Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Morphological and molecular aspects of Ceratomyxa ghannouchensis n. sp. and C. pallida Thélohan 1894 infecting the bogue, Boops boops (l.)

ABSTRACT We report herein the molecular and morphological characteristics of two myxozoan parasites, Ceratomyxa ghannouchensis n. sp. and Ceratomyxa pallida Thélohan, 1894 infecting the gallbladder of the bogue, Boops boops (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Gulf of Gabès off the Tunisian coast. Mature myxospores of C. ghannouchensis were stubby with a convex anterior end and almost straight to slightly concave posterior one. Mature myxospores measured 5.8 ± 0.4 (5–7) µm in length and 11.7 ± 0.3 (11–13) µm in thickness. Valves were unequal in size with one occasionally tapering to a greater degree than the other. The polar capsules were equal in size, spherical in shape and measured 2 ± 0.2 (1.8–2.8) µm in diameter. Infection with C. pallida occurs as spherical to elongated mono-, di- or trisporic plasmodia floating in the bile. Mature myxospores were crescent-shaped with two symmetrical shell valves with rounded edges. The myxospores measured 6 ± 0.5 (5–7) µm in length and 28.5 ± 2.5 (26–33) µm in thickness. The polar capsules were spherical, equal in size and measured 3 ± 0.3 (2.7–3.3) µm in diameter. Based on the SSU rDNA partial sequence, C. ghannouchensis n. sp. and C. pallida appeared in the same subclade with Ceratomyxa leatherjacketi and Ceratomyxa tunisiensis. www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:0DE35680-A3C9-45BA-B29B-0B7462CA7A43
Use of statins and recurrence of atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation or electrical cardioversion

Summary Statins have important pleiotropic effects and have been shown to reduce vascular inflammation. Some evidence suggests that statins may have a role in the primary prevention of atrial fibrillation (AF), whereas little is know on the role of statins in patients with existing AF. We performed a meta-analysis of the literature to assess the effect of statins on the recurrence of AF after electrical cardioversion or ablation. MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched up to January 2010. Relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were then calculated and pooled using a random-effects model. Statistical heterogeneity was evaluated through the use of I2 statistics. Sixteen studies were included in our systematic review. Statins did not reduce the risk of AF recurrence after ablation (four studies including 750 patients; RR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.85–1.28, p=0.71; I2 = 34%). Conversely, the use of statins was associated with a significantly reduced risk of AF recurrence after electrical cardioversion (12 studies including 1790 patients; RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67–0.90, p=0.0003; I2 = 34%). This reduction was not statistically significant when the analysis was restricted to randomised controlled trials (RCTs) only (five studies, 458 patients, RR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.48–1.20). In conclusion, statins may lower the risk of AF recurrence after electrical cardioversion, but not ablation. However, this finding should be considered with caution, and larger RCTs are warranted to confirm our preliminary results.
Investigations of human cortical processing of gentle touch. A study with time-resolved electro-magnetic signal analysis

The present work summarizes investigations of the temporal correlates of brain activity elicited by gentle, moving touch on the hairy skin in healthy participants and in epilepsy patients. Light touch to the hairy skin activates two distinct afferent classes: fast conducting, Aβ afferents and slowly conducting C-tactile (CT) afferents. Aβ afferents signal discriminative aspects of touch, whereas CT afferents are proposed to play a role in affective touch. Using complementary neuroimaging methods with high temporal resolution, we aimed to distinguish between brain responses evoked by Aβ and CT afferents. In Papers I and IV, electroencephalography (EEG) showed that brush stroking on the hairy skin evoked an ultra-late potential, presumably driven by CT afference to the brain. Source localization indicated the cingulate cortex, and the precuneus as the underlying sources of this ultra-late potential. In Paper II, using magnetoencephalography (MEG) to spatially track brain activations in response to brush stroking over time, we showed that Aβ afference rapidly activates a well-defined network, including operculo-insular and cingulate regions. In Paper III, time-frequency analyses of MEG recordings from healthy participants were complemented with analyses of stereotactic EEG (SEEG) recordings from epilepsy patients. Here, we showed that naturalistic stroking touch induced spectral changes in alpha, beta, and gamma frequencies in sensorimotor regions and the posterior insula, similar to what has been described previously in studies using less naturalistic stimuli such as electrical median nerve stimulation. The present work contributes new information about the spatiotemporal evolution of the brain’s responses to caress-like touch and highlights the importance of considering both Aβ and CT afferents in gentle touch processing.
Skin deformation and animation of character models based on static and dynamic ordinary differential equations

