Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
UvA-DARE ( Digital Academic Repository ) Identification of Linear Vegetation Elements in a Rural Landscape Using LiDAR Point

Modernization of agricultural land use across Europe is responsible for a substantial decline of linear vegetation elements such as tree lines, hedgerows, riparian vegetation, and green lanes. These linear objects have an important function for biodiversity, e.g., as ecological corridors and local habitats for many animal and plant species. Knowledge on their spatial distribution is therefore essential to support conservation strategies and regional planning in rural landscapes but detailed inventories of such linear objects are often lacking. Here, we propose a method to detect linear vegetation elements in agricultural landscapes using classification and segmentation of high-resolution Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) point data. To quantify the 3D structure of vegetation, we applied point cloud analysis to identify point-based and neighborhood-based features. As a preprocessing step, we removed planar surfaces such as grassland, bare soil, and water bodies from the point cloud using a feature that describes to what extent the points are scattered in the local neighborhood. We then applied a random forest classifier to separate the remaining points into vegetation and other. Subsequently, a rectangularity-based region growing algorithm allowed to segment the vegetation points into 2D rectangular objects, which were then classified into linear objects based on their elongatedness. We evaluated the accuracy of the linear objects against a manually delineated validation set. The results showed high user’s (0.80), producer’s (0.85), and total accuracies (0.90). These findings are a promising step towards testing our method in other regions and for upscaling it to broad spatial extents. This would allow producing detailed inventories of linear vegetation elements at regional and continental scales in support of biodiversity conservation and regional planning in agricultural and other rural landscapes.
Non-autoreducible Sets for NEXP Dung

We investigate autoreducibility properties of complete sets for NEXP under different polynomial reductions. Specifically, we show under some polynomial reductions that there is are complete sets for NEXP that are not autoreducible. We obtain the following results: • There is a ≤ptt -complete set for NEXP that is not ≤ p btt -autoreducible. • For any positive integers s and k such that 2 − 1 > k, there is a ≤ps−T -complete set for NEXP that is not ≤pk−tt -autoreducible. • There is a Turing complete set for NEXP that is not ≤ptt -autoreducible. • For any positive integer k, there is a ≤pk−tt -complete set for NEXP that is not weakly ≤pk−tt -autoreducible. • There is a ≤p3−tt -complete set for NEXP that is not ≤ p 3−tt -autoreducible, given that the autoreduction cannot be allowed to ask a query too short or too long. • Relative to some oracle, there is a ≤p2−T -complete set for NEXP that is not ≤ p T autoreducible. • Relative to some oracle, there is a ≤m -complete set for NEXP that is not ≤ p NOR−tt autoreducible. We will show that settling the question whether every ≤pdtt -complete set for NEXP is ≤pNOR−tt -autoreducible either positively or negatively would lead to major results about the exponential time complexity classes.
Biochar Carbon Stability Test Method: An assessment of methods to determine biochar carbon stability

Twenty seven methods currently used to characterize biochar were assessed in terms of their usefulness to determine the stability of biochar carbon in the environment. The International Biochar Initiative (IBI), which led the effort, gathered fourteen world-class experts in different fields of biochar relevant to stability, who guided the process for obtaining a simple, yet reliable, measure for biochar stability. Important requisites were defined for the test, including cost, repeatability and availability. Identification of a cost-effective, scientifically valid test to measure the stable carbon component of biochar is imperative to distinguish biochar from non-biochar (non-stable) materials, and to develop a biochar offset protocol for carbon markets. The stability of biochar carbon in soils makes it a highly promising product for consideration as a strategy for climate change mitigation. The definition of the variable BC+100, which stands for the amount of biochar carbon that is expected to remain stable after 100 years, along with predictions of stability based on simple (Alpha) and more sophisticated (Beta)
A constitutive thiamine metabolism mutation, thi80, causing reduced thiamine pyrophosphokinase activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We identified a strain carrying a recessive constitutive mutation (thi80-1) with an altered thiamine transport system, thiamine-repressible acid phosphatase, and several enzymes of thiamine synthesis from 2-methyl-4-amino-5-hydroxymethylpyrimidine and 4-methyl-5-beta-hydroxyethylthiazole. The mutant shows markedly reduced activity of thiamine pyrophosphokinase (EC 2.7.6.2) and high resistance to oxythiamine, a thiamine antagonist whose potency depends on thiamine pyrophosphokinase activity. The intracellular thiamine pyrophosphate content of the mutant cells grown with exogenous thiamine (2 x 10(-7) M) was found to be about half that of the wild-type strain under the same conditions. These results suggest that the utilization and synthesis of thiamine in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is controlled negatively by the intracellular thiamine pyrophosphate level.
Upregulation and Formation of SDS‐Resistant Oligomers of the Proapoptotic Factor Bax in Experimental Atherosclerosis

