Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distribution of atrial and nodal cells within the rabbit sinoatrial node: models of sinoatrial transition.

BACKGROUND In the sinoatrial node (SAN) the course of the action potential gradually changes from the primary pacemaker region toward the atrium. It is not known whether this gradient results from different intrinsic characteristics of the nodal cells, from an increasing electrotonic interaction with the atrium, or from both. Therefore we have characterized the immunohistochemical, morphological, and electrophysiological correlates of this functional gradient. METHODS AND RESULTS The distribution of rabbit nodal myocytes in the SAN has been studied by immunohistochemistry. After cell isolation, the electrophysiological characteristics of different nodal cell types were measured. (1) The staining pattern of a neurofilament protein coincides with the electrophysiologically mapped pacemaker region in the SAN. (2) Enzymatic digestion of the SAN reveals three morphologically different nodal cell types and one atrial type. Of each nodal cell type, neurofilament-positive as well as neurofilament-negative myocytes are found. Atrial cells are all neurofilament-negative. (3) In contrast to previous findings, we observed atrial cells in the very center of the SAN. The relative number of atrial cells gradually increases from the central pacemaker area toward the atrium. (4) Differences in electrophysiological characteristics between individual nodal cells are not associated with differences in cell type. CONCLUSIONS (1) The expression of neurofilaments can be used to delineate the nodal area in the intact SAN but is not sufficiently sensitive for characterizing all individual isolated nodal cells. (2) A fundamentally different organization of the SAN is presented: The gradual increase in density of atrial cells from the dominant area toward the crista terminalis in the SAN causes a gradual increase of atrial electrotonic influence that may be an important cause of the gradual transition of the nodal to the atrial type of action potential.
West Nile Virus Epidemics in North America Are Driven by Shifts in Mosquito Feeding Behavior

West Nile virus (WNV) has caused repeated large-scale human epidemics in North America since it was first detected in 1999 and is now the dominant vector-borne disease in this continent. Understanding the factors that determine the intensity of the spillover of this zoonotic pathogen from birds to humans (via mosquitoes) is a prerequisite for predicting and preventing human epidemics. We integrated mosquito feeding behavior with data on the population dynamics and WNV epidemiology of mosquitoes, birds, and humans. We show that Culex pipiens, the dominant enzootic (bird-to-bird) and bridge (bird-to-human) vector of WNV in urbanized areas in the northeast and north-central United States, shifted its feeding preferences from birds to humans by 7-fold during late summer and early fall, coinciding with the dispersal of its preferred host (American robins, Turdus migratorius) and the rise in human WNV infections. We also show that feeding shifts in Cx. tarsalis amplify human WNV epidemics in Colorado and California and occur during periods of robin dispersal and migration. Our results provide a direct explanation for the timing and intensity of human WNV epidemics. Shifts in feeding from competent avian hosts early in an epidemic to incompetent humans after mosquito infection prevalences are high result in synergistic effects that greatly amplify the number of human infections of this and other pathogens. Our results underscore the dramatic effects of vector behavior in driving the transmission of zoonotic pathogens to humans.
Improving the accuracy of mass reconstructions from weak lensing: local shear measurements

Differentoptionscanbeusedinordertomeasurethe shearfromobservationsinthecontextofweaklensing.Herewe introduce new methods where the isotropy assumption for the distribution of the source galaxies is implemented directly on the observed quadrupole moments. A quantitative analysis of the error associated with the nite number of source galaxies andwiththeirellipticitydistributionisprovided,applicableeven when the shear is not weak. Monte Carlo simulations based on a realistic sample of source galaxies show that our procedure generally leads to errors 25% smaller than those associated with the standard method of Kaiser and Squires (1993). see also Gould and Villumsen 1994); these studies are espe- cially important in relation to the problem of dark matter on the megaparsec scale, with signicant cosmological implications. In this paper we focus on the measurement of shear from observations, as a key step in the process of estimating the mass of a cluster of galaxies from weak gravitational lensing. We discuss the possible merits of alternative options in handling a givensetofdataunderthesameconditionsforthepopulationof backgroundsources.Differentmethodsmayintroducedifferent forms of bias, depending on whether the data are degraded by seeing or by other effects. In this article we give special atten- tion to one aspect of the problem which is largely independent of the specic characteristics of the observations involved. This important factor in determining the size of theerror in the shear measurement is the ellipticity distribution of the source galax- ies. In Sect. 2, with a short discussion of the \standard" method of Kaiser and Squires (1993), we provide an expression for the expected error in a shear measurement as a function of the ellip- ticity distribution of the sources. This result is not restricted to a weak shear analysis. Then, in Sect. 3, we introduce a different method, directly based on the observed quadrupole moments, which retains information not only on the shape of the observed objects, but also on their angular size, and we carry out the related error analysis. The method is shown to implement cor- rectly the hypothesis of a random orientation of the sources; it is also shown to be fully equivalent to the \standard" method if applied to a population of nearly round source objects. The methodisthengeneralizedandfurtherimprovedbyintroducing suitable weight functions to optimize the inversion procedure. In Sect. 4 we describe the results of a wide set of Monte Carlo simulations applied to realistic distributions of ellipticities for the source galaxies. These show that the new method proposed inthispapercanbesignicantlymoreaccuratethanthestandard method in determining the shear from the data. The simulations also conrm that the applicability of the method and the con- clusions on its accuracy do not depend on the strength of the lens in a relatively wide parameter range.
Foliations-Webs-Hessian Geometry-Information Geometry-Entropy and Cohomology

Abstract: Let us begin by considering two book titles: A provocative title, What Is a Statistical Model? McCullagh (2002) and an alternative title, In a Search for Structure. The Fisher Information. Gromov (2012). It is the richness in open problems and the links with other research domains that make a research topic exciting. Information geometry has both properties. Differential information geometry is the differential geometry of statistical models. The topology of information is the topology of statistical models. This highlights the importance of both questions raised by Peter McCullagh and Misha Gromov. The title of this paper looks like a list of key words. However, the aim is to emphasize the links between those topics. The theory of homology of Koszul-Vinberg algebroids and their modules (KV homology in short) is a useful key for exploring those links. In Part A we overview three constructions of the KV homology. The first construction is based on the pioneering brute formula of the coboundary operator. The second construction is based on the theory of semi-simplicial objects. The third construction is based on the anomaly functions of abstract algebras and their abstract modules. We use the KV homology for investigating links between differential information geometry and differential topology. For instance, “dualistic relation of Amari” and “Riemannian or symplectic Foliations”; “Koszul geometry” and “linearization of webs”; “KV homology” and “complexity of models”. Regarding the complexity of a model, the challenge is to measure how far from being an exponential family is a given model. In Part A we deal with the classical theory of models. Part B is devoted to answering both questions raised by McCullagh and B Gromov. A few criticisms and examples are used to support our criticisms and to motivate a new approach. In a given category an outstanding challenge is to find an invariant which encodes the points of a moduli space. In Part B we face four challenges. (1) The introduction of a new theory of statistical models. This re-establishment must answer both questions of McCullagh and Gromov; (2) The search for an characteristic invariant which encodes the points of the moduli space of isomorphism class of models; (3) The introduction of the theory of homological statistical models. This is a pioneering notion. We address its links with Hessian geometry; (4) We emphasize the links between the classical theory of models, the new theory and Vanishing Theorems in the theory of homological statistical models. Subsequently, the differential information geometry has a homological nature. That is another notable feature of our approach. This paper is dedicated to our friend and colleague Alexander Grothendieck.
The Psychosocial Problems of Children With Narcolepsy and Those With Excessive Daytime Sleepiness of Uncertain Origin

