Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Linking reward processing to behavioral output: motor and motivational integration in the primate subthalamic nucleus

The expectation and detection of motivationally relevant events is a major determinant of goal-directed behavior and there is a strong interest in the contribution of basal ganglia in the integration of motivational processes into behavioral output. Recent research has focused on the role of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) in the motivational control of action, but it remains to be determined how information about reward is encoded in this nucleus. We recorded the activity of single neurons in the STN of two behaving monkeys to examine whether activity was influenced by the delivery of reward in an instrumental task, a Pavlovian stimulus-reward association, or outside of a task context. We confirmed preliminary findings indicating that STN neurons were sensitive not only to rewards obtained during task performance, but also to the expectation of reward when its delivery was delayed in time. Most of the modulations at the onset of reaching movement were combined with modulations following reward delivery, suggesting the convergence of signals related to the animal’s movement and its outcome in the same neurons. Some neurons were also influenced by the visuomotor contingencies of the task, i.e., target location and/or movement direction. In addition, modulations were observed under conditions where reward delivery was not contingent on an instrumental response, even in the absence of a reward predictive cue. Taken as a whole, these results demonstrate a potential contribution of the STN to motivational control of behavior in the non-human primate, although problems in distinguishing neuronal signals related to reward from those related to motor behavior should be considered. Characterizing the specificity of reward processing in the STN remains challenging and could have important implications for understanding the influence of this key component of basal ganglia circuitry on emotional and motivated behaviors under normal and pathological conditions.
Real-world experience of treatment decision-making in carotid stenosis in a neurovascular board

Objective: To describe our experience with consensus-based decision-making for treatment of internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis by neurologists, interventional neuroradiologists, vascular surgeons, and neurosurgeons in a multidisciplinary neurovascular board and to study adherence to treatment recommendations in the context of uncertainty with respect to the best treatment option. Methods: We established a multidisciplinary neurovascular board meeting twice a week with structured documentation of consensus decisions. Over a time period of 53 months, 614 cases with ICA stenosis were discussed, with 285 (46%) symptomatic and 279 (45%) asymptomatic cases. Results: Recommendation for symptomatic ICA stenosis was revascularization in 76%, medical management alone in 8%, and further diagnostics in 16%. For asymptomatic ICA stenosis, recommendation was randomization in a clinical trial in 29%, revascularization in 27%, medical management alone in 23%, and further diagnostics in 22%. Treatment recommendations were followed in 94% of symptomatic ICA stenosis and 69% of asymptomatic ICA stenosis. Patients in whom carotid artery stenting was recommended for revascularization were younger and showed a higher rate of severe (≥70%) ICA stenosis. Conclusions: Interdisciplinary board decisions are a helpful and transparent tool to assure adherence to guideline recommendations, and to provide consensus-based individualized treatment strategies in clinical practice in the absence of unequivocal evidence.
RULE-BASED ASSESSMENT OF SUITABLE HABITAT AND PATCH CONNECTIVITY FOR THE EURASIAN LYNX

Conservation biologists often must make management decisions based on little empirical information. In Germany, biologists are concerned that the recovery and reintroduction of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) may fail because the remaining suitable habitat may be insufficient to sustain a viable population. However, no comprehensive study ad- dressing this concern has been made that not only considers distribution of suitable habitat, but also connectivity to other populations. The aims of this study were (1) to quantify the amount and location of potentially suitable lynx habitat in Germany, (2) to estimate the connectivity between patches of suitable habitat, and (3) to evaluate lynx conservation programs. Habitat preferences of lynx were described in a rule-based model based on the availability of forest cover (defined by patch size) and the spatial structure of the habitat. Rules were implemented in a geographic information system to predict locations of suitable habitat. Optimal connections among patches were modeled using a cost-path analysis based on habitat-specific probabilities of lynx crossing patches. Results indicated wide variation in the size of patches of suitable habitat, with 10 areas each sufficiently large to sustain . 20 resident lynxes. Overall, a total of 380 lynxes could be sustained by the 10 areas. Uncertainty analyses of model parameters and assumptions revealed little variation in pre- dicted habitat, primarily because results were constrained by the actual distribution of forest habitat. Our analyses suggest that lynx reintroduction programs should emphasize large, connected areas and consider broad-scale habitat connectivity in the landscape. Our ap- proach also demonstrates how biologically plausible rules can be applied in conservation to identify areas in which success is most likely, even when few empirical data are available.
Sex initiates adaptive evolution by recombination between beneficial loci