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Assisted hatching in assisted reproduction

Assisted reproductive techniques including in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) have become the principal method to resolve long term infertility. Despite major advances such as the introduction of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for severe male infertility, the proportion of embryos leading to live offspring has increased only marginally since the inception of assisted reproductive techniques . A successful outcome is dependent on many factors including the ability of the embryo to hatch from its zona pellucida – . Prolonged exposure of human embryos to in vitro culture could lead to loss of zona elasticity and hardening thus impairing their ability to hatch. Since Cohen et al. reported the first pregnancy after assisted hatching in 1988, several techniques to assist embryos to hatch from the zona have been developed with the aim of improving pregnancy rates. This review will consider zona pellucida physiology, zona hardening, different techniques of assisted hatching, who may benefit from assisted hatching and potential hazards. This article benefited from the publications identified in the protocol for the ongoing Cochrane systematic review in this area. These references were supplemented with a search of the Medline database and a hand search of appropriate journals and abstracts from relevant international meetings. However, this review did not seek to statistically combine the data from the diverse studies on assisted hatching, because, as will be shown below, the available techniques differ radically, potentially influencing both benefits and risks.
Aquaporin‐1 plays important role in proliferation by affecting cell cycle progression

Aquaporin‐1 (AQP1) has been associated with tumor development. Here, we investigated how AQP1 may affect cell proliferation. The proliferative rate of adult carotid body (CB) cells, known to proliferate under chronic hypoxia, was analyzed in wild‐type (AQP1+/+) and knock out (AQP1−/−) mice, maintained in normoxia or exposed to hypoxia while BrdU was administered. Fewer numbers of total BrdU+ and TH‐BrdU+ cells were observed in AQP1−/− mice, indicating a role for AQP1 in CB proliferation. Then, by flow cytometry, cell cycle state and proliferation of cells overexpressing AQP1 were compared to those of wild‐type cells. In the AQP1‐overexpressing cells, we observed higher cell proliferation and percentages of cells in phases S and G2/M and fewer apoptotic cells after nocodazole treatment were detected by annexin V staining. Also in these cells, proteomic assays showed higher expression of cyclin D1 and E1 and microarray analysis revealed changes in many cell proliferation‐related molecules, including, Zeb 2, Jun, NF‐kβ, Cxcl9, Cxcl10, TNF, and the TNF receptor. Overall, our results indicate that the presence of AQP1 modifies the expression of key cell cycle proteins apparently related to increases in cell proliferation. This contributes to explaining the presence of AQP1 in many different tumors. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 243–256, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
La nigelle, une épice d'intérêt médicinal

