Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Control of the Correlation of Spontaneous Neuron Activity in Biological and Noise-activated CMOS Artificial Neural Microcircuits

There are several indications that brain is organized not on a basis of individual unreliable neurons, but on a micro-circuital scale providing Lego blocks employed to create complex architectures. At such an intermediate scale, the firing activity in the microcircuits is governed by collective effects emerging by the background noise soliciting spontaneous firing, the degree of mutual connections between the neurons, and the topology of the connections. We compare spontaneous firing activity of small populations of neurons adhering to an engineered scaffold with simulations of biologically plausible CMOS artificial neuron populations whose spontaneous activity is ignited by tailored background noise. We provide a full set of flexible and low-power consuming silicon blocks including neurons, excitatory and inhibitory synapses, and both white and pink noise generators for spontaneous firing activation. We achieve a comparable degree of correlation of the firing activity of the biological neurons by controlling the kind and the number of connection among the silicon neurons. The correlation between groups of neurons, organized as a ring of four distinct populations connected by the equivalent of interneurons, is triggered more effectively by adding multiple synapses to the connections than increasing the number of independent point-to-point connections. The comparison between the biological and the artificial systems suggests that a considerable number of synapses is active also in biological populations adhering to engineered scaffolds.
00146 Roma , Italy Incremental Keyword Search in Relational Databases

Keyword-based search is becoming the standard way to access any kind of information and it is considered today an important add-on of relational database management systems. The approaches to keyword search over relational data usually rely on a two-step strategy in which, first, tree-shaped answers are built by connecting tuples matching the given keywords and, then, potential answers are ranked according to some relevance criteria. In this paper, we illustrate a novel technique to this problem that aims, rather, at generating directly the best answers. This is done progressively by combining the shortest join paths that involve the tuples relevant to the query. We show that, in this way, answers are retrieved in order of relevance and can be then returned as soon as they are built. The approach does not require the materialization of ad-hoc data structures and avoids the execution of unnecessary queries. A comprehensive evaluation demonstrates that our solution strongly reduces the complexity of the process and guarantees an high level of accuracy.
A study on the relationship among learning path, learning style, and e-learning performance

As the applications of information technologies gain more and more popularity; e-learning has been an important tool in education. Besides traditional instructions, e-learning needs appropriate guidance and support to enhance learners' learning effectiveness. This study aims to investigate the impact of e-learners' learning paths, and their learning styles on their leaning performance. The major findings can be listed as follows: (1) path-controlled learning method performs significantly better than random one; (2) sequential and iterative learning paths perform significantly better than free one. Consequently, it's very helpful for the e-learning Web site designers to provide useful guidance and support, as well as manipulate properly the learning path to enhance learners' learning performance consequently.
The Deep Archaeal Roots of Eukaryotes

The set of conserved eukaryotic protein-coding genes includes distinct subsets one of which appears to be most closely related to and, by inference, derived from archaea, whereas another one appears to be of bacterial, possibly, endosymbiotic origin. The “archaeal” genes of eukaryotes, primarily, encode components of information-processing systems, whereas the “bacterial” genes are predominantly operational. The precise nature of the archaeo–eukaryotic relationship remains uncertain, and it has been variously argued that eukaryotic informational genes evolved from the homologous genes of Euryarchaeota or Crenarchaeota (the major branches of extant archaea) or that the origin of eukaryotes lies outside the known diversity of archaea. We describe a comprehensive set of 355 eukaryotic genes of apparent archaeal origin identified through ortholog detection and phylogenetic analysis. Phylogenetic hypothesis testing using constrained trees, combined with a systematic search for shared derived characters in the form of homologous inserts in conserved proteins, indicate that, for the majority of these genes, the preferred tree topology is one with the eukaryotic branch placed outside the extant diversity of archaea although small subsets of genes show crenarchaeal and euryarchaeal affinities. Thus, the archaeal genes in eukaryotes appear to descend from a distinct, ancient, and otherwise uncharacterized archaeal lineage that acquired some euryarchaeal and crenarchaeal genes via early horizontal gene transfer.
BHK cell attachment and growth on EDA-plasma-modified poly(L-lactide/ε-caprolactone) biodegradable films

