Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Parallel and Serial Neural Mechanisms for Visual Search in Macaque Area V4

To find a target object in a crowded scene, a face in a crowd for example, the visual system might turn the neural representation of each object on and off in a serial fashion, testing each representation against a template of the target item. Alternatively, it might allow the processing of all objects in parallel but bias activity in favor of those neurons that represent critical features of the target, until the target emerges from the background. To test these possibilities, we recorded neurons in area V4 of monkeys freely scanning a complex array to find a target defined by color, shape, or both. Throughout the period of searching, neurons gave enhanced responses and synchronized their activity in the gamma range whenever a preferred stimulus in their receptive field matched a feature of the target, as predicted by parallel models. Neurons also gave enhanced responses to candidate targets that were selected for saccades, or foveation, reflecting a serial component of visual search. Thus, serial and parallel mechanisms of response enhancement and neural synchrony work together to identify objects in a scene. To find a target object in a crowded scene, a face in a crowd for example, the visual system might turn the neural representation of each object on and off in a serial fashion, testing each representation against a template of the target item. Alternatively, it might allow the processing of all objects in parallel but bias activity in favor of those neurons that represent critical features of the target, until the target emerges from the background. To test these possibilities, we recorded neurons in area V4 of monkeys freely scanning a complex array to find a target defined by color, shape, or both. Throughout the period of searching, neurons gave enhanced responses and synchronized their activity in the gamma range whenever a preferred stimulus in their receptive field matched a feature of the target, as predicted by parallel models. Neurons also gave enhanced responses to candidate targets that were selected for saccades, or foveation, reflecting a serial component of visual search. Thus, serial and parallel mechanisms of response enhancement and neural synchrony work together to identify objects in a scene.
Executive Dysfunctions and Event-Related Brain Potentials in Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

A growing body of evidence implies psychological disturbances in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Specifically, executive dysfunctions occur in up to 50% of ALS patients. The recently shown presence of cytoplasmic aggregates (TDP-43) in ALS patients and in patients with behavioral variants of frontotemporal dementia suggests that these two disease entities form the extremes of a spectrum. The present study aimed at investigating behavioral and electrophysiological indices of conflict processing in patients with ALS. A non-verbal variant of the flanker task demanded two-choice responses to target stimuli that were surrounded by flanker stimuli which either primed the correct response or the alternative response (the latter case representing the conflict situation). Behavioral performance, event-related potentials (ERP), and lateralized readiness potentials (LRP) were analyzed in 21 ALS patients and 20 controls. In addition, relations between these measures and executive dysfunctions were examined. ALS patients performed the flanker task normally, indicating preserved conflict processing. In similar vein, ERP and LRP indices of conflict processing did not differ between groups. However, ALS patients showed enhanced posterior negative ERP waveform deflections, possibly indicating increased modulation of visual processing by frontoparietal networks in ALS. We also found that the presence of executive dysfunctions was associated with more error-prone behavior and enhanced LRP amplitudes in ALS patients, pointing to a prefrontal pathogenesis of executive dysfunctions and to a potential link between prefrontal and motor cortical functional dysregulation in ALS, respectively.
Nucleosynthesis and Mixing on the Asymptotic Giant Branch. III. Predicted and Observed s-Process Abundances

We present the results of s-process nucleosynthesis calculations for asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars of different metallicities and different initial stellar masses (1.5 and 3 M☉), and we present comparisons of them with observational constraints from high-resolution spectroscopy of evolved stars over a wide metallicity range. The computations were based on previously published stellar evolutionary models that account for the third dredge-up phenomenon occurring late on the AGB. Neutron production is driven by the 13C(α, n)16O reaction during the interpulse periods in a tiny layer in radiative equilibrium at the top of the He- and C-rich shell. The neutron source 13C is manufactured locally by proton captures on the abundant 12C; a few protons are assumed to penetrate from the convective envelope into the radiative layer at any third dredge-up episode, when a chemical discontinuity is established between the convective envelope and the He- and C-rich zones. A weaker neutron release is also guaranteed by the marginal activation of the reaction 22Ne(α, n)25Mg during the convective thermal pulses. Owing to the lack of a consistent model for 13C formation, the abundance of 13C burnt per cycle is allowed to vary as a free parameter over a wide interval (a factor of 50). The s-enriched material is subsequently mixed with the envelope by the third dredge-up, and the envelope composition is computed after each thermal pulse. We follow the changes in the photospheric abundance of the Ba-peak elements (heavy s [hs]) and that of the Zr-peak ones (light s [ls]), whose logarithmic ratio [hs/ls] has often been adopted as an indicator of the s-process efficiency (e.g., of the neutron exposure). Our model predictions for this parameter show a complex trend versus metallicity. Especially noteworthy is the prediction that the flow along the s-path at low metallicities drains the Zr and Ba peaks and builds an excess at the doubly magic 208Pb, which is at the termination of the s-path. We then discuss the effects on the models of variations in the crucial parameters of the 13C pocket, finding that they are not critical for interpreting the results. The theoretical predictions are compared with published abundances of s-elements for AGB giants of classes MS, S, SC, post-AGB supergiants, and for various classes of binary stars, which supposedly derive their composition by mass transfer from an AGB companion. This is done for objects belonging both to the Galactic disk and to the halo. The observations in general confirm the complex dependence of neutron captures on metallicity. They suggest that a moderate spread exists in the abundance of 13C that is burnt in different stars. Although additional observations are needed, it seems that a good understanding has been achieved of s-process operation in AGB stars. Finally, the detailed abundance distribution including the light elements (CNO) of a few s-enriched stars at different metallicities are examined and satisfactorily reproduced by model envelope compositions.
The involvement load hipothesis: the effect on vocabulary learning in primary educaion

