Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Radiometric ages for basement rocks from the Emperor Seamounts, ODP Leg 197

The Hawaiian‐Emperor seamount chain is the “type” example of an age‐progressive, hot spot‐generated intraplate volcanic lineament. However, our current knowledge of the age distribution within this province is based largely on radiometric ages determined several decades ago. Improvements in instrumentation, sample preparation methods, and new material obtained by recent drilling warrant a reexamination of the age relations among the older Hawaiian volcanoes. We report new age determinations (40Ar‐39Ar incremental heating method) on whole rocks and feldspar separates from Detroit (Sites 1203 and 1204), Nintoku (Site 1205), and Koko (Site 1206) Seamounts (Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 197) and Meiji Seamount (Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) Leg 19, Site 192). Plateaus in incremental heating age spectra for Site 1203 lava flows give a mean age of 75.8 ± 0.6 (2σ) Ma, which is consistent with the normal magnetic polarity directions observed and biostratigraphic age assignments. Site 1204 lavas produced discordant spectra, indicating Ar loss by reheating and K mobilization. Six plateau ages from lava flows at Site 1205 give a mean age of 55.6 ± 0.2 Ma, corresponding to Chron 24r. Drilling at Site 1206 intersected a N‐R‐N magnetic polarity sequence of lava flows, from which six plateau ages give a mean age of 49.1 ± 0.2 Ma, corresponding to the Chron 21n‐22r‐22n sequence. Plateau ages from two feldspar separates and one lava from DSDP Site 192 range from 34 to 41 Ma, significantly younger than the Cretaceous age of overlying sediments, which we relate to postcrystallization K mobilization. Combined with new dating results from Suiko Seamount (DSDP Site 433) and volcanoes near the prominent bend in the lineament [ Sharp and Clague, 2002 ], the overall trend is increasing volcano age from south to north along the Emperor Seamounts, consistent with the hot spot model. However, there appear to be important departures from the earlier modeled simple linear age progression, which we relate to changes in Pacific plate motion and the rate of southward motion of the Hawaiian hot spot.
Disparities in Weight and Weight Behaviors by Sexual Orientation in College Students.

Objectives. We assessed disparities in weight and weight-related behaviors among college students by sexual orientation and gender. Methods. We performed cross-sectional analyses of pooled annual data (2007-2011; n = 33 907) from students participating in a Minnesota state-based survey of 40 two- and four-year colleges and universities. Sexual orientation included heterosexual, gay or lesbian, bisexual, unsure, and discordant heterosexual (heterosexuals engaging in same-sex sexual experiences). Dependent variables included weight status (derived from self-reported weight and height), diet (fruits, vegetables, soda, fast food, restaurant meals, breakfast), physical activity, screen time, unhealthy weight control, and body satisfaction. Results. Bisexual and lesbian women were more likely to be obese than heterosexual and discordant heterosexual women. Bisexual women were at high risk for unhealthy weight, diet, physical activity, and weight control behaviors. Gay and bisexual men exhibited poor activity patterns, though gay men consumed significantly less regular soda (and significantly more diet soda) than heterosexual men. Conclusions. We observed disparities in weight-, diet-, and physical activity-related factors across sexual orientation among college youths. Additional research is needed to better understand these disparities and the most appropriate intervention strategies to address them.
Hemostatic risk factors in ischemic stroke

