Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Legislation and political discourse about ecological farming

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. Legislation and political discourse about ecological farming Gaelle Leduc, Gordana Manevska-Tasevska, Helena Hansson, Marie Arndt, Zoltan Bakucs, Michael Boehm, Mihai Chitea, Violeta Florian, Salim Hitouche, Sophie Legras, et al.
Environmental controls on observed spatial variability of soil pore water geochemistry in small headwater catchments underlain with permafrost

Abstract. Soil pore water (SPW) chemistry can vary substantially across multiple scales in Arctic permafrost landscapes. The magnitude of these variations and their relationship to scale are critical considerations for understanding current controls on geochemical cycling and for predicting future changes. These aspects are especially important for Arctic change modeling where accurate representation of sub-grid variability may be necessary to predict watershed-scale behaviors. Our research goal is to characterize intra- and inter-watershed soil water geochemical variations at two contrasting locations in the Seward Peninsula of Alaska, USA. We then attempt to identify the key factors controlling concentrations of important pore water solutes in these systems. The SPW geochemistry of 18 locations spanning two small Arctic catchments was examined for spatial variability and its dominant environmental controls. The primary environmental controls considered were vegetation, soil moisture and/or redox condition, water–soil interactions and hydrologic transport, and mineral solubility. The sampling locations varied in terms of vegetation type and canopy height, presence or absence of near-surface permafrost, soil moisture, and hillslope position. Vegetation was found to have a significant impact on SPW NO3- concentrations, associated with the localized presence of nitrogen-fixing alders and mineralization and nitrification of leaf litter from tall willow shrubs. The elevated NO3- concentrations were, however, frequently equipoised by increased microbial denitrification in regions with sufficient moisture to support it. Vegetation also had an observable impact on soil-moisture-sensitive constituents, but the effect was less significant. The redox conditions in both catchments were generally limited by Fe reduction, seemingly well-buffered by a cache of amorphous Fe hydroxides, with the most reducing conditions found at sampling locations with the highest soil moisture content. Non-redox-sensitive cations were affected by a wide variety of water–soil interactions that affect mineral solubility and transport. Identification of the dominant controls on current SPW hydrogeochemistry allows for qualitative prediction of future geochemical trends in small Arctic catchments that are likely to experience warming and permafrost thaw. As source areas for geochemical fluxes to the broader Arctic hydrologic system, geochemical processes occurring in these environments are particularly important to understand and predict with regards to such environmental changes.
Chronic Activation of the Relaxin-3 Receptor (RXFP3) on GABA Neurons in Rat Ventral Hippocampus Promotes Anxiety and Social Avoidance

Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent in modern society and better treatments are urgently required. Key brain areas and signalling systems underlying anxiety include prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala, and monoaminergic and peptidergic systems, respectively. Hindbrain GABAergic projection neurons that express the peptide, relaxin-3, broadly innervate the forebrain, particularly the septum and hippocampus, and relaxin-3 acts via a G i/o -protein-coupled receptor known as the ‘relaxin-family peptide 3 receptor’ (RXFP3). Thus, relaxin-3/RXFP3 signalling is implicated in modulation of arousal, motivation, mood, memory and anxiety. Ventral hippocampus (vHip) is central to affective and cognitive processing and displays a high density of relaxin-3-positive nerve fibres and RXFP3 binding sites, but the identity of target neurons and associated effects on behaviour are unknown. Therefore, in adult, male rats, we assessed the neurochemical nature of hippocampal RXFP3 mRNA-expressing neurons and anxiety-like and social behaviour following chronic RXFP3 activation in vHip by viral vector expression of an RXFP3-selective agonist peptide, R3/I5. RXFP3 mRNA detected by fluorescent in situ hybridisation was topographically distributed across the hippocampus in somatostatin-and parvalbumin-mRNA expressing GABA neurons. Chronic RXFP3 activation in vHip increased anxiety-like behaviour in the light-dark box and elevated-plus maze, but not the large open-field test, and reduced social interaction with a conspecific stranger. Our data reveal ‘disruptive’ effects of persistent RXFP3 signalling on hippocampal GABA networks important in anxiety; and identify a potential therapeutic target for anxiety disorders that warrants further investigation in relevant preclinical models.
Functional analysis of PIP2 aquaporins in Arabidopsis thaliana

