Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mapping and Validating a Point Neuron Model on Intel's Neuromorphic Hardware Loihi

Neuromorphic hardware is based on emulating the natural biological structure of the brain. Since its computational model is similar to standard neural models, it could serve as a computational accelerator for research projects in the field of neuroscience and artificial intelligence, including biomedical applications. However, in order to exploit this new generation of computer chips, we ought to perform rigorous simulation and consequent validation of neuromorphic models against their conventional implementations. In this work, we lay out the numeric groundwork to enable a comparison between neuromorphic and conventional platforms. “Loihi”—Intel's fifth generation neuromorphic chip, which is based on the idea of Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs) emulating the activity of neurons in the brain, serves as our neuromorphic platform. The work here focuses on Leaky Integrate and Fire (LIF) models based on neurons in the mouse primary visual cortex and matched to a rich data set of anatomical, physiological and behavioral constraints. Simulations on classical hardware serve as the validation platform for the neuromorphic implementation. We find that Loihi replicates classical simulations very efficiently with high precision. As a by-product, we also investigate Loihi's potential in terms of scalability and performance and find that it scales notably well in terms of run-time performance as the simulated networks become larger.
Frisbee: automated testing of Cloud-native applications in Kubernetes

As more and more companies are migrating (or planning to migrate) from on-premise to Cloud, their focus is to find anomalies and deficits as early as possible in the development life cycle. We propose Frisbee, a declarative language and associated runtime components for testing cloud-native applications on top of Kubernetes. Given a template describing the system under test and a workflow describing the experiment, Frisbee automatically interfaces with Kubernetes to deploy the necessary software in containers, launch needed sidecars, execute the workflow steps, and perform automated checks for deviation from expected behavior. We evaluate Frisbee through a series of tests, to demonstrate its role in designing, and evaluating cloud-native applications; Frisbee helps in testing uncertainties at the level of application (e.g., dynamically changing request patterns), infrastructure (e.g., crashes, network partitions), and deployment (e.g., saturation points). Our findings have strong implications for the design, deployment, and evaluation of cloud applications. The most prominent is that: erroneous benchmark outputs can cause an apparent performance improvement, automated failover mechanisms may require interoperability with clients, and that a proper placement policy should also account for the clock frequency, not only the number of cores.
ALMA Observations of W Hya: Impact of missing baselines

The lack of short baselines, referred to as short-spacing problem (SSP), is a well-known limitation of the performance of radio interferometers, causing a reduction of the detected flux from large scale source structures. The very large number of antennas operated in the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) generates situations for which the impact of the SSP takes a complex form, not simply measurable by a single number, such as the maximal recoverable scale. In particular extended antenna configurations, complemented by a small group of closeby antennas at the centre of the array, may result in a double-humped baseline distribution with a significant gap between the two groups. In such cases one should adopt as effective maximal recoverable scale that associated with the extended array and use only the central array to recover missing flux, as one would do with single dish or ACA (Atacama Compact Array) observations. The impact of the missing baselines can be very important and may easily be underestimated, or even overlooked. The present study uses ALMA archival data of the SiO(8-7) line emission of AGB star W Hya as an illustration. A critical discussion of the reliability of the observations away from the star is presented together with comments of a broader scope. Properties of the circumstellar envelope of W Hya within ∼15 au from the star, many of which are not mentioned in the published literature, are briefly described and compared with R Dor, an AGB star having properties very similar to W Hya.
Query Evaluation in DatalogMTL - Taming Infinite Query Results

In this paper, we investigate finite representations of DatalogMTL models. First, we discuss sufficient conditions for detecting programs that have finite models. Then, we study infinite models that eventually become constant and introduce sufficient criteria for programs that allow for such representation. We proceed by considering infinite models that are eventually periodic and show that such representation encompasses all DatalogMTL^FP programs, a widely discussed fragment. Finally, we provide a novel algorithm for reasoning over such finite representable programs.
Dynamic biomarker and imaging changes from a phase II study of pre‐ and post‐surgical sunitinib

To explore translational biological and imaging biomarkers for sunitinib treatment before and after debulking nephrectomy in the NeoSun (European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials Database [EudraCT] number: 2005‐004502‐82) single‐centre, single‐arm, single‐agent, Phase II trial.
Low-dose cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor celecoxib plays a protective role in the rat model of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis

ABSTRACT This study aims to investigate the effects of the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor celecoxib on neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in rats. After treatment with a low dose of celecoxib (0.5, 1, or 1.5 mg/kg), pathological changes in the ileum and the levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory factors in NEC rats were compared. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to detect inflammatory factors, terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated biotin-16-dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining was employed to assess apoptotic epithelial cells in the ileum, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting were used to quantify gene and protein expression, respectively. The incidences of NEC rats in the 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mg/kg celecoxib groups were lower than in the model group (100%). Celecoxib improved the histopathology of the ileum in NEC rats. Moreover, low doses of celecoxib relieved oxidative stress and inflammation in NEC rats, as evidenced by decreased tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), total oxidation state (TOS), malondialdehyde (MDA) and oxidative stress index (OSI), as well as increased interleukin-10 (IL-10), total antioxidant status (TAS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). With increasing celecoxib doses (0.5, 1, or 1.5 mg/kg), the amount of apoptotic epithelial cells in the ileum of NEC rats gradually declined and Caspase-3 expression was reduced. The low dose of the COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib ameliorated the histopathologic conditions of the ileum, alleviated oxidative stress and inflammation, and reduced apoptotic epithelial cells in NEC rats, thereby making it a potential therapy for NEC.
What are the key mechanisms that alter the morphology of stigmatic papillae in Arabidopsis thaliana?

ABSTRACT Pollination is one of the critical processes that determines crop yield and quality. Thus, it is an urgent need to elucidate the mechanisms underlying pollination. Our previous research has revealed a novel phenomenon that pollen attachment to stigma caused stigma shrinkage, whereas failure of pollen attachment to stigma due to the environmental stress induced elongation of stigmatic papillae. However, little is known about the mechanisms of these morphological alterations in stigmatic papillae. Since the RLK-ROPGEF-ROP network is a common mechanism for the elongation of pollen tubes and root hairs, this network may be also involved in the elongation of papillae in the stigma. In this review, we will discuss the known mechanisms regulating pollen tube growth and root hair elongation and attempt to propose an elongation mechanism of stigmatic papillae. In addition, we will suggest that the degradation of F-actin by a significant increase in Ca2+ induced by the components of pollen coat might be a putative molecular mechanism of stigmatic papillae shrinkage during pollen adhesion.
Total arch replacement in octogenarians

Abstract OBJECTIVES We investigated the effect of a preoperative age ≥80 years on postoperative outcomes in patients who underwent isolated elective total arch replacement using mild hypothermic lower body circulatory arrest with bilateral antegrade selective cerebral perfusion. METHODS A total of 140 patients who had undergone isolated elective total arch replacement between January 2007 and December 2020 were enrolled in the present study. We compared postoperative outcomes between 30 octogenarian patients (≥80 years old; Octogenarian group) and 110 non-octogenarian patients (≤79 years old; Non-Octogenarian group). RESULTS Overall 30-day mortality and hospital mortality were 0% in both groups, and there was no significant difference in overall survival between the 2 groups (log-rank test, P = 0.108). Univariable Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that age as continuous variable was only the predictor of mid-term all-cause death (hazard ratio 1.08, 95% confidence interval 1.01–1.16; P = 0.037), but not in the Octogenarians subgroup (P = 0.119). CONCLUSIONS Preoperative age ≥80 years is not associated with worse outcomes postoperatively after isolated elective total arch replacement with mild hypothermic lower body circulatory arrest and bilateral antegrade selective cerebral perfusion.
The effect of scene articulation on transparent layer constancy

In this article, we examine the influence of scene articulation on transparent layer constancy. We argue that the term articulation may be understood as an aspect of the more general concept naturalness of a stimulus that relates to the degree of enrichment compared with a minimal stimulus and to the extent to which a stimulus contains regularities that are typically found in natural scenes. We conducted two matching experiments, in which we used strongly reduced scenes and operationalized articulation by the number of background reflectances (numerosity). The results of the first experiment show that higher numerosity actually leads to an increase in transparent layer constancy when reflectances are randomly drawn from a fixed population. However, this advantage disappears if the spatial mean and the variation of the subset colors are controlled as in our second experiment. Furthermore, our results suggest that the mechanism underlying transparent layer constancy leads to a rather stable compromise between two matching criteria, namely, proximal identity and constant filter properties according to our perceptual model. For filters with an additive component, which appear more or less hazy, we observed improved recovered filter properties and correspondingly higher degrees of transparent layer constancy, suggesting an additional mechanism in this type of filter.
Pregnancy outcomes in patients with psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, or axial spondyloarthritis receiving ixekizumab

Abstract Background Psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) are chronic inflammatory diseases that often affect women of childbearing age. Detailed information about pregnancy and related outcomes across these indications in patients exposed to ixekizumab is lacking. Objectives To evaluate pregnancy outcomes after maternal or paternal exposure to ixekizumab in patients with psoriasis, PsA, or axSpA. Methods Pregnancy cases from clinical trials and post-marketing reports, associated with either maternal or paternal exposure to ixekizumab cumulatively through 22 March 2019, were identified in the Eli Lilly Global Safety Database and described separately. Results One hundred and ninety-three ixekizumab-exposed pregnancies were identified. Maternal exposure occurred in 51.3% of pregnancies (clinical trials: n = 58; post-marketing: n = 41). The majority of paternal exposure pregnancies occurred in clinical trials (91 of 94). Live births were reported for 53.8 and 61.1% of known outcomes in maternal exposure pregnancies during clinical trials and post-marketing surveillance, respectively. No congenital malformations resulting from maternal exposure were reported in clinical trials: one case, not causally related to ixekizumab therapy, was recorded in the post-marketing setting. Conclusions This integrated safety analysis provides relevant information for clinicians treating patients with psoriasis, PsA, or axSpA with ixekizumab. No new safety signals were identified in patients receiving ixekizumab.
California Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) Evaluations in the Field: Static-99R and Diagnostic Field Reliability

Tests and diagnoses used in sexually violent predator (SVP) evaluations must be reliable, as reliability is foundational to validity. The current study contained a stratified sample of evaluations of 395 individuals referred as potential SVPs between 2012 and 2017. Each individual was initially evaluated by at least two experts. The sample included three groups: individuals not meeting SVP criteria (N = 200, or 400 evaluations), individuals meeting SVP criteria (N = 95, with 190 evaluations), and individuals where evaluators disagreed (N = 100, with 200 evaluations). The sample also included 200 subsequent independent evaluations on these “disagree” cases. Static-99R score intraclass coefficient (ICC) interrater reliability was good to excellent within each group and overall. Evaluators scored the Static-99R within one point of each other 87% of the time. Cohen’s kappa diagnostic agreement for Pedophilic Disorder was substantial. ASPD and substance abuse kappa were in the “fair” range, while OSPD diagnoses in the positive group were at the “moderate” level of agreement. Ethnic differences in diagnoses were consistent with other studies, with equivalent Static-99R ICC values across ethnic groups. There were no significant differences between state civil servants versus contracted experts in Static-99R ratings or final determinations. The results suggest that Static-99R scores have acceptable reliability in these evaluations, and Pedophilic Disorder (the most common paraphilic disorder in our study) and OSPD can be reliably diagnosed. We discuss limitations of the study, as well as the need for care in high-stakes evaluations given the imperfect reliability of psychological measurements.
Regulation of mRNA decay in E. coli

Abstract Detailed studies of the Gram-negative model bacterium, Escherichia coli, have demonstrated that post-transcriptional events exert important and possibly greater control over gene regulation than transcription initiation or effective translation. Thus, over the past 30 years, considerable effort has been invested in understanding the pathways of mRNA turnover in E. coli. Although it is assumed that most of the ribonucleases and accessory proteins involved in mRNA decay have been identified, our understanding of the regulation of mRNA decay is still incomplete. Furthermore, the vast majority of the studies on mRNA decay have been conducted on exponentially growing cells. Thus, the mechanism of mRNA decay as currently outlined may not accurately reflect what happens when cells find themselves under a variety of stress conditions, such as, nutrient starvation, changes in pH and temperature, as well as a host of others. While the cellular machinery for degradation is relatively constant over a wide range of conditions, intracellular levels of specific ribonucleases can vary depending on the growth conditions. Substrate competition will also modulate ribonucleolytic activity. Post-transcriptional modifications of transcripts by polyadenylating enzymes may favor a specific ribonuclease activity. Interactions with small regulatory RNAs and RNA binding proteins add additional complexities to mRNA functionality and stability. Since many of the ribonucleases are found at the inner membrane, the physical location of a transcript may help determine its half-life. Here we discuss the properties and role of the enzymes involved in mRNA decay as well as the multiple factors that may affect mRNA decay under various in vivo conditions.
Evaluation of routine CT scans in the follow-up of diffuse large B-cell lymphomas

ABSTRACT Objective Our aim was to retrospectively assess the role of routine CT scans within the first year of follow-up with a limited surveillance policy prior to Lugano recommendations in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL) achieving complete metabolic remission (CMR). We also evaluated the type of relapse detection and exposure to CT scans within the first five years. Methods Patients diagnosed with DLBCL who achieved CMR after first-line immunochemotherapy were included. Imaging studies and medical records were thoroughly reviewed. Results Among 101 DLBCL patients in the first CMR, a total of 19 relapses were identified in the study period (18.8% of DLBCL patients included). Nine patients relapsed within the first year (47.4% of all relapses) but only 3 of them were detected by the 202 surveillance CT scans performed during this first year of follow-up. Conclusions Our real-world data provide clinically applicable results which are in agreement with the Lugano recommendations based on trial data, highlighting the lack of utility of routine CTs in DLBCL patients achieving CMR.
Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor dapagliflozin depressed adiposity and ameliorated hepatic steatosis in high-fat diet induced obese mice

