Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimal Hierarchical Modular Topologies for Producing Limited Sustained Activation of Neural Networks

An essential requirement for the representation of functional patterns in complex neural networks, such as the mammalian cerebral cortex, is the existence of stable regimes of network activation, typically arising from a limited parameter range. In this range of limited sustained activity (LSA), the activity of neural populations in the network persists between the extremes of either quickly dying out or activating the whole network. Hierarchical modular networks were previously found to show a wider parameter range for LSA than random or small-world networks not possessing hierarchical organization or multiple modules. Here we explored how variation in the number of hierarchical levels and modules per level influenced network dynamics and occurrence of LSA. We tested hierarchical configurations of different network sizes, approximating the large-scale networks linking cortical columns in one hemisphere of the rat, cat, or macaque monkey brain. Scaling of the network size affected the number of hierarchical levels and modules in the optimal networks, also depending on whether global edge density or the numbers of connections per node were kept constant. For constant edge density, only few network configurations, possessing an intermediate number of levels and a large number of modules, led to a large range of LSA independent of brain size. For a constant number of node connections, there was a trend for optimal configurations in larger-size networks to possess a larger number of hierarchical levels or more modules. These results may help to explain the trend to greater network complexity apparent in larger brains and may indicate that this complexity is required for maintaining stable levels of neural activation.
Multipotent Progenitors Short-Term Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Indicates Lymphomyeloid Copriming in Gene Coexpression Analysis in Single Cells

Progressive restriction to a differentiation pathway results from both activation and silencing of particular gene expression programs. To identify the coexpression and the expression levels of regulatory genes during hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) differentiation toward the T cell branch, we applied a new single-cell RT-PCR technique to analyze the simultaneous expression of 13 genes in 9 functionally puriﬁed populations from the bone marrow and the thymus. We report in this paper that Lin 2 Sca1 + ckit + HSCs display, at the single-cell level, a homogeneous and high transcriptional activity as do early thymic progenitors. Moreover, the coexpression of lymphoid and myeloid genes is an early event detected in ∼ 30% of short-term HSC and most multipotent progenitors, suggesting novel sources for the generation of early thymic progenitors, common lymphoid progenitors (CLPs), and common myeloid progenitors. Loss of multipotency in Lin 2 Sca1 + ckit + cells directed to the lymphoid branch is characterized by Lmo2 and Gata2 gene expression downregulation. Indeed, highest levels of Gata2 expression are detected only in long-term and short-term HSC populations. Complete shutdown of Pu1 gene expression in all triple-negative (TN)3 stage thymic pre-T cells is indicative of total T cell commitment. Interestingly, this is also observed in 30% of TN2 cells and 25% of CLP in the bone marrow, suggesting a possible initiation of T cell engagement in TN2 and CLP. Also, our strategy highlights similar gene patterns among HSCs and intrathymic progenitors, proposing, therefore, that identical activation signals are
Level-of-Detail for Production-Scale Path Tracing

Path-traced global illumination (GI) becomes increasingly important in movie production. With offscreen elements considerably contributing to the path traced image, geometric complexity increases drastically, requiring geometric instancing or a variety of manually created and baked LOD. To reduce artists’ work load and bridge the gap between mesh-based LOD (Mip-maps) and voxel-based LOD (brickmaps), we propose to use an SVO with averaged BRDF parameters, e.g. for the Disney-BRDF, and a normal distribution per voxel. During shading we construct a BRDF from the averaged BRDF parameters and evaluate it with a random normal sampled from the distribution. This is simple, memory-efﬁcient, and handles a wide variety of geometry scales and materials seamlessly, with proper ﬁltering. Further it is efﬁcient to construct, which allows quick artist iterations as well as automatic and lazy generation on scene loading.
Modulation of macrophage phenotype by cell shape

