Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Review of the Association Between Number of Social Roles and Cardiovascular Disease: Graded or Threshold Effect?

Supplemental digital content is available in the text. ABSTRACT Objective There is increasing evidence for an inverse association between the number of social roles (e.g., spouse, friend, and neighbor) we engage in and our risk of disease, especially cardiovascular disease (CVD). Two mechanistic models have been proposed to explain this association. The social integration model refers to a graded association where every additional social role is associated with an increase in resistance to disease. The social isolation model refers to a threshold effect where the lack of a minimal criterion number of roles increases risk of disease. Methods We conducted a systematic review of prospective studies examining the association between number of social roles and CVD risk. Results When we include all studies assessing number of social roles, irrespective of whether associations are attributable to graded effects (social integration) and threshold effects (social isolation) or cannot be determined by the data presented, those holding fewer social roles were found to be at greater risk of CVD incidence, CVD mortality (evidence stronger for men than women), and greater progression of disease (only for short [≤5 years] follow-ups). However, closer analyses indicate that the association between a greater number of social roles and decreased CVD incidence was attributable to graded effects among men but to both effects among women. In contrast, the association of number of social roles and disease progression was driven by threshold effects (social isolation) for both sexes, whereas mortality studies included evidence for both effects. Conclusions These results suggest underlying mechanisms linking social roles to different CVD outcomes.
Factors explaining alien plant invasion success in a tropical ecosystem differ at each stage of invasion

1 Understanding why some alien plant species become invasive when others fail is a fundamental goal in invasion ecology. We used detailed historical planting records of alien plant species introduced to Amani Botanical Garden, Tanzania and contemporary surveys of their invasion status to assess the relative ability of phylogeny, propagule pressure, residence time, plant traits and other factors to explain the success of alien plant species at different stages of the invasion process. 2 Species with native ranges centred in the tropics and with larger seeds were more likely to regenerate, whereas naturalization success was explained by longer residence time, faster growth rate, fewer seeds per fruit, smaller seed mass and shade tolerance. 3 Naturalized species spreading greater distances from original plantings tended to have more seeds per fruit, whereas species dispersed by canopy‐feeding animals and with native ranges centred on the tropics tended to have spread more widely in the botanical garden. Species dispersed by canopy‐feeding animals and with greater seed mass were more likely to be established in closed forest. 4 Phylogeny alone made a relatively minor contribution to the explanatory power of statistical models, but a greater proportion of variation in spread within the botanical garden and in forest establishment was explained by phylogeny alone than for other models. Phylogeny jointly with variables also explained a greater proportion of variation in forest establishment than in other models. Phylogenetic correction weakened the importance of dispersal syndrome in explaining compartmental spread, seed mass in the forest establishment model, and all factors except for growth rate and residence time in the naturalization model. 5 Synthesis. This study demonstrates that it matters considerably how invasive species are defined when trying to understand the relative ability of multiple variables to explain invasion success. By disentangling different invasion stages and using relatively objective criteria to assess species status, this study highlights that relatively simple models can help to explain why some alien plants are able to naturalize, spread and even establish in closed tropical forests.
GROWTH PERFORMANCE, NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY AND IMMUNE RESPONSE OF BROILER CHICKS FED DIETS SUPPLEMENTED WITH A CULTURE OF LACTOBACILLUS BULGARICUS

BACKGROUND: Probiotics are being developed for use in animal feed to enhance production performance and prevention of gastrointestinal infections. The ban on using antibiotics as growth promoters, antibiotic resistance and the inherent problems of developing new vaccines make a compelling case for developing alternatives for in-feed antibiotics. The alternatives of choice have to be considered under the environmental conditions of the animal. Among the probiotics in use today, Lactobacillus has been shown to play a vital role in disease prevention, immune enhancement, improved growth and carcass yield in poultry. The present study investigates the effect of Lactobacillus bulgaricus (LB)-based probiotic on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility and immune response of broilers under tropical environmental conditions. RESULTS: Broilers fed LB diets consumed more feed (P 0.05) in fibre digestibility. White blood cell count increased significantly in broilers fed higher levels (>40 mg kg−1) of LB compared with the control group. Antibody production measured as antibody titre against Newcastle disease vaccine showed a curvilinear response over the range of LB concentrations examined. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that LB addition to broiler chick diets significantly improved growth performance, increased nutrient digestibility and stimulated humoral immune response. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Privacy-Preserving Social Search: Primitives and Realisation

To mitigate the data breach issue in online social networks, this thesis builds an encrypted search system. The system can process queries on the encrypted data, and it can be used to support real-world social network services. To further improve the security of the system, this thesis reviews the underlying cryptographic primitives used by the system and propose a new cryptographic primitive to address an attack with a moderate cost.
The Age profiles of Gazelles predated by ancient man in Israel : Possible evidence for a shift from seasonality to sedentism in the Natufian

Cet article presente des donnees sur la courbe des âges a partir de dents de gazelle provenant de gisements prehistoriques d'Israel du Mousterien (50-40.000 BP) au Natoufien (12-10.000 BP). A l'interieur de cette sequence, on observe une legere augmentation des sujets jeunes au Natoufien. Plusieurs facteurs peuvent avoir affecte la courbe des âges d'une espece chassee par les hommes prehistoriques. L'auteur avance l'hypothese que cet accroissement au Natoufien est la consequence non voulue par l'homme d'un changement de son mode de vie : c'est-a-dire le passage du nomadisme saisonnier a la vie sedentaire.
An empirical research on relationship between adequate and fair compensation and quality of work life

Abstract The paper aims at exploring the relationship between adequate and fair compensation and QWL and determining the most significant item influencing adequate and fair compensation. Data was collected from 251 artisans employed in art metal-ware handicraft sector of India through questionnaires. Likert’s five-point scale was used to measure the items. The study shall prove to be useful in suggesting the areas which are perceived by the artisans of art metal-ware handicraft industry as most important thus suggesting the employers to pay due attention on them. It will also provide insights about the difference in the perception of male and female artisans and artisans having different number of dependents w.r. t adequate and fair compensation.
Studies on Gracilaria. 2. Growth under greenhouse conditions

Various conditions for growth of Gracilaria sp. in tanks with running seawater were studied. An increase in weight of 389% in 4 weeks was obtained at 25 °C with natural daylight. With artificial light a somewhat larger increase was obtained under slightly different conditions. Maximum growth occurred in undiluted seawater, with deterioration of plants at 10%n salinity.
Positive- and Negative-acting Krüppel-like Transcription Factors Bind a Transforming Growth Factor β Control Element Required for Expression of the Smooth Muscle Cell Differentiation Marker SM22α in Vivo *

Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is implicated in the regulation of smooth muscle cell (SMC) differentiation. We previously identified a novel TGF-β control element (TCE) in the promoters of SMC differentiation marker genes, including α-smooth muscle actin and SM22α. In this study, the importance of the TCE in regulation of SM22α gene expressionin vivo was investigated by mutating it within the context of a mouse SM22α promoter-lacZ transgenic construct. Mutation of the TCE completely abolished SM22α promoter activity in arterial SMCs as well as in developing heart and skeletal muscle. To identify the transcription factor(s) binding to the TCE, we performed yeast one-hybrid cloning analysis and identified gut-enriched Krüppel-like factor (GKLF). However, cotransfection studies in cultured cells showed that GKLF repressed the TGF-β-dependent increases in SM22α and α-smooth muscle actin promoter activities. Furthermore, GKLF was not highly expressed in differentiated SMCs in vivo, and TGF-β down-regulated GKLF expression in dedifferentiated cultured SMCs. In contrast, overexpression of a related factor (BTEB2) transactivated SM22α promoter activity. Thus, our findings suggest a reciprocal role for related Krüppel-like transcription factors in the regulation of SMC differentiation through a TCE-dependent mechanism.
Evaluation of Invasions and Declines of Submersed Macrophytes for the Upper Great Lakes Region

