Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vanilla distribution modeling for conservation and sustainable cultivation in a joint land sparing/sharing concept

Vanilla, an expensive but popular spice used in many industries, faces problems related to its supply. Some of these problems are due to the fact that vanilla cultivation is based on clonal material of a single species ( Vanilla planifolia ) and is dominated by just a few countries located outside the native growing areas of aromatic vanilla species, which is the neotropics. Despite the economic importance of this crop, relatively little attention has been paid to its wild relatives, in particular with respect to their biology, ecology, and potential use. We hypothesized that species distribution models (SDMs) can identify suitable areas for both the conservation and cultivation of vanilla crop wild relatives (CWRs), following a joint land sparing/land sharing (SPASHA) approach, thus offering alternative sourcing areas and production methods. This is the ﬁ rst study that explored the use of ensemble SDMs to provide applicable land use maps related to the conservation and sustainable cultivation of wild vanilla species in Costa Rica, contributing to a solution for the problems related to current vanilla production systems. We focused on four aromatic vanilla CWRs, native to Costa Rica, to make land use policy recommendations for this country, and more speci ﬁ cally for the biological corridor Osa and its surroundings within our study region (cid:1) Area de Conservaci (cid:1) on Osa (ACOSA). The resulting distribution maps, with a mean AUC of 0.89, re ﬂ ected their current potential distribution (ranging from unsuitable to suitable) in Costa Rica. Combining them with recent land use and conservation area maps of our study region, we de ﬁ ned (1) areas for vanilla conservation and (2) areas for sustainable vanilla cultivation within agroforestry systems. These land use recommendations can now be integrated within the National Bio-Corridor Program (PNCB) that aims at making biological corridors more productive by proposing alternative income generation for local communities living within these areas. Our approach can be applied to identify priority areas for implementing the SPASHA approach on other vanilla CWRs and in more regions across its native growing ranges, given the availability of land use maps and enough occurrence records to build accurate SDMs.
EXPLORATIONS IN HOMEOVISCOUS ADAPTATION AND MASS SPECTRAL ANALYSIS OF MEMBRANE LIPIDS

OF DISSERTATION MICHAEL DOUGLAS TIMMONS The Graduate School University of Kentucky 2010 EXPLORATIONS IN HOMEOVISCOUS ADAPTATION AND MASS SPECTRAL ANALYSIS OF MEMBRANE LIPIDS ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATIONOF DISSERTATION A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Kentucky By Michael Douglas Timmons
Effects of Monoclonal Anti-Abeta Antibodies on the Amyloid Beta Peptide Fibrillogenesis and their Involvement in the Clearance of Alzheimer's Disease Plaques

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of senile dementia worldwide. AD is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of memory and language skill, collapse of the cognitive function, and distortion of social behavior. As of today, the onset mechanisms of AD and cure are unknown; however, three hallmarks are commonly encountered: extra and intracellular accumulation of amyloid beta (A! ) peptide plaques, formation of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles, and inevitable neuronal death. Hypothetically, a possible scenario provoking or involved in the onset of AD is a cascade effect that starts with an imbalance in the production and clearance of Aß peptide that consequently leads to its accumulation, formation of tau protein tangles and neuronal death. This work studied and characterized the mechanisms governing A! peptide aggregation and the effects of using anti-Aß monoclonal antibodies to modify this process. These mechanisms play an important role in the formation
A Vigilance Explanation of Musical Chills? Effects of Loudness and Brightness Manipulations

Recent research has suggested that low-level psychoacoustic parameters such as loudness and spectral brightness are correlated with musical chills, a subjective emotional experience accompanied by goosebumps, shivers, and tingling sensations. These relationships may be explained by a vigilance theory of chills, through the process of auditory looming; however, these correlations or theories have never been causally tested. In the current study, participants (N = 40) listened to five variations (original, low loudness, high loudness, low brightness, high brightness) of an experimental and control piece of chills music, characterized by a crescendo and guitar solo respectively; this qualitative distinction was made based on whether the underlying musical structure of the pieces was or was not capable of engaging auditory looming processes. It was predicted that increases in loudness would result in increased chills frequency across participants, indicated by button presses; brightness was included as an exploratory parameter. Results show that for the experimental piece, increases in loudness resulted in significantly more frequent chills experiences, and increases in brightness significantly reduced the frequency of chills, whereas no effects were found for the control piece. Findings are discussed in terms of vigilance and social bonding theories of chills, and the complex interactions between low-level psychoacoustic properties and higher-level musical structures.
A Plasma Modeling Hierarchy and Verification Approach