BACKGROUND. Narcolepsy is a predominantly rapid eye movement sleep disorder with onset usually in the second decade but often in earlier childhood. Classically it is characterized by combinations of excessive sleepiness especially sleep attacks, cataplexy, hypnagogic hallucinations, and sleep paralysis. The psychosocial effects of this lifelong condition are not well documented, especially in children. This study aims to describe the psychosocial profile of a large group of children with narcolepsy compared with other excessively sleepy children and controls. METHODS. We used an international cross-sectional questionnaire survey of children aged from 4 to 18 years who had received from a physician a diagnosis of narcolepsy compared with age- and gender-matched controls. Assessments were made of behavior, mood, quality of life, and educational aspects. RESULTS. Recruited children were separated into those who met conventional criteria for narcolepsy (n = 42) and those whose primary complaint was excessive daytime sleepiness without definite additional features of narcolepsy (excessive daytime sleepiness group; n = 18). Compared with controls, children with narcolepsy and also those with excessive daytime sleepiness alone showed significantly higher rates of behavioral problems and depression. Again, to a significant extent, their quality of life was poorer and they had more educational problems. The children with narcolepsy and the excessive daytime sleepiness group were indistinguishable from each other on these measures. CONCLUSIONS. A range of psychosocial problems can be identified in children with narcolepsy. The origins of these problems are unclear. The similar profiles of difficulties in the narcolepsy and excessive daytime sleepiness groups suggest that excessive sleepiness is the main cause. Clinicians and others responsible for the care of such children need to be mindful of the importance of early detection, intervention, and, ideally, the prevention of these problems.
C-src Enriched Serum Microvesicles Are Generated in Malignant Plasma Cell Dyscrasia

Plasma cell dyscrasias are immunosecretory disorders that can lead to hematological malignancies such as Multiple Myeloma (MM). MM accounts for 15% of all hematologic cancers, and those diagnosed with MM typically become severely ill and have a low life expectancy. Monoclonal immunoglobulin Free Light Chains (FLC) are present in the serum and urine of many patients with plasma cell diseases. The biological differences between monoclonal FLCs, produced under malignant or benign dyscrasias, has not yet been characterized. In the present study, we show that endothelial and heart muscle cell lines internalize kappa and lambda FLCs. After internalization, FLCs are rerouted in the extracellular space via microvesicles and exosomes that can be re-internalized in contiguous cells. Only FLCs secreted from malignant B Lymphocytes were carried in Hsp70, annexin V, and c-src positive vesicles. In both MM and AL Amyloidosis patients we observed an increase in microvesicle and exosome production. Isolated serum vesicles from MM, AL Amyloidosis and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) patients contained FLCs. Furthermore MM and AL amyloidosis vesicles were strongly positive for Hsp70, annexin V, and c-src compared to MGUS and control patients. These are the first data implying that FLCs reroute via microvesicles in the blood stream, and also suggest a potential novel mechanism of c-src activation in plasma cell dyscrasia.
Paramutation: Just a Curiosity or Fine Tuning of Gene Expression in the Next Generation?

Gene silencing is associated with heritable changes in gene expression which occur without changes in DNA sequence. In eukaryotes these phenomena are common and control important processes, such as development, imprinting, viral and transposon sequence silencing, as well as transgene silencing. Among the epigenetic events, paramutation occurs when a silenced allele (named paramutagenic) is able to silence another allele (paramutable) in trans and this change is heritable. The silenced paramutable allele acquires paramutagenic capacity in the next generations. In the 1950s, Alexander Brink described for the first time the phenomenon of paramutation, occurring in maize at the colored1 (r1) gene, a complex locus (encoding myc-homologous transcription factors) that regulates the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway. Since then, paramutation and paramutation-like interactions have been discovered in other plants and animals, suggesting that they may underlie important mechanisms for gene expression. The molecular bases of these phenomena are unknown. However in some cases, the event of paramutation has been correlated with changes in DNA methylation, chromatin structure and recently several studies suggest that RNA could play a fundamental role. This last consideration is greatly supported by genetic screening for mutants inhibiting paramutation, which allowed the identification of genes involved in RNA-directed transcriptional silencing, although it is possible that proteins are also required for paramutation. The meaning of paramutation in the life cycle and in evolution remains to be determined even though we might conjecture that this phenomenon could be involved in a fast heritability of favourable epigenetic states across generations in a non-Mendelian way.
PLL control voltage stabilization method for high-speed systems

High-speed PLL control voltage stabilization method is presented in the paper. Fully integrated modified PLL circuit is designed accordingly. Stabilization principle is based on compensation of the LPF MOSFET capacitor output voltage which is unstable due to gate oxide leakage currents. Stabilization is implemented by using analog latch circuit and holding correct VCO control voltage. Latched voltage can be refreshed by digital logic block when PVT variation is detected in the system. The presented compensation method can be used in the I/O circuits of such standards as DDR (Double Data Rate), USB (Universal Serial Bus), PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect), etc.
Genetic analysis of Eclosion hormone action during Drosophila larval ecdysis

Insect growth is punctuated by molts, during which the animal produces a new exoskeleton. The molt culminates in ecdysis, an ordered sequence of behaviors that causes the old cuticle to be shed. This sequence is activated by Ecdysis triggering hormone (ETH), which acts on the CNS to activate neurons that produce neuropeptides implicated in ecdysis, including Eclosion hormone (EH), Crustacean cardioactive peptide (CCAP) and Bursicon. Despite more than 40 years of research on ecdysis, our understanding of the precise roles of these neurohormones remains rudimentary. Of particular interest is EH; although it is known to upregulate ETH release, other roles for EH have remained elusive. We isolated an Eh null mutant in Drosophila and used it to investigate the role of EH in larval ecdysis. We found that null mutant animals invariably died at around the time of ecdysis, revealing an essential role in its control. Further analyses showed that these animals failed to express the preparatory behavior of pre-ecdysis while directly expressing the motor program of ecdysis. Although ETH release could not be detected, the lack of pre-ecdysis could not be rescued by injections of ETH, suggesting that EH is required within the CNS for ETH to trigger the normal ecdysial sequence. Using a genetically encoded calcium probe, we showed that EH configured the response of the CNS to ETH. These findings show that EH plays an essential role in the Drosophila CNS in the control of ecdysis, in addition to its known role in the periphery of triggering ETH release. Summary: The Drosophila Eclosion hormone null mutant phenotype reveals an essential role for Eclosion hormone in the CNS, where it is required for Ecdysis triggering hormone to activate ecdysis.
Asymmetries in English Vowel Perception Mirror Compression Effects

Abstract A series of vowel-identification experiments using gated consonant stimuli shows that English listeners are capable of recovering the vocalic context in which a consonant appears from information contained in the consonant alone. This is true for most consonants tested, including liquids, nasals, and stops in onset and coda position. Positional asymmetries in vowel sensitivity go in opposite directions for liquids (coda sensitivity &gt; onset) and stops (onset &gt; coda). Nasals pattern with liquids in terms of vowel sensitivity from consonant steady states alone, but pat- tern more closely with stops when portions outside the steady state are taken into account. It is argued that these asymmetries are related to patterns of cluster-driven vowel compression (also called ‘compensatory shortening') in speech production.
Pop-in phenomenon in MgO and LiF: Observation of dislocation structures

This letter is based on recent progress in the observation of dislocation distributions around nanoindentations by chemical etching. This so-called nanoetching technique is used to determine the dislocation mechanisms associated with the pop-in phenomenon in MgO and LiF. Successive stages of highly controlled chemomechanical polishing have revealed that these dislocations are half-loops lying in the classical slip systems of MgO or LiF. However, they do not extend on the surface in the classical rosette-arms pattern but stay concentrated around the imprint. A mechanism of dislocation interactions, enhanced by the fact that the dislocations are suddenly nucleated in a small volume, is proposed to explain this specific distribution.
Approximately achieving Gaussian relay network capacity with lattice codes

Recently, it has been shown that a quantize-map-and-forward scheme approximately achieves (within a constant number of bits) the Gaussian relay network capacity for arbitrary topologies [1]. This was established using Gaussian codebooks for transmission and random mappings at the relays. In this paper, we show that the same approximation result can be established by using lattices for transmission and quantization along with structured mappings at the relays.
Model recovery anti-windup compensator design for magnitude and rate saturated LPV systems

This paper extends the LTI anti-windup compensator scheme proposed in [6] to linear parameter-varying (LPV) systems. Following the MRAW concept, the dynamical part of the compensator is formed by the exact copy of the plant. The design procedure is thus simplified to the construction of a parameter-dependent state feedback, which stabilizes the plant's copy and determines the performance and the domain of applicability of the compensator. To decrease the conservatism, the presented method applies parameter-dependent Lyapunov function and embeds the saturation (dead-zone) in a parameter-dependent sector. The design is formulated as an LMI-based convex optimization problem. The paper also investigates the possibility of eliminating certain free variables in order to reduce the complexity of the synthesis procedure. It is shown that an elimination procedure similar to that in [6] can be carried out, but with LPV systems the reconstruction of the compensator gain is not so straightforward. To overcome the difficulty a novel method is proposed, which is based on a closed formula parameterizing all solutions of the synthesis LMIs. Both of the fully parameterized and the reduced complexity syntheses are presented and their properties are analyzed. The applicability of the methods is demonstrated on a simple LPV plant.
A reciprocal connection between the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus and the pretectal nuclear complex and the superior colliculus: An in vitro characterization in the rat

The ventral lateral geniculate nucleus (vLGN), the pretectal nuclear complex (PNC) and the superior colliculus (SC) are structures that all receive retinal input. All three structures are important relay stations of the subcortical visual system. They are strongly connected with each other and involved in circadian and/or visuomotor processes. However, the information transferred along these pathways is unknown and their possible functions are, therefore, not well understood. Here, we characterized multiple pathways between the vLGN, the PNC, and the SC electrophysiologically and anatomically in an in vitro study using acute rat brain slices. Using orthodromic and antidromic electrical stimulation, we first characterized vLGN neurons that receive pretectal input and those that project to the PNC. Morphological reconstructions of cells labeled after patch clamp recordings identified these neurons as geniculo-tectal neurons and as medium-sized multipolar neurons. We identified inhibitory connections in both pathways and we could show that inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) evoked from the PNC in vLGN neurons are mediated only by GABAA receptors, while IPSCs evoked in PNC neurons by vLGN stimulation are either mediated by both, GABAA and GABAC receptors or by a GABA receptor with mixed GABAA and GABAC receptor-like pharmacology. Finally, retrograde double labeling experiments with two different fluorescent dextran amines indicated that pretectal neurons which project to the ipsilateral vLGN also project to the ipsilateral SC.
A Wearable Sensor based Approach to Real-Time Fall Detection and Fine-Grained Activity Recognition

We present a real-time fall detection and activity recognition system that is inexpensive and can be easily deployed using two Wii Remotes worn on human body. Continuously 3-dimentional data streams are segmented into sliding windows and then pre-processed for removing signal noises and filling missing samples. Features including Mean, Standard deviation, Energy, Entropy, Correlation between acceleration axes extracted from sliding windows are trained the activity models. The trained models are then used for detecting falls and recognizing 13 fine-grained activities including unknown activities in real-time. An experiment on 12 subjects was conducted to rigorously evaluate the system performance. With the recognition rates as high as 95% precision and recall for user dependent isolation training, 91% precision and recall for 10-fold cross validation and as high as 82% precision and recall for leave one subject out evaluations, the results demonstrated that the development of real-time, easy-to-deploy fall detection and activity recognition systems using low-cost sensors is feasible.