ABSTRACT In the upper Great Lakes region, Myriophyttum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Potamogeton crispus, and Ceratophyllum demersum are the most significant nuisances. M. spicatum and P. crispus have generally invaded lakes with hard water, abundant nutrients, and a history of disturbance or heavy human use. M. spicatum has declined in some Wisconsin lakes, but not in all that it invaded. The reason for declines was never satisfactorily explained. Following its decline in Madison, WI, lakes, the M. spicatum population never regained its former predominance. There are no long-term data to determine whether populations of native macrophyte species are expanding, stable, or declining on a regional basis, although diversity of the aquatic plant communities of Madison-area lakes has declined over the last 80 years. Most aquatic plant management in the upper Great Lakes region involves controlling nuisance species. Herbicides and mechanical harvesting are the primary means of management, although drawdowns, bot.
Lake outlet blackflies - the dynamics of filter feeders at very high population densities

Larvae of the blackfly Simulium noelleri aggregated at very high population densities (up to 1.2 × 106 individuals m−2) at a lake outlet in Kent, United Kingdom. During 1983 and 1984 their first appearance in these large numbers was in late-June and they completed three summer generations before the overwintering larval generation appeared in October. It is not known where the larvae overwinter but they recolonized the concrete steps of this outlet in May, together with larvae of the S. ornatum group which, however, were not found after completing one generation at this location. Female flies from the overwintering generation oviposited en masse during late-June and the result was a well-synchronized growth of larvae in the first summer generation. Within this, and other generations, there was A wide range of emergence times for adults; they could emerge early and were then relatively small, or could emerge later and were then relatively large. Females were always larger than males and the emergence of flies was protandrous. A very similar pattern of growth and emergence times was found at a site in Finland. In all generations, sex ratio was biased to males and the sex ratio in each generation was inversely correlated with population density. This ensured that there were sufficient males emerging, and surviving adult mortality, to guarantee fertilisation of the females which were more expensive to produce.
New acritarch species from Holocene sediments in central West Greenland

Palynologic assemblages from late Quaternary sediments from Disko Bugt, central West Greenland, contain a new acritarch species described herein as Palaeostomocystis subtilitheca sp. nov. The type of the genus Beringiella, Beringiella fritilla Bujak 1984, is transferred to the genus Palaeostomocystis Deflandre 1937, and the new combination Palaeostomocystis fritilla (Bujak 1984) is proposed. Palaeostomocystis subtilitheca sp. nov. and P. fritilla (Bujak 1984) comb. nov. are characteristic of polar to subpolar environments and may be potential environmental indicators.
Anthocyanins as antioxidants on human low-density lipoprotein and lecithin-liposome systems

The antioxidant activity of several anthocyanins was tested in vitro on human low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and on a lecithin−liposome system. Samples were incubated at 37 °C, and the extent of oxidation was measured by determining the formation of conjugated diene and hexanal. The inhibition of oxidation increased with concentration of the antioxidant. In the LDL system, when the oxidation was catalyzed with 10 μM copper, malvidin was the best oxidation inhibitor, followed by delphinidin, cyanidin, and pelargonin. When the oxidation was catalyzed with 80 μM copper, the order of antioxidant activity changed and decreased in the following order at all concentrations tested: delphinidin, cyanidin, malvidin, and pelargonin. In the liposome system, catalyzed with either 3 or 10 μM copper, malvidin was the best inhibitor of both conjugated diene and hexanal formation. At 3 μM copper, delphinidin, cyanidin, and pelargonin showed prooxidant activity. At 10 μM copper, pelargonin followed malvidin in antioxidant.
The Red Fox, Vulpes vulpes, as a Predator upon Earthworms, Lumbricus terrestris

In some areas foxes frequently hunt for earthworms. From observations of this behaviour made through infra-red binoculars, the hunting technique is described. Capture success was found to vary with weather conditions and the foxes responded in several ways to the patchy distribution of these prey. A detailed track analysis shows that although foxes sometimes restrict their area of search while hunting for worms, they do not do this by changing simple movement parameters consequent upon given captures. The effect of capture rate on ‘giving-up’ time is described and linked to aspects of fox social behaviour. An example illustrating the acquisition of the worm hunting techniques is given and comparisons are made with a sympatric earthworm predator, the badger. Zusammenfassung Das Verhalten von Fuchsen auf der Suche nach Regenwurmern wurde analysiert. Zeigt es Anpassungen an eine ungleichmasig vorkommende Beute? Zuweilen suchten Fuchse in eng begrenztem Gebiet nach Wurmern. Das last sich nicht allein mit den Reaktionen auf die einzelnen bemerkten Wurmer erklaren. Fuchse richten ihre Suche eher nach indirekten Anzeichen als nach tatsachlich gefundenen Wurmern auS. Diese Anzeichen scheinen von Nacht zu Nacht zu wechseln und schliesen Windrichtung und Graslange ein. Fuchse suchen eine neue Stelle, wenn an der gegenwartigen die Fangrate unter den Durchschnitt aller Stellen in dem betreffenden Gebiet sinkt. Das Wurmangebot hangt stark vom Wetter ab; entsprechend wechselt der Durch-schnittswert von Nacht zu Nacht. Dem passen sich die Fuchse an, bleiben aber langer an einer Stelle als das Modell optimaler Nahrungsnutzung voraussagt. In bestimmten Revierzonen suchen besonders rangtiefe Fuchse nach Wurmern. Soziale Rangverhaltnisse konnen also die Nahrung eines Tieres wie auch das Ausbeuten des Angebotes beeinflussen. Der jeweilige Zugang zu bestimmtem Futter scheint mitzuspielen bei der Entscheidung, ob ein Fuchs in der Gruppe bleibt. Einige Beobachtungen deuten darauf hin, das Eltern den Jungen Wurm-fangtechniken beibringen. Dachse sind offenbar bessere Wurmjager; Fuchse gehen ihnen nach und konnten sie zum Auffinden von Wurmgebieten ausnutzen.
A preliminary assessment of some factors influencing the density and distribution of palearctic passerine migrants wintering in the Sahel zone of West Africa

Population densities of Palearctic migrant and African birds were estimated from 444 point counts, that estimated minimum density, at 10 sites in the Sahel zone of northern Nigeria during December–January 1993/94. In total, 15 Palearctic species were recorded during point counts averaging 5 species per site, and 76 African species averaging 24 species per site. The densities of Palearctic migrants varied from 1 bird ha-1 in semi-desert and highly degraded woodland, up to 8 birds ha-1 in dense Sahelian woodland. Common Whitethroats Sylvia communis were most abundant (up to 0.7 birds ha-1) in sites rich in Piliostigma reticulata trees; Subalpine Warblers S. cantillans were most abundant (up to 5.9 birds ha-1) in sites rich in Acacia spp. and Cassia sieberiana; Lesser Whitethroats S. curruca and Redstarts Phoenicurus phoenicurus were associated with high overall tree densities (both up to 0.6 birds ha-1); Northern Wheatears Oenanthe oenanthe occurred at densities of about 1 bird ha-1 at very low tree density.
A New Afrotropical Species of Ormyrus Westwood, 1832 (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Ormyridae)

A new species, Ormyrus fernandinus sp. n. (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Ormyridae), is described from the island of Bioko (Equatorial Guinea). Collected with Malaise trap, the biology of the new species is unknown. The differential morphological features of the new species with respect to known afrotropical Ormyrus species, and its phylogenetic relationships are discussed.
Cell Wall Polysaccharide Metabolism during Fruit Development in Sweet Cherry 'Satohnishiki' as Affected by Gibberellic Acid

Cell wall polysaccharide metabolism during fruit development in 'Satohnishiki' sweet cherries (Prunus avium L.) and the effect of gibberellic acid (GA) treatment on the fruit were investigated. Fruit firmness decreased dramatically, and sugar concentration increased rapidly from 30 to 36 days after full bloom (DAFB), accompanied by increases in abscisic acid (ABA) and water-soluble pectic substances (WSP) fraction and decreases in sodium hexametaphosphate-soluble pectic substances (HMP) fraction, HCl-soluble pectic substances (HP) fraction, and cell wall bound neutral sugars. Therefore, the period from 30 to 36 DAFB is considered the onset of fruit ripening. Pectinesterase (PE) activity decreased from 30 to 42 DAFB ; endo-polygalacturonase (PG) activity was not detectable. Contrarily, cell wall bound neutral sugars decreased greatly as fruit ripened which demonstrates that the softening of sweet cherries may cause, not a dissolution of homogalacturonan, but a decrease of cell wall bound neutral sugars, leading to lower molecular weight by the cleavage of the neutral sugar region. An application of 0.289 mM (100 ppm) GA3 solution to whole branches at 23 DAFB inhibited the solubilization of polysaccharides until 56 DAFB and the accumulation of anthocyanins in the skin. The effect of GA3 treatment on endogenous ABA concentration which plays an important role in the cherry fruit ripening was also examined. Although ABA concentration in GA3-treated fruit was lower than that in untreated control fruit 36 DAFB, its concentration was, contrarily, higher at 56 DAFB. These results suggest that GA3 treatment delayed fruit ripening by blocking ABA activity.
Uncertainties of Glacial Isostatic Adjustment Model Predictions in North America Associated With 3D Structure

