Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Computer graphics advances the art of anime

Japanese animation, popularly referred to as anime is notable for its dynamic, calligraphic style. The genre is directly related to manga, the graphic novels read by millions of Japanese, both children and adults. Manga in turn is a distant cousin of Japan's classic scroll paintings, the kinetic pictorial format that combines a continuous visual image with a narrative text. The scroll painting, together with Japan's ancient calligraphic technique, led to the development of ukiyo-e, the colorful woodblock prints made famous by Hokusai and Utamaro. Like ukiyo-e, Japanese animation stands out for its visual immediacy and boldness of vision
Evolution of an Autotransporter: Domain Shuffling and Lateral Transfer from Pathogenic Haemophilus toNeisseria

ABSTRACT The genomes of pathogenic Haemophilus influenzaestrains are larger than that of Rd KW20 (Rd), the nonpathogenic laboratory strain whose genome has been sequenced. To identify potential virulence genes, we examined genes possessed by Int1, an invasive nonencapsulated isolate from a meningitis patient, but absent from Rd. Int1 was found to have a novel gene termed lav, predicted to encode a member of the AIDA-I/VirG/PerT family of virulence-associated autotransporters (ATs). Associated withlav are multiple repeats of the tetranucleotide GCAA, implicated in translational phase variation of surface molecules. Laterally acquired by H. influenzae, lav is restricted in distribution to a few pathogenic strains, including H. influenzae biotype aegyptius and Brazilian purpuric fever isolates. The DNA sequence of lav is surprisingly similar to that of a gene previously described for Neisseria meningitidis. Sequence comparisons suggest that lavwas transferred relatively recently from Haemophilus toNeisseria, shortly before the divergence of N. meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Segments oflav predicted to encode passenger and β-domains differ sharply in G+C base content, supporting the idea that AT genes have evolved by fusing domains which originated in different genomes. Homology and base sequence comparisons suggest that a novel biotype aegyptius AT arose by swapping an unrelated sequence for the passenger domain of lav. The unusually mobile lav locus joins a growing list of genes transferred from H. influenzae to Neisseria. Frequent gene exchange suggests a common pool of hypervariable contingency genes and may help to explain the origin of invasiveness in certain respiratory pathogens.
Endothelium-Dependent Hyperpolarization and Endothelial Dysfunction

Abstract: The endothelium controls vascular tone not only by releasing various vasoactive substances but also by another pathway associated with the hyperpolarization of both endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells and is termed endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization (EDH). These responses involve an increase in the endothelial intracellular Ca2+ concentration by the activation of transient receptor potential channels (predominantly TRPV4) followed by the opening of Ca2+-activated K+ channels of small and intermediate conductance (SKCa and IKCa). These channels show a distinct subcellular distribution. SKCa are widely distributed over the plasma membrane but segregates at sites of homocellular endothelial junctions, whereas IKCa are preferentially expressed in the myoendothelial projections. Following KCa activation, smooth muscle hyperpolarization is evoked by electrical coupling through myoendothelial gap junctions and/or by the potassium efflux that subsequently activates smooth muscle Kir2.1 and/or Na+/K+-ATPase. Alteration of the EDH contributes to the endothelial dysfunctions observed in various pathologies or conversely compensates for the loss in NO bioavailability. A better characterization of EDH should allow determining whether new druggable targets can be identified for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Using humour as an extrinsic source of emotion regulation in young and older adults

It has been suggested that intrinsic abilities for regulating emotions remain stable or improve with ageing, but, to date, no studies have examined age-related differences in extrinsic emotion regulation. Since humour has been found to be an effective form of emotion regulation, we used a paradigm similar to that of Strick and colleagues (2009) with two objectives: to compare extrinsic humorous emotion regulation in young and older adults and to test whether the potential beneficial effect of humour on negative emotion is better explained by the cognitive distraction hypothesis or by the positive affect elicitation hypothesis. To this end, neutral, moderately, and strongly negative pictures followed by humorous, simply positive, or weird cartoons, controlled for both their funniness and cognitive demands, were presented to 26 young and 25 older adults with the instruction to report their negative feelings. When induced to feel moderately negative emotions, both young and older adults reported a lower negative feeling after viewing the humorous cartoons than after the other ones. This indicates that the extrinsic humorous emotion regulation skill remains stable with ageing and suggests that the beneficial effect of humour on emotional feeling cannot be seen as a purely cognitive distraction.
Global Population Trends and Human Use Patterns of Manta and Mobula Rays

Despite being the world’s largest rays and providing significant revenue through dive tourism, little is known about the population status, exploitation and trade volume of the Mobulidae (mobulids; Manta and Mobula spp.). There is anecdotal evidence, however, that mobulid populations are declining, largely due to the recent emergence of a widespread trade for their gill rakers, which is reflected in increasing Food and Agriculture Organization landings trends. Here, we present results from two dedicated diver surveys, one from the eManta project, which includes summary observations from ninety 10°x10° regions with ∼200–62,000 dives per region, and the other from the Reef Environmental Education Foundation, which includes spatially more detailed observations from 3 regions with ∼4,000–118,000 dives per region. We show that mobulids as a group, which includes eleven species, have globally and regionally restricted distributions, typically have low sighting frequency (<1% of dives) and aggregate in only a few locations. Of the regions surveyed by divers, almost half (47%) report declining mobulid sightings over the last decade. Divers indicate that although mobulid ecotourism occurs in many regions (45% of those reported, n = 41) they are considered protected in only 32% of the regions. Mobulids being fished or sold in local markets were reported from 16% and 12% of regions, respectively, with most being adjacent to mobulid abundance hotspot and ecotourism regions (e.g. Sri Lanka, Indonesia, east Africa). Identification of regions where ecotourism and exploitation are at odds could help prioritize conservation efforts. Vulnerability analysis, using life history characteristics, indicates that Manta spp. are vulnerable to exploitation, tolerating only low fishing mortality rates; data limitations prohibited such analysis for Mobula spp. Our analyses support previous studies in showing the need for improved conservation and monitoring efforts, and suggest that international and enforceable management policies are required to prevent further population decline.
High NIHSS Values Predict Impairment of Cardiovascular Autonomic Control

Background and Purpose— Stroke is frequently associated with autonomic dysfunction, which causes secondary cardiovascular complications. Early diagnosis of autonomic imbalance prevents complications, but it is only available at specialized centers. Widely available surrogate markers are needed. This study tested whether stroke severity, as assessed by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, correlates with autonomic dysfunction and thus predicts risk of autonomic complications. Methods— In 50 ischemic stroke patients, we assessed NIHSS scores and parameters of autonomic cardiovascular modulation within 24 hours after stroke onset and compared data with that of 32 healthy controls. We correlated NIHSS scores with parameters of total autonomic modulation (total powers of R-R interval [RRI] modulation; RRI standard deviation [RRI-SD], RRI coefficient of variation), parasympathetic modulation (square root of the mean squared differences of successive RRIs, RRI-high-frequency-powers), sympathetic modulation (normalized RRI-low-frequency-powers, blood pressure-low-frequency-powers), the index of sympatho-vagal balance (RRI-LF/HF-ratios), and baroreflex sensitivity. Results— Patients had significantly higher blood pressure and respiration, but lower RRIs, RRI-SDs, RRI coefficient of variation, square root of the mean squared differences of successive RRIs, RRI-low-frequency-powers, RRI-high-frequency-powers, RRI-total powers, and baroreflex sensitivity than did controls. NIHSS scores correlated significantly with normalized RRI-low-frequency-powers and RRI-LF/HF-ratios, and indirectly with RRIs, RRI-SDs, square root of the mean squared differences of successive RRIs, RRI-high-frequency-powers, normalized RRI-high-frequency-powers, RRI-total-powers, and baroreflex sensitivity. Spearman-Rho values ranged from 0.29 to 0.47. Conclusions— Increasing stroke severity was associated with progressive loss of overall autonomic modulation, decline in parasympathetic tone, and baroreflex sensitivity, as well as progressive shift toward sympathetic dominance. All autonomic changes put patients with more severe stroke at increasing risk of cardiovascular complications and poor outcome. NIHSS scores are suited to predict risk of autonomic dysregulation and can be used as premonitory signs of autonomic failure.
Early enteral feeding in the pediatric intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of early enteral feedings of critically ill pediatric patients. METHODS The subject population of 42 critically ill patients ranged in age from 5 days to 18 years (mean 5.8 years), mean weight 17 kg. Transpyloric nasoenteric tubes were placed in all patients by a nonfluoroscopic bedside technique. All subjects were mechanically ventilated; 32 (76%) were on one or more vasoactive medications. Six (15%) patients were fed for more than 13 days while on vasoactive support and pharmacological paralysis. RESULTS There were no documented complications of early enteral feeding, including aspiration. All patients were able to achieve caloric goals within 48 hours of beginning enteral feedings. All patients developed regular stool patterns despite periodic absence of bowel sounds. Enteral feedings replaced 256 days of total parenteral nutrition. Estimated patient charge savings averaged $425 for each day of enteral feedings. CONCLUSIONS Early enteral feedings are feasible, well tolerated, and cost effective in critically ill pediatric patients.
High-dimensional learning of linear causal networks via inverse covariance estimation

