Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synchronous Chaos and Broad Band Gamma Rhythm in a Minimal Multi-Layer Model of Primary Visual Cortex

Visually induced neuronal activity in V1 displays a marked gamma-band component which is modulated by stimulus properties. It has been argued that synchronized oscillations contribute to these gamma-band activity. However, analysis of Local Field Potentials (LFPs) across different experiments reveals considerable diversity in the degree of oscillatory behavior of this induced activity. Contrast-dependent power enhancements can indeed occur over a broad band in the gamma frequency range and spectral peaks may not arise at all. Furthermore, even when oscillations are observed, they undergo temporal decorrelation over very few cycles. This is not easily accounted for in previous network modeling of gamma oscillations. We argue here that interactions between cortical layers can be responsible for this fast decorrelation. We study a model of a V1 hypercolumn, embedding a simplified description of the multi-layered structure of the cortex. When the stimulus contrast is low, the induced activity is only weakly synchronous and the network resonates transiently without developing collective oscillations. When the contrast is high, on the other hand, the induced activity undergoes synchronous oscillations with an irregular spatiotemporal structure expressing a synchronous chaotic state. As a consequence the population activity undergoes fast temporal decorrelation, with concomitant rapid damping of the oscillations in LFPs autocorrelograms and peak broadening in LFPs power spectra. We show that the strength of the inter-layer coupling crucially affects this spatiotemporal structure. We predict that layer VI inactivation should induce global changes in the spectral properties of induced LFPs, reflecting their slower temporal decorrelation in the absence of inter-layer feedback. Finally, we argue that the mechanism underlying the emergence of synchronous chaos in our model is in fact very general. It stems from the fact that gamma oscillations induced by local delayed inhibition tend to develop chaos when coupled by sufficiently strong excitation.
Meta-analysis of animal fat or animal protein intake and colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND In the recent World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research report of diet and cancer, it was concluded that there is limited but suggestive evidence that animal fat intake increases the risk of colorectal cancer. OBJECTIVE To clarify this potential relation, we conducted meta-analyses across a variety of subgroups, incorporating data from additional studies. DESIGN Analyses of high compared with low animal fat intakes and categorical dose-response evaluations were conducted. Subgroup analyses, consisting of evaluations by study design, sex, and tumor site were also performed. RESULTS Six prospective cohort studies with comprehensive dietary assessments, contributing 1070 cases of colorectal cancer and approximately 1.5 million person-years of follow-up, were identified. The summary relative risk estimate (SRRE) for these studies was 1.04 (95% CI: 0.83, 1.31; P for heterogeneity = 0.221) on the basis of high compared with low intakes. When data from case-control studies were combined with the cohort data, the resulting SRRE was 1.15 (95% CI: 0.93, 1.42) with increased variability (P for heterogeneity = 0.015). In our dose-response analysis of the cohort studies, no association between a 20-g/d increment in animal fat intake and colorectal cancer was observed (SRRE: 1.02; 95% CI: 0.95, 1.09). In a separate analysis of 3 prospective cohort studies that reported data for animal protein or meat protein, no significant association with colorectal cancer was observed (SRRE: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.70, 1.15). CONCLUSION On the basis of the results of this quantitative assessment, the available epidemiologic evidence does not appear to support an independent association between animal fat intake or animal protein intake and colorectal cancer.
Glial cells assemble hyaluronan‐based pericellular matrices in vitro

The extracellular matrix (ECM) of the brain contains hyaluronan and proteoglycans, as does the ECM of cartilage. Aggrecan, the major proteoglycan of cartilage, forms large aggregates with hyaluronan, which then associate with the chondrocyte cell surface through an interaction with surface hyaluronan binding proteins. In culture, chondrocytes elaborate hyaluronan‐proteoglycan aggregates, which form large hydrated pericellular matrices (PCMs) that can be visualized by a particle exclusion assay (Knudson and Toole: Dev Biol 112:308, 1985). It has recently been demonstrated that embryonic glial cells can also elaborate PCMs in culture (Deyst and Toole: Dev Brain Res 28:351, 1995). We demonstrate here that different classes of glial cells elaborate different types of endogenous PCMs in culture. Less differentiated glial cells, as evidenced by their immunoreactivity for nestin, elaborate larger endogenously produced PCMs than differentiated astrocytes, as defined by immunoreactivity for GFAP. This in vitro result may be a reflection of the larger volume of extracellular space present in the embryonic than in the mature brain. We show further that glial cells can incorporate cartilage aggrecan into their PCMs, and that both endogenous and aggrecan‐supplemented glial PCMs are dependent on hyaluronan. In contrast, primary neurons from newborn (P0) and P1 rat cortex neither express endogenous matrices nor can assemble exogenous hyaluronan/aggrecan aggregates into PCMs. These results suggest that immature neurons may not have the ability to assemble hyaluronan‐based PCMs, and they raise the possibility that neural proteoglycans associate with neuronal surfaces through a mechanism that may not directly involve hyaluronan. GLIA 20:193–202, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Corrective movements in response to displacements in visual feedback are more effective during periods of 13–35 Hz oscillatory synchrony in the human corticospinal system

Oscillatory synchronization in the beta (∼20 Hz) band is a common feature of human motor control, manifest at cortical and muscular levels during tonic contraction. Here we test the hypothesis that the influence of visual feedback on performance in a positional hold task is increased during bursts of beta‐band synchrony in the corticospinal motor system. Healthy subjects were instructed to extend their forefinger while receiving high‐gain visual feedback of finger position on a PC screen. Small step displacements of the feedback signal were triggered either by bursts of beta oscillations in scalp electroencephalogram or randomly with respect to cortical beta activity, and the resulting positional corrections expressed as a percentage of the step displacement. Corrective responses to beta and randomly triggered step changes in visual feedback were 41.7 ± 4.9 and 31.5 ± 6.8%, respectively (P < 0.05). A marked increase in the coherence in the beta band was also found between muscle activity and cortical activity during the beta‐triggered condition. The results suggest that phasic elevations of beta activity in the corticospinal motor system are associated with an increase in the gain of the motor response to visual feedback during a tonic hold task. Beta activity may index a motor state in which processing relevant to the control of positional hold tasks is promoted, with behavioural consequences.
Self-esteem is dominated by agentic over communal information

We present a Double Perspective Model (DPM) explaining why agency (competence) and communion (warmth) constitute two basic content dimensions of social cognition. Every social action involves two perspectives: of the agent (a person who performs an action) and of the recipient (a person at whom the action is directed). Immediate cognitive goals of the agent and recipient differ, which results in heightened accessibility and weight of content referring either to agency (from the agent’s perspective) or to communion (from the recipient’s perspective). DPM explains why evaluations of other persons are dominated by communal over agentic considerations and allows a novel hypothesis that self-esteem is dominated by agentic over communal information. We present several studies supporting this hypothesis. Copyright # 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. In this paper we build on the distinction of agency (competence) and communion (warmth) as the fundamental dimensions of social cognition. We present a Double Perspective Model (DPM) offering a new account of why agency and communion constitute the two basic dimensions. We also present a novel hypothesis resulting from the model— that self-esteem is dominated by agentic over communal information. We begin by shortly reviewing the idea of agency and communion as basic dimensions of social cognition, then present DPM as an explanation of this duality and discuss two main derivations of our model. First, perceptions and evaluations of other persons are dominated by communal over agentic information. As this is a well-established fact now, we only summarize the confirming empirical evidence. Second, the self-cognition (including self-esteem) is dominated by agentic over communal information. As this is a novel prediction, we discuss it in some detail and present a series of supporting studies.
An exploration of gender differences in the initiation of and attitudes toward crack cocaine use in the English-speaking Caribbean

The aim of this article is to examine the contextual factors associated with the initiation of and attitudes toward crack cocaine use from a sample of out-of-treatment male and female users from three islands in the English-speaking Caribbean. Data from 111 persons who reported using crack cocaine in the previous 30 days are analyzed. Females were more likely than males to have been initiated into crack cocaine use by a sex partner (63% vs. 22%, p = 0.007). Women were more likely to report a history of exchanging sex in relation to crack cocaine (93% vs. 66%, p < 0.0001). Most men and women reported no perception of danger associated with crack before initiation; however, at time of interview, almost everyone perceived it as very dangerous. These findings suggest the importance of developing drug education messages that are substance-specific. Given the dangers associated with crack cocaine use, special efforts must be made to prevent initiation of use.
RESEARCH: The Automatic Activation of Religious Concepts: Implications for Religious Orientations

An evaluative priming procedure was used to demonstrate the automatic activation of religious concepts-in particular, religious actions. Participants identified the actions faster after being primed (stimulus onset asynchrony = 300 ms) with an appropriate religious category. The result provides evidence for underlying cognitive structure with respect to religious concepts. Furthermore, the effect of such activation depended on participants' levels of an intrinsic orientation toward religion. Participants with such an orientation tended to internalize their beliefs and genuinely try to live accordingly (Allport & Ross, 1967). Other religious orientations are evaluated, and implications are discussed.
Sleep, sleepiness and school start times: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND High school students are reported to be excessively sleepy, resulting in decreased academic performance, increased psycho-social problems and increased risk of morbidity and mortality from accidents. Early school start times have been noted to contribute to this problem. This report attempts to confirm the relationship of early school start times with decreased sleep and increased sleepiness. METHODS We examined sophomore and junior students in 2 local high schools with different start times and measured the amount of time slept and sleepiness. RESULTS We found that students at the early start school reported reduced sleep time and more sleepiness than their counterparts at the later starting school. CONCLUSION Early school start times are associated with student reports of less sleep and increased sleepiness. Further studies in larger groups are recommended in view of the potential significant impact of sleep deprivation in this age group.
Buckling prevention strategies in nature as inspiration for improving percutaneous instruments: a review

A typical mechanical failure mode observed in slender percutaneous instruments, such as needles and guidewires, is buckling. Buckling is observed when the axial compressive force that is required to penetrate certain tissue types exceeds the critical load of the instrument and manifests itself by sudden lateral deflection of the instrument. In nature, several organisms are able to penetrate substrates without buckling while using apparatuses with diameters smaller than those of off-the-shelf available percutaneous needles and guidewires. In this study we reviewed the apparatuses and buckling prevention strategies employed by biological organisms to penetrate substrates such as wood and skin. A subdivision is made between buckling prevention strategies that focus on increasing the critical load of the penetration tool and strategies that focus on decreasing the penetration load of the substrate. In total, 28 buckling prevention strategies were identified and categorized. Most organisms appear to be using a combination of buckling prevention strategies simultaneously. Integration and combination of these biological buckling prevention strategies in percutaneous instruments may contribute to increasing the success rate of percutaneous interventions.
Lipopolysaccharide O1 Antigen Contributes to the Virulence in Klebsiella pneumoniae Causing Pyogenic Liver Abscess

Klebsiella pneumoniae is the common cause of a global emerging infectious disease, community-acquired pyogenic liver abscess (PLA). Capsular polysaccharide (CPS) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are critical for this microorganism's ability to spread through the blood and to cause sepsis. While CPS type K1 is an important virulence factor in K. pneumoniae causing PLA, the role of LPS in PLA is not clear. Here, we characterize the role of LPS O antigen in the pathogenesis of K. pneumoniae causing PLA. NTUH-K2044 is a LPS O1 clinical strain; the presence of the O antigen was shown via the presence of 1,3-galactan in the LPS, and of sequences that align with the wb gene cluster, known to produce O-antigen. Serologic analysis of K. pneumoniae clinical isolates demonstrated that the O1 serotype was more prevalent in PLA strains than that in non-tissue-invasive strains (38/42 vs. 9/32, P<0.0001). O1 serotype isolates had a higher frequency of serum resistance, and mutation of the O1 antigen changed serum resistance in K. pneumoniae. A PLA-causing strain of CPS capsular type K2 and LPS serotype O1 (i.e., O1:K2 PLA strain) deleted for the O1 synthesizing genes was profoundly attenuated in virulence, as demonstrated in separate mouse models of septicemia and liver abscess. Immunization of mice with the K2044 magA-mutant (K1 − O1) against LPS O1 provided protection against infection with an O1:K2 PLA strain, but not against infection with an O1:K1 PLA strain. Our findings indicate that the O1 antigen of PLA-associated K. pneumoniae contributes to virulence by conveying resistance to serum killing, promoting bacterial dissemination to and colonization of internal organs after the onset of bacteremia, and could be a useful vaccine candidate against infection by an O1:K2 PLA strain.
Lipids, cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus is commonly associated with early onset cardiovascular disease and is often associated with hyperlipidaemia. This review examines the evidence for an increased prevalence of both CHD and hyperlipidaemia in SLE and mechanisms by which autoimmunity in SLE could accelerate the progression of atheroma. It postulates how lipid lowering therapies used in cardiological disease might help reduce the incidence of CHD in SLE.
Effects of Causal Attributions on Coworker Interactions: A Social Motivation Perspective

Recent restructuring in organizations has led to a greater interdependence among coworkers; however, coworker interactions are not well understood. The purpose of this research was to apply Weiner's (1995b) theory of social conduct to examine coworker interactions following a poor work performance. Four studies were conducted to examine the effects of ability and effort attributions for a worker's poor performance on coworkers' thoughts, feelings, and interactions. In Study 1, ability and effort attributions were manipulated using scenarios. Scales (7-point) were used to assess expectations of future success, responsibility judgments, anger, sympathy, and prosocial and antisocial coworker interactions. Similar methodology was used in Study 2 to examine a broader range of coworker interactions. In Study 3, participants interacted with a confederate playing the role of a poor-performing worker and verbal discredits about the worker were measured. In Study 4, the mediational role of responsibility judgments, anger, and sympathy on coworker interactions was examined using structural equation modeling on a sample of coworkers working in an organization. Significant findings from all 4 studies support the hypothesis that, following poor performance, the reason matters regarding the social motivation of coworkers. These results are discussed in relation to Weiner's (1995b) theory of social conduct and coworker interactions.
Intergenerational Support, Relationship Quality, and Well-Being

Exchanges of intergenerational support were assessed in a bicultural (Anglo/European-American and Latin American) sample of young-adult women, their mothers, and their maternal grandmothers. The goals of the study were (a) to describe the extent of supportive intergenerational exchange, with a particular focus on the balance of exchange across generations, (b) to evaluate the association of support with intergenerational relationship quality, and (c) to explore links between supportive exchange, relationship quality, and personal well-being. Support exchanges were imbalanced across generations, with middlegeneration women providing more support to mothers and daughters than they received. Support and relationship quality were linked for younger mother-daughter dyads, but perceptions of older women regarding relations with daughters were positively biased and not tied significantly to support exchange. Intergenerational relationship quality was associated with well-being for each generation. The cross-cultural consistency of these results suggests that they represent more general patterns of intergenerational relations.
Unplanned 30-Day Readmissions in a General Internal Medicine Hospitalist Service at a Comprehensive Cancer Center.

PURPOSE Hospital readmissions are considered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid as a metric for quality of health care delivery. Robust data on the readmission profile of patients with cancer are currently insufficient to determine whether this measure is applicable to cancer hospitals as well. To address this knowledge gap, we estimated the unplanned readmission rate and identified factors influencing unplanned readmissions in a hospitalist service at a comprehensive cancer center. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed unplanned 30-day readmission of patients discharged from the General Internal Medicine Hospitalist Service at a comprehensive cancer center between April 1, 2012, and September 30, 2012. Multiple independent variables were studied using univariable and multivariable logistic regression models, with generalized estimating equations to identify risk factors associated with readmissions. RESULTS We observed a readmission rate of 22.6% in our cohort. The median time to unplanned readmission was 10 days. Unplanned readmission was more likely in patients with metastatic cancer and those with three or more comorbidities. Patients discharged to hospice were less likely to be readmitted (all P values < .01). CONCLUSION We observed a high unplanned readmission rate among our population of patients with cancer. The risk factors identified appear to be related to severity of illness and open up opportunities for improving coordination with primary care physicians, oncologists, and other specialists to manage comorbidities, or perhaps transition appropriate patients to palliative care. Our findings will be instrumental for developing targeted interventions to help reduce readmissions at our hospital. Our data also provide direction for appropriate application of readmission quality measures in cancer hospitals.
Distribution of diacylglycerols among plasma lipoproteins in control subjects and in patients with non‐insulin‐dependent diabetes

Diacylglycerols (DAGs), which are well‐known components of insect lipophorins, have been recently recognized as a major glyceride of human high‐density lipoprotein (HDL). Moreover, DAGs are good substrates for hepatic lipase and for the phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP). The present work was undertaken to determine the lipoprotein concentrations of DAGs, in control subjects, in non‐insulin‐dependent diabetic (NIDD) patients and in patients with severe hypertriglyceridaemia.
JOB SEARCH ACTIVITIES: AN EXAMINATION OF CHANGES OVER TIME

Existing job search research has been criticized for ignoring the dynamic nature of search. This study examined three models of changes in search behavior over time: sequential, learned change, and emotional response. Data on search behaviors were collected from a sample of 186 college and vocational-technical school graduates early in their search, at graduation, and again 3 months following graduation for individuals who remained unemployed. Job searchers decreased the intensity of their search, increased their use of informal sources, and reduced their emphasis on information related to the availability of jobs between early search and graduation. These changes were reversed following graduation. This pattern is most consistent with the sequential model, which suggests that individuals first search broadly to develop a pool of potential jobs, then examine jobs within that pool in detail, reopening the search only if the initial pool does not lead to an acceptable job offer.
Effect of Extra Time on Verbal and Quantitative GRE Scores

The Graduate Record Examination General Test (GRE) is a measure of academic reasoning abilities that is intended to be a power test in which speed of responding plays at most a minor role. To test this assumption, we experimentally administered both the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE with standard time limits and with 1.5 times the standard time limit (e.g., 45 min for a 30-min section). Participants volunteered to take an extra section with the experimental timing at the end of their regular GRE test; their incentive was eligibility for a cash payment if they did as well on the experimental section as on their operational sections. Usable data were obtained from 15,948 examinees. Results indicated that extra time added about 7 points to verbal scores and 7 points to quantitative scores (on the 200-800 score scale). Results were comparable across gender and ethnic groups, but quantitative scores were slightly higher for lower ability examinees.