Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The development of time concepts in young children: the relations between duration and succession.

108 children from nursery school, first grade, and third grade were given 5 problems measuring the concept of time, in which they were required to judge and explain which of 2 partially overlapping events started first, which ended first, and which lasted for a longer time. 2 types of problems were used which presented time with and without the interference of movement: "still time" (the duration of 2 lights) and "linear time" (the traveling time of 2 toy cars). In both types of problems, judging the succession of both beginnings and endings was equally difficult and was easier than judging duration. Duration judgments were explaned predominantly by succession, whereas succession judgments were explained tautologically or by mere "seeing. " Overall, performance increased with age and decreased with interference. A recent model of the development of time concepts is further elaborated and compared with Piaget's framework.
Efficient multistage secret sharing scheme using bilinear map

In a multistage secret sharing (MSSS) scheme, the authorised subsets of participants could recover a number of secrets in different stages. A one-stage multisecret sharing (OSMSS) scheme is a special case of MSSS schemes in which all the secrets are recovered simultaneously. In these schemes, in addition to the individual shares, the dealer should provide the participants with a number of public values associated with the secrets. The less the number of public values, the more efficient is the scheme. It is desired that the MSSS and OSMSS schemes provide computational security. In this study, the authors show that in the OSMSS schemes any unauthorised coalition of the participants can reduce the uncertainty of the secrets. In addition, in MSSS schemes recovering a secret causes reducing uncertainty of the unrecovered secrets. Furthermore, by introducing a new multi-use MSSS scheme based on weil pairing, they reduce the number of public values comparing with the previous schemes.
On Siphon Computation for Deadlock Control in a Class of Petri Nets

As a structural object, siphons are well recognized in the analysis and control of deadlocks in resource allocation systems modeled with Petri nets. Many deadlock prevention policies characterize the deadlock behavior of the systems in terms of siphons and utilize this characterization to avoid deadlocks. This paper develops a novel methodology to find interesting siphons for deadlock control purposes in a class of Petri nets, i.e., a system of simple sequential processes with resources . Resource circuits in an are first detected, from which, in general, a small portion of emptiable minimal siphons can be derived. The remaining emptiable ones can be found by their composition. A polynomial-time algorithm for finding the set of elementary siphons is proposed, which avoids complete siphon enumeration. It is shown that a dependent siphon can always be controlled by properly supervising its elementary siphons. A computationally efficient deadlock control policy is accordingly developed. Experimental study shows the efficiency of the proposed siphon computation approach.
Transendothelial Migration Enables Subsequent Transmigration of Neutrophils through Underlying Pericytes

During acute inflammation, neutrophil recruitment into extravascular tissue requires neutrophil tethering and rolling on cytokine-activated endothelial cells (ECs), tight adhesion, crawling towards EC junctions and transendothelial migration (TEM). Following TEM, neutrophils must still traverse the subendothelial basement membrane and network of pericytes (PCs). Until recently, the contribution of the PC layer to neutrophil recruitment was largely ignored. Here we analyze human neutrophil interactions with interleukin (IL)-1β-activated human EC monolayers, PC monolayers and EC/PC bilayers in vitro. Compared to EC, PC support much lower levels of neutrophil binding (54.6% vs. 7.1%, respectively) and transmigration (63.7 vs. 8.8%, respectively) despite comparable levels of IL-8 (CXCL8) synthesis and display. Remarkably, EC/PC bilayers support intermediate levels of transmigration (37.7%). Neutrophil adhesion to both cell types is Mac-1-dependent and while ICAM-1 transduction of PCs increases neutrophil adhesion to (41.4%), it does not increase transmigration through PC monolayers. TEM, which increases neutrophil Mac-1 surface expression, concomitantly increases the ability of neutrophils to traverse PCs (19.2%). These data indicate that contributions from both PCs and ECs must be considered in evaluation of microvasculature function in acute inflammation.
A homozygous microdeletion within ADAMTSL4 in patients with isolated ectopia lentis: evidence of a founder mutation.

PURPOSE The purpose of the study was to look for ADAMTSL4 mutations in a cohort of German patients with isolated ectopia lentis from nonconsanguineous families. METHODS Mutation screening was performed by PCR amplification of the coding exons of ADAMTSL4 and subsequent sequencing. RESULTS An identical homozygous deletion of 20 bp of coding sequence within exon 6 (NM_019032.4:c.759_778del20) was identified in eight individuals from seven unrelated families. In a screen of 360 ethnically matched, unaffected individuals, two heterozygous mutation carriers were found. The mutation was always accompanied by the identical haplotype, suggestive of a founder mutation. CONCLUSIONS The results emphasize the association of ADAMTSL4 null mutations with isolated ectopia lentis and the presence of a founder mutation in the European population. Screening of ADAMTSL4 should be considered in all patients with isolated ectopia lentis, with or without family history. In patients from nonconsanguineous families, the authors propose a two-step diagnostic approach, starting with an examination of exon 6 before sequencing the entire coding region of ADAMTSL4.
Instinctive modulation of cognitive behavior: A human evoked potential study

Successful adaptive behavior requires fast information processing. Behavioral switches may be necessary in response to threatening stimuli or when anticipated outcomes fail to occur. In this study, we explored the cortical processing of these two components using high‐resolution evoked potentials. Subjects made a reversal learning task where they had to predict which one of two faces had a target stimulus on the nose. We found early electrocortical differences at 100–200 ms depending on whether the target stimulus was a spider or a disk. Source estimation indicated that this distinction was mediated by an anterior medial temporal region including the amygdala and adjacent cortex. When a switch to the alternate face was required, there was a discrete early electrocortical correlate after 200 ms, mediated by ventromedial prefrontal areas. Continued validity of stimulus‐target associations was signaled at 400–520 ms, mediated by the parahippocampal region. The study indicates rapid serial processing of innate emotional quality, then cognitive‐behavioral relevance of stimuli, mediated by limbic and paralimbic structures. Hum Brain Mapp, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Phosphatidylinositol Species Acutely Generated by Activated Macrophages Regulates Innate Immune Responses

Activation of macrophages with stimuli of the innate immune response results in the intense remodeling of arachidonate-containing phospholipids, leading to the mobilization of large quantities of this fatty acid for conversion into biologically active eicosanoids. As a consequence of this process, the arachidonate levels in membrane phospholipids markedly decrease. We have applied mass spectrometry–based lipid profiling to study the levels of arachidonate-containing phospholipids under inflammatory activation of macrophages. We identify an unusual inositol phospholipid molecule, PI(20:4/20:4), the levels of which do not decrease but actually increase by 300% after activation of the macrophages. PI(20:4/20:4) is formed and degraded rapidly, suggesting a role for this molecule in regulating cell signaling events. Using a metabolipidomic approach consisting in exposing the cells to deuterium-labeled arachidonate at the time they are exposed to stimuli, we show that PI(20:4/20:4) biosynthesis occurs via the sequential incorporation of arachidonate, first into the sn-2 position of a preformed phosphatidylinositol (PI) molecule, followed by the rapid introduction of a second arachidonate moiety into the sn-1 position. Generation requires the participation of cytosolic phospholipase A2α and CoA-dependent acyltransferases. PI(20:4/20:4) formation is also detected in vivo in murine peritonitis exudates. Elevating the intracellular concentration of PI(20:4/20:4) by introducing the lipid into the cells results in enhancement of the microbicidal capacity of macrophages, as measured by reactive oxygen metabolite production and lysozyme release. These findings suggest that PI(20:4/20:4) is a novel bioactive inositol phospholipid molecule that regulates innate immune responses in macrophages.
Determination of the minimum anesthetic concentration of sevoflurane in thick-billed parrots (Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha).

OBJECTIVE To determine the minimum anesthetic concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane in thick-billed parrots (Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha) and compare MAC obtained via mechanical and electrical stimulation. ANIMALS 15 healthy thick-billed parrots. PROCEDURES Anesthesia was induced in each parrot by administration of sevoflurane in oxygen. An end-tidal sevoflurane concentration of 2.5% was established in the first bird. Fifteen minutes was allowed for equilibration. Then, 2 types of noxious stimulation (mechanical and electrical) were applied; stimuli were separated by 15 minutes. Responses to stimuli were graded as positive or negative. For a positive or negative response to a stimulus, the target end-tidal sevoflurane concentration of the subsequent bird was increased or decreased by 10%, respectively. The MAC was calculated as the mean end-tidal sevoflurane concentration during crossover events, defined as instances in which independent pairs of birds evaluated in succession had opposite responses. A quantal method was used to determine sevoflurane MAC. Physiologic variables and arterial blood gas values were also measured. RESULTS Via quantal analysis, mean sevoflurane MAC in thick-billed parrots determined with mechanical stimulation was 2.35% (90% fiducial interval, 1.32% to 2.66%), which differed significantly from the mean sevoflurane MAC determined with electrical stimulation, which was 4.24% (90% fiducial interval, 3.61% to 8.71%). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Sevoflurane MAC in thick-billed parrots determined by mechanical stimulation was similar to values determined in chickens and mammals. Sevoflurane MAC determined by electrical stimulation was significantly higher, which suggested that the 2 types of stimulation did not induce similar results in thick-billed parrots.
Identification of Stably Expressed Reference Genes for RT‐qPCR Data Normalization in Defined Localizations of Cyclic Bovine Ovaries

Ovaries are highly complex organs displaying morphological, molecular and functional differences between their cortical zona parenchymatosa and medullary zona vasculosa, and also between the different cyclic luteal stages. Objective of the present study was to validate expression stability of twelve putative reference genes (RGs) in bovine ovaries, considering the intrinsic heterogeneity of bovine ovarian tissue with regard to different luteal stages and intra‐ovarian localizations. The focus was on identifying RGs, which are suitable to normalize RT‐qPCR results of ovaries collected from clinical healthy cattle, irrespective of localization and the hormonal stage. Expression profiles of twelve potential reference genes (GAPDH, ACTB, YWHAZ, HPRT1, SDHA, UBA52, POLR2C, RPS9, ACTG2, H3F3B, RPS18 and RPL19) were analysed. Evaluation of gene expression differences was performed using genorm, normfinder, and bestkeeper software. The most stably expressed genes according to genorm, normfinder and bestkeeper approaches contained the candidates H3F3B, RPS9, YWHAZ, RPS18, POLR2C and UBA52. Of this group, the genes YWHAZ, H3F3B and RPS9 could be recommended as best‐suited RGs for normalization purposes on healthy bovine ovaries irrespective of the luteal stage or intra‐ovarian localization.
Recovery Guarantees for One-hidden-layer Neural Networks

In this paper, we consider regression problems with one-hidden-layer neural networks (1NNs). We distill some properties of activation functions that lead to $\mathit{local~strong~convexity}$ in the neighborhood of the ground-truth parameters for the 1NN squared-loss objective. Most popular nonlinear activation functions satisfy the distilled properties, including rectified linear units (ReLUs), leaky ReLUs, squared ReLUs and sigmoids. For activation functions that are also smooth, we show $\mathit{local~linear~convergence}$ guarantees of gradient descent under a resampling rule. For homogeneous activations, we show tensor methods are able to initialize the parameters to fall into the local strong convexity region. As a result, tensor initialization followed by gradient descent is guaranteed to recover the ground truth with sample complexity $ d \cdot \log(1/\epsilon) \cdot \mathrm{poly}(k,\lambda )$ and computational complexity $n\cdot d \cdot \mathrm{poly}(k,\lambda) $ for smooth homogeneous activations with high probability, where $d$ is the dimension of the input, $k$ ($k\leq d$) is the number of hidden nodes, $\lambda$ is a conditioning property of the ground-truth parameter matrix between the input layer and the hidden layer, $\epsilon$ is the targeted precision and $n$ is the number of samples. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work that provides recovery guarantees for 1NNs with both sample complexity and computational complexity $\mathit{linear}$ in the input dimension and $\mathit{logarithmic}$ in the precision.
Preoperative staging of rectal cancer using magnetic resonance imaging: comparison with pathological staging.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of magnetic resonance (MR) in loco-regional staging of rectal cancer by comparing the MR results with histologic findings, considered as standard reference. METHODS Between July 2013 and March 2015, fifty-two patients, 27 (51.9%) males, age 66.75±13.77 years, with rectal cancer, were staged preoperatively with MR and proceeding straight to surgery. Two observers with experience in abdominal MR independently reviewed the images. T stage and N stage were evaluated according to the 7th edition of TNM classification. The estimate of Ln probability of malignancy (low, moderate, high) was based on nodal size, border contour and signal intensity and comparison between ADC value of the Ln's belonging to the three different classifications were performed. Statistical testing included Cohen's kappa coefficient, Mann-Whitney's, Kruskal-Wallis, χ2, Fisher's Exact Test and Receiving Operating Characteristics curve. RESULTS MR correctly assessed T stage in 47/52 cases (90.4%; kw=0.89±0.06), with inter-operator concordance of k=0.81±0.08. For Ln staging, concordance between estimate of high probability malignancy and pathology was kw=0.62±0.11. ADC was significantly different for the three grades of estimated malignancy probability (P=0.0003), decreasing from 1.227±0.298×10-3 mm2/s (low) to 1.120±0.306×10-3 mm2/s (moderate) and finally to 0.818±0.168×10-3 mm2/s (high). The ROC curve procedure established the good ability of ADC to discriminate high malignancy Ln's (AUC=0.88) with cut-off at <1×10-3 mm2/s. The percentage of high malignancy Ln's in the lateral pelvic space was higher than in other sites (55.6% vs. 17.6%, P=0.0003). CONCLUSIONS MR is an accurate imaging method in T staging and N staging of rectal cancer: prediction of N was improved by considering dimension, morphology and signal characteristic and the ability of ADC to identify high probability malignant nodes underlines its importance in the diagnostic process.
Health Implications of Low Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Too Little Exercise, and Too Much Sitting Time: Changing Paradigms and Perceptions

Health promotion professionals and the medical community have known for a long time that regular physical activity plays a significant role in combating chronic diseases and promoting cardiovascular health. According to a recent study on the actual causes of death in the United States, physical inactivity, along with cigarette smoking and poor nutrition, was rated among the most important lifestyle-related risk factors. Aerobic capacity or cardiorespiratory fitness, expressed as metabolic equivalents (METs; 1 MET is equivalent to the energy expenditure at rest, 3.5 mL O2/kg/min), appears to be one of the most powerful predictors of cardiovascular health and longevity. Multiples of the resting energy expenditure are often used to quantify the aerobic requirements of common occupational and leisure-time activities (Table 1). Healthy young to middle-aged adults generally have an aerobic capacity of 8 to 12 METs. Moreover, a high level of cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease, and the reduction is greater than that obtained merely by being physically active (Figure 1). Despite three decades of the so-called exercise revolution in the United States, the traditional model for getting people more physically active (i.e., a structured exercise program) has been only marginally effective. In fact, preliminary studies suggest that new members of health/fitness clubs typically use these facilities less than twice per month. In 2005, approximately 24% of U.S. adults reported no leisure-time activity, and only 31% met the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College of Sports Medicine public health recommendation (i.e., ‘‘Every U.S. adult should accumulate 30 minutes or more of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, preferably all, days of the week’’). Younger people (18–24 years of age) were more likely to meet the recommendation than were older people (§65 years), as were white individuals and persons with a college degree as compared with other racial or ethnic groups or individuals with less formal education.
In Vivo Importance of Actin Nucleotide Exchange Catalyzed by Profilin

