Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identifying Post-Fire Recovery Trajectories and Driving Factors Using Landsat Time Series in Fire-Prone Mediterranean Pine Forests

Wildfires constitute the most important natural disturbance of Mediterranean forests, driving vegetation dynamics. Although Mediterranean species have developed ecological post-fire recovery strategies, the impacts of climate change and changes in fire regimes may endanger their resilience capacity. This study aims at assessing post-fire recovery dynamics at different stages in two large fires that occurred in Mediterranean pine forests (Spain) using temporal segmentation of the Landsat time series (1994–2018). Landsat-based detection of Trends in Disturbance and Recovery (LandTrendr) was used to derive trajectory metrics from Tasseled Cap Wetness (TCW), sensitive to canopy moisture and structure, and Tasseled Cap Angle (TCA), related to vegetation cover gradients. Different groups of post-fire trajectories were identified through K-means clustering of the Recovery Ratios (RR) from fitted trajectories: continuous recovery, continuous recovery with slope changes, continuous recovery stabilized and non-continuous recovery. The influence of pre-fire conditions, fire severity, topographic variables and post-fire climate on recovery rates for each recovery category at successional stages was analyzed through Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR). The modeling results indicated that pine forest recovery rates were highly sensitive to post-fire climate in the mid and long-term and to fire severity in the short-term, but less influenced by topographic conditions (adjusted R-squared ranged from 0.58 to 0.88 and from 0.54 to 0.93 for TCA and TCW, respectively). Recovery estimation was assessed through orthophotos, showing a high accuracy (Dice Coefficient ranged from 0.81 to 0.97 and from 0.74 to 0.96 for TCA and TCW, respectively). This study provides new insights into the post-fire recovery dynamics at successional stages and driving factors. The proposed method could be an approach to model the recovery for the Mediterranean areas and help managers in determining which areas may not be able to recover naturally.
Resistance of European winter wheat germplasm to leaf rust

Pendant au moins deux ans, 72 cultivars et lignees de selection avancees de ble ont ete testees aux champs dans dix pays europeens pour evaluer la resistance a la rouille des feuilles. De plus, la resistance a ete evaluee lors d'essais en laboratoire sur des plantules infectees avec des isolats de formules virulence/avirulence connues pour postuler des genes de resistance. Neuf d'entre elles (Batis, Capo, RE9001, RE 9801, Terza, Toronit, Titlis, Barra, Beaufort) ont montre une tres forte resistance sur tous les sites et ont ete considerees comme des sources de resistance excellentes pour les programmes de selection. Deux tiers des 72 entrees possedaient une resistance a l'etat adulte et/ou une resistance partielle. Les cultivars contenant le gene Lrl3 ont montre des reactions tres differentes a la maladie ; il semble donc que le gene Lrl3 seul ne procure pas une resistance d'un niveau suffisant en Europe. Le gene Lr37 a permis une bonne resistance des plantes au stade adulte tandis qu'au stade plantule une sensibilite moyenne a ete observee. Un grand nombre des cultivars de ble analyses possede des genes de resistance encore inconnus qui sont exprimes au stade adulte. La resistance au stade plantule a ete attribuee principalement aux genes Lrl, Lr3a, Lr3ka, LrlO, Lrl4a, Lr17b, Lr20 ou Lr26.
Aggressiveness Potential of Spontaneous Canine Mucosal Melanoma Can Dictate Distinct Cancer Stem Cell Compartment Behaviors in Regard to Their Initial Size and Expansion Abilities

