Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New specimens of the earliest European passeriform bird

We describe new specimens of the oldest European passeriform bird from the early Oligocene of Germany. This bird has hitherto been known only from a poorly preserved skeleton and we report here a second slab of the same specimen and an additional fragmentary skull. The new specimens allow the description of a new species, Wieslochia weissi gen. et. sp. nov., which lacks apomorphies of crown group Oscines, the taxon including most extant and all European passeriform species. In overall osteology, Wieslochia most closely resembles extant Suboscines but these similarities may be plesiomorphic for Passeriformes. W. weissi differs from the stem species pattern hypothesized for Eupasseres in the mor− phology of the distal carpometacarpus, the absence of a hooked processus acrocoracoideus (coracoid), and the presence of furrows instead of certain canals on the hypotarsus, and may even be outside crown group Eupasseres, the clade including Oscines and Suboscines. Because the earliest European fossil record of oscine passerines is from the late Oligocene, pas− serines outside crown group Oscines may have colonized Europe before the arrival of Oscines from the Australian conti− nental plate.
Non-Convex Optimization for Latent Data Models : Algorithms, Analysis and Applications

De nombreux problemes en Apprentissage Statistique consistent a minimiser une fonction non convexe et non lisse definie sur un espace euclidien. Par exemple, les problemes de maximisation de la vraisemblance et la minimisation du risque empirique en font partie.Les algorithmes d'optimisation utilises pour resoudre ce genre de problemes ont ete largement etudie pour des fonctions convexes et grandement utilises en pratique.Cependant, l'accrudescence du nombre d'observation dans l'evaluation de ce risque empirique ajoutee a l'utilisation de fonctions de perte de plus en plus sophistiquees representent des obstacles.Ces obstacles requierent d'ameliorer les algorithmes existants avec des mis a jour moins couteuses, idealement independantes du nombre d'observations, et d'en garantir le comportement theorique sous des hypotheses moins restrictives, telles que la non convexite de la fonction a optimiser.Dans ce manuscrit de these, nous nous interessons a la minimisation de fonctions objectives pour des modeles a donnees latentes, ie, lorsque les donnees sont partiellement observees ce qui inclut le sens conventionnel des donnees manquantes mais est un terme plus general que cela.Dans une premiere partie, nous considerons la minimisation d'une fonction (possiblement) non convexe et non lisse en utilisant des mises a jour incrementales et en ligne. Nous proposons et analysons plusieurs algorithmes a travers quelques applications.Dans une seconde partie, nous nous concentrons sur le probleme de maximisation de vraisemblance non convexe en ayant recourt a l'algorithme EM et ses variantes stochastiques. Nous en analysons plusieurs versions rapides et moins couteuses et nous proposons deux nouveaux algorithmes du type EM dans le but d'accelerer la convergence des parametres estimes.
Stress, immunité et physiologie de la polyarthrite rhumatoïde : étude d’une cohorte de 71 patients

Un nombre croissant d’etudes suggere que l’interaction entre le systeme nerveux et immunitaire, declenchee par un stress psychologique, joue un role cle dans la physiopathologie de la polyarthrite rhumatoide (PR). Le but de notre travail etait d'evaluer le role du stress dans l'evolution de la maladie. Methodes : la presence d'un evenement stressant et attribue par les patients comme declencheur de leur maladie a ete enregistree a l’initiation d’une cohorte multicentrique de 71 patients atteints de PR. Des parametres cliniques lies a l'activite de la maladie ainsi que les niveaux de stress et d'anxiete apprecies par des auto-questionnaires ont ete recueillis de facon prospective. Des parametres biologiques tels que des cytokines pro-inflammatoires (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) et des neurotrophines (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ou BDNF, Transforming Growth Factor beta ou TGF-β, basic Fibroblast Growth Factor ou bFGF/FGF-2) ont egalement ete mesures. Resultats : 71 patients ont ete inclus (âge moyen: 57,3 ± 14,2 ans, 66% de femmes). 38 patients (54%) ont attribue le developpement de leur maladie a un evenement de vie survenu dans l’annee precedant le debut des symptomes. Apres un an de suivi, ces patients presentaient une maladie significativement plus severe (score DAS28-VS de 3,45 ± 1,45 contre 2,28 ± 0,92; p = 0,0008). L’echelle de stress percu (Perceived Stress Scale PSS-14) etait significativement correlee a l’activite de la maladie (pour le DAS28-VS: Spearman r = 0,4627, p = 0,0009; pour l’echelle visuelle analogique (EVA) activite de la maladie patient: r = 0,3406, p = 0,0083), de meme que le niveau d’anxiete (Inventaire d’Anxiete-Etat STAI-Y-A (pour l’EVA patient : Spearman r = 0.2630, p = 0.0481). Aucune correlation ou difference en fonction du niveau de stress n'a ete retrouvee avec les parametres biologiques analyses. Conclusion : l'exposition au stress est susceptible de jouer un role dans la progression de la PR, de par des liens physiopathologiques complexes. Ces resultats pourraient permettre d’adapter la strategie therapeutique des patients atteints de PR, dans le cadre de la medecine personnalisee. Des travaux futurs pourront egalement porter sur l’evaluation de la douleur neuropathique chez ces patients.
Bisfenol A induce la senescencia en células del endotelio aórtico de ratón

