 (95% CI = 1.07–1.50, 140 deaths) among glass wool workers. In the latter group, no increase was present when local mortality rates were used. Among rock/slag wool workers, the risk of lung cancer increased with time‐since‐first‐employment and duration of employment. The trend in lung cancer mortality according to technologic phase at first employment was less marked than in the previous follow‐up. We obtained similar results from a Poisson regression analysis limited to rock/slag wool workers. Five deaths from pleural mesothelioma were reported, which may not represent an excess. There was no apparent excess for other categories of neoplasm. Tobacco smoking and other factors linked to social class, as well as exposures in other industries, appear unlikely to explain the whole increase in lung cancer mortality among rock/slag wool workers. Limited data on other agents do not indicate an important role of asbestos, slag, or bitumen. These results are not sufficient to conclude that the increased lung cancer risk is the result of exposure to rock/slag wool; however, insofar as respirable fibers were an important component of the ambient pollution of the working environment, they may have contributed to the increased risk.
A critical evaluative enquiry of the community based management model and alternative approaches for sustainable rural water management

ii Declaration . iii List of Tables and Figures . viii List of Figures & Tables . viii List of Abbreviations . xii Acknowledgements . xiv Dissemination . xvii Chapter 1 Rural Water Management in Sub-Saharan Africa at a Crossroads? 1 1.1 Origin of the work . 4 1.2 From Water Management Arrangement to Water Management Practice . 5 1.3 Community Based Management in Uganda and Research Objectives . 8 1.4 Study Limitations . 10 1.5 Structure of the Thesis . 11 Chapter 2 The Entrenchment of the Community Based Management Model and the Quest for Sustainability . 15 2.
Identification of a Novel Cleavage Activity of the First Papain-Like Proteinase Domain Encoded by Open Reading Frame 1a of the Coronavirus Avian Infectious Bronchitis Virus and Characterization of the Cleavage Products

ABSTRACT The coronavirus Avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) employs polyprotein processing as a strategy to express its gene products. Previously we identified the first cleavage event as proteolysis at the Gly673-Gly674 dipeptide bond mediated by the first papain-like proteinase domain (PLPD-1) to release an 87-kDa mature protein. In this report, we demonstrate a novel cleavage activity of PLPD-1. Expression, deletion, and mutagenesis studies showed that the product encoded between nucleotides 2548 and 8865 was further cleaved by PLPD-1 at the Gly2265-Gly2266 dipeptide bond to release an N-terminal 195-kDa and a C-terminal 41-kDa cleavage product. Characterization of the cleavage activity revealed that the proteinase is active on this scissile bond when expressed in vitro in rabbit reticulocyte lysates and can act on the same substrate intrans when expressed in intact cells. Both the N- and C-terminal cleavage products were detected in virus-infected cells and were found to be physically associated. Glycosidase digestion and site-directed mutagenesis studies of the 41-kDa protein demonstrated that it is modified by N-linked glycosylation at the Asn2313 residue encoded by nucleotides 7465 to 7467. By using a region-specific antiserum raised against the IBV sequence encoded by nucleotides 8865 to 9786, we also demonstrated that a 33-kDa protein, representing the 3C-like proteinase (3CLP), was specifically immunoprecipitated from the virus-infected cells. Site-directed mutagenesis and expression studies showed that a previously predicted cleavage site (Q2583-G2584) located within the 41-kDa protein-encoding region was not utilized by 3CLP, supporting the conclusion that the 41-kDa protein is a mature viral product.
Rhodopsin in the rod surface membrane regenerates more rapidly than bulk rhodopsin in the disc membranes in vivo

The early receptor potential (ERP) of the mouse electroretinogram (ERG) was measured in wild‐type (WT) mice, in mice (Opn1sw−/−) that lack S‐cone opsin and overexpress M‐cone opsin, and in mice heterozygous for the retinal pigment epithelium isomerase Rpe65. The amplitude of the ERP saturated exponentially with flash intensity. In WT mice the saturated amplitude was ∼1000 μV, about 20% larger than the saturated amplitude of the ERG a‐wave. The ERP was 13% larger in mice overexpressing M‐opsin than in WT mice, indicating that 26% of the ERP of WT mice in these experiments arises from M‐opsin. After complete bleaching, the ERP of WT mice recovered in two phases, a fast phase responsible for ∼20% of the recovery having a time constant of ∼1 min, and a complementary slower phase with a time constant of 23 min. The fast phase of ERP recovery did not depend on the expression level of Rpe65, but the slow phase did. The fast phase of ERP recovery is concluded to arise from M‐opsin regeneration, and the slow phase from the regeneration of rod plasma membrane rhodopsin. The slower phase of ERP recovery is faster than the regeneration of bulk rhodopsin in the internal disc membranes, consistent with the hypothesis that delivery of 11‐cis retinal across the cytoplasmic gap between plasma and disc membranes retards regeneration of disc membrane rhodopsin.
Hypothalamic binding sites for pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide: characterization and molecular identification 1

