Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What can Hall-MHD simulations tell us about the transition region in the solar wind proton density spectrum?

<p>Similarly to the power density spectrum of magnetic field fluctuations in the solar wind, the spectrum of density fluctuations also shows multiple spectral slopes. Both of them present a spectral index varying between &#8211;3/2 and &#8211;5/3 in the inertial range and close to &#8211;2.8 between the proton and electron gyrofrequencies. </p><p>Despite these similarities, the spectrum of density fluctuations has a significant difference with respect to the magnetic and velocity fluctuations spectra: it shows a transition region between the inertial and the kinetic ranges with spectral index typically around &#8211;1. </p><p>We have combined the results of compressible Hall-MHD numerical simulations and measurements of the BMSW instrument onboard Spektr-R satellite to study the possible causes of the flattening in the density spectrum. Both numerical and experimental approaches point towards an important role played by Kinetic Alfv&#233;n Waves. </p>
Demographic Structure and Level of Exploitation of the Small Pelagic Pellonula leonensis Boulenger, 1916 (Pisces; Clupeidae) Fishery in the Aghien lagoon, West Africa

Demographic structure and level of exploitation of Pellonula leonensis in the Aghien lagoon were examined by applying length-weight relationship (LWR), Condition factor, Von Bertalanffy model, Mortality parameters, Exploitation rate, Recruitment pattern and Beverton and Holt analysis. Fish population were sampled monthly during one year between June 2014 and May 2015 from artisanal and experimental captures in the Aghien Lagoon. Except LWR and the condition factor, studied parameters were provided by the FiSAT II package. The negative allometric growth (b = 2.61) was reported for Pellonula leonensis. Mean values of the condition factor (CF) vary significantly from one month to another (Anova, p ˂ 0.05). Concerning growth parameters, results indicated that the asymptotic length (L∞) has been estimated at 126.84 mm SL, growth coefficient (K) was 0.67 year -1 and growth performance index (Φ') was 2.03. Growth modelization revealed 4 cohorts for Pellonula leonensis. The estimates of the total (Z), natural (M) and fishing (F) mortalities were 1.87, 0.92 and 0.95 year -1 respectively. The recruitment pattern was continuous throughout the year with two Gauss curve. The exploitation rate obtained (E = 0.51) was close to E0.1 (E0.1 = 0.55), thus indicating that the P. leonensis stock is in an optimum state of exploitation.
Response of Palmer Amaranth and Sweetpotato to Flumioxazin/Pyroxasulfone

Abstract Studies were conducted to determine the tolerance of sweetpotato and Palmer amaranth control to a premix of flumioxazin and pyroxasulfone pretransplant (PREtr) followed by (fb) irrigation. Greenhouse studies were conducted in a factorial arrangement of four herbicide rates (flumioxazin/pyroxasulfone PREtr at 105/133 and 57/72 g ai ha–1, Smetolachlor PREtr 803 g ai ha–1, nontreated) by three irrigation timings [2, 5, and 14 d after transplanting (DAP)]. Field studies were conducted in a factorial arrangement of seven herbicide treatments (flumioxazin/pyroxasulfone PREtr at 40/51, 57/72, 63/80, and 105/133 g ha–1, 107g ha–1 flumioxazin PREtr fb 803 g ha–1 S-metolachlor 7 to 10 DAP, and season-long weedy and weed-free checks) by three 1.9-cm irrigation timings (0 to 2, 3 to 5, or 14 DAP). In greenhouse studies, flumioxazin/pyroxasulfone reduced sweetpotato vine length and shoot and storage root fresh biomass compared to the nontreated check and S-metolachlor. Irrigation timing had no influence on vine length and root fresh biomass. In field studies, Palmer amaranth control was≥91% season-long regardless of flumioxazin/pyroxasulfone rate or irrigation timing. At 38 DAP, sweetpotato injury was≤37 and≤9% at locations 1 and 2, respectively. Visual estimates of sweetpotato injury from flumioxazin/pyroxasulfone were greater when irrigation timing was delayed 3 to 5 or 14 DAP (22 and 20%, respectively) compared to 0 to 2 DAP (7%) at location 1 but similar at location 2. Irrigation timing did not influence no.1, jumbo, or marketable yields or root length-to-width ratio.With the exception of 105/133 g ha–1, all rates of flumioxazin/pyroxasulfone resulted in marketable sweetpotato yield and root length-to-width ratio similar to flumioxazin fb S-metolachlor or the weed-free checks. In conclusion, flumioxazin/pyroxasulfone PREtr at 40/51, 57/72, and 63/80 g ha–1 has potential for use in sweetpotato for Palmer amaranth control without causing significant crop injury and yield reduction. Nomenclature: Flumioxazin; pyroxasulfone; S-metolachlor; Palmer amaranth, Amaranthus palmeri (S.) Watson AMAPA; sweetpotato, Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam
Diagnostic Implication of Mean Platelet Volume in Thrombocytopenia

