Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The 2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey: the luminosity function of cluster galaxies

We have determined the composite luminosity function (LF) for galaxies in 60 clusters from the 2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey. The LF spans the marge -22.5 < M b 1 < -15, and is well fitted by a Schechter function with M * b j = -20.07 ′ 0.07 and a = -1.28 ′ 0.03 (H 0 = 100 km s - 1 Mpc - 1 , Ω M = 0.3, Ω Λ = 0.7). It differs significantly from the field LF, having a characteristic magnitude that is approximately 0.3 mag brighter and a faint-end slope that is approximately 0.1 steeper. There is no evidence for variations in the LF across a wide range of cluster properties: the LF is similar for clusters with high and low velocity dispersions, for rich and poor clusters, for clusters with different Bautz-Morgan types, and for clusters with and without substructure. The core regions of clusters differ from the outer parts, however, in having an excess of very bright galaxies. We also construct the LFs for early (quiescent), intermediate and late (star-forming) spectral types. We find that, as in the field, the LFs of earlier-type galaxies have brighter characteristic magnitudes and shallower faint-end slopes. However, the LF of early-type galaxies in clusters is both brighter and steeper than its field counterpart, although the LF of late-type galaxies is very similar. The trend of faint-end slope with spectral type is therefore much less pronounced in clusters than in the field, explaining why variations in the mixture of types do not lead to significant differences in the cluster LFs. The differences between the field and cluster LFs for the various spectral types can be qualitatively explained by the suppression of star formation in the dense cluster environment, together with mergers to produce the brightest early-type galaxies.
Is Hydrogen Sulfide-Induced Suspended Animation General Anesthesia?

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) depresses mitochondrial function and thereby metabolic rates in mice, purportedly resulting in a state of “suspended animation. ” Volatile anesthetics also depress mitochondrial function, an effect that may contribute to their anesthetic properties. In this study, we ask whether H2S has general anesthetic properties, and by extension, whether mitochondrial effects underlie the state of anesthesia. We compared loss of righting reflex, electroencephalography, and electromyography in mice exposed to metabolically equipotent concentrations of halothane, isoflurane, sevoflurane, and H2S. We also studied combinations of H2S and anesthetics to assess additivity. Finally, the long-term effects of H2S were assessed by using the Morris water maze behavioral testing 2 to 3 weeks after exposures. Exposure to H2S decreases O2 consumption, CO2 production, and body temperature similarly to that of the general anesthetics, but fails to produce a loss of righting reflex or muscle atonia at metabolically equivalent concentrations. When combined, H2S antagonizes the metabolic effects of isoflurane, but potentiates the isoflurane-induced loss of righting reflex. We found no effect of prior H2S exposure on memory or learning. H2S (250 ppm), not itself lethal, produced delayed lethality when combined with subanesthetic concentrations of isoflurane. H2S cannot be considered a general anesthetic, despite similar metabolic suppression. Metabolic suppression, presumably via mitochondrial actions, is not sufficient to account for the hypnotic or immobilizing components of the anesthetic state. Combinations of H2S and isoflurane can be lethal, suggesting extreme care in the combination of these gases in clinical situations.
Characterization of Waterborne Outbreak–associated Campylobacter jejuni, Walkerton, Ontario

The Walkerton, Canada, waterborne outbreak of 2000 resulted from entry of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Campylobacter spp. from neighboring farms into the town water supply. Isolates of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli obtained from outbreak investigations were characterized by phenotypic and genotypic methods, including heat-stable and heat-labile serotyping, phage typing, biotyping, fla–restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) typing, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Two main outbreak strains were identified on the basis of heat-stable serotyping and fla-RFLP typing. These strains produced a limited number of types when tested by other methods. Isolates with types indistinguishable from, or similar to, the outbreak types were found only on one farm near the town of Walkerton, whereas cattle from other farms carried a variety of Campylobacter strains with different type characteristics. Results of these analyses confirmed results from epidemiologic studies and the utility of using several different typing and subtyping methods for completely characterizing bacterial populations.
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Seasonal and Diurnal Variations of Hg over New England

