Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New 14C evidence for the Late Neolithic-Early Bronze Age transition in Southeast Europe

The transition from the Late Neolithic (LN) period (locally also called Final Neolithic or Chalcolithic) to the Early Bronze Age (EBA) in Greece and the Southeast Balkans is an obscure period in human history. Previous radiocarbon evidence showed that in settlements with stratigraphical sequences stretching out on both periods, the absolute dates featured a gap ranging from 700 to 1000 years (roughly between 4000 and 3300/3000 cal. BC). On the other hand, there is only scarce evidence about settlements that would have been founded during the missing period, thus arising questions of paramount importance about the human occupational strategies in this period. Investigation tackling this particular problem is carried out within the framework of a broader research project (Balkans-4000) funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR). Here we discuss the latest radiocarbon results from three recently excavated multilayer settlements on the continental Greek Eastern Macedonia: Dikili Tash, Kryoneri and Sidirokastro. In all cases, the existing LN radiocarbon dates do not go beyond about 4000 BC, whereas the earliest EBA layer dates begin at around 3300 BC. A date in the last 1/3rd of the 4th millennium BC is also the date suggested for the one-layer transitional settlement on the neighbouring island of Thasos (Aghios Ioannis). The fact that the gap affects settlements of different types and locations, although there are no signs of major environmental changes, suggests that the reasons of their possible total or partial abandonment are more likely to be social than strictly environmental.
Physical Interactions and Functional Relationships of Neuroligin 2 and Midbrain Serotonin Transporters

The neurotransmitter serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] modulates many key brain functions including those subserving sensation, emotion, reward, and cognition. Efficient clearance of 5-HT after release is achieved by the antidepressant-sensitive 5-HT transporter (SERT, SLC6A4). To identify novel SERT regulators, we pursued a proteomic analysis of mouse midbrain SERT complexes, evaluating findings in the context of prior studies that established a SERT-linked transcriptome. Remarkably, both efforts converged on a relationship of SERT with the synaptic adhesion protein neuroligin 2 (NLGN2), a post-synaptic partner for presynaptic neurexins, and a protein well-known to organize inhibitory GABAergic synapses. Western blots of midbrain reciprocal immunoprecipitations confirmed SERT/NLGN2 associations, and also extended to other NLGN2 associated proteins [e.g., α-neurexin (NRXN), gephyrin]. Midbrain SERT/NLGN2 interactions were found to be Ca2+-independent, supporting cis vs. trans-synaptic interactions, and were absent in hippocampal preparations, consistent with interactions arising in somatodendritic compartments. Dual color in situ hybridization confirmed co-expression of Tph2 and Nlgn2 mRNA in the dorsal raphe, with immunocytochemical studies confirming SERT:NLGN2 co-localization in raphe cell bodies but not axons. Consistent with correlative mRNA expression studies, loss of NLGN2 expression in Nlgn2 null mice produced significant reductions in midbrain and hippocampal SERT expression and function. Additionally, dorsal raphe 5-HT neurons from Nlgn2 null mice exhibit reduced excitability, a loss of GABAA receptor-mediated IPSCs, and increased 5-HT1A autoreceptor sensitivity. Finally, Nlgn2 null mice display significant changes in behaviors known to be responsive to SERT and/or 5-HT receptor manipulations. We discuss our findings in relation to the possible coordination of intrinsic and extrinsic regulation afforded by somatodendritic SERT:NLGN2 complexes.
Treatment of 27 Postoperative Enterocutaneous Fistulas with the Long Half‐life Somatostatin Analogue SMS 201–995

Twenty-seven patients with postoperative enterocutaneous fistulas were treated with parenteral nutrition and SMS 201-995 (100 micrograms/8 hours, subcutaneously), a long half-life somatostatin analogue. At the time SMS 201-995 was started, 11 patients had low output fistulas (less than 1000 ml/48 hours), 11 patients had high output fistulas (above 1000 ml/48 hours), and 5 patients had fistulas sitting in large abdominal wall defects. Within 24 hours of treatment, a mean reduction of 55% of the fistula output was observed. Fistula site or output before treatment had no influence on the magnitude of output reduction. Spontaneous closure was achieved in 77% of the patients after a mean of 5.8 +/- 2.7 days of treatment with this drug. Two patients died (7.4%). Pain at the injection site was referred by 15% of the patients but no other side effects were observed. Glucose intolerance was not observed. SMS 201-995 has been shown to be very useful in the conservative treatment of enterocutaneous fistulas because of its ability to rapidly reduce fistula output and accelerate spontaneous closure.
Comparing solution sets of different size in evolutionary many-objective optimization

When the performance of different evolutionary multiobjective optimization (EMO) algorithms is compared, the same population size is usually used for all EMO algorithms in computer simulations. This setting is to obtain a solution set of the same size from a different algorithm. However, in general, each algorithm may have its own best parameter specifications for each test problem. Thus, it may be difficult to appropriately specify the same population size for all algorithms for their fair comparison. A different algorithm may be evaluated as being the best for a different specification of the population size. An alternative setting is to allow each algorithm to use its own best population size. In this setting, a solution set of different size is obtained from each algorithm. It may be difficult to perform fair comparison using solution sets of different size. In this paper, we discuss the difficulty in comparing EMO algorithms under these two settings of the population size: the same specification for all algorithms and a different specification for each algorithm. First, we discuss the effect of the number of non-dominated solutions on some performance indicators. Next we show the difficulty in the first setting: Performance of each algorithm depends on the population size. Then we discuss the difficulty in the second setting: The size of a solution set obtained by each algorithm is not the same. In this setting, we examine the use of solution selection as a post-processing procedure to choose the same number of solutions from each solution set of different size. The selected solutions are used for performance comparison.
Impact of inhaled corticosteroid use on outcome in COPD patients admitted with pneumonia

The aim of this study was to investigate whether inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use affects outcome in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) admitted with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). This was a prospective, observational study of patients with spirometry-confirmed COPD presenting with a primary diagnosis of CAP in Lothian, UK. Outcome measures were compared between ICS users and non-ICS users. Of 490 patients included in the study, 76.7% were classified as ICS users. ICS users had higher Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage compared with non-ICS users (mean±sd 3.2±0.8 versus 2.6±0.9; p<0.0001). There were no significant differences in pneumonia severity (mean±sd Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) 4.2±0.8 versus 4.3±0.8 (p = 0.3); mean±sd CURB-65 score 2.1±1.3 versus 2.3±1.3 (p = 0.07)) or markers of systemic inflammation (median C-reactive protein 148 (interquartile range 58–268) mg·L−1 versus 183 (IQR 85–302) mg·L−1; p = 0.08) between ICS users and non-ICS users. On multivariable analysis, after adjustment for COPD severity and PSI, ICS use was not independently associated with 30-day mortality (OR 1.71, 95% CI 0.75–3.90; p = 0.2), 6-month mortality (OR 1.62, 95% CI 0.82–3.16; p = 0.2), requirement for mechanical ventilation and/or inotropic support (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.33–1.62; p = 0.4) or development of complicated pneumonia (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.25–1.99; p = 0.5). Prior ICS use had no impact on outcome in patients with COPD admitted with CAP.
Quantized Memory-Augmented Neural Networks

Memory-augmented neural networks (MANNs) refer to a class of neural network models equipped with external memory (such as neural Turing machines and memory networks). These neural networks outperform conventional recurrent neural networks (RNNs) in terms of learning long-term dependency, allowing them to solve intriguing AI tasks that would otherwise be hard to address. This paper concerns the problem of quantizing MANNs. Quantization is known to be effective when we deploy deep models on embedded systems with limited resources. Furthermore, quantization can substantially reduce the energy consumption of the inference procedure. These benefits justify recent developments of quantized multi layer perceptrons, convolutional networks, and RNNs. However, no prior work has reported the successful quantization of MANNs. The in-depth analysis presented here reveals various challenges that do not appear in the quantization of the other networks. Without addressing them properly, quantized MANNs would normally suffer from excessive quantization error which leads to degraded performance. In this paper, we identify memory addressing (specifically, content-based addressing) as the main reason for the performance degradation and propose a robust quantization method for MANNs to address the challenge. In our experiments, we achieved a computation-energy gain of 22× with 8-bit fixed-point and binary quantization compared to the floating-point implementation. Measured on the bAbI dataset, the resulting model, named the quantized MANN (Q-MANN), improved the error rate by 46% and 30% with 8-bit fixed-point and binary quantization, respectively, compared to the MANN quantized using conventional techniques.
Transferring Transformations: Learning Gains, Student Attitudes, and the Impacts of Multiple Instructors in Large Lecture Courses

