Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neurocomputational account of how the human brain decides when to have a break

No pain, no gain: cost–benefit trade-off has been formalized in classical decision theory to account for how we choose whether to engage effort. However, how the brain decides when to have breaks in the course of effort production remains poorly understood. We propose that decisions to cease and resume work are triggered by a cost evidence accumulation signal reaching upper and lower bounds, respectively. We developed a task in which participants are free to exert a physical effort knowing that their payoff would be proportional to their effort duration. Functional MRI and magnetoencephalography recordings conjointly revealed that the theoretical cost evidence accumulation signal was expressed in proprioceptive regions (bilateral posterior insula). Furthermore, the slopes and bounds of the accumulation process were adapted to the difficulty of the task and the money at stake. Cost evidence accumulation might therefore provide a dynamical mechanistic account of how the human brain maximizes benefits while preventing exhaustion.
Horizontal Heterogeneity of Denitrifying Bacterial Communities in Marine Sediments by Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis

ABSTRACT Although it is widely believed that horizontal patchiness exists in microbial sediment communities, determining the extent of variability or the particular members of the bacterial community which account for the observed differences among sites at various scales has not been routinely demonstrated. In this study, horizontal heterogeneity was examined in time and space for denitrifying bacteria in continental shelf sediments off Tuckerton, N.J., at the Rutgers University Long-Term Ecosystem Observatory (LEO-15). Characterization of the denitrifying community was done using PCR amplification of the nitrous oxide reductase (nosZ) gene combined with terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Spatial scales from centimeters to kilometers were examined, while temporal variation was assayed over the course of 1995 to 1996. Sorenson's indices (pairwise similarity values) were calculated to permit comparison between samples. The similarities of benthic denitrifiers ranged from 0.80 to 0.85 for centimeter scale comparisons, from 0.52 to 0.79 for meter level comparisons, and from 0.23 to 0.53 for kilometer scale comparisons. Sorenson's indices for temporal comparisons varied from 0.12 to 0.74. A cluster analysis of the similarity values indicated that the composition of the denitrifier assemblages varied most significantly at the kilometer scale and between seasons at individual stations. Specific nosZ genes were identified which varied at centimeter, meter, or kilometer scales and may be associated with variability in meio- or macrofaunal abundance (centimeter scale), bottom topography (meter scale), or sediment characteristics (kilometer scale).
Evaluation of E PILOG : a Reasoner for Episodic Logic

It can be quite hard to objectively evaluate a reasoner geared towards commonsense problems and natural language applications if it uses a nonstandard logical language for which there exist no publicly available datasets. We describe here the evaluation of our recent improvements of the EPILOG system, a reasoner for Episodic Logic, a superset of firstorder logic geared towards natural language applications. We used both a sample of interesting commonsense questions obtained from the ResearchCyc knowledge base and the standard TPTP library to provide an evaluation that tests the unique features of Episodic Logic and also puts the performance of EPILOG into perspective with respect to the state of the art in first-order logic theorem provers. The results show the extent of recent improvements to EPILOG, and that very expressive commonsense reasoners need not be grossly inefficient.
A spatiotemporal digital fingerprint extraction algorithm based on visual perception

Currently, there are a lot of digital video data in the internet, and video content safety is still monitored by artificial systems with less efficiency and precision. Digital video fingerprint technology, as a new kind of authentication method based on feature information, is used in digital multimedia works, and causes more and more attention of researchers and enterprises. This paper proposes a novel fingerprint extraction method to monitor video content based on the visual perception. We extract video slices with visual perception features from the video clip, and analyze their frequency domain characterization by Discrete Wavelet Transform, and then extract these conversion coefficients as fingerprint information. Compared with other monitoring technologies, this proposed method extracts features in a segment video rather than in key frames or stable frames. Thus it largely improves the extraction efficiency, and reduces fingerprints size. The results of simulations indicate that this proposed method has high sensitivity, strong robustness and good distinguish ability.
Deep LithosphericThickening and Refertilization beneath Continental Arcs : Case Study of the P , T and Compositional Evolution of Peridotite Xenoliths from the Sierra Nevada , California