The goal of these experiments was to identify and characterize binding sites in the rat hypothalamus for the peptide, pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP). The 27 amino acid form of PACAP (PACAP27) was used as the radiolabeled ligand in these experiments. Binding of [125I]PACAP27 to hypothalamic membrane preparations was rapid, reversible on addition of unlabeled peptide, and at least partially regulated by GTP. Nonhydrolyzable GTP analogs, guanosine‐5'‐O‐(3‐thiotriphosphate) (GTPγS), guanosine‐5‐(2‐thiodiphosphate) (GDPβS), and guanylylimidophosphate (GppNHp) also displaced [125I]PACAP27 binding to hypothalamic membrane preparations in a dose‐dependent manner. The order of potency for the three analogs was GTPγS > GDPβS > GppNHp. Both forms of the peptide, PACAP27 and PACAP38, were highly potent in displacing bound [125I]PACAP27, whereas VIP or PACAP(1–23) were unable to displace binding at concentrations of up to 500 nM. Scatchard analysis of the PACAP27 and PACAP38 displacement curves revealed that the fit of both curves was consistent with a single class of high‐affinity binding sites, although the site exhibited a greater affinity for PACAP38 compared with PACAP27 (PACAP27 Kd = 1452 ± 59 pM; PACAP38 Kd = 175 ± 13 pM; Bmax 23.2 ± 1.1 pmol/mg protein). The possibility of the existence of a class of binding sites with extremely low affinity cannot be discounted. After covalent cross‐linking of [125I]PACAP27 with its receptor, the molecular weights of the complexes were estimated by electrophoresis and autoradiography. A major band of 60 Kd was evident when membranes were incubated with VIP or PACAP(1–23). Previous incubation with unlabeled PACAP27 or PACAP38 eliminated visualization of this band. These results suggest that a specific, high‐affinity binding site for PACAP27 is present in rat hypothalamus, and that this site shows a greater affinity for PACAP38 compared with PACAP27. The molecular weight of the peptide‐receptor complex is 60,000 kDa, and therefore the receptor itself has an apparent molecular weight 57,000. —Gottschall, P. E. ; Tatsuno, I. ; Arimua, A. Hypothalamic binding sites for pituitary adenylate cyclcase activating polypeptide: characterization and molecular identification. FASEB J. 5: 194–199; 1991.
Inhibition of Rho and Rac Geranylgeranylation by Atorvastatin Is Critical for Preservation of Endothelial Junction Integrity

Background Small GTPases (guanosine triphosphate, GTP) are involved in many critical cellular processes, including inflammation, proliferation, and migration. GTP loading and isoprenylation are two important post-translational modifications of small GTPases, and are critical for their normal function. In this study, we investigated the role of post-translational modifications of small GTPases in regulating endothelial cell inflammatory responses and junctional integrity. Methods and Results Confluent human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVECs ) treated with atorvastatin demonstrated significantly decreased lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated IL-6 and IL-8 generation. The inhibitory effect of atorvastatin (Atorva) was attenuated by co-treatment with 100 µM mevalonate (MVA) or 10 µM geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP), but not by 10 µM farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP). Atorvastatin treatment of HUVECs produced a time-dependent increase in GTP loading of all Rho GTPases, and induced the translocation of small Rho GTPases from the cellular membrane to the cytosol, which was reversed by 100 µM MVA and 10 µM GGPP, but not by 10 µM FPP. Atorvastatin significantly attenuated thrombin-induced HUVECs permeability, increased VE-cadherin targeting to cell junctions, and preserved junction integrity. These effects were partially reversed by GGPP but not by FPP, indicating that geranylgeranylation of small GTPases plays a major role in regulating endothelial junction integrity. Silencing of small GTPases showed that Rho and Rac, but not Cdc42, play central role in HUVECs junction integrity. Conclusions In conclusion, our studies show that post-translational modification of small GTPases plays a vital role in regulating endothelial inflammatory response and endothelial junction integrity. Atorvastatin increased GTP loading and inhibited isoprenylation of small GTPases, accompanied by reduced inflammatory response and preserved cellular junction integrity.
Asymmetric Tuning Schemes of MEMS Dual-Shutter VOA

A dual-shutter MEMS variable optical attenuator (VOA) is designed for advanced tuning functions such as linear attenuation relationship and simultaneous coarse and fine tunings. The mechanism behind is to take advantage of the additional shutter to render one more degree of freedom for attenuation adjustment. Although dual-shutter VOAs with asymmetric functionalities have been reported before, these intrinsic capabilities owing to asymmetry have not been extensively investigated. In experiment, the fabricated VOA device has demonstrated a linear tuning over a 20-dB range with respect to the driving voltage of one shutter, and it has also realized simultaneously coarse tuning (2.5 dB/V) and fine tuning (0.1 dB/V) by the two shutters. Ideally, the tuning can start from any available working point, linear to any controlling parameter, at any slope of linearity, and with any tuning resolution. Theoretical attenuation model has also been developed to provide a roadmap for the VOA design and choice of working point. An interesting finding is that over a certain range the linear attenuation can be obtained by moving a fixed aperture rather than by reducing the aperture size, which greatly relaxes the difficulty of shutter position control. The measured results match well with the theoretical data, implying the possibility of developing a look-up table to locate the shutter positions quickly. The dual-shutter VOA accomplishes these features without the need of high-precision control systems and therefore gives a structure-based rather than a control-system-based solution, clearly advantageous over the previously developed VOAs.
Differences in the recovery response from high-intensity and high-volume resistance exercise on force, reactive agility, and cognitive function

Purpose. This study compared the recovery response of physical performance and cognitive function between high volume, low intensity (HV) and high intensity, low volume (HI) resistance training in resistance trained men. Methods. Eight recreationally resistance trained men (27.8 ± 1.6 y; 85.5 ± 11.2 kg; 178.4 ± 8.3 cm), with at least one-year of resistance training experience (6.4 ± 3.9 y) participated in this cross-over design study. Participants were randomly assigned to either HV (6-sets of 15–20 repetitions at 60% of the participant’s one-repetition maximum (1rM), 1-min rest between sets) or HI (6-sets of 3–5 repetitions at 90% 1rM, 3-min rest between sets). Following a one-week recovery period, participants reported back to the laboratory and performed the other training session. cognitive function (ScAT5), physical performance (isometric mid-thigh pull), and reactive agility measures were assessed at baseline, immediately-post (IP) and at 30-(30P) and 60-minutes post-exercise. Results. Parametric analysis revealed no differences in peak force ( p = 0.423), and the rate of force development at 200 ms ( p = 0.827) and 250 ms ( p = 0.797) between HI and HV. However, magnitude-based inference (MbI) analysis indicated that peak force was possibly decreased at 30P following HI and that reactive agility was likely negatively impacted at IP following HV. Friedman analysis indicated a significant decline ( p = 0.035) in delayed memory during HV at IP and 30P. Conclusions. results of this study indicate that participants engaging in HV resistance training are more susceptible to experiencing performance declines in reaction time and cognitive function than HI training. These findings shed light on differences in physical and cognitive function recovery from HI and HV training programs.
P2P IPTV Measurement: A Comparison Study

With the success of P2P file sharing, new emerging P2P applications arise on the Internet for streaming content like voice (VoIP) or live video (IPTV). Nowadays, there are lots of works measuring P2P file sharing or P2P telephony systems, but there is still no comprehensive study about P2P IPTV, whereas it should be massively used in the future. During the last FIFA world cup, we measured network traffic generated by P2P IPTV applications like PPlive, PPstream, TVants and Sopcast. In this paper we analyze some of our results during the same games for the applications. We focus on traffic statistics and churn of peers within these P2P networks. Our objectives are threefold: we point out the traffic generated to understand the impact they will have on the network, we try to infer the mechanisms of such applications and highlight differences, and we give some insights about the users' behavior.