Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A QUANTITATIVE GENETIC TEST OF ADAPTIVE DECOUPLING ACROSS METAMORPHOSIS FOR LOCOMOTOR AND LIFE‐HISTORY TRAITS IN THE PACIFIC TREE FROG, HYLA REGILLA

Abstract. — Metamorphosis is assumed to be beneficial because it can break developmental links between traits in the different phases of a complex life‐cycle and thereby allow larval and adult phases to adapt independently. I tested the prediction that correlations between the larval and adult phases are smaller than within stages. I estimated phenotypic and additive genetic variances and correlations for tadpole swimming speed, frog jump distance, body size, and larval period in a single population of the Pacific tree frog, Hyla regilla. These traits are known or reasonably assumed to be important for survival in this and other anuran species from temporary ponds. Only the three size variables were affected by sire identity. Heritabilities for locomotor performance, larval period, and size‐independent performance were low (0.00–0.23) and not significant. Body size measurements showed somewhat higher and statistically significant heritabilities (0.24–0.34). Most traits were phenotypically correlated. On average, phenotypic correlations were larger between phases than within phases (0.41 vs. 0.28). Genetic correlations involving body‐size traits were positive and large, and average within‐ and between‐phase genetic correlation coefficients were identical (0.81). These results do not support the adaptive decoupling hypothesis, and they indicate that a paucity of additive genetic variation is a likely constraint on the evolution of traits measured for this population.
Using performance profiles to analyze the results of the 2006 CEC constrained optimization competition

Performance profiles are an analytical tool for the visualization and interpretation of the results of benchmark experiments. In this paper we discuss their explanatory power, and argue that they should be more widely used by the evolutionary computation community. We also introduce some novel performance measures which can be extracted from the performance profiles. In order to illustrate their potential, we apply the referred profiles to the analysis of the results of the CEC 2006 constrained optimization competition. While some of the results are corroborated, some new facts are pointed out and additional conclusions are drawn.
Growth Promoting Effect of Hyaluronan Synthesis Promoting Substances on Japanese Eel Leptocephali

Hyaluronans (HAs) are glycosaminoglycans produced in the bodies of Anguilliform and Elopiform leptocephali, and play a role in metabolic energy. In mammals, HA synthesis-promoting substances (HASPS) up-regulate the expression of HA synthase (HAS) and increase the amount of HA in the body. In this study, Japanese eel leptocephali were fed a HASPS containing diet. We analyzed HAS1s and HAS2 expression, HA content, and their influence on growth. HASPS extracted from Grifola frondosa promoted HAS1s and HAS2 mRNA and HA content. Other than mammals, these results are first reported in vertebrate. Moreover, HASPS extracted from G. frondosa promoted leptocephalus growth. The relationship between growth and HA in the leptocephali is not yet clear. However, based on our results we hypothesize that HA is involved in the storage of energy, which is metabolized to sugars when needed for metabolic energy.
La douleur chez les adolescents et les jeunes adultes : interaction entre les styles d'attachement et la fonction sociale du catastrophisme

In the past,' it has been shown that adults with an insecure attachment report higher levels of pain, anxiety, catastrophizing and depression. Up to date, no study has examined this relationship in a paediatric population and the mechanisms associating these various factors remain unknown. However, given that attachment remains relatively stable over Iife and that reCUITent pain, anxiety and depression frequently develop during adolescence, it is likely that similar results might be found with an adolescent population. Finally, to improve prevention and psychological or multidisciplinary interventions, more research will be necessary to cIarify how relational and psychological factors influence the biopsychosocial characteristics of pain. In the CUITent thesis, three studies were conducted aimed at elucidating the role of relational and psychological factors in painful experiences. The tirst study conducted with university students examined whether the three dimensions of pain catastrophizing (rumination, magnitication, helplessness) mediated the relations between attachment, pain and depression. Results suggested that the helplessness dimension of pain catastrophizing predicted the degree of reported pain and depression. However, results also suggested that only the rt<lationship between preoccupied attachment and pain was mediated by helplessness. A second study was designed to improve the knowledge on the role of pain catastrophizing in adolescents. In this study, the "Pain Catastrophizing Scale" was adapted and validated with francophone adolescents. As predicted, the French adolescent version of the PCS was shown to be reliable and the three-factor structure of the original
OBSERVATIONS ON A STRAIN OF SPIROCHÆTA PALLIDA ISOLATED FROM THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

A strain of Spirochœta pallida isolated from the nervous system has shown the following constant characters: (1) thick form; (2) the production of hard, well demarcated lesions with necrotic centers; (3) a characteristic location of the lesion; (4) a short incubation period; (5) a tendency to generalize with lesions of the skin and eye, following local inoculation of the testicle and scrotum. It is suggested that these characters constitute a definite strain of highly invasive power and that a classification of members of the pallida group may be made in accordance with this power.
Optimum Relay Scheme in a Secure Two-Hop Amplify and Forward Cooperative Communication System

A MIMO secure two-hop wireless communication system is considered in this paper. In this model, there are no direct links between the source-destination and the source-eavesdropper. The problem is maximizing the secrecy capacity of the system over all possible amplify and forward (AF) relay strategies, such that the power consumption at the source node and the relay node is limited. When all the nodes are equipped with single antenna, this non-convex optimization problem is fully characterized. When all the nodes (except the intended receiver) are equipped with multiple antennas, the optimization problem is characterized based on the generalized eigenvalues-eigenvectors of the channel gain matrices.
Dual band Fabry-Pérot antenna with broad radiation bandwidth

This paper presents the design of a dual- and wideband Fabry-Pérot antenna for WLAN applications. By designing a novel unit cell having positive phase gradient at dual frequency bands, a dual- and broad-band high-gain performance is then obtained. Simulated results show that the peak gain of the Fabry-Pérot resonator fed by a dual-slot antenna is about 13.5 dB at the 2.4 GHz and 5.6 GHz bands. Additionally, the 3-dB gain bandwidth is 9.6 % and 14.1 % for the 2.4 and the 5.6 GHz, respectively.
Analyzing differences between teachers when learning object affordances via guided exploration

Our work focuses on robots deployed in human environments. These robots, which will need specialized object manipulation skills, should leverage end-users to efficiently learn the affordances of objects in their environment. This approach is promising because prior work has shown that people naturally focus on showing salient aspects of objects when providing demonstrations. In our work, we use a guided exploration approach that combines self- and supervised learning. We present experimental results for a robot learning three affordances on four objects using 1219 interactions. We compare three conditions: (1) learning through self-exploration, (2) learning from supervised examples provided by 10 naïve users, and (3) a combined approach of self-exploration biased by user input. Previous analysis of this data focused on aggregate performance of these different strategies across all teachers, and showed that a combined approach is the most efficient and successful. In this article, we provide additional details on these specific strategies, as well as an analysis of the variance seen across teachers in this experiment. We provide a characterization of failure cases and insights for future work in learning from naïve end-users.
Investigating neurophysiological changes in ageing and their relation to recognition memory using advanced MRI

It is believed that with ageing comes a decline in many cognitive processes, rangingfrom memory, language and executive function to response inhibition andmotor and visual processes. However, memory has attracted much attention andis of particular interest in ageing research. This is because it is a form of cognitionthat probably suffers the clearest decline with age, and can have a detrimentaleffect on day-to-day living. Additionally, as people are living longer these problemsare affecting an increasing number of people and has therefore become anissue of concern. It is believed that these declines stem from neurophysiologicalchanges that occur alongside ageing. It can be seen that research into this area is ofparticular importance to better understand the healthy ageing brain, and how illnessessuch as Alzheimers disease differ from this normal progression. The focusof this PhD project addresses this issue by exploring healthy age-related declinesin recognition memory and their neural correlates, using brain imaging techniquesto investigate underlying changes in brain structure. Novel recognition memorytasks were developed (Chapter 4) to tap underlying processes supporting scenerecognition (recollection and familiarity), and were run alongside selected cognitivetasks taken from existing standardised batteries (Chapter 5). In additionto these behavioural measures, MR imaging datasets were collected relating tostructural (Chapter 6), perfusion and functional (Chapter 7) as well as diffusion(Chapter 8) measures of the brain. The relationships between these imaging measureswere investigated in Chapter 9, in addition to looking at how they relatedindividually to a measure of recollection memory when accounting for the influenceeach imaging measure had on the others. Overall, age effects were found forthe novel recognition memory tasks, in particular showing a significant decline inrecollection performance with age. This was associated with a number of neurophysiologicalmeasures (functional, perfusion, diffusion and volume) which alsoshowed age-related changes. After taking into account the relative contribution ofthese measures to task performance, no single imaging measure was found to bea significant predictor of recollection performance.
A new physics engine with automatic process distribution between CPU-GPU

The Graphics Processing Units or simply GPUs have evolved into extremely powerful and flexible processors. This flexibility and power have allowed new concepts in general purpose computation to emerge. This paper presents a new architecture for physics engines focusing on the simulation of rigid bodies with some of its methods implemented on the GPU. Sending physics computation to the GPU enables the unloading of the required computations from the CPU, allowing it to process other tasks and optimizations. Another important reason for using the GPU is to allow physics engines to process a higher number of bodies in the simulation. It also presents an automatic process distribution scheme between CPU and GPU. The importance of the automatic distribution for physics simulation arises from the fact that, sometimes, the simulated scene characteristics may change during the simulation and by using an automatic distribution scheme the system may obtain the best performance of both processors (CPU and GPU). Also, with an automatic distribution mode, the developer does not have to decide which processor will do the work allowing the system to choose between CPU and GPU. This paper also presents an uncoupled multithread game loop used by the physics engine.
Reducing Redundancy in Ip Flow Information Export (ipfix) and Packet Sampling (psamp) Reports

This document may contain material from IETF Documents or IETF Contributions published or made publicly available before November 10, 2008. The person(s) controlling the copyright in some of this material may not have granted the IETF Trust the right to allow modifications of such material outside the IETF Standards Process. Without obtaining an adequate license from the person(s) controlling the copyright in such materials, this document may not be modified outside the IETF Standards Process, and derivative works of it may not be created outside the IETF Standards Process, except to format it for publication as an RFC or to translate it into languages other than English.
A streptococcal lipid toxin induces membrane permeabilization and pyroptosis leading to fetal injury

Group B streptococci (GBS) are Gram‐positive bacteria that cause infections in utero and in newborns. We recently showed that the GBS pigment is hemolytic and increased pigment production promotes bacterial penetration of human placenta. However, mechanisms utilized by the hemolytic pigment to induce host cell lysis and the consequence on fetal injury are not known. Here, we show that the GBS pigment induces membrane permeability in artificial lipid bilayers and host cells. Membrane defects induced by the GBS pigment trigger K+ efflux leading to osmotic lysis of red blood cells or pyroptosis in human macrophages. Macrophages lacking the NLRP3 inflammasome recovered from pigment‐induced cell damage. In a murine model of in utero infection, hyperpigmented GBS strains induced fetal injury in both an NLRP3 inflammasome‐dependent and NLRP3 inflammasome‐independent manner. These results demonstrate that the dual mechanism of action of the bacterial pigment/lipid toxin leading to hemolysis or pyroptosis exacerbates fetal injury and suggest that preventing both activities of the hemolytic lipid is likely critical to reduce GBS fetal injury and preterm birth.
Dissociation and Sexual Trauma in Prostitutes

Abstract This in ves ti ga tion fo cuses on dis so ci a tion in a sam ple of pros ti tutes. As part of a larger ex plor atory study in ves ti gat ing the im pact of trauma on mem ory, 33 pros ti tutes were in ter viewed re gard ing the frequency of their past sex ual as sault ex pe ri ences (both be fore and dur ing their in volve ment in pros ti tu tion) and cur rent dissociative ex pe ri ences. Ex treme vari abil ity was ev i dent re gard ing the par tic i pants' dissociative ex pe ri ences and their re ported num ber of sex ual as saults. Im pli ca tions con cern ing the re la tion be tween a his tory of ear lier trauma and adult disso ci a tion are dis cussed.
Increasing the Efficacy of Oncolytic Adenovirus Vectors

Oncolytic adenovirus (Ad) vectors present a new modality to treat cancer. These vectors attack tumors via replicating in and killing cancer cells. Upon completion of the vector replication cycle, the infected tumor cell lyses and releases progeny virions that are capable of infecting neighboring tumor cells. Repeated cycles of vector replication and cell lysis can destroy the tumor. Numerous Ad vectors have been generated and tested, some of them reaching human clinical trials. In 2005, the first oncolytic Ad was approved for the treatment of head-and-neck cancer by the Chinese FDA. Oncolytic Ads have been proven to be safe, with no serious adverse effects reported even when high doses of the vector were injected intravenously. The vectors demonstrated modest anti-tumor effect when applied as a single agent; their efficacy improved when they were combined with another modality. The efficacy of oncolytic Ads can be improved using various approaches, including vector design, delivery techniques, and ancillary treatment, which will be discussed in this review.
An Autonomic Mediation Framework for Complex Physical Environments

The term Big Data refers to large amounts of data coming from multiple resources, and to the techniques used to collect, manage and analyze them. In this paper, we focus of the collection of such data in complex physical environments like digital houses, smart buildings or connected plants. Precisely, we present a distributed, autonomic mediation framework named Cilia. This framework facilitates the design and deployment of mediation chains and their management at runtime. We also present a motivating example in the field of smart building and we explain why autonomic features are absolutely necessary in domains characterized by important environmental dynamism and by evolving needs of decision-makers. Cilia is currently validated in collaborative projects with the Orange Labs.
Comparison of rhBMP-2 versus Autogenous Iliac Crest Bone Graft for 2-Level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

Background Few studies have examined the efficacy of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) in 2-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes in a series of patients with CSM treated with 2-level ACDF with or without rhBMP-2. Material/Methods The retrospective study included a total of 146 patients with CSM. The rhBMP-2 group consisted of 73 patients who underwent 2-level ACDF with rhBMP-2. A total of 73 patients who also received 2-level ACDF with autogenous ICBG alone were included in the matched-pair ICBG group with a ratio of 1:1, based on age, sex, and BMI. All data, including fusion rate and time, VAS, JOA score, operative date, and complications, were assessed. Results With respect to the length of hospital stay, operative times, and blood loss, there were no significant difference between the 2 groups. However, the rhBMP-2 group presented a shorter fusion time (P<0.013) and higher fusion rate (P<0.036) than the ICBG group. In the rhBMP-2 group, 22% required additional treatment for complications compared to 18% of patients in the ICBG group, which showed no significant difference (P=0.543). Conclusions The application of rhBMP-2 in 2-level ACDF showed higher fusion rates, shorter fusion time, and similar function outcomes compared to those who received ACDF with ICBG alone.
Experimental warming increases herbivory by leaf‐chewing insects in an alpine plant community

Abstract Climate warming is predicted to affect species and trophic interactions worldwide, and alpine ecosystems are expected to be especially sensitive to changes. In this study, we used two ongoing climate warming (open‐top chambers) experiments at Finse, southern Norway, to examine whether warming had an effect on herbivory by leaf‐chewing insects in an alpine Dryas heath community. We recorded feeding marks on the most common vascular plant species in warmed and control plots at two experimental sites at different elevations and carried out a brief inventory of insect herbivores. Experimental warming increased herbivory on Dryas octopetala and Bistorta vivipara. Dryas octopetala also experienced increased herbivory at the lower and warmer site, indicating an overall positive effect of warming, whereas B. vivipara experienced an increased herbivory at the colder and higher site indicating a mixed effect of warming. The Lepidoptera Zygaena exulans and Sympistis nigrita were the two most common leaf‐chewing insects in the Dryas heath. Based on the observed patterns of herbivory, the insects life cycles and feeding preferences, we argue that Z. exulans is the most important herbivore on B. vivipara, and S. nigrita the most important herbivore on D. octopetala. We conclude that if the degree of insect herbivory increases in a warmer world, as suggested by this study and others, complex interactions between plants, insects, and site‐specific conditions make it hard to predict overall effects on plant communities.
Some computational results on mod 2 finite-type invariants of knots and string links

We publish a table of primitive finite-type invariants of order less than or equal to six, for knots of ten or fewer crossings. We note certain mod-2 congruences, one of which leads to a chirality criterion in the Alexander polynomial. We state a computational result on mod-2 finite-type invariants of 2-strand string links.
CrowdPic: An Interactive and Selective Picture Collection Framework for Participatory Sensing Systems

Taking pictures is a commonly-seen participatory sensing manner, and has been explored in many application areas. However, in a participatory image collection system, people are sensitive to the cost of network transmission and power, which may impact their willingness to participate. Moreover, in crowd image sensing, redundant data with varied quality may be contributed by different participants, which should be carefully processed and selected at the server side. In this paper, we propose Crowd Pic, a generic framework for mobile picture crowd sourcing. In Crowd Pic, in order to increase participants' willingness, we leverage multi-round interactions between clients and the server to reduce the redundant data transmission. Meanwhile, we use the sensors of the mobile devices to evaluate the quality of pictures, and select the best picture to be used. Experiments over a dataset collected by 38 recruited participants validate the effectiveness of our framework.
Non-targeted biological effects of ionising radiation

The universality of the target theory of radiation-induced effects is challenged by observations on non-targeted effects such as bystander effects and genomic instability. Essential features of non-targeted effects are that they do not require direct nuclear exposure by radiation and they are particularly significant at low doses. This new evidence suggests a need for a new paradigm in radiation biology. The new paradigm would cover both the classical (targeted) and the non-targeted effects. New aspects include the role of cellular communication and tissue-level responses. A better understanding of non-targeted effects may have important consequences for health risk assessment and, consequently, on radiation protection. Non-targeted effects may contribute to the estimation of cancer risk from occupational, medical and environmental exposures. In particular, they may have implications for the applicability of the Linear-No-Threshold (LNT) model in extrapolating radiation risk data into the low-dose region. This also means that the adequacy of the concept of dose to estimate risk is challenged by these findings. Moreover, these effects may provide new mechanistic explanations for the development of non-cancer diseases. Further research is required to determine if these effects, typically measured in cell cultures, are applicable in tissue level, whole animals, and ultimately in humans.
Using fuzzy sets to diagnose coronary artery stenosis

The use of fuzzy sets to represent perfusion defects and to generate expert results to help in diagnosis is reported. Retrospective data collected from 91 patients who underwent both stress thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy and coronary arteriography were used. Of the total, 64 scans were chosen at random for training, and the remaining 27 scans were used for testing data. It was found that 17 rules generated by fuzzy set theory performed as well as 68 rules specified by cardiologists in diagnosing coronary artery stenosis. <<ETX>>