Mucosal melanoma represents one of the most highly metastatic and aggressive subtypes of melanoma. The biology of mucosal melanoma is poorly documented, and the lack of experimental models makes it difficult to design and test new therapies. Dogs are frequently affected by melanomas of the oral cavity, making spontaneous canine melanoma a potentially predictable model for their human counterpart. We recently established and characterized two new canine mucosal melanoma cell lines named OCR_OCMM1 and OCR_OCMM2. Here, we identified quiescent cancer stem cell (CSC) subpopulations in both canine cell lines that displayed similarities to human quiescent CSCs: canine melanoma CSCs had the ability to self-renew, produced nonstem cell (SC) progeny, and formed melanospheres that recapitulated the phenotypic profile of the parental tumor. These CSCs also formed melanoma in immunodeficient mice, and the inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling expanded the CSC pool. A subset of non-CSCs transitioned to become CSCs. OCR_OCMM1 and OCR_OCMM2 displayed different CSC compartment behaviors in regard to their initial size and expansion abilities. Collectively, this study showed that the OCR_OCMM1 and OCR_OCMM2 canine melanoma cell lines are powerful cellular tools to study melanoma SCs, not only for mucosal but also for the more common human cutaneous melanoma.
FISH physical mapping of 5S rDNA and telomere sequence repeats identified a peculiar chromosome mapping and mutation in Leucanthemella linearis and Nipponanthemum nipponicum in Chrysanthemum sensu lato

Using FISH biotin-labeled-probe of 5S rDNA showed a peculiar FISH signals on the chromosomes of Leucanthemella linearis and Nipponanthemum nipponicum. At the time of using the probe of 5S rDNA after PCR-amplification using genomic DNA of Chrysanthemum boreale (=Dendranthema boreale), six and two FISH signals of 5S rDNA were co-localized with the 45S rDNA regions of sat-chromosomes in the chromosome complement of both L. linearis and N. nipponicum, respectively. Using the probe of the 5S rDNA after PCR-amplification using genomic DNA of N. nipponicum, those FISH signals were two interstitial signals of 5S rDNA sites on two chromosomes of each chromosome complement as well as six and two FISH signals were co-localized with the 45S rDNA regions of sat-chromosomes of both L. linearis and N. nipponicum, respectively. The chromosomes of N. nipponicum also showed a peculiar FISH signals at terminal regions of most chromosomes. FISH signals of telomere sequence repeats were detected on terminal regions all chromosomes of N. nipponicum, while L. linearis showed terminal and interstitial FISH signals indicating existence of chromosomal mutation as translocation and or inversion. The size of the FISH terminal signals of the 5S rDNA sites was not associated or co-localized with the telomeric signals in the chromosomes of N. nipponicum. Use of FISH facilitates the identification of homologous chromosomes and the inference of changes in genome structure among the species. In the present study, the FISH signals that showed the phenomenon of co-localization of the 5S rDNA site with 45S rDNA were detected for the first time. The species genome appears to have undergone structural reorganization and recombination and, thus, formed unique characteristics as a new genome of the species.
Pigment epithelium‐derived factor (PEDF) and PEDF‐receptor in the adult mouse brain: Differential spatial/temporal localization pattern

Pigment epithelium‐derived factor (PEDF) is a multifunctional protein which was initially described in the retina, although it is also present in other tissues. It functions as an antioxidant agent promoting neuronal survival. Recently, a PEDF receptor has shown an elevated binding affinity for PEDF. There are no relevant data regarding the distribution of both proteins in the brain, therefore the main goal of this work was to investigate the spatiotemporal presence of PEDF and PEDFR in the adult mouse brain, and to determine the PEDF blood level in mouse and human. The localization of both proteins was analyzed by different experimental methods such as immunohistochemistry, western‐blotting, and also by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Differential expression was found in some telencephalic structures and positive signals for both proteins were detected in the cerebellum. The magnitude of the PEDFR labeling pattern was higher than PEDF and included some cortical and subventricular areas. Age‐dependent changes in intensity of both protein immunoreactions were found in the cortical and hippocampal areas with greater reactivity between 4 and 8 months of age, whilst others, like the subventricular zones, these differences were more evident for PEDFR. Although ubiquitous presence was not found in the brain for these two proteins, their relevant functions must not be underestimated. It has been described that PEDF plays an important role in neuroprotection and data provided in the present work represents the first extensive study to understand the relevance of these two proteins in specific brain areas.
Molecular Simulation of αvβ6 Integrin Inhibitors