Significance Macrophages are central regulators of the immune response during infection and wound healing, and their behavior is largely thought to be regulated by soluble factors in the microenvironment. Here, we find that adhesive cues are also critical for regulating the proinflammatory vs. prohealing state of these cells. We use engineered cell culture substrates to control cell shape and find that elongation of cells promotes a prohealing phenotype. Moreover, we identify key molecular pathways that are responsible for transducing physical cues to the biochemical cues that govern this response. Together, these studies suggest an important role for cell shape in regulating macrophage function. Phenotypic polarization of macrophages is regulated by a milieu of cues in the local tissue microenvironment. Although much is known about how soluble factors influence macrophage polarization, relatively little is known about how physical cues present in the extracellular environment might modulate proinflammatory (M1) vs. prohealing (M2) activation. Specifically, the role of cell shape has not been explored, even though it has been observed that macrophages adopt different geometries in vivo. We and others observed that macrophages polarized toward different phenotypes in vitro exhibit dramatic changes in cell shape: M2 cells exhibit an elongated shape compared with M1 cells. Using a micropatterning approach to control macrophage cell shape directly, we demonstrate here that elongation itself, without exogenous cytokines, leads to the expression of M2 phenotype markers and reduces the secretion of inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, elongation enhances the effects of M2-inducing cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 and protects cells from M1-inducing stimuli LPS and IFN-γ. In addition shape- but not cytokine-induced polarization is abrogated when actin and actin/myosin contractility are inhibited by pharmacological agents, suggesting a role for the cytoskeleton in the control of macrophage polarization by cell geometry. Our studies demonstrate that alterations in cell shape associated with changes in ECM architecture may provide integral cues to modulate macrophage phenotype polarization.
Recency and duration of postmenopausal hormone therapy: effects on bone mineral density and fracture risk in the National Osteoporosis Risk Assessment (NORA) study

ObjectivesResults from the Women's Health Initiative showed that postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) prevents fractures but has an overall unfavorable risk:benefit ratio, leading to the recommendation that HRT be used only for women with troublesome menopause symptoms, and for as short a time as possible. This recommendation has important implications for the timing and duration of HRT and the prevention of osteoporosis. The large number of women participating in the National Osteoporosis Risk Assessment (NORA) program provided the opportunity to evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) and 1-year fracture risk in analyses stratified by duration and recency of HRT. DesignParticipants were 170,852 postmenopausal women aged 50 to 104, without known osteoporosis, who were recruited from primary physicians offices across the US. BMD was measured at one of four peripheral sites, and the 1-year risk of osteoporotic fracture was assessed by questionnaire. ResultsAt baseline, current HRT users had the highest T-scores at every age. Among current hormone users, women who had used HRT longest had the highest BMD levels. Women who had stopped HRT more than 5 years previously, regardless of duration of use, had T-scores similar to never-users. Current but not past hormone use at baseline was associated with a 25% to 29% lower risk of osteoporotic fracture (P < 0.0001) in 1 year, compared with nonusers. These findings were independent of age, ethnicity, body mass index, lifestyle, years postmenopausal, and site of BMD measurement. ConclusionsWe conclude that postmenopausal BMD and fracture are closely associated with current, but not prior, HRT use. Use of HRT for 5 years or less, as proposed for treatment of symptomatic women during menopause transition, is unlikely to preserve bone or significantly reduce fracture risk in later years.
Cardiovascular development in embryos of the American alligator Alligator mississippiensis: effects of chronic and acute hypoxia