We establish a new framework for statistical estimation of directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) when data are generated from a linear, possibly non-Gaussian structural equation model. Our framework consists of two parts: (1) inferring the moralized graph from the support of the inverse covariance matrix; and (2) selecting the best-scoring graph amongst DAGs that are consistent with the moralized graph. We show that when the error variances are known or estimated to close enough precision, the true DAG is the unique minimizer of the score computed using the reweighted squared l2-loss. Our population-level results have implications for the identifiability of linear SEMs when the error covariances are specified up to a constant multiple. On the statistical side, we establish rigorous conditions for high-dimensional consistency of our two-part algorithm, defined in terms of a "gap" between the true DAG and the next best candidate. Finally, we demonstrate that dynamic programming may be used to select the optimal DAG in linear time when the treewidth of the moralized graph is bounded.
Regulation of Motility Behavior in Myxococcus xanthus May Require an Extracytoplasmic-Function Sigma Factor

ABSTRACT Using interaction trap technology, we identified a putative extracytoplasmic-function (ECF) sigma factor (RpoE1) inMyxococcus xanthus, a bacterium which has a complex life cycle that includes fruiting body formation. The first domain of the response regulator protein FrzZ, a component of the Frz signal transduction system, was used as bait. Although the RpoE1 protein displayed no interactions with control proteins presented as bait, a weak interaction with a second M. xanthus response regulator (AsgA) was observed. While the specificity of the FrzZ-RpoE1 interaction therefore remains speculative, cloning and sequencing of the region surrounding rpoE1 localized it to a position downstream of the frzZ gene. A potential promoter site for binding of an ECF sigma factor was identified upstream ofrpoE1, suggesting the gene may be autoregulated. However, primer extension studies suggested that transcription ofrpoE1 occurs under both vegetative and developmental conditions from a ς70-like promoter. Dot blot analysis of RNA preparations confirmed the low-level, constitutive expression ofrpoE1 during both stages of the life cycle. Analysis of an insertion mutant also indicated a role for RpoE1 under both vegetative and developmental conditions, since swarming was reduced on nutrient-rich agar and developmental aggregation was effected under starvation conditions, especially at high cell densities. An insertion mutation introduced into the gene directly downstream ofrpoE1 (orf5) did not result in either swarming or developmental aggregation defects, even though the gene is transcribed as part of the same operon. Therefore, we propose that this new ECF sigma factor could play a role in the transcriptional regulation of genes involved in motility behavior during both stages of the complex M. xanthus life cycle.
Discosuite - A parser test suite for German discontinuous structures