Animated characters play an important role in the field of computer animation, simulation and games. The basic criterion of good character animation is that the animated characters should appear realistic. This can be achieve through proper skin deformations for characters. Although various skin deformation approaches (Joint-based, Example-based, Physics-based, Curve-based and PDE-based) have been developed, the problem of generating realistic skin deformations efficiently with a small data set is a big challenge. In order to address the limitations of skin deformation, this thesis presents a workflow consisting of three main steps. First, the research has developed a new statistical method to determine the positions of joints based on available X-ray images. Second, an effective method for transferring the deformations of the curves to the polygonal model with high accuracy has been developed. Lastly, the research has produced a simple and efficient method to animate skin deformations by introducing a curved-based surface manipulation method combined with physics and data-driven approaches. The novelty of this method depends on a new model of dynamic deformations and an efficient finite difference solution of the model. The application examples indicate that the curve-based dynamic method developed in this thesis can achieve good realism and high computational efficiency with small data sets in the creation of skin deformations.
Bearing-based localization and control for multiple quadrotor UAVs. (Localisation et commande d'une flottille de quadrirotors à partir de l'observation de leur ligne de vue)

Le but de cette these est d'etendre l'etat de l'art par des contributions sur le comportement collectif d'un groupe de robots volants, a savoir des quadrirotors UAV. Afin de pouvoir surement naviguer dans un environnement, ces derniers peuvent se reposer uniquement sur leurs capacites a bord et non sur des systemes centralises (e.g., Vicon ou GPS). Nous realisons cet objectif en offrant une possible solution aux problemes de controle en formation et de localisation a partir de mesures a bord et via une communication locale. Nous abordons ces problemes exploitant differents concepts provenant de la theorie des graphes algebriques et de la theorie de la rigidite. Cela nous permet de resoudre ces problemes de facon decentralisee et de proposer des algorithmes decentralises capables de prendre en compte egalement des limites sensorielles classiques. Les capacites embarquees que nous avons mentionnees plus tot sont representees par une camera monoculaire et une centrale inertielle (IMU) auxquelles s'ajoute la capacite de chaque robot a communiquer (par RF) avec certains de ses voisins. Cela est du au fait que l'IMU et la camera representent une possible configuration economique et legere pour la navigation et la localisation autonome d'un quadrirotor UAV.
Genomes from uncultivated prokaryotes : a 1 comparison of metagenome-assembled and 2 single-amplified genomes 3 4

22 Background: Prokaryotes dominate the biosphere and regulate biogeochemical 23 processes essential to all life. Yet, our knowledge about their biology is for the 24 most part limited to the minority that has been successfully cultured. Molecular 25 techniques now allow for obtaining genome sequences of uncultivated 26 prokaryotic taxa, facilitating in-depth analyses that may ultimately improve our 27 understanding of these key organisms. 28 Results: We compared results from two culture-independent strategies for 29 recovering bacterial genomes: single-amplified genomes and metagenome30 . CC-BY-ND 4.0 International license not peer-reviewed) is the author/funder. It is made available under a The copyright holder for this preprint (which was . http://dx.doi. org/10.1101/219295 doi: bioRxiv preprint first posted online Nov. 14, 2017;
Aging and guided visual search: the role of visual working memory

