Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synaptogenesis of the Calyx of Held: Rapid Onset of Function and One-to-One Morphological Innervation

Synaptogenesis during early development is thought to follow a canonical program whereby synapses increase rapidly in number and individual axons multiply-innervate nearby targets. Typically, a subset of inputs then out-competes all others through experience-driven processes to establish stable, long-lasting contacts. We investigated the formation of the calyx of Held, probably the largest nerve terminal in the mammalian CNS. Many basic functional and morphological features of calyx growth have not been studied previously, including whether mono-innervation, a hallmark of this system in adult animals, is established early in development. Evoked postsynaptic currents, recorded from neonatal mice between postnatal day 1 (P1) and P4, increased dramatically from −0.14 ± 0.04 nA at P1 to −6.71 ± 0.65 nA at P4 with sharp jumps between P2 and P4. These are the first functional assays of these nascent synapses for ages less than P3. AMPA and NMDA receptor-mediated currents were prominent across this age range. Electron microscopy (EM) revealed a concomitant increase, beginning at P2, in the prevalence of postsynaptic densities (16-fold) and adhering contacts (73-fold) by P4. Therefore, both functional and structural data showed that young calyces could form within 2 d, well before the onset of hearing around P8. Convergence of developing calyces onto postsynaptic targets, indicative of competitive processes that precede mono-innervation, was rare (4 of 29) at P4 as assessed using minimal stimulation electrophysiology protocols. Serial EM sectioning through 19 P4 cells further established the paucity (2 of 19) of convergence. These data indicate that calyces of Held follow a noncanonical program to establish targeted innervation that occurs over a rapid time course and precedes auditory experience.
This article is included in the Science Policy gateway

Peer review of research articles is a core part of our scholarly communication system. In spite of its importance, the status and purpose of peer review is often contested. What is its role in our modern digital research and communications infrastructure? Does it perform to the high standards with which it is generally regarded? Studies of peer review have shown that it is prone to bias and abuse in numerous dimensions, frequently unreliable, and can fail to detect even fraudulent research. With the advent of web technologies, we are now witnessing a phase of innovation and experimentation in our approaches to peer review. These developments prompted us to examine emerging models of peer review from a range of disciplines and venues, and to ask how they might address some of the issues with our current systems of peer review. We examine the functionality of a range of social Web platforms, and compare these with the traits underlying a viable peer review system: quality control, quantified performance metrics as engagement incentives, and certification and reputation. Ideally, any new systems will demonstrate that they out-perform and reduce the biases of existing models as much as possible. We conclude that there is considerable scope for new peer review initiatives to be developed, each with their own potential issues and advantages. We also propose a novel hybrid platform model that could, at least partially, resolve many of the socio-technical issues associated with peer review, and potentially disrupt the entire scholarly communication system. Success for any such development relies on reaching a critical threshold of research community engagement with both the process and the platform, and therefore cannot be achieved without a significant change of incentives in research environments.
Temporal Structures

We combine the principles of the Floyd-Warshall-Kleene algorithm, enriched categories, and Birkhoff arithmetic, to yield a useful class of algebras of transitive vertex-labeled spaces. The motivating application is a uniform theory of abstract or parametrized time in which to any given notion of time there corresponds an algebra of concurrent behaviors and their operations, always the same operations but interpreted automatically and appropriately for that notion of time. An interesting side application is a language for succinctly naming a wide range of datatypes.
Gene Therapy to Inhibit the Calcium Channel &bgr; Subunit: Physiological Consequences and Pathophysiological Effects in Models of Cardiac Hypertrophy

Calcium cycling figures prominently in excitation-contraction coupling and in various signaling cascades involved in the development of left ventricular hypertrophy. We hypothesized that genetic suppression of the L-type calcium channel accessory &bgr;-subunit would modulate calcium current and suppress cardiac hypertrophy. A short hairpin RNA template sequence capable of mediating the knockdown of the L-type calcium channel accessory &bgr;-subunit gene was incorporated into a lentiviral vector (PPT.CG.H1.&bgr;2). Transduction of ventricular myocytes in vivo with the active short hairpin RNA partially inhibited the L-type calcium current. In neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, L-type calcium channel accessory &bgr;-subunit gene knockdown reduced calcium transient amplitude. Similarly, [3H]leucine incorporation was attenuated in PPT.CG. H1. &bgr;2-transduced neonatal rat cardiomyocytes compared with nonsilencing controls in a phenylephrine-induced hypertrophy model. In vivo gene transfer attenuated the hypertrophic response in an aortic-banded rat model of left ventricular hypertrophy, with reduced left ventricular wall thickness and heart weight/body weight ratios in PPT.CG. H1. &bgr;2-injected rats at four weeks post transduction. Fractional shortening was preserved in rats treated with PPT.CG. H1. &bgr;2. These findings indicate that knockdown of L-type calcium channel accessory &bgr;-subunit is capable of attenuating the hypertrophic response both in vitro and in vivo without compromising systolic performance. Suppression of the calcium channel &bgr; subunit may represent a novel and useful therapeutic strategy for left ventricular hypertrophy.
Predicted Strain Coverage of a New Meningococcal Multicomponent Vaccine (4CMenB) in Spain: Analysis of the Differences with Other European Countries