The actin monomer-binding protein, profilin, influences the dynamics of actin filaments in vitro by suppressing nucleation, enhancing nucleotide exchange on actin, and promoting barbed-end assembly. Profilin may also link signaling pathways to actin cytoskeleton organization by binding to the phosphoinositide PIP2 and to polyproline stretches on several proteins. Although activities of profilin have been studied extensively in vitro, the significance of each of these activities in vivo needs to be tested. To study profilin function, we extensively mutagenized the Saccharomyces cerevisiae profilin gene (PFY1) and examined the consequences of specific point mutations on growth and actin organization. The actin-binding region of profilin was shown to be critical in vivo. act1-157, an actin mutant with an increased intrinsic rate of nucleotide exchange, suppressed defects in actin organization, cell growth, and fluid-phase endocytosis of pfy1-4, a profilin mutant defective in actin binding. In reactions containing actin, profilin, and cofilin, profilin was required for fast rates of actin filament turnover. However, Act1-157p circumvented the requirement for profilin. Based on the results of these studies, we conclude that in living cells profilin promotes rapid actin dynamics by regenerating ATP actin from ADP actin–cofilin generated during filament disassembly.
MyD88-Dependent TLR1/2 Signals Educate Dendritic Cells with Gut-Specific Imprinting Properties

Gut-associated dendritic cells (DC) synthesize all-trans retinoic acid, which is required for inducing gut-tropic lymphocytes. Gut-associated DC from MyD88−/− mice, which lack most TLR signals, expressed low levels of retinal dehydrogenases (critical enzymes for all-trans retinoic acid biosynthesis) and were significantly impaired in their ability to induce gut-homing T cells. Pretreatment of extraintestinal DC with a TLR1/2 agonist was sufficient to induce retinal dehydrogenases and to confer these DC with the capacity to induce gut-homing lymphocytes via a mechanism dependent on MyD88 and JNK/MAPK. Moreover, gut-associated DC from TLR2−/− mice, or from mice in which JNK was pharmacologically blocked, were impaired in their education to imprint gut-homing T cells, which correlated with a decreased induction of gut-tropic T cells in TLR2−/− mice upon immunization. Thus, MyD88-dependent TLR2 signals are necessary and sufficient to educate DC with gut-specific imprinting properties and contribute in vivo to the generation of gut-tropic T cells.
Dynamic Computed Tomographic Imaging of Regional Cerebral Blood Flow and Blood Volume: A Clinical Pilot Study

Background and Purpose: The advent of faster computed tomography scanners has evoked considerable interest in using this technology as a more practical method of regional cerebral hemodynamic evaluation than the currently available positron emission and single‐photon emission computed tomography. The theoretical concepts have been worked out and validated in the laboratory by several groups. The aim of the present study was the development of a clinically useful system. Methods: Software was developed for dynamic computed tomography‐based calculation and color‐coded representation of regional cerebral blood flow and blood volume. Normal values, reproducibility, and sensitivity to acetazolamide challenge were established in 13 volunteers. The method was applied to an additional three patients with internal carotid artery occlusion and known decreased vascular reserve capacity as diagnosed by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography. Results: Normal regional cerebral blood flow was determined as 50±13 ml/100 ml per minute and normal fractional cerebral blood volume as 58±12 ml/1,000 ml (mean±SD). In five volunteers, two examinations were performed within 15 minutes for determination of reproducibility. Intermeasurement variability of hemispheric blood flow and blood volume was determined as ±23% and ± 16%, respectively. Intravenous administration of 1 g acetazolamide resulted on the average in a 75% increase of blood flow and a 65% increase of fractional blood volume. In the patients with decreased cerebrovascular reserve capacity, baseline fractional blood volume in the ischemic hemispheres was significantly increased. Baseline regional cerebral blood flow in the ischemic territories was overestimated. Reactivity to acetazolamide of both regional blood flow and fractional blood volume was clearly reduced in the ischemic hemispheres. Conclusions: The present results demonstrate that the method is a simple and effective means of determining regional cerebral blood volume. Spatial resolution is superior to that of the radioactive tracer methods. Hemodynamic evaluation of ischemic conditions can be performed on the basis of increased resting cerebral blood volume and a diminished increase after acetazolamide. Accuracy of cerebral blood flow measurements, on the other hand, is affected by abnormal cerebral blood volume, and corresponding adjustments need to be made in pathological conditions. (Stroke 1993;24:591‐597)