This report reviews a hierarchy of formal mathematical models for describing plasma phenomena. Starting with the Boltzmann equation, a sequence of approximations and modeling assumptions can be made that progressively reduce to the equations for magnetohydrodynamics. Understanding the assumptions behind each of these models and their mathematical form is essential to appropriate use of each level of the hierarchy. A sequence of moment models of the Boltzmann equation are presented, then focused into a generalized three-fluid model for neutral species, electrons, and ions. This model is then further reduced to a two-fluid model, for which Braginskii described a useful closure. Further reduction of the two-fluid model yields a Generalized Ohm’s Law model, which provides a connection to magnetohydrodynamic approaches. A verification approach based on linear plasma waves is presented alongside the model hierarchy, which is intended as an initial and necessary but not sufficient step for verification of plasma models within this hierarchy.
Seedlings of cashew trees of the brazilian cerrado inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms

La microbiota del suelo desarrolla importantes funciones en los ecosistemas, ya que influye en el crecimiento, la nutricion mineral y la salud de las plantas. El fosforo (P) es el nutrimento mas limitante en los suelos tropicales, y los microorganismos solubilizadores de P (MSP) y los hongos micorrizicos arbusculares (HMA) son los grupos mas importantes de la comunidad microbiana del suelo. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de la inoculacion de MSP y HMA en el desarrollo de arboles de anacardo (Anacardium othonianum Rizzini) de el Cerrado Brasileno con distintos sustratos. Se realizo un experimento en invernadero y el diseno experimental fue completamente aleatorio con un arreglo factorial de 4 × 2 de los tratamientos: MSP, HMA, MSP+HMA y el control. Ademas, se usaron dos sustratos: uno puro, con textura franco arenoso, y una mezcla de texturas franco arcillosa y arcillosa. Se realizaron 12 replicas. Los datos se procesaron con un analisis de varianza y las medias se compararon con la prueba de Tukey (p£0.05). La coinoculacion con MSP y HMA resulto en mayor altura y materia seca del vastago de las plantulas comparado con las inoculaciones aisladas con estos organismos. Las plantulas aumentaron su altura y materia humeda y seca del vastago al cultivarse en una mezcla de sustratos (suelo con texturas franco arcillosa y arcillosa). El uso de una mezcla de sustratos tambien resulto en una eficiencia simbiotica mayor con Glomus etunicatum.
Characterisation of clonal dental pulp progenitors and the effects of in vitro expansion and hydrogen peroxide

Dental pulp progenitor cells (DPPCs) are among many stem cell sources potentially beneficial for tissue engineering. DPPCs offer advantages over other mesenchymal stem cell sources, due to their accessibility and multi-lineage differentiation. However, distinct DPPC clones exist within dental pulp, with contrasting proliferative/regenerative capabilities. This is a key consideration for the exploitation of DPPCs, in terms of the abilities of isolated clones to undergo sufficient in vitro proliferative expansion, while maintaining their regenerative potential. This Thesis supports the heterogeneous nature of DPPCs, demonstrating significant variations in population doublings (PDs) and senescence, with highly proliferative clones exhibiting greater proliferation (>80PDs) under normal and oxidative stress (H2O2 treatment) conditions, compared to low proliferative clones ( 18kb); maintained stem cell marker expression (CD73, CD90, CD105) and osteogenic/chondrogenic differentiation in culture. In contrast, low proliferative clones exhibited shorter telomeres (<6kb), reduced marker expression and increased adipogenesis. DPPC heterogeneity was further evident upon Raman Spectroscopy analysis, which distinguished between undifferentiated high and low proliferative clones and undifferentiated DPPCs and clones following chondrogenic differentiation. High and low proliferative clonal behaviour was also assessed in type I collagen gels, demonstrating increased contraction and reduced cell proliferation in detached versus attached gels, irrespective of clonal type. Increased contraction was due to increased MMP-2 expression by both clonal types, while highly proliferative clones also expressed MMP-9, especially at late PDs. These findings indicate significant variations in DPPC clonal proliferative/differentiation capabilities, partly explained by telomere length/cellular ageing differences. Identification of clonal populations with contrasting tissue regeneration capacities supports the development of screening strategies (e.g. Raman Spectroscopy) for the selective isolation of highly proliferative clones from dental pulp for therapeutic use, or assessing DPPC differentiation in 3D culture.
A to Z Endodontic Planning, The key for Long Term Success: Case Report

Aim: To highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary treatment planning by means of presenting a long-term follow-up to a clinical case in the upper anterior maxillary zone. Conclusion: In the initial state the patient presented deep caries, demineralizations, periapical radiolucent areas, previous root canal treatments and non-adapted coronal restorations. To restore the function in the affected areas, procedures such as: Apical microsurgery, root canal retreatments, surgical extrusion, anatomical fiber glass posts placement and metal-free crowns were performed. The long-term follow-up shows a complete reestablishment of biological, mechanical and aesthetical function.
Tracing endocrine disruptors : Identification and effects of endocrine disrupting compounds in the aquatic environment

