Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sequence learning with hidden units in spiking neural networks

We consider a statistical framework in which recurrent networks of spiking neurons learn to generate spatio-temporal spike patterns. Given biologically realistic stochastic neuronal dynamics we derive a tractable learning rule for the synaptic weights towards hidden and visible neurons that leads to optimal recall of the training sequences. We show that learning synaptic weights towards hidden neurons significantly improves the storing capacity of the network. Furthermore, we derive an approximate online learning rule and show that our learning rule is consistent with Spike-Timing Dependent Plasticity in that if a presynaptic spike shortly precedes a postynaptic spike, potentiation is induced and otherwise depression is elicited.
Comparison of total haemoglobin mass measured with the optimized carbon monoxide rebreathing method across different Radiometer™ ABL-80 and OSM-3 hemoximeters

A new Radiometer™ hemoximeter (ABL-80) has recently become available to measure carboxyhaemoglobin concentration for the optimized CO-rebreathing method (oCOR-method). Within the English Institute of Sport (EIS), hemoximeters are used in three different laboratories; therefore, precision and agreement of total haemoglobin mass (tHbmass) determination across sites is essential, and comparison to the previous model OSM-3 is desirable. Six male and one female (age 30 ± 6 years, body mass 78.1 ± 10.6 kg) undertook the oCOR-method. Venous blood (~2 ml) was sampled immediately before and at 7 min during the oCOR-method; with seven replicates from each time point simultaneously analysed on five different Radiometer™ hemoximeters [OSM-3(1), OSM-3(2), ABL-80(1), ABL-80(2) and ABL-80(3)]. There were no differences (p > 0.05) between Δ%HbCO or mean tHbmass analysed with five different hemoximeters (OSM-3(1): 886 ± 167 g; OSM-3(2): 896 ± 160 g: ABL-80(1): 904 ± 157 g; ABL-80(2): 906 ± 163 g: ABL-80(3): 906 ± 162 g). However, the Bland–Altman plot revealed that there was closer agreement between ABL-80 machines for tHbmass than for the OSM-3. The variance (i.e. % error) across replicate samples decreased as the number of samples increased, with the error derived from the ‘worse-case’ scenario (single samples) being 1.2 to 1.6 fold greater in the OSM-3 than the ABL-80. Although there were no differences in the average tHbmass measured with five different hemoximeters, the new ABL-80 were in better agreement with each other compared to the old OSM-3. Previously, five replicates were required to achieve a low error using the OSM-3; however, three replicates are sufficient with the ABL-80 model to produce an error of ≤ 1% in tHbmass.
Mining Association - Correlations Among Demographic Health Indicators

A stereoscopic imaging system employs an image encoder that comprises a variable optical retarder which is positioned face-to-face with an image source and an image decoder that comprises only passive optical elements. In a first embodiment, the imaging system (50) uses a single variable optical retarder (22) to encode perspective view images by selectively developing zero and half-wave retardation. A passive viewing apparatus (52 and 54) employs retardation plates (56, 58, and 64) to decode the images. In a second embodiment, the imaging system (100) uses a pair of variable optical retarders (101 and 102) to encode perspective view images in left- and right-circularly polarized light. A passive viewing apparatus (106 and 108) employs quarter-wave plates (110 and 114) to decode the images. Each of the preferred embodiments is suitable for use with broadband image source phosphors and in processing perspective view images in full color.
Usage of Internet Social Networks and Participatory Dimensions of Social Capital of Youth – The Example of Facebook

The main goal of this article is to analyze the association between the usage of internet social networks (in the example of Facebook) and the participatory dimensions of social capital of youth in Croatia. The research used Robert D. Putnam's operationalized participatory dimensions of social capital as well as theories of internet social networks as potential agents of social capital. The research was conducted via online survey in 2012 on a convenience sample of Croatian youth (N = 577). The results indicate there is a consistent link between the usage of internet social networks and the number of memberships in non-govern- mental organizations and civil activism. A positive correlation with activism remains significant even after including standard correlates such as memberships in organizations or generalized trust. Religiosity is positively associated with membership in non-governmental organizations, but negatively with social engagement and activism. It is concluded that internet social networks, due to their technological and communication characteristics, serve as a relevant agent for participatory practices of youth with the necessity to expand research with a probabilistic sample.
An outbreak of serogroup C (ST-11) meningococcal disease in Tijuana, Mexico