Parser evaluation traditionally relies on evaluation metrics which deliver a single aggregate score over all sentences in the parser output, such as PARSEVAL. However, for the evaluation of parser performance concerning a particular phenomenon, a test suite of sentences is needed in which this phenomenon has been identified. In recent years, the parsing of discontinuous structures has received a rising interest. Therefore, in this paper, we present a test suite for testing the performance of dependency and constituency parsers on non-projective dependencies and discontinuous constituents for German. The test suite is based on the newly released TIGER treebank version 2.2. It provides a unique possibility of benchmarking parsers on non-local syntactic relationships in German, for constituents and dependencies. We include a linguistic analysis of the phenomena that cause discontinuity in the TIGER annotation, thereby closing gaps in previous literature. The linguistic phenomena we investigate include extraposition, a placeholder/repeated element construction, topicalization, scrambling, local movement, parentheticals, and fronting of pronouns.
Supersymmetric Intersecting Branes on the Type IIA T6/Bbb Z4 Orientifold

We study supersymmetric intersecting D6-branes wrapping 3-cycles in the type-IIA T6/4 orientifold background. As a new feature, the 3-cycles in this orbifold space arise both from the untwisted and the 2 twisted sectors. We present an integral basis for the homology lattice, H3(M,), in terms of fractional 3-cycles, for which the intersection form involves the Cartan matrix of E8. We show that these fractional D6-branes can be used to construct supersymmetric brane configurations realizing a three generation Pati-Salam model. Via brane recombination processes preserving supersymmetry, this GUT model can be broken down to a standard-like model.
Demographic challenges for the 21st century : a state of the art in demography : conference organized as a tribute to the continuing endeavours of Prof. Dr. Em. Ron Lesthaeghe in the field of demography

Inspired by the work of Ron Lesthaeghe, retired professor of demography and social science research methodology, this collection is also based on the 'Demographic Challenges for the 21st Century: A State of the Art in Demography" conference. During Ron Lesthaeghe's tenure, he established himself as a scholar, publishing influential work that changed the face of demography. His research was in the various subfields of demography, populations of Europe and of sub-Saharan Africa, cultural change in Europe, and ethnic minority studies. This book offers tributes to his contribution, from leading demographers.
On Relationships Between Stochastic Process Algebras with &#198;milia and Queueing Network Models

Various models and methods have been proposed and applied for quantitative system performance evaluation, including Queueing Networks (QN) and Stochastic extensions of Process Algebras (SPA), that show different characteristics and advantages. These formalisms have been applied to model and analyze the performance of hardware and software systems at different levels of abstraction, and more recently at the Software Architectures level. In this paper we investigate some relationships between SPA and QN, and more specifically we compare the SPA specifications based on Æmilia and a class of QN. We propose an approach to translate a QN model into an Æmilia specification in order to take advantage of the model definition based on SPA that allows the combination of functional and performance analysis and compositional, graphical and hierarchical modeling of complex systems. This work extends and reverses a previous comparison of the two formalisms based on the mapping from Æmilia specifications to QN. The integration of these two formalisms aims to combine their main advantages as tools for system performance analysis, in order to efficiently describe and analyze both functional and performance properties of system specifications within the same integrated framework.
La dynamique du crowdfunding : revue critique de la littérature et facteurs du succès d'une collecte

Le crowdfunding est un moyen pour un entrepreneur de lever des fonds en s'adressant directement a des particuliers par intermediaire de plateformes specialisees. Cet article propose une revue de la litterature visant a mettre en perspective l'ensemble des travaux realises jusqu'a present. Ensuite, nous etudions les facteurs de reussite d'une collecte sur la base d'un panel de 225 projets du site KissKissBankBank.
Inhibition of Melanoma Growth by Targeting of Antigen to Dendritic Cells via an Anti-DEC-205 Single-Chain Fragment Variable Molecule

