Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Decorrelation of Spiking Variability and Improved Information Transfer Through Feedforward Divisive Normalization

Abstract Response variability is often positively correlated in pairs of similarly tuned neurons in the visual cortex. Many authors have considered correlated variability to prevent postsynaptic neurons from averaging across large groups of inputs to obtain reliable stimulus estimates. However, a simple average of variability ignores nonlinearities in cortical signal integration. This study shows that feedforward divisive normalization of a neuron's inputs effectively decorrelates their variability. Furthermore, we show that optimal linear estimates of a stimulus parameter that are based on normalized inputs are more accurate than those based on nonnormalized inputs, due partly to reduced correlations, and that these estimates improve with increasing population size up to several thousand neurons. This suggests that neurons may possess a simple mechanism for substantially decorrelating noise in their inputs. Further work is needed to reconcile this conclusion with past evidence that correlated noise impairs visual perception.
Compiler optimizations for improving data locality

In the past decade, processor speed has become significantly faster than memory speed. Small, fast cache memories are designed to overcome this discrepancy, but they are only effective when programs exhibit data locality. In this paper, we present compiler optimizations to improve data locality based on a simple yet accurate cost model. The model computes both temporal and spatial reuse of cache lines to find desirable loop organizations. The cost model drives the application of compound transformations consisting of loop permutation, loop fusion, loop distribution, and loop reversal. We demonstrate that these program transformations are useful for optimizing many programs. To validate our optimization strategy, we implemented our algorithms and ran experiments on a large collection of scientific programs and kernels. Experiments with kernels illustrate that our model and algorithm can select and achieve the best performance. For over thirty complete applications, we executed the original and transformed versions and simulated cache hit rates. We collected statistics about the inherent characteristics of these programs and our ability to improve their data locality. To our knowledge, these studies are the first of such breadth and depth. We found performance improvements were difficult to achieve because benchmark programs typically have high hit rates even for small data caches; however, our optimizations significantly improved several programs.
Comparison of open reduction internal fixation with proximal humerus interlocking system and close reduction and pinning with K-wire in proximal humeral fracture

Introduction: Fracture of the proximal humerus represents the second most common fracture in upper extremity. The indications of surgery continue to expand due to improvement in internal fixation techniques. Aim: This study aimed to compare the result of open reduction internal fixation with proximal humerus interlocking system and close reduction and pinning with K-wire in these fractures. Materials and Methods: This study included 48 cases which were divided into two groups by randomized controlled trial type of study design, 24 patients (Group A) were operated with proximal humerus internal locking system (PHILOS) and 24 patients (Group B) with percutaneous K-wire fixation. All the 48 patients were followed up for a mean duration of 11 months. Final evaluation was done according to Neer's (1970) criteria. Results: All fractures united with an average of 10.34 weeks. Union time between the groups was statistically insignificant. In Group A, 83.33% of cases had favorable results against 50.0% of Group B and difference was significant. In Group A, mean Neer's score was 86.0 and in Group B it was 77.7 and difference was significant. In Group A, mean Neer's score for range of motion (ROM) was 20.75 and in Group B it was 17.25 and difference was significant. Ten complications (subacromial impingement-1, screw perforation-1, infection-1, malunion-2, stiff shoulder-3, and pain in shoulder-2) were seen in six patients (25%) treated with PHILOS and 17 complications (K-wire migration-2, infection-2, malunion-4, stiff shoulder-6, and pain in shoulder-3) were seen in 10 patients (41.1%) fixed with K-wire. Conclusion: In patients of 2-part and 3-part displaced proximal humerus fractures, results are almost equivocal. However, mean Neer's score for ROM was significantly more in patients treated with PHILOS. In 4-part fracture and patients of age >50 years, results of PHILOS are significantly better than K-wire.
ALIGNMENT OF PROTOSTARS AND CIRCUMSTELLAR DISKS DURING THE EMBEDDED PHASE

Star formation proceeds via the collapse of a molecular cloud core over multiple dynamical timescales. Turbulence within cores results in a spatially non-uniform angular momentum of the cloud, causing a stochastic variation in the orientation of the disk forming from the collapsing material. In the absence of star–disk angular momentum coupling, such disk-tilting would provide a natural mechanism for the production of primordial spin–orbit misalignments in the resulting planetary systems. However, owing to high accretion rates in the embedded phase of star formation, the inner edge of the circumstellar disk extends down to the stellar surface, resulting in efficient gravitational and accretional angular momentum transfer between the star and the disk. Here, we demonstrate that the resulting gravitational coupling is sufficient to suppress any significant star–disk misalignment, with accretion playing a secondary role. The joint tilting of the star–disk system leads to a stochastic wandering of star-aligned bipolar outflows. Such wandering widens the effective opening angle of stellar outflows, allowing for more efficient clearing of the remainder of the protostar's gaseous envelope. Accordingly, the processes described in this work provide an additional mechanism responsible for sculpting the stellar initial mass function.
Clinical and Molecular Characterization of Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type V

Osteogenesis imperfecta type V (OI-V) has a wide clinical variability, with distinct clinical/radiological features, such as calcification of the interosseous membrane (CIM) between the radius-ulna and/or tibia-fibula, hyperplastic callus (HPC) formation, dislocation of the radial head (DRH), and absence of dentinogenesis imperfecta (DI). Recently, a single heterozygous mutation (c.-14C>T) in the 5′UTR of the IFITM5 gene was identified to be causative for OI-V. Here, we describe 7 individuals from 5 unrelated families that carry the c. -14C>T IFITM5 mutation. The clinical findings in these cases are: absence of DI in all patients, presence of blue sclera in 2 cases, and 4 patients with DRH. Radiographic findings revealed HPC in 3 cases. All patients presented CIM between the radius and ulna, while 4 patients presented additional CIM between the tibia and fibula. Spinal fractures by vertebral compression were observed in all individuals. The proportion of cases identified with this mutation represents 4% of OI cases at our institution. The clinical identification of OI-V is crucial, as this mutation has an autosomal dominant inheritance with variable expressivity.
Ultrastructural observations on antennal sensilla of Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The morphology and ultrastructure of the antennal sensilla of Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) was studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopic techniques. Eight morphological types of sensillum were recorded in both sexes: sensilla trichodea (S. trichodea), sensilla basiconc (S. basiconc), sensilla coeloconica (S. coeloconica), sensilla styloconica (S. styloconica), sensilla squamous (S. squamous), sensilla auricillica (S. auricillica), Böhm bristles (B. bristles), and sensilla cavity (S. cavity). S. trichodea were the most abundant sensilla and were distributed over the entire antennal surface. Four different types of S. trichodea and S. basiconc were observed. The number of S. basiconc and S. coeloconica of males were greater than those of females of C. medinalis. S. squamous formed on the dorsal part of the antenna, as a cluster in females and as in a line in males. Higher magnification revealed that S. basiconc had an olfactory function, while the character of longer length of these sensilla suggested that they also played a role in sensing mechanical or other chemical stimuli. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of S. squamous revealed nonporous walls suggesting a non‐olfactory function. S. coeloconica, S. styloconica, and S. cavity may be involved in the perception of humidity, temperature, heat, and CO2. Because of their particular location, we infer that B. bristles may function in sensing the position and movements of the antennae, while the function of S. auricillica is as yet unknown. The results obtained provide direct morphological evidence that antennae possess structures that can play a role in finding mates and locating host plants. Microsc. Res. Tech. 74:113‐121, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Interest Rates in the North and Capital Flows to the South: Is There a Missing Link?

Qualitative accounts have long emphasized the level of interest rates in the advanced industrial countries as a determinant of capital flows to emerging markets and spreads on external debt. Curiously, econometric studies relying on disaggregated data have lent little support to this hypothesis. Upon modelling the issue and pricing decisions jointly, we confirm that global credit conditions have an important impact on the market for developing-country debt. US rates have a negative impact on the demand by international investors for fixed-rate issues by Latin American borrowers, as predicted by the search-for-yield hypothesis. The same effect is apparent for East Asian floating-rate issues, although the evidence there is not as robust. But, whatever the region, this effect is evident only upon controlling for the impact of US interest rates on the decision of developing-country borrowers to issue debt. Copyright 1998 by Blackwell Publishers Ltd.
Information Retrieval Interaction

Information Retrieval Interaction was first published in 1992 by Taylor Graham Publishing. This electronic version, published in 2002, was converted to PDF from the original manuscript with no changes apart from typographical adjustments. It has been ensured that the page numbering of the electronic version matches that of the printed version. Both versions can therefore be cited as:
The Role of Lactic Acid Adsorption by Ion Exchange Chromatography

Background The polyacrylic resin Amberlite IRA-67 is a promising adsorbent for lactic acid extraction from aqueous solution, but little systematic research has been devoted to the separation efficiency of lactic acid under different operating conditions. Methodology/Principal Findings In this paper, we investigated the effects of temperature, resin dose and lactic acid loading concentration on the adsorption of lactic acid by Amberlite IRA-67 in batch kinetic experiments. The obtained kinetic data followed the pseudo-second order model well and both the equilibrium and ultimate adsorption slightly decreased with the increase of the temperature at 293–323K and 42.5 g/liter lactic acid loading concentration. The adsorption was a chemically heterogeneous process with a mean free energy value of 12.18 kJ/mol. According to the Boyd_plot, the lactic acid uptake process was primarily found to be an intraparticle diffusion at a lower concentration (<50 g/liter) but a film diffusion at a higher concentration (>70 g/liter). The values of effective diffusion coefficient Di increased with temperature. By using our Equation (21), the negative values of ΔG° and ΔH° revealed that the adsorption process was spontaneous and exothermic. Moreover, the negative value of ΔS° reflected the decrease of solid-liquid interface randomness at the solid-liquid interface when adsorbing lactic acid on IRA-67. Conclusions/Significance With the weakly basic resin IRA-67, in situ product removal of lactic acid can be accomplished especially from an open and thermophilic fermentation system without sterilization.
NSAIDs Modulate CDKN2A, TP53, and DNA Content Risk for Progression to Esophageal Adenocarcinoma

Background Somatic genetic CDKN2A, TP53, and DNA content abnormalities are common in many human cancers and their precursors, including esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA) and Barrett's esophagus (BE), conditions for which aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been proposed as possible chemopreventive agents; however, little is known about the ability of a biomarker panel to predict progression to cancer nor how NSAID use may modulate progression. We aimed to evaluate somatic genetic abnormalities with NSAIDs as predictors of EA in a prospective cohort study of patients with BE. Methods and Findings Esophageal biopsies from 243 patients with BE were evaluated at baseline for TP53 and CDKN2A (p16) alterations, tetraploidy, and aneuploidy using sequencing; loss of heterozygosity (LOH); methylation-specific PCR; and flow cytometry. At 10 y, all abnormalities, except CDKN2A mutation and methylation, contributed to EA risk significantly by univariate analysis, ranging from 17p LOH (relative risk [RR] = 10.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.2–21.3, p < 0.001) to 9p LOH (RR = 2.6; 95% CI 1.1–6.0, p = 0.03). A panel of abnormalities including 17p LOH, DNA content tetraploidy and aneuploidy, and 9p LOH was the best predictor of EA (RR = 38.7; 95% CI 10.8–138.5, p < 0.001). Patients with no baseline abnormality had a 12% 10-y cumulative EA incidence, whereas patients with 17p LOH, DNA content abnormalities, and 9p LOH had at least a 79.1% 10-y EA incidence. In patients with zero, one, two, or three baseline panel abnormalities, there was a significant trend toward EA risk reduction among NSAID users compared to nonusers (p = 0.01). The strongest protective effect was seen in participants with multiple genetic abnormalities, with NSAID nonusers having an observed 10-y EA risk of 79%, compared to 30% for NSAID users (p < 0.001). Conclusions A combination of 17p LOH, 9p LOH, and DNA content abnormalities provided better EA risk prediction than any single TP53, CDKN2A, or DNA content lesion alone. NSAIDs are associated with reduced EA risk, especially in patients with multiple high-risk molecular abnormalities.
Impact of online education on intern behaviour around joint commission national patient safety goals: a randomised trial

Purpose To compare the effectiveness of two types of online learning methodologies for improving the patient-safety behaviours mandated in the Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals (NPSG). Methods This randomised controlled trial was conducted in 2010 at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) in Boston USA. Incoming interns were randomised to either receive an online Spaced Education (SE) programme consisting of cases and questions that reinforce over time, or a programme consisting of an online slide show followed by a quiz (SQ). The outcome measures included NPSG-knowledge improvement, NPSG-compliant behaviours in a simulation scenario, self-reported confidence in safety and quality, programme acceptability and programme relevance. Results Both online learning programmes improved knowledge retention. On four out of seven survey items measuring satisfaction and self-reported confidence, the proportion of SE interns responding positively was significantly higher (p<0.05) than the fraction of SQ interns. SE interns demonstrated a mean 4.79 (36.6%) NPSG-compliant behaviours (out of 13 total), while SQ interns completed a mean 4.17 (32.0%) (p=0.09). Among those in surgical fields, SE interns demonstrated a mean 5.67 (43.6%) NPSG-compliant behaviours, while SQ interns completed a mean 2.33 (17.9%) (p=0.015). Focus group data indicates that SE was more contextually relevant than SQ, and significantly more engaging. Conclusion While both online methodologies improved knowledge surrounding the NPSG, SE was more contextually relevant to trainees and was engaging. SE impacted more significantly on both self-reported confidence and the behaviour of surgical residents in a simulated scenario.
Quantized visual awareness

The proposed model holds that, at its most fundamental level, visual awareness is quantized. That is to say that visual awareness arises as individual bits of awareness through the action of neural circuits with hundreds to thousands of neurons in at least the human striate cortex. Circuits with specific topologies will reproducibly result in visual awareness that correspond to basic aspects of vision like color, motion, and depth. These quanta of awareness (qualia) are produced by the feedforward sweep that occurs through the geniculocortical pathway but are not integrated into a conscious experience until recurrent processing from centers like V4 or V5 select the appropriate qualia being produced in V1 to create a percept. The model proposed here has the potential to shift the focus of the search for visual awareness to the level of microcircuits and these likely exist across the kingdom Animalia. Thus establishing qualia as the fundamental nature of visual awareness will not only provide a deeper understanding of awareness, but also allow for a more quantitative understanding of the evolution of visual awareness throughout the animal kingdom.
Validity of the Food Frequency Questionnaire Assessing the Folate Intake in Women of Reproductive Age Living in a Country without Food Fortification: Application of the Method of Triads

The study aimed to examine the external validity of the Folate Food Frequency Questionnaire (F-FFQ) designed for assessing the folate intake in Serbian women of reproductive age. The F-FFQ was tested against repeated 24 h dietary recalls and correspondent nutritional biomarkers (red blood cells (RBC) and serum folate concentrations) using the method of triads. In a cross sectional study, 503 women aged 18–49 years completed dietary questionnaires and representative validation subsample (n = 50) provided fasting blood samples for biomarker analyses. Correlation coefficients were calculated between each of the dietary methods and three pair-wise correlations were applied for the calculation of validity coefficients. Correlation coefficients observed between F-FFQ and three 24 h recalls were r = 0.56 (p < 0.001) and r = 0.57 (p < 0.001) for total sample and validation group, respectively. Bland–Altman plot and cross-classification analyses indicated good agreement between methods. High validity coefficients were determined between the true intake (I) and dietary assessment methods, F-FFQ (Q) and 24 h dietary recalls (R) (ρQIrbc = 0.871 and ρQIser = 0.814; ρRIrbc = 0.652 and ρRIser = 0.698), and moderate ones for biomarkers (B) (ρBIrbc = 0.428 and ρBIser = 0.421). The F-FFQ is valid instrument for the assessment of dietary folate intake in women living in Serbia, a country without mandatory folic acid food fortification.
Can computer tools support ethical decision making?

Ethics can be defined in many different ways – even maximizing personal benefit is an ethical paradigm (theory of ethical egoism or self-interest). When we discuss ethics thusly, we mean ethics is the typical understanding that morality inevitably includes value and concern for others [14]. Professional computer organizations ACM [1] and IEEE Computer Society [11] have established ethics codes for their members that follow that philosophy. Still, ethics are a problem, with respect to academic ethics: The problem starts with plagiarism in student assignments (exploitation of the new resources on the internet has resulted in cheating in up to 30% of cases monitored). Understanding only their work, computer scientists are left with a propensity to advocate the merits of the research itself, but may lack the skills to estimate social impacts and make value-driven decisions [1]. Recognizing the need for technical know-how and for a human component in educating computer scientists, the question remains: What is the best way to train ethical awareness and support ethical decision-making? Moral theory provides a number of suggestions, which we will discuss below.
Correct biological timing in Arabidopsis requires multiple light-signaling pathways

Circadian oscillators provide rhythmic temporal cues for a range of biological processes in plants and animals, enabling anticipation of the day/night cycle and enhancing fitness-associated traits. We have used engineering models to understand the control principles of a plant’s response to seasonal variation. We show that the seasonal changes in the timing of circadian outputs require light regulation via feed-forward loops, combining rapid light-signaling pathways with entrained circadian oscillators. Linear time-invariant models of circadian rhythms were computed for 3,503 circadian-regulated genes and for the concentration of cytosolic-free calcium to quantify the magnitude and timing of regulation by circadian oscillators and light-signaling pathways. Bioinformatic and experimental analysis show that rapid light-induced regulation of circadian outputs is associated with seasonal rephasing of the output rhythm. We identify that external coincidence is required for rephasing of multiple output rhythms, and is therefore important in general phase control in addition to specific photoperiod-dependent processes such as flowering and hypocotyl elongation. Our findings uncover a fundamental design principle of circadian regulation, and identify the importance of rapid light-signaling pathways in temporal control.
Electric and Optical Properties of Pb(Er1/2Nb1/2)-Pb(Mg1/3Nb1/3)-PbTiO3 Crystals

New ferroelectric crystals Pb(Er1/2Nb1/2)-Pb(Mg1/3Nb1/3)O-PbTiO3 (PEN-PMN-PT) were grown by using the flux method. Phase structure of the crystals was described by the X-ray diffraction analysis. Dielectric, ferroelectric and optical properties of the PEN-PMN-PT crystals were investigated systematically. Higher Curie temperature (Tc ~ 291 °C) and larger coercive field (Ec ~ 17.6 kV/cm) for the 40PEN-13PMN-47PT can be obtained, respectively, compared with those of the PMN-PT. Moreover, strong green and red emissions can be excited by using the 980 nm laser. The PEN-PMN-PT crystals with these performances have some promising applications in the electromechanical and optical devices.
On the biological efficiency of I-123 and I-125 decay on the molecular level

Purpose: To evaluate DNA damage of Auger emitters by numerical modelling at the molecular level. Material and methods: Energy emission spectra of I-123 and I-125 were used as input data for a computer code that simulates the complete transport of electrons and photons from the physical stage up to the primary chemical stage at 10−7 s. The simulation was performed in a complex environment of liquid water, DNA structures and scavengers. Electron and photon interactions with the DNA molecules were carefully managed. Simulations were carried out with both I-123 and I-125 bound to a pBR322 plasmid or free in its vicinity. Results: The distributions of direct and indirect single strand breaks (SSB) and double strand breaks (DSB) as a function of the kinetic energy of the emitted Auger electrons show that damage is caused primarily by electrons with energies lower than 800 eV, while higher energy electrons are mainly involved in indirect effects. The yields per unit energy emitted strengthen this fact. When compared to experimental values, the calculated yields of linearization (LE) and relaxation (RE) events show good agreement as well as does the ratio LE/RE for each radionuclide and the ratio I-125/I-123 in the case of LE.