Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sulfur Mustard Toxicity Following Dermal Exposure

Objective: Sulfur mustard (bis-2-(chloroethyl) sulfide) is a chemical warfare agent (military code: HD) causing extensive skin injury. The mechanisms underlying HD-induced skin damage are not fully elucidated. This review will critically evaluate the evidence showing that oxidative stress is an important factor in HD skin toxicity. Oxidative stress results when the production of reactive oxygen (ROS) and/or reactive nitrogen oxide species (RNOS) exceeds the capacity of antioxidant defense mechanisms. Methods: This review will discuss the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of HD skin toxicity in both in vivo and in vitro model systems with emphasis on the limitations of the various model systems. Evidence supporting the therapeutic potential of antioxidants and antioxidant liposomes will be evaluated. Antioxidant liposomes are effective vehicles for delivering both lipophilic (incorporated into the lipid bilayers) and water-soluble (encapsulated in the aqueous inner-spaces) antioxidants to skin. The molecular mechanisms interconnecting oxidative stress to HD skin toxicity are also detailed. Results: DNA repair and inflammation, in association with oxidative stress, induce intracellular events leading to apoptosis or to a programmable form of necrosis. The free radical, nitric oxide (NO), is of considerable interest with respect to the mechanisms of HD toxicity. NO signaling pathways are important in modulating inflammation, cell death, and wound healing in skin cells. Conclusions: Potential future directions are summarized with emphasis on a systems biology approach to studying sulfur mustard toxicity to skin as well as the newly emerging area of redox proteomics.
Basic Linz-Donawitz slag as a liming agent for pastureland

Linz-Donawitz (LD) slag, a by-product of the iron and steelmaking industry (29% Ca, 5% Mg w/w) produced in large quantities in Europe, poses a substantial disposal challenge. A field assay was conducted to study whether LD slag could be used as a dolomitic liming agent for pastures. Six slag rates (0, 1000, 1500, 3000, 5000, and 7500 kg ha −1 ), with or without NPK fertilizer, were investigated for their effects on soil properties, mineral concentrations of forage, and forage yield at Bizkaia, Spain, on a Derio silty clay soil [fine silty, mixed (acid), mesic Typic Udorthent]. The 3-yr study was done on a newly established pasture of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.), and white clover (Trifolium repens L.)
Reclaiming Heritage: Alternative Imaginaries of Memory in West Africa

* Heritage and Memory in Africa: IntroductionMike Rowlands and Ferdinand de JongOther Origins, New Technologies* 'Taking on a Tradition': African Heritage and the Testimony of MemoryBeverley Butler* Slave Route Projects: Tracing the Heritage of Slavery in GhanaKatharina Schramm* "We Don't Worship, We Remember. " Photography, Memory and the Imagination of Heritage in Osogbo, NigeriaPeter ProbstMateriality and Objectification* Entangled Memories and Parallel Heritages in MaliMike Rowlands * 'Enchanting Town of Mud': Djenne, A World Heritage Site in MaliCharlotte Joy* Masquerading as Intangible Heritage: Contradictions of ConservationFerdinand de JongRecognition, Redemption and Reconciliation* From a Glorious Past to the Lands of Origin: Media Consumption and Changing Narratives of Cultural Belonging in MaliDorothea Schulz* Demystifying Memories: The Politics of Heritage in Today's GuineaRamon Sarro* Palimpsest Memoryscapes: Materializing and Mediating War and Peace in Sierra Leone, Paul Basu
Observations of the 16-day wave in the equatorial meteor winds and TIMED/SABER temperatures

Horizontal wind measurements obtained from São João do Cariri-PB (7.4° S, 36.5° W), Brazil, associated with equatorial MLT temperature data acquired by the TIMED/SABER satellite, have been used to investigate the presence of planetary-scale oscillations. The data were obtained from January to December, 2005, which were subjected to the spectral analysis and the results revealed the quasi-simultaneous presence of distinct power spectrum with peaks associated with low-frequency oscillations. In this time, our focus is the range period from 12 to 20 days, whose activities were revealed mainly during time-intervals from day 120 to day 250. The characteristics observed suggest that the perturbations were due to presence of 16-day planetary waves. From satellite data, was possible identified a westward propagating 16-day wave with zonal wave number 1.
The MediaMill TRECVID 2008 Semantic Video Search Engine