Purpose: Our goal was to target melanoma antigens to the dendritic cell-specific receptor DEC-205. DEC-205 is an antigen receptor expressed on dendritic cells and has been shown to guide antigens to MHC class I and II compartments for processing and presentation to T cells. Experimental Design: The melanoma tumor-associated antigen (TAA), gp100, was fused to the single-chain fragment variable (scFv) specific for DEC-205. The binding capacity of the scFv was tested on lymph node-isolated CD11c+ cells. Mixed lymphocyte reactions were carried out to show an increased proliferative capacity of gp100 antigen-specific CD4 and CD8 T cells. Furthermore the scFv-TAA was used in a therapeutic setting using two different melanoma mouse models. Results: C57Bl/6 mice were injected with scFv-DEC-205-gp100, monoclonal antibody anti-DEC-205, or PBS. Using fluorescence-activated cell sorting, we showed that lymph node CD11c+ dendritic cells stained positive for the binding of the scFv-mDEC-205-gp100 and the anti-DEC-205 monoclonal antibody, whereas the PBS-injected animals were negative. In mixed lymphocyte reactions, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells pulsed with scFv-mDEC-205-gp100 significantly increased proliferation of gp100-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T cells beyond gp100 peptide-pulsed or nonpulsed bone marrow-derived dendritic cells. Finally, in B16/F10 and RET models, a concentration-dependent suppression of tumor growth using scFv-mDEC-205-gp100 (66% reduction of tumor volume), in comparison with gp100 peptide vaccination, was observed. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the scFv-mDEC-205-gp100 targets TAA to dendritic cells in vivo for presentation on both MHC class I and II molecules. In vivo, this leads to an improved immune response and a decrease in tumor growth rate.
A Starting Point for Negotiations -- Delivering with a Heterogeneous Team

This paper presents a counterintuitive Pre-Sprint Work Balancing methodology that has substantially increased the ability of our highly heterogeneous Scrum [1] team to deliver what it promises at the end of each sprint. The process essentially consists of preplanning steps that acknowledge both the heterogeneity in developer's time and skill level, as well as Product Owner priorities. These preplanning activities act as a starting point for negotiations with the team during the Sprint Planning Meeting. For our team, delivery of all promised tasks in a sprint has increased from less than 1/3 of our sprints to more than 2/3, with indications that we are heading towards nearly 100% delivery.
Retinal Ganglion Cell Topography of Five Species of Ground-Foraging Birds

Birds that forage on the ground have been studied extensively in relation to behavioral trade-offs between foraging and scanning for predators; however, we know little about the topography of their retinas, which can influence how they gather visual information. We characterized the density of retinal ganglion cells across the retina and estimated visual acuity of four Passeriformes (European starling Sturnus vulgaris, brown-headed cowbird Molothrus ater, house sparrow Passer domesticus, house finch Carpodacus mexicanus) and one Columbiforme (mourning dove Zenaida macroura) that forage on the ground. We used cresyl violet to stain retinal ganglion cells and estimated visual acuity based on cell density and eye size. All species contained a single area centralis, where cell densities were >20,000 cells/mm2. The proportion of the retina that fell in each of five cell density ranges varied between species. European starlings and house finches had the largest area of high cell density, mourning doves had the smallest. The largest proportion of the retina (>35%) of brown-headed cowbird and house sparrow was in the second-lowest cell density range. Considering the 25th percentile of highest cell densities, house finches and European starlings showed the highest cell densities and mourning doves the lowest. Estimated visual acuity increased from house finch, house sparrow, brown-headed cowbird, European starling to mourning dove, and was associated with both retinal area and cell density. Our findings suggest that these ground foragers do not have highly specialized retinas in relation to other types of foragers (e.g. tree foragers), probably because foraging on seeds and insects from the ground is not as visually demanding; however, the studied species showed variability in retinal topography that may be related to foraging techniques, eye size constraints, and size of the area centralis.