Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evolutionary Dynamics of Collective Behavior Selection and Drift: Flocking, Collapse, and Oscillation

Behavioral choice is ubiquitous across a wide range of interactive decision-making processes and a myriad of scientific disciplines. With regard to this issue, one entitative problem is actually to understand how collective social behaviors form and evolve among populations when they face a variety of conflict alternatives. In this paper, a selection–drift dynamic model is formulated to characterize the behavior imitation and exploration processes in social populations. Based on the proposed framework, several typical behavior evolution patterns, including behavioral flocking, collapse, and oscillation, are reproduced with different kinds of behavior networks. Interestingly, for the selection–drift dynamics on homogeneous symmetric behavior networks, we unveil the phase transition from behavioral flocking to collapse and derive the bifurcation diagram of the evolutionary stable behaviors in social behavior evolution. While via analyzing the survival conditions of the best behavior on heterogeneous symmetric behavior networks, we propose a selection–drift mechanism to guarantee consensus at the optimal behavior. Moreover, when the selection–drift dynamics on asymmetric behavior networks is simulated, it is shown that breaking the symmetry in behavior networks can induce various behavioral oscillations. These obtained results may shed new insights into understanding, detecting, and further controlling how social norm and cultural trends evolve.
Burst‐firing sharpens frequency‐tuning in primary auditory cortex

Frequency-Tuning in 46 high-firing single units from primary auditory cortex of ketamine-anaesthetized cats was studied separately for isolated-spike firing and burst spike firing. The tuning curve for burst firing was significantly narrower than for the overall firing rate condition and, consequently, much narrower than for the isolated spikes. The burst firing was found in excess of that predicted from a modulated Poisson process, so the results cannot be explained on basis of a change in firing rate criterion. We propose that burst firing in auditory cortex may selectively enhance frequency tuning dynamically controlled by the behavioural state of the animal as well as its stimulus history. Thus burst firing may have functional implications for cortical processing.
Biotic interactions and trait-based ecosystem functioning in soil

Recent emphasis on ecosystem services as a framework to evaluate ecosystems and to promote their sustainable use has drawn attention to how organisms contribute to the delivery of services. Soil attributes and biotic interactions play important roles in ecological processes (e.g. soil formation, nutrient turnover, carbon sequestration and transformation) and, consequently, in the related delivery of ecosystem services. Therefore, understanding how soil organisms interact and how they respond to environmental conditions is fundamental to preserve soil functioning and provide a meaningful assessment of ecosystem services. Functional traits determine individual responses to pressures and their effects on ecosystem functioning hence, investigating soil ecosystems from a trait-based perspective offers an interesting opportunity to link the functional responses of the organisms to environmental pressures and to give insight into how the entire community influences ecological processes. The main objective of this thesis is to develop and to test concepts for a trait-driven quantification of ecosystem services through the assessment of the effects of land management on soil processes. In particular, it focuses on exploring the potential of a trait-based approach in identifying and better understanding the response of the soil biota to environmental pressures and analyses the responses of soil organisms in terms of changes in functional trait distribution and trophic interactions. This work shows that approaches taking the whole soil community into consideration are more suitable to give insight into the effect of anthropogenic pressure on ecosystem functioning than approaches based on single taxonomic groups. Moreover, performing combined analysis (e.g. analysing body-mass distribution and trophic grouping) helps to better identify community response to environmental pressure. A clear methodology for the next step, i.e. quantification of ecosystem services, is still lacking due to the current difficulties to link and quantify the effect of anthropogenic pressure to ecosystem functioning in soil. For this reason, it is essential that methods analysed in this thesis will be further explored under different environmental pressures to enable the development of tools to be used at the interface of science and society for sustainable development.
Optimal Storage Allocation for Wireless Cloud Caching Systems With a Limited Sum Storage Capacity

In wireless cloud storage systems, the recovery failure probability depends on not only wireless channel conditions but also storage size of each distributed storage node. For an efficient utilization of limited storage capacity and the performance characterization of allocation strategies, we asymptotically analyze the recovery failure probability of a wireless cloud storage system with a sum storage capacity constraint for both high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) regime and low SNR regime. Then, we find the optimal storage allocation strategy across distributed storage nodes in terms of the asymptotic recovery failure probability. Our analysis reveals that the maximal symmetric allocation is optimal for high SNR regime and the minimal allocation (with ⌊T⌋ complete storage nodes and an incomplete storage node) is optimal for low SNR regime, where T is the sum storage capacity. Based on the numerical investigation, we also show that in intermediate SNR regime, a balance allocation between the minimal allocation and the maximal symmetric allocation would not be required if we select one between them according to SNR.
Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Deficient Mice Are Protected from Lipopolysaccharide Induced Acute Lung Injury

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria induces acute lung injury (ALI) in mice. This injury is associated with lung edema, inflammation, diffuse alveolar damage, and severe respiratory insufficiency. We have previously reported that LPS-mediated nitric oxide synthase (NOS) uncoupling, through increases in asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), plays an important role in the development of ALI through the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Therefore, the focus of this study was to determine whether mice deficient in endothelial NOS (eNOS-/-) are protected against ALI. In both wild-type and eNOS-/- mice, ALI was induced by the intratracheal instillation of LPS (2 mg/kg). After 24 hours, we found that eNOS-/-mice were protected against the LPS mediated increase in inflammatory cell infiltration, inflammatory cytokine production, and lung injury. In addition, LPS exposed eNOS-/- mice had increased oxygen saturation and improved lung mechanics. The protection in eNOS-/- mice was associated with an attenuated production of NO, NOS derived superoxide, and peroxynitrite. Furthermore, we found that eNOS-/- mice had less RhoA activation that correlated with a reduction in RhoA nitration at Tyr34. Finally, we found that the reduction in NOS uncoupling in eNOS-/- mice was due to a preservation of dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) activity that prevented the LPS-mediated increase in ADMA. Together our data suggest that eNOS derived reactive species play an important role in the development of LPS-mediated lung injury.
A low-complexity adaptive channel estimation scheme for MB-OFDM system

In this paper, we proposed an adaptive channel estimation scheme with low implementation complexity suitable for small portable MB-OFDM UWB devices. Through the introduction of a simple adaptive filter in the frequency domain, the mean squared error (MSE) of the channel estimates and system performance improves substantially. Moreover, the proposed scheme can adapt to the different operating channel environments considered in indoor wireless personal area networks (WPANs) and provide a robust performance.
Open government 2.0: citizen empowerment through open data, web and mobile apps

Although the open government concept is not new, current trends in open government imply a change in focus from the traditional principle of accountability to a concept of citizen empowerment, collaboration and information sharing. In this paper, we explore the use of open data and mobile apps in the top countries according to the UN 2010 e-Government Survey. Our exploration suggests that, although not all countries yet offer mobile apps to their citizens, there is a great diversity of apps to create citizen value. Moreover, private companies and citizens are getting involved in the creation of such apps. More research is needed to understand ways to promote the development of this kind of government applications.
An X-Band Microwave Life-Detection System

An X-band microwave life-detection system has been developed for detecting the heartbeat and breathing of human subjects lying on the ground at a distance of about 30 m or located behind a cinder block wall. The basic principle of the system is to illuminate the subject with a low-intensity microwave beam, and then from the back-scattered microwave signal, extract the heart and breathing signals that modulate it. The circuit description of the system and some experimental results are presented. Potential applications of the system are noted.
Age‐Related Changes in β‐Adrenergic Neuroeffector Systems in the Human Heart

