Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Holocene land-cover reconstructions for studies on land cover-climate feedbacks

The major objectives of this paper are: (1) to review the pros and cons of the scenarios of past anthropogenic land cover change (ALCC) developed during the last ten years, (2) to discuss issues related to pollen-based reconstruction of the past land-cover and introduce a new method, REVEALS (Regional Estimates of VEgetation Abundance from Large Sites), to infer long-term records of past land-cover from pollen data, (3) to present a new project (LANDCLIM: LAND cover - CLIMate interactions in NW Europe during the Holocene) currently underway, and show preliminary results of REVEALS reconstructions of the regional land-cover in the Czech Republic for five selected time windows of the Holocene, and (4) to discuss the implications and future directions in climate and vegetation/land-cover modeling, and in the assessment of the effects of human-induced changes in land-cover on the regional climate through altered feedbacks. The existing ALCC scenarios show large discrepancies between them, and few cover time periods older than AD 800. When these scenarios are used to assess the impact of human land-use on climate, contrasting results are obtained. It emphasizes the need for methods such as the REVEALS model-based land-cover reconstructions. They might help to fine-tune descriptions of past land-cover and lead to a better understanding of how long-term changes in ALCC might have influenced climate. The REVEALS model is demonstrated to provide better estimates of the regional vegetation/land-cover changes than the traditional use of pollen percentages. This will achieve a robust assessment of land cover at regional- to continental-spatial scale throughout the Holocene. We present maps of REVEALS estimates for the percentage cover of 10 plant functional types (PFTs) at 200 BP and 6000 BP, and of the two open-land PFTs 'grassland' and 'agricultural land' at five time-windows from 6000 BP to recent time. The LANDCLIM results are expected to provide crucial data to reassess ALCC estimates for a better understanding of the land suface-atmosphere interactions.
High repetition rate THz characterization at 4th generation X-Ray light sources

Within this work a wholesome approach to the characterization of FEL based THz radiation is made on the example of the THz radiation provided at the THz beamline at Flash the free electron laser at DESY in Hamburg. A SRW based model of the THz generation from a free electron and the corresponding transport is developed and used to gain insight into the complex intensity profile created by the interplay of the THz undulator and various magnetic edges. An accurate model of the THz beamline is established that allows the precise manipulation of beam size and divergence for subsequent experiments. Based on the agreement with measurements a complete beam transport model for the helical THz undulator, planned at Flash2 is developed. Furthermore a THz pulse characterization system for high pulse energy high spectral brightness and high pulse energy high bandwidth THz pulses from a free electron laser is developed, set up and thoroughly tested. Based on the linear electro-optical effect the system achieves a broad detection range at few femtosecond time resolution by the interplay of two electro-optical detection setups. The first realizing broadband detection in a scanning electro-optical sampling fashion and the second allowing for a single shot arrival time correction tackling the problem of synchronizing external light sources to large scale accelerators. The system permits the characterization of the electric field of the THz pulses available at the THz beamline at FLASH at a repetition rate of 200 kHz. With the photon efficient design and easy scale-ability the system is suited as a blueprint for other high repetition rate accelerators implementing FEL based THz sources. Lastly the experimental capabilities of the developed system are proven by a model experiment utilizing Strontiumtitanate, perovskite type transition metal oxide. Indications of an ultrafast phase change are found and a possibly mechanism is proposed and discussed based on a series of experiments under varying excitation parameters.
Are Minimal, Superficial Or Sham Acupuncture Procedures Acceptable as Inert Placebo Controls?

