Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A co‐development approach to conservation leads to informed habitat design and rapid establishment of amphibian communities

1. Effective wildlife restoration is a critical requirement of many conservation actions. The outcome of conservation interventions can be optimised through knowledge of species’ habitat requirements, but few studies consider the impact of using explicit evidence from dedicated local research to inform the design phase of habitat management. Furthermore, interventions administered externally from the top down, whilst simpler than those developed in discussion with multiple stakeholders including land managers (i.e. co-development), run the risk of failing to engage local people. 2. In this study, we focus on interventions in the Scottish Highlands to improve the availability and suitability of breeding ponds for local amphibian assemblages. We collected and analysed data based on 129 ecological variables across 88 reference ponds to quantify the local habitat preferences. We used the findings from these analyses to inform the construction or restoration of 25 intervention ponds co-developed in partnership with stakeholders (landowners, foresters, citizen scientists and government agencies). Following the interventions, we monitored amphibian communities at these sites over 4 years. We assessed presence and abundance of all five native amphibians (the anurans Rana temporaria and Bufo bufo, and the salamanders Lissotriton helveticus, L. vulgaris and Triturus cristatus) using egg searching, dip-netting, torching and trapping. 3. The new habitats were overall characterised by ecological conditions more favourable to amphibians than the reference ponds. We recorded a total of 51 colonisation events. Within two breeding seasons after construction or restoration, the intervention ponds hosted the full complement of species, mirroring amphibian diversity patterns found in the local reference ponds. 4. Our study shows that ecological research to quantify local habitat requirements and working with commercial land-managers to ensure equitable benefits prior to designing conservation actions can promote rapid and efficient recovery of wildlife.
Ultrasonic-assisted extraction of polyphenols and chlorophyll contents from rice seed lings (var. Sukhothai 1)

Ultrasonic-assisted extraction presently is an interest technique for recovering the valuable compounds from the vegetal materials. This study was conducted for comparing a traditional extracting technique (shaking) to an ultrasonic-assisted extraction (28, 45, 100 kHz) on rice seedling ( var. Sukhothai 1 ) sample. In combination, solvent effect (water and various concentrations of ethanol) under 50oC 60 min extracting conditions were also investigated. Antioxidant properties, total polyphenol contents as well as chlorophyll contents in the extracts were analyzed. The extracts obtained by higher ethanol concentration are more desirable and that the ultrasonic technology can be potentially used in the extraction process to improve efficiency.
Transport geography: Implications for public health.

The obstruction of traffic between France and UK due to efforts to rein in coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), together with the recent, week-long blockade of the Suez Canal, underline how interconnected and thus vulnerable the world has become. What this has to do with public health may not be immediately evident. However, as illustrated by two papers published in this issue of Geospatial Health dealing with the ongoing waves of COVID-19 spread (Mahmud et al., 2021; Tiwari and Aljoufie, 2021), transport geography - with its focus on geographical dimensions of travel, transport and mobility - does indeed have a direct impact on health and epidemiology.
Aspect Ratio Dependence of Isotropic-Nematic Phase Separation of Nanoplates in Gravity

Abstract We studied isotropic-nematic (I-N) phase separation via gravity sedimentation in suspensions of plate-like colloidal particles of identical thickness but different lateral sizes (diameters). It is well-known that I-N phase transition occurs at a higher concentration for particles with larger aspect ratio (thickness/diameter) than for particles with smaller aspect ratio. Here we report that for the larger aspect ratios of nanoplates, gravity-driven I-N phase separation is faster. In a homogenously mixed I-N biphasic suspension of nanoplates, nematic tactoids nucleate, grow, and then undergo sedimentation in gravity, leading to the formation of a clear horizontal interface between the I and N phase. For I-N coexistent suspension of nanoplates with different aspect ratios but the same amount of nematic fractions, the larger the aspect ratio, the faster the formation of nematic tactoids and interface between isotropic liquid and nematic liquid crystal phase. The tactoid formation rate is governed by the rotational and translational diffusion rates, which are faster at larger aspect ratios. The time required for I-N separation (t*, seconds) varies inversely with the mean aspect ratio (< ξ >) of nanoplates and follows the relation, t* = α < ξ >n, where α = 0.97 ± 1.30 s and n = −2.1 ± 0.2. The phase separation kinetics studied in our experiments offers guidance for the selection of aspect ratio of nanoplates for samples to be studied at the International Space Station (ISS).
Assessment of iodine nutrition of schoolchildren in Gonda, India, indicates improvement and effectivity of salt iodisation

