Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
“A 30% Chance of Rain Tomorrow”: How Does the Public Understand Probabilistic Weather Forecasts?

The weather forecast says that there is a “30% chance of rain,” and we think we understand what it means. This quantitative statement is assumed to be unambiguous and to convey more information than does a qualitative statement like “It might rain tomorrow. ” Because the forecast is expressed as a single‐event probability, however, it does not specify the class of events it refers to. Therefore, even numerical probabilities can be interpreted by members of the public in multiple, mutually contradictory ways. To find out whether the same statement about rain probability evokes various interpretations, we randomly surveyed pedestrians in five metropolises located in countries that have had different degrees of exposure to probabilistic forecasts––Amsterdam, Athens, Berlin, Milan, and New York. They were asked what a “30% chance of rain tomorrow” means both in a multiple‐choice and a free‐response format. Only in New York did a majority of them supply the standard meteorological interpretation, namely, that when the weather conditions are like today, in 3 out of 10 cases there will be (at least a trace of) rain the next day. In each of the European cities, this alternative was judged as the least appropriate. The preferred interpretation in Europe was that it will rain tomorrow “30% of the time,” followed by “in 30% of the area. ” To improve risk communication with the public, experts need to specify the reference class, that is, the class of events to which a single‐event probability refers.
OLD GLOBULAR CLUSTERS IN MAGELLANIC-TYPE DWARF IRREGULAR GALAXIES

We have performed a search for old globular clusters (GCs) using archival F606W and F814W Hubble Space Telescope/Advanced Camera for Surveys images of 19 Magellanic-type dwarf Irregular (dIrr) galaxies. Those dIrrs reside in nearby (2–8 Mpc) associations of dwarf galaxies only. All dIrrs have absolute magnitudes fainter than or equal to that of the SMC (MV = −16.2 mag). We detect in total 50 GC candidates in 13 dIrrs, of which 37 have (V − I) colors consistent with “blue” (old, metal-poor) GCs (bGCs). The luminosity function (LF) of the bGC candidates in our sample shows a turnover magnitude of MV = −7.41 ± 0.22 mag, consistent with other galaxy types. The width of the LF is σ = 1.79 ± 0.31, which is typical for dIrrs, but broader than the typical width in massive galaxies. The half-light radii and ellipticities of the GCs in our sample are similar to those of old GCs in the Magellanic Clouds and to those of “old halo” (OH) GCs in our Galaxy, but not as extended and spherical as the Galactic “young halo” (YH) GCs . The ϵ distribution shows a turnover rather than a power law as observed for the Galactic GCs. This might suggest that GCs in dIrrs are kinematically young and not yet fully relaxed. The present-day specific frequencies of GCs (SN) in the galaxies in our sample span a broad range: 0.3 < SN < 11. Assuming a dissipationless age fading of the galaxy light, the SN values would increase by a factor of ∼2.5–16, comparable with values for early-type dwarfs (dE/dSphs). A bright central GC candidate, similar to nuclear clusters of dEs, is observed in one of our dIrrs: NGC 1959. This nuclear GC has luminosity, color, and structural parameters similar to that of ω Cen and M 54, suggesting that the latter might have their origin in the central regions of similar Galactic building blocks as the dIrrs in this study. A comparison between properties of bGCs and Galactic YH GCs, suspected to have originated from similar dIrrs, is performed.
Combined Effect of AMPK/PPAR Agonists and Exercise Training in mdx Mice Functional Performance

The present investigation was undertaken to test whether exercise training (ET) associated with AMPK/PPAR agonists (EM) would improve skeletal muscle function in mdx mice. These drugs have the potential to improve oxidative metabolism. This is of particular interest because oxidative muscle fibers are less affected in the course of the disease than glycolitic counterparts. Therefore, a cohort of 34 male congenic C57Bl/10J mdx mice included in this study was randomly assigned into four groups: vehicle solution (V), EM [AICAR (AMPK agonist, 50 mg/Kg-1.day-1, ip) and GW 1516 (PPARδ agonist, 2.5 mg/Kg-1.day-1, gavage)], ET (voluntary running on activity wheel) and EM+ET. Functional performance (grip meter and rotarod), aerobic capacity (running test), muscle histopathology, serum creatine kinase (CK), levels of ubiquitined proteins, oxidative metabolism protein expression (AMPK, PPAR, myoglobin and SCD) and intracellular calcium handling (DHPR, SERCA and NCX) protein expression were analyzed. Treatments started when the animals were two months old and were maintained for one month. A significant functional improvement (p<0.05) was observed in animals submitted to the combination of ET and EM. CK levels were decreased and the expression of proteins related to oxidative metabolism was increased in this group. There were no differences among the groups in the intracellular calcium handling protein expression. To our knowledge, this is the first study that tested the association of ET with EM in an experimental model of muscular dystrophy. Our results suggest that the association of ET and EM should be further tested as a potential therapeutic approach in muscular dystrophies.
Ratios of star cluster core and half-mass radii: a cautionary note on intermediate-mass black holes in star clusters

There is currently much interest in the possible presence of intermediate-mass black holes (IMBHs) in the cores of globular clusters (GCs). Based on theoretical arguments and simulation results it has previously been suggested that a large core radius - or particularly a large ratio of the core radius to half-mass radius - is a promising indicator for finding such a black hole (BH) in a star cluster. In this study N-body models of 100 000 stars with and without primordial binaries are used to investigate the long-term structural evolution of star clusters. Importantly, the simulation data are analysed using the same processes by which structural parameters are extracted from observed star clusters. This gives a ratio of the core and half-mass (or half-light) radii that are directly comparable to the Galactic GC sample. As a result, it is shown that the ratios observed for the bulk of this sample can be explained without the need for an IMBH. Furthermore, it is possible that clusters with large core to half-light radius ratios harbour a BH binary (comprising stellar mass BHs) rather than a single massive BH. This work does not rule out the existence of IMBHs in the cores of at least some star clusters.
Adaptive divisible load scheduling strategies for workstation clusters with unknown network resources

Conventional divisible load scheduling algorithms attempt to achieve optimal partitioning of massive loads to be distributed among processors in a distributed computing system in the presence of communication delays in the network. However, these algorithms depend strongly upon the assumption of prior knowledge of network parameters and cannot handle variations or lack of information about these parameters. In this paper, we present an adaptive strategy that estimates network parameter values using a probing technique and use them to obtain optimal load partitioning. Three algorithms, based on the same strategy, are presented in the paper, incorporating the ability to cope with unknown network parameters. Several illustrative numerical examples are given. Finally, we implement the adaptive algorithms on an actual network of processor nodes using MPI implementation and demonstrate the feasibility of the adaptive approach.
Anti-nociceptive Effect of 7-methoxy Coumarin from Eupatorium Triplinerve vahl (Asteraceae)

Aim: To evaluate the anti-nociceptive activity of 7-methoxy coumarin isolated from ethyl acetate fraction of the alcoholic extract of Eupatorium triplinerve Vahl. Materials and Methods: The shade dried leaves of E. triplinerve were extracted with ethyl alcohol and the extract was condensed. This extract was fractionated with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol. The ethyl acetate fraction was subjected to column chromatography which yielded a crystalline compound-A, which was investigated for spectral characteristics. Pharmacological studies: The isolated compound-A was subjected to behavioral studies and anti-nociceptive evaluation in mice by acetic acid induced writhing and formalin induced nociception. Results: The spectral studies indicated that the structure of compound-A complies with 7- methoxy coumarin. Pre-treatment with 7-methoxy coumarin reduced the number of abdominal constrictions in mice and decreased the time spent in paw licking and biting response in formalin assay. There were no significant behavioral changes. Conclusion: A dose dependent anti-nociceptive action of 7- methoxy coumarin was revealed by the present experiments which support the traditional use of E. triplinerve in pain and inflammatory disorders. Abbreviation used: TLC-Thin layer chromatography, Kg-kilogram, g-gram, TXB2-Thromboxane B2, UV-Ultraviolet, IgE-Immunoglobulin E, s.c-subcutaneous, p.o-oral route
Universal conditions for exact path integration in neural systems

Animals are capable of navigation even in the absence of prominent landmark cues. This behavioral demonstration of path integration is supported by the discovery of place cells and other neurons that show path-invariant response properties even in the dark. That is, under suitable conditions, the activity of these neurons depends primarily on the spatial location of the animal regardless of which trajectory it followed to reach that position. Although many models of path integration have been proposed, no known single theoretical framework can formally accommodate their diverse computational mechanisms. Here we derive a set of necessary and sufficient conditions for a general class of systems that performs exact path integration. These conditions include multiplicative modulation by velocity inputs and a path-invariance condition that limits the structure of connections in the underlying neural network. In particular, for a linear system to satisfy the path-invariance condition, the effective synaptic weight matrices under different velocities must commute. Our theory subsumes several existing exact path integration models as special cases. We use entorhinal grid cells as an example to demonstrate that our framework can provide useful guidance for finding unexpected solutions to the path integration problem. This framework may help constrain future experimental and modeling studies pertaining to a broad class of neural integration systems.
Curvature evolution of nonconvex lens-shaped domains

