Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Postsynaptic Variability of Firing in Rat Cortical Neurons: The Roles of Input Synchronization and Synaptic NMDA Receptor Conductance

Neurons in the functioning cortex fire erratically, with highly variable intervals between spikes. How much irregularity comes from the process of postsynaptic integration and how much from fluctuations in synaptic input? We have addressed these questions by recording the firing of neurons in slices of rat visual cortex in which synaptic receptors are blocked pharmacologically, while injecting controlled trains of unitary conductance transients, to electrically mimic natural synaptic input. Stimulation with a Poisson train of fast excitatory (AMPA-type) conductance transients, to simulate independent inputs, produced much less variability than encountered in vivo. Addition of NMDA-type conductance to each unitary event regularized the firing but lowered the precision and reliability of spikes in repeated responses. Independent Poisson trains of GABA-type conductance transients (reversing at the resting potential), which simulated independent activity in a population of presynaptic inhibitory neurons, failed to increase timing variability substantially but increased the precision of responses. However, introduction of synchrony, or correlations, in the excitatory input, according to a nonstationary Poisson model, dramatically raised timing variability to in vivo levels. The NMDA phase of compound AMPA–NMDA events conferred a time-dependent postsynaptic variability, whereby the reliability and precision of spikes degraded rapidly over the 100 msec after the start of a synchronous input burst. We conclude that postsynaptic mechanisms add significant variability to cortical responses but that substantial synchrony of inputs is necessary to explain in vivovariability. We suggest that NMDA receptors help to implement a switch from precise firing to random firing during responses to concerted inputs.
Entrepreneurial Research: Old Questions, New Answers and Methodological Issues

Previous research is reviewed on certain aspects of the characteristics of entrepreneurs and on the incubator organizations from which they come. Findings from these focused studies are then contrasted with the results from a broadly-based survey of 890 entrepreneurs. It is clear that care must be used in generalizing from specific studies and that researchers must consider thoughtfully the nature of samples examined and the research methods used.
Two New Criteria of the Metabolic Syndrome: Prevalence and the Association with Brachial‐Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity in Japanese Male Workers

Two New Criteria of the Metabolic Syndrome: Prevalence and the Association with Brachial‐Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity in Japanese Male Workers: Koichi Miyaki, et al. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, Keio University—In 1998 and 2001, The World Health Organization and the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III proposed working criteria for the metabolic syndrome (MS), but they are not perfect for use in diverse ethnicities. In 2005, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and eight societies in Japan respectively proposed new criteria. However, there has been no report regarding the application of these new criteria in Japanese workplaces. We conducted a cross‐sectional study of 377 healthy Japanese men aged 20–64 yr who worked in a chemical factory in Kanagawa, Japan. Participants completed a self‐reported questionnaire, underwent a physical examination including waist measurements and brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), and provided overnight fasting blood samples. The prevalence of MS in Japanese men was 17.0% and 13.5% according to the new IDF and Japanese criteria respectively. In both of the new criteria, baPWV was significantly higher in those with MS than those without MS (1,563 ± 264.2 vs 1,362 ± 204.6 cm/sec, p<0.001 in the new IDF criterion; 1,574 ± 265.2 vs 1,368 ± 209.1 cm/sec, p<0.001 in the Japanese criterion). In the analysis of the 5 or 6 subgroups stratified according to the number of MS components, baPWV increased significantly with increasing number of MS components (p for trend<0.01 in both criteria). The new IDF and Japanese criterion are both good for diagnosing MS among Japanese because a linear increase in baPWV occurred with increasing MS components after adjustment for potential confounding factors. Further studies are expected using these new criteria.
Understanding health-seeking behaviours of people in Indonesia; and developing, piloting, and evaluating a culturally appropriate intervention for people with diabetes

iii Acknowledgements . v Table of contents . xi List of tables . xv List of figures . xvii List of abbreviations. xxi Glossary . xxiii Section A – Introduction and literature review 1 Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 1.1 Background . 1 1.2 Aims of the thesis . 4 1.3 The researcher’s personal motivation for the topic . 5 1.4 Indonesia . 7 1.5 Overview of study locations . 16 1.6 Scope of the thesis . 24 1.7 Structure of the thesis . 25 2 Chapter 2: Literature review . 27 2.
Weak Lensing of Galaxy Clusters in MOND

