Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analog CMOS circuit implementation of a system of pulse-coupled oscillators for spike-based computation

In this paper, we propose analog CMOS circuit implementation of a system of coupled phase oscillators with pulse coupling for spiking neural networks. We have designed and fabricated a CMOS circuit that achieves the dynamics of pulse-coupled oscillators using TSMC 0.25-µm CMOS technology. In our circuit, oscillator circuits with continuous-time operation interact with each other via a pulse at each firing time. We demonstrate experimentally that the circuit exhibits in- and anti-phase as well as out-of-phase synchronization. Such properties are essential for spike-based computation in neuromorphic systems.
For peer review only Association between patients' beliefs about medicines and adherence to drug treatment after stroke

Journal: BMJ Open Manuscript ID: bmjopen-2013-003551 Article Type: Research Date Submitted by the Author: 04-Jul-2013 Complete List of Authors: Sjölander, Maria; Umeå University, Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neuroscience; Umeå University, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine Eriksson, Marie; Umeå University, Department of Statistics Glader, Eva-Lotta; Umeå University, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine <b>Primary Subject Heading</b>: Pharmacology and therapeutics
Farm Animal Behaviour and Welfare

Part 1 Foundations and methods in behaviour: behaviour and evolution appraisal of behaviour in farm animals inherent and acquired behaviour neuroethology substrates of emotiveness. Part 2 Homeostatic and social behaviour: homeostasis and maintenance reactivity ingestion body care movement exploration spatial behaviour rest and sleep general social behaviour association social interaction. Part 3 Reproductive behaviour: reproductive facilitation female sexual behaviour copulation feotal behaviour parturient behaviour maternal behaviour. Part 4 Developmental behaviour: neonatal behaviour growth behaviour play and function. Part 5 Anomalous and abnormal behaviour: general and somatic anomalies reactive anomalies oral anomalies anomalous ingestive behaviour anomalies in reproductive behaviour behaviour and illness. Part 6 Behaviour and welfare: the basis of rational animal welfare stress alleviation humane control of livestock behavioural needs and environmental requirements.
Risk Acceptability According to the Social Sciences

First published in 1985, Mary Douglas intended Risk and Acceptability as a review of the existing literature on the state of risk theory. Unsatisfied with the current studies of risk, which she found to be flawed by individualistic and psychologistic biases, she instead uses the book to argue risk analysis from an anthropological perspective. Douglas raises questions about rational choice, the provision of public good and the autonomy of the individual.
Testing the Object-Oriented Programs Using a Multi-Stage Genetic Algorithm

This paper presents a multi-stage genetic algorithm (MSGA) to generate tests for the object-oriented programs. MSGA consists of two optimization stages. The first stage concentrates on finding the called methods, which satisfy a given test criterion. The second stage focuses on generating the arguments of the called methods. In addition, we introduce a new chromosome representation, which contains two distinct arrays. Each array contains set of homogeneous genes. We introduce also strategies for encoding and decoding the tests into chromosome and vice versa. We present set of new genetic operators and the pre- and post-requisites for applying these operators.
Parametric Manifold Learning Via Sparse Multidimensional Scaling

We propose a metric-learning framework for computing distance-preserving maps that generate low-dimensional embeddings for a certain class of manifolds. We employ Siamese networks to solve the problem of least squares multidimensional scaling for generating mappings that preserve geodesic distances on the manifold. In contrast to previous parametric manifold learning methods we show a substantial reduction in training effort enabled by the computation of geodesic distances in a farthest point sampling strategy. Additionally, the use of a network to model the distance-preserving map reduces the complexity of the multidimensional scaling problem and leads to an improved non-local generalization of the manifold compared to analogous non-parametric counterparts. We demonstrate our claims on point-cloud data and on image manifolds and show a numerical analysis of our technique to facilitate a greater understanding of the representational power of neural networks in modeling manifold data.
The Anatomy of Disgust

Prologue 1. Darwin's Disgust 2. Disgust and Its Neighbors 3. Thick, Greasy Life 4. The Senses 5. Orifices and Bodily Wastes 6. Fair Is Foul, and Foul Is Fair 7. Warriors, Saints, and Delicacy 8. The Moral Life of Disgust 9. Mutual Contempt and Democracy 10. Orwell's Sense of Smell Notes Works Cited Index
Barriers and facilitators to seniors' independence. Perceptions of seniors, caregivers, and health care providers.

OBJECTIVE To identify barriers and facilitators to independence as perceived by seniors with chronic health problems and their caregivers. In particular, researchers sought insights into seniors' experience of medical, home-based, and public health services. DESIGN This study used the qualitative method of focus groups. SETTING London, Ont, and surrounding area. PARTICIPANTS Seniors with chronic health problems and informal and formal caregivers were purposefully selected to participate. METHOD Seven focus groups composed of seniors, informal caregivers, and health care providers representing each of the three primary care areas (medical, home-based, and public health) explored the barriers and facilitators to seniors' independence. MAIN FINDINGS Four main themes characterized the barriers and facilitators to seniors' independence: attitudes and attributes, service accessibility, communication and coordination, and continuity of care. CONCLUSIONS Knowledge of barriers and facilitators to seniors' independence in the context of the health care system provides insight into how seniors can be empowered to remain independent. Health care providers need to communicate better, to foster more positive attitudes toward aging, and to participate in refining service access, coordination of services, and continuity of care.
Insertion Sequence ISEcp1B Is Involved in Expression and Mobilization of a blaCTX-M β-Lactamase Gene

ABSTRACT The genetic structures (ca. 10-kb DNA fragment) surrounding the plasmid-borne extended-spectrum β-lactamase blaCTX-M-19 gene in a Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolate were determined. This β-lactamase gene was part of a 4,797-bp transposon inserted inside orf1 of Tn1721. Inside this transposon, blaCTX-M-19 was bracketed upstream and downstream by insertion sequences ISE cp1B and IS903D, respectively, and further downstream by a truncated gene encoding an outer membrane protein for iron transport. The single-copy ISEcp1B element was probably involved alone in the mobilization process that led to a 5-bp duplication at the target site of the transposed fragment. This mobilization event probably involved one inverted repeat of ISE cp1B and a second sequence farther away, resembling its second inverted repeat. Additionally, ISEcp1B provided −35 and −10 promoter sequences, contributing to the high-level expression of the blaCTX-M-19 gene. Southern blot analysis failed to identify a reservoir of ISEcp1-like sequences among a series of gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial species usually found in the skin and intestinal human floras. The ability of ISEcp1-like elements to mobilize and to promote the expression of β-lactamase genes may explain, in part, the current spread of CTX-M-type enzymes worldwide.
Melody Recognition in Dichotic Listening With or Without Frequency-Place Mismatch

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to examine recognition of degraded melodic stimuli in dichotic listening with or without frequency-place mismatch. Design: Melodic stimuli were noise vocoded with various number-of-channel conditions in a dichotic and monaural processor. In the dichotic zipper processor, the odd-indexed channels were tonotopically matched and presented to the left ear while the even-indexed channels were tonotopically matched or upward shifted in frequency and presented to the right ear. In the monaural processor, all channels either unshifted or shifted were presented to the left ear alone. Familiar melody recognition was measured in 16 normal-hearing adult listeners. Results: Performance for dichotically presented melodic stimuli did not differ from that for monaurally presented stimuli even with low spectral resolution (8 channels). With spectral shift introduced in one ear, melody recognition decreased with increasing spectral shift in a nonmonotonic fashion. With spectral shift, melody recognition in dichotic listening was either not different or superior in a few cases relative to the monaural condition. Conclusions: With no spectral shift, cohesive fusion of dichotically presented melodic stimuli did not seem to depend on spectral resolution. In spectrally shifted conditions, listeners may have suppressed the partially shifted channels in the right ear and selectively attended only to the unshifted ones, resulting in dichotic advantages for melody recognition in some cases.
Body Mass Index, Hormone Replacement Therapy, and Endometrial Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis

Background: Body mass index (BMI) is a risk factor for endometrial cancer. We quantified the risk and investigated whether the association differed by use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), menopausal status, and histologic type. Methods: We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE (1966 to December 2009) to identify prospective studies of BMI and incident endometrial cancer. We did random-effects meta-analyses, meta-regressions, and generalized least square regressions for trend estimations assuming linear, and piecewise linear, relationships. Results: Twenty-four studies (17,710 cases) were analyzed; 9 studies contributed to analyses by HRT, menopausal status, or histologic type, all published since 2003. In the linear model, the overall risk ratio (RR) per 5 kg/m2 increase in BMI was 1.60 (95% CI, 1.52–1.68), P < 0.0001. In the piecewise model, RRs compared with a normal BMI were 1.22 (1.19–1.24), 2.09 (1.94–2.26), 4.36 (3.75–5.10), and 9.11 (7.26–11.51) for BMIs of 27, 32, 37, and 42 kg/m2, respectively. The association was stronger in never HRT users than in ever users: RRs were 1.90 (1.57–2.31) and 1.18 (95% CI, 1.06–1.31) with P for interaction = 0.003. In the piecewise model, the RR in never users was 20.70 (8.28–51.84) at BMI 42 kg/m2, compared with never users at normal BMI. The association was not affected by menopausal status (P = 0.34) or histologic type (P = 0.26). Conclusions: HRT use modifies the BMI-endometrial cancer risk association. Impact: These findings support the hypothesis that hyperestrogenia is an important mechanism underlying the BMI-endometrial cancer association, whilst the presence of residual risk in HRT users points to the role of additional systems. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(12); 3119–30. ©2010 AACR.
Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia): Challenges and Responses

Work with dyslexics is increasingly seen as a multidisciplinary concern, covering educational, psychological and medical questions. The authors reflect this new emphasis on collaboration. The book contains information on the policies and practices of Local Education Authorities and Examination Boards and they look at the views of statutory bodies, voluntary organisations and parents. Drawing on the work of eleven experienced educational psychologists, it presents and evaluates a wide variety of approaches to prevention, identification and intervention and makes practical recommendations for future progress. This book should be of interest to special needs co-ordinators and LEA advisors.
Nicotinic receptor-evoked release of acetylcholine and somatostatin in the myenteric plexus is coupled to calcium influx via N-type calcium channels.

Entry of extracellular calcium (Ca++) via voltage-gated Ca++ channels is essential for neurotransmitter release. In this study, we examined whether nicotinic receptor-stimulated release of acetylcholine (ACh) and somatostatin (S14) are coupled to calcium influx via distinct calcium channel subtypes in the myenteric plexus. Isolated ganglia from the guinea pig ileal myenteric plexus were prepared and placed in perfusion chambers under standard conditions. The ganglionic agonist dimethylphenylpiperazinium (DMPP, 10(-6) to 10(-3) M) stimulated the release of [3H]ACh in a concentration-dependent manner. This release was blocked by hexamethonium or Ca(++)-free medium containing 1 mM EGTA and was antagonized by omega-conotoxin, a preferential N calcium channel blocker, but was not affected by nifedipine (L channel antagonist) or nickel (T calcium channel antagonist). DMPP-evoked release of somatostatin was also antagonized by omega-conotoxin, but was not affected by nifedipine or nickel. These observations indicate that neurosecretion of ACh and S14 evoked by DMPP is mediated by calcium entry via voltage-sensitive N-type Ca++ channels. To provide additional evidence that nicotinic receptor stimulation is associated with Ca++ entry via the N-type Ca++ channels, we examined the intracellular calcium [Ca++]i concentration of the myenteric plexus neurons using fura-2 microspectrofluorometry. Basal [Ca++]i of single ileal myenteric neurons was 65 +/- 5 nM. Perfusion with DMPP (10(-6) to 10(-3) M) caused a rapid, transient elevation in [Ca++]i which was abolished by Ca(++)-free medium containing 1 mM EGTA. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Weber and noise adaptation in the retina of the toad Bufo marinus

Responses to flashes and steps of light were recorded intracellularly from rods and horizontal cells, and extracellularly from ganglion cells, in toad eyecups which were either dark adapted or exposed to various levels of background light. The average background intensities needed to depress the dark-adapted flash sensitivity by half in the three cell types, determined under identical conditions, were 0.9 Rh*s- 1 (rods), 0.8 Rh*s-1 (horizontal cells), and 0.17 Rh*s-1 (ganglion cells), where Rh* denotes one isomerization per rod. Thus, there is a range (approximately 0.7 log units) of weak backgrounds where the sensitivity (response amplitude/Rh*) of rods is not significantly affected, but where that of ganglion cells (1/threshold) is substantially reduced, which implies that the gain of the transmission from rods to the ganglion cell output is decreased. In this range, the ganglion cell threshold rises approximately as the square root of background intensity (i.e. in proportion to the quantal noise from the background), while the maintained rate of discharge stays constant. The threshold response of the cell will then signal light deviations (from a mean level) of constant statistical significance. We propose that this type of ganglion cell desensitization under dim backgrounds is due to a post-receptoral gain control driven by quantal fluctuations, and term it noise adaptation in contrast to the Weber adaptation (desensitization proportional to the mean background intensity) of rods, horizontal cells, and ganglion cells at higher background intensities.
SUPERCONGRUENCES VIA MODULAR FORMS

We prove two supercongruences for the coecients of power series expansions in t of modular forms where t is a modular function. As a result, we settle two recent conjectures of Chan, Cooper and Sica. Additionally, we provide a table of supercongruences for numbers which appear in similar power series expansions and in the study of integral solutions of Ap ery-like dierential equations.
Empirically testing the neurocognitive model of insomnia

The Neurocognitive Model of insomnia proposes that, through conditioned arousal, individuals with insomnia may experience heightened cortical arousal leading to increased sensory processing of external stimuli and sleep state misperception. This thesis provides a novel contribution to the literature by utilising auditory stimuli to examine the propositions of the Neurocognitive Model as a method of both eliciting and measuring the effects of cortical arousal. Firstly, the effect of noise on sleep was observed within the habituated home environment, evidencing that NREM sleep may be more susceptible to increased arousal through noise comparative to REM. Furthermore, traits typically associated with insomnia showed relationships with sleep disturbance due to noise, indicative that noise may increase cortical arousal. Secondly, the administration of novel noise in a non-habituated laboratory environment was utilised to raise cortical arousal levels in good sleepers to directly test the propositions of the Neurocognitive Model. Results demonstrated that noise altered both subjective and objective sleep along with creating a misperception of sleep onset, albeit not associated with explicit memory of noise stimuli. Finally, utilising individuals assumed to be experiencing heightened cortical arousal (insomnia) and good sleepers, words were administered during sleep onset periods to directly assess the processing and misperception components of the Neurocognitive model. Results demonstrated that both explicit and implicit recognition for words presented during sleep was greater for individuals with insomnia, yet this did not associate with a misperception of sleep. Therefore, this thesis proposes that the Neurocognitive Model could be a model of the effects of raised cortical arousal on sleep of which the two outcome pathways are the processing of auditory stimuli and sleep state misperception. Future research may wish to continue to examine the role of cortical arousal in the context of the Neurocognitive Model as a potential mechanism of sleep state misperception in those with insomnia and vulnerable good sleepers.
On Quantified Propositional Logics and the Exponential Time Hierarchy

We study quantified propositional logics from the complexity theoretic point of view. First we introduce alternating dependency quantified boolean formulae (ADQBF) which generalize both quantified and dependency quantified boolean formulae. We show that the truth evaluation for ADQBF is AEXPTIME(poly)-complete. We also identify fragments for which the problem is complete for the levels of the exponential hierarchy. Second we study propositional team-based logics. We show that DQBF formulae correspond naturally to quantified propositional dependence logic and present a general NEXPTIME upper bound for quantified propositional logic with a large class of generalized dependence atoms. Moreover we show AEXPTIME(poly)-completeness for extensions of propositional team logic with generalized dependence atoms.
The Handbook of Hearing and the Effects of Noise

Definitions and Measurement of Noise and Sound. Structures and Functions of the Ear. Auditory Sensations and Perceptions. Normal Hearing, Sociocusis, Nosocusis, and Hearing Loss from Industrial Noise. Derivation of a General Theory and Procedure for Predicting Hearing Loss from Exposure to Sound. Speech Intelligibility in Quiet and in Noise. The Assessment of Hearing Handicap and Damage Risk from Noise. Mental and Psychomotor Task Performance in Noise. Nonauditory System Responses to Sound and Noise and Relations to Health. Community Reactions to Environmental Noise. References. Index.
The Mechanism of the Storm Surges in the Seto Inland Sea Caused by Typhoon Chaba ( 0416 )

Typhoon Chaba in 2004 made landfall on the southeastern Kyushu and went through Chugoku (western part of Japan’s Main Island) on 30 August, causing large storm surges in the Seto Inland Sea (SIS). The high tide records were broken at tide stations in Takamatsu and Uno Ports. We analyzed the tidal data and simulated this case with a numerical storm surge model. The storm surges moved eastward along with the passage of the typhoon, and it was favorably simulated. The results revealed that the wind set-up basically played a key role in causing the large storm surges. However, the maximum storm surge (MSS) in Takamatsu did not occur when the typhoon was the nearest to the city, but about 2 hours later. Since the time of MSS approximately corresponds to the high spring tide time, the record breaking storm tide was observed there. Moreover, we found the SIS can be divided into 6 areas according to the characteristics of sea topography and dominant wind direction by the typhoon. We also investigated the degrees of the contribution of two main factors of storm surges, i.e. inverted barometric effect and wind set-up, in each area. As a result, it turned out that the peak times of each effect were influenced by the geographical feature, as well as the wind field and the position of the typhoon, and had different characters in each area. Present affiliation: Marine Division, Japan Meteorological Agency This report is basically an English-translated paper from an article in the bulletin Journal “Tenki” of Meteorological Society of Japan (MSJ).
Increased Production and Water Remediation by Land-Based Farm-Scale Sequentially Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture Systems—An Example from Southern Taiwan

Wastewater effluent from aquaculture ponds can affect aquatic ecosystems. To mitigate this problem, we designed 2 sets (southern and northern) of land-based and farm-scale sequential integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems in order to reduce water pollution and to diversify and optimize aquaculture products in coastal southern Taiwan. In each system, the 1st pond cultivated milkfish as the main aquaculture product, the 2nd pond cultivated Portuguese oysters as the product to reduce suspended particles, and the 3rd pond cultivated the seaweed Gracilaria sp. as feed and to absorb nutrients. Photosynthetic bacteria (PSB) were added to the southern system in order to reduce nutrients. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare performance parameters of the compartments and the overall IMTA systems preliminarily. Our results showed that the southern system with the addition of PSB had lower PO4−3-P, slightly higher turbidity, and higher brown algal biomass than the northern system. In the southern system, PO4−3-P and cyanobacteria levels were lowest at the end of the seaweed pond. In the northern system, NO2−-N and phytoplankton levels were lowest at the end of the seaweed pond. Turbidity was reduced in the oyster pond and further reduced in the Gracilaria pond in both systems. The high seaweed yield in the northern system indicated substantial nutrient absorption. Advantages and limitations in terms of water purification and aquaculture production of these IMTA systems are evaluated in the present paper.