Background A novel meningococcal multicomponent vaccine, 4CMenB (Bexsero®), has been approved in Europe, Canada, Australia and US. The potential impact of 4CMenB on strain coverage is being estimated by using Meningococcal Antigen Typing System (MATS), an ELISA assay which measures vaccine antigen expression and diversity in each strain. Here we show the genetic characterization and the 4CMenB potential coverage of Spanish invasive strains (collected during one epidemiological year) compared to other European countries and discuss the potential reasons for the lower estimate of coverage in Spain. Material and Methods A panel of 300 strains, a representative sample of all serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis notified cases in Spain from 2009 to 2010, was characterized by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and FetA variable region determination. 4CMenB vaccine antigens, PorA, factor H binding protein (fHbp), Neisseria Heparin Binding Antigen (NHBA) and Neisserial adhesin A (NadA) were molecularly typed by sequencing. PorA coverage was assigned to strain with VR2 = 4. The levels of expression and cross-reactivity of fHbp, NHBA and NadA were analyzed using MATS ELISA. Findings Global estimated strain coverage by MATS was 68.67% (95% CI: 47.77–84.59%), with 51.33%, 15.33% and 2% of strains covered by one, two and three vaccine antigens, respectively. The predicted strain coverage by individual antigens was: 42% NHBA, 36.33% fHbp, 8.33% PorA and 1.33% NadA. Coverage within the most prevalent clonal complexes (cc) was 70.37% for cc 269, 30.19% for cc 213 and 95.83% for cc 32. Conclusions Clonal complexes (cc) distribution accounts for variations in strain coverage, so that country-by-country investigations of strain coverage and cc prevalence are important. Because the cc distribution could also vary over time, which in turn could lead to changes in strain coverage, continuous detailed surveillance and monitoring of vaccine antigens expression is needed in those countries where the multicomponent vaccine is introduced. This is really important in countries like Spain where most of the strains are predicted to be covered by only one vaccine antigen and the chance for escape mutants to emerge with vaccine use is higher. Based on the observed data, cc213 should receive special attention as it is associated with low predicted strain coverage, and has recently emerged in Spain.
Treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis with Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors: Longer-term Outcomes Including Enthesitis and Dactylitis with Golimumab Treatment in the Longterm Extension of a Randomized, Placebo-controlled Study (GO-REVEAL)

Objective. To assess longer-term outcomes, including enthesitis and dactylitis, in patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA), in a study of golimumab treatment. Methods. Adult patients with active PsA were randomized to receive subcutaneous injections of placebo (n = 113), golimumab 50 mg (n = 146), or golimumab 100 mg (n = 146) every 4 weeks through Week 20. All patients received golimumab 50 mg or 100 mg from Week 24 onward. Entheses tenderness was scored in 15 body sites using the PsA-modified Maastricht Ankylosing Spondylitis Enthesitis Score (MASES). Dactylitis was assessed in 20 digits of the hands and feet. Results. Among the 405 randomized patients, 77% presented with enthesitis and 34% dactylitis at baseline. At Week 24 of the placebo-controlled study phase, significant differences were observed between golimumab 50 mg and/or 100 mg and placebo for mean percent improvement in the PsA-modified MASES [46% (p < 0.001) and 52% (p < 0.001) vs 13%, respectively] and the dactylitis score [66% (p = 0.09) and 82% (p < 0.001) vs 28%, respectively]. By Week 52, improvements were maintained among patients randomized to receive golimumab (mean improvements of 54% for PsA-modified MASES and 77% for the dactylitis score). Those given placebo who had enthesitis or dactylitis at baseline and who crossed over to golimumab at Week 16 or 24 had somewhat less improvement at Week 52 (i.e., 39% for the PsA-modified MASES, 57% for dactylitis score). Conclusion. Treatment of PsA patients with the TNF inhibitor golimumab was effective across all components of disease, including enthesitis and dactylitis, and efficacy was maintained over longer-term followup.
Stud . tech . Maren Brunborg VORTEX INDUCED VIBRATIONS OF SLENDER MARINE STRUCTURES