Current theory proposes that sex can increase genetic variation and produce high fitness genotypes if genetic associations between alleles at different loci are non-random. In case beneficial and deleterious alleles at different loci are in linkage disequilibrium, sex may i) recombine beneficial alleles of different loci, ii) liberate beneficial alleles from genetic backgrounds of low fitness, or iii) recombine deleterious mutations for more effective elimination. In our study, we found that the first mechanism dominated the initial phase of adaptive evolution in Brachionus calyciflorus rotifers during a natural selection experiment. We used populations that had been locally adapted to two environments previously, creating a linkage disequilibrium between beneficial and deleterious alleles at different loci in a combined environment. We observed the highest fitness increase when several beneficial alleles of different loci could be recombined, while the other mechanisms were ineffective. Our study thus provides evidence for the hypothesis that sex can speed up adaptation by recombination between beneficial alleles of different loci, in particular during early stages of adaptive evolution in our system. We also suggest that the benefits of sex might change over time and state of adaptive progress.
In vitro antioxidant activity of Rubus ellipticus fruits

Various studies have been done to identify antioxidants from plant sources and efforts have been taken to incorporate it in conventional therapy. In our present study, petroleum ether, ethanolic, and aqueous extracts of Rubus ellipticus fruits have been evaluated for in vitro antioxidant activity using DPPH radical scavenging and reducing power assay. BHA was used as a standard antioxidant for DPPH radical scavenging activity. The reducing power assay of extracts was carried out with ascorbic acid as a standard reducing agent. All the analysis was made with the use of UV-Visible spectrophotometer. The results of the both assay showed that all the extracts of R. ellipticus fruits possess significant free radical scavenging and reducing power properties at concentration-dependent manner. Hence, it can be concluded that the R. ellipticus fruits could be pharmaceutically exploited for antioxidant properties.
Energy efficiency of SISO algorithms for turbo-decoding message-passing LDPC decoders

The decoding of LDPC codes using the turbo-decoding message-passing strategy is considered. This strategy can be used with different SISO message computation kernels. We analyze the suitability for VLSI implementation of various message computation algorithms in terms of implementation area, energy consumption and error-correcting performance. As one of the computation kernels, we introduce the recent Self-Corrected Min-Sum algorithm and show the advantages it brings from an energy efficiency perspective. We present comparisons among the studied kernels implemented in a 65nm CMOS process and use a test case from the codes defined in IEEE 802.11n to show differences in energy efficiency.
High-Input-Voltage High-Frequency Class E Rectifiers for Resonant Inductive Links

The operation of traditional rectifiers such as half-wave and bridge rectifiers in wireless power transfer applications may be inefficient and can reduce the amount of power that is delivered to a load. An alternative is to use Class E resonant rectifiers that are known to operate efficiently at high resonant frequencies and at large input voltages. Class E rectifiers have a near sinusoidal input current which leads to an improved overall system performance and increased efficiency, especially that of the transmitting coil driver. This paper is the first to investigate the use of Class E resonant rectifiers in wireless power transfer systems based on resonant inductive coupling. A piecewise linear state-space representation is used to model the Class E rectifier including the rectifying diode's forward voltage drop, its ON resistance, and the equivalent series resistance of the resonant inductor. Power quality parameters, such as power factor and total harmonic distortion, are calculated for different loading conditions. Extensive experimental results based on a 10-W prototype are presented to confirm the performed analysis and the efficient operation of the rectifier. An impressive operating efficiency of 94.43% has been achieved at a resonant frequency of 800 kHz.
Sex Preferences of Mentally Retarded Children Depicted in the Human Figure Drawn First

This study was designed to investigate the effect of sex, age (5 to 18 yr.), and IQ (20 to 78) of subjects on sex of human figures drawn first by 146 mentally retarded children. The results showed that the percentages of self-sex figures drawn first by mentally retarded boys and girls are statistically significantly lower than those for boys and girls of normal ability and that neither severity of retardation nor age is significant in determining the frequencies with which a self-sex figure is drawn first by mentally retarded boys and girls. It was suggested that minimal intelligence is required to learn the sex-identification and to identify with one's own sex.
The relationship of plasma catestatin concentrations with metabolic and vascular parameters in untreated hypertensive patients: Influence on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol

Objective: Catestatin has several cardiovascular actions, in addition to diminished sympatho-adrenal flow. Decreased plasma catestatin levels may reflect a predisposition for the development of hypertension and metabolic disorders. We planned to investigate the possible roles of catestatin in untreated hypertensive patients. As a secondary objective, we compared catestatin concentrations of healthy subjects with those of hypertensive patients in order to understand whether catestatin is increased reactively or diminished at onset. Methods: Our study was cross-sectional and observational. The patient group, comprising 109 consecutive untreated hypertensive patients without additional systemic or coronary heart disease, underwent evaluations of plasma catestatin, waist circumference, lipid parameters, left ventricular mass, carotid intima-media thickness, and flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery. Additionally, we measured catestatin concentrations of 38 apparently healthy subjects without any disease using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Results: We documented increased catestatin concentrations in previously untreated hypertensive patients compared to healthy controls (2.27±0.83 vs. 1.92±0.49 ng/mL, p=0.004). However, this association became insignificant after adjustments for age, gender, height, and weight. Within the patient group, catestatin levels were significantly higher in females. Among all study parameters, age, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) correlated positively to plasma catestatin, whereas triglycerides, hemoglobin, and left ventricular mass correlated negatively to plasma catestatin. We could not detect an association between vascular parameters and catestatin. Catestatin levels were significantly elevated with increasing HDL-C (1.91±0.37, 2.26±0.79, and 3.1±1.23 ng/mL in patients with HDL-C <40, 40-60, and >60 mg/dL, respectively). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed age (beta: 0.201, p=0.041) and HDL-C (beta: 0.390, p<0.001) as independent correlates of plasma catestatin concentration. Additionally, male gender (beta:-0.330, p=0.001) and plasma catestatin (beta: 0.299, p=0.002) were significantly associated with HDL-C concentrations. Conclusion: We documented that plasma catestatin is an independent predictor of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In addition to antihypertensive effects, catestatin appears to be related to improved lipid and metabolic profiles. Coexistence of low catestatin levels with low HDL-C may provide a probable mechanism for the predictive value of low HDL-C for increased hypertension and cardiovascular events.
Effective, homogeneous and transient interference with cytosine methylation in plant genomic DNA by zebularine

Covalent modification by methylation of cytosine residues represents an important epigenetic hallmark. While sequence analysis after bisulphite conversion allows correlative analyses with single-base resolution, functional analysis by interference with DNA methylation is less precise, due to the complexity of methylation enzymes and their targets. A cytidine analogue, 5-azacytidine, is frequently used as an inhibitor of DNA methyltransferases, but its rapid degradation in aqueous solution is problematic for culture periods of longer than a few hours. Application of zebularine, a more stable cytidine analogue with a similar mode of action that is successfully used as a methylation inhibitor in Neurospora and mammalian tumour cell lines, can significantly reduce DNA methylation in plants in a dose-dependent and transient manner independent of sequence context. Demethylation is connected with transcriptional reactivation and partial decondensation of heterochromatin. Zebularine represents a promising new and versatile tool for investigating the role of DNA methylation in plants with regard to transcriptional control, maintenance and formation of (hetero-) chromatin.
An analysis of contention-based feedback schemes for score-based schedulers

In this paper we investigate channel state information (CSI) feedback strategy for a basestation (BS) scheduling multiple users for data transmissions in the downlink. For the purpose of fair provisioning of service among users with possibly heterogeneous channel statistics, we adopt scheduling algorithms based on scores: specifically the maximum quantile (MQ) scheduling is used as one of such schedulers where the score corresponds to the quantile of instantaneous SINR. Our feedback scheme is based on contention where we would like to guarantee a set of arbitrary long-term average scores to users and study feedback methods which enable such assignment. We show how the scores are assigned in a maximal manner leveraging the framework of maximum weight schedulers. The problem turns out to be nonconvex, however for two users case we present an explicit formula of feedback for the optimal score assignment. We derive the expression for the optimal feedback parameters which turn out to be asymmetric among users. We analytically show that, even for contention based feedback, by optimally tuning the feedback parameters one can perform very close to feedback scheme without contention. A numerical result is provided in support of the analysis.
Ontogeny of the enhanced fetal-ethanol-induced behavioral and neurophysiologic olfactory response to ethanol odor.

BACKGROUND Studies report a fundamental relationship between chemosensory function and the responsiveness to ethanol, its component orosensory qualities, and its odor as a consequence of fetal ethanol exposure. Regarding odor, fetal exposed rats display enhanced olfactory neural and behavioral responses to ethanol odor at postnatal (P) day 15. Although these consequences are absent in adults (P90), the behavioral effect has been shown to persist into adolescence (P37). Given the developmental timing of these observations, we explored the decay in the response to ethanol odor by examining ages between P37 and young adulthood. Moreover, we sought to determine whether the P15 neurophysiologic effect persists, at least, to P40. METHODS Behavioral and olfactory epithelial (OE) responses of fetal ethanol exposed and control rats were tested at P40, P50, P60, or P70. Whole-body plethysmography was used to quantify each animal's innate behavioral response to ethanol odor. We then mapped the odorant-induced activity across the OE in response to different odorants, including ethanol, using optical recording methods. RESULTS Relative to controls, ethanol exposed animals showed an enhanced behavioral response to ethanol odor that, while significant at each age, decreased in magnitude. These results, in conjunction with previous findings, permitted the development of an ontologic odor response model of fetal exposure. The fitted model exemplifies that odor-mediated effects exist at birth, peak in adolescence and then decline, becoming absent by P90. There was no evidence of an effect on the odor response of the OE at any age tested. CONCLUSIONS Fetal exposure yields an enhanced behavioral response to ethanol odor that peaks in adolescence and wanes through young adulthood. This occurs absent an enhanced response of the OE. This latter finding suggests that by P40 the OE returns to an ethanol "neutral" status and that central mechanisms, such as ethanol-induced alterations in olfactory bulb circuitry, underlie the enhanced behavioral response. Our study provides a more comprehensive understanding of the ontogeny of fetal-ethanol-induced olfactory functional plasticity and the behavioral response to ethanol odor.
A logic you can count on

We prove the decidability of the quantifier-free, static fragment of ambient logic, with composition adjunct and iteration, which corresponds to a kind of regular expression language for semistructured data. The essence of this result is a surprising connection between formulas of the ambient logic and counting constraints on (nested) vectors of integers.Our proof method is based on a new class of tree automata for unranked, unordered trees, which may result in practical algorithms for deciding the satisfiability of a formula. A benefit of our approach is to naturally lead to an extension of the logic with recursive definitions, which is also decidable. Finally, we identify a simple syntactic restriction on formulas that improves the effectiveness of our algorithms on large examples.
PEDS: Passivity enforcement for descriptor systems via Hamiltonian-symplectic matrix pencil perturbation

Passivity is a crucial property of macromodels to guarantee stable global (interconnected) simulation. However, weakly nonpassive models may be generated for passive circuits and systems in various contexts, such as data fitting, model order reduction (MOR) and electromagnetic (EM) macromodeling. Therefore, a post-processing passivity enforcement algorithm is desired. Most existing algorithms are designed to handle pole-residue models. The few algorithms for state space models only handle regular systems (RSs) with a nonsingular D+DT term. To the authors' best knowledge, no algorithm has been proposed to enforce passivity for more general descriptor systems (DSs) and state space models with singular D+DT terms. In this paper, a new post-processing passivity enforcement algorithm based on perturbation of Hamiltonian-symplectic matrix pencil, PEDS, is proposed. PEDS, for the first time, can enforce passivity for DSs. It can also handle all kinds of state space models (both RSs and DSs) with singular D+DT terms. Moreover, a criterion to control the error of perturbation is devised, with which the optimal passive models with the best accuracy can be obtained. Numerical examples then verify that PEDS is efficient, robust and relatively cheap for passivity enforcement of DSs with mild passivity violations.
Impact of low-dose CT screening on smoking cessation among high-risk participants in the UK Lung Cancer Screening Trial

Background Smoking cessation was examined among high-risk participants in the UK Lung Cancer Screening (UKLS) Pilot Trial of low-dose CT screening. Methods High-risk individuals aged 50–75 years who completed baseline questionnaires were randomised to CT screening (intervention) or usual care (no screening control). Smoking habit was determined at baseline using self-report. Smokers were asked whether they had quit smoking since joining UKLS at T1 (2 weeks after baseline scan results or control assignment) and T2 (up to 2 years after recruitment). Intention-to-treat (ITT) regression analyses were undertaken, adjusting for baseline lung cancer distress, trial site and sociodemographic variables. Results Of a total 4055 individuals randomised to CT screening or control, 1546 were baseline smokers (759 intervention, 787 control). Smoking cessation rates were 8% (control n=36/479) versus 14% (intervention n=75/527) at T1 and 21% (control n=79/377) versus 24% (intervention n=115/488) at T2. ITT analyses indicated that the odds of quitting among screened participants were significantly higher at T1 (adjusted OR (aOR) 2.38, 95% CI 1.56 to 3.64, p<0.001) and T2 (aOR 1.60, 95% CI 1.17 to 2.18, p=0.003) compared with control. Intervention participants who needed additional clinical investigation were more likely to quit in the longer term compared with the control group (aOR 2.29, 95% CI 1.62 to 3.22, p=0.007) and those receiving a negative result (aOR 2.43, 95% CI 1.54 to 3.84, p<0.001). Conclusions CT lung cancer screening for high-risk participants presents a teachable moment for smoking cessation, especially among those who receive a positive scan result. Further behavioural research is needed to evaluate optimal strategies for integrating smoking cessation intervention with stratified lung cancer screening. Trial registration number Results, ISRCTN 78513845