A Quenched Functional Central Limit Theorem for Random Walks in Random Environments under (T)γ(T)_\gamma

International audienceWe prove a quenched central limit theorem for random walks in i.i.d. weakly elliptic random environments in the ballistic regime. Such theorems have been proved recently by Rassoul-Agha and Seppäläinen in [10] and Berger and Zeitouni in [2] under the assumption of large finite moments for the regeneration time. In this paper, with the extra $(T)_{\gamma}$ condition of Sznitman we reduce the moment condition to ${\Bbb E}(\tau^2(\ln \tau)^{1+m})1+1/\gamma$, which allows the inclusion of new non-uniformly elliptic examples such as Dirichlet random environments

A quenched functional central limit theorem for random walks in random environments under (T)gamma(T)_gamma

We prove a quenched central limit theorem for random walks in i.i.d. weakly elliptic random environments in the ballistic regime. Such theorems have been proved recently under the assumption of large finite moments for the regeneration times. In this paper, we relax these moment assumptions under Sznitman's (T)γ ballisticity condition, which allows the inclusion of new non-uniformly elliptic examples such as Dirichlet random environments

A quenched functional central limit theorem for random walks in random environments under (T)[gamma]

We prove a quenched central limit theorem for random walks in i.i.d. weakly elliptic random environments in the ballistic regime. Such theorems have been proved recently under the assumption of large finite moments for the regeneration times. In this paper, we relax these moment assumptions under Sznitman's (T)γ ballisticity condition, which allows the inclusion of new non-uniformly elliptic examples such as Dirichlet random environments

Focusing on social behaviors: Improving the perceived warmth of sharks in an aquarium setting

Sharks are commonly depicted as intentionally dangerous predators and are considered a threat by the general public, limiting support for and success of global shark conservation. Following the SCM framework, this study aimed at testing the effect of information on the social lives of sharks alone or paired with circumstantial humor on the participants’ perceived warmth of sharks before visiting an aquarium. The present study took place in a naturalistic setting, allowing testing of the variables in a pseudo-real-world environment where results can objectively help in the implementation of strategies on the ground. A total sample of 303 visitors participated in this study, where three conditions (control: 100; social information: 102; social information with humor: 101) were tested. Results showed that, although mild, it was possible to affect the warmth dimension of the shark’s stereotype, most likely due to the presence of information about the social lives of sharks. This information slightly leveraged the perceived warmth dimension, although still far from the less threatening stereotype as aimed. Results also highlight the possible importance of using videos within the strategic communication and education approaches in aquariums in order to be most effective in challenging the shark stereotype. Limitations and future research ideas are explored.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Ethics 4.0: ethical dilemmas in healthcare mediated by social robots

This study examined people's moral judgments and trait perception toward a healthcare agent's response to a patient who refuses to take medication. A sample of 524 participants was randomly assigned to one of eight vignettes in which the type of healthcare agent (human vs. robot), the use of a health message framing (emphasizing health-losses for not taking vs. health-gains in taking the medication), and the ethical decision (respect the autonomy vs. beneficence/nonmaleficence) were manipulated to investigate their effects on moral judgments (acceptance and responsibility) and traits perception (warmth, competence, trustworthiness). The results indicated that moral acceptance was higher when the agents respected the patient's autonomy than when the agents prioritized beneficence/nonmaleficence. Moral responsibility and perceived warmth were higher for the human agent than for the robot, and the agent who respected the patient's autonomy was perceived as warmer, but less competent and trustworthy than the agent who decided for the patient's beneficence/nonmaleficence. Agents who prioritized beneficence/nonmaleficence and framed the health gains were also perceived as more trustworthy. Our findings contribute to the understanding of moral judgments in the healthcare domain mediated by both healthcare humans and artificial agents.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Human-induced evolution: Signatures, processes and mechanisms underneath anthropogenic footprints on natural systems

The impact of human activities on the global environment has increased to such an extent that the current geological era has been coined the Anthropocene. Studies dedicated to understanding the evolutionary consequences of human-induced selection on all levels of diversity (species, populations, traits, genes) provide direct knowledge about the mechanisms underlying species' responses and their evolutionary potential. A better understanding of the effects of human-induced selection is needed to leverage evolved mechanisms to develop appropriate conservation programmes to guarantee the maintenance of healthy systems. In this special issue, we focus on different types of human-mediated selection pressures, from the direct harvesting of individuals (e.g. hunting, fishing), to the more pervasive effects of climate change. Contributions highlight the diversity of human-induced selection pressures ranging from fisheries, trophy-hunting, poaching and domestication to climate change, and pollution. With those, we question whether there are parallel evolutionary solutions across fisheries systems, whether hunting pressures alter population dynamics and population structure, and whether climate change is an evolutionary dead-end. The contributions reflect the direction of travel of the field and the solutions to mitigate the impact of human activities

Fabrication and mechanical testing of a new sandwich structure with carbon fiber network core

