Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A coastal vulnerability index for sea turtle conservation management in Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica

Globally, as a result of the rising sea levels, the erosion, flooding, and retreat of the coastline would affect coastal communities, in particular, the economy of tropical and biodiverse regions. From an ecological point of view, tropical beaches are important nesting habitats for endangered sea turtle species. Therefore, it is crucial to develop tools to estimate the vulnerability to sea level rise of nesting beaches. Tortuguero National Park is located in the Northern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica and is the most important nesting ground for green turtles (Chelonia mydas, L.), in the Western Hemisphere. To assess the vulnerability to sea level rise of this nesting site, this study adapted the widely used Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) framework to the socio-economic conditions, and at the same time, to the biological settings of the nesting population of green sea turtles. To calculate the total CVI, first, the Physical Vulnerability sub-index (PVI) which includes six physical parameters (shoreline change rate, mean sea level rise, coastal slope, significant wave height, tidal range, coastal regional elevation) were calculated; then the Anthropogenic Vulnerability sub-Index (AVI) with three parameters (distance to town center, land cover, touristic impact) and the Biological Vulnerability sub-index (BVI) with two parameters (Distribution of nesting, eroded and inundated nests) were calculated thereafter. Different weights were assigned to each of the parameters using the Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) approach. The urbanized sectors of Tortuguero National Park were dominated by “High” and “Very High” vulnerability classes while the sectors within the National Park were categorized in “Low” and “Very Low” vulnerability classes. The overall coastal vulnerability map shows a high risk, induced by unregulated urbanization on the beachfront. This type of urbanization reduces not only the sea turtle nesting activity but also the vegetation line, that can serve as a buffer in the case of a potential beach retreat. The lack of regulation by the authorities has allowed the construction of buildings outside the retreat area allowed by the Costa Rican legislation. This study recommends the implementation of a setback line for the town of Tortuguero, to enable an adequate buffer line between the beach and the buildings. It is also suggested to carry out reforestation campaigns of the vegetation on the beachfront in order to maintain the ideal conditions for sea turtle nesting.
Water relations and carbon assimilation

B. - 1 Water in the Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Continuum. - 2 Water in Tissues and Cells. - 3 Water Uptake and Flow in Roots. - 4 Water Uptake by Organs Other Than Roots. - 5 Transport and Storage of Water. - 6 Resistance of Plant Surfaces to Water Loss: Transport Properties of Cutin, Suberin and Associated Lipids. - 7 Stomatal Responses, Water Loss and CO2 Assimilation Rates of Plants in Contrasting Environments. - 8 Mathematical Models of Plant Water Loss and Plant Water Relations. - 9 Physiological Responses to Moderate Water Stress. - 10 Desiccation-Tolerance. - 11 Frost-Drought and Its Ecological Significance. - 12 Water Relations in the Germination of Seeds. - 13 Environmental Aspects of the Germination of Spores. - 14 Physiological Responses to Flooding. - 15 Functional Significance of Different Pathways of CO2 Fixation in Photosynthesis. - 16 Modelling of Photosynthetic Response to Environmental Conditions. - 17 Regulation of Water Use in Relation to Carbon Gain in Higher Plants. - 18 Plant Life Forms and Their Carbon, Water and Nutrient Relations. - Author Index. - Taxonomic Index.
Smut fungi of the Indian Subcontinent.

In the present book 369 smut fungus species belonging to 45 genera known from the Indian Subcontinent (including Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) are described, including 11 species not reported from the area so far. A key to the genera and keys to the species within each genus are compiled, and a host-fungus and fungus indices are provided. A list of literature treating smut fungi of the Indian Subcontinent is given. The genera are illustrated by selected species.
Identification of a Role for G Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 5 in Regulating Apoptosis