In this paper we describe our TRECVID 2008 video retrieval experiments. The MediaMill team participated in three tasks: concept detection, automatic search, and interac- tive search. Rather than continuing to increase the number of concept detectors available for retrieval, our TRECVID 2008 experiments focus on increasing the robustness of a small set of detectors using a bag-of-words approach. To that end, our concept detection experiments emphasize in particular the role of visual sampling, the value of color in- variant features, the influence of codebook construction, and the effectiveness of kernel-based learning parameters. For retrieval, a robust but limited set of concept detectors ne- cessitates the need to rely on as many auxiliary information channels as possible. Therefore, our automatic search ex- periments focus on predicting which information channel to trust given a certain topic, leading to a novel framework for predictive video retrieval. To improve the video retrieval re- sults further, our interactive search experiments investigate the roles of visualizing preview results for a certain browse- dimension and active learning mechanisms that learn to solve complex search topics by analysis from user brows- ing behavior. The 2008 edition of the TRECVID bench- mark has been the most successful MediaMill participation to date, resulting in the top ranking for both concept de- tection and interactive search, and a runner-up ranking for automatic retrieval. Again a lot has been learned during this year’s TRECVID campaign; we highlight the most im- portant lessons at the end of this paper.
Local-National Dynamics and Framing in South Korean Anti-Base Movements

This article discusses the dynamics of anti-base coalition movements in South Korea, with particular attention to the role of framing. With two anti-base movement campaigns as case studies—the movement against base expansion at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, and the anti-base movement that led to the eventual closure of Kooni Firing Range in Maehyangri—the author argues that effective mobilization in anti-base movements requires striking a balance between the movements’ focus on local and national issues regarding US military bases. Moreover, although political opportunity structures and mobilization resources are often given more weight within the political process model of social movements, local-national tension that exists within South Korean anti-base movements highlights the importance of framing contention in antibase movements.
Immature Stages of Two Unusual Species of Dicrotendipes (Diptera: Chironomidae) from Australia

Two species of the chironomine genus Dicrotendipes Kieffer, D. balciunasi Epler, 1988 and D. lindae Epler, 1988 are described, and the queried generic placement is confirmed. The subtropical to tropical distribution of both species is documented, and information provided on their larval ecology and responses to pollution.
Larger foraminifera on reefs around Bali (Indonesia)

The larger benthic foraminifera fauna from four regions at or near Bali are described. In 132 samples in total 19 species were found. This is a similar to species richness in areas like the Spermonde and Cebu, but the fauna composition differed markedly. For each species the occurrence at Bali and environmental parameters affecting this distribution are discussed. It is argued that the very low abundance of imperforate species is not due to the absence of their microhabitat, but due to climatic or oceanographic parameters. The most likely is the presence of periodic upwelling, which causes the seawater temperature to drop to low levels seasonally.
Socioeconomic context of land use and land cover change in Mexican biosphere reserves

SUMMARY Land use/land cover change (LULC) is a major threat to natural protected areas worldwide. This paper explores the relationships between four estimated LULC parameters for 17 Mexican biosphere reserves (BRs) for 1993–2002 on a GIS platform, and ten socioeconomic factors obtained from census data. These relationships were tested through linear correlations and multivariate analysis. BRs showed lower human demographic pressure, but higher population dispersion, social marginality, percentage of rain-fed agriculture area, and dependence upon agriculture and cattle compared to nationwide values. BRs also varied in their indigenous population, and showed cattle overpopulation, and low immigration and road density. Socioeconomic factors explained 87% of LULC variation. High population and road density, cattle overpopulation and low percentage indigenous population were related to percentage of transformed area (2002). Conversely, small population and road density, large proportion of indigenous population and high dependency on agriculture and cattle, were related to the rate of change in transformed area (1993–2002). High human population growth and urban concentration occurred when BRs suffered higher LULC than their corresponding ecoregions. Including socioeconomic conditions prevailing in BRs and their influence on LULC in reserve management and rural development planning will improve strategies for the confluence of conservation and development goals.
Multiverse databases for secure web applications

Most modern web applications authenticate users and enforce security policies in the application logic. Therefore, buggy applications can easily leak sensitive data. MultiverseDB addresses this problem in a new database architecture, where each user has her own private view of the database and declarative security policies restrict data-flow into a user’s private universe. To support multi-user universes, MultiverseDB builds on ideas of streaming data-flow systems and low-overhead materialized views. When a new user session starts, the system creates data-flow nodes to support the user queries and automatically inserts special nodes to enforce security policies at universe boundaries. MultiverseDB provides fast reads by storing the pre-computed results of user queries with policies already applied in incrementally maintained materialized views. To reduce space overheads created by these views and avoid redundant processing, MultiverseDB reuses views and allows system administrators to specify security groups for users subjected to the same security policies. Thesis Supervisor: Malte Schwarzkopf Title: Postdoc Thesis Supervisor: Frans Kaashoek Title: Professor
DNA and chromatin structure: Influence of incubation on the chromatin condensation and nuclear stability of human spermatozoa by flow cytometry