Les graines de Nigelle (Nigella sativa L.) sont employees depuis des siecles au Proche et Moyen-Orient pour leurs valeurs culinaires et medicinales. La richesse de leur chimie, la presence d'une huile fixe et d'une huile essentielle avec un principe actif majeur, la thymoquinone, leur conferent de nombreuses proprietes pharmacologiques et des effets : antioxydant, anti-inflammatoire, antalgique, immunostimulant, anti-infectieux, hypoglycemiant, hypotenseur, hypocholesterolemiant, anti-tumoral et cytotoxique. Les quelques essais cliniques montrent une action antiparasitaire, anti-allergique, hypoglycemiante et hypocholesterolemiante. Du fait de la faible toxicite des graines et de l'huile, et de leurs multiples usages traditionnels generalement confirmes par la pharmacologie, nous soulignons l'interet de poursuivre les essais cliniques en vue d'elargir les indications de la Nigelle tout en tenant compte de certains effets indesirables et de quelques precautions d'emploi.
Physicochemical characterisation and radical-scavenging activity of Cucurbitaceae seed oils

Oils extracted from Cucurbitaceae seeds were characterised for their fatty acid and tocopherol compositions. In addition, some physicochemical characteristics, total phenolic contents and the radical-scavenging activities were determined. Oil content amounted to 23.9% and 27.1% in melon and watermelon seeds, respectively. Physicochemical characteristics were similar to those of other edible oils and the oils showed significant antioxidant activities. Fatty acid composition showed total unsaturated fatty acid content of 85.2–83.5%, with linoleic acid being the dominant fatty acid (62.4–72.5%), followed by oleic acid (10.8–22.7%) and palmitic acid (9.2–9.8%). The oils, especially watermelon seed oil, showed high total tocopherol and phenolic contents. The γ-tocopherol was the predominant tocopherol in both oils representing 90.9 and 95.6% of the total tocopherols in melon and watermelon seed oils, respectively. The potential utilisation of melon and watermelon seed oils as a raw material for food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries appears to be favourable.
Pathogenicity of Vibrio splendidus biovar II, the causative bacterium of bacillary necrosis of Japanese oyster larvae

The potential pathogenicity of strains of Vibrio splendidus biovar II, which were isolated from bacillary necrosis of triploid larvae of Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas in a hatchery in western Japan, was investigated. The course of experimental infection with virulent strains of V. splendidus biovar II was very rapid in 5-day-old veliger larvae with disease signs apparent within 6 to 12 h after exposure of larvae at doses of 104 to 106 CFU/ml, and mortalities up to 100% were recorded in 24 h at 105 and 106 CFU/ml. Although all the tested stages of larvae were experimentally infected by virulent strains of V. splendidus biovar II, a later stage (17 days posthatching) was less susceptible than the earlier stages of development. Diploid and triploid larvae were almost equally susceptible to this pathogen.Extracellular products and intracellular components of the strains were lethal to larvae, but their lethality did not correlate with the virulence of live cultures. These results suggest that the ability to elaborate toxins is not the only virulence factor in the pathogenicity of V. splendidus biovar II. The ability of this pathogen to bring about significant mortalities in oyster larvae at densities of 104 CFU/ml and its long survival in seawater make this pathogen a potential threat to larval oyster productions in hatchery systems.
HIV-1 Disease Progression and Fertility in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Objectives:To examine the association of HIV-1 disease progression with pregnancy and live birth incidence in a cohort of HIV-1-positive women in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and to identify other determinants of fertility in this population. Design and Methods:Clinic-based prospective cohort study of HIV-1-infected women followed for up to 6 years and Cox proportional hazards models. Results:The multivariate pregnancy rate ratio (RR) comparing women at clinical stage II with women at stage I was 0.56 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.39, 0.82), and the pregnancy RR for women at stage III or IV compared with women at stage I was 0.24 (95% CI: 0.16, 0.36), controlling for independent predictors of pregnancy incidence. Pregnancy rates were lower among older women, unmarried women, women who had revealed their HIV status to someone, and women who had living children from their most recent pregnancy. The association of HIV-1 clinical progression with a decline in pregnancy incidence was not explained by weight loss, menstrual dysfunction, or nutritional status. Conclusion:Pregnancy and live birth rates decline dramatically with progression of HIV-1 disease. This decline is not explained by observed social, behavioral, or biologic factors.
The Lynfield Obsessional/Compulsive Questionnaires