ABSTRACT With the increasing obesity prevalence, the rates of obesity-related diseases, including type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and cardiovascular diseases, have increased dramatically. Dapagliflozin, one of the sodium glucose cotransporter inhibitors, not only exerts hypoglycaemic effects through increasing urinary glucose excretion but alsoreprograms the metabolic system, leading to benefits in metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. In this study, pre-established obese mice on a high-fat diet were given dapagliflozin by gavage for fourweeks. It showed that dapagliflozin can enhance fat utilization and browning of adipose tissue and improve local oxidative stress, thus inhibiting fat accumulation and hepatic steatosis without disturbance in body weight or plasma glycolipid level. Overall, our study highlights the potential clinical application of SGLT2 inhibition in the prevention of obesity and related metabolic diseases, such as insulin resistance, NAFLD, and diabetes.
[Neuregulin 2 is highly expressed in glioma tissues to regulate glial fibrillary acidic protein expression via Akt signaling].

OBJECTIVE To investigate neuregulin 2 (NRG2) expression in gliomas and its role in glioma development. METHODS We compared the expression levels of NRG2 and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in low-grade glioma (LGG) and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) with those in normal control samples using GEPIA database.The correlation between NRG2 and GFAP expression and their association with the overall survival of patients with LGG and GBM were analyzed.Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect NRG2 protein expression levels in a tissue microarray consisting of human gliomas of different grades, and potential co-localization of NRG2 and GFAP was analyzed using a double-labeling immunofluorescence assay.Western blotting was used to investigate the effect of perifosine (an AKT inhibitor) on the regulation of GFAP expression by NRG2 in human glioblastoma U-87 MG cells. RESULTS Both LGG and GBM tissues, especially the former, exhibited high expressions of NRG2 (P < 0.01). In GBM samples, patients with low NRG2 levels had slightly higher overall survival after 30 months than patients with high NRG2 levels.The expression level of NRG2 mRNA was negatively correlated with that of GFAP in LGG samples (P < 0.01) but positively correlated with GFAP expression in GBM samples (P < 0.01). Immunofluorescence assay showed that NRG2 and GFAP were co-expressed in the same tumor cells of LGG tissues but were separately expressed in different tumor cells in GBM tissues.In U-87 MG cells, treatment with recombinant human NRG2 obviously promoted the expression of GFAP, and this effect was significantly inhibited by perifosine (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION NRG2 is highly expressed in gliomas of different grades and regulates GFAP expression in glioma cells at least partly via the Akt signaling pathway to affect the survival of glioma patients.
Assess predictive values of a binary diagnostic test under a nested case–control design

ABSTRACT Predictive values of a binary diagnostic test are often evaluated under a random sample design. When the disease is rare, however, such a design might not be as efficient as a nested case–control design where the cases are oversampled from a large existing cohort. Under a nested case–control design, direct proportion estimators of predictive values are biased because cases are oversampled. Consistent estimates of predictive values can be easily obtained by inverse probability weighting (IPW) method. The only difficulty with these IPW estimators has been the absence of expressions for their variances. To fill this gap, in the current paper, we obtain the asymptotic variance formulas for the IPW estimators of predictive values. Unlike their counterparts from weighted logistic regression, our variance formulas take into account the variance of the estimated weights in the IPW estimators of predictive values. We further use the proposed variance formulas to examine the gain in efficiency under a nested case–control design compared with a simple random sampling design. Our results clearly show that when the disease is rare, a nested case–control design can achieve a substantial amount of variance reduction by oversampling cases, compared with a random sample design. Finally, we compare via simulation the accuracy of the proposed variance formulas with the existing methods and illustrate the proposed method by a real data example evaluating the accuracy of D-dimer test.
An empirical test of prototype and revisionist models of attachment stability and change from middle childhood to adolescence: A 6-year longitudinal study.

We examined the prototype v. revisionist models of attachment stability with a five-wave, 6-year, longitudinal study of attachment security from middle childhood to adolescence in a White Western European sample (N = 157; Wave 1 Mage = 10.91, SD = 0.87; 52% female). Attachment was assessed using both questionnaire (Experiences in Close Relationships) and narrative-based measures (Attachment Script Assessment). In addition, a set of potential moderators of prototype-like stability were examined. Results indicated that data from both attachment assessments best fit the prototype model. Moderator analyses indicated that male sex significantly undermined the influence of an attachment prototype and parent-child conflict and parental divorce enhanced the influence of an attachment prototype on stability.