The urgent need for new treatments for the chronic lung disease idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) motivates research into antagonists of the RGD binding integrin, alphavbeta6 , a protein linked to the initiation and progression of the disease. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of alphavbeta6 in complex with its natural ligand, pro-TGF-beta1, show the persistence over time of a bidentate Arg-Asp ligand-receptor interaction and a metal chelate interaction between an aspartate on the ligand and an Mg2+¸ ion in the active site. This is typical of RGD binding ligands. Additional binding site interactions, which are not observed in the static crystal structure, are also identified. We investigate an RGD mimetic, which serves as a framework for a series of potential alphavbeta6 antagonists. The scaffold includes a derivative of the widely utilised 1,8-naphthyridine moiety, for which we present force field parameters, to enable MD and relative free energy perturbation (FEP) simulations. The MD simulations highlight the importance of hydrogen bonding and cation-pi interactions. The FEP calculations predict relative binding affinities, within 1.5 kcal mol-1, on average, of experiment.
Is poverty the mother of crime? Evidence from homicide rates in China

Income inequality is blamed for being the main driver of violent crime by the majority of the literature. However, earlier work on the topic largely neglects the role of poverty and income levels as opposed to income inequality. The current paper uses all court verdicts for homicide cases in China between 2014 and 2016, as well as various inequality measures calculated from 2005 mini census data together with a host of control variables to shed light on the relationship at the detailed Chinese prefecture-level. The results suggest that it is the poverty and low income level, rather than income inequality, that is positively related to homicide rates. We show that the internal rural-urban migration from more violent localities contributes to the destination cities’ homicide rates. The poverty-homicide association implies that instead of “relative deprivation”, “absolute deprivation” is mainly responsible for violent crime. Poverty is the mother of crime. —Marcus Aurelius (121-180AD), Emperor of the Roman Empire.
Genotype, Phenotype and Mating Behavior of Drosophila melanogaster

Mating competition between Drosophila melanogaster males carrying different white eye color alleles on a uniform genetic background was studied. In an alternating light-dark environment, males possessing the more pigmented eye color were more successful in mating. In the dark mating was random. No effect of the female's genotype or phenotype in mate selection was noted. These experiments emphasize that selective mating can be important in influencing the genic composition of populations. In D. melanogaster, a visual stimulus is important for mate selection by males.
Analytical performance of thrombospondin-1 and cathepsin D immunoassays part of a novel CE-IVD marked test as an aid in the diagnosis of prostate cancer

The Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test suffers from low specificity for the diagnosis of Prostate Cancer (PCa). We originally discovered two cancer-related proteins thrombospondin-1 (THBS1) and cathepsin D (CTSD) using a mass-spectrometry-based proteomics approach. The two serum proteins were shown to improve the diagnosis of high-grade PCa. Thus, we developed quantitative ELISAs for the determination of their concentration in human serum. Here we report their analytical performance in terms of limit of detection, specificity, precision, linearity and interferences, which were determined based on CLSI guidelines. Further, we investigated the influence of pre-analytical factors on concentration measurements. For this, blood from 4–6 donors was collected in different tubes and stored at room temperature for different times prior to centrifugation at different centrifugal forces and temperatures. Stability of THBS1 and CTSD under different storage temperatures was also evaluated. Our results show that the assays are specific, linear and sensitive enough to allow measurement of clinical samples. Precision in terms of repeatability and total within-laboratory coefficient of variation (CV) are 5.5% and 8.1% for THBS1 and 4.3% and 7.2% for CTSD, respectively. Relative laboratory-to-laboratory differences were -6.3% for THBS1 and -3% for CTSD. Both THBS1 and CTSD were stable in serum samples, with 80–120% recoveries of concentrations across donors, sample preparation and storage. In conclusion, the ELISAs as part of the novel commercial in vitro diagnostic test Proclarix are suitable for the use in clinical practice. THBS1 and CTSD can be accurately measured for their intended use independent of the lot and laboratory when conditions consistent with routine practice for PSA sampling and storage are used.
A Central Role for Ly49 Receptors in NK Cell Memory