ABSTRACT In the present study, we examined age-related differences in utilizing learned associations to guide visual search. Participants viewed an object cue that was associated with 1 or 2 target colors, followed by a search array. Older adults showed slower RTs, larger visual search slopes, and reduced cue–target association knowledge than did younger adults. We also found increased search RTs and higher error rates when the cue was associated with 2 colors instead of 1. However, visual search slopes did not vary with the number of associated colors. This indicates that participants could activate multiple templates simultaneously to guide the search or retrieve associative information directly from the long-term memory. Furthermore, regression analyses showed that VWMC can predict both visual search performances and cue–target association knowledge. More broadly, our results demonstrate that VWMC can modify the effects of age on cued visual search performance.
Fluid Annotation: A Granularity-aware Annotation Tool for Chinese Word Fluidity

This paper presents a novel word granularity-aware annotation framework for Chinese. Anchored in current functionalist linguistics, this model rearranges the boundary of word segmentation and linguistic annotation, and gears toward a deeper understanding of lexical units and their behavior. The web-based annotation UI also supports ﬂexible annotation tasks for various linguistic and affective phenomena.
Proving Theorems with Z / Eves

The Z/Eves theorem prover is simple and user friendly when compared with related tools like ProofPower-Z [Lem03] or Isabelle-HOL [NPW03]. The learning curve to carry out quite complex proofs with high level automation is quite linear. Nevertheless, the few available tactics are strict and difficult to extend. Also, it has particular Z idioms that ought to be followed. The documentation available is good but limited. The examples coming the tool are enlightening but insufficient. The objective of these notes is to provide additional material and insight for theory developers and users. Still, careful reading of the reference manual [MS97], and few previous experience with the prover is desirable for a greater understanding of the ideas presented here. A historical as well as technical overview of the prover structure in comparison with related Z theorem provers is firstly presented. Next, additional material is provided on naming conventions and the possibilities offered for the different sorts of declaration usages and abilities. After that, the prover approach on goal directed proofs is mentioned. Later, further documentation of available tactics with some examples and scenarios is presented. Despite the fact Z/Eves implements the Z standard [Toy00], it is very useful indeed to know the appropriate Z “idiom” and “accent” is fundamental for proper communication with the tool. For large specifications, optimisations are worthwhile and some techniques are given. A complete example on proof planning for inductive proofs over sequences comes next. Finally, a summary of naming conventions used is shown.
Higher Education Institutions Grading: Administrative and Support Personnel

This article describes main grading principles applied in Russia as well as internationally. The grading system is based on those used by Hay Group and Watson Wyatt. We evaluated existing grading examples for administrative and support personnel, methodology, effectiveness and how it affects performance results in Higher Education Institutions. Based on this, we set goals, principles and established regulatory basis for implementing grading in the University. In addition to this, we studied all possible ways to create effective working group to carry out this task and, its activities and performance in proceeding with administrative and support personnel optimization and organizational reform at large aiming to create a sustainable effective structure in the University. The effectiveness indicators (KPI), their use as well as the positions’ scale, compensation packages and re-designed remuneration system were introduced. Nevertheless, during this process we identified a number of problems that University leadership faced while implementing reform. These problems occurred largely due to personnel non-readiness for cordial changes, lengthy decision making and complex management system (at the level of the Ministry of Higher Education and other related regulatory bodies) that constantly changes during reform system and counter reforms danger. We would like to point out that grading was carried out by University personnel without third party involvement that lead to effective management team formation. Keywords: grading, Hay Group and Watson Wyatt technology, effectiveness indicators, optimization, positions importance, positions assessment, ranking factors, compensation system, remuneration structure, organizational and staff structure. JEL Classifications: I21; I28
Effects of Spectrum Holdings on Equilibrium in the Wireless Industry