Most controlled trials of acupuncture have used minimal, superficial, sham, or ‘placebo’ acupuncture. It has recently been demonstrated that light touch of the skin stimulates mechanoreceptors coupled to slow conducting unmyelinated (C) afferents resulting in activity in the insular region, but not in the somatosensory cortex. Activity in these C tactile afferents has been suggested to induce a ‘limbic touch’ response resulting in emotional and hormonal reactions. It is likely that, in many acupuncture studies, control procedures that are meant to be inert are in fact activating these C tactile afferents and consequently result in the alleviation of the affective component of pain. This could explain why control interventions are equally effective as acupuncture in alleviating pain conditions that are predominantly associated with affective components such as migraine or low back pain, but not those with a more pronounced sensory component, such as osteoarthritis of the knee or lateral epicondylalgia.
The online disjoint set cover problem and its applications

Given a universe U of n elements and a collection of subsets S of U, the maximum disjoint set cover problem (DSCP) is to partition S into as many set covers as possible, where a set cover is defined as a collection of subsets whose union is U. We consider the online DSCP, in which the subsets arrive one by one (possibly in an order chosen by an adversary), and must be irrevocably assigned to some partition on arrival with the objective of minimizing the competitive ratio. The competitive ratio of an online DSCP algorithm A is defined as the maximum ratio of the number of disjoint set covers obtained by the optimal offline algorithm to the number of disjoint set covers obtained by A across all inputs. We propose an online algorithm for solving the DSCP with competitive ratio ln n. We then show a lower bound of Ω(√ln n) on the competitive ratio for any online DSCP algorithm. The online disjoint set cover problem has wide ranging applications in practice, including the online crowd-sourcing problem, the online coverage lifetime maximization problem in WSNs, and in online resource allocation problems.
Vitamin D supplementation has minor effects on parathyroid hormone and bone turnover markers in vitamin D-deficient bedridden older patients.

OBJECTIVES to evaluate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on parathyroid function and bone turnover in aged, chronically immobile patients. DESIGN a randomised double-blind controlled trial. SUBJECTS two hundred and eighteen long-term inpatients aged over 65 years. INTERVENTION the patients were randomised into treatment groups of I-III, each receiving 0 IU, 400 IU and 1200 IU cholecalciferol per day, respectively. In case of inadequate consumption of dairy products, patients received a daily calcium substitution of 500 mg. MEASUREMENTS plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), amino-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP), a marker of bone formation, and carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP), a marker of bone resorption, were measured at baseline and after 6 months. RESULTS the patients (age 84.5 years) were chronically bedridden. The baseline 25-OHD was low (23 nmol/l), correlated inversely with PINP, and tended to associate inversely with PTH. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) (25-OHD < 50 nmol/l) was 98% and PTH was elevated in 23% of the patients. Vitamin D supplementation significantly increased 25-OHD concentrations (124% group II, 204% group III) and decreased PTH (-7% group II, -8% group III). PINP tended to decrease, but ICTP tended to increase, and only their ratio decreased significantly. The tendency of ICTP to increase was inconsistent. Changes in 25-OHD correlated inversely with those in PTH and PINP. CONCLUSIONS vitamin D supplementation has minor effects on PTH and bone turnover in chronically immobilised aged patients with VDD. Further comparative studies and meta-analyses are warranted to elucidate the confounding effects of different mobility levels on the benefits of vitamin D supplementation in patients with differing baseline PTH levels.
Improving accuracy of recommendation system by means of Item-based Fuzzy Clustering Collaborative Filtering

Predicting user preferences is a challenging task. Different approaches for recommending products to the users are proposed in literature and collaborative filtering has been proved to be one of the most successful techniques. Some issues related to the quality of recommendation and to computational aspects still arise (e.g., scalability and cold-start recommendations). In this paper, we propose an Item-based Fuzzy Clustering Collaborative Filtering (IFCCF) in order to ensure the benefits of a model-based technique improving the quality of suggestions. Experimentation led by predicting ratings of MovieLens and Jester users makes this promising and worth to be further investigated in a cross-domain dataset.
FC-TRIPLEX Chagas/Leish IgG1: A Multiplexed Flow Cytometry Method for Differential Serological Diagnosis of Chagas Disease and Leishmaniasis