SUMMARY Chronic hypoxic incubation is a common tool used to address the plasticity of morphological and physiological characteristics during vertebrate development. In this study chronic hypoxic incubation of embryonic American alligators resulted in both morphological (mass) and physiological changes. During normoxic incubation embryonic mass, liver mass and heart mass increased throughout the period of study, while yolk mass fell. Chronic hypoxia (10%O2) resulted in a reduced embryonic mass at 80% and 90% of incubation. This reduction in embryonic mass was accompanied by a relative enlargement of the heart at 80% and 90% of incubation, while relative embryonic liver mass was similar to the normoxic group. Normoxic incubated alligators maintained a constant heart rate during the period of study, while mean arterial pressure rose continuously. Both levels of hypoxic incubation (15% and 10%O2) resulted in a lower mean arterial pressure at 90% of incubation, while heart rate was lower in the 10%O2 group only. Acute (5 min) exposure to 10%O2 in the normoxic group resulted in a biphasic response, with a normotensive bradycardia occurring during the period of exposure and a hypertensive tachycardic response occurring during recovery. The embryos incubated under hypoxia also showed a blunted response to acute hypoxic stress. In conclusion, the main responses elicited by chronic hypoxic incubation, namely, cardiac enlargement, blunted hypoxic response and systemic vasodilation, may provide chronically hypoxic embryos with a new physiological repertoire for responding to hypoxia.
MR imaging of the subcoracoid bursa.

OBJECTIVE The subcoracoid bursa, a bursa anterior to the shoulder joint, can be identified on MR images. Awareness of the MR appearance and location of this bursa, which can connect with the subacromial-subdeltoid bursa, enables appropriate diagnosis in patients with shoulder pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS Dictated reports involving all MR imaging of the shoulder (n = 1545) performed at our institution from June 1993 to February 1998 were reviewed from computer archives. Films were reviewed in 16 cases describing a subcoracoid bursa; in nine MR imaging correctly revealed this bursa, whereas in seven MR imaging revealed the subscapular recess, an outpouching of the glenohumeral joint often confused with the subcoracoid bursa. RESULTS Of the 1545 shoulders examined, MR imaging revealed the subcoracoid bursa in nine (0.6%) patients. Two cases from a teaching file were also included, for a total of 11 cases. In five (45%) of the 11 cases, the subcoracoid bursa contained a small amount of fluid (<1 cm in largest diameter on sagittal images). In the remaining six cases (55%), the subcoracoid bursa contained a moderate (1-2 cm in largest diameter) or a large amount (>2 cm in largest diameter) of fluid. Of the 11 cases, six (55%) also showed connection with the subacromial-subdeltoid bursa. CONCLUSION It is important to correctly identify the subcoracoid bursa on MR imaging because it is believed to cause isolated shoulder pain. Fluid in the subcoracoid bursa can also communicate with the subacromial-subdeltoid bursa.
Using Co-Occurrence to Evaluate Belief Coherence in a Large Non Clinical Sample

Much of the recent neuropsychological literature on false beliefs (delusions) has tended to focus on individual or single beliefs, with few studies actually investigating the relationship or co-occurrence between different types of co-existing beliefs. Quine and Ullian proposed the hypothesis that our beliefs form an interconnected web in which the beliefs that make up that system must somehow “cohere” with one another and avoid cognitive dissonance. As such beliefs are unlikely to be encapsulated (i.e., exist in isolation from other beliefs). The aim of this preliminary study was to empirically evaluate the probability of belief co-occurrence as one indicator of coherence in a large sample of subjects involving three different thematic sets of beliefs (delusion-like, paranormal & religious, and societal/cultural). Results showed that the degree of belief co-endorsement between beliefs within thematic groupings was greater than random occurrence, lending support to Quine and Ullian’s coherentist account. Some associations, however, were relatively weak, providing for well-established examples of cognitive dissonance.
Constipation in the population over 50 years of age in Albacete province.

Objective: to determine the incidence of constipation in Albacete province and its relation with diet and lifestyle. Patients and methods: cross-sectional population survey. We studied 414 participants over 50 years of age in Albacete province. 445 persons over 50 years of age were included in the study. All participants were selected by systematic random sampling; 414 participants filled in the questionnaire correctly. Main measures: age, weight and height, marital status, level of education and occupation; presence of a disease, number of sleep hours a day, physical exercise, smoking, alcohol intake, drug intake (anti-inflammatories and laxatives); bowel habit, diet, meal frequency and place; food intake frequency per week, daily intake of water, coffee, tea and herbal beverages; vitamin and fiber supplements; presence of cancer in the family. Results: 56.9% of participants were women. Mean age 67.07 years. In Albacete province, 4.4% of the population over 50 years have a bowel habit consistent with constipation. Most participants had three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and supper), while 50% had another meal in the morning or afternoon. These meals took place, habitually, in the domicile. There was a preponderance in daily intake of the following foods: milk (83.7%), bread (95.1%), vegetables (68.8%), fruit (91.8%), and virgin olive oil (96.6%). Fish was eaten every one to two days, and pulses and meat every three to six days. 44.4% of participants drank one to two liters of water a day. Only 3.9% of participants took some supplement; 35% of participants were on a diet. It was observed that 97.7% of participants with more than three defecations a week had a high intake of virgin olive oil; 65.7% of participants did some physical exercise customarily; 70.2% of participants were non-smokers, 10.2% were smokers, and 18.4% were ex-smokers. With regard to alcohol, the percentage of drinkers was 35.1%. The main class of medications taken by participants was NSAIDs ‐14.5%; 79.7% took neither NSAIDs nor laxatives. Only 2.7% of participants took laxatives regularly. Conclusions: Most participants had relatively healthy eating habits.
Maximal Synthesis for Hennessy-Milner Logic

We present a solution for the synthesis on Kripke structures with labelled transitions, with respect to Hennessy-Milner Logic. This encompasses the definition of a theoretical framework that is able to express how such a transition system should be modified in order to satisfy a given HML-formula. The transition system is mapped under bisimulation equivalence onto a recursive structure, thereby unfolding up to the applicable reach of a given HML-formula. Operational rules define the required adaptations to ensure validity upon this structure. Synthesis might result in multiple valid adaptations which are all related to the original transition system via simulation. The set of synthesized products contains an outcome which is maximal with respect to all deterministic simulants which satisfy the HML-formula.
The Emergency Department Action in Smoking Cessation (EDASC) trial: impact on delivery of smoking cessation counseling.

OBJECTIVES The focus on acute care, time pressure, and lack of resources hamper the delivery of smoking cessation interventions in the emergency department (ED). The aim of this study was to 1) determine the effect of an emergency nurse-initiated intervention on delivery of smoking cessation counseling based on the 5As framework (ask-advise-assess-assist-arrange) and 2) assess ED nurses' and physicians' perceptions of smoking cessation counseling. METHODS The authors conducted a pre-post trial in 789 adult smokers (five or more cigarettes/day) who presented to two EDs. The intervention focused on improving delivery of the 5As by ED nurses and physicians and included face-to-face training and an online tutorial, use of a charting/reminder tool, fax referral of motivated smokers to the state tobacco quitline for proactive telephone counseling, and group feedback to ED staff. To assess ED performance of cessation counseling, a telephone interview of subjects was conducted shortly after the ED visit. Nurses' and physicians' self-efficacy, role satisfaction, and attitudes toward smoking cessation counseling were assessed by survey. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the effect of the intervention on performance of the 5As, while adjusting for key covariates. RESULTS Of 650 smokers who completed the post-ED interview, a greater proportion had been asked about smoking by an ED nurse (68% vs. 53%, adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 2.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.3 to 2.9), assessed for willingness to quit (31% vs. 9%, adjusted OR= 4.9, 95% CI = 2.9 to 7.9), and assisted in quitting (23% vs. 6%, adjusted OR = 5.1, 95% CI = 2.7 to 9.5) and had arrangements for follow-up cessation counseling (7% vs. 1%, adjusted OR = 7.1, 95% CI = 2.3 to 21) during the intervention compared to the baseline period. A similar increase was observed for emergency physicians (EPs). ED nurses' self-efficacy and role satisfaction in cessation counseling significantly improved following the intervention; however, there was no change in "pros" and "cons" attitudes toward smoking cessation in either ED nurses or physicians. CONCLUSIONS Emergency department nurses and physicians can effectively deliver smoking cessation counseling to smokers in a time-efficient manner. This trial also provides empirical support for expert recommendations that call for nursing staff to play a larger role in delivering public health interventions in the ED.
Compatibility of scientific research and specialty training in General Practice. A cross-sectional study

Objective: In many departments of General Practice (GP) in Germany, young doctors who are trainees also work as researchers. Often these trainees work part time at the university and part time as a trainee in clinical practice. However, little is known about the situation of the actors involved. The aim of the study was to investigate the perspectives of GP trainees, heads of departments and GP trainers regarding the combination of research and GP training. Methods: We conducted a web-based survey with the heads of all German departments of General Practice, GP trainees who also conduct research and their GP trainers. The questionnaires consisted of open and closed questions. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative methods. Results: 28 heads of GP departments and 20 GP trainees responded. The trainees were mostly very satisfied with their situation as a trainee. However, the trainees considered the combination of research and GP training as difficult. The respondents name as problems the coordination of multiple jobs and the lack of credibility given to research in General Practice. They name as solutions research-enabling training programs and uniform requirements in training regarding research. Conclusion: The combination of GP training and scientific research activity is perceived as difficult. However, well-organized and designed programs can improve the quality of the combination.
Differentiated bandwidth sharing with disparate flow sizes

We consider a multi-class queueing system operating under the discriminatory processor-sharing (DPS) discipline. The DPS discipline provides a natural approach for modeling the flow-level performance of differentiated bandwidth-sharing mechanisms. Motivated by the extreme diversity in flow sizes observed in the Internet, we examine the system performance in an asymptotic regime where the flow dynamics of the various classes occur on separate time scales. Specifically, from the perspective of a given class, the arrival and service completions of some of the competing classes (called mice) evolve on an extremely fast time scale. In contrast, the flow dynamics of the remaining classes (referred to as elephants) occur on a comparatively slow time scale. Assuming a strict separation of time scales, we obtain simple explicit expressions for various performance measures of interest, such as the distribution of the numbers of flows, mean delays, and flow throughputs. In particular, the latter performance measures are insensitive, in the sense that they only depend on the service requirement distributions through their first moments. Numerical experiments show that the limiting results provide remarkably accurate approximations in certain cases.
Fonctionnement et dynamique des écosystèmes hydrothermaux : vers un premier modèle

En bientot quarante ans de recherche, de nombreuses connaissances ont ete acquises sur la geologie des champs hydrothermaux, la chimie des fluides qui en rechappent et l’ecologie des communautes qui les habitent. Celles-ci s’organisent en assemblages denses, distribues le long de la zone de dilution du fluide hydrothermal dans l’eau de mer, et domines visuellement par une poignee d’especes. La forte variabilite spatio-temporelle du fluide hydrothermal a une forte influence sur la distribution des communautes. Cependant, les mecanismes a l’origine de la reponse de la faune a cette variabilite sont peu compris. Pour cela, une approche modelisatrice est presentee. Les donnees collectees pendant plus de 20 ans sur l’edifice Tour Eiffel, sur le champ hydrothermal Lucky Strike (ride medio-Atlantique) ont ete integrees afin d’en extraire les composantes principales. L’etude integrative des biomasses sur l’edifice montre que celles-ci sont largement dominees par la modiole Bathymodiolus azoricus. Ce bivalve est susceptible d’avoir une influence importante sur le fonctionnement de l’ecosysteme, et fait donc l’objet d’un premier modele. La recherche de donnees pour le contraindre ont mene a mesurer des taux metaboliques in situ. Une fois le modele parametre, le modele a fourni des estimations de flux encore inconnu. La simulation d’interruption du flux hydrothermal a fourni des indices sur la reponse de la modiole a la variabilite de son environnement.