Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The early-type dwarf galaxy population of the Hydra I cluster

Aims. We analyse the properties of the early-type dwarf galaxy population (MV > −17 mag) in the Hydra I cluster. We investigate the galaxy luminosity function (LF), the colour-magnitude relation (CMR), and the magnitude-surface brightness relation down to MV ∼− 10 mag. Another goal of this study is to find candidates for ultra-compact dwarf galaxies (UCDs) in Hydra I. Methods. Two spectroscopic surveys performed with Magellan I/LDSS2 at Las Campanas Observatory and VLT/VIMOS, as well as deep VLT/FORS1 images in V and I bands, covering the central parts of the cluster, were examined. We identify cluster members by radial velocity measurements and select other cluster galaxy candidates by their morphology and low surface brightness. The candidates’ total magnitudes and central surface brightnesses were derived from the analysis of their surface brightness profiles. To determine the faint-end slope of the LF, the galaxy number counts are completeness corrected. Results. We obtain radial velocities for 126 objects and identify 32 cluster members, of which 5 are previously uncatalogued dwarf galaxies. One possible UCD candidate with MV = −13.26 mag is found. Our sample of � 100 morphologically selected dwarf galaxies with MV > −17 mag defines a CMR that extends the CMR of the giant cluster galaxies to the magnitude limit of our survey (MV ∼ −10 mag). It matches the relations found for the Local Group (LG) and the Fornax cluster dwarf galaxies almost perfectly. The Hydra I dwarf galaxies also follow a magnitude-surface brightness relation that is very similar to that of the LG dwarf galaxies. Moreover, we observe a continuous relation for dwarf galaxies and giant early-type galaxies when plotting the central surface brightness μ0 of a Sersic model vs. the galaxy magnitude. The effective radius is found to be largely independent of the luminosity for MV > −18 mag. It is consistent with a constant value of Re ∼ 0.8 kpc. We present the photometric parameters of the galaxies as the Hydra I Cluster Catalogue (HCC). By fitting a Schechter function to the luminosity distribution, we derive a very flat faint-end slope of the LF (α = −1.13 ± 0.04), whereas fitting a power law for MV > −14 mag gives α = −1.40 ± 0.18. Conclusions. Our findings of a continuous CMR and μ0 − MV relation for dwarf and giant early-type galaxies suggests that they are the same class of objects. The similarity of those relations to other environments like the LG implies that internal processes could be more important for their global photometric properties than external influences.
Coronary arterial fistulas in childhood

Abstract We reviewed 16 patients with coronary arterial fistulas seen between 1976 and 1997, and aged 2 days to 16 years, with a median age of 3.2 years. Only four patients were symptomatic: two had heart failure, one had exertional dyspnoea, and one infective endocarditis. The fistulas originated from the right coronary artery in seven patients, from the left coronary artery in seven, from both coronary arteries in one patient, while the origin was not clearly defined in the final patient. Associated cardiac anomalies were discovered in six patients, with three of the fistulas being diagnosed at the same presentation. Cross-sectional echocardiography had revealed a dilated coronary artery in 7 out of 11 subjects. The ratio of pulmonary to systemic flows ranged between 0.9 to 3.0, with a median of 1.5. Ten patients were referred for corrective surgery without any mortality. Trans-catheter closure was successfully undertaken in one patient, while spontaneous closure of the fistula was noted in two patients. We conclude that coronary arterial fistulas, although rare and potentially serious, are generally treatable.
A texture replacement method at the encoder for bit-rate reduction of compressed video

We propose a method for texture replacement in video sequences. Our method, which is applied at the encoder side, consists of removal of texture from selected regions of the original frames, synthesis of new texture, and mapping of the new texture back onto the segmented regions. The texture removal stage employs highly effective color-based angular maps. The texture analysis and texture synthesis stages make use of steerable pyramids. The latter stage also employs constraints that are derived using a vocabulary and grammar for color pattern similarity evaluation that have been introduced previously. Because they have different characteristics than those of the original textures, the synthesized textures can be coded more effectively. Consequently and most importantly, significantly reduced bit rates of the compressed video sequences with the texture replaced are obtained as compared to those of the original sequences. Moreover, because the synthesized textures have similar perceptual characteristics to those of the original textures, the video sequences with the texture replaced are also visually similar to the original sequences. Even more, because it is performed at the encoder and it does not have any impact on the decoder, our texture replacement method is cost effective. We illustrate its performance and computational efficiency using movie sequences.
Inflammation-Induced Acute Phase Response in Skeletal Muscle and Critical Illness Myopathy