The need for adequate methods of measuring symptoms in obsessional disorders is stressed, particularly since, owing to the comparative rarity of the condition, a multicentre approach will be necessary if controlled studies are envisaged. A new method of measurement, the Lynfield Obsessional/Compulsive Questionnaire, is described. The questionnaire is derived from the Leyton Obsessional Inventory and may be of value in showing response to treatment.
Tracking the Yak: An Empirical Study of Yik Yak

To investigate the effects of anonymity on user behavior, we conduct an empirical study of the new and controversial social app, Yik Yak. First, we examine how users use the platform, analyzing patterns in posting, popularity of yaks, and vocabulary. As a comparison, we look at posting patterns on Twitter, which has similar limitations on lengths of posts, but is public and global rather than anonymous and local. Upon a sample of 2.9M posts (1.9M yaks and 1M geotagged tweets) from 20 locations across the USA, we find that interactions on Yik Yak are specific to its location limitations and reflect the schedules of its targeted demographic, college students. Second, we test two hypotheses related to anonymity and communication: (i) whether vulgarity usage is more likely to be acceptable, and (ii) whether unique topics emerge in conversations on Yik Yak. We find that posts on Yik Yak are only slightly more likely to contain vulgarities, and we do not find any significant bias in topic distributions on Yik Yak versus on Twitter; however, differences in vocabulary and most discriminative words used suggest the need for further analysis.
Mandibular fracture in single-humped camels.

OBJECTIVE To report the causes and classification of mandibular fractures in dromedary camels and outcome after treatment. ANIMALS Single-humped camels (n = 116) with mandibular fracture. METHODS At admission, cause, site, classification, and radiography of mandibular fractures were recorded. Factors affecting fracture healing were analyzed. RESULTS Biting was the main cause of mandibular fractures in camels, which occurred more commonly in older males (P = .001) than in females. Open fractures were more common than closed ones (92.2% versus 7.8%, P = .0001) and single fractures were more frequent (82%) than multiple and comminuted fractures (18%; P = .001). Fractures were treated by interdental wiring (91.2%) or U-shaped aluminum bar (8.8%) and healing occurred in most (83.2%) fractures. CONCLUSIONS In dromedary camels, mandibular fracture is most commonly caused by bites and can be successfully repaired by interdental wiring or a U-bar technique with good outcome.
Mono- and Dialkyl Glycerol Ether Lipids in Anaerobic Bacteria: Biosynthetic Insights from the Mesophilic Sulfate Reducer Desulfatibacillum alkenivorans PF2803T

ABSTRACT Bacterial glycerol ether lipids (alkylglycerols) have received increasing attention during the last decades, notably due to their potential role in cell resistance or adaptation to adverse environmental conditions. Major uncertainties remain, however, regarding the origin, biosynthesis, and modes of formation of these uncommon bacterial lipids. We report here the preponderance of monoalkyl- and dialkylglycerols (1-O-alkyl-, 2-O-alkyl-, and 1,2-O-dialkylglycerols) among the hydrolyzed lipids of the marine mesophilic sulfate-reducing proteobacterium Desulfatibacillum alkenivorans PF2803T grown on n-alkenes (pentadec-1-ene or hexadec-1-ene) as the sole carbon and energy source. Alkylglycerols account for one-third to two-thirds of the total cellular lipids (alkylglycerols plus acylglycerols), depending on the growth substrate, with dialkylglycerols contributing to one-fifth to two-fifths of the total ether lipids. The carbon chain distribution of the lipids of D. alkenivorans also depends on that of the substrate, but the chain length and methyl-branching patterns of fatty acids and monoalkyl- and dialkylglycerols are systematically congruent, supporting the idea of a biosynthetic link between the three classes of compounds. Vinyl ethers (1-alken-1′-yl-glycerols, known as plasmalogens) are not detected among the lipids of strain PF2803T. Cultures grown on different (per)deuterated n-alkene, n-alkanol, and n-fatty acid substrates further demonstrate that saturated alkylglycerols are not formed via the reduction of hypothetic alken-1′-yl intermediates. Our results support an unprecedented biosynthetic pathway to monoalkyl/monoacyl- and dialkylglycerols in anaerobic bacteria and suggest that n-alkyl compounds present in the environment can serve as the substrates for supplying the building blocks of ether phospholipids of heterotrophic bacteria.
An Upstream Open Reading Frame Regulates Translation of GADD34 during Cellular Stresses That Induce eIF2α Phosphorylation*

