Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Numerical methods for hyperbolic equations of Saint-Venant type. (Méthodes numériques pour des équations hyperboliques de type Saint-Venant)

The purpose of the dissertation is to contribute to the numerical study of hyperbolic conservation laws with source terms, motivated by the application to the Saint-Venant equations for shallow waters. The first part deals with usual questions in the analysis of numerical approximations for scalar conservation laws. We focus on semi-discrete finite volume schemes, in the general case of a nonuniform spatial mesh. To define appropriate discretizations of the source term, we introduce the formalism peculiar to the "Upwind Interface Source" method and we establish conditions on the numerical functions so that the discrete solver preserves the stationary solutions. Then we formulate a rigorous definition of consistency, adapted to "well-balanced schemes", for which we are able to prove a Lax-Wendroff type convergence theorem. The method first considered is essentially first order. To improve accuracy, we develop high resolution approaches for the "Upwind Interface Source" method and we show that these are efficient ways to derive higher order schemes with suitable properties. We prove an error estimate in $L^p$, $1\le p < +\infty$, which is an optimal result in the case of a uniform mesh. We thus conclude that the same convergence rates $O(h)$ and $O(h^2)$ hold as for the corresponding homogeneous systems. The second part presents a numerical scheme to compute Saint-Venant equations, with a geometrical source term, which satisfies the following theoretical properties: it preserves the steady states of still water, it satisfies a discrete entropy inequality, it preserves the non-negativity of the height of water and remains stable with a discontinuous bottom. This is achieved by means of a kinetic approach to the system ; in this context, we use a natural description of the microscopic behaviour of the system to define numerical fluxes at the interfaces of an unstructured mesh. We also use the concept of cell-centered conservative quantities (typical of the finite volume method) and upwind interfacial sources. Finally, we present some numerical simulations of the Saint-Venant system modified by including small friction and viscosity, in order to recover the results of experimental studies. An application to the numerical modelling of friction terms for debris avalanches is proposed in the Appendix.
A Residue at the Cytoplasmic Entrance of BK-Type Channels Regulating Single-Channel Opening by Its Hydrophobicity

Single large-conductance calcium-activated K+ (BK) channels encoded by the mSlo gene usually have synchronous gating, but a Drosophila dSlo (A2/C2/E2/G5/10) splice variant (dSlo1A) exhibits very flickery openings. To probe this difference in gating, we constructed a mutant I323T. This channel exhibits four subconductance levels similar to those of dSlo1A. Rectification of the single-channel current-voltage relation of I323T decreased as [Ca2+ ]in increased from 10 to 300 μM. Mutagenesis suggests that the hydrophobicity of the residue at the position is important for the wild-type gating; i.e., increasing hydrophobicity prolongs open duration. Molecular dynamics simulation suggests that four hydrophobic pore-lining residues at position 323 of mSlo act cooperatively in a “shutter-like” mechanism gating the permeation of K+ ions. Rate-equilibrium free energy relations analysis shows that the four I323 residues in an mSlo channel have a conformation 65% similar to the closed conformation during gating. Based on these observations, we suggest that the appearance of rectification and substates of BK-type channels arise from a reduction of the cooperativity among these four residues and a lower probability of being open.
Selective Inhibition of Clade A Phosphatases Type 2C by PYR/PYL/RCAR Abscisic Acid Receptors1[C][W]

Clade A protein phosphatases type 2C (PP2Cs) are negative regulators of abscisic acid (ABA) signaling that are inhibited in an ABA-dependent manner by PYRABACTIN RESISTANCE1 (PYR1)/PYR1-LIKE (PYL)/REGULATORY COMPONENTS OF ABA RECEPTORS (RCAR) intracellular receptors. We provide genetic evidence that a previously uncharacterized member of this PP2C family in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), At5g59220, is a negative regulator of osmotic stress and ABA signaling and that this function was only apparent when double loss-of-function mutants with pp2ca-1/ahg3 were generated. At5g59220-green fluorescent protein and its close relative PP2CA-green fluorescent protein showed a predominant nuclear localization; however, hemagglutinin-tagged versions were also localized to cytosol and microsomal pellets. At5g59220 was selectively inhibited by some PYR/PYL ABA receptors, and close relatives of this PP2C, such as PP2CA/ABA-HYPERSENSITIVE GERMINATION3 (AHG3) and AHG1, showed a contrasting sensitivity to PYR/PYL inhibition. Interestingly, AHG1 was resistant to inhibition by the PYR/PYL receptors tested, which suggests that this seed-specific phosphatase is still able to regulate ABA signaling in the presence of ABA and PYR/PYL receptors and therefore to control the highly active ABA signaling pathway that operates during seed development. Moreover, the differential sensitivity of the phosphatases At5g59220 and PP2CA to inhibition by ABA receptors reveals a functional specialization of PYR/PYL ABA receptors to preferentially inhibit certain PP2Cs.
Energy Balancing Hopping Sensor Network Model to Maximize Coverage

In wireless sensor networks, communication signal strength weakens as the distance between sensors increases, which increases the tendency for transmitted packets to be lost. This paper provides a novel method of incorporating the hopping capability of a sensor to increase its communication range, which results in increased connectivity and sensed coverage area. Furthermore, jump heights can be manipulated to enhance packet transmissions. Since energy is at premium within sensor nodes, we present a Hopping Sensor Network Model (HSNM) and an energy conserving Hopping Sensor Routing Protocol (HSRP), which aims to optimize communication paths while balancing energy depletion in the network. Results from practical in-field experiments and simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach when employed over a wireless hopping sensor network by showing increased network connectivity and the total area covered. HSRP simulations demonstrated 20% energy saving while increasing the packet delivery. The HSRP results in far less number of dead nodes, especially the high traffic nodes that are closer to the base station.
Role of heme oxygenase-1 in endotoxemic acute renal failure.

The pathogenesis of septic acute renal failure (ARF) involves systemic vasodilation with compensatory upregulation of vasoconstrictors. This can lead to renal vasoconstriction and ARF. Heme oxygenase (HO) is the rate-limiting step in heme metabolism and produces carbon monoxide (CO) and biliverdin. HO-1 is an inducible form of the enzyme and is expressed in response to cell injury. It was hypothesized in endotoxemia, induction of HO-1 would lead to increased production of the vasodilator CO, lower blood pressure, and decrease renal function. The role of HO-1 was therefore examined in a mouse model of endotoxemia. One group of mice received LPS alone and were compared with mice that received LPS in addition to an inhibitor of HO-1, zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP). Treatment of mice with LPS resulted in significant increases in the protein expression of HO-1 compared with controls treated with vehicle. Immunohistochemical analysis localized this upregulation to both the proximal and distal tubules as well as the vasculature. Hemodynamic studies were performed during endotoxemia and the mean arterial pressure (MAP) was found to be significantly higher in the HO-1 inhibitor-treated compared with vehicle-treated mice (78 +/- 3 vs. 64 +/- 2 mmHg, P < 0.01). It was found that the inhibitor group had higher renal blood flows (RBF) also during endotoxemia (1.8 +/- 0.2 vs. 0.68 +/- 0.1 ml/min, P < 0.01). Furthermore, when renal vascular resistance (RVR) was calculated, there was a significant decrease in RVR in the inhibitor group (43.5 +/- 3.4 vs. 95.9 +/- 11.3 mmHg.ml(-1). min(-1), P < 0.01). In concert with the hemodynamic data, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), as measured by inulin clearance, was higher in the HO inhibitor compared with the vehicle controls during endotoxemia (111.5 +/- 19.5 vs. 66.0 +/- 3.5 microl/min, P < 0.05). In summary, during endotoxemia ARF, inhibiting HO-1 with ZnPP resulted in the protection of renal function. The renal protection was associated with significantly improved systemic hemodynamics, less renal vasoconstriction, and a higher GFR.
Visual Attention Model Based Regions of Interest Detection in Compressed Domain