We study weak gravitational lensing of galaxy clusters in terms of the MOND (MOdified Newtonian Dynamics) theory. We calculate shears and convergences of background galaxies for three clusters (A1689, CL0024+1654, CL1358+6245) and the mean profile of 42 SDSS (Sloan Digital Sky Survey) clusters and compare them with observational data. The mass profile is modeled as a sum of X-ray gas, galaxies and dark halo. For the shear as a function of the angular radius, MOND predicts a shallower slope than the data irrespective of the critical acceleration parameter $g_0$. The dark halo is necessary to explain the data for any $g_0$ and for three interpolation functions. If the dark halo is composed of massive neutrinos, its mass should be heavier than 2 eV. However the constraint still depends on the dark halo model and there are systematic uncertainties, and hence the more careful study is necessary to put a stringent constraint.
The Effect of Nurses Uniform Color on Situational Anxiety in the School Age Inpatients Children

Introduction: Hospitalization causes anxiety in children, and nurses play an important role in reducing children’s anxiety. Nurses’ characteristics, including their costumes, are important factors affecting the quality of care through the relationship between the nurse and the child. Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental intervention study, 240 children aged 6-12 years old, admitted to the pediatric ward of Ahvaz Golestan Hospital, were selected and divided into two groups of 120 patients. The data collection tool included a demographic questionnaire and Spielberger’s state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI), completed 4 hours after admission and at discharge. Data were analysed using descriptive tests, independent t-test, and covariance analysis using SPSS 21. Results: The mean level of anxiety in children whose nurses were dressed in pink was smaller (39.99 ± 7.79), compared to children whose nurses were dressed in navy blue uniforms (46.12 ± 4.60). In addition to the pink color of nurses’ uniforms, gender, education, and birth rank affected children’ anxiety level (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study indicated the effect of the pink uniform of nurses in reducing children’s anxiety. Colored nursing uniform can provide a friendly environment for the child and enhance the relationship between nurses and children. Wearing a pink uniform can meet the children’s expectations of nursing care and eliminate the need for sedation.
Turbulence measurements from H I absorption spectra

ABSTRACT We use the millennium Arecibo 21 cm absorption-line survey measurements to examine theissue of the non-thermal contribution to the observed Galactic H I line widths. If we assumea simple, constant pressure model for the H I in the Galaxy, we ﬁnd that the non-thermalcontribution to the line width, v nt scales as v 2nt ∝ l α , for v nt larger than ∼ 0.7km s −1 . Herel is a derived length scale and α ∼ 0.7± 0.1. This is consistent with what one would expectfrom a turbulent medium with a Kolmogorov scaling. Such a scaling is also predicted bytheoreticalmodels and numericalsimulations of turbulencein a magnetizedmedium.For non-thermal line widths narrower than ∼ 0.7 km s −1 , this scaling breaks down, and we ﬁnd thatthe likely reason is ambiguities arising from Gaussian decomposition of intrinsically narrow,blended lines. We use the above estimate of the non-thermal contribution to the line widthto determine corrected H I kinetic temperature. The new limits that we obtain imply that asigniﬁcantly smaller ( ∼ 40% as opposed to 60%) fraction of the atomic interstellar mediumin our Galaxy is in the warm neutral medium phase.Key words: ISM: atoms – ISM: general – ISM: kinematics and dynamics – ISM : structure –radio lines: ISM – turbulence
High speed Fp multipliers and adders on FPGA platform

The paper proposes high speed FPGA implementations of adders and multipliers in Fp. The work shows through experimental results that due to optimized addition chain available in such devices, Karatsuba decomposition upto a particular level improves the performance. Further the paper modifies existing interleaved multiplier using Montgomery ladder and the high speed adder circuits. Extensive experiments have been performed. The result shows that the proposed design provides 70% speedup from the best known designs.
Low-level Hypermutation in T Cell–independent Germinal Centers Compared with High Mutation Rates Associated with T Cell–dependent Germinal Centers

Exceptionally germinal center formation can be induced without T cell help by polysaccharide-based antigens, but these germinal centers involute by massive B cell apoptosis at the time centrocyte selection starts. This study investigates whether B cells in germinal centers induced by the T cell–independent antigen (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl)acetyl (NP) conjugated to Ficoll undergo hypermutation in their immunoglobulin V region genes. Positive controls are provided by comparing germinal centers at the same stage of development in carrier-primed mice immunized with a T cell–dependent antigen: NP protein conjugate. False positive results from background germinal centers and false negatives from non-B cells in germinal centers were avoided by transferring B cells with a transgenic B cell receptor into congenic controls not carrying the transgene. By 4 d after immunization, hypermutation was well advanced in the T cell–dependent germinal centers. By contrast, the mutation rate for T cell–independent germinal centers was low, but significantly higher than in NP-specific B cells from nonimmunized transgenic mice. Interestingly, a similar rate of mutation was seen in extrafollicular plasma cells at this stage. It is concluded that efficient activation of hypermutation depends on interaction with T cells, but some hypermutation may be induced without such signals, even outside germinal centers.
Event-based Control for Multi-Agent Systems

