Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE GREENHOUSE GAS PROJECT OF ESA’S CLIMATE CHANGE INITIATIVE (GHG-CCI): PHASE 2 ACHIEVEMENTS AND FUTURE PLANS

The GHG-CCI project (http://www.esa-ghg-cci.org/) is one of several projects of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Climate Change Initiative (CCI). The goal of the CCI is to generate and deliver data sets of various satellite-derived Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) in line with GCOS (Global Climate Observing System) requirements. The “ECV Greenhouse Gases” (ECV GHG) is the global distribution of important climate relevant gases – namely atmospheric CO2 and CH4 with a quality sufficient to obtain information on regional CO2 and CH4 sources and sinks. The main goal of GHG-CCI is to generate long-term highly accurate and precise time series of global near-surface-sensitive satellite observations of CO2 and CH4, i.e., XCO2 and XCH4, starting with the launch of ESA’s ENVISAT satellite. These products are currently retrieved from SCIAMACHY/ENVISAT (2002-2012) and TANSOFTS/GOSAT (2009-today) nadir mode observations in the near-infrared/shortwave-infrared spectral region. In addition, other sensors (e.g., IASI and MIPAS) are also considered and in the future also data from other satellites. The GHG-CCI data products and related documentation are freely available via the GHG-CCI website. Here we present an overview about the latest data set (Climate Research Data Package No. 2 (CRDP#2)) focusing on the GHG-CCI core products and present a short overview about GHG-CCI-related achievements in terms of scientific publications.
Regeneration of fibre types in paired asymmetric closer muscles of the snapping shrimp, Alpheus heterochelis

The fibre composition of the closer muscle in the paired asymmetric (snapper and pincer) chelipeds of the snapping shrimp, Alpheus heterochelis (Say), was determined in the pristine and in the regenerated conditions. In the pristine condition, the snapper muscle has exclusively slow fibres in both male and female shrimps. The pincer muscle has a central band of fast muscle sandwiched by slow muscle. This band of fast muscle is proportionately and significantly larger in the female than in the male (36% compared to 21%), thus demonstrating a subtle form of sexual asymmetry. The chelipeds were induced to regenerate following their removal within 24 h of a moult. During the intervening intermoult, limb buds formed which, at the next moult, transformed into newly regenerated chelipeds. In these regenerated chelipeds the snapper muscle was usually entirely composed of slow fibres as in the pristine muscle. In a few animals, however, a scattering of fast fibres occurred in the central region; a condition reminiscent of the pincer muscle. The regenerated pincer muscle resembled its pristine counterpart in having a central band of fast fibres sandwiched by slow fibres. In male shrimps, the proportion of fast fibres in the regenerated muscle was similar to that in the pristine muscle. In females, however, the proportion of fast muscle was significantly smaller in the regenerated than in the pristine condition (21 % compared to 36 %). Since a closer muscle with a central band of fast fibres sandwiched by slow is found during regeneration in pincer and occasionally snapper chelipeds, such a pattern represents an early developmental stage which is being recapitulated during regeneration. There is no evidence in Alpheus heterochelis that the pincer muscle initially regenerates exclusively fast fibres as was reported for A. californiensis.
Effects of Pollinator Loss on Endemic New Zealand Mistletoes (Loranthaceae)

Abstract: The endemic mistletoes Peraxilla colensoi and P. tetrapetala (Loranthaceae) have declined considerably in New Zealand since 1840, reputedly because of introduced herbivores but coincident with a major decline in native bird densities. We show that at two South Island sites ( Craigieburn and Ohau) there are too few bird pollinators visiting the flowers to allow full fruit set. We studied pollination rates in P. colensoi at Wakefield and P. tetrapetala at Craigieburn over four flowering seasons and P. tetrapetala in one season at Ohau. Supplemental hand pollination increased fruit production 1.25–5.3 times at Craigieburn and Ohau but not at Wakefield. Excluding birds by covering mistletoes with mesh bags decreased fruit set significantly at Wakefield but had little effect at Craigieburn and Ohau. Bellbirds (Anthornis melanura) and Tuis ( Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae) visited flowers significantly more often at Wakefield than at Craigieburn. A lack of pollen tubes in the style, not self‐incompatibility or resource shortage, caused the low fruit production in unmanipulated flowers at Craigieburn. Thus, at the two P. tetrapetala sites (Craigieburn and Ohau) fruit set was chronically pollen limited, whereas P. colensoi at Wakefield was not pollen‐limited. Data from other Peraxilla sites also suggest pollination failure. Our study suggests that the conservation of Peraxilla species will require maintenance of native bird populations. Tuis and Bellbirds are important pollinators and dispersers of many other New Zealand plants, and the breakdown of such mutualistic relationships may have widespread consequences.
Composición y estructura de la ictiofauna del río Hondo, México-Belice, con base en el uso del arpón

Composition and structure of the Hondo River ichthyofauna and its spatial variation were determined as afunction of environmental parameters. Six sites along the river were sampled in March, April and May 2012. Data forestimating structure of fish assemblages was obtained by means of a 58.5 cm harpoon during 2 hours of free diving ateach sampling site. The species list for the study area was completed with the aid of gillnets, longlines, double-conetraps, and hook-and-line. In addition, a bibliographical research performed as well as the ichthyological collection ofECOSUR at Chetumal was checked. The systematic list includes 40 species in 33 genera, 18 families and 11 orders.The richest family was Cichlidae, including the exotic Oreochromis niloticus. The environmental parameters that bestdescribed distribution and abundance of fish in the Hondo River were river width, distance to mouth, transparency,depth, dissolved oxygen concentration, and conductivity. Correlation between species and environmental parameterswas high in both axis (0.89 and 0.79). The river was classified into 3 environmental zones, although its fish faunacould be divided in 2 main assemblages.
1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 inhibits renal interstitial myofibroblast activation by inducing hepatocyte growth factor expression

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 inhibits renal interstitial myofibroblast activation by inducing hepatocyte growth factor expression. Background Vitamin D and its metabolites play an important role in calcium homeostasis, bone remodeling, hormone secretion, cell proliferation, and differentiation. Recent studies also suggest a beneficial role of vitamin D in slowing the progression of chronic renal glomerular diseases. This study investigated the effects and potential mechanism of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 [1,25(OH) 2 D 3 ] on the regulation of myofibroblast activation from interstitial fibroblast, a critical event in generating α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA)-positive, matrix-producing effector cells in renal interstitial fibrosis. Methods Normal rat renal interstitial fibroblast cell line (NRK-49F) was used as a model system. Myofibroblast activation was initiated by incubation with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. Expression of α-SMA, collagen I, thrombospondin-1, and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot, and immunostaining, respectively. HGF promoter activity was evaluated by using luciferase reporter assay. Results Incubation of rat renal interstitial fibroblasts (NRK-49F) with 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 suppressed TGF-β1-induced de novo α-SMA expression in a dose-dependent manner. 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 also suppressed type I collagen and thrombospondin-1 expression induced by TGF-β1. Interestingly, 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 induced HGF mRNA expression and protein secretion in renal interstitial fibroblasts. Transfection studies revealed that 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 stimulated HGF gene promoter activity, which was dependent on the presence of vitamin D response element (VDRE). 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 induced the binding of vitamin D receptor to the VDRE in HGF promoter region. Furthermore, 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 was capable of stimulating HGF receptor phosphorylation in renal fibroblasts. Incubation with specific HGF neutralizing antibody largely abolished 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 -mediated suppression of myofibroblast activation. Conclusion These observations suggest that vitamin D analogue possesses renoprotective activity through suppression of the matrix-producing myofibroblast activation. This action of vitamin D is mediated, at least in part, by up-regulating antifibrotic HGF gene expression in renal interstitial fibroblasts.
A RE-INTERPRETATION OF EARLY UPPER PALAEOLITHIC ASSEMBLAGES

The Middle-Upper Palaeolithic transition is one of the most significant periods in European prehistory and the site of Stránská Skála in Moravia is one of the most important Earl y Upper Palaeolithic sites in Europe. A materialist approach is used to analyse the Aurignacian and Bohunician a ssemblages from Stránská Skála. Although the chronostratigraphic separation and the technological difference s b tween the Aurignacian and Bohunician industries at Strá nská Skála have been well documented, the new results and inte rpretations of lithic patterns suggest that at Stránská Skála there are very few differences between the lithic econ omies of the Bohunician and the Aurignacian.
On Hard Instances of the Minimum-Weight Triangulation Problem

We present a study on the practical nature of the NP-hard problem of ﬁnding a Minimum Weight Triangulation (MWT) of a planar point set: Can we deliberately construct practically diﬃcult instances? This requires identifying point sets for which all of a number of previously developed exact and heuristic methods simultaneously encounter a combination of pitfalls. We show that for instances of medium size, this seems unlikely, implying that one of several alternative methods may oﬀer a path to an optimal solution. This complements recent work on the practical performance of these heuristic methods for speciﬁc classes of large benchmark instances, indicating that MWT problems may indeed be practically easier to solve than implied by its NP-hard complexity.
Soft Biometrics for a Socially Assistive Robotic Platform

Abstract In thiswork, a real-time system able to automatically recognize soft-biometric traits is introduced and used to improve the capability of a humanoid robot to interact with humans. In particular the proposed system is able to estimate gender and age of humans in images acquired from the embedded camera of the robot. This knowledge allows the robot to properly react with customized behaviors related to the gender/age of the interacting individuals. The system is able to handle multiple persons in the same acquired image, recognizing the age and gender of each person in the robot’s field of view. These features make the robot particularly suitable to be used in socially assistive applications.
PHYTOHORMONES AND PLANT–HERBIVORE–PATHOGEN INTERACTIONS: INTEGRATING THE MOLECULAR WITH THE ECOLOGICAL

Current research into indirect phytopathogen–herbivore interactions (i.e., interactions mediated by the host plant) is carried out in two largely independent directions: ecological/mechanistic and molecular. We investigate the origin of these approaches and their strengths and weaknesses. Ecological studies have determined the effect of herbivores and phytopathogens on their host plants and are often correlative: the need for long-term manipulative experiments is pressing. Molecular/cellular studies have concentrated on the role of signaling pathways for systemic induced resistance, mainly involving salicylic acid and jasmonic acid, and more recently the cross-talk between these pathways. This cross-talk demonstrates how interactions between signaling mechanisms and phytohormones could mediate plant–herbivore–pathogen interactions. A bridge between these approaches may be provided by field studies using chemical induction of defense, or investigating whole-organism mechanisms of interactions among the three species. To determine the role of phytohormones in induced resistance in the field, researchers must combine ecological and molecular methods. We discuss how these methods can be integrated and present the concept of “kaleidoscopic defense. ” Our recent molecular-level investigations of interactions between the herbivore Gastrophysa viridula and the rust fungus Uromyces rumicis on Rumex obtusifolius, which were well studied at the mechanistic and ecological levels, illustrate the difficulty in combining these different approaches. We suggest that the choice of the right study system (possibly wild relatives of model species) is important, and that molecular studies must consider the environmental conditions under which experiments are performed. The generalization of molecular predictions to ecologically realistic settings will be facilitated by “middle-ground studies” concentrating on the outcomes of the interactions.
Why are there no Viviparous Birds? A Comment