The main objective of this thesis is to study the behaviour of slender marine structures exposed to vortex induced vibrations (VIV). Especially the interaction between active response frequencies is important. This is done by analysing results from an experiment simulating VIV on a riser. Improved understanding of this phenomenon is important for the marineand offshore industry as operations subsea and in deeper waters are in growth. Hence, a goal is to use findings from experiments in an attempt to improve VIVANA, a program predicting responses regarding VIV. The first part of the thesis include an overview of ways to analyse and process measurements from experiments in order to gain information on VIV. A literature study on how VIVANA select active response frequencies and how they are predicted to interact, is also included. Based on the first part, an analysis of results from the "High Mode VIV Test" carried out for the Norwegian Deepwater Programme (NDP), is performed. The main analysis contains generation of figures showing how the active response frequencies of the riser behaves in time and space. Two different current profiles with a number of velocities are used to obtain a large sample, which is necessary in the attempt to see a pattern. Also amplitude plots are made from the measurements, mainly to get information of dominating modes. It was difficult to discover clear patterns for the frequency interaction in space and time. However, it can be seen signs of timeand space sharing, which more or less confirms the conclusions from former experiments, that the real response is a combination of these two approaches. What turned out to be the most important finding in this thesis comes from calculating the added mass of the modelled riser. The dominating mode and dominating frequency for each case found from the mentioned plots, are used in this calculation to see how the added mass change for increasing current velocity and mode. The results show that added mass seems to stabilize around a constant value for higher current velocities and modes. If this can be verified, it is valuable information because it means that a crucial part of the analysis in VIVANA can be simplified and hence improve the program.
Ethical and practical concerns of surveillance technologies in residential care for people with dementia or intellectual disabilities: an overview of the literature

ABSTRACT Background: Technology has emerged as a potential solution to alleviate some of the pressures on an already overburdened care system, thereby meeting the growing needs of an expanding population of seriously cognitively impaired people. However, questions arise as to what extent technologies are already being used in residential care and how ethically and practically acceptable this use would be. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted to explore what is known on the moral and practical acceptability of surveillance technologies in residential care for people with dementia or intellectual disabilities, and to set forth the state of the debate. Results: A total of 79 papers met the inclusion criteria. The findings show that application and use of surveillance technologies in residential care for vulnerable people generates considerable ethical debate. This ethical debate centers not so much around the effects of technology, but rather around the moral acceptability of those effects, especially when a conflict arises between the interests of the institution and the interests of the resident. However, the majority of articles lack in depth analysis. Furthermore, there are notable cultural differences between the European literature and American literature whereby in Britain there seems to be more ethical debate than in America. Overall however, there is little attention for the resident perspective. Conclusion: No ethical consensus has yet been reached, underlining the need for clear(er) policies. More research is thus recommended to determine ethical and practical viability of surveillance technologies whereby research should be specifically focused on the resident perspective.
Monoclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of Fusarium T-2 and zearalenone toxins in cereals

Direct, competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) with monoclonal antibodies have been developed for quantitative determination of trichothecene T-2 toxin (T-2), and zearalenone (F-2) from different cereals: Among the several extraction solvents tried, 89% acetonitrile with additives was chosen. The extracts were then used without cleanup in the ELISA. With appropriate dilution of the samples (1:25 or 1:50), the matrix effects caused by lipid and/or protein content of the samples can be diminished to the extent that the assay is no longer impaired. The mean recoveries from cereals infected with 100 to 2,000 ng of T-2 and 50 to 500 ng of F-2 per g were 85 and 91%, respectively. The measuring range of the T-2 test is 100 to 2,000 ng/g, and that of the F-2 test is 25 to 400 ng/g. The mean within-assay and interassay coefficients of variation of standard curves are both less than 10%. According to recovery results with artificially infected cereals, our tests proved to be suitable for rapid screening of food and feed samples for the presence of T-2 and F-2 toxins.
Methyl aminolevulinate (Metvix®) photodynamic therapy - practical pearls

Topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an effective treatment for certain non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs), including superficial and nodular basal cell carcinomas (sBCC and nBCC), actinic keratosis (AK) and Bowen's disease. Methyl aminolevulinate (MAL, Metvix®) is licensed in Europe for use in PDT for sBCC, nBCC and thin or non-hyperkeratotic and non-pigmented AK on the face and scalp, where other therapies are unsuitable. Optimal PDT response can be achieved through appropriate patient selection and lesion preparation. Evidence of efficacy is reviewed from guidelines and clinical experience. Red light from an LED source offers a relatively efficient method of activating the photodynamic reaction. The most common side effect of PDT is pain, burning or stinging discomfort at the site of treatment, although most patients do not request pain relief. The incidental observation of surface fluorescence three hours after photosensitizer application can be utilized for tumour detection as well as delineation. Topical PDT using Metvix® MAL offers a practical non-invasive therapy option with the potential for high efficacy and good cosmesis.
A Surface-Based Analysis of Hemispheric Asymmetries and Folding of Cerebral Cortex in Term-Born Human Infants