Abstract Objective: To study the total goitre rate (TGR), urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and salt iodine content among schoolchildren in a previously endemic area for severe iodine deficiency disorder (IDD). Design: Cross-sectional epidemiological study. Setting: The study was carried out in the Gonda district (sub-Himalayan region) of North India. Participants: Nine hundred and seventy-seven schoolchildren (6–12 years) were studied for parameters such as height, weight, UIC and salt iodine content. Thyroid volume (TV) was measured by ultrasonography to estimate TGR. Results: The overall TGR in the study population was 2·8 % (95 % CI 1·8, 3·8). No significant difference in TGR was observed between boys and girls (3·5 % v. 1·9 %, P = 0·2). There was a non-significant trend of increasing TGR with age (P = 0·05). Median UIC was 157·1 μg/l (interquartile range: 94·5–244·9). At the time of the study, 97 % of salt sample were iodised and nearly 86 % of salt samples had iodine content higher than or equal to 15 part per million. Overall, TGR was significantly lower (2·8 % v. 31·0 %, P < 0·001), and median UIC was significantly higher (157·1 v. 100·0 μg/l, P < 0·05) than that reported in the same area in 2009. Conclusions: A marked improvement was seen in overall iodine nutrition in the Gonda district after three and a half decades of Universal Salt Iodisation (USI). To sustainably control IDD, USI and other programmes, such as health education, must be continuously implemented along with putting mechanisms to monitor the programme at regular intervals in place.
Association between male infertility and prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Purpose of review Male infertility has been shown to be associated with different maladies. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the available evidence on the association between male infertility or childlessness and prostate cancer. Recent findings The PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses statement. Studies were deemed eligible if they compared males with known infertility or childlessness to the control group including fertile males with regards to the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Overall, ten studies met our eligibility criteria. Three studies found that infertility was associated with higher risk of prostate cancer, four studies – with a reduced risk of prostate cancer, and three studies found no association. The forest plot revealed that infertility was not associated with prostate cancer (odds ratio [OR]: 1.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.63–2.54; P = 0.5). Infertility was not associated with high (OR: 1.44, 95% CI 0.54–3.83; P = 0.5) or low (OR: 0.99, 95% CI 0.43–2.27; P = 0.9) grade prostate cancer. Summary Infertility or childlessness were not associated with the risk of prostate cancer. The significant heterogeneity between the included studies supports the need for more granular research to guide/fine tune early detection guidelines based on fertility.
Privately held or publicly owned? The role of debt financing

How to cite this paper: Toukan, A. (2021). Privately held or publicly owned? The role of debt financing. Corporate Ownership & Control, 18(2), 124-130. https://doi.org/10.22495/cocv18i2art9 Copyright © 2021 The Author This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/
Interferon‐induced degradation of the persistent hepatitis B virus cccDNA form depends on ISG20

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) persists by depositing a covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in the nucleus of infected cells that cannot be targeted by available antivirals. Interferons can diminish HBV cccDNA via APOBEC3‐mediated deamination. Here, we show that overexpression of APOBEC3A alone is not sufficient to reduce HBV cccDNA that requires additional treatment of cells with interferon indicating involvement of an interferon‐stimulated gene (ISG) in cccDNA degradation. Transcriptome analyses identify ISG20 as the only type I and II interferon‐induced, nuclear protein with annotated nuclease activity. ISG20 localizes to nucleoli of interferon‐stimulated hepatocytes and is enriched on deoxyuridine‐containing single‐stranded DNA that mimics transcriptionally active, APOBEC3A‐deaminated HBV DNA. ISG20 expression is detected in human livers in acute, self‐limiting but not in chronic hepatitis B. ISG20 depletion mitigates the interferon‐induced loss of cccDNA, and co‐expression with APOBEC3A is sufficient to diminish cccDNA. In conclusion, non‐cytolytic HBV cccDNA decline requires the concerted action of a deaminase and a nuclease. Our findings highlight that ISGs may cooperate in their antiviral activity that may be explored for therapeutic targeting.
Mobilization During Critical Illness: A Higher Level of Mobilization Improves Health Status at 6 Months, a Secondary Analysis of a Prospective Cohort Study

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. OBJECTIVES: To determine the influence of active mobilization during critical illness on health status in survivors 6 months post ICU admission. DESIGN: Post hoc secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study conducted between November 2013 and March 2015. SETTING: Two tertiary hospital ICU’s in Victoria, Australia. PATIENTS: Of 194 eligible patients admitted, mobility data for 186 patients were obtained. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were as per the original trial. INTERVENTIONS: The dosage of mobilization in ICU was measured by: 1) the Intensive Care Mobility Scale where a higher Intensive Care Mobility Scale level was considered a higher intensity of mobilization or 2) the number of active mobilization sessions performed during the ICU stay. The data were extracted from medical records and analyzed against Euro-quality of life-5D-5 Level version answers obtained from phone interviews with survivors 6 months following ICU admission. The primary outcome was change in health status measured by the Euro-quality of life-5D-5 Level utility score, with change in Euro-quality of life-5D-5 Level mobility domain a secondary outcome. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Achieving higher levels of mobilization (as per the Intensive Care Mobility Scale) was independently associated with improved outcomes at 6 months (Euro-quality of life-5D-5 Level utility score unstandardized regression coefficient [β] 0.022 [95% CI, 0.002–0.042]; p = 0.033; Euro-quality of life-5D-5 Level mobility domain β = 0.127 [CI, 0.049–0.205]; p = 0.001). Increasing the number of active mobilization sessions was not found to independently influence health status. Illness severity, total comorbidities, and admission diagnosis also independently influenced health status. CONCLUSIONS: In critically ill survivors, achieving higher levels of mobilization, but not increasing the number of active mobilization sessions, improved health status 6 months after ICU admission.
VCP/p97 cofactor UBXN1/SAKS1 regulates mitophagy by modulating MFN2 removal from mitochondria