In this study, attachment and growth of Baby Hamster Kidney (BHK) cells on ethylene diamine (EDA)-plasma-treated poly(L-lactide/ε-caprolactone) biodegradable copolymer films were investigated. The co-polymer (Mw: 58 000; Mn: 35 000 and PI 1.60) was synthesised by ring-opening polymerization of the respective dimers with using stannous octoate as the catalyst. The final ratio of L-lactide to ε-caprolactone obtained by 1H-NMR was 87 :13. The co-polymer films were treated with the EDA-plasma in a glow-discharge apparatus. The BHK-30 cell line was cultured on plain and EDA-plasma-treated films and their pre-wetted forms (with ethanol and/or cell culture medium before use). Cell attachment and growth were followed. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and glucose uptake in cell culture medium were also investigated. There was no attachment in the first 12 h. Glow-discharge treatment increased significantly the attachment and growth. Pre-wetting with ethanol and cell culture medium was also increase significantly both the attachment and growth.
Production of Pyomelanin, a Second Type of Melanin, via the Tyrosine Degradation Pathway in Aspergillus fumigatus

ABSTRACT Aspergillus fumigatus is the most important airborne fungal pathogen of immunosuppressed humans. A. fumigatus is able to produce dihydroxynaphthalene melanin, which is predominantly present in the conidia. Its biosynthesis is an important virulence determinant. Here, we show that A. fumigatus is able to produce an alternative melanin, i.e., pyomelanin, by a different pathway, starting from l-tyrosine. Proteome analysis indicated that the l-tyrosine degradation enzymes are synthesized when the fungus is grown with l-tyrosine in the medium. To investigate the pathway in detail, we deleted the genes encoding essential enzymes for pigment production, homogentisate dioxygenase (hmgA) and 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (hppD). Comparative Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of synthetic pyomelanin and pigment extracted from A. fumigatus cultures confirmed the identity of the observed pigment as pyomelanin. In the hmgA deletion strain, HmgA activity was abolished and the accumulation of homogentisic acid provoked an increased pigment formation. In contrast, homogentisic acid and pyomelanin were not observed with an hppD deletion mutant. Germlings of the hppD deletion mutant showed an increased sensitivity to reactive oxygen intermediates. The transcription of both studied genes was induced by l-tyrosine. These results confirmed the function of the deleted genes and the predicted pathway in A. fumigatus. Homogentisic acid is the major intermediate, and the l-tyrosine degradation pathway leading to pyomelanin is similar to that in humans leading to alkaptomelanin.
Molecular analysis of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli isolates in Japan and its application to epidemiological investigation

Abstract Many outbreaks of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157 infections occurred in Japan in 1996. Molecular epidemiological analyses of the isolates by methods such as XbaI‐digested, pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), revealed that a variety of PFGE type strains have spread all over Japan. They also showed that such molecular methods are very useful for confirming the epidemiologically related isolates and in assisting the epidemiological investigation. Recent characteristic features of the infection are that the incidence of patients experiencing symptoms such as abdominal cramps, diarrhea and hemorrhagic colitis is higher in children younger than 9 years old; however, that of asymptomatic carriers seems to be higher in adults; and that EHEC O157:H7‐serotyped strains are still the main isolates, while the isolation frequency of other serotype strains, such as O26 and O111, is increasing.
Newspaper stories as measures of structural stigma.

OBJECTIVES Structural stigma and discrimination occur when an institution like a newspaper, rather than an individual, promulgates stigmatizing messages about mental illness. This study examined current trends in the news media on reporting topics of mental illness. METHODS All relevant stories (N=3,353) in large U.S. newspapers were identified and coded during six weeklong periods in 2002. Stories were coded by themes that fit into four categories: dangerousness, blame, treatment and recovery, and advocacy action (that is, calls for public policy and action that increase the quality of care or opportunities for those with mental illness). RESULTS Thirty-nine percent of all stories focused on dangerousness and violence; these stories most often ended up in the front section. Few stories promulgated the idea that either the person or the family was responsible for mental illness (2 percent). Instead, stories about genetic or biological or environmental causation (for example, stress and trauma) were more common (15 percent). There were equal numbers of stories about biological and psychosocial treatments (13 and 14 percent, respectively). Four percent of all treatment-related stories addressed recovery. Twenty percent of stories contained themes that fell into the broad category of advocacy action. These stories addressed the shortage of resources in the public mental health arena, the need for better care, the absence of good-quality housing, and the goal of insurance parity. CONCLUSIONS Data on how mental illness is represented in newspapers yield a useful perspective on structural stigma and the policies and standards that are applied by the news media. These findings have implications for influencing the press.
Effect of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate on regulation of gene expression of proteolytic enzymes and their inhibitors in interleukin-1-challenged bovine articular cartilage explants.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of glucosamine (GLN) and chondroitin sulfate (CS), at concentrations attainable in vivo, on expression of genes encoding proteolytic enzymes, enzyme inhibitors, and macromolecules of articular cartilage in interleukin-1(IL-1)-challenged bovine cartilage explants. SAMPLE POPULATION Articular cartilage explants harvested from 9 steers. PROCEDURES Cartilage explants were exposed to media containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) only, IL-1 (50 ng/mL), IL-1 with GLN (5 microg/mL), IL-1 with CS (20 microg/mL), or IL-1 with GLN and CS for 24 and 48 hours. Cartilage was frozen, and RNA was extracted. Gene expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-2, -3, -9, -13, and -14; aggrecanases (Aggs)-1 and -2; tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs)-1, -2, and -3; and type II collagen and aggrecan were assessed with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Upregulated MMP-3, MMP-13, and Agg-1 transcripts at 24 hours were repressed by the GLN and CS combination by at least approximately 6-fold. Glucosamine was effective in suppressing IL-1-induced mRNA expression of MMP-13, Agg-1, and Agg-2, whereas CS was effective in decreasing IL-1-induced MMP-13 transcript at 24 hours. At 48 hours, GLN and CS added separately and in combination significantly abrogated Agg-1 and Agg-2 gene induction. The combination also decreased IL-1-stimulated MMP-13 transcript. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE GLN and CS, at concentrations that are within the range measured in synovial fluid and blood after oral administration, may regulate expression of matrix degrading enzymes and their inhibitors at the transcriptional level, providing a plausible mechanism for their purported chondroprotective properties.
LEARNING OF RESOURCE ALLOCATION STRATEGIES FOR GAME PLAYING