Summary The role played by hemostasis in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke is still controversial. In the present study, we looked for a possible association of ischemic stroke and high clotting activity of factor II (FII:C), factor V (FV:C), factor VII (FVII:C), factor X (FX:C) and fibrinogen. We investigated 157 non-anti-coagulated patients (86 males, 71 females; median age 41 y, range 16-73 ), who had survived ischemic stroke for at least 2 months, and 193 healthy controls with similar age and sex distribution (104 males, 89 females; median age 39 y, range 19-74). Patients showed significantly higher body mass index, as well as significantly higher prevalence of arterial hypertension, smoking and hyperlipidemia. FV:C (p = 0.05), FX:C (p = 0.04) and fibrinogen (p = 0.05) were higher in patients as compared to controls. In a univariate risk analysis FX:C and FV:C were associated with the relative risk for ischemic stroke showing an odds ratio (OR) of up to 2.8 (95% CI: 1.05-7.6) and 3.4 (95%CI: 1.4-7.9), respectively, for levels above 130%. In a multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model including age, sex, arterial hypertension, smoking habit, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, BMI and the coagulation factors, FV:C was still found to significantly (p=0.03) add to the risk of ischemic stroke. An increase of factor FV:C by 10% was associated with an increase in the relative risk of 19% (95% CI.: 2%-38%). In conclusion, we found a high plasma level of FV:C to be a prevalent (FV:C > 130% in 20/157 patients) and independent risk factor for ischemic stroke.
Cumulative effects of prenatal substance exposure and early adversity on foster children’s HPA-axis reactivity during a psychosocial stressor

Dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis stress response has been reported among individuals with prenatal substance exposure and those with early adversity exposure. However, few researchers have examined the combined effects of these risk factors. Patterns of HPA reactivity among maltreated foster children with and without prenatal substance exposure (N = 53; ages 9–12 years) were examined using the Trier Social Stress Test for Children. Area under the curve with respect to increase (AUCI) analyses revealed that prenatal substance exposure or physical abuse significantly increased the likelihood of a negative AUCI (i.e., little or no HPA reactivity). Among children with prenatal substance exposure and physical abuse, 85% exhibited a negative AUCI. The results underscore the importance of addressing this combined risk.
Improvisation musicale homme-machine guidée par un scénario temporel

Cet article propose un modele pour l’improvisation musicale guidee par une structure formalisee. Il exploite les connaissances a priori du contexte d’improvisation pour introduire de l’anticipation dans le processus de generation. « Improviser » signifie ici articuler une memoire musicale annotee avec un « scenario » guidant l’improvisation (par exemple une progression harmonique dans le cas du jazz). Le scenario et la sequence etiquetant la memoire sont representes comme des mots construits sur un meme alphabet. Cet alphabet definit les classes d’equivalences choisies pour decrire les elements musicaux constituant la memoire. La navigation dans cette memoire assure la coherence et l’homogeneite du resultat musical en exploitant les motifs communs aux deux sequences tout en etant capable de s’eloigner du materiau musical d’origine. Le modele et l’architecture d’ordonnancement decrits dans cet article sont implementes dans le systeme d’improvisation ImproteK, utilise a plusieurs reprises avec des musiciens experts.
On the cascading failures of multi-controllers in Software Defined Networks

In this paper, a potential threat to reliability of Software Defined Networking (SDN) is disclosed: the cascading failures of controllers. Current SDN designs have widely utilized multiple controllers and the load of a failed controller can be redistributed to the other controllers. However, simply utilizing multiple controllers cannot protect SDN networks from a single point of failure: the load of the controllers which carry the load of the failed controller can exceed the capacity of them, and then cascading failures of controllers will happen. In this article, at first we propose a model for such failures and present simulation results based on the model. Strategies for initial load balance and load redistribution after failure are designed to prevent such failures. The simulation result shows the strategies can significantly increase the resistance of SDN networks to cascading failures.
Alternative T‐Cell Costimulatory Pathways in Transplant Rejection and Tolerance Induction: Hierarchy or Redundancy?

