Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spike-Train Variability of Auditory Neurons In Vivo : Dynamic Responses Follow Predictions From Constant Stimuli

[PDF] [Full Text] [Abstract] , June 1, 2005; 93 (6): 3548-3559. J Neurophysiol A. Vogel, R. M. Hennig and B. Ronacher Simultaneous Recordings Increase of Neuronal Response Variability at Higher Processing Levels as Revealed by [PDF] [Full Text] [Abstract] , January 17, 2007; 27 (3): 582-589. J. Neurosci. L. Wang, R. Narayan, G. Grana, M. Shamir and K. Sen Behavior? Cortical Discrimination of Complex Natural Stimuli: Can Single Neurons Match [PDF] [Full Text] [Abstract] , May 1, 2007; 97 (5): 3376-3385. J Neurophysiol A. Vogel and B. Ronacher System of Locusts Neural Correlations Increase Between Consecutive Processing Levels in the Auditory [PDF] [Full Text] [Abstract] , June 13, 2007; 27 (24): 6461-6472. J. Neurosci. M. Avissar, A. C. Furman, J. C. Saunders and T. D. Parsons Auditory Nerve Responses Adaptation Reduces Spike-Count Reliability, But Not Spike-Timing Precision, of
Effects of Harvesting Systems and Bole Moisture Loss on Weight Scaling of Douglas-Fir Sawlogs (Pseudotsuga Menziesii var. glauca Franco)

Characterizing the moisture loss from felled trees is essential for determining weight-to-volume (W-V) relationships in softwood sawlogs. Several factors affect moisture loss, but research to quantify the effects of bole size and harvest method is limited. This study was designed to test whether bole size, harvest method, environmental factors, and the associated changes in stem moisture content of felled Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca Franco) affected the weight-to-volume relationship of sawlogs. Thirty trees in three size classes (12.7–25.4 cm, 25.5–38.1 cm, 38.2–50.8 cm) were felled and treated with one of two harvesting processing methods. Moisture content was sampled every two days for four weeks. Results showed 6% greater moisture loss in the crowns of stems that retained limbs after felling compared to stems with limbs removed after harvesting. Additionally, moisture loss rate increased as stem size decreased. The smallest size class lost 58% moisture content compared to 34% in the largest size class throughout the study duration. These stem moisture content changes showed a 17% reduction in average sawlog weight within the largest size class, shifting current W-V relationships from 2.33 tons m−3 to 1.94 tons m−3 during the third seasonal quarter for northern Idaho Douglas-fir and potentially altering relationships year-round.
What Are the Impacts of Deforestation on the Harvest of Non-Timber Forest Products in Central Africa?

The objective of the study is to evaluate the impact of forest transition on non-timber forest product (NTFP) harvesting in Central Africa. We analyze the evolution of several parameters, including distance from NTFP harvest site to road, proportion of dietary intake and villagers’ incomes. The research is based on field surveys, participatory mapping and the geolocation of activities in three study sites representing different stages along the Mather’s forest transition curve: (i) intact forest; (ii) partially degraded forest; and (iii) small areas of degraded forest with plantations of useful trees. The results show that the maximum distance from harvest site to road is higher in Site 2 compared to Site 1 as a consequence of a lower availability of NTFPs; and that this distance is significantly lower in Site 3 due to a drastically smaller village territory. The diversity of bushmeat decreases as game evolves from large to small species, commensurate with the progression of forest transition. As a consequence, there is also a reduction in the proportion of these products represented both in household dietary intake and cash income. This analysis establishes a strong link between the Mather’s forest transition curve and a decline in the importance of NTFPs in village production and livelihoods.
Las competencias en el currículo universitario: implicaciones para diseñar el aprendizaje y para la formación del profesorado

RESUMEN El concepto de competencia ha pasado a ocupar un amplio espacio de la reflexion sobre el curriculo universitario en los ultimos anos. La insistencia en la necesidad de planificar desde el punto de vista del aprendizaje y de incidir en una perspectiva profesionalizadora se expresa a traves de la propuesta de una formacion competencial. Este enfoque genera algunas cuestiones relativas a las implicaciones para la funcion docente y a la formacion necesaria para llevarla a cabo. Este documento pretende sugerir algunos puntos para la reflexion y el dialogo. ABSTRACT In the last few years the concept of competence has became a topic of paramount importance in university curricula. The author emphasizes both the necessity to draw up programmes from the learning point of view and the need to follow a professional approach. This approach introduces significant changes concerning the teaching activities and the training needed to carry it out. This paper also tries to suggest some points for reflection and dialogue.
Shift in the Balance between Circulating Thrombospondin-1 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Cancer Patients: Relationship to Platelet α-Granule Content and Primary Activation

Tumoral angiogenesis is regulated by the balance between factors that activate and inhibit angiogenesis. Elevated levels of activators have been associated with a poor prognosis in cancer patients, but little is known about the net balance between circulating activators and inhibitors in these patients. This study was designed to determine whether the balance between circulating concentrations of the angiogenesis inhibitor TSP-1 and the activator VEGF differs from that in healthy persons, and to shed light on the possible role of platelets in this balance. Twenty-five cancer patients and 18 healthy subjects were included. Serum and plasma concentrations of VEGF, TSP-1 and PF4 were measured by ELISA. Our results showed that in healthy subjects the balance between the TSP-1 and VEGF concentrations in serum and in serum minus plasma was twice to three times as high as in cancer patients (p<0.05). The theoretical TSP-1 content per platelet was greater in healthy subjects than in patients (94 vs. 53.6 ng/mL, p<0.05), and platelet activation (determined indirectly as the plasma concentration of PF4) was greater in cancer patients (129 vs. 48 IU/mL, p<0.01). Platelet activation correlated significantly with serum concentration of TSP-1 (r=0.470, p=0.018) and showed a tendency toward correlation with plasma concentration of TSP-1 (r=0.382, p=0.059). Our findings show that the circulating TSP-1/VEGF balance is diminished in cancer patients. Platelet activation may play an important role in this decrease and may ultimately lead to increased angiogenic activity in these patients.
Development and evaluation of a psychological well–being programme for university students in Tanzania

The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence and the levels of psychological well-being in a group of Tanzanian university students. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was implemented for data-gathering. A convenience sample of 279 undergraduate students (19 to 40 years) from three universities completed the Mental Health Continuum – Short Form (MHC-SF), as measure of levels of well-being. Findings indicated the prevalence of levels of positive mental health in this group of university students in Tanzania as follows: 3.5% languishing, 23.6% moderately mentally healthy and 72.7% flourishing. The percentage of flourishing participants is much higher than found in previous studies, and possible reasons are therefore explored. Promotive and preventative programmes may ensure maintenance of well-being in students who are flourishing and may enhance mental health in those who are moderately mentally healthy or languishing.
Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction May Not Be a Better Alternative Approach than Conventional Boiling for Extracting Polysaccharides from Herbal Medicines

In clinical practice polysaccharides from herbal medicines are conventionally prepared by boiling water extraction (BWE), while ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) has often been used instead employed in laboratory research due to its strong extraction ability and efficiency. However, if and how the polysaccharides obtained by UAE and BWE are comparable, and hence whether the UAE-based research is instructive for the actual usage of herbal polysaccharides still requires further evaluation. To address this issue, here we chemically analyzed and compared the UAE- and BWE-obtained polysaccharides from three herbal medicines, i.e., Ginseng Radix, Astragali Radix and Dendrobii Officinalis Caulis. Then, the spike recovery of two series of standard dextran and pullulan by UAE and BWE was tested. The results showed that the polysaccharides from the herbal medicines by UAE were quantitatively and qualitatively different with those by BWE. The powerful extraction ability and polysaccharide degradation caused by ultrasound collectively contributed to these differences. It was then revealed that not only the UAE conditions but also the polysaccharide structures could affect the extraction ability and polysaccharide degradation. Given these, we highly recommended that the effects of UAE on polysaccharides from herbal medicines should be first carefully considered before employing it in relevant chemical and pharmacological analysis.
Studying feature specific mechanisms of the human visual system

What are the current limits of our knowledge of brain activity underlying vision and can I further this knowledge? In this thesis, I explore this basic question. I focus on those aspects of visual input that can be described as basic features of visual perception. Examples include orientation, color, direction of motion and spatial frequency. However, understanding how humans visually perceive the external world is closely related with the study of attention. Attention, that is, the selection of some aspects of the environment over others, is one of the most intensively studied areas in experimental psychology, yet its neural mechanisms remain largely elusive. This thesis focuses on three distinct topics at the border of feature specific visual perception and feature-specific visual attention. First, in a series of studies, I explore the influence of heightened attentional demand to a central task to feature-specific neural processing in the ignored periphery. I discover that heightened attentional demand does not influence feature-specific representations in early visual cortices. Second, I investigate the influence of feature-based attention on neural processing of early visual cortices. At the same time, I also probe the influence of a behavioral decision to deploy feature-specific attention in the imminent future. I find that feature-based attention operates independent of other types of attention. Additionally, results indicate that a behavioral decision to deploy feature-based attention alone, without visual stimulation present, is able to modulate neural activity in early visual cortices. Third, I examine the more complex feature of facial gender and where in the brain gender discrimination might receive neural processing. I find that, in an established network of face-selective brain areas, facial gender is represented in nearly all areas of that network. Finally, I discuss all findings in the light of the current state of research, for their scientific significance and for future research opportunities.
Transfer Learning via Dimensionality Reduction

Transfer learning addresses the problem of how to utilize plenty of labeled data in a source domain to solve related but different problems in a target domain, even when the training and testing problems have different distributions or features. In this paper, we consider transfer learning via dimensionality reduction. To solve this problem, we learn a low-dimensional latent feature space where the distributions between the source domain data and the target domain data are the same or close to each other. Onto this latent feature space, we project the data in related domains where we can apply standard learning algorithms to train classification or regression models. Thus, the latent feature space can be treated as a bridge of transferring knowledge from the source domain to the target domain. The main contribution of our work is that we propose a new dimensionality reduction method to find a latent space, which minimizes the distance between distributions of the data in different domains in a latent space. The effectiveness of our approach to transfer learning is verified by experiments in two real world applications: indoor WiFi localization and binary text classification.
Effects of volume loading on pulmonary venous flow and its relation to left atrial functions.

Although pulmonary venous (PV) flow is closely related to left atrial (LA) pressure dynamics, few investigators have discussed it in relation to LA functions, i.e., reservoir, conduit, and booster pump functions. We examined changes in PV flow rate, LA dimension, and left ventricular filling volume in 11 dogs, and assessed the effects of multistaged volume loading on PV flow and LA functions. Systolic PV flow rate (S) increased significantly and reached a plateau, reflecting a limited LA reservoir function. Diastolic PV flow rate (D) increased significantly with an increase in LA pressure. S/D ratio increased non-significantly from 0.87 +/- 0.07 before volume loading to 0.96 +/- 0.08 until S reached a plateau and then decreased to 0.76 +/- 0.08 (p < 0.05) because of a significant increase in D without an increase in S at the higher stages of volume loading. During atrial contraction, increases in LA active shortening and left ventricular filling volume were limited, indicating a limited LA forward ejection. The difference between PV flow rate just before and at the end of atrial contraction increased and correlated positively with left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (r = 0.57, p < 0.01). PV flow varies according to the degree of volume loading and reflects LA functions, which exhibit limited increases in response to volume loading.
Quadratus lumborum block failure: “A must know complication”

1016 Indian Journal of Anaesthesia | Volume 61 | Issue 12 | December 2017 the supplementary advantage of lower rates of infection. Prevention of leak from anastomosis site is essential, as post‐transplant patients on immunosuppressants are at high risk of a leak. Protection of anastomosis can be assured by making a temporary diversion stoma. If the patient is on cyclosporine, it predisposes them to deep vein thrombosis. [2] Hence, prophylaxis in the form of unfractionated heparin or dose‐adjusted low molecular weight heparin is advised. [5]
Performance comparison of two oscillating positive expiratory pressure devices: Acapella versus Flutter.

BACKGROUND Oscillatory positive expiratory pressure (PEP) with the Flutter device facilitates secretion removal. In the Flutter a steel ball vibrates inside a cone, causing air flow vibration. A new device, the Acapella, uses a counterweighted plug and magnet to create air flow oscillation. The Acapella comes in 2 models: one for patients with expiratory flow > or = 15 L/min and one for < or = 15 L/min. We hypothesized that the Acapella and Flutter would produce similar mean PEP, oscillatory pressure amplitude, and frequency over a clinically relevant range of flows. METHODS We measured oscillatory amplitude, PEP, and frequency. Values for frequency, peak, trough, and mean pressure were recorded automatically every 3 seconds at flows of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 L/min. The pressure waveform for 1 second was also graphically displayed and recorded. The devices were adjusted to give low, medium, and high mean expiratory pressure (Flutter angle at 0, 20, and 40 degrees; Acapella by dial setting). Data were analyzed by 2-way repeated measures analysis of variance, and differences were considered significant when p was < 0.05. RESULTS There were statistically significant differences between the devices for mean pressure, pressure amplitude, and frequency, for all experimental conditions. However, the differences were relatively small and may not be clinically important. Both devices produced similar pressure waveforms at the medium flows. At 5 L/min the Acapella produced a more stable waveform, with a lower frequency, higher amplitude, and a slightly wider range of PEP than the Flutter. CONCLUSIONS Acapella and Flutter have similar performance characteristics. Acapella's performance is not gravity-dependent (ie, dependent on device orientation) and may be easier to use for some patients, particularly at low expiratory flows.
Histological and electrophysiological analysis of the peripheral nerve allografts using an immunosuppressive agent

In peripheral nerve allografts, use of an immunosuppressive agent is one of the ways of reducing nerve rejection. FK506 is a newly discovered substance, extracted from Streptomyces tsukubaensis, and has strong immunosuppressive effects. In the present study, immunosuppressive effects of FK 506 were examined using allografts of rat sciatic nerves. Good nerve regeneration was demonstrated through 12 weeks in this model. The immunosuppressed group gained weight over the course of the experiment. Another study was performed to observe the histological changes caused by ceasing the administration of FK506. Administration of FK506 was terminated 12 weeks after grafting. At 8 weeks after cessation, cellular infiltration and large unmyelinated axons were observed in the extended subperineurial space of grafts. At 12 weeks, histological characteristics of rejection were not observed. In the electrophysiological study, the temporal dispersions were recorded at 4 and 8 weeks. However, the normal electrophysiological waves were recorded at 12 weeks after cessation. It was concluded that FK506 is effective for preventing rejection of nerve allografts without any serious side effects on rats, and findings of total rejection of grafts were not recognized after ceasing the administration of FK 506. In peripheral nerve allografts, short‐term administration of an immunosuppressive agent is sufficient to lead to good nerve regeneration. Microsc. Res. Tech. 58:52–58, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Organizational Learning in the Higher Education Institutions (A Case Study of Agricultural and Natural Recourses Campus of University of Tehran)

The purpose of this study was to appraise the level of organizational learning of the agricultural and natural recourses campus (ANRC) of University of Tehran as the oldest higher education institute in Iran. A questionnaire as survey instrument was developed to quantify managerial practices at campus relative to the integral components of organizational learning. The surveys obtained the subjective opinions of faculty members in ANRC of University of Tehran. The numbers of faculty members were 120, randomly drawn from the selected population. Data was analyzed using frequencies, percentages, and mean. Results indicate that the majority of the respondents (90% faculty members) had highly agreements about meeting institutions of higher education of agriculture as learning organization. Results also indicate that those faculty members might also agree which component of systems thinking is the most important dimension of organizational learning.
Field-Experience Based Root-Cause Analysis of Power-Converter Failure in Wind Turbines

The frequent power-converter failure experienced in wind turbines has a strong economic impact through both the related turbine unavailability and the maintenance cost. Up to now, the prevailing mechanisms and causes underlying the converter failure in wind turbines are mostly unknown. Their identification is, however, a prerequisite for the development of effective solutions. This paper describes a multitrack empirical approach to failure analysis including systematic field-data evaluation, exploration of the real converter operating environment, and postoperational laboratory investigation of converter hardware. The analysis is carried out for two widely used multi-MW wind turbines with low-voltage, insulated-gate bipolar transistor-based converters (topology 1: doubly fed induction generator with partially rated converter, topology 2: induction generator with fully rated converter). The findings suggest that the principle failure mechanisms of power electronics found in other applications, namely solder degradation and bond-wire damage, play a minor role in the investigated types of wind turbines. Instead, the analysis reveals indications of insufficient protection of the converter hardware against the environment (salt, condensation, and insects) as well as indications of electrical overstress.
Long-term effects of integrated rehabilitation in patients with stroke: a nonrandomized comparative feasibility study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Integrated rehabilitation (IR) in patients with stroke with respect to death rate and feasibility, initiated as a reduced death rate, was observed in patients with angina pectoris receiving IR. DESIGN A case-control study included 73 consecutive patients with ischemic stroke. Death rates were compared with those of the general Danish population matched for age, gender, and observation period, as well as data from the community-based Copenhagen Stroke Study. INTERVENTIONS IR was conducted in an outpatient clinic, by professionals as well as by the patient: the former as a specific acupuncture treatment, the latter as a comprehensive biofeedback guided stress management program including diets, physical- and relaxation exercise, Chinese health philosophy, cognitive and mindfulness-related exercises, and specific biofeedback guided acupressure. RESULTS The 4(1/2)-year accumulated risk of death was 11.6% (95 confidence limits: 3.2%-20.0%) for the 73 patients with stroke treated with IR, compared to 18.4% for the general Danish population matched for sex, age, and time period. The corresponding figures for patients receiving conventional stroke treatment were 43.2% (95 confidence limits: 39.7%- 46.7%), and 20.0% for the general Danish population matched for sex, age, and time period. CONCLUSIONS IR was found to be feasible for patients with stroke as a complementary treatment to conventional stroke treatment, and added no risk of dying when compared to Danish stroke patients receiving conventional medical treatment. The results invite further testing in a randomized trial.