Abstract We study the curvature flow of planar nonconvex lens-shaped domains, considered as special symmetric networks with two triple junctions. We show that the evolving domain becomes convex in finite time; then it shrinks homothetically to a point, as proved in [Schnürer, Azouani, Georgi, Hell, Jangle, Köller, Marxen, Ritthaler, Sáez, Schulze and Smith, Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. ]. Our theorem is the analog of the result of Grayson [J. Diff. Geom. 26: 285–314, 1987] for curvature flow of closed planar embedded curves.
Distributed information-theoretic biclustering of two memoryless sources

A novel multi-terminal source coding problem motivated by biclustering applications is investigated. In this setting, two separate encoders observe two dependent memoryless processes X<sup>n</sup> and Z<sup>n</sup>, respectively. The encoders' goal is to find rate-limited functions f(X<sup>n</sup>) and g(Z<sup>n</sup>) that maximize asymptotically the mutual information I(f(X<sup>n</sup>); g(Z<sup>n</sup>)) ≥ nμ. We derive non-trivial inner and outer bounds on the optimal characterization of the achievable rates for this problem. Applications also arise in the context of distributed hypothesis testing against independence under communication constraints.
College Education and Sense of Control

Although researchers routinely find a positive association between education and sense of control, it is unclear whether this association represents a causal connection or rather reflects correlations with unobserved factors related to family background and genetics. Using data on monozygotic twin pairs (n = 231) from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, the authors employ a twin-pair fixed-effects design that accounts for all unobserved shared factors between twin pairs. The results show that possessing a college degree was associated with a 0.79 standard deviation increase in sense of control relative to those with a high school degree or less. By providing the most conservative test of this causal pathway to date, the authors provide empirical support to theoretical arguments positing that educational effects on health are realized in part through increasing individual sense of control.
Utilisation de l'échelle de cotation du dessin d'une maison chez des sujets âgés atteints de la maladie d'Alzheimer

L'objectif de cette etude est de proposer une echelle objective de cotation du dessin d'une maison et evaluer sa valeur discriminante en l'appliquant aux deux populations : 55 patients Alzheimer et 30 temoins âges. Tous les sujets ont ete soumis a la passation du Mini-Mental State de Folstein. Une echelle de cotation en 50 points, qui tient compte de la presence des elements de la maison et de leur organisation, est obtenue. Des erreurs statistiquement significatives par rapport aux temoins ont ete trouvees dans les dessins des sujets dements : ils commettent une ou plusieurs omissions d'elements principaux de la maison (comme la porte, fenetre, le toit), deformations des elements presents, absence de verticalite ou des incongruites. Le dessin d'une maison suit l'evolution de la demence et permet de detecter les troubles cognitifs precoces chez des sujets qui presentent un score au MMS encore dans la norme.
Relationship of Parental Acceptance and Rejection with Psychological Wellness in Young Adults

Background:This study was aimed at examining relationship of parental acceptance and rejection with selfconcept, life satisfaction, self-esteem and self-efficacy in young adults. Methods: In this cross sectional study, 152 individuals, with equal representation of male and female, were included. The mean age of the participants was 25 years with minimum 12 years of education with equal representation of students and professionals. A set of standard instruments comprising of Parental Acceptance Rejection Questionnaire (PARQ), Six Factor Self-Concept Scale, General Self-efficacy scale (GSES) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) were administered. Results: Findings of study showed high rates of parental acceptance from both fathers (60%) and (65%) from mothers. Rejection from mother was more strongly associated with poor self-concept (r=-.321; p=.000), low self-efficacy(r=-.267; p=.001) and less satisfaction with life (r=-.197; p=.01). Linear regression analysis supports that parental acceptance and rejection can predict self-concept, self-esteem, general self-efficacy and satisfaction with life among individuals. Conclusion: Parental acceptance or rejection has significant role in relation to psychological wellness and functioning in young adults.
Trust and negotiation

Trust is an inherent part of the negotiation context. Parties engage in a negotiation because they have each decided that they are dependent on the other to provide something—particularly the exchange of accurate information and the willingness to implement their agreement—that will improve their current situation and enable them to negotiate successfully. It is because of this very interdependence that trust—which is about risk in and of itself—or distrust will develop between negotiating parties. Therefore, trust, distrust, interdependence, and information sharing are integral to the negotiation process itself and to its ultimate success or failure. The ubiquitous nature of trust in the negotiation context makes this chapter a necessity in a negotiation handbook such as this. We have taken a unique approach to the design of this chapter by summarizing research around ten commonly asked questions about trust in the context of negotiation. We believe this is a simple, direct way of presenting a comprehensive overview of how and why trust is important to include in any discussion about negotiation. Some answers allow for a straightforward ‘yes’ or ‘no’ response followed by support of that answer, and others involve a more complex discussion and analysis in order to reach a conclusion. In the pages of this chapter, you will find answers to the basic and advanced questions in the following list:
Children's Moral Reasoning and Their Assertive, Aggressive, and Submissive Tendencies in Sport and Daily Life