In the past decade, the study of NK cells was transformed by the discovery of three ways these “innate” immune cells display adaptive immune behavior, including the ability to form long-lasting, Ag-specific memories of a wide variety of immunogens. In this review, we examine these types of NK cell memory, highlighting their unique features and underlying similarities. We explore those similarities in depth, focusing on the role that Ly49 receptors play in various types of NK cell memory. From this Ly49 dependency, we will build a model by which we understand the three types of NK cell memory as aspects of what is ultimately the same adaptive immune process, rather than separate facets of NK cell biology. We hope that a defined model for NK cell memory will empower collaboration between researchers of these three fields to further our understanding of this surprising and clinically promising immune response.
Impact of Perinatal Death on the Social and Family Context of the Parents

Background: Perinatal death (PD) is a painful experience, with physical, psychological and social consequences in families. Each year, there are 2.7 million perinatal deaths in the world and about 2000 in Spain. The aim of this study was to explore, describe and understand the impact of perinatal death on parents’ social and family life. Methods: A qualitative study based on Gadamer’s hermeneutic phenomenology was used. In-depth interviews were conducted with 13 mothers and eight fathers who had suffered a perinatal death. Inductive analysis was used to find themes based on the data. Results: Seven sub-themes emerged, and they were grouped into two main themes: 1) perinatal death affects family dynamics, and 2) the social environment of the parents is severely affected after perinatal death. Conclusions: PD impacts the family dynamics of the parents and their family, social and work environments. Parents perceive that society trivializes their loss and disallows or delegitimizes their grief. Implications: Social care, health and education providers should pay attention to all family members who have suffered a PD. The recognition of the loss within the social and family environment would help the families to cope with their grief.
Estimating Diversity in Unsampled Habitats of a Biogeographical Province

Abstract: Estimating the number of species in a biogeographical province can be problematic. A number of methods have been developed to overcome sample‐size limits within a single habitat. We evaluated six of these methods to see whether they could also compensate for incomplete habitat samples. We applied them to the butterfly species of the 110 ecoregions of Canada and the United States. Two of the methods use the frequency of species that occur in a few of the sampled ecoregions. These two methods did not work. The other four methods estimate the asymptote of the species‐accumulation curve ( the graph of “number of species in a set of samples” versus “number of species occurrences in those samples” ). The asymptote of this curve is the actual number of species in the system. Three of these extrapolation estimators produced good estimates of total diversity even when limited to 10% of the ecoregions. Good estimates depend on sampling ecoregions that are hyperdispersed in space. Clustered sampling designs ruin the usefulness of the three successful methods. To ascertain their generality, our results must be duplicated at other scales and for other taxa and in other provinces.
Eutrophication, biodiversity loss, and species invasions modify the relationship between host and parasite richness during host community assembly

