Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Age of enlightenment: long-term effects of outdoor aesthetic lights on bats in churches

We surveyed 110 country churches in south-western Sweden for presence of brown long-eared bats Plecotus auritus in summer 2016 by visual inspection and/or evening emergence counts. Each church was also classified according to the presence and amount of aesthetic directional lights (flood-lights) aimed on its walls and tower from the outside. Sixty-one of the churches had previously been surveyed by one of us (J.R.) between 1980 and 1990, before lights were installed on Swedish churches, using the same methods. Churches with bat colonies had decreased significantly in frequency from 61% in 1980s to 38% by 2016. All abandoned churches had been fitted with flood-lights in the period between the two surveys. The loss of bat colonies from lit churches was highly significant and most obvious when lights were applied from all directions, leaving no dark corridor for the bats to leave and return to the roost. In contrast, in churches that were not lit, all of 13 bat colonies remained after 25+ years between the surveys. Lighting of churches and other historical buildings is a serious threat to the long-term survival and reproduction of light-averse bats such as Plecotus spp. and other slow-flying species. Bat roosts are strictly protected according to the EU Habitats Directive and the EUROBATS agreement. Lighting of buildings for aesthetic purposes is becoming a serious environmental issue, because important bat roosts are destroyed in large numbers, and the problem should be handled accordingly. As a start, installation of flood-lights on historical buildings should at least require an environmental impact assessment (EIA).
IL23R R381Q and ATG16L1 T300A Are Strongly Associated With Crohn's Disease in a Study of New Zealand Caucasians With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

OBJECTIVE:Recently, separate genome-wide association analyses have identified nonsynonymous SNPs in IL23R and ATG16L1 (rs11209026; c1142G>A, R381Q, and rs2241880; c1338A>G, T300A, respectively) as strong candidate susceptibility factors for Crohn's disease (CD) in whites. The aim of our study was to test whether these SNPs are associated with CD in a population-based cohort of New Zealand Caucasian inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients.METHODS:Allele frequencies of rs11209026 and rs2241880 were determined in 496 CD patients, 466 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, and 591 controls. Distribution of the relevant alleles was compared between controls and IBD patients. rs11209026 and rs2241880 genotype distributions were examined both within IBD clinical subphenotypes and CARD15 genotypes.RESULTS:rs11209026 and rs2241880 were both associated with CD (P valuers11209026 = 0.0026, OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.36–0.81; P valuers2241880 = 0.0001, OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.18–1.67). In addition, there was evidence for association of rs11209026 with UC (P value = 0.037, OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.45–0.98). No significant association was observed between IL23R genotype or ATG16L1 genotype and IBD subphenotypes. IL23R was associated with CD and UC only in the absence of CARD15 mutations, whereas ATG16L1 was associated with CD in the presence and absence of CARD15 mutations.CONCLUSIONS:We replicated the previously reported associations between CD and rs11209026 and rs2241880, confirming that IL23R and ATG16L1 are susceptibility loci for CD in the New Zealand population. We also provide further evidence for association of rs11209026 with UC and a report of an additive effect between IL23R and CARD15 genotypes in CD.
Stress Memory and the Inevitable Effects of Drought: A Physiological Perspective

Plants grow and develop by adjusting their physiology to changes in their environment. Changes in the abiotic environment occur over years, seasons, and days, but also over minutes and even seconds. In this ever-changing environment, plants may adjust their structure and function rapidly to optimize growth and reproduction. Plant responses to reiterated drought (i.e., repeated cycles of drought) differ from those to single incidences of drought; in fact, in nature, plants are usually exposed to repeated cycles of drought that differ in duration and intensity. Nowadays, there is increased interest in better understanding mechanisms of plant response to reiterated drought due, at least in part, to the discovery of epigenomic changes that trigger drought stress memory in plants. Beyond epigenomic changes, there are, however, other aspects that should be considered in the study of plant responses to reiterated drought: from changes in other “omics” approaches (transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics), to changes in plant structure; all of which may help us to better understand plant stress memory and its underlying mechanisms. Here, we present an example in which reiterated drought affects the pigment composition of leaves in the ornamental plant Silene dioica and discuss the importance of structural changes (in this case in the photosynthetic apparatus) for the plant response to reiterated drought; they represent a stress imprint that can affect plant response to subsequent stress episodes. Emphasis is placed on the importance of considering structural changes, in addition to physiological adjustments at the “omics” level, to understand stress memory in plants better.
Can you enhance executive control without glucose? The effects of fructose on problem solving

The consumption of glucose can enhance executive control by increasing blood glucose and providing energy for brain processes. However, a glucose mouth rinse also positively affects executive control in the absence of an effect on blood glucose. This observation suggests that glucose can enhance executive control via another mechanism, perhaps by increasing cortical activation in motivational reward pathways. This hypothesis was examined in the current study by having participants consume fructose, glucose or a placebo 10 minutes before solving word anagrams. Fructose was used because it does not affect blood glucose levels, inhibits cortical responding, and cannot entrain a taste preference post-ingestion. The latter evidences that fructose differs from glucose in its ability to elicit activation in motivational reward pathways. It was observed that consuming fructose and glucose resulted in the resolution of more anagrams than the placebo. These results suggest that at least some of the effects of glucose and fructose on problem solving operate through a common peripheral mechanism that is independent of motivational reward pathways.
Institut für Mathematik

For the eﬃcient numerical solution of indeﬁnite linear systems arising from curl conforming edge element approximations of the time-harmonic Maxwell equation, we consider local multigrid methods (LMM) on adaptively reﬁned meshes. The edge element discretization is done by the lowest order edge elements of N´ed´elec’s ﬁrst family. The LMM features local hybrid Hiptmair smoothers of Jacobi and Gauss-Seidel type which are performed only on basis functions associated with newly created edges/nodal points or those edges/nodal points where the support of the corresponding basis function has changed during the reﬁnement process. The adaptive mesh reﬁnement is based on D¨orﬂer marking for residual-type a posteriori error estimators and the newest vertex bisection strategy. Using the abstract Schwarz theory of multilevel iterative schemes, quasi-optimal convergence of the LMM is shown, i.e., the convergence rates are independent of mesh sizes and mesh levels provided the coarsest mesh is chosen suﬃciently ﬁne. The theoretical ﬁndings are illustrated by the results of some numerical examples.
Securing Embedded User Interfaces: Android and Beyond

Web and smartphone applications commonly embed third-party user interfaces like advertisements and social media widgets. However, this capability comes with security implications, both for the embedded interfaces and the host page or application. While browsers have evolved over time to address many of these issues, mobile systems like Android--which do not yet support true cross-application interface embedding--present an opportunity to redesign support for secure embedded user interfaces from scratch. In this paper, we explore the requirements for a system to support secure embedded user interfaces by systematically analyzing existing systems like browsers, smartphones, and research systems. We describe our experience modifying Android to support secure interface embedding and evaluate our implementation using case studies that rely on embedded interfaces, such as advertisement libraries, Facebook social plugins (e.g., the "Like" button), and access control gadgets. We provide concrete techniques and reflect on lessons learned for secure embedded user interfaces.
Potentially Modifiable Factors Associated with Death of Infants and Children with Severe Pneumonia Routinely Managed in District Hospitals in Malawi

Objective To investigate recognised co-morbidities and clinical management associated with inpatient pneumonia mortality in Malawian district hospitals. Methods Prospective cohort study, of patient records, carried out in Malawi between 1st October 2000 and 30th June 2003. The study included all children aged 0-59 months admitted to the paediatric wards in sixteen district hospitals throughout Malawi with severe and very severe pneumonia. We compared individual factors between those that survived (n = 14 076) and those that died (n = 1 633). Results From logistic regression analysis, predictors of death in hospital, adjusted for age, sex and severity grade included comorbid conditions of meningitis (OR =2.49, 95% CI 1.50-4.15), malnutrition (OR =2.37, 95% CI 1.94-2.88) and severe anaemia (OR =1.41, 95% CI 1.03-1.92). Requiring supplementary oxygen (OR =2.16, 95% CI 1.85-2.51) and intravenous fluids (OR =3.02, 95% CI 2.13-4.28) were associated with death while blood transfusion was no longer significant (OR =1.10, 95% CI 0.77-1.57) when the model included severe anaemia. Conclusions This study identified a number of challenges to improve outcome for Malawian infants and children hospitalised with pneumonia. These included improved assessment of co-morbidities and more rigorous application of standard case management.
Spectrum Auction Framework for Access Allocation in Cognitive Radio Networks

In cognitive radio networks, there are two categories of networks on different channels: primary networks, which have high-priority access, and secondary networks, which have low-priority access. We develop an auction-based framework that allows networks to bid for primary and secondary access based on their utilities and traffic demands. The bids are used to solve the access allocation problem, which is that of selecting the primary and secondary networks on each channel either to maximize the auctioneer's revenue or to maximize the social welfare of the bidding networks, while enforcing incentive compatibility. We first consider the case when the bids of a network depend on which other networks it will share channels with. When there is only one secondary network on each channel, we design an optimal polynomial-time algorithm for the access allocation problem based on reduction to a maximum matching problem in weighted graphs. When there can be two or more secondary networks on a channel, we show that the optimal access allocation problem is NP-complete. Next, we consider the case when the bids of a network are independent of which other networks it will share channels with. We design a polynomial-time dynamic programming algorithm to optimally solve the access allocation problem when the number of possible cardinalities of the set of secondary networks on a channel is upper-bounded. Finally, we design a polynomial-time algorithm that approximates the access allocation problem within a factor of 2 when the above upper bound does not exist.
Result and Analysis: Data Sharing between Peer-to-Peer using Trust Model

In this implemented project, using open nature of Peer to Peer systems that helps to expose the malicious activity. Building trust relationships among peers can reduce attacks of malicious peers. Peers create its own trust network in their proximity by using local information available and do not try to learn global trust information. Based on trust information it classifies the peers whether peer is trustworthy or not. In this paper used the technique called Self Organizing Trust Model (SORT) that aims to reduce malicious activity in Peer to Peer system by establishing trust relations among peers in their proximity. Trust information is evaluated based on service, trust values of each peers and it is based on past interactions. Which one peer having highest trust ratio that is computed using service and trust values of earlier interaction that peer to be selected for next interaction. This trust information helps to build a secure environment to transmit a packet. Simulation experiments on a file sharing application show that the proposed model can mitigate attacks on different malicious behavior models. In the experiments, good peers were able to form trust relationships in their proximity and isolate malicious peers.
A dynamic approach for reconstructing missing longitudinal data using the linear increments model

Missing observations are commonplace in longitudinal data. We discuss how to model and analyze such data in a dynamic framework, that is, taking into consideration the time structure of the process and the influence of the past on the present and future responses. An autoregressive model is used as a special case of the linear increments model defined by Farewell (2006. Linear models for censored data, [PhD Thesis]. Lancaster University) and Diggle and others (2007. Analysis of longitudinal data with drop-out: objectives, assumptions and a proposal. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, Series C (Applied Statistics, 56, 499–550). We wish to reconstruct responses for missing data and discuss the required assumptions needed for both monotone and nonmonotone missingness. The computational procedures suggested are very simple and easily applicable. They can also be used to estimate causal effects in the presence of time-dependent confounding. There are also connections to methods from survival analysis: The Aalen–Johansen estimator for the transition matrix of a Markov chain turns out to be a special case. Analysis of quality of life data from a cancer clinical trial is analyzed and presented. Some simulations are given in the supplementary material available at Biostatistics online.
Pathologic Myopia

AbstractPathologic myopia (PM) is the only myopia that causes the loss of best-corrected visual acuity. The main reason for best-corrected visual acuity loss is complications specific to PM, such as myopic maculopathy, myopic traction maculopathy, and myopic optic neuropathy (or glaucoma). The meta-analyses of the PM study group (META-PM study) made a classification system for myopic maculopathy. On the basis of this study, PM has been defined as eyes having atrophic changes equal to or more severe than diffuse atrophy. Posterior staphyloma and eye deformity are important causes of developing vision-threatening complications. Posterior staphyloma is unique to PM, except for inferior staphyloma due to tilted disc syndrome. It is defined as an outpouching of the wall of the eye that has a radius of curvature that is less than the surrounding curvature of the wall of the eye. The mechanical load onto the important region for central vision (optic nerve and macula) is not comparable between eyes with and without posterior staphyloma. Three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging is a powerful tool to analyze the entire shape of the eye. When ultra-widefield optical coherence tomography is available, it is expected to be a new tool that will surpass 3-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging. In the future, preventive therapies targeting staphyloma and eye deformity are expected before vision-threatening complications develop and it is too late for patients.
The effect of different insertion techniques on the depth of cure and vickers surface micro-hardness of two bulk-fill resin composite materials

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the Vickers surface micro-hardness and the depth of cure of two bulk-fill resin composites and one incremental-fill resin composite. Material and Methods Two Bulk-fill dental resin composites (X-tra Fil, Voco; Sonic-FillTM 2, Kerr Corporation) and an incremental-fill dental resin composite (Filtek™ Z250 XT, 3M ESPE) were used. Sixty cylindrical specimens of 4 mm thickness were prepared using split Teflon moulds. Specimens were divided into six groups (n=10) according to the type of the material used and according to the insertion technique applied (bulk or incremental). Prepared specimens were stored dry in complete darkness at 37°C for 24 hours. All specimens were tested for their Vickers surface micro-hardness, on their top and bottom surfaces. The depth of cure of the tested specimens was assessed by calculating the hardness ratio for each specimen. The Vickers surface micro-hardness and depth of cure data were analyzed for normality using Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests. Independent sample-t test was used to compare between two groups while One-way ANOVA was used to compare between more than two groups. Results Significant difference in the Vickers surface micro-hardness and depth of cure values was demonstrated among the tested materials (P<0.0001). X-tra Fil recorded the highest mean Vickers micro-hardness value (94.05±1.05). Bulk-fill dental resin composites X-tra Fil and Sonic-Fill showed 0.980±0.005 and 0.921±0.020 depth of cure values (bottom/top hardness ratio) respectively while Z250 XT recorded 0.776±0.141. Conclusions X-tra Fil showed highest Vickers surface micro-hardness values on both top and bottom surfaces, whether inserted in increments or bulk. Both bulk-fill resin composites showed higher depth of cure for both insertion techniques. Key words:Depth of cure, Vickers surface micro-hardness, bulk-fill resin composite, insertion techniques.
Conocimiento local y uso de especies leñosas en hogares campesinos de la zona rural de Ibagué (Tolima)