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between children's moral reasoning and their assertive, aggressive, and submissive action tendencies in sport and daily life contexts. The 106 fourth- through seventh-grade children were asked to reason about hypothetical sport and daily life moral dilemmas and to respond to two behaviorally validated, self-report instruments designed to assess action tendencies in sport and daily life conflict situations. Multiple regression analyses indicated that moral reasoning scores were predictive of action tendencies, with reasoning positively related to assertion and negatively related to aggression. Results were interpreted in light of a congruence between Haan's (1978) descriptions of moral levels and the moral implications of the action tendencies under consideration. Gender and school-level differences in action tendencies were also noted; no gender or school-level differences in moral reasoning were found.
A 1D Macroscopic Phase Field Model for Dislocations and a Second Order Γ-Limit

We study the asymptotic behavior in terms of $\Gamma$-convergence of the one dimensional energy $F_{\varepsilon}(u) = \mu_{\varepsilon} \int_I \int_I \frac{|u(x)-u(y)|^2}{|x-y|^2}\,dx\,dy + \eta_{\varepsilon} \int_I W(\frac{u(x)}{\varepsilon})dx,$ where I is a given interval, and W is a one-periodic potential that vanishes exactly on ${\bf Z}$. Different regimes for the asymptotic behavior of the parameters $\mu_{\varepsilon}$ and $\eta_{\varepsilon}$ are considered. In a very diluted regime we get a limit defined on $BV(I)$ and proportional to the total variation of u. In this particular case we also consider the limit of a suitable boundary value problem for which we characterize the second order $\Gamma$-limit. The study under consideration is motivated by the analysis of a variational model for a very important class of defects in crystals, the dislocations, and the derivation of macroscopic models for plasticity.
An Ensemble Adjustment Kalman Filter for Data Assimilation

Abstract A theory for estimating the probability distribution of the state of a model given a set of observations exists. This nonlinear filtering theory unifies the data assimilation and ensemble generation problem that have been key foci of prediction and predictability research for numerical weather and ocean prediction applications. A new algorithm, referred to as an ensemble adjustment Kalman filter, and the more traditional implementation of the ensemble Kalman filter in which “perturbed observations” are used, are derived as Monte Carlo approximations to the nonlinear filter. Both ensemble Kalman filter methods produce assimilations with small ensemble mean errors while providing reasonable measures of uncertainty in the assimilated variables. The ensemble methods can assimilate observations with a nonlinear relation to model state variables and can also use observations to estimate the value of imprecisely known model parameters. These ensemble filter methods are shown to have significant advantag.
Changes in Blood B Cell-Activating Factor (BAFF) Levels in Multiple Sclerosis: A Sign of Treatment Outcome

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is mediated primarily by autoreactive T cells. However, evidence suggesting the involvement of humoral immunity in brain diseases has increased interest in the role of B cells and their products during MS pathogenesis. The major survival factor for B cells, BAFF has been shown to play a role in several autoimmune conditions. Elevated BAFF levels have been reported in MS animal model and during MS relapse in patients. Moreover, disease-modifying treatments (DMT) reportedly influence blood BAFF levels in MS patients, but the significance of these changes remains unclear. The present study addresses how blood BAFF levels are associated with the clinical course of relapsing-remitting MS and the effectiveness of DMT and short-term steroid treatment. During a prospective longitudinal follow-up of 2.3 years, BAFF was measured in the blood of 170 MS patients in the stable phase and within 186 relapses. BAFF levels were significantly higher in MS patients compared to healthy controls. However, stable MS patients without relapses exhibited significantly higher BAFF levels than relapsing patients. Treatment with interferon-β and immunosuppressants raised BAFF blood levels. Interestingly, a similar effect was not seen in patients treated with glatiramer acetate. Short-term treatment with high doses of intravenous methylprednisolone did not significantly alter plasma BAFF levels in 65% of relapsing-remitting MS patients. BAFF were correlated weakly but significantly with monocyte and basophil counts, but not with other blood cell types (neutrophils, lymphocytes, or eosinophils) or inflammatory biomarkers. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating that higher blood BAFF levels may reflect a more stable and effective MS treatment outcome. These results challenge hypotheses suggesting that elevated blood BAFF levels are associated with more severe disease presentation and could explain the recent failure of pharmaceutical trials targeting BAFF with soluble receptor for MS treatment.