Flow cytometry analysis was used for the acurate and objective evaluation of sperm chromatin condensation and chromatin stability of sperm nuclei. It was also possible to determine the influence of incubation on sperm chromatin. Different types of spermatozoa were studied : unprocessed spermatozoa at 1 and 45 min after ejaculation, after swim-up (migrated), spermatozoa incubated for 6 h in non-capacitating conditions (aged), or in B2 medium (capacitated) or B2 medium followed 1 h later with A23187 (reacted). All types of spermatozoa were analysed before and after treatment with various decondensation agents : sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), SDS plus EDTA and SDS plus disulphide-reducing agent [dithiotreitol (DTT)]. Sperm nuclei were enzymatically isolated and stained with propidium iodide. Three flow cytometric parameters were then measured : forward light scatter (cellular size), side light scatter (cellular complexity) and fluorescence (uptake of propidium iodide). Fluorescence was the most suitable parameter to study the degree of condensation and resistance to decondensation of DNA in the spermatozoa. Unprocessed spermatozoa 1 min after ejaculation underwent decondensation by all assessed treatments (anionic detergent, chelating or disulphide-reducing agents). Unprocessed spermatozoa 45 min after ejaculation and migrated spermatozoa did not undergo decondensation with SDS treatment, but decondensation occurred after treatment with SDS + EDTA or SDS + DTT. Spermatozoa incubated for 6 h under both non-capacitating (aged spermatozoa) and capacitating conditions (capacitated spermatozoa) and reacted spermatozoa were decondensed only after treatment with SDS + DTT. In conclusion, the post-ejaculation and incubation time have to be taken into account when clinical interpretation of the effect of different treatments on sperm chromatin condensation is made
Allelopathic effects of Hemistepta lyrata on the germination and growth of wheat, sorghum, cucumber, rape, and radish seeds

The allelopathic effects of a water extract from Hemistepta lyrata were tested on the seeds of selected crops in Petri dishes. The results showed that the extract strongly inhibited the germination and seedling growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum), rape (Brassica campestris), and radish (Raphanus sativus), but only slightly inhibited those of sorghum (Sorghum vulgare) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus). The extract stimulated the growth of roots and hypocotyls at lower concentrations, while it inhibited their growth at higher concentrations. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content of cucumber and radish increased after treatment with the extract. These results indicated that the MDA concentration in plants is one important aspect of the allelopathic effects of H. lyrata.
Decomposition of Surface Crop Residues in Long-Term Studies of Dryland Agroecosystems

Decomposition of surface crop residues is important for agricultural management, especially under conservation tillage. The objective of this study was to test several models for describing crop residue decomposition under three eastern Colorado dryland agroecosystems at Sterling, Stratton, and Walsh with a yearly mean air temperature of 9.7, 10.4, and 12.0°C, respectively. At each site, a soil toposequence common to its geographic region was chosen to include a summit, a sideslope, and a toeslope position, and several crop rotations were practiced under no-till conditions. Grab samples were taken at planting and before harvesting for surface residue measurement since 1985. Simulation results showed that the Douglas-Rickman model described surface crop residue decomposition better than the Gregory model during a 13-year period, based on a normalized objective function (NOF). Our fitted decomposition rate coefficients using the Douglas-Rickman model matched those originally published. The Douglas-Rickman model, which uses a first-order decay with respect to degree-days, was further evaluated against two other first-order decay models: one using a first-order decay equation with respect to decomposition-days and the other assuming a first-order decay with respect to time (d). Although the three approaches performed equally well in terms of NOF values (P = 0.354), fitted decomposition rate coefficients were significantly different (P < 0.012) among the three experiment sites when models based on decomposition-days or on time (in days) were used. Therefore, the Douglas-Rickman model may be more applicable for describing long-term crop residue decomposition because of its consistency in model parameters among experimental sites and simplicity in modeling approach.
Direct interaction of Gβγ with a C-terminal Gβγ-binding domain of the Ca2+ channel α1 subunit is responsible for channel inhibition by G protein-coupled receptors

Several classes of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCCs) are inhibited by G proteins activated by receptors for neurotransmitters and neuromodulatory peptides. Evidence has accumulated to indicate that for non-L-type Ca2+ channels the executing arm of the activated G protein is its βγ dimer (Gβγ). We report below the existence of two Gβγ-binding sites on the A-, B-, and E-type α1 subunits that form non-L-type Ca2+ channels. One, reported previously, is in loop 1 connecting transmembrane domains I and II. The second is located approximately in the middle of the ca. 600-aa-long C-terminal tails. Both Gβγ-binding regions also bind the Ca2+ channel β subunit (CCβ), which, when overexpressed, interferes with inhibition by activated G proteins. Replacement in α1E of loop 1 with that of the G protein-insensitive and Gβγ-binding-negative loop 1 of α1C did not abolish inhibition by G proteins, but the exchange of the α1E C terminus with that of α1C did. This and properties of α1E C-terminal truncations indicated that the Gβγ-binding site mediating the inhibition of Ca2+ channel activity is the one in the C terminus. Binding of Gβγ to this site was inhibited by an α1-binding domain of CCβ, thus providing an explanation for the functional antagonism existing between CCβ and G protein inhibition. The data do not support proposals that Gβγ inhibits α1 function by interacting with the site located in the loop I–II linker. These results define the molecular mechanism by which presynaptic G protein-coupled receptors inhibit neurotransmission.
Macroeconomic Determinants of the Happiness of the Poor: A Case Study of Pakistan