Se indago sobre conocimiento local relacionado con manejo de los sistemas pecuarios, principalmente el manejo local de tecnicas alimentarias y los saberes populares sobre especies arboreas y arbustivas presentes en las fincas con potencial forrajero y otros propositos. Esta informacion fue compilada mediante entrevistas y complementada con la informacion recogida en talleres participativos realizados en la vereda del totumo y en la vereda Aparco. Son multiples las especies arboreas y arbustivas reconocidas por los productores, entre ellas especies como el nacedero, el boton de oro y el matarraton que son reportadas como consumidas por los animales.
Characterization Of Induced Neural Progenitors From Skin Characterization Of Induced Neural Progenitors From Skin Fibroblasts By A Novel Combination Of Defined Factors Fibroblasts By A Novel Combination Of Defined Factors

Recent reports have demonstrated that somatic cells can be directly converted to other differentiated cell types through ectopic expression of sets of transcription factors, directly avoiding the transition through a pluripotent state. Our previous experiments generated induced neural progenitor-like cells (iNPCs) by a novel combination of five transcription factors (Sox2, Brn2, TLX, Bmi1 and c-Myc). Here we demonstrated that the iNPCs not only possess NPC-specific marker genes, but also have qualities of primary brain-derived NPCs (WT-NPCs), including tripotent differentiation potential, mature neuron differentiation capability and synapse formation. Importantly, the mature neurons derived from iNPCs exhibit significant physiological properties, such as potassium channel activity and generation of action potential-like spikes. These results suggest that directly reprogrammed iNPCs closely resemble WT-NPCs, which may suggest an alternative strategy to overcome the restricted proliferative and lineage potential of induced neurons (iNCs) and broaden applications of cell therapy in the treatment
The mitochondrial genome of Paragonimus westermani (Kerbert, 1878), the Indian isolate of the lung fluke representative of the family Paragonimidae (Trematoda)

Among helminth parasites, Paragonimus (zoonotic lung fluke) gains considerable importance from veterinary and medical points of view because of its diversified effect on its host. Nearly fifty species of Paragonimus have been described across the globe. It is estimated that more than 20 million people are infected worldwide and the best known species is Paragonimus westermani, whose type locality is probably India and which infects millions of people in Asia causing disease symptoms that mimic tuberculosis. Human infections occur through eating raw crustaceans containing metacercarie or ingestion of uncooked meat of paratenic hosts such as pigs. Though the fluke is known to parasitize a wide range of mammalian hosts representing as many as eleven families, the status of its prevalence, host range, pathogenic manifestations and its possible survivors in nature from where the human beings contract the infection is not well documented in India. We took advantage of the whole genome sequence data for P. westermani, generated by Next Generation Sequencing, and its comparison with the existing data for the P. westermani for comparative mt DNA phylogenomic analyses. Specific primers were designed for the 12 protein coding genes with the aid of existing P. westermani mtDNA as the reference. The Ion torrent next generation sequencing platform was harnessed to completely sequence the mitochondrial genome, and applied innovative approaches to bioinformatically assemble and annotate it. A strategic PCR primer design utilizing the whole genome sequence data from P. westermani enabled us to design specific primers capable of amplifying all regions of the mitochondrial genome from P. westermani. Assembly of NGS data from libraries enriched in mtDNA sequence by PCR gave rise to a total of 11 contigs spanning the entire 14.7 kb mt DNA sequence of P. westermani available at NCBI. We conducted gap-filling by traditional Sanger sequencing to fill in the gaps. Annotation of non-protein coding genes successfully identified tRNA regions for the 24 tRNAs coded in mtDNA and 12 protein coding genes. Bayesian phylogenetic analyses of the concatenated protein coding genes placed P. westermani within the family Opisthorchida. The complete mtDNA sequence of P. westermani is 15,004 base pairs long; the lung fluke is the major etiological agent of paragonimiasis and the first Indian representative for the family Paragonimidae to be fully sequenced that provides important genetic markers for ecological, population and biogeographical studies and molecular diagnostic of digeneans that cause trematodiases.