We have implemented several research‐based transformations in our introductory calculus‐based physics course at CU Boulder. These include Peer Instruction with student response system in lecture, Tutorials with trained undergraduate learning assistants in recitations, and personalized computer assignments. In an effort to distinguish the effects of instructor, TA preparation, and particular research‐based activities, we present extensive new measurements from six courses representing a spectrum of reforms. This study includes data from Physics I with and without Tutorials, and Physics II with Tutorials. We present multiple quantitative and qualitative measures of success, including validated pre/post content‐ and attitude‐surveys and common exam questions. We investigate the hand‐off of reforms between faculty implementing different suites of activities, and begin to assess elements and requirements for success with these transformations. We present evidence that combining research‐based interactive engag.
Meteorites from the United Arab Emirates: Description, weathering, and terrestrial ages

We report on the first meteorite search campaign in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The geology and proximity of our search region suggest that it is the north‐western extension of the Oman meteorite fields. We found 26 ordinary chondrites, bringing the total number of official meteorites from the UAE to 28. The campaign was organized and conducted in close cooperation with the UAE government and the main masses of the meteorites remained in the country where they will become part of an exhibition. The bulk composition of five meteorite and three soil samples indicates an uptake of U, Mo, Sr, Ba, Li, and Pb from the soil into the meteorites during terrestrial weathering. Terrestrial ages determined from 14C decay of 21 meteorites range from recent falls to 24.4 ka, with two meteorites having >37 ka and approximately 39 ka, respectively. Weak correlations between weathering degree, meteorite bulk chemical composition, and terrestrial age suggest highly localized weathering conditions, possibly related to abundant occurrences of sabkhas in the search region.
A Multi-enzyme Cascade of Hemoglobin Proteolysis in the Intestine of Blood-feeding Hookworms*

Blood-feeding pathogens digest hemoglobin (Hb) as a source of nutrition, but little is known about this process in multicellular parasites. The intestinal brush border membrane of the canine hookworm, Ancylostoma caninum, contains aspartic proteases (APR-1), cysteine proteases (CP-2), and metalloproteases (MEP-1), the first of which is known to digest Hb. We now show that Hb is degraded by a multi-enzyme, synergistic cascade of proteolysis. Recombinant APR-1 and CP-2, but not MEP-1, digested native Hb and denatured globin. MEP-1, however, did cleave globin fragments that had undergone prior digestion by APR-1 and CP-2. Proteolytic cleavage sites within the Hb α and β chains were determined for the three enzymes, identifying a total of 131 cleavage sites. By scanning synthetic combinatorial peptide libraries with each enzyme, we compared the preferred residues cleaved in the libraries with the known cleavage sites within Hb. The semi-ordered pathway of Hb digestion described here is surprisingly similar to that used by Plasmodium to digest Hb and provides a potential mechanism by which these hemoglobinases are efficacious vaccines in animal models of hookworm infection.
Ultrafast compound doppler imaging: providing full blood flow characterization

Doppler-based flow analysis methods require acquisition of ultrasound data at high spatio-temporal sampling rates. These rates represent a major technical challenge for ultrasound systems because a compromise between spatial and temporal resolution must be made in conventional approaches. Consequently, ultrasound scanners can either provide full quantitative Doppler information on a limited sample volume (spectral Doppler), or averaged Doppler velocity and/or power estimation on a large region of interest (Doppler flow imaging). In this work, we investigate a different strategy for acquiring Doppler information that can overcome the limitations of the existing Doppler modes by significantly reducing the required acquisition time. This technique is called ultrafast compound Doppler imaging and is based on the following concept: instead of successively insonifying the medium with focused beams, several tilted plane waves are sent into the medium and the backscattered signals are coherently summed to produce high-resolution ultrasound images. We demonstrate that this strategy allows reduction of the acquisition time by a factor of up to of 16 while keeping the same Doppler performance. Depending on the application, different directions to increase performance of Doppler analysis are proposed and the improvement is quantified: the ultrafast compound Doppler method allows faster acquisition frame rates for high-velocity flow imaging, or very high sensitivity for low-flow applications. Full quantitative Doppler flow analysis can be performed on a large region of interest, leading to much more information and improved functionality for the physician. By leveraging the recent emergence of ultrafast parallel beamforming systems, this paper demonstrates that breakthrough performances in flow analysis can be reached using this concept of ultrafast compound Doppler.
Intravenous Lipid and Amino Acids Briskly Increase Plasma Glucose Concentrations in Small Premature Infants