Factors influencing diurnal to interannual variability in Hg • over New England were investigated using multi-year measurements conducted by AIRMAP at the Thompson Farm (TF) coastal site, an inland elevated site at Pac Monad-nock (PM), and two month measurements on Appledore Island (AI) in the Gulf of Maine. Mixing ratios of Hg • at TF showed distinct seasonality with maxima in March and minima in October. Hg • at AI tracked the trend at TF but with higher minima, while at PM the diurnal and annual cycles were dampened. In winter, Hg • was correlated most strongly with CO and NO y , indicative of anthropogenic emissions as their primary source. Our analysis indicates that Hg • had a regional background level of ∼160 fmol/mol in winter, a dry deposition velocity of ∼0.20 cm s −1 with a ∼16 day lifetime in the coastal boundary layer in summer. The influence of oceanic emissions on ambient Hg • levels was identified using the Hg •-CHBr 3 correlation at both TF and AI. Moreover, the lower Hg • levels and steeper decreasing warm season trend at TF (0.5–0.6 fmol/mol d −1) compared to PM (0.2– 0.3 fmol/mol d −1) likely reflected the impact of marine halo-gen chemistry. Large interannual variability in warm season Hg • levels in 2004 versus 2005/2006 may be due to the role of precipitation patterns in influencing surface evasion of Hg •. In contrast, changes in wintertime maximum levels of Hg • were small compared to drastic reductions in CO, CO 2 , NO y , and SO 2 from 2004/2005 to 2006/2007. These trends could be explained by a homogeneous distribution of Hg • over North American in winter due to its long lifetime and/or rapid removal of reactive mercury from anthropogenic sources. We caution that during warmer winters, the Hg •-CO slope possibly reflects Hg • loss relative to changes in CO more than their emission ratio.
Central Angiotensin Type 1 Receptor Blockade Decreases Cardiac But Not Renal Sympathetic Nerve Activity in Heart Failure

In heart failure (HF), cardiac sympathetic nerve activity (SNA; CSNA) is increased, which has detrimental effects on the heart and promotes arrhythmias and sudden death. There is evidence that the central renin-angiotensin system plays an important role in stimulating renal SNA in HF. Because SNA to individual organs is differentially controlled, we have investigated whether central angiotensin receptor blockade decreases CSNA in HF. We simultaneously recorded CSNA and renal SNA in conscious normal sheep and in sheep with HF induced by rapid ventricular pacing (ejection fraction: <40%). The effect of blockade of central angiotensin type 1 receptors by intracerebroventricular infusion of losartan (1 mg/h for 5 hours) on resting levels and baroreflex control of CSNA and renal SNA were determined. In addition, the levels of angiotensin receptors in central autonomic nuclei were determined using autoradiography. Sheep in HF had a large increase in CSNA (43±2 to 88±3 bursts per 100 heart beats; P<0.05) and heart rate, with no effect on renal SNA. In HF, central infusion of losartan for 5 hours significantly reduced the baseline levels of CSNA (to 69±5 bursts per 100 heart beats) and heart rate. Losartan had no effect in normal animals. In HF, angiotensin receptor levels were increased in the paraventricular nucleus and supraoptic nucleus but reduced in the area postrema and nucleus tractus solitarius. In summary, infusion of losartan reduced the elevated levels of CNSA in an ovine model of HF, indicating that central angiotensin receptors play a critical role in stimulating the increased sympathetic activity to the heart.
Physicochemical and Thermal Characterization of Dura Palm Kernel Powder as a Load for Polymers: Case of Polyvinyl Chloride

This work presents the physical and thermal characterization of the dura palm kernel powder of Cameroon for their use as fillers for polymers composites. The powders of palm kernel were obtained using a percussion grinder mill with an industrial microniser which allowed obtaining a powder less than 50 μm with an apparent density between 0,505 ≤ ρ ≤ 0,680 g/cm3 at 1.56 of relative humidity. The infrared of the powder of palm kernel shows the presence of phenols groups with a large band around 3341 cm-1, -C-H at 2917.02 cm-1 and -C-O at 1040 cm-1 as the main peaks. The polyvinyl chloride of infrared obtained shows the presence of -C-Cl, -CH2 and CH as the mains peaks. The infrared of 12.5% of palm kernel powder with polyvinyl chloride shows an increase of the CH2 and CH bonds and a decrease of the -OH bonds. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetric analysis of powders, polyvinyl chloride and mixture showed that the mixing powders are intermediate between the polyvinyl chloride and palm kernel powder. The powder decreased the phase temperatures of the mixture from 98.58℃ to 95℃ for the glass transition temperature and from 515℃ to 459℃ for the crystallization temperature. The thermogravimetric curves of palm kernel powder and polyvinyl chloride have showed that these materials lose their different masses in three different phases, and the one of composite (mixture of polyvinyl chloride with 12.5% of palm kernel powder) in two different phases.
Strong constraint on ever-present {lambda}

We show that the causal-set approach to creating an ever-present cosmological 'constant' in the expanding universe is strongly constrained by the isotropy of the microwave background. Fluctuations generated by stochastic lambda generation which are consistent with COBE and WMAP observations are far too small to dominate the expansion dynamics at z<1000 and so cannot explain the observed late-time acceleration of the universe. We also discuss other observational constraints from the power spectrum of galaxy clustering and show that the theoretical possibility of ever-present lambda arises only in 3+1 dimensional space-times.
Diagnosis of Rotor Faults in Closed-Loop Induction Motor Drives

This paper is devoted to the diagnosis of rotor faults in closed-loop induction motor drives. Different control strategies are studied, namely the direct torque control and the indirect rotor field oriented control. A detailed analysis of different motor/controller variables enlightens about the behavior of these systems under the presence of rotor faults. Numerous simulation results as well as experimental tests show the role played by parameters such as the speed loop bandwidth, reference speed of the drive, motor load level, etc., towards the choice of adequate quantities to be used as diagnostic indexes
Closed-form Dirichlet integral harmonic interpolation-fits for real n-dimensional and complex half-space: DIDACKS III

This article gives a ``fundamental solution'' based energy-norm harmonic interpolation approach for two half-space settings of interest: the upper-half $\mathbb{R}^n$ plane, where fundamental solutions satisfy Laplace's equation, and the upper-half complex plane, where simple poles are of interest. This approach can handle higher-order pole fits, as well as logarithmic source fits, in the complex setting and it can handle higher-order multipole fits in the general real $\mathbb{R}^n$ setting. Higher-order multipoles in the real $\mathbb{R}^n$ half-space setting are of particular interest since fits based on a commonly used type of radial-basis function (inverse multiquadrics) can be reinterpreted as multipole based interpolations that minimize energy forms.
The effect of using natural pozzolan-based cement concretes on zinc phosphated rebars corrosion

Studies on using zinc phosphating in reinforced concrete (RC) field are still in the early stages. Use of natural pozzolan (NP) as cement replacement is growing rapidly in the construction industry due to its economical, ecological and technical benefits. Four phosphating baths were prepared; Zn phosphate (P-Zn), Zn-Ni phosphate (P-Zn-Ni), Zn-Cu phosphate (P-Zn-Cu) and Zn-Mn phosphate (P-Zn-Mn) respectively. Ø14 mm reinforcing steel bars were treated at 55-60 °C for 15 min in the phosphating baths. Concrete specimens were produced with different levels of NP; 0% (control specimen), 10 %, 20% and 30%, respectively. The effectiveness of using both NP and P-Zn coatings in retarding rebar corrosion has been investigated using an accelerated test after 28 and 90 days concrete curing. In addition, the bond strength between the concrete and the rebar was investigated by the pull-out test. Test results revealed that the concretes containing higher replacement levels of NP and rebars treated in bi-cationic baths exhibited corrosion initiation periods several times longer than the control specimens with uncoated steel and a zero NP content. Moreover, the results showed that the bond strength was not affected by adding NP and P-Zn coatings. SEM analysis was employed, as well.
Systems Neuroscience

The STN is part of the " indirect " pathway of the basal ganglia. This pathway links the principal input structure of the basal ganglia, the striatum, to the output structures, the internal segment of the globus pallidus (GPi), and the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr), via the external segment of the globus pallidus (GPe) and the STN. As part of this pathway, the STN receives GPe inputs, and sends glutamatergic (excitatory) projections to both segments of the globus pallidus and to the SNr. Projections from GPi and SNr are directed to the thalamus (ventral anterior, ventral lateral, and intralaminar nuclei). Thalamic efferents are then directed back to the frontal cortex. In addition to the indirect pathway connections from the GPe, the STN receives direct cortical inputs. The existence of this projection has been documented several decades ago in rats and monkeys (Monakow et al., 1978; Bevan et al., 1995; Nambu et al., 2000), but the exact anatomical origin(s) of this projection are still debated. Anatomical and electrophysiological studies in rats have indicated that cortical afferents to the STN originate principally from neurons in layer V of the cerebral cortex, with at least some arising as collaterals of corticospinal projections (Donoghue and Kitai, 1981; Kitai and Deniau, 1981; Giuffrida et al., 1985). Cortical stimulation studies in rats have suggested that the cortico-subtha-lamic projection arises from both the ipsilateral and contralateral cortex (Rouzaire-Dubois and Scarnati, 1985), and that responses of STN neurons to stimulation of the contralateral cortex can be eliminated by sectioning the corpus callosum (Fujimoto and Kita, 1993). Primate studies, in contrast, have indicated that the cortico-subthalamic projection is ipsilateral, and arises from more circum-scribed cortical areas (Monakow et al. In monkeys, projections from the primary motor cortex were shown to terminate in the dorsolateral motor portion of the STN. The
Computational Tension Mapping of Adherent Cells Based on Actin Imaging

Forces transiting through the cytoskeleton are known to play a role in adherent cell activity. Up to now few approaches haves been able to determine theses intracellular forces. We thus developed a computational mechanical model based on a reconstruction of the cytoskeleton of an adherent cell from fluorescence staining of the actin network and focal adhesions (FA). Our custom made algorithm converted the 2D image of an actin network into a map of contractile interactions inside a 2D node grid, each node representing a group of pixels. We assumed that actin filaments observed under fluorescence microscopy, appear brighter when thicker, we thus presumed that nodes corresponding to pixels with higher actin density were linked by stiffer interactions. This enabled us to create a system of heterogeneous interactions which represent the spatial organization of the contractile actin network. The contractility of this interaction system was then adapted to match the level of force the cell truly exerted on focal adhesions; forces on focal adhesions were estimated from their vinculin expressed size. This enabled the model to compute consistent mechanical forces transiting throughout the cell. After computation, we applied a graphical approach on the original actin image, which enabled us to calculate tension forces throughout the cell, or in a particular region or even in single stress fibers. It also enabled us to study different scenarios which may indicate the mechanical role of other cytoskeletal components such as microtubules. For instance, our results stated that the ratio between intra and extra cellular compression is inversely proportional to intracellular tension.
Honduran and U.S. Consumer Assessment of Beef from Various Production Systems with or Without Marinating

