Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A general convergence result for the Ricci flow in higher dimensions

Let (M,g_0) be a compact Riemannian manifold of dimension n \geq 4. We show that the normalized Ricci flow deforms g_0 to a constant curvature metric provided that (M,g_0) x R has positive isotropic curvature. This condition is stronger than 2-positive flag curvature but weaker than 2-positive curvature operator.
Rabies virus matrix protein interplay with eIF3, new insights into rabies virus pathogenesis

Viral proteins are frequently multifunctional to accommodate the high density of information encoded in viral genomes. Matrix (M) protein of negative-stranded RNA viruses such as Rhabdoviridae is one such example. Its primary function is virus assembly/budding but it is also involved in the switch from viral transcription to replication and the concomitant down regulation of host gene expression. In this study we undertook a search for potential rabies virus (RV) M protein's cellular partners. In a yeast two-hybrid screen the eIF3h subunit was identified as an M-interacting cellular factor, and the interaction was validated by co-immunoprecipitation and surface plasmon resonance assays. Upon expression in mammalian cell cultures, RV M protein was localized in early small ribosomal subunit fractions. Further, M protein added in trans inhibited in vitro translation on mRNA encompassing classical (Kozak-like) 5′-UTRs. Interestingly, translation of hepatitis C virus IRES-containing mRNA, which recruits eIF3 via a different noncanonical mechanism, was unaffected. Together, the data suggest that, as a complement to its functions in virus assembly/budding and regulation of viral transcription, RV M protein plays a role in inhibiting translation in virus-infected cells through a protein–protein interaction with the cellular translation machinery.
Structural Nonparametric Cointegrating Regression

Nonparametric estimation of a structural cointegrating regression model is studied. As in the standard linear cointegrating regression model, the regressor and the dependent variable are jointly dependent and contemporaneously correlated. In nonparametric estimation problems, joint dependence is known to be a major complication that affects identification, induces bias in conventional kernel estimates, and frequently leads to ill-posed inverse problems. In functional cointegrating regressions where the regressor is an integrated or near-integrated time series, it is shown here that inverse and ill-posed inverse problems do not arise. Instead, simple nonparametric kernel estimation of a structural nonparametric cointegrating regression is consistent and the limit distribution theory is mixed normal, giving straightforward asymptotics that are useable in practical work. It is further shown that use of augmented regression, as is common in linear cointegration modeling to address endogeneity, does not lead to bias reduction in nonparametric regression, but there is an asymptotic gain in variance reduction. The results provide a convenient basis for inference in structural nonparametric regression with nonstationary time series when there is a single integrated or near-integrated regressor. The methods may be applied to a range of empirical models where functional estimation of cointegrating relations is required.
Benign breast disorders.

About 50 percent of women have histologic evidence of some degree of fibrocystic changes in the breast. This review article describes the spectrum of benign breast disorders, including those that increase the risk of malignant disease. The authors explain the evaluation and management of breast pain, breast discharge, and focal lesions, as well as the options that can prevent progression to breast cancer.
Parameterized modeling and recognition of activities

A framework for modeling and recognition of temporal activities is proposed. The modeling of sets of exemplar activities is achieved by parameterizing their representation in the form of principal components. Recognition of spatio-temporal variants of modeled activities is achieved by parameterizing the search in the space of admissible transformations that the activities can undergo. Experiments on recognition of articulated and deformable object motion from image motion parameters are presented.
CENSUS-TO TICK OR NOT TO TICK THE EXISTENCE OF AN IRISH ETHNIC IDENTITY IN ENGLAND ?

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. THE 2001 CENSUS TO TICK OR NOT TO TICK THE EXISTENCE OF AN IRISH ETHNIC IDENTITY IN ENGLAND? Grainne O’Keeffe-Vigneron
Running head : STEREOTYPE THREAT IN OLDER ADULTS 1 Stereotype threat can enhance , as well as impair , older adults ’ memory

150) Negative stereotypes about aging can impair older adults’ memory; however, the mechanisms underlying this are unclear. In two experiments we tested competing predictions derived from two theoretical accounts: executive control interference and regulatory fit. Older adults completed a working memory test either under stereotype threat about their memory or not. Monetary incentives were manipulated such that recall either led to gains or forgetting led to losses. The executive control interference account predicts that threat decreases the availability of executive control resources and hence should impair working memory performance. The regulatory fit account predicts that threat induces a prevention focus. Because of this threat should impair performance when gains are emphasized but improve performance when losses are emphasized. Results were only consistent with the regulatory fit account. Although stereotype threat significantly impaired older adults’ working memory performance when remembering led to gains, it significantly improved performance when forgetting led to losses.
Evolution and spectral tuning of visual pigments in birds and mammals

Variation in the types and spectral characteristics of visual pigments is a common mechanism for the adaptation of the vertebrate visual system to prevailing light conditions. The extent of this diversity in mammals and birds is discussed in detail in this review, alongside an in-depth consideration of the molecular changes involved. In mammals, a nocturnal stage in early evolution is thought to underlie the reduction in the number of classes of cone visual pigment genes from four to only two, with the secondary loss of one of these genes in many monochromatic nocturnal and marine species. The trichromacy seen in many primates arises from either a polymorphism or duplication of one of these genes. In contrast, birds have retained the four ancestral cone visual pigment genes, with a generally conserved expression in either single or double cone classes. The loss of sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation is a feature of both mammalian and avian visual evolution, with UV sensitivity retained among mammals by only a subset of rodents and marsupials. Where it is found in birds, it is not ancestral but newly acquired.
Mitochondrial pleomorphy in plant cells is driven by contiguous ER dynamics

Mitochondria are pleomorphic, double membrane-bound organelles involved in cellular energetics in all eukaryotes. Mitochondria in animal and yeast cells are typically tubular-reticulate structures and several micro-meters long but in green plants they are predominantly observed as 0.2–1.5 μm punctae. While fission and fusion, through the coordinated activity of several conserved proteins, shapes mitochondria, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has recently been identified as an additional player in this process in yeast and mammalian cells. The mitochondria-ER relationship in plant cells remains largely uncharacterized. Here, through live-imaging of the entire range of mitochondria pleomorphy we uncover the underlying basis for the predominantly punctate mitochondrial form in plants. We demonstrate that mitochondrial morphology changes in response to light and cytosolic sugar levels in an ER mediated manner. Whereas, large ER polygons and low dynamics under dark conditions favor mitochondrial fusion and elongation, small ER polygons result in increased fission and predominantly small mitochondria. Hypoxia also reduces ER dynamics and increases mitochondrial fusion to produce giant mitochondria. By observing elongated mitochondria in normal plants and fission-impaired Arabidopsis nmt1-2 and drp3a mutants we also establish that thin extensions called matrixules and a beads-on-a-string mitochondrial phenotype are direct consequences of mitochondria-ER interactions.
Optical OFDM With Single-Photon Avalanche Diode

In this letter, an optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system based on a single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) receiver is presented. SPAD detectors do not require a transimpedance amplifier as they operate in the Geiger mode. This poses challenges on detecting continuous data carrying signals. However, in this letter, we show that OFDM signals can indeed be detected, and the bit error ratio performances of both dc-biased optical OFDM and asymmetrically clipped optical OFDM are investigated. The investigations are carried out in the absence of background light. The results are compared with those of standard optical OFDM with convetional photodiode receivers. The SPAD-based OFDM system shows superior power efficiency over the state-of-the-art counterpart, and it can reach receiver sensitivities that are comparable with existing radio frequency systems.
Pattern extraction in sparse representations with application to audio coding

This article deals with the extraction of frequency-domain auditory objects in sparse representations. To do so, we first generate sparse audio representations we call spikegrams, based on neural spikes using gammatone/gammachirp kernels and matching pursuit. We then propose a method to extract frequent auditory objects (patterns) in the afore-mentioned sparse representations. The extracted frequency-domain patterns help us address spikes (atoms or auditory events) collectively rather than individually. When audio compression is needed, the different patterns are stored in a small codebook that can be used to efficiently encode audio materials in a lossless way. The approach is applied to different audio signals and results are discussed and compared. Our experiments show that substantial coding gain is obtained when our technique based on pattern extraction is used as opposed to the case where spikes (atoms) are coded individually. This work is a first step towards the design of a high-quality “object-based” audio coder.
Assessing Liquefaction Flow Slides : Beyond Empiricism

The liquefaction flow slide is an important failure mechanism for under water slopes composed of sand. The failure of the sand body is the result of liquefaction of loosely packed sand, which suddenly looses a large part of its strength and starts behaving as a fluid. Liquefaction flow slides occur unexpectedly and develop at a very high rate, resulting in considerable damage. As a consequence, we have little detailed information on this phenomenon; the actual nature of the failure can only be established afterwards. The lack of detailed information constrains the engineer who needs to assess the slope stability. The available methods are strongly simplified, as a basis for more advanced techniques is lacking. This thesis is aimed at the improvement of the assessment of liquefaction flow slides. The first part contains a theoretical treatment of the underlying physics, which form the basis of an advanced calculation model. In addition, a large scale experiment has been developed, the Liquefaction Tank. We managed to reproduce laboratory liquefaction flow slides by gradually tilting the sand bed. The result is surprising; at a very gentle slope the sand bed suddenly and seemingly spontaneously liquefies. The occurrence of these experimental liquefaction flow slides depends on the density of the sand and the rate of tilting. The measurements provide valuable new insights that can be used for the further development of new models.
Epochs of phase coherence between El Niño/Southern Oscillation and Indian monsoon

We present a modern method used in nonlinear time series analysis to investigate the relation of two oscillating systems with respect to their phases, independently of their amplitudes. We study the difference of the phase dynamics between El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian Monsoon on inter‐annual time scales. We identify distinct epochs, especially two intervals of phase coherence, 1886–1908 and 1964–1980, corroborating earlier findings from a new point of view. A significance test shows that the coherence is very unlikely to be the result of stochastic fluctuations. We also detect so far unknown periods of coupling which are invisible to linear methods. These findings suggest that the decreasing correlation during the last decades might be a typical epoch of the ENSO/Monsoon system having occurred repeatedly. The high time resolution of the method enables us to present an interpretation of how volcanic radiative forcing could cause the coupling.
Swedish attitudes towards persons with mental illness

Background: Negative and stigmatizing attitudes towards persons with mental illness must be dealt with to facilitate the sufferers’ social acceptance. Aim: The present study aimed at survey Swedish attitudes towards persons with mental illness related to factors impacting these attitudes. Material and Methods: New CAMI-S based on the questionnaire “Community Attitudes to Mental Illness in Sweden” ([CAMI] Taylor & Dear, 1981) was developed with nine behavioral–intention items and thus comprised a total of 29 items. Of 5000 Swedish people, 2391 agreed to complete the questionnaire. Principal component analysis rendered four factors reflecting attitudes towards the mentally ill: Intention to Interact, Fearful and Avoidant, Open-minded and Pro-Integration, as well as Community Mental Health Ideology. The factors were analyzed for trends in attitudes. By MANOVA, the experience of mental illness effects on mind-set towards the sufferers was assessed. By means of logistic regression, demographic factors contributing to positive attitudes towards persons with mental illness residing in the neighborhood were assessed. Results: By New CAMI-S, the Swedish attitudes towards the mentally ill were surveyed and trends in agreement with living next to a person with mental illness were revealed in three out of four factors derived by principal component analysis. Aspects impacting the Swedish attitudes towards persons with mental illness and willingness to have him/her residing in the neighborhood comprised experience of mental illness, female gender, age (31–50 years), born in Scandinavia or outside Europe, only 9 years of compulsory school and accommodation in flat. Conclusion: The New CAMI-S came out as a useful tool to screen Swedish attitudes towards persons with mental illness. Most Swedes were prepared to live next to the mentally ill.
NOD2, RIP2 and IRF5 Play a Critical Role in the Type I Interferon Response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis

While the recognition of microbial infection often occurs at the cell surface via Toll-like receptors, the cytosol of the cell is also under surveillance for microbial products that breach the cell membrane. An important outcome of cytosolic recognition is the induction of IFNα and IFNβ, which are critical mediators of immunity against both bacteria and viruses. Like many intracellular pathogens, a significant fraction of the transcriptional response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection depends on these type I interferons, but the recognition pathways responsible remain elusive. In this work, we demonstrate that intraphagosomal M. tuberculosis stimulates the cytosolic Nod2 pathway that responds to bacterial peptidoglycan, and this event requires membrane damage that is actively inflicted by the bacterium. Unexpectedly, this recognition triggers the expression of type I interferons in a Tbk1- and Irf5-dependent manner. This response is only partially impaired by the loss of Irf3 and therefore, differs fundamentally from those stimulated by bacterial DNA, which depend entirely on this transcription factor. This difference appears to result from the unusual peptidoglycan produced by mycobacteria, which we show is a uniquely potent agonist of the Nod2/Rip2/Irf5 pathway. Thus, the Nod2 system is specialized to recognize bacteria that actively perturb host membranes and is remarkably sensitive to mycobacteria, perhaps reflecting the strong evolutionary pressure exerted by these pathogens on the mammalian immune system.
Improved Delegation-Based Authentication Protocol for Secure Roaming Service with Unlinkability

Recently, Lee et al. proposed a delegation-based authentication protocol which provides secure and private roaming service for portable communication systems in global mobility networks. In this paper, we show that 1) Lee et al.'s protocol cannot protect users' privacy even though the protocol provides the user identity privacy; and 2) the unlinkability is required for delegation-based authentication protocols to provide user privacy. Moreover, we propose an improved protocol with the unlinkability by modifying Lee et al.'s protocol.
L-Dopa in Parkinsonism and the Influence of Previous Thalamotomy

A double-blind cross-over trial over 24 weeks (10 weeks on the active remedy, 4 weeks off treatment, and 10 weeks on placebo) of the effect of L-dopa on idiopathic Parkinsonism (paralysis agitans) has shown no difference in the response obtained in patients who had undergone previous stereotaxic ventrolateral thalamotomy and in those who had not. Of the 34 patients (18 men and 16 women) in the trial 18 had been operated on (nine unilateral, nine bilateral operations) and 16 had not. All patients entering the trial were taking anticholinergic drugs in stable dosage and these were continued throughout. The only factor which seemed to limit the response to treatment was pre-existing hypertension. Of 31 patients who completed the 10-week treatment period, 12 showed marked improvement, 15 moderate improvement, and 4 and mild or negligible change. It seems that previous ventrolateral thalamotomy affords some protection against the development of L-dopa-induced involuntary limb movements on the side contralateral to the operation. As found by others, maximum benefit was seen in bradykinesia and rigidity and related features but a significant reduction in tremor was also noted during treatment. Side effects (nausea, hypotension, and involuntary movements) were common but rarely limited the therapeutic response.
A validation study of the FocalPoint GS imaging system for gynecologic cytology screening

Studies of the performance of the automated FocalPoint Guided Screening (FPGS) imaging system in gynecologic cytology screening relative to manual screening have yielded conflicting results. In view of this uncertainty, a validation study of the FPGS was conducted before its potential adoption in 2 large laboratories in Ontario.
In vivo application of recombinant interleukin 2 in the immunotherapy of established cytomegalovirus infection

We have shown in a murine model system for cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease in the immunocompromised host that in vivo application of recombinant human IL-2 (rhIL-2) can enhance the antiviral effect of a limited number of CD8+T lymphocytes, not only in prophylaxis, but also in therapy, when virus has already colonized host tissues. The observed net effect of IL-2 was consistent with the assumption of daily effector population doublings. The prospects for IL-2-supported immunotherapy of established CMV infection depend upon the tissues involved in disease. It appears that the prospects for controlling established CMV adrenalitis are less promising than for a therapy of interstitial CMV pneumonia.
Direct and Indirect Effects of Tides on Ecosystem‐Scale CO2 Exchange in a Brackish Tidal Marsh in Northern California

We investigated the direct and indirect influence of tides on net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of carbon dioxide (CO2) in a temperate brackish tidal marsh. NEE displayed a tidally driven pattern with obvious characteristics at the multiday scale, with greater net CO2 uptake during spring tides than neap tides. Based on the relative mutual information between NEE and biophysical variables, this was driven by a combination of higher water table depth (WTD), cooler air temperature, and lower vapor pressure deficit (VPD) during spring tides relative to neap tides, as the fortnightly tidal cycle not only influenced water levels but also strongly modulated water and air temperature and VPD. Tides also influenced NEE at shorter timescales, with a reduction in nighttime fluxes during growing season spring tides when the higher of the two semidiurnal tides caused inundation at the site. WTD significantly influenced ecosystem respiration (Reco), with lower Reco during spring tides than neap tides. While WTD did not appear to affect ecosystem photosynthesis (gross ecosystem production, GPP) directly, the impact of tides on temperature and VPD influenced GPP, with higher daily light‐use efficiency and photosynthetic activity during spring tides than neap tides when temperature and VPD were lower. The strong direct and indirect influence of tides on NEE across the diel and multiday timescales has important implications for modeling NEE in tidal wetlands and can help inform the timing and frequency of chamber measurements as annual or seasonal net CO2 uptake may be underestimated if measurements are only taken during nonflooded periods.
A Meta Analysis of the Empirical Evidence on Expected Utility Theory

The authors have conducted an exhaustive literature survey of the experimental studies on Expected-utility Theory (EUT) in order to account for the violations of its axiomatic foundations. Beyond identifying and classifying the (behavioral) bias phenomena according to the axiom(s)-violated, the possible background conditionals for such violations are reported in this paper.
Joint Latency and Cost Optimization for Erasure-Coded Data Center Storage

Modern distributed storage systems offer large capacity to satisfy the exponentially increasing need of storage space. They often use erasure codes to protect against disk and node failures to increase reliability, while trying to meet the latency requirements of the applications and clients. This paper provides an insightful upper bound on the average service delay of such erasure-coded storage with arbitrary service time distribution and consisting of multiple heterogeneous files. Not only does the result supersede known delay bounds that only work for a single file or homogeneous files, it also enables a novel problem of joint latency and storage cost minimization over three dimensions: selecting the erasure code, placement of encoded chunks, and optimizing scheduling policy. The problem is efficiently solved via the computation of a sequence of convex approximations with provable convergence. We further prototype our solution in an open-source cloud storage deployment over three geographically distributed data centers. Experimental results validate our theoretical delay analysis and show significant latency reduction, providing valuable insights into the proposed latency-cost tradeoff in erasure-coded storage.