Host and parasite richness are generally positively correlated, but the stability of this relationship in response to global change remains poorly understood. Rapidly changing biotic and abiotic conditions can alter host community assembly, which in turn, can alter parasite transmission. Consequently, if the relationship between host and parasite richness is sensitive to parasite transmission, then changes in host composition under various global change scenarios could strengthen or weaken the relationship between host and parasite richness. To test the hypothesis that host community assembly can alter the relationship between host and parasite richness in response to global change, we experimentally crossed host diversity (biodiversity loss) and resource supply to hosts (eutrophication), then allowed communities to assemble. As previously shown, initial host diversity and resource supply determined the trajectory of host community assembly, altering post‐assembly host species richness, richness‐independent host phylogenetic diversity, and colonization by exotic host species. Overall, host richness predicted parasite richness, and as predicted, this effect was moderated by exotic abundance—communities dominated by exotic species exhibited a stronger positive relationship between post‐assembly host and parasite richness. Ultimately, these results suggest that, by modulating parasite transmission, community assembly can modify the relationship between host and parasite richness. These results thus provide a novel mechanism to explain how global environmental change can generate contingencies in a fundamental ecological relationship—the positive relationship between host and parasite richness.
A randomized clinical trial of a group cognitive-behavioral therapy to reduce alcohol use among human immunodeficiency virus-infected out-patients in western Kenya.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Culturally relevant and feasible interventions are needed to address limited professional resources in sub-Saharan Africa for behaviorally treating the dual epidemics of HIV and alcohol use disorder. This study tested the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention to reduce alcohol use among HIV-infected outpatients in Eldoret, Kenya. DESIGN Randomized clinical trial. SETTING A large HIV outpatient clinic in Eldoret, Kenya, affiliated with the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare collaboration. PARTICIPANTS A total of 614 HIV-infected outpatients (312 CBT; 302 HL; 48.5% male; mean age: 38.9 years; mean education 7.7 years) who reported a minimum of hazardous or binge drinking. INTERVENTION AND COMPARATOR A culturally adapted 6-session gender-stratified group CBT intervention compared with Healthy Lifestyles education (HL), each delivered by paraprofessionals over 6 weekly 90-minute sessions with a 9-month follow-up. MEASUREMENTS Primary outcome measures were percent drinking days (PDD) and mean drinks per drinking day (DDD) computed from retrospective daily number of drinks data obtained by use of the Timeline Followback from baseline through 9-months post-intervention. Exploratory analyses examined unprotected sex and number of partners. FINDINGS Median attendance was 6 sessions across condition. Retention was 85% through the 9-month follow-up. PDD and DDD marginal means were significantly lower in CBT than HL at all three study phases. Maintenance period: PDD-CBT 3.64 (0.70), HL 5.72 (0.71), mean difference 2.08 (95% CI 0.13-4.04); DDD-CBT 0.66 (0.10) HL 0.98 (0.10), mean difference 0.31 (95% CI 0.05-0.58). Risky sex decreased over time in both conditions, with a temporary effect for CBT at the 1-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS A cognitive-behavioral therapy intervention was more efficacious than Healthy Lifestyles education in reducing alcohol use among HIV-infected Kenyan outpatient drinkers.
Seasonal variation in the filament morphology of the freshwater diatom Melosiragranulata(Ehrenb.) Ralfs

SUMMARY 1, The seasonal changes in filament dimensions and the occurrence of separation valves in a population of Melosira granulata(Ehrenb.) Ralfs were investigated in a eutrophic lake in southern England. Experiments were carried out in culture to study the effects of various environmental factors on the diatom's morphology. 2. Major blooms of M. granulataoccurred from September to October, coinciding with an increase in mean filament length brought about by the high growth rate of the diatom. This increase was controlled by a reduction in the frequency of separation valve production. A similar increase in filament length occurred in rapidly growing cultures. 3. The population was lost from the epilimnion when thermal stratification occurred. Immediately prior to this the population consisted of short filaments. 4. The mean filament length was greatest during occasional summer blooms and was again controlled by a reduction in the frequency of separation valve production. This appeared to be a response to the reduced nutrient concentration in the lake. This is supported by similar morphological changes in low nutrient cultures. 5. Increases in the filament length of the diatom were accompanied by increases in the diatom's sinking velocity. The length increase thus ensured its rapid return to the sediment, after summer growth periods, where the cells could be replenished with nutrients.
Male aging as a causative factor of detrimental changes in human conventional semen parameters and sperm DNA integrity

Abstract The effect of male aging on fertility potential is controversial and difficult to predict. The aim of our study was to determine the associations between age, basic semen parameters, and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF). Comparison of four age-dependent groups (men ≤29 years, 30–35 years, 36–40 years, and >40 years) revealed a significant fall in the basic semen characteristics and sperm genomic integrity with age. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis confirmed that men >29 years had lower semen quality. In the group of men >29 years, the prevalence of men with abnormal semen parameters was higher, and these men had over a threefold higher odds ratio (OR) for abnormal semen parameters. Next, ROC analysis revealed that a threshold of 18% SDF was optimal for discriminating between men with normal and abnormal standard semen parameters. The prevalence of men with >18% SDF was higher in the group of men >29 years than in men ≤29 years. Older men had an almost twofold higher risk for >18% SDF than younger men. Our results suggest that age >29 years may be a causative factor of detrimental changes in semen quality, which may raise the risk for disorders of male fertility potential.