Abstract We propose a model of Bertrand competition in which consumers choose firms based on prices and qualities. Service quality depends on congestion, which is a function of capacity and output. We first present theoretical properties of the model. Next, we calibrate the model to the wireless industry and use it to evaluate the impacts of changes in spectrum allocation on consumer welfare and profits. Simulations of the model show that when one firm acquires more spectrum, consumer welfare at all firms increases due to congestion externality effects. We find that a transfer of spectrum from one firm to another can either raise or lower consumer welfare at the firms not involved in the transaction, again due to externality effects. Where it is possible to compare the results of our model to the wireless industry, they are consistent with the data. We also explore some possible effects of the upcoming 2016 spectrum auctions.
ETHOLOGY OF THE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED JAVAN SLOW LORIS Nycticebus javanicus É. Geo"roy Saint-Hilaire IN WEST JAVA

Considered amongst the most endangered primates in the world, Javan Slow Lorises Nycticebus javanicus É. Geoffroy SaintHilaire are threatened by habitat destruction, and by the wildlife trade for pets and traditional medicines. Despite some studies of captive or rescued and released animals, little is known about the behaviour and ecology of wild animals. We present preliminary behavioral data of the first-ever study of wild N. javanicus. The study population, in Cipaganti, West Java, persists in a mosaic habitat including agricultural fields (talun) and interspersed trees and patches of bamboo, trees, bushes and abandoned fields. We directly observed animals for some 170 hours during the onset of the dry season, between April and June 2012. Animals spent 31% of their time foraging and feeding, 33% sleeping and resting, 14% traveling, 12% alert, 7% grooming and 1% socializing. They fed mainly on exudates of Green Wattle Acacia decurrens (Willd.) (56%) and the nectar of Red Calliandra Calliandra calothyrsus (Meisn.) (32%). We found the animals to be relatively gregarious, spending 13% of observations within sighting distance of one another, for 37% of which they were seen in bodily contact. Animals preferred bamboo and Green Wattle over other tree species. We provide recommendations for management in captivity and reintroduction schemes, particularly urging rescue centres to provide gum and adequate social partners. Finally, we stress the importance unprotected, human-modified landscapes can have for this species and for reintroduction programmes.
Carcinologic Speech Severity Index Project: A Database of Speech Disorder Productions to Assess Quality of Life Related to Speech After Cancer

Within the framework of the Carcinologic Speech Severity Index (C2SI) InCA Project, we collected a large database of French speech recordings aiming at validating Disorder Severity Indexes. Such a database will be useful for measuring the impact of oral and pharyngeal cavity cancer on speech production. That will permit to assess patients' Quality of Life after treatment. The database is composed of audio recordings from 135 speakers and associated metadata. Several intelligibility and comprehensibility levels of speech functions have been evaluated. Acoustics and Prosody have been assessed. Perceptual evaluation rates from both naive and expert juries are being produced. Automatic analyzes are being carried out. That will provide to speech therapists objective tools to take into account the intelligibility and comprehensibility of patients which received cancer treatment (surgery and/or radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy). The aim of this paper is to justify the need of this corpus and his data collection. This corpus will be available to the scientific community through the GIS Parolotheque.
Is It a Business Feeding on Emotions or an Act of Altruism? The Case of Financing Football in Poland

The main goal of this article is to verify the hypothesis on the behavioural character of the relationships between enterprises financing football in Poland and the fans of this sport. In his research, the author analyses selected companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange which are engaged in financing football in the Polish Ekstraklasa. The author uses the quotations of such companies as: Ruch Chorzow, Comarch, KGHM, Tauron, Lotos and Police. It is possible to divide these companies into three groups: owners (Comarch, KGHM), sponsors (Tauron, Lotos, Police) and one public company (Ruch). In the research, ARCH models are used based on econometric models with independent variables: sporting results and betting odds.
Positive Indirect Interactions between Neighboring Plant Species via a Lizard Pollinator