Cellular stress such as endoplasmic reticulum stress, hypoxia, and viral infection activates an integrated stress response, which includes the phosphorylation of the eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) to inhibit overall protein synthesis. Paradoxically, this leads to translation of a subset of mRNAs, like transcription factor ATF4, which in turn induces transcription of downstream stress-induced genes such as growth arrest DNA-inducible gene 34 (GADD34). GADD34 interacts with protein phosphatase 1 to dephosphorylate eIF2α, resulting in a negative feedback loop to recover protein synthesis and allow translation of stress-induced transcripts. Here, we show that GADD34 is not only transcriptionally induced but also translationally regulated to ensure maximal expression during eIF2α phosphorylation. GADD34 mRNAs are preferentially associated with polysomes during eIF2α phosphorylation, which is mediated by its 5′-untranslated region (5′UTR). The human GADD34 5′UTR contains two non-overlapping upstream open reading frames (uORFs), whereas the mouse version contains two overlapping and out of frame uORFs. Using 5′UTR GADD34 reporter constructs, we show that the downstream uORF mediates repression of basal translation and directs translation during eIF2α phosphorylation. Furthermore, we show that the upstream uORF is poorly translated and that a proportion of scanning ribosomes bypasses the upstream uORF to recognize the downstream uORF. These findings suggest that GADD34 translation is regulated by a unique 5′UTR uORF mechanism to ensure proper GADD34 expression during eIF2α phosphorylation. This mechanism may serve as a model for understanding how other 5′UTR uORF-containing mRNAs are regulated during cellular stress.
Quality of life of women with urinary incontinence in rehabilitation treatment

This article analyzed how sexual satisfaction, suffering, severity and impact of urinary incontinence, and psychological morbidity affected women’s quality of life and whether suffering mediated the relationship between psychological morbidity and quality of life. The study included 80 women diagnosed with urinary incontinence receiving rehabilitation treatment. Regression analysis showed that sexual satisfaction, suffering, and urinary incontinence severity and impact predicted quality of life and that suffering mediated the relationship between psychological morbidity and quality of life. The findings suggest that interventions should be tailored according to the suffering reported by women and the impact of the urinary incontinence on the couple’s sexual relationship.
English Accents and Dialects : An Introduction to Social and Regional Varieties of English in the British Isles

Now in its third edition, this is an introductory survey of the main regional and social varieties of English spoken in the British Isles. The authors discuss accent and dialect in the broader framework of language variation, including phonetic, phonological, grammatical, lexical, historical and stylistic differences. This is followed by a survey of the speech of 12 different areas of the British Isles. The cassette which accompanies the book, but which is available separately, consists of edited interviews (all transcribed in the book) with speakers from each of the different areas. The cassette has detailed notes on the recordings in the text. The third edition has been thoroughly revised, and includes a new chapter on "Received Pronunciation"(RP). After a general description of RP, the authors discuss various variations within RP, and consider some of the factors which account for this variation. The cassette now includes three different varieties of RP speech. Entirely new sections, with corresponding recordings, have been added on Lowland Scots, Devon and Dublin speech.