Our objective was to evaluate the effects of different Honduran cattle production systems, enhancement, and country of origin on palatability of the longissimus muscle aged 21 d postmortem as determined by U.S. and Honduran consumers (n = 240/country). U.S.-sourced strip loins (n = 10/treatment) were selected: USDA Select (SE) and Top (upper 2/3) Choice (TC). Honduran-sourced strip loins (n = 10/treatment) included: 1) dual-purpose bulls, raised on native pasture (HDP), 2) F1 crossbred Brahman bulls finished on a corn-based grain diet for 180 d (HCF), and 3) purebred Brahman bulls finished on a sugarcane-based diet for 180 d (HSC). Ten additional strip loins from each Honduran treatment were selected and enhanced (E; 112% Â± 3.5%) with water, salt, and tripolyphosphate, resulting in EHDP, EHCF, and EHSC. Steaks were cooked to 77Â°C prior to consumer evaluation of tenderness, juiciness, and flavor and overall liking, with classification of each trait as acceptable or unacceptable. Consumers indicated if they were willing to pay 0, 3, 6, or 10 USD/0.45 kg. Consumer data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS as a split plot design, with treatment as the whole plot factor and country and the country Ã— treatment interaction as the subplot factors, including panel as a random effect. The EHCF had greater (P < 0.05) scores for tenderness, juiciness, flavor and overall liking. No differences (P > 0.05) were found between TC and SE when scoring palatability traits, but more (P < 0.05) consumers found TC acceptable for juiciness compared to SE. Honduran consumers ranked all palatability traits greater than U.S consumers and found a greater percentage of samples acceptable for tenderness (P < 0.05). Enhancement of Honduran treatments had a positive effect on palatability traits, as well as the acceptability of those traits. Regardless of the differences in breeds, using high-energy diets and enhancement resulted in greater palatability scores.
Development of hyperpolarizing inhibitory postsynaptic potentials and hyperpolarizing response to gamma-aminobutyric acid in rabbit hippocampus studied in vitro

The postnatal development of IPSPs and response to locally applied GABA were examined using intracellular recording techniques in region CA1 of rabbit hippocampal slices maintained in vitro. Pyramidal neurons in slices from mature rabbits demonstrated an EPSP-IPSP sequence following stimulation of stratum radiatum. In these same slices, pressure application of GABA into stratum pyramidale and stratum radiatum produced membrane hyperpolarization and depolarization, respectively. Pyramidal neurons in slices from immature rabbits (age 6 to 10 days) responded differently. Stimulation of stratum radiatum produced a prolonged depolarizing postsynaptic potential; few IPSPs were observed. Ejection of GABA into either stratum pyramidale or stratum radiatum evoked a depolarizing response. The GABA agonist, 4,5,6,7- tetrahydroisoxazolo [5,4-c] pyridine-3-ol (THIP), which has been reported to activate “hyperpolarizing” GABA receptors selectively, primarily produced membrane hyperpolarization when applied to the somata of mature neurons, but it evoked a depolarization when applied to immature neurons. Bicuculline, a GABA antagonist which may have a preferential selectivity for “depolarizing” GABA receptors, was somewhat more efficacious (at 50 microM concentration) at antagonizing GABA-evoked depolarization in immature cells than GABA-evoked hyperpolarization in mature cells. This same concentration of bicuculline partially antagonized IPSPs in mature cells, and it markedly potentiated depolarizing PSPs in immature cells. Taken together, these results suggest that the late development of synaptic inhibition in rabbit hippocampus is due, at least in part, to an immaturity in the GABAergic system.
Inside a predator-prey model for multi-objective optimization: a second study

In this article, new variation operators for evolutionary multi-objective algorithms (EMOA) are proposed. On the basis of a predator-prey model theoretical considerations as well as empirical results lead to the development of a new recombination operator, which improves the approximation of the set of efficient solutions significantly. Furtheron, it is shown that applying speciation to the analysed model makes it possible to handle even more complex problems.
Feeding Syntactic Versus Semantic Knowledge to a Knowledge-lean Unsupervised Word Sense Disambiguation Algorithm with an Underlying Naïve Bayes Model

The present paper concentrates on the issue of feature selection for unsupervised word sense disambiguation (WSD) performed with an underlying Naive Bayes model. It introduces dependency-based feature selection which, to our knowledge, is used for the first time in conjunction with the Naive Bayes model acting as clustering technique. Construction of the dependency-based semantic space required for the proposed task is discussed. The resulting disambiguation method, representing an extension of the method introduced in [15], lies at the border between unsupervised and knowledge-based techniques. Syntactic knowledge provided by dependency relations (and exemplified in the case of adjectives) is hereby compared to semantic knowledge offered by the semantic network WordNet (and examined in [15]). Our conclusion is that the Naive Bayes model reacts well in the presence of syntactic knowledge of this type and that dependency-based feature selection is a reliable alternative to the WordNet-based semantic one.