Objectives Systemic inflammation is a major risk factor for critical-illness myopathy (CIM) but its pathogenic role in muscle is uncertain. We observed that interleukin 6 (IL-6) and serum amyloid A1 (SAA1) expression was upregulated in muscle of critically ill patients. To test the relevance of these responses we assessed inflammation and acute-phase response at early and late time points in muscle of patients at risk for CIM. Design Prospective observational clinical study and prospective animal trial. Setting Two intensive care units (ICU) and research laboratory. Patients/Subjects 33 patients with Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores ≥8 on 3 consecutive days within 5 days in ICU were investigated. A subgroup analysis of 12 patients with, and 18 patients without CIM (non-CIM) was performed. Two consecutive biopsies from vastus lateralis were obtained at median days 5 and 15, early and late time points. Controls were 5 healthy subjects undergoing elective orthopedic surgery. A septic mouse model and cultured myoblasts were used for mechanistic analyses. Measurements and Main Results Early SAA1 expression was significantly higher in skeletal muscle of CIM compared to non-CIM patients. Immunohistochemistry showed SAA1 accumulations in muscle of CIM patients at the early time point, which resolved later. SAA1 expression was induced by IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in human and mouse myocytes in vitro. Inflammation-induced muscular SAA1 accumulation was reproduced in a sepsis mouse model. Conclusions Skeletal muscle contributes to general inflammation and acute-phase response in CIM patients. Muscular SAA1 could be important for CIM pathogenesis. Trial Registration ISRCTN77569430.
An Altered Method of Feeding RNAi That Knocks Down Multiple Genes Simultaneously in the Nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

In reverse genetics, RNA interference (RNAi) which is substitutable for gene-disruption, is an outstanding method for knockdown of a gene’s function. In Caenorhabditis elegans, feeding RNAi is most convenient, but this RNAi is not suitable for knockdown of multiple genes. Hence, we attempted to establish an efficient method of feeding RNAi for multiple knockdown. We produced bacteria yielding three distinct double-stranded RNAs bound to one another, and fed those bacteria to C. elegans. Quantitative RT-PCR and observation of phenotypes indicated that our method is much more efficient than the traditional one. Our method is useful for investigating genes’ functions in C. elegans.
Two-Part Models Capture the Impact of Gain on Pointing Performance

We establish that two-part models of pointing performance (Welford’s model) describe pointing on a computer display significantly better than traditional one-part models (Fitts’s Law). We explore the space of pointing models and describe how independent contributions of movement amplitude and target width to pointing time can be captured in a parameter k. Through a reanalysis of data from related work we demonstrate that one-part formulations are fragile in describing pointing performance, and that this fragility is present for various devices and techniques. We show that this same data can be significantly better described using two-part models. Finally, we demonstrate through further analysis of previous work and new experimental data that k increases linearly with gain. Our primary contribution is the demonstration that Fitts’s Law is more limited in applicability than previously appreciated, and that more robust models, such as Welford’s formulation, should be adopted in many cases of practical interest.
Adaptive polling of grid resource monitors using a slacker coherence model

As data and computational grids grow in size and complexity, the crucial task of identifying, monitoring and utilizing available resources in an efficient manner is becoming increasingly difficult. The design of monitoring systems that are scalable both in the number of sources being monitored and in the number of clients served is a challenging issue. In this paper we investigate the trade-offs of different polling strategies that can be used to monitor resource availability on machines in a distributed environment. We show how adaptive polling protocols can substantially increase scalability with a less than proportional loss of precision, and how these protocols can be personalized for different types of resource usage patterns.
Clarifying the relation between bullying and social cognition

In an effort to resolve a current conflict in the literature, this project investigated the relation between social cognition and bullying by assessing theory of mind, emotion understanding, empathy, moral emotions, and bullying for aggressive children compared to prosocial children. A new measure was developed to assess the social cognitive constructs; bullying was assessed via self, peer, and teacher reports. Participants were 18 second graders, with the results presented in a descriptive case study. Moral emotions was the most useful for differentiating aggressive and prosocial children— prosocial children were more likely to score well, while aggressive children were more likely to do poorly. Results for theory of mind were mixed teacher/peer rated bullies had high theory of mind, while peer rated bullies scored low. The empathy scores were not what would be predicted from past research, and emotion understanding was also not useful for differentiating aggressive and prosocial children.
Japanese translation and psychometric evaluation of the Revised Leadership Scale for Sport

Despite a number of leadership definitions based on a various perspectives in mainstream psychology, the most popular definition of leadership used in sport leadership studies is, "the behavioural process of influencing individuals and groups toward set goals" (Barrow, 1977, p. 232). The Multidimentional Model of Leadership (MML; Chelladurai & Carron, 1978) was developed to explain sport leadership. Although the Leadership Scale for Sport (Chelladurai & Saleh, 1980) has been widely used in sport leadership investigations, several researchers have identified limitations associated with the LSS. Given these shortcomings, Zhang, Jensen, and Mann (1997) developed the Revised Leadership Scale for Sport (RLSS). No independent studies, however, have systematically investigated the psychometric properties of the RLSS. The three interconnected studies in this dissertation were designed to develop the Japanese version of the RLSS (JRLSS) and to examine the psychometric properties of the JRLSS.
Influence of restorative manipulations on the blood perfusion of human marginal gingiva as measured by laser Doppler flowmetry.

Plaque accumulation caused by deficient fixed prosthodontics may evoke unequal degrees of gingival inflammation. Clinical investigation was performed to study the reaction of marginal gingiva during the course of routine prosthetic rehabilitation, e.g. replacement of two two-unit fixed partial dentures for aesthetic and functional reasons in a female patient. To characterize the actual state of gingival margin we recorded conventional gingivitis indices in conjunction with the employment of non-invasive laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) for gingival perfusion measurements. Prior to the treatment procedures (control phase) the gingival indices were scored to 1 at all the five measuring points. At the end of the rehabilitation those values decreased to zero. A significant correlation was found between gingival indices and LDF readings (r=0.37, n=49, P < 0.01). Thus, our data suggest that monitoring of gingival blood perfusion by LDF may provide valuable information on the healing process of inflamed marginal gingiva.
Postural Stability of Biped Robots and the Foot-Rotation Indicator (FRI) Point

The focus of this paper is the problem of foot rotation in biped robots during the single-support phase. Foot rotation is an indication of postural instability, which should be carefully treated in a dynamically stable walk and avoided altogether in a statically stable walk. We introduce the foot-rotation indicator (FRI) point, which is a point on the foot/ground-contact surface where the net ground-reaction force would have to act to keep the foot stationary. To ensure no foot rotation, the FRI point must remain within the convex hull of the foot-support area. In contrast with the ground projection of the center of mass (GCoM), which is a static criterion, the FRI point incorporates robot dynamics. As opposed to the center of pressure (CoP)—better known as the zero-moment point (ZMP) in the robotics literature—which may not leave the support area, the FRI point may leave the area. In fact, the position of the FRI point outside the footprint indicates the direction of the impending rotation and the magnitude of rotational moment acting on the foot. Owing to these important properties, the FRI point helps not only to monitor the state of postural stability of a biped robot during the entire gait cycle, but indicates the severity of instability of the gait as well. In response to a recent need, the paper also resolves the misconceptions surrounding the CoP/ZMP equivalence.
Cholinergic influence on memory stages: A study on scopolamine amnesic mice

Objectives: The study was planned to determine cholinergic influence on different stages of memory - acquisition, consolidation and recall in scopolamine-induced amnesia (memory impairment) in mice. Materials and Methods: To study acquision, consolidation and recall stages of memory, we administered scopolamine (0.75, 1.5 and 3 mg/kg ip) 30 minutes and five minutes prior to first trial acquisition and consolidation and 30 minutes prior to second trial recall of passive avoidance (PA) test, respectively, in separate groups. Tacrine (5 mg/kg po) and rivastigmine (5 mg/kg po) were administered one hour prior to first trial in separate groups which received scopolamine (3 mg/kg ip) 30 minutes and five minutes prior to first trial where as the control group received vehicle only. Results: In the control group, there was a significant (P < 0.01) increase in transfer latency time (TLT) in the second trial compared to first indicating successful learning. In scopolamine treated groups, administering scopolamine 30 minutes or five minutes prior to first trial did not show any significant (P > 0.05) change in TLT whereas mice treated with scopolamine 30 minutes prior to second trial showed significant (P < 0.01) increase in TLT in second trial as compared to the first. Both tacrine and rivastigmine administration in scopolamine treated mice showed significant (P < 0.05-0.01) increase in TLT in second trial as compared to first trial while the rivastigmine treated group showed greater percentage retention compared to tacrine treated group. Conclusion: Results show that acquisition and consolidation are more susceptible to the scopolamine effects than recall. Thus, it may be concluded that cholinergic influence is more on acquisition and consolidation as compared to recall.
Effects 4.5 years after an interactive GP educational seminar on antibiotic therapy for respiratory tract infections: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND The few studies assessing long-term effects of educational interventions on antibiotic prescription have produced conflicting results. OBJECTIVES Our aim was to assess the effects after 4.5 years of an interactive educational seminar designed for GPs and focused on antibiotic therapy in respiratory tract infections (RTIs). The seminar was expected to decrease antibiotic prescriptions for any diagnosis. METHODS We conducted a randomized controlled parallel-group trial in a Paris suburb (France), with GPs as the randomization unit and prescriptions as the analysis unit. The intervention occurred in September 2004 and the final assessment in March 2009. Among 203 randomized GPs, 168 completed the study, 70 in the intervention group and 98 in the control group. Intervention GPs were randomized to attending only a 2-day interactive educational seminar on evidence-based guidelines about managing RTIs or also 1 day of problem-solving training. The primary outcome was the percentage of change in the proportion of prescriptions containing an antibiotic for any diagnosis in 2009 versus 2004. An intention-to-treat sensitivity analysis was performed using multiple imputation. RESULTS After 4.5 years, absolute changes in the primary outcome measure were -1.1% (95% confidence interval: -2.2 to 0.0) in the intervention group and +1.4% (0.3-2.6) in the control group, yielding an adjusted between-group difference of -2.2% (-2.7 to -1.7; P < 0.001). Both intervention modalities had significant effects, and multiple imputation produced similar results. CONCLUSIONS A single, standardized and interactive educational seminar targeting GPs significantly decreased antibiotic use for RTIs after 4.5 years.
Event-Based Robust Sampled-Data Model Predictive Control: A Non-Monotonic Lyapunov Function Approach

In this paper, two event-based robust sampled-data model predictive control (MPC) strategies are proposed based on the non-monotonic Lyapunov function approach for continuous-time systems with disturbances. Each event-triggering mechanism consists of the event-based MPC law and the triggering conditions. We show that although the proposed event-triggering conditions are only checked at the sampling instants and the control law is piecewise constant, the feasibility of the event-based sampled-data MPC algorithm and the stability of the closed-loop system are guaranteed in continuous time. Besides, the implementation issue is discussed, and we show that the proposed triggering conditions can be checked rapidly without obviously increasing the computational burden. Finally, an application to a nonholonomic robot system is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed results.
Cerberus‐like is a secreted BMP and nodal antagonist not essential for mouse development

Summary: Mouse cerberus‐like (cer‐l) is a member of the Cerberus/Dan family of secreted factors. As other members of this family of proteins, Cer‐l functions in the extracellular space, inhibiting signaling molecules. Here we show that the neural‐inducing and mesoderm‐inhibiting activities of Cer‐l result from specific binding to BMP and Nodal molecules, respectively. These properties resemble the ones from the related factor Xenopus Cerberus. However, Xenopus Cerberus in addition to BMP4 and Nodal also binds to and inhibits Wnt proteins. We show that Cer‐l does not directly inhibit Wnt signals. A null allele of the mouse Cer‐l gene was generated by targeted inactivation in ES cells. Homozygous embryos show no anterior patterning defects, are born alive, and are fertile. Since mouse Cer‐l and Xenopus Cerberus differ in biochemical activities, we propose the existence of additional members of this family of inhibitors, which may compensate for the loss of cer‐l. genesis 26:265–270, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High-Fat Diet: Bacteria Interactions Promote Intestinal Inflammation Which Precedes and Correlates with Obesity and Insulin Resistance in Mouse

Background Obesity induced by high fat (HF) diet is associated with inflammation which contributes to development of insulin resistance. Most prior studies have focused on adipose tissue as the source of obesity-associated inflammation. Increasing evidence links intestinal bacteria to development of diet-induced obesity (DIO). This study tested the hypothesis that HF western diet and gut bacteria interact to promote intestinal inflammation, which contributes to the progression of obesity and insulin resistance. Methodology/Principal Findings Conventionally raised specific-pathogen free (CONV) and germ-free (GF) mice were given HF or low fat (LF) diet for 2–16 weeks. Body weight and adiposity were measured. Intestinal inflammation was assessed by evaluation of TNF-α mRNA and activation of a NF-κBEGFP reporter gene. In CONV but not GF mice, HF diet induced increases in body weight and adiposity. HF diet induced ileal TNF-α mRNA in CONV but not GF mice and this increase preceded obesity and strongly and significantly correlated with diet induced weight gain, adiposity, plasma insulin and glucose. In CONV mice HF diet also resulted in activation of NF-κBEGFP in epithelial cells, immune cells and endothelial cells of small intestine. Further experiments demonstrated that fecal slurries from CONV mice fed HF diet are sufficient to activate NF-κBEGFP in GF NF-κBEGFP mice. Conclusions/Significance Bacteria and HF diet interact to promote proinflammatory changes in the small intestine, which precede weight gain and obesity and show strong and significant associations with progression of obesity and development of insulin resistance. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence that intestinal inflammation is an early consequence of HF diet which may contribute to obesity and associated insulin resistance. Interventions which limit intestinal inflammation induced by HF diet and bacteria may protect against obesity and insulin resistance.