Background Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) has been reported to be endemic in children from Tijuana, Mexico and the risk of an outbreak was always a threat. Objectives To describe all clinical, epidemiological and microbiological features of a meningococcal outbreak that occurred in Tijuana, Mexico. Methods All cases with IMD were admitted at different emergency departments within the city and diagnosed by culture and agglutination tests. Further restriction fragment length polymorphism pulse field gel electrophoresis (RFLP–PFGE) and multi locus sequence typing (MLST) were performed. All clinical and epidemiological characteristics and interventions were evaluated, as well as risk factors associated with mortality. Results From 30 January 2013 to 30 March 2013 there were 19 cases of IMD all caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C. The median age was 16 years (2–47), with higher frequency among individuals at least 13 years old (73.7%). At admission, meningitis was the main clinical presentation (94.7%), followed by purpura (78.9%), septic shock (42.1%) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC, 36.8%). Overall mortality was seven (36.8%). Variables associated with higher mortality were, at admission, presence of septic shock, DIC and thrombocytopenia less than 70,000. All 19 cases had no identifiable site or cluster as the source of the outbreak. RFLP-PFGE showed a discriminatory power for only one profile on all N. meningitidis strains analyzed and a clone ST-11 was identified in all strains. Public health interventions were continuous case reporting of all suspected cases of IMD, an increase in active surveillance in all hospitals, training of medical and laboratory personnel, massive and rapid chemoprophylaxis to all close contacts as indicated, and promotion of good health habits. Conclusions An outbreak with high mortality of IMD occurred in Tijuana, Mexico. This event and evidence of endemicity should encourage health authorities to evaluate meningococcal vaccination in the region.
Engaging and Effectively Teaching Writing Skills to High School Students with Disabilities.

p. 3 Introduction p. 3 1.1 My Story p. 3 2.1 Literature Review Overview p. 5 2.2 Literature Review : Written Ideas p. 5 2.3 Literature Review : Writing Plan Process p. 6 2.4 Literature Review : Views of Failure p. 7 2.5 Outcomes of the Literature Review p. 7 3.1 Sample p. 8 3.2 Instruments p. 10 3.3 Procedure p. 11 4.1 Analysis p. 12 5.1 Results and Findings p. 12 6.1 Summary p. 22 6.2 Discussion p. 23 6.3 Limitations p. 25 6.4 Implications p. 25 6.5 Recommendations for Further Research p. 26 References p. 27 Appendices p. 29
A proof-of-concept study showing antibiotics to be more effective in irritable bowel syndrome with than without small-intestinal bacterial overgrowth: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background Antibiotics relieve symptoms in half of the unselected patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); however, their efficacy if selected according to small-intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is unknown. Aims The aim of this study was to evaluate (a) symptom resolution among IBS patients with or without SIBO on norfloxacin treatment, and (b) its efficacy in obtaining negative SIBO test results as compared with placebo. Method Eighty IBS patients (Rome III) were evaluated for SIBO by gut aspirate culture. Patients with (≥105 CFU/ml) and those without SIBO were separately randomized (computer-generated stratified) to 800 mg/day norfloxacin for 10 days or placebo. Global symptom score (blindly), Rome III criteria, aspirate culture, and glucose hydrogen breath test (GHBT) were assessed before and 1 month after treatment, and patients were followed up for 6 months. Results Although norfloxacin was more effective at reducing the symptom score at 1 month among patients with compared with those without SIBO [15/80, 19% on culture, four on GHBT too; 6.5 (2–13) vs. 2 (0–10), P=0.01; 8.5 (2–16) vs. 5 (0–12), P<0.001] but not placebo, the scores were comparable at 6 months [3 (1–10) vs. 9 (5–19), P=NS]. Symptoms more often resolved to turn Rome III negative in SIBO patients treated with norfloxacin compared with placebo at 1 month (7/8, 87.5 vs. 0/7, P=0.004); of the other 65 patients, 8/32 (25%) treated with norfloxacin but none of the 33 treated with placebo turned Rome III negative. Patients without SIBO and a colony count of 103–105 CFU/ml responded more than those with a colony count less than 103 CFU/ml. Overall, 15/40 (37.5%) patients responded to norfloxacin. At 6 months, 2/8 (25%) with and 5/32 (15.6%) without SIBO remained Rome III negative following norfloxacin. All 4/8 consenting patients treated with norfloxacin became SIBO negative (two each by culture+GHBT and GHBT alone), but 0/7 patients treated with placebo became SIBO negative. Conclusion Norfloxacin is superior to placebo in relieving symptoms of SIBO-associated IBS.
Activation of the alpha 4 beta 1 integrin through the beta 1 subunit induces recognition of the RGDS sequence in fibronectin

Lymphocyte attachment to fibronectin is mainly mediated by the interaction of alpha 5 beta 1 and alpha 4 beta 1 integrins with the RGD and CS-1/Hep II sites, respectively. We have recently shown that the anti-beta 1 mAb TS2/16 can convert the partly active alpha 4 beta 1 present on certain hemopoietic cells that recognizes CS-1 but not Hep II, to a high avidity form that binds both ligands. In this report we have studied whether mAb TS2/16 also affects alpha 4 beta 1 ligand specificity. Incubation of the B cell lines Ramos and Daudi (which lack alpha 5 beta 1) with mAb TS2/16 induced specific attachment to an 80-kD fragment which lacks CS-1 and Hep II and contains the RGD sequence. mAbs anti-alpha 4 and the synthetic peptides CS-1 and IDAPS inhibited adhesion to the 80-kD fragment thus implying alpha 4 beta 1 as the receptor for this fragment. Interestingly, the synthetic peptide GRGDSPC and a 15-kD peptic fibronectin fragment containing the RGD sequence also inhibited B cell adhesion to the 80-kD fragment. Because we have previously shown that RGD peptides do not affect the constitutive function of alpha 4 beta 1, we tested whether TS2/16- activated alpha 4 beta 1 acquired the capacity to recognize RGD. Indeed RGD peptides inhibited TS2/16-treated B cell adhesion to a 38-kD fragment containing CS-1 and Hep II but did not affect binding of untreated cells to this fragment. An anti-fibronectin mAb reactive with an epitope on or near the RGD sequence also efficiently inhibited cell adhesion to the 80-kD fragment, indicating that the RGD sequence is a novel adhesive ligand for activated alpha 4 beta 1. These results emphasize the role of alpha 4 beta 1 as a receptor with different ligand specificities according to the activation state, a fact that may be important for lymphocyte migration, localization, and function.
Hyper IgE syndrome: anaphylaxis in a patient carrying the N567D STAT3 mutation

profiling of CD3(-)CD4(+) T-cells from patients with the lymphocytic variant of hypereosinophillic syndrome reveals targeting of growth control pathways. Blood 2009: 114: 2969–83. 9. de Lavareille A, Roufosse F, SchmidGrendelmeier P, et al. High serum thymus and activation-regulated chemokine levels in the lymphocytic variant of the hypereosinophillic syndrome. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2002: 110: 476–9. 10. Fujisawa T, Nagao M, Hiraguchi Y, et al. Measurement of thymus and activationregulated chemokine/CCL17 in children with atopic dermatitis: elevated normal levels in infancy and age-specific analysis in atopic dermatitis. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2009: 20: 633–41.
Soft Tissue Response to the Presence of Polypropylene-G-Poly(ethylene glycol) Comb-Type Graft Copolymers Containing Gold Nanoparticles

The aim of this study is to evaluate the soft tissue response of the pure and Au-embedded PPg-PEG. PP-g-PEG2000, PP-g-PEG4000, Au-PP-g-PEG2000, and AuPP-g-PEG4000 were obtained via chlorination of polypropylene and polyethylene glycol in the presence of a base with a “grafting onto” technique. Solvent cast films of these four copolymers with PP as a control group were embedded into five different rats. After 30 days of implantation, microscopic evaluation of inflammation and SEM analysis were done. PP had the most intense inflammatory reaction among the other polymers. PP-PEG block copolymers with high molecular weight and gold-nanoparticles-embedded ones revealed mild inflammatory reaction independently. SEM assessment revealed punched hole-like defects on the surface of all polymer samples except for PP. Graft copolymers with PEG, especially Au-attached ones, have favorable soft tissue response, and inflammatory reaction becomes milder as the number of PEG side chains increases.
Predictors of deterioration of lung function in Polish children with cystic fibrosis

Introduction Severity of lung disease varies in patients with the same CFTR genotype. It suggests that other factors affect the severity of cystic fibrosis (CF). The aim of the study was to identify risk factors that determine lung function decline in Polish cystic fibrosis children. Material and methods The follow-up time was no less than 5 years of respiratory status observation based on the forced expiratory volume in 1 s value (FEV1). The socio-economic data, perinatal interview, presence of meconium ileus (MI), time of CF diagnosis, initiation of tobramycin inhalation solution (TIS), pancreatic function, sensitization to Aspergillus fumigatus, presence of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or diabetes mellitus, chronic bacterial colonization and number of exacerbations and hospitalizations were assessed. Results The mean age of 61 included children was 13.3 ±7.6 years. Delta F508 homozygosity was detected in 45.9%, 44.3% were delta F508 heterozygous, and 9.8% had other genotypes. FEV1 decline was observed among 20% of patients; the rest of the patients presented stable values of FEV1 during at least 5 years of observation. The most significant predictors related to the decline of FEV1 were presentation of MI (p = 0.0344), IGT (p = 0.0227), number of exacerbations (p = 0.0288), and early Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) chronic colonization (p = 0.0165) followed by late TIS initiation after the first detection of PA (p=0.0071). Neither time of diagnosis nor type of CFTR mutation was statistically significant as a predictor of lung deterioration. Conclusions The presence of MI, IGT, chronic PA colonization, and number of exacerbations are risk factors for lung function deterioration.
Acute exposure to e-cigarettes causes inflammation and endothelial oxidative stress in non-smoking healthy young subjects.

The effects of e-cigarette (e-cig) aerosol inhalation by nonsmokers have not been examined to date. The present study was designed to evaluate the acute response to aerosol inhalation of non nicotinized e-cigarettes in terms of oxidative stress and indices of endothelial activation in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMVEC). Ten smoking-naïve healthy subjects (mean age ± SD = 28.7± 5.5 years) were subjected to an e-cig challenge following which their serum was monitored for markers of inflammation [C-reactive protein (CRP) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM)] and nitric oxide metabolites (NOx). The oxidative stress and inflammation burden of the circulating serum on the vascular network was also assessed by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and induction of ICAM-1 expression on HPMVEC. Our results show that serum indices of oxidative stress and inflammation increased significantly (p<0.05 as compared to baseline), reaching a peak at approximately 1-2 h post e-cig aerosol inhalation, and returning to baseline levels at 6 h. The circulatory burden of the serum (ICAM-1 and ROS) increased significantly at 2 h and returned to baseline values 6 h post e-cig challenge. ROS production by HPMVEC was found to occur via activation of the NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) pathways. These findings suggest that in the absence of nicotine, acute e-cig aerosol inhalation leads to a transient increase in oxidative stress and inflammation. This can adversely affect the vascular endothelial network by promoting oxidative stress and immune cell adhesion. E-cig inhalation can potentially drive the onset of vascular pathologies.
Learning Planning Domain Descriptions in RDDL

Recently, there is increasing interest in action model learning. However, most previous studies focused on learning effect-based action models. On the other hand, a rule-based planning domain description language was proposed in the latest planning competition. That is the Relational Dynamic Influence Diagram Language (RDDL). It uses rules to describe transitions instead of action models. In this paper, we build a system to learn planning domain descriptions in the RDDL. There are three major parts of an RDDL domain description: constraints, transitions and rewards. We first take advantage of the finite state machine analysis to identify constraints. Then, we employ the inductive learning technique to learn transitions. At last, we use regression to fix rewards. The evaluation was performed on benchmarks from planning competitions. It showed that our system can learn domain descriptions in the RDDL with low error rates. Moreover, our system is developed based on classical approaches. It implicates that the RDDL roots in previous planning languages. Therefore, more classical approaches could be useful in the RDDL domains.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a prophylactic and treatment against ileus and recurrent intestinal obstruction soon after surgery to relieve adhesive intestinal obstruction

Background and Aim: Nonoperative management of cases of adhesive intestinal obstruction would be ideal, especially for patients who have recently undergone surgery to relieve the same condition. We aimed to examine whether hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy might have therapeutic potential for the treatment of postoperative paralytic ileus and recurrent adhesive intestinal obstruction soon after surgery, to relieve adhesive intestinal obstruction, because of its unique mechanisms in these contexts.
On Impact Scripts with both fractional and dry Friction Type of dissipation

We study the dynamics of a mass, sliding on a dry surface and impacting against a rigid wall through a viscoelastic body, that we model as a straight rod of negligible mass. The problem comprises a constitutive model of the viscoelastic body with fractional derivatives of stress and strain, restrictions on the coefficients that follow from Clausius–Duhem inequality, and discontinuous inequality constraint conditions imposed by the Coulomb friction model. We show that the dynamics of the problem is governed by a single integro-differential inclusion. By use of the slack variable algorithm the problem was solved numerically. The predictions of the model concerning the duration of the impact, maximal values of the impacting force and deformation, as well as the restitution coefficient are determined for several values of system parameters. Depending on the dry friction coefficient three different impact scripts are identified: rebound after the impact, capture in the approaching phase, and capture in the reb.
A Conceptual Model of Career Development to Enhance Academic Motivation.

A CONCEPTUAL MODEL OF CAREER DEVELOPMENT TO ENHANCE ACADEMIC MOTIVATION Nancy Creighton Collins Old Dominion University, 2010 Director: Dr. John M. Ritz The purpose of this study was to develop, refine, and validate a conceptual model of career development to enhance the academic motivation of community college students. To achieve this end, a straw model was built from the theoretical and empirical research literature. The model was then refined and validated through three rounds of a Delphi study. The Delphi study solicited the opinions of students who had successfully completed community college programs. Three research goals guided this study: 1) identify the components of modern motivation theory that apply to the academic motivation of community college students, 2) identify key components of career development theory that could be applied to a comprehensive career development program for college students, and 3) synthesize the findings into a conceptual model for a program that supports students' career development using strategies for enhancing motivation. The gatekeeper method was used to select participants for the Delphi panel. Fourteen university academic advisors nominated students for the panel based on selection criteria. From this population 33 students agreed to serve on the Delphi panel. Twenty-seven (82%) of the participants completed the final round of the study. The panel participated in three rounds. The first round asked open-ended questions concerning the straw model and provided an opportunity for participants to add to the model. During the second round participants were asked to evaluate the items in the model and respond to the importance of each item. During the third round participants were asked to compare their responses with those of the other participants. The findings of this study provided a conceptual model which focuses on four important factors identified by the literature as affecting both career development and academic motivation. These four factors are self-efficacy, interest, values, and goals. The Delphi participants added two other additional factors to the model: personal qualities and contextual environment. The model also contains 19 career development objectives and 28 motivational strategies which provide input into model. The purpose of the model is to serve as a guide to practitioners as a foundation to build retention programs.