Differential serological diagnosis of Chagas disease and leishmaniasis is difficult owing to cross-reactivity resulting from the fact that the parasites that cause these pathologies share antigenic epitopes. Even with optimized serological assays that use parasite-specific recombinant antigens, inconclusive test results continue to be a problem. Therefore, new serological tests with high sensitivity and specificity are needed. In the present work, we developed and evaluated the performance of a new flow cytometric serological method, referred to as FC-TRIPLEX Chagas/Leish IgG1, for the all-in-one classification of inconclusive tests. The method uses antigens for the detection of visceral leishmaniasis, localized cutaneous leishmaniasis, and Chagas disease and is based on an inverted detuned algorithm for analysis of anti-Trypanosomatidae IgG1 reactivity. First, parasites were label with fluorescein isothiocyanate or Alexa Fluor 647 at various concentrations. Then serum samples were serially diluted, the dilutions were incubated with suspensions of mixed labeled parasites, and flow cytometric measurements were performed to determine percentages of positive fluorescent parasites. Using the new method, we obtained correct results for 76 of 80 analyzed serum samples (95% overall performance), underscoring the outstanding performance of the method. Moreover, we found that the fluorescently labeled parasite suspensions were stable during storage at room temperature, 4°C, and –20°C for 1 year. In addition, two different lots of parasite suspensions showed equivalent antigen recognition; that is, the two lots showed equivalent categorical segregation of anti-Trypanosomatidae IgG1 reactivity at selected serum dilutions. In conclusion, we have developed a sensitive and selective method for differential diagnosis of Chagas disease, visceral leishmaniasis, and localized cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Combination of Adaptive Resonance Theory 2 and RFM Model for Customer Segmentation in Retail Company

Customer segmentation is one of the important issues in Customer Relationship Management (CRM). This paper demonstrated the fusion of ART 2 algorithm and RFM (Recency, Frequency, and Monetary) model to cluster the customers in Retail Company. Each cluster is validated by searching the overall average value of silhouette index. In this paper used 17.999 rows of data transaction then was modeled into RFM model and become 499 rows of RFM data. Experiments were done by forming 2 to 6 clusters by changing the value of vigilance parameter ( 𝜌 ) and noise suppression ( 𝜃 ). In this paper, all clusters formed have overall average Silhouette index value more than 0, especially for 2, 3, 4 clusters formed have overall average Silhouette index value close to 1, indicates most of the silhouette value in all clusters were formed have a positive value or above zero, its means ART 2 clustering algorithm which produces two to six clusters have been able clustering well.
Ridge Dimensions of the Edentulous Mandible in Posterior Sextants: An Observational Study on Cone Beam Computed Tomography Radiographs

Aims: To evaluate the ridge dimensions of posterior sextant in totally edentulous mandibles. Material and Methods: Cone beam computed tomography scans of 136 patients were retrospectively included for analysis. At sites corresponding to the second premolar (site a) and the mesial and distal root of first molar (sites b and c, respectively), bone height (BH) and bone width (BW) were measured. Results: BH significantly decreased from site a (11.20 ± 4.03 mm) to site c (10.28 ± 3.33 mm). Males showed a significantly higher BH compared with females at all sites (P < 0.001), No significant impact of age on BH was found. BW increased from coronal to apical at all sites. At all height levels, BW increased from mesial to distal (BWc > BWb > BWa). Conclusions: BH decreased from mesial to distal, whereas BW showed an increase. Sex showed a significant impact on BH, with males having on average a 2.8 mm greater height than females, but not on BW. Age did not significantly influence the dimensions of the residual bone crest.
Open-Field Test for Rats: Correlational Analysis

96 male rats were tested in open field in dim-light condition or bright-light condition for 3 min. per day for 5 days. The validity of 7 open-field test measures was assessed on the basis of the concept which was defined operationally using the test situation as the external criterion. Ambulation in the first 1 min. and rearing showed not only validity but also some generality. An interactive measure (ambulation in the first 1 min. and defecation) was proposed as a new significant measure. Larger intercorrelations among measures were obtained in a less stressful situation. In view of the results, an interpretation of previous conflicting results was proposed. Considerable constant factor-loading pattern across days and groups was noted, and this suggested the validity of the factor structure of an open-field test measure. Scores obtained on Day 1 showed some heterogeneity among scores obtained during 5 days.
Ezrin is required for efficient Rap1-induced cell spreading

The Rap family of small GTPases regulate the adhesion of cells to extracellular matrices. Several Rap-binding proteins have been shown to function as effectors that mediate Rap-induced adhesion. However, little is known regarding the relationships between these effectors, or about other proteins that are downstream of or act in parallel to the effectors. To establish whether an array of effectors was required for Rap-induced cell adhesion and spreading, and to find new components involved in Rap-signal transduction, we performed a small-scale siRNA screen in A549 lung epithelial cells. Of the Rap effectors tested, only Radil blocked Rap-induced spreading. Additionally, we identified a novel role for Ezrin downstream of Rap1. Ezrin was necessary for Rap-induced cell spreading, but not Rap-induced cell adhesion or basal adhesion processes. Furthermore, Ezrin depletion inhibited Rap-induced cell spreading in several cell lines, including primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Interestingly, Radixin and Moesin, two proteins with high homology to Ezrin, are not required for Rap-induced cell spreading and cannot compensate for loss of Ezrin to rescue Rap-induced cell spreading. Here, we present a novel function for Ezrin in Rap1-induced cell spreading and evidence of a non-redundant role of an ERM family member.
The ermC leader peptide: amino acid alterations leading to differential efficiency of induction by macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B antibiotics

The inducibility of ermC by erythromycin, megalomicin, and celesticetin was tested with both wild-type ermC and several regulatory mutants altered in the 19-amino-acid-residue leader peptide, MGIFSIFVISTVHYQP NKK. In the model test system that was used, the ErmC methylase was translationally fused to beta-galactosidase. Mutational alterations that mapped in the interval encoding Phe-4 through Ile-9 of the leader peptide not only affected induction by individual antibiotics, but did so differentially. The subset of mutations that affected inducibility by the two macrolides erythromycin and megalomicin overlapped and were distinct from the subset of mutations that affected induction by celesticetin. These studies provide a model system for experimentally varying the relative efficiencies with which different antibiotics induce the expression of ermC. The possibility that antibiotics with inducing activity interact directly with the nascent leader peptide was tested by using a chemically synthesized decapeptide, MGIFSIFVIS--, attached at its C-terminus to a solid-phase support. This peptide, however, failed to bind erythromycin in vitro.
The effect of hybridization-induced secondary structure alterations on RNA detection using backscattering interferometry

Backscattering interferometry (BSI) has been used to successfully monitor molecular interactions without labeling and with high sensitivity. These properties suggest that this approach might be useful for detecting biomarkers of infection. In this report, we identify interactions and characteristics of nucleic acid probes that maximize BSI signal upon binding the respiratory syncytial virus nucleocapsid gene RNA biomarker. The number of base pairs formed upon the addition of oligonucleotide probes to a solution containing the viral RNA target correlated with the BSI signal magnitude. Using RNA folding software mfold, we found that the predicted number of unpaired nucleotides in the targeted regions of the RNA sequence generally correlated with BSI sensitivity. We also demonstrated that locked nucleic acid (LNA) probes improved sensitivity approximately 4-fold compared to DNA probes of the same sequence. We attribute this enhancement in BSI performance to the increased A-form character of the LNA:RNA hybrid. A limit of detection of 624 pM, corresponding to ∼105 target molecules, was achieved using nine distinct ∼23-mer DNA probes complementary to regions distributed along the RNA target. Our results indicate that BSI has promise as an effective tool for sensitive RNA detection and provides a road map for further improving detection limits.
Contributions of Pathway and Neuron to Preferential Motor Reinnervation