The G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) are best known for their role in phosphorylating G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). In addition to their canonical role, the GRKs have a number of non-receptor substrates and binding partners. GRK5 contains functional nuclear localisation and export sequences and many newly discovered binding partners of the kinase are, indeed, nuclear. My thesis outlines the discovery of novel nuclear GRK5 binding partners, class I histone deacetylases (HDACs), HDACs 1, 3 and 8, as well as the repressor protein, Swi-independent 3 (Sin3) A, and reports a role for GRK5 in regulating B cell lymphoma protein 2 (Bcl-2) gene transcription in conjunction with this repressor complex. Attempts to map the HDAC1 and Sin3A binding sites on GRK5 were carried out using GRK5 peptide arrays. Suspected GRK5 residues involved in binding were identified and mutated, but no viable binding deficient mutants were identified. Using HDAC and Sin3A inhibitors, I show GRK5 to negatively regulate Bcl-2 transcription in a class I HDAC and, most likely, a Sin3A dependent manner. Bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic protein, is upregulated in the early stages of many colorectal cancers (CRCs) and is, at least in part, responsible for the apoptotic resistance of metastatic CRCs. Notably, GRK5 expression levels are low in the colon cancer cell line, HT-29, in comparison to other tumour-derived cancer cell lines and overexpressing the kinase in HT-29 cells by cDNA transfection increases the susceptibility of these cells to chemotherapeutically induced apoptosis. Furthermore, overexpression of an inhibitor of miR-135a, a micro RNA (miRNA) that is upregulated in CRC, increases endogenous GRK5 expression as well as apoptosis in HT-29 cells, highlighting the potential use of a miR-135a inhibitor as a novel therapeutic strategy to treat CRC patients.
Positive Politeness Strategies In Prabowo’s Winning Declarations As An Indonesian President Candidate

This research is intended to find the positive politeness strategies used by Prabowo in his winning declaration and to reveal the reasons why certain strategies are dominant. This research belongs to descriptive qualitative.The research subject is positive politeness strategies and the research object is Prabowo speech as an Indonesian president candidate 2019-2014. This research used Brown and Levinson’s theory of politeness strategies. The research data are in the forms of utterances. The research data were collected through recording and taking note technique. The research data were taken from youtube. The findings showed that positive politeness strategies used in Prabowo’s winning declaration were: notice; attend to hearer (12.5%), Intensify interest to hearer (12.5%), give (or ask for) reason (6.25%), use in-group identifies markers (18.75%), include both speaker and hearer in activity (31.25%), be optimistic (6.25%), and give gifts to hearer (12.5%). Then, the dominant politeness strategy used was include both speaker and hearer in activity. This so happened because Prabowo wanted to engage the supporters to supervised the 2019-2024 presidential election course.
Traditional, nutraceutical and pharmacological approaches of Tamarindus indica (Imli)

Plants have provided a source of inspiration of novel drug compounds, as plant derived medicines have made large contributions to human health and well-being. An estimate of 75-90% of rural population of the world still relies on herbs for their healthcare. Ayurveda, supposed to be the oldest medical system in the world, provides potential leads to find active and therapeutically useful compounds from plants. Epidemiological studies have consistently demonstrated that consumption of plant- derived foods rich in bioactive phytochemicals have a protective effect against different aliments related to human health. Tamarindus indica is having numerous reported activities like antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antivenom, antimicrobial, antihelmintic and molluscicidal properties. In spite of these medicinal values this plant is also consumed by rural people as vegetable. It also use as flavoring agent to impart flavor to various dishes and beverage. The present comprehensive review is therefore an effort to give detailed information about botanical description, phytochemical, traditional, nutraceutical and pharmacological approaches of Tamarindus indica. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.5281/zenodo.3344888
Neuroprotective activity of guanosine in an in vitro model of Alzheimer's disease

The β-Amyloid (βA) peptide is the major component of senile plaques that are one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). It is well recognized that Aβ exists in multiple assembly states, such as soluble oligomers or insoluble fibrils, which affect neuronal viability and may contribute to disease progression. In particular, common βA-neurotoxic mechanisms are Ca2+ dyshomeostasis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, altered signaling, mitochondrial dysfunction and neuronal death such as necrosis and apoptosis. Recent study shows that the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway play a crucial role in the degradation of short-lived and regulatory proteins that are important in a variety of basic and pathological cellular processes including apoptosis. Guanosine (Guo) is a purine nucleoside present extracellularly in brain that shows a spectrum of biological activities, both under physiological and pathological conditions. Recently it has become recognized that both neurons and glia also release guanine-based purines. However, the role of Guo in AD is still not well established. In this study, we investigated the machanism basis of neuroprotective effects of GUO against Aβ peptide-induced toxicity in neuronal (SH-SY5Y), in terms of mitochondrial dysfunction and translocation of phosphatidylserine (PS), a marker of apoptosis, using MTT and Annexin-V assay, respectively. In particular, treatment of SH-SY5Y cells with GUO (12,5-75 μM) in presence of monomeric βA25-35 (neurotoxic core of Aβ), oligomeric and fibrillar βA1-42 peptides showed a strong dose-dependent inhibitory effects on βA-induced toxic events. The maximum inhibition of mitochondrial function loss and PS translocation was observed with 75 μM of Guo. Subsequently, to investigate whether neuroprotection of Guo can be ascribed to its ability to modulate proteasome activity levels, we used lactacystin, a specific inhibitor of proteasome. We found that the antiapoptotic effects of Guo were completely abolished by lactacystin. To rule out the possibility that this effects resulted from an increase in proteasome activity by Guo, the chymotrypsin-like activity was assessed employing the fluorogenic substrate Z-LLL-AMC. The treatment of SH-SY5Y with Guo (75 μM for 0-6 h) induced a strong increase, in a time-dependent manner, of proteasome activity. In parallel, no increase of ubiquitinated protein levels was observed at similar experimental conditions adopted. We then evaluated an involvement of anti and pro-apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2, Bad and Bax by western blot analysis. Interestingly, Bax levels decreased after 2 h treatment of SH-SY5Y with Guo. Taken together, these results demonstrate that Guo neuroprotective effects against βA-induced apoptosis are mediated, at least partly, via proteasome activation. In particular, these findings suggest a novel neuroprotective pathway mediated by Guo, which involves a rapid degradation of pro-apoptotic proteins by the proteasome. In conclusion, the present data, raise the possibility that Guo could be used as an agent for the treatment of AD.
Near-surface S-wave velocity estimation using ambient noise from fiber-optic acquisition

We thank KAUST for its support and specifically the seismic wave analysis group members for their valuable insights. We thank KACST for acquiring the data and we also thank Roman Pevzner for discussions. For computer time, this research used the resources of the Supercomputing Laboratory at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.
Methodological Challenges in Web-Based Trials: Update and Insights From the Relatives Education and Coping Toolkit Trial

There has been a growth in the number of web-based trials of web-based interventions, adding to an increasing evidence base for their feasibility and effectiveness. However, there are challenges associated with such trials, which researchers must address. This discussion paper follows the structure of the Down Your Drink trial methodology paper, providing an update from the literature for each key trial parameter (recruitment, registration eligibility checks, consent and participant withdrawal, randomization, engagement with a web-based intervention, retention, data quality and analysis, spamming, cybersquatting, patient and public involvement, and risk management and adverse events), along with our own recommendations based on designing the Relatives Education and Coping Toolkit randomized controlled trial for relatives of people with psychosis or bipolar disorder. The key recommendations outlined here are relevant for future web-based and hybrid trials and studies using iterative development and test models such as the Accelerated Creation-to-Sustainment model, both within general health research and specifically within mental health research for relatives. Researchers should continue to share lessons learned from conducting web-based trials of web-based interventions to benefit future studies. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016965
Social Responsibility Therapy: Overview and Evaluation

Social Responsibility Therapy (SRT) aims to increase socially responsible behavior, decrease unhealthy, harmful behavior and address contemporary issues in harmful behavior-specific treatment. SRT combines evidence-based interventions that use different methods and pathways to increase intervention intensity and therapeutic pressure towards positive change. The strength-based aspect of SRT develops social maturity and emotional maturity as competing factors to unhealthy, harmful behavior. SRT exhibits strong social validity and initial outcome data on youth in a social service setting is encouraging.
A Usability Assessment of Augmented Situated Visualization

The present work proposes the use of data visualization techniques allied to an Augmented Reality (AR) user interface to provide information for users to define the most convenient location to sit down at an event. This accounts for different sets of arbitrary demands by projecting 3D information directly atop the seats. The users can also rearrange the data to narrow down the search and switch the attribute being displayed, e.g. temperature, stage visibility, exit access or Wi-Fi signal. The proposed approach was tested against a comparable 2D interactive visualization of the same data. Each user performed twelve location choosing tasks in an average sized classroom. Qualitative and quantitative data indicated that the augmented solution is promising in some senses, exposing that AR may help users to make better decisions.
Effects of auditor attributes on audit reporting lag: empirical evidence from Nigerian service firms

Auditor tenure, Audit firm size, Audit report lag, Service companies ABSTRACT The main objective of this paper is to identify the effect of auditor attributes on the audit report lag of quoted service companies operating in Nigeria. The motivation behind this research is hinged on the lack of consensus in prior studies coupled with the dearth of research in listed service companies. This paper employed a sample of sixteen (16) service companies operating on the floor of the Nigerian stock exchange from 2007 through 2016. The results of the regression technique indicate that longer auditor tenure significantly decreases audit report lag. This finding implies that auditors’ expertise improves in the service industry as their tenure increases. This is in turning will accelerate and enhance the quality of audit work. The study recommends that service companies sustain their existing auditors to a reasonable period to enhance timeliness in the audit report. Timely audit reports will enhance the confidence of users of the financial statements to make good decisions.
Electronic Skins for Intelligent Soft Robots

1 Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, San Diego, USA 2 Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, Yale University, USA 3 Department of Chemical Engineering & Material Science and Engineering, Stanford University, USA 4 Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, UK, 5 Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Seoul National University, South Korea
Algorithms yield upper bounds in differential algebra

Abstract Consider an algorithm computing in a differential field with several commuting derivations such that the only operations it performs with the elements of the field are arithmetic operations, differentiation, and zero testing. We show that, if the algorithm is guaranteed to terminate on every input, then there is a computable upper bound for the size of the output of the algorithm in terms of the size of the input. We also generalize this to algorithms working with models of good enough theories (including, for example, difference fields). We then apply this to differential algebraic geometry to show that there exists a computable uniform upper bound for the number of components of any variety defined by a system of polynomial PDEs. We then use this bound to show the existence of a computable uniform upper bound for the elimination problem in systems of polynomial PDEs with delays.
Regulation and Function of Autophagy in Cigarette Smoke-Induced Cellular Stress: Implications for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by an abnormal inflammatory response to inhalation of noxious agents, particularly cigarette smoke (CS), which leads to a progressive and poorly reversible decline in lung function. Autophagy, a highly conserved adaptive response to cellular stresses, which removes cytoplasmic components such as organelles and long-lived proteins via encapsulation and lysosome-dependant degradation, has also been implicated in cell death pathways. We previously observed autophagy protein induction and autophagosome accumulation in in vivo and in vitro models of experimental COPD, as well as in COPD patients. The regulation and function of autophagy in CS-induced COPD have not been fully elucidated. To delineate the role of autophagy in the response of lung epithelial cells to CS we developed a novel in vitro model of mainstream CS exposure in primary mouse tracheal epithelial cells (MTECs) differentiated at an air-liquid interface (ALI). MTEC cultures in response to CS in vitro recapitulated many features of CS exposure in vivo, including autophagosome accumulation, cilia shortening, misfolded protein aggregation, loss of tight junction integrity and cell death. In vitro we discovered that sublethal doses of CS enhanced selective autophagic flux, while CS-induced cytotoxicity was associated with decreased autophagic activity and autophagosome accumulation. We also discovered that autophagic flux is induced in vivo upon acute exposure, but is not significantly upregulated following chronic 6 month exposure to CS. Both LC3B-/- and Beclin-1+/- mice and MTEC cultures were protected from CS induced injury, indicating that these autophagy proteins promote epithelial cell death. Moreover, we investigated the effects of CS on autophagic substrates. HDAC6 regulates autophagosome-lysosome fusion, autophagic degradation of ubiquitinated protein aggregates, and cilia resorption. Cytotoxicity and protein aggregate accumulation were observed basally in HDAC6-/Y derived MTEC cultures, while CS-exposed mice were more vulnerable to emphysematous changes. Evidence of autophagic degradation of cilia components was also observed following CS treatment. These data indicate that autophagy plays a complex role in COPD pathogenesis, in which CS-induced autophagy both removes deleterious protein aggregates and contributes to apoptosis.
Accessing uncultivated microorganisms : from the environment to organisms and genomes and back

Table of Contents Part I. Introduction 1. Does Cultivation Still Matter? Karsten Zengler 2. The Human Intestinal Microbiota and Its Impact on Human Health, Mirjana Rajiliae-Stojanoviae, Willem M. de Vos, and Erwin G. Zoetendal Part II. The Status Quo: Who Is Out There? How To Determine Microbial Diversity 3. The Uncountables, William T. Sloan, Christopher Quince, and Thomas P. Curtis 4. The Missing Fungi: New Insights from Culture-Independent Molecular Studies of Soil, S. K. Schmidt, K. L. Wilson, A. F. Meyer, C. W. Schadt, T. M. Porter, and J. M. Moncalvo 5. The Diversity of Free-Living Protists Seen and Unseen, Cultured and Uncultured, David A. Caron and Rebecca J. Gast 6. Microbial Biogeography: Patterns in Microbial Diversity across Space and Time, Noah Fierer 7. The Least Common Denominator: Species or Operational Taxonomic Units? Ramon Rossello-Mora and Arantxa Lopez-Lopez 8. Measuring Diversity, Jed A. Fuhrman 9. Metagenomics as a Tool To Study Biodiversity, Karen E. Nelson Part III. Are Microorganisms Nonculturable or not yet Culturable? 10. New Cultivation Strategies for Terrestrial Microorganisms, Peter H. Janssen 11. Cultivation of Marine Symbiotic Microorganisms, Todd A. Ciche 12. Methods To Study Consortia and Mixed Cultures, Boran Kartal and Marc Strous Part IV. Do We Have To Change Gear? New Cultivation Approaches and New Molecular Approaches Combined 13. Microbial Cell Individuality, Simon V. Avery 14. Nanomechanical Methods To Study Single Cells, Ramya Desikan, Laurene Tetard, Ali Passian, Ram Datar, and Thomas Thundat 15. Single-Cell Genomics, Martin Keller, Christopher W. Schadt, and Anthony V. Palumbo 16. How Many Genes Does a Cell Need? Hamilton O. Smith, John I. Glass, Clyde A. Hutchison III, and J. Craig Venter
Competency Based Teacher Education (CBTE): A Training Module for Improving Knowledge Competencies for Resource Room Teachers in Jordan

The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of a training module in improving knowledge competencies for resource room teachers in Jordan. The training module consisted of 10 training sessions, covered three domains, namely, planning, instruction and classroom management, and evaluation competencies. The sample of the study consisted of 50 teachers. The participants of the sample were distributed into two equal groups, with 25 teachers in each group. The teachers in the experimental group were attached with the training module for five weeks; whereas the teachers in the control group were exposed for the same period to the conventional training adopted by the Ministry of Education in Jordan. The results of (ANCOVA) revealed that there were statistically significant differences between the means of the two groups' means on the post-achievement test, favoring to the experimental group. Furthermore, results of the experimental group on the achievement test revealed no statistically significant differences across the demographic variables, namely, gender, specialization, qualification, and experience.