We determined the glycemic response to intravenous lipid infusion alone, lipid with amino acids, or amino acids alone in 15 very small premature infants receiving constant glucose infusion during early life. Infants who received lipid or lipid and amino acids demonstrated significant increases in glucose compared with infants who received amino acids. The combination of lipid and amino acids resulted in an earlier increase than lipid alone. Although plasma insulin did not change in all three groups, infants who received amino acids alone demonstrated an appropriate increase in glucagon. These data suggest that lipid infusion, a commonly used means of providing nutrition to premature infants, may cause significant disturbances in glucoregulation, particularly when administered with amino acids.
Exploring the Utility of Joint Morphological and Syntactic Learning from Child-directed Speech

Children learn various levels of linguistic structure concurrently, yet most existing models of language acquisition deal with only a single level of structure, implicitly assuming a sequential learning process. Developing models that learn multiple levels simultaneously can provide important insights into how these levels might interact synergistically during learning. Here, we present a model that jointly induces syntactic categories and morphological segmentations by combining two well-known models for the individual tasks. We test on child-directed utterances in English and Spanish and compare to single-task baselines. In the morphologically poorer language (English), the model improves morphological segmentation, while in the morphologically richer language (Spanish), it leads to better syntactic categorization. These results provide further evidence that joint learning is useful, but also suggest that the benefits may be different for typologically different languages.
Incidence and prevalence of primary biliary cirrhosis in the city of Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

OBJECTIVE To describe the incidence and prevalence of primary biliary cirrhosis in an urban population between 1987 and 1994, using stringent inclusion criteria and a well-defined study area and population. DESIGN Descriptive study based on a case register compiled by a retrospective and prospective case-finding exercise and examination of case notes. SETTING The city of Newcastle upon Tyne. MAIN INCLUSION CRITERIA: (1) Definite cases: fulfilling all three of the following diagnostic criteria: positive antimitochondrial antibody (AMA) > or = 1:40; cholestatic liver function tests (LFT); diagnostic or compatible liver histology. (2) Probable cases: fulfilling two of these criteria. SUBJECTS All cases of primary biliary cirrhosis identified by multiple case-finding methods, alive from 1 January 1987 to 31 December 1994, in the defined area. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Incidence and point prevalence rates by age and sex. RESULTS In all, 202 potential cases were identified, of whom 160 met at least two inclusion criteria. In definite cases annual incidence varied from 14 to 32 (mean 22) per million whole population (with no clear trend) and point prevalence rose from 180 per million in 1987 to 240 in 1994. Mean age at diagnosis in cases incident during the study period was 63.2 years (S.D. 11.1 years, range 39.8-85.7 years). CONCLUSIONS Primary biliary cirrhosis is much more common in Newcastle than has previously been reported anywhere in the world, and prevalence appears to be rising.
An Affine Multifactor Model with Macro Factors for the German Term Structure: Changing Results During the Recent Crises

Using arbitrage-free affine models, we analyze the dynamics of German bond yields and risk premia for the period 1999 to 2010 (EMU). We estimate two model specifications, one with only latent factors, and another one with a Taylor-type rule comprising a price and a real activity factor drawn from a large macroeconomic data set as additional driving forces. We apply several statistical methods to select those time series from which the factors are actually extracted. The macroeconomic factors, notably the real activity factor, help to improve the fit of the model. Moreover, the inclusion of the macroeconomic factors allows us to analyze their effect on the risk aversion of market participants. Looking at the impact of the recent crises, we see that particularly the market prices of risk for the real activity and the price factor changed most dramatically. Offsetting safe haven flows, which affect shorter maturities in particular, explain why yield risk premia increase less at the short end as compared to longer maturities in times of crisis. A liquidity stress factor included in the macro model mirrors this slope influencing effect of the safe haven flows and leads to smoother forward rates for yield risk premia.
Improved Earth Sensor Performance Using a Sequentially Correlated Noise Model

Spacecraft attitude estimation by means of an extended Kalman filter requires a reasonably true model of the inherent noise of each sensor. For some sensors, the largest uncorrected noise comes not from the sensor itself, but from errors in the model for the predicted observations. This is certainly the case for Earth horizon sensors. The Earth horizon as seen from low Earth orbit is nearly a circle whose radius depends primarily on altitude. A straightforward latitude-dependent correction is added to this to account for the oblateness of the Earth. There also are both seasonal and stochastic variations in the horizon height. The seasonal variations can be predicted to some limited degree based on models de(ived from historical data. The stochastic component characteristically shows variations that are correlated both in time and space but which are unpredictable over long time spans. This work investigates whether Earth horizon sensor performance can be improved by solving for its systematic error as an augmentation of an attitude Kalman filter. It is found that using only Earth and Sun sensors, the augmented state is not fully observable. Even when magnetometer data is included, only the pitch axis component of the error can be improved; the roll component is unobservable.