Blackburn and Evans (1986) recently proposed an explanation for the anomalous absence of viviparity in birds. An important element of their hypothesis is that "no single avian feature is known to be inherently incompatible with viviparous production of small clutches and that the absence of the live-bearing mode is a consequence of the lack of selection for the intermediate evolutionary stage of egg retention" (p. 184). They suggested that, for many birds, the possible benefits to parents and embryo f short-term egg retention within the mother's body are more than outweighed by the costs of decreased fecundity, increased maternal mortality, and decreased paternal parental care. Thus, they believe that egg retention has no selective value in most birds. Their model, however, indicates that in species having small clutches, particularly those with a single egg, egg retention may be selected when resulting increments of maternal mortality are offset by decreased embryonic mortality. Here we consider further the possibility that some bird species may experience selection for short-term egg retention, and suggest that this trait has not arisen in birds because the oviduct may be an unfavorable environment for a retained embryo. We use the term "short-term egg retention" to mean an extension of the zygote's residence time in the oviduct beyond the 24-26 h that is the general rule for birds (Gilbert 1971), but not beyond a somewhat arbitrary upper limit of 25% of the total embryonic development time. We do not distinguish between facultative and non-facultative r tention. Such retention would have several immediate consequences for the retaining parent. First, the presence of an egg in the oviduct inhibits subsequent ovulations (Romanoff and Romanoff 1949). Thus, the retention of the first egg in a clutch could reduce a mother's fecundity by increasing developmental synchronies and the resulting competitive asymmetries among offspring. Ifbirds that lay several eggs could avoid this inhibition, females might face constraints on clutch size related to abdominal space and increased wing loading (Blackburn and Evans 1986). Second, egg-retaining mothers may face increased risks of mortality iftheir increased body weight decreases their ability to avoid such environmental sources of mortality as predation. Rahn et al. (1975) showed that the ratio of egg mass to female body mass decreases with increasing female body mass, suggesting that the importance of this problem would diminish as female body size increases.
Variations in Mitochondrial DNA of Dogs Isolated from Archaeological Sites in Japan and Neighbouring Islands

equences of ancient mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from archaeological remains of Japanese dogs were determined from 145 ancient dog samples (mainly bones) from the Jomon (100C-4C B.C.), Yayoi (4C B.C.-3C A.D.), Kofun (3-6C A.D.), Okhotsk (7-12C A.D.) and the Kamakura (12-14C A.D.) Periods.Highly variable sequences of the mitochondrial control region (198 base pairs) were amplified at least twice from independently prepared DNA extracts, and those from ancient samples were compared with 28 haplotypes from 178 modern dogs.The 198-bp ancient mtDNA was amplified from 74 ancient dog samples, and the sequences were classified into 19 haplotypes comprising five modern haplotypes (M1, M2, M5, M10 and M11) identified in modern dogs and 14 ancient haplotypes showing unique sequences not observed in modern dogs.Haplotype M5 was widely distributed in archaeological sites in northern Japan and Sakhalin, while haplotype M2 was detected from archaeological sites in southern Japan.Three major clusters (CL1 to CL3) were distinguished within the modern dog control region using phylogenetic analysis;all ancient dogs belonged to the CL1 cluster.From these results, we could not discern which modern Japanese dog breed closely resembles ancient dogs using phylogenetic analysis, but the CL1 cluster was likely distributed in the Japanese archipelago from the Jomon Period.
Biodiversity effects increase linearly with biotope space

Understanding the influence of environmental variation on the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning is of theoretical and practical interest. We predicted that the strength of this relationship should increase with available biotope space (the physical space associated with a species’ niche) due to increased niche complementarity between species. In this study, biotope space specifically refers to soil volume which is associated with the niche dimension of nutrient acquisition. We tested our prediction by growing plant communities on a gradient of increasing soil depth and volume, offering increased rooting space to species. Our results provide support for a linear increase of the magnitude of positive biodiversity effects on above- and belowground community biomass with increasing biotope space. This increase was caused by complementarity effects between species. Soil erosion may thus reduce intercropping benefits.
The Effectiveness of Group Hope Therapy on the Time Horizon and Optimism

Purpose : The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of group hope therapy on the time horizon and Optimism of divorced women aged between 25 to 40 years old in Tehran who referred to counseling centers. Materials and method: 30 divorced women were selected randomly and were assigned at two experimental and control group. Group hope therapy was held for 8 sessions each lasted for 2 hours. Group hope therapy package was applied for intervention. Wilde questionnaire were employed for assessment of horizon and LOT questionnaire was used for assessment of optimism. Data analysis was performed using analysis of covariance. Findings: The results showed that the group hope therapy increased time horizon and Optimism in divorced women. Discussion: searching for hope within the group lets divorced women to gain optimism and improve their time horizon capability.
Nutrition and Feeding of Fish and Crustaceans