We have established a population average surface-based atlas of human cerebral cortex at term gestation and used it to compare infant and adult cortical shape characteristics. Accurate cortical surface reconstructions for each hemisphere of 12 healthy term gestation infants were generated from structural magnetic resonance imaging data using a novel segmentation algorithm. Each surface was inflated, flattened, mapped to a standard spherical configuration, and registered to a target atlas sphere that reflected shape characteristics of all 24 contributing hemispheres using landmark constrained surface registration. Population average maps of sulcal depth, depth variability, three-dimensional positional variability, and hemispheric depth asymmetry were generated and compared with previously established maps of adult cortex. We found that cortical structure in term infants is similar to the adult in many respects, including the pattern of individual variability and the presence of statistically significant structural asymmetries in lateral temporal cortex, including the planum temporale and superior temporal sulcus. These results indicate that several features of cortical shape are minimally influenced by the postnatal environment.
View-warped Multi-view Soft Shadows for Local Area Lights

Rendering soft shadows cast by dynamic objects in real time with few visual artifacts is challenging to achieve. We introduce a new algorithm for local light sources that exhibits fewer artifacts than fast single-view approximations and is faster than high-quality multi-view solutions. Inspired by layered depth images, image warping, and point-based rendering, our algorithm traverses complex occluder geometry once and creates an optimized multi-view point cloud as a proxy. We then render many depth maps simultaneously on graphics hardware using GPU Compute. By signiﬁcantly reducing the time spent producing depth maps, our solution presents a new alternative for applications that cannot yet afford the most accurate methods, but that strive for higher quality shadows than possible with common approximations.
Canadian Association of General Surgeons and Acs, Evidence-based Reviews in Surgery Antibiotics Vs Appendectomy for Uncomplicated Acute Appendicitis for Members of the Evidence-based Reviews in Surgery Group

The term evidence-based medicine was first coined by Sack-ett and colleagues 1 as " the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients. " The key to practicing evidence-based medicine is applying the best current knowledge to decisions in individual patients. Medical knowledge is continually and rapidly expanding, and it is impossible for an individual clinician to read all the medical literature. For clinicians to practice evidence-based medicine , they must have the skills to read and interpret the medical literature so that they can determine the validity, reliability, credibility, and utility of individual articles. These skills are known as critical appraisal skills. Generally, critical appraisal requires that the clinician have some knowledge of biostatistics, clinical epidemiology, decision analysis, and economics as well as clinical knowledge. The Canadian Association of General Surgeons (CAGS) and the American College of Surgeons (ACS) jointly sponsor a program titled, " Evidence-Based Reviews in Surgery " (EBRS), supported by an educational grant from Ethicon Inc and Ethicon Endo Surgery Inc. The primary objective of this initiative is to help practicing surgeons improve their critical appraisal skills. During the academic year, 8 clinical articles are chosen for review and discussion. They are selected not only for their clinical relevance to general surgeons, but also because they cover a spectrum of issues important to surgeons; for example, causation or risk factors for disease, natural history or prognosis of disease, how to quantify disease (measurement issues), diagnostic tests and the diagnosis of disease, and the effectiveness of treatment. Both methodologic and clinical reviews of the article are performed by experts in the relevant areas and posted on the EBRS website. A list-serve discussion is held where participants can discuss the monthly article. Fellows and candidates of the College can access Evidence-Based Reviews in Surgery through the American College of Surgeons website (www.facs.org). All journal articles and reviews are available electronically through the website. Currently we have a library of 50 articles and reviews, which can be accessed at any time. Each October, a new set of articles will be available each month until May. Surgeons who participate in the current (modules) packages can receive CME credits by completing a series of multiple choice questions. Additional information about EBRS is on the ACS website or by email to the administrator, Marg McKenzie at mmckenzie@mtsinai.on. ca. In addition to making the …
Hand Skill Asymmetry in Professional Musicians

Hand skill asymmetry on two handedness tasks was examined in consistent right-handed musicians and nonmusicians as well as mixed-handed and consistent left-handed nonmusicians. Musicians, although demonstrating right-hand superiority, revealed a lesser degree of hand skill asymmetry than consistent right-handed nonmusicians. Increased left-hand skill in musicians accounted for their reduced asymmetry. Musicians predominantly playing keyboard instruments demonstrated superior tapping performance than musicians playing predominantly string instruments, although they did not differ with respect to hand skill asymmetry. Since the diminished tapping asymmetry in musicians was related to early commencement but not duration of musical training, results are interpreted as an adaptation process due to performance requirements interacting with cerebral maturation during childhood.