Motor axons regenerating after transection of mixed nerve preferentially reinnervate distal muscle branches, a process termed preferential motor reinnervation (PMR). Motor axon collaterals appear to enter both cutaneous and muscle Schwann cell tubes on a random basis. Double-labeling studies suggest that PMR is generated by pruning collaterals from cutaneous pathways while maintaining those in motor pathways (the “pruning hypothesis”). If all collaterals projecting to muscle are saved, then stimulation of regenerative sprouting should increase specificity by increasing the number of motoneurons with at least one collateral in a muscle pathway. In the current experiments, collateral sprouting is stimulated by crushing the nerve proximal to the repair site before suture, a maneuver that also conditions the neuron and predegenerates the distal pathway. Control experiments are performed to separate these effects from those of collateral generation. Experiments were performed on the rat femoral nerve and evaluated by exposing its terminal cutaneous and muscle branches to HRP or Fluoro-Gold. Crush proximal to the repair site increased motor axon collaterals at least fivefold and significantly increased the percentage of correctly projecting motoneurons, consistent with the pruning hypothesis. Conditioning the nerve with distal crushes before repair had no effect on specificity. A graft model was used to separate the effects of collateral generation and distal stump predegeneration. Previous crush of the proximal femoral nerve significantly increased the specificity of fresh graft reinnervation. Stimulation of regenerative collateral sprouting thus increased PMR, confirming the pruning hypothesis. However, this effect was overshadowed by the dramatic specificity with which predegenerated grafts were reinnervated by fresh uncrushed proximal axons. These unexpected effects of predegeneration on specificity could involve a variety of possible mechanisms and warrant further study because of their mechanistic and clinical implications.
Effects of initial and extended exposure to an endophyte-infected tall fescue seed diet on faecal and urinary excretion of ergovaline and lysergic acid in mature geldings

Abstract AIM: To determine the amount of ergovaline and lysergic acid retained or excreted by geldings fed endophyte-infected seed containing known concentrations of these alkaloids, and the effects of exposure time on clinical expression of toxicosis. METHODS: Mature geldings (n=10) received diets containing either endophyte-free (E-) or endophyte-infected (E+) tall fescue seed during three experimental phases. The first phase (Days −14 to −1) was an adaptation phase, to allow all horses to adapt to a diet containing E- tall fescue seed. The second (Days 0 to 3) was the initial exposure phase to E+ tall fescue seed, used for the delivery of ergovaline and lysergic acid at 0.5 and 0.3 mg/kg of diet, respectively, to test the initial effects of exposure on routes and amounts of elimination of alkaloid. During this phase, half the geldings were exposed to an E+ diet while the rest served as controls by remaining on the E- diet. Once assigned to treatments, geldings remained on the same diet through the third phase (Days 4 to 21), which served as the extended exposure phase. Total outputs of faeces and urine were collected within each phase, to determine retention of ergovaline and lysergic acid and nutrient digestibility. Serum was collected weekly and analysed for activities of enzymes and concentrations of prolactin. Bodyweights (BW) and rectal temperatures were recorded weekly. RESULTS: BW, rectal temperature, enzyme activities and concentrations of prolactin in serum, and nutrient digestibility were not affected by treatment. Total intake of ergovaline by geldings on the E+ diet was 3.5 and 3.6 (SE 0.20) mg/day, and 2.1 and 2.3 (SE 0.11) mg/day were not accounted for in initial and extended phases, respectively. Lysergic acid was excreted in the urine (4.0 and 4.9 (SE 0.97) mg/day) and faeces (2.5 and 2.7 (SE 0.35) mg/day) at greater amounts than that consumed (2.0 and 1.9 (SE 0.09) mg/day) during the initial and extended exposure phases, respectively. Animals exposed to E+ seed for a period of 20 days appeared to excrete more (1.5 vs 1.2 mg/day; SE 0.08; p=0.03) ergovaline in the faeces than those exposed for only 4 days. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure time to the ergot alkaloids had a limited effect on the route of elimination or the amounts of ergovaline or lysergic acid excreted by horses. The primary alkaloid excreted was lysergic acid, and urine was the major route of elimination. These data will aid future research to improve animals′ tolerance to toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue.