Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EGYPTIAN INTERSTITIAL COPEPODA HARPACTICOIDA WITH THE DESCRIPTION OF TWO NEW SPECIES AND ONE NEW SUBSPECIES

Nine species of Copepoda Harpacticoida were found in sandy beaches in Egypt during the period November 1994 to December 1996. Two species of the family Ectinosomatidae are new to science, Arenosetella bassantae n. sp. and Noodtiella toukae n. sp. The genus Noodtiella is new to the fauna of the Mediterranean Sea. One subspecies of the family Paramesochridae is new to science, Kliopsyllus constrictus egyptus n. subsp. The other species found are already known from the Mediterranean: Arenopontia nesaie (Cylindropsyllidae), Phyllopodopsyllus pauli (Tetragonicipitidae), Amphiascus parvus (Diosaccidae) and Nitocra spinipes (Ameiridae). The last two species (A. parvus and N. spinipes) have already been recorded from Egyptian waters. This paper contains descriptions of the two new species and of local variations in one of the known species, Arenopontia nesaie and the new subspecies Kliopsyllus constrictus egyptus. Two more species could as yet not be identified beyond generic level: Alteutha sp. (family Peltidiidae), and Amphiascus sp. Neuf especes de copepodes harpacticoides on ete trouvees dans les plages sableuses, en Egypte, durant la periode de novembre 1994 a decembre 1996. Deux especes de la famille des Ectinosomatidae sont nouvelles pour la science, Arenosetella bassantae n. sp. et Noodtiella toukae n. sp. Le genre Noodtiella est nouveau pour la faune de la mer Mediterranee. Une sous-espece de la famille des Paramesochridae est nouvelle pour la science, Kliopsyllus constrictus egyptus n. subsp. Les autres especes trouvees sont deja connues de Mediterranee: Arenopontia nesaie (Cylindropsyllidae), Phyllopodopsyllus pauli (Tetragonocipitidae), Amphiascus parvus (Diosaccidae) and Nitocra spinipes (Ameiridae). Les deux dernieres especes (A. parvus et N. spinipes) ont deja ete citees des eaux egyptiennes. Cet article contient les descriptions des deux especes nouvelles et des variations locales de l'une des especes connues, Arenopontia nesaie, ainsi que de la nouvelle sous-espece Kliopsyllus constrictus egyptus. Deux especes supplementaires n'ont pas pu etre identifiees au-dela du niveau generique: Alteutha sp. (Peltidiidae) et Amphiascus sp.
Australapatemon sp. (Trematoda) infection in Valvata macrostoma and in two leech species, Helobdella stagnalis and Erpobdella octoculata

The infectivity of Australapatemon sp. was examined in three hosts species; Large-mouthed valve snail, Valvata macrostoma, the first intermediate host and two leech species, Helobdella stagnalis (Glossiphoniidae) and Erpobdella octoculata (Erpobdellidae), the second intermediate hosts. Hosts individuals were sampled monthly (May-September 2008) from Lake Konnevesi, Central Finland, from a shallow littoral site (<2 m) and a deep sublittoral site (5-6 m), located ca. 50-60 m apart. 20 individuals of both leech species were each experimentally exposed to 30 Australapatemon sp. cercariae shed by the snails. 1.15% snails were infected with Austalapatemon sp. cercariae while 22.3% with other trematode species (shallow site). Australapatemon sp. did not occur in deep site snail samples. Infection rate between the two leech species was significantly different i.e. higher in E. octoculata than H. stagnalis. There was significant seasonal variation in the prevalence and intensity of Australapatemon sp. in E. octoculata. Experimental results revealed that both leech species were equally susceptible and acted as suitable second intermediate hosts. 75% of the cercariae successfully penetrated and established metacercarial cyst infection. This result indicates that infection difference between two leech species is not a question of evolutionary specificity (genetical) but ecological differences in activity that exists between them.
EdgeScaler: effective elastic scaling for graph stream processing systems