Plants harbor about 30 genes encoding major intrinsic proteins (MIP) which were named aquaporins because of the frequently observed water channel activity and their putative involvement in water relations. Plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIP) are subdivided into two groups with five PIP1 and eight PIP2 members in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. PIP2 genes are highly homologous to each other, which might indicate a redundant function. However, several lines of evidence argue for gene-specific and non-redundant functions. PIP2 genes exhibit overlapping, but differential expression patterns when assessed by promoter::GUS transgenic lines. Most PIP2 genes were expressed in the region of the vascular tissue, however with differential cellular patterns. PIP2;5 and PIP2;7 were more uniformly found in leaves. PIP2;4 was the only root-specific member and preferentially expressed in outer cell layers, whereas PIP2;6 and PIP2;8 were mostly found in young leaves with a distinct expression. PCA analyses based on publicly available stress-responsive expression patterns revealed distinct transcriptional responsiveness of PIP2 genes. No visible phenotypes were observed for pip2 knock-out lines under normal growth conditions. However, pip2;3 mutants specifically showed salt-sensitivity, although the duplicated gene PIP2;2 has only eight amino acids different from PIP2;3 that mostly cluster in the region of the extracellular loop C. Transcriptional analysis using a custom-made DNA array focusing on membrane proteins indicated that loss-of-function of distinct PIP2 genes did not interfere with major transport processes, at least at the transcriptional level. For several mutants of abundantly expressed PIP2 isoforms, root transcriptome analysis was extended to the whole genome using Affymetrix ATH1 GeneChip. Furthermore, PIP2 co-expression analyses revealed enrichment for different functional categories. Only PIP2;1 and PIP2;2 showed significant correlations with other PIP genes, however most PIP2 genes were also correlated to TIP isoforms, suggesting an functional relationship of plasma membrane and tonoplast permeabilities. Surprisingly, at the protein level, the loss of PIP2;1 or PIP2;2 specifically provoked a decrease in PIP1 proteins indicating a dependence of PIP1 stability on these PIP2 members. So far, direct evidence for a participation of single PIP aquaporins in water transport in planta is scarce. To study non-invasively the impact of PIP2 on water uptake, the kinetics of water translocation was analyzed by mass spectrometry of water extracted from in pip2;1 and pip2;2 mutants grown in D-enriched medium. Retarded deuterium transfer into leaves of the single mutants indicated a direct involvement of both PIP proteins in water relations, whereas surprisingly the corresponding double mutant had compensated this slower uptake.
Cognitive impairment in patients with chronic hepatitis treated with interferon alpha (IFNalpha): results from a prospective study.

BACKGROUND Treatment with low-dose interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) is often associated with neuropsychiatric side effects. In addition to depression and anxiety, IFN-alpha associated cognitive impairment significantly affects patient's mental health and quality of life. AIMS OF THE STUDY To measure possible effects of low-dose IFN-alpha on cognitive functioning and its relationship to the development of depression and anxiety. METHOD We prospectively followed 38 patients with a chronic hepatitis B or C by neuropsychological tests and psychiatric self-rating scales during 12 weeks of low-dose treatment with IFN-alpha. RESULTS Before IFN-alpha treatment, neuropsychological tests as well as self-ratings in the Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Self-Report Symptom Inventory 90 Items-Revised (SCL-90-R) were within the normal range. Following 12 weeks of treatment with IFN-alpha resulted in a slight, but significant increase in depression scores. Neuropsychological assessment after 12 weeks of IFN-alpha treatment showed a significant decrease of the immediate recall in the Auditory-Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) and a significant reduction of words recited in the Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWA). Cognitive impairment did not significantly correlate with depressive symptoms or anxiety. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that even low-dose IFN-alpha induces cognitive impairment independent from depressive symptoms, which might be related to functional disturbances in the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus. We suggest close monitoring of cognitive function during IFN-alpha treatment of chronic hepatitis.
Body composition phenotype: Italian Mediterranean Diet and C677T MTHFR gene polymorphism interaction.

OBJECTIVES Strategies to improve weight maintenance are focused on considering the genetic makeup and its interaction with dietary intake, with the aim to identify vulnerable individuals that will benefit from a variety of more personalized dietary recommendations. The aim of the study was to examine the impact of the C677T MTHFR gene Polymorphism on body composition changes induced by a balanced hypocaloric Italian Mediterannean diet (IMD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS Participation in the study included a complete screening of anthropometry and body composition by Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and a genotyping for the C677T MTHFR polymorphism. 70 Italian Caucasian obese were enrolled and 56 of them completed the screening at baseline and 12 weeks after the nutritional intervention. RESULTS T(+) carriers had a higher content of Total Body Fat (TBFat), and Lean (TBLean), reflecting on higher weight and BMI, than T(-) carriers. After IMD, the 28.6% and 71.4% of total subjects decreased weight and TBFat (Kg), respectively. The relative changes were: delta % = -9.09±3.85 for weight; delta % = -15.79±8.51 for TBFat; delta % = -3.80±5.60 for TBLean. The 5.3% of subjects who reached the end point of intervention, and the 8.9% who reduced TBFat (%) below the cut-off of preobesity, were T(-) carriers. A loss of TBLean (Kg) was observed in the 5.1% and 23.5% of T(-) and T(+) carriers. CONCLUSIONS MTHFR genetic variations analysis would be an innovative tool for the nutritional assessment, in order to predict the therapeutic response of obese subjects, in terms of fat and lean mass loss.
Modeling and Optimization of Classifiers with Latent Variables

of Modeling and Optimization of Classifiers with Latent Variables by Sobhan Naderi Parizi, Ph.D. Brown University, May 2016. Many applications in Computer Vision and Machine Learning entail learning from partially annotated data. A popular family of models that can capture unobserved variables in the input is the family of latent variable models (LVMs). A big challenge in training LVMs, however, is that their training objective is often highly non-convex leading to problems such as sensitivity to initialization, and convergence to suboptimal solutions. In this thesis, we develop new LVMs for different weakly supervised learning tasks; and propose new optimization frameworks that improve training of latent variable models as well as optimization of other non-convex objectives. We propose part based models that use latent variables to capture the unknown location of parts in images. We also introduce the notion of “negative parts”, as parts whose detection scores are negatively correlated with the classification score of a class when compared to others. Negative parts are particularly useful in disambiguating similar categories (e.g. “cow” and “horse”). We present part based models that can be seen as 3-layer neural networks (ConvNets) with a convolutional layer, followed by a pooling layer, and a fully connected layer. However, we train our models using sequential convex optimization whereas ConvNets use back-propagation for training. We also introduce a new optimization framework, called Generalized MajorizationMinimization (G-MM), that extends existing approaches to non-convex optimization such as Expectation Maximization (EM) and Concave Convex Procedure (CCCP). EM and CCCP iteratively construct and optimize tight bounds on the objective. GMM, on the contrary, does not require bounds to be tight, making it very flexible. For instance, G-MM can incorporate application-specific biases into the optimization procedure without changing the objective function. We derive G-MM algorithms for several latent variable models and show that they consistently outperform their MM counterparts; in particular, G-MM algorithms are less sensitive to initialization.
Cannabinoid metabolites as inhibitors of major hepatic CYP450 enzymes, with implications for cannabis-drug interactions

3 spectrometry, LC-MS/MS; multiple reaction monitoring, MRM ; β -nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, NADP; time-dependent inhibition, TDI; (−) - trans - Δ⁹ - tetrahydrocannabinol, THC; ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography, UPLC; 11-hydroxy- Δ⁹ -tetrahydrocannabinol, 11-OH-THC; 11-nor-9-carboxy- Δ 9 - tetrahydrocannabinol, THC-COOH; 11-nor-9-carboxy- Δ 9-tetrahydrocannabinol glucuronide, THC-COO-Gluc.
μ-synthesis for the coupled mass benchmark problem

A robust controller design for the coupled mass benchmark problem is presented in this paper. The applied design method is based on a modified D-K iteration, i.e. p-synthesis which take care of mixed real and complex perturbations sets. This p-synthesis method for mixed perturbation sets is a straightforward extension of the standard D-K iteration for complex perturbation sets
Pedestrian crosswalk case studies : Sacramento, California; Richmond, Virginia; Buffalo, New York; Stillwater, Minnesota

The objective of this research was to determine the effect of crosswalk markings on driver and pedestrian behavior at unsignalized intersections. A before/after evaluation of crosswalk markings was conducted at 11 locations in 4 U.S. cities. Behavior observed included: pedestrian crossing location, vehicle speeds, driver yielding, and pedestrian crossing behavior. It was found that drivers approach a pedestrian in a crosswalk somewhat slower, and that crosswalk usage increases after markings are installed. No evidence was found indicating that pedestrians are less vigilant in a marked crosswalk. No changes were found in driver yielding or pedestrian assertiveness. Overall, it appears that marking pedestrian crosswalks at relatively low-speed, low-volume, unsignalized intersections is a desirable practice, based on the sample of sites used in this study.
Relativization of sensitivity in minimal systems

Let $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}:(X,T)\rightarrow (Y,S)$ be an extension between minimal systems; we consider its relative sensitivity. We obtain that $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}$ is relatively $n$-sensitive if and only if the relative $n$-regionally proximal relation contains a point whose coordinates are distinct; and the structure of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}$ which is relatively $n$-sensitive but not relatively $(n+1)$-sensitive is determined. Let ${\mathcal{F}}_{t}$ be the families consisting of thick sets. We introduce notions of relative block ${\mathcal{F}}_{t}$-sensitivity and relatively strong ${\mathcal{F}}_{t}$-sensitivity. Let $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}:(X,T)\rightarrow (Y,S)$ be an extension between minimal systems. Then the following Auslander–Yorke type dichotomy theorems are obtained: (1) $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}$ is either relatively block ${\mathcal{F}}_{t}$-sensitive or $\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}:(X,T)\rightarrow (X_{\text{eq}}^{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}},T_{\text{eq}})$ is a proximal extension where $(X_{\text{eq}}^{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}},T_{\text{eq}})\rightarrow (Y,S)$ is the maximal equicontinuous factor of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}$. (2) $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}$ is either relatively strongly ${\mathcal{F}}_{t}$-sensitive or $\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}:(X,T)\rightarrow (X_{d}^{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}},T_{d})$ is a proximal extension where $(X_{d}^{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}},T_{d})\rightarrow (Y,S)$ is the maximal distal factor of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}$.
Edinburgh Research Explorer Interaction between record matching and data repairing

Central to a data cleaning system are record matching and data repairing. Matching aims to identify tuples that refer to the same real-world object, and repairing is to make a database consistent by ﬁxing errors in the data by using constraints. These are treated as separate processes in current data cleaning systems, based on heuristic solutions. This paper studies a new problem, namely, the interaction between record matching and data repairing. We show that repairing can eﬀectively help us identify matches, and vice versa. To capture the interaction, we propose a uniform framework that seamlessly uniﬁes repairing and matching operations, to clean a database based on integrity constraints, matching rules and master data. We give a full treatment of fundamental problems associated with data cleaning via matching and repairing, including the static analyses of constraints and rules taken together, and the complexity, termination and determinism analyses of data cleaning. We show that these problems are hard, ranging from NP - or co NP - complete, to PSPACE -complete. Nevertheless, we propose eﬃcient algorithms to clean data via both matching and re-pairing. The algorithms ﬁnd deterministic (cid:12)xes and reliable (cid:12)xes based on conﬁdence and entropy analysis, respectively, which are more accurate than possible ﬁxes generated by heuristics. We experimentally verify that our techniques sig-niﬁcantly improve the accuracy of record matching and data repairing taken as separate processes, using real-life data.
Swing once more: Relating timing and tempo in expert jazz drumming

SWING REFERS TO A CHARACTERISTIC LONG - SHORT subdivision of the beat that is generally considered a crucial aspect that contributes to the quality of a jazz or pop performance. The current study measures this pattern (referred to as the ‘swing ratio’) at different tempi in jazz drumming. The experimental setup differs from earlier studies in a number of ways. First, swing ratios were systematically measured at different beat durations in a musically realistic range. Second, repeated performances were collected to check for consistency. Third, drummers were asked to perform on a full MIDI drum kit. The results show that professional jazz drum-mers have enormous control over their timing. Never-theless, the swing ratio is not kept constant, but it is systematically adapted to a global tempo. As such, this study provides further support for the hypothesis that expressive timing generally does not scale with tempo.
Score Mismatching for Generative Modeling

We propose a new score-based model with one-step sampling. Previously, score-based models were burdened with heavy computations due to iterative sampling. For substituting the iterative process, we train a standalone generator to compress all the time steps with the gradient backpropagated from the score network. In order to produce meaningful gradients for the generator, the score network is trained to simultaneously match the real data distribution and mismatch the fake data distribution. This model has the following advantages: 1) For sampling, it generates a fake image with only one step forward. 2) For training, it only needs 10 diffusion steps.3) Compared with consistency model, it is free of the ill-posed problem caused by consistency loss. On the popular CIFAR-10 dataset, our model outperforms Consistency Model and Denoising Score Matching, which demonstrates the potential of the framework. We further provide more examples on the MINIST and LSUN datasets. The code is available on GitHub.
7 Exposure Assessment for Pesticides in Epidemiological Studies

INTRODUCTION 245 EXPOSURES RELEVANT TO HEALTH: THE CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK 246 Considerations of Exposure Timing 246 Considerations of Exposure Route 247 Practical Context of Pesticide Exposure 248 EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY DESIGNS AND EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT 248 Prospective Cohort Studies 248 Retrospective Cohort Studies 249 Case-Control Studies 250 Cross-Sectional Studies 252 EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES 252 INFLUENCE OF THE ACCURACY OF EXPOSURE PROXIES ON MEASURES OF ASSOCIATION 254 Errors in Qualitative Proxies 254 Errors in Quantitative Assessments Versus Variability 255 EXPERIENCE WITH EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT IN CASE-CONTROL STUDIES 259 Occupational Histories 260 Exposure Matrices: Using Job or Crop to Infer Exposure 261 Self-Reported Exposures 261 Expert-Reviewed Exposures 262 Determinants of Exposure Studies 264 Exposure Databases 264 Exposure Measurements 265 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 266 REFERENCES 268
Triathlon Training for Women Breast Cancer Survivors: Feasibility Triathlon Training for Women Breast Cancer Survivors: Feasibility and Initial Efficacy and Initial Efficacy

Exercise can improve quality of life (QOL) in breast cancer survivors. In contrast to many group or home-based exercise programs, little is known about the effectiveness of goal-oriented recreational activities. Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate a clinically overseen team triathlon training program on improving physiological and psychosocial health-related measures in female breast cancer survivors.