Since the original proposal of a two-signal model for lymphocyte activation (1), it has become firmly established that costimulatory signals mediated primarily via the conventional CD28-B7 and CD154-CD40 pathways, are necessary for full T-cell activation and play a crucial role in mediating allograft rejection (2). In several transplantation models, CD28-B7 or CD154-CD40 blockade has been shown to prevent acute rejection, induce long-term allograft survival and prevent the development and progression of chronic rejection. However, these findings are not reproducible in all strain combinations and models, such as those involving islet, small bowel and skin allografts (3,4), or in primate transplantation (5,6). Moreover, CD28or CD154-deficient animals are still capable of rejecting allografts acutely, albeit at a slower tempo, as well as developing chronic rejection (7,8). Therefore, there are CD28and CD154-independent mechanisms that can initiate alloimmune responses, such as those mediated by CD4 and CD8 effector T cells, NK cells and memory cells that are less reliant on CD28 and CD154 signaling for activation, or effectors utilizing ‘alternative’ costimulatory ligands. These mechanisms may, of course, not be mutually exclusive. It has recently been appreciated that various newly discovered members of the CD28 and TNF-TNF-Receptor superfamilies are capable of acting as ‘alternative’ costimulatory pathways, and thus regulating T-cell immune responses (9) (Figure 1). The roles of these individual pathways in alloimmune responses are only now being unraveled (10–13). One such receptor-ligand pair is the molecule 4–1BB (or CD137) which binds its ligand 4–1BBL. Unlike CD28, but resembling Inducible Costimulator (ICOS) (a T-cell receptor and CD28 superfamily member) and OX40 (or CD134, a TNF-R superfamily member), 4–1BB is not constitutively expressed on T cells, but is up-regulated following initial T-cell activation, suggesting that its main action is not on the initiation of an immune response, but rather on its persistence. It may therefore play an important role in conditions of chronic immune activation. The main cellular targets for 4–1BB are previously activated cells, both CD4 and CD8 T cells, as well as NK cells, in which it promotes proliferation, cellular activation, IL-2 production and cell survival (14,15). In allotransplantation, 4–1BB and 4–1BBL transcripts are found in rejecting murine cardiac grafts (16), and 4–1BB4–1BBL interactions have been shown to regulate alloimmune responses in bone-marrow transplantation models (17,18). Interestingly, 4–1BB-deficient animals have an unaltered time course of skin transplant rejection (19). The precise effect of 4–1BB ligation appears in part to be dependent on the status of the CD28-B7 pathway, since CD28-deficient T cells appear to be more sensitive to 4–1BB blockade than CD28-expressing cells. However, even CD28/4–1BB-double-deficient mice ultimately reject their grafts, demonstrating yet again that there is some redundancy in pathways promoting T-cell activation (19).
Information Theoretic Sensor Data Selection for Active Object Recognition and State Estimation

We introduce a formalism for optimal sensor parameter selection for iterative state estimation in static systems. Our optimality criterion is the reduction of uncertainty in the state estimation process, rather than an estimator-specific metric (e.g., minimum mean squared estimate error). The claim is that state estimation becomes more reliable if the uncertainty and ambiguity in the estimation process can be reduced. We use Shannon's information theory to select information-gathering actions that maximize mutual information, thus optimizing the information that the data conveys about the true state of the system. The technique explicitly takes into account the a priori probabilities governing the computation of the mutual information. Thus, a sequential decision process can be formed by treating the a priori probability at a certain time step in the decision process as the a posteriori probability of the previous time step. We demonstrate the benefits of our approach in an object recognition application using an active camera for sequential gaze control and viewpoint selection. We describe experiments with discrete and continuous density representations that suggest the effectiveness of the approach.
The checkpoint delaying anaphase in response to chromosome monoorientation is mediated by an inhibitory signal produced by unattached kinetochores

During mitosis in Ptk1 cells anaphase is not initiated until, on average, 23 +/- 1 min after the last monooriented chromosome acquires a bipolar attachment to the spindle--an event that may require 3 h (Rieder, C. L., A. Schultz, R. W. Cole, and G. Sluder. 1994. J. Cell Biol. 127:1301-1310). To determine the nature of this cell-cycle checkpoint signal, and its site of production, we followed PtK1 cells by video microscopy prior to and after destroying specific chromosomal regions by laser irradiation. The checkpoint was relieved, and cells entered anaphase, 17 +/- 1 min after the centromere (and both of its associated sister kinetochores) was destroyed on the last monooriented chromosome. Thus, the checkpoint mechanism monitors an inhibitor of anaphase produced in the centromere of monooriented chromosomes. Next, in the presence of one monooriented chromosome, we destroyed one kinetochore on a bioriented chromosome to create a second monooriented chromosome lacking an unattached kinetochore. Under this condition anaphase began in the presence of the experimentally created monooriented chromosome 24 +/- 1.5 min after the nonirradiated monooriented chromosome bioriented. This result reveals that the checkpoint signal is not generated by the attached kinetochore of a monooriented chromosome or throughout the centromere volume. Finally, we selectively destroyed the unattached kinetochore on the last monooriented chromosome. Under this condition cells entered anaphase 20 +/- 2.5 min after the operation, without congressing the irradiated chromosome. Correlative light microscopy/elctron microscopy of these cells in anaphase confirmed the absence of a kinetochore on the unattached chromatid. Together, our data reveal that molecules in or near the unattached kinetochore of a monooriented PtK1 chromosome inhibit the metaphase-anaphase transition.
Knowledge and the development of interpersonal trust: a dynamic model