Introduction: The newer haematology analysers measure the platelet indices such as the mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet large cell ratio and platelet distribution width. It has been observed that MPV is increased in conditions associated with thrombocytopenia due to peripheral destruction. This study was carried out to know the utility of MPV and derive cut-off values in categorizing the conditions causing thrombocytopenia into hyperdestructive and hypoproliferative groups. Methods: The thrombocytopenia cases were categorized into two groups as hyperdestructive and hypoproliferative groups based on the bone marrow findings. The MPV on the day of admission was taken into consideration. The data were analysed using the mean, standard deviation and the t-test. ROC curve was plotted to derive the cut-off MPV value. Results: Of the total 89 thrombocytopenia cases, 53 were of hyperdestructive etiology and 36 were of hypoproliferative etiology. The mean MPV for group A was 9.56 with a standard deviation of 1.34 and that for group B was 8.45 with a standard deviation of 1.30. The p value was < 0.001. From the ROC curve, a cut off of 8.5 fl was taken. Conclusion: We conclude that a MPV value of >8.5fl is suggestive of a hyperdestructive etiology. Even though bone marrow remains a gold standard to distinguish between the hyperdestructive and hypoproductive thrombocytopenia groups, platelet indices like MPV can be used to aid in the diagnosis of etiology of thrombocytopenia.
RATIONAL PLANNING OF PUBLIC OPEN SPACE BY EXPLORING THE EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ON HUMAN RECREATION – A CASE STUDY IN SHANGHAI, CHINA

Along with the urbanization, the rapid increase in urban population has become one of the most important global environmental issues. The natural spaces were continually replaced by built-up areas. There is a growing recognition that public open space (POS) in urban areas could offer many desirable human well-being possibilities by interactions with nature. In the current study, we conducted a survey in POS to investigate residents’ recreation features and environmental factors affecting their recreation perceptions. The results show that diversified activity types including both active enjoyment and passive activity were required in urban POS by people in Shanghai, which was different for people from some other countries and cultures. Furthermore, the results have revealed how landscape and environmental factors of POS affect residents’ recreation perceptions. Crime situation, quiet atmosphere, and environmental sanitation have been the three most critical variables of POS concerned by people. For the natural environment in POS, even the diversified species of plants were concerned by most residents, the vegetation density received the relatively lowest preference rating. Overall, planning of a large open grassland with tree patches on the edges is desirable in POS, where visitors could not only get close to nature but also some recreational activities could be carried out. All the findings in this study could give insights into the design and management of urban POS that are favorable for natural places and the health of people in urban areas.
Measurement of similarity in C. elegans healthspan using dynamic time warping on movement features

C. elegans is an ideal organism for modeling aging research due to their simple neural connectome and relatively short life. Current issues faced within aging research includes the decoupling of lifespan and healthspan. We propose a method to eﬃciently measure the healthspan of a nematode by considering healthspan as a comparable characteristic of the lifespan of a worm, where the lifespan is represented as a temporal sequence. We apply Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) so that the healthspan of any set of worms can be compared based on locomotion feature values’ similarity over time. This technique allows us to compare the eﬀects of various gene knockouts on the healthspan of the worm, such as daf2, in comparison to its wildtype N2. Results show that daf2 worm increases the lifespan of the worm, and using DTW to compare each feature as it changes over time, we can see that the proportion of its life that it stays in a healthy state also increases compared to N2 worms. To validate the results, we measure the time period a worm is healthy and the time period it is frail using a method called frailty threshold analysis. This allows us to determine the day a worm converts from being healthy to frail. We then compare the longevity of healthy state and frail state between worm types based on the duration of healthy state and frail state to see that daf2 in fact extends its healthy state since the proportion it stays in healthy state is greater than that of N2.
Redemption in Kind and Mutual Fund Liquidity Management

Open-end mutual funds can use redemption in kind to satisfy investor redemptions by delivering securities instead of cash. We find that funds that reserve their rights to redeem in kind experience less redemption after poor performance. Evidence from actual in-kind transactions reveals several unique mechanisms for redemption in kind to mitigate fund runs, including the delivery of more illiquid stocks and stocks with greater tax overhang. Funds also suffer less from the adverse impact of outflows on their performance. On the other hand, redeeming investors bear significant liquidation costs when they are forced to sell securities on their own.
Correlation between water physical chemical parameters and survival rate of Pterophillum scalare aquarium fish.

Summary Nowadays, due to the housing restrictions generated by certain species, the aquarium became an alternative of transferring a part of nature to an urban habitat. This paper brings to the attention of those interested in exotic fish the issues caused by the water chemical features on Pterophillum scalare ornamental fish. In three tanks populated with scalares there have been used different concentrations of the following water quality parameters: hardness, dissolved oxygen, CO 2 , Mg, Ca, NH 3 , NO 2- , NO 3- , Fe, Cl, Cu. Water quality parameters have been assessed by using the Kit-Sera test and NOVA 60 spectrophotometer. For each water quality parameter taken into account, it has been established the fish' survival rate. Also, there has been followed fish' behavior related to the concentration of the assessed parameters. The study led to the conclusion that it should be paid a special attention in assessing aquarium water physical chemical parameters. Though distinctive, some quality parameters are interacting and are affecting each other. When one parameter changes, the others should be monitored in order to observe the dynamics. Certain quality parameters recording overvalues affect fish normal behavior.
An LMI approach to design interval observers for discrete-time linear switched systems

This paper presents simple design methods of interval observers for discrete-time linear switched systems in the presence of output noise and system perturbation. The interval observers are designed using the internal positivity of the system without need to a coordinate transformation. This approach is proposed for arbitrary switching signals and it can be generalized to dwell-time switching rules. The observation gain that guarantees both stability and positivity of the interval estimate errors is synthesized by solving a Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) feasibility problem. The theoretical result is supported by numerical simulations.
Cortical circuits for visual processing and epileptic activity propagation

The thesis focuses on the relationship between cortical connectivity and cortical function. The first part investigates how the fine scale connectivity between visual neurons determines their functional responses during physiological sensory processing. The second part ascertains how the mesoscopic scale connectivity between brain areas constrains the spread of abnormal activity during the propagation of focal cortical seizures. Part 1: Neurons in the primary visual cortex (V1) are tuned to retinotopic location, orientation and direction of motion. Such selectivity stems from the integration of inputs from hundreds of presynaptic neurons distributed across cortical layers. Yet, the functional principles that organize such presynaptic networks have only begun to be understood. To uncover them, I used monosynaptic rabies virus tracing to target a single pyramidal neuron in L2/3 (starter neuron) and trace its presynaptic partners. I combined this approach with two-photon microscopy in V1 to investigate the relationship between the activity of the starter cell, its presynaptic neurons and the surrounding excitatory population across cortical layers in awake animals. Part 2: Focal epilepsy involves excessive and synchronous cortical activity that propagates both locally and distally. Does this propagation follow the same functional circuits as normal cortical activity? I induced focal seizures in primary visual cortex (V1) of awake mice, and compared their propagation to the retinotopic organization of V1 and higher visual areas. I measured activity through simultaneous local field potential recordings and widefield calcium imaging, and observed prolonged seizures that were orders of magnitude larger than normal visual responses. I demonstrate that seizure start as standing waves (synchronous elevated activity in the focal V1 region and in corresponding retinotopic locations in higher areas) and then propagate both locally and into distal regions. These regions matched each other in retinotopy. I conclude that seizure propagation respects the connectivity underlying normal visual processing.
Employment-output elasticities determinants: is there difference between Francophone and Anglophone countries from AMEE ?

Employment to production intensity or elasticity is used as indicator for employment. The aim of this paper is to provide new estimates of this indicator by rolling regression and assess the effect of structural policies, macroeocnomic policies, and demographic factors on it. Using an unbalanced panel of 44 countries (20 Francophone and 24 Anglophone countries taken from AMEE (Africa and Middel East Erea) over the period 2000–2017, there is an important difference between Francophone and Anglophone countries. The results suggest that structural policies (Lmp and Pmp) aimed at increasing labor and product market flexibility have a significant and positive impact on employment elasticities for Francophone countries. While for Anglophone countries, macroeconomic policies aimed at promoting Foreign direct investment (FDI) and increasing government size have a significant and positive impact on employment elasticities. In addition for all countries, the results also suggest that in order to maximize the positive impact on the responsiveness of employment to economic activity, structural factors have to be complemented with macroeconomic policies aimed at increasing stability.
DIVIDEND POLICY DECISIONS AND SHARE PRICES RELATIONSHIP