As the reality that human beings usually pay more attention to areas of interest, visual attention model is a feasible method to find Regions of interest (ROIs) and measure the interest of a region. However, it is required to decompress image data completely. A vi- sual attention model based ROIs detection in compressed domain is proposed in this paper, which can compute vi- sual attention model with partially decompression. This method includes: (1) Visual saliency map computation; (2) Focus of attention (FOA) selection and shift; (3) ROIs detection. The experimental results show the proposed method performs well on the speed/accuracy of ROIs de- tection and interest measurement.
Honey as an apitherapic product: its inhibitory effect on urease and xanthine oxidase

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate new natural inhibitor sources for the enzymes urease and xanthine oxidase (XO). Chestnut, oak and polyfloral honey extracts were used to determine inhibition effects of both enzymes. In addition to investigate inhibition, the antioxidant capacities of these honeys were determined using total phenolic content (TPC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and DPPH radical scavenging activity assays. Due to their high phenolic content, chestnut and oak honeys are found to be a powerful source for inhibition of both enzymes. Especially, oak honeys were efficient for urease inhibition with 0.012–0.021 g/mL IC50 values, and also chestnut honeys were powerful for XO inhibition with 0.028–0.039 g/mL IC50 values. Regular daily consumption of these honeys can prevent gastric ulcers deriving from Helicobacter pylori and pathological disorders mediated by reactive oxygen species.
A distant evolutionary relationship between bacterial sphingomyelinase and mammalian DNase I

The three‐dimensional structure of bacterial sphingomyelinase (SMase) was predicted using a protein fold recognition method; the search of a library of known structures showed that the SMase sequence is highly compatible with the mammalian DNase I structure, which suggested that SMase adopts a structure similar to that of DNase I. The amino acid sequence alignment based on the prediction revealed that, despite the lack of overall sequence similarity (less than 10% identity), those residues of DNase I that are involved in the hydrolysis of the phosphodiester bond, including two histidine residues (His 134 and His 252) of the active center, are conserved in SMase. In addition, a conserved pentapeptide sequence motif was found, which includes two catalytically critical residues, Asp 251 and His 252. A sequence database search showed that the motif is highly specific to mammalian DNase I and bacterial SMase. The functional roles of SMase residues identified by the sequence comparison were consistent with the results from mutant studies. Two Bacillus cereus SMase mutants (H134A and H252A) were constructed by site‐directed mutagenesis. They completely abolished their catalytic activity. A model for the SMase‐sphingomyelin complex structure was built to investigate how the SMase specifically recognizes its substrate. The model suggested that a set of residues conserved among bacterial SMases, including Trp 28 and Phe 55, might be important in the substrate recognition. The predicted structural similarity and the conservation of the functionally important residues strongly suggest a distant evolutionary relationship between bacterial SMase and mammalian DNase I. These two phosphodiesterases must have acquired the specificity for different substrates in the course of evolution.
Circuit Topology and Operation of a Step-Up Multilevel Inverter With a Single DC Source

This study is an attempt to present a multilevel inverter based on a modular structure with a single dc source. This inverter is a switched-capacitor topology, which controls the charging as well as the discharging of the capacitors in the predetermined time intervals. The most important attribute of this multistage structure is the multiple charging capacities of the capacitors at each stage compared with those of the previous stages, which can ultimately increase the output voltage of the low input dc voltage source. Different combinations of these capacitors will be discharged across the load to generate a high-level staircase ac voltage waveform. The high number of switching states provides different paths for capacitors to achieve a self-balancing capability. The low switching frequency and the elimination of transformer are among the advantages of the proposed topology. Compared with other topologies, the number of semiconductor devices and capacitors is also reduced largely. The simulation results and the laboratory test setup of a 49-level inverter using DSP TMS320F28335 are presented to verify the analysis.
Discovery and Pharmacological Characterization of a Small-Molecule Antagonist at Neuromedin U Receptor NMUR2