In vitro bioassays are valuable tools for screening environmental samples for the presence of bioactive (e.g. endocrine disrupting) compounds. They can be used to direct chemical analysis of active compounds in toxicity identification and evaluation (tie) approaches. In the present study, five in vitro bioassays were used to profile toxic potencies in sediments, with emphasis on endocrine disruption. Nonpolar total and acid-treated stable extracts of sediments from fifteen locations in the Rhine Meuse estuary area in The Netherlands were assessed. Dioxin-like and estrogenic activities (using dioxin-responsive chemical activated luciferase gene expression [Dr-calux®] and estrogen responsive chemical activated luciferase gene expression [Ercalux®] assays) as well as genotoxicity (umu test) and nonspecific toxic potency (Vibrio fischeri assay) were observed in sediment extracts. For the first time, to our knowledge, in vitro displacement of thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4) from the thyroid hormone transport protein thransthyretin by sediment extracts was observed, indicating the presence of compounds potentially able to disrupt T4 plasma transport processes. Anti-estrogenic activity was also observed in sediment. The present study showed the occurrence of endocrine disrupting potencies in sediments from the Dutch delta and the suitability of the erand Dr-calux bioassays to direct endocrine disruption tie studies.
Legendre spectral method for the fractional Bratu problem

In this paper, the Legendre spectral collocation method (LSCM) is applied for the solution of the fractional Bratu's equation. It shows the high accuracy and low computational cost of the LSCM compared with some other numerical methods. The fractional Bratu differential equation is transformed into a nonlinear system of algebraic equations for the unknown Legendre coefficients and solved with some spectral collocation methods. Some illustrative examples are also given to show the validity and applicability of this method, and the obtained results are compared with the existing studies to highlight its high efficiency and neglectable error.
Root Traits Determine Variation in Nonstructural Carbohydrates (NSCs) under Different Drought Intensities and Soil Substrates in Three Temperate Tree Species

Nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs) are a key factor in the physiological regulation of plants and can reflect buffering capacity of plants under diverse environmental conditions. The effects of diverse environmental conditions on plant NSCs and tissue or organ scales have been thoroughly studied, but their effects on fine root (root diameter < 2 mm) NSC concentrations are still not completely understood. Our aims were to explore the synergistic fluctuations in root traits and NSC concentrations under diverse environmental conditions. This study was conducted on two-year-old temperate seedling tree species (Juglans mandshurica Maxim., Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr., and Phellodendron amurense Rupr.) with different drought intensities and soil substrates. The specific root length (SRL) and specific root surface area (SRA) were significantly affected by drought intensities and soil substrates, while the root tissue density (RTD) and average diameter (AD) were not significantly affected by water intensities and soil substrates in all three species. The root C, N, and P concentration did not change according to drought stress but were significantly affected by the soil substrates in all three species. Similarly, the soluble sugar (SS) and starch (ST) concentrations were significantly affected by both the drought stress and the soil substrates in all three species. The AD explained 6.8% of the total variations in soluble sugar, while the SRL explains 32.1% of the total variation in starch. The root tip C, N, and P concentrations were not significantly correlated with NSCs under different treatments. The total variations in root tip morphology, chemistry, and NSC concentrations are greater among species than compared to different drought intensities and soil substrates. However, the root NSC concentrations were closely related to root morphological traits (SRL and AD) rather than chemical traits. On the basis of different soil resources, the species with thinner diameters have higher SS concentrations, while those of a thicker diameter have higher ST concentrations.
Tourist’s Attitude Towards Cultural Heritage and Their Willingness to Pay for Visitation; A Case Study of Lahore-Pakistan

Tourists’ interest traveling to Lahore (Badshahi mosque & Royal fort) have been increased after worst terrorism situation in Pakistan and expected to continue. Despite this fact, very little facts are known about individual's attitude towards cultural heritage. This study makes a tour on factors which encouraged tourists to visit cultural heritage sites (pre-post visit) and also identify variables that help to estimate their willingness to pay (WTP) for cultural heritage sites. Data of 200 tourists were collected through well pre paired questionnaire and this data were used in the final analysis. The most useful technique contingent valuation method (CVM) with dichotomous choice question was used to estimate the WTP. Two models were used in the estimation of WTP binary regression and ordinary least square (OLS). The findings acknowledged that tourists were interested to get good memories, experience and knowledge through this visit; more than 75% tourists were WTP for cultural heritage due to their positive attitude and would prefer to visit again these destinations. Tourist’s income was positive and significant determinant factor of WTP, total cost and environmental concern were negatively related with WTP. Findings of this study recommended practical implications for authorities.
Aminopeptidase yscII of yeast