Human chess players exhibit a large variation in the amount of time they allocate for each move. Yet, the problem of devising resource allocation strategies for game playing has not received enough attention. In this paper we present a framework for studying resource allocation strategies. We define allocation strategy and identify three major types of strategies: static, semi‐dynamic, and dynamic. We then describe a method for learning semi‐dynamic strategies from self‐generated examples. We present an algorithm for assigning classes to the examples based on the utility of investing extra resources. The method was implemented in the domain of checkers, and experimental results show that it is able to learn strategies that improve game‐playing performance.
Estimation of the statistical distributions of lightning current parameters at ground level from the data recorded by instrumented towers

This paper describes a procedure based on the Monte Carlo method to obtain the statistical distributions of lightning current parameters at ground level starting from those inferred from experimental data recorded by means of tall instrumented towers. As a matter of fact, it is generally accepted that these distributions are affected by the presence of the tower; lightning current amplitudes, in particular, are "biased" toward higher values, as the tower ability to attract lightning flashes tends to increase for flashes with larger currents. Concerning the current peak distribution, the obtained results match with those presented in previous studies on the subject; for instance, for the Berger et al. distribution, they provide a median value decrease ranging from 20%-40%, depending on the attractive radius expression adopted in the calculation. The proposed procedure is more general than others presented in the literature for the same purpose. It can be applied, indeed, to whatever model is adopted to represent the exposure of the tower to direct strokes and, further, it allows to quantify the tower effect on the statistical distributions of all lightning current parameters of interest, and not only of the peak value one. The statistical distributions at ground, calculated with the proposed procedure, should be considered for power system insulation coordination studies, chiefly for a more representative and significant evaluation of the indirect lightning performance of distribution lines. The obtained results can also be used to assess the performance of lightning location systems concerning the relevant current statistical distributions.
Tachykinin receptors and intestinal motility.

Substance P (SP) and neurokinin A (NKA) are synthesized by enteric cholinergic motorneurons that project to the longitudinal and circular muscle of the mammalian intestine. Thus, acetylcholine, SP, and NKA are the excitatory neuromuscular transmitters in the intestine. Tachykinin NK1 and NK2 receptors are expressed by smooth muscle cells in most regions of the intestine: the corelease of SP and NKA from nerves thus realizes paradigms of tachykininergic cotransmission. Examples have been found in which a cooperative model can be applied to account for the action of SP-NKA acting at NK1 and NK2 receptors (e.g., circular muscle of guinea-pig duodenum), as well as examples in which the message produced by activation of the two receptors diverges sharply in producing responses that have a markedly different time course and use different effector systems (e.g., circular muscle of guinea-pig colon). NK3 receptors are expressed on both excitatory and inhibitory motor neurons: indirect contractions (via release of acetylcholine and tachykinins) and relaxations (via release of nitric oxide) can be evoked in the gut by selective stimulation of NK3 receptors. Although a role of NK3 receptors in certain enteric reflexes has been evidenced, the importance of this system in mediating hexamethonium-resistant enteric transmission appears less important than previously speculated.
Extraction and Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of Isolated Buildings in Urban Scenes From High-Resolution Optical and SAR Spaceborne Images