ABSTRACT Initiation of PINK1- and PRKN-dependent mitophagy is a highly regulated process involving the activity of the AAA-ATPase VCP/p97, a cofactor-guided multifunctional protein central to handling ubiquitinated client proteins. Removal of ubiquitinated substrates such as the mitofusin MFN2 from the outer mitochondrial membrane by VCP is critical for PRKN accumulation on mitochondria, which drives mitophagy. Here we characterize the role of the UBA and UBX-domain containing VCP cofactor UBXN1/SAKS1 during mitophagy. Following mitochondrial depolarization and depending on PRKN, UBXN1 translocated alongside VCP to mitochondria. Prior to mitophagy, loss of UBXN1 led to mitochondrial fragmentation, diminished ATP production, and impaired ER-mitochondrial apposition. When mitophagy was induced in cells lacking UBXN1, mitochondrial translocation of VCP and PRKN was impaired, diminishing mitophagic flux. In addition, UBXN1 physically interacted with PRKN in a UBX-domain depending manner. Interestingly, ectopic expression of the pro-mitophagic VCP cofactor UBXN6/UBXD1 fully reversed impaired PRKN recruitment in UBXN1-/- cells. Mechanistically, UBXN1 acted downstream of PINK1 by facilitating MFN2 removal from mitochondria. In UBXN1-/- cells exposed to mitochondrial stress, MFN2 formed para-mitochondrial blobs likely representing blocked intermediates of the MFN2 removal process partly reversible by expression of UBXN6. Presence of these MFN2 blobs strongly correlated with impaired PRKN translocation to depolarized mitochondria. Our observations connect the VCP cofactor UBXN1 to the initiation and maintenance phase of PRKN-dependent mitophagy, and indicate that, upon mitochondrial stress induction, MFN2 removal from mitochondria occurs through a specialized process.
Goldman form, flat connections and stable vector bundles

We consider the moduli space N of stable vector bundles of degree 0 over a compact Riemann surface and the affine bundle A → N of flat connections. Following the similarity between the Teichmüller spaces and the moduli of bundles, we introduce the analogue of the quasi-Fuchsian projective connections — local holomorphic sections of A — that allow to pull back the Liouville symplectic form on T N to A . We prove that the pullback of the Goldman form to A by the Riemann-Hilbert correspondence coincides with the pullback of the Liouville form. We also include a simple proof, in the spirit of Riemann bilinear relations, of the classic result – the pullback of Goldman symplectic form to N by the Narasimhan-Seshadri connection is the natural symplectic form on N , introduced by Narasimhan and Atiyah & Bott.
Other children’s words in the linguistic environment of infants and young children from distinct social groups in Argentina (Las palabras de otros niños en el entorno lingüístico de bebés y niños pequeños de distintos grupos sociales de Argentina)

ABSTRACT This present research analyses the linguistic environmental setting in homes of children under the age of two years from different social groups and looks at the extent to which the speech from other children contributes to shaping that environment. The corpus includes recordings of spontaneous speech from middle-class households in residential urban areas, from lower socioeconomic classes in marginalized urban areas and from impoverished semi-rural areas. Beta regressions were used to estimate whether place of residence could explain the proportion of words from other children that were directed, as well as those that were not directed, towards the child under study. The results showed that children from impoverished semi-rural areas and children from residential areas hear a higher proportion of non-directed words than children from marginalized urban areas. However, when child-directed speech is considered, the two lower socioeconomic groups, urban and semi-rural, hear a higher proportion of words than their residential peers. These results reveal heterogeneity within social groups.
PHYSOR 2020: Transition to a Scalable Nuclear Future Cambridge, United Kingdom, March 29th-April 2nd, 2020 INTELLIGENT TECHNIQUES FOR ANOMALY DETECTION IN NUCLEAR REACTORS