Existing solutions for elastic scaling perform poorly with graph stream processing for two key reasons. First, when the system is scaled, the graph must be dynamically re-partitioned among workers. This requires a partitioning algorithm that is fast and offers good locality, a task that is far from being trivial. Second, existing modelling techniques for distributed graph processing systems only consider hash partitioning, and do not leverage the semantic knowledge used by more efficient partitioners. In this paper we propose EdgeScaler, an elastic scaler for graph stream processing systems that tackles these challenges by employing, in a synergistic way, two innovative techniques: MicroMacroSplitter and AccuLocal. MicroMacroSplitter is a new edge-based graph partitioning strategy that is as fast as simple hash partinioners, while achieving quality comparable to the best state-of-the-art solutions. AccuLocal is a novel performance model that takes the partitioner features into account while avoiding expensive off-line training phases. An extensive experimental evaluation offers insights on the effectiveness of the proposed mechanisms and shows that EdgeScaler is able to significantly outperform existing solutions designed for generic stream processing systems.
Crosstalk Between Astrocytes and Microglia: An Overview

Based on discoveries enabled by new technologies and analysis using novel computational tools, neuroscience can be re-conceived in terms of information exchange in dense networks of intercellular connections rather than in the context of individual populations, such as glia or neurons. Cross-talk between neurons and microglia or astrocytes has been addressed, however, the manner in which non-neuronal cells communicate and interact remains less well-understood. We review this intriguing crosstalk among CNS cells, focusing on astrocytes and microglia and how it contributes to brain development and neurodegenerative diseases. The goal of studying these intercellular communications is to promote our ability to combat incurable neurological disorders.
“Art, Colors, and Emotions” Treatment (ACE-t): A Pilot Study on the Efficacy of an Art-Based Intervention for People With Alzheimer’s Disease

Increasing evidence suggests that non-pharmacological therapies impact on neuropsychiatric symptoms and quality of life in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Among these, art-based interventions seem particularly suitable for elders’ rehabilitation as they act both on cognitive functions and quality of life. However, their benefits are not yet appropriately explored. The main aim of this quasi-experimental study was to test the feasibility and the likely efficacy of a novel multi-dimensional visual art intervention for people with Alzheimer’s disease (PWAD), named Art, Colors, and Emotions treatment (ACE-t). A group of PWAD (N = 10) was recruited from the Memory Clinic of Don Gnocchi Foundation to take part in the ACE-t. A historical control group that followed a usual care program (N = 10) was used for comparison. We considered both feasibility output (adherence and acceptability) and efficacy outcome measures (neuropsychological and neurobehavioral scales). We observed a good adherence to and acceptability of the ACE-t. The following significant intervention-related changes were also observed in ACE-t with respect to usual care: improvement in general cognition, as assessed with the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale–Cognitive, amelioration in language, and in executive functions, and reduction in Neuropsychiatric Inventory Scale score. In conclusion, ACE-t could be considered as a suitable intervention for the rehabilitation of PWAD, with positive effects on the cognitive and the behavioral status. ACE is a promising new art-based intervention that merits further research, including confirmatory trials of our preliminary results.
Molecular genetics in psychology and personality neuroscience: On candidate genes, genome wide scans, and new research strategies

Despite the substantial heritability estimates for psychological traits, their precise genetic foundation from a molecular perspective remains elusive. We summarize findings and advances from more than twenty years of research into the molecular genetics of personality and other psychological traits. We describe how the candidate gene approach has - despite its appealing theoretical foundations - often (but not always) failed to point towards replicable associations between genetic polymorphism and behavioral traits. The genome wide analysis (GWAS) approach on the contrary has become more fruitful in recent years and pointed towards reliable genetic associations. GWAS results are currently leveraged to explore gene-behavior associations through genetic correlation and polygenic score prediction which are important steps towards a precision medicine where treatment options are tailored to a patient's individual biology. But it is also true that future work needs to take a closer look at GWAS findings to link the growing list of statistical associations to biopsychological theory. We argue that research strategies from the candidate gene approach can be used to address these issues - given that necessary precautions are taken to avoid the problem of false-positive associations.
The Role of Angiogenesis in Obesity