The present study explores the effect of four types of tasks on English as a Foreign Language (EFL) vocabulary acquisition. Four groups of students in their fifth year of Primary Education worked with a list of English words by means of a different task: reading comprehension with marginal glosses; reading comprehension and gap-filling; writing with marginal glosses; writing and dictionary use. Each task is characterised by a different involvement load. After each group worked with the words in a different way, all students took a receptive and a productive vocabulary test in order to know the degree of acquisition of the target words. The group doing the task with the highest degree of involvement load is expected to obtain the best results in the vocabulary tests.
A Small, Variable, and Irregular Killer Cell Ig-Like Receptor Locus Accompanies the Absence of MHC-C and MHC-G in Gibbons

The killer cell Ig-like receptors (KIRs) of NK cells recognize MHC class I ligands and function in placental reproduction and immune defense against pathogens. During the evolution of monkeys, great apes, and humans, an ancestral KIR3DL gene expanded to become a diverse and rapidly evolving gene family of four KIR lineages. Characterizing the KIR locus are three framework regions, defining two intervals of variable gene content. By analysis of four KIR haplotypes from two species of gibbon, we find that the smaller apes do not conform to these rules. Although diverse and irregular in structure, the gibbon haplotypes are unusually small, containing only two to five functional genes. Comparison with the predicted ancestral hominoid KIR haplotype indicates that modern gibbon KIR haplotypes were formed by a series of deletion events, which created new hybrid genes as well as eliminating ancestral genes. Of the three framework regions, only KIR3DL3 (lineage V), defining the 5′ end of the KIR locus, is present and intact on all gibbon KIR haplotypes. KIR2DL4 (lineage I) defining the central framework region has been a major target for elimination or inactivation, correlating with the absence of its putative ligand, MHC-G, in gibbons. Similarly, the MHC-C–driven expansion of lineage III KIR genes in great apes has not occurred in gibbons because they lack MHC-C. Our results indicate that the selective forces shaping the size and organization of the gibbon KIR locus differed from those acting upon the KIR of other hominoid species.
Business Process Modeling Language for Performance Evaluation

Evaluation of business processes is important for analysis and improvement of an organization. Different methods are used to evaluate the performance like statistics or visualization. However, these methods meet demands mainly on the top organizational level. There is insufficient support to evaluate processes at the process managerial level leading to a limited visibility of deficiencies in business processes at process level. In this paper, we address this challenge and focus on the relation between evaluation of business processes and their representation at the process managerial level. In our research, we follow the design science methodology in order to provide business process models for performance analysis. We also provide constructs and patterns of our proposed modeling language for analysis and improvement of business processes. The analytical business process modeling language is further explained with the help of a case study and demonstrated by extending an existing modeling language.
Recombinant adenoviruses with large deletions generated by Cre-mediated excision exhibit different biological properties compared with first-generation vectors in vitro and in vivo

In vivo gene transfer of recombinant E1-deficient adenoviruses results in early and late viral gene expression that elicits a host immune response, limiting the duration of transgene expression and the use of adenoviruses for gene therapy. The prokaryotic Cre-lox P recombination system was adapted to generate recombinant adenoviruses with extended deletions in the viral genome (referred to here as deleted viruses) in order to minimize expression of immunogenic and/or cytotoxic viral proteins. As an example, an adenovirus with a 25-kb deletion that lacked E1, E2, E3, and late gene expression with viral titers similar to those achieved with first-generation vectors and less than 0.5% contamination with E1-deficient virus was produced. Gene transfer was similar in HeLa cells, mouse hepatoma cells, and primary mouse hepatocytes in vitro and in vivo as determined by measuring reporter gene expression and DNA transfer. However, transgene expression and deleted viral DNA concentrations were not stable and declined to undetectable levels much more rapidly than those found for first-generation vectors. Intravenous administration of deleted vectors in mice resulted in no hepatocellular injury relative to that seen with first-generation vectors. The mechanism for stability of first-generation adenovirus vectors (E1a deleted) appeared to be linked in part to their ability to replicate in transduced cells in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, the deleted vectors were stabilized in the presence of undeleted first-generation adenovirus vectors. These results have important consequences for the development of these and other nonintegrating vectors for gene therapy.
Kinesin heavy chain from bovine brain and Drosophila appear to be highly homologous molecules

A microtubule‐enriched fraction was prepared from bovine white matter, and kinesin and other microtubule‐associated proteins were extracted from taxol‐stabilized microtubules by homogenization and ultracentrifugation in the presence of nucleotides (guanosine triphosphate and adenosine triphosphate). The kinesin‐enriched fractions were subjected to preparative SDS‐PAGE, and the band representing the kinesin heavy chain was excised, homogenized, and subjected to partial enzymatic digestion with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease. Four peptides were selected for sequence analysis and compared to the previously published sequence for the Drosophila kinesin heavy chain (Yang JT, Laymon RA, Goldstein LSB, Cell 56:879–889, 1989). All four peptides matched closely with portions of the Drosophila sequence corresponding to the central, α‐helical domain. Total amino acid composition analysis of bovine kinesin heavy chain also reveals a high degree of homology to the Drosophila sequence.
Feeding Behavior , Feed Selection and Risk of Digestive Problems in Dairy Cattle

In dairy cattle, the rumen environment is designed to function optimally within a pH range of 6.2 to 7.2. To maintain healthy rumen function, dairy cows require diets that contain adequate amounts of physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF). Ensuring adequate intake of peNDF can, however, be difficult because most commercial dairy rations, designed to maximize milk production, contain high levels of concentrate and high quality forages that are often limiting in peNDF (Beauchemin and Yang, 2005). When ruminants consume excessive amounts of rapidly fermentable (nonfiber) carbohydrates, combined with low intake of peNDF, cows are not able to maximize their rumination time and salivary buffer flow to the rumen, and thus ruminal pH drops below normal physiological levels. Sub-optimal ruminal pH (e.g., pH 5.2 to 5.8) is often referred to as sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA) (Owens et al., 1998).
Aberrant epigenetic regulators control expansion of human CD34+ hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells

Transcription is a tightly regulated process ensuring the proper expression of numerous genes regulating all aspects of cellular behavior. Transcription factors regulate multiple genes including other transcription factors that together control a highly complex gene network. The transcriptional machinery can be “hijacked” by oncogenic transcription factors, thereby leading to malignant cell transformation. Oncogenic transcription factors manipulate a variety of epigenetic control mechanisms to fulfill gene regulatory and cell transforming functions. These factors assemble epigenetic regulators at target gene promoter sequences, thereby disturbing physiological gene expression patterns. Retroviral vector technology and the availability of “healthy” human hematopoietic CD34+ progenitor cells enable the generation of pre-leukemic cell models for the analysis of aberrant human hematopoietic progenitor cell expansion mediated by leukemogenic transcription factors. This review summarizes recent findings regarding the mechanism by which leukemogenic gene products control human hematopoietic CD34+ progenitor cell expansion by disrupting the normal epigenetic program.
On the Brunn-Minkowski inequality for general measures with applications to new isoperimetric-type inequalities

In this paper we present new versions of the classical Brunn-Minkowski inequality for different classes of measures and sets. We show that the inequality \[ \mu(\lambda A + (1-\lambda)B)^{1/n} \geq \lambda \mu(A)^{1/n} + (1-\lambda)\mu(B)^{1/n} \] holds true for an unconditional product measure $\mu$ with decreasing density and a pair of unconditional convex bodies $A,B \subset \mathbb{R}^n$. We also show that the above inequality is true for any unconditional $\log$-concave measure $\mu$ and unconditional convex bodies $A,B \subset \mathbb{R}^n$. Finally, we prove that the inequality is true for a symmetric $\log$-concave measure $\mu$ and a pair of symmetric convex sets $A,B \subset \mathbb{R}^2$, which, in particular, settles two-dimensional case of the conjecture for Gaussian measure proposed by R. Gardner and the fourth named author. In addition, we deduce the $1/n$-concavity of the parallel volume $t \mapsto \mu(A+tB)$, Brunn's type theorem and certain analogues of Minkowski first inequality.
Early (M170) activation of face-specific cortex by face-like objects