In this paper, we propose a new complete semi-automatic processing chain able to provide, from a couple of high-resolution optical and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images, a simple 3-D reconstruction of buildings in urban scenes. A sequence of processing, exploring the complementarities of both optical and SAR data, is developed for building reconstruction. The chain is decomposed into the main following steps: First, potential building footprints are extracted from the monoscopic optical image through global detection followed by a boundary refinement. Then, the optical footprints are projected and registered into SAR data to get a fine superposition between optical and SAR homologous ground features. Finally, the last step, based on the optimization of two SAR criteria, is performed to deal with building validation and height retrieval. Each of these steps is methodologically described and applied on scenes of interest on Quickbird and TerraSAR-X images. A qualification of each reconstructed building by a score of confidence is then proposed. Good results of building detection are obtained, and relevant height estimations are retrieved.
Understanding the Tip–Sample Contact

© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. The field of contact mechanics was pioneered in 1880 by Heinrich Hertz who examined the problem of elastic deformation for two spheres being pressed into contact. As it forms the basis of many other contact situations including nanoscale contacts, the Hertz model is treated in this chapter in some detail. The Hertz model neglects any adhesion and friction forces between the two bodies in contact-a significant assumption given that these forces are always present to some degree and become more significant at smaller length scales. The chapter also discusses contact models to be used when adhesion cannot be neglected. It discusses how to address problems where one (or more) assumption in this model is explicitly violated, as well as special considerations that become relevant for nanoscale contacts. Many samples of interest for atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies are thin films.
Constructing TiO2/Gr with Rapid Electrons Transfer for Efficiency Photocatalysis

TiO2/Gr powders were fabricated by hydrothermal method. Their micro-structure was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results revealed TiO2 particles anchored on the Gr sheets. DRS analysis indicated there was an obvious red shift of the absorption edge of TiO2/Gr compared to that of TiO2. The experiment of photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) showed that the degradation rate with TiO2/Gr was 2.40 times as much as that with TiO2. The enhanced photocatalytic performance was firstly attribSubscript textuted to the rapid transfer of the photogenerated electrons from TiO2 to Gr, which could increase the charge carrier separation, limit their recombination, and enhance the photocatalytic efficiency. Furthermore, the extended light absorption range may also contribute to the enhanced photocatalytic performance.
Combining Inclusion Polymorphism and Parametric Polymorphism

We show that the question whether a term is typable is decidable for type systems combining inclusion polymorphism with parametric polymorphism provided the type constructors are at most unary. To prove this result we first reduce the typability problem to the problem of solving a system of type inequations. The result is then obtained by showing that the solvability of the resulting system of type inequations is decidable.
Efficiency of different xylanase preparations in diets for pekin ducks

Four experiments were conducted with a total of 2288 pekin ducks. Day‐old ducklings were group‐penned on straw bedding and were fed complete, pelleted diets ad libitum for up to 49 days depending on experiment. In each experiment, starter diets (until day 21) and grower diets (from day 22) were used adequate in ME content and nutrient content. The sum of wheat, rye, and triticale amounted to at least 57% (starter diet) and 63% (grower diet), respectively. The inclusion level of wheat, rye, and triticale was different between experiments, with a maximum rye inclusion of 45%. Five different enzyme preparations all having 1,4‐beta‐xylanase as the main activity were considered in this study with either one (2 preparations) or three (3 preparations) levels of supplementation. The effect of enzyme supplementation on ileal digesta viscosity was studied at the end of two experiments comprising 4 enzyme preparations. A significant reduction in digesta viscosity was determined for all preparations. The viscosity of digesta was higher in birds that were fed 45% rye in their diet as compared to those fed a diet based on triticale and wheat, even with enzyme supplementation. Differences in digesta viscosity were not reflected in growth or feed conversion data. In one experiment, the body weight of ducks on day 21 was significantly improved by enzyme supplementation. This effect disappeared with progress in experiment. In another experiment, feed intake was significantly improved with enzyme supplementation. Apart from this, no statistically significant improvement in performance could be detected. On overall average, the final BW of ducks fed an enzyme was (as compared to the unsupplemented control = 100), 100, and the feed conversion ratio was 101. There is no indication from the growth and feed conversion data that an enzyme effect becomes more pronounced with increasing inclusion rate of soluble NSP by rye. It is concluded that supplementary xylanases are efficient in reducing digesta viscosity in ducks fed diets with high inclusion of wheat, rye and triticale. No consistent effect of enzyme supplementation, however, can be expected on growth and feed conversion.