Angiogenesis, the formation of new capillary blood vessels, is a tightly regulated process. Under normal physiological conditions, angiogenesis only takes place during embryonic development, wound healing, and female menstruation. Dysregulation of angiogenesis is associated with many diseases, such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and proliferative retinopathy. The growth and expansion of adipose tissue require the formation of new blood vessels. Adipose tissue is probably the most highly vascularized tissue in the body, as each adipocyte is surrounded by capillaries, and the angiogenic vessels supply nutrients and oxygen to adipocytes. Accumulating evidence shows that capillary endothelial cells communicate with adipocytes via paracrine signaling pathways, extracellular components, and direct cell-cell interactions. Activated adipocytes produce multiple angiogenic factors, including VEGF, FGF-2, leptin, and HGF, which either alone or cooperatively stimulate the expansion and metabolism of adipose tissue by increasing adipose tissue vasculature. Recently, it was demonstrated that antiangiogenic herbal Ob-X extracts and Korean red ginseng extracts reduce adipose tissue mass and suppress obesity by inhibiting angiogenesis in obese mice. Thus, angiogenesis inhibitors provide a promising therapeutic approach for controlling human obesity and related disorders.
More than meets the eye : from fetal microchimerism to forensic applications

73 Introduction . 74 Materials and methods . 76 Ethics Statement . 76 Study participants . 76 Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) . 76 Fluorescence scanning . 78 Segmentation and masking . 78 Repeated FISH . 79 Phenotyping of the fetal microchimeric cells . 80 Statistical analysis . 80 Results . 81 Study participants . 81 Male fetal microchimerism in patients and healthy volunteers . 84 Flow cytometry for determination of purity of EasySep isolated cells . 85 Fetal microchimeric cells in PBMC subsets . 85 Discussion . 86 Conclusion . 88 References . 89 CHAPTER 5: Fetal microchimerism in autoimmune thyroid diseases: harmful, beneficial or innocent for the thyroid gland? 91 Abstract . 93. 93 Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases. 94 Fetal microchimerism in AITD . 94 Fetal microchimeric cells in autoimmune thyroid diseases: harmful, beneficial or innocent for the thyroid gland? 96 Harmful . 97 Beneficial . 100 Innocent. 102 Conclusion . 103 References . 104 PART III: Forensic applications . 109 CHAPTER 1: Aim and outline . 111 References . 114 CHAPTER 2: Fast nuclear staining of hair roots as a screening method for successful STR analysis in forensics . 115 Abstract . 117. 117 Introduction . 118 Materials and methods . 119 Staining of hair roots with 1 hour incubation in DAPI (part I) . 119 DAPI-staining of hair roots directly on microscope slides (part II) . 119 Hairs on adhesive films . 119 Forensic cases . 120 Microscopic evaluation of the staining . 120 DNA extraction . 120 DNA amplification and detection . 120 Statistical analysis . 120 Results and discussion . 121 1 hour incubation in DAPI (part I) . 121 Direct staining of hair roots with DAPI on microscope slides (part II) . 121 Hairs on adhesive films . 124 Success rate experimental data . 124 Forensic cases . 124 Conclusion . 126 References . 127 CHAPTER 3: Evaluation of a visualization assay for blood on forensic evidence. 129 Abstract . 131. 13
Overcoming the STEM Gender Gap: from School to Work

Despite improving education and better performance, women in Italy remain largely under-represented in the technical-scientific tracks. This form of segregation, due to both enduring gender stereotypes and the peculiar structure of the Italian education system, tends to exclude women from the more requested professions. The lack of further education policies and targeted interventions in support of a transition from school to work for young people, makes for endemic school-work mismatch affecting the entire students supply chain by creating a dual male-female labour market in the economy 4.0. The purpose of this work was to develop a best practice in order to bridge the gender gap in the STEM area, both at school and later in the workplace. Results of the action research project named “STEM Women: A Challenge for the School, an Opportunity for Businesses, a Search for Talents”, covered the Piedmont Region. An operational network was set up, including representatives from universities, public institutions, schools and technology enterprises. A survey involving a sample of 572 high school students, evaluated male and female STEM preference, quality of teaching and orientation for future employment. To promote female self-confidence in personal scientific ability and help in deciding to choose a career in STEM, researchers and female leaders from technology Companies were asked to hold meetings at high school level, and visits to STEM firms were organized. In the final stages of the research project, a public meeting was held to enable male and female students to discuss the cultural, economic and social implications of increased female presence in the STEM professions.
Miniature gripping device