In this thesis, a novel approach to the average consensus problem for multi-agent systems is followed. A new event-based control strategy is proposed, which incorporates event-based scheduling of state measurement broadcasts over the network. The control-laws are based on the resulting piecewise constant functions of these measurement values. This facilitates implementation on digital platforms such as microprocessors and reduces the number of interagent communications over the network. Starting from a basic problem setup with singleintegrator agents, fixed undirected connected communication topologies, and no time-delays, the novel strategy is developed. Different triggering conditions guaranteeing convergence to an adjustable region around the average consensus point or asymptotic convergence to this point, respectively, are discussed. Numerical simulations show the effectiveness of this approach, outperforming classical time-scheduled implementations of the consensus protocol in terms of load on the communication medium. Furthermore the problem class is extended to networks with directed communication links, switching topologies, and time-delays in the communication as well as to agents with double-integrator dynamics. As an illustrative example, the novel strategy is applied to a formation control problem of non-holonomic mobile robots in the plane.
Large Shareholders as Monitors: Is There a Trade-Off between Liquidity and Control?

This paper analyzes the incentives of large shareholders to monitor public corporations. We investigate the hypothesis that a liquid stock market reduces large shareholders' incentives to monitor because it allows them to sell their stocks more easily. Even though this is true, a liquid market also makes it less costly to hold larger stakes and easier to purchase additional shares. We show that this fact is important if monitoring is costly: market liquidity mitigates the problem that small shareholders free ride on the effort of the large shareholder. We find that liquid stock markets are beneficial because they make corporate governance more effective. Copyright The American Finance Association 1998.
Time Scaling Property on Edge Routers

Accurate traffic model is crucial for network applications. Delay and its second measures, i.e. jitter, represent network activity and compose the function to assess the traffic model. In this paper, we show time scaling analysis for jitter on different type of edge routers based on wavelet scaling analysis. After collecting the actual data using our implemented path based active measurement method, following results are extracted. Firstly, the edge router from LAN to WAN diverse average energies to different values. Secondly, the property of average energy propagates through the path even if local return process operates heavily on the middle of the path. Thirdly, the exchanging point between providers raises average energy caused not only by local return element but also by forwarding and backwarding elements. Finally, bandwidth restriction between Japan and the U.S. slightly increases jitter fluctuations
Increasing the intensity and comprehensiveness of aphasia services: identification of key factors influencing implementation across six countries

ABSTRACT Background: Aphasia services are currently faced by increasing evidence for therapy of greater intensity and comprehensiveness. Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Programs (ICAPs) combine these elements in an evidence-based, time-limited group program. The incorporation of new service delivery models in routine clinical practice is, however, likely to pose challenges for both the service provider and administering clinicians. This program of research aims to identify these challenges from the perspective of aphasia clinicians from six countries and will seek to trial potential solutions. Continual advancements in global communication technologies suggest that solutions will be easily shared and accessed across multiple countries. Aims: To identify the perceived and experienced barriers and facilitators to the implementation of 1) intensive aphasia services, 2) comprehensive aphasia services, and 3) ICAPs, from aphasia clinicians across six countries. Methods and procedures: A qualitative enquiry approach included data from six focus groups (n = 34 participants) in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK), and Ireland. A thematic analysis of focus group data was informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Outcomes and results: Five prominent theoretical domains from the TDF influenced the implementation of all three aphasia service types across participating countries: environmental context and resources, beliefs about consequences, social/professional role and identity, skills, and knowledge. Four overarching themes assisted the identification and explanation of the key barriers and facilitators: 1. Collaboration, joint initiatives and partnerships, 2. Advocacy, the promotion of aphasia services and evidence-based practice, 3. Innovation, the ability to problem solve challenges, and 4. Culture, the influence of underlying values. Conclusions: The results of this study will inform the development of a theoretically informed intervention to improve health services’ adherence to aphasia best practice recommendations.
Combining abdominal and cosmetic breast surgery does not increase short-term complication rates: a comparison of each individual procedure and pretreatment risk stratification tool.