This paper presents a model of interpersonal trust dynamics, grounded in a longitudinal case study of an interorganizational information technology development project in New York State. System dynamics is the simulation method selected in this theory-building effort, based on qualitative data collected by the Center for Technology in Government. The model integrates concepts from economic models, as well as psychological and sociological theories about trust, learning, and perceptual processes in interpersonal relations. The simulation experiments show plausible path dependent behaviors with the characteristic asymmetries between trust and distrust described both in the literature an in the case data. The role of trust and knowledge development in the success of these projects is explored by combining models of sub processes into larger models of the overall collaboration. The value of the model as a theory building tool is enhanced by extended data collection and combining with related process models.
Seminal antibodies to human 60kd heat shock protein (HSP 60) in male partners of subfertile couples.

BACKGROUND Heat shock proteins (HSP) are essential mammalian and bacterial stress proteins. At the cellular level, they act as chaperones, have important regulatory functions, and are considered to be an essential factor for reproduction. Scarce information exists on the role of sensitization to HSP and the potential role in the aetiology of male infertility. METHODS The potential association of immunoglobulin (Ig)A antibodies (Ab) to the human 60 kDa heat shock protein (HSP 60) with several parameters of subclinical male genital tract infection/inflammation and with semen quality and sperm fertilizing capacity was analysed in a prospective study. IgA Ab to human HSP 60 were determined in seminal plasma of 202 randomly chosen male partners of subfertile couples with a median duration of infertility of 4 years (range 1-15 years), who were asymptomatic for genital tract infection. After medical history and clinical examination, a comprehensive evaluation of semen quality, in aliquots of the same ejaculates used for HSP Ab determination, included: sperm analysis; local antisperm antibody (ASA) screening; standardized sperm-cervical mucus (CM) penetration testing; immunocytochemical round cell differentiation to determine seminal leukocyte counts; evaluation of complement fraction C(3) and of some pro-inflammatory cytokines; and microbial screening. Subsequent fertility was recorded after 6 months. RESULTS The presence of HSP 60 IgA Ab in seminal fluid (total positive 6.9%) was significantly associated with leukocytospermia, the presence of C(3), and also with high interleukin (IL) levels in seminal plasma. HSP 60 Ab were not related to the bacterial colonization of ejaculates. There was no association of seminal IgA Ab to human HSP 60 with semen quality, determined with microscopical semen analysis, nor with local IgG- or IgA-class ASA. There was no relationship with sperm intrinsic motility and duration of motility in the sperm CM-penetration test, nor with sperm fertilizing capacity. CONCLUSIONS The combined presence of IgA Ab to human 60 kDa HSP, leukocytes and other established infection/inflammation markers in semen might suggest a potential role of the immune response to heat shock proteins (HSP) in cases of silent male genital tract infection, but the results do not indicate a marked relationship of HSP 60 Ab in seminal fluid with standard parameters of semen quality.
Targeting sedentary time or moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity: independent relations with adiposity in a population-based sample of 10-y-old British children.