BackgroundAging decreases cardiac β–adrenergic responsiveness in model systems and in humans in vivo. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the age-related changes in the β-receptor-G protein-adenylyl cyclase complex in nonfailing human hearts. Methods and ResultsTwenty-six nonfailing explanted human hearts aged 1 to 71 years were obtained from organ donors and subjected to pharmacological investigation of β-adrenergic neuroeffector systems. When the population was subdivided into the 13 youngest and 13 oldest subjects, total β-receptor density assessed by maximum [125I]ICYP binding (βmax) was reduced in older hearts by 37% in left ventricles and 31 % in right ventricles (both P<.05), and the downregulation was confined to the β1 subtype (r= −.78 left ventricle β1 density versus donor age). Older donor hearts exhibited a 3- to 4-fold rightward shift of ICYP-isoproterenol (ISO) competition curves and demonstrated 43% fewer receptors in a high-affinity agonist binding state (P<.05). Older hearts exhibited decreased adenylyl cyclase stimulation by ISO, by zinterol (β2-agonist), and by the G protein–sensitive probes forskolin, Gpp(NH)p, and NaF. In contrast, there was no change in response to manganese, a specific activator of the adenylyl cyclase catalytic subunit. Toxin-catalyzed ADP ribosylation in membranes prepared from older versus younger hearts revealed a 29% to 30% reduction (P<.05) with cholera toxin (Gβs) but no difference with pertussis toxin (Gβi). The systolic contractile response of isolated right ventricular trabeculae to ISO was decreased by 46%, with a 10-fold increase in ISO EC50 in older relative to younger donor hearts. ConclusionsThere is a profound decrease in cardiac β-adrenergic responsiveness with aging. This occurs by multiple mechanisms including downregulation and decreased agonist binding of β1-receptors, uncoupling of β2-receptors, and abnormal G protein-mediated signal transduction.
Gröbner bases of ideals given by dual bases

INTRODUCTION In 1982, Buchberger and Moller proposed an algorithm which, given a finite number of rational points in the affme ndimensional space, computes a Grobner basis for the ideal I of the polynomials vanishing at the points. In 1988, Faugere, Giarmi, Lazard and Mora supplied an algorithm, which given the reduced Grobner basis w.r. t. some term-ordering <1 of a O-dim. ideal I, returns its reduced Grdbner basis w.r. t. some other term-ordering <2. Both algorithms (and more recent variants of the FGLM algorithm) share the same structure: an explicit K-vector space morphism v : KIX1,. , Xn] + Ks is given with kernel the ideal I; therefore it is possible to compute linear dependence relations mod. I among terms in KIX1,. ,Xn], leading to the
Slow Lessons Learned from Endoscopic Treatment of GERD

Endoscopic treatments of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease have proliferated over the last 3 yr. At last count, I believe there are 10 devices being tested in some form in humans. Why the interest? Obviously, it is the estimated $4 billion to $6 billion business in antireflux medications that the instrument companies and their venture capitalists want to exploit. Unfortunately, these devices do not require the rigors of safety and efficacy demanded by the FDA for approval of new drugs. Rather, the FDA rarely requires these same studies for devices unless they are classified as high risk (Class III). However, medium-risk devices (Class II) such as most endoscopic devices are approved for marketing after the manufacturers have shown that the device is "substantially equivalent" to an existing marketed device as demonstrated by product-specific performance requirements or "special controls. " Only 8% of Class II products require clinical trials (1). Thus, the public, often at personal expense, becomes the testing ground for the safety and efficacy of these new devices. Furthermore, the zeal to get a product to market may circumvent scientific integrity and the need to understand the physiologic mechanisms by which these techniques relieve symptoms and reduce drug usage.
Microtubule‐Dissociating Drugs and A23187 Reveal Differences in the Inhibition of Synaptosomal Transmitter Release by Botulinum Neurotoxins Types A and B