Neuromedin U (NMU), through its cognate receptor NMUR2 in the central nervous system, regulates several important physiological functions, including energy balance, stress response, and nociception. By random screening of our corporate compound collection with a ligand binding assay, we discovered (R)-5′-(phenylaminocarbonylamino)spiro[1-azabicyclo[2.2. 2]octane-3,2′(3′H)-furo[2,3-b]pyridine] (R-PSOP), a highly potent and selective NMUR2 antagonist. R-PSOP is a nonpeptidic small-molecule with the chemical composition C20N4O2H22. In competition binding experiments, this compound was found to bind to NMUR2 with high affinity; the Ki values were determined to be 52 and 32 nM for the human and rat NMUR2, respectively. Moreover, in functional assays measuring phosphoinositide turnover or intracellular calcium mobilization, R-PSOP strongly inhibited the responses stimulated by peptide agonists NMU-25, NMU-23, and NMU-8 in human embryonic kidney 293 cells expressing NMUR2. From Schild analyses, the functional Kb values for R-PSOP were determined to be 92 and 155 nM at human and rat NMUR2, respectively. Highly selective for NMUR2, R-PSOP exhibited low affinity to the other subtype of NMU receptor, NMUR1, with a Ki value >10 μM. R-PSOP in vivo attenuated NMU-23-evoked nociceptive responses in a rat spinal reflex preparation. To our knowledge, this is the first antagonist ever reported for NMU receptors. This compound could serve as a valuable tool for further understanding the physiological and pathophysiological roles of NMU system, while providing a chemical starting point that may lead to development of new therapeutics for treatment of eating disorders, obesity, pain, and stress-related disorders.
Relational Development in Computer-Supported Groups

This study examines how group attitudes and outcomes evolve over time with repeated use of a group support system. Social Information Processing (SIP) theory, which suggests that relational intimacy may take longer to develop in computer-supported groups, was used as the basis for testing a temporally bounded model of group behavior. The basic argument underlying this model is that computer-supported groups, given adequate time, will exchange enough social information to develop strong relational links. Thus, while computer support was expected to limit group interactions initially, the model predicted that, over a period of time, such constraints would dissipate. The results show evidence of such shifts among computer-supported groups. Attitudes of GSS users changed over time from highly negative to somewhat positive; outcomes improved more slowly. The turnaround in attitudes of usersutoward each other and the interaction process--support the SIP perspective that repeated use of computer support despite some inherent initial restrictions--can help groups affiliate.
Parallel batch pattern training algorithm for deep neural network

The development of parallel batch pattern training algorithm for deep multilayered neural network architecture and its parallelization efficiency research on many-core system are presented in this paper. The model of a deep neural network and batch pattern training algorithm are theoretically described. The algorithmic description of the parallel batch pattern training method is presented. Our results show high parallelization efficiency of the developed algorithm on many-core parallel system with 48 CPUs with the use of message passing parallelization technology.
Nitrogen fixation and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) support nitrogen dynamics in Texas estuaries

We conducted continuous‐flow experiments on intact sediment cores from Laguna Madre, Sabine Lake, East Matagorda Bay, and Nueces Estuary to evaluate internal nitrogen (N) sources, sinks, and retention mechanisms in Texas estuaries having different salinities. Mean ammonium (NH4+) flux ranged from slight uptake (negative values) to NH4+ production rates of about 300 µmol m−2 h−1 (units used for all N rates) and increased with salinity (p = 0.10). Net nitrate (NO3−) flux (–20 to 32) and net N2 flux (–70 to 100) did not relate to salinity. Mean net N2 flux was positive but near zero, indicating that N2 sources and sinks are nearly balanced. Total denitrification, N fixation, and potential dissimilatory NO3− reduction to NH4+ (DNRA) rates were estimated after inflow water was enriched with 15NO3− (100 µmol L−1). Total denitrification rates ranged from 0 to 90 versus N fixation rates ranging from 0 to 97. Potential DNRA, measured conservatively as 15H accumulation, ranged from 0 to 80 and related significantly to salinity (p < 0.01). Increases in total NH4+ release after 15NO3− additions were higher but closely related (r = 0.9998) to 15NH4+ accumulation, implying exchange reactions of DNRA‐regenerated 15N4+ with sediment‐bound 14NH4+. The fate of NO2 was related to salinity, perhaps via sulfide effects on DNRA. Potential DNRA was high in southeastern Corpus Christi Bay in August during hypoxia when the sulfide transition zone was near the sediment surface. Nitrogen fixation and DNRA are important mechanisms that add and retain available N in Texas estuaries.
On-chip sensor-driven efficient thermal profile estimation algorithms