BACKGROUND Combined abdominal and breast surgery presents a convenient and relatively cost-effective approach for accomplishing both procedures. OBJECTIVES This study is the largest to date assessing the safety of combined procedures, and it aims to develop a simple pretreatment risk stratification method for patients who desire a combined procedure. METHODS All women undergoing abdominoplasty, panniculectomy, augmentation mammaplasty, and/or mastopexy in the TOPS database were identified. Demographics and outcomes for combined procedures were compared to individual procedures using χ(2) and Student's t-tests. Multiple logistic regression provided adjusted odds ratios for the effect of a combined procedure on 30-day complications. Among combined procedures, a logistic regression model determined point values for pretreatment risk factors including diabetes (1 point), age over 53 (1), obesity (2), and 3+ ASA status (3), creating a 7-point pretreatment risk stratification tool. RESULTS A total of 58,756 cases met inclusion criteria. Complication rates among combined procedures (9.40%) were greater than those of aesthetic breast surgery (2.66%; P < .001) but did not significantly differ from abdominal procedures (9.75%; P = .530). Nearly 77% of combined cases were classified as low-risk (0 points total) with a 9.78% complication rates. Medium-risk patients (1 to 3 points) had a 16.63% complication rate, and high-risk (4 to 7 points) 38.46%. CONCLUSIONS Combining abdominal and breast procedures is safe in the majority of patients and does not increase 30-day complications rates. The risk stratification tool can continue to ensure favorable outcomes for patients who may desire a combined surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4 Risk.
Implicit Recognition Based on Lateralized Perceptual Fluency

In some circumstances, accurate recognition of repeated images in an explicit memory test is driven by implicit memory. We propose that this “implicit recognition” results from perceptual fluency that influences responding without awareness of memory retrieval. Here we examined whether recognition would vary if images appeared in the same or different visual hemifield during learning and testing. Kaleidoscope images were briefly presented left or right of fixation during divided-attention encoding. Presentation in the same visual hemifield at test produced higher recognition accuracy than presentation in the opposite visual hemifield, but only for guess responses. These correct guesses likely reflect a contribution from implicit recognition, given that when the stimulated visual hemifield was the same at study and test, recognition accuracy was higher for guess responses than for responses with any level of confidence. The dramatic difference in guessing accuracy as a function of lateralized perceptual overlap between study and test suggests that implicit recognition arises from memory storage in visual cortical networks that mediate repetition-induced fluency increments.
A Distributed Shallow Approach to Reference Resolution in the Context of Information Extraction

In this paper we present the design of a reference resolution module (RRM) within an Information Extraction (IE) system for German free text. We show in some details how such a module can be distributed over sub-components of a shallow NL processing chain, de ning a modular approach to reference resolution. We also brie y discuss recent extension of this work, in the context of an EU funded project, where the German IE system is getting integrated into a multilingual/multimedia environment and where the contribution of multiple sources for improving the quality of the IE is under investigation. A Distributed Shallow Approach to Reference Resolution in the Context of Information Extraction
Conditional Cash Transfers in Latin America

Conditional cash transfer programs (CCTs)â€”cash grants to poor families that are conditional on their participation in education, health, and nutrition servicesâ€”have become a vital part of poverty reduction strategies in many countries, particularly in Latin America. In Conditional Cash Transfers in Latin America, the contributors analyze and synthesize evidence from case studies of CCTs in Brazil, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua. The studies examine many aspects of CCTs, including the trends in development and political economy that fostered interest in them; their costs; their impacts on education, health, nutrition, and food consumption; and how CCT programs affect social relations shaped by gender, culture, and community. Throughout, the authors identify the strengths and weaknesses of CCTs and offer guidelines to those who design them.
Targeted Mutagenesis of the Mycobacterium smegmatis mca Gene, Encoding a Mycothiol-Dependent Detoxification Protein

ABSTRACT Mycothiol (MSH), a functional analogue of glutathione (GSH) that is found exclusively in actinomycetes, reacts with electrophiles and toxins to form MSH-toxin conjugates. Mycothiol S-conjugate amidase (Mca) then catalyzes the hydrolysis of an amide bond in the S conjugates, producing a mercapturic acid of the toxin, which is excreted from the bacterium, and glucosaminyl inositol, which is recycled back to MSH. In this study, we have generated and characterized an allelic exchange mutant of the mca gene of Mycobacterium smegmatis. The mca mutant accumulates the S conjugates of the thiol-specific alkylating agent monobromobimane and the antibiotic rifamycin S. Introduction of M. tuberculosis mca epichromosomally or introduction of M. smegmatis mca integratively resulted in complementation of Mca activity and reduced levels of S conjugates. The mutation in mca renders the mutant strain more susceptible to electrophilic toxins, such as N-ethylmalemide, iodoacetamide, and chlorodinitrobenzene, and to several oxidants, such as menadione and plumbagin. Additionally we have shown that the mca mutant is also more susceptible to the antituberculous antibiotic streptomycin. Mutants disrupted in genes belonging to MSH biosynthesis are also more susceptible to streptomycin, providing further evidence that Mca detoxifies streptomycin in the mycobacterial cell in an MSH-dependent manner.