We quantify GIA prediction uncertainties of 250 1D and 3D glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) models through comparisons with deglacial relative sea‐level (RSL) data from North America and rate of vertical land motion ( U̇ ) and gravity rate of change ( Ġ ) from GNSS and GRACE data, respectively. Spatially, the size of the RSL uncertainties varies across North America with the largest from Hudson Bay and near previous ice margins along the northern Atlantic and Pacific coasts, which suggests 3D viscosity structure in the lower mantle and laterally varying lithospheric thickness. Temporally, RSL uncertainties decrease from the Last Glacial Maximum to present except for west of Hudson Bay and the northeastern Pacific coast. The uncertainties of both these regions increase from 30 to 45 m between 15 and 11 ka BP, which may be due to the rapid decrease of surface loading at that time. Present‐day U̇ and Ġ uncertainties are largest in southwestern Hudson Bay with magnitudes of 2.4 mm/year and 0.4 μGal/year, mainly due to the 3D viscosity structure in the lower mantle.
Linking forest tenure and anthropogenic factors with institutions and the effectiveness of management in Mpigi forests, central Uganda

This paper reveals the investigated effects of forest tenure and physical and socioeconomic correlates on conservation and management of forests in the Mpigi District, central Uganda. Tree diversity was surveyed in 156 nested plots of 20 m × 50 m. Tree density, mean diameter at breast height (dbh) and evidence of illegal forest use were used as indicators of forest conditions and the efficacy of forest management. The stand structure characteristics (i.e. tree density, mean dbh and basal area of trees) were higher in private forests than in Central Forest Reserves (CFRs) and Local Forest Reserves (LFRs) due to effective regulation and monitoring measures by private forest owners. Diameter size for all species combined followed the inverse J-shape, typical of mixed-age stands. Forests in close proximity to a dense human settlement and far from roads were heavily used, suggesting a high likelihood of population pressure on forest resources and limited capacity of forest owners and managers to effectively control and halt degradation in forests far away from agencies. A high proportion of plots in LFRs (81%) had signs of illegal forest use compared to CFRs (67%) and private forests (45%), even in LFRs and CFRs that were located closer to forest management institutions. Tenure alone did not ensure that forest condition is maintained but other factors such as distance to maintained roads and human pressure on the resource were also important. Management of forests in Mpigi needs to recognise and adequately address human impacts and improve the capacity of forest agencies and owners to monitor and regulate harvesting of forest produce.
DeepMnemonic: Password Mnemonic Generation via Deep Attentive Encoder-Decoder Model

Strong passwords are fundamental to the security of password-based user authentication systems. In the recent years, much effort has been made to evaluate the password strength or to generate strong passwords. Unfortunately, the usability or memorability of the strong passwords has been largely neglected. In this article, we aim to bridge the gap between strong password generation and the usability of strong passwords. We propose to automatically generate textual password mnemonics, i.e., natural language sentences, which are intended to help users better memorize passwords. We introduce DeepMnemonic, a deep attentive encoder-decoder framework which takes a password as input and then automatically generates a mnemonic sentence for the password. We conduct extensive experiments to evaluate DeepMnemonic on the real-world data sets. The experimental results demonstrate that DeepMnemonic outperforms a well-known baseline for generating semantically meaningful mnemonic sentences. Moreover, the user study further validates that the generated mnemonic sentences by DeepMnemonic are useful in helping users memorize strong passwords.