Teleoperation is a relatively old practice; recently new fields of intervention are born where the slave arms need to have small dimensions and high dexterity; examples are pipes inspection, rescue missions, planets exploration, minimally invasive surgery. The object of the paper is to describe the design of a miniature gripper suitable for laparoscopic operations. First some possible solutions are analyzed and compared. Then the detail design of the preferred embodiment is described; a physical mock-up has been used to check the tool performance. Advantages and drawbacks of the system have been pointed out. Finally some possible system implementations are suggested.
Synchronous Digital Signal Communication System Based on Chaotic Masking

In this paper, chaotic secure communications applications as the background, to explore a way to implement digital chaotic synchronization, using the driven response synchronization method, through chaos masking secure communication principle to realize. Through a variety of experimental observations, conﬁrming the chaos masking secure communication can be applied to digital signal transmission, which build up the solid foundation for digital chaotic security communication.
Control químico del arroz rojo (oryza sativa l.) en arroz, con herbicidas no selectivos-protectantes a la semilla

Three greenhouse experiments were established in order to evaluate the protective effect of naphtalic anhydride (0,5 and 0,75%), flurazole (0,1 and 0,2%) and oxabetrinil (0,1 and 0,2%) used as seed treatments in rice cv Milagro Filipino (MF), as compare with non-selective herbicides atrazine (1,8 kg/ha), atrazine/metolachlor (0,78/0,75 kg/ha), acetochlor (2,1 kg/ha), alachlor (2,5 kg/ha) and metolachlor (1,92 kg/ha). The effect of alachlor with four red rice biotypes and MF treated with naphtalic anhydride was also evaluated. Neither flurazole nor oxabetrinil protected rice from any one of the herbicides, but naphtalic anhydride (0,75%) protected rice from alachlor (2,5 kg/ha). Alachlor (2 kg/ha) temporarily reduced rice seedling height, but there was no difference in height between treated and non-treated plants at 25 days after application (DAA). Dry weight of the MF check plants was statistically similar to those obtained from plants originated from seed treated with naphtalic anhydride (0,75%) and applied with alachlor at 1, 1,5 and 2 kg/ha. At 7 DAA, control of the different red rice biotypes with alachlor varied from 40 to 80% with 1 kg/ha, from 80 to 98% with 1,5 kg/ha and from 98 to 99% with 2 kg/ha. Moreover, at 25 DAA, controls varied from 30 to 62% with 1 kg/ha, from 43 to 83% with 1,5 kg/ha and from 58 to 96% with 2 kg/ha.
MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITY AND PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF MICROORGANISMS ISOLATED FROM ENTERAL FEEDING, FOOD HANDLERS AND ENVIRONMENTS OF TWO PUBLIC BRAZILIAN HOSPITALS

This work aimed to evaluate the microbiological conditions of enteral feeding, water, powder module and personnel samples obtained from two public hospitals in Goiânia/GO, Brazil. The Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated were submitted to antibiogram for phenotypic characterization. The S. aureus strains isolated were grouped into six phenotypic profiles (A–F). There was no correlation among strains isolated from diet and handlers samples. The E. coli strains were grouped into four phenotypic profiles (A–D). The E. coli phenotypes A and C showed the same susceptibility profile for microorganisms isolated from handlers and diets, suggesting a relationship among those isolates. Seven S. aureus and 12 E. coli isolates were resistant to two or more antibiotics. The diets presented unsatisfactory sanitary-hygienic conditions in the hospitals evaluated because 47 samples (58.8%) from the first hospital and 30 samples (37.5%) from the second hospital were above the limits established by Brazilian legislation. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Enteral nutrition is a very important mechanism to provide support to health-compromised patients, so the microbiological quality of this product is essential to guarantee its safety. This study emphasizes the importance of monitoring the enteral diet microbiological quality and the factors associated with its contamination. The study highlights the use of antibiogram as an instrument to correlate strains in order to help the identification of the probable origin of final product contamination.
The role of light reactions in the regulation of anthocyanin synthesis in Petunia corollas

The role of light reactions in anthocyanin synthesis was studied in both attached and detached corollas of Petunia hybrida (cv. Hit Parade Rosa), the latter grown in vitro in media containing 150 mM sucrose and 50 μM gibberellic acid (GA). Light was essential for the synthesis of anthocyanin in detached corollas, whereas in intact corollas its effect was only to enhance anthocyanin synthesis. Continuous white light at a fluence rate of at least 20 μmol m−2 s−1 was needed for anthocyanin synthesis in detached corollas. Blue light was more effective than red or green, and far-red was ineffective. Pigmentation of detached corollas exposed to light was inhibited by the photosynthetic inhibitor 3-(4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU). The chloroplast uncoupler NH4Cl did not affect anthocyanin synthesis, which was, however, inhibited by the blocking of ATP synthesis in both the chloroplast and the mitochondria by dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD). Sucrose uptake in vitro was inhibited by DCMU and by darkness, and was promoted equally by blue and red light. The activity of phenylalanine ammonialyase (EC 4.3.1.5) was inhibited in detached corollas grown in the dark or in the light in the presence of DCMU. The activity of chalcone isomerase (EC 5.5.1.6) was not affected by light. These findings suggest that at least two different light reactions are involved in the regulation of anthocyanin synthesis in petunia corollas, namely the high irradiance reaction (HIR) and photosynthesis.
Invertase activity in honey

The invertase activity was determined for 499 honeys (27 multifloral and 472 unifloral from Arbutus, Carduus, Castanea, Citrus, Erica, Eucalyptus, Hedysarum, Helianthus, Rhododendron, Robinia, Rosmarinus, Taraxacum, Thymus, Tilia, fir honeydew and honeydew produced by Met- calfa pruinosa), in order to determine its variability and establish the range characteristic for each honey type. The results show that invertase activity varies considerably in the different honey types (from less than 0.5 to more than 30 IN). Robinia, Arbutus, Citrus, Erica and Rosmarinus have the lowest values (usually less than 10) and the two honeydew honeys the highest (more than 18). The diastase content of the samples was also measured, to compare the content of the two enzymes, and a certain correlation was observed (r = 0.835, P < 0.001). The IN/DN ratio ranges from less than 0.1 to more than 2. The possible role of invertase and IN/DN ratio in honey quality evaluation is discussed. © Inra/DIB/AGIB/Elsevier, Paris
LATITUDINAL DIFFERENTIATION IN EMBRYONIC DURATION, EGG SIZE, AND NEWBORN SURVIVAL IN A HARPACTICOID COPEPOD

We demonstrate significant genetically based differentiation in embryonic duration (h), egg size (µm3), and newborn survival (number/h) in the harpacticoid copepod, Scottolana canadensis (Crustacea), taken from a broad range of latitudes (°N) and reared in the laboratory for several generations under the same conditions. Egg development times of the northern-derived (ME) individuals were significantly longer at all test temperatures, and thus did not demonstrate compensation at low temperature. Maine development times may be due to the larger egg size.
A Tool for Assessing Performance Requirements of Data-Intensive Applications

Big Data is becoming a core asset for present economy and businesses, and as such, Data-Intensive Applications (DIA) that use Big Data technologies are becoming crucial products in the software development market. However, quality assurance of such applications is still an open issue. The H2020 DICE project aims to deﬁne a quality-driven framework for developing DIA based on model-driven engineering (MDE) techniques. In this paper we present a key component of the DICE Framework, the DICE Simulation Tool . The tool is able to simulate the behavior of a DIA to assess its performance using a Petri net model. To showcase its capabilities we use the Posidonia Operations case study, a real-world scenario brought from one of our industrial partners. In addition to this paper, a video demonstrating the tool is available at http://tiny.cc/z1qzay .
The Economic Value of Carbon Sequestration through Tree Planting in Laos

Because tree plantations in Laos show that, despite high profitability, tree farmers and private companies face many challenges, including low timber quality, low timber prices, and slow plantation expansion, the aim of this study is to evaluate the social costs and benefits from private tree plantations by considering both market and non-market values, specifically for carbon sequestration. A policy decision tool - specifically cost-benefit analysis ? was employed. Existing data from Laos and other locations were used to investigate the economic and social aspects of government policy implications for forest plantation for eucalyptus and teak. A dual-discounting approach was applied to discount future net benefits of market and non-market components to arrive at a present value. We found the monetary benefit of carbon sequestration of teak and eucalyptus tree plantations to be $472.8 million (2020 dollars) over 30 years. It is concluded that the government should intervene by improving systems and regulations that can increase the private rate of return and eventually incentivize the private sector to plant more trees.