Nutrition and feeding of fish and crustaceans / Jean Guillaume, Sasivam Kaushik, Pierre Bergot e Robert Metailler. Chichester : Springer, cop. 2001. XXIV, 408 p. : il. , graf. , tab. ; 27 cm. (Springer-Praxis books in aquaculture and fisheries). Drawing on laboratory and farm studies, the book reviews in detail the current state-of-the-art scientific research knowledge of fish and crustacean nutrition, from larvae to juvenile fish, through to the final stages of harvesting. Topics covered include issues surrounding the formulation, manufacture and delivery of feedstuffs to fish farms and the text provides a dual focus on fish and shrimp feeding requirements addressing practical applications as appropriate for the European aqualculture industry. (Publisher description)
The First Infant Case With Hepatosplenic gd T-cell Lymphoma After Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM)-like Exacerbation

We report the first infant case with hepatosplenic gd T-cell lymphoma after recurrent acute disseminated encephalomyelitis-like, which were rapidly resolved with steroid pulse therapy. The patient had a history of recurrent bronchitis, intractable diarrhea, and failure to thrive since 4 months of age. Immunologic analysis revealed higher percentage of circulating gd T-cells with markedly reduced numbers of CD3TCRabCD8 T-cells. The patient developed gd T-cell lymphoma at the age of 15 months. Clinical course of the patient suggests the importance of immunological background for the development of hepatosplenic gd T-cell lymphoma.
Morphological Variation in Chelonia mydas (Linnaeus, 1758) from the Coastal Waters of Japan, with Special Reference to the Turtles Allied to Chelonia mydas agassizii Bocourt, 1868

Abstract: Morphological variations were analyzed for green turtles, Chelonia mydas, on the basis of 127 individuals captured in the coastal waters of Japan. They were explicitly divided into two groups by plastral coloration—the yellow type and the black type. To statistically assess the morphometric differences between these color types, analysis of covariance was performed for each of 28 external measurements using the standard straight-line carapace length (SCL) as the covariate. Results indicated that the yellow and black types significantly differ in ratios to SCL of distances from the nuchal notch to the outermost point of boundry between the 11th and the preceding (10th) marginals, and also to the boundary of the 11th marginal, last (fifth) vertebral, and last (fourth) pleural on both sides. Such morphometric covariations with plastral coloration in C. mydas sensu lato, as well as sympatric occurrences of the two color types in the Japanese waters, collectively support the validity of the black type as a distinct species, Chelonia agassizii.
Effect of Blood and High Density Lipoprotein Preparations upon Lipase Distribution and Spontaneous Lipolysis in Bovine Milk

Abstract The mechanism by which high density lipoprotein promotes spontaneous lipolysis in milk was investigated. Spontaneous milk samples were characterized by an elevated cream-associated lipoprotein lipase activity compared with nonspontaneous milk samples. This cream lipase activity was correlated (.70) with cold storage acid degree value. Blood preparations (serum, plasma) added to warm milk, upon milk cooling, caused correlated (.89) increases in cream lipase activity and acid degree values. Total milk lipase activity was not correlated with level of cold storage lipolysis; however, skim milk lipase activity was negatively correlated (–.38). Addition of high density lipoprotein to recombined milk caused transfer of active lipoprotein lipase from unheated skim milk onto fat globules, which had been recovered from milk heated to inactivate cream-associated lipoprotein lipase. Transfer of lipoprotein lipase to fat globules by high density lipoprotein occurred in a dose-response manner with a correlation of . 68 between high density lipoprotein added and cream lipase activity. These observations supported the concept that biological variation in high density lipoprotein content of milk can contribute to the variability in spontaneous lipolysis observed among milk samples. This contribution by high density lipoprotein is mediated primarily through its ability to redistribute lipoprotein lipase toward fat globules rather than activation of the lipoprotein lipase that was initially associated with fat globules.