The safe operation of nuclear power plants is highly dependent on the ability of quickly and accurately identifying possible anomalies and perturbations in the reactor. Operational defects are primarily diagnosed by detectors that capture changes in the neutron flux, placed at various points inside and outside of the core. Neutron flux signals are subsequently analyzed with signal processing techniques in an effort to be better described (have their higher-order characteristics uncovered, locate transient events, etc). To this end, the application of intelligent techniques may be extremely beneficial, as it may assist and extend the current level of analysis. Besides, the combination of signal processing methodologies and machine learning techniques in the framework of nuclear power plant data is an emerging topic that has yet to show its full potential. In this context, the current contribution attempts at introducing intelligent approaches and more specifically, deep learning techniques, in neutron flux signal analysis for the identification of perturbations and other anomalies in the reactor core that may affect its operational capabilities. The obtained results of an initial stage of analysis on neutron flux signals captured at pressurized water reactors are encouraging, underlying the robustness and the potential of the proposed approach.
Cerebrotendinous Xanthomatosis: Molecular Pathogenesis, Clinical Spectrum, Diagnosis, and Disease-Modifying Treatments

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is an autosomal recessive lipid storage disorder caused by mutations in the CYP27A1 gene, which encodes the mitochondrial enzyme sterol 27-hydroxylase. Decreased sterol 27-hydroxylase activity results in impaired bile acid synthesis, leading to reduced production of bile acids, especially chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), as well as elevated serum cholestanol and urine bile alcohols. The accumulation of cholestanol and cholesterol mainly in the brain, lenses, and tendons results in the characteristic clinical manifestations of CTX. Clinical presentation is characterized by systemic symptoms including neonatal jaundice or cholestasis, refractory diarrhea, juvenile cataracts, tendon xanthomas, osteoporosis, coronary heart disease, and a broad range of neuropsychiatric manifestations. The combinations of symptoms vary from patient to patient and the presenting symptoms, especially in the early disease phase, may be nonspecific, which leads to a substantial diagnostic delay or underdiagnosis. Replacement of CDCA has been approved as a first-line treatment for CTX, and can lead to biochemical and clinical improvements. However, the effect of CDCA treatment is limited once significant neuropsychiatric manifestations are established. The age at diagnosis and initiation of CDCA treatment correlate with the prognosis of patients with CTX. Therefore, early diagnosis and subsequent treatment initiation are essential.
Non-native Accent Partitioning for Speakers of Indian Regional Languages

Acoustic features extracted from the speech signal can help in identifying speaker related multiple information such as geographical origin, regional accent and nativity. In this paper, classification of native speakers of South Indian languages is carried out based upon the accent of their non-native language, i.e., English. Four South Indian languages: Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu are examined. A database of English speech from the native speakers of these languages, along with the native language speech data was collected, from a non-overlapping set of speakers. Segment level acoustic features F0 and Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCCs) are used. Accent partitioning of non-native English speech data is carried out using multiple classifiers: k-nearest neighbour (KNN), linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and support vector machine (SVM), for validation and comparison of results. Classification accuracies of 86.6% are observed using KNN, and 89.2% or more than 90% using SVM classifier. A study of acoustic feature F0 contour, related to L2 intonation, showed that native speakers of Kannada language are quite distinct as compared to those of Tamil or Telugu languages. It is also observed that identification of Malayalam and Kannada speakers from their English speech accent is relatively easier than Telugu or Tamil speakers.
MiR-1b up-regulation inhibits rat neuron proliferation and regeneration yet promotes apoptosis via targeting KLF7.

INTRODUCTION MicroRNA (miRNA) is known to be involved in nerve injury. Our study aimed to identify the role and mechanism of miR-1b in rat neuron proliferation, regeneration and apoptosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Neurons were successfully separated and identified using a microscope and immunofluorescence staining of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2). The expressions of miR-1b and Krüppel-like factor 7 (KLF7) were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Neuron viability and apoptosis were detected by MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Neuron regeneration states were observed using a microscope and analysed by the ImageJ software. Expressions of C-caspase-3 and cell regeneration-related proteins (nerve growth factor [NGF], ciliary neurotrophic factor [CNTF] and brain-derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF]) were measured by Western blot. Target genes and potential binding sites of KLF7 and miR-1b were predicted by TargetScan 7.2 and confirmed by dual luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS Neurons were identified as MAP-2-positive. Up-regulation of miR-1b reduced neuron viability and regenerative ability, promoted neuron apoptosis and C-caspase-3 expression, and down-regulated the expressions of cell regeneration-related proteins. KLF7 was the target gene of miR-1b. Overexpressed KLF7 rescued the effects of up-regulation of miR-1b on neuron viability, regeneration and apoptosis. Expressions of NGF, CNTF and BDNF were suppressed yet C-caspase-3 expression was up-regulated by miR-1b mimic, which was partially rescued by overexpressed KLF7. CONCLUSIONS Up-regulation of miR-1b promoted rat neuron proliferation and regeneration yet inhibited apoptosis via targeting KLF7.