Thickening of arc lithosphere influences the extent of magmatic differentiation and is thereby important for the evolution of juvenile arcs into mature continental crust. Here, we use mantle xenoliths from the late Mesozoic Sierra Nevada continental arc in California (USA) to constrain the pressure, temperature, and compositional evolution of the deep lithosphere beneath a mature arc.These xenoliths consist of spinel peridotites and garnet-bearing spinel peridotites. The former are characterized by coarse-grained protogranular textures having bulk compositions indicative of high-degree melting. The latter are characterized by porphyroclastic textures, garnet coronas around spinels, garnet exsolution lamellae in pyroxenes, and pyroxenes with high-Al cores and low-Al rims.The garnet-bearing spinel peridotites range from depleted to fertile compositions, but the high Cr-numbers [molar Cr/(CrþAl)] of spinel cores reflect high-degree melting.These observations suggest that the protoliths of the garnet-bearing spinel peridotites were melt-depleted spinel peridotites. Constraints from geothermobarometry and bulk compositions coupled with mantle melting models suggest that the protoliths underwent shallow melt depletion (1^2 GPa, 1300^14008C), followed by compression, cooling, and final equilibration within the garnet stability field ( 3 GPa,58008C). The deepest equilibrated samples are the most refertilized, suggesting that refertilization occurred during compression.We interpret this P^T^composition path to reflect progressive thickening of the Sierran arc lithosphere perhaps as a result of magmatic inflation or tectonic thickening.We hypothesize that newly formed arc lithospheric mantle thickens enough to pinch out the asthenospheric wedge, juxtaposing Sierran arc lithosphere against the subducting oceanic plate.This could have terminated arc magmatism and initiated cooling of the deep Sierran lithosphere.
Translating Evidence-Based Practices Into Policy: A Case Study in Texas

Screening and brief intervention (SBI) in health care settings is an evidence-based practice for substance misuse. The Uniform Accident and Sickness Policy Provision Law (UPPL) discourages providers from carrying out SBI by allowing insurers in 26 states to refuse coverage for injuries resulting from intoxication. This project used a qualitative case study methodology to understand how policy-advocacy communication may have impacted the success of UPPL repeal efforts in Texas. Results showed bill progress could have been impeded due to less-effective communication from advocates. These findings suggest the quality of communication may influence the success of evidence-based policy-advocacy for UPPL repeal.
Membrane insertion of the FYVE domain is modulated by pH

The FYVE domain associates with phosphatidylinositol 3‐phosphate [PtdIns(3)P] in membranes of early endosomes and penetrates bilayers. Here, we detail principles of membrane anchoring and show that the FYVE domain insertion into PtdIns(3)P‐enriched membranes and membrane‐mimetics is substantially increased in acidic conditions. The EEA1 FYVE domain binds to POPC/POPE/PtdIns(3)P vesicles with a Kd of 49 nM at pH 6.0, however associates ∼24 fold weaker at pH 8.0. The decrease in the affinity is primarily due to much faster dissociation of the protein from the bilayers in basic media. Lowering the pH enhances the interaction of the Hrs, RUFY1, Vps27p and WDFY1 FYVE domains with PtdIns(3)P‐containing membranes in vitro and in vivo, indicating that pH‐dependency is a general function of the FYVE finger family. The PtdIns(3)P binding and membrane insertion of the FYVE domain is modulated by the two adjacent His residues of the R(R/K)HHCRXCG signature motif. Mutation of either His residue abolishes the pH‐sensitivity. Both protonation of the His residues and nonspecific electrostatic contacts stabilize the FYVE domain in the lipid‐bound form, promoting its penetration and increasing the membrane residence time. Proteins 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reinforcement Learning of Adaptive Longitudinal Control for Dynamic Collaborative Driving

Dynamic collaborative driving involves the motion coordination of multiple vehicles using shared information from vehicles instrumented to perceive their surroundings in order to improve road usage and safety. A basic requirement of any vehicle participating in dynamic collaborative driving is longitudinal control. Without this capability, higher-level coordination is not possible. Each vehicle involved is a composite nonlinear system powered by an internal combustion engine, equipped with automatic transmission, rolling on rubber tires with a hydraulic braking system. This paper focuses on the problem of longitudinal motion control. A longitudinal vehicle model is introduced which serves as the control system design platform. A longitudinal adaptive control system which uses Monte Carlo Reinforcement Learning is introduced. The results of the reinforcement learning phase and the performance of the adaptive control system for a single automobile as well as the performance in a multi-vehicle platoon is presented.
Finding Answers to Definition Questions Using Web Knowledge Bases

Current researches on Question Answering concern more complex questions than factoid ones. Since definition questions are investigated by many researches, how to acquire accurate answers still becomes a core problem for definition QA. Although some systems use web knowledge bases to improve answer acquisition, we propose an approach that leverage them in an effective way. After summarizing definitions from web knowledge bases and merge them to a definition set, a two-stage retrieval model based on Probabilistic Latent Semantic Analysis is produced to seek documents and sentences in which the topic is similar to those in definition set. Then, an answer ranking model is employed to select both statistically and semantically similar sentences between sentences retrieved and sentences in definition set. Finally, sentences are ranked as answer candidates according to their scores. Experiments indicate following conclusions: 1) specific summarization technologies improves definition QA systems to a better performance; 2) topic based models can be more helpful than centroid-based models for definition QA systems in solving synonym and data sparse problems; 3) shallow semantic analysis is effective to find discriminative characteristics of definitions automatically.
Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Genes Encoding for CC Chemokines were Not Associated with the Risk of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Background: Chemokines play a pivotal role in immune regulation and response, and previous studies suggest an association between immune deficiency and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Methods: We evaluated the association between NHL and polymorphisms in 18 genes (CCL1, CCL2, CCL5, CCL7, CCL8, CCL11, CCL13, CCL18, CCL20, CCL24, CCL26, CCR1, CCR3, CCR4, CCR6, CCR7, CCR8, and CCR9) encoding for the CC chemokines using data from a population-based case–control study of NHL conducted in Connecticut women. Results: CCR8 was associated with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL; P = 0.012), and CCL13 was associated with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL; P = 0.003) at gene level. After adjustment for multiple comparisons, none of the genes or single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were associated with risk of overall NHL or NHL subtypes. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the genes encoding for CC chemokines are not significantly associated with the risk of NHL, and further studies are needed to verify these findings. Impact: Our data indicate that CC chemokine genes were not associated with NHL risk. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(7); 1332–5. ©2013 AACR.
Design and validation of a virtual human system for interpersonal skills education

Training interpersonal skills requires availability, standardization, and diversity of practice interpersonal scenarios. To meet these requirements, we proposed a concept for an interpersonal simulator with a natural interface. We implemented a proof-of concept, called the IPS. We demonstrated that the IPS elicited user performance that was indicative of real world interpersonal skills, making the IPS a powerful tool for interpersonal skills education. To do this, we collaborated with healthcare educators to construct an interpersonal skills training experience using the IPS, called the VOSCE. The VOSCE simulated a patient encounter, and provided feedback on user performance. By conducting pilot studies with the VOSCE, we assessed and improved the usability and acceptability of the IPS for interpersonal skills training. Next, we demonstrated the validity of the VOSCE. An experiment was conducted, which compared user performance in the VOSCE to user performance in a similar real-life interaction. Results showed that performance was significantly correlated, implying that the VOSCE was a valid interpersonal skills evaluation tool. Finally, we demonstrated that changes to the natural interface of the IPS influenced user performance. A significant component of the IPS was the visual display. To provide insight into how changing the visual display component affected interaction with a virtual human, we designed two comparative user studies. The first study compared two immersive visual displays—a large-screen projection display and a more immersive head-mounted display. Results suggested that higher immersion may impair users' ability to accurately reflect upon their own performance. Participants in the head-mounted display condition were less accurate in evaluating their use of empathy. Following up on results from the first study, the second study compared two non immersive visual displays—a plasma television and a smaller computer monitor. Results suggested that displays that enable life-size scale virtual humans enhance user performance. Participants in the plasma television condition were more engaged, empathetic, pleasant, and natural.
Advances in Brief PTEN UpRegulates the Tumor Metastasis Suppressor Gene Drg-1 in Prostate and Breast Cancer

PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10) has been shown to be inactivated in a wide variety of cancers, and the role of this gene as a tumor suppressor has been well established. On the other hand, results of recent animal studies as well as clinical evidence indicate that PTEN is also involved in tumor metastasis suppression. Although PTEN is known to play a key role in controlling cell growth and apoptosis, how PTEN exerts the metastasis suppressor function remains largely unknown. Recently, a microarray analysis identified the Drg-1 gene (differentiation related gene 1) as one of the potential targets of PTEN. The Drg-1 gene has been shown to suppress tumor metastasis in animal models of prostate and colon cancer, and the expression of this gene is significantly reduced with advancement of prostate and breast cancers in clinical setting. In this study, we explored the possibility that PTEN controls tumor metastasis by regulating the expression of the Drg-1 gene. Our results indicate that overexpression of PTEN significantly augments the endogenous expression of Drg-1 protein, whereas inhibition of PTEN by small interfering RNA decreases Drg-1 in a doseand time-dependent manner. We also found that the control of the Drg-1 gene by PTEN seems to be at the transcriptional level, and that a phospho-Akt inhibitor restores the Drg-1 expression, indicating that PTEN controls Drg-1 by an Akt-dependent pathway. Consistent with these results, our immunohistochemical analysis revealed that PTEN expression correlates significantly with Drg-1 in both prostate and breast cancer cases. Furthermore, combination of the two markers, PTEN and Drg-1, emerged as a significantly better predictor of prostate and breast cancer patient survival than either marker alone.
Cost-Effectiveness of Dabigatran Compared to Vitamin-K Antagonists for the Treatment of Deep Venous Thrombosis in the Netherlands Using Real-World Data

Background Vitamin-K antagonists (VKAs) present an effective anticoagulant treatment in deep venous thrombosis (DVT). However, the use of VKAs is limited because of the risk of bleeding and the necessity of frequent and long-term laboratory monitoring. Therefore, new oral anticoagulant drugs (NOACs) such as dabigatran, with lower rates of (major) intracranial bleeding compared to VKAs and not requiring monitoring, may be considered. Objectives To estimate resource utilization and costs of patients treated with the VKAs acenocoumarol and phenprocoumon, for the indication DVT. Furthermore, a formal cost-effectiveness analysis of dabigatran compared to VKAs for DVT treatment was performed, using these estimates. Methods A retrospective observational study design in the thrombotic service of a teaching hospital (Deventer, The Netherlands) was applied to estimate real-world resource utilization and costs of VKA monitoring. A pooled analysis of data from RE-COVER and RE-COVER II on DVT was used to reflect the probabilities for events in the cost-effectiveness model. Dutch costs, utilities and specific data on coagulation monitoring levels were incorporated in the model. Next to the base case analysis, univariate probabilistic sensitivity and scenario analyses were performed. Results Real-world resource utilization in the thrombotic service of patients treated with VKA for the indication of DVT consisted of 12.3 measurements of the international normalized ratio (INR), with corresponding INR monitoring costs of €138 for a standardized treatment period of 180 days. In the base case, dabigatran treatment compared to VKAs in a cohort of 1,000 DVT patients resulted in savings of €18,900 (95% uncertainty interval (UI) -95,832, 151,162) and 41 (95% UI -18, 97) quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained calculated from societal perspective. The probability that dabigatran is cost-effective at a conservative willingness-to pay threshold of €20,000 per QALY was 99%. Sensitivity and scenario analyses also indicated cost savings or cost-effectiveness below this same threshold. Conclusions Total INR monitoring costs per patient were estimated at minimally €138. Inserting these real-world data into a cost-effectiveness analysis for patients diagnosed with DVT, dabigatran appeared to be a cost-saving alternative to VKAs in the Netherlands in the base case. Cost savings or favorable cost-effectiveness were robust in sensitivity and scenario analyses. Our results warrant confirmation in other settings and locations.
Role of ROS and MAPK in TPA‐induced ICAM‐1 expression in the myeloid ML‐1 cell line

Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM‐1) has been implicated in playing a key role in the mechanism of inflammatory process initiated in response to environmental agents, and during normal hematopoietic cell differentiation. Though induction of ICAM‐1 by 12‐O‐tetradecanoyl‐phorbol‐13‐acetate (TPA) in myeloid cells has been reported, the molecular mechanism by which TPA upregulates ICAM‐1 expression remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the signaling mechanism associated with TPA‐induced ICAM‐1 expression in ML‐1 cells. Herein, our microarray, flow cytometry, and Western blot analysis indicated that ICAM‐1 was constitutively expressed at a low level in ML‐1 cells, but its expression was further upregulated at both the mRNA and protein levels in response to TPA. ICAM‐1 expression in response to TPA was inhibited by pretreatment with GF109203X [a specific inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC)], or with PD98059 and U0126 (specific inhibitors of MEK), suggesting the importance of PKC, and Erk1/2 signaling cascades in this response. Interestingly, ICAM‐1 expression in response to TPA‐induced PKC activation was linked to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), as pretreatment with NAC (an ROS scavenger) blocked both ErK1/2 activation and ICAM‐1 expression induced by TPA. In addition, TPA‐induced ICAM‐1 expression was blocked by inhibition of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) activation following pretreatment with BAY11‐7085 (a specific inhibitor of NF‐κB activation). TPA‐induced NF‐κB activation was shown by increased degradation of IkB (NF‐κB specific inhibitory protein). Together, these observations demonstrated that TPA, a potent activator of PKC, induces ICAM‐1 expression via a ROS‐ and ERK1/2‐dependent signaling mechanism in ML‐1 cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 100: 1010–1021, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Managed Care and Processes To Integrate Physicians/Hospitals

This article describes the extent to which hospitals use different integrative processes to assimilate physicians and assesses the extent to which their use is associated with managed care penetration and hospital characteristics. Results from a national survey of 1,495 community hospitals indicate that these integrative processes are quite prevalent. The use of integrative processes tends to be more prevalent in hospitals that are large, urban, involved in teaching, and members of hospital systems. Use of particular integrative processes also appears to be associated with different thresholds of managed care penetration.