The tendency to perceive faces in random patterns exhibiting configural properties of faces is an example of pareidolia. Perception of ‘real’ faces has been associated with a cortical response signal arising at approximately 170 ms after stimulus onset, but what happens when nonface objects are perceived as faces? Using magnetoencephalography, we found that objects incidentally perceived as faces evoked an early (165 ms) activation in the ventral fusiform cortex, at a time and location similar to that evoked by faces, whereas common objects did not evoke such activation. An earlier peak at 130 ms was also seen for images of real faces only. Our findings suggest that face perception evoked by face-like objects is a relatively early process, and not a late reinterpretation cognitive phenomenon.
How Institutions Shape Land Deals: The Role of Corruption

Large-scale land acquisitions often take place in developing countries which are also known for their corruption-friendliness caused by weak institutional frameworks. We hypothesize that corruption indeed leads to more land deals. We argue that corrupt elites exploit poor institutional set-ups (characterized by corruption) to strike deals with domestic and international investors at the expense of local populations. Using panel data for 156 countries from 2000 to 2011, we provide evidence that large-scale land deals indeed occur more often in countries with higher levels of corruption. The estimated effects are also economically substantive and particularly relevant to economies with unsound institutions.
Centralized monitoring and virtual consultant models of tele-ICU care: a side-by-side review.

BACKGROUND Telemedicine-based "tele-intensive care unit" ("tele-ICU") solutions represent an increasingly popular hospital platform to provide ICU specialist expertise while remaining sensitive to healthcare costs. This side-by-side review directly compares the Centralized Monitoring and Virtual Consultant tele-ICU Models. MATERIALS AND METHODS We identified all publications in any language addressing the use and efficacy of centralized monitoring and virtual consultant tele-ICU systems through reviews of the PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science Web sites, corporate documents, corporate Internet sites, and discussions with corporate representatives. Of the 1,468 documents identified, 1,371 documents were excluded, with the 91 included documents addressing the following: clinical outcomes, 46 documents (enhanced guideline compliance, 5; mortality and length of stay, 28; and feasibility, 13); financial sustainability, 9 documents; and ICU staff workflow and acceptance, 36 documents. We performed qualitative comparative reviews of documents addressing technology, financial sustainability, clinical outcomes, and ICU staff workflow and acceptance. RESULTS The Centralized Monitoring tele-ICU Model showed improved mortality and/or length of stay and staff acceptance, particularly in rural or specific patient populations, likely because of the presence of integrated clinical information systems and analytics. However, there are high costs and unclear savings. The Virtual Consultant Model could not be adequately evaluated for effects on clinical outcomes or staff acceptance given minimal data. This model can be both portable and implemented at a lower cost profile but cannot integrate different data streams. Improved compliance with clinical practice guidelines was seen in both models. CONCLUSIONS Further study is required to adequately compare these tele-ICU models with regard to clinical outcomes and financial sustainability. With respect to tele-ICU effects on mortality and length of stay improvements and on-site staff acceptance, existing evidence favors the Centralized Monitoring Model. Studies addressing the Virtual Consultant Model are growing in number and are necessary before proper comparisons can be made.
Constitutive Expression and Involvement of Cyclooxygenase-2 in Human Megakaryocytopoiesis

Objective—Cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), but not COX-2, is expressed in human platelets, and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) produced via COX-1 induces platelet aggregation. The objectives of this study were to investigate the expression of COX-1 and COX-2 during platelet differentiation and to determine whether these enzymes are involved in the differentiation. Methods and Results—CD34+ progenitor cells isolated from human cord blood were cultured with thrombopoietin and c-kit ligand. The cells differentiated into megakaryocytes (CD34−/CD41+) after 8 days of culture and into platelets (CD41+/prodium iodide−) after 14 days of culture. The CD34+cells expressed a trace of COX-1 gene and no COX-2 gene. On day 5, COX-2 gene expression was observed and continued throughout the remainder of the culture. COX-1 gene expression increased after 8 days of culture. The treatment of this liquid culture with indomethacin, a dual inhibitor of COX-1 and COX-2, and NS-398, a COX-2–specific inhibitor, suppressed megakaryocyte differentiation. In contrast, at a dose of 10−7 M, mofezolac, which is a highly selective inhibitor of COX-1, did not affect differentiation. NS-398–induced suppression of megakaryocyte differentiation was partly abrogated by stable analogues of TXA2. Conclusions—We report here that COX-2 and COX-1 are constitutively expressed in megakaryocytes, and TXA2 produced by COX-2 plays an important role in megakaryocytopoiesis.