There is not much research on welfare-economics from the perspective of human wellbeing (happiness). The main reason is that this is qualitative and subjective phenomena are not easily captured by measurement. In the present endeavour, the authors tried to capture it (happiness) from the opposite side of the poverty index. We employed the modified ARDL technique for long-run friendship between the happiness of the poor and some macroeconomic influencing factors; short-run dynamic behaviour is scrutinised through ECM. The findings about the happiness of the poor and its determinants show that the happiness of poor individuals is highly influenced by macroeconomics shocks prevailing in the economy. Economic growth or a rise in GDP per capita decreases the level of the happiness of the poor due to an upper-echelon phenomenon over a long span of time in Pakistan. Inflation influences the purchasing power of poor segments of population and definitely affects the happiness negatively for both the long-term and short-term. Enhancement in remittances seems to push happiness or welfare levels of the poor upward significantly. Increases in indirect taxes, especially sales taxes, are associated with low levels of happiness of poor individuals in a small developing economy like Pakistan. Trade-openness improves happiness rankings of poor segments of the population through direct and indirect channels. Finally, a low level of happiness is associated with low urbanisation over a short period of time.
A double-edged sword? Exploring the impact of students’ academic usage of mobile devices on technostress and academic performance

ABSTRACT The proliferation of mobile technology provides not only myriads of opportunities to support teaching and learning, but also challenges or even stress to the mobile device users in higher education. On the basis of the Person-Technology fit model (P-T fit model), this study developed a theoretical framework to investigate the double-edged effect of students’ academic usage of mobile devices. Specifically, we compared the positive effect (boost academic performance) with the negative effect (bring technostress) of mobile device usage among university students. We further investigated the moderating role of mobile technology self-efficacy toward technostress. Data were collected among 208 university students. Results corroborated that students’ academic usage of mobile devices does not lead to technostress; however, it helps in enhancing academic performance. Moreover, students’ individual differences, e.g. mobile technology self-efficacy and extent of usage significantly influence the technostress.
Cooperative Co-evolution Algorithm with Problem Adaptive Variable Grouping for Large Scale Global Optimization

For large scale global optimization problems, evolutionary algorithms (briefly, EAs) will face a huge challenge, and their efficiency and effectiveness will be much reduced. To enhance their efficiency and effectiveness, in this paper, a problem adaptive variable grouping strategy (briefly, PAVG) is firstly proposed. In PAVG, we make the grouping directly via the expression of the objective function which usually consists of finite number of operations of four arithmetic operations “ + , − , 2 f , ÷ ” and composite operation of basic elementary functions. We classify these operations into two classes: one will result in non-separable variables, and the other will result in separable variables. In this way, the variables can be grouped into several non-interacting subcomponents, while the variables in each subcomponent are interactive. Then, combining with PAVG, a novel algorithm, called cooperative co-evolution algorithm with problem adaptive variable grouping strategy (briefly, CCPA), is designed, and evolution can be conducted in these subcomponents separately. In this way, a large-scale problem can be decomposed into several small-scale problems and this makes the problem solving much easier. To further enhance the efficiency of CCPA, a new local search scheme is designed, and when a good solution is found in the evolution process (e.g., by crossover and mutation), it will be further improved by the local search scheme. To verify the efficiency of CCPA, the simulations are made on the standard benchmark suites of CEC’2010 and CEC’2013, and CCPA is compared with several well performed algorithms. The results indicate that the proposed algorithm CCPA is more efficient and effective.
Adaptive learning of host preference in a herbivorous arthropod

Although many publications deal with the effects of experience on behaviour, adaptive learning (i.e. behavioural change with experience resulting in improved reproductive success) is poorly documented. We present direct evidence that learning of host preference improves fitness in the herbivorous mite, Tetranychus urticae. Individual mites from two strains were repeatedly given a choice between two host plants, tomato and cucumber, and then subjected to a performance test on each. For both strains, food experience affected the subsequent choice: individual mites learned to prefer cucumber over tomato. The performance test showed this effect to be adaptive, as the food plant the mites learned to prefer (cucumber) allowed for increased oviposition, survival and development. These findings have important implications for the interpretation of the preference–performance relationship among herbivorous arthropods. The frequently reported absence of such a relationship may be due to experience-dependent preference and/or performance.