BACKGROUND It is unclear whether subcomponents of physical activity (PA) are associated with adiposity independent of time spent while sedentary. OBJECTIVE The objective was to examine associations between objectively measured PA and its subcomponents [ie, time spent at light-intensity PA, moderate-intensity PA (MPA), vigorous-intensity PA (VPA), and moderate-plus-vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA)], independent of sedentary time, and self-reported leisure screen time (television and electronic game use) with indexes of adiposity in a population-based sample of British children. DESIGN A cross-sectional study was conducted in 1862 UK children aged 9-10 y. PA and sedentary activity were measured by accelerometry, and indicators of adiposity were waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), and fat mass index calculated from bioimpedance measurements. Screen time was assessed by self-report. We examined the associations between PA subcomponents and adiposity by multilevel linear models adjusted for birth weight, maternal BMI, energy intake, and sleep duration. RESULTS Objectively measured sedentary time was positively associated with waist circumference (P = 0.04) and fat mass index (P = 0.05), independent of age and sex. However, this association was attenuated after adjustment for MVPA and other covariates. VPA (all P < 0.0001), combined MVPA (all P < 0.01), and total activity (counts/min) (all P < 0.001) were all inversely associated with each of the adiposity indexes, independent of sedentary time and other important covariates. Associations were weaker for MPA: P = 0.05, 0.87, and 0.1 for waist circumference, BMI, and fat mass index, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Time spent in VPA appears to be more strongly associated with adiposity than sedentary time. Interventions may therefore need to incorporate higher intensity-based activities to curb the growing obesity epidemic.
Skill Learning Using A Bottom-Up Hybrid

This paper presents a skill learning model Clarion. Diierent from existing models of mostly high-level skill learning that use a top-down approach (that is, turning declarative knowledge into procedural knowledge), we adopt a bottom-up approach toward low-level skill learning, where procedural knowledge develops rst and declarative knowledge develops from it. Clarion which follows this approach is formed by integrating connectionist, reinforcement, and symbolic learning methods to perform on-line learning. We compare the model with human data in a mineeeld navigation task. A match between the model and human data is observed in several comparisons.
Demonstration of catch bonds between an integrin and its ligand

Binding of integrins to ligands provides anchorage and signals for the cell, making them prime candidates for mechanosensing molecules. How force regulates integrin–ligand dissociation is unclear. We used atomic force microscopy to measure the force-dependent lifetimes of single bonds between a fibronectin fragment and an integrin α5β1-Fc fusion protein or membrane α5β1. Force prolonged bond lifetimes in the 10–30-pN range, a counterintuitive behavior called catch bonds. Changing cations from Ca2+/Mg2+ to Mg2+/EGTA and to Mn2+ caused longer lifetime in the same 10–30-pN catch bond region. A truncated α5β1 construct containing the headpiece but not the legs formed longer-lived catch bonds that were not affected by cation changes at forces <30 pN. Binding of monoclonal antibodies that induce the active conformation of the integrin headpiece shifted catch bonds to a lower force range. Thus, catch bond formation appears to involve force-assisted activation of the headpiece but not integrin extension.
Ancient west Eurasian ancestry in southern and eastern Africa

Significance The hunter–gatherer and pastoralist populations of southern Africa are among the culturally, linguistically, and genetically most diverse human populations. However, little is known about their history. We show that all of these populations have some ancestry most closely related to Europeans and Middle Easterners and use this to reconstruct the history of population movements between Eurasia, eastern Africa, and southern Africa. The history of southern Africa involved interactions between indigenous hunter–gatherers and a range of populations that moved into the region. Here we use genome-wide genetic data to show that there are at least two admixture events in the history of Khoisan populations (southern African hunter–gatherers and pastoralists who speak non-Bantu languages with click consonants). One involved populations related to Niger–Congo-speaking African populations, and the other introduced ancestry most closely related to west Eurasian (European or Middle Eastern) populations. We date this latter admixture event to ∼900–1,800 y ago and show that it had the largest demographic impact in Khoisan populations that speak Khoe–Kwadi languages. A similar signal of west Eurasian ancestry is present throughout eastern Africa. In particular, we also find evidence for two admixture events in the history of Kenyan, Tanzanian, and Ethiopian populations, the earlier of which involved populations related to west Eurasians and which we date to ∼2,700–3,300 y ago. We reconstruct the allele frequencies of the putative west Eurasian population in eastern Africa and show that this population is a good proxy for the west Eurasian ancestry in southern Africa. The most parsimonious explanation for these findings is that west Eurasian ancestry entered southern Africa indirectly through eastern Africa.