Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Age and Growth of Red Drum, Sciaenops Ocellatus, and Black Drum, Pogonias Cromis, in the Northern Gulf of Mexico.

The objectives of this study were to obtain age estimates and describe growth for two sciaenid fish species, red drum Sciaenops ocellatus and black drum Pogonias cromis. in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Age estimates were made using annulus counts in transverse sections of otoliths (inner ear bones). Aging techniques were validated for juvenile red drum by imparting oxytetracycline into otoliths as a time marker. Recaptures validated that annuli were deposited in otoliths yearly up to 2.5 years age, with the first annulus formed in the second winter at 1-1.5 years age. Age estimates for remaining age classes of red drum and all age classes of black drum were validated by marginal increment analysis, following the progression of annulus formation throughout the year. Analyses indicated that annuli were formed yearly during winter-spring months for red drum and black drum at all ages. There was low variability in age estimates made independently by two or three readers for each fish. Age estimates ranged from one to thirty-seven years for red drum, and one to forty-three years for black drum. Both species grew rapidly until approximate age at maturity, followed by a significant decrease in growth rates. Red drum adult females exhibited faster growth and attained larger sizes than males, while differences in black drum growth between sexes were not apparent. The majority of red drum and black drum from schools of primarily mature fish were greater than nine to ten years old. Relative yearclass strengths were determined based on year-of-birth distributions back-calculated from age estimates. Dominant year classes for red drum were born 1971-1974, and the 1975-1977 year classes were relatively reduced in abundance. There was a significant negative correlation of
Learning of New Sound Categories Shapes Neural Response Patterns in Human Auditory Cortex

The formation of new sound categories is fundamental to everyday goal-directed behavior. Categorization requires the abstraction of discrete classes from continuous physical features as required by context and task. Electrophysiology in animals has shown that learning to categorize novel sounds alters their spatiotemporal neural representation at the level of early auditory cortex. However, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies so far did not yield insight into the effects of category learning on sound representations in human auditory cortex. This may be due to the use of overlearned speech-like categories and fMRI subtraction paradigms, leading to insufficient sensitivity to distinguish the responses to learning-induced, novel sound categories. Here, we used fMRI pattern analysis to investigate changes in human auditory cortical response patterns induced by category learning. We created complex novel sound categories and analyzed distributed activation patterns during passive listening to a sound continuum before and after category learning. We show that only after training, sound categories could be successfully decoded from early auditory areas and that learning-induced pattern changes were specific to the category-distinctive sound feature (i.e., pitch). Notably, the similarity between fMRI response patterns for the sound continuum mirrored the sigmoid shape of the behavioral category identification function. Our results indicate that perceptual representations of novel sound categories emerge from neural changes at early levels of the human auditory processing hierarchy.
POLYNOMIAL CODES AND FINITE GEOMETRIES

4 The group-algebra approach 25 4.1 Elementary results and Berman’s theorem . 26 4.2 Isometries of the group algebra . 28 4.3 Translation-invariant extended cyclic codes . 30 4.4 The generator polynomials of punctured Reed-Muller codes and their p-ary analogues . 33 4.5 Orthogonals and annihilators . 36 4.6 The codes of the designs from AGm(Fp) . 38 ∗The authors wish to thank Paul Camion, Pascale Charpin and Projet Codes at INRIA for the hospitality and support shown during the preparation of this manuscript. In particular, the first author spent much of 1992-1993 at Projet Codes where the bulk of his work on the chapter was completed.
DLS: dynamic backlight luminance scaling of liquid crystal display

Backlight systems dominate the power requirements of battery-operated hand-held devices with color thin-film transistor (TFT), liquid crystal displays (LCDs). We introduce dynamic luminance scaling of the backlight with appropriate image compensation. Dynamic backlight luminance scaling (DLS) keeps the perceived intensity or contrast of the image as close as possible to the original while achieving significant power reduction. DLS compromises quality of image between power consumption, which fulfills a large variety of user preferences in power-aware multimedia applications. DLS saves 20% to 80% of power consumption of the backlight systems while keeping a reasonable amount of image quality degradation.
Surfactant Protein D, a Marker of Lung Innate Immunity, Is Positively Associated With Insulin Sensitivity

OBJECTIVE Impaired lung function and innate immunity have both attracted growing interest as a potentially novel risk factor for glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. We aimed to evaluate whether surfactant protein D (SP-D), a lung-derived innate immune protein, was behind these associations. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Serum SP-D was evaluated in four different cohorts. The cross-sectional associations between SP-D and metabolic and inflammatory parameters were evaluated in two cohorts, the cross-sectional relationship with lung function in one cohort, and the longitudinal effects of weight loss on fasting and circadian rhythm of serum SP-D and cortisol concentrations in one prospective cohort. RESULTS In the cross-sectional studies, serum SP-D concentration was significantly decreased in subjects with obesity and type 2 diabetes (P = 0.005) and was negatively associated with fasting and postload serum glucose. SP-D was also associated with A1C, serum lipids, insulin sensitivity, inflammatory parameters, and plasma insulinase activity. Smoking subjects with normal glucose tolerance, but not smoking patients with type 2 diabetes, showed significantly higher serum SP-D concentration than nonsmokers. Serum SP-D concentration correlated positively with end-tidal carbon dioxide tension (r = 0.54, P = 0.034). In the longitudinal study, fasting serum SP-D concentration decreased significantly after weight loss (P = 0.02). Moreover, the main components of cortisol and SP-D rhythms became synchronous after weight loss. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that lung innate immunity, as inferred from circulating SP-D concentrations, is at the cross-roads of inflammation, obesity, and insulin resistance.
Averaging methods for stochastic dynamics of complex reaction networks: description of multi-scale couplings

This paper is concerned with classes of models of stochastic reaction dynamics with time-scales separation. We demonstrate that the existence of the time-scale separation naturally leads to the application of the averaging principle and elimination of degrees of freedom via the renormalization of transition rates of slow reactions. The method suggested in this work is more general than other approaches presented previously: it is not limited to a particular type of stochastic processes and can be applied to different types of processes describing fast dynamics, and also provides crossover to the case when separation of time scales is not well pronounced. We derive a family of exact fluctuation-dissipation relations which establish the connection between effective rates and the statistics of the reaction events in fast reaction channels. An illustration of the technique is provided. Examples show that renormalized transition rates exhibit in general non-exponential relaxation behavior with a broad range of possible scenarios.
[Factors predicting a prolonged hospital stay in elderly patients].

BACKGROUND Aim of our prospective study was to evaluate risk factors for prolonged hospitalization in elderly patients. METHODS The study sample included 1054 patients admitted to University Department of Geriatric Medicine in Turin, Italy. We analysed: demographic variables (age, sex, marital status, economic status and living condition), affective status (GDS), cognitive status (SPMSQ), functional status (ADL-IADL), medical dependence (DMI), medical diagnosis, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, some haematological parameters (haemoglobin, creatinine, albumin, sodium, potassium). RESULTS Average length of stays was 18+/-20.6 days; 178 patients died during hospitalization and their length of stay significantly longer (21.8+/-25.59) than survivors (17.4+/-19.3). We find that DMI dependence, impaired IADL and ADL score were associated with longer hospital stays. Medical diagnosis related to a prolonged hospitalization were: neoplasm, chronic bronchitis, hip fracture and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) with critical ischemia. Longer hospitalisation was associated also with high level of creatinine and low level of albumin and sodium. Indipendent predictors variables of prolonged hospital stay were: ADL impairment, pressure sores, hip fractures, PAD with critical ischemia, low sodium value. CONCLUSIONS Multidimensional assessment among hospitalized elderly allows to identify risk factors for prolonged hospital stay.
P2Y1 Purinoceptor-Mediated Ca2+ Signaling and Ca2+ Wave Propagation in Dorsal Spinal Cord Astrocytes

ATP is known to act as an extracellular messenger mediating the propagation of Ca2+ waves in astrocyte networks. ATP mediates Ca2+ waves by activating P2Y purinoceptors, which mobilize intracellular Ca2+ in astrocytes. A number of P2Y purinoceptor subtypes have been discovered, but it is not known which P2Y subtypes participate in transmitting astrocyte Ca2+ waves. Here, we show that ATP analogs that are selective agonists for the P2Y1 subtype of purinoceptor caused release of intracellular Ca2+ in astrocytes from the dorsal spinal cord. The Ca2+ responses were blocked by adenosine-3′-phospho-5′-phosphosulfate, an antagonist known to selectively inhibit P2Y1 but not other P2Y purinoceptor subtypes. Also, we show that P2Y1 mRNA is expressed in dorsal spinal cord astrocytes. Furthermore, expression of P2Y1 in an astrocytoma cell line lacking endogenous purinoceptors was sufficient to permit propagation of intercellular Ca2+ waves. Finally, Ca2+ wave propagation in dorsal spinal cord astrocytes was suppressed by pharmacologically blocking P2Y1 purinoceptors. Together, these results indicate that dorsal spinal astrocytes express functional P2Y1 purinoceptors, which participate in the transmission of Ca2+ waves. Ca2+waves in astrocytes have been implicated as a major signaling pathway coordinating glial and neuronal activity; therefore, P2Y1purinoceptors may represent an important link in cell–cell signaling in the CNS.
The xenon isotopic signature of the mantle beneath Massif Central

The origin of the Central European Volcanic Province, which includes the Massif Central and the Eifel regions, is currently debated. Several different causes have been proposed to account for the volcanism observed in the area. Namely, both the presence of one or more mantle plumes under Europe, and the upwelling and melting of upper mantle related to the formation of the Alps, have been suggested as possible drivers of volcanism. In order to distinguish between these possibili-ties, we have analysed noble gases in the Lignat Spring to constrain the nature of the mantle source below the Massif Central. The gas has a 3 He/ 4 He ratio of 5.51 Ra, whereas its neon isotopic signature is identical to that of MORB source. The gas has an 40 Ar/ 36 Ar ratio of 1113 ± 3, far in excess of the atmospheric ratio. The xenon isotopic pattern is explained by 95 % atmospheric contamination of a MORB-like gas. The noble gases clearly show that the mantle beneath Massif Central has a geochemical signature similar to MORB source mantle, with the exception of helium, which more closely corresponds to SCLM signatures, and thus removes the need for the presence of a mantle plume in the region.
Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Improving Health Related Physical Fitness Components of Dilla University Sedentary Female Community

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise on improving health related physical fitness components of Dilla University sedentary female community . Twenty females from Dilla university sedentary female community were selected as study subjects and their age range were22-28 years. All Selected subjects were participated in moderate intensity aerobic exercise for 12 consecutive weeks, i.e.3 days per week 60 minute duration per day. Pre, during and post training tests were conducted on the components of health related physical fitness variables The data collected from the study subject was analyzed using SPSS version 16 software. The data pertaining to health-related physical fitness components were analyzed by paired sample ‘t’ test to determine the difference between initial and final mean for participant . According to analyzed data in 12meter run 724.8 mean difference was recorded. The mean difference value boosted in push up performance by5.4 after 12 weeks aerobic exercise. In sit up and sit and reach test 4.7 and4.52 increments were observed respectively. But in body mass index 2.18 decrement and in body weight 5.8 reduction were observed throughout the study period. The result obtained in this study indicated that there were significant improvement in cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance, muscular strength and flexibility but in the case of body mass index and body weight there were reduction. Based on this finding, it can be concluded that Moderate aerobic exercise has positive effect on improvement of health related physical fitness components of sedentary female communities
A Proof of the Molecular Conjecture

We prove the Molecular Conjecture posed by Tay and Whiteley. This implies that a graph G can be realized as an infinitesimally rigid panel-hinge framework in ℝd by mapping each vertex to a rigid panel and each edge to a hinge if and only if $\bigl({d+1 \choose 2}-1\bigr)G$ contains ${d+1\choose2}$ edge-disjoint spanning trees, where $\bigl({d+1 \choose2}-1\bigr)G$ is the graph obtained from G by replacing each edge by $\bigl({d+1\choose2}-1\bigr)$ parallel edges.
Quantifying the impact of longline fisheries on adult survival in the black‐footed albatross

Summary 1 Industrial longline fishing has been suspected to impact upon black-footed albatross populations Phoebastria nigripes by increasing mortality, but no precise estimates of bycatch mortality are available to ascertain this statement. We present a general framework for quantifying the relationship between albatross population and longline fishing in absence of reliable estimates of bycatch rate. 2 We analysed capture–recapture data of a population of black-footed albatross to obtain estimates of survival probability for this population using several alternative models to adequately take into account heterogeneity in the recapture process. Instead of trying to estimate the number of birds killed by using various extrapolations and unchecked assumptions, we investigate the potential relationship between annual adult survival and several measures of fishing effort. Although we considered a large number of covariates, we used principal component analysis to generate a few uncorrelated synthetic variables from the set and thus we maintained both power and robustness. 3 The average survival for 1997–2002 was 92%, a low value compared to estimates available for other albatross species. We found that one of the synthetic variables used to summarize industrial longline fishing significantly explained more than 40% of the variation in adult survival over 11 years, suggesting an impact by longline fishing on albatross’ survival. 4 Our analysis provides some evidence of non-linear variation in survival with fishing effort. This could indicate that below a certain level of fishing effort, deaths due to incidental catch can be partially or totally compensated for by a decrease in natural mortality. Another possible explanation is the existence of a strong interspecific competition for accessing the baits, reducing the risk of being accidentally hooked. 5 Synthesis and applications. The suspicion of a significant impact of longline fishing on the black-footed albatross population was supported by the combination of a low estimate of adult survival for the study period, and a significant relationship between adult survival and a synthetic measure of fishing effort. This study highlights the sensitivity of the black-footed albatross to commercial longline fishing, and should exhort fishery management authorities to find adequate seabirds avoidance methods and to encourage their employment.
The Mosaic of Asean Identities: Issues, Challenges, and Prospects in the Formation of ASEAN Identity Among Ethnic Chinese In Insular Southeast Asia

Do “peranakan” in Malaysia relate well with peranakan in Indonesia, Singapore, and Brunei, or with “tsinoy" in the Philippines? Given the historical reality that they are relative newcomers in the nation-states, how do the peranakan view the concept of nationality? Do they see ASEAN more as a “home” rather than simply a country of residence? Does the presence of Chinese communities in most parts of SEA serve as a cultural thread toward ASEAN Identity? This study investigates the (non)formation of ASEAN Identity among ethnic Chinese in SEA based on various historical records from the colonial era up to the present. At one point, the locals in each country tended to cooperate with the ethnic Chinese, but after Independence when the latter began to obtain more economic gains, the institutionalization of concepts such as “asli” and “bumiputra” took place, resulting in antagonism, domination, and later, resistance. The centuries-old struggle with adaptation and non-acceptance contributes to the delay in welcoming the idea of an ASEAN Identity among ethnic Chinese.
FT011, a Novel Cardiorenal Protective Drug, Reduces Inflammation, Gliosis and Vascular Injury in Rats with Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy features inflammation as well as injury to glial cells and the microvasculature, which are influenced by hypertension and overactivity of the renin-angiotensin system. FT011 is an anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic agent that has been reported to attenuate organ damage in diabetic rats with cardiomyopathy and nephropathy. However, the potential therapeutic utility of FT011 for diabetic retinopathy has not been evaluated. We hypothesized that FT011 would attenuate retinopathy in diabetic Ren-2 rats, which exhibit hypertension due to an overactive extra-renal renin-angiotensin system. Diabetic rats were studied for 8 and 32 weeks and received intravitreal injections of FT011 (50 μM) or vehicle (0.9% NaCl). Comparisons were to age-matched controls. In the 8-week study, retinal inflammation was examined by quantitating vascular leukocyte adherence, microglial/macrophage density and the expression of inflammatory mediators. Macroglial Müller cells, which exhibit a pro-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic phenotype in diabetes, were evaluated in the 8-week study as well as in culture following exposure to hyperglycaemia and FT011 (10, 30, 100 μM) for 72 hours. In the 32-week study, severe retinal vasculopathy was examined by quantitating acellular capillaries and extracellular matrix proteins. In diabetic rats, FT011 reduced retinal leukostasis, microglial density and mRNA levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). In Müller cells, FT011 reduced diabetes-induced gliosis and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) immunolabeling and the hyperglycaemic-induced increase in ICAM-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, CCL20, cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1, VEGF and IL-6. Late intervention with FT011 reduced acellular capillaries and the elevated mRNA levels of collagen IV and fibronectin in diabetic rats. In conclusion, the protective effects of FT011 in cardiorenal disease extend to key elements of diabetic retinopathy and highlight its potential as a treatment approach.
Density-Dependent Mortality of the Human Host in Onchocerciasis: Relationships between Microfilarial Load and Excess Mortality

Background The parasite Onchocerca volvulus has, until recently, been regarded as the cause of a chronic yet non-fatal condition. Recent analyses, however, have indicated that in addition to blindness, the parasite can also be directly associated with human mortality. Such analyses also suggested that the relationship between microfilarial load and excess mortality might be non-linear. Determining the functional form of such relationship would contribute to quantify the population impact of mass microfilaricidal treatment. Methodology/Principal Findings Data from the Onchocerciasis Control Programme in West Africa (OCP) collected from 1974 through 2001 were used to determine functional relationships between microfilarial load and excess mortality of the human host. The goodness-of-fit of three candidate functional forms (a (log-) linear model and two saturating functions) were explored and a saturating (log-) sigmoid function was deemed to be statistically the best fit. The excess mortality associated with microfilarial load was also found to be greater in younger hosts. The attributable mortality risk due to onchocerciasis was estimated to be 5.9%. Conclusions/Significance Incorporation of this non-linear functional relationship between microfilarial load and excess mortality into mathematical models for the transmission and control of onchocerciasis will have important implications for our understanding of the population biology of O. volvulus, its impact on human populations, the global burden of disease due to onchocerciasis, and the projected benefits of control programmes in both human and economic terms.
Isoluminant color picking for non-photorealistic rendering

The physiology of human visual perception helps explain different uses for color and luminance in visual arts. When visual fields are isoluminant, they look the same to our luminance processing pathway, while potentially looking quite different to the color processing path. This creates a perceptual tension exploited by skilled artists. In this paper, we show how reproducing a target color using a set of isoluminant yet distinct colors can both improve existing NPR image filters and help create new ones. A straight-forward, geometric technique for isoluminant color picking is presented, and then applied in an improved pointillist filter, a new Chuck Close inspired filter, and a novel type of image mosaic filter.
Purification and characterization of a metacestode cysteine proteinase from Taenia solium involved in the breakdown of human IgG

Infection of the central nervous system by Taenia solium cysticerci is the cause of human neurocysticercosis, a major neurological infection in the Third World and an emerging infectious disease in the United States. We previously isolated a cysteine proteinase from cysticerci of Taenia crassiceps and demonstrated that it degrades human IgG in vitro. We have now isolated a 48 kDa thiol-dependent proteinase from T. solium. The T. solium enzyme also degrades human IgG, but does not significantly degrade albumin. IgG degradation was inhibited by cysteine proteinase inhibitors, but not significantly by inhibitors of aspartic, serine, or metalloproteinases. The peptide substrate specificity and pH optimum resemble cathepsin L. The Km for the peptide substrate Z-Phe-Arg-AFC was calculated to be 7·0×10−6 M, the Kcat was 1·98×105 s−1, and the Kcat/Km 2·84×109 M−1 s−1, a value which is within the diffusion control limit for highly catalytic enzymes. We propose that immunoglobulin degradation by the T. solium cysteine proteinase may play a key role in the host-parasite interface and could be employed as a target for chemotherapy.