Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Attentional Load Effects on Beta Oscillations in Healthy and Schizophrenic Individuals

Attentional deficits are prominent among the cognitive disturbances found in schizophrenia. Given that schizophrenia is also characterized by abnormalities in high-frequency oscillations, we investigated whether attentional function in schizophrenia is related to abnormalities in high-frequency oscillations in a visual discrimination task in which attentional load was manipulated. Sixteen healthy control subjects (HC) and 23 chronic schizophrenia patients (SZ) discriminated between target discs (p = 0.2) and standard discs (p = 0.8). Attentional load was manipulated by varying the size difference between the target and standard discs across blocks: large (Easy condition), medium (Medium), and small (Difficult). The electroencephalogram was recorded and the oscillations evoked by the standard stimuli were analyzed using the Morlet wavelet transform. Subjects’ performance decreased as attentional load increased, but HC and SZ did not differ. Attentional load increased β phase-locking factor at frontal, parietal, and occipital electrode sites in HC but not SZ. In SZ, however, there was a correlation between the β attentional load effect and overall d′, indicating that high-performing SZ had relatively normal β attentional load effects. These results show that variations in attentional load are associated with β oscillations and provide a link between attentional dysfunction and β-generating neural circuitry in schizophrenia.
H2A.Z Nucleosome Positioning Has No Impact on Genetic Variation in Drosophila Genome

Nucleosome occupancy results in complex sequence variation rate heterogeneity by either increasing mutation rate or inhibiting DNA repair in yeast, fish, and human. H2A.Z nucleosome is extensively involved in gene transcription activation and regulation. To test whether H2A.Z nucleosome has the similar impact on sequence variability in the Drosophila genome, we profiled the H2A.Z nucleosome occupancy and sequence variation rate at gene ends and splicing sites. Consistent with previous studies, H2A.Z nucleosome positioning helps to demarcate the borders of exons. Nucleosome occupancy is anticorrelated with sequence divergence rate in the regions flanking transcription start sites and splicing sites. However, there is no rate heterogeneity between the linker DNA and H2A.Z nucleosomal DNA regardless of nucleosome occupancy, fuzziness, positioning in promoter, coding, and intergenic regions, young or old genes. But the rate at intergenic nucleosomes and the flanking linker regions is higher than that at the genic counterparts. Further analyses found that the high sequence divergence rate in the promoter regions that are usually nucleosome depleted regions may be likely resulted from the high mutation rate in the enriched tandem repeats. Interestingly, within nucleosomes spanning splicing sites, sequence variability of nucleosomal DNA significantly increases from the end within exons to the other end protruding into introns. The relaxed functional constraint in introns contributes to the high rate of nucleosomal DNA residing in introns while the strict functional constraint in exons maintains the low rate of nucleosomal DNA residing in exons. Taken together, H2A.Z nucleosome occupancy has no effect on sequence variability of Drosophila genome, which is likely determined by local sequence composition and the concomitant selection pressure.
Bivalirudin versus heparin as an anticoagulant during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE Heparin-based anticoagulation for patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation has many limitations, including a high risk of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. However, little experience with other anticoagulants in these patients has been described. The aim of this study was to compare bivalirudin-based anticoagulation with heparin-based protocols in a population of patients treated with venovenous or venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. DESIGN In this case-control study, 10 patients received bivalirudin (cases) and 10 heparin (controls). The target activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) was 45 to 60 seconds. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS aPTT variations >20% of the previous value were much more frequent in patients treated with heparin than in patients receiving bivalirudin (52 v 24, p < 0.001). The number of corrections of the anticoagulant dose was higher in the heparin group compared with the bivalirudin group (58 v 51), although it did not reach statistical significance. Bleeding, thromboembolic complications, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support duration, mortality, and the number of episodes of aPTT >80 seconds were not different between the 2 groups. A further analysis was performed in the bivalirudin group according to the presence of acute renal failure requiring continuous venovenous hemofiltration. The median bivalirudin dose in patients with or without hemofiltration was 0.041 (0.028-0.05) mg/kg/h and 0.028 (0-0.041) mg/kg/h, respectively (p = 0.2). CONCLUSIONS Bivalirudin-based anticoagulation may represent a new method of anticoagulation for reducing thromboembolic and bleeding complications, which still jeopardize the application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Moreover, bivalirudin is free from the risk of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Higher doses of bivalirudin may be needed in patients undergoing hemofiltration.
The Stability and Complexity of Antibody Responses to the Major Surface Antigen of Plasmodium falciparum Are Associated with Age in a Malaria Endemic Area*

Individuals that are exposed to malaria eventually develop immunity to the disease with one possible mechanism being the gradual acquisition of antibodies to the range of parasite variant surface antigens in their local area. Major antibody targets include the large and highly polymorphic Plasmodium falciparum Erythrocyte Membrane Protein 1 (PfEMP1) family of proteins. Here, we use a protein microarray containing 123 recombinant PfEMP1-DBLα domains (VAR) from Papua New Guinea to seroprofile 38 nonimmune children (<4 years) and 29 hyperimmune adults (≥15 years) from the same local area. The overall magnitude, prevalence and breadth of antibody response to VAR was limited at <2 years and 2–2.9 years, peaked at 3–4 years and decreased for adults compared with the oldest children. An increasing proportion of individuals recognized large numbers of VAR proteins (>20) with age, consistent with the breadth of response stabilizing with age. In addition, the antibody response was limited in uninfected children compared with infected children but was similar in adults irrespective of infection status. Analysis of the variant-specific response confirmed that the antibody signature expands with age and infection. This also revealed that the antibody signatures of the youngest children overlapped substantially, suggesting that they are exposed to the same subset of PfEMP1 variants. VAR proteins were either seroprevalent from early in life, (<3 years), from later in childhood (≥3 years) or rarely recognized. Group 2 VAR proteins (Cys2/MFK-REY+) were serodominant in infants (<1-year-old) and all other sequence subgroups became more seroprevalent with age. The results confirm that the anti-PfEMP1-DBLα antibody responses increase in magnitude and prevalence with age and further demonstrate that they increase in stability and complexity. The protein microarray approach provides a unique platform to rapidly profile variant-specific antibodies to malaria and suggests novel insights into the acquisition of immunity to malaria.
Zygomatic Fractures: Reduction With the T-Bar Screw

The prominent zygomatic bone is one of the most commonly fractured. Fracture with displacement of the bone results in a cosmetic and functional deformity. The fractured zygomatic bone is usually dislocated in an inferomedial and posterior direction, which results in a cosmetic deformity with loss of ipsilateral malar prominence, possible depression of the zygomatic arch, asymmetry of the bony orbital circumference, and possible enophthalmos. Fracture of the zygomatic bone may result in ocular, maxillary antral, and mandibular dysfunction; diplopia, restricted extraocular muscle movement, or intraocular injuries; infection or obstruction of the maxillary antrum; and restricted mandibular function and malocclusion. Various surgical methods have been used to reduce the displaced fractured zygomatic bone. Our preferred method for reduction is the T-bar (Carroll-Girard) screw. This clinical study reviews 30 cases of zygomatic complex fractures, outlines the surgical technique used, illustrates the proper use of the T-bar screw with anatomic schematics and clinical cases, and presents illustrative case summaries.
A Note on the Efficiency of Domain Decomposed Incomplete Factorizations

In the past several years, domain decomposition has been a very popular topic, motivated by the ease of parallelization. However, the question of whether it is better than parallelizing some standard sequential methods has seldom been directly addressed.In this paper it is shown, with some numerical examples, that the answer is affirmative in the case of iterative solutions of elliptic problems by preconditioned conjugate gradient iteration. Specifically shown is how to construct effective incomplete factorization preconditioners based on the domain decomposition principle. In addition to having all the advantages of domain decomposition, this also results in better convergence rates than the analogous preconditioners on the whole domain.
Interaction between G Proteins and Tyrosine Kinases upon T Cell Receptor·CD3-mediated Signaling (*)

Engagement of the T cell receptor (TCR)·CD3 complex results in the induction of multiple intracellular events, with protein tyrosine kinases playing a pivotal role in their initiation. Biochemical studies also exist suggesting the involvement of heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins (G proteins); however, the functional consequence of this participation in TCR·CD3-mediated signaling is unresolved. Here, we report TCR·CD3-mediated guanine nucleotide exchange among the 42-kDa G protein α subunits of the Gαq/11 family, their physical association with CD3 ε, and the Gα11-dependent activation of phospholipase C β. Protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors, however, abrogate TCR·CD3-mediated G protein activation. Quite interesting is the observation that cells transfected with a function-deficient mutant of Gα11 display diminished tyrosine phosphorylation of TCR·CD3 ζ and ε chains, as well as ZAP-70, upon anti-CD3 antibody triggering. These data indicate the involvement of the Gαq/11 family in TCR·CD3 signaling at a step proximal to the receptor and suggest a reciprocal regulation between tyrosine kinases and G proteins in T cells.
The Role of Attention in Conscious Recollection

Most research on the relationship between attention and consciousness has been limited to perception. However, perceptions are not the only kinds of mental contents of which we can be conscious. An important set of conscious states that has not received proper treatment within this discussion is that of memories. This paper reviews compelling evidence indicating that attention may be necessary, but probably not sufficient, for conscious recollection. However, it is argued that unlike the case of conscious perception, the kind of attention required during recollection is internal, as opposed to external, attention. As such, the surveyed empirical evidence is interpreted as suggesting that internal attention is necessary, but probably not sufficient, for conscious recollection. The paper begins by justifying the need for clear distinctions among different kinds of attention, and then emphasizes the difference between internal and external attention. Next, evidence from behavioral, neuropsychological, and neuroimaging studies suggesting that internal attention is required for the successful retrieval of memorial contents is reviewed. In turn, it is argued that internal attention during recollection is what makes us conscious of the contents of retrieved memories; further evidence in support of this claim is also provided. Finally, it is suggested that internal attention is probably not sufficient for conscious recollection. Open questions and possible avenues for future research are also mentioned.
Experimental Trauma Models: An Update

Treatment of polytrauma patients remains a medical as well as socioeconomic challenge. Although diagnostics and therapy improved during the last decades, multiple injuries are still the major cause of fatalities in patients below 45 years of age. Organ dysfunction and organ failure are major complications in patients with major injuries and contribute to mortality during the clinical course. Profound understanding of the systemic pathophysiological response is crucial for innovative therapeutic approaches. Therefore, experimental studies in various animal models are necessary. This review is aimed at providing detailed information of common trauma models in small as well as in large animals.
In vitro activity of tigecycline against patient isolates collected during phase 3 clinical trials for hospital acquired pneumonia

The in vitro activity of tigecycline was evaluated against 819 baseline pathogens isolated from 383 patients enrolled in the phase 3 clinical trial investigating the efficacy of tigecycline in hospital acquired pneumonia (HAP). The trials were global, enrolling patients in 27 countries. Tigecycline was active against the most prevalent pathogens in HAP, including gram-positive and gram-negative strains (90% of MICs ≤2 µg/mL for the entire collection). The spectrum of activity of tigecycline included important pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus (including methicillin-resistant S. aureus), Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii/calcoaceticus complex, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Enterobacter cloacae. As reported previously, a few genera, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the Proteeae, were generally less susceptible to tigecycline by comparison to other gram-negative pathogens. The excellent in vitro, expanded, broad-spectrum activity of tigecycline in the clinical isolates confirmed the potential utility of tigecycline for pathogens associated with with hospital acquired pneumonia infections.
Detecting Perspectives in Political Debates

We explore how to detect people’s perspectives that occupy a certain proposition. We propose a Bayesian modelling approach where topics (or propositions) and their associated perspectives (or viewpoints) are modeled as latent variables. Words associated with topics or perspectives follow different generative routes. Based on the extracted perspectives, we can extract the top associated sentences from text to generate a succinct summary which allows a quick glimpse of the main viewpoints in a document. The model is evaluated on debates from the House of Commons of the UK Parliament, revealing perspectives from the debates without the use of labelled data and obtaining better results than previous related solutions under a variety of evaluations.
An objective technique for evaluating doubletalk detectors in acoustic echo cancelers

Echo cancelers commonly employ a doubletalk detector (DTD), which is essential to keep the adaptive filter from diverging in the presence of near-end speech and other disruptive noise. There have been numerous algorithms to detect doubletalk in an acoustic echo canceler (AEC). In those applications, typically, the threshold is chosen only by some heuristic method and the performance evaluation is very subjective. In this study, we develop a way to objectively evaluate DTD algorithms based on the standard statistical methods of detection theory. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) is derived to characterize DTD performance. Several DTD algorithms are examined and simulated under typical real-world operating conditions using measured room responses and signals taken from a digital speech database. The DTD methods are then evaluated and compared using the ROC metric.
Quenching of impact ionization in heavy ion induced tracks in wide bandwidth Si Avalanche Photodiodes

High-injection effects on the impulse response and high-frequency gain of a Si Avalanche Photodiode have been observed for a series of MeV heavy ions species with the same track structure but different injection levels. Focused picosecond laser results have also been collected as a function of laser waist. For the ultra-high injection levels present in the ion track, space-charge screening distorts the field profile leading to reduced impact ionization rates. Synopsis TCAD simulations are performed to clarify the role of screening in quenching or enhancing avalanche mechanisms and under what conditions one occurs over the other for an APD.
Standardizing Visual Control Devices for Tsetse Flies: East African Species Glossina fuscipes fuscipes and Glossina tachinoides

Background Riverine species of tsetse are responsible for most human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) transmission and are also important vectors of animal trypanosomiasis. This study concerns the development of visual control devices for two such species, Glossina fuscipes fuscipes and Glossina tachinoides, at the eastern limits of their continental range. The goal was to determine the most long-lasting, practical and cost-effective visually attractive device that induces the strongest landing responses in these species for use as insecticide-impregnated tools in vector population suppression. Methods and Findings Field trials were conducted in different seasons on G. f. fuscipes in Kenya, Ethiopia and the Sudan and on G. tachinoides in Ethiopia to measure the performance of traps and 2D targets of different sizes and colours, with and without chemical baits, at different population densities and under different environmental conditions. Adhesive film was used to enumerate flies at these remote locations to compare trapping efficiencies. The findings show that targets made from black and blue fabrics (either phthalogen or turquoise) covered with adhesive film render them equal to or more efficient than traps at capturing G. f. fuscipes and G. tachinoides. Biconical trap efficiency varied between 25% and 33% for the two species. Smaller 0.25 m×0.25 m phthalogen blue-black targets proved more efficient than the regular 1 m2 target for both species, by over six times for Glossina f. fuscipes and two times for G. tachinoides based on catches per m2. Overall, targets with a higher edge/surface area ratio were more efficient at capturing flies. Conclusions/Significance Taking into account practical considerations and fly preferences for edges and colours, we propose a 0.5×0.75 m blue-black target as a simple cost-effective device for management of G. f. fuscipes and G. tachinoides, impregnated with insecticide for control and covered with adhesive film for population sampling.
Glycine Receptor Activation Impairs ATP-Induced Calcium Transients in Cultured Cortical Astrocytes

In central nervous system, glycine receptor (GlyR) is mostly expressed in the spinal cord and brainstem, but glycinergic transmission related elements have also been identified in the brain. Astrocytes are active elements at the tripartite synapse, being responsible for the maintenance of brain homeostasis and for the fine-tuning of synaptic activity. These cells communicate, spontaneously or in response to a stimulus, by elevations in their cytosolic calcium (calcium transients, Ca2+T) that can be propagated to other cells. How these Ca2+T are negatively modulated is yet poorly understood. In this work, we evaluated GlyR expression and its role on calcium signaling modulation in rat brain astrocytes. We first proved that GlyR, predominantly subunits α2 and β, was expressed in brain astrocytes and its localization was confirmed in the cytoplasm and astrocytic processes by immunohistochemistry assays. Calcium imaging experiments in cultured astrocytes showed that glycine (500 μM), a GlyR agonist, caused a concentration-dependent reduction in ATP-induced Ca2+T, an effect abolished by the GlyR antagonist, strychnine (0.8 μM), as well as by nocodazole (1 μM), known to impair GlyR anchorage to the plasma membrane. This effect was mimicked by activation of GABAAR, another Cl--permeable channel. In summary, we demonstrated that GlyR activation in astrocytes mediates an inhibitory effect upon ATP induced Ca2+T, which most probably involves changes in membrane permeability to Cl- and requires GlyR anchorage at the plasma membrane. GlyR in astrocytes may thus be part of a mechanism to modulate astrocyte-to-neuron communication.
Neutron and X‐ray Reflectivity Studies of Human Serum Albumin Adsorption onto Functionalized Surfaces of Self‐Assembled Monolayers

Neutron and X‐ray reflectivity (NR and XR) have been widely used for the investigation of the structure of thin organic films. Here we demonstrate how these sensitive techniques may be applied to the study of protein adsorption to well‐characterized self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) with different chemical functionalities. NR can be used for in situ study, while XR provides complementary information on the initial surfaces and dried layers measured in air after protein has been adsorbed. In situ measurements of adsorption of human serum albumin onto a hydrophilic NH2‐terminated monolayer clearly show the presence of a thin layer of adsorbed protein next to the SAM. Adsorption of albumin onto a hydrophobic, deuterated, CD3‐terminated SAM causes even bigger changes in the NR. Upon replacing the protein solution with protein‐free buffer solution, the reflectivities from both kinds of monolayers do not change, demonstrating that the albumin adsorption is irreversible after several hours of contact with the protein solution. X‐ray reflectivity measurements of dried substrates performed ex situ in air provide a lower bound estimate of the amount of protein which must be at the interface in situ. This combination of techniques provides a uniquely sensitive approach for studying changes that occur upon protein adsorption at an interface.
Efficient Online Bandit Multiclass Learning with Õ(√T) Regret

We present an efficient second-order algorithm with $\tilde{O}(\frac{1}{\eta}\sqrt{T})$ regret for the bandit online multiclass problem. The regret bound holds simultaneously with respect to a family of loss functions parameterized by $\eta$, for a range of $\eta$ restricted by the norm of the competitor. The family of loss functions ranges from hinge loss ($\eta=0$) to squared hinge loss ($\eta=1$). This provides a solution to the open problem of (J. Abernethy and A. Rakhlin. An efficient bandit algorithm for $\sqrt{T}$-regret in online multiclass prediction? In COLT, 2009). We test our algorithm experimentally, showing that it also performs favorably against earlier algorithms.