This article addresses the problem of chip-level thermal profile estimation using runtime temperature sensor readings. We address the challenges of: (a) availability of only a few thermal sensors with constrained locations (sensors cannot be placed just anywhere); (b) random chip power density characteristics due to unpredictable workloads and fabrication variability. Firstly we model the random power density as a probability density function. Given such statistical characteristics and the runtime thermal sensor readings, we exploit the correlation in power dissipation among different chip modules to estimate the expected value of temperature at each chip location. Our methods are optimal if the underlying power density has Gaussian nature. We give a heuristic method to estimate the chip-level thermal profile when the underlying randomness is non-Gaussian. An extension of our method has also been proposed to address the dynamic case. Several speedup strategies are carefully investigated to improve the efficiency of the estimation algorithm. Experimental results indicated that, given only a few thermal sensors, our method can generate highly accurate chip-level thermal profile estimates within a few milliseconds.
Forming Scatternets from Bluetooth Personal Area Networks

There is increasing interest in wireless ad hoc networks built from portable devices equipped with short-range wireless network interfaces. This paper addresses issues related to internetworking such networks to form larger “scatternets. ” Within the constraints imposed by the emerging standard Bluetooth link layer and MAC protocol, we describe an efficient online topology formation algorithm, called TSF (Tree Scatternet Formation) to build scatternets. TSF connects nodes in a tree structure that simplifies packet routing and scheduling. The design allows nodes to arrive and leave arbitrarily, incrementally building the topology and healing partitions when they occur. We present simulation results that show that TSF has low tree formation latency and also generates an efficient topology for forwarding packets.
Evolution of psychological diversity in anthropoids

xi 1 Evolution of the psyche 1 1.1 Variety . 1 1.2 Evolutionary psychology as framework . 9 1.3 Origins and destinations . 34 2 Building blocks of macaque personality 41 2.1 Evolutionary patterns of primate personality . 41 2.2 Study species . 51 2.3 Subjects and study sites . 53 2.4 Instruments and raters . 53 2.5 Personality structure . 57 2.6 Subjective well-being . 71 2.7 Personality domains as fuzzy sets . 73 2.8 Items, dimensions, taxonomies . 77 3 Personality and life-history across nations 87 3.1 Cultures, personalities, and pace-of-life . 87 3.2 The second demographic transition . 92
Investigation of Synthetic Speech Detection Using Frame- and Segment-Specific Importance Weighting

Speaker verification systems are vulnerable to spoofing attacks which presents a major problem in their real-life deployment. To date, most of the proposed synthetic speech detectors (SSDs) have weighted the importance of different segments of speech equally. However, different attack methods have different strengths and weaknesses and the traces that they leave may be short or long term acoustic artifacts. Moreover, those may occur for only particular phonemes or sounds. Here, we propose three algorithms that weigh likelihood-ratio scores of individual frames, phonemes, and sound-classes depending on their importance for the SSD. Significant improvement over the baseline system has been obtained for known attack methods that were used in training the SSDs. However, improvement with unknown attack types was not substantial. Thus, the type of distortions that were caused by the unknown systems were different and could not be captured better with the proposed SSD compared to the baseline SSD.
RECOVERY TIME OF INDEPENDENT FUNCTION POST-STROKE

Stroke patients undergoing physical rehabilitation were monitored daily to determine the length of time needed to recover independent function. Of the 93 patients admitted, there were 45 who could not attain the sitting position independently, 75 who could not walk independently and 75 who could not negotiate the stairs independently. By discharge, 25 of 45 patients (55.6%) were able to attain sitting from supine independently, 35 of 75 patients (46.7%) achieved the ability to walk independently but only 25 of 75 patients (33.3%) learned to negotiate stairs independently. The time from admission to achievement of independent function and the time from onset of stroke to achievement of independent function was modeled in relation to explanatory variables: age, sex, side of lesion, comorbidity, the presence of depression and the extent of impairment in perception, cognition, auditory comprehension and verbal expression. Four variables were found to influence recovery time: age influenced the rate of recovery of walking and stair climbing; perceptual impairment influenced the rate of achieving independent sitting and stair climbing; and depression and comprehension influenced walking.