Affine extractors over large fields with exponential error

We describe a construction of explicit affine extractors over large finite fields with exponentially small error and linear output length. Our construction relies on a deep theorem of Deligne giving tight estimates for exponential sums over smooth varieties in high dimensions.Comment: To appear in Comput. Comple

The role of boron and fluids in high temperature, shallow level metamorphism of the Chugach Metamorphic Complex, Alaska

The possible role of boron (B) involvement in granite equilibria and generation of melts during crustal metamorphism has been a focus of speculation in recent literature. Most of the evidence for such involvement derives from experimental data which implies that the addition of B will lower the temperature of the granite solidus. Also the presence of tourmaline has a minor effect on the temperature of the solidus. Further indirect evidence that B may be involved in partial melting processes is the observation that granulites are commonly depleted in B, whereas the B content of low grade metapelites can be high (up to 2000 ppm). Researchers' measurements of the whole-rock B contents of granulites from the Madras region, India are low, ranging from 0.4 to 2.6 ppm. Ahmad and Wilson suggest that B was mobilized in the fluid phase during granulite facies metamorphism of the Broken Hill Complex, Australia. Thus, it appears that during the amphibolite to granulite transition, B is systematically lost from metasediments. The B that is released will probably partition into the vapor phase and/or melt phase. Preliminary measurements imply that the boron content of rocks in the Chugach Metamorphic Complex is not sufficient to influence the processes of partial melting at low pressures

Je, me, moi : allomorphes du pronom de première personne ?

Les formes de chaque pronom personnel sont très majoritairement considérées comme les variantes d'une seule et même unité linguistique : par exemple les cinq mots je, j', me, m', moi sont rassemblés sous le chef de la "première personne". Cependant il est légitime de questionner cette doxa, car dans la mesure où une différence de forme alerte sur une différence de sens, il y a lieu lieu de vérifier si l'identité sémantique est bien la même pour ces diverses formes. L'observation et la comparaison des propriétés syntaxiques de je, me, moi aboutit en fait à l'hypothèse que l'on a affaire à trois lexèmes, chacun pourvu d'un signifiant et d'un signifié qui lui sont propres

Pourquoi peut-on dire Etre en faute, Etre dans l'erreur mais non *Etre dans la faute, *Etre en erreur ?

Le problème abordé concerne la sélection de son complément par la préposition en, qui autorise être en faute mais non *être en erreur, à l'inverse de la préposition dans qui permet être dans l'erreur mais non *être dans la faute. L'hypothèse de résolution part des travaux de Gustave Guillaume, lequel cependant s'efforce de justifier la possibilité de combinaison être en faute qui ne devrait pas, normalement, être acceptable. L'analyse lexicale comparative des deux noms conduit cependant à la conclusion que erreur relève de l'extérieur de l'individu tandis que faute au contraire implique une intériorisation, de même que la préposition dans instaure un cadre alors que en définit un état du sujet : l'hypothèse soutenue est que cette convergence explique que les associations dans / erreur et en / faute soient privilégiées

Contribution à la définition de l'identité de la périphrase être en train de

La définition de la périphrase être en train de, qui y repère une valeur de " discordance ", ne peut s'accommoder de la description traditionnelle la voyant comme un marqueur aspectuel saisissant un procès dans son déroulement, donc sans considération d'un début et d'une fin. Dans une optique compositionnelle, nous reprenons ici chacun des constituants de l'expression; l'hypothèse alors retenue est que le fait que la préposition soit liée au bornage lui permet d'attribuer à son complément train au moins un point de départ, et donc d'instituer un passage entre une situation antérieure et une situation nouvelle qui s'installe. C'est dans cette rupture que l'on peut localiser l'effet de " discordance ", le nom train incluant, comme le verbe traîner, une connotation négative. Cette interprétation inchoative ne contredit pas l'apport de être dans être en train de, le verbe étant également susceptible de connaître cet emploi dans d'autres occasions

Using Reflex Actions to Predict Delayed Post-harvest Mortality of American Lobster (Homarus americanus) in Maine’s Lobster Supply Chain

In live seafood industries, maintaining product quality and survivorship are critical aspects of the supply chain infrastructure. Post-harvest mortality in the American lobster (Homarus americanus) fishery can result in a significant loss in revenue for the largest single species fishery in North America. In Maine, the wholesale lobster distribution supply chain directly and indirectly supports state and local economies, providing almost $1 billion in revenue and dominates the fishery, producing 82$14.5 million in value every year (ME DMR, 2022). The lobster supply chain is a network of harvesters, dealers, and distributors that facilitates the transport of live product domestically and internationally. The majority of product loss comes in the form of delayed mortality as a result of stressors within the supply chain. Because of the high volume of lobster transported through the supply chain and its many links, a standard protocol is needed to quickly diagnose whether a high-value live lobster will survive the trip to the consumer. A reflex action mortality predictor (RAMP) model was developed to reliably predict subsequent mortality days after exposure to the supply chain. RAMP models have been successfully used in commercially important fish and crustacean industries to predict discard mortality, but has never been applied in a post-harvest context or for a Homarus species. To model and predict delayed post-harvest mortality using the RAMP model, a three-part methodology was completed and followed by a pilot field test to demonstrate the feasibility of this method. An initial investigation was conducted to identify which reflexes were stereotypic of a healthy lobster. Subsequently, a holding experiment that monitored the survival after exposure to the supply chain was conducted at lobster dealer holding facilities. Carapace length, sex, shell hardness, injuries, and discrete reflex actions of the experimental lobsters were recorded to build logistic RAMP models. Results suggest that carapace length along with four specific reflex actions and five types of injury are significant predictors of mortality up to five days after arrival to a lobster dealer facility. The reflex actions are: eye motion, pereiopod motion, 3rd maxilliped retraction, and 2nd maxilliped motion. The five injuries are: missing chelae, damaged chela, damaged antenna, damaged carapace, and damaged uropod. Measuring these significant predictors takes no more than 20 seconds per lobster. A final, proof-of-concept investigation was conducted at three transfer points in the supply chain to test the practicality of the RAMP method and to test the differences of predicted post-harvest mortality among these sites. This model can be an important tool in identifying supply chain stressors that impact lobster quality and inform efforts to improve the efficiency and resiliency of the industry. Developing a RAMP model to predict post-harvest mortality demonstrates the feasibility of using reflex actions as predictors of mortality in a novel context, acting as a foundational method for future studies. The highly predictive, non-invasive, quick, and cost-effective nature of this method has potential to become a versatile tool for both industry and scientific applications

Endothelin antagonists: new bullets against lung injury?

Acute lung injury is a syndrome of inflammation and of increased permeability of the blood–gas barrier. Endothelins are thought to exert proinflammatory effects. Kuklin and colleagues show that the endothelin receptor antagonist tezosentan reduces pulmonary edema in endotoxemic sheep, in parallel with a prevention of protein kinase C-α activation. In turn, the level of some cytokines increased after tezosentan treatment. Whether these contrasting effects of endothelin blockade on inflammatory mechanisms have clinical relevance and whether these agents might benefit patients with acute lung injury is unknown