El Bisfenol A (BPA) es un compuesto fenólico, al que estamos expuestos en nuestro día a día, debido a su alta presencia en envases y otros productos. Muchos estudios habían señalado ya a este compuesto como disruptor endocrino. En este estudio nos plantemos su papel en la senescencia de células de endotelio vascular debido a la relación existente entre el BPA y la ateroesclerosis ya indicada por estudios previos. Ya se había observado que a altas dosis el BPA producía la muerte celular, pero los resultados obtenidos determinan que a bajas dosis el BPA (10 nM) y en un tiempo de cinco días, produce senescencia en células de endotelio cardíaco murino determinado por cambios morfológicos en las células, aumento de la actividad -Gal, y de la expresión de P53 y p16. Además, el BPA induce un fenotipo secretor asociado a la senescencia, generando un mayor número de microvesículas que tienen un efecto en la migración celular. Además, mediante ensayos de herida se demuestra un retardo en la migración celular a causa del BPA, así como una disminución de la producción de óxido nítrico. En conclusión, se ha determinado que el BPA a una concentración considerada como segura produce senescencia en las células del endotelio de ratón acompañado de disfunción del endotelio.
Recovery of Poly-β-Hydroxybutyrate from Estuarine Microflora

Poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a uniquely procaryotic endogenous storage polymer whose metabolism has been shown to reflect environmental perturbations in laboratory monocultures. When hydrolyzed for 45 min in 5% sodium hypochlorite, PHB can be isolated from estuarine detrital microflora in high yield and purified free from non-PHB microbial components. Lyophilization of frozen estuarine samples shortens the exposure time to NaOCl necessary for maximal recovery. Lyophilized samples of hardwood leaves, Vallisneria, and the aerobic upper millimeter of estuarine muds yielded PHB. The efficiency of incorporation of sodium [1-14C]acetate into PHB is very high and is stimulated by aeration. PHB was not recovered from the anaerobic portions of sediments unless they were aerated for a short time. Levels of PHB in the detrital microbial community do not correlate with the microbial biomass as measured by the extractible lipid phosphate, suggesting that PHB-like eucaryotic endogenous storage materials may more accurately reflect the metabolic status of the population than its biomass.
Mating behaviour in the ant Myrmica rubra (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

of their semen. The duration of mating, depends on the male’s previous matings, bu t also differs between different years. The queens’ a ttractiv ity decreases in tim e after their last m ating, but even after the last m ating, m ultiple-m ating queen is more a ttractive to males than a queen which m ated only once. The results are discussed in term s of kin selection theory and worker reproduction.
Helminths of the American bullfrog, Lithobates catesbeianus (Shaw, 1802), from Pawnee Lake, Lancaster, Nebraska, USA with a checklist of its helminth parasites

The American bullfrog, Lithobates catesbeianus, is one of the most intensively studied host species. However, most of the records related to the parasites of this anuran are scattered through the literature. The purpose of our study is twofold: 1) to list the helmiths of this host from Pawnee Lake, Lancaster Co., Nebraska, USA, and 2) To compile all published records and those contained by several scientific collections to construct a checklist of helminth parasites associated with the American bullfrog through its range in both native and introduced geographical areas. Twenty-seven specimens of L. catesbeianus were collected and examined for helminth parasites; 20 frogs were infected. Nine species of helminths were collected: 4 digeneans: Haematoloechus coloradensis, H. parviplexus, Gorgoderina attenuata, and Glypthelmins quieta, and 5 nematodes: Rhabdias ranae, Spinitectus gracilis, Cosmocercoides variabilis, Spiroxys sp. , and an unidentified ascarid nematode. Pawnee Lake represents a new locality record for S. gracilis. The digenean H. parviplexus had the highest prevalence and mean abundance (33.3% and 3, respectively). As a result of our study, the number of helminth taxa known for this host is 159 (75 digeneans, 4 monogeneans, 10 cestodes, 7 acanthocephalans, and 63 nematodes); these records come from 6 countries (Canada, Cuba, Japan, Korea, United Kingdom, and USA). Although well documented, the helminthological record of this host species could increase after further inventory work in poorly sampled regions.
ASSESSMENT OF THE BIOLOGICAL DISTANCES IN POPULATIONS ON THE ISLAND OF RAB

Glavni cilj istraživanja je prouèiti populacijsku strukturu stanovništva sjeverno-jadranskog otoka Raba, analizom grupiranja sudionika istraživanja (stanovnika pet rapskih mjesta) u odnosu na njihova kompleksna fenotipska svojstva (fiziološka, biokemijska te morfološka). Drugi cilj je analizirati grupiranje stanovnika istoènojadranskih otoka, u odnosu na njihova kompleksna fenotipska svojstva, gdje je populacija Raba promatrana kao homogen uzorak. Uzorak sudionika ukljuèio je 601 osobu u dobi od 18 do 75 godina. Pritom je analizirano pet subpopulacija: Banjol s 96 sudionika, Barbat sa 157 sudionika, Rab sa 109, Supetarska Draga sa 100 i Lopar sa 139 sudionika, koji dobro reprezentira populaciju otoka Raba. Rezultati procjene bioloških udaljenosti izmeðu subpopulacija otoka Raba, pokazali su kako je najudaljenija, i to za oba spola, subpopulacija Raba, dok se ostale ispitivane subpopulacije u prostorima morfoloških, fizioloških i biokemijskih svojstava više ili manje grupiraju u jedan te isti klaster. Biološke udaljenosti izmeðu dalmatinskih otoka, pokazuju da se otok Rab, gledan kao jedinstvena populacija, izdvaja u prostoru ostalih dalmatinskih otoka (uz otoke Hvar i Vis), kao specifièna i biološki udaljena od ostalih otoènih populacija Jadrana. Biološke udaljenosti nisu povezane s geografskim udaljenostima meðu naseljima na Rabu, što je u skladu s povijesnim podacima o naseljavanju iz razlièitih podruèja s kopna u razlièitim vremenskim razdobljima i njihovoj reproduktivnoj izolaciji tijekom vremena njihovog obitavanja na otoku. Èinjenica da se Rab (uz preostala dva otoka), izdvaja prema kompleksnim fenotipskim svojstvima, èini ga predstavnikom bioloških izolata.
Nickel accumulation by Alyssum serpyllifolium subsp. lusitanicum (Brassicaceae) from serpentine soils of Bragança and Morais (Portugal) ultramafic massifs: plant-soil relationships and prospects for phytomining

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possibility of using Alyssum serpyllifolium Desf. susbp. lusitanicum T.R. Dudley & P.Silva (Brassicaceae) for phytomining nickel (Ni)-rich bio-ore from serpentine soils. This species is endemic to serpentine soils of the Braganca and Morais massifs and is a Ni hyperaccumulator, containing more than 7000 mg kg–1 (dry weight) of this element. The variability of the Ni concentrations contained in the plant at different locations was verified as was its relationship with the total Ni contained in the soil or with the bioavailable Ni fraction extracted with ammonium acetate. We evaluated the biomass produced under natural conditions, and, on the basis of these values, we estimated the amount of Ni that can be removed per unit area. The results showed that considering only the aerial parts of the plant, the biomass varies between 7.04 and 9.37 t ha–1, containing a range of 0.12–0.70% Ni, allowing a withdrawal of between 12.2 and 44.0 kg Ni ha–1 per crop under natural conditions.
The Exploitation and Conservation of Precious Corals

