Modeling the herd prey response to individualistic predators attacks

In this paper, we consider predators hunting on prey gathered in groups and in such way exhibiting the possibility of reducing the predators pressure. To model this feature, however, we depart from the Holling type II (HTII) response function, in that we assume that a sufficiently large set of prey could respond to individualistic attacks and therefore induce the predator to renounce. The basic idea is described at first in a simple two-populations predator-prey system. It is then expanded considering the generalist predators to deal with two prey. In the first case, both are gathered in herds, and in the second one, one of the two instead behaves individualistically. The net outcome is an enhanced survival for the prey with respect to both the herding cases without and with predators feeding satiation (i.e., using the HTII response)

From music to mathematics and backwards: introducing algebra, topology and category theory into computational musicology

International audienceDespite a long historical relationship between mathematics and music, the interest of mathematicians is a recent phenomenon. In contrast to statistical methods and signal-based approaches currently employed in MIR (Music Information Research), the research project described in this paper stresses the necessity of introducing a structural multidisciplinary approach into computational musicology making use of advanced mathematics. It is based on the interplay between three main mathematical disciplines: algebra, topology and category theory. It therefore opens promising perspectives on important prevailing challenges, such as the automatic classification of musical styles or the solution of open mathematical conjectures, asking for new collaborations between mathematicians, computer scientists, musicologists, and composers. Music can in fact occupy a strategic place in the development of mathematics since music-theoretical constructions can be used to solve open mathematical problems. The SMIR project also differs from traditional applications of mathematics to music in aiming to build bridges between different musical genres, ranging from contemporary art music to popular music, including rock, pop, jazz and chanson. Beyond its academic ambition, the project carries an important societal dimension stressing the cultural component of 'mathemusical' research, that naturally resonates with the underlying philosophy of the “Imagine Maths”conference series. The article describes for a general public some of the most promising interdisciplinary research lines of this project

Music and technologies

Based on the conference held in Kaunas, Lithuania, 2011, Music and Technologies aims to augment discussion within the field of interdisciplinary music research developed currently at such important forums as the CIM and the ISMIR. The book consists of a collection of articles written by musicians and computer scientists, educators and mathematicians from all over the world. The main contemporary ideas in the field of music technologies are explored – estimating the process of automatic cognition, reconstruction and simulation, measurement and re-creation of different aspects of music practice – always with sound and its notation or scoring uppermost in the investigations

Is it necessary to screen for celiac disease in postmenopausal osteoporotic women?

Decreased bone mass is a frequent finding in celiac patients, and subclinical celiac disease (CD) appears to be unusually overrepresented among patients with idiopathic osteoporosis. Since silent CD may be more common than previously believed, it has been suggested that all osteoporotic patients should be checked for occult CD. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of CD in a well-defined population of postmenopausal osteoporotic women. We evaluated 127 consecutive postmenopausal patients (mean age: 68 years; range: 50-82 years) with verified osteoporosis. The observed prevalence of CD in this group was compared to that observed in a group of 747 women recruited for a population-based study. The screening algorithm used to diagnose CD was based on a 3-level screening using type IgA and IgG antigliadin antibodies (AGA) in all the patients (1st level) followed by antiendomysial antibodies (EmA) and total IgA (2nd level) of samples testing positive, and intestinal biopsy of positive cases (3rd level). At the end of the serological screening, only 1 of 127 osteoporotic women was eligible for jejunal biopsy showing a characteristic celiac flat mucosa (prevalence 7.9 × 1,000; 95% CI 0.2-43.1). In addition, CD was diagnosed in 6 of 747 women of the population-based study (prevalence: 8.0 × 1,000; 95% CI 3.3-18.3). There was no significant difference between the two groups. Therefore, our study showed that the prevalence of CD in postmenopausal osteoporotic women was lower than that reported in previous studies and similar to that of the general population. In conclusion, although the relatively small size of the group tested does not allow us to be conclusive, the results suggest that a case finding policy in postmenopausal osteoporosis would have a high cost/benefit ratio except for patients not responding to conventional therapies, or presenting borderline laboratory results.Fil: González, D.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín. División Osteopatías; ArgentinaFil: Sugai, Emilia. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de Gastroenterología "Dr. Carlos B. Udaondo"; ArgentinaFil: Gomez, J.C.. Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos. General José de San Martín de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Oliveri, María Beatriz. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín. División Osteopatías; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo; ArgentinaFil: Gomez Acotto, C.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín. División Osteopatías; ArgentinaFil: Vega, Eduardo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín. División Osteopatías; ArgentinaFil: Bagur, Alicia Cristina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín. División Osteopatías; ArgentinaFil: Mazurek, R.. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de Gastroenterología "Dr. Carlos B. Udaondo"; ArgentinaFil: Mauriño, E.. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de Gastroenterología "Dr. Carlos B. Udaondo"; ArgentinaFil: Bai, J.C.. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de Gastroenterología "Dr. Carlos B. Udaondo"; ArgentinaFil: Mautalen, Carlos Alfredo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin