Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Downstream Effect of Ramping Neuronal Activity through Synapses with Short-Term Plasticity

Ramping neuronal activity refers to spiking activity with a rate that increases quasi-linearly over time. It has been observed in multiple cortical areas and is correlated with evidence accumulation processes or timing. In this work, we investigated the downstream effect of ramping neuronal activity through synapses that display short-term facilitation (STF) or depression (STD). We obtained an analytical result for a synapse driven by deterministic linear ramping input that exhibits pure STF or STD and numerically investigated the general case when a synapse displays both STF and STD. We show that the analytical deterministic solution gives an accurate description of the averaging synaptic activation of many inputs converging onto a postsynaptic neuron, even when fluctuations in the ramping input are strong. Activation of a synapse with STF shows an initial cubical increase with time, followed by a linear ramping similar to a synapse without STF. Activation of a synapse with STD grows in time to a maximum before falling and reaching a plateau, and this steady state is independent of the slope of the ramping input. For a synapse displaying both STF and STD, an increase in the depression time constant from a value much smaller than the facilitation time constant to a value much larger than leads to a transition from facilitation dominance to depression dominance. Therefore, our work provides insights into the impact of ramping neuronal activity on downstream neurons through synapses that display short-term plasticity. In a perceptual decision-making process, ramping activity has been observed in the parietal and prefrontal cortices, with a slope that decreases with task difficulty. Our work predicts that neurons downstream from such a decision circuit could instead display a firing plateau independent of the task difficulty, provided that the synaptic connection is endowed with short-term depression.
Food choice and intake: the human factor

Human perceptions and selection of food are derived from the prevailing and momentary food, agro-economic and cultural environment, cognitive and biological characteristics of individuals, and the real and perceived intrinsic and extrinsic attributes of foods themselves. The range of items typically chosen and consumed within a given population is largely determined by interaction of the external environmental context with guiding sets of implicit and explicit social and psychobiological ‘rules’. Within the rather broad limits of biology, individual food choices and intake behaviours relate to and reflect aspects of food availability, existing habitual behaviours, learning mechanisms, and individual beliefs and expectations. Many of the relevant features of these variables are uniquely human, together determining what is ‘food’, when, how, by and with whom it is chosen and eaten, and in what quantities. They also provide the opportunities for individuals to establish and maintain a relatively stable set of culturally and biologically determined affective responses (‘likes’) and intake behaviours. Understanding of the potential contribution of these influences under different conditions can serve to explain many of the observed characteristics of human eating, and highlight potential avenues for intervention.
Faecal elastase 1: a novel, highly sensitive, and specific tubeless pancreatic function test.

BACKGROUND: Indirect pancreatic function tests available today are unreliable for clinical practice in early chronic pancreatitis due to their low sensitivity in mild and moderate exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. AIM: To evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, and practicability of faecal elastase 1 determination in patients with mild, moderate, and severe exocrine pancreatic insufficiency categorised according to the secretin-caerulein test as "gold standard'. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Faecal and duodenal elastase 1 concentration (commercial enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)), faecal chymotrypsin activity, faecal fat analysis, and the secretin-caerulein test were performed on 44 patients with mild (n = 8), moderate (n = 14), and severe (n = 22) exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and 35 patients with gastrointestinal diseases of non-pancreatic origin. Fifty healthy volunteers were studied as normal controls. Morphological examinations were carried out to definitely confirm or exclude chronic pancreatitis. RESULTS: With a cut off of 200 micrograms elastase 1/g stool the sensitivity was 63% for mild, 100% for moderate, 100% for severe, and 93% for all patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and specificity was 93%. Values for chymotrypsin were 64% (sensitivity) and 89% (specificity). Significant (p < 0.001) correlations were found for faecal and duodenal elastase with duodenal lipase, amylase, trypsin, volume, and bicarbonate output. Individual day to day variations of faecal elastase 1 concentrations were very low (mean CV = 15%) and sample storage at room temperature is possible for at least one week. CONCLUSIONS: Faecal elastase 1 determination proved to be a highly sensitive and specific tubeless pancreatic function test.
Detection of bovine papillomavirus types, co-infection and a putative new BPV11 subtype in cattle.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of different types of Bovine papillomavirus (BPV) in cattle skin lesions and to identify new viral types in Brazil. A total of 72 skin lesions were analysed from 66 different bovines by PCR using degenerate and specific primers, and subsequent sequencing. Sequencing quality was determined using Staden package with Phred 30. Similarity analysis was performed with BioEdit and BLAST programs to verify the identity with known BPV types. Phylogenetic analysis was carried out using Maximum Likelihood method with TIM3 + G as nucleotide substitution model in PAUP*, and 1000 non-parametric bootstrap replicates. Analyses revealed the presence of ten different types of BPV in the samples, with the exception of BPV7. The presence of co-infections was very high as almost all samples (89%) were co-infected. A putative new BPV11 subtype was also found in lesions from different animals. These results add significant knowledge about the prevalence and diversity of BPV infection in Brazilian cattle, which could be used in future studies aiming at the development of more specific treatment and diagnostic methods.
Cellular Neuroscience

GABAergic alterations in neocortex of patients with pharmacoresistant temporal lobe epilepsy can explain the comorbidity of anxiety and depression: the potential impact of clinical factors Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease with a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders. Temporal neocortex contributes to either seizure propagation or generation in TLE, a situation that has been associated with alterations of the γ-amino-butyric acid (GABA) system. On the other hand, an impaired neurotransmission mediated by GABA in temporal neocortex has also been involved with the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. In spite of these situations, the role of the necortical GABA system in the comorbidity of TLE and mood disorders has not been investigated. The present study was designed to identify alterations in the GABA system such as binding to GABA A and GABA B receptors and benzodiazepine site, the tissue content of GABA and the expression of the mRNA encoding the α1–6, β1–3, and γ GABA A subunits, in the temporal neocortex of surgically treated patients with TLE with and without anxiety, and/or depression. Neocortex of patients with TLE and comorbid anxiety and/or depression showed increased expression of the mRNA encoding the γ2-subunit, reduced GABA B-induced G-protein activation in spite of elevated GABA B binding, and lower tissue content of GABA when compared to autopsy controls. Some of these changes significantly correlated with seizure frequency and duration of epilepsy. The results obtained suggest a dysfunction of the GABAergic neurotransmission in temporal neocortex of patients withTLE and comorbid anxiety and/or depression that could be also influenced by clinical factors such as seizure frequency and duration of illness.
Leukemic cells and the cytokine patchwork

In leukemia, the clonal population is characterized by a hierarchical organization. Although the majority of the leukemic population is generated after post‐determinic divisions, a subset of cells retain undifferentiated “blast” morphology. In addition, leukemic cells often have numerical or structural chromosomal abnormalities, aberrant gene expression patterns, and abnormal cell surface marker profiles. Despite these differences when compared to normal bone marrow and blood cells, leukemic cell survival and proliferation, just like that of normal progenitor cells, is influenced by hematopoietic growth factors. A major issue is whether differential regulation of normal and leukemic hematopoietic cells by cytokines can be exploited in antileukemic treatment or, in contrast, whether in vivo cytokine therapy may even be harmful to the patients.
Mobi3DSketch: 3D Sketching in Mobile AR

Mid-air 3D sketching has been mainly explored in Virtual Reality (VR) and typically requires special hardware for motion capture and immersive, stereoscopic displays. The recently developed motion tracking algorithms allow real-time tracking of mobile devices, and have enabled a few mobile applications for 3D sketching in Augmented Reality (AR). However, they are more suitable for making simple drawings only, since they do not consider special challenges with mobile AR 3D sketching, including the lack of stereo display, narrow field of view, and the coupling of 2D input, 3D input and display. To address these issues, we present Mobi3DSketch, which integrates multiple sources of inputs with tools, mainly different versions of 3D snapping and planar/curves surface proxies. Our multimodal interface supports both absolute and relative drawing, allowing easy creation of 3D concept designs in situ. The effectiveness and expressiveness of Mobi3DSketch are demonstrated via a pilot study.
A New Method for Design and Control of Haptic Interfaces for Display of Rigid Surfaces

This paper addresses the often-cited problems associated with haptic display of rigid bodies or “virtual walls”. Traditional haptic interfaces employ an actuator directly coupled to the human operator that provides a force proportional to wall penetration distance and velocity. A new paradigm for design and control of haptic displays is proposed that utilizes a de-coupled actuator and pre-contact distance sensing to improve stability and response performance. Dynamic models of real human/rigid body contact and prior haptic display models are developed and compared with the proposed method. Errors in the force and energy transfer are identified and associated with virtual wall penetration distance, required in traditional virtual wall haptic models. Results of the simulation of the dynamic models are presented, identifying system force response errors attributable to delay, wall penetration, wall model spring constant, and wall model damping constants.
Transition to reconstructibility in weakly coupled networks

Across scientific disciplines, thresholded pairwise measures of statistical dependence between time series are taken as proxies for the interactions between the dynamical units of a network. Yet such correlation measures often fail to reflect the underlying physical interactions accurately. Here we systematically study the problem of reconstructing direct physical interaction networks from thresholding correlations. We explicate how local common cause and relay structures, heterogeneous in-degrees and non-local structural properties of the network generally hinder reconstructibility. However, in the limit of weak coupling strengths we prove that stationary systems with dynamics close to a given operating point transition to universal reconstructiblity across all network topologies.
An axiomatisation of computationally adequate domain theoretic models of FPC

Categorical models of the metalanguage FPC (a type theory with sums, products, exponentials and recursive types) are defined. Then, domain-theoretic models of FPC are axiomatised and a wide subclass of them-the absolute ones-are proved to be both computationally sound and adequate. Examples include: the category of cpos and partial continuous functions and functor categories over it. <<ETX>>
ATP hydrolysis catalyzed by human replication factor C requires participation of multiple subunits.