The aim is the fabrication and mechanical testing of sandwich structures including a new core material known as fiber network sandwich materials. As fabrication norms for such a material do not exist as such, so the primary goal is to reproduce successfully fiber network sandwich specimens. Enhanced vibration testing diagnoses the quality of the fabrication process. These sandwich materials possess low structural strength as proved by the static tests (compression, bending), but the vibration test results give high damping values, making the material suitable for vibro-acoustic applications where structural strength is of secondary importance e.g., internal panelling of a helicopter

Recruitment collapse and population structure of the European eel shaped by local ocean current dynamics

Highlights: • We combine high-resolution ocean models with population genetics • Variation in wind-driven ocean currents mediates the collapse of A. anguilla • Female eels are philopatric within the Sargasso Sea, while males maintain gene flow • We present first evidence of the role of ocean currents in shaping species’ evolution Summary: Worldwide, exploited marine fish stocks are under threat of collapse [1]. Although the drivers behind such collapses are diverse, it is becoming evident that failure to consider evolutionary processes in fisheries management can have drastic consequences on a species’ long-term viability [2]. The European eel (Anguilla anguilla; Linnaeus, 1758) is no exception: not only does the steep decline in recruitment observed in the 1980s [ 3 and 4] remain largely unexplained, the punctual detection of genetic structure also raises questions regarding the existence of a single panmictic population [ 5, 6 and 7]. With its extended Transatlantic dispersal, pinpointing the role of ocean dynamics is crucial to understand both the population structure and the widespread decline of this species. Hence, we combined dispersal simulations using a half century of high-resolution ocean model data with population genetics tools. We show that regional atmospherically driven ocean current variations in the Sargasso Sea were the major driver of the onset of the sharp decline in eel recruitment in the beginning of the 1980s. The simulations combined with genotyping of natural coastal eel populations furthermore suggest that unexpected evidence of coastal genetic differentiation is consistent with cryptic female philopatric behavior within the Sargasso Sea. Such results demonstrate the key constraint of the variable oceanic environment on the European eel population

Inteligência artificial e diagnóstico do glaucoma

O progresso dos algoritmos de inteligência artificial (IA) no processamento de imagens digitais e nos estudos de diagnóstico automático da doença ocular glaucoma vem crescendo e apresentando avanços essenciais para garantir um melhor atendimento clínico a população. Diante do contexto, este artigo descreve os principais tipos de glaucoma existentes e as formas tradicionais de diagnóstico. Apresenta também a epidemiologia mundial da doença e como os estudos com algoritmos de IA vêm sendo investigados como uma possível ferramenta para auxiliar no diagnóstico precoce desta patologia por meio de triagens populacionais. Portanto, a seção de trabalhos relacionados apresenta os principais estudos e metodologias utilizadas na classificação automática do glaucoma a partir de imagens digitais de fundo de olho e algoritmos de IA, bem como as principais bases de dados contendo imagens rotuladas para o glaucoma e disponíveis publicamente para treinamento dos algoritmos de aprendizado de máquinas

Genetic, serological and biochemical characterization of Leishmania tropica from foci in northern Palestine and discovery of zymodeme MON-307

Background Many cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) have been recorded in the Jenin District based on their clinical appearance. Here, their parasites have been characterized in depth. Methods Leishmanial parasites isolated from 12 human cases of CL from the Jenin District were cultured as promastigotes, whose DNA was extracted. The ITS1 sequence and the 7SL RNA gene were analysed as was the kinetoplast minicircle DNA (kDNA) sequence. Excreted factor (EF) serotyping and multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE) were also applied. Results This extensive characterization identified the strains as Leishmania tropica of two very distinct sub-types that parallel the two sub-groups discerned by multilocus microsatellite typing (MLMT) done previously. A high degree of congruity was displayed among the results generated by the different analytical methods that had examined various cellular components and exposed intra-specific heterogeneity among the 12 strains. Three of the ten strains subjected to MLEE constituted a new zymodeme, zymodeme MON-307, and seven belonged to the known zymodeme MON-137. Ten of the 15 enzymes in the profile of zymodeme MON-307 displayed different electrophoretic mobilities compared with the enzyme profile of the zymodeme MON-137. The closest profile to that of zymodeme MON-307 was that of the zymodeme MON-76 known from Syria. Strains of the zymodeme MON-307 were EF sub-serotype A2 and those of the zymodeme MON-137 were either A9 or A9B4. The sub-serotype B4 component appears, so far, to be unique to some strains of L. tropica of zymodeme MON-137. Strains of the zymodeme MON-137 displayed a distinctive fragment of 417 bp that was absent in those of zymodeme MON-307 when their kDNA was digested with the endonuclease RsaI. kDNA-RFLP after digestion with the endonuclease MboI facilitated a further level of differentiation that partially coincided with the geographical distribution of the human cases from which the strains came. Conclusions The Palestinian strains that were assigned to different genetic groups differed in their MLEE profiles and their EF types. A new zymodeme, zymodeme MON-307 was discovered that seems to be unique to the northern part of the Palestinian West Bank. What seemed to be a straight forward classical situation of L. tropica causing anthroponotic CL in the Jenin District might be a more complex situation, owing to the presence of two separate sub-types of L. tropica that, possibly, indicates two separate transmission cycles involving two separate types of phlebotomine sand fly vector