Abstract: The inhibitory effects of botulinum neurotoxins types A and B on Ca2+‐dependent evoked release of [3H]noradrenaline from rat cerebrocortical synaptosomes were compared and their molecular basis investigated. A23187, a Ca2+ ionophore, proved more efficacious in reversing the blockade produced by type A than that by B, whereas the actions of neither were changed by increasing intraterminal cyclic GMP levels using 8‐bromo‐cyclic GMP or nitroprusside. Disruption of the actin‐based cytoskeleton with cytochalasin D did not alter the inhibition seen subsequently with either toxin. However, prior disassembly of microtubules with colchicine, nocodazole, or griseofulvin reduced the potency of type B toxin, but not that of type A toxin; stabilization of the microtubules with taxol counteracted this effect of colchicine. Because colchicine treatment of synaptosomes did not interfere with the measurable binding of type B toxin or its apparent uptake, it appears to act intracellularly. Collectively, these data suggest that botulinum neurotoxins types A and B inactivate transmitter release by interaction at different sites in the process. Based on the consistent results observed with four different drugs known to affect selectively microtubules, their involvement in the action of the type B neurotoxin is proposed.
Distribution and fluctuations in the fish fauna of the Charlotte Harbor Estuary, Florida.

1 vol., various paging, (pdf is 106 p.) Includes maps and tables. Bibliography p.54-56. Appendix A, Checklist of fishes collected in Charlotte Harbor and adjacent waters. Appendix B, Length-frequency distribution tables for the fishes collected from Charlotte Harbor and adjacent waters, June 1968-May 1969.
A Parameterized Centrality Metric for Network Analysis

A variety of metrics have been proposed to measure the relative importance of nodes in a network. One of these, alpha-centrality [P. Bonacich, Am. J. Sociol. 92, 1170 (1987)], measures the number of attenuated paths that exist between nodes. We introduce a normalized version of this metric and use it to study network structure, for example, to rank nodes and find community structure of the network. Specifically, we extend the modularity-maximization method for community detection to use this metric as the measure of node connectivity. Normalized alpha-centrality is a powerful tool for network analysis, since it contains a tunable parameter that sets the length scale of interactions. Studying how rankings and discovered communities change when this parameter is varied allows us to identify locally and globally important nodes and structures. We apply the proposed metric to several benchmark networks and show that it leads to better insights into network structure than alternative metrics.
Screening for Somatization and Depression in Saudi Arabia: A Validation Study of the Phq in Primary Care

Objectives: Somatization, the tendency to seek treatment for medically unexplained physical symptoms, is an important issue in primary care practice. This study examines the somatoform, depression, and anxiety modules of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ), a screening instrument for the identification of somatoform and other mental disorders. We also utilized the PHQ to measure the prevalence of somatization and co-morbid depression in Saudi Arabian primary care patients. Methods: This is a cross sectional study of 431 male and female Saudi Arabian primary care patients with a two stage design for purposes of validation of the somatoform, depression and anxiety modules of the PHQ. The self administered Patient Health Questionnaire was given to 431 primary care patients and, of this group, the first, consecutive 173 patients (40 percent) were interviewed by mental health professionals using the Structured Clinical Interview (SCID-R) as the criterion standard for validation of the PHQ in the Saudi population. The PHQ was then used to measure the prevalence of somatization and depression in the remaining 258 patients. Results: The somatoform and depression modules of the PHQ were found to be valid in a Saudi population using the criterion standard of SCID based psychiatric interviews. Agreement between the PHQ and psychiatric interviews was (κ = .65) for both somatoform disorders and depression but the anxiety module was weak in terms of sensitivity (.37) and agreement with the criterion standard (k = .37). Clinically significant rates of somatization (19.3 percent) and depression (20 percent) were identified in this population. Conclusions: The prevalence of somatization and co-morbid depression in a primary care population in Saudi Arabia is similar to published rates in the U.S. and worldwide. It is possible to screen primary care patients for mental disorders in international settings and the PHQ is a valid instrument for that purpose.
Distributed Algorithms for Planar Networks II: Low-Congestion Shortcuts, MST, and Min-Cut

This paper introduces the concept of low-congestion shortcuts for (near-)planar networks, and demonstrates their power by using them to obtain near-optimal distributed algorithms for problems such as Minimum Spanning Tree (MST) or Minimum Cut, in planar networks. Consider a graph G = (V, E) and a partitioning of V into subsets of nodes S1, . , SN, each inducing a connected subgraph G[Si]. We define an α-congestion shortcut with dilation β to be a set of subgraphs H1, . , HN ⊆ G, one for each subset Si, such that 1. For each i ∈ [1, N], the diameter of the subgraph G[Si] + Hi is at most β. 2. For each edge e ∈ E, the number of subgraphs G[Si] + Hi containing e is at most α. We prove that any partition of a D-diameter planar graph into individually-connected parts admits an O(D log D)-congestion shortcut with dilation O(D log D), and we also present a distributed construction of it in O(D) rounds. We moreover prove these parameters to be near-optimal; i.e., there are instances in which, unavoidably, max{α, β} = Ω(D[EQUATION]). Finally, we use low-congestion shortcuts, and their efficient distributed construction, to derive O(D)-round distributed algorithms for MST and Min-Cut, in planar networks. This complexity nearly matches the trivial lower bound of Ω(D). We remark that this is the first result bypassing the well-known Ω(D + [EQUATION]) existential lower bound of general graphs (see Peleg and Rubinovich [FOCS'99]; Elkin [STOC'04]; and Das Sarma et al. [STOC'11]) in a family of graphs of interest.
The EFFECT trial: evaluating exacerbations, biomarkers, and safety outcomes with two dose levels of fluticasone propionate/formoterol in COPD

Inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting β2-agonist combination therapy is recommended in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients at high risk of exacerbations. The EFFECT (Efficacy of Fluticasone propionate/FormotErol in COPD Treatment) trial is a Phase III, 52-week, randomized, double-blind study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two doses of fluticasone propionate/formoterol compared to formoterol monotherapy in COPD patients with FEV1 ≥50% predicted and a history of exacerbations. The primary endpoint is the annualized rate of moderate and severe exacerbations. Secondary endpoints include pre-dose FEV1, EXACT-PRO (EXAcerbations of Chronic pulmonary disease Tool – Patient-Reported Outcome)-defined exacerbations, St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire for COPD, COPD Assessment Test, and EXACT-Respiratory Symptoms total score. Lung-specific biomarkers (surfactant protein D and CC chemokine ligand-18) will be measured in a subset of patients to explore their relationship to other clinical indices in COPD and their predictive utility. Pneumonia will be diagnosed per criteria defined by the British Thoracic Society community acquired pneumonia guideline, primarily by radiological confirmation and, additionally, using clinical criteria when a chest radiograph cannot be obtained. Serial measurements of serum potassium, vital signs and electrocardiograms, 24-hour Holter monitoring, and 24-hour urinary cortisol measurement will be performed in a subset of patients in addition to conventional safety assessments.
Modeling Signal Transduction Leading to Synaptic Plasticity: Evaluation and Comparison of Five Models

An essential phenomenon of the functional brain is synaptic plasticity which is associated with changes in the strength of synapses between neurons. These changes are affected by both extracellular and intracellular mechanisms. For example, intracellular phosphorylation-dephosphorylation cycles have been shown to possess a special role in synaptic plasticity. We, here, provide the first computational comparison of models for synaptic plasticity by evaluating five models describing postsynaptic signal transduction networks. Our simulation results show that some of the models change their behavior completely due to varying total concentrations of protein kinase and phosphatase. Furthermore, the responses of the models vary when models are compared to each other. Based on our study, we conclude that there is a need for a general setup to objectively compare the models and an urgent demand for the minimum criteria that a computational model for synaptic plasticity needs to meet.
Spectrum based feature extraction using spectrum intensity ratio for SSVEP detection

Recent years, a Steady-State Visual Evoked Potential (SSVEP) is used as a basis for Brain Computer Interface (BCI)[1]. Various feature extraction and classification techniques are proposed to achieve BCI based on SSVEP. The feature extraction of SSVEP is developed in the frequency domain regardless of the limitation in flickering frequency of visual stimulus caused by hardware architecture. We introduce here the feature extraction using a spectrum intensity ratio. Results show that the detection ratio reaches 84% by using a spectrum intensity ratio with unsupervised classification. It also indicates the SSVEP is enhanced by proposed feature extraction with second harmonic.