Human replication factor C (hRFC) is a five-subunit protein complex (p140, p40, p38, p37, and p36) that acts to catalytically load proliferating cell nuclear antigen onto DNA, where it recruits DNA polymerase delta or epsilon to the primer terminus at the expense of ATP, leading to processive DNA synthesis. We have previously shown that a subcomplex of hRFC consisting of three subunits (p40, p37, and p36) contained DNA-dependent ATPase activity. However, it is not clear which subunit(s) hydrolyzes ATP, as all five subunits include potential ATP binding sites. In this report, we introduced point mutations in the putative ATP-binding sequences of each hRFC subunit and examined the properties of the resulting mutant hRFC complex and the ATPase activity of the hRFC or the p40.p37. p36 complex. A mutation in any one of the ATP binding sites of the p36, p37, p40, or p140 subunits markedly reduced replication activity of the hRFC complex and the ATPase activity of the hRFC or the p40.p37. p36 complex. A mutation in the ATP binding site of the p38 subunit did not alter the replication activity of hRFC. These findings indicate that the replication activity of hRFC is dependent on efficient ATP hydrolysis contributed to by the action of four hRFC subunits.
Verfahrensanweisung für die Iod-131 Ganzkörperszintigrafie beim differenzierten Schilddrüsenkarzinom (Version 5)

Zusammenfassung Die Version 5 der Verfahrensanweisung für die Iod-131 Ganzkörperszintigrafie beim differenzierten Schilddrüsenkarzinom ist ein Update der Version 4, publiziert durch die Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nuklearmedizin (DGN). Diese Verfahrensanweisung beschreibt mit primärer Zielsetzung die fachgerechte Durchführung der Ganzkörperszintigrafie nach Applikation einer diagnostischen bzw. einer therapeutischen I-131 Aktivität. Die Verfahrensanweisung wurde von einer repräsentativen Expertengruppe im Konsensverfahren verabschiedet. Sie entspricht damit einer Verfahrensanweisung der ersten Stufe (S1) nach den Kriterien der Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Wissenschaftlichen Medizinischen Fachgesellschaften (AWMF).
Visual servoing based on epipolar geometry

In this paper, we propose a new image-based approach using epipolar geometry. The problem which is addressed can be stated as follows: starting from a Cartesian situation, we want to drive the robot to a desired one using only image data provided during the robot motion. With regard to classical image-based visual servoing, we assume no prior knowledge about the 3D structure or about a desired image to reach. Simulation and experimental results are shown.
Shingle-written magnetic recording (SMR) device with hybrid E-region

The invention relates to a shingle-written magnetic recording (SMR) device with hybrid E-region. SMR disk drives with hybrid E-regions that include a nonvolatile solid state memory E-region in addition to the magnetic media E-regions on disk are described. The memory E-region can be used in operations that will be referred as destaging and/or restaging to sequentialize sets of exception records to reduce the time and energy spent in executing seeks in the disk E-region. The ratio of the size of the solid state memory E-region to the total E-region capacity on the disks can be optimized for selected applications according to the invention using tradeoffs between performance and cost. For example, an embodiment with a memory E-region size that is 10% of the total disk E-region capacity achieves substantial performance enhancement over a disk-only E-region implementation and also results in smaller costs than would be required in a NAND-only memory E-region.
Do we sack the manager... or is it better not to? Evidence from Spanish professional football

Sports club executives are eager for their teams’ to perform well in sports competitions. In team sports, the manager takes important decisions that affect the sporting performance of the team. Although the manager is contracted for a period of at least one season, clubs frequently change managers halfway through that period. Before taking that decision, the Board of Directors probably ask themselves: Do we sack the manager… or is it better not to? The aim of this paper is to evaluate the impact of a mid-season change of manager on the sporting performance of Spanish professional football teams. In doing so, program efficiency is assessed with Data Envelopment Analysis techniques. The main result is that a mid-season change of manager improves sporting performance, but does not allow a team to perform as well as others that have not changed managers halfway through the season.
Mind the face

Images of real people trigger designers to empathise with users. This paper explores the use of visual representations of a person's face in conveying results of user studies to design teams. Several small and large studies with different explorations around the search, choices and use of images are described. The paper concludes with tentative guidelines for selecting and creating effective images of users in design communication.
Percolation on interacting, antagonistic networks

Recently, new results on percolation in interdependent networks have shown that the percolation transition can be first order. In this paper we show that, when considering antagonistic interactions between interacting networks, the percolation process might present a bistability of the equilibrium solution. To this end, we introduce antagonistic interactions for which the functionality, or activity, of a node in a network is incompatible with the functionality of the linked nodes in the other interacting networks. In particular, we study the percolation transition in two interacting networks with purely antagonistic interaction and differing topology.
The effects of maternal age and parity on placental and fetal development in the mare.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY The normality of equine placentation is essential for fetal health and development. Substantial information exists on the gross morphological status of the placenta but few studies have addressed the problem of degenerative lesions that interfere with placental morphology and placental efficiency. HYPOTHESIS Degenerative changes in the endometrium with increasing age and parity are reflected in the morphology and density of the placental microcotyledons. OBJECTIVE To assess placental efficiency on the basis of foal birthweight as a function of total microscopic area of fetomaternal contact. METHODS Stereology was used to examine the placentae of 84 Thoroughbred mares grouped on the basis of age and parity. Placental efficiency, assessed by expressing foal birthweight as a function of total microscopic area of fetomaternal contact, was also determined. RESULTS Mare age and parity influenced the development of the microcotyledons and microcotyledon surface density (Sv) was lowest in aged multiparous mares, presumably due to degenerative changes in their endometrium. However, primiparous mares also showed significantly lower Sv values than young multiparous mares, despite the virginal endometrium of the former group. This apparent 'priming' effect of a first pregnancy on microcotyledonary Sv was illustrated further by 11 maiden mares followed in 2 successive pregnancies. They all showed significant increases in Sv values in their second parity, with equivalent improvements in foal birthweight. CONCLUSIONS Foal birthweight is a reflection of the balance between fetomaternal contact and placental efficiency. Increases in fetomaternal contact are correlated to reductions in placental efficiency, which may reflect the ability of the placenta to modify its exchange capabilities. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE Further work is needed to elucidate how such changes in microcotyledon morphology and efficiency are brought about.
Rate Control in Atrial Fibrillation by Cooling: Effect of Temperature on Dromotropy in Perfused Rabbit Hearts

Background. Cooling has emerged as a therapeutic option in critically ill patients (especially after cardiac resuscitation) and might also have a negative dromotropic effect in atrial fibrillation. We sought to determine the impact of cooling on electrophysiologic properties of Langendorff-perfused rabbit hearts. Methods and Results. In 20 isolated Langendorff-perfused rabbit hearts, the temperature of the tissue bath was changed between 17 and 42°C. With decreasing temperature, significant increases of the spontaneous sinus cycle length, decreases of the mean ventricular heart rate during atrial fibrillation, and relevant increases of atrial and ventricular refractory periods were observed (ANOVA P < .01). Conclusions. Cardiac hypothermia leads to a significant drop of mean ventricular heart rate during atrial fibrillation. Negative chronotropy and dromotropy induced by moderate cardiac hypothermia might be a feasible therapeutic approach in patients with hemodynamically relevant tachyarrhythmias in a CCU/ICU setting.
Towards combinatorial targeted therapy in melanoma: From pre-clinical evidence to clinical application (Review)

Over the last few years, clinical trials with BRAF and mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK) inhibitors have shown significant clinical activity in melanoma, but only a fraction of patients respond to these therapies, and development of resistance is frequent. This has prompted a large set of preclinical studies looking at several new combinatorial approaches of pathway- or target-specific inhibitors. At least five main drug association strategies have been verified in vitro and in preclinical models. The most promising include: i) vertical targeting of either MEK or phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways, or their combined blockade; ii) association of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) inhibitors with other pro-apoptotic strategies; iii) engagement of death receptors in combination with MEK-, mTOR/PI3K-, histone deacetylase (HDAC)-inhibitors, or with anti-apoptotic molecules modulators; iv) strategies aimed at blocking anti-apoptotic proteins belonging to B-cell lymphoma (Bcl-2) or inhibitors of apoptosis (IAP) families associated with MEK/BRAF/p38 inhibition; v) co-inhibition of other molecules important for survival [proteasome, HDAC and Signal transducers and activators of transcription (Stat)3] and the major pathways activated in melanoma; vi) simultaneous targeting of multiple anti-apoptotic molecules. Here we review the anti-melanoma efficacy and mechanism of action of the above-mentioned combinatorial strategies, together with the potential clinical application of the most promising studies that may eventually lead to therapeutic benefit.