Precious corals have been commercially exploited for many centuries all over the world. Their skeletons have been used as amulets or jewellery since antiquity and are one of the most valuable living marine resources. Precious coral fisheries are generally characterized by the 'boom-and-bust' principle, quickly depleting a discovered stock and then moving on to the next one. Most known stocks are overexploited today, and populations are in decline. The unsustainable nature of most fisheries is clearly revealed by analyzing all available data. Precious corals belong to the functional group of deep corals and are important structure-forming organisms, so called ecosystem engineers, that provide shelter for other organisms, increasing biodiversity. Yet, their management is usually focused on single species rather than a holistic habitat management approach. This review compares the biology of precious corals as well as the historical ecology and the socioeconomy of their fisheries to improve precious coral management and conservation. The analysis demonstrates that a paradigm shift is necessary in precious coral exploitation, not only to conserve habitats of high biodiversity but also to achieve sustainable fisheries and stabilize a specialized jewellery industry.
Breast Cancer in Women Younger Than 35 Years: Features and Outcomes (About 93 Cases)

Breast cancer is the first cancer of women in the world. With nearly 1.7 million new cases diagnosed each year around the world, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the major public health problem. In Morocco, its incidence continues to increase. Its occurrence is a dramatic event in a woman's life, it is still unhappy and difficult to accept when it is a young woman. This is a retrospective study of 93 patients under 35 years of age with breast cancer who were recruited to the Gynecology and Obstetrics II Department of Hassan II University Hospital in Fez, Morocco, over a period of 5 years. The purpose of the study was an analysis of clinical, therapeutic, evolutionary and prognostic data for breast cancer in women aged 35 and under. The prognosis of breast cancer in our young patients is unfavorable, seems to be related to an advanced stage of the disease, but also a particular biological profile, as well as the data of the literature.
Propuesta educativa de ejercicio para la disminución de la incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo

La incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo es la pérdida involuntaria de orina asociada a un esfuerzo físico que provoca un aumento de la presión abdominal (como toser, reír, correr o andar). Esta situación deteriora significativamente la calidad de vida de las mujeres que la padecen, limita su autonomía y reduce su autoestima. A partir del paradigma de la educación en salud y teniendo en cuenta que ciertos ejercicios pueden mejorar el tono de la musculatura del suelo de la pelvis, promueven un mejor soporte de las estructuras pélvicas y favorecen la respuesta contráctil rápida y coordinada frente a los esfuerzos; se presenta una propuesta educativa de intervención basada en ejercicio terapéutico para la disminución de la incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo en mujeres mayores de 65 años institucionalizadas.
Maternal, Fetal, and Neonatal Physiology: A Clinical Perspective

UNIT I: REPRODUCTIVE AND DEVELOPMENTAL PROCESSES 1. Biologic Basis for Reproduction 2. Physiologic Basis for Reproduction 3. Prenatal Period and Placental Physiology 4. Parturition and Uterine Physiology 5. Postpartum Period and Lactation Physiology 6. Fetal Assessment 7. Pharmacology and Pharmacokinetics During the Perinatal Period UNIT II: ADAPTATIONS IN MAJOR BODY SYSTEMS IN THE PREGNANT WOMAN, FETUS, AND NEONATE 8. Hematologic and Hemostatic Systems 9. Cardiovascular System 10. Respiratory System 11. Renal System and Fluid and Electrolyte Homeostasis 12. Gastrointestinal and Hepatic Systems and Perinatal Nutrition 13. Immune System and Host Defense Mechanisms 14. Integumentary System 15. Neurologic, Muscular, and Sensory Systems UNIT III: ADAPTATIONS IN METABOLIC PROCESSES IN THE PREGNANT WOMAN, FETUS, AND NEONATE 16. Carbohydrate, Fat, and Protein Metabolism 17. Calcium and Phosphorus Metabolism 18. Bilirubin Metabolism 19. Pituitary, Adrenal, and Thyroid Function 20. Thermoregulation
Pasteurella multocida : molecular biology, toxins and infection

Preface. - Chapter 1 I.W. Wilkie, M. Harper, John D. Boyce, and B. Adler : Pasteurella multocida: Diseases and Pathogenesis. - Chapter 2 John D. Boyce, Torsten Seeman, Ben Adler, and Marina Harper: Pathogenomics of Pasteurella multocida. - Chapter 3 Marina Harper, John D. Boyce and Ben Adler: The Key Surface Components of Pasteurella multocida: Capsule and Lipopolysaccharide. - Chapter 4 Katharina Kubatzky: Pasteurella multocida and immune cells. - Chapter 5 Joachim H.C. Orth and Klaus Aktories: Molecular biology of Pasteurella multocida toxin. - Chapter 6 Brenda A. Wilson and Mengfei Ho: Pasteurella multocida toxin interaction with host cells: entry and cellular effects. - Chapter 7 Yasuhiko Horiguchi: Swine atrophic rhinitis caused by Pasteurella multocida toxin and Bordetella dermonecrotic toxin. - Chapter 8 Alistair Lax: The Pasteurella multocida toxin - a new paradigm for the link between bacterial infection and cancer. - Subject index
Effect of Human Resource Management Practices on Employee’s Productivity of Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria

This study investigated the effect of human resource management practice on employee’s productivity in selected deposit money banks in Nigeria. The data for this study was sourced through the use of structured question distributed to the selected deposit money banks in Yola Metropolis. A total of 193 questionnaires were distributed but 166 were successfully retrieved and analyzed. The study employed descriptive statistics, multiple regression technique in estimating the effects of human resource management practice on employee productivity in the selected organization, correlation coefficient was also used to test the extent to which human resource management relate to employee productivity. The study revealed that human resource planning (HRP), recruitment and selection (RS), staff training and development (TRD) and performance appraisal (PA) were positively affecting employee productivity in the selected deposit money banks in Nigeria and were rightly signed, implying that they were consistent with the theoretical expectation of this study. The F-statistics 5.242014, which measured the joint significance of the parameter estimates, was found statistically significant at 5 per cent level as indicated by the corresponding probability value of 0.025272. This implies that all the variables of the model were jointly and statistically significant in affecting employee productivity in the selected deposit money banks in Nigeria. Finally, this result revealed that human resource management practice was positively and significantly affecting employee productivity in the selected deposit money banks in Nigeria. The study concluded that human resource management practice affected employee productivity positively in selected deposit money banks in Nigeria. The study therefore, recommended that concerted effort need to be taken in the banking industries in Nigeria to improve their human resource practice in order to achieve the objective of increasing the productivity of their employees.
Conception et caractérisation de fibres optiques à modes à moment angulaire orbital

Les fibres optiques (qu’elles soient a saut ou a gradient d'indice) sont largement utilisees pour les liaisons longue (intercontinentale, dorsale optique terrestre) et courte portee (centre de donnees, reseau d'acces). Certaines fibres, appelees fibres optiques de specialite, jouent egalement un role important dans d'autres domaines telles que la medecine (endoscopie par exemple), les capteurs, les applications au laser, etc. La multiplication constante des services Internet combinee a la croissance du nombre d'utilisateurs rend necessaire l'augmentation de la capacite actuelle des reseaux a fibres optiques. Les fibres aujourd’hui installees et utilisees pour les transmissions a tres haut debit utilisent uniquement le mode fondamental (note LP01, dans l'approximation de faible guidage) pour transmettre les informations : on parle de fibres optiques monomodes. Comme ils atteignent maintenant la limite non-lineaire de Shannon, une des idees pour augmenter la capacite des reseaux optiques consiste a mettre en œuvre le multiplexage spatial (SDM) et a utiliser simultanement differents modes dans une fibre dite legerement multimode (supportant generalement quelques dizaines de modes) ou une fibre multi-cœurs. Depuis 2010, plusieurs etudes ont ete developpees dans ce sens, principalement sur les fibres supportant les modes LP (Lineairement Polarises) et, plus recemment, les modes OAM (moment angulaire orbital), c’est-a-dire des modes a polarisation circulaire et a phase helicoidale. Dans ce dernier cas, les proprietes de phase et de polarisation sont supposees limiter le couplage entre les modes. Ce travail de these porte sur la conception et la realisation de fibres OAM presentant un couplage faible entre modes, pour une application au transport de donnees mais egalement pour une etude en photonique non-lineaire. Certaines des fibres etudiees sont des fibres a cœur annulaire fabriquees selon les methodes de fabrication conventionnelles, presentant des rayons interne / externe et des indices d’anneau optimises. Nous avons fabrique de telles fibres a cœur annulaire toute solide dans le but de les appliquer pour une transmission MIMO simple en utilisant des modes OAM comme des canaux independants. Cependant, nous avons egalement concu et fabrique la premiere fibre a cristal photonique (PCF) avec un cœur annulaire quasi-circulaire, a faible perte par confinement et adaptee au guidage des modes OAM. Nous avons montre experimentalement que les fibres fabriquees supportent les modes OAM et leurs matrices de transmission ont ete mesurees. Nous avons egalement effectue des experimentations preliminaires sur le decalage solitonique dans la fibre PCF supportant les modes OAM.