In natural communities, species are embedded in networks of direct and indirect interactions. Most studies on indirect interactions have focused on how they affect predator‐prey or competitive relationships. However, it is equally likely that indirect interactions play an important structuring role in mutualistic relationships in a natural community. We demonstrate experimentally that on a small spatial scale, dense thickets of endemic Pandanus plants have a strong positive trait‐mediated indirect effect on the reproduction of the declining endemic Mauritian plant Trochetia blackburniana. This effect is mediated by the endemic gecko Phelsuma cepediana moving between Pandanus thickets, a preferred microhabitat, and nearby T. blackburniana plants, where it feeds on nectar and pollinates the plants. Our findings emphasize the importance of considering plant‐animal interactions such as pollination at relatively small spatial scales in both basic ecological studies and applied conservation management.
Transformation of mouse T cells requires MYC and AKT activity in conjunction with inhibition of intrinsic apoptosis

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma is an aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma characterized by excessive proliferation of transformed mature T cells. The number and nature of genetic aberrations required and sufficient for transformation of normal T cells into lymphomas is unknown. Here, using a combinatorial in vitro-approach, we demonstrate that overexpression of MYC together with activated AKT in conditions of inhibition of intrinsic apoptosis rapidly resulted in transformation of mature mouse T cells with a frequency approaching 100%. Injection of transformed cells into mice resulted in rapid development of aggressive T cell lymphoma, characterized by spread to several organs, destruction of tissue architecture and rapid death of the animals. TcR-sequencing revealed a polyclonal repertoire of tumor cells indicating that co-expression of MYC, activated AKT and BCLXL is sufficient for tumor transformation and do not require acquisition of additional genetic events. When analyzing cells with inducible expression we found that proliferation of transformed T cells required sustained expression of both MYC and AKT. AKT exerted a dual function as it inhibited induction of, and promoted exit from, cellular quiescence and contributed to inhibion of apoptosis. Downregulation of AKT and/or MYC together with BCLXL resulted in rapid and complete elimination of cells through induction of apoptotic cell death.
To Work or Not to Work? Estimates of Labour Supply Elasticities

This paper provides a microeconometric analysis of extensive margin labour supply elasticities in Slovakia. We find that a one percent increase in net wage increases the probability of economic activity by 0.263 percentage points. Taking into account tax and transfer system details valid in 2009-2011, a one percent increase in transfers decreases the semi-elasticity of labour force participation by 0.04 percentage points. These results are broadly in line with the elasticities usually reported in the literature. Our results show that low-skilled, females and the elderly are the groups that are particularly responsive to changes in taxes and transfers. Labour market policies aimed to boost employment should concentrate on increasing marginal gains to work, especially for low-educated individuals and women.
Microencapsulated rabbit adipose stem cells initiate tissue regeneration in a rabbit ear defect model

Cell‐based tissue engineering can promote cartilage tissue regeneration, but cell retention in the implant site post‐delivery is problematic. Alginate microbeads containing adipose stem cells (ASCs) pretreated with chondrogenic media have been used successfully to regenerate hyaline cartilage in critical size defects in rat xiphoid suggesting that they may be used to treat defects in elastic cartilages such as the ear. To test this, we used microbeads made with low viscosity, high mannuronate medical grade alginate using a high electrostatic potential, and a calcium cross linking solution containing glucose. Microbeads containing rabbit ASCs (rbASCs) were implanted bilaterally in 3 mm critical size midcartilage ear defects of six skeletally mature male New Zealand White rabbits (empty defect; microbeads without cells; microbeads with cells; degradable microbeads with cells; and autograft). Twelve weeks post‐implantation, regeneration was assessed by microCT and histology. Microencapsulated rbASCs cultured in chondrogenic media expressed mRNAs for aggrecan, Type II collagen, and Type X collagen. Histologically, empty defects contained fibrous tissue; microbeads without cells were still present in defects and were surrounded by fibrous tissue; nondegradable beads with rbASCs initiated cartilage regeneration; degradable microbeads with cells produced immature bone‐like tissue, also demonstrated by microCT; and autografts appeared as normal auricular cartilage but were not fully integrated with the tissue surrounding the defect. Elastin, the hallmark of auricular cartilage, was not evident in the neocartilage. This delivery system offers the potential for regeneration of auricular cartilage, but vascularity of the treatment site and use of factors that induce elastin must be considered.