Dividend policy is about a company’s decision related to the retention of profit and distribution of profit. In this study, the objective is to understand the effects of dividend policy on share prices for the selected companies in the Indonesian stock exchange. The findings of the study are that higher dividend yield stocks along with higher pre-tax risk adjusted returns give investor some compensation for the disadvantageous position of tax return. The findings are matching with the Brennan’s model (Brennan, 1970). The findings of the study also pointed out that increase in a company’s stock trading volume influence the share prices and investors who wanted current investment income owned shares in high dividend payout firms. Free cash flow is causing conflict between management and shareholders and this is another important finding of the study. Overall, results shows that a company’s dividend policy influence its share prices.
The seasonality of diarrheal pathogens: A retrospective study of seven sites over three years

Background Pediatric diarrhea can be caused by a wide variety of pathogens, from bacteria to viruses to protozoa. Pathogen prevalence is often described as seasonal, peaking annually and associated with specific weather conditions. Although many studies have described the seasonality of diarrheal disease, these studies have occurred predominantly in temperate regions. In tropical and resource-constrained settings, where nearly all diarrhea-associated mortality occurs, the seasonality of many diarrheal pathogens has not been well characterized. As a retrospective study, we analyze the seasonal prevalence of diarrheal pathogens among children with moderate-to-severe diarrhea (MSD) over three years from the seven sites of the Global Enteric Multicenter Study (GEMS), a case–control study. Using data from this expansive study on diarrheal disease, we characterize the seasonality of different pathogens, their association with site-specific weather patterns, and consistency across study sites. Methodology/Principal Findings Using traditional methodologies from signal processing, we found that certain pathogens peaked at the same time every year, but not at all sites. We also found associations between pathogen prevalence and weather or “seasons”, which are defined by applying modern machine-learning methodologies to site-specific weather data. In general, rotavirus was most prevalent during the drier “winter” months and out of phase with bacterial pathogens, which peaked during hotter and rainier times of year corresponding to “monsoon”, “rainy”, or “summer” seasons. Conclusions/Significance Identifying the seasonally-dependent prevalence for diarrheal pathogens helps characterize the local epidemiology and inform the clinical diagnosis of symptomatic children. Our multi-site, multi-continent study indicates a complex epidemiology of pathogens that does not reveal an easy generalization that is consistent across all sites. Instead, our study indicates the necessity of local data to characterizing the epidemiology of diarrheal disease. Recognition of the local associations between weather conditions and pathogen prevalence suggests transmission pathways and could inform control strategies in these settings.
Tailoring transparency to expertise: health professionals’ need for transparency in representing self-tracking data of clients

Health professionals can potentially take advantage of self-tracking data of their clients. To make effective use of those data, professionals need meaningful modeling beyond data summaries. Yet, transparency of such models is an important prerequisite for trust. Paradoxically, prior research indicates that high transparency levels potentially erode trust, and we hypothesize that this effect is moderated by users’ expertise levels. We conducted an online study with participants with various expertise levels in both health coaching and modeling methods. Domain experts showed higher congruency with the system when presented with high transparency over medium transparency, whereas novices showed higher levels of trust in medium transparency over high transparency. Modeling expertise did not influence trust across transparency levels. Our results emphasize the importance of tailoring the transparency level to the needs and beliefs of health professionals, to facilitate effective collaboration with health coaching support systems based on self-tracking data of their clients.
Antimicrobial activity of Mycobacteriophage D29 Lysin B during Mycobacterium ulcerans infection

Buruli Ulcer (BU) is a cutaneous disease caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. The pathogenesis of this disease is closely related to the secretion of the toxin mycolactone that induces extensive destruction of the skin and soft tissues. Currently, there are no effective measures to prevent the disease and, despite availability of antibiotherapy and surgical treatments, these therapeutic options are often associated with severe side effects. Therefore, it is important to develop alternative strategies for the treatment of BU. Endolysins (lysins) are phage encoded enzymes that degrade peptidoglycan of bacterial cell walls. Over the past years, lysins have been emerging as alternative antimicrobial agents against bacterial infections. However, mycobacteria have an unusual outer membrane composed of mycolylarabinogalactan-peptidoglycan. To overcome this complex barrier, some mycobacteriophages encode a lipolytic enzyme, Lysin B (LysB). In this study, we demonstrate for the first time that recombinant LysB displays lytic activity against M. ulcerans isolates. Moreover, using a mouse model of M. ulcerans footpad infection, we show that subcutaneous treatment with LysB prevented further bacterial proliferation, associated with IFN-γ and TNF production in the draining lymph node. These findings highlight the potential use of lysins as a novel therapeutic approach against this neglected tropical disease.