Mutant strains of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae defective in aminopeptidase yscII were isolated by screening for reduced external activity against the chromogenic substrate lysine beta-naphthylamide. One of the selected mutant strains analyzed in detail showed wild-type staining activity when tested at 23 degrees C but mutant activity after exposure to 37 degrees C, suggesting a temperature-sensitive mutation. Electrophoretic separation of mutant crude extracts on non-denaturing polyacrylamide gels and subsequent activity staining using lysine and leucine beta-naphthylamides as substrates revealed that in all strains isolated the same distinct activity band was affected, which corresponded to the aminopeptidase activity identified previously as aminopeptidase yscII [Achstetter, T. , Ehmann, C. & Wolf, D. H. (1983) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 226, 292-305]. All mutants strains isolated fell into the same complementation group. Tetrad dissection of sporulated diploids heterozygous for the wild-type and mutant allele resulted in a 2:2 segregation of mutant and wild-type phenotype indicating a single gene mutation. The characteristics of the mutations analyzed point to the gene which we called APE2 as the structural gene of aminopeptidase yscII. No vital consequences of aminopeptidase yscII deficiency on cell life and differentiation could be detected. However, the enzyme seems to be involved in the cellular supply of leucine from externally offered leucine-containing dipeptide substrates.
Long-term benefits and short-term costs: small vertebrate responses to predator exclusion and native mammal reintroductions in south-western New South Wales, Australia

Abstract Context The success of conservation fences at protecting reintroduced populations of threatened mammals from introduced predators has prompted an increase in the number and extent of fenced exclosures. Excluding introduced species from within conservation fences could also benefit components of in situ faunal assemblages that are prey for introduced predators, such as reptiles and small mammals. Conversely, reintroduced mammals may compete with smaller mammals and reptiles for resources, or even prey on them. Aims In a 10-year study from 2008, we examine how small terrestrial vertebrates respond to the exclusion of introduced predators, the feral cat (Felis catus) and red fox (Vulpes Vulpes), introduced herbivores and the reintroduction of regionally extinct mammal species. Methods Differences in the yearly relative abundance of reptiles and mammals according to habitat type and whether sites were fenced or not, were tested using multivariate generalised linear models. Next, we calculated univariate P-values to identify individual species that showed significant relationships, positive and negative, with any of the explanatory variables. Key results Total captures of reptiles were lower inside the conservation fence in all years, whereas total captures of small mammals were markedly higher inside the fenced area, notably in dasyurids. Conclusion Our results showed that conservation fences can deliver benefits for some fauna (but not all) beyond facilitating the reintroduction of highly threatened mammals. Implications Our results demonstrated the consequential impacts of introduced predators on the Australian small mammal fauna, and showed that predator-exclusion fences can be an effective conservation intervention for this guild.
Generalization and Visual Comprehension of CNN Models on Chromosome Images

Computer-aided image classification has achieved start-of-the-art performance since Convolutional Neural Network structures were employed. Classical neural networks such as AlexNet and VGG-Net inspired several rules of designing network models. Besides benchmark datasets such as MNIST, CIFAR and ImageNet, classification performance of medical images such as chromosome karyotyping images also improved via Convolutional Neural Network. However, there are few studies on generalization among different datasets. In this paper, we designed a neural network with nine layers, and achieved classification accuracy of 0.984, 0.816 and 0.921 on the dataset of MNIST, CIFAR and chromosome karyotype images. We also visualized the output of several layers of the model and explained that smooth output between neural network layers may induce lower accuracy on classification.
A Genetic Basis for IFN-γ Production and T-bet Expression in Humans1

Th1 and Th2 cytokines secreted by polarized effector T cells play a pivotal role in the development of autoimmune and allergic diseases. However, the genetic basis of cytokine production by T lymphocytes in humans is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the genetic contribution to cytokine production and regulation of T cell-specific transcription factors in a prospective twin study. We found a substantial genetic contribution to the production of Th1 cytokines such as IFN-γ and TNF-α with heritabilities of 0.85 (95% confidence intervals, 0.74–0.95) and 0.72 (0.50–0.93), respectively, whereas no genetic influence on production of the Th2 signature cytokine IL-4 was observed. Furthermore, the intrapair variability in IFN-γ production by isolated T cells was lower in monozygotic than in dizygotic twins. In contrast to GATA-3, NFAT, and NF-κB, intrapair variability of T-bet, the master transcription factor of Th1 cells, was very low among monozygotic and high among dizygotic twins, indicative of a strong genetic influence on T-bet (heritability 0.93, 95% confidence interval, 0.84–1.0). Our data provide novel insights into the genetic regulation of human Th cell polarization. These data suggest that signature cytokines and cytokine signaling events of Th1 rather than Th2 cells are genetically determined and implicate that Th2-associated diseases in humans might be due to genetic variations in Th1 cytokine regulation via T-bet. This concept is highlighted by the recent